Modern izakaya-inspired dining and drinks in Chinatown’s fashionable Keong Saik Road enclave
June 12th, 2015
A recent opening in Singapore’s increasingly hip Keong Saik neighbourhood, Neon Pigeon impresses with its on-trend concept of vibrant urban eatery and bar, elevated with a well-executed menu of mostly modern Japanese dishes served in small plates format. One of a series of new dining venues set within The Working Capitol co-working development, Neon Pigeon attracts as a sociable drinks and casual dining destination, standing out with its edgy urban street-chic vibe and well-priced Asian fare. At the bar, in addition to the Japanese-inflected cocktails, a good selection of Japanese craft beers, whiskies and sake offer first-rate accompaniment to the cuisine.
With an ownership connection to the uber-hot Hong Kong-based Fatty Crab restaurant, Neon Pigeon brings to Singapore a similar urban street cred, deftly blending an edgy, industrial-chic design aesthetic with an approachable menu of Japanese-inspired dishes designed for sharing. Set in a street level space behind the restored facade of colonial-era heritage shophouses, the restaurant interior features an open-plan layout with the dining area and open kitchen adjacent to the bar section. A pared-back decor of custom-made timber tables and simple chairs evoke a Japanese dining aesthetic, while the industrial palette of concrete flooring, exposed brickwork, and steel framed windows is animated with the specially commissioned pigeon-themed graffiti art, boldly splashed across the walls to underscore the urban vibe.
Serving a well-constructed menu grounded in the Japanese izakaya-style sharing cuisine, all dishes at Neon Pigeon can be ordered in small or large plate sizes. Modern interpretations of Japanese cuisine are refreshed with cross-cultural culinary influences, adding culinary elements of Korean, Chinese, and Western origin. Menu options include selections of snacks like the Tsukune Sliders and Marinated Hamachi; vegetable dishes and miso soups; and seafood and meat dishes such as Grilled Duck Breast and Smoked Baby Back Ribs.
Japanese-themed cocktails headline the drinks list, with standouts including the Harajuku Girl made with Ford’s Gin, shiso leaf and Fee Brothers plum bitters; and Ichigo-en – a combination of jasmine tea infused sake, Campari, prosecco and Peychaud’s Bitters. In addition to the top-notch sake selection, the house-bottled premium-grade junmai daiginjo sake offers excellent value, and Japanese craft beers and aged whiskies provide further beverage choices.
Neon Pigeon opens late afternoons from Monday to Saturday – good for after-work drinks & snacks, dinner or late evening socialising. A no reservations and no service charge policy applies, but table bookings are taken for groups of 8+ diners.
Neon Pigeon: urban-chic interior
Neon Pigeon: modern Japanese cuisine
Neon Pigeon: Japanese-inspired cocktails
