Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro
A Note on Cuisine
Shisen Hanten is categorised on Umami Compass because it is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore operated by a Japanese chef (Chen Kentaro) from a famous Japanese restaurant dynasty, using Japanese techniques and ingredients. However, it is important to be transparent: this is NOT traditional Japanese cuisine like sushi, ramen, or kaiseki. Shisen Hanten serves Chūka Szechwan Ryori — Chinese Szechwan (Sichuan) cuisine interpreted through a Japanese culinary lens. The Chen family's roots are in Szechwan, China, and the flavour profile is fundamentally Chinese — bold, spicy, and mala — refined with Japanese precision and seasonal sourcing. If you are looking for 'Japanese food' in the traditional sense, this is not the right choice. If you are looking for one of Singapore's finest Chinese dining experiences with a unique Japanese pedigree, Shisen Hanten is exceptional.
Highlights
About Shisen Hanten
The Shisen Hanten story begins in 1958 in Japan, when Chen Kenmin — a native of Szechwan (Sichuan), China — opened the first Shisen Hanten in Tokyo. He became so influential in adapting Szechwan flavours for Japanese palates that he earned the title 'Father of Szechwan Cuisine in Japan.' His son, Chen Kenichi, became a household name as one of the original Iron Chefs on the legendary TV show. Now the third generation, Chen Kentaro, carries on the family legacy at this Singapore outpost — the brand's first venture outside Japan.
The Singapore branch opened in 2014 on Level 35 of what is now Hilton Singapore Orchard (formerly Hilton Singapore). It quickly earned recognition, holding two Michelin stars from 2019 to 2022 before being adjusted to one star from 2023 onwards. The restaurant recently underwent a major renovation, reopening with a refreshed interior that blends contemporary elegance with subtle Chinese art — including a striking large hanging artwork and private dining rooms named after iconic Szechwan cities.
The cuisine is Chūka Szechwan Ryori — a distinctly Japanese approach to Chinese Szechwan cooking. This means bold Szechwan flavours (mala numbing heat, fermented bean paste, chilli oil, Szechwan peppercorns) are combined with refined Japanese techniques and premium Japanese seasonal ingredients. Chef Kentaro sources directly from artisans in both China and Japan: premium Hokkaido pork for char siew, A5 Miyazaki wagyu beef, and seasonal produce like persimmons handpicked by the chef himself. The family motto — 'The heart of cuisine is love; cook with your heart' — guides every dish.
Recommended For
Menu & Pricing
Weekend & PH Brunch (Sat, Sun, Public Holidays)
| Unlimited dim sum, roast meats, Szechwan mains, dessert (90 min) | S$88++ |
| Add-on: Foie Gras Chawanmushi | +S$18++ |
Lunch / Dinner Set Menus
| Set menus (seasonal, from 4-6 courses) | S$108++ – S$388++ |
| Chef's Table Experience (8 seats, exclusive menu) | On request |
Signature À La Carte Dishes
| Chen's Mapo Tofu with Hokkaido Rice | S$28++ |
| Stir-fried A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Sirloin with Japanese Green Peppers | S$88++ |
| Stewed Fish Fillet in Super-Hot Szechwan Pepper Sauce | S$38++ |
| Chen's Mapo Tofu with Live Lobster | Market price |
| Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Crab Roe Soup | S$38++ |
| Pan-seared Peking Duck | S$38++ |
All prices subject to 10% service charge and 9% GST. Seasonal menu changes regularly — confirm with the restaurant.
Practical Info
- Daily: 12:00–3:00pm (lunch)
- Daily: 6:00–10:00pm (dinner)
- Weekend brunch: Sat, Sun, PH 11:30am–3:15pm (last seating 1:45pm)
Dietary Info
Photos
Location
Level 35, Hilton Singapore Orchard, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867
📍 Open in Google MapsYour Dining Journey at Shisen Hanten
The 35th Floor Arrival
Take the lift to Level 35 of Hilton Singapore Orchard. The doors open to a panoramic vista of Orchard Road and the Singapore skyline. The recently renovated dining hall is bright and elegant by day — natural light floods through floor-to-ceiling windows — and warmly atmospheric by evening. Circular tables with semi-arched banquettes, mother-of-pearl wall fixtures, and a neutral wood-and-stone palette create an environment that feels luxurious without being heavy.
Opening Bites
The meal typically opens with the Shisen Hanten Trio Appetiser — sweet and sour jellyfish, chilled steamed chicken with spicy sesame sauce, and mala king mushrooms. These three bites immediately establish the restaurant's identity: textures that are clean and precise (the Japanese influence), flavours that are bold and layered (the Szechwan soul). If you're doing the weekend brunch, dim sum follows — the siew mai with tobiko and the pan-fried radish cake with Chinese sausage are highlights.
The Chen's Mapo Tofu Moment
This is the dish the family is built on. Three-year aged fermented bean paste, Szechwan peppercorns, chilli oil, and silky tofu — served bubbling hot over a bowl of premium Hokkaido rice. The numbing sensation (ma) and the spicy heat (la) arrive in waves, and the tofu is impossibly smooth. It's available as a standalone à la carte dish for S$28++, or as part of the brunch and set menus. Many regulars order it every single visit. The luxe version — Chen's Mapo Tofu with Live Lobster — is the ultimate expression, combining shellfish sweetness with the signature mala heat.
Bold Mains & Japanese Precision
The A5 Miyazaki wagyu with Japanese green peppers showcases Chef Kentaro's dual heritage — the wok heat is Szechwan, the ingredient sourcing is Japanese. The stewed fish fillet in super-hot Szechwan pepper sauce is a test of spice tolerance that rewards brave diners. For something more approachable, the Hokkaido pork char siew and the pan-seared Peking duck (uniquely pan-seared rather than roasted) demonstrate the kitchen's creative range.
Sweet Finish with a View
The Szechwan Jelly with Seasonal Fruits is a palate cleanser that works — light, subtly spiced, and refreshing after the heat. As you finish, Orchard Road twinkles 35 floors below. It's a reminder that you've just eaten one of the most unique Michelin-starred meals in Singapore — not Japanese, not Chinese, but something born at the intersection.
Editor's Note
Let us be upfront: Shisen Hanten is on this site because of its Japanese pedigree and Michelin recognition, but the food is Chinese in character. If you arrive expecting sushi or tempura, you will be confused. What you will find is one of Singapore's most accomplished Chinese restaurants, run by a third-generation Japanese-trained chef who genuinely understands both traditions. The S$88 weekend brunch is outstanding value for a Michelin-starred experience — unlimited dim sum, roast meats, and Szechwan mains with a view 35 floors up. Chen's Mapo Tofu is legitimately one of the best versions in Southeast Asia. The downsides: the restaurant lost its second Michelin star in 2023, and some diners report inconsistency — particularly with the wine pairing and the gluten-free accommodations. A few reviews mention inattentive service on busy nights. The panoramic view is partially obstructed by shutters in some areas. For group dining and celebrations, the private rooms are excellent. For solo diners or couples seeking an intimate sushi counter experience, look elsewhere on this site.