Ume San 100

Ume San 100 is a Japanese bar and eatery on the second floor of Fortune Centre, a shopping centre on Middle Road in Bugis. You enter through a row of brightly lit Japanese vending machines. The middle panel is actually the door, which gives the place a speakeasy feel.

It opened in May 2023 and is best known for umeshu, a Japanese liqueur made from ume plums. The bar says its collection is one of the largest in Singapore. Food runs from ramen and rice bowls to izakaya-style plates for sharing.

What to order

In November 2026 the bar added a Konbini Set, a nod to Japan's convenience stores. It pairs a Truffle Ramen, topped with prawns, a soft-centred egg and fish cake, with Umechiki, the house fried chicken. You choose spicy or not spicy, and the choice applies to both. Fries in a striped paper sleeve and an Ume Cola, made with ume syrup and house-made cola, complete the set.

The dinner menu mixes Japanese cooking with other influences. Recent additions include:

• Mentaiko Pasta with Seared Scallops, a Japanese take on an Italian classic
• Spicy Beef Ramen, with Sichuan-style heat
• Foie Gras Bara Chirashi Don, sushi rice topped with foie gras, salmon, tuna and tamago (Japanese omelette)

Drinks

Umeshu is the main draw, with rare and hard-to-find labels on the list. If you are new to it, the low-alcohol taster set lets you try three floral versions: rose, lavender and jasmine. There are also 13 highballs, along with sake and cocktails. Mocktails are on offer for anyone not drinking alcohol.

The setting

The room is small and cosy, much like an izakaya in Japan. There are 28 seats at tables and six at the bar counter. The hidden entrance makes it a fun choice for a date or a small group of friends.

Good to know before you go

• Book ahead: with so few seats, tables go quickly. Booking ahead or arriving early is the safest plan.
• Finding it: head to level 2 of Fortune Centre and look for the vending machines at unit #02-07.
• Menus change: new sets and dishes appear from time to time, so check the bar's social pages before you go.

Nearby

Ume San 100 is in the same part of town as Bugis Street and Kampong Glam and Haji Lane, so it works well after an afternoon of shopping. For more Japanese food in the area, try Sushi Masaaki, or browse all Japanese restaurants in Singapore. Our list of restaurants in Bugis and Kampong Glam has more ideas. If you are still choosing a base, read Orchard or Bugis: which is the better base?