With many hotel buffet and Sunday brunches in Singapore, the NEW Food Exchange at Novotel Singapore on Stevens certainly looks impressive, and I reckon this is that restaurant to look out for.

The international buffet restaurant is located on the 2nd storey of the new hotel located in the prestigious Stevens Road neighbourhood. (If your cab driver does not exactly know where the hotel, it sits on where The Pinetree Club used to be.)

(Also look out for the HSBC Credit Card dining deal in which the 2nd diner at Food Exchange will get 50% OFF. More details at the end of the post.)

First impression: The moment I walked in, I thought Food Exchange already scored in the design aspect.

A stylish contemporary space, located next to the infinity pool, with natural daylight shining in.

Attention was also put into details, from the entrance to the back of the restaurant.

You would notice a bird cage like-design at the door, followed by golden birds hanging from the ceiling, flanked by leafy backdrop – like dining in a sanctuary.

My friend noted that the chairs were Philippe Starck with Emilio Pucci upholstery.

Design on point.

The idea of a “Food Exchange” represents the idea of both global and local culinary exchange – of food markets from around the world, and local corner restaurants where people in-the-know would dine.

“Exchange” is not only limited to the food, but interactions directly between guests, chefs and the staff.

Executive Chef Janne Ollikainen is known for his imaginative menu creation, and selection of fresh and quality ingredients. (I stayed at Bangkok’s Novotel before, and remember fondly of the Food Exchange there which he helmed.)

Ready for some fresh sashimi and seafood, hot cooking stations serving up Eggs Benedict, Risotto, Foie Gras, and BBQ and Grill? I was there for the Sunday Brunch, and here are 10 food stations you can look forward to at Food Exchange:

Seafood On Ice
The seafood here was VERY FRESH. You get a selection of snow crabs, clams, mussels, prawns. Look out for the most popular item of Jumbo Prawns.

I enjoyed the smaller versions though because they were sweet, fleshy and more manageable. There was also a selection of accompanying sauces in jars, from cocktails sauce, wasabi mayonnaise, and salsa sauce.

Sushi and Sashimi
Colour plays an important factor when I look out for sashimi. Check out these fresh, thick slices of salmon, tuna and octopus sashimi.

There was also a selection of vibrantly-coloured California rolls, salmon sushi and shrimp ebi sushi, served with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.

Eggs Live Station
Get eggs done your favourite way, from scrambled, sunny side egg, omelette style to eggs benedict – poached egg complete with smoked salmon on English muffin with Hollandaise sauce.

Foie-Gras Live Station
Decadently rich pan fried foie-gras “live”, added with fruit compote and balsamic reduction to balance with sweetness and tanginess. They were melt-in-your-mouth.

Risotto
While pasta live stations are getting more commonly seen at hotel buffets, the same cannot be said for risotto.

Over here, you get a choice of Truffle & Parmesan; Pumpkin & rocket; or Mushroom & mascarpone risotto cooked with quality Italian Arborio rice for that creamy and chewy texture.

Indian Tandoori Selection
Rotational Indian favourites from Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Mala Tikka, Tandoori Prawns, Hariyali Prawn, Lasooni Fish Tikka, Tillka macchi tikka, Mutton Seekh Kebab, Semi Boti Kebab, Hara Bhara Kebab, Roti, Masala kulcha and Aloo paratha.

Local Speciality
There is a selection of local favourites at the back of the restaurant, so you may just miss it.

Some of the specialty items offered were Beef Rendang, Nasi Goreng, Hokkien Sotong Mee, and Wok-fried Seasonal Vegetable in oyster sauce.

Both my friend and I thought that the Hokkien Sotong Mee was deserving of mention, fried with wok-hei, with tasty sambal chilli to match.

Also don’t miss out on the live noodle section with rotational choices.

Western and Roasts
Over at the cooked Western food section, there were casserole dishes of Grilled Atlantic salmon, 18h cooked Beef Cheeks, Ratatouille, and Gratin Dauphinois.

You must, must leave some room for the roast meats, which I thought was a cut (pardon the pun) above the rest. The Roasted Pork Neck with Mushroom Sauce was superbly tender, and other pieces of Roasted Chicken, Roast Beef, and Lamb were succulent and flavourful.

European Cold Cuts
Choice cuts of Charcuterie, Parma Ham, Chorizo, Salami, and Cold Smoked Salmon.

Typically, I don’t always go to this section, but my friend (who finished her entire plate) prompted me to. The Parma and Charcuterie were top-notch – of the ‘right’ colour, smooth, with buttery and mild flavour.

European Cheeses
A small but sufficient section of Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, Tomme de Savoie, and Marinated Feta Cheese in olive oil.

Salad Corner
One thing I noticed about Food Exchange’s salads were they were not only one or two ‘token’ green, but a variety of international flavours.

I mean, there were both Octopus and Jellyfish Salads, catering to the Japanese cuisine lovers. Also found Chicken Waldorf, Caprese Salad, Marinated Feta Cob Salad, and Spicy Chicken Avocado Salad.

Desserts
Always end the meal with some sweet treats of Éclair, vanilla & strawberry & salted caramel, Classic Opera Cake, Home-made Waffles, Banana in Coconut Milk, Momolato Premium Ice Cream selection, Nonya Kueh Kueh and Chocolate Fountain.

Buffet pricing:
Sunday Family Brunch: Sunday, 12:00pm – 3:00pm, $78++ / $128++ (Free flow Moet Champaign, Rose wine, Red wine, White wine and Draft Beer)

Weekday Breakfast: Monday to Friday, 6:30am – 10:30am, $32++
Weekend Breakfast: Saturday to Sunday & Public Holidays, 6:30am – 11:00am, $32++
Weekday Lunch: Monday to Friday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, $42++
Saturday Lunch: Saturday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, $52++

Weekday Dinner: Monday to Friday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, $58++
Weekend Dinner: Saturday to Sunday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, $68++

Festive Buffet pricing:
Christmas Eve Dinner: 6:00pm – 10:00pm, $98++ (Free flow Iced tea, Coffee, Tea) / $158++ (Free flow Champaign, Rose wine, Red wine, White wine and Draft Beer)

Christmas Day Brunch: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, $98++ (Free flow Iced tea, Coffee, Tea) / $158++ (Free flow Champaign, Rose wine, Red wine, White wine and Draft Beer)

New Year Eve Dinner: 6:00pm – 10:00pm, $98++ (Free flow Iced tea, Coffee, Tea) / $158++ (Free flow Champaign, Rose wine, Red wine, White wine and Draft Beer)

New Year Day Brunch: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, $98++ (Free flow Iced tea, Coffee, Tea) / $158++ (Free flow Champaign, Rose wine, Red wine, White wine and Draft Beer)

Food Exchange
Novotel Singapore On Stevens, Orchard District, 28 Stevens Road, #01-01, Singapore 257878
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Email: mailto:h9543@accor.com
Website: http://www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com/restaurants-bars/food-exchange

HSBC Card Promotion
From 1st December 2017 till 28th February 2018, enjoy 50% OFF the 2nd diner. To enjoy this offer, simply quote “HSBC Dining Privileges” when making your reservations.

L’Apéritif Tapas Bar at Novotel Singapore on Stevens
Also NEW at Novotel Singapore on Stevens is the equally stylish L’Apéritif Tapas Bar, for those who prefer a lighter option of European and Asian small dishes.

Located at the lobby level, the kitchen team has created appetising sharing platters, including French, Spanish and Asian-style tapas, antipasti and premium cold cuts.

This can be paired with a glass of classy Paris-inspired signature cocktails, craft beer, cider, tea and coffee using locally roasted specialty coffee beans by A Stimulant by Sarnies.

Special mention of the tea – a unique blend of Le Charme created by ETTE Tea, consisting of silvertips white tea, black tea, pink rose buds, marigold and bergamot.

The place for a relaxing high-tea or after-work drinks.

L’Apéritif Tapas Bar
Novotel Singapore On Stevens, Orchard District, 28 Stevens Road, #01-01, Singapore 257878

HSBC Card Promotion
From 1st December 2017 till 28th February 2018, quote “HSBC Dining Privileges” before ordering to enjoy the following promotional deals at L’Apéritif Tapas Bar:
– 50% OFF 2nd drink daily for Signature Cocktails, Ciders and Draught Beer
– 50% OFF for 2nd diner for high tea

Terms & Conditions for Food Exchange and L’Apéritif Tapas Bar:
– The Offers are valid from 1 December 2017 to 28 February 2018.
– The Offers are not valid in conjunction with other promotions, privileges and vouchers.
– To enjoy the promotion(s), full payment must be made with a credit and debit card issued by HSBC Bank (Singapore) Limited.
– Please quote “HSBC Dining Privileges” prior to ordering.

* For more details on the latest HSBC dining promotions, visit www.hsbc.com.sg/dining. This entry is brought to you in partnership with HSBC Credit Cards.

The post Food Exchange – 50% OFF 2nd Diner. Impressive NEW International Buffet & Sunday Brunch At Novotel Singapore on Stevens appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Great to have Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao back at Ngee Ann City, which is a constant favourite for family meals. This is especially when we need to satisfy Xiao Long Bao cravings in the heart of town.

The casual all-day dining restaurant has opened at basement 2, right next to Takashimaya Square -where events are always held.

This NEW outlet takes on modern contemporary look, and I personally liked the neutral earthy and sky blue tones used for the interior.

In terms of food choices, the restaurant continues to specialize in Northern Chinese specialties – as its name suggest La Mian and Xiao Long Bao dumplings; along with meat and seafood dishes from around the Jiangnan region.

Here are some of the food highlights from Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao:

Hainanese Chicken Xiao Long Bao ($6.80)
I remember having this 2 years ago as part of the SG50 special. This was when Crystal Jade incorporated the Singapore signature dish of Hainanese Chicken Rice into their famed Chinese dumplings.

To complete the experience, I would recommend dipping the dumpling into the specially made ginger paste, then let the entire piece burst in your mouth.

Using fillings of minced chicken thigh and pork, the flavour stock within had this faint tinge of resemblance with the popular local dish.

If only there was some of that signature chicken rice chilli as well.

Steamed Assorted Flavours Xiao Long Bao ($9.30)
For those who would fancy a bit of everything. This basket contained the Original, Salted Egg Yolk, Chilli Crab and Mushroom flavours – all in one.

Of all, I liked the Chilli Crab most.

The sweet, delicately spicy broth could remind you of chilli crab gravy only in a subtle way as it was not overly heavy or spicy, matched with generous fillings of crab meat sitting within thin, skill-fully pleated skin.

Please eat while they are hot.

La Mian with Scallion Oil ($8.30)
Hands down my favourite La Mian dish among those I tried. Actually, our entire table all enjoyed this dish, and it could be a ‘staple’ to have again and again.

The ingredients are simple, the noodle dishes don’t look fanciful, but the magic happens when you toss the thin and springy hand-pulled noodles with the aromatic scallion oil.

I particularly liked its eggy soft and chewy texture. If I ordered a more robust dish, say the Mapo Tofu or Braised Dong Po Pork Belly, it should pair pretty well with the plainer noodles.

Signature Szechuan Dan Dan La Mian ($10.80)
The Dan Dan noodles complete with nutty richness and mild spiciness may not be every diner’s cup of tea.

It had an interesting layered and complex flavour – part spicy, part meaty, part nutty and part pickled

If you are fond of that unique taste, the soup base would be satisfactorily addictive.

La Mian served with Deep Fried Pork Rib ($14.80)
One of the most popular orders. La mian in collagen-rich signature pork broth, paired with juicy deep-fried pork ribs.

Deep-fried White Bait in Wuxi Style ($8.30)
Get this as a starter before all the mains arrive.

These tasty snack-like fish were first deep-fried, then enveloped in a sweet and sour sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds and fried ginger.

Could not stop taking more. I started with chopsticks, then ended up using the fingers.

Chilled Poached Chicken in Szechuan Style ($10.30)
Tender chicken topped with a dark Sichuan pepper sauce, sesame seeds and spring onion.

Sautéed Egg White with Conpoy & Fish Meat ($15.80)
A dish you would love for its simplicity. A well-balanced dish of sautéed egg white with conpoy and fish meat.

Just add a few drops of vinegar, and the taste goes on another level.

Poached Sliced Fish in Szechuan Spicy Soup ($22.80)
The classic dish of Szechuan ”Shui Zhu Yu”, which literally means “fish boiled by water”.

A bowl of generous portion of slices of dory in tongue-tingling mala broth, added with flat translucent glass noodles. As the fish pieces are poached instead of say stir-frying, they retain their tenderness and fresh-tasting bite.

Shiok when the numbing sensation of Szechuan pepper hits you.

Osmanthus with Wolfberry Cake ($4.30) and Coconut Cake ($5.30)
Other desserts to end off the meal include Glutinous Rice Ball in Fermented Rice Wine ($3.80) – mini tang yuan served in a fermented rice lees sweet broth; Pan Fried Reb Bean Pancake ($6.30); Black Sesame Glutinour Rice Dumpling in Ginger Soup ($4.80); and Herbal Jelly ($5.30).

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao Opening Promotion – $1 Hainanese Chicken Rice Xiao Long Bao ($6.80 for 4 pieces)
– Valid with min. spent of $45 on a la carte food items
– Valid till 31 Jan 2018, Mondays to Fridays, excluding eve and day of public holiday
– Limited to 1 redemption per table per bill, with no splitting of bills
– Valid for din in and whilst stocks last
– Not valid with other promotion, discount, or loyalty programmes unless otherwise stated

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
Ngee Ann City #B2-36A, 391 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238873 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6733 3229
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm Daily

Also available at:
Crystal Jade Jiangnan
Toa Payoh Lor 6 Blk 470 #01-70 (opposite HDB Hub)
VivoCity #01-52

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
Bugis Junction #B1-04A
Great World City #02-43
Holland Avenue 241
Jurong Point JP2 #03-96
Changi Airport Terminal 1 Mezzanine Level 3

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Crystal Jade Group.

The post Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao – $1 Hainanese Chicken Rice XLB. NEW Outlet At Ngee Ann City B2 appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Seoul] The Seoulites bear a palpable love for minimalism, and Café MILD 마일드 is a testament to that.

Having been following many Korean café-hoppers on Instagram, I stumbled upon this minimally styled café, and included it on my “Must-Visit Seoul Itinerary”.

For those who plan to go to Common Ground, the hip container street market for fashionable clothes, food trucks and OOTDs, Café MILD would be a convenient stop before or after since it is located within the same district of Gwangjin.

However, I continued to take a bus from Konkuk University Station to save on the walking distance.

Tiny a space it might be, the interiors exuded a very laid-back, casual and cosy vibe.

From the white walls, pillows and linen-lined communal bench to the wooden tables and stools, the design is kept simple and pleasant to the eye.

Potted plants also dotted some corners, giving the place a touch of greenery.

Just like the interior, the menu here was just as minimal, with only a sandwich, salad and cake as food options along with a range of coffees and teas for drinks.

Their concept is apparently also to serve food of “simple” and “light” taste.

One of the most commonly ordered drink here was the Cream Cappuccino (5500 Won, SGD$6.60) so I had to get that.

It was essentially an iced cappuccino topped with cream, which I was initially sceptical of. But the mildly sweet and light cream, when paired with the cappuccino, was strangely refreshing and made the coffee less acidic.

It reminded me of cream beer.

Meanwhile, the Salmon Sandwich (7500 Won, SGD$9) featured raw salmon and cream cheese atop slices of toast.

I liked how the flavours were, instead of heavy like an eggs royale, organic and healthy but still delicious. The portion was small but worth the price.

Ieended off our simple meal with the Rare Cheese Cake (5000 Won, SGD$6), ‘rare’ due to it being a no-bake cheesecake I figured.

So the cake exhibited a smooth, creamy texture that was light on the palate, and I didn’t have trouble finishing the cake at all.

Don’t come here expecting to have a full meal, but to rest your feet and indulge in casual conversations over simple but not ordinary fare.

And maybe to take some Instagram-worthy, look-out-the-window-and-ponder kind of pictures.

Café MILD 마일드
54-5 Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Konkuk University Station Exit 6)
대한민국 서울시 광진구 자양동 54-5
Tel: +82 70 8839 2507
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9.30pm Daily
http://www.cafemild.com/
Google Maps – MILD

Click HERE for other SEOUL Food Entries

Other Related Entries
Common Ground (Gwangjin-gu, Seoul)
Café Onion (Seongsu-dong, Seoul)
Luft Coffee (Myeongdong, Seoul)
Anthracite Coffee Roasters (Itaewon, Seoul)
The Skyfarm (Yeoeuido-dong, Seoul)

* Written by Crystal Wee, a “Cafe Pornographer”. More of her cafe gallery on Instagram @Crystal_wee. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Café MILD 마일드 – Instagram Worthy Minimalist Café, At Gwangjin Seoul (Near Common Ground) appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Johor Bahru] My friends and I were talking about Wanton Mee (since it is my favourite hawker food), and one thing led to another.

It was the statement, “Ho Seng Kee is the best wanton mee ever” that made me head to JB. I literally went, “Let’s go”.

I had this insatiable craving for wanton mee, so much so that I had one to two per day in Singapore during a period of time. But it wasn’t enough.

So after about a 2 hour drive and jam, we found our way to one of the oldest wanton noodle shop in Johor Bahru.

Ho Seng Kee has been around for more than 81 years, serving generations of Johoreans and Singaporeans.

THIS is the noodles people eat from young till they become parents.

What is special is the noodles are handmade fresh on a daily basis, made with only duck and chicken eggs, and high protein wheat flour.

This gives the noodles a distinct taste that is different from any store bought premade noodles.

No additional colourings, preservations, with minimal lye water added to prevent that alkaline taste.

From a street side cart to a restaurant within City Square Mall, the “Authentic JB Styled Wantan Mee” has come a long way.

The restaurant sells their Wanton Mee in a number of sizes at inexpensive prices (at least for Singaporeans) – RM8.90 (SGD$2.95) for a medium bowl, and RM13.90 (SGD$4.60) for a large.

Diners have the option between having their noodles dry and tossed in their choice of sauce.

The dry noodles come with the following customisable options of original, black sauce, spicy, spicy and black, or soup version.

The sauce was kept rather minimal, so the flavours of the noodles were contrastingly more obvious. (I could imagine some Singaporeans would find it bland and prefer a version with more sauces or saltier.)

Noodles were unlike any others I tried before – they were thin, springy, yet flat with a satisfying eggy bite.

You could add extra chilli sauce in the mix. Again, the chilli was unlike any other, with a tangy, sharp punch, though we (Singaporeans) might have preferred something sweeter.

Another highlight was the “Lovely Fish Ball In Soup” (RM6 for 6 pieces) which featured handmade fishballs with surprise filling in the middle. Like Fuzhou style.

The soup was clear, mildly sweet and flavourful.

While I wasn’t totally blown away by Ho Seng Kee, mainly because the sauces lacked the robustness, the unique texture of the noodles was a factor that was quite enticing. If the jam wasn’t that bad, why not.

Ho Seng Kee
City Square Mall, 108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 12 710 7140
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/cshosengkee

Other Related Entries
Ah Hua Kway Teow 亚华粿條 (Johor Bahru)
Original Cake 源味本鋪 (City Square Mall, Johor Bahru)

* 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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Food trends come and go, and I would say year 2017 has been pretty much cheese-centric.

Look at all the cheese tarts (BAKE Cheese Tart & Pablo Cheese Tart), cheese ice cream (Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory) and cheese tea (LiHo & Tuk Tuk Cha).

Is the cheese toast hype going to make a comeback?

(DFD’s crystal ball says more cheese toasts will start appearing in Singapore, even at pasar malams.) That is including the popular Say Chiizu Toast from Bangkok which will be setting foot on Singapore at The Clementi Mall.

At Raffles City, there is already a takeaway kiosk which specializes in making stretchy cheese sandwich.

Previously known as KOKI Tamagoyaki which served Japanese rolled omelette, perhaps the lack of demand for tamagoyaki has caused the need to revamp its offerings.

Using brioche bread, the sandwiches are toasted till golden brown before being served.

There are 6 variants of cheese sandwiches offering, ranging from plain to hearty meat fillings.

The signature 52 Grilled Cheese ($6.90) was a testament to how stretchy their cheese toast could go, and probably the most insta-worthy.

Stretchy fun aside, the toast was made using a blend of 3 cheese – Mozzarella, Cheddar & Fontina to give a more robust cheesy fragrance as well as flavour.

Meat lovers should opt for the Yakiniku Pulled Pork ($8.90) which came with tender juicy shredded pork complemented with tangy pickles to balance out the meatiness.

Otherwise, the Wagyu Beef ($11.90) would also satisfy the meat craving.

Served with sous vide egg, the staff advised to dip the beef sandwich into the yolk before consuming.

I though the beef sandwich was already tasty on its own, not too sure if dipping into the egg would make a distinctive difference.

My pick was in fact the Truffle ‘N’ Mushrooms ($9.90). Despite having only cheese, mushroom and spinach, it was through these simple ingredients which made the scent of truffle stood out.

Apart from sandwiches, the kiosk also serves Fries which are interestingly shaped like a swirl.

Known as the Sidewinders, they are one of the two in Singapore to serve fries in this cut. (The other provider, you know who lah.)

The fries come in 3 flavors ($3.90) – Truffle, Salted Egg and Cheese. All the HIT flavors and I was torn between choices.

I tried the Salted Egg Fries but thought it could be improved if the sauce is more savoury than sweet.

Fans of the Shuu Choux would be relieved to hear that they are still around.

You can continue to lay your hands on the plump fillings choux with signature flavors of Matcha, Black Sesame, Earl Grey and Vanilla at $4.30 each.

52 Sandwich Shack
Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-54, Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6920 2922
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 10pm (Mon to Fri), 10.30am – 10pm (Sat & Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/52sandwichshack/

Other Related Entries
KOKI Tamagoyaki (Raffles City)
Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory (Raffles City)
Tuk Tuk Cha (Suntec City)
Pablo Cheese Tart Café (Wisma Atria)
Café & Meal MUJI (Plaza Singapura)

* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post 52 Sandwich Shack – Stretchy Cheese Toast Sandwich Making A Comeback? #Cheesepull Alert appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Tokyo] Singaporeans seem to have a much deeper obsession with Japanese ramen than udon. This is partly because we generally prefer thinner noodles, and there are not many udon specialty shops around to begin with.

When in Tokyo, it is good opportunity to try what authentic Udon REALLY tastes like.

I heard a lot about this Udon eatery in Shinjuku Tokyo, and found a reason to satisfy that craving in the cool weather.

Located in Western Shinjuku, Tokyo Mentsudan Udon 東京麺通団 is a self-service restaurant that focuses on noodles from Kagawa Prefecture also known as Sanuki Udon.

A gourmet columnist Masahiko Katsuya and the head of an udon aficionado club Kazutoshi Tao, are the owners of this establishment.

The interior is basic with a couple of wooden tables and a long counter with barstools where customers can have their food.

There is a menu with photographs of dishes displayed at the entrance to help you decide what to order.

Here’s the thing: As this is self-service and Japanese in Shinjuku are generally fast-moving (they queue, they buy, they eat, they go), you do not want to be that tourist that obstructs the queue.

Look for the laminated English menu first (it is NOT on the wall) but decide what you want first.

For a start, the Udon noodles are either in hot or cold soups, indicated by a red (hot) or blue (cold) circle. It is really up to your preference, though the weather is also a deciding factor.

The basic Plain Udon is at ¥310 (SGD$3.70), while the other choices include Beef with concentrated broth (¥560, SGD$6.70), Seasoned cod roe and soy sauce (¥410, SGD$4.90), Scrambled egg and soy sauce (¥360, SGD$4.30) and Natto, raw egg and soy sauce (¥410, SGD$4.90).

An inexpensive meal.

The great thing about this place is that the Japanese staff makes the noodles right in front of you, which means that the noodles are always super fresh and handmade.

Since this is a self-service joint, you pay as soon as you choose your toppings, udon, and sides. There are numerous options to choose from and customers are encouraged to create their own favorite version of sanuki udon.

Ordering food is a simple 3-step process here at Tokyo Mentsudan Udon.

The first step is to select an udon dish based on temperature, size, and style of preparation.

At the next station, there is a big counter with 15 types of tempura, side dishes, rice balls, and toppings from salads. The danger here is that everything looks appetising, and you may end up picking more than your stomach can handle.

Also, don’t take your time to pick – you are not picking a husband or wife.

The last stop is at the payment counter and here you can also find a nice selection of complimentary toppings. Feel free to add more soup after you are done!

The Udon was superb. Please do what the Japanese do, which is to slurp them up, ending with the broad smile and look of satisfaction.

Even though the noodles were thick and fat, the texture was firm yet so wonderfully chewy. It is what Italians could call ”al dente”.

Whether in raw egg or simple flavourful broth, the slippery feel was pleasurable. Eating noodles became ‘fun’ again.

If I need to nit-pick, I would wish that the Udon had a slightly softer texture. For the tempura pieces, depending on the time that you come, some could have been sitting there for a while.

I also had the special Chicken Drumstick and it was THE BEST chicken I had in a very long while.

The easiest way to reach Tokyo Mentsudan Udon is to exit on the west side from the Shinjuku station and start walking north.

You will pass by Pepper Lunch and should take the next left turn down the upper road. Tokyo Mentsudan Udon is just a couple of shops from there.

Tokyo Mentsudan Udon
Daikan Plaza Business Kiyoda Bldg 1F, 7-9-15 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 160-0023 西新宿ビル(Near Shinjuku station)
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 11:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10:00am – 11:30pm (Sat, Sun)
Google Maps – Tokyo Mentsudan Udon

Other Related Entries
10 Must Eats At Shinjuku Tokyo
10 Must-Try Ramen & Tsukemen at Tokyo
Shin Udon 慎 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Taimeiken (Nihonbashi, Tokyo)
Tsuta (Sugamo, Tokyo)

Click HERE for other TOKYO 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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[Bangkok] In Thailand, many abide by a vegan or vegetarian diet for religious reasons. This restaurant hopes that its food offerings can make it tastier and better for vegan diners.

Veganerie Concept is a family-run vegan eatery found in Bangkok.

Co-founder Kalayanee realized the benefits of being on a vegan diet, and saw her health significantly improved. Together with her daughter Jajah, they want to encourage diners to experience delicious vegan cuisine.

(Photo credit: Veganerie Concept)

What makes this restaurant stand out from other vegan-friendly venues in the capital is its offering of unique meals featuring faux meat.

Many diners who were initially resistant to switching their diet, feared they would miss the taste of meat too much.

That is where Veganerie Concept comes in.

The restaurant serves up a plethora of tasty, meat-like menu items that may just convince even the most meat-loving of diners that going vegan is really not all that bad.

In addition to faux meat, the restaurant also offers plant-based vegan-friendly options and a selection of bakery items made without the use of any animal products.

Veganerie Concept’s interior reflects the restaurant’s vegetarian-friendly menu, with green foliage accents throughout.

The quaint restaurant is not that large, though there is plenty of seating with both indoor and outdoor tables and chairs available.

Wooden panels adorn the ceiling, giving the restaurant a rustic vibe. Hanging glass lamps with black, ironwork design hang above the tables, basking them in a romantic hew, as well.

The restaurant is not glamorous or glitzy, rather, comfortable and quite welcoming, and there is even a large, plush sectional sofa for diners to lounge on while they wait for their food.

The menu is broken up into a number of sections for diners to browse.

Appetisers, desserts, mains, quinoa bowls, Buddha bowls, curry dishes, wraps, paninis, smoothies, smoothies bowls, pancakes: the list goes on and on. The best way to enjoy Veganerie Concept’s menu is to purchase a few dishes and share amongst friends.

A recommended dish was the scarily convincing Hawaiian Teriyaki Veggie Burger (290 baht, SGD$11.97) – a vegan burger bun filled with crunchy teriyaki cauliflower, pineapple, tomato, lettuce, onion and topped with white sesame and soy mayonnaise.

Bacon-lovers should opt for the creamy pesto BLT panini wrap (220 baht, SGD$9.08).

This wrap used soy in its bacon and was arguably equally as enticing as its porky counterpart, and the added pesto sauce made from basil, garlic, olive oil, lime and pine nuts made this dish undoubtedly unique.

Visitors do not have to be vegetarian or vegan to enjoy the food. And the restaurant is equipped with plenty of seating for friends to come together for a lovely meal out on the town.

There are a total of five Veganerie instalments in the city, some of which are restaurants and some are bakeries.

The family has every intention of expanding in the future. More importantly, they want to prove that sticking to a vegan diet can be a delicious endeavour and not a hassle, as many presume it to be.

Veganerie Concept
35/2 Soi Methi Niwet, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 089 628 8803
Opening Hours: 7am-10pm (Mon-Sat), 8am-10pm (Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/VeganBakeryBangkok
Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

* Written by DFD’s Bangkok Correspondent Kelly Iverson. The writer and photographer relocated to Bangkok from Kansas some years ago, and has been falling madly in love with the city. Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Veganerie Concept – Delicious Vegan Restaurant In Central Bangkok Serving Faux Meat And More appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Those who frequent Orchard Road will realise that it’s not easy to find cafes for a cup of coffee, probably due to the high rental cost in town.

Located at level 2 of Far East Plaza where youngsters (used to) frequent, The Community Coffee may seem like a bar from a distance.

Pink neon lights, dim interior, an industrial outlook, a bar table for filtered coffee and 18 seats in total.

The items offered here are nothing fanciful but back to the basics with only coffee.

As a non-profit organisation, The Community Coffee is all about giving back to the public.

$1 from the sales of each cup of coffee will be donated.

At the moment, the cafe is in the talks of supporting Smile Asia, a group of independent charities that work together to fund the treatment of facial deformities such as cleft lip.

Focusing purely on coffee, prices start as low as $3 for a cup of Espresso, $4 for Black/White and $5 for Mocha and Filtered coffee.

The iced coffee will be priced at an additional $1.

For espresso-based drinks ($3-5), the beans used are of single origin (Guatemala) and roasted by Compound Coffee Co.

I had a cup of Flat White ($4), one of the cheapest I could find in Singapore, with a smooth and medium body and without being too acidic.

Having prior experience at VXX Cooperative which is currently closed permanently, the latte art drawn by the barista was also on point.

For Filtered coffee lovers, 3 single origins are used: Honduras, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and Ethiopian Guji, all roasted by Cloud Catcher Roastery based in Malaysia.

If you happened to be in town looking for a quiet spot, a cup of coffee for a good cause, The Community Coffee will be the place.

The Community Coffee
Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #02-94, Singapore 228213
Opening Hours: 9am – 7.30pm (Mon-Fri), 10am – 7.30pm (Sat), Closed Sun
https://www.facebook.com/thecommunitycoffee/

Other Related Entries
Lina’s Café (Jalan Pisang)
Pope Jai Thai (Orchard Scape)
Grounded By CMCR (Martin Road)
Upside Down Coffee (Amoy Street)
Qi Philosophy (Dawson Road)

* 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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Hello KAP aka King Albert Park. This used to house a McDonald’s branch where I hung out after CCAs, and rushed through several tutorial assignment. Those were the days.

Of course the whole building was gone, and is now a mixed development, which is emm… relatively empty in the food component. However, you can still find EagleWings Loft and the Kindred Folk.

Kindred Folk is a cosy two storey cafe serving up handcrafted ice creams, other desserts and fusion pastas.

The owner Cheryl revealed that the café was created firstly with students in mind, and she wanted the place to be where students can get away from their usual surroundings to chill out or study.

Ngee Ann Poly students, you know where to go now. (I wonder how much ex-NP students are doing now.)

No wonder a hammock somewhere at the back of the café. While it utilised some seating area, I thought it added this hipster-element to the space.

In terms of Ice Cream flavours, they included Roasted Rice Milk Tea, Watermelon-Calamansi Sorbet, Cereal Milk, Grapefruit Froyo, Matcha Gao, Sea Salt Gula Coconut, Latte, Pure Hazelnut, to a very interesting Wasabi.

$3.70 per scoop for the basic flavours, and students and residents of KAP Residences get a 10% discount.

You can also find Pasta dishes here ($15 ala carte, $12.90 for set lunch, $9.90 for students), and include Mi-so Sexy pasta – capellini tossed in a light miso and roasted sesame sauce; and Asian Flush Pasta – slightly spicy tomato cream sauce flavoured with curry leaves.

I had a Spice It Up, a Tom Yum Aglio Olio Linguine with Sautéed Prawns.

While the tom yum gave a mild kick, execution could have been further refined, and noodles were in a pool of oil unfortunately.

The ice cream saved the day, and I consider it one of the better ones that opened this year.

The Brown Rice was recommended as it was made on site, including the roasting of the brown rice itself which would take more than an hour.

I had the Watermelon-Calamansi and Matcha Gao.

Both flavours were true to their name, the former fruity and refreshing yet still thick though it was a sorbet, and the latter richly smooth with obvious matcha bitterness that would linger.

Though I tried the Wasabi Ice Cream and found it interesting enough, I didn’t really want an entire scoop of that.

A promising ice cream cafe which had velvety smooth hand-crafted ice cream. If they could work out more interesting flavours and refine the texture of the waffles, would be a hit with students.

Kindred Folk
9 King Albert Park #01-09, Singapore 598332 (King Albert Park Station, Downtown Line)
Tel: +65 6928 3043
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon, Tue, Thu), 12pm – 10.30pm (Wed), 12pm – 11pm (Fri-Sun)

Other Related Entries
EagleWings Loft (King Albert Park)
Cottontail Creamery (Serangoon)
aROMA Gelato Experience (Arab Street)
Lickety Ice Cream & Waffles (Bussorah Street)
Shots & Scoops (PoMo, Selegie Road)

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

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[Seoul] Two Two Chicken is one of the most popular Korean Fried Chicken shop in Seoul with possibly over a hundred branches.

Also known as 22 Chicken ((Dul Dul Chicken), the brand which has been around for over 30 years
is known for its special frying pressure machines, batter, and secret sauce.

I found a branch in Myeongdong, which is one of the busiest places in Seoul – good to go late-night shopping after.

Although this is one of the biggest food outlets in the city, Two Two Chicken in Myeongdong has a family-friendly vibe with no uniforms and a laid-back atmosphere.

The interior was quite simple, no fuss, an eat-and-drink-and-go place.

While the focus is on Korean Fried Chicken, the menu is extensive with other offerings of Hot Stone Pot Bibimbap, Bulgogi, Shin Ramyun, Noodles with Black Soybean Sauce, Cold Buckwheat Noodles, Fish Cake Soup, Seafood and Green Onion Pancake, and even Udon.

I think this is to cater to the tourist crowd who are more inclined to order a variety of Korean staples. The menu also includes English, Chinese and Japanese descriptions.

The Fried Chicken items include Fried Chicken (17,000 Won, SGD$21), Marinated Soy Bean Chicken (17,000 Won, SGD$21), Teriyaki Chicken (18,000 Won, SGD$22.30), Garlic Chicken (17,000 Won, SGD$21), Green Onion Chicken (19,000 Won, SGD$23.50).

Portions are big. So’s the price.

Thankfully, they had a half-and-half set (18,000 Won, SGD$22.30) so I was able to try both the original and seasoned flavours.

The Original Fried Chicken was somewhat flavorsome, and juicy on the inside, but wasn’t as crispy on the outside as I would have expected.

Would have liked to experience the crunch, but perhaps this wasn’t its style.

The same went with the seasoned fried chicken as the skin was not that crisp, and some parts of the chicken were dry – for Korean Fried Chickens standard.

Feeling unsatisfied, I also ordered some Ramyum (6,000 Won, SGD$7.50) – comforting in the cool weather, unfortunately diluted and lacked the usual oomph you would get from instant noodles.

Two Two Chicken managed to attract sizable crowd of diners due to the brand, the large offerings, and the tenderness of the chicken. I suspect the consistency between branches could differ though.

Two Two Chicken 둘둘치킨
6-4 Namsandong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (Myeongdong Station, Seoul Subway Line 4)
Tel: +86 2 2275 2297
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 1:30am Daily
Google Maps – Two Two Chicken

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Oppadak (Myeongdong, Seoul)

Click HERE for other SEOUL 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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[Ho Chi Min City] One of the most frequently asked questions I encountered during my last trip to Vietnam was, “Is Airbnb available in Ho Chi Minh City?”

Apart from Airbnb, both Grab and Uber services were also readily available with in-built translation services.

All these make traveling in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) much more convenient, especially when transport and communication can be a problem.

Nấp which means both “hidden” in Vietnamese and the literal meaning of “sleep” in English, is one example of both an Airbnb and a cafe under the same roof.

It was a pity that I didn’t stay in this Airbnb for this trip as I wasn’t aware that there was accommodation upstair.

This was until I saw a security guard at the Instagrammable door, with multiple #ootd photos uploaded on social media.

Initially, I was still wondering if there was a need for a security personnel at a café.

The seating area inside was quite limited: a communal table, 2 small tables and a small garden with benches in the backyard.

Even though there was no physical menu but a single huge chalkboard at the cashier, the description was written in English and the service crew was able to converse well.

I decided to order their Egg Coffee (VND 60k, SGD$3.60) which sounded quirky but uniquely found in Vietnam.

Instead of the milk foam that we are familiar with for lattes, think thick, beaten egg white set on top of Vietnamese black coffee.

While the Vietnamese black coffee is rich and intense, the egg white is (overly) sweetened with an interesting texture similar to a thicker version of LiHo’s cheese toppings.

For a non-caffeinated version, Egg Chocolate (VND 60k, SGD$3.60) is also available.

The menu mainly consisted of drinks with a small and limited food selection such as Snacks and Cake of the Day (VND 50k, SGD$3).

The Cake of the Day was Egg Swiss roll with Salted Egg and Pork Floss.

It was comforting to have something savory to counter balance the sweetness of the Egg Coffee.

Texture-wise, it was drier than expected though.

Even though the food at Nap Saigon might not be as memorable, it could provide a certain convenience for tourists staying in their accommodation there.

Nấp Saigon
3/5 Nguyễn Văn Thủ, Ward Dakao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Mon-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/nap.saigon
Google Maps – Nấp Saigon

Click HERE for more HO CHI MINH City Food Entries

Other Related Entries
Pho Phu Vuong (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
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Pho Phu Vuong (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
Banh Xeo 46A (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
The Lunch Lady (District 1, Ho Chí Minh City)

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

The post Nấp Saigon – Instagrammable Cafe with Airbnb Accommodation, At Ho Chi Minh City appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Korean BBQ restaurant On The Grill 온더그릴 located at Myeongdong Seoul, has an unusual and motivating story.

It was actually started by a Singaporean Jonathan Quek, who found love and success in Korea.

It didn’t start out easily though, as the non-Korean speaking foreigner had to navigate and communicate his way through an unfamiliar culture.

He first started a Korean BBQ restaurant Aunt Piggy near Seoul National University, which became popular with students as it was branded as a no-frills competitively priced eatery.

On The Grill, a Korean fusion concept located at Myeongdong, was also successful due to its appeal to budget-conscious diners and interesting sauces used for the meals.

The Singaporean has found his way back to Singapore with this new restaurant at Level 3 City Square Mall.

He is backed by “celebrity partner” Dasmond Koh who has proven he is not only good at hosting and finding handsome young talents, but in business as well.

On The Grill at City Square Mall is a casual, fuss-free restaurant which serves up Korean BBQ meats on a wooden platter.

Diners get options of Honey Garlic Pork Belly, Honey Glazed Pork Shoulder Steak, Gochujang Pork Shoulder Steak, Chicken Ddakgalbi with Gochujang base, and Black Pepper Beef (Chuck Flap Tail), all served with one side of fried rice or rice with stir fried bean sprouts.

This is priced at $12.90 to $18.90.

One good thing is that meats are grilled in the kitchen, and diners won’t leave smelling smoky.

All meats are also accompanied with gochujang, ssamjang, sesame salt and pepper, sweet chilli – two more than what the restaurant in Korea would serve.

I ordered the Honey Garlic Pork Belly and liked that the meats were soft and tender yet not exceedingly fatty.

They were lightly marinated so you get that touch of honeyed-sweetness without being overpowering.

My friend found the dish greasy though, but I could imagine it could have been worse.

For more flavourful meat, you might prefer the Chicken Ddakgalbi which had succulent pieces, though not as spicy as what would be served in other restaurants.

Overall, good stuff.

On the side was Fried Rice which I thought was the weakest link, lacking in the distinct fried-rice-fragrance.

With its success in Korea, Singaporeans should be curious enough to try the local version. We would probably start seeing celebrity friends like Xu Bin, Aloysius Pang, Zong Zijie and Timothee Yap showing their support.

On The Grill온더그릴
City Square Mall #03-21/22 180 Kitchener Rd, Singapore 208539

Myeongdong: 21, Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04629, South Korea

Other Related Entries
Chir Chir (Bugis Junction)
SBCD Tofu House (Millenia Walk)
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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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[Bangkok] This minimalist coffee shop’s tagline “Delicious is Invisible” encapsulates the store’s unique concept.

Thanapong Harirat Seri, the café’s owner and barista, believes that one must taste something first before knowing how delicious it is.

”Delicious is invisible. It cannot be touched nor described by words. One must try it.”

He is a young architect with passion in coffee and latte art. Together with his brother, they began their coffee journey by exploring Korea to learn what they love most – coffee.

They invested in a Technical Barista training course and earned a diploma in Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) before they finally opened the Invisible Coffee Room at Soi Sukhumvit 16.

It was not too easy to find the café though even though it was located on the main road as the google maps direction wasn’t exactly correct. A security guard nearby directed to me to “ohhh….. coffee room”.

The design of the Invisible Coffee Room focuses on transparency, the use of natural light, and attention to details.

The front of the store (with 2 low tables) is intended as a preview of the café. Customers can sit and enjoy their coffee outside. Others use this space to stand and meet someone.

You enter the café through a simple glass door framed in wood. This predominantly white coffee shop has a clean, modern and simple style which attracts the taste of the millennials.

The cafe uses a combination of materials, including wood, steel, cement and marble. Nordic inspired furniture, industrial light bulbs, wooden chairs, and fresh flowers on tables are seen throughout.

Zen with cosy vibes.

The Invisible Coffee Room offers a selection of beans from Thailand, Guatemala, and Brazil.

Their La Marzocco espresso machine makes Espresso (50 THB, SGD$2.07), Lungo (60 THB, SGD$2.48), Piccolo (65 THB, SGD$2.69), Americano (70/80 THB, SGD$2.90/$3.31), Cappuccino (80/90 THB, SGD$3.31/$3.73), Latte (80/90 THB, SGD$3.31/3.73), Flat White (75/85 THB, SGD$3.10/$3.52), and Mocha (85/95 THB, SGD$3.52/$3.93).

Despite being a coffee shop, it offers a special menu to serve non-coffee drinkers. There is also a menu for people who do not drink milk.

For the Special Menu, don’t miss the OMG (which stands for Orange Milk and Green) a three-coloured drink that combines Thai tea, milk, and matcha.

A drink that spoke to me, almost like my dream came true.

Despite the two teas having unique characteristics, the café managed to strike a suitable balance in which nuances of both would surface. I would suggest taking sips from each layer first, before mixing them up.

Another popular beverage is the popular T & B Tea (THB 80, SGD$3.31) – organic tamarind tea from the North-Eastern province of Khorat, mixed with pea juice to produce that sweet-sour combination.

Totally instagrammable.

Another interesting drink is the Red & Black Coffee (80THB, SGD$3.31) made with Americano, red wine, and honey.

Pair your coffee or tea with any of their pastries, especially their signature Carrot Cake (125 THB, SGD$5.18).

Be aware that there is no “Invisible Coffee Room” signage in front of the store. You’ll only see the words “Delicious is Invisible” in white letters.

Located not far from the famous Terminal 21, you can take either the MRT ride to Sukhumvit Station, or the BTS to Asoke Station. Invisible Coffee Room is located at Soi Sukhumvit 16 behind the Exchange Tower.

Invisible Coffee Room
25/8 Soi Sukhumvit 16, Khlong Toei, 10110 Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +82 21 6323 9898
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5:00pm (Mon – Fri), 10:00am – 6:00pm (Sun), Closed Sat
https://www.facebook.com/invisiblecoffeeroom
Google Maps – Invisible Coffee Room

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Kaizen Coffee Co. (Ekkamai, Bangkok)
Blue Whale Maharaj (Wat Pho, Bangkok)

Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

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

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Veganism is something I am not very familiar with, but with all the unhealthy weight gain I have been piling up, I am looking at incorporating more vegan food in the diet.

Soul ALife is a fully vegan cafe located at China Square, which aims to break the stereotype that vegan food is tasteless and unappetizing.

Question: what were you doing at 20?

I was still finding my way through life, passing IPPT in army, and studying, but the 20-year old Lee Ting has already decided to run a café like this. In the heart of the CBD (where nonsense in food is less tolerated.)

She would like to spread the message of veganism, and help diners find healthier dining options. (Why not? She should consider sharing some of her vegan recipes on Facebook or Youtube… okay, once she got her business settled.)

The cafe serves all-day brunch food of Smashed Avo on Toast, mains such as Teriyaki Burger, salads such as Soul Salad, to desserts of Raw Vegan Cheesecake and Protein Brownies.

Signature items included the BBQ Burger ($9.90), Scramble Toast ($8.90), Mac and Cheese ($7.90), Buddha Bowl ($9.90), Ultimate Combo ($9.90) which incorporates guacamole, tofu scramble, salsa, sauteed mushroom and tofu feta on sourdough bread.

The food is MSG free, lower in fat and salt content.

I had the Scrambled Toast ($8.90), with topping that resembled scrambled eggs but were actually tofu made to look like eggs. There were some grilled tomato, mushroom and coconut bacon added.

The tofu itself had good flavours and was creamy – I won’t mind having this again.

However, I thought that the accompanying items didn’t gel very well, with some parts tasting more raw than others. Perhaps if the mushrooms were also sautéed or grilled with some herbs, the smokiness and aroma would elevate the taste.

The Buddha Bowl ($9.90) was another recommended (some call this dish a Bliss Bowl).

It was beautifully presented with an arrangement of healthy ingredients such as turmeric cauliflower, quinoa, purple slaw and marinated tofu. The centre of attraction was think pink homemade beetroot hummus.

There were parts that I enjoyed more, namely the beetroot hummus and tofu. I am coming from a meat-lover point of view, and thus items with more flavours tend to be more appealing.

At $9.90, this is value-for-its-money with the amount of ingredients added.

The next time I come, I would go for the BBQ Burger with homemade mushroom patty, and Mac and Cheese made using a vegan cheese sauce.

Soul ALife
3 Pickering Street, China Square #01-39, Singapore 048660 (Telok Ayer MRT)
Tel: +65 9183 8290
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm (Mon – Thurs), 10:00am – 10:00pm (Fri), 12:00pm – 10:00pm (Sat), Closed Sun

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

The post Soul ALife – Vegan Cafe At Chinatown Square, Most Items Below $10. Opened By A 20-Year Old appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Swee Lee is known to be the place to get your dream musical instrument, and they have recently expanded to include a café within their flagship store at The Star Vista.

I was quite impressed by the store itself, offering a music lifestyle experience which incorporates instruments, vinyl, headphones & speakers, magazines, even fashion and footwear.

The NEW café called Swee Lee Social Club, is meant for music lovers of any stripe to gather and connect.

It makes sense. Music and coffee always go well together.

Offerings are limited though, which include Flat White ($5), Cold Brew Coffee ($6), Hot Chocolate ($6), Sweet Toast ($7), and Waffles & Ice Cream ($10).

You can also request for a “Secret Menu” which offers rotational food items. The current Secret Menu includes Strawberry Field and Mango Tango Smoothies ($10) – which I wasn’t too inclined to get due to the price point.

The beans used are the 22 Martin Blend from Common Man Coffee Roasters.

Nothing against CMCR beans, but almost every other new café uses the same blend of late, which makes it hard to differentiate one from the other.

Head Barista Henry once made 2,000 cold brew coffees in a day for a national competition, and so I was looking out for the Cold Brew Coffee ($6 for black, $7 for white). I liked the naturally sweet brew with lingering finish.

Since Swee Lee Social Club is a music café, I thought the theme could have been stronger. Perhaps play something else other a mixture of Top 40s, include some music magazines or books for reads, and have a couple of unique bites.

Swee Lee Social Club
The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, #01-07/10 Singapore 138617 (Buona Vista MRT Station)
Tel: +65 6334 7703
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

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

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TheJellyHearts is the encouraging story of how a hobby turned into a dream come true.

Owner Candie first started as a home-baker. Her jelly cheesecakes became so popular among family and friends, she took the plunge then to open a shopfront at Pasir Ris Downtown East.

While all types of Jelly Hearts recipes were readily available online, she continued to create new flavours and designs to keep customers coming back.

It worked and her perseverance paid off.

TheJellyHeart has opened a NEW outlet at The Clementi Mall Level 4 – to cater to customers in the West, its 3rd after E!hub@Downtown East and One Raffles Place.

So what is the Jelly Cheesecake?

It is a multi-tiered handmade cake which consists of 4 layers – digestive biscuit crust at the bottom, cream cheese, fresh fruits and chewy jelly on the top.

Most Jelly Cheesecakes contain strawberries cut into heart-shapes, thus also earning the name of “Jelly Hearts”.

I have tried TheJellyHearts over the years. To me, the differentiating parts are the jelly and cheese layers.

The wobbly jelly part is soft yet stays firm after cutting; and the cheesecake’s texture delicately smooth and not overly rich or sweet.

You can have a piece all in one bite, or by layers – it is a cheesecake that doesn’t feel heavy.

The cakes are also Halal, which are great to share with Muslim friends.

The Classic Original ($19.80 for 6” Square 9 pieces, $49.70 for 10” Square 25 pieces) still remains the best-seller. Here are 10 other TheJellyHearts cakes they have created:

Mahjong Jelly Cheesecake ($93.20 for 9″ Round)
”Pong!” I hardly play MJ now, but this makes an apt (and perhaps humorous) cake for the Mahjong junkies.

This cake contains digestive biscuit base, cream cheese layer, strawberries, a combination of strawberry and clear jelly.

I was curious what the mahjong tiles are made of. They are actually white chocolate with hand drawn characters. Maybe getting this cake is better than a zi mo.

Multi Layer Rainbow Round (from $49.70)
One of the best-sellers is the Rainbow Jelly Heart, with multi-colored layers of cream cheese, topped with mixed strawberry red jelly flavours and fresh strawberries.

Imagine all the effort needed to create the even layers.

You can also further customize the cake using alphabets cut from strawberries or chocolates.

Neapolitan ($43.50 for 6″ Round)
Inspired by the ice cream flavour, the Neapolitan contains 3 distinct layers of cream cheese – original, strawberry and chocolate which added some bitter-sweetness.

This is complemented with fruity grape-flavoured jelly.

Bought this for a birthday celebration, and it was not only a good-looker, the flavors blended well together.

Tempting Cookies ($19.80 for 6” Square 9 pieces, $49.70 for 9” Round)
Popular with the kids, consider this “Cookies N Cream” TheJellyHearts version.

Cookies are used for the crunchy base (instead of digestive base), and also mixed with the cream cheese so that you get pieces of rich, chocolaty cookies within.

Heavenly Blueberry ($19.80 for 6” Square 9 pieces, $49.70 for 10” Square 25 pieces)
The Heavenly Blueberry uses blackcurrent jelly, blueberry fruits, blueberry cream cheese and a chocolate biscuit base.

Good for those who prefer something slightly richer with that hint of sweet-sour aftertaste.

Vivid Mosaic ($49.80 for 10″ Square 25 Pieces)
Instead of jelly on top, the jelly pieces are incorporated within the cream cheese.

When you bite into the smooth cream cheese, you also get contrasting lychee, orange and strawberry jellies. Colourful and fruity.

T.REX (From $88.30)
For the children, TheJellyHeart offers several hand-drawn designs from Mermaid Sandy, Giraffe, and Pony. The best-seller is the “T.Rex” Cartoon Jelly Cheesecake – looks kind of cute.

If you have a specific drawing in mind, you can also send in your order by emailing sales@thejellyhearts.com. (This is also to check that the design is free of copyright issues.)

Roulette (From $88.30)
For the adults, then the hand-drawn Roulette is a cake of good luck. May the odds be ever in their favour.

Pandan Gula Melaka ($68.00 for 6” Round, $98.00 for 9” Round)
Limited Christmas 2017 creation. The local ’kueh-kueh’ inspired Pandan Gula Melaka Jelly Cheesecake is indeed a refreshing update, with fragrant aroma of pandan, sweet caramelised Gula Melaka and Coconut.

Actually, I hope this stays permanent in their menu.

Santa Gift Box ($19.80)
Spread Holiday Cheer with this Santa Sweet Treats Gift box – contains a box of Chocolate Stick, Chocolate Cookie, Marshmallow Pop and Little Jelly.

The Clementi Mall
3155 Commonwealth Avenue West #04-K7 Singapore 129588
Tel: +65 6904 9757
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

E!Hub@Downtown East
1 Pasir Ris Close #02-111 Singapore 519599
Tel: +65 6583 8782
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 10:00am – 10:00pm (Fri – Sat)

One Raffles Place
1 Raffles Place #B1-08 Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6635 1868
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 9:00pm (Mon – Fri), 10:00am – 4:00pm (Sat – Sun), 10:00am – 4:00pm (PH)

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

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Another health-food focused café has opened in the CBD. The Harvestry serves up mixed grain bowls and artisanal coffee at International Plaza (closer to the side of the taxi drop-off).

My friend described Harvestry as a cross between The Daily Cut and Grain Traders before I even visited. The reality didn’t depart far from my mental image.

The good thing is, the café starts opening from 8am during weekdays.

Busy CBD workers can grab some coffee and all day breakfast items of Scrambled Eggs & Toast ($6.00), Sous Vide Chicken Sandwich ($8.50), Pulled Pork Sandwich ($8.50) and Smoked Salmon Croissant ($9.00) before work.

There are 7 signature grain bowls served – The Full Works ($18) created for wagyu beef lover; Soba So Good ($9) which is vegan-friendly; Team Protein ($14) with sous vide chicken breast; Clean and Lean ($14) with baked salmon fillet; Skinny Down ($12) of sous vide chicken with bail yoghurt dressing; Pow-Wow ($14) – braised pork collar with charred baby corn; and Healthy Chicken Stew ($10).

I wondered why 4 out of the 7 bowls included lemon dressings though – could there be something else more suitable? Or it was a calorie-count thing?

Customer can also create their own bowl from an assortment of wagyu beef, soba noodle, sous vide chicken, baked salmon fillet, slow braised pork collar, salads on mix grain (barley and quinoa) or mixed brown rice.

I went after a gym workout, and felt needing some protein. The Full Works wasn’t available yet, and was recommended the Clean and Lean ($14).

It was a straight-forward bowl of baked salmon fillet with steamed broccoli, wok-fried mushrooms, baked tomatoes romaine lettuce.

However, the portion wasn’t fantastic, especially the thin wedge of salmon which also looked like it went on diet.

Proportion also could be better managed, as the tangy lemon dressing possibly overrode everything else.

The Healthy Chicken Stew ($10) seemed more value for its money.

My friend commented it was “too healthy” and lacked the heartiness of stew and flavours of chicken. I was in a need-to-eat-healthier mood and thought it was a satisfactory nutritious dish.

The Harvestry uses a house blend of beans from Colombia, Guatamala, Indonesia and Brazil,, which features low acidity medium bodied, high bittersweet and nutty aftertaste.

Gourmet coffee is available from $4; speciality drinks include Red Velvet Hot Chocolate ($5.80), Iced Shaken Tea ($5.80) and Iced blended drinks.

From my observation, a good portion of CBD workers are generally more price-sensitive, and I think working on portions and servings can make Harvestry a better draw.

Harvestry
International Plaza; 10 Anson Road, #01-33, Singapore 079903 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit C)
Tel: +65 6224 1068
Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 6pm (Sat – Sun)

Other Related Entries
The Daily Cut (Tanjong Pagar)
Grain Traders (Market Street)
Doco (Tanjong Pagar)
Wafuken (Downtown Gallery)
The Salad Corner (GSH Plaza)

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

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Perhaps you have not heard about this place. Five &2 is a bistro nestled within Punggol Park (at Hougang Avenue 8) with an amazing view overlooking the lake.

Ah… the location, greenery and peaceful ambience make it an ideal place to wind down after a long day at work. There is also ample parking space available at the storefront.

The name Five &2 may remind some of the biblical story of “Five Loaves and Two Fishes” – the miracle of feeding of the multiple.

Five &2 is set up with 2 social missions.

The first: They believe in hiring the marginalised by redesigning job scope in which technology is used to create a more inclusive work environment.

For example, ordering is done through a touch-and-pay system, customers are encouraged to return their own trays (and get back a $1 deposit Timbre+ style), while mocktails and cocktails are prepared using a special cocktail machine.

The bistro also believes in giving back to the society. With every 5 meals sold at Five &2, 1 nutritional meal will be donated to a child from a resource-poor background.

This was previously the space occupied by Wild Oats, and interestingly previous-owner Chef Willin Low is now consultant for Five &2. I would describe the food as mainly Asian and local, with a modern touch.

Offerings include Sarawak Curry Chicken ($12.80), Singapore Laksa ($8.80), Gaeng Kiaw Wan – Thai green beef curry ($10.80), Herbal Chicken Soup ($10.80), Mee Siam ($7.80), Bulgogi Korean Beef Stew with Onions ($9.80) and pasta dishes of Beef Bolognaise ($16.80), Mushroom Pasta ($14.80) and Seafood Pasta ($18.80).

I tried the Sarawak Curry Chicken ($12.80) and Mee Siam ($7.80) – both are considered safe choices.

You would find that the Mee Siam had stronger assam and tau cheo (fermented soy bean paste) flavours, more towards the sweet and sour side rather than spicy.

The Curry Chicken is based on a recipe from the Sous Chef’s family in Sarawak, which incorporates cinnamon and star anise. Best paired with some multi-grain rice (additional $2.50).

While I liked the tenderness of the chicken, I thought the dish overall could do with more gravy as it was quickly absorbed in minutes.

The vongole was well sautéed and pasta infused with flavours of the clams and wine.

If I were to nit-pick, there were too many small bits of loose shells, so I had to be more much careful in eating before a tooth accident would occur.

Other than the fact that mocktails and cocktails are prepared using a special cocktail machine (you can check out the machine at the bar), you will not be able to find any straws at Five &2.

This is so as to be environmentally-friendlier, and they have specially picked out glasses that are easy for customer to sip from.

While the area is called “Punggol Park”, the bistro is technically nearer Hougang and only 2 stops away from Hougang MRT. (Why not call it Hougang Park? I wonder if there are political implications. Anyway…)

Five &2
Punggol Park, 97 Hougang Avenue 8, Singapore 538792
Tel: +65 6282 8801
Opening Hours: 5pm – 12mn (Sun – Thurs), 5pm – 1am (Fri & Sat)

Other Related Entries
Lina’s Café (Jalan Pisang)
Pope Jai Thai (Orchard Scape)
Timbre+ (Ayer Rajah Crescent)
The Community Coffee (Far East Plaza)
Carrotsticks And Cravings (Loewen Road)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. This meal was a treat from 5 &2’s Consultant Chef Willin Low.

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When I first suggested to my friends to visit The Good Boys for healthy fruit bowls, I was told that this is not “my kind of food”.

Looks too healthy?

But being a good boy (just kidding), I went ahead and visit them The Good Boys at Tai Seng.

On a side note, the underground mrt linkway to 18 Tai Seng is now opened. There is no need to brave the sun and rain to get a taste of Hawker Chan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Tsuta Ramen.

Located next to 23 Jumpin at Irving Place, The Good Boys offer items that will probably attract the office crowd or the health-conscious people working nearby.

Think Fruit Juices ($4.50/$5.50), Smoothies ($6/$7) and Super Bowls ($12) packed with lots of antioxidants, which are immune boosters.

My attention was quickly drawn to those heart-shaped wooden bowls (please don’t bring them home) on the tables next to us.

Each of the Super Bowl ($12) is presented in that manner, carefully arranged in different outlooks. #MyBowlisBetterThanYours

5 different Super Bowls are available: Fruity Matcha (signature), Acai Bowl, Crimson Lush with beetroot & dates, Going Nuts with peanut butter & maca and Viva Amazonia with acar and banana.

As a matcha lover, the choice is obvious – Fruity Matcha ($12) made up of mango, bananas, passionfruit, matcha powder blended together and sprinkled with chia seeds, pineapple and dates.

The portion is quite substantial in quantity with a smooth texture and a fruity taste.

I loved the oats, almonds and sunflower seeds in it which gave it an additional crunch.

The taste was well balanced, but the matcha taste was overwhelmed by the citrusy passionfruit added though.

For a less filling option, The Good Juices ($4.50) and The Super Juices ($5.50) are available.

The difference in the two is that the latter contains superfood such as acai, cacao or chia seeds.

Each bottle of juices are freshly made on the spot using a blended instead of using a cold-pressed method.

I had the Summer Blaze ($4.50) made up of orange, pineapple and strawberry with a distinct citrusy taste.

Definitely a good thirst quencher.

I believed these pretty-looking Super Bowl will encourage people to eat clean and healthy once in awhile, especially when they tasted quite good too.

The Good Boys Cafe
1 Irving Place, Tai Seng, #01-26, Singapore 369546
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (Mon-Fri), 10am – 6pm (Sat-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/thegoodboyscafe/

Other Related Entries
Cottontail Creamery (Serangoon)
Gong Cha (SingPost Centre)
Foxhole Café (Hougang)
The Ding Ding Man (Yio Chu Kang)
Flavours Fling (Hougang Ave 1)

* 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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Popular brunch eatery Eggs n’ Things has opened its first outlet outside of Hawaii and Japan in Singapore at Plaza Singapura.

The Hawaiian based eatery was established since 1974 on Ena Road in Waikiki by founders, Jerry and Jan Fukunaga.

There were three key goals in their business: to use fresh ingredients, keep prices reasonable, and treat everyone like ”Ohana” which means family. (We know that the Singapore outlet would likely not fulfil one of the criteria though.)

More Singaporeans would be familiar with the Japanese branch found in Harajuku Tokyo though, which continues to enjoy long queues.

For the eggs part of the menu, there are three main categories – Meats & Eggs, Omelette and Eggs Benedict.

They are also known for its pancake and waffles, though more for the former.

Recommended items included Pancakes with fresh strawberries, whipped cream and macadamia nuts ($19.90), Omelette with spinach, bacon and cheese ($19.90), Loco Moco ($18.90), Beef Steak and Eggs ($25.90), Waffles with fresh banana, whipped cream and macadamia nuts ($19.90).

A similar pancake in Tokyo would be priced about ¥1,150 (SGD$13.60), for your reference.

The Strawberry Pancake ($19.90) ordered first arrived before the egg dishes though – no major problem with that.

When asked if you want to include whipped cream or not, you should because it was the best thing on that plate. (This is coming from someone who always opt the whipped cream out from his Starbucks Frappuccino.)

The iconic whipped cream was extremely smooth, light and delicately sweet, topped on fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Best whipped cream I had in a while.

Those who are taking photos, take note that the hill of cream would melt within a minute or two.

Each plate contained 5 pieces of pancakes, in which you could drizzle sauces of grava, coconut (my favourite) or maple, and I already felt guilty after having 1 and a half. The table of 3 Japanese ladies next to me with chuckles of ”oishii…”, kept to sharing 2 pieces.

These pancakes were much better than many mediocre ones in Singapore. Thankfully. Calories didn’t go to waste.

Unfortunately, the happiness was short-lived and stopped about there.

The egg dishes taking about 30 – 40 minutes to arrive, were not spectacular. I ordered a Cheese and Spam Scrambled Eggs ($18.90) which was not creamy or cheesy enough.

The accompanying potatoes which came highly recommended by the server, were dry and I had to reach out for that bottle of Heinz.

The Kalua Pork, Spinach and Cheese Omelette ($19.90) cooked with three fresh pasteurised eggs which came in a flat rendition; felt lacking in amount of ingredients. (Ordered toast but there weren’t any as well.)

There were just a few strands of the pork while most of the other parts were potatoes, and the egg lacked in the creaminess and fluffiness omelette should have.

I won’t say it was bad, say close to a 4-star hotel buffet breakfast standard, but one could come expecting more from a restaurant specialising in eggs.

Service was great, staff kept going “Aloha!”

A star for the awesome pancakes, unfortunately not for the eggs.

Eggs N’ Things
Plaza Singapura 68 Orchard Road, #03-79/83 Singapore 238839 (Dhoby Ghaut MRT)
Tel: +65 6835 9988
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm, Last order at 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
10 Awesome Brunch Places In Singapore To Satisfy Your Cravings
The Bird Southern Table And Bar (Marina Bay Sands)
Cook & Brew (The Westin Singapore)
Flip Flop Poolside Sunday Brunch (One Farrer Hotel & Spa)
Dallas Restaurant and Bar (Suntec City)

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

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