If you’ve passed by the Serangoon Gardens area recently, chances are you’ll have heard somebody talking about Yeast Side. Hidden gems are always the ones to build a cult following without screaming for attention. No gimmicks. No aggressive advertisement strategies. Just damn good sourdough pizza and atmosphere.
I popped by the recently opened myVillage outlet with my family recently. One meal in and I could understand why people keep returning.
Yeast Side isn’t your typical pizza restaurant.
Thoughtfully designed, friendly space that strikes that delicate balance between serving good food and creating a casual and relaxed environment. Perfect for families.
Here’s what you can expect:
First Impressions: Cozy & Friendly
Right off the bat, what struck me about Yeast Side was the space.
Sporting an industrial chic decor with wooden accents, floor to ceiling windows and open kitchen, diners can see their pizzas prepared fresh upon ordering.
But perhaps what really caught me off guard?
A dedicated play area for kids.
Now dining with toddlers is always an adventure.
If there’s one thing they hate, it’s sitting still at a restaurant for prolonged periods of time.
This isn’t the biggest play area you can find. But it’s definitely big enough for your kids to have fun while you adults actually enjoy your meal.
Just that simple gesture already elevates Yeast Side above other pizza places in Singapore.
There’s also nothing stuffy about the place. Cozy enough that you can bring your friends over, casual enough for a date and chill enough to enjoy a meal with your families.
Food: Sourdough Pizzas Done Right
Let’s talk about what’s really important.
The pizzas.
Yeast Side specialises in sourdough based pizzas, and you’ll know it as soon as they serve you your pie.
Airy on the inside with a slight chewiness with a thin crisp crust on the outside. Definitely not too doughy that you feel lethargic after consuming a few slices.
Truffle Shrooms Pizza
One of my favourites.
Made with a creamy truffle sauce, Yeast Side’s Truffle Shrooms Pizza features Swiss brown mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms and of course, lashings of truffle paste to finish with fresh oregano.
The moment the pizza was placed on our table, you could smell the earthiness of the truffle. And not your typical plastic smelling truffle you find at regular restaurants.
Each mouthful was packed with that umami flavour from the mushrooms. Yet light enough from the sourdough base that you just want to reach for another slice. Even if you are already full.
Get this if you’re a fan of truffle.
881 Pizza
Topped with housemade pineapple sauce, succulent tiger prawns, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, baby asparagus, juicy tomatoes and wanton skin.
Pin pineapple on pizza? Hear me out.
The housemade pineapple sauce used actually brings out a natural sweetness that pairs really well with tiger prawns. Top that off with some wanton skin for that added crunch and texture you don’t usually get with pizza.
Doesn’t sound like it’ll go well together? Trust me, it does.
Pizza toppings are the stars of the show, but sides and drinks are just as important.
Many restaurants treat sides as an afterthought. Not Yeast Side.
Crispy Mid Wings
These were basic but well executed. Simple. Crispy. Juicy in the inside.
Safe choice if you’re looking for something that won’t disappoint.
Mentaiko Fries
Hands down addictive.
The creaminess from the mentaiko was just rich enough but not overpowering. Toss that with a generous serving of crispy fries and you have yourself a side dish you can’t stop eating.
Lychee Pandan Fizz
Gotta give a shoutout to the drinks here as well.
Lightly sweetened with a refreshingly Singaporean taste. The lychee pandan fizz has a subtle hint of pandan fragrance that separates this drink from your typical soda.
Dining with Kids
This is where Yeast Side really impressed me.
Here’s the thing about eating at restaurants with children.
It usually involves compromise.
Dine at places that are “kid-friendly” but serves mediocre food. Or opt for places with delicious food but zero tolerance for your child running around.
Yeast Side hits the nail on the head.
Not only did the existence of a play area occupy my child for more than enough time for us to enjoy our meal, but the staff were also super welcoming.
Service
Though let’s face it, having friendly staff made a world of difference for us as parents dining with our young child.
The food arrived relatively quickly despite there being a substantial crowd that day. Staff were attentive and did a great job tolerating my child.
It really felt like a team that enjoyed working there, and it showed through their customer service.
Why does Yeast Side work?
Having dined at Yeast Side for the first time, I could clearly identify a few things they just got right:
Ingredients are Quality
Hands down. You can taste it.
From the sourdough base to the freshness of the ingredients and well balanced flavours in their sauces, everything just works.
Sure they got your regular pizzas with a sourdough base. But they’re not afraid to experiment and throw unexpected ingredients into the mix.
Take their Truffle Shrooms pizza. Or even the 881 Pizza we had.
Both pizzas featured unique takes on ingredients you don’t normally find on pizzas.
Kid-friendly
I saved the best for last.
Yes having quality food is great. But not at the expense of your children running around, wreaking havoc at the restaurant.
Yeast Side understands their audience. They’ve made it possible for parents to enjoy some kid-free dining time while our children enjoy themselves at the play area.
Performance across the board was also surprisingly good. Rather than being amazing at one dish but mediocre at another, their dishes were consistently good.
Who should visit Yeast Side?
Is Yeast Side good for big groups?
Honestly, Yeast Side is for anyone looking for a good meal. If you have a really big group, you can reserve the whole restaurant as an event space too.
Meals with the family
Love bringing your loved ones out for a meal? Bring them to Yeast Side!
Casual Dates
Had a long day at work and just want to take your partner out for a chill meal? Yeast Side is your spot.
Small get togethers with friends
Throwing a dinner party with your closest friends? Take them to Yeast Side for pizza.
Pizza connoisseurs
You’re a pizza nerd and are always looking to explore the next town. Yeast Side has got you covered.
Who shouldn’t go to Yeast Side?
Like I said, Yeast Side is for pretty much anyone.
Okay please come to your senses.
If you’re expecting a Michelin starred quality of food, you’ll be disappointed.
Getting to Yeast Side @ MyVillage, Serangoon Gardens
Address: 1 Maju Ave, #01-26/27/28 My Village, Singapore 556679
Reservation: Reserve here.
Final Verdict: Is Yeast Side Worth Going?
YES. it is worth going.
In my opinion, Yeast Side has nailed three things that are notoriously difficult to get right all at once:
- Delicious food
- Casual vibe
- Kid-friendly environment.
The sourdough pizzas are amazing, the menu is unique, and everything about it just feels curated.
So Will I return?
Yes!
It’s the kind of place that becomes part of your regular rotation without you even realizing it.
Yeast Side Review: Fresh Sourdough Pizzas at Serangoon Gardens