8ASH @ 8 Ann Siang Hill

8ASH is a new “multiconcept” diner on 8 Ann Siang Hill (the acronym for its name, if you haven’t guessed it) hosting three different brands in one spot:

• Love Handle Burgers serves vegan American classic burgers.

• Mirai Burgers offers American-Japanese fusion burger creations

• Hoshi Hill has premium Japanese set meals without the crazy prices

While the 1st floor houses the kitchen for all three brands (with each having their own section), the 2nd floor is a neon-lit throwback to old school ‘60s American diners. Those of you who’ve been playing Animal Crossing during the Circuit Breaker can definitely recognise the booth seats and diner tables here.

We started our dinner with a glass of Takara Mio Sparkling Sake ($20). It comes highly recommended and serves as a good aperitif. We were told that this is the most popular sparkling sake in Japan. Its fruity sweet taste also makes a good introduction for non-sake drinkers. I was so tempted to grab a few bottles for drinks at home.

The Hoshi Wagyu Steak ($18) from Hoshi Hill is a perfect medium rare, Australian wagyu pichanha (with an impressive 8-9 marbling score). For its price, this was truly worth it – every bite was melt-in-your-mouth and flavourful. It comes with a few sauce options; we preferred the savoury Spring Onion Bearnaise sauce but the Mustard Cream sauce goes well with the wagyu too.

The other highly rated dish from Hoshi Hill is the Chilled Hokkaido Scallop Somen ($25). It has a fragrant, light taste, plus the noodles are thin yet springy – it reminds me slightly of mee kia but 100 times better. The dish comes covered in sakura ebi powder, ponzu jelly, succulent Hokkaido scallops and plentiful amounts of ikura. Another value for money dish that was my favourite of the night.

Next was vegan burger specialists Love Handle Burgers and their Mushroom Cheese Burger ($17). They boast that the entire burger is made for vegans, even the cheese! And yes, the cheese does have the same consistency and tastes like the real thing. The Impossible patty is juicy and tender as well. The total package with mushrooms, shroom sauce and creamy garlic aioli i indistinguishable from an atas cheeseburger.

Mirai Hill’s Katsu Okonomiyaki Burger ($16) tastes exactly like having okonomiyaki in Osaka – thanks to the Bull-Dog tonkotsu sauce, bonito flakes, and Kewpie mayo accompanying the massively thick pork katsu patty. This is truly a mouthful to enjoy, so I’d recommend you order this burger with an empty stomach.

Dessert was the Lemon Crumble ($4.50) from the Love Handle’s menu - a tart tangy lemon curd covered with crunchy crumble, plus coconut cream and desiccated coconut. It’s a simple sweet treat and surprisingly the lemon and coconut go well together.

8ASH is less than a 10-minute walk from Telok Ayer Station. They currently do not accept reservations, but you should be able to score a seat if you come just before the dinner crowd.

8ASH

8 Ann Siang Hill,

Singapore 069788

Opening hours:

Monday to Wednesday 11 AM to 10 PM;

Thursday to Saturday 11 AM to 10.30 PM