Wewa serves Middle Eastern fast-food with punchy flavours

Let’s face it: Many fast-food joints in Singapore blur together after a while. Think cookie-cutter menus, forgettable flavours, and that same-old-same-old feel.

But a new player in town is shaking things up with bold spices, Middle Eastern soul, and the kind of affordable eats that make you look twice.

Enter Wewa (short for “we eat while we walk”) — a vibrant, quick-service concept at Orchard Gateway that serves up freshly made shawarma, falafel, and pita wraps packed with punchy, authentic flavours.

The brand opened its first outlet at Weave, located at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), on July 1. This Orchard Gateway outlet will be its second, with a third location slated to raise its shutters at Novena Square 2 in mid-October. 

Designed for busy urbanites, but built on culinary craft, the eatery is all about quality street food made with care — think 12-hour-marinated meats, house-made tahini, and a fiery schug (spicy sauce made with green chillies, cilantro, and garlic) that’s not messing around.

Even better? It’s centrally located, competitively priced, and halal certification is in the works — a trifecta that’s already winning fans.

A fast bite that’s anything but generic

While the food is designed for convenience, Wewa makes a point of offering more than just grab-and-go meals. The open-concept kitchen lets diners see precisely what goes into their orders — from the hefty shawarma spits (meat that’s stacked and cooked on a vertical rotisserie) being carved fresh, to the careful layering of sauces and pickled toppings.

Wewa also puts thought into the space itself. Despite being a quick-service joint, it encourages diners to stay awhile, with a clean, modern interior that’s bright and welcoming.

And unlike many other fast-casual spots, Wewa stands out from the crowd. The branding is bold, the flavours are unapologetically spiced, and the experience is meant to feel like something you’d stumble across in a Middle Eastern city, just with the comfort of air-conditioning and self-service kiosks for ordering.

In short, it’s fast-food with heart, spice, and soul.

Shawarma, spice, and everything nice

The menu at Wewa is refreshingly streamlined, with options that cater to a range of appetites — whether you’re in the mood for a snack-sized pita, or a full-on rice bowl.

But what sets it apart is the attention to prep: Meats are marinated for over 12 hours in custom spice blends, stacked on spits that weigh up to 25kg, and slow-roasted to juicy, flavour-packed perfection in full view of the diners.

That effort pays off — especially in the chicken shawarma keto bowl (S$15), where shaved chicken comes heaped atop a bed of cabbage instead of rice.

It’s low-carb without being light — a generous portion that’s satisfying even without grains, and a great option for those looking for a protein-forward meal that still delivers on flavour.

Equally hearty is the falafel rice bowl (S$11). The falafels (deep-fried ball fritters typically made of chickpeas or fava beans) here are made from blended chickpeas and coriander, and unlike the dry, chalky versions you might’ve had elsewhere, these are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

That said, they do run a little salty — nothing a sip of their refreshing gazoz (Turkish for a carbonated, sweetened soft drink) can’t balance out.

Speaking of which, we tried two of its house-made gazoz drinks — hibiscus and peach (S$2.90 each). The hibiscus is punchier and more floral, while the peach leans subtle. Both are gently carbonated, making them easy to drink, even for those who prefer less fizz.

For something quick and handheld, the Junior prawn (S$9) is a standout. The prawns — sourced locally — are plump, crunchy, and well-seasoned, wrapped in a soft pita that’s easy to eat on the move.

The beef shawarma pita (S$16), on the other hand, leans heavier and more aromatic — thanks to a spice blend that includes cinnamon and coriander seed, giving it a deeper, earthier finish.

All bowls and pitas come loaded with house-made pickles, sumac onions, shredded cabbage, and a mint-coriander salad for freshness. You’ll also get a dollop of schug and tangy amba (green mango chutney) — though the amba is omitted from the junior pitas, to keep things kid-friendly.

Don’t skip dessert either: The malabi (S$5) is an unexpected delight. Made with coconut cream, this dairy-free Middle Eastern pudding is airy, floral, and topped with crunchy coconut flakes and nuts for texture.

A drizzle of rose syrup brings it all together — easily the most memorable finish to the meal.

Middle Eastern bites, with bite

With its punchy flavours, thoughtful execution, and wallet-friendly pricing, Wewa proves that fast food doesn’t have to be predictable.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite in town or taking your time to dine in, this new Middle Eastern spot makes every pita, bowl, and falafel count. No shortcuts — just good food done right.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our story on Open Secret, a hidden alley cafe at Arab Street and our guide to these 16 must-try char kway teow in Singapore.