Noa (111 Somerset)

Chances by this place recently and was immediately hooked. They serve an extensive range of ferments and coffee! Had the white cold brew and was amazed! Will definitely be back!

This place serves lunch from 11:30am to 2:30pm with their seafood ingredients sourcing from Ah Hua Kelong.

Go for the set ($15) that comes alongside with blue pea flower rice, achar and chilli sauce.

I really like their fish rendang because the fish was so soft and delicious.

This is a place where you come for their ferments or kombucha drink that incorporating ingredients from Southeast Asia such as this Rambutan Soda ($8).

You could check out their mini lab of all these fermentation at the back of the shop.

Remember Laut, that cocktail bar along Stanley Street? NOA takes over the space in the daytime and even dishes up a similar food menu. Try the Fish Rendang Set, which comes with Nasi Ulam, Seasonal Vegetables, and Homemade Sambal Balachan, which Burppler Xing Wei thinks "came as a great package altogether." Burppler Evan Mua is also impressed by their coffee, made from Sumatra Musfaha beans. "It's not your typical boring balanced white. Body was robust, nutty, with hints of fruitiness."

Photo by Xing Wei Chua

From Noa; a rare opportunity to check this place out in the heart of the CBD when they are opened on Hari Raya Haji — otherwise a place that I probably would have to miss out on for a bit considering that they only operate during weekday morning to the afternoon before Laut takes over the operations for dinner service.

Went for the Fish Rendang Set here; described as “Fish of the Day, Rendang Curry” on the menu, the item comes with ala-carte and set options — the set sees the item come with Nasi Ulam, Seasonal Vegetables, and Homemade Sambal Belachan. Thought that the entire item came as a great package altogether — the Nasi Ulam certainly giving the dish much of its attractive aesthetic; fluffy and hinted lightly of an umami note that is extremely appealing on its own. It pairs well with the home-made sambal belachan, which adds a savoury and spicy kick that tantalises the taste-buds — those who are less tolerant to spiciness, you have been warned! Otherwise, the Fish Rendang presents a mellower spiciness in comparison; hints of a coconut-y fragrance that’s pretty alluring, while the fish served comes in a rather substantial portion — fresh, moist and plump; flaky and easy to eat without any undesirable fishiness. The seasonal vegetables seem to be the Nyonya Achar here; provides a good tang and a nice crunch that resets the tastebuds especially from the spicy elements in the dish.

Must say I am pretty wow-ed with the offering of a Peranakan-themed lunch menu at Noa, which also somewhat goes hand-in-hand with what Laut has to offer despite its separate operations — taking inspiration from the culture and flavours of Southeast Asian cuisine. Would say that it’s a spot I would gladly want to visit again — a gorgeous environment, and a familiar theme with well-executed food and coffee that resonates well with their concept; what’s more that I can ask for?

Impressed by their coffee, I decided to try the cold brew, also made from Sumatra Musfaha roasted by sister company Glyph Supply Co.

𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 ($5.50) was decent — a tea-like body with vivid peach notes, which faded elegantly into a deep long finish similar to their espresso.

The honey-sweetened 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 ($6) was more interesting as the spirited honey florals really accentuated the fruit notes. It transitioned into a similar finish, but eventually faded into a slight earthiness that's kinda weird. Still, pretty good quality for its price.

Available on the @glyphsupplyco site for pickup or delivery.