Singapore's well-known craft beer bar Orh Gao Taproom is set to make a return with not just a new home and refreshed look, but a different concept!

Situated just a few doors down from its original location at Serene Centre, the venue will operate as Peh Gao Coffeeshop, a modern interpretation of a coffeeshop serving breakfast and lunch. Only from 4pm onwards will the space transition into Orh Gao Taproom.

The name Orh Gao (黑狗, hēi gǒu) is a Hokkien moniker for stout beer, a term long used in coffee shops across Singapore. In contrast, Peh Gao (白狗, bái gǒu) is a spiritual opposite as coffee shop in both function and attitude.

Peh Gao will be open daily from 8am to 4pm. The breakfast menu centres on coffee shop staples, such as Kaya that is prepared in-house and gently steamed to develop a smooth, custard-like consistency before being spread over crisp toast in the Kaya Butter Toast ($2.8+), alongside other toast variations and a range of open-top sandwiches.

The Pho Ultimate (Left) and Nasi Lemak variations (Right).

The menu expands into heartier dishes from 11am onwards, including highlights such as Vietnamese Pho, available in two iterations: Pho Original ($13+) featuring generous slices of grass-fed Australian beef chuck and the typical accompaniments of fresh herbs and bean sprouts, while the Pho Ultimate ($19+) showcases a whole beef rib, braised until tender, serving as the focal point of the bowl.

Other local favorites include the Nasi Lemak Rempah Chicken ($12+), the Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang ($15+) and the return of an Orh Gao classic, the Nasi Lemak Har Cheong Gai ($12+).

Coffee (Kopi) and tea (teh) will appear in all their usual permutations. The coffee is roasted locally in small batches, using premium Indonesian Robusta beans prepared in the traditional style. 

Guests may also order from the full craft beer range during the day.

From 4pm customers can pick from a weekly rotating selection of 14 beers on tap featuring crisp lagers, IPAs, sours, stouts and seasonal releases from local and international.

The rotation also includes beers available exclusively at Orh Gao in Singapore, such as imported directly from overseas breweries not typically carried by local distributors.

The Crunchy Chicken Cartilage (Left) and Crab Fried Rice (Right).

There will also be food on the menu. Small plates include the moreish new Crunchy Chicken Cartilage ($12++), an addictive accompaniment to beer, served with hot chilli sauce, sitting alongside favourites like the Har Cheong Gai ($15++), Gao Vinegar Fries ($13++) and Tofu Dip + Wanton Chips ($11++) finished with a gentle mala drizzle.

Larger dishes, good for sharing or for one, include the Curry Mussels ($21++), cooked in sambal butter, and paired with focaccia, OG Beef Rendang ($22++) with slow-cooked Angus beef cheek, the Crab Fried Rice ($19++)  finished with hae bee hiam (dried spicy shrimp sambal) butter for added depth and the Kra Pow Mee Tai Bak ($15++) with an onsen egg for added richness.

Veggie lovers will also enjoy the Gao Gai Lan ($11++) with garlic, finished off in Shaoxing wine, and topped with almond silvers for added crunch, Cauliflower ($13++) is paired with butternut sauce and calamansi yoghurt for a bright finish, and the Burmese Potato Salad ($11++).

The relaunch will continue to ensure Orh Gao maintains a vibrant event schedule, headlined by a May anniversary brew with Rocky Ridge. Guests can also expect regular kitchen takeovers and 'Stand-Up Sundays' in partnership with East Coast Comedy.

The new venue is designed by local studio NousNous, with brand identity and signage developed with branding agency ACRE. Highlights include Glow-line elements featuring the Peh Gao and Orh Gao letters, along with their respective dog head icons.

Furniture is also custom-designed by NousNous as contemporary interpretations of kopitiam forms, crafted by Chinese carpenters using interlocking joinery. Along the corridor edge, hollow-block benches reference HDB void decks, offering casual seating for morning coffees or early evening drinks.

Tabletops developed with local brand OneWood are made from fast-growing plantation wood and feature a subtle checkered motif inspired by chessboards and mosaic tiles found in Singapore's shared public spaces.

Details throughout the space will also speak to craft and reuse. Beer tap handles are made from salvaged mahogany offcuts and fitted with hand-woven sleeves., while galvanised lamp shades by local designer Studio Juju are formed from traditional kopi pots.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team