42 Pasta is the Answer

I love this place so much, it’s my favorite pasta joint and it always delivers a great meal. They feature a "pasta of the day," meaning there's only one option daily, so it's a bit like opening a blind box! They’re open from 12-2PM and 6-8PM, though not every day. It gets pretty busy, so check their website to lock in a reservation and definitely try to book 1 to 2 months in advance, especially for larger groups! Or you could also try to catch them right when they open if you don't have a reservation The roasted pork is wonderfully crispy yet tender, and it goes perfectly with their Waldorf salad. Pasta is phenomenal. Chef is super nice and welcoming, and you should definitely round off your meal with the cheesecake or the nama chocolate!

First visit today. Simple and cosy place. The menu is simple —salad, pasta of the day, a few appetisers and a few beverages to choose from. Perfect for people who dislike racking their brains on what to eat. Pasta of the day: Pici alla Boscaiola It was my first time trying this dish. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly small portion —it’s just right especially when paired with a beverage. You won’t feel bloated, neither will you still feel hungry. This dish is pleasant and savoury. I’d like to come back some other day to try a different pasta of the day ◡̈ Advisable to make a reservation as seating is limited. They do accept walk-ins but seating won’t be guaranteed. I walked-in today and was lucky they still had available seats left. (1 pax) Side note: • Please be patient —there’s only 1 cook and 1 server. • It’s called “Pasta of the Day” for a reason. Don’t expect to choose or try what you see on the reviews. Come with an open mind for trying new dishes. • The price here is affordable. My pasta and white coffee (perfectly warm; not scalding hot) added up to $20. • Please check their payment methods before dining in.

The yuzu vinegar drink was quite enjoyable, leaning more towards the sweet side rather than sour. We tried the pasta of the day, which came with Italian sausage and tomato sauce — it was decent, though not particularly memorable. The bruschetta was the highlight of the meal for us, while the potato and cheese bites were fairly standard. Service was excellent throughout. Be sure to make a reservation in advance, as the place seems to be consistently full.

We were nearby after sending the car in for its annual servicing, and were fortunate to get a reservation immediately. When we arrived at 1 pm, all the tables were occupied. There was only one pasta dish available - orecchiette with broccoli. The pasta was freshly made and tasty with three slivers of the vegetable. Portion-wise, it left me feeling hungry so much so that we later went to a nearby bakery to grab some buns. We also had the roasted pork with Waldorf salad. The portion could, again, have been better but tastewise it was great - we loved the meat with the mustard and also the chopped apples in the salad. The cheesecake was a sweet ending to the meal. which was just shy of $50 for two. The eatery was helmed by the youngish-looking chef and his female staff, who took care of the front of the house, and service was quite efficient.

If you’re a pasta enthusiast, 42 Pasta is the Answer may be on your radar. Note that the menu leans heavily vegetarian; the roasted pork salad does little to add substance to the pasta experience. Reservations must be made months in advance, which sets high expectations. There was only one option on the menu during my visit: the “pasta of the day,” which was eggplant casarecce — a tomato-based pasta with cherry tomatoes, basil, parmesan, and olive oil. The dish was minimal in both composition and execution. There was no protein beyond the pasta and parmesan itself, which contributed only a small amount. The eggplant did not stand out as the main flavour, and overall it felt like lightly dressed handmade pasta rather than a distinctive or skillfully executed plate. Considering the effort required to secure a reservation, it did not meet expectations and was comparable to a pasta dish I could reasonably prepare at home. Feedback: including a more substantial protein component in pasta dishes could enhance the overall experience. If the intention is to keep the dishes minimalistic, it may help to clearly indicate that they are strictly vegetarian.

"42 Pasta is the answer" is a bistro born out of Chef Zhi Han’s love for cooking, inspired by the traditions of "Pasta Grannies." The concept here is beautiful: everything is made from scratch daily with just flour, eggs, and patience. ​Our group of 6 ordered the Pasta of the Day, which happened to be Malloreddus with Sausage and Mushrooms. ​The Texture: Since they hand-roll their pasta sheets daily, the texture was fantastic. The Malloreddus was chewy and cooked to a perfect al dente—it had a great bite that you only get from fresh pasta. ​The Flavour: The sausage and mushroom sauce was rich and flavourful. Personally, I found the seasoning just right, though I should note that my mum and sister found it a tad too salty. It’s subjective, but if you prefer lighter seasoning, it's worth noting. ​Sharing Plates: ​Roasted Pork with Waldorf Salad: We ordered a large serving to share, and it was a hit. The pork had crackling crispy skin and tender meat, which paired unexpectedly well with the refreshing Waldorf salad. ​Bruschetta: A lovely starter with honey, nuts, and berries on cream cheese—very different from the usual tomato versions. ​The Drink: ​I highly recommend the Yuzu Apple Vinegar. It was refreshing and did a great job balancing out the richness of the pasta and pork. ​If you appreciate home-style cooking where respect for technique shines through, this place is the answer.

Small owner operated restaurant. Simple dishes but satisfying to eat and balanced. The handmade pasta texture was really good and bouncy. Tomato sauce was simple but tasty. But the highlight of the meal was actually the pork belly Waldorf salad (forgot to take a photo). Everything paired so well together from the crispy pork belly to tangy apples and sweet raisins in a refreshing mayo dressing and mustard on the side. Would come back, I want to try the other menu items which were out of stock.

42 Pasta is new at Thomson Plaza so pass by a few times and it’s always fully booked. I guess due to the space, operating hour (lunch 12-2pm and dinner 6-8pm) and the popularity through social media. By chance, I managed to get a seat for dinner. They have only pasta of the day and I had Malloreddus with pork and mushroom ragu on the day. I have to say the handmade pasta’s good, the taste is ok and the pork portion is quite miserable. The pasta portion is really good for small eater. Reservation is definitely a must and it’s not easy to get a reservation too. They open only on certain days so please check their Instagram page.