[Review] $128 Omakase Dinner At Michelin Bib Gourmand Prawn Mee Coffeeshop, One Prawn & Co

Best known for their hearty prawn broth which earned them a nod of approval from the Michelin Guide, One Prawn & Co is venturing deeper into the sea and fishing out the finest seafood for their latest dinner concept.

Innovated by the same team that earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022, the coffeeshop that houses the local prawn noodle restaurant in the day transforms into a 12-course Seafood Grill experience after sunset.

The focus on grill cuisine and fine dining totally make sense, given Chef-owner, Gwyneth Ang’s culinary experince at Michelin-starred Burnt Ends, among other fine dining establishments. The open layout of the kitchen also makes it ideal for diners to witness Chef Gwyneth and her team at work as they whipped out their culinary wonders, one after another, enhancing the overall dining experience with theatrics.

Last weekend, my son, Asher and I had the pleasure of experiencing this grill omakase culinary adventure and must say that it was nothing short of exceptional. The restaurant boasts of a sophiscated, yet not pretensious vibe, attentive staff, and an exquisite menu that promises to tantalise your taste buds.

At a fixed price of $128++, their 12-course omakse menu showcases a variety of seafood ranging from fresh oysters to charcoal-grilled turbot. If you like some alcohol to go with your food, simply top up $30++ for free-flow house pour sake. The price may seems steep, but Chef Gwenyth has done her research and a similar dining experience like this featuring premium ingredients like lobsters and abalone, served in an air-conditioned, full-service restaurant, would probably cost in the realm of $200 to 400++ per person.

The target demographic is clear for this menu – foodies who know their stuff and are looking for a differentiated omakase dining experience from the usual. They do not mind paying more for elevated local cuisine if it is served at fine dining standards.

When we arrive at the restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised at the attention to detail and the level of service from the professional service crew, even though it was in a non-airconditioned coffeeshop.

Upon acknowledging our reservation, a server promptly sat us down and gave us cold towels to freshen up. We were also presented with a platter of the ingredients that will go into our dinner for the night, checking for allergies and answering any queries we might have about them. After each course, the cutlery are cleared and swapped out seamlessly and the drinks on our table was always replenished. Love it.

Service aside, let’s move on to the food itself. Without further ado, these were the 12 courses we sampled. Note that the exact menu items will be refreshed seasonally, so you might not get served the same stuff when you visit.

Verdict?

Each course was prepared with precision and finesse, bringing out the best flavours of the fresh ingredient used. The omakase menu is carefully curated to include a range of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques, ensuring that every dish is unique and memorable.

The seafood ingredients served are specially selected and procured from different parts of the world to ensure they are of quality and in season. For instance, for the menu I sampled, the Oysters were from Hyogo, Japan; the King Scallop was from Scotland; while the Turbot was from Denmark.

The standout dish for me was the Turbot. In Singapore, a flatfish like Turbot is usually grilled and served with a hearty splash of sambal chili. Chef Gwenyth’s version uses garlic instead to retain the richness of the fish flavour, something I found refreshing for a change.

The Squid Noodle was a fun dish as well. It surprises me because it really felt like eating a plate of noodles when it was all squid tentacles.

All the seafood items were grilled to perfection, a testimonial for Chef Gwenyth and her team’s culinary chops. Served fresh off the grill, you can savour the smokiness of each item, and how the light char enhances the natural flavours.

The abalone paofan was a delight, ending the last savoury course with a fulfilling comfort food item that warms as well as fills up the belly, not to mention, a showcase of One Prawn & Co’s signature prawn bisque.

Interested to try it out for yourself? Visit the official website for details.

One Prawn & Co

Address 458 Macpherson Road, Singapore 368176

(Nearest MRT station: Tai Seng)

Operating hours Tue-Sun, 11am-11pm
Dinner service Tue-Sun, 6pm-11pm