If there’s one cuisine that Singaporeans absolutely love, it is Thai. But instead of having your more commonly found Thai dishes like tom yum soup, garlic pork, and moo ping, this restaurant in Lavender has a slightly different take.
HUE restaurant is a modern Thai dining concept along Tyrwhitt Road which serves unique Thai fusion dishes and creative cocktails that are to die for.
In English, HUE refers to the gradient of colours which would explain the colourful wall tiles that line the walls of the restaurant. But in Thai, HUE also means “hungry” — what a clever play on words.
Apart from marrying food with their interior design, HUE hopes to take you on a learning journey through food with their new line-up of cocktails and bar bites. The new nibbles and tipples are made with exquisite Thai ingredients. Whether you’re a lover of sweet, spicy, or sour drinks, there’s definitely one for you on the menu.
Drink-wise, they have an interesting line-up of cocktails including the LALISA (S$18) — the Blink in me just had to get it. In case you didn’t get the reference, the cocktail is a nod to Lisa from BLACKPINK, who also happens to be Thailand’s biggest artiste today.
It is made with Grey Goose vodka, raspberry syrup, cranberry juice, citrus dilution and lychee to give it a tropical and fruity taste. It tasted very much like an alcoholic fruit punch so if you love sweet stuff (or Lisa), you’ll definitely love this.
Much like Lisa herself, this drink transforms into a star with a simple stir. Give the pretty drink a light stir and the drink magically transforms into a shimmering Barbie pink drink. And yes, the glitter is safe to drink.
Another equally gimmicky but just as tasty cocktail is the Bubble Pop (S$18) which is inspired by the impressive sunsets of Thailand. It is made with Mount Gay spiced rum, pineapple, lime juice, pandan cordial, and finished with a scented smoke bubble floating atop.
Theatrics aside, the drink is light and sweet with a light and refreshing hint of pineapple. It is truly stunning on your eyes and on your palette too!
In line with National Day, HUE restaurant also has a special Nasi Lemak (S$18) cocktail which is inspired by our favourite local dish. It has a pretty strong coconut fragrance and taste so if you’re not a fan of coconut, maybe give this one a miss. The drink is only available from now until 13 August 2023, so make sure to give it a try while you still can.
For something that is more authentically Thai, go for the Tom Yum (S$18) which is a mix of vodka, lime juice, kaffir lime, lemongrass, fish sauce, chilli padi and Thai seaweed powder. It is a balance of sweet, sour, spicy all in one drink.
Somehow it reminded me more of the flavours of Thai mango salad than Tom Yum. This was definitely a unique concoction which I might consider ordering again if I’m feeling adventurous.
Food-wise, you’ll realise that most of the dishes here veer away from your regular Thai food offerings. But they’re still equally authentic and very flavourful. The Thai Thai Fries (S$13) feature crispy french fries tossed in in-house tom yum spice served alongside three different dressings — culantro aioli, maepranom (Thai chilli paste) chilli aioli, and culantro mint. And yes, we mean culantro (also known as Thai parsley), not cilantro, though they taste similar.
The maerpanom chilli aioli was a nice spicy mayo contrast to the smokey seasoned fries. For something more refreshing and with a sour zing, the culantro mint is an excellent dip. But, the fries are equally addictive even without any of the sauces, the perfect snack to pair with your drinks.
Is it really a Thai restaurant if they don’t feature a dish with the iconic MAMA noodles? Well, the Mama Mia (S$21) — love the punny name — is HUE’s version of the famous Jeh O’ Chula TomYum MAMA noodles. The dish is chock full of ingredients like prawns, mussels, squid, and even pork balls.
I absolutely loved the hearty broth which is not like the usual Tom Yum soup base. Instead, it’s got a richer prawn mee-like soup base that is super flavourful and umami. Definitely a must-order, especially if you’re a seafood lover.
The Char Moo (S$17 for 3 sticks) is a zhng-ed up version of your regular moo ping. It stars thick and juicy pork collar patties glazed in a tangy chilli sauce. The chilli sauce does pack some heat so if you’ve got a low spice tolerance, consider yourself warned.
Another equally addictive and tasty is the Three Little Pigs (S$22) which features oven roasted crispy pork belly, sauteed with garlic, coriander, and white pepper. I love the strong garlic aroma and flavours in this dish coupled with the crispy pork crackling that has been roasted to perfection. This might be the only time I find coriander mildly tolerable.
Other bites worth trying include the Egg-e-egg-egg (S$19), Prawn Me Softly (S$21), and the Chicken Nest (S$20). Whether you’re looking for some unique Thai food or enjoy some creative drinks, HUE restaurant is the place to head to. One thing’s for sure, I’m definitely making plans to return for more Mama Mia!
Need a place to satisfy your Thai food cravings? Reservations can be made here.
HUE
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???? 123 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207549
???? 6pm—10.30pm (Mon to Wed), 12pm—3pm, 6pm—10.30pm (Thu & Sun), 12pm—3pm, 6pm—11.30pm (Fri & Sat)
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Photos by Marcus Leong
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