Cantonese-American? Korean-Mexican? Thai-Singaporean? We introduce the best hybrid dining spots that bring together the best of both countries (and palettes) with interesting spins on your favourite foods.

Ninja Bowl

Address: 15 Duxton Road, Singapore 089481
Operating hours: 9.30am – 9pm (Mon to Fri), 9am – 6pm (Sat to Sun)
Contact number: 6222 8055

Taking over the now-defunct Department of Caffeine, Ninja Bowl is former Power 98FM DJ Darren Wee’s third and latest venture. This new kid in town offers a wholesome array of Japanese-inspired rice bowls such as Geisha ($14), a colourful medley of roasted pumpkin, buttered carrots and onsen egg topped over your choice of base carbs (quinoa, orzo pasta or rice). Although rice bowls are what they do best, Ninja Bowl’s brunch items are pretty intriguing too. Highly recommended are the Tonkotsu Spirit ($16), Japanese cha shu served with smashed avocado and poached eggs on the side, and Fancy French ($16), French toast drizzled in honey and homemade hazelnut butter.

REDPAN

Address: Marina Square, #02-03/04, Singapore 039594
Operating hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact number: 6255 5850

It’s a feast for the eyes and the palate at this new bistro. A joint venture by architecture firm DP Architects and local restaurant chain The Food Explorer Group, REDPAN is branded as a “love affair” between design and food, serving up creative interpretations of familiar favourites in a multifunctional space of clean lines, sleek curves and orthogonal furnishings. Specialising in “local fun dining”, you can expect experimental dishes like Lup Cheong Mac & Cheese ($14), Pork Belly Bak Kut Teh ($21) and Beef Short Rib Satay ($32) – best paired with their equally enticing desserts of Red Date Butter Cake ($8) and Banana Milo Dinosaur Donuts ($7).

Roll Out Sushi Bar

Address: Tampines Mall, B1-K11, Singapore 529510
Operating hours: 10.30am – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact number: 6900 4372

Sushi’s a definite crowd favourite, but we bet you’ll love it even more with a local twist. Enter Roll Out, a fun takeaway option that does éclair-sized maki rolls (from $3.90), decked out in colourful ingredients instead of the traditional nori seaweed. They serve a wide variety of choices from the usual suspects of unagi, salmon and shrimps, to homegrown flavours like Curry Favour (chicken katsu strips coated in Japanese curry), The Hainanese (poached chicken wrapped in chicken rice) and Red Hot Chilli Pincers (battered snow crab leg drizzled with chilli crab sauce). As their name suggests, they’re always rolling out new creations so you can be sure there’s something for everyone.

Vatos Urban Tacos

Address: 36 Beach Road, Singapore 189766
Operating hours: 12pm – 11pm (Mon to Thurs, Sun), 12pm – 12am (Fri to Sat)
Contact number: 6385 6010

A refreshing option to the countless K-BBQ restaurants here, popular Ko-Mex chain Vatos Urban Tacos has finally brought their unique brand of Southern Californian fare with distinct Korean influences to Singapore. A must-try is the Kimchi Carnitas Fries ($16), which earned its title of “Best Dish in Korea” by 10 Magazine with its addictive recipe of shoestring fries topped with an explosion of braised pork, kimchi and melted cheese. Also not to be missed are the Galbi Tacos (from $12), featuring marinated short ribs served on homemade tortillas, and Spicy Chicken Quesadillas ($16), where chunks of chicken are drenched in chilli sauce then grilled to a flavourful crisp.

CreatureS

Address: 120 Desker Road, Singapore 209639
Operating hours: 12pm – 10.30pm (Tues to Thurs, Sun) 12pm – 11.30pm (Fri to Sat)
Contact number: 6291 6996

A modern-day cafe located in what used to be our most notorious red-light district? If that doesn’t grab your attention, its unexpected mash-up of East meets West delights will definitely make you take notice. Taking traditional recipes, the chefs at CreatureS whip up Peranakan-inspired creations from the likes of Ngoh Hiang & Cuttlefish Kueh Pie Tie ($24), Pumpkin Soup and You Tiao ($12) and Ikan Bili Caesar ($15). Not a fan of savoury fare? Check out their tempting selection of desserts featuring local flavours – think mao shan wang durian paste, and creamy orh nee in cake form.

Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar

Address: The Grandstand, #01-08, Singapore 287994
Operating hours: 11am – 12pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact number: 6464 6900

If you’re in the mood for hearty comfort food, pop on down to Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar. A playful nod to the ubiquitous Cantonese fried noodle dish found all over America, this jaunty joint means serious business when it comes to noodles. There are over 18 inventive small plates ($2.90 for tasting portions, $15.90 for regular servings) for you to slurp up: Salted Egg Spaghetti, Tom Yum Cream Udon, Pork Belly Bibim Guksu Rice Noodles… the list goes on. Other moreish bites include Potato, Bonito and Cheese Pancake ($5.90), Peranakan Roasted Honey Pork ($5.90) and Chicken Skin and Salted Egg Yolk Dip ($6.90).

Som Tam

Address: Orchard Central, #08-13, Singapore 238896
Operating hours: 11.30 – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm (Mon to Thurs), 11.30am – 10pm (Fri to Sun)
Contact number: 6238 6872

There’s no lack of Thai restaurants in Singapore, but we hardly see any that goes straight-on modern fusion like Som Tam. Run by the same folks behind Gin Khao, Som Tam puts a novel spin on classic Thai cuisine to create their trademark “reinvented” flavours. Green curry with pasta? Tom Yum with truffle fries? Satay with Thai dipping sauce? It all makes sense here. Plus, with cheeky offerings like Not So Complicated Noodle ($9.80), Find The Shrimp Yourself! ($13.80) and 50 Shades of Chicken ($10.80), who can resist ordering ‘em all?

Salivating yet? You’re in luck: we are giving away free dining vouchers to CreatureS and Som Tam for our lovely readers. Find out how you can score a free meal at these fusion eateries here!