Quantcast
Channel: DanielFoodDiary.com
Viewing all 4501 articles
Browse latest View live

Hoshino Coffee – Popular Japanese Cafe At Capitol Piazza

$
0
0

Hoshino Coffee is one of those Japanese cafes that get divided views – some like its selection of Western-Japanese food, while others have feedback about the long waiting time and service.

This review is for Hoshino Coffee at Capitol Piazza, which is one of the most popular restaurants, in a rather sparse mall.

On its Facebook page are eighteen 5 and 4 star reviews, contrasted with eighteen 1-star review. My sense is, customers are expecting more from a Japanese branded café. I have been to Hoshino in Japan, and their service has the typical Japanese standard.

During a Friday evening, the wait for about 20 minutes to get in, and another 25-30 minutes for the food to arrive. On other days, the food came in about 15 minutes or so.

Hoshino at Capitol Piazza has similar offerings to its branch. Among some of my favourite to order include the Hoshino Pot-Baked Curry Rice ($15), Lobster Bisque Spaghetti ($16) and Tonkatsu Curry Rice ($17).

There are four items unique to the Capitol branch – The Mixed Pie Pizza ($15), Mushroom & Chicken Pie Pizza ($15), Mille Feuille style with Tiramisu ($15) and Mille-feuille style with Strawberry ($15).

The Pie Pizzas have a crusty buttery base, with cheesy toppings. While aesthetically it looked nothing like what the menu suggested, I was pleasantly surprised that the base stayed fluffy and puffy, despite moist creamy fillings.

I liked that there are side servings of minestrone soup, salad and wedges for a more complete meal.

The specialty dessert here happens to be a pastry based Mille Feuille, with cream sandwiched between two layers of puff pastries.

There is a lovely contrast of airy pastry with rich chocolaty flavours of the fillings and sauce, and something in the middle (which I shall leave to you to find out.)

As for common complaints of long waiting times and indifferent service, I am thankful I had none of those the three times dined there. In fact, the service staff was smiley and prompt.

By the way, Hoshino will be opening another branch at Ion Orchard.

Hoshino Coffee
Capitol Piazza #B2-55, 15 Stamford Road Singapore 178906 (City Hall MRT)
Tel: +65 6384 5131
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Other Related Entries
20 Matcha Desserts In Singapore
Hoshino Coffee (Plaza Singapura)
Patties & Wiches (Orchard)
Watanabe Coffee (Orchard Road)
Dolce Tokyo (313 Somerset)

* Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Hoshino Coffee – Popular Japanese Cafe At Capitol Piazza appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.


Seattle Pike Chowder – Famous New England Chowder In Singapore

$
0
0

There I was, walking up in sweat from Dhoby Ghaut MRT to the new Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris at Fort Canning Arts Centre. All for a bowl of clam chowder. Not just any ordinary bowl, but Seattle Pike Chowder.

Whoever wrote that it would take 5 minutes to reach Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris from Dhoby Ghaut. This reminded me of a property agent I met selling condominiums, “Good location. Just 5 minutes away from the MRT station.” Right.

Or unless Usian Bolt did the running.

Seattle Pike Chowder’s origin comes from the famous Pike Place Chowders at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, supervised by owner and founder Larry Mellum.

Their small café then, won “Nation’s Best Chowder” for three years in a row in the Great Chowder Cook-Off. The rest is history.

In the shop space shared with gelato café Giovanni L, six types of chowders are offered – New England, Manhattan, Seafood Bisque, Smoked Salmon, Alaskan Fish, and Scallop.

Prices range between from $10.90 to $16.90 for small to large bowls. I had the signature New England Chowder in a bread bowl ($12.90).

I remember reading a review saying the bread is “soft and fluffy”. The reverse could be true i it is after all a bread bowl holding hot soup. If I may say, the bread is probably the weakest link – overly toasted, tough.

The chowder was good stuff, like how I would have imagined it to be – creamy, rich, buttery, generous in ingredients, distinct chowder taste. If only the potato pieces were bigger – personal preference.

One of the main deterrents in the location, limited by the lack of foot traffic. If not, you can always get your Pike chowder from Parkway Parade.

Seattle Pike Chowder
Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris
Fort Canning Arts Centre, Singapore 179620 (Dhoby Ghaut, 15 minute walk from Park Mall towards Fort Canning Park)
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm

Other branch: 1 Marine Parade Central #01-05 Parkway Centre, Singapore 449408
Tel: +65 6255 9898

Other Related Entries
Pie Face (313 Somerset)
Alibabar (Alexandra)
Ballistic Meatballs (Bedok)
The Rosti Farm (Capitol Piazza)
Three Litte Pigs (Ngee Ann City)

The post Seattle Pike Chowder – Famous New England Chowder In Singapore appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Kokomama Marketplace – Bingsu + Rice Bowls + Pastries + Curry Chicken at SOTA

$
0
0

This is one of those cafes that has excellent location, but offer such diverse food items that it may risk losing a unique voice of its own.

Kokomama Marketplace at SOTA sells French pastries, modern Japanese rice bowls, bread bowls, local chicken curry, and Korean bingsu all under one roof. Otherwise be inferred as japalang.

The café was previously known as Wokamama (changed its signboard in 2 weeks), which can be too similar to modern Asian bar Wagamama. I sensed some other similarities in terms of presentation styles.

This is only my speculation. There is incorporation of bakery items because the basic infrastructure and furniture of the previous occupants 3 Petits Croissant are still there. And Korean bingsu will appeal to the youth customer base in the vicinity.

Plus Kokomama helmed by siblings of 77th Street’s Elim Chew, could venture into other Korean food items having found success with Korean BBQ restaurant I’m Kim a few shops away.

As the café is still in its early stage, some of the food would need fine-tuning.

Perhaps it was our fault for ordering Volcano Chicken Rice Bowl with curry gravy ($7.90), this ‘adventurous’ combination spelt disaster. (Pun not intended).

Spicy chicken pieces, with onions (with that sharp raw taste) and curry (the Indian prata type, not the Japanese sweet version) didn’t work well together.


(Photo credit: Nicholas Tan @stormscape)

Chilli Crab on Black Bread Bowl ($8.50) sounded promising. In our minds, we were expecting sweet eggy gravy that you would usually sweep mantou with. The spiciness however, overpowered the other ingredients including the soft shell crab.

The bingsu’s texture was great though, soft and fluffy, much better what some of the other cafes offer.

We ordered a Red Ruby ($12.90) because that was most intriguing, and found it drizzled with Gula Melaka sauce, with Thai red rubies filled with water chestnut as toppings.

Kokomama Marketplace has the potential to do well, but perhaps due to the rush in opening, more needs to be worked on the details.

Kokomama Marketplace
1 Zubir Said Drive, School of The Arts, #01-01, Singapore 227968 (Dhoby Ghaut or Bras Basah MRT)
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon-Thurs), 8am – 10:30pm (Fri-Sat), 10am – 8pm (Sun)

Other Related Entries
10 New Cafes At Selegie
Montana Brew Bar (POMO)
Curious Palette (Prinsep Street)
Snowy Village (Prinsep Street)
Kki (SOTA)

The post Kokomama Marketplace – Bingsu + Rice Bowls + Pastries + Curry Chicken at SOTA appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

10 Nutella Desserts You Find In Singapore – Milkshakes, Doughnuts, Tarts, Crepes

$
0
0

Nutella, the Italian sweetened hazelnut chocolate spread that you can find in so many pastries, cakes and desserts. I got so ‘addicted’ to the taste once that it would be seen on my toast on a daily basis. Glad that stopped.

Some fun funs about Nutella: A jar of Nutella is sold every 2.5 seconds in the world; Nutella Day is 5th of February; and the correct pronunciation is ’NEW-tell-uh’, not ’nug-tell-uh’. What have we been saying wrong all this while?

By the way, Nutella contains 10.5 percent of saturated fat and 58% of processed sugar by weight. A two-tablespoon serving of Nutella contains 200 calories, just so you know.

10 Nutella Desserts You Can Find In Singapore

Benjamin Browns Bistro & Bakery
Forum Galleria, #01-20/21, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884 (10 min walk on Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Thurs), 10am – 10pm (Fri), 9am – 10pm (Sat), 9am – 9pm (Sun)

Nutella Milkshake
Over the top Nutella Banana Milkshake ($16, pricey) comes overflowing with a brownie here, two wafer sticks there, some pretzel cookies stuck to the side with Nutella, some others with sprinkles and cream. So the Nutella acts as sticky ‘glue’, holding the ingredients together.

May need a few to share this mug, as it gets too sweet and rich after sips. How many calories is this again? (Read: Benjamin Browns)

Alt. Pizza
Suntec City Tower 4 #01-603, 3 Temasek Boulevard Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Daily (Last order 9:30pm)

Doughnuts with Nutella
Perhaps the one and only Pizza Doughnuts ($8) with NUTELLA dipping sauce in Singapore. Soft, fluffy round doughnuts dipped in hot Nutella sauce.

We wanted to stop at our 3rd or 4th, but couldn’t. The temptation to finish the whole bowl all by yourself is very high. (Read: Alt Pizza)

The Daily Roundup @ The Working Capitol
1 Keong Saik Road, The Working Capitol Singapore 089109
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon-Fri)

Nutella Crepe
The texture of the crepe may not be at its best, but ‘nutella sauce’ – homemade with hazelnut chocolate sauce saved the dessert. Chocolatey smooth, and not overly sweet. (Read: The Daily Roundup)

Everything With Fries
Holland Village, 40 Lorong Mambong Singapore 227695
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Sun-Thurs), 12pm – 1am (Fri-Sat)

Nutella Tart
Everything With Fries is created by the Awfully Chocolate team, thus is strong in their dessert compartment. Their Nutella Tart ($10 with ice cream) is a main stayer – rich smooth filling, shiny Nutella glaze with crunchy biscuit base.

Montana Brew Bar
1 Selegie Road #01-04, Singapore 188306 (10 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT)
Tel: +65 98331790
Opening Hours: 8am – 9:30pm (Food from 10am onwards)

Chocolate Waffles With Nutella
See what is sprinkled on top of the Chocolate Banana Waffles ($10.50). Inhouse-made Nutella truffle powder, on chocolate waffles and caramelised bananas. Nutella and bananas may be very different, but are a match-made in heaven.

Additional note: There were two types of bases: the ‘big crunch’ which is crispy and fluffy soufflé with a chiffon-like middle. Get the fluffy version.

Comestivel Desserts
55 Siglap Road, Siplap Centre B1-11/12 Singapore 455871
Opening Hours: 12pm – 7pm (Wed-Fri), 12pm – 7:30pm (Sat), 12pm – 6pm (Sun)

Nutella Cheesecake Tart
Comestivel Dessert is a hidden Muslim-owned cake café at the basement of Siglap Centre. (We almost got lost, as unit number 11 is NOT after 10. Look for the directory.) Cakes get sold here fast, and varieties change every day.

Their signature is the Nutella Cheesecake – smooth glaze at the top, soft and creamy texture in the middle, and crispy base. Almost guaranteed to get your fingers dirty somehow.

Butter Studio
147 Jalan Besar Singapore 208865
Tel: +65 62947115
Opening Hours: 12pm – 1pm (Sun-Thurs), 12pm – 12am (Fri-Sat), Last orders one hour before store closing

Sea Salt Nutella Tart
A MUIS Halal Certified cafe with beautiful bakes. The Sea Salt Nutella Tart ($7.90) is one of their best-sellers. That sweet buttery tart shell with creamy Nutella, and sprinkling of sea salt that should add some thrill every mouthful.

Lamb Cupcakery
8A Marina Boulevard, B2-61 Marina Bay Link Mall Singapore 018984
Tel: +65 6509 8782
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm, Closed Sun

Nutella Cupcake
The Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla cupcake ($4.30) comes topped with crunchy caramelised hazelnuts, and when cut open, you would find the Nutella ganache in the layers.

Moist and not overly sweet which makes a great teatime treat. The catch: You can only get this special on Wednesdays. I got the last one last week.

Dessert Project
22 Havelock Road #01-673, Singapore 160022
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9:30pm (Mon-Tues, Thurs, Sun), 12pm – 11pm (Fri-Sat), Closed Wed

Nutella Shibuya Toast
This café is packed during the weekends, and you should notice a few tables ordering Shibuya Toast. The Nutella Toast ($14) is one of the most popular, topped with vanilla and Ferrero Rocher ice cream, sprinkled with chocolate coated nuts and brushed with thick Nutella sauce.

The bread, supplied by an old school confectionery, is all soft and buttery inside. (Read: Dessert Project)

Island Creamery
Serene Centre #01-13, 10 Jalan Serene Singapore 258748
Tel: +65 6468 8859
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Sun-Thurs), 11am – 11pm (Fri, sat, Eve of PH, PH)

Nutella Ice Cream
Many local ice cream cafes incorporate Nutella into their products, but Island Creamery is probably one of their first. Instead of a brown chocolatey scoop, Island Creamery’s version is vanilla based with a sprinkling of Nutella like chocolate rice within. I would actually describe their ice cream as ‘old school’ now.

Where else can you get your Nutella dessert fix?

Other Related Entries
10 Best Shibuya Toast In Singapore
10 New Cafes At Selegie
15 Soft Serves & Frozen Yogurt In Singapore
20 New Waffles & Ice Cream Cafes In Singapore
10 Durian Desserts In Singapore

The post 10 Nutella Desserts You Find In Singapore – Milkshakes, Doughnuts, Tarts, Crepes appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

5 Best Éclairs In Singapore – These Pastries Get More Colourful & Bold

$
0
0

The humble French éclair has been around for some time, but the recent few months has made people sit up and pay attention to the long cream filled choux pastry.

Like a canvas board, the éclairs that have been surfacing in Singapore come with eye-popping colours and unexpected flavours.

What makes a good éclair: crisp pastry, velvety smooth fillings and that glossy even glaze.

Kudos to pastry chefs in Singapore who work hard with éclairs. The weather shows no mercy.

Here are 5 places in Singapore to get your éclairs.

Karafuru Desserts
8 Jalan Klapa Singapore 199320 (North Bridge Road, near Hyde & Co)
Tel: +65 62941 4430
Opening Hours: 1pm – 10pm, last order 9:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

A lot of thought is put into their pieces. Karafuru’s éclairs ($6-$7) are re-imagined from traditional Japanese flavours. Thus compared to French éclairs which we are more familiar with, these are light in taste and smaller in size.

12 eclairs are currently available, with some of the favourites being the Gianduja (milk chocolate hazelnut), Yuzu, Ume Shiso, Sakura Roase and Marc De Champgne.

The slightly savory choux of the eclairs are hand-piped and filled with smooth creams dipped in a variety of vibrant glazes. My suggestion would be to take bites slowly to appreciate the detailed taste. Although they are dainty, one to two should suffice in keeping one satisfied. (Read: Karafuru)

L’ÉCLAIR
190 Clemenceau Avenue #01-28, Singapore 239924 (5min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Tue-Fri), 11am – 9pm (Sat), 11am – 6pm (Sun), Closed Mon

L’ÉCLAIR is opened by 2 graduates from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Sarah Tan and Michelle Looi. Sarah explained that they use only French butter and quality chocolates, and much amount of work and labour goes into each piece. It is also a rather technical pastry to produce, in terms of control of humidity and temperature.

The classic flavours include the Vanilla & Pecans ($8), Dark Chocolate ($8), Salted Caramel ($7.50) and Ispahan ($8.50), which are permanent items on the menu. Our favourite flavours were the Matcha ($8), Mango & Passionfruit ($8) and Ispahan ($8.50). The matcha éclair was rich and not overly intense, with a slight bitterness after taste. (Read: L’Eclair)

Tarte by Cheryl Koh
1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre #01-12, Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 62353225
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm

The takeaway bakery may be more famous for their tarts, but do not give their mini éclairs known as ‘Carolines’ ($18 for 8 pieces) a miss.

The box comes with dainty pretty pieces in flavours like Vanilla, Pistachio, Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Lemon, Caramel, Hazelnut, Chestnut and Earl Grey.

A sister company to award winning French restaurant Les Amis, the same quality ingredients are used: Italian hazelnuts or pistachios that cost S$100 a kg. (Read: Tarte By Cheryl Koh )

Two Bakers
88 Horne Road Singapore 209083
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon, Wed, Thurs), 11am – 11pm (Fri-Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Tues

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.

The top sellers are éclairs with dark chocolate and salted caramel fillings, but it was their localised éclair that got the attention of many.

Its Éclair Ondeh Ondeh has Gula Melaka combined with the fragrance of Pandan and glazed beautifully with desiccated coconut. (Review: Two Bakers )

Angelina
Capitol Galleria #01-82, 15 Stamford Road Singapore 178906 (City Hall MRT)
Tel: +65 63840481
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon-Fri) 10am – 10pm (Sat-Sun)

One of the priciest éclairs in Singapore, an Éclair Chocolat goes for $10 for an Éclair Mont Blanc is at $12.

The Éclair Chocolat ($10) is bitter dark chocolate cream filling in choux pastry, with chocolate icing. We liked the velvety cream, but the pastry was dry, perhaps left out in the shelves for some time. (Read: Angelina Singapore)

Other Related Entries
Karafuru (Jalan Klapa)
L’Eclair (Clemenceau Ave)
Tarte By Cheryl Koh (Scotts Road)
Two Bakers (Horne Road)
Angelina Singapore (Capitol Piazza)

The post 5 Best Éclairs In Singapore – These Pastries Get More Colourful & Bold appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Three Meals A Day 삼시세끼 – Korean Family Restaurant at Chun Tin Road

$
0
0

Three Meals A Day is a popular Korean reality cooking show, and also the name of an under-the-radar Korean restaurant at Chun Tin Road (5 minutes walk from Beauty World).

The Korean family restaurant may not have much social media presence, but was almost full-house during a weekday dinner. The customer base looked like Korean business people after work, and families who stay in the Bukit Timah vicinity.

Portions seem generous, and prices pocket-friendly when compared to some other more known Korean establishments.

On its menu include Naengmyeon ($16 spicy noodles), Kimchi Jjigae ($10 kimchi stew pot), Dolsot Bibimbap ($12 hot stone rice), Beef Bulgogi Hot Plate ($12), Japchae ($15 stir-fried glass noodles), Samgyetang ($22 ginseng chicken soup) and interesting Korean style Sashimi ($50 for halibut from Jeju Island).

This was one of those occasions when I just walked in without research or planning, and thus didn’t order much. But those I had, were hearty and tasted authentic Korean.

The Korean Fried Chicken ($20) was not the typical crispy style though, lightly battered and could do with more marination though.

However, this was one of the uncommon cases where the drumstick stayed steaming hot, even after it was eaten till the bones.


Sorry I know this looks gross, but just wanted to show a point.

Three Meals A Day 삼시세끼
12 Chun Tin Road Singapore 599599
Tel: +65 6463 2346

Other Related Entries
10 Best Korean Fried Chicken In Singapore
Choo Choo Chicken (Orchard Cineleisure)
Ssiksin Chicken (NEX)
Chir Chir (313 @ Somerset)
Joo Bar (Tan Quee Lan St)

The post Three Meals A Day 삼시세끼 – Korean Family Restaurant at Chun Tin Road appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Korea Samgyetang – The 1st Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup Restaurant in Seoul

$
0
0

[Seoul, Korea] While I had the signature hot piping Korean Ginseng Chicken during winter because it feels warm and fuzzy to the tummy, most native Koreans prefer it during the hottest summers.

They believe this is a dish with high nutrient content, and can help regain stamina lost by excessive sweating. And the three specific days in summer they would take are the “Chobok” (초복), “Jungbok” (중복), and “Malbok” (말복).

The main reason why I recommend this Samgyetang restaurant is because my tour guide brought the group here (and I thought it was a tourist trap).

My friend working in Korea also took me to exactly this same place, and it is listed as 50 Top “Hi, Seoul Korean Restaurants” by Seoul City Government.

Its big orange signboard reads that “1st Korean Ginseng Chicken soup restaurant since 1960” which is as good as saying they invented this dish. Well, the restaurant was buzzling and filled all 4 floors by locals and tourists on a weekday night.

The basic Chicken Broth with Korean Ginseng cost 14,000 won (SGD$16.70), and there are other options and additions of black-bone chicken, Korean wild ginseng and abalone. And they also sell the western style Rotisserie Chicken! (for 15,000 won, SGD$17.90)

Korea Samgyetang’s secret is using very special ingredients, such as specifically 49-days old farm-grown native chicken and 4-year old Geumsan cultivated ginseng.

The soup boiled with ginseng, Chinese dates and garlic, and topped with ginseng wine after serving, was surprisingly light and bland. My guess is this is traditionally a summer dish and thus cannot taste too heavy and strong.

My favourite part was not the chicken meat, but the glutinous rice within which had absorbed flavours of both the chicken and the broth. If you manage this remove all the bones first, it actually feels like a nutritious bowl of ginseng chicken congee. They should also do away with the noodles though – it was carb overkill.

Korea Samgyetang (고려삼계탕)
Seoul-si Jung-gu Seosomun-dong 55-3 (close to Deoksugung Palace)
서울특별시 중구 서소문로11길 1 (서소문동)
Tel: +82-2-752-9376, 2734 (Korean)
Directions: Subway Exit 10 of Subway line 1, 2 Cityhall. From Korean Air head office proceed 50m toward Sinchon. Across from Shinhan Bank, next to Woori Bank
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 9:00pm Daily

* Let me know if you have other food recommendations for Seoul Korea

The post Korea Samgyetang – The 1st Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup Restaurant in Seoul appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

20 New Cafes In Singapore September 2015 – The Hottest Cafe Guide!

$
0
0

What a year. I remember doing this New Cafes for September 2014 – Enough To Keep You Awake Till September Ends listing, and a year has past. For the record, about 10-30 new cafes are opening up every single month in Singapore ever since.

For these 2 months alone, we can be seeing at least 30-40 new ones, restaurants excluded. The general trend is moving towards ice cream cafes. And Korean bingsu shops are showing signs of slowing down.

Just so you know, we try to go to every single new cafe in Singapore at least once. I would say we have visited 95% of new openings, but there are just too many. The good ones, we would go down again. The not-so-good ones too, just to give a second or third try.

Anyway, here are 20 New Cafes In Singapore September 2015. Enjoy!

Arteastiq Boutique Tea House
Plaza Singapura #03-70/72, 68 Orchard Road Singapore 238839 (Dhoby Ghaut MRT)
Tel: +65 6336 0951
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

The art-jamming tea house at Mandarin Gallery opens another a short distance away at Plaza Singapura. Arteastiq at Plaza Singapura has quite a big space, able to sit 68 in the main dining area and 24 in the art jam studio. Painting at $48 per session.

Nunsongyee 눈송이
232 Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437020
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Sun-Thurs), 12pm – 11pm (Fri-Sat)

Korean Bingsu café Nunsongyee opens its 2nd at Tanjong Katong. (3rd branch is at Bugis.) This is a franchise. Accordingly to the owners, Koreans prefer more traditional-tasting Injeolmi (Korea rice cake, $14.90) or Pat Bingu (Red bean, $12.90), while Singaporeans would go for modern and colourful flavours of Cheesecake ($14.90), Coffee ($18.90) or Snow White ($18.90) – a mixture of macadamia nuts, white chocolate, cheese and biscuit bits. (Read: Nunsongyee Tanjong Katong)

Kokomama Marketplace
1 Zubir Said Drive, School of The Arts, #01-01, Singapore 227968 (Dhoby Ghaut or Bras Basah MRT)
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon-Thurs), 8am – 10:30pm (Fri-Sat), 10am – 8pm (Sun)

Opened by the same team behind the popular I’m Kim a few doors away, Kokomama Marketplace at SOTA sells French pastries, modern Japanese rice bowls, bread bowls, local chicken curry, and Korean bingsu all under one roof. (Read: Kokomama Marketplace)

Seattle Pike Chowder
Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris
Fort Canning Arts Centre, Singapore 179620 (Dhoby Ghaut, 15 minute walk from Park Mall towards Fort Canning Park)
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm
Other branch: 1 Marine Parade Central #01-05 Parkway Centre, Singapore 449408
Tel: +65 6255 9898

That famous shower. Seattle Pike Chowder’s origin comes from the famous Pike Place Chowders at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, supervised by owner and founder Larry Mellum. Six types of chowders are offered – New England, Manhattan, Seafood Bisque, Smoked Salmon, Alaskan Fish, and Scallop. (Read: Seafood Pike Chowder)

Giovanni L
Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris
Fort Canning Arts Centre, Singapore 179620 (Dhoby Ghaut, 15 minute walk from Park Mall towards Fort Canning Park)
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm
Other branch: 1 Marine Parade Central #01-05 Parkway Centre, Singapore 449408
Tel: +65 6255 9898

Sharing the same space with Seafood Pike Chowder, Giovanni L sells quite a number of interesting gelato flavours such as Eggnog, Amarena with Cherries, English Toffee and Mozart Melody with Pistachios. Plus dessert Gelato Spaghetti ($14.90) where yes, the ‘pasta’ is made of gelato.

Hashida Garo
333A Orchard Road #04-16 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 91593177
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Hashido Garo is the second venture by Chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida from Hashida Sushi, specialising in traditional Japanese sweets wagashi and Japanese tea. It’s highlight is the traditional tea ceremony, where the master would prepare top quality matcha ($30) in a U-shaped performance stage. (Read: Hashida Garo Mandarin Gallery)

Karafuru Desserts
8 Jalan Klapa Singapore 199320 (North Bridge Road, near Hyde & Co)
Tel: +65 62941 4430
Opening Hours: 1pm – 10pm, last order 9:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Karafuru, it is the katakana for ‘colourful’. You will be welcomed by clean white interior instead when you step into this Japanese inspired café. The colourful elements lie in the rows and rows of intricate éclairs beneath the display counter. Their offerings include éclairs and gourmet yogurt parfaits, re-imagined from traditional Japanese flavours. (Read: Karafuru)

Qoolco
3 Pickering Street #01-30 (China Square), Singapore 048660 (Telok Ayer MRT)
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 8pm (Mon-Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

Qooloo is a combination of two hot foods – Coconut water which achieved superfood status in Western countries and Thai coconut desserts. Their signature items – Soft Snow ($3.80) made from coconut milk, and the Volcano ($4.60) coming drizzled with egg yolk sauce. Yes, egg yolk sauce. (Read: Qoolco China Square)

Supermilk
The Commerze 1 Irving Place #01-29 Singapore 369546 (Tai Seng MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon-Fri), 9:30am – 11pm (Sat-Sun)

Supermilk at Tai Seng sells ice cream in a tray of 3 cups ($10, $3.90 for single) of rotating flavours. Offerings during the weekdays and weekends are different. The weekday spread would include a Supermilk Beef Burger ($14.90), Oven-Baked Chicken Leg ($14.90), and Sambal Pasta ($12.90). The weekend version included less of the mains, with French Toast ($10.90) and Scrambled Eggs Breakfast ($15.90) being the recommended items.

The Bakehouse by Carpenter & Cook
Alexandra Central, 321 Alexandra Road #01-14 Singapore 159971
Tel: +65 6250 0040
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Sun-Thurs, PH), 8am – 11pm (Fri, Sat, Eve PH)

Carpenter & Cook opens The Bakehouse at Alexandra Central. The Bakehouse has something extra to offer, with truffle mushroom soup, wood-fired pizzas, gourmet sandwiches along with C&C signature pastries. Opened 7 days a week. (Read: The Bakehouse by Carpenter & Cook Alexandra Central)

Bakersfield
2 Fusionopolis Way, #01-06 Innovis @ Fusionopolis 2, Singapore 138634 (-10 min walk from One-North MRT)
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 6pm (Mon-Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

A selection of cakes, tarts and quiches were available at this bakery café opened at Fusionopolis. The recommended item is the Pistachio Strawberry Tart ($7.50) – an interesting combination of pistachio cream shaped like tear drops and fresh strawberries.

Brother Bird
30 Bali lane, Singapore 189966 (Bugis MRT)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Wed-Mon), Closed Tues

Honey Comb closed, and Brother Bird opened. Something different at Brother Bird would be the Mochi Donuts with Softserve ($9), which came with dual swirl of cookie butter and coconut softserve with almond crunch, dehydrated raspberry and salted caramel sauce. (Read: Brother Bird Bali Lane)

Eat At Seven – Nigiro Café Singapore
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City North Wing #03-315, Singapore 038983 (Promenade MRT)
Tel: +65 6238 1669
Opening Hours: 11am – 10.30pm

Café Nigiro is a Japanese Italian café, its name being ‘origin’ spelt backwards. This is the very first café concept by Chef Kensuke Sakai who once competed on Japan’s Iron Chef. Its signature dishes include Short Pasta Melanzane ($19), Grilled Shrimp-Caesar Salad ($9.50 half size, $20 full size), Eggs Benedict ($16), NIGIRO Hamburg Steak ($24) and Deux Fromage Cake ($8.50). (Read: Nigiro Café Suntec City)

Churn Creamery
124 Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088533 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm

An ice cream and waffles café. Flavours include Pineapple Sorbet, Matcha, Valrhona Manjari, Strawberry Cheesecake. The waffles served in 4 quarters are the crispy type, not too bad.

Windowsill Pies
95 Soo Chow Walk Singapore 575382 (Upper Thomson)
Tel: +65 9004 7827
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon-Thurs, tentative timing)

After weeks of renovation, Windowsill Pies has re-opened at 95 Soo Chow Walk (moved from Jalan Besar). The Strawberry Lemon, Banana Almond Brittle Cognac, and the S’mores are the most popular flavours. (In case you are wondering, Ply Baked Goods which occupied the original locaton has moved to Alexandra Point.)

Hoshino Coffee
ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801 (Orchard MRT)

This Japanese-Western food café is opening soon. Among some of my favourite to order include the Hoshino Pot-Baked Curry Rice ($15), Lobster Bisque Spaghetti ($16) and Tonkatsu Curry Rice ($17).

The Dwelling Place
41 Tessensohn Road Singapore 217660
Opening Hours: 3pm – 11pm (Fri), 11am – 11pm (Sat), 11am – 10pm (Sun)

(The name of this café sounds ‘biblical’. Hmmmm…) Opened only during the weekends for now, for peppermint mocha latte, tea and scones.

Bynd Artisan Aterlier X Iggy’s
Chip Bee Gardens, 44 Jalan Merah Saga #01-54 Singapore 278116 (Holland MRT)
Tel: +65 6475 1680
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Mon-Fri), 10am – 9pm (Sat, Sun, PH)

This is a collaboration between Bynd Artisan with one of Asia’s Top 50 restaurant Iggy’s. Intricate sets of Asian inspired confectioneries of handcrafted petit fours are available. A customised tea bar is also featured where you can choose your tea based flowers, herbs and fruits to form your favourite blend.

Jewel Coffee
Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road #01-01 s238879 (Orchard MRT)

After outlets at Rangoon Road, Collyer Quay and Shenton Way, Jewel Coffee has further expanded to Orchard Road to Claymore Connect, formerly known as Orchard Road Shopping Arcade.

In Good Company Café
ION Orchard #B1-06 Singapore
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm (Sun-Thurs), 10:30pm – 7:30pm (Fri-Sat)

Plain Vanilla collaborates with In Good Company (clothing retail shop) to set up a small outfit within its flagship shop at Ion Orchard. Expect pretty cupcakes and pastries.

Other Related Entries
10 New Cafes In Singapore Aug 2015
10 New Cafes In Singapore July 2015
10 New Cafes In Singapore June 2015
10 New Cafes In Singapore May 2015
10 New Cafes In Singapore April 2014

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape. Find them on instagram, snapchat and weibo for the latest cafe openings.

The post 20 New Cafes In Singapore September 2015 – The Hottest Cafe Guide! appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.


20 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore September 2015

$
0
0

No wonder people have been saying I have put on weight. There are just too many new restaurants and cafes to try in Singapore.

Other than 20 New Cafes in Singapore this September 2015, you can also expect a flood of new restaurants. On a rough estimate, there are about 40-50 of them which have opened their doors the last two months or so.

Some are re-openings, such as No 20 on this list (which should keep many quite happy).

20 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore September 2015

Pool Grill
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road Singapore 238865 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6831 4605

Pool Grill restaurant at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has undergone a revamp with an updated menu. The menu is not defined by one particular style, with various highlights (especially the grilled meats and desserts) such as the Rare Yellow Fin tuna Tataki, Pan-Fried Duck Foie Gras, Seared Lamb Loin, Seafood Platter of Oysters, Crab Legs, Live Prawns and Boston Lobster; and Banoffee with Toffee & Banana. (Read: Pool Grill Marriott)

Alma by Juan Amador
Goodwood Park Hotel 22 Scotts Road Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 6735 9937
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm (Wed-Fri), 6pm – 10:30pm

3-star Michelin chef Juan Amador brings Spanish–European dishes combined with Asian influences to Singapore at Goodwood Park. Prices are not steep considering its menu, location and setting – 4 course ($68), 5 course ($88) and 6 course ($108). We weren’t overwhelmed with the set meal, but the Foie Gras Ice Cream ($18) was impressive.

Kaiserhaus
Capitol Theatre 17 Stamford Road #02-06 / #03-06, Singapore 178907 (City Hall MRT)
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 12am (Sun-Thurs), 10:30am – 1am (Fri-Sat)

The surprise when I realised I can find authentic Austrian cuisine in Singapore. AUSTRIAN. Kaiserhaus at Capitol Piazza specialises in Habsburg empire, featuring a menu which brings together cuisine from Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Northern Italy. (Read: Kaiserhaus Capitol Piazza)

Dae Sssik Sin
Bugis+, 201 Victoria St #04-05 Singapore 188067 (Bugis MRT)
Tel: +65 6509 1761
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon-Thurs), 11:30am – 330pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Fri), 11:30am – 10:30pm (Sat), 11:30am – 10pm (Sun)

Daessiksin offers some of the most affordable Korean BBQ around. Weekday lunch starts from $14.90++ per adult, and weekday dinner and weekend lunch/dinner at $24.90++ per adult. There is quite a selection of meats available, from chicken bulgogi, pork marinated rib, pork belly, beef bulgogi, spicy chicken collar to bacon.

The Gogi
Alexandra Central, 321 Alexandra Road #03-01 Singapore 159971
Tel: +65 6250 3119
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm lunch, 5:30pm – 10pm dinner

Quite an authentic Korean BBQ restaurant, though the shop seems lonely because its neighbouring units are still unoccupied. I liked the Budae Jungol ($35 for M, $45 for L) – Korean style army stew with ramen noodles. Service is polite and personable, as they could help cut the meats up (as seen from other tables).

Three Meals A Day 삼시세끼
12 Chun Tin Road Singapore 599599
Tel: +65 6463 2346

Three Meals A Day is a popular Korean reality cooking show, and also the name of an under-the-radar Korean restaurant at Chun Tin Road. On its menu include Naengmyeon ($16 spicy noodles), Kimchi Jjigae ($10 kimchi stew pot), Dolsot Bibimbap ($12 hot stone rice), Beef Bulgogi Hot Plate ($12), Japchae ($15 stir-fried glass noodles), Samgyetang ($22 ginseng chicken soup) and interesting Korean style Sashimi ($50 for halibut from Jeju Island).

Fukuichi Hotel Chancellor
Hotel Chancellor @ Orchard, 28 Cavenagh Road #01-05 Singapore 229635 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am Daily

The Japanese restaurant Fukuichi from Triple One Somerset opens another outlet. Some of the more popular offerings include an assorted raw fish set of Sashimi Teishoku, Sushi Teishoku, Grilled Chicken with Teriyaki Sauce Kijiyaki set and Grilled Mackerel Set. The chef will also whip up an occasional creative dish such as almond tempura prawns, so check with the staff for recommendations.

Lepark
1 Park Road Level 6 People’s Park Complex Singapore 059108 (Chinatown MRT)
Take shopping mall lift to Level 5, and walk 1 level up via staircase
Opening Hours: 4pm – 11pm (Tues – Thurs), 4pm – 12am (Fri), 11am – 12am (Sat), 11am – 11pm (Sun)

Mod-Sin tapas bar and restaurant Lepark finds its way to the former car park of People’s Park Complex. The name comes from the word ‘lepak’, which can mean ‘relax one corner lah’. The tapas bites include Otah Bomb, Fried Chicken Wing with Thai Chilli Sauce, Chunky Spam Fried with Truffle Mayo ($8), Slipper Lobster with Sambal Butter Sauce ($12) and Peri Peri Grilled Chicken with Nachos ($12). (Read: Lepark People’s Park)

Lokkee
Plaza Singapura, #03-01, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:30pm

A flaming pineapple, Chow Mein, Chop Suey, bottles of Sriracha sauce and English pop songs, these are some of the things you can expect at TungLok Group’s Lok Kee at Plaza Singapura. The menu features reinterpretations of classic Chinese take-out dishes – Orange Chicken ($18), Mongolian Beef ($36), ‘Kung Pao’ Chicken Nest ($24), and Mapo Tofu ($16) cooked using minced wagyu beef. Not forgetting the current trendy Chinese dish – London Duck ($25 for half, $48 for whole). (Read: Lokkee Plaza Singapura)

Hong Kong Wonton Noodle
68 Orchard Road, Plaza Singapura #B2-25 Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6694 0923
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon-Thurs), 11am – 11pm (Fri-Sat), 11am – 10pm (Sun)

Itacho Sushi has opened a Hong Kong Wonton Noodle shop called, emm… Hong Kong Wonton Noodle. The usual staples are available – Prawn Dumpling Noodle ($7.80 for both soup and dry), Stewed Beef Brisket Noodle, Dry Shrimp Seed Noodle ($6.80). We also spotted Chicken Feet with Mushroom ($7.80) and Pig’s Trotter in Red Fermented Beancurd Sauce Dry Noodle ($7.80). The noodles were so-so unfortunately. (Read: Hong Kong Wonton Noodle)

Jamie’s Italian Orchard
583 Orchard Road #01-01/04 Forum Shopping Mall Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 66557676
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Sun-Thurs), 10am – 11pm (Fri-Sat)

Jamie’s Italian opened its second in Singapore at Forum Shopping Orchard. The difference between the Orchard and the original outlet? Forum’s restaurant helmed by Head Chef Kwek Xiu Rong has a smaller menu featuring favourites, alongside hand-made baked to order pizzas. (Read: Jamie’s Italian Forum Shopping Mall)

Gin Khao
1020 East Coast Parkway #01-01 Singapore 449878
Tel: +65 6604 8996
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Thurs), 11:30am – 10:30pm (Fri-Sun)

A Thai restaurant located at East Coast Parkway, in a standalone building, and still exudes a certain ‘kampong’ charm. Prices are considered wallet-friendly, with dishes priced between $6.80 for the starter of Paw Pia Tod (deep fried prawn spring rolls) to $18.80 for a main of Pla Cod Tod Nam Prik (deep fried black cod with spicy Thai chilli sauce.) (Read: Gin Khao East Coast Parkway)

The Clan Restaurant
No.1 Selegie Road, PoMo #02-01, Singapore 188306
Tel: +65 6222 2084
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 11pm Daily

The Clan Restaurant moved from Bt Pasoh to PoMo at Selegie Road. Its 5-couse Set Lunch is at a respectable cost of $49.80++, with a 6-course dinner at $69.80++. Very affordable dining with some quality dishes. There were some standout dishes. The Duck Confit W Plum Mustard, while looking predictably ordinary on the plate, was almost flawlessly crisp and fork-tender moist. With some Truffle Mashed Potato, this main got thumbs up from the whole table. (Read: The Clan Selegie Road)

Garçons – Essen At The Pinnacle
1 Cantonment #01-01 The Pinnacle @ Duxton, Singapore 080001 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 11:00pm

Even though this is not a restaurant proper, it serves restaurant quality food in a foodcourt of sorts. Garçons is a collaboration between Immanuel French Kitchen and Enoch’s European. You get highlights from both kitchen. Escargots ($12.90 for half dozen), Pan Fried Foie Gras ($16.50), French Onion Soup ($5.90), Duck Rillettes ($8.60), Chicken Liver Pate ($7.90), Pork Belly ($16.90) and Pork Ragout Baked Rice Gratin ($11.50) are on its menu. (Read: Garcon Tanjong Pagar)

Chef’s Table
61 Tras St Singapore 079000 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6224 4188
Opening Hours: 5pm – 12am (Tues-Sat), Closed Sun, Mon

Chef’s Table is by Austrian-born Chef Stephan Zoisl, where he will create a dinner based on fresh produce and ingredients. Price range from 3 course meal at $68 per pax, to 6 course at $128 per pax, to 8 course meal at $150 per pax.

RedBank Bar & Grill
Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road #01-02 Singapore 238879 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6694 5376
Opening Hours: 12pm – 12am

For an American dining experience focusing on East Coast favourites of Maryland crab cakes, New England clam chowder, and hearty classic American fare of US grain-fed steaks and ribs.

Labyrinth
Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue #02-23 Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 62234098
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 5:30pm – 11:30pm (Mon-Fri), 5:30pm – 11:30pm (Sat-Sun)

Mod-sin restaurant Labyrinth has moved to The Esplanade, and will continue to surprise with some of their local-meets-Western food. Have some Siew York Fan? That is roasted pork belly on risotto “ramen”.

Myra’s
Fort Canning Arts Centre, 5 Cox Terrace #B1-05/06/07 Singapore 179620
Tel: +65 6694 4567
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm

A Mexican and Indian cuisine restaurant. Located at the basement of the new Fort Canning Arts Centre.

Balzac Bar and Brasserie
Fort Canning Arts Centre, 5 Cox Terrace #B1-08 Singapore 179620
Tel: +65 6336 0797
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Sun-Thurs), 10am – 11pm (Fri-Sat), Closed Mon

French bistro Balzac has moved from its previous location at Rendezvous Gallery. This is where you can have classic French cuisine from Executive Chef Jean-Charles Dubois, where he draws inspiration from his own family’s recipes. Some house favourites – signature entrée Lobster Bisque, Beef Cheeks a la Cuillere and traditional rice pudding for dessert.

Balaclava
Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Boulevard #01-434 Tower 5 Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6336 0050
Opening Hours: 4pm – 1am (Sun-Thurs), 4pm – 3am (Fri-Sat)

Once upon a time, I remember Balaclava would be crowded with working executives in need for some Happy Hour. Well, they are back! (After a short stint at Ion Orchard). Some of its signature food – Hokkien Mee, Crispy Roast Pork, Beef Kway Teow and Gamberi Aglio E Olio.

Other Related Entries
10 New & Hot Restautants Singapore August 2015
10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore July 2015
10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore June 2015
10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore May 2015
10 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2015

The post 20 New & Hot Restaurants Singapore September 2015 appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

5 Upmarket aka ‘Atas’ Coffeeshops and Foodcourts In Singapore

$
0
0

Some of the best places to dine in Singapore are our kopitiams (coffeeshops) and … I shall stop there first. We are starting to see more upmarket aka atas (meaning ‘high class’) coffeeshops and foodcourts appearing.

Many of these modern coffeeshops do not exactly serve the quintessential local hawker delights, but are moving towards selling restaurant quality European cuisine and unique offerings such as meatballs and localised tacos.

While the prices are higher than the typical kopitiam, customers watching their pockets are still willing to pay because a meal would generally still be cheaper than restaurant dining.

Another value-add is the mix of tenants, which can provide quite a unique dining experience.

5 Upmarket aka ‘Atas’ Coffeeshops and Foodcourts In Singapore

Essen at The Pinnacle
1 Cantonment Road 01-01 Singapore 08001
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 11pm (Note: Many stalls start only at 12pm and 6pm)

Stalls include: Two Wings (chicken wings), Garçons (European), Wild Wild Catch (seafood), El Jefe (Western), La Stalla (pizza and pasta), Kin Khao (Thai)

Located at the ground level of the Pinnacle @ Duxton, The Essen draws nearby residents and the working class around Tanjong Pagar.

Food tends to be Western-European selling pastas, duck confits, pizzas, and burgers, with the exception of a (yet-to-open) Thai stall.

I have personally been here quite a few times, the reasons due to its convenient location (10 minutes walk from Tanjong Pajar MRT up Craig Road), the choice of European cuisine in a food court, and local-style kopi from the coffee stall.

The Bedok Marketplace
348 Bedok Road Singapore 4694560

Stalls include: Uncle Chicken Rice (former Sin Kee chicken rice), Seng’s Wanton Noodle, The Chop Chop Selections (Western food), Ballistic Meatballs, The Burning Oak (yakitori), Huong Que (pho), Spice and All Things Nice (pastries), Menya (ramen)

The Bedok Marketplace took over the defunct Kampung@Simpang Bedok and offers a variety of international plus local stalls not found elsewhere, such as Ballistic Meatballs. The stall specialises handmade meatballs with pastas and sandwiches. We hear that Chilli Crab Meatballs with Mantou is one of their best-sellers, and ahem it was a suggestion we made in our previous blog post.

Another draw is Uncle Chicken Rice, formerly known as Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice at Margaret Rice. Opened by the son of the founder, the stall retails the old ways of poaching chicken and still serves homemade chilli sauce.

The Marketplace may need some publicity though, and having to travel the distance and climbing the stairs can be deterrence to some.

Salut Coffeeshop
Block 119, Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 151119 (near Alexandra Village Food Centre)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm, Last orders 2:45pm, 9:30pm, Closed Mon

Stalls include: Stew Küche (German food), Two Wings (chicken wings), Seasalt (seafood), Immanuel French Kitchen, Jack Ripper, Jack The Ripper (burgers), In The Brickyard (cakes)

One of the most prominent hipster ‘ang moh’ coffee shops which got much media attention. Some stalls became successful and went on to open more branches – think Two Wings and Immanuel.

It is not uncommon to see customers ordering something from every stall. Thus you will see German pork knuckles, chicken wings, foie gras and mussels, on tables with that signature blue and white checked table-cloth.

Some of its original stalls have left though, and it does get very crowded and cramped during the weekends.

Palette
13 Stamford Road Capitol Piazza NEUE #B1-20/27 Singapore 178905 (City Hall MRT)
Tel: +65 6384 3359
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:30pm Daily

Stalls include: Ah Koong Restaurant (fish ball noodles), Hok Kee (Hong Kong style noodles), Ah Yat Seafood Restaurant, Yong Xin Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles, Balestier Bak Kut Teh, Hua Huat BBQ (chicken wings), IndoChili (Indonesian cuisine), Little Nanyang (local hawker food), Delhi 6 (Indian cuisine), 90 Gastro Bar (Asian-inspired desserts and cocktails).

While Palette at Capitol Piazza is named “Palette Restaurant & Bar”, it feels like high-end food court.

Opened by the Breadtalk Group, the pros are its cool air-conditioned environment, without the need to queue. You will be served to a table, then given an iPad to take orders, and choose from a menu featuring a variety of restaurant-stalls. Best suited for customers who rather pay more than join in a line.

Prices are easily 20-30% higher than the usual food courts, and there is additional service charge.

There are some stalls which are repeats from Food Republic. I wonder if Palette could have been different in the first place to create a more unique and upscale branding.

FIVE Square
1 Pickering Street, Great Eastern Centre #01-03 Singapore 048659
Tel: +65 8798 0245
Opening Hours: 10am – 12am (Mon-Sat), Closed Sun, PH

Stalls include: Grub Noodle Bar, Gogibox (Quick-serve Korean food), Teppei Syokudo (Kaisendon), Cinqo Tapas, Omnivore (salads).

Taking over Han’s at the Great Eastern Centre, FIVE Square is a huge food hall which can seat 300, and known for affordable drinks for the after-office crowd.

The food stalls gathered caters to the CBD working executives, with quick-serve food and takeaways such as Teppei’s kaisendon, Gogibox’s rice boxes and hot dogs, and Grub Noodles bar Western-meets-local Beef Sirloin noodles. However, the main drawback is the lack of variety with only five food concepts.

The square runs on a self-service ordering system, and can even send an SMS when the food is ready.

Other Related Entries
10 Must Try Stalls At Maxwell Food Centre
Palette (Capitol Piazza)
Two Wings (Essen Pinnacle)
Garçons (Tanjong Pagar)
Ballistic Meatballs (Bedok)

The post 5 Upmarket aka ‘Atas’ Coffeeshops and Foodcourts In Singapore appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Wong Ah Wah Restaurant – Possibly The Best Roast Chicken Wings In KL

$
0
0

[Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia] The very thought of Wong Ah Wah’s signature roast chicken wings is getting me all salivating again.

The slight char on the skin, the juiciness of the meat with smoky flavours, and the oil and sauce that would stick to the fingers … that I would promptly lick away. And that chilli sauce. Sedap!

Wong Ah Wah is a Chinese-cooked food zi char institution to visit in KL. It has grown from a humble stall to the present 5 shops it occupies in a single row.

We got an Uber driver to bring us here. Just told him chicken wings and he knew the answer. No 1,3,5,7,9 at Jalan Alor Bukit Bintang. The entire stretch is literally called ’Wai Sek Kai’ aka ‘Gluttons Road’ because it is lined with numerous supper haunts.

The signboard was a fake-looking Mickey Mouse, workers were at the side barbecuing wings in rows by the hundreds. Hundreds. Photos of Hong Kong celebrities were spotted hanging on the walls. The familiar Singaporean accent could also be heard in every other table. (We speak English/Singlish slightly differently lah.)

The must-order is the Signature Roast Chicken Wings (RM$3.20 per piece, minimum 2 pieces), while the other dishes such as Grilled Sting Ray, Creamy Salted Egg Prawn, Malay Satay, Deep Fried Sotong, Kam Heong Lala and Yong Tow Food are recommended as well.

Compared to the local-style zi-char restaurants, Wong Ah Wah is fuss-free, brisk, and its fare oily, packed with flavours (and MSG) and full of wok-hei. The kind of place to let your hair loose (and smell of barbecue) and fingers dirty as you tuck into the food.


The other dishes that I would recommended are the Deep Fried Dumplings (RM$1.30 per piece) and Fu Pi (RM$1.30 piece) – fish paste fillings wrapped in beancurd skin and deep fried till crisp.

Not all the dishes were ‘wow’, prices were mid-range and service was nothing much to ask for. However, the chicken wings are worth that supper trip down to Jalan Alor.

Wong Ah Wah Restaurant 黄亚华烧鸡翅
1, Jalan Alor, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603 2144 2463
Opening Hours: 5pm – 4am (Closed alternative Mondays)
Google Maps

Other Related Entries
Marini’s On 57 (Kuala Lumpur)

The post Wong Ah Wah Restaurant – Possibly The Best Roast Chicken Wings In KL appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Hokkaido Fresh Milk – Rich, Creamy Japanese Freshness Now In Singapore

$
0
0

The joy when we can find Hokkaido Fresh Milk readily at the supermarkets in Singapore, and there is no need to travel to Japan to rekindle that taste.

Oh, the creaminess, purity, and luscious tastiness of the fresh milk can be so satisfying, especially when you drink it straight from a tall glass or from the pack itself.


Hokkaido Fresh Milk now available in Singapore in 1-litre packs.

When I am in a rush to work, a cup of half granola and half milk will be my breakfast staple as it is filling, healthy and delicious at the same time.


Hokkaido Fresh Milk with granola for breakfast – simple and nutritious.

Hokkaido Is Known For Dairy Products
Hokkaido is known for its beautiful scenery, quality seafood, and of course dairy products. Do you know that Hokkaido produces more than 50% of the total of Japan’s milk output?

Cows are said to be happy there, because the fresh air, spacious land, and green environment keep them in a good living condition. Thus the cows produce higher quality milk.

In fact, you will find that milk from Hokkaido cost more than milk from other prefectures in Japan.


Hokkaido Fresh Milk is as close as you can to creamy goodness without flying to Japan.

Hokkaido Fresh Milk
These Hokkaido Fresh Milk is flown in fresh from dairy farms in Hokkaido, produced by the renowned Yotsuba Milk Products Co. Ltd.

Yotsuba Milk Products ensures that cows are checked on a daily basis, given a nutritious feed, have sufficient pasturing time and exercise, and are milked only during their prime years. Essentially, give the cows as relaxing a life as possible.

Not exaggerating, the farmers are said to bring up their cows as if they are their own children, using only the safest extraction methods.


Rich, smooth and creamy, while being refined and refreshing.

Taste of Hokkaido Fresh Milk
The milk can be addictive on its own – smoooooooth, refreshing, and creamy which will gently coat your tongue. You know that movement where you ‘clean’ milk off your lips.

You may find that Hokkaido Fresh Milk is unlike other pasteurised milk brands that boost of additional health benefits (Eg. Omega 3, DHA, low fat). Goodness on its own.


Hokkaido Fresh Milk goes well with Japanese style desserts such as éclairs and fruit tarts.

Hokkaido Fresh Milk with Food
Other than being a good complement to granola and cereal for breakfast, I like to pair Hokkaido Fresh Milk with Japanese style desserts. Anything from fruit tarts, éclairs to chiffons. Children should also enjoy their chocolate cookies dunked into milk glass.

If you are a coffee drinker, using steamed Hokkaido Fresh Milk can give your latte a fuller body.


Don’t you love the pretty packaging?

Hokkaido Fresh Milk is available at most Fair Price Finest, priced at $6.45 per 1 litre pack.

* This post is brought to you in partnership with Hokkaido Fresh Milk.

The post Hokkaido Fresh Milk – Rich, Creamy Japanese Freshness Now In Singapore appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

10 Favourite Thai Food + What The Dishes Mean In Thai

$
0
0

This started as a homework for my next Thai class. My Thai teacher Kru Thip told her students to write out 10 Favourite Thai Food in Thai, so I thought I should do some research on what the words mean too. (I included one drink.)

Thai food has always been one of my favourite cuisine, and my fascination with is culture has led me to wanting to learn more about the language and culture. It is difficult and I am struggling with pronunciation and sentence structure, but I am trying.

One day, I will walk into that Thai restaurant and order food entirely in Thai. Meanwhile…

10 Favourite Thai Food + What The Dishes Mean


Spicy Thai – Thai Café (Aljunied)

Tom Yum ต้มยำ
Probably Thailand’s most representative dish, that distinct hot, sour and spicy soup that can cause people to break out in buckets of sweat.

Literally, ‘tom’ refers to the boiling process, while ‘yum’ is a kind of spicy and sour salad.

The most common version you get in restaurants is Tom Yum Goong where ‘goong’ means prawn. Give me big, fresh sea prawns please.

Tom Yum Talay – Seafood
Tom Yum Gai – Chicken version
Tom Yum Pla – Fish soup, usually clear
Tom Yum Nam Khon – A version with coconut milk added


Sawadee Thai Cuisine (Bugis)

Pad Thai ผัดไทย
Rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, chopped firm tofu, and flavoured with dish sauce, dried shrimp, tamarind pulp and red chilli pepper. Not to be missed are its component are the side, sometimes in separate containers – lime wedges, chopped roasted peanuts, chilli powder, sugar and bean sprouts.

I say add some peanuts and sugar, it makes a whole lot of difference.


Cha Thai (Telok Ayer)

Khao Pad ข้าวผัด
Fried Rice

If you are wondering, ‘pad’ means ‘stir-frying’. Therefore, ‘Khao Pad’ would mean ‘fried rice’.

The variations include the popular Pineapple Fried Rice (Khao Pad Sapparot) often with rice served fancifully in a cutout pineapple, Basil Fried Rice (Khao Pad Kaphrao) and Coconut Fried Rice (Khao Pat Maphrao).


Soi 60 (Robertson Quay)

Gaeng Keow Wan Gai แกงเขียวหวานไก่
Green Curry Chicken

I like green better than red. So why the colour green? That will depend on the ingredients used, which are primary green chillies, sweet basil leaves, kaffir lime leaves and round green eggplant which gives the dish its hue.

‘Gai’ means chicken, so you may order Gaeng Keow Wan Moo (pork) or Gaeng Keow Wan Neua (beef).

‘Keow’ refers to green. (So if you want a green-coloured shirt, say “Seua see Keow”.)

Som Tam ส้มตำ
Green Papaya Salad

Spicy salad made from shredded unripe papaya, combining the five tastes of: sour lime, hot chili, salty, savory fish sauce, and palm sugar sweetness.

Tam mamuang – Salad using green and unripe mango
Tam som – With pomelo
Tam phonlamai ruam – With mixed fruit


Noodle Cafe (Golden Mile)

Kuay Teow Reua ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ
Boat Noodles

You may wonder why the Boat Noodles are usually in such tiny bowls. Thai Boat Noodles were originally served in small portions in Thailand as vendors sold them between boats. Smaller portions would prevent spillage when the water turned choppy.

As you are a Teochew, ‘Kuay teow’ which mean ‘rice noodles’ should be very familiar to you. ‘Reua’ means ‘boat’.


Thai In Town (Upper Thomson)

Ba Mee Moo Daeng บะหมี่หมูแดง
Egg noodles with red barbecued pork

Word has it that the Chinese immigrants brought this dish to Thailand in the early 1900s. The egg noodles with sliced roast pork and wanton does contain similarities with the Cantonese style noodles.

You may see the words ‘moo’ and ‘daeng’ quite frequently in Thailand. ‘Moo’ means ‘pork’, and ‘daeng’ the colour red. Know the BTS station Sala Daeng? That literally refers to a ‘red pavilion’.


Mookata (Bugis)

Mookata หมูกระทะ
Thai style barbecue ‘steamboat’

Seems to be more hip to eat Mookata in Singapore, than in Thailand now. Sometimes known as Moo kratha, ‘Moo’ means pork, while ‘kaka’ skillet, where diners would cook the sizzling meats on the top of the dome, while the juices of the meats would drip down to flavor the soup.

The widely-known origin is that soldiers from Korea cooked meat on their heated helmets to get over hunger, and the Thais adapted to their version.


Haha Thai (Ngee Ann City)

Khao Niao Mamuang ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง
Mango with sticky rice

Khao Niao (sticky rice) Ma-muang (mango) is glutinous rice steamed and cooked in sweetened thick coconut milk, served with sliced ripe mangoes.

A summer dessert, usually eaten by rolling the rice with fingers and scooping up the mango slices when you order from a street-side stall. The restaurants would always plate it, some fancifully.

Durian with sticky rice is called ‘Khao Niao Tu-rean’. Serious.


Tuk Tuk Cha (Suntec City)

Cha Yen ชาเย็น
Thai Iced Tea

One of my favourite drinks as it encompasses milkiness, sweetness and slight tea-bitterness in a single cup. The Cha (tea) Yen (cold) is made from strongly brewed black tea (my teacher told me leave the brewed tea overnight in the fridge), then sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, and served poured over crushed ice.

Some places call this “Cha Nom Yen”. For Thai Iced Milk Coffee, very simple…. Say “Kah-Fey Kah-Feh yen)Yen”.

Additional ingredients may include orange blossom water, star anise, crushed tamarind seed and sometimes other spices.

Thai Hot Tea – Cha Ron
Black Iced Tea – Cha Dam Yen

Other Related Entries
12 Thai Iced Milk Tea Desserts
5 Thai Ice Cream In Singapore
5 Best Thai Iced Milk Tea In Singapore
5 Best Thai Wanton Noodles In Singapore

Thank you Kru Thip for your teaching. Khub Khun Krub! (To the rest who are thinking of getting my teacher’s contact, her schedule is very very packed! 55555)

The post 10 Favourite Thai Food + What The Dishes Mean In Thai appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

The Gogi – Korean BBQ Restaurant At Alexandra Central

$
0
0

The Gogi Korean BBQ restaurants opens at Alexandra Central, the mall right next IKEA, adjoin to Park Hotel Alexandra. ‘Gogi’ means ‘beef’ in Korean by the way.

There reached a point I couldn’t really differentiate Korean Restaurant A, from Korean Restaurant B.

I order almost the same items (army stew, kimchi soup, bibimbap, japchae and those Bong Bong grape drinks), hear the same Korean girl groups’ MTVs played on TV screens, and smell that same barbecued aroma lingering in the restaurants.

Therefore, the nuances manner.

The Gogi looks like an authentic Korean BBQ restaurant, though the shop seems lonely because its neighbouring units are still unoccupied. Actually, that is what I like about it – still not too crowded, a destination dining place, and easy to find parking (for those who drive).

In love, first impressions manner. For Korean restaurants, the banchan sets that first impression.

There were some items that I liked – the kimchi, anchovies, beancurd, and sweet mashed potato. The second time I was there, the lady boss gave out packets of seaweed.

The Budae Jungol ($35 for M, $45 for L) Korean style army stew was packed with the usual ingredients of sausages, spam, tofu, mushroom, rice cakes and ramen noodles. I like that brand of noodles there were using (must find out the next time), though wished there was some kind of sliced meat somewhere.

Flavours wise, the intensity was somewhere in the middle, and marks a taste which is likely to be family-friendly.

The other dishes such as such as the Dolsot Bibimbap ($15) and Soondubu Jjjigae ($15) soft tofu stew with seafood were above average in terms of freshness of ingredients and presentation.

Service is polite and personable, as they could help cut the meats up (as seen from other tables). These little differences add up, and I would likely return again.

The Gogi
Alexandra Central, 321 Alexandra Road #03-01 Singapore 159971
Tel: +65 6250 3119
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm lunch, 5:30pm – 10pm dinner

Other Related Entries
10 Best Korean Fried Chicken In Singapore
Three Meals A Day (Chun Tin Road)
Choo Choo Chicken (Orchard Cineleisure)
Chir Chir (313 @ Somerset)
Joo Bar (Tan Quee Lan St)

The post The Gogi – Korean BBQ Restaurant At Alexandra Central appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

In Good Company Café – Plain Vanilla Bakes In A Boutique

$
0
0

Clothing retail shop In Good Company is literally ‘in good company’. Cupcake makers Plain Vanilla Bakery has set up a small 20-seater café within the boutique.

That means a chic fashionable cafe to rest your feet after some window or actual shopping. Compared to the other more buzzling cafes within Ion Orchard, In Good Company Café is pleasantly quiet and relaxing.

Plain Vanilla’s signature cupcakes ($3.90) are served, and some of my favourites are the Milk Chocolate Banana, Dark Chocolate Ganache and Carrot Cake. My friend call these the ‘guys’ flavour – I didn’t know cupcakes had gender.

I was initially sceptical about cakes and pastries being served within retails shops. Some previous experiences rendered rather dry-tasting bakes.

The Lemon Ginger Tea Cake ($7.50) was still enjoyably moist with candied ginger within, and zesty lemon drizzle covering the top like a snow-capped mountain.

The café also serves Grilled Sandwiches made with their house-baked bread, in varieties of Grilled Three Cheese ($14), Prosciutto & Truffle ($18), Jambon Royale ($16), Tuna & Tapenade ($16) and Watercress Egg Aioli ($16).

A pity I went slightly too late. They got sold out by 4pm.

In Good Company Café
ION Orchard #B1-06, 2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm (Sun-Thurs), 10:30pm – 7:30pm (Fri-Sat)

Other Related Entries
Plain Vanilla Bakery (Tiong Bahru)
Bakersfield (Fusionopolis)
The Bakehouse by Carpenter & Cook (Alexandra Central)
Karafuru (Jalan Klapa)
Benjamin Browns (Forum Galleria)

The post In Good Company Café – Plain Vanilla Bakes In A Boutique appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.


Café & Meal MUJI – 1st MUJI Cafe In Singapore At Paragon

$
0
0

Hajimemashite! One of my favourite Japanese brands MUJI has opened its first “Café & Meal MUJI” in Singapore at Paragon Orchard. Finally. (Read: Café & Meal MUJI 無印良品 at Tokyo)

I am a fan of MUJI, often spending time browsing around for home accessories, or just appreciating how simple and elegant the designs are. Tell me if you are a MUJI fan.

The mood of just being there, taking things slow. Cue that dreamy acoustic MUJI background music.

Café & Meal MUJI is buzzling with a long queue of people till outside the shop. You can spot many Japanese and MUJI fans around. You know it when they have carefully waxed hair (the guys), dressed in loose cardigans or flowy dresses, in colours of white beidge, and grey. Just saying.

The main dishes served are similar to what I had in Tokyo, though the selection and variety are a lot less.

Here’s how it works: You pick from a combination of hot and cold deli dishes presented behind the counter.

A selection of 1 hot and 2 cold deli with choice of white rice or bread is at $12.90, while the 2 hot and 2 cold combination is at $16.90. An additional $1 can be topped up for Ten Grain Rice – Niigata Koshihikari Japanese white rice mixed with multi-grains.

Think ‘cai peng’ but in a possibly healthier, less oily Japanese style.

My order, a plate of Black Vinegar Sweet Sour Pork, Matcha Caesar Salad, and Vegetable Omelette were tasty, and made a filling meal. This may be one of the ways to get children to have their greens, because the accompanying dishes look colourful and appetizing.

I did wish we were given a choice of 2 hot delis, rather than 1. A preference for a warmer meal.

Four desserts are available – The signature Caramel Pudding ($4.90), Classic Chocolate Cake ($7.40), Mixed Berry Cheesecake ($8.40), Roasted Tea Pudding ($5.40).

Prices are comparable. The pudding which cost 400 yen (SGD$4.80) in Tokyo, is priced at $4.90 in Singapore.

I always enjoyed the texture of the Caramel Pudding, smooth and wobbly. But I do find the dessert too sweet, and could do with more of that distinct ‘burnt’ caramel taste.

Also, there are some slight differences. The Caramel Pudding in Singapore came without a dollop of cream.

Service is polite and professional. Staff was seen handing out cups of drinks to those in the long line, and could proficiently answer questions in English, Japanese and Mandarin. Something we can always learn from.

Café & Meal MUJI Paragon
Orchard Paragon, 290 Orchard Road Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6735 0123
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Mon-Sun), Full menu available only after 11am, Last order 9:45pm

Other Related Entries
Café & Meal MUJI 無印良品 (Ginza, Tokyo)
20 Matcha Desserts In Singapore
Hashida Garo (Mandarin Gallery)
Watanabe Coffee (Orchard Road)
Nigiro Café (Suntec City)

The post Café & Meal MUJI – 1st MUJI Cafe In Singapore At Paragon appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Keep Calm And Eat Cheng Tng

$
0
0

Keep calm and eat Cheng Tng. The weather is hot, and online arguments on elections are getting hotter.

As I scroll past my Facebook wall, I see too many polarized views, angry unwarranted comments. Wah, so many ‘fights’. (Won’t we just singing “One people, one nation, one Singapore” less than a month ago?)

I believe voting is personal, and so would refrain from dwelling into my choice. Though I have some requests…

– Can we refrain from name calling?
Candidates are making more faux pas, further amplified by both media and social media. Some are just making their own goals so often. But that doesn’t warrant names from “stupid”, “retard” to animals. Calling a supporter of another party “dumb” doesn’t reflect well either. Respect lah!

– Can we agree to disagree?
Keep an open mind, listen out to different perspective, and learn about the differences in opinions.

– Can we stop taking words/quotes out of context?
Some sites are using headlines to shock, to gain readership. Common tactics used. But as consumers of news, shouldn’t we read multiple sources? If not watch the rally in its entirely or at least read the article (not just the headlines) before making quick judgments.

– Can we not blame the government for EVERYTHING that gone wrong?
Our government may not be perfect, but some challenges from rising cost to immigration are also faced by many other countries.

– In a similar note, can we not blame all foreigners for everything that went wrong?
These very foreigners, can be our colleagues, our friends, those who build our homes and save our children from falling (literally). I do not agree on bringing down other countries to show our strengths as well.

This is purely my personal view, that that we should be focused on solving the problems, not on bringing down the people.

People have different perspective and ideas, and their experiences can be just as valid as yours.

You may not agree. If you are still feeling heated… keep calm and eat Cheng Tng. Peace.

* Daniel from Daniel’s Food Diary is excited to be voting for the first time. He is Tiong Bahru boy mah.

The post Keep Calm And Eat Cheng Tng appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Nunsongyee – Korean Bingsu Café At Bugis, Opens 24/7

$
0
0

Another Korean Bingsu cafe in Singapore, this time the 3rd branch of Nunsongyee. This spells good news to fans of their shaved milk bingsu, but find traveling to distant Serangoon arduous.

This time, the cafe is straight smack at Bugis opposite Bugis Junction (Toast Box side), especially fitting for youths who want a sweet dessert late after a night’s out.

– Nunsongyee 눈송이 is pronounced as noon-song-yi.
– The name means “snowflake” in Korea.
– Nunsongyee’s bingsu are made of milk, thus they do not use the term ‘shaved ice’.
– The owner’s grandparents are farmers who grow rice grains and beans for a living, thus the café are strong in their Korean rice cake dishes.
– Bingsu flavours liked by Koreans are the Pat Bingsu ($12.90), Injeolmi Bingu ($14.90) and Black Sesame Bingsu ($18.90). ‘Pat’ means red bean, while Injeolmi is a type of Korean rice cake coated with bean flour.
– The flavours Nunsongyee recommended are the Cheesecake Bingsu ($14.90) and Coffee Bingsu ($18.90).

– This is Nunsongyee’s 3rd branch in a year, the first two at Burghley Drive and Tanjong Katong
– The branch at Bugis has 3 levels, including an outdoor seating area (This space was once occupied by Ritz Apple Strudel).
– According to their Instagram account, it is opened 24/7.

My personal favourite flavours are Black Sesame ($18.90), Mix Berries ($15.90) and Snow White ($18.90) which had a sweet-salty taste due to the mix of cheese strips and white chocolate. The macadamia nuts added a complementary crunch to the smooth shavings.

The Choco-Banana Bingsu ($13.90) contrastingly was flatter in taste, reminding us of Milo dinosaur half-way through with the blend of chocolate powder and milk.

Nunsongyee 눈송이 @ Bugis
534 North Bridge Road Singapore 188749 (opposite Bugis Junction, adjacent to Tan Quee Lan Street)
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily

Other Related Entries
15 Korean Bingsu In Singapore
Bing Go Jung (Bt Timah Plaza)
Snowman Desserts (NEX)
O’ma Spoon (Marina Square)
Nunsaram (Orchard Central)

The post Nunsongyee – Korean Bingsu Café At Bugis, Opens 24/7 appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Kaw Kaw SG – Malaysian Burger Bakar Kaw Kaw In Singapore

$
0
0

Mention “Burger Bakar Kaw Kaw” in Kuala Lumpur and most people would have heard about their street kiosk turned multiple franchise fairytale story.

Some background story: Founders Zul and Nita started off with a street kiosk selling burger bakar aka grilled patty burgers in 2011.

Known for their humongously stacked patties burger (no joke, maximum of 10 patties per burger), long queues could be seen at the street kiosks. Nope, we won’t be getting giant burger in the Singapore franchise store.

Kaw Kaw pronounced as ‘gao’ means ‘thick’ in Hokkien. The pronunciation also fits the Chinese word 高 which means ‘tall’.

The Muslim-owned franchise is strategically located at Aliwal Art Center near to the Sultan mosque.

There is a rustic touch to its interior. Red bricked walls, wooden furniture, warm, cosy and homely. Several vintage ornaments and appliances such as fat CRT TVs, abacus and radio sets are on display and for sale.

Their menu features a selection of appetizers, salads ($7.50-$9.50), pasta and the highlight – burgers that come in chicken, beef or mutton fillings.

The Permaisuri Burger ($16.70) known as Queen Burger in English looked so KAW with fried chicken thigh, melted cheese, turkey ham slice, chicken floss and lemongrass sauce.

Our first impression: Huge. (My fairy tale image shattered! Is that what a queen supposed to look like?)

The chicken was fried till a light brown tan (no ugly tan lines for the Queen) with a bit of crisp.

Similar to that of a Zinger burger, just less spicy, bigger and juicer. A bit more flavouring would probably make the Queen more attractive.

We loved the Smokey Beef Bacon Burger ($14.80) with 175g of beef patty (so precise like their unique pricing), beef bacon, melted cheese and smoky sauce.

This single sliced beef patty looked pretty Kaw on its own, was tender, juicy and flavourful. So flavourful that we almost went “Moooo…”

The buns were crispy and firm (pun unintended), giving it an extra crunch. And something different from our usual crispy bacon, beef bacon was used but wasn’t as crispy and crunchy (sadly).

The hot beverages available were the usual fare, with interesting names for the cold beverages.

Think Sassy Zesty, Envy Me, My Fair Lady and Gentlemen’s Drink all priced at $6.50. #HipsterNames

Live band performance will be available to everyone Kaw (High) and we looked forward to see Kawer (thicker) burgers in future.

Kaw Kaw SG
28 Aliwal Street, 0101 Aliwal Art Center, Singapore 19918 (10-15 min walk from Lavender MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon-Sun)

Other Related Entries
20 New Cafes In Bugis
All In (Bali Lane)
CreatureS (Desker Road)
Richmond Station (Bali Lane)
Pizza Face (Beach Road)

The post Kaw Kaw SG – Malaysian Burger Bakar Kaw Kaw In Singapore appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

DC Comics Super Heroes Café – 1st DC Comics Cafe In Singapore, Food Not Life Changing Though

$
0
0

It is fair enough to say diners do not go to a DC Comics Super Heroes Café expecting the best tasting food.

This café located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (at the skating rink side) is “one and only official DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe with full dining experience”, with food conceptualised by local celebrity chef Eric Teo.

It may be your dream come true to have some Superman’s Soup, Green Lantern Salad, Catwoman’s Caramel Latte, The Flash’s Espresso and Batman Burger. Or maybe not. (Anyway, please do not ask for Spiderman cakes yah?)

The menu consists of starters, quesadilla, sandwiches, pasta dishes, desserts and drinks. Food is not halal, though no pork or lard is served.

Let us just say that the children are likely to enjoy the toys and cakes, and the adults have to get ready to spend some money. The price of the Flash Cupcake at $8.90 may already give you a shock (pun unintended).

The signature item was the Batman’s Dark Knight Burger ($25.90), served with black charcoal burger bun, wagyu beef patty, grilled portobello mushroom with a side of nacho chips.

Where shall we start? (Sorry Chef!)

The beef patty was shrivelled and dry, a much smaller circle contrasted with the burger bun, not tasty enough and a waste of the use of wagyu.

As for the mushroom, there was only half of it. What happened to the other half? Perhaps some cost-cutting measure was already in place.

(Overheard) “The nachos taste like cinema food.”
“Gold class you mean?”
“No, cinema class.”

The Aquaman’s Arrabiata ($24.90) was café-food-standard acceptable. At least I thought that the seafood such as scallop and prawn was fresh enough.

I wondered if there could be more ‘superhero’ component in both the presentation and execution of the dish, other than a token Batman logo cheese cut-out.

The Wonder Woman Red Velvet Cupcake ($8.90) was actually not bad, though super expensive and a tad sweet, was still moist and soft.

Do note that the cupcake was designed based on Wonder Woman’s, well in a better word, attire. So try not to imagine too much when munching that fluffy thing down.

The DC Comics Super Heroes Café is a great place for photo opportunities, and service was personable and polite. Though if you are feeling in need for some great tasting meals, the food may not be able to save the day.

DC Comics Super Heroes Café
2 Bayfront Avenue, L1-03/04/05 Bay Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 6688 7610
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 11pm (Sun-Thurs), 10:30am – 11:30pm

Other Related Entries
Kaw Kaw SG (Bugis)
Cake Spade (Tanjong Pagar)
Kokomama Marketplace (SOTA)
Supermilk (Tai Seng)
Patties & Wiches (Orchard)

The post DC Comics Super Heroes Café – 1st DC Comics Cafe In Singapore, Food Not Life Changing Though appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Viewing all 4501 articles
Browse latest View live