[Bangkok, Thailand] You don’t always have to go to the same food places in Bangkok. That happens to many of my friends, even after multiple trips to the city in a single year.

Central World, after being through an unfortunate burning incident years back, is reclaiming its former glory. This time with a Groove @ CentralWorld which looks set to be next place for mid-range eateries, patisseries and gastro bars.

This is the kind of place in Bangkok to people-watch the trendy, travellers, influencers and celebrities. Spotted some (you know it when a sudden group whips out their mobiles for furious snapping).

Groove @ CentralWorld has 16 new lifestyle restaurants and gastro bars, including those newly premiered in Thailand – Maxim’s Bistro, Faunchon, Harrods, Ciccheti, Jones the Grocer, Wabisabi Japanese Gastrobar.

The other more familiar names are Greyhound Café, Open Kitchen, Apinara (a more casual format of Nara Thai, Eat, 1881, Hobs, Hyde & Seek, and Wine I Love You.

Some familiar with French food will be surprised. Maxim’s is in Thailand? Yes. Maxim’s Bistro, established by one of the most popular restaurants in Paris, is the brand’s first outlet in Southeast Asia.

The restaurant is in its signature Art Nouveau red and white, serving French classics such as Duck Leg Confit (420 baht, SGD$16.50), Nicoise Salad (290 baht, $11.40), and Croque Monsieur (250 baht, $9.80).

Prices are not the cheapest considering this is Bangkok, but taste wise is as good as it gets outside Europe.

Maxim’s desserts are the reason why many come. Chef Sebastien Gaudard who worked with Fauchon and Delicabar “Snack Chic” at Le Bon Marché manages the menu and recipes personally.

The cakes are exceptional, including the seductive-sounding Coco Chanel (210 baht) of passion fruit caramel fillings, and wrapped in coconut flakes; and Madame Maxim’s (210 baht) with smooth Tahitian vanilla cream crowned with a pretty pink macaron.

Maxim’s Bistro
Groove@CentralWorld, Central World, 999/9, Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2-646-1477
https://www.facebook.com/maximsbistrot
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Other Bangkok Entries
Chikalicious (Central Embassy, Bangkok)
Petite Audrey (Siam Center, Bangkok)
After You Dessert Café (Bangkok)
Eathai (Central Embassy, Bangkok)
The Ninth Café (Siam Paragon, Bangkok)

The post Maxim’s Bistro – Groove @ CentralWorld Bangkok Has Trendy Food Choices appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Hong Kong’s culinary scene is always evolving and enlivening, and new restaurants gain a footing by being edgy and unique. Little Bao was recommended by a PR friend who worked in Central, who mentioned it was still one of the hottest food places.

Well, if you look at it from one perspective, Little Bao is serving what many Chinese are already familiar with – bao or buns.

The tiny shop somehow brought the hip level up many notches with an endearing yet weird looking mascot, an open concept kitchen reminding you of authentic tapas bars in Spain, and energy that was uplifting and inviting.

Eating Bao, or ‘Asian Burger’ has become cool again.

As reservation was not allowed, I joined some others in the cold outside, for 30-40 minutes or so to get a seat. On a weekday. I only wanted the counter seats, and that took even longer.

The vibes inside was never boring, the icon of ‘Little Bao’ looking like an Asian tweety bird with punk hair plastered almost everywhere, including one next to a half-naked Tony Leung.

The crew moved in a systematic Hong Kong rhythm. Requiring this speed and organisation needed teamwork and un-spoken coordination. Look out for owner May Chow (with a resume from Yardbird, TBLS and Bo Innovation), spotting short-cropped hair in boyish fashion, the epitome of laidback cool.

Ok, the food. The Original Bao (HK$78, SGD$12.90) came, looking smaller than I expected, though sandwiching tender juicy braised pork belly, shiso leek salad, sesame dressing and hoisin ketchup.

Good things come in small packages I guess. The explosion of tastes… Take my money already! Expect some mess, and perhaps some sauce flowing down the corner of your lip. Remember to lick it back.

They did not allow ‘bao-cutting’. Might as well, finish it your own.

Their sides. We had LB Fries (HK$68, SGD$11.25) tossed with roasted tomato sambal, kewpie mayo and cilantro was addictive; and Orange Chicken (HK$98, SGD$16.20) screamed for a second helping. It is after all, deep fried chicken with salty egg yolk, honey glaze and orange zest – sweet, salty, citrusy in harmonious fashion.

All that I mentioned could not win the satisfaction given by the Ice Cream Sandwich (HK$48, SGD$7.90) – green tea ice cream in deep fried bao, drizzled with condensed milk. Seemed simple to make, and that possibly any cha chaan teng could do it, but this LB version was just ‘wow’.

A meal for two was about HK$400-500, which felt expensive considering we ate little things and had room for supper subsequently (Beef noodles Kau Kee is a walk away).

My person take: Little Bao is worth a try. You do not get anything like this around, yet.

Little Bao
G/F, 66, Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong (Nearest Station Sheung Wan)
Tel: +852 21940202 (No Reservation)
https://www.facebook.com/littlebaohk
Opening Hours: 6pm – 11pm (Mon-Sat), Closed Sun

Other Hong Kong Entries
10 Must Eat Food In Hong Kong
10 Best Dim Sum Restaurants In Hong Kong
5 Best Hong Kong Cafes
The Chairman Restaurant 大班樓 (Hong Kong)
Bing Sutt G.O.D Starbucks (Hong Kong)

The post Little Bao – Asian Burgers At Hong Kong Central Is Hip & Cool appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

111 ramen shops in Singapore. Of course, there would be more. If you are on a search for the best ramen shops, this guide sorted by area would be able to help you navigate your way through. (Related guide, read: 10 New Ramen Places In Singapore)

Singaporeans generally love the thin long Hakata style noodles (Ippudo, Ikkousha) with thick pork-based tonkotsu broth, Sapporo ramen cooked with rich miso base (Miharu), and Asahikawa ramen (Santouka) differentiated by its short, curly noodles. Though the different variants have their own following.

Presenting the 111 (and more) ramen shops in Singapore.

Ramen Keisuke Tontotsu King is one of the first stores in Singapore who started a ramen craze.

Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown
Ramen Keisuke Tontotsu King – Orchid Hotel #01-19, 1 Tras Link
Menya Sanji – Orchard Hotel #01-14, 1 Tras Link
Hakata Ikkousha Ramen – Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-104
Ramen Keisuke Tori King – 100AM #03-15 100 Tras Street
The Noodle Story – Amoy Street Food Centre #01-39, 7 Maxwell Road
JEFU – Maxwell Food Centre #01-004
Ramen Play – Chinatown Point #01-04, 133 New Bridge Road
Tsukada Nojo – Chinatown Point #02-37, 133 New Bridge Road

Hakata Ikkousha went from a Ramen Champion stall to full-fledged shops in Tanjong Pagar and Chijmes.

City Hall, Marina Square, Suntec, MBS
Hakata Ikkousha – Chijmes #F1-07, 30 Victoria Street
Menya Musashi – Raffles City Shopping Centre #01-16, 252 North Bridge Road
Daikokuya – Raffles City Shopping Centre #B1-13, 252 North Bridge Road
Bishamon Sapporo Ramen – Funan Digital Life #01-18, 109 North Bridge Road
Menzo Butao – Marina Square #02-180 (The Dining Edition)
Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo – Suntec City Mall #02-391/392, 3 Temasek Boulevard
Ramen Play – Suntec City #B1-216 (at Food Republic), 3 Temasek Boulevard
Ajisen – Marina Bay Sands 2 Bayfront Ave,The Shoppes, #B2-48A/50A/51/52/53 Stall 6
Hide Yamamoto Ramen & Dining – Marina Bay Sands, 8 Bayfront Avenue #02-05

The annual voting of Ramen Champion helps decide who stays, and who goes.

River Valley
Ramen Champion – Great World City #01-22
Ippudo SG – UE Square #01-55/56, 207 River Valley Road
Tampopo Restaurant – Liang Court #01-23/24, 177 River Valley Road
Marutama – Liang Court #02-01, 177 River Valley Road
Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen – Liang Court #01-10, 177 River Valley Road
Kammui Hokkaido – Liang Court #B1-50, 177 River Valley Road

Ramen Santouka recently won an online poll as Singapore’s favourite ramen shop.

Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Robertson Quay
Ramen Santouka – The Central #02-76, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street
Marutama – The Central #03-90, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street
Ramen Bar Suzuki – 61 Circular Road
Ramen Matsuri – 7 North Canal Road (Boat Quay)
Daikokuya@Robertson Quay – 30 Robertson Quay #01-05 Riverside Village Residence
Sapporo Ramen Miharu – Gallery Hotel, 1 Nanson Road #01-11/12

Home-grown ramen shop Buta Ramen with its delicious pork ribs.

Raffles Place
Buta Ramen – Far East Square #01-04
Ippudo Ramen Express – Asia Square Tower 2 #02-01, 12 Marina View
Beppu Menkan – 3 Pickering Street #01/32/33 China Square Central
Ramen Bar Suzuki – 17 Stanley Street
Men-Ya Kaiko – Marina Bay Link Mall T3, #01-01
Mentei – Robertson Center #01-01, 61 Robinson Road
Ramen Isshi – 1 Raffles Place #04-29 One Raffles Place
Menya Sanji (Express) – Foodfare @ Clifford Centre, 24 Raffles Place #B1-01/10

Nantsuttei has two shops at Orchard Road, one specialising in tonkotsu, the other in chicken-based stock.

Orchard
Ramen Kagetsu Arashi – The Cathay #B1-01/02/03, 2 Handy Road
Tsukada Nojo – Plaza Singapura #03-81, 68 Orchard Road
Ajisen – Plaza Singapura #04-01, 68 Orchard Road
Marutama Dining – 76 Killiney Road (Somerset)
Nantsuttei – Orchard Central #07-12/13, 181 Orchard Road
Hachifukumaru – Orchard Point, 160 Orchard Road #01-13
Ramen Santouka – Cuppage Terrace, 21 Cuppage Road
Ohsho – Cuppage Plaza #01-10, 5 Koek Road
Shin-Sapporo Ramen – Orchard Gateway #B2-04A/05, 277 Orchard Road
Chabuton – 313 @ Somserset #B2-01 313 Orchard Road
Ippudo SG – Mandarin Gallery #04-02/03/04, 333A Orchard Road
Tampopo – Takashimaya Ngee Ann City #B2-33, 391 Orchard Road
Baikohken – Takashimaya Food Hall, Ngee Ann City #B2-01
Ajisen – Takashimaya B210-1 (Basement 2), 391 Orchard Road
Menya Koji Ramen Dining – Paragon #B1-47, 290 Orchard Road
Menya Musashi Kodou – Ion Orchard #B3-25, 2 Orchard Turn
Men-Ya Kaiko – ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn #B4/52/53
Ramen Ten – Far East Plaza #01-22, 14 Scotts Road
Bari Uma Ramen – Tanglin Shopping Centre #B1-01, 19 Tanglin Road
Hakata Uma Uma – Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road

A ramen for each season at Keisuke Tonkotsu King Four Seasons

Bugis
Keisuke Tonkotsu King Four Seasons – Bugis Village, 158 Rochor Road
Ramen Champion – Bugis+ #04-10, 201 Victoria Street
Menya Musashi – Bugis Junction #B1-07, 200 Victoria Street
Ajisen – Bugis Junction #01-01, 200 Victoria Street
The Ramen Stall – 6 Short Street (near Rochor Beancurd)

Chabuton, the ramen with the Michelin star chef backing.

East – East Coast, Bedok, Tampines, Changi
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Matsuri – Parkway Parade #B1-18A, 80 Marine Parade Road
Ramen Play – 112 Katong #02-06, 112 East Coast Road
Ichimonji – 392 East Coast Road
Ramen Play – Bedok Mall #B1-09, 311 New Upper Changi Road
Menya Musashi – Bedok Mall #01-69, 311 New Upper Changi Road
Ajisen – Bedok Point #01-05, 799 New Upper Changi Rd
Bishamon Sapporo Ramen – Bedok Point #02-32/34, 799 New Upper Changi Road
Shin-Sapporo Ramen – Century Square #B1-10/11, 2 Tampines Central 5
Menya Musashi – Tampines Mall, 4 Tampines Central 5, #04-02
Ajisen – Tampines Mall #04-19/20, Tampines Central 5
Chabuton – Tampines 1 #02-09/10, 10 Tampines Central 1
Ajisen – Changi City Point #01-35/36, 5 Changi Business Park Central
Shin-Sapporo Ramen – UE Biz Hub East #01-31 North Office Tower, 6 Changi Business Park Ave 1
Ramen Champion – Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 #B2-58

One of the most popular new ramen shops opened in 2014 – Sanpoutei Ramen

West – Tiong Bahru, Alexandra
Ajisen – Tiong Bahru Plaza , 302 Tiong Bahru Road
Shin-Sapporo Ramen – Alexandra Retail Centre #02-23, 460 Alexandra Road

West – Holland, Buona Vista
Sanpoutei Ramen – 235 Holland Ave #01-01
Yoshimaru Ramen Bar – Holland Village 31 Lor Liput
Ramen Kagetsu Arashi – The Star Vista #01-41, 1 Vista Exchange Green
Menya Musashi – The Star Vista #B1-08, 1 Vista Exchange Green
Kanshoku Ramen – The Metropolis #01-18, 9 North Buona Vista Drive

Menya Musashi is brought here by the same group who is behind Ajisen in Singapore.

West – Clementi, Jurong
Ramen Ten – Clementi CityVibe #02-05, 3151 Commonwealth Ave West
Ajisen – Clementi Mall #B1-34/35, 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West
Ramen Play – Jem #B1-10, 50 Jurong Gateway Road
Ippudo SG – Westgate #03-03, 3 Gateway Drive
Menya Musashi – Westgate #02-07, 3 Gateway Drive
Tsukada Nojo – Westgate #03-04, 3 Gateway Drive
Ajisen – IMM #01-113, Jurong East Street 21
Ajisen – Jurong Point #03-38/38A, 1 Jurong West Central 2
Ajisen – Lot 1 #04-11/12, 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4
Bishamon Sapporo Ramen – Bt Panjang Plaza #01-64/65, 1 Jelebu Road

Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen is different from the rest with its gimmicky ‘volcanic’ ramen.

North – Novena, Thomson
Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen – Novena Square 2, #02-68/69, 10 Sinaran Drive
Ajisen – Novena Square2 #02-92/93/94, 10 Sinaran Drive
Ramen Play – Novena Velocity #01-05, 238 Thomson Road
Ramen Monster – Novena Velocity #01-53, 238 Thomson Road
Bari-Uma Ramen – United Square #B1-08, 101 Thomson Road
Menya Musashi – Thomson Plaza #01-112, 301 Upper Thomson Road

North – Bishan, Ang Mo Kio
Ajisen – Junction 8 #B1-19, 9 Bishan Place
Ramen Play – Junction 8 #01-51, 9 Bishan Place
Ajisen – AMK Hub #02-19/20/21, 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3

North – Sembawang, Woodlands
Ajisen – Sembawang Shopping Centre #02-29/30, 604 Sembawang Road
Ajisen – Causeway Point #B1-18, 1 Woodlands Square

BreadTalk’s group Ramen Play is almost everywhere.

Northeast – Tai Seng, Serangoon, Sengkang
Ramen Play – BreadTalk IHQ #01-03, 30 Tai Seng Street
Ramen Play – nex@Serangoon #B2-58, 23 Serangoon Central
Ajisen – nex@Serangoon #03-06/07, 23 Serangoon Central
Ajisen – Compass Point #02-15, 1 Sengkang Square

South – Vivocity
Menya Musashi – Vivocity #01-104, 1 Harbourfront Walk
Ajisen – Vivocity #01-157/158, 1 HarbourFront Walk
Ramen Play – Resorts World Sentosa #B1-219, 26 Sentosa Gateway

Being a ramen lover, do share if I missed out any shops. Comment below which do you think deserves to be the “Best Ramen Shop In Singapore”.

Other Guides
150 New Cafes In Singapore 2014
10 New Ramen Places In Singapore
10 Best Restaurants In Singapore – The Fine Dining Edition
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014
World’s 100 Best Restaurants 2014

The post 111 Ramen Shops In Singapore – The Ultimate Ramen Guide appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

There are many pho-tastic Vietnamese shops sprouting out in Singapore, as though it is the next fad after Japanese ramen.

Few Vietnamese restaurants seem to be as dedicated as Moc Quan though, where baguettes for the banh mi are baked fresh daily, and owner Jeff Koh hand-carries fresh ingredients (about 100kg every 2 weeks) from Vietnam to Singapore.

Which is why they close for a day or two occasionally each month.

Correct me if I am wrong, many Vietnamese restaurants in Singapore are overly-commercialised losing its authenticity, while the authentic ones lack the comforting ambience. Moc Quan, somehow manages to strike a balance between the two.

‘Moc’ means simple, ‘Quan’ means restaurant, so Moc Quan just means simple restaurant.

Jeff designed Moc Quan to be a Vietnamese ‘Zi Char’ type of place, and therefore items such as Thit Kho ($7) – pork cooked with tangy spicy caramel sauce in claypot, Luoi Vit ($7) – duck tongue braised in garlic basil sauce and Dau Hu Chien Xa ($5) – deep fried tofu with garlic and lemon grass are available.

There was a weird slight pungent smell when the braised pork arrived, a tad oily, but put the meat into the mouth and you would forgive all of these. It actually reminded me of street food in Ho Chi Minh, like those served around Ben Thanh Market.

Their Mixed Beef Pho ($9.50) was superb, generous in vegetables, herbs, meat and meat balls, in a light yet tasty broth cooked with beef bones, brisket and spices. A tad oily with MSG though, but I am willing to overlook that.

The best item was indeed the Banh Mi. I had the Bo Bit Tet ($6.50) which came with marinated sliced beef and egg. The baguette was crisp on the outside, with a fluffy chewy texture, not too dry on the inside. Accordingly, the oven and flour used are brought in from Vietnam.

Jeff revealed his interesting background. He has a Vietnamese wife, lived there for 3 years and traded his dish washing and knife skills for recipes of street vendors as he believed that some of the best cooks are on the streets. Impressed with his dedication.

Friendly prices, thematic décor, amiable service and authentic tasting food, Moc Quan looks set to be my favourite new Vietnamese restaurant of 2014.

Moc Quan
81 Clemenceau Avenue UE Square #01-23 Singapore 239917
Tel: +65 6736 0123
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moc-Quan/650215378386398
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9:00pm Daily (Closed occasionally. Check Facebook for updates)

Other Related Entries
Comnam (Raffles City)
Pho Hanh Delights (Joo Chiat)
Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Raffles City)
Saigon Lotus (Marina Square)
Quan An Ngon (Ho Chi Minh City)

The post Moc Quan – Authentic Tasting Pho & Banh Mi appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Haven’t been to Sakae Sushi in a while, the last time was for a value-for-money sushi buffet. The last I knew, the popular restaurant chain has just released more than 120 new items, incorporating Korean, French, Peranakan and Chinese flavours into Japanese dishes.

Fans of Otah Otah, listen out… There are seven otah creations found in the new Sakae Sushi menu.

Indeed. Spicy, thick, fleshy, nonya styled mackerel otah in dishes such as Otah Bibinba ($15.99), Otah Gunkan ($4.39), Special Otah Maki ($5.99), Long Bean Otah ($4.99), Otah Katsu ($7.99), and Otah Tempura ($4.99).

This does sound bizarre on paper, but always be game to give it a try. The rationale is mackerel is a popular fish used in Japanese restaurants, so why not get more inventive?

The Otah Bibinba is a case of Korean styled hot stone bibimba topped with a huge piece of stripped otah like chicken chop, along with shredded omelette and shitake mushroom with spicy sauce poured over.

Of all the new-fangled dishes, my favourite was the Otah Battera Ebi ($11.99 for 6 pieces). This may look similar to the usual prawn sushi, but has an addition of otah slice sandwiched in the middle between two layers of pressed rice.

The contrast of sweet prawn with spiced otah was refreshing, giving a usual flat tasting sushi an extra oomph. Another option is Otah Battera Nori ($9.99 for 6 pieces).

Exclusively for OCBC Cardmembers, you will get a FREE Sakae signature dish with minimum of $70 spent.

The most ‘worth it’ to order would be the Otah Bento (valued at $16.99) – a hearty Japanese lunchbox set with crispy breaded otah, fried otah with long bean wrap and assorted mushroom tempura.

That’s a huge discount if you think about it.

Sakae Sushi has improved with its enhanced selection, the more notable ones being the Yakimono set of chargrilled skewers; and Fondue ($19.99 for 12, $38.99 for 24, and $57.99 for 36 pieces) containing an assortment of ice cream, fresh fruit and cookies dipped in hot chocolate.

With a spicy otah start, a sweet ending would seal the deal

OCBC Cardmembers’ Exclusive
– Free Sakae Signature Dish with min. of $70 spent
– Choice of dish includes Otah Bibinba ($15.99), Otah Battera Ebi ($11.99), Otah Bento ($16.99) and others from now till 31 Oct 2014. The Sakae Signature creation changes every 2 months.
– Payment must be made with an OCBC Credit or Debit Card. Other terms and conditions apply.
– For more OCBC dining privileges, visit http://www.ocbc.com/personal-banking/cards/card-promotions.html

Sakae Sushi
orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Road #04-09/10
http://sakaesushi.com.sg
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
Other Sakae Sushi Branches: http://sakaesushi.com.sg/locator.php

*This post is brought to you in partnership with OCBC cards.

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Sabio By The Sea, Tapas Bar & Grill at Quayside Isle is already known for offering a Spanish gastronomical experience with a huge variety of tapas, grilled meats and seafood.

It has now become more attractive to spend the weekday afternoon just relaxing and savouring Spanish cuisine.

The weekday set lunch is priced at a value-for-money $23++. Starters include a Spanish pumpkin soup or cold cuts platter, main of a Salad (choose among grilled chicken, chorizo, spinach and goat cheese or vegetarian), or a Grilled Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Melted Manchego Cheese.

Came back again during a weekend dinner. Food-wise was a mixture of hits and misses. Perhaps because I have been to Spain and have eaten the real deal, some of the dishes fell short of expectations.

Some of the side dishes such as the Pan-Fried Calamari, ($12) Beef Meat Balls in Spicy Tomato Sauce ($14), and Fried Potatoes with Garlic Mayonnaise ($9) lacked of sizzling heat and that Spanish zest and authenticity.

The Fideua ($25 for small, $43 for large), a noodle dish similar to the Paella is hard to find in Singapore. Initially I was kind of excited. But the noodles with squid ink, squid, prawns and sea bass fell short on flavours, and the seafood was not as fresh as I would have liked them.

The must-have… their signature dessert of Churros ($11) dipped in hot chocolate, easily one of the best available in Singapore.

If Churros isn’t your thing, you can always try their Crema Catalan ($8), a Catalan custard. The weekday set lunch also comes with coffee or tea.

Also, wine lovers do take note. You can get an add-on of their signature glass of red/white sangria at just $5++. In fact, this fruity refreshing drink has been very popular with many diners at Sabio By The Sea, Tapas Bar & Grill, especially in the Singaporean heat.

Sabio By The Sea, Tapas Bar & Grill
#01-02 Quayside Isle Tel: +65 66907568
www.sabio.sg/bythesea
Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm (Mon-Thurs), 12pm-12am (Fri-Sat), 10:30am-10pm (Sun)
Reserve Online Now

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[Taipei, Taiwan] Themed cafes in Taipei are so huge you feel like you are in a different world all together. Case in point: Modern Toilet, Jay Chou’s magic themed Déjà Vu, Hello Kitty Sweets Cafe, Brick Works (Lego) and Barbie Café.

It was a rainy afternoon which voided my original intention of having fishballs and ‘Ah gei’ at Danshui, and we somehow landed at Aranzi Café.

You couldn’t miss a bright turquoise-green shop with cartoon characters in a row of greyish looking shops and mini-marts.

Welcome to Aranzi Cafe 阿朗基咖啡, which originated from Osaka Japan. Two words: Cuteness overload.

You could see rows of adorable rabbit cakes lining the shelves, graphic characters of Silky, the Panda-Bug, Eyelash Bunny and fluffy clouds decorated on the walls, stationaries and gifts on sale at the corner, and of course young Taiwanese school girls taking every opportunity for a selfie with their food, or wefie. (Can we call this foofie?)

The characters are based on Aranzi Aronzo, designed by Japanese Kinuyo Saito and Yoko Yomura, with their catch phrase being “cute, strange, cool, silly, a little bit horrible, stupid and comfortable”. Yes, you somewhat feel a bit of everything like that.

Prices are relatively expensive though, cakes are about NT$180 (SGD$7.50), coffee NT$115 (SGD$4.80) and Sandwiches NT$150 (SGD$6.30).

The White Bunny Fruit Cake (NT$180) was a usual light cream chiffon cake with fresh fruit fillings, not bad tasting, but well nothing spectacular or memorable.

100% cuteness, 60% taste. I actually bought some of Aranzi Cafe’s stuff back and showed them to a few friends. “Can we open a cute cafe like this in Singapore? Can we?”

Aranzi Café 阿朗基咖啡
新北市淡水區中正路56號 No. 56, Zhong Zheng Rd., Danshui Dist., New Taipei City
Tel : 02-26281499
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 9:00pm (Closed Mon)

仁愛店/北市仁愛路4段468號 (02)27588812
南西店/台北新光三越南西2館4F (02)25224608
阪急店/台北阪急百貨4F (02)87893748
淡水店/新北市淡水區中正路56號(02)26281499
新竹店/新竹市文化街
阪急百貨B2蛋糕專櫃 (02)27229013
新光三越站前店B2蛋糕專櫃(02)23116664

Other Taiwan Entries
5 Must Eat Food at Jiu Fen
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Sophisca (Taiwan)
Modern Toilet Restaurant
Din Tai Fung (Taipei)

The post Aranzi Café – Cuteness Overload in Japanese Themed Cafe in Taipei appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

I keep getting the question, “Where is the best ramen in Singapore?” or at least “Which is your favourite?” and it would be a toss-up of a few names. (Read: 111 Ramen Shops In Singapore – The Utltimate Ramen Guide)

Ramen King Keisuke after striking gold with Tonkotsu King at Orchid Hotel continues to be one of my top few choices for ramen, though that particular branch has been wavering in standards of recent.

Chef Keisuke Takeda has moved his wings to the east, with the opening of Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Matsuri at Parkway. (Not to be confused with Ramen Matsuri at Boat Quay)

I had a quick check with some fellow foodies before I went, and feedback was along the lines of “not his best, but good enough”, and “probably the best ramen you can get in this part of Singapore”.

Matsuri denotes “festivity” in Japan and an Amori-style Nebuta lantern-float centrepiece adorned near the entrance of the restaurant. Very atmospheric, along with a soundtrack of Japanese traditional drumming, and staff hitting a drum every time a customer left.

What I appreciate about the Keisuke brand is every branch is distinctly different, and you cannot get the same signature item at another outlet. An example is Tori King which is true to its name.

Matsuri’s specialty Tonkotsu Ramen Awaodori ($13.90, $2 extra for flavoured egg) paired tonkotsu ramen with pork sukiyaki, resulting in a thick luscious bowl of broth complimenting tastes of a salty under-toned pork bone broth and sweetish sukiyaki.

Pleasant and not overpowering.

It may be strange for me to say this, but the Nebuta Ramen ($13.90) of mixed pork broth with Japanese dried fish stock was not ‘fishy’ enough.

I kind of enjoyed the intensity of rich fish-based broths in Japan, and Chef Keisuke might have gone milder of his infusion of Japanese Iwashi sardines to suit the local taste buds. My personal take.

Is it psychological? Even the beansprouts tasted better at Tanjong Pagar.

So I do agree. Not his best, but good enough. Matsuri is probably the best ramen you can get in this part of Singapore.

Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Matsuri 豚骨王　祭
80 Marine Parade Road #B1-18A Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269
Tel: +65 6440 5548
Opening Hours: 11:30am to 10pm

Other Ramen Entries
111 Ramen Shops In Singapore – The Utltimate Ramen Guide
Kanshoku Ramen (Metropolis)
Nantsuttei (Orchard Central)
Chabuton (313@Somerset)
Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo (Suntec)

The post Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Matsuri – Probably The Best In This Part Of Singapore appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Biang Biang Noodles has been one of the most fascinating types of noodles on many levels. Its Chinese character ‘biang’ has 58 strokes (bet you would never get this word in ‘ting xie’), touted as “ten strange wonders of Shaanxi”, has been described like a belt, and can reach 3 feet in length!

Noodle Stories by TungLok Group newly opened at Orchard Central) had included this dish in its menu. Finally, it has been a long wait, as I last tried this dish in Xi-an a decade ago.

The Chinese stories go that people with long faces tend to have longer lives. And if you happen not to have that, eating long noodles would also symbolise longevity. Just do not cut the noodles up.

Word has it that the name “biang” refers to the sound made by the chef when he creates the noodles by pulling the dough and slapping it on the table.

Noodles Stories’ version ($10.80) was a modern interpretation, topped with minced meat with fermented beans, blanched vegetables and a Japanese style hanjuku egg.

The noodle texture was chewy and doesn’t feel overly thick, had quite an even noodle to sauce ratio, and delicious enough on its own for a filling meal.

But if I would want to be picky, it lacked of that extra oomph that would differentiate the dish say from emmmm… a good bowl of dry ban mian.

Several of the other dishes we tried such as Pork wrapped in Pancake ($6 for 3 pieces), Soya Minced Pork Rice ($11.80) and Mango Cream with Pomelo and Sago ($4.50) bordered somewhere in the middle – decent but not impressive enough, tasty but one or two elements could be improved in terms of execution. Needed more seasoning in one, needed less oil in another.

The Oriental Salad with Beancurd, Vermicelli and Green Bean Sprouts ($4.80) reminded us of a similar dish from a competitor, good enough on its own. But if you would draw comparisons, it was not quite that mark yet.

Noodle Stories reminded me of a younger and casual version of Lao Beijing with friendly prices. Some noodle dishes are strong, while the sides may need fine-tuning. A case of 3/5.

Noodle Stories
181 Orchard Road #07-14/15 Orchard Central Singapore 238896 (Somerset MRT)
Tel: +65 6509 1878
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm (Mon – Fri), 10.30am – 10.30pm (Sat, Sun & PH)
Last order 2:30pm, 10:00pm

Other Related Entries
TungLok XiHe (Grandstand)
Paradise Dynasty (Vivocity)
Dian Xiao Er (Vivocity)
Soup Restaurant (Suntec City)
HonGuo (NEX)

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Yes, Henri Charpentier, that famous popular pretty Japanese patisserie chain is in Singapore.

Their opening at Dempsey Hill would set some hearts thrilling for some of their signature cakes, pastries, madeleine, financiers and flambé desserts.

Though I must qualify, that I could possibly be of the few, who would say something vaguely negative about my experience.

I was full of anticipation, especially when walking down the covered walkway lined with a fuchsia pink carpet, entering a space where booth seats are spacious with silky draping, all rather French and romantic setting.

A scenic view of green outside the window. You feel all beautiful and wonderful… until you see the menu. And that’s when reality sets in.

Oh, a slice of tart or cake was between $7.50 to $9.50. I could accept that. $13.00 for Iced Royal Milk Tea. $13 without taxes yet. That set me deliberating a while. $29 for a plated Dome dessert… that was when we went “Heck it!” and just ordered for happiness.

THE dessert of Henri Charpentier is the Crepe Suzette ($22). After all, the name “Henri Charpentier” came from nineteenth century French chef who created this dessert.

Two slices of thin crepe were prepared in front of our eyes. Butter, orange juice and Marnier cognac liqueur were poured into a hot pan. Then came the burning flambé, and the multiple cameras.

Oh, this is it huh.

The set-up was entertaining, but the taste more underwhelming.

All right, the crepes were silky with a unique tasting alcoholic-orange sauce, that could send some people drunk and red with the Asian flush. I won’t deny it was tasty, but could be too heavy-going without sharing.

There were some desserts specially created for the Singapore market, such as the Flower Temptation ($25.00) inspired by the Botanic Gardens, Coupe de Peche ($21) a cool dessert of peach compote, Dome ($29), Rouge ($19) a parfait of marinated strawberries, financier and passion fruit, and Tarte Tatin ($18).

If you are ready to spend, the Dome ($29) was quite a dramatic delight. The chocolate sphere had chocolate parfait biscuit of fraise d’amande enclosed, and you could imagine the transformation as the ball was lighted with the magical blue flambé. Very stunning.

For a Japanese based set-up, I did wish for less service hiccups: You couldn’t sense a system, waiting time was long (about half an hour for some items to arrive), some questions asked were left unanswered or lost in translation, and we certainly wished for more smiles and interactivity.

Some of the Singaporean (judging from accent) wait staffs were rather prompt and friendly though.

Going to Henri Charpentier can allow you to try some unique-tasting desserts, get their coveted cookie gift boxes, and earn some bragging rights. Though we really wished, most of the items could be about 20% cheaper.

Henri Charpentier – Dempsey Hill Shop
9A Dempsey Road. Singapore 247698 (next to House)
Tel : +65 6479 5518
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm

Other Related Entries
Ki-Sho (Scotts Road)
Shinji by Kanesaka (Raffles Hotel)
Bincho at Hua Bee (Tiong Bahru)
Kki (SOTA)
B@Rochester (Rochester Park)

The post Henri Charpentier – Stunning Desserts, But Way Too Expensive appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Have you not signed up yet? What are you waiting for?

If you like both traveling and food, and are still thinking of where to go on holiday with your family and friends, why not join me and Chan Brothers Travel for 7D Western Australia & Margaret River Gourmet Escape Self-drive Convoy departing Nov 18?

You can go on a holiday at your own pace but still remain fully escorted with a guide from Singapore throughout the entire journey who will provide help when you need it. Plus, I will be there to share with you some foodie and photography tips. (We may become best of foodie friends lol.)

There will also be opportunities to rub shoulders with renowned chefs and wine & dine with fellow foodies in a relaxed festival setting filled with plenty of gourmet activities. I can imagine a trip with plenty of food, laughter, and perhaps supper.

There have been some questions from some friends, so I thought I would answer them here below.

What is the Margaret River Gourmet Escape?
The Margaret River Gourmet Escape is a massive event planned for lovers of food, wine, music and fun. A highlight of the Gourmet Escape is the must-see Gourmet Village hosted at the scenic Leeuwin Estate Winery.

This is where culinary stars would come together for a day filled with food tastings, cooking demonstrations, wine appreciation classes, master classes, panel sessions and Q&As. It will be a foodie event of a lifetime which combines unique produce, culinary stars and breathtaking views.

You really won’t want to miss this.

Who are some of the celebrity chefs turning up?
There will be a star-studded line-up of over 30 international and local celebrity chefs and wine experts.
Some of them include Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana, Modena Italy, Number 3 best restaurant in the world), Peter Gilmore (Quay, Sydney), Ashley Palmer-Watts (Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London UK) , Davide Scabin (Combal.Zero, Rivoli Italy) , Jonny Lake (The Fat Duck, Bray UK) , Clare Smyth (Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, UK, The first British female to earn three Michelin stars) and Singapore’s very own Sam Leong.

What is the itinerary like?
Some of the highlights: Driving from Perth to Swan Valley for a food and wine trail, to the stunning Wave Rock and to a yabby farm, canoeing, trout fishing and cycling in Karri Valley. And of course, to be part of the action at Margaret River Gourmet Escape. Premium ticket to the Gourmet Village included!

Why join a self-drive convoy? Will I get lost?
This will be something flexible and entertaining. The self-drive convoy can help you discover a very scenic Western Australia, find out about places off the beaten track, with many opportunities to do activities at your own pace without the need to rush too much.

No need to worry about getting lost. What’s included in the package is a 6-day Hertz car rental (1.8-litre) with NeverLost GPS with maximum vehicle insurance. There will also be a tour manager throughout the trip providing his or her assistance.

If you do not drive, why not get a group of friends to come along? The more the merrier!

What are included in the package?
Return airfare on Singapore Airlines, 6 nights accommodation, 6-day Hertz car rental (1.8 litre) with NeverLost GPS with maximum vehicle insurance, Margaret River Gourmet Escape Gourmet Village Premium Ticket and more.

Where can I book the tickets?
Visit Chan Brothers Travel Family & Friends Sale this Fri-Sun where you can book the packages with special rates! Check with the friendly staff for more details of the trip.

Chan Brothers Travel Family & Friends Sale
This Friday – Sunday (17 – 19 October)
150 South Bridge Road
Fook Hai Building Level 1 & 7
Chan Brothers Travel Powerhouse
www.ChanBrothers.com/sale

You can also call Chan Brothers Travel Flexi Holidays at +65 6212 9684 for more details.
Looking forward to having fun in Western Australia together!

The post The Western Australia & Margaret River Gourmet Escape Self-drive Convoy with DanielFoodDiary! Special Departure 18 Nov appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

My favourite Tiong Bahru estate continues to transform. Block 57 at the corner previously stood with Loo’s Hainanese Cury Rice (moved to 71 Seng Poh), Sum Long Teochew Braised Duck, and Xian Ji Porridge. That is a thing of the past. Yes, there was a sense of loss.

Then came The Tiong Bahru Club Singapura. At least the new owners kept some nostalgic-inspired vibe, though some would argue these cards had been overplayed with cafes.

Even though it is relatively new, the ‘club’ has managed to attract a healthy expat crowd to support with its heritage style bistro with taproom concept, matched with retro-fitted furnishing, and upbeat service. It seeks to be a “peoples’ club where everyone is a member for free”.

Flipping through the menu, I could not help notice that the food offered was extremely diverse, a melting pot from Indian, Chinese, Malay, Eurasian to Western style dishes.

There was a little bit of everything ranging from Lamb Raan Buns ($18.80), , Club ’88’ Devil’s Chicken Curry ($16.80), Truck Stop Fried Chicken ($10.80), Thai Sausage ($10.80), Club ’88’ Claypot Rice ($14.80), Pork Knuckles ($18.80 for half) to Aglio Olio ($12.80).

The varied items on the menu intrigued me. At least it was not run on the mill. Though I suspect customers might land up with a situation where you would order a bit of everything to try, or know not what to have at all.

I knew I wanted the Devil’s Curry ($16.80), also known as Debal Galinhia, a Eurasian originated dish with Portuguese influence. Where else can you find this, other than home-cooked ones?

For those who never had this super spicy dish (thus the name ‘devil’), you could find yourself discovering assorted ingredients soaked in thick gravy- anything from chicken meat, sausages, potato chunks and vegetables. (The dish came about during the Christmas season where an assortment of ingredients would be thrown in.)

The curry was ‘devilish’ as the name suggested, and may cause some stomach-churning if spiciness is your weakness.

Other items we ordered were a mix-bag. We enjoyed the Truck Stop Fried Chicken ($10.80) especially with the house special sambal dip. The chicken parts on the other hand were deep-fried to too dark a shade of brown.

The recommended Club ‘88’ Satay ($11.80) looked okay on its surface, but when flipped over, a good half were ‘chao-tah’. Expectedly the other half tasted stick-dry. Restaurants (or clubs) should never serve food burnt till this extent.

These guys are also behind Chaiholics at Chevron House, thus serving more than 10 flavours of Chai, but no coffee. My Iced “Refreshing Lemongrass” Chai ($6.50) was surprisingly diluted, and I found its Mango Lassi ($7.2) though expensive, the more refreshing drink.

Sentimentally, I miss the good old kopitiams selling just class-acts local food. At least The Tiong Bahru Club Singapura kept its heritage style to an extent and serves different food from the rest. Food wise, some yes, some no.

The Tiong Bahru Club Singapura
57 Eng Hoon Street #01-88 Singapore 267208
Tel: +65 64380168
https://www.facebook.com/thesingapuraclub
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 11pm (Mon-Thurs), 8:30am – 11:30pm

Other Related Entries
British Hainan (Carpmael Road)
Portico (Alexandra Road)
Potato Head Folk (Keong Siak Street)
Le Cuisine (Chinatown)
Babette (Tyrwhitt Road)

The post The Tiong Bahru Club Singapura – Heritage Style Bistro & Taproom appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

“Oh, Chijmes had quite a revamp!” Many of my friends won’t know that, since Chijmes had fallen out of radar for some time. But I loved the new look, new restaurants, especially with many Japanese restaurants in a single row – Gyu-Kaku Prime, Shabu Shabu On-Yasai, Shirokiya Healthy Japanese Dining, Tatsu and Tonzaemon by Ma Maison.

We were there for Hakata Ikkousha Ramen, better known as THE Ultimate Ramen Champion in 2012 and 2013 when it was at Bugis+.

The shop helmed by Chef Kousuke Yosjimura somehow managed to earn its unique voice and branding in the Singapore market with its opening of a stand alone place at Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

To be frank, I wasn’t that most impressed when I tried their ramen the first time. It just wasn’t as distinctive and memorable as some of the other better known brands. Maybe the broth lacked character.

But after trying again and again, the taste grows on you, and they have actually improved since their earlier days.

Their Hakata style thin long noodles may not be as springy and chewy as Ippudo’s, soup not as densely rich as Keisuke’s or Nantsuttei’s, but there was a certain lightness and pleasantness that you won’t mind having this often on a regular basis. (Whereas some others could be too intense.)

The original Tonkotsu ($12.00) remains as my favourite with its full-bodied, lightly milky pork bone soup, while I also didn’t quite mind the Black Tonkotsu ($13.50) topped with special fried garlic paste which added some smoky flavour.

If you are up to the fiery challenge, you can try breaking the record of Ikkousha’s Spicy Tonkotsu ramen by finishing the entire bowl. It stands at Level 13 now (whatever that would mean).

Hakata Ikkousha CHIJMES
30 Victoria Street, #01-07 CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
Operating Hours: 11.30 am – 10 pm, last order 9.45 pm (Mon-Sat), 11.30 am – 9 pm (last order 8.45 pm (Sun)

Other branches:
Tanjong Pagar: Block 7, #01-104 Tanjong Pagar Plaza Singapore 081007 Tel +65 65381880
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm (Mon – Sat), 11:30 am – 9:00 pm (Sun)

Changi Airport: 65 Airport Boulevard #B2-58 Terminal 3 Singapore Changi Airport Singapore 819663 In Ramen Champion at T3
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:00pm Daily

Other Ramen Entries
111 Ramen Shops In Singapore – The Utltimate Ramen Guide
Ikkousha Ramen 博多一幸舎 (Tanjong Pagar Plaza)
Nantsuttei (Orchard Central)
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Matsuri (Parkway Parade)
Chabuton (313@Somerset)

The post Hakata Ikkousha CHIJMES – New Branch, Tonkotsu Ramen Better Than Before appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Food wise, The Quarters offers mains and desserts quite different from the other 149 new cafes. It’s a risk to take. Let’s hope that being atypical pays off.

The Quarters finds itself at the revamped extension of Icon Village at Tanjong Pagar, joining neighbours Two Men Bagel House, Jasper’s Pantry, Sumire Yakitori, OKG Express, Munch and Hereico.

Items on the menu were inspired from traditional recipes and ingredients, then given a modern perspective which is hopefully casual, accessible, and tasty. So you may go in wondering, “What is this? What to order huh?”

There were Crispy Fries with Salted Egg Yolk dip ($7.60), Umami Babi ($8.50) where slow braised pulled pork collar were stuffed in mini mantous, capellini with buah keluak sauce called the Asian Truffle ($14.80) and Wonderffle ($9.50) – waffle with lemongrass and pandan ice cream drizzled with gula melaka.

Oh, there was also this poached egg in Laska broth ($7.80). Strange, very strange.

To be honest, some worked, some tasted out of place.

Let’s start with those I liked – The Ma Jie’s Indulgence ($18.00) – capellini with chilli crab sauce.

The gooey sauce was a winner, tilted towards the sweet side, and thus not as spicy as expected. Sauce to capellini ratio hit the right note, angel hair cooked al dente style, and suggests a good cook is behind the kitchen.

While $18.00 might feel pricey for its portion, there was generous addition of real crab meat. (Some places use crab sticks which I frown upon.)

Owner Deming was probably the first to commercialise Durian Crème Brulee, having started DCB Duriancanboleh in 2013. He saw durian as “God’s gift of custard”.

On the surface, the Duriancanboleh ($7.00) looked like any usual crème brulee, but as you take a spoonful of the smooth luscious creamy base, the taste of distinctive durian kicked in yet not being overpowering. The texture was wonderful, I mean, compared to durian fruit which could be slimy. (I actually liked this, considering I am no fan of durian.)

Salted Egg Fries ($7) should be a favourite with customers. The dip was kind of addictive, but I wished the fries were not that dry – think it was over-fried for a minute or two.

The Wonderffle ($9.50) joined the ranks of yet another one in waffle-crazed Singapore. Unfortunately, this would draw comparisons to the better ones, and the batter happened to be too dried out, and ice cream could be fuller-scooped. This didn’t make it for us.

Coffee is sourced from Papa Palheta, using the popular Throwback (milk chocolate with tinge of mandarin oranges.)

From our rempahs to ice creams, The Quarters take special effort to create everything from scratch, assisted by a small but strong team. Some fine-tuning needed. If not, stick to their tried and tested.

The Quarters
16 Enggor Street #01-09 Singapore 079717
Tel: +65 68344174
https://www.facebook.com/thequarterssg
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon –Thurs), 8am – 11pm (Fri), 10am – 11pm (Sat), 10am – 10pm (Sun)

Other Cafe Entries
150 New Cafes In Singapore 2014
Two Men Bagel House (Icon Village)
Artisan Boulangerie Co. (Katong I12)
Bread & Hearth (Keong Siak Street)
Bridge Cafe (Seah Street)

The post The Quarters – Café With Different Food. Salted Egg Fries & Durian Brulee appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Two Bakers is actually a bakery café owned by 3 girl friends. Bakers Kristl and Erica met in Paris while pursuing their Le Cordon Bleu adventure of learning French pastries. Erica hit it off with ex-colleague Jessica who had a passion for cooking.

They came together to live a dream, with the setting up of Two Bakers at Horne Road – the Jalan Besar café hotspot. Many, many people I know want to set up a café selling good pastries and coffee, but few actually become successful.

The three girls remind me of the three guys from Les Patisseries – they all had a plan, they all had some experience, and they all set up a bakery café who seems promising.

I must qualify that it is impossible to visit all the new cafes in Singapore, in which some homework is done to pick those that either appeals to me. Or I think can have a real stake of survival in this competitive market.

Two Bakers has a bit of both.

Their bakes were quite appealing, with signatures being Carrot Cake, Key Lime Tart ($6.80), Salted Caramel Éclair ($5.00) and Profiteroles ($5.00). The girls also look into presenting new pastries every few months, based on season and themes.

Coffee’s a Chakra Espresso Blend from Stranger’s Reunion.

I liked both the Framboise Delight ($8) – a light raspberry mousse surrounding a sweet raspberry compote and paired with lady finger sponge and a splash of Cointreau, and Fruit Tart ($6.80) – a Mango Tart with fresh mango pieces and blueberries sitting on a bed of pastry cream and encased in a buttery sable tart shell.

The Framboise was pretty, smooth and delicate-tasting, perhaps marred by a soft mushy base, while the Tart in contrast could taste better with a less rigid shell.

(Hope I am not pin-pointing at anyone) In comparison, the savouries were slightly weaker than the sweets in execution.

The TB Champion Breakfast ($15) could do with creamier eggs, more sautéed mushrooms, and sausage which should be properly defrosted. But this could be because of new shop jitters, for them to get into the hang of things. (Sent them some feedback, and they seemed to have worked on it.)

There are going to be some interesting variations. For example, they turned a family recipe of ‘tau you bak’ into a pulled pork sandwich ($13.80), and incorporated their love of luncheon meat into an local version of Croque Madame named “Croque Ah Ma” ($12.80).

Two Bakers is not without its imperfections, but its passion and sincere service overrides that. In time to come, my opinion is that the Two Bakers and One Cook can pull it off.

Two Bakers
88 Horne Road Singapore 209083
https://www.facebook.com/twobakers
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun), 11am – 11pm (Fri-Sat), Closed Tues

Other Café Entries
150 New Cafes In Singapore 2014
Windowsill In The Woods (Horne Road)
Les Patisseries (Toa Payoh)
The Fabulous Baker Boy (The Foothills)
FIX Café (Balestier)

The post Two Bakers – Café At Horne Road Hits The Sweet Spot appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Rhubarb is an ingredient used in tarts and cakes, giving them a distinct sweet flavour and a pretty pinkish-purple shade. It is also the name of the French restaurant – Rhubarb Le Restaurant, which has earned favourite reviews amongst many local food critics.

But of course, the Duxton Hill restaurant is helmed by Chef Paul Longworth, who has built a positive reputation over at Au Petit Salut. His team, along with restaurant manager Jerome Desfonds, was one who worked well.

You may not find ‘rhubarb’ used extensively in the menu though, just over at one of the mains of Pigeon ($64) as a rhubarb and rose puree, and sorbet in their dessert, called well, Rhubarb& ($18).

The 3 course lunch is a friendly price of $42, considering this is French fine dining standard. I must add that our table did an ‘unorthodox’ thing of ordering every item on the lunch menu and shared them, just to get a taste of everything.

For me, the amuse bouche of a charcoal ice cream cone filled with duck rillettes and roe was an uplifting start. Some at the table felt that the taste was clashing; I thought it was triggering and gave a clue on what else was to come.

Starter wise, I liked the White Onion Veloute – rich, smooth, and velvety, which reminded me of a similar bowl I had at Amber, though not as mind-blowing.

The Quail with endive, baby carrots and pea pulp was quite exceptional in texture and flavour. The dish didn’t need much additional embellishments, the meat was good enough on its own. I would normally shun quails, because they rubbery and tough if prepared improperly. Rhubarb’s version was done just right.

Their other two mains, a Rump of Lamb with king oyster mushrooms, balsamic braised Bombay onion, and Norwegian Ocean Trout with baby beetroots and sugar pea were considerably delicious, but didn’t impress. Taste wise, they bordered on being safe, and unsurprising.

We found some delight in the Pistachio Meringue, and Rhubarb Sorbet – which indeed lived up to the restaurant’s name, whereas the Chocolate & Cream Cheese Mousse had distracting contrasts on an almost bland-tasting centre matched with heavily brandied cherries.

Despite being new, Rhubarb Le Restaurant is a great restaurant on many levels – for some of its execution, comfortable setting and amiable service. With that said, we did come expecting more.

Rhubard Le Restaurant
3 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089589
Tel: +65 81275001
Opening Hours: 12pm to 3pm, 7pm to 10.30pm (Mon to Fri); 7pm to 10.30pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Other Related Entries
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La Cantine (Asia Square)

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Another ice cream café with waffles. Before you dismiss Rabbit Owl Depot as yet another new cafe in Singapore, this ice cream parlor opposite the National Libary has both potential and heart.

Why Rabbit and Owl?

These are actually the owners’ nicknames – ‘Oot-Oot” and ‘Bit-Bit’, that’s what they call each other during courtship. A pair of lovers selling ice cream together already sounds too sweet (or ‘rou ma’). Joseph is the self-proclaimed night-owl, while Alena is the energizer bunny.

Ah, romance in the air.

There were traces of rabbit and owl everywhere in the cafes, from little toys, to some tables looking like cargo containers, to seats with long ‘ears’. Appreciate the look, but with that said, some seats did feel uncomfortable to sit for long.

Their coffee beans are freshly roasted by Bettr Barista and their beans imported from Sumatra and Columbia. Though I wondered if the prices – $6.50 for hot mocha, and $6.90 for iced version, were a dollar too high.

Ice cream flavours come in classic varieties like vanilla and strawberry cheesecake ice cream ($3.90 for single, $6.90 for double) with offers premium types (additional $1) such as black sesame, pistachio, dark chocolate and coconut.

I would recommend the Ice Cream Platter ($9.00) for a set of 3 scoops with crispy lover letters at the side.

What I liked about their ice cream was the texture – smooth, creamery yet not overly, and doesn’t melt too fast on the plate.

The flavours which worked for me was the Coconut which came with some chunky flesh for that bite, and strawberry cheesecake with a lingering taste of cheese.

On the flipside, I did wish it could be at least 20% less sweet, and some flavours such as Pineapple and Rum & Raisin could tilt to being ‘jelak’ after a few bites.

If you are the type who finds the standard round waffles too big and filling for an after meal dessert, Rabbit Owl Depot’s Snow Flake Waffle ($6.50, $9.50 with ice cream) could win your heart over.

The crispy and brown edge of the Snowflake Waffle, spread with smooth ice cream was a delightful combination that could send a smile on a lazy afternoon.

Rabbit Owl Depot
420 North Bridge Road #01-06 Singapore 188727 (Bugis MRT, opp National Library, diagonally opposite Bras Basah Centre)
Tel: +65 63364075
https://www.facebook.com/rabbitowldepot
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm Daily

Other Related Entries
150 New Cafes In Singapore 2014
The Hideout (Cassia Crescent)
The Little Prince Creamery (Toa Payoh)
Ice Queen (East Coast Road)
Seriously Ice Cream (Everton Park)

The post Rabbit Owl Depot – Their Snow Flake Waffles Could Win Your Heart Over appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Taipei, Taiwan] I love love love Yong Kang Street, which has an easy going feel, somewhat hipster vibes, and peppered with good restaurants, indie cafes and trendy boutiques.

Yong Kang is also where the original Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豊 is located, along with other popular known eateries such as Kao Chi 高記, Yong Kang Beef Noodles 永康牛肉麵, and mango dessert house Smoothie House 思慕昔.

Another one of my favourite restaurants there is Du Xiao Yue 度小月, or in Taiwanese pronunciation Tu Hsiao Yueh.

Du Xiao Yue was established in Tainan in 1895, which means it has over a century worth of history.

They are famous for their Dan Zai Noodles, a small bowl of traditional fares added with minced meat, dried shrimp and black vinegar.

The shop opened by the fourth generation of the founder is small and crowded, with this pseudo traditional inn set up – nostalgic brick walls, woody furniture and calligraphy.

Two ladies wearing an inn-keeper type of uniform were sitting on low stools near the entrance, preparing noodles with a rhythmic flair.

The winning ingredient of the unassuming looking Dai Zai Noodles (NT 50 per bowl, SGD$2.10) is obviously the special stewed meat sauce, added with vinegar from Taichung and pureed garlic.

It was rather entertaining to watch them cook, with the minced meat flicked in small quantities on top of the noodles, instead of just scooping and dumping them in.

What main difference does it make, I wonder.

While I was indifferent to the taste and texture of the handmade noodles, the stewed meat sauce with the combination of the soup based prepared with shrimp heads were extremely appetising with this rustic taste. Some would say salty, some would say flavourful.

My recommendation: eat slowly because the portion is so small, you may finish before you know it. The Bee Hoon version (also NT50) was a more palatable bowl, especially after the vermicelli absorbed part of the soup base.

The other Tainan-style dishes are not to be missed, such as Golden Shrimp Roll (NT$120, SGD$5) – easily my favourite, Fried Oyster Cake (NT$120) – er, kind of mushy, Roasted Milk Fish Abdomen (NT$120) and Dou Miao (NT$280, $11.75) – fresh and crunchy.

Du Xiao Yue 度小月担仔面.
No.9-1, Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei City (Dongmen Station Exit 5)
台北市大安區永康街9-1號
Tel: +886 02 3393 1325
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm (Sun – Thu), 11:30 am – 11 pm (Fri – Sat)

12, Alley 8, Lane 216, ZhongXiao East Road, Taipei City (Zhongxiao Dunhua Station, Exit 3, 10 min on foot)
台北市忠孝東路4段216巷8弄12号
Tel: +886 02 2773 1244
Opening Hours: 11:30 am-10:30 pm (Mon-Sat), 11:30am – 10pm (Sun)

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The post Du Xiao Yue – Tainan Traditional Noodles With Over 100 Years Of History appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Yilan, Taiwan] While Yilan 宜蘭 is not on many people’s travel radar, its proximity to Taipei, scenic spots of Wufengchi Waterfalls and Dongshan Water Park, a relaxing Su-ao Cold Springs, and a National Center for Traditional Arts which reminds me of Spirited Away are all good reasons to make a trip there.

Foodies also should miss Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市, one of Taiwan’s biggest and most crowded night market. I went during summer, and it was staggering hot and super crowded. Tip is to go before dinner time when stalls are opened but not too congested yet.

When asked about Luodong, the specialty street food includes mutton soup, dragon phoenix rolls and spring onion pancakes.

Some of the popular stalls include:
– 隆新一串心 Braised skewers
– 阿公仔龍鳳腿 Dragon phoenix rolls
– 阿灶伯當歸羊肉 Herbal mutton soup
– 義豐蔥油派 Pan fried spring onion pancake
– 老王蔥捲餅 Spring onion pancake
– 魏姐包心粉圓 Tapioca Dessert
– 卜鴨麵 Duck parts noodles
– 羊鋪子 Mutton Soup
– 建宏豆花 Soy beancurd

阿灶伯當歸羊肉 Ah Du Po Mutton Soup
Stall 1094. Opening Hours 5pm – 3am

The Angelica Root Mutton Soup (NT65, SGD$2.70) is revolutionary tasty, tender thinly sliced mutton with soup which doesn’t have that intense smell or taste. I never was fancy of Smelly Tofu, but Ah Du Po’s version (NT40, $1.70) was bearably pungent, crispy on the outside, smooth of the inside, dipped in an addictive chilli sauce with a side of preserved vegetables.

This could translate a 20 minute wait during peak hours. Their competitor 羊鋪子 just next stall sell similar dishes (but a passerby I asked said she preferred Ah Du Po’s).

義豐蔥油派 Yi Feng Cong You Pie
Min Sheng Road, Near the Post Office. Opening Hours 2pm – 10pm

As Yi Lan is an architectural land known for their spring onions, it isn’t hard to imagine where Spring Onion Pancakes are one of the most commonly found street night here. But it is the Yi Feng Pancakes with over 20 years of history, which makes theirs crispy and fluffy, even though it looked seemingly drenched in oil. I loved it. Worth the venture.

魏姐包心粉圓 Wei Jie Tapioca Dessert
No 1079. Opening Hours: 11pm- 12am

There are a few of such stalls and shops around. The difference is: their tapioca pearls have red bean wrapped inside! Other than the little surprise, taste wise, it’s standard Taiwanese dessert fare. Their soy beancurd desserts with various toppings such as pudding, pearls, peanut and ice cream (between NT50-65) are worth a try if it gets too warm outside.

王老吉懷舊滷味 Wang Lao Ji Braised Meats
中山路三段199~201號 Zhong Shan Road. Opening Hours 2pm – 12am

Braised meat stalls are dime a dozen in Taiwanese night markets, but Wang Lao Ji’s version may feel ‘healthier’ than usual. The shop does not use that much dark soy sauce as base, but instead incorporate 15-16 different types of Chinese health. Thus, the taste of their braised items is not as heavy and salty as expected. Not my favourite dish though.

阿公仔龍鳳腿 Ah Gong Zi Long Feng Juan
民生路、興東路口. Opening Hours 2:30pm – 11pm

This is something I havn’t seen in other street markets and so was rather excited to try. Dragon Phoneix Rolls. These rolls on stick have fish paste, cabbage and flour wrapped in thin pig intestine casings then deep fried. What? The skin has a web-like pattern which looks like the scales of a dragon thus the name. It’s so sinfully yummy – juicy with crunchy bits, that I can finish 3 sticks on my own.

Luodong Night Market (羅東夜市)
No.100, Gongyuan Road, Luodong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 265
宜蘭縣羅東鎮公園路100號

The post 5 Must Eat Stalls From Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市 appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Another Japanese tonkatsu specialised store arrives to Singapore, this time one which has a flagship at Roppongi and branch within Ginza.

The simple breaded deep fried pork dish has always been one of my favourite comfort food, though my luck with getting tender ones are about 50-50 in Singapore, with my more reliable sources being Katsuya at Katong, Tonkatsu Ma Maison, Tonkichi and Tampopo. What’s yours?

Imakatsu at The Star Vista has rather authentic ambience, a friendly Japanese staff taking orders (looks like the chef has to double up himself).

Serving times could be slower than expected. There was only two other tables filled in the relatively empty restaurant, and food took about 20 minutes to be served.

Tonkatsu generally falls under two main types: the rosu which is the loin with a layer of glistering fat along the edges, versus the hire fillet which is the leaner cut with less fat.

When in doubt, order the fattier one, aka the Tokusen Pork Loin Cutlet Zen ($19.80). A curry version ($19.80) is also available – which I also enjoyed.

I liked the pork loin. Well, it wasn’t earth-shattering, mind-blowing impressive (and my friend remarked he had better), but I can safely say Imakatsu’s was a dish of good quality tonkatsu – crispy and tender, especially along the sides with a layer of fats lining.

Their version may come across as thinner sliced, and not so chunky juicy oily. In another perspective, theirs tasted more delicate and healthier than the average.

The set also comes with free flow cabbage and rice, which we had to resist to finish our 3rd refill, complete with drizzling unstoppable goma sauce.

The Chicken Cutlet Zen ($14.80) was disappointingly on the dry side, but the Piyo Piyo Minced Meat Cutlet ($18.80) resembling British scotch eggs were a sight to behold for its deep yellow oozing yolk, and taste to reckon with.

Imakatsu has a special frying method and uses original blended oil which helps to seal in the full taste and aroma of the pork. The restaurant is slightly below radar, and its take of tonkatsu is worth a try.

Imakatsu Singapore
The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green #01-78-1, Singapore 138617 (Buona Vista MRT)
Tel +65 66946148
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:00pm

Other Related Entries
Tonkatsu (Mandarin Gallery)
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Sumire Yakitori House (Bugis Junction)
Bincho at Hua Bee (Tiong Bahru)

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