LUCE @ Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel - Season of Abundance Buffet For This Lunar New Year, Where Italian Conviviality Meets Festive Asian Traditions

This Lunar New Year, LUCE invites diners to gather around a table defined by abundance, craftsmanship and festive cheer. For its Season of Abundance buffet, the Italian restaurant blends the warmth of Italian conviviality with familiar Lunar New Year flavours, resulting in a spread that feels celebratory yet comforting, with plenty to explore across Western and Asian offerings.

DIY Yu Sheng Station

No Lunar New Year meal feels complete without Yu Sheng, and LUCE’s D.I.Y Yu Sheng station sets the tone nicely. What I really appreciated was the option to make smaller portions, so you can enjoy the ritual without sacrificing precious stomach space for the rest of the buffet. Even better, you’re free to add as many fish as you like, which is always a win in my books.

Seafood and Sashimi Station

The Seafood and Sashimi spread is a clear highlight, featuring Japanese oysters, mini abalone, jade salmon and ahi tuna sashimi. Everything looked fresh and inviting, making it dangerously easy to over-serve yourself early in the meal, which is a familiar buffet dilemma.

Salad, Cheese, Cold Cuts

We couldn’t take our eyes off the Salad Bar, where diners can customise their own bowls using the Harvest of the Day selection, featuring fresh greens, generous add-ons, and a wide variety of dressings. The adjacent Artisanal Cheese and Cold Cuts section is equally tempting, showcasing a weekly selection of Italian and French cheeses alongside the chef’s curated imported cold cuts, best enjoyed with freshly baked bread.

Prawn Noodle

Pasta with Salmon Vodka Cream Sauce

One of the most crowd-pleasing stations is the make-your-own Signature Frasers House Prawn Noodle. Ingredients include tiger prawns, fish cake, bean sprouts, quail eggs and noodles, all finished in a rich prawn broth. If you’re in the mood for pasta, the chef also prepares Pasta with Salmon Vodka Cream Sauce tossed in a Parmesan wheel. The pasta was perfectly al dente — so good I genuinely wished I had more stomach space for a second portion.

Luce Pizza

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Pasta alla Norma

Pure di Patate al Tartufo

Sicilian Style Branzino

The Italian Hot Dishes are a carb lover’s dream. From LUCE Pizza to Melanzane alla Parmigiana, Pasta alla Norma, Purè di Patate al Tartufo and Sicilian-style Branzino, the selection is generous and varied. Sadly, I could only manage small bites of each, but most dishes were well executed and satisfying, making it hard to pick favourites.

Salted Egg Pizza

Another standout is the buffet-exclusive Salted Egg Pizza, specially created for this Lunar New Year spread. Topped with roasted chicken and melted mozzarella, the pizza strikes a surprisingly balanced flavour profile that is lightly sweet, savoury and rich without being overwhelming. The salted egg sauce adds a creamy depth, while the fragrant curry leaves lift the whole dish, giving it an unmistakable Southeast Asian twist. It’s indulgent yet approachable, and easily one of those slices you go back for “just one more” even when you’re already full.

Roman-style Roasted Pork Knuckle

Roasted Australian Beef Ribeye

At the Carving station, the Roman-style Roasted Pork Knuckle stood out with its irresistibly crispy skin. At the same time, the Roasted Australian Beef Ribeye was juicy and tender - exactly what you’d hope for from a carving station at a festive buffet.

Netted Seafood Springroll

Nonya Chicken Curry

Five-spice Slow-braised Pork Trotter

XO Tiger Prawn with Scallop Sauce

Lotus-leaf Wrapped Glutinous Rice

The Asian Delights section brings a comforting familiarity to the spread, featuring Netted Seafood Spring Rolls, Nonya Chicken Curry, Five-Spice Slow-Braised Pork Trotter, and Lotus-Leaf Wrapped Glutinous Rice. A dish that stood out quietly was the XO Tiger Prawn with Scallop Sauce, served with broccoli and mushrooms - a well-balanced Cantonese-style dish where the prawns were sweet and plump and the XO scallop sauce added a savoury depth without overpowering the vegetables.

We were told these dishes are prepared by the team from Man Fu Yuan, the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, and it shows. Some dishes tasted reassuringly homely, while others surprised us with flavour profiles that were pleasantly unexpected in a good way.

Eight Treasure Almond Fruit Cake

LUCE-misu

Lucky Gold Bar Chocolate Cake

Earl Grey Lavender Cake

Chocolate Swiss Roll

Auspicious Golden Ingot Nian Gao

Gelato Selections

The Desserts section is fully dressed in Lunar New Year colours and symbolism. Highlights include the Eight Treasure Almond Fruit Cake, LUCE-misu, Lucky Gold Bar Chocolate Cake and Earl Grey Lavender Cake. The Gelato selection is also worth saving space for; my personal favourites were the Mango and Matcha.

Overall, LUCE’s Season of Abundance buffet strikes a nice balance between festive indulgence and variety. Whether you’re drawn to Italian classics, comforting Asian dishes or seafood and desserts, there’s something here for every diner, making it a solid option for Lunar New Year gatherings with family and friends.

Buffet Dates & Prices

Pre-Lunar New Year | 1–15 February
Lunch from $59++ per adult
Dinner from $85++ per adult
Sunday Brunch from $118++ per adult

Lunar New Year Eve, Day 1 & Day 2 | 16–18 February
Lunch from $75++ per adult
Dinner from $95++ per adult

Lunar New Year | 19 February–3 March
Lunch from $69++ per adult
Dinner from $78++ per adult
Sunday Brunch from $118++ per adult

Enjoy preferential dining privileges with ‘LUCE30’ on weekdays and ‘LUCE25’ on weekends. Blackout dates apply: 14, 16, 17 and 18 February 2026.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


LUCE
Fraser House, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6825 1008
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sun: 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sushiro @ Square 2 - Crowd Favourite Conveyor Belt Sushi Opens 18th Outlet in Novena

We’ve been big fans of Sushiro and were excited to learn that they’ve opened their newest and 18th outlet at Novena Square 2. It’s conveniently located right by the MRT exit to Square 2 - just head up the stairs and you’re there.

The outlet is spacious and brightly lit, consistent with Sushiro’s other locations. What we enjoy most are their seasonal menu launches and attractive promotions, which always give us a good reason to return. The easiest way to stay updated is via their Instagram, @sushirosingapore.

Crab lovers should not miss their ongoing “Claws for Celebration” seasonal menu. Our favourites included the light, crispy Soft Shell Crab ($4.90), the buttery, indulgent Mix Crab Stack with Crab Butter & Lemon ($5.90), and the Fresh Snow Crab ($3.90). The latter is also available in variations such as Aburi Fresh Snow Crab with Salt and Lemon ($3.90) and Aburi Soy Sauce Fresh Snow Crab ($3.90).

The Soft Shell Crab, in particular, was served piping hot and generously filled with crab roe.

This festive period, dine in at any Sushiro outlet to receive a free limited-edition Dakkosushi Ang Bao (a pack of six) with a minimum spend of $50. You’ll also receive an $8 return voucher, with both promotions available while stocks last.

Beyond the seasonal offerings, there’s an extensive selection of sushi and dishes to choose from. Expect classics such as Salmon Belly, Bluefin Fatty Tuna, Red Snapper, Yellowtail and Scallop, alongside creative items such as Cold Chawanmushi, Aburi Shrimp Cheese, Salmon with Avocado, and Marinated Sesame Young Yellowtail.

There are also fried items, sides, noodles, soups and desserts to round up the meal. Prices are indicated by coloured plates, starting from $2.90.

For added convenience, we recommend making a reservation in advance via the Sushiro mobile app and checking in upon arrival to ensure smooth seating.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sushiro
Square 2
10 Sinaran Drive
#01-01 to 05, 23 to 32, 45/46
Singapore 307506
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Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

Robata Akari @ Duxton Hill - Showcases Traditional Robatayaki with Premium Ingredients

Robata Akari, located along Duxton Hill, is a Japanese robatayaki-style izakaya that opened in September 2025. The restaurant centres on the traditional robatayaki grilling technique, where premium ingredients are slow-grilled over charcoal, offering diners an authentic, communal Japanese dining experience in a warm, inviting setting.

We went with the Special Menu ($189), which provided a well-paced journey through appetisers, sashimi, grilled items and hearty mains. There is also a premium menu at $289.

Chef's Selection of 3 Appetisers 3.5/5

The meal began with the Chef's Selection of 3 Appetisers, featuring Wagyu with Sea Urchin, Cream Cheese with Wasabi, and Potato Salad. Among the trio, the Wagyu with Sea Urchin stood out effortlessly. The rich marbling of the wagyu paired beautifully with the briny sweetness of the uni, delivering a luxurious bite that set the tone for the meal.

Chilled Starters - Japanese Salad with Colourful Vegetables

The chilled course was a Japanese Salad with Colourful Vegetables. Unfussy and straightforward, it was light and refreshing, allowing the natural freshness of the greens to shine through. It's a good light starter before the heavier courses.

Sashimi - Chef's Selection of Sashimi 5 Kinds 4/5

Next came the Chef's Selection of Sashimi 5 Kinds, comprising Salmon, Bonito, Tuna, Yellowtail, and Shrimp topped with Salmon Roe. Each slice was fresh and clean-tasting, showcasing high-quality seafood with a balanced mix of textures and flavours.

Deep-Fried - Seasonal Vegetable & Agedashi Tofu 4/5

For the deep-fried course, we had Agedashi Tofu paired with capsicum and Eggplant. The tofu was soft and silky inside, with a light exterior that absorbed the savoury sauce nicely.

Akari's Special - Premium Wagyu Shabu-Shabu/ Sukiyaki 4.5/5

The highlight of the Special Menu is undoubtedly Akari's Premium Wagyu, available as either shabu-shabu or sukiyaki. I opted for the shabu-shabu, which allowed the beautifully marbled wagyu to shine. The beef was incredibly tender, delivering a melt-in-the-mouth texture with rich, beefy flavours.

Robata-Grilled - Eggplant 2.5/5

A series of robata-grilled selections followed, showcasing the restaurant's robata-grilling techniques. The Eggplant paired with Bonito came first, with the skin removed to reveal a very soft interior. Unfortunately, this dish did not quite resonate with me, as the flavours felt relatively mild and the texture leaned towards the mushy side.

Robata-Grilled - Black Cod 3.8/5

The Robata-Grilled Black Cod fared much better, offering a rich, buttery flesh with a pleasing crisp on the skin.

Robata-Grilled - Salmon with Salmon Roe 3.8/5

This was followed by the Robata-Grilled Salmon topped with Salmon Roe, which was cooked precisely, resulting in a moist texture without being dry, reflecting good control over the grilling timing.

Robata-Grilled - Chicken Meatballs with Egg Yolk 3/5

Rounding off the robata items were the Chicken Meatballs with Egg Yolk; while flavourful, the texture was a little too soft for my personal liking, making it less memorable compared to the other grilled dishes.

Claypot Rice with Wagyu & Corn 3.8/5

The Claypot Rice with Wagyu & Corn was a comforting and satisfying dish. The rice was fragrant, infused with wagyu fat for added depth, while the corn introduced a pleasant sweetness and textural contrast.

Dessert - Sweet Potato & Vanilla Ice Cream 3/5

Dessert was Sweet Potato with Vanilla Ice Cream. The sweet potato was naturally sweet with light smoky notes from the fire, pairing nicely with the cold, creamy vanilla ice cream for a simple yet effective hot-and-cold contrast.

Black Throat Sea Perch 4.5/5

We also tried the Black Throat Sea Perch from the à la carte menu. Skewered and slow-grilled over charcoal in irori style, the fish was evenly cooked, moist, and naturally sweet, allowing its quality to shine without excessive seasoning.

Overall, Robata Akari delivers a refined robatayaki experience, with strong execution of its grilled items and premium ingredients, making it a noteworthy addition to Singapore's Japanese dining scene — especially for those who appreciate charcoal-grilled flavours executed with restraint and precision.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Robata Akari
10 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089594
Tel: +65 9647 5330
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Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road and walk to Duxton Road. Walk down Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Hill. Walk down Duxton Hill. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Walk down Craig Road towards Neil Road. Turn left onto Neil Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to the staircase behind the open-air car park. Take the stairs to Duxton Plain Park. Turn right and walk down Duxton Plain Park. Cross the tunnel, take the stairs to the road level and walk down Neil Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time bout 6 minutes. [Map]