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Everton Park is perhaps one of the OG hipster café areas in Singapore. However, we have seen many cafes come and go in this area over the past few years.

Despite the location’s slight drop in popularity, there have been new café openings this year such as Little Oasis.

Recently opened in Everton Park after running their online bakery for a year and a half is The Better Half.

Established by two passionate individuals who also happens to be each other’s better half, the café aims to serve honest and real fare to everyone who visits.

Unsure if intentional or not, but the way the bakes are placed in the shop exudes a certain Korean bakery vibe – kind of what you see in Layered 레이어드 or Cafe Highwaist.

Along with the sort-of hidden location and small space, it almost feels like you stumbled onto a hidden gem in Seoul.

All the bakes you see in The Better Half all made from scratch in-house. Even if you order a toast, the bread is made within the store and not from a supplier.

While I was thinking of what to get, the owners kindly suggested a slice of Rose Raspberry Cake ($8) which they were just about to display.

Essentially a rose sponge cake with raspberry cream cheese, the cake was fluffy in texture and not dry at all.

The cream cheese was more on the intense side, but paired really well with the light and mild rose sponge cake with the flavours balancing out.

One of their Christmas bakes is the Spiced Pumpkin ($7) which was bursting with pumpkin flavour. The light fragrance of the pumpkin would linger in your mouth after each bite.

The cream cheese frosting and butterscotch drizzle was not too overpowering, just the right amount of sweetness for me.

Overheard that other Christmas bakes such as the Gingerbread Roasted Pear cake and Chai Caramel Apple cake may make an appearance as early as next week.

The highlight of the day came to me in the form of a Pear Crumble ($6, add $3 for a scoop of ice cream).

As plain looking as this was, the Pear Crumble was simply put – delicious.

Despite the ice-cream sitting on top of it for quite some time, I feared that it would have turned soft and mushy. But no, the crumble was still crispy on the outside.

The pear crumble by itself is good, but I highly recommend pairing it with the vanilla ice cream because they go so well together.

I also tried a Iced Coffee Chai ($7.50), which I don’t see often in café menus.

At first, you can taste the coffee and slowly the chai leaves an overwhelming after taste in your mouth. Lovers of chai and coffee would love this drink.

As you know, Genmaicha is a mix of green tea and roasted brown rice. The Iced Genmaicha Latte ($7.50) here at The Better Half is more on the brown rice side, almost like drinking a rice snack biscuit.

I would have preferred if there was slightly more green tea, but the creaminess of this drink may appeal to some.

The entire space is not huge, with an indoor seating space that house up to 6 people max.

The outdoor seats can seat exactly 4 people but may be uncomfortable to some because it can be quite squeezy.

I really enjoyed my experience there but finding seats may be difficult even on a weekday. Also, do check their IG stories, as they may be closed from time to time.

Guess it depends on your luck. If not, simply takeaway and enjoy the bakes in the comfort of your own home.

The Better Half
1 Everton Park, #01-43, Singapore 081001
Tel: 9248 7088
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm (Tues – Fri), 9:30am – 5:30pm (Sat – Sun), Closed on Mon
https://www.facebook.com/thebetterhalfsg/

* 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.

[Seoul, South Korea] Hit Korean drama Hotel del Luna starring IU and Yeo Jin-goo has stirred quite a wave, and made several restaurants and food items famous – from Pizza Alvolo, Hangover Soup, Rice Cakes, Red Bean Porridge to Steamed Buns.

One eatery which caught the attention of many is the popular dumpling restaurant Chang Hwa Dang 창화당.

Featured in the drama’s episode 1, the lead character Jang Man-wol (played by IU) takes Ku Chan-Seong (Yeo Jin-goo) to her favourite mandu place which is the Daehakro Branch of Chang Hwa Dang (창화당 대학로점, 서울 종로구 창경궁로26길 39 1층).

It is a place one must go to at least once in this lifetime.”, and that particular outlet is quite flooded with fans.

There are more than 10 branches of Chan Hwa Dang in Seoul such as Hannam, Seocho, Yangjae, Yeonnam, Yeongdeungpo, and Bongcheon; and I chose to visit the Ikseondong branch.

That is because another filming location – a pink café called “Hotel Seine” found just next to the dumpling store, is also featured in the drama. Kill two birds with one stone.

Ikseondong is a very charming place, a revamped old neighbourhood full of vintage charm and indie and shops. Not difficult to find unique restaurants and cafes as well.

Chan Hwa Dang is known for its Korean dumplings, serving up Mandu in different flavours such as Fried Truffle, Fried Shrimp, Fried Galbi, Fried Pork, Steamed Pork and Kimchi Mandu.

A plate of 6 pieces would cost about 6,500 to 8,000 Won (SGD7.60 to SGD9.40).

I would recommend getting the Mixed Mandu Plate (10,000 Won, SGD11.70) which contained a mixture of 8 pieces of pork, kimchi, galbi, truffle, shrimp and green chilli mandu.

A scissors would be provided for you to cut the fried dumplings up.

For diners not familiar with Korean food culture, you may think that Mandu are just pan-fried dumplings with the usual fillings such as pork and vegetable. Chan Hwa Dang managed to create quite a variety, with filings that were interesting and full of flavours.

The dumplings were nicely crisp with a thin skin. While every piece was glistening, they were also not as greasy as imagined, and the paper below remained quite oil-free.

The succulent shrimp and ‘fragrant’ truffle turned out to be my favourites.

If you need a more filling meal, also available are Mandu Soup (7,500 Won), Shrimp Wonton Noodles Soup (10,000 Won), Black Tteok-bokki (7,500 Won), Spicy Cold Noodles (7,500 Won) and Kimchi Fried Rice (8,000 Won) are available.

The eatery is also known for its Tteok-bokki (7,000 Won) – rice cakes that are conveniently served in an individual portion.

Topped with sesame leaves, boiled egg and fried flour for some crunch, the spicy Korean sauce was delightfully balanced in terms of sweetness and spiciness, with chewy soft rice cakes.

Take note that Chang Hwa Dang is popular among the youths and couples due to its vintage décor and affordable pricing, so do be prepared to wait.

Go during slightly off peak hours, write your name on the clip board and take a quick stroll around the charismatic Ikseon-dong to pass time.

Chang Hwa Dang 창화당
23 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun) (Break time 2:30pm – 4pm)

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[Seoul] Wait, 27 different varieties of cheesecakes in a single café? That is quite something.

If you are a fan of American-style cheesecake, then you got to make your way to C27 Cheesecake and Coffee, conveniently located at Sinsadong and Hongdae.

Sinsadong is its flagship, a walking distance from Garosu-gil and therefore near to many trendy and charmingly decorated cafes.

The one other thing that I did not expect was its space. This is a multi-level coffee place where there are several themed corners from a Ferris wheel, giant cheesecake, and arcade game machines.

No wonder they call this the “amusement park for women” because there are all types of instagrammable areas, including an outdoor garden.

So the 27 Cheesecake varieties include the classic plain, triple vanilla, chocolate cherry, berry berry, green tea, Hershey chocolate, camembert, Dutch apple, tiramisu, coco & banana, mint chocolate, crazy red velvet, marshmallow chocolate… and the list goes on.

The types change every 6 months or so.

Each is priced at 8,900 Won (SGD10.40), not exactly what you would consider cheap for a single slice.

I was recommended the Earl Grey Cheesecake, and while it looked frozen under the shelf, the texture turned up to be a lot smoother and luxuriously-soft.

While many cakes in Seoul tend to be on the lighter and fluffier side, this turned out to be indeed American-style dense and full-bodied flavourful, yet without that rich sweetness.

The Carrot Cheesecake turned up to be a wonderful combination of rustic carrot cake and cheesecake, with obvious bits of carrot strips and crunchy walnuts.

Other than cakes, drinks such as coffee, tea, frappe and ade are offered, with interesting choices such as Cheese Latte (6,500 Won) and Mint Choco Latte (6,500 Won).

While price is on the high side, I would think any cheesecake lovers would continue this their wonderland – both in terms of the offerings and décor.

C27 Cheesecake and Coffee
Dosandae-ro 15gil 39, Sinsa-dong 545-12, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
C27, 서울특별시 강남구 도산대로 15길 39 (신사동 545-12)
Opening Hours: 10am – 1am (Mon – Sun)

161 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 11am – 12am

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Fans of Japanese-style cakes and pastries should be familiar with FLOR Patisserie Café which has two branches at Duxton Hill and Siglap Drive.

It has recently opened its 3rd outlet with a slightly different concept, FLOR Capitol at Capitol Piazza.

For those who hasn’t been to the mall in a while, it is currently undergoing a major revamp and it will be quite interesting to see what shops will take space here.

As “Flor” is a Portuguese word for “flower”, you would see traces of flowers whether in their cake presentation or in the décor of this new café.

I must say it is quite inviting with its open space and natural daylight, somewhere you can enjoy some serenity near the busy City Hall. (No free wifi yet, though.)

Good to mention that this is a locally-grown brand, and cakes are made without artificial colourings or chemical agents.

Their confections feature largely fresh fruits, and are lighter in flavour than conventional French pastries.

Besides their perennial favourites Berry Berries (FLOR’s signature strawberry shortcake), Waguri Millefeuile and Napoleon, they also serve up seasonal cakes which change every two months or so.

Something to note: This is the first FLOR Patisserie Café to feature freshly made desserts, and some of the recommended include the Signature Roll ($6 for slice, $22.45 for whole), Tiramisu in a Glass ($12), Warm Blueberry Pie with ice cream ($12), and Gula Melaka Crème Caramel ($10).

The one thing to get is the Gula Melaka Brown Sugar Roll Cake ($6) in which you can enjoy the interplay of play of two complex sugars in a single cake. And thankfully light and not too sweet as well.

In terms of texture, the sponge layer was fluffy and soft, while the cream inside was smooth and not too heavy. All in all, a delicious soft roll cake.

The new item here are called “CUPS” ($12 each), made-to-order and are named Red, Green and Chocolate (could have a more fanciful name, I thought).

The Red contained a mixture of watermelon, blueberry, almond granola, milk pudding and fresh cream.

Generally cup desserts somehow don’t appeal to me (as much as cakes), but I appreciated the different types of texture in a single mouthful, where you can get wobbly pudding, some crunch from the granola, and parts of refreshing cubed watermelon.

Another good-looker to get would be the Matcha Chiffon ($12) with homemade azuki bean paste and fresh cream. It is light enough, though I generally found the cakes here to lean towards the expensive side.

Coffee wise, FLOR Capitol is using OKADA Coffee from Kobe, Japan.

OKADA Coffee is a small, boutique Japanese roaster that specialises in coffee blends that pairs with food. A recommendation would be to choose the cake first, after which the staff can adcise which coffee blend would best complement the cake.

FLOR Capitol
13 Stamford Road, #01-11, Capitol Piazza, Singapore 178905 (City Hall MRT Station)
Tel: +65 6977 7202
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 9.30pm (Mon – Sun)

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Having some lobster dreams lately? Ellenborough Market Café at Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore will make those dreams come to life with its much-anticipated Lobster Nights Buffet.

From 15 to 30 November 2019, you can feast here on a myriad of succulent lobsters executed in innovative techniques.

Executive Chef Martin Tan and his team has prepared a selection from sweet to savoury all the way to spicy, and these include Rock Lobsters with Golden Salted Egg, Black Pepper Rock Lobsters, Singapore Laksa with Rock Lobster, Lobster Roll and Lobster Tartlet.

All these lobster dishes are designed to satisfy your curious palate in different ways.

Supporting the star lobsters are all-time Peranakan classics and an array of local favourites, along with Seafood on Ice specials. The freshest Boston Lobsters, crabs, tiger prawns, yabby (an Australian crustacean species of crayfish), black mussels, and whelk are over here.

You can also get unlimited servings of Lobster Salad on Brioche and Lobster Tartlets.

Ready to go bonkers over lobsters? Here’s what you can expect from the Ellenborough’s Lobster Nights Buffet: (Items above are available on a rotational basis, but there will be at least 6 special Lobster dishes per buffet night.)

Rock Lobster with Golden Salted Egg
The delightful sweet-salty flavour combination is featured in this dish, where the natural sweetness of fresh Rock Lobster meets the savoury salted egg.

Cooked till the salted egg sauce is rich, creamy and coats the crustaceans with grainy bits, the lobster meat remains succulent. Finger-licking good as the sauce can be very addictive.

Singapore Laksa with Rock Lobster
Probably my table’s favourite dish as we all decided to get an individual bowl (and finish it), this is a genuine taste-of-Singapore encounter when you try this fragrant Laksa made special as it is topped with fresh, tender poached Rock Lobster.

Slurp away that creamy curry and coconut-milk based broth as you munch bite-sized rice noodles and tender pieces of lobster meat. A must-try dish that will warm you up just right.

This is available on rotational basis with other types of noodle dishes such as fresh hand-pulled La Mian with dumplings in chicken broth.

Nyonya Curry Lobster
If Peranakan flavour is music to your ears, this Nyonya Curry Lobster is the hit single, especially when Ellenborough Market Café is known for its Nyonya dishes.

Expect classic Peranakan spices to grace the rich curry gravy and give it a wonderful depth of taste – not that spicy, and slight tanginess.

Recommended for lobster aficionados ready to explore a blend of traditional Chinese and Malay cuisines.

Lobster Rolls and Lobster Tartlets
A New England delight in a luxe sandwich form, these lobster rolls cradle a creamy blend of succulent cooked meat in warm toasted brioche buns.

Certainly a favourite as it was quite packed with the naturally sweet lobster meat accented with celery, onion and yuzu within buttery breads.

The Lobster Tartlets hit the right notes as well as the crunchy crust provides a lovely contrast to the sweet succulence of the lobster.

Lobsters on Teppanyaki Station
At the Teppanyaki station, feast your senses as the culinary team cooks the lobster “live”. Dress up your lobster with a variety of sauces at the station.

Go for the Tangy Coconut Sauce for that tropical vibe, or veer towards the sweet-spicy side with the Sweet Sambal Onion. Cheese lovers can go straight to the Cheese Sauce.

The sambal was my favourite, but nothing is stopping you for adding some cheese on top of that.

Szechuan Mala “Xiao Long Xia”
Next up, something spicy. Pay attention to this Szechuan-style “Xiao Long Xia”, aka mini lobsters, a type of crayfish.

Sporting a darker shade of crimson, these mini lobsters are packed with tongue-tingly (and for some, even tongue-numbing) spices and peppercorn for the signature Mala flavour.

Other than the rotating Lobster dishes, the buffet continues to offer other tempting Peranakan classics and local creations such as the signature Ayam Buah Keluak (chicken braised in a thick, spicy tamarind gravy with Indonesian black nuts), Babi Pongteh (Nyonya style braised pork with fermented soy bean sauce), Nyonya Chap Chye (mixed vegetable stew), Braised Beef Brisket, Fish Head Curry, Popiah, Kueh Pie Tee and more.

Always remember to leave some space for the colourful variety of Nyonya Kueh (some hard-to-find choices here) and signature Durian Pengat.

Lobster Nights at Ellenborough Market Café – 15 Nov 2019 to 30 Nov 2020
Monday to Sunday Buffet Dinner (6.30pm to 10pm):
$98++ (Adult), $49++ (Children aged 6 – 12)
Items above are available on a rotational basis

Peranakan-Inspired Festive Buffet at Ellenborough Market Café (6 Dec 2019 – 1 Jan 2020)
After the Lobster Nights, you can treat your taste buds to a smorgasbord of international flavours and indulge in diverse ways of preparing Christmas ham and other holiday celebratory dishes.

Go ahead and complement your revelry with hearty servings of Honey Baked Ham with Pineapple, Honey Glazed Bone – in Champagne Ham with Port Wine Sauce, and Roasted Tom Turkey with Cranberry Sauce and Turkey Jus.

Don’t forget to have your fill of sweet treats of Christmas Fruit Cake, or other classic additions like Stollen, Mince Pie, and the quintessential Yule Log Cakes.

Mala Style Roasted Turkey Breast
Make it a spicy Christmas with Ellenborough’s Szechuan-style Roasted Turkey with a traditional accompaniment of cranberry sauce. Baste those tender slices of lean turkey breast with a savoury turkey jus, and pair them with winter veggies and pickled tomatoes on the side.

Complete your mala experience with a rich peanut sauce, packed with slight heat.

Honey Baked Ham with Pineapple
The Honey Baked Ham is glazed with caramelised pineapples. Prepared semi-bone in, you’ll enjoy carving out slices of the sweet, smoky flavoured gammon meat, then moistening it with the Caramelised Pineapples.

This dish is served accompanied with Seasonal Vegetables and a sweet-spiced Cinnamon Apple Sauce.

Purple Velvet Lychee Yule Log
Add a splash of colour and tropical fruity flavour to your dessert spread and bring in the Purple Velvet Lychee Yule Log.

If you’re a sweet tooth, you will love the delicate sweet flavour lychee and its slightly musky aroma blended in into this purple-tinged cake roll.

Acai Banana Chocolate Log
Combine the power of nutrient dense-acai berries and unique, sweet taste of bananas in this Christmas log, set in a base of chocolate flavour.

A different way to enjoy a good ole chocolate cake this time of the year.

This Peranakan-inspired festive buffet is the venue to reunite with your friends and family over sumptuous meals and a cheerful spirit.

Peranakan-Inspired Festive Buffet at Ellenborough Market Café – 6 Dec 2019 to 1 Jan 2020
Lunch (Mon – Sun) $58++ (Adult) $29++ (Child)
Dinner (Mon to Sun) $78++ (Adult) $39++ (Child)
Items above are on a rotational basis.

Ellenborough Market Café
Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore
Level 1, 20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281
Reservations: +65 6239 1847, +65 6239 1848
Email: dining.merchantcourt@swissotel.com

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore.

The Michelin Guide Thailand has announced the 2020 results, and let’s just say there are no major surprises.

29 restaurants are awarded with stars, of which 4 are new entries. They include 80/20, Chef’s Table, Khao, and Table 38.

No restaurants receive 3 Michelin stars.

Thai restaurants Sorn and R.Haan climbed from 1 star to 2 stars, which means a lot to the Thais as these are the first Thai restaurants to receive 2 stars.

Both L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Gaggan are out of the list as they have announced their closures.

Jay Fai remains as the only “street food restaurant” awarded a Michelin star.

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.

Le Normandie
Mezzaluna
R.Haan
Sorn
Sühring

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.

80/20 NEW
Bo.lan
Canvas
Chef’s Table NEW
Chim by Siam Wisdom
Elements
Gaa
Ginza Sushi Ichi
J’aime
Jay Fai
Khao NEW
Le Du
Methavalai Sorndaeng
Nahm
Paste
Pru (PHUKET)
Ruen Panya (MINBURI)
Saawaan
Saneh Jaan
Savelberg
Sra Bua by Kiin Kin
Suan Thip
Table 38 NEW
Upstairs Mikkeller

Michelin Bib Gourmand Bangkok 2020
100 Mahaseth
Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai
Baan Benjarong Pai
Baan Phadthai
Baan Somtum (Sathon)
Baan Yai Phad Thai
Baannai
Bangkok Bold Kitchen (Central Embassy)
Beer Hima (Prachachuen)
Bokkia Tha Din Daeng
Chai Phochana
Chakki
Charoen Saeng Silom
Choy (Phuttha Monthon Sai 2)
Eat Pad Thai
Elvis Suki (Soi Yotse)
ERR
Go-Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam (Pratunam)
Guay Jub Mr. Joe
Guay Jub Ouan Pochana
Guay Tiew Kua Gai Suanmali (Khlang Hospital Intersection)
Guay Tiew Mu Rung Rueang
Here Hai
Hia Wan Khao Tom Pla
Jao Nai Fish Ball (Ekkachai)
Jay Oh
Jidori Cuisine Ken
Jok Prince
Kor Panich
Khua Kling Pak Sod
Klang Suan
Konchong Konprung
Krua Apsorn (Sam Sen)
Lai Rot (Rama 6)
Lay Lao (Ari)
Lim Lao Ngow (China Town)
Mae Khlong Hua Pla Mo Fai
Maverick (Soi Yotse)
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
Ongtong
Phan Fa
Plu
Polo Fried Chicken
Poon Lert Room (Phlapphla Chai Intersection)
Praram 9 Kaiyang (Rama 9)
Rat Na Yot Phak 40 Years
Ruen Ton
S.B.L.
Sa-at Sawoei (Kanchanapisek Road)
Sae Phun
Sanguan Sri
Sanyod (Sathon-Bang Rak)
Sawang Bami Kam Pu (Si Phraya)
Siam Charming
Somsak Pu Ob (Charoen Rat)
Ten Suns
Thai Niyom
The Local
Tung Sui Heng Pochana (Stadium One)
Watsana Khao Man Gai
Weng (Woeng Nakhon Kasem)

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It is not easy to run F&B establishment in Singapore.

Especially in a small neighbourhood like Serangoon Garden, where we have witnessed the departure of OG cafés such as Arbite and Little Wimbly Lu.

Hence, it is heartening to see substantial café players venturing to this challenging realm.

From the same team which founded Atlas Coffeehouse at Bukit Timah, Lunar Coffee Brewers at Downtown Gallery and Columbus Coffee Co. at Upper Thomson, Apollo Coffee Bar is their latest expansion located at Serangoon Gardens.

Upon entering the café, you will be greeted with an island coffee bar smack right in the middle of the store.

While the space is not huge, it was efficiently managed with tables of different sizes parked at various corners to cater to different group of diners.

My favourite spot would be the air-conditioned backyard which gave the vibes of al fresco dining. An ideal location to chill over a cup of coffee with soft sunlight pouring in from the glass ceiling.

The team have got their formula quite right with every venture, by coming up with variance of industrial chic dining environment coupled with creative food offerings to satisfy café hopper’s interest.

The food menu at Apollo are mostly new creations and inspired from Mediterranean origins. They are also categorized into SMALL and LARGE plates to promote communal dining.

I took a liking to the recommended Pork & Pear Tartine ($19.50) which came with roasted pears, bacon chunks, caramelized onions and ricotta cheese spread on a bed of fluffy ciabatta bread.

A delightful combination of sweet and savoury taste notes which was further elevated with use of natural herbs and spices.

One of the small plates, Baba Gahanoush ($12.50) also appealed to my taste buds with mashed eggplant and honey roasted squash served as a dipping spread for ciabatta.

Brunch menu is available from 9am till 4pm and serves offering such as Granola, Pears & Yoghurt ($13), Lemon Curd & Hotcakes ($14.50) and Super Nutty Acai bowl ($15)

I had the Wurst Rosti ($23.50) and was presented with a pair of sunny side up egg and cheese sausage shaped in a smiley face.

The potato rosti also left an impression with its golden crisp exterior, though I would still prefer my rosti to go with some sour cream and chives.

The regular coffee suspects such as Atlas and Nautica espresso blends, Cosmos and Milky Way Cold Brew ($7) from the other establishments also made their appearance.

For non-coffee drinkers, the Iced Jasmine Oolong Tea w/ Milkstache Foam ($7.50) would probably appeal to those who usually go for Macchiato bubble tea.

Other familiar desserts such as the Strawberry Maple Pancake ($16.50), Candied Bacon Waffle ($14.50) and The Milky Way Soft Serve ($7) are also available.

Exclusive to Apollo Coffee Bar is the Dark Chocolate and Miso Caramel Softserve ($7). I prefer the latter which has an interesting blend of salty miso and sweet caramel flavour.

I can already foresee myself becoming a regular patron at Apollo Coffee Bar.

My only qualm would be the low ceiling height which will trap the sound of chatty patrons in store and would get slightly unbearable when the café occupancy is at its peak.

Apollo Coffee Bar
65 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555961
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tue – Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Mon
https://www.facebook.com/apollocoffeebar/

* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

After waves and waves of popular Taiwanese bubble tea and chicken cutlet shops that descended to Singapore, the next brand to look forward to is Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice 金峰魯肉飯.

The Singapore shop will be located at Ang Mo Kio Hub basement 2.

Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice is a well-known eatery in Taipei that serves one of the most popular Taiwanese dishes, “Lu Rou Fan” otherwise known as Braised Pork Rice).

You can find it along Roosevelt Road and Ximending in Taipei.

The Braised Pork Rice, priced at NT$30, NT$40, NT$50 (SGD1.30, SGD1.80, SGD2.50) for their small, medium and large bowls, is definitely the signature dish here at Jin Feng in Taipei.

The dish is served with a large amount of rice and topped off with a slice of bitter melon and braised pork.

One thing to note is that while Singaporeans are used to bowls with loads of meat with less rice. The reverse seems to apply to many Lu Rou Fan stalls in Taiwan where there is very little meat in contrast to rice.

I also noticed that other restaurants that offer this dish tend to serve it with more fat than meat, which is not the case here.

The draw to me was the savoury sauce on the fluffy rice, when paired with hot soup was very comforting.

The Singapore local store is still undergoing renovation. Look out here for updates!

Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice 金峰魯肉飯
No. 10, Section 1, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100 (Near Chang Kai-Chek Memorial Station)
台北市中正區羅斯福路一段10號
Tel: +886 2 2396 0808
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 1:00am Daily
Google Maps – Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice

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Singapore Chilli Crab, White Pepper Crabs, Curry Fish Head and Salted Egg Prawns… these are some iconic and popular dishes when you talk about Singapore-style seafood.

If you are looking at a restaurant for family-gathering, or somewhere to bring a foreign friend to try out a range of local seafood delicacies, look no farther than TungLok Seafood with three restaurants across the country – Orchard Central, Jurong (The Arena Country Club), and the newest outlet at Paya Lebar Quarter PLQ.

It offers you the freshest catch of the day prepared the TungLok way – quality ingredients, meticulously-followed standards.

Get your fill of live seafood, cold cut/sashimi and sushi, appetisers, soups, mains, noodles, all the way down to dessert.

All-time faves include Spicy Curry Laksa with Thick Rice Vermicelli Crab, Deep-Fried Marble Goby, Stir-Fried Thick Sea Cucumber with Fish Maw, Sautéed Scallop with XO Sauce, and the dish that raked in the awards, Deep-fried Prawns with Wasabi-mayo Sauce – a TungLok original.

Check out 10 of TungLok Seafood’s recommended dishes:

TungLok Signature Chilli Crab ($7.80 per 100g)
Whether you’re a first-timer or a long-time follower of the TungLok brand, the TungLok Seafood Chilli Crab comes highly recommended.

Aside from the fresh crabs with chunky and juicy meat, what makes this rendition unique is how the sauce combines tomato sauce and fresh-squeezed orange juice to deliver a distinct taste.

You would find that the sauce to be fruitier and even eggier than usual, and so makes it appetising yet not overly rich. The good thing is there is A LOT of sauce, so good that you can even have it on its own.

Of course, it is best appreciated when you dunk those piping hot deep-fried mantou to soak up all that mildly-spicy gravy.

White Pepper Dungeness Crab with Leek and Fresh Peppercorn ($8.80 per 100g)
Another crab dish worth discovering is TungLok’s Dungeness Crab, similarly spicy but peppery spicy.

Unlike typical White Pepper Crab dishes, this version sautés fresh crabs in a special mix of white pepper and fresh peppercorns to give it that robust flavour.

This was my first time having it, and found that the pepperiness very shiok, with that slight spiciness that complemented well with the sweet crabs. No wonder it has become one of TungLok’s top selling dishes.

Deep-fried Prawn with Wasabi-mayo Sauce ($32, 400g)
You don’t want to miss this TungLok original. Together with a wasabi-infused mayo sauce, they have achieved celebrity status and have been replicated by others due to its immense popularity.

This dish first came out in 2000 and since then has earned awards and loyal fans.

If you have always wasabi due to its rather lingering and burning aftertaste, the amount here is just light and delicate – there are just shades of it with more of the mayo-creaminess.

Another popular prawn dish to consider is the Deep-fried Prawn with Salted Egg Yolk, with salted egg grains and curry leaves enveloping golden-brown prawns.

TungLok Seafood Platter ($68)
Dining with a group? Here’s the ultimate platter that will feast your eyes and satisfy those crustacean cravings.

This is like a sashimi platter, and you may find it odd to find this in a Chinese restaurant. That is because TungLok Seafood has a trained Japanese chef who introduced cold cuts, sashimi (Norwegian salmon, swordfish, yellow tail) and makis.

See and smell the freshest catch of the day before you, artfully laden with Hamachi (Yellow Tail), Sake (Norwegian Salmon), Mekajiki (Swordfish), Fresh Oysters with Chilli Sauce, Poached Prawns and Sliced Baby Abalone Salad.

TungLok Curry Fish Head ($38) *only available at PLQ Mall and Arena Country Club
Spice up your day with TungLok’s version of the Curry Fish Head, prepared using a hefty 7-8kg farm-fresh Australian-sourced barramundi.

Maximize all the nutrients of this healthy meat, from vitamin A to zinc, as you will get a whole chunk of this protein-rich fish.

What makes this fish taste mildly sweet and clean-tasting is how and where it is reared – oxygen-rich sea water from the deep, strong-current seas in southern Singapore.

This is the kind of dish that you need to jio (invite) a number of like-minded friends to share (Let’s be honest as Fish Head Curry is a not a dish everyone will appreciate.)

The tender fish head came arrived in a bubbling gravy which combines South Indian spices, tanginess of tamarind, and creaminess of coconut milk. The sauce was slurp-worthy, and thankfully not too greasy.

Braised House Special Beancurd with Nameko Mushrooms and Vegetables ($18)
Looking for a non-spicy vegetarian option? Try this house special.

Armed with layers of textures and flavours, this dish’s main star is the beancurd which has soaked up the umami flavours of Nameko mushrooms through braising.

Slices of bean curd, sprinkled with tender pieces of mushrooms, lay atop some fresh green vegetables to create one cohesive medley of non-meat goodness.

Steamed Razor Clam with Garlic and Vermicelli ($10 per piece)
Those who clamour for clams will get this fix in this dish, featuring Pacific razor clams steamed on-point.

Known for its meatiness and higher protein content than other clams, the razor clam is enhanced with bits of pungent garlic and combined with firm and tender glass noodles.

Slurp up that golden-brown gravy, noodles, and clams in one bite.

Braised Rice Vermicelli with Seafood ($24)
This dish features fine rice-based noodles in a melange of prawns and clams. You can imagine how sumptuous it would be when the bee hoon soaked up all that umami seafood stock.

Braised in a gentle sauce along with thinly-sliced shiitake mushrooms and green onions, these noodles are a comforting addition to your table.

Seafood Mee Goreng ($18)
Comforting Chinese style dish of wok-fried yellow noodles with generous portion of seafood and eggs, encapsulating sweet and spicy flavours.

Durian Dessert Series – Chilled Black Glutinous Rice with Durian Puree and Coconut Ice-cream served in Young Coconut ($10)
Aside from its usual desserts, TungLok has created a series of durian-based sweet endings.

Start off with the chilled and sticky black glutinous rice served with durian puree. Prepared a la mode with coconut ice-cream, this dessert is beautifully presented in a young coconut shell.

Durian Dessert Series – Durian ‘Mochi’ ($8 for 4 pcs)
Follow through with additional orders of Durian Mochi. Each order comes with 4 pieces of glutinous rice flour balls filled with durian puree.

Durian Dessert Series – Durian Pudding ($8)
Finally, enjoy the taste of fibre-rich durian as a bowl of soft and creamy pudding. Your palate will love its texture and unique taste, truly representative of that Asian flavour.

TungLok Seafood at Paya Lebar Quarter also offers the following buffet options:
– A La Carte Lunch Weekday Buffet (min 2 to dine): $26.80++ for adults, $16.80++ for child below 12 years old
– A La Carte Seafood Buffet Weekday Lunch and Dinner & Weekend Lunch (min 4 to dine): $38.80++ for adults, $28.80++ for child below 12 years old
– A La Carte Dinner Buffet available daily (min 4 to dine): $58.80++ for adults, $43.80++ for child below 12 years old

The lunch buffet offers a range of dim sum items, salmon sashimi and cooked dishes such as Coffee Pork Ribs, Prawn Paste Chicken Wings, Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg Yolk, and Sautéed Sliced Beef with Spring Onions.

TungLok Seafood – Paya Lebar Quarter
#03-09/10, 10 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409057
Tel: +65 6909 8933
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)
Lunch 10pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

TungLok Seafood – Orchard Central
#11-05, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6834 4888
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)
Lunch 10pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

TungLok Seafood – The Arena Country Club
511 Upper Jurong Road, Singapore 638366
Tel: +65 6262 6996
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30pm – 3pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)
Lunch 10pm – 3pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

Last order 30 minutes before closing.

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with TungLok Seafood.

After quite a high profile (and delayed opening) of %Arabica Singapore at Arab Street, the famous coffee shop will next open at 313@somerset.

(Photo credit: %Arabica)

It took over the space previously occupied by Barrio by Mex Out. A rather prominent location, especially if you come out from Somerset MRT, or walk from 313 to Orchard Central.

The 3rd Singapore location is set to be at Chip Bee Gardens, Holland Village.

Not many may know that %Arabica is originally from Hong Kong technically, but gained more international recognition after the store moved to Kyoto.

% Arabica is known as a great place for good coffee, somewhere even coffee snobs would be go to.

Depending on the season and availability, you can find coffees from Japan, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Ethiopia and Panama.

Over in Singapore, Caffe Latte is priced at $7 for short, $8 for tall, while the iced version is priced at $8. Not considered cheap.

If you prefer something sweeter, also available is the Spanish Latte ($7.80. $9.00) which is included with condensed milk.

I enjoyed the Iced Caffe Latte, it was as pleasurable as how I remembered it to be – the smooth milky feeling, aromatic coffee, and balanced robustness.

&Arabica Singapore – 313@somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-14/15 313@somerset Singapore 238895
Opening soon

%Arabica Singapore – Arab Street
56 Arab Street Singapore 199753
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

* 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.

[Tokyo] Apart of ramen and sushi, matcha is another symbolic food that is iconic to Japan.

Suzukien Asakusa is the birth-child of 2 brands: Suzukien (a tea shop that was opened in 1853 in Tokyo) and Nanaya, a matcha sweets factory that serves the World’s strongest matcha gelato from the Shizuoka Prefecture.

Through this collaboration, their first outlet opened in 2016 just 200m away from Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji in Asakusa and subsequently expanded to a 2nd outlet along the next street 100m away.

Do note that each outlet has different closing days but at least one of the two outlets will be opened at any point of time.

Some background info: Even though matcha powder from Uji, Kyoto is more commonly known, Shizuoka Prefecture is ranked number 1 in terms of volume of matcha produced in Japan each year and the matcha used at both Nanaya and Suzukien is grown in Okaebe Cho, Fujieda City in Shizuoka.

The interior layout of Suzukien Asakusa is simple with a retail corner and benches to accommodate 20 people, after all, it’s a gelato shop.

Be prepared to be disappointed if you want to purchase the matcha powder used to create the Matcha gelato Premium No.7 as it’s not for sale.

Apart from the 7 different intensities of matcha gelato here, other flavours include Hojicha (roasted green tea), Genmaicha (Brown rice tea), Japanese black tea, Black sesame and Azuki red beans.

Since I’m here at the shop offering the World’s strongest matcha gelato, I will highly recommend the Matcha gelato Premium No.7 (Single scoop ¥590, SGD7.50) that comes in an intense evil shade of green.

A second scoop of gelato (excluding the Matcha gelato) is available at ¥680, SGD8.70 and an ice cream cone will cost an additional ¥20, SGD0.25 including taxes.

This definitely not for the faint-hearted as the Premium No.7 is well-balanced with a strong, bitter, umami with distinctive vegetal notes and a slight sweetness.

As a matcha-holic myself, I was pleasantly surprised with the smooth and creamy texture without bits of matcha in it considering the amount of matcha powder added to reach this high concentration.

Sugoii desu ne!

Just a suggestion to get another matcha gelato of lower intensity to balance out the richness as my friend felt that it was too overbearing and overwhelming for her.

The Premium No.7 reminds me of Nocturne No. 5 in Seoul that offers a similar concept of varying concentrations of matcha gelato.

However, the level 5+ matcha gelato at Nocturne No. 5 is more bitter and less enjoyable.

On the other hand, I ordered double scoops of ice cream (Level 4 matcha gelato and black sesame) for comparison purpose.

Level 1 to 6 matcha gelato are similarly priced at ¥390, SGD5 whereas an additional scoop of gelato (except the matcha gelato) will cost ¥500, SGD6.40.

The Level 4 matcha gelato is definitely more milky as compared to Level 7, but has a more distinctive matcha-ness compared to commercial matcha ice cream brands out there.

For most people, level 4 matcha gelato had a good balance of sweetness from the Hokkaido milk and bitterness from the matcha powder.

Furthermore, it’s aromatic with a pleasant matcha fragrance.

The black sesame gelato is worth a mention, which reminded me of a bowl of black sesame paste in the form of an ice cream.

Even though it’s not as intense as Gomaya Kuki at Omotensando, the texture of the black sesame gelato is smooth and milky with earthy and nutty notes.

As a matcha lover myself, I was so glad that I included Suzukien Asakusa into my itinerary for this trip to Tokyo.

After all, Japan is known to be the birthplace of matcha and nothing is better than eating the World’s strongest matcha gelato in the country of origin.

Suzukien Asakusa 壽々喜園浅草本店
First outlet: 3 Chome-4-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
Second outlet: 3 Chome-31-5 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Mon – Sun), Closing days not fixed
https://www.facebook.com/tokyotocha/

Click HERE for other Tokyo Food Entries

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

If you find yourself at the Circular Road area, craving for some authentic Korean BBQ, head out to Hello Korean BBQ and say “hello” to charcoal-grilled meats and traditional Korean fare.

While Tanjong Pagar is the usual area foodies hang out for Korean fare, this restaurant is also known for its authentically Korean flavours and quality meats.

It is of a convenient short walk from Boat Quay and Raffles Place MRT.

Catch its Unlimited BBQ Buffet available for dinner (5:30pm – 11:59pm daily) and lunch during weekends and public holidays (11:30am – 2:30pm). A minimum of 2 is required so bring along a friend. Kids below 1.2m in height eat free.

For only $29.90++, you get free-flow of meats for BBQ, such as pork collar, pork belly, boneless chicken leg, and fresh prawns.

These are conveniently grilled at your table by the staff, so you can focus on the best part – picking up the cooked pieces and popping them to your mouth. Here’s more on what they have to offer:

Pork Collar (Salted / Soya / Pepper)
The beautiful marbling of this pork cut makes it perfect for grilling Korean-style. Due to its high level of fat, it works well on the grill and doesn’t require added oil in the marinade.

Also known as neck fillet, this meat is available salted or it soya or pepper flavours. This cut is tender enough to eat slightly pink, but you can ask the staff to grill to your preferred doneness.

Pork Belly (Plain / Thin / Soya Spicy)
Another fatty meat best suited for Korean BBQ is the pork belly, available as plain regular slices, thin slices, and soya spicy flavoured.

Samgyeopsal or grilled pork belly is a perhaps the most popular choice for Korean BBQ as it can be cooked succulent and juicy, or grilled longer to make it crispier.

Dip the plain ones in sesame oil, or opt for the ssamjang dipping sauce for more flavour.

Chicken Leg Boneless (Soya / Pepper / Spicy)
If you like chicken better, go for the chicken leg meats marinated with fermented soya sauce, with gochujang (red pepper paste) or with pepper.

As these as boneless cuts, you’ll get tender easy-to-eat pieces of chicken ready to be wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves.

Prawns
Add in some fresh prawns for more variety in your BBQ. These are not prepared in a marinade so you’ll get its natural sweet taste once grilled.

Eat it as is or dipped in some ssamjang, a blend of fermented soy bean paste, red pepper paste, sesame oil, onion, garlic, and green onions.

With your meats in place, you can do a Top Up for $4.00 and get either one of these 6 dishes: Soya Bean Stew, Spicy Tofu Stew, Mixed Vegetable Rice in Stone Bowl, Cold Noodle/Spicy Cold Noodle, Spicy Rice Cake, and Steamed Egg.

Spicy Tofu Stew (Top up $4)
This hearty and spicy tofu stew aka sundubu-jjigae is chockful of ingredients including soft tofu, fresh clams, red and green chilies, green onions, and raw egg.

Spicing up this comforting jjigae are red pepper flakes (gochugaru), making it perfect for cold weather along with steamed white rice and several banchan (side dishes).

Steamed Egg (Top up $4)
Gyeran jim or steamed egg is a classic, piping hot side dish for Korean BBQ so make sure you order this for your top-up.

Feel its velvety soufflé-like texture, created by combining whisked eggs with a flavourful broth then steaming it to the brim of the ttukbaegi (stone bowl).

Korean Cold Noodle (Top up $4)
Mul naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish served in a chilled broth. Originally enjoyed during winter months in Korea, it eventually became a popular summer noodle dish.

It’s recommended you savour this as you finish your Korean BBQ as a pre-dessert dish. Served topped with julienned cucumber and a hard-boiled egg.

Tip: Try the cold broth first before adding some vinegar and mustard for more flavours to your liking.

Korean Spicy Cold Noodle (Top up $4)
Want a spicy version? Order its sibling bibim naengmyeon, also a cold noodle dish.

Like its sibling, it’s also topped with julienned cucumber, hard-boiled egg, and sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.

Army Stew ($39.80 ala carte, $58.80 for set with pancake and steamed egg, 50% OFF if ordered with BBQ Buffet)
You can order the Army Stew as a single order ($39.80, shareable as it is quite substantial in size) or as a set ($59.80).

Each Army Stew set comes with a bowl of Steamed Egg and your choice of Spring Onion Seafood Pancake, Chive Seafood Pancake, or Kimchi Pancake.

Sharing dishes like Army Stew, Rice Cake Stew, and Spicy Mussel Stew (this one is available only for dinner) are available to complete your Korean BBQ experience.

Budae jjigae is a stew originally created during post-Korean war using American surplus ingredients. ie canned meats (spam), canned baked beans, bacon, hot dogs, sausages, and sliced cheese.

Hello Korean BBQ’s version adds ramyeon noodles, enoki mushrooms, green onions, and red chilies, and certainly very tasty especially towards the end when the soup gets thicker with some sweetness form the baked beans.

All beef dishes and sharing dishes are also at 50% for diners who order the BBQ Buffet.

Make sure to book your table ahead of time as it can get packed, especially during weekends.

Oh yeah. FOLLOW Hello Korean BBQ’s IG @Hello_Korean_BBQ and get a FREE Korean Yako after your meal.

Hello Korean BBQ
46 Circular Road Singapore 049401
Tel: +65 3138 2635
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 11:59pm (Mon – Sun)
BBQ Buffet available during weekend nights (last order 10:30pm) and weekend lunch (last order 1:30pm) and dinner (last order 10:30pm)
https://www.facebook.com/hellokoreanbbq

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Hello Korean BBQ.

There is a minimalist style Korean lifestyle café at Bukit Timah, which appears to be still quite under-the-radar.

During the few occasions I was there, I noted curious youths and students hanging outside looking intently at the menu, with a look of hesitation then walked away.

Kong Café located at Sime Darby Centre is near to couple of educational institutions, with Ngee Ann Poly just across the road. Plus, it offers student discounts and has no service charge or GST.

So, what’s missing?

The name not catchy enough? Lack of marketing and publicity? Confusing menu?

To be honest, I did take longer than usual to ‘study’ its menu and deciding what to order.

There were a couple of photos pasted outside the café (which looked like an after-thought), so perhaps something can be done to organise the menu and how it is displayed.

The café is owned partially by a Korean artist and avid yogini, who felt that the Bukit Timah area needed a quiet and chill place where people could relax and enjoy themselves.

Due to her background, there are a number of Korean-infusions and treats for the health-conscious.

Some eye-catching items on the menu include the Honey Butter Waffles ($18), Bulgogi Sandwich ($17), Ban Ban Wings ($20 for 10), Korean Chicken Rice ($16), Bulgogi Pesto Pizza ($18), Ramyun ($14), and Tteokbokki ($14).

I couldn’t resist the Savoury Waffles ($18) included with scrambled eggs and fried chicken (or sausage and bacon).

The food items are freshly prepared, so do wait a while for them to be ready.

Of late, I actually do not have overly high expectations of breakfast/brunch sets at cafes, because there would just be an item or two within the plate that would be ‘off’.

For this, the scrambled eggs were warm and luxuriously creamy, fried chicken crisp and on-point-juicy.

While the waffle was of a different style (could be more buttery I thought), I think people would like the overall combination.

The Ban Ban Wings ($10 for 4) in choice of spicy & sticky or honey butter sauce, tasted quite authentically Korean.

It vaguely reminded me of Kyochon’s with its sticky-honeyed-sweetness, and the meat was deliciously moist.

I also ordered a home-made Basque Cheesecake ($7.50) since it is the current trendy dessert. Would say that this is a decent version, though not particularly outstanding.

Kong’s coffee is made from a special house blend called Kollabo, and was rather aromatic and balanced.

For students who want a quiet time, Kong Café has dedicated a small section with plugs and free wifi, while diners can have their meal at another side of the café. Promising, but perhaps lack of that needed awareness.

Kong Cafe
896 Dunearn Road, Sime Darby Centre #01-11 Singapore 589742 (King Albert Park MRT Exit B)
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Tues), 8am – 10pm (Wed – Sun)

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

[Seoul] As Korean superstar Gong Yoo puts on his maroon-coloured apron, stirs the rice porridge and smiles, you can’t help but want to eat that Juk he is having.

I am talking about an ad of course, but it is not difficult to find a Gong Yoo-fronted shopfront selling rice porridge in Seoul, especially when there are a thousand over such partner stores in South Korea.

Bonjuk (본죽 or 本粥) is known for serving Juk which is Korean rice porridge.

While Juk is typically consumed as a breakfast item, or served to the elderly, sick and babies in Korea, chain stores like Bonjuk managed to transform this to quite a ‘hip’ food you can have at any time of the day.

At any season, not just winter.

The focus of Bonjuk is on wellness, health and nutrition, slow-cooked using fresh ingredients like how a mother would prepare porridge for the family.

While the signature here are the Abalone, Beef and Korean Ginseng porridge, you get more fanciful choices such as Hot Seafood and Vegetable, Octopus Kimchi, Clam Rice with Dried Radish, and Red Crabmeat Porridge.

There are also sweeter choices such as Sweet Pumpkin, Red Bean, Mung Bean, Black Sesame and Pine Nut Porridge.

A bowl is about 8000 to 10000 Korean Won (SGD9.35 – 11.70), though it can reach much higher if you pick the premium bowls.

I ordered an Abalone Porridge (11,000 Won, SGD12.90) and could understand its appeal – it was creamy, moderately savoury and nutritious-tasting.

During the colder weathers, this would be quite comforting and belly-warming to have.

However, compared to some of other restaurants that I visited, this version would be considered plain and perhaps bland (aka ‘healthier’) in terms of flavours.

The Beef Porridge with Pine Mushrooms had a luscious-thick consistency, though I also wished it would be tastier.

Perhaps I should have ordered a Seafood or Kimchi Porridge the next time.

There are several outlets within central Seoul itself, from Myeongdong to Hongdae. Just look out for Gong Yoo in an apron?

Do note that the stores can get quite crowded, and thus service (to tourists) may not be as ultra-friend as expected. At least there is an English menu for easier ordering.

(Above pic taken from Hongdae outlet)

Bonjuk 본죽
Myeongdong outlet: Bonjuk 6 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
MiGaBon 味加本 (Myeongdong, Seoul)

Click HERE for other SEOUL 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.

Slowly, but surely. We are seeing these not-so-instagrammable cheesecake appearing in cake cafes and Spanish restaurants.

The Basque Cheesecake, otherwise known as the Burnt Cheesecake, is identified with its burnt (aka chao tah) exterior, super-soft interior and being crustless.

This makes the top slightly bitter while the inside is sweet, when eaten forms an interesting contrast.

It is created by baking in the oven in higher heat so that the exterior will be burnt, and inside slightly molten. It was created many years ago in San Sebastian, and recently became trendy in the US and other parts of the world.

Some cafes in Singapore such as The Kins’ Specialty Coffee, Keong Saik Bakery, GRUB, The Bakery Chef, Fat Belly, Fluff Bakery, Cat and The Fiddle (entire cake), and Paris Baguette (certain stores), have started selling them. Here’s more:

Olivia Restaurant & Lounge
55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2pm (Tues – Thurs), 12pm – 2:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Tues – Thurs), 6pm – 11:30pm (Fri – Sat)

A visit at Olivia Restaurant & Lounge is your chance to try Singapore’s most talked about cheesecake in town.

Be transported to the vibrant city of Barcelona in an instant when you visit Olivia Restaurant & Lounge at the rejuvenated Keong Saik Road neighbourhood.

So get the Olivia’s Homemade Creamy Cake ($14), an iconic dish prepared from the recipe of Olivia’s mother and sous chef Celina Franco.

This hand-crafted dessert took months to perfect and achieve that subtle and creamy texture.

(Photo credit: Nicholas Tan @stormscape.)

The Kins’ Specialty Coffee
2 Jalan Mat Jambol, BIJOU, #01-08/09, Singapore 119554
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Thurs – Tue), Closed Wed

The highlight of the meal was definitely their Kins’ Burnt Cheesecake ($7.50), served with a dollop of sweetened whipping cream on its side.

This Basque Burnt Cheesecake may look like a failed product from the kitchen, with a burnt and rough top layer, an under-cooked oozy layer in the middle mixed a fluffy layer of cheesecake at the bottom.

But it really tasted better than it looked.

The Burnt Cheesecake was light on the palate, soft and moist at the same time, which resembled more of a Japanese cheesecake in terms of its texture. The Kins’ Specialty Coffee (Pasir Panjang)

Keong Saik Bakery
41 Keong Saik Road Singapore 089146
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5pm (Mon), 7:30am – 8pm (Tues – Fri), 8am – 8pm (Sat – Sun)

What makes Keong Saik Bakery’s Burnt Cheesecake ($7.50) different is that it is made using four different types of cheese. While I thought that the texture could have been a tad softer, the layered cheese flavours was quite appealing and would make you want to take small bites for the taste to linger.

Other than the original, the Matcha Burnt Cheese ($8) is also quite popular though the green tea powder may not be as distinct as you wished.

Available in limited quantities, the Two Face ($8.50) wins as it is a two-in-one cake, containing the creamy original cake at the top and matcha cheesecake at the bottom.

The Bakery Chef
161 Bukit Merah Central, #01-3711, Singapore 150161
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 7pm (Sat – Sun)

While The Bakery Chef’s version is made with only one type of cheese, the texture was actually quite soft (though not considered molten).

What made it extra delicious was the added served of light cream with tinge of sea salt, that gave the cheesecake that added salty-sweet savour and moisture as you eat it with the cake.

GRUB Burger Bistro
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, 510 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, Singapore 569983
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

Other than the Basque Burnt Cheesecake, GRUB has also introduced Singapore’s first Kaya Burnt Cheesecake.

You can fragrant kaya paired with the rich cheese – a burnt top with slightly firm texture on the outside, and creamy on the inside.

Kong Cafe
896 Dunearn Road, Sime Darby Centre #01-11 Singapore 589742 (King Albert Park MRT Exit B)
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Tues), 8am – 10pm (Wed – Sun)

The Korean lifestyle café is owned partially by a Korean artist and avid yogini, who felt that the Bukit Timah area needed a quiet and chill place where people could relax and enjoy themselves.

I ordered a home-made Basque Cheesecake ($7.50) since it is the current trendy dessert. Would say that this is a decent version, though not particularly outstanding as it could have been more moist.

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

[Seoul] You may have just walked past the entrance gates without realising that there is a bamboo-flanked pathway leading to a boutique and café hidden within.

French fashion label Maison Kitsuné has opened a boutique and Café Kitsuné, found at the hip Garosu-Gil in the Sinsa-dong area.

The word “kitsune” actually refers to the mystical “fox” in Japanese folklore, thus you would find traces of foxes in the packaging, décor and accessories.

The Paris-meets-Tokyo brand somehow managed to create a zen feel while customers walk towards the shop, even though it can be crowded with instagrammers and tourists taking their usual #OOTD, hand holding that signature coffee cup pretending to take a sip.

The four-storey Seoul flagship is surrounded by greens and bamboo, with the building constructed out of concrete, marble, locally-sourced grey anthracite wood, and golden brass.

You can choose to sit either inside the café (which can be rather cramped), or outside in which you can enjoy some calm and serenity.

The menu is straight-forward, serving up coffee, tea and seasonal specials.

Other than the usual Flat White, Cappuccino, Americano and Café Mocha (5,000 – 6,000 Won), the more special beverages include Chai Latte, Yuzu & Honey, Melogold Ade and Plum Ade (7,000 – 7,500 Won).

The coffee is rather full-bodied, sourced from Costa Rita with notes of cherry and chocolate.

There are also some snacks such as Madeleine, Berry Financiers, and Sable Cookies (4,000 – 5,000 Won per piece).

While I would say the pastries were pretty much Seoul café stand, people really come here for photos and to indulge in their chill, hipster ambience.

Cafe Kitsune Seoul 카페키츠네 – Garosugil
23 Dosan-daero 13-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Sinsa Station)
서울시 강남구 신사동 535-13
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

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So do people working around Tanjong Pagar like to dine alone?

From my observation, the office crowd around here enjoy dining in groups; or they would quickly tabao something from nearby Tanjong Pagar Food Centre.

Well, much has been talked about Gangsta Ramen being the first ramen eatery in Singapore to offer private booth seats – probably inspired by Ichiran Ramen.

With that said, Ichiran Ramen has an entire seamless process in place from getting orders from a vending machine, paying before dining etc, so it makes sense for an individual diner who wants a quick, fuss-free meal.

During my visit to Gangsta Ramen, I was the only customer utilising the private booth seats, while the rest chose the shared tables. I am one of those who doesn’t mind dining alone, not afraid to be ‘judged’ by curious eyes.

Gangsta Ramen offers quite affordable bowls, with the Original Ramen priced at $10.

Other choices include Signature Ramen with Cheese ($12), Black Truffle Ramen ($16), Spicy Ramen ($12), and Miso Ramen ($12).

I wanted to see how the classic was like, and so ordered the Original Ramen which came tonkotsu-style. After which, I waited in the booth till the cat cloth covering was lifted up which caught me by a little surprise.

To be really honest, there are many ramen eateries in the Tanjong Pagar area known for their tonkotsu broth, for example Keisuke Tontotsu King and Ikkousha Ramen 博多一幸舎 which are just a short walk away.

The broth here was on the lighter side (still salty) but lacking in the tonkotsu rich-creaminess one would expect.

Noodles were cooked soft and limp, and didn’t have the delicious bite of freshly-made noodles.

For a Singapore ramen brand to stand out for its food, perhaps introducing something unique or different from nearby competitors could help (such as Kanshoku’s dry Truffle Ramen.

Side dishes (priced at $2.50 each) such as Chicken Wings, Chicken Cutlet, Smoked Duck and Gyoza are available. Wasn’t too sure if mayonnaise (without providing vinegar and soy sauce) would be the best accompaniment for soft Gyoza in this case.

Gangsta Ramen does seem to put a lot of effort in terms in doing up the place, and service staff was friendly to explain the dishes.

But with an Ichiran-style individual booth seats and concept, perhaps customers could come expecting close to ‘Ichiran-quality’.

Gangsta Ramen
1, #02-10 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Singapore 082001
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 2:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun

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Singaporeans sure love their Taiwanese Fried Chicken cutlet, with kiosks like Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks, Hot Star, Fried Chicken Master and Devil Chicken opening in several places across the island.

Monga which just launched at JEM, will be opening up its 2nd Singapore outlet at ION Orchard basement 4. Wah, so fast.

The anticipated opening date is 28th of November 2019.

The Taiwanese fried chicken chain which is co-owned by Taiwanese TV host Nono, got its name from the Wanhua district of Taiwan – which is traditionally known as “Monga” (remember the movie staring Ethan Juan and Mark Chao?)

The chicken cutlets are said to be prepared the way they do over Taiwan, sliced into a thick piece with a minimum of 2cm.

The shop also uses honey instead of granulated sugar to marinate the chicken meat, which is supposed to help tenderise the meat and elevate the taste.

Three different flavours are launched in Singapore: The King ($6.90) dusted with original salt and pepper seasoning; Hot Chick ($6.90) with chilli paprika powder hand-made from Anaheim peppers; and The Taiker ($6.90), with Japanese sauce and seaweed powder imported from Okinawa.

There will be a new “Christmas” flavour – the Fiery Chicken Fillet to be launched from 1st December till 26th December. It will be available at both ION and JEM outlets.

I ordered the Hot Chicken ($6.90) which was indeed chunky and huge.

Each fillet is coated with the optimum amount of flour, before being double-fried to give it its characteristic crust-like crunch with less greasiness.

Here’s what I liked about the chicken: it was juicy and very meaty, portion was great such that two persons can probably share a piece. The bag which contained the piece remained quite oil-free.

The skin remained quite crisp, even though I ate them in ‘phases’ across half an hour as it was just too large to finish in one sitting.

However, I thought that the batter separated from the chicken too easily.

And warning not to wear a white shirt while eating. As there are no proper table and seats around, the likelihood of the seasoning getting all over your clothes is very high.

Monga Singapore – ION Orchard
ION Orchard #B4-62, 2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
(Opening: 28th November 2019)

Monga Singapore – JEM
50 Jurong Gateway Road, #B1-K10, Jem, Singapore 608549
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9:30pm

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[Bangkok] Good things come to those who search. And in this case, a totally hidden find of a garden-themed café with delicious cakes located above a florist.

I was actually trying to locate “Nana Coffee Roasters” which is a short walk away from the bustling Yaowarat Chinatown (near Hua Lamphong train station).

It turned out that it is now known as Wallflowers Café, and how apt the name.

The floral-themed café is nestled in the heart of Soi Nana, with a lovely flower shop (Oneday Wallflowers) and a quaint flower garden that leads to the café on 2nd floor.

The place combines the love of coffee with the exquisiteness of flowers and colours.

Before going up, the twisted stairway with artistic lamps and flower pots offer picturesque beauty, offering a great site to take pictures.

There were a couple of tourists who took their coffee and cakes downstairs, just to have that prized shot before heading back up.

The café has a very nice, warm setting with natural light and outdoor seating area.

What I enjoyed was that cakes were displayed in full view for you to pick, with signatures ranging from Dark Beer Cake, Red Velvet, New York Cheese Cake, Carrot Cake and Crème Brulee.

One thing for sure, the cakes were gorgeously-pretty, in striking colours decorated with fresh fruits and edible flowers.

They are not considered cheap though, priced at 150 baht (SGD6.80) onwards per slice.

The Purple Sweet Potato Cake was not just a good-looker though, creamy and moist, with distinct sweet potato taste and yet not being overly sweet or heavy. Considering there was a lot of starch going on there.

They serve quality coffee at Wallflowers café that is freshly brewed and very aromatic.

Other than the milky Latte (130 baht) made with their signature house blend, the other recommended drink is the Le Boissom De Kanda (250 baht) – basically a carbonate espresso with a light and fruity aroma.

There are hints of citrus and peach along with earl grey for fragrance. This blend won the Signature Drink Award 2016 and is the most ordered one from their menu.

You can also try their carefully brewed Drip Coffee (250 baht) which is roasted and brewed at specific temperatures to bring out the best taste and fragrance.

Wallflowers Café
2nd floor, Oneday Wallflowers (31-33), Soi Nana-Yaowarat Pom Prap Sattru Phai District Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 90 993 8653
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Wallflowers Café

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[Seoul] The Michelin Guide has announced its 4th edition for Seoul. Well, no major surprises.

Gaon and La Yeon which received 3 stars since the inaugural edition, contains to retain their honours.

The MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2020 selection includes: 2 three-star restaurants; 7 two-star restaurants (including 2 new additions); 22 one-star restaurants (including 7 new additions); 60 Bib Gourmand restaurants (including 4 new additions).

Notable inclusions are Mosu specialises in “innovative cuisine” which was bumped up into 2-stars; and 2-Michelin starred L’Impression by chef Allen Suh which is an entirely new entry.

Interestingly, I just went to Balwoo Gongyang known for serving “temple cuisine”, and this year it has lost its Michelin star. Not that surprising though.

3 Michelin stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

Gaon 가온
La Yeon 라연

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.

Mosu 모수 (NEW entry)
L’Impression 임프레션 (NEW entry)
Kwon Sook Soo 권숙수
Mingles 밍글스
Alla Prima 알라 프리마
Jungsik 정식당
Kojima 코지마

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.

Terreno 떼레노 (NEW entry)
Myomi 묘미 (NEW entry)
Votre Maison 보트르 메종 (NEW entry)
Evett 에빗 (NEW entry)
Auprès 오프레 (NEW entry)
Onjium 온지음 (NEW entry)
Pierre Gagnaire 피에르 가니에르 (NEW entry)
Gotgan 곳간
Dining in Space 다이닝 인 스페이스
Dosa 도사
L’Amitié 라미띠에
Muoki 무오키
Bicena 비채나
Soigné 스와니예
Stay 스테이
Yu Yuan 유 유안
Exquisine 익스퀴진
Zero Complex 제로 콤플렉스
Joo Ok 주옥
Table for Four 테이블 포 포
Poom 품
Hansikgonggan 한식공간

MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2020 Bib Gourmand
미쉐린 가이드 서울 2020 빕 구르망 레스토랑 명단 (가나다순)

Soi Mao 소이연남마오 (NEW entry)
Amazing Thai 어메이징 타이 (NEW entry)
Tasty Cube 정육면체 (NEW entry)
Hyun Udon 현우동 (NEW entry)
Gaeseong Mandu Koong 개성만두 궁
Gebangsikdang 게방식당
Gwanghwamun Gukbap 광화문 국밥
Kyodaiya 교다이야
Gyoyang Siksa 교양식사
Goobok Mandu 구복만두
Geumdwaeji Sikdang 금돼지 식당
Kumsan Noodle Factory 금산제면소
A Flower Blossom on the Rice 꽃, 밥에피다
Nampo Myeonok 남포면옥
Daesungjip 대성집
Mapo Ok 마포옥
Mandujip 만두집
Manjok Ohyang Jokbal 만족 오향 족발
Myeongdong Kyoja 명동 교자
Mokcheon Jip (Encore Kalguksu) 목천집 (앵콜칼국수)
Minami 미나미
Mimi Myeonga 미미면가
Mijin 미진
Memil-Guksu 메밀 국수
Baek Nyun Ok 백년옥
Bongsanok 봉산옥
Bongpiyang 봉피양
Buchon Yukhoe 부촌육회
Sandong Gyojakwan 산동교자관
Samcheongdong Sujebi 삼청동 수제비
Semegae 세미계
Subaru 스바루
Yangyang Memil Makguksu 양양 메밀 막국수
Yukjeon Hoekwan 역전회관
Oreno Ramen 오레노 라멘
Ojangdong Hamheung Naengmyeon 오장동 함흥냉면
Oh Tongyoung 오통영
Okdongsik 옥동식
Yonggeumok 용금옥
Woo Lae Oak 우래옥
Wooyukmien 우육미엔
Yurimmyeon 유림면
Inaniwa Yosuke 이나니와 요스케
Imun Seolnongtang 이문 설농탕
Ilhochic 일호식
Limbyungjoo Sandong Kalguksu 임병주 산동 칼국수
Jaha Son Mandu 자하 손만두
Jungin Myeonok 정인면옥
Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon 진미 평양냉면
Jin Jin 진진
Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi 충무로 쭈꾸미 불고기
Tuktuk Noodle Thai 툭툭 누들 타이
FAGP 팩피
Piyangkong Halmani 피양콩 할마니
Pildong Myeonok 필동면옥
Hadongkwan 하동관
Hanilkwan 한일관
Halmaejip 할매집
Hapjeongok 합정옥
Hwanggeum Kongbat 황금콩밭
Hwangsaengga Kalguksu 황생가 칼국수

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The Better Half – Bakery Café With Korean Vibes And Delicious Cakes, Found Hidden At Everton Park

Chang Hwa Dang 창화당, Seoul – Popular Korean Mandu Restaurant Featured In Hotel del Luna, Get The Truffle Dumpling

C27 Cheesecake and Coffee, Seoul – 27 Different Types Of Cheesecake In An Instagrammable Café, At Sinsadong And Hongdae

FLOR Capitol – Flor Patisserie Opens Japanese-Style Café With Brown Sugar Roll Cake And Coffee From Kyoto, At Capitol Piazza

Ellenborough Market Café – Lobster Nights Buffet & Peranakan-Inspired Festive Buffet at Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore

Michelin Guide Bangkok 2020 – Thai Restaurants Sorn and R.Haan Receive 2 Michelin Stars, Street Food Eatery Jay Fai Retains 1 Star

Apollo Coffee Bar – Mediterranean-Inspired Brunch Café Opens At Serangoon Garden. By Atlas Coffeehouse And Columbus Coffee Co.

Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice – Popular Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan Shop Coming To Singapore, At Ang Mo Kio

TungLok Seafood – Sumptuous Chilli Crab, Fish Head Curry And Durian Desserts. NEW Outlet At Paya Lebar Quarter PLQ

%Arabica – Popular Coffee Shop Opening At 313@somerset Next Week

Suzukien Asakusa, Tokyo – World’s Richest Matcha Gelato With 7 Levels Of Matcha

Hello Korean BBQ – Unlimited Quality Meat & Prawns Korean BBQ BUFFET At $29.90++, At Circular Road

Kong Cafe – Korean Lifestyle Cafe With Honey Butter Waffles & Wings And Free Wifi, At Bukit Timah

Bonjuk 본죽, Seoul – Comforting Korean Rice Porridge Endorsed By Gong Yoo

Where To Find Basque Burnt Cheesecake In Singapore, Including Matcha And Kaya Burnt Cheesecake

Cafe Kitsune, Seoul – Popular & Hip Cafe Hidden In A Garden Courtyard, At Garosugil Sinsadong

Gangsta Ramen – Ramen Eatery With Individual Private Booths, At Tanjong Pagar Plaza

Monga Fried Chicken – Popular Taiwanese Fried Chicken Shop Opening At ION Orchard

Wallflowers Café, Bangkok – Hidden & Vintage Flower-Themed Cafe With Full Display Of Cakes, Near Yaowarat Chinatown

Seoul Michelin Guide 2020 Full List – Gaon and La Yeon Retain Their 3 Stars. NEW Entry L’Impression Receives 2 Stars