The Place Tucked away atop a colonial black-and-white bungalow at Portsdown Road, Ce Soir is an intimate fine dining experience helmed by Chef Seth Lai, winner of the Michelin Guide Young Chef Award 2024. Ce Soir is a Chef Seth’s interpretation of modern Asian cuisine refined with Japanese touches. Each dish draws inspiration from Chef Seth’s kampong childhood in Teluk Intan, Malaysia. 

While the space of Ce Soir is decorated with dried flowers on the wall, it remains a minimalist interior. 

The Food Only set menu is offered here, where the 3-course set lunch is priced at S$68++, while two menus are offered for dinner – 5-course at S$168++ and 7-course at S$228++. 

I had the full 7-course experience for dinner and here is what to expect: 

My meal started with a trio of snacks: Buri, Sour Plum, Tomato; Foie Gras Wafer; and Uni, Wagyu, Soursop. 

Other than its lovely presentation, each snack has a distinct flavour where I love the Uni and Wagyu most for its umami. 

Mikan Tai – Mandarin, Granny Smith Apple and Finger lime 
The first course proper is a refreshing and light starter where the Tai fish is also accompanied by radish. 

Wintermelon – Peanut, Zuwaigani and Cuttlefish 
Next up is a comforting soup course prepared with pork broth and goes with heaps of snow crab. 

Amadai – Yuzu Kosho, Turnip, Firefly Squid 
Amadai is probably one of my favourite Japanese fish courses and this version spots a crispy texture in a Yuzu Kosho sauce and watercress foam. That said, I feel that the dish is even better without the firefly squid which feels quite out of place as a complement to the fish. 

Seaweed Bread 
A bread course is up next, which has become a signature of Chef Seth over the years. The warm seaweed bun topped with sea salt is delicious on its own without any butter. 

Lobster – Beetroot, Tosazu, Spinach 
Next up is a protein course where the delicious grilled lobster is on a Tosazu sauce blended with foie gras sauce. 

Iberico Pork – Sun-dried orange, White Asparagus, Kinkan 
Tangerine skin is incorporated into the sauce for this Iberico pork dish, where the pork is tender and flavourful. 

South-African Abalone – 5-Grains, Sakura Ebi, Cucumber 
Inspired by Malaysian fried porridge, this aromatic rice dish is slow cooked over charcoal for five hours in housemade hoisin sauce.

I love the richness of lobster stock and the sweetness of abalone. 

Strawberry – Tea Mousse, Wasanbon, Pistachio 
On to dessert, a Japanese inspired strawberry theme. 

The last part of the meal are two bite-size desserts – Almond & Passionfruit and Kaya-misu. 

I love the Kaya-misu which is a local spin on tiramisu. 

Rants Portsdown Road is not the most accessible location to get to without a car and I also find the floral interior look quite dated.  

Will I Return Again? Suffice to say, the food at Ce Soir is good. Each course is executed with finesse and if you want to experience a Modern Asian cuisine fine-dining with Japanese touches, this is one spot to check out.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5 

Ce Soir 
5B Portsdown Road 
Unit 01-03  
Singapore 139311 
Tel: +65 9177 9993 

Opening Hours 
Wednesday: 6.30pm to 11pm 
Thursday to Sunday: 12pm to 3.30pm; 6.30pm to 11pm 
Closed on Monday & Tuesday 

Ranted by The Ranter