Chef Justin Quek opens new gastro cafe-bar at Tangs Plaza, Orchard

The all-day dining spot in Orchard offers an extensive menu that consists of Quek’s signatures throughout his culinary career

Singaporean chef Justin Quek is a well-known figure in the local culinary scene, having helmed notable restaurants like Les Amis, and the now-shuttered Sky on 57, Chinoiserie and Justin Flavours of Asia at Marina Bay Sands in his career that has spanned more than four decades. And while you would think that the 61-year-old chef would take it slower at this stage in his life, he has jumped back into the competitive F&B industry with the opening of his new concept, Justin. The gastro café-bar, which officially opens its doors at Tangs Plaza today (August 16), is an-all day dining spot serving brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, social hour and a la carte menus.

“My new concept is all my experiences put together,” shares Quek, whose extensive menu consists of signature dishes that were perfected through his years of training in “French culinary techniques and understanding of local flavours”. His Singaporean heritage is showcased in creations like the xiao long bao stuffed with foie gras and truffle consommé; siew mai topped with tobiko roe; and har gow embedded with Hokkaido scallop and uni.

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Above Housemade dim sum

Housemade dim sum

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Culinary hits from his stints at previous restaurants feature on his repertoire too, including the famed wok-fried lobster Hokkien mee which has been part of his culinary repertoire since his Les Amis days. “That dish has an interesting story,” he chuckles, sharing that he came up with it after one of his VIP guests at the fine dining restaurant craved local food after a lavish French feast. What he whipped up was a “luxed up version” of this local dish which is braised in special stock, skilfully wok-fried to achieve that elusive ‘wok hei’ and served with Quek’s house-made sambal for a spicy kick. This remains one of his most well-loved creations until today, and is served as part of his a la carte menu.

Honouring the late prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew (who he had cooked for 21 years) is his fresh crabmeat capellini “LKY”, featuring al dente strips of capellini twirled on a plate and sprinkled with sauteed crab meat chunks and fresh herbs to enhance the overall taste. It is light yet tasty, as chef Quek explains that his dishes are all about the “balance (of flavours) and using fresh ingredients. In fact, Quek admits that everyday, he still goes to the local market early in the morning to buy the freshest produce and bounty.

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With Quek’s new space at Tangs Plaza, located in the busy part of Orchard, he’s confident that locals and tourists alike would appreciate the breadth of culinary offerings served from morning until late at night. It helps, too, that the spacious venue has a high ceiling and view of the bustling Orchard. Diners are more than welcome to park themselves anytime of the day for a cup of coffee with viennoisseries, perhaps, an afternoon tea or even bar bites, if they’re not up for a filling meal. While the mall opens at 10.30am and closes at 9.30pm, guests will be able to access the gastro café-bar via a private lift on the side of the building (near Lucky Plaza).

Justin, Tangs @ Tang Plaza, Level 4, 310 Orchard Road, S(238864), +65 6908 3003

What to order at chef Justin Quek’s new gastro café-bar at Tangs Plaza