Tipsy Bunny, JEM: “I left with a newfound faith in fusion food”

Tipsy Bunny, the latest venture by the Tipsy Collective at JEM Shopping Mall, immediately strikes me as the kind of place that strives to please. From the neon signs, decorative greenery, playful slogans, right down to the trendiest of ingredients in their menu, you’re supposed to want to introduce this place to your friends before they introduce it to you.

It can be a little overwhelming with the onslaught of delicious-sounding options in their 20-over page menu, especially if you’re as ravenous as I was when I walked in. The first thing I see when I flip it open is Avocado Toast and my stomach says yasss. Alas, brunch is only available till 5pm, and we’re well into 6pm.

Tipsy Bunny’s creations range across promisingly pleasing classics to eyebrow-raising combinations that fuse the unlikeliest of cuisines together. The sound of Qi Si (Cheese) Hokkien Mee might have you wondering if the Chef was as tipsy as the eponymous bunny when he conceptualised the dishes.

Fusion can be a pretty finicky topic. It toes the delicate line between ingenuity and identity crises. Most renditions can be considered nice, though few command a second try. For that, I had my reservations as to where Tipsy Bunny would stand. 

What I tried

The Kale Rojak Salad (S$13) conjures up frightful memories of 2016 when health nuts on the Internet (and in real life!) were all about this superfood. I still remember how kale invaded my consciousness through a YouTube video. Its dry appearance matched up in taste when I tried it raw for the first time. Boy, was I Kombucha Girl without the second part of the meme.

My dining companions respond enthusiastically, however, and I am totally not peer pressured into giving it a try.

Well now, there’s my reason to concede on kale’s merits. It’s delightfully seasoned to a peanut-y fragrance, and the kale is crispy rather than abrasive.

Pizzas abound on the table, but sue me if my eyes gravitate to the sole vegetarian selection—old habits die hard. The Hazelnut Pumpkin Pizza (S$23) initially sounds like a sweet pizza, but it ingeniously capitalises on cheese and lemon vinaigrette to make it an intimidating contender for ‘Best Pizza Of The Lot’.

While the pizza toppings aren’t necessarily conventional Italian picks, it is the hand-stretched dough that you should be here for. Each pizza is hand-made in-house at Tipsy Bunny, and each boasts an airy, chewy crust that manages to be crispy at the same time. An all-rounder, I say.

The highlight of Tipsy Bunny, in my view, doesn’t come till the Qi Si (Cheese) Hokkien Mee (S$23) takes the stage. Qi si means cheese in Chinese, and this rendition of Hokkien Mee contains more character for its cheeky name than the infusion of cheddar could ever do. 

I vigorously enjoy the smoky and velvety mix of gravy that coats each strand of noodle so well.

With the Qi Si (Cheese) Hokkien Mee, I’m persuaded that Tipsy Bunny isn’t being flippant with their concept of fusion. They have it down to a measured art that evokes fun at the same time. 

Mid-meal, Tipsy Bunny begins to change my impression—they don’t seek to please only through aesthetics. The interior is undeniably attractive, though it also wobbled on being typical in my view. What gives Tipsy Bunny the necessary character is their innovative flavour combinations that extend right into the dessert menu.

A Lemon Tart With Homemade Marshmallow (S$10) smartly cuts through the brine with its own brand of richness. The citrusy tart filling brings a livening tang that reinvigorates my taste buds, while the gooey marshmallows are a hug on the tongue. 

Personally, I wouldn’t mind a bit more tangy aggression, but it’s homely enough.

Final thoughts

As with innovative cuisine complements, I’d advise you to pick your dish wisely at Tipsy Bunny. To enjoy fusion food, I find it’s more palatable to know what to expect. If you’ve been hankering for full-fledged Italian fare for a whole week, a Char Siew Pizza (S$23) during your weekend lunch just isn’t going to cut it. 

However, Tipsy Bunny’s offerings satisfy in their own right. They have the rich and full-bodied flavours that will hit the spot if you’re craving a little adventure.  

I, for one, entered Tipsy Bunny with the presumption of doubt and left with a newfound faith in fusion food. 

Expected Damage: S$12 – S$36 per pax