The escalator from City Hall MRT drops you into Funan’s basement. There’s a hum of footsteps, a climbing wall somewhere above, and the smell of something frying.
I’ve chased oyster omelettes from Penang to Taipei. I came here to see whether one served without a single oyster could still taste like a hawker centre at night.
Flavours by Saute (寻味·素特) at Funan Mall
Flavours by Saute sits at #B1-30, 107 North Bridge Road. It’s part of the Saute Group, which runs several vegetarian concepts around Singapore, and this outlet opened in 2019.
The idea is local and Western fusion vegetarian cooking under one roof. It’s halal certified, and the kitchen cooks without garlic or onion. That combination is genuinely rare, and it lets diners with very different preferences share one table without any awkward negotiations.
Is It a Vegan Restaurant? The Vegetarian Vegan Difference
It isn’t fully vegan. Everything here is vegetarian food, but some dishes contain egg or dairy. The Runny Yolk Carbonara, for example, has no vegan version.
The good news is that vegetarian and vegan dishes are clearly marked throughout the menu, and lots of items come in a vegan-friendly form. If you eat fully plant-based, just check before you tap “order” to ensure you’re picking the right version.
A Fusion Vegetarian Room in the Basement
The ambiance is bright and casual. There are light wood tables, warm overhead lights, hanging greenery and green feature walls. It’s a nice place to settle in, especially if you walk over from the City Hall area and need somewhere central and air-conditioned.
It’s still a mall setting, though. Foot traffic drifts past, and the space feels open rather than tucked away. When it’s busy, the tables sit close together. On a quieter evening, it feels roomier and more relaxed.
An Expansive Menu That Covers Lots of Cuisines
The expansive menu was the first thing that surprised me. What you can expect here spans ramen, noodles, rice dishes, Orh Luak, salads, pasta, baked dishes, pizza, burgers, cutlet sets, soups, hotpots and kids’ meals. That’s a lot of cuisines under one roof.
Lion mane mushroom is a popular ingredient throughout, showing up in curries, satay, patties, broths and even on pizza. If mushrooms aren’t your thing, the menu will feel narrower than it looks.
The Dishes I’d Point You Toward
Vegan Orh Luak and Carrot Cake
The Vegan Orh Luak (S$13.90) is the dish I came for. It’s made with firm tofu, straw mushrooms and Saute’s own chilli sauce, and it’s highly recommended among the local dishes here. I was after the crisp edges and that soft, starchy centre you expect from a proper oyster omelette.
That starchiness is the point, but it can tip into sticky. Some people will enjoy it for exactly that reason. Others will want more crunch. It’s a delicious interpretation of a hawker classic, though it may divide diners with strong opinions about the original.
The Carrot Cake is the savoury Singapore kind, made with radish and rice flour, not the Western dessert. There’s also a spicy Carrot Cake Mala Chilli version if you want heat. The portion is generous, so it’s easy to share and ideal for a table of two or three.
Cashew Mushroom Soup and Black Kut Teh
The Cashew Mushroom Soup blends mushrooms with cashews and earthy ingredients, so it comes out creamy and warming. Order it with you tiao for dipping, or as a bread bowl if you’re hungry. It’s a popular add-on and easy to recommend.
The Black Kut Teh Lion Mane is their plant-based take on bak kut teh. The lion mane soaks up the herbal broth beautifully and gives you something satisfying to chew on. The broth can lean a bit salty, though. Keep that in mind if you’re sensitive to seasoning.
Baked Pasta, Hawaiian Pizza and Dry Ramen
The Laksa Lion Mane Baked Pasta is where the fusion idea clicks most naturally for me. Baking keeps it warm and makes the sauce richer than the regular spaghetti version. It’s a treat if you enjoy both laksa flavours and pasta in the same bowl.
There’s also a Hawaiian Pizza and a Fried Yuba Dry Ramen if you want something lighter. The Nanyang Curry is served in several forms, including a lion mane bread bowl. It’s one of the stronger flavours on the menu, and I enjoyed it, though like the kut teh, it can run salty.
Service and the App
Ordering is done by scanning a QR code and using the app, then paying separately. It works, but some customers find it clunky and a little annoying. The staff are friendly and ready to help if you get stuck, which makes a difference.
Fried dishes like the Orh Luak take longer to prepare, so order them early to ensure everything lands at the table around the same time.
First Time at Flavours by Saute: What to Know
Hours: Daily, 11:30am to 9:30pm (last order 8:45pm)
Getting there: City Hall MRT, with an easy walk into Funan
Budget: Roughly S$15 to S$25 per person for a main and drink
Lunch deal: Weekday lunch sets from S$12.90++, Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 2pm, with a main and drink
Groups: WhatsApp or call +65 9830 8582
It can feel a bit pricey outside lunch hours, especially once you add drinks and service. The weekday set is the gentlest way in for first-timers.
Final Verdict
Flavours by Saute isn’t a salad cafe. It’s plant-based comfort food with a long memory of hawker stalls and a genuine curiosity about pasta, pizza and ingredients that cross borders.
It’s an ideal spot for mixed groups, families, and anyone who misses orh luak or kut teh but has moved away from meat. Watch the salt, order the Orh Luak early, and take your time with the menu.
FAQ
Is Flavours by Saute halal certified?
Yes. Both the restaurant and Funan currently present it as halal certified. It’s worth checking ahead, since certification is renewed periodically.
Is everything vegan?
No. It’s fully vegetarian, with lots of clearly marked vegan dishes and vegan-friendly versions.
Does the food contain garlic or onion?
No. The kitchen cooks without either.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for regular meals. For bigger groups, message the restaurant directly.
What should I order on my first visit?
The Vegan Orh Luak, Carrot Cake, Black Kut Teh Lion Mane and Laksa Lion Mane Baked Pasta give you the widest view of what’s here and are all recommended starting points.
If you’re still hungry for more meat-free meals around the river, explore the best plant-based dining in Clarke Quay on Healthy Food Guide.
