Singapore’s buzziest wine bar launches a weekly 10-course feast blending Japanese precision with European flair.
Tucked along the quiet stretch of Bukit Pasoh Road, Big Wine Freaks has become one of the city’s most talked-about dining destinations since opening in 2022. The 80-seat venue, housed in a reimagined shophouse cloaked in magenta and vintage luxury, now packs its space almost nightly with a rotating roster of events: omakase dinners every Thursday, DJ sets and bar snacks on Fridays, a monthly “Wine Not? Club” supper series, and occasional Torotoro Nights featuring an 80-kilogram bluefin tuna carved tableside.
At the heart of the latest programming is the Thursday omakase—a $188-per-person, 10-course affair led by Head Chef Lim Wei Kiat, a veteran of Michelin-starred Art di Daniele Sperindio, alongside Japanese chef Kenyoshi Ryohei, who oversees the raw bar and seafood selections. The duo draws from Europe’s top wine bars, Japan’s omakase tradition, and the electric energy of San Sebastian’s culinary scene.
The Vibe
The space feels like a 21st-century temple to Dionysus. Vibrant magenta walls, patterned upholstery, and vintage accents create an atmosphere that balances intoxication with sophistication. An open kitchen flows into the dining room, with eight counter seats offering front-row views of the action, each dish framed by cinematic overhead lights. Plates arrive on dinnerware from Italian luxury house Ginori 1735, while communal tables buzz with energy and a DJ spins low-groove beats at conversation-friendly volumes.
The Food
The entirely seafood-driven menu—no meat in sight—is a modern twist on traditional omakase, pairing Japanese ingredients with European techniques. The meal opens with clean Cocollos oysters topped with pickled yam, ikura, and caviar—a natural excuse to order the Laherte Frères Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne. Charred horse mackerel with grilled eggplant delivers smoky notes, but the standout is a Hokkaido white corn flan served in a teacup, topped with uni and cacao. The unlikely combination works, with cacao’s bitter finish cutting the corn’s sweetness.
Wild bluefin akami sashimi arrives with caviar and pickled Yanaka ginger (though the ginger proves too fibrous). A silky chawanmushi is generously layered with Hokkaido king crab and ikura. Warm brioche rolls with kombu butter and crispy-scaled amadai impress, though the latter is slightly over-salted. Hama-fuedai nigiri comes with homemade ginger and minimal wasabi and shoyu—perhaps to highlight freshness, but after nine courses, a more seasoned palate might crave bolder flavors.
Char-grilled Kumamoto shima aji with celery sauce offers redemption, especially the tender belly cut. Dessert closes strong: juicy Japanese peaches paired with Earl Grey mousse and jelly—light, fresh, and cleansing.
The Drink
Big Wine Freaks’ wine program, led by Head Sommelier Goh Kher Meng—whose résumé includes three-Michelin-starred Odette, Poise, Le Bon Funk, and natural wine bar RVLT—has earned consistent acclaim. The collection now exceeds 500 labels, with focus on new-generation Champagnes and Burgundies, plus strong representation from Piedmont, Tuscany, Sicily, and Australia’s Adelaide Hills, Margaret River, and Victoria. The by-the-glass list rotates 40 labels, served in premium stemware from Zalto, Sydonios, and Kimura.
Time Out Tip
Not ready for a 10-course marathon? The à la carte menu offers raw Japanese seafood, starters, mains, specials, and desserts. Chef’s Choice menus start at $98 per person and include must-try plates. Best of all: diners opting for Chef’s Choice can BYO up to two bottles corkage-free—a rare perk at a wine bar of this caliber.
Rating: 4/5
Big Wine Freaks’ Thursday omakase is a modern, ambitious take on tradition. While a few seasoning missteps keep it from perfection, surprises like the corn flan and solid dishes like the chawanmushi and bread course make it worth booking—especially if you’re ready to swap meditative omakase counters for something buzzier, more personality-driven, and backed by one of Singapore’s best wine lists.
Big Wine Freaks, 44 Bukit Pasoh Road. Open Monday to Saturday, 5:30pm till late.