It is not easy to run F&B establishment in Singapore.

Especially in a small neighbourhood like Serangoon Garden, where we have witnessed the departure of OG cafés such as Arbite and Little Wimbly Lu.

Hence, it is heartening to see substantial café players venturing to this challenging realm.

From the same team which founded Atlas Coffeehouse at Bukit Timah, Lunar Coffee Brewers at Downtown Gallery and Columbus Coffee Co. at Upper Thomson, Apollo Coffee Bar is their latest expansion located at Serangoon Gardens.

Upon entering the café, you will be greeted with an island coffee bar smack right in the middle of the store.

While the space is not huge, it was efficiently managed with tables of different sizes parked at various corners to cater to different group of diners.

My favourite spot would be the air-conditioned backyard which gave the vibes of al fresco dining. An ideal location to chill over a cup of coffee with soft sunlight pouring in from the glass ceiling.

The team have got their formula quite right with every venture, by coming up with variance of industrial chic dining environment coupled with creative food offerings to satisfy café hopper’s interest.

The food menu at Apollo are mostly new creations and inspired from Mediterranean origins. They are also categorized into SMALL and LARGE plates to promote communal dining.

I took a liking to the recommended Pork & Pear Tartine ($19.50) which came with roasted pears, bacon chunks, caramelized onions and ricotta cheese spread on a bed of fluffy ciabatta bread.

A delightful combination of sweet and savoury taste notes which was further elevated with use of natural herbs and spices.

One of the small plates, Baba Gahanoush ($12.50) also appealed to my taste buds with mashed eggplant and honey roasted squash served as a dipping spread for ciabatta.

Brunch menu is available from 9am till 4pm and serves offering such as Granola, Pears & Yoghurt ($13), Lemon Curd & Hotcakes ($14.50) and Super Nutty Acai bowl ($15)

I had the Wurst Rosti ($23.50) and was presented with a pair of sunny side up egg and cheese sausage shaped in a smiley face.

The potato rosti also left an impression with its golden crisp exterior, though I would still prefer my rosti to go with some sour cream and chives.

The regular coffee suspects such as Atlas and Nautica espresso blends, Cosmos and Milky Way Cold Brew ($7) from the other establishments also made their appearance.

For non-coffee drinkers, the Iced Jasmine Oolong Tea w/ Milkstache Foam ($7.50) would probably appeal to those who usually go for Macchiato bubble tea.

Other familiar desserts such as the Strawberry Maple Pancake ($16.50), Candied Bacon Waffle ($14.50) and The Milky Way Soft Serve ($7) are also available.

Exclusive to Apollo Coffee Bar is the Dark Chocolate and Miso Caramel Softserve ($7). I prefer the latter which has an interesting blend of salty miso and sweet caramel flavour.

I can already foresee myself becoming a regular patron at Apollo Coffee Bar.

My only qualm would be the low ceiling height which will trap the sound of chatty patrons in store and would get slightly unbearable when the café occupancy is at its peak.

Apollo Coffee Bar
65 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555961
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tue – Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Mon
https://www.facebook.com/apollocoffeebar/

Other Related Entries
Molten Diners (Upper Thomson)
PocoLoco (Upper Thomson)
The Kins’ Specialty Coffee (Pasir Panjang)
FlagWhite Café (Jalan Jurong Kechil)
Alchemist (MacTaggart Road)

* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

After waves and waves of popular Taiwanese bubble tea and chicken cutlet shops that descended to Singapore, the next brand to look forward to is Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice 金峰魯肉飯.

The Singapore shop will be located at Ang Mo Kio Hub basement 2.

But wait, is this the famous Jin Feng from Roosevelt Road, or Xi Men Jin Feng from Ximending?

Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice is a well-known eatery in Taipei that serves one of the most popular Taiwanese dishes, “Lu Rou Fan” otherwise known as Braised Pork Rice).

The Braised Pork Rice, priced at NT$30, NT$40, NT$50 (SGD1.30, SGD1.80, SGD2.50) for their small, medium and large bowls, is definitely the signature dish in Taipei.

The dish is served with a large amount of rice and topped off with a slice of bitter melon and braised pork.

One thing to note is that while Singaporeans are used to bowls with loads of meat with less rice. The reverse seems to apply to many Lu Rou Fan stalls in Taiwan where there is very little meat in contrast to rice.

I also noticed that other restaurants that offer this dish tend to serve it with more fat than meat, which is not the case here.

The draw to me was the savoury sauce on the fluffy rice, when paired with hot soup was very comforting.

The Singapore local store is still undergoing renovation. Will find out which “Jin Feng” this is from. Look out here for updates!

Other Related Entries
Huang Ji Braised Pork Rice 黃記滷肉飯 (Zhongshan North Road, Taipei)
Chen Ji Intestine & Oyster Taiwanese Vermicelli Shop 陳記專業蚵仔麵線 (Wanhua District, Taipei)
Yong Kang Beef Noodles 永康牛肉麺館 (Yong Kang St, Taipei)
Ay Chung Rice Noodles 阿宗麵線 (Ximending, Taipei)
Fu Zhou Shi Zu Pepper Bun 福州世祖胡椒饼 (Raohe Night Market, Taipei)

Click HERE for other TAIPEI Food Entries

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Singapore Chilli Crab, White Pepper Crabs, Curry Fish Head and Salted Egg Prawns… these are some iconic and popular dishes when you talk about Singapore-style seafood.

If you are looking at a restaurant for family-gathering, or somewhere to bring a foreign friend to try out a range of local seafood delicacies, look no farther than TungLok Seafood with three restaurants across the country – Orchard Central, Jurong (The Arena Country Club), and the newest outlet at Paya Lebar Quarter PLQ.

It offers you the freshest catch of the day prepared the TungLok way – quality ingredients, meticulously-followed standards.

Get your fill of live seafood, cold cut/sashimi and sushi, appetisers, soups, mains, noodles, all the way down to dessert.

All-time faves include Spicy Curry Laksa with Thick Rice Vermicelli Crab, Deep-Fried Marble Goby, Stir-Fried Thick Sea Cucumber with Fish Maw, Sautéed Scallop with XO Sauce, and the dish that raked in the awards, Deep-fried Prawns with Wasabi-mayo Sauce – a TungLok original.

Check out 10 of TungLok Seafood’s recommended dishes:

TungLok Signature Chilli Crab ($7.80 per 100g)
Whether you’re a first-timer or a long-time follower of the TungLok brand, the TungLok Seafood Chilli Crab comes highly recommended.

Aside from the fresh crabs with chunky and juicy meat, what makes this rendition unique is how the sauce combines tomato sauce and fresh-squeezed orange juice to deliver a distinct taste.

You would find that the sauce to be fruitier and even eggier than usual, and so makes it appetising yet not overly rich. The good thing is there is A LOT of sauce, so good that you can even have it on its own.

Of course, it is best appreciated when you dunk those piping hot deep-fried mantou to soak up all that mildly-spicy gravy.

White Pepper Dungeness Crab with Leek and Fresh Peppercorn ($8.80 per 100g)
Another crab dish worth discovering is TungLok’s Dungeness Crab, similarly spicy but peppery spicy.

Unlike typical White Pepper Crab dishes, this version sautés fresh crabs in a special mix of white pepper and fresh peppercorns to give it that robust flavour.

This was my first time having it, and found that the pepperiness very shiok, with that slight spiciness that complemented well with the sweet crabs. No wonder it has become one of TungLok’s top selling dishes.

Deep-fried Prawn with Wasabi-mayo Sauce ($32, 400g)
You don’t want to miss this TungLok original. Together with a wasabi-infused mayo sauce, they have achieved celebrity status and have been replicated by others due to its immense popularity.

This dish first came out in 2000 and since then has earned awards and loyal fans.

If you have always wasabi due to its rather lingering and burning aftertaste, the amount here is just light and delicate – there are just shades of it with more of the mayo-creaminess.

Another popular prawn dish to consider is the Deep-fried Prawn with Salted Egg Yolk, with salted egg grains and curry leaves enveloping golden-brown prawns.

TungLok Seafood Platter ($68)
Dining with a group? Here’s the ultimate platter that will feast your eyes and satisfy those crustacean cravings.

This is like a sashimi platter, and you may find it odd to find this in a Chinese restaurant. That is because TungLok Seafood has a trained Japanese chef who introduced cold cuts, sashimi (Norwegian salmon, swordfish, yellow tail) and makis.

See and smell the freshest catch of the day before you, artfully laden with Hamachi (Yellow Tail), Sake (Norwegian Salmon), Mekajiki (Swordfish), Fresh Oysters with Chilli Sauce, Poached Prawns and Sliced Baby Abalone Salad.

TungLok Curry Fish Head ($38) *only available at PLQ Mall and Arena Country Club
Spice up your day with TungLok’s version of the Curry Fish Head, prepared using a hefty 7-8kg farm-fresh Australian-sourced barramundi.

Maximize all the nutrients of this healthy meat, from vitamin A to zinc, as you will get a whole chunk of this protein-rich fish.

What makes this fish taste mildly sweet and clean-tasting is how and where it is reared – oxygen-rich sea water from the deep, strong-current seas in southern Singapore.

This is the kind of dish that you need to jio (invite) a number of like-minded friends to share (Let’s be honest as Fish Head Curry is a not a dish everyone will appreciate.)

The tender fish head came arrived in a bubbling gravy which combines South Indian spices, tanginess of tamarind, and creaminess of coconut milk. The sauce was slurp-worthy, and thankfully not too greasy.

Braised House Special Beancurd with Nameko Mushrooms and Vegetables ($18)
Looking for a non-spicy vegetarian option? Try this house special.

Armed with layers of textures and flavours, this dish’s main star is the beancurd which has soaked up the umami flavours of Nameko mushrooms through braising.

Slices of bean curd, sprinkled with tender pieces of mushrooms, lay atop some fresh green vegetables to create one cohesive medley of non-meat goodness.

Steamed Razor Clam with Garlic and Vermicelli ($10 per piece)
Those who clamour for clams will get this fix in this dish, featuring Pacific razor clams steamed on-point.

Known for its meatiness and higher protein content than other clams, the razor clam is enhanced with bits of pungent garlic and combined with firm and tender glass noodles.

Slurp up that golden-brown gravy, noodles, and clams in one bite.

Braised Rice Vermicelli with Seafood ($24)
This dish features fine rice-based noodles in a melange of prawns and clams. You can imagine how sumptuous it would be when the bee hoon soaked up all that umami seafood stock.

Braised in a gentle sauce along with thinly-sliced shiitake mushrooms and green onions, these noodles are a comforting addition to your table.

Seafood Mee Goreng ($18)
Comforting Chinese style dish of wok-fried yellow noodles with generous portion of seafood and eggs, encapsulating sweet and spicy flavours.

Durian Dessert Series – Chilled Black Glutinous Rice with Durian Puree and Coconut Ice-cream served in Young Coconut ($10)
Aside from its usual desserts, TungLok has created a series of durian-based sweet endings.

Start off with the chilled and sticky black glutinous rice served with durian puree. Prepared a la mode with coconut ice-cream, this dessert is beautifully presented in a young coconut shell.

Durian Dessert Series – Durian ‘Mochi’ ($8 for 4 pcs)
Follow through with additional orders of Durian Mochi. Each order comes with 4 pieces of glutinous rice flour balls filled with durian puree.

Durian Dessert Series – Durian Pudding ($8)
Finally, enjoy the taste of fibre-rich durian as a bowl of soft and creamy pudding. Your palate will love its texture and unique taste, truly representative of that Asian flavour.

TungLok Seafood at Paya Lebar Quarter also offers the following buffet options:
– A La Carte Lunch Weekday Buffet (min 2 to dine): $26.80++ for adults, $16.80++ for child below 12 years old
– A La Carte Seafood Buffet Weekday Lunch and Dinner & Weekend Lunch (min 4 to dine): $38.80++ for adults, $28.80++ for child below 12 years old
– A La Carte Dinner Buffet available daily (min 4 to dine): $58.80++ for adults, $43.80++ for child below 12 years old

The lunch buffet offers a range of dim sum items, salmon sashimi and cooked dishes such as Coffee Pork Ribs, Prawn Paste Chicken Wings, Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg Yolk, and Sautéed Sliced Beef with Spring Onions.

TungLok Seafood – Paya Lebar Quarter
#03-09/10, 10 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409057
Tel: +65 6909 8933
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)
Lunch 10pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

TungLok Seafood – Orchard Central
#11-05, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6834 4888
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)
Lunch 10pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

TungLok Seafood – The Arena Country Club
511 Upper Jurong Road, Singapore 638366
Tel: +65 6262 6996
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30pm – 3pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)
Lunch 10pm – 3pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

Last order 30 minutes before closing.

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with TungLok Seafood.

After quite a high profile (and delayed opening) of %Arabica Singapore at Arab Street, the famous coffee shop will next open at 313@somerset.

(Photo credit: %Arabica)

It took over the space previously occupied by Barrio by Mex Out. A rather prominent location, especially if you come out from Somerset MRT, or walk from 313 to Orchard Central.

The 3rd Singapore location is set to be at Chip Bee Gardens, Holland Village.

Not many may know that %Arabica is originally from Hong Kong technically, but gained more international recognition after the store moved to Kyoto.

% Arabica is known as a great place for good coffee, somewhere even coffee snobs would be go to.

Depending on the season and availability, you can find coffees from Japan, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Ethiopia and Panama.

Over in Singapore, Caffe Latte is priced at $7 for short, $8 for tall, while the iced version is priced at $8. Not considered cheap.

If you prefer something sweeter, also available is the Spanish Latte ($7.80. $9.00) which is included with condensed milk.

I enjoyed the Iced Caffe Latte, it was as pleasurable as how I remembered it to be – the smooth milky feeling, aromatic coffee, and balanced robustness.

&Arabica Singapore – 313@somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-14/15 313@somerset Singapore 238895
Opening soon

%Arabica Singapore – Arab Street
56 Arab Street Singapore 199753
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
%Arabica Singapore (Arab Street)
Glyph Supply Co. (TripleOne Somerset)
Narrative Coffee Stand (Bras Basah Complex)
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee (VivoCity)
Starter Lab (Havelock Road)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

If you find yourself at the Circular Road area, craving for some authentic Korean BBQ, head out to Hello Korean BBQ and say “hello” to charcoal-grilled meats and traditional Korean fare.

While Tanjong Pagar is the usual area foodies hang out for Korean fare, this restaurant is also known for its authentically Korean flavours and quality meats.

It is of a convenient short walk from Boat Quay and Raffles Place MRT.

Catch its Unlimited BBQ Buffet available for dinner (5:30pm – 11:59pm daily) and lunch during weekends and public holidays (11:30am – 2:30pm). A minimum of 2 is required so bring along a friend. Kids below 1.2m in height eat free.

For only $29.90++, you get free-flow of meats for BBQ, such as pork collar, pork belly, boneless chicken leg, and fresh prawns.

These are conveniently grilled at your table by the staff, so you can focus on the best part – picking up the cooked pieces and popping them to your mouth. Here’s more on what they have to offer:

Pork Collar (Salted / Soya / Pepper)
The beautiful marbling of this pork cut makes it perfect for grilling Korean-style. Due to its high level of fat, it works well on the grill and doesn’t require added oil in the marinade.

Also known as neck fillet, this meat is available salted or it soya or pepper flavours. This cut is tender enough to eat slightly pink, but you can ask the staff to grill to your preferred doneness.

Pork Belly (Plain / Thin / Soya Spicy)
Another fatty meat best suited for Korean BBQ is the pork belly, available as plain regular slices, thin slices, and soya spicy flavoured.

Samgyeopsal or grilled pork belly is a perhaps the most popular choice for Korean BBQ as it can be cooked succulent and juicy, or grilled longer to make it crispier.

Dip the plain ones in sesame oil, or opt for the ssamjang dipping sauce for more flavour.

Chicken Leg Boneless (Soya / Pepper / Spicy)
If you like chicken better, go for the chicken leg meats marinated with fermented soya sauce, with gochujang (red pepper paste) or with pepper.

As these as boneless cuts, you’ll get tender easy-to-eat pieces of chicken ready to be wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves.

Prawns
Add in some fresh prawns for more variety in your BBQ. These are not prepared in a marinade so you’ll get its natural sweet taste once grilled.

Eat it as is or dipped in some ssamjang, a blend of fermented soy bean paste, red pepper paste, sesame oil, onion, garlic, and green onions.

With your meats in place, you can do a Top Up for $4.00 and get either one of these 6 dishes: Soya Bean Stew, Spicy Tofu Stew, Mixed Vegetable Rice in Stone Bowl, Cold Noodle/Spicy Cold Noodle, Spicy Rice Cake, and Steamed Egg.

Spicy Tofu Stew (Top up $4)
This hearty and spicy tofu stew aka sundubu-jjigae is chockful of ingredients including soft tofu, fresh clams, red and green chilies, green onions, and raw egg.

Spicing up this comforting jjigae are red pepper flakes (gochugaru), making it perfect for cold weather along with steamed white rice and several banchan (side dishes).

Steamed Egg (Top up $4)
Gyeran jim or steamed egg is a classic, piping hot side dish for Korean BBQ so make sure you order this for your top-up.

Feel its velvety soufflé-like texture, created by combining whisked eggs with a flavourful broth then steaming it to the brim of the ttukbaegi (stone bowl).

Korean Cold Noodle (Top up $4)
Mul naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish served in a chilled broth. Originally enjoyed during winter months in Korea, it eventually became a popular summer noodle dish.

It’s recommended you savour this as you finish your Korean BBQ as a pre-dessert dish. Served topped with julienned cucumber and a hard-boiled egg.

Tip: Try the cold broth first before adding some vinegar and mustard for more flavours to your liking.

Korean Spicy Cold Noodle (Top up $4)
Want a spicy version? Order its sibling bibim naengmyeon, also a cold noodle dish.

Like its sibling, it’s also topped with julienned cucumber, hard-boiled egg, and sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.

Army Stew ($39.80 ala carte, $58.80 for set with pancake and steamed egg, 50% OFF if ordered with BBQ Buffet)
You can order the Army Stew as a single order ($39.80, shareable as it is quite substantial in size) or as a set ($59.80).

Each Army Stew set comes with a bowl of Steamed Egg and your choice of Spring Onion Seafood Pancake, Chive Seafood Pancake, or Kimchi Pancake.

Sharing dishes like Army Stew, Rice Cake Stew, and Spicy Mussel Stew (this one is available only for dinner) are available to complete your Korean BBQ experience.

Budae jjigae is a stew originally created during post-Korean war using American surplus ingredients. ie canned meats (spam), canned baked beans, bacon, hot dogs, sausages, and sliced cheese.

Hello Korean BBQ’s version adds ramyeon noodles, enoki mushrooms, green onions, and red chilies, and certainly very tasty especially towards the end when the soup gets thicker with some sweetness form the baked beans.

All beef dishes and sharing dishes are also at 50% for diners who order the BBQ Buffet.

Make sure to book your table ahead of time as it can get packed, especially during weekends.

Oh yeah. FOLLOW Hello Korean BBQ’s IG @Hello_Korean_BBQ and get a FREE Korean Yako after your meal.

Hello Korean BBQ
46 Circular Road Singapore 049401
Tel: +65 3138 2635
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 11:59pm (Mon – Sun)
BBQ Buffet available during weekend nights (last order 10:30pm) and weekend lunch (last order 1:30pm) and dinner (last order 10:30pm)
https://www.facebook.com/hellokoreanbbq

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Hello Korean BBQ.

There is a minimalist style Korean lifestyle café at Bukit Timah, which appears to be still quite under-the-radar.

During the few occasions I was there, I noted curious youths and students hanging outside looking intently at the menu, with a look of hesitation then walked away.

Kong Café located at Sime Darby Centre is near to couple of educational institutions, with Ngee Ann Poly just across the road. Plus, it offers student discounts and has no service charge or GST.

So, what’s missing?

The name not catchy enough? Lack of marketing and publicity? Confusing menu?

To be honest, I did take longer than usual to ‘study’ its menu and deciding what to order.

There were a couple of photos pasted outside the café (which looked like an after-thought), so perhaps something can be done to organise the menu and how it is displayed.

The café is owned partially by a Korean artist and avid yogini, who felt that the Bukit Timah area needed a quiet and chill place where people could relax and enjoy themselves.

Due to her background, there are a number of Korean-infusions and treats for the health-conscious.

Some eye-catching items on the menu include the Honey Butter Waffles ($18), Bulgogi Sandwich ($17), Ban Ban Wings ($20 for 10), Korean Chicken Rice ($16), Bulgogi Pesto Pizza ($18), Ramyun ($14), and Tteokbokki ($14).

I couldn’t resist the Savoury Waffles ($18) included with scrambled eggs and fried chicken (or sausage and bacon).

The food items are freshly prepared, so do wait a while for them to be ready.

Of late, I actually do not have overly high expectations of breakfast/brunch sets at cafes, because there would just be an item or two within the plate that would be ‘off’.

For this, the scrambled eggs were warm and luxuriously creamy, fried chicken crisp and on-point-juicy.

While the waffle was of a different style (could be more buttery I thought), I think people would like the overall combination.

The Ban Ban Wings ($10 for 4) in choice of spicy & sticky or honey butter sauce, tasted quite authentically Korean.

It vaguely reminded me of Kyochon’s with its sticky-honeyed-sweetness, and the meat was deliciously moist.

I also ordered a home-made Basque Cheesecake ($7.50) since it is the current trendy dessert. Would say that this is a decent version, though not particularly outstanding.

Kong’s coffee is made from a special house blend called Kollabo, and was rather aromatic and balanced.

For students who want a quiet time, Kong Café has dedicated a small section with plugs and free wifi, while diners can have their meal at another side of the café. Promising, but perhaps lack of that needed awareness.

Kong Cafe
896 Dunearn Road, Sime Darby Centre #01-11 Singapore 589742 (King Albert Park MRT Exit B)
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Tues), 8am – 10pm (Wed – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Patbingsoo Korean Dining House (VivoCity)
Chir Chir Singapore (JEM)
Dosirak (313@somerset)
Burger+ (Wisma Atria)
Yoogane Singapore (Westgate)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

So do people working around Tanjong Pagar like to dine alone?

From my observation, the office crowd around here enjoy dining in groups; or they would quickly tabao something from nearby Tanjong Pagar Food Centre.

Well, much has been talked about Gangsta Ramen being the first ramen eatery in Singapore to offer private booth seats – probably inspired by Ichiran Ramen.

With that said, Ichiran Ramen has an entire seamless process in place from getting orders from a vending machine, paying before dining etc, so it makes sense for an individual diner who wants a quick, fuss-free meal.

During my visit to Gangsta Ramen, I was the only customer utilising the private booth seats, while the rest chose the shared tables. I am one of those who doesn’t mind dining alone, not afraid to be ‘judged’ by curious eyes.

Gangsta Ramen offers quite affordable bowls, with the Original Ramen priced at $10.

Other choices include Signature Ramen with Cheese ($12), Black Truffle Ramen ($16), Spicy Ramen ($12), and Miso Ramen ($12).

I wanted to see how the classic was like, and so ordered the Original Ramen which came tonkotsu-style. After which, I waited in the booth till the cat cloth covering was lifted up which caught me by a little surprise.

To be really honest, there are many ramen eateries in the Tanjong Pagar area known for their tonkotsu broth, for example Keisuke Tontotsu King and Ikkousha Ramen 博多一幸舎 which are just a short walk away.

The broth here was on the lighter side (still salty) but lacking in the tonkotsu rich-creaminess one would expect.

Noodles were cooked soft and limp, and didn’t have the delicious bite of freshly-made noodles.

For a Singapore ramen brand to stand out for its food, perhaps introducing something unique or different from nearby competitors could help (such as Kanshoku’s dry Truffle Ramen.

Side dishes (priced at $2.50 each) such as Chicken Wings, Chicken Cutlet, Smoked Duck and Gyoza are available. Wasn’t too sure if mayonnaise (without providing vinegar and soy sauce) would be the best accompaniment for soft Gyoza in this case.

Gangsta Ramen does seem to put a lot of effort in terms in doing up the place, and service staff was friendly to explain the dishes.

But with an Ichiran-style individual booth seats and concept, perhaps customers could come expecting close to ‘Ichiran-quality’.

Gangsta Ramen
1, #02-10 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Singapore 082001
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 2:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Other Related Entries
Afuri Ramen (Funan Centre)
Seizan Uni Ramen (Wisma Atria)
Ramen Champion (Bugis+)
Ramen Keisuke Champon King (International Plaza)
Konjiki Hototogisu Singapore (CHIJMES)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Singaporeans sure love their Taiwanese Fried Chicken cutlet, with kiosks like Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks, Hot Star, Fried Chicken Master and Devil Chicken opening in several places across the island.

Monga which just launched at JEM, will be opening up its 2nd Singapore outlet at ION Orchard basement 4. Wah, so fast.

The anticipated opening date is 28th of November 2019.

The Taiwanese fried chicken chain which is co-owned by Taiwanese TV host Nono, got its name from the Wanhua district of Taiwan – which is traditionally known as “Monga” (remember the movie staring Ethan Juan and Mark Chao?)

The chicken cutlets are said to be prepared the way they do over Taiwan, sliced into a thick piece with a minimum of 2cm.

The shop also uses honey instead of granulated sugar to marinate the chicken meat, which is supposed to help tenderise the meat and elevate the taste.

Three different flavours are launched in Singapore: The King ($6.90) dusted with original salt and pepper seasoning; Hot Chick ($6.90) with chilli paprika powder hand-made from Anaheim peppers; and The Taiker ($6.90), with Japanese sauce and seaweed powder imported from Okinawa.

There will be a new “Christmas” flavour – the Fiery Chicken Fillet to be launched from 1st December till 26th December. It will be available at both ION and JEM outlets.

I ordered the Hot Chicken ($6.90) which was indeed chunky and huge.

Each fillet is coated with the optimum amount of flour, before being double-fried to give it its characteristic crust-like crunch with less greasiness.

Here’s what I liked about the chicken: it was juicy and very meaty, portion was great such that two persons can probably share a piece. The bag which contained the piece remained quite oil-free.

The skin remained quite crisp, even though I ate them in ‘phases’ across half an hour as it was just too large to finish in one sitting.

However, I thought that the batter separated from the chicken too easily.

And warning not to wear a white shirt while eating. As there are no proper table and seats around, the likelihood of the seasoning getting all over your clothes is very high.

Monga Singapore – ION Orchard
ION Orchard #B4-62, 2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
(Opening: 28th November 2019)

Monga Singapore – JEM
50 Jurong Gateway Road, #B1-K10, Jem, Singapore 608549
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9:30pm

Other Related Entries
Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks
Fried Chicken Master (NEX)
Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號 (Paya Lebar Quarter)
Eat 3 Bowls (Crawford Lane)
Liang Sandwich Bar Singapore (Vivocity)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Ready to start planning your holiday parties? Let PARKROYAL on Pickering help make your Christmas celebration merrier with their brand of festive roasts and yuletide treats.

This eco-friendly hotel is geared up to deliver this year’s finest feast through its acclaimed restaurant, Lime.

Timeless Asian favourites and contemporary dishes will fill your tummies, lift your spirits, and bring people together.

Whether you’re organising a Christmas family reunion, looking for a holiday party venue for friends, or even considering celebrating at home, the award-winning PARKROYAL on Pickering is all set for you.

Its brigade of chefs have prepared a star-studded repertoire of exceptional food & beverage spread.

Festive Feasts – 25 November 2019 to 1 January 2020
Why wait ‘til December when you can start the revelry now? At PARKROYAL on Pickering, Christmas comes early with holiday-ready dishes starting 25 November 2019.

The open-kitchen-concept restaurant will be dishing out hearty dishes worthy of feasting on, including Turkey Masak Merah, Oven Baked Pork Prime Ribs with Spicy Tomato Paste, Grilled Beef Sirloin with Cognac and Mix Peppercorn Cream Sauce, Dong Po Pork Belly with Crispy Man Tou and Squid Ink Linguini with Chilli Crab Sauce.

Make it extra special during dinner time, as they have upgraded the selection to include fresh, succulent Irish Oysters on ice and Pickering’s Signature Lobster Laksa. Lime is also serving a meatless ‘Beef’ Wellington made using the BEYOND meat patty.

Turkey Masak Merah
Start off the celebration with this turkey dish prepared Malaysian-style, a spin-off from the traditional Ayam Masak Merah.

This turkey casserole is “cooked-red” by marinating the turkey in tomato paste, red chilli and spices, giving it that distinct deep red colour and a tangy, savoury flavour. A spicy way to usher in the chilly season.

Honey & Citrus Glazed Ham
Sweet and citrusy flavours combine in a sticky glaze to coat this holiday ham, all jewelled up for the season.

Each slice is bursting with tenderness and carries that smoke-cured taste of gammon ham. A wonderful addition to your spread, a noteworthy dish that deserves a glass of festive welcome drink (it is matcha milk boba pearls) on the side.

Grilled Beef Sirloin with Cognac and Mix Peppercorn Cream Sauce
Booze up your beef sirloin steak with Cognac and taste how a simple splash of brandy can make a difference in your meat. Take a break from your hectic year and just indulge in your steak prepared to your desired doneness.

The succulence is complemented with a mix peppercorn cream sauce served alongside. Bon appetit!

Lime’s Signature Assam Fish
Don’t miss out on this signature fish dish perfect for sharing in a family feast. Loaded with aromatics, the sauce is enhanced with tomatoes, tamarind and chili pastes for that umami, sweet and spicy taste.

Adding some rough-cut pineapples add a unique layer of sweetness as the sauce coats the chunks of fish.

Plant-based ‘Beef’ Wellington (dinner only)
If you are curious to try out plant-based meat, Lime has created a ‘Beef’ Wellington.

Available only during dinner time, this dish is prepared using BEYOND meat patty which delivers a meaty experience without the compromise.

Cold Seafood on Ice
Seafood on ice that features King Crab, Lobsters, freshly-shucked Oysters and Prawns, sitting alongside the ever-popular sushi and sashimi showcase.

Stollen (dessert)
Fruit bread baked with dried and candied fruits, spices, and nuts, then coated with powdered or icing sugar for that snowy effect.

Logcakes
For dessert, there’s nothing more Christmassy than the quintessential Yule Log. This year, Lime offers you 4 kinds of log cakes to choose from.

If you like yours rich and decadent, go for the Belgium Dark Chocolate with Passion Yule Log. The Black Forest Yule Log is a more dense-type of cake, while the Strawberry Shortcake Yule Log is light and fluffy – so take your pick.

But if you want local flavours, the cheerful and colourful Durian Gula Melaka Rainbow Yule Log is meant for you.

Festive Buffet Lunch and Dinner – From 25 November to 1 January 2020
Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm: $69++
Dinner 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Weekday): $99++
Dinner 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Weekend): $109++
Super Lunch Sunday 12:30pm – 3:30pm: $99++ or $157++

* UOB, Citi and BOC cardholders enjoy 20% discount applicable on festive buffets, from 25 November to 1 January 2020 (except eve of and on public holidays).

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Brunch & Dinner – 24 & 25 December 2019
The yuletide celebration comes to a peak on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and what better way to spend it than with sharing a meal with your loved ones. Whether you choose PARKROYAL on Pickering’s Christmas Brunch or Dinner, your Christmas Day meal deserves a joyful mix of holiday faves and seasonal specials.

You’ll be serenaded in style by carollers as you feast on Lime’s extravagant spread of specialties. It is the perfect time to pause, sit, and actually enjoy your meal leisurely with Christmas music in the background.

There’s no time to hurry over your Flambéed Tiger Prawns with Red Chilli and Garlic Sauce, King Crab and Boston Lobsters, or your Lemon Caper Beurre Noisette Roasted Salmon served with Rosemary Potatoes, Slow-Braised Lamb Rump and Braised Flank Steak.

Complete your selection with the Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce and Christmas Pork Terrine, Christmas staples ready to make a traditional come-back. There’s also the Honey and Citrus Glazed Gammon Ham which often takes the center stage.

Don’t forget the live stations where you can grab some Quesadillas a la minute.

Finally, bring out the creative side of you when you visit the dessert station. Did you know you can customise your own Cheesecake here? You can, so that should be fun!

Caramelised Pork Chop with Braised Red Cabbage (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
Pair this hefty serving of pork chop with some veggies and you won’t feel too guilty for all the indulgence. The braised red cabbage adds a nice contrast in texture and taste to the caramelised chops.

Seared to lock in the juiciness, the pork chops achieve that smoky aroma from the caramelisation of its natural sugars.

Lemon Caper Beurre Noisette Roasted Salmon with Rosemary Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
This roasted salmon dish is a great choice for those who simply adore the light flaky meat of pink salmon.

Served with rosemary potatoes and steamed broccoli on the sides, the roasted fish is slathered with a lemon-butter-based sauce, elevated with that piquant pickled taste from the added capers.

Braised Flank Steak in Red Wine Jus with Truffle Mashed Potato (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
A classic steak done right is always a delight. Make this flank steak the star of your holiday meal, beautifully braised in red wine jus to give it that deep flavour and crimson colour.

The accompanying mashed potato is served extra special with a splash of truffle oil.

Quesadillas (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
Add some Mexican flair to your spread with these quesadillas, thin tortillas filled with savoury zesty meats, cooked peppers, and queso.

Enjoy it while they’re hot and toasty right off the live station a la minute.

Christmas Pavlova Wreath (dessert) (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
A holiday version of the classic Pavlova, a meringue-based dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light interior, this dessert is often topped with fruits and whipped cream.

Instead of the usual round shape, the Pavlova is formed and baked as a ring to replicate a wreath, topped with fruits in Christmas colours.

Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch and Dinner, 24 December 2019
Brunch 12:30pm – 3:30pm: $119++, $179++, or $199++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)
Dinner 6pm – 8pm: $109++ or $169++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)
Dinner 8:30pm – 10:30pm: $119++ or $179++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)

Christmas Day Buffet Brunch and Dinner, 25 December 2019
Brunch 12:30pm – 3:30pm: $129++, $179++ or $199++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)
Dinner 6:30pm – 10:30pm: $129++, $179++ or $199++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)

Festive Roasts and Yuletide Treats – Take Home Holiday Treats
Pre-orders will be available from 1 November 2019. Available for sale at Lime Restaurant from 1 December to 30 December 2019, 10am – 10pm
If you are hosting a celebration party, then the fuss-free Celebration Set will come in very handy.

The Celebration Set ($168+) includes a 2kg Roasted Turkey Breast, 1.5kg Honey Baked Ham and a Trio of mini Log cakes, ideal for group gatherings or mini-office parties.

Roasted vegetables, chestnuts, pearl vine tomatoes, brussel sprouts and specialty sauces are all included. Pre-order 3 days in advance.

Lime Restaurant
PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289
Tel: +65 6809 8899
Email: dining.prsps@parkroyalhotels.com

For more information, head over to: bit.ly/festive-buffets

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with PARKROYAL on Pickering.

The year-end festive period is when Orchard Road starts getting really busy again, especially when the Christmas light (slightly ‘budget’ this year, it seems) are up and Christmas shopping starts.

While Singaporeans once again throng shopping malls such as Takashimaya and Paragon to get gifts for themselves and others (that they may not need), we are also in the search of coffee and dessert places to rest our feed.

Here are 10 relatively NEW cafes (less than a year) on the Orchard Road belt for your consideration. Enjoy!

%Arabica Singapore – 313@somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-14/15 313@somerset Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Famous Kyoto Coffee Shop Opens At 313@somerset
After quite a high profile (and delayed opening) of %Arabica Singapore at Arab Street, the famous coffee shop has opened at 313@somerset.

It has taken over the space previously occupied by Barrio by Mex Out. A rather prominent location, especially if you come out from Somerset MRT, or walk from 313 to Orchard Central.

The company strives to source all its beans directly from the origins.
Depending on the season and availability, you can find coffees from Japan, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Ethiopia and Panama.

The Caffe Latte is priced at $7 for short, $8 for tall, while the iced version is priced at $8. Not considered cheap.
If you prefer something sweeter, also available is the Spanish Latte ($7.80. $9.00) which is included with condensed milk.

Bacha Coffee
2 Orchard Turn, #01-15/16 ION Orchard Mall, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Gorgeous Moroccan Themed Coffee Boutique & Brunch Place
This is the Moroccan brand’s first international outpost, specialising in coffee from single origins, coffee blends as well as flavoured coffee.

People think the concept is like TWG, but coffee version.

There are over 200 to choose from, and so you can come almost every day in a year if variety is what you crave. While the coffee selection may look overwhelming at first, they do include the taste profile and strength, and the serving staff can guide you along to make a preferred selection.

The décor itself is striking, designed to reflect the Moroccan Dar el Bacha palace in Marrakech. Some customers take the opportunity to strike a pose, some repeatedly and too many.

As for food, perhaps the more unique and Moroccan style dishes left a better impression, such as the Morrocan Chicken Pastilla infused with Rosenheim Coffee ($24), and Moroccan Kefta Meatballs accompanied with straw potato fries ($28). Bacha Coffee (ION Orchard)

Merci Marcel – Orchard
390 Orchard Road, #01-03/04, Palais Renaissance Singapore 238871
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

French Lifestyle Cafe Opens At Orchard, With Beautiful Bohemian-Chic Outdoor Space
After successful outlets at Tiong Bahru and Club Street, the French restaurant-café has gone on to open a lifestyle concept at Orchard Road.

The newest Merci Marcel completes that picture – coffee, desserts, wine, food, place to Instagram and shop, and kids would probably feel comfortable here as well.

The all-day dining destination has quite a number of highlight dishes on its menu, including Ravioles de Royans ($18, $28)– French dumpling pasta filled with cheese & spinach, foie gras emulsion, Atlantic Wild Cod ($34), Barramundi Tartare ($23), Smoked Haddock Salad ($18), and of course the trending Impossible Marcel Burger ($28).

For desserts, there is the Crepe Mercel with tiramisu emulsion ($12), and Pineapple Carpaccio ($11) which my friend described as the best sweet thing she had in a while. Merci Marcel (Orchard)

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06, Singapore 238164
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 8:30pm (Sat – Sun)

Minimalist White Café Found At Somerset
Glyph Supply Co. has been attracting quite a fair bit of customers, because it is an artisanal café with quite an “instagrammable” interior.

Coffee is priced at $4.50 for the black, $5.50 for the white, Coldbrew at $6.00, while iced versions cost $1 extra. For non-coffee drinkers, there is also offering of Matcha ($6.00) and Chocolate ($6.00).

This is slightly pricier than what you find in other hipster cafes in the neighbourhoods, but I suppose they have high rentals to pay.

Bakes are from Carpenter & Cook, and you get a rotational selection from Lemon Tart, Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Tart, Passionfruit Meringue Tart, Almond Croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, to savoury bites of Mushroom Quiche, and Ham and Cheese Croissant.

Quality coffee you can find at this part of town, plus it is considered slightly hidden. Glyph Supply Co. (TripleOne Somerset)

Hvala – TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road, Singapore 238164
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Minimalist Japanese Cafe At Somerset
Hvala’s new Japanese teahouse is what I would describe as a little oasis in busy downtown.

The space located at TripleOne Somerset (do check out Coney Donut while you are there) has got almost full-white look with minimalist touch, natural daylight, and Japanese zen-like vibes.

The teahouse is designed such that there are steps in which customers can sit on and sip on matcha latte.

What I appreciated was there are different sections with varying seating arrangements, so those who come alone can enjoy some ‘me’ time, while friends can sit around a table in a group.

I think Hvala has managed to carve out a niche for themselves, in finding that sweet spot between offering quality Japanese tea with some modern interpretation. Hvala (TripleOne Somerset)

The Alley Luxe
Orchard Cineleisure Level 2 Singapore 239695
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

This is first-ever premium concept aptly called “The Alley Luxe”, a lifestyle café that showcases their finest collection of beverages and bakes such as Croissants, Cruffins and Kouign-Amann.

This is where you can sit back and enjoy their drinks dine-in over scenic views of Orchard Road, or takeaway to reserve the tasting for later.

The Alley Luxe is the brand’s first in the world to feature a selection of classic European baked products, such as Croissants ($3.50, $5.00 for Almond Croissant, $5.80 for Sausage and Cheese), Cruffins – a croissant-muffin hybrid ($5) and Kouign-Amann ($4.50) which are literally “butter cake”.

The Cruffins ($5) come recommended due to the crisp layers of flaky pastry and lightly sweetened fillings, in flavours of the local kaya, salted caramel, lemon curd and chocolate. The Alley Luxe (Orchard Cineleisure)

Pano Kato
Tanglin Mall #02-23, 163, Tanglin Road Singapore 247933
Tel: +65 6235 5056
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Sun – Fri), 9am – 10pm (Sat)

Grill, Pizza and Deli at Tanglin Mall
As I was a fan of House Of AnLi, it didn’t take me too long to head over to Pano Kato located just a level below.

This is a Greek and Mediterranean style deli, serving up dishes such as Greek Salad with Feta Cheese ($22), Calamari ($22), Grilled Octopus ($28), Burrata ($4) and selection of pasta and pizzas.

I loved the Grilled Octopus ($28) which though looked small for its price, had a incredibly chewy texture, flavourful and well-grilled.

However, after repeat visits, my friends and I thought both the food and service were fairly inconsistent, perhaps they are still trying to iron out operations.

Social Place Singapore
Forum The Shopping Mall, #01-22, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Retro-Chic Tea House From Hong Kong Opens At Orchard Road
Founded in Hong Kong, Social Place is a retro-chic contemporary tea house imbued with nostalgic touches from olden Hong Kong days, which serves an innovative spread of Chinese fares and Dim Sum offerings.

Upon stepping into the restaurant, you will be greeted with sleek modern interior accompanied with fun vibrant elements such as, using ping pong table for dining and a whole mural wall made up of mah-jong tiles.

They were probably the OG innovators for the now already available dishes in Singapore such as Flaming Pineapple, Fried Chicken Pieces with Chillies served in Nest, and Truffle Mushroom Buns.

What left an impression was their Pork Sliders ($14.80) aka Chinese Kong Bak Pao which came with a slice of tender braised fatty pork meat sandwiched in between soft fluffy buns which literally melts in your mouth. Social Place (Orchard Road)

Tsui Wah – The Heeren
260 Orchard Road, The Heeren #02-02 Singapore 238855
Tel: +65 6366 9270
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:30pm, Last Order 9:45pm (Mon – Sun)

2 Storey Outlet At Orchard Road, NEW Items Of Mala Prawns And Bottled Milk Tea
This Tsui Wah at The Heeren is a two-storey 192-seater establishment which features a quick service concept on Level 1 and a contemporary-styled restaurant on Level 2.

That means customers can choose to drop by for takeaways or dine-in alfresco without any service charge at Level 1; or they can also head upstairs to the full-fledged restaurant.

Tsui Wah The Heeren has included two new dishes, such as the Mala Prawns ($11) – mala soup of prawns in a broth laden with enoki mushrooms and stewed radish; and the Assorted Vegetables and Prawns Curry with Steamed Rice ($16).

Launched exclusively at Tsui Wah The Heeren is the Tsui Wah Bottled Milk Tea. Freshly brewed daily and served chilled, customers can choose to grab-and-go at Level 1 ($5.50) or enjoy it cold from an iced bucket at Level 2 ($5). Tsui Wah Singapore (Heeren)

Walking On Sunshine Cafe
Orchard Central #03-07
Tel: +65 8877 0088
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Garden-themed Cafe At Orchard Central
Walking On Sunshine or WOS, the newest beauty and dining hub in the block, is located at the 3rd floor of Orchard Central. It is one of the biggest you can find in Singapore, juxtaposing a salon and a café in one location.

If you could just pick one item from the food menu, make it the Instagram-popular Soufflé Pancake ($20.50).

Imagine a stack of three light and fluffy pancakes topped with a special cream, nuts, and fresh fruits like berries, grapes and strawberries. Good for sharing (or save all for yourself), this dish is loved by kids and adults alike.

Or have a savoury pancake for a change. The Crab and Kimchi Pancake ($20.50) is definitely on the other side of the flavour spectrum, but its spicy-sour taste is just as inviting.

Sip famous teas from Korea as you delight in the sight of beautiful flowers and plants around you, while enjoying time with your family and friends.

Other Related Entries
10 Most Instagrammable Cafes In Singapore 2019 Edition
10 Minimalist White Cafes In Singapore
10 Must-Try Afternoon Tea & Hightea Buffets In Singapore
10 Must-Try Burger Places In Singapore
10 Top Lunch & Brunch Hotel Buffets In Singapore

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Fast-casual Japanese eatery Yuba Hut ユバ屋 which serves up sushi rolls, donburi rice bowls and sashimi, has been making its entrance in many parts of the heartlands.

Other than its newest outlet at Potong Pasir’s The Poiz Centre, you can find the modern Japanese restaurant at Heartland Mall, Hillion Mall, Bishan Junction 8, Northpoint City and White Sands.

Yuba Hut is best known for its sushi rolls aka aburi-ed maki sensations zhnged up with a number of toppings, from its signature Champion Floss Maki, Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon to Salmon Aburi Maki.

The concept has also launched its “Singapore’s first-ever Rainbow Soba Protein Bowl”. Rainbow?

The fancy caption aside, the bowls are called “rainbow” due to the colourful vegetables and ingredients toppings, ranging from crabstick (red), tobiko (orange), onsen egg, corn (yellow), edamam, seaweed and spring onions (green).

If only there was a touch of edible flowers to complete the blue and indigo.

These ingredients go on top of chewy green tea soba noodles, and customers can further customise with preferred protein base and sauces.

You can choose from four types of protein including unagi ($13.90), beef ($13.90), chicken ($9.90), and salmon ($13.90); and sauces of mala, Japanese sesame, yuzu and kimchi. This is proof that mala has started to penetrate in every other dish you can find.

Here are some of my recommended pairings:

Yuba Hut Unagi Bowl ($13.90)
This is my favourite combination, with a sizable slab of succulent unagi (Japanese sea eel) on a bed of soba and greens.

The eel is first pan-fried then glazed with tare sauce which provides that sweetish-savoury taste; the texture thick and sufficiently moist.

It is best paired with soba tossed with goma sauce (Japanese sesame) which has a nutty and rich-earthy flavour which doesn’t over-shadow the eel.

Yuba Hut Beef Bowl ($13.90)
Protein lovers won’t want to miss out on this steak bowl cooked with quality Australian beef – pan- seared till caramelised on the outside while remaining tender in the middle.

The steak slices were slightly on the lean side, with just the right among of fats.

If you are more ‘adventurous’, pair this with mala sauce which is a concoction made with eight kind of spices including peppercorn, chilli powder, chilli oil, and pepper powder.

To be honest, soba and mala together can be disjointing; and so if you prefer something safer, stick to the goma.

Yuba Hut Chicken Bowl ($9.90)
Brazilian chicken thigh pieces pan-fried with in-house sauce till tender and succulent, then topped on soba noodles.

K-food lovers can pair this with “kimchi” sauce. While this is called “kimchi”, there aren’t actual fermented cabbages to be found.

Instead, the sauce is a medley of Korean chilli paste (gochujang), Korean chilli powder (gochugaru), sesame oil, salt and sugar which gives a blend of spicy, sour and slightly-sweet savour.

Yuba Hut Salmon Bowl ($13.90)
Norwegian (or Chilean) salmon which has a velvety-firm texture and buttery-ness, served on the hearty bowl of rainbow soba.

For seafood, the yuzu sauce included with fresh yuzu pulps gives a fruity-refreshing aftertaste.

If you fancy more protein, upsize your bowl additional half a portion of salmon, beef, unagi (add on $2), or chicken (add on $1).

Top up $1 for a drink of hot or cold green tea.

As a suggestion, Yuba Hut can consider offering similar “Rainbow Rice Protein Bowl” with customisable sauces, such as steak, black pepper or teriyaki in the future.

Salmon Aburi Don ($14.90)
Talking about Donburi, Yuba Hut is still best known for its Japanese rice bowls, with offerings of Salmon Aburi, Salmon Sashimi, Saba, Teriyaki Chicken, Ebi Tempura, Katsu, Salmon and Una Don.

All the bowls are priced between $7.80 and $14.90.

Its best-seller is the Salmon Aburi Don neat-fully arranged with torched salmon slices around a ‘hill’ of Japanese rice, topped with ikuru and tobiko then drizzled with sauce.

Champion Floss Maki ($9.90 for 4 pieces, $16.90 for 8 pieces)
The main highlight of Yuba Hut to me is the Champion Floss Maki, so-named because the sushi roll is piled with ingredients.

Here’s what goes into the maki: sushi rice rolled with cucumber and aburi salmon sashimi, further topped with house-made mayonnaise sauce, further topped with chicken floss and ebiko.

In terms of appearance, it just looked like it was over-flowing with mayo, floss and roe.

The shiok-ness comes from the creaminess of the sauce sliding with the fluffy flossy and crunchy ikura. The thick slices of salmon also added that buttery richness that kind of melted in the mouth.

Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon ($9.90 for 4 pieces, $16.90 for 8 pieces)
The Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon with smoky aburi salmon drizzled with a spicy-mentaiko creamy cheesy sauce, sprinkled over with crunchy tempura bits.

This is even richer, I thought that the cream cheese was slightly overpowering but there is always the option of sweeping it away.

Samurai Unagi Aburi Maki ($8.90 for 4 pieces, $15.90 for 8 pieces)
A trio of tamago, crabstick and cucumber in the middle, topped with unagi, cheese slices and mentaiko sauce then torched with first.

The aburi melts the cheese slightly, so you get a touch of the caramelisation with soft-gooey mouth-feel.

While I won’t say that all the items are hits (for example, I am still not too sure about mala with soba), there are quite a number of interesting fare that are good for quick take-aways and a fuss-free Japanese meal.

The next time you spot a Yuba Hut, try heading for the donburi with thick and fresh sashimi offerings, or over-the-top sushi rolls.

The Poiz Centre
51 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-03, The Poiz Centre, Singapore 347697
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Heartland Mall
#01-19/20, Block 205, Hougang Street 21,Singapore 530205
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Hillion Mall
17 Petir Rd, #01-05/06, Hillion Mall, Singapore 678270
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Bishan Junction 8
9 Bishan Place, #B1-K15, Bishan Junction 8, Singapore 579837
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Northpoint City
930 Yishun Ave 2, #B1-186, Northpoint City South Wing, Singapore 769098
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

White Sands
1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3, #01-26/27, White Sands, Singapore 518459
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Yuba Hut.

Poulet has opened a brand-new restaurant called “Poulet + Brasserie”, otherwise known as “P+” in the heart of town at ION Orchard basement 3 (right above MUJI).

Fans of Poulet would be familiar with its Roast Chicken with mushroom Chardonnay, Diane sauce, or cranberry sauce; but Poulet + Brasserie presents quite an entirely different concept.

With a contemporary setting, roast chicken still stays as its focus.

A menu quite unlike their existing one, this one takes inspiration from cuisines in different places – Melbourne’s café-hopping scene, a little bit of Thai and French fare, and Singapore’s own local dishes. You can expect to find Seafood Laksa Linguine and Kaya French Toast here.

This specially curated menu, exclusively available at P+, offers you varied breakfast choices, alongside other exciting new French fusion dishes.

Chef Joshua Khoo now leads the kitchen brigade in preparing these dishes, combining local flavours with traditional French cooking techniques.

If you find his name familiar, that is because he is one of the co-founders of Saveur and several other concepts. Therefore, you may find some of his signature touches incorporated in the menu, such as the Duck Confit. Here’s more:

P+ Roast Chicken ($20++)
This signature dish is a slow-roasted chicken, cooked using a different technique from the original Poulet.

It is a spin-off from Poulet’s original French roast chicken, this time cooked longer at low temperature to make the meat extra tender.

It is all about the temperature, as that beautiful golden-brown skin is a result of roasting in high temperature.

Served with bacon, corn kernel and mushroom, and poured over with chicken jus.

There are no other extra sauces added, as Chef believed that the chicken’s natural jus makes it tasty and meat extra juicy. The chickens are roasted with lemon and thyme, so as to give some nice citrusy-herbal notes.

Signature Duck Confit ($22++)
Another recommended dish is the signature duck confit, which is what Chef Joshua is first known for during his Saveur days.

This French dish uses the classic French technique for cooking duck legs in fats, resulting in a satisfying crisp on the outer layer, easy-fall-apart and juicy meat within.

To balance out the richness of the meat, the dish comes with mixed salad added with roasted nuts and pomegranate for a fruity-tart accompaniment.

Truffle Mushroom Risotto ($15++)
This Italian-style rice dish is infused with lots of umami flavours from combining different types of mushrooms – including oyster, button and brown shimeji mushrooms.

You will also find bacon cubes and almond nuts for that multi-textural contrast.

This recipe calls for a dollop of truffle paste which makes this dish heady aromatic. Plus, the shaved parmesan adds a creaminess when mixed altogether. A must-order dish.

Jumbo Prawn & Garlic Pasta ($24++)
Now for some seafood flavours, try their Jumbo Prawn & Garlic Pasta made extra luxurious and very French with lumpfish caviar.

This pasta uses al dente capellini aka angel hair tossed in kombu and chili oil, and made meaty with spicy chorizo and local jumbo prawns.

Wild Sea Bream ($25++)
The sea bream is known for its delicate-clean taste and satisfyingly meaty texture. Lightly pan-fried to lock in the flavours and juices, it comes with a foam made with clam jus emulsion infused with white wine.

Another special component is the base of couscous, made more fruity and crunchy with inclusion of red and green raisins, green seedless grapes, and almonds nuts.

As a finale, it is drizzled with lemon vinaigrette to impart a bright sparkling acidity to the dish.

P+ Big Breakfast ($22++)
For early risers or those who love to have your brunch food at night, Poulet + Brasserie also features an all-day breakfast menu to help you start your day right, whichever time you like.

Prepare for a big day with P+ Big Breakfast, a combination of chicken chipolata, bacon, sunny side-up eggs, tater tots, and sourdough toast for a complete meal.

Other eggs dishes you can expect to find include Bacon & Cheese Omelette, Mushroom & Feta Omelette, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedicts and B.E.T.T – included with 2 eggs in any style, smoky bacon, roast vine tomatoes on sourdough toast.

Spicy Baked Eggs with Tomatoes ($15++)
A simple yet delectable way to enjoy your eggs for breakfast. This spiced tomato concasse is served with spicy chorizo bits on top of a crusty baguette.

What makes this dish special is the in-house tomato sauce used as base. Made entirely from scratch and not from a can, the sauce combines rough cut tomatoes flavoured with paprika and nutmeg.

It includes a blend of pumpkin seeds and almond nuts for crunch, chorizo bits and finished with garlic aioli.

Smashed Avocado with Poached Egg ($16++)
Throw in some healthy fats to your breakfast diet with Smashed Avocado with Poached Egg.

This open sandwich is served with a meticulously prepared 64-degree poached egg, rocket salad, crushed almonds, and roasted vine tomatoes.

You’ll notice some heat in your smashed avocadoes from the added chili flakes, and a splash of acidity to balance it out from lemon juice.

Nutella French Toast ($14++)
For some, the breakfast table ain’t complete without a jar of Nutella. Here’s a dish that is drizzled with that yummy hazelnut-chocolate sauce.

Imagine a French brioche toast with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, side by side with extra ripe crunchy banana fritters, made a la mode with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream.

But… the best part in this sweet dish is really the bread, cooked till there is this buttery aroma, and soft-fluffy texture with milky coating. Yums.

Banana Crumble ($9++)
Seal those cravings with Poulet’s Banana Crumble, made with a mix of fresh bananas and banana jam prepared a la mode.

I found the banana base slightly on the sweet side, though it was balanced with slightly salty-sweet flavours of salted caramel ice cream.

While some customers may just associate Poulet with Poulet + Brasserie, you can see both as separate concepts.

I would say Poulet + Brasserie is slightly more experimental and bold in its offerings, as you would see items such as Kaya French Toast, Seafood Eggs Benedict with Laksa hollandaise sauce, and even a Salad de Rojak dish.

However, if you are still looking for your classic French fare and brunch items, then I would say the Duck Confit, Jumbo Prawn & Garlic Angel Hair Pasta, and Nutella French Toast would leave you feeling satisfied.

Poulet + Brasserie
ION Orchard #B3-21, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.instagram.com/PouletPlus

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Poulet.

Emma known for its soft serve made with premium Hokkaido milk, has introduced a new Japanese-style bubble tea range with a difference.

Japanese Kurogama, Hojicha, and Sencha Latte with “Okinawa brown sugar pearls” may just end up to be your new favourites.

The drinks are also included with “Kuromitsu” which literally translates to “black honey” – a thin and dark syrup made from Japanese unrefined kurozato (“black sugar”) often used in the making of Japanese sweets.

You would also find that the chewiness and sweetness of the boba pearls are unlike the usual. That is because “Okinawa brown sugar pearls” are used, cooked with a combination of Okinawan brown sugar and kuromitsu which gives it a distinctive caramelised-sweetness.

Plus, the Kuromitsu Latte is also available in hot versions (especially when hot bubble teas are popular in Taiwan) for that warm and fuzzy feeling while holding and drinking it. Here’s more on the Emma’s New Drink Offerings:

Kuromitsu Kurogoma Latte ($4.50 for hot, $4.80 for cold, add $1 for boba pearls or soft serve)
This Black Sesame Latte is my favourite of the three newly-launched drinks. There is just something about the aromatic flavour of black sesame with slight-nutty mouthfeel.

The Latte is made with premium Hokkaido milk which would complete that smooth and creamy texture.

Accordingly, each cup of Emma’s Kuromitsu Kurogoma Latte has about 6,000 pieces of sesame seeds – jam-packed with fibre and Vitamin B.

We were divided on whether we preferred the hot or cold drinks. The hot reminded me of the lighter version Hong Kong style dessert of zhi ma hu, while the cold added with boba pearls made an addictive gently-creamy drink.

Kuromitsu Hojicha Latte ($4.50 for hot, $4.80 for cold, add $1 for boba pearls or soft serve)
The Kuromitsu Hojicha Latte contains slight caramelised sweetness and roasted undertones, though I felt part of it could have been ‘covered’ by the richness of the milk.

This is for those who like a balance between the roastiness of Japanese green tea and creaminess from the milk.

Kuromitsu Sencha Latte ($4.50 for hot, $4.80 for cold, add $1 for boba pearls or soft serve)
Of the three, the Kuromitsu Sencha Latte has the lightest and most delicate flavour, and would be refreshing for an after-meal pick me up.

All the cold drinks can be further customised to include an Emma’s signature soft serve (additional $1), akin to an indulgent float.

Emma Signature Soft Serve in a Cup
Another new menu mainstay is the customisable Emma Signature Soft Serve in a Cup, with affordable prices that start from $3.80. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Choose a base
Choose from a choice of crunchy bases — crushed Oreos, waffle or cereal. The premium soft serve is housed above the base, with Japanese kuromitsu (Okinawa brown sugar syrup) drizzled all over.

Step 2: Choose soft serve flavours
Hokkaido milk, Kurogoma black sesame, or mixed flavours.

Step 3: Choose a sprinkle
Matcha power, kinako powder, cocoa powder, nuts, or genmai crackers.

Step 4: Add an extra topping (optional, additional $1)
Tapioca boba pearls, azuki red beans, matcha warabi mochi, Kuromitsu warabi mochi.

If not, get the recommended signature soft serves, complete with crunchy base, smooth premium Japanese milk soft serve, fragrant or crunchy sprinkles, and toppings.

Signature Emma Soft Mix (Waffle-Kinako) ($4.00)

Signature Emma Soft Milk (Oreo-Matcha) ($3.80)

Signature Emma Soft Kurogoma (Cereal-Genmai) ($4.20)

The new Emma outlet is located at 100AM Mall Tanjong Pagar, located next to Japanese Mazesoba specialist Menya Kokoro.

Emma – 100AM
100 Tras Street #02-10 Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6443 1727
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sat)

Emma – Plaza Singapura
Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, #B2-45, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Emma.

There is always something different about Japanese bakeries, from the likes to Donq, Johan Paris, Pullman Bakery, Mama Patisserie, Asanoya Bakery to Fine Dining Bakery, in terms of making soft fluffy breads and incorporating interesting ingredients.

Therefore I was very curious about what Kamome Bakery, a new bakery-café at Goldhill Shopping Centre (walking distance from Novena MRT station) has to offer. (“Kamome” is a limited express train operated by JR Kyushu in Japan.)

True enough, there are a couple of varied sandwich choices of Meat Loaf ($5.80), Croquette ($5.20), Tonkatsu ($5.60).

Breads are quite uniquely-Japanese, with the offering of Red Bean & Butter, Teriyaki Chicken Pizza, Yuzu Chestnut, Dark Cherry Tart, Cinnamon Roll, Banana Brown Sugar – all priced from $3 to $5 thereabout.

Having Deep Fried Ebi Cutlet in a baguette-shaped soft bread certainly sounded enticing, but I was rather surprised that the café did not offer heating up service.

This is considering that the some of the breads have been left there for a long while, and especially if customers come at the later part of the day.

Needless to say, while the bread had quite a pleasant pillow-soft yet dense texture, the soggy deep-fried prawn piece (and cold) did not work well for me.

The Japanese Red Bean with salted butter bun was a moderate delight with its smooth paste and thick slab of butter.

Perhaps due to opening operational challenges, I noted that the colour of some of the bakes did not look right.

For example, the croissants did look slightly burnt, and I was slightly surprised because Japanese bakeries would have quite a stringent QC standard.

With a promising variety of stew, bakes and breads, perhaps Kamome Bakery should really consider about providing heating-up service, so that customers who want to sit in and enjoy a warm bite have that option.

Kamome Bakery かもめベーカリー
Goldhill Shopping Centre, 169 Thomson Road Singapore 307621
Opening Hours: 8am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Mellow Pan (Our Tampines Hub)
Kazo (Chinatown Point)
Voyage Patisserie (Outram Road)
Lee’s Confectionery (Jurong East)
Wu Pao Chun Bakery (Capitol Singapore)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

For foodies on a search for new restaurants in Singapore, meet this destination dining place – Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, which contains of a series of exciting dining establishments.

The Arcade is an extension of The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, the perfect venue to dine and wine your way at this part of Singapore.

It is located right at Capitol Singapore, previously known as “Capitol Piazza” (connected direct from City Hall MRT station Exit D).

You can literally spend every day of the week trying out a different restaurant here, which serves up cuisine from all over the globe – from German with Austrian influences, classic Italian pizza and pasta place, Spanish tapas bar, to Thai restaurant with comforting flavours.

What’s special about these few but well-conceptualised selection of food stalls is they weave a story about the historic hotel and the iconic Capitol Theatre.

Step back in time and in different parts of the world through your food journey at the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski. Here are the 8 dining concepts you can try over this festive period with your family and friends:

Frieda
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-87
Tel: +65 6715 6873
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Reinterprets traditional German cuisine with Austrian influences
Experience German flavours and hospitality at Frieda, named after the only daughter of hotel founder Berthold Kempinski and wife Helene. It is the ideal place for an abendbrot aka a homely evening meal with family and friends.

The menu is all about traditional German food, spiced up with Austrian influence. You can choose from their premium sausage selections, German-style breads and salads, meat dishes, and many more.

I would recommend the Oven Roasted Pork Knuckle ($39), prepared from the oldest recipes, using a whole free-range Australian pork hind leg knuckle washed in an ice-bath for at least 2 hours.

After slow-cooking it for 3 hours in a stock with bay leaves, peppercorns, cloves, juniper berries, garlic and onion, it is then skinned and baked in the oven until extra crisp. Accompanied with pretzel dumplings and house-made sauerkraut and jus, this dish is hands-down a must-have at Frieda.

Another traditional German fare you cannot skip is the Veal Wiener Schnitzel ($37). It is a thick cutlet of veal, breaded and pan-fried until golden brown. Served with both potato salad and some German-style gurkensalat, a refreshing salad of thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in sour cream, sprinkled with dill and chopped parsley.

Foodie Tip 1: Frieda daily lunch-set menu goes for an inexpensive $17++ for a 2-course, and $22++ for a 3-course inclusive of dessert. Main course selection includes Grilled German Sausage, Baked Chicken or Swabian Noodles.

Foodie Tip 2: Look out for “Beer O’clock” available daily, with a pint of draught beer costing $5 at 5pm, $6 at 6pm etc. What a good deal! In addition, sport fans can look out for the live sports on the hanging screens in the arcade from 4pm onwards.

La Scala Ristorante
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-86
Tel: +65 6715 6877
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Classic Italian dining outpost with its own brick oven
La Scala Ristorante is one of the latest addition to the bevy of dining choices here at the Arcade. It offers an Italian menu that captures the taste of Italian summers through its antipasti, zuppe, pasta, pizza and dolci.

Named after the world-famous Milan theater, La Scala Opera House, this restaurant is the perfect venue for an Italian feast.

Start off with some Burratina & Pomodorini ($18), a small burrata served with rocket salad and sweet cherry tomato with basil and chef’s dressing. Cheese lovers will love this fresh cheese that simply melts in your mouth.

Of course, you cannot not have pizza. Highly recommended is the Pizza Calabrese ($26) from the Calabria region of Italy.

It is a classic thin crust pizza topped with mozzarella, pepperoni salami, roasted black olives and sun-dried tomatoes over a simple tomato sauce.

For your pasta, order the Spaghetti Costiera ($25), featuring a mix of classic spaghetti pasta and succulent prawns, made rich with shellfish reduction and grated mullet Bottarga. If you love black paste, try their Linguini Nero di Mare ($26) prepared with squid ink. This delectable pasta is cooked with mussels, squid, clams, prawns and crayfish in a rich tomato sauce.

The traditional Tiramisu ($14) is a simple yet fitting ending to your Italian meal. This home-made dessert is spiked with an Amaretto Kahlua reduction for that distinct flavour.

Foodie Tip: Get the Tiramisu as part of the 2-course ($17++) or 3-course set lunch. The Main choices include Lasagna Classic, Branzino Mediteranneo (pan-fried seabass), Penne Rosa (penne pasta with smoked salmon), and Lamb Shank Stinco D’agnello (braised lamb shank with mashed potato).

Chalerm Thai
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-85
Tel: +65 6715 6875
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Thai restaurant with delicious Tom Yum Goong, Pai Thai and Pineapple Fried Rice
Named after the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater in Bangkok, Chalerm Thai is your outlet for all things Thai. Drop by for a comforting lunch or dinner filled with traditional Thai fare from appetisers down to desserts.

Their menu offers a selection of rice and noodle dishes, soups, salads, Thai-style curries, seafood mains and many more popular dishes from the Land of Smiles.

You can’t go wrong with the Tom Yum Goong ($15), a Thai-style spicy and sour seafood soup that is a staple in any Thai meal. In fact, this is one of the best versions I had in Singapore of late.

Its warmth and spice will perk you up and open up your appetite for more. Seafood lovers will love the mix of prawns, fish, clams, mussels and squid.

Looking for a rice dish? The Khao Phad Sapoarod ($15) is a pineapple-based fried rice with a distinctly sweet savoury taste. It’s fun to bite into the sweet, juicy chunks of fresh pineapple, and the crunch of cashew nuts. The additional raisins provide a different kind of sweetness to the dish, served topped with a sprinkling of shrimp floss.

The traditional dessert Kao Neow Muang ($10) is the best ending to your Thai meal. This sticky rice dessert has a rich and creamy coconut taste that blends with the sweetness of thick fresh mango slices.

Foodie Tip: Similarly, a 2-course lunch at Chalerm Thai goes for $17++, and 3-course at 22++, applicable daily. Main course selection includes Tom Yum Sen, Phad Thai Kung, Kao Phad Gai (chicken fried rice), or Krob Phad Kra Pao Gai (stir-fried Thai basil chicken with steamed jasmine rice).

Capitol Milk Bar
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-84B
Tel: +65 6715 6874
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Modern day reincarnation of the iconic Magnolia Snack Bar
Looking for a place to bring your family for a fun, wholesome diner experience? Head out to Capitol Milk Bar where it recreates the iconic Magnolia Snack Bar from the 60s.

Your folks will probably remember it as the go-to snack place for movie-goers at the old Capitol Building.

This all-American themed diner captures the nostalgia of the golden era with its offerings of burgers, hot dogs, milkshake and ice cream. Plus, a touch of European with the profiteroles — ice cream-filled choux pastry drizzled with hot choco sauce, vanilla Chantilly and roasted almonds.

Expect to see these timeless classic items in the menu but given a modern flair.

For instance, their burgers and sandwiches come with special buns baked fresh daily in-house. You have a choice of either charcoal brioche bun, multi-grain bun, or sesame wheat bun. Highly recommended is the “Capitol” ($19), made with a Black Angus beef patty (up to 150g) in an egg wrap and topped with cheddar and a creamy black pepper mushroom sauce.

Relive the good ole days with their signature ice creams, milk shakes, and floats. Share an order of The Capitol Milk Bar Banana Split ($15), an upgraded version of perhaps your childhood fave. Enjoy scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream alongside with caramelised banana raisin, banana vanilla espuma, freeze dried banana and banana rum glaze.

Throw in a local flavour with the “Singapore Dash Milkshake” aka Chendol Milk Shake ($14), prepared with red bean, pandan jelly, gula Melaka and coconut flakes. Slightly on the sweet side, but rich and indulgingly-good.

Berthold Delikatessen
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-84
Tel: +65 6715 6872
Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Sophisticated European-style café for sandwiches, cakes and coffee
Named after hotel founder Berthold Kempinski, Berthold Delikatessen is a stylish European-style café that offers the best of traditional German delicatessen.

Here you can conveniently pair their signature Berthold house coffee or the Andraschko German blend with any of their wide selection of breads, rolls, pastries.

There aren’t many local bakeries that offer these traditional German-style baked goods, such as classic Bretzel, Bauernbrot aka farmer’s bread, and the braided Hefezopf ($7 to $9). At Berthold, they have it fresh every day.

If you prefer something more filling like sandwiches or salads, try the Berthold Signature Dark Rye Sourdough with Pastrami Ham ($14), a classic combination of the mildly sour break and the saltiness of the ham.

Or go for the Charcoaled Brioche ($14) served with either Chicken or Smoked Salmon for a lighter flavour.

For the salads (everything at $8 each), they have the colourful and chunky Beetroot Salad and Swabian Potato Salad, a traditional regional salad made with beef broth, German mustard and vinegar. Or go the healthier route via a Classic Waldorf Salad with Walnut ($8), served with sliced apples, celery, mayonnaise, and chopped walnuts.

Round up your deli experience by bringing some quiches, pies and cakes (I say go for the Black Forest cake), or have them for your afternoon tea.

El Teatro Tapas
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-83
Tel: +65 6715 6875
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Theatre of Spanish flavours, from tapas to paellas
Explore the flavours of Spain at El Teatro Tapas, a stage for the best tapas, Spanish paella, and bar drinks this side of town.

Tapas range from hot to cold so you’re bound to encounter your fave snack and nibblers here. Whether you’re craving for a cold soup like gazpacho from Andalusia, or some grilled tuna from La Parrilla, you’ll find it at El Teatro.

For the quintessential Spanish Paella, you will have a number of choices. The Classic Paella de Marisco ($30) is a good starting point for its classic mix of seafood, while Paella de Pollo ($28) is specially made for those who really just want chicken.

Indulge with the Paellas de Bogavante ($40), filled with sweet juicy chunks of lobsters or try the crowd-fave Paella Mixta ($30), combining the best of both worlds, a medley of seafood and chicken for a true Spanish party.

For dessert, there is no better way than to end your meal with a traditional Churros Con Chocolate ($12), a very typical Spanish sweet treat. Or try the rich and creamy hand-whisked Crema de Mi Abuela ($12), a Spanish pudding made with custard cream

Foodie Tip: Get an appetiser with main (or main and dessert) for $17++; or appetiser with main and dessert at $22++. Exciting choices for main include Berenjenas a La Miel (eggplant with honey), Croquetas De Pollo (chicken, mushroom or prawn croquette), Gambas Al Ajillo (garlic prawns), or Atun Con Verduras A La Parrilla (tuna with grilled vegetables).

Katachi Style
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-82
Tel: +65 6241 6447
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm Last Order 2:15pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:45pm (Mon – Sun)

Wide variety of Japanese classics including Chirashi Don and Unagi Jyu
Katachi Style is the newest addition to Capitol Singapore, helmed by veteran Chef Keiji Matoba, a haven for Japanese sushi lovers.

Grab a quick lunch via its a la carte menu, a set of dishes made using fresh ingredients specially sourced from Japan for that authentic taste. All these are a product of Chef Keiji’s years of experience in fine dining establishments around the world. His style combines the beauty of nature and modern culinary techniques.

You’ll have ample of choices from sushi to sashimi, from tempura to grilled meats, noodles and desserts.

For lunch, expect a more casual feel as you go for bento-style set meals. Each set comes with a main dish, assorted appetisers, ie scallop nigiri, aburi salmon maki, and pork tonkatsu.

The Chirashi Don ($38) is a must order from the menu, a mountain of rice topped with thick-slices of fresh sushi. If you love the unique flavor of eel, go for the Grilled Unagi Jyu (On Rice) ($34)

For a more relaxed meal, try this joint in the evening. Treat a friend or a business associate for dinner, where you can have a more pampered style of dining with individually-plated dishes.

Katachi Sushi
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-82
Tel: +65 6241 6447
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm Last Order 1:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Experience Japanese omakase by Chef Keiji Matoba
Katashi Sushi boasts of authentic hand-formed sushi meticulously prepared by a sushi artisan, Chef Keiji Matoba.

Here you can satisfy your seafood cravings in a private and exclusive space.

With its wide array of sushi selection, it’s easy to get lost. Start with the “Hana’ Sushi Course ($140), featuring amuse-bouche/3 appetizers, umami soup, 2 kinds of sashimi, 9 kinds of sushi, miso soup, and dessert.

Or the “Ten” Sushi Course ($180), which includes an additional sashimi and sushi, and Inaniwa udon noodles.

For intense cravings, getting the Katashi Omakase Course ($240) is advisable. You’re in for some amuse-bouche/3 appetizers, followed by umami soup and a specially prepared delicacy, uni (sea urchin). You get 3 kinds of fresh sashimi, plus the day’s catch aka Today’s Simmer Fish.

For the main event, you get Wagyu Steak and 9 kinds of premium sushi. The set also includes Inaniwa Udon Noodle, and a dessert to cap off your meal.

Dine at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski X DFD Exclusive Promotion
Have a meal at any of the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski restaurants recommended above (min. spent $10), and receive a $10 mall voucher which can be used at any participating outlets at Capitol Singapore.

T&C:
– Dine at any of the 8 recommended restaurants above at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski to qualify, with minimum expenditure of $10.
– Redeem voucher at Capitol Singapore’s concierge counter from 10:30 am to 10:30pm daily
– Show receipt with min. $10 spend (same day receipts).
– Quote “DanielFoodDiary” upon redemption.
– Redeem a $10 voucher (with 3 months validity) to be used at participating outlets in the mall.
– Voucher redemption ends at the end of December or when 100 vouchers have been redeemed.

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with The Capitol Singapore.

Other than Restoran Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh, another Malaysian brand that just reached our shores is Go Noodle House.

No need to drive to JB liao – at least for this?

Go Noodle House has opened at the basement of 313@somerset to relatively long queue.

The casual eatery is known for its fish bone broth along with Jiangxi province-style silky mixian – made fresh every day in Malaysia based on a secret recipe.

That same noodles is delivered to Singapore.

Talking about the soup, the master stock is said to be steeped by more than 40 types of fish bones including tenggiri or mackerel (which sits in a secret location in Shah Alam kept safe behind a fireproof wall.)

This is then transported in -20°C frozen blocks across the border. Wah!

I must say that I was slightly confused (or overwhelmed) by the extensive menu.

To make things easier for you, the signature dishes include Bursting Meatballs in family recipe fish bone broth ($10.90), Handmade Fish Paste ($10.90) and GO trio platter ($12.90) with Five Spice Meat Roll, Crispy Fuchuk and Goin Coin (something like the bak kwa).

Singapore exclusives are Fresh Fish Slice (usually tenggiri or mackerel), Australian ribeye slices and frog (to be introduced later).

You get a choice between the “superior soup” or “homemade spicy soup” with mixian or fine bee hoon. I was recommended to try the original superior soup which had the mellow taste of hua diao jiu.

I was actually keener to try out the Dry Pan Mee, and so ordered a Special Dark Sauce with Onsen Egg ($8.90).

After adding some of those bursting meatballs, pork balls and enoki mushrooms, the bill for a bowl reached up to more than $20 though.

All the pan mee are made at every outlet twice a day, every day. The differences between Malaysia and Singapore are mainly they do not offer tear pan mee in Singapore (only thick and thin).

The pan mee comes with separate servings of fried shallots, fried anchovies, and minced pork which you can add separately.

I wasn’t that bowled over by the special dark sauce, which I thought was missing an ”oomph” factor (perhaps because I have had many good dry Ban Mian in Singapore), but the addition of the chilli sauce made it shiokingly-delicious.

The signature bursting meatballs are made of pork and filled with minced pork, which may remind you of Fuzhou fishballs.

While they were indeed juicy, there wasn’t that big-bursting effect that I would have imagined.

While yes, you can get that same noodles across the Causeway at a fraction of the price, or even find delicious dry Pan Mee around in Singapore, I think what Orchard Road needs are more eateries like this – comfort food you can have on a daily basis, yet in a comfortable environment.

GO Noodle House Singapore
313 Orchard Road, #B3-37/38 313@Somerset, Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun) Note: The restaurant will close from 3pm – 6pm from now till 9 December 2019.)

Other Related Entries
Congee Legend (Geylang Road)
The Coconut Club (Ann Siang)
Downstairs (UE BizHub East)
Chef Kang Prawn Noodle House (Toa Payoh)
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Talk about one of the best steakhouses in Singapore, and Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore will always come to mind.

Known for its exceptional prime ribs, the multi-awarded Lawry’s at the Mandarin Gallery is a top destination for steak and meat lovers in Singapore.

This 170-seater restaurant is known to serve the best of American cuisine in a sleek and elegant ambiance.

The added bonus is that the restaurant overlooks the bustling Orchard Road through panoramic 4-meter floor-to-ceiling windows. (Great especially if you intend to head there for shopping before or after your meal).

Lawry’s has always been known for the place for celebrations – may it be a birthday, anniversaries, and even wedding proposals.

You have different dining venues available, including the Main Dining Hall, a Grand Bar, and six private Dining Rooms for private or corporate events, anniversary, birthday and other festivities. Simply go online and reserve your table for up to 15 guests, plus kids if you are bringing some to your party.

The good news is, Citi Cardmembers can get up to 40% OFF a la carte food items (more details at the bottom of the post), giving you more reasons to head down for an indulgent meal.

Choose from any of their a la carte lunch and dinner menus, as well as set meals for kids, and a selection of desserts. Here’s more:

Lawry’s Cut ($120 for 285g)
What makes the rib roasts utterly tender is the aging process that takes up to 28 days.

In addition, the meats are slowly roasted on beds of rock salt. This allows the juices to flow inwards and ensure a uniformly succulent meat.

The Lawry’s Cut that I had was indeed blushing pink all the way through, really meaty yet still juicy and almost melt-in-your-mouth tender.

I think it is not just about the rib roast that it appealing, but how it is presented. Incorporating theatrics into your meal, the carvers serve juicy, flavourful standing rib roast meats from their famous Silver Carts.

The meat is carved to order right by your tableside, and the friendly staff will do some explanation about the cuts – adding some interactivity.

This is served alongside with their famed US Idaho mashed potatoes. You may choose to order ala-carte accompaniments from the Silver Wagon, such as creamed spinach, creamed corn, buttered peas or the Silverside Trio, which is a mixture of everything.

Special mention goes to the Idaho russet potatoes cooked in hearth ovens. These whole potatoes are whipped with milk and butter to achieve that smooth and creamy consistency.

This is complete with a table-side showmanship of the Original Spinning Bowl Salad. The salad is spun on a bed of ice- mixes up crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce, together with baby spinach, shredded beets, chopped eggs and crunchy baked croutons.

For the dressing, they are tossed in the exclusive Lawry’s vintage dressing. And did you know you get a chilled fork with this salad?

Accompanying the rib roasts are Lawry’s signature Yorkshire pudding, a crisp bread you can use to soak up all the meat juices.

Specially baked in individual copper skillets, the pudding complements that additional sides you’re getting.

Level up the flavours with some whipped cream horseradish, a blend of whipped cream and some biting grated fresh horseradish.

For those with hearty appetites who love an extra-thick cut, you can go for the “Diamond Jim Brady” Cut ($180 for 450g). Other cuts available include the Singapore Cut ($75 for 130g), California Cut ($80 for 160g), and English Cut ($95 for 200g).

Atlantic Lobster Dinner ($95)
Lawry’s Atlantic Lobster Dinner serves you a trio of broiled lobster tails with drawn butter for a rich, velvety taste. Comes with mashed potatoes made from US Idaho potatoes, and sautéed mix vegetables.

If you typically find consuming lobsters slightly messy, worry not as the hard gloriously-succulent flesh has been skilfully removed from the hard-shells.

I had quite a number of lobsters of late, but these babies were indeed sweet-tasting and tenderly-juicy. A dip into the drawn butter just seals the deal.

Also available is an Atlantic Lobster Duo ($73) during lunch. Head off to the Atlantic for a taste of the freshest lobster tails without leaving the city.

Hokkaido Scallops ($35)
Order this starter and get four pieces of these prized scallops, specially sourced from Hokkaido, Japan.

Cooked by searing over high temperature, the scallops retain their succulence without being tough and dry.

Enjoy them with the accompanying strawberry and mango salsa, for that sweet and tangy flavour combo.

Pan Seared Goose Foie Gras ($39)
You can add a luxurious note to your meal with this pan-seared goose foie gras, a popular French delicacy.

The sliced fattened goose liver is flash seared on high heat on both sides to keep it rare –as this retains its rich flavour and silky texture.

Lawry’s Mudpie ($18)
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with this all-time favourite. Take a delicious digestive biscuit top it with a combination of Häagen-Dazs vanilla, coffee & chocolate ice cream, all drizzled with an irresistible hot fudge.

Traditional Tiramisu ($18)
Another popular favourite is this Italian specialty made with the finest Italian mascarpone cheese, with strong coffee and alcoholic taste from a mixture of Grand Marnier, Kahlua and Marsala Wine.

Promotion for Citi Cardmembers:
1 person dining – 15% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 1 main course
2 persons dining – 40% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 2 main courses
3 persons dining – 30% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 3 main courses
4 persons dining and above – 20% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 4 main courses

T&C:
– The Promotion period is till 20th December 2019.
– Under the Promotion, a Citi Cardmember will enjoy the offers on a la carte food items at Lawry’s The Prime Rib when payment is charged to his/her Citibank Debit/Credit Card.
– Promotion is valid on a la carte food items only, excluding beverages, promotional items, set menus, government taxes and service charge.
– Promotion is valid daily during lunch and dinner.
– Promotions are valid for dine-in customers only, takeaway items are not included. Other T&C apply.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore
333A Orchard Road, #04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery, Mandarin Orchard Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 6836 3333
Email: reservations@lawrys.com.sg
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:30am – 10:30pm (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore.

Looking for a Halal, group-friendly restaurant to dine at Jewel Changi Airport?

The halal-certified Commons is a family-friendly place that also caters to vegetarian guests.

Located right next to the picturesque HSBC Rain Vortex, Commons is an ideal venue for your next gathering with family and friends in between travels or just about any occasion.

As there are long tables and spacious seating available that can easily accommodate you and you company, Commons is recommended for guests who dine in groups, whether big or small.

You don’t have to worry about menu options and portion sizes as they have sharing platters.

Food selection is diverse as they specialise in specially crafted Asian-Fusion delights, from appetisers to desserts. And with its all-new, fully revamped menu just launched, you can expect more unique items to choose from.

Be ready to tease your palate with their signature dishes such as the locally-inspired Satay Chicken Griller. Go Thai-style with their Sticky Lamb Ribs, or try a fusion of Mexican and Asian flavours with the Lamb Wanton Tacos.

The crowd-fave Oven-Baked Chicken Thigh shouldn’t be missed, as well as classics like Double Truffle Fries and Spicy Prawn and Classic Hawaiian Pizza.

The Meat Feast ($65, serves 3-4 pax)
This chef-recommended dish serves a group of 3-4 diners offering assorted meats that will please any carnivore foodie.

The entire platter includes a bountiful spread of Sticky Lamb Ribs, Satay Chicken Griller, a succulent rib-eye steak, and Italian chicken sausages.

Worthy of mention is the Sticky Lamb Ribs ($38 full, $28 half if ordered ala carte). This sticky rendition of tender baby back lamb ribs is slow cooked for 8 hours, resulting in a smoky savoury flavour. Served with a finger-lickin’ good sweet and sticky sauce, with a mild spice level for a little bit of heat.

Also included is the Satay Chicken Griller ($18 if ordered ala carte). The chicken gets the nod of spicy food lovers, featuring a whole thigh grilled to precision. Adding a layer of flavour and aroma is a fragrant and nutty satay sauce you can dip into.

Complementing your feast fare are baked creamy Japanese sweet potato, roasted baby carrots, asparagus spears & vine tomatoes. Both a visual and gustatory stunner.

Commons Platter ($22, serves 3 – 4 pax)
Dining with your pals? Get the Commons Platter which can feed 3 really hungry diners or 4 with regular appetites.

Combining oozy and creamy cheddar cheese sticks, crispy breaded chicken cutlets, fries drizzled with nacho cheese & mayo, spicy prawn wanton tacos.

Everything is balanced out with a side of fresh salad to rest your palate in between tastings.

Sweet & Smoky Chicken Wings ($12)
Bring in the element of fun with these sweet & smoky chicken wings, the ultimate finger food for every party.

Each wing is coated with an irresistible honey Sriracha sauce that gives you the best of both worlds – sweet and spicy combined guaranteed to excite your taste buds.

Be ready to get messy though as the sauce is on the sticky side.

Lamb Wanton Tacos ($9)
Whet up your appetite with these starters, featuring pulled lamb meat and assorted salad veggies stuffed in wanton skin tacos.

A word of caution for those who have an aversion for spicy dishes as this appetiser is drizzled with Sriracha mayo, finished off with a dash a lime cutting through the creaminess of the dressing.

Soba Salad ($10, with Chicken Char Siew additional $2)
Add in a salad to your meal and get the Soba Salad with an optional Chicken Char Siew.

Joining the party are French beans, shiitake mushrooms, carrots & purple cabbage intermingling with a sweet-savoury honey soy dressing.

The cold soba noodles, cooked to the right texture, are the star of the dish.

Gula Melaka Banana Lopes ($12)
Moving on to the sweets… add in some local flavours to your sweet meal endings and get these delectable pandan-infused glutinous rice balls.

Their chewy goodness is complemented with some sweet, soft, caramelised banana slices and a drizzle of sweet gula melaka. Warning: sweetness overload up ahead.

Salted Caramel Waffle with Apple Berry Crisp ($16)
Here’s a sweet-salty combo to cap off your meal, combining a stack of crispy-edged and fluffy waffles blanketed with apples, berries and crumbly oats.

The rich salted caramel sauce is slathered all over, then finished off with a topping of Cookies & Cream ice cream.

Milo Beast ($8), Bandung Chin Chow ($6)
End your meal with a bang with this beast of a beverage. Drown your worries away in this all-time fave, pumped up with Milo powder for extra energy.

You get an iced chocolate drink served with a scoop of Milo-flavoured ice cream (yes!), then topped with a generous squeeze of luscious whipped cream dusted off with a sprinkling of Milo powder.

If not, quench your thirst with a refreshing Bandung Chin Chow, combining two favourite local drinks with the creaminess of rose syrup with milk and cooling grass jelly.

Commons Jewel Changi Airport X DFD Promo:
– Get 10% OFF total bill, applicable for ala carte/set menu items.
– Valid till 31st Jan 2020 for dine-in or takeaway.
– Flash this post and quote “DanielFoodDiary10” during payment to enjoy discount.

– Valid for one redemption per transaction only.

Commons @ Jewel Changi Airport
#B1-289/290 78 Airport Boulevard Jewel Changi Airport Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6242 9542
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommonsSG
Instagram: @CommonsSG

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Commons.

If you often travel up to Johor Bahru when you crave for the Malaysian-style claypot herbal style Bak Kut Teh, well… you can have it now without travelling across the Causeway, right at Holland Village.

The famous Restoran Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh 哥打正宗肉骨茶 first gained popularity as a pushcart stall at Kota Tinggi, and subsequently expanded to Johor Bahru.

They do get a lot of Singaporeans patronising the restaurant, and therefore the thought of opening up in Singapore; also to offer us something different in terms of soup styles.

In Singapore, we typically get three styles of Bak Kut Teh which is the peppery Teochew style (the most commonly found), Hokkien style which incorporates dark soy sauce, and strong herbal-flavoured Cantonese style.

Kota Zheng Zong uses a 39 years-old recipe, and is quite unlike those we may be used to.

I would say it is in between the Cantonese and Hokkien styles, so you get fragrant and robust soup yet with that touch of herb-flavour. Menu highlights include:

Herbal Claypot Bak Kut Teh (Spare Pork Ribs, $11.90, $28.90, $49.90; Premium Pork Ribs $12.90, $29.90, $53.90)
While most traditional Bak Kut Teh uses pork off-cuts to brew their soup, Kota Zheng Zong’s recipe includes various parts of the pig from ribs, belly, leg and tail. When you see all that fatty belly boiling in the rich stock, you know you are in for good stuff.

These parts are boiled together with a mix of 18 Chinese herbs and dark soy sauce for about 2 hours to achieve that complex-tasting broth.

Diners can add on other pork parts such as pork belly, and I would recommend including as Button Mushrooms ($1) and crispy sheets of Fried Beancurd Skin ($1) – which is a highlight to me. (Especially when you semi-soak it in the broth till it is still part-crispy.)

As I have tried the original version at Restoran Kota Zheng Zong, I would say that the Singapore’s take does not depart too far off.

You get that hearty, flavourful soup with mild-tasting herbal notes (not as strong as what you may expect) and surprisingly not that oily at all.

The pork ribs were meaty and tender – almost fall off the bones.

The main difference is that I remembered the JB’s version remain hotter throughout, perhaps because the soups are cooked over claypot there and also we consume this under air-con here.

For a more novel dining experience, you can even have your soup spiked with a shot of Hua Tiao Rice Wine ($0.90), Hennessy VSOP ($3.90) or Martell Cordon Bleu ($10.90).

Spanish Iberico in White Pepper Soup or Herbal Soup ($15.90, $39.90)
You can also go for a ‘luxe’ rendition of the Bak Kut Teh with Spanish Iberico pork ribs.

The Ibercio ribs have a higher fat composition and more tender texture compared to the normal pork we get (I also read that the fats are healthier than the fats from usual pork). There is also none of that ‘porky’ aftertaste that I know most diners are not fancy of.

If you typically enjoy the Teochew peppery style of Bak Kut Teh, then you can opt for the White Pepper Soup; cooked with Sarawak white pepper and fresh chives.

I enjoyed that there is a certain mellowness in the broth, and was delicately-sweet.

In terms of pepperiness level, I would say this is somewhere in the middle and they can probably afford to up it a notch more just to add that kick.

Other than spare ribs, you can also go for the White Pepper Pig’s Maw Soup ($11.90, $28.90) or White Pepper Pork Tendon ($10.90, $24.90).

Braised Pig’s Trotter ($12.90, $31.90)
While Ter Kah may not be my kind of usual food, these braised pork trotters were so moist, tender and savoury-flavourful.

And that sauce… when you pour it over a bowl of steaming white rice and add some chilli padi, it is good enough to eat it on its own.

The pork trotters here are slow-cooked in special recipe of dark soy sauce with other aromatics till soft, so that the fat would meltingly dissolve in your mouth.

All Bak Kut Teh are recommended to be paired with these side dishes:

Fried You Tiao ($1.90)

Braised Taupok ($3.90)

Chinese Lettuce ($5.90, $8.90)

Muar Mackerel Otah ($9.90) must-get

When the eatery opened to feedback of slow service and long waiting times during opening days, they have ironed operational-hiccups and processes are a lot smoother now.

Nothing quite like a piping hot claypot of flavourful broth that sends that feeling of comfort in the belly. I think this is a style of Bak Kut Teh Singaporeans will like, and they should be able to expand further.

Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh Singapore
15A Lorong Liput, Singapore 277742
Opening Hours: 11am – 3:30pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri) 11am – 11pm (Sat), 11am – 10pm (Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/ ZhengZongBKTsg

* This entry is brought to you in partnership by Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh.

Hearty zi char dishes with Tiger Beer right next to Jewel Changi Airport’s Canopy Park?

Though Tiger Beer is truly Singaporean with its first brew made in Singapore in 1932, the brand has a global presence – you’ll find it across the world in more than 50 markets. Something Singaporeans can be proud of.

What you may not know is there is a Tiger Street Lab located at Level 5 of Jewel Changi Airport.

(Also look out for the “DFDTIGER” promo to enjoy 10% discount of ALL beers in the single receipt. Promotion valid until 31st January 2020.)

This is its first-ever global concept store, where it collaborates with different local talents to create enticing local dishes and merchandise.

Other than seasonal brews and personalised beer bottles, you can expect local street food and zi char favourites cooked up by the chefs of Da Shi Jia 大食家.

This includes a diverse menu of local food faves such as Wok-fried King Prawn White Bee Hoon, Handmade Beancurd Skin Prawn Roll, Indonesian Curry King Prawns, and the Trio-Sampler of Sambal Quail Eggs, Salt Pepper Shrimps and Tiger Infused Crispy Baby Sotong – with some dishes incorporating unique beer flavours.

Here are some of the delectable dishes you can try when you visit this innovative concept:

Wok-fried King Prawn White Bee Hoon ($18.80)
The must-get there. If you have been or heard of Da Shi Jia 大食家大大大虾面 at Killiney Road, this is the one dish that earned high praise and even a 3 star ”Food King Good” rating.

This signature dish is cooked up with white bee hoon noodles in a rich prawn broth that gives it its intense seafood flavour. Totally comforting especially when the thin vermicelli has absorbed some of that stock.

That is because the broth used is simmered for a number of hours using wild sea-caught prawns for that sweetness and umami-ness, making the base slurp-worthy.

The wok hei in this dish is evident, and large king prawns which have soft yet bouncy texture are generously topped to make this noodle dish quite filling.

Pork Ribs King ($15.80)
For starters, you can go for this filling dish of pork ribs, prepared boneless for convenience.

That lovely golden-brown colour and crispy texture, contrasted with tender meat, is enough to make your mouth water.

Other than the Pork Ribs King, another option is the Pork Belly Char Siew ($13.80) – thin slices of meat which are are succulent and tender, with well-balanced sweet and savoury sauce.

You can also experience the Pork Ribs King and Char Siew in fuss-free rice bowls, available $8.80 during weekday lunch.

Grilled NZ Grass-fed Sirloin ($28.80)
A hefty 200g serving of sirloin specially sourced from New Zealand is the star of this dish.

The beef fillet is prepared sous-vide style to ensure maximum tenderness to the core. Once tender, it is then grilled with precision to the right level of doneness.

Served with a savoury sauce that complements the smoky charred taste of the meat. The sauce is inspired by the “ginger and spring onions” (姜葱) dishes, lending a sense of local familiarity in this Western dish.

Indonesian Curry King Prawns ($34.80)
Splurge on this dish if you love curry, as it is served with King Prawns drenched in an Indonesian-style curry.

Each order comes with 3 pieces of mini mantou – crispy fried buns that will soak up all that yummy semi-thick curry sauce.

This Indonesian-style curry is said to be from a family-recipe, and reminded me of a cross between aromatic Peranakan-style which is mildly-spicy; and Indian fish curry with savoury and umami flavours.

Needless to say, we almost wiped the gravy clean.

Also a chef’s recommended item in the menu, be sure to order this as one of your seafood dishes. Other seafood dishes available include Salt Pepper Crispy Shrimps with Curry Leaves ($14.80), Nonya Sambal Stingray ($16.80), and Pickled Garlic Fried Barramundi Fillet ($18.80).

Handmade Beancurd Skin Prawn Roll ($15.80)
A chef’s recommendation, this dish features generous chunks of minced prawns encased in a crispy bean curd skin.

Tiger-Infused Crispy Baby Sotong ($15.80)
These baby sotong (sotong kia) are allowed to mingle with a refreshing Tiger Radler Lemon beer as a marinade and fried until crispy.

These are fried till golden-brown and really crunchy, good as a nibble with drinks.

Tiger Beer-Battered Assortment ($18.80)
This Tiger-infused special is available for lunch and dinner, featuring assorted battered meats, fruits, and veggies including Tiger-beer battered chicken, banana, baby squids, mushrooms, and scallops.

Playfully arranged and presented as crunchy “eggs” on a nest of crisp rice noodles. Recommended for those who enjoy the crunch in every bite.

There is also a surprise element within, in which one piece is deep-fried with wasabi. Try to find it, and let the ‘lucky’ one be in for a treat.

Tiger Beer champions and supports not only Singapore food but also local talents. At Tiger Street Lab, you’ll find unconventional artworks and customised merchandise designed by local talents.

You can even personalise your own Tiger Beer bottle label through its interactive digital customisation station.

Tiger Street Lab X DFD Promo
Quote “DFDTIGER” to cashier when you visit Tiger Street Lab and enjoy 10% discount of ALL beers in the single receipt. Promotion valid until 31st January 2020.

Tiger Street Lab
Jewel Changi Airport, 78 Airport Blvd, #05-205, Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6243 2047
Opening Hours: 10am – 12am (Sun – Thurs), 9am – 1am (Fri – Sat)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Tiger Street Lab.