Perched atop Orchard Central, Joie offers a unique fine-dining experience that is not just for vegetarians or vegans. With a creative meatless menu featuring a delightful Korean twist, this upscale restaurant caters to all occasions, whether you’re celebrating a memorable moment or simply enjoying a meal with a view.
Surrounded by the lush greenery of a rooftop garden, we were fortunate to be seated at one of the best tables, perfectly positioned to watch the sunset as we enjoyed our dinner.
Welcome Drink, Roasted Korean Sunchoke Tea and Artemisia Tea
We had the 6-Course Dinner, priced at $78++ per person, which includes three starters, a vegetable dish, a main course, and dessert. As there were 2 of us, we had the opportunity to sample all the options available on the course menu.
“Tuna Tartare” 4/5
This dish truly impressed with its creative use of watermelon to mimic tuna. Served with crispy rice paper, sesame powder, egg yolk gel, apricot, and pickled pears, the Tuna Tartare was both appetising and refreshing – a perfect start to the meal.
Joie’s Crispy Layered Fries 4/5
An elevated take on a classic, these Crispy Layered Fries are made with imported potatoes from Holland and served with fermented kimchi, gochujang mayo, and black garlic mayo. Each fry offers a combination of textures and flavours that make every bite unique.
Charcoal Makgeoli Slider 3.8/5
The Charcoal Makgeoli Slider, which includes halloumi cheese sandwiched between charcoal buns, comes in two pieces per person. The combination of pickled radish, arugula, kimchi puree, and the signature egg yolk gel make this dish enjoyable, although not a standout.
“Ddukgalbi” Century Scotch Egg 4/5
An additional starter from the ala carte menu we get to try was the “Ddukgalbi” Century Scotch Egg, a unique twist on the traditional British dish made with century egg. Paired with gochujang and black garlic mayo, this dish is a must-try for century egg lovers.
Grilled Roots Vegetables 2.8/5
Heirloom Cherry Tomato Salad & Burratina 3/5
We had both vegetable options on the menu, but unfortunately, both dishes were underwhelming compared to our starters. The Grilled Root Vegetables are tough and lacking flavour. As for the Heirloom Cherry Tomato Salad & Burratina, while the sweet cherry tomatoes were enjoyable, the burrata was unfortunately dry. The dish was garnished with olive oil powder, a unique touch, though it didn’t elevate the overall experience.
Mapadubu Lasagna 3/5
Grilled Summer Mushroom Steak 4/5
We also got both options for the mains on the course menu. Despite being inspired by mapo tofu, the Mapadubu Lasagna lacked the distinct flavours of the dish. The texture of the lasagna sheets was inconsistent; they were soft in some areas and tough in others, which detracted from the overall enjoyment.
The Grilled Summer Mushroom Steak was the highlight of the main courses. Served on a hot plate with homemade black pepper sauce, the monkey head mushroom’s texture closely mimicked a steak, making this a satisfying dish.
Burnt Basque Cheese Cake 3/5
Unfortunately, the Burnt Basque Cheese Cake served with an Oreo crust, and homemade milk ice cream was too dense, more reminiscent of a New York cheesecake than a Basque-style one. It was enjoyable but could be lighter in texture. Joie has recently added a new dessert option to the menu – Black Sesame Ice Cream – which was unavailable at our visit.
Joie also offers other set lunch and dinner options daily:
• 3-Course: $38++ per person (lunch only, Monday to Friday except public holidays and eve of public holidays)
• 5-Course: $58++ per person
• 6-Course: $78++ per person
• 8-Course: $98++ per person (available for both lunch and dinner)
The spacious restaurant includes four private dining rooms, perfect for hosting special gatherings.
Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.
Joie
Orchard Central
#12-01
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 9663 0901
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to Orchard Central. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]