A brainchild of Putien restaurant founder Fong Chi Chung, Yum Sing! embodies the loud and electrifying “New World” era.
We were bummed the last time we visited Clarke Quay – fresh off the circuit breaker, the area seemed to have lost its revelry. Until now. There’s a new hangout giving life to the buzzy enclave. Say hello to Yum Sing!, a themed restaurant that celebrates the spirited 1960s Singapore and local cuisine in a fun, nostalgic setting.
Hot new restaurant: Yum Sing! Review
Once we spotted the grand neon light signs and lion dance costumes at the entrance, we knew we were going to have a fab time. The speakeasy-esque space takes you back to the vibrant 60s to 80s Singapore. Think recycled timber panels taken from old shop houses, retro neon light signages, Ipoh marble table tops, repurposed perforated advertisement boards, a yusheng corner that looks like an old school pawn shop… and the list goes on. There’s even a retail boutique that mimics a traditional provision shop with Singaporean snacks and bites from local brands.
But the highlight has to be the performance tentage with merry-go-round horses on the ceiling and a stage for live entertainment like lion dance and getai (hopefully soon when the restrictions are lifted).
Tze char-style local hawker hits and novelty cocktails to pair
Whet your appetite with the best of Singaporean cuisine under one roof. We’re talking about sharing portions of Hainanese chicken rice ($10), chilli crab ($78), laksa ($10) and Hokkien mee ($10) served old school style. The chicken rice was presented on an enamel plate complete with three sauces (black soy sauce, chilli sauce, garlic paste) and achar. Chendol and cheng tng for dessert were quite a nostalgic treat too. The Hokkien mee and laksa were a little mild for us (we like ours to pack a punch!) but there were definitely more hits than misses.
Order the salted egg fish skin ($8), served warm with a generous coating of salted egg yolk sauce (our fave of the night). Others include kung pao prime beef cubes ($12), bak kut teh ($10), satay ($10), as well as cheng tng ($6), served warm or cold and you’ll leave happy. Oh, and did we mention there’s yusheng ($6.80 per pax) all year round?
And you’ll never be thirsty here. The drinks menu has familiar classics like Michael Jackson ($6), soy milk mixed with grass jelly and Mega Milo Dinosaur ($8) with a giant heap of Milo powder on top. Our 10-year-old self was jumping in delight.
If you like some magic in your juice, there’s Yum Sling ($18), a nod to the national classic with gin and a tangy pineapple spin. We dare say it’s better than the original. The Kopi-O Gao ($20) definitely packs a punch with a sweet after taste, while the Gin Fizz ($15) is a great refresher that’ll pair well with the hawker food.
Endless good times, guaranteed
If you’ve got the in-laws to impress or simply want to bring your crew out for a dose of nostalgia, this is the place to be.
Yum Sing!, Block B, #01-06/07, Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Road, Singapore 179021
