Review: 42 Pasta at Thomson Plaza does only one pasta dish daily, and does it very well

There’s a concept in the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which states that the number 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. The running joke, though, is that nobody quite knows what the question is. 

At Thomson Plaza, however, an ex-NUS physics professor has apparently figured it out with his pasta concept, aptly named 42 Pasta is the Answer.

The backstory

42 Pasta isn’t exactly new — its chef-owner Zhi Han first opened it in late-2024, with a simple goal: To share the joy of handmade, home-style pasta.

Each day, he creates a single “pasta of the day” dish, pricing it at just S$15. 

His creations range from chewy orecchiette to silky tagliatelle and hearty lasagne, with each pasta paired with a sauce inspired by traditional recipes and a touch of his imagination.

It’s pretty much a one-man show in the kitchen (there’s just one other staff member to help with taking orders, drinks, and simple preparation), so the rest of the food menu is deliberately kept simple. 

Besides the pasta of the day, there are simple appetisers, a signature roasted pork salad (from S$12), and dessert. 

For sweets, 42 Pasta serves up a Basque cheesecake (S$7) that’s baked in-house and occasionally, some nama chocolate (S$3) that he gets from a friend, which apparently sells out quickly each time.

The place operates with the relaxed rhythm and vibes of an Italian trattoria, aided by the soothing voice of Laufey crooning through the speakers. The space is small and casual — six tables for two and two tables for four so every sitting feels intimate, with a sort of home-kitchen aesthetic of white walls, wooden furniture, and prints on the walls. 

I was particularly amused by a print that depicted a cat drinking wine, which feels entirely appropriate for a pasta joint. 

The plates are also an assortment of mismatched everyday crockery, and each order is jotted down on a piece of paper. Payment is via QR code (PayNow), with no receipt issued. 

Our verdict

With just one pasta dish a day, it’s a bold operating model here for sure. 

You don’t know what Zhi Han has decided to make until you actually head all the way down to Upper Thomson, which isn’t exactly the most convenient spot. 

But after my meal, I’m convinced that trust in the chef is all you need.

42 Pasta is the Answer is doing exactly what its name promises — Zhi Han definitely knows his craft, and you can literally see him pour his heart into the preparation of each plate. 

Come with an open mind and a willingness to eat whatever’s on the board, and you’ll almost certainly leave satisfied.

What it’s good for

I start with the bruschetta (S$2 per piece), a small slice of baguette topped with mascarpone, walnuts, honey, and torn basil.

The honey ties everything together without making it sweet, and the walnuts add just enough texture to make each bite interesting. 

Then there are the potato and cheese bites (S$2 for three pieces), or very simply, roasted baby potatoes, halved and finished with good olive oil, a little melted mozzarella on top, and a small slice of blistered red pepper. 

Both are easy and wholesome — simple ingredients thoughtfully put together.

On my visit, the pasta of the day (S$15) was maritati with broccoli and cherry tomatoes. 

The maritati, which translates to “marriage” is a mix of two different pasta types — the tubular maccherone and bowl-shaped orecchiette — and hails from the Puglia region of southern Italy. It is exactly as charming as it sounds. 

The pasta is slightly thicker than the dried version, as fresh pasta needs to be, to maintain its bite. It is properly al dente with a clean resistance and chewiness.

Zhi Han’s dish is deceptively simple — sauteed tomatoes and roasted, charred broccoli, topped with shavings of pecorino romano.

The seasoning isn’t too salty nor bland, with black pepper coming through cleanly and a beautifully emulsified sauce of olive oil, pasta water, and tomato juice that coats every piece evenly. 

Between the two shapes, I prefer the texture of the maccherone, though the orecchiette’s little cups capture the sauce very well that makes each bite quite delightful. 

While today’s pasta was vegetarian (which may surprise you given how satisfying it tastes), it’s worth noting that Zhi Han has served up dishes such as duck ragu pappardelle and ​​malloreddus (a thin ribbed shell-shaped pasta) with pork sausage on other days. 

We also ordered the roasted pork and waldorf salad (from S$12), which isn’t really a main, but rather a solid accompaniment to the pasta. 

This took a little longer to arrive — the team had to reheat the pork belly (this was done to order) and crisp the skin back up, which tells you something about the care going into each plate. 

The result is very crispy skin that somehow manages not to feel salty or oily in the way that Chinese–style roast pork sometimes can feel. If anything, it feels more like a European-style roast pork that has borrowed the best quality of its Chinese counterpart: that addictive, shattering skin.

Rather than being dressed with mayonnaise as most Waldorf salads are, 42 Pasta’s rendition is brought together with whipped cream — which I prefer — letting the natural flavours of the diced apple, celery, raisins, and pine nuts come through without too much sourness. 

There’s also a smudge of dijon and wholegrain mustard that naturally goes well with the pork.

In that same vein, the Basque cheesecake (S$7), baked by Zhi Han himself, tastes brighter and more tangy than a lot of other versions I’ve encountered in Singapore, which I sometimes find a tad too rich and salty. 

The texture is perfect, with the middle still soft and creamy, and there’s also a subtle honey sweetness that makes this so enjoyable and refreshing.

On the beverage front, there’s a selection of coffee, tea, soft drinks, as well as wines (S$10 by the glass), with a primarily old-world selection from Bordeaux, Portugal, and Italy. Whole bottles go for around S$50. 

There’s also a signature yuzu apple vinegar (S$4) concoction of yuzu juice mixed with a bit of apple cider vinegar that really whets the palate with its fragrant citrus aroma, gentle acidity, and balanced sweetness.

I opted to end the meal with coffee, which feels almost non-negotiable in a pasta restaurant. 

The white coffee (S$5) here is the full, milky kind, not coffee-forward in the way a third-wave cafe would do it, and made with an automatic machine (though Zhi Han pours out the latte art himself). 

It’s not fancy, but it’s warm and satisfying nonetheless.

What it could improve on

42 Pasta’s limited hours — four sittings a day, five days a week — are both part of its charm but also a constraint, reflecting the reality of a one-man kitchen. 

Curious diners who might not frequent the area or may not have known to make reservations prior, might find this limited schedule a tad frustrating. 

Admittedly it’s what makes a small restaurant like this feel meaningful, though.  

I don’t have qualms about the way Zhi Han chooses to run it, and the fact that it’s always booked out is testament enough to how much people want to eat here, but I wouldn’t complain either, if he manages to expand the team and space to make his fare more accessible. 

In a sense, given the scale of its menu and its homely aesthetic, I’d like to think of the current iteration of 42 Pasta as a home dining concept, albeit inside a shopping mall. 

No sprawling menu, no specials list, but also no decision fatigue and just good vibes overall. And sometimes that’s just what you need on a day you’re craving some comforting pasta. 

Just remember to make a reservation before you show up, else you might be like me and get turned away during a busy Friday lunchtime. 

Our quick takes

Is it conducive to conversation? Yes, but only in small groups.

Is a reservation necessary? A must. Make a booking via its website.

How to get there? 42 Pasta sits along the facade of Thomson Plaza (next to the 7-Eleven store), a one-minute walk from Upper Thomson MRT Exit 1.

HungryGoWhere paid for its meal at this restaurant for this review.

For more interesting spots around Singapore, check out this new Korean-inspired cafe Visitors at Tanjong Pagar, and Drip & Drool, a Lavender cafe with zines and cold brews.