Les Ducs Singapore review: First French bouillon 3-month lunch pop-up

Singapore’s first-ever French bouillon lunch pop-up at Les Ducs serves affordable comfort food from $3.

Les Ducs is hosting a three-month lunch pop-up introducing Singapore’s first-ever French bouillon – a historic style of Parisian restaurant known for serving high-quality, traditional comfort food at affordable prices. Think Emily in Paris, but in Singapore. The name “Les Ducs” translates to “The Dukes”, and the concept is helmed by chef Louis Pacquelin. Described as “French fun dining”, the menu reimagines hearty brasserie classics with a playful touch. Oh, and if you’re on the hunt for the best French restaurants in Singapore, we’ve got you covered!

I popped by Les Ducs at Ann Siang Hill on a Friday afternoon and ate my way through classic French comfort dishes elevated with subtle local flavours. The restaurant seats around 40 guests, making it perfect for intimate and casual meals. The overall vibe feels warm and inviting. It strikes a nice balance between polished and relaxed, the kind of place where you can enjoy good food without feeling tied to the usual fine dining rules. Here’s what to expect.

Les Ducs Singapore review: Details at a glance

Best for: Experiencing French Bouillon in a warm, comforting setting without the hefty price tag
Must-try dishes: Snails with garlic butter; Le Bouillon Les Ducs; roasted chicken leg
Price: Starters from $3; mains from $12; desserts from $8; drinks from $3
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 11.30pm (lunch pop-up ends in April, may be extended until further notice)
Address: Les Ducs, 8 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069788

Appetisers that set the mood

I kicked things off with the sourdough bread ($3) and egg mayo ($9). The pairing worked well enough, but the mayo wasn’t quite what I expected. Lighter and more subtle, it almost felt a little too mild for my taste.

Next up, the snails with garlic and parsley butter ($12). The snails were soft and tender, and if you’ve never tried them before, the closest comparison would be mushrooms in terms of texture. The garlic and parsley butter was rich and fragrant, which helps ease any hesitation for first-timers trying escargot.

I also sampled the Le Bouillon Les Ducs ($12), a comforting bowl of French noodles and vegetables simmered in chicken broth. This was my first time experiencing a bouillon-style dish, and I loved it. The broth was warm, hearty and deeply comforting. It’s the kind of soup you can easily go back for seconds. Needless to say, this was my favourite appetiser.

Eat & Drink

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Hearty mains that steal the show

First up was the slow-cooked salmon with Béarnaise sauce ($20), a classic French sauce made with egg yolks, clarified butter, white wine vinegar and herbs. While the sauce leaned towards the lighter side for me, the salmon was beautifully done, with crisp skin encasing tender flesh. It was served alongside a bowl of pilaf rice, which was soft and fluffy though slightly on the oilier side.

Next came the braised chicken leg with mushroom sauce and fries ($15). The chicken was incredibly tender and practically fell off the bone. The mushroom sauce complemented it well, with a subtle hint of truffle that added depth to the dish.

The fries were another highlight, well-seasoned and extra crunchy with a sprinkle of parsley. On the side was a small jar of mac & cheese, complete with a glorious cheese pull. Controversial opinion: I actually prefer smaller pasta shapes over traditional macaroni because they soak more cheese and flavour, and Les Ducs does it exactly that way.

Ending the meal on a sweet note

There’s always room for dessert, no matter how full you are, so we ended the meal with Chocolat Liégeois ($9) and the crème mont blanc ($8). If you’re a fan of chestnuts, the Mont Blanc is definitely worth trying; it was my personal favourite of the two. My dining companion, however, leaned towards the Chocolat Liégeois, which delivered a richer and more indulgent chocolate finish.

With prices starting from just $3 and a convenient location in the CBD area, Les Ducs at Ann Siang Hill is great for intimate lunches or fuss-free catch-ups. Check it out before the pop-up ends in April!

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