Food Republic VivoCity has officially reopened its doors after a two-month revamp—and it’s clear the team has gone big. The refreshed food atrium now trades its old-timey village vibes for a 1950s-style “settlement in motion” theme, reflecting Singapore’s transition from humble kampong to urban bustle. But beyond the aesthetics, there’s one thing on everyone’s mind: what’s new on the menu?

With a mix of local favourites, debut brands from overseas, and an experimental “Mini-Restaurants” concept designed to help hawkers and smaller F&B players thrive in a premium mall setting, the new Food Republic is hoping to strike that delicate balance between nostalgia and novelty.

Of course, we had to go down and take a bite for ourselves. Here’s what stood out (for better or worse).

Mon Chinese Beef Roti – Worth Seeking Out

This halal-certified Chinese stall hails from the northwestern region of China, and we were pleasantly surprised to see a Muslim Chinese chef working the dough with skill and speed. The result? A hot, slightly oily but wonderfully flaky pastry filled with ground beef. It reminded us of an elevated murtabak-meets-roti hybrid—crispy on the outside, savoury on the inside, and refreshingly different from anything else in the atrium. Definitely one to try.

AMI Mixed Rice – A Budget-Friendly Pick

For those watching both wallet and waistline, AMI Mixed Rice is a reliable fallback. One of the more affordable options in the revamped space, it’s where you won’t feel like you’re shelling out S$10+ for a simple meal. Plus, the stall offers brown rice for those who want complex carbs, and everyday staples like Curry Chicken and Sweet & Sour Porkdeliver on that “home-cooked” comfort factor.

Xi Dian Dim Sum – Maybe Not

With its bold claim of serving hand-made dim sum recipes dating back to 1960s Hong Kong and Macau, we were initially intrigued. But a quick scan of the menu revealed prices that felt more restaurant-tier than food court. In fact, it’s even pricier than some well known dim sum places in Singapore —without the restaurant ambience or service to match. We gave this one a pass.

Xi Yu Grilled Fish – Solid Choice

While roaming, we also tried a Classic Spicy Fatty Beef from Xi Yu, which is a soup which also comes with a bowl of rice. You’d be wondering why we ordered beef from a store that specialises in grilled fish but it was surprisingly decent. The soup had depth, the heat was balanced, and it delivered exactly what it promised—a comforting, meaty bowl with a spicy kick. In the video, you can see that we added the big intestines to the dish as well! We’ll definitely come back to try out the other dishes, including the grilled fish!

Paragon Nasi Lemak – Not Worth the Calories

If there’s one dish we regret ordering, it was this one from Paragon Nasi Lemak. We ordered the Boneless Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak and even topped up for an otah otah. The rice lacked fragrance, the sambal tasted more like sweet chilli jam, and the whole dish just felt underwhelming. The only saving grace was the archar, the crispy fried chicken, and the sunny-side-up egg—which says a lot. This one’s a hard no from us.

Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh – A Return Visit That Paid Off

We made a second trip back to Food Republic VivoCity and this time, decided to revisit an old favourite: Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh. Safe to say, it was a good call.

The Herbal Bak Kut Teh was warm, comforting, and satisfyingly herbal without being overpowering. But what really stole the show was the Fried Porridge—rich, savoury, and studded with little golden nuggets of pork lard that gave every spoonful a sinful crunch. Honestly, it was better than we remembered pre-renovation.

And if you’re into offal, the braised intestines had a lovely tender bite with a slightly sweet finish that rounded everything out nicely. Let’s just say… hubby and I were still burping fried porridge well into the afternoon (no regrets).

Feng Xiang may be one of the longer-standing stalls here, but it’s proving it still deserves your appetite.

More Than Just Food—A Launchpad for Hawker Growth

Beyond individual dishes, what Food Republic is doing here is interesting. Their “Mini-Restaurant” concept is designed to give hawker brands and small-scale F&B operators a shot at mall dining—minus the financial risks of opening a standalone restaurant. Backed by operational support, marketing help, and tech tools, it’s a model that might help preserve our hawker heritage while giving young food entrepreneurs room to grow.

Notably, well-loved names like Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice, Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh, and Tan’s Tutu Kueh remain mainstays in the atrium, giving regulars a mix of familiar comfort and new discoveries.

📍 Food Republic @ VivoCity
🕙 10AM – 10PM daily
📍 1 HarbourFront Walk, #03–01 VivoCity, Singapore 098585
🔗 www.foodrepublic.com.sg
📸 @foodrepublicsg #FoodRepublicSG #VivoCity

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Images and Video: Luke Elijah and Melissa Fann