Food Hotel Asia 2016 is here amongst us again and it’s occupying the Hall 1 – 10 of Singapore Expo, including the Annex. Yep, that’s how grandeur it is and if you’re in the F&B trade, you’ve got to check it out.

You can be sure to find what you’re looking for to kick start your next Food and Beverage or Hotel business. Better yet, you’ll find more than you ever need.

But in the slightest chance that you’re hesitating, here’s 10 cool gadgets that you can find at FHA 2016 for all you F&B folks in Singapore.

1. Brewer’s Brew Ice Coffee and Mobile Nitro Coffee Dispenser

Want instant cold brew ice coffee without waiting for it to slowly drip away or adding ice that may dilute the intensity of the coffee? Brewer’s dispensing machine is the solution to all your woes. You can now get your ice cold brew anytime, any instant, without the painful wait.

Remember that it is mobile and that means you can move it anywhere you like, bringing your cold brew on the go. Machines start at $9000 and you have a choice of getting the liquid or powder version of the cold brew coffee.

2. Brewer’s K Pod Machine

‘Let K Pod personalise your in-room coffee service’ and I can’t agree more. Starting at a mere $40 for the machine and $20 for a package of pods, you can have your mobile drip coffee or…. tea. Yes tea, not only coffee but tea.

To get all of these, contact Brewer’s at +65 6556 0880 and mention that you were at the FHA to get 10% off your purchase. For any enquiries, email: enquiries@brewers.com.sg. Visit their website for more information.

3. SKS Hospitality Mobile Bar/ Service Counter

Have your bar or kitchen service counter on the go, or your induction cooker, or popcorn maker or whatever really. Anything that fits onto the mobile table top can be wheeled and your live cooking stations look that much cooler when its mobile. Move anything, anytime. Basic model starts from $2500 and additional costs for add ons.

Contact Jeffrey Tan from SKS Hospitality at jeffrey@sks.com.my or visit their website for more details. Psst, this is their newest product at hand.

4. Ice Cold Teppanyaki Plate

You can now ‘fry’ your own ice cream and make frozen granitas, slushies, sorbets or ice creams out of any liquid. You can have the ice cream rolls without heading all the way out to have it or even fly to Thailand for it. Temperatures go all the way down to -30 degrees!

The ice cold teppanyaki plate is just the right gadget you need to instantly freeze your ingredients. To top it all off, customise it how weird you ever would want it, be it bacon ice cream or miso sorbet, no judging. It starts at $4120 (2700 Euros) and you can contact info@andymannhart.com for more enquiries. Visit their website for more information.

5. Coffee Machines with LCD displays

While that coffee machine is not extracting out the most aromatic of all coffees, it is playing out advertisements that could both promote sales and also reduce boredom. There’s quite a fair number of companies offering up coffee machines like that and one of them is Owl. Look out for their Caffe Cagliari machines that they have recently brought in from Italy, you won’t disappointed and prices start at $14000.

6. G Tek Dish Washer

Splish splash I was taking a bath, says all the dirty dishes. With a cool see through panel, you can watch your dirty dishes being thoroughly cleansed and make that better with power saving functions. Machines start from $5000 to $6500.

Contact Singapore’s representative, Ngai Chui Li at +65 9108 1872 for more information, or email her at ngai@global-tek.com.sg. Visit their website for more details on the products.

7. Induction Wok Cooker

Have all of that ‘wok-hei’ without the danger of burning yourself with the induction wok cooker. Constant heat is guaranteed throughout the surface, meaning a more thorough and even heating that will capture the essence. And yes, you can toss it as well so it’s really the whole wok experience but safer. Each unit retails at $2500.

Contact Q’SON Kithchen Equipment Pte Ltd for purchasing information at +65 6472 7337 or sales@qson.com.sg. Visit website for more information.

8. Slicing Machine For Beautiful Patterns

I know a slicing machine is pretty normal but the ones at Dremex allows for patterns, to give that extra decorative element to the presentation of your food. So that’s pretty tight and is retailing at $1250. Contact Jeantze Leong at +65 8201 0420 or email her at jl@cretel.com.sg

9. Peking Duck Oven

Modelled after a traditional oven outlook, the peking duck machine provides even roasting for up to 10 ducks simultaneously. Big boys like Tung Lok etc are also using this machine, $25000 per unit.

Contact Leon Lim at +65 9299 6809 or email at vincent@alliedcateringequipment.com. Visit their website for more information on the product and while you’re at it, why not browse the others.

10. Freshie Cup

All hail the Japanese to come up with all things innovative and fresh. The Freshie Cup is a fresh bottle of matcha on the go. The powder is stored in the cap and all you have to do is twist the cap to release the powder, and shake it vigorously to concoct up an authentic bottle of matcha, anytime, anywhere. It is currently retailing at S$6.25 per bottle (in Japan) and you can get more information at their website.

The post 10 Awesome F&B Gadgets Found In Food Hotel Asia 2016 appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Forget Boxing Day in December! Now, every day can be unboxing Day.

As e-commerce starts to boom and us millennials get lazier to leave our homes, delivery services are quickly becoming an upcoming trend. Subscription services are enhanced versions of delivery services, in so far as they eliminate the need for continuous placing of orders by sending items to you based on your selected duration and frequency.

Don’t quote me on this, but I think receiving parcels in the mail and enjoying a good meal are some of the best feelings in the world. Throw the two together and there you have it: food subscription boxes.

I’ve tried my best to compile a comprehensive list of subscription boxes that deliver consumable products, in no particular order. So, whether you’re a recluse who fears the great outdoors, or a workaholic who is simply too busy for the frivolity of shopping, I’m sure these subscription boxes have something to offer.

— To Eat —

1. Batterful

It’s true, not everyone is born with culinary talent, but you needn’t shy away from the kitchen no more. Try Batterful for an easier, more convenient way to churn out delightfully baked goods. Move over, Nigella!

Batterful is the first baking subscription service in Singapore, founded by passionate self-taught bakers, who’ve collaborated with cafes and bakeries such as SumoPocky and The Fabulous Baker Boy to produce an extensive recipe menu.

A simple subscription to Batterful entitles you to a monthly box of premium ingredients, How-To Online videos and interesting recipes from across the globe.

Batterful’s Classic Box (4-5 servings) retails for $19.95/month, while their Family Box (8-12 servings) retails for $29.95/month, excluding delivery costs.

Get batter at baking by ordering your first box here.

2. MadeReal

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Post-snacking blues got you down? Good news – you don’t have to stave off the munchies with sinful snacks. MadeReal’s curated snack boxes feature snacks that are not only nutritious but will satisfy your need for a nibble, proving all the doubters wrong – healthy and tasty can be synonymous!

Each MadeReal snack box retails at $24.90 per box, with options for delivery every 2 or 4 weeks.

Snack well with your MadeReal box here.

3. KimochBox

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Fans of Japan, rejoice! Kimochbox is a monthly subscription box that specialises in Japanese snacks, because let’s face it, who can say no to little Japanese treats?

Kimochbox contains a uniquely curated array of snacks picked from the Land of the Rising Sun and sent straight to your doorstep. It features popular brands like Royce, Glico, Meiji and Nabisco, so every month’s box is a surprise.

Mothers, fathers and friends: this makes a great gift for the teen in your life you don’t really know how to shop for. Trust me.

Kimochbox starts at $15 for an original box or $16 for an a la carte box, that allows you to select your own goodies.

Order your Kimochbox here!

4. Pint Society

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Pint Society is my dream subscription service in the flesh. Operating on a monthly-delivery basis, it delivers two hand-crafted pints of ice-cream with luscious and innovate flavours — I mean, how quirky does ‘Forever Summer’ sound?

I’m not sure about you, but I love the thought of having my freezer stocked with freshly crafted ice-cream without having to lift a finger.

A subscription to Pint Society starts at $38/month and goes as low as $29/month for a year, with free delivery to boot!

Your monthly ice-cream delivery starts here.

5. BoxGreen

BoxGreen has featured several times in renowned publications like HerWorld and The Business Times, so of course it was imperative that it appear on this list. Much like MadeReal, BoxGreen is a subscription box that strives to promote healthier snacking by delivering wholesome and delicious snacks.

I really like that BoxGreen works in partnership with Willing Hearts, donating one meal to help the less fortunate for every box delivered. Also, as an additional feature, BoxGreen lists its snacks’ nutritional values online, so anyone calorie conscious can keep themselves in check!

BoxGreen comes in two sizes: the Gift Box, meant for a single person, costs $24.90, while the Family Box retails at $99 and contains a whopping 50 (yes, 50!!) snacks.

Don’t wait, get your BoxGreen here.

6. Simply Fresh

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SimplyFresh is a weekly subscription service for fresh organic food harvested from farms in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In short, it is what every atas household needs.

It’s the first of its kind in Singapore, and offers 8 boxes to cater to diverse needs. Each box holds a good 5 to 7kg of fresh produce, with 8 to 10 types of fruit and or vegetables that may vary with the seasons. I personally think that it’s a lovely way to receive your groceries, especially such an assurance of quality.

SimplyFresh fixes prices at $150/box, except the Family Value Box which retails at $250/box.

Grab a box of fresh produce here.

— To Drink —

7. The French Cellar

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Passionate about wine or simply seeking to impress your guests at a dinner party? Either way, The French Cellar has got you covered with a monthly wine subscription service of two bottles of fine French wine and their 3-star Michelin sommelier’s tasting and pairing guide.

This subscription service also makes a perfect gift for that fancy friend of yours. You know, that one who uses “alabaster” or “ivory” instead of “white” in everyday conversation.

The French Cellar has four different subscription packages available. The most economical package, Vineyard Gems, starts at $102/month or $88/month for a duration 6 months.

Start on your fine wine subscription here.

8. Whiskey Butler

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Whisky Butler, Singapore’s first whisky tasting club, offers a monthly subscription box containing 4 specially chosen drams of whisky and detailed tasting notes.

This is the perfect box for those who love a glass of liquid gold, giving you the opportunity to sample exquisite whisky without purchasing an entire bottle.

Prices for a box start at $88, with greater savings the longer the duration of your subscription. The Whisky Butler box also includes free shipping and exclusive invitations to Whisky Butler events!

Hop on board the Whisky Butler wagon here.

9. Gryphon Tea Box
 

I knew I couldn’t miss out a tea subscription box, considering how popular a beverage it is, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that local tea company Gryphon Tea offers just the thing.

Gryphon Tea’s subscription box comes in two varie-teas: the Artisan Box and the Gourmet Box, with plans lasting a duration of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. The Artisan curation offers 30 tea satchets, while the Gourmet comprises 3 types of loose leaf tea, but both promise customers a superb selection and free delivery!

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With unheard-of flavours like ‘Tomatino’ and ‘Nymph of The Nile’ to choose from, you can be assured more than just the run of the mill teas.

Prices start at $28.80/month for the Artisan curation, and $32.80/month for the Gourmet curation.

Get started on your Gryphon tea subscription here.

10. Hook Coffee

Got a coffee craving that can’t be satisfied by just any old 3-in-1 concoction? Hook Coffee offers a coffee subscription box so that you can make your own artisanal coffee in the comfort of your home kitchen.

Hook promises freshly roasted specialty coffee whole, grounded or in drip bags for those of us who don’t own complicated coffee machines but still want to enjoy a good quality cuppa. Best of all, their beans are ethically produced and sustainably sourced. Guilt-free!

A pack of 10 drip-bags/250g of beans comes up to $18, and the frequency of delivery is very flexible, based on how often you drink coffee.

To begin your Hook Coffee subscription, click here.

11. Thirsty 

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Thirsty is not just a watering hole, but as the leading craft beer shop in Singapore, it also offers a unique craft beer subscription service. Quirky cool craft beers from around the world are handpicked and sent to you for a very reasonable price.

A three-month subscription, consisting of 6 bottles of beer a month, costs only $178. If you do the math, that comes up to slightly less than $10 a bottle.

Thirsty’s beer subscription awaits you here.

I’ll stop here before I turn square from all the writing about boxes. I hope this list adds some value to your lives!

The post 11 Consumable Subscription Services You Need in Your Life appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

I used to be a stranger to Dover and Ghim Moh until I began schooling around the area and at the time, there were only a small handful of food places my friends and I would frequent… Mostly Star Vista or Holland Village where the foods are not entirely economical.

It is for this very reason I’ve decided to compile a list of the best stalls around this precious area for those who school, work or live there.

If I’ve uncovered your secret food haunt, I apologize beforehand and if I have not included that one stall you absolutely love, do let me know! Anyway, here goes…

—Blk 5 Dover Crescent Food Centre—

1.Wah Chee Restaurant

The name “Wah Chee” has become something most people familiar with the area find solace in simply because beautiful images of fried rice, butter chicken and tasty noodles come to mind. While “Wah Chee” refers to solely this Tze Char stall that sells scrumptious dishes like Butter Chicken Rice ($5), most of us use it to refer to the rest of the stalls too.

That aside, this Wah Chee stall at Dover Court is known best for its Butter Chicken Rice and with very good reason too. The chunks of chicken are covered in a crispy, sweet skin which oozes with juices when consumed, along with the fluffy soft rice. This is definitely one of my favourite dishes at Wah Chee. Other dishes that I really enjoy and are definitely worth a try from this stall are the Hong Kong Fried Noodles and Chicken Fried Rice.

Wah Chee Restaurant: 5 Dover Crescent, Dover Court, #01-02, Singapore 130005 | Monday to Sunday 1100-2330, Closed on Alternate Wednesdays | Tel: 6778 3567 | Closure on the 30th of April 

2. Bao Mei Chicken Rice

Another favourite of mine from Wah Chee is the Chicken Rice stall. I love taking away the Chicken Rice with Lemon Chicken ($4.50) and being the monster eater that I am, I like to add rice for $0.50.

It is completely worth the price as the rice is very fragrant, the chicken slices are tender and not dry and the Lemon Chicken pieces are gloriously sweet. The simple, clear soup that is served alongside helps to cleanse my palate after I’ve wolfed down the entire dish.

Wah Chee Chicken Rice: 5 Dover Crescent, Dover Court,  Singapore 130005 | Monday to Sunday 0900-1600

3. Fishball Noodle

And now, for a change of scene from the rice dishes at Wah Chee, here is a stall that serves delectable bowls of Mee Pok ($3.50), together with a bowl of steamy soup to help you wash the spices from the bowl of Mee Pok away.

The noodles sold here are springy and they soak up the spicy gravy nicely. Coupled with the substantial serving of fish cake slices, fish balls and meat balls (you can opt to swap out the fish balls for meat balls), the entire dish is simply topnotch.

Wah Chee Mee Pok: 5 Dover Crescent, Dover Court,  Singapore 130005

4. Aini Foods

Plated above is a hearty dish comprising of Rendang, Fried egg, Tau Pok and Sambal all piled atop a serving of white, coconut milk rice. Once again, a stall at Wah Chee, a stall definitely worthy of mention.

Sometimes when I feel like I’ve had enough of the Chinese cuisines at Wah Chee, I would opt for the Muslim stall there as the lady serves really delicious plates of Nasi Lemak and the usual array of spicy dishes like Curry Chicken, Rendang soaked in chili sauce, etc.

I would definitely recommend the Otah from this stall too and you can get several to go.

Wah Chee Chicken Rice: 5 Dover Crescent, Dover Court,  Singapore 130005

5. HELLO Western Food

I may seem fanatic about Wah Chee at this point considering how we are five stalls into this guide and still at Wah Chee but I really do believe that the stalls assembled so fortunately at this location deserve the credit coming their way. This Western stall is one other stall at Wah Chee which I fully appreciate mostly because I adore their Fish and Chips ($5) to bits.

Here’s a comparison. When I went to Australia I was told to try their fish and chips as they are supposedly phenomenal there and it is possible I did not patronize the right restaurant but the fish and chips at Wah Chee still remain at the top of my list. Crispy, thick-cut fries, soft fish with a crisp, golden skin and a sweet, sugary bread to bring everything nicely into place.

Wah Chee Western Stall: 5 Dover Crescent, Dover Court,  Singapore 130005 | Tuesday to Sunday 0900-2100, Closed on Mondays

—Jumbo Coffee Hub—

6. XO Fish Head Bee Hoon

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I’ve only been to this stall once, when my friends decided it was time for some of us less adventurous fools to try the XO Fish Head Bee Hoon. Having been my first time, I was overwhelmed by the powerful flavours of the broth which was both savoury and heavily infused with alcohol. The soup was tasty, the fish slices were soft and tender and the vermicelli noodles well-cooked.

XO Fish Head Bee Hoon: Blk 19A Dover Crescent, #01-05, Singapore 131019 | Monday to Sunday 1130-1400, 1700-2300 | Tel: 67783691

7. Uncle Louis Hainanese Chicken Rice

As mentioned in a previous Char Siew Guide I’ve written, I love the Char Siew Rice with Roasted Pork ($3.50) at Uncle Louis Hainanese Chicken Rice for its flavour and magnificence.

Apart from the succulent and drenched-in-sauce char siew, the roasted pork’s crispy crackling skin pairs very nicely with the more tender pieces of char siew. And to top things off, the soup that comes along with the dish is very savoury and will definitely help to wash the char siew after-taste away.

If you opt for the Chicken Rice at this stall, you definitely will not be losing out either as their chicken rice is both fragrant and highly sought after.

Uncle Louis Hainanese Chicken Rice: Multi Storey Car Park, 19A Dover Crescent, Singapore 131019 | Monday to Sunday 0800-1730 

—Other Dover & Ghim Moh Eateries—

8. New Century Cafe Lao You Ji

New Century Cafe, which is a kopitiam located right opposite Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre was teeming with people in the evening. I think most were there for the Tze-Char food stall and the Economical rice stall but regardless, I found divine beauty in this humble plate of Char Kway Teow ($4). 

The portions were very generous and since it is tough to find truly good char kway teow stalls in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised when I dug in to this dish.

The noodles were stir-fried to perfection and filled with the proper amount of fish cakes, chinese sausage, fried egg and more. And just to make the dish more flavourful than it already is, add a few squeezes of the lime to the dish.

New Century Cafe: Blk 19 Ghim Moh Road, Singapore 270019

9. Xi Men Jie The Tastes of Taiwan

I am cheating a little by adding this “stall” here but the crispy chicken at this stall is too good to pass up. Located at the basement of Star Vista, sits a very nondescript shop called Xi Men Jie and it sells extremely yummy fried chicken. I usually order the Chicken Cutlet Curry Rice ($6.50) which is a tad bit more expensive than the prices at Hawker centres but it is completely worth the value.

The breaded chunks of chicken are crunchy on the outside and fleshy on the inside. If you fear the chicken will be too dry, get the curry rice to go along with it as the slightly sweetened curry rice pairs very nicely with the Chicken Cutlet.

Xi Men Jie The Tastes of Taiwan: The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green #B1-04 Singaproe 138617 | Monday to Sunday 1000-2200 

10. Dover Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon

Quite unlike what is suggested in the name of this stall, we did not order the XO Fish Head Bee Hoon and instead, went straight for the tze-char dishes. I always found comfort at this food place, not only because the food they serve there is fantastic but because of the fact that it is located at a more obscure place and the environment there is very laid-back.

When my friends and I come to this place, we usually order one egg dish, one vegetable dish (sambal kang kong or kai lan) and two meat dishes. The two meat dishes here are what I find most beautiful. The first, which is pictured above is the Cereal Chicken ($10-S, $12-L) and I love it mostly because the pieces of chicken are very crispy and are splendid when paired with the sweet peppering of sugary cereal bits.

The other meat dish which is the Salted Egg Pork Ribs ($10-S, $12-L) is my absolute favourite. It is hands down the best salted egg pork ribs I have tried so far.

And while it may be true that I have not tried all the salted egg pork ribs in Singapore to give a fair judgement, but I really strongly urge those who appreciate good salted egg pork ribs to visit this place. The succulent, sweet and savoury pieces of meat will briefly make you forget your problems exist.

Dover Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon: Blk 34, #01-159 Dover Road, Singapore 130034 | Monday to Sunday 1115-1430, 1630-2245 | Tel: 6779 5827 

11. 363 Katong Laksa

I am venturing just a tad bit further from Ghim Moh and Dover now (Don’t fret, I will get back to Ghim Moh asap) but I thought 363 Katong Laksa would be worth a mention. Located at the quieter end of Holland Village, 363 Katong Laksa serves customers steamy, extremely savoury bowls of laksa whose soup you’ll want to keep slurping.

While it is better known for its laksa, I also really love the “Nasi Lemak” they sell and I put it in inverted commas because it is not the traditional Nasi Lemak sold at Muslim stalls. You get to pick your ingredients on a monitor outside and the chicken comes diced up and extremely crispy, alongside a flavourful slice of fried egg.

363 Katong Laksa: Holland Village, 29B Lorong Liput, Singapore 277740 | Monday to Sunday 0800-2200

12.  Bak Kut Teh @ Block 43, Holland Drive

On rainy days, apart from fish soups, I like to indulge myself in hot servings of Bak Kut Teh. One place in particular has become one of my favourites and that is at the coffee shop at Blk 43 Holland Drive. For a mere price of $4.50, you can get yourself a nice, hot bowl of broth and generous, meaty portions of pork ribs.

The meat tears easily and the soup is extremely savoury and while it may not look the most appetizing, I can assure you that I always leave warm and happy, especially since I pay so little for so much.

Bak Kut Teh Stall: Coffee Shop at Blk 43, Blk 43 Holland Drive, Singapore 270043 | Monday to Sunday 0700-0000

—Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre—

13. Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck

Now we finally come to the legendary Ghim Moh Market which has been undergoing several bouts of shifts and reconstruction works recently. Now that it has finally settled back at its old location, Ghim Moh Market’s most adored stalls are back in business and up and running as usual. One of these stalls include Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck whose Braised Duck Rice with Toufu ($3.50) works wonders for me.

The sauced up pieces of duck are so tender, and while the serving is slightly small compared to the portion of rice, it does not matter because the entire dish is very tasty. Order the duck rice with toufu and occasionally dunk your pieces of duck into the chili sauce to reach maximum contentment level.

Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck : 20 Ghim Moh Rd, Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre, #01-04 | Monday to Sunday 1000-2000

14. Ghim Moh Fish Soup

I patronized this stall for two reasons: There was a long queue leading to it and I was down with a flu and was craving something hot and soup-y.

I was not disappointed to say the least. I’m not sure if the Fish Soup ($4.50) tasted better because I was sick and the soup was just perfectly warm or if it really is delicious but I loved how the slices of fish in the soup were soft and tender and the softened vegetables helped to balance out the flavours of this seemingly simple soup.

Ghim Moh Fish Soup: 20 Ghim Moh Rd, Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre, #01-08 | Monday to Sunday 0800-2000, Closed first Monday of the month

15. Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

The chicken rice sold at any Tong Fong Fatt stall will surely satisfy your every taste bud and/ or craving. The stall at Ghim Moh Market is no different. The chicken is generously slathered in sweet and savoury soya sauce, the rice is deliciously fragrant and apart from the pure scrumptious nature of this dish, there is absolutely no hassle with chicken bones.

Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice: 20 Ghim Moh Rd, Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre, #01-24 | Monday to Sunday 1000-2100

16. Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow

Sometimes I evaluate the success of a hawker stall by the length of their opening hours. The longer it is, the less successful and vice versa. Of course, this theory is false but either way, while this Kway Teow stall is not open very often, the plates of Char Kway Teow ($3) they serve up are impeccable. I had to queue for approximately 40 minutes and there were still no complaints on my end so I suppose you can use that as a good gauge.

Packed with flavours, stuffed with the usual cockles and pork lard, and cooked with a savoury dark and sweet sauce, this plate of Char Kway Teow will definitely leave you contented.

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow: 20 Ghim Moh Rd, Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre, #01-19 | Tuesday to Saturday, Closed on Monday, Thursday, Sunday and Public Holidays 

And so, we’ve come to the end of this list. These stalls are the ones I’ve visited before are where I’ve enjoyed some of the best-made local dishes so far.

It may be that I have a very blatant soft spot for many of these food spots but I believe my taste buds are not completely defunct and I hope many of you residing in or have second homes around the area will appreciate this area food guide!

Related Guide: Best Foods To Eat in Bukit Timah & Holland

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The post 16 Food Stalls at Dover & Ghim Moh To Eat At – You’ll be begging for Moh when it’s all (d)Over appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Timbre+, situated where an old historic coffee shop used to stand in Ayer Rajah, is now a home for Singapore’s culinary talents.

The great thing is, a large majority of the old hawkers that have had 30-40 years of history with the old coffee shop are still here, now working alongside a new generation of hawkers, F&B entrepreneurs, and chef-owners.

This 24,000 sq. ft. urban food hall offers a wickedly diverse selection of food, ranging from your local Singapore favourites to Cebuano cuisine, to restaurant-grade food, all set at affordable prices.

With graffitied shipping containers and vintage Airstream travel trailers scattered around, the Gastropark emanates eccentricity and vibrancy – a sight you definitely don’t get to see at your average hawker centre.

All this was conceived by Singaporean urban arts group, RSCLS, who collaborated with chef-owners and hawkers, transforming the space into a collective urban work of art.

The hawker stalls are open from 6am to 6pm, while food trucks and “restaurants” are open from afternoon till late at night.

From Wednesday to Saturday nights, the stage lives and breathes with live performances featuring talented local musicians.

So, if you’re looking to experience the full unconventional character of Timbre+, I’d recommend coming during the late afternoon with a group of pals.

Grab as many types of dishes from the different stalls to share amongst yourselves. (It’d be a big waste if you came here and tried only ONE dish, right)

Settle down in front of the stage for their evening music sets and maybe get some drinks from the Self-service Bottle Shop. They serve boutique and less mainstream beers as well, so you go ahead and indulge your inner hipster soul.

Here’s a list of stalls you could look out for while you’re there:

1. Portico Platos

Portico innovates their dishes using only the best seasonal and fresh ingredients all served in a simple, yet homely manner. I’d recommend coming here if you’re looking for a small plate tapas experience.

My favourite dish by Portico was surprisingly, a fruit. Compression of Rockmelon, Jamon Serrano, Herb Pesto Dressing ($10). Long name, but amazing flavours.

Man, this one really caught me off guard. The first thing that kicked me right in the taste buds  was the sweetness and juiciness that just flooded my mouth, then came the wonderful blend of savoury garlic flavours from the ham and pesto sauce.

Sweet, salty and packs a punch. This is a definite must-have when visiting Portico.

The cool thing about Portico is that their Paellas are cooked in bulk right in front of guests in a ginormous pan, but that means that there’s a limited number of Paellas they can serve. So QUICKLY GRAB ONE FOR YOURSELF. Luncheon Portion Paella ($9)

2. Wong Kee

One of the two new generation hawkers residing here at Timbre+, armed with her father’s 52-year-old recipes and cooking methods, Kelly Wong serves up some stunning noodles, my friend.

With less alkaline water and no preservatives, her dishes are healthier, fresher and even tastier.

If you want to get a taste of her cooking, do come early as she closes at 6PM, and on some days runs out of stock an hour or two before closing.

Side note: She sells a cup of Ribena at 80 cents only! I’m telling you, everything at this stall is super hua.

I fell in love with her Beef Brisket Spinach Noodles ($5.50) (an item that’s a rarity these days) at first bite. With more than 20 ingredients incorporated and left simmering in a pot all day, the brisket is dripping with flavours and is so succulent, I actually was quite sad when I finished it.

Beef brisket might be a bit jelat to some of us, but her spinach noodles provides a nice, clean balance to the dish, so all is fine.

Her Char Siew Dumpling Tomato Noodles ($4.50) was something I had never encountered before at a hawker stall.  The noodles, along with her tomato sauce are made with real tomatoes. I like how the sweetness of the char siew strikes a warm contrast to the sour of the tomato flavours.

Another awesome thing is that it comes with soup dumplings the size of a baby’s fist.

This is also another must-try at Wong Kee.

3. Two Wings

Honestly though, one just isn’t enough. Chef-owner Jeremy Loh offers us a taste of nostalgia with his 1970s fried chicken made with a 40-year-old secret recipe passed down from his granduncle.

His secret frying method removes that pesky layer of fat that we normally see in the average chicken wing, so his Original chicken wings ($8.90) are extremely crispy, less greasy and healthier. And you know what that means. It means you can have more.

These larger-than-normal chicken wings are also extremely tender and soft, with his secret flour combination that locks all the flavours in.

Recommended: Get your wings with a set that comes with fries (french, sweet potato, or spam), and drinks (sour plum or coke).

Salted Egg Chicken Wings ($8.90). Do I even need to elaborate on this? It’s fried chicken, it’s salted egg sauce. Just go at it already!

4. KUSH

Using the most humble and Singaporean spices, Chef-owner, Zhang Deming fuses different cultural concepts together to bring out an amazing flavour in his dishes.

Interesting concept dishes like his rice bowls with Onsen egg are his own Singaporean rendition of Japanese Donburis.

What really stood out to me at KUSH was his Lamb Chop ($34 for 3pcs).

Although seemingly conventional, once in your mouth, the Singaporean flavours permeating those chops hit you like a freight train.

The flavours somehow evoke a sense of nostalgia in you and I think the best way to describe this sensation is heritage, with a touch of modernity.

His Charcoal Licked Skewers are another thing to look out for. All his skewers also bring out the most Singaporean flavours from the simplest food items. My favourites are the Enoki bacon ($2.80), Asparagus Bacon ($2.80) and Chicken Skewers ($2).

5. Iskina Cebu

In Singapore, the Filipino cuisine is altogether hard to come by, and there’s one right here at Timbre+.

Bringing you authentic Cebuano cuisine, chef-owner Chris Calledo, born and raised in Cebu, wants you to experience his food culture and dining experience through their signature Lechon (Filipino roasted suckling pig).

Tip: grab some beers to pair along with his food and go enjoy some live music at the stage area.

This dish is called Liempo ($6 for the set meal), pork belly roasted over a charcoal stove and manually monitored to deliver crisp and juicy perfection.

The skin is really crunchy, sort of like Keropok, and the meat itself is soft fatty heaven. I think it pairs really well with their spice infused rice (I call it “rice with a kick”).

Their Spicy Belly Lechon ($10 for the meal), laced with spices that really sit on your tongue and linger on, is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

This dish, marinated while it rotates and cooks around a charcoal fire, wicks in all the flavours of Cebuano spices, giving you a full introduction to Cebuano food.

6. Big Bern’s American Grill

The former owner of the Botak Jones franchise, Bernie Utchenik brings to Timbre+ some genuine American comfort foods with hints of Southern Louisiana.

Anyone ever try Gumbo before? Because Big Bern serves up some mean Gumbo. You know you’re going to get a true taste of Louisana when the stall you’re ordering from sells Gumbo.

Another dish originating from Louisiana is their Po’ Boy Sandwich. Big Bern’s served me up some Cajun Chicken Po’ Boy ($12), with a side of fresh homemade coleslaw and fries with spices.

Tender chicken, a lovely blend of spices and a distinct barbeque flavour, mmmm. Watch out though, the bread can be a little difficult to cut through.

Timbre+ really is a whole new ballpark in Singapore’s food scene. With restaurant-grade food and hawker foods all conveniently situated in this new urban hangout in the heartlands, it’s a food hall you have to visit because it really is just that cool.

Expected Damage: $3 – $50 per pax

Timbre+:  73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, Singapore 139957 | Mon – Thu: 06:00am – 12:00am, Fri – Sat: 06:00am – 01:00am, Sun: Closed | Website

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Savour the Rich, Fresh Taste of Authentic Teochew Cuisine.

In October 2015, Paradise Group revealed their new brainchild – Paradise Teochew Restaurant at Chinese Swimming Club – to offer the much-loved Teochew Cuisine, prepared authentic and delicious.

Led by Executive Chef Cheng Fa Kwan who was born into a family of Teochew chefs and who has had 34 impressive years of culinary experience, Paradise Teochew Restaurant now promises to pamper those who appreciate the good, fresh tastes of Teochew cuisine with a splendid selection of dishes to choose from.

Located on the 3rd floor of the rather swanky Chinese Swimming Club, the Teochew restaurant does well to uphold the level of class with its elegant furbishing. Clean, carpeted floors, intriguing paintings of Chinese figures on walls and silky table-cloths laid down neatly at each table, just to name a few elements of the place that gave it a certain non-pompous air of opulence.

Now, on to the food. We were first served these adorable white, slightly porous Baked BBQ Honey Pork Buns 紫麦雪山包 ($5.40) which was a fantastic way for us to start off the meal. Each time I bite into buns, I feel a slight anxiety as I know not what to expect from the filling waiting ominously inside.

I had absolutely no reason to doubt this wonderful bun of joy, though.

When I bit into the Baked BBQ Honey Pork Bun, I felt an immediate rush of happiness as the warm, gooey, sweet and savoury filling took over my tastebuds. The crisp-skinned but fluffy bun nicely balanced out the thick, flavourful honeyed pork and it was just an overall absolute delight.

Another type of bun we had the opportunity to try was this cute arrangement of Steamed Custard Buns in Piggy Shape 奶香猪仔包  ($5.80). These buns were tight-skinned on the outside, but were likewise rather tasty.

These pig-shaped custard buns revealed soft, yellow insides with a couple of pine nuts stuffed into each custard-filled centre. The outer bun layer was a little thick but it still worked quite nicely for me as the candied filling’s flavours were mellowed out with the vaguely sweet bun.

Another delightful dim sum-type we thoroughly enjoyed was the Steamed Pork Dumpling “Siew Mai” 香菇鱼子蒸烧卖  ($5.80) which tasted exactly the way you’d imagine an authentic pork dumpling from the motherland would taste like. The thin yellow skin was soft but stuck nicely to the meaty pork ball that was packed with salty and fresh flavours.

I greedily stuffed the entire “Siew Mai” into my mouth but that was no mistake as I could taste all the flavours come into play beautifully.

The final dim sum we tried was the Steamed Glutinous Rice Roll in Teochew Style 潮式糯米卷 ($4.80) which was essentially sticky glutinous rice wrapped in a contrasting fluffy bun-type layer.

This was a rather interesting dish for me and I proceeded to dip my piece into various sauces and that proved to be a wise decision as the sauces help bring out the flavours of this dish more jarringly – just the way I like it.

And now, on to the mains. The first mains dish that I fell in love with was the Sautéed Sliced Beef in Satay Sauce 沙爹酱炒牛肉 ($20 for Small) which was top-notch. Listed as one of the highlights in the menu, this saucy dish definitely did not disappoint.

The sauce was sweet and savoury, with a twinge of spice and there were crunchy, nutty bits that nicely balanced out the textures of the tender beef. Beautiful, really.

The next meaty main dish we had was the Braised Trio Combination in Teochew Style (Sliced Duck, Pork Belly, Octopus)
潮式卤味三拼盘 (鸭片,  五花肉,  墨鱼) ($24 for Small) which was a very straightforward dish comprising of rather thinly-sliced braised duck, pork belly and octopus.

It was a simple dish but it was also a recommendation as the meats were tasty in their own specific ways.

The pork belly was soft and tender in the right places and went nicely with the gravy, the braised duck meat was a little tougher than the pork belly meat and the octopus meat was chewy, the way I think it should be. To top things all off, there is a lovely surprise at the bottom of all these meats…Toufu! Silky and fresh, the toufu goes beautifully with the braised meats.

Next, we tried the Steamed Diced Chicken wrapped in Egg White Crepe菊花石榴鸡  ($16 for Small), a dish that was among the first few dishes Chef Cheng learnt to cook. This fascinating dish is prepared with absolute care and precision as the thin-layered egg-white crepe needs to perfectly enclose the filling.

The skilfully-put-together wraps were delicious and highly refreshing, to say the least. The filling was stuffed with a good mix of chopped chicken chunks, Chinese ham, bamboo shoots and water chestnut, wherein the included vegetables helped to make the wrap very cooling, even with the savoury oyster sauce slathered all over it.

Another main dish we tried was the Sautéed Scallop with Asparagus in XO Sauce  XO酱芦笋带子 ($26 for Small) which was nice and tasty. The scallops were springy and slightly spicy while the asparagus strips helped to balance out the textures of the dish well.

One of the most well-known Teochew dishes, we next tried the Teochew Style Steamed Pomfret  潮式蒸鲳  (Seasonal Price $54, Small- $27). The Steamed Pomfret was soft and very fresh, especially when had with the sweet soft tomatoes.

The classic ingredients of salted vegetables and sour plum helped to make the dish even more revitalizing and also helped to bring out more zesty flavours of the dish.

I always enjoy a good ol’ plate of fried egg when I can. Paradise Teochew truly delivered when this golden, crispy goodness was whipped up and brought to our table. This Pan-fried Oyster Omelette in Teochew Style  潮州蚝煎蛋  ($16 for Small) did not just look good, but checked out taste-wise too.

The oyster omelette was surprisingly not very greasy and it was more doughy with a crunchy exterior than anything else. It was also an added bonus for me that the oysters were very fresh and its seafood smell could be easily masked by dunking chunks of the omelette into the side of vinegary chili sauce.

And to ground ourselves in something laden with carbs (that is not dim sum), we indulged in an authentic Teochew Style Crispy Sweet and Sour Noodle in Teochew Style 潮式干煎糖醋面  ($14 for Small). The crispy noodles was doused in some vinegar and sprinkled with some sugar to bring out the sweet and sour flavours of the dish.

The flavours were all very subtle but in a nice, docile sort of way. Great for a snack.

After stuffing ourselves full with the mains, we moved on to the desserts which fared very well too. We first tried the Steamed Sweetened Yam, Sweet Potato and Gingko 高烧三宝  ($8 per serving) which was an interesting blend of sweet and pasty. The sesame seeds gave the dish an added bit of crunch which I enjoyed quite a bit.

We also tried the Mashed Yam with Pumpkin  金瓜芋泥  ($4.50 per person) which is in a way similar to the previous dish but in a very different texture. This classic Teochew dessert dish was thick with sweet yam paste which did not stick to the gums as it quickly melted away into my tummy.

This was a heavy dessert dish which wouldn’t be my first choice after the extremely hearty meal but I still liked its sweet mellow flavours.

Now, this was a dessert dish I could fully appreciate. The Tau Suan with Gingko 福果绿豆爽  ($4 per serving) was delicious. The crispy fritters that were later added to the bowl of syrupy Tau Suan were magnificent and went splendidly with the thick, but lighter-than-yam-paste Tau Suan which were fitted in with nice soft bits to chew on. This made for a perfect after-meal dessert for me.

For a person who rarely eats at Chinese restaurants, I was extremely pleased with the quality of exquisite food served at Paradise Teochew Restaurant. I felt like the highlights were rightfully listed down as that, especially the Sliced Beef in Satay Sauce and the Chicken wrapped in Egg-White Crepes.

Another favourite of mine which I’ll definitely return to have more of is the Baked BBQ Honey Pork Buns, a definite must-try!

Expected Damage: $40 – $60 per pax

Paradise Teochew Restaurant: 21 Amber Rd, #03-01 (Arrival Pavilion), Chinese Swimming Club, Singapore 439870 | Monday to Friday 1130-1530, 1800-2230, Saturday, Sunday & PH 1030- 1530, 1800-2230 | Tel: Website

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The World Gourmet Summit is an annual culinary festival, organised by A La Carte Productions (a division of Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd) and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

The award-winning festival is held in Singapore and comprises events like master-classes held by world-renowned chefs, hands-on workshops and formal themed dinners.

As the World Gourmet Summit celebrates two decades of epicurean exploits, we were fortunate enough to be invited to one of its themed dinners, An Israeli Evening featuring Chef Meir Adoni, priced at $148++ per guest.

Headlining our Israeli evening, Chef Meir Adoni hails from Tel Aviv where he owns the Catit group of restaurants. Citing his home, heritage and Moroccan grandmother as some of his cooking inspirations, Chef Meir Adoni does a modern twist on traditional dishes, while still respecting the ingredients and their flavours.

The event was hosted at The Disgruntled Chef, brainchild of local head chef Daniel Sia. His second outlet, situated within The Club Hotel at Ann Siang, exuded sophistication with a cool grey palette utilizing dark wood and marble accents.

Our evening opened with flutes of Champagne Penet-Chardonnet, Grand Cru Prestige Grande Reserve, while all subsequent courses were paired with wines specially imported from Israel for a truly immersive Israel dining experience.

To begin, we had the Mediterranean Sashimi Slices of Yellowtail, an elaborately plated starter.

The complex dish featured a multitude of components – cured lemons, pomelo, Labane red chillies, just to name a few – which added a punch of tartness to the subtly sweet Yellowtail slices. The ‘Jewish artichoke’ element of the dish elicited a few giggles from our table, and had a pleasant, nutty flavour that I really liked.

I found this more of a ceviche than sashimi because of its robust flavours and use of acidity quite unlike the simple and understated flavours of the quintessential sashimi. Regardless, it was delicious.

The Middle Eastern Hairiri Soup came next in a whirl of strong, smoky flavours. With chunks of lentil and chickpea, it was every bit the comforting, rustic stew. The addition of lemon dust gave the soup a much needed hint of acidity.

Veal brain and sweetbreads were cleverly shaped into a soft patty that tasted slightly sweet and earthy, not at all like the unsavoury expectations I had of brain and offal. The patty came with a mound of smoked cabbage and root vegetables, stewed to a delicious melty texture that made me feel inexplicably warm and happy inside.

The Bar Fillet with Sea Mousse was essentially a slab of Sea Bass served atop smoked wheat stew, green vegetables and yogurt. The dish incorporated many different textures: smooth, creaminess of the yogurt, graininess of the wheat stew and buttery softness of the fish, which I thought made it a rather satisfying eat.

The yogurt was garnished with chive oil, adding an eye-catching pop of green that tied the dish together visually.

Lamb Chops with Lemons and Bharat was my favourite main of the lot.

The lamb meat was tender and beautifully seasoned with a Middle Eastern spice mix, and had just the right amount of gamey flavour. The saffron couscous served alongside the lamb was fragrant, enhanced by the sweet, smooth dollop of paprika and pumpkin puree that accompanied it.

I finished all of it, unabashedly.

For our final course, we were served a Middle Eastern Pavlova. As the earlier courses were rather heavy and flavoursome, I had my fingers crossed that dessert would be less taxing on the palate. This highly-anticipated course fulfilled all my expectations to a tee, on top of arriving so prettily on the plate.

The tartness of the Strawberry and Red Raspberry compote and the vibrance of the Blood Orange sorbet stood in perfect contrast to the denser creaminess of the Mascarpone. I personally enjoyed the distinctly Israeli touch of fresh Hyssop that gave the dessert a floral, somewhat liquorice flavour.

In all, I concluded the evening thoroughly satiated, and very thrilled after my encounter with the rich, multi-layered flavours of Israeli cuisine, thoughtfully prepared and skilfully executed by Chef Meir Adoni.

T’was a truly gastronomic experience, in true fashion of the World Gourmet Summit.

The Disgruntled Chef: 28 Ann Siang Rd, 069708 | Tel: 6808 2184 | Website

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Ristorante Takada – an Italian fine dining restaurant that incorporates premium and seasonal Japanese Ingredients into its dishes. With an all-Japanese kitchen staff, the restaurant boasts of authenticity that caters to the slightly subtler Asian palate.

Chef-owner, Masahiro Takada spent eight years in Italy gaining experience in Michelin Star Italian restaurants, living and breathing the Italian cuisine. While he was in Singapore in 2014, he, along with brothers, Don and Keith Lee, launched Ristorante Takada.

Co-owners Don and Keith Lee have been dedicated to the Italian cuisine scene in Singapore for about eight to nine years before deciding on launching Ristorante Takada, their third existing Italian restaurant.

Chef Takada, in order to ensure the quality and freshness of dishes prepared, changes the menu constantly based on the seasonality of certain ingredients.

The majority of their set lunches and dinners are served Omakase-style (dishes served are carefully selected and prepared by the chef). That means that all the food you’ll be served is definitely top notch, made with seasonal produce.

With smooth jazz music lulling from the speakers, gentle lighting and a soft-grey chic interior, Ristorante Takada exudes simple style and comfort.

Let me bring you along on my Tokyo-Italian fine dining experience: a nine-course Omakase Dinner.

For the first course: Mushroom Cappuccino, a delightful little cup of caramelised onion and mushroom puree, topped off with truffle and cream foam.

Well, more like a shot than a cappuccino, I downed this creamy concoction pretty quickly. Smooth, thick, and oh so pleasant, it left me wishing it were a huge bowl rather than just a cup. Alas, there were eight other courses to go through. I had to hold myself together.

On to the second course: Ocean Trout and Sawara with Sakura Smoke

On top of the Ocean Trout and Sawara (seasonal Spanish Mackerel) were a teaspoon of parsnip puree and a smidgen of caviar.

The dish was presented with an upturned bowl that encased the sashimi in smoke burned from Sakura wood. On the side, capers and egg cream brought a welcome sour tinge to the tongue.

Surprisingly, the smokey flavours really came through and even lingered at the end. The parsnip, gentle and sweet, I felt, perfectly wrapped this beautiful concoction of flavours together.

Third Course: Cartoccio Trasparante Hokkaido Scallop

This dish of Hokkaido Scallop, Canadian Clam and Burrata Cheese was snugly bundled up in Cartoccio Trasparante (transparent parchment) to seal in its flavours.

The scallop only partially cooked to maintain its subtle sweetness, fused well with the Panna Cotta mushroom and truffle sauce.

This dish truly was delightful, with the scallop soft and thick, the clam well doused in the sauce, and the cheese introducing an interesting acidity and texture to the dish.

Fourth Course: White Asparagus and French Quail

The quail thighs had crispy skin and really rich flavours, almost like it had been brined for hours. The amazing thing is that it hadn’t.

The quail was soft, tender and dripping with juices. All of this accomplished by firstly, pan frying on high heat to seal the surface, then roasting in an oven to control its doneness.

To even out the richness of the thigh, the white asparagus, which is currently in season, was crunchily cleansing. Never thought I’d say this, but I enjoyed this vegetable.

Fifth Course: Squid Ink Taglionili with Hokkaido Sea Urchin

This dish is so delicious that it has had countless requests by customers who come back raving about it, consequently swaying Chef Takada to make it a permanent special on their menu. And oh yes it truly was exquisite.

The Taglionili, hand-made by Chef Takada, was firm, an even contrast to the soft Uni (sea urchin) and Ikura (salmon roe), so I thought that was a good nice balance of texture. The golden dusting sprinkled around the pasta is actually salted, cured fish roe (bottarga), which introduced an element of saltiness to the dish as a whole.

A little secret unbeknownst to most is that Chef Takada finely chops Nori (seaweed) to refine the flavours brought out by the Uni and Ikura. I can definitely see why people keep coming back for more.

 Sixth Course: Foie-gras Risotto Raspberry Bubble

Ahhhh, the famous Foie Gras, drizzled with balsamic reduction, rich and heavy on the palate, mingled well with the light acidity of Raspberry bubble and smooth creamy risotto. Even the risotto, by the way, is of the highest quality in the market.

 Seventh Course: Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Tenderloin Steak with Red Wine Sauce

Remember how I mentioned that they utilise premium Japanese ingredients? This is what I meant. This is what an A5-grade Wagyu Steak looks like, my friends. Soft and tender, it practically melts in your mouth with all that fat.

This is another dish that customers have unfailingly returned for, and thus is now a staple on Chef Takada’s dynamic menu.

Eighth Course: Petit Fours

The madeleines were fluffy and zesty, the soft chocolate truffle rich and bitter-sweet, and the gooseberries were simply an exciting sour burst of flavour, like tiny little palate cleansers.

Ninth Course: 4 kinds of cheeses

Ah, this dessert really caught my attention. Utilising four kinds of cheeses, this last course was weird by name, but an amazing kind of weird. You wouldn’t imagine a sweet dessert to have pungent blue cheese in it, but this one did.

The mascarpone, ricotta cheese, cheesecake, and Gorgonzola cheese (Italian blue cheese) were pleasant contrasts to each other – a blend of sweet, sharp and savoury. Although some might find the Gorgonzola to be a little too strong, I felt it was an intriguing end to my dinner.

I must say, their afternoon sets are really affordable too, starting from just $38++ and great for corporate lunches.

You’d expect one to leave the restaurant overly full with a bloated tummy, but I left in a state of perfect satisfaction. Ristorante Takada serves courses that are evenly proportioned and a delight to the palate. If however you are still feeling hungry after the nine-course dinner, Ristorante Takada can throw in a bowl of pasta as well to make sure all guests are full and happy.

Expected Damage: $148++ for the nine-course Omakase Dinner

Ristorante Takada: 356 Alexandra Road, #01-07 Alexis Condominium, Singapore 159948 | Tel: +65 6339 3969

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In our never-ending rush to meet homework/assignment/project deadlines, most of us Singaporean students understand the dire need to find conducive spaces to study at.

Unfortunately, for some of us, home just isn’t that place to get any work done.

But where do we go when it’s late at night and you have to chiong an assignment or mug for an upcoming exam? And what about food??

Where can we go to that we can study at AND have something to munch on at the same time? My fellow mugging chiongsters, here is the list of makan cafes for you to seek refuge at that makes great studying spots. You’re welcome.

1. The Tea Party Cafe

This two-storey cafe, known for its Roasted Duck Pizza, serves extremely affordable good food. Plus, if you order a main dish, you’ll get $1 off any dessert of your choice!

On the first floor, you can lounge on cushy sofas and low tables, but upstairs, there’s an abundance of tables for you chiongsters to mug at.

No need to worry about finding enough seats. At the Tea Party Cafe, there’s plenty of room for every chiongster.

The Tea Party Cafe: 805 Bukit Timah Road, #01-07, Sixth Avenue Centre, Singapore 279883 | Tel: +65 6462 3563
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 11:30am – 11:30pm| Fri – Sat: 11:30am – 01:30am | Sun: 11:30am – 12am

2. Twenty Grammes Cafe

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On top of having a relaxing ambience,  great lighting and FREE WIFI, they serve the best comfort foods for you stress eaters out there – waffles, ice cream, and frozen yoghurt soft serve too.

When the study lethargy gets to you, revive yourself with a cup of their Ice Melbourne Coffee!

Although they normally close quite early, they do open till late on Fridays and Saturdays!

Twenty Grammes Cafe: 753 North Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 198721 | Tel:+65 6717 1733

Opening Hours: Mon- Thu: 12:00pm  – 10:00pm | Fri-Sat: 12:00pm – 01:00am | Sun: 12:00pm – 10:00pm

3.Salted Caramel

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Their ice cream, waffles, and brownies come at really value-for-money prices, with single scoops at just $3.60, and double scoops at $6.40. Just add $3.50 to waffle up your ice cream.

Interesting flavours to feast on during your mugging session: Horlicks Tim Tam, Yuzu Ginger

Tip: come in a bit earlier to set up “base” because this place might be packing later in the night.

Salted Caramel: 246F Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574370 | Tel: +65 6753 1718

Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12:00pm – 11:00pm | Fri – Sat: 12:00pm – 02:00am | Sun: 12:00pm – 11:00pm

4. Hanis Cafe (Wilkie Edge)

This place would be perfect for the muggers who crave savoury foods while studying.

At Hanis, you can order a set meal for as low as $9.80, served with the soup of the day and a choice of coffee, tea, orange juice, or iced lemon tea (pick the coffee of course).

If you’d rather some desserts, fret not. They also serve a wide variety of pastries to munch on.

Good food, excellent lighting and a large number of tables. Go forth, my fellow chiongster. Go finish that assignment.

Hanis Cafe: 8 Wilkie Road, #01-22/23/24 Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095 | Tel: +65 6708 6770

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

Other Outlets

5. Udders (Upper Thomson)

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Yes, ice cream and waffles again, but this time, they’ve got PANCAKES as well. Reward yourself with some ice cream and waffles at the end of your study session. You’ve earned it.

Oh, and if you need FREE WIFI, they’ve got it. As long as you buy something of course.

Udders: 246D Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574370 | Tel:+65 6452 0803

Opening Hours: Sun – Thu: 12:00pm – 01:00am | Fri – Sat and eve of PH: 12:00pm – 02:00am

Other Udders Outlets

6. Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe (Holland Village)

Looking for something other than western food and ice cream and waffles? This is the place for you. This cafe, on top of serving Western food, serves local favourites, and dim sum.

With such a dynamic menu, your late night study-snacking experience would be like no other.

On top of being spoilt for choices, Xing Wang Hong Kong Cafe guarantees your mugging comforts with FREE WIFI, and their cushioned chairs and booths. Chionging work is excruciating enough as it is, right?

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe:251 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278981| Tel: +65 6469 0325

Opening Hours: Daily: 11:00am – 02:00am

Other Outlets

7.Tom n Toms Coffee

On top of bringing you a refreshing coffee selection, this Tom n Toms serves pretzels, Bingsu, and thick toasts! I’d recommend the Honey Butter Toast – it comes with a generous dollop of cream on top.

What makes this place even better is that there’s plenty of space and tables, with FREE WIFI. Isn’t this the best place to chiong at or what?

Tom n Toms Coffee:12 Gopeng Street, #01-12, Icon Village, Singapore 078877 | Tel: +65 62256313

Opening Hours: Daily: 07:00am – 12:00am

8. Haagen Dazs (Holland Village)

Great lighting, comfy chairs and rich ice cream. A cosy place to settle down and chiong your assignments after having dinner nearby.

Holland Village is altogether a delightful place to be at night. If you ever get too stressed out or encounter a mind block, go have a walk around to clear your mind.

Haagen Dazs: 21 Lor Mambong, Singapore 277680 | Tel: +65 6468 9474

Opening Hours: Sun-Thu: 12:00pm – 11:30pm | Fri – Sun: 12:00pm – 01:00am

9. The Book Cafe

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A homely book-themed cafe that provides all-day breakfasts. Here, you can find a wide array of reading materials – international books, magazines, and newspapers.

Other than their all-day breakfasts, they also serve pasta, Asian food, desserts and a large variety of other dishes.

They also let you use their electrical power outlets and provide FREE WIFI, so have no worries if you need to go online for research.

The Book Cafe: 20 Martin Rd, #01-02, Seng Kee Building, Singapore 23907 | Tel: +65 6887 5430

Opening Hours: Sun – Thu: 08:30am to 10:30pm | Fri – Sat: 08:30am to 12:30am

10. Oblong

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Oblong is a cafe that serves handcrafted ice cream, artisanal coffee and an assortment of waffle flavours.

You can select from their intriguing range of ice cream, waffle and coffee combos, each priced at only $10. (try their Bamboo Waffles!)

The place is bright and spacious, so you won’t feel cramped up in the least!

Tip: Come earlier as the crowd usually comes in after 8pm.

Oblong: 10 Maju Avenue, Singapore 556688 | Tel: +65 6858 2320

Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 12.00pm -12.00am | Fri – Sat: 12.00pm – 02.00am | Sun: 01:00pm – 12:00am

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I’m pretty sure by now most of you have caught news of Hokkaido’s famed cheese tart, BAKE, opening up a store in Singapore. Bless these beautiful souls for bringing in such goodness to us. No more watching countless tempting videos of it online and desperately clinging to a wishing bone, hoping it will magically surface in front of us.

Come this 29 April 2016, BAKE’s SouthEast Asia flagship store will officially open, at ION Orchard. It will retail at $3.50 per tart, $19.50 per box of six tarts. The tarts will still stay true to all its ingredients from Hokkaido and it will  be pre-made in their Japan store in Kinotoya, Hokkaido before sending out the cheese tarts everywhere.

Then, they will be freshly baked at the store for customers to then indulge away.

Since starting their first store in July 2011, they’ve sold over 20 million pieces in Japan and all its overseas stores, including Hong Kong, Bangkok and Korea, with Singapore being its fifth overseas store.

Mr. Shintaro Naganuma, the president and CEO of BAKE, is the first son to Kinotoya’s president Akio Naganuma, where they specialise in making sweets. He knew the importance of continuing the family tradition and at the age of 24, got into the trade and has since been working on it, with BAKE being regarded as a baby of his own.

What makes BAKE’s cheese tart so good is their upholding of using only premium ingredients, constantly. We are all well aware of how delicious Hokkaido’s milk is and after trying it for the first time, I’ve been a convert and can never really resort back to drinking our local milk. I kid you not.

In these delectable tarts, the cheese mousse is made from three different kinds of cheese- cheese from Hakodate in Hokkaido, cheese from Betsukai that is more full bodied as compared to the milder Hakodate cheese, as well as another brinier cheese from France.

All three cheese blend together to complement each other, bringing out a savoury and subtly sweet and soft mousse that will pamper your palate.

The cheese mousse is almost marshmallow-like on the outside, fluffy and aerated inside. The first bite into it and you’d taste the savoury factor. Before long, a subtle sweetness will work its way through and you’ll be crying on the inside with joy. The crust is somewhat like a harder version of a sweet bread that blends with the tart to give a velvety and luscious tart.

‘The Best Cheese Tart Ever’. Now in Singapore.

Mmhm, tempting? BAKE will be opening 29 April 2016 at ION.

Expected Damage: $3.50 – $7 per pax

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

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After a heavy night of drinking and jiving to groovy tunes slowly dies down, one would find oneself suddenly left with an insatiable appetite and intense carb cravings. That’s the case for a perpetually hungry buffoon like yours truly.

Whether it is finding a good late night spot nearby to fulfil your after-clubbing food urges or to find a communal food place for you and your crew to crash at, most usually look for the nearest eatery to hang out at till dawn comes and the public transport services start functioning.

To make life slightly easier for the wild clubber in you, I’ve compiled a list of midnight food spots that every clubber who appreciates a good hearty meal to soak up the remaining liquor in his/her system, can utilize. Since most clubs lie within the Clarke Quay, River Valley and CBD area, this food guide will mostly comprise of good food places around these locations.

Also, since a night of partying usually lasts till around 0200 (for me at least), another factor I’ve considered for this guide is that the eatery has to be open till at least 0300 or 0400 & beyond.

— River Valley & Clarke Quay Area —  

1. Hai Di Lao

Over time, Hai Di Lao has managed to establish itself as one of the best few steamboat places in Singapore, and with good reason too. Here are a few reasons Hai Di Lao would make for a perfect after-clubbing food spot for the hungry slowly sobering up.

Firstly, this place is highly reputed for their topnotch service so you will not have to stress your dazed self out during your meal as the servers will help with the cooking of meats and whatnot. Next, the place closes at 0600 so if you plan to party till 0400, you don’t have to worry too much about this place closing and plus, it is located at a prime area.

And of course, the food at Hai Di Lao is far from disappointing, with their handmade noodles and various delicious soup bases like Local Laksa, Seafood and Tomato being offered. You can get 6 succulent pieces of Fresh Scallops ($12) and 5 sweet pieces of Fresh Prawns ($4) which is pretty worth it for its quality.

Hai Di Lao: Clarke Quay, 3D River Valley Road,#02-04,  Singapore 179023  | Monday to Sunday 1030-0600 | Tel: 6337 8626 / 6337 8627 | Website 

2. Five Star Hainanese Cuisine (River Valley)

For $4.20, you can get a more-than-decent plate of chicken rice at 5 Star Hainanese Chicken Rice which keeps it delicious goods available to all till 0500 each day at River Valley.

Their rice is fragrant and just the right amount to soak up the remaining alcohol in your system. Their chicken is nice and tender, which should put you in a mood good enough to face the new day (or to slip you into a peaceful slumber).

Five Star Hainanese Cuisine (River Valley): 419 River Valley Rd, Singapore 248318 (River Valley) | Monday to Sunday 1100-0500 | Tel: 6235 6760

3. Pint and Curries

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Pint and Curries is a funky joint venture by Bar Bar Black Sheep and S11 that takes residence right by the Singapore River. This small but lovely eatery opens till late every night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays to appease the drinking crowds with beers and fresh servings of naans and curries, as the name aptly suggests. If you’re the sort of clubber who believes that the “night is still young” but is exhausted from dancing, scurry on over to Pint and Curries!

Apart from the classic North Indian dishes like Butter Chicken ($12) and Chicken Tikka Masala ($12), Pint and Curries sells other unique foods like Chicken65 ($9), savoury and spicy finger-foods that are rather addictive.

Pint and Curries: #01-14, Clarke Quay, 3D River Valley Road, Singapore, 179023 | Monday to Thursday 1700-0200, Friday to Saturday 1700-0400, Sunday 1700-0200 | Tel: 6337 4616 

4. Spize

A midnight food guide for clubbers would not be complete without Spize, a casual restaurant in River Valley that most are all too familiar with. Spize has an extensive selection of foods to choose from – Chinese, Indian, Italian, etc., with prices ranging from $4.50 to $15. Pick a dish and indulge.

Spize: 409 River Valley Rd, 248307 | Monday to Sunday 1100-0500 | Tel: 6734 9194

5. Lim Joo Hin Eating House

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What’s the perfect dish to end the night of your partying and ready yourself for a new day (if you can’t sleep in)?

A steamy bowl of porridge. That’s exactly what Lim Joo Hin Eating House offers every late-night wanderer. If you travel in packs of 3s or 4s, you can order several dishes for a total of less than $50 and enjoy dishes like Braised Pork or White Cabbage with your plain but filling porridge.

Lim Joo Hin Eating House: 715 Havelock Road, Singapore 169642 | Monday to Sunday 1100-0500

6. Señor Taco

If you begin to crave Mexican food whilst dancing on the dance floor and listening to perhaps a Shakira soundtrack mix blast through the stereos, fret not. Señor Taco at Clarke Quay can satisfy your cravings with their Burritos ($17) and rather authentic Tacos. 

If you happen to be a lady and one that is looking for some exciting pre-clubbing activity, you can also head down to Señor Taco to learn Salsa dancing for $10/ hour or indulge in their Ladies Night ‘Latin Lovers’ Cocktails ($16). 

Señor Taco: 3A River Valley Road #01-07/12 Read Street, Singapore 179023 |  Sunday to Tuesday & Thursday 1800- 0130, Friday to Saturday & Wednesday 1800-0330 | Tel: 6336 1734 | Website

7. O’ Coffee Club (Wheelock K1)

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O’ Coffee Club (Wheelock K1): 501 Orchard Road, Singapore 238880 | Monday to Sunday 24 hours | Tel: 6836 5383

— Central Business District Area —

8. Hoe Kee Cantonese Porridge @ Maxwell Food Centre

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Apart from conveniently serving till early in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays, Hoe Kee Cantonese Porridge at Maxwell Food Centre makes sure to serve up delicious bowls of porridge of quality. The Porridge ($3) served here is smooth and comes with a century egg that can be mashed up and mixed in and is very tasty when had with salty sides.

Hoe Kee Cantonese Porridge @ Maxwell Food Centre: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-45, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184 | Monday to Thursday 0630-1430, Friday to Saturday 0630-0400

9. Kko Kko Na Ra

Korean Fried Chicken is one other highly sought after dish in Singapore and thankfully, there’s a place in Tanjong Pagar near the CBD area that can cater to your late-night fried chicken wing craving – Kko Kko Na Ra. The portion of chicken wings served here may be rather generous for $25 but each wing is a little skinny. The fact that the chicken wings are extremely tasty and are not too greasy is a definite bonus though!

Kko Kko Na Ra: 68 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088489 |Monday to Saturday 1200- 1500, 1800 -0300, Sunday 1800-0100 |Tel : 62259282 | Website 

10. Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice

Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice: 229 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208905 | Monday to Sunday 1100-0330 | Tel: 9826 1464 

11. OverEasy Restaurant

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 While the food served here may be a little on the pricier end, I can assure you that it is definitely worth the money. Best known for their Truffle Mac & Cheese with Wild Mushrooms ($16) which makes for a very pleasant meal after a tiring night of dancing, OverEasy will definitely not disappoint the hungry (and hopefully still not broke) clubber you!

OverEasy Restaurant: 1 Fullerton Road, One Fullerton, #01-06, Singapore 049213 | Monday to Thursday 1130-1430, 1700-0100, Friday 1130-1430, 1700-0300, Saturday 1700-0300, Closed on Sundays | Tel: 6423 0701 

12. The Ramen Stall

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The Ramen Stall is one of the best places to get yourself a quick fix of Japanese food, dishes ranging from sushi to ramen like Beef Ramen ($12.90), at late hours. This Japanese eatery, while not best-known for its service, does serve delicious bowls of ramen with interesting flavours like Volcano Ramen which is essentially hot and spicy, and Abalone Seafood Ramen for the seafood-lovers.

The Ramen Stall: 787 North Bridge Road, North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198755 | Monday to Friday 1700-0600, Saturday 1200-0600, Sunday 1200-0000 | Tel: 6655 0800

13. Kao Gong Fu

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While Kao Gong Fu seems to be more nondescript than most other food places around the Bugis area, this BBQ restaurant has made a name for itself by providing quality Hong Kong and Chinese dishes till late hours. Kao Gong Fu would make the perfect spot for you and your friends to enjoy an affordable meal (complete with uniquely-flavoured dishes like Chocolate Spring Rolls) and welcome the morn.

Kao Gong Fu: 470 North Bridge Road, Bugis Cube, #01-02, Singapore 188735 | Monday to Saturday 1100-0500, Sunday 1100-0000 | Tel: 6337 8798

14. Happy Mookata

 If you and your mates are in a more adventurous spirit after clubbing, there is a modest Mookata place at Golden Mile Tower that is definitely worth a try. The highly affordable A la carte Buffet for $23.90 can feed you hungry people and feed you well. The broth they use is the standard chicken sort but the soup gets very flavourful very quickly and the chicken meat and beef slices were rather tasty. Do be warned, however…The Sotong Balls aren’t too great.

Happy Mookata: 6001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Tower, #01-55D, Singapore 199589 | Monday to Sunday 1800-0300 | Tel:8113 0074 | Website 

 

If it takes a bunch of you to cough up a few more dollars to take a short taxi trip down to a food spot or if it takes a group of you drunken fools to find your way on foot to an eatery, I’m sure there can only be two possible outcomes, both of which are favourable.

You can either make it to the place and satiate your monstrous after-drinking appetite with tasty food or get lost walking there and make a silly but sweet memory with your pals. So, carry on, you clubber folks!

The post A Clubber’s Guide To Midnight Makan Spots in Singapore After The Music Dies Down appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Forget Boxing Day; Every day can be unboxing day now.

As e-commerce starts to boom and us millennials get lazier to leave our homes, delivery services are quickly becoming an upcoming trend. Subscription services are enhanced versions of delivery services, in so far as they eliminate the need for continuous placing of orders by sending items to you based on your selected duration and frequency.

I don’t know about you, but I think receiving parcels in the mail and enjoying a good meal are some of the best feelings in the world. Throw the two together and there you have it: food subscription boxes. Need a bite? How about some artisan coffee or alcohol delivered to your doorstep? Subscription boxes are the answer.

I’ve tried my best to compile a comprehensive list of subscription boxes in Singapore that deliver consumable products, in no particular order. So, whether you’re a recluse who fears the great outdoors, or a workaholic who is simply too busy for the frivolity of shopping, I’m sure these subscription boxes have something to offer.

— To Eat —

1. Baking Subscription Service – Batterful

It’s true, not everyone is born with culinary talent, but you needn’t shy away from the kitchen no more. Try Batterful for an easier, more convenient way to churn out delightfully baked goods. Move over, Nigella!

Batterful is the first baking subscription service in Singapore, founded by passionate self-taught bakers, who’ve collaborated with cafes and bakeries such as SumoPocky and The Fabulous Baker Boy to produce an extensive recipe menu.

A simple subscription to Batterful entitles you to a monthly box of premium ingredients, How-To Online videos and interesting recipes from across the globe.

Batterful’s Classic Box (4-5 servings) retails for $19.95/month, while their Family Box (8-12 servings) retails for $29.95/month, excluding delivery costs.

Get batter at baking by ordering your first box here.

2. Healthy Snacks Subscription – MadeReal

Post-snacking blues got you down? Good news – you don’t have to stave off the munchies with sinful snacks. MadeReal’s curated snack boxes feature snacks that are not only nutritious but will satisfy your need for a nibble, proving all the doubters wrong – healthy and tasty can be synonymous!

Each MadeReal snack box retails at $24.90 per box, with options for delivery every 2 or 4 weeks.

Snack well with your MadeReal box here.

3. Japanese Snacks Subscription – KimochBox

Fans of Japan, rejoice! Kimochbox is a monthly subscription box that specialises in Japanese snacks, because let’s face it, who can say no to little Japanese treats?

Kimochbox contains a uniquely curated array of snacks picked from the Land of the Rising Sun and sent straight to your doorstep. It features popular brands like Royce, Glico, Meiji and Nabisco, so every month’s box is a surprise.

Mothers, fathers and friends: this makes a great gift for the teen in your life you don’t really know how to shop for. Trust me.

Kimochbox starts at $15 for an original box or $16 for an a la carte box, that allows you to select your own goodies.

Order your Kimochbox here!

4. Ice Cream Subscription – Pint Society

Pint Society is my dream subscription service in the flesh. Operating on a monthly-delivery basis, it delivers two hand-crafted pints of ice-cream with luscious and innovate flavours — I mean, how quirky does ‘Forever Summer’ sound?

I’m not sure about you, but I love the thought of having my freezer stocked with freshly crafted ice-cream without having to lift a finger.

A subscription to Pint Society starts at $38/month and goes as low as $29/month for a year, with free delivery to boot!

Your monthly ice-cream delivery starts here.

5. Healthy Snacks Subscription – BoxGreen

BoxGreen has featured several times in renowned publications like HerWorld and The Business Times, so of course it was imperative that it appear on this list. Much like MadeReal, BoxGreen is a subscription box that strives to promote healthier snacking by delivering wholesome and delicious snacks — think nuts, dried fruits and grains.

I really like that BoxGreen works in partnership with Willing Hearts, donating one meal to help the less fortunate for every box delivered. Also, as an additional feature, BoxGreen lists its snacks’ nutritional values online, so anyone calorie conscious can keep themselves in check!

BoxGreen comes in two sizes: the Gift Box, meant for a single person, costs $24.90, while the Family Box retails at $99 and contains a whopping 50 (yes, 50!!) snacks.

Don’t wait, get your BoxGreen here.

6. Organic Food Subscription – Simply Fresh

SimplyFresh is a weekly subscription service for fresh organic food harvested from farms in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In short, it is what every atas household needs.

It’s the first of its kind in Singapore, and offers 8 boxes to cater to diverse needs. Each box holds a good 5 to 7kg of fresh produce, with 8 to 10 types of fruit and or vegetables that may vary with the seasons. I personally think that it’s a lovely way to receive your groceries, especially with such an assurance of quality.

SimplyFresh fixes prices at $150/box, except the Family Value Box which retails at $250/box.

Grab a box of fresh produce here.

7. Nutritional, Healthy Meals Subscription – Grain

Unlike the other items on the list which operate on a weekly or monthly basis, Grain is a daily meal subscription serving up hearty and wholesome meals to the busy CBD worker.

Grain guarantees their chefs have experience in top restaurants, so you can be sure of the quality of their meals. As they change up their menu very often, there’s always something new to look forward to, and you can pre-order meals up to five days in advance.

Grain’s meals start at $10.95 for a serving of Kimchi Quinoa Salad with Sesame Tofu, though prices do vary based on the mains you choose. Grain also delivers for free to selected CBD areas!

Hop on the Grain train here.

— To Drink —

8. Wine Subscription – The French Cellar

Passionate about wine or simply seeking to impress your guests at a dinner party? Either way, The French Cellar has got you covered with a monthly wine subscription service of two bottles of fine French wine and their 3-star Michelin sommelier’s tasting and pairing guide.

This subscription service also makes a perfect gift for that fancy friend of yours. You know, that one who uses “alabaster” or “ivory” instead of “white” in everyday conversation.

The French Cellar has four different subscription packages available. The most economical package, Vineyard Gems, starts at $102/month or $88/month for a duration 6 months.

Start on your fine wine subscription here.

9. Whisky Subscription – Whiskey Butler

Whisky Butler, Singapore’s first whisky tasting club, offers a monthly subscription box containing 4 specially chosen drams of whisky and detailed tasting notes.

This is the perfect box for those who love a glass of liquid gold, giving you the opportunity to sample exquisite whisky without purchasing an entire bottle.

Prices for a box start at $88, with greater savings the longer the duration of your subscription. The Whisky Butler box also includes free shipping and exclusive invitations to Whisky Butler events!

You can order yourself a Whisky Butler box here.

10. Tea Subscription – Gryphon Tea Box
 

I knew I couldn’t miss out a tea subscription box, considering how popular a beverage it is, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that local tea company Gryphon Tea offers just the thing.

Gryphon Tea’s subscription box comes in two varie-teas: the Artisan Box and the Gourmet Box, with plans lasting a duration of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. The Artisan curation offers 30 tea satchets, while the Gourmet comprises 3 types of loose leaf tea, but both promise customers a superb selection and free delivery!

With unheard-of flavours like ‘Tomatino’ and ‘Nymph of The Nile’ to choose from, you can be assured more than just run of the mill teas.

Prices start at $28.80/month for the Artisan curation, and $32.80/month for the Gourmet curation.

Get started on your Gryphon tea subscription here.

11. Coffee Subscription – Hook Coffee

Got a coffee craving that can’t be satisfied by just any old 3-in-1 concoction? Hook Coffee offers a coffee subscription box so that you can make your own artisanal coffee in the comfort of your home kitchen.

Hook promises freshly roasted specialty coffee whole, grounded or in drip bags for those of us who don’t own complicated coffee machines but still want to enjoy a good quality cuppa. Best of all, their beans are ethically produced and sustainably sourced. Guilt-free!

A pack of 10 drip-bags/250g of beans comes up to $18, and the frequency of delivery is very flexible, based on how often you drink coffee.

To begin your Hook Coffee subscription, click here.

12. Craft Beer Subscription – Thirsty 

Thirsty is not just a watering hole. As the leading craft beer shop in Singapore, it also offers a unique craft beer subscription service. Quirky cool craft beers from around the world are handpicked and sent to you for a very reasonable price.

A three-month subscription, consisting of 6 bottles of beer a month, costs only $178. If you do the math, that comes up to slightly less than $10 a bottle.

Thirsty’s beer subscription awaits you here.

13. Sake Subscription – Sakemaru

What beats a good glass of sake at an Izakaya bar? A good glass of indie sake in the comfort of your home. SakeMaru delivers premium ‘nama’ sakes specially curated and flown in from different distilleries across Japan. Each month’s sake arrives with a brochure on its origins and a sommelier’s guide to appreciating the drink.

Prices for a SakeMaru subscription begin as low as $50 a month for a 720ml bottle of sake, and there’s even a 50% discount applied to your first order.

Oh for goodness’ sake, order your monthly delivery of Sake here.

I’ll stop here before I turn square from all the writing about boxes. I hope this list adds some value to your lives.

The post 13 Food Subscription Services That All Singaporeans Deserve appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

I notice more and more Si Chuan cuisine slowly popping up on our sunny island, no longer a minority in the plethora of international cuisine we have.

With more Si chuan restaurants coupled with the abundance of Chinese restaurants along Chinatown, it’s no surprise we’d eventually be trying one of these restaurants – Wan Nian, a Chinese restaurant with a stone pot fish concept.

How does Wan Nian Stone Pot Fish differentiate themselves from the other Chinese restaurants along Chinatown?

Wan Nian Stone Pot Fish doesn’t bother with overly expensive fixtures, but are simple and familial – you don’t have to freak out about the prices here.

They aren’t a full-blown Si Chuan restaurant, instead the restaurant prides themselves on their flexible and culinary capability in multiple Chinese cuisines. So here you can try Si Chuan, Hunan, Cantonese, Singapore food and more dishes inspired by other Chinese cities.

And of course, from their very name, their most unique attribute would be the Stonepot dishes.

How did fish cooked in stone arrive in Singapore?

During the Qing Dynasty, under the reign of Emperor Qian Long (Son of Yong Zheng, Grandson of Kang Xi ), the Emperor was very impressed by this particular fish soup he tried at Chang Sha while on his trip to Southern China. The fish soup he enjoyed so much was served in an earthen stonepot. He liked the taste and idea of it so much, he named it the “Good Fortune Fish”.

Whilst exploring for ideas, the owners chanced upon the stonepot fish and were inspired by it and upon realising that Singapore has yet to have this particular specialty dish, thus Wan Nian Stone Pot Fish was born.

As arbitrary as a stonepot might seem, it actually makes a great difference. Cooking in the stone constantly enhances the flavour of the soup whilst diners are still drinking it, so the first taste compared to another taste 15 mins later would be different. One would discover that the soup becomes much more rich and flavourful.

According to the owners, the stonepots, made out of natural stones from Manchuria, are packed with natural minerals that would seep into the soup hence bestowing additional nutrients to the drinker.

Signature Stone Pot Original Seabass (market price, about $30 – $50 per fish)

The first stonepot fish we tried was Wan Nian’s original Stonepot Fish soup. Pricing depends on the type of fish and whether you choose the live ones from the fish tank.

Made with over 10 Chinese herbs – like danggui, ginseng  – and 8 types of vegetables – including winter melon and beancurd skin, this broth promises richness and depth in its flavour.

Despite the load of herbs, the soup was not overly strong in herbal taste so don’t worry about that. It is easy to drink due to its tastiness and will sit well with people of all ages.

After sitting in the lighted Stone Pot for around 10 minutes, the broth evidently thickens in consistency while flavours of mushroom, cabbage and herbs intensifies. This soup ‘ages’ gracefully; guaranteed slurp-worthy!

Stone Pot Perfume Seabass (market price, about $30 – $40 per fish)

Of course, we can’t have a si chuan restaurant without some Mala Soup.

According to the founders, the soup isn’t exactly meant for drinking as it is really rich and intense in its spices but they have some patrons who do love to drink it.

In this mala soup, the ingredients (apart from the mala chili spices from the soup) are pretty much the same as the original soup’s except they have sweet potato noodles.

They are like a silkier and chewier version of kuay teow/hor fun. The sweet potato noodle soaks up the spiciness, so it is delicate in its texture but packs a numbing punch in its wake.

For their Stone Pot Fish Soups, prices will vary according to the type of fish you choose – seabass, grouper, catfish etc

Ribs with Diced Yam ($16)

Cubed pork ribs probably blanched or ‘velvet-ed’ then deep-fried as it retains tenderness inside while the outside is really crisp, almost akin to yam chips but thicker. Yam lovers would probably really enjoy this.

Both the ribs and diced yam are coated in this sweet sauce that was incredibly addictive. I felt like I could snack on this thing all day.

SiChuan Fried Chicken ($12)

A classic Si Chuan dish, this is their rendition of the La Zi Ji 辣子鸡 or Chongqing chicken. There’s ample fragrant Si Chuan chilis stir-fried within renders one’s mouth numb or ‘ma’ 麻- the sensation synonymous to Si Chuan cuisine.

PuTien Beehoon ($6/$12)

Fragrant fried vermicelli of thread-like thinness, cooked in an aromatic stock with a decent whiff from the wok hei and sesame oil. Probably the thinnest rice vermicelli I’ve had.

The recipe is apparently the same as Pu Tien’s famous bee hoon, the noodle texture is springy and light, but holds sufficient taste and wok-hei aroma. Not to mention the seaweed adds an extra crunch. Despite being a simple friend noodle, there are multiple layers going on in this dish which you have to try for yourself. Highly recommended.

Chili Crab (Price varies according to weight of crab)

More sweet with a heavier tomaoto flavour than the usual local chili crab, this seems tweaked for the tourist market who can’t take all that spicy. But the consistency and colour of the chili crab sauce were still right. Although it tasted different it was still pretty tasty, I was eating one mantou after another trying to soak up that gravy goodness. Crab picked could be bit meatier though.

If you’re one to enjoy soups, this is probably a good place for you to check out. Not only is the original soup base incredibly delicious, their other dishes are pretty memorable too. Wan Nian also offers quick and simple lunch sets for $6 if you’re pressed for time.

Expected Damage: $20 – $30 per pax

Wan Nian Stone Pot Fish 萬年石鍋鱼: 52 Smith Street, Singapore 058959 | Tel: 6423 9252 | Website

The post Wan Nian Stone Pot Fish wan 萬年石鍋鱼: Nutritious Soups from Minera-Rich Stone Pots appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Ah, frogs. They’re my least favourite amphibian from how they look, but that won’t stop me from having delicious frog legs in Singapore.

The older generation will list the benefits of frog meat, like improved vitality and toxin removal. But I know what the health-nut millennials really want to hear: frog meat is a finer choice of meat, having less fat than chicken breast for the same amount of protein, minus the dubious steroid injections. 

Singapore frog porridge is generally served in two ways. The first is a simpler, unembellished version in which the frog is boiled directly in a pot of plain porridge. The second involves cooking the frog in a dense soy sauce, flavoured with assorted items like dried chilli or ginger and spring onion, then having it with a separate bowl of porridge.

My love is reserved for the second style, with its glorious combination of savoury gravy, sticky porridge and the unique, springy texture of frog meat. (It also really helps that I suppress all memory of what a bullfrog looks like when I eat.)

I really jumped right into compiling a list of Singapore’s best frog porridges.

1. Chang Jiang G1 Claypot Frog Porridge 长江1号

Dried Chilli Frog Porridge ($5)

Located conveniently within walking distance of Chinatown MRT, Chang Jiang G1 ought to be everyone’s go-to frog porridge. What I find great about Chang Jiang G1 is their individual portions of frog porridge, priced at an unbelievable $5! Their gravy was dark and spicy, and stirred into their plain porridge, was truly a delight to eat.

You’d expect a stingy amount of frog for such a pricetag, but Chang Jiang G1 was extremely generous — I found 4 frog legs in my bowl and a number of other froggy parts. This was the most affordable frog porridge I found.

Chang Jiang G1 Claypot Frog Porridge: 32 New Market Road, People’s Park Complex Food Centre,#01-1150, Singapore 050032 | Open Monday to Sunday, 1030 – 2130 | Closed on alternate Mondays

2. Eminent Frog Porridge 明辉田鸡粥

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Frog with Spring Onion ($8/$16/$22)

Eminent occupies a special spot in my heart, having been the stall that served me my very first bowl of frog porridge when I was little. I love that Eminent’s frog porridge is consistently on point, delivering velvety porridge and tender frog meat every single time I’ve visited.

What’s more, their porridge is also relatively affordable as they run a Buy Two Get One Free promotion that increases with the number of frogs you buy.

Eminent also has a number of unique offerings that can only be found here, such as Special Frog with Garlic and White Pepper and Homemade Chilli Frog (both $8/$16/$22). I had the latter once, and the flaming hot chilli-crab style sauce that came with the frog was so shiok. If you’re looking for frog porridge, you’ve got to try Eminent.

Eminent Frog Porridge: 323 Geylang Road, Lorong 19, Singapore 389359 | Monday to Sunday, 1700 – 0400 | Tel: 9842 2941

3. Lion City Frog Porridge 狮城

Dry Chilli Frog Leg ($8.50/$17/$23) & Porridge ($2/$3/$4)

Lion City Frog Porridge lies along the never-ending Geylang Road stretch, and is the perfect late night supper spot. Of all the stalls I’ve tried, Lion City errs on the pricier side, but makes up for the cost by delivering a solid, dependable bowl of frog porridge. Their frog meat is quite tender and the rich and spicy Gong Bao sauce goes exceptionally well with the thick, grainy porridge.

Funny story, I spent half an hour trying to find Shi Cheng 狮城 Frog Porridge after my visit to Lion City, only to realize the two different names refer to the same place. So if you’re looking up frog porridge online, don’t be misled into expecting two stalls at Geylang Lorong 9 – there’s just one, and a real good one at that.

Lion City Frog Porridge: 235 Geylang Road, Lorong 9, Singapore 389294 | Monday to Sunday, 1500 – 0330 | Tel: 6746 8105

4. G7 Sin Ma Live Seafood Restaurant 新马活海鲜

Dry Chilli Bullfrog & Ginger Spring Onion Bullfrog ($8/$16/$22/$30)

G7 Sin Ma Live Seafood Restaurant is a rather popular spot for frog porridge. I visited this place on a cold evening and oh, it brought me unspeakable joy with its bubbling hot clay pots and smooth porridge. The gravy itself was rich and not too spicy, although a tad salty for my liking.

G7 Sin Ma is absolute value for money if you’re planning to share. A single frog is priced at $8. If you get two frogs, they’ll give you one for free. Buy three and they’ll throw in two frogs AND porridge. Yada yada, you get the idea: MORE FROGS FOR LESS. I had 5 frogs done two ways for only $23.50! (G7 Sin Ma does charge GST, don’t be a miser.)

Also, they serve Honey Lemon Ai-Yu ($3.50) drink, basically a pimped up version of my childhood favourite drink with longans and wobbly jelly cubes — a great refresher after a heavy meal.

G7 Sin Ma Frog Porridge: 161, 163 Geylang Road, Lorong 3, Singapore 389239 | Monday to Sunday, 1230 – 0230 | Tel: 6848 4161 / 6743 2201 

5. Tiong Shian Claypot Frog Porridge 長城砂煲田雞粥

Claypot Frog Porridge ($8/$16)

Like its name suggests, Tiong Shian Porridge Centre offers an extensive list of porridges. I was pleasantly surprised by their Claypot Frog Porridge, which came with large cuts of spring onion and frog meat.

The porridge base itself was starchy and well seasoned enough to hold its own without the assistance of any other sauce. I detected a hint of cooking wine in the porridge which gave it a rather nourishing, homely feel.

If you’re feeling indulgent, you have the option of adding on a Braised Egg (滷蛋) to your porridge for a dollar or so.

Tiong Shian Porridge Centre: 265 New Bridge Road, Singapore 088745 | Monday to Sunday, 0800 to 0400 | Closed on alternate Mondays of the month | Tel: 6222 3911 

6. Hong Chang Eating House 宏昌餐室

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Ginger Claypot Frog Leg ($8/$13/$16/$22) & Plain Porridge ($2/$3)

Hong Chang is an old favourite that I frequent en-route to my Grandmother’s place. It’s a quaint little eating house in an unassuming corner of Braddell Road, but it’s a gem not to be missed. They stir up a very fragrant Ginger Claypot Frog Leg, that pairs wondrously with thick porridge. I like that their sauce is thinner and lighter in flavour, so the original taste of the frog meat isn’t lost.

Not just known for frog porridge, Hong Chang also cooks up a mean Sambal Stingray and assorted zhi char dishes so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Hong Chang Eating House: 2 Braddell Road, Singapore 359895 

7. Sheng Ji Frog Leg Porridge & BBQ 胜记

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Sheng Ji is located in the newly revamped Bedok Marketplace, so it boasts a quirky and stylish setting on top of good old hawker nosh. I think Sheng Ji is the perfect spot for people who want a bowl of frog porridge but don’t fancy the rowdy hawker ambiance typical of other stalls, so give it a try. I’ve heard great things about their Dried Chilli & Spring Onion Claypot Frog.

Sheng Ji has a reasonable price of $8/$13/$16 for 1, 2 and 3 frogs respectively, and $2-3 for Claypot Porridge.

Sheng Ji: The Bedok Marketplace, 348 Bedok Road, Singapore 469560 | Sundays to Thursdays, 1030 – 1430 and 1730 – 2230 | Fridays, Saturdays & Eve of PH, 1030 – 1430 and 1730 – 0030 | 

8. Sin Heng Kee Porridge 新興记

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The self-proclaimed “Porridge Specialist” Sin Heng Kee offers more than 20 varieties of porridge. I was truly spoilt for choice, and eventually I chose the Dry Chilli Frog Leg ($8/$15/$22/$26) with a side of Sliced Pork Porridge ($3.50). The frog was fresh and good, but it was definitely the creamy consistency of the porridge that took my meal to the next level.

If you do visit Sin Heng Kee, get yourself a serving of Fried Dough Fritters (油条) ($0.80) as the crispy and crunchy fritters go unbelievably well with the salty porridge.

Sin Heng Kee Porridge: Blk 685 Hougang Street 61, #01-150, Singapore 530685 | Monday to Sunday, 0700 – 2130 | Website

9. JW 491 Frog Porridge

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This one is for the Westies. JW 491, formerly Sixties Frog Porridge, offers a decent frog porridge at very economical prices. I had their Dry Chilli Frog Porridge one evening, and quite enjoyed it. Their frog meat had a good bite to it, and the gravy was satisfyingly savoury, with just the right amount of heat.

JW 491 is great for West-dwellers who don’t want to travel to the other end of Singapore for a frog porridge fix. Their stall is also one of the cheaper ones I’ve patronized, with their claypot frog costing $7/$14/$19.50/$25 and their porridge priced at $1.50/$2.50/$3.50.

JW 491 Frog Porridge: 491 Jurong West Avenue 1, Singapore 640491 | Monday to Sunday, 1730 – 0330 | Tel: 8168 4843 | Website

10. Wong Chiew Eating House 皇潮

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Claypot with Spicy Frog Leg ($22.00 for 3 frogs)

Wong Chiew Eating House’s frog meat was fresh and sweet, though I thought the gravy could’ve used more seasoning. That being said, Wong Chiew’s appeal lies in its 24/7 operating hours, so of course I had to add it in the list for anybody stricken with a massive craving at an ungodly hour.

Wong Chiew Eating House: 19 Sembawang Road, Singapore 779075 | Mondays – Sundays, 24 hours | Tel: 64566838 | Website

11. A-One Claypot House

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At $18.90 for their Claypot Dried Chilli Frog Meat and $4.90 for a claypot of plain porridge, I’d be lying if I said A-One was an extremely affordable option. Still, I added A-One into my list of frog porridges because it brings something else to the table.

A-One Claypot House offers a more upmarket, restaurant-style frog porridge, so I’d recommend it to anybody looking to celebrate an occasion or have a bowl of frog porridge in a comfortable, air-conditioned setting.

For a lighter alternative, try A-One Claypot’s Dried Scallop with Frog’s Meat Porridge ($13.90).

A-One Claypot House: 9 Bishan Place, Junction 8, #01-49/50, Singapore 579837 | Monday to Sunday, 1030 – 2130 | Tel: 62585119 | Website

Related Guide: Best Crab Bee Hoon Singapore

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Piping hot and fragrant, food cooked in a claypot somehow just tastes better. There’s this smokey delight to claypot dishes as the dish winds with scent when being served to the table.

If you’re a fan of claypot dishes like me, I am pleased to introduce Grandma’s Daily Pot – a hawker entrepreneurial start-up at Maxwell that offers its very own heritage sizzling hot recipes that’ll make you salivate.

Founder of the stall Julie, together with her partner Yu Quan were featured as two of Singapore’s Gen Y Hawker Entreprenuers passionate in preserving heritage food cultures.

Julie explained that all of Grandma’s Daily Pot’s recipes don’t contain MSG, chicken stock nor corn starch – an interesting fact that appeals to me in this day and age, as the more delicious gourmets are often heavily seasoned.

Claypot Chicken Curry ($5, comes with a bowl of rice)

For the claypot chicken curry, the chefs in-house strive to keep it to a local flavour. At the same time, the curry has the taste of lontong curry – a light texture with a silky flow.

Made from scratch, the curry has no MSG and does not make use of chicken stock in brewing. With these facts in mind, I was most surprised to find the gravy very flavourful. The curry was sweet and savoury, and exudes a spicy aftertaste.

Claypot Fish Curry ($5, comes with a bowl of rice)

Adopting the style of South Indian cuisine, the gravy for the claypot fish curry is thick and rich in flavour. I find it similar to the usual fish curry we dip our roti pratas in, just that this one has a bittersweet tang to it. Not a taste that I’d fancy, but I guess it sure does make this dish special at Grandma’s Daily Pot.

The plus point for this dish is the batang fish used in whipping up this bowl of curry. Chef Julie mentions that they only make use of either batang steak or the tail for their claypot fish curry. 

They served us the batang tail, and the choice of fish part was very rich in terms of meat content. At the same time, the meat is very fresh. The pairing with the curry was very much luscious.

Claypot Sesame Oil Chicken ($5, comes with a bowl of rice)

Personally, I have always loved eating sesame oil chicken. As such, I was most delighted upon knowing that I’m in for tasting the claypot sesame oil chicken here at Grandma’s Daily Pot.

Not failing my hopes at all, the sesame oil chicken served was a special form of conjure, in the good way. Unlike most other sesame oil sauce, I love this one in that it ain’t too thick nor too sweet. Basically, the texture was just very light and not too greasy, with the absence of the use of corn starch.

At the same time, the ginger slices gave the dish a fragrant taste of spice. According to Chef Julie, they had taken past the longest time to master the recipe for this sesame oil chicken, so as to achieve a blend of taste that is both unique and appetising.

Grandma’s Herbal Soup ($5, comes with a bowl of rice)

After tasting three heavily flavoured claypot soup dishes, I was most glad to arrive at the last dish which Grandma’s Daily Pot has to offer. Julie had highlighted that this grandma’s herbal soup was first introduced simply as a palate cleanser to the other claypot dishes on their menu.

Nonetheless, the popularity of this healthy and delectable herbal soup has earned it a place as a main dish on the menu. I like it that the herbal taste ain’t too strong, unlike most of the other herbal soups which I have tried.

Warm, light and savoury, I believe that this dish is a good start for getting the younger generation to better appreciate dishes that belong to the more traditional and heritage food cultures.

Oyster Sauce Veggie ($2)

Now we come to the side dishes – food items which form a well-rounded set meal with the respective claypot dishes. The first of which is the oyster sauce veggie. 

Blanched in a brilliant way, the fresh green kai lan was soft and crunchy upon biting into the stem. At the same time, the leaves were clean and crisp, thoroughly absorbing the oyster sauce it was soaked and prepared with.

This side dish pairing offered a very refreshing taste, and it very much completes the diner’s meal here at Grandma’s Daily Pot. Claypot chicken/fish with rice and accompanied by a healthy platter of veggies – what other way to perfect a nutritious meal for the day?

Century Egg Tofu ($2/$3)

Besides the oyster sauce veggie, Grandma’s Daily Pot also offers the century egg tofu as another side dish that diners can pair with their claypot soup and rice. If you are a fan of tofu and century egg like me, I’m sure this is good news to you.

I say so, because I find that unlike the century egg tofu which I find elsewhere at Japanese or Chinese restaurants, the one here is awesome with its rich texture and taste.

This is especially so for the tofu which I wish to emphasise. The tofu was firm but chewy, and I felt as if I was biting into a piece of jelly – sweet and delicate.

Note that the option for a set meal here at Grandma’s Daily Pot consists of both the oyster sauce veggie as well as the century egg tofu. The addition of $2 to the main claypot soup and rice entitles the diner to both of the side dishes.

Overall speaking, I very much love the claypot soup dishes here at Grandma’s Daily Pot. I had felt that the four different flavours were very well selected, and formed up a good selection range in terms of their degree of thickness as well as richness of flavour.

Groups of friends or large families can come together to indulge in all four flavours, and I believe that everyone will benefit from tasting a good blend and balance of taste. Indeed a very hearty and well-rounded meal at Grandma’s Daily Pot.

Expected Damage: $5 – $10 per pax

Grandma’s Daily Pot: 1 Kadayanallur St, Maxwell Food Centre, #01-29, Singapore 069184 | Facebook | opening hours: mon-fri: 11am-9pm

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“Aryaa” meaning noble in Sanskrit and is an adaptation of the word “Aryans” which refer to the race consisting of people of Indo-European origins. Located in the heart of Singapore, Aryaa is a North-Indian/ Mediterranean restaurant, club, lounge and bar rolled into one.

Whipping up dishes with origins that track the footpath of world renown conqueror Alexander the Great, Aryaa blends both history and food and serves up a menu that reflects the tastes and flavours of the cultures that line the Mediterranean Coast and all the way down to North India.

The design and concept of the restaurant is very much oriental-inspired. In fact, the main dining hall is embellished with an ambience of royalty, which I felt was so grand that it deemed for kings to dine in. Even the tabletops were uniquely designed with the use of Moroccan patterns.

The Aryaa Meze Platter ($18)

This platter is made up of the tzatziki, tirokafteri, tiropitakia and melitzanosalata dips, which are also available for order individually. I enjoyed dipping and savouring torn strips of the pita bread into the tzatziki and the tirokafteri.

The tzatziki exuded a citrus, sour taste which was a good refresher to the palate, preparing my taste buds to savour a heavily-flavoured meal which I was about to expect. True enough, the tirokafteri which I dipped my pita bread into next gave a tart and spicy tang, not for the faint-hearted.

The melitzanosalata was a made up of a healthy mix of vegetables and alliums. Dressed with extra virgin olive oil, this dip gave a delightful crunch which was well-balanced with a silky texture.

Crispy and buttery in texture, the tiropitakia was my favourite amongst the four dishes combined on this platter. I could taste the freshness of the spinach bits mixed with the delectable ooze of feta and cream cheese.

It being my first time trying out Mediterranean food, this platter was a good choice as a starter for my Mediterranean dining here at Aryaa.

Pasrur Malai Tikka ($16)

Subtly spiced, this chicken kebab is juicy and tender. A dish originating from the Pasrur region of Punjab, the chicken has a rich buttery flavour to it.

Lapped with lemon juice and dipped into the the special green-coloured cream cheese, these pieces of meat were satiating to the bite. Savouring this dish alone can really fill my tummy and leave it contented, as I couldn’t stop with just one piece of the malai tikka.

Garides Saganaki ($17)

This is my favourite dish during my dining experience here at Aryaa. It is an interesting conjure that combines prawns with feta cheese slices, with the rich taste of herbs and tomato forming the sauce base for it.

The prawns were very fresh and crunchy, and exuded a pleasant sweetness with the sauce. Texture was very much that of the Western bolognese sauce. So if that’s your favourite, you’re most likely to appreciate the garides saganaki. 

The twist lies in the feta cheese which differentiates this tomato-based dish from a Western dish. The feta cheese gives a heavy brine flavour to the prawn meat, which I felt was a good complement of flavour.

Plated Lamb Gyro ($22)

Lamb meat was tender and chewy. It was a bit to the hard side but not too stiff, just the way I like it. It was seasoned to a sweet and slightly salty flavour. The cherry tomatoes served with it was a delightful sweet pairing. At the same time, the cucumber slices was a cleansing to the palate.

Dipping the lamb meat into the tzatziki dip served alongside gave it a sweet-cum-sour taste, which I felt was interesting and special. I was more than delighted to see even more pita bread being served.

This time round, it was presented in smaller pieces and they were more crisp upon bite. Diners can choose to have fries or rice as a side to this dish. I must say that this dish is very much filling and nutritious, as it seemed loaded with much carbo and protein.

Galaktoboureko ($15)

Wrapping up my meal here at Aryaa was this impeccable dessert item. Biting into the galaktoboureko gave a pleasant and delicate ooze of sweet and creamy custard.

Made from phyllo flour, the crust was thin and very crispy, making it an awesome pairing of texture with the smooth and creamy custard filling. Topping it well, the drizzle of butter and sprinkle of cinnamon formed a hard caked icing that gave the entire dessert dish an enhanced tinge of fragrant spice.

This dessert dish has done its part in painting a good impression of Mediterranean desserts and leaves me curious to explore more of them. The galaktoboureko will be one of the reasons to come back here, as well as to try out other dishes here at Aryaa.

On the whole, I enjoyed my dining experience here at Aryaa. The dishes were all very delicious and flavourful, and I find the dining concept one that is different and rich in culture.

Much applause to the team at Aryaa for this well-presented portrayal of the Mediterranean and North Indian cuisine within the bustling district of Beach Road Singapore. I will definitely come back here for a hearty hangout with friends and colleagues after hours.

Expected Damage: $50 – $70 per pax

Aryaa: 7500E Beach Road, Diners Building, #01-201, Singapore 199595 | Tel: +65 62916009 | Website | opening hours: weekday lunch: 12pm-3pm; dinner (mon-sat): 6pm-11pm; closed on sundays

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Combining both the old and new, Singapore has kept its roots yet developed as one of the fastest growing nations. The one place where this is most evident is in the Central Business District Area, and Raffles Place in particular.

Amid the tall, glitzy buildings in Raffles Place, there is a peppering of traditional hawker centres that still keep true to Singapore’s humble beginnings. Time-pressed office workers are always looking for nearby food centres where they can spend a very reasonable amount of money on delicious foods – it’s always more expensive to eat in the CBD.

People can get tired of routines, however, and so, if you are a Raffles Place-office-dweller and are on a lookout for new, affordable hawker stalls to try, this food guide is tailored for you.

I have sectioned out a few prime areas in Raffles Place where there is a statistically higher number of good food stalls, but do share more of your hidden finds in the comments too.

Now, let us begin with Lau Pa Sat.

— Lau Pa Sat Festival Market— 

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Save the eye-rolls and harrumphs, I am fully aware that most, if not all who work around Raffles Place already know what Lau Pa Sat is, where it is and what it has to offer. But this list would not be complete without Lau Pa Sat (a hawker centre that has become slightly more “tourist-y”) and this place does have to offer quite a few good hawker stalls.

Lau Pa Sat Festival Market: 18 Raffles Quay, 048582 | Monday to Sunday 24/7 | Tel:6220 2138

1. Seng Kee Local Delights

As someone who values a good ol’ plate of greasy local food, I went for Seng Kee Local Delights first to grab a plate of Char Kway Teow ($4). Since this was the first stall I tried in the Raffles Place area, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that the prices were not inflated just because of the location.

Cost aside, I really liked this plate of Char Kway Teow because apart from the grease, there was a good amount of other ingredients like chinese sausage, cockles, fishcakes and bean sprouts tossed into the mix and the noodles had a lovely charred taste.

The dish was just overall very tasty and I had zero regrets. This stall also sells other tasty local delights like Hokkien Mee and Laksa which, judging by how the Char Kway Teow was, probably tastes just as great, if not, better.

Seng Kee Local Delights: Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, 18 Raffles Quay Singapore 048582, Stall 10

2. Sanuki Udon

The next stall I tried at Lau Pa Sat was Sanuki Don, mostly because I had a sudden craving for Curry Rice. All I have to say is that I was not let down. I ordered Japanese Curry Don ($5.90) and Kashiwa-Ten (Fried Chicken) ($1.80) and was very satisfied by the time I licked my bowl clean.

This might sound slightly exaggerated but I just really enjoyed the Curry Don, not only because of the thick, savoury curry but also because of the fact that the crispy chicken when lightly dipped into soy sauce intensified the flavours of the entire dish. There were at first unknown-looking chunks of meat in the curry which turned out to be beef as an added bonus.

Sanuki Don: Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, 18 Raffles Quay Singapore 048582, Stall 45

3. Song Kee Fishball Noodles

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Song Kee Fishball has made a name for itself island-wide as one of the best fishball-making, meepok-serving stalls and with good reason too. For a mere $4, you can get a sizable bowl of delicious fishball noodles. The noodles are springy and sauced up nicely and goes beautifully with the fishball soup, within which tasty handmade fishballs bob up and down.

Song Kee Fishball Noodles: Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, 18 Raffles Quay Singapore 048582, Stall 19

4. Pig’s Organ Soup and Kway Chap

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One of the winning qualities of the food served at this long-time-standing stall is the fact that it has no “pork smell” and the braised sauce used for the kway chap is extremely savoury. Have the kway with the braised pig innards, tofu, egg and a good amount of the dark syrupy sauce to fully enjoy the dish.

Pig’s Organ Soup and Kway Chap: Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, 18 Raffles Quay Singapore 048582

5. Qiu Lian Ban Mian

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More often than not, one can tell that a stall is good if there are long queues stemming from it. I found Qiu Lian Ban Mian in the chaos mostly because of the snaking line in front of the stall and I soon understood why. The noodles served at this stall are thicker than most and are hence very filling.

Paired with the not overly salty soup and the toppings like anchovies, minced pork and chives, this dish will most probably come through for any ban mian-lover out there.

Qiu Lian Ban Mian: Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, 18 Raffles Quay Singapore 048582, Stall 83

6. Lau Pa Sat Desserts

While I was completely stuffed after having tried several dishes at Lau Pa Sat, I was stranded because of a rain and had to stay on in the hawker centre (which wasn’t much of a problem because the place is well-ventilated and properly furnished with overhead fans). I decided to try a dish at the desserts stall and was not thoroughly disappointed.

I had the Mango Milk with Ice ($2.70), the portions of which was generous for the price. The dish was refreshing and rather sweet with the mangoes and condensed milk but the crushed ice helped to slightly balance out the flavours.

Lau Pa Sat Dessert Stall: Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, 18 Raffles Quay Singapore 048582

— May Hua Food Court— 

Moving on from Lau Pa Sat, I stumbled upon May hua food court in my search to find Golden Shoe Hawker Centre. While it looked like a rather nondescript food court, I must say that the quality of food served here did startle me quite a bit. The place was also jam-packed with people at lunch time so it was rather tough to find a seat.

May Hua Food Court: 50 Market St, Singapore 048940 | Monday to Sunday 24/7 

7. Xin Heng Hand-made Noodles

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The Ban Mian ($3.80) sold at this stall is the sort of ban mian that will satisfy any ban mian cravings that you might have and will fill you up just right for you to continue on the rest of your busy work day. There is a generous serving of crunchy greens which help to balance out the textures of the soft noodles and minced pork so for those looking for a “healthier option”, this could do.

Xin Heng Hand-made Noodle: 50 Market St, Singapore 048940, May Hua Food Court

8. Xiang Ji

I tried the Thai Style Chicken Rice ($4.50) which was really good. The chicken pieces were crispy, tender and the sauce was just the right blend of sweet and savoury. While the soup that came along with the dish was rather bland, it did help to cleanse our palate.

Xiang Ji: 50 Market St, Singapore 048940, May Hua Food Court, #01-32

9. Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee

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For $5.50, you can get a lovely bowl of Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee, where the curry is thick and packed with flavours, the chicken meat is tender and succulent and the tau pok soaks up a good amount of curry and oozes spice when you bite into it. A very satisfying dish if you are looking for something slightly spicy and delicious for your mid-day meal.

Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee: 50 Market St, Singapore 048940, May Hua Food Court

10. Thai Viet Cuisine

I don’t usually opt for Thai food but when I went to Mayhua, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to try some Pineapple Fried Rice ($4.50) which came with a steamy side of Tom Yum Soup. The fried rice was slightly sweet and had zesty bits of pineapple that intensified the flavours of the dish. There were three big prawns which were already de-shelled and ready to be eaten which was great.

Thai Viet Cuisine: 50 Market St, Singapore 048940, May Hua Food Court, #01-32

— NTUC Food Fare at Arcade — 

NTUC Food Fare is a spruced up food court located at the basement of The Arcade at Clifford Centre. The place looks like it has been nicely cleaned up and was a nice change of scene from the more hectic food places in Raffles I had been to.

NTUC Food Fare: 24 Raffles Place, Singapore 048621 | Monday to Friday 0700-1900, Saturday 0700-1500,  Closed on Sundays

11. Yong Tau Foo

I headed for the Yong Tau Foo Stall first as I sought a steamy bowl of soup. The servers at this stall were very warm, much like the bowls of soup Yong Tau Foo ($4 for 7 pcs) that they sell. I picked out seven ingredients – sausage, hard-boiled egg, tofu, fried dumpling just for $4 which is completely worth it if you ask me.

Savour each ingredient with a side of spicy chili sauce and with the soft, pillow-y rice to experience complete bliss.

Yong Tau Foo: 24 Raffles Place, Singapore 048621, Basement | Monday to Friday 0700-1900, Saturday 0700-1500,  Closed on Sundays

12. Ayam Penyet

While there are many stalls like the Ramen stall and the Korean Cuisine stall at this food court that looked rather good, I only had the opportunity to try two and this was my second pick – Ayam Penyet.

For those who value a good Indonesian meal, this stall will definitely do well for you. Their classic Ayam Penyet ($6) dish comes with a smashed up crispy, juicy chicken, some fried tofu and a side of spicy chilli sauce. I especially loved the sweet, dark sauce that can be added.

Ayam Penyet: 24 Raffles Place, Singapore 048621 | Monday to Friday 0700-1900, Saturday 0700-1500,  Closed on Sundays

—Hong Lim Market and Food Centre— 

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This 2-storied market and food centre that sits near the edge of Chinatown has housed several of locals’ favourite hawker stalls for several decades now. Tinged with a hint of nostalgia and well-decked out with a good number of hawker stalls, it comes as no surprise that many swarm to this area during lunch time as the selection of good foods is seemingly endless.

Hong Lim Market and Food Centre: 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531 | Monday to Saturday 0600-1630, Closed on Sundays 

13. Outram Fried Kway Teow Mee

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One of the stalls at Hong Lim that is highly-reputed is Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee which, as the name so obviously suggests, serves delicious plates of Char Kway Teow. Priced at $3, one plate of Char Kway Teow is packed with a lot of savoury flavours from the soy sauce, scrambled eggs, wok hei and crunchy pork lard.

The Char Kway Teow here is so delicious, you’ll feel far from satisfied when you’re done as you’ll only want more. The queue is absurdly long though, so do be prepared to wait. I would not recommend this if you are pressed for time.

Outram Fried Kway Teow Mee: 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531, Hong Lim Market and Food Centre, #02-17 | Monday to Saturday 0700-1530, Closed on Sundays

14. Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist

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Another noodles stall that has made a name for itself, having been in the business a long time coming, is Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist. Their bowls of wanton mee come with a good portion of sweet and succulent char siew, juicy mushroom slices and well sauced-up noodles.

Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist: 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531, Hong Lim Market and Food Centre, #02-48 | Monday to Friday 0800-1900, Saturday 0800-1500, Closed on Sundays

15. Laksa Yong Tau Foo

I always love it when a Yong Tau Foo stall offers laksa soup as an option. This Cantonese Delights stall at Hong Lim offers just that – Laksa Yong Tau Foo ($4). The coconut-based, lightly-spiced laksa soup is very smooth and silky and has a nice, traditional Hakka yong tau foo taste with an edgier spin on it.

Cantonese Delights: 531A Upper Cross St, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-03, Singapore 051531 | Monday to Saturday 0830-1500

16. Teo Heng Teochew Porridge

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It is very satisfying to dig into a bowl of porridge that is of the right consistency, of the right amount of water and of rice. I usually don’t go for the thick, pasty sort of porridge so the one sold at Teo Heng Teochew Porridge definitely sits well with me.

Apart from the beautiful bowls of porridge sold here, the braising sauce used in the side dishes is scrumptious and adds a lovely piquancy to the entire dish.

Teo Heng Teochew Porridge: 531A Upper Cross St, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #01-28, Singapore 051531 | Monday to Saturday 0830-1500

—Market Street Food Centre—

Golden Shoe Hawker Centre is conveniently located at the heart of the Central Business District which makes it very accessible for busy office workers at lunch time. Most would prefer not to eat at this place mainly because it can get quite stuffy but if the heat becomes unbearable for you, you should simply dabao the food back to your office as there is a good number of superb stalls here.

17. Market Street Nasi Lemak

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The Nasi Lemak ($3) served at this Nasi Lemak stall comes with the uniquely-green, very flavourful green coconut rice, one chicken drumstick, half a fried egg, otah and some sambal chili. The coconut rice is extremely fragrant and is essentially the star of the show  and there is more than enough to be had with the likewise savoury ingredients like the otah and fried chicken.

Market Street Nasi Lemak: Golden Shoe Hawker Centre, 50 Market Street #02-24, Singapore 048940 | Monday to Friday  0830-1930, Saturday 0830-1500, Closed on Sundays 

18. Tong Fong Fatt Boneless Chicken Rice

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The past few times I’ve gone scouting for food at hawker centres across the island, I’ve encountered Tong Fong Fatt at least 4 times so it did not really catch me off guard when I came across this stall at Golden Shoe. The chicken is consistently generously slathered in sweet and savoury soya sauce, the rice is always deliciously fragrant and there is absolutely no hassle with chicken bones.

Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice: Golden Shoe Hawker Centre, 50 Market Street #02-26, Singapore 048940

19. Tiong Bahru Wanton Mee

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The Wanton Mee ($4) served at this stall has got to be one of the better ones served in Singapore. There is a very generous serving of ingredients like fried wantons, tender char siew meats, a spring roll, green chilis and this entire savoury dish comes with a lovely bowl of wanton soup. If that’s not completely worth the full four dollars, I dont know what is.

Tiong Bahru Wanton Mee: Golden Shoe Hawker Centre, 50 Market Street #02-32, Singapore 048940

Related Guide: Meals below $5 to Eat in Orchard

There are so many good hawker stalls in the Raffles Place area… The number is rather overwhelming and almost makes me want to take up a corporate job in an office around the vicinity. Since there would undoubtedly be several commendable hawker stalls that are not mentioned here, it would be nice if one or two busy folks can share what their favourite go-to Raffles Place food stall is in the comments.

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On May 27 2016, a pop-up Pokemon Cafe will be coming to Singapore at Bugis Junction’s Everything With Fries (EWF). In collaboration with PARCO, Everything With Fries on the 4th floor will be converted into this special cute themed cafe.

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Here’s some unique Pokemon dishes from the previous Pokemon pop up cafe in Shibuya PARCO, Japan from The Guest Cafe & Diner – you can probably expect something similar when the Pokemon cafe starts in Bugis Junction.

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The 32 Sqm cafe will serve 12 cutely designed dishes (based off Pokemon of course). Hopefully we get to see a pikachu latte cos that would definitely go onto instagram.

Limited edition pokemon merchandise will also be available in-store.

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PARCO has also revealed that a Pikachu mascot will show up to mingle and take photos with cafe guests.

The nearby shop also sells a large assortment of Pokémon Official Goods, including limited edition cafe collaboration merchandise.

Singapore Otakus assemble; you have to chance to catch ’em all in your tummy now.

The Pokemon popup cafe in Singapore runs from 27 May till 31 July 2016.

Pokemon Cafe @ Everything With Fries: 200 Victoria Street, #04-05, Bugis Junction, 188021

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Singaporeans all love a good retail therapy on the Orchard shopping belt, though when it comes to food, it can get a little confusing. Of course there’s a myriad of restaurants to choose from, but what if you’re looking more for a casual pit stop to rest your weary bodies before soldiering on again? Cafes are the answer. You can have meetings here too.

I’ve known that pain and have tried googling for cafes to eat in Orchard before, alas, with no amazing returns. So I’ve compiled this list and I hope this helps, bisous.

Here’s a much needed list of cafes in Orchard Road, starting from Wheelock Place all the way up to Dhoby Ghaut.

15. Montana Brew Bar

Located within PoMo is Montana brew bar, a Sydney-inspired specialty coffee house that serves up pretty mean and fluffy waffles where both sweet and savoury options are available. Serving all-day brunch style dishes to appeal to the current cafe-hopping, brunch-eating, gourmet-coffee-drinking crowd.

Mocha ($5), made with the Montana houseblend is an easy-drinking, medium-bodied coffee with mild acidity and just a hint of nuttiness. With very pretty latte art too.

Southern Fried Chicken Waffle Sandwich ($10.50). Juicy fried chicken with a crispy batter topped with a homemade wasabi coleslaw all sandwiched between two waffle halves. Despite being technically only half a waffle, this thing is a meal in itself.  Carbs, protein and vegetables all in one right?

If you fancy a good crisp waffle (which I’m sure many of us do) and gourmet coffee, head down to Montana Brew Bar to get your fix. The savoury waffles do make good meals on their own and are definitely value-for-money. Look out for special discounts seasonally while students get 10% off when you show your student pass too.

Montana Brew Bar: PoMo, 1 Selegie Road #01-04,  Singapore 188306 | Tel: 9833 1790 | Facebook

14. The Coffee Academics

Panama Estate (Brewing method: Chemex).

Scrambled Eggs with Crayfish on Sourdough ($23).

On Scotts Square is famed The Coffee Academics from Hong Kong. Earning a reputation for their artisan coffee and their specially concocted coffee that takes inspiration from different parts of the world for each month of the year.

Think ‘Tokyo’, a cup of fresh Fuji apple juice that is topped with iced macchiato and apple slices, resembling a waterfall-like texture to give your very own mini Mount Fuji. While this isn’t available at our coffee joint yet, it is definitely something to look forward to.

Their artisan coffee is certainly outstanding, complete with all the fancy brewing tools like the aeropress, chemex, you name it they’ve got it. The food served isn’t lacking in quality either, the only complain I have is that the serving portion for certain plates are a tad bit too small for their pricing. Other than that, coffee on point.

The Coffee Academics: Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209 | Website

13. Wild Honey

Wild Honey offers a large variety of breakfast and lunch items featuring their yummy, greasy, chewy back bacon. Outside of the classic English breakfast, there is always a side order to be had, Candied or Back Bacon ($8.00), or if you are feeling a little healthy, try the Curly Kale Caesar Salad ($24.00), which is topped with a thin, dried version of the more sinful original.

Wild Honey (2 locations): 6 Scotts Square, #03-01 & 333A Orchard Rd, #03-01/02 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897  | Tel: 6235 3900 | Website

12. In Good Company

The newest love child by Plain Vanilla is In Good Company, within ION Orchard. Nestled among locally designed clothes and artisanal products, In Good Company boasts of clean, white washed walls that will definitely fit well on your instagram feed.

Jamon Royale Sandwich ($15.00) – smoked ham with gruyere cheese with wholegrain mustard, butter lettuce and tomatoes, all sandwiched with toasted brioche that are exceedingly fluffy. The serving of cheese is generous and I can definitely taste the wondrous combination with thick smoked ham. I’m in love with this sandwich.

Tea Cake Raspberry ($7.50). The cake is slightly on the drier side but when combined with the glaze that contains julienned lime, it becomes a refreshing and well-rounded dessert. Within the cake, there’s hidden raspberries that gives an extra tang to the cake.

In Good Company: Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B1-06, Singapore 238801 | Tel: +65 6509 4783 | Website

11. Kith Cafe

Just right across Plaza Singapura lies Kith Cafe at Park Mall, one of my favourite places to have a good cuppa joe. I was even happier to discover their toastie sandwiches, to die for banana bread and most of all, extra friendly staff who are always smiling and remember your order.

Not only do they serve up your usual brunch menu, they also offer a pretty kick ass dinner menu. So if you’re looking for a quaint cafe that doesn’t feel quite like Orchard Road, head on down to Kith Cafe and grab yourself a slice of cake, with coffee obviously.

Kith: Park Mall, 9 Penang Rd, #01-01E, Singapore 238459  | Tel: 6341 9407 | Website

10. PS.Cafe

I’m embarrassed to say I’m one of those PS.Cafe enthusiasts who has likely given half their annual income to this eatery. I mean why not – the food is excellent and you get a different vibe from each of their multiple locations.

I go to PS.Cafe petite on Martin Road when I am needing something quick for take away, while I take out of town guests to the Dempsey location for some cool, Singapore jungle dining and I check out the Palais Renaissance outlet when I’m really into fancy aesthetic and plants. PS.Cafe is a quick easy option that consistently cures my cafe food cravings.

PS.Cafe (multiple locations): Harding Road; Palais Renaissance; Paragon; Martin Road; Dempsey Hill | Tel: 9224 6611 | Website

9. Jones the Grocer

The Side Order of Bacon ($5.00) at Jones the Grocer is one of the more generous portions and best value for money I have found in Singapore. Their streaky bacon wonderfully meets that delicate, desirable balance between crispy and chewy. The menu at Jones the Grocer offers a wide range of fresh, delightful dishes – morning, noon and night – that pair well with some bacon on the side.

The Jones Big Breakfast, multiple egg dishes and their Club Sandwich are some house favorites that feature their crispy, juicy bacon.

Jones the Grocer (2 locations): Mandarin Gallery, #04-21/22/23, 333 Orchard Road & Block 9 #01-12 Dempsey Road, Dempsey Hill, Singapore 247697 | Tel: 6476 1512 | Website

8. Hoshino Coffee

I still remember when Hoshino first opened up in Plaza Singapura, it earned itself a snaking line of queue for their hand drip coffee and fluffy pancakes that are thick, light and yummy.

A trip to Hoshino Coffee will not be complete without trying their specialty hand-dripped coffee. We went for their “Hoshino” Blend Coffee ($5.80). After having been lovingly roasted over open fire, a cup of delightfully light and slightly sour coffee was obtained through Hoshino Coffee’s pour-over brewing method.

Hoshino Coffee’s French Toast Topped with Sugar and Cream ($9.80), is fluffy and not soggy at all. Seems like the Japanese know their way to our hearts through the stomach.

If you think that the French Toast had been topped with vanilla ice cream, I don’t blame you. I only realized my mistake when I greedily scooped some of it up with my spoon – it was actually homemade whipped cream.

Hoshino Coffee: 68 Orchard Rd, #03-84, Plaza Singapura, 238839 | Tel:+65 6338 3277 | Website

7. Mon Bijou

Mon Bijou, located at Claymore Connect (formerly known as Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade) is the newest F&B brand by the Millennium group, serving French pastries and desserts with a local twist. The list of food items on the menu ranges from their all-day breakfast, lunch to snacks and desserts.

Served in a triple combination of Classic Beef Burger, “Ngoh Hiang” Chicken Burger, Mon Bijou Crabby Patty Burger and a bucket of fries (literally), the Sliders Trio ($22) can be found under Light Bites in the menu. Even though the sliders trio is considered a light bite, the portion is really generous and can easily be considered a main. Great burger patty variety and an innovative 3-in-1 presentation. 

There’s a good variety of pastries, as well as power sockets under alternate seats in the cafe – perfect for working with your laptop or charging your phone.

Mon Bijou: 442 Orchard Road, #01-19/20 Singapore 238879 | Tel: 6739 6738 | Website

6. Watanabe Coffee

Watanabe Coffee located at Shaw House boasts of an Anglo Japanese interior, complete with plushy chairs. I’ve been meaning to try out their food for the longest time and finally got around to ordering myself an Omu Rice and Soy Matcha Latte.

Soy Matcha Latte ($8.80). I like how the matcha essence can be singled out easily but not overly bitter, remaining light and subtly sweet. Most matcha lattes I’ve had either lose out on the matcha taste or are too sweet, so this, my friend, did it for me.

Omu Rice with Demi Glace ($15.80). Fried rice with chicken, enwrapped with a thick serving of scrambled omelette and slathered with a thick syrupy brown sauce that is savoury with a slight tinge of tang. The rice is soft and fragrant but not overly mushy and the ketchup gives it a little zest. I particularly like the omelette – soft and runny to the right amount.

Watanabe Coffee: 350 Orchard Road, #01-00 Isetan Scotts, Singapore 238868 | Tel: +65 6235 0608 | Website

5. Oriole Coffee + Bar

Located at Pan Pacific Serviced Apartments at Somerset, is Oriole Coffee + Bar.

Taisho White Cold Brew ($7.00). You know how iced latte can get a little watered down when the ice starts melting away, but the White Cold Brew makes sure that your cold white coffee will never be that way, simply because it doesn’t need any ice when it’s cold brewed. It is milky and sweet on its own, mmhm.

Tuna Poke ($14.00). Ah the joy of raw seafood, I’ll never know how to live without it. Oriole Cafe and Bar has a pretty damn good rendition of tuna poke, the sauce packs a chockful of flavour – fragrant and savoury with a hint of sweetness, which combines well with the raw goodness. The sesame adds fragrance and the lettuce layers on textures.

Read about our detailed review of Oriole Coffee + Bar here.

Oriole Coffee + Bar: 96 Somerset Rd, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard,#01-01, 238163 | Tel:+65 6238 8348 | Website

4. PAUL

How could I ever not mention PAUL, not when I’m such an addict of their hot chocolate. I can still remember my first encounter with PAUL’s hot chocolate, that lusciously creamy and velvety thick pot of chocolate that has not been tainted by the over addition of steamed milk. I was pretty certain I fell in love in that moment.

Pair all of that with their freshly baked breads, afterall, they’re a boulangerie. And this is about as close as I can get to Paris without paying for the air ticket.

PAUL: 391 Orchard Road #03-16/17 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872 | Tel: +65 6836 5932 | Website

3. The Providore

Iced Mocha ($7.00). I can taste the chocolate in it and that’s exactly why I’d order a mocha. Chilly and yummy.

Tuna Ceviche Crostini ($18.24). The toast is done well – fluffy and toasted to a nice charred brown on the surface, preventing any of the toppings to seep through and render it soggy. The generous serving of avocado is creamy and blends well with the nicely cubed tuna pieces. The slight tinge of zest from the capers gives a nice finishing touch to the dish.

Lobster Mac and Cheese ($25.50). Done al dente, the pasta mixes well with the creamy blend of cheese that is surprisingly light all at the same time. The lobster pieces are chunky, sweet and chewy, which adds onto the flavour of the whole dish. Definitely a hearty one.

The Providore: 333A Orchard Rd, #02-05 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897 | Tel: +65 6732 1565 | Website

2. Muji Cafe

2 Cold deli, 1 Hot deli and white rice ($12.90), changing to 10 grain rice ($1) and Hot Chai Milk Tea ($4.90). The first of its kind in Singapore, Muji Cafe first started out in Japan and has now ventured to our shores. It serves various hot and cold delis that are quintessentially Muji and Japanese. No frills, just a simple and nutritious meal that will leave you feeling healthier.

Opt for the 10 grain rice instead of the white rice, it is healthier and also more flavourful than the white rice. Think nutty and filled with barley. I like their chai milk tea, it isn’t overly sweet like the chai lattes I’d get at certain coffee joints. Easy on the pocket and the waistline I’d say.

Muji Cafe: Orchard Paragon, 290 Orchard Road $04-36, Singapore 238859 | Tel: +65 6735 0123 | Website

1. Patties & Wiches

Showcasing burgers from Tokyo’s Franklin Avenue, bakes from Asanoya, coffee from Common Man and desserts from Chef Yamashita, Patties & Wiches is definitely an amalgamation of the bests. Cafe counterpart of Ginza Kuroson, Patties & Wiches is located right next to Ginza Kuroson, on the third level of mini Japan, Takashimaya.

Quaint and refined, Patties & Wiches stock a good variety of burgers and sandwiches. Dare I say their service is impeccable as well.

Sakura Cappucino ($7.00). Since this was a seasonal item and it looked so pretty, I decided to have a go and only to realise I really do not like sakura flavoured things. Nothing wrong with the drink, it’s milky and light with a slight sweetness. It’s really just personal preference.

Blue Cheese Burger ($22.80). The patty is well seasoned and cooked to the right amount of doneness with a subtle juiciness. It also pairs well with the pungently fragrant melted blue cheese that I adore so very much, to give a lingering after taste. The bun is fluffy and helps to balance out the rich savoury element. The fries won my heart over, thickly cut golden crisp brown that is doused with the right amount of salt.

Chou-Pop ($3.00). I asked for the popular flavours and chose the chocolate one out of the lot and boy I sure ain’t disappointed. The choux pastry is light and fluffy on the inside, which complements the dense cream that is rich in chocolate. Surprise, there’s a mix of custard cream as well, blending two flavours to perfection and definitely not too cloying.

Patties & Wiches: #03-10A Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238872 | Tel:+ 65 6268 7237 | Website

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I’ve gathered a list of crazy concoctions of Pratas all over Singapore, because really why not.The wonderful floury ecstasy that is Prata has graced our lives for decades now, and they are everywhere in Singapore. Consumable for all three meals and readily available throughout the day, I’d say Prata has played a pretty significant part in our lives.

The evolution of Prata has been steadily expanding and following up from our previous Prata Encyclopedia article, we’re now more familiar than ever with several of its variations – Coin Prata, Paper Prata, Tissue Prata, Prata Bomb, etc.

The new age Pratas are here and these evolutions are taking our world by storm, of which I really feel compelled to collect them in a list and let you guys know about it because interesting. After an intense Prata-searching journey, here’s a list of Pratas I highly recommend all Singaporeans to try at least once in their lives.

1. Traditional Chicken Satay Prata

This Traditional Chicken Satay Prata Wrap ($9) from Big Street has barbecued chicken drenched in loads and loads of satay sauce. I’m normally not a huge fan of satay sauce, but I found their sauce quite irresistible, on top of the barbecued chicken chunks of course.

It’s sweet, salty, crunchy and even has a spicy kick, I might add. This is a personal favourite on the list.

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

Opening Hours: Tue – Sat: 11:00am – 03:00am | Sun – Mon: Closed

2. Plaster Blaster

Springleaf Prata Place is extremely famous for this innovation, the Plaster Blaster ($5), or the Prata Benedict. It’s essentially Eggs Benedict preciously placed on top of not one but two slices of ham and laden with Hollandaise Sauce.

I think it was the Hollandaise Sauce that brought out the most flavours – tangy and refreshing. The Prata itself was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside as well, so that’s just perfect.

Springleaf Prata Place: 57 Jalan Tua Kong, Singapore 457253 | Tel: +65 6636 2935

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 12:00am

3. Salted Caramel Apple Prata

The Salted Caramel Apple Prata ($4.20) feels like a mini Christmas party in your mouth and belly. With accents of cinnamon and nutmeg blended in with soft thinly-sliced apples, this Prata resounds Christmas jingles in my head.

Instead of normal Prata, crispy thin Tissue Prata hugged this apple deliciousness. The salted caramel was thick, smooth, and went really well with the lightness of the vanilla ice cream. Considering how many components went into this Prata dish, it’s super value-for-money.

4. Italian Prata

The Italian Prata ($9.50) managed to confuse me because I kept thinking it was pizza, obviously. The Prata dough is thicker than usual, had herby flavours and was filled with ingredients that one would normally see on an Italian pizza.

Stuffed with chicken ham, mushrooms, capsicum, pineapple, onions, chilli flakes, and mozzarella cheese, there’s a lot going on in this one. See? It’s a Pizza, but in the wonderful form of Prata.

Prata Planet: 320 Clementi Ave 4, Singapore 120320 | Tel: +65 6773 0733

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 10:30pm

5. Red Bean Prata

The Red Bean Prata ($3), is the Prata interpretation of Dorayaki (Japanese Red Bean Pancake) or the Chinese Dou Sha Bing. They fry the Prata till it’s crispy like Dou Sha Bing. 

Albeit a tad too dry, I quite enjoyed it. The red bean paste was sweet, thick and rich, and went really well with crispy Prata skin. You might want to share it with a fellow red-bean-paste-lover though because it comes in quite a large portion.

Springleaf Prata Place: 57 Jalan Tua Kong, Singapore 457253 | Tel: +65 6636 2935

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 12:00am

6. French Prata

The French Prata ($6.20) is a dessert Prata stuffed with soft caramelised bananas, slathered with Nutella spread and topped off with Old Vanilla Ice cream.

It really spoke to the child in me. If this Prata were a suspicious man trying to get me into his equally suspicious van, I would follow him blindly because this Prata is way too enchanting.

Prata Planet: 320 Clementi Ave 4, Singapore 120320 | Tel: +65 6773 0733

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 10:30pm

7. Umami 50 Prata

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The Umami 50 Prata ($8), one of the many Prata innovations from Springleaf Prata Place was really umami. With a crispy Prata layer, what laid inside was a combination of chicken luncheon meat, chicken floss, Japanese mayonnaise and Mozzarella cheese. A delicious savoury Prata to check out.

Springleaf Prata Place: 57 Jalan Tua Kong, Singapore 457253 | Tel: +65 6636 2935

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 12:00am

8. Cheese Sausage Prata

Yes, I know the name Cheese Sausage Prata ($4.10) might mislead you into thinking that it’s cheese sausage in a Prata. If it didn’t fool you, well, it fooled me. Still, despite being sausage and cheese instead of a cheese sausage, this Prata did not disappoint.

With stringy mozzarella cheese, chicken sausage and the unexpected element of an egg, this was a nice savoury delight that goes really well with their famous Casuarina curry.

Casuarina Curry: 138 Casuarina Rd, Singapore 579526 | Tel: +65 6455 9093

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 12:00am

9. Portobello Mozzarella Prata

The most prominent flavour I detected from the Portobello Mozzarella ($5) was, weirdly, the Prata itself. The elements of this Prata brought out surprisingly nice light flavours.

Unlike the usual button mushrooms used in conventional Mushroom Pratas, the Portobello mushrooms are fresher and much earthier in flavour. The Mozzarella, less pungent than most cheeses, was a welcome stringy delight as well.

Springleaf Prata Place: 57 Jalan Tua Kong, Singapore 457253 | Tel: +65 6636 2935

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 12:00am

10. Chilli Crab Prata

Another noteworthy Prata from Big Street is the Chunky Crab Meat Prata Wrap ($12) that comes with thick, juicy chunks of crab meat and sauce. Rich semi-thick garlic and chilli sauce, mmhm. Although a little less spicy than I had anticipated, it was still so damn good. I just wished it had more Prata to go with the leftover sauce.

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

Opening Hours: Tue – Sat: 11:00am – 03:00am | Sun – Mon: Closed

11. Murtaburger

Okay, so Murtabak isn’t traditionally a Prata, but oh come on, it still utilises Prata to make! So yes, this IS going on my list because it’s not just any Murtabak, it’s its mutated cousin, the MURTABURGER ($7).

Oozing with a copious amount of cheesy goodness, this Murtaburger strangely reminded me of the famous Ramli Burger. With lamb patties, mayonnaise, chilli sauce, pepper sauce and egg, it’s quite aptly named, don’t you think?

Springleaf Prata Place: 57 Jalan Tua Kong, Singapore 457253 | Tel: +65 6636 2935

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 07:00am – 12:00am

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Four Seasons Hotel’s Jiang-Nan Chun bounds back into the fine-dining scene after a months-long hiatus with a new look and concept.

Their fresh concept of Xiang Le Zhu Yi (享乐主义), meaning the principle of enjoyment and happiness, champions pleasure-seeking and fulfilment. As promised, every aspect of our Jiang-Nan Chun dining experience felt lavish and luxurious, down to the most intricate details.

Much thought has been put into the revitalisation of the restaurant, evident in the restaurant’s new interior that melds opulent furnishing with Jiang-Nan influences.

The blue streaks in the plush carpet mimic the movement of the Yangtze River, while the peculiar netted lighting is symbolic of the fishermen and their livelihood. These subtle touches meld to an almost story-like effect, lulling diners with an idyllic scene of life in Jiang-Nan.

As part of the Xiang Le concept, Jiang-Nan also boasts a curated and extensive tea list. Staff members assisted us in selecting and pairing teas based on the dishes that we would be having.

I found this to be a valuable service, as it exposed us to new varieties of tea (White Peony and eight-year aged Pu’Er with Mandarin Peel to name a few) where many of us would have stuck with tried-and-tested Chrysanthemum or Tie Guan Yin.

We began our meal on a high with the Signature Jiang Nan Chun Peking Duck ($98 for a whole duck), which was carved at our table by the Chef himself. The process of preparing the duck is an elaborate one, and I was surprised to find that Jiang-Nan Chun is one of few restaurants to utilize a mesquite-wood fired oven.

The high temperatures of the oven roast the duck skin to a beautiful amber crisp, all the while preserving the soft succulence of the red meat.

Two different crepes, scallion and plain, were served alongside julienned scallion and cucumber to complement the duck.

The Signature Jiang Nan Chun Peking Duck also arrived with a ‘Xiang Le‘ twist: a side of chilled caviar for the ultimate indulgence. Though it would have been equally satisfying without, I felt that the twinge of sea-saltiness from the caviar added a unique dimension to the Peking Duck wraps.

After our wraps were devoured, we were served the Soft Shell Prawns with Sliced Almond and Crispy Rice ($15), a highly addictive dish whose name is really quite self-explanatory. We agreed that the crunch of the puffed rice would be the perfect accompaniment to an ice-cold beer on a lazy day in.

Next to arrive was a combination of the Crispy Puff Pastry with Black Pepper Beef ($3/piece), Char Siew Slider with Pickled Green Chilli ($15/serving) and Steamed Shrimp Dumpling with Eryngii Mushroom ($2/piece).

My personal favourite was the slider for its generous cut of Kurobuta pork in a sweet char-siew sauce. The rather inconspicuous green chillies were tart and tangy, balancing the richness of the meat perfectly.

Jiang-Nan Chun’s dim-sum can be ordered on a per piece basis, which comes to me as a welcome relief from tricky ordering situations involving dim-sum served in baskets or longs (笼). Everybody knows it’s a chore to eat in groups of 5 when most establishments serve 3 or 4 pieces of dim-sum per basket. Now, the struggle is over.

Jiang-Nan Chun is known for its double-boiled soups that are characteristic of Cantonese cuisine. We tried one of the newer additions to the menu, the Sea Whelk, Maka, Dried Scallops and Pork Rib Soup ($38).

The soups at Jiang-Nan Chun boast wholesome ingredients with a plethora of wellness benefits. Boiled for a remarkable sixteen hours, the soup was rich in flavour, yet felt light on the palate.

The Steamed Cod Stuffed with Mushrooms and Water Chestnuts in Paper Roll ($38) was a visual delight. Elements of the Chinese legend of Xi Shi are subtly reflected in the aesthetics of this dish — do ask the staff to explain it to you if you have this dish, I found myself quite amazed by the story.

As a Xiang Le surprise, the Chef visits your table to shave luxuriant black truffle over the rice paper roll, apparently meant to symbolize Xi Shi’s down to earth personality. Altogether, the dish was delicious, with clean and fresh flavours from the cod and mushrooms.

We also enjoyed the Wagyu Oxtail with Aromatic Lemongrass Infused Oil ($32). Slow cooked with red wine, the meat was unbelievably tender and melted right off the bone. The lemongrass added a subtle fragrance to the thick sauce, which would have been simply lovely served over steamed rice. But by this point, we were beyond stuffed.

Jiang Nan Chun has a refreshing take on traditional Chinese restaurant desserts. For dessert, we sampled a trio of desserts. From left, clockwise: Crispy Salted Egg Yolk Puff Pastry with Almond ($12), 似水流连 Shi Shui Liu Lian ($14) and 花样年华 Hua Yang Nian Hua ($14),

The Crispy Salted Egg Yolk Puff Pastry with Almond was a sublime golden sphere that oozed warm almond paste. Think liu-sha bao, but crispier, sweeter and with a distinct almond filling. 花样年华 Hua Yang Nian Hua, on the other hand, was very refreshing with cold avocado cream, coconut sorbet, osmanthus jelly and cacao nibs.

I particularly liked 似水流连 Shi Shui Liu Lian, which was an interestingly modern combination of yoghurt cream, mung beans, longan, chia seed and sour plum granite. The components seemed to me somewhat mismatched at first, but the flavours and textures actually worked very well together.

With delectable Cantonese cuisine and intuitive service staff, Jiang-Nan Chun offers one the opportunity to immerse oneself in mesmerizing storytelling and decadent dishes.

If you are feeling indulgent, do pay Jiang-Nan Chun a visit.

Jiang-Nan Chun is offering a 25% off their Signature Peking Duck now. Simply call the restaurant and quote “25% off Peking Duck” to book. In addition, there is a special wine-pairing promotion happening at $65++ for 3 glasses of wine, curated by resident wine experts.

Expected Damage: $80 – $100 per pax

Jiang-Nan Chun: 190 Orchard Blvd, Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore 248646 | Tel: 6831 7220 | Website

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