A Poetic Statement

At Loca Niru, refined 'Contemporary Innovative' cuisine transforms familiar ingredients into an assured, cross-cultural debut.

- BY DARIUS KANG

While engaging narratives help diners navigate the nuances of fine gastronomy, many restaurants often lose the plot when conveying those ideas onto the menu. Newcomer Loca Niru, however, delivers its story with clarity and intention.

Opened in November 2025, the restaurant is the latest addition to Gaia Lifestyle Group's stable of dining concepts which includes The Black Pearl. Loca Niru balances coherence with creativity, presenting its 'Contemporary Innovative' fine-dining concept that feels thoughtful and assured.

The restaurant is set within the storied 140-year-old House of Tan Yeok Nee. This meticulously restored property is the last remaining of Singapore's 'Four Grand Mansions' of Teochew architecture and is currently owned by the Indonesian-Chinese Karim family.

At the helm is 33-year-old executive chef Shusuke ‘Shu’ Kubota, who had stints at Domaine Les Crayeres in Champagne and, most recently, Singapore's Omakase@Stevens.

According to him, the restaurant's name Loca Niru (a romanised derivative) is derived from the Japanese phrase 'Hakuba Roka ni Iru' (白馬盧花に入る), which translates to 'a white horse stepping into a field of white reeds'. "This term is used in the context of the traditional tea ceremony and expresses harmony, unity, and the quiet blending of elements within a shared space," he explains.