Habibi-San – Singapore
In Singapore, meals at the unexpected intersection of Middle Eastern and Japanese cuisines
One of Singapore’s amazing strengths has been its ability to bring multiple cultures together as neighbors – a reality that one can experience walking in a single day through its Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street districts, each thriving and distinctive. The restaurant Habibi-San is a fascinating example of the fusions that can happen when cultures come together: It’s a “Middle Eastern izakaya” blending recipes and ingredients from Japan and Arabic cultures under one roof on Haji Lane, which runs parallel to Arab Street.
Habibi-San serves baba ghanoush made with Japanese kinno gomadare sesame dressing and topped with chicken skin, hummus with macadamia nut tahini, Wagyu beef kibbeh, raw broccoli tabbouleh, and a small number of rotating desserts – a Kyoho grape tart was available (and pretty good) when we visited. The unexpected overlaps between cultures lead to an amazing fusion of concepts and flavors, and should inspire other chefs to bravely explore beyond traditional recipes to explore similarly interesting culinary intersections.
Stats
Price: $$
Service: Table
Open Since: 2020
Addresses
55 Haji Ln.
Singapore 189248
65 6298 0838
Instagram: @habibisansg