My Experience at the Popular Sio Pasta in Raffles City – Is It Worth Queuing For?

Raffles City is fast becoming a hotbed of Japanese food concepts. The basement alone is host to the likes of Ippudo, Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu and last year, Sushidan opened with its affordable omakase sets. Sio Pasta is the latest one to open, having done so in March 2026 with their affordable pasta dishes. The restaurant features Chef Shusaku Toba’s pasta dishes.

It’s not uncommon to walk past Sio Pasta and be greeted by a queue snaking outside the restaurant. Despite its relatively small space, the restaurant has built up a loyal following, with diners willingly waiting for a table just to get their fix of its Japanese-inspired pasta creations. Curious to find out what all the hype was about, I joined the queue and gave it a try.

 

We started with the Baguette and Fig Butter (S$4.80). The warm, crusty baguette paired beautifully with the lightly sweet fig butter, striking a nice balance between savoury and fruity. It was a simple starter, but one that whetted the appetite nicely.

The Japanese Style Fried Chicken (S$5.80) came with a yuzu kosho mayonnaise that elevated what could have otherwise been a standard side dish. The chicken was juicy beneath its crisp exterior, while the mayonnaise delivered a pleasant citrusy brightness with a gentle peppery kick that kept each bite interesting.

The aptly named The Best Mentaiko Pasta (S$16.80) certainly lived up to expectations. The pasta was coated generously in a rich, creamy mentaiko sauce that packed plenty of umami without becoming overly cloying. Every strand was evenly coated, resulting in a consistently flavourful bite from start to finish.

Another signature was the Fried Egg, Cheese and Salted Kelp Pasta (S$13.80). Breaking the runny egg yolk into the pasta added extra richness, while the cheese contributed a comforting creaminess. The salted kelp lent a distinct savoury depth, although I did find the overall seasoning leaning slightly on the salty side. It wasn’t enough to ruin the dish, but a little restraint with the salt would have made it even more enjoyable.

For something heartier, the Japanese Seafood Tomato Soup Pasta (S$18.80) proved to be a comforting choice. The tomato broth was light yet flavourful, carrying a pleasant sweetness and acidity that complemented the seafood well. Rather than masking the seafood, the broth allowed the natural flavours to come through while still giving the pasta plenty of character.

Dessert began with the Japanese Style Pudding with Fresh Cream (S$3.80). Smooth, silky and delicately sweet, it was a simple but satisfying way to cleanse the palate after the meal. The addition of fresh cream made it even more luscious without feeling too heavy.

The Matcha Gelato with Raspberries (S$5.80) was a fitting finale. The matcha flavour was remarkably intense, carrying a pronounced earthy bitterness that true matcha lovers would appreciate. If this were served at a specialty matcha gelato shop offering different levels of matcha intensity, I’d place this comfortably towards the stronger end of the spectrum. The tart raspberries provided a welcome contrast, balancing the richness of the gelato with a refreshing burst of acidity.

Overall, Sio Pasta delivered reasonably satisfying Japanese-inspired pasta dishes that were well executed without breaking the bank. Considering the quality and generous portions, the prices are surprisingly affordable, which goes a long way towards explaining the consistently long queues outside the restaurant. Its wallet-friendly pricing also seems to resonate particularly well with a younger crowd, making it an easy choice for casual meals with friends. While you’ll likely need to wait for a table during peak hours, the combination of good food and reasonable prices makes Sio Pasta a spot that’s easy to recommend.

Sio Pasta
252 N Bridge Rd
B1-16 Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore 179103

Opening Hours: Daily, 11AM to 10PM