Celebrated make-up artist and wedding organiser Fatimah Mohsin is opening her first Thai restaurant this weekend. And based on the success of concepts like Fatimah Mohsin Wedding Gallery and Propupstore, there’s a high chance it’s going to be awesome.
Called 555 Halal Thai, the 200-seater restaurant sits within Gallop Kranji Farm Resort, a countryside destination located in Kranji, the north-west region of Singapore.
From weddings to F&B
As weddings scale down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, wedding-related businesses like Fatimah Mohsin had to seek out other revenue streams to stay afloat. Together with her husband, Fatimah started planning for alternatives and subsequently landed on the F&B route.
Initially, she planned on starting a home-based business and even attended a food hygiene course, she told BERITAMediacorp. But the consummate businesswoman, who started her first business 22 years ago, decided to go big with a full-on restaurant for her first foray into F&B.
The number ‘5’ is pronounced as ‘Ha’ in Thai, so 555 is the equivalent of ‘hahaha’ the sound of laughing. Hence, with 555 Halal Thai, Fatimah hopes to evoke a sense of joy and merry-making as customers dine with family and friends.
Kampung vibes
In an interview with Berita Harian, Fatimah was attracted to the location for its serene environment that is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.
A thriving landscape of floral and fauna provides a stunning backdrop to the restaurant, while the occasional sounds of birds and crickets further add to its atmospheric vibe.
Indeed, photos and videos that emerged from a private food tasting session that Fatimah hosted recently show that the venue has a rural but scenic environs, as if it is situated somewhere in Malaysia or Thailand.
The expansive restaurant — which is able to sit 500 people if not for safe distancing rules — also doubles up as an intimate wedding venue. Great for couples who want a “destination wedding”.
Thai steamboat, UFO set, and pushcarts
There are more than 50 Thai dishes available at 555 Halal Thai, including Tom Yam, Mango Salad, Gong Gong Rebus and Thai steamboat, or Kai-kata, and UFO set which uses a two-tiered pot with a grill and a ring of soup that resembles a UFO.
Aside from that, there will also be pushcart vendors selling even more variety of food on-site.
Some of the food offered by these vendors that are handpicked by Fatimah herself include apam balik, pisang goreng, satay, laksa and nasi lemak kukus.
These classic food certainly fits the vibe of the entire place, as well as complement the Thai spread for an even hearty meal.
The restaurant will officially open on December 4 with just the pushcart vendors first, while Thai food will be available on the following Monday onwards (December 7).
Address: Gallop Kranji Farm Resort, 10 Neo Tiew Lane 2, Singapore 718813
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 1:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday: 5:00pm till late
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Top image by Haslinda Ali and BERITAMediacorp.
