[NEW] What? Man Man Unagi without a queue. As of now.

Man Man Unagi by Teppei has quietly opened at Ubi Oxley Bizhub under the Yamato Izakaya concept – which also houses Ramen Hitoyoshi and Tora Tora.

Ubi may seem too far for many, but great for those working in the MacPherson and Tai Seng areas, and diners who need unagi after your driving lessons.

The other good news is Yamato Izakaya can accommodate over 300 patrons, with free onsite parking.

Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant
Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant at Keong Saik Road has been attracting long lines, especially after the Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand win.

It is known for generous portions of high quality grilled Japanese eel selected by professional breeders and directly imported from Mikawa Isshiki Town in Aichi Prefecture.

For first timers, get the Hitsumabushi with freshly char-grilled unagi – of reasonable thickness, slight crispy layer, and without that fishy taste that most people do not fancy. Perfect with the accompanying tantalising sauces.

Ramen Hitoyoshi
The creamy tonkotsu broth was supposedly cooked for 8 hours, and taste reminded me of Keisuke Tonkotsu King
when it first started out. (Heard from the grapevine that the chefs here used to work for Keisuke.)

Except the Ramen Hitoyoshi had an even thicker quality, and used different type of noodles. The Cha Shu I had was superbly tender without that meaty-porky taste.

Tora Tora
Tora Tora offers a different menu of ‘futago’ which means pairs or twins in Japanese.

You have to choose 2 don’s from wide array of dons to complete your order, probably the first place in Singapore where you can taste two different dons in one time.

Yamato Izakaya
65 Ubi Road 1, #01-92 Oxley Bizhub, 408729
Tel: +65 6385 5273
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Other Related Entries
Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant (Keong Saik Road)
Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant (Duo Gallery)
Ramen Hitoyoshi (Harbourfront Centre)
5 Best Unagi Restaurants In Singapore

* 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 Yamato Izakaya – Man Man Unagi, Ramen Hitoyoshi And Tora Tora Under One Roof, At Ubi Oxley Bizhub appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Hong Kong] From the exterior, Mon Kee Café 旺記冰室 appears to be a typical “ Cha Chaan Teng” (Hong Kong style café) along a street of shophouses dotted with small eateries.

Playing around with the shop name “Mon Kee” sounding like “Monkey”, their signboard has a picture of a monkey on it.

Contrary to their name, they certainly do not monkey around with their food. In fact, what makes them stand out is how they added some variation to the otherwise typical Hong Kong café fare.

Opened in late 2016, Mon Kee has gained a huge popularity with the hungry working crowd in Wan Chai.

They have even opened their second outlet in Quarry Bay just 9 months after the success of their first.

During weekday lunch hours, be prepared to queue in line with hungry locals waiting to get into this 24 seats café.

Mon Kee uses imported eggs from Japan, scrambled with premium Japanese milk and the result is a silky smooth scrambled egg mixture.

Their char siew (BBQ roast pork slices) and the sweet soy sauce that they use to drench their famous rice with are also made in house.

Their concept is on keeping their offerings simple but preparing them well. I personally find this very welcoming as opposed to having quantity over quality.

For small eateries like these, focusing on a few key offerings tends to work towards their favour.

The setting here is simple and basic, probably what is to be expected of a typical Hong Kong café but a notch above the typical run-down looking ones.

Due to the size of the café and the amount of people wanting a quick meal during peak hours, there is a time limit of 30 minutes for diners to have their meal and go which also means food will be served fairly quick.

The crowd pleaser here is their Scrambled Eggs on Rice日本滑蛋飯. There is the option of having it with either prawns, just BBQ pork slices or both.

I ordered the combination 日本滑蛋雙併飯l unch set HK$58 (SGD10) – which was prawns and BBQ pork slices with scrambled eggs topped on a bed of rice and drenched with their secret homemade sweet soy sauce.

Eggs were silky and delicious like how the good Hong Kong-style scrambled eggs are done. I liked how their homemade sauce complements but not overwhelm the taste of the eggs.

I also ordered the Luncheon Meat and Macaroni in Thick Tomato Soup Set 特濃蕃茄湯午餐肉粒通粉 HK$48 (SGD8.50) since it looked very comforting from the picture menu.

The fried luncheon meat cubes were addictive and the tangy broth balanced out the flavours. The macaroni sets came with multigrain toast and a small portion of scrambled eggs.

While the Ham and Shredded Squid Macaroni Soup HK$46 (SGD8) is a typical local breakfast fare, the macaroni still had a chew to it unlike some of the other ones which can often be too soggy for my liking.

All sets came with a drink of either a hot coffee with milk or “stockings” milk tea 絲襪奶茶. For an additional HK$4, you may upgrade your drink to an Irish coffee or a ginger milk tea, which we only noticed after we ordered.

I also recommend upgrading your toast to the piggy bun with condensed milk 奶油脆豬 for an additional HK$5 (SGD1). The buns were nicely toasted and buttered, probably one of the better ones around.

Mon Kee is popular among the working crowd as it checks all the boxes for a good lunch spot – good price, fast and tasty. And the fact that they added a little twist of their own to an otherwise very typical local dish, makes for some hype among the local foodies too.

Do take note that they close by 6pm daily and if you are not into queuing, a good trick is to go during the weekends so you don’t have to fight with the working crowd.

Mon Kee Café 旺記冰室
G/F 142 Jaffe Road (Wan Chai MTR Exit A1)
灣仔謝斐道142號建利大廈地舖
Tel: +852 25282927
Opening Hours: 7am-6pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/Mon-Kee-Cafe-旺記冰室–673966582766475/
Google Maps – Mon Kee Café 旺記冰室

Other Related Entries
10 Best Hong Kong Cafes aka Cha Chaan Teng
Kam Wah Cafe & Bakery 金華冰廳 (Prince Edward, Hong Kong)
Kam Fung Cafe 金鳳茶餐廳 (Wan Chai, Hong Kong)
Capital Café 華星冰室 (Wan Chai, Hong Kong)
Australian Dairy Company 澳洲牛奶公司 (Jordan, Hong Kong)

Click HERE for other HONG KONG Food Entries

* Written by DFD’s Hong Kong Correspondent @kara_the_explorer , who is the Singaporean “tai tai” living the foodie dream in Hong Kong. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Mon Kee Café 旺記冰室 – Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng With Japanese Style Scrambled Eggs, At Wan Chai appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[London] Residing just above the museum entrance of the Underground and a short walk from Hyde Park, Muriel’s Kitchen is ideally located for anyone looking for a wholesome bite to eat.

Especially before immersing themselves into the offerings of the Kensington area.

There are branches of this bright bistro in other parts of London as well, namely Leicester Square and Soho, where the same attention to fresh British produce and seasonal dishes is expressed.

Entering Muriel’s Kitchen is very much like walking into someone’s repurposed garden shack.

Hanging plants, light wood seating midst plant topped partitions and an overall interior impression that makes one think of home.

The walls are dotted with quirky installations and intriguing ornaments that have you distractedly looking around the place.

The ambience is pleasant overall, and added to the all-day menu, it makes coming into Muriel’s at any time a particular treat.

You fall for the charm of this bistro almost immediately, especially when trying to escape the London weather.

A waitress meets you at the door and takes you almost immediately to a cosy spot to either have a chat with friends over a cuppa, an indulgent yet refreshing brunch, or indeed lunch or dinner.

I especially enjoy the brunch at Muriel’s, which by now has garnered a strong following.

While you can always go for their reliable Full English breakfasts (£12.50, SGD22.16), or have something as simple as an avocado toast (£9.50, SGD17.55), there are other items on the menu that are equally inviting.

Their Buddha Bowl (£11.00, SGD20.32), a dish of glistening poached eggs, crispy potatoes, quinoa, amongst other scrumptious veggies is beautiful if you are looking for a vibrant, fresh, yet filling plate of food.

On the other hand, if you are looking to indulge, to treat yourself with something luxurious, go for the eggs royale (£12.00, SGD22.16).

Flawlessly poached Clarence Court eggs on slices of pink smoked salmon atop a fluffy English muffin that comes with a tiny jug of the most incredible hollandaise sauce.

This is the quintessential brunch dish, a personal favourite of mine.

I also got my hands on a large slice of chocolate Nutella cake (£3.00, SGD5.54) that I saw a young boy being given by his mother.

It was moist and soft, with thick sinful icing that made me smile the same way the little boy did.

Muriel’s Kitchen does what it says on the tin. They appreciate the simple things and take great care with the food they place before you.

When you visit and are feeling inquisitive, speak to a member of staff and they will probably be able to tell you were almost every ingredient in your meal comes from.

Muriel’s Kitchen South Kensington
1-3 Pelham Street, Kensington, London SW7 2ND
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 11:00pm (Mon – Sat), 8:00am – 10:00pm (Sun)
www.murielskitchen.co.uk/
Google Maps – Muriel’s Kitchen South Kensington

Other Related Entries
Flat Iron Steak (Covent Garden, London)
Burger and Lobster (Leicester Square, London)
The Mac Factory (Kings Cross, London)
Duck & Waffle (Bishopsgate, London)
Duck And Waffle Local (St. James’s, London)

Click HERE for other LONDON Food Entries

* Written by DFD’s London Food Correspondent Leander Dias SaltyCritic. Leander Dias was born and raised in Dubai, a burgeoning city with diverse food culture. Since moving to London to read for his English MA at UCL, he has utterly immersed himself in the local food scene, writing extensively about everything he eats everywhere he goes. Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Muriel’s Kitchen London – Brunch Bistro Full Of British Charm, At South Kensington appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

The realisation that I haven’t actually written about Keng Eng Kee Seafood 瓊榮記海鲜 after so many visits.

Keng Eng Kee located near Alexandra Village Food Centre, is one of those Zi Char places in Singapore that serves up tasty service AND with good service.

No grumpy aunties spotted after quite a number of visits; prompt, in fact too prompt as my dishes arrived in minutes; and friendly.

My friends and I had wondered why they were not included in the Michelin Bib Gourmand as we think they can be included in a spot up there.

On the other hand (for our own selfish reasons), we like it to stay the way it is without being too commercialised.

The originality of the dishes is quite mixed. Founder Mr Liew is a Malaysian who learnt his craft from his Hainanese father-in-law, and serves mainly Cantonese styled dishes.

The business is currently helmed by 2rd generation owner Wayne Liew.

There are a number of dishes that regulars order. The most talked-about dish is the Moonlight Horfun ($6, $9, $16), along with Mingzhu Roll ($12 for 6 pieces), Prawn Roll ($8 for 8 pieces), Yam Basket ($20), Coffee Pork Ris ($15, $20, $28), Claypot Pig Liver ($15, $20), Marmite Chicken ($12, $18, $25) and Salted Egg Sotong ($18, $28, $38).

I usually like to order the ‘Moonlight Horfun’ as well, where an egg yolk is crack in the middle of wok-fried rice noodles. (Somehow, great for Instagram.)

It reminds me of a cross between dark-sauced fried horfun (like beef rice noodles without the beef) and the local char kway teow especially with the addition of dried lup cheong (Chinese sausages).

Perhaps I went too early in the evening when they just started out dinner operations, the entire dish lacked of wok-hei, as if it was merely fried for moments just before serving.

While the outer layer had steam coming out, the rice noodles beneath were closer to room-temperature warm.

The Mingzhu Roll ($12 for 6 pieces) is a dish unique to Keng Eng Kee, that looked elaborate and creative for a zhi-char dish.

It is fried tau pork stuffed with a variety of ingredients – salted egg yolk, prawn, ham, mushrooms and parsley served with a sweet cream sauce.

If you need a deep-fried dish, I typically find the Hae Zor (Prawn Roll) more satisfying.

The dish to order again for me would be the Coffee Pork Ribs. You can already smell the smoky coffee fragrance from a distance away.

It had the right combination of everything – sweet slight-bitter coffee coating, crisp outer layer and surprisingly tender meat, and distinct mouth-watering aroma that remained unforgettable.

While some of the dishes may not be as amazing as before, I think Keng Eng Kee Seafood has generally maintained their standards. Sometimes it is about ordering the ‘right’ dishes as well.

Keng Eng Kee Seafood 瓊榮記海鲜
Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-136, Singapore 150124
Tel: +65 6272 1038
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 5pm – 10pm

Other Related Entries
New Ubin Seafood (Deliveroo Editions)
Kok Sen Restaurant (Keong Siak)
Ka-Soh Restaurant (College Road)
JB Ah Meng (Geylang)
Sin Huat Eating House (Geylang)

* 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 Keng Eng Kee Seafood – Famed Moonlight Horfun And Coffee Ribs, Recommended Zhi Char Place At Alexandra appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

“Food Fusion” is the new wing at Tiong Bahru Plaza (TBP) which gathers a range of casual dining restaurants all at one place.

From Chinese (Ju Hao Xiao Long Bao), Japanese (Ichiban Boshi, Flaming Don, Ajisen Ramen X Osaka Ohsho), Thai (Bangkok Jam), Vietnamese (O Banh Mi), Korean (Paik’s Bibim) to local delights (A-One Signature, 328 Katong Laksa)… you can find it all there.

(Click PLAY for food highlights of Tiong Bahru Plaza.)

The basement level is where you can find exciting food kiosks, and I wish to highlight the Bonito Flakes Large Fried Chicken from “Hao Da” Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken which is exclusive to TBP; and newly launched “Dirty Swiss Rolls” from Ah Mah Traditional Sponge Cake if you are searching for something trendy to have.

Also look out for “A Taste of TBP at $1” where you can taste delicious foods for only $1! New food, old prices. More details at the end of the post.

Here are 10 FOOD Places to check out at Tiong Bahru Plaza:

Paik’s Bibim
Tiong Bahru Plaza #02-111, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 6255 0870
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Some may have the misconception that Korean food is expensive in Singapore. Let me introduce you to Paik’s Bibim and Paik’s Coffee.

The brainchild of Korea’s celebrity chef Paik Jong Won, Paik’s Bibim has modernized the way traditional bibimbap is presented – all at wallet-friendly prices.

The mixed rice bowls are all below $10, and you can have your fill from the Spicy Pork Bibimbap ($9.00), Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap ($9.00) or Teriyaki Chicken Bibimbap ($9.00). Best to go with a side of Fried Chicken in Sweet & Spicy Sauce ($6.00).

Can I also recommend the Iced Paik’s Original Coffee? This comes at a very reasonable price of $3.50 for a large cup, great for you to ta-bao back to office.

TBP Recommends: Spicy Pork Bibimbap ($9.00)
The Spicy Pork Bibimbap is the latest addition to Paik’s Bibim menu, consisting of stir-fried pork slices seasoned in a special spicy marinate and served with a variety of fresh vegetables.

Before mixing all up, drizzle some of Chef Paik’s specially formulated gochujang sauce for that extra kick.

Tea Valley
Tiong Bahru Plaza #02-110, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 6352 8285
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Braised Pork Rice or Lu Rou Fan seems to be getting traction in Singapore, as local diners crave for Taiwanese dishes popular in their night markets.

Perhaps you can save on the flight ticket and try some of the traditional Taiwanese dishes available at Tea Valley such as Oyster Noodle Mee Sua ($6.50), Braised Pork Rice ($6.90) and Crispy Salted Chicken ($5.50).

For those who prefer lighter snacks and beverages, try their mouth-watering Fried Tofu, Seaweed Fries, Fried Sweet Potato and Dumpling; and feel refreshed with their Red Tea, Green Tea and Milk Tea drinks.

TBP Recommends: 3 Cup Chicken With Rice ($6.90)
The Taiwanese dish of 3-Cup Chicken or San Bei Ji is so called because the dish is cooked with 3 cups – 1 cup each of soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil.

The seasoning used to create this dish is specially imported from Taiwan, and I particularly enjoyed the fragrance of the sesame oil.

There was also a slight hint of spiciness and aroma from basil leaves. Very comforting as you pour some of the savoury sauce over fluffy rice, and chomp it all down.

328 Katong Laksa
Tiong Bahru Plaza #02-111A, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 9732 8163
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

The famous 328 Katong Laksa is one of those listed in the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand guide – for two years in a row.

Its signature Laksa needs little introduction, cooked with a recipe passed down for generations, known for that aromatic and spicy coconut based gravy.

Other than the Laksa ($5.50 small, $6.50 medium, $7.50 large), the other popular items to look out for include the Curry Chicken ($4.50 small, $5.50 medium, $6.50 large), and Nasi Lemak ($2). I think a-must to add is also the Otah ($1.40).

TBP Recommends: Laksa ($5.50 small, $6.50 medium, $7.50 large)
To be honest, I was initially concerned if the Laksa would taste similar to the Katong branch. The gravy turned out to be quite tasty – rich in coconut, just mildly spicy, and lovely additions coming from the dried shrimps.

Ah yes, no chopsticks.

You are supposed to eat this only with a spoon, as the noodles have been cut into shorter lengths and can be easily scooped.

Bangkok Jam Off The Street
Tiong Bahru Plaza #02-135, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 6250 3448
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

There are two concepts available here – Bangkok Jam Off The Street and Flaming Don. That means you can order both Thai dishes and Japanese Donburi at the same time.

The Tiong Bahru Plaza outlet offers a new ordering experience which results in reduced waiting time. Plus, service charge is waived for all dine-in and takeaway orders. Yeah.

Comforting Thai treats available include Seafood Phad Thai ($12.90+), Thai Beef Noodles Soup (from $13.90+), Pineapple Fried Rice with Seafood ($12.90+), Chicken in Green Curry ($12.90+) and Red Tom Yum with Prawns & Thai Jasmine Rice ($10.90+).

TBP Recommends: Thai Beef Massaman Curry ($13.90+)
The Thai Massaman Curry is a rich, relatively thick, mildly spicy dish. (CNNGo once ranked Massaman curry as Number One in “World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods”.)

The Bangkok Jam Off The Street rendition consists of cubed beef shin stewed on slow fire with coconut milk for 2 hours, later added with coconut milk, onions, potatoes and other ingredients.

Best paired with entree of Fried Chicken Mid Joints with Thai fish sauce marinate.

O Banh Mi
Tiong Bahru Plaza #02-113, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 6352 8929
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)

O Banh Mi is a fast, casual Vietnamese brand created by 3 food entrepreneurs from Hanoi and Singapore. This is the first eatery you see as you walk into the Level 2 “Food Fusion” at Tiong Bahru Plaza.

It does not just serve Banh Mi, but other popular and iconic Vietnamese street food as well, such as Beef Combination Pho Soup ($11.90), Fried Beef Vermicelli with Spring Roll ($9.90), Summer Rolls ($5.50 for 2) and Vietnamese Coffee.

Great to know that prices are Nett too.

TBP Recommends: Beef Combination Pho Soup ($11.90 Nett)
The Pho Bo is a comforting treat with flavoursome broth – cooked for 15-hours a day.

This is recommended for those who like to try the best of both worlds (or make it three), as you get thinly sliced beef tenderloin, beef brisket and beef ball in a single bowl. I liked the beef balls as they didn’t taste like the generic factory-made ones, and had a pleasurable, firm bite.

You can also go for the signature BBQ Pork Banh Mi ($7.50 Nett) of char-grilled pork collar meat, yummy fried eggs and pickled vegetables served in crispy Vietnamese baguette.

Magosaburo Café
Tiong Bahru Plaza #01-106, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 6352 5881
Opening Hours: 11am –10pm (Mon – Sun)

One of the newest addition to Tiong Bahru Plaza, Magosaburo Café is a Japanese – Western style café that offers hearty set meals.

Offerings include the Signature Wagyu Don with Black Truffle ($28.80), Wagyu Burger Steak ($18.80), Pork Collar Sukiyaki ($14.80), Pork Katsu ($14.80), Spicy Beef Nabe ($17.80), Minced Wagyu Beef Pasta ($16.80), Chicken Teriyaki ($13.80) and Grilled Salmon Mentai Yaki ($17.80).

TBP Recommends: Signature Wagyu Don with Black Truffle ($28.80)
Truffle lovers can unite. The Signature Wagyu Don with Black Truffle comprise of Kogoshima Wagyu Beef which is ‘aburi-ed’ to a slight char, added with black truffles and onsen egg.

The scent arrived before the food itself.

The wobbly Salted Konbu Truffle Chawanmushi ($8.80) should also entice with its distinct aroma and smooth custardy texture.

Munch Roasts & Salads
Tiong Bahru Plaza #01-161, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 6255 4991
Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Mon – Sun)

For those looking for healthier alternatives, Munch Roasts & Salads offer over 60 different flavours of freshly tossed, hand cut salads with varied choice of toppings.

Diners needing some heartier protein after a workout session, can also choose to add on juicy chicken thigh or breast, grilled salmon slab, John Dory fillet and pan seared German Bratwurst.

TBP Recommends: Double or Triple Salads ($8, $10)
Prices are kept affordable here, in which you can choose 2 salads for $8, or 3 salads at $10.

The salad variety is quite wide, from Broccoli, Cherry Tomatoes, Mushroom Marinara, Roasted Vegetables, Brown Rice, Chicken Caesar, Oriental Cucumber to Tofu Salad.

One of the most popular options for Munch fans’ is the Chicken Roast Set ($12) of a Juicy Chicken Thigh with Mushroom Marinara Pasta and Broccoli Salad.

If you would like a ‘guilty’ treat, go for the Roast Sausage ($10) of crisp shredded potato pancake with German sausage.

Ah Mah Traditional Sponge Cake
Tiong Bahru Plaza #B1-K4, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 63254508 or +65 81338508
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Do you know that Ah Mah Homemade Cake is the largest castella cake chain in Singapore?

These soft-spongy cakes inspired by the ones from Tamsui Taiwan, are made with natural ingredients and baked freshly in store daily (catch them when they flip the huge cakes around).

They are sold in flavours of Original ($8), Cheese ($11), Kopi Siu Dai ($11), Sunny Orange ($11) and my personal favourite of Rocky Chocolate ($13) peppered with chocolate chips.

TBP Recommends: Blanket Castella Roll ($2.50, $3.20)
New in the market, this is Asia’s first-of-its-kind design your own Blanket Castella Roll.

The base is like the soft castella cake with flavours of rich chocolate, fragrant pandan and earthy sesame, rolled up like a Swiss Roll, and filled with a spread of your choice.

I would go for the more nostalgic tasting Pandan base with Kaya Coconut, with the choice to top it up further with coconut flakes. Looking like a Swiss Roll, but reminding me of Ondeh Ondeh.

There is also the Premium Choco Roll ($3.20) of brittle crispy flakes, spread with chocolate sauce and dusted with rich choco powder.

Choco powder warning: I call this the “Dirty” Swiss Roll, and do get some wet tissues ready. Don’t forget the selfie!

Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken
Tiong Bahru Plaza #B1-K2, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 9111 4750
Opening Hours: 10.30 am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken is one of the most popular food exports from the night markets in Taipei.

It is known for its large crispy chicken – ridiculously huge, measuring up to 30cm long, easily bigger than a palm, and almost the size of a face.

Good to know: Only fresh poultry (not frozen) are delivered to the outlet daily, and all ingredients used are without preservatives and artificial flavourings.

TBP Recommends: Bonito Flakes Large Fried Chicken ($6.20)
The Bonito Flakes Large Fried Chicken ($6.20) is a new flavour available exclusively at Tiong Bahru Plaza outlet. For a limited period only.

The large crispy chicken piece was drizzled over with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise, then topped with bonito flakes. This totally reminded me of the Japanese Okonomiyaki, with an addictive sweet sauce.

You can have your chicken in full, or cut into pieces for easier consumption.

Bun Times
Tiong Bahru Plaza #B1-123, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 6358 3465
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Bun Times 包含 is a bakery by Singaporean’s favourite Old Chang Kee you may not know about. I had a friend who loved their buns and thought the taste was soooooo familiar, without knowing it is from OCK. The realisation.

The shop at Tiong Bahru Plaza basement serves up a range of buns and bakes, made according to original Hainanese recipes. The appeal of these buns lies in their simplicity.

Pick your favourites of Curry Chicken Bun ($1.70), Coconut Bun ($1.70), Baked Curry Chicken Puff ($1.80) and Baked Black Pepper Tuna Puff ($2.00) on the old-school tray, and also look out for any on-going promotions to get more value for your buck.

TBP Recommends: Curry Chicken Bun ($1.70)
Ever wondered how your Old Chang Kee Curry Puff taste like with a different ‘crust’?

Think about this with a soft, golden-roasted bun instead for its exterior, along with the filling of soft potato, chicken chunks and tangy curry paste.

I am also a fan of the fragrant Hae Bee Bun filled with spicy sweet dried shrimps. Great for breakfast, or a between meal snack.

Food Lobang Is Back
This is when you can enjoy tasty treats with the FOOD LOBANG Coupon Pack at $10 (worth $15).

From now till 13 May, get the $10 Food Lobang coupon pack available for sale at Level 2 Customer Service Counter, or redeem with 2,000 AMperkz Points. The pack contains dining and take-out coupons for you to enjoy more food, at greater value.

A Taste of TBP at $1
If you are a foodie and you can’t miss out a good deal, head over to Tiong Bahru Plaza Main Atrium from 19 – 25 April to taste delicious foods for only $1.

You get to enjoy delicious bites from participating F&B tenants, and they include O Banh Mi, Magosaburo Café, Paik’s Bibim & Paik’s Coffee, Ah Mah Traditional Sponge Cake, Hotstar, Subway , Tea Valley, Bun Times and more at #throwback prices.

Head over to Tiong Bahru Plaza’s website for more details: http://www.tiongbahruplaza.com.sg

*This entry is brought to you in partnership with Tiong Bahru Plaza.

The post 10 FOOD Places To Check Out At Tiong Bahru Plaza, Plus Enjoy $1 Tasty Treats! appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

The first thing that comes to mind about Taiwan will be their bubble milk tea, which can be found everywhere there.

It is hard to decide which is the best and the most popular brand, since milk tea can be found everywhere in Taiwan. So brands have to do more to differentiate, generally from both branding and packaging.

Chu Tang 初堂, a brand which originates from Tai Chung with another franchise outlet in Taipei, ha opened their first outlet outside Taiwan in Singapore.

Their concept is slightly different from the usual bubble tea shop, offering more than just Taiwanese milk tea.

Instead, their focus is on their Cuban sandwiches (is this a Taiwanese thing?), known to be a popular supper food item among the Taiwanese locals for quick and fuss-free options.

However, my attention was quickly drawn to the Milk Tea ($4.90) instead, packed in a carrier bag, commonly seen in night markets and not in the usual bubble tea cup.

“放感情” which means “to put emotions in it” are the 3 Chinese characters written on the bag, does have that touch of Taiwanese “wen qing” sentimentality in simple three words.

With only one flavour available (additional pearls or toppings not available), I personally found the pricing on the high side.

The Milk Tea ($4.90) was quite different from the usual Taiwanese milk tea that I had before, made up of a combination of Ceylon tea and Earl Grey tea leaves.

Without any ice cubes added, the milk tea wasn’t diluted over time, but stayed chilled and smooth, with distinct earl grey tea notes.

Not bad, though I am not referring to the price.

Their signature Cuban Sandwich ($7.90) comes in 2 different flavours: BBQ Pork and Pari-Pari Chicken.

Topped with cheese before melting it, the BBQ Pork has a sweeter taste compared to the Pari-Pari Chicken, which is more spicy.

The first few bites were enjoyable, but it could get a little boring halfway through.

Unlike the Cuban sandwich in Taiwan which has a thinner and crispier crust, the Cuban sandwiches here in Singapore is thicker and more starchy.

I shall look forward to more varieties in future as the current offerings don’t really warrant a re-visit.

Well the good news is, I heard that Bento Set such as Taiwanese braised pork and Wraps will be available soon.

Chu Tang Singapore 初堂
7 Fraser Street, Duo Galleria #B3-07, Singapore 189356
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon-Fri), 11am – 6pm (Sat), Closed Sun
https://www.facebook.com/chutangsingapore/

Other Related Entries
True Boss 醋頭家 (Northpoint City)
Gong Cha (SingPost Centre)
PlayMade by 丸作 (Tampines)
Teafolia (Tampines)
Bobii Frutii (The Clementi Mall)

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

The post Chu Tang Singapore 初堂 – TaiChung Milk Tea In A Bag With Cuban Sandwich, At DUO Galleria appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Singaporeans love their steaks and beefs, and thankfully there is no shortage of excellent steakhouses in Singapore.

From classy steakhouse restaurants that serve perfectly-cooked fillet and ribeye steaks to contemporary dining establishments where you can try premium imported cuts, there are plenty options to choose from.

I get asked the “best steaks in Singapore” question often, because steakhouses are often seen as the special–occasion place. Think about it, you do not go for steaks every other day, but when it is a time for celebration.

To be honest, I got to love steaks only after a few years of working, and previously would be happy with a sirloin at a casual restaurant. So I am still in the process of learning more about steaks.

If you need to order, most of the time “medium rare” works best because it presents for a charred outside and cool interior.

Here are 10 of the best steakhouses you can find in Singapore:

CUT by Wolfgang Puck
2 Bayfront Avenue, B1-71, Galleria Level The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 6688 8517
Opening Hours: 5:30pm – 10pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/CUTSingapore

1-Michelin Star, At Marina Bay Sands
The first Asian branch of this world-renowned steakhouse from the United States is located at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

The restaurant boasts a comfortably modern dining room and offers an excellent selection of premium cuts imported from Australia, Japan, and the USA.

American prime steaks such as ribeye steak ($98) and New York Sirloin steak ($72 – $98) can be found on the menu, as well as Japanese A5 Kobe Beef from Hyogo Prefecture. The grass-fed UK Red Poll dry-aged for 45 days is also delicious.

I went in a group for a birthday and happened to order different cuts. The Japanese Kobe blew us away, while the rest tasted more or less expected.

Keep in mind that CUT by Wolfgang Puck is one of the most expensive steakhouses in Singapore and some steaks cost more than $250. This steakhouse restaurant is also available for cocktail gatherings, corporate events, and private dining events.

It is after all, crowned with a Michelin star, the only steakhouse in Singapore to achieve that honours.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
1 Nanson Road #02-01 InterContinental Singapore, Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909
Tel: +65 6887 5885
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 11:30 pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/Wolfgangs-Steakhouse-SG-150836822181836

Famed Steakhouse from New York City
Not to be confused CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse was originally opened in NYC in 2004 by Mr. Wolfgang and his son Peter Zwiener.

Today, this prime steakhouse destination has 18 locations all around the world with one branch in Singapore which was launched last year.

Thanks to its central location in Robertson Quay, this old-fashioned steakhouse attracts steak lovers and is well-known for their perfectly prepared 28-day dry-aged steak.

The interior is old-school with walnut floors and chic chandeliers imported from Italy. There is plenty of natural light since the main dining hall is surrounded by full glass windows.

The appetizers here are great and affordable – for its quality. For instance, the fresh Seafood Platter with Maine lobster costs $50. Some of the signature dishes on the menu include the classic New York Sirloin ($99), Porterhouse Steak ($185 for two people), Prime Filet Mignon ($118), and Rib Eye Steak ($118). They have a nice selection of sides like creamed spinach and mashed potatoes.

Loved the service here – staff was polite, knowledgeable and gave great recommendations.

Opus Bar & Grill
581 Orchard Road, Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 6730 3390
Opening Hours: 6:30pm – 10:30pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/OpusBarandGrill

One Of The Best Dry Aged Beef, With Wine Promotions
Located inside the Hilton Singapore, Opus Bar & Grill is one of my personal favorites on this list.

It is one of the best steak restaurants in Singapore, paying special attention to the sourcing, storage and cooking of their meats.

These are bespoke Himalayan salt tile ageing cabinets which are not even commonly found in Singapore. The signature prime meat cut, OP rib served there are dry-aged between 14 to 36 days.

You can order the Signature 800g Ranger Valley Angus OP rib dry-aged, marble score 4 ($120 for 2 persons), 220g U.S Greater Omaha 100 days corn-fed prime grade cuts or 220g Kobe Cuisine Australian Wagyu Rib-eye, marble score 6 ($92).

What I liked about the Porterhouse ($138++ serves 2) is you can experience two steaks in one. Because it is a T-bone, part of it would consist of “strip” with good marbling with slightly beefier flavour. This will be the portion which will be moderately tender, with a bit of chew.

This is the steak restaurant I possibly recommended most to personal friends, also because there are wine promotions on certain day. Free flow wine for 2 hours, anyone?

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse
2 Stamford Rd, Level 3 Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore 178882
Tel: +65 6338 0261
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm and 6:30pm – 12am (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 3pm, 6:30pm – 12am (Sat – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/wooloosingapore

Tomahawk With An Amazing View Of City Hall
Situated on the 3rd floor of the Raffles City Shopping Center in Singapore, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse offers a nice selection of premium cuts and boasts panoramic views of the St. Andrew Cathedral and Stamford Road.

With its elegant décor and classic trimmings, this steakhouse is one of the finest looking dining establishments in Singapore.

As for the menu, there is a nice selection of starters like colossal crab lumps ($30), lobster bisque ($20), and beef carpaccio ($24).

The Australian Black Angus Tomahawk ($125, portion for 2) was a massive whole rib steak of more than a kilo with bone in, served medium after 20 minutes in the broiler. This was a premium cut from Australia, and HUGE and impressive when served, and would satisfy many meat lovers.

Fat content in a Tomahawk was generally higher, therefore slightly plumper and chewier – not exactly my favourite beef cut, but great if you like your slices of caramelised fats.

Bedrock Bar and Grill
96 Somerset Road, #01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, Singapore 238163
Tel: +65 6238 0054
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 11pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/BedrockBarAndGrill

Generally Reasonably Priced Classic Steakhouse Food
Located on Somerset Road in Singapore, Bedrock Bar and Grill is a reputable restaurant and whiskey bar that doesn’t experiment that much with food and serves classic steakhouse dishes.

The good news is that this unlike other steakhouses in Singapore, here everything is more or less reasonably priced. If the weather is nice, you can sit on their outdoor terrace and order something from their extensive whiskey list while waiting for your food to be served.

Some of the signature dishes include the Bedrock Black Pepper steak ($79), Tomahawk steak (market price), and a whole rack of Lamb ($129) which is served with mint sauce and roasted root vegetables.

They also have a great selection of desserts here like Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich ($20) and Bedrock Black Forest ($18)

Morton’s Steakhouse
5 Raffles Avenue, Fourth Storey Mandarin Oriental, Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 6339 3740
Opening Hours: 5:30pm – 11pm (Mon – Sat), 12pm – 9pm (Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/MortonsSingapore

Reputable Classic American Steakhouse
Morton’s Steakhouse is definitely one of the most popular steakhouse joints in Singapore and for a reason.

Keep in mind that this place is a bit on the expensive side, but the service is impeccable, the portions are huge, and the food can be best described as mouth-watering.

The favourite dish here is the amazing Center Cut Prime Ribeye ($99.50) that weighs 450 grams. Tender and basically melts in your mouth.

The Center Cut Filet Mignon which starts from $80 was also juicy, as well as the Porterhouse steak.

The good news is that they have a happy hour from 5 to 7 pm when you can try some of their martinis (During the good old days, I remember my ex-colleagues would come here for martinis and to live-for steak sandwiches.)

Lawry’s The Prime Rib
333A Orchard Road, #04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 6836 3333
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 4pm, Dinner 5pm – 10pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/LawrysSG

Known For Panoramic Views and 21 days Aged USDA Prime Ribs
Situated on the fourth floor of the Mandarin Hotel in Singapore, Lawry’s The Prime Rib is a classy steakhouse that can accommodate up to 170 guests for lunch and dinner.

If the panoramic views of the Orchard Road and the fabulous 4-meter high floor-to-ceiling windows do not impress you enough, the food certainly will.

Go for the signature 21 days aged USDA prime ribs of beef served with spinning bowl salad, Yorkshire pudding, and mashed Idaho potatoes ($93).

Some of the other dishes worth ordering include Single Cut Filet Mignon 200g ($73), Fresh Shucked Canadian Oysters (half dozen $33), Pan-seared Hungarian Goose Foie Gras ($35), and Atlantic Lobster Dinner ($99).

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Raffles Blvd, Marina Mandarin Hotel, Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6336 9093
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3pm, Dinner 5:30 pm – 11pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/RuthsChrisSteakHouseNational/

Upscale USDA Prime Steaks
Originally from New Orleans, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is an elegant dining establishment which has been around for 38 years.

They have more than 130 branches all around the world and one of them opened in Singapore in 2012. Expect to find classy chandeliers, wood panel walls, and thick carpets, as well as black leather chairs and white tablecloths.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse focuses on premium custom-aged corn-fed beef and offers a nice selection of premium cuts on their extensive menu.

They only serve USDA Prime steaks and some of the favourites among the locals include Petite Filet ($65), large Ribeye ($100), and T-bone steak ($115). An award-winning wine list can be also found on their menu.

SKIRT
21 Ocean Way Sentosa, Singapore 098374
Tel: +65 6808 7278
Opening Hours: 6pm – 11:30pm
www.skirt.wsingaporesentosacove.com

Modern Steakhouse Serving European Dishes With Asian Overtone
SKIRT is located at the lovely Sentosa Cove and boasts an impressive selection of beef imported from the USA, Argentina, and Australia.

I liked their open kitchen and the popular Parrilla grill where professional chefs prepare delicious food. The interior is quite modern with dozens of decorations including big chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

As for the food, you can choose from their raw menu, smaller taste, larger plates, and sides. The sheer skirt steak is mouth-watering and costs $79, while whole baby snapper ($74) is ideal for sharing. Some of the other dishes worth ordering including Iberico pork chop, BBQ prawns, and torched saba.

The steak here was surprisingly not bad, more memorable than some of the really-famous ones around.

Fat Cow
Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02, 1 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 11pm Daily
www.fat-cow.com.sg

Japanese Steak Specialists
Fat Cow is a cosy steakhouse joint in Singapore that boasts an impressive selection of Japanese steaks.

Diners can enjoy choice of beef over a variety of Japanese preparation methods – Shabu-Shabu, Sukiyaki, Hobayaki or the Sumibiyaki (charcoal-grill).

While the a la carte menu is on the expensive side, the popular Fat Cow lunch is priced between $25 and $50 and allows you to choose a main dish from a list that consists of 8 items.

Japanese Wagyu cuts include the Ohmi Grade A4 Ribeye (from $138++, 150g) and Iwate Grade A5 Ribeye (from $148++, 150g) in addition to Saga Grade A3 Tenderloin (from $98++, 110g) and Sirloin (from $120++, 150g).

During my last visit, I thought that the service was slightly uneven, though the manager was indeed quite apologetic about it.

Other Related Entries
Opus Bar & Grill (Hilton Singapore)
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse (Nanson Road)
Wakanui Grill Dining (Marina One)
Dallas Restaurant and Bar (Suntec City)
The Butcher’s Kitchen (Suntec City)

The post 10 Best Steakhouses in Singapore – The Finest Steaks That Meat Your Expectations appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Newly opened at Downtown Gallery, Takayama Japanese Restaurant is where you can savour a medley of authentic Japanese flavours in its multi-course menu.

This is a “kappo-style” restaurant, similar to a Keiseki meal where elaborately prepared dishes which look like pieces of art, are served.

(Click PLAY for highlights of Takayama Japanese Restaurant.)

The influence of the dishes originates from Osaka, and the menu is inspired by the four seasons of Japan, using ingredients at the peak of their flavours. Therefore, if you go during different months, you are likely to get varied dishes depending on the ingredient sourced.

The main dining room features two kappo counters for seven and five guests, as well as a booth seats that can accommodate two and four diners.

For those who require more privacy, there are two private dining rooms which can sit six and eight guests.

I would suggest taking the kappo counter though, where you can watch your food being prepared by Chef Chef Taro Takayama and his team.

Chef Takayama is formerly chef de cuisine at Mandarin Orchard Singapore, and began his career at three-Michelin-starred restaurants Kashiwaya and Koryu in Osaka.

After which he was appointed master chef at the residence of the Japanese ambassador to Singapore, where he served dignitaries such as Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Here are some of the dishes served at Takayama. Do take note that items vary by the season and menu chosen:

APPETISER: Homemade tofu

OTSUKURI, TAKAYAMA-STYLE: Assorted seasonal fish from Japan, Osaka sushi

MONAKA: Foie gras, fig

STEAMED: Abalone, uni

FISH: Saikyo miso black cod

CHARCOAL GRILLED: Kumamoto wagyu beef “WAOH”, young corn

RICE: Ochazuke

DESSERT: Seasonal fruits such as musk melon.

Takayama’s signature dish is the Abalone + Uni which can be found in the dinner omakase menu.

The other dish to look forward to is the “Otsukuri”. While it essentially means sashimi, I got a combination of Hokkaido uni, Toyama baby squid, Nagasaki Otoro and Chutoro and a couple of surprises – each item there elaborately presented and even paired with different soy sauces to bring out the best of the flavours.

Pricing
Seasonal Lunch Sets: $68++ or $98++
Includes Homemade Tofu, Seasonal Otsukuri, Seasonal Cold Appetiser, Pickled Vegetables, One Seasonal Main, Hokkaido Rice, Miso Soup, and Fruit Jelly.

Dinner Omakase: $280++
Includes Appetisers, Otsukuri, Monaka, Signature dish of Abalone + Uni, Charcoal Grilled Sish, Oshokuji, Fruits and Confection.

The latest seasonal menu is available on takayama.com.sg.

Takayama Japanese Restaurant
6 Shenton Way #01-09/10 OUE Downtown Gallery Singapore 068815 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6224 0864
Email: enquiry@takayama.com.sg
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm, Dinner 6:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

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

The post Takayama – Japanese Kappo-style Restaurant At Downtown Gallery, With Seasonal Set Lunches And Omakase appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

This is a *secret* lunch spot at Raffles Place that not many people know about – the basement of Hong Leong Building opposite Lau Pa Sat.

There are restaurants and cafes such as Monnani Kwabaeggi which is famous for ugly pretzels, Menya Sanji Ramen, Niigata Bento, Osahime Japanese Restaurant (which used to be from Market Street), and Nouveau Café.

After the first outlet at Hillion Mall last year which is a take-away kiosk, Nouveau Cafe has opened a 2nd outlet at the newly renovated basement level of Hong Leong Building.

Some patience is needed to locate the entrance to this basement, and I did not observe much foot traffic that came down.

It can be quite worrying as majority of the options are desserts which may be a challenge to attract the office crowd, plus the café is only opened for half a day during the weekends for cafe hoppers to visit.

The basement will also turn completely quiet come 1:30pm as everyone starts heading back to office.

I was pretty excited when I saw the selection of Instagram-worthy and pretty items such as Marble Pattern Cake ($14.80), Cotton Candy Matcha Red Bean Waffle ($14.80), Cloudy Alaska ($19.80) and Candy Rain Coffee ($7.80).

OLs and office workers in their business attire, drinking a cup of coffee with a huge hanging cotton candy during office hours?

It is hard to imagine them doing that, especially in the fast paced CBD area where diners are usually going for fuss free options like grain bowls and salad bars.

For a more filling option, savoury items include Pizza ($13.80) and Sandwiches ($4.80 – $5.80).

Using cotton candy in most of their desserts, the Cloudy Alaska ($19.80) was a visually pleasing with flaming alcohol poured over the cotton candy, revealing a combination of meringue, sponge cake, lime and strawberry sorbet.

The combination was quite refreshing especially when the sponge cake was soaked entirely in the pool of alcohol.

The Marble Pattern Cake ($14.80) is another signature item, which comes in 3 different flavours: Strawberry, Green Tea, Nutella.

First impression: This looks too similar to Sugar Miss’s version in Taipei.

Second Impression: The Marble Cube in Taipei looks more aesthetically pleasing with dripping molten layer on the outside, served on a marble plate.

While the price point may be on the higher side, the portion is good for sharing between 2 people.

I had the Nutella Marble Pattern Cake ($14.80) made up of chocolate sponge with Nutella mousse within it.

At that price point, I was expecting more, probably molten lava oozing out of it.

Coffee is reasonably priced at $5 for Latte, Flat White, Cappuccino and Mocha.

For a more fanciful Candy Rain Cloud ($7.80), a cotton candy is placed above a cup of hot coffee with hot steam causing the cotton candy to melt and drip into the cup.

Words of caution: It can be really messy and sticky with the melted cotton candy.

The offerings at Nouveau Cafe are interesting but I wonder if the office crowd will appreciate these kind of desserts amidst their hectic working schedule.

Take for example the Nouveau Old Fashioned Cake, coming in exciting flavours such as Passion Fruit Mango, Green Tea Red Bean, and Cotton Candy.

There were many curious onlookers who came back to take photos, and not buying any back. I think the main reason is they were only sold in blocks and not slices, and may deter calorie-watching CBD workers to think twice.

Nouveau Cafe
Hong Leong Building, 16 Raffles Quay, #B1-52, Singapore 048581
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), 8am – 2pm (Sat), Closed Sun
https://www.facebook.com/nouveaucafe.hongleongbuilding/

Other Related Entries
Kazo (Chinatown Point)
Tarte by Cheryl Koh (Shaw Centre)
Grand Castella Cake (Raffles City)
Keong Saik Bakery (Keong Saik Road)
April’s Bakery (One Raffles Place)

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

The post Nouveau Cafe – Secret Dessert Spot In The CBD, Instagram-Worthy Cakes At Hong Leong Building Basement appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

One of the surprising names that appeared in the Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand is Alliance Seafood found at Stall 27 Newton Hawker Centre.

Can’t deny that it is a more established name within the food centre itself, with more than 30 years in operation. But somehow, it is not THAT in the radar for zhi char and seafood lovers.

Maybe it is Newton Food Centre, often seen by the locals as an eating destination catered to the tourists.

Previously, there were more complaints on touting and occasional over-charging, but has been reduced greatly after the revamp.

The environment seemd more pleasant as well.

For tourists, do not worry. Just find seats, remember the table number, and make your orders.

Alliance Seafood offer crab sets for the convenience: Chilli Crabs Set ($65) which also includes Cereal Prawns, Fried Rice and Man Tou (buns to dip in to the sauce); Black Pepper Crab Set ($65); and a set of two type of crabs ($100).

I couldn’t find enough kakis (friends) who want to dine out at Newton, and so stuck to their other food items.

Other than BBQ Crayfish, Lobsters, Tiger Prawns, the more regular dishes were Sting Ray ($12, $15, $20), Calamari ($15, $20, $25), Kangkong Vegetables ($8, $10, $12), Lemon Chicken ($15, $20, $25), Sweet & Sour Chicken ($15, $20, $25), Squid ($12, $15, $20) and Fried Baby Squid ($15, $20, $25).

The quintessential food to have at Newton Food Centre – the Sting Ray ($12) came as small slab of
barbecued piece topped with sambal chilli served on banana leaf.

Good for two to share (or one if this is the only thing you are having), the flesh was fresh and tender and pulled apart easily.

The sambal chilli felt only mildly spicy compared to more fiery versions I had elsewhere, and was perhaps tamed down to suit the palates of foreign visitors in Singapore.

Several of the dishes were considered not-bad and somehow not as greasy as I imagined it to be.

The Fried Rice for example, was fragrant but not as flavoursome with basic ingredients of eggs, prawns and bits of French green beans. Though I had the feeling it was done of purpose to cater to the more international taste-buds.

I won’t mind having Alliance Seafood again, but which it had perhaps one or two more standout dishes to differentiate from the rest. Also because I am expecting more since it is on the Bib Gourmand.

Alliance Seafood 联合海鲜烧烤
Newton Circus Food Centre #01-27, 500 Clemenceau Avenue North Singapore 229495 (Newton MRT)
Opening Hours: 1pm – 2am (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sat), 1pm – 12am (Sun), Closed Wed

Other Related Entries
Keng Eng Kee Seafood (Bukit Merah Lane)
Kok Sen Restaurant (Keong Siak)
Ka-Soh Restaurant (College Road)
JB Ah Meng (Geylang)
New Ubin Seafood (Hillview Ave)

* 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 Alliance Seafood – Chilli Crabs And BBQ Sting Ray With Michelin Bib Gourmand, At Newton Food Centre appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

No kidding. Enjoy 2 to 4 courses set lunch, starting from only $10++.

Clarke Quay is known for its riverside dining restaurants, and a one-of-a-kind attraction for exciting bars and clubs.

It is also a destination where you can enjoy value-for-money set lunches, great for colleagues and groups to head down in the moon.

Among the NEW places you can look forward to include The RANCH Steakhouse By ASTONS – think of it as an “atas” version of ASTONS, offering Western set lunches at affordable $15++.

Here are 11 restaurants at Clarke Quay with these irresistible lunch deals:

The RANCH Steakhouse by ASTONS
Block B, #01-15
Tel: 6256 0334
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm (Mon – Fri), Dinner 5pm – 12am (Sun – Thurs), 5pm – 1am (Fri – Sat)

ASTONS goes upmarket and opens a classic steakhouse concept
The ASTONS’ chain is a familiar brand with Singaporeans, attracting long queues outside many of their branches, known for their inexpensive Western classics.

The RANCH Steakhouse located at Block B, is their newest upmarket and most ambitious opening to date.

The classic steakhouse concept boosts of a spacious setting, with a private room to host business lunches, and still retains ASTONS’ core of serving value meals to diners.

You can expect to find more exquisite cuts here, such as USDA Prime 30 Days Dry Aged Bone-In Ribeye, USDA Prime 30 Days Dry Aged Porterhouse-T-Bone, Japanese Hokkaido Wagyu, to New Zealand Grass-Fed Black Angus Sirloin.

For a casual lunch, go for the Mushrooms Linguine with Truffle Cream, lusciously rich with a burst of distinct truffle aroma.

$15++ Can Get You: A 2-Course Set Lunch
1. Soup of the Day
2. Main Course
Ranch Open Burger, Mushroom Linguine with Truffle Cream, or Corn-Fed French Spatchcock.

T&C: Monday to Friday only, excluding eve of and on PH from 12pm to 3pm.

Bayang
Clarke Quay Blk A #01-05
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Sun – Mon), 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am (Tues – Sat)

Authentic Balinese favourites at inexpensive prices
Indonesia’s Sumatra offers more spicy food, such as curried meat and vegetables; while Javanese cuisine usually comes with a sweet taste. What I enjoy is Balinese cuisine, which has a good mixture of both, with usage of hot and fragrant spices.

Bayang, which means ‘shadow’ to symbolise the Wayang Kulit puppets in Indonesia, serves up many traditional Balinese fare with modern presentation.

Some of the signature offerings on the menu include Beef Rendang with Yellow Rice; Balinese Grilled Chicken & Prawns with Yellow Rice; Tahu Telur; Gado Gado; Satay; and Ikan Bakar Bali – barbeque whole fish basted in special sweet sauce grilled slowly over charcoal.

$15++ Can Get You: A 2-Course Set Lunch
1. Main Course
Fried Rice with Sate Chicken, Beef Rendang with Yellow Rice & Crackers, XO Fried Rice with Fish Fillet in Mango Salad OR Mee Tek Tek with Crispy Chicken Wanton.

2. Beverage
Iced Lemon Tea or Fresh Lime Juice

3. Dessert of the Day

Fremantle Seafood Market
Clarke Quay Blk E #01-06
Tel: +65 63371838
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 12pm – 2am (Fri – Sat)

Fresh seafood by the beautiful Singapore River
The seafood specialty restaurant is inspired by the vibrant seafood markets in Australia, especially the eateries located alongside Perth’s famed Fremantle harbour port.

With the freshest seafood s air flown into Singapore, diners will be thrilled with the chef’s varied and unique seafood dishes.

If you come in a group, their Make Merry Chilled Seafood Platter should be a suitable choice – of plump oysters, king crab legs, assorted sashimi, half lobster and a variety of Chef’s seafood tapas.

For a lighter lunch bite, the Snapper Fish & Chips served with lemon wedges, tartar sauce and hot fries may just transport you back to Perth.

$10++ Can Get You: A Main Course
1. Main Course:
Grilled Cajun Chicken, Fish & Chips, Fremantle Seafood Aglio Olio, or Oven Roast Ruby Snapper.

$15++ Can Get You: A 2-Course Set Lunch
1. Soup of the Day
2. Main Course
Grilled Cajun Chicken, Fish & Chips, Fremantle Seafood Aglio Olio or Oven Roast Ruby Snapper.

T&C: Monday to Friday only, excluding eve of and on PH from 12pm to 3pm.

Hooters Singapore
Clarke Quay Blk D, #01-03
Tel: +65 6332 1090
Opening Hours: 11am – 12am (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 2am (Fri, Sat and Eve of PH)

Fun American neighbourhood restaurant
Hooters known for their welcoming Hooters Girls, has undergone an interior revamp, where you can enjoy casual meals in a fun, laid-back and more comfortable environment.

Their menu is extensive, knowing that their Set Lunches are priced at $10++, and includes soft drink AND ice cream makes it more fabulous.

Main course choices include their famed Hooters Wings with Curly Fries, NZ Sirloin Steak, Chicken Caesar Salad, Chicken Wrap, Hooters Burger, BBQ Sauce Pork Loin, Honey Mustard Chicken, Chicken Pesto Spaghetti, Fish & Chips and Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

First timers should just head for the signature Hooters Wings – breaded by hand, tossed in a wing sauce of your choice, served by a friendly Hooters Girl. Go for the “Medium” sauce for a touch of heat, or “9-1-1” – as it suggests, some fiery kick in your life.

$10++ Can Get You: A 3-Course Set Lunch
1. Main Course:

Wings & Fries, NZ Sirloin Steak, Fish, Chicken, Pasta, Sandwich, Salad & More

2. Soft Drink

3. Ice-Cream

Add $2.50++ for a Soup of the Day & Coffee or Tea or $5++ for a Mug of Tiger Beer

T&C: Available daily from 11am to 3pm including weekends and PH.

Hot Stones Steak and Seafood
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-06
Tel: +65 6333 4868
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 2am (Fri – Sat)

Fresh meats and seafood cooked on serpentine volcanic stone slabs
A one-of-a-kind dining experience in which meats and seafood are cooked on sizzling stone slabs (no fire or electricity involved at your table), and let the freshness do the talking.

The stone-age cooking method seals in the natural juices of the food (you may just need to season slightly with the Maldon sea salt flakes provided), while keeping the food warm throughout the meal.

Daily favourites include the premium US Kurobuta Pork Chop, US Black Angus Ribeye Steak, Tiger Prawns and Salmon Steak.

The $15++ Lunch Set is a mouth-watering good deal, for a sizable piece of Australian Sirloin, cooked in your preferred doneness over the sizzling slab.

$10++ Can Get You: A Main Course
1. Main Course
Salmon Fillet or Seafood Aglio Olio

$15++ Can You Get: A 2-Course Set Lunch
1. Soup of the Day
2. Choice of Main Course:
Australian Sirloin, Chicken Breast, or Beef Bolognese & Ricotta Lasagna

T&C: Monday to Friday only, excluding eve of and on PH from 12pm to 3pm.

Hutong
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-07
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am Daily

Northern Chinese cuisines
Hutong is a 110-seater restaurant decorated in dark-wooded Chinese dynasty style, serving modern Northern Chinese cuisine.

Recommended dishes include Fried Seafood Rice with Caviar, Soup Noodle with Dumplings, Steamed Shrimp Wantons, Crispy Soft Shell Crabs with Szechuan Red Pepper, Fried King Prawns with Salt and Pepper Spice, and White Melon in Superior Broth.

The XO Seafood Fried Rice has been one of their main-stayers since opening days. Fragrant fried rice is cooked with a spicy-seafood based Guangdong style XO sauce with egg and fresh seafood.

$15++ Can Get You: A 3-Course Set Lunch
1. Cream of Corn Soup

2. Appetiser
Shrimp Wanton (Steamed or Deep Fried) or Deep Fried Spring Roll

3. Main Course
Fried Rice with Spicy XO Sauce (Seafood or Chicken), Crispy Noodle with Vegetables & Mushroom, or Soup Noodle with Dumpling

4. Beverage
Hot Tea or Fresh Lime Juice

Muchos
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-04
Opening Hours: 12pm – 1am Daily

Authentic Mexican cuisine and thirst-quenching drinks
Hola! Vibrant eatery Muchos is where you can get a selection of more than 40 varieties of Mexican food, from Burritos, Fajitas Trio, Salsa with Nachos, Taco Salad, Enchiladas, Tostadas and Quesadillas.

Have your Enchiladas – soft corn tortillas wrapped around tender grilled chicken or beef; or Fajitas of soft tortilla wraps filled with grilled chicken or pan-fried vegetables with mild-spicy sauce.

$15++ Can Get You: A 3-Course Set Lunch
1. Soup of the Day

2. Main Course
Soft Tacos (Grilled Chicken or Pan-fried Vegetables), Enchiladas (Grilled Chicken, Grilled Beef, or Pan Fried Vegetable), or Fajitas (Grilled Chicken or Pan-fried Vegetables)

3. Beverage
Iced Lemon Tea or Soft Drinks

4. Single scoop Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream topped with Roasted Peanut

RENNthai
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-05
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am Daily

Unpretentious, modern Thai cuisine
Known as “traditional Thai house”, RENNthai can satisfy your Thai food cravings with street favourites of Green Curry Chicken, Black Olive Rice, Phad Thai, Fried Rice with Shrimp Paste, Tom Yum Goong to Grilled Chicken served with Steamed Glutinous Rice.

The Pad Kra Pao Gai or Basil Chicken with Rice came fragrantly fried with chilies, garlic, and basil, eaten on top of steamed jasmine rice with a fried egg on the side.

A value-for-money meal with spicy red Tom Yum Goong and cooling Calamansi Drink.

$15++ Can Get You: A 2-Course Set Lunch
1. Soup:
Tom Yum Chicken or Tom Yum Vegetarian

2. Main Course
Phad Woon Sen (Chicken or Vegetarian), Green Curry Chicken with Rice, Basil Chicken with Rice, or Chicken with Dried Chili & Cashew Nuts with Rice

3. Calamansi Drink

Talay Thai
Clarke Quay Block E #01-05
Tel: +65 6337 1838
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10.30pm Daily

Thai food with an urban twist
Talay Thai is one of the first Thai Tapas Restaurant Bars in Singapore, incorporating modern twists to Thai food at pocket-friendly prices.

There is an extensive menu exceeding 50 dishes, and the highlight is the tapas section which includes a variety of Thai tapas bites.

Be sure to look out for their popular Grilled Platter selection featuring a mix of tapas bites including Thai Grilled Chicken Skewers, handmade Thai Fish Cakes, Australian beef and Freshly Shucked Grilled Oysters!

As for lunch, get the Phad See Ew which means “stir fried soy sauce noodles”, a popular Thai stir fried noodles with taste that may bring you back to the streets of Thailand.

$10++ Can Get You: A Main Course
1. Main Course
Phad Thai, Phad See Ew, Basil Chicken with Rice, or Green Curry Chicken with Rice

$15++ Can Get You: A 2-Course Set Lunch
1. Soup of the Day
2. Main Course
Phad Thai, Phad See Ew, Basil Chicken with Rice, or Green Curry Chicken with Rice

T&C: Monday to Friday only, excluding eve of and on PH from 12pm to 3pm.

Xiao Chen Gu Shi小陳故事
Clarke Quay Block E #01-08
Tel: +65 6336 0939
Opening Hours: 11am – next day 6am (Mon – Sat), 11am – 10pm (Sun)

For local delights of Bak Kut Teh and Hainanese Chicken Rice
The name of this Bak Kut Teh eatery may remind you of that legendary song by Teresa Teng “Xiao Cheng Gu Shi”.

There are days when we crave for a warm, comforting bowl of Spare Ribs Soup, and Xiao Chen Gu Shi offers a version which is light, clear and moderately peppery matched with meaty long ribs. The broth is served in traditional claypot to preserve the heat.

The Chicken Rice has tender, smooth chicken generously accompanied by sides of a-char, vegetable, gizzard and a bowl of chicken goji berry soup. Local delights which are value-for-money.

$10++ Can Get You: A Chicken Rice Set
4 Sides & 1 Soup, and 1 Complimentary Barley Drink

$10++ Can Get You: A Bak Kut Teh Set
2 Sides (Braised Peanuts & Salted Vegetables) with Rice

T&C: Valid only for weekdays.

Spice World Hot Pot (Xiangtianxia Hot Pot 香天下火锅)
Clarke Quay Block B #01-06/07
Tel: +65 6265 9777
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 4am (Sun – Thurs), 10:30am – 6am (Fri – Sat)

Spice World Hotpot (Xiangtianxia Huo Guo) is known for its fragrant and nourishing Sichuan mala soup base together with other exquisite signature broths with the freshest ingredients, condiments and dipping sauces.

$15 4-Course Set Lunch
1. Main course includes Chongqing Noodles, Chinese Sauerkraut Instant Fried Rice, Yangzhou-style Fried Rice, Pork with Cabbage Dumplings, or Pork with Leek Dumplings.

2. FREE FLOW appetizer, sauce, snacks, fruits.

3. Choice of Beverage (free flow): San Zha & Plum Drink, Herbal Tea or Longan Drink.

4. Dessert of the Day

T&C: Available daily from 10.30am to 3pm. Price is inclusive of service charge & GST. Not available on eve of and PH

Sunday Treat for the Kids
More reasons to bring your children out to Clarke Quay on Sundays from. Kids under 7 can enjoy a FREE meal with every 2 paying adults at Fremantle Seafood Market, Hot Stones and Talay Thai. T&C apply.

Sunday Playdates
Head on down to Clarke Quay on the first Sunday of every month to check out the carnival game booths and bouncy houses at the Fountain Square for the whole family.

FREE for everyone to play. Upcoming Dates: 6 May, 3 June, 1 July 2018 from 12pm.

CapitaStar Rewards
CapitaStar members can earn 3x STAR$® rewards when dining at Clarke Quay from 12pm to 3pm, Monday to Sunday, and a whopping 10,000STAR$® reward for new sign ups via the Clarke Quay website.

Free Parking
FREE PARKING from 12:30pm – 1:30pm during weekday lunch excluding PH.

For more information, visit https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/clarkequay/en/Lunch-by-the-Quay.html

Clarke Quay
3 River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024
By Bus – No. 54 from Scotts Road or 32 and 195 from City Hall MRT Station
By MRT – Clarke Quay Station (Northeast Line) or Fort Canning Station (Downtown Line), about 5 mins walk
http://www.clarkequay.com.sg
https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeQuay

* This post is brought to you in partnership with Clarke Quay. Set Lunch promotions are valid for dine in only, from Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 3pm unless stated otherwise. Not valid on special occasions (e.g., Mother’s/ Father’s Day) and eve of and on Public Holidays. Promotions are not applicable with other discounts, vouchers, coupons, privileges or credit card promotions. Please check with respective outlets for more details. Outlets reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions without prior notice. Prices quoted are subject to prevailing government taxes and service charge. Promotions are valid till 31 December 2018. All information is correct at the time of publishing. Photos are for illustration purposes only.

The post 11 Most Affordable Set Lunches At Clarke Quay, At $10++ and $15++ appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Korean pretzel snack stall Monnani Kwabaeggi 못난이꽈배기 has opened at the basement of Hong Leong Building basement in the CBD. The brand is brought in by the people behind Chewy Junior.

The snack has been called “ugly pretzel” due to its twisted shape. The pieces are deep-fried and with doughy texture, like a “Korean Doughnut”.

There is currently more than 110 branches of Monnani Kwabaeggi ins South Korean, and approximately half a million pretzels are sold in a day.

You will see the kiosk once you take the escalator down to the basement, but it can be slightly hard to find if you are not familiar with the building. Great to see there is a sitting area at the side.

Offerings included Original ($1.40), Yuzu ($1.70), Korean Red Bean ($1.70), Premium Cheese ($1.90), and Premium Sausage ($3).

The dough is said to be 7 different types of fermented grain, made fresh in store, then deep fried till crispy on the outside with soft sticky rice cake like texture on the inside.

I had a Korean Red Bean, and the first thing it reminded me of was a ”Ham Chim Peng”! (a red-bean filled deep fried dough often sold with you tiao.)

The difference was the Kwabaeggi has a slight chewy soft texture, compared to the local versions which are more airy. Though I wished it was somewhat less greasy.

The Premium Sausage came with a juicy chicken sausage within, great for those who would be looking for a savoury snack around here.

Monnani Kwabaeggi’s offering is something I won’t mind getting if I am in the vicinity. The only things stopping me would be its slightly hard-to-find location, and price-point.

When the novelty runs out, then OLs may think twice about spending more on a deep fried snack.

Monnani Kwabaeggi
16 Raffles Quay, #B1-48, Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 6pm (Mon-Fri), 8:30am – 2pm (Sat)

Other Related Entries
Samjin Amook (ION Orchard)
Patbingsoo Korean Dining House (VivoCity)
Nunsongyee (Hougang Midtown)
Nipong Naepong (JEM)
NY Night Market (Westgate)

* 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 Monnani Kwabaeggi – Popular “Ugly” Korean Donuts Arrive In Singapore, At Raffles Place appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

We are spoilt for choices when it comes to finding a good brunch place in Singapore, as restaurants and cafes offer more than just the classic Eggs Benedict, Pancakes and Waffles.

Fish In A Bag, “Hay Bi Hiam” Umami Pasta, Rendang Mac & Cheese, and Char Siew Kurobuta Pork Belly, anyone?

If cost is stopping you from having brunch every weekend (and weekday), the good news is HSBC Credit Cards has partnered with ENTERTAINER to bring you more than 1000 specially curated deals, with 1-for-1 offers on dining, travel, entertainment and more.

This is available to HSBC credit cardholders at a nominal enrollment fee of $5. (HSBC Visa Infinite and HSBC Premier MasterCard main credit cardholders will enjoy a one-time waiver of this fee.)

Here are 10 Brunch Spots In Singapore, where you can enjoy these amazing 1-for-1 deals:

Kith Cafe (Ascott Orchard)
11 Cairnhill Road Singapore 229724 (Somerset MRT)
Tel: +65 6734 8640
Opening Hours: 6:30am – 10 pm (Mon – Sun), Last Orders 9:30pm

Other branches
Marina Square: 6 Raffles Boulevard #02-49 Singapore 039594
Spottiswoode: 69 Spottiswoode Park Road Singapore 088658
Winsland House II: 163 Penang Road #01-01 Singapore 238463

With a number of branches around, Kith Cafe is a great place for catching up with friends or having a meeting with business associates over brunch and coffee.

There are two outlets that I would usually visit that are very close to town – at Ascott Orchard and Winsland House II.

Both are a 5 to 10 minutes’ walk from Orchard Road, where you can have a reprise with their simple honest fare of Kith Breakfast, Kith Super Salad, or some of their Asian inspired mains.

Kith Café 1-For-1 Main Menu Item
Avocado on Toast is the IT brunch item and Kith Café does their Poached Eggs & Avocado ($16) well – a healthy treat of creamy crushed avocados, roma tomatoes, kale, walnut pesto poached eggs on sourdough.

Poached eggs seem to be featured on many items on their menu, such as the popular Better than Benny ($18) with crispy bacon, roasted tomatoes, kale, hollandaise sauce on sourdough; and Kith Black Curry ($19.00) which has chicken curry, mixed green salad, saffron rice in banana leaf and… that oozy poached egg.

Jamie’s Italian
1 Harbourfront Walk #01-165/166/167, VivoCity, Singapore 098585 (Harbourfront MRT)
Tel: Tel: +65 6733 5500 (VivoCity)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Sun – Thurs), 12pm – 10pm (Fri – Sat)

Jamie’s Italian began as a partnership between Jamie Oliver and his mentor, Gennaro Contaldo.

Jamie’s Italian at VivoCity serve up Italian classics with a Jamie twist, made with the best, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, including fresh pasta made on site, every day.

Jamie’s Italian Singapore 1-For-1 Main Course
With a recent menu revamp, the dish to look forward to is the VivoCity-exclusive Fish In A Bag ($32.95) of sustainable salmon with Puy lentils, chilli, Italian greens, roasted pumpkin and salsa verde.

Also recommended is the Chicken Casarecce ($17.95, $26.95) consisting of homemade twisted and rolled pasta served with braised chicken thigh in a creamy sauce with bacon, leeks, roasted mushrooms and herbs.

For pizza lovers, don’t miss out on The Porkie ($27.95) – crisp, thin crust pizza topped with sweet tomato sauce, hot soppressata, smoky bacon, mozzarella and oregano.

KARA Cafe & Dessert Bar
617 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269718 (Tan Kah Kee MRT)
Tel: +65 4688940
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

KARA Café & Dessert Bar at Bukit Timah serves up Los Angeles-inspired “all-day dining” comfort food from hot savoury to cold sweet treats, along with healthy eats and its popular self-served frozen yogurt.

A casual and family friendly space. Beautiful interior.

Kara Café & Dessert Bar 1 -For-1 Main Menu Item
There is quite a number of interesting fusion items on the menu, from Pork Belly Miso Grain Bowl ($16), Tempura Fish Kimchi Grain Bowl ($16), Okonomiyaki Truffle Tots ($12), Charcoal Mochi Waffle ($12.50) to Soy-Glazed Salmon with Kimchi Fried Rice ($17).

For a comforting meal, the Pork Belly Miso Grain Bowl ($16) should satisfy. It is a ramen inspired dish with fork tender kakuni braised pork belly, soft egg, ramen crisps, cucumber edamame salad, miso cream and nori.

If you are craving for lighter bites, the Okonomiyaki Truffle Tots ($12) are one of a kind. These are bite-sized hashbrowns with a Japanese twist, drizzled over with Kewpie mayonnaise, unagi sauce, truffle dressing and furikake.

The Coffee Academïcs
Scotts Square, #02-01/#02-02, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6538 1940
Opening Hours: 9am – 1pm (Mon – Thur), 9am – 10:30pm (Fri – Sat), 9am – 9:30 (Sun)

Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-12, 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6266 0560
Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm (Mon – Thurs), 8am – 9:30pm (Fri), 9am – 9:30pm (Sat), 9am – 8:30pm (Sun), 9am – 10pm (PH on weekdays)

An award-winning specialty coffee concept from Hong Kong, The Coffee Academïcs offers globally-inspired menu offerings with aromatic coffee.

The outlet at Scotts Square which is stylishly done up is The Coffee Academics’ first international store.

Good to know: its sourced coffee beans have a score of 92 to 94 points by the World Coffee Review, ranked highest in Asia and top three in the world.

The Coffee Academics 1-For-1 Main Course
Brunch lovers will not miss their The Academïcs Breakfast ($25), Crispy Fish Fillet Tacos ($23), Le Smoked Salmon ($23), and Umami Pasta ($21).

I also spotted some new items on the menu such as Eggs Ben with Honey Lemon Guac ($22), Pumpkin & Spinach Lasagne ($24), and Crab Meat Aglio Olio ($24) made with gluten free spaghetti.

My usual ‘default’ choice would be The Academïcs Breakfast ($25) included with Pork bockwrust sausage, Pio Tosini Prosciutto di Parma Ham, homemade baked beans, sauteed mushrooms and eggs of your choice served with toasted bread and seasonal greens

The interesting addition is the Pio Tosini Prosciutto di Parma, with a rich flavour and sweet aftertaste. It is known to be pure ham hand-salted twice and left to rest for 6 months before curing for another 500 days.

If you are a fan of the local flavour of “Hay Bi Hiam” (spicy dried shrimp sambal), get the Umami Pasta ($21) which includes this sweet shrimp spicy xo sauce into sautéed spaghetti, topped with shio konbu, onsen egg and ebiko.

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

Founded by the people behind Benjamin Barker (which I got some of my jackets from), The Assembly Ground offers a respite from shopping.

It is established as a gathering place for friends and loved ones to share stories over a cup of good coffee and food with warm ambience.

The Assembly Ground 1 -For-1 Main Menu Item
The most popular brunch item is The Assembly Brunch ($20), of generous portion of scrambled eggs, chicken bratwurst, sautéed mushrooms, potato gratin, roasted cherry tomatoes, toast, choice of smoked salmon or bacon.

If you are out for something more unique, the fusion “Mod-Sin” dish look out for is the Rendang Mac & Cheese ($18) of mildly spicy beef rendang cooked with creamy béchamel and mozzarella cheese. Spicy and creamy work well here.

Jewel Café + Bar
129 Rangoon Road Singapore 218407
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tues – Thurs, Sun), 9am – 11pm (Fri – Sat), Closed Mon

Home-grown Jewel Coffee should be a familiar name, especially to those working in the CBD area who need some caffeine fix.

For a leisure brunch time, head over to the flagship café at Rangoon Road which boosts of 2 levels of seating and a full-service bar for all-day cocktails, 1-for-1 housepours and other drinks.

There is also outdoor seating and customers are welcomed to bring their pets along with them during mealtime.

Jewel Cafe & Bar 1 -For-1 Main Menu Item
The Entertainer 1-for-1 promotion applies to all Mains, Pastas & Burgers (from 11am onwards).

The insta-worthy burger to get is the O.M.G., where you get back bacon, luncheon meat, US beef patty with cheddar cheese, tomato slices, onions, sunny side-up sandwiched between soft sesame brioche buns. Served with salad and fries.

I am sold knowing there is luncheon meat AND succulent patty within.

For their classic popular dish, it would be the Umami Prawn Capellini ($20) served with juicy grilled prawns in crustacean oil, topped off with tobiko, bonito flakes and topped with Jewel’s house-special “Magic” dust.

The Marmalade Pantry – Downtown
Oasia Hotel Downtown #01-01, 100 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079333 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6385 0741
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:30pm, Last Order 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

The Marmalade Pantry is where you can go for its afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats. A possible recommendation if a tourist friends wants local food in a comfortable bistro setting near town.

Some may not know about the bistro and “Asian Corner” menus at The Marmalade Pantry Downtown, which offers both modern European style comfort food and local favourites.

The Marmalade Pantry at Downtown 1-For-1 Main Course
From burgers, pasta, salads, meat and fish mains, the signatures include Truffle Beef Burger ($25), Miso Lobster Burger ($34), Spicy Crabmeat Linguine ($26), The Marmalade Mac & Cheese ($24), and The Marmalade Steak & Eggs ($40).

You can also dig in to the familiar Asian highlights of Hainanese Chicken Rice ($22), Nonya Chicken Curry ($24), Singapore Laksa ($26), Seafood Hor Fun ($22), Singapore Spicy Fried Rice ($22), and Palak Paneer ($20).

The Char Siew Kurobuta Pork Belly ($32) is inspired by the local Cha Siew. To get that distinct sweetness, the pork belly is marinated in soy and honey for at least two days so that the flavours penetrate within.

Berkshire pork is used, which boasts beautiful marbling and superb moist texture. To make the meat slices even more juicy and tender, they were being sous-vide for 12 hours. Served with a side of roasted pumpkin mash, apple-chilli chutney, and topped with crispy sweet potato chips.

Oriole Coffee + Bar
Capitol Piazza 02-20/21 (Neue), 3 Stamford Road Singapore 178905 (City Hall MRT)
Tel: +65 6384 6495
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9:30pm

Specialty coffee house Oriole Coffee + Bar features their classic brunch fare matched with desserts and gourmet coffee.

Some of their recommendations include Fish & Chips, Capellini Crabmeat, Fish Tacos, Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Avocado & Toast, and Espresso Hotcakes. Best to be paired with an in-house Taisho cold-brewed coffee.

Oriole Coffee + Bar at Capitol Piazza 1-For-1 Main Course / Breakfast
I would recommend the Oriole Truffle Burger ($18) though slightly greasy, was a mouth-watering treat. It comes with a juicy piece of grilled beef patty with sautéed mushroom, caramelised onions, melted cheese and truffle aioli sandwiched in a fluffy brioche bun.

Of course with Oriole-spiced fries.

The Lokal Singapore
136 Neil Road The Lokal Singapore 088865 (Outram Park MRT)
Tel: +65 6423 9918
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm (Mon, Tue), 8am – 10pm (Wed – Fri), 9am -10pm (Sat), 9am – 4pm (Sun)

The Lokal is started by Aussie Chef Darren Farr, and is an Australian Restaurant-Bar serving house-made comfort food — including butter, sauces, and meats all made on site.

The name is German for “local”, an influence that be explained by its proximity to Goethe-Institut Singapore and is also reflective of their diverse and worldly approach towards food.

The Lokal, 1-For-1 Main Course
The brunch menu aims to be all-inclusive, featuring hearty dishes, healthy alternatives, sweets and savouries so that there is something for everyone.

Most of The Lokal’s ingredients are made in-house, from ricotta, dry-cured bacon, smoked salmon, and sauces.

Its Black Pig 2.0 charcoal burger bun ($20) remains as one of its much-loved choice, sandwiched with juicy pork belly, dry-cured bacon, coleslaw, fried egg, added with house-made HP sauce.

The Steak & Eggs ($26), available only during the weekends, offers Australian grass fed sirloin, with fried eggs, sautéed onions, house-made HP sauce and side of fries. Great knowing it is now 1-for-1.

McGettigan’s
Clarke Quay Block A, 3A River Valley Road, #01-01 Merchant’s Court, Singapore 179020
Tel: +65 6837 0577
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 1:00am (Mon – Tues), 12:00pm – 3:00am (Wed – Fri), 10:00am – 3:00am (Sat), 10:00am – 1:00am (Sun)

McGettigan’s is an Irish pub known for its live entertainment including Irish music, and live sports screening.

McGettigan’s 1-For-1 Main Course
To-have dishes include the Open Steak Sandwich (usual price $25) on garlic sourdough topped with sun-dried tomatoes, pommery crème fraiche and buttery-herby Béarnaise sauce; Fish and Chips (usual price $24) of crispy battered fresh dory served with mushy peas and fat chips; The Irish Burger ($26) intriguingly comprising of Cola-marinated pork belly, smoked streaky bacon, fried egg, tobacco onions sandwiched in a brioche bun.

To get into the lazy brunch mood, the recommended would be the Full Irish Breakfast ($25++) with 2 eggs of any style, pudding, sausage, rashers, overnight tomatoes, baked beans served with toast and tea or coffee.

ENTERTAINER with HSBC
ENTERTAINER is indeed one of the favourite FOOD APP to have when it comes to dining out due to its numerous Buy One Get One Free offers for cafes and restaurants.

It is simple to use – search for a restaurant, check the offers and redeem.

Good to know that a lot of deals found on ENTERTAINER are not available on other channels. For example, Jamie’s Italian and Kith Café do not typically offer 1-for-1 promos.

On top of that, you can use up to 4 Entertainer vouchers per table (which means pay 4 for 8 main courses at participating restaurants), and offers are offers are valid all the way till 30 Dec 2018.

The ENTERTAINER with HSBC is now available to HSBC credit cardholders at a nominal enrolment fee of S$5.

HSBC Visa Infinite and HSBC Premier MasterCard credit cardholders will enjoy a one-time waiver of this S$5 fee.

Other benefits:
· Offers HSBC credit cardholders access to over 1,000 1-for-1 offers (vouchers) across 525 merchants in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bali, UAE and London
· HSBC credit cardholders stand to save up to S$10,000 using ENTERTAINER with HSBC
· ENTERTAINER with HSBC is an in-app function within the new HSBC Singapore Mobile Banking app

Head over to www.hsbc.com.sg/entertainer for more details and the full terms and conditions.

* This entry is brought to you In partnership with HSBC Credit Cards.

The post 10 Best Brunch Spots In Singapore, Now With Amazing 1-For-1 Deals You Shouldn’t Miss appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

How time flies! The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar, one of the biggest and the most anticipated pasar malam in Singapore, will be back from 12 May (Sat) to 14 June (Thurs).

The bazaar will be spread out in a few areas, with most of the food stalls along Haig Road and the Malay Village area (12 May to 14 June) and in front of Tanjong Katong Complex (16 May to 14 June).

There will be over 1000 stalls to expect, selling traditional Hari Raya goodies like kuih tart, kuih bangkit, and instagrammable food such as candyfloss burritos, poke bowls, fried durians, and rainbow planet ice-cream buns.

However, the bazaar was not without its fair share of controversies last year, namely the increased rents to a record-high reported to be $17,000 for a single 9ft by 9ft space; and over-selling of instagrammable food with less emphasis on more traditional goodies.

While last year’s bazaar was all about Thai Iced Milk Tea, Unicorn-anything, and watermelon desserts, food stalls are heard to be churning out more innovative food items to attract the young crowd.

We shall see.

Meanwhile, Artbox Singapore will return from 25 to 27 May and 1 to 3 June, with its location at Bayfront Event Space, Marina Bay.

Some competition may just go on between the two venues. I personally hope for food stalls at both spaces, to offer more than Unicorn-anything.

For first timer visitors, wear casual clothes, hydrate yourselves, bring enough cash and coins, and just immerse in the celebrations. Have fun!

How to get to Geylang Serai Market
MRT: Paya Lebar Station
Bus: 2, 7, 13, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, 51, 67, 76, 154 and 155

Other Related Entries
15 Best Unique Fries In Singapore
6 Best “Galaxy Drinks” In Singapore
6 Best Galaxy Cakes In Singapore
10 Gelato Shops In Singapore
14 Unique Chilli Crab Food In Singapore

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

The post Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2018 – Back From 12 May To 14 June appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Seems like some Bara Chirashi shops in Singapore are going on the “cheapest” route. Well, great for consumers who are looking at saving some money while indulging in sashimi cubes.

Kei Kaisendon, available at Novena Square 2 and Paya Lebar Square, offers their Kaisendon in SML versions, priced at $12.90, $16.90 and $19.90.

The small bowl should satisfy those who are budget or carb conscious.

Other than the Signature Kaisen Don ($16.90), other bowls include Unagi Kaisen Don ($19.90), Chirashi Kaisen Don ($26.90), Scallops Kaisen Don ($19.0), Salmon Kaisen Don ($18.90) and Aburi Mentaiko Kaisen Don ($17.90).

I had the Signature Kaisen Don, overall a decent bowl. This reminded me of Teppei Syokodo’s version to a small extent in terms of usage of seasoning for the marinate.

With addition of salmon, tuna, baby scallops and yellowtail, I wished that the pieces were more evenly cubed.

My friend commented that the tuna was mushier than the rest of the ingredients, which I agreed.

With Unadon all in the rage in Singapore, the introduction of an Unagi Kaisen Don ($19.90) seems to ride on with the trend.

While the Japanese sea eel pieces added some sweet-savoury flavours in the overall combination, some diners may not feel comfortable with having both raw and cooked ingredients mixed in the same bowl.

Also wondered about the ample addition of wakame, which while added colour was overall distracting in appreciating the full freshness of the bowl.

There are currently branches at Novena Square and Paya Lebar Square, soon to open at Suntec City (near Kimchi Korean Restaurant).

Kei Kaisendon
Novena Square 2, 10 Sinaran Drive #02-95, Singapore 307506
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm Daily

60 Paya Lebar Road, Paya Lebar Square #01-84, Singapore 409051

Other Related Entries
Hokkaido Marche (Orchard Central)
Rakki Bowl (Beach Road)
Kabuke (Telok Ayer)
The BetterShip (The Cathay)
Platform M by MOF (Paya Lebar)

* 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 Kei Kaisendon – With Unagi Kaisen Don And Bara Chirashi, At Novena Square And Paya Lebar Square appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Monnani Kwabaeggi
16 Raffles Quay, #B1-48, Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 6pm (Mon-Fri), 8:30am – 2pm (Sat)

Popular “Ugly” Korean Donuts Arrive In Singapore
Korean pretzel snack stall Monnani Kwabaeggi 못난이꽈배기 has opened at the basement of Hong Leong Building basement in the CBD. There is a small sitting area available at the side.

Offerings included Original ($1.40), Yuzu ($1.70), Korean Red Bean ($1.70), Premium Cheese ($1.90), and Premium Sausage ($3).

The dough is said to be 7 different types of fermented grain, made fresh in store, then deep fried till crispy on the outside with soft sticky rice cake like texture on the inside. Monnani Kwabaeggi (Hong Leong Building)

Nouveau Cafe
Hong Leong Building, 16 Raffles Quay, #B1-52, Singapore 048581
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), 8am – 2pm (Sat), Closed Sun
https://www.facebook.com/nouveaucafe.hongleongbuilding/

Secret Dessert Spot In The CBD, Instagram-Worthy Cakes
After the first outlet at Hillion Mall last year which is a take-away kiosk, Nouveau Cafe has opened a 2nd outlet at the newly renovated basement level of Hong Leong Building.

I was pretty excited when I saw the selection of Instagram-worthy and pretty items such as Marble Pattern Cake ($14.80), Cotton Candy Matcha Red Bean Waffle ($14.80), Cloudy Alaska ($19.80) and Candy Rain Coffee ($7.80).

Using cotton candy in most of their desserts, the Cloudy Alaska ($19.80) was a visually pleasing with flaming alcohol poured over the cotton candy, revealing a combination of meringue, sponge cake, lime and strawberry sorbet. Nouveau Cafe (Hong Leong Building)

Chu Tang Singapore 初堂
7 Fraser Street, Duo Galleria #B3-07, Singapore 189356
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon-Fri), 11am – 6pm (Sat), Closed Sun
https://www.facebook.com/chutangsingapore/

TaiChung Milk Tea In A Bag, With Cuban Sandwich
Chu Tang 初堂, a brand which originates from Tai Chung with another franchise outlet in Taipei, has opened their first outlet outside Taiwan in Singapore.

Their focus is on their Cuban sandwiches ($7), known to be a popular supper food item among the Taiwanese locals for quick and fuss-free options.

Topped with cheese before melting it, the BBQ Pork has a sweeter taste compared to the Pari-Pari Chicken, which is spicier. Chu Tang Singapore 初堂 (Duo Galleria)

Columbus Coffee Co.
220 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574352
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Cafe With Fluffy Pancakes And Good Coffee At Upper Thomson
Columbus Coffee Co. is newly launched at 220 Upper Thomson Road (next to French Toast Language Centre), likely to give cafes in the vicinity such as Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters a run for its money.

Dishes that appealed included Mushrooms on Sourdough ($14), Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($14.50), Mussels with Coconut Lemongrass & Ale ($17), Heart Meatballs On Toast ($18), Brown Butter Sardine Crumb Pasta ($18), to sweets of Butterscotch Banana Pancake ($18.50), Peanut Butter & Berries ($14) and Earl Grey Caramel Waffle ($12.50).

The Breakfast Strawberry Maple Pancake ($16) did not disappoint as well, with contrasting crisp edges and fluffy interior. Great that it was not too sweet, uplifting from the sourness of the strawberry compote. Columbus Coffee Co. (Upper Thomson)

Twenty Eight Cafe
28 Wilkie Road, Singapore 228051
Opening Hours: 7.30am – 5pm (Mon-Fri), 8.30am – 6pm (Sat-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/TwentyEightCafe/

Cafe Serving “Indian Churros” And Berrilicious Pancakes
Situated in one of the shophouses along 28 Wilkie Road is Twenty Eight Cafe, named after its location.

Some of the offerings include Egg Benedict ($18.90) which is pricey (for students around) and not that common these days, Common Breakfast ($22.90), French Toast ($16.90), Pasta ($14.90 – $19.90), Salad ($14.90) and Coffee ($4.50 – $6.50).

The ordinary looking Indian Churros ($4.90) was actually the highlight.

Instead of the usual dough used in Spanish churros, prata (Indian flatbread) was rolled into long shapes before deep frying and coating it with cinnamon sugar. Twenty Eight Cafe (Wilkie Road)

Elyon Café
126 Bukit Merah Lane 1 Singapore 150126
Tel: +65 6274 7422
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 3pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Ice Cream Cafe At Bukit Merah, With Old-School Waffles
Elyon Café focuses on ice cream, serving a scoop for $5, $5.50 or $6 depending on the flavours you get.

The recommended are those categorized as “supreme” – in flavours of Black White Sesame Twist, Pistachio and Durian.

The waffle came crisp-thin, unlike those thick, fluffy Belgian waffles served in most Singapore cafes.

It had the effect of jogging my memory of the old-school ones served in the neighbourhood, those that would entice you with the kaya-aroma as you walk past. Elyon Cafe (Bukit Merah Lane)

Tong Heng
285 South Bridge Road Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Last Baking Round 8:45pm)

Famous Egg Tart Shop Revamps With Sit-Down Café
The egg tart and Chinese pastry shop has recently undergone a rebranding exercise, and opened to a newly revamped space and a sit-down café area.

The original “Dan-Ta” ($1.90) is indeed one of the best in Singapore, with crumbly and buttery pastry, and the wobbly smooth egg custard filling which melts in the mouth.

Other popular pastries here include Chinese Cake with Red Bean Paste, Barbecued Pork Crisp, Chicken Curry Crisp (which is like a mini curry puff – I like), Pork Bun, Wife Pastry aka Lo Po Bing, Red Bean Paste Pastry to Mini Mooncakes. Tong Heng (South Bridge Road)

The Social Space
333 Kreta Ayer Road #01-14, Singapore 080333

Beautiful Cafe With Bali Vibes
This is a gorgeous and elegantly done up café with Bali vibes, which also features several social enterprises under one roof.

There are ethical products and fashion items, a refill station (for soaps and cleaning products), and a soon-to-be-launched The Nail Social.

The Nail Social is known to offer vocational training programme for underprivileged women, and uses only non-toxic and cruelty-free products.

The toast varieties ($7 onwards for single portions) includes Toasted Banana with Peanut Butter, Avo with Egg, Roasted Mushrooms and Crème Fraiche, Macerated Strawberries and Cream Cheese, along with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese. The Social Space (Kreta Ayer)

Graze by The Backyard Bakers
1 West Coast Drive, NeWest #01-109. Singapore 128020
Tel: +65 9638 6769
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 9:30pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed on Tues

Quiet Café At West Coast With Decent Brunch And Specialty Cold-Brews
Fans of Bundt by The Backyard Bakers will be glad to know that there is a second outpost by them at NEWest, which is also home to Nasi Coco and Birdfolks.

The menu consists of all-day breakfast items such as Baker’s Big Breakfast ($16.00 onwards), French Toast ($12.00), Signature Pulled Pork Toastie ($14.00) and mains like Kong Bak Pau ($10.00, 3 pcs), Seared Chicken Thigh ($16.00) and Signature Barbeque Pork Ribs ($30.00 for half rack, $48.00 for full rack).

Aside from a small selection of wine and draft beers, cold-brew coffee seems to be the main focus of the beverage menu here with several variations of it such as Signature Iced American Black ($5.00), Australian ($7.00, with milk and ice-cream) and Irish ($10.00, with Baileys, ice ball and milk). Graze by The Backyard Bakers (Westgate)

Double Durian
8 Hamilton Road, Singapore 209179
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/doubledurian/

Baked Durians And Durian Mille Crepe
Durian fans may want to give this a try, with a shop called “Double Durian” at Jalan Besar selling the King of fruits.

The selection of durian pastries at Double Durian includes options such as Durian Snow Ice ($6.50/7.50), Durian Ice Cream (Single $4.80/ Double $6.80), Durian Sticky Rice ($6.80), Durian Cheesecake/ Crepe Cake ($6.50), Durian Smoothie ($5.80/6.80) and A&W Durian Float ($6.50).

Their signature item (but not in their menu) is the Baked Durian (Musang King, Black Gold or Kings Durian) with seasonal pricing, prepared with 3 different methods. Double Durian (Jalan Besar)

Other Related Entries
10 NEW Cafés In Singapore April 2018
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore April 2018
10 NEW Cafés In Singapore March 2018
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore March 2018
12 NEW Cafés In Singapore January 2018
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore January 2018
14 NEW Cafés In Singapore February 2018
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore February 2018

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Nicholas Tan @stormscape and Simon Koh.

The post 10 NEW Cafés In Singapore May 2018 – Famous Korean Kwabaeggi “Donuts”, Baked Durians, And Tong Heng Egg Tarts appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Shanghai] Xiao Long Bao is available all over Shanghai, with varying qualities.

Not all are of Din Tai Fung quality (ironically). Most I had thick chewy skin, but there were some street side stalls that would throw off your footing, swearing to bring some back if you ever could.

Shanghai’s most celebrated Xiao Long Bao could be found at 南翔馒头店, within the charming Yu Yuan 豫园 at the Old Town God’s Temple precinct.

Disclaimer: it is not the best the city has to offer, but people come here to tick off the box of being in a famous place. (The garden’s really cool anyway.)

The restaurant has also expanded internationally, with branches in South Korea, Japan and Singapore at Ten Mile Junction.

Amongst the scenic buildings, exquisite Jiuqu bridge, old trees who spoke stories and red autumn leaves, you could see one long queue.

One really long queue.

At Nan Xiang, there are 3 different levels of service and pricing. Most of the unsuspecting tourists and ‘commoners’ would queue up on the ground level for 12 hot piping dumplings available for takeaway at 22 RMB (SGD4.60).

Most would just gobble the entire box once they grabbed their hands on one. An average queue time was about an hour, at least you could listen to street performers sing their lungs out.

Note: The queue can be quite traumatic once ‘tourists’ (from other parts of China) surge forward.

On level two, there was a long line with stools for you to wait for anything from 10 to 30 minutes. (My advice: Guard your seat, ignore what the others behind tell you. They might tell you stories so that they could get in front of you. Remember.)

If you were willing to pay more, then go all the way upstairs and spend at least 150 RMB for an almost immediate seat.

Nanxiang was a town near Shanghai where the Xiao Long Mantou was invented. Therefore, you should probably order the Nanxiang Xiao Long Bao (RMB35 for 6, SGD7.32).

The dumplings were compact yet meaty that would splash up tasty soupy broth that might just scald your tongue. The skin used to be more paper-thin, but gotten thicker and therefore more ordinary.

The King Size Nanxiang Crab Roe Steam Soup Bun (RMB35, SGD7.32) is another of Nanxiang’s signature.

What you do is to suck up the broth through a straw, BE CAREFUL as it could be scalding, then save the best meat for last.

A pity for the thick skin and mess anyway.

Two specialist Xiaolongbao restaurants are often regarded as the most authentic, one of which is Nanxiang with 110 years of history (the other is Jia Jia).

The wait could be long, service was rushed, and food quality not as memorable as when I first tried it, but I suppose tourists should visit this iconic restaurant.

Nanxiang Mantou (Yu Garden) 南翔馒头店(豫园路店)
85 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiuqu Qiao, Huangpu District, Shanghai China
黄浦区豫园路85号 上海
Tel: +86 21 6355 4206
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9pm Daily

Other Related Entries
Yang’s Dumplings (Shanghai)
Mr & Mrs Bund (Shanghai)

* 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 Nanxiang Mantou Dian 南翔馒头店 – Iconic Shanghai Xiao Long Bao Located Within Yu Yuan Gardens appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

A hipster bistro café LePak At Rayz has opened at Bussorah Street, a short walk away from Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan).

It looks set to be the next popular dining spot among Muslim friends.

Fans of Rayz Bistro from Selegie Road should be familiar with its offering, as the place has moved over with more affordable pricing.

The Halal dining place seems to be able to capture the sweet spot with the provision of Western favourites and Asian comfort food, in an almost-hipster environment. Several of the dishes did remind me of Spize though.

I previously thought that the menu at Rayz Bistro would deter price-sensitive diners. It appeared there was some adjustment on the pricing to be more mass-market friendly.

For more Western offerings, mains include Rib Eye Steak ($21.90), Pan Seared Salmo ($16.90), Grilled Chicken ($12.90), Beef Burger ($7), and pasta choices of Aglio Olio ($14.90), Chicken Carbonara ($11.90), Chilli Crab Pasta ($15.90), and Steak Pasta ($15.90).

For a point of reference, the Chilli Crab Pasta used to cost $26.

The Chilli Crab Pasta with generous servings of jumbo crab meat and trout roe, complete with a flowy poached egg, was tastily spicy.

Two friends felt it was somewhat over, but it was what that would make Rayz different from Cafes A, B and C.

In terms of Asian offerings, I was recommended the Mee Chelop ($7.90) of sliced beef, beef ribs in a Thai braised stock gravy, but it sounded too unfamiliar for me to try at that point in time. BUT I will have it the next time.

There are other comfort dishes of Hokkien Mee ($7.90), Pattaya ($6.90), Seafood Mee Goreng ($7.90), Tom Yum Fried Rice ($7.90), and Penang Char Kway Teow ($6.90).

I enjoyed the Black Pepper Beef Hor Fun ($7.90) drenched in savoury gravy with smooth flat rice noodles. I thought that the pepper could have been more pronounced, so I requested for some sambal belachan to add in some kick.

Rayz Bistro’s mission was to serve premium halal food made enjoyable with delightful service. I am glad they have focused more on what it was potentially stronger at – bolder Asian flavours.

LePak At Rayz
62 Bussorah Street Singapore 199478
Tel: +65 6352 6651
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Tues – Thurs, Sun), 12pm – 12am (Fri – Sat), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
Haráru Izakaya (Bussorah Street)
FOMO Singapore (Sultan Gate)
Makcik Chicken (Aliwal Street)
Village Nasi Lemak (Circular Road)
Crave (ION Orchard)

* 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 LePak At Rayz – Halal Hipster Bistro Café With Western Favourites And Asian Delights, At Bussorah Street appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Exciting NEW restaurant openings in Singapore for the month include Restaurant Ibid by first MasterChef Asia winner Woo Wai Leong; The Spot at Marina One; Le Bon Funk at Club Street; Zui Hong Lou also at Club Street; Madame Fan at the newly-refurbished NCO Club; The Stamford Brasserie at Swissotel The Stamford; Jinjo at Shaw Centre; Yellow Pot of Six Senses Duxton; ATOUT at Dempsey; and Forbidden Duck by Chef Alvin Leung of Bo Innovation fame.

Too many…

Here are some of the highlights (was feeling in the mood of Japanese cuisine, so there is a lot more of them featured):

Marugame Udon & Tempura Singapore 丸亀製麺
2 Orchard Turn #B4-67/68 ION Orchard Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6732 0687
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Daily

Most Popular Udon Shop From Japan Has Arrived In Singapore
The brand is known for its freshly made Sanuki-style Udon at affordable prices, starting at $5.90 for a classic regular Udon. Inexpensive considering ION Orchard is at the heart of town.

Similar to the Japan restaurants, Marugame Udon & Tempura in Singapore operates in a self-serve style where you first can choose the Udon, then add your preferred tempura.

After paying, there is a toppings seasoning bar to further customise your bowl. Choose from coriander, spring onions, grated ginger, wasabi, and agedama – deep-fried batter bits from cooking tempura.

Recommended item is the Udon with Seasoned Cod Roe & Half Boiled Egg ($11.90, $12.90). This is one of the best sellers and my personal favourite is a dry udon with mentaiko and seaweed strips. Marugame Udon & Tempura 丸亀製麺 (ION Orchard)

Yamato Izakaya
65 Ubi Road 1, #01-92 Oxley Bizhub, 408729
Tel: +65 6385 5273
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

3-In-1 Japanese Dining Concept At Ubi
Man Man Unagi by Teppei has quietly opened at Ubi Oxley Bizhub under the Yamato Izakaya concept – which also houses Ramen Hitoyoshi and Tora Tora.

Ubi may seem too far for many, but great for those working in the MacPherson and Tai Seng areas, and diners who need unagi after your driving lessons.

The other good news is Yamato Izakaya can accommodate over 300 patrons, with free onsite parking. Yamato Izakaya (Ubi)

Takayama Japanese Restaurant
6 Shenton Way #01-09/10 OUE Downtown Gallery Singapore 068815 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6224 0864
Email: enquiry@takayama.com.sg
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm, Dinner 6:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Japanese Kappo-style Restaurant At Downtown Gallery
Newly opened at Downtown Gallery, Takayama Japanese Restaurant is where you can savour a medley of authentic Japanese flavours in its multi-course menu.

This is a “kappo-style” restaurant, similar to a Keiseki meal where elaborately prepared dishes which look like pieces of art, are served.

The influence of the dishes originates from Osaka, and the menu is inspired by the four seasons of Japan, using ingredients at the peak of their flavours. Therefore, if you go during different months, you are likely to get varied dishes depending on the ingredient sourced. Takayama (Downtown Gallery)

Unagiya Ichinoji
01-05 Riverside View, Robertson Quay Singapore 238251
Tel: +65 6732 1970
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm; 5:30pm – 10pm Daily

Unagi Speciality Restaurant Miyagawa Honten Opens 1st Singapore Outlet
Miyagawa Honten is one of Tokyo’s famous unagi restaurants, with a history that spans 125 years, now operating 20 outlets in Japan alone.

The 34-seater restaurant will serve unagi in three different styles: Hitsumabushi ($19.80), Seiro Mushi (S$19.80) and Mamushi Donburi ($18.80).

The eel pieces which were first steamed then grilled were unexpectedly tougher and more charred than expected, with that slight fishy taste.

It was thankfully saved by the accompanying spicy sauce in a bottle, which was very tasty, but I wished I didn’t need to go there that often. Unagiya Ichinoji (Robertson Quay)

Tokachi Tontaro – Downtown Gallery
6A Shenton Way Downtown Gallery #03-20 Singapore 068815
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Japanese Buta Don (Pork Rice Bowl) Eatery
Tokachi Tontaro, located at both Downtown Gallery and Plaza Singapura, features bowls of grilled pork cooked in a Hokkaido speciality tare sauce and served atop premium Hokkaido Yumepirika rice.

Available are the Premium Butadon ($22.80, $25.80) which uses Japanese Kagoshima Pork; or Regular Butadon ($11.80, $13.80, $16.80) which is topped with American pork coated in a signature tare sauce.

The regular version offers you other flavours of Spicy Tomato and Miso Butadon.

I have tried Tokachi Tontaro twice at Plaza Singapura, though I won’t say I was exactly bowled over. Tokachi Tontaro (Plaza Singapura)

Chirashi King Kong
2 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Blk 1, Singapore 082002 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Station)
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Hidden Eatery With $12.90 Unagi Truffle Rice And $6.90 Japanese Curry Rice
Chirashi King Kong is a hole-in-the-wall Japanese Donburi eatery located on the second floor of Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

With its affordable pricing, it won’t be long before office executives head over for inexpensive lunch and takeaways.

Its Bara Chirashi ($13.90) bowl comes topped with of diced salmon, tuna and swordfish sashimi, served on Japanese rice, added with a mixture of truffle oil and flying fish roe.

Other bowls include Salmon ($7.90, $9.90), Tuna ($9.90, $11.90), Salmon Mentaiko ($9.90), Swordfish ($10.90, $13.90), to the attractively-priced Japanese Curry Rice ($6.90). Chirashi King Kong (Tanjong Pagar)

Oporto
No. 3 Lorong Liput, #01-01 Holland Piazza, Singapore 277739
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm (Daily)

Famous Australian Flame Grilled Portuguese Chicken Chain Opens In Singapore
The newly-opened Oporto is a fast-food chain from Australia specialising in Portuguese flame grilled chicken. With over 150 stores in Australia, Oporto was first opened in Bondi Beach, Sydney back in 1986.

Its first branch in Singapore is nestled at the corner of Holland Piazza, which used to be the old Holland Road Shopping Mall – affectionately known as the Windmill Building.

The Flame-Grilled Portuguese Chicken here comes marinated with either the Original Chili or Lemon & Herb sauce in quarter, half and whole chicken portions ($6.90, $11.90 and $21.90 respectively).

It is a fast-food option that you can try considering its uniqueness in Singapore. And when you do, I recommend heading straight for the flame grilled chicken and skip the burgers.

The RANCH Steakhouse by ASTONS
Clarke Quay Block B, #01-15, 3 River Valley Road Singapore 179024
Tel: 6256 0334
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm (Mon – Fri), Dinner 5pm – 12am (Sun – Thurs), 5pm – 1am (Fri – Sat)

ASTONS Goes Upmarket With Classic Steakhouse Concept
The ASTONS’ chain is a familiar brand with Singaporeans, attracting long queues outside many of their branches, known for their inexpensive Western classics.

The RANCH Steakhouse located at Block B, is their newest upmarket and most ambitious opening to date.

The classic steakhouse concept boosts of a spacious setting, with a private room to host business lunches, and still retains ASTONS’ core of serving value meals to diners.

You can expect to find more exquisite cuts here, such as USDA Prime 30 Days Dry Aged Bone-In Ribeye, USDA Prime 30 Days Dry Aged Porterhouse-T-Bone, Japanese Hokkaido Wagyu, to New Zealand Grass-Fed Black Angus Sirloin.

For a casual lunch, go for the Mushrooms Linguine with Truffle Cream, lusciously rich with a burst of distinct truffle aroma.

Hong Jjajang 홍짜장
Tel: +65 6909 5171
93 Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088514
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm

Jajangmyeon Specialty Shop With Enjoyable Jjamppong
After Nipong Naepong specialising in Jjamppong has opened in JEM to some fanfare, Hong Jjajang 홍짜장 which signature dishes include Jajangmyeon has arrived at 93 Tanjong Pagar (next to Hokkaido Izakaya).

The Jjamppong was my favourite, because the soup base was fiery hot and addictive, brimming with flavours of seafood.

On a scale on 1 to 10, I would say it was around 6-7 in terms of spiciness. Not enough for you to break out in big sweat, but sufficient for you to feel the kick and reach for more water. Hong Jjajang 홍짜장 (Tanjong Pagar)

Da Shi Jia 大食家大大大虾面
89 Killiney Road Singapore 239534
Tel: +65 6732 1085
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:00pm

Big Prawn White Bee Hoon With Wok-Hei
Da Shi Jia Big Prawn Mee 大食家大大大虾面 which has opened since early this year, got into the foodie limelight when hotelier and restauranteur Loh Lik Peng sang praises of its “very rich stock studded liberally with fried lard”

The Prawn Noodles are priced at $5.80, $9.80, and $13.80. The difference is with the size of the prawns.

The dish I would recommend would be the Wok-Fried Big Prawn White Bee Hoon ($16.80) which combines firm bee hoon, umami-rich prawn stock, and wok-hei. Da Shi Jia 大食家大大大虾面 (Killiney Road)

Other Related Entries
10 NEW Cafés In Singapore May 2018
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore March 2018
10 NEW Cafés In Singapore March 2018
14 NEW Cafés In Singapore February 2018
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore February 2018
12 NEW Cafés In Singapore January 2018
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore January 2018

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.

The post 10 NEW Restaurants Singapore May 2018 – Japan’s Famous Udon, Man Man At Ubi, And Oporto’s 1st Outlet At Holland Village appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Jakarta] Great news mate! The famed Asian fusion Devon Café, considered one of the best in Sydney, has arrived in Jakarta!

Devon Café Jakarta is now a reality.

Seems that Jakarta has been hit by food “invasion” from the Land Down Under. There are restaurants such as Hurricane Grill, Dodee Paidang, then Sisterfields – a famous Australian brunch café from Bali which is owned by Australian.

This is probably due to the popularity of Australian brands with Indonesian students and youths.

Devon Café is a destination itself in Sydney, thanks to their unique fusion menu, creativity with plating, and Instagram worthy dishes.

I first discovered Devon Café a few years ago, thanks to their colorful French toast which kept appearing on the Instagram feed.

Well, it was great but somehow slightly overrated? But well, do it for the gram.

Devon Café at Jakarta is located in the basement of Crystal Lagoon – Senayan City, an upscale mall in South Central Jakarta.

It was not as spacious as I thought, but I liked the bright and minimalist interior.

I went during lunch hour, and was delighted to be seated straight away. This is considering that I needed to queue up for more than an hour to get into Sydney’s branch.

Great that they are also serving favourite local dishes, such as Truffle Bakmie, Nasi Goreng Gila and Char Kway Teow.

The MFC (IDR 70k, SGD7.00) has drumstick fried to perfection – skin was very crispy dusted with the spicy seasoning truly complemented well with the juicy meat.

That lime zest definitely added that extra oomph.

Devon Café signature dish Breakfast with The Sakumas (IDR 180k, SGD18.00) looked similar as the one in Sydney.

While the portion of the salmon was thinner and smaller, the price was cheaper too (equivalent to AUD 17 compared to Sydney’s AUD25).

The salmon was fresh and juicy, with runny yolk. The eel croquette with Kewpie Mayonnaise tasted as memorable as the one in Sydney.

The only letdown was the salad dressing, which was much on the sour side.

The Croissant St Denis (IDR 140k, SGD14.00) served with crab and salmon omelet topped with roe, could do with fluffier egg and less salt.

The highlight of the dish? It was actually the croissant – crisp on the outside, buttery and moist on the inside.

The Devon Benedict Trout (IDR 135k, SGD13.50) used charcoal bun and squid ink hollandaise sauce, resulting in a darker remake of the classic benedict.

The bun, soft and squishy, was another highlight.

The Lost in Zen Garden (IDR 90k, SGD 9.00) took too long to arrive to the table, that I assumed it was lost in the kitchen…

Thankfully, it was an “on-point” dessert. The brioche French toast was really light, and I heard it is sourced from BEAU, my favourite local artisan bakery shop.

The yuzu added a hint of tanginess, and the mandarin oranges that punchy kick.

As for coffee, the Devon on the Rocks (IDR 45k, SGD 4.50) did not manage to win me over, as it was slightly on the sour side.

The few signature dishes left quite a positive impression, though I wished that Devon Café in Jakarta could show more of its playful and experimental side. This is after all what it is known for.

PS: this is also their first establishment in Asia and they are planning to expand to other Asia cities.

Devon Café Jakarta
Senayan City – Crystal Lagoon LG #L-43&43A, Jl. Asia Afrika, Senayan, Jakarta Pusat 10270
Tel: +62 217 278 1590
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Devon Café Jakarta

Other Related Entries
Natrabu Minang (Jakarta)
Fillmore Coffee (Jakarta)
Maple And Oak (Menteng, Jakarta)
Holy Smokes (PIK Avenue Mall, Jakarta)
King Mango Thai (Jakarta)
Lucky Cat Coffee & Kitchen (Jakarta)
Benedict (Jakarta)
Holy Duck(Jakarta)
Kashiwa (Jakarta)
Dodee Paidang Indonesia (Jakarta)

Click HERE for other JAKARTA Food Entries

* Written by DFD͛s Jakarta Food Correspondent Wilson Wangsawinata @iknowhowtoeat who loves exploring NEW food places in both Indonesia and Singapore. Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Devon Cafe Jakarta – Famed Sydney Cafe Arrives To Indonesia With Impressive Brunch Items, At Crystal Lagoon Senayan City appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.