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A seminal volume exploring the culinary heritage of Singaporean Malays, The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago by Khir Johari, has secured the highest distinction at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, achieving the prestigious “Best Of All” honor and cementing the work’s importance in global gastronomy. The book, published in 2021 following an exhaustive 11-year research period, has consistently garnered top awards since its release, culminating in this unprecedented recognition that spans the award’s three-decade history.

This recent accolade confirms the book’s status as more than just a collection of recipes; it is recognized as a vital cultural repository. Johari’s title has previously been celebrated, earning the “Best in the World” designation in 2023 and the “Best of the Best in Food Culture” in early 2025. This string of international victories reinforces the cultural significance of Singaporean Malay cuisine on the world stage.

A Cultural Chronicle, Not Just a Cookbook

Author Khir Johari emphasizes the book’s mission: “This is not a cookbook. It is the story of a people.” While the volume does feature over 30 traditional recipes—allowing readers to engage practically with the cuisine—its core value lies in its extensive documentation of cultural narratives, historical snippets, illustrations, and archival photographs. These elements trace the evolution and deep historical roots of Singaporean Malay foodways.

The commitment to meticulous research over more than a decade elevates the book beyond typical culinary guides, offering a scholarly yet accessible journey through the archipelago’s culinary landscape. This approach has resonated deeply with international critics and readers alike.

Commenting on the recent “Best Of All” honor, Khir Johari expressed the profound meaning of the recognition. “To receive this latest honour is deeply meaningful. What matters most to me is knowing that the foodways of our region are being seen and understood in a deeper, more nuanced way,” Johari said. He further articulated his hope that the work would inspire cultural preservation: “My hope is for this work to spark reflection and encourage more people to document their own histories.”

Preserving and Elevating Regional Foodways

The success of The Food of Singapore Malays highlights a growing global appetite for culinary histories that prioritize culture and heritage alongside cooking instruction. By presenting the Singaporean Malay food experience through a lens of history and ethnography, Johari has successfully documented a vital part of the nation’s identity, attracting global recognition and appreciation.

For those interested in exploring this celebrated work, the book is available for purchase from local retailers, including Kinokuniya and Wardah Books. Further details about the volume can be found on its official website. This groundbreaking effort serves as a powerful reminder that food, at its heart, is a crucial medium for understanding a community’s history, migration, and collective identity. Its victory encourages a broader worldwide movement toward documenting regional food traditions before they are lost to time.

Resource Information:

• Title: The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago
• Author: Khir Johari
• Availability: Books Kinokuniya, Wardah Books, and other local book retailers.
• Impact: Elevated the status of Singaporean Malay food heritage in global cultural discourse.

Four City Developments Limited (CDL) properties across Singapore are ushering in the holiday season with themed promotions and family-friendly activations featuring the beloved animated characters from PAW Patrol. From now until December 28, the malls—City Square Mall, Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove, Republic Plaza, and Palais Renaissance—are offering a combination of character meet-and-greets, exclusive collectibles, and special retail rewards designed to appeal to families and shoppers looking for unique seasonal experiences.

City Square Mall Anchors Festive Family Fun

The central hub for the PAW Patrol festivities is City Square Mall, which has transformed its space into an adventure zone for young visitors. Families can embark on a festive quest through themed photo spots and stamping stations, culminating in the chance to collect exclusive trading cards, including six regular designs and one highly sought-after secret edition.

A major draw is the “Ready for Christmas” interactive experience, featuring opportunities for children to meet and dance with characters like Chase and Skye during scheduled sessions. Shoppers can also redeem limited-edition PAW Patrol Christmas wrappers and themed lunch bags with qualifying purchases, adding a playful element to holiday gift-giving.

Waterside Charm and CBD Convenience

The holiday cheer extends to other CDL locations, each offering a distinct atmosphere. At Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove, the celebrations adopt a relaxed, waterside setting. The marina comes alive with twinkling lights, complementing seasonal dining options. Shoppers here have a second chance to meet the popular pup duo, Chase and Skye, and potentially secure the elusive secret-edition trading card. Minimum spending rewards include PAW Patrol merchandise and CDL E-Vouchers.

Meanwhile, Republic Plaza, situated in the Central Business District (CBD), caters to office workers and nearby residents. The location focuses on seasonal gourmet offerings and convenient gifting. Busy professionals can select festive treats from popular retailers such as Bacha Coffee, Janice Wong, and TWG Tea. Shoppers spending designated minimum amounts are rewarded with CDL E-Vouchers and PAW Patrol lunch bags.

Refined Retail at Palais Renaissance

For those seeking a more sophisticated holiday experience, Palais Renaissance offers an intimate and elegant alternative. The mall emphasizes exclusive retail experiences and refined dining in a calm environment. While this location does not feature the PAW Patrol characters, it caters to premium shoppers with a reward system focused on self-indulgence. Shoppers are gifted CDL E-Vouchers, ideal for treating themselves once their holiday shopping lists are complete.

The festive promotions also hint at future activities. The PAW Patrol theme is set to continue into the Lunar New Year, with City Square Mall and Republic Plaza planning to distribute themed red packets starting January 23, 2026.

Collectively, CDL Malls are utilizing these synchronized, character-driven promotions to enhance foot traffic, drive holiday sales, and provide engaging seasonal activities for diverse demographics, from young families to CBD professionals, ensuring that the holiday shopping experience is both rewarding and memorable. Detailed schedules for character appearances and redemption criteria are available through the malls’ official channels.

Khir Johari’s seminal 2021 publication, The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago, recently secured the highest distinction in the international culinary arts sphere, being named the “Best Of All” award by the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Following 11 years of meticulous research, the epic volume delves far beyond simple recipes, capturing the essence of Singaporean Malay cultural history through the lens of its evolving cuisine and cementing the work’s importance in global gastronomy.

This latest honor, which represents the highest accolade in the award’s three-decade tenure, builds upon a series of significant recognitions. In 2023, the book was heralded as “Best in the World,” and earlier in 2024, it received the title of “Best of the Best in Food Culture.” This consistency in global validation underscores the enduring cultural and historical value encapsulated within Johari’s extensive record.

More Than a Cookbook: A People’s Chronicle

The author clearly asserts the book’s premise from the outset: “This is not a cookbook. It is the story of a people.” While the text thoughtfully includes more than 30 traditional recipes for readers to attempt, its true breadth lies in its expansive historical context. The volume compiles cultural narratives, original illustrations, and rare historical photographs, tracing the lineage and development of Malay foodways within Singapore. This approach treats cuisine not merely as ingredients and preparation, but as a living record of heritage and migration.

Khir Johari emphasizes the deep personal and cultural resonance of the book’s continued success. “To receive this latest honour is deeply meaningful,” he noted, explaining that the true reward lies in ensuring that the culinary traditions of the region are “being seen and understood in a deeper, more nuanced way.”

Johari articulates a profound aspiration for his work, hoping it serves as a catalyst for future cultural preservation. “My hope is for this work to spark reflection and encourage more people to document their own histories,” he stated. In achieving this, the book transcends its genre, becoming a critical piece of anthropological literature that documents a community’s identity through its dining table.

Securing Its Place in Global Gastronomy

The critical acclaim surrounding The Food of Singapore Malays reflects a growing international appreciation for culinary histories that prioritize context over instruction. By presenting food as a reflection of socioeconomic shifts, community identity, and regional interconnections, Johari’s work sets a high standard for future publications aiming to document heritage cuisines. The recognition in global forums like the Gourmand Awards ensures that the intricate tapestry of Singaporean Malay gastronomy receives the worldwide attention it warrants.

The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago is currently available for purchase through major retailers, including Books Kinokuniya and Wardah Books.

Suggested Further Reading:

• Understanding Cultural Foodways: Explore how specific regional dishes reflect migration patterns and historical trade routes.
• Archiving Culinary History: Learn about efforts to document endangered food traditions worldwide.

Major retail centers across Singapore, managed by CDL Malls, are transforming into interactive PAW Patrol themed destinations this holiday season, offering families unique entertainment, exclusive collectibles, and specialized shopping incentives now through Dec. 28. The initiative aims to enhance the festive shopping experience by integrating popular children’s entertainment with retail promotions across varied locations, from heartland malls to the Central Business District (CBD) and Sentosa Cove.

City Square Mall Becomes Paw Patrol Adventure Zone

The City Square Mall, a key participant in the promotion, has rebranded itself as a comprehensive PAW Patrol playground. Activities available for young visitors include themed photo installations and stamping stations designed to guide children on a “festive quest” throughout the mall. A central draw is the release of exclusive collectible cards, featuring six standard designs and one highly sought-after secret edition.

Families can actively engage with characters Chase and Skye during the “Ready for Christmas” interactive experience, featuring meet-and-greet sessions. Customers completing their festive shopping can redeem exclusive PAW Patrol themed Christmas wrappers and lunch bags, offering a tangible takeaway from the event.

Waterside Celebrations at Sentosa Cove

The festive atmosphere takes a scenic turn at Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove. The marina location is hosting its own vibrant celebrations, characterized by twinkling lights reflecting off the water and special seasonal dining options. This location is one of the exclusive spots where visitors have an opportunity to acquire the secret edition collectible card. Retail incentives here include CDL E-Vouchers, along with the PAW Patrol wrappers and lunch bags, obtainable with qualifying purchases. The venue provides a refined, resort-like setting for holiday outings, establishing it as a mini-escape within the city.

CBD and Luxury Retail Join the Fun

The festive cheer extends to the professional crowds in the CBD at Republic Plaza. While catering to the working demographic, the mall offers seasonal grab-and-go treats and festive gifting options from renowned establishments such as Bacha Coffee, Janice Wong, and TWG Tea. Office workers and shoppers can receive CDL E-Vouchers and PAW Patrol lunch bags with minimum spending, effectively translating everyday purchases into seasonal rewards.

For shoppers seeking a more exclusive and upscale experience, Palais Renaissance presents an elegant alternative. The mall focuses on a polished festive atmosphere with luxury boutiques and fine dining. The incentive structure here rewards shoppers primarily with CDL E-Vouchers, aligning with its sophisticated retail profile.

Extending the Holiday Spirit

The engagement with the popular children’s franchise is poised to extend into the next major holiday. CDL Malls confirms that the partnership will continue into the Lunar New Year, with special PAW Patrol themed red packets available at City Square Mall and Republic Plaza starting Jan. 23, 2026. This cross-seasonal strategy highlights an effort to maintain customer engagement well beyond the immediate Christmas period.

These integrated, themed activations serve to differentiate the mall experience during the crucial holiday shopping season. By providing interactive entertainment paired with layered spending rewards across various retail environments, CDL Malls aims to solidify its status as a premier destination for both family fun and festive shopping across Singapore. Information on the full schedule and participation details is available on the CDL Malls promotional channels.

As the holiday season approaches, CDL Malls across Singapore are transforming into themed destinations of joy, led by the popular animated heroes of PAW Patrol. Running now through December 28, the retail properties offer a mix of family entertainment, exclusive collectibles, and unique shopping rewards designed to amplify the festive spirit for both children and adults.

The festive promotion, spearheaded by City Square Mall, Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove, and Republic Plaza, incorporates character meet-and-greets, themed experiential zones, and tiered spending incentives. These events aim to create engaging, memorable shopping experiences during the busy holiday period, extending the campaign’s reach into early 2026 with Chinese New Year tie-ins.

City Square Mall: Home Base for Holiday Adventure

The epicenter of the festivities is City Square Mall, which has been temporarily rebranded as a vibrant PAW Patrol playground. Families visiting the mall can participate in a festive quest utilizing themed photo spots and stamping stations. A core attraction is the collection of exclusive collectible cards, featuring six regular designs and one highly sought-after secret edition.

Children are offered the chance to interact directly with their animated heroes during the “‘Ready for Christmas’ interactive experience,” which includes dance sessions and dedicated meet-and-greet slots with the beloved pup crew. Shoppers looking to complete their holiday errands can further enhance their experience by redeeming limited-edition PAW Patrol Christmas wrappers and lunch bags upon qualifying purchases, seamlessly blending utility with thematic fun.

Waterside Wonder at Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove

Switching to a more relaxed, scenic environment, Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove delivers a refined holiday escape. Set against the backdrop of twinkling marina lights, this location offers seasonal dining and shopping, catering to those seeking a picturesque setting.

Visitors to the Sentosa Cove location will find another opportunity to meet key characters Chase and Skye, a highlight offering a second chance for enthusiasts to secure the rare secret edition collectible card. Minimum spending thresholds at this location reward shoppers with PAW Patrol Christmas utilities, lunch bags, and CDL E-Vouchers, blending waterside charm with valuable festive rewards.

Urban Treats at Republic Plaza and Palais Renaissance

In the Central Business District (CBD), Republic Plaza caters largely to the professional crowd and urban shoppers. The mall focuses on accessible seasonal dining and high-end gifting options. Office workers can conveniently pick up holiday treats from popular vendors like Bacha Coffee, Janice Wong, and TWG Tea. These purchases are incentivized with CDL E-Vouchers and the PAW Patrol-themed merchandise.

For a luxury festive experience, Palais Renaissance maintains a more exclusive, tranquil atmosphere. This location prioritizes high-end shopping and sophisticated dining, eschewing the large-scale themed entertainment for subdued elegance. Shoppers at Palais Renaissance are rewarded with CDL E-Vouchers, encouraging self-gifting and supporting the stylish boutique environment.

The holiday cheer continues post-Christmas, with the PAW Patrol theme extending into the new year. Starting January 23, 2026, City Square Mall and Republic Plaza will offer themed red packets in anticipation of the Chinese New Year celebrations, ensuring the popular characters remain relevant well into the next festive cycle.

This curated campaign demonstrates CDL Malls’ strategic effort to utilize popular intellectual property to drive engagement, manage traffic flow across diverse locations, and enhance the overall customer experience during the critical year-end retail period. Shoppers are encouraged to visit the distinct locations to maximize collectible opportunities and explore the full range of seasonal offerings.

As Singapore fully embraces the holiday spirit—with Orchard Road aglow and seasonal melodies filling the air—the culinary scene is experiencing a parallel boom, offering discerning diners a fresh collection of international and local establishments just in time for end-of-year celebrations. This month, the city-state welcomes a concentration of high-profile restaurant debuts, ranging from globally renowned Japanese imports to a significant revival of Eurasian heritage cuisine. We distill the excitement down to five essential new dining spots set to captivate palates across the island this busy December.

International Flavors and Local Heritage Anchor Singapore’s Culinary Wave

December traditionally marks a busy period for Singapore’s food and beverage industry, but this year stands out with particularly notable arrivals. These openings provide timely options for those planning holiday feasts, New Year’s Eve dinners, and casual gatherings. The list features acclaimed concepts finally making their international debut alongside deeply personal culinary projects.

Udon Shin Brings Tokyo’s Famed Noodles to Orchard

The long-awaited arrival of Udon Shin marks a significant moment for Japanese food aficionados. Directly transplanted from Tokyo’s Shibuya district, where it regularly commands queues sometimes exceeding three hours, this is the brand’s first venture outside Japan. Known for their meticulous preparation—noodles are freshly kneaded, cut, and boiled daily—Udon Shin offers a uniquely chewy and slippery texture. While traditional hot and chilled preparations are available, the signature dish is the Carbonara Udon ($24). This ingenious creation features kamaage udon in dashi, lavishly topped with Parmesan, butter, pepper, spring onions, a raw egg, and tempura bacon. Patrons often describe the dish as surprisingly light, despite its richness. Located in Takashimaya S.C. on Orchard Road, expect significant waiting times at the 60-seat venue.

A Tribute to Eurasian Cuisine at the National Gallery

Stepping into a vital role in preserving Singapore’s culinary identity is Gilmore & Damian D’Silva, located within the National Gallery Singapore. Headed by celebrated chef and former MasterChef Singapore judge Damian D’Silva, the 68-seater establishment is an emotional tribute to his grandfather, Gilmore D’Silva, who served as the Supreme Court’s custodian for over two decades. In a city where dedicated Eurasian restaurants are increasingly rare, this opening is a cultural lifeline. The menu showcases traditional Eurasian staples alongside Chinese influences inspired by his grandfather’s home cooking. The must-try seasonal specialty is the Christmas Debal, a flavorful gravy dish made with proprietary rempah and traditionally incorporating festive roast leftovers.

Korean Barbecue Expands in Telok Ayer

The brand behind the popular Busan-style Korean eatery Um Yong Baek introduces its newest concept, Joong San, just across from its original location in Telok Ayer. Joong San specializes in premium Korean barbecue, offering a focused selection of beef cuts for dinner, including teuk-sang useol (beef tongue) and kkakduk deungshim (cubed ribeye). Lunch features signature Korean dishes such as sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) and the unique nutty, savory soon memilguksu (perilla buckwheat noodles). A highlight for many diners is the garlicky marinated Andong-style galbi.

Coastal Elegance at L’Amo Bistrò del Mare

The newly rebranded Mett Singapore hotel in Fort Canning now hosts L’Amo Bistrò del Mare, an upscale Italian restaurant focusing on authentic coastal Italian flavors. This is the brand’s second outlet globally, with the other located in Dubai. Naturally, the menu is seafood-forward, featuring refined dishes such as risotto limone and gamberi (lemon risotto with Sicilian prawn carpaccio and caviar, $68) and a fresh selection from the seafood-on-ice counter. Non-seafood choices include a grilled Wagyu striploin. The restaurant also offers excellent value with a weekday two-course set lunch priced at $48.

Sushidan: Affordable Edomae Sushi Arrives

Highly anticipated, the casual Japanese concept Sushidan, from Michelin-starred Chef Hiroyuki Sato, is set to open in Raffles City Shopping Centre. Focusing on Edomae-style sushi—a traditional preparation method that uses techniques like salting and marinating with red vinegar to enhance natural seafood flavors—Sushidan promises high quality at accessible prices. Run by sushi master Chef Yusuke Kawana, the restaurant imports fresh fish daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. Diners can expect a la carte sushi starting from $1.99 and, perhaps most enticingly, Omakase sets commencing at just $19.90. This opening offers a genuine taste of specialized Japanese sushi without the prohibitive price tag.

These five establishments provide compelling reasons to explore Singapore’s dynamic culinary landscape this holiday season, ensuring every major celebration—or casual craving—is met with fresh, exciting options.

Travel + Leisure, the influential global travel publication, has spotlighted Singapore as a premier destination for 2026 under the category of “big-city thrills,” signaling a likely surge in international visitors to the island nation. The recognition confirms Singapore’s appeal as a dynamic global hub, driven by new infrastructural developments, cultural venues, and world-class accessibility, positioning it among the top 50 places worldwide to explore in the coming year. This accolade follows a rigorous selection process involving industry experts and top travel journalists who evaluated over 100 nominees based on factors like emerging attractions, ease of access, and major cultural events.

The Lion City’s Growing Global Appeal

Singapore’s inclusion on the highly selective list is attributed to its impressive array of recent and upcoming attractions, collectively offering diverse “new places to play,” as highlighted by Travel + Leisure. Among the major tourism drivers are several large-scale projects slated for completion or significant development, enhancing the city-state’s recreational offerings.

Key Upcoming Attractions Driving Interest:

• Rainforest Wild Asia: A significant nature and wildlife venture expected to draw eco-tourists and families.
• Singapore Oceanarium: A massive marine exhibit promising deep-sea exploration and conservation focus.
• Disney Adventure Cruise: The presence of a dedicated cruise sailing from Singapore underscores its status as a major regional tourism gateway.

Furthermore, the arts and entertainment landscape is expanding rapidly. The soon-to-open multisensory IMBA Theatre at Gardens by the Bay will offer immersive experiences, while Live Nation is developing a new, large-scale live music venue in the bustling Orchard Road district. These additions reflect a commitment to diversifying Singapore’s appeal beyond its established retail and culinary scenes.

World-Class Infrastructure Ensures Smooth Arrival

A critical factor reinforcing Singapore’s attractiveness is its superior transportation infrastructure. Singapore Changi Airport has consistently received global recognition for excellence, including being ranked as the world’s best airport in 2025 by both Skytrax and Travel + Leisure readers. This high level of connectivity and efficiency ensures a seamless experience for visitors arriving from around the globe, making the gateway to the Lion City one of its greatest assets.

The selection process for Travel + Leisure’s annual “50 best places to travel” relies on input from experienced industry insiders and members of the publication’s prestigious A-list of consultants. Nominations are rigorously assessed for attributes such as new infrastructure, “underrated gems,” and the capacity to host large-scale cultural events, collectively defining the destinations most poised for global relevance.

Regional Prominence and Future Outlook

Singapore is one of only six destinations in Asia to earn a spot on the 2026 list, sharing the distinction with Malaysia, Taipei, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Okinawa. This recognition solidifies the city’s standing as a leading destination within a critically important travel market.

For prospective travelers planning their 2026 itineraries, Singapore offers a compelling blend of tradition and hyper-modernity, supported by a significant commitment to developing new, world-class attractions. The combination of easy global access, highly anticipated new venues, and a robust cultural calendar guarantees that Singapore will deliver exceptional “big-city thrills” and manage the expected influx of global tourists with characteristic efficiency. Industry analysts anticipate that this prestigious endorsement will translate directly into increased visitor numbers and heightened economic impact for the city-state in the next two years.

The highly coveted Korean Hanwoo beef, previously scarce outside of its home country, is now making a definitive entrance into the Singapore gourmet scene. Culina at Como Dempsey has secured a landmark position as the first specialty market in Singapore granted the rare opportunity to sell this premium meat. This development, announced via their social media channels on November 27, signifies a major win for local epicures and culinary professionals, offering a taste of the strictly export-controlled delicacy known for its distinct flavor profile when compared to global rivals like Japanese Wagyu. The beef will be available both for purchase at Culina’s onsite butcher counter and enjoyed by diners at its connecting bistro.

Why Hanwoo Is Hard to Find

Hanwoo, often referred to as one of the world’s most prized meats, is notoriously difficult to export due to several logistical and economic factors. Historically, stringent local supply constraints, high domestic demand within South Korea, and persistent concerns over contagious animal diseases have severely limited its availability internationally. This strict regulation ensures that most consumers experience Hanwoo only within South Korea, often at wholesale hubs like Seoul’s Majang Meat Market, where prices are significantly lower than in restaurants.

Those fortunate enough to sample it describe Hanwoo as having a deeper red coloration, less sheer fat content, a chewier yet desirable texture, and a profound, beef-forward flavor surpassing other highly marbled meats.

The Availability Breakthrough

Culina’s successful acquisition of sales rights marks a significant milestone. The Hanwoo selection available at the Dempsey establishment is sourced from the brown Hanwoo cow (hwang so), specifically from Korea’s Jeju Island. This variety is celebrated for its fine marbling and characteristic buttery smoothness.

In terms of pricing, the Jeju Hanwoo is positioned at the top tier of premium meats. Currently, a striploin with a marbling score of BMS 6 is fetching approximately $28.20 per 100 grams at Culina. This specialized offering follows a recent successful introduction of Migyeongsan Hanwoo at the brand’s Kuala Lumpur branch.

While Culina is the first specialty market to secure ongoing retail and bistro rights, brief, high-profile collaborations have previously brought Hanwoo to Singapore. Earlier in June, Korean restaurant Na Oh, located within the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center, featured an exclusive, two-day anniversary menu showcasing various cuts of Jeju Hanwoo.

Experience This Premium Cut

Food enthusiasts eager to sample this exceptional beef can visit Culina at Como Dempsey, which operates daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 15 Dempsey Rd, Singapore. The availability of Hanwoo in Singapore is set to elevate the local dining scene, appealing to serious gourmands seeking global culinary treasures.

This exclusive access to Hanwoo underscores a growing trend of sourcing and securing formerly inaccessible international delicacies for the sophisticated Singapore market. Consumers should anticipate similar breakthroughs as premium markets continue to expand their global reach and influence.

A highly sought-after Korean delicacy, Hanwoo beef, has secured a permanent retail and dining presence in Singapore, marking a significant culinary milestone for the city-state. Culina at Como Dempsey announced this week that it is the first specialty market in Singapore authorized to regularly stock and serve the prized meat, historically restricted from widespread export due to strictly controlled supply chains, high domestic demand in Korea, and rigorous animal health regulations. This development introduces one of the world’s most luxurious beef varieties directly to Singaporean consumers, available for purchase at the market’s butcher counter or prepared at its adjoining bistro.

Hanwoo, often compared to Japanese Wagyu, is distinct for its rich, beefier profile and unique marbling. Unlike Wagyu, which features copious, delicate fat, Hanwoo typically boasts a deep red hue, intricate marbling, and a less fatty composition, resulting in a more intense flavor and slightly chewier texture. Its scarcity outside of South Korea has long positioned it as a premium, aspirational ingredient globally.

The newly available supply originates from Jeju Island’s brown Hanwoo cow (known as Hwang So). A representative from Culina confirmed that the beef offers a noteworthy buttery texture enhanced by fine marbling. The current retail price reflects its rarity: a Jeju Hanwoo striploin with a marbling score of BMS 6 is currently priced at S$28.20 per 100 grams.

While this latest offering establishes the first sustained public retail channel, exclusive Hanwoo events have previously occurred in Singapore. Earlier this year, in June, the Korean restaurant Na Oh, located within the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS), featured various cuts of the Jeju Hanwoo beef as part of a limited two-day anniversary menu.

The long-standing restrictions on exporting Hanwoo stemmed from its limited domestic production and a dedication by the Korean government to safeguard the local market and maintain stringent biosecurity protocols. The successful negotiation of a consistent supply chain by a Singaporean vendor signals a growing interest in expanding the global reach of specialized Korean agricultural products.

Accessing Premium Korean Beef

For consumers eager to experience the distinctive flavor of this Korean delicacy, Culina at Como Dempsey is operating daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 15 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249675.

This arrival of Hanwoo beef adds another layer of sophistication to Singapore’s dynamic culinary landscape, joining other specialized global ingredients that cater to discerning diners. It also underscores Singapore’s position as a gateway for introducing niche, high-value international products to the Asian market. Future developments may see more specialized Korean foods—from premium seafood varieties to unique regional produce—following Hanwoo’s path into regional markets.

Mett Singapore, the newest luxury offering from Sunset Hospitality Group, has officially opened its doors, transforming the former Hotel Fort Canning into a sophisticated lifestyle resort centered around elevated experiences, including an array of new dining concepts. This comprehensive overhaul is more than just a typical renovation; it encompasses updated accommodations, two distinct swimming pools, a private members’ club, and the introduction of signature culinary destinations. Among these new additions is L’Amo Bistrò del Mare, an upscale Italian restaurant bringing authentic coastal flavors and Mediterranean flair to the city-state.

Situated within the revitalized property at 11 Canning Walk, L’Amo Bistrò del Mare establishes its second global outpost—the first operates at a prestigious yacht club in Dubai. The restaurant is characterized by its focus on premium seafood and authentic Italian cuisine, catering to both discerning local diners and international guests.

Indulge in Mediterranean Delights

The menu at L’Amo Bistrò del Mare leans heavily towards fresh, high-quality maritime ingredients, reflecting the culinary traditions of Italy’s coastal regions. Guests can select from an impressive seafood-on-ice counter, ensuring the freshest catch is available daily. Signature seafood preparations highlight the kitchen’s expertise: the Polpo el Josper (roasted octopus) is available for $32, and the decadent Risotto Limone e Gamberi, featuring lemon risotto paired with Sicilian prawn carpaccio and caviar, is priced at $68.

While seafood takes center stage, the restaurant also accommodates traditional preferences with premium meat selections. Options include the Tagliata di Wagyu alla Griglia, a 250g grilled Wagyu striploin for $88, and the classic Cotoletta alla Milanese (Milan-style breaded veal) at $58.

Affordable Weekday Lunch Options

For those seeking a taste of coastal Italy during the workday, L’Amo Bistrò del Mare offers compelling value. A dedicated weekday lunch set menu provides a two-course option for $48 or an expanded three-course experience for $58.

Complementing the refined menu is an extensive beverage program, designed around authentic Italian drinking culture. The drinks list features 20 distinct aperitivo options, standardized at $18 each, alongside creative Italian-inspired cocktails and zero-proof alternatives. Standout signature drinks include the Soprevento ($26), a complex blend of Havana rum, amaretto, mango, and lemon, and the Aurora ($24), a light, fruity-floral concoction featuring vodka, Cocchi Americano, rose, yuzu, and pink grapefruit tonic.

Visiting L’Amo Bistrò del Mare

L’Amo Bistrò del Mare is currently welcoming guests seven days a week at the Mett Singapore location.

Operational Hours:

• Lunch: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Dinner: 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Patrons are advised that the establishment maintains a smart-casual dress code. To ensure a pleasant dining atmosphere, the resort strictly prohibits sportswear, shorts, and flip-flops. This new addition solidifies Mett Singapore’s position as a premier destination for luxury lodging and high-caliber international dining in the region.