Singapore’s halal dining scene has expanded, offering a range of cuisines and trendy concepts to foodies.
TEXT: TERESE TAY
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED, FOMO, HABIB FAMILY RESTAURANT
Part of The Black Hole Group, The Co-op brings you yet another halal culinary creation; the all-encompassing Co-op houses a mixture of dishes under one roof. Inspired by the original establishments at Arab Street Co-Op serves up sunny tacos to succulent burgers to silky pasta made fresh daily, to gourmet fish and chips battered to order. The Co-op alternatively shares dishes we love with the East and West of Singapore from Working Titles Ribena Wings to Tipos delicate pasta. This hearty selection of food has something for everyone.
Where:
HOMETEAMNS BUKIT BATOK
2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7
#01-07 A\B, Singapore 659003
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
www.thecoop.sg
HOMETEAMNS TAMPINES
1 Tampines Walk (Our Tampines Hub)
#03-04, Singapore 528523
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
This outpost of local tze char stalwart Kim’s serves up halal versions of its signature dishes such as the award-winning Hokkien Prawn Mee and Claypot Black Pepper Crab. Besides these, try the wonderfully moreish XO Hokkien Mee – the eatery’s trademark dish plumped up with “Xtra Oysters”. Those looking for a modern twist can try its Cheese Lobster and Cheese Crab.
WHERE:
HOMETEAMNS-JOM BALESTIER
31 Ah Hood Road
#01-07, Singapore 329979
Tel : 6583 6488
Mon to Sat: 11am to 1am
Sun: 11am to 12am
Singapore’s first Muslim-owned izakaya serves authentic Japanese dishes, with an emphasis on charcoal-grilled items. Naturally, the kushiyaki (skewered meat) sticks are must-tries. Priced from $3.50 to $18 for a pair, the range includes grilled diced wagyu beef with capsicum and shiitake mushroom, grilled tomato wrapped in sliced turkey and chicken gizzards. In lieu of alcohol, this joint – which has a counter as well as tatami seating – serves mocktails and non-alcoholic wines.
WHERE:
16 Bussorah Street,
Singapore 199437
Tel: 6291 5373
Mon to Sun: 12 pm to 11 pm (Last Order 10 pm)
A visit to Positano, a cliff-side village located along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, captured the heart and imagination of co-founder Imran. Over the next three years, he set out to make his dream of opening an Italian restaurant a reality. Launched late last year, Positano Risto has already built a reputation for churning out good-quality, authentic Italian fare such as eggplant Parmigiana, Bruschetta Pomodoro and Osso Bucco. Roma-style thin-crust pizzas are also available in a small range of flavours.
WHERE:
66 Bussorah Street,
Singapore 199479
Tel: 6292 1866
Sun – Thurs: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Fri: 11:30 am – 11 am
Sat: 11:30 am – 12 am
Sprawled across the lobby of Instagram-worthy boutique hotel the Great Madras, this slick eatery majors in Catalan-inspired fare. With over 20 types of tapas to choose from, this is the place for a night of snacking and drinking – its unique mocktail creations feature ingredients such as agave and tabasco sauce. Try its rich, flavourful Bikini Party (black truffle paste, mozzarella and beef bacon in brioche) and Chuck Albóndigas (chuck meatballs in tomato stew served with a slice of warm batard bread).
WHERE:
30 Madras Street,
Singapore 208423
Tel: 8768 0460
Mon – Thurs: 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 5pm
Named after the Internet slang that means, “fear of missing out”, this hip food court aims to bring together some of the most delicious offerings to satisfy the cravings of millennial foodies. Halal options include Kakak Kentang, with its jumbo fried meaty mashed potato balls that are dunked in soto (soup) or tangy tomato gravy, and Kane Mochi, which offers mochi ice cream in various flavours.
WHERE:
38 Sultan Gate,
Singapore 198486
For over 15 years, this family-owned business has been substituting pork-based dishes with lamb and beef so that the Muslim community can enjoy Chinese cuisine. Their formula is still popular. Habib’s star dish has got to be its halal bak kut teh. Its Chinese chef uses traditional herbs to flavour the broth, along with beef and other ingredients – creating a soul-warming dish. Try the set, which comprises the herbal soup, white rice, kang kong, an omelette and sambal belacan.
WHERE:
Blk 374 Bukit Batok Street 31
Singapore 650374
