Lou Shang recently caught the media’s attention for its nostalgic HDB corridor vibe, sparking my curiosity to visit. I planned to drop by once the initial crowd settled, only to find that it was nearly impossible to snag a seat without arriving early—this place was consistently full house!
The team behind Lou Shang is none other than Mama Diam, and as the name suggests, Lou Shang is located just upstairs from Mama Diam, adding a cozy, layered charm to the dining experience.
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| Mama Diam & Lou Shang |
As we walked up the flight of stairs, we were greeted by a familiar sight, a nostalgic lift lobby complete with those classic letterboxes beside the notice board. It instantly brought back memories of old HDB estates. Lou Shang’s main entrance cleverly begins right at this “lift” area, setting the tone for the authentic, retro experience that awaits inside.
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| Entrance |
The dining area feels like stepping back into our era, with paneled windows lining the corridor and those iconic old-school HDB doors fitted with metal gates. The design perfectly captures the nostalgic charm of traditional HDB living spaces, making the whole experience feel warm and familiar.
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| Dining Area |
The theme beautifully captures the essence of the 80s and 90s, evoking memories of days when clothes were hung out to dry along the corridor, and you could still spot the electric and water meter readings on the walls.
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| Dining Area |
Such long, straight corridors are a rare sight these days, making the setting all the more nostalgic and special.
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| Dining Area |
Much like Mama Diam, Lou Shang’s menu isn’t fixed year-round. Instead, the dishes are thoughtfully rotated, offering a fresh and seasonal dining experience every time you visit.
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| Rotating Food Menu |
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| Food Menu of Lou Shang |
We kicked off our meal with an old-school drink， Sour Plum soda though priced for today’s era. The refreshing tartness and fizz made it the perfect thirst quencher to start the experience.
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| Sparkling Orange Sour Plum - $6 Bird Shit Oolong Lemon Tea - $5 |
The Mongolian Fried Cauliflower stood out as a unique dish. The battered cauliflower was generously coated in a savory sauce, reminiscent of salted egg yolk dishes, complete with curry leaves and cut chili adding an extra kick. It was a flavorful and satisfying twist on a familiar favorite.
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| Mongolian Fried Cauliflower 蒙古式炸花椰菜 - $12.90 |
The Emperor Spiced Cream Sauce Fettuccine was an intriguing fusion dish. The grilled chicken thigh was marinated with Chinese emperor spices, giving it a bold, slightly bitter herbal flavor. Paired with a creamy pasta tossed with caramelized onions and mushrooms, the combination felt a bit unusual herbaceous bitterness meeting rich creaminess but overall, it was an interesting and acceptable blend.
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| Emperor Spiced Cream Sauce (Fettuccine) 皇帝香料奶油酱 （意大利宽面条）- $20.90 |
We tried their Cultured Lunch Box, a 5-compartment set featuring olive vegetable minced pork pasta, fermented bean curd crispy chicken wings, tea-braised onsen egg, and cold tofu with Puning bean sauce.
A collaboration with @SGCultureboi, and with just a $5 add-on, you can pair it with their fragrant Duck Shit Oolong Lemon Tea.
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| The Cultured Lunch Box - $18.90 |
Even a trip to their washroom felt nostalgic think silver aluminium doors with a simple hook as the lock, straight out of the old-school era.
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| Toilet Door |
Before leaving, patrons are invited to pick up a nostalgic treat, a flavoured ice, fondly known as “Sng Bao”, free of charge from the freezer next to Mama Diam on Level 1.
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| Sng Bao |
Lou Shang 楼上
Location: 38 Prinsep St, #02-02, Singapore 188665
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