[Ipoh, Malaysia] Apart from Penang, Ipoh is also known as the other food capital in Malaysia with a diverse variety of local delights.

Known for being rich in minerals, the spring water in the limestone hills is also known as “hard water” and is used to create the silky and springy texture in their Hor Fun and Chee Cheong Fun, whereas their Beancurd proves to be light and smooth.

“How different can it be?”, I was quite skeptical as these dishes are no stranger to us Singaporeans.

And seeing multiple decades-old bean curd specialty shops in Ipoh, this shows that Ipoh people are really serious in their Tau Fu Fa.

iWoong Kee Traditional Bean Curd 旺記祖傳豆花 which is a humble looking shop first started out in Bercham (22km away from Ipoh) on a trishaw.

It has shifted to a permanent space in the corner of the shophouse at 32-38A Jalan Ali Pitchay.

Probably one of the hidden gems that is highly recommended by the locals and not populated with tourists, there was a sizeable queue even on a weekday afternoon.

Seats are limited both indoor (maximum of 10) and outdoors on stools along the wall.

Only 2 items can be found on their menu, namely Plain Bean Curd aka Tau Fu Fa (Dine-in RM 1.60, SGD0.55; Takeaway RM 2.30, SGD0.80) and Soya Milk.

The Beancurd is scooped into a traditional chinaware dessert bowl for dine-in customers before adding optional flavoured syrup (RM 2, SGD 0.70) such as Chrysanthemum, Rose, Blue Pea Flower, Osmanthus and Jasmine.

The syrup contains mainly floral notes, with various health benefits, and does not greatly mask the taste of the beancurd.

In Ipoh, various toppings are available to add-on to the beancurd such as Red beans, Ginko nuts, Crushed Peanuts, Sesame seed paste, Grass Jelly at RM0.50 (SGD0.20) and Glutinous rice balls (RM1, SGD0.35).

Opt for the Super Star (RM3.60, SGD1.20) that comes with 3 toppings: red beans, grass jelly and crushed peanuts, if you can’t decide what toppings to add.

The Blue Pea Flower syrup (RM3, SGD1) and Glutinous Rice balls is probably the most Instagram-worthy beancurd, coming in a traditional chinaware.

The texture of the beancurd was surprisingly soft, smooth and silky that it literally glided down my throat.

Taste-wise, the soybean flavour was subtle but yet, distinctive.

True enough, the spring water from Ipoh plays an important role to create such as a delicate dessert, which is different from the ones I had tried in Singapore.

The second bowl of beancurd I had came with Osmanthus syrup and grass jelly (RM2.50, SGD0.85).

The Osmanthus syrup had more obvious floral notes, sweeter than the other bowl.

I enjoyed the addition of grass jelly, which was sliced into thinner portions which made it easily to consume on the spoon.

The grass jelly was as soft and smooth, but added a firmer layered texture to the entire combination.

The other product on the menu is the Soya Milk which is available in 2 flavours: Normal soya (Cup RM 2.20, SGD 0.75/ Small bottle RM 2.50, SGD 0.85/ Big Bottle RM 7, SGD 2.35) or Black Soya (Cup RM 2.70, SGD 0.90/ Small bottle RM 3, SGD 1/ Big Bottle RM 8.40, SGD 2.80).

Do not be surprised to see soya milk in a green shade as they are manufactured from soybeans after removing the black husks.

Bean curd is one of the Must-Try in Ipoh, Malaysia and I really appreciate such a simple bowl of dessert from Woong Kee Beancurd.

Note: There is a franchise outlet of Woong Kee Traditional Bean Curd stall located in Maxwell Food Centre in Singapore (which I will probably head down to try soon.)

Woong Kee Beancurd 旺記祖傳豆花
32-38A Jalan Ali Pitchay, 30250, Ipoh, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 1pm – 5pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/woongkeebeancurd/

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The Coconut Club is proof that if you do one thing right, the crowd will come. Make that two – the Nasi Lemak and Cendol.

So much so that it was quite quickly listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore, and received the support of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that he hosted Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte there when he came visiting.

You can also find a rendition of the dish served at Shangri-La Hotel’s The Lobby Lounge.

The eatery has recently moved down the road to 28 Ann Siang Road – bigger space, cooking Padang style, shorter queuing time, and loads of new Malay style dishes.

The Nasi Lemak specialist first got into the foodie limelight with their $12.80 Nasi Lemak, served at the hipster district of Ann Siang Hill.

People were then questioning its price tag and if it was just gimmicky. After all, you can probably get Nasi Lemak at a hawker stall for about $4.

But that $12.80 Nasi Lemak does come with a good portion, in an air-conditioned environment, and every ingredient that has gone into the plate is well thought-through.

Even when I visited during 11am plus on a weekday, The Coconut Club was almost packed to the brim.

There were people coming for early lunches, and many tourists have included this place in their itinerary.

As this is still their soft launch period at the new location, do give them some time to settle down as they fully iron out their operations.

Vibes are generally energetic as service staff treat one another like old-pals – calling all orders across the room, but some customers may think that the environment is on the noisier end as the space is quite echoey.

My initial order was mixed up/forgotten, but it is understandable as they had quite a crowd.

A plate of Nasi Lemak comes with coconut rice, chicken leg (or breast), ikan billis (anchovies), peanuts, cucumber, fried egg and sambal.

Here is what’s so special about the rice: Old crop Thai Jasmine Rice is used.

Coconuts are from one specific plantation in Sabak Bernam, with a type called the MAWA (The Malaysian West African strain).

This coconut milk is squeezed in-house, and has a creamier, richer texture.

The verdict: The rice was lovely and fluffy, with that undemanding aroma that didn’t overwhelm. I don’t always finish my Nasi Lemak rice as it could be both oily and heavy.

This happened to be quite light – I cleaned out (again). Sedap in an understated sort of way.

The chicken was the other tasty element, rubbed with lemongrass, galangal and turmeric, carrying with it Asian flavours rather than just a generic fried chicken. Not as juicy as the last time I had it, but still good.

The other component I noticed this time was the Japanese cucumbers, which added this refreshing sweetness.

They also offer a number of side dishes from Fried Fish, Sambal Lala, Assam Pedas, Sambal Sotong, Otak-Otak, and Sayur Lemak (priced between $8.50 to $15.80). These are regional Malay dishes that the staff has been enjoying at their own homes.

Customers had smaller portions complimentary as it was their soft-launch special phase.

Both dishes I had were decent, and if I needed to nit-pick, the Sambal Sotong could have been spicier with more fragrance, while the Curry Chicken with a sayur lodeh like gravy could have some cabbage and tofu cubes added for added bite.

Oh, I previously wrote that it would be great if the Cendol ($3.80) had red beans added, and now there is an option of added Hokkaido adzuki red beans (additional $1.20).

The Cendol still remains as one of the best you can get in Singapore – creamy, milky with tasty caramelised gula melaka.

Good food like Nasi Lemak, brings people together. The Coconut ‘Club’, is an appropriate name indeed.

The Coconut Club
28 Ann Siang Road Singapore 069708 (Chinatown MRT)
Tel: +65 8748 1869
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sat) 11:00am – 3:00pm (Sun Lunch Only)

Other Related Entries
10 Nasi Lemak Dishes In Singapore
Crave (ION Orchard)
Ponggol Nasi Lemak (Jalan Besar)
Good Chance Popiah (Jalan Besar)
Village Nasi Lemak (Circular Road)

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

[Ipoh, Malaysia] We know that the restaurant is popular when they are so many shops with similar names (or “imitations”) around and one such example is Tuck Kee 德记.

With 3 outlets in the vicinity, the original shop Restoran Tuck Kee 怡保德记 started out in 1963 whereas Sun Tuck Kee 新德记炒粉小食店 was rumoured to be opened by one of their relatives 2 doors away.

As for Kedai Makan Tuck Kee 德记炒粉店, it is just 100 metres away along Jalan Theatre, and can be confusing for first timers visiting Ipoh.

Restoran Tuck Kee is located along Jalan Yau Tet Shin, the famed food street offering some of the local favourites such as Steam Chicken with Beansprouts and beancurd by Funny Mountain.

Opened at 5pm daily, the half-a-century old restaurant in a rustic coffeeshop setting is filled with vintage floor tiles, old-school ceramic walls, round tables and plastic chairs.

There’s a perpetual crowd at any time of the day, especially when it opens till 2am daily.

The menu is concise and straightforward, with photos, English and Chinese words to aid in ordering.

Ordering is done via an order chit and payment can be made before or after the meal after submitting to the staff .

Signature items on the menu include the War Tan Hor Fun (Small RM7, SGD2.35/ Medium RM13, SGD4.30/ Large RM16, SGD5.30), Yu Kong Hor (Small RM8, SGD2.70/ Medium RM13, SGD4.30/ Large RM17, SGD5.70), Braised Chicken Feet (Small RM6, SGD2/ Medium RM8, SGD2.70/ Large RM11, SGD3.70) and Baby Octopus in Soy Sauce (RM18, SGD6).

The crowd pleaser is definitely the Yu Kong Hor (Small RM8, SGD2.70/ Medium RM13, SGD4.30/ Large RM17, SGD5.70) also known as Moonlight Hor Fun due to the raw egg yolk that resembled a full moon against the night sky, and in this case on top of the dark hor fun.

The Hor Fun is stir fried in savory- sweet dark soy sauce to add smokiness and distinctive “wok-hei” to the otherwise bland rice noodles, before adding in lard, pork slices and vegetables.

Till today, each plate of Hor Fun (Flat Rice Noodles) is prepared and stir-fried individually because the owner believes in the time, effort and strength of fire needed to create each masterpiece.

So be prepared to wait a little longer to appreciate the effort put into each individual plate.

Unlike other hor funs that I had tasted before, it retains its springy, soft and smooth texture without turning dry thanks to the spring water in the limestone hills in Ipoh that is known for being rich in minerals.

Break the raw egg yolk and give it a good mix, which amplify the smooth texture of the Hor Fun that glides down my throat easily.

Another bestseller is the War Tan Hor Fun (Small RM7, SGD2.35/ Medium RM13, SGD4.30/ Large RM16, SGD5.30) also known as Egg Hor Fun is a soup version of the flat rice noodles.

Comes with shrimps, pork slices, pieces of lard and vegetables, the raw egg is cracked over the soupy Hor Fun to create a thicker texture.

No doubt that the gravy is fragrant and comforting, the hor fun lacks the “wok-hei” in this case.

Apart from their signature Hor Fun, side dishes such as Bean Sprout (Small RM4, SGD1.35/ Medium RM5, SGD1.70/ Large RM6, SGD2), Braised Chicken Feet (Small RM6, SGD2/ Medium RM8, SGD2.70/ Large RM11, SGD3.70) and Baby Octopus in Soy Sauce (RM18, SGD6) are available.

While contemplating which side dish to order, the Baby Octopus in Soy Sauce (RM18, SGD6) seems like a popular choice there.

The baby octopus were first steamed before drizzling shallot oil, fried garlic and spring onion on it.

Surprisingly, the texture of the baby octopus was extremely soft and crunchy, which retained the freshness of the seafood.

Coupled with aromatic shallot oil and umami fried garlic, this dish is simple, but yet delicious.

Restoran Tuck Kee does live up to its name for serving wholesome, comforting and sedap Hor Fun that Ipohans are always proud of and made my trip to Ipoh so memorable.

Restoran Tuck Kee 德记茶餐室
No61, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Ipoh, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 5pm – 2am (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/ipohtuckkee/

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

When you talk about one of the best Thai-style Wanton Noodles in Singapore, KinMoo The Thai Noodle House should certainly spring into mind.

So much so that the famous Wongnai duo has given the eatery a thumbs up and a slap on the table – an indication that it serves damn-good food.

The duo was remembered to say, “Thai restaurant in Singapore. Even the restaurant is not in Thailand.”

Well, they are not wrong about it. You see, even though Thai Wanton Noodles aka Baa Mee Moo Dang is a popular street food in Bangkok, they are usually sold in humble stalls and not restaurants per se.

KinMoo is probably one of the first in Singapore dedicated to serve up Thai noodles in a restaurant, with an open-kitchen concept.

Famous for its Thai Wanton Mee, this original brand is conceptualised by owner couple Rudolph Tan and Thai chef Thanyaphad Tanapermpassaphon. Chef used to own a a Thai restaurant called “Chicroom” in Phuket, and you can be assured that food served has a level of authenticity.

KinMoo takes the quaint Thai street food and places it in a minimalist 50-seater café-style setting.

The first shop is located at Tan Quee Lan Street (near Bugis MRT station), and its franchise outlet recently opened at North Canal Road (near Boat Quay and Raffles Place).

I went to both the main and franchise, and quality remains consistent.

Chef Thanyaphad adds her own spin to Thailand’s legendary cuisine and gives it a modern touch, creating a line-up of tasty, affordably-priced dishes.

You’ll find a lot of pork-based dishes – well, “KinMoo” means “eat pork” after all. If you’re a non-pork eater, don’t worry. There are options for you here:

BaaMee Keow Haeng Moo Dang (Thai Wanton Mee) ($8.00)
KinMoo’s famed Thai Wanton Mee is praised for its excellently springy egg noodles, specially made in Singapore according to the owners’ standard.

Thai-style wanton mees are generally dryer compared to other Asian versions, with very minimal sauce.

The noodles are tossed in special sauce and lard oil, then topped with wanton, pork charsiew (made from grilled pork collar), and further topped with (gasp!) more chunks of lard. Special mention goes to the crispy lard which are all freshly prepared from scratch back in the kitchen.

Adding that distinct Thai flavour to the mee are fresh coriander leaves and Thai garlic. So apparently, the usual garlic doesn’t have that much of a ‘fragrance’, and so Thai garlic is specially imported for that distinctive aroma.

BaaMee Haeng Tom Yum (Tom Yum Noodle Dry) ($8.00)
Here’s a dish with a twist. Tom Yum is typically served as a soup, but here it’s transformed into a sauce.

The springy egg noodles are tossed in the house-made tom yum sauce, then dressed up with various meats and veggies.

You get a mixture of minced pork, pork liver, and pork intestine, flanked with crunchy beansprouts, shredded long beans, and a boiled egg.

The crushed peanuts and deep-fried wanton skin add extra textures. Squeeze the lime for maximum goodness, and let that tangy-spiciness do the talking.

Tom Yum Goong (Tom Yum Prawn Soup) ($12.90)
When you go to a Thai restaurant, one of the iconic signifying dishes to order is the Tom Yum Goong.

Happy to say that the Tom Yum Goong ticked most of the boxes, spicy with the right amount of sourness, slightly to the creamy side with a lot of aromatics used.

You can also go for the Kuay Teow Nam Tom Yum aka Tom Yum Noodle Soup ($8.00).

Enjoy an array of ingredients – rice noodles, bean sprouts, shredded long beans, minced meat, liver, intestine, boiled egg, crushed peanuts and deep-fried wanton skin – in a soothing bowl of broth to warm you up.

Bee Hoon Nam Kon (Rice Vermicelli in Pork Soup) ($8.90)
Here’s one of the newer noodle dishes to try on your next visit, Bee Hoon Nam Kon.

A good option for those who want mild, non-spicy flavours. Yes, you’ll still have that umami taste in the thickened broth for they take their pork-theme seriously here. The broth includes that same braising sauce they use for the pork knuckles, which includes all that ‘essence’.

The bland rice noodles take on this pork flavour, enlivened further with some minced pork, intestines, and liver.

Phad Thai (Prawn) ($9.00)
Phad Thai is another classic stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, prawns, and a bevy of support ingredients.

Prawns take center stage in this dish.

Typical of Thai cuisine, this dish carries layers of flavours and textures, from umami (prawns) to sour (lime) and spicy (chili powder), from crunchy (crushed peanuts & bean sprouts) to chewy (rice noodles).

Swirl and toss them all together in KinMoo’s signature Pad Thai sauce.

Khaw Kha Moo (Thai Braised Pork Knuckle with Rice) ($8.80)
This dish is a complete meal in itself, with braised pork knuckle served atop steamed white rice.

The tender sweet-savoury pork is a result of long hours of braising in an aromatic soy-based broth with star anise, cinnamon, cumin, and sugar.

The pork knuckle happens to be more on the gelatinous side – not great if you like something meaty, fantastic if you enjoy the melt-in-mouth sensation.

On the side are assorted veggies (blanched Chinese broccoli or picked mustard greens) and kai tun (Thai steamed egg). Don’t forget the spicy garlic dipping sauce to balance the flavours.

Tub Wan (Spicy Liver Salad) ($9.00)
This Isan-style salad is composed of pork liver, Thai herbs, and a spicy-sour-salty dressing.

As the largest region in Thailand, Isan uses simple methods in food prep (think salad or “tams”) and lots of lime, chili pepper, sticky rice, cilantro, mint, dried shrimp, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

A simple side dish, good to go with rice.

Larb Moo (Spicy Minced Pork Salad) ($9.00)
Larb Moo has its roots in Laos but has made it to Thailand where it is commonly served with rice.

This pork-based salad starts with the browning of minced pork, then flavouring it with lime juice and red chili powder.

Like a salad, it’s finished off with some herbs (Thai basil, mint, and cilantro) and sliced red onion.

A key ingredient is khao khua (toasted sticky rice powder) which adds a textural element and a smoky, nutty flavour.

Kor Moo Yang (BBQ Pork Neck) ($9.00)
Another Isan specialty, Kor Moo Yang (literally, “grilled pork neck”) features the predominant flavours of this North-eastern Thailand region thru its dipping sauce jaew.

Like the larb salad dressing, the jaew includes khao khua to give it that distinct aroma and taste.

The sliced barbecued pork has a light chew, nicely seasonable on the outside.

Cha Yen (Thai Iced Milk Tea) ($3.50)
This quintessential Thai beverage. Maintain the balance of flavours in your meal with a glass of strongly brewed Ceylon tea combined with evaporated milk on the side.

But if you can’t take dairy, go for their Cha Dum Yen (Thai Iced Tea) or Cha Ma Naw (Thai iced lime tea). Both are just as refreshing.

Recommended for a quick workday lunch in the Bugis or Raffles Place district, or a weekend dinner with family and friends. They also serve ice-cold beers, in case you feel like chilling after a day at work.

(On another note: The KinMoo team is looking for franchisees to join their growing family. If you are a budding restaurateur looking for a business opportunity, you can drop them an email at franchise@kin-moo.com.)

KinMoo The Thai Noodle House – Bugis
2 Tan Quee Lan Street #01-02 Singapore 188091
Tel: +65 8795 1188
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Email: info@kin-moo.com

KinMoo The Thai Noodle House – Boat Quay
10 North Canal Road, Singapore 048823
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Kin Moo.

This is one of those coffee places that you may never find out unless you walk into it, see photos on your social media feed, or read food blogs like this (ahem *cough cough*).

Quarter Life Coffee is found within Bunkerbunker at Prinsep Street, which is within DECK – a modular site featuring an independent art space.

Housed in a container, the coffee place may be so inconspicuous-looking you have trouble finding. Look nearer to the sky and find the word “DECK”.

You can kind of make a guess at why “Quarter Life Coffee”.

It is set up by 4 friends with average age of 25, who used to work at The Tiny Roaster at Sunset Way, and decided to come together to set up their own.

Their social media channel is quite an interesting one, as they actively promote other cafes (that share similar values), collaborate with indie players through pop-ups.

The inside of the café has quite a ‘make-shift’ vibes, as though you are drinking coffee at say a friend’s hostel room – whether it is done on purpose or not, I cannot be for certain.

It is a friendly, cosy place. If you let your guard loose, the baristas will be free to chat and share with you how they select and roast their coffee.

Coffee choices include Espresso, Blacks, White, Cold Brews and Filters ($3.50 – $7, iced versions for an additional dollar).

Interesting to note that they only use single origins and don’t have a signature blend as they believe in featuring coffees from various regions and the story behind their production.

The cup I had (with beans from Rwanda) was quite fruity, not that intense, and clean-tasting. A balanced cup of coffee.

You may note a special item on the menu called the “Ground Zero”.

When a customer orders it, he/she is able to choose a brewing device off our brew bar, select a coffee from the available selection and Brew-It-Themselves.

Essentially, a D-I-Y cup. For beginners, the baristas will guide you and offer tips on how you can adjust the brewing parameters to get a better cup.

Bakes offered are supplied by The Plain Jane, known for its fluffy Swiss Rolls with soft cream.

Get the Hazelnut, Thai Milk Tea, or Matcha rolls if they are available.

Quarter Life Coffee @ Bunkerbunker
120A Prinsep Street, 187537 (Nearest MRT: Rochor)
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Other Related Entries
Banchong Café (Kallang Junction)
PPP Coffee (Funan)
Antea Social (Jalan Besar)
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee (VivoCity)
Bula Café (Keong Saik Road)

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

AC.Kafe is a first-of-its-kind themed café, a collaboration between beverage concept Woobbee and home-grown collectible retail brand ActionCity.

Woobbee is one of the few locally-conceptualised bubble tea shops that stood the test of time.

I remember when I first wrote about Woobbee (its name derived from the Chinese word of 无比 which means “unbeatable”) some 9 years ago, and today it has 5 outlets at Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Chinatown Point, Shaw Tower, One North (Innovis) and this newest AC.Kafe concept at JEWEL Changi Airport.

Co-run by 2 partners – Irene Low & Benjamin Lim, their experience and innovative spirits helped create different appealing flavours, some unseen in the market.

You can get to experience Woobbee’s brand new menu exclusive to AC Kafe.

Located at Jewel Changi Airport Level 4, this new exciting setup is a place where creative drinks, food & toys are cleverly combined together to present a new F&B concept and experience.

Using premium ingredients like pure wild flower honey, special dark chocolate, first-rate syrups, and Hokkaido fresh milk, Woobbee only uses raw sugar in preparing their signature drinks.

The drinks are healthier since raw sugar is less processed/chemically bleached than fructose and white sugar.

Each cup is prepared in-store, not pre-mixed.

They will combine freshly brewed tea with sugar, fresh milk, and flavourings only upon order. All you have to do is shake it up.

Have fun discovering unique local flavours like Herbalmint (Pei Pa Koa) Tea Latte, Popcorn Honey Tea Latte, Salty Lemon Mint Green Tea, and Wild Flower Honey Teas, just to name a few. (You will also notice they use eco-carriers made of recycled materials. That’s WB Green in action.)

Thirsty for more? Here are the recommended items to try at Woobbee X AC.Kafe:

1. Woobbee 2.0 Herbalmint (Pei Pa Koa) Tea Latte ($6.80)
One of their signature flavours, Herbalmint or Pei Ka Koa, is infused into this redesigned 2.0 milk tea beverage.

Not reading wrong. It is that Nin Jiom Chinese herbal syrup that you probably take when you are nursing a cough or sore throat.

You may be sceptical about it, but this has become one of my favourite drinks (my personal default order it the Herbalmint + White Pearls). That cool, minty sensation as it trickles down the throat can be very smoothing.

Woobbee has been serving this for a while, but has relaunched it with the addition of Hokkaido Fresh Milk.

The result is a richer, creamier drink. Available only regular sized, this minty concoction is recommended when you need both the refreshing and the throat-soothing herbal power of pei pa koa. (Another personal tip: Have it near the JEWEL Rain Vortex, and feel the liang-ness both inside and out.)

2. Woobbee Popcorn Honey Tea Latte ($6.80, with honey comb $8.40)
Another house special milk tea you shouldn’t miss is Popcorn Honey Tea Latte, an exclusive item at AC Kafe.

This tea comes with Wild Flower Honey, known for its unique taste and nutrients.

To even boost that flavour and texture, you can add some honey comb for $1.60.

While this is quite a fun and bold flavour, the addition of popcorns gave it this added nutty, buttery twang and caramel-sweetness. It doesn’t go over on the popcorn flavour, and the subtlety and bite can be quite appealing.

3. Woobbee Salty Lemon Mint Green Tea ($6.80, with honey comb $8.40)
If you are the type who loves your things cool and lemony all at the same time, go for this cold green tea that carries a unique blend of salty, sour, and minty notes.

Each cup comes with fresh wedges of lemons to refresh you, and the addition of salt may just remind you of margarita. (Or you know, like the Himalayan Salt Candy but in drink form.)

4. Honey Earl Grey Tea w Wild Flower Honey ($4.50, $5.60)
Had a bad day? Sweeten it up with a cup of Honey Tea, made with wild flower honey.

Available in small and regular sizes, this tea can be customised with either Black Pearls or Tremella (White Fungus).

And in case you are not a fan of Earl Grey, feel free to have the Green Tea variant instead.

5. Intense Caramel Tea Latte ($5.40, $6.50)
Like all of Woobbee’s milk teas, this drink comes with Hokkaido-sourced fresh milk.

If you love strong flavours, this latte is a perfect choice. The luscious caramel sauce mingling with the creamy white milk creates an intense smoky-sweet flavoured beverage.

6. Azuki Matcha Green Tea Latte ($6.30, $7.80)
If you have a particular penchant for tea, you might be drawn to the Azuki Matcha Green Tea Latte.

Get that premium taste of shade-grown tea leaves, and combine that with the delicious pasty texture of Azuki beans. The matcha green tea leaves are quite gao-gao, with a pleasant lingering bitterness.

Sip into this antioxidant-rich iced latte, made extra creamy with the addition of Hokkaido fresh milk. Almost like having a dessert in a drink.

7. Signature Milk Tea ($4.80, With Black Pearls $5.60)
First timers can opt for Woobbee’s Signature Milk Tea, available in either Earl Grey or Green Tea variants.

You can customise this basic drink by adding either Black Pearls, Grass Jelly, White Pearls, Tremella and Honey Comb toppings. I say, try something different and go for the white pearls.

8. Yakult Green Tea ($5.20, $6.30)
Keep your belly health in check with this Yakult-flavoured Green Tea.

This healthy drink comes in three flavours – strawberry, yuzu, and peach. You get the benefits of good bacteria plus the refreshing, fruity flavours all in one cup, and that slightly milky texture.

Good when you are having feeling bloated in the tummy and need a thirst-quencher.

9. Dark Chocolate Tea Latte ($5.40, $6.50)
Chocoholics, you are not forgotten. Woobbee has created a special tea latte just for you.

Packed with powerful antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, the dark chocolate’s bittersweet taste cuts through the richness of Hokkaido fresh milk.

Together, tea and chocolate make this an energizing cold drink.

Over at AC Kafe, you can be a kid once again.

Sip your favourite milk tea as you marvel the view before you. Your ambiance can’t get any better with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall just nearby, and the BE@RBRICK display from Japan ready to tease all the geeks out there.

Woobbee X AC.Kafe
ActionCity Jewel Changi Airport #04-223 & 224, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Woobbee Outlets
Tanjong Pagar: 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-18 Singapore 082001
Shaw Tower: 100 Beach Road #01-53 Singapore 189702
Chinatown: 133 New Bridge Road #02-26 Chinatown Point Singapore 059413
One-North: 2 Fusionopolis Way #01-06 Innovis Singapore 138634

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

[Bangkok] Thipsamai is probably one of Bangkok’s best known Pad Thai restaurant, and its flagship at 313 Mahachai Road was once awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Tip 1: Most would choose to visit the Mahachai Road’s outlet which makes a good supper spot, and is 10 minutes from Chinatown and footsteps away from the famed Michelin-starred Raan Jay Fai .

Tip 2: There are now 2 new outlets at more convenient locations of ICONSIAM Level 6 and Siam Paragoon Foodcourt, with a total of 5 branches.

Tip 3: Its phone number at ICONSIAM is an easy-to-remember +6691 234 5678.

The Pad Thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish commonly available as street food and at casual local eateries.

Cooked with soaked dried rice noodles, eggs, chopped firm tofu and flavoured with tamarind pulp and fish sauce, this is an iconic dish to have if you visit Thailand.

The dish of Pad Thai is said to be created during the 2nd World War when the country faced with high cost of rice production, and the prime minister then wanted people to eat more noodles.

“Kuay Tiew Phad” was then created using raw ingredients produced in the country. That soon became known as “Pad Thai”.

Thipsamai is also known to be the restaurant which created the “Padthai Sen-Chan” which is cooked with shrimp oil, deep sea prawns then wrapped around with egg.

I had this meal at the new ICONSIAM restaurant outlet.

Let’s start with the Orange Juice, which I was shocked that the price has even increased further.

While the menu stated two sizing priced at 119 baht (SGD5.40) and 199 baht (SGD9), the small bottle was not available. ”No more, sold out.” (I believe.)

That makes the drink more expensive than most of the noodle dishes itself, but almost table seem to have ordered a bottle to share at least.

Pros: it contained quite a bit of pulp indicating its freshness; cons: it could be considered too sweet for many.

The “Superb Padthai” (129 baht, SGD5.85) comes fried with shrimp oil, wrapped within egg, and included with 2 fresh deep-sea prawns.

The moderately thin layer of egg enveloped around the stir-fried noodles like a pillow, and when dug in was almost like unveiling a treasure chest.

The interesting thing was this had more wok-hei – could see the steam coming out and all, more than what I remembered it to have.

Therefore, I thought this was probably one of the best Thipsamai versions I had, ironically since it is located within a shopping mall.

Slightly to the sweeter side, the tasty parts were the thin egg and the special orange sauce added.

This time I also ordered the Classic Padthai Sen-Chan (159 baht, SGD7.20) which came fried with palm sugar together with dried shrimps, not containing the tamarind sauce and egg covering.

This was a less sweet and more savoury version, had had an interesting slight sticky texture.

Added with crunchy beansprouts, I enjoyed this classic take too as you could savour the original taste better.

Thipsamai – ICONSIAM
299 ICONSIAM Department Store, 6th floorR602, R603 Charoen Nakhon Road Ton Sai, Khlong San District, Bangkok 10600
Tel: +6691 234 5678
Opening Hour: 10am – 10pm

Thipsamai – Mahachai Main Outlet
313 Maha Chai Road, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 Thailand
Tel: +662 226 6666
Opening Hours: 4pm – 1am (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps

Other branches
Siam Paragon: G Floor Paragon Food Hall
King Power Complex: Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi
Putamonthon Sai 4: 99/11 Moo 6 Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road , Tumbon Salaya Amphoe Phutthamonthon, Chang Wat Nakhon Pathom 73170

Other Related Entries
Raan Jay Fai (Mahachai Road, Bangkok)
Sanyod (Bangrak, Bangkok)
Khua Kling Pak Sod (Thonglor, Bangkok)
Polo Chicken (Wireless Road, Bangkok)
Jeh O Chula (Soi Charat Muean, Bangkok)

Click HERE for more BANGKOK Food Entries

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

The legion of unagi fans out there are in for a treat. Una Una, the most affordable charcoal-grilled Unagi Hitsumabushi in Singapore, has opened in Bugis+.

Hitsumabushi is Nagoya’s style of cooking freshwater eel. The eel is grilled, chopped, layered on bowl of Hokkaido rice, and served with an array of condiments.

Una Una allows you to enjoy this regional specialty for only $9.80++. For such a luxe dish, this is a steal. If you are a real unagi fan, you know how expensive it can be.

Over at Una Una, you will be blissfully surrounded with unagi in different forms, from Hitsumabushi to Unaju (unagi bento box), Gozen (set meals), unagi sushi rolls, and unagi kabayaki (grilled) sets.

This unagi specialty restaurant also offers other menu items sans unagi to please all Japanese food aficionados. Here are some of the recommended must-tries when you visit Una Una:

Unagi Hitsumabushi ($9.80 for small, $14.80 for regular, $19.80 for double)
This dish traces its origins from West Central of Japan. It starts with fresh unagi slathered with a special in-house sweet and savoury basting tare made of shoyu, mirin, and sugar.

Flown in from Japan, this unagi sauce is as authentic as it can be.

The fish is then grilled over temperature-controlled charcoals, twice. This double-dipping technique for about 10 minutes creates a winning texture – glisteningly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside.

An order of Hitsumabushi comes with soup, dashi, pickles, and condiments like nori, wasabi, and spring onions.

(You may be curious at the difference in portion between the $9.80 and $14.80 bowls. Above pictured is the regular bowl, while the three photos that follows are the most affordable option – still quite sizable.)

Eat it as is or explore 3 other ways of enjoying this dish.

First, divide the bowl into 4 portions. Start off by savouring the first portion on its own. This is when you relish the unagi’s depth of flavour from precision grilling. Next, add condiments like wasabi and green onions to the second portion.

This gives you a totally different taste profile. For the third portion, add dashi and transform it into an ochazuke fare.

The last portion is where you freestyle your way to whatever your fancy.

Unaju ($19.80 for regular, $29.80 for double)
Another way to savour unagi is through the Unaju in a bento box.

This Tokyo-style dish comes with dashi, pickles, and a serving of chawanmushi. You will also get more rice here compared to the serving in hitsumabushi.

Notice that the unagi is prepared differently. Though it is still grilled over charcoals under strict temperature control, the cooking time is only six to eight minutes.

This shortened grilling method yields a softer, more delicately textured eel.

For hard-core unagi fans, get the double which gives you twice the amount of eel.

Unagi Poke Rice Bowl ($14.80) or Salmon Poke Rice Bowl ($11.80)
Get your sashimi maze don fix by trying out any of their 6 poke rice bowls. These include Aburi Salmon ($12.80), Spicy Maguro ($13.80), Beef Shabu ($12.80) and Chicken Teriyaki ($9.80).

Highly recommended for unagi lovers is the Unagi Poke Rice Bowl ($14.80), a colourful mix of grilled eel, edamame, young corn, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, nori, assorted greens, and other toppings.

But if you prefer another type of fish, go for the Salmon Poke Rice Bowl ($11.80) or the torched Aburi Salmon Poke Rice Bowl ($12.80). You get the same medley of toppings to mix along with your creamy salmon cubes.

Choose from any of their 4 poke bowl dressings: wafu, spicy, goma, and wasabi.

Unagi Omelette ($9.80 for three pieces)
Recommended as an appetizer, the Unagi Omelette can also be quick breakfast or a light snack.

An order comes with three pieces, each one filled with grilled unagi under many egg layers.

Bite into its custard-like texture, made possible with the inclusion of a light dashi. This special dashi is prepared in-house with kombu and bonito and adds a layer of flavour to the egg mix.

California Roll ($9.80) or Unagi Roll ($15.80)
Looking for some Japanese sushi to share? Una Una offers a selection of rolls to choose from.

Highly recommended is the Unagi Roll, filled with avocado, crab stick, and unagi slices. It is not complete with a drizzling of their special in-house unagi tare.

But if you want to take a quick break from the unagi madness, try a classic California roll – an all-time favourite.

Also available are the Philadelphia Roll ($12.80), Spicy Tuna Roll ($9.80) and Shichifuku Roll ($15.80) included with 7 different ingredients.

Salmon Yonshu Mori ($28.80 for four kinds)
Complete your Japanese meal with a visually stunning boat platter of sashimi.

The Salmon Yonshu Mori ($28.80) is loaded with four different cuts of salmon – salmon harasu (belly), aburi salmon, sake, and salmon roes.

A perfect way to indulge your sashimi craving, even up to 10pm.

Your wallet won’t cry at their extremely affordable prizes, so go ahead and load up with their appetisers, sashimi, salad, grilled items and sashimi maze don.

Una Una
201 Victoria St, #04-10, Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 6238 1011
Opening hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 10pm (Sat, Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/unaunasg

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

If you are looking for authentic, pho-real Vietnamese fare, Mrs Pho is one of your best options. Its first two outlets at Beach Road and Rangoon Road have received quite positive feedback, well-liked by both hipsters and the Vietnamese community in Singapore.

Mr Pho’s new outlet at VivoCity – the third one in Singapore and first located in a mall, serves up casual Vietnamese dishes and home-style communal dishes at wallet-friendly prices.

Founded by Hoang who grew up as a refugee in Australia, Mrs Pho is more than just a place that churns out Vietnamese classics. Each recipe is a page in history, a slice of Vietnamese culture.

It is the story of how each dish was selflessly prepared in Hoang’s household, its taste a replica of his mother’s cooking.

To achieve that taste, most of the ingredients are sourced from Vietnam for the most genuine execution.

Everything is made in-house, from the broth – the foundation of an excellent pho, to the sauces (other than those bottled ones).

Even the nuoc (beverages) are freshly concocted and proudly homemade. You won’t find fusion-style dishes in the menu. Just straightforward, traditional Vietnamese food. Here’s what you can expect at Mrs Pho:

Special Beef Combo Pho ($9.90)
Feeling you deserve comforting treat? Get the Special Beef Combo Pho, a warm, hearty bowl of silky flat rice noodles in a rich beef soup. (By the way, “Pho” is one of the most commonly mispronounced food words, and should be “fuh”.)

That broth has been boiled for 12 hours, long enough to extract all the beefy goodness.

Meat lovers will rejoice with all the meat they are getting – lean cuts of beef flank and brisket, plus beef balls, and tripe.

The crunchy beansprouts, mint leaves, onion, and sliced chili balance this dish with freshness and a kick of heat.

Fresh rice noodles are used (contrasted with the dry types which are more common), so there will be that smooth, slippery feel.

Indeed one of the best Pho you can find in Singapore. And for a price below $10 in air-conditioned comfort within a mall, this is quite a good deal.

Hue Spicy Beef Noodle Soup ($8.90)
Veer away from the classic pho and try this Bun Bo Hue aka Spicy Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup, featuring an umami-rich broth with a subtle sweet taste.

The sprinkling of fresh basil leaves and other veggies add a refreshing component to the soup, a balance of spice, savoury and sweetness.

If the level of spice is not too challenging, you can always top it up with more chilies.

Mrs Pho Dry Noodle Combo ($9.90)
While the broth is the boss in any mean pho, the noodles deserve much of your attention.

The Mrs Pho Dry Noodle Combo will allow you to savour the delicateness of the restaurant’s house-made noodles.

As this is a dry version, you might miss out the consoling warmth of soup. But then, change is good sometimes.

For its price, you get quite a sizable portion of ingredients, from grilled pork, meatballs, spring rolls to loads of greens and carrots, further sprinkled with chopped peanuts.

What you get is a sweet, only-spicy sauce to be poured all over, then toss the noodles up like a salad. Quite refreshing.

Mamma’s Chicken Ham ($4.90)
Exclusively available at the new VivoCity outlet, Mamma’s Chicken Ham is a recommended appetizer.

This is a special dish with recipe created by owner Hoang’s mother.

This chicken ham, made from minced chicken marinated with spices, is wrapped and steamed in a banana leaf.

It is served sliced and fried for that extra flavour. Dip it into the accompanying sweet and spicy sauce, or eat plain – you should taste a burst of black pepper in every bite.

A traditional snack in Vietnam, this chicken ham goes well with Moc Noodle Soup – another new item in the menu which showcases light noodle broth, sweetened with slices of fresh onion.

Mrs Pho Cockles ($8.90)
I have never eaten cockles on its own (other than being in Char Kway Teow and Laksa) for a number of years.

Mrs Pho Cockles should satisfy those cravings. This Vietnamese-style seafood is typically served as a street food.

Here, an order gets you a claypot of fresh blood cockles stir-fried in aromatic garlic and pork lard, then sprinkled with dried chilies for some heat.

PLEASE have the cockles with your hands (struggling with any utensils will be futile).

There are a number of ways to eat this: on its own; with a dipping sauce; or wrapped with a mint leaf – try it.

If you want, pair this with a drink the way they do in the eateries along Saigon’s streets.

Fresh Star Fruit and Beef Salad ($8.50)
Ever had star fruit in a salad before?

A light and refreshing choice, this salad is one of Mrs Pho’s signature dishes. It is an assembly of thin slices of tender beef and fresh star fruit, creating a balance of zesty and umami flavours.

For that needed crunch, it is accompanied with the famous Soc Trang prawn crackers. So what you do is to ‘wrap’ the salad within the cracker – like what you would do with tacos, and take an entire bite with a crunch.

Mrs Pho Fried Spring Rolls ($3.90)
This classic starter is a must-order especially for first-timers. It is one of the quintessential Vietnamese dishes, and your cultural immersion is not complete without these delightful spring rolls, deep-fried to a crisp and served with a sweet spicy dip.

Grilled Lemongrass Beef Sticks ($5.90)
This kebab-style beef is actually “skewered” with a stick of lemongrass.

This aromatic herb is quite functional, not to mention it serves as a powerful seasoning for the meat.

The chunky beef has been marinated in lemongrass essence before it was wrapped around the stick for grilling. Juicy on the inside, well-marinated and smoky on the outside.

Saigon Salty Lemonade ($3.90)
Complement your meal with this house-specialty drink, a popular Vietnamese favourite made from preserved lemons.

Named after the iconic city of Saigon, it is the perfect palate cleanser as you hop from one dish to another.

Avocado Smoothie ($5.90)
This smoothie may sound like a drink, but this is how to wrap up your cultural trip on a creamy note.

Enjoy this ‘dessert’ with a cup of strong brewed coffee, the way it’s often presented in Vietnam.

The intense flavour of coffee is mellowed with the creaminess of the avocado, similar to the Italian Affogato.

Moving on to the décor, you would realise that the mood remains both modern and street-like. That “cramped” setting is intentional and part of the experience.

The lanterns and bamboo beads, very typical of a Vietnamese home, add to the cosy feel of the place.

There are a number of different seating arrangements, from the booth seats, metallic tables and chairs, to those at the counter. You actually sit facing the mall’s walkway, so you can have your Pho and watch the world go by – just like in the streets of Vietnam.

Mrs Pho is a tribute to all the Vietnamese mothers, grandmothers and aunties who feed their family with love.

Pay them a visit and experience how they feed you like family, with a spread of home-style dishes.

Mrs Pho VivoCity X DFD Exclusive Promo
Get a complimentary entree with every order of main / noodle dish.
– Valid till 30 Sep 2019, for dine-in only at Mrs Pho VivoCity outlet.
– Valid for one redemption per table.
– The offer is not valid in conjunction with other discounts, promotions, and vouchers.
– Quote “DFD” and LIKE Mrs Pho Facebook Page or Instagram Page.

In addition, the first 50 customers for the above DFD promo will get an additional $10 voucher – redeemable on the next visit with minimum spend of $30. Other T&C apply.

Mrs Pho
VivoCity #B2-29A, 1 Harbourfront Drive, Singapore 098585
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/MrsPho/

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Mrs Pho.

When I heard that there was another gelato shop in the west, the first thought that came to me was – another one?

It felt like it wasn’t long ago when Pobo Gelato opened at West Coast offering in-house gelatos.

Located right beside Clementi Mall, One Stone Three Birds or “onestonethreebirds” is a small, cozy space offer takeout gelato that is made in-house.

As for the name One Stone Three Birds, unfortunately there is no fancy story behind this. The one stone represents a common goal, while the three birds refer to the three investors behind the store.

Jacky, who manages the shop together with his wife, is not only the director but also the one who comes up with new flavours for the shop.

He has 19 years of F&B business experience, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to customer satisfaction.

I have to say, that is essentially the essence behind One Stone Three Birds.

They listen to their customers’ opinions and suggestions. A flavour – Yinn’s Osmanthus & Chrysanthemum was actually named after their customer, and it was one of the flavours that stood out the most.

Well, this may remind others of Birds Of Paradise’s white chrysanthemum flavour.

Flavours during my time of visit included Creamy Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate, Rum & Raisin, Mister Espresso & Banana, Salted Caramel, Hojicha, Strawberry & Basil, Chocolate & Orange, and the intriguing and seasonal Pandan Lotus with Salted Egg Mooncake.

One Stone Three Birds encourages customers to walk in and try their all their flavours before making a decision.

And if you have something to say about it, they are more than welcomed.

The Black Sesame Gelato ($3.80 for single scoop, $7.00 for double scoop) was one of my favourites.

The sesame seeds were roasted in house before gelato production, hence the intense sesame fragrance.

You can also taste the texture of the sesame seeds in this, which provides an elevated gelato experience.

The Dark Chocolate Gelato was another recommended – it was smooth, intense and definitely a hit among dark chocolate lovers.

No additional milk or cream was used, and so you get the richness and intensity.

(Photo credit: onestonethreebirds)

The Waffle Sticks ($4.00) were unfortunately not available at my time of visit.

The idea is to place waffle mix in the shape of churros served with a scoop of gelato. Personally, I can’t to try this, and I would love to see their rendition of waffles in sticks.

Because of how they try to accommodate customer’s requests, most of the gelato flavours in One Stone Three Birds are on a rotational basis.

But I heard that the Black Sesame and Peanut Butter flavours are here to stay for good.

There has also been news of upcoming flavours such as Thai Lemongrass Ginger infused with Pandan Sorbet are in the making.

One Stone Three Birds
443 Clementi Avenue 3, #01-71, Singapore 120443
Opening Hours: 3pm – 9:30pm (Mon), 12pm – 9:30pm (Tues – Thurs, Sun), 12pm – 10pm (Fri-Sat),
https://www.facebook.com/onestonethreebirds/

Other Related Entries
Birds Of Paradise (Jewel Changi Airport)
Moosh (Our Tampines Hub)
OCD Café (Ang Mo Kio)
Wishes Café (Macpherson)
Butterknife Folk (Funan)

* Written by DFD’s Café Correspondent @__sy_g. Songyu is a food and travel blogger whose hobby is uncovering hidden hipster cafes. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

That was fast. C Plus Café which opened at Rangoon Road less than a year ago, has ended operations.

In comes “Gather the Misfits”.

A peculiar name for a café (may lack of that ‘ring’), but it is a space which desires to see friendships and collaborations fostered.

The location may be slightly hard to find, near Mrs Pho House and (Old) Lai Huat Seafood Restaurant, diagonally opposite Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh.

The menu is kept rather lean for now. In terms of the food aspect, there are offerings of Toasties, Ice Cream and Waffles.

Recommended items include Smoked Fish with Bonito Cream Toastie ($13), Prosciutto with Black Garlic Mayo Toastie ($13), and Triple Cheese Toastie ($11). They are served with a garden salad tossed in goma dressing.

The highlight of Gather the Misfits is Earl Grey Waffle with Pandan Ice Cream ($9.50).

What was kind of special was that the waffles being round and flat looked like one of those old-school ones sold at the neighbourhood shops (I don’t mean this in a bad way), with a pleasant chewy bite in the middle.

The house-made pandan ice cream added a delicate sweetness and fragrance, though the earl grey could have been quite over-shadowed in this case.

I wondered if there could be a more complementary waffles and ice cream combination.

On another hand, there was a part of me that wished that café went all out for a rather ‘mis-fitting’ flavour which actually worked – so that there is more of a unique factor.

The coffees, priced at $5 for Latte to $6.50 for Iced Mocha, are brewed using a blend of beans roasted by Prodigal Café. The taste is medium-bodied with an earthy finish.

There are also seasonal brews on Single Origins for third wave coffee drinkers using various methods including v60 and aeropress. Local favourites are the limited Guatemalan Santa Felisa and Myanmar Black Honey.

To be honest, while I semi-liked this café due to its cosiness and friendliness – it is a place you can possibly chill away your entire afternoon, I am not sure if its menu is appealing enough to the modern-day customers.

You see, there was a time (maybe 5 years ago) when café hoppers would go all out for just waffles, but not quite anymore.

At this day and age when being ‘instagrammable’ is simply not enough, I think they could afford to be more adventurous and unique with the food offerings – in line with their name.

Gather the Misfits
217 Rangoon Road Singapore 218457 (near to Farrer Park MRT Station)
Tel: +65 9298 7291
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues

Other Related Entries
Banchong Café (Kallang Junction)
PPP Coffee (Funan)
Antea Social (Jalan Besar)
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee (VivoCity)
Bula Café (Keong Saik Road)

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

[Bangkok] When it comes to fanciful bubble tea drinks, I dare say you can find some of the most creative and perhaps unexpected flavours in Bangkok.

There was a time when White Rabbit Candy was in trend and shops started incorporating it in desserts and drinks.

Ditto Modern Tea found at Central World (Level 1) takes it a step further with an ultra-cute rabbit marshmallow placed on top of their drinks.

They even designed a photo-booth (instagram-level gao-gao).

With the proliferation of bubble tea shops using artificial syrups, Ditto Modern Tea started with an objective of serving healthier cold brew teas.

They prepare their drinks with using loose teas, real fruit and premium ingredients to get the various flavours.

In case you are wondering, they do serve more ‘normal’ drinks such as Karameru Boba Milk Tea, Matcha Green Tea Latte (135 baht), Hokkaido Thai Tea (95 baht), Regular Cream Cheese Tea (115 baht), Thai Tea Lemonade (85 baht) and Chocolate Cream Cheese Tea (125 baht).

Some of their best-sellers include the Oolong Lychee Cold Brew Tea (135 baht), and The Dark (115 baht), which is a combination of dark brewed Ceylon and caramel with coffee overtones.

Not the cheapest drinks around, considering 135 baht is about SGD6.10 (USD4.40).

You may have spotted on Instagram, a snoozing piggy on top on bubble tea. That is called “Mr Ditto” (60 baht) – a marshmallow shaped like a pig, which you can add on top of some of their heavier cream-based drinks.

Cuteness level 99%. Sweetness factor 100%.

The Rabbit Candy Drink with marshmallow (180 baht, SGD8.15) quickly became an instagram-hit. (Gosh, this drink can buy several meals in Bangkok.)

Pricy of course, though the process looked elaborate. Essentially, this is bubble tea with a caramelised-layered cream as the top portion was torched, topped with a rabbit marshmallow.

You could actually taste faint essence of the iconic white rabbit candy in the midst.

My main complaint is that there is too much ice and too little drink, but that has to be done so that the rabbit stays ‘afloat’ on the drink. Darn.

Rabbit is a big piece of marshmallow – may have the whole thing if you haven’t burst your calorie and sugar intake.

Ditto Modern Tea
Floor 2 Central World, Ratchadamri Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 92 424 6450
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
ATM Tea Bar (Siam Square, Bangkok)
Fire Tiger by Seoulcial Club (Icon Siam, Bangkok)
Hands and Heart (Thonglor, Bangkok)
Roast (ThongLor, Bangkok(
BOYY & Son Cafe (Gaysorn, Bangkok)

Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

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

If you have craving for Korean Kimchi Fried Rice, Bibimbap and Bulgogi Rice, look no further.

Masizzim located at 313@Somerset and Westgate, has introduced a NEW weekday lunch menu that is pretty affordable, starting from $10.90++ for a set.

This is great for individuals and smaller groups for a fuss-free lunch, especially since many Korean restaurants emphasizes on communal dining and bigger meals.

A bit on Masizzim: An amalgamation of the Korean words ‘masi’ (delicious) and ‘jjim’ (steam), Masizzim specialises in meat stews – Beef, Pork, Chicken and Seafood.

The stews such as the Signature Beef Rib Stew, Spicy Seafood Beef, Chicken and Pork Rib (available in individual or double-sized sharing portions) are slow-cooked with its own proprietary secret-recipe sauce and served bubbling hot in cast-iron pots.

Diners can choose between the non-spicy soy flavour which has a sumptuous blend of soy sauce, pineapples and Korean pear; or the spicy base made with gochujang (red pepper paste) for some tongue-tingling heat.

For the Masizzim Lunch Sets, each includes a main course, a bowl of seaweed soup and two pieces of Korean pancakes. The type of the Korean pancakes rotates daily, and you can get anything from Squid & Leek, Tomato Cheese Kimchi, to Potato Pancake.

For the choice of Korean mains, there are offerings of Bibimbap, Kimchi Fried Rice, Spicy Meat Rice, Bulgogi, and Teriyaki Chicken. Here’s more:

Bibimbap (Vegetable $10.90++, Beef / Pork $12.90++)
Bibimbap, sometimes romanised as bi bim bap or bi bim bop, is the popular and comforting Korean rice dish.

The term “bibim” actually means mixing various ingredients, while the “bap” refers to rice.

Masizzim’s Bibimbap includes ingredients of shiitake mushrooms, beansprouts, carrot, spinach, yellow radish and a raw egg yolk atop rice.

What’s noteworthy is mixed grain rice – a combination of white rice, black rice and roasted millet, is used as the base. This gives the bibimbap a tastier, more textured, and healthier mixture.

To eat, just add the speciality bibimbap sauce and mix thoroughly. The bibimbap sauce used is not the typical gochujang (red pepper paste) and had a slight-spicy and fermented savour to it.

My favourite part is always the bottom layer of crusty rice with a crispy texture.

The basic Bibimbap is suitable for vegetarians, while those who want something more substantial can choose to add minced beef or pork at an additional $2.

Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi only $10.90++, Seafood $12.90++)
The highlight to me is the Kimchi Fried Rice, which includes fragrant mixed-grain rice fried with kimchi for the slight spicy-tangy flavour within.

While most versions of fried rice come with egg fried within, the Masizzim Kimchi Fried Rice is served on a hotplate with rice in the middle surrounded by a ring of egg.

You know that soft egg you get at some Korean BBQ or galbi restaurants, the egg has the same feel here – cooked to a soft, almost wobbly consistency.

Eat the egg separately or mix with the rice; I recommend a combination of both.

Diners can top up with seafood of shrimp and squid at additional $2.

Spicy Meat Rice (Squid / Beef / Pork $12.90++)
The next three mains are quite similar, reminiscent of the popular Korean hot-plate rice. Go for this if you are the type who loves your food rich and mildly-spicy.

Choose from squid, sliced beef or pork to be stir-fried with onion and carrot slivers, served with mixed-grain rice and fried sunny side up.

I had the shiny stir-fried pork in in-house Korean red pepper sauce, which was actually not as spicy as imagined, though was still rather addictive with nice smoky flavour.

Bulgogi (Beef / Pork $12.90++)
For non-spicy food lovers, the Bulgogi contains slices of beef and pork stir-fried in a sauce sweet, slightly salty and loaded with Korean flavour.

Bulgogi generally pairs better with beef, and you can experience the juiciness and tenderness of the meats, especially when they are quite generous with the sauce.

Teriyaki Chicken ($10.90++)
This main did remain me of the Japanese Teriyaki Chicken due to the sweetness and stickiness of the sauce.

Good to mention that the chicken chunks are first fried with onion and carrots in high heat (giving that ‘wok-hei smokiness), then heated on hotplate so that the entire dish stays warm for a long while.

For a top-up of $1.90++, diners can enhance their set with a cup of iced lemon tea.

Masizzim’s lunch set menu is available every Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 11am – 2pm at both outlets in Singapore; located at 313@Somerset and Westgate.

Masizzim Daebak Set
Masizzim has also introduced a Daebak Set which allows customers to choose one double stew, one rice ball, and one egg roll/pancake for $50 – good for 3 to 4 diners.

Some of Masizzim’s signature stews include the Beef Rib Stew, Pork Rib Stew, and Spicy Chicken Stew, with bubbling pots of succulent meat.

The recommended is the “King’s Ribs”, with beef ribs are first slow-cooked in Masizzim’s secret stew sauce until fork-tender, then stir-fried with capsicums, red dates, king oyster mushrooms, chilli powder and sesame seeds.

Also get the Honey Mustard Cheese Egg Roll, which would ooze out with stretchy mozzarella and cheddar, brightened with sweet-zingy honey mustard. Daebak!

Masizzim – Westgate
Westgate #01-07, 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532 (Jurong East MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm Last order 9pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)
https://www.facebook.com/masizzimsingapore

Masizzim – 313@Somerset
313@Somerset #B3-02, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last order 9.30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 11pm Last order 10.30pm (Fri – Sat)

Other Related Entries
Nipong Naepong (313@somerset)
Nipong Naepong (JEM)
NY Night Market (Westgate)
Chir Chir Singapore (JEM)
Kogane Yama (Bugis Junction)

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

2019 is a happening year for mall lovers with the opening of Jewel Changi Airport, Funan, and Paya Lebar Quarter Mall (PLQ).

One of the more highly anticipated F&Bs to open at Paya Lebar Quarter Mall is Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號, a Taiwanese Toast Cafe which originated from Taipei’s Shilin Night Market 士林夜市.

Apart from the 2 shops in Taiwan, Singapore is their first international outpost with a total of 32 seats available, located right next to FairPrice Finest.

There is a sense of Taiwanese familiarity, from the traditional Chinese words on the menu, to friendly service crew taking the order with their fluent and polite accent.

Diners have to make their order and payment at the counter, collect a buzzer and wait patiently for their orders to be made.

Both dine-in and takeaway options are available, but do note that the sandwich will look almost like Isaac Toast for the former.

On the other hand, they will offer to slice the sandwich and served on metal plates for dine-in orders, which is more appetising and “Instagram-worthy”.

The savoury toasts include their bestseller: TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30), Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Spicy Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Pork Floss Egg & Cheese ($6.50), Potato Special ($5.80).

Lettuce is available at an additional $0.60, for the Pork Sandwiches such as Pork Egg & Cheese, Spicy Pork Egg & Cheese and TW Special Pork Patty Toast.

Complete the meal with a choice of cup of coffee (additional $1), Cane-flavoured Black Tea (additional $2.60) or Signature Milk Tea (additional $3.30).

Note that the Fong Sheng Sandwich, a huge club sandwich that comes with Pork, Egg Mayo, Cheese, lettuce and tomato suitable for 2 pax is currently unavailable.

My favourite was the TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30) that came with a thick cut of minced pork patty with a sweeter profile.

The patty was soft and refined in its texture.

The milk loaves are specially created in their own central kitchen using New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra’s premium NZMP butter, sent over to the shop then toasted over charcoal fire before serving.

Indeed, the loaves were soft and sweet but was kind of lukewarm when served, perhaps due to the operation hiccups.

That aside, the egg scrambled egg was softly warm and fluffy, complemented well with homemade mayonnaise using canola oil.

The savoury option will be the Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30) that comes in both normal and spicy version.

I preferred the normal Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30) in which you would get some contrast from the savory-ness from the marinated pork loin and sweetness from the milk toast and mayonnaise.

My only gripe was that the marinated pork loin is on the thinner side, which lacked that textural bite.

Don’t worry about the Spicy Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30) being too spicy, whereas their version tasted like a sweet Tabasco sauce drizzled on the scrambled egg.

The combination was more complex with sweet, savory and spiciness all in one bite.

Sweet options are also available such as Chocolate & Peanut ($4.80), Strawberry ($4.20) and Condense Milk Toast ($3.80).

Exclusive to Singapore are Kaya Butter Toast ($4.20) and Butter Sugar Toast ($4.20), something would be more familiar to Singaporeans.

The Cane-flavoured Black Tea that costs an additional $2.60 to complete the meal, is worth a mention.

The black tea is specially sourced from Taiwan’s oldest tea shop Lin Hua Tai Tea, with 140-years of history and boiled with sugarcane for 12 hours for natural sweetness.

Although it was on the sweeter side, the Cane-flavoured Black Tea packed a bunch of flavours that reminds me of Taiwan.

Fong Sheng Hao is off to a promising start to be a popular sandwich shop, but could probably work on getting their goods out faster for hungry customers on a go to get a quick bite.

Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號
Paya Lebar Quarter Mall, 10 Paya Lebar Rd, #B2-04, S409057
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/FongShengHaoSG/

Other Related Entries
NY Night Market (313@somerset)
KToast (Clement)
Egg Stop (Paya Lebar)
Isaac Toast Singapore (Plaza Singapura)
Patbingsoo Korean Dining House (Vivocity)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

We are often spoilt for choices when it comes to restaurant dining, but why not sweeten the deal (meal) with attractive 1-for-1 and One Dines FREE dining offers.

Buffets are always great opportunities to gather with family and friends, and the weekend dim sum buffet at Auntie’s Wok & Steam; Peranakan spread at Ellenborough Market Café; Weekend BBQ buffet at Cocobolo Poolside Bar + Grill; Sunday brunch at Azur; and Indian Sunday Brunch at Tandoor will be places you can catch up with them.

For Afternoon High Tea, Crossroads Bar now offers a ‘Autumn in Hokkaido’ special for Japanese dessert lovers, and The Courtyard has updated their English Afternoon Tea with new treats.

Check out these 9 Hotel Dining Deals That Won’t Hurt Your Wallet:

Auntie’s Wok and Steam, Andaz Singapore
5 Fraser Street, Level 25 Singapore 189354
Tel: +65 6408 1288
Buffet Hours: 12pm – 3pm (Sat – Sun, PH)

Cantonese Dim Sum and Local Favourites Weekend Buffet
Experience modern Cantonese dim sum, local favourites and Chinese desserts all at one place every weekend at Auntie’s Wok and Steam.

Buffet is a steal for only $39++ per person (now with 1 dine free with every 3 paying adults), which includes a classic steamed dim sum, fried dim sum specialties, a rotating mix of comforting congee, and hearty stir-fries.

Diners can pick one item from the premium main courses in this value-for-money buffet, which includes Kung Pao Chicken, Minced Pork Ma Po Tofu, Black Pepper Tiger Prawns, and Stir-fried Beef with Spicy Black Bean Sauce.

Additionally, each diner can also select one item from their premium yum cha menu, from Lobster Congee, Wagyu Short Rib Mantou Sliders to Scallop Siew Mai for a more indulgent meal.

What To Have: Organic Wok-Fried Rice
Made with a combination of organic brown and white rice grains, this rice creation blends together the benefit of brown with the softness of white. The wok-fried rice is tossed along with shredded crab meat (sustainably-sourced crabs at that), julienned French beans, and fresh green asparagus.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1 free with 3 paying adults – U.P. $39++ per person, includes Cantonese dim sum, Singaporean favourites and desserts

T&C:
– Promotional Period till 30 September 2019, including Public Holidays.
– Valid only on Saturday and Sundays, including Public Holidays, 12pm – 3pm.
– Advance reservation is required.
– Payment must be made using HSBC credit card.

Azur, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
75 Airport Boulevard Singapore 819664 (Terminal 3, Changi Airport)
Tel: +65 6823 5354
Lunch Hours: 12pm – 3pm (Mon – Fri)
Weekend Brunch: 12pm – 3.30pm (Sat – Sun)

Buffet Featuring Recipes from Singapore and Around The Region
Azur features an open-kitchen where chefs serve an extensive buffet spread combining Asian delicacies and Western favourites.

So, reserve your tables early and get the best seats in the house as you dine with a view of their “cooking theatre”.

For dessert, cleanse your palate with a Snow Fungus Luo Han Guo dessert or enjoy the flavours of a Blueberry Panna Cotta.

What To Have: BBQ Roasted Beef Ribs
Other than the signature items of seafood specials like Chilli Crab, Seafood Paella, and the family-friendly Whole Salmon in Rock Salt, looking out for the BBQ Roasted Beef Ribs.

These ribs are fall-off-the-bone-tender, because they have been sous-vided for 24 hours before being roasted in the oven.

Lunch Buffet (Mon – Sun): Adult $58++, Child $29++
Dinner Buffet (Mon – Wed & Sun): Adult $68++, Child $34++
Seafood Dinner Buffet (Thur – Sat): Adult $78++, Child $39++ per child

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1-for-1 Lunch or Dinner Buffet

T&C:
– Valid for Lunch and Dinner Buffet daily, till 30 September 2019.
– Advance reservation is required.
– The offer is not valid in conjunction with other discounts, offers, promotions, privileges and vouchers.

Mitzo Restaurant & Bar, Grand Park Orchard
Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Email: rsvn@mitzo.sg
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm, Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm, Supper 10.30pm – 1am
(Thurs – Sat, Eve of PH)
Bar: 12pm – 1am (Sun to Wed)
12pm – 2am (Thurs – Sat, Eve of PH)

Progressive Cantonese Cuisine
Mitzo is a modern Asian restaurant that reinvents the Chinese dining experience, bringing with it a fresh approach.

Through the innovative use of ingredients, you get to experience new flavours with many of the dishes suitable for sharing.

Some of the stand-out ala carte dishes from the Specialties Set Menu include the Steamed Lobster with Truffle and Garlic in Soya Sauce, Double-boiled Abalone Soup, Honey Pepper Wagyu Beef with Golden Garlic Flakes, Seafood Noodles Soup with Foie Gras Sauce.

What To Have: Signature Set Menu
If you are heading for the Signature Set Menu (U.P $128++ per person, parties of 2 or more), the list of exquisite items includes Royal Shrimp Dumpling with Caviar, Shrimp and Pork Dumpling with Baby Abalone, Steamed Dumpling with Shrimp, Scallop and Sea Urchin, Fish Maw Soup of the Day, Steamed Sea Bass with Red Yeast and Garlic, “Si Chuan” Peppercorn Barbecued Pork, Double-boiled Chicken Rice with Foie Gras Sauce, top it off with the Rockmelon Sago and Lime Jelly served with Crispy Yam Spring Roll.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1-for-1 Signature / Specialties Set (U.P. $128++ for Signature Set, $168++ for Specialties Set)

T&C:
– Valid till 30 September 2019.
– Offer is limited to one redemption per card, per table, per bill. No splitting of table/bill is allowed.
– Valid only for dine-in.
– Advanced reservation is required and subject to availability. Diners to quote “HSBC 1for1” during reservations.

Tandoor, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
Basement 1, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, 11 Cavenagh Rd, Singapore 229616
Tel: +65 6733 8333
Sunday Brunch Hours: 12pm -2:30pm (Sun)

Authentic North Indian Dishes in A Sunday Brunch
Established in 1985, Tandoor, Singapore’s most awarded Indian restaurant, takes diners on a culinary journey with its authentic North Indian dishes that pay homage to India’s rich culinary heritage.

From the dining hall, you will be able to see the chefs at work, from making Indian breads to preparing kebabs of tandoori meats and vegetables that are served fresh to your table.

The full-length windows also allow you for a view inside the kitchen, where two custom-made copper tandoors (or clay ovens) stand for the preparation of several dishes.

What To Have: Chicken Tikkas
Chicken tikkas (kebab style) cooked in rich creamy tomato sauce. Other recommended dishes include Ajwaini Macchi Tikka (fish tikka flavoured with carom seeds, spices and chargrilled), Malmali Seekh Kebab (spiced minced lamb rolls flavoured with fresh Indian herbs and spices, skewered and cooked in the tandoor), and Murgh Badam Ka Shorba (chicken soup with a rich infusion of almonds brewed with fresh mint).

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1-for-1 Sunday Brunch (U.P Sunday Brunch for $52++ per person)

T&C:
– Valid till 30 September 2019.
– Advance reservation is required.

Porta, Park Hotel Clarke Quay
1 Unity Street, Singapore 237983
Tel: +65 6593 8855
Brunch: 8am – 4pm (Mon – Sun)
Lunch: 11am – 3pm (Mon – Sun)
Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm (Mon – Sun)

Modern European Dishes With Fresh Produce And Seasonal Flavours
Experience modern European cuisine in a classy and cosy setting. Look out for “The Store” which is the space where the gourmet retail products used in their dishes are displayed.

Porta specialises in dishes using fresh and seasonal produce, cooking up savoury wholesome dishes in the likes of Duck Ragout, Norwegian Salmon, Rib Eye Steak (200gm), Barramundi and the specialty of Porta Burger.

Some of the favourites include the Roast Chicken Leg that comes with Lyonnaise potatoes and wild mushroom in red wine sauce for hearty French flavours; and BBQ Pork Belly with tangy green pineapple puree and charred leeks.

If you love surprises, then go for the Chef’s Weekly Special which changes on rotational basis, offering pasta, vegetarian, seafood or meat options prepared from freshest ingredients available at the market.

What To Have: Prawn & Chorizo Pasta
The signature pasta dish features linguine with prawns and chorizo in spicy harissa sauce – a housemade sauce which includes tomato coulis, red bell peppers, spicy paprika, and capers.

If you love garlic, you would savour the fragrance in which garlic slices are brown to extract its unique flavour, then cooked with the rest of the ingredients.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1-for-1 Seafood / Pasta

T&C:
– Valid for ala carte and brunch, till 30 September 2019.
– Advance reservation is required.
– Complimentary item must be lesser or equal in value than purchased.
– Maximum 5 free redemptions per bill.
– Not valid in conjunction with other promo, set meals, special events, themed menus nights.
– Not applicable on eves of and Public Holidays, special occasion, special theme-events and menu.

Cocobolo Poolside Bar + Grill, Park Hotel Clarke Quay
1 Unity Street, Singapore 237983
Tel: +65 6593 8855
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Sun – Thu), 11am – 10.30pm (Fri – Sat)

Char-Grilled Spread Of Premium Meats And Succulent Seafood By The Pool
For a relaxing poolside meal, Cocobolo Poolside Bar + Grill at the Park Hotel Clarke Quay offers a tantalising char-grilled spread under the starry night sky.

The Weekend BBQ Buffet (available on Fridays and Saturdays) offers a spread of premium meats and succulent seafood prepared by a team of chefs, alongside mouth-watering spreads of appetizers, sides and desserts.

The sides include Chicken Skewer, Otah, Chicken Fajita Salad, Thai Seafood Salad, and Roasted Pumpkin Wedges; while the New Zealand Angus Beef and Australian Rack of Lamb take centre-stage.

CocoBolo also offers an ala carte menu with an extensive spread from Western delights, Pizzas, Pastas, to Local & Asian favourites – such Seafood Char Kway Teow, Haianese Chicken Rice, Singapore Laksa, to a piping hot Bak Kut Teh.

What To Have:
New Zealand Angus Beef, Australian Rack of Lamb, Assorted Grilled Sausages, Stingray with Spicy Shrimp Paste, Tiger Prawns with Saffron Spices, and Turmeric Spiced Squids for the Weekend BBQ Buffet.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1-for-1 Weekend BBQ Buffet (Fri & Sat)
1-for-1 Main Course (Sun – Thu)

T&C:
– Advance reservation is required, please quote “HSBC Cocobolo” upon reservation.
– Valid till 30 September 2019.
– Valid up to a maximum of 16 diners per card.
– Complimentary item must be equal or lower in value than purchased.
– Not valid with other promos, set menus, special events or themed menu nights.
– Not applicable on eves of and PH, festive and special occasions.

Crossroads Bar, Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore
20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281
Tel: +65 6239 1847/1848
Afternoon Tea Timing: 3pm – 5pm (Mon – Sun)

‘Autumn In Hokkaido’ Afternoon Tea
Catch up with friends at the chic Crossroads Bar and discover its line-up of charming afternoon teas.

Its grand ceiling-to-floor windows and sophisticated vibe make it an ideal venue to meet up and unwind.

Their daily Afternoon Tea Set gives you a choice of English, Nyonya, or ‘Autumn In Hokkaido’ special and a delightful assortment of savoury treats and dainty sweet confections.

Seven kinds of TWG teas are available including English Breakfast, French Earl Grey, Jasmine, Vanilla Bourbon, Moroccan Mint, Emperor Sencha and Chamomile.

What To Have: ‘Autumn in Hokkaido’ Afternoon Tea Set
The seasonal special of ‘Autumn in Hokkaido’ Afternoon Tea Set highlights Japanese-inspired savouries such as Somen Noodle Salad with Hokkaido Scallop and Ikura, Seared Wagyu
Beef Sandwich with Fried Garlic and Miso Mustard Sauce, and Hokkaido Unagi Open Faced Sandwich.

Also enjoy the delicately crafted pastries such as the Yuzu Citrus Scones paired with Clotted Cream and Preserves and fluffy Hokkaido chiffon cupcakes, and Japanese Style Lavender “Swiss Roll”.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1-for-1 for Afternoon Tea set (U.P $42++ per person, minimum of two diners per order, includes a pot of speciality tea by TWG or freshly brewed coffee)

T&C:
– Valid from 1 September 2019 to 30 November 2019.
– Valid for Afternoon Tea Set for up to 8 diners (4 paying, 4 complimentary)
– Offer is for food only (alcohol is excluded)
– Advance reservation is required at least one day in advance.

Ellenborough Market Café, Swissotel Merchant Court, Singapore
20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281
Tel: +65 6239 1847, +65 6239 1848
Email: dining.merchantcourt@swissotel.com
Opening Hours: 6.30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Buffet Featuring Modern Interpretation of Peranakan Flavours
The 310-seater Ellenborough Market Café at Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore is a smart-casual restaurant celebrating the best of Straits Chinese.

Also offering a medley of Asian, local and international dishes, its location along the banks of Singapore River makes it a popular choice for experiential dining.

Their house specials including Kueh Pie Tee, a thin and crisp pastry shell filled with sweet-spicy mixture of thinly-sliced veggies and prawns and Peranakan mainstay Ayam Buah Keluak – chicken braised in a thick, spicy tamarind gravy with buah keluak nuts are must-try signature items.

If you prefer pork, try Babi Pongteh, a Nonya-style braised pork in fermented soy bean sauce. The Nyonya Chap Chye, a mix of braised vegetables is equally tempting.

What To Have: Signature Durian Pengat
This signature traditional dessert is a durian-flavoured mousse with gula melaka and fragrant pandan flavours.

Ellenborough’s version of this smooth and creamy dessert (or snack if you like) uses aged durians. For first timer, the bittersweet taste of durian could take some getting used to, but for some, this dessert is divine.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion 1:
1-for-1 Weekday Lunch and Dinner Buffet

T&C:
– Valid for Lunch and Dinner Buffet from Monday to Friday.
– Valid from 1 September 2019 to 30 November 2019.
– Valid for food only, and not valid for alcohol.
– Valid up to a maximum of 8 diners (4 paying diners and 4 complimentary diners)
– Advance reservation is required at least one day in advance.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion 2:
One dines free with every 2 paying adults Weekend Lunch and Dinner Buffet

T&C:
– Valid for Lunch and Dinner Buffet on Saturday and Sunday.
– Valid from 1 September 2019 to 30 November 2019.
– Valid for food only, and not valid for alcohol.
– Valid up to a maximum of 6 diners (4 paying diners and 2 complimentary diners)
– Advance reservation is required at least one day in advance.

The Courtyard, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 6877 8911 / 8912
Afternoon Tea Timings: 3pm – 6pm (Mon – Fri),
1st seating 2pm – 4pm or 2nd seating 4:30pm – 6pm (Sat, Sun, PH)

Traditional English Afternoon Tea With Unlimited Replenishment
Bask in the sunlit atrium lobby of the Fullerton Hotel Singapore and have a leisurely afternoon tea at The Courtyard.

Relax in their plush sofas as you enjoy a tête-à-tête with friends. On weekends, a harpist serenades you with relaxing melodies to further complement your dining experience.

Your Traditional English Afternoon Tea at The Courtyard comes with unlimited replenishment of your tiered tea accompaniments (with vegetarian and gluten-free sets available) and free-flowing tea and coffee. You can choose from a selection of 15 TWG teas and 6 coffees.

Watch the world go by as you sip your selected teas or coffees and savour freshly-baked English scones, served with clotted cream and berry jam, and savoury finger sandwiches.

What To Have:
The Afternoon Tea includes unlimited replenishment of tiered contents and free-flowing coffee and tea.

Savouries include Seared Beef Pastrami with Pesto, Cornichon Salsa and Brioche Bread; Five Spiced Smoke Chicken with Guacamole on Sesame Tartlet; and Norwegian Smoked Salmon with Capers, Chopped Egg and Horseradish on Dark Bread.

Irresistible sweet treats include the Chocolate Moulluex, Pecan Maple Orange Tart, The Fullerton Fruit Cake to local-inspired Ondeh Ondeh Macaron.

Monday to Friday: 3.00pm – 6.00pm
$49++ per adult; $24++ per child
Add $10++ for a glass of house wine, and $20 for a glass of champagne.

Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays:
2.00pm – 4.00pm (1st seating); 4.30pm – 6.00pm (2nd seating)
$55++ per adult; $27++ per child
Add $10++ for a glass of house wine, and $20 for a glass of champagne.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
1 dines free with every 3 paying adults on Daily Afternoon Tea or Chocolate Buffet

T&C:
– Valid till 30 September 2019.
– Valid up to a maximum of 8 diners.
– Not valid on the eve of Public Holidays in Singapore, Public Holidays in Singapore and special occasions including F1 Weekend.
– Advance reservation is required.

For more details on the latest #HSBCDining promotions, head on over to https://cardpromotions.hsbc.com.sg/dining#1-dines-free. Terms and conditions apply for all promotions herein.

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

The hottest opening for the month should be Paya Lebar Quarter PLQ – which finally launched after a long delay.

Some new restaurants and cafes you can look forward to there include Taiwanese toast café Feng Sheng Hao, Korean fried chicken chain Mom’s Touch, Milksha, Jimmy Monkey, Morphine Coffee, Café Red Ginger, and The Providore PLQ

Other than many (semi) famous foreign F&B establishments which set foot in Singapore, I thought we should also celebrate the new outlets of born-in-Singapore cafes. These include home-grown bubble tea shop Woobbee X AC.Kafe at Jewel Changi Airport, affordable Italian-cafe PocoLoco at Upper Thomson, and Viet Pho shop Mrs Pho at VivoCity.

Woobbee X AC.Kafe
ActionCity Jewel Changi Airport #04-223 & 224, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Toys-Themed Café At JEWEL, With Unique Pei Pa Koa Bubble Tea
AC Kafè by ActionCity is a first of its kind designer-art toy themed cafe, a collaboration between beverage concept Woobbee and the home-grown collectible retail brand.

Located at Jewel Changi Airport Level 4, Woobbee is housed with AC.Kafe at this new exciting setup where creative drinks, food and toys are cleverly combined together to present a fresh F&B concept and experience.

Using premium ingredients like pure wild flower honey, special dark chocolate, first-rate syrups, and Hokkaido fresh milk, Woobbee only uses raw sugar in preparing their signature drinks.

One of their signature flavours, Herbalmint or Pei Ka Koa ($6.80), is infused into this redesigned 2.0 milk tea beverage.

The result is a richer, creamier drink. Available only regular sized, this minty concoction is recommended when you need both the refreshing and the throat-soothing herbal power of pei pa koa. AC.Kafe (Jewel Changi Airport)

PocoLoco – Upper Thomson
215F Upper Thomson Road Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 8436 3363
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm Last Order 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Fri),
12pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Sat, Sun, PH)
Reservation Online – PocoLoco

Under-The-Radar Affordable Italian Cafe Opens At Upper Thomson
Reviewed as “Food King Good”, they started off at Ang Mo Kio and has expanded to Jurong (Snow City Level 2), Royal Square@Novena, Yishun Wisteria Mall, and Upper Thomson – all slightly off-the-radar locations.

The recommended pasta dish is the Mentaiko ($14.90). Enjoy this pasta with a Japanese-inspired cream sauce with mentaiko (marinated cod roe) from the Chubu region of Japan.

The spicy cod roe which imparts that orange-pink colour, giving it slight spiciness which complements the buttery, creamy sauce.

End the meal with sweet treats, such as Panna Cotta ($5.90), Tiramisu ($7.90) and Matcha Lava Cake ($11.70).

PocoLoco has made it easier for us to enjoy quality Italian food at pocket—friendly prices.

Starter Lab Bakery
721 Havelock Road Singapore 169645 (Tiong Bahru Station)
Tel: +65 9839 0408
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5pm (Mon – Sun)

Famous Bakery From Bali Opens In Singapore
From hipster area of Canggu in Bali to Havelock Road, Starter Lab Bakery has opened its 2nd outpost (in the world) right here in Singapore.

Baker-consultant Emerson Manibo has worked at New York’s Per Se, trained at famed Tartine and Della Fattoria bakeries in California.

The bakery café essentially offers a wholesome menu of posh toast (so much so they have been reviewed to serve the “Gucci Of Bread”), sandwiches and build your own bread boards.

All the loaves and pastries served (other than the scones) contain sourdough/starter, and loaves are fermented over 36 hours before being baked.

If you are lost at what to order, some recommendations include House-Made Mascarpone, sustainable honey, bee pollen and crushed walnuts ($14); Salmon, pickle, house-made creme fraiche on Danish Rye ($14), Country Loaf ($11 for half, $18 for whole, estimated 1.2kg), and Miso Baguette. Starter Lab (Havelock Road)

Narrative Coffee Stand
Bras Basah Complex #01-05, 231 Bain Street Singapore 180231 (Bugis MRT)
Tel: +65 9488 4493
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 6pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 6pm (Sat, Sun, PH)

Under The Radar Coffee Place At Bras Basah Complex
Narrative Coffee Stand has replaced the space previously occupied by Dancing Goat Specialty Coffee at Bras Basah Complex, and seems to have received some support from coffee aficionados.

While Narrative Coffee Stand is generally no-frills, the Scandinavian style décor, white and medium blue furnishing makes it a comfortable place despite limitations in space.

Drinks offered include White ($4.50), Black ($4), Cold Brew ($5, $6), Mocha ($5.50), Chocolate ($5), Filter ($5), Matcha ($5) and Hojicha ($5).

Interestingly, they do not outsource their pastries and cakes (like what many others do).
Offerings are baked in-house and appear to be rather ‘experimental’. Narrative Coffee Stand (Bras Basah Complex

Quarter Life Coffee @ Bunkerbunker
120A Prinsep Street, 187537 (Nearest MRT: Rochor)
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Hidden Container Cafe Near Bugis
Quarter Life Coffee is found within Bunkerbunker at Prinsep Street, which is within DECK – a modular site featuring an independent art space.

Coffee choices include Espresso, Blacks, White, Cold Brews and Filters ($3.50 – $7, iced versions for an additional dollar).

Interesting to note that they only use single origins and don’t have a signature blend as they believe in featuring coffees from various regions and the story behind their production. Quarter Life Coffee (Prinsep Street)

Bakes offered are supplied by The Plain Jane, known for its fluffy Swiss Rolls with soft cream.

Gather the Misfits
217 Rangoon Road Singapore 218457 (near to Farrer Park MRT Station)
Tel: +65 9298 7291
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues

Hidden Cozy Café Serving Earl Grey Waffle with Pandan Ice Cream
Gather the Misfits has opened at Rangoon Road, located at where C Plus Café used to be

The menu is kept rather lean for now. In terms of the food aspect, there are offerings of Toasties, Ice Cream and Waffles.

Recommended items include Smoked Fish with Bonito Cream Toastie ($13), Prosciutto with Black Garlic Mayo Toastie ($13), and Triple Cheese Toastie ($11). They are served with a garden salad tossed in goma dressing.

The highlight of Gather the Misfits is Earl Grey Waffle with Pandan Ice Cream ($9.50).

What was kind of special was that the waffles being round and flat looked like one of those old-school ones sold at the neighbourhood shops (I don’t mean this in a bad way), with a pleasant chewy bite in the middle. Gather The Misfits (Rangoon Road)

One Stone Three Birds
443 Clementi Avenue 3, #01-71, Singapore 120443
Opening Hours: 3pm – 9:30pm (Mon), 12pm – 9:30pm (Tues – Thurs, Sun), 12pm – 10pm (Fri – Sat)

Gelato Cafe At Clementi With Osmanthus & Chrysanthemum
Located right beside Clementi Mall, One Stone Three Birds or “onestonethreebirds” is a small, cozy space offer takeout gelato that is made in-house.

Flavours during my time of visit included Creamy Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate, Rum & Raisin, Mister Espresso & Banana, Salted Caramel, Hojicha, Strawberry & Basil, Chocolate & Orange, and the intriguing and seasonal Pandan Lotus with Salted Egg Mooncake.

The Black Sesame Gelato ($3.80 for single scoop, $7.00 for double scoop) was one of my favourites.

The sesame seeds were roasted in house before gelato production, hence the intense sesame fragrance. You can also taste the texture of the sesame seeds in this, which provides an elevated gelato experience. One Stone Three Birds (Clementi)

platform.
19 #01-01 Amoy Street, Singapore 069854
Opening Hours: 12pm – 12am (Mon – Fri), 4pm – 12am (Sat)

Newest Café On The Block At Telok Ayer
While the Telok Ayer and Amoy areas are always bustling with people due to its proximity to the CBD, you may just find a moment of reprise here.

This is quite a hidden café in the corner, that hasn’t received much publicity yet.

The interior is kept quite minimal with a centre of counter and few seating areas.

One of the reasons is perhaps menu is still kept rather lean, with offerings of cocktail, coffee, and a few food items such as Charred Brussel Sprouts Salad, Bibimbap Noodles and Portobello Sandwich.

Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號
Paya Lebar Quarter Mall, 10 Paya Lebar Rd, #B2-04, S409057
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Tasty Taiwanese Toast Cafe From Shilin Market
One of the more highly anticipated F&Bs to open at Paya Lebar Quarter Mall is Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號, a Taiwanese Toast Cafe which originated from Taipei’s Shilin Night Market 士林夜市.

The savoury toasts include their bestseller: TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30), Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Spicy Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Pork Floss Egg & Cheese ($6.50), Potato Special ($5.80).

My favourite was the TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30) that came with a thick cut of minced pork patty with a sweeter profile.

The milk loaves are specially created in their own central kitchen using New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra’s premium NZMP butter, sent over to the shop then toasted over charcoal fire before serving. Feng Sheng Hao (Paya Lebar Quarter)

Mrs Pho
VivoCity #B2-29A, 1 Harbourfront Drive, Singapore 098585
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Popular, Authentic Pho Shop With Viet Coffee Opens At VivoCity
Mr Pho’s new outlet at VivoCity – the third one in Singapore and first located in a mall, serves up casual Vietnamese dishes and home-style communal dishes at wallet-friendly prices.

To achieve that taste, most of the ingredients are sourced from Vietnam for the most genuine execution.

Everything is made in-house, from the broth – the foundation of an excellent pho, to the sauces (other than those bottled ones).

Get the Special Beef Combo Pho ($9.90), a warm, hearty bowl of silky flat rice noodles in a rich beef soup. That broth has been boiled for 12 hours, long enough to extract all the beefy goodness.

Meat lovers will rejoice with all the meat they are getting – lean cuts of beef flank and brisket, plus beef balls, and tripe.

Even the nuoc (beverages) are freshly concocted and proudly homemade. You won’t find fusion-style dishes in the menu. Just straightforward, traditional Vietnamese food.

(Quote “DFD” and LIKE Mrs Pho Facebook Page or Instagram Page to receive a FREE entrée with a main order. T&C apply.) Mrs Pho (VivoCity)

Other Related Entries
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore Aug 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore July 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore June 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore May 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore March 2019
10 New Cafes In Singapore February 2019
10 New Cafes In Singapore January 2019

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Nicholas Tan @stormscape and Song Yu @__sy_g.

When you put “2 Michelin stars”, “uni” and “ramen” in the same line – which will be an excellent marketing tool, people will be curious about what’s being offered.

Seizan Uni Ramen is an Uni Ramen kiosk set up within Wisma’s Atria Picnic – a Marche-style food hall. You get an ordering mechanism, order at the stall, and pay at the end.

It is not “Michelin ramen” per se though.

There are only three 1-Michelin starred ramen eateries from Tokyo – Tsuta 蔦, Nakiryu and Konjiki Hototogisu, though two brands have already arrived in Singapore.

The association came about as Seizan Uni Ramen is an offshoot of the 2-Michelin starred Seizan which is a kaiseki restaurant. There is also Nabe Seizan, a Japanese hotpot restaurant located at Japan Food Town Singapore upstairs.

I didn’t head down immediately to try (especially when I love ramen so much) because I heard reviews on both ends.

Some gave the noodles and broth extremely high praise; while there is a sizable number of people who thought it was average at best.

There are three main items sold here, the Uni Ramen ($21), Kumamoto Wagyu Ramen ($20), and Dashi Somen ($18).

The signature Uni Ramen is cooked up from the “2-Michelin star Dashi” which is prepared over 10 hours, and fresh Bafu Uni melted into the stock.

What you get is a creamy-orangey base matched with specially-made curly ramen noodles, topped with cha shu, egg, leeks, spring onion, spinach and seaweed.

Diners are advised not to spend too long on photo-taking as the noodles would quickly absorb the stock.

Okay. The stock itself had that mildly-sweet taste and creamy texture that could remind some of say pumpkin soup.

The distinctive flavour of the briny uni was faint and subtle, so you wished there was more of that.

Noodles were cooked soft (maybe too soft) and limpy, perhaps cooked this way to better match the thicker broth, though I would have preferred if there was more bite.

It wasn’t as life-changing as I would have expected, but would say it was a not bad bowl.

Thankfully, I also ordered the Kumamoto Wagyu Ramen ($21) which balanced out the richness of the meal overall.

The light saltiness of the broth reminded me of a certain type of Taiwanese Beef Noodles interestingly.

My friend wondered why the shop would be set up within a foodcourt rather than a standalone eatery. Because you may not get the type of “Japanese service” or even consistency across bowls. I suspect it would be gauge response before moving on to bigger things.

Seizan Uni Ramen
Wisma Atria, Picnic #03-15, 435 Orchard Road, Singapore 238877
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Konjiki Hototogisu Singapore (CHIJMES)
Ichikokudo Hokkaido Ramen (Suntec City)
Ramen Champion (Changi Airport T3)
Hototogisu Ramen (Great World City)
Afuri Ramen (Funan Centre)

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

[Bangkok] There is no lack of instagrammable cafes in Bangkok, but this hipster dim sum café located in the heart of Yaowarat Chinatown has fast become the latest hit spot.

While minimalist white, pretty-in-pink, industrial, and garden-themed cafes have been in the centre of attraction, Lhong Tou Café offers something on the plate.

“Lhong Tou” 龙头 has an auspicious sounding name, literally meaning “dragon’s head”.

In a location near markets and Chinese eateries, it is quite convenient for tourists to head over. That is if you do not mind the long wait.

For those who are keen, there is another new outlet at The Market Bangkok, 111 Ratchadamri Road.

Opened from early morning 8am till late night 10pm, the neon-tinged oriental-decorated café is constantly packed.

You can get a reservation ticket from the machine outside and wait along with the rest – many of whom take countless photos. Estimated waiting time be anything between 30 minutes to an hour.

Here’s why: the café is modish-different and stylish, conceptualised by owners who are interior designers and food stylists themselves.

One of the key features is the double-decked bunk seats (be careful about wearing short, short skirts here).

You can sit on “level one” or the upper level after climbing a short ladder. (I felt for the service staff who had to climb up and down to serve and clear food.)

I happened to have a sit on top. While looking down, you get an entire bird’s eye view of the space like in a movie set.

With dark green walls, paintings of proud peacocks and pink blossoms, and countless mirrors, you could almost do a Chungking Express style #ootd shot here.

Here’s talk about the food. Top-selling dim sum pieces include the Mini BBQ Pork Bun (49 baht), Lhong Tou Shu Mai (69 baht), Mala Fried Chicken (70 baht), Prawn Spring Rolls (59 baht), Egg Lava Bun (29 baht), Mandarin Orange Cake (80 baht), and Chestnut Tart (135 baht).

Almost every table I saw ordered the Chinese Breakfast Set (129 baht).

I was amazed. Isn’t this just like Chinese porridge? This could be one of the last things you would typically order in an average Chinese restaurant, but they managed to ‘hipsterfy’ with neat presentation.

But to be fair, I enjoyed some of the accompanying ingredients such as salted egg, pork floss, and lup cheong (Chinese sausage).

What can I say? This is comfort food well presented.

The signature Lhong Tou Shumai (69 baht) which was essentially pork and chives dumpling tasted average at best.

With the pouring the mala sauce, the entire dish became elevated with the slight numbing quality.

The Thai Milk Tea (75 baht) wasn’t cheap, and on its own might have been quite the same as the average. But with its presentation, foam, and peanut candy bits on top for that crunch, a simple drink becomes not so ordinary.

Lhong Tou Café has its unique charm and nostalgic-meets-modern vibes. To be fair, while food may not be of top notch dim sum standard, there is certain still quirkiness and quality.

Lhong Tou Cafe – Yaowarat
538 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 935 6499
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Lhong Tou Cafe

Lhong Tou Cafe – The Market
111 Ratchadamri Rd,G Floor ,The Market Bangkok, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
10 Michelin Street Food In Bangkok
Sanyod (Bangrak, Bangkok)
Fire Tiger by Seoulcial Club (Icon Siam, Bangkok)
Hands and Heart (Thonglor, Bangkok)
Roast (ThongLor, Bangkok(

Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

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

If you are looking for an impressive Chinese restaurant in the east of Singapore, especially at the Changi Airport area, then this piece of food news would excite you.

Home-grown Crystal Jade Group has opened a brand-new “Crystal Jade Pavilion” concept, located within Crowne Plaza Changi Airport which is near Terminal 3.

Many diners are familiar with Crystal Jade Group’s restaurants such as “Hong Kong Kitchen”, “La Mian Xiao Long Bao” and “Palace”.

The word “Pavilion” could mean large palaces that are elegant and dignified, and you can probably render a guess that you can expect a gastronomic dining experience from this contemporary concept.

Having a Chinese restaurant within a hotel itself would mean there is a certain level of privacy – somewhere to enjoy Cantonese fare in a more luxurious setting.

In terms of its décor, there is an elegantly done up communal dining hall in hues of jade green, as well as a number of private dining rooms for family functions, social gatherings, and business meetings.

If you are looking for formal corporate meals and functions, the culinary team also offers customised menus specially crafted.

With an extensive menu designed by Group Executive Chef Martin Foo and team, there are broad-ranging choices – containing quite a number of Crystal Jade’s signature dishes, a la carte highlights suitable for sharing, and modern interpretations of classic fare.

As many of the dishes are served in sizeable portions, I would recommend coming here with your family and friends to experience a better spectrum of what they have to offer.

Starting with the dim sum, there is a spread of items categorised under “steamed”, “deep-fried/baked”, “rice roll”, and “congee and noodles”.

If you love certain recommended dim sum items from the other Crystal Jade restaurants, you may just find it here.

There are familiar favourites from the Steamed Custard Bun with Salted Egg Yolk ($6.80 for 3 pieces), Steamed Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf ($6.80 for 2 pieces), Deep-fried Mango Prawn Roll ($6.80 for 3 pieces), Hong Kong BBQ Pork Bun “Bo Lo Bun” ($6.30 for 3 pieces), Baked Mini Egg Tart ($5.80 for 3 pieces), Lean Meat with Century Egg Congee ($9.80), to Deep-fried Rice Roll with Salted Egg Yolk Shrimp ($8.80).

However, there are other well-loved classics jazzed up with unique touches.

Steamed Scallop Dumpling with Sliced Almond ($7.80 for 3 pieces)
Upon lifting the cover of the yellow dim sum basket, the pastel pink delicate skin and plump Australian scallops wrapped within would already draw some “wow”s.

Let’s just say they are very pretty, and taste just as worthy.

One pop in the mouth and you could slowly savour the moist and juicy flavours of the dumplings. These are further crowned with fragrant toasted sliced almonds lending it some crunch and bite.

Hong Kong Style Steamed Tofu with Minced Meat stuffed in Bamboo Pith ($6.30 for 3 pieces)
In contrast, the Hong Kong style Steamed Tofu would look more unassuming.

When you lift a piece up, it would remind you of a mini-pillow – bamboo pith with a blend of tofu and minced meat wrapped within.

Topped with egg-white sauce, this would appeal to those who love simpler flavours and the wobbly texture of soft tofu.

Deep-fried Dumpling with Chives Stem ($5.80 for 3 pieces)
These could remind you of gyozas or pot-sticker, but I assure you there is something about that crispy crust with a soft interior that made this more appetising and moreish.

The dumpling was thankfully not very greasy, filled with delightful combination of sweet chopped chives stem and minced shrimp.

While pork is the typical filling for dumplings like this, I thought that the bacon bits added the element of savouriness and surprise.

Moving on to the starters and appetisers, you get a range of both chilled and warm highlights which includes Deep-fried Mushrooms & Corn with Salted Egg Yolk ($11.80), Chilled Century Egg with Preserved Ginger ($8.80), and Crispy Beancurd with Salt & Pepper ($9.80).

Chilled Australian Baby Spinach topped with Salmon Roe & Japanese Sesame Sauce ($12.80)
These are bite-sized rolls of briefly-blanched and delicately wrapped Australian baby spinach topped with salmon roe and a touch of ‘goma’ (black sesame) dressing.

Chilled Jellyfish and Fresh Lily Bulb in Wasabi Aged Vinegar ($14.80)
This refreshing appetiser has an intriguing texture.

I had jellyfish appetisers before, but this version happened to be crunchier and bouncier than usual, also with a gelatinous and smooth side.

Another element worthy of mention was the dressing of aged vinegar spiked with punchy wasabi, which would be described as ”kai wei” 开胃 (stimulating the appetite).

BBQ Roasted Combination ($24.80 for 2 varieties, $29.80 for 3 varieties)
The perennial favourite BBQ Roasted Combination which features a variety of succulent and well-charred roast meats.

Choose from specialities of pork belly, BBQ pork, roasted duck, or soya sauce chicken.

Roasted Pork Collar marinated with Mirin Sauce ($19.80)
Wonderfully marbled pork collar meat marinated with mirin which gives it a touch of sweetness.

Roasted till the pieces are slight-crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, you can further enhance the taste with a dip of zesty Thai-inspired sauce.

Fish Maw Superior Thick Soup with Mushroom served in Hot Stone Bowl ($32.80/person)
Nourishing soups are also a cornerstone at Crystal Jade Pavilion, with choices of Double-boiled Whole Yellow Melon Soup with Seafood ($18.80/person), Double-boiled Black Chicken Soup with Conpoy & Pine Mushroom ($23.80/person) to Four Treasures Thick Soup with Fish Maw & Conpoy ($13.80/person).

As for the most luscious of it all in my opinion, it would be the Fish Maw Superior Thick Soup brimming with fresh shiitake, king oyster and white beech mushrooms and premium fish maw served in Hot Stone Bowl.

The crispy spring roll ‘cigar’ that accompanies would be great to dip into the soup with.

Grilled Cod Fish Fillet with Lemon Lime Salt ($19.80)
Lightly-browned grilled cod fish with buttery-flesh, accentuated with a touch of lemon-lime salt.

Crab Steamed with Egg White (seasonal price)
This dish to me is one of the highlights of Crystal Jade Pavilion. Mud crab is steamed with egg white, a touch of Chinese wine and a light touch of seasoning.

This silky steamed egg would likely remind you of chawanmushi, elevated with the innate sweet flavours of the crab juices which blends harmoniously with the egg whites.

Pan-fry Live Prawns with Superior Soya Sauce (seasonal price)
A classic Cantonese dish using fresh-from-the-tank prawns which would provide that flavourful and sweet bite.

The crustaceans are flash-fried over high heat with superior soya sauce which creates a dark caramel-like layer. Smoky and sweet.

Free Range Chicken with Rice Wine & Ginger ($28.80 for half, $56.80 for whole)
A healthful pot of free-range chicken stew entices with tender chicken pieces, black fungus mushroom strips and Chinese celery steeped in fragrant Chinese rice wine, Hakka yellow wine and ginger.

Best eaten when it is out piping hot.

Sautéed Beef Cubes with Foie Gras Sauce & Garlic ($36.80)
If you enjoyed the Sautéed Beef Cube with Shishito Peppers in Black Pepper Sauce offered at Crystal Jade Palace, you would likely fall for this too.

This dish is prepared with premium USDA beef short-rib cubes expertly flash-fried to achieve that desirable wok hei, then topped with deep-fried garlic slivers

The foie gras sauce completes the dish with that added rich buttery flavour.

Braised Vermicelli with Conpoy, Fish Meat & Egg White ($24.80)
The bee hoon is braised in chicken stock so you can imagine those flavours after they absorb the essence. It is then surrounded with fluffy scrambled egg whites studded with fish and conpoy.

Clean and comforting flavours.

Well, a meal is not complete without some sweet temptations. Crystal Jade Pavilion’s exquisite desserts range from the refreshing Coconut Jelly with Fresh Milk in Whole Coconut ($9.80/per person), Almond Cream with Peach Resin ($8.80/per person), Chilled Mango Purée with Sago and Pomelo ($8.80/per person), to Chilled Osmanthus Jelly ($6.80 for 4 pieces) to Deep-fried Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Ball “Jian Dui” ($6.80 for 3 pieces).

Double-boiled Snow Pear with Chuan Bei & Almond ($8.80/per person)
Available hot or chilled, this dessert consists of a soothing combination of snow pear with chuan bei and almond. Chuan bei helps clear phlegm and heat, while also being nourishing.

Lemongrass Jelly and Sour Plum Aloe Vera in Lime ($7.80/per person)
A refreshing dessert with homemade lemongrass jelly and aloe vera with lime juice; a great dessert to aid digestion after a hearty meal.

Crystal Jade Pavilion
75 Airport Boulevard #01-02 Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore 819664
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3pm Last Order 2:45pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:45pm (Mon – Fri)
Lunch 10:30am – 3pm Last Order 2:45pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:45pm (Sat, Sun, PH & PH Eve)

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

As an affordable Italian restaurant in Singapore, PocoLoco is a gem waiting to be discovered. Tucked away in the Upper Thomson neighbourhood, you could easily miss it if you don’t pay attention.

Reviewed as “Food King Good”, they started off at Ang Mo Kio and has expanded to Jurong (Snow City Level 2), Royal Square@Novena, Yishun Wisteria Mall, and Upper Thomson – all slightly off-the-radar locations.

PocoLoco is known to take quality Italian-sourced ingredients and transform them into affordably-priced dishes.

After all, Italian food is often seen a premium cuisine.

Aside from the imported raw materials, it often requires well-trained culinary and service staff for full table service, adding to the cost of running the business.

It is quite different at PocoLoco. Since it started off at the heartlands of Singapore, and continue to sell their food at “heartlands prices”.

If you have a thirst for European cuisine, check out these recommended dishes, lifted from its well-executed menu. You may find Japanese influences here and there, but Italian cuisine is at its core.

Mentaiko ($14.90)
A must-try pasta is PocoLoco’s Tagliolini.

Tagliolini, what? Actually, it’s not tagliatelle either. Both are traditional egg pasta cut into ribbons, so let’s say tagliolini is tagliatelle’s lesser known cousin. The difference is in the ‘taglia’ or cut, with tagliolini strands around 2-3 mm wide.

Enjoy this pasta with a Japanese-inspired cream sauce with mentaiko (marinated cod roe) from the Chubu region of Japan.

The spicy cod roe which imparts that orange-pink colour, giving it slight spiciness which complements the buttery, creamy sauce.

Uni Tagliolini ($21.40)
A variation of the previous pasta is Uni Tagliolini. This time, they use fresh Hokkaido sea urchin in the sauce, bringing a sweet taste with a faint scent of the sea.

It is prepared pepperoncino style – if you love a dash of spicy, these pickled pepperoncini peppers (a.k.a. Tuscan peppers) will add a lightly sweet heat tang to your pasta.

When you mix the sea urchin into the pasta, you get that rich, buttery and ‘sea-taste’ in the mix.

Order this as your main or even as just an appetizer, if you’re planning to go all in.

Smoked Tuna ($14.90)
It’s hard to imagine going Italian without a pasta dish in your meal. Try their Smoked Tuna Pasta served with a creamy cheesy sauce.

The gorgonzola, a type of fresh, blue-veined cheese produced in the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, adds a biting taste that cuts through the creaminess of the sauce.

It also adds buttery, salty notes making this a savoury pasta through-and through.

Fegato D’oca ($18.70)
Fegato di oca aka foie gras is one of the premium ingredients you’ll find laden on your dish.

A slice of this luxury food product made from duck liver is topped over a plate of risotto.

A Northern Italian rice dish, the risotto is cooked with a flavourful broth until it becomes creamy. Order this to experience a blend of rich and velvety flavours in your palate.

Canelloni Ripiene De Angelo ($17.00)
Moving on to filled pastas, this canelloni dish uses minced lamb drenched in white béchamel sauce as its filling.

The large, green-coloured tube pasta is hand-made fresh to achieve a quality product (boxed pastas are a no-no).

If you love layered pastas like a lasagne, your palate will be familiar with this style of filled pasta.

Pollo De Senape ($18.10)
Another main you could try is the Pollo de Senape (senape is mustard in Italian), especially if you prefer white meat.

Using chicken tenders, they saute the strips of meat in a creamy sauce spiced up with mustard. Mushrooms are also thrown in to add a depth of earthy flavour.

Roasted Pork Rack ($23.50)
If your eyes roll in delight at the sight of a beautifully roasted rack of pork, then this could make you go mamma mia.

Made with Iberico pork, the rack is well-seasoned and cooked tender and juicy that its meat comes right off the bone.

A thin layer of salsa verde adds a mustard-like taste that complements the flavour of pork.

Funghi ($7.00)
Some of the popular starters at PocoLoco include Bruschetta ($5.90), Gamberi – sautéed prawns and butter, garlic and lemon ($9.50), Vongole ($11.70), and Portobello ($13.80).

A recommendation is to start off your meal with different types of mushrooms, sautéed until soft and al dente to the bite.

This dish also makes good vegetarian option – as an appetizer or a side dish to your creamy pasta.

Calamari ($10.60)
This seafood appetizer combines the delectable crunchy of deep-fried calamari with the piquant kick of a spicy tomato sauce.

Using fresh squid that has been sliced and evenly battered, this dish is a delight to bite. Make sure you savour it right after the dish is served to maximize its crisp-level factor.

Zuppa di Riboluta Toscana ($9.50)
Next up is an Italian soup, prepared particularly Tuscan-style. It combines assorted vegetables and complements their nutritious profile with a boost of flavour from Parma ham.

This type of dry-cured ham (sometimes called Prosciutto di Parma, comes from the Parma region of Italy. Its saltiness and tremendous flavours add a remarkable flavour to this soup.

So cosy up and enjoy the warmth of your zuppa with the accompanying homemade toasted bread.

Tiramisu ($8.50) and Panna Cotta ($5.90)
End the meal with sweet treats, such as Panna Cotta ($5.90), Tiramisu ($7.90) and Matcha Lava Cake ($11.70).

PocoLoco has made it easier for us to enjoy quality Italian food at pocket—friendly prices.

PocoLoco – Upper Thomson
215F Upper Thomson Road Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 8436 3363
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm Last Order 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Fri),
12pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Sat, Sun, PH)
Reservation Online – PocoLoco

PocoLoco – Novena
Royal Square @ Novena, 103 Irrrawaddy Road #02-08 Singapore 329566
Tel: +65 8699 6664

PocoLoco – Yishun
Wisteria Mall 598 Yishun Ring Road #01-37/38 Singapore 768698
Tel: +65 8826 1919

PocoLoco – Ang Mo Kio
408 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 #01-779 Singapore 560408
Tel: +65 8436 3363

PocoLoco Microbrewery – Jurong
Snow City Level 2, 21 Jurong Town Hall Road Singapore 609433
(Alight at Jurong East Station on the East West Line and walk 10-15 min or transfer to Bus No. 335 or 66.)
Tel: +65 8438 3833

Opening Hours for all PocoLoco outlets:
Lunch 12pm – 3pm Last Order 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Fri),
12pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Sat, Sun, PH)

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