Food
The quiet Japanese scene inside Fortune Centre
An izakaya, a bakery, an umeshu bar, a rice-ball counter and two small kitchens — hidden in a building known for something else entirely.
Fortune Centre's reputation is vegetarian Chinese. Its second, much less discussed speciality is Japanese, and the operators here are unusually small and owner-run — the opposite of the mall chains four minutes away at Bugis.
Ume San 100 — #02-07
The one people travel for. An umeshu bar with over a thousand reviews, doing Nagoya dry ramen and foie gras bara chirashi at lunch, and a deep umeshu and highball list at night. Open late Friday and Saturday. Reviewers consistently say the same thing: come for the plum wine selection, the food is a bonus.
Izakaya Hikari — #03-01
Yakitori, sashimi, small plates. Lunch service noon to 2.30pm, dinner from 5.30pm, closed Sundays. Japanese expats eat here, which is the usual signal. Tables are small and the room is tight.
Koryori Hayashi — #02-14
The one you walk past. Noren curtains, a paper lantern, and a menu covering donburi, mini sashimi bowls, udon, tempura and pasta. Chicken nanban and the crab cream croquette are the recurring recommendations. Lunch daily, dinner Wednesday to Saturday.
Tsumiki — #02-02
A Japanese bakery, takeaway only, open Wednesday to Saturday afternoons and closed the rest of the week. Rye sourdough, matcha shokupan, focaccia, madeleines, seasonal cakes to pre-order. Tiny, run by one person, and worth planning around because the hours are unforgiving.
Onigiri Gon — #01-18
A rice-ball counter on Level 1. Small menu, quick, and one of the most-viewed listings in the building's directory.
Elizaburo — #03-16 and Ramen Story — #04-27
Elizaburo rounds out Level 3. Ramen Story, by Jinggho Shokudo, is on Level 4 and is the newest of the group.
Kiro-San — #02-12
Small, Instagram-forward, on the escalator ring at Level 2.
The pattern worth noticing: none of these are chains, most run restricted hours, and several close on days you would expect them open. Check before you go. Unit numbers and phone numbers are in the Restaurants & Dining directory.