Where To Get Tom Yum Pasta & Other Delicious Asian Fusion Pasta Creations

They say necessity is the mother of invention. With fusion food perhaps, the necessity is that we wanted to find out how we could blur the lines between cuisines and if they could be blended into a delectable dish that celebrates both cultures. Fusion food can also become a standalone one day, such as Peranakan and Eurasian fare. Ahead, we highlight 10 cafes and restaurants that have crossed the boundaries to offer delicious fusion pasta creations, including tom yum pasta, in Singapore.

1. Creation Cafe

Chef Alex Lum started Creation Cafe in 2000. Previously located at Shaw Towers, it is most known for its wallet-friendly fusion pasta creations. There is an extensive list of choices too, ranging from Thai Cream with Seafood ($14) and Laksa Cream with Seafood or Chicken ($14/$12) to Tikka Masala Cream with Chicken ($12) and Salted Egg Cream with Seafood or Chicken ($14.80/$12.80). Bonus: There is no GST or service charge here. For noodles, pick between spaghetti, penne, and linguine. And if you like chef Lum's homemade sauces, they are available for purchase so you can recreate his fusion pasta dishes at home.

Creation Cafe is at 470 North Bridge Rd, #03-13 Bugis Cube, Singapore 188735. Visit its website for more information.

2. 49 Seats

49 Seats is another well-known establishment for fusion food with a local bent. It started at 49 Kreta Ayer Road with 49 seats before moving to a bigger space in The Centrepoint. The star dish people return for is the Tom Yum Seafood Pasta ($14.90), but another Thai-inspired option is the Tom Yum Salted Egg Seafood Pasta with Chicken Cutlet ($16.90). If you can handle your weight in spice, consider challenging yourself to Level 49 Spicy.

49 Seats is at 176 Orchard Rd, #01-49 The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843. Visit its website for more information.

3. Tangled Pasta

Tangled Pasta is for those after fresh pasta without breaking the bank. On the menu is the Tom Yum Yum Yum ($14.90), which features chargrilled prawn over a bed of pasta dressed in creamy tom yum sauce. Other fusion flavours are Pinky Promise ($14.90), beetroot pasta with creamy mentaiko sauce, Mango Tang ($13.90), squid ink pasta aglio e olio with prawns and mango salsa, and Trufflin' Cool ($14.90), a chilled pasta with truffle oil, scallops, shio kombu and tobiko. For noodles, pick between spaghetti, penne, and pappardelle made with flavours such as beetroot and mushroom.

Tangled Pasta has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.

4. Good Bites

Good Bites is located right within Bishan ActiveSG Sports Hall, making the restaurant easy to find. The menu features mainly Western cuisine. Think pasta, burgers, milkshakes, waffles, and the like, alongside some with an Asian twist. For fusion pasta, the options available are Tom Yum Pasta with either Chicken or Seafood ($14/$15.50), Sambal Goreng Pasta ($14/$15.50), and Chilli Crab Pasta ($14/$15.50).

Good Bites is at 5 Bishan St 14, #03-01 Bishan ActiveSG Sports Hall, Singapore 579783. Visit its website for more information.

5. Pasta Loft

Tucked within The Midtown Residences, Pasta Loft is said to have been started by an ex-stewardess. The cosy establishment offers Italian food, namely pasta and pizza, that are no more than $15. It does not charge GST and service charges either. There are two fusion pasta dishes available here, Seafood Tom Yum ($12.90) or Wafu Spaghetti ($13.90), the latter of which comes dressed in a homemade butter shoyu sauce. Pick between spaghetti or fusilli.

Pasta Loft is at 1187 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-19 The Midtown Residences, Singapore 533971. Visit its Instagram for more information.

6. Pasta Express

Pasta Express is a takeaway concept store found in the three major universities (NTU, NUS and SMU) as well as The Venue Shoppes, Vivocity, and The Woodleigh Mall. Consequently, the prices here aren't too steep considering its build-your-bowl concept. The classic sauces are available here — alfredo, carbonara, tomato, and aglio olio. But if you're here for fusion pasta, pick the Laksa Cream Sauce and pair it with the vegetables and meat of your choice. You can make it vegetarian too.

Pasta Express has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its Facebook for more information.

7. Walaku

Halal restaurant Walaku is equally known for its Asian food as well as its take on Western fusion fare. On the menu are Malay classics such as Ayam Berempah and Nasi Lemak, but you'll also find Smoked Duck Laksa ($16), Lemak Chilli Api Salmon Pasta ($24) and Salted Egg Prawn Pasta ($24), too. The last is self-explanatory — the laksa is a soupy broth dish comprising linguine and smoked duck, while the salmon pasta is dressed in a spicy, aromatic lemak chilli api sauce.

Walaku is at 102 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427396. Visit its website for more information.

8. EagleWings Loft

EagleWings Loft is a nautical-themed restaurant that wants to introduce cuisines from all around the world in one spot. The menu is thus a mishmash of options, ranging from Italian Lobster Risotto and Japanese Chicken Curry Katsu Don to Thai Tom Yum Bee Hoon and French Coq Au Vin. The pasta selection has fusion flavours too, of course, such as the Sambal Seafood Pasta ($18.90), Sambal Smoked Duck Pasta ($18.90), and Beachside Belachan Pasta ($18.90).

EagleWings Loft is at 9 King Albert Park, #01-33/34/56/57 KAP Residences Mall, Singapore 598332. Visit its website for more information.

9. Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill

Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill is a popular halal contemporary fusion restaurant situated in The Esplanade. The brand recently unveiled its second outlet, bringing its signature flavours to the east at Downtown East E!Hub. Among its many inventive dishes is the Smoked Duck Lemak Chilli Padi Pasta ($19.90), which comprises spaghetti in spicy coconut gravy topped with smoked duck, arugula, and sweet cherry tomatoes.

Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill is at 8 Raffles Ave., #01-13B Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802 and 1 Pasir Ris Cl, #03-101 Downtown East E!Hub, Singapore 519599. Visit its website for more information.

10. Chopsuey Cafe

Chopsuey Cafe was started by the same people who brought us PS.Cafe. The Dempsey Hill restaurant opened in 2013 focusing on Anglo-Chinese fare. On the brunch menu, which is available only on weekends and public holidays between 1130am to 4pm, is the Spaghetti Crab 'Mee Goreng' ($28). The typical yellow noodles are swapped for spaghetti instead and topped with fresh crab, king prawns, and a spicy tomato sauce. PS: The same dish is available at PS.Cafe too.

Chopsuey Cafe is at 10 Dempsey Rd, #01-23, Singapore 247700. Visit its website for more information.