Update 19 Jan 2025: Manpuku Sando has moved to BON BON COFFEE at Taste Orchard.

I’ve found my new favourite sando place and it’s Manpuku Sando at Cuppage Plaza. Run by a sole Japanese owner-chef, this humble joint is open for 4 hours daily (except Mondays) and shares its space with Dosukoi x Donpachi. 

Having visited Manpuku Sando’s sister(?) izakaya a few times and thoroughly loved it, I was excited for what was in store. And it definitely did not disappoint! 

Manpuku Sando’s interior is characteristically non-descript, with cheery pink walls contrasted by an extensive sake bottle collection and a bar with limited seating space. Be prepared to wait a fair bit if you’re visiting during peak hours. 

Manpuku Sando’s menu consists mostly of savoury sandos, with some sweet options that are good for sharing. Every sando is made to order by its chef-owner, Hokkaido-born Ayumi Sawaya, including grilling the meat and assembling its many ingredients. 

When I say Manpuku’s sandwiches are thick, they’re thicc. The bread, rustic and served with crust on, easily absorbs all the flavours, tying them together in one delicious combination. 

At $24.80, the Beko Beef Steak Sando is the most premium option, featuring seared Aussie tenderloin stacked with roasted capsicum, melted mozzarella, and fresh lettuce and basil. Cooked medium rare, the tenderloin is perfectly seared and oozes with flavour, with the capsicum and mozzarella practically melting into it. 

Another sando that was highly recommended to me was the Karijuwa Pork Ginger Sando ($18.80). Served with the same combination of vegetables as the Beko Beef Steak Sando, this delicious behemoth is also made for big eaters. Marinated with soy sauce and ginger and pan-fried, the delicate pork layers melt in your mouth. Think shabu shabu but in sando form! I thought the onion also added an element of freshness to the stack. 

For something more delicate, go for the Crichee Smoked Salmon ($19.80). With classic smoked salmon stacked with cream cheese and a medley of grated carrot, purple cabbage, asparagus, capers, and olives, this is Manpuku’s most colourful sando, as well as its lightest. Coming from the heartier beef and pork sandos, I did wish there was a bit more smoked salmon in this one.  That said, this is perfect if you’re gunning for a healthier option that doesn’t send you into a food coma. 

For dessert, Manpuku Sando’s A.C.B. Anko Cream Butter Sando ($14.80) consists of house-made anko (red bean paste), freshly whipped cream, and salted French butter. The combination of sweet, nutty, and salty flavours makes this an intriguing dessert, although I found the bread to be on the dry side here. 

Each sando is served with complimentary soup and sugar bread sticks (cleverly made with the cut crusts!) to complete the meal. You can also quench your thirst on some refreshing sodas. 

Manpuku Sando is one more gem in the Japanese food enclave that is Cuppage Plaza, with is unapologetic rusticness paired with the principle of omotenashi in its cooking and service. Come here for its value-for-money sandos! 

Address: 5 Koek Road, Cuppage Plaza, B1-23, Singapore 228796
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Nearest MRT: Somerset NS23
Opening Hours: 
Tuesday to Sunday: 11am – 3pm
Closed on Monday

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