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Food Opera at ION Orchard is getting a serious glow-up. After a three-month refurbishment, the food hall will reopen on September 28 with a whopping 90 per cent of its stalls replaced, a retro-inspired makeover and a roster of heritage hawkers, award-winning names and new concepts.
The revamped 20,000-square-foot space takes a nostalgic detour to 1970s Orchard Road, with food stalls dressed up as old-school shopfronts inspired by disappearing trades – think barber shops, bookstores, record stores, photo studios and beauty salons.
And it goes without saying there’s plenty to eat your way through. The new line-up includes 93-year-old Ming Chung White Lor Mee, now helmed by its fourth-generation owner and known for its signature Henghua-style white lor mee, alongside Hillman Restaurant, famous for its paper-wrapped chicken; Hakka Bond Express, serving herbal multi-grain thunder tea rice; First Street Fried Prawn Noodles, specialising in fried Hokkien mee; Chef Lup Roasted, known for its herbal roasted duck and char siew; Parkson Bak Kut Teh, serving its signature herbal bak kut teh; and Ye Lai Xiang Mixed & Curry Rice, a spin-off from the popular Teochew porridge supper spot.
Food Opera is also bringing in some award-winning names. Berempah Bros, founded by MasterChef Singapore Season 2 winner Derek Cheong, will make its food-hall debut, while Michelin-recognised Ah Er Herbal Soup and MP Thai join the lineup, with the latter marking its third consecutive year as a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient.
There are even “live cooking sessions” to look forward to at LiXin Teochew Fishball Noodles, when you can watch fishballs and fish dumplings being handmade the traditional way at selected times throughout the day.
The makeover isn’t stopping at the stalls either. Toast Box will open its first outlet within the food court with live coffee roasting, introducing its new Nanyang Supremo blend – a smoother, mellower mix of Colombian Supremo Arabica and Robusta beans slow-roasted with butter and sugar.
Then there’s Treasure Bakery, a new concept blending British baking with Nanyang flavours. Its five hero bakes include beef shepherd’s pie, earl grey cranberry roll, sapphire blueberry tart, strawberry Kugelhopf and Madame K’s strawberry rouland.
And if you’re only feeling snacky, Orchid Gallery has you covered. The new retail corner brings together homegrown snacks from names like Thye Moh Chan, Irvins, Tiap Tiap, Shun Dat and I Love SG. You’ll be able to choose from traditional pastries and salted egg snacks to Peranakan treats, durian goodies and Singapore souvenirs.
Food Opera ION Orchard is located at 2 Orchard Turn, B4-03/04 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801, and reopens on September 28, 2026.
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