I'd already walked past it a hundred times at Somerset.
That's the strange thing about this stretch of Orchard Road. You come for the shopping, or the MRT, or because someone's running late and you're killing time. The Somerset food scene hides in plain sight, a floor down, a floor up, or four minutes off the main drag in a building most people breeze past.
That same feeling extends beyond Somerset too — Singapore is full of overlooked dining corners where expats discover everyday favourites, like these Cuppage Plaza food that turn an ordinary lunch break into something worth remembering.
Your Somerset Comfort Map
I've spent the better part of a few years eating my way through this cluster: 313@Somerset, Orchard Central, the older corridors of Orchard Plaza, and spots near Somerset MRT station. Thirteen places kept pulling me back, each for a reason I can actually name. All of them made me stop mid-bite and think: how did I not know this was here?
Here's what I found, told plainly.
- Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles (313@Somerset)
- Genki Sushi (313 Somerset)
- Yakiniku Like (313@Somerset)
- Mrs Pho (313@Somerset)
- Josh’s Grill (313@Somerset)
- TANYU (313@Somerset)
- Sake+ (313@Somerset)
- Hi Noodle (313@Somerset)
- Doran Chicken (Orchard Gateway)
- Food Republic (313 Somerset)
- Jtown Cafe (Midpoint Orchard)
- Morinaga Izakaya Restaurant (Midpoint Orchard)
- Chimi's (313@Somerset)
1. Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles (313@Somerset Food): Michelin-Starred Soba for Quiet Japanese Cuisine Comfort
Your Route There: Somerset MRT station, directly connected to 313 Somerset
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$15–S$25
Tsuta carries a reputation — the first ramen shop in the world to earn a Michelin star — and I walked in half-expecting to be let down by the weight of it. I wasn’t.
The Original Truffle Shoyu Soba is the bowl to order first. The truffle oil is not a gimmick here. It sits quietly beneath a soy broth that feels clean, layered, and thoughtful. The springy noodles hold their own without overpowering the delicate flavours around them.
The first spoonful stays with you because it does not try too hard. It simply trusts you to notice.
The only thing to remember is that Tsuta is about precision, not abundance. The portions are measured, and some diners may find them smaller compared with heavier ramen bowls.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a slower, more considered Japanese cuisine meal after wandering around Orchard Road.
Maybe Skip When:
You are looking for a huge bowl of ramen that leaves you completely stuffed.
Worth Knowing:
Add a rice bowl if you have a bigger appetite. The ramen is designed around flavour, not volume.
2. Genki Sushi (313 Somerset Food): Fun Japanese Dining Without Overthinking It
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, directly connected
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$15–S$35
Some meals do not need to be profound. Genki Sushi understands exactly what it is — accessible Japanese cuisine dining with the little excitement of plates arriving through its conveyor system.
The salmon sushi and sashimi sets are reliable choices. The experience is less about premium ingredients and more about convenience, familiarity, and enjoying a meal without too many decisions.
It is the kind of place where you can walk in after a long shopping day and immediately know what you want.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you need a casual meal with family, friends, or visiting guests.
Maybe Skip When:
You are looking for high-end sushi or a special occasion meal.
Worth Knowing:
Avoid peak dinner hours when queues build. The experience is much better when you are not waiting hungry.
3. Yakiniku Like (313@Somerset): Your Own Japanese Grill, Your Own Pace
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, directly connected
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$20–S$40
Yakiniku Like understands something simple: sometimes you want grilled meats without needing a whole group.
The personal yakiniku sets come with your own grill, your own portion, and your own pace. There is something strangely calming about cooking your own meal without worrying about sharing decisions.
It works especially well for solo meals.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a quiet meal and a little personal ritual.
Maybe Skip When:
You are planning a large social dinner.
Worth Knowing:
Lunch sets usually offer better value than dinner.
4. Mrs Pho (313@Somerset): A Warm Bowl After an Orchard Afternoon
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, directly connected
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$10–S$25
There are days when Orchard Road leaves you tired, and all you want is a bowl that fixes the mood.
Mrs Pho does that well. The beef pho is comforting, affordable, and exactly the kind of proper meal you appreciate after walking around the city for hours.
The broth does not need to shout. It simply warms you.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you need something comforting without spending too much.
Maybe Skip When:
You want a long, slow dining experience.
Worth Knowing:
Add fresh rolls or sides like sai ka hor to make the meal feel more complete.
5. Josh’s Grill (313@Somerset Food): The Reliable Choice When Everyone Wants Something Different
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, directly connected
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$20–S$40
Josh’s Grill answers one familiar group question: “Where can everyone eat?”
The menu covers grilled chicken, steaks including skirt steak, pasta, and familiar Western comfort dishes with caramelised onions and cheesy butter rice. It may not surprise adventurous diners, but that reliability is exactly why groups return.
Sometimes the best restaurant is simply the one where everyone leaves happy.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you are dining with people who all want something different.
Maybe Skip When:
You are chasing something unique or experimental.
Worth Knowing:
A dependable weekend choice, but reservations help during busy periods.
6. TANYU (313@Somerset Food): Sichuan Grilled Fish Built for Sharing
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, directly connected
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$30–S$60 per person
TANYU turns dinner into an event.
The grilled fish arrives at the centre of the table, surrounded by sauces and spice levels that encourage everyone to lean in and share.
The spice is real. It is not decoration.
Choose carefully the first time because the spicy broth can surprise you.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a lively dinner with friends.
Maybe Skip When:
You are sensitive to spice.
Worth Knowing:
Start conservative with spice. You can always increase it next time.
7. Sake+ (313@Somerset): A Japanese Evening Worth Lingering Over
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, directly connected
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$40–S$80
Sake+ is where a quick meal can quietly become a longer evening.
The sushi rolls, robata skewers, and drinks encourage sharing and lingering. It has that relaxed izakaya feeling where you stop checking the time.
It is not about rushing in and out. It is about staying a little longer.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a date night or an unhurried dinner after work.
Maybe Skip When:
You need something quick before catching transport.
Worth Knowing:
Visit later in the evening when the atmosphere feels more like an izakaya.
8. Hi Noodle (313@Somerset): Affordable Noodles and Free Ice Cream Cone
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, inside 313@Somerset, Basement 3
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$7–S$20
Hi Noodle is the go-to spot for a quick bite of comforting noodles at affordable prices. Their menu features crowd favourites like the Pickled Vegetable Fish Noodle and Sour Vermicelli, each bursting with flavour and served with springy, chewy noodles. The Spicy Crayfish Noodle is a must-try for those craving juicy crayfish with a spicy kick.
What sets Hi Noodle apart is their thoughtful touch: diners get a free ice cream cone after returning their tray, a sweet little reward that brightens any meal. The condiment bar lets you customize your noodles with sauces and toppings to your heart’s content.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a fast, flavourful meal without breaking the bank.
Maybe Skip When:
You prefer sit-down meals with extensive menus.
Worth Knowing:
Open daily from 11am to 9:30pm, perfect for lunch or dinner.
9. Doran Chicken (Orchard Gateway: Daegu) Style Fried Chicken with Neon Lights Vibes
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, a short walk to Orchard Gateway
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$20–S$50
Doran Chicken brings authentic Daegu style fried chicken to Orchard Gateway. This Korean fried chicken is aged in traditional earthenware for seven days to develop deep, rich flavours before being deep fried to crispy perfection. Choose from classic Original Fried or the crowd favourite Dalcom Spicy, each bite juicy and packed with seasoning.
The vibrant neon lights of Orchard Gateway set the mood for a lively dining experience, perfect for sharing with friends. The menu also features sides like beef balls and rice cakes to complement the chicken.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a satisfying, shareable meal with bold flavours.
Maybe Skip When:
You’re looking for quiet, intimate dining.
Worth Knowing:
Opening hours are Mon-Fri 11am to 2:30pm and 5pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 9:30pm.
10. Food Republic at 313 Somerset: The Large Food Court for Diverse Traditional Dishes
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, 313@Somerset, Fifth Floor
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$5–S$20
Food Republic is the bustling large food court on the fifth floor of 313 Somerset, offering a wide range of traditional dishes from Singapore and beyond. Whether you crave spicy beef tongue, nasi lemak, or bihun bakso with tender beef balls, you’ll find something to indulge your appetite here.
The vibrant atmosphere, filled with chatter and the aroma of sizzling food, makes it a perfect spot for groups with varied tastes. Dessert options abound too, from milo toast topped with whipped cream to refreshing cold treats.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When your group can’t agree on one cuisine and everyone wants a quick bite.
Maybe Skip When:
You prefer a quiet sit-down restaurant.
Worth Knowing:
Opening hours vary with the mall but generally cover mon fri and sat sun; check before visiting.
11. Jtown Cafe at Midpoint Orchard: Bihun Bakso and Bakmie Ayam Comfort
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, Midpoint Orchard, Ground Floor
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$7–S$15
Jtown Cafe is a hidden gem for Indonesian comfort food at Midpoint Orchard. Their bihun bakso, a comforting soup with beef balls and delicate rice vermicelli, offers warmth and familiarity. The bakmie ayam features springy noodles tossed with minced meat and chicken cubes, delivering a satisfying flavour punch.
Don’t miss their martabak for dessert options that balance sweet and savory perfectly. The casual setting and affordable prices make it a crowd favourite for a quick and hearty meal.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a taste of traditional dishes in a relaxed environment.
Maybe Skip When:
You’re in the mood for upscale dining.
Worth Knowing:
Open Tue-Thurs 11:45am to 8pm, Fri-Sat 11:45am to 8:15pm, Sun 11:30am to 8pm.
12. Morinaga Izakaya Restaurant: Truffle Somen At Midpoint Orchard
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, opposite at Midpoint Orchard, basement level
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$14–S$25
Morinaga Izakaya is a quiet Somerset food spot that feels like a practical Japanese hideout rather than a flashy Orchard Road restaurant. Sometimes the best meal is not the loudest. The standout dish is the Truffle Somen—cold somen noodles perfect for Singapore's hot weather, light and fresh with truffle oil adding a rich aroma without overpowering. The Mentai Mayo Omelette is soft, warm, and creamy, with the salty seafood richness typical of mentai mayo. Together, they balance cool and rich flavors for an indulgent yet fuss-free meal. The menu also includes comforting Japanese dishes like rice, fried items, chicken, pork, beef, mushrooms, salads, and small plates for sharing.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want a quiet, fuss-free Japanese meal away from the Orchard Road bustle.
Maybe Skip When:
You’re craving a lively izakaya atmosphere or a more extensive menu.
Worth Knowing:
If you’re after a proper Japanese drinking-and-dining mood, check out our best Izakaya Singapore guide for spots beyond Somerset.
Address: 220 Orchard Road, #B1-08, Midpoint Orchard, Singapore 238852
Opening Hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Price Range: $$
13. Chimi's: Mexican Flavours with a Singaporean Twist
Your Route There: Somerset MRT, directly connected to 313@Somerset, al fresco area
Your Lunch/Dinner Budget: Around S$18 and up
Chimi's offers a vibrant al fresco dining experience just outside 313 Somerset. This Mexican eatery serves bold, spicy dishes that perfectly complement the lively Orchard Road atmosphere. Don’t miss the Borracho Fish Tacos, featuring beer-battered white fish made with Neon Donkey Hoppy Donkey IPA—a crispy, flavourful treat. Tacos start from $18, making it a great spot for groups looking to extend their shopping day into a festive evening.
Perfect On Days Like This:
When you want lively, casual dining with friends under the sun or stars.
Maybe Skip When:
You prefer a quiet, air-conditioned dining experience.
Worth Knowing:
Keep an eye out for Taco Tuesday deals on social media for budget-friendly offers.
Address: 313 Orchard Road, #01-25B, 313@Somerset, Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday 12pm to 11pm; Thursday to Sunday 12pm to 12am
The Long Way Round
These are the gems spread across a few buildings most people walk straight past on their way somewhere else. That, more than anything, is what Somerset taught me.
There's a measured bowl of soba for a solo meal, a loud Thai table for a group that wants to share, a quiet vegetarian corner for the days the crowds win, and a sake bar for the nights that deserve to run long. Some cost the price of a movie. One or two ask for a real occasion. None of them are more than walking distance from Somerset MRT station or 313 Orchard Road.
When you're down here, take the long way. Ride a floor up, or a floor down, or step four minutes off the main road into a building you've never bothered to enter. The food's been here all along — waiting for your taste buds to notice. That is the kind of food journey we celebrate at Expat Eat; finding the meals, places, and small moments that help people feel at home wherever they are.
