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Ne Ne Neko Review: Affordable Japanese Cafe & Izakaya @ Paya Lebar

by - March 31, 2025

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Hey, Faithfuls! I frequent Paya Lebar often to meet friends, and every time, I walk past Ne Ne Neko, a Japanese-themed cafe that transforms into an izakaya bar at night. Located in PLQ Plaza, just outside PLQ Mall, it’s hard to miss this spot. I finally decided to drop by and see if the food lived up to its inviting exterior.

ne-ne-neko-exterior

Ne Ne Neko occupies a newly erected, box-like structure reminiscent of shipping containers, split into two sections. There’s an air-conditioned space with bar counter seating and small tables, while the larger alfresco dining area offers a naturally ventilated setup with regular dining tables.

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Though the cafe isn’t air-conditioned, the open-air design keeps it surprisingly cool, even on a sweltering afternoon.

For those working in the area, Ne Ne Neko serves up value-for-money lunch sets, which include a main dish, salad, miso soup, tea, and a light fruit dessert. Given the portion sizes and variety, it’s a solid option for an affordable meal.

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I opted for the Curry Katsu Don (S$12.90), which featured a thick and crispy chicken katsu sitting atop a bed of Japanese pearl rice, draped in a rich and umami-laden Japanese curry, then topped with an onsen egg, furikake, spring onions, and fukujinzuke, AKA Japanese pickles.

This wasn’t your typical store-bought or pre-packaged Japanese curry; it had depth, savoury notes, and a good balance of spices. The katsu was chonky and crisp, with a slight chew and meaty bite—very satisfying and definitely restaurant-quality. At this price point, I was impressed by how filling it was.

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To end the meal, I tried the Matcha Neko Mountain (S$8), a delicate white chocolate matcha mousse with a molten matcha lava core.

This dessert was sweet, creamy, and incredibly rich, but it melted quickly in the heat. If you plan to order this, I’d recommend waiting until you finish your mains before digging in.

Ne Ne Neko has an extensive menu featuring other rice bowls, Japanese sandwiches, and drinks. I already have my eye on their matcha latte for my next visit. If I worked in the area, I’d probably be here all the time—highly recommended!

Ne Ne Neko @ Paya Lebar
Address: 10 Paya Lebar Road, #01-K7, PLQ Plaza, Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: Mon-Tue 11am to 11pm, Wed-Fri 11am to 12am, Sat 10am to 12am, Sun 10am to 10pm
Telephone: +65 8839 9014

Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out my Hideout Coffee Bar review for delicious matcha lattes and coffee in Paya Lebar. Follow my Instagram @faithjoanchuaLemon8TikTok, and YouTube for more content.

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