Under the Lo and Behold Group, Tanjong Beach Club is a restaurant, bar and club situated at Sentosa. A cosy getaway from the city with a sea view and cool breeze.

Opened in 2010, Tanjong Beach Club is finally seeing a revamp in their food and beverage menu that are moving towards seafood-centric dishes, alongside a list of craft cocktails.

We got down to trying some of these dishes whilst enjoying the view in front of us.

The Resting Peach Face ($21) cocktail comes in a tiki-looking holder, with a sleeping face matching what the title suggests.

Instead of the usual rum-based cocktail, it is a mixture consisting of beefeater gin, vanilla and orange syrup, ginger beer, peach, lime, blood orange and cranberry sorbet, plus an garnish of fresh mint leaf. The taste of gin is stronger, overall refreshing and not so sweet.

Rum My Lemons ($21) is a concoction of Havana three year Rum, vanilla and orange syrup and yuzu lemon sorbet. It is citrusy on the palate and great for those who enjoy their drink a tad tangy. Very refreshing on a sunny day.

After taking a few sips, we were ready to indulge!

The Barbecued Octopus Salad ($24) is a visually appealing dish filled with a myriad of colours. The char-grilled octopus and leafy baby spinach is drizzled with sherry vinaigrette, pomegranate, orange slices and fried quinoa.

It is a mix of textures and great for sharing between two to four pax as the portion is huge.

Slightly unique, which is also one of  their signature dish, is the Snapper Ceviche ($23). The snapper is not cured entirely so as to create a better mouthful experience.

While the surface remains chewy, the inside is tender, liken to the texture of sashimi.

For cheese lovers, the Burrata ($21) is flown in from Italy has a firm texture with a creamy inside. Pair it along with the the crispy crostini, Jalapeno and basil salsa verde for a spicy kick.

Moving on to the mains, the Lobster Bun ($38) is a huge burger filled with Maine lobster chunks dressed in lime mayonnaise.

Each bite is velvety and creamy from the addition of the avocado pieces. It is sinfully rich and the thick cut fries makes the dish more substantial.

The Market Fresh Fish of the Day ($35) features a Seabass with a wonderfully crisps skin. It sit on top a bed of tangy tomato and pine nut salsa, which adds a refreshing zest to the fresh fish.

Another popular dish is the Orecchietta Chorizo ($33) which is a hearty portion of shell-shaped pasta with minced chorizo, hokkaido scallops and Parmigiano-Reggiano in basil and tomato sauce.

It encompasses a melange of taste that will bring comfort to the soul and tummy.

On weekends, indulge in this crowd-favourite fruity Acai Bowl ($21) which can’t go wrong with the abundance of Acai berries, raspberry, granola, Incai berry confit, blueberry, mango and toasted coconut.

The base layer reminded me of a berry smoothie, icy and chilled. Definitely worth ordering if you want to beat off the heat.

If you love banana, you should check out the Banana Coconut Tart Tatin ($16) with a layer of caramelised banana on almond crunch, topped with a vanilla ice cream. It is surprisingly not as sweet as we expected, great for those without a sweet tooth.

We were swept away by the beautifully plated Cheesecake with Strawberries ($15). The yogurt cheese mousse is light and smooth, which left us craving for more. I salivate at the mere thought of it.

The most intriguing part of the meal was when the Hollywood Punch ($23 Single, $46 Double) was served on our table. Garnering lots of  “oo’s” and “aah’s” from us.

Came served in a huge ‘boat’, it is a secret concoction of Havana three and seven year Rum, St. George’s Absinthe, cold drip coffee, coconut water, orgeat syrup, pineapple, banana. Topped with some strawberries and mint leaves.

An insane portion and a lethal potion. Best shared among drinkers alike.

Now, there is an excuse to make a trip to Tanjong Beach Club to enjoy seafood, a good brunch date, cocktails and a view of the sea. This will be your choice destination.

Expected Damage: $30 onwards

Tanjong Beach Club | 120 Sentosa Beach Walk, Singapore 098942 | Opening Hours: Tue to Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat to Sun 10AM-11PM| Website 

The post Tanjong Beach Club: Seafood-Centric Dishes And Exotic Cocktails By The Sea appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

I have to admit, as a Singaporean I’m rather protective of our local culinary landscape. I just love our local dishes the way they are, just like a simple plate of Hainanese Chicken Rice.

However, with the passing of time, our taste buds have developed and people have become more well travelled, which usually results in them having slightly pickier palettes.

As such, there have been many restaurants and hawker stalls that have tried to jazz up our local dishes by revamping them and turning them into dishes that some of us have difficulty recognising.

While we have covered 10 such dishes before, here are another 13 Zenged (Enhanced) versions of local dishes that I feel deserve special mention for doing our nation proud by continuing to push the boundaries of our local cuisine.

13. Ding Dong (Hokkaido Scallop Tartare)

With a fun-loving and playful take on Asian cuisine, Ding Dong promises you that and much more. Come down to the restaurant situated along Amoy Street to experience a culinary journey of a lifetime through modern yet nostalgic elements of Southeast Asian flavours.

Better yet, Ding Dong boasts a pretty cool cocktail menu courtesy of group bar manager, Joe Schofield, that you definitely need to check out!

The Hokkaido Scallop Tartare with coconut, pickled ginger & sea grapes ($19) is a playful spin on the traditional Peranakan dish, Kueh Pie Tee.  It features a bamboo charcoal shell filled with fresh slices of sweet Hokkaido scallops that have been mixed with a sauce made from chilli sauce, lime juice, pickled cucumbers and Japanese mayonnaise.

The dish is finished with a garnish of coconut, pickled ginger, pickled ginger flower and sea grapes to help add some brightness and contrast of textures.

Ding Dong: 115 Amoy Street, #01-02, Singapore 069935 | Tel: 65570189 | Facebook | Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am, Closed on Sunday. 

12. Loof (Bak Chor Mee Grilled Cheese)

With one of the most iconic picturesque rooftops in town, Loof is no stranger to the local bar scene and serves an array of nostalgic cocktails and creative menu offerings.

Part of the revamped menu in collaboration with Chef Bjorn Chen, the B.C.M Grilled Cheese ($18) is certainly pushing the boundaries of our local favourite. I bet you no one can resist this piece of ooey-gooey cheesy sourdough bread that has been toasted to perfection and filled with minced pork and pickles.

Don’t worry about people giving you dirty looks if you asked for a side of black vinegar to go with your sandwich.

Loof: 331 North Bridge Road, #03-07, Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop (Opposite Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade), Singapore 188720 | Tel: 63379416 | Website | Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 5pm – 1am, Fri – Sat: 5pm – 2am, Closed on Sundays. 

11. Sumo Big Prawn (Lobster Beehoon Soup)

There is a high chance that the most innovative takes on our local dishes are done by young budding chefs. The twist on our local prawn noodle soup at Sumo Big Prawn is one such example.

Started by two young hawker-preneurs, Desmond and Jeffrey, the queues at the stall are a testament to the fact that Singaporeans are open to the idea of elevating their local dishes, even if it means paying a little more.

Enticing customers with a deep orange broth made from boiling prawn shells and pork ribs, the Lobster Beehoon Soup ($24.90 or $18.90 depending on Lobster availability) is worth its weight in gold.

The generous portions of lobster, prawns and clams all add up to sweeten the broth, which was lighter as compared to what you would find at other prawn mee stalls.

My only wish is for the broth to have a more complex flavour, perhaps some heat or saltiness to contrast against the sweetness. Still, it is pretty good attempt at pushing the envelope on our iconic local dish.

Sumo Big Prawn: Blk 628, Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, Singapore 560628 | Tel: 98164514 | Facebook| Opening hours: Tues – Sun: 9.30am – 4pm, 5pm – 9pm

10. Xiao Ya Tou (Chai Tow Kway)

Labelling itself as a Naughty Modern Asian restarant, Xiao Ya Tou is aptly located at Duxton Hill which was an area known to be filled with opium dens back in the old days.

The interior of the restaurant is meant to model after the shady dens in the past and is decked out in old school prints and paintings that give off a 80s feel together with the use of red lanterns that are hung from the ceilings.

The dish I am featuring is more of a deconstructed version of our local Chai Tow Kway or carrot cake as it is more commonly known. The Chai Tow Kway ($18, Bring your own eggs and get $1 off) is a worthy contender.

Firstly, the whole concept of bringing your own eggs is such a cool idea that dates back to my parent’s era. In fact, some of the hawker stalls are still allowing you to bring your own eggs today.

The carrot cake is made in-house and fried to a crisp. It is not too oily and has a pleasant sweetness to it. My suggestion to eating this dish would be to burst the yolks for that gooey egg yolk mixture to bind the minced pork together before having it with the fried carrot cake.

Extra points to the chef for putting the chilli padi as a garnish, allowing the diner to control the amount of heat they want in the dish.

Xiao Ya Tou: 6 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089592 | Tel: 62261965 | Website | Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 10am – 11pm, Fri: 10am – 12am, Sat: 9am – 12am, Sun: 9am – 5pm

9. Rahim Muslim Food (Mee Rebus with Chicken)

With a tagline that reads, “If it doesn’t taste good, tell us. If it does, tell your friends!” you know that the Rahim Muslim Food stall takes its food seriously. Having been open since the 1960s, the recipe has been passed down from two generations with even the third generation helping out now.

If you love Mee Rebus as much as I do, you’d know that the gravy is what makes or breaks the dish. The Mee Rebus Power ($3.80) is served with the addition of kampung chicken and a chunky satay sauce that gives the dish that much more oomph.

The addition of the satay sauce gives the gravy a nice nutty flavour which I feel helps cut through the heaviness of the dish. The chicken is pretty moist and definitely makes for a more filling meal.

Rahim Muslim Food: Blk 721, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, Singapore 560721 | Tel: 97867362 | Facebook |Opening hours: Daily: 12.15pm – 8pm

8. Sunday Market (Rendang Lasagne)

Situated along a row of shophouses on Lim Tua Tow Road, Sunday Market’s menu aims to introduce dishes that are commonly found in Sunday Markets around the world but with the Asian flavours that we are familar with.

We often see rendang in many Malay or Indonesian eateries and that distinct mix of spices pairs so perfectly with the beef or mutton that it is often made with.

Sunday Market’s Rendang Lasagne ($16) is a perfect blend of Italian meets Asian flavours. The beef brisket is minced and cooked with a rempah paste that is both spicy and fragrant, before being filled into the pasta sheets.

The lasagne is thick and contains a good amount of cheese which is pretty important for a lasagne. The top layers were a little too dry for my liking, but overall it was a decent dish with interesting flavours.

Sunday Market: 22 Lim Tua Tow Road, Singapore 547772 | Tel: 62878880 | Website | Opening hours: Mon – Tues, Thurs – Fri: 11am – 11pm, Sat: 9am – 11pm, Sun: 9am – 9pm

7. A Noodle Story (Singapore Style Ramen)

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A Noodle Story lauds itself for serving “Singapore-style ramen”. A twist on the usual wonton mee, each bowl is packed with a variety of toppings such as fatty pork-belly char siew, a perfectly runny hot spring egg, HK-style pork wontons and a potato-wrapped prawn.

The Singapore-Style Ramen ($5.90/$7.20/$8.50) is prepared and cooked to perfection. Be prepared to queue though, as a 30 minute line started forming well before 11.30am.

I loved how each bowl looked, with a variety of ingredients that had a contrast of textures. The noodles are rather springy and have a nice bite to them.

A Noodle Story: 7 Maxwell Road, Amoy Street Food Centre #01-397, Singapore 069111 | Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11.15am – 2.30pm (lunch), 5.30pm – 7.30pm (dinner), Sat: 10.30am – 1.30pm, Closed on Sun & PH

6. Red Pan (Bak Chor Foie Gras Pasta)

A perfect marriage between design and food, DP Architects and local restauranteurs, The Food Explorer Group, have joined together to start Red Pan — a chic yet comfortable space that acts as a living room where ideas can be incubated and exchanged over a meal.

With a menu that focuses on “Local Fun Dining”, diners can expect to find local ingredients and familiar flavours that are creatively injected into modern dishes found here.

If you’re a lover of Bak Chor Mee (Minced pork noodles with mushrooms), you need to try the pasta version of it. The Bak Chor Foie Gras Pasta ($18) has all the elements of a typical Bak Chor Mee with the exception of the black vinegar, but we asked for some just to see how it would change the flavour profile of the dish.

The kurobuta pork belly was nicely grilled and had a good meat to fat ratio with the foie gras acting as a replacement for the pig liver that you would normally get. I totally would order this again, of course with the added dash of vinegar like how you would get it here in Singapore.

Red Pan: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, #02-03/04, Singapore 039594 | Tel: 62555850 | Website| Opening hours: Daily: 11am – 10pm (Till 11pm on Fridays). Last orders 30 mins before closing.

5. Stateland Cafe (Hainanese Chicken Rice Risotto)

Stateland Cafe has been tearing up the scenes along Bali Lane ever since they started with their take on savoury waffles. Continuing to employ the same level of creativity, the team is launching their Asian Fusion series with interesting dishes like Kimchi Carbonara and Korean Fried Chicken Waffles.

Hainanese Chicken Rice is probably one of Singapore’s iconic dishes and Stateland’s Hainanese Chicken Rice Risotto ($20 nett with a drink) has certainly done the nation proud.

Without taking too much away from it, the risotto manages to retain the essence of chicken rice by incorporating the significant flavours like the chilli sauce and the tender ginger steamed chicken. Newer elements like the fried chicken skin and xiao bai chye elevate the dish to a whole other level. It was so good that I would lick the plate clean if I could.

Stateland Cafe: 32 Bali Lane, Singapore 189868 | Tel: 92964997 | Facebook | Opening hours: Mon, Wed – Thurs & Sun: 12pm – 9.30pm, Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm

4. The Naked Finn (Hae Mee Tng)

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Promising to serve only the best quality seafood, Chef Owner Ken Loon’s obsession with shellfish, prawns in particular, has led him to open his own restaurant in Gillman Barracks. The Naked Finn serves up premium seafood that will change your opinion on paying for quality shellfish.

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The Hae Mee Tng ($25) is no doubt the priciest bowl of prawn noodles that I know of, but of course there is a perfect explanation for that.

Each and every component of this dish is well-thought out, starting with the broth which is made from three types of prawns — wild-caught blue and red shrimp, Northern prawns, and dried Sakura ebi. Each type adds a level of complexity and flavour to the dish.

Choose between beehoon or somen and have it topped off with ramen-style pork belly rounds that have a good balance of fat and meat. Take your time to savour each sip after knowing what goes on behind the scenes to make this bowl of ultimate goodness.

The Naked Finn: Blk 39, Malan Road, Gilman Barracks, Singapore 109442 | Tel: 66940807 | Website| Opening hours: Tues – Sat: 12pm – 3pm (Last order 2.30pm), 6pm – 10pm (Last order 9.30pm), Closed on Sunday & Monday

3. CreatureS (Laksa)

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A modern-day cafe set in the culturally rich area of Desker Road, CreatureS serves up East-meets-West comfort food with an Asian flair. The best part? All the dishes are prepared without MSG, with the flavours brought out from the natural ingredients.

The seating is spread over two levels, with the interior being a mix of rainforest and industrial chic that will make for nice photos.

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The CreatureS Laksa ($24) is pretty pricey but the nonya-style broth is packed full of ingredients like fresh prawns, quail eggs, fish cake, chicken and cucumber laces.

Order this if you prefer your broth to be a little more “lemak”, or if you’re sharing with a friend. Do take note that this dish is only available on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

CreatureS: 120 Desker Road, Singapore 209639 | Tel: 62916996 | Website | Opening hours: Tues – Thurs & Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm, Fri – Sat: 12pm – 11.30pm, Closed on Monday

2. Lepark (Chicken Sushi)

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Situated on the rooftop of the iconic People’s Park Complex, Lepark has been the go-to place for street tapas and craft beers while relaxing to tunes by the resident DJs or the occasional gig by guest performers.

Given that the place is owned by event organisers Getai Electronica, expect to find group yoga sessions or music events happening right at the rooftop.

While a little hard to locate, the hunt for this place is worth it as you get to experience amazing views of Chinatown along with some kick-ass tapas dishes and awesome craft beer options.

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Ordering the Poached Chicken Sushi ($8) might seem a little daunting as you do not know what to expect. Relax! I’m here to tell you that the dish manages to retain the flavours of the chicken rice that we love while presenting it in the most unique way possible.

Lepark: 1 Park Road, Level 6, People’s Park Complex, Singapore 059108 | Tel: 69085809 | Website | Opening hours: Tues – Thurs: 4pm – 11pm, Fri: 4pm – 12am, Sat: 12pm – 12am, Sun: 12pm – 11pm

1. Souperstar

With its new outlet in Tanjong Pagar Centre, Souperstar has been serving up fusion popiah flavours along with hearty soups and sandwiches to cater to the appetites of the office workers in the area. Little did I know that this is actually the hard work of two sisters, Wei Ling and Wei Ting who are the 2nd-gen owners of Fortune Food(s) Pte Ltd.

The Souperstar brand is their effort to try and make our local dishes like popiah more relatable to the younger generation by offering them a variety of flavours to choose from.

Souperstar takes popiah to the next level by transforming it into a wrap version that features well-put together Asian flavours that are very much welcomed. I got to try three of their unique flavours which include the Sesame Chicken ($3.80 per roll), Sweet Thai Chicken ($3.80 per roll) and Seafood Wasabi Mayo ($4.10).

Despite using a single layer of popiah skin, the ingredients did not fall out when picking it up. Each bite promises a refreshing crunch of flavours and textures that make for a healthy and light lunch and will get you through your day.

I must commend the sisters for their efforts in trying to roll-out (pun intended) popiah as a convenient meal option for the busy workers of the CBD while at the same time trying to spread the existence of this beloved Singaporean snack to more people in Singapore.

Souperstar: 7 Wallich Street, Tanjong Pagar Centre, #B2-31, Singapore 078884 | Website |Opening hours: Daily: 8am – 10pm

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Cajun On Wheels is a sloppy mess — a delicious mess to be precise. With the opening of this Cajun themed diner at Plaza Singapura comes a menu unique to the their new branch. Buckets of seafood and an array of sauces, some packing a punch, while others gently caress and quite literally butter your taste buds, there’s a sauce for everyone.

Skip ahead if you’re all too familiar with the cuisine synonymous with Louisiana. For the uninitiated, the rustic flavours of Cajun cuisine are bold and unpretentious — born from the mixing of French and Creole cuisines. Often an unrelenting assault on the palate, expect spice, a slew of other pungent and aromatic ingredients.

Cajun On Wheels, Is Cajun With a Spin

A Cajun-themed eatery is nothing new to the local food scene. Cajun On Wheels takes the cuisine for a spin around the local culinary scene. With seven sauces to have over your buckets and platters of seafood, expect everything from sambal tumis to Cajun herb & butter.

With the menu being just as intimidating as the portions served up, placing your order can be a daunting task. We undertook the difficult task of sifting through piles of seafood and other dishes to find what’s worth getting messy for.

Our advice is to go with a group and share a ton of seafood. Seafood bucket combo 2 (reel crabby bucket + insane shrimp $138) is probably going to be the highlight at Cajun On Wheels.

Beneath the primeval looking shell of the crab lies a bucket full of clams and the rest of the crab, soaking in its own juices and chilli egg sauce — a spin on the classic chilli crab sauce.

Getting stuck in, the crab isn’t exactly the most impressive and while the mallet provided to crack the shell got the job done, is a little impractical and messy. The clams and shrimp, however, were more worth the trouble of getting messy.

Making your way through every bucket of seafood, you’ll find chunks of corn and chicken spam fries to fill you up a little more.

The mussels stew ($21.90) was full of plump mussels cooked in a tomato sauce. I enjoyed scooping up and popping the chunks of tomato, onion, cloves of garlic and the fresh coriander down my gob, just as much as the mussels. My only critique would be the sweetness of the sauce. If dialled back, it’d take this dish up a notch.

Ocean boxes like the soft shell crab ($16.90) come with your choice of sauce and sides like sweet potato fries. For value, the soft shell crab is more bang for your buck than the bucket.

A thick juicy beef patty, thick cut onions and a whole lobster tail. Does that warrant the crusty c.o.w burger’s ($39.90) price tag? There’s no doubt that the ingredients that go into this burger are a cut above most burgers. However, it probably needed some sauce as it was a little too dry for our liking.

With sauce every which way you look at Cajun On Wheels, that shouldn’t be a problem. An impressive burger that falls slightly short of being great.

Huge Hokkaido scallops are the highlight of the creatively named nice platter ($39.90). You could split each scallop two ways and still get a mouthful. Simply seasoned, it allows the seafood to shine through.

The Cajun herb butter sauce on the side for dipping is light enough that it complements the seafood, and not mask its natural flavour. However, the angel hair pasta used slips down the greasy side.

If there was one thing we wished for while taking on the mound of seafood and the variety of sauces was something to cleanse and refresh the palate. I think anyone else who’s been to Cajun On Wheels would agree that some citrus element would have been appreciated. But, if you’re looking to pig out on seafood, give Cajun On Wheels a whirl.

Expected damage: $25-$60 per pax

Cajun On Wheels: Plaza Singapura, #03-92 (new wing), 68 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238839 | Facebook

The post Cajun On Wheels C.O.W: Get Saucy And Hot With Buckets Full Of Seafood appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Behold, one of the most ethnic cuisines you will ever find.

Authentic Indonesian cuisine uses various blends of spices that can really work wonders with even the simplest of dishes. As major ingredients, they are usually combined to induce a delightful taste that lingers after every bite. 

With so many diverse flavour renditions coming from different parts of Indonesia, you’ll be surprised to find that dishes can vary from sweet and salty to spicy and savoury depending on the cooking method. Such is the complex nature of the cuisine.

Upon scouring the island for great Indonesian fare, I found that some of them do come quite close to the real deal back in Indonesia. 

Here are some places you can go to in Singapore to savour the very best of Indonesian grub:

10. Hjh Maimunah Restaurant & Catering

Not only has Hjh Maimunah earned itself a Michelin star but it has also been helmed as one of the best Malay cum Indonesian restaurants where the food is delicious yet affordable. Established in the 90s, the establishment is still serving traditional, kampung-style cuisine, catering to many different customers till this day.

The signature Sundanese BBQ Chicken ($11 for lunch, $12 for dinner) inspired by West Javanese cuisine is simply the best. This dish boasts many great flavours from ingredients like coconut milk, galangal and kaffir lime leaves that makes it as aromatic as curry but in a grilled chicken form.

Pair this with your Nasi Padang along with other dishes such as the popular Lemak Siput ($5 for a small portion, $7 for a bigger portion) which are soft shell clams doused in coconut milk and you’re in for a treat. 

Hjh Maimunah Restaurant & Catering: 11 & 15 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199078 | Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday (7am – 8pm), Closed on Sundays | Facebook 

9. Warong Nasi Pariaman

As one of the longest-surviving Nasi Padang stalls in Singapore, Warong Nasi Pariaman is the place to go to for your Nasi Padang fix. If you haven’t had this dish before, it is basically white rice eaten with other dishes that are usually rich in flavours such as coconut oil, lemongrass and (as with any Indonesian meal), fresh chilli.

One of the great seafood offerings is the Ikan Pangang ($4.50 per pc) which is a charcoal grilled selar fish that is marinated in kicap manis and served with chunks of raw onions along with red and green chilli. Have this with lime drizzled over and a dash of sambal belado and you will be thoroughly satisfied.

Warong Nasi Pariaman, 736/738 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198704 | Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm daily | Facebook

 8. IndoChilli

Located right opposite Great World City, IndoChilli has received countless of culinary accolades since its inception. With a menu that offers a wide selection of food from across the archipelago, the servings consist mostly of Balinese Seafood and Indo-Peranakan food that is able to cater to any food preferences diners might have.

A popular pick from the menu is definitely the Nasi Goreng Seafood ($12.80) which is basically the Indonesian equivalent of fried rice. The fragrant and flavourful fried rice comes with prawns, squid and a fried egg alongside crunchy vegetables and keropok.

IndoChilli: 54 Zion Road, Singapore 247779 | Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday (11.30am – 10pm), Friday & Saturday (11.30am – 10.30pm), Sundays ( 11.30am – 10pm) | Facebook 

7. Pagi Sore Indonesian Restaurant

What started off as a humble Nasi Padang stall has since transitioned into a full-fledged Indonesian restaurant that sells Ala carte dishes that are whipped up using various cooking styles. The extensive menu features a whole range of dishes made with original recipes that have garnered a loyal following.

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Arguably one of the best dishes on the menu, the Ayam Bali ($5.80 small, $14.80 medium) is a boneless chicken thigh that is grilled until the skin is crispy before it is brushed with a kicap manis marinade for that extra bit of flavour. You can opt to have this with rice that will be served in a neatly folded banana leaf, making it more fragrant than regular steamed rice.

Pagi Sore Indonesian Restaurant: 88 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048470 | Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday (11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm), Closed on Sundays| Facebook  

6.  Riverside Indonesian BBQ 

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Serving up various Panggang sets, Riverside Indonesian BBQ is a humble stall at Plaza Singapura’s Kopitiam. Highlights on the menu include grilled items like the fish, chicken and squid combinations.

The food is of such superb quality because of the signature black sauce that is drizzled on top of every dish.

Grilled chicken can never go wrong, especially not when the Ayam Panggang set ($5.50) comes with a sweet black sauce that enhances the taste of the succulent meat even further. Together with the curry rice and a huge omelette slice, I’m sure it will be everything you wish for in a panggang meal.

The best part is the extremely affordable price tag.

Riverside Indonesian BBQ: 68 Orchard Road, #06-15/20 Plaza Singapura Kopitiam, Singapore 238839 | Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm daily | Facebook

5. Tambuah Mas Indonesian Restaurant

As one of the oldest Indonesian restaurants, Tambuah Mas brings to you a traditional home-style cuisine from Padang, Sulawesi and Java with all the basic dishes you might find there. Helmed by native Indonesian chefs, it serves up some of the most authentic dishes that have won over many customers who keep coming back even after decades.

Having tried so many versions of the traditional Indonesian egg beancurd, I have to say that their Tahu Telor ($10.50) is by far one of the best ones I’ve had. The cubed beancurd fried in crispy eggs is topped with a homemade spicy-sweet dark sauce that truly makes it a dish to die for. As a starter dish, you can’t go wrong with this.

An honourable mention would be the Sop Buntut ($6.50), a spicy oxtail soup that is stewed slowly to perfection. Unlike most oxtail soups that are typically sweet or salty, this one has a tinge of sourness to it that reminds me of the Sayur Asam Soup.

The Ayam Goreng Istimewa ($13) is another worthy contender. Cooked in the traditional Indonesian fried chicken style, it is accented with a crispy golden spice blend that you just can’t get with other chicken.

Tambuah Mas Indonesian Restaurant: The Paragon, #B1-44, 290 Orchard Road | Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm daily | Facebook

4. Cumi Bali Indonesian Restaurant

Cumi Bali is a family-run restaurant filled with an impressive menu of house specials that have drawn something of a cult following over the years. If you have not gotten the chance to try authentic Indonesian cuisine, this is a good place to start.

Some of the signature offerings that many customers order on a regular basis are the Cumi Bali ($28), a grilled sotong dish, and the Sate Madura ($7), better known as the chicken satay.  

The Cumi Bali is flame-grilled until it is smoky and topped off with a sweet black sauce that makes it even more mouth-watering. The humble satay is marinated and grilled perfectly until the meat is tender and let me tell you, it tastes wonderful with the kicap manis marinade.

Just order a few main course dishes like these and pair them with rice and you’re good to go.

Cumi Bali: 66 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088487 | Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday (11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm), Sundays (6pm – 9.30pm) | Facebook 

3. The Rice Table

With a Dutch Rijsttafel concept, The Rice Table is a restaurant where one can get the opportunity to sample a whole range of Indonesian dishes in just one sitting. Expect to be served a wide array of meat, poultry, seafood and vegetable dishes together with rice and sambal on the side in a lavish buffet style fit for a king.

This affordable all-you-can-eat lunch buffet ($17.90 per pax) comes with 14 different dishes served on a food warmer allowing diners to take their time with savouring each dish. Some must-tries includes the most popular Tahu Telor (tofu omelette), Sate Ayam (chicken satay) and Otak (grilled fishcake).

Alternatively, the dinner buffet ($29.49 per pax) is also available with a spread of 20 dishes. If you want, you can also order additional servings of the dishes from the menu.

The Rice Table: 360 Orchard Road, #02-09/10, International Building, Singapore 238869 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm daily | Facebook 

2. Ayam Penyet Ria Indonesian Restaurant

As the name suggests, Ayam Penyet Ria is an Indonesian restaurant that specialises in penyet food. I must say that this restaurant chain is pretty legit as I’ve tried the outlet that’s based in Indonesia, so rest assured that the penyet is of the same good quality.

For those who are unfamiliar with Ayam Penyet, it is basically smashed fried chicken served with rice and most importantly, sambal chilli.

After a good pounding with a wooden mallet, the crispy deep-fried chicken in the Ayam Penyet ($7.40) is made more tender for consumption. Served on a fresh pandan leaf, each portion comes with a piece of smashed chicken on top of steamed rice with a side of fried tempeh, tofu and blanched vegetables.

And of course, the ever addictive sambal belacan that I simply can’t go without. Do not hesitate to ask for more if it runs out. 

You can also opt for the boneless version of this dish and if you want something other than chicken, other penyet options such as Bakso Penyet (beef ball) and Udang Penyet (fried prawn) are available as well.

Wash down that oily goodness with a glass of Teh Botol Sosro ($1.80), an iconic Indonesian drink that I’m sure most have come across if you’ve visited Indonesia. Translating to bottled tea, it is essentially a sweetened version of jasmine tea that is usually served cold. Definitely a refreshing drink after having spicy food.

Ayam Penyet Ria: Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, #04-25/26, Singapore 238863 | Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday (11.30am – 1am), Friday – Sunday (11.30am – 3am) | Facebook 

1. Blue Bali

Blue Bali will transport you back to Bali with intricately designed furnishings in an intimate outdoor veranda, set against a scenic backdrop.

A hidden gem nestled at the back of the Law campus at NUS in Bukit Timah, you can’t get a more authentic Balinese setting than this in Singapore.

If you are looking to indulge in a feast, try the Jimbaran BBQ Seafood Platter ($90) packed with fresh seafood including a grilled snapper, a succulent cumi doused in sambal, freshly grilled mussels and king prawns together with Balinese rice and a garden salad on the side.

For a less filling meal, they have other cheaper options on their menu as well. With great food and a relaxing picturesque setting, this is definitely the place to go for a retreat.

Blue Bali: 1D Cluny Road, Singapore 259600 | Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday (4pm – 12am), Saturday & Sunday (11am-12am), Closed on Mondays | Facebook 

Related guide: Ultimate Changi Food Guide in Singapore

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Located on the 62nd floor of the 1-Altitude building, Stellar at 1-Altitude has been breaking boundaries in modern cuisine with dishes that show true respect to every seasonal ingredient.

You know you’re always in for a treat when you dine at Stellar at 1-Altitude. Be treated to a panoramical view of the Singapore skyline and settle down in the modern and classy minimalist interior that will make you feel like you’re literally on cloud-nine.

Credit – Stellar at 1-Altitude

The creative genius behind the menu that takes centre-stage at Stellar 1-Altitude is none other than Executive Chef, Christopher Miller who joined the One Rochester Group since 2009. He currently leads a team to develop menus where each dish shines through the flavours and textures of each ingredient; telling a story in the process.

The latest Constellations Gastranomic menu are in a way influenced by Chef Miller’s Australian heritage and draw on the idea of antipodes — where two points are considered antipodal to each other when connected by a straight line running across the centre of the earth.

As such ingredients for the menu are sourced from the countries that are antipodal to Australia, and will change based on seasonality of the ingredients.

Opting to go for a progressive Australian approach, diners can choose from six-course ($120++) or eight-course ($190++) tasting menus that feature the finest seasonal ingredients using progressive cooking techniques to bring out the true essence of each ingredient.

Opting to go for the eight-course tasting menu, our experience started with the first course – Homemade Vegemite with Charcoal Puff Cracker.

Made with their own yeast extract, the “Stellar” version comes with a viscous liquid black paste that is served in a mini jam jar and paired with two crispy bamboo charcoal puffed crackers that are hollow in the centre.

The paste has a subtle saltiness and bitterness that mellows out towards the end with a slight umami that comes from the nori that is added to the paste. Certainly managing to get our appetite going, I could only wish for some more bread to mop up all the goodness.

The next dish, Green Tea Mozzarella Tofu had a texture that was slightly firmer perhaps due to the infusion of mozzarella. Expect to be hit with notes of green tea before the saltiness from the mozzarella comes through.

A well-placed red shiso-leaf on top helps to add a depth of bitter sweetness to the mix.

Taking advantageof the snow crab season, the Japanese snow crab from Kyoto is made into a parfait and served alongside braised leek, cured egg yolk and grape mustard.

Biting into the snow crab parfait I was immediately hit by the distinct sweetness and freshness that are often found in Japanese snow crab.  I enjoyed the texture of the cured egg yolk which had a gummy like consistency but with the concentrated flavours of the egg.

Combined with the spiciness from the nasturtium leaf, smoky burnt flavours of the leek and tanginess from the grape mustard, the combination proved to be one that worked well for me.

Onward to probably my favourite dish of the afternoon. The Pan-fried Foie Gras served with oyster tartare, horseradish and nori butter brioche was a pairing that will stick with me for a while.

The rich buttery brioche was the perfect sponge to scoop up the creamy goodness and the infused nori really helped to amp up the level of umami in this dish.

Perfectly pan seared foie gras helps to add a certain creaminess to the oyster tartare where you can really taste the bits in them.

As part of the Constellations Autumn Gastronomic and The Antipodes menu, we were taken for a “Trip to the garden” where we were introduced to the indoor edible garden in partnership with Edible Garden City.

Chef de cuisine, Michael Di Placido introduced us to three micro herbs: micro celery, nasturtium and pea shoots which rotate every month. Part of the culinary philosophy here at Stellar is to use these edible herbs to help amplify the flavours of each ingredent in the dish.

As a palette cleanser,  we were served Nitro Poached Lemon Meringue topped with Nasturtium powder. A burst of refreshing citrus notes are complemented by a spicy kick from the nasturtium that is freezed into powder form.

The beautifully line-caught French wild skate wing or sting-ray as it is otherwise known, was a delight to savour. Unlike how we normally have our skate wing with sambal, fresh hazelnuts are shaved over the dish for a buttery nuttiness.

Strands of kohlrabi remoulade noodles, confit fingerling potatoes that had a distinct citrus aroma and capers which had a nice bite of spice in them are used to complement the skate wing.

A final touch of fried skatewing bones are used as a garnish was a nice finishing touch to really showcase the entire skatewing.

If you ever had Venison you would know that it has a distinct gaminess to it. Rather than trying to downplay it, Chef Christopher Miller embraces it and pairs the Poached Venison Loin with elements that help essentuate the flavours of the meat.

When serving the dish, a bowl is removed underneath revealing a scent of juniper that gives off a feeling of being closer to nature.

The crisp cracker with Tuilerieen crusted cocoa nibs helped add a dimension of sweetness to the venison with the burnt celeriac and pickled parsnip giving some acidity to help cut through the fat.

Part of the experience at Stellar and part of the Constellations menu is the ‘Dessert Art’ experience where Pastry Chef Jasmin Chew’s exquisite selection of desserts are plated at the table for the guests.

Each guest gets to select one dessert from the menu which is then put together as a platter and decorated at your table. I assure you that seeing this work of art come together is an experience you won’t want to miss out on.

For theatrical points, water is poured to activate the dry-ice for smoky effect. Served in a chocolate sphere, the Lichu Chocolate Parfait is chocolate mousse is mixed with bee pollen, honey grand marnier and topped off with lemon balm leaves.

A perfect pairing of bitterness from the dark chocolate is complemented by the natural sweetness from the bee pollen and leaves a minty aftertaste in the mouth.

You know that chefs have a sense of humour when you see a dish like Bacon & Eggs on the dessert menu. Breaking the translucent white sugar shell reveals sheep’s milk yogurt custard with a elderflower honey egg yolk in the centre.

Resembling a bed of hay the dill leaves are topped off with bacon soil for that extra smoky savouriness that makes for a complete breakfast experience.

Resembling a frozen garden, the White Peach dessert is served in a ice cup and filled with a sorbet made from compressed White Okayama peach and lychees for a more intense sweetness and freshness, before topping them off with berries that have been soaked in Sauternes white wine.

Overall a well-balanced dessert that was neither too sour or sweet for me, it gave me what I needed in terms of acidity and tartness which is often hard to find in plated desserts.

Similar to a baked alaska, the Crab Apple dessert is a must-order if you’re a fan of apples. Expect to find all forms of apple desserts like crab apple tartin, green apple sorbet and crab apple slices that are soaked in calvados.

It’s interesting to see a variety of apples being used to achieve a balance of textures and flavours. To counter the acidity, a sweet meringue is piped on top and finished with a blow-torch.  Simply mix it all up and enjoy the different flavours and textures of this dessert.

If desserts weren’t enough, we ended our meal with the Petit-Fours containing mint leaves and crushed peanuts wrapped in edible rice paper. A simple and refreshing breath cleanser to tie up the end of an amazing meal.

My experience at Stellar at 1-Altitude has been nothing but spectacular. Chef Christopher Miller’s new approach to approaching seasonal ingredients is respectable and gives new meaning to the whole idea of progressive Australian cuisine through the Constellations Antipodes menu.

Do make your reservations quickly to try some of the ingenious creations based off the seasonal ingredients that are available for limited periods of time.

Expected damage: six-course ($120++) or eight-course ($190++)

Stellar at 1-Altitude: Level 62, 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616 | Tel: 64380410 | Website | Facebook | Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2pm, 6.30pm – 10pm, Sat: 6pm – 10pm, Sun: 6pm – 9pm

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Do you enjoy drinking? Or is it the case that you MUST have a drink every now and then, resulting in you spending by the hundreds every week on alcoholic beverages alone?

Don’t worry, because the CHUG App will get your alcoholic cravings settled in three easy steps:

1. Download the CHUG App

2. Subscribe for only $14.90 per month

3. And start using it!

Simply click on the venue where you would like to have your drinks and head there to claim it! Some popular watering holes included in the CHUG App are The Single Cask, Mr Punch Public House, Tap Craft Beer Bar, Phat Cat Laundry and Freehouse!

Just imagine – For a whole month you get access to all those drinks and at one fixed price. Plus, there’s no minimum spending and you still get chances to be invited to exclusive events and receive first-hand information on limited promotions.

Chugging never looked so good.

The CHUG App: Website

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London’s famous Burger & Lobster has finally opened its first Asian outpost, located up in the clouds at Resorts World Genting, Malaysia — sweet (juicy and meaty) dreams are made of this.

In a small Irish pub in Mayfair, the first Burger & Lobster was born in 2011.

The legendary restaurant has an extensive menu of three items: Lobster, Burger and Lobster Roll.

Burger & Lobster’s vision and concept? To set up a restaurant where the focus was perfecting the craft of just two main ingredients (pretty obvious what they are from the namesake). They are arguably the kings of cooking lobster, assembling a mean burger and rolls that are chock full of plump lobster.

The restaurant has opened it’s doors on 23 Dec 2016, with prices starting from RM 65.

Burger & Lobster Resorts World Genting: Sky Avenue Level 1 Pahang Darul Marmur Malaysia, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia | Tel: +60 3 6105 9186 | Opening: 12pm – 1-pm Daily | Facebook

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Kopi gu you and cigarettes

Hell-bent on change and progress, restaurants and cafes buck to trends — or attempt to set them. Heap Seng Leong coffeeshop, however, has done nothing. Yet its lack of change for what has probably been decades, is what makes it stand out. Sticking true to what traditional coffee would taste like.

Would you remember how to use an abacus?

Tucked away in an ageing neighbourhood, a short walk from Lavander MRT station, you’ll find this regular haunt for uncles and office workers in the area. As for us, we’re just a couple of millennials keeping the balance between old and new.

While the uncles have cigarettes, kopi in all its varieties, beer and stout to lounge the afternoon away, office workers pop by for afternoon pick-me-ups. The dimly lit coffeeshop has strange way of luring you in.

Local coffee art.

Heap Seng Leong didn’t invent kopi gu you (butter coffee $1.10). All you’d need is a good sized slab of butter into a piping hot cup of kopi and you’ve got yourself kopi gu you. As the butter melts it forms a yellow marble-like layer that’s the cheapest and most effortless “latte art” you’ll lay your eyes on.

Kopi gu you is smooth and silky. Like a good cup of kopi but a notch creamier. However, kopi o kosong ($0.90) here is just good and it’s probably one of the better cups you’ll get in town. The congregation of weathered-looking regulars are testament to that. Simply because I couldn’t imagine spending hours at a coffeeshop with a weak brew, not if you’ve lived as long as one of these tough guys.

Coffee passed through a sock is all you’ll ever need.

Old is gold.

We didn’t get the inside scoop on some special brewing method or blend that’s used here. However, glowing in the corner of Heap Seng Leong is a charcoal stove, its embers keep the coffee toasty and in my opinion makes it better.

The aroma of slightly burnt toast fills the air at Heap Seng Leong. It’s almost tranquil within the dark interior, while the occasional exchange of words for orders are accompanied by the sound of scraping burnt bits off toast.

All under $5.

Kaya toast ($1.20) is simplicity at its best, slices of soft white cotton-like bread from local bakers are toasted to imperfection. Slathered with kaya before laying down pieces of butter in-between two slices of perfectly imperfect toast, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Accompanied by two soft boiled eggs ($1), it’s nostalgia you can eat.

Popping by in the afternoon, we didn’t have the chance to order from the Malay food stall within Heap Seng Leong, but, for the early birds, you can look forward to curry puff ($1) and nasi lemak ($3).

Kick back with the OGs of Singapore.

Heap Seng Leong coffeeshop is shelter from the storm of change and modernity. It’s a step back in time, where you can come to sip on coffee, enjoy simple flavours, and talk for hours over all that and the odd bottle of stout.

Expected damage: $2 – $10

Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop, 10 N Bridge Rd, #01-5109, Singapore 190010 | Opening hours: 4am-8pm

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TaiSeng isn’t the first place that pops to mind when I think of steamboat, but The Flame Cafe has been making its rounds in the steamboat scene recently. It’s less than a five minute walk from the MRT station and with ample basement parking lots available as well, you shouldn’t have a problem getting here.

Newly opened, the spacious interior is inviting and warm with minimalist industrial chic decor. Besides being a cafe, the space also serves as a great venue for events, with catering provided.

As with any other cafe, expect a variety of coffees and drinks on the menu. Do take note though that alcohol, like their range of craft beers, are only served after 3pm. The Flame Cafe opens till late so you could definitely come for a drink after work.

The Flame Cafe aims to serve restaurant quality Western-fusion cuisine at cafe prices. The menu is pretty extensive and it’s obvious why this seems to be the go to place in the area for the working crowd during their lunch break.

If you have more time to spare though, you must get the family together and try the popular 4-Tier Cheesy Hotpot & BBQ Pagoda Steamboat (only served after 3pm).

Start by choosing from a selection of combos like the Seafood & Meat Combo ($48.90) which would probably be good to share among two to three people.

A platter of *takes deep breath* sotong, mussels, clams, tiger prawns, mud crab, sliced salmon, chicken fillet, cheese hotdogs and chicken wings arrived ready to be steamed, boiled or grilled.

You could also just go for the Meat Combo ($42.90), which would include all the meats mentioned previously, as well as sliced beef and sliced mutton.

I would recommended ordering the Sides ($15) for a more complete steamboat meal. You could also add $8 to get the Mushroom Set, Meatball Set or Seafood Set (subject to availability) if your group is feeling extra hungry.

The whole set up looks pretty impressive and it truly comes with FOUR tiers. A whole new level of multi-tasking if you ask me.

The top tier is a steamer, and one of the most effective ones I’ve ever encountered. You can literally steam seafood and vegetables in minutes! We tried steaming the sliced salmon for one minute, and even without any sauce or marinade, it tasted awesome.

Cheese fondue or melted cheese seems to be a food trend that’s been gaining popularity recently, and the second tier of the pagoda steamboat has jumped on the bandwagon, featuring a cheese dip. Think nacho-type cheese that actually goes really well with the cooked meats.

Try grilling the chicken then dipping it in the cheese sauce, mmmm. Cheese top up is free! So go crazy with slathering everything with it.

The third and fourth tier are the very necessary components of a good steamboat – BBQ Hotplate and Soup Bases. Grill the meats and seafood in butter on the hotplate and don’t forget to make sure the chicken wings are cooked all the way through!

As for the soup part of the steamboat, get the Yuan Yang Soup Base ($10.90) of Clear Chicken Soup and Mala Soup. Other soup base options include the Herbal Tonic Soup ($9.90) and the Tom Yum Soup ($8.90).

Soup top up is included in the price, so don’t worry about overfilling the soup with lots of ingredients.

The Flame Cafe may be gaining popularity for the Pagoda Steamboat, but it actually also serves a pretty decent selection of Western and fusion dishes as well. The experienced head chef prides himself in ensuring that everything is homemade and are of top quality ingredients.

A must-try from the selection of appetisers is the Buttermilk Fried Frog Legs ($10). I wouldn’t have pegged frog legs as something I would like fried in buttermilk, but it really works and tasted like a yummy fried chicken wing.

If you’re looking for a satisfying main for lunch, I would highly recommend the Duck Leg Confit ($22.90) which comes served with braised red cabbage and potatoes. It was my favourite dish from the Ala carte menu and it’s rare to find duck confit that’s crispy on the outside and still very juicy on the inside.

If you’re after a classic Western option instead, perhaps try the Fish and Chips ($14.90) which features a sizeable fillet of Pacific dory fish.

A flavourful fusion dish to try would be the Lemongrass Marinated Chicken ($12.90), which comes with black pepper sauce and crunchy vegetables that I very much enjoyed.

I love having pasta for lunch and for a different take on a local favourite, try the Laksa Pasta ($12.90). The homemade fish cakes and laksa paste were combined aglio olio style and made for very interesting flavours.

The Flame Cafe also recognises the importance of serving balanced meals and there are many healthier options and vegetarian options also available on the menu.

The next time you’re in the East and looking for somewhere new to try, grab a few friends and head to The Flame Cafe to experience the hype of the 4-Tier Cheesy Hotpot & BBQ Pagoda Steamboat. That may be what gets you there, but the extensive menu and friendly staff will keep you coming back for more.

Expected Damage: $10 – $30 per person

The Flame Cafe: Level 1 Centro Bianco Building, 73 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534818 | Opening Hours | Tel: +65 6288 6346 | Website

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Move aside baked cheese tarts, and make way for the latest cheesy treat: the two-layered double Fromage cheesecake from popular dessert chain LeTAO, straight out of Hokkaido, Japan. With overseas branches already established in other countries such as Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul, we’re lucky that Singapore is their next venture.

Now tourists don’t have to fly all the way to Japan to try their much coveted cheesecakes, as they have recently launched a takeaway kiosk right here, at basement 1 of ION Orchard.

Being the best-selling cheesecake brand, it is no secret that their delicate cheesecakes are made of the finest ingredients. To achieve a velvety texture, the two-layered cheesecake is made with fresh cream, wheat and eggs; all of which, comes from Hokkaido.

The mascarpone used is also notably rich and milky due to the fact that it is sourced from the Lombardy region in North Italy.

LeTAO’s signature is the Double Fromage ($28 for 12cm cake) which, comprises of a no-bake cheesecake on top and a baked cheesecake at the bottom, topped with castella cake crumbs that add a whole new dimension to the creamy dessert.

The upper layer has a silky smooth cream cheese-like texture, whereas, the lower half boasts a rich and fulfilling castella cake. Combine them together and you have the perfect cheesecake. 

With the choice of either frozen or chilled, all their cakes are freshly made in Hokkaido before being air-flown to Singapore.

Packaged in a circular bamboo box, the cake itself is wrapped up in a sheet, much like barrels of cheese. As soon as I unwrapped it, I could smell the cheese wafting through my nostrils.

Do not underestimate the appearance of the small cheesecake. Although it might look like unassuming, it’s taste says otherwise. Fluffy and light on the palate, I shared this with one other person and found that we were able to polish it off in just a single sitting!

The pairing of the light top portion with the dense bottom was simply delectable. The cream cheese melts the second you put it in your mouth; it was almost as if I was eating an ice cream with a cheesecake base.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Chocolat Double Cake ($28 for 12cm cake), which marries off the combination of chocolate cake and Fromage cheese. If you are a chocolate lover, definitely go for this option.

I couldn’t resist trying their Otaru Rue Ironai Fromage (9 pieces for $10, 18 pieces for $19), as well. 

Boxed in yellow packets, these cheese cookies were thin and crisp, housing a decadent and creamy cheese filling inside. I also tasted hints of white chocolate that served to up the sweet factor of the cookies.

If you find the cheesecake to be too heavy for you, this is the perfect alternative. The sweet and cheesy finish of the cookies is guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest of dessert connoisseurs.

Aside from their cheesecake, they also have other desserts on display over the counter including, mascarpone creme brulee tarts and a wide selection of chocolates and cookies. Pop by their kiosk if you happen to be in the town area and perhaps take away some desserts to share with your friends and family.

Expected damage: $10 -$28

Address: LeTAO Singapore, ION Orchard, B1-K7, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801 | Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm daily | Tel: 8799 3551 | Facebook

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Calling all Tapas lovers! If you’re looking for a modern Spanish restaurant that specialises in contemporary cuisine, Esquina is your best bet. If you’ve been here before, you would probably agree with me when I say that the mixture of Spanish and Catalan flavours brought out by their tapas are the very definition of love at first bite. 

In conjunction with their 5th anniversary, the culinary team at Esquina has put together a special 5-course tasting menu, showcasing hit creations by Chef Carlos Montobbio from the restaurant’s a la carte menu. With a scrumptious selection of tapas, guests can indulge in the full experience of Esquina’s culinary best.

Hidden along Jiak Chuan street, this charming two-storey restaurant features an open kitchen and 16-seater bar counter on the ground floor.

Guests who choose to sit by the bar are in for a real treat as they get to watch the chefs as they prepare and garnish the dishes before serving them. 

For those who prefer not to sit near the fumes of the open kitchen, head up to the second floor which offers a more tranquil setting. With an equally quaint style, this would be the perfect space for larger gatherings and family meals. 

As a snack to start, we had the Spanish Nigiri which has a rich Mediterranean flavour and a Japanese flair in the presentation. Resembling sushi, a strip of roasted bell pepper is draped over an emulsion of salted cod and velvety potatoes that are infused with olive oil. The creamy and soft texture of the nigiri immediately won me over. 

Another alternative for a snack is the fresh Tsarskaya Oyster with salmon roe. Unlike the conventional oyster, it has a Japanese inspired flavour that comes from the jalapeno ponzu and pickled ginger flower. Compared to the Irish oyster, it is notably creamier and not as sweet on the palate. 

Following that, we had the Chorizo Croqueta topped with a sweet piquillo pepper that is roasted and blended with mayonnaise. Have it while it’s still piping hot and the combination of the crunchy exterior coupled with the chorizo filling that oozes in your mouth will simply blow your mind. 

Even if you’re not fond of greens, you might actually change your mind when you sample the Grilled Sucrine Lettuce. Charred to perfection, the sweet tasting lettuce produces a smoky hit that is perfect when dipped in the herb yoghurt and cider vinegar glaze. To add an extra crunch, macadamia nuts are served to accompany the dish.

One of my personal favourites would have to be the Grilled Spanish Octopus. The thick octopus tentacle was grilled such that it retained a chewy texture and a delicious charred flavour. Accompanied by Jerusalem artichoke puree, burnt onions and bacon oil, you can really taste the distinct flavours of each ingredient. 

Served on a heated plate, the Braised Beef & Pork Cannelloni was a great dish to end the savoury segment of the tasting menu. Comprising foie gras, cepes bechamel and black truffle, the strong flavours really do spread throughout your mouth as you savour the dish. 

The “BBC” is honestly one of the best desserts we’ve had the pleasure of tasting. The combination of beer ice cream served on a bed of banana textures and drizzled in a warm caramel sauce is truly amazing.

Everything went so well together- from the sweet caramel sauce to the mushy banana bits and the slight bitterness of the stout that lingers in your mouth from the beer ice cream. 

Last but not least, we had what they simply call Bread, which is essentially chocolate served on a thin slice of crisp bread that has been doused in olive oil and sea salt. The unusual sweet and salty combination made for a simple yet satisfying end to the meal. 

Known for strong flavours and sophisticated food platings, Esquina is certainly a tapas bar that is guaranteed to leave you feeling content. Not only is the tapas unique to the restaurant but the dishes are also filled with gastronomic creativity that extends beyond traditional Spanish cuisine.

Do bear in mind that this tasting menu is only available until the 31st of January 2017 (Mondays to Thursdays). So clear your calendars and pop by the restaurant to treat yourself to this sensational culinary experience.

After that, the seasonal menu might be subject to change depending on the market availability of the fresh produce that they use.

Expected damage: $55++ per pax

Esquina: 16 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089267 | Opening Hours: Monday (6pm – 10.30pm), Tuesday – Friday (12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm), Saturday (6pm – 10.30pm), Closed on Sundays | Tel: +65 6222 1616 | Website

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I was contemplating penning this down…but I shan’t be selfish, and will let the cat out of the bag and lead you through the inconspicuous walkway to the secretive drinking hole.

Heard of The Refinery at 115 King George’s Avenue? Little Bastard is located right above it. And the entrance is at the back of The Refinery.

If you are sharp, you would spot the tiny faint black words ‘WARNING Little Bastard Spotted Nearby’.

A few steps down and you come to a door named ‘115’. Enter at your risk. Just kidding.

Walk up a flight of stairs and you come to a doorway with the words ‘What Happens Behind This Door Stays Behind This Door’. This is where everything begins…

Some house rules first. The whole point is really just drinking all you can, don’t be a paparazzi and beware of couples making out. That’s easy peasy lah.

Enter the dimly lit bar and you get menus like this. Like WTF?? Yea, WTF acronym for “Where’s The Food”. heh.

Let’s start with desserts first.

Cheng Teng Gao ($18) is really a potent cocktail disguised in the form of an unassuming bowl of dessert. From its appearance, you’d think that it is made with typical Cheng Teng ingredients like pearl barley, white fungus, red dates, dried longan and gingko nuts.

Here’s the catch, the sweet soup was spiked with brandy so this was a good way of getting your lover drunk, unknowingly. I should probably get my hands on more of these.

Some more boozes to go along. The names of the cocktails are so quirky. We had Mee Siam ($22) made of Hendricks Gin and homemade lemongrass syrup with a dash of red and green chilli. One slurp, and I could feel the base of my throat turning numb from the heat of the chilli. It was so shiok! Word of caution: You would get high from this.

Have a glass of Smokey Bastard ($24) with Laphroaig 10 years and Buffalo Trace Bourbon sous vide with preserved plum. The taste of the sour plum is strong while the drink remains smooth and easy to drink.

For starters, our local favourite Chwee Kueh decides to go on a makeover and becomes Swee Kueh ($12). There were three tofu medallions topped with crispy chilli oil, salted bean soy and wild puff rice. The toppings were a good rendition to the usual Chye Poh (preserved vegetables), savoury and tasty against the plain tofu.

Another very interesting dish is the Little Bastard Beef Tartare ($20) that came serve with about 150g of Wagyu Shoulder Tendon served Kou Shui Style. It was mixed with spicy Sichuan seasoning which created the charred-looking texture in the dish. But, don’t be deceived by its black appearance!

The beef tartare was tender and very flavourful. Paired with the toasted bread and pickled vegetables that came alongside with it, this dish won us over.

Since we are here together, let’s make this a one night affair. I mean… the One Night in Tom Yum ($20) should be on your list. Ever tried cold Tom Yum before?

You’ll get a bottle of cold Tom Yum consomme to be poured into a bowl of cold Japanese Inaniwa Udon filled with crab meat. The broth is light with a spicy punch to it. Our only complain? More soup for the noodles please!

As the night continued, we had our last dish, the Duck Confit Penyet ($20). The duck confit had a very crispy skin covered underneath a generous scoop of homemade sambal and kecap manis. It was a good marriage of sweetness and spiciness from both sauces which worked really well with the tender duck meat.

End off your night on a sweet note with a glass of Not your average Chendol ($22). 

The perfect Chendol drink for Chendol lovers (duhs), topped with everything that a good bowl of Chendol needs. Though infused with Jagermeister, the taste of the liquor is rather light and you get to enjoy the dessert in its originality.

If we have to choose which dishes we enjoyed the most, it will be a tough one to answer. But I’d say, just go with an open mind and try the Thai-Chinese fusion dishes and exotic cocktails. You’ll never know which one you may fall in love with.

Expected Damage: $50 onwards

Little Bastard : 115 King George’s Avenue, Singapore 208561 | Tel: 8459 9893 | Website | Opening Hours: Tue to Sat 6PM-12AM, Closed on Sat and Mon

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It’s crazy how 2016 is coming to an end – in a blink of an eye we’re ushering in a new year and starting again on a clean slate. Or clean plates rather, for us at Sethlui.com and we can’t think of a better way than to start the year with loads of feasting!

But before we enter 2017 with great anticipation, let’s recall some of the best invited tastings that the team has been to and been spoilt silly by. We can only pray that the PR reps and F&B establishments will be ever so kind to us again in the coming year.

To us, each tasting is like taking up a new assignment or project in the corporate world. If you find any of us returning to the office, going on excitedly about a tasting, you’d know for sure that it’s a guaranteed superb dining experience. Here my friends, are the top few that garnered such rave.

10. O Boeuf A 6 Pattes

Nestled in Park West Condo, just two bus stops from Clementi MRT, it was refreshing to find a restaurant serving French food in such a relaxed and friendly environment.

The restaurant name may be in French, but it’s pretty clear from the logo that beef is the name of the game here. When you’re there, we suggest you get the premium Grilled Wagyu Beef Cote De Boeuf ($15/100g), which is just the right thing to order for two very hungry people.

It will range from 800g – 1.2kg a portion depending on how many people are sharing, so make sure your kakis are beef lovers. We can’t wait to head back in 2017!

Read more: O Boeuf A 6 Pattes: Hearty French Food In The Heart Of Clementi

9. Zott’s

If you’ve ever wanted to try authentic Alpine cuisine, Zott’s is the place to go. You’ll find the restaurant set in a colonial-style shophouse along Amoy street, providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere to dine in, and it also doubles as an art gallery.

Our personal favourite was the Pulpo, which was preserved for a good amount of time to retain the great taste. The octopus was tender and soft, requiring very little jaw work. Served with San Daniele ham, cauliflower puree with carrot bits, and fig in a gelatinous jelly form, the amalgamation of flavours truly came together for this dish.

Definitely a place to try for a flavour explosion on the palate.

Read more: ZOTT’S: Finest Alpine Cuisine In The Heart Of Singapore

8. Ninja Cut

Remember Ninja Bowl? Well, founder Darren Wee is back with another addition to the Ninja brand. With healthier balanced meals and more unique options to choose from, the menu at Ninja Cut includes must-try dishes like Gimme Chimi Chicken ($14), What’s Your Beef? ($18), and Polenta Mash ($18).

The Squid Fix ($18) features a whole grilled Surume Ika brushed with unagi sauce, which made for the most sweet-tasting combination ever. Each sliced squid ring was tender and chewy, complementing the side of sautéed mushrooms and greens including miso cucumber and honey-glazed carrots.

Combined with spoonfuls of the furikake and onsen egg, this made for a very palatable meal that kept us talking about it days after.

Read more: Ninja Cut: Wholesome Japanese-Inspired Bowls That Fill You Up

7. Alter Ego

You might remember the whirlwind of a poke storm that A Poke Theory caused in the food scene with their irresistible poke bowl flavours and healthy add-on ingredients. The brother-sister duo behind the success story quickly embarked on their second food concept and this time, they embraced the darker side of food.

You’ll still find the famous poke bowls on the menu in the day and sold till 8.30pm, but we’re still dreaming about the Grilled Cheese ($11) which was 100% worth every single calorie. Toasted to perfection and served with a homemade tomato dip, the marriage of melted gruyere and taleggio cheese was UNREAL.

Definitely go for the $3 upgrade to add braised beef short rib filling (you won’t regret it).

Read more: Alter Ego: A Poke Theory’s Evil Twin Welcomes You To The Darker Side Of Food

6. Seafood Paradise

If you were wondering, Seafood Paradise from Defu Lane shifted to Level 2 of The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands this year, offering new food items and old classics on the menu that will guarantee a second visit.

Our favourite was the 斯里兰卡肉蟹炒米粉 Wok-fried Bee Hoon with Sri Lankan Crab (Seasonal Price), with the bee hoon entirely infused in the natural sweetness of the crab’s essence. The Sri Lankan crab (pictured above) weighed around 800g and was sold at $7 – $8 per 100 grams (seasonal). Get your family together and don’t miss out on this in the new year!

Read more: Seafood Paradise Reopens at MBS With Old-Time Favourites And New Dishes

5. Esquina

In conjunction with their 5th anniversary, the culinary team at Esquina has put out a special 5-course tasting menu, showcasing hit creations by Chef Carlos Montobbio from the restaurant’s a la carte menu. We were (very luckily) recently treated to a scrumptious selection of tapas, featuring Esquina’s culinary best.

While we enjoyed everything they had to offer, we all agreed that the  “BBC” (pictured) was most worth mentioning. The combination of beer ice cream served on a bed of banana textures and drizzled in a warm caramel sauce was truly amazing. Everything went so well together- from the sweet caramel sauce to the mushy banana bits and the slight bitterness of the stout that lingers in your mouth from the beer ice cream.

The 5-course tasting menu will continue only till the 31st of January 2017, but we’re sure we’ll be coming back for everything else on the menu long after.

Read more here: http://sethlui.com/esquina-5-course-anniversary-menu-modern-spanish-tapas-limited-time/

4. Man Man by Teppei

After all the craze about chirashi and tendon, it was finally time for unagi to take centre stage when Man Man first opened its doors in the late quarter of 2016. The unagi speciality restaurant is located in the heart of Chinatown with a relatively small seating capacity. A word of caution: Big groups of six or more might find themselves waiting slightly longer in line.

Large tanks held the live eels at the front of the shop, which had been imported from the Mikawa Isshiki region known for supplying the best freshwater eel in Japan. Like in Japan, the eels were actually being cut up and gutted before our eyes, which was indeed an eye-opening (heh) experience only for the bravest of hearts.

Our favourite was the Hitsumabushi ($26.90++) that came with a generous portion of unagi and fresh wasabi root served on the side, providing a nice spicy kick that was refreshing to the palate. Oh, and don’t miss out on ordering eel liver, which was definitely something to rave about too.

Read more: Man Man by Teppei: Singapore’s First Unagi Specialty Restaurant, that’s eel-ectrify-ingly delicious!

3. The Kitchen at Bacchanalia

The Kitchen at Bacchanalia is a newly re-branded concept by Head Chef Ivan Brehm that launched in early 2016, where diners can enjoy a hearty meal in the heart of the bustling restaurant’s kitchen.

Focusing on keeping things simple and emphasising on a communal dining concept, the restaurant offers a 36-seater space, which spans across the front and back of the kitchen for a more intimate and homely dining experience. Most ingredients used are locally sourced, with greens and herbs being freshly plucked from their very own roof top garden, or brought in from Cameron Highlands ensuring a gastronomical treat.

The highlight of our tasting was the Bafun Uni, served with chocolate buckwheat pasta, basil vierge and egg yolk underneath. Chef Ivan explained that cocoa powder is added for its texture—the powder dries out your mouth, which helps to enhance the creaminess of the dish when you take a second bite. 

You can choose from Bacchanalia’s three-, five- and seven-course menus, which range from $75++, $125++, and $165++, respectively. Specially concocted cocktails, artisanal spirits, and wine pairings start from $95++ and trust us when we say that it’d be a shame to miss them.

Read more: Bacchanalia: Wine & Dine In The Heart Of A Restaurant’s Kitchen

2. Fat Cow

27th to 29th October 2016 was when the Head Chef of Ginza Tochigi Chalte restaurant in Tokyo took over the reigns at the kitchens in Fat Cow Singapore, and we were extremely honoured to be invited for a tasting.

The main event was more than worth the wait. Glistening slices of Tochigi wagyu were served with three different accompaniments, each meant to bring a different flavour to the beef. The wafu sauce is a popular dressing in Japan and this was probably our favourite since the combination simply melted in our mouths and highlighted the natural flavour of the wagyu.

This special dining experience might be over, but the popular Japanese steakhouse continues to serve an exquisite range of raw, cold and hot starters and is also well-known for their omakase experience. Fans of steak HAVE to make this a dining destination in 2017.

Read more: Fat Cow: Taste The Best Of Tochigi With Guest Chef Seiichi Shinbo From 27th – 29th Oct

1. Lewin Terrace

Lewin Terrace is known for changing its menu according to the seasons and we had the WAKON YOSAI “和魂洋才”, a Summer menu specially crafted by Chef Matsumoto that was available till August 2016.

The Nippon Rossini (summer version) consisted of Kagoshima Wagyu steak, foie gras terrine, Japanese mushroom paste and truffle. Served with black rice, Japanese lily root, shiitake, madera and oyster sauce, the dish leant towards being heavier and headier in flavour.

The steak – soft, fatty, and tender, fused magically with the mushroom paste and the strong heavy flavours of the foie gras terrine. What piqued our interest was the contrasts in temperature in this dish: the foie gras terrine was served cold while the steak was warm, making for a great combination of textures.

That night, we left the place absolutely satisfied. We’re probably biased, but we agreed unanimously that it was the best tasting yet!

Read more: Lewin Terrace: Marvelous French-Japanese Dining Experience In A Colonial House

The post 2016 Round Up: 10 Best Invited Tastings Of The Year That Got Us Raving appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

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2016 has been a pretty weird year but it’s also given us some wonderfully weird fruits like a square watermelon, bubbleberries and now… a pink pineapple.

Some facts to begin: A Square Watermelon is actually a real watermelon shaped into a square… duh. But before you start thinking that the people behind this creation are geniuses, think twice.

The trick is that when the fruit is still growing, simply put it into a square container until it is fully grown. And ta-da! Square. Watermelon.

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Okay, so maybe getting a square watermelon is simple. But what about strawberries that taste like bubblegum? Unfortunately, you need scientists to infuse the chemicals to get a Bubbleberry.

We heard it really does taste like bubblegum though, so lucky you if you’ve managed to get your hands on some!

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With two unusual fruit predecessors, what could be the next big thing in the fruit world? We’re putting our bets on the Pink Pineapple. I mean, after Pen Pineapple Apple Pen, we think 2017 is only going to be a bigger year for the humble juicy delight.

Watch out Instagram – fittingly named Rosé, the pineapples have been genetically modified to suppress the enzymes that make it yellow, allowing the Lycopene (natural pink pigment) to become more prominent.

It has already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, so keep an eye out for this pinkish pineapple on your newsfeed.

*Current photos of pink pineapples online likely to be photoshopped since production has yet to begin.

The post Will Pink Pineapples Be The First Unusual Fruit Of 2017? appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

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It’s kinda scary how so many of us are dependent on coffee to go about our daily lives in Singapore. What’s even scarier is the caffeine crash that comes after.

The ingenious creation of Bulletproof Coffee has done away with that, and now we can finally get it here in Singapore. Also known as butter coffee, Bulletproof Coffee was popularised in the US by Dave Asprey, who investigated ways to become “bulletproof” to the unwanted buzz that comes with one too many a cuppa.

The coffee combines black coffee made from high quality coffee beans, grass-fed butter and about a tablespoon of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. The addition of MCT oil results in better concentration and it’s been scientifically proven that the frothy concoction with grass-fed butter burns fat for hours.

While you could probably try to make your own, Kitchen by Food Rebel sells a version of the miracle brew right here in Singapore. Get a cup of their Bullet Proof Coffee ($6.50) to start your day right and stay fueled for hours without worrying about the caffeine crash after.

Bulletproof Coffee @ Kitchen by Food Rebel: 28 Stanley Street, Singapore 068737 | Opening Hours: (Mon – Fri) 8am to 6pm | Tel: +65 6224 7088 | Website

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Cai fan is also known as economical rice. So what’s more disgusting than being charged (relatively) exorbitant prices for a seemingly humble plate of rice and a few dishes? Not much besides ridiculous food trends but, before I go on a tirade about overpriced food, VI 家常菜  captured my attention.

As a fan of cai fan, nasi padang and banana leaf rice, finding a gem like this that serves up decent food at a low price is always heartening.

The blue glow from VI 家常菜’s signboard will call out to you among the rows of stalls at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre. Besides its noticeable signboard, its selling point is as clear as it gets. Any 3 items + Rice.

There’s no fine print, no tricks — like putting tiny shrimp in vegetables and counting it as “seafood”, I’m talking about culprits that charge $7 for cai fan — this means you could order three meat dishes with a staple plate of rice all for $2.

My first attempt at getting a taste of VI 家常菜’s offerings didn’t go quite as planned. Deciding to pop by after the lunch hour, they were done and shuttered up for the day. So fair warning to everyone else.

However, bright and early the following day I made my move. Still in the midst of preparing the full range of dishes for the day, a shame, as I’d loved to see the full works. However, there were enough dishes ready to pick and choose.

The metal trays that contained the dishes greeted us. Canned sardines in tomato sauce, scrambled eggs (cai fan style), and so much more. And to think they weren’t even done cooking yet.

Decisions, decisions… what to get? After some pondering, I picked the sardines in tomato sauce, bittergourd and deep fried chicken drumstick. Then came the tough part — digging in without scoffing the food down without some thought.

Carefully delivering spoonfuls of food to my mouth, I took extra care when chewing. Allowing every ounce of flavour to grace my palate.

Allow me to begin with the bittergourd. Fried simply and seasoned perfectly, the bittergourd here isn’t greasy or covered in thick starchy gravy. A nice change from the usual bittergourd at other cai fan stalls.

The sardines in tomato sauce are from the ever reliable go-to Ayam Brand sardines. Simmered down with chopped onions that imparted a lively layer of flavour —  this is how canned food should be eaten. As for the deep fried chicken drumstick, you’d be unreasonable to wish for more. Crispy on the outside, moist inside with a good amount of meat and not heavy on the seasoning. Overall, I was a happy camper with the dishes I picked.

You can’t afford to give VI 家常菜 a miss if you’re in the area. Good, humble and value for money food, we often forget that cai fan is very much a part of the fabric of hawker culture.

There’s no Michelin star or claim to fame, no laminated newspaper cut outs, no boisterous touting, and yet the people come even at 7 a.m. And patrons of  VI 家常菜 keep coming till they shut shop for they day at 2 pm or when they sell out for the day. In my opinion, there’s no better mark of a good product than that.

Expected damage: $2-$4 (If you want to really pile on the dishes)

VI 家常菜, #02-06 Hong Lim Food Centre and Market, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531 | Opening hours: 7am-2pm (Or when sold out)

The post VI (家常菜): $2 Cai Fan For Any 3 Dishes, Puts The Economy Back In Economic Rice appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Nestled amidst huge coffee chains such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean, Local Coffee People has three outlets in the CBD. The takeaway stand sets itself apart with affordable prices starting from $1 and going up to $2.50.

The local brand brews coffee and tea using the traditional process, just like how they do it in kopitiams and hawker centres, using the coffee sock. This method produces very “gao” (strong) coffee which wakes every cell in you.

What differentiates Local Coffee People from your neighbourhood kopitiam would be that it offers coffee and tea with an extra touch of modern taste. The store uses arabica coffee beans, a toned down version of robusta beans used in kopitiams, to ensure that the coffee would blend well with local and interesting flavours, like Almond, Gula Melaka Coffee, just to name a few.

The founder of Local Coffee People and previously a partner of Old Tea Hut, Mark, created the signatures such as the the above mentioned all from scratch! 

Gula Melaka, also known as palm sugar, commonly found in nyonya dishes has a very distinct and rich buttery taste. With a unique flavour on its own, how would it taste like with your everyday coffee and tea? You may question. We head down to have a try at some of their unthinkable coffee and tea creations.

The Gula Melaka Tea ($1.60/ $2.10) is available hot and cold. The taste of Gula Melaka hit me right away when I took the first sip, yet it doesn’t overpower the tea. I enjoyed how the Gula Melaka blended well with the tea without being too sweet, resulting in a creamier texture.

Unlike the Gula Melaka Tea, the strong taste of the nyonya ingredient creeped in only after a few sips for the Gula Melaka Coffee (Hot $1.60/ Cold $2.10). This was largely due to the extremely heavy taste of the strong coffee. However, the lingering aroma of Gula Melaka could be savoured as an after taste.

The Gula Melaka Coffee is the perfect drink for a twist to your daily coffee runs.

Frequently found on the menu of Bubble Tea shops, Honey Milk Tea (Hot $1.40/ Cold $1.90) is offered at approximately a dollar lesser at Local Coffee People. Honey acts as a natural sweetener, which infused well within the milk tea. 

This is definitely a great alternative to the Honey Milk Tea from your conventional bubble tea shops, cheaper and better!

Salted Lemon (Cold $2.10) was one of the inventions inspired while Mark, was on a holiday in Hong Kong. A bottled drink found in Hong Kong left a strong impression on him and he was determined to replicate it.

Sweet, salty and sour, all packed together in a cup, just enough to trigger your taste buds. The Salted Lemon is a refreshing beverage, perfect for the sultry, hot weather in Singapore.

Being known as a modern Kopitiam, a beverage that can’t be missed would be the Honey Sour Plum (Hot $1.60/ Cold $2.10). The iconic sweet and salty drink that almost every Singaporean has drank since young is one of the signatures of Local Coffee People.

Unlike the very harsh taste you get from Sour Plum drinks in kopitiams, Local Coffee People has a milder version yet still satisfying and thirst quenching.

With a mixture of modern and traditional drinks, Local Coffee People has an extensive menu that would be a good refreshment for you at anytime of the day. Be it a coffee fix or a drink to cool you down, you name it, they have it.

Expected Damage: $1 – $2.50

Local Coffee People: The Sail, 2 Marina Boulevard #B1-08, Singapore 018987 | Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 5.30pm. Closed on Sat, Sun and Public Holidays | Website

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It’s 2017 (whoop whoop) and I can’t think of a better way to start another food blogging year than with a look back at some of the crazy food trends 2016 gave us. Some made us queue for hours (and were totally worth it), others, not so much.

One thing is for sure though: these food trends seriously upped our Instagram game. And we all know how that’s the landmark of something worth mentioning these days. Take a look at 24 top food trends in Singapore 2016 that made the cut:

1. Raindrop Cake

What started in Japan and then made waves at a Smorgasburg food market in NYC eventually found its way to Singapore. The Raindrop Cake (made from agar-agar and spring water) took the Internet by storm (heh) and I guess I can see why, given the pretty cute and simple presentation.

Flavour-wise though? It’s basically jelly to be eaten with the various syrup accompaniments. I unfortunately don’t think this cute raindrop is going to be seeing much of 2017…

Soo Bing Bing: #03-01, Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532 | Tel: +65 9838 2973 | Facebook

O Raindrop Cake (DIY): Website

2. Korean Bingsu

I sometimes live under a rock and sort of didn’t notice the Korean Bingsu trend take hold till the snaking lines made it quite apparent that this dessert definitely resonated in the tummies of many Singaporeans.

Fine ice shavings are topped with an array of ingredients like condensed milk, nuts and ice cream to produce what I’m sure is going to stay on dessert menus for some time still. Customise your very own at some of the many stores now selling this island-wide!

Nunsaram Korean Dessert Cafe: 181 Orchard Road, #05-51/52 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896 | Website

3. Galaxy Cakes & Donuts

Baking in itself is a skill many have yet to master and then someone comes along and changes the game completely with Galaxy Cakes and Donuts. The mirror-glazed beauties are definitely something you’d want to serve to impress guests (or Instagram followers) and look almost too good to eat.

Replicating one may take a few tries but take comfort in the knowledge that you’ll end up with something out of this world.

Sugarhaus: 10 Jalan Serene, #01-03A Serene Centre, Singapore 258748 | Opening hours: 12pm – 10pm

Sinseh : The Grocer: 9 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199076 | Tel: +65 6291 5743 | Opening Hours: (Mon to Sat) 12pm – 8:30pm (Closed on Sundays) | Facebook 

4. Rainbow Foods

Bagels, cakes, burgers and even toasties… Rainbow Foods certainly took over 2016. Probably the most Instagrammable of the lot, some rainbow foods not only look good, but taste great to boot and I’m quite sure 2017 is going to give us even more rainbow options.

Epicurious (rainbow toasties): 60 Robertson Quay, #01-02 The Quayside, 238252 | Tel: +65 6734 7720 | Website

Word Cafe (rainbow burger): 906 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 787110 | Tel: +65 9699 4829 | Facebook

5. Salted Egg Yolk Anything

There came a point in 2016 when almost every cafe and restaurant in Singapore had at least something on the menu that involved our favourite Salted Egg Yolk. I mean, even McDonald’s introduced a Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger, much to the dismay of a few fast food purists.

The Salted Egg Yolk Croissant was probably one of the best pairings of the year but I think the Liu Sha Prata Bomb was a strong underrated contender.

Antoinette: 30 Penhas Road (off Lavender Street) Singapore 208188 | Tel: +65 6293 3121 | Website

Flavour Flings: Block 121 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1348, Singapore 530121 | Tel: +65 6286 0051 | Facebook

Big Street Singapore:  104-106 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208828 | Tel: +65 6100 2661 | Facebook

6. Uni

Many went Uni-crazy in 2016 and it’s no wonder since the sea urchin roe is considered quite the delicacy especially in Japan. Usually eaten raw as sashimi or as a sushi, uni soon started appearing in loads of other Western dishes like pasta.

Rich, sweet and brine-like in taste, most people either love or hate uni and not being a fan could be a blessing in disguise – this delicacy doesn’t come cheap.

Buona Terra: 29 Scotts Rd Singapore 228224 | Tel: +65 6733 0209 | Website 

7. Mentaiko

Mentaiko probably changed my life, I mean, I’ve yet to meet someone adverse to having this topped and torched on anything Japanese and food-related. First used in Korean cuisine, mentaiko is pollock or cod roe combined with butter or mayonnaise which is now very popular in Japanese cuisine.

Have it as a pasta sauce or slightly torched on top of grilled seafood or sushi and the salty and savoury flavour will keep you coming back for more. This is the very definition of umami.

En Sakaba: 181 Orchard Road, #01-16 Orchard Central Singapore 238896 | Tel: +65 6634 1018 | Facebook

8. Japanese Cheese Tarts

Hands up if you or someone you know queued for these Hokkaido Cheese Tarts when they first came to Singapore? The popular BAKE franchise finally opened at ION and I think it’s safe to say that people got a bit overzealous with the queing.

I’ve personally tried them myself and okay… they’re good. Lucky for all of us, the hype has plateaued so you can now get some, minus the stress. Or maybe just try patronising some of the other places that suddenly popped up replicating the yummy cheese tart.

BAKE: 2 Orchard Turn ION Orchard #B4-33, Singapore 238801 | Website

9. Themed Food/Cafes

2016 was the year of themed food and themed cafes and you won’t believe how many cropped up on our island. Gudetama, Pokemon, POMPOMPURIN, FRIENDS, Hello Kitty and even a pop-up Craftholic cafe opened to long queues and Instagram-ready folk.

An equally common theme seemed to emerge though and that was that the actual taste of the food at the cafes just didn’t live up to the hype. The Central Perk FRIENDS Cafe is probably the only exception to that, but even then the prices are hard to justify.

Gudetama Cafe Singapore: #01-61 Suntec City Mall, 3, 3 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983 | Opening: 30th November | Facebook

Pokemon Cafe @EWF (Bugis Junction): Now – 19th Feb 2017 | 200 Victoria Street, #04-05, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021 | Tel: +65 6338 0135 | Website

POMPOMPURIN Cafe: #04-08 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road , Singapore 238896 | Tel: +65 6509 8672 | Website

Hello Kitty Orchid Garden: #01-22 Arrival Hall Central, Terminal 3 Singapore Changi Airport | Opening Hours: 24 hours daily | Website

Central Perk: 1 Magazine Road, Singapore 059567 | Tel: +65 9025 2524 | Website

10. Oozing Buns

Any avid Singaporean foodie who travelled to Hong Kong in 2016 would have probably heard of Dim Sum Icon’s oozing buns where customers are encouraged to play with their food. Character-based liu sha baos dominated Insta-stories and videos and the oozing bun trend obviously soon reached Singapore.

Back home, Choux pastries like the ones pictured were all the rage, and anything ball-like with an oozy center made its rounds on Instagram.

Koki Tamagoyaki: 252 North Bridge Road, Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-54, Singapore 179103 | Facebook | Website

11. Raclette Cheese

For a non-angmoh country, we Singaporeans seem very obsessed with anything cheese-related. The Swiss tradition of heating half a cheese wheel and scraping the melted cheese onto food seriously took off here in 2016 and the trend doesn’t look set to back down anytime soon.

Get a more traditional Raclette cheese experience at Wine Connection Cheese Bar or try some of the more unusual variations this 2017, like having melted cheese scraped onto sushi. Yupp.

Wine Connection Cheese Bar: #01-05 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St, Singapore 237995 | Tel: +65 6238 1279 | Website

Hana Japanese Restaurant: 583 Orchard Road, #01-17 Forum The Shopping Mall, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884 | Opening Hours: Daily 11:30AM–10PM | Tel: +65 6737 5525 | Website 

Flavour Flings: Block 121 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1348, Singapore 530121 | Tel: +65 6286 0051 | Facebook 

12. Melted Cheese In Hotpots

I did say we seem slightly obsessed with cheese and in 2016, it became a thing to incorporate cheese into your average steamboat and hotpot experience. It used to be the case of just finding joy in grilling your own marinated meats right at the table but we Singaporeans went a step further and made it possible to then dip said meats into yummy, gooey cheese.

I’m a fellow cheese addict, so there was no way I wasn’t getting on board with that.

Ladyboy Mookata: Lor 40, 644 Geylang Road 389574 Singapore | Tel: +65 8444 4487 | Opening Hours: Daily, 6pm – 2am | Website

Hook On Steamboat: 389 Changi Road, Singapore 419838 | Tel: +65 68440389 / +65 93893806 | Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 5pm – 12am, closed on Monday | Facebook 

The Flame Cafe: Level 1 Centro Bianco Building, 73 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534818 | Opening Hours | Tel: +65 6288 6346 | Website

The Seafood Krub: 1A Short Street #01-02 Singapore 188210 | Opening hours: Tue – Sun; 6pm – 12am | Facebook

13. Tiered Hotpots

Speaking of steamboats and hotpots, it was a year of levelling up (literally) in that food scene. Two tiers soon became three and four, taking multi-tasking to a whole new level. And of course, one of the tiers involved cheese.

I can’t get over how far we’ve come as a nation and I hope we continue to dream big this 2017. Nine-tier steamboat and hotpot anyone?

The Flame Cafe: Level 1 Centro Bianco Building, 73 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534818 | Opening Hours | Tel: +65 6288 6346 | Website

Peach Garden at Thomson Plaza: 301 Upper Thomson Road, Thomson Plaza #01-88, Singapore 574408 | Tel:+65 6451 3233 | Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 6PM-10PM, Sat & Sun 10AM-2:30PM, 3PM-5PM, 6PM-10PM | Website

14. Parmesan Wheel Pasta

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Almost everyone loves parmesan with their pasta and I know a few cheeky people who basically empty the parmesan container onto their plate. A few restaurants probably noticed this and thought, “Why don’t we just twirl the warm pasta in an actual parmesan wheel before serving?”

Ta-da. Great tasting pasta, great Instagram story.

District 10: Outlets | Facebook

15. Floating Noodles

Whoever conceptualized this probably got bored of just having their noodles served in a bowl. Embarrassingly enough, it took me awhile to work out how this sorcery was being achieved, and for that very reason, I’m going to let it remain a mystery to those not in the know.

Hana Japanese Restaurant revolutionised the Japanese noodle world with this creation and my sincere congratulations to anyone who managed to recreate this at home.

Hana Japanese Restaurant: 583 Orchard Road, #01-17 Forum The Shopping Mall, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884 | Opening Hours: Daily 11:30AM–10PM | Tel: +65 6737 5525 | Website

16. XXL Seafood Platters

‘Bigger is better’ seemed to be the philosophy with a lot of food in 2016 and I certainly wasn’t complaining when it came to seafood platters. All the prawns, crayfish, mussels and clams in the world apparently congregated in a couple of Singaporean restaurants, sitting pretty and waiting to be devoured.

Get a few friends together, loosen your belts and undertake one of these monstrous platters in 2017!

Hi! Joyful: 27 Smith St, Singapore 058941 | Opening hours: Daily; 1pm – 1am | Tel: +65 6222 9555 | Facebook

BBQ Box: 21 Tan Quee Lan Street, #01-03, Singapore 188108 | Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm daily | Tel: +65 68357456 | Facebook 

17. Deceiving Desserts

XXL ice gem biscuits and ang ku kueh? YES PLEASE. Before you get too excited, these deceiving desserts that were floating around Instagram in 2016 are not what they seem. Non Entree Desserts cleverly turned our favourite local classic desserts into, well, other desserts.

They even turned kaya toast and bak chor mee into sweet treats, and as weird as that may sound, there’s no denying that these wonderful creations sure are photogenic.

Non Entrée Desserts: 204 Rangoon Rd, Singapore 218451 | Tel: +65 9878 6543 | Facebook 

18. Health Food Bowls

Ah… eating clean, one of my favourite bound-to-fail new year resolutions. In 2016, loads of people (and thus restaurants) tried to jump on the healthy eating bandwagon and some, more successfully than others.

A few stood out and showed us that healthy food could definitely be yummy food (at a price) and health food bowls comprising cous cous and quinoa became a thing. With such vibrant ingredients and colours, you too could be on your way to looking as good as the food you eat.

Ninja Cut: 32 Seah Street, Singapore 188388 | Opening hours: 9.30am to 7.30pm (weekdays), 9am to 6pm (weekends) | Tel: +65 6264 7727 | Facebook 

Grain Traders: 138 Market St, #01-01/02/03 CapitaGreen, Singapore 048946 | Tel: +65 6348 6559 | Website

19. Poke Bowls

Speaking of vibrant ingredients and colours, I have to highlight one of the standout food bowl trends of the year: Poke Bowls. Hailing from Hawaii, the healthy combination of fresh tuna or salmon sashimi, avocado and other healthy ingredients made for a flavour explosion on the palate.

Reminiscent of a Japanese chirashi, these bowls dominated the CBD and most inevitably, our Instagram feeds.

A Poke Theory: 27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623 | Opening Hours: (Mon – Fri) 11.00am – 6.00pm, (Sat) 10.00am – 4.00pm, Closed on Sun | Facebook | Website

20. OTT Milkshakes

Back to the mantra of ‘bigger is better’, OTT (over the top) milkshakes made for some of the prettiest and most impressive food pictures of 2016. These gravity-defying creations really do look too good to eat/drink and I personally always struggled with the best way to approach the situation.

If I knocked one Oreo off, would the rest come crumbling down? At least get the Instagram photo first.

Cake Spade: #01-06, 1 Tras Link, Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867 | Tel: +65 6444 3868 | Website

 The Benjamins: #01-20/21 Forum Shopping Centre, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884 | Tel: +65 6887 4117 | Website 

Shiberty Bakes: #01-277, 46 Owen Road, Singapore 210046 | Tel: +65 6291 5221 | Closed Monday | Tuesday to Sunday, 1:00pm-10:00pm | Website

21. Thai Iced Milk Tea

While not exactly a food trend per say, for some reason, Thai Iced Milk Tea was actually really popular in 2016. I couldn’t go to a single pasar malam without walking by at least three stalls selling the exact same thing.

There was even that time where it was the norm to have it served in a drink bag (something like a ziplock bag) and this is an example of a trend I will never understand. Still, I can’t deny a good Thai Iced Milk Tea and you should check out our breakdown of the best Thai Milk tea in Singapore.

Nam’s Brewing Thai Tea & Coffee: #01-05, 137 Amoy Street, Singapore 049965 (Inside Far East Square) | Tel: +65 93830419 | Website

Soi 55: #02-21, 50 Market Street, Golden Shoe Food Centre | Tel: +65 9429 6538 | Website

CHA Thai: #01-01, 82 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 048467 | Tel: +65 6636 3696 | Website

22. Rolled Ice Cream

Anddd Thailand gives us yet another food trend that became a hit in 2016. Videos of rolled ice cream made its rounds on the Internet and I guess it’s easy to see why the dessert became a thing.

Ice cream is flattened on a cold surface and then scraped to create these rolls to be arranged neatly in an ice cream cup. It’s still basically ice cream so… yeah. Cool.

21 CUBE Artisan Ice Cream: Block 710A, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, #01-2631, Singapore 561710 | Tel: +65 94500725 / +65 96206810 | Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday : 12pm – 10pm, Friday to Saturday: 12pm – 11pm, Sunday: 12pm – 10pm

COyOrO: 430 Upper Changi Road, #01-13 East Village, Singapore 487048 | Tel: +65 8522 0487 | Website

23. Thick Lava Toast

Thick toasts decorated with interesting toppings and flavours made for a great 2016 food trend and a few cafes went a step further and included delectable fillings. Thick Lava Toasts became the star of Boomerang Instagrams and I guess, made the thick toasts less dry to eat.

You know where to start your 2017 dessert game at.

Meet and Melt: #01-49, 915 Tampines Street 91, 520915 | Tel: +65 91858173 | Opening Hours: Tues to Fri 3pm – 11pm, Sat & Sun 2pm – 11pm | Website

24. Singapore Fusion Food

If there’s anything 2016 food trends showed us, it’s that you can never really go wrong with an amalgamation of flavours. Too many restaurants and cafes to count started introducing more of a fusion cuisine, particularly with the incorporation of local Singaporean classics.

Chicken rice inspired wraps and risottos? Hae bi hiam and laksa pastas? I’m sold. 2017, may you bring A LOT more of these fusion flavours.

Meat and Green: 84 Circular Rd, Singapore 049436 | Opening Hours: (Mon to Thurs) 11am-9pm, (Fri & Sat) 11am to midnight | Tel: +65 6557 0457 

Redpan: 6, Raffles Boulevard, #02-03/04 Marina Square, Singapore 039594 | Opening Hours: (Mon to Fri) 9am-10pm, (Sat, Sun, PH) 11am-10pm | Website

Stateland Cafe: 30 Bali Lane, Singapore 189966 | Opening Hours: (Tues) Closed, (Sun to Thurs) 12pm-10pm, (Fri & Sat) 12pm-11pm | Tel: +65 9800 7628 | Website

The post 24 Top Singapore Food Trends Of 2016 That Seriously Upped Our Instagram Game appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Teochew kuehs are lesser known to the younger generations today in Singapore, and this has nothing to do with them being less delectable than other local delights.

For all you out there who are missing out on some of the best foods Singapore has to offer, here is a list counting down some of the best stalls where you can get some of that soon kueh, as soon as possible.

10. Lau Chong Kee Bedok Confectionary

Located really near to notable hawker food stalls like the Hill Street Char Kway Teow, Lau Chong Kee is has gained a huge popularity in its own rights. From cakes to kueh, this stall serves up all kinds of local snacks.

The soon kueh here is small but comes with a traditional rice skin. The conventional cooking methods are also used for the png kueh. They taste really fresh and are prepared in limited quantities. Come here early so that you will not be disappointed three words: “mai wan le” (sold out).

Price: From $1

Lau Chong Kee Bedok Confectionary: 17 Bedok South Road #01-591 Singapore 460017 | Tel: +65 6442 0052

9. Lai Heng Homemade Teochew Kueh

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Sometimes, I lightly pan fry the savoury kuehs that I buy home, especially for png kuehs. For those who love that little bit of crispiness to your kuehs without the fuss of heating it up on the pan yourself, Lai Heng is the place for you.

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The kuehs here are crispy and chewy at the same time. The light charred flavor on the skins brings out the flavours within the kuehs better as compared to just steaming them. If you are looking something with an added dimension of flavour, you are welcome.

Price: From $1

Lai Heng Homemade Teochew Kueh: Yuhua Market and Hawker Center Blk 347 Jurong East Avenue 1 #01-218 Singapore 600347 | Opening hours: Daily; 6am – 2pm

8. Ah Shen Ah Mah Teochew Kuehs and Snacks

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The rice kuehs here are different from those you can get elsewhere due to the unique fillings that they have. This stall focuses on tradition that dates back beyond decades ago.

Something unique to try is the bamboo shoot kuehs. Did you know soon kuehs were originally supposed to be filled with bamboo shoots in China? In fact, “soon” means bamboo shoots! Our Singaporean rendition substituted that for turnips instead. For a taste of the original, hop on over here.

Price: From $0.80

Ah Shen Ah Mah Teochew Kuehs and Snacks: List of Outlets, Opening Hours and Contact | Website

7. Yong Xiang Carrot Cake

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If pan-fried soon kuehs and png kuehs are still too toned down for you, then head down to Yong Xiang Carrot Cake.

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You can get a combination of soon kueh and png kueh fried together with egg and chilli. Think cai tow kway, with the carrot cake substituted with soon kueh and png kueh. There is nothing mainstream about this stall and it is probably the only stall that serves Teochew kuehs this way. This place definitely scores really high on the “yum” factor.

Price: From $3

Yong Xiang Carrot Cake: Bendemeer Food Centre 29 Bendemeer Road #01-35 Singapore 330029 | Opening hours: Daily; 630am – 4pm  

6. Poh Cheu Homemade Soon Kway Ang Ku Kueh

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Founded decades ago, Poh Cheu has been serving handmade kuehs since its inception. This family business has now reached its third generation of operators.

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The skins here are almost transparent, and the fillings are packed with strong flavours. The kuehs have started to increase in thickness over the years and have resulted in a bit of unhappiness amongst many customers recently. The generous and flavor-packed fillings are still a draw for many and queues still get very long at this stall!

Price: From $0.90

Poh Cheu Homemade Soon Kway Ang Ku Kueh: Blk 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-230 Singapore 150127 | Tel: 6276 2287 | Opening hours: Mon – Sat; 8am – 6pm | website  | Facebook

5. One Kueh At A Time

It has been a huge concern amongst many Singaporeans that our well-loved local specialities are slowly fading away along with the generations. This stall helps ease those worries with its middle-aged owners doing their part to preserve our hawker culture.

The kuehs here have a nice translucent skin that is thin and easy to bite into. The soon kueh filling is a highlight here with its aromatic black fungus and shredded turnips. The filling is generous here too and has a great bite when you sink your teeth in.

Price: From $0.90

One Kueh At A Time: #02-61 Berseh Food Centre 166 Jalan Besar Singapore 208877 | Tel: +65 9795 6119 | Opening hours: Wed – Sun; 9am – 1pm | Facebook

4. Teochew Kueh Stall @ Sims Vista Market & Food Centre

This stall doesn’t even come with its own name. Its sign just says “mushroom soon kueh, rice kueh, crystal dumpling”, putting forth what it offers to customers. Somehow, this reminds me of the story behind the No Signboard Seafood restaurant.

The soon kueh at this stall ranks amongst the best of the best in Singapore. The skin is soft and translucent, while the filling is packed with a good amount of dried shrimp and garlicky flavours that will make you go “ooooommmpppfffff”! On top of that, most kuehs here cost only $0.70. Probably one of the most reasonably priced foods in Singapore.

Price: From $0.70

Stall Details: Sims Vista Market & Food Centre #01-23 49 Sims Place Singapore 380049 | Tel: +65 9768 6979 / +65 9667 7569

3. Fatt Soon Kueh

Madam Lim had 30 years of experience in the home-made kueh business before she co-founded Fatt Soon Kueh in 1999. This stall prides itself in years of work put into perfecting the kueh recipes and cooking techniques.

The skin here is translucent and slightly chewy. While I prefer something less chewy for my savoury kuehs, this texture is perfect for the sweet ang ku kueh. That being said, my favorite here is still the soon kueh. The fillings have a very fragrant taste that bears a significant hint of dried shrimp flavor.

Price: From $1

Fatt Soon Kueh: List of Outlets, Opening Hours and Contact | Website |

2. Ji Xiang Confectionery

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This stall has been specializing in one type of Teochew kueh since 1988. Ji Xiang whips up an array of all kinds of Ang Ku Kueh that is sure to satisfy all your cravings.

Hand-made till today, the kuehs from this stall have almost become synonymous with the dish itself. The skins are thin enough, ensuring that you do not have to chew too hard and tire your jaws out. The fillings are balanced well, without being too sweet. My favorite is the sweet bean version which is one of the originals for this dessert.

Price: From $0.90

Ji Xiang Confectionery: 1 Everton Park Singapore 081001 | Opening hours: Mon – Sat; 8am – 5pm | Tel: +65 6223 1631 | Website | Facebook

1. Yong’s Teochew Kueh

One of the most renowned Teochew kueh stalls in Singapore, Yong’s serves up an array of all-time favourites. This stall, with its two outlets, caters to endless streams of hungry customers daily.

My favourites here are the soon kueh and the cabbage kueh. The skin used have a very soft rice texture that breaks easily upon biting into it. The filling is really fresh and the tastes all blend well together. For those who love intense flavours, the cabbage kueh will definitely hit the spot.

Price: From $1.20

Yong’s Teochew Kueh: 1022 Upper Serangoon Road Singapore 534760 | Tel: +65 6287 4328 | Opening hours: Tue – Sun; 7am – 7pm | Facebook

Related guide: Best Beancurd Singapore 

The post 10 Best Teochew Kuehs In Singapore No One Teochew (pun-intended) About appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Introducing hip flavours and a rice bowl concept to their stall, Eat Chicken Rice can be easily set apart from the typical chicken rice stalls commonly seen in food courts and hawker centres.

Located at the basement of Koufu food court in Cineleisure Orchard, Eat Chicken Rice is just two stalls down from the ever popular Fish & Chicks. With signatures such as Truffle Chicken Rice alongside traditional offerings, it’s no wonder the stall is attracting a crowd of both the young and old.

Instead of only using a small portion of chicken in each order, Eat Chicken Rice serves half a fresh spring chicken in each dish. The options available are the usual poached and roasted chicken.

The chef helming the kitchen chops each whole spring chicken with careful precision before plating it.

Customers are served this generous portion, which makes such a difference when compared to those you might get from regular chicken rice stalls.

The signature Truffle Chicken Rice Set ($8.90) is certainly one of a kind. Plated carefully, the dish comes with truffle rice and half a poached chicken.

Mixed in with the rice are bits of mushrooms that have been infused with truffle oil as well. To complete the dish, a perfect lava egg, spring onions and a drizzle of soy sauce is added.

While most customers might have a preference for roasted chicken, the poached chicken was selected to be paired with the rice in this particular dish, so as not to overpower the taste of the truffle.

Not a fan of truffle? If you prefer the traditional chicken rice, you can opt for the Roasted Chicken Rice Set ($8.90). This is accompanied by a side of pickled radish. Do bear in mind that the side dishes are seasonal and subject to change, depending on whatever’s fresh from the market that day.

To further enhance the flavour, three different sauces made in-house are provided. Dip the roasted chicken in each of these and you will be pleasantly surprised by the taste.

What may appear as regular soy sauce is in fact their special sauce, which is a sweet mix of BBQ marinade, soy sauce and various spices. The one with the yellow tint is a tangy combination of ginger, onion and garlic. Finally, there was the regular chicken rice chilli that we all can’t do without.

While this may seem like nothing special, I must say that the chicken tasted more savoury than most as it rests on a bed of sesame oil.

Don’t be alarmed at the appearance of this dish – the Szechuan Style Poached Chicken Set ($8.90) is not nearly as spicy as it looks. Covered with crushed peanuts and doused in a Szechuan-style sauce, the flavours are just strong enough to satisfy without burning your throat.

I particularly enjoyed the side of peanuts which were drenched in sticky soy sauce.

As with the other sets, the Szechuan-inspired dish comes with half a spring chicken to accompany the rice, side dishes and condiments. Although this might not look like the healthiest pick, there are actually no additives or MSG in the sauce.

In fact, the oil is infused with herbs and cooked on the spot before being poured over the chicken.

Moving on to the Singaporean-inspired rice bowls, the Curry Chicken Rice Bowl ($8.90) made for one of the most filling combinations. I would recommend mixing the tasty curry chicken with the poached egg and cucumber in a bibimbap fashion for maximum enjoyment.

Riding on another popular trend, the Salted Egg Black Pepper Chicken Rice Bowl Set ($8.90) stood out in its own right. Coated in salted egg yolk and sprinkled with black pepper, I imagine the crispy popcorn chicken would be a popular pick among fried food lovers.

To add on to the crispiness of the dish, fish skin is also added to the bowl.

Promising something a little different from the usual, Eat Chicken Rice offers innovative new flavours to standard hawker fare. While $8.90 might seem pricey for a stall in a food court, I’d say that it’s well worth it for the quality and quantity of the ingredients served.

Expected Damage: $8.90 – $10 per pax

Eat Chicken Rice: 8 Grange Road, Koufu Foodcourt, Cineleisure Orchard, Singapore 239695 | Opening Hours: 10.45am – 12am daily | Tel: +65 9828 3490

The post Eat Chicken Rice: Truffle Chicken Rice & Other Interesting Flavours To Rock Your Singapore Palate appeared first on SETHLUI.com.