This under-the-radar Korean restaurant is where you can go to satisfying cravings of “Chimaek” – Korean Fried Chicken with beer.

Other than the Original Fried Chicken ($18, $36), you can look out for big portions of Soy Garlic Chicken ($20, $38), Seasoned Chilli Chicken ($20, $38), and Spicy BBQ Sauce Chicken ($20, $38).

Something unique to Come N Joy is the Lemon Cheese Chicken ($20, $38), created by the owner Michelle Lee. This dish sees deep-fried chicken tossed with lemon sauce, then topped over with melted cheese, creating a creamy meets tangy outer coating.

You can also expect other casual Korean dishes of Seafood Ramyun ($12.80), Bulgogi Bibimbao ($13.80) and Spicy Pork with Rice ($15.80) and Kimchi Stew with Mackerel Pike.

Come N Joy
Millenia Walk #01-26, 9 Raffles Boulevard, 039596
Tel: +65 6338 3831
Opening Hours: Lunch 11.30am – 3.00pm, Last order 2.30pm
Dinner 5.30pm – 11:00pm, Last order 10.30pm
Sunday: 5.30pm – 9.30pm, Last order 9.00pm

Other Related Entries
Ho Rang I (Novena)
Dookki Singapore (Suntec City)
Daejon House (Havelock II Mall)
Hansul Korean Dining Bar (Tanjong Pagar)
Donjjang (Mohamed Sultan Road

The post Come N Joy – Lemon Cheese Korean Fried Chicken At Millenia Walk appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

There is a friend who loved, loved, loved every restaurant under Chef Beppe De Vito, from &SONS,
Osteria Art, Amò, Aura to ilLido. I will sometimes ask skeptically, “Really?” There is another who happens to be the reverse.

I fall somewhere in the middle, and decided to head for Braci anyway after it was awarded one star in the
Singapore Michelin Guide 2017.

Braci is a rooftop bar and restaurant by Chef Beppe De Vito, perched on the rooftop of a restored heritage shophouse at 52 Boat Quay, along the Singapore River.

Finding the restaurant may not be as easy as it seemed, so look out for a Korean Fried Chicken shop called Chicken & Beer, and head upstairs via the elevator.

The casual-luxe 20 seater open concept restaurant and the 30-seater bar features progressive Italian cuisine made using modern techniques.

The open concept kitchen also allows diners to interact with the chef and have a full view of their meal being prepared in front of them.

I was surprised to see Chef Beppe De Vito, THE MAN himself behind the kitchen, and he said he would be there almost every day.

Braci is Italian for “embers”, and highlights the main cooking method at the restaurant. inspired by the ‘primitive’ cooking methods of using wood, it attempts to uplift classic Italian cuisine through the use of the Josper oven and the shichirin grill.

On the flipside, the restaurant also feels warmer than usual, with another dining partner feeling the heat. Another friend texted me during during dinner time, ”Why Braci so hot” She meant it quite literally.

Degustation menus are available (only for the whole table) – 4 course Surprise for 100++, 5 course Epicurean at 150++, and 6-course Gourmand at 200++.

Some of the signatures include the Hand Dived Scallop ($28++), Beef Tartare ($28++), Risotto ($48++), Pork Cheek ($78++ for two), Seabass ($48++), Roasted Pigeon ($58++), and Pumpkin Pie ($18++).

Signature drinks at the bar include the G&T ($25++), Gin Marconi ($17++), Bombay Sapphire ($18++), and Boulevardier ($24++).

I had the Lunch Menu, priced at $48++, and I thought it provided quality food at good value for a starred restaurant.

The bread was already impressive, as Chef quipped, ”It is so good it is protected by law.”

What he meant was that the bread of Pane Toscano is given a status by the EU law which guarantees the authenticity of speciality foods from a specific geographic origin.

It was crusty and rustic, downright delicious on its own. No butter needed.

Though I am not typically a Tartare person, the Tuna Tartare with a subtle aroma of truffle was fresh-tasting and delectable, best spread on the bite-sized crostini on the side.

The Tagliolini topped with red prawn tasted like it was cooked in some bisque, so every strand was flavourful with a good bite. (The pasta was more al dente and firm than usual, which I liked.)

In contrast, another pasta dish I ordered – Japanese Sea Urchin Tagliolini ($58++) tasted more predictable and lacked of a remarkable element.

The Beef Tenderloin cooked with borettane (Italian onions) and chanterelles (orange-yellow fungus) had this added element of smokiness on the outside, contrasted with the pinkish tender inside. A not-bad rendition.

While I read in another review that desserts are not its strength, the Strawberry Cheese Cake with elderflower and berries was kind of a highlight of the meal to me.

The dessert was pillow-soft (you could already see it from its appearance) and Japanese-cake-type light, balanced with tangy strawberry jam.

Braci serves up respectable Italian food in an imitate setting, and it is not difficult to understand why it was awarded the Michelin star.

However, I have not fallen head over heels with it yet, and personally preferred Amò under the same umbrella with more colourful choices and energetic vibes.

Braci
Address: 52 Boat Quay, #05-01/ #06-01, 049841 (8-10 min walk from Raffles Place MRT)
Tel: +65 6866 1933
Opening Hours: Restaurant 6:00pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), 12:00pm – 2:00pm (Tues – Fri)
Bar 5:00pm – 12:00am (Mon – Sat) Closed on Sun
http://www.facebook.com/braci.sg

Read: Michelin Guide Singapore – Other DFD Reviews

Other Related Entries
Singapore Michelin Guide 2017 – The Results
Amò (Hong Kong Street)
Angeleno (Gemmil Lane)
Zafferano (Ocean Financial Centre)
Osteria Mozza (Marina Bay Sands)

* 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.

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Zion Riverside Food Centre, also known as Zion Road Food Centre, is a popular hawker centre located directly opposite Great World City – considered one of the prime (aka expensive) locations in Singapore.

However, this is where you can still find affordable eats, with many stalls still being here since as I was young.

During the ‘good old days’, I remember that Zion Road Food Centre is also a popular supper haunt for those who chiong Zouk and clubs nearby (until Spize came along, and many stalls also started closing earlier.)

Even though there are only 32 stalls and it may be one of the smallest food centres around, its offerings definitely do not pale in comparison to any of the other famous ones.

No. 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow
#01-17
Opening Hours: 12.30pm – 10:00pm Daily

Dark, Oily Char Kway Teow Previously Patronised By PM Lee
Easily the stall with the longest queue. The stall sells only Char Kway Teow fried-to-order in varying sizes, with the $3 plate being the basic option.

I found that the rice noodles were darker than usual, due to the substantial addition of the sweet sauce which also gave it a robust flavour.

The plate also came with a good helping of ingredients including cockles, fish cake, egg and Chinese sausages. (I found this much better previously, so I am not its biggest fan.)

It has even been patronised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong before. (Come to think of it, it is one of the nearest food centre to 38 Oxley Road?)

Lau Goh Teochew Chye Thow Kway
#01-26
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 7:00pm – 11:00pm (Mon, Wed – Sat)
10:00am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11:00pm (Sun). Closed Tues

Black and White Carrot Cake by Deaf Hawker
Carrot Cake seller Peter Goh might seem to be your usual hawker at first sight. In fact, he was extremely polite and smiled thoroughly, asking if you wanted more chilli and pepper.

It was only after reading a sign that I realised that he was deaf, and had to take orders by either lip-reading or through gestures.

Disability had not prevented him from taking over this popular stall from his father (who is Lau Goh).

The stall specialises in classic Teochew style carrot cake and sells both black and white carrot cake ($4 onwards depending on portion size). Those who cannot decide between the two options can simply get the black and white mixed version – the best of both worlds.

I found his version to taste ‘healthier’ and less greasy than usual, probably because Peter used vegetable oil instead of lard.

Noo Cheng Adam Road Big Prawn Mee
#01-04
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11.30pm (Mon – Fri)
12:00pm – 1:00am (Sat – Sun)

Hae Mee With Broth That Packs An Umami Punch.
Of all the stalls at Zion Road, this is the one I frequent most often, and I don’t seem to get bored of its taste.

It is a branch of the original at Adam Road, and as such there may be some difference in terms of taste of the two.

The stall serves both dry and soup versions of their signature prawn noodle from $6 onwards. The size and number of the prawns do get progressively larger with the prices, but I always order the most affordable bowl.

Because I am there really for the soup.

Cooked for hours with pork ribs and prawn head, the broth was incredibly tasty (and I don’t get MSG attacks after.)

Boon Tong Kee Kway Chap Braised Duck
#01-24
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm Daily

Tender Braised Duck and Smooth Kway Chap
I initially wondered about the stall name, though it had no relation with the other famous chicken rice of similar name.

Boon Tong Kee Kway Chap Braised Duck specialises in Kway Chap ($3 onwards) which comes with braised eggs, duck meat and other ingredients. I liked that the rice noodles used was smooth and silky.

There are two types of chilli sauce, and I would recommend a combination of both. The thicker chilli for the meats, and the watery type for the kway and beancurd.

The stall is run by a relatively young Madam Yang, and although the recipe was derived from the internet and through experimentation instead of being some age old family recipe, it has already earned the stall popularity from customers.

Mohamed Sultan Road Hot & Cold Cheng Tng
#01-32
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 9:00pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Cheng Tng of Old Family Recipe
I need to tell you that this version of Cheng Tng is different from the traditional types you may be used to.

It comes with canned longans and lychees that may put off some fans of the classic recipe off. The base is also clear (and not brownish), with some of the sweetness coming from the canned syrup (I guess).

The stall only sells a few items, including Hot/Cold Cheng Tng ($2), Ginkgo Nut Longan Soup ($2.50), Ginkgo Nut Soup ($2.50) and Ginkgo Nut Sweet Potato Soup ($2.50). I would usually add on the soft ginkgo nuts.

Xin Fei Fei Wanton Noodle
#01-06
Opening Hours: 9.30am – 3:00pm (Mon – Sun)

Springy Old-School Wanton Mee
Seriously, I have no idea what the relation to the famous Fei Fei Wanton Noodles is. But to no offence to Fei Fei fans, I liked this version more. insert *shocked* emoticon

The stall specialises in Wanton Mee ($3, $4, $5). While it looked plain and unassuming in presentation, once you take a bite, you would know what I mean.

The noodles were thin and springy, coated in this addictive, somewhat lardy sauce. Its slightly plump and crisp deep fried wanton were also worthy of mention. Long queue, long wait.

Ah Wang La Mian Xiao Long Bao
#01-18
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Cooked To Order La Mian and Guo Tie
This is one of the newest stalls in the food centre, taking over the corner unit which changed hands quite frequently. I hope this stays!

Ah Wang La Mian Xiao Long Bao run by a Chinese couple specialises in Guo Tie or Pan Fried Dumplings, Xiao Long Bao ($6 for 10 pieces), and Steamed Pork and Chive Dumplings ($4.50 for 7 pieces).

The Guo Tie had a thin and crisp outside layer, while the fillings of minced meat and vegetables were juicy. The stock within might just spurt out if you eat them hot.

For you woulld prefer something more substantial, you can try the Dan Dan Noodles ($4) or any of the other la mian offerings.

Seng Huat Western Food
#01-12
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9pm (Wed – Sun)

Value for Money Western Food
The stall sells classic western food items such as Fish and Chips ($5) as well as more exotic options such as Ostrich Steak.

They also have Fried Fish rice dish which comes with fried egg for just $3.

If not, go for the old-school classic options such as Grilled Chicken Chop and Chicken Cutlets ($5.50) which comes in sizeable portion of fries and baked beans.

Riverside Good Food
#01-20
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10.30pm (Wed – Mon), 11.30am – 6:00pm (Tues)

Fried White Kway Teow
Okay, this has generally a shorter line than the other Fried Kway Teow stall.

Riverside Good Food sells a variety of local delights such as Fried Hokkien Mee ($3 onwards), and Fried Oyster Omelette ($5 onwards).

The special item here is the White Kway Teow ($4 onwards), which is like normal fried rice noodles without the addition of sweet black sauce. Tasted less flavourful and ‘healthier’, so might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Hock Heng Fish Soup
#01-08
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm (Thurs – Sat), 11:00am – 2:00pm (Sun)

$3 Fresh Fish Soup
Hard to find $3 Fresh Fish Soup nowadays, and it comes in quite a comfortable portion.

Hock Heng Fish Soup is run by an elderly uncle and auntie, who mentioned they just wanted to work a 3-4 days a week.

The Seafood and Fish slices tasted fresh, and the soup base was towards the lighter side. The addition of fried garlic and seaweed added a tinge of aroma and fragrance.

Other Related Entries
Amoy Street Food Centre – 15 Must-Try Stalls
10 Must Try Stalls At Hong Lim Food Centre
10 Must Try Stalls At Maxwell Food Centre
10 Hipster Hawker Food By Hawkerpreneurs In Singapore
10 Singapore Food Bloggers And Their Fav Hawker Food

* 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.

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When something becomes popular in Singapore, many will jump on the bandwagon. Case in point – Tendon 天丼, short for Tempura Donburi 天ぷら丼ぶり. Guess we all need some Tendon-loving-care.

The Japanese rice dish started getting in the radar when Keisuke’s Tendon Ginza Itsuki and Eat At Seven’s Kohaku Tendon opened to great fanfare and long lines.

Within two years, we are seeing Tendon almost everywhere in Singapore, and the trend does not look like it is stopping yet.

A bowl is made of deep fried tempura over a bed of rice, covered in light soy dressing, though some restaurants serves the sauce with salt separately.

One of the best known tempura speciality restaurant is Tenshin at Regent Singapore. Here are 12 other Japanese restaurants in Singapore where you can get your fill of an oishii bowl of Tendon.

Kohaku Tempura
Eat At 7, 3 Temasek Boulevard #03-311 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Opening hours : 11am – 10.30pm (Last Order 10pm)

Tendon Kohaku Boat Quay
64 Circular Road #01-01 Singapore 049418
Tel: +65 6211 8311
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 4:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

Kohaku specialises in Edomae Tendon, where bowls of Hokkaido rice piled with tempura drizzled in a specially made sauce are served. So, so good.

The options are straight forward – the signature Kohaku Tendon ($15), Vegetable Tendon ($14), Spicy Flavour ($15) and Vegetable Spicy Flavour ($14).

This is for once that I liked almost every piece in the bowl, from the sweet soft pumpkin, crunchy long beans to fresh-tasting squid.

My friend didn’t quite like the chicken breast which she thought was dry and chunky, but I found the piece acceptable (maybe because I am so into protein of late).

However, beware of smelling like tempura due to the ventilation issues in the small eatery. (Read: Kohaku Tendon Suntec City)

Kogane Yama
Bugis Junction #02-50, 200 Victoria St, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last orders 9.30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 11pm Last orders 10.30pm (Fri – Sat)
https://www.facebook.com/koganeyama

This should be the only Tendon shop in Singapore that allows diners to customise their own tendon bowl, from the key ingredients (chicken, prawn, vegetable or mixed), to base (rice, soba, udon), sauces (choice of four), and add-ons of chawanmushi and miso soup.

You would find that the tempura looked more yellowish-golden, and upon eating would have a moderate *crunch*, crispier than the average brand – which might have turned soggy sometimes due to the drizzling of the sauces (or otherwise). Kogane Yama (Bugis Junction)

Ami Ami
Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street, #B1-03/04, Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 6835 9071
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 3:00pm, Last Rrder 2.30pm (Mon – Sun)
5.30pm – 10:00pm, Last Order 9.30pm (Mon – Sun)

Ami Ami is a new tempura restaurant at Great World City which offers a Tendon Set ($23.80++, ala carte $20.80++).

See that egg. The must order. Tempura Prawn, vegetable and original egg tempura on rice served with pickles, miso soup and chawanmushi.

The highlight is the Tempura Onsen Egg, first wrapped in deep-fried beancurd skin then deep-fried. Crisp on the outside, oozy on the inside.

Watch it burst, then mix it with the rice or use the runny egg yolk as a dip for the tempura.

Take note, the Tempura Rice Bowl set is limited to only 10 daily. (Why…)

If you add $3.50 for an upgrade, you get a flask of dashi broth. Pour the soup over the tendon (towards the end with some rice), with sprinkled spring onion, shredded nori and a dash of wasabi for a different way of eating. Ami Ami (Great World City)

Haru Haru
61 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 #02-03 Jubilee Square Singapore 569814 (Ang Mo Kio MRT)
Tel: +65 6451 3201
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Thurs), 11:30am – 10pm (Fri-Sun)

Who would have thought? A humble restaurant at Ang Mo Kio’s Jubilee Square actually serves up a decently satisfying bowl of Tendon that could give bigger players a run for its money.

While the menu has another (cheaper) version, order the Premium Tendon ($21.90) which is value for its buck.

The bowl arranged with a deep fried large sea prawn lying across with vegetables below, won us over with its tasty sweet-savoury tendon sauce served separately. This would have been a perfect 10 if the rice was fluffier with a glossy sheen.

Tendon Ginza Itsuki
101 Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088522 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6221 6678
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm
Note: Cash only

This is probably Singapore’s most well-known and IN tendon specialty shop. Located right next to Keisuke’s turf ground of Orchid Hotel, Tendon Ginza Itsuki is a collaboration between him and chef-owner Mr Naoki Takaku of Ginza Itsuki Sushi.

Two types of Japanese Tendon are available – Special Tendon (Tempura Rice Bowl, $13.90) and Vegetable Tendon (Vegetable Tempura Rice Bowl, $12.90.

2 tempura prawns resting on top of a mixture of deep fried vegetables of melon and lady’s finger, slices of chicken breast meat and yolk-oozing tempura egg over a bed of rice, covered in light soy dressing, all in an elegant Arita porcelain bowl.

If only we didn’t leave with our shirts smelling quite like tempura. Oh, the smell. (Read: Tendon Ginza Itsuki Tanjong Pagar)

Ryu’s Japanese Restaurant
Capitol Piazza #01-87, 15 Stamford Road Singapore 178906 (City Hall MRT)
Tel: +65 6384 9087
Opening Hours: 12pm – 12am

While understated and off-the-radar, Ryu’s has become one of my favourite new Japanese restaurants. The tempura chef used to work at Tokyo’s famed Edo style tempura restaurant Tempura Yamanoue Roppongi, whose culinary skill is shown in a deceptively simple bowl of Tendon ($25).

The bowl is filed with 2 prawns and fresh-tasting vegetables, matched with crisp light and airy batter. It has been a long time since I last tasted tempura vegetables this crisp and almost ‘garden-fresh’. I found the oil a wee bit too much, as every bite would leave that gleam on the lips.

Tensho
#B1-20 The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6733 0449
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm (Mon-Thurs), 11:30 am – 10:30 pm (Fri-Sat), 11:30 am – 10:00 pm (Sun)

Tensho opened by Ministry of Food (MOF) serves up just two types of Tendon – Mixed Tendon ($14.90), and Vege Tendon ($13.90). The good thing is the meal is served with chawanmushi and miso soup.

The Mixed Tendon contains tempura prawn, two slices of dory fish, onsen egg and vegetables on notably a higher grade of rice than what MOF typically serves.

I liked the accompanying savoury-sweet Tensho-sauce and wished there was more (there is a side bottle where you can add more on your own).

My feedback is, I wished that the batter could be crispier with a crunch, and the onsen egg could improve in execution – a tad on the over-cooked side. Tensho (Centrepoint)

Don Meijin 丼名人
Ramen Champion Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street, #04-10, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm Daily

What will the Japanese feel when they find Singapore chilli crab sauce doused over tempura?

Don Meijin 丼名人 is a donburi eatery added to the Ramen Champion fleet at Bugis+, located at Level 4.

The eatery offers a couple of donburi items, including Tendon ($13.80), Roast Beef Don ($18.80), Pork Shogayaki Don ($12.80), Jumbo Chicken Katsu Don ($13.80) and a most intriguing Spicy Chilli Crab Tendon ($14.80).

The Tendon pieces include tempura prawns, asparagus, pumpkin, seasonal fish fillet, eggplant and kakiage.

They are supposedly fried at a specific temperature in a water fryer. The water cleans and helps prevent degradation of the oil, as well as filters food residues to keep the oil clear.

As the sauce is so intense-tasting, the flipside is that it can distract from the flavours of the tempura pieces, such as the sweetness of the prawns and vegetables. Don Mejin (Bugist+)

Ginza Kuroson
Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd #03-10 Singapore 238873 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6235 3785
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm

While the company behind Ginza Kuroson is in fish exporting business and thus more known for its sashimi, the Tempura Don ($26) is worthy of mention.

The batter used is also towards the lighter side, and the bowl was more subdued in the use of seasoning. Ingredients such as the prawns were plump and juicy. The rice was somewhat dry though, and we found ourselves needing some additional sauce to enhance the overall taste. (Read: Ginza Kuroson)

Manzoku
18 Purvis Street #01-01 Singapore 188597
Tel: +65 67344436
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon-Sun)

The Tendon ($14), rice with tempura, was not too bad a choice and wasn’t expensive. The winner coming from the light soy dressing drizzled over matched with fresh ebi tempura.

However, the batter could have been crisper and some items turned soggy quickly from the watery sauce. (Read: Manzoku Purvis Street)

Tempura Tsukiji Tenka at Japan Food Town
435 Orchard Rd, #04-39/54 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, Singapore 238877
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Daily

I liked the freshness of the ingredients used in the Tendon ($19.80) – the prawn was sweet, and squid surprisingly tender and NOT rubbery (my friend commented finally no ‘jun jun’ bite).

However, for a place with links to a Sushi Academy, I was surprised that the rice was the weakest link – dry, not fluffy enough.

The batter could have been crisper and less oily though, and the sauce was un-impressionable. (Read: Tempura Tsukiji Tenka Wisma Atria)

Niku Kappo
ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B3-23, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10:00pm (Mon-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/NikuKappo.sg/

Probably the first in Singapore to serve Pork tempura in a Tendon bowl.

As the name implies, there was only meat (pork and chicken) with fried seaweed and the usual vegetables, without the usual prawn tempura.

Drizzled with a sweetish savoury sauce on the thin, crispy, golden battered crust, I loved the light and airy batter that coated the pieces.

For the price of $12.90, this is probably also one of the cheapest Tendon (aka Tempura Donburi) in Singapore. Niku Kappo (ION Orchard)

Other Related Entries
Tendon Ginza Itsuki (Tanjong Pagar)
Ginza Kuroson (Ngee Ann City)
Kohaku Tendon (Suntec City)
Manzoku (Purvis Street)
Syun (RWS)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.

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[Taipei] While Singapore has a Michelin Bib Gourmand listed Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant, Taipei has Fei Qian Wu 肥前屋.

The name “Fei Qian Wu” if read literally would mean, “the house before becoming fat”. Opps. But “Fei Qian” refers to the old Hizen Province of Japan.

It is a joint famous for its delicious, affordably priced Unagi Don (grilled eel bento), and is easily the busiest eatery at Zhongshan North neighbourhood.

Eater lists this as one of the “The 38 Essential Taipei Restaurants”.

If you are going to make your way here, do a bit of exploration and do not miss out on the Japanese restaurants around the area.

I went down slightly after its opening time of 11:00am, and found the restaurant to be completely packed, with a short line outside.

After a 15 minute or so wait, I was led into a nostalgic looking space which looked caught in time, complete with cafeteria style tables and dark yellow lighting. After all, the restaurant was founded 35 years ago by a Japanese-Taiwanese family.

As business is brisk, all the obasan servers looked hurried, and I also had to share tables with other diners.

Some of the Fei Qian Wu’s signatures include small Unagi-don (Small, TWD250, SGD$11.25), Big Unagi-don (TWD480, SGD$21.60), Shrimp Rice (TWD120 SGD$5.40), Katsu Don (TWD100, SGD$4.50), Grilled Squid (TWD90, SGD4.05) and Onion Egg Rice (TWD70, SGD$3.15).

To us Singaporeans, $4.50 for Katsu Don is ridiculously inexpensive. You don’t get this price even in the foodcourts. Also not with this quality.

I went for the Big Unagi-don anyway, and the portion was quite substantial. Boy oh boy, it was superbly delicious for its price. 4 pieces on top of steaming hot, fluffy rice.

The eels tasted fresh and sweet, evenly grilled and lightly brushed with sweet caramelized teriyaki-like sauce.

You get half the portion of eel for the small box.

The other must-get was the Unagi Tamago (TWD130, SGD$5.80) which came with four juicy pieces of Japanese rolled omelette and grilled eel stuff wrapped within.

You get that layer of warm sweetness on the outside, contrasted with rich savouriness of the unagi inside.

Fei Qian Wu offers such value-for-money Unagi Don, especially when these eels are often priced expensive elsewhere. Service is fast, and hopefully you do not have to wait too long.

Fei Qian Wu
13-2, Lane 121, Zhongshan North Road, Sect 1
台北市中山北路1段121巷13-2號1樓
Tel: +886 02 25628701
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm (Tue – Sun)
Google Maps – Fei Qian Wu

Click HERE for other Taiwan Food Entries

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Fu Hang Dou Jiang 阜杭豆漿 (Taipei)

* 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.

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2017 can be the year of Mod-Sin. Restaurant Labyrinth won a Michelin Guide; Nasi Lemak became a burger; and Lobster Nasi Lemak getting a 2-hour queue.

Is Jiakpalang Eating House, the new makan spot at Alexandra going to be next in line?

The name “Jiakpalang” is a playful take on the Singlish term “chapalang”, referring to a coming-together of seemingly unrelated things. Anything goes.

It serves up Singapore food and zhi char fare with a modern and playful take, all at affordable everyday prices.

I was surprised to see Executive Chef Nixon Low behind the counter, previously from Portico – and he did some fanciful yet tasty dishes there in the past.

Some of the dishes you can expect from Jiakpalang include Bak Kut Teh Jelly with You Tiao ($9), Charcoal Katarosu Pork Collar ($16), Yuzu Lala Clams ($12), Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab ($12), ‘Ang Ji Kao’ Stout-Braised Beef Cheek ($17), and Low’s unique take on the iconic Milo Dinosaur ($8).

Overall, I think that Jiakpalang is promising, but it needs some fine tuning here and there, especially in terms of its identity and the naming of some of the dishes.

In terms of décor, I wasn’t exactly sure what it was trying to achieve with its two entirely different look.

The front was skewed towards a comfortable bistro setting in earthy colours; while the back part with red chairs retro posters cheekily printed “Where’s my Lontong” and “We can Tarik” was a lot more casual.

The dish of Har Cheong ($13) demonstrated the possible potential of the restaurant. It was unexpected, and I liked it very much.

A deconstructed Prawn Paste Chicken of sorts, with chicken roulade having that distinct aroma associated with the zhi char dish, was presented with shredded purple cabbage.

It was tasty, it was also fun.

The Charcoal Katarosu Pork Collar ($16) came in a plate of brown ‘soil’, drizzled over with Kopi-C sauce, wok-fried with garlic chives.

The combination of slight-bitter-sweet coffee and savoury meat worked well, though the presentation alone wasn’t the most inviting. Don’t judge a dish alone by its look.

I also had the “Bak Kut Teh” with You Tiao, though this was the dish that turned out to be disappointing, as it didn’t capture the essence of the local pork rib dish in terms of pepperiness and robustness.

Diners enjoy Mod-Sin food because it is both familiar yet playful.

By and large, most of the dishes on the menu seemed to be quite experimental, so I think they can afford to up that element of familiarity to appeal to a larger crowd.

Jiakpalang Eating House
456 Alexandra Rd #01-06 Fragrance Empire Building Singapore 119962 (Next to Alexandra Retail Centre, Labrador Park MRT station)
Opening Hours: Lunch 11.30am to 3pm Last order at 2.30pm,
Tea 3pm to 6pm
Happy Hour 3pm to 8pm
Dinner 6pm to 10pm
(Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun

Other Related Entries
Provisions (Dempsey)
Folklore (Beach Road)
Char Restaurant (Jalan Besar)
PO (Warehouse Hotel)
Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill (Clarke Quay)

* 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.

The post Jiakpalang Eating House – Local Zhi Char Dishes Modernised. Expect Har Cheong Roulade, Kopi C Pork Collar, Yuzu Lala appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

3 new hawker stalls were added to 2017’s Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore guide, including Ah Er Soup at ABC Food Centre, New Lucky Claypot Rice at Holland Drive and Zai Shun Curry Fish Head at Jurong East.

The additions represent a slightly more inclusive list, with new stalls appearing in the western parts of Singapore, rather than the more centralised regions.

Having curry fish head, double boiled soups and claypot rice – not the typical signature local dishes, also represents the diversity in Singapore’s food culture.

Rather than “Why these stalls got in?”, more were curious “Why so many better stalls do not?” We never really know why.

The following 20 stalls of were labelled under “street food”, though I do not quite understand how Sin Huat Eating House and Bismillah Biryani landed there, since they are considered closer to an eatery/restaurant. Anyway…

YES! I ate all of them. *burp*

For your convenience, I have included the addresses and opening hours. However, do note that as these stalls become popular, food may get sold out early. For travellers to Singapore (Welcome!), do note that the more popular stalls have erratic opening hours.

20 Michelin Bib Gourmand Street Food In Singapore

A Noodle Story – Amoy Street Food Centre
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-39 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit G)
Opening Hours: 11:15am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 7:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 1:30pm (Sat) , Closed Sun, PH

A surprise entry, as this is not the typical local food. Opened by young hawkerpreneurs, A Noodle Story serves “Singapore-style ramen” ($7, $9).

A bowl with Japanese style charshu, soy-flavoured braised egg, Hong Kong style wontons, potato wrapper prawn fritter for that crunch. Aesthetically pleasing and well-arranged, for a hawker stall. I like it – you don’t get a bowl like this anywhere else. A Noodle Story (Amoy Street Food Centre)

Alliance Seafood – Newton Food Centre
Newton Circus Food Centre #01-27 500 Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore 229495
Opening Hours: 1pm – 2am (Thurs – Tues), Closed Wed

Newton Food Centre has always been heavily promoted to tourists in Singapore, so it is not surprising to find one of seafood stalls in this list. But the locals, will probably have some reservations about the food in general.

Alliance Seafood sells a variety of seafood dishes, from Chilli Crab (market price), Black Pepper Crab (market price), Cereal Prawns ($24, $30, $36), Sting Ray ($12, $15, $20), Sambal Crayfish ($5 for 100gm) and Fried Baby Squid ($15, $20, $25).

Ah Er Soup 阿2老火汤
ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre #01-143, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006
Opening Hours: 11am – 2pm, 5pm to 8pm (Mon – Fri, Sun). Closed on Sat

The humble stall serves up Chinese herbal soups, and started off by operating in food courts (at Jurong Leisure Complex Yuan Chin Road some years back).

Soups offered include Buddha Jumps Over The Wall ($6.50), Ten Tonic Ginseng Chicken Soup ($5.00), Herbal Ginseng Black Chicken Soup ($5.50), Gingko Pork Tripe Pepper Soup ($4.50), Lotus Root Peanut Pork Ribs Soup ($4.00), Old Cucumber Pork Rib Soup ($3.50), Watercress Pork Ribs Soup ($3.50), and ABC Chicken Soup ($3.50).

An additional bowl of white rice cost 50c, while I would recommend a tastier Pumpkin Rice at 80c.

Does Ah Er Soup offer the best Chinese soups in Singapore? I cannot say for sure, but the price point along with generous ingredients make it attractive. Ah Er Soup (ABC Food Centre)

Balestier Road Hoover Rojak – Whampoa Market Place
Whampoa Drive Makan Place #01-06, Block 90 Whampoa Drive Singapore 320090
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 4pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon – Tues

The special blend of Penang Prawn Paste is addictive. DO NOT miss ordering the divine century eggs to go along.

Bismillah Biryani
50A Dunlop Street Singapore 209379
Tel: +65 9382 7937
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues

Some of Bismillah Biryani’s signatures include the regular Chicken Dum Biryani ($8.50), Fish Biryani ($12.00), Double Chicken Biryani ($13.00), Pure Vegetable Biryani ($8.00), Kid Goat Biryani ($15) and Lamb Shank Biryani ($20.00).

On the slightly expensive side if you were to compare to other restaurants in the vicinity.

Their version is different from what most other places serve. You do not get a plate of oily-orange coloured rice drenched with gravy, topped with meats.

Instead you get a dry, flavourful version as the chef-owner Arif Salahuddin cares about the health of diners and strive to cook the least unhealthy meals possible. Bismillah Biryani (Dunlop Street)

Chey Sua Carrot Cake – 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre
Blk 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre Lor 1 #02-30 Singapore 310127
Opening Hours: 6am – 1pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Not the Western style of Carrot Cake, but Teochew-style ‘chai tow kway’ made with white radish and rice flour, then fried with eggs and preserved radish.

Be prepared for a 30 – 45 minutes wait (or more).

Unlike some of the other variants, Chey Sua’s version ($2, $3, $4) is fried like rectangular blocks, crisp brown on the outside, spread with a thin layer of chilli, soft pieces when you ‘lift’ the layer of egg. Chey Sua Carrot Cake (Toa Payoh Lor 1)

Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa – Alexandra Village Food Centre
Blk 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-75, Alexandra Village, Singapore 150120
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 3:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

This stall originated form the Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa near CMPB, and word has it that the old couple sold their recipe to its present owners.

The present version ($5.50) is said to be less sizzling hot though. Spicy, coconut-y lemak and quite tasty. (Used to be better, I think). Claypot Laksa Alexandra Village

Famous Sungei Road Trishaw (laksa) – Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-66 Blk 513A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 5.30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

The laksa gravy cooked using fresh coconut, scallops, dried oysters and dried prawns with gravy that has a thin texture like some chicken soup. Not as ‘lemak’ (coconuty) or thick like the normal (unhealthier) ones.

Other than laksa, the stall is popular for its Fruit Juice Crayfish Mee Siam – a dish of thin vermicelli cooked in a light, spicy, sweet and sour gravy, added with crayfish on top. (Read: Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa Hong Lim)

Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee – Tiong Bahru Market
Tiong Bahru Market #02-82 30 Seng Poh Road Singapore 168898

Fried Hokkien mee with sliced squid, prawns, pork belly and a dollop of chill, the noodles is fried slightly to the drier side.

Decent, above average, though perhaps not the best around in terms of flavours. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee (Tiong Bahru)

Hong Kee Beef Noodle – Amoy Street Food Centre
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-42, 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit G)
Opening Hours: 11am – 7:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 2:30pm (Sat – Sun), Closed PH

This stall is said to be around for more than 50 years, moved from Tanglin Koek Road, to Cuppage Centre to its current location at Amoy.

Gooey gravy, tender beef slices, slippery kway teow and a sprinkling of salted vegetables make a satisfying bowl ($4, $5, $6). Hong Kee Beef Noodle (Amoy)

Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling – Amoy Street Food Centre
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-18 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit G)
Opening Hours: 10am – 4pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH

Tasty Bak Zhang ($3.60) with fillings of chestnuts, salted duck egg yolk, mushrooms, wrapped in bamboo leaf before steaming.

While I am really watching my cholesterol, the salted egg version has stolen my heart with generous savoury ingredients densely packed. Gets sold out early.

J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff – Amoy Street Food Centre
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-21, 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit G)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH

Also known as J2 Crispy Curry Puff, this comes with layered flaky pastry and spicy potato, black pepper chicken, sardine and yam paste fillings. Each at $1.20.

Chef Willin Low recommends the sardine ones, “One of the best around”. I agree. J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff (Amoy)

Liang Zhao Ji (soy duck) – Whampoa Market Place
Whampoa Drive Makan Place #01-07, Block 90 Whampoa Drive Singapore 320090
Opening Hours: 10.45am – 3pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Tues

Many grow up having their Braised Duck Rice, affordability priced at $4 – $5. I did think that the best parts of the plate was NOT the duck, but perhaps everything else that came together.

The savouriness of the flavoured rice (didn’t taste any yam though), the texture of the tau kwa (beancurd) and the tangy-spiciness of the chilli sauce. Liang Zhao Ji (Whampoa)

Na Na Curry – 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre
Blk 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre, Bt Merah View Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Started off at Marina South Food Centre in 1989, signature dishes include Fish Head Curry ($18 – $30), Pork Rib Curry and Mutton Curry ($4.50).

Paired with rice or toasted baguette, the Peranakan-style inspired curries pack an oomph, and are quite spicy. Na Na Homemade Curry (Bukit Merah View)

New Lucky Claypot Rice
Holland Drive Market and Food Centre, 44 Holland Drive, Singapore 270044 (10 min walk from Buona Vista MRT)
Tel: +65 6778 7808
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:00am – 1:00pm, Dinner 5:00pm to 8:00pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun) Closed on Wed

The signatures at New Lucky Claypot Rice include the Claypot “Wu Wei” Rice for two pax ($10/$15), 3 pax ($15/$20), 4 pax at ($20/$25). The “Wu Wei” rice includes a mix of both chicken and Chinese sausages.

The waiting time is estimated to be between 20 to 30 minutes for off-peak periods, and 45 to 90 minutes for peak period.

Some diners any ask – why so long, why can’t fast fast?

That is because traditional Claypot Rice requires the rice to be cooked within the pot itself, with appropriate control of the fire. Plus the fact the stall is using charcoal, which would take up at least 45 minutes of cooking. New Lucky Claypot Rice (Holland Drive)

Shi Hui Yuan (noodle with chicken and duck) – Mei Ling Market & Food Centre
Mei Ling Market & Food Centre #02-33, 159 Mei Chin Road, Singapore 140159
Opening Hours: 8am – 2pm (Thurs – Sun), Closed Mon – Wed

Slippery smooth Ipoh style Hor Fun with chicken slices and mushrooms in gooey gravy. Will recommend the Blissful Plate ($5) which contains a bit of everything, including pork ribs and duck slices.

Note: Even though opening hours are indicated, the stall may not open every day (or open late), and tend to close early when sold out. Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty (Mei Ling Food Centre)

Sin Huat Eating House
659/661 Lorong 35 Geylang Singapore 389589
Opening Hours: 7:00pm – 12:00am

This is almost a ONE-MAN SHOW restaurant. Chef Danny takes the orders, cooks, and then two aunties will send the food to our table.

Prices are not exactly cheap, and diners have complained much about service, or the lack of.

Our orders were the legendary Crab Bee Hoon ($160 for 2 crabs), Prawns ($84 for 14 pieces), Scallops ($50 for 2 kg, that was like 12 pieces?), Frogs’ legs with essence of chicken ($26 for 2 frogs), and Vegetables ($20).

A word of caution: The kitchen was heavy-handed in using garlic. If your nemesis is garlic or you are a Dracula, stay far-far away from Sin Huat. Sin Huat Eating House (Geylang)

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice- Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street #01-10/11, Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Tian Tian’s winning formula to me has to be its rice. Even Anthony Bourdain said that the chicken rice is so fragrant and delicious that it can be eaten on its own. Gordon Ramsey ‘lost’ a hawker challenge here.

Probably one of the best chicken rice in Singapore, it’s warm, fluffy, fragrant and tasty. However, with increasing fame comes greater inconsistency. Tian Tian Chicken Rice (Maxwell Food Centre)

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice – Tiong Bahru Market
Tiong Bahru Market #02-82, 30 Seng Poh Road Singapore 168898
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm

Above average chicken rice. I find the general taste of the chicken rice more muted – less oily, not so fragrant, juicy chicken but can have more depth in flavours. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

Zai Shun Curry Fish Head
253 Jurong East Street 24 #01-205, Singapore 600253
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 3:00pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun), Closed Wed

Zai Shun Curry Fish Head does not just sell Curry Fish Head, and is ironically better known for its Steamed Fish, Zi Char fare, and Teochew Porridge.

The Cantonese style Steamed Fish include the catch of the day, Soo Mei Fish, Red Snapper Fish Head with Tau Cheo, and even the prized Empurau – known to be the “Forget Me Not” fish.

The Assam Curry Fish Head had a spicy, tangy gravy that went well with rice, so much so that I almost drenched my bowl in it. Zai Shun Curry Fish Head (Jurong East)

Read: DFD Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand Reviews

Other Related Entries
Singapore Michelin Guide 2017 – The Results
Singapore Michelin Guide 2016 – The Results
Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2017
Amoy Street Food Centre – 15 Must-Try Stalls
Zion Riverside Food Centre – 10 Favourite Stalls

* 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.

The post 20 Michelin Bib Gourmand “Street Food” In Singapore – Claypot Rice, Curry Fish Head, Herbal Soups appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Taipei] Famous restaurants at Taipei’s Yong Kang Street include Din Tai Fung and Kao Chi. Two similar Chinese restaurants serving Xiao Long Bao and dumplings, with a different fate.

In reality, Kao Chi came before Din Tai Fung, about 8 years prior. It started as Shanghainese street food stand, and has now a 3-storey flagship store and branches around Taipei including Fuxing South Road and Zhong Shan North Road.

You won’t miss the striking red colours of the greyish building, with curious onlookers watching cooks prepare the dumplings from scratch via the open kitchen.

It is hard not to compare the two, and my Yong Kang Street walking tour guide mentioned that fate changed when an important media feature which was initially offered to Kao Chi went to Din Tai Fung instead – which has since set its foot prints in many countries.

Compared to DTF, Kao Chi was less hyped-up, with not so many tourists crowding around the entrance, but still reasonably filled.

For a Chinese restaurant, it was not as noisy, and servers were generally helpful (one gave good help when I asked for directions to the train station.)

The menu offers a wide variety of food. Some of the signatures include Shen Jian Bao – Pan-fried Pork Buns (TWD200 for 10, SGD$9.00); Xiao Long Bao – Steamed Pork Dumplings (TWD220 for 10, SG$D9.90); Steamed Crab Egg and Pork Dumplings (TWD320 for 10, SDG$14.45); Stir-fried Pea Sprout (TWD300, SGD$13.55) and Stewed Tofu & Seafood with Crab egg (TWD360, SGD$16.26).

Watching the cooks wrap up Sheng Jian Bao from behind the window, made me hungry with anticipation.

However, I was over-the-top with its taste. Somehow, the buns weren’t as steaming hot as expected, and could do with thinner skin. Which was unfortunate, because the skin was quite fluffy and tasty.

I would consider the Xiao Long Bao of decent quality, with rich, tasty broth wrapped within. Personal preference, but I would have preferred the skin to be even thinner.

For those who have not eaten Xiao Long Bao before, there are different ways of consuming the dumpling. Some could pop the entire thing into the mouth, but that would be likely scalding to the tongue.

The more proper way would be to nib off a tiny bit off, and let the soup flow onto a soup spoon, to be sipped upon at the end of consuming the dumpling.

Kao Chi offers a possible, less hyped-up, quieter alternative if you have Xiao Long Bao and La Mian cravings in Taipei.

Perhaps I am already familiar with the taste of Ding Tai Fung, I still prefer DTF’s rendition of a couple of dishes better.

Kao Chi (Yong Kang Street)
No. 1, Yongkang St, Da’an District, Taipei 106
永康街1號
Tel: +886 02 2351 9984
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10:30pm Daily
service@kao-chi.com
http://www.facebook.com/kaochi.family/
Google Maps – Kao Chi (Yong Kang Street)

Click HERE for other Taiwan Food Entries

Other Related Entries
Din Tai Fung (Taipei)
Fu Hang Dou Jiang 阜杭豆漿 (Taipei)
Ay Chung Rice Noodles 阿宗麵線 (Taipei)
Fu Zhou Shi Zu Pepper Bun 福州世祖胡椒饼 (Taipei)
Ningxia Night Market 寧夏夜市 (Taipei)

* 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.

The post Kao Chi 高記 – The Other Famous Xiao Long Bao & Sheng Jian Bao Restaurant At Taipei’s Yong Kang Street appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Hougang Street 21 is quite the hot-spot for foodies, with Chew Chor Meng and Zhou Chongqing owned 888 Mookata, waffles café Hatter Street, popular Thai eatery Nakhon Kitchen, and Japanese izakaya Tachinomiya all in the same stretch.

Gonpachi Ramen has recently gotten into the radar for its $7.80 Nett Ramen. A steal considering that many Japanese eateries are selling ramen in the $12 – $20 range, and that is excluding taxes.

The family restaurant is said to serve up “imported Japan authentic ramen soaked in collagen broth”.

The varieties at this humble shop include Smoked Duck Chashu, Miso Kakuni, Beef Shabu, Sweet Sake Marinated Pork Chop, Seven Wonder Ramen – all priced at $7.80, and a Shoyu “Pai Ling” Mushroom Ramen at $7.00.

I had the Sweet Sake Marinated Pork Chop Ramen ($7.80), and the yellow noodles used were more to the chewy, mildly-curly, medium-thick side.

Not the type that I liked most, but I find that it worked well with the soup which wasn’t too heavily rich.

The soup base said to be enhanced with collagen, was a mixture of creamy Tonkotsu pork bone and Tori chicken soup, most likely modified to use the local taste as it was not overly thick, oily or salty.

I found it a reasonably priced bowl, and decent on the taste factor. The pork pieces were well-marinated and tender.

Another interesting ramen to order would be the Seven Wonder Ramen ($7.80), which came in a separate greenish Thai chilli sauce.

I would suggest slurping up some of the broth first, then add in the sauce later to experience a layered, more tangy flavour.

Did I not mention there is also free-flow bean sprouts?

After an additional side order of a Char-Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Salad ($4.00), the bill for each person came up to less than $10. I was so pleasantly surprised!

Gonpachi Ramen
212, Hougang Street 21, #01-329 Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6584 1943
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 3:00pm, 5.30pm – 10:30pm (Sun – Thurs)
11:45am – 3:00pm, 5.30pm – 10:45pm (Fri – Sat)

Other Related Entries
Ramen Hitoyoshi (Harbourfront Centre)
Kaneta Shoten (Chinatown Point)
Ippudo Ramen (Tanjong Pagar)
Jimoto Ya (Pickering Street)
Ramen Atelier (Science Park Drive)

* 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.

The post Gonpachi Ramen – $7.80 NETT Ramen Found At Hougang, Cooked With Collagen Broth appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Orchid Hotel is THE Japanese food enclave, Keisuke Tontotsu King, Teppei Japanese Restaurant, Sushi Kou, Menya Sanji, Kajiken, Ryo Sushi, and Gyoza King all within a few metres walk from one another. Hon-to ni?

The next to join in this neighbourhood is Fujiyama Dragon Curry which originated in Hiroshima, a Japanese curry shop where you can customize your plate from the level of spiciness to toppings.

It took over the space left vacant by a not-very-memorable Korean Ramyeon shop, where those in line next door at Tendon Ginza Itsuki can peek in with eyes of hunger.

The inside can be rather cramped though. Once two huge curry plates land on your table, you will find yourself looking frantically for space to put your handphone. Not for the claustrophobic.

I shouldn’t complain, as much of the space was taken by a flask of FREE iced Japanese tea, much needed to cool down after walking over in the sun.

Fujiyama Dragon Curry’s founder Kenichi Ikehata can be spotted behind the counter, torching up the cheese on the curry, while Kajiken’s Kenta Kuribayashi was welcoming customers into the shop. I assumed he is a co-owner, can’t be BFF right?

The choices available included the basic Fujiyama Dragon Curry ($12.75), Breaded Deep Fried Pork Curry ($16.75), Garlic Pork Belly Curry ($15.75), Deep Fried Chicken Curry ($15.75), Deep Fried Shrimp Curry ($16.75), and Cheese Curry ($15.75).

You can customise your curry with a choice of original or spicy, regular or upsized rice (FREE), regular or upsized curry (+$3), added minced pork (+$3) and spring onions (Free).

“You want more rice? It’s free…..”

I shook my head frantically. Unless you really love rice, I reckon the portion of carbs given is substantial enough to make you rather full.

There is something about Japanese curries and their HUGE portion ah? Think Monster Curry.

I went for an All Topping Wild Curry ($18.75), with deep fried pork katsu, deep fried shrimp, garlic pork belly, a karaage-like fried chicken, and minced pork. In Singlish, we call this so much liao.

Even though I opted for the spicy option, it was considered manageable, and had a balance between savouriness, sweetness and mild spiciness.

The minced meat gave it an added layer of texture, though I wished there was more gravy, in proportion to the amount of rice and toppings.

My friend’s Cheese Curry ($15.75) resembled a volcano of curry lava, topped with melted cheese and onsen egg.

She commented that the pleasing spiciness was like an eruption in the mouth, ”with the right blend of fire and flavour”.

The highlight to me was really the pouring of the “Paitan Soup” over some leftover curry, turning the leftover rice into a comforting, watery porridge of sort. Actually, the soup was already tasty on its own.

Not life-changing curry, but good value for its offerings.

Fujiyama Dragon Curry
1 Tras Link, #01-03 Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6444 9260
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 9:30pm Daily

Other Related Entries
Kajiken (Orchid Hotel)
Sama Curry & Café (Downtown Gallery)
Tengawa Hokkaido White Curry (Millenia Walk)
Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen (Serangoon)
Hokkaido Izakaya (Tanjong Pagar)

* 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.

The post Fujiyama Dragon Curry – Japanese Curry Restaurant From Hiroshima Opens In Singapore. BIG Portions appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

These are some 10 of the best Cake Cafes in Singapore, which serves up attractively gorgeous, appetising cakes.

From Galaxy Cakes, Watermelon Strawberry Cakes, Rose Cake to locally inspired Chendol Cake, this is for you to fulfill your sweet tooth cravings.

I have every intention to expand this list, but will probably revisit some of the old favourites (so look out here for updates). For a start, many are home-grown patisseries that we should be proud of.

Mad About Sucre
27 Teo Hong Road, Singapore 088334
Tel: +65 62213969
Opening Hours: 12:30pm – 10:00pm (Tues – Sat), 12:30 – 5:30pm (Sun), Closed Mon

I have friends who are mad fans of Mad About Sucre, because this French patisserie (which has diversified to offer savouries) is just out of the ordinary.

Their cakes are exquisite, made with reduced sugar, using organic and/or natural ingredients with no artificial colors, no preservatives, no artificial flavours.

If Eric is there, get him to explain some of the cakes, and he will paint a beautiful story for your understanding.

The signature cake since Day 1 is the chocolate dome-shaped San Domingue ($12.80+), mousse made from 70% single origin chocolate, rum jewel box, caramelized plantain vanilla cream, and brittany crunch.

If this cake was a piece of jewellery, it would be a sparkling diamond. You could first consume the chocolate box filled with rum, allowing it to first create rich sensations in your mouth. Mad About Sucre (Teo Hong Road)

Antoinette
30 Penhas Road Singapore 208188 (Lavender MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Thurs), 11:00am – 11:00pm (Fri, Eve of PH), 10:00am – 11:00pm (Sat), 10:00am – 10:00pm (Sun)

333A Orchard Road #02-33/34 Mandarin Gallery Singapore 238897 (Somerset MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 11:00pm

Antoinette at Penhas Road and Orchard Mandarin Gallery, has been known for its elegantly crafted pastries and Parisian bistro favourites.

There are 8 eight existing cake creations: Antoinette, Chloe, Jasmin, Le Royale, Strawberry Shortcake, Mont Blanc, Superlova, Le Fetish Éclair, and 5 have joined including La Rose and Orient.

The La Rose ($12) is just gorgeous. Each petal is hand-piped, and then fanned to create a rose. The cake is made with grand cru dark chocolate mousse, exotic caramel, almond nougatine, cocoa sponge, grand marnier and dark chocolate Chantilly.

Gets you in the mood for romance. Antoinette (Penhas Road)

Non Entrée Desserts
204 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218451 (Farrer Park MRT)
Opening Hours: 2pm – 10pm (Tue-Thu), 2pm – 11pm (Fri), 12pm – 11pm (Sat), 12pm – 10pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Non Entrée Desserts has been known for its experimental, fun, ever-changing, occasionally nostalgic cakes.

Being an ex-sous chef for pastry line at Basilico Regent Singapore, Francis Wong, together with 2 other friends, Toh and Goh, went through ‘thick and thin’ during their National Service days and decided to venture into the F&B industry.

Their aim is to introduce exquisite fine dining (aka non- entrée level) desserts to the ordinary café-hoppers (like us) at affordable price.

Drip drip and ooze ooze – the Chocolate Avalanche ($13.90) has been their signature.

Made up of 70% Valrhona chocolate lava, chocolate soil, almond nougatine and orange infused vanilla ice cream, the way to eat it was to stab the chocolate lava cake and almond nougatine with a knife to create the ‘avalanche’.

The updated version is a warm Matcha Green Tea Lava Cake ($13.90) with Azuki Beans flowing onto smokey roasted green tea gelato, crunchy almond nougatine and chocolate soil.

While it did seem gimmicky initially, the combination of various textures and taste worked. Non Entrée Desserts (Rangoon Road)

Patisserie G
Millenia Walk #01-40/41, 9 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039596
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9:00pm (Mon – Thurs), 7:30am – 10:00pm (Fri), 9:00am – 10pm (Sat), 9:00am – 9:00pm (Sun)

6A Shenton Way, Downtown Gallery #01-30/34, Singapore 06881 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6222 0390
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 7:00pm (Mon – Fri), 9:00am – 4:00pm, Closed Sun

Patisserie G is a pastry and café brand founded in 2012 by Gwen Lim, an entrepreneur and pastry chef, born and raised in Singapore.

The brand is homage to artisanal French techniques, simplicity and the love of high quality ingredients.

Combining that pursuit with Asian flavors has resulted into original creations such as Patisserie G’s version of a mooncake, the Gâteau Blune.

I generally enjoyed their chocolate-based cakes. What I would recommend would include The G Spot ($9) with dark chocolate mousse, chocolate meringue, chocolate hazelnut praline crunch; and Lychee Rose Cheesecake ($8.50) with lychee jelly at the top, crumble as base.

Boufé Boutique Café
308 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park, #01-01, Singapore 247974
Tel: +65 6734 7656
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 7:00pm Last order 6:00pm (Mon – Fri), 9:00am – 7:00pm Last order 6:00pm (Sat – Sun)

Boufé Boutique Café is quite ulu to get to, but this is not stopping fans to visit Phoenix Park for their cakes and tranquil surroundings. (While I am at this, I used to teach at this location. Do you know Republic Poly used to be using the buildings here as temporary classrooms?)

Good to know too, everything in the menu is $20 and below.

Their best-selling cakes are the Mini Unicorn Cake ($8.50) and Milky Way ($8.50).

Made of white chocolate yoghurt mousse, honey genoise, chocolate sable & calamansi jelly, the Milky Way is pretty galaxy cake which is light and sweet, balanced with the tanginess of the calamansi jelly inside.

Cake Spade
83 Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088504 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 64443868
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Thurs), 12:00pm – 10:30pm (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH), Closed Sun

I have been supporting Cake Spade since the good old days when it was a small little shop at Orchid Hotel. It has since moved a couple of shops down to 83 Tanjong Pagar Road with a bigger, more comfortable shopfront.

Cake Spade believes in baking from scratch and using the best fresh ingredients – no use of chemical stabilizers and shortenings to extend the shelf life of the cakes and pastries,.

Some of the recommended include the Mississippi S’mores Cake, Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake, Hummingbird Cake, and Lychee Rose Cake.

The Strawberry Tofu Cheesecake ($6.90) has been a main-stayer. The tofu cheesecake with a smooth texture, is melded with a layer of Digestive biscuit crust or Oreo cookie crust and adorned with fresh strawberries, encased in jelly. Cake Spade (Tanjong Pagar)

Pantler
198 Telok Ayer Street Singapore 068637 (Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6221 6223
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 7:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 5:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Popular with the CBD workers, Pantler is a place where straight-out-of-the-oven viennoiserie, pristine entremets and delectable sandwiches can be enjoyed with a good cup of coffee.

Everything is freshly made on-site using the highest quality ingredients, and its signature items that include the simple yet luscious Pantler Cheesecake.

Head Chef Tomoharu Morita who used to be part of the pastry team at Grand Hyatt Tokyo, has brought their signature cake The Yatsura ($8.50) over.

It features a dark chocolate mousse, a thin and crunchy feuilletine layer, a base of hazelnut dacquoise and covered with a chocolate glaze. Both delicate and intense at the same time. Pantler (Telok Ayer)

Chef Yamashita
Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-44, Singapore 082001
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 6:30pm (Mon – Sat), 10:00am – 4:00pm (Sun)

Fans of Japanese-style cakes shouldn’t miss this. Chef Yamshita Masataka who was trained in Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka Japan, was previously taking charge of the kitchen at Glace and Flor Patisserie (2 other fantastic places to get cakes).

He started his own patisserie at a slightly obscure shop on the 2nd level of Tanjong Pagar Plaza. There are limited seats, so most customers come for takeaways.

You can have a go at the soft and fluffy Ichigo Souffle ($6.80) a Japanese light cheese cake with fresh strawberries; Mt Fuji ($7.10) of Japanese chestnut cream with chocolate sponge; and Matcha Roll Slice ($6.80).

Cream & Custard
Blk 46 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-894 (Tiong Bahru MRT)
Tel: +65 91118696
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm (Mon – Fri), 10:00am – 6:00pm (Sat)

Cream and Custard, the humble homegrown café run by siblings Melissa and Wesley, probably had two big breaks – when they launched the Watermelon Strawberry Cake and Galaxy.

One good thing for regulars is they will come out with new cakes every single week.

It is not hard to associate the Watermelon Strawberry Cake ($7.80) with Sydney’s Black Star, though I had one friend who preferred C&C’s version!

The cake consists of two layers of almond dacquoise, fresh rose whipped cream and watermelon, spruced up with fresh strawberries, grapes, blueberries and rose petals.

Great when you need a slice of refreshing-ness. Cream & Custard (Jalan Bt Ho Swee)

Out Of The Cake Box
45 Telok Blangah Drive, #01-173, Singapore 100045
Tel: +65 6271 1975
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 8:30pm (Tues – Fri), 12:00pm – 9:00pm (Sat), 10:00am – 5:00pm (Sun), Closed Mon

You may just miss this unassuming cake shop Out of the Cake Box located at Telok Blangah Drive, and the basement of Our Tampines Hub.

With desserts like Chendol Cake, Chendol Fudge, Mango Sticky Rice, Watermelon Cake, White Rabbit (yeah, that nostalgic sweet), Rose Lychee, Matcha Yuzu Cheesecake — not only are they creative, they may please picky sweet-tooth looking for a unique dessert fix.

My favourite was the Mango Sticky Rice Cake (per piece $6; whole cake $24.80 to $96). Yeah, that Thai dessert in a cake form. Geng mak!

What you get is a square slice of layered coconut glutinous rice, mango jelly, pandan mousse, topped with Thai Honey Mangoes. Out Of The Cakebox (Our Tampines Hub)

Other Related Entries
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* 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.

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It was after a visit to Chef Kang, then I realised that Thai hipster eatery Nung Len at Mackenzie Road has closed. A waste really, because some of the modern Thai dishes served were not quite the ordinary and tasty.

I found out that the team has reopened as Tiew Mai Thai Boat Noodles at Hougang Midtown.

There are a couple of eateries and cafés under this private residential area, such as Nunsongyee, Foxhole Café, Soshinsen and AM Bakery.

If you are coming in a cab and taxi uncle has no idea what “Midtown” is, the former “Hougang Plaza” may be a better clue.

The configuration of all the eateries here is strange and not exactly the most spacious – level 1 for the cashier and cooking area, level 2 for dining.

Tiew Mai’s menu is more straight-forward and stripped down from the former Nung Len, with the offerings of 3 types of noodles – Pork, Beef, Tom Yum, priced at $1.80 for the small bowl and $6.00 for the regular-sized.

A couple of side dishes such as Grill Pork or Beef Balls ($4.00), Fried Wanton ($3.00), Fish Sauce Winglet ($4.00), Chicken Roll ($4.00) and Spring Roll ($3.00) arealso available.

I ordered a small bowl of Beef with Egg Noodles ($1.80), with the length of the bowl slightly smaller than an iphone7 plus. Perhaps ordering 2-3 bowls would be a better idea if you want both variety and a filling meal.

The soup base was likely to be the best component. It was moderately rich and flavourful, and somehow manged to achieve that unique Thai Boat Noodle umami taste even without the incorporation of pig’s blood.

While I read another review that the egg noodles were mushy, mine were springy. I wondered if the size of the bowl made a different in how they controlled quality, as another friend who tried both bowls preferred the smaller ones as well.

The Fish Sauce Winglet ($4.00) brought me to the streets of Thailand, well-marinated with sauces, juicy and addictive, best paired with some Thai Iced Milk Tea ($2.80).

Staff at Tiew Mai is mainly Thai, and offers a certain level of authenticity. If only more people knew about Hougang Midtown.

Tiew Mai Thai Boat Noodles
1187 Upper Serangoon Road #01-22 The Midtown Singapore 533971
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 10:30pm (Mon, Wed – Thurs), 12:00pm – 11:00pm (Fri), 11:30am – 11:00pm (Sat), 11:30am – 10:30pm (Sun)

Other Related Entries
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Easy Chatuchak Beef Noodles (Circuit Road)
Kin Cow (Chinatown Point)

* 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.

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[Taipei] There is a part of me who wants to do a “10 Best Bubble Tea In Taipei” series, but I am holding on first, thinking of the amount of calories and sugar.

But, let’s start with the brand who claims they are the 1st to create Taiwanese style pearl milk tea.

Chun Shui Tang 春水堂 is founded by a Mr Liu Han-Chieh, who had the idea of serving Chinese tea cold in the early 1980s, after a visit to Japan where he saw coffee served cold.

His manager is said to have included Taiwanese tapioca pearls fen yuan into the drinks, and well… we all know how this “Boba” drink has reached ends of the world.

Unlike some more modern kiosk, Chun Shui Tea which is literally translated as “Spring Water Hall” retains its Chinese teahouse element and experience, while selling its signature icy cold tea and frothy tea latte.

The interior décor of Chun Shui Tang at Shinkong Mitsukoshi Deparmental Store had a mish-mash of oriental ornamentation and paintings.

It was relatively busy even though it was off-peak lunch.

Note that this is not a full service restaurant as you need to tick-off your food selection first, then pay at the cashier near the entrance. Food would then be brought to your table.

Not surprising to note that half the menu was taken up by drinks alone, while the best-sellers included Braised Bean Curd & Rice Cakes (TWD155, SGD$7.00), Spicy Tofu (TWD90, SGD$4.00), Turnip Cake(TWD85, SGD$3.80), Braised King Oyster Mushroom with Basil (TWD80, SGD$3.60), Seasoned Snap Beans (TWD80, SGD$3.60), and Braised Cabbage with Green Tea (TWD75, SGD$3.40)

I had a Handmade Dry Noodles with Minced Pork Sauce (TWD80, SGD$3.60), considered reasonably priced for an indoor restaurant, not very impressionable in terms of taste. Standard Taiwanese style noodles?

The side dish of Spicy Tofu (TWD90, SGD$4.00) packed a punch though. Cooked with more than 10 spices and herbs, the gmo-free beancurd was smooth and soft, and absorbed some of that mala soup base for added tingling sensation.

A drink you can look out for is the recommended Iced Mango Pearl Coconut Milk Tea (TWD125, SGD5.60 for small), pricier than most of the other dishes on the menu.

The draw was the QQ-chewy tapioca pearls at the base of the drink, which had an enjoyable bite. Read that tapioca balls would be discarded if cooked for more than three hours to ensure freshness.

I didn’t exactly finish the drink as it was on the too-sweet side for me. (Can’t choose the sweetness level for this)

Can’t leave without having a Pearl Milk Tea (TWD85, SGD$3.80 for small).

I can imagine why so many people would like this tea. You could taste the high quality tea leaves used, which had a lingering fragrance and pleasant slight-bitter taste.

Is this the best? I preferred some of the other brands, while Chun Shui Tang had a more subtle touch. There are more than 40 Chun Shui Tang shops around Taiwan.

Chun Shui Tang (Shinkong Mitsukoshi Dept Store)
B1, No. 9, Songshou Rd., Xinyi Dist, Shinkong Mitsukoshi A9, Taipei
台北市信義區松壽路9號B1樓
Tel: +886 02 2723 9913
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:00am – 10:00pm (Fri – Sat)
http://chunshuitang.com.tw/
Google Maps – Chun Shui Tang (Shinkong Mitsukoshi Dept Store)

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Click HERE for other Taiwan 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.

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Matcha has traditionally been part of Japanese tea ceremonies, and its modern version of Matcha Latte has become popular with café-goers.

I love it for its smooth, creamy flavour and after-taste of distinct subtle bitterness.

As to the difference between Matcha and normal green tea, Matcha powder contains the whole ground tea leaves, and is said to contain up to 10 times antioxidant of the standard type.

Matcha also contains caffeine,which is is alkalizing (rather than coffee which can be acidic) and is released into the bloodstream slowly.

The Matcha Project
2 Marina Boulevard, #B1-08C, The Sail, Singapore 018987 (Raffles Place, Downtown MRT Station)
Tel: +65 9223 0245 (General Enquiries)
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 4pm (Sat), Closed Sun, PH

The quaint little shop tucked in a corner of CBD at The Sail specialises in Japanese Matcha beverages, and DFD’s previous post on the café turned out to be quite viral, indicating readers’ interest in Matcha drinks.

The Matcha Project imports Matcha and other tea powders directly from Kyoto, Uji in Japan, and prepares their Matcha Latte ($5.50 for hot, $6.00 for iced) ala minute.

The matcha powder is a summer-harvest type, where flavours are bolder and stronger, and flavours can cut through the milk.

The additional good thing is, their Matcha Latte has minimal sweetness for us fans to enjoy the original flavours of the matcha. The Matcha Project (The Sail, Raffles Place)

Kurasu
331 North Bridge Road, Odeon Towers #02-01 Singapore 188720
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm (Mon – Fri), 11:00am – 3:00pm (Sat), Closed Sun

A friend bought me a takeaway cup, and I went ”This is LEGIT”, and IMMEDIATELY went down to the café to try more after that.

The Matcha Latte ($5) available in both hot and iced, was made using Morihan matcha powder from Kyoto. Morihan is one of well known, long established green tea shops over there.

Smooth and slightly milky, with distinct matcha notes. Kurasu Singapore (Odeon Towers)

Tsujiri
100AM, 100 Tras Street #01-14, Singapore 079027 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6543 6110
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm

Other branches: The Centrepoint, The Central @ Clarke Quay

Probably one of the most known Japanese green tea café in Singapore. Tsujiri is said to be a 155-year-old traditional Japanese tea brand serving the highest quality Matcha with a contemporary twist.

However, do not confuse them with Japan’s Gion or Saryo Tsujri – which the Japanese are more familiar with.

The O-Matcha Latte ($5.60, $6.20) is a customer favourite, made using matcha harvested from Tsujiri’s own plantation in Uji, Kyoto.

I found the latte slightly sweeter than the usual Japanese style, but was still a smooth, refreshing drink.

Kotobuki Coffee
435 Orchard Road #01-18C Wisma Atria Singapore 238877 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm Daily

Kotobuki Coffee is an off-shoot from Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant, specialising in Kyoto-style cold drip and siphon coffee.

To be honest, I was intrigued more by the appearance of the Matcha Latte ($9.90), a gorgeous-looking cup featuring “sakura art”. If you have stomach space, I could suggest you go for the Matcha Roll Cake Set ($15.00) which is more value for money.

Also on its menu are Iced Matcha Latte with a Matcha Donut ($9.90), or Matcha Melon Pan ($9.90) placed on top of the cup (Eh, how to eat?). For Instagram, I suppose.

Hvala
313@Somerset #B3-50 (Somerset MRT Station)
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Hvala has changed its concept from waffles, egglets to… MATCHA. The owner revealed they always wanted to do “Matcha”, but finally got the chance when its neighbour Tsujiri moved away. I see.

They currently serve Matcha Latte using matcha from 2 different regions in Japan – the Uji Matcha Latte ($5.20) in which the flavour profile is described as “vegetal and slightly astringent”; and Nisho Matcha Latte ($5.60) with a rounder flavour and more vibrant colour comparatively.

I was pleasantly surprised to see my Matcha on the Latte being hand whisked (to ensure freshness), and am currently hooked on its Matcha + Houjicha Latte.

Matchaya
Icon Village #01-72, 12 Gopeng Street, Singapore 078877 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 9837 3187
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 8:00pm Daily

Other branch: The Cathay #01-08, 2 Handy Road, Singapore 229233 (Dhoby Ghaut MRT)

Established since August 2015, Matchaya aspire to be the first locally branded modern Japanese teahouse in Singapore, and they source their raw materials from different prefectures in Japan.

Their Matcha Milk ($4.50 for hot, $4.90 for iced, $5.40 for bottled) contains matcha specially sourced from 4th generation tea farmers in Uji and a 3rd generation grand tea-master in Shizuoka.

Only the 1st flush spring harvest shaded green tea is utilized, which is shaded for a minimum of 14 days.

We found their Matcha slightly on the lighter side, and preferred the Houjicha – if we need to choose one. Matchaya (Tanjong Pagar)

The Assembly Ground
2 Handy Road #01-21, The Grand Cathay, Singapore 229233 (Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station)
Tel: +65 6733 3375
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

Even though The Assembly Ground which is set up by the Benjamin Barker tea is technically not a Japanese café, their Green Tea Latte has gained some popularity among café hoppers.

The Green Tea Latte ($6.50 Hot, $8.00 Iced), is known for its creaminess and frothiness, with a good balance of the bitter notes of matcha and sweetness.

They have also just introduced a Matcha Cold Brew ($8) if you want your drink in a convenient takeaway bottle.

Nana’s Green Tea
The Atrium @ Orchard, Plaza Singapura, 60B Orchard Road, #03-80/82, Singapore 238839 (Dhoby Ghaut MRT)
Tel: +65 6684 4312
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Established 15 years ago in Tokyo, Nana’s Green Tea is a Japanese cafe specialising in matcha from Kyoto.

The Matcha Latte ($6.50) contains premium fine powdered green tea leaves blended with milk.

Take note that the hot version is unsweetened, while the cold latte is sweetened. Nana’s Green Tea Café (Plaza Singapura)

Tachihara Coffee
9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-96 Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 9:30pm Daily

Pullman Bakery, famous for their Hokkaido curry buns and other Danish pastries, is a name that Japanese bread lovers should recognise.

Do you know that it first started off as “Tachihara Bakery” way back in 1978 in Hokkaido Japan?

The Ice Matcha Latte ($4.50) was relatively sweet, overpowering everything else. As a matcha lover, I would have preferred more distinct notes of green tea. Tachihara Coffee (Millenia Walk

Maccha House Singapore
Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #B1-40, Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon-Sun)

Maccha House specialises in traditional Maccha beverages and desserts created from this fine green tea powder, all sourced from Kyoto Japan.

While they also serve hot food items, most are really here for their desserts, such as the Maccha Soft Serve Anmitsu with Rice-flour Dumplings, and Maccha Parfaits which come with rice flour, chocolate or soy milk pudding.

They serve the Hot Maccha drink the traditional way – whisked with a bamboo chasen out of a bowl. Their Maccha Latte is considerately not as bitter, so some may like this version? Maccha House (Orchard Central)

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* 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.

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The basement of One Raffles Place has undergone a minor revamp with some tenants moving out, and shops such as April’s Bakery, Seattle Pike Chowder, Anamoto Café and Jewel Coffee coming in.

Parallel located at a corner is a brand-new name, serving a selection of açaí smoothie bowls and coffee.

The specialty coffee joint uses coffee beans from Common Man Coffee Roasters, but unfortunately is primarily a takeaway kiosk with only has a standing counter (whereas JEWEL right opposite has sitting spaces).

So this may just boil down to which coffee you prefer.

Prices range from $3.50 for an expresso, $5.00 for white, $5.50 for iced version.

The espresso blend can be described as complex layered, and full bodied, and I generally liked the pleasant mix of flavour and acidity.

To add, the barista also bothered to do a neat latte art even though I bought a takeaway cup. You don’t get that all the time.

Parallel’s Acai Boxes come in two sizes, Regular ($8.90) or Large ($12.90), with choices of Superstar, Antioxidant, or Amino Bowl.

I was recommended the Amino Bowl with a blended açaí base served with strawberries, blueberries, goji, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia.

There are no added sugars, syrups or sweeteners, and if you wish, you can request for a free topping of Australian organic raw honey.

The pricing when contrasted with other acai bowls in the vicinity, is comparable. I liked the portion sizing, and that the blend was not too icy.

The only part I did not fancy that much was its goji berries, which were hard and difficult to bite, and therefore did not mix well with the rest of the ingredients more easily palatable.

There are MANY acai bowl places around Raffles Place, and perhaps more is needed to stand out from the rest.

With coffee choices aplenty in the CBD and Parallel being an unfamiliar name, it may need to go on the friendly ‘neighbourhood’ coffee place route, build up relationships with regulars.

The team can perhaps consider offering some cold brew (which is lacking in the CBD) and unique pastries to expand its selection.

Parallel
1 Raffles Place, #B1-34 Singapore 048616 (Raffles Place MRT)
Tel: +65 92982896
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Fri). Closed Sat, Sun, PH

Other Related Entries
April’s Bakery (One Raffles Place)
Anamoto Café (One Raffles Place)
Hustle Co (Craig Road)
Kurasu Singapore (Odeon Towers)
Lunar Coffee Brewers (Downtown Gallery)

* 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.

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Other than Amoy Street Food Centre and Golden Shoe Food Centre, the other popular hawker centre popular with CBD workers is Tanjong Pagar Food Centre.

Home to 50-something stalls, it is located one level 2 of Tanjong Pagar Plaza Block 6, and a convenient 5 minute walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station.

Established in 1977, it went through a refurbishment in 2014, and looked cleaner and brighter with energy-saving sky lighting.

One thing you may notice is the many Nasi Lemak stalls here, perhaps to cater to CBD workers who want their food fast, cheap and good.

Other than the 10 listed below, stalls to look out here include Delicious (Mee Siam), Issan Thai, Traditional Hakka Rice, Xiang Xiang Nasi Lemak, Tanjong Pagar Fried Kway Teow, Herbal Kitchen, and Makan Sutera Nasi Lemak Pandan Rice. (I do miss the Annie’s Peanut Ice Kachang. Anyone remembers it?)

Tanjong Pagar Food Centre – 10 Favourite Stalls From Nasi Lemak, Curry Puff To Kueh Ho Jiak

Rong Xing Yong Tau Fu
#02-04
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 2.30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Hakka Style Yong Tau Fu with No-Added MSG
The best part of this dish here would be the soup with umami, cooked with soya beans for that light sweetness.

If you are undecided at what pieces to piece, the all-time favourite include the fish balls and fried wantons.

Note: A family member also opened a Rong Xing Hakka Yong Tau Fu located at the Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre.

Rolina Traditional Hainanese Curry Puff
#02-15
Opening Hours: 9am – 2pm Daily

Handmade Cutesy Curry Puffs
The cutesy bite-sized Hainanese curry puff ($1.40 per piece) was about two-thirds the size of a Chang Kee. It was tightly packed and full of goodness. (Some complained it was too small though.)

Within its thin buttery skin, were brim-full pieces of soft cubic potatoes in curry paste and hard-boiled egg.

The name ‘Rolina’ came about because back when they still operated outside the Novena church, some customers couldn’t pronounce Novena and ended up calling it Rolina. The son now operates another outlet at Serangoon Gardens.

Soon Heng Food Delights
#02-19
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 2.30pm (Mon – Fri, Sun), Closed Sat

Lor Mee With Generous Toppings
Recommend by City Beat (who remembers this programme!), the basic $3 Lor Mee ($3) portion already comes with a good amount of toppings, although those with a larger appetites may want to go for the $4 or $5 portions.

Unlike many other Lor Mee stalls, the version here comes with many non-traditional toppings such as fried fish pieces and fried dumpling skin.

The gravy is thick, gooey, and slightly on the salty side.

Ming Kee Cooked Food
#02-24
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 2pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Cai Png Stall Popular For Chicken Cutlet
Ming Kee Cooked Food has one of the longest queue during lunch time, but they can clear the line fast.

Unlike other cai png stalls where the dishes are cooked at one go at the start of the day, this stall chooses to cook their food in small batches and often replenishes the trays, keeping the food moderately free.

Some of the most-chosen items include the Fried Chicken Cutlet and Fried Fish.

Teochew Satay Bee Hoon
#02-47
Opening Hours: 9.30am – 3:00pm Daily

Homemade Satay sauce Cooked With Over 20 Ingredients
An elderly couple were manning the stall when I visited, though it had slightly less traffic as it was at a less visible side of the food centre.

The Satay Bee Hoon ($3) came with the typical toppings including cuttlefish, pork liver and cockles, and the portions were generally quite generous.

The satay sauce is said to be cooked with over 20 ingredients, I liked that nutty flavour without being too sweet or spicy.

Lucky Wanton Noodle
#02-32
Opening Hours: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm (Mon-Fri), 11:30am – 10pm (Sat-Sun)

Springy Wanton Noodle With Spicy Sauce
There are times I like this version, while other times not so much when the noodles seemed overcooked. However, this wanton noodles stall is always getting a considerably long line.

Other than Wanton Noodles ($3.00), the stall also serves up Dumpling Noodles ($3.00), Chicken Feet Noodles ($3.00) and Wanton Soup ($3.00).

The noodles are considered springy, topped with char siew with wanton served in soup.

I would say the base sauce is between Singapore and Malaysia style, with the use of dark sauce and spicy chilli sauce.

Pandan Leaf Nasi Lemak
#02-25
Opening Hours: 6.30am to 1pm daily. Closed on Sundays.

Generous Portion, Fragrant Rice
There are at least 3 Nasi Lemak stalls around. This stall sells theirs at only $3 with so many ingredients from a plump fried chicken drumstick, egg, ngor hiang, fishcake and dollop of sambal chilli.

My favourite parts are the crispy chicken with quite juicy meat, and the fragrant light-green pandan rice.

Blue Star Fishball Minced Meat Noodle
#02-29

The fishball and minced meat noodles come with a generous serving of ingredients
This was my surprise find, as I originally didn’t have intention to have this, but joined in the queue anyway.

Some of the signatures include the Mushroom Minced Meat Moodle, Fishball Noodles, and Fish Dumplings Noodles, available in dry or soup versions, at $3.00 or $3.50.

The mee kia I had was well tossed in a savoury-spicy sauce, with an al dente bite.

There is also the option to get extra Minced Meat Fishballs which are more bouncy and juicy.

Peter Fried Kway Teow Mee
#02-05
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 7.30pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 4.30pm (Sat). Closed Sun.

Char Kway Teow Fried With Special Soup
Said to be fried with some special soup, this stall has been around since 1969. It serves up two types of kway teow – Traditional Teochew Black Sweet Sauce Kway Teow ($3, $4), or Penang Style Fried Kway Teow ($4, $5).

I was not given the option though. The stall owner just asked, ”You want how much?”

I didn’t have intention to finish the plate at first (#caloriewatch) but finished all in the end.

There was strong wok hei, and the rice noodles were surprisingly not overly greasy.

Kueh Ho Jiak
#02-20
Opening Hours: 7am – 3:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Multi-Coloured Ang Ku Kueh
Newest kid in the block, and I was immediately attracted to the Ang Ku Kueh with multi-coloured (primarily purple) skin.

The purple colour on the skin is said to come from sweet potato, with no added food colourings.

The Ang Ku Kueh (from $1.20) come in more traditional flavours such as mung bean, red bean and yam, to more wacky ones ($1.60) from durian, jackfruit to a hae bi hiam (spicy shrimp) which I really liked.

Both pretty and delicious.

Tanjong Pagar Food Centre
Block 6 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, 2nd Floor, Singapore 081006

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* 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.

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Suddenly, there are many Acai Bowl dedicated shops in Singapore. When just 3 years ago, there could be none.

Acai, pronounced as “Ah-saa-eee” (NOT Ah-CAI 阿财) has been lauded for an array of health benefits, said to be packed with antioxidants, amino acids, fibre, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

I like it because it almost feels like I am having ice cream, with that delicious sweet-tangy-chocolatey finish, without the guilt factor.

It is what dessert dreams are made of. (Be careful of over-indulging though, there is still well, a lot of sugar in each bowl.)

10 Healthy Acai Bowls In Singapore

Project Acai Holland Village
27 Lorong Liput, Holland Village, Singapore 277738 (Holland Village MRT)
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

391 Orchard Road, #B2-32A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9.30pm (Mon – Sun)

217 East Coast Road, #01-03, Singapore 428915
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

First player’s advantage. Project Acai can be considered as Singapore’s first dedicated acai café. Since its opening in 2015, it is now located in three different outlets – Holland Village, Orchard Road, East Coast.

The Original Flower Bowl (Handy – $6.80, Medium – $9,30, Large – $14.50) includes up to 14 different fruit and superfood toppings.

The 14 toppings include, banana, granola, dragonfruit, melon, pineapple, mango, strawberry, grapes, blueberry, coconut shavings, goji, cacao nibs, chia seeds and bee pollen.

As for the acai base, Sambazon acai is blended manually freshly in small batches throughout the day, ensuring every customer gets as much acai in their bowl as possible.

Absolute Acai
3 Pickering Street. #01-38 Nankin Row Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 62244088
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 8.30pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 5:00pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Absolute Acai is another café specialised in serving Brazilian Acai bowls (Acai na Tigela), this time in Singapore’s CBD area at Pickering Street.

Its Medium Signature Bowl is at $9.50, Brazilian Bowl $7.50, Breakfast Smoothie $6.50 with an optional DIY Bowl at $6.90 with toppings from $0.50 onwards.

The signature acai is blended together with guarana, fresh apples, fresh bananas, 100% natural coconut water, with organic seeds and nuts for the toppings.

They emphasized that fresh apples are used instead of processed apple juice in the blend.

The base is in a purplish cold puree form, consistency thinner than I expected, with a tarty-sweet taste similar to a mixture of raspberry and blackberry, and a faint aftertaste that would remind you of dark chocolate.

An Acai Affair
101 East Coast Road Singapore 428796
Tel: +65 8698 7462
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Thurs), 12:00pm – 11:30pm (Fri), 10:00am – 11:30pm (Sat), 10:00am – 10:00pm (Sun)

An Acai Affair was started by two young undergraduates from SMU who share a similar love for Acai and all things nutritious. These entrepreneurs are really starting at an early age!

After an outlet at East Coast Road, the next will be opening at Marina Duo.

The Acai Fruit Bowl ($5.90, $8.90, $13.90) come served with fresh fruits, granola, chia seeds, cacao nibs, coconut shavings, pumpkin seeds, almond flakes and goji berries.

All bowls come with a drizzle of honey, cookie butter, peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter.

Its acai bowls is said to be undiluted with liquids such as apple juice or coconut water, and therefore contains a higher concentration of acai pulp. An Acai Affair (East Coast Road)

Seed and Soil
1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-22 Singapore 082001 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Station)
Tel: +65 9644 0752
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm (Mon – Fri), 10:00am – 5:00pm (Sat), Closed Sun, PH

Seed and Soil serves up their acai right from the tub, and do not blend or dilute it down with other fruits.

All their Acai bowls ($10, $12, $15) are topped with seasonal fruits and signature Superfood Sprinkle, a protein, fiber, and Omega-3 rich blend of homemade Rawnola (Oats, Dates & Coconut), Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Goji Berry, Cashew, Cacao Nibs, Buckwheat, Coconut Flakes and dried Mulberries.

Coocaça
1 Grange Road #01-03 Orchard Building Singapore 239693 (Somerset MRT, same building as H&M flagship)
Tel: +6585119923
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm (Mon – Sun)

Coocaça has come up with 2 signature blends, and commented that they used high quality acai that results in a creamier, less icy texture.

All bowls are topped with their very own homemade granola and almond butter, banana, strawberries, blueberries and chia seeds.

The best-selling item is the Pura Vida ($12.50), a refreshing blend of acai, mixed berries, banana and coconut water.

For something more indulgent and creamy, get the Sao Paulo ($12.50) which is a blend of acai, cacao, strawberries, banana and soy milk ($12.50).

Strangers’ Reunion
33-35 Kampong Bahru Road Singapore 169355 (Outram Park MRT Station)
Tel: +65 6222 4869
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm (Sun – Thu), 9am – 12:00mn (Fri – Sat), Closed Tue

To appeal to the health-conscious, Strangers’ Reunion has introduced ‘superfoods’ desserts – Coconut Chia Pudding ($11.90), Acai Smoothie Bowl ($11.90) and Avocado Smoothie Bowl ($11.90).

I liked the Acai Smoothie Bowl ($11.90) best, blended with mixed berries and coconut water, topped with honey granola, pepitas, coconut flakes, goji berries and fresh seasonal berries.

Mo-ii
20 Cecil Street, #01-07 GSH Plaza Singapore 049705 (Raffles Place MRT)
Tel: +65 82514776
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5:00pm (Mon – Fri), 7:30am – 2:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun

I had both the Summer Dream ($8.90) and Mo-ii Powerhouse ($8.90), ie acai and pitaya bowls on separate occasions, and found that they were fresher, more refreshing, had more balanced taste and texture compared to some other brands.

Was particularly impressed with the Pitaya Bowl, still seldom seen in Singapore, with dragonfruit as the based topped with mangoes, jackfruit, strawberries handmade granola, and chia seeds

The granola was prepared by the owner, and landed agreeable crunch and sweetness to the bowl.

Haakon
313@somerset 313 Orchard Road #B2-14 Singapore 278997
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

118 Holland Ave, #01-03 Raffles Holland V Singapore 278997
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

For the health conscious looking for some nourishing food with a fusion of Scandinavian and tropical flavours.

The Haakon Classic Acai Bowl ($7.90, $12.90) contains an organic acai blend, topped with granola, coconut flakes, chia seed parfait, blueberries, banana and seasonal fruits.

Other varieties include Pink Pitaya and Chia Bowl, Lean & Green Bowl, Coco Loco Acai Bowl, and Acai Chocolate Therapy.

Daily Acai
One@KentRidge #01-01, 1 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119082 (Kent Ridge MRT Station)
Tel: +65 9829 6888
Opening Hours: 8.30 am – 8:00pm (Mon – Fri), 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Sat). Closed Sun, PH

Daily Acai is a superfood smoothie shop that specializes in making delicious and healthy acai bowls, smoothies and quinoa salad boxes.

The shop offers Acai Bowls (Small $6.50, Regular $9.00, Large $12.00), Acai Chia Parfait ($9.00), Acai Yoghurt Cup ($5.00), Acai Latte ($4.50) and Smoothie Drinks ($6.00).

The Acai Bowl comes in 3 different varieties of Classic, Green, and Chocolate. The green bowl is made with green veggie and green fruit juices, while the chocolate bowl is made with pure dark cocoa and is dairy free.

There is option to add whey and Spirulina to the bowls for that additional punch.

Parallel
1 Raffles Place, #B1-34 Singapore 048616 (Raffles Place MRT)
Tel: +65 92982896
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Fri). Closed Sat, Sun, PH

Parallel’s Acai Boxes come in two sizes, Regular ($8.90) or Large ($12.90), with choices of Superstar, Antioxidant, or Amino Bowl.

I was recommended the Amino Bowl with a blended açaí base served with strawberries, blueberries, goji, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia.

There are no added sugars, syrups or sweeteners, and if you wish, you can request for a free topping of Australian organic raw honey.

The pricing when contrasted with other acai bowls in the vicinity, is comparable. I liked the portion sizing, and that the blend was not too icy.

The only part I did not fancy that much was its goji berries, which were hard and difficult to bite, and therefore did not mix well with the rest of the ingredients more easily palatable.

Other Related Entries
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* 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.

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$6.90 Ramen? This shows that it is still possible to look for inexpensive food in increasingly pricey Singapore. You just need to find.

Case in point, local ramen joint 300 Boru 三百碗 located at Burlington Square.

If you are not too sure where that is, it is a building next to Sim Lim Square, and opposite LASALLE College of the Arts. With a sizable student community in the vicinity, perhaps that is one of the reasons why prices of meals are kept low here.

300 Boru itself is found within the premise of Geisha Specialty Coffee cafe, specialising in two kinds of dry ramen, the Mazemen Kuro ($6.90) and Mazemen Shiro ($7.90).

The shop also offers a selection of small bite such as Poke Loop ($3.90) – this is like a poke onigiri; Hirata Buns where you get chashu or smoked duck sandwiched in between; Chashu Don ($6.90); and Poke Donburi ($9.90).

The desserts such as Japanese Pancake ($3.90) and Black Waffle ($3.90) are also affordably priced. If you noticed, all items here are less than $10.

The shop itself has a small space of woody décor, and reminds me of some of the cafes in Taiwan. The one thing that I am not inclined to liking was the strong clashes of aroma, from coffee to food, trapped within a small enclosed space.

For $6.90, the Mazemen Kuro ($6.90) is considered value-for-money with ingredients from onsen egg, scallions, roasted seaweed, special chashu, charred cabbage, and black sauce which you can select the level of spiciness.

I liked that they took the effort to aburi the chashu, and the black sauce palatable with tinge of sweetness and spiciness (which did remind me vaguely of Indomie).

If only the noodles were more al dente, as I thought they were nua nua (too soft) at parts. But maybe that was the style that was intended.

A humble, under-publicised shop of 300 Boru. If you are looking at something more polished, maybe they are still getting a hang of things, but could try if you are in the vicinity.

300 Boru 三百碗
175 Bencoolen Street, #01-55 Burlington Square, Singapore 189649 (Rochor MRT)
Tel: +65 87489676
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
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* 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.

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Are ice cream rolls still on a roll?

From singing to making ice cream rolls, Campus Superstar Alumni Keely Wee 阮诗凯 is now the owner of Fro Roll, an artisanal ice cream dessert cafe at Tai Thong Crescent, Potong Pasir.

This reminds me of other Campus Superstar Alumni Renfred Ng ex-owner of The Milky Way, and Geraldine See whom I last saw at The Little Prince Creamery (now closed), as all three diversified from singing to ice-cream selling.

Those were the days which I grew up watching them on TV.

Fro Roll aims to bring a refreshing twist to traditional ice cream desserts such as Ice Cream Rolls with Hotdog Buns ($4.80), similar to our traditional ice cream bread, and plated desserts ($10.80-$15.80) added with ice cream rolls.

Other desserts include Flower Pot ($15.80), Flowerpecker Nest ($15.80), Volcanic Avalanche ($15.80), all with ice cream rolls incorporated within.

Quite interesting.

My attention was drawn towards the orh-lu-lu Volcanic Avalanche ($15.80), which will probably attract many others too, with dry ice “pewpew-ing” out of the “volcano” for the visual effects.

A bit gimmicky.

When you crack open the outer volcano shell made using dark chocolate, it would reveal a chocolate lava cake, topped with 2 vanilla ice cream rolls.

There was a sense of nostalgia which brings back childhood memories of opening a Kinder Bueno Chocolate Egg, to reveal another surprise within.

Chocolate lovers would probably enjoy the Volcanic Avalanche ($15.80) with dark chocolate shell, chocolate lava cake, brownie chunks, giving a different textural crunch to the entire combination.

My favourite component was actually the vanilla ice cream rolls with a light drizzle of strawberry sauce, but the portion was a tad too small considering the fact that majority of the other components were all chocolates.

Perhaps adding more raspberry sauce can add a different and more balanced dimension to the existing chocolatey taste.

The dark chocolate shell was well made, crunchy with every bite, but it was a pity that the molten lava failed to flow out of the lava cake though.

The idea of incorporating ice cream rolls into plated desserts such that they don’t look like any other ordinary ice cream rolls was a creative move. Hope to see more interesting creations rolling out from Fro Roll in the future.

Fro Roll
52 Tai Thong Crescent, The Venue Shoppes #01-26, Singapore 347836
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/froroll.sg

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Apiary (Neil Road)
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* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Southpaw Bar & Sushi is a Cali styled sushi at Cavan Road (Jalan Besar area) that sits only 12.

Instead of the usual sake, Southpaw offers whisky and bourbon pairings with meals.

As for the name “Southpaw”, it came from the boxing movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a left handed boxer.

The left-hander boxer would be different, employ “unorthodox stance”, and take others by surprise, and this restaurant hopes to have some surprise elements as well.

Owner Roy also felt that there was no need to use a traditional Japanese name since they are not Japanese to begin with. ”There is no point being pretentious that way.”

Chef Kenny Khoo who helms the kitchen, has more than 17 years of experience, previously from Nogawa and Tatsuya.

Most of the condiments, garnishes, right down to the soya sauces have been improved or re-brewed one way or another to “get that perfection”. They even ferment their own pickles and blend the green tea leaves.

The omakase styled sushi bar offers 3 main sets, priced at $68++, 98++ and 138++, with variations depending on what is the seasonal catch.

I didn’t feel I wasn’t ready for a full-on omakasae and opted for the ala carte items, which included Sashimi Mori ($48++), Ukiyo Sushi Moriawase ($48++), Chirashi ($38++), and Wagyu Carpacio ($38++/$68++).

When the “Chirashi” bowl arrived, I was quite puzzled it was clearly a Bara Chirashi with diced up cubes.

A Bara Chirashi would typically cost lower than a Chirashi as well, and very few versions in Singapore would cost more than $35, unless it is offered in a more fine dining establishment.

Therefore, I probably had more-than-the-usual questions asked, but not sure if they were adequately answered.

To be fair, I enjoyed the Bara Chirashi – fresh assorted sashimi cubes over sweetish rice added with pink denbu.

The Wagyu Carpacio ($38++) which was thinly sliced, marinated overnight then seared, had layered citrusy-soy flavours with tender mouth feel.

Generally, I would say that the food presented was not bad, but I wondered about the pricing – two dishes came up to $90 after taxes.

Perhaps it was because the restaurant has only one main seating at night (no lunch service) and can sit only 12, and therefore costing would have been different.

I imagine that Southpaw Bar & Sushi could be an intimate setting for a birthday celebration of sorts with sushi and whiskey.

There had been some positive reviews on the interactivity and conversational style of the restaurant, which I happened not to experience. The entire meal was kind of quiet actually. Perhaps I went on a wrong timing or day.

Southpaw Bar & Sushi
11 Cavan Road, Cavan Suites, #01-04 Singapore 209848
Tel: +65 91011941
Opening Hours: 6:00pm – 12:00am (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

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* 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.

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