Le Binchotan

Japanese and French cuisine continue to inspire each other at Le Binchotan – an izakaya tucked in a quiet alley in the heart of Singapore’s CBD. Although the address lists Amoy Street as its location, the entrance is, in fact, on Gemmill Lane. Grilled specialties make up the focus of the menu, done over white charcoal from the oak trees of Wakayama Prefecture in Japan. Found close to Telok Ayer MRT station, Le Binchotan is easy to reach from all over the city-state.

Helmed by head chef Jeremy Chiam, the menu at Le Binchotan is the result of a joint effort between him and chef Atsuhiko Hagiwara from Tokyo-based French restaurant en.terrible. Dark wood interiors at this gastropub set the tone for a leisurely after-work hangout over small plates of Iberico pork jowl and Wagyu striploin. You’ll want to balance out all that meat with the fungi large plate, a creative spin on the classic risotto dish with its use of Japanese-grain rice and shiitake mushrooms. If there’s room for dessert, you might want to try the smoked chocolate dessert before settling in with its popular coconut-laced cocktail The Gin, The Flower and The Bowtie. A discreet hideout in the dense downtown core of Singapore, right by Telok Ayer station, Le Binchotan’s exciting fusion offerings will please even the most hardened foodies. Reserve a spot to get in on this secret gem before the word gets out!