Artisan

How to Photograph Cuppage Plaza Food Without Disturbing the Room

By Aaron Ong - June 15, 2026

The camera flash went off by mistake. It was a small, clumsy decision, but in the narrow, slightly smoky space of Kazu Sumiyaki, it felt much larger than it was. A few heads turned. The…

The Heart of the Grill: The Master Craftsmen Behind Izakayas Singapore Prides On

By Aaron Ong - May 25, 2026

When I first started photographing food in Singapore, I had a very narrow view of what Japanese dining looked like. I walked right past the smoky, loud, narrow storefronts of local izakayas. I thought they…

Where Night Settles Into the Grill: Shooting The Best Izakaya Singapore

By Aaron Ong - May 18, 2026

I have spent the last three years carrying my camera through the smoky, cramped corridors of the acclaimed “best izakaya” Singapore has. I’ve tried all of these spots, spending countless nights waiting for the perfect…

From Queue to Tray: A Continuous Frame Through Fortune Centre Singapore’s Lunch Hour

By Aaron Ong - May 11, 2026

The air inside the first floor of Fortune Centre is thick with the inviting aroma of toasted sesame and rich braised tofu. It’s just past midday, and the narrow corridors along Middle Road buzz quietly…

Fortune Centre Food: Cheap Eats That Deserve a Closer Look

By Aaron Ong - May 7, 2026

The first thing I notice about Fortune Centre is not the food. It is the light Fluorescent, flat, almost unforgiving. It settles over everything without preference. Trays of mock meat, bowls of laksa, stainless steel…

Roux Legacy: The Japanese Curry Mastery of Maruhachi Donburi & Curry

By Aaron Ong - May 4, 2026

A Kopitiam Lunch with Japanese Roots Featuring Maruhachi Donburi Curry I visited the Edgefield Plains outlet on a Tuesday around 12:30 PM. I was exhausted after a morning photo shoot and desperately needed a heavy,…

Hands That Stir Slowly: The Quiet Discipline Behind a Japanese Tonkatsu Stall in Toa Payoh

By Aaron Ong - April 24, 2026

It is 12:30 PM in Toa Payoh. The hawker centre hums with the midday rush. People balance plastic trays while scanning the aisles for empty tables. Amid the clatter of woks and shouting voices, there…

The Weight of a Broth: Following Tonkotsu Through Japanese Food, from Long Simmer to Late-Night Bowls

By Aaron Ong - April 17, 2026

I still remember the first time I sat down for a proper bowl of tonkotsu ramen. It was just past 9 PM in Tanjong Pagar. I was exhausted after a long day of shooting on…

The Evolution of Japanese Food in Singapore: From Luxury Dining to Everyday Comfort

By Aaron Ong - April 10, 2026

I was standing outside Ramen Keisuke on a humid Tuesday evening, camera resting against my hip. The queue stretched past three adjacent storefronts, a quiet line of office workers, students, and couples waiting patiently for…

Best Japanese Curry Singapore: Cozy Spots for Curry Rice and Street-Style Photos

By Aaron Ong - April 6, 2026

Walking through the vibrant alleys of Bugis with a camera slung over my shoulder, the mingling scents of roasted spices and deep-fried meats tell a story of culinary convergence. Over the years, Japanese curry has…