Q&a / Foodie influencer Sunny Han’s favourite places to eat in Singapore: from grilled marron with kombu beurre blanc at Burnt Ends to sushi at Hamamoto – and Cote Korean Steakhouse for quality barbecue

Jun 20 , 2024

Sunny Han’s favourite places to eat in Singapore, from Tamba to Burnt Ends. Photo: @sunnyskitchen/Instagram

Singapore has the best of all cuisines within its tiny, 750-square-kilometre radius – in no small part thanks to its multicultural population and diverse expat presence. When I think about the food scene in this Southeast Asian hub, Sunny Han is the first person who comes to mind. Han is better known by her popular Instagram handle, Sunny’s Kitchen (@sunnyskitchen).

“Seven different sides with condiments were served family-style and shared in the table with some of our closest friends,” Sunny Han said. Photo: @sunnyskitchen/Instagram

By day, Han is the creative director of The Work Project, a high-end co-working space in Singapore, but it’s her side hustle as a part-time chef that takes up most of her time – and her Instagram feed. That’s where the home cook has built an impressive following simply by sharing deeply intriguing and aesthetically pleasing BTS content of her delectable dishes and food-inspired travels around the world – especially Italy, where she travels two to three times a year for cooking inspiration.

Sunny Han has 48,000 followers on Instagram at the time of writing. Photo: @sunnyskitchen/Instagram

Being a multinational student of the world – Han was born and raised in South Korea, and studied in California and New York before moving to Singapore – she’s the ideal person to ask for the inside scoop on where to find the best eats in the Lion City, beyond the tourist hotspots and hawker centre stalls.

The Burnt Ends chicken rice. Photo: @burntends.sg/Instagram

Do you have an all-time favourite place to eat in Singapore?

The first place that came to mind is Burnt Ends. I’ve been going there since it opened its first location in Keong Saik Road.

I love Burnt Ends because of the complexity of flavours in every dish simply prepared with honest, high-quality ingredients. One of my favourite dishes at Burnt Ends out of many is the grilled Australian marron with kombu beurre blanc.

Burnt Ends’ McGill Estate with W.A. marron tobiko and kombu beurre blanc. Photo: @burntends.sg/Instagram

Apart from Burnt Ends, as a sushi lover, Oshino and Hamamoto are two of my all-time favourite sushi restaurants in Singapore out of many top notch sushiya in the city.

A selection at Hamamoto in Singapore. Photo: @hamamotosg

Who makes the best Italian cuisine in the city?

I don’t often go out for Italian food because I prefer to cook it at home. However, for a fine dining experience, I like to go to Buona Terra.

Italian food at Buona Terra: fusilli, bouchot mussels, tomato confit, burnt lemon powder. Photo: @buonaterrasg/Instagram

Where was the most memorable dish or meal you’ve eaten in Singapore?

The winter Perigord black truffle course at Les Amis restaurant. From its classic black truffle tart with onion confit to Vacherin Mont d’Or adorned with finely shaved truffles, the meal was spectacular from start to the end.

Black truffle tart with confit onions and smoked bacon at Les Amis. Photo: @lesamisrestaurant/Instagram

What is your go-to place for comfort food?

Jade Palace is my go-to Cantonese in Singapore for a dim sum lunch or a casual dinner with the family. We love its offering of seasonal delicacies along with a solid wine list with reasonable prices.

Jade Palace in Singapore. Photo: @singaporefoodbutler/Instagram

For Western comfort food, a slow-cooked French leg of lamb from Ma Cuisine with a nice glass of Rhône is always on my list too.

Sunny Han often visits Ma Cuisine for comfort food. Photo: @macuisine1996/Instagram

What about your favourite fine dining establishment?

Les Amis by chef Sebastien Lepinoy is my absolute favourite – for its classic French gastronomy and impeccable service. Additionally, Meta by chef Sun Kim is my recent favourite. The chef’s reinterpretation of Korean flavours along with French cooking technique is truly special.

Winter samchi shirako, pen shell clam and radish at Meta in Singapore. Photo: @metasingapore/Instagram

Where’s the hottest, most exciting place to eat in town right now?

Tamba for exquisite flavours of Western African cuisine in a beautifully adorned lush space.

Tamba is serving up exquisite Western African cuisine in Singapore. Photo: @tamba.singapore/Instagram

Beyond the Dough for Neapolitan pizzas done the Japanese way by a trained pizzaiolo from the famous pizza joint, PST in Tokyo.

Beyond the Dough’s Singapore Rampage pizza. Photo: @beyondthedough_pizza/Instagram

Is there a Korean restaurant in the city that reminds you of home?

When I think of home, I crave high quality Korean barbecue, and the recently opened Cote Korean Steakhouse is definitely my favourite. Cote offers a refined Korean barbecue experience without compromising the quality and – most importantly – the authenticity of Korean flavours. Along with the perfectly grilled cuts of meat, all of the side dishes (banchan) and accompaniments are extremely delicious.

Sunny Han recommends Cote Korean Steakhouse for Korean food that reminds her of home. Photo: @comoorchard/Instagram

What’s your favourite thing to make for a cosy night in?

I’d first bake focaccia and serve it with some cold cuts. Then I’ll prepare one simple pasta dish and finish with a roast.

Sunny Han making lasagne verde. Photo: @sunnyskitchen/Instagram

At the end, cheese and a digestif is always a must.

Food and Drinks

Sunny Han, or @sunnyskitchen, amassed her Instagram following by sharing deeply intriguing and aesthetically pleasing BTS content of her delectable dishes and food-inspired travels around the world
For comfort food, Han turns to Jade Palace for Cantonese or dim sum with the family, or a slow-cooked French leg of lamb from Ma Cuisine