Cover Nae:um chef-owner Louis Han (Photo: Da Photographer)
Nae:um chef-owner Louis Han (Photo: Da Photographer)
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When he’s not busy running his restaurants, Nae:um’s Louis Han explores Singapore like any local foodie. Here are his must-try hawker centres, restaurants and bars
Louis Han, the chef-owner of Tatler Best-awarded restaurant Nae:um, has called Singapore home for the past decade. “I still love Korean food, culture and traditions,” he tells Tatler, “but living in Singapore, I've naturally absorbed elements of its culture.” This duality shapes the new direction of Nae:um, where he serves contemporary Korean cuisine inflected with local flavours and broader Southeast Asian influences.
Living in Singapore with his Singaporean wife has also deepened his appreciation for the city’s diverse culinary tapestry—from European and Indian to Singaporean and Chinese—as well as its thriving bar scene. Here are his top recommendations.
Read more: How Nae:um’s new chapter reflects Louis Han’s culinary journey thus far
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh
Above Yah Hua Bak Kut Teh (Photo: Yahuasg/Instagram)
Yah Hua Bak Kut Teh (Photo: Yahuasg/Instagram)
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“I have bak kut teh to warm up and energise. I mostly go to Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh at Havelock Road, which is a nice 20 to 30 minutes stroll from home.”
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh
Address: 593 Havelock Road, 01-01/02, S(169641)
For casual date nights: Zamas River Valley Restaurant
Above Zamas River Valley Restaurant (Photo: Zamasrivervalleyrestaurant/Instagram)
Zamas River Valley Restaurant (Photo: Zamasrivervalleyrestaurant/Instagram)
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“It really depends on what cuisine I am in the mood for. I’ve recently been craving for murtabak, so I've been dragging my wife to Zamas at River Valley. They have really nice and generous portions of murtabak, chicken makhani and naan.”
Zamas River Valley Restaurant
Address: 429 River Valley Road, S(248328)
For cocktails: Jigger & Pony and Side Door
Above Lycheetini at Jigger & Pony
Above Tropica Negroni and Ugly Duckling at Side Dor
Lycheetini at Jigger & Pony
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“Jigger & Pony, and Bannie's Side Door. At both places, I always asked the mixologists to surprise me with anything strong and punchy.”
Jigger & Pony
165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Amara Hotel, S(088539)
Side Door
3 Neil Road, #01-01, S(088805)
For local food: Amoy Food Centre
Above Fish soup at Amoy Food Centre (Photo: Owen_08.01/Instagram)
Fish soup at Amoy Food Centre (Photo: Owen_08.01/Instagram)
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“The Amoy Food Centre is close to Nae:um, so I tend to go there when I am craving for local food such as bak chor mee, chicken rice or fish soup.”
Amoy Food Centre
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, S(069111)
For supper: Jiaxiang, Dong Bei Ren Jia or Hai Di Lao
Above Dong Bei Ren Jia (Photo: Sandrasim/Instagram)
Dong Bei Ren Jia (Photo: Sandrasim/Instagram)
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“For a team supper, we tend to gravitate to any restaurant that opens until late around the Chinatown area, such as JiaXiang or Dong Bei Ren Jia. We also like to go to Hai Di Lao as the menu has something for everyone.”
JiaXiang, 189 New Bridge Road, 01-02, S(059422)
Dong Bei Ren Jia, 22 Upper Cross Street, S(058334)
Hai Di Lao, multiple locations
Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
