This quirky Japanese speakeasy hidden behind a row of vending machines serves over 40 varieties of umeshu, unique cocktails & more

by Marcus Leong

What comes to your mind when you think of Japan? Apart from being one of the best holiday destinations, Japan is also known for their extensive collection of vending machines and plum liqueur — exactly the two things featured at Ume San 100.

Ume San 100
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Hidden in Fortune Centre, you might have a bit of a struggle finding the entrance to this hidden gem. But once you find the correct machine to push, you’ll be greeted with a nice and cosy Japanese bar. The interior is modelled after traditional izakayas in Japan so you can expect lots of wooden furniture and very chill vibes. 

Photo: Ume San 100

Ume San 100 has the largest collection of umeshu in Singapore — the menu has over 40 different varieties of plum wine alone. In case you don’t know what umeshu is, it is a type of Japanese liqueur made from steeping ume plums in liqueur. From Classic Ume Highball to Shiso Ume Highball, Tea Ume Highball and Whisky Ume Highball, there’s certainly one in the Umeshu Bible that will tickle your fancy. 

Ume San 100
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My favourite was the Lemon and Ginger Umeshu which tasted like honey lemon with a slightly spicy finish (from the ginger). If you prefer something sweeter, the Umeshu with Black Tea is another noteworthy mention for its light and fruity profile. We also tried a spicy Umeshu which left me feeling slightly confused. It was sweet like you would expect from umeshu but with a strong chilli taste and a lingering spiciness — truly an interesting combination. 

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Being a sucker for cute and gimmicky theatrics, the Sea Garden cocktail was right up my alley. Inspired by the famed diving centre of Wakayama, the drink comprises a blend of gin, lime acid, prosecco, butterfly pea flower and edible fairy dust — yes fairy dust. It comes served with a cute diver statue that you unfortunately cannot take home. Taste-wise, the gin was a little too strong for my liking, although the prosecco added a nice fizz to the mix. Unfortunately, we were not able to try the P!NK and the Pot De Fleurs cocktails, but don’t worry as I’ve already made plans to go back for seconds! 

Ume San 100
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Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea, and thankfully Ume San 100 serves some delicious nibbles that pair perfectly with their drinks. One of the must-try dishes here is the This Uni is The Bomb (S$14) and it certainly lives up to its name. The crust is fried to a nice golden brown and as you bite into it, a creamy and buttery molten sea urchin centre oozes out. My only gripe is that I wish the flavour of the uni was slightly stronger in the otherwise perfect snack. 

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Other noteworthy snacks on the menu include the Garlic Chicken Karaage (S$16) which was juicy and fried in a garlic infused oil to give it that extra umami. The Umesan Nachi Pagoda (S$20) is also a great dish for sharing, as it features four unique and freshly made chinmi. The lobster salad with the crispy wanton skin reminded me of eating a deconstructed wanton, while the seasoned jellyfish was tangy, sweet, and spicy. 

Ume San 100
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For something heartier, go for the Wagyu is the New Black Chahan (S$22), a rice bowl with fragrant charcoal rice topped with juicy wagyu beef cubes. I loved that the beef still flavourful, despite being just lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. The tobiko sprinkled on top also added a burst of flavour to every bite. 

Photo: Ume San 100

If you’re craving a soothing bowl of ramen, the Angry Asari Soup Ramen (S$16) will certainly hit the spot. The base is a full-bodied pork bone broth with a hint of sweetness from the succulent clams. Take this dish up a notch by mixing in the special chilli paste which elevates the flavours of the broth, giving it a mildly spicy kick.

Ume San 100
Photo: Ume San 100

If you’re looking for a chill place with great vibes to unwind after a long work week, you should definitely head down to Ume San 100! Oh, and the bar is having an opening promotion where you can enjoy a 50% discount on the Umesan Nachi Pagoda (U.P. S$20) for the entire month of June! 

Looking for a chill place to unwind and celebrate the end of a work week? Head down to this cosy Japanese bar!  

Reservations can be made here

Ume San 100 
Instagram | Website 
???? 190 Middle Road, Fortune Centre #02-07, Singapore 188979
???? 5pm—11pm (Daily)

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