Udon Shin @ Takashimaya - Tokyo’s Udon Specialist Opens First Overseas Outpost in Singapore

Fans of udon will be pleased to welcome Udon Shin, a renowned udon specialist from Tokyo boasting 14 years of experience. Its new outlet at Takashimaya marks the brand’s first international debut, bringing its beloved handmade noodles out of Japan for the very first time.

Since 2011, Udon Shin has drawn long queues at its Shibuya store, thanks to its fresh, chewy udon made entirely in-house. The brand stands by its “Four Fresh” philosophy - freshly kneaded, freshly cut, freshly boiled, and freshly fried.

Every bowl features noodles crafted daily for that signature firm, stretchy bite, while all tempura items are fried to order.

The Singapore menu offers a wide selection, from simple hot or cold udon to tempura sets, unique flavour combinations, and even customisable build-your-own bowls.

A few interesting creations that caught our attention include the Butter Shoyu Tamago Udon ($12), Tempura Cheese Butter Udon ($26) and Yuzu Wagyu Kake Udon ($42).

The space is casual and cosy, complete with an open kitchen where diners can watch the entire udon-making process from dough to bowl.

Carbonara Udon 4.2/5

The Carbonara Udon ($24) is Udon Shin’s viral signature, and though we were initially unsure about how the combination would turn out, it worked surprisingly well. The base is udon cooked in dashi, topped with a rich mix of parmesan cheese, butter, spring onions, pepper and a raw egg.

Once stirred together, each chewy strand becomes coated with a creamy, buttery sauce that stays savoury without being too heavy. The indulgent thick bacon tempura was another standout, being crisp and non-greasy.

Premium Tempura Kake Udon 4.2/5

Next was the Premium Tempura Kake Udon ($34), featuring hot udon soup paired with an assortment of tempura: two shrimps, four types of vegetables, fish and squid.

The udon once again delivered the perfect chew, while the broth offered deep umami, though it may definitely lean more salty for some. Among the tempura pieces, the tender salmon and large juicy prawns were my favourites.

Tempura Zaru Udon 4.2/5

Cold udon lovers should try the Tempura Zaru Udon ($28), which comes with two shrimps and four vegetable tempura pieces. Served on a bamboo tray with chilled dashi dipping sauce, the udon felt extra bouncy and refreshing when eaten cold. The tempura was fried just right once again.

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.


Udon Shin
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
#B2-32
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238873
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NE, TE Line), Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Follow the walkway through Wisma Atria to Takashimaya. Continue walking straight at Ngee Ann City until destination. Journey about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B to Orchard Road. Head west or turn left onto Orchard Road against the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

All Hands Café @ Telok Ayer - Boeuf Reopens as All Hands Cafe Serving Housemade Shokupan, Matcha Desserts and Speciality Drinks

All Hands Café in Telok Ayer sports a vibrant blue exterior, a brand new concept by the same team behind the former steakhouse, Boeuf, which once occupied the same space. The beautifully renovated shophouse is modern with charming heritage touches.

Transitioning from its steakhouse roots, the team has reimagined the menu to spotlight freshly baked Shokupan (Japanese milk bread) in creative variations. Alongside the signature bread, diners can also look forward to matcha-based desserts, speciality drinks, and more.

Signature Shokupan 4/5

The Signature Shokupan ($8.94) is a playful twist on our beloved local kaya toast breakfast. It comes with two sous-vide eggs, topped with furikake and kombu-infused soy sauce, and is accompanied by your choice of bread flavour: Kaya Butter Snow, Milo Dino, or Peanut Butter & Jam.

Unlike the typical Shokupan known for its soft, pillowy texture, All Hands’ version omits eggs, resulting in an airier crumb that’s less moist, but still pretty enjoyable.

DIY Shokupan 3.8/5

The DIY Shokupan (from $8.94) lets you build your own toasts with a range of bases and toppings. Start with options like Egg Mayo, Crispy Sunny Side Up, Buttery Scramble, Smash Avo, or Cheesy Tomato, and layer on add-ons such as parma ham (+$6), candied bacon (+$4), sous-vide chicken breast (+$5), or sautéed mushrooms (+$4).

Here we tried the Egg Mayo Garlic Prawn combination, which came with lots of prawns, but I wished it was a little less saucy overall.

Burrata with Parma Ham 4.2/5

If you prefer ready-made options, Open-Faced Shokupan creations are available too. The Burrata with Parma Ham ($14.49) had a hidden layer of green pesto that paired well with the burrata and savoury Parma ham. The addition of compressed tomatoes added a pop of sweetness. Each open-faced toast comes with fries or salad. I’d recommend the crispy fries, which were seasoned perfectly.

We also heard that the A5 Sukiyaki ($28.49) is another delicious option, alongside Kimcheesy ($16.49) and Smoked Salmon Berry ($16.49).

Specialty Drinks

Among their speciality drinks, we tried the eye-catching Blue Spirulina Matcha ($8.49) and the Peanut Butter Hojicha Latte ($8.49). We much preferred the matcha for its surprisingly pleasant combination.

Matcha Brûlée Basque Cheesecake 4/5

Moving to their house-made desserts, the rich Matcha Brûlée Basque Cheesecake ($6.49) would appeal to cheesecake lovers. We liked the prominent matcha notes and the thin caramelised top.

Matcha Banana Pudding 3.8/5

On the other hand, we wished the Matcha Banana Pudding ($6.49) had come in a larger portion with stronger pandan notes, as we expected based on its menu description. However, the matcha cloud that came along was lovely.

Fans of Boeuf will be delighted to know that the cafe has kept a part of its steakhouse legacy with a dedicated menu section, “Keeping the Best of Boeuf”, featuring Boeuf’s Best Selling Rossini Tenderloin, Boeuf’s Bourguignon, and Steak Tartare.

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.


All Hands Café
159 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068614
Tel: +65 9863 1626
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 5pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Telok Ayer Street. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]