Yara Restaurant is a newly opened modern Asian dining establishment located at Evans Road in Bukit Timah, Singapore. Housed in a charming brick-red building that once served as a roti prata shop, Yara is part of The Initial Sama Serviced Residences complex—a collection of beautifully restored heritage buildings with historical roots dating back to Eusoff College, the former University of Singapore hostel. As a sister restaurant to the established Fat Belly Steakhouse at Serene Centre, Yara brings a refined approach to casual Asian dining with an emphasis on grilled meats, seafood, and carefully prepared rice and noodle dishes.
Location: 26 Evans Rd, Singapore 259367
Contact: Available via website
Operating Hours: Thursday–Tuesday, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
Closed: Wednesdays
Ambience & Setting
Interior Design
The restaurant’s interior design is understated yet elegant, striking a balance between comfort and sophistication. The decor is described as simple and tastefully executed, creating an intimate dining environment that feels neither pretentious nor overly casual. The aesthetic is reminiscent of other contemporary establishments like Chip Bee Bistro at Holland Village, suggesting a modern sensibility with attention to detail.
Atmosphere
Yara excels in creating a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere ideal for lunch. During the reviewer’s visit, the restaurant maintained a quiet, unhurried ambience—perfect for those seeking a respite from the bustling urban environment. The cosy setting is conducive to relaxed dining and conversation, making it suitable for both solo diners and small groups. The tranquil Bukit Timah location adds to the overall appeal, offering a retreat within the city.
Notable Features
- Heritage building setting with historical significance
- Peaceful, intimate dining space
- Quiet during daytime hours, making it ideal for business lunches or casual gatherings
- Well-ventilated and comfortable environment
- Simple but refined décor that complements the dining experience
Rating: Atmosphere (4/5)
Parking & Accessibility
Dining at Yara requires some consideration regarding parking logistics:
Parking Options:
- On-site parking at The Initial Sama Serviced Residences complex
- Parking across the road at the College of Physical Education Sports Complex
Important Consideration: Both parking areas are open-air facilities. During rainy weather, access may become complicated, particularly when traversing between parking areas and the restaurant. Diners should factor in weather conditions and allow extra time during wet weather.
Menu Overview
Yara’s menu is deliberately curated and concise, reflecting a philosophy of quality over quantity. The emphasis is on signature dishes rather than extensive options. The menu structure includes:
Menu Sections
Rice & Noodles (Featured section) This section showcases the restaurant’s commitment to carefully prepared grain-based dishes. Items are made fresh to order, resulting in longer preparation times than typical fast-casual rice bowls, but with noticeably superior quality and flavour.
Grilled Meats & Seafood Drawing on the expertise of sister restaurant Fat Belly Steakhouse, this section features premium cuts of meat and fresh seafood preparations, likely prepared using similar grilling techniques and quality standards.
Beverage Program While not detailed in available information, dining establishments of this calibre typically offer carefully selected beverages to complement the cuisine.
Featured Dishes & Analysis
1. Koshihikari Rice Porridge with Poached Chicken
Price: $14 (base) + $4 (chicken upgrade)
Total: $18
Description: This signature dish features a creamy porridge prepared using premium Japanese Koshihikari rice, a short-grain variety prized for its slightly sticky texture and delicate flavour. The porridge serves as the canvas for a thoughtfully composed arrangement of toppings.
Components:
- Base: Koshihikari rice porridge
- Protein: Shredded poached chicken breast
- Aromatics: Fresh garlic, ginger, and scallion
- Egg: Onsen egg (Japanese-style hot spring egg with a silky yolk)
- Textural Element: Savoury granola
Flavor Profile: The dish achieves remarkable balance across multiple dimensions. The creamy richness of the porridge and onsen egg provides a luxurious base, while the aromatic trinity of garlic, ginger, and scallion imparts bright, fresh notes. The poached chicken contributes lean protein and subtle flavour, and the savoury granola introduces an unexpected crunch that disrupts the creamy uniformity in the best way possible.
Recommended Eating Method: The presentation is visually appealing before consumption, but the magic happens when diners thoroughly mix all ingredients together. This mixing creates what the reviewer aptly describes as “a delicious mess”—the various textures and flavours meld into a harmonious whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The granola gradually softens as it absorbs the porridge liquid, while the aromatics distribute throughout, ensuring every spoonful delivers balanced, complex flavours.
Texture & Mouthfeel: Exceptionally well-considered. The creamy porridge contrasts beautifully with crispy-then-softening granola, tender poached chicken, and the luxurious runny yolk of the onsen egg. These textural variations prevent the dish from becoming monotonous.
Assessment: This dish exemplifies thoughtful menu design. Nothing feels superfluous; each component serves a purpose. The use of premium Japanese rice demonstrates commitment to quality, and the cooking method (porridge rather than congee) suggests attention to technique. This is comfort food elevated through careful sourcing and preparation.
Rating: Excellent (4.5/5)
2. Steak and Egg Bowl
Price: $24
Description: A more substantial offering that delivers a complete, nutritionally balanced meal in a single bowl. This dish reflects Yara’s connection to Fat Belly Steakhouse through its premium meat preparation and focus on quality beef.
Components:
- Base: Koshihikari rice
- Protein: Grilled Angus flat iron steak
- Egg: Onsen egg
- Vegetables: Pickled vegetables
- Sauce: Ginger scallion sauce
Preparation Details: The steak is grilled to order and can be customized for doneness. During the review, the diner requested medium, which was executed correctly. The Angus flat iron is a secondary cut known for its rich marble and flavour, though it requires careful cooking to avoid toughness due to its muscle fibres.
Flavor Profile: The dish aims for savoury, umami-forward flavours. The grilled steak provides robust, meaty depth, while the ginger scallion sauce adds bright, aromatic complexity. The pickled vegetables contribute acidity and crisp texture. The onsen egg’s creamy yolk serves as a sauce element when mixed with the rice.
Texture & Mouthfeel: The concept is strong, but execution presents challenges. While the steak displayed good flavour overall, some slices presented a tougher texture than ideal. This is attributed to the nature of the flat iron cut, which contains connective tissue and muscle fibres that can become chewy without expert knife work in portioning. The combination of crispy rice, tender egg, and textured steak creates interest, though consistency could be improved.
Nutritional Balance: Well-designed nutritionally. The dish includes quality protein (steak and egg), complex carbohydrates (rice), vegetables, and healthy fats. This represents a genuinely balanced meal suitable for lunch.
Assessment: A solid offering with strong conceptual design. The flavour profile is appealing and the presentation suggests a complete, satisfying meal. However, the execution requires refinement in steak portion control and thickness management to ensure consistent tenderness across all pieces. The supporting elements (pickled vegetables, ginger scallion sauce, rice) are well-executed.
Rating: Very Good (4/5)
Cooking Instructions & Techniques
Porridge Preparation (Koshihikari Rice)
The porridge demonstrates attention to rice cooking technique:
- Rice Selection: Koshihikari rice, a premium short-grain Japanese variety, is preferred over long-grain alternatives. This variety’s starch composition creates a naturally creamier porridge.
- Cooking Method: The rice is cooked into a porridge (rather than congee), suggesting a specific rice-to-water ratio that creates a cohesive but pourable consistency. Porridge typically uses a 1:6 or 1:7 rice-to-water ratio, cooked until the rice grains break down and release starch into the cooking liquid.
- Timing: Rice is cooked until completely tender and creamy, approximately 30-45 minutes depending on heat level and specific technique. The goal is a silky, spoonable texture rather than separated grains.
- Freshness: The extended preparation time noted by diners suggests porridge is made to order rather than held in a warmer, ensuring optimal texture and temperature at service.
Poached Chicken Technique
- Chicken breast is poached gently in simmering broth or water to maintain tenderness and moisture
- Poaching temperature remains just below boiling to prevent the exterior from toughening before the interior cooks through
- Likely brined or pre-treated to enhance moisture retention
- Cooked until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), then shredded into uniform pieces
- Shredding may be done warm to achieve more cohesive texture
Onsen Egg Preparation
Onsen eggs, a Japanese specialty, require precise temperature control:
- Temperature: Water is maintained at approximately 65-70°C (149-158°F)
- Duration: Eggs are immersed for 13-17 minutes, depending on desired yolk consistency
- Result: The white sets into a delicate custard-like texture while the yolk remains liquid or barely set
- Service: Eggs are cracked fresh to order or served in their shells for diners to crack themselves
Steak Cooking (Angus Flat Iron)
- Steak is seared at high heat (likely 450°F/230°C or higher) to develop a crust through the Maillard reaction
- Cut is relatively thin (suggesting approximately 3/4 to 1 inch) to allow for quick, even cooking
- Medium temperature target (approximately 140-145°F internal) is achieved through careful timing
- After cooking, steak should be rested briefly to allow juices to redistribute
- Sliced against the grain to maximize tenderness (critical for flat iron, which contains significant muscle fibre)
Ginger Scallion Sauce
A classic preparation likely made fresh:
- Ingredients: Fresh ginger, scallions, neutral oil (vegetable or sesame), soy sauce, and possibly salt and sugar
- Method: Ginger is minced finely, scallions are sliced thin, and both are combined with heated oil (the heat “blooms” the ginger and scallion flavours), then balanced with soy sauce
- Consistency: Thin enough to drizzle but with visible aromatics suspended throughout
- Freshness: Best made shortly before service to preserve the bright, fresh quality of ginger and scallion
Complete Dish Breakdown & Analysis
Nutritional Perspective
Koshihikari Rice Porridge with Poached Chicken ($18)
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Protein: 20-25g (from chicken and egg)
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g (from rice)
- Fat: 10-12g (primarily from egg yolk and oil)
- Fibre: 2-3g (from vegetables and granola)
- Key Micronutrients: B vitamins (from rice and egg), selenium (from chicken), manganese (from granola)
- Assessment: Nutritionally balanced, with emphasis on protein and complex carbohydrates. Suitable for sustained energy and satiety.
Steak and Egg Bowl ($24)
- Calories: Approximately 650-700
- Protein: 35-40g (from steak and egg)
- Carbohydrates: 50-55g (from rice)
- Fat: 25-30g (from steak and egg yolk)
- Key Micronutrients: Iron (from steak), zinc (from steak and egg), B12 (from steak)
- Assessment: More calorie-dense and protein-rich. Better suited for high-activity individuals or hearty appetites.
Presentation & Visual Appeal
Both dishes present thoughtfully. The porridge arrives topped with clearly visible components arranged in a way that invites mixing. The steak bowl features contrasting colours (red meat, golden egg, white rice, green vegetables) that create visual interest. The presentation suggests care in plating and attention to aesthetic detail without excessive fussiness.
Quality Indicators
- Ingredient Quality: Premium Koshihikari rice and Angus beef indicate sourcing standards
- Preparation Standards: Made-to-order approach rather than pre-assembly
- Component Coherence: Each element serves a purpose; no superfluous items
- Technique Execution: Generally well-executed with minor room for improvement in steak consistency
Delivery Options
Current Information: The available review does not specify delivery options, online ordering capabilities, or third-party delivery service integration (such as GrabFood, Deliveroo, or similar platforms common in Singapore).
Recommendations for Inquiry:
- Contact via the restaurant’s website for current delivery policies
- Inquire about takeaway options for rice and noodle dishes specifically
- Ask about potential delivery service partnerships
- Verify whether the restaurant accommodates online orders or phone-based reservations
Considerations for Delivery: Should Yara offer delivery in the future, the porridge dishes would be challenging to deliver optimally due to the perishable nature of the onsen egg and the textural changes that occur as the dish sits. The steak bowl would transport better, though meat quality may be compromised without careful insulation and timing. This suggests the restaurant may be designed primarily for dine-in experience, which aligns with its emphasis on peaceful, unhurried dining atmosphere.
Overall Assessment & Ratings
| Overall Assessment & Ratings | ||
| Category | Rating | Comments |
| Food Quality | 45781 | Thoughtfully prepared dishes with quality ingredients. The porridge is exceptional; the steak bowl is very good with minor texture inconsistencies. |
| Service | 45781 | No specific complaints noted; appears attentive and professional. |
| Value | 45780 | Pricing is moderate to slightly premium for casual dining, reflecting quality ingredients and made-to-order preparation. |
| Atmosphere | 45781 | Excellent ambience; peaceful, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. |
| Overall Experience | 45781 | Highly recommended for quality casual Asian dining in a serene setting. |
Final Thoughts
Yara Restaurant represents a thoughtful addition to Singapore’s casual dining landscape. It succeeds by focusing on doing fewer things exceptionally well rather than offering an exhaustive menu. The emphasis on quality ingredients (premium Japanese rice, Angus beef), careful preparation (made-to-order, proper techniques), and peaceful ambience creates an experience that transcends typical fast-casual dining.
The restaurant is best appreciated as a destination for unhurried lunch or a quiet dinner, rather than quick service. The slightly longer wait times for food preparation are justified by the quality delivered. The Bukit Timah location, with its heritage setting and proximity to the Botanic Gardens, adds to the overall appeal for those seeking respite from urban bustle.
Whether you’re a casual diner seeking quality comfort food or a food enthusiast interested in thoughtfully executed Asian cuisine, Yara Restaurant deserves a visit. The porridge dishes, in particular, represent the kind of elevated comfort food that transcends price point through careful attention to flavour, texture, and ingredient quality.
Maxthon
Maxthon has set out on an ambitious journey aimed at significantly bolstering the security of web applications, fueled by a resolute commitment to safeguarding users and their confidential data. At the heart of this initiative lies a collection of sophisticated encryption protocols, which act as a robust barrier for the information exchanged between individuals and various online services. Every interaction—be it the sharing of passwords or personal information—is protected within these encrypted channels, effectively preventing unauthorised access attempts from intruders.
Maxthon private browser for online privacyThis meticulous emphasis on encryption marks merely the initial phase of Maxthon’s extensive security framework. Acknowledging that cyber threats are constantly evolving, Maxthon adopts a forward-thinking approach to user protection. The browser is engineered to adapt to emerging challenges, incorporating regular updates that promptly address any vulnerabilities that may surface. Users are strongly encouraged to activate automatic updates as part of their cybersecurity regimen, ensuring they can seamlessly take advantage of the latest fixes without any hassle.
In today’s rapidly changing digital environment, Maxthon’s unwavering commitment to ongoing security enhancement signifies not only its responsibility toward users but also its firm dedication to nurturing trust in online engagements. With each new update rolled out, users can navigate the web with peace of mind, assured that their information is continuously safeguarded against ever-emerging threats lurking in cyberspace.