Get A Dopamine Boost At NOOR, A New Mediterranean-Japanese Restaurant With Themed Nights & Dancing
Fusion food rarely works, so it's always a wonder when it does. Take NOOR for instance, it's a new restaurant along Mohamed Sultan Road offering Mediterranean grub with Japanese influences. Chef and co-owner Titus Thamil has made this unlikely combination a surprisingly harmonious pairing.
Fun fact: NOOR means "light" in several languages including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Malay and Swahili. The restaurant interiors, however, are quite the opposite, in a good way! The ambience is cosy, upscale and understatedly cool with warm terracotta walls, plush velvety sofas and drapes, cove lighting details, and vibey music. It's also only open for dinner.
Extroverts will feel right at home here. At some point during the night, the servers liven up the atmosphere with drumming and dancing. They hand out sparklers and even pour out shots into diners' mouths. And apparently, this is a nightly ritual. But not to discourage fellow introverts - it's a lively energy that isn't overwhelming. NOOR is also ideal for date nights or bestie catch-ups where you can take your time and have a relaxing dinner till late without getting rushed out.
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Start with Shok Bread ($16), NOOR's take on Japanese milk bread AKA shokupan. This tear-apart bun is chewy and airy on the inside, and sweet and crispy like a pastry on the outside. It's served nice and warm with two dips: nutty tahini and tomato-based matbucha. Other dips to try include Ikra with mentaiko, Muhammara Miso with roasted peppers and walnuts, and our favourite, Yaki Feta, a creamy babaganoush-esque dip elevated with feta.
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After that, pique your palate with the Aka Beet Salad ($22). If you're not a fan of beetroot, this dish might change your mind. That earthy beet flavour is balanced out by a rich citrus cream cheese and bright, citrusy blood orange vinaigrette.
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Another palate refresher is Kyrui Salata ($19), Persian cucumber slices stacked Jenga-style and covered in housemade aioli and furikake.
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Those who prefer a meaty appetiser can try the Tahini Gyoza ($19). These dumplings are filled with shawarma-spiced chicken and finished with tahini, pine nuts and harissa chilli oil.
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For some carby goodness, go for the Mediterranean Ramen ($26). It's made with a chicken broth infused with tahini which gives it a creamy, decadent flavour and texture. Topping it off are bamboo shoots, eggs and char-grilled mussels on a skewer.
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A must-order is the Ebi Freekeh Risotto ($36). It has a bed of pleasantly dense freekeh in a rich, umami-packed sauce made with dashi, caramelised onion cream and green chilli, finished with juicy grilled tiger prawns.
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Anther highlight is the uber-tender Short Rib Wagyu ($48) drenched in baba ghanoush and pomegranate molasses, served with pine nuts couscous.
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NOOR also has a selection of desserts worth making stomach space for. Labneh Cheesecake ($18) is like a Basque cheesecake, but made with Middle Eastern strained yogurt and drizzled with burnt honey - heavy yet satisfying and best for sharing. Chocolate lovers will adore Kuro Shokolata ($19), cocoa tuile tubes of chocolate mousse sitting on truffle toffee. For something lighter, treat yourself to Yuzu Namelaka ($21) that has white chocolate, hazelnut crumble, and cardamom chantilly with lime gel. Sticky Goma ($19), the standout of the four, is a black sesame financier with white chocolate yoghurt cream and a dash of olive oil.
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If you're not ready to leave yet, retreat to the hidden izakaya tucked away at the back of the restaurant where diners can enjoy cocktails and bar bites.
NOOR Singapore
Location: 17 Mohammed Sultan Road, Singapore 238966 (6-minute walk from Fort Canning MRT Station)
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, from 5pm to 12am
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