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The no dine-in restriction during Phase 2's Heightened Alert (HA) period is not stopping Ben Yeo from opening another F&B concept.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPU6jedtU9P/

At a canteen in industrial Kallang, no less.

The venture is a collaboration with friend Dickson Woo — the same partner behind SG Chee Cheong Fun.

While the duo planned to start operations in early June, SG Umami will now soft launch for delivery on May 28 instead, with a limited menu.

The full opening will depend on when the HA restrictions are lifted, which is mid-June for now.

Woo tells Mothership that they "deliberately chose to open during these difficult times" as the pandemic has reminded them to treasure experiences like travelling and gathering with friends.

"So after the success of SG Chee Cheong Fun since Sep 23, 2020, we were deciding to stop there or reinvest the profits," Woo added.

Day and night menu

Yeo and Woo came across a canteen in Kallang, which gave them the inspiration of turning it into a “speakeasy-like” industrial bistro.

In the afternoon, SG Umami serves donburis (rice bowls) and Japanese prawn noodles.

From evening, the place transforms into an izakaya with Japanese sides and pizzas, as well as a beer garden.

For its GrabFood menu from May 28, a number of the fusion pizzas are available, with prices ranging from S$12.90 to S$18.

There are classics of Hawaiian ham, Hawaiian bacon and mixed seafood, and also less common flavours like mentaiko scallops, unagi, savoury chicken stew (yes, we're still describing pizza), and a chocolate banana version for dessert.

Top image via SG Umami