New bites & sips to check out in Singapore in August 2026
- 1. Sushidan’s value-for-money omakase and sets
- 2. Permata’s one-for-one halal buffet
- 3. Jollibee’s National Day laksa series
- 4. KFC x Pokemon collaboration
- 5. McDonald’s returning faves and new items
- 6. Starbucks x Pop Mart Molly collaboration
- 7. Meadesmoore Steakhouse's refreshed look & menu
- 8. El Chido’s new cocktails
Most of us in Singapore usually associate August with National Day celebrations, but there’s plenty more happening just beyond the fireworks. F&B spots around the island are joining in on the nation’s celebrations with refreshed menus, adorable limited-edition collaborations, and seasonal promotions.
Whether you’re after nostalgic local flavours or a wallet-friendly dining deal, you’ll find something in our round-up of the latest launches this month:
1. Sushidan’s value-for-money omakase and sets
Good sushi doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag. Tokyo-born Sushidan, which opened at Raffles City Shopping Centre late last year, is making a case for more affordable Japanese fare — with new sushi sets starting from S$19.90 and weekday deals that go as low as S$6.90.
If you’re after an indulgent meal, its Jiyu omakase set (S$34.90) comes with seven sushi pieces, seasonal chawanmushi, a chef’s choice appetiser, mini udon, negitoro handroll, and miso soup. You can choose from 22 sushi varieties — ranging from familiar favourites such as salmon and hamachi to kohada (gizzard shad) and hotate (scallop).
After something less elaborate? There are options such as the Goshoku set (S$19.90) featuring five pieces of chef’s choice aburi (torched) sushi, available, too.
For more savings, you might want to look at its new weekday off-peak deals from 3pm to 6pm. Not only are selected signature rolls one-for-one, but its Toro Zanmai set (U.P. S$12.80), featuring premium negitoro in three styles, is going for half-off at just S$6.90!
2. Permata’s one-for-one halal buffet
This National Day season, halal restaurant Permata is dishing up over 50 heritage dishes from Singapore and the wider Nusantara region in its Flavours of the Lion City buffet, housed in the historic Gedung Kuning (yellow mansion) at Kampong Glam.
And to make things sweeter, it’s running a one-for-one promotion for adult diners till August 31. Promotional prices start at S$88 for two for lunch, while dinner is at S$108 for two.
Our picks from the spread include the Nyonya laksa, with a rich, creamy and nicely spiced coconut broth, and the beef rendang with fork-tender beef and a deeply aromatic sweet-savoury sauce. For desserts, a standout is the cek mek molek, a crisp, deep-fried sweet potato snack filled with molten palm sugar.
There’s plenty more to explore, from tulang merah and sambal paru to bubur som som and serawa durian. So if you do decide to swing by, make sure you do come hungry.
3. Jollibee’s National Day laksa series
Laksa meets fried chicken in Jollibee Singapore’s latest National Day lineup. Crafted in collaboration with local celebrity chef Lennard Yeong, the limited-edition OK Laksa series features two new items, both built around a fragrant laksa sauce.
The laksa chicken sandwich (S$7.90) comes with a chunky fried chicken patty, aromatic and slightly spicy laksa sauce, boiled egg, and lettuce, while the laksa loaded fries (S$7.50) is topped with fried chicken and its laksa sauce.
For a fuller meal, the sandwich and loaded fries can also be upgraded to value meals at S$9.50 and S$8.50 respectively, and comes with medium fries and a drink.
If you’re craving a laksa twist on your Jollibee favourites, you’ll want to try these before they leave the menu on September 30.
4. KFC x Pokemon collaboration
Pokemon fans, mark your calendars. KFC Singapore is teaming up with Pokemon for a limited-time collection of exclusive merchandise alongside a new Japanese-inspired menu. The collaboration starts on August 19, as part of Pokemon’s 30th anniversary and Pokemon Go’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
KFC’s limited-time Japanese-inspired lineup features the Japanese nanban Zinger (from S$7.50), with a crispy, spicy chicken thigh layered with sweet-tangy nanban sauce, Japanese-style egg tartar, and shredded cabbage in soft brioche buns.
There’s also the Japanese nanban chicken bites (from S$6.90), featuring bite-sized pieces of fried chicken tossed in the same nanban sauce, and egg tartar, and the Japanese nanban loaded fries (from S$5.95), topped with nanban glaze and tartar sauce.
Pokemon merch collectors, look out for the reversible everyday blind pouch (S$14.95) — a fun pick with four possible designs: Pikachu, Snorlax, Mew, or Eevee. Other eyecatching collectibles include a Poke ball bucket (S$12.95) and the Pokemon evolution jacket (S$99).
The collaboration runs until September 29. If you’ve got your eye on any of the merch, though, you’ll want to snag them early, because everything is while stocks last.
5. McDonald’s returning faves and new items
Missed the Samurai burger? It’s making a comeback — this time, with a few new Japanese-inspired treats, too. From August 20, McDonald’s Singapore is bringing back the Samurai beef and chicken burgers (from S$10.15), along with the tamago Samurai beef and chicken burgers (from S$11.45) and its well-loved seaweed McShaker fries (S$1.25 top-up with a meal).
The fast food chain is adding three brand-new items to the lineup, too: katsu chicken tenders (from S$5.50 for three pieces), Kyoho grape soft serve (from S$1.50) which is also available as a McFlurry with Oreo bits, and strawberry daifuku pie (from S$1.80), filled with mochi, red bean paste, and strawberry jam.
Can’t get enough of the samurai action? From August 18 to 30, visit McDonald’s Bugis Junction to catch Samurai Ike! — a Samurai-themed game show — happening 12pm to 9pm daily. There, you can take part in three game-show-style challenges and stand a chance to win free prizes.
If you’re already planning to try the new menu, you might as well swing by for some extra fun.
6. Starbucks x Pop Mart Molly collaboration
If you’ve got a soft spot for cute drinkware, you might not be able to resist Starbucks’ latest collaboration. Coffee chain Starbucks has teamed up with Pop Mart to celebrate the adorable blue-eyed character Molly’s 20th anniversary, to launch a limited-quantity collection of whimsical drinkware and accessories.
Launched on August 3, the items are available at selected Starbucks stores and online, with a limit of two pieces per item per customer.
Items include cute merchandise such as the stainless-steel tumbler with charm (S$65.90), or the Bearista glass cold cup (S$59.90, 15oz) where Starbucks’ iconic Bearista is given a Molly-inspired makeover. If you prefer something to keep at home, there’s also the ceramic mug with saucer set (S$35.90, 10oz).
If you didn’t manage to get your hands on the items, you can still forward to the limited-edition strawberry & cream frappuccino (S$9.50), made with full-cream milk, strawberry chunks, strawberry whipped cream, and freeze-dried strawberry bits. It comes in a special Pop Mart Molly cup, too!
Customers who spend S$15 or more on an order that includes this drink may also get a complimentary Molly sticker sheet, while stocks last.
7. Meadesmoore Steakhouse’s refreshed look & menu
Craving for steak? You’ll want to put this one on your list: Meadesmoore Steakhouse at Telok Ayer has reopened with a snazzier new look and refreshed menu, including a world-champion wagyu striploin that’s only available exclusively here in Singapore.
It now serves the full-blood wagyu striploin (S$220 for 400g), which was named the world’s best grain-fed sirloin at the 2025 World Steak Challenge. We tried it and we have to say it certainly lives up to the hype — tender and meaty, with a gorgeous marbling and rich, slightly nutty umami.
The dairy wagyu tri-tip (S$75 for 150g), a Meadesmoore-exclusive cut from Hokkaido dairy cattle that’s even fattier and deeply buttery, is also worth trying.
Beyond the steaks, its new persille cavatelli (S$36) is a standout, with handmade pasta tossed tableside with creamy bone marrow.
8. El Chido’s new cocktails
Looking for an excuse to try some new cocktails — with a dip in the pool in this sweltering heat? El Chido at Pullman Singapore Hill Street has refreshed its drinks menu with a lineup of tequila-forward and tropical concoctions. The best part? You get to enjoy this by its rooftop infinity pool, which is open to the public for free, making it an easy choice for a chill day out.
Our picks of its newest cocktails include the spicy margarita (S$24), a bright and zesty mix of tequila, lime, and jalapeno with just enough heat, as well as the coconut Affair (S$26), a light and refreshing blend of rum, coconut water, and lime served in a whole coconut. The Ay Melon! Berry (S$24), a fruity mix of Corona beer, gin, melon, cranberry, and lime is also a great cooler to lounge with.
Alongside other new cocktails and shooters, there are zero-proof options for those who prefer to skip the alcohol.
For more ideas on what to eat, read our guide on Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre and the new openings across Singapore last month.
Angeline loves everything spicy, even though she always ends up crying.
Read more stories from this writer.
