Shaw Centre Food Finds: 10 Dining Spots To Check Out — Including Great Lunch Deals

Shaw Centre is home to a wide range of restaurants whipping up various cuisines; think Japanese, Italian, Hakka, and more. While the prices of the restaurants can be a bit steep, they are all decent choices for a special meal with family or friends. You can also get solid deals with some of the lunch sets - very good deals in our opinion.

Below are the restaurants we shortlisted (most of which we have tried) that we think should be on your radar.

1. La Tapería

La Tapería is a Spanish restaurant specialising in tapas (both warm and cold) with a large selection of wines. There is also a range of paellas and other mains such as Cordero A La Parilla ($42), which features grilled Australian lamb rack with a veggie stew, and Cheek De Carne La Brasa ($34), which sees braised Australian beef cheek in a wine reduction sauce.

However, if you really want to get your money’s worth, the Set Lunch is a great option. For $42++, you can get a three-course meal (starter, main, and dessert) that is bang for your buck. Each category has options that are fully covered by the $42 cost and others that require an additional top-up. We decided to stick fully to the options that are covered to gauge how worthwhile this set meal is without topping up.

For starters, we chose the Ocean Trout Tartare that is topped with avocado guacamole and served with crispy bread crackers drizzled with olive oil. One thing we noted off the bat was how generous the portion was. The tartare had a nice sour tang; the finely chopped trout was held together with a tartar sauce incorporating aioli (garlic and olive oil) and other ingredients. We thought the lemon would make the dish too sour but it actually added a really nice refreshing flavour. The guacamole had a mild buttery flavour that helped to balance everything out. We just wished that there were more crackers because the cracker and tartare combination was our favourite way to eat this dish and we quickly ran out.

After such a great starter, we were excited to try the Grilled US Pork Rack. Tender and juicy, the pork was covered in a delicious bacon butter sauce and topped with cranberries. The pork was extremely flavourful and very, very fatty. We personally didn’t mind it, but it can be a much for some. The slightly salty sauce combined with the sweetness from the cranberries was delicious. On the side, there are mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

For dessert, we went with the Burnt Cheesecake with blueberry jam. We’ve tried this flavour combo many times before and it has never failed.

Other (non-additional fees) options for the three categories include:

Starters

• Mushroom soup
• Burrata cheese (mesclun salad with caramalized peach, peach dressing, and toasted walnut)

Mains

• Roasted Magret Duck Breast with roasted potatoes and a red-wine sauce
• Pan-Seared Norwegian Ocean Trout with chorizo ham and green lentil du puy stew

Dessert

• Ice Cream/Sorbet (vanilla ice cream or lemon sorbet)
• Churros with cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce.

Opens Sun to Thurs from 12pm to 3pm and 6.30pm to 10pm. Opens Fri to Sat from 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm. Located at #02-10/11, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its Instagram and website for more info.

2. Picolino

Picolino’s Weekday Set Lunch menu is a must-try. The restaurant was relatively empty when we went compared to the stores surrounding it, but we are glad we gave it a shot. For $24.80++, you get a three-course meal that is surprisingly generous.

For starters, the options include the soup of the day, sweet potato fries, chicken wings (three pieces), and a Caesar salad. We opted for the Caesar salad, and it was a decent no-frills option. Think fresh, crunchy vegetables topped with an anchovy dressing, and savoury Parma ham chips that kept things from becoming too boring. The eggs were a nice touch, but a bit bland. Overall, we really enjoyed it, and it was a pretty decent-sized serving as well.

There are many options for mains, as well as pizzas and pastas galore, with some interesting options such as the nine-inch Satay Pizza, Kam Heong Vongole Linguine (additional $2), and the usual Carbonara and Bolognese. We settled on the nine-inch Picolino’s Margherita.

Unlike traditional margheritas, this one came drizzled with pesto sauce and also had little slices of honey tomatoes. The smoked burratina’s mild flavour mellowed out the slightly salty pesto sauce and the tanginess of the tomato passata; it was really the key ingredient that bound everything together. If you’d like a little extra something with your pizza, you can add different toppings such as seafood, ham, and salami for an extra cost.

There were only two options for desserts: tiramisu and apple pie with a scoop of ice cream. We chose the tiramisu (it is an Italian restaurant after all) and though it was small, there was a good balance between the cream and the ladyfingers. It is also non-alcoholic.

The Weekday Set Lunch is available from 11.30am to 2.30pm. It is not available on public holidays, the eve of them, and festive periods. Beverage not included.

Opens daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9pm. Located at #03-23/24, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website or Instagram for more info.

3. 8 Korean BBQ

This Korean BBQ store has recently seen a lot of interest, mainly for its signature 8 Flavours Pork Palate. However, the price is a bit steeper at $112. For something a little more pocket-friendly, there is a Lunch Duo Feast menu that starts from just $38.80. There are five options with different prices. All include two pieces of king oyster mushrooms, two bowls of seaweed soup, two bowls of rice, and two drinks. The difference lies in the meat.

We went for the Pork and Beef Set ($48.80) so we could try at least two of the pork flavours. This set includes two strips of pork belly and U.S. prime short ribs (40g). For the pork belly, we chose the garlic and kalbi flavours, and they did not disappoint. The garlic flavour was strong, slightly salty, and full of umami. It was a flavour-bomb in the mouth and great for garlic lovers. The kalbi option uses Korean sweet soya sauce for a well-rounded flavour, and brings out the pork’s meaty flavour, whereas the garlic option tasted predominantly of the sauce.

The beef was slightly salted, tender, and juicy with a meaty aroma, while the seaweed soup was very refreshing and helped to wash everything down.

Overall, we think that the lunch set is worth the money if you and the person you’re with are small to medium eaters. If you are someone who loves the endless supply of meat in KBBQ buffets, then this might not be for you.

The other lunch sets are:

• Chicken and Beef Set ($38.80): chicken thigh and 40grams prime short ribs.
• Chicken and Salmon set ($38.80): chicken thigh and two pieces of Atlantic salmon
• Beef and Salmon Set ($48.80): 40grams of U.S. prime short ribs and two pieces of Atlantic salmon
• Pork neck and Salmon set ($42.80): two pieces of Iberico pork neck and two pieces of Atlantic salmon

Side note: we were served some small side dishes the moment we sat down. The pasta in coleslaw sauce was surprisingly good, and the potatoes in corn syrup were a standout.

Opens Mon to Fri from 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30pm to 10pm. Opens Sat to Sun from 11:30am to 10pm. Located at #04-20/21, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.

4. Tarte by Cheryl Koh

Tarte is helmed by award-winning Singapore pastry chef Cheryl Koh, and specialises in tarts and cakes that pretty much look like works of art. What caught our eye were the Pistachio Cake ($13.50), which combines pistachio mousse, pistachio feuilletine, and dacquoise, as well as the Tiramisu Tart ($12.50).

However, we made a very ‘Singaporean move’ and chose the option that was almost sold out: the Chocolate Mousse Cake ($12.40).

The mousse was made with dark chocolate, and the subtle bitterness really came through, with the slightly sweeter chocolate sponge balancing it out. The highlight of the cake, though, was definitely the sea salt caramel, with the saltiness cutting through the mousse’s bitterness and adding a savoury element that was oh-so-good.

The store also has a selection of drinks ranging from coffee, tea, juices, and artisanal sodas. If you are looking for a more filling meal, there is the Mushroom & Bacon Quiche ($14.50), with roasted mushrooms and honey bacon, as well as the Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($18) with cream cheese and dill.

Opens daily from 10am to 8pm. Located at #02-05, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.

5. Xi Yan

Xi Yan has multiple outlets across Singapore. While all outlets focus on contemporary Chinese and Hakka cuisine, each offers something a little different. Zing by Xi Yan at Paya Lebar Quarter focuses on healthy, nutritious meals, while Xi Yan Private Dining curates personal menus for intimate gatherings. Dining at Xi Yan at Shaw Centre is a casual affair that is a great stop for a mid-workday lunch.

The Signature Rice and Noodle Sets are priced at $18, making it the most affordable set on this list. It comes with a free drink (jasmine tea, lemongrass, or kumquat honey) and Crispy Stuffed Bean Curd Skin. The latter was crispy and stuffed with a good amount of both meat and fish.

For the main dish, there are eight different options available. Some include the Black Truffle Yunnan Ham Fried Rice, the Xi Yan XO Sauce Fried Rice (the waiter noted that this dish is quite popular), and Dan Dan Noodles (can be made with meat and without). We decided to choose the other recommended dish - the Hakka Fried Noodles with Pork.

This dish is what you’d expect from Chinese fried noodles — it’s big on flavour. A mix of onions, mushrooms, cabbage, spring onions, and minced pork come together for a delicious, savoury delight. The oniony sweetness combined with the salty noodles and strong mushroom flavour all worked really well together. The minced pork was savoury-sweet, and although you can’t really taste it through the noodles, it blends well with the rest of the dish. After a while, the noodles did get a bit too salty though, so we recommend lots of water.

Opens daily from 11.30am to 3pm and 5.30pm to 10pm. Located at #03-12/13, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.

6. Fi Firewood Thai

Elevated Thai food is what Fi Firewood Thai is about. Situated in a corner at level three, there is an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs in action.

We started with a Thai Ice Milk Tea ($6) because how could we not? Fi’s is a special blend inspired by a family recipe. It was sweeter than we were used to but not overwhelming. Overall, it was a decent cup of Thai milk tea, if a little pricey.

The Watermelon with Fish Floss ($14) features sweet watermelon topped with a generous portion of tom yum-seasoned fish floss. The blend of the sweet watermelon juices and the briny floss came together to create a complex but addictive flavour. And while it’s tom-yum flavoured, it was not spicy at all.

The star of our visit was the Signature “Moo Ping” Rib ($48). These ribs are marinated for 24 hours and slow-grilled over lychee wood. Tender, fatty, and glazed with an in-house savoury-sweet concoction, we understand why it’s a signature. On the side, grilled sticky rice with a coconut glaze added a nice sweetness.

Lastly, we had the Mango & Butterfly Pea Sticky Rice ($12) that combines fresh Thai mango chunks and an Australian-mango compote cooked in mango puree. This dish was hot and cold; where the mango was cold, the sticky rice was hot. It was a nice sweet treat to end the meal.

Other standouts from our visit include the Drunken Noodles ($14). Shrimps, squid, and mushroom are fried in a wok and mixed with bay corn and basil for extra depth of flavour. The Grilled Green Mango Salad ($12) is for the zest lovers. Tossed with lime juice, the mango is slightly charred. Choose between three spice levels to suit your spice tolerance.

Opens daily from 11:30am to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm. Located at #03-14, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.

7. Sushi Jin

Sushi Jin is known primarily for its omakase dining experience. If you’re dropping by for lunch, the Lunch Course ($98) features an appetiser, chawanmushi, seven pieces of sushi, a chef’s creation, soup, and dessert. The normal Omakase spread is priced at $138 and includes an appetiser, sashimi, awabi, a hot dish, eight pieces of sushi, a chef’s creation, soup, and dessert.

However, we went down to try the ala carte menu. The restaurant has a variety of hot and cold mains. All mains come with an appetiser, miso soup, and dessert.

The Snow Crab Ikura Don ($32) sees finely shredded Hokkaido snow crab with salmon roe on a bed of sushi rice. The mixture of the tangy rice, sweet crab, and briny roe was a tasty combination. The serving of crab seemed quite generous at first, but we found ourselves wishing for towards the end.

The appetiser changes depending on the day. On our visit we had French beans. For our dessert, we had a choice between three ice cream flavours - yuzu, matcha, and sesame. We defaulted to the yuzu flavour and it was a nice refreshing end to the meal. There were small individual yuzu pieces that were quite bitter though.

Other cold mains include the signature Kaisen Don ($32) with a mix of uni, chuturo, hotate, ikura, and an assortment of sashimi, as well as the JIN Aburi Sushi Moriawase ($62) featuring six torched seasonal sushi. The hot mains selection includes the Sake Teriyaki Don ($22) with salmon and a teriyaki glaze, and the JIN Wagyu Don ($45) with A4 Miyazaki Wagyu, truffle, asparagus, and an onsen egg to top it all off.

Opens daily from 11.30am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm. Located at #03-07, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.

8. Mui Kee

Mui Kee is a popular restaurant if the constant lunch queues we witnessed are anything to go by. Originating from Hong Kong in 1979, this restaurant is all about the authentic taste of Hong Kong congee. The store specialises in sheng gun congee where raw ingredients are boiled directly into the congee, giving the unassuming bowl a whole lot of flavour. The method of cooking has been passed down to third-generation owner Choi Gok Tung by his father, who learned it from his Choi’s grandmother.

For just the sheng gun congee alone, the store has 12 variations. These include the Dace Fish Balls ($11.50) that earned Mui Kee popularity back in Hong Kong, Frog Legs ($18.90), and Garoupa Belly ($16.50).

And of course, a Hong Kong-style meal would be incomplete without Cheung Fun. From Beef Brisket ($8.90) to Fried Fritters ($7.90), you’ll be sure to satisfy your Cheung Fun cravings.

If you are missing the taste of Hong Kong beverages, the restaurant also serves up Hong Kong Black Coffee, Coffee, Tea, and Black Tea (all priced at $3.20 hot and $4.20 cold).

Opens Mon to Fri from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 9pm. Opens Sat to Sun from 8am to 9pm. Located at #03-09/10/11, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.

9. Tenjin

Tempura Donburi (otherwise known as tendon), is what this restaurant’s all about. Seafood and vegetables deep fried in tempura batter and served on a hot bed of rice make for the best comfort meal, especially when it’s under $20.

For $18, the Special Tendon set is inclusive of rice, two prawns, asparagus, lotus root, shiitake mushroom, eggplant, pumpkin, and an ohba leaf and kyabetsu salad. Don’t fancy seafood? The Vegetable Tendon Set ($15) has all the vegetables from the Special Tendon set; just double the amount. Both sets allow the option of spicy and regular flavour.

If you want something a bit more special, the Prawn Tendon Set ($22) has five prawns, shiitake mushrooms, pumpkin, and a salad. The Tempura Moriawase Set ($28) is for those who really want to go all out; snow crab leg, anago, two prawns, kisu fish, and the same vegetables as the Special Tendon set. You can opt between rice, udon, or cold/hot soba.

Individual tempura is also available for purchase. The Ebi Tempura goes at $7 for two pieces, the Anago Tempura is priced at $9 for two, and the Assorted Vegetables Tempura features five different kinds of vegetables for $9.

Opens daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 9pm. Located at #01-11, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.

10. Wagyu Jin

Another omakase restaurant, Wagyu Jin is a more private dining experience and is suitable for those willing to splurge a little more. For lunch, the $188+ Lunch Only option features appetisers (uni, awabi, prawn, caviar, dashi jelly), a seasonal sashimi, braised hida beef and mashed potato, a Nodoguro benihitomi handroll, sukiyaki (hida beef and foma tofu), fried rice (Miyazaki beef and galic), as well as dessert (milk ice monaka and pine nuts).

The $288+ option comes with a few tweaks. You start with appetisers of Hokkaido hairy crab and caviar, as well as a soup, miyazaki and seasonal sashimi maki, steamed awabi with liver sauce, a sandwich with Yonezawa Chateaubriand beef, and yakiniku (Miyazaki beef and rice) instead of fried rice.

The $388+ one has kuro awabi, uni, and caviar for appetisers, soup, tatare, grilled Australian wagyu tongue, sauteed lobster with truffle butter, sandwich, sukiyaki, fried rice, and dessert.

Opens Mon to Sat from 12pm to 3pm and 6:30pm to 10pm. Located at #02-12, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208. Visit its website and Instagram for more info.