[Bangkok] Sawang Bami Kam Pu or Sawang Noodles is a new establishment with a “Bib Gourmand” in the Michelin Guide Bangkok, specialising in Bamee Noodles.

Or what some people would call Thai-style Wanton Noodles.

Come over for dinner or a late snack, as they are open up to 11pm every day. Because it is located on a rather dark road, you may just walk past without even noticing the shop.

Sawang Noodles was originally located close to the Bangkok train station in Hua Lam Phong.

It is related to Sawang Noodles on Phetchaburi Road – which is opened by a relative it would seem.

Experience how this family-run business whips up their noodles with crab claws. These tasty, fleshy crab claws have made them popular, helping them succeed and expand to 3 outlets.

The most basic bowl is the Egg Noodle with Barbecue Pork at 60 baht (SGD2.70), while the popular choice is the Egg Noodle with Shrimp Wonton, Barbecue Pork and Crab Meat at 100 baht (SGD4.50).

If you are feeling indulgent, then the bowl is Crab Claws would cost 400 baht (SGD18) for a large bowl, in which a fleshy crab claw is added along with wonton or diced meats on your egg noodles (served dry) with some chopped spring onions.

All in all, more expensive than the average street stall.

Noodles are hand-pulled here, so they may remind you of those from Hong Kong except this is much thinner but no less springy.

The egg noodles had a delicious, bouncy (what some may call al dente) bite.

Tossed in minimal sauce and pork lard, there was this appealing fragrance and subtle flavours.

The locals would add in more of the fish sauce and chilli flakes for seasoning, but I would recommend trying the original taste first.

Portions are considered little though. Take 2-3 mouthfuls and your bowl could be gone.

Another thing to note is soup does not come complimentary, but you really will have to add that 20 baht for the bowl because it is something tasty to slurp on the side.

Sawang Bami Kam Pu (Si Phraya)
264 Si Phraya Road, Maha Phruttharam, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 236 1772
Opening Hours: 5pm – 11pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Google Map – Sawang Bami Kam Pu

Other Related Entries
Sawang Noodles (Phetchaburi Rd, Bangkok)
Sabx2 Wanton Noodles (Bangkok, Thailand)
Bamee Gua (Khwaeng Lumphini, Bangkok)
Raan Jay Fai (Mahachai Road, Bangkok)
Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice (Pratunam, Bangkok)

Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

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If you have walked from Paya Lebar MRT to Paya Lebar Quarter, you may have taken note of this new café in the corner.

Morphine Coffee already has an eye-catching name with its use of “morphine” (taken in directed medication to remove pain).

This may look like another next-door coffee place, but how they brew their coffee is varied from the usual typical practices. Their drinks could therefore taste different from the norm.

In terms of pricing, there are some inexpensive drinks such as the Cold Brew Coffee O ($2.10), Hot Coffee O ($1.80), Coffee C ($2.00) and “Tea C” ($1.80), slightly cheaper than the average chain store.

Also available are other specialty drinks such as Specialty Black Cold Brew No. 18 ($5.50), Iced Ginger Ale ($5.00), Hojicha Latte ($5.00), and Matcha Latte ($5.50).

Its prime location makes it a good place for a grab-and-go. There are no seats around, but you can grab one of those in PLQ’s delegated public sitting area.

However, during my first visit I ordered the usual Coffee C ($2.00) and thought that something was missing.

If you wanted a perk-me-up and did not get any explanations (or read this), you may just wonder if something is ‘wrong’ with the drink because it does taste different.

First things first, they are leaving out the sugar, margarine, corn etc. in the roasting, so as to bring out a more natural coffee flavour and taste in the traditional local coffee.

They also use a higher graded Robusta beans, which can be matched with the evaporated or condensed milk.

However, they recommend drinking the items straight black so that customers can appreciate them at its most natural state.

Even though there is an espresso machine in their store, their method of brewing is from filter and cold brew, so you won’t get that strong bitter coffee extraction flavour in any of their products.

Their rationale is that ”cold brewing brings out more flavour in the coffee as the coffee oils are not easily washed away when drowned in hot boiling water”.

Some customers could feel that the drink would be ”poh”, (“poh” in Hokkien means “thin”) or otherwise diluted.

(Photo credit: Nicholas Tan @stormscape)

Their cold brewed Hojicha Latte ($5.00) and Matcha Latte ($5.50) in cute (some say photogenic) bottles, available in limited quantities.

Similarly, some people could find the drinks more diluted than usual, lacking the robustness and milkiness one would expect.

The products of Morphine Coffee is likely to keep customers divided, but like their name, it is a bold step they are taking.

Morphine Coffee
10 Paya Lebar Road, #01-K5, PLQ Plaza, Paya Lebar Quarter, Singapore 409057
Tel: +65 6802 2321
Opening Hours: 9am – 9:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun) (Soft launch opening hours)

Other Related Entries
Narrative Coffee Stand (Bras Basah Complex)
Starter Lab (Havelock Road)
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee (VivoCity)
Banchong Café (Kallang Junction)
PPP Coffee (Funan)

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

Les Amis and Odette are the newly crowned 3 Michelin Star restaurants in the 4th edition of the Michelin Guide in Singapore.

The Michelin Guide Singapore 2019 has awarded stars to a total of 44 restaurants, including 8 new starred-restaurants and 5 promotions. It includes:
– Two restaurants with 3 stars
– Five restaurants with 2 stars
– 37 restaurants with one star

It appears that French restaurants are getting a bountiful year, with Odette, Les Amis and Saint Pierre moving up the ranks.

A week earlier, it was announced that 58 food places in Singapore were awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, with 12 new entries including Fu Ming Cooked Food (Carrot Cake) and Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow.

The two NEW 2-stars restaurants are:
– Saint Pierre (moved from 1 star)
– Zén

The nine NEW 1-star restaurants include:
– Basque Kitchen by Aitor
– Buona Terra
– Cheek Bistro (previously known as Cheek by Jowl)
– Restaurant JAG
– Lerouy
– Meta Restaurant (moved location)
– Table 65
– Terra
– Vianney Massot (previously known as Bacchanalia)

Crystal Jade Golden Palace which was previously awarded 1-star has dropped out this year. It is currently listed under the “Michelin Plate” category.

Chef Rishi Naleendra who previously helmed 1-Michelin starred Cheek by Jowl, ‘regains’ it back with the rebranded Cheek Bistro.

Terra Restaurant which was listed in the inaugural guide and dropped out 2 years ago, returns with 1 star.

Some may be perplexed why Meta Restaurant would be considered a “new restaurant”. That is because it moved from 9 to 1 Keong Saik Road.

The two hawker stalls Hawker Chan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles retain their 1 star, but there are views that the standard of Hawker Chan’s chicken rice may not be that consistent anymore.

When preparing the selection, Michelin inspectors reviewed all types of cuisines and considered only the quality of the food.

All establishments are selected according to the same five criteria used by Michelin inspectors around the world. They are:
1) quality of the ingredients used
2) mastery of cooking techniques and flavors
3) projection of the chef’s personality in his cuisine
4) value for money
5) consistency – both over time and across the entire menu.

Other factors, such as place, décor, service and facilities offered, are supposedly not considered.

3 Michelin stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

– Les Amis (Shaw Centre) – French

– Odette (National Gallery Singapore) – French contemporary

2 Michelin stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour
The personality and talent of the chef and their team is evident in the refined, expertly crafted dishes.

– Saint Pierre (One Fullerton) – French contemporary (NEW, moved up from 1 star)

– Shisen Hanten by Chef Kentaro (Mandarin Orchard Singapore) – Chinese

– Shoukouwa (One Fullerton) – Sushi

– Waku Ghin (Marina Bay Sands) – Japanese contemporary

– Zén (NEW)

1 Michelin Star: A very good restaurant in its category
Within their category, these establishments use quality ingredients and serve carefully prepared dishes with distinct flavours.

– Alma (Goodwood Park Hotel) – European contemporary

– Basque Kitchen by Aitor (NEW)

– Beni (Mandarin Gallery, Orchard) – French contemporary

– Braci (Boat Quay) – Italian contemporary

– Buona Terra (NEW)

– Burnt Ends (Teck Lim Road) – Barbeque

– Candlenut (Dempsey) – Peranakan

– Chef Kang’s (25 Mackenzie Road) – Cantonese

– Cheek Bistro (NEW)

– Corner House (Botanic Gardens) – Innovative

– CUT (Marina Bay Sands) – Steakhouse

– Garibaldi (36 Purvis Street) – Italian

– JAG (NEW)

– Hawker Chan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (Chinatown Food Complex, Smith Street) – Street Food

– Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles (Crawford Lane) – Street Food

– Iggy’s (581 Orchard Road, Hilton Singapore) – European contemporary

– Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine (ION Orchard) – Teochew

– JAAN (Swissotel the Stamford) – French contemporary

– Jiang-Nan Chun (Four Seasons Hotel) – Cantonese

– Labyrinth (Esplanade) – Innovative

– Lei Garden (CHIJMES) – Cantonese

– Lerouy (NEW)

– Ma Cuisine (38 Craig Road) – French

– Meta (NEW)

– Nouri (Amoy Street) – Innovative

– Putien Restaurant (Kitchener Road) – Fujian

– Rhubarb Le Restaurant (Duxton Hill) – French contemporary

– Saint Pierre (One Fullerton) – French contemporary

– Shinji by Kanesaka (Carlton Hotel) – Sushi

– Shinji by Kanesaka (St Regis Hotel) – Sushi

– Summer Palace (Regent Singapore) – Cantonese

– Summer Pavilion (Ritz-Carlton, The Millenia Singapore) – Cantonese

– Sushi Ichi (Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel) – Sushi

– Sushi Kimura (Palais Renaissance) – Sushi

– Table 65 (NEW)

– Terra (NEW)

– The Song of India (Scotts Road) – Indian

– Vianney Massot (NEW)

Other Related Entries
Michelin Singapore – Restaurant Reviews
Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2019
10 “Michelin Plate” Hawker Stalls In Singapore
54 Must-Eat Famous Singapore Food, And Where To Find Them
12 NEW Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurants & Hawker Stalls In Singapore

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

Unless you specifically knew that there is a café within this single storey long house along East Coast Road, chances of you entering it would be low.

Mod Café is situated in refurnished pink-coloured single storey detached house (with ample outdoor parking space), right next to a hair salon.

There were a number of “Mod Cafes” in Singapore previously, but this is an entirely new setup.

Interesting to know that a hair salon is their core business, while the café is created to provide guests a place to chill and relax before or after their hair treatment (or when husbands need to wait for their wives).

This places used to house horses (!) but has been once transformed to a “lifestyle garden centre”. It is a quiet space, rather white with natural daylight, with wall-art painted by Bill Ho from Eight Cafe & Bar.

The food menu at Mod Café is kept lean, with items of All Day Breakfast ($14.90), Eggs & Mushrooms ($10.90), French Toast ($8.90), Broccoli Soup ($6.90), Mushroom Soup ($6.90), Chicken Pie ($5.50), and Shitake Mushroom Pie ($5.50).

A highlight is that they also serve up Cheesecakes ($7.90, $8.90 a slice) from The Cheesecake Factory, in flavours of original, key lime and caramel.

The Caramel Cheesecake had a delightful soft creamy texture, dollop of slightly sweetened whipped cream, and a blonde brownie base.

I imagined it to be much sweeter, but surprisingly not too much with delicate caramel which reminded me of toffee.

The Thai Chicken Wrap ($7.50) was not as spicy as imagined, also with a rather sweet touch.

It contained roasted chicken leg tossed in Thai sweet chilli sauce and cheddar cheese, in a yellow-coloured lemon wrap. You may have seen another version of this floating around at other cafes.

For drinks, check out their range of hot and iced coffee ($4.90 – $7.90) and Organic Tea range exclusively from the Tea Forte ($6.90 for hot, $7.50 for iced) in flavours of Green Mango Peach, Ginger Lemongrass, Orchid Vanilla, Blueberry Merlot.

For foodies and coffee drinkers, it is of short walking distance from Firebake, Brawn & Brains Coffee, and Forty Hands – if you need to find alternatives.

All in all, Mod Café is a homely and cosy space, and perhaps the only place where you can find The Cheesecake Factory items in the east of Singapore.

Mod Cafe
1A Kuo Chuan Avenue Singapore 426888
Tel: +65 9816 1877
Opening Hours: 9am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Brawn & Brains Coffee (East Coast Road)
Firebake (East Coast Road)
Forty Hands (East Coast Road)
Kota88 Restaurant (East Coast Road)
Cafe De Nicole’s Flower (Telok Kurau 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.

While the queue at Singapore’s first Tsui Wah outlet at Clarke Quay may have dwindled, fans would still be excited to know that there is now a 2nd outlet at Orchard Road.

This is especially so when a couple of Hong Kong style cha chaan teng didn’t survive that long in this part of the Orchard Road belt. Remember Xin Wang at Cineleisure? Remember Ruyi Sweetheart?

This Tsui Wah is a two-storey 192-seater establishment which features a quick service concept on Level 1 and a contemporary-styled restaurant on Level 2.

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

Outside = no aircon; inside = aircon (can smell kitchen). You choose.

Closing hours are at 10:30pm though, with last orders at 9:45pm. Otherwise, it would have been a suitable supper place for Orchard Road night owls.

As for the queue system, customers will be informed via SMS so they can keep cool shopping at Heeren and return when it is time to be seated.

If this is your first time to Tsui Wah, pick one of those Top 10 signatures, including the Pork Chop Bun ($8.50), Kagoshima-style Braised Pork Cartilage with Tossed Instant Noodles ($10.50), Crispy Bun with Condensed Milk ($4), Brisket Curry with Steamed Rice ($15), Chicken Wings in Supreme Sauce ($13) and Jumbo Hot Dog ($6.50).

Okay, the not-so-good news. Many of the items are about 50 cents to $2 pricier (when I compare to the first menu at Clarke Quay).

Also one of the most iconic items – the Fish Paste Puffs in Fish Soup with Mixian, has been removed from the menu. Nooooooo….

The Kagoshima-Style Braised Pork Cartilage with Tossed Instant Noodles ($10.50), is a homage dish to a Japanese chef who shared this recipe with Tsui Wah.

Stewed for many hours daily, the pork cartilage is tender, chewy and gelatinous, with a good savoury aroma.

The chunks of pork are served over Hong Kong’s famed instant noodles, coated in a luscious gravy.

I also had the Stir-Fried Flat Rice Noodles with Beef ($14.50), a not bad rendition with tender beef slices except that it was a tad oily and salty.

Tsui Wah The Heeren will also be including two new dishes at Level 2, such as the Mala Prawns ($11) – mala soup of prawns in a broth laden with enoki mushrooms and stewed radish; and the Assorted Vegetables and Prawns Curry with Steamed Rice ($16).

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

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

Tsui Wah – Clarke Quay
3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-03, Singapore 179020.
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun), 11am – 4am (Fri, Sat)

Other Related Entries
10 Hong Kong Cafes In Singapore
Tsui Wah Singapore (Clarke Quay)
Xin Wang (Kovan)
Mui Kee (Shaw Centre)
Tai Cheong Bakery Singapore (Holland Village)

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

Saint Pierre is the newly awarded 2 Michelin star restaurant in the Michelin Guide Singapore, the brainchild of owner-chef Emmanuel Stroobant and his wife Edina Hong.

More than just a restaurant, Saint Pierre is Chef Emmanuel Stroobant’s homage to the gastronomic arts.

19 years. They came a long way from being at Central Mall, Quayside Isle to taking over this space previously occupied by the Butter Factory nightclub.

Friends who dine at Saint Pierre more regularly told me that the food has gotten more intricate every single visit.

Known for his Asian-inflected French fare, Liege-born Emmanuel Stroobant creates dishes reflecting his signature style, ie “essence-centric cuisine”.

It is the culmination of his culinary career and personal journey of self-discovery. He is devoted to freshness and quality, and takes a spiritual view of cooking. That is why you will see his menu has strong vegetarian leanings.

Guests love how he uses organic, wholesome and fresh produce that emphasizes on purity and simplicity.

This smart-dressed 2000-sq ft restaurant dons a modern 30-seater dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing a picturesque view of Marina Bay.

The posh interiors are in neutral hues. Pristine white and grey tablecloths deck the tables.

You will see crockery imported from Japan, paired with elegant cutletries made by Christofle, a luxurious French silverware brand. Natural light generously fills the space, creating in an airy-laid back ambiance.

Great choice for those on a date. Why?

Saint Pierre is praised not only for its great views of the marina, but also for its assured service and discreet atmosphere.

I happened to get a table when there were fireworks going on nearby (didn’t plan for it), and it certainly made the meal very magical.

The Seasonal Menu is classified into Classic ($198 per person), Discovery ($248 per person), and Adventure ($298 per person).

By all means, you can upgrade your menu by paying extra for wine accompaniment (choice of standard or premium wines), and cheese supplement ($28).

With the Discovery Menu, you’re getting the “Chef’s Choice”, i.e. you entrust your dining experience to Saint Pierre Team as they create an 8-course meal based on highlights from current season.

As the dishes change seasonally, I won’t dwell too much into detail on each item.

Signature dishes that I had include starter like Scallop with Hokkaido scallop, kaffir lime leaf, coconut and jalapeno.

The highlight dish to me was the “Cod” – roasted Atlantic cod, oxtail consommé, chervil powder, Jerusalem artichoke, with its freshness and intricate flavours coming well together.

I was glad the dessert was both indulgent and refreshing, a take on Chocolate with tanariva-manjari chocolate, orange cremeux and pear-passion jelly.

If you are looking at having something more affordable, the Set Lunch Menus (3-course at $88 per person, 4-course $118) are available Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11:30am to 3pm, with last seating at 1:30pm.

The Wine Menu is extensive (pick by the glass or by the bottle, from all parts of the world) as well as the Digestif Menu (coffee, tea and alcoholic drinks).

This family-friendly atmosphere sets it apart from most fine dining restaurants, usually formal aka intimidating (even for adults).

If you are dining as a family with kids in tow, do consider Saint Pierre. A fine dining restaurant that will make you feel at home.

Saint Pierre (One Fullerton)
1 Fullerton Road, #02-02B One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 6438 0887
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3pm Last seating 1:30pm, Dinner 6:30pm – 11pm Last seating 9pm (Tue – Sat), Closed Sun, Mon
https://www.saintpierre.com.sg

Other Related Entries
Odette (National Gallery Singapore)
Corner House (Botanic Gardens)
Shoukouwa (One Fullerton)
Les Amis (Shaw Centre)
Burnt Ends (Teck Lim Road)

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

After the Michelin Guide Singapore and Bib Gourmand lists were announced, I was also curious which stalls were categorised under the “Michelin Plate” as well.

Now, it is worth noting that Pondok Makan Indonesia is one of the few Michelin-listed halal eateries in Singapore.

The others include Hjh Maimunah Restaurant, Bismillah Biryani at Dunlop Street, Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, Allauddin’s Briyani and Y.R Ahmad (at ABC Brickworks Food Centre).

Pondok Makan Indonesia is considered one of the more under-the-radar names, located just a few minutes away from MRT Bugis Station at Albert Centre Market & Food Centre.

Offering a variety of Indonesian hawker fare, including Mee Rebus ($3), Mee Siam ($3), Gado Gado ($3), Tahu Goreng ($3), Soto Ayam ($3), Nasi Soto ($3.50, $4), Lontong ($3), Satay ($0.60 per stick, minimum 10 sticks).

Most of their food item are about $3, making it very affordable fare.

Its Satay seems to be the most popular choice, the skewered chicken well-marinated with a touch of sweetness and turmeric-spices.

You may note that even the Mutton Satay (which is recommend) are not overly charred and in fact rather ‘fair’, retaining the juiciness and not tough.

Another great find was their Tahu Goreng ($3), with lightly crispy fried beancurd and it was the thick, slightly-spicy over-flowing peanut sauce that stole the show.

Sometimes not peanut sauces are fresh-tasting, worse if it is lao-hong and lose its crunchiness.

The Mee Rebus ($3) with its thick and flavourful potato sauce, makes it a worthy contender for one of the best I had in Singapore. Plus, there is a homely feel to the rendition.

Pondok Makan Indonesian
270 Queen St. #01-123 Albert Centre Market & Food Centre, Singapore 180270
Tel: +65 9155 6623
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Bismillah Biryani (Dunlop Street)
Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring (Geylang Road)
Hjh Maimunah Restaurant (Jalan Pisang)

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

NTU students may grumble and complain that there is literally nothing to eat in school – at least when it comes to hipster café food and coffee.

The next nearest place to get that would be Jurong Point, and that is not saying much.

Drumroll for the good news… there is actually a NEW, legit café that recently opened within the school compound.

Like FINALLY.

Connect 71 Café or C71 is located within Innovation Centre (previously SIMTech Tower Block).

For students who only go your lecture theatre and back, it is conveniently situated right beside the Arc – NTU’s latest learning hub.

For those taking 179/179A, alight at Lee Wee Nam Library bus stop and walk for about 3-4 minutes. (If you still do not know where, take a shuttle bus and go a couple of rounds for orientation.)

The café is already packed with students and staff during its opening days, which can make you convinced that NTU is finally hip.

The interior felt really cosy, and doesn’t lose out to the cafes you would find outside.

Connect 71 currently serves four different bowls as mains, including Mazesoba ($8), Lor Bak Bowl ($8), Yakitori Bowl ($8), and Gyu Don ($9).

Plus a FREE drink, and NTU Students and Staff enjoy a further 10% discount. *dances a happy dance*

The Yakitori Don ($8) is served with 4 chicken thigh skewers drizzled with mentaiko mayonnaise.

For its price, the chicken was succulent and quite evenly grilled. Mixing the onsen egg together with the rice, along with the crunch coming from the edamame and corn made a good interplay of textures.

The shaved beef rib-eye meat in the Gyudon ($9) was surprisingly well-marinated, possibly a quality I would not expect coming from a school café.

However, the bowl could be a tad greasy with an accumulation of oil from the meat settling at the bottom of the bowl.

Other bowls include the Lor Bak Bowl ($8) which features slow braised pork belly and the B.M.E Mazesoba ($7). B.M.E stands for Burst, Mix and Eat, suggesting that you break the onsen egg, minced spiced pork and soba noodles together for the best experience.

Every purchase of a bowl comes with a Free Cold Brew Tea, in flavours such as Simply Mango, Fruit Basket and Jasmine Green.

According to the staff, the flavour of the cold brew tea will change every now and then.

I had the Milky Oolong Cold Brew Tea and it was quite fragrant.

Connect also serves a basic range of coffee beverages you typically see in cafes such as Black ($4), White ($4.5), Mocha ($5) and Chocolate ($4.50).

(They are currently having a 1-for-1 promotion for drinks until 31st September.)

The White was slightly acidic, and while they claim to be the best coffee in campus (the next best coffee is perhaps from Starbucks LOL), they certainly won’t be the best in Singapore.

I foresee this place being popular among students and staff, as the quality of the food is on the better side compared to some of the stalls around (I shall not elaborate further…)

This is quite a pleasant place to chill, catch up over coffee, you know… go on a date. Like “Lets go to Connect 71 to connect”.

If you are thinking of heading here for mugging and copying completing tutorials, there are not many sockets to connect your plugs.

Connect 71 Cafe
71 Nanyang Drive #03-23 NTU Innovation Centre Singapore 638075
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Mon-Fri), By Reservations Only (Sat-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/c71singapore

* 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.

[Ipoh, Malaysia] There many online reviews claiming that Funny Mountain is the best beancurd in Ipoh.

Ranked Number 2 for quick bites on TripAdvisor and an average score of 4.0 out of 5 with almost 1000 reviews on Google Maps, Funny Mountain Beancurd seems like one popular place to visit for first time tourists in Ipoh.

I do find their name interesting and funny (pun unintended) at the same time, I mean will I smile after tasting their food?

Opened in 1952, Funny Mountain is currently located near to the popular food street in Ipoh with Restoran Tuck Kee 怡保德记 and Jln Theatre Coffee in the vicinity.

Currently managed by the 3rd generation, the recipe for the Tau Fu Fa (beancurd) and Soy Milk originates from Shantou, Guangdong, China, and is passed on from their grandmother till the present.

Their soy beans are imported from Canada and USA and the beancurd and soy milk are freshly prepared manually daily.

Occupying the corner unit of a shophouse with no dine-in area, there are a total of 3 items on the menu written in English and Cantonese: Tau Fu Fah aka Beancurd (RM3, SGD1), Ais Kacang Soya aka Iced Soy Milk (Small bottle RM2.50, SGD0.85/ Large bottle RM6, SGD2) and Ais Lengkong aka Iced Grass Jelly (Small bottle RM2.50, SGD0.85/ Large bottle RM6, SGD2).

The staffs are skilful and efficient in preparing the orders, swiftly scooping 3 times out of the wooden barrel for each bowl of beancurd.

This bowl of Tau Fa Fah (RM3, SGD1) is served with syrup for sweetness, warm in temperature and (much) smaller than I had imagined.

Furthermore, it is also twice the price compared to Woong Kee (RM1.60, SGD0.55) and Big Mom Beancurd (RM1.40, SGD0.50).

This is a decent bowl of beancurd, with a smooth, wobbly, slightly denser texture and slightly too sweet for my liking.

Hmm, somehow this also reminded of Rochor Beancurd at Selegie in Singapore in terms of the syrup used and the texture.

Even though I preferred the beancurd over at Big Mom, Funny Mountain does have a fair share of fans judging from people braving the heat and enjoying a bowl of hot beancurd on the stools and standing along the roadside.

There is also an unspoken practice that cars will park near to the store and the service staff will take their orders and deliver to them though the window.

I guessed eating a bowl of hot beancurd in the air-conditioned car is definitely more enjoyable.

Funny Mountain Beancurd 奇峰豆腐花
50, Jalan Mustapa Al-bakri, Taman Jubilee, Ipoh, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10.30am until sold out (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Funny Mountain Beancurd

Other Related Entries
Woong Kee Traditional Bean Curd (Ipoh)
Restoran Tuck Kee 怡保德记 (Ipoh)
Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun (Ipoh)
Big Mom Beancurd 靓妈豆花店 (Ipoh)
Jln Theatre Coffee (Ipoh)

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

[Jakarta] When you hear about the word “soba”, first impressions may be the thin buckwheat noodles either chilled with a dipping sauce, or in hot broth as a noodle soup.

I never considered myself that big a fan of soba, but that changed after I visited Abura Soba Yamatoten – a chain brought from Shinjuku Tokyo. The outlets located at Senayan City Mall, PIK Avenue Mall, Grand Indonesia East Mall, and Mall Kelapa Gading 3.

I was delighted to learn that they serve dry, soupless “soba”. On top of that, what they mean by “soba” turned out to be a thick, chewy ramen.

Abura Soba which originated from Tokyo (more commonly known as Mazesoba in Singapore) is an oily type of ramen without soup. “Abura” literally means “oil”.

Abura Soba Yamatoten serves up a variety of choices, from Beef Abura Soba, Shio Sudachi Abura Soba, Karami Ontama, Creamy Tarako, Tan Tan, to Aburi Chashu Soba.

There are also donburi rice bowls, such as Aburi Chashu Don and Amakara Tori (chicken karaage) Don.

Having visited the various branches a couple of times, my favourite turned out to be the Jya Jya Abura Soba (IDR 73k, SGD7.30) which reminded me of Korean jjajangmyeon (which I am a big fan of).

Noodles used are Jukusei Kiwami noodles, made from Hokkaido’s wheat.

Compared to jjajangmyeon, this soba have a thicker sauce and good mixture of savory and sweet notes.

I would usually add a few dashes of vinegar and chili paste to elevate the flavours, when mixed well you get hints of sourness, savoury and spiciness all in a single bowl.

If you think the taste too intense, add an Ontama (IDR 10k, SGD1.00) to balance it out and for some gooeyness.

In contrast, the original Abura Soba (IDR 74k, SGD7.40) which is the most famous item on the menu, can be rather bland.

This is despite adding some vinegar and chili oil as instructed.

While the soupy or saucier version of Tan Tan Noodles is more commonly available here in Indonesia, The Tan Tan Abura Soba (IDR 72k, SGD7.20) is a more unusual drier version.

Good level of heat, that could send some sweat on your forehead.

For side dishes, you may consider the Pork Gyoza (IDR 36k, SGD3.60) which was presented with a rectangular paper-like crisp.

While the fillings was still rather moist, the portion could be bigger to enjoy the full oomph.

Other side dishes include Bamboo Shoot, Chicken Karaage, Grilled Corn & Cheese with pepper, Edamame, Potato Salad and Wasabi Potato Salad.

Of the lot, I would recommend getting the Soft Broiled Pork (IDR 56k, SGD5.60) – generous portion, nicely charred, making a great companion to the abura soba dish.

I had been patronizing Abura Soba Yamatoten a number of times, and seems like they do take serious about quality control, despite having numerous outlets nationwide.

Possibly one of the best chewy Mazesoba noodles you can find in Jakarta.

Abura Soba Yamatoten
Senayan City Mall, Lower Ground LG Floor #08-A, Jl. Asia Afrika No.19, Jakarta Pusat 10270
Tel: +6221 7278 2257
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

PIK Avenue Mall, Dontonbori, 2nd Floor, 2F-JT T7
Grand Indonesia East Mall, LG Floor #13&15
Mall Kelapa Gading 3 Ground Floor #G-58A (Gourmet Walk)

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

With so many Japanese restaurants, from casual to fine dining dotting the Singapore landscape, choosing which one to go to could be quite stressful. Especially if you can’t reconcile the quality you desire and the budget you have.

Thankfully, dining deals are here to ease your worries away.

Enjoy your favourite Japanese dishes in a modern, relaxing ambiance while savings dollars with attractive ChopeDeals vouchers.

ChopeDeals Online Food Festival is happening from 24 to 26 September.

Expect over 200 unbelievable dining deals ranging from heavily discounted 1-for-1s for signature mains, set menus and buffets at top restaurants, to timed flash deals AS LOW AS $1 at 12pm, 6pm and 8pm on these 3 days.

Here are 10 modern Japanese restaurants to explore, offering a wide spectrum of traditional and contemporary Japanese meals. For sure, your taste buds will find the perfect match as your wallets remain loaded.

RIZU Modern Japanese Cuisine
39 Duxton Hill Singapore 089617
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Tue – Sat), Closed Mon, Sun

Helmed by Head Chef Noboru Shimohigashi, RIZU Modern Japanese Cuisine is a dining oasis in the busy Duxton Hill district.

Its contemporary menu offers fresh sashimi, sushi, and omakase dishes, impressively crafted with precision.

Try their 6-Course Lunch Set (at an incredible price of 1-for-1 at $80.03 nett) which includes Marinated Mackerel, Whelk, Cucumber, Onsen Egg, Mushroom, Greeling (Ainame), Crab Soup Risotto, and Dessert of the day.

For the main, add $10 if you would like to switch to a Wagyu Beef Stew slow-cooked till fork-tender.

The highlight of the meal is definitely the Crab Soup Risotto, every mouthful with the delicate flavour and sweetness of the seafood.

Celebrate over some premium wine, champagne or sake (they’ve got an impressive line-up) while you relax in its ambiance, complete with soothing jazz music, and soft lighting.

ChopeDeals: 1-for-1 6-Course Lunch Set @ $80.03 nett, includes:
1. Marinated Mackerel
2. Whelk, Cucumber
3. Onsen Egg, Mushroom
4. Greeling (Ainame) OR Wagyu Beef Stew (+$10)
5. Crab Soup Risotto
6. Dessert of the day
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant
181 Orchard Road #12-02 Orchard Central Singapore (238896)
Opening Hours 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Sun – Thu, Sat)
12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 11:30pm (Fri)

Options abound here at the Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant, a one-stop shop for Japanese cuisine housing six unique dining concepts in one floor.

The restaurant is on the rooftop garden of Orchard Central, accessed from the 12th floor.

Named after Tokyo’s famous fish market, the restaurant is a paradise for Japanese food aficionados for its extensive menu. The seasonality of ingredients will excite you with a different set of dishes each day.

Spoil yourself with the freshest sashimi and sushi, crunchiest tempura (try Ebizo Signature Tempura Don), comforting ramen (the rich broth lekei ramen Sakuta-ya is a recommended), premium Wagyu beef, and more.

The highlight dish to get would be the Tsukiji Special Foie Gras Bara Chirashi Don ($25.80). It consists of fresh sashimi cubes (salmon, tuna, swordfish), salmon roe, flying fish roe, foie gras, and tamago all atop sushi rice. What makes this extra special is the chef’s secret ingredient in the vinegar mix for the rice.

The restaurant has also just launched an “UnaSho” concept, offering Hitsumabushi of barbecued grilled eel with thick and savoury sauce over rice. Great for Unagi lovers.

ChopeDeals: $35 for $50 cash voucher, $70 for $100 cash voucher
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Tenkaichi Japanese BBQ Restaurant (Marina Square)
6 Raffles Boulevard #03-129 Marina Square Shopping Mall Singapore 039594
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm Last Order 2pm, 5:30pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Fri)
11:30am – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Sat – Sun & PH)

8 Grange Road #02-11 Cineleisure Orchard Singapore 239695
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Thu)
12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm (Fri & Eve of PH), 12pm – 11pm (Sat), 12pm – 10pm (Sun)

A best-kept secret among Singaporean foodies who love Japanese cuisine, Tenkaichi Japanese BBQ Restaurant offers value-for-money buffets.

Go for either the Deluxe or Premium Yakiniku Buffet and get unlimited servings of Wagyu Beef and premium Seafood like Hokkaido Jumbo Oyster, Giant Scallop, and White Tuna.

Grill yourself a BBQ feast with multiple meats, from beef (ox tongue, beef belly and striploin) to pork (cheek fillet, smoked belly, collar, loin, and the uber tender Kuro Buta Kaburi or Black Pork Belly), to chicken (boneless leg, wing), and lamb intercostal (Lamb Nakaochi).

The restaurant uses premium Japan-sourced Wagyu Beef graded no less than a marbling score of 7+. Special Wagyu cuts, like ox tongue, short rib, beef rib intercostal, beef rib eye cap, and mixed beef & pork patty, are flown in from Kagoshima and Hokkaido, as well as US and Australia.

Elevate your meal with the Wagyu Beef Yukke topped with a runny egg yolk for that added indulgence.

Want lighter options? They have a medley of seafood to choose from. Salmon Belly, Sea Bream, Yellowtail, Mackerel, Tuna, and Octopus are available sashimi-style. You’ll also find spicy local fish cakes, prawns, squids, and capelin fish.

ChopeDeals: Signature Wagyu x Kaisen Don Dish at $13.34 (U.P $22.24), includes Wagyu Tataki with assorted fresh fish, topped with onsen egg and ikura
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

ChopeDeals: 55% off Deluxe BBQ & Shabu Shabu Buffet, prices start from $37.44 per pax (U.P $83.20)
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Unagiya Ichinoji Dining (Suntec City)
3 Temasek Boulevard #03-307 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Unagiya Ichinoji Dining is a Japanese dining concept specialises in serving unagi in three signature styles from Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka prefectures. This is its overseas outpost by Miyagawa, a famous 125-year-old unagi restaurant chain from Japan.

The highlight of the menu is their Hitsumabushi, a signature dish with eel cooked Nagoya-style – slender, and crisp.

Order this bowl of either steamed white Japanese rice or 16-multigrain Japanese rice generously topped with grilled unagi.

Almost like a ceremony, you can eat Hitsumabushi in four ways. First, divide your bowl into four portions and enjoy one portion on its own, relishing the eel’s delicate flavour. Second, add nori, wasabi, green onion, and mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and savour your rice and eel flavoured. Third, pour clear dashi, mix and eat. Lastly, create your own mix.

Eel fans will appreciate the distinction in how it’s grilled. Steamed-then-grilled, or accompanied with other ingredients, or torched to make it crisp outside and tender inside.

Choose between two special home-made unagi sauces – the saltier Japanese version with higher shoyu content, or the sweeter Singapore version.

ChopeDeals: Unagi Hitsumabushi Set at $29.80 (U.P $38.35)
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Umi Nami
8 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore 277674
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am (Mon – Sun)

What foodies are loving at Umi Nami is its affordability. This no-frills Jap place is located at the Holland Village area, a place convenient for after-work dinners.

If you want affordable donburis that doesn’t hurt the wallet priced between $10 – $25 (now 1-for-1 with drink included at only $15), check it out.

First up, it offers the popular Bara Chirashi Don with fresh chunks of tuna, salmon, tamago and squid atop traditional sushi rice.

Those who prefer their sashimi torched should get the Aburi Salmon Don, offering the same Japanese rice laden with chunks of aburi salmon. You’ll love how the slightly charred cubes simply melt in your mouth.

Maguro Tataki Don is also available with lightly-seared thinly-sliced blue-fin tuna in a black pepper marinade. Comes with a dollop of ponzu sauce to impart a citrus flavour.

ChopeDeals: 1-for-1 Donburi Bowl with drink at $15 (U.P $30.00)
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Mitsu Sushi Bar
21 Duxton Road, Singapore 089487
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

The next time you find yourself along the hip Duxton Road, drop by Mitsu Sushi Bar where they specialise in a variety of quality seafood.

“One fish, three ways”. This is one specialty of Mitsu Sushi Bar, where diners can order a whole fish (the fish of the day) and let the chef prepare three dishes out of it.

As for its 7-course Omakase, expect a bountiful meal of Tamago Tofu, Sashimi, Tempura Moriawase, Ikura Chawanmushi, Sushi, Miso Soup, and Dessert.

Look forward to freshness in its dishes as seafood and produces are imported in small batches five times per week from markets in Kyushu and Hokkaido.

ChopeDeals: 7-Course Omakase Menu at $60.00 Nett (U.P $80), includes
1. Tamago Tofu
2. Sashimi (5pc)
3. Tempura Moriawase
4. Ikura Chawanmushi
5. Sushi (6pc)
6. Miso Soup
7. Dessert
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Mikuni
80 Bras Basah Road Level 3 Fairmont Singapore, Singapore 189560
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Mikuni combines century-old Japanese culinary techniques with modern methods to give you a multi-sensory dining experience.

Choose from any of its three live stations – Teppanyaki, Sushi, and Robatayaki – each one boasting of the most premium seasonal produce.

Let each stationed chef take you on a culinary journey through masterfully prepared signature dishes.

For fans of Wagyu, go for the Miyazaki Wagyu Sirloin (200g) prepared Teppanyaki-style, the finest Wagyu from the Miyazaki Prefecture. It has that nice crisp surface from the light searing on the Teppan grill.

Good on its own succulence, or enhanced further with 4 available condiments: garlic chips, garlic soy sauce, wasabi, and anticucho sauce. Balance your meat with seasonal veggies served on the side.

ChopeDeals: $97.50 for $150 cash voucher
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Chi Kinjo
29 Stanley Street #01-01 Singapore 068738
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 12am (Mon – Fri), 6pm – 10:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun & PH

Chi Kinjo is a modern sake and highball den, designed as a split-level restaurant. Upstairs is a cosy and modern Japanese resto while the bar is located downstairs. You’ll notice the stark contrast in ambiance as the bar is dimmer for a more intimate dining and drinking experience.

Helmed by Chef Lamley Chua, Chi Kinjo is part of the Coterie Concepts along with bars and eateries Sum Yi Tai, Mona Lounger, and Eliza.

Highlights include the Kaffir Lime Karaage, made with chicken thighs marinated in kaffir lime and deep-fried until crispy, keeping the insides still juicy. Dab some of their red pepper mayo to add a subtle fiery flavour to the chicken.

In the mood for steak? They have the Smoked Striploin Steak uniquely drizzled with charcoal oil. This grilled striploin is accompanied with a black garlic onion cream-style sauce and some Jerusalem artichoke aka sunchoke chips.

The nigari here is prepared aburi-style, where the fresh fish meat is torched to intensify its flavour. Try the Salmon and Foie Gras prized for the goose liver marinated in miso and milk to enhance its fattiness. The delicate Buri Cheese is a more delicate nigari option made with seared Buri fish and topped with tobiko cheese.

ChopeDeals: $32.50 for $50 voucher
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Sushi Jiro (Marina Mandarin)
6 Raffles Boulevard #04-600 Marina Mandarin Hotel Singapore 039594
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Sushi Jiro (Keppel Bay)
2 Keppel Bay Vista #02-01 Marina At Keppel Bay Singapore 098382
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Another modern restaurant fit for fine dining is Sushi Jiro, with two outlets across Singapore serving premium Japanese seafood. This renowned sushiya is founded by Nakano Jiro-San over 2 decades ago.

Dishes, courtesy of seasoned Japanese chefs, are made from fresh hand-picked produce, air-flown from Japan up to 4 times a week.

Have a good time savouring their exquisite Sushi and Omakase courses prepared in authentic Japanese styles.

Aside from their sushi, their rice bowls are also recommended. Try their Una-Don for the perfectly grilled unagi laden and served with a soy-based marinade. You get a bowl of sticky Japanese rice, plus thinly sliced egg crepes, a sprinkling of sesame seeds, and a portion of tsukemono (Japanese pickles).

Want both uni and sashimi? The Chirashi Don is for you, featuring seasonal sashimi, ikura, and uni.

Finally, indulge in their Premium Wagyu A5 Beef Don. Meat-lovers won’t be able to resist this high-quality cut of meat worth splurging on.

ChopeDeals: $32.50 for $50 voucher
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

Tokidon
16 Raffles Quay, #B1-33 Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun

Hearty, gourmet rice bowls are spot on here, where each bowl is packed with flavours from fresh, premium ingredients.

Located in Singapore’s CBD, Tokidon allows you to elevate your daily humdrum lunch or dinner. At the basement of Hong Leong Building you’ll find the newly revamped Tokidon, courtesy of the team behind Jam and Fat Dragon.

Highly recommended is their signature Sukiyaki Bowl featuring tender slices of beef slow-simmered in a special in-house gravy.

The sweet and savoury sukiyaki sauce contrasts the flavour of a runny, onsen egg added to it. Served atop steamed Japanese rice, this will not fail to comfort any famished diner on a rush.

To make meal times even more unique and exciting, Tokidon holds regular Izakaya pop-ups. Watch out for these after-work experiences guaranteed to de-stress you in the most delicious way.

ChopeDeals: $5 for $10 voucher, $11 for $20 voucher
Save with ChopeDeals HERE.

ChopeDeals’ 3-Day Mega Online Food Festival
The 3-day Online Food Festival is happening from 24 to 26 September.

During the Mega Sale Day from 26 September 12am sharp, there will be over 200 dining deals up for grabs, at up to 75% OFF.

Also check out the variety of 1-for-1 deals on sale, including signature mains and top buffets; and up to 60% off cash vouchers (e.g. $19.8 for $50 cash vouchers).

Do set your alarms for the timed flash deals at 12pm, 6pm and 8pm during the 3 days to score deals as low as $1.

Here’s how you can enjoy massive savings with ChopeDeals in 4 simple steps:
Step 1 – Choose: Choose an offer from a list of curated restaurants available on the Chope app or ChopeDeals website
Step 2 – Get Deal: Purchase the discounted voucher and receive it via your email or the Chope app.
Step 3 – Dine: Inform the staff that you will be using your voucher prior to ordering.
Step 4 – Redeem: Present your voucher during payment to offset the bill and enjoy your savings.

1-day Exclusive Storewide Discount on 26 September, Mega Sale Day:
Enjoy $10 off with a minimum spend of $50 using “10OFF” code. This code is limited to the first 5000 redemptions and is only applicable for diners who pay using DBS PayLah! at checkout page.

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

[Bangkok] If you say that this hole-in-the-wall eatery serves up Bangkok’s best congee, I may just second that.

Visit Jok Prince at early as 6am and eat what local residents usually have – jok aka Thai rice porridge or congee.

The eatery is also listed in the Michelin Guide Bangkok with a “Bib Gourmand”.

You will find the Jok Prince eatery along Charoen Krung Road in Bang Rak. It is just a few meters from the Lebua State Tower and located opposite Robinson Bangrak.

This used to be located down a narrow alley, but it moved just next door with a proper sit-down eatery.

Also, it only accepts cash, so ditch the idea of using your card here. You will spend around 45 – 60 baht (SGD2 to SGD2.70) for a meal here.

Choices are available for the toppings, like home-made pork balls, pig organs (offal), century egg, or a combination of these.

Take note that there was no English menu when I visited, and fortunately the auntie knew how to speak Mandarin.

Items include Pork Congee (40 baht), Pork with Organs (40 baht), Pork with Egg (45 baht), and Pork with Organs and Egg Congee (45 baht). Add Century Egg for 5 baht and Crispy Chinese Doughsticks for 3 baht.

A spoonful down and you just feel comforting happiness down your throat. This reminded me of those street food congee you find in Hong Kong, except that this is more watery.

The charcoal-cooked congee itself was smooth and gloopy, with a savoury taste, and a smoky aroma.

The jok can be sprinkled with fresh strips of ginger, chopped spring onion and fresh coriander.

Another outstanding part was the pork balls, substantial large lumps of minced pork that were both tender and tasty. What is it about the pork in Thailand… they all got this natural ‘sweetness’ without the foul smell.

Want it spicy? Add some dried chili or splash some spiced vinegar.

Calm those serious hunger pangs with a pisset aka large bowl (55 baht) which has more of the pork balls.

Make sure to plan your visit for they close at midday and re-open in the afternoon.

Jok Prince
1391 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Tel: +66 89 795 2629
Opening Hours: 6am – 12pm, 4pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Jok Prince

Other Related Entries
Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice (Pratunam, Bangkok)
Sanyod (Bangrak, Bangkok)
Thipsamai (ICONSIAM, Bangkok)
Guay Jub Ouan Pochana (Yaowarat, Bangkok)
Sawang Bami Kam Pu (Bang Rak, 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.

Not everyone is a fan of Mutton Soup. It is ‘heaty’, and mutton meat usually has a particular gamey taste. A friend joked that he spotted mainly uncles queuing up at the Mutton Soup stalls.

If you are searching, some of the famous Mutton Soup stalls in Singapore include Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang at Bukit Merah View, Ivy’s Hainanese Herbal Mutton Soup at Pasir Panjang Food Centre, Hong Wen Mutton Soup at Beauty World Food Centre, Kong Kee Mutton Soup at Jalan Besar, and 老吴記 Mutton Soup at Ang Mo Kio Ave 10.

New World Mutton Soup stall found at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre specialises in Teochew-style mutton soup, and offers a few variations of it.

It is also listed under the Michelin Guide Singapore with a “Michelin Plate”.

First things first, be prepared to rub off the wrong shoulders of auntie. Just smile, order properly but don’t expect a smile back. (I guess quite a number of customers experienced similar seeing the online reviews.)

Start with the basic Mixture ($6, $8, $10) which uses their regular mutton, or the signature Mutton Soup ($6, $8, $10) which includes some better mutton (Though I am not sure why the price is the same).

Here you’re able to choose different cuts of mutton, and other internal organs like the stomach. You can also add other accompaniments such as Tau Pok ($0.60 per piece), Salted Vegetable ($1.20, $2), and Braised Egg ($0.60 per piece).

Prepared after hours of boiling, the soup has a defined light herbal taste and captures the flavour essence of the mutton.

Most of the fats are cut off before cooking, so the soup will come across rather ‘clean-tasting’ and not too oily or rich.

Note its taste may be a tad too sweet for some diners.

For variety, upgrade your Mutton Soup to either Mutton Ribs ($6/$8/$10), Mutton Tendon Ribs ($9/$12) or Mixture & Tendon ($9/12).

The menu recommends the Mutton Kway Teow ($6/$8). They also serve Mutton Meatballs ($5/$6).

While I thought the Kway Teow could have been smoother and silkier, it helped cut through the gaminess of the meat and helped balance out the intensity.

Their own blend of chili is rather appetizing with its spicy-sour taste, with flavour that complements the taste of the mutton.

For those who enjoy the heavy-going Mutton Soup, this may be too muted for them. Otherwise, you can always try something different and go for this Teochew-style mutton soup.

New World Mutton Soup
207 New Upper Changi Road, #01-55 Bedok Interchange Food Centre, Singapore 460207
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues

Other Related Entries
Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang (Bukit Merah View)
Ivy’s Hainanese Herbal Mutton Soup (Pasir Panjang Food 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.

It seems like quite a number of MediaCorp artistes, especially variety show hosts, are moving into the F&B business.

Other than Mark Lee, Pornsak, Dennis Chew, and Ben Yeo who all met with relative success in this industry, it seems like Vivian Lai 赖怡伶 (gosh, I still remember her mermaid days) has also ventured into something different.

Why not, after hosting THAT many food programmes?

Bubble Tea seems like the most obvious answer since Singaporeans are currently having the boba fever.

Vivian is co-owner of Teabrary 小茶識, a takeaway tea kiosk at Esplanade Xchange – apparently quite popular with the lunchtime crowd already. (Disclosure: the drinks are a treat from Vivian after we finished filming a food programme right across the road at Suntec City.)

“Teabrary” is a combination of the words “tea” and “library”, to represent the brand’s emphasis on the different types of quality tea used in the making.

Raw materials are processed in plants and facilities in Taiwan, then imported to Singapore.

Other than Singapore, there are plans to expand further into Taiwan and Cambodia (there are already outlets there).

Upon entering the baby blue and white shop, you would notice a rather extensive menu, with categories of Premium Tea, Milk Tea, Chessiato (cheese foam), Brown Sugar Pearls, Fresh Fruitty, Dessert Teas, and Cold Brew Teas. (Okay, some of the items may remind you of Nayuki’s.)

While Bubble Teas have gotten more-expensive of late, the pricing here are kept from $3 to $6.50, with most drinks hovering about the $4.50 mark.

My personal favourite happened to be the Premium Taiwan Jin Xuan ($3.80) cold-brew tea served in a convenient take-away bottle.

This tea is sometimes known as “milk oolong” (or nai xiang) because the taste is light, flowery and yet also subtlety creamy.

If you are the type who loves kosong and crave for something healthier, then this is for you.

The Premium Green Tea Chessiato ($4.50) was surprisingly delicious too, made with matcha from Uji and so you get a touch of the lingering bitterness.

Creamy, surprisingly not too sweet, but can be too heavy to finish the entire cup on your own.

Since Brown Sugar Milk Tea is all in the rage now, I ordered the Brown Sugar Pearl Milk ($4.80) for some form of comparison.

While I kind of liked the delicate saltiness in the caramel (just a tinge), I thought that the pearls could have been cooked softer and sweeter.

Dessert teas packaged in attractive bottles are quite popular in Taiwan, but not that commonly found in Singapore YET.

Teabrary serves up Milk Tea with pudding, strawberry jelly, ume jelly and crème cheese. While they can be slightly tricky to consume, I am sure people will get them purely for the bottles.

Teabrary 小茶識
Esplanade Xchange B1-12 1 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039593
Opening Hours: 10am – 8.30pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
30 Brown Sugar Bubble Milk Drinks In Singapore
Milksha (Suntec City)
The Alley Luxe (Orchard Cineleisure)
HEYTEA Bobo Tea (ION Orchard)
ARTEA (Vivocity)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Drinks featured were a treat from Vivian Lai.

A stall’s name cannot get as straight-forward as this – “Rojak, Popiah & Cockle”, selling three of Singapore’s loved hawker dishes in a single place.

Many locals would not have known that this stall is actually Michelin recommended with a “Michelin Plate”, because it is not that well-known or prominent.

This would fall under one of those “Really?” category.

Still, the bustling Maxwell Food Centre near Chinatown is a hodgepodge for tourists who all want a taste of Singapore hawker-style dishes.

It is easily accessible, located a walking distance from Telok Ayer and Chinatown MRT stations. You can’t miss it, just opposite the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.

If you hate crowds, avoid the 12noon to 2pm window as it is swarming with employees from nearby offices on a lunch break.

However, take note that while the stall closing hours state 10pm, it can close way before that when “sold out”.

I was slightly perplexed with what the Michelin Guide described about this stall, A clean and tidy stall with just three kinds of dishes. The popiah with egg, vermicelli and bean sprouts is very appealing.”

Wait, vermicelli? Since when?

To me, the Popiah is the real draw among the three items sold.

The Popiah ($1.50 each) is like a spring roll (for tourists who wonder what this is), filled with stewed turnip, fresh crunchy cabbage, carrots, pieces of hard-boiled egg and ground peanuts.

The skin is thin and supple, while the fillings moist and quite soft, though I would think there are others which are more delicious around.

People either love or hate Rojak ($3, $5, $7, $8), that freestyle salad-like mix of crispy dough fritters (you tiao), fruits, beansprouts and vegetables with a piquant yet sweet prawn paste dressing, topped with chopped nuts.

You can also add ingredients of cuttlefish and century egg.

The sauce itself is quite rich-tasting and mildly spicy – I would say it is not bad, better than the average. However, the you tiao could have been crispier and not so lao hong (airy).

Finally, order some cockle ($4, $5, $6) if you want to complete the trilogy. I have yet to try it.

Rojak, Popiah & Cockle
1 Kadayanallur St, #01-56 Maxwell Road Food Centre, Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun), Closed Wed

Other Related Entries
Balestier Road Hoover Rojak (Whampoa)
Ann Chin Popiah 安珍 (Chinatown Food Centre)
Singapore Famous Rojak (Albert Food 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.

Bring a package of patience along when you dine at this stall, and you shall be fine.

Or if you want to enjoy long, long conversations with friends who have extra time to kill, then jio them along for supper here.

Koka Wanton Noodle 可口云吞面食 has long earned a reputation having a ridiculously long wait, but you will still see customers around this almost-empty food centre anticipating their food to arrive.

The stall is located at North Bridge Road Food Centre, and states to be opened from 9:30pm till 1am.

However, when I arrived at 9:40pm, the elderly couple was still getting ready, and the stall only started operations at about 10pm. So you pre-order first.

I asked auntie what was the estimated wait, but she couldn’t give a definite answer. She said, ”10pm plus…” (If you are the type who needs your answers definite, then it can be mildly infuriating.)

In the end, I got my food at 10:45pm. The consolation is that you can wait at the table, with the plates sent over to you.

While there used to be just 2 to 3 stalls opened late at night at this food centre, you would see a prawn noodle, Western food, another wanton noodle, and drink stalls in operation.

I won’t say this is the usual lively-supper place late at night, but with couples, elderly and taxi drivers just chilling off during the night.

Koka Wanton Noodles ($4, $5, $6) has been rated one of the best wanton mee by a local paper, passed down three generations since the Yip’s family first roadside stall at Jalan Besar.

It has also recently been listed in the Michelin Guide Singapore with a Michelin Plate.

The Michelin inspectors wrote, ”Barbecue pork with wonton noodles is the signature. Deep-fried pork skin and chillies enrich the flavour.”.

I didn’t spot visible traces of pork lard though.

For $4 a plate, you would get thinly-sliced pale looking char siew, Chinese mushrooms, dry shreds of chicken and choy sum.

”Enough ah?”, the friendly server thought that I should order more for a big guy like me. Emm…

The portion was small, though the variety of ingredients made the dish more exciting on the palate.

Its distinctive feature was that very thin and QQ noodles, cooked al dente, swimming in watery slight-spicy chilli sauce.

There was an appealing old-school, nostalgic taste about it. And I could imagine that if you grew up eating this, you would enjoy this very much as this is a taste that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Otherwise for first timers, it may not spectacular enough to warrant that 45 minutes’ wait.

Koka Wanton Mee
North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre, 861 North Bridge Road #01-99, Singapore 198783
Opening Hours: 9:30pm – 1.00am (Wed – Sat), Closed Sun, Mon

Other Related Entries
10 Must-Try Wanton Noodles In Singapore
Kok Kee Wanton Noodle (Foch Road)
Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist 基记面家 (Kreta Ayer)
Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee (Tanjong Katong 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.

If you are on the look-out for an after-work hangout at Robertson Quay, go to Amazing Hokkaido.

This Japanese-owned themed izakaya is almost like a food fair for its variety of offerings.

This is quite a hidden find, and you may feel yourself being transported right to the Land of the Rising Sun with its colourful décor, retro music and staff in Japanese costumes.

A way to ‘judge’ a Japanese restaurant is to have a quick look at its patrons. It is not difficult to find Japanese families, couples and business people dine here after work.

A charming 100-seater, it has a noren-lined entrance dotted with bright lights that scream “Ready to have fun?”

Inside, that typical informal Japanese restaurant flavour lingers, with Hokkaido posters all over. The caption on the side “Every day! Hokkaido Food Fair” summarizes what this place is all about.

Together with gourmet partners, Amazing Hokkaido flies in the best products exclusive from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture.

Every day, companies like Kaneshime Takahashi takes care of the sashimi supply from Sapporo, Yamamura handles fresh seafood and the best of Hokkaido snow crabs, and Sasaki Farm provides organic greens.

Here are recommended Amazing Hokkaido dishes to represent that authentic Izakaya culture:

Bursting Salmon Roe Rice Bowl ($39)
Start off with this special, highly-instagrammable dish, Bursting Salmon Roe Rice Bowl.

The bowl come with a heaping layer of umami-laden ikura over freshly steamed rice. The brilliant orange pearls of salmon roe are first marinated in a combination of special soy sauce and vinegar to infuse them with more flavour.

The restaurant is also particular about the quality of the salmon roe, which makes all that difference as it is the key ingredient. All in all, a tasty bowl of generous portion, best enjoyed on its own when the pearls burst in your mouth.

Serving this bright orange dish is almost like a ceremony, complete with rhythmic beats from taiko drums and staff chanting “Yoisho! Yoisho!” as they scoop out these precious roe.

You can also upgrade this dish with additional uni (25g sea urchin) for $23.90 for the touch of richness and creaminess.

Muroran Yakitori ($3.90 for 1 skewer)
Fans of grilled food should not miss Muroran Yakitori, a famous Hokkaido dish born 80 years ago from Toriyoshi, a classic Hokkaido grill resto.

This is Amazing Hokkaido’s signature dish, and every diner is encouraged to order at least a stick.

While yakitori often refers to ‘grilled chicken skewer’, this one is melty skewered pork, with onion pieces in between grilled, glazed meat chunks.

Thanks to Mr. Mitsuyoshi Ogasawara, Toriyoshi’s head chef, we get to enjoy this classic Hokkaido skewered dish, punctuated with a biting mustard flavour. To be really cliché about it, the meat skewer is indeed melt-in-your-mouth.

Tsukune ($2.90 for 1 skewer)
Aside from producing high quality fresh seafood, Hokkaido is recognised as the birthplace of yakitori.

Expect to find more skewered items in the menu, such as different kinds of tsukune – Japanese chicken meatball cooked yakitori style with a sauce.

The chicken was soft and bouncy, and sweet-soy sauce finger-licking addictive.

If you are a big Tsukune fan or come in a group, then order the the Melty 7 Kinds of Tsukune ($28.90) dolloped with all sorts of flavourings and toppings like teriyaki sauce, seaweed with mayo, mentaiko mayo, wasabi, salt, and cheese. Best to go with sakes, shochus, or highballs.

If you like a particular variant, 1 skewer ranges from $2.90 to $5.90.

Hokkaido Wagyu Steak ($23.90)
Be ready to drool over this beauty, a slab of Wagyu beef sourced direct from Hokkaido.

Your server will bring this to your table, to be set ablaze and sizzling on a lava stone plate. All that smoke and heat creates a desirable smoky finish to the meat, plus a caramelisation that intensifies its umami taste.

Though tasty on its own, this steak could be matched with condiments like yuzu kosho (yuzu chili paste), sea salt, wasabi, and a classic steak sauce.

Hokke Chan Chan Yaki ($22.90)
Right up there among the Best 10 recommendations is Hokke Chan Chan Yaki, prepared with the king of grilled fish in izakaya.

Hokke, also known as Arabesque greenling, is actually Okhotsk atka mackerel.

This mild tasting fish is grilled chan chan yaki style on a Teppan plate and seasoned with butter and miso paste.

While this dish may not be that photogenic, its taste (especially with the miso sauce) would certainly leave a lasting impression.

Hokkaido Fried Potato with Seaweed & Mentaiko Mayonnaise ($10.90)
Using organic Hokkaido potatoes from Sasaki Farm, this appetiser will whet your appetite with its crisp fried spuds.

Complementing that addictive fried taste is a seasoned cod roe dip, enhanced with kombu seaweed for that pure umami taste.

Hotate, Scallop Cream Croquette ($5.90)
Another deep-fried gem of an appetiser is a croquette made from hotate – Japanese scallop.

One of the most prized shellfish in Japanese cuisine, the firm-textured hotate has a sweet, clean taste.

It is transformed into a rich paste, then coated with crispy panko. Absolutely creamy on the inside, and crunchy good on the outside.

Menchkatsu ($15.90)
I ordered this during another visit (found it towards the back of the menu) and was pleasantly surprised.

You may have tried Japanese style hamburg typically on hotplates before, but how about a deep-fried version?

Menchkatsu is a deep-fried hamburg served with sauce and a salad of assorted veggies.

This menchi-katsu is a Japanese patty made of ground meat with chopped onions, salt & pepper, then breaded and deep-fried.

One of the most popular yoshoku food, which is Westernised Japanese food, this cutlet remains juicy and soft inside despite its crunchy breadcrumb coating.

Hokkaido Shintoku Soba ($9.90)
This buckwheat noodle comes from Shintoku, a famous soba production area in Hokkaido.

Bite into these Japanese noodles, chewier and heartier than most noodles, and satisfy your craving away.

While the taste may not be extraordinary, this wins in terms of its presentation of ‘flying’ noodles.

Pair this with some toppings like ebi tempura, lamb shoulder and Japanese leek, corn and tempura (additional $3.90 or $4.90).

Matcha Pudding ($5.90)
Order this Hokkaido dessert and that diner on the next table might just turn green with envy.

This home-made matcha pudding is served is ready to be scooped out to conclude your meal with delicious smoothness.

The menu of Amazing Hokkaido is actually quite extensive, ranging from Yakitori, Robata Yaki, Sashimi, Grilled Meats, Tempura, Salads, Sushi Rolls to Rice Bowls.

During another visit, I had their Sugisawa Ramen ($13.90) which was a style of ramen I have yet to have before, akin to say a Japanese-style Lor Mee. So be ready to be surprised.

Chill over bracingly cold Japanese highball, traditional fare, heaps of fun, and cheerful friendly service.

Amazing Hokkaido
30 Robertson Quay #01-16, Riverside View, Singapore 238251
Opening hours: 5:30pm – 11pm Last orders 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/AmazingHokkaidoSG

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Amazing Hokkaido.

Good news for the Easties. Milksha has opened a new outlet at the latest trending mall in Singapore – Paya Lebar Quarter PLQ, offering exclusive personalised summer drinks.

Its other two stores are at Suntec City and Funan.

There are soooooo many bubble tea chains in Singapore, so you may get overwhelmed and wonder what’s the difference?

If you have been to Taiwan and didn’t see “Milksha” before, that is because the brand is better known as “Milkshop 迷客夏” there.

With over 230 outlets in Taiwan, it was voted No.1 by Taiwanese university students winning many other popular choices.

Natural, handmade and unique… Their drinks are made with 100% natural milk and fresh ingredients, without any preservatives or chemical additives. That is why you do not get that cloying sweetness commonly associated.

Another unique quality is its bubbles, which are honey pearls that are quick-frozen then air-flown directly to Singapore. This is so as to retain that bouncy and soft-chewy texture.

In Singapore, the five signatures include Azuki Matcha Milk, Fresh Taro Milk, Valrhona 100% Cocoa Milk, Refreshing Orange Green Tea and Earl Grey Latte with Honey Pearl. More are being offered at this new outlet.

Read on to find out the new exclusive drinks and signatures you can find at Milksha PLQ:

Red Bean Ice Blend ($5.40)
What it is: The Milksha Red Bean Ice Blend was initially launched as a seasonal drink during Singapore’s National Day. Well, it got many positive feedbacks that they decided to make it a permanent item.

Why so special: This is an ice kachang-inspired drink. Instead of the usual red beans, special Taiwanese azuki beans are included, said to have less ‘beany’ flavour with natural sweetness.

Taste: This red bean smoothie-like drink actually reminds me of the Iced Red Bean served at those Hong Kong’s Bing Sutt (冰室) or cha caan teng.

Loved the creaminess and delicate sweetness, and may just send down nostalgic feels.

Brown Sugar Lemonade ($4.20 for medium, $5 for large, top up $1 for honey pearls)
What it is: Now that “Brown Sugar” is still trending, this summer drink of Brown Sugar Lemonade is an alternative for those who prefer something refreshing and not as heavy.

Why so special: This drink was initially an off-the-menu secret item. All the ingredients used from brown sugar, honey pearls, and lemon juice are specially imported. The brown sugar is also freshly ‘stir-fried’ every day. (Popular lifestyle Taiwanese YouTuber Kiki has also raved about this beverage in her review.)

Taste: Best for a hot summer weather, the drink boosts of the subtlety-dark and rich flavour of brown sugar, well balanced with the tarty lemon.

Part sweet and sour, it would be what you call ”清爽” (cooling refreshing).

Refreshing Orange Green Tea with Honey Pearl ($4.20 for medium, $5 for large; top up $1 for Honey Pearls)
What it is: Citrusy orange juice paired with light, delicate jasmine green tea.

Why so special: All the ingredients (even the oranges) are also specially imported from Taiwan. Whole oranges are juiced, including the zest – so you are getting all those flavours and vitamins.

Taste: Taiwanese oranges are used because they are sweeter, juicier, not that sour with distinct sharp flavour. I would recommend sipping this slowly so that you get that orangey-citrusy fragrance. A great thirst-quencher after a heavy meal.

Azuki Matcha Milk ($5.60)
What it is: Milksha’s best-selling drink which is creamy, with earthy-tasting matcha and delicious red bean.

Why so special: That matcha is specially imported from hundred-year-old brand Izumo Tousuien (桃翠園). The matcha is first chilled, then directly air-flown to Singapore.

Taste: Nobody can really fault a matcha + red bean + milk combination. With that said, the matcha did have a strong umami profile and complements the red bean beautifully.

The red beans are prepared in a way so that you can still have a good bite (and not just paste), yet still soft and creamy.

Fresh Taro Milk ($5.60)
What it is: Fresh Taro Milk made with unique taro from Dajia (大甲) in Taichung, Taiwan. The hand-mashed taro is then blended with fresh milk.

Why so special: Dajia (大甲) in Taichung, Taiwan is specially known for its high-quality taro, taro cakes and “purple jade” desserts.

The taro pieces are chopped, steamed, then mashed by hands with a metal masher. After which, the taro paste is scooped up into circular shapes, then blended with milk upon order.

Taste: When I ask friends who have tried Milksha what their favourite drink is, I would say half of them would recommend this Fresh Taro Milk.

To some, it reminded them for an ”Orh Nee” drink; while others enjoyed the real taro bits. Not too sweet as well.

Another note: You can actually share this drink because it is rather filling.

Black Sesame Milk ($4.80)
What it is: For those who love your traditional black sesame paste dessert (黑芝麻糊), this Black Sesame Milk may just satisfying those cravings.

Why so special: Not many Singapore bubble tea shops sell this drink?

Taste: Black sesame latte is rich and filling (and nutritious… people eat them to get black hair), with a deep smoky flavour that can be very addictive.

Milksha – Paya Lebar Quarter
10 Paya Lebar Road #03-25 Paya Lebar Quarter Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/milkshasingapore

Milksha – Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard #02-375/376 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Milksha – Funan
107 North Bridge Road #02-K07 Funan, Singapore 179105
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

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

Another day, another new café in Singapore, but this shop located at Jalan Pari Burong (near Tanah Merah, Simei, Expo) is a honey-themed one.

“Foraging” is the process where bees scout for the best nectar, and thus the name.

The Forage Café incorporates food items in the menu with honey, with the honey sourced straight from their own farm in Malaysia.

Upon entering the café, you would notice a gallery of bee-related photos on the side; a counter selling honey and related products near the back of the café.

What you can expect is an All-Day Menu serving Waffle Sandwiches, and Donburi bowls added with apple vinegar honey sauce.

Pasta dishes and mains are available from 5pm to 9:30pm, which includes Halibut Mentaiko ($26), Panko-Crusted Truffle Chicken ($20), and Baby Back Ribs ($25).

When you order coffee or tea, the drink will be served with a small portion of multi-floral honey instead of the usual sweeteners.

The signature item is the Smoked Salmon & Egg Grilled Waffle Sandwich ($17) which includes buttermilk waffles, smoked salmon, egg mayo, melted mozzarella, truffle mushrooms, multi-floral honey, fruit salad & greens.

I ordered the Chilli Cheese Chicken ($15) instead as it sounded more unique, and I wanted to see how chilli cheese sauce would go with fruity honey.

While my personal preference it for a larger piece of crispy and airy buttermilk waffles, the mini waffles had quite a soft texture which worked as a suitable contrast with the heavier fried chicken thigh fillings.

Instead of the usual maple syrup, the pure-tasting honey worked as a good accompaniment, so much so that you would feel tempted to get a bottle of honey home.

Dessert-wise, you can go for Waffles with Ice Cream ($10), Tiramisu ($8), Salted Caramel Cheesecake ($8), Crème Brulee ($5.50) and Yuzu Blossom Jelly with Passionfruit Pops ($3).

To be consistent with the theme, I had a Honey Cheesecake ($8), a typical New York style cheesecake with subtle sweetness of honey.

It was a not-bad piece, but I thought that the café would elevate it with some drizzle on the plate, or perhaps a topping of light whipped cream or similar.

I paired the cake with a refreshing glass of Honey Lemon Apple Vinegar ($5.00) which was actually very pleasant and didn’t have the sharp twang that some ACV would have.

The Forage Café has friendly vibes, and could make you feel right at home.

The Forage Café
30 Jalan Pari Burong, Singapore 488696
Tel: +65 8869 7131
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Tues- Sun), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
Nuevo Café (Paya Lebar)
AC.Kafe (Jewel Changi Airport)
Morphine Coffee (Paya Lebar Quarter)
Brawn & Brains Coffee (East Coast Road)
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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

A small, humble bakery has been making wave with the Katong community, with several of their bakes sold out before 2pm.

Friends have told me to keep quiet about it for weeks, but it seems like through word-of-mouth, the cat is slightly out of the bag.

Petit Pain is a small batch bakery run by Mark and Regina located along Joo Chiat Road, a few minutes’ walk away from the famous Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata.

Breads and pastries are only available in small batches, free of improvers, preservatives and artificial flavours.

They believe that a good bread should be kept as simple as possible, relying on good ingredients and techniques to bring out the best aroma and flavour.

Therefore, the Classic Croissant ($3) requires a 3-day process to produce.

I decided to have it fresh because the buttery fragrance was just too alluring. And there was that ”wow” moment upon taking that first bite.

Though I haven’t eaten all the credible croissants in Singapore, I must have tried the notable 15 – 20 brands or so.

I must say that Petit Pain’s take probably ranks top as the crispiest version I here.

I could imagine some customers preferring a more buttery, fluffy take, but I find this croissant very delicious and charming, especially the ability to maintain this level of crisp is tough in a humid country like this.

Other bakes available on a rotational basis include Pain Au Chocolat ($3.50) and Kanelbullar ($2.80) – a Swedish cinnamon roll.

I asked if an Almond Croissant would ever be available. Mark explained candidly that because an Almond Croissant requires leftover croissants to be double-baked, he never had any left.

That is how popular his breads are.

Petit Pain
315 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427566
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Tues – Fri), 10am – 8pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
Mother Dough Bakery (North Bridge Road)
Keong Saik Bakery (Keong Saik Road)
Sugar Thieves (Kreta Ayer Road)
Voyage Patisserie (Outram Road)
Lee’s Confectionery (Jurong East)
Microbakery Bakery & Kitchen (Bukit Timah)

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