Xiao Ya Tou, or better known as XYT, is a modern Asian restaurant bar on Duxton Hill that serves up a plethora of playful and somewhat cheeky food and drink offerings—all of which find their inspirations stemming from cuisines from all across Southeast Asia.
The eatery is hard to miss. Its distinctive red lanterns, plastic chairs, and loud decor just call out to you as you walk past. Xiao Ya Tou is one establishment that will undoubtedly guarantee you and your mates a solid meal, yummy locally-inspired cocktail but more importantly, a great time out.
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Standing out amongst the bustling nightlife of Duxton Hill, Xiao Ya Tou is a restaurant bar that exudes charm and quirkiness beyond anything we have ever seen. The fun begins right at the doorsteps as you walk through an array of lanterns and old-school magazine covers from old Chinatown.
XYT’s food is loud, bold and in-your-face and just looking at the restaurant’s menu—with all its quirky illustrations and cheeky puns—you can tell that this is a place worthy of bringing your friends for a good time out.
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This kitschy-cool dining concept offers an interesting mashup of modern Asian cuisine from their pimped up XYT Hokkien Mee that features top quality seafood as well as a wide range of locally inspired cocktails for your after-work tippling pleasure.
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Their signature XYT Hokkien Mee (S$16) took us by surprise. The dish takes your typical hawker stall-bought Hokkien mee and elevates it a notch higher by introducing ingredients such as smoked pancetta and premium seafood.
The noodles oozed an apparent ‘wok hei’ note and the pork broth, along with the various ingredients, did well to amp up the flavour of this dish.
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Although slightly on the pricier side, the Crispy Otak Otak Rolls (S$12) makes for a good snack to pair with an ice cold beer. Wrapped in wonton skin and deep-fried until golden and crispy, what you can expect from the initial bite is a nice crunch followed by the spicy, tangy and subtly sweet otak paste that spills out all over your mouth.
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Tender and brimming with chargrilled flavours, the XYT Ayam Percik (S$26) is something that will definitely appease even the most discerning of carnivores.
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This tasty chicken dish comes served with a spiced coconut cream that pairs very nicely with the deep roasted flavours of the chicken and the chargrilled lime served on the side cuts through the richness of the coconut ensuring a well-balanced dish that won’t leave you feeling too stuffed.
For something a little less heavy but still promises unbeatable flavour, consider the Drunken Flower Clams (S$23) that is cooked in a mixture of sake, wolfberry, Shaoxing wine and ginger.
Xiao Ya Tou
6 Duxton Hill,
Singapore 089592
Tel: +65 6226 1965
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park