Singapore may seem close, but the flight takes more than five hours from Shanghai.A few months ago, aside from attending the Michelin awards ceremony in Singapore, I finally had the chance to visit my old friends — and couple — Francisco and Fernanda at their Chilean restaurant Araya.I first met them when they were head chef and pastry chef at Nappa in Shanghai.

Opportunities to visit Singapore may be scarce, but every time I do, Odette restaurant always comes to mind. The exquisite cuisine and refined dishes have left a lasting impression on me, while the elegant and minimalist ambiance continues to captivate me.

It has been more than four years since I last visited Singapore due to covid restrictions. A pleasant surprise happened during my visit was that a good friend of mine, food journalist Kyoko Nakayama, successfully made a reservation at NAE:UM for my first night in Singapore. The restaurant décor exudes calmness and warmth, just like Chef Louis Han's friendly personality.