Thanks to the re-opening of Food Opera at the basement of Ion Orchard, now you’ve got a ton more options to choose from when you’re roaming the streets in town with an empty stomach.
After a two-month revamp, the atas food court is back with a gleaming new look inspired by British colonial decor from the 1900s. It’s now home to 27 stalls and mini restaurants, 15 of which are new to the space, which previously housed 25 vendors. And it’s the first food atrium in the country to implement contactless digital payment methods like Visa payWave and Apple Pay.
But enough about that. Let’s talk about the food. Regulars of stalls like Java Kitchen Padang Padang, Riverside Indonesian BBQ and Li Xin Teochew Fishball Noodles will be glad to see their favourites return.
As for the 15 new vendors, Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh is probably one of the most well-known names. Its origins date back to 1973, when founder Madam Gwee Peck Hua apprenticed at a bak kut teh stall. Try the prime cut ribs ($10.50) and boneless sliced pork soup ($7.50) here, or go for new dishes such as claypot tofu ($8.70) and fish soup ($8.70).
Ah Yat Kitchen is another long-standing brand. Established in the 1970s in Hong Kong, this stall’s famous abalone sauce is the highlight of numerous signature dishes like the Ah Yat abalone baked rice ($8.80) of egg fried rice with baby abalone. Also on the menu are sliced salt-baked chicken rice ($6.50), baked spare ribs rice ($6.50) and double-boiled spare ribs soup ($5.50).
If you’re craving noodles and seafood, stop by Xing Lou Seafood White Bee Hoon for wok-fried vermicelli served in shellfish gravy and topped with crustaceans of your choice (from $6.90).
And for a little taste of nostalgia, Scotts Hwa Heng Beef Noodles is the stall for you. It’s been around since the 1940s, moving shop several times until now — Food Opera is currently its only outlet in Singapore. Savour the dry or soup versions of the Hainanese-style beef noodles ($6), or tuck into specialties like black pepper beef with rice ($9) and beef kway teow ($8).
Other current tenants include Fortunate Hong Kong Dim Sum, Good Luck BBQ Chicken Wings, Guan Chee HK Roasted Duck, Prata King, Bangkok Gem and Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Food Opera is at #B4-03 Ion Orchard, 6509-9198. Sun-Thurs & PH 10am-10pm, Fri, Sat & eve of PH 10am-11pm.
