Blending the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with modern culinary creativity, Synthesis offers a refreshing take on Asian fusion cuisine. Crowned Best Fusion Restaurant 2026, the restaurant takes familiar Asian flavours and reimagines them through inventive combinations, playful presentations and TCM-inspired elements.
The experience begins before you even step inside, with an eye-catching storefront reminiscent of a traditional Chinese medical hall, complete with shelves of herbs and ingredients. Interestingly, you can even pick up TCM-inspired gelato here! Beyond the intriguing facade lies a stylish restaurant and bar where traditional influences meet contemporary dining.
Fish Tartare Pani Puri 4/5
Inspired by the popular Indian street snack, Synthesis’ Fish Tartare Pani Puri ($20 for 3 pcs) features Atlantic salmon, ahi tuna, tamarind curry crème, caviar, and curry leaf. The bite-sized creation brings together delicate seafood flavours with a subtle tanginess from the tamarind curry crème. Light and refreshing, it makes a lovely starter to kick off the meal, especially when paired with drinks.
Crispy Black Pepper Crab Popiah 5/5
A definite showstopper and one of my favourites of the evening, the Crispy Black Pepper Crab Popiah ($26 for 2 pcs) is a must-order! The popiah skin was beautifully crisp without being greasy, encasing generous fresh crab meat.
What made the dish even more memorable was the accompanying black pepper mousse, presented in an adorable crab-shaped dish. Solidified with dry ice, the mousse had an almost gelato-like texture, adding an unexpected, playful twist to the familiar black pepper crab flavours. I enjoyed it so much that I could easily eat the mousse on its own!
Binchotan-Grilled River Prawn 4/5
Topped with ikura and drizzled with a herbal beurre blanc, the Binchotan-Grilled River Prawn ($28 for 3 pcs) featured plump, fresh prawns complemented by a delicate, lightly flavoured sauce. While the seafood itself was enjoyable, I would have preferred a more pronounced smoky char from the binchotan grilling to add depth. The herbal beurre blanc was also relatively light on the palate, making it a more delicate offering than some of the bolder dishes we tried.
Truffle Carbonara “Suan Pan Zi” 5/5
Another standout of the evening was the Truffle Carbonara “Suan Pan Zi” ($28), a creative interpretation of the traditional Hakka yam abacus seeds. The homemade yam abacus seeds were coated in a rich, creamy black truffle sauce and topped with crispy burdock root for an added textural contrast.
The black truffle cream sauce was absolutely delicious and incredibly addictive, and it complemented the chewy texture of the yam abacus seeds beautifully. As much as I loved it, I would recommend ordering this to share, as the sauce’s richness can get a little heavy after a while. Nevertheless, this is definitely one dish I would return for!
Sakura Chicken Poached Rice 4.2/5
Moving on to the mains, we tried the Sakura Chicken Poached Rice ($30 for regular, $44 for large), served in a collagen-rich ‘Liu Wei’ broth with dried scallops. The broth carried a comforting herbal flavour, complemented by tender pieces of chicken.
I particularly enjoyed the addition of puffed rice and egg floss, which added a delightful textural contrast to the otherwise soothing dish. Comforting and nourishing, this was a lovely way to balance out some of the richer dishes earlier in the meal.
Sereni-tea 3.8/5
We also tried the Sereni-tea ($24), the only hot cocktail on the menu. Combining ginseng gin, whiskey, honey date syrup and ginseng tea, this was an interesting departure from the usual chilled cocktails. The distinctive ginseng flavour takes centre stage, giving the drink a herbal character that stays true to the restaurant’s TCM-inspired concept. If you enjoy the earthy, bittersweet notes of ginseng and have never tried a hot cocktail before, this is one worth considering.
Purple Qi 3.8/5
A visit to Synthesis wouldn’t be complete without trying its intriguing selection of TCM-inspired cocktails. We started with the Purple Qi ($22), a visually captivating concoction featuring blue pea-infused tequila, vodka, passionfruit, Super Lime Juice and goji berry purée.
Served with a theatrical presentation, the vibrant purple cocktail certainly made an impression even before the first sip. With its unusual combination of ingredients and eye-catching presentation, it is a fun choice for those looking to explore something a little different from the usual cocktail offerings.
Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.
Synthesis (食拿酒稳)
Suntec City
Tower 4
3 Temasek Boulevard
#01-643
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 9727 4649
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC, DT Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am – 2pm, 4pm – 1030pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT Station. Take Exit C. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]