First Look: Soup Curry by Ki-setsu Brings Singapore Its First Traditional Hokkaido Soup Curry

Last Updated: September 17, 2026

Singapore’s Japanese dining scene continues to expand beyond familiar favourites, introducing diners to regional dishes that tell deeper stories about Japan’s food culture. While sushi, ramen, and Japanese curry rice have become everyday favourites, there are still many Japanese comfort foods waiting to be discovered.

One such dish is Hokkaido-style soup curry: a warmer, lighter, and more spice-driven interpretation of Japanese curry that has long been loved in Hokkaido.

Coming soon to Fortune Centre Level 4, Soup Curry by Ki-setsu aims to introduce Singapore diners to this lesser-known Japanese comfort dish, bringing what is set to be Singapore’s first traditional Hokkaido-style soup curry concept. Created by Ki-setsu Group, the team behind Sushi Masa by Ki-setsu, the upcoming restaurant will showcase its own recipe rather than a franchise model, packaged curry concept, or chain formula.

Ahead of its official opening on 8 October 2026, this first look explores what makes soup curry different, why Ki-setsu is bringing this style of Japanese curry to Singapore, and what diners can look forward to when the doors open.

A Different Kind of Japanese Curry Is Coming to Singapore

For many diners, Japanese curry brings to mind a familiar image: a thick, rich, slightly sweet curry sauce served over rice, often paired with ingredients such as chicken katsu, vegetables, or beef.

Hokkaido soup curry offers a completely different experience.

Instead of a thick curry sauce, soup curry is built around a broth-like curry base infused with spices. It is lighter in texture, more aromatic, and designed to be enjoyed almost like a comforting curry soup alongside rice.

The difference is not simply about consistency. It reflects a different approach to Japanese curry: one that focuses on fragrance, spice layers, and the natural flavours of the ingredients.

Soup Curry by Ki-setsu aims to bring this distinction to Singapore by introducing a curry style that many diners may not have experienced before. Unlike the thicker and sweeter Japanese curry rice commonly known locally, Hokkaido soup curry is described as being more soupy, aromatic, spice-led, and heartwarming.

The Story Behind Soup Curry by Ki-setsu

The arrival of Soup Curry by Ki-setsu is also part of a larger story about how Japanese cuisine continues to evolve in Singapore.

The restaurant marks the second restaurant brand by Ki-setsu Group, following Sushi Masa by Ki-setsu. While Sushi Masa focuses on a more refined omakase experience, Soup Curry by Ki-setsu explores a more casual and approachable side of Japanese dining without moving away from the group’s philosophy of care, consistency, Japanese sensibility, and respect for seasonal ingredients.

This shift is what makes the concept interesting. It is not simply about introducing another curry restaurant. Instead, it is about bringing attention to a regional Japanese dish that has its own identity, preparation style, and cultural background.

Rather than adapting an existing franchise formula, Soup Curry by Ki-setsu is built around its own recipe: creating a Singapore-based interpretation of Hokkaido soup curry with Japanese roots and Ki-setsu’s approach to quality.

A Heartwarming Bowl Built Around Soup, Rice, and Seasonal Ingredients

At the centre of the concept is a simple but carefully considered combination: soup curry, rice, and vegetables.

The signature bowls are designed around a comforting curry broth served with rice and flash-fried seasonal vegetables. Rather than treating vegetables as secondary additions, the concept places them as an important part of the overall dish.

Flash-frying helps maintain texture while bringing out colour and flavour before the vegetables are paired with the curry soup. Diners can expect options such as a vegetable bowl and chicken thigh bowl, offering different ways to experience the dish.

The spice profile is also designed to be approachable. Soup Curry by Ki-setsu will offer different spice levels, including non-spicy, normal, and extra spicy options, allowing diners to choose between a gentler comforting bowl or a more intense spice experience.

Behind the simplicity of the bowl is a process that requires patience. The curry broth is cooked for more than six hours, highlighting the time and technique involved in creating depth of flavour.

Why Hokkaido Soup Curry Deserves Attention

One of the most interesting parts of discovering a dish like soup curry is understanding how it fits into Japan’s broader food culture.

Japanese cuisine is often associated with precision, balance, and respect for ingredients. While some dishes are known worldwide, many regional comfort foods remain less familiar outside Japan.

Hokkaido soup curry represents a different side of Japanese dining: one that feels warm, casual, and deeply comforting.

It is the type of dish that fits naturally into everyday life: a bowl enjoyed on a cooler day, a satisfying lunch between activities, or a comforting meal shared with friends.

Rather than relying on heaviness, soup curry creates satisfaction through layers of flavour. The broth, spices, rice, and vegetables work together to create a meal that feels both familiar and new.

This is also where Soup Curry by Ki-setsu’s positioning becomes important. The concept is not trying to recreate Japanese curry rice as diners already know it. Instead, it introduces another chapter of Japanese curry culture.

From Soup Curry by Day to Izakaya by Night

While soup curry forms the heart of the daytime offering, the concept is designed to evolve beyond a single meal occasion.

During the day, Soup Curry by Ki-setsu focuses on comforting soup curry bowls. At night, the restaurant will develop into a casual izakaya-style space, with soup curry remaining available alongside small plates, appetisers, sashimi, Japanese drinking food, and drinks.

This creates two different experiences within the same space:

Lunch: A comforting bowl of Hokkaido-style soup curry.
Dinner: A more relaxed Japanese dining experience with soup curry, sharing dishes, and drinks.

The addition of a night-time izakaya direction allows the restaurant to become more than just a curry destination. It creates a space where diners can return for different occasions, whether they are looking for a casual meal or an evening of Japanese-inspired dining.

Looking Ahead to Soup Curry by Ki-setsu’s Opening

As Singapore continues to explore more regional Japanese cuisines, Soup Curry by Ki-setsu arrives at an interesting moment.

The upcoming opening introduces diners to a dish that may be unfamiliar, but carries a strong sense of Japanese comfort and tradition. It represents another way of experiencing curry; not through thickness or richness, but through warmth, aroma, spice, and thoughtful preparation.

Opening on 8 October 2026 at Fortune Centre Level 4, Soup Curry by Ki-setsu is set to bring a new Japanese comfort food experience to Singapore.

For those curious about exploring beyond the familiar, this upcoming Hokkaido soup curry concept offers a chance to discover a different side of Japanese cuisine, one heartwarming bowl at a time.