Humpback

Humpback is a seafood bistro and oyster bar on Bukit Pasoh Road, between Chinatown and Outram. It fills a 1930s conservation shophouse and is part of Jigger & Pony Group. Gibson, the group's cocktail bar, is upstairs on the second floor of the same building.

Humpback first opened in 2015 and soon became known for its oysters. In 2023 it closed for a refit and reopened with a new look and a new menu. Seafood is still the focus, cooked with European methods and Japanese touches.

What to order

Start with oysters. They come straight from farms in Washington State, in the American Pacific Northwest. Recent choices include:

• Hama Hama and Cold Creek from Hood Canal
• Summerstone from Skunk Island
• Wildcat from Little Skookum Inlet

Humpback works with the Hama Hama Oyster Company, a long-running family farm on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

The rest of the menu is made for sharing and changes often. Recent dishes include:

• Sashimi: red sea bream with tomato ponzu, or hamachi with calamansi kosho
• Small plates: squid tempura with aonori, and steak tartare on toast with sansho pepper
• Pasta: squid ink tonnarelli with calamari, and rigatoni with a seafood ragu
• Mains: Murray cod, Spanish turbot or a wagyu short rib
• Dessert: hojicha tiramisu

Shokupan bread with XO butter is a good extra for the table. The bar mixes classic cocktails with its own twists, and there is wine, beer and alcohol-free drinks too.

The setting

The 2023 refit made the room feel more open and gave it an industrial look. Rough walls, arches and hanging lamps set the tone, and the colours are grey, green and mustard. There are booths for small groups.

For groups, there are three semi-private areas for 8 to 26 guests. You can also book the whole venue for up to 40 seated guests, with an uncovered outdoor area.

Good to know before you go

• Booking: reservations are taken online through the official website.
• Payment: Humpback is cashless and takes cards and mobile wallets.
• Children: baby chairs are available, but there is no children's menu.
• Getting there: the nearest MRT station is Outram Park, Exit 4.

Nearby

Bukit Pasoh Road is a good street for dinner. Zén, the Nordic tasting-menu restaurant, is on the same road. Jungle grills Thai food over charcoal on Ann Siang Hill, and Revolver cooks modern Indian food on Tras Street. Before dinner, follow the Chinatown Heritage Walk.

See more chilli crab and seafood restaurants or all restaurants in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. Current menus are on the official Humpback website.