The Tatler guide to the best eateries at Fortune Centre

Japanese-Italian favourite Piu M has made its way to Fortune Centre from Orchard Plaza, bringing with it its ethos of simple, good food to Bugis. Here, a classic bolognese is elevated with Wagyu beef and spread over rice rather than pasta, with a fried egg on the side and drizzled with cheese. The croquettes make for a wonderful small plate, with flavours such as crab meat and cream and potato and beef. If you don’t drink, this is not the place for you—every guest needs to order alcohol, but with an impressive list of Suntory whisky, shochu and beer, your boozy night out will be worth it.

Piu M, 190 Middle Road, 02-29 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 9456 2204

If you think vegetarian food is boring, think again. Herbivore serves up Japanese vegetarian food on the first floor of Fortune Centre—the first of its kind in Singapore—with an emphasis on fresh and organic ingredients. If this is your first time, try the “unagi”, which is made with tofu and prepared with a secret recipe to mimic the taste of real unagi, or go for any one of its set menus, which includes Japanese curry, tempura and udon, and soba.

Herbivore Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant, 190 Middle Road, 01-13/14 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 6333 1612

This vegetarian spot is known for its Hakka thunder tea (or as you may call it, lei cha). Packed full with greens, tofu, bean sprouts and more over your choice of brown rice or bee hoon, it’s drizzled with a green broth infused with tea leaves and made with a myriad of herbs. The result is hearty, wholesome and satisfying that’s sure to meet your fibre and nutritional needs.

Living Wholesome Vegetarian, 190 Middle Road, 01-23, S(188979), +65 8426 6033

Long a mainstay of Fortune Centre, Tracy Juice Culture brings together freshly-pressed juices with nutritious vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes, putting health front and centre. Take its mushroom udon, which features its signature mushroom soup with fresh broccoli, baby tomatoes, soya balls, and shiitake mushrooms for a punch of umami. But if you are looking for something more soothing, the wild rice congee is perfect for a fibre-packed nutritional boost. Don’t forget to fill up on the juices like the apple wheat juice, spotlighting organic wheat grass organically-grown from local farms together with green lemon and apple, pineapple, and kumquat; if you’re more into smoothies, the avocado smoothie with golden kiwi, green apple, organic honey, and oat milk makes for the perfect post-workout boost.

Tracy Juice Culture, 190 Middle Road, 01-34 Fortune Centre, S(188979)

You’ll be surprised to find an authentic Japanese izakaya here in Fortune Centre. But Izakaya Hikari sets out to achieve just that, with its selection of kushiyaki skewers (including pork belly, chicken cartilage, and Wagyu beef cubes), fried saltwater smelt, and salmon mentaiko donburi. It’s perfect for downing with its extensive selection of sake, including sparkling variants.

Izakaya Hikari, 190 Middle Road, 03-01 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 8921 3779

Read more: Where to find the best yakitori omakase menus in Singapore

Tucked away at the back of Fortune Centre lies the hidden gem that is A9 Noodle Dumpling, which sells generous servings of dumplings and noodles to satisfy all your cravings. Here, you’ll find massive platters of dumplings in flavours including cabbage pork and chive pork, best dipped in chilli oil and vinegar. For a filling meal, opt for the mala noodles dressed in a spicy, numbing mala sauce, with extra umami from the chopped onions, tempura prawn, and eggplant. But if you prefer soup noodles, the chive pork dumpling noodle is a good pick as well, swimming in a satisfying hot broth and topped with ikan bilis that will soothe your stomach.

A9 Noodle Dumpling, 190 Middle Road, 02-26 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 9667 1510

Get a taste of Hong Kong at this hole-in-the-wall shop on the ground floor of Fortune Centre. At Hong Kong Dim Sum Shop, you’ll find all your favourite dim sum in a classic, no-nonsense rendering, including must-haves like har gow (shrimp dumpling), siew mai, and braised chicken feet. Indulgent xiao long bao soup dumplings are also available to savour, as are liu sha bao, which oozes salted egg yolk custard inside a soft steamed bun. 

Hong Kong Dim Sum Shop, 190 Middle Road, 01-06 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 8482 8881

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to go to Tipo or Forma for trendy hand-made pasta. Pasta & Co located on the second floor of Fortune Centre serves up freshly-made pasta that come in a range of classic flavours like cacio e pepe, cult favourites like pasta alla vodka (popularised by Gigi Hadid’s viral recipe), and even laksa with tiger prawns, coconut, and taupok (tofu puffs). Don’t miss out on appetisers like the burratini salad, dressed in basil oil and drizzled with olive crumble, or a classic fried calamari.

Pasta & Co, 190 Middle Road, 02-17 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 8837 9278

In case you missed it: Top 5 social media food trends that have taken over your social media feeds

Operating since 1970 is Pine Tree Café, an unassuming store that delivers a powerful punch with its mala xiang guo, which is packed with vegetables, mock meats, noodles, and topped with non-negotiable peanuts to satisfy your mala cravings. Thunder tea is also available here, making for a clean and wholesome rice bowl to fill up on fibre. But you won’t just find Chinese food here; gems such as the mee rebus shines with its thick and glossy gravy, and the nasi lemak, paired with stir-fried long beans with sambal, will have you wolfing your plate down to your last bite.

Pasta & Co, 190 Middle Road, 02-13 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 9681 5457

For those craving a taste of Korea, head down to Hangawi Korean Food where you can find hearty Korean staples. Bibimbap is never a bad choice with its medley of vegetables atop rice, or opt instead for buckwheat noodles to toss with the gochujang sauce instead. If you love barbecue, you'll get your own hotplate with options of chicken, beef, pork, and Saba fish. Wash it down with a classic kimchi soup, or a soothing samgyetang, a ginger chicken soup. 

Hangawi Korean Food, 190 Middle Road, 02-18, S(188979), +65 9107 8749

Touted as the first clam-themed eatery in Singapore, Wawa Lala Bee Soon keeps its clams live in large tanks, making sure that each bowl of clam broth they make is fresh, briny, and flavourful. For a classic offering, go for the authentic noodles in a clam broth infused with Chinese wine to warm up your stomach, or go for another type of heat entirely with the "Power" sambal clams served in a mushroom and cabbage rice. Lest you think that only Asian food is served here, indulge in the vongole pasta, which sees spaghetti swimming in a luscious, clam-based sauce.

Wawa Lala Bee Hoon, 190 Middle Road, 01-11/12, S(188979)

Not to miss out on dessert, make sure you head down to Crescent after a delicious meal for waffles. Serving up classic crescent-shaped pandan waffles, you’ll find a variety of fillings such as peanut butter, kaya, and even black sesame for an extra roasted aroma. But if you’re in the mood for something savoury, opt for the ham, egg and cheese sandwich instead, which comes decadently sauced in béchamel and topped with toasted brioche with melted mozzarella. Wash it down with its Iced Crescent Coffee, its signature Viennese coffee topped with whipped cream.

Crescent, 190 Middle Road, 01-17 Fortune Centre, S(188979), +65 9681 5457

NOW READ 

Where to find the best tempura omakase menus in Singapore

10 essential dishes to try in Sri Lanka

The best Malay restaurants and eateries in Singapore, according to Khir Johari