Madame Fan

Madame Fan is a modern Cantonese restaurant on Level 2 of The NCO Club at 32 Beach Road. It is run by the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach next door. The restaurant pairs Cantonese cooking with Art Deco rooms and a cocktail bar.

The concept was created by London restaurateur Alan Yau, the founder of Hakkasan and Yauatcha. The NCO Club itself is a conserved 1950s building. As the name suggests, it was once a club for non-commissioned officers. Today it sits in the city's arts and culture district.

What to order

The kitchen cooks Cantonese classics with a modern touch. In October 2024, Executive Chinese Chef Pak Chee Yit launched a new à la carte menu built on traditional dishes. It included:

• Deep-fried queen crab with osmanthus egg
• Poached yellow croaker with Xin Hui tangerine peel and shallot oil
• Poached soy sauce chicken with fragrant herbs
• Seafood and tofu rice with handmade beancurd and crab roe sauce
• Bird's nest Portuguese egg tart for dessert

Set menus are offered alongside the à la carte list. They are an easy way to try several dishes on a first visit. Dim sum is one of the restaurant's signatures, and lunch is a good time to try it. On weekends and public holidays, the midday meal becomes a brunch. Menus also change for festivals. In past years the restaurant has offered Chinese New Year menus with yu sheng, a tossed raw fish salad, and poon choi, a big shared pot of seafood and braised dishes.

The setting

The main dining hall is large and styled in Art Deco fashion, with red and black details. Private dining rooms sit around it. The grandest is the VIP room, with gold accents, velvet seats, Chinese-style ornaments and a chandelier.

In 2022 there were six private rooms for up to 10 guests each, plus the VIP room for up to 14. The bar serves cocktails that mix Eastern and Western ideas. It stays open later than the kitchen, so you can come for a drink before or after dinner.

Good to know before you go

• Dress code: smart casual, according to the hotel.
• Groups: the private rooms suit family meals and business dinners. Ask about them when you book.
• Festive dates: Chinese New Year is a busy time for Chinese restaurants in Singapore, so reserve early. Our guide to what is open during Chinese New Year can help you plan.
• Bookings: reserve online through the restaurant's website, or call.
• Dietary needs: the restaurant offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Mention any needs when you book.

Getting there

The NCO Club is part of the South Beach development on Beach Road, right beside the JW Marriott hotel. The restaurant is on Level 2. Esplanade is the nearest MRT station; use Exit F.

Nearby

If you want to stay close by, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach is next door. Raffles Hotel Singapore is a short walk away. For another Chinese meal, try The Dim Sum Place on North Bridge Road, or see our list of Chinese and dim sum restaurants in Singapore. After lunch, head to Kampong Glam and Haji Lane for small shops and street art. You can also browse all restaurants in Bugis and Kampong Glam.