Located in the Primz Bizhub Coffeeshop, 块三点心 sells decent dim sum at a fraction of what you’d pay in a restaurant. This stall’s name literally translates to $1.30 dim sum, and as you probably can infer, everything only costs $1.30! I’m a sucker for saving cash so as you can probably imagine, I couldn’t wait to snap up this great deal.

Don’t fret, you don’t need to buy an online coupon and this deal doesn’t come with Terms & Conditions or a minimum spend. Just order and multiply the number of items by $1.30- voila, you’ve got you total bill. Also, feel free to come down any time you’re craving your dim sum snacks because it’s open 24 hours.

Take your pick from their wide selection of 29 items including our favourite char siew pau (roasted meat bun) and Century Egg Pork Porridge. If you’re in the mood for something more adventurous, go for their Coffee Bun or Chicken Feet.

Oh and as a plus, all their dishes are handmade. (See the 手工包点 sign right in front of the stall?) The stall has almost all their dim sum items on display, so if you’re one to look before ordering, take your time to browse.

We dropped by in the morning so we mainly ordered our preferred breakfast-ish dishes. For me, dim sum is really perfect any time of the day, so don’t just stick to what we had.

First up, the Prawn Dumpling (more affectionally known as har kow); a staple on the dim sum menu featuring a prawn filling encased within a “crystal skin”.

The prawn filling was well seasoned with chopped up bits of prawn within. Although the filling wasn’t too shabby, the skin failed to match up. We felt that the skin was a little too thick and chewy, a slight departure from the silky and thin skin we expected.

What else to get for breakfast? We recommend the  Century Egg Pork Porridge. The bowl of pork porridge came with a huge scoop of century egg and scallions. The porridge itself was good on it’s own, but together with the egg? It was truly one flavourful spoonful after another.

The porridge also had a nice mouthfeel and had a good consistency such that it was fairly easy to eat. The portion as a whole might seem a little small it you’re having it alone, but at $1.30 an item, get some dim sum sides or another bowl of porridge.

Unlike your usual liu sha bao, the Custard Pau won’t be oozing out salted egg. Instead, find a solid, rich buttery custard as you tear open the bun. The bun came in a pair and had skin that was soft yet springy.

The bun part of the Custard Pau tasted pretty average. On the other hand, the custard was eggy and sweet; a Chinese version of the creme caramel.

This dish wasn’t our favourite but if you’re a fan of these kinds of bao, don’t dismiss it till you’ve tried it.

Next, we got the widely popular Char Siew Pau. As with all paus, each stall has their own blend of seasoning and ingredients. Here at Kuai San Dian Xin, the char siew used was a more fatty version.

We felt that together with the bland skin, it balanced out nicely and brought a nice bout of richness to the dish. Additionally, the char siew sauce was sweet and savoury; making it tasty and not heavy on the palate.

Lastly, we rounded off the meal with the Carrot Cake, and no I’m not talking about the one with cream cheese frosting. For Kuai San Dian Xin’s rendition of this dish, the slices of carrot cake were fried after being steamed.

The exterior was crispy without being too hard while the insides were soft and chewy. It was not overly greasy and the taste of the carrot cake was very prominent even though it was fried. Carrot cake is one of the dishes that we suggest you try.

Overall, the dim sum was not particularly amazing, but hey you get what you pay for – for the price of $1.30 a basket, I don’t think you can find a cheaper dim sum place in  Singapore.

Situated in a discreet corner in Woodlands, Kuai San Dian Xin might seem ulu and far for some, but for those of you willing to make the trip down (or just happen to be in the neighbourhood), pop by to try this dim sum at an extremely affordable price if you’re not fussy about quality.

Expected Damage: $3 – $10 per pax

Kuai San Dian Xin: 21 Woodlands Close Singapore 737854, Level 1 | Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

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Woon Woon Pek Beehoon could very possibly be crowned the mother of all White Beehoons. Situated at Changi Village Food Centre, it serves white vermicelli with a chock-full of fresh seafood ingredients, all at an affordable price.

Meticulously selected, the seafood catches such as crayfishes, flower crabs, la la and prawns are brought in fresh every day.

Each serving comes with a generous portion of crispy pork lard, spring onions and cabbages.

Together with the seafood, these are used to create a broth that has a hint of natural sweetness without having the need to add in MSG or any other additives, for that matter.

To cater to varying appetites, customers can choose between small, medium or large — of course, we went for the large Seafood Platter ($30), with an additional topping of Scallops ($8).

Brimming with seafood at the top, the platter itself consists of crayfish, prawns, sliced fish and clams. And, buried underneath all that seafood amidst the flavourful broth is of course, the white beehoon.

The crayfish we had was certainly fresh as the meat came off easily from the shell, it had a chewy tenderness and was especially delicious as it soaked up all the flavours from the broth.  

The clams scattered throughout the plate were a delight to have; we slurped up the savoury broth collected in the shells and made sure we left none unturned.

The prawns didn’t disappoint either, as with the other crustaceans, they tasted fresh and were crunchy to the bite. While the prawns may not be the biggest, the meaty flesh was evidently sweet and packed full of juices.

The scallops were probably my favourite part of the meal; not only were they sizeable, but they were also succulent with a distinctly springy texture.

The fish slices were of a perfect cut and did not have a strong fishy taste, as most do. Taken together with the vegetables, this was just as good as having that sliced fish soup we all enjoy.

To add a bit more saltiness to the fish slices, dip them in the chilli padi which you can get over the counter. Personally, I can’t do without at least a small dose of chilli with my meals.

The broth is really the defining factor of every white beehoon dish — what I liked about this one was that it was particularly light, yet it managed to retain a flavourful taste, unlike most white beehoon that tends to have a rather thick soupy base.

The vegetables and fresh seafood sitting in the broth also contributed to the hint of natural sweetness it boasts, we slurped down the soup and felt the meal didn’t need any drinks to go along with it.

Need I say more? This huge seafood platter is the perfect meal to have for a get-together. Good for three to four pax or even just shared between two for those with a big appetite, you can truly get your money’s worth with an assortment of seafood in a mouth-watering white beehoon.

I was willing to travel all the way to Changi from the West just to try their beehoon so that’s saying a lot.

Expected Damage: $5 – $38 

Woon Woon Pek Beehoon: Block 2, Changi Village Road, #01-52, Changi Village Hawker Centre, Singapore 500002 | Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday (11am – 9pm), Closed on Mondays | Facebook

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With the frothy rise of craft (beer) culture in Singapore, more people are hop-ping on the beer bandwagon. Ask someone what their poison is, and beer is more than likely to be on that list; Growlers Craft Beer & Bistro isn’t just a new kid jumping into the fray.

Growlers Craft Beer & Bistro is an evolution and expansion of Hospoda Czech Microbrewery, and craft culture in Singapore.

What’s A Growler?

So you might’ve been wondering, “what’s a growler?” or “why the name growler?”. In the land of the Queen’s English, the word growler is a rather offensive slur referring to a woman’s nether regions.

But, in the world of beer and good ol’ American, a growler is a big jug that people use to takeaway (da pao) beer off the tap from their local bars.

It’s simple and brilliant — big air tight jug, filled with your favourite brew from the tap. So if (drinking) craft beer is your passion or you’d like to have picture of big jugs on Instagram, look no further.

Beer Battered (Almost) Everything!

Bar and pub food, rich hearty food that’s probably not so good for the heart, but great with a cold one. Surprisingly, the dishes we tried at Growlers Craft Beer & Bistro aren’t heavily seasoned. Something the kitchen team deliberated on when creating the dishes, and nuance that I really appreciated.

Beer battered fish & chips ($18) is a classic. Most of your average joints serving up fish and chips would use run of the mill dory fillets. And while I have no issues with said fillets, the seabass at Growlers’ offers more bite and is meatier in comparison.

Fried in the house made ale beer batter, dip them in the (also house made) tartar sauce and you’ve got yourself a meal.

The creamy and tangy tartar sauce complements the crisp chunks of fried fish that are best eaten with a squeeze of lemon.

With salted egg yolk sauce over everything still sort of a thing, it isn’t surprising to find it on the menu. The salted egg yolk chicken burger ($19) is big and chunky, served with a side of purple cabbage coleslaw and fries; I think it’s reasonable for it’s price tag.

The chicken thigh is deep fried — because the world is a better place with fried chicken — before being slathered with that creamy yellow salted egg yolk sauce.

I’ve never been a rabid fan of salted egg yolk sauce, but even for me the sauce didn’t come through as much as I expected it to. However, the heftily-sized burger makes up for that minor shortcoming.

Aglio olio with prawns ($17), is that simple, classy dish we’re all familiar with, made with olive oil, garlic and chilli. But, at Growlers Craft Beer & Bistro, the prawn stock is done with a local twist.

And, when the hot plate of pasta hits your table, allow the briny aroma of the sea wafts up your nostrils.

If the aglio olio was described as just aglio olio, and it’d check all the boxes for me. However, the flavour of the prawn stock doesn’t come through as much as I anticipated.

Maybe this is one dish where the “oomph” factor can be turned up.

Beer battered spam fries ($9), is crispy and meaty in a convenient french fry form. And, with the sweet chilli soy dipping sauce, it’s really the best. You’re not hit with the salty and heavy flavours of preservatives that go into spam; it’s the perfect finger food for a growler of beer… or two.

More Beer

Because the establishment is run by the same folks behind Hospoda Microbrewery, favourites like the Bohemian Pilsner are available. However, with this larger space two new brews — The Pursuit Of Hoppiness IPA ($12/half-pint, $16/pint, $54/2L growler) and Working People’s Golden IPA ($12/half-pint, $16/pint, $54/2L growler)

While the menu at Growlers Craft Beer & Bistro is still a work in progress. The team behind the new concept in the heart of Potong Pasir are looking to grow the local craft scene, and I’ll drink a growler or two to that!

Expected damage: $12 – $54

Growlers Craft Beer & Bistro: 37 Tai Thong Crescent, Singapore 347862 | Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday: 11am-12am

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Did someone say Truffle wanton mee? I’m on it. Located within a coffeeshop at 2 Lorong Lew Lian, a stone throw’s away from NEX, is Bee Kee Wanton Noodle that serves up the crazy combination of truffle and wanton mee.

Truffle Wanton Mee ($8)

Love it, and I’m absolutely impressed by the aroma of the truffle as I tossed the noodles, which aren’t your regular yellow egg noodles; the noodles used are of an almost translucent permeability and are flat, not rounded.

It’s springy, less alkaline and delicate, mixes well with the truffle oil. Definitely a refreshing touch to the usual noodle we’re familiar with.

The ingredients are rich, with generous servings of char siew (roasted pork), fried wanton (dumplings) and steam wanton — the steamed wantons are soft and savoury, but the fried ones stole the show; the skin is thin and crispy fried, providing a great crunch for the fillings.

Braised Pork Soft Bone Wanton Mee ($5)

Even without the truffle oil, the other variety of noodles served at Bee Kee are pretty smashing. The braised meat is exceedingly tender and breaks away easily, with the right amount of fat.

All thumbs up for Bee Kee’s truffle wanton mee, it’s definitely worth your time and calories and money, you get the drift.

If you’re dining with a partner, why not order both and mix the truffle noodles with the original flavour, creating a plate of noodles that doesn’t completely alienate the traditional wanton noodle.

Also, pork lard is served separately so you can help yourself to it endlessly; and that my friend, is the holy grail.

Expected damage: $5 – $8

Bee Kee Wanton Noodle: Block 2 Lorong Lew Lian, Singapore 048940 | Tel: +65 9877 3310 | Website | Opening Hours: 07:00 – 15:00 (Mon – Fri), 07:00 – 16:00 (Sat, Sun)

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136 Hong Kong Street Teochew Fish Head Steamboat offers a wide range of dishes (apart from fish head steamboat, of course). This unassuming stall at the corner of a coffeeshop is home to various Zi Char and claypot dishes as well.

We decided to take the road less travelled and tried two other dishes that you would not commonly find in your typical neighbourhood Zi Char stalls.

Each dish is cooked to order in a timely manner, with the staff working tirelessly to feed all the hungry customers. If you manage to take a peek into the kitchen, you’ll be amazed by the speed of chefs working their wok over a roaring fire.

The Special Braised “Mee Tai Ba” in Claypot ($8, Medium) arrived on our table adorned with a raw egg.

We broke the yolk eagerly and mixed the egg into the dish, which gave the dish an additional a richness.

The Mee Tai Ba came with ingredients such as prawns, minced meat and vegetables, just as what you’ll get when ordering Hor Fun. We felt that the star of the dish was the thick, brown gravy that came with a strong wok hei flavour.

For just $8, this dish is definitely worth every cent with the sheer abundance of ingredients that come with the dish. The medium serves around four to five people so if you’re with a larger party, consider getting the large ($10). If you’re alone, the stall has got you covered too, simply order the small at only $5.

One of their signature dishes, the Prawns Bee Hoon ($15), known by regulars as the Boss Bee Hoon is a favourite here at 136 Hong Kong Street. This claypot dish arrived filled to the brim with Bee Hoon and the bright red prawns really caught our eye.

We appreciated how the prawns were kept in the shell for that authentic prawn eating experience of peeling the shell (and if you fancy, sucking on the heads).

The Bee Hoon was cooked well as it was springy and tender without being overly mushy. The noodles absorbed all the sauce, making each consecutive bite a mouthful of flavour. When we tried to peel the prawns, the shells fell of easily, indicative of it being perfectly cooked.

Similarly, get the individual portion at $8 only for your personal portion to pig out on. Although this dish comes with a higher price tag than others, it’s definitely worth the money.

As we left and had a glimpse of the assortment of dishes being served to other customers, we just knew that we’d have to make another trip back soon.

Don’t stew about where to get good food on a budget anymore, and head down to 136 Hong Kong Fish Head Steamboat for tasty claypot dishes made with quality ingredients.

Expected Damage: $5 – $10/pax

Address: 713 Clementi West Street 2, Block 713, Singapore 120713 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 11am – 2pm, 5pm – 11pm | Tel: 9437 8260

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When I was younger, I went to Victoria Concert and Theatre Hall a lot because my church service was held there, but I hadn’t had the chance to take a look after the renovations started in 2010.

So, when I heard that FOO’D by Davide Oldani was opening in Victoria Concert Hall after renovations, I was pretty stoked to be able to take a look at both the new restaurant and building.

I liked the interior of FOO’D, with its clean white walls and columns; but the LCD screens placed on the sides and in the centre of the room was odd, and made me feel as if I was there for a wedding banquet and photo montages would start playing.

Dinner was a five course set affair ($138++), starting off with chef Oldani’s specialty, Caramelized Onions with 20 months Aged Grana Padano Served Hot And Cold.

This was probably the standout dish for me that night, with the softness of the onions and Grana Padano ice cream in contrast against the flaky and crispy pastry — the ice cream and cream were a little salty when taken individually, but was offset nicely when combined with the sweetness of onions and pastry.

The Pea and Lemongrass Soup with Poached Egg and Almonds was light and refreshing. The egg was poached nicely and when broken apart, gave the soup a silky texture that mellowed out the slightly overwhelming taste of lemongrass. The almonds also provided a nice bit of bite amidst all the liquids.

Some other guests at my table weren’t as lucky, however, with slightly over poached eggs that weren’t runny like mine. Consistency is something that FOO’D might need to look into in the future.

The Risotto With Pistacchio di Bronte and Crayfish sounded extremely interesting, made with rice that has been aged for a year and Bronte pistachios, with coffee grinds and crayfish. The taste of the dish lives up to the hype as well, but I was unconvinced with risotto’s texture.

Using aged rice results in a risotto that is firmer than al dente than I would have preferred; the usual Singaporean palate is more used to softer foods, and mine is no exception. The texture was certainly interesting, however, an open mind is needed when trying this dish.

The crayfish was perfectly done, with the coffee grinds producing an understated coffee aroma and a hint of bitterness to the dish.

The Beef Cheek with Salmon Pearls and Horseradish was another dish that I liked. The meat was tender and didn’t need much assistance from my knife to fall apart, while the little salmon roe gave the dish a nice burst of saltiness. The horseradish shavings added a little spicy kick as well, but I wish that there was a little more sauce on the plate because the beef was slightly dry.

Overall, I enjoyed the deep flavour of this dish, with the taste of the beef shining through.

Nothing showcases chef Oldani’s innovativeness better than this dessert, Lemon Curd with Meringue and Lettuce Ice Cream on a bed of Cocoa Crumble; the lettuce ice cream was airy, and not traditionally smooth like other ice creams. When I had my first spoon, I thought that it tasted quite like matcha, ending off with a light note of something akin to raw vegetables, or one of those healthy veggie smoothies. Coupled with the cocoa crumble, it tasted quite similar to matcha chocolate.

I enjoyed the lemon curd, it was quite sour and held its form well, and it balanced out nicely with the sweet meringues. The lemon curd and meringues paired well together, as with the lettuce ice cream and cocoa crumble; but if you put them all together, it feels a little disconnected. As separate parts though, I thought they were excellent.

If you’re looking for a dinner that will impress, look no further. The food here at FOO’D by Davide Oldani is certainly an eye-opener, and I’m definitely amazed by the way different ingredients came together to form dishes that I never would have expected.

Expected damage: $138++ per pax

FOO’D By Davide Oldani: 11 Empress Place, #01-01, Singapore 179558 | Opening hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6 – 11pm on Mon – Sat | Tel: +65 63855588 | Facebook | Website

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What started out as a hobby soon became a full-fledged business, melding passion with career. Around October 2013, the husband and wife team started baking and delivering their home-baked goods, and everyone soon started falling in love with the artisanal sourdough loaves ($5 – $8) from The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough.

Using at least 50% whole wheat organic flour, their loaves are all baked dark and naturally leavened. Unlike the usual sourdough variety, the loaves contain a high water content due to the whole grain flour used. Baked at a high temperature, the result is a dark crust that is crispy, encasing the fluffy and moist bread inside.

What that means is that you can distinctly taste the different flavours from the Maillard reaction, which you might not get with your regular bakes.

They ensure that no commercial yeast is used and if you’re a fan, you can subscribe for their quarterly bread share system that runs for 12 weeks, where they’ll deliver freshly baked breads to your doorstep weekly at no additional charges.

If you’re not familiar with sourdough bread, why not pop down to Serene Centre for a taste.

A quaint bakery located right next to Sugarhaus, The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough offers up not just the famous sourdough loaves, but other breads like the seeded loaves, walnut loaves, etc. There’s also a food menu, where almost every ingredient is lovingly handmade.

Try the in-house granola ($6) or favourites like the nut butter with sea salt on toast ($3.50), hummus with za’atar & extra virgin olive oil ($4); and yes, they make the nut butters and hummus themselves.

If you’re looking for something savoury, look out for the kimchee + cheddar hot pressed sandwich ($7) or the tapenade + fresh mozzarella hot pressed sandwich ($9). While the kimchi and sauerkraut aren’t make in-house, they are looking into fermenting their own in the near future.

Pair your toasts and sandwiches with the hand-dripped coffee, where the beans are acquired from a boutique coffee roaster, whom they work very closely with. They’ve brought in a Moccamaster for the batch brew ($4), or you could have it as a hand brew ($5). 

Cold Brew – single origin brewed in cold water for 14 hours ($5.50)

A perfect pick-me-up for any hot afternoon, the cold brew was light and easy to drink.

If you’re looking for something more intense, opt for the V60 or Kalita hand brews ($5 each). Each batch of beans has a distinct taste, with some more fruity and others more nutty.

Depending on your preference, don’t hesitate to ask them for recommendations!

Sage Cream Cheese with Berry Compote ($4)

The sage cream cheese had a subtle garlic hint, which combined very well to further accentuate the sourdough. The toast was crisp on the outside, sticky and soft on the inside, which is a result from the dark crust which prevents the insides from drying out.

The berry compote balanced the entire toast with its sweetness, creating a light and satisfying treat.

Tapenade + Fresh Mozzarella ($9)

Made in-house, the tapenade consists of olives, capers, parsley, lemon, garlic and black pepper. All of which adds up to a very savoury and slightly zesty paste that hits the spot.

The fresh mozzarella added a creamy texture to the paste without overpowering the flavours. The sourdough provided a subtle sour taste and I was so in love with this hot pressed sandwich.

The bakes were amazing and the sourdough loaf was one of the more distinctly flavoured ones that I’ve tried thus far. And they definitely have a good grip on how to not dry out the insides while keeping it incredibly crisp on the outside.

I loved the fact that they try their very best to make everything in-house, upholding the quality of the bakes that they serve. For me, that’s reason enough to support them.

Plus, every Friday night is Pizza Night from 6pm – 10pm. One more reason to head down!

Expected damage: $5 – $20 per person

The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough: 10 Jalan Serene, #01-05 Serene Centre, Singapore 258748 | Tel: +65 9816 6251 | Website | Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Weds – Sun), Closed on Mon & Tues

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Riding on the waves of the increasingly popular Hawaiian bowls, SweetFish is the new kid on the block that prides itself in making poke bowls that are affordable and available to the masses — the Hungry portion is priced at only $9, and the Starving portion will set you back by $14; relatively cheaper than other poke bowls that are currently in Singapore.

Located at the basement of Capitol Piazza, the hole-in-the-wall store is decked out in striking pink and white and is hard to miss, especially when you’re exiting from City Hall MRT Station.

Unlike other poke places, the menu is pre-set with only four flavours. What you’ll get to choose is the bases to have it with — Japanese Rice, Red Brown Rice Mix (+$1), or chopped Romaine (+$1).

The chunky sashimi cubes are marinated upon order and garnished on the spot to retain the fish’s natural sweetness; a few good mixes and it’s poured over your choice of base.

Roasted Sesame, Salmon (Hungry, $9)

The rice is topped with a bed of shredded cabbage for added crunch and texture to the dish, then garnished with spring onions, chopped walnuts and a scoop of tobiko.

A generous portion of salmon sashimi was given and every piece was well-covered in the marinade, which had a robust flavour of roasted sesame and a slight hint of spiciness. Surprisingly, it didn’t get dull towards the end even after almost wolfing down the entire bowl, which was a sure sign that the ingredients used are fresh.

Sweet Yuzu Cream, Salmon (Hungry, $9)

Prepared in the same way as the roasted sesame, the tangy yuzu sauce cut through the richness of the mayo, and the fried crispy garlic gave the dish a fragrant note. It was lighter and sweeter on the palate, a flavour that I foresee being a hit with the OLs.

I foolishly thought that the rice was under-cooked but soon realised that the grainy texture came from the garlic, so don’t be mistaken if you bite into chewy, hard bits.

Hawaiian Original, Tuna (Starving, $14)

The vibrant colours of the ingredients were already making us salivate. We opted for the Starving portion, which had about twice the amount of sashimi as compared to the Hungry portion.

Chock-full of fresh tuna sashimi, edamame, onions, spring onions and chuka to top it off, we dived straight into the bowl, taking a huge spoonful of rice and tuna chunks.

The marinade is made of a concoction of sauces, but mainly shoyu to give it an umami taste, which we thought was a tad too salty for our taste buds.

However, we loved how the ingredients complemented each other, and enjoyed the brinier contrast from the chuka.

Wasabi Mayo + Chopped Romaine (Hungry, $9)

The chopped Romaine provides an alternative for those who are cutting down on carbs, but still made for a hearty meal, nonetheless.

Bits of mango created pockets of sweetness, and an overall refreshing taste. However, it would have been better if more wasabi was added into the sauce to give it the necessary spicy kick.

Priced competitively, we would definitely return for another poke bowl when we’re in town. And, with its strategic location, there’s really no excuse for giving SweetFish a miss when you’re in the vicinity.

As the business is still in its early stages, the owner of SweetFish has shared with us that he hopes to expand his menu with more flavours, so that there’s something for everyone. But for now, the four choices are adequate and have been carefully prepared to ensure that the flavours remain consistent. We’re excited to see the menu grow along with the feedback provided.

Expected damage: $9 – $14

SweetFish: 13 Stamford Road, #B2-30 Capitol Piazza, Singapore 178905 | Opening hours: (Mon – Fri) 11am – 8pm, (Sat – Sun) 11am – 10pm | Website | Facebook

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I love crayfish but I can usually only find it in zi char in Singapore. Thus, I’ve decided to do a little digging and come up with a guide on crayfish dishes in Singapore, and it turns out that loads of places have now incorporated this yummy crustacean into their menus!

Here are nine crayfish dishes to satisfy those cray cray cravings.

1. Crayfish White Bee Hoon, Xian Seafood Lala Beehoon

Credit

If you’re looking for good white bee hoon in Singapore, try Xian Seafood Lala Beehoon where they sell Crayfish White Bee Hoon ($20). What made this plate of bee hoon so special was that the bee hoon was initially fried for a firmer texture.

It was then cooked in the pork bone and seafood broth. This results in super springy noodles in a light, sweet broth with crayfish, lala and bits of pork lard. The crayfish absorbed the essence of the broth and the sliced cabbage added an extra crunch to the overall dish.

Xian Seafood Lala Beehoon: Blk 304, Ubi Ave 1, #01-103, Singapore 400304 | Opening Hours: (Mon to Sun) 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 9.30pm | Website

2. Indo Curry Crayfish Bee Hoon, Big Lazy Chop 大懶排

Although called Indo Curry Crayfish Bee Hoon ($13/S, $19/M, $24/L), don’t be confused as this is not an Indonesian dish. The local flavours are amplified by the addition of sambal, which made the curry more fragrant. Be warned that it’s quite spicy though, especially when served piping hot.

Instead of the usual thick curry broth, Big Lazy Chop’s version was more watery and less jelak. This is because the usual coconut milk is replaced with evaporated milk, resulting in a sweeter version.

Besides the crayfish bee hoon, do try the signature Big Lazy Chop XL Ribs ($22 for four pieces) if you are dining there.

Big Lazy Chop 大懶排: #01-04, 1A Short St, Singapore 188210 | Opening hours: (Tue to Sun) 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm, Closed on Mon | Website

3. Crayfish Bee Hoon Soup, Sumo Big Prawn Noodle

Famous for the lobster bee hoon soup, Sumo Big Prawn Noodle has been the talk of town for bringing quality food to the masses at affordable prices. Besides the lobsters, let’s not forget that they also serve tasty bowls of Crayfish Bee Hoon Soup ($13).

The best part? Each bowl comes with three whole pieces of crayfish and tons of lala. The amount is so generous and is really a steal coming from a hawker stall. The taste of the broth was also less prawn-y and more flavourful as a result of the ingredients (pork bones and prawn shells) used to make the broth.

Head there early if you want to skip the queues!

Sumo Big Prawn Noodle: Blk 628 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4 #01-72, Singapore 560628 | Tel: 9299 2621 | Opening Hours: (Tue to Thurs) 8.30am – 9pm, (Fri) 8.30am – 9.30pm, (Sat to Sun): 9am – 9pm, Closed on Mon

4. Linguine Al Cartoccio, Pietro Ristorante

I love seafood in Italian pasta and Pietro Ristorante serves an excellent version which includes crayfish. Pietro prides itself in its use of fresh ingredients and original homemade sauces. The price is definitely worth the quality.

The Linguine al Cartoccio ($26) is a spicy crayfish pasta wrapped in parchment paper. Unravel it and indulge in an array of crayfish, scallops, clams, prawns and squid. The parchment paper keeps all the juices locked in, resulting in a dish that’s packed full of flavour.

The restaurant is also famous for its woodfire pizzas, so make sure you bring a few friends and order loads to share.

Pietro Ristorante: 12 Jalan Kelulut, Singapore 809030 | Tel: 6484 5528 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm | Website

5. Seafood Soup, Yan Ji Seafood Soup

Located near Woodlands Checkpoint, Woodlands Centre Food Court might seem out of the way for some, but hey, good food is worth the journey! For North-landers, this is truly a gem found.

Priced at $6 and $8 for the Seafood Soup and $10 and $12 for the Fish Maw Seafood Soup, Yan Ji Seafood Soup is pretty wallet-friendly given the generous portion of ingredients. The bowl of crayfish, minced meat chunks, prawns and fish was definitely worth a second visit.

Yan Ji Seafood Soup: Woodlands Centre Food Court, Blk 4A Woodlands Centre Road, #02-11 Singapore 730004 | Tel: 9798 5886 | Opening Hours: (Tue to Sun) 11am – 8.30pm, Closed on Mon | Website

6. Spicy Seafood Stew, Masizzim

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When I ordered the Spicy Seafood Stew ($36.80) from Masizzim, I was simply expecting the usual steaming pot of mussels, prawns, and squid mixed in a spicy Korean sauce. To my surprise, there was actually crayfish served as well!

It was particularly comforting to enjoy this dish in the cold weather that day. There are four levels of spiciness to choose from and I of course went straight for level four. The seafood soaked up the sauce really well, especially the prawns and crayfish which were really tender too.

A word of advice: try not to let it cook for too long as the broth will dry up fast.

Masizzim: 313 Orchard Rd, #B3-02, Singapore 238895 | Tel: 6509 5808 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 11am – 10pm | Website

7. Crayfish Mac & Cheese, Morganfield’s

Ahh... Morganfield’s – the place famous for the sticky bones, sticky bones and sticky bones. Or ribs, to you and me. Go for the awesome flavour combinations such as the Garlic BBQ (Full $41.90, Half $21.90) or the classic Hickory BBQ (Full $41.90, Half $21.90).

What you have to order on the side though is the Crayfish Mac & Cheese ($23.90). Mac & Cheese is pretty sinful as is, but then, crayfish chunks?? YES PLEASE.

There is also a whole list of appetisers, salads and mains on the menu to choose from. Large families or big eaters can even opt for the sharing platters such as the Ocean Feast ($119.90) or The Carnivore ($98.90). You will not leave hungry.

Morganfield’s : 3 Temasek Boulevard #01-645/646, Suntec City Branch, Singapore 038983 | Tel: 6736 1136 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 11am – 11pm | Website

8. Seafood Platter, Woon Woon Pek Bee Hoon

Ever heard of a Seafood Platter in a hawker centre for $30? At that price tag, you may wonder if it’s really worth your penny. We give it a huge resounding YES when you get a huge plate of seafood consisting of prawns, crayfish, fish slices and clams on a bed of white bee hoon.

The sprinkle of fried pork lard on top added an extra crunch to the overall texture, with a broth that was sweet and packed full of flavour from all the seafood. The portion is great for sharing among three to four people, so grab a few kakis and make the pilgrimage to Changi.

Woon Woon Pek Beehoon: Blk 2, Changi Village Road, #01-52, Changi Village Hawker Centre, Singapore 500002 | Opening Hours: (Tues to Sun) 11am – 9pm, Closed on Mon | Website

9. Crayfish Fruit Juice Mee Siam, Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa

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Listed on the 2016 Michelin Guide, the Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa is popular among the locals for the light yet flavoursome laksa gravy. Prices start at $3 and you can upgrade to more ingredients and noodles. Besides laksa, you can also go for the mee siam or mee rebus version.

Try the Crayfish Fruit Juice Mee Siam ($7), which is an interesting rendition of the usual laksa. It is filled with laksa ingredients but instead of the thick noodles, vermicelli is used instead. It comes with crayfish, which explains the higher price.

This bowl is definitely worth the queue.

Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa: Blk 531A Upper Cross Street, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre #02-66, Singapore 051531 | Opening Hours: (Mon to Sat) 10.30am – 6pm, Closed on Sun

Related guide: 6 Must-Try Hawker Centre Hot Pots In Singapore

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Most of us are pretty familiar with dark soy sauce, it’s used in plenty of Asian dishes and I certainly ate my fair share of it while I was growing up. I most definitely never ate it as part of a dessert before, so I’m intrigued by Creamier and Wild Rocket’s latest collaboration, Chocolate Tau Yew Tempeh Crunch ice cream.

I can almost see how it would work together, the sweetness and saltiness from the dark soy sauce combining with the chocolate ice cream, along with the crunchy texture from the roasted tempeh. Just thinking about it has awaken my ice cream craving, perhaps a trip down to Creamier is in order.

If you’re looking to try out this unique ice cream, it’ll be available at Creamier’s two outlets until 28 Feb 2017, after which Wild Rocket will be serving it until the end of March 2017.

Expected damage: $16 for a pint

Creamier: #01-835 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, Singapore 310128 | Tel: +65 62501476 | Facebook

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The collection that was sold out within 3 months last year has returned, and this time with an addition of a brand new flavour. Haagen-Dazs is bringing back the popular Rose Raspberry & Lychee flavour, and is introducing a new flavour, Elderflower & Blackcurrant.

Just look at those pretty tubs! I’ve tried the Rose Raspberry & Lychee flavour before and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I’m definitely looking forward to trying the Elderflower & Blackcurrant flavour this time around. Hopefully this flavour will be on the tart side, so it can be a nice contrast to the sweetness of the Rose Raspberry & Lychee ice cream!

These tubs are currently available in stores islandwide, and will be made available in major supermarkets from March 2017 onwards.

Haagen-Dazs Limited Edition Little Flowers Collection: Available at all stores | Facebook

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If there’s one thing that I look forward to on every trip to Bangkok, it would be to visit their night markets and stuff my face silly with its amazing array of street foods.

Talad Neon is the latest hipster downtown night market to open in the heart of Bangkok by The Platinum Group. Curious about the hype it’s getting on social media platforms, I got down to exploring it personally — mostly to sniff out interesting foods.

First thing first: How to get to Talad Neon?

Hop on to one of these Tuk Tuks parked along the bustling road in front of Platinum Fashion Mall, they bear the prominent “Talad Neon” signs, visible even at a distance. The ride will cost about THB 120 (approximately S$4.82), a tad costly for a short distance.

If you’re intending to save on those Thai Bahts, you could get there on foot, which is about 10 minutes walk away — head towards The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam and you’re on the right track.

Greeted by bright lights and a live band to serenade the crowd, the only thing “neon” about the entire market that I noticed was probably the large sign seen at the beginning of this article.

The multicoloured tents are arranged in an orderly fashion, which are easy to meander through row by row. That way you won’t get lost and repeat walking pass the same stalls again.

I headed straight to the food section, which covered about half the size of the market — so, if you’re planning on visiting, here are some stalls you may want to check out!

1. Bloody Cold

Similar to the dragon’s breath candy found in Singapore, these smoke effects are created by pouring liquid nitrogen over puff rolls to make them extremely cold.

It comes in flavours of Vanilla Ice, Chocolate Rock, or you can have a mix of both flavours, all of which cost THB 79 (approximately S$3.18) for a cup of seven rolls.

Although the rolls weren’t spectacular in taste, we had fun breathing smoke out of our nostrils for that few short minutes. Careful when holding the cup though, I accidentally held it at the base and cried out “BLOODY COLD” in pain. I guess, that’s how they got the inspiration for the shop’s name from burning their fingers too.

2. High

Resembling bottled magic potions of sorts, or a witch’s concoction served in a plastic bucket, High sells a variety of shimmery Mocktail (THB 100, approximately S$4), and Cocktail (THB 150, approximately S$6) for alcoholic versions.

Shake it up for the shimmer swirls to form.

We had the Last Ocean, mixed in with Sprite, which overpowered any other taste it was supposed to have. I’d be honest and say, it was bought for the fun of its intriguing aesthetic purposes.

3. KodLeng

Tempted by the large standee outside the stall, the Pork Bone Spicy Black Soup (THB 200, approximately S$8) was what caused us to slow down our footsteps and quickly grab a seat.

The hot pot came with two large pork bones, which reminded us of a super-sized version of Bak Kut Teh. Huge it was, and really value for money!

The meat was tender and fell off the bones easily, you could pick up the bone and gnaw on it, no one’s going to judge.

The spicy black broth had hints of lemongrass and lime, almost like having tom yam, but what made it different was the evidently strong natural sweetness from the long hours of boiling the pork bones. Slurp on it carefully or you’d be bound to get bouts of cough from the heat of the chilli hitting your throat.

4. Crazy Shrimp

The shrimps aren’t the only thing crazy here; while you’re working your way through the platter of All Seafood (THB 399 / THB 599), grab a slab of baby back ribs (Medium – THB 190 / Large – THB 360, approximately S$7.60 / S$14.50) too.

You can have the sauce in different levels of spiciness ranging from mild, medium spicy, to very spicy. Then, enjoy the yummy mess with your hands.

5. Pao Maem Loie

All deck in blue, Pao Maem Loie is not hard to miss with huge seafood platters displayed on every table.

The largest portion costs THB 750 (approximately S$30), which is more than enough to feed four to five hungry adults.

The set comes with grilled scallops, mussels, tiger prawns, a crab, squid, an entire fish, cockles and sea snails. As with every Thai meal, fresh vegetables and vinaigrette chilli sauce is served alongside the dish to enhance the taste.

Need I mention how Instagram-worthy this platter is too? Now that you’re informed, keep your tummy empty to feast on this!

7. Lava Style Talay Cheese

“Talay” translates to seafood, so at Lava Style, you’ll be getting cheese to accompany every seafood dish you order.

The cheese on scallops (THB 150 for 5, approximately S$6) were simply irresistible. Placed on a grill, the cheese on top each scallops were then further melted with a torch for the slightly charred texture.

Drizzle chilli over it, then pull it up and enjoy the juicy scallops that are enveloped within the gooey melted cheese. It would have been better if the scallops were left on the grill for a longer time.

While the flesh was thoroughly cooked, it was slightly cold within. We figured, they could have been pre-cooked beforehand.

8. Thai Mango Dip Stall

Mangoes play an essential part of Thai’s culinary — expect to find them prepared or cooked in different styles, and one of such is eating them raw before they’re ripe.

While they are delicious and tangy on its own, the special dip sauces are crafted to turn them into savoury snacks to get you through the day or fill you up when you’re peckish.

A set of mango & one packet of sauce is sold at THB 35 (approximately S$1.40). The one we choose had shrimps, chilli in a sweet sauce base, which tasted a little like Nasi Lemak chilli.

This came in handy to cleanse our palates in between snacking along the night market.

9. Friend Cheese

Friend Cheese will satisfy your cheesy cravings with the variations of cheese offerings on its menu. You could have it Spicy (Hot Spicy/ BBQ/ Pizza) or Non-Spicy in its original flavour.

We were intrigued by the Pastel Cheese, sadly they weren’t selling it that day, so we ended up with a Mini with Pizza flavour (THB 49, approximately S$1.96).

The cheese was running over the sides of the cone which is used to hold the fries in. It has a consistency of a viscous sauce that nicely coats every piece of fries. 

9. Tuk Tuk Cup

Along the rows of container shops and bars, the Tuk Tuk Cup houses interesting spin on local Thai dishes.

Mango Sticky Rice Sushi (THB 100, approximately S$4)

Reinventing the popular Thai dessert, the mango sticky rice is shaped into convenient bite-sized sushi, while the coconut milk is served in a saucer to dip your “sushi” in it.

While it isn’t the best mango sticky rice I’ve had, props to the store for being creative at the way it’s served.

Special Tuk Tuk Combo (THB 100, approximately S$4)

If you’re in need of a small bite and something cold that will quench your thirst from all the walking, the Special Tuk Tuk Combo lets you choose from any drink and side from its menu and combines them into one nifty huge cup. But of course, the drink is separated from the snack with a smaller cup placed over the top.

10. Oh My Clam

If you’re all about oysters, Oh My Clam specializes in grilling them in butter & garlic or cheese.

Grilled oyster with butter garlic (THB 80 for one, approximately S$3.22)

I know there are places that sells oysters for S$1 back in Singapore, but don’t let its price deter you from spending on these babies.

Shucked and prepared on the spot, they are then placed over the grill along with a scoop of garlic butter. Then it is torched further for the oysters to be fully cooked.

Juicy, garlicky with a burst of flavour, these went into our tummies within seconds. Squeeze the lime for an added citrus-y tang, or have it as it is for a robust flavour.

Just when we thought that we’ve come to the end of the food section, we walk into the bar section that looked a lot cooler with illuminated trees and container stalls.

The alley is lined with rows of wooden tables and chairs to make yourself comfy while enjoying drinks and small bites.

Otherwise, you could gather around the tables and grab a drink from the vans parked along the market.

If there’s one thing that I noticed on my visit to Talad Neon is that most food stalls focus very much on its seafood selections. Hence, this guide is made up of mostly seafood dishes that you should get down on trying.

Talad Neon isn’t as big as compared to Talad Rod Fai as I was expecting it to be, but I’ll definitely hop by again if I’m staying within the area.

Talad Neon Night Market: 1087 ถนน เพชรบุรีตัดใหม่ Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand | Tel: +66 2 121 8000 | Facebook 

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We all have that one friend who complains about how detrimental alcohol is, and how we should give up drinking if we want to live a long and healthy life.

In respond to that, I’ll ask “have you ever tried the new drinks at The Library?”.  The drinks are a collaboration between The Library and Eu Yan Sang; and five cocktails were created with a mixture of Chinese herbs such as goji berries, ginseng, hawthorn and more.

The Library is a speakeasy bar that originated from Prohibition when alcohol was banned. To enter, you’ll need to have the secret password, but The Library has relaxed these rules a bit — if you don’t have the password, simply dance, sing a song or recite a joke to be allowed entry.

Once you enter, you’ll notice the dimly lit interior, and the steampunk theme that the bar seems to be modeled after. I was particularly taken by the bar countertop; with sheets of copper riveted to each other, it’s pretty cool. But we’re not here to appreciate interior design, we’re here for the cocktails!

Starting off with the Thousand Eyes Cobbler ($24), I immediately noticed the unique design of the drink before I even tried it. Goji berries contained in a hollow shell atop the liquid, I couldn’t resist giving it a shake.

The drink however, is one that everybody will like even if they don’t enjoy goji berries. The most prominent taste is that of passionfruit, sweet with a slight tang. There is also a bit of spice from the angostura bitters, and finally the goji berries kick in as a light aftertaste, present but not overwhelming.

Rice & Shine ($24) might be one of my favourite cocktails from the collaboration, simply due to the complexity of the drink. Starting off with flavour from the ginger, it gives way to the sourness from the rice vinegar and lime before the hints of ginseng and chrysanthemum show up amidst the taste of gin.

The presentation of the cocktail is also fun and quirky; it comes in a small bottle that’s seated on a bed of rice grains, sealed in a ziplock bag, in a nod to the rice vinegar that’s present in the drink.

Midway through, I decided that I should order some food to stave off the effects of the alcohol.  The Kimchi Hot Dog ($9) is a fluffy bun coupled with the sausage, topped off with a generous amount of seaweed and kimchi, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The kimchi wasn’t as spicy as I would like, but the crunch and heat that it provided the dish with was good.

Continuing on with the cocktails, Sun Of Fuji ($23) came in a small white container that prevented me from really seeing much, although I did enjoy the hawthorn flake garnish; it reminded me of my favourite childhood snacks.

The cocktail was silky thanks to the tofu that was blended in, and the notes of lychee and rose are prominent at the start while the hawthorn infused rum kicks in at the end. I really enjoyed the mouthfeel that this drink had, the luxuriousness and smoothness certainly helped to disguise the strength of this cocktail.

Taking a break from the five cocktails, I requested the head bartender, Adam Bursik, to recommend a drink from the normal menu, and he didn’t disappoint with Deep in Forest ($24). This cocktail is visually stunning, with a takeaway drink cover fitted over the glass, and mushrooms and sprigs of rosemary on top which emanates a woody, herbal scent every time you take a sip.

The gin taste is prominent here, with Adam using gin that has been double infused with juniper. I’m a big fan of gin, so this drink is right up my alley. With slight hints of lemon and pickled mint, the entire flavour profile of this drink is generally earthy and definitely on the strong side.

We finished the night off with the last two cocktails, Hypnotique ($24) and Arial Italic Black ($24). Hypnotique is another visually appealing drink, sitting on top of a wooden case containing dry ice that the bartender will pour rose water to create a delicate smelling smoke.

Hypnotique was foamy and light with a predominantly sour taste from the lemon, but as you sip, you’ll catch whiffs of the delicate rose fragrance again, this time from the dried rose petal bits that is used to garnish the drink.

Arial Italic Black is another spirit forward drink made with TCM Library Vermouth and coffee-infused cognac that results in a strong coffee taste lasting through the entire cocktail, and I enjoyed the presentation as well. A book, quill, spectacles along with the drink? Perfect Instagram photos for all the writers and book lovers out there.

I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the cocktails simply because I never really enjoyed herbs before, but all five of the cocktails were delicious, and Adam Bursik worked closely with a Chinese physician to ensure that the cocktails not only tasted great, but are good for your body as well.

So go ahead and imbibe in these cocktails with the knowledge that your drinks are a bit healthier thanks to the addition of these Chinese herbs!

Expected damage: $24 – $50 per pax

The Library: 47-49 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089151 | Tel: +65 62218338 | Facebook

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People always have the impressions that cakes are only for birthdays, but you can always get cakes for other occasions; and if cakes are too heavy, why not have smaller desserts like macarons and cupcakes?

But, if you don’t want to get desserts that look like they are bought of the shelves, try getting them from one of these bakers and stand out from the rest of your friends.

Go crazy with all the customisation options, from colours to designs and even piped flowers!

1. My Sister Bakes

If you know someone who wants a floral cake, but prefers other flowers instead of the overused roses, check out My Sister Bakes. They’re one of the few bakeries around who can pipe flowers including tulips, ranunculus and chrysanthemums! Not to mention the dark drip cakes that are perfect for people who are averse to pastel colours or anything floral.

My Sister Bakes: 216 Joo Chiat Road, Soho Life #01-03, Singapore 427483 | Tel: +65 98672176 | Facebook | Website

2. Bloomsbury Bakers

Don’t like buttercream flowers but still want to have flowers on your cake? Go ahead to Bloomsbury Bakers where they use real flowers to adorn the cakes. Roses are the most common, but they do take in orders with other flowers, such as gerberas, hydrangeas and more. If you’re not a cake person, check out the tartlets and other small desserts.

Bloomsbury Bakers: Blk 30 Bendemeer Road #01-889,  Singapore 330030 | Tel: +65 62993450 | Facebook | Website

3. Baker’s Brew Studio

I admit that I’m one of those that jumped onto the Tsum Tsum bandwagon when it first came out, and these cakes are perfect for that someone who’s still playing the game.

Baker’s Brew Studio can create any designs that you desire using hand piped buttercream, and if you’re not a fan of that, how about using fondant to get a Harry Potter cake? Time to hint to my friends to get it for my birthday this year…

Baker’s Brew Studio: No.6 Jalan Tampang, Singapore 758950 | Tel: +65 90695096 | Facebook | Website

4. Creme Maison Bakery

If you rather have smaller desserts, why not try these floral cupcakes? You can even have different flavours of cupcakes to suit everybody’s tastes. Creme Maison also offers snacks including cookies, and adorned with the whimsical colours, you can be sure they’ll light the party up.

Creme Maison Bakery: 50A Prinsep Street #02-01, Singapore 188680 | Tel: +65 81813689 | Facebook | Website

5. Cakequembouche

Specialising in fondant cakes, Cakequembouche make cakes with designs ranging from Vicks Vaporub to whisky bottles. So when your alcoholic friends tell you that they just want a bottle of alcohol for their birthday, you can be the friend who stands out from the rest.

Giving bottles of alcohol is so mainstream, if my friends gave me a whisky bottle cake, it’d definitely be more memorable than a bottle of alcohol that we’ll finish in an hour or two!

Cakequembouche: 511 Guillemard Road, #01-05 Grandlink Square, Singapore 399849 | Tel: +65 85981072 | Facebook | Website

6. Ugly Cake Shop

Don’t be fooled by the name, the cakes that come out from Ugly Cake Shop are anything but ugly. The best part about purchasing from them? Part of their proceeds go towards feeding undernourished children in Timor-Leste, and the ingredients that go into the cakes are natural and of high quality. So when you indulge in the cakes,  you can feel good about it too.

 Ugly Cake Shop: 535 Kallang Bahru, GB Point #01-06, Singapore 339351 | Tel: +65 82288300 | Facebook | Website

7. Little House of Dreams

Little House of Dreams is a bakery and a bistro, where you can grab a meal and then have a slice of cake after without having to travel elsewhere for desserts.

And if you love what you’re having, you could always return again and order a bespoke cake for your party. They specialise in fondant cakes, and the designs look adorable.

Little House of Dreams: Block 8 Dempsey Road #01-14, Singapore 247696 | Tel: +65 64724977 | Facebook | Website

8. Delcie’s

If you know of a friend who has egg allergy or dairy intolerance, Delcie’s will be their solution. By removing eggs, dairy products, chemicals and agents like emulsifiers and stabilisers, the cakes are both delicious and good for your body.

Delcie’s: 34 Whampoa West #01-83, Singapore 330034 | Tel: +65 62822951 | Facebook | Website

9. White Spatula

For the little niece and nephew who enjoys cartoons like Peppa Pig or My Little Pony, try White Spatula. The cakes here come with toy toppers of the cartoon characters that you can keep even after finishing the cake.

White Spatula: 183 Jalan Pelikat, #B1-96 The Promenade@Peliat, Singapore 537643 | Tel: +65 98800222 | Facebook | Website

10. SuSucre

Susucre does 3D cakes with a variety of designs, from chicken wings all the way to Rilakkuma. This is another place that does sugar flowers, so get inventive and combine fondant designs with sugar flowers!

Susucre: 216 Joo Chiat Road, Soho Life #01-03, Singapore 427483 | Tel: +65 98672176 | Facebook | Website

Related guide: 14 Chocolatey Desserts In Singapore

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I love seafood, so I’m always on the lookout for a great seafood buffet. In my books, any restaurant that has a wide range of fresh seafood for me to choose from under $100 is a place worth checking out.

Here are 10 restaurants that you can consider the next time you feel the craving for seafood!

1. Triple Three

With really fresh seafood, this is the place to be if you’re around town. Alaskan King Crab legs, mussels, clams, prawns, Boston lobsters and more for $88++ for dinner on weekdays?

Since Triple Three is a Japanese-inspired buffet, don’t leave without trying their wide variety of sashimi, including yellowtail and swordfish. Head down on Friday and Saturday to enjoy their Weekend Lobster Night, which offers free-flow lobster mentaiyaki!

Triple Three: 333 Orchard Road
, Mandarin Orchard Level 5, Singapore 238867 | Tel: 6737 4411 | Website

2. The Line

I love The Line, the seafood is fresh and even though the variety is a little limited, the scallop sashimi is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The oysters are also freshly shucked right in front of you, so you can be assured that you’ll be getting good quality oysters.

The best part? If you make a reservation through their website, you’ll get a 15% discount. That brings their Marine Harvest-themed buffets on Tuesdays and Thursdays down from $108 to $91, and you get a selection of unlimited wines, beer, soft drinks and juices!

The Line (Shangri-La Hotel): 22 Orange Grove Road, Lower Lobby, Tower Wing, Singapore 258350 | Tel: +65 62134275 | Website

3. Todai

Most of us will have heard of Todai before, with their offering of unlimited Alaska King Crab legs in addition to other delicious seafood items like the fresh and briny oysters. If you’re craving more than seafood, Todai’s wide range of cuisines will suit you. From Japanese to Italian, there’s something here for everyone.

The sashimi offerings here are also generous, with thick slices of salmon and tuna that are cut up on the spot upon ordering. At $58++ for weekday dinners, this is one of the more affordable buffets around, plus you get to walk around Marina Bay Sands after.

Todai: #B2-01/01A, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972 | Tel: +65 66887771 | Website

4. Colony at Ritz Carlton

Colony is a restaurant with the concept of a buffet centred around live stations where your food will be prepared freshly in front of you. The Ice Bar is where the seafood and crustaceans are, along with cold cuts and cheeses.

King crabs, prawns, oysters, scallops and more, what else could you wish for? At $78++ for dinner on Sundays to Thursdays, this is one place you’ll want to bring a date to.

Colony: 7 Raffles Avenue, The Ritz-Carlton, Singapore 039799 | Tel: +65 64345288 | Website

5. Seasonal Tastes

If you’re after a buffet with a view, check out Seasonal Tastes located on the 32nd floor of The Westin Singapore. Go on Fridays for Seafood Night and enjoy the fresh and varied seafood while looking out at Singapore’s skyline.

Boston lobsters, snow crabs and mud crabs, Canadian oysters make up just a small part of what Seasonal Tastes has to offer. If you prefer your seafood cooked, you can pick out some seafood and request for the chef to grill it on the spot for you.

Seasonal Tastes: Level 32, The Westin Hotel Singapore, Asia Square Tower 2, 12 Marina Square View Singapore 018961 | Tel: +65 69226968 | Website

6. Edge

Head to Edge at Pan Pacific Hotel on Wednesdays and Thursdays to partake in their seafood-themed buffet, Hooked at Edge. There, you’ll find a variety of cold and cooked seafood including Maine lobster, fish head curry and salted egg crab.

If you want more than just seafood, check out the new Surf & Turf buffet that Edge is offering every Tuesday night. Pairing crustaceans like Alaskan King Crabs with delectable meats like wagyu rump, $78++ is a steal.

Edge at Pan Pacific Hotel: 7 Raffles Blvd, Marina Square, Pan Pacific Hotel Level 3, Singapore 039595 | Tel: 6826 8240 | Website

7. The Kitchen Table

At The Kitchen Table, you can enjoy sustainably caught seafood every Friday to Sunday with Seafood From The Heart collaboration with chef Peter Kuruvita.

With a wide selection of seafood, the hot dishes here are cooked with rich Asian spices to create items such as lobster tail tandoori and a Sri Lankan interpretation of the French bouillabaisse. At $88++, you’ll get both a delicious dinner and the beautiful sight of the Sentosa Cove marina. That’s a pretty good deal!

The Kitchen Table: 21 Ocean Way, W Hotel, Singapore 098374, | Tel: 6808 7268 | Website

8. Rise (MBS)

Head to Rise on Tuesdays for their Seafood Nights, and plenty of fresh seafood. What caught my eye for Rise was the promise of a Whole Poached Salmon on the buffet line, and their plump juicy oysters along with plenty of hot seafood dishes like Lobster Thermidor.

At $72++, this is another restaurant that has something for everyone. Hurry down before Rise closes for renovations on 19 April 2017!

Rise: Tower 1, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore | Tel: +65 66885525 | Website

9. Plaza Brasserie

Another seafood-themed dinner buffet, but this time, one with live stations where you can watch the chef cook your crustaceans right in front of you. Plaza Brasserie’s Treasures of The Sea‘s hot dishes are mostly Asian style, with fish head curry and steamed fish.

Of course, there’s also the cold stations where the seafood is piled onto ice, just waiting for you to fill your plate with them. The salmon sashimi is particularly notable, with a good amount of fat resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Plaza Brasserie: 7500 Beach Road, PARKROYAL level 1, Singapore 199591 | Tel: +65 65055710 | Website

10. Lime Restaurant

Do you remember Lobsterfest? If you do, you’ll be well acquainted with Lime.

As for their regular buffet, although lunch is a bit limited with only prawns, oysters and salmon sashimi, dinner service has a wider variety. And if you’re a chilli crab fan, this is the place to be, with the sweet and spicy sauce and meaty crabs.

Lime: 3 Upper Pickering Street, Parkroyal Hotel at Pickering, Singapore 058289 | Tel: +65 68098899 | Website

Related guide: 9 Crayfish Dishes In Singapore

The post 10 Seafood Buffets In Singapore That It Will Be Shellfish Of Us Not To Share appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

We all have this one friend who has an extremely high alcohol tolerance and you rarely see him/her get wasted.

Now, if you’re planning on getting them drunk, I’ve put together a list of 10 lethal shots you can get in Singapore. They’re so strong that one shot and a few rounds of drinking would bring them down!

1. Diesel 190 Proof By Chupitos Shots Bar

Probably the killer in this list, Diesel 190 Proof ($18++) has an alcohol percentage of 95%. It might seem alright at first, but trust me, the effect kicks in a while later.

Be prepared to get your throat and stomach burned from this! Coupled with a few other drinks, you’re bound to go down before first light.

Chupitos Shots Bar: 3B River Valley Rd, 01-05 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021 | Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 6.30pm – 1.30am, Wed, Fri, Sat: 6.30pm – 3.30am | Website

2. Bacardi 151 By Three Crowns

Bacardi 151 ($13++) is one of the strongest shots that are most commonly found in bars. If you’re looking for something that kicks in fast, this would be the one.

The Bacardi 151, heats up your body as soon as you get it down and kicks into your system in no time.

Three Crowns: Holland Village, Singapore, Singapore 277731 | Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 4pm – 1am, Fri: 4pm – 2am, Sat: 2pm – 2am, Sun, 2pm – 1am | Tel: +65 6766 0053 | Website

3. Gas Chamber By Chupitos Shots Bar

The Gas Chamber ($22++) is a mixture of both Absinthe and Bacardi 151. The bartender will first light up the shot to collect gas from the alcohol. Thereafter, you will down the shot and inhale the gas at the end which gives the drink an extra kick!

Chupitos Shots Bar: 3B River Valley Rd, 01-05 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021 | Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 6.30pm – 1.30am, Wed, Fri, Sat: 6.30pm – 3.30am | Website

4. Absinthe Triology By Chupitos Shots Bar

As its name suggests, Absinthe Triology ($18++) is a combination of three different kinds of Absinthes.

For those who seek shots that has a slightly chocolatey taste, this might be the one for you. It goes down smooth and has a lasting burning effect.

Chupitos Shots Bar: 3B River Valley Rd, 01-05 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021 | Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 6.30pm – 1.30am, Wed, Fri, Sat: 6.30pm – 3.30am | Website

5. Waterfall By Pump Room

For those looking for some thrill, go for the Waterfall ($35++) from Pump Room! With a shot poured down from the top then lighted up, the flames resembles a waterfall.

Don’t look down on this Boomerang-worthy drink made with Sambuca and Kahlua. It is really strong and has a slow burning effect.

Pump Room: 3B River Valley Rd, 01-09/10 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021 | Opening Hours: Sun – Fri: 5pm – 3am, Sat: 5pm – 4am, Eve of Public Holiday: 5PM – 4AM  | Tel: 6334 2628 | Website

6. B52 By Pump Room

Another flaming shot is the B52 ($18++), it is  packed with three types of alcohol namely Kahlua, Baileys and Triple Sec.

What hit me first was the Baileys which left my mouth coated with the aroma of sweet hazelnut chocolate. Then came the deadly Triple Sec, leaving my entire body burning.

Pump Room: 3B River Valley Rd, 01-09/10 Clarke Quay, Singapore 179021 | Opening Hours: Sun – Fri: 5pm – 3am, Sat: 5pm – 4am, Eve of Public Holiday: 5PM – 4AM  | Tel: 6334 2628 | Website

7. Sabuca By Three Crowns

Sabuca ($13++) has a slightly minty and sweet taste. Though strong, it was really smooth and refreshing. I would say this is the one for ladies who are looking for something strong yet easy to down.

Three Crowns: Holland Village, Singapore, Singapore 277731 | Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 4pm – 1am, Fri: 4pm – 2am, Sat: 2pm – 2am, Sun, 2pm – 1am | Tel: +65 6766 0053 | Website

8. Flaming Lamborghini By Zouk

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Flaming Lamborghini ($28), a popular among many Zouk-goers, it might just be the killer drink apart from graveyard you can get in the club.

First, Sambuca and Kahlua will be lit on fire in a cocktail glass. Then, Baileys and Blue Curacao are added to put out the flames. This shot is jam-packed with several different kinds of alcohol and will definitely get the night started!

Zouk: 3C River Valley Road, The Cannery, Singapore 179022 | Opening Hours: Wed & Fri: 9pm – 3am, Thurs: 9pm – 2am, Sat: 9pm – 4am, Sun – Tues: Closed | Website

9. Submarine By Wala Wala Cafe Bar

Ever thought of adding Tabasco sauce to you drinks? The Submarine ($18++) has just that — this is a secret recipe on the menu of Wala Wala Cafe Bar! (You’re welcome).

A shot of Tequila with five drops of Tabasco sauce dripped into a glass of Beer, your taste buds will go on fire by the time you finish the drink!

Wala Wala Cafe Bar:31 Lorong Mambong Holland Village, Singapore 277689 | Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 4pm – 1am, Fri: 4pm – 2am, Sat: 3pm – 2am, Sun: 3pm – 1am | Tel: 6462 4288 | Website

10. Hot Monkey’s Chilli and Pepper Vodka By The Secret Mermaid

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Now for something really interesting, Hot Monkey’s Chilli and Pepper Vodka ($16 per flight) will definitely leave your mouth burning!

As peppers are known to give the added kick to aged alcohol, the chilli present here helps to enhance the spice. Rather than getting your entire body burned up, this leaves your mouth going crazy from the spice!

The Secret Mermaid: 10 Collyer Quay, B1-08 Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315 | Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 5pm – 11pm | Website

With these 10 lethal shots, it’s time to go have a great night out! Diesel 190 Proof got my friend out of hand so let me know which brought your friend down!

The post 10 Lethal Alcohol Shots In Singapore To Start The Night On A High appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

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A less-talked about dish as compared to Singapore’s widely popular local dishes, Satay Beehoon is a dish that we often don’t take enough notice of.

The origins of the dish are unclear with some claiming it to be introduced by the Teochews. Well, thanks to them we now have it as one of our many hawker dishes that we can be proud of.

Made up of simple ingredients including cuttlefish, tau pok, pork slices, kang kong, beansprouts, cockles, pork liver, and of course bee hoon. Satay sauce made from peanuts is then poured over the ingredients as the final touch before serving.

While the dish may look simple, preparing it is quite a challenge as each there are so many ingredients in it. Making the peanut sauce alone can take up to more than four hours, as the peanuts have to be roasted, crushed and then fried with a variety of spices to form the sauce.

Enough talk about the dish, I have scoured through Singapore’s hawker centres to bring you the 10 best Satay Beehoon Stalls.

10. Soon Huat Teochew Satay Beehoon (顺发潮州沙爹米粉)

Soon Huat Teochew Satay Beehoon has been selling this dish when their stall was first located at Havelock Road. Now, located at the ABC Food Centre, the stall proudly displays its accolades earned over the years, including pictures of famous local politicians that has visited.

Looking at the amount of awards the stall displayed, I was expecting an amazing plate of Satay Beehoon. The Satay Beehoon ($3.5/4/5), however came with a sauce that was rather diluted as a result of the bee hoon not being drained properly.

The least a satay beehoon stall could do is to get its sauce right. While the typical ingredients were well-prepared, it failed to lift up the standard of the dish.

Soon Huat Teochew Satay Beehoon: Blk 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, ABC Food Centre, #01-47, Singapore 150006 | Opening hours: 3pm – 10.30pm (Fri to Wed)

9. Teochew Satay Beehoon (潮州沙爹米粉)

Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre is packed with office workers during lunch hour. Trying to get a seat is already a challenge in itself, but I’m glad I made the trip here to try the dish from Teochew Satay Bee Hoon.

The stall claims to make their own satay sauce using over 20 ingredients. However, I found the Satay Beehoon ($3/4/5) to be underwhelming of that claim.

The sauce was a tad too bland to my liking, and had no distinct fragrance of freshly grounded peanuts. The ingredients on the other hand were quite well-prepared and cooked just right without ruining the textures.

Teochew Satay Beehoon: Blk 6 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre, #02-47, Singapore 081006 | Opening hours: 9.30am – 3pm (Mon – Sun)

8. Meng Hui Satay Bee Hoon (明辉沙爹米粉)

Albert Centre Market & Food Centre is patronised mostly by elderly folks who spend their time catching up with their friends over a meal or paying a visit to the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho temple nearby. Meng Hui Satay Beehoon has been drawing in the crowds for their satay beehoon and cuttlefish kang kong. I had to join a queue despite visiting at an off peak timing.

The version of Satay Beehoon ($3.5/4/5/6) served here is quite oily but rather tasty. The only downside was that I couldn’t taste any ground peanuts in the sauce as if it had been grounded so finely.

The ingredients were prepared well with the cuttlefish still maintaining its chewiness, it was the perfect accompaniment to the soft and moist beehoon that made finishing this plate a breeze.

Meng Hui Satay Beehoon: 270 Queen Street, Albert Centre Market & Food Centre, #01-111, Singapore 180270 | Opening hours: 11.30am – 5.30pm (Tues to Sun)

7. Whampoa Satay Beehoon (黄埔沙爹米粉)

Whampoa Market & Food Centre is home to two Satay Beehoon stalls, one of which is Whampoa Satay Beehoon. The stall is really hard to miss given how it has the words satay beehoon on its signboard. Apart from Satay Beehoon, the stall also sells a mean bowl of laksa.

The Satay Beehoon ($4/5/6/8) here spots a satay sauce that comes in a lighter shade of brown. The beehoon was overly moist which resulted in the water diluting the thickness of the sauce.

Not to worry you can get to taste bits of grounded peanuts in the sauce, and I felt that they could be more generous with the ingredients, seeing how it costs a dollar more than its competition.

Whampoa Satay Beehoon: 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-38, Singapore 320090 | Opening hours: 12pm-10pm (Closed on Fri)

6. Liang Liang Cooked Food (凉凉热食)

Liang Liang Cooked Food is the other stall in whampoa that sells Satay Beehoon. Apart from selling the dish, the stall also sells Cuttlefish Kangkong which is another dish deserving of a separate review.

The Satay Beehoon ($3/4/5/8) comes in four sizes, the portion pictured here cost $3 and spots the usual accompaniments which were cooked to order. The cuttlefish was cooked to the right texture without becoming too rubbery, which paired well with the satay sauce that had a light brown shade to it.

I could taste the dried shrimp used in the making of the sauce along with the spices to lend some heat to the dish. Only downside was that the sauce had a layer of oil which I felt could be removed before serving.

Liang Liang Cooked Food: 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-74, Singapore 320090 | Opening hours: 12pm – 11pm (Closed on Wed)

5. Centre Satay Beehoon (中心沙爹米粉)

For those living in Ang Mo Kio and are craving for Satay Beehoon, Centre Satay Bee Hoon would satisfy your cravings. With over 30 years of history cooking this dish, owner Mr Tan has mastered the art of skillfully preparing each ingredients. Apart from Satay Beehoon the stall also serves a side of Cuttlefish Kangkong.

A humble looking dish, the Satay Beehoon ($3.50/$4.50/$5.50) served here comes with rice vermicelli that has some bite to it, along with the usual accompaniments (Cuttlefish, Tau Pok, Kangkong, Cockles, Prawns, Slice Pork).

The tau pok was a tad too hard for my liking but the cuttlefish was delightfully chewy with each bite. The sauce was leaning more towards the watery side, perhaps this was due to the fact that the beehoon was not drained properly. Still a pretty decent plate to have if you’re around the area.

Centre Satay Beehoon: Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Food Centre, #01-12, Singapore 560724 | Opening hours: Mon, Wed – Sun: 11am – 9pm (Closed on Tue)

4. Bak Kee Teochew Satay Beehoon (峇记潮洲沙爹米粉)

Bak Kee Teochew Satay Bee Hoon at Red Hill Food Centre is recognised as one of the originators of the dish in Singapore. To cater to their fans who simply love its Satay sauce, they have packed it specially for you to recreate the dish at home.

One of the more affordable ones so far, the Satay Beehoon ($3) had a slightly oilier sauce that carried a stronger spiciness to it. The beehoon was moist and went really well with the fattier pork slices and thick chunks of liver slices, though I felt that the liver slices could be cooked a little longer.

Bak Kee Teochew Satay Beehoon: 85 Redhill Lane, #01-40, Redhill Lane Blk 85 Food Centre, Singapore 150085 | Opening hours: 11.30am – 7pm (Daily)

3. Jin Li Satay Beehoon (錦利沙爹米粉)

Beauty World Food Centre holds many food legends, one of which is Jin Li Satay Bee Hoon. Like most Satay Bee Hoon stall owners who have been doing this for over 35 years, they have become experts at preparing this dish.

The Satay Beehoon ($4/$5/$6) features a homemade smooth and creamy peanut sauce that is poured over the white vermicelli. I loved how the sauce was not too oily and carried a nice fragrance with it.

While the ingredients used were pretty standard, special mention goes to the pork slices which were tender and not too dry. Still, I felt they could have been a bit more generous with the prawns, which was rather small to begin with.

Jin Li Satay Beehoon: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-40, Beauty World Food Centre, Singapore 588177 | Opening hours: Thu – Tue: 11am – 8pm (Closed on Wed)

2. Feng Shan Satay Beehoon (食为大潮州粥/夜市沙爹米粉)

Bedok 85 Food Centre is home to many popular hawker stalls and it is a popular food destination people won’t mind travelling to; one of the dishes that many return for is the Satay Beehoon.

By day, the stall sells economic rice and at 5pm it sells Satay Beehoon. I was there at 6pm and long queues had already formed at the stall.

The stall is run by a two man team, and I guess they don’t have enough time to wash the plates hence opting for disposable plates and cutlery. My plate of Satay Beehoon ($3/4), of which I ordered the $3 portion, came filled with beehoon and ingredients. As a finishing magical touch, a thick chunky satay sauce is poured over.

They are definitely more generous with the ingredients here, just look at the thick pork slices. The stall in this list that serves a thicker version of the satay sauce, lending to each bite more texture and flavour.

Feng Shan Satay Beehoon (Si Wei Da): Blk 85, Bedok North St 4, Fengshan Market & Food Centre, #01-41, Singapore 460085 | Opening hours: 5pm – 12am (Daily)

1. Sin Chew Satay Beehoon (星洲沙爹米粉)

It appears Satay Beehoon is quite a common dish in the West; the only difference is that this one has a history of over 50 years.

You know a store is really famous when they only open four days a week, expect to queue for around 20-30 minutes for a taste of tradition as each plate is made upon order.

I must say that this is definitely the best Satay Beehoon ($4/$5/$6) in Singapore — the sauce is gooey with virtually no oil seen on the plate. Taste wise, it was a perfect balance of sweet, salty, nutty and spicy.

Each ingredient is well-prepared and complements the satay sauce. If beehoon is not your thing you can choose to have it with yellow noodles as well. Definitely worth the wait I say.

Sin Chew Satay Beehoon: 51 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, #02-162, Singapore 588215 | Tel: 98260782| Opening hours: Wed – Thu: 5pm – 10.30pm, Sat-Sun: 10.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm

Related guide: 9 Crayfish Dishes In Singapore

The post 10 Best Satay Beehoon Stalls In Singapore That Prove Messy Food Is Still Delicious appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

I love cheese and I love barbecue, so when these two items get combined, I get super excited. It’s even better because the cheese dips for barbecue are usually a combination of two cheeses, which gives it extra flavour and texture.

Take a look at these eight restaurants in Singapore that feature a cheese dip along with the barbecue offerings – you can thank me later.

1. Cheese Story Mookata Buffet

One of the few places that offers free flow oysters in addition to the other meats and seafood, Cheese Story Mookata Buffet is perfect for people who enjoy cheese as a dip in their barbecues. It comes free of charge and is free flow, along with a delicious peanut satay sauce.

At under $30, this buffet is super value for money, and it stays open till 6am so rest assured you can get your late night cravings satisfied.

Cheese Story Mookata Buffet: #02-01 Golden Mile Complex, 5001 Beach Road, Singapore 199588 | Tel: +65 86787876 | Facebook

2. Ladyboy Mookata

The seafood at Ladyboy Mookata is a must-try – it’s super fresh and delicious! If you enjoy seafood like me, the jumbo prawns will delight you and at only $1.90 extra per piece, this is worth the trip to Geylang.

Dip it in the cheese mookata, which you’ll find alongside corn and Korean-style steamed egg. The buffet ($29.90 Mon – Thurs, $32.90 Fri – Sun, Eve & PH) is open till 2am daily, so grab your friends and head down for supper.

Ladyboy Mookata: Lor 40, 644 Geylang Road, Singapore 389574 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 6pm – 2am | Tel: +65 84444487 | Website

3. Nanta BBQ

Alright, so Nanta doesn’t offer much choices of meats, opting instead to offer three cheese barbecue dishes, but gosh are they good. Pictured above is the Cheese Deng-Galbi ($50++), a cheese pork spare rib set that comes in spicy and non-spicy variants.

The cheese is made even more flavourful with the addition of the mushrooms and the olives, and the heat from the pan results in a soft gooey mixture on top of a crisp layer at the bottom.

Nanta BBQ: #01-175/177 Goldhill Centre, 175 Thomson Road, Singapore 307624 | Tel: +65 62581391 | Facebook

4. Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ

Seorae specialises in serving galmaegisal ($21.90) or skirt-meat, a part of the pig that only the Royal Family of Korea was able to eat in ancient times, due to each adult pig only having about 250g of this meat.

The interesting part of this grill is that there are different troughs for cheese (additional $2), steamed egg and kimchi, so you have three different options to pair your meat with after it’s been cooked!

Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ: #02-01 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238863 | Opening hours: (Monday to Sunday) 11.30am – 10pm | Tel: +65 6238 8429 | Website

5. Happy Mookata

Most mookata places offer just a standard light chicken broth as their soup for the steamboat, but here at Happy Mookata, you get a pot similar to traditional steamboats that have two sections. With this pot comes the standard chicken soup, but also a tom yum base!

Get the additional nacho cheese dip and you’ll have a perfect dinner with crayfish, prawns, and the usual meats for $25.90. If you’re interested in having more than one soup in your mookata pots, this is definitely one place you need to check out.

Happy Mookata: #01-55D Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road, Singapore 199589 | Tel: +65 93809028 | Facebook

6. Hook On Steamboat

If you’re worried about going for a cheese BBQ but ending up feeling too jelak of the cheese, Hook On has you covered. After the initial pot of cheese, you can continue refilling the cheese or choose to replace it with a pot of soup to clear your palate.

The premium a la carte buffet ($26.70+ Tue – Thurs, $30.70+ Fri – Sun, Eve & PH) is also super worth it, with fresh seafood from Jurong Fishery Port and meats such as Black Pork Kurobuta. 

Hook On Steamboat: 389 Changi Road, Singapore 419838 | Tel: +65 68440389 | Facebook

7. Charcoal Thai

Charcoal Thai has some pretty interesting dishes, including a durian steamboat. Yes, you read that right. But the Cheese Mookata Set ($39.95) is what we’re looking at here, and it’s pretty amazing to see the entire trough of the mookata grill filled with that delicious golden cheese.

It might end up getting a bit jelak after a while due to the lack of soup to offset the cheese, but who can say no to more cheese? I know I certainly can’t.

Charcoal Thai: #B1-30 Nex, 23 Serangoon Central, Singapore 556083 | Tel: +65 62886260 | Website

8. Mookata Traditional Thai BBQ

Mookata Traditional Thai BBQ is probably one of the oldest mookata restaurants around, and is named specially for what it serves. Try the Cheesy Grill Set ($57.90++ for 2 – 3 persons), with an add-on of $3.50 for free-flow cheese.

I highly recommend you go with the free-flow cheese; why would you go for a cheese bbq if you’re going to be limited by how much cheese is provided? This might not be the cheapest cheese mookata around, but it certainly is one of the most popular ones, with fresh and delicious meats on offer.

Mookata Traditional Thai BBQ: 103 East Coast Road, Singapore 428797 | Tel: +65 63442985 | Website

Related guide: 6 Must-Try Hawker Centre Hot Pots In Singapore

The post 8 Cheesy BBQ Restaurants In Singapore For That Perfect Grilled Meat & Melted Cheese Combo appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Located at the same market and food centre as the famous White Bee Hoon in Toa Payoh Lorong 8, you’ll find Four Seasons Cendol right beside it — with two great stalls side by side, we know that luck has been bestowed upon us because there’s no need to walk too far to complete your meal with a sweet treat.

We came with high expectations, seeing as how it’s acclaimed as “The Best Cendol” by netizens who have tried it, plus all the photos of Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong displayed proudly at the store front.

The plastic bowls were already prepared with red beans and attap seeds (nipa palm), stacked for convenience at the side of the store.

Upon placing our order, the green jelly noodles were scooped into the bowl at lightning speed and then brought to the ice shaving machine.

The bowl was then filled to brim with shaved ice, patted and shaped into an almost perfect sphere.

It was then doused in coconut milk, making it look even more smooth and flawless than it already was before this step, which soothed the OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in me.

A ladle of thick and gooey gula melaka is then poured over, and this is what gives the dessert its distinctively sweet lingering taste.

Voila, a bowl of goodness created and served in less than a minute. We even had to order another bowl just so that we could get the shots we needed — the storekeeper was lightning fast when preparing the dessert.

While other renditions include sweet corn and additional ingredients to spruce up the dessert, Four Seasons does it best by using only the most basic ones – truly maximising the term “less is more”.

Every mouthful was laced with an abundant serving of green jelly noodles, which had an evidently strong pandan taste that most other dessert stalls lack in these days. A generous amount of attap seeds were present as well, and the addition of the red kidney beans gave it more texture than the regular sized red beans.

The bowl eventually melted into a thick, milky concoction, which you can slurp up easily. For photography purposes, an additional ladle of gula melaka was added, so ours tasted sweeter than usual.

We wouldn’t dub it as “The Best Cendol“, but it’s one of the best we’ve had thus far. If we aren’t too lazy to walk to the food centre for lunch again, we’ll definitely pop by for a bowl.

Expected damage: $2 per bowl

Four Seasons Cendol: 210 Lor 8 Toa Payoh, #01-07, Singapore 310210 | Tel: 8720 1124 | Facebook | Opening hours: 8am – 9pm (Daily)

The post Four Seasons Cendol (四季煎蕊) : Dubbed ‘The Best Cendol’ In Toa Payoh That ESM Goh Chok Tong Frequents appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Container food parks in Singapore have been pretty popular, and we finally got our own last year when Timbre+ opened, but it’s far and totally not convenient for a North-Eastie like me to head down. So I was pretty happy when I heard that a total of seven container eateries opened at Tebing Lane in Punggol.

Located right beside Popeyes, two bistros, Leung Kee Healthy Dessert and Boost @ Banks were closed when I visited, and the other five are still working out the opening hours and menus, so the information presented here might be subject to change.

Punggol might still be a bit ulu, but it’s definitely a lot closer for us North-East siders than Ayer Rajah is where Timbre+ is located.

Here are five container eateries we checked out at Punggol Container Food Park!

1. Pump Station 1965

Decorated with signs of petrol brands and seats made from oil drums, Pump Station 1965 gives off an industrial vibe with its metallic and wood furnishing.

With all the dishes under $15, Pump Station is a nice place to just kick back and have a pint of beer while enjoying the scenery of Punggol Serangoon Reservoir.

The food’s not too shabby either; the Dong Po Pork Belly ($12.90) was delicious. Sweet, salty and flavourful, its fat melted in my mouth and the sweet sauce from the tender meat kept things interesting. Paired with a Asahi Super Dry Black ($9/half pint, $14/pint), it was an awesome beer grub, being greasy and delicious.

2. Big Fish Small Fish

Fish and chips in Singapore usually utilise dory fish fillets, but here at Big Fish Small Fish, I was awed by the variety of fish that I could choose. I decided on Salmon Fish And Chips ($12.90) because I’ve never had salmon in the form of fish and chips before. It also came with chips seasoned with paprika.

I also had a choice of sauce pairing, with a selection of salted egg, tar tar, cheese and XO sauce available. I eventually went with the XO sauce, again because I’ve never had it before with Fish and Chips. The fish was flakey and moist, with a light and crispy batter, pairing well with the spicy and slightly sweet XO sauce.

The chips were good, but some pieces were crispy and others weren’t, so that’s something that Big Fish Small Fish could look into in the future. There are free refills of sauce and chips though, which was great because we really enjoyed the sauce and the kick of heat that it provides the fish.

3. D’Grill

I’m usually an easygoing person and don’t mind if my food takes a while to come because I understand how busy kitchens and servers can be, but D’Grill has quite a bit of room for improvement.

Customer service was non-existent; cutlery and napkins were forgotten, and we were seated at table and chairs wet from the rain earlier without anyone wiping it dry. It took 45 minutes for us to get the Junior Platter ($18) even though there weren’t that many people, and the food was average at best. To be fair, there’s no service charge as well.

The octopus and squid were tender and not overcooked, the prawns were still juicy and the fish was soft. The homemade ketchup sauce was the highlight of the dish, tangy with crunchy bits of onions, we enjoyed that the most. The customer service and wait time ultimately made us rather disappointed, perhaps D’Grill will improve in time after getting more experience.

4. L’Chaim Bistro

If you enjoy craft beers, L’Chaim is where you should head to. The beers on tap all come from Archipelago Brewery, so you can enjoy good beers while having the chef’s daily special. L’Chaim doesn’t have a fixed menu, preferring instead to cook a daily special which the chef decides by picking what’s fresh from the markets.

This results in a limited quantity of a dish, so do head down earlier if you want food to go along with your drinks. What we had on that day was Curry Chicken Rice ($15.90). The chicken meat was tender to the point of falling off the bone, and the curry was spicy and rich.

5. Seoul Good

Seoul Good was probably the most Instagrammable place at Punggol Container Food Park with clean white interiors, and we were extremely grateful for the strong air conditioning inside. An item on the menu immediately caught my eye and since we were there for dessert, I decided to try the Oreo Bingsu ($15.90) with a yoghurt base.

The shaved ice was fine and fluffy, with a hint of tanginess from the yoghurt which I loved. The condensed milk was served on the side, but I didn’t need it as the sweetness of the Oreo crumble and the banana slices were good enough for me.

A point to note for these eateries at Punggol Container Food Park is that many of them do not open until around 5pm, so if you’re heading down make sure its for dinner.

Some eateries are still facing early teething issues, but other than that, I feel that many of the eateries have great potential and I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere there.

The eateries are all new, and only Pump Station 1965 has a Facebook page up, so go down early to avoid not being able to get a seat!

Expected damage: $10-$30/pax

Punggol Container Food Park: 50 Punggol East, The Seed Park, Singapore 828826 

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