Ready to start planning your holiday parties? Let PARKROYAL on Pickering help make your Christmas celebration merrier with their brand of festive roasts and yuletide treats.

This eco-friendly hotel is geared up to deliver this year’s finest feast through its acclaimed restaurant, Lime.

Timeless Asian favourites and contemporary dishes will fill your tummies, lift your spirits, and bring people together.

Whether you’re organising a Christmas family reunion, looking for a holiday party venue for friends, or even considering celebrating at home, the award-winning PARKROYAL on Pickering is all set for you.

Its brigade of chefs have prepared a star-studded repertoire of exceptional food & beverage spread.

Festive Feasts – 25 November 2019 to 1 January 2020
Why wait ‘til December when you can start the revelry now? At PARKROYAL on Pickering, Christmas comes early with holiday-ready dishes starting 25 November 2019.

The open-kitchen-concept restaurant will be dishing out hearty dishes worthy of feasting on, including Turkey Masak Merah, Oven Baked Pork Prime Ribs with Spicy Tomato Paste, Grilled Beef Sirloin with Cognac and Mix Peppercorn Cream Sauce, Dong Po Pork Belly with Crispy Man Tou and Squid Ink Linguini with Chilli Crab Sauce.

Make it extra special during dinner time, as they have upgraded the selection to include fresh, succulent Irish Oysters on ice and Pickering’s Signature Lobster Laksa. Lime is also serving a meatless ‘Beef’ Wellington made using the BEYOND meat patty.

Turkey Masak Merah
Start off the celebration with this turkey dish prepared Malaysian-style, a spin-off from the traditional Ayam Masak Merah.

This turkey casserole is “cooked-red” by marinating the turkey in tomato paste, red chilli and spices, giving it that distinct deep red colour and a tangy, savoury flavour. A spicy way to usher in the chilly season.

Honey & Citrus Glazed Ham
Sweet and citrusy flavours combine in a sticky glaze to coat this holiday ham, all jewelled up for the season.

Each slice is bursting with tenderness and carries that smoke-cured taste of gammon ham. A wonderful addition to your spread, a noteworthy dish that deserves a glass of festive welcome drink (it is matcha milk boba pearls) on the side.

Grilled Beef Sirloin with Cognac and Mix Peppercorn Cream Sauce
Booze up your beef sirloin steak with Cognac and taste how a simple splash of brandy can make a difference in your meat. Take a break from your hectic year and just indulge in your steak prepared to your desired doneness.

The succulence is complemented with a mix peppercorn cream sauce served alongside. Bon appetit!

Lime’s Signature Assam Fish
Don’t miss out on this signature fish dish perfect for sharing in a family feast. Loaded with aromatics, the sauce is enhanced with tomatoes, tamarind and chili pastes for that umami, sweet and spicy taste.

Adding some rough-cut pineapples add a unique layer of sweetness as the sauce coats the chunks of fish.

Plant-based ‘Beef’ Wellington (dinner only)
If you are curious to try out plant-based meat, Lime has created a ‘Beef’ Wellington.

Available only during dinner time, this dish is prepared using BEYOND meat patty which delivers a meaty experience without the compromise.

Cold Seafood on Ice
Seafood on ice that features King Crab, Lobsters, freshly-shucked Oysters and Prawns, sitting alongside the ever-popular sushi and sashimi showcase.

Stollen (dessert)
Fruit bread baked with dried and candied fruits, spices, and nuts, then coated with powdered or icing sugar for that snowy effect.

Logcakes
For dessert, there’s nothing more Christmassy than the quintessential Yule Log. This year, Lime offers you 4 kinds of log cakes to choose from.

If you like yours rich and decadent, go for the Belgium Dark Chocolate with Passion Yule Log. The Black Forest Yule Log is a more dense-type of cake, while the Strawberry Shortcake Yule Log is light and fluffy – so take your pick.

But if you want local flavours, the cheerful and colourful Durian Gula Melaka Rainbow Yule Log is meant for you.

Festive Buffet Lunch and Dinner – From 25 November to 1 January 2020
Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm: $69++
Dinner 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Weekday): $99++
Dinner 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Weekend): $109++
Super Lunch Sunday 12:30pm – 3:30pm: $99++ or $157++

* UOB, Citi and BOC cardholders enjoy 20% discount applicable on festive buffets, from 25 November to 1 January 2020 (except eve of and on public holidays).

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Brunch & Dinner – 24 & 25 December 2019
The yuletide celebration comes to a peak on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and what better way to spend it than with sharing a meal with your loved ones. Whether you choose PARKROYAL on Pickering’s Christmas Brunch or Dinner, your Christmas Day meal deserves a joyful mix of holiday faves and seasonal specials.

You’ll be serenaded in style by carollers as you feast on Lime’s extravagant spread of specialties. It is the perfect time to pause, sit, and actually enjoy your meal leisurely with Christmas music in the background.

There’s no time to hurry over your Flambéed Tiger Prawns with Red Chilli and Garlic Sauce, King Crab and Boston Lobsters, or your Lemon Caper Beurre Noisette Roasted Salmon served with Rosemary Potatoes, Slow-Braised Lamb Rump and Braised Flank Steak.

Complete your selection with the Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce and Christmas Pork Terrine, Christmas staples ready to make a traditional come-back. There’s also the Honey and Citrus Glazed Gammon Ham which often takes the center stage.

Don’t forget the live stations where you can grab some Quesadillas a la minute.

Finally, bring out the creative side of you when you visit the dessert station. Did you know you can customise your own Cheesecake here? You can, so that should be fun!

Caramelised Pork Chop with Braised Red Cabbage (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
Pair this hefty serving of pork chop with some veggies and you won’t feel too guilty for all the indulgence. The braised red cabbage adds a nice contrast in texture and taste to the caramelised chops.

Seared to lock in the juiciness, the pork chops achieve that smoky aroma from the caramelisation of its natural sugars.

Lemon Caper Beurre Noisette Roasted Salmon with Rosemary Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
This roasted salmon dish is a great choice for those who simply adore the light flaky meat of pink salmon.

Served with rosemary potatoes and steamed broccoli on the sides, the roasted fish is slathered with a lemon-butter-based sauce, elevated with that piquant pickled taste from the added capers.

Braised Flank Steak in Red Wine Jus with Truffle Mashed Potato (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
A classic steak done right is always a delight. Make this flank steak the star of your holiday meal, beautifully braised in red wine jus to give it that deep flavour and crimson colour.

The accompanying mashed potato is served extra special with a splash of truffle oil.

Quesadillas (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
Add some Mexican flair to your spread with these quesadillas, thin tortillas filled with savoury zesty meats, cooked peppers, and queso.

Enjoy it while they’re hot and toasty right off the live station a la minute.

Christmas Pavlova Wreath (dessert) (only available on 24 and 25 Dec)
A holiday version of the classic Pavlova, a meringue-based dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light interior, this dessert is often topped with fruits and whipped cream.

Instead of the usual round shape, the Pavlova is formed and baked as a ring to replicate a wreath, topped with fruits in Christmas colours.

Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch and Dinner, 24 December 2019
Brunch 12:30pm – 3:30pm: $119++, $179++, or $199++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)
Dinner 6pm – 8pm: $109++ or $169++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)
Dinner 8:30pm – 10:30pm: $119++ or $179++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)

Christmas Day Buffet Brunch and Dinner, 25 December 2019
Brunch 12:30pm – 3:30pm: $129++, $179++ or $199++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)
Dinner 6:30pm – 10:30pm: $129++, $179++ or $199++ (unlimited servings of alcoholic beverages)

Festive Roasts and Yuletide Treats – Take Home Holiday Treats
Pre-orders will be available from 1 November 2019. Available for sale at Lime Restaurant from 1 December to 30 December 2019, 10am – 10pm
If you are hosting a celebration party, then the fuss-free Celebration Set will come in very handy.

The Celebration Set ($168+) includes a 2kg Roasted Turkey Breast, 1.5kg Honey Baked Ham and a Trio of mini Log cakes, ideal for group gatherings or mini-office parties.

Roasted vegetables, chestnuts, pearl vine tomatoes, brussel sprouts and specialty sauces are all included. Pre-order 3 days in advance.

Lime Restaurant
PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289
Tel: +65 6809 8899
Email: dining.prsps@parkroyalhotels.com

For more information, head over to: bit.ly/festive-buffets

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with PARKROYAL on Pickering.

[Seoul] If you are used to having piping hot noodles, then having a bowl of Naengmyeon may be slightly perplexing. But it has an interesting appeal, and I have grown to enjoy this cold-noodle dish a fair bit.

Naengmyeon (or raengmyŏn) is sometimes known as “Pyongyang Naengmyeon” as it was originally created in Northern Korean during the Joseon Dynasty, made popular in the city of Pyongyang.

These long and thin hand-made noodles became popular throughout Korea after the Korean War.

While it is traditionally served during winter, today it is more commonly eaten during summer months.

Naengmyeon is usually served in a large stainless-steel bowl, with long chewy noodles in a iced tangy broth, included with julienned cucumbers, Korean pear, boiled egg and occasional sliced beef.

The long noodles are supposed to be eaten without cutting as they symbolise longevity, but there are scissors available in restaurants to cut them up so that it is easier to consume.

Recognized by Michelin Guide with a “Bib Gourmand” for its cold buckwheat noodle dish Maengmyeon, Nampo Myeoknok 남포면옥 located near City Hall has been around for 4 decades.

Positioned in a small alley amidst a district full of office buildings, it can be reached via Exit 1 of Eujiro 1-ga. (It can be reached via a 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from central Myeongdong as well.)

Crowd-averse diners should skip the lunch hour when it is full of workers from nearby offices on meal break.

Nampo Myeoknok has a beautiful, modern interior and a reputation for authentic Pyeongyang-style cold buckwheat noodles and beef hot pot.

Walk right in and you’ll find traditional Korean house décor and concrete-embedded pots on the floor containing dongchimi labelled with different dates.

This is a kind of water radish which is essential for the soup base.

Both chair and floor seating are available. You can request for an English menu, and would find that the dishes start from 10,000 Korean Won.

The cold “Neng Nuyn” (12,000 Won, SGD13.90) was indeed very refreshing and tasty, and I enjoyed the fruitiness of the chilled beef broth as you get a bit of pear-sweetness, savouriness and vinegary-savour all at the same time.

The noodles has a soft and chewy bite, and slips down the throat easily.

Koreans recommend having the soup on its own to get the original taste first, after which you can add vinegar and mustard to your liking.

Not a fan of cold noodles? Order “On Myun” (12,000 Won) its warm counterpart.

This comes with buckwheat noodles in hot broth, though I found this a lot more ordinary and the beef to be on the bland side.

Another popular favourite is the Bibim Neng Myun (12,000 Won), drenched in red chilli paste for those who love some spice and kick.

Nampo Myeonok 남포면옥
24 Eulji-ro 3-gil, Da-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울시 중구 다동 121-4
Tel: +82 2 777 3131
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 9pm (Sat – Sun)

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Yukjeon Hoekwan 역전회관 (Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Shimsontang 심슨탕 (Myeongdong, Seoul)

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

[Bangkok] Many of Bangkok’s instagrammable and trendy coffee places may be located at slightly faraway areas, but if you are looking at somewhere in the heart off town, høst x AMBER could fulfil that satisfaction.

For the people who want to squeeze in a more trendy coffee place in a short 2 to 3 days Bangkok trip; or those who just want to rest your legs after endless shopping.

The café is located right within Central World, at one end of the ground level of Zen department store.

This is actually a collaboration with Hong Kong’s Dawn Chan who is the 4th placer of the 2015 World Barista Championship and owner of Amber Coffee Brewery in Hong Kong.

Even though it is located within a shopping mall (and you may expect more commercialised-looking spaces), høst x AMBER manages to balance between provide kickass coffee with comfortable and photogenic interior.

The layout of this café is truly one of a kind. The large glass panels offer wonderful views, and grace you with warm and lovely sunshine while you sit and enjoy some great coffee and tasteful conversations.

You can find some highly classy pictures in the café, thanks to the neat and polished white décor with simplistic furnishing.

In fact, you will find many beautiful corners that seem to be dedicated just for photos.

Of course, this is also where you can sit by the bar, and watch barista do their magic.

Sit by the bar and watch as the barista creates your drink of choice using the various tools and machines.

Choose from their extensive list of beverages and pair it with a decadent Chocolate Cake, or opt for some non-caffeinated drinks with a Lemon Cream Pie – a combination best enjoyed after a long day of work, when the sun is about to set.

There is actually quite a range of drinks, from Caramel Cream Frappe (150 baht) to Banana Hazelnut Mocha (155 baht).

If coffee is not your thing, other than the standard Matcha and Hojicha Latte, also available are Honey Yogurt Slushy, Citrus Green, Peach Passion and Sparkling Lychee (120 to 140 baht).

The signature ‘Amber’ (450 baht) has Gesha coffee mixed with pineapple juice with intense flavours and aroma extracted from the smoke of earl grey tea. Although it is a bit on the expensive side.

While food is not the big thing here, you can go for the Homemade French Butter Croissant (90 baht) to indulge in its fluffy texture; or head for more interesting choices of an artfully-arranged Almond Croissant (180 baht) or Lemon Meringue Croissant (210 baht).

For a guilty treat, they are best known for its Cereal Milk Soft Serve (85 baht) and Chocolate Fudge Cake (95 baht) which is true to its presentation – rich, heavy, and indulgent.

høst x AMBER
1F Zen department Store at Central World 4, 4/5 Rajdamri Road, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 80 837 8878
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

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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.

The year-end festive period is when Orchard Road starts getting really busy again, especially when the Christmas light (slightly ‘budget’ this year, it seems) are up and Christmas shopping starts.

While Singaporeans once again throng shopping malls such as Takashimaya and Paragon to get gifts for themselves and others (that they may not need), we are also in the search of coffee and dessert places to rest our feed.

Here are 10 relatively NEW cafes (less than a year) on the Orchard Road belt for your consideration. Enjoy!

%Arabica Singapore – 313@somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-14/15 313@somerset Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Famous Kyoto Coffee Shop Opens At 313@somerset
After quite a high profile (and delayed opening) of %Arabica Singapore at Arab Street, the famous coffee shop has opened at 313@somerset.

It has taken 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 company strives to source all its beans directly from the origins.
Depending on the season and availability, you can find coffees from Japan, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Ethiopia and Panama.

The 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.

Bacha Coffee
2 Orchard Turn, #01-15/16 ION Orchard Mall, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Gorgeous Moroccan Themed Coffee Boutique & Brunch Place
This is the Moroccan brand’s first international outpost, specialising in coffee from single origins, coffee blends as well as flavoured coffee.

People think the concept is like TWG, but coffee version.

There are over 200 to choose from, and so you can come almost every day in a year if variety is what you crave. While the coffee selection may look overwhelming at first, they do include the taste profile and strength, and the serving staff can guide you along to make a preferred selection.

The décor itself is striking, designed to reflect the Moroccan Dar el Bacha palace in Marrakech. Some customers take the opportunity to strike a pose, some repeatedly and too many.

As for food, perhaps the more unique and Moroccan style dishes left a better impression, such as the Morrocan Chicken Pastilla infused with Rosenheim Coffee ($24), and Moroccan Kefta Meatballs accompanied with straw potato fries ($28). Bacha Coffee (ION Orchard)

Merci Marcel – Orchard
390 Orchard Road, #01-03/04, Palais Renaissance Singapore 238871
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

French Lifestyle Cafe Opens At Orchard, With Beautiful Bohemian-Chic Outdoor Space
After successful outlets at Tiong Bahru and Club Street, the French restaurant-café has gone on to open a lifestyle concept at Orchard Road.

The newest Merci Marcel completes that picture – coffee, desserts, wine, food, place to Instagram and shop, and kids would probably feel comfortable here as well.

The all-day dining destination has quite a number of highlight dishes on its menu, including Ravioles de Royans ($18, $28)– French dumpling pasta filled with cheese & spinach, foie gras emulsion, Atlantic Wild Cod ($34), Barramundi Tartare ($23), Smoked Haddock Salad ($18), and of course the trending Impossible Marcel Burger ($28).

For desserts, there is the Crepe Mercel with tiramisu emulsion ($12), and Pineapple Carpaccio ($11) which my friend described as the best sweet thing she had in a while. Merci Marcel (Orchard)

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06, Singapore 238164
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 8:30pm (Sat – Sun)

Minimalist White Café Found At Somerset
Glyph Supply Co. has been attracting quite a fair bit of customers, because it is an artisanal café with quite an “instagrammable” interior.

Coffee is priced at $4.50 for the black, $5.50 for the white, Coldbrew at $6.00, while iced versions cost $1 extra. For non-coffee drinkers, there is also offering of Matcha ($6.00) and Chocolate ($6.00).

This is slightly pricier than what you find in other hipster cafes in the neighbourhoods, but I suppose they have high rentals to pay.

Bakes are from Carpenter & Cook, and you get a rotational selection from Lemon Tart, Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Tart, Passionfruit Meringue Tart, Almond Croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, to savoury bites of Mushroom Quiche, and Ham and Cheese Croissant.

Quality coffee you can find at this part of town, plus it is considered slightly hidden. Glyph Supply Co. (TripleOne Somerset)

Hvala – TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road, Singapore 238164
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Minimalist Japanese Cafe At Somerset
Hvala’s new Japanese teahouse is what I would describe as a little oasis in busy downtown.

The space located at TripleOne Somerset (do check out Coney Donut while you are there) has got almost full-white look with minimalist touch, natural daylight, and Japanese zen-like vibes.

The teahouse is designed such that there are steps in which customers can sit on and sip on matcha latte.

What I appreciated was there are different sections with varying seating arrangements, so those who come alone can enjoy some ‘me’ time, while friends can sit around a table in a group.

I think Hvala has managed to carve out a niche for themselves, in finding that sweet spot between offering quality Japanese tea with some modern interpretation. Hvala (TripleOne Somerset)

The Alley Luxe
Orchard Cineleisure Level 2 Singapore 239695
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

This is first-ever premium concept aptly called “The Alley Luxe”, a lifestyle café that showcases their finest collection of beverages and bakes such as Croissants, Cruffins and Kouign-Amann.

This is where you can sit back and enjoy their drinks dine-in over scenic views of Orchard Road, or takeaway to reserve the tasting for later.

The Alley Luxe is the brand’s first in the world to feature a selection of classic European baked products, such as Croissants ($3.50, $5.00 for Almond Croissant, $5.80 for Sausage and Cheese), Cruffins – a croissant-muffin hybrid ($5) and Kouign-Amann ($4.50) which are literally “butter cake”.

The Cruffins ($5) come recommended due to the crisp layers of flaky pastry and lightly sweetened fillings, in flavours of the local kaya, salted caramel, lemon curd and chocolate. The Alley Luxe (Orchard Cineleisure)

Pano Kato
Tanglin Mall #02-23, 163, Tanglin Road Singapore 247933
Tel: +65 6235 5056
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Sun – Fri), 9am – 10pm (Sat)

Grill, Pizza and Deli at Tanglin Mall
As I was a fan of House Of AnLi, it didn’t take me too long to head over to Pano Kato located just a level below.

This is a Greek and Mediterranean style deli, serving up dishes such as Greek Salad with Feta Cheese ($22), Calamari ($22), Grilled Octopus ($28), Burrata ($4) and selection of pasta and pizzas.

I loved the Grilled Octopus ($28) which though looked small for its price, had a incredibly chewy texture, flavourful and well-grilled.

However, after repeat visits, my friends and I thought both the food and service were fairly inconsistent, perhaps they are still trying to iron out operations.

Social Place Singapore
Forum The Shopping Mall, #01-22, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Retro-Chic Tea House From Hong Kong Opens At Orchard Road
Founded in Hong Kong, Social Place is a retro-chic contemporary tea house imbued with nostalgic touches from olden Hong Kong days, which serves an innovative spread of Chinese fares and Dim Sum offerings.

Upon stepping into the restaurant, you will be greeted with sleek modern interior accompanied with fun vibrant elements such as, using ping pong table for dining and a whole mural wall made up of mah-jong tiles.

They were probably the OG innovators for the now already available dishes in Singapore such as Flaming Pineapple, Fried Chicken Pieces with Chillies served in Nest, and Truffle Mushroom Buns.

What left an impression was their Pork Sliders ($14.80) aka Chinese Kong Bak Pao which came with a slice of tender braised fatty pork meat sandwiched in between soft fluffy buns which literally melts in your mouth. Social Place (Orchard Road)

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)

2 Storey Outlet At Orchard Road, NEW Items Of Mala Prawns And Bottled Milk Tea
This Tsui Wah at The Heeren 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.

Tsui Wah The Heeren has included two new dishes, 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 Singapore (Heeren)

Walking On Sunshine Cafe
Orchard Central #03-07
Tel: +65 8877 0088
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Garden-themed Cafe At Orchard Central
Walking On Sunshine or WOS, the newest beauty and dining hub in the block, is located at the 3rd floor of Orchard Central. It is one of the biggest you can find in Singapore, juxtaposing a salon and a café in one location.

If you could just pick one item from the food menu, make it the Instagram-popular Soufflé Pancake ($20.50).

Imagine a stack of three light and fluffy pancakes topped with a special cream, nuts, and fresh fruits like berries, grapes and strawberries. Good for sharing (or save all for yourself), this dish is loved by kids and adults alike.

Or have a savoury pancake for a change. The Crab and Kimchi Pancake ($20.50) is definitely on the other side of the flavour spectrum, but its spicy-sour taste is just as inviting.

Sip famous teas from Korea as you delight in the sight of beautiful flowers and plants around you, while enjoying time with your family and friends.

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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.

[Seoul] Chanyang-jip 찬양집 (literally, “house of praise”) is home to the best and affordably priced seafood kalguksu this side of town.

For only 6,000 to 7,000 Korean Won (SGD6.94 to SGD8.10), you get a generously-portioned bowl.

You can reach this hole-in-the-wall eatery via MRT Jongno 3-ga Lines 1, 3, 5. Take Exit 6.

It is located really near Ikseondong (literally just 1 to 2 minutes’ away), and this is an area you can explore due to the hipster cafes and shops located within renovated traditional Korean houses.

Chanyang-jip is also listed in Seoul’s Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand.

I actually walked past the shop a number of times without realising, so here are a couple of photos for reference.

The menu is lean, so it is not difficult to make decisions.

I would recommend each diner to have a bowl of Haemul Kalguksu 해물 칼국수seafood noodles (6,500 Won) and share the dumplings – choose between the Kimchi (7,000 Won) or Meat (7,000 Won) Mandu.

Kalguksu is a traditional Korean dish made with hand-made, hand-cut wheat flour noodles served in a large bowl of broth and other ingredients. For Singaporeans, this may remind you of “Ban Mian”.

Aside from wheat flour, the noodles are made with eggs and ground bean powder for added texture.

(Other famous shops/stalls include Gohyang Kalguksu at Gwangjang Market which is featured in Netflix’s Street Food and Myeongdong Kyoja which received a Michelin Bib Gourmand.)

Back in the days, Kalguksu was traditionally served only during special occasions since wheat flour was imported from China as was quite expensive.

This refreshing broth is prepared with dashima (a stock-making Korean kelp), dried anchovy and leeks, and filled with a medley of seafood – sea squirt, shrimps, mussels, and short-necked clams.

Ingredients are bought fresh daily for optimum freshness of stock.

While some noodles are extruded or spun, kalguksu noodles are cut by a knife. They are cooked and popped into the broth only upon order, then topped with zucchini and lots of crushed gim (dried seaweed).

I had quite a number of famous Kalguksu noodles in Seoul, and this turned out to be the one with the flavourful with brininess coming from the clams, and soup was both hot and tasty.

Some diners may find the clear soup mild-flavoured, and it is best accompanied with some spicy, piquant kimchi. Choose between the freshly-made and sour, long-fermented versions of kimchi – both for free.

The Mandu take on a more secondary role. Not saying they are no good, they are certainly above the average with its pillow-soft texture and moist fillings.

Take note that Chanyangjip is not the type of comfortable and spacious restaurant.

During peak hours, you may need to queue for space with the locals, squeeze in a small space, sit on plastic red stools and just slurp up on the soup and kimchi.

Chanyangjip 찬양집
5 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울시 종로구 돈의동 27
Tel: +82 2 743 1384
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

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Hadongkwan (Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul)
Gaeseong Mandu Koong (Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Myeongdong Kyoja (Myeongdong, Seoul)

Click HERE for other SEOUL Food Entries

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[Bangkok] No one should ever leave Bangkok without trying the famous dessert of khao niaow ma muang aka Mango Sticky Rice.

While there are Michelin-recommended eateries,, many street side stalls, and even the Suvarnabhumi Airport souvenir shops selling that, where you can find instagrammable version of the iconic dessert is at Mango Garden.

The thematic mango dessert place first originated from the Phi Phi Island, then crossed over to Bangkok to open at Siam Paragon.

It is located at level 1, a short walking distance from After You Desserts.

As the name suggests, this café is basically an explosion of mango the moment you step inside.

The aesthetics truly depict the king of fruits in all its glory with tainted glasses painted with mangoes, ripe mangoes on display and a lot of yellow mixed in with the furnishing and décor.

The café specializes in traditional mango desserts – most of them with a modern twist.

This is truly inventive and creative, as they take traditional desserts like sticky rice and enhance it with colours and Thai touches.

Many go for the famous Sunrise Mango (215 baht for usual size, 145 baht for mini size). I went for the mini-sized which came with one sweet mango, and half-and-half rice.

The mango sticky rice contains dried fish flakes to add those little flavours of Thailand and give you that extra kick of flavours.

You might feel skeptical at first but the savory fish flakes actually go surprisingly well with mango.

Beautifully-presented with both blue and white sticky rice, the blue colours are from the Thai butterfly pea flower and add an ethnic touch to the dessert.

The rice comes from organic paddy fields in the Chiang Rai province, and was nicely cooked till moist and not overly rich. However, some may feel that the high price may not be justifiable.

Another popular dessert is the Garden Reuben Toast (255 baht) which is your shibuya toast with 3 scoops of ice cream, fresh mangoes and sticky rice. Carb alert.

If bingsu or kakigori is your kind of desserts, the Mango Glacier (285 baht) comes with blue rubies, grass jelly, and mangoes, then further topped with coconut ice-cream for that sweet treat.

The Mango Garden (Siam Paragon)
Rama1 Siam Paragon Ground Floor, BangkokThailand
Tel: +66 91 989 2965
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Kor Panich (Tanao Road, Bangkok)

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[Bangkok] The search for a good bakery café in Bangkok led me to Holey Artisan Bakery, known for its warm and butter croissants.

The bakery is so named due to the importance of “holes” in breads.

Located at Phrom Phong (same area as Emquartier), many people around the area (including shopkeepers and locals) would suggest this café to you.

The rustic and sophisticated architecture is very chic from the outside, and cozy and warm from inside with a minimalistic approach.

And I found it interesting there are two big “holes” right at the entrance, that allow you to peak into its interior. There are also constant delivery riders waiting to pick up bakes to residents in the vicinity.

The café is classy-looking with plain white layout and wood furnishing, working on the philosophy of less being more, which is very true.

The glass display has a vast selection of delicious treats with freshly brewed coffee which makes it an well-loved place for breakfast among the expat community.

Owner by Bangladeshi owner Nasirul Alam Porag, the bread selection in the café is impressive. Bonus point: it opens at 6:30am for the early birds.

Other than the famed Sour Dough and Butter Croissant, there is a variety from Sourdough Bagel, English Sausage Roll, London Steak & Ale Pie, Apple Causson, Almond Croissant, Cherry Danish, Peach Danish, Super Sticky Bun, to Ultimate Banana Bread.

During the weekends, there are limited treats such as the Beer Bread included with stout and oats, and Semolina Plus with tanginess from fresh oranges.

The breads cost about 100 baht to 150 baht (SGD4.50 to SGD6.80).

Holey Artisan Bakery is best known for its Butter Croissant (100 baht) which is hand-made over two days using French butter, but I wanted to try out its Almond Croissant (120 baht).

It was indeed ‘holey’ and fluffy, filled with fragrant and sticky homemade almond frangipani.

I was more indifferent towards the Top Carrot Cake (150 baht). While I enjoyed its cream cheese frosting, the cake overall could have been more moist and was on the dry side.

You can get both hot and cold coffee from their wide selection, or even go for a mocktail after a day out shopping.

People recommend their rich and creamy Holey Dark Chocolate (100 baht). You can also enjoy a light lunch with Sandwiches, Paninis and side salads or load up on some cookies on your way out.

Holey Artisan Bakery
245/12 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 101 1427
Opening Hours: 6:30am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Holey Artisan Bakery

Other Related Entries
BOYY & Son Cafe (Gaysorn, Bangkok)
Hands and Heart (Thonglor, Bangkok)
Roast (ThongLor, Bangkok)
Roots (Sathorn, Bangkok)
Omotesando Koffee (Siam Paragon)

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.

Fast-casual Japanese eatery Yuba Hut ユバ屋 which serves up sushi rolls, donburi rice bowls and sashimi, has been making its entrance in many parts of the heartlands.

Other than its newest outlet at Potong Pasir’s The Poiz Centre, you can find the modern Japanese restaurant at Heartland Mall, Hillion Mall, Bishan Junction 8, Northpoint City and White Sands.

Yuba Hut is best known for its sushi rolls aka aburi-ed maki sensations zhnged up with a number of toppings, from its signature Champion Floss Maki, Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon to Salmon Aburi Maki.

The concept has also launched its “Singapore’s first-ever Rainbow Soba Protein Bowl”. Rainbow?

The fancy caption aside, the bowls are called “rainbow” due to the colourful vegetables and ingredients toppings, ranging from crabstick (red), tobiko (orange), onsen egg, corn (yellow), edamam, seaweed and spring onions (green).

If only there was a touch of edible flowers to complete the blue and indigo.

These ingredients go on top of chewy green tea soba noodles, and customers can further customise with preferred protein base and sauces.

You can choose from four types of protein including unagi ($13.90), beef ($13.90), chicken ($9.90), and salmon ($13.90); and sauces of mala, Japanese sesame, yuzu and kimchi. This is proof that mala has started to penetrate in every other dish you can find.

Here are some of my recommended pairings:

Yuba Hut Unagi Bowl ($13.90)
This is my favourite combination, with a sizable slab of succulent unagi (Japanese sea eel) on a bed of soba and greens.

The eel is first pan-fried then glazed with tare sauce which provides that sweetish-savoury taste; the texture thick and sufficiently moist.

It is best paired with soba tossed with goma sauce (Japanese sesame) which has a nutty and rich-earthy flavour which doesn’t over-shadow the eel.

Yuba Hut Beef Bowl ($13.90)
Protein lovers won’t want to miss out on this steak bowl cooked with quality Australian beef – pan- seared till caramelised on the outside while remaining tender in the middle.

The steak slices were slightly on the lean side, with just the right among of fats.

If you are more ‘adventurous’, pair this with mala sauce which is a concoction made with eight kind of spices including peppercorn, chilli powder, chilli oil, and pepper powder.

To be honest, soba and mala together can be disjointing; and so if you prefer something safer, stick to the goma.

Yuba Hut Chicken Bowl ($9.90)
Brazilian chicken thigh pieces pan-fried with in-house sauce till tender and succulent, then topped on soba noodles.

K-food lovers can pair this with “kimchi” sauce. While this is called “kimchi”, there aren’t actual fermented cabbages to be found.

Instead, the sauce is a medley of Korean chilli paste (gochujang), Korean chilli powder (gochugaru), sesame oil, salt and sugar which gives a blend of spicy, sour and slightly-sweet savour.

Yuba Hut Salmon Bowl ($13.90)
Norwegian (or Chilean) salmon which has a velvety-firm texture and buttery-ness, served on the hearty bowl of rainbow soba.

For seafood, the yuzu sauce included with fresh yuzu pulps gives a fruity-refreshing aftertaste.

As a suggestion, Yuba Hut can consider offering similar “Rainbow Rice Protein Bowl” with customisable sauces, such as steak, black pepper or teriyaki in the future.

Salmon Aburi Don ($14.90)
Talking about Donburi, Yuba Hut is still best known for its Japanese rice bowls, with offerings of Salmon Aburi, Salmon Sashimi, Saba, Teriyaki Chicken, Ebi Tempura, Katsu, Salmon and Una Don.

All the bowls are priced between $7.80 and $14.90.

Its best-seller is the Salmon Aburi Don neat-fully arranged with torched salmon slices around a ‘hill’ of Japanese rice, topped with ikuru and tobiko then drizzled with sauce.

Champion Floss Maki ($9.90 for 4 pieces, $16.90 for 8 pieces)
The main highlight of Yuba Hut to me is the Champion Floss Maki, so-named because the sushi roll is piled with ingredients.

Here’s what goes into the maki: sushi rice rolled with cucumber and aburi salmon sashimi, further topped with house-made mayonnaise sauce, further topped with chicken floss and ebiko.

In terms of appearance, it just looked like it was over-flowing with mayo, floss and roe.

The shiok-ness comes from the creaminess of the sauce sliding with the fluffy flossy and crunchy ikura. The thick slices of salmon also added that buttery richness that kind of melted in the mouth.

Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon ($9.90 for 4 pieces, $16.90 for 8 pieces)
The Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon with smoky aburi salmon drizzled with a spicy-mentaiko creamy cheesy sauce, sprinkled over with crunchy tempura bits.

This is even richer, I thought that the cream cheese was slightly overpowering but there is always the option of sweeping it away.

Samurai Unagi Aburi Maki ($8.90 for 4 pieces, $15.90 for 8 pieces)
A trio of tamago, crabstick and cucumber in the middle, topped with unagi, cheese slices and mentaiko sauce then torched with first.

The aburi melts the cheese slightly, so you get a touch of the caramelisation with soft-gooey mouth-feel.

While I won’t say that all the items are hits (for example, I am still not too sure about mala with soba), there are quite a number of interesting fare that are good for quick take-aways and a fuss-free Japanese meal.

The next time you spot a Yuba Hut, try heading for the donburi with thick and fresh sashimi offerings, or over-the-top sushi rolls.

Yuba Hut Rainbow Soba Protein Bowl Promotion
Yuba Hut will be offering 50% OFF second bowl of Rainbow Soba Protein Bowl ordered. Till end Dec 2019.

If you fancy more protein, upsize your bowl additional half a portion of salmon, beef, unagi (add on $2), or chicken (add on $1). Top up $1 for a drink of hot or cold green tea.

The Poiz Centre
51 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-03, The Poiz Centre, Singapore 347697
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Heartland Mall
#01-19/20, Block 205, Hougang Street 21,Singapore 530205
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Hillion Mall
17 Petir Rd, #01-05/06, Hillion Mall, Singapore 678270
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Bishan Junction 8
9 Bishan Place, #B1-K15, Bishan Junction 8, Singapore 579837
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Northpoint City
930 Yishun Ave 2, #B1-186, Northpoint City South Wing, Singapore 769098
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

White Sands
1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3, #01-26/27, White Sands, Singapore 518459
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Yuba Hut.

[Tokyo] The gourmet capitol city of Japan – Tokyo has once again earned the honours of having the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in city for its latest 2020 Michelin Guide.

However, two famous names were conspicuously not included in this edition – sushi restaurants Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten and Sushi Saito.

The Michelin Guide explained that this is because reservations in both restaurants have become unavailable to the general public.

The guide has included 464 restaurants and 34 hotels, with 11 restaurants receiving 3 Michelin stars. Japanese restaurant Kadowaki was promoted from 2 to 3 stars.

Inua produced by three-star Danish restaurant Noma, joined the two-star list for the first time.

From Nihonryori Ryugin

3 Michelin stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
– Kagurazaka Ishikawa (Japanese) Shinjuku-ku Reserve Online – Kagurazaka Ishikawa
– Kadowaki (Japanese) Minato-ku (from 2 to 3 stars) Reserve Online – Kadowaki
– Kanda (Japanese) Minato-ku Reserve Online – Kanda
– Quintessence (French) Shinagawa-ku Reserve Online – Quintessence
– Kohaku (Japanese) Shinjuku-ku Reserve Online – Kohaku
– Joël Robuchon (French) Meguro-ku Reserve Online – Joël Robuchon Restaurant
– Makimura (Japanese) Shinagawa-ku Reserve Online – Makimura
– Azabu Yukimura (Japanese) Minato-ku Reserve Online – Yukimura
– Sushi Yoshitake (Sushi) Chuo-ku Reserve Online – Sushi Yoshitake
– Ryugin (Japanese) Chiyoda-ku Reserve Online – Ryugin
– L’Osier (French) Chuo-ku Reserve Online – L’Osier

2 Michelin stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour
– Usukifugu Yamadaya (Fugu) Minato-ku Reserve Online – Usukifugu Yamadaya
– Tentempura Uchitsu (Tempura) Shibuya-ku
– Esquisse (French) Chuo-ku
– Édition Koji Shimomura (French) Minato-ku
– Okamoto (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Hommage (French) Taito-ku
– Akasaka Kikunoi (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Sushi Kimura (Sushi) Setagaya-ku
– Tempura Ginya (Tempura) Minato-ku
– Ginza Koju (Japanese) Chuo-ku
– Kaiseki Komuro (Japanese) Shinjuku-ku
– Goryukubo (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Tempura Kondo (Tempura) Chuo-ku
– Sawada (Sushi) Chuo-ku
– Sant Pau (Spanish) Chiyoda-ku
– Jushu (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongiten (Sushi) Minato-ku
– Zurriola (Spanish) Chuo-ku
– Seizan (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Seisoka (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Daigo (Shojin) Minato-ku
– Kaiseki Tsujitome (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Narisawa (Innovative) Minato-ku
– Hatsunezushi (Sushi) Ota-ku
– Pierre Gagnaire (French) Minato-ku
– Higuchi (Japanese) Shibuya-ku
– Ginza Fukuju (Japanese) Chuo-ku
– Kioicho Fukudaya (Japanese) Chiyoda-ku
– Beige Alain Ducasse (French) Chuo-ku
– Mitamachi Momonoki (Chinese) Minato-ku
– Yunke (Korean) Chuo-ku
– La Table de Joël Robuchon (French) Meguro-ku
– L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (French) Minato-ku
– Ryuzu (French) Minato-ku
– Le Mange-Tout (French) Shinjuku-ku
– L’Effervescence (French) Minato-ku
– Dominique Bouchet (French) Chuo-ku
– Florilège (French) Shibuya-ku
– Higashiazabu Amamoto (Sushi) Minato-ku
– Nabeno-Ism (French) Taito-ku
– Harutaka (Sushi) Chuo-ku
– Oryori Miyasaka (Japanese) Minato-ku
– Ginza Shinohara (Japanese) Chuo-ku (from 1 to 2 stars)
– Sazenka (Chinese) Minato-ku
– Den (Innovative) Shibuya-ku
– Prisma Restaurant (Italian) Minato-ku (from 1 to 2 stars)
– Kobikicho Tomoki (Sushi) Chuo-ku
– Inua (Innovative) Chiyoda-ku (NEW entry)

Other Related Entries
Florilège (Aoyama, Tokyo)
Quintessence (Tokyo)
Sukiyabashi Jiro (Roppongi, Tokyo)
Nihonryori Ryugin (Roppongi, Tokyo)
Les Créations de Narisawa (Tokyo)

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Poulet has opened a brand-new restaurant called “Poulet + Brasserie”, otherwise known as “P+” in the heart of town at ION Orchard basement 3 (right above MUJI).

Fans of Poulet would be familiar with its Roast Chicken with mushroom Chardonnay, Diane sauce, or cranberry sauce; but Poulet + Brasserie presents quite an entirely different concept.

With a contemporary setting, roast chicken still stays as its focus.

A menu quite unlike their existing one, this one takes inspiration from cuisines in different places – Melbourne’s café-hopping scene, a little bit of Thai and French fare, and Singapore’s own local dishes. You can expect to find Seafood Laksa Linguine and Kaya French Toast here.

This specially curated menu, exclusively available at P+, offers you varied breakfast choices, alongside other exciting new French fusion dishes.

Chef Joshua Khoo now leads the kitchen brigade in preparing these dishes, combining local flavours with traditional French cooking techniques.

If you find his name familiar, that is because he is one of the co-founders of Saveur and several other concepts. Therefore, you may find some of his signature touches incorporated in the menu, such as the Duck Confit. Here’s more:

P+ Roast Chicken ($20++)
This signature dish is a slow-roasted chicken, cooked using a different technique from the original Poulet.

It is a spin-off from Poulet’s original French roast chicken, this time cooked longer at low temperature to make the meat extra tender.

It is all about the temperature, as that beautiful golden-brown skin is a result of roasting in high temperature.

Served with bacon, corn kernel and mushroom, and poured over with chicken jus.

There are no other extra sauces added, as Chef believed that the chicken’s natural jus makes it tasty and meat extra juicy. The chickens are roasted with lemon and thyme, so as to give some nice citrusy-herbal notes.

Signature Duck Confit ($22++)
Another recommended dish is the signature duck confit, which is what Chef Joshua is first known for during his Saveur days.

This French dish uses the classic French technique for cooking duck legs in fats, resulting in a satisfying crisp on the outer layer, easy-fall-apart and juicy meat within.

To balance out the richness of the meat, the dish comes with mixed salad added with roasted nuts and pomegranate for a fruity-tart accompaniment.

Truffle Mushroom Risotto ($15++)
This Italian-style rice dish is infused with lots of umami flavours from combining different types of mushrooms – including oyster, button and brown shimeji mushrooms.

You will also find bacon cubes and almond nuts for that multi-textural contrast.

This recipe calls for a dollop of truffle paste which makes this dish heady aromatic. Plus, the shaved parmesan adds a creaminess when mixed altogether. A must-order dish.

Jumbo Prawn & Garlic Pasta ($24++)
Now for some seafood flavours, try their Jumbo Prawn & Garlic Pasta made extra luxurious and very French with lumpfish caviar.

This pasta uses al dente capellini aka angel hair tossed in kombu and chili oil, and made meaty with spicy chorizo and local jumbo prawns.

Wild Sea Bream ($25++)
The sea bream is known for its delicate-clean taste and satisfyingly meaty texture. Lightly pan-fried to lock in the flavours and juices, it comes with a foam made with clam jus emulsion infused with white wine.

Another special component is the base of couscous, made more fruity and crunchy with inclusion of red and green raisins, green seedless grapes, and almonds nuts.

As a finale, it is drizzled with lemon vinaigrette to impart a bright sparkling acidity to the dish.

P+ Big Breakfast ($22++)
For early risers or those who love to have your brunch food at night, Poulet + Brasserie also features an all-day breakfast menu to help you start your day right, whichever time you like.

Prepare for a big day with P+ Big Breakfast, a combination of chicken chipolata, bacon, sunny side-up eggs, tater tots, and sourdough toast for a complete meal.

Other eggs dishes you can expect to find include Bacon & Cheese Omelette, Mushroom & Feta Omelette, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedicts and B.E.T.T – included with 2 eggs in any style, smoky bacon, roast vine tomatoes on sourdough toast.

Spicy Baked Eggs with Tomatoes ($15++)
A simple yet delectable way to enjoy your eggs for breakfast. This spiced tomato concasse is served with spicy chorizo bits on top of a crusty baguette.

What makes this dish special is the in-house tomato sauce used as base. Made entirely from scratch and not from a can, the sauce combines rough cut tomatoes flavoured with paprika and nutmeg.

It includes a blend of pumpkin seeds and almond nuts for crunch, chorizo bits and finished with garlic aioli.

Smashed Avocado with Poached Egg ($16++)
Throw in some healthy fats to your breakfast diet with Smashed Avocado with Poached Egg.

This open sandwich is served with a meticulously prepared 64-degree poached egg, rocket salad, crushed almonds, and roasted vine tomatoes.

You’ll notice some heat in your smashed avocadoes from the added chili flakes, and a splash of acidity to balance it out from lemon juice.

Nutella French Toast ($14++)
For some, the breakfast table ain’t complete without a jar of Nutella. Here’s a dish that is drizzled with that yummy hazelnut-chocolate sauce.

Imagine a French brioche toast with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, side by side with extra ripe crunchy banana fritters, made a la mode with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream.

But… the best part in this sweet dish is really the bread, cooked till there is this buttery aroma, and soft-fluffy texture with milky coating. Yums.

Banana Crumble ($9++)
Seal those cravings with Poulet’s Banana Crumble, made with a mix of fresh bananas and banana jam prepared a la mode.

I found the banana base slightly on the sweet side, though it was balanced with slightly salty-sweet flavours of salted caramel ice cream.

While some customers may just associate Poulet with Poulet + Brasserie, you can see both as separate concepts.

I would say Poulet + Brasserie is slightly more experimental and bold in its offerings, as you would see items such as Kaya French Toast, Seafood Eggs Benedict with Laksa hollandaise sauce, and even a Salad de Rojak dish.

However, if you are still looking for your classic French fare and brunch items, then I would say the Duck Confit, Jumbo Prawn & Garlic Angel Hair Pasta, and Nutella French Toast would leave you feeling satisfied.

Poulet + Brasserie
ION Orchard #B3-21, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.instagram.com/PouletPlus

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

[Tokyo] Remember that perpetual long queue for Takoyaki at Ion Orchard basement 4 a couple of years ago?

Japan’s number 1 Takoyaki chain-store Gindaco has made its departure once here in Singapore, but it is coming back to Singapore. (Previously it was also found at Raffles City, Bedok Point and Jurong Point.)

The location will be at JCube Jurong within Don Don Donki, anticipated opening date 29th of November.

It seems like it will be part of the 360-seater food court which also houses Hotto Motto, Arizuki Express and Tsukiji Unagi Daioh.

Takoyaki, the well-liked Japanese dumpling snack first popularised at Osaka, is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan.

The flour mixture is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion.

The Japanese do get more adventurous and top it up with ingredients such as mentaiko mayo, egg mayo, bacon, pizza toppings or anything seasonal.

While there are a couple of such kiosks (and even pasar malam stalls) serving the Japanese street snack in Singapore, the “Gindaco” brand does enjoy certain form of popularly.

There is a part of watching the chefs in action: dissolving the flour and eggs into the bowl, slowly filled the griddle with the mixed batter, slowly placed the octopus pieces into the centre of each ball, slowly added tenkasu (crunchy bits of deep-fried flour dough), dried shrimps, slowly flipped the balls over, and slowly shaped each individual ball.

This cooking process would be repeated many times with the entire batch until the batter took a clear spherical shape and grilled to a deep golden colour.

Over in Japan, a box of six typically cost about 463 Yen (SGD5.80), while a box of 8 is priced at 538 Yen (SGD6.70).

The Takoyakis added with mayonnaise, aonori seasoning and shaved dried bonito, would be contained in a boat shaped container said to absorb excess oil and prevent condensation.

Gindaco’s versions are typically crispy-grilled, with the inside gushing out with warm batter that had a slightly more salty and unique taste than the usual brands.

You would feel that the constant turning and grilling was necessary to create the delicious constant between the exterior and interior of a seemingly simple ball.

I do not have high hopes that the Singapore version will be as impressive as those in Japan, but let’s hope they keep it 70-80% there and standard will be consistent.

Gindaco Tokyo – located at various parts, including
Toshikazu Bldg. 1-2F, 1-14-24 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku Tokyo (Harajuku Station – Yamanote line)

Gindaco Singapore
JCube #B1-12/18/19, 2 Jurong East Central 1 Singapore 609731 (within Don Don Donki)
(Opening 29th November)

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Kushikatsu Tanaka (Clarke Quay)
Tamoya Udon Singapore (Liang Court)
Japan Gourmet Hall SORA (Changi Airport T1
Tsuruhashi Fugetsu (Suntec City)
Aburi-EN (VivoCity)

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

[Bangkok] Fancy hearty Thai food and treats amidst a fairy-tale set up?

B-Story Café has earned quite a reputation on Instagram for its part-gothic part old-world European style décor, complete with stained glass windows and ‘old’ chunky wooden furniture.

It is so weird you can imagine a European family having Thanksgiving dinner in their upper room. But yet, there are like teddy bears all around and… Thai Milk Tea.

The other thing I really like about B-Story Café, is that it is really quite easy to get to. Just train to Ratchathewi BTS Station, get down and it is just there.

Not many people know that there is also a newly opened B-Story Garden Cafe & Restaurant, but that is located near Lat Phrao which is much further to get to from Central Bangkok.

B-Story will truly offer you some instagrammable moments the minute you step in.

The entire décor and layout of the café is stunning in its own quirky way, and quite easy to spot as well.

Its architecture with huge windows and a lot of lovely flowers and lush green pots is hard to miss.

Going to the café during holidays is a bonus as there is some really charming festive decoration to lighten up your mood and lift up your holiday spirits.

The menu of B-story is extensive (and eclectic) and mainly offers Thai and Western dishes.

You get anything from Pad Thai and shrimp wrapped in egg (145 baht), Fried Rice Chicken Green Curry with Salted Egg (135 baht), Baked Rice with Pineapple served in a Pineapple – nope, no typo (220 baht), to a dish called “Stir Fried Aimlessly” (250 baht) – that is a mixture of seafood and vegetables.

Yet, there is also a Western side offering Fettucine Alfredo with Truffle Oil (270 baht), Linguine Marinara Seafood (270 baht), Grilled Seabass with dill sauce (290 baht), and Salmon with Hollandaise sauce (290 baht).

When I see a café with such a menu, I don’t get overly confident. You know the saying, “Jack of all trades, but master of none.”

But on a surprising note, those I ordered turned out to be quite tasty and flavourful.

The Nero Pasta Tom Yum (320 baht) had that tangy-sour-spicy sauce which made the squid ink spaghetti very appetising, and it was served with a gigantic grilled prawn.

Though I did think it was slightly on the expensive side.

The Basil Fried Rice with Fried Egg (125 baht) though slightly salty (suspect it was stock powder or something), was fried till deliciously-moist with the wok-heat.

You could wash the food down with their signature Banoffee Shake (135 baht) – creamy with a nice balance of sweetness.

A thing to note is their iced drinks come with an impossibly-cute 3D foam art of a bear, consistent with the teddy soft toys placed all around.

B-Story Café
89, 70 Phayathai Rd, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 656 5677
Opening Hours: 10am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – B-Story Café

B-Story Garden Cafe & Restaurant
B-Story Garden 33 25 Pradit Manutham Alley, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230, Thailand
Opening Hours: 10am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – B-Story Garden Cafe

Other Related Entries
BOYY & Son Cafe (Gaysorn, Bangkok)
Hands and Heart (Thonglor, Bangkok)
Roast (ThongLor, Bangkok)
Lhong Tou Café (Yaowarat, Bangkok)
On Lok Yun (Charoen Krung Road, 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.

Emma known for its soft serve made with premium Hokkaido milk, has introduced a new Japanese-style bubble tea range with a difference.

Japanese Kurogama, Hojicha, and Sencha Latte with “Okinawa brown sugar pearls” may just end up to be your new favourites.

The drinks are also included with “Kuromitsu” which literally translates to “black honey” – a thin and dark syrup made from Japanese unrefined kurozato (“black sugar”) often used in the making of Japanese sweets.

You would also find that the chewiness and sweetness of the boba pearls are unlike the usual. That is because “Okinawa brown sugar pearls” are used, cooked with a combination of Okinawan brown sugar and kuromitsu which gives it a distinctive caramelised-sweetness.

Plus, the Kuromitsu Latte is also available in hot versions (especially when hot bubble teas are popular in Taiwan) for that warm and fuzzy feeling while holding and drinking it. Here’s more on the Emma’s New Drink Offerings:

Kuromitsu Kurogoma Latte ($4.50 for hot, $4.80 for cold, add $1 for boba pearls or soft serve)
This Black Sesame Latte is my favourite of the three newly-launched drinks. There is just something about the aromatic flavour of black sesame with slight-nutty mouthfeel.

The Latte is made with premium Hokkaido milk which would complete that smooth and creamy texture.

Accordingly, each cup of Emma’s Kuromitsu Kurogoma Latte has about 6,000 pieces of sesame seeds – jam-packed with fibre and Vitamin B.

We were divided on whether we preferred the hot or cold drinks. The hot reminded me of the lighter version Hong Kong style dessert of zhi ma hu, while the cold added with boba pearls made an addictive gently-creamy drink.

Kuromitsu Hojicha Latte ($4.50 for hot, $4.80 for cold, add $1 for boba pearls or soft serve)
The Kuromitsu Hojicha Latte contains slight caramelised sweetness and roasted undertones, though I felt part of it could have been ‘covered’ by the richness of the milk.

This is for those who like a balance between the roastiness of Japanese green tea and creaminess from the milk.

Kuromitsu Sencha Latte ($4.50 for hot, $4.80 for cold, add $1 for boba pearls or soft serve)
Of the three, the Kuromitsu Sencha Latte has the lightest and most delicate flavour, and would be refreshing for an after-meal pick me up.

All the cold drinks can be further customised to include an Emma’s signature soft serve (additional $1), akin to an indulgent float.

Emma Signature Soft Serve in a Cup
Another new menu mainstay is the customisable Emma Signature Soft Serve in a Cup, with affordable prices that start from $3.80. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Choose a base
Choose from a choice of crunchy bases — crushed Oreos, waffle or cereal. The premium soft serve is housed above the base, with Japanese kuromitsu (Okinawa brown sugar syrup) drizzled all over.

Step 2: Choose soft serve flavours
Hokkaido milk, Kurogoma black sesame, or mixed flavours.

Step 3: Choose a sprinkle
Matcha power, kinako powder, cocoa powder, nuts, or genmai crackers.

Step 4: Add an extra topping (optional, additional $1)
Tapioca boba pearls, azuki red beans, matcha warabi mochi, Kuromitsu warabi mochi.

If not, get the recommended signature soft serves, complete with crunchy base, smooth premium Japanese milk soft serve, fragrant or crunchy sprinkles, and toppings.

Signature Emma Soft Mix (Waffle-Kinako) ($4.00)

Signature Emma Soft Milk (Oreo-Matcha) ($3.80)

Signature Emma Soft Kurogoma (Cereal-Genmai) ($4.20)

The new Emma outlet is located at 100AM Mall Tanjong Pagar, located next to Japanese Mazesoba specialist Menya Kokoro.

Emma – 100AM
100 Tras Street #02-10 Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6443 1727
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sat)

Emma – Plaza Singapura
Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, #B2-45, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

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

There is always something different about Japanese bakeries, from the likes to Donq, Johan Paris, Pullman Bakery, Mama Patisserie, Asanoya Bakery to Fine Dining Bakery, in terms of making soft fluffy breads and incorporating interesting ingredients.

Therefore I was very curious about what Kamome Bakery, a new bakery-café at Goldhill Shopping Centre (walking distance from Novena MRT station) has to offer. (“Kamome” is a limited express train operated by JR Kyushu in Japan.)

True enough, there are a couple of varied sandwich choices of Meat Loaf ($5.80), Croquette ($5.20), Tonkatsu ($5.60).

Breads are quite uniquely-Japanese, with the offering of Red Bean & Butter, Teriyaki Chicken Pizza, Yuzu Chestnut, Dark Cherry Tart, Cinnamon Roll, Banana Brown Sugar – all priced from $3 to $5 thereabout.

Having Deep Fried Ebi Cutlet in a baguette-shaped soft bread certainly sounded enticing, but I was rather surprised that the café did not offer heating up service.

This is considering that the some of the breads have been left there for a long while, and especially if customers come at the later part of the day.

Needless to say, while the bread had quite a pleasant pillow-soft yet dense texture, the soggy deep-fried prawn piece (and cold) did not work well for me.

The Japanese Red Bean with salted butter bun was a moderate delight with its smooth paste and thick slab of butter.

Perhaps due to opening operational challenges, I noted that the colour of some of the bakes did not look right.

For example, the croissants did look slightly burnt, and I was slightly surprised because Japanese bakeries would have quite a stringent QC standard.

With a promising variety of stew, bakes and breads, perhaps Kamome Bakery should really consider about providing heating-up service, so that customers who want to sit in and enjoy a warm bite have that option.

Kamome Bakery かもめベーカリー
Goldhill Shopping Centre, 169 Thomson Road Singapore 307621
Opening Hours: 8am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Mellow Pan (Our Tampines Hub)
Kazo (Chinatown Point)
Voyage Patisserie (Outram Road)
Lee’s Confectionery (Jurong East)
Wu Pao Chun Bakery (Capitol Singapore)

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

All right. My last café guide of the 2019!

December is typically the month when many F&B businesses chiong (rush) to open to get the Christmas crowd, especially in the Orchard region.

There are a couple of well-liked overseas food brands that have opened kiosks in Singapore this month, including Zaku Zaku and Monga at ION Orchard and Gindaco at JCube.

What we have seen in 2019 is the trend of many overseas food businesses setting up in Singapore, and this is likely to continue in 2020.

That is not to say that Singaporeans do not support local cafes and start-ups. They do. But perhaps they want to experience something different, and not just the usual Eggs Ben, Waffles and Sandwiches any more.

Poulet + Brasserie
ION Orchard #B3-21, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

French Fusion Restaurant-Café at ION Orchard
Poulet has opened a brand-new restaurant called “Poulet + Brasserie”, otherwise known as “P+” in the heart of town at ION Orchard basement 3.

A menu quite unlike their existing one, this one takes inspiration from cuisines in different places – Melbourne’s café-hopping scene, a little bit of Thai and French fare, and Singapore’s own local dishes. You can expect to find Seafood Laksa Linguine and Kaya French Toast here.

This specially curated menu, exclusively available at P+, offers you varied breakfast choices, alongside other exciting new French fusion dishes.

Go for hearty dishes such as the Truffle Mushroom Risotto, Jumbo Prawn & Garlic Pasta, Signature Duck Confit, and end off with a brunch-dessert dish of Nutella French Toast. Poulet + Brasserie (ION Orchard)

%Arabica Singapore – 313@somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-14/15 313@somerset Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Popular Coffee Shop Has Opened At 313@somerset
%Arabica Singapore has taken 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.

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

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.

Expect it to be crowded, especially since there will be more visitors to Orchard Road during this season of the year. %Arabica (313@somerset)

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

Flor Patisserie Opens Japanese-Style Café With Brown Sugar Roll Cake
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 Singapore (formally known as “Capitol Piazza”).

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. FLOR Capitol (Capitol Piazza)

Apollo Coffee Bar
65 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555961
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tue – Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Mediterranean-Inspired Brunch Café Opens At Serangoon Garden
By the people behind Atlas Coffeehouse, Lunar Coffee Brewers and Columbus Coffee Co., 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.

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. Apollo Coffee Bar (Serangoon Garden)

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

Bakery Café With Korean Vibes And Delicious Cakes
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.

The bakes are placed in the shop exudes a certain Korean bakery vibe – kind of what you see in Layered 레이어드 or Cafe Highwaist.

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 Better Half (Everton Park)

Micro Bakery & Kitchen – Red House
63 East Coast Road #01-06 Singapore 428776
Opening Hours: 8:30pm – 5pm Last Order 3pm (Wed – Fri), 8:30pm – 5pm, Last Order 4:30pm (Sat – Sun)

Bakery Café With Delicious Breads Hidden Within The Iconic Red House
The Red House is an iconic fixture along East Coast Building, now housed by Micro Bakery & Kitchen.

Their breads are naturally leavened using organic and sustainable flour, using natural ingredients and no additives.

Its brunch menu includes Big Breakfast ($18), Granola ($8), Smoked Salmon on Sourdough English Muffin ($18), Micro Club Sandwich ($14), Grilled 3 Cheese Sandwich ($12), Ricotta Tartine ($12), Smashed Avocado Tartine ($14) and Scrambled Free Range Egg Tartine ($14).

The Brownies ($5, $6 each) here are not to be missed – chocolatey, dense and moist, sometimes coming with interesting flavours such as cookies and cream, Bischof, and even miso with coconut flakes suitable for vegans. Micro Bakery & Kitchen Red House (East Coast)

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)

Korean Lifestyle Cafe With Honey Butter Waffles & Wings
This is a minimalist style Korean lifestyle café at Bukit Timah, which appears to be still quite under-the-radar.

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).

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. Kong Café (Bukit Timah)

IndoBowl
39 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198487
Tel: +65 6291 7152
Opening Hours: 11am – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

1st Indomie-Focused Eatery In Singapore
The first Indomie-focused eatery IndoBowl has opened in Singapore, located at Sultan Gate near Arab Street.

IndoBowl has made some waves online due to the offering of a mega IndoMie Mumbo Jumbo, priced at $49.90 meant for 3 to 4 pax. In true Insider-video style, the bigger, the better, the more viral.

Smaller dishes such as Indomie Ayam Bakar ($9.90), Indomie Sate Ayam ($9.90), Indomie Ayam Goreng Jawa ($9.90), Indomie Seafood Goren ($10.90), and Indomie Dendeng ($10.90) are available.

Each is available in two styles – Sambal Balado (indicated by a red “B” on the menu) and Sambal Ijo (indicated by a green “H”). The Balado refers to the hot and spicy sauce, while Ijo refers to Indonesian-style green chilli paste. IndoBowl (Sultan Gate)

Kamome Bakery かもめベーカリー
Goldhill Shopping Centre, 169 Thomson Road Singapore 307621
Opening Hours: 8am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)

Japanese Bakery-Café At Novena
Kamome Bakery is a new Japanese bakery-café at Goldhill Shopping Centre, located near Novena MRT Station.

There are a couple of varied sandwich choices of Meat Loaf ($5.80), Croquette ($5.20), Tonkatsu ($5.60).

Breads are quite uniquely-Japanese, with the offering of Red Bean & Butter, Teriyaki Chicken Pizza, Yuzu Chestnut, Dark Cherry Tart, Cinnamon Roll, Banana Brown Sugar – all priced from $3 to $5 thereabout.

The Japanese Red Bean with salted butter bun was a moderate delight with its smooth paste and thick slab of butter. Kamome Bakery (Goldhill Shopping Centre)

Chun Yang Tea 春陽茶事
Jewel Changi Airport #03-207
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Popular Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shop Opens At Jewel Changi Airport
Another day, another new bubble tea shop. And there are already that many BBT places there including The Alley Singapore, Woobbee at AC.Kafe and Signature KOI.

It seems like Taiwanese show host Blackie Chen aka Hei-Ren (Fan Wei Qi’s husband) is an ambassador / co-owner of the shop (Will he come here one day to grace the opening?)

The best-selling drinks at Chun Yang include Honey Lemon Oolong Tea ($5.90), Oolong Tea Latte with Pudding ($5.80), Brown Sugar Pearl with Fresh Milk ($5.80), Sugar Cane Fresh Milk ($4.90) and Cheese Macchiato with Tea ($5.50).

The boba pearls had a delightful caramelised-sweetness and chewy texture, though slightly on the expensive side and under-the-radar.

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

* Compiled by Daniel @DanielFoodDiary, Lewis @juicyfingers and Song Yu @__sy_g.

For foodies on a search for new restaurants in Singapore, meet this destination dining place – Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, which contains of a series of exciting dining establishments.

The Arcade is an extension of The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, the perfect venue to dine and wine your way at this part of Singapore.

It is located right at Capitol Singapore, previously known as “Capitol Piazza” (connected direct from City Hall MRT station Exit D).

You can literally spend every day of the week trying out a different restaurant here, which serves up cuisine from all over the globe – from German with Austrian influences, classic Italian pizza and pasta place, Spanish tapas bar, to Thai restaurant with comforting flavours.

What’s special about these few but well-conceptualised selection of food stalls is they weave a story about the historic hotel and the iconic Capitol Theatre.

Step back in time and in different parts of the world through your food journey at the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski. Here are the 8 dining concepts you can try over this festive period with your family and friends:

Frieda
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-87
Tel: +65 6715 6873
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Reinterprets traditional German cuisine with Austrian influences
Experience German flavours and hospitality at Frieda, named after the only daughter of hotel founder Berthold Kempinski and wife Helene. It is the ideal place for an abendbrot aka a homely evening meal with family and friends.

The menu is all about traditional German food, spiced up with Austrian influence. You can choose from their premium sausage selections, German-style breads and salads, meat dishes, and many more.

I would recommend the Oven Roasted Pork Knuckle ($39), prepared from the oldest recipes, using a whole free-range Australian pork hind leg knuckle washed in an ice-bath for at least 2 hours.

After slow-cooking it for 3 hours in a stock with bay leaves, peppercorns, cloves, juniper berries, garlic and onion, it is then skinned and baked in the oven until extra crisp. Accompanied with pretzel dumplings and house-made sauerkraut and jus, this dish is hands-down a must-have at Frieda.

Another traditional German fare you cannot skip is the Veal Wiener Schnitzel ($37). It is a thick cutlet of veal, breaded and pan-fried until golden brown. Served with both potato salad and some German-style gurkensalat, a refreshing salad of thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in sour cream, sprinkled with dill and chopped parsley.

Foodie Tip 1: Frieda daily lunch-set menu goes for an inexpensive $17++ for a 2-course, and $22++ for a 3-course inclusive of dessert. Main course selection includes Grilled German Sausage, Baked Chicken or Swabian Noodles.

Foodie Tip 2: Look out for “Beer O’clock” available daily, with a pint of draught beer costing $5 at 5pm, $6 at 6pm etc. What a good deal! In addition, sport fans can look out for the live sports on the hanging screens in the arcade from 4pm onwards.

La Scala Ristorante
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-86
Tel: +65 6715 6877
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Classic Italian dining outpost with its own brick oven
La Scala Ristorante is one of the latest addition to the bevy of dining choices here at the Arcade. It offers an Italian menu that captures the taste of Italian summers through its antipasti, zuppe, pasta, pizza and dolci.

Named after the world-famous Milan theater, La Scala Opera House, this restaurant is the perfect venue for an Italian feast.

Start off with some Burratina & Pomodorini ($18), a small burrata served with rocket salad and sweet cherry tomato with basil and chef’s dressing. Cheese lovers will love this fresh cheese that simply melts in your mouth.

Of course, you cannot not have pizza. Highly recommended is the Pizza Calabrese ($26) from the Calabria region of Italy.

It is a classic thin crust pizza topped with mozzarella, pepperoni salami, roasted black olives and sun-dried tomatoes over a simple tomato sauce.

For your pasta, order the Spaghetti Costiera ($25), featuring a mix of classic spaghetti pasta and succulent prawns, made rich with shellfish reduction and grated mullet Bottarga. If you love black paste, try their Linguini Nero di Mare ($26) prepared with squid ink. This delectable pasta is cooked with mussels, squid, clams, prawns and crayfish in a rich tomato sauce.

The traditional Tiramisu ($14) is a simple yet fitting ending to your Italian meal. This home-made dessert is spiked with an Amaretto Kahlua reduction for that distinct flavour.

Foodie Tip: Get the Tiramisu as part of the 2-course ($17++) or 3-course set lunch. The Main choices include Lasagna Classic, Branzino Mediteranneo (pan-fried seabass), Penne Rosa (penne pasta with smoked salmon), and Lamb Shank Stinco D’agnello (braised lamb shank with mashed potato).

Chalerm Thai
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-85
Tel: +65 6715 6875
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Thai restaurant with delicious Tom Yum Goong, Pai Thai and Pineapple Fried Rice
Named after the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater in Bangkok, Chalerm Thai is your outlet for all things Thai. Drop by for a comforting lunch or dinner filled with traditional Thai fare from appetisers down to desserts.

Their menu offers a selection of rice and noodle dishes, soups, salads, Thai-style curries, seafood mains and many more popular dishes from the Land of Smiles.

You can’t go wrong with the Tom Yum Goong ($15), a Thai-style spicy and sour seafood soup that is a staple in any Thai meal. In fact, this is one of the best versions I had in Singapore of late.

Its warmth and spice will perk you up and open up your appetite for more. Seafood lovers will love the mix of prawns, fish, clams, mussels and squid.

Looking for a rice dish? The Khao Phad Sapoarod ($15) is a pineapple-based fried rice with a distinctly sweet savoury taste. It’s fun to bite into the sweet, juicy chunks of fresh pineapple, and the crunch of cashew nuts. The additional raisins provide a different kind of sweetness to the dish, served topped with a sprinkling of shrimp floss.

The traditional dessert Kao Neow Muang ($10) is the best ending to your Thai meal. This sticky rice dessert has a rich and creamy coconut taste that blends with the sweetness of thick fresh mango slices.

Foodie Tip: Similarly, a 2-course lunch at Chalerm Thai goes for $17++, and 3-course at 22++, applicable daily. Main course selection includes Tom Yum Sen, Phad Thai Kung, Kao Phad Gai (chicken fried rice), or Krob Phad Kra Pao Gai (stir-fried Thai basil chicken with steamed jasmine rice).

Capitol Milk Bar
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-84B
Tel: +65 6715 6874
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Modern day reincarnation of the iconic Magnolia Snack Bar
Looking for a place to bring your family for a fun, wholesome diner experience? Head out to Capitol Milk Bar where it recreates the iconic Magnolia Snack Bar from the 60s.

Your folks will probably remember it as the go-to snack place for movie-goers at the old Capitol Building.

This all-American themed diner captures the nostalgia of the golden era with its offerings of burgers, hot dogs, milkshake and ice cream. Plus, a touch of European with the profiteroles — ice cream-filled choux pastry drizzled with hot choco sauce, vanilla Chantilly and roasted almonds.

Expect to see these timeless classic items in the menu but given a modern flair.

For instance, their burgers and sandwiches come with special buns baked fresh daily in-house. You have a choice of either charcoal brioche bun, multi-grain bun, or sesame wheat bun. Highly recommended is the “Capitol” ($19), made with a Black Angus beef patty (up to 150g) in an egg wrap and topped with cheddar and a creamy black pepper mushroom sauce.

Relive the good ole days with their signature ice creams, milk shakes, and floats. Share an order of The Capitol Milk Bar Banana Split ($15), an upgraded version of perhaps your childhood fave. Enjoy scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream alongside with caramelised banana raisin, banana vanilla espuma, freeze dried banana and banana rum glaze.

Throw in a local flavour with the “Singapore Dash Milkshake” aka Chendol Milk Shake ($14), prepared with red bean, pandan jelly, gula Melaka and coconut flakes. Slightly on the sweet side, but rich and indulgingly-good.

Berthold Delikatessen
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-84
Tel: +65 6715 6872
Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Sophisticated European-style café for sandwiches, cakes and coffee
Named after hotel founder Berthold Kempinski, Berthold Delikatessen is a stylish European-style café that offers the best of traditional German delicatessen.

Here you can conveniently pair their signature Berthold house coffee or the Andraschko German blend with any of their wide selection of breads, rolls, pastries.

There aren’t many local bakeries that offer these traditional German-style baked goods, such as classic Bretzel, Bauernbrot aka farmer’s bread, and the braided Hefezopf ($7 to $9). At Berthold, they have it fresh every day.

If you prefer something more filling like sandwiches or salads, try the Berthold Signature Dark Rye Sourdough with Pastrami Ham ($14), a classic combination of the mildly sour break and the saltiness of the ham.

Or go for the Charcoaled Brioche ($14) served with either Chicken or Smoked Salmon for a lighter flavour.

For the salads (everything at $8 each), they have the colourful and chunky Beetroot Salad and Swabian Potato Salad, a traditional regional salad made with beef broth, German mustard and vinegar. Or go the healthier route via a Classic Waldorf Salad with Walnut ($8), served with sliced apples, celery, mayonnaise, and chopped walnuts.

Round up your deli experience by bringing some quiches, pies and cakes (I say go for the Black Forest cake), or have them for your afternoon tea.

El Teatro Tapas
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-83
Tel: +65 6715 6875
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Theatre of Spanish flavours, from tapas to paellas
Explore the flavours of Spain at El Teatro Tapas, a stage for the best tapas, Spanish paella, and bar drinks this side of town.

Tapas range from hot to cold so you’re bound to encounter your fave snack and nibblers here. Whether you’re craving for a cold soup like gazpacho from Andalusia, or some grilled tuna from La Parrilla, you’ll find it at El Teatro.

For the quintessential Spanish Paella, you will have a number of choices. The Classic Paella de Marisco ($30) is a good starting point for its classic mix of seafood, while Paella de Pollo ($28) is specially made for those who really just want chicken.

Indulge with the Paellas de Bogavante ($40), filled with sweet juicy chunks of lobsters or try the crowd-fave Paella Mixta ($30), combining the best of both worlds, a medley of seafood and chicken for a true Spanish party.

For dessert, there is no better way than to end your meal with a traditional Churros Con Chocolate ($12), a very typical Spanish sweet treat. Or try the rich and creamy hand-whisked Crema de Mi Abuela ($12), a Spanish pudding made with custard cream

Foodie Tip: Get an appetiser with main (or main and dessert) for $17++; or appetiser with main and dessert at $22++. Exciting choices for main include Berenjenas a La Miel (eggplant with honey), Croquetas De Pollo (chicken, mushroom or prawn croquette), Gambas Al Ajillo (garlic prawns), or Atun Con Verduras A La Parrilla (tuna with grilled vegetables).

Katachi Style
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-82
Tel: +65 6241 6447
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm Last Order 2:15pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:45pm (Mon – Sun)

Wide variety of Japanese classics including Chirashi Don and Unagi Jyu
Katachi Style is the newest addition to Capitol Singapore, helmed by veteran Chef Keiji Matoba, a haven for Japanese sushi lovers.

Grab a quick lunch via its a la carte menu, a set of dishes made using fresh ingredients specially sourced from Japan for that authentic taste. All these are a product of Chef Keiji’s years of experience in fine dining establishments around the world. His style combines the beauty of nature and modern culinary techniques.

You’ll have ample of choices from sushi to sashimi, from tempura to grilled meats, noodles and desserts.

For lunch, expect a more casual feel as you go for bento-style set meals. Each set comes with a main dish, assorted appetisers, ie scallop nigiri, aburi salmon maki, and pork tonkatsu.

The Chirashi Don ($38) is a must order from the menu, a mountain of rice topped with thick-slices of fresh sushi. If you love the unique flavor of eel, go for the Grilled Unagi Jyu (On Rice) ($34)

For a more relaxed meal, try this joint in the evening. Treat a friend or a business associate for dinner, where you can have a more pampered style of dining with individually-plated dishes.

Katachi Sushi
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-82
Tel: +65 6241 6447
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm Last Order 1:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Experience Japanese omakase by Chef Keiji Matoba
Katashi Sushi boasts of authentic hand-formed sushi meticulously prepared by a sushi artisan, Chef Keiji Matoba.

Here you can satisfy your seafood cravings in a private and exclusive space.

With its wide array of sushi selection, it’s easy to get lost. Start with the “Hana’ Sushi Course ($140), featuring amuse-bouche/3 appetizers, umami soup, 2 kinds of sashimi, 9 kinds of sushi, miso soup, and dessert.

Or the “Ten” Sushi Course ($180), which includes an additional sashimi and sushi, and Inaniwa udon noodles.

For intense cravings, getting the Katashi Omakase Course ($240) is advisable. You’re in for some amuse-bouche/3 appetizers, followed by umami soup and a specially prepared delicacy, uni (sea urchin). You get 3 kinds of fresh sashimi, plus the day’s catch aka Today’s Simmer Fish.

For the main event, you get Wagyu Steak and 9 kinds of premium sushi. The set also includes Inaniwa Udon Noodle, and a dessert to cap off your meal.

Dine at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski X DFD Exclusive Promotion
Have a meal at any of the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski restaurants recommended above (min. spent $10), and receive a $10 mall voucher which can be used at any participating outlets at Capitol Singapore.

T&C:
– Dine at any of the 8 recommended restaurants above at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski to qualify, with minimum expenditure of $10.
– Redeem voucher at Capitol Singapore’s concierge counter from 10:30 am to 10:30pm daily
– Show receipt with min. $10 spend (same day receipts).
– Quote “DanielFoodDiary” upon redemption.
– Redeem a $10 voucher (with 3 months validity) to be used at participating outlets in the mall.
– Voucher redemption ends at the end of December or when 100 vouchers have been redeemed.

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with The Capitol Singapore.

[Seoul] Tongyeong, a port city along the south eastern coast of South Korea, is the inspiration behind this eatery.

This bustling coastal area is known for its abundant fresh seafood, the key ingredient here at Oh Tongyoung 오통영 (sometimes spelt as “Oh Tongyeong”).

This simple shop is right in the middle of Seoul’s luxury fashion district, interpreting the taste of Tongyeong in a modern way.

There are no English signages, so look out for the Korean words of “오통영”, enter and head downstairs.

Inside, the space has that industrial feel – cement floors, exposed ceiling, metal chairs, and overhead lamps. Not quite the typical Korean restaurant vibes.

Their signature dish is the Jeonbok Musoesot Bap (44,000 Won for 2 pax, SGD51) or Abalone Hot Pot Rice, a combination of abalone, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms and chives, alternating layers over a bed of white rice.

Mix them up with unsalted butter and seasoned wild chive soy sauce for a marriage of umami flavours.

Want a different rendition of abalone? Order Jeonbok Gui (44,000 Won, SGD51) and have your abalone grilled on a cast iron skillet with button mushroom, shiitake mushroom and zucchini.

Other noteworthy specialties include Seongge Bibimbap (Sea Urchin Bibimbap), Meongge Bibimbap (Sea Pineapple Bibimbap), Seongge Miyeok Guk (seaweed soup with sea urchin), and Muneo Sukhoe (blanched octopus).

Dishes range from 11,000 to 65,000 Korean Won (SGD12.70 to SGD75). Prices are generally on the higher side as it is also located at the upscale Gangnam area.

I ordered the Uni & Salmon over Rice (28,000 Won, SGD32.40). Perhaps there was some ‘lost-in-translation’ in the process, the “bibimbap” did not come in the usual hot-stone bowl that I was expecting.

If you are used to hearty, saucier Korean fare, then this may come across as healthier and perhaps bland to some.

The chefs use minimum seasoning in the food, with just accompanying kimchi and some side dishes, so that diners can taste the freshness of the seafood caught by local fishermen.

In any case, this was indeed generous serving of creamy sea urchin and salmon on a bed of sticky rice, but I did feel that there was a need of a sauce of some kind to ‘hold’ everything together.

To balance it off, I also had a Galbie – Grilled Ground Beef (30,000 Won) of two patties of Korean Beef with mixed vegetables.

If not, complement your seafood dishes with a platter of Modeum Jeon (assorted Korean pancakes).

Oh Tongyeong 오통영
B1F, 10 Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 544 2377
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3pm, Dinner 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Nampo Myeonok 남포면옥 (Da-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Chanyang-jip 찬양집 (Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Hadongkwan (Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul)
Balwoo Gongyang (Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Mimi Myeonga 미미면가 (Sinsa-dong Gangnam-gu, 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.

Other than Restoran Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh, another Malaysian brand that just reached our shores is Go Noodle House.

No need to drive to JB liao – at least for this?

Go Noodle House has opened at the basement of 313@somerset to relatively long queue.

The casual eatery is known for its fish bone broth along with Jiangxi province-style silky mixian – made fresh every day in Malaysia based on a secret recipe.

That same noodles is delivered to Singapore.

Talking about the soup, the master stock is said to be steeped by more than 40 types of fish bones including tenggiri or mackerel (which sits in a secret location in Shah Alam kept safe behind a fireproof wall.)

This is then transported in -20°C frozen blocks across the border. Wah!

I must say that I was slightly confused (or overwhelmed) by the extensive menu.

To make things easier for you, the signature dishes include Bursting Meatballs in family recipe fish bone broth ($10.90), Handmade Fish Paste ($10.90) and GO trio platter ($12.90) with Five Spice Meat Roll, Crispy Fuchuk and Goin Coin (something like the bak kwa).

Singapore exclusives are Fresh Fish Slice (usually tenggiri or mackerel), Australian ribeye slices and frog (to be introduced later).

You get a choice between the “superior soup” or “homemade spicy soup” with mixian or fine bee hoon. I was recommended to try the original superior soup which had the mellow taste of hua diao jiu.

I was actually keener to try out the Dry Pan Mee, and so ordered a Special Dark Sauce with Onsen Egg ($8.90).

After adding some of those bursting meatballs, pork balls and enoki mushrooms, the bill for a bowl reached up to more than $20 though.

All the pan mee are made at every outlet twice a day, every day. The differences between Malaysia and Singapore are mainly they do not offer tear pan mee in Singapore (only thick and thin).

The pan mee comes with separate servings of fried shallots, fried anchovies, and minced pork which you can add separately.

I wasn’t that bowled over by the special dark sauce, which I thought was missing an ”oomph” factor (perhaps because I have had many good dry Ban Mian in Singapore), but the addition of the chilli sauce made it shiokingly-delicious.

The signature bursting meatballs are made of pork and filled with minced pork, which may remind you of Fuzhou fishballs.

While they were indeed juicy, there wasn’t that big-bursting effect that I would have imagined.

While yes, you can get that same noodles across the Causeway at a fraction of the price, or even find delicious dry Pan Mee around in Singapore, I think what Orchard Road needs are more eateries like this – comfort food you can have on a daily basis, yet in a comfortable environment.

GO Noodle House Singapore
313 Orchard Road, #B3-37/38 313@Somerset, Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun) Note: The restaurant will close from 3pm – 6pm from now till 9 December 2019.)

Other Related Entries
Congee Legend (Geylang Road)
The Coconut Club (Ann Siang)
Downstairs (UE BizHub East)
Chef Kang Prawn Noodle House (Toa Payoh)
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge 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.

Talk about one of the best steakhouses in Singapore, and Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore will always come to mind.

Known for its exceptional prime ribs, the multi-awarded Lawry’s at the Mandarin Gallery is a top destination for steak and meat lovers in Singapore.

This 170-seater restaurant is known to serve the best of American cuisine in a sleek and elegant ambiance.

The added bonus is that the restaurant overlooks the bustling Orchard Road through panoramic 4-meter floor-to-ceiling windows. (Great especially if you intend to head there for shopping before or after your meal).

Lawry’s has always been known for the place for celebrations – may it be a birthday, anniversaries, and even wedding proposals.

You have different dining venues available, including the Main Dining Hall, a Grand Bar, and six private Dining Rooms for private or corporate events, anniversary, birthday and other festivities. Simply go online and reserve your table for up to 15 guests, plus kids if you are bringing some to your party.

The good news is, Citi Cardmembers can get up to 40% OFF a la carte food items (more details at the bottom of the post), giving you more reasons to head down for an indulgent meal.

Choose from any of their a la carte lunch and dinner menus, as well as set meals for kids, and a selection of desserts. Here’s more:

Lawry’s Cut ($120 for 285g)
What makes the rib roasts utterly tender is the aging process that takes up to 28 days.

In addition, the meats are slowly roasted on beds of rock salt. This allows the juices to flow inwards and ensure a uniformly succulent meat.

The Lawry’s Cut that I had was indeed blushing pink all the way through, really meaty yet still juicy and almost melt-in-your-mouth tender.

I think it is not just about the rib roast that it appealing, but how it is presented. Incorporating theatrics into your meal, the carvers serve juicy, flavourful standing rib roast meats from their famous Silver Carts.

The meat is carved to order right by your tableside, and the friendly staff will do some explanation about the cuts – adding some interactivity.

This is served alongside with their famed US Idaho mashed potatoes. You may choose to order ala-carte accompaniments from the Silver Wagon, such as creamed spinach, creamed corn, buttered peas or the Silverside Trio, which is a mixture of everything.

Special mention goes to the Idaho russet potatoes cooked in hearth ovens. These whole potatoes are whipped with milk and butter to achieve that smooth and creamy consistency.

This is complete with a table-side showmanship of the Original Spinning Bowl Salad. The salad is spun on a bed of ice- mixes up crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce, together with baby spinach, shredded beets, chopped eggs and crunchy baked croutons.

For the dressing, they are tossed in the exclusive Lawry’s vintage dressing. And did you know you get a chilled fork with this salad?

Accompanying the rib roasts are Lawry’s signature Yorkshire pudding, a crisp bread you can use to soak up all the meat juices.

Specially baked in individual copper skillets, the pudding complements that additional sides you’re getting.

Level up the flavours with some whipped cream horseradish, a blend of whipped cream and some biting grated fresh horseradish.

For those with hearty appetites who love an extra-thick cut, you can go for the “Diamond Jim Brady” Cut ($180 for 450g). Other cuts available include the Singapore Cut ($75 for 130g), California Cut ($80 for 160g), and English Cut ($95 for 200g).

Atlantic Lobster Dinner ($95)
Lawry’s Atlantic Lobster Dinner serves you a trio of broiled lobster tails with drawn butter for a rich, velvety taste. Comes with mashed potatoes made from US Idaho potatoes, and sautéed mix vegetables.

If you typically find consuming lobsters slightly messy, worry not as the hard gloriously-succulent flesh has been skilfully removed from the hard-shells.

I had quite a number of lobsters of late, but these babies were indeed sweet-tasting and tenderly-juicy. A dip into the drawn butter just seals the deal.

Also available is an Atlantic Lobster Duo ($73) during lunch. Head off to the Atlantic for a taste of the freshest lobster tails without leaving the city.

Hokkaido Scallops ($35)
Order this starter and get four pieces of these prized scallops, specially sourced from Hokkaido, Japan.

Cooked by searing over high temperature, the scallops retain their succulence without being tough and dry.

Enjoy them with the accompanying strawberry and mango salsa, for that sweet and tangy flavour combo.

Pan Seared Goose Foie Gras ($39)
You can add a luxurious note to your meal with this pan-seared goose foie gras, a popular French delicacy.

The sliced fattened goose liver is flash seared on high heat on both sides to keep it rare –as this retains its rich flavour and silky texture.

Lawry’s Mudpie ($18)
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with this all-time favourite. Take a delicious digestive biscuit top it with a combination of Häagen-Dazs vanilla, coffee & chocolate ice cream, all drizzled with an irresistible hot fudge.

Traditional Tiramisu ($18)
Another popular favourite is this Italian specialty made with the finest Italian mascarpone cheese, with strong coffee and alcoholic taste from a mixture of Grand Marnier, Kahlua and Marsala Wine.

Promotion for Citi Cardmembers:
1 person dining – 15% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 1 main course
2 persons dining – 40% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 2 main courses
3 persons dining – 30% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 3 main courses
4 persons dining and above – 20% off a la carte food items on minimum order of 4 main courses

T&C:
– The Promotion period is till 20th December 2019.
– Under the Promotion, a Citi Cardmember will enjoy the offers on a la carte food items at Lawry’s The Prime Rib when payment is charged to his/her Citibank Debit/Credit Card.
– Promotion is valid on a la carte food items only, excluding beverages, promotional items, set menus, government taxes and service charge.
– Promotion is valid daily during lunch and dinner.
– Promotions are valid for dine-in customers only, takeaway items are not included. Other T&C apply.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore
333A Orchard Road, #04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery, Mandarin Orchard Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 6836 3333
Email: reservations@lawrys.com.sg
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:30am – 10:30pm (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore.

Looking for a Halal, group-friendly restaurant to dine at Jewel Changi Airport?

The halal-certified Commons is a family-friendly place that also caters to vegetarian guests.

Located right next to the picturesque HSBC Rain Vortex, Commons is an ideal venue for your next gathering with family and friends in between travels or just about any occasion.

As there are long tables and spacious seating available that can easily accommodate you and you company, Commons is recommended for guests who dine in groups, whether big or small.

You don’t have to worry about menu options and portion sizes as they have sharing platters.

Food selection is diverse as they specialise in specially crafted Asian-Fusion delights, from appetisers to desserts. And with its all-new, fully revamped menu just launched, you can expect more unique items to choose from.

Be ready to tease your palate with their signature dishes such as the locally-inspired Satay Chicken Griller. Go Thai-style with their Sticky Lamb Ribs, or try a fusion of Mexican and Asian flavours with the Lamb Wanton Tacos.

The crowd-fave Oven-Baked Chicken Thigh shouldn’t be missed, as well as classics like Double Truffle Fries and Spicy Prawn and Classic Hawaiian Pizza.

The Meat Feast ($65, serves 3-4 pax)
This chef-recommended dish serves a group of 3-4 diners offering assorted meats that will please any carnivore foodie.

The entire platter includes a bountiful spread of Sticky Lamb Ribs, Satay Chicken Griller, a succulent rib-eye steak, and Italian chicken sausages.

Worthy of mention is the Sticky Lamb Ribs ($38 full, $28 half if ordered ala carte). This sticky rendition of tender baby back lamb ribs is slow cooked for 8 hours, resulting in a smoky savoury flavour. Served with a finger-lickin’ good sweet and sticky sauce, with a mild spice level for a little bit of heat.

Also included is the Satay Chicken Griller ($18 if ordered ala carte). The chicken gets the nod of spicy food lovers, featuring a whole thigh grilled to precision. Adding a layer of flavour and aroma is a fragrant and nutty satay sauce you can dip into.

Complementing your feast fare are baked creamy Japanese sweet potato, roasted baby carrots, asparagus spears & vine tomatoes. Both a visual and gustatory stunner.

Commons Platter ($22, serves 3 – 4 pax)
Dining with your pals? Get the Commons Platter which can feed 3 really hungry diners or 4 with regular appetites.

Combining oozy and creamy cheddar cheese sticks, crispy breaded chicken cutlets, fries drizzled with nacho cheese & mayo, spicy prawn wanton tacos.

Everything is balanced out with a side of fresh salad to rest your palate in between tastings.

Sweet & Smoky Chicken Wings ($12)
Bring in the element of fun with these sweet & smoky chicken wings, the ultimate finger food for every party.

Each wing is coated with an irresistible honey Sriracha sauce that gives you the best of both worlds – sweet and spicy combined guaranteed to excite your taste buds.

Be ready to get messy though as the sauce is on the sticky side.

Lamb Wanton Tacos ($9)
Whet up your appetite with these starters, featuring pulled lamb meat and assorted salad veggies stuffed in wanton skin tacos.

A word of caution for those who have an aversion for spicy dishes as this appetiser is drizzled with Sriracha mayo, finished off with a dash a lime cutting through the creaminess of the dressing.

Soba Salad ($10, with Chicken Char Siew additional $2)
Add in a salad to your meal and get the Soba Salad with an optional Chicken Char Siew.

Joining the party are French beans, shiitake mushrooms, carrots & purple cabbage intermingling with a sweet-savoury honey soy dressing.

The cold soba noodles, cooked to the right texture, are the star of the dish.

Gula Melaka Banana Lopes ($12)
Moving on to the sweets… add in some local flavours to your sweet meal endings and get these delectable pandan-infused glutinous rice balls.

Their chewy goodness is complemented with some sweet, soft, caramelised banana slices and a drizzle of sweet gula melaka. Warning: sweetness overload up ahead.

Salted Caramel Waffle with Apple Berry Crisp ($16)
Here’s a sweet-salty combo to cap off your meal, combining a stack of crispy-edged and fluffy waffles blanketed with apples, berries and crumbly oats.

The rich salted caramel sauce is slathered all over, then finished off with a topping of Cookies & Cream ice cream.

Milo Beast ($8), Bandung Chin Chow ($6)
End your meal with a bang with this beast of a beverage. Drown your worries away in this all-time fave, pumped up with Milo powder for extra energy.

You get an iced chocolate drink served with a scoop of Milo-flavoured ice cream (yes!), then topped with a generous squeeze of luscious whipped cream dusted off with a sprinkling of Milo powder.

If not, quench your thirst with a refreshing Bandung Chin Chow, combining two favourite local drinks with the creaminess of rose syrup with milk and cooling grass jelly.

Commons Jewel Changi Airport X DFD Promo:
– Get 10% OFF total bill, applicable for ala carte/set menu items.
– Valid till 31st Jan 2020 for dine-in or takeaway.
– Flash this post and quote “DanielFoodDiary10” during payment to enjoy discount.

– Valid for one redemption per transaction only.

Commons @ Jewel Changi Airport
#B1-289/290 78 Airport Boulevard Jewel Changi Airport Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6242 9542
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommonsSG
Instagram: @CommonsSG

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