Koyoi by Kanpai: CBD after-work spot with S$4 drinks, izakaya and zi char bites

Since its opening at end-October, the new concept, Koyoi by Kanpai, has been packed with CBD workers after work. 

The affordable drinks — a hard combo to say no to, in the CBD — as well as its central location, lively space, and indulgent menu, checks all the right boxes for post-work hangs.

It is located right opposite the busy junction of Lau Pa Sat, and impossible to miss with its aesthetic. The space blends Old Tokyo street charm with a hit of cyberpunk neon vibrance, bringing a bold, high-energy look.

Come with a group, and you’re almost guaranteed a lively, memorable night that stretches longer than planned.

You might remember the iconic Kanpai 789 at Robertson Quay. It moved from its OG spot just a few months ago, and reopened in July with a brand-new look and a refreshed menu to match.

Before that, the Kanpai Group had also launched Yoasobi by Kanpai, an izakaya restaurant and bar that opened at Outram towards the end of 2022.

Clearly, the Kanpai Group has been up to some exciting things.

While its drinks remain decently priced — already a standout — it’s the shift towards a more extensive, flavour-driven food menu that really deserves attention.

Koyoi is a place you would naturally gather with colleagues or friends after work, ordering a spread of reliably good bites — from binchotan-grilled yakitori to local zi char favourites — and some good drinks that keep coming.

Drinks o’ clock serves drinks from $4

Kanpai Group’s Happy Hour menu runs daily, starting from just S$4 at 4pm, S$5 at 5pm, all the way up to S$8 at 8pm (and yes, it’s S$4 before 4pm, too).

We visited at around 7pm, which meant all our drinks were priced at S$7 — truly a rare sight in the CBD.

Somaek GLS (U.P. S$10) is a South Korean beer cocktail made with soju and beer. It was light and crisp, opening with the beer’s gentle bitterness before giving way to the sweet warmth of the soju. It drinks clean and smooth, making it an easy choice to ease into the night.

Mega chu-hi longan chrysanthemum (U.P. S$17.98) literally made us say: “This is dangerously good.” And it comes in a notably generous size. 

Built on a classic chu-hi base of shochu and soda, it drinks light and spritzy, with the sweetness of the longan and the floral chrysanthemum notes coming through.

It’s a refreshing and aromatic choice, and goes down far too smoothly — especially after a long day at work.

If you prefer something fruitier, the sangria GLS (U.P. S$12) strikes a nice balance between tart and sweet. It pairs perfectly with the grilled skewers and heartier dishes that we had.

Food menu offers a variety, from sashimi to zi char dishes

The teriyaki chicken pizza (S$19) completely stole my heart. The sweet, savoury teriyaki glaze and tender chicken bring an addictive umami hit, complemented by corn and minced egg for extra texture.

The dough is admittedly on the thinner side, but that does make it easier to snack on.

If sashimi is your thing, the salmon sashimi w/ sukiyaki-onsen egg dip (S$19) is a good option for the table. You get 120g of expertly sliced fresh salmon, paired with a rich sukiyaki-style sauce and onsen egg. Mix it well, then dip each slice in — it’s a silky indulgence.

For something classic, the 5-kind yakitori moriawase (S$16.80) platter features chicken drumlet (tebasaki), chicken with leeks (negima), gizzard (sunagimo), chicken tail (bonjiri), and teriyaki chicken meatball (tsukune). 

Grilled over binchotan, each skewer was well-seasoned and made for great drinking food. My favourites were the chicken tail (bonjiri), for its juicy, richly rendered fat, and the teriyaki chicken meatball (tsukune) that offers a tender bite in its sweet-savoury glaze.

The kushiyaki menu had plenty more options, so take your time picking your favourites.

Meanwhile, the zi char dishes really impressed us. If you’re here for Happy Hour and it coincides with dinner, you might as well settle in and have dinner, too.

The moonlight horfun (S$12.80) came with that smoky wok hei aroma the moment it landed on the table. It was flavourful without being heavy, and far from dry, especially after mixing in the raw egg, which gave every bite a rich, silky texture.

Plus, I couldn’t resist adding the chilli sauce for a nice kick on every spoonful. Flavour and texture-wise, it’s a definite win.

There’s also the Kanpai signature’s sambal stingray (S$24.80), made entirely in-house, from the 350g slab of fresh stingray sourced daily from Jurong Fishery Port, to the spicy sambal.

The flesh was tender and easy to peel off, grilled till nicely charred. The sambal brought a good spice, too. This is one dish everyone at the table can happily pick at.

There aren’t many who drop by for lunch, likely due to the after-work crowd appeal and CBD location. But that also makes Koyoi a surprisingly quiet, peaceful spot for lunch — and maybe even a midday drink (no judgement here).

Lunch sets start from S$13.80, with mains ranging from seafood and meat dishes to wok-fried rice sets. There’s even a personal hotpot option — lunch set D (S$16.80) — which really speaks to the variety of the menu.

Koyoi by Kanpai’s appeal is clear — affordable drinks, a lively and standout space, and a versatile menu. Its prime location in the heart of the CBD only adds to its draw.

With the Kanpai Group seemingly continuing to expand its concepts, we’re excited to see what comes next.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat in the CBD, read on Mashi no Mashi new location with its A5 wagyu beef ramen and handroll spot Onori.