From Japanese Yakiniku at $22.50++, instagrammable ‘glasshouse’ restaurant, to modern Shaanxi cuisine, Guoco Tower at Tanjong Pagar certainly looks more exciting for foodies with all these NEW openings.
Conveniently located directly above Tanjong Pagar MRT station, the six-level retail space brings together an interesting mix of F&B – some not found elsewhere.
Even if you do not work near the CBD, consider heading here during dinner times or the weekends.
Other than those listed below, the wide variety of F&B choices include Ah Lock & Co, City Hot Pot, Imakatsu, Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine, IndoChill, Japan Rail Café, Kuro Maguro, Makai, Randy Indulgence, SBCD Korean Tofu House, Takada Grill & Bar, and more.
If you prefer to stay at home, Guoco Tower has also partnered with GrabFood so that you are able to continue to order your favourite foods in one single order via their Mix & Match store. (More details below.)
Here are 10 NEW restaurants and menu items you can expect from Guoco Tower: (note: prevailing taxes apply for certain dine-in restaurants)
Syohachi Yakiniku
Guoco Tower #01-13
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs, PH)
11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 1am (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH)
Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Ala Carte Buffet at Amazing Prices
This all-you-can-eat Japanese yakiniku specialist is known to provide the most premium Japanese A5 Wagyu beef from Miyagi Prefecture, and that includes Brisket, Chuck, Round, Knuckle and more.
Wah, Wagyu A5? Because this is the top-tier range of wagyu and easily cost much more in other restaurants.
A reason why the brand can keep the wagyu prices low is because it holds an exclusive partnership with Japan’s award-winning Hidakami Ranch – located in Miyagi Ken, Sendai City in Japan.
This allows them access to exquisite cuts of Japanese A5 Wagyu beef at more competitive rates.
The 120 minutes Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef buffet is available from $70++ to $80++ per adult and $45 per child onwards (depending on timing), which allows diner to savour the mesh-like marbling and rich meaty flavour in the Sendai Wagyu beef.
Plus point: the restaurant also uses a special smokeless griller, so that you will leave without worrying about the greasy smell on your hair and clothes.
Go for the Yakiniku Ala Carte Lunch Buffet ($22.50++ per person)
Going for affordability? There is a 90 minutes Yakiniku Ala Carte Lunch Buffet ($22.50++ per person, $8 surcharge on Fri, Sat, Eve of PH) available lunchtime from 11:30am to 3pm for a limited period (likely end Sep 2021).
This lunchtime buffet includes free-flow servings of pork, chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetables.
What’s more, there is a COMPLIMENTARY tasting platter with fresh seafood of Tiger Prawn served with Salt and savoury Japanese Oyster with Herbs Butter Sauce; and assorted premium assorted beef like Syohachi Short Ribs marinated with Special Steak Sauce, Japanese Ox Tongue served with Spring Onion mixed with Salt, and the prized Premium A5 Japanese Wagyu.
Pretty-good value-for-money offering.
Just note that if you want to try more of these premium items, they will be available at additional costs thereafter.
Dusk X Dawn
Guoco Tower #01-17/18
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Hearty Meals, Artisanal Coffees and Fresh Beers
Walk past this side of Guoco Tower and you would notice this contemporary-chic restaurant enclosed in a ‘glasshouse’ with full length windows, bathing in natural light during the day.
Dusk X Dawn is one of the latest additions to Tanjong Pagar, suitable for professional lunches, mid-day coffee break, to hearty sharing plates for dinner.
Its menu featuring various types of cuisines is quite wide-ranging. You get “soul-satisfying sharing bites” of Tiny Mighty Crab Nibbles with Mala Chilli Mayo ($16); pasta dishes of Simply Creamy Bacon Pasta ($19) and Bold Creamy Mala Pasta ($17); to Wagyu “Sandoitchi” ($34) for the steak lovers.
Talking about steak, whether you prefer a Bone-Out Wagyu Striploin Marbling 6-7 ($55) or Bone-In Dry-Aged Angus Ribeye ($138, serves 2-4 pax), both are available.
The Wagyu Striploin and Dry-Aged Angus Ribeye are sourced from Stockyard, Australia’s leading exporter of the finest quality of grain-fed Angus and Wagyu beef. The steak is lightly marinated with Maldon coarse sea salt and fresh ground pepper, so that diners can better appreciate fuller flavours of meat and those rich-tasting juices.
Pair your meats with their own line of fresh locally brewed, unfiltered, unpasteurised SevenDaze beers ($16) kegged and delivered fresh from their brewery, to experience crisp with every pour.
Go for the Whole Baked Salt Jacket Seabass ($68)
Get your phone cameras ready in video mode, as this Sicilian-inspired dish is served whole and encased in a jacket of salt that will be cracked open at the table.
Upon the reveal, you’ll find a large 800g fresh seabass lying steaming hot within.
As the fish is baked in salt, the process helps to lock in the moisture, keeping the flesh tender and succulent. Dig within and you would find herbs and fruits like grapefruit, rosemary, Kalamata and green olives, black bean and capers in the belly, which helps permeate that aroma and herby flavours.
If you prefer some sauces, there is the garlicky house-made buttery Mediterranean sauce, and an Asian favourite Thai dipping sauce – just need a light dip will do so as to better appreciate the fish’s natural flavours.
Wanton Seng’s Express
Guoco Tower #B2-27
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 3pm (Sat), Closed Sun
NEW Express Outlet Of Modern Wanton Noodles
Diners get both the classic and modern bowls of Wanton Noodles at Wanton Seng’s first Express outlet.
Wanton Seng is an offshoot from Seng’s Wanton Noodles at Dunman Food Centre (which has been around since 1968), started when the young owners Benson Ng and Brandon Teo who wanted to create a hip and adapted take on this well-loved local food.
The eatery offers fuss-free noodles at a casual setting or on the go.
If you are up for something more classic, order the Seng’s Char Siu Noodles ($6) which comes with springy handmade egg noodles, served with roasted pork collar char siu and pork wantons, further added with scallions and fried shallots for that crunch and fragrance.
There is also the Jack Style Noodles ($6) – an OG dish from Dunman days with 8 pieces of pork wantons, scallions, and fried shallots.
Go for the Modern Char Siu Noodles ($7)
The Modern Char Siu Noodles replaces the char siu with flame-seared pork belly, if you like that piece of succulence with slight charred exterior. Thankfully, not too fatty.
For more indulgence in your noodles, choose toppings (additional cost applies) such as assorted roasted mushrooms, braised Japanese shitake, soft boiled eggs, XO sauce, chinchalok sauce, to mala minced for a spicy-punch.
Yuba Hut
Guoco Tower #B2-29
Operating hours: 11am – 10pm, Last order 9.30pm (Mon – Sun)
Fast-Casual Japanese Dining Restaurant For Donburi, Maki Rolls And More
Yuba Hut is best known for its sushi rolls aka aburi-ed maki sensations zhng-ed up with a number of toppings, from its signature Champion Floss Maki, Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon to Salmon Aburi Maki.
They also offer donburi rice bowls, fresh sashimi and signature Aburi-style dishes (blowtorch before serving).
For a fast-free meal, go for the rice bowls such as Salmon Aburi Don ($14.90), Spicy Salmon Aburi Don ($16.90), Hamachi Salmon Aburi Don ($16.90), Sake Sashimi Don ($14.90), Tamago Aburi Don ($10.90), and Cheesy Unagi Aburi Don ($15.90)
One of the popular choices is the Bara Chirashi Don ($16.90), which had a sizable portion of fresh sashimi cubes topped with conspicuous amount of ikura and tobiko, well marinated with sauces.
Customers who prefer a heavier-hand on Japanese donburi would enjoy this version, as this came mixed and drizzled with quite a bit of rich sauces.
Go for the Champion Floss Maki ($9.90 for 4 pieces, $16.90 for 8 pieces)
The main highlight of Yuba Hut to me is the Champion Floss Maki, so-named because the sushi roll is piled with ingredients.
Here’s what goes into the maki: sushi rice rolled with cucumber and aburi salmon sashimi, further topped with house-made mayonnaise sauce, further topped with chicken floss and ebiko.
In terms of appearance, it just looked like it was over-flowing with mayo, floss and roe.
The shiok-ness comes from the creaminess of the sauce sliding with the fluffy flossy and crunchy ikura. The thick slices of salmon also added that buttery richness.
Get the Champion Maki ($9.90, UP $16.90) on Tuesdays. T&C: Not in conjunction with other discounts, promotions or vouchers. Available for dine-in and takeaway.
Qin Ji Rougamo
Guoco Tower #B2-04
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm, last order 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Authentic Modern Snacks That Originated from Shaan Xi and Si Chuan Provinces
Craving for Chinese street food? You can have a taste of Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces at this eatery.
If you have never eaten a “Rougamo” (肉夹馍) before, it is a street food which originated from Shaanxi Province – a baked flatbread stuffed with meat fillings and other spices.
The name literally means “meat held by a flatbread”, and looks like a Chinese-style of hamburger. Qin Ji offers various fillings of Pork Rougamo ($4.90), Chicken ($4.90), Cumin Pork ($4.90), Black Pepper Beef ($5.50), Healthy Vegetable ($4.50) and Plain Crispy Rougamo ($2.50).
After taking a bite, I was surprised how crispy and flaky the outer layer was, reminding me of a cross between scallion pancake and prata. The pork fillings were quite flavourful, though can be a tad on the saltier side.
Go for the Qin Ji Value Set Meals ($11.90 – $14.90)
For a more filling and value-for-money meal, Qin Ji offers four different sets included with a main, Rougama and drink – choose from fresh soy milk, grass jelly, milk tea, or iced peak orange soda.
These sets labelled A-D provide the convenience of individual dining, without the need to order ‘big’ dishes to experience authentic Northern Chinese cuisine.
If you prefer something spicy, order the main of Sour & Spicy Potato Noodles with Minced Pork, or Pickled Cabbage Fish with Rice Noodles.
The latter is a bowl of Sichuan-style hot and sour soup with pickled cabbage, thinly sliced and fresh tasting poached fish soup, along with mi xian – a type of chewy rice vermicelli.
I also couldn’t stop nibbling at the addictive Crispy Pork ($6.50) which is a must-order side.
Old Tea Hut
Guoco Tower #B1-11
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 6:30pm (Mon – Fri), 7:30am – 5pm (Sat), Closed Sun
Brand-New Concept And Look At Guoco Tower
Old Tea Hut is not an unfamiliar name, a favourite about CBD workers for its rich roasted coffee and tea drinks, along with specialty concocted beverages.
All at wallet-friendly pricing.
Celebrating their 10-year milestone, they have rebranded their latest outlet at Guoco Tower with a new look, modern logo, and revamped drinks with improved recipe that goes easier on the sugar level and calories.
The top favourite is the Coffee drink ($1.40 for hot, $1.90 for iced) with rich and full-bodied taste yet not overly bitter. They also have various combinations from the Gula Melaka Coffee, Almond Coffee, to Yuan Yang striking a balance with tea for those who want the best of both worlds.
For something smoothing and refreshing get the Honey Lemon ($1.70 for hot, $2.20 for iced) a combination of lemon juice and natural honey, the perfect thirst quencher for the weather.
Go for the Gula Melaka Milk Coffee ($1.90 for hot, $2.40 for cold)
The instagrammable Iced version comes in 3 layers of coconut sugar, coffee and milk for a unique creamy sweet taste in every sip.
The Gula Melaka added gave distinct light caramel flavour, and thankfully I didn’t feel that it was too sweet.
If you are looking out for a new drink, there is the Honey Japanese Green Tea ($2.10 for cold) of brewed aromatic Japanese sencha green tea with the natural sweetness of honey. Makes you feel ready to kick-start summer.
Milksha
Guoco Tower #B2-28
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Beverages & Desserts Made With The Freshest Milk
If you need some refreshing Bubble Tea with less of the guilt, Milksha is known to use natural ingredients with no preservatives, artificial colouring or chemical additives in their drinks.
Voted the No.1 bubble tea brand by Taiwanese university students, the store offers five series on its menu: Fresh Milk Series, Fresh Milk Tea Latte Series, Premium Tea Series, Fresh Milk Foam Series, and Special Concoctions; and you can include toppings such as honey pearls, grass jelly and pudding.
Consider the best-sellers of Fresh Taro Milk ($5.60), Earl Grey Latte with Honey Pearls ($4.80), Refreshing Orange Green Tea ($4.20), Valrhona 100% Cocoa Milk ($4.80), Brown Sugar Milk ($4.60), and Azuki Matcha Milk ($5.60)
Go for the Fresh Taro Milk with Taro Balls ($5.60 + $1.20 for M topping)
The taro is used at Milksha is specially imported from Dajia (大甲) in Taichung, Taiwan. The blended Fresh Taro Milk was rich and creamy, just mildly sweet, and may make you feel like you have having an orh nee drink – except that it is relatively smooth and not that thick.
Have Taro Pearls in Taro Milk?
Yup, you can add a new topping of chewy and nutty Taro Balls, made with 100% fresh and natural ingredients and real taro paste.
Also new is the Summer Crush Milk Foam ($4.80), with a base of citrusy fresh calamansi juice and premium green tea blend, then topped with a layer of fluffy fresh milk foam. The frothy milk foam topping made with only fresh milk cream.
IPPUDO
Guoco Tower #01-15
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)
First Plant-Based Akamaru Ramen
IPPUDO wanted to provide vegan diners with the same tasteful experience, with a meat-free broth reminiscent of its acclaimed tonkotsu flavour.
Therefore, diners now can enjoy this NEW plant-based bowl ramen bowl called Akamaru 1.0 ($16.85) available till end August 2021. The recipe based on IPPUDO’s current classic global signature – the Akamaru Shinaji, except that all the ingredients incorporate meat-free alternatives.
It is topped with the same medley of special blended spicy miso blend, fragrant garlic oil, black fungus and spring onions.
The soup is created from a combination of mushroom broth, soy milk, IPPUDO’s original kaeshi, and a dash of porcini mushroom oil.
When you take sips, you likely get that soul-satisfying, belly-warming smooth creaminess, though the soy taste was rather apparent (especially if you take soy bean milk all the time).
I found this a note-worthy rendition, especially after mixing in the special blended spicy paste, porcini oil and kaeshi – which is a blend of different soy sauces from Kyushu.
As for the ‘cha shu’ pieces, they are made with premium non-GMO soy – high in protein, cholesterol-free and preservatives-free.
Pura Brasa
Guoco Tower #01-16
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
Spanish Concept Originating From The Colourful Barcelona
If you are feelin’ you need a travel to Spain but unfortunately can’t, you can still get a delicioso Spanish cuisine experience at Pura Brasa.
Pura Brasa is a Spanish concept originating from the colourful Barcelona, and this is reflected in its food offerings.
If you are undecided at what to get, some of its best-selling items include Spanish Omelette ($16), Grilled Mussels ($25), Jamon Iberico ($38), Mediterranean Nachos ($15), Grilled Black Codfish with Mushroom Ragout ($34), Spanish Pork Ribs ($45), Spanish Suckling Pig ($70) to even Wagyu Tomahawk Steak ($18 for 100g).
They also now offer a selection of burgers served with fries. The Jamon Iberico burger ($27.30) is sandwiched with a juicy pork patty, Josper grilled caramelised onion, Asiago cheese, fresh tomato and rocket leaves.
Go for the Squid Ink Paella (from $39.90)
The dish begins with a flavourful prawn stock cooked in a casserole. Into it comes the paella base – a mix of plump bomba rice and squid ink.
The paella is grilled in a wood-fired Josper charcoal oven, then topped with tiger prawns.
Loaded with Mediterranean flavours, take one mouthful of the plump grains and you get that burst of smoky seafood flavours absorbed within – can be hard to stop once you start.
La Mensa
Guoco Tower #B2-15
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Affordable, Modern Italian Fare
La Mensa (Italian for “The Canteen”), relatively newly opened next to The Daily Cut, serves up simple pastas done right.
Here, pasta and sauces are only cooked upon order. Freshness trumps the limited number of ingredients used in the dishes.
If you love classic Italian pasta, La Mensa is for you because they are all priced affordably.
Go for the Ragù Alla Bolognese and Carbonara
Start off with a bowl of Ragù Alla Bolognese ($15.00), tossing wide al dente egg pappardelle in a tomato and beef sauce.
Decked with carrots, leeks and onions, the sauce develops a mild sweetness. A sprinkling of chopped Italian parsley adds freshness, while a splash of red wine creates a depth in flavour.
La Mensa’s version of the much-loved Carbonara ($13.50) is more traditional as it uses egg yolks instead of cream.
And instead of bacon, you get crispy-chewy bits of guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl). Strands of tagliatelle are wrapped in a silky creamy egg sauce, seasoned with ground black pepper and pecorino cheese.
Guoco Tower x GrabFood Mix & Match Stores
Guoco Tower has partnered with GrabFood so that you are able to continue to order your favourite foods at Guoco Tower in one single order via their Mix & Match store.
All you need to do is to:
1. Launch the Grab app and click on the ‘Food’ icon
2. Search for ‘Guoco Tower’
3. Click on the Mix & Match store and start ordering. Enjoy!
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Guoco Tower.