Tteokbokki 떡볶이 must be one of Korea’s most popular street food, and you see it featured so often in K-dramas that makes you crave for it all the more.

However, you may not find these Korean rice cakes not that readily available in Singapore Korean restaurants, especially portions more suitable for individuals and smaller groups.

Jjamppong specialty restaurant Nipong Naepong known for its unique fusion renditions of the Korean-Chinese seafood noodles soup dish, has introduced a new Tteokbokki range with four exciting flavours.

Hailing from South Korea, Nipong Naepong which is literally translated as ‘your ppong, my ppong’ serves up a vibrant menu of fusion Jjamppong (from soupy, creamy to dry), Iron-Plate Rice, Korean-style Risotto, thin tortilla Pizzas, and drinks.

There are currently two outlets – at 313@somerset and Jem.

The exterior of the restaurant features a white-tiled wall splashed with the word ‘PONG’ in royal blue; with mix of cement, brick, accentuated by a neon lightbulb wall fixture on the inside.

Check out the new Tteokbokki dishes in four different flavours which includes Tteobokki (original), Rose Tteokbokki, Creamy Tteokbokki and Buldak Tteokbokki:

Tteokbokki ($15.90)
In Korean cuisine, Tteokbokki is ranked in the top 5 most spicy dishes, and this version (out of the 4 new ones) will probably taste closest to the classic. However, I think this would be considered mildly-spicy to Korean food lovers.

The Tteokbokki comes with Korean rice cakes smothered in high-heat with Korean fish cakes, quail eggs and spicy tteokbokki sauce.

You can eat this on its own, or pour that molten gooey mozzarella cheese over which elevates the Tteokbokki to another level.

Savour the chewiness of the cakes, the rich taste of the cheese, along with the sweet-spiciness of the sauce all blossoming in your mouth.

The cheese also helps to cut some of that spiciness, and create something addictively-flavourful and comforting together.

Buldak Tteokbokki ($18.90)
This version of the Tteokbokki is cooked in buldak sauce and served with cocktail chicken sausages, sweet marinated bulgogi beef, and topped with mozzarella cheese.

“Bul” means “fire” and “dak” translates to “chicken”, and this dish comes with 2 levels of spiciness.

This was not as spicy as I imagined; if you are up to the challenge, order the Level 2.

Creamy Tteokbokki ($18.90)
This tasted somewhat like Carbonara-style Tteokbokki which would be suitable for non-spice lovers and children.

This creamy version of the Tteokbokki is served with cocktail chicken sausages, bulgogi beef and topped with mozzarella cheese.

Rose Tteokbokki ($19.90)
Rose in this case refers to the “pink” sauce, in which you can get the best of both worlds which marries the richness of cream sauce and the refreshing tanginess of tomato puree in one plate.

Also served with cocktail chicken sausages, bulgogi beef and topped with mozzarella cheese, the tomato cream sauce is slightly spicy and can remind some of Italian pasta.

Beef Cha Ppong ($16.90)
There are two versions of Cha Ppong served here, the more classic seafood and bulgogi beef.

The Seafood Jjamppong noodles would be served loaded with fried cabbage, mussels, squid, prawn, and quail eggs; while the Beef Cha Ppong is for the meat-lovers (also for those don’t take shellfish) topped with a hearty portion of bulgogi-style beef.

There are two levels of spiciness you can choose from. I went for the Level 1, and liked that there was already this fiery kick in the piping hot broth, yet not over.

The soup was actually quite addictive, of richly flavoured seafood broth, balanced with the sweetness of the broth.

Cooked in high heat, it imparted some wok-hei and drinking the deep-spicy soup could result in some tissue-worth of head sweat.

Jjajangmyeon ($14.50)
This Korean-Chinese staple is prepared by combining noodles with a black bean sauce.

This jjajangmyeon is topped with minced pork, boiled quail eggs, fresh cucumber strips, a sprinkling of sesame seeds, and the key ingredient black bean sauce.

The difference is Nipong Naepong uses jjolmyeon noodles which are chewy wheat noodles.

Give it a good toss, and you would love the earthy aroma and slightly salty thick sauce.

Jeju Spicy Pork Iron-Plate Rice ($15.90)
Created exclusively for Nipong Naepong Singapore, the Iron-Plate Rice series is inspired by ‘hansang’ (한상), a Korean term that means ‘a table with a full meal’.

Each set is served on a customised wooden platter with a hotplate accompanied by condiments and side dishes.

The name of each dish in this series references a region or landmark in South Korea, with choices of of Hallasan Volcano ($15.90), Chuncheon Dakgalbi ($15.90), Seoul Bulgogi ($15.90), and Jeju Spicy Pork Iron-Plate Rice ($15.90).

I enjoyed the Jeju Spicy Pork Iron-Plate Rice which comprised of spicy, stir-fried pork belly slices, leeks, crushed seaweed and rice with furikake (a dry Japanese seaweed-based seasoning).

Mix them all up on the hot plate then wrap in a fresh lettuce leaf. Don’t forget to add some ssamjang, pickled radish, and of course, kimchi.

Spicy Keu Seafood Risotto ($17.90)
Other than noodles, there are also Risotto dishes of Spicy Keu Seafood Risotto ($17.90), Spicy Keu Beef Risotto ($19.90), and Soi Chicken Risotto ($13.90).

The Spicy Keu Seafood ($17.90) is possibly my favourite Risotto, cooked with a mix of Nipong Naepong’s Keu cream sauce and chilli oil, with smokiness that comes from the addition of wok-fried seafood.

Saucy due to the milk and cream added, with a alluring level of spiciness.

Ni Pizza – Sweet Potato ($18.90)
Nipong Naepong also serves up four different types of pizzas – Ninae Pizza-Spinach, Ni Pizza-Sweet Potato, Nae Pizza-Garlic and Coco Pizza-Coconut; all made fresh and served from the oven.

These are not quite your Italian pizzas, but can be best described as sweet and savoury pizzas on baked tortilla wraps.

The Ni Pizza – Sweet Potato can be eaten almost like a dessert, topped with velvety sweet potato puree.

Don’t just gobble it up. You are supposed to take a slice with your hands, roll it up, dip into the fluffy whipped cream, and enjoy.

Melon Yogurt ($14.50 for 1 litre)
Good for sharing between two to three people, this is a refreshing blend of yoghurt, honeydew and ice – especially ideal as a foil against hot soups and spicy food.

The jug is topped off with a honeydew popsicle that enriches the flavour of the icy beverage as it melts.

Get an entire jug for every order of this fruity concoction, enough for 2-3 people.

Combined with the sweet honeydew melon is a deliciously tart yogurt, making this icy beverage a balance of flavours. To complete the setup, the 1-liter jug is served topped with a honeydew-flavoured popsicle.

Once it melts, your drink will be much richer.

Nipong Naepong – 313@somerset
313@somerset #B3-03, 313 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6509 8364
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm Last order 9pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)

Nipong Naepong – Jem
Jem #01-16, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6816 8061
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm Last order 9pm, 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)

Islandwide Delivery: https://kfood.oddle.me

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Nipong Naepong.

While Geylang has usually been known for its supper spots, zi char eateries, and Chinese restaurants, there are a number of new cafes which landed here this year.

If you need some navigation: the entire Geylang Road extends from Kallang to Paya Lebar, with Knock Knock Café and Geylang Drip City near Kallang MRT; and The Wonderment Collective, Teahouse 1973 and Sweet Hut 甜秘密 near Aljunied MRT station.

There is also Monday Blues nearer to Paya Lebar MRT, along the stretch of shophouses. If you are feelin’ the Monday blues on Sunday night, you can hang out there till 3AM.

The interior of the cafe is warm and cosy, with an elongated layout equipped with 7 tables and multiple arch structures on the walls.

With 16 flavours on display, prices start from $4.80 for a single scoop and $7.80 for double scoops, with optional add-on Cone (+$1) or Cotton Candy Cloud (+$2).

Interesting flavours include Burnt Pineapple and Yuzu Lemon with Rose Lychee; while classic ones include the usual Dark Chocolate, French Vanilla Bean, Matcha, Pistachio and Earl Grey.

Classic Waffle with a single scoop of ice cream is priced at $10.50, whereas their signature Cloudy Waffle is only available with double ice cream scoops ($14.80).

Extra ice cream scoops are available at an additional $3.50 whereas topping and syrup at an additional $0.50.

Their signature items are the Cloudy Waffle ($14.80), Cloudy Cone ($7.80) and Cloud Cup ($6.80), comes with cotton candy that reminds me of the now-defunct Aqua S.

The Cloudy Waffle looked aesthetically-pleasing with fluffy candy floss surrounding the 2 square-shaped stacked waffles, sprinkled with icing sugar.

The waffles were a tad undercooked and limpy though, unable to support the weight of the ice cream scoops and collapsed within a minute or so.

I wished that the waffle was crispier and fluffier, instead of the current doughy texture.

Thankfully, the ice cream had this smooth and creamy texture.

In terms of taste, the matcha flavvour had a distinctive earthy profile with notable bitterness, whereas the French vanilla bean wasn’t overly sweet.

I enjoyed the Burnt Pineapple in a Cloudy Cone (Single $7.80, Double $10.80) with a good balance of citrus notes from the pineapple and the sweetness from the cotton candy.

Do bring along wet tissues as it can get a little messy when the cotton candy starts to melt.

Opened till 3am daily, this will be an ideal dessert supper spot that perhaps cure your Monday (and every day) Blues.

Monday Blues
749 Geylang Road, Singapore 389655
Opening Hours: 1pm – 3am (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Knock Knock Café (Geylang)
The Wonderment Collective (Geylang)
Geylang Drip City (Geylang)
Teahouse 1973 (Geylang)
Sweet Hut 甜秘密 (Geylang)

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

“The biggest ramen chain in Singapore” Ramen Keisuke needs little introduction to ramen-lovin’ Singaporeans.

But do you know there are now 22 concepts under their umbrella?

They have opened quite a number of concepts such as Yakiniku Yako, Niku King, Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo, Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke, Ramen Keisuke Lobster King, and Keisuke Kani King, Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei, and Gyoza King.

So Omurice Keisuke at Level 4 of Bugis+ has said its goodbye, and replacing it is Aburi Kaisen Don Keisuke. (Also read: 10 Affordable Bara Chirashi & Kaisendon In Singapore)

The brand-new concept specalises in Kaisen Don (“kaisen 海鮮” means seafood, while “donburi 丼” represents rice bows) which serves up of various fresh seafood over a bowl of rice.

One thing to note is their Kaisen Don ingredients includes a combination of both fresh and raw seafood, as well as aburi (flamed) seafood ingredients.

On its menu are four main bowls, which are Tokusen Warayaki Aburi Kaisen Don ($16.90), Warayaki Aburi Salmon & Minced Maguro Don ($11.90), Kiwami Warayaki Aburi Kaisen Don Special ($22.90), and Warayaki Aburi Kaisen Maze Soba ($16.90).

Still considered reasonably priced considering the amount of ingredients.

While the starred item is the Tokusen Warayaki Aburi Kaisen Don ($16.90), I decided to go for the more expensive Kiwami Warayaki Aburi Kaisen Don Special ($22.90).

Other than aburi salmon, aburi maguro (tuna), aburi hamachi (yellow tail), monga ika (squid), negitoro (minced tuna), tobiko, ebi soboro (minced prawn), the more premium bowl also comes with snow crab flakes and shoyu ikua.

Interestingly, the eatery uses the Warayaki style of cooking whereby Japanese rice straw is used during the aburi flaming process to add that smoky aroma to the fishes.

I must say that the ingredients were fresh and tasty, creating a colourful mini-hill on the bowl. However, the fishes were minced to smaller pieces and some diners may prefer bigger cubes for a better bite.

Do add on the Ochazuke Set ($4) in which a portion of lobster soup or Japanese dashi soup is served, alongside condiments of spring onions, rice crackers, seaweed, wasabi and calamansi.

Keep about a quarter of the rice from the kaisen don and pour the lobster soup, to experience that sweet seafood umami flavours over the reserved rice for another way of eating.

Oh, the server would drop a hot stone into the soup when you are ready to have the ochazuke so that it stays relatively hot.

Belly-warming and comforting.

While rice is the main star of the eatery, I happened to enjoy the Warayaki Aburi Kaisen Maze Soba ($16.90) due to the rich-tasting seasoning of the sauce.

Aburi Kaisen Don Keisuke
201 Victoria St, #04-01 Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 9pm (Sat – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Miso Salmon (Tanjong Pagar)
Gaku Sushi Bar (Pasir Ris)
SENSHI (Dorsett Singapore)
Kanada-Ya (Paragon)
Menbaka Ramen Singapore (Orchard Cineleisure)

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

There is certainly an increase in demand in vegan cafes and plant-based food, and I went in search for one that serves up both savoury items and desserts.

Lilac Oak Café is an extension of home-based business Lilac Oak, and has the simple objective of introducing the wonders of plant-based foods to customers.

While it is located near the heart of town at Oxley Rise, walking here from either Somerset or Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations would require some navigation.

This is a quaint, cosy, small and undiscovered space that looks like it is full of heart – with food cooked with a fresh warm taste of home.

No alliums are used as well.

On the savoury menu available from 12 noon onwards are rice bowls and sandwiches.

These include rotational items such as Baked Maple Miso Vegetables on Sesame Rice ($14.90), Grilled Teriyaki Eggplant Donburi ($12.90), Simple Tofu Sandwich ($6.90), Peanut Tempeh Sandwich ($8.90), Mushroom Tofu Ciabatta ($8.90), and Kimchi Portobello Sandwich ($9.90).

I had the House-special Bibimbap with Sweet Potato Rice ($14.90) which came with a colourful spread of seasonal vegetables, grilled tofu, housemate sautéed kimchi.

The ingredients came on a house-special sweet potato brown rice, served with house-made gochujang (Korean chilli paste).

This was quite a wholesome, tasty bowl which wasn’t too spicy at all. Even though I am a typical meat eater, I found this rather satisfying and still filling.

During another occasion, I had the other recommended item of Peanut Tempeh Sandwich ($8.90).

This came with marinated tempeh patty with a house-made peanut sauce, lettuce, tomato slices, wilted baby spinach, all within a nine-grain toast.

Because I am so accustomed to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I felt that this sandwich could be elevated with a fruity sauce or jam of some kind, also to reduce the ‘dryness’ overall.

Do not miss out on their house specialties of Taro Tart ($4.50) and Pulut Hitam Taro Tart ($4).

The Tart Tart ($4.50) is inspired by the old-fashioned luscious Teochew Orh Nee, made using 100% fresh taro paste and gingko.

Totally vegan, not too sweet, still delightful and without the huge guilt.

Also available are Very Fudgy Raw Brownies ($5), Oat Crunch Cookies ($18 for 180g) and soon to be launched is Vegan Gelato.

All of their sweets are currently dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, all-natural and organic where economically and practically possible.

Lilac Oak
71 Oxley Rise, #01-01, Singapore 238698
Tel: +65 8222 0018
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 4pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs), 11am – 6pm (Fri, Sun), 8:30am – 6pm (Sat), Closed Wed

Other Related Entries
10 Best Vegetarian And Vegan Restaurants In Singapore
Necessary Provisions (Tanglin Road)
Lucky Cat Café (Hougang)
Starbucks Introduces NEW Meatless Savory Options
Elemen (Millenia Walk)

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

Now, who says Yishun is boring for café goers?

There are now more choices, and this include Craze Kitchen – a café at Yishun Junction 9 offering large servings at not-so-large prices.

For the Easties, you can find another outlet at 201D Tampines Street 21.

With no GST and no service charge, you get to pocket those extra savings. For example, a Chicken or Fish Fillet pasta is priced at $10 nett. Good portion too.

Here you can find mostly Western dishes from Italian pastas, burgers, mussels, Spanish paella rice, to family platters and everything comforting in between.

You can spot a few fusion creations, blending in the flavours of the East to add a local touch, such as Laksa Mussels, Prawn Laksa Pasta, and Sambal Fish Paella.

Here’s how the Italian pasta section works. There are choices including Aglio Olio, Cream Carbonara, Arriabiata, Neapolitan starting with $10, and seasonal choices of Lobster Bisque (+$2) and Salted Egg Infused Pasta.

With 10 choices of meat available, from chicken, fish fillet, lamb chop, beef, prawn, seafood, salmon, ribeye, to even lobster & clams (additional cost applies for more premium seafood and meats), feel free to customise your pasta to your liking.

For pasta, the best-selling Chicken Aglio Olio ($10) is a must-try with its juicy portion of grilled chicken steak.

If you are looking for a creamy-type pasta, order the Cream Carbonara ($10) and try it with a battered fish fillet for a lighter-kind-of-meat.

Here are some of the recommended food and desserts from Craze Kitchen at Yishun and Tampines:

Lobster Bisque Pasta (starting from $12)
Leading the pack of seasonal items available for a limited period is Lobster Bisque Pasta, a chef-recommended dish you must try at Craze Kitchen.

The soft yet firm linguine are cooked with a bisque of lobster, a rich flavourful sauce enhanced with sliced red kraut (cabbage) and chopped parsley.

The lobster bisque sauce is prepared using lobster shells across two days of cooking, that results in something sweet, succulent, moderately rich in seafood taste.

Make it spicy with a kick with some fresh chili (optional).

You can customise for an affordably-priced Grilled Chicken Lobster Bisque Pasta ($12), Prawn Lobster Bisque Pasta ($15.50) and more, or go for the Lobster and Clams for something more indulgent ($21 for half lobster, $37 for full lobster) and the ultimate seafood feast.

Salted Egg Infused Pasta (starting from $10)
Also new in the seasonal specials is Salted Egg Infused Pasta, prepared with al dente linguine and your choice of meat (price ranges from $10 to $37).

Whether you like Fried Fish Fillet ($10), Seafood ($14) or Ribeye Salted Egg Infused Pasta ($24.50), your selected meat is cooked and tossed with a rich and creamy salted egg sauce, red kraut, and fresh chili.

The sauce is house-prepared, using salted egg, butter and their own mixed vegetable stock to bring out the flavours. Finished off with curry leaves for added fragrance and fresh chopped parsley.

Margherita Grill Cheese Chicken ($13.50)
Make it a cheesy main dish when you order Margherita Grill Cheese Chicken. This is tender, boneless grilled chicken steak is served smothered with cheese on tomato basil sauce.

Accompanied with thick cut potato fries and side greens.

The cheese is torched just before serving, so that the cheesy flavour spreads across the meat and combines well with the tangy tomato sauce.

Sambal Chicken Paella ($9.50)
A fusion of flavours from East and West, this dish features the Spanish-original paella made sweet with raisins. You also find some salmon bits in the rice which adds more seafood flavours.

Flanking the fried egg-topped rice is a sambal-topped chicken steak with some greens. A savoury spicy way to enjoy succulent grilled chicken.

Customisation and mix-and-match are key at Craze Kitchen, so you also find options including Harissa Chilli Chicken Paella ($9.50), Craze Double Chicken Paella ($13.50) and Sambal Striploin Bef Paella ($18).

For larger, meatier appetites, try it with beef instead. You get a hefty chunk of char-grilled striploin beef with a spread of sambal on top. Also served with raisin paella rice, fried egg, and greens.

Craze Firebird ($13.50 with burger buns or $15.50 with waffles)
There are a couple of burger choices here such as The Hawaiian ($9), Classic Wagyu ($18), Two On The Hook ($13) which has double pieces of fried halibut fish, Chicken Rice ($9) with fried chicken, to Barbeque Time ($9) with BBQ sauce chicken topped with torched cheese.

I was more intrigued by their house-special Craze Firebird, a hunger-crushing burger that stacks with not one but two crunchy fried chicken pieces, smothered with melty cheese and homemade harissa chili sauce.

All that heat is balanced out with fresh lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes.

Enjoy it as a burger or with waffles for an extra $2. Either way, both go well with crisp golden curly fries on the side.

Butter Cream Mussels ($18)
It’s all about mussel power. Taste these black mussels sauteed with aromatic garlic and onions, made rich with fresh Danish butter and cream sauce.

They add some fresh parsley and watercress to impart some peppery flavours, mellowed down by a splash of olive oil.

This is served with some buttery toast which you can dip into the cream sauce. If cream is not your thing, there are two other choices of Tomato Basil Mussels ($18) and Laksa Mussels ($18).

Butterscotch Banana Crepe & Ice Cream ($8.50)
This paper-thin crepe is filled with slices of sweet bananas and served with a scoop of ice cream (your choice of flavour – vanilla, rocky road chocolate or strawberry).

Adding crunch to the smooth and creamy ice cream is a sprinkling of toasted almond slivers and a drizzle of butterscotch sauce.
On the side, mixed berries coulis with chocolate completes this tantalising dessert.

Molten Lava Fondant with Ice Cream ($12.50)
This chef-recommended dessert features a rich and soft chocolate fondant filled with melted chocolate that oozes out once broken with a fork.

Served a la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sexy swirl of chocolate syrup.

Craze Kitchen – Yishun
18 Yishun Avenue 9, #01-02, Junction Nine, Singapore 768897
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/crazekitchensg/

Craze Kitchen – Tampines
201D Tampines St. 21, N2 Shopping Street #01-1171, Singapore 524201
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:30am – 1am (Fri – Sat)

* This post is brought to you in partnership with Craze Kitchen.

If lobster rolls, benedict, and waffles are your thing, weekends are made better with a brand-new brunch menu from Burger & Lobster Singapore.

This selection is exclusively available at the Raffles Hotel outlet (entry now via Seah Street side).

What you can expect is a special selection of lobster brunch items such as Bloody Mary Roll and B&L Lobster Benedict, along with refreshing dessert, sides and creative concoctions.

A bit of background: Burger & Lobster was launched in Mayfair by four schoolmates in 2011, and the concept then focused on great food and quality with just two ingredients – burger and lobster.

It has expanded from London, to New York, Bangkok, Malaysia, Kuwait and Singapore. The two Singapore outlets are at Jewel Changi Airport and Raffles Hotel at the famous Arcade – in which diners can dine in a charming old-school opulent setting.

Regular mains you can find at Burger & Lobster Singapore include the Original Roll, Beast Burger, California Roll, Surf & Turf Roll, Mayfair Burger, Smoked BBQ Burger, and The Wholesome Burger.

Diners are assured of freshness as all restaurants feature live lobsters flown in from Nova Scotia, Canada; and beef from the cattle ranchers in Nebraska.

If you are thinking of heading for the Weekend Brunch at Raffles Hotel for a relaxing good time, it is available from 11am to 3pm on Fridays, 10:30am to 3pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Here’s more on what you can expect from the B&L Weekend Brunch: (prevailing service charge and taxes apply)

Bloody Mary Roll ($24)
All the lobster brioche rolls served at B&L feature wild-caught Atlantic lobsters delivered to the restaurant daily, and therefore you get juicy and succulent chunks filled in the buns.

Here’s the twist: inspired by the famed cocktail Bloody Mary (but this version is made virgin), the lobster roll is tossed with spicy tomato mayo, folded in with celery salt, and topped with charred cherry tomatoes and chopped chives.

In addition to the sweetness of the lobster meat, you get the hint of the bright tomato, salty, spicy taste of Bloody Mary, that gives a refreshing and invigorating edge.

What I also enjoyed was the light crisp of the warm toasted potato brioche roll.

B & L Lobster Benedict ($26)
There is a lot of lobster flavour packed in this benedict. At the bottom are English muffins toasted with butter, then topped with reduced lobster bisque.

This is further layered with mashed avocadoes done guacamole-style, a whole crispy bacon placed across, and a house-made lobster-bisque mayo.

Not forgetting the two main ‘stars’ of chilled, chunky Nova Scotian lobster, and 64-degree sous-vide egg.

To complete the brunch dish is the creamy and rich lobster bisque hollandaise sauce. You are getting the lobster flavour in every layer, which makes this decadent and kind of dreamy to have.

Mala Corn ($6)
An appetiser of grilled corn tossed in a fragrant spicy mala rub, sprinkled with chives.

You get a bit of sweetness of the corn, nuttiness as well as that light spicy and numbing sensation. I thought that the mala-ness was on the subtle side, and could afford to go heavier on the spice level.

Fried Cauliflower ($6)
Florets of fried cauliflower fried to a golden-brown colour with a bit of nutty flavour, to be best dipped into the lime cilantro mayonnaise to have that refreshing and tangy feeling.

Waffles, Raspberries & Ice Cream ($18)
Brunch is never quite complete without waffles. This Belgian-style waffle is topped with refreshing strawberry ice cream, drizzled with chocolate and salted caramel sauce, garnished with juicy raspberries.

I loved the waffles for the buttery and toasty outer layer, while the tangy gelato and fruits make this a delicious dessert for the summer.

Expect new creative cocktails and drinks from the expanded beverage menu to be served at both the Jewel Changi Airport and Raffles Hotel outlets during operating hours.

The extensive beverage selection is created in collaboration with award-winning beverage experts Old Young’s Distillery from Perth and Alain Milliat from France.

Signature cocktails include the pretty-in-pink Little Red Dot ($18) made with Hendrick’s Gin, Sg Distillery Stolen Roses Gin and Raspberry coconut syrup; and Where’s My Culture ($20) which is a yogurt-like cocktail thick, floral and sweet.

A Blood Mary Roll may not be that complete with a drink of Bloody Mary ($22) – a blend of smoked vodka, tomato juice, spice mix and olives.

For non-alcohol drinkers, there is also the Virgin Mary ($14) made with tomato juice, spice mix and olives.

Burger & Lobster – Raffles Hotel
328 North Bridge Road Singapore 188719
Tel: +65 6971 6127
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri), 10:30am – 10pm (Sat), 10.30am – 9:30pm (Sun)
Brunch: 11am – 3pm (Fri), 10:30am – 3pm (Sat – Sun) Last orders 30 min before closing
Reservation: https://www.burgerandlobster.com/locations/singapore/

Burger & Lobster – Jewel Changi Airport
Jewel Changi Airport #05-203, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sat), 11am – 9:30pm (Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Burger & Lobster.

Newly opened Korean-inspired brunch and dessert café You Are My Sunshine recently opened at Ngee Ann City.

If you find the name sounding familiar, they have a sister outlet Walking on Sunshine (no relation to M1) located at Orchard Central.

Both outlets are Korean duo-concept store with both cafe and salon under one roof, with the same iconic lush greeneries and plants in their compound.

You Are My Sunshine uses a holistic approach to combine all 5 senses including Taste (food and coffee), Visual (zen and relaxing garden), Sound, Touch and Smell from the salon.

Separated into 3 units with one unit dedicated to the salon, the other two can accommodate 10 tables in the main dining area and another 5 tables next door.

The entire space can be easily spotted from far, an entire green wall totally surrounded by potted plants and climbers just like a mini forest.

One thing to note, this outlet is dimmer than their other branch at Orchard Central, with most of the light shining in from the mall corridor instead.

For now, their menu is exactly the same as their outlet at Orchard Central, with Korean elements added into the dishes.

It is categorised into Salad ($27), Brunch ($20 – $27), Mains ($24 – $33), Sides ($14 – $16), Sweets ($18 – $25), Coffee, Tea and Shakes, with prices on the higher side than most cafes.

Diners can look forward to Korean dishes such as Classic Bulgogi Salad ($27), Crispy Korean Fried Chicken with Yangnyeom Sauce ($28), Hake & Chips with Kimchi Tartare ($32), Popcorn Chicken with Yangnyeom ($16) and Kroffle ($18), a cross between croissant and waffle.

As it was tea time during my visit, I decided to go for something light, a Kroffle ($18) that comes with options of Ice Cream, Cream with Honey Drizzle or Demi Chocolate.

To make the Kroffle, the croissants are first flattened in a waffle maker to create the contrast in textures: crispy crunch on the surface and layered chewy textures on the inside.

The 2 Kroffles are then stacked before topping up with a generous scoop of ice cream: Strawberry, Coffee, vanilla, Chocolate or Matcha, and sprinkled with granola, berries and grapes.

Chocolate sauce is drizzled as a finishing touch.

The Kroffle was quite an enjoyable treat, with buttery fragrance due to the laminated layers of the croissant and not too dry.

I won’t recommend getting the matcha ice cream as it tasted very milky with an artificial lingering taste.

For the sweet-toothed, other desserts also include Fluffy Souffle Pancake ($25), Demi Chocolate Kroffle ($18), Creamy with Honey Drizzle Kroffle ($18).

Their drinks menu does seem interesting, with the viral Iced Dalgona Coffee ($8), or even Buttercream Latte ($7), Iced Coconut Smoothie Coffee ($8), Chestnut Latte ($7), Sweet Potato Latte ($7) and Ginger Latte ($7).

Each drink is also beautifully presented in a double-walled glass cup with “You Are My Sunshine” imprinted on it.

Unfortunately, both the Iced Matcha Latte ($7.50) and Iced Chestnut Latte ($7.50) were as sweet as the song ”you are my sunshine, my only sunshine”.

You Are My Sunshine
Ngee Ann City, 391B Orchard Rd, #05-05A, Singapore 238874
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Matchaya (Takashimaya)
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore (Pacific Plaza)
Cafe Aux Bacchanales (Plaza Singapura)
The Zall Bookstore Cafe 卓爾書店 (Orchard Road)
Degree Celsius (Penang Road)

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

History unfolds a new page as OSTERIA BBR by Alain Ducasse has opened, rebranded from Raffles Hotel Singapore’s iconic Bar & Billiard Room (BBR).

BBR was first established in Raffles Hotel Singapore in 1896, and the current space pay tributes to its origin by retaining the striking architecture and iconic floor tiles.

Here, you can discover the modern, energetic and vibrant OSTERIA BBR, which reflects the passion of French-born Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse.

Always innovating, he has created a produce-driven menu to address the guests’ growing appetite for fresh and authentic Italian cuisine.

Using locally and regionally sourced produce and ingredients native to Italy, the restaurant hopes to capture the quintessential Italian spirit of cooking with a contemporary flair.

Italian chef Francesco Soletti serves as Chef de Cuisine, backed with over a decade of culinary excellence.

He has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants, including his mentor’s 3 Michelin-starred Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’ Hôtel de Paris Restaurant.

In terms of food, be prepared to be delighted with modern selections of antipasti, freshly-cooked pastas, succulent seafood, grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas and more.

If you are the type of who would prefer to try a selection of the best, get the curated Menu Tentazioni ($108++ per guest, wine pairing at additional $88++ per guest), featuring a handpicked medley of 7 signature creations.

Here are 10 of the Inspired Italian Specialties you can savour at OSTERIA BBR by Alain Ducasse:

Mazara del Vallo Red Prawn Tartare ($68++)
Known as the spearhead of Sicilian delicacies, the Mazara del Vallo’s red prawn has an intense red, almost coral colour and compact, white, distinctly flavoured meat.

Whet your appetite with this tartare, served with creamy Buffalo mozzarella and presented over delicate jelly.

A dollop of Kristal caviar is placed on top as a fitting finale.

Giardino Di Verdure E Radici Salsa Di Lattuga Al Balsamico Bianco ($26++)
Add this colourful Garden Salad to your spread, featuring asparagus, beans and assorted root vegetables.

A bright green pureed lettuce sauce ties them together while a splash of white balsamic adds a touch of agradolce or sweet-tart flavour.

Carpaccio Di Manzo, Cremino Di Pistacchio, Ricotta Di Bufala, Erbe Selvatiche ($32++, also available in the Menu Tentazioni)
Indulge in an Italian antipasti Beef Carpaccio, in which the beef is dry aged for 28 days to enhance its flavour and texture.

This appetiser offers no less than a John Stone beef, full traceable and sourced from Irish farms with cattle 100% free from hormones.

The paper-thin slices of meat are topped with dollops of Italian buffalo ricotta and pistachio cream, a sprinkling of wild herbs.

For added luxury, black truffle can be added at $5++ per gram (minimum 3 grams).

Zuppa Di Pesci E Salsa Cacciucco ($68++)
Inspired by cacciucco, an Italian fish stew originally from the coastal towns of Tuscany, this Cacciucco-style Fish Soup features fresh prawn, scallop, and fish in season.

What was noteworthy was that I had three different types of pan-seared fish in the same plate, to experience the varying textures and sweetness.

The sauce is flavoured with wine and tomatoes making it rich and smooth.

Mezzi Paccheri Alla Guancia Di Manzo E Barolo ($38++)
A savoury dish made with large, short tubular paccheri pasta, combined with bite sized chunks of Barolo-braised beef cheek.

One of Italy’s greatest wines, Barolo is a firm, luscious red wine made from nebbiolo grapes produced in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Its powerful tannins and acidity infused into the tender guancia di manzo or beef cheeks. Finished with a sprinkling of micro herbs.

Set Lunch
Looking for a set lunch or corporate lunch? You may also choose the 2-course ($36++ per guest) or 3-course ($42++ per guest) menu option, available 12pm to 2:15pm from Mondays, Thursdays to Saturdays.

Mains served can include Carbonara Rigatoni, Pizza Parma, Seabream with Potatoes and Olives, to Braised Beef Cheek (+$10) with pumpkin and green sauce.

If you are a regular here, you would find that the dishes do rotate seasonally depending on the ingredients and availability.

Baba Al Limoncello, Panna Montata ($18++, also available in the Menu Tentazioni)
Taste Osteria BBR’s signature Baba, little yeast cakes soaked in Campania region’s signature liqueurs – tart limoncello.

Cap off your Italian meal with this sweet-sour dessert served with panna montata or whipped cream.

Fragola E Pistacchio ($18++, also available in the Menu Tentazioni)
Fresh strawberry halves macerated in rich syrup are served with a scoop of homemade pistachio ice cream, finished with a sprinkling of candied pistachio nuts.

A Lively Aperitivo Experience
Osteria BBR’s lively bar scene is not one to be missed for the aperitivo experience.

Have a drink or light meal at their cosy indoor bar, and al fresco patio – both safe options for your social gatherings.

The curated selection of creative cocktails such as Tempesta Siciliana, House Aged Negroni, and Alba Rossa (a twist on the classic Aperol Spritz) – all showcases Italian ingredients.

Revel in an exhilarating line up of wine – mostly Italian vino available as wine-by-the-glass. Not only will you have access to value-priced labels but premium choices as well.

In the mood for happy hour? Come between 3pm and 8pm and get 2 special promos.

The Camparitivo ($16++ each) is a refreshing selection of classic aperitivo made with either Campari or Aperol, well-loved Italian aperitifs believed to whet your appetite. Sip on the likes of Campari Spritz, Aperol Sour, and Garibaldi.

If you prefer white and red wine, they are available at $12++ per glass.

For the 2nd promo, A pero’! (a word play on aperitivo that translates to “wow” in Italian) you can have your fresh oysters paired with your choice of bubbly or rosé.

Get half a dozen fresh oysters plus a bottle of Prosecco at $88++ (usual price of $110++).

For celebrations or special get-togethers, upgrade to Champagne. Both regular-sized bottles and magnum, and a 3-litre Jeroboam-sized rosé can also be added at special prices with this promotion.

OSTERIA BBR by Alain Ducasse
Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673 (Located next to the Main Building)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 9:45pm (Thurs – Mon), Closed Tues – Wed, except PH
Bar: 12pm – 10pm
Happy Hour from 3pm – 8pm (Thurs – Mon)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Raffles Hotel Singapore.

Fans of good-old Bak Chor Mee must have missed Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles 麦波申肉脞面, which had been attracting long queues at Opal Crescent previously.

They moved quite a fair bit of times, and finally resettled back at Tai Thong Crescent and Bukit Batok Connection.

Uncle Yap helps out the stall at the Tai Thong Crescent kopitiam, which is a short distance away from its old location. However, the queue does not seem to be half as long as what it was previously.

The stall is known for serving up Minced Meat Noodles aka Bak Chor Mee, Fish Ball Noodles, Chicken Feet Noodles, Pig’s Trotter Noodles and Xiao Wan Mian.

Their dry Bak Chor Mee may just be a shoo-in for one of my personal favourite BCM in Singapore.

Watch owner Uncle Yap cook up his noodles, and you know that your bowl is in good hands.

The only thing is the operating hours are considerably short.

What works for its Bak Chor Mee ($5) is its balance of sauces, just the right proportion of vinegary goodness and spiciness from the chilli.

And it always come piping hot with the steam almost reaching your face as you toss the noodles around. That is also why I would say just have the noodles there and then, and not dabao.

The pork slices were tender, and the savoury braised mushrooms would add that final magic.

I was quite fond of the Soup version as well.

The soup came very hot and ‘floating’ with many ingredients from minced pork to sliced braised mushrooms, flavourful with slight sweetness as it is cooked with soybeans and ikan billis.

Ah, the taste of umami.

There is that bit of old-school flavour as well, matched with al dente mee kia.

Get the fishcake if you still have stomach space.

Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles
2 Tai Thong Crescent, Singapore 347867
Opening Hours: 7am – 2pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues

2 Bukit Batok Street 23 #01-17/18 Stall 5, Bukit Batok Connection Singapore 659554
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 2:30pm (Mon – Sat), 9am – 2:30pm (PH), Closed Sun

Other Related Entries
10 Best Bak Chor Mee In Singapore
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles (Crawford Lane)
High Street Tai Wah Pork Noodle (Hong Lim Food Centre)
Seng Kee Bak Chor Mee (Serangoon Garden Food Centre)
Chun Seng Noodle House (ABC Food Centre)

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

Okinawan cuisine differs from the typical Japanese food due to the islands’ unique history and culture. And there are not that many places in Singapore serving this specialty food.

Those yearning for a holiday in this prefecture can have their food cravings satisfied at EN Dining Capital Tower (Tanjong Pagar), as there is not only a selection of signature Okinawan fare but seasonal Autumn Specials as well.

Okinawa is known for certain food specialties that make this cuisine stand out from others, and these include seafood, pork dishes, and items cooked with vegetables such as their most esteemed crop goya – a type of bitter melon.

The Autumn Special from EN Dining features dishes made from ingredients specially imported from Hokkaido and Okinawa, such as Okinawan Mozuku Seaweed, Goya, Hokkaido seafood, as well as cocktails made using Okinawan Brown Sugar.

All at wallet-friendly prices.

However, note that this seasonal menu is available for a limited time from now till 30 November 2021. Here is what you can expect:

Mozuku Okonomiyaki ($6.80)
The Okinawan Okonomiyaki which is a popular type of izakaya and snack food, is also known as “Hirayachi”. The word means “fry flat”.

This differs from the usual Osaka-style Okonomiyaki, cut triangular in shape and resembles the Korean pancakes.

The affordably-priced Okonomiyaki is pan-fried with egg, added with special Okinawan Mozuku seaweed.

It has a thin, almost crepe-like texture on the exterior, crispy with light flavour and little greasiness.

Mozuku and Goya Champura Tempura with Okinawan Sea Salt ($6.80)
A tempura dish prepared with Okinawan Mozuku seaweed, Okinawan bittermelon and interestingly… spam.

Goya is one of the most popular vegetables in Okinawa. While they are well-known for being bitter, its distinctive taste is balanced off with the savoury spam.

The crispy deep-fried dish is best eaten with some accompanying Okinawan sea salt.

Mozuku Seaweed ($5.80)
Also known as Okinawa’s Superfood, this is a dark-green seaweed which contains a lot of minerals and vitamins, full of fucoidan and health benefits. (Fun fact: Mozuku Day is the 3rd Sunday in April.)

The texture is moderately slimy and chewy which can remind some of wakame, with a light sea-salt-like taste.

You can also give a dip in the special ponzu sauce for added refreshing citrusy-tanginess.

Umibudo ($10.80)
If you never had Umibudo before, the “Okinawan Sea Grapes” resembles a green stalk with tiny little green grapes. It is a common Okinawan side dish that is served alongside the main course, also a popular food to eat with cocktails.

Also known as the “Green Caviar of the sea” or the “Longevity Seaweed”, the Umibudo is also rich in protein and minerals

Taste-wise, it has an ocean-like flavour, though what I enjoyed about it was the crunchy texture that felt like tiny popping candies as you take bites.

Served with Tosazu, a type of premium fermented vinegar sauce also made of soy sauce, sweet cooking rice wine, bonito soup stock and more.

Aburi Hokkaido Scallops Carpaccio ($11.80)
Sashimi grade Hokkaido scallops which are firmer and sweeter in taste makes a great choice for carpaccio.

The light-seared plump scallops are drizzled with yuzu dressing, proving a bright, succulent bite.

Hokkaido Cold Sardine Nanbanzuke ($8.80)
Nanbanzuke may not be on your radar when it comes to Japanese food. It is a Japanese dish which can refer to fried fish or meat marinated in a mixture of vinegar.

This dish is prepared using Hokkaido sardines, which are not as fishy with delicate flavour.

The fried sardines are marinated with house-made Japanese sweet & sour sauce, garnished with fresh greens and served as an appetising cold side.

Okinawan Brown Sugar Cocktails
EN Dining blur the lines between tachinomiya (standing bar) and izakaya (bar with seats), which is popular among trendy bar hoppers in Japan’s major cities.

With a bistro bar setting in the centre of the restaurant, they also focus on offering a variety of Japanese sakes, carefully selected wines, and drinks.

The Autumn Specials features two drinks included with Okinawan brown sugar syrup (instead of the usual white sugar syrup) also known as Kuromitsu or ‘black honey’.

Have an Okinwan Brown Sugar Mojito ($15); or Old-Fashioned ($18) included with white rum, fresh lime juice, mint leaves and topped with soda – a spirit-forward cocktail which is rich, smooth and quite intense.

EN Dining Ala Carte Dishes And Buffet
If you are looking for EN Dining mains and ala carte items to accompany the Autumn Specials, there is a huge variety of items in the categories of Sashimi, Maki, Sushi, Appetisers, Salad, Stir-Fried, Deep-Fried, Rice, Noodles, Hotpot, Desserts and even a special Okinawa section featuring signatures from the prefecture.

Other Okinawan-style dishes served include the Goya Champura ($11.80), Buta Shogayaki ($8.80), braised pork belly side of Rafute ($10.80), and Moyashi Champura ($8.80) of pan-fried beansprouts with pork.

The Goya Champuru ($11.80) consists of the famous goya – bitter melon (or better known as bitter gourd here) pan-fried with some firm tofu, spam pork, and eggs.

The result is a combination of different flavours that makes a homely-tasting dish.

Foie Gras Wagyu Yakiniku Jyu ($31)
A rice box included with wagyu beef, foie gras with onsen egg on rice. The wagyu beef slices were lightly-grilled till tender and sweet.

Worthy to mention is the original sauce created by the kitchen team, prepared using many fruits and vegetables which give it that sweet touch.

Kaisen Chirashi Don ($23)
A seafood rice bowl with fresh pieces of a variety of seafood over a bed of fluffy Japanese white rice, also served with Asari Miso Soup.

The colourful spread of seafood includes salmon, aburi salmon, tuna, yellowtail, scallop, amaebi, unagi, anago, finished with tamago yaki (sweet egg) and a topping of ikura (salmon roe).

Spicy Soft Shell Crab Maki ($18.80)
Also known as “Spider Maki”, this has soft shell crab deep-fried with crispy batter in a sushi roll spread with homemade spicy sauce.

Experience the crunch of the soft shell crab roll complemented with fluffy rice and flying fish row.

Other Makis available here include EN Dragon Maki ($16.80), California Maki ($13.80), Aburi Salmon Tartar Maki ($15.80), and Spicy Tuna & Salmon Maki ($15.80).

Sakura Ebi Bukakke Udon ($13)
A dry udon dish with noodles tossed in cream sauce, topped with sakura shrimps tempura. Pour some dashi broth over to experience more enhanced umami flavours.

For those who want to eat till your fill, go for the all-you-can-eat Japanese a la carte buffet ($58++ for adult, $23++ for child) where a selection of fresh sashimi, sushi, hotpot shabu shabu, grilled dishes, Okinawan dishes and more await. Available from Mondays to Fridays after 6pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and after 5:30pm.

En Dining
168 Robinson Road, Capital Tower, #01-10, Singapore 068912 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Mon – Sat), Closed 3pm – 5:30pm on Sat, and Sun, PH

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with EN Dining.

The Orchard Road area has welcomed several new F&Bs lately.

Cafe wise, there are Korean burnch cafe You Are My Sunshine at Ngee Ann City, Matchaya at Takashimaya, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore at Pacific Plaza, Eggslut at Scotts Square, to Bynd Artisan + Sunday Folks at ION Orchard.

Opened by the same team behind Greyhound Cafe Singapore, Black Society, Masa by Black Society, BreadStory and Central 中環, Q Classified is the latest brainchild at Ngee Ann City.

Their striking pink floral fantasy theme can be easily spotted, with a borderless design without the use of walls and glass doors.

This creates an open-concept space that looks visually bigger.

With hanging plants and colourful plants around the peripheral of the space, this makes a perfect backdrop for taking that #OOTD shots.

The cushioned couches are pretty comfy in shades of baby pink, and there are two private rooms conducive for small business meetings or gatherings.

Their menu is quite comprehensive, with a variety of Mains ($18 – $28), Sandwich ($14 – $28), Sides ($9 – $18), Salad ($12 – $26), Dutch Baby Pancakes ($9 – $15), Freakshakes ($14), Coffee ($7), Tea ($8) and Smoothies ($12).

There are Asian influences in the dishes served such as Bulgogi Beef Wagyuwich ($26), Tamagotchi Egg Uni Sandwich ($26), Seafood Laksa Toast ($16), Trio Xin Tian Di Chinese Bunwich ($16).

The Trio Xin Tian Di Chinese Bunwich ($16) came in the form of shredded duck meat with hoisin sauce, sweet and sour battered fish and braised pork belly (kong bak bao).

With their experiences at Black Society and Masa by Black Society, the flavours were considered pretty well-executed and balanced.

My favourite was the sweet and sour battered fish with a tinge of sweetness in the batter on the surface, matched with moist and tender fish meat.

I didn’t expect to see Dutch Baby Pancakes on the menu, with both sweet and savory options.

On one hand, there are the hearty mains and we have the Instagram-worthy Dutch Baby Pancakes and Freakshakes for desserts.

Diners can choose Dutch Baby Pancakes with Spinach & Egg ($15), Red Ruby with Coconut Ice Cream ($15), Fresh Banana Chocolate Granola with Chocolate Ice Cream ($14).

Prepared a la minute upon request in a hot skillet, the Red Ruby with Coconut Ice Cream ($15) has a thin and crispy edge with an eggy flavour.

Topped with baby coconut flesh that is soft and sweet, the red ruby added a crunch in contrast to to the moist pancakes.

Specialty coffee can also be found on the menu and you can also spot the internet viral Korean Dalgona Coffee ($8.80).

Instead of the sleek and black interior you find at Black Society, Q Classified is the more Instagram-worthy version that will probably attract the younger crowd.

Q Classified
Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road #03-15, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
You Are My Sunshine (Ngee Ann City)
Matchaya (Takashimaya)
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore (Pacific Plaza)
Eggslut (Orchard Road)
Bynd Artisan + Sunday Folks (ION Orchard)

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

Why does some food taste so much better when cooked over wood?

Wood can bring about distinct elements of heat, flavour and aroma to the cooking process; and the right wood can help chefs achieve that optional taste and temperature.

Diners can experience a contemporary take on the ancient method of wood-fire cooking at NY Verden, a new specialty restaurant & bar at Jewel Changi Airport.

While I initially thought this had something to do with “New York”, NY Verden (pronounced Nee-Verden) is Norwegian for “New World”.

It is founded by Lim Kuan You, the second generation owner and operator of Old Street Bak Kut Teh.

He is assisted by a team of Michelin-trained chefs to serve dishes inspired by early modern European cuisine blended with innovations of the modern era.

Its open-concept kitchen features two gastronomic Josper grill, ready to deliver premium quality meats, seafood, and veggies over hearth.

Josper is a well-known hybrid grill and oven in the F&B industry, which means can bring out flavours like wood-fired grill and the controlled cooking temperature of the oven.

A first-of-its-kind, NY Verden elevates grilling by letting you choose from any of their 5 kinds of firewood – Jarrah, Hickory, Oak, Cherry, Applewood.

Sourced from Australia and USA, these hardwoods’ distinct characteristics and smoke enhance the flavour and imparts a complex, smoky taste.

Need help picking the firewood? Here are some tips from NY Verden’s smoke meter:
• Jarrah – Strong smokiness; great for beef and smallgoods
• Hickory – Strong smokiness with sweet notes and heavy bacon flavour suitable for pork and beef
• Oak – Medium smoke flavour; goes well with everything
• Cherry – Mild smokiness with subtle sweet and fruity notes; goes well with everything
• Applewood – Mild smokiness with fruity notes, slightly sweet aroma; great for poultry, seafood, and lamb

At NY Verden, each plate represents elements of fire and crafted with fresh air-flown ingredients from unique origins.

Here are recommended items to try the next time you’re in in NY Verden at Jewel Changi Airport:

Wagyu Tomahawk ($22 for 100g)
Craving for a full-bodied red meat steak? Get the Wagyu Tomahawk, sourced from the finest Japanese Wagyu genetics.

With a marble score of 4-5, this steak is deeply riddled with marbling giving Wagyu its buttery texture and succulent, beefy flavour.

Dry-aged for 30 days, it makes the rich and juicy wagyu even fuller in flavour.

To me, the beef was really elevated with the 4-onion jam (a blend of white, yellow, Bombay, and Spanish onions) and bone marrow jus reduction which the added rich and luscious factory.

This gravy from roasted beef bones is simmered over three days and finished with marsala red wine.

Iberico Pork Jowl ($32)
A savoury main featuring a whole jowl of an Iberico pig, marinated in a cardamom and thyme rub for 48 hours.

The aromatic spice and herb flavour the meat to-the-bone before it is cooked sous vide-style for another 72 hours to keep the inside soft.

Finally, it is grilled over your choice of woodfire into utmost caramelisation.

Accompanied with a black garlic puree flavoured with dill oil, shimeji mushrooms and pork-infused bergamot gastric reduction. While I would have preferred the slices to be more succulent, there was a beautiful smokiness on every bite.

Smoked Chicken Coquelet ($28)
This coquelet or small chicken is smoked and prepared alongside king oyster mushroom and summer truffles.

Known for its light and delicate aroma, summer truffles have a nutty, creamy, and sweet flavour to complement the roasty smoked taste of chicken.

Swirl a savoury piece into the accompanying mustard leaf puree.

This was one of my favourite mains, and I learnt it was brined, smoked, sous-vided then smoked (again) to add more complexity to the flavours.

Bread & Dip ($10)
You should add a side of fragrant Altamura bread specially flown in from Italy.

Made from ground semolina and ‘grano duro’ grain strictly from the Alta Murgia, this bread has a smell akin to toasted coffee and a slight after-taste of vanilla.

Comes with a house-made hummus dip, seasoned with cumin, garlic, paprika and Harissa French chilli paste, and extra virgin olive oil – looked simple but very appetising.

Marinated Watermelon ($20)
A potentially addictive dish, these watermelon cubes are marinated in coriander seeds and mint for 24 hours.

Its fruity flesh is laden with fish floss, made in-house using steamed red snapper that’s shredded then deep-fried.

You should love the crispiness of the fried shallots sprinkled all over.

A layer of fresh ikura is spread on top, smoked over your choice of woodfire just before serving .

Smoked Beetroot Tartare & Burrata ($28)
An exquisite dish concocted with salt-baked beetroot smoked over your choice of firewood to make it even tastier.

This vegetarian tartare is topped with soft and creamy burrata, specially made by an Italian cheesemaker in Singapore.

Smoked sea salt is sprinkled on top of the soft, white cheese, only broken by crunchy wild rice puffs.

A thin layer of light green hued peas-and-pistachio emulsion completes this dish. A unique creation perfect for lovers of burrata cheese.

Crab Tagliolini ($30)
The nocturnal brown crab finds its way into to a rich and creamy seafood tagliolini dish. As the biggest edible crab that occurs naturally in Norwegian waters, it is top-shelf delicacy.

It is cooked in lobster broth to bring out the natural sweetness, then tossed into fresh egg pasta cut into ribbons.

Finally, smoked ikura is laden on top for added briny flavours, plus a sprinkling of rose petals, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Guanciale ($26)
Meat lovers are in for a treat with this entrée made with gnocchi, Italy’s most beloved dumpling.

Complementing these potato-dough lumps is guanciale, an Italian cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheeks.

It adds a lot of flavour without weighing the pasta down, imparting an umami richness and hints of salty notes.

Adding a semi-soft, white, spun cow’s milk cheese like Scarmoza, plus a sophisticated aged balsamic takes this dish from simple to sublime.

Ispahan ($20)
A dainty sponge cake crowned with frangipane, a velvety almond cream with a hint of vanilla.

This delicate cream is set in place with a raspberry jelly, rose mousse, and lychee gel.

Each bite is luscious and fragrant at the same time. Enjoy the fizzle pops on your tongue thanks to the popping candy.

Flourless Chocolate Cake ($18)
You won’t miss that indulgent taste in this flourless chocolate cake. Specially made with premium chocolate Valrhona, this soft and rich cake is topped with a creamy mascarpone gelato.

Delicate pieces of espresso tuille add a visual appear while orange zest brings a pop of sparkling citrus flavour.

NY Verden is offering 50% OFF Set Meals for a limited period:
Enjoy a 2-course set meal at $22.80++ (U.P $45.60++ per set) with a starter and main; and 3-course set menu at $29.80++ (U.P $59.60++ per set) with choice of starter, main, and side. Available for all-day dining daily.

Options:
Starter: Bread & Dip, Roast Leek Soup, or Beef Tartare
Main: Smoked Chicken Coquelet, Iberico Pork Jowl, Ravioli with Aged Balsamic, or Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe
Sides: Crispy Squid, Tempura Young Corn, or Kale & Romaine

FREE FLOW (90 min) Beer, Prosecco or Red Wine with min spend of $100++ per table
Available all-day dining daily; can alternate between different beverage

Kids Dine FREE on Weekends (12 years or below)
Complimentary Kids Main & choice of beverage with every Adult Main ordered. Not stack-able with set menus.

NY Verden
78 Airport Boulevard, 03-227/228, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 8772 4227
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm (Mon – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with NY Verden.

In search for some hearty and hot Claypot Rice to comfort the soul, I chanced upon Deng Wen Ji 鄧文记 at Haig Road.

The casual eatery is of walking distance from KINEX shopping Mall and Haig Road Market and Food Centre, a long walk from Paya Lebar MRT.

Deng Wen Ji is one of those interesting eateries that specialises in both Charcoal Claypot Rice and Wanton Mee in a single place, also selling food items such as Prawn Noodles, zi char dishes, and Roasted Duck. Everything also sell ah.

Therefore, you would even find dishes of Claypot Cai Pu Tofu ($12), Claypot Sweet and Sour Pork ($10), Prawn Paste Chicken ($8), Ngor Hiang ($15), Sambal Kang Kong ($8), Onion Omelette ($8), to Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Leaves ($8).

Amazing how a small kitchen can dish out so many things.

As I was reading the menu, the Chinese name of the star dish called “Ah Ching Charcoal Claypot Rice” got me intrigued. ”Who is Ah Ching?”

Then I found out they have another outlet at East Village Upper Changi Road.

Apparently, the shop is helmed by Chef Chong Hoi Ching who was previously an ex-chef from the famed Geylang Claypot Rice, and he has more than 20 years of cooking experience.

As Claypot Rice requires time to prepare from scratch and cook under the charcoal fire, it is recommended to drop them a call (+65 6222 9096) for dine-ins or picking up your orders.

Otherwise, it would be about a 30 minutes or more wait.

The Claypot Rice came in $13 for regular, and $23 for large, cooked with thin fragrant rice which would absorb flavours from the ingredients better, included with fresh chicken, waxed meats cheong and salted fish.

The serving staff would actually help to pour the condiments such as dark soya sauce within, to let the saltiness of the sauce mix and penetrate better with the rice.

I loved the flavours of the rice which wasn’t so salty; and the guo ba at the base of the pot was just nice and not overly burnt or hard. Another winning element were the tender pieces of boneless chicken, soft and succulent.

Perhaps because I went during the opening days, I wished the pot overall could be more ”xiang” or fragrant.

Curious about their Wantan Mee ($4.50), I had an order and found tasting so like ENG’s. My suspicion was confirmed when I asked for chilli and they passed over that iconic spicy-chilli bottle.

Okay, here’s the thing: Just so you know, there are two different “ENGs” selling Wanton Noodles in Singapore which branched out from the famous wanton noodles stall at Dunman Food Centre known for its fiery chilli sauce.

There is ENG’s Wantan Noodle (chain stall with the green plates), while this is related to Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee.

If you are craving a good old-school bowl of Wanton Mee, then you can head over here. Give it a good toss, and you should enjoy the flavourful mix, pork lard fragrance, and of course the fiery chilli sauce.

Deng Wen Ji 鄧文记 – Haig Road
26 Haig Road Road Singapore 438735
+65 6222 9096
Opening Hours: 6am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Deng Wei Ji 鄧文记 – East Village
430 Upper Changi Road #01-08/09 (East Village) Singapore 487048
+65 8723 5099
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
10 Must-Try CLAYPOT RICE In Singapore
Geylang Claypot Rice (Beach Road)
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice (Chinatown)
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Sik Bao Sin (Geylang)

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

Located at the drop off point of Suntec City Tower 2, Guerilla Coffee is an easy-to-spot cafe after entering the mall.

Taking up 2 units space, Guerilla Coffee is opened by the folks behind Caffeine Solutions, a wholesale coffee solutions company.

They also provide coffee beans & training, retailing coffee machines, equipment and maintenance tools with the necessary technical support & expertise.

The entire space has a zen and minimalist look, designed in such a way that diners are sitting on the steps in pairs, furnished with a mini coffee table.

The use of wooden steps against a fern green backdrop creates a touch of zen, illuminated by a huge ceiling light panel with a membrane on the surface to create soft lighting conducive for customers.

I would say this is like a mini showroom, with state of the art equipment in the coffee industry displayed on the coffee counter.

The first item that caught my attention is their Slayer Espresso Machine (aka the Ferrari in the coffee industry) with a customised and 3D printed framework.

Not one, but two Slayer Espresso Machines can be found, with synchronised neon lights that alternate between pink and purple colours.

Note that they are currently in their soft launch phase till 31 Oct with only takeaway options with an existing 20% off promotion, whereas dine-in will resume on 1 Nov 2021.

2 house blends roasted in-house are available on the menu namely Guerilla Coffee No.1 (Brazil, Ethiopia) and Guerilla Coffee No.2 (Brazil, Yunnan, Congo) with a 3rd single origin from Indonesia for their espresso-based drinks.

Coffee starts from $4 for a cup of Espresso, Americano ($5), Latte ($6), Mocha ($6.80) and Mint Mocha ($7.20).

Optional add-on includes an espresso shot ($1) and alternative milk ($1).

I had a cup of Latte ($6) using the Guerilla Coffee No.1 , a 2-beans-blend from Brazil and Ethiopia.

Smooth and medium bodied with a distinctive chocolatey taste, the flavours are robust with hints of stone fruit and light acidity for a good balance.

For the non-coffee drinkers, Chocolate ($6.50) and Tea ($5) are available too.

Light bites such as pastries with both sweet and savoury options can be seen on their display, with Croissant ($4.50), Prawn Bostador Puff ($3.50), Roast Beef & Mushroom Puff ($3.50), Curry Puffs and Muffin ($3.50).

The Croissant ($4.50) was heated up before serving, giving the pastry crispy texture with a buttery scent that went well with a cup of coffee.

Interestingly, all their desserts are coffee-inspired, namely Chestnut Coffee Jelly ($9.50), Mamarlade Affogato ($9.50) and Chocolate Crumble Affogato ($9.50).

Coffee jelly is used as the base, made from Guerilla Coffee No.1, topped with a layer of chestnut puree and a Okinawa cream on the surface.

Dig all the way in to get a taste of all the flavours, with sweetness from the cream and chestnut puree in contrast to the unsweetened coffee jelly.

There is also a nice contrast in textures, a mix of smooth cream with firm and wobbly jelly.

Starting the day with a cup of Guerilla Coffee and you will be ready for the workplace battlefield ahead.

Guerilla Coffee
Suntec City Tower 2, #01-506/507, Singapore 038989
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 8pm (Mon – Sun), Last order 7pm

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

A modern-day market for unique fashion, The Editor’s Market has opened their flagship outlet at Orchard Road within Ngee Ann City.

And within this fashion and lifestyle boutique, shoppers will be able to find this own gourmet cafe brand: Found (pun unintended).

This is not the first time to see both retail and F&B brand coming together under the same roof.

Other notable collabs include as Bynd Artisan + Sunday Folks at ION Orchard; In Good Company with Plain Vanilla Bakery at ION Orchard and with Birds Of Paradise at Jewel Changi Airport respectively.

What makes Found Cafe different: it is not just a collaboration with another existing F&B, but an own brand specially created.

The cafe is integrated into the store to showcase the slow way of life, curated through the Editor’s Market’s perspective by taking a pause and savouring the little things and minute details in our daily lives.

The 16-seater space has a sleek, white and minimalist touch, equipped with Korean cafe elements such as the use of raw materials with a muted tone and an unfinished look.

Taking a look at the details, the bar counter has a rough granite look, accentuated by the horizontal gaps that created a visual image of a stack of granite blocks.

Furniture pieces are in various shades of black and white, to showcase the simple but yet refined outlook.

The raw concrete feel is complete with the use of metals here, from the mini coffee tables to the legs of the chairs and the trays used to display the assortment of pastries at the counter.

A good mix of savoury and sweet pastries are all displayed on the counter, sourced from various cafes on a weekly rotational basis.

Savouries include Black Truffle Pie ($9.50), Spam & Potato Sourdough ($6), Black Garlic Sourdough ($5.50), Cheese Kurt ($6), Coffee Knot ($3.50) and Tomato Forcaccia ($5.50).

The Black Truffle Pie ($9.50) sourced from Elijah Pies has a very aromatic truffle scent, with a smooth and velvety layer of portobello mushroom cream on top with bits of mushrooms within the pie.

First bite into the pie shell was crispy and flaky, overwhelmed by the distinctive truffle scent, in a good way.

Unfortunately after a few bites, the saltiness of the Black Truffle Pie becomes a little unbearable and jelak.

Their selection of desserts are more enticing, comes inn different shapes and colours, served on plates of different colours.

I was expecting them to serve on the metallic plates as displayed, which will complete the aesthetic feel of a Korean cafe.

My new FOUND love was their Layered Cake ($8) like a tiramisu, in flavours of Banoffee and Matcha.

The latter comes with alternating layers of matcha ganache, cream cheese and matcha sponge topped with a layer of matcha powder and a layer of macadamia crust at the bottom.

Dig into the various layers and get a feel of difference in textures, from the creamy cream cheese to the thick matcha ganache, moist sponge cake, and crunchy macadamia crust.

The entire combination was robust and earthy, mainly due to the fragrant tea flavour of matcha and the nutty profile of the macadamia layer.

2 interesting dessert on display in the shape of square cubes caught my attention: Rare Cheese Cake ($8.50) and White Choc Cube ($8.50).

There is also a good selection of Loaf ($5.50) in various flavours: Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Earl Grey Lavender, Banana and Lemon.

Tea lovers should enjoy the Earl Grey Lavender Loaf ($5.50), with a distinctive tea aroma.

This may be too “perfumey” for some people, topped with a layer of St Honore Buttercream and a single fig.

Though the Lemon loaf ($5.50) was refreshing and citrusy, it was a tad too dry for my liking.

Coffee lovers can check out their espresso-based drinks (Black $4.50, White $5.50) using beans from Homeground Coffee Roasters or Filtered coffee ($7.50) from Nomad.

Single origin coffee beans from Ethiopia is used for their Black ($4.50) whereas Colombia is used for their White ($5.50), the latter with a green apple and caramel tasting notes.

Specialty drinks such as Coconut Blue Pea Dirty ($7), Espresso Con Panda ($6), Orange Espresso Soda ($6.50), Sparkling Matcha ($7) and Sesame Dirty ($8.50) can be found.

Using matcha powder from Niko Neko, the Sparkling Matcha ($7) was light, refreshing and enjoyable with distinctive vegetal notes from the matcha that was not bitter.

The Sesame Dirty ($8.50) was also worth a try, a good balance of sweet and earthly sesame with the acidity from the espresso shot.

Getting a feel of Korean cafe before Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) to Korea begins next month, because I FOUND mine here.

Found
Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road, #B1-16 to #B1-24, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

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

As footsteps of Christmas 2021 is approaching, we would be expecting more new restaurants and cafes, especially in the Orchard Road area.

At Ngee Ann City and Takashimaya alone, we have welcomed not just one or two, but four new food places including Found Café, Q Classified, You Are My Sunshine and Coconut Queen.

Other new cafes you can head over include:
Swish Rolls (Cluny Court Bukit Timah)
Coconut Queen (Takashimaya)
Oh My Mango (Jurong JCube)
Minion Café Singapore (Clarke Quay)
Smile Dessert (Dhoby Ghaut)
Lucky Saigon Café (Tanglin)
Dutch Colony (Tampines)
Mad Roaster Café (Depot Road)
LUNA Diner+Bar (Bukit Timah)
Haven Coffee (Tanjong Pagar)
Da Paolo Gastronomia (Great World)
Stay Gold Flamingo (Amoy Street)
Tsui Wah (Jewel Changi Airport)
Ai Cafe (Jalan Besar)

FLIPPER’S – Bugis Junction
Bugis Junction #01-97, 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sun), Last order 8pm

Bugis Junction Outlet With Toretama Fried Egg Breakfast Pancakes
If you love your fluffy pancakes, get ready as well-loved Japanese pancake cafe FLIPPER’S has opened at Bugis Junction.

The Bugis outlet has a glasshouse-liked decor which allows natural-daylight to shine in during daytime.

On the side is the show kitchen in which customers can watch their pancakes being made on the spot behind the window.

Note that as the soufflé pancakes are cooked to order at precise temperatures, the estimated waiting time is about 20 to 30 minutes.

There are three choices of savouries, and diners can also top up $6 to complete the meal with a soup of the day and a choice of drink (latte, honey lemon tea, citron tea or Americano).

This savoury breakfast plate of Kiseki Pancake Maple Bacon and Fried Egg ($22.80) was very satisfyingly delicious due to the inclusion of fried Toretama egg – a type of premium egg from Oita, Japan, produced by free range farming.

You would find the colour of the yolk more orangey, and much creamier and richer in taste.

I also like the turkey bacon which was surprisingly soft, and the crispy house-made rosti. Served with sides of salad with sesame yuzu dressing and maple syrup. FLIPPER’S (Bugis Junction)

Found
Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road, #B1-16 to #B1-24, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Stylish ‘Korean-Style’ Minimalist Café At Orchard Ngee Ann City
A modern-day market for unique fashion, The Editor’s Market has opened their flagship outlet at Orchard Road within Ngee Ann City.

And within this fashion and lifestyle boutique, shoppers will be able to find this own gourmet cafe brand: Found.

The 16-seater space has a sleek, white and minimalist touch, equipped with Korean cafe elements such as the use of raw materials with a muted tone and an unfinished look.

A good mix of savoury and sweet pastries are all displayed on the counter, sourced from various cafes on a weekly rotational basis.

Savouries include Black Truffle Pie ($9.50), Spam & Potato Sourdough ($6), Black Garlic Sourdough ($5.50), Cheese Kurt ($6), Coffee Knot ($3.50) and Tomato Forcaccia ($5.50).

My new FOUND love was their Layered Cake ($8) like a tiramisu, in flavours of Banoffee and Matcha.

The latter comes with alternating layers of matcha ganache, cream cheese and matcha sponge topped with a layer of matcha powder and a layer of macadamia crust at the bottom. Found Café (Ngee Ann City)

Q Classified
Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road #03-15, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Baby-Pink Floral Cafe With Red Ruby Pancakes And Bunwich
Opened by the same team behind Greyhound Cafe Singapore, Black Society, Masa by Black Society, BreadStory and Central 中環, Q Classified is the latest brainchild at Ngee Ann City.

Their striking pink floral fantasy theme can be easily spotted, with a borderless design without the use of walls and glass doors.

This creates an open-concept space that looks visually bigger.

The cushioned couches are pretty comfy in shades of baby pink, and there are two private rooms conducive for small business meetings or gatherings.

Their menu is quite comprehensive, with a variety of Mains ($18 – $28), Sandwich ($14 – $28), Sides ($9 – $18), Salad ($12 – $26), Dutch Baby Pancakes ($9 – $15), Freakshakes ($14), Coffee ($7), Tea ($8) and Smoothies ($12).

There are Asian influences in the dishes served such as Bulgogi Beef Wagyuwich ($26), Tamagotchi Egg Uni Sandwich ($26), Seafood Laksa Toast ($16), Trio Xin Tian Di Chinese Bunwich ($16). Q Classified (Orchard Road)

You Are My Sunshine
Ngee Ann City, 391B Orchard Rd, #05-05A, Singapore 238874
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Korean Brunch & Desserts Cafe With Botanical Interior Opens At Ngee Ann City
Newly opened Korean-inspired brunch and dessert café You Are My Sunshine recently opened at Ngee Ann City.

If you find the name sounding familiar, they have a sister outlet Walking on Sunshine located at Orchard Central.

Both outlets are Korean duo-concept store with both cafe and salon under one roof, with the same iconic lush greeneries and plants in their compound.

The entire space can be easily spotted from far, an entire green wall totally surrounded by potted plants and climbers just like a mini forest.

For now, their menu is exactly the same as their outlet at Orchard Central, with Korean elements added into the dishes.

It is categorised into Salad ($27), Brunch ($20 – $27), Mains ($24 – $33), Sides ($14 – $16), Sweets ($18 – $25), Coffee, Tea and Shakes, with prices on the higher side than most cafes.

Diners can look forward to Korean dishes such as Classic Bulgogi Salad ($27), Crispy Korean Fried Chicken with Yangnyeom Sauce ($28), Hake & Chips with Kimchi Tartare ($32), Popcorn Chicken with Yangnyeom ($16) and Kroffle ($18), a cross between croissant and waffle. You Are My Sunshine (Ngee Ann City)

Guerilla Coffee
Suntec City Tower 2, #01-506/507, Singapore 038989
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 8pm (Mon – Sun), Last order 7pm

Minimalist, Zen Cafe With Coffee Desserts And Croissants At Suntec City
Located at the drop off point of Suntec City Tower 2, Guerilla Coffee is an easy-to-spot cafe after entering the mall.

Taking up 2 units space, Guerilla Coffee is opened by the folks behind Caffeine Solutions, a wholesale coffee solutions company.

They also provide coffee beans & training, retailing coffee machines, equipment and maintenance tools with the necessary technical support & expertise.

2 house blends roasted in-house are available on the menu namely Guerilla Coffee No.1 (Brazil, Ethiopia) and Guerilla Coffee No.2 (Brazil, Yunnan, Congo) with a 3rd single origin from Indonesia for their espresso-based drinks.

Coffee starts from $4 for a cup of Espresso, Americano ($5), Latte ($6), Mocha ($6.80) and Mint Mocha ($7.20).

Smooth and medium bodied with a distinctive chocolatey taste, the flavours are robust with hints of stone fruit and light acidity for a good balance. Guerilla Coffee (Suntec City)

Bailey & Whiskey
Depot Heights, 108 Depot Rd, #01-30 Shopping Centre, Singapore 100108
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Spacious Pets-Friendly Cafe With Brunch And French Toast
Well, it seems that the Redhill and Bukit Merah areas are getting more “hipster” these days.

This is opened by the owners behind kids dance studio Rhythm in Me, located just a few doors away in the same block.

As such, Bailey & Whiskey is created with kids in mind, a warm and cosy Safari-theme, equipped with wooden furniture, potted plants, grass lawn and lots of animal plushies that can probably keep the kids occupied.

The cafe is spacious, with 20 tables indoors and a pets-friendly outdoor area that can accommodate another 4 tables.

Diners can look forward to either toasts such as Whiskey’s French Toast ($16), Honey Drizzled Mascarpone Toast ($14), Nutty Butt ($14), Egg Mushroom Toast ($16), Avocado Salmon Toast ($18), or bowls – Super Smoothie Bowl ($14) and Dino Oat Bowl ($12) on their All Day Breakfast menu. Bailey & Whiskey (Depot Road)

Flourish Bakehouse
318 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park Block A, Singapore 247979
Opening Hours: 8am – 2pm (Mon – Sun)

Hidden Bakery Cafe At Tanglin With Tasty Bakes And Pets-Friendly Space
Flourish Bakehouse is a brand-new bakery café located at Block 318-A of Phoenix Park, next to gym The Guild Fitness and the GUILD International College.

Customers who wish to dine in can sit at the grass area (it is pets friendly on the outside), or at the small café space – but note that it is non-air conditioned and the whole feel really depends on the weather. Great if there is both sun and breeze.

Bakes are sold at $12 for a box of 3 pieces, or $12 for box of 5. Note that the items are served in boxes, and can be easily packed away.

Savoury bakes included Sundried Tomato, Basil & Feta Muffin, Mozzarella Potato Rosemary Galette, Brown Butter Pumpkin & Sage Quiche, and Ham Leek & Parmesan Scone.

On the sweet side, there was Raspberry & Pistachio Friand, Coffee & Cardamon Walnut Cake, and gluten-free Lemon Polenta Cake.

Between the two categories, I found the sweets bakes generally more impressionable. Flourish Bakehouse (Tanglin)

QUEIC
41 Kreta Ayer, Singapore 089003
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Cheesecake Specialty Cafe With Cheesecake Macaron Near Chinatown
Known for their Basque-style burnt cheesecake and starting the trend in Singapore way back in 2019, Olivia Restaurant & Lounge at Keong Saik is no strangers to many people.

After 2 years, the team behind Olivia Restaurant & Lounge has finally opened a standalone shop for their signature cheesecake, QUIEC, just one street away from their sister outlet at Keong Saik.

Their signature Olivia Burnt Cheesecake can be found here at QUEIC in various sizes: 4” ($15), 6” ($48) and 9” ($78).

I remembered vividly how distinctive and remarkable Olivia’s version is, using Valdeon cheese (a Spanish blue cheese made from a blend of goat and cow milk) that give it a savoury note, on top of an almond sable base that is firm and crisp, before scorching the top layer to add a caramelised touch.

More like a pie instead of the cake due to the almond sable base, the result is a semi-molten cheesecake at room temperature, creating a myriad of textures from the oozy cheese to the crazy caramelised layer and the crunchy almond sable base.

There is a nice balance of sweet and savoury notes due to the Valdeon cheese used, intense but not overpowering, slightly salty and pungent, with a complex combination of flavours. QUEIC (Kreta Ayer)

Breakfast Club – Holland Village
17a Lor Liput, Singapore 277731
Opening Hours: 10:15am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Retro American Diner With Fried Chicken & Waffle And Rosti
From neon lights to stripes, black and white checkered floor tiles and old school jukebox, Breakfast Club at Kovan Serangoon has opened their newest branch at Holland Village.

You find the vibes similar to Joji’s Diner – the brand is known for their American diner vibe, introducing a piece of America in the 50s and 60s in Singapore with affordable dishes.

The menu is largely similar at both outlets, serving American grub such as Fried Chicken & Waffle ($11.90), Burgers ($12.90), Fries ($8.90) and Milkshakes ($9.90 – $12.90).

Exclusive to this outlet are Country Fried Chicken & Mash ($12.90), Chicken Chop ($9.90) and Jane Hopper ($10.90).

Other signature items on the menu includes the All-Star Platter ($12.90), Farmer’s Plate ($21.90) and Rosti (Plain $6.90, Egg Sausage $9.90).

The Jane Hopper ($10.90) comes with a hearty portion of half a waffle topped with a sunny side up, scrambled eggs, baked potatoes, 2 bacon strips, 2 beef patties.

My favourite was the smooth, silky, and creamy scrambled egg with a creamy and buttery taste.

Craze Kitchen – Yishun
18 Yishun Avenue 9, #01-02, Junction Nine, Singapore 768897
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Craze Kitchen – Tampines
201D Tampines St. 21, N2 Shopping Street #01-1171, Singapore 524201
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:30am – 1am (Fri – Sat)

Hidden Cafe With Generous Portions And Inexpensive Pricing
While not exactly “new”, Craze Kitchen has recently revamped their menu with more choices, offering large servings at not-so-large prices.

The outlets can be found at Yishun Junction 9 and 201D Tampines Street 21.

With no GST and no service charge, you get to pocket those extra savings. For example, a Chicken or Fish Fillet pasta is priced at $10 nett. Good portion too.

Here you can find mostly Western dishes from Italian pastas, burgers, mussels, Spanish paella rice, to family platters and everything comforting in between.

You can spot a few fusion creations, blending in the flavours of the East to add a local touch, such as Laksa Mussels, Prawn Laksa Pasta, and Sambal Fish Paella.

Here’s how the Italian pasta section works. There are choices including Aglio Olio, Cream Carbonara, Arriabiata, Neapolitan starting with $10, and seasonal choices of Lobster Bisque (+$2) and Salted Egg Infused Pasta.

With 10 choices of meat available, from chicken, fish fillet, lamb chop, beef, prawn, seafood, salmon, ribeye, to even lobster & clams (additional cost applies for more premium seafood and meats), feel free to customise your pasta to your liking.

For pasta, the best-selling Chicken Aglio Olio ($10) is a must-try with its juicy portion of grilled chicken steak. Craze Kitchen (Yishun)

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

Tanjong Pagar has seen many new F&B entrants lately.

From Haven Coffee and Amuse Dessert Co. at Tanjong Pagar Road to Stay Gold Flamingo at Amoy Street, Acoustic Coffee Bar, Chez Suzette, QUEIC and Coexist Coffee Co. near Keong Saik, that’s quite a handful of new places to explore.

Located on the 2nd floor of the shophouses along Tanjong Pagar Road, directly opposite O.BBa Jjajang, Cotta is a gelato dessert-specialty cafe that can accommodate 5 tables for dine-in.

Housed in a mini attic, a space under the pitched roof (roof that slopes downwards), Cotta has tall ceiling and hanging bespoke lighting that creates a warm and cosy vibe.

Their signature is the selection of intricate desserts made in-house, all made from gelato.

Diners can look forward to Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7), Piedmont Hazelnut Sandwich ($7), Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9), Dark Chocolate Sichuan Peppercorn Tart ($9) and TRIO ($11).

As a matcha lover, I decided to go with the 2 matcha desserts on display, namely the Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7) and the Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9), made from a blend of 3 different matcha powders from Uji, Japan.

The Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9) has a more intense matcha flavour, a matcha tart shell with a layer of yuzu compote at the bottom, topped with matcha gelato and sprinkled with matcha powder.

The result is distinctive vegetal notes with hints of bitterness, well balanced by the citrusy and refreshing notes of yuzu.

The tart shell is also pretty well made, brittle and crumbly without being too dry.

The Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7) has a more earthly flavour and has more distinctive black sesame taste in it.

Shaped like the ice cream sandwich that we are familiar with, the bread is replaced with a matcha cookie sable, with both matcha and Goma (black sesame) gelato sandwiched in between.

Meant for takeaways although it can get a little messy trying to bite into the ice cream sandwich with the gelato melting under the hot weather.

Apart from gelato desserts, Cotta also serve 8 gelato flavours (Single $5, Double $9, Premium +$1) on their menu, with very interesting options.

Check out the savoury options Roasted Corn and Gorgonzola, or sweeter flavours such as Zesty Pink Guava, Matcha & Cookies, 80% Dark Chocolate French Rose, Muscat Grape Sake, Violet & Berries and Sicilian Pistachio.

Cotta Waffles ($7) are available as an add-on for a more fulfilling treat.

The Roasted Corn ($6) tasted like the real corn on its own, using fresh corns roasted before cold-pressing to remove the fibres for a smoother texture.

Comes with brown butter salted caramel sauce drizzled on top, it elevates the taste by adding a combination of sweet and saltiness to it.

I preferred the Muscat Grape Sake ($6) that has a slight resemblance to the Yakult grape flavour, more creamy and milky with a lingering taste of sake.

Apart from coffee from Dutch Colony Coffee Co. and Gryphon Tea, Cotta also offers several Specialty Drinks on their menu.

These include The Cotta ($9) using pistachio cream, espresso and milk, Military Latte ($8) with matcha, cocoa and espresso, Coconut Charcoal Einspanner ($8) and Orange Osmanthus Cloud ($8).

The Orange Osmanthus Cloud ($8) comes with a layer of cream on top, torched before serving to add some smokiness to the light, refreshing and orangey drink.

Overlooking the bustling Tanjong Pagar Road, Cotta is like a tranquil heaven on its own, a perfect place for a quiet afternoon.

Cotta
104A Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088524
Opening Hours: 1:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

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

Yes, I miss Hong Kong very much. And one of the aspects that is so important to Hong Kong’s food culture are the cha chaan teng.

There are Hong Kong-style cafés in Singapore, in the likes of actual exports such as Tsui Wah, Tai Cheong Bakery and Honolulu Café, to the modern ones like So Good Char Chan Tang and Pi Food.

But sometimes I miss those nostalgic-looking ones, not so polished, always bustling, with high customer turnovers in which diners cannot sit there for too long.

Friends Cafe HK 朋友冰室 situated within a mixed development The Brooks I at Springside Walk, comes quite close in terms of décor (other than Legendary Hong Kong at Jurong Point).

There are the tiled walls, mosaic floor, booth seating, mirrors and random menu pasted all around and within the table’s glass covering. Got the feels.

And that yellowish lighting.

If old Canto music is played (Anita Mui, Jacky Cheung, Danny Chan…), the dining experience would have been more complete. (Unfortunately, music is not allowed to be played in F&B yet due to COVID-19.)

Price isn’t that expensive as well, though the menu is not as extensive as typical Hong Kong café – which usually has more than a hundred items.

Signature set meals here include Charsiew Spaghetti or Macaroni ($6.50), Luncheon Meat Noodles with Egg ($6.50), Spiced Pork Cube Noodles ($6.50), Ham Macaroni ($6.50), Preserved Vegetable Beehoon with Pork ($7.50), Chicken Chop Noodles or Rice ($7.60), and Pork Chop Rice ($7.50).

There are also snacks of Curry Fish Balls ($4), Deep Fried Chicken Thigh ($5), Fried Chicken Mid Wings ($5), Sandwich ($2, $3), Fried Veg Roll ($3), Peanut Butter Milk Toast ($1.80) to Fried Wedges ($3).

The Curry Fish Balls ($4) were promising, big and round with a bouncy bite.

The curried sauce added fragrance and almost-negligible spice, though I wished there was more of it for a few rounds of dips.

The main of Pork Chop Rice ($7.50) came with choice of onion or black pepper sauce. Part of me wished it came in a baked tray with cheese and tomato option.

This was decent with the meaty pork chop lean but having a tender bite, and the rice grains having an oiler, tastier take. The eggs were not as scrambled as I wished, but was overall not bad for its price.

Satay Sliced Beef Noodles ($7.50) are my regular order in a Hong Kong cha chaan teng IF I see it on the menu.

The sauce marinate and soup were not defining enough comparatively – more like the usual ding mian (Nissin noodles) standard, though the beef slices were succulent and tender.

Since many tables around were seen with French Toast ($3.50), I just had to order and loved the peanut butter between and fluffiness.

Maple syrup is provided on the side so that adjust the sweetness level.

Previously, many customers feedback about the lack of Hong Kong Milk Tea. What? A cha chaan teng without that quintessential item.

Good to know the cold version (though not iced cold) is available now in bottles.

Reasonable pricing place, not bad food, friendly service.

Friends Cafe HK 朋友冰室
60 Springside Walk, The Brooks I #01-18 Singapore 786020
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 8:30pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues

Other Related Entries
Tsui Wah Singapore (Clarke Quay)
So Good Char Chan Tang (Capitol Singapore)
Pi Food (Penang Road)
Tai Cheong Bakery Singapore (Holland Village)
Joy Luck Teahouse 歡樂冰室 (Causeway Point)

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

Foodies who visit Central 中環 in Hong Kong regularly would have heard of Wing Lok Yuen Restaurant 永樂園茶餐廳 famed for its cha chaan teng items – especially their delightful Hotdog Bun.

Popular for takeaways or breakfast snack, Joy Luck Teahouse has decided to introduce an offering of HK Twin Sausage Bun inspired by this very famous hot dog, available from 3 November 2021 at all its 8 outlets and online delivery platform https://joyluckteahouse.oddle.me.

Joy Luck Teahouse currently has outlets at ION Orchard, Bugis Junction, Causeway Point, Parkway Parade (Food Republic), Chinatown, Sun Plaza, Bishan Junction 8, and Plaza Singapura.

Here are 10 recommended items from Joy Luck Teahouse:

HK Twin Sausage Bun ($3.20 Opening Special from 3 – 10 Nov 2021, U.P $3.80)
This HK Twin Sausage Bun 双肠热狗包 is inspired by a well-loved local offering from a popular restaurant at Central, Hong Kong. You can get a taste of it here without flying over to Hong Kong.

The newly introduced item comprises of two steamed chicken sausages (made locally, only chilled and not frozen), both housed within a lightly steamed bun.

To me, the real draw is the accompanying sweet mustard-like sauce that is specially made in-house using a secret recipe which includes butter, mustard, pickles, egg, vinegar and more.

Like your comfort breakfast food, the sauce reminded me of dijon which has a more mellow taste with slight vinegary kick which complemented well with the soft sausages.

Chicken Pie ($3.20)
The Gai Pie (鸡批) boasts of buttery crust, with fillings of chicken, diced carrots, peas, corn and potato in a creamy bechamel white sauce.

Hong Kong-style Wife Cake ($2.50)
Lou Po Beng (老婆饼) with a slightly-sweet chewy filling of premium mashed candied winter melon.

Crispy Condensed Milk Bun 奶油豬 ($2.80)
This uses a crusty type of French-style baguette, halved, and toasted until the outside achieves a certain crispiness.

The toasted bun is then buttered and drizzled with condensed milk, which makes it a simple, sweet treat to have. Good to pair with Hong Kong Milk Tea.

Chee Cheong Fun with Dried Scallop Hae Bee Hiam ($4.80)
For the Original HK Cheong Fun ($3.80), the smooth rice noodles sheet is served the traditional street-snack style – rolled up without fillings, and drizzled with signature soya sauce, sesame peanut sauce, and sweet sauce.

However, you can also choose to ‘upgrade’ with the addition of hae bee hiam (spicy shrimp paste) – specially developed by local actor Ah Ge Li Nanxing.

Egg Tarts
The Egg Tarts from Joy Luck Teahouse are from Hoover Cake Shop 豪華餅店 in Hong Kong with two choices – one with a multi-layered puff pastry crust, the other “cookie” base akin to sweet shortbread crust.

The crust base is made from carefully chosen Australian ingredients, a special blend of fine butter, and the best premium flour.

22 Carat French Gold Flakes Egg Tarts ($6 for one, $22.80 for box of 4)
For an added touch of luxury, the egg tarts are also available flecked with 22-carat edible French gold flakes, which lends a touch of sophistication.

Pineapple Buns from Kam Kee ($2.20 for Original, $2.70 for Kaya, $3 for Butter or Luncheon Meat)
This golden-yellow crusted bun follows Kam Kee’s 金記冰室 decades-old recipe, made using premium blend of flour for that sweet and crumbly finish.

Milk Tea from Kam Kee ($3.50 for Hot, $3.80 for Cold)
The Hong Kong-style Milk Tea is made from a blend of 3 different black superior quality teas from Sri Lanka.

Pearls of Joy Series ($4.80 with pearls, $3.80 without pearls)
There are three new iced bubble fizzy drinks in the “Pearls of Joy” series, each a fusion of Hong Kong and Singapore influences.

For the refreshing flavours that will cool yourself down this hot weather, go for the Lychee Fizz, Sour Plum Fizz or Honey Lemon Fizz.

Compared to the usual tapioca pearls, the series uses healthier pearls which is a combination of Seaweed Jelly Pearls and Lychee Popping Pearls.

Online Delivery for Joy Luck Teahouse
Joy Luck Teahouse is now available for islandwide delivery via https://joyluckteahouse.oddle.me, with the offerings being delivered from its Chinatown outlet at 274 South Bridge Road.

Joy Luck Teahouse – Plaza Singapura
#B2-26 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 10am – 8:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 10am – 9pm (Fri – Sat, PH)

Joy Luck Teahouse – Junction 8
#B1-03/03A Junction 8, 9 Bishan Place Singapore 579837
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Joy Luck Teahouse – Sun Plaza
30 Sembawang Drive, Sun Plaza #01-13, Singapore 757713
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Joy Luck Teahouse – ION Orchard
#B4-61 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Joy Luck Teahouse – Bugis Junction
#B1-K25 Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 9pm (Sat, Sun, PH)

Joy Luck Teahouse – Causeway Point
#B1-K01 Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square, Singapore 738099
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Joy Luck Teahouse – Parkway Parade
Food Republic @ Parkway Parade, #B1-85 to 87 and #B1-112 to 146, 80 Marine Parade Road, Singapore 449269
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Joy Luck Teahouse – Chinatown
274 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058823
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Joy Luck Teahouse.

With many new restaurants and cafes at Orchard Road, I thought of compiling a cafe guide which focuses on openings near the Orchard MRT Station.

That includes new cafes at Ion Orchard, Ngee Ann City, Scotts Square, Wheelock Place, and Forum.

Check them out below:

Found
Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road, #B1-16 to #B1-24, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Stylish ‘Korean-Style’ Minimalist Café At Orchard Ngee Ann City
A modern-day market for unique fashion, The Editor’s Market has opened their flagship outlet at Orchard Road within Ngee Ann City.

And within this fashion and lifestyle boutique, shoppers will be able to find this own gourmet cafe brand: Found.

The 16-seater space has a sleek, white and minimalist touch, equipped with Korean cafe elements such as the use of raw materials with a muted tone and an unfinished look.

A good mix of savoury and sweet pastries are all displayed on the counter, sourced from various cafes on a weekly rotational basis.

Savouries include Black Truffle Pie ($9.50), Spam & Potato Sourdough ($6), Black Garlic Sourdough ($5.50), Cheese Kurt ($6), Coffee Knot ($3.50) and Tomato Forcaccia ($5.50).

My new FOUND love was their Layered Cake ($8) like a tiramisu, in flavours of Banoffee and Matcha.

The latter comes with alternating layers of matcha ganache, cream cheese and matcha sponge topped with a layer of matcha powder and a layer of macadamia crust at the bottom. Found Café (Ngee Ann City)

Q Classified
Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road #03-15, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Baby-Pink Floral Cafe With Red Ruby Pancakes And Bunwich
Opened by the same team behind Greyhound Cafe Singapore, Black Society, Masa by Black Society, BreadStory and Central 中環, Q Classified is the latest brainchild at Ngee Ann City.

Their striking pink floral fantasy theme can be easily spotted, with a borderless design without the use of walls and glass doors.

This creates an open-concept space that looks visually bigger.

The cushioned couches are pretty comfy in shades of baby pink, and there are two private rooms conducive for small business meetings or gatherings.

Their menu is quite comprehensive, with a variety of Mains ($18 – $28), Sandwich ($14 – $28), Sides ($9 – $18), Salad ($12 – $26), Dutch Baby Pancakes ($9 – $15), Freakshakes ($14), Coffee ($7), Tea ($8) and Smoothies ($12).

There are Asian influences in the dishes served such as Bulgogi Beef Wagyuwich ($26), Tamagotchi Egg Uni Sandwich ($26), Seafood Laksa Toast ($16), Trio Xin Tian Di Chinese Bunwich ($16). Q Classified (Orchard Road)

You Are My Sunshine
Ngee Ann City, 391B Orchard Rd, #05-05A, Singapore 238874
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Korean Brunch & Desserts Cafe With Botanical Interior Opens At Ngee Ann City
Newly opened Korean-inspired brunch and dessert café You Are My Sunshine recently opened at Ngee Ann City.

If you find the name sounding familiar, they have a sister outlet Walking on Sunshine located at Orchard Central.

Both outlets are Korean duo-concept store with both cafe and salon under one roof, with the same iconic lush greeneries and plants in their compound.

The entire space can be easily spotted from far, an entire green wall totally surrounded by potted plants and climbers just like a mini forest.

For now, their menu is exactly the same as their outlet at Orchard Central, with Korean elements added into the dishes.

It is categorised into Salad ($27), Brunch ($20 – $27), Mains ($24 – $33), Sides ($14 – $16), Sweets ($18 – $25), Coffee, Tea and Shakes, with prices on the higher side than most cafes.

Diners can look forward to Korean dishes such as Classic Bulgogi Salad ($27), Crispy Korean Fried Chicken with Yangnyeom Sauce ($28), Hake & Chips with Kimchi Tartare ($32), Popcorn Chicken with Yangnyeom ($16) and Kroffle ($18), a cross between croissant and waffle. You Are My Sunshine (Ngee Ann City)

Matchaya – Takashimaya
391 Orchard Road #03-10A Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Chio Japanese Tea Flagship Store With Tea+sserts, Brunch, And Sando
Matchaya has opened a new flagship store with a “Progressive Tea Bar” is located on Level 3 of Takashimaya, opposite ABC Cooking Studio, and will likely attract shoppers to rest their legs and have a cup of tea.

The interior design is based on the theme of artisanal tea they import – dark green to represent Matcha, orange to signify harvested Houjicha, and lamps designed to look like tea whisks.

Café goers can find an extensive range of Tea+sserts (tea+desserts) which are freshly bake in house.

The signature item is the Pate A Choux ($5 per pc, $28 for standard box of 6), coming in flavours of Matcha, Houjicha, Kurogoma, Chocolate, and Raspberry. I gave the more uncommon Kurogoma ($5) a go, pipped with roasty and earthy black sesame cream. The fillings were fresh and creamy, but not overly rich, with delightful taste of aromatic goma.

You can also expect a spread of Japanese-inspired brunch items and Sando, alongside exclusive cakes like Signature Matcha Yuzu Cake, Hazelnut Dacquoise, Matcha Mousse, Matcha Sponge, White Chocolate infused with Sake, and Yuzu Mango Jelly. Matchaya (Takashimaya)

Coconut Queen – Takashimaya
391A Orchard Road, #B2 08-7, Takashimaya Department Store, Singapore 238873
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Coconut Shake Shop With Refreshing Taro, Lychee And Earl Grey Flavours
Coconut shakes is the new buzz beverage in Singapore, and I love them for being decadently-creamy and refreshing – much needed when the weather gets crazy hot.

What’s special about Coconut Queen is other than the Original Coconut Shake, there are other fun and exciting flavours from Taro, Avocado, Strawberry, Lychee to the more unconventional Earl Grey and Jackfruit.

Get the Taro Coconut Shake ($4.80) which is a creamy light-purple coloured shake with the sweet nutty flavour of taro paired with refreshing coconut.

While taro flavour is typically found in Bubble Tea, the earthiness and distinct yam-my taste compliments quite well with the creaminess of the ice cream, though it may get slightly filling.

Bynd Artisan + Sunday Folks ION Experience Store
ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #04-11, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Dessert Café With Ice Cream Parfaits At ION Orchard
Combining both retail and F&B, Bynd Artisan + Sunday Folks ION Experience Store is a collaboration between two craftsmen brands, the former in bookbinding and leather crafting, the latter in artisanal ice cream and desserts.

The entire space uses an earthly-coloured tone with shades of white, brown and gold, incorporated with wooden elements and equipped with terrazzo table tops.

Primarily focusing on their artisanal in-house ice cream, signature items are in the form of Ice Cream Parfaits ($16) and Ice Cream Petits Gateaux ($12 – $14).

3 different Ice Cream Parfaits ($16) can be found, namely Genmaicha Yuzu, Earl Grey Butterscotch and Rum Raisins & Apple.

Each item is served on place mats made from recycled food pulp papers by Bynd Artisan, with random inspirational quotes written on it.

The Earl Grey Butterscotch Ice Cream Parfait ($16) looks the most “instagrammable” due to the colours, with 2 scoops of Earl Grey Lavender and Butterscotch Almond Ice Cream that created an earthly yet aromatic tea profile.

The texture of the ice cream is smooth and creamy with bits of crispy crumbles and crunchy toasted almond, in contrast to the soft and pulpy strawberry compote. Bynd Artisan + Sunday Folks (ION Orchard)

Eggslut
Scotts Square #01-12, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Famous LA Egg Sandwich At Scotts Square
Eggslut Singapore has opened at the striking corner of Scotts Square, the brand’s very first location in Southeast Asia.

For the uninitiated, the popular Eggslut started as a food truck in Los Angeles in 2011, and has expanded to cities of Las Vegas, London, Seoul, Tokyo and Kuwait City.

There are 6 sandwiches on Eggslut Singapore’s menu, namely Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich ($12), Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich ($12), Cheeseburger ($13.50 for single, $17 for double), Fairfax Sandwich ($12), Gaucho Sandwich ($23), and Egg Salad Sandwich ($10.50).

The signature would be the all-time favourite Fairfax ($12) which includes fluffy scrambled eggs over caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and drizzled with sriracha mayonnaise.

Cage-free and soft-scrambled, the eggs are cooked ala minute to classic specifications.

The eggs would first be un-whisked into a cold pan, then brought up with plenty of cold butter and taken off the heat before they are fully set.

I would have personally wished the scrambled eggs to be more creamy, rich and flavourful, it was not bad but seemed something lacking there. Perhaps was wishing for more considering an internationally-renowned brand.

The breakfast combination with soft and slightly oily buns worked well, with the sriracha mayonnaise giving the surprise little kick at the end. Eggslut (Orchard Road)

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore
9 Scotts Rd, Pacific Plaza Level 1 #01-01/02/03, Singapore 228210
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

Bakery Cafe At Orchard Road With Cruffins & Donuts
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse has arrived in Singapore, located in a street-facing unit at Pacific Plaza, Orchard Road.

Founded by co-owner and pastry chef Aaron Caddel, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse was first established in 2014 as a humble wholesale bakery along the bustling Tenderhill district in San Francisco, before it catapulted to fame on social media over its cruffins.

The name comes from the owner’s mother’s cats by the way – one’s called Sherlock, the other Holmes.

The other interesting fact: this Singapore outpost is the only Mr Holmes Bakehouse left in the world (The previously popular SF and Seoul’s outlets have closed.)

The menu includes Cruffins ($5.80), Donuts ($4 – $6.50), Croissants ($4 – 7.50), Danish ($7), Sweet Buns ($6), Sandwiches ($13), Salads ($16) and Beverages ($4.50 – $8).

There are 3 Cruffin flavours for now, including Mint Chocolate Chip ($5.80), Tiramisu Cream ($5.80) and a weekend special of Peanut Butter Milkshake ($5.80).

Croissants which come in flavours of Matcha, Chocolate and Ham & Cheese, were slightly on the dry side, but better than the average. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Singapore (Pacific Plaza)

The Zall Bookstore 卓尔书店
Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road, #01-02/#02-18, Singapore 238880
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Coffee Place Within Famous Chinese Bookstore At Wheelock Place
Originated from Wuhan in 2013 and founded by billionaire Yan Zhi, The Zall Bookstore 卓爾書店 in Singapore is their first international outpost.

The Singapore branch is situated along Orchard Road at Wheelock Place, near to where the defunct Borders flagship store was previously located.

The cafe is located at the first floor, right below the spiral staircase, offering a selection of espresso-based drinks ($4 – $8), Flavoured Latte ($6.50 – $8), Tea ($12.90) and Pastries.

Apart from the usual Black ($4.60), White ($6) and Mocha ($7), both Vanilla Espresso ($7) and Matcha Espresso ($7.50) are also available in Ice Blended options at an additional $0.50.

My Iced Matcha Espresso ($7.50) comes in 3 different distinctive layers or espresso, milk and matcha, which was quite smooth and flavourful, but a tad too sweet.

A selection of sweet treats is also available at their counter.

These include the usual items of Brownie ($4.50) – Signature, Double Chocolate, Black & White, Chocolate/ Raspberry Tart ($6.50), Burnt Cheesecake ($7.90), Rainbow Cake ($7.50) and Ondeh Ondeh Cake ($7.50). The Zall Bookstore Cafe 卓爾書店 (Orchard Road)

LINO Restaurant and Cafe
583 Orchard Rd, #01-01/04, Singapore 238884
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

Contemporary Italian Restaurant and Cafe at Forum
The name LINO comes from the Italian word linen, which is used to cover pizza dough as it leavens. (Yes, they have replaced Jamie’s Italian previously in the same spot)

They specialise in handmade pizza, pasta, and a variety of other hearty Italian favourites, and offer a unique beverage program to go along with your meal. I found the pricing slightly on the higher side though.

This new outlet has a café menu which is available from 11:30am to 5pm.

Available desserts for sweet treats include Tiramisu ($12), Tortino Chocolate Lava Cake ($12), Panna Cotta ($12), Stuffed Italian Doughnuts with Hazelnut Cream ($12), Pecan Tart ($12), Profiteroles ($14) and Gelato ($5).

Other Related Entries
12 Capitol Singapore & CHIJMES Restaurants
16 UPPER THOMSON Cafes
10 SIGLAP Cafes In The East Coast
10 Chocolate Specialty Cafes & Shops In Singapore
10 Pretty Pink Cafes In Singapore

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