Zouk Group may be best known for its eponymous nightlife club, which has been the first nightlife experience for many Singaporeans, but the lifestyle group has been expanding their repertoire with entries in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. The latest addition to their budding profile of restaurants is The Plump Frenchman, a casual French dining concept aiming to offer authentic French food at an affordable price.
Opening the week of 16 June 2025, The Plump Frenchman marks another step in Zouk Group’s evolution beyond a nightlife brand into a full-fledged lifestyle brand. Occupying a space in Guocco Midtown II, the restaurant is envisioned as a go-to destination for business lunches, relaxed dinners with friends, and indulgent meals with family.
At the helm of the menu’s creation is Zouk Group’s Chief Culinary Officer, Chef Lorenz Hoja, a veteran who spent more than a decade learning under Joel Robuchon and working in restaurants across Paris, London, and Singapore. During his time as Executive Chef at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Singapore, Hoja helped the restaurant secure two Michelin stars.
“French cuisine doesn’t have to be rigid or overly refined; it should be delicious, generous, and deeply comforting,” says Hoja. “At The Plump Frenchman, we’re bringing back the joy of slow meals, shared plates, and dishes made with real heart. I’m incredibly excited to bring feel-good French food more accessible in Singapore — food that’s soulful, satisfying, and rooted in tradition.”
That ethos is central to The Plump Frenchman, which has dishes starting from just $13++. Most are designed for sharing, embracing the spirit of brasserie-style communal dining.
For those seeking a more structured meal, the restaurant also has a curated selection of set menus available from Monday to Saturday, during mealtimes. Options range from a two-course set (one main and dessert) at $25++ to a four-course one (two starters, one main, and dessert) at $47++.
La Soupe A l’Oignon (Left), Coq Au Vin & Oeuf Mollet En Rattatouille (Top), and Demi Poulet Rotisserie (Bottom). (Photos: Zouk Group)
The restaurant’s menu offers familiar starters like La Soupe A l’Oignon ($16++), the classic French onion soup known for its deep flavour. For mains, highlights include the Demi Poulet Rotisserie ($17++), a standout dish of slow-roasted chicken served with mesclun salad, sriracha, and house-made pickles; as well as the Coq Au Vin ($37++), a rich braised chicken stew cooked with red wine, mushrooms, bacon, and carrots.
“Launching The Plump Frenchman is a huge milestone for us,” says Andrew Li, CEO of Zouk Group. “As a longtime French food enthusiast myself, I’ve always dreamed of creating a place that blends all the things I love about French cuisine and brasserie culture with the energy of our Zouk brand. It’s wholesome, playful, and full of personality.”
The opening of The Plump Frenchman marks another step in Zouk Group’s efforts to grow its budding F&B profile. Following the successful reopening of beloved sandwich shop KORIO and the continued rollout of Five Guys across Singapore and Malaysia, the group is steadily extending its lifestyle brand beyond nightlife, and into the everyday of casual dining.