Patchwork Kitchen Singapore: A Curious Find in Boat Quay

The name Patchwork Kitchen brings to mind quilt patchwork and patchwork jackets... bits and pieces, stitched together into something with quirky character. PWK feels aptly named, then, for a restaurant where diverse cuisines come together in one place.

That idea made even more sense after learning a little about founder James Moon, whose own background spans different cultures and cities.

We were here for lunch and had the coveted window seats reserved for us – there are only two tables for two along the window, and otherwise, it’s first come, first served.

Photo credit: PWK

Photo credit: PWK, View of MBS

Once we got settled in, Pan, the house manager, came by to share PWK’s philosophy: Korean-American, Western, and Singaporean fusion.

Pan has that kind of warm, easy hospitality that instantly puts people at ease. He comes across as a real crowd favourite too, and mentioned that guests sometimes ask for him when they return.

Looking at the menu, it doesn’t sound overtly unusual at first glance, but that’s exactly when our tastebuds were about to be surprised.

The lunch set is $24 and comes with a main, a side, and a drink, though certain dishes require a small top-up.

We chose the Patchwork Chicken and the Mentaiko Udon for our mains, with the Salt and Vinegar Artichoke and Prawn Ceviche (+$3) as our sides. The Patchwork Iced Tea was included in the set, while the Soju Paloma ($16) was ordered separately.

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First up, the Patchwork Chicken. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, since I usually lean more towards seafood.

Chargrilled chicken perfection, really

I had braced myself for something stronger and sharper, but it was so balanced and earthy instead, with a superb chargrilled aroma from the chicken and beautifully seared skin. The tteokbokki was incredibly tasty too, with just the right amount of chew in every bite. I actually ended up eating most of this dish compared to my dining companion.

Next, the Mentaiko Udon. It quickly became our go-to pick if we were to return.

For all our umami and savoury food lovers

From the moment it landed on the table, it looked colourful and full of promise. I was worried it might be too salty, but it wasn’t.

Instead, it was deeply umami and savoury, balanced, and very satisfying to eat. The dashi foam, mentaiko, golden tobiko, and seaweed all came together beautifully. Since we were sharing, we were practically fighting to clean up the bowl.

We also got to try the Baked Chili Crab Dip, which is only available during dinner at $24. There was an almost illegal amount of crab meat inside, and the mantou was baked to perfection. We genuinely couldn’t get enough of it, and yes, we slurped up every last bit of that chili crab dip.

Our lunch-set drink was the Patchwork Tea, and it was especially memorable to me. Made with hawthorn and sour plum, it felt comforting and a quite nostalgic, with a distinctive flavour that felt like home for some reason.

As for the sides, the Salt and Vinegar Artichoke, tempura-battered, was so delicious. Crisp, bright, and especially addictive for me as someone who already loves tapas and artichokes.

The other side was the Prawn Ceviche, with laksa pesto, cured seabream, cashews, and of course, prawn. It was served with crackers, and we were meant to scoop bits of the ceviche onto them before taking a bite. Such a fantastic side – fresh, punchy, and a real appetite-opener before the mains.

For desserts – which weren’t included in the lunch set, but were kindly given for us to try — we had the PWK Mango Pomelo ($9) and the Miso Caramel Tart ($9). Pan shared that the Mango Pomelo is one of his favourites, and we echo that as well.

After lunch, we were given a tour of the five-floor building.

From the outside, Patchwork Kitchen masquerades as a tucked-away little spot, but inside, it opens up into something surprisingly expansive. There’s a strong sense of discovery to the place.

Earlier in the month, the rooftop garden even hosted diners and members of the public during the Disney Adventure cruise fireworks.

And if you’re planning a visit: lunch runs from 12pm to 3pm, with the $24+ lunch set including a main, side, and drink, plus the option to upgrade to an alcoholic pour.

Happy hour is from 6pm to 7pm, and dinner runs from 6pm to 11pm.

There’s also a secret wine list tucked away for those who ask – including premium fine wines and rare Burgundies.

📍 Patchwork Kitchen, 42 S Bridge Rd, #05-01, Singapore 058676

This visit was hosted by Patchwork Kitchen. We share only what we genuinely think.