Just when I blogged about our favourite seafood dinner buffet spot, now I’m sharing another favourite – the Asian Market Cafe lunch buffet at Fairmont Singapore.
I first visited Asian Market Cafe more than a decade ago when my boss treated the whole team to dinner. Honestly? It left zero impression. The place just never crossed my mind again until hubby suggested we use up some dining credits there recently.
I walked in with no expectations but left feeling satisfied. Then something clicked – we returned twice more in the following two months and even brought my parents for a family meal. What a transformation from my earlier experience, haha.
The Dining Space
The restaurant feels spacious and bright. When I snapped photos at the start of lunch service, the place looked calm. But weekends see it fill up quickly with families and groups.
Being halal-certified draws many Muslim families who come in large groups for celebrations. The atmosphere buzzes with conversation and laughter.
Pricing and Hours
Here’s what you need to know:
- Monday to Sunday: $78 per adult, $39 for children (6-12 years old)
- Weekdays: 12:00pm to 2:30pm
- Weekends: 12:00pm to 3:00pm
The Rotating Menu Concept
Asian Market Cafe refreshes their menu regularly. Right now, their “Far East Escapade Buffet Lunch” runs from 23 June to 3 August 2025. Even though I visited three times in three months, I tasted different dishes each visit.
The signature items like satay, laksa, and durian pengat stay constant. Everything else rotates, keeping repeat visits interesting.
Before making reservations, check their website menu to see if it appeals to you.
What’s on Offer: Station by Station
Seafood on Ice
Expect mud crabs, prawns, scallops, clams, and mussels. On one visit, they surprised us with slipper lobsters that weren’t even listed on the menu.
The mud crabs win me over every time. They’re not huge, but they’re meaty and sweet. You must pair the seafood with their wasabi tartar sauce – it’s pretty shiok. This section consistently delivers across all my visits.
Sashimi and Sushi
Loads of salmon sashimi, tuna tataki (lightly-seared tuna), plus assorted sushi and maki rolls. The salmon tastes fresh and sweet every single time. For salmon lovers like me, this station alone justifies the visit.
Salad Station
Pre-mixed salads like achar and Thai-style seafood salad that actually taste appetising. They cut through the richness of other dishes perfectly.
DIY Section
Make your own rojak, kueh pie tee, or gado gado depending on what’s featured that day. The DIY element adds a fun interactive touch to the meal.
Noodles Station
Singapore laksa serves as the permanent star here. It’s one of the more popular dishes, and I can see why. Mix it with sambal chilli for extra kick.
Live Cooking Station
A chef prepares fresh dishes on the spot. We’ve had seafood omelette (orh luak style) that was genuinely delicious. The live element ensures freshness and adds theatre to the dining experience.
Satay Grill
Freshly grilled chicken and beef satay with peanut sauce, onions, and cucumber. The chicken satay outshines the beef – it’s more moist and tender, with marinade that’s properly penetrated the meat.
This ranks among the better satay versions I’ve had in hotel buffets. My mum demolished several servings of the chicken satay, which says everything about its quality.
Hot Dishes
Mainly Asian and local cuisine featuring rice, noodles, meat, seafood, and vegetables packed with bold flavours. The most popular dish? Singapore chilli crab with fried mantous. It runs out fast.
Personal confession: the chilli crab sauce doesn’t suit my taste. I actually prefer the mud crabs from the cold seafood section where I can taste their natural sweetness.
Roast of the Day
This interesting section usually features whole fish prepared different ways – could be salmon or barramundi. My dad gravitates here because he’s a big fish lover. The preparations are always lemak and flavoursome.
Fresh Fruits
Great selection including seasonal fruits like longan when available.
Desserts
Both hot and cold options available. The colourful Nyonya kueh display beautifully, alongside a small selection of cakes.
I’ve encountered macarons once – they were pretty good. I took one of each colour and flavour because, well, why not?
Hot desserts include Portuguese egg tarts and kueh lopis with gula melaka. But the star remains their signature durian pengat. If you love durians, don’t miss this. It’s one of the better durian pengat versions around – strong durian flavour, thick and fragrant.
The Drinks Selection
Coffee, tea, and teh tarik are available. The teh tarik runs very sweet, so I mix it with regular tea for balance.
Their cold sour plum drink deserves special mention. It’s refreshing and perfect for buffet dining when you tend to overeat. The tartness cleanses the palate beautifully.
Service Standards
Service feels attentive and prompt throughout. Staff quickly clear empty plates without hovering. Popular dishes like chilli crab, satay, and durian pengat get replenished very quickly when they run low.
My Personal Recommendations
After three visits, here’s what I highly recommend: mud crabs, scallops and prawns from the cold seafood section, salmon sashimi, chicken satay, durian pengat, and that sour plum drink.
As for the rest, well, like any buffet, you’ll find hits and misses. Not a big deal when you know where to focus your attention.
The Value Proposition
If you use membership or credit card promotions, this lunch buffet offers excellent value. Accor Plus members, AMEX Platinum cardholders, and OCBC/DBS/UOB cardholders enjoy 50% off the buffet price.
That works out to just $46.76 per adult after service charge and GST. For the spread and quality in a five-star hotel at this central location, that’s amazing value for money.
At full price? It’s steep. With discounts? It becomes competitive for what you get.
Final Thoughts
The Asian Market Cafe lunch buffet experience impressed me enough to become a repeat customer. The food quality, service efficiency, and variety justify the visits when you secure a good deal.
The halal certification makes it accessible for many families, while the rotating menu keeps regular diners interested. The signature items maintain consistent quality across visits.
Just make sure you’ve got a discount before booking. That’s when Asian Market Cafe lunch buffet at Fairmont Singapore truly delivers on both taste and value.