A 10-course Thursday night feast, a 500-label wine list, and a Dionysian vibe make this Bukit Pasoh shophouse a must-visit for adventurous diners.
Two years after opening its doors in a vividly redecorated shophouse along quiet Bukit Pasoh Road, Big Wine Freaks remains a nightly phenomenon, often filling its 80 seats with a crowd eager for its rotating roster of events. Among the weekly programming—omakase Thursdays, late-night DJ sets on Fridays, a monthly wine dinner series called Wine Not? Club, and the occasional Torotoro Night involving an 80-kilogram bluefin tuna carved tableside—the Thursday omakase stands out. Priced at $188 per person, this 10-course affair is helmed 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 selection. Together, they channel influences from Europe’s top wine bars, Japan’s omakase tradition, and the vibrant energy of San Sebastian’s food scene into ingredient-driven dishes.
The Vibe: Sophisticated Intoxication
If Dionysus opened a wine bar in the 21st century, it might look like this. Magenta hues, luxurious patterned upholstery, and cinematic lighting frame the space, where an open kitchen merges seamlessly into the dining area. Eight coveted seats at the chef’s counter offer front-row views, with dishes plated on fine Italian dinnerware from Ginori 1735. Communal tables buzz with energy, while a DJ spins low-groove beats at a volume that still allows conversation.
The Food: Seafood-Centric Omakase with European Flair
With only eight seats available per seating, the Thursday dinner reinterprets traditional Japanese omakase through a modern, seafood-only lens—no meat courses appear. The meal kicks off with clean Cocollos oysters paired with pickled yam, ikura, and a spoonful of caviar, a natural match for Laherte Frères Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne. Charred horse mackerel with grilled eggplant delivers smoky notes, but the Hokkaido white corn flan—served in a dainty teacup with uni and cacao—steals the show, its sweetness offset by a bitter cacao finish.
Other highlights include wild bluefin akami sashimi with caviar and pickled Yanaka ginger, a silky chawanmushi topped with Hokkaido king crab and ikura, and warm brioche rolls with kombu butter. The amadai, crispy scale-side up, is beautifully cooked but slightly oversalted. A hama-fuedai nigiri arrives with homemade ginger and minimal wasabi, though its subtlety may get lost nine courses in. The char-grilled Kumamoto shima aji, with an interesting celery sauce, offers redemption, especially the tender belly cut. Dessert closes on a high: juicy Japanese peaches with Earl Grey mousse and jelly, a refreshing palate cleanser.
The Drink: An Award-Winning Wine Program
Big Wine Freaks’ wine list has earned its accolades, led by Head Sommelier Goh Kher Meng, whose résumé includes three-Michelin-starred Odette, Poise, Le Bon Funk, and natural wine bar RVLT. The collection spans over 500 labels, with a focus on new-generation Champagnes and Burgundies, plus Old and New World selections 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 seafood, starters, mains, specials, and desserts. Chef’s Choice menus start at $98 per person and feature must-try plates. The best perk: each diner can bring up to two bottles of wine corkage-free with the Chef’s Choice experience—a rare deal for a bar this well-stocked.
Time Out’s Rating: 4/5
Big Wine Freaks’ Thursday omakase is a modern, ambitious take on tradition. While genuine surprises like the sweet corn flan and competent dishes like the bread and chawanmushi impress, occasional seasoning missteps keep it from perfection. Still, for diners seeking a buzzier, personality-driven alternative to meditative omakase counters—with an exceptional wine list to match—this spot is worth bookmarking.
Big Wine Freaks is open Monday to Saturday, 5:30 p.m. till late, at 44 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089857.
For more, explore Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore, Meatsmith’s free cheeseburger giveaway, and Lulu’s Lounge’s Shanghai-inspired return.