8 trendy sando places for the best next-level sandwiches

Equate, the coffeemakers that have always equated each cup of its coffee with art, is proud to open the doors to its first concept store at Orchard Central, bringing with it a new experiential space where coffee meets art. While good coffee is at the core of this joint’s heart (the 50s Brew, a concoction made of50% cold brew Earl Grey tea and 50% cold brew coffee topped with a decadent Earl Grey cream is a must try!), we feel their thick-cut sandos deserve a shoutout as well.

Made from house-made shokupan and sourdough bread, the cafe features a variety of flavours that customers can choose, from house-roasted reubens, chicken kimchi and truffle egg spam, dressed in house-made sauces.

181 Orchard Rd, #01-17A Orchard Central Singapore 238896

Helmed by ex-Akira Back restaurant chef, Chef Tomoyuki Kiga and one of the few female butchers in Singapore, Chef Linh, Gyu San it the new wagyu-centric Japanese butchery and sando shop at Tanjong Pagar. The only place in Singapore where you can get top-grade Japanese wagyu (we’re talking A5 grade beef that’s from the top 4% of cattle from Satsyma Gyu), these juicy wagyu sandos will melt-in-your mouth.

At Gyu San’s butchery, look forward to the largest range of over 55 premium Japanese wagyu cuts from farm to table procured directly from different prefectures of Japan, and offered exclusively over the counter. Prime selections like striploin, tenderloin and ribeye are offered alongside secondary cuts that are just as sought after like the flank, oyster blade and tri tip.

For the sandos, you have a choice of the Gyu San Katsu Sando that uses a minced patty that’s made from the house cut, or a juicy Sirlon Sando that’s made from a perfect Japanese wagyu cut. But one of the main standouts is their wagyu fat-fried chips that’s deep fried to perfection that you’ll wolf down a basket all by yourself.

7 Wallich Street, #01-03, Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884

Started by three friends with an aim to serve quality Asian comfort food, Hello Arigato serves up a menu of no-frills, wholly delicious Asian-inspired sandos. The star of the menu is their Gyu Sando ($26), which sees a hefty 160g slab of angus beef striploin cooked till it’s just pink and juicy on the inside, before it’s completed with a caramelised sweet onion jam and two slices of light-toasted Japanese milk bread.

For those seeking flavours closer to home, the Otah Sando ($20) offers a chunky slice of Muar-style otah that’s breaded and fried until its crispy and golden. The otah patty is then completed with a kaffir lime sambal and crunchy slivers of cucumber.

Other than sandwiches, there are donburi and pasta options on offer as well, but don’t be surprised if you glance around the room and realise that there’s a sando on every table.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10. While looking a little bit pricier at the outset, the generous portions more than justify to cost. Trust us when we say the sandos don’t just look pretty on the ‘gram, they taste good too.

Where: 227 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574359 and  314 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427565

https://www.helloarigato.com/

Opening in a shared space as local homeware brand Crane Living, Café Natsu is the newest addition to Joo Chiat’s bustling cafe scene. With a menu that puts a Japanese spin on Western cafe classics, Café Natsu has a small selection of sandos that will transport you back to Tokyo.

The Chicken Katsu Sando ($26) sees a juicy cut of fried chicken complimented by tangy shishito ketchup and rainbow slaw. The Egg Mayo Sando ($22) is equally tantalising, as chopped and sliced eggs are mixed with kanzuri sauce – a special fermented chili paste that’s sweet, spicy and a little acidic. Tobiko is also added to the mayo for a textural crunch and that extra yum-factor.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10. Although the sando options aren’t as extensive, each iteration packs a flavourful punch. Complete it with one of their mochi doughnuts for a sweeter weekend.

Where: 283 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427537

https://www.cafenatsu.com/

Think of Sando’s sandos as the middle ground between a Japanese sandwich and an American loaded sandwich. The Truffle Tamagoyaki Sando ($10) sees aromatic truffle sauce mixed with tamagoyaki and egg mayonnaise, while the Gooralie Tonkatsu ($14) offers up a sinful combination of panko-coated gooralie pork loin with duck fat confit onions and an umami kombu mayo.

Our pick of the moment is the Yakitori Yuzu Sando ($13), which sees yuzu-marinated grilled chicken paired with creamy smashed avocado and furikake garlic aioli before being topped with cheddar, tomatoes, and a runny egg yolk. Sinful? Sure. Worth every bite? Definitely.

Rating: 8 out of 10. The affordable prices mean that you can always get more sandos to share amongst your brunch mates and you, so you can all sample a wider variety of flavours.

Where: 483C Alexandra Road, Singapore 119976

https://www.sandosingapore.com/

It may be a cocktail bar, but the sandos here at Live Twice aren’t about to take a backseat to the tipple. The interior of Live Twice is modeled after a mid-century Japanese home, where warm wood surfaces and softly lit lamps create an atmosphere for diners to unwind.

On the sando front, the Ebi & Corn Katsu Sando ($28) stands out as a clear favourite, with chunks of prawn meat and sweet bits of corn add an umami kick to the sandwich. The oft-ordered Wagyu Katsu Sando ($44) may appear deceptively simple dressed in Japanese mayonnaise and tonkatsu sauce and offers up a messy good time.

Rating: 9 out of 10. The combination of sandos, cocktails and cinematic decor elevate the humble experience of eating a sandwich into something of an artform here.

Where: 20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834

https://livetwice.sg/

Come for the vibes and stay for the sandos. Tucked away in Chinatown is GRIDS, a cosy little cafe nook that serves up a serious egg sandwich. The Tamago Sando ($13) sees a fluffy Japanese-style omelette nestled in between two slices of toasted shokupan bread and comes with homemade pear sauce for a tangy lift that cuts through the richness of the egg.

If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, then the Tonkatsu Sando ($15) will be your best bet. A crispy pork cutlet is slathered with tonkatsu mayonnaise and shiso and comes with crispy cabbage for that extra crunch.

Rating: 8 out of 10. The sandos are straightforward, crowd-pleasing options that will have you ordering seconds. Couple them with GRIDS’ signature coffee roasts for a winning brunch combination.

Where: 200 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058749

https://grids.sg/

Spend 10 minutes scrolling through Korio’s Instagram feed and we’ll wager your appetite will be worked up by the end of it. Their approach to loaded sandwiches is decidedly more westernized, thanks to their use of sourdough or brioche loaves.

Still, they take sando-making to the next level, with their heaping portions of fillings that promise to leave you feeling completely satisfied. The Breakfast Sammy ($14) is an upgraded version of the Japanese egg sando, with an overflow of sauce gribiche – a French-style cold egg sauce similar to egg mayonnaise – with a slab of crispy spam.

For something that’s a little healthier (we use this phrase lightly), then check out Roasted Chook ($18). Between two whole-wheat sourdough bread slices, roast chicken salad and avocado offer an indulgent mouthfeel.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10. Definitely worth checking out if you love a decadent sandwich from time to time. Their doughnuts are also pretty stellar nibbles!

Where: Order online at https://korio.oddle.me/

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