Tapow

Pan-Asian, Asian fusion, Singlish flavours, call it what you want but when Singaporean palates go globe trotting the results inspire onomatopoetic outbursts… TAPOW, for instance. Thing is, this super cosy and colourful bar and casual eatery in the buzzing quarter of Chinatown around Ann Siang Road and Club Street offers not just a fusion of cuisines from across Asia and Europe, but a mash-up of street food, art, craft cocktails, and music that Wagner would have certainly called a gesamtkunstwerk if he were a little (well, a whole lot) hipper, currently alive, eternally twentysomething, and playful rather than pompous. Come tip your hat to Tapow’s talented ‘tenders and get your tastebuds tantalised.

Tapow has taken over the Chinatown premises, revamping the look, taste and feel of the place in order to satisfy the bottomless desire of Singapore’s endlessly curious (and hungry) when it comes to innovative food and drink. The whole resembles your most stylish dream friend’s house party pad, but the focus in the kitchen at Tapow’s Ann Siang Road premises, close to hot party spot Club Street, is playful street food inspired by an eclectic mix of Asian and European textures and flavours. The bar is equally mischievous, serving up a great range of intelligent, crafty cocktails, beer and more, all set to sounds supplied by regular guest DJs from the Kilowatt Soundsystem and other crews.

To get an idea of the impish menu on offer from Tapow’s Ann Siang Road kitchen (around the corner from the more hectic Club Street in Singapore’s Chinatown) give their Sambal Penyet Petai wrap (yes, with the infamous stink bean as a main ingredient) or their Damn Shiok pizza with pepperoni, prawns or ayam penyet, chilli padi and rocket a try. Tiffins of Peranakan, Javanese, and Thai curries are well matched with drinks like the palm sugar and pandan leaf infused Pandan Muka Kau or the signature Tapow Mai Tai. Time your reservation right and you’re likely to be serenaded by a mix of Caribbean, soul and downtempo beats while you drink and dine, and dance!