Perched on a stool, cocktail in hand, waiting for a table in the blackened alleyway outside Longtime somehow only increases the anticipation of dining at this thriving pan-Asian favourite.

Once inside the hawker market-style space with long communal tables, splashes of greenery, intimate lighting and quirky Southeast Asian touches, there’s almost a party vibe, as diners get rowdy working their way through the biodynamic and organic-fuelled wine list and eclectic cocktail offering.

Helping navigate myriad beverage options are the well-versed staff, who even offer multiple tastings to make the decision process easier. They are then on hand to guide diners through the diverse menu, which spans from fluffy bao filled with soft shell crab and fresh slaw with a hot and sour sauce to pad see ew, which creatively swaps traditional flat rice noodles for chewy, Korean rice cakes in a sweet ketchup manis glaze with crisp pieces of fatty pork.

The comforting turmeric and coconut lobster curry is a signature, but it’s the pork morning glory salad and its coconut, mint, cucumber and chilli dressing balancing sweet, sour, salty and bitter with finesse that is most memorable.

Desserts take Asian influences, but the savoury options are where the true stars lie. Longtime, love you longtime.

Must-eat dish: Morning glory salad
Instagram: @Longtimerestaurant