New Bahru at Kim Yam Road has been growing bit by bit.
Every time I return, there seems to be another corner open, another hoarding gone, or another name added to the directory.
Now, the new Factory Block gives you another section to explore.
Beyond the earlier mix of lifestyle shops and destination restaurants, this part brings in more casual food names such as Dumpling Darlings, Sushiro, Orh Gao Peh Gao, Parlour Gelato, Kios Minang, Kulon and Laifaba.
This is along with retail and lifestyle brands including Beams, Stacked Store, Veja and Yeti.
Which is good, because sometimes you do not always want a big sit-down meal or a reservation-led dinner. Sometimes, you just want somewhere easy to eat after walking around.
Here are some of the new eats to check out at New Bahru’s Factory Block:
Dumpling Darlings
Fun Dumplings, Small Plates and Slurpable Egg Noodles
Dumpling Darlings has opened at the Factory Block with its playful mix of dumplings, egg noodles and small plates.
The brand keeps its fun personality, with illustrated menus, cheeky copy, and a casual space that does not take itself too seriously.
The XO Prawn Noodles ($13)ame as a savoury seafood bowl with prawns, XO sauce, fried shallots, tobiko and hanjuku egg, while the Jajang Pork Noodles ($11) is richer and meatier with Korean jajang minced pork belly and smoked leek sofrito.
For sharing, the Original Dumplings ($8) are the safe starting point, filled with minced pork collar, napa cabbage and ginger soy sauce.
Laifaba
Wood Fired Roast Meats, Rice Bowls And Noodles
Laifaba is better known for its wood fired roast meats and wanton mee, and has built a following from its earlier Bukit Batok outlet.
This New Bahru counter keeps things more compact and casual, with rice bowls and noodles built around familiar meats such as pork jowl, crispy pork belly and chicken thigh.
The menu includes Wood Fired Pork Jowl with Rice or Noodles ($12.80), Wood Fired Crispy Pork Belly with Rice or Noodles ($12.80), Signature Wood Fired Duo Pork with Rice or Noodles ($14.80), and Wood Fired Whole Chicken Thigh with Rice or Noodles ($12.80).
You can also add a set meal upgrade ($3.50), which comes with pork collagen tofu broth and fried wonton strips.
Kios Minang
Nasi Padang Sets From The Minang Family
Kios Minang brings a more casual version of Rumah Makan Minang into the Factory Block.
The counter keeps things straight-forward with a Nasi Padang Set ($12), which comes with rice, one protein, one vegetable, one side, sambal belacan and emping crackers.
You can also order dishes a la carte, with mains from $7, vegetables at $3, sides at $2.50 and rice at $1.50.
From the display, you may find items such as Ayam Goreng Bumbu, Sambal Goreng, Tahu Telur, Ikan Pepes, Ayam Bakar and Sup Buntut.
Orh Gao Peh Gao
Kopi, Kaya Toast, Craft Beer And Asian Comfort Food
By day, Peh Gao Coffeeshop leans into local breakfast staples such as kopi, toast and soft boiled eggs. By night, Orh Gao Taproom takes over with craft beers, sharing plates and a louder after-dark mood.
The daytime menu includes Traditional Toast such as Kaya Butter ($2.80), Sugar Butter ($2.80), Peanut Butter ($2.80), Kaya Peanut Butter ($2.80), Nutella ($2.80), and Kaya Butter French Toast ($4).
There are also Open Top Sandwiches such as Egg Mayo ($5.50), Chicken Floss ($5.50), Otah Otah ($8), Turkey Ham Cheese ($8), and Tuna Melts ($8).
For those coming later in the day, the menu moves into rice dishes and sharing plates such as Kra Pow Mee Tai Mak ($14), Hokkien Mee Tai Mak ($18), Crab Fried Rice ($16), OG Rempah Chicken Fried Rice ($11), and Pork Chop Fried Rice ($12).
SUSHIRO
Conveyor Belt Sushi With Familiar Plates From $2.30
SUSHIRO is one of those names that needs little introduction by now. The Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain is known for its fast-moving sushi format, digital ordering system, and wide range of sushi and side dishes.
The Factory Block outlet follows the usual SUSHIRO format. Prices start from $2.30 for selected sushi plates, with other tiers at $2.90, $3.90 and $4.90.
You will find easy choices such as Tuna, Salmon, Shrimp, Japanese Omelette, Grilled Mackerel, Inari, Salmon Belly and Flying Fish Roe, along with gunkan, rolls, aburi sushi and seasonal specials.
There are also side dishes for a fuller meal, including Chicken Karaage ($5), Octopus Karaage ($5), Chawanmushi ($3.50), Cold Chawanmushi ($3.50), Tonkotsu Ramen with Egg ($8.60), Maguro Dashi Shoyu Ramen with Egg ($8.60) and Assorted Sashimi ($9.90).
Fico
Handmade Pasta From MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Italian Restaurant
Fico is perhaps one of the more recognisable names in the Factory Block line-up, especially if you have tried its seaside restaurant at East Coast Park.
The casual Italian concept is by Chef Mirko Febbrile and The Lo & Behold Group, and takes inspiration from the simple, rustic cooking of Southern Italy.
The New Bahru outlet is a 6 month pop up concept, and the menu is much tighter with only four pasta dishes.
There is Cavatelli with San Marzano tomato and ricotta ($16), Bucatini Alla Gricia with pecorino, pepper and guanciale ($16), Linguine with pesto alla Genovese and prawns ($18), and Tagliatelle with beef ragu and parmigiano ($18).
Parlour Gelato
New Bahru Factory Block, 58 Kim Yam Road, 01-01, Singapore 239351
Opening Hours: 1pm – 9pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun), 1pm – 10pm (Fri, Sat)
Stylish Gelato Parlour At New Bahru Factory Block
Parlour Gelato has an old-school parlour look, with handmade Gaudi-inspired tiles and and a stained glass style backdrop.
Prices start from $6.80 for a single scoop, with premium flavours at an additional $2.
The flavours include Brontë Pistachio, Dark Chocolate Sorbet, Madagascar Vanilla, Chocolate Milk, Strawberries & Cream, Stracciatella, Cappuccino, Earl Grey, Matcha Raspberry, Sea Salt Caramel and more. Exciting.
Other Related Entries
10 New Bahru Restaurants and Cafes to Explore
Orh Gao Peh Gao (Serene Centre)
Fico (East Coast Parkway)
Laifaba Wanton Noodles & Roasted Meats (Bt Batok)
Sushiro (Orchard Road)
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