After a three-month closure, Food Opera at ION Orchard is set to reopen on September 28, unveiling a dramatic transformation that swaps out 90 percent of its stalls and trades its modern look for a nostalgic 1970s Orchard Road aesthetic. The 20,000-square-foot food hall now evokes a bygone era, with stalls designed as old-school shopfronts—think barber shops, bookstores, record stores, photo studios, and beauty salons. But the real draw is the revamped roster: a mix of heritage hawkers, Michelin-recognized names, and brand-new concepts.
A Nod to the Past, a Feast for the Present
The retro makeover is more than skin deep. The lineup reflects a deliberate shift toward tradition and quality. Among the newcomers is Ming Chung White Lor Mee, a 93-year-old stall now run by its fourth-generation owner, serving Henghua-style white lor mee. Joining it are stalwarts like Hillman Restaurant (famous for paper-wrapped chicken), Hakka Bond Express (herbal thunder tea rice), First Street Fried Prawn Noodles (fried Hokkien mee), Chef Lup Roasted (herbal duck and char siew), Parkson Bak Kut Teh (herbal broth), and Ye Lai Xiang Mixed & Curry Rice, a spin-off from a popular Teochew porridge supper spot.
Award-winning names are also making their mark. Berempah Bros, founded by MasterChef Singapore Season 2 winner Derek Cheong, will debut inside a food hall for the first time. Michelin-recognized Ah Er Herbal Soup and MP Thai—a three-time Bib Gourmand recipient—round out the high-caliber additions.
Live Performances and New Concepts
Diners can catch live cooking sessions at LiXin Teochew Fishball Noodles, where fishballs and fish dumplings are handcrafted at select times throughout the day. The makeover extends beyond the stalls: Toast Box will open its first outlet within a food court, featuring live coffee roasting and a new Nanyang Supremo blend—a smoother mix of Colombian Supremo Arabica and Robusta beans slow-roasted with butter and sugar.
A new concept called Treasure Bakery blends British baking with Nanyang flavors, offering five hero bakes: beef shepherd’s pie, earl grey cranberry roll, sapphire blueberry tart, strawberry Kugelhopf, and Madame K’s strawberry rouland. For lighter bites, Orchid Gallery serves as a retail corner stocked with homegrown snacks from names like Thye Moh Chan, Irvins, Tiap Tiap, Shun Dat, and I Love SG—think traditional pastries, salted egg snacks, Peranakan treats, durian goodies, and Singapore souvenirs.
When and Where
Food Opera ION Orchard is located at 2 Orchard Turn, B4-03/04, and reopens on September 28, 2026. The food hall is betting that nostalgia—and a slew of award-winning hawkers—will draw crowds back to the basement level of one of Singapore’s busiest shopping hubs.
What This Means for Diners
For Singaporeans and visitors alike, this revitalized food hall offers a rare chance to taste heritage recipes under one retro roof. Whether you’re craving Hokkien mee, bak kut teh, or a slice of strawberry Kugelhopf, the new Food Opera aims to bridge the gap between past and present—one bite at a time.
For more on Singapore’s evolving food scene, check out our coverage of Ojeje’s first overseas outlet and Osteria Mozza’s new location in ION Orchard.