From an aspirational sustainability concept in Dempsey Hill to the reinvigoration of one famed nightlife address, these are the latest culinary destinations to bookmark right now.
For something closer to home, Jiak Kim House stands out amid the lot. Once a famed nightlife location, dining industry stalwart The Brewerkz Group and chef-partner Seow Tzi Qin reinvigorate the iconic address with an all-new destination for modern Asian cuisine.
Ahead of your next big night out, look to our list of the city’s most exciting new restaurants to dine at.
Courtesy of Jiak Kim House
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Jiak Kim House
What used to be lauded as one of Singapore’s hottest nightclubs is now a new dining hotspot, carrying on the address’s renowned fervour in the name of Jiak Kim House. A project that was years in the making by The Brewerkz Group, the astounding transformation now sees a 120-seater restaurant, majestically imbued with a blend of modern fixtures and old world charm. And paying homage to its historic location and the illustrious journey of Singapore—where old meets new and East meets West—is its modern Asian cuisine.
Spearheaded by chef-partner Seow Tzi Qin, fondly remembered classics are weaved into the starters: Tingkat of Memories presents delectable vignettes like chilli crab kueh pie tee and otak otak stuffed with fresh fish paste and prawn chunks. While peculiar, Seow’s iteration of a mushroom soup, carries the signature heat of our local speciality bak kut teh. Like a latte, he serves this piquant peppery consommé layered with a peppercorn-infused foam in a coffee cup, as mini dough fritters make perfect accompaniments on the side.
Each main at Jiak Kim House imparts its own tranche of flavours, all while conveying Seow’s profound understanding and appreciation of local and regional produce. The mangosteen salsa immediately springs to mind. It might just be a side to the huge sambal grouper fillet, but the tropical fruit is deseeded with laborious effort, while cutting through the heat from the fish with a tangy reprieve. In the rendang beef, a triptych is served—short rib, ox tongue and oxtail that have been thoroughly stewed in spices and rendered fork tender. Crispy pavé potatoes, smoked shishito peppers and a fresh ‘rojak’ salad complete the dish. On the dessert front, another locally-favoured fruit is spotlighted, with a pineapple sorbet infused with Moutai and layered by a silky shield of coconut jelly.
Given the dining group’s repertoire with a fine wine merchant under its belt, one will be surely spoiled for choice of vino at Jiak Kim House—especially after a glance at the restaurant’s wine cellar. Specialising in French wines, choose from over 200 labels to sip alongside with your meal. Cold cuts, artisanal cheeses and steaks on the grill are also at the ready, should you wish to enjoy a precise pairing.
5 Jiak Kim St, #01–17, Singapore 169425
Enquiries: 9831 5430
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