The interiors of Singapore restaurant Jiak Kim House pay testament to the building’s history, first as a godown or warehouse and then as a popular nightclub.

Jiak Kim House takes over the heritage-listed riverfront building, which dates from the 1920s and was home to Zouk nightclub for 25 years. Local practice Dinding Design Office renovated the building, first bolstering its structure and foundations and then repairing its brickwork, plaster, and distinctive scalloped pediment.

Inside, the firm has retained the building’s soaring timber trusses, which now crown the dining room, adding drama and a sense of history to the restaurant. The dark beams contrast the neutral shades of the coconut husk walls. A grand marble bar has also been installed alongside custom rattan furniture – a nod to Singapore’s colonial past.

Jiak Kim House’s private dining room is a complete contrast to the light and airy atmosphere of the main restaurant. It is daubed in inky blue and hung with a theatrical flower-like chandelier that floats above orangey gold furniture.

Chef-partner Seow Tzi Qin is serving up modern Asian dishes with a regional focus, from a mushroom herbal ‘macchiato’ soup inspired by bubble tea to crab cakes with lemongrass, ginger flower, laksa and assam mayo; chilli crab kueh pie tee; Hokkaido scallop pao fan with seaweed butter, daikon, cordyceps, ikura and crispy rice puffs and beef tongue-to-tail – short rib, ox tongue, spiced stewed oxtail served with potatoes with grated coconut, shishito peppers and rojak salad.

5 Jiak Kim Street #01-16/17, Singapore

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