With the relative success of gourmet burgers found in hawker stalls such as Hammee’s, Burgs by Project Warung, Ashes Burnnit and Dirty Buns, it is quite predictably so we will see more burger stalls popping around.

Some are riding on the bandwagon, but there are others who go what it takes.

Skirt & Dirt first got my attention as it is opened at my favourite Tiong Bahru Food Centre and has an intriguing black signboard with a stacking-burger logo.

So why not?

I visited them anonymously, and was first surprised to see the prices.

$5.80 for a Cheese Skirt Beef Burger? $7.80 for a set with soup and fries?

Bonus: they also provide croutons to put on the soup. We (customers) got a good deal here.

(Anyway, there will always be people still complaining, ”Why so expensive?” but have no qualms about their Shake Shack and Five Guys, but let’s not go there.)

They are possibly the first hawker stall in Singapore to serve Cheese Skirt Burger, which has the cheese seared with a salty, cracker-like texture which is also an eye-catcher.

The patties are more of 100% beef rump, which was juicy and complemented the crispy texture of the cheese skirt very well.

If I have a feedback, I wished there was a double patty option for a better, fuller bite, and better balance the saltiness and crunchiness of the cheese.

Oh yes, the cheese may get rather soggy if you takeaway, so it is best if you can have it there and then.

Also on the menu are Duck Confit Burger ($6.80), Burger of the Month – to keep things interesting ($5.80), Dirt Fries ($4), Soup of the Day ($2), Cajun Fries ($3) and Garden Salad ($3).

The Duck Confit Burger is also one-of-a-kind here, with meat prepared in the wee hours of the morning daily.

While the pieces were tender and not gamey, I felt that the pieces were not substantial enough for the burger. Again, I won’t mind they give a double portion version and up its price for that item.

A promising new gourmet stall in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood with good pricing, which should attract hipsters around in time to come.

Skirt and Dirt
Tiong Bahru Food Centre #02-66, 30 Seng Poh Road Singapore 168898
Opening Hours: 11pm – 7pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Five Guys Singapore (Plaza Singapura)
Shake Shack (Neil Road)
Lad & Dad (Tanjong Pagar)
Meat & Greet (Henderson Road)
Dirty Buns (Henderson Road)

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

Well you may ask, ”Isn’t all Korean BBQ about the same?” That is especially when you are doing your own cooking.

This is true to a certain extent, but a good Korean Barbecue restaurant generally has a few positive elements, such as the quality and freshness of meats, type of marinate, and value-for-money you are getting.

A couple of restaurants in Singapore may also serve up special meat cuts that no others are offering.

Other food components such as the banchan (free side dishes – some are unfortunately more stingy with them), ssamjang (spicy sauce), and free sides of steamed egg and stew play a part.

There are the other environmental factors such as whether there are inbuilt-charcoal grills into the dining table itself and a good exhaust system. You don’t want to walk out smelling like a chimney, especially when on a date.

Bonus marks for easy reservation system (some restaurants impossible to call through or you have to wait for more than an hour aimlessly), and skilled service staff volunteering to do the grilling for you (thank you very much).

Some of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore include O.BBa BBQ (63 Tanjong Pagar Road), 2D1N Soju Bang (46 Tanjong Pagar Road), Super Star K (75 Tanjong Pagar Road), Ju Shin Jung (Robertson Walk), Chang Restaurant (Dempsey), Nanta BBQ (Goldhill Centre), Kim’s Family Food (Lor Kilat), Don Dae Bak Restaurant (35 Kreta Ayer) Ssikkek Korean Grill BBQ (Oriental Plaza), I’m Kim Korean BBQ (SOTA).

And so, here are 10 more:

Guiga Korean BBQ Restaurant
134 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088538
Tel: +65 6221 3001
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 1am (Fri),
11am – 1am (Sat), 11am – 12am (Sun)

Guiga Korean BBQ Restaurant is easily one of the most popular restaurants along the Tanjong Pagar stretch.

Come slightly later than 6pm, and you would have to quickly write your name on the reservation sheet, and wait for a pretty long while.

(Note: Cannot reserve via phone call, so slightly troublesome and unpredictable in that aspect. They can be pretty overwhelmed during the weekends, and I once waited 1.5 hours for a seat.)

Back to the food, it can be more value-for-money if you pick one of the BBQ Sets.

Set A ($89) comes with Prime Beef Short Ribs, Prime Beef Ribs, Marinated Prime Beef Short Ribs, and Thin Slice Beef Brisket; Set B ($55) with Fresh Pork Belly, Chicken Marinated with Soy Sauce, Marinated Pork Ribs, and Thin Sliced Pork Belly.

If not, there is the Set C ($69) with Prime Beef Ribs, Marinated Prime Beef Short Ribs, Fresh Pork Belly, and Marinated Pork Ribs.

I managed to get the attention of the Korean staff for help, and he was really experienced in grilling, cutting and recommending the sequence in eating the meals. That really enhanced the overall experience.

Particularly enjoyed the Marinated Prime Beef Short Ribs which was juicy with a good bite, and wonderfully seasoned that didn’t overwhelm the natural taste of the beef.

Bonus: the banchan were all quite tasty and varied.

Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ
Plaza Singapura #02-01 68 Orchard Road Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 9181 2709
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10pm Last Order 9.30pm (Sun – Thu), 11.30am – 11pm Last Order 10.30pm (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH)

Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ is one of the first Korean restaurants in Singapore that offer the signature Korean galmaegisal (premium pork skirt meat).

Galmaegisal is a premium meat cut found between the ribs and the belly of the pig, an extension of the sirloin.

In meat parlance, it is known as a pork skirt or skirt meat, or the “wagyu of pork”. You get the idea. It has that perfect lean meat to fat ratio, making it a superiorly tender and juicy meat for grilling.

Before serving, the meats are carefully marinated and massaged to elevate the prized meat’s texture and taste.

When grilled, the galmaegisal takes on the exceptional characteristics of Wagyu beef. Rich in flavour, tender in texture, juicy in your mouth.

While many others use electric-grill plates for their meats, Seorae preserves the original taste of Korean BBQ with the use of quality charcoal.

Using charcoal provides that added smokiness to the taste of the barbecued meats, and yield meats which are crisp on the exterior and still juicy on the inside (as charcoal gets hotter than standard gas grills.) Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ (Plaza Singapura)

Hello Korean BBQ
46 Circular Road Singapore 049401
Tel: +65 6438 6651
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

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

Catch its Unlimited BBQ Buffet available for dinner (5:30pm – 10:30pm daily) and lunch during weekends and public holidays (11:30am – 2:30pm). A minimum of 2 is required so bring along a friend.

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

These are conveniently grilled at your table by the staff, so you can focus on the best part – picking up the cooked pieces and popping them to your mouth.

Go for the Pork Collar, available in salted, soy or pepper marinates.

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

Also known as neck fillet, this meat is available in salted, soya or pepper flavours. This cut is tender enough to eat slightly pink, but you can ask the staff to grill to your preferred doneness. Hello Korean BBQ (Circular Road)

EIGHT Korean BBQ
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #02-79/90 The Central, Singapore 059817
Tel: +65 8692 1188
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

1 Scotts Road, #04-20/21, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208

EIGHT Korean BBQ is known for its selection of tantalising premium BBQ meats in a sleek industrial chic setting.

Other than barbecued meats of Argentinian Beef, US Prime Beef, Ohmi Wagyu and Short Ribs, also offered are seafood items of King Prawn, Atlantic salmon and Korean Grilled Squid cooked with butter; and stews such as Beef Kimchi, Pork Belly, Seafood Bean Paste and Sardine Kimchi.

One of the most popular sets would be the Flower Pork consisting of pork neck, pork jowl, and Flower Pork Belly, included with a stew of your choice. That is A LOT of food, enough to get your money’s worth.

You can choose the flavours for your Pork Belly, and my personal favourites are the Garlic and Herbs so that you can still savour the natural goodness of the sizzling meats.

Jangsu Korean BBQ
19 Teck Chye Terrace, Singapore 545725
Tel: +65 6289 4104
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Not all the good Korean BBQ restaurants are at Tanjong Pagar. Jangsu Korean BBQ can be found in the row of shophouses at Teck Chye Terrace at Serangoon.

The Korean restaurant is run by a Korean couple and Chef Park.

Accordingly, they use 100% aged meat which result in tender and juicy slices. The meats are also marinated with a secret recipe, and therefore are flavourfully seasoned.

For beef lovers, BBQ Set A ($68) contains generous portion of Beef Loin, Beef Sirloin, Beef Top Blade, along with Steamed Egg and a choice of Soup (Tofu, Soybean or Kimchi).

To get a good mix, then go for the Set C ($57) with Beef Sirloin, Pork Shoulder marinated in soy sauce, Pork Belly and Spicy Chicken.

The meats are grilled with charcoal, and if you need a little help, the friendly staff could help you with the grilling.

Bonus: the six homemade banchan were all delicious and refillable.

Supulae Korean BBQ
80 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088501
Tel: +65 6225 2248
Opening Hours: 5pm – 12am (Mon – Sun), Last Order 11pm

Supulae Korean BBQ is also a popular restaurants along Tanjong Pagar Road, and no reservations were allowed when I visited for the weekends.

The sets are straight-forward here, from a Set B ($49.90) with Pork Collar, Pork Belly and chicken Sausage; Set C ($55.80) with Marinated Pork Collar, Pork Belly and Marinated Chicken ($55.80); Set D ($59.90) with Marinated Chicken, Beef Brisket, and Marinated Beef Ribs; to Set E ($98.80) with Marinated Beef Rib, Marinated King Rib, Boneless Beef Short Rib and Beef Brisket.

The basic sets come with 7 side dishes, Steamed Egg, Soup (Kimchi / Bean Paste / Soft Tofu) and 2 portions of rice.

I must say that Supulae is quite a functional restaurant. You walk in, you get served, the food lands up the table, and the server would start cooking for you – without you asking.

Everything is like clock-work, not that there is anything bad about it, because it is efficient and no frills.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed the Marinated Chicken which was chunky yet tender bite.

Perhaps it was overall lacking in that extra touch that would make the dining experience more memorable, but I think it is quite good value for the quality of meat served.

K.Cook Korean BBQ Restaurant
Orchard Central #07-01, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6884 7282
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

K.Cook is an inexpensive Korean BBQ joint located at the 7th level of Orchard Central.

Affordable pricing goes by the tune of $16.90++ and up for a weekday lunch for adults.

To achieve its Korean BBQ look, it is designed with both indoor and outdoor rooftop dining spaces. You can either settle comfortably in the air-conditioned section, or dine with the natural breeze kissing your face as you grill those samgyeopsal (pork belly) and chadolbagi (beef brisket) over a view of Orchard Road.

To complete the ambiance, the outside seating area has a large screen playing K-pop music videos to entertain you.

Celebrating something?

K.Cook has started a new ‘pocha’. Pocha is an abbreviation of Korean words which translates to “Korean Street Food Wagon”. In case you get hungry, they have an ala carte menu for your bar chow.

Offerings include Korean Army Stew ($35), Korean Fried Chicken ($30), Smoked Duck and Chives Salad ($35), Spicy Stir-Fried Squid ($25) and Crispy Seafood Scallion Pancake ($25).

Try their Pork Back-Bone-Stew ($40) aka gamjatang, a traditional spicy and hearty Korean tang (stew) that combines pork bones, gamja (potatoes), and other veggies. The stock is made by boiling pork backbone for many hours to create a savoury base for the stew.

Slurp this soup with a bottle of soju on the side and dine like a true Korean.

Wang Dae Bak
98 Amoy Street Singapore 069918
Tel: +65 6226 0450
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm Last Order 2pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

22 Cross Street, #01-64 Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6226 2646
Opening Hours: Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm Last Order 2pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Wang Dae Bak is one of the stewards when it comes to K-dining in Singapore, having been around since 2011.

It is known for its Seafood & Kimchi Pancake, Bibimbap, Korean Stews and charcoal-grill barbecue.

The plus point is that it is not difficult to reserve – online or via phone.

For small group diners, there are Couple Menus and All-In-One Sets: Set Menu A ($49) with Pork Belly, Pork Shoulder and Marinated Chicken; and Set Menu B ($49) with Marinated Prime Rib, Pork Belly, Spicy Chicken and Marinated Shoulder.

For a fuller meal, go for the Soul Meat Menu ($89 for 3 to 4 pax) features 2 Pork, 1 Chicken of your choice with Pancake and Soup (Kimchi Soup / Spicy Seafood Tofu / Seafood Bean Soup).

When it gets busy (which it normally does), you probably have to do your own grilling.

Hyang Yeon Korean Restaurant
80 Amoy Street, #01-01, Singapore 069899
Tel: +65 6221 6368
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 11pm (Mon – Fri)
Lunch 11:30am – 3pm, Dinner 5pm – 11pm (Sat – Sun)

Chinatown Point #02-35
Tel: +65 6694 9566

BBQ Hyang Yeon is known to serve some of the best Korean cuisine in Singapore. Its extensive collection of well-loved dishes from Beef Short Ribs to Sirloin reflects the restaurant’s effort to cater to every palate.

The food and service make it suitable for families, large groups, and catching up with friends and colleagues.

As its name suggests, BBQ Hyang Yeon specialises in BBQ, Korean style. They have Pork ($69), Beef ($88), Beef & Pork ($98), Chicken ($55), and Seafood ($69) sets.

Aside from the BBQ, it also features the Yeongyang-dolsot-bap Set (Nutritious Hot Stone Pot Rice Set), a traditional Korean nutritious rice dish. What makes this so flavourful are the more than 10 ingredients that go with it, including chestnuts, mushroom, jujube, walnut and ginkgo nut.

A popular way of enjoying this dish it to scrape the crusted rice and make it into a nurungji, a fragrant crusted rice porridge, in the hot stone pot.

With this set, you can pick from various appetisers such as Seafood Pancake, Kimchi Pancake or Steam Egg, marinated BBQ dishes or grilled fish (Gulbi Gui or Mackerel), and hot piping stew or soup that are perfect match with the nutritious stone rice.

Bornga
1 Harbourfront Walk, VivoCity #02-123/124, Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6376 8268
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Word has it that Chef Jon Won Paik wanted to create a new style of BBQ meat that could retain the natural colours and taste, unlike many other Korean style meat which are dark in colour due to over marinating.

The result is the signature and patented Woo Sam Gyup ($28 for 200g) – thinly sliced beef brisket dressed a special sauce.

The thinly sliced meats would arrive all pinkish and bright, and you would have thought it has not been marinated before.

Most marinated bulgogi meats would have appeared covered in a dark-coloured sauce, while this unique Bornga dressing retains the meat’s natural colours.

Because the beef slices are very thin, it would cook very quickly. It is recommended to have them with vegetables and dipped into the Bornga special sauce.

I also tried the Yangnyum Dwaeji Galbi ($45 for 2 pieces) which consists of thicker slabs of pork ribs marinated with a dark brown special house sauce. This was yummy.

However, note that Bornga generally can be on the expensive side.

Other Related Entries
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6 Best Korean Restaurants For Jjamppong Noodles In Singapore
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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.

With the opening of Paya Lebar Quarter (not forgetting about Paya Lebar Square, SingPost Centre and KINEX), there are actually many restaurants and cafes to explore at Paya Lebar.

Interestingly, Paya means “swamp”, while lebar means “wide” in Malay.

Here are 10 cafes for brunch, coffee and desserts over at Paya Lebar: (I tried to include more of the unknown names, or cafes with interesting offerings not found elsewhere.)

Nuevo Café
115 Eunos Ave 3 #01-01 Singapore 409839 (Paya Lebar MRT)
Tel: +65 9632 6045
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

Hidden Gem With Brunch And Rice Bowls At Paya Lebar
Located at 115 Eunos Ave 3, Nuevo Café is a hidden gem at the ground floor not many would know about.

The café is actually not that far a walk from Paya Lebar MRT station. Through the park-connector, getting there is about to a 7 to 10 minutes’ scenic stroll.

Food wise, Nuevo Café serves up all-day breakfast, brunch favourites and rice bowls with a Japanese twist. Good to know that all prices are inexpensive, with no additional service charge.

Come during the weekends (from 10am to 4pm) and there will be a slightly varied menu for a more ‘brunchy’ items.

Offerings include Eggs Benedict ($14.90) – with use of mirin in the hollandaise sauce, Eggs Royale ($14.90), Croque Madame ($15.90), and Prata Benedict ($14.90).

The safe choice would be the Full Breakfast ($18.90) of scrambled or poached eggs, served with grilled bacon strips on toasted brioche, with grilled tomato, grilled chicken cheese sausage, sautéed mushrooms and mixed greens. Nuevo Café (Paya Lebar)

Jimmy Monkey at PLQ
2 Paya Lebar Road #01-10, Park Place Residences at PLQ, Singapore 409053
Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Brunch Cafe With Alfresco Dining At Paya Lebar Quarter
Jimmy Monkey has come a long way, from their first outlet at One-North Residences since 2011. It has a new outlet at Paya Lebar’s Park Place Residences (a short walk across the road from the mall side).

Known to be the home of Singapore’s first Slayer Espresso Machine (aka the Ferrari in the coffee industry), the café is well-loved for its coffee blends.

Their breakfast menu runs from 8am to 5.30pm daily, focusing on Australian brunch fare such as The Hulk ($16) with smashed avocado on sourdough, Egg’s n’ Toast ($10) and Maple Granola ($12).

Exclusive to the new outlet at Paya Lebar is their dinner menu available from 6pm to 9pm daily.

Other than small bites such as Slow Cooked Cauliflower ($7), Cracked Rosemary Tots ($9), Pasta ($18-23) and Salad ($19-20), diners also have more filling options including the Boston Bay Mussel Pot ($23), Thai Laksa Beef Short Ribs ($26) and Pumpkin Moussaka ($22) are popular choices. Jimmy Monkey (Paya Lebar Quarter)

Chug Chug
2 Tanjong Katong Road, PLQ 3 Paya Lebar Quarter #01-09, Singapore 437161
Opening Hours: 5pm – 10:45pm (Mon – Sun)

Youthful Bistro Known For King Prawn Tomyum Pasta And Kimchi Buttermilk Chicken Burger
Chug Chug is known to offer diners a selection of Chinese-Korean-Western fusion foods in a homely and lively atmosphere.

There is a more Korean slant here (compared to Tanjong Pagar) in terms of food offerings, with Sweet and Spicy Fried Chicken ($16), Soy Garlic Fried Chicken ($16), Grilled L.A Kalbi ($24), Kimchi Buttermilk Chicken Burger ($18), to even Jjajangmyeon ($12.90) and Army Stew ($39.90).

The best-selling dish at Chug Chug is King Prawn Chug’s Tom Yum Pasta ($24), prepared with linguine in a tom yum cream sauce with XL King prawns, squid, and fried Sakura shrimps.

Co-owner Xinde revealed that this is the one dish that stayed on the menu since the opening days of Chug Chug, and has continually revised the recipe based on customer’s feedback. Chug Chug (Paya Lebar)

Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號
Paya Lebar Quarter Mall, 10 Paya Lebar Rd, #B2-04, Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Fri), 8am – 9:45pm (Sat – Sun)

Tasty Taiwanese Toast Cafe From Shilin Market
Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號 is a Taiwanese Toast Cafe which originated from Taipei’s Shilin Night Market 士林夜市.

The savoury toasts include their bestsellers: TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30), Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Spicy Pork Egg & Cheese ($6.30), Pork Floss Egg & Cheese ($6.50), Potato Special ($5.80).

Complete the meal with a choice of cup of coffee (additional $1), Cane-flavoured Black Tea (additional $2.60) or Signature Milk Tea (additional $3.30).

My favourite was the TW Special Pork Patty ($6.30) that came with a thick cut of minced pork patty with a sweeter profile.

The patty was soft and refined in its texture.

The milk loaves are specially created in their own central kitchen using New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra’s premium NZMP butter, sent over to the shop then toasted over charcoal fire before serving. Fong Sheng Hao 豐盛號 (Paya Lebar Quarter)

kómma Social Cafe
10 Paya Lebar Road, #01-20 PLQ Mall, Paya Lebar Quarter, Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

Social Space at Paya Lebar Quarter
kómma terms itself as a “social space” to cater for small workshops and activities (unfortunately, these have stopped due to COVID-19) and merchandise store for local designers to offer their products.

So one side, you get to shop for items ranging from scents, candles, accessories, preserves, to chocolate bars.

They also serve a small range of pastries, bakes, and coffee which is supplied by Huggs Coffee.

Tuk Tuk Cha
PLQ Mall #01-K4, 10 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Thai Milk Tea Specialist with Thai Breakfast Toast Delights
Tuk Tuk Cha should be a familiar brand with many Singaporeans who love their Cha-Yan, a fuss-free casual Thai café which specializes in Halal Thai food, beverages and trendy desserts.

They have just opened this new outlet at PLQ, located outside quite near to the MRT station.

The PLQ exclusive are the Thai Breakfast Toast Delight, with selection of savoury butter toast with Thai-inspired flavours such as Tom Yum Prawn, Green Curry and Basil Minced Chicken ($4.90 – $5.50).

It also has an expanded menu which include modern Thai casual food such as Beef Boat Noodles ($9.90), Tom Yum Noodles ($9.90), and Yammama ($8.90) – cooked using the famed Mama Instant Noodle with a dry twist, topped with prawns, squids and house-concocted chilli sauce to give a zesty and fiery kick.

For rice lovers, you can go for the Thai Green Curry with Rice ($9.90), Garlic Chicken Rice Bowl ($8.90), and Tom Yum Chicken Rice Bowl ($8.90).

Morphine Coffee
10 Paya Lebar Road, #01-K5, PLQ Plaza, Paya Lebar Quarter, Singapore 409057
Tel: +65 6802 2321
Opening Hours: 11am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 9pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Specialising In Cold Brew Coffee With Prices From $2.10
Morphine Coffee already has an eye-catching name with its use of “morphine” (taken in directed medication to remove pain).

This may look like another next-door coffee place, but how they brew their coffee is varied from the usual typical practices. Their drinks could therefore taste different from the norm.

In terms of pricing, there are some inexpensive drinks such as the Cold Brew Coffee O ($2.10), Hot Coffee O ($1.80), Coffee C ($2.00) and “Tea C” ($1.80), slightly cheaper than the average chain store.

Also available are other specialty drinks such as Specialty Black Cold Brew No. 18 ($5.50), Iced Ginger Ale ($5.00), Hojicha Latte ($5.00), and Matcha Latte ($5.50). Morphine Coffee (Paya Lebar Quarter)

The Providore PLQ
1 Paya Lebar Link, PLQ #01-01, PLQ1 Singapore 408533
Tel: +65 6970 1887
Opening Hours: 8am – 10:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 10:30pm (Sat – Sun)

First Providore In The East With Al Fresco Dining
This is The Providore’s first foray into the East of Singapore, with large seating capacity of both indoors and alfresco.

Come during breakfast hours (menu till 11:30am during weekdays, 3pm weekends), and there will be choices such as Smashed Avocado on Toast ($19.50), Spanish Baked Eggs ($18.50), Eggs Benedict ($19.50) and Ricotta Pancakes ($18.50).

Other mainstays include Pappardelle Pasta ($28), Lobster Mac & Cheese ($27.50), Crab Linguini Pasta ($29) and Risotto with Duck Confit ($28.50).

Worthy to mention is the Strawberry Shortcake ($8.50), with cream made from Lescure whipping cream from France, which has a milky-creamy taste which complements the thin strawberry slices.

The shortcake sponge is made from Japanese flour for a fluffier texture, and I enjoyed that there was a certain pillow-like lightness to the overall texture.

Knots Cafe and Living
160 Paya Lebar Road #01-07 Orion@PayaLebar, Singapore 409022
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon), 9am – 9pm (Tues – Thurs, Sun), 9am – 10pm (Fri, Sat)

Garden Café In Singapore At Paya Lebar
We were greeted by multiple pots of green plants at the entrance and woody elements of the furniture at this undiscovered, under the radar café at Paya Lebar Road.

There were glimpses that reminded us of Karmakamet Diner in Bangkok. Emphasize, glimpses.

Knots Living is a one stop furniture showroom where everything there is for sale, including the table we were sitting at for our meals. Of course, at a discounted rate.

Coffee sets are available at $6.90 with a Muffin, $7.90 with a Pastry and $8.90 with a slice of cake. A decent deal. Knots Living (Paya Lebar)

Pâtisserie CLÉ
Paya Lebar Office Centre, 29 Paya Lebar Road, #01-01, Singapore 409005
+65 8127 3925
Opening Hours: 12pm – 4pm (Mon – Sun), Closed Sun

Located within Paya Lebar Office Centre, Patisserie CLÉ (which means ‘key’ in French) has shifted from an online platform to a brick and mortar shop within the compound.

This is more for takeaways rather than sit-down.

It didn’t come as a surprise to me as the tarts here had a stark resemblance to the ones at Tarte By Cheryl Koh, since co-owner Germaine had worked directly under Pastry Chef Cheryl Koh herself.

The selection of Tarts ($8) include Lemon Meringue, Orh Blanc (Orh Nee + Mont Blanc), Strawberry, Tropico (Mango and Pineapple), Passion Sesame (passionfruit curd with black sesame) and Cognac Caramel Chocolate.

The Orh Blanc Tart ($8) caught my attention with the uncommon combination of oriental Orh Nee (Yam) and French tart pastry.

Piped with fresh yam on top in a single stranded hairlike structure like a Mont Blanc, a layer of vanilla chantilly is laid beneath it with another layer of yam on top of the tart shell that is baked with coconut cream. Patisserie CLÉ (Paya Lebar)

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

Compared to other hawker centres in the Redhill area such as ABC Brickworks Food Centre, Alexandra Village Food Centre and Redhill 85 Food Centre, perhaps 115 Bukit Merah View Food Centre is less talked about.

But there are quite a couple of star stalls that would get people from far away to come to this part of Singapore.

It is no uncommon to find long lines at some, one even beyond mid-night. No kidding.

Some of the good hawker stalls there include Happy Duck Braised Duck Rice & Kway Chap (#01-38), Bukit Merah View Fishball Minced Meat Noodle (#01-45), Hong Xing Handmade Fishball and Meatball (#01-07), Sisaket Thai Food (#01-01), R&D (#01-39), Kim Huat Wanton Mee (#01-05), Depot Road Wanton Mee (#01-84), We Western (#01-19), Wen Xin Fish Soup and Lu Wei (#01-40), Qing Tian Desserts (#01-42).

Here are 10 more:

Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang 柴船头羊肉汤
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-51, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 11am – 1:30pm (Tues – Sat), Closed Sun, Mon

Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang 柴船头羊肉汤 with more than 30 years of history, has been included in the Michelin Bib Gourmand.

And it is just opened for 2.5 hours a day (or less when sold out), so a long line is always formed even before opening hours.

The stall serves up a variety, from mutton meat, balls, tendon, tripe to even brain, all priced affordable at $5, $6, $7 or $8.

I ordered a Mixed Bowl, and all of that with rice is only at $7. Plus, I hear that soup is re-fillable.

Compared to the Hainanese styles, this soup is more towards the Teochew-style which is slightly peppery and herbal.

The Mutton Soup came across very pleasant, flavourful with slight aromatic herbal taste that didn’t overpower (compared to some other soups which could be just one-dimensional herbal or peppery).

The meats and parts came across as tender and soft, had slight gamey taste, best savoured with a dip of the tangy chilli (similar to what you get from a beef noodle stall). Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang (Bukit Merah View)

Yong Chun Wanton Noodle
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-56, Singapore 151115
Tel: +65 9028 1285
Opening Hours: 5:30am – 1:30pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun)

Bukit Merah View Food Centre actually has quite a high proportion of wanton noodle stalls – Depot Road Wanton Mee, Kim Huat Wanton Mee, R&D, and Yong Chun.

I have tried all of them, and they all have varied styles which will appeal to different fans. Yong Chun probably has the longest queue for now due to a viral video.

The stall serves up Wanton Noodles ($3, $4, $5), Dumpling Noodles ($3, $4, $5), Shredded Chicken Noodles or Horfun ($3, $4, $5), and Chicken Feet Noodles ($3.50, $4.50).

What I enjoyed was the springiness of the noodles that had a good eggy (can say al dente) bite to it, matched with soft char siew that is cooked in a wok rather than roasted.

Special mention goes to the dumplings (I ordered on a separate occasion) that were plump and meaty with minced pork and water chestnuts.

Special tip for you: The sister actually owns a Bak Chor Mee stall at ABC Food Centre called “Chun Seng” (noticed the similarity in signboards and styles and asked).

Na Na Homemade Curry
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-47, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon – Sat) Closed Sun

Na Na Homemade Curry is one of those few stalls dedicated to just selling the Chinese style of curries and only curries.

Sometimes also known as the “Marina South Curry”, owner Mr Yap Hock Kee opened a curry-and-rice shop at the now-defunct Marina South food court inspired by his grandmother’s Peranakan style curry in 1989. (However, there are those who say it didn’t taste like the same as before.)

The offerings include Curry Fish Head (market price), Curry Chicken ($3.50), Curry Chicken Drum Stick ($4), Curry Vegetable ($3), Curry Mutton ($4) and Curry Pork Rib ($4).

The curry arrived looking potent, with fiery colours of orange-red, seemingly devoid of the typical coconut base.

The Curry Pork Ribs gravy had a fuller mouthfeel, very marginally to the sour side compared to the Chicken version. Na Na Homemade Curry (Bukit Merah View)

Charcoal Grilled
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-09, Singapore 151115
Tel: +65 9271 2208
Opening Hours: 5:30pm – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Perhaps another under-rated stall at this food stall. This stall may not have the typical eye-catching signboard and seems to serve many items from Rojak, Cuttlefish Kangkong to Taupok, customers really go for their charcoal-grilled Satay.

They come in varieties of Pork ($0.60), Chicken ($0.60), Mutton ($0.70), with Ketupat at $0.80.

While serving may take a while during peak hours, the meat was juicy with a caramelised exterior and beautiful char that was not overly-burnt, best when dipped in satay sauce with sweet pineapple puree.

Yip Economic Bee Hoon
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-33, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 6am – 12pm (Mon – Sun)

Sometimes, I do wonder why this Economic Bee Hoon enjoys such as long queue, and I think perhaps it got to do with the variety, pricing, and servings.

Their Traditional Bee Hoon starts from $1 which is quite affordable, and also offers Fried Noodles and Fried Kuay Teow options.

Matched with some of their popular items such as Chicken Cutlet ($1.20), Fish Fillet ($1), Sotong Fillet ($1), Luncheon Meat ($0.60) and Fried Prawn Dumplings ($0.50).

There are also other deep-fried items such as Tau Kee Fish Cake ($1), Ngor Hiang ($1), Chicken Nugget ($0.40) and Hash Brown ($0.80) which would appeal to the kids.

With a wide menu including Peanut Porridge ($1), Chee Cheong Fun ($1) and Yam Cake ($1), customers have a lot of options to choose from.

Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-37, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 7am – 1:30pm, 4:30pm – 1:30am (Mon – Sun)

One of the under-rated Carrot Cake stalls in Singapore, this is my go-to place for late-night cravings as it is opened till 1:30am.

The bonus? The stall is opened from 7am.

This is where both White and Black versions have their own fans. A pity that while they used to mill their own rice and steam the cakes, they have switched supplies.

A positive thing is while the cakes are generally in bigger cubes, they remain soft with distinct trace of radish. Also, loads of eggs given.

The black version is unlike the usual, with a tinge of savoury-sweetness, though I personally prefer a richer version.

Oh yes, the brothers take on varied shifts at this stall, so the very same item can taste somewhat different both day and night.

786 Char Kway Teow
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-28, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 12pm – 8pm (Mon – Thurs, Sat – Sun), Closed Fri

786 Char Kway Teow is a hidden gem of Bukit Merah View, as this is one of the few Char Kway Teow stalls around that is Muslim-owned.

It is quite a challenge to find the halal food options, especially when it comes to signature dishes like Char Kway Teow, and they prepare the dish with halal ingredients without compromising on the taste and quality of the dish.

The Char Kway Teow is available in Regular ($3) and Big ($5) serving sizes, which was quite generous and filling. Slightly to the wet side.

The dish had all the traditional ingredients with springy yellow wheat noodles that are stir-fried in a rich sweet black sauce and hints of garlic.

The pork lard is replaced by generous amounts of chye sim vegetables, cockles, eggs and a very distinct shiok-ness coming from the wok-hei.

71 Lor Mee
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-71, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 6am – 1pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon, Tues

Slightly long queue here, though people not staying around Bukit Merah won’t have heard of this Lor Mee.

To me, there are two things that are appealing – the crispy bits and the consistency of the gravy.

At $3, the Lor Mee is very reasonably priced, as the portion size is quite filling, with crunchy pork bits, fish cake and ngor hiang.

The lor was not too starchy, and had a semi-sticky gooey consistency that was neither thick nor watery. Comforting for the tummy.

Soon Li Yong Tau Foo
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-78, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 12am – 3am (Note: Hours vary and stall may open later than midnight, and close earlier than indicated.)

Where do I even start? Contrary to its name “Soon Li” 顺利, which in Chinese means “smooth flowing”, there is nothing “shun li” about the whole buying process.

First things first, this Yong Tau Foo supposedly opens at midnight, and closes about 3am. HOWEVER, it can change its operating hours as and when.

It is best to go with at least one other person to command and conquer OR divide and conquer. There are supposedly 2 queues – one to pick items on the right, one to pay on the left.

An indicative pricing could be anything from $8 to $20 plus.

The star of the Yong Tau Foo to me was the soup base, cooked with deep fried ikan billis and pork belly. Tasty, full of flavours, surprisingly not overly salty or oily.

As for the items themselves, I say… go for the pork belly.

Mr Bakery 面包哥
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-51, Singapore 151115

Do I want to save the best for last? Perhaps.

Instead of the usual hawker food, this stall serves up a variety of breads such as Honey Kuih Bahulu, Fish Burger, Chicken Burger, Cheese Sticks, Sweet Potato Bun, Otah Cheese Bun, Azuki Red Bean Burger, to Mexico Chocolate Bun.

But the item I am always here for is their best-selling Golden Baked Tapioca Kueh ($1.30) – think people call it Kueh Bingka Ubi, said to be baked for 1.5 hours without flour.

Best if you get it straight when it is fresh, the cake is rich and flavourful, thick yet fluffy. Not too sweet so you won’t feel jelak, especially good when paired with Kopi o Kosong.

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

Tonkatsu 豚カツ is the popular Japanese dish of deep-fried breaded pork cutlet, typically served with rice, shredded cabbage along with Japanese Worcestershire sauce.

The usual basic choice diners have to make is between the “hire” or “rosu” for pork cuts.

“Hire” would mean “pork fillet” which is lean pork tenderloin; while “rosu” is “pork roast” which uses a richer cut of pork with a layer of fats along the side.

So “hire” would be leaner and healthier (sometimes more expensive) and “rosu” would be the juicier and fattier.

Here are 10 Japanese restaurants in Singapore for crispy and tender Tonkatsu:

Katsuya
85 East Coast Road, Singapore 428787
Tel: +65 6344 8183
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm (Sat, Sun), 6pm – 9:45pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Katsuya located at East Coast is known to serve one of the best Tonkatsu in Singapore, helmed by Singaporean Chef Kervin Tay.

On the menu are Hire ($24), Rosu ($24), Kaki which are Japanese Oysters ($28), Unagi ($27), Ebi Prawn ($32) to Hokkaido Rosu ($39). They also offer Wagyu Beef Katsu ($65).

Some diners may find the prices slightly on the high side.

Key feature is that premium sunflower oil is used for the deep-frying, with no added MSG and less salt.

I found the pieces light-crunchy with a rich, tender bite yet not particularly oily. Special mention to both the tonkatsu and sesame sauces.

The standard was still there even after I revisited after many years apart.

Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen
1 Maju Avenue, myVillage @ Serangoon Garden, #02-07/8/9, Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6509 9952
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:45pm, 5pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Hajime is Japanese for “beginning” and the short form for “Hajimemashite” which means “Nice to meet you!”.

Chef Tan-San is Singapore’s first Tonkatsu Chef after mastering the art of Tonkatsu in Japan. He returned to Singapore to lead the kitchen of Tonkichi and later on became the Pioneer Chef of the famous Tampopo.

Experience his 25-year culinary mastership through signature dishes at affordable prices, like the exquisitely juicy and tender Premium Pork Loin ($22.90 for set, $18.50 ala carte) using air-flown Japanese pork.

Other Tonkatsu items include Nagoya Miso Fillet ($19.90), Nagoya Miso Loin ($19.90), Pork Loin ($18.90), Pork Fillet ($18.90), Ebi & Pork Fillet ($19.90), Ebi Fry ($18.90) and Chicken Katsu ($17.50). Prices indicated are for sets.

It is coated with freshly made breadcrumbs for that extra crunch, served with miso sauce from Nagoya and some finely shredded refreshing cabbage.

Each order comes with a bowl of Niigata rice, Tonjiru soup, and ground roasted sesame.

Imakatsu
7 Wallich St, Guoco Tower #01-06, Singapore 078884
Tel: +65 6822 7912
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

The original Imakatsu at Roppongi was previously recommended as a Bib Gourmand restaurant under the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2015.

The restaurant known for three things: special cooking method of double-frying the food items; original sauces; and carefully selected ingredients.

Imakatsu has a special frying method and uses original blended oil which helps to seal in the full taste and aroma of the pork.

Specialty items include Premium Pork Loin Cutlet Zen ($23.80), Pork Fillet Cutlet Zen ($19.80), Mentaiko Loin Cutlet Zen ($21.80), Chicken Fillet Cutlet ($14.80) and Pork Loin Cutlet Curry ($21.80)

Some reasons why I liked Imakatsu: the free-flowing sliced crisp fresh cabbage accompanied with fragrant goma sauce (simple pleasures); the combination of light crisp of the breaded crumbs matched with tender pork, all with a thin layer of fats.

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison
333A Orchard Road, #02-35 & #02-36 Mandarin Gallery, 238897
Tel: +65 6733 4541
Opening Hours: 11am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

This concept is by Ma Maison, known for their Japanese-Western cuisine, and gorgeous Japanese fruit tarts.

The recommended at Tonkatsu by Ma Maison is the Kurobuta Rosu Katsu (from $33.80) which is finely aged for several days before they are ready to be served.

The succulent and robust pork cutlet can be eaten by itself, or paired with homemade sweet or spicy Tonkatsu sauce.

If you are a fan of thick slices of pork, the tonkatsu was at least 2cm thick. Imagine the mouthful when sinking your teeth into the thick slab of tender lightly-salted pork slice.

Worthy of mention is that the white and multigrain rice is cooked Kamado style which is a traditional Japanese cooking method, emitting a distinct fragrant.

There is also free flow rice, cabbage and tonjiru soup.

Tampopo
391 Orchard Road, #B2-33 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6235 2318
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

People know Tampopo as the Japanese restaurant serving Tonkatsu. It is so named after the Dandelion flower, which stays strong and beautiful even in tough environments, and the Japanese comedy Tampopo, about a ramen seller who overcame all odds.

The owner has the nickname of “Father of Tonkatsu”.

Items include the Top Grade BP Tonkatsu Set ($31), USA Pork Loin Tonkatsu Set ($21.30), Kurobuta Loin Tonkatsu Set ($31.80), to a Less Fat BP Loin Cutlet Set ($28.70).

What’s interesting is also the inclusion of layered Tonkatsu pork which is popular in Yokohama, but not so commonly seen in Singapore. There are also mentaiko, Takoyaki and cheese layered cutlets.

The usual tonkatsu involves frying the entire piece of breaded pork, while the layered cutlet lines thinly sliced pork together into a single cutlet and deep fried.

The result – you don’t get a tough piece of meat and instead a lighter and leaner version which does not feel as heavy.

Tonkichi
391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, #04-24 Takashimaya, 391 Orchard Rd, S.C, 238872
Tel: +65 6735 7522
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sun)

Tonkichi can be considered as the pioneer of Tonkatsu specialty restaurants in Singapore, as it was apparently the first when started in 1992.

They have 2 kinds of tonkatsu meat—pork fillet and pork loin, all carefully selected and trimmed.

Offerings include Hire Katsu Set ($22), Rosu Katsu Set ($22), Hire & Rosu Katsu Set ($28), Organic Chicken Katsu Set ($23), and Organic Chicken Katsu Set ($23).

Apparently, their pork fillet can be cut even with just chopsticks.

Go for the Premium Rosu Katsu Set with deep fried pork loin ($36 for Iberico, $32 for Miyazaki, $30 for Kurobuta) with a good later of fat and tender texture, served with rice, miso soup, cabbage and pickles.

Saboten
100 Tras Street, 100AM #03-13, Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6904 4032
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Saboten is one of the largest Tonkatsu chains with over 500 stores worldwide specialising in Katsu.

From Loin Katsu Gozen ($24.50), Tenderloin Katsu ($24), Grated Radish Loin Katsu Gozen ($21.50), to Chicken Katsu Don Gozen ($19) have your fill on meals skilfully battered and fried.

Rice used is 100% Uonuma Koshihikari rice imported from Japan, milled to order so that it is light and fluffy.

The special tonkatsu sauce is said to be made of 10 different spices and onions, carrots, tomatoes and apples to bring out the best flavour.

If you love your cheese, have the Nigiwai Loin & Cheese Tenderloin Katsu Gozwn ($24.50) plate with a mixture of Half Pork Loin Katsu and Cheese Tenderloin which is crispy on the outside, oozy in the middle.

Ginza Anzu
1 Kim Seng Promenade #01-113/114 Great World City, Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 6977 9815
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Those who miss Ginza Anzu which was previously from Japan Food Town at Wisma Atria, would be delighted to know that the tonkatsu specialist has reopened at the revamped Great World.

Ginza Anzu is a farm-to-table concept eatery originally from Kyushu, famous for their slabs of Tonkatsu.

They are known to prepare their tonkatsu dishes with fresh ingredients mainly imported from Kyushu, while pork is sourced from US and Canada.

As their parent company is a meat wholesaler, the selection process of the pork is said to be more stringent, with some meats going through a unique ageing process.

Some of their signature items include Ginjo Pork Fillet Katsu Set ($32.00), Ebi Fry (Deep Fried Shrimp) & Pork Fillet Katsu Set ($33.00), Pork Loin Katsu Curry ($24), and Pork Fillet Katsu Curry ($26).

While I found the pork to have a lovely crispy golden panko crust, the texture was a tad dry and not as ‘spectacular’ or expected for the price paid.

All the peripherals were of good quality, from the fluffy rice (they use traditional cauldron to cook the Japanese rice), range of sauces, to crunchy cabbage.

Yoshimi
Japan Gourmet Hall SORA T1, Viewing Mall Central, #03-21, Level, 3 Airport Blvd, Terminal 1, Singapore 819642
Tel: +65 6242 9087
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Yoshimi is a katsu curry specialty restaurant from Sapporo, Hokkaido, located within Japan Gourmet Hall SORA at Changi Airport T1.

Named after its creator Chef Yoshimi Katsuyama, Yoshimi is a product of the chef’s travels in the United States. He had this philosophy that “having fun is delicious” and so he wanted to create a place where he could serve dishes that please both palate and eyes.

Yoshimi grew and became popular, and now has more than 19 outlets across Japan.

Some of the menu mainstays include Pork Loin Katsu Set ($23.80), Mille-feuille Katsu Set ($26.80), Omurice Curry ($16), Beef Curry Rice ($17.90), along with Hokkaido-style desserts.

The Mille-feuille (mille-feuille literally means “thousand-sheets”) Katsu Set ($26.80) is where you can find multiple layers in a savoury katsu set.

Enjoy the crunchy exterior of the deep-fried katsu as you marvel at all the tender layers inside. Served with finely shredded cabbage and classic katsu sauces.

JW360°
78 Airport Blvd, Jewel Changi Airport #01-223 224 / 225, Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6243 2466
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Mon – Thurs), 11:30am – 10pm (Fri – Sun)

The 140-seater restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport is operated by the JR East Group, which also runs Japan Rail Café at Tanjong Pagar Centre.

Its four-season concept menu is designed by Suju Masayuki Restaurant.

The Mixed Katsu ($34) will allow you to get 4 types of breaded deep-fried items in one dish.

This comes with a combination of pork, chicken, pork & chicken, and shrimp croquette.

Katsu is the shortened form of katsuretsu, the transliteration of the English “cutlet”, and also a type of Yōshoku.

The quality hallmark of these 4 items is the golden, crunchy exterior that coats each piece, a result of a properly executed breading and deep-frying process. Served with finely shredded cabbage and a thick tonkatsu sauce.

My favourite was the shrimp croquette, crispy with a surprisingly melty-soft centre.

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.

Challenge or opportunity?

The COVID-19 proved to be a period none of us would have expected, similarly for this family whose many members found themselves out of jobs.

However, they found strength together, made the best out of the situation, and turned to selling Ngoh Hiang and Bee Hoon online.

The recipe was actually passed down by their great-grandmother, modified slightly by their grandmother. So you can say it is a recipe that was passed through 4 generations.

The “Circuit Breaker” period even tough, proved to be an encouraging time for them as they found support from friends, online customers, and strangers who became regulars.

Their stall may be difficult to find for those unfamiliar with the Lavender area, within a coffeeshop at 462 Crawford Lane somewhere of walking distance from Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles or Tolido’s Espresso Nook.

The menu is straight-forward, with offerings of Ngoh Hiang ($5), Fried Beehoon ($2), Fried Chicken Wings ($2 each).

There are sets of Ngoh Hiang with Bee Hoon ($6.50) or Rice ($5.50). Soon to be available are Prawn Fritters mixed with different flour to make to it chewy like mochi.

Hmm… old-school.

Their Bee Hoon would appeal to those who crave for simplicity, not drenched in sauces, neither greasy nor oily.

It reminded me of very versions cooked up by friends’ mothers or grandmothers – in a good way I guess.

My favourite parts were the crunchy cabbages that were fried together, also to make it a little sweeter too.

If you do a close-up on the beehoon, you would find little fried shrimps and scallions added for fragrance.

The Ngoh Hiang ($5 for solo order) is their signature dish that mainly uses prawn, water chestnut and pork meat. The ingredients are cut by hands so that the texture of the meat will be chewy.

However, some of you may find it lacking of something… 5 spice powder, and so may be ‘thrown off’.

To me, what worked was the portion and length. It was a 7-inch long meaty roll that you possibly cannot find anywhere else at this price.

What I would recommend is to add some of their ‘garlicky’ chilli dip with a little sour, sweet and spicy taste. Just a dip will do, as it can prove to be fiery for some.

The Fried Chicken Wings ($2 each) were marinated over long hours with special sauce to ensure the sauce enters the meat.

Also, a little of alcohol was used to make it taste a little sweet and fragrance at the same time.

Customers would therefore find it browner than a usual version, and perhaps lacking of a usual crisp battered layer as they do not add too much flour so that people can get to eat the original taste of the meat.

Some people if looking for a more ‘commercialised’ taste, may be slightly disappointed.

What you get here is simple things done right, with that homely feeling.

Sim’s Ngoh Hiang
462 Crawford Lane, #01-29, Singapore 190462
Tel: +65 9456 1018
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

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

While many character cafes in Singapore have short life spans, Kumoya known for its numerous pop-up cafes is opening a new outlet at Orchard Central #04-08.

This Kumoya @ Orchard Central is bigger at 2000 sq ft (more space for social distancing), brighter, overlooking Singapore’s Orchard Road. (Kumoya currently has a Bad Badtz-Maru and Gudetama Pop-Up Café at Jalan Klapa.)

Orchard Central is no stranger to character cafes as well, with The Minions and Pompompurin previously having a space here.

For the launch of this new outlet, Kumoya will be welcoming Rilakkuma and friends. Wah, long time no see Rilakkuma. (I remember visiting Taipei’s Rilakkuma Café some time back.)

“Rilakkuma” means “bear in relaxed mood”, and the character is known to be continuously lazy or more correctly said stress-free and also doing things at his own pace (sounds like a couple of people I know).

This pop-up “Rilakkuma -The Relax Café” will be the first semi-permanent San-X characters pop-up café in South East Asia, as it will be a year-long collaboration with various San-X characters making their appearance.

Other San-X characters include Kutusitanyanko, Sentimental Circus, Mamegoma, Monokuro Boo, Tsuginohikerori, Kamonohashikamo, Kireizukinseikatsu, Tarepanda, and Afro Ken.

The menu is once again designed by Shirley Wong aka @littlemissbento) in collaboration with the Kumoya kitchen crew. (I should do a listicle on all the character cafes she designed in Singapore some day – it is no easy feat.)

Here are some of the mains you can look forward to:

Relaxy Rilakkuma Chicken Cordon Bleu ($29.90)

Rest & Relax Rilakkuma Chicken Stew Rice ($25.90)

Kawaii Rilakkuma Salmon Rice ($26.90)

Chill-out Rilakkuma Yuzu Carbonara Pasta ($23.90)

Chirpy Kiiroitori Beef Stew Rice ($23.90)

Rilakkuma Chill-out Tendon Rice Set ($27.90)

There will be 11 Snacks, 9 Mains, 5 Desserts and 12 Beverages available. While there is no pork, no lard, and no alcohol, note that the café is not Halal-certified.

Rilakkuma – The Relax Café
Kumoya @ Orchard Central #04-08
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm, Last Order 30 minutes before closing (Mon – Sun)
From 29 August 2020 (Sat) for 6 months

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The famous Ah Seng Durian at Ghim Moh Market is no stranger to durian lovers In Singapore.

During peak durian seasons, you often spot a long line of people waiting patiently for their MSW and D24 (must social-distance ah).

So good news: Ah Seng Durian has expanded with a 2nd outlet at 119 Bukit Merah, and this comes with their very first Durian Lab café next door (The shop is near Alexandra Village Food Centre.)

The King of Fruits has garnered many supporters locally, and Singaporeans’ love for durian do not stop at just the fruit itself.

These include durian desserts, durian pastries, and… durian salad. Serious on the last one.

Durian Lab is not the first durian cafe in Singapore as we had seen others such as Mao Shan Wang Cafe in Chinatown, Double Durians at Jalan Besar, and Ms Durian at Potong Pasir.

Unfortunately, only Ms Durian is operating their business, whereas the other two had closed down their stores permanently.

Over at Durian Lab, the cakes and pastries are supplied by 2 homegrown bakeries: Flor Patisserie and Keong Saik Bakery.

Both patisseries are incorporating Mao Shan Wang durians into the desserts from Ah Seng (himself).

The MSW durian desserts include Durian Tart ($8.50), Roll Cake ($8), Mille-Feuille ($11.50) and Short Cake ($8); while Keong Saik Bakery is also supplying Burnt Cheesecake ($11) and Burnt Cruffin ($6.50).

Be prepared to be greeted by the strong scent of durian the moment you enter the premise (maybe that’s when the face masks have another function).

The 25-seater premise is spacious, but you can smell the king of fruits from any corner of the cafe.

A nightmare for those who dislike the small Also a reminder not to bring your most expensive Hermes bag or wear your favourite dress to the café.

Frankly speaking, I was interested in both the MSW Durian Tart ($8.50) and MSW Mille-Feuille ($11.50) from Flor Patisserie as these are exclusive items with a Japanese twist.

But all items from Flor Patisserie were sold out within hours on their first day of operation, also due to the limited supply.

The MSW Burnt Cheesecake ($11) which is the most expensive item on their menu, is served on white marble-like plates with a golden fork, complete with dainty set-up.

It came in three different layers.

The top layer of burnt cream cheese, pure MSW durian puree with some durian pulp in the middle layer, and MSW cream cheese at the base.

The burnt cheesecake was well-executed with a texture of smooth, velvety cream with some durian flesh for an extra bite, and an ice cream-like sensation when served.

I decided to order the Burnt Cruffin ($6.50), mainly because that was the only other item left on display.

The cruffin (croissant + muffin) was flaky and buttery, exuding some sweetness to balance out the bitterness in the Mao Shan Wang.

Piped generously with MSW cheese custard filling, the Burnt Cruffin had a flaky croissant-like crust.

As a suggestion: I hope that they can warm up the Burnt Cruffin before serving, as the inside of the cruffin can be a little hard when served cold.

Apart from pastries, coffee beans are roasted by Common Man Coffee Roasters which is floral, with cherry and dark cocoa tasting notes.

For non-coffee drinkers, check out the fruit juices such as Lime & Sour Plum ($3), Mangosteen Juice ($5) and Mango Juice ($5), the former two will relieve some “heati-ness”.

Durian Lab Cafe
Blk 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-22 Singapore, Singapore 151119
Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

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

”Aiyahhhh!” All this talk about the viral Uncle Roger and EGG FRIED RICE (that BBC Food Host video), is just making me crave for the dish even more.

Egg Fried Rice 蛋炒饭 is one of those dishes popular in many Chinese restaurants all around the world. Like you are finding your way in a foreign country, find a random Chinese restaurant, and they must have “Egg Fried Rice” somewhere there.

Cooked with basic ingredients (such as char siew, Chinese sausages and spring onions, no peas please) and seasoning, a lot is about the skills of the chef and control of the wok.

Wok-hei aka the ‘breath of the wok’ is very important ah.

There are apparently two basic ways of cooking Yangzhou Fried Rice. The first uses egg scrambled separately before mixing with the rice; while the other which I am more familiar with is “gold covered silver” method in which the liquid egg is mixed with the rice first then fried together.

King of Fried Rice
Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road, #B1-56 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589
Tel: +65 9159 4902
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 1pm – 8:30pm (Sat), Closed Sun

How many shops dare call themselves “King of Fried Rice”?

This eatery ‘hidden’ at the basement of Golden Mile Tower became quite popular when food bloggers (*cough cough*) publicised them quite a bit.

The menu typed ”mai paiseh”, with just 4 types of Fried Rice – Mala, XO, Tom Yum, and Egg Fried Rice. Prices start at $6.80 per plate.

A plate is included with pork cutlet or shrimps, and customers can choose to add on tobiko (popular), sunny side-up, spinach, asparagus, nai bai (milk cabbage), shimeji mushrooms, cabbage or broccoli for a dollar extra.

The most popular choices are Mala and Tom Yum, which are usually the first two to be sold out.

The wok-hei was strong on this short-grain white rice, and every grain was fluffy and flavourful. The overall texture was just right – not too dry, not too wet.
 
Oh, and that pork chop was fungtastic. Beautiful golden-brown colour, well marinated, the right thickness, meaty yet tender.

Reviews have been divided: some really think they are the best; some say “over-rated”. King Of Fried Rice (Golden Mile Tower)

Din Tai Fung
435, #04-25 Orchard Rd, Wisma Atria, Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 6732 1383
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sat)

Din Tai Fung needs little introduction. World famous for its signature Xiao Long Baos; ranked as one of the world’s Top Ten Best Restaurants by The New York Times.

Many people use their Pork Chop Fried Rice as a measurement of the standard to achieve when it comes to the humble dish of Dan Chao Fan (egg fried rice).

Time after time, you would read articles reviewing Fried Rice stalls with one-liners like “Din Tai Fung standard Fried Rice” or “Ex-Din Tai Fung Chef Sells Fried Rice”.

Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 should feel proud?

The Fried Rice with Pork Chop continues to be one of many’s regular orders.

The delectable main brings us back to basics with the use of eggs, spring onions, pearl rice and good wok-hei to bring out the flavours of the fresh ingredients.

The accompanying signature fried pork chop marinated with a variety of spices, was mostly tender with a good bite – though may not be consistent across all branches and visits.

Paradise Dynasty
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall #B1-110, Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 10.00pm Last order 9.30pm (Mon – Fri)
10.30am – 10.00pm Last order 9.30pm (Sat, Sun & PH)

One of Paradise Dynasty’s all-time best-selling dish, is their special Fried Rice prepared Shanghai Style上海炒饭 ($12.80).

Order these plump yet fluffy grains of rice, masterfully wok-fried along with a medley of shrimp, minced pork, chopped kailan, egg, and other classic Shanghai seasonings.

A simple yet aromatic dish.

Best to pair up with the Crispy Pork Chop ($11.00) marinated in soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, five spice powder, scallion, ginger and garlic.

The pork chops are battered then fried ‘til the edges are crispy while the interior stays moist and flavourful. Paradise Dynasty (Suntec City)

Crystal Jade Palace
391 Orchard Road, #04-19, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6735 2388
Opening Hours 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Thurs)
10:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 9:30pm (Fri – Sun, PH)

If you have been a fan of Crystal Jade Palace’s signature fried rice for the longest time, it is time to try another specialty rice dish: Fried Crispy Rice and Orzo Pasta with Prawn and Shrimps ($26).

Orzo Pasta? Okay, this is not the conventional Egg Fried Rice.

Orzo resemble larger-grains of rice but are really pasta, which delivers more protein and fibre as they are made with whole wheat. They have a firmer, more al dente texture when compared to rice.

So this looks like fried rice, but it is not.

Expertly wok-fried over high heat for that maximum wok hei, this dish is made with orzo pasta grains stir-fried with fresh prawns, diced red & green bell peppers, and flavourful bits of char siew.

It is served with a sprinkling of crispy Sakura ebi and deep-fried rice grains, so you get that bit of crunch every spoonful. Crystal Jade Palace (Ngee Ann City)

CHICHI Dining
92 Amoy Street #01-01 Singapore 069911
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Tues – Thurs)
11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Fri – Sat), 5:30pm – 10pm (Sun)

The top chef-recommended item of CHICHI Dining is this wok-fried dish of Crab XO Fried Rice ($20) made with Japanese pearl rice tossed in egg, sugar peas, nori (seaweed), and a special XO sauce made in-house.

Highlighting this dish is the soft and delicate topping of sweet lump crab meat, contrasted and complemented with smoky salty tobiko.

Another Fried Rice this you can get is the Fried Brown Rice ($16). A chef’s recommendation and a choice for vegetarian, this dish features nutty, toasted notes from the Japanese brown rice complemented by the aroma of garlic oil.

Umami flavours are woven in as soft fluffy rice is tossed with generous amounts of egg, shiitake mushrooms, hijiki seaweed, and garlic chips.

As a finale, it is topped with loads of crisp-fried beancurd skin and spring onions. CHICHI Dining (Amoy Street)

Tong Siew Fried Rice
41A Cambridge Road, #01-23, Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, Singapore 210041
Opening Hours: 1pm – 10pm (Thurs – Tues), Closed Wed

You will notice a big $3 on the signboard of this humble stall at 10 Pek Kio Food Centre. (This used to be $2.50 not too long ago.)

This is a simple and homely stall selling three dishes – Fried Rice ($3), Fried Hor Fun ($3) and Prawn Egg ($4).

The Fried Rice ($3) has a straightforward and humble preparation, included with egg, shredded chicken, sliced fish cake and topped with mini sliver fish.

I won’t say that the Fried Rice was exceptional or had very strong wok-hei (would personally prefer more), but it is still a simple old-school dish which is both filling and quite affordable.

Old-school flavour and price that is hard to find now.

(Note: While the closing time indicates as 10pm on Google, they usually sell out way before that.)

Chinatown Special
335 Smith St, #02-12, Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 12:45pm (Sun – Fri), Closed Sat

This is one of the few hawker stalls around that sell Fried Rice and only Fried Rice.

Instead of the fancy versions found in most zi char stalls and fine dining restaurants, this place serves the home-cooked variety of the dish with simple flavours.

The Fried Rice ($4.50) includes some bits of char siew and shrimps in a bed of egg and not-overly oily grains.

Something interesting is that customers can also add a hei bi (dried shrimps) floss ($0.50), fried luncheon meat ($1), anchovies ($0.50) or sunny side up egg ($0.50) to the dish.

It was decent (I would personally wish for more wok hei) and the accompanying chilli added a fiery kick.

Hao Wei Lai
Blk 165 Bukit Merah Central, #01-3687, Singapore 150165
Tel: +65 9673 5517
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Hao Wei Lai is a hidden eatery in the Bukit Merah Town Centre, the go-to place for wholesome and affordable Chinese food.

The Stir-Fried Rice with Pork Ribs ($5.80) is their star dish, and rightfully so. I loved the presentation of the dish with vibrant and glossy peppered colours of white and yellow alongside the tempting brown pork cutlet.

The rice was cooked till the soft side, though the pork cutlet was slightly dry for me.

A not-bad rendition for its price. Can’t complain since it is served at a fraction of the price of the other restaurant.

Supreme Pork Chop Rice 一品排骨饭
67 Beach Rd, Basement Singapore 189688
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 7:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

The Taiwanese-style stall is opened by a former Taiwanese basketballer.

On the menu are items such as Pork Chop Rice, Chicken Cutlet, Chicken Chop, Taiwanese Fish & Chip (each $6 per plate), in which you can switch your rice with noodles, fries, or fried mantou.

Some may draw comparison between this fried rice with DT, but the difference couldn’t be greater.

The food here is rather “home-feel”, rice is without the frills and wok-hei, and the accompanying cabbage soup like what a Taiwanese mum would cook for her family.

Nothing too fanciful, but just comforting food.

The star of the plate is the pork chop. The pieces are crispy, thinly battered, lean yet tender, not fatty, well-marinated, with a light fragrance of five-spiced powder. Supreme Pork Chop Rice 一品排骨饭 (Beach Road)

Lè Fusion
The Pier at Robertson, 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-7 8/9, Singapore 239013
Tel: +65 6363 9966
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3am Last Order 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm, Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun (Sun)

Lè Fusion is a modern Chinese cuisine restaurant and bar in the hip Mohamed Sultan area, located near the iconic Singapore River.

Newly introduced is the Rougie Foie Gras Tobiko Fried Rice ($17 for month of August 2020, U.P $34).

A surprisingly combination of fried rice with rich and creamy Rougie foie gras (Rougie is one of France’s premier foie gras producers, and uses the Moulard breed of duck for their foie gras, a mixed cross between the Peking and Muscovy ducks.)

The egg fried rice with wok-hei is further included with tobiko and ikura for those golden hues and cured-roe flavours. Lè Fusion (Robertson Quay)

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.

Located at CityLink, Singapore’s first underground mall, Donburi-Ya is a fast-casual dining spot, literally “house of donburi”.

A new-to-market brand, the humble eatery can be found near to the entrance leading to Marina Square, right opposite Starbucks.

Donburi-Ya offers its own rendition of Japanese rice bowls that are fresh, tasty, and affordable.

Their aim is to serve up inexpensive bowls to the workers and shoppers in the vicinity, and thus their Wagyu Don is priced at only $9.90 Nett.

No service charge or GST.

Plus, they also offer an additional 10% OFF for the people working around (just show your staff-pass), students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, and 11B holders for their opening special.

Here are the recommended savoury stews on rice prepared Donburi-Ya style:

Wagyu Don ($9.90 for small, $11.90 for regular)
The exquisite and prized meat Wagyu (和牛) or “Japanese beef” finds its way as a premium topping for Wagyu Don.

Available in 2 sizes, this bowl highlights thinly sliced seasoned beef, tender with the marbling in the meat.

The shoyu-based simmering sauce is livened up with ginger and soft onions. If you love Gyudon or beef donburi, this is the upgrade worth trying.

The small bowl is good if you are not feeling that hungry, or want to pair up with other sides. Otherwise, get the regular bowl for better value-for-the-money.

Diners can also top-up $2.90 for 2 sides and a drink; or $3.50 for 3 sides and a drink.

Kurobuta Don ($9.90 for small, $11.90 for regular)
Next up is a chef-recommended dish, featuring Kurobuta or “black hog” pork from the famed Berkshire pig.

Prized for its flavourful with juicy meat and fat, this heritage pig breed is an indulgent treat to fans of pork.

Bite into the succulent pieces topped in a fluffy bowl of premium Japanese white rice, and sprinkled with pickled red ginger, spring onions and strips of nori.

Bara Chirashi ($14.90)
Bara Chirashi is a humble variation of Chirashi, of fresh sashimi over a bed of sushi rice. This version I had was a medley of salmon cube, sweet egg roll cubes and ebiko on a bowl of fluffy Japanese rice.

Though tasty on its own, the rice gets a boost of flavour from the ‘liao” and a drizzled savoury sauce.

Is this the Bara Chirashi I had? I won’t say it is, but it is a good portion for the price, and the sauce added more rich flavours for those prefer something not so ‘clean-tasting’.

Donburi-Ya also offers their own version of Salmon Poke Bowl, priced at $10 (0.5 protein), $13 (1 protein) and $16 (2 protein).

Unagi Don ($12.00)
Delicious in its simplicity, this rice bowl features a grilled fillet of Japanese freshwater eel glazed with a dark, sweet and salty sauce.

Considered a delicacy, this luxurious fish’s smoky flavour is made deeper with a soy-based sauce.

The added mirin, sugar, and sake balances the sauce’s savoury taste, and imparts a sweetness to the steamed white rice.

Get a single unagi for $12, or make it double for $20.

Spicy Aburi Mentai Salmon Don ($11.90)
A rice bowl that wins in freshness and flamed-seared flavour of the salmon sashimi.

The aburi process imparts a smokiness to the dish and enhances its umami taste.

Plus, the mentaiko adds spicy and salty tones altogether, perfectly matching plain steamed rice. Enjoy this salmon don with generous toppings of crunchy ebiko.

Mapo Tofu Don – Vegetarian ($8.90)
If you are going the no-meat route, order the Mapo Tofu Don.

The classic Sichuan dish Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) is spicy and pungent, making it an appetising stroke of flavour to the bland canvass of steamed rice.

Fried Sichuan peppercorns add a nutty aroma. This chef-recommended vegetarian donburi option comes in 1 size only.

Aside from individual donburi bowls, they offer items for sharing, such as 10- or 20-piece Salmon Sashimi, Whole Unagi, Chicken Karaage, Chicken Seaweed, Shishamo, Hiyayakko (cold tofu salad), and the signature Spicy Chicken Drumlets.

Load up with their array of sides like onsen egg, chuka wakame, assorted veggies with dashi glaze, chukka scallop lips, chuka karage, crispy chicken seaweed, crispy chicken karaage, edamame, yamakurage scallop lips, shishamo, and ebi tempura. Chef-recommended sides are mapo tofu, aburi mentai tamagoyaki, and salmon sashimi.

End with a sweet and light drink of the Original Milk Pudding ($2.90 for one, $15 for 6 bottles).

Donburi-Ya
CityLink Mall #B1-16, One Raffles Link, Singapore 039393 (Esplanade MRT, CityHall MRT)
Tel: +65 8511 4425
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon – Sun) (Soft launch hours during Aug. 11am – 10pm from Sep 2020 onwards)

* This post is brought to you in partnership with Donburi-Ya.

One of Singapore’s most bellowed comfort food, Hainanese Curry Rice is basically a plate of rice slathered with a gloopy curry sauce and a soy-based braising sauce, and combined with many sides.

The humble dish of Hainanese Curry Rice is said to be developed during British colonial rule by Hainanese living in Singapore.

As many Hainanese were employed by the British and Peranakan families, dishes such as Pork Chop and Curry Chicken became some of the iconic dishes.

Don’t know what to order? At least go for the ‘four heavenly king’ dishes of Hainanese Curry Rice which are the Crispy Pork Cutlet, Curry Chicken, Braised Pork Belly and Braised Cabbage.

Sides are often crumbed with other items such as pork trotters stewed in soy sauce, fried egg, crisp-fried battered prawns, minced meat patty and more depending on the stall.

Typically messy with the splashing of sauces and gravies, the lovely chaos of ingredients is the trademark of an authentic Hainanese Curry Rice.

Not ‘instagrammable’, never mind. Here are 10 of the best Hainanese Curry Rice in Singapore you can try:

Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice (Tiong Bahru)
71 Seng Poh Road, #01-49, Singapore 160071
Tel: +65 6225 3762
Opening Hours: 8am – 2:45pm (Fri – Wed), Closed Thurs

Operating since 1946, Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice has become an all-time fave of families generations after generations.

The stall is housed in a coffee shop along a row of shop houses at Tiong Bahru.

Mr Loo Kia Chee took the business from his father and has been running it since then, preserving his traditional Hainanese curry recipe.

Each batch of curry is prepared for days, including a couple of days chopping ingredients and a day of machine grinding.

That process makes the curry smooth, creamy, and aromatic. Spice level is mild, and the creamy coconut and refreshing ginger flavours shine through.

Drenched over plain rice, it becomes a messy, hearty indulgence.

Pork Chop is a meat-lover’s dream. Coated with a biscuit crust, it is moist and succulent and complemented with a sweet tomato-based sauce.

But for fatty indulgence, go for the thick chunks of Pork Belly with creamy melt-in-your-mouth fat and a rich, smoky braised sauce.

No Name Hainanese Curry Rice
Blk 40 Beo Crescent, #01-10, Ho Ping Hng Coffeeshop, Singapore 160040
Opening Hours: 7am – 3pm (Thurs – Tue), Closed Wed

Opened in 1988, this nameless Hainanese Curry Rice stall is well-known to Tiong Bahru residents for its shiok curry and crispy pork.

Some call it “No Name Hainanese Curry Rice”; others say “Beo Crescent Curry Rice”. Though discreetly located, it attracts long queues of buyers ordering cai png style.

Each serving of Curry Rice comes with three kinds of sauces: lor bak sauce, and chap chye gravy, and their signature ayam curry. But if you like things spicy, choose the assam curry.

The sweet chap chye gravy gives a nice contrast to the savoury Lor Bak. Though curry is thin in consistency, it is full-bodied in flavour.

For the sides, order their most popular one, Crispy Pork, usually loved at first bite. Marinated overnight, fatty cuts of pork are coated with batter and double-fried ‘til deep brown and extra crispy.

Throw in some Stewed Cabbage to break the chain of fatty flavours. Cooked ‘til tender but not soggy, this well-seasoned side is good enough for two.

China Street Hainanese Curry Rice 中國街咖哩飯
1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-68 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: 11am – 6pm (Sat – Thurs), Closed Fri

For Hainanese Curry Rice first-timers, Maxwell Food Center is one of ideal places to get introduced to this popular Singaporean comfort food.

You often find a long queue here during lunch hours, and items get sold out wait before their closing hour.

Here you can find a delicious, well-executed rendition prepared fresh daily.

First off, the curry is thick, rich and only mildly spicy. I liked how mellow it was without a weird spicy tinge. Pair it with the highly-recommended Pork Chop ($1.50).

Lounging in the gooey pool of sauces are thick slices of crispy pork chop, coated in a thin, crisp and fragrant batter. You can taste and tell the pork has been marinated well.

Other variations for pork are Pork Belly ($1.50) and Minced Pork ($1.30). If not, go for the Fish, Cuttlefish, Prawns, Beancurd or Egg.

Tian Tian Hainanese Curry Rice
116 Bukit Merah View, #01-253, Singapore 151116
Tel: +65 9821 0200
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Founded as a venture by the family’s great grandfather, this Bukit Merah hawker stall has been around since 1973. Secret family recipes are passed down and preserved, forming the foundation of this popular stall located at a coffee shop next to Bukit Merah View 115 Food Centre.

At Tian Tian, each bowl of Curry Rice is slathered with a generous mix three kinds of curry: chicken curry, seafood curry, and vegetarian curry.

And if the sauciness is not enough, you can request for additional meat sauces: lok bak sauce, char siew sauce, and pork chop gravy. You can create your own combination.

Typical of most Hainanese curry, spiciness level is low and its flavour is more on a mild, sweeter flavour.

The go-to choice of meat is the crumb-coated Pork Chop, a thick, well-seasoned meat deep-fried to a golden brown. It is accompanied with a bowl of brown gravy – use it as dipping sauce for the pork or let it mingle with the rest of the curries.

Try also the meaty Squid and enjoy its fresh, savoury-sweet taste and chewy but not tough texture. They only use good quality squids from reputable suppliers so it might not be in the menu if good squid is not available.

Sin Chie Toke Huan
1018 Upper Serangoon Road, Tai Peng Gardens, Singapore 534756
Tel: +65 9003 5337
Opening Hours: 5pm – 3:30am (Mon, Thurs – Sun), Closed Tues, Wed

Sin Chie Toke Huan is all about home-cooked style Hainanese curry rice and an array of side dishes, very popular in Hougang.

Outdoor seats are available, and it has a vibe that brings back memories of family home-cooked dinners.

Their Traditional Hainanese Curry Rice is coated in a well-flavoured mildly-spiced curry, and carry the aroma of curry leaves.

Among the veggies, the braised cabbage is a staple side-kick for the fragrant curry rice. Soft texture, fiber-rich with a naturally sweet taste accentuated with a mild garlic flavour.

Going to the seafood, squids cooked in curry sauce is quite popular, tender in texture with a slight chewiness.

The Pork Chop was disappointing as it seemed left there for a while (cold), though the Har Cheong Gai or Prawn Paste Chicken is recommended.

Made with crisp-fried chicken wing with a mildly pungent taste from the prawn paste, its crunchy exterior encases the juicy meat inside. The slab of Otah Otah was the other saving grace.

Eleven Fingers (Eu Kee) Scissors Curry Rice
269B Queen St, #01-235, Singapore 180269
Opening Hours: 11am – 6:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Even though Google states that the stall closes at 6:30pm, I have never really seen it open during those hours and make it a point to visit before peak hour lunch.

Apparently, the original owner had an extra finger, thus the name of the stall.

This is probably where you can get a fulling and satisfying meal for $3 – $5 right opposite Bugis Plus.

The selection of items is not as wide ranging as some of the other eateries, though you still get decent choices such as Curry Chicken, Braised Pork Belly, Braised Tau Pork, Ngor Hiang, Cabbage and Egg.

The two big pots of gravies looked very appealing, namely the Braised and Curry sauce. The Curry did have an obvious spicy tinge and curried powder taste, not overly gooey in terms of texture.

I did wish for the Crispy Pork Chop to be hotter (cold in fact), and Braised Pork Belly more tender (surprisingly tough). But overall, a satisfying and hearty mix drenched in sauces.

Hong Seng Curry Rice
#01-74 Redhill Food Centre, Blk 85 Redhill Lane, Singapore 150085
Opening Hours: 10am – 10:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 10:30pm (Sat – Sun)

This cheap and good food stall at Redhill 85 Food Centre is run by 2nd gen hawker whose family has been in the same business for over 20 years.

The choices at this stall make it stand out, as there are 20 plus different dishes cooked on a daily basis including Braised Pig’s Skin, Curry Fish, Sambal Long Beans, Chye Poh Egg and Curry Potatoes.

Recommended dishes include Pork Chop, Char Siew, Braised Pig’s Trotters, Dong Po Pork, Boneless Curry Chicken, Fried Chicken, Curry Sotong, Prawn Fritters, Hae Bi Hiam, and Ikan Billis with Peanuts.

Prices go from $0.70 per portion to say $4 – $6 for the fish. There is even a $4 Value Set Menu featuring six dishes include Pork Chop, Prawn Fritter and Fried Egg.

Come in a group, order a small variety, and when you add everything up, you really this rice stall is really quite economical.

The curry has a Japanese curry-like thick texture, more robust with the use of spices (though may not be my personal favourite).

Toa Payoh Scissors Cut Curry Rice 大巴窑八巷剪刀剪咖喱饭
210 Lor 8 Toa Payoh #01-28, Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310210
Opening Hours: 11am – 3:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Quite an under-rated stall, and considered not as famous as many of the other Hainanese Curry Rice.

Prices start affordably, with one veg and a meat at $2.50, and goes up to 2 veg and 2 meats at $4.30. Additional cost for fish orders.

Popular items include Pork Chop, Braised Pork, Curry Chicken Wings, Curry Vegetable and Egg.

While slightly salty, I loved its pale-orangey slight-sticky and thick curry as it was different from all the rest that I had. It was one I thought managed to achieve a balance of savoury, spicy and sweet, without being overly gooey or thin.

Yong Fa Hainanese Curry Rice
#01-25, 448 Clementi Ave 3, Singapore 120448
Opening Hours: 10am – 2pm, 4pm – 7pm (Mon – Fri) or till sold out, Closed Sat, Sun

The Hainanese Curry Stall’s queue at Clementi 448 Food Centre is steadily long throughout the opening hours but the service here is quick and efficient.

Other than Curry Fish Head and Curry Fish, you can order the signature sambal squid, curry mutton, curry chicken wing, pork chop, and vegetables.

Each item ranges from $1 to $3, so better do your calculations if you are price sensitive.

The food is a bit towards the pricy end but the generous serving size and taste makes up for it.

I can understand why people would like this curry rice – it is the freshness and curry. While I always worry about the ingredients being cold after left out in the open, there was still this warm and homely touch.

The curry gravy was one-of-a-kind, slightly on the thin side and spicy. Can ask for the fish curry gravy if you would like a tangy touch.

Scissors Cut Curry Rice
229 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208905
Tel: +65 9826 1464
Opening Hours: 11am – 3:30am (Mon – Sun)

It is still a mystery how the legendary scissor-style Hainanese Curry Rice 剪刀剪咖喱饭 was invented.

The restaurant known for late-night suppers is famous for its clacking, metallic snapping sound of the scissors… and of course its rice.

The serving size is generous, prices are affordable (though not when compared to the past), and continues popular late night place hang-outs.

While the curry rice looks extremely unappetizing and ugly, fans say they taste heavenly, covered with gooey sauces and toppings of your choice.

My personal favourite dish was the Braised Pork, sliced into thin rectangular shapes, of tender meat braised in a dark greasy sauce. The cabbage was cooked till pale green and squashy, but tastefully soft.

Sometimes (getting more often of late), the deep-fried items get served too old, and therefore not crisp enough.

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10 Must-Try OYSTER OMELETTE aka Orh Luak In Singapore
10 Affordable Old-School Western Food Found In Singapore’s Hawker Centres

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

I was rather surprised to find a Korean-inspired bakery café to open along this ulu stretch of Yio Chu Kang Road.

Urban Table is located at ICB Shopping Centre, slightly further down from iconic eateries such as Song Kee Eating House and Eleven Strands.

Geographically speaking, this end segment of Yio Chu Kang Road is actually not that far from Serangoon MRT station.

Upon stepping into the Urban Table, I was welcomed by its cosy laid-back vibes and spacious minimalist store configuration.

It strikes an uncanny resemblance to hipster cafes such as Luft Coffee at Myeongdong, Seoul. (Even the cups and its logo reminded me of Street Churros at Itaewon, Seoul. )

“Annyeonghaseyo, annyeonghaseyo”, I overheard a Korean lady who greeted the group of Korean customers in front of me. (Her personal friends who came to support maybe?)

The open coffee bar counter which you can view the barista at work, pastries on display and neatly arranged tables, all these minor details immediate took my soul for a joyride in South Korea.

The desire to travel is REAL.

While not extensive, their food menu offers a range of pastries and cakes such as Apple Strudel ($4.50), Pain Au Chocolate ($3.90), Onion Quiche ($6.90) and Strawberry Shortcake ($6.80).

The only mains available was an All-Day Breakfast plate ($14.90) made up of ham & cheese croissant, scrambled eggs, and a serving of greens.

I generally liked their pastries such as buttery croissant which came with soft and fluffy insides, coupled with flaky golden exterior.

Similarly for Maple Pecan ($4.50), which was generously filled jam fillings wrapped in baked pastry skin.

The Raisin Pinwheel ($3.90) was a little overbaked though, with the crust being too crispy and slightly dry compared to the previous two.

If you have a sweet tooth, go for the Chocolate Truffle cake ($6.80) which was layered with chocolate sponge and whipped chocolate ganache.

I enjoyed its chewy-brownie like texture, though I personally find the sugar level too much overkill for my tolerance level.

After some chit-chatting with the Korean lady, she shared that they are the same team behind Boyle’s Coffee, that explains their Korean origins and seriousness in speciality coffee.

Over here, they do their coffee bean roasting within the store premises and the roaster would occasionally pause to share more about coffee knowledge when curious onlookers stand around to watch him work.

He highlighted that they use different in-house blends for various coffee beverages.

For instance, a soft balanced blend with flora and citrus notes for Black ($4.50) and another blend which boasts rich and aromatic chocolate nutty flavour for White ($5.50) to better showcase its taste profile.

I can already foresee myself visiting this place often to enjoy a cuppa if I need to reminisce about South Korea cafes.

Urban Table
10A-E Yio Chu Kang Rd, ICB Shopping Centre, Singapore 545524
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Tue – Sat), 9am – 6pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
12 Korean Lifestyle Cafes In Singapore
Kreams (Maxwell Chambers)
The Dark Gallery (Great World)
Kong Café (Bukit Timah)
Eleven Strands (Serangoon)

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

River Valley which is an area popular with the expat community, seems to be bustling with cafes of late such as Little Farms Café, Grace Espresso, Kura, and Starter Lab which is a short walk away at Havelock Road.

For those craving for some fresh bakes of Buttery Croissants, Baguettes and Basque Burnt Cheesecake, you will be thrilled to know that there is a new and unknown (for now) French bakery LR Boulangerie at Valley Point (right next to Little Farms Café).

Besides serving their own coffee beans that are roasted in-house by Coffee Plus, LR Boulangerie offers a selection of bakes, mainly French-style breads and pastries, including cute and Instagram-worthy ones.

I am referring to the bear or bunny shaped Financier ($3), which are a big-hit with the children who accompanied their parents wishing to buy other things.

The space is not that big though, mainly for takeaways with limited seating area of a total of 4 high stools.

If you need your breads of the day, they include Traditional Baguette ($4.50), Whole Wheat Figs ($6), Cranberry Cheese Balls ($3.50) Mini Crispy Baguette ($3.50) and Little Blueberry Cheese Bun ($3.50).

Sweet treats include Burnt Cheesecake ($12.80), Tiramisu ($9.80), New York Cheese Cake ($7.80) and Croque ($4.20) piped with vanilla custard, though they rotate depending on the time of the day.

I had the New York Cheese Cake ($7.80) which is smooth; velvety and creamy, not as dense as I expected (in a good way).

It came with a cookie base beneath that adds some crunch to the entire texture, with slight hint of citrus-ness due to lemon added making it more refreshing.

The Croque ($4.20) was a multilayered, laminated sweet Danish pastry with crispy and flaky exterior crust piped with vanilla custard and topped with strawberries, blueberries and green grapes.

The vanilla custard was light and non-overwhelming, complemented by the sweetness from the pastry crust and the fruits.

It is worthy to wait for their freshly-baked Croissants, who would probably be snapped out not long after they are out from the oven.

Compared to some others which are generally either fluffy or dense, these were light and crisp, of buttery layers and remarkably flaky texture.

Coffee beans are roasted and supplied by Coffee Plus, their sister company, using single origin from El Salvador (starts from $4 for 3oz espresso), extra espresso shot (+$1), Soy and Oat Milk (+$1).

For serious coffee drinkers, hand pour coffee (Hot $7/ Cold $8) using Ethiopia, Indonesia and Brazil coffee beans are available as an option.

As the bakes at LR Boulangerie are limited in selections and quantity in their initial stage, I will suggest to head there early as there was only a limited selection of bakes left on the display during my visit on a weekday afternoon.

LR Boulangerie
491 River Valley Road, Valley Point #01-02, Singapore 248371
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Little Farms Café (Valley Point)
Kura (Kim Yam Road)
Starter Lab (Havelock Road)
Grace Espresso (River Valley)
Coffee Plus (Queen’s Road)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated. Additional input and photos from Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary .

The “Circuit Breaker” made me realise that it would be beneficial to have some handy caffeine right in the fridge, especially when you are WFH (working from home).

Those of you who follow me on IG would know I am quite into Cold Brews.

Other than Cold Brews being refreshing given Singapore’s hot temperatures, they are usually less acidic, less bitter (not as siap siap), have a smooth and naturally sweet profile, and keep well refrigerated.

“Bootstrap Cold Brew” is a local specialty cold brew company started by coffee geeks in early 2015. Its debut was in Bali – where their coffee beans are sourced, and they quickly grew and set up another microbrewery in Singapore.

I first took note of the brand when Starter Lab (the famous bakery café from Bali) served it along with their aromatic bakes.

It is not difficult to see why the synergy. Bootstrap sources the finest 100% single-origin Arabica beans from family-run farms in Kintamani – a highland area in the north of East Bali.

For the purpose of this post, I dropped by for a visit at their microbrewery located in Mandai, and saw that all products are made fresh daily in Singapore. And they cold brew and bottle only in small batches.

Added benefit: Bootstrap’s Cold Brew which is never heated from brewing to bottled, can be enjoyed with a fridge-life of up to 30 days (for example, the Cold Brew Black), while still 100% free from preservatives or additives. (A typical bottled cold brew need to be consumed within 3-5 days.)

Most importantly during these times, they deliver from their microbrewery straight to your doorstep. Ah, the convenience.

For first timers looking for a variety, you can go for the Bootstrap Mix Pack which gives you 6 cold brew flavours: Signature Black Coffee, High-Performance Strong Black Coffee, Dairy-free Oat Milk Coffee, Fresh Milk and Manuka Honey Coffee, Rooibos Orange Tea and Hojicha Tea.

Here’s more about the brews:

Bootstrap Cold Brew Black ($5 per bottle, $3.56 per bottle / subscription with promo)
This is for the purists, with no added sugar or milk, keeping it simple with just 100% Arabica coffee. Plus, no added preservatives, no artificial flavouring, no refined sugars.

For maximum flavour extraction, the coffee beans are patiently steeped in room temperature water for over 15 hours.

The long steeping time rewards you with coffee that is smooth, refreshing and naturally-sweet. In terms of taste, you get notes of dark chocolate malt, with not much bitterness or acidity.

And the bonus is: you can keep it chilled for up to 30 days, apparently with no loss in freshness or profile. So you can always keep a ‘stash’ in your fridge.

Bootstrap Cold Brew Strong ($6 per bottle, $4.27 per bottle / subscription with promo)
For those who need an extra boost, go for the Cold Brew Strong, a popular choice amongst health buffs and those who are working long hours in front of the com.

I take this on my Monday mornings or when I have a long Zoom meeting ahead, as it is a powerful black coffee brewed double the strength.

Try this full-bodied drink on the rocks – pour over ice and enjoy its dark chocolate finish extra cold.

Like the black, this is good for a month at 30 days. You will need that emergency caffeine when you WFH.

Bootstrap Cold Brew Milk & Manuka Honey ($6.50 per bottle, $4.63 per bottle / subscription with promo)
If you prefer sweet coffee drinks, order the cold brew milk sweetened with 100% organic Manuka Honey sourced from New Zealand.

This classic white coffee is packed with natural healing properties of the honey, with no added preservatives, additives, and refined sugars as well.

This is my personal favourite. What I enjoyed was the creamy texture of the fresh milk as it blended with the floral sweetness of Manuka honey and coffee.

You can pour this nut-free brew over ice or drink straight up. Good up to 12 days (less than black due to the fresh milk) when chilled in the fridge.

Bootstrap Cold Brew Oat Milk ($6 per bottle, $4.27 per bottle / subscription with promo)
This dairy-free beverage combines Bootstrap’s signature cold brew coffee with 100% organic oat milk.

Ideal for vegans, followers of plant-based diets, and lactose-intolerant coffee drinkers.

Allergic to nuts? You are safe as this is totally nut-free. Don’t forget to shake well before drinking to taste its smooth and light creaminess.

Even with no preservatives, its shelf life is a good 12 days refrigerated.

Bootstrap Cold Brew Rooibos Orange Tea ($5.50 per bottle / subscription with promo)
Tea drinkers can experience the gently cold brewed rooibos, a South African herb with a unique honey earthy aroma.

When you combine Bootstrap’s cold brewing process and Kindred Teas’ artisanal blends, you get this fruity tea which is refreshing any time of the day.

Naturally-sweet and caffeine-free, this herbal tea is infused with juicy orange peel for a bright acidity. Sweetness is on the mellow side with a hint of wildflower honey.

Keeps up to 21 days refrigerated.

Bootstrap Cold Brew Hojicha Tea ($5.50 per bottle / $3.91 per bottle / subscription with promo)
Fans of green tea can try the cold brew Hojicha tea, with subtle hints of coffee, roasted barley and caramel of roasted green tea.

The caffeine content is on the lower end for this, so you can drink this zero-calorie, sugar-free drink at almost anytime of the day.

Fridge life is up to 26 days.

Bootstrap Subscription Program – Promo Code “SUBNOW”
Get your java stash conveniently delivered to you by signing up to Bootstrap’s Subscription Program.

It is a hassle-free way to order specialty coffee, which you can adjust and mix & match your favourite flavours.

No need to worry about a rigid schedule – you can pause and adjust shipment at any time.

Plus, free shipping island-wide. With a subscription, you will be saving more with 5% OFF.

If you use promo code SUBNOW at checkout, you can get an extra 25% discount for your first 8 payments.

On another note, all cold brews are bottled in 100% recyclable glass bottles and delivered in a reusable cooler bag. Upon your next order, delivery crew will collect your empty bottles for recycling.

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

Started off as a coffee cart business in 2018, Musketeers Coffee is founded by 3 friends who call themselves “Musketeers”.

(“The Three Musketeers” is also a well-known French historical adventure novel, with adapted into several movies and TV shows.)

They went from running events in a makeshift coffee cart, to a permanent brick-and-mortar space at the ground floor lobby of SoilBuild.

However, do note that this is more of a takeaway space, as the current seating area is limited to just 2 tables (plus remember to safe distance).

Their menu is short and concise, mainly focusing on their in-house artisanal coffee.

Using a 3-beans-blend (Ethiopia, Columbia, Costa Rica) roasted by Tad Coffee, the menu includes Espresso ($3.50), Black/ White ($4.50) and Mocha ($5).

For those coffee enthusiasts seeking Pourover Coffee, they are using coffee beans roasted by Anteroom Coffee Brewers with 2 variants: Daily brew ($4) and V60 ($6).

The Flat White ($4.50) is one of the most reasonably priced artisanal coffee I had.

It comes with a single shot of espresso, full bodied with a creamy and smooth texture, pretty well balanced without feeling the acidity.

Add-ons such as Oat Milk (+$0.50), espresso shot ($1) and Ice ($1) are also available.

Bottled drinks ($5.50) such as “Accident” White Coffee, Chilled Mocha, Mint Chocolate and Black Cold Brew are available in 200ml bottles.

I (accidentally) saw the “Accident” White Coffee on the menu and was curious what it means.

The preparation is different as they added extracted espresso to milk and let it sit overnight instead of steeping the coffee beans in cold water overnight before filtering it.

(Some people may feel it is essentially the same as accidentally putting a glass of latte in the fridge overnight…)

The result is more acidic with a more pronounced espresso taste in the “Accident” White Coffee.

Light bites are also available such as Overnight Oat ($5) and Toastie with Cheese ($3), Vegemite ($3) and Peanut Butter ($4).

I ordered the Tao Cheez Toastie ($3) that comes with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese with butter in it.

The stretchy savoury cheese is on the saltier side and the toast is unfortunately a little too thick and dense, with dry edges.

Musketeers Coffee is a good alternative for artisanal coffee if you are in the vicinity as there’s no cafe nearby.

Simply head to the West Wing of Solaris@ Kallang 164 and you can easily locate them on the ground floor.

Musketeers Coffee
164 Kallang Way, #02-K1, Singapore 349248
Opening Hours: 8am – 4.30pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun, PH

Other Related Entries
Nylon Coffee Roasters (Everton Park)
Kizuna (Potong Pasir)
NOA Singapore (Stanley Street)
Coffee Plus (Queen’s Road)
PYROAST (Henderson Road)

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

Popular sushi restaurant Magic Touch has opened in Singapore at CityLink Mall.

Magic Touch which originated in Taiwan in 2015, is known for its innovative ordering system and large selection of Japanese food items has expanded quickly overseas, with outlets in China, Hong Kong, California, and now Singapore.

Just a ‘touch’ of ordering for a ‘magical’ experience.

Customers can order many items from sushi, fried or grilled dishes, appetisers, soups, and desserts at the table via an online ordering system.

Simply step in, scan a QR code and order more than 100 Japanese dishes from your handphone, and a “Shinkansen” bullet train will deliver the food to your table.

Items are affordable, with sushi items such as Prime Salmon Belly, Artic Surf Clam, and Boiled Scallop with Garlic Butter are priced at $1.80.

Getting your check is just as simple. After your meal, click the list of ordered items, press “bill”, and proceed to pay at the counter.

Inside, you will find rows of booth and counter seats. The space is designed to integrate with a double-decker beltway system coming out of the kitchen and into the dining area.

It is this rail-like system that delivers your order – everything from starters to desserts, directly to your table via mini Shinkansen bullet trains.

Ready to swipe and order? Here are the recommended Magic Touch items to try:

Assorted Shell Sashimi ($8.50)
Order this plate of assorted shell sashimi, ideal for sharing. This mini selection of fresh raw seafood includes Arctic Surf Clam, Ark Shell, and Scallops.

The soft yet firm-fleshed Akagai or Ark Shell Clam has a mild aroma and taste that develops as it is chewed, while the low-fat high-protein Hokkigai or Arctic Surf Clam has a fresh taste, very juicy texture, and a slight crunch.

Salmon Sashimi ($5.80)
You can’t go wrong with a simple order of Salmon Sashimi, as it gives you that direct taste experience. Fresh and silky thick slices of raw salmon need nothing else for it to stand out.

Seared Caramel Salmon ($2.50)
This features a large piece of fresh salmon, topped with sweet mayo then torched. What I liked was that there was a small piece of lemon included, for that touch of tanginess to balance out the sweetness.

Seared Beef ($4.00)
A pair of thin sliced beef strips resting on some sushi rice, with the quick sear on the meat resulting in a savoury grilled taste.

Seared Tamagoyaki ($2.00)
A piece of long Japanese rolled omelette on sushi, seared and topped with ebiko, with a balance between savoury and sweet.

Jumbo Scallop with Mentaiko ($2.00)
You get a pair of fresh scallops on top of sushi rice. Sharing the billing with the scallops is the luscious mentaiko slathered over them, adding a slight-spicy twist to the natural scallop taste.

Jumbo Crab Stick with Cheese ($2.50)
Kani surimi, the popular Japanese crab stick gets an upgrade as it joins forces with the much-loved cheese and mayo, then torched.

There is also a black pepper version.

Mentaiyaki Chicken Skewered ($4.50)
Mentaiko or marinated pollock roe sharpens the flavour of chicken in this dish. The chicken thigh pieces get that savoury, salty and somewhat-spicy flavour from the Japanese fish roe.

Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks ($3.50)
Sticks of mozzarella is coated with Panko bread crumbs and deep-fried to a crisp. Inside, the melted cheese is waiting to ooze out, ready to transform to a lovely cheese pull.

Fried Soft-Shell Crab ($7.50)
Treat yourself to this crustacean delicacy, a seasoned soft, moulted crab dunked and dredged with flour and dipped in beaten egg. The soft-shelled crab is flash-fried in hot oil to a light crisp.

As a bonus, you may find crab fat or tomalley in its cavities – an indulgent creamy, yellow paste.

Hiroshima Oyster ($2.50)
Enjoy these bivalves from Hiroshima, the largest producer of oysters in Japan. Raised with care, they are plump and juicy.

Available in both original and spicy version, the former can be enjoyed with natural sweetness; while the other is topped with Sriracha hot sauce.

Seared Beef Donburi ($5.50)
Add a bowl of fluffy Japanese steamed rice to your meal, included with beansprouts and topped with seared beef. This cooking process locks in the juices in the meat, making the sliced beef tender and succulent.

As a topping, it is simmered in a savoury glaze that goes well with the plain steamed rice. Break the oozy onsen egg and give it a good mix.

Sweet Potato Chestnut Croquette ($3.00)
This crunchy appetiser is made with mashed purple sweet potatoes and pureed chestnuts. The deep-frying process gives it that much-loved golden hue and exterior crispiness.

Due to its delicate sweetness, you can treat this almost like a dessert piece.

Flourless Chocolate Cake ($3.50)
This dense and fudgy semi-sweet chocolate cake as a sweet treat.

Brown Sugar Milk Pudding ($2.50)
The brown sugar added a distinctive caramelised sweetness to the wobbly pudding.

* Show this blogpost to the service staff, and get a FREE Brown Sugar Milk Pudding (with minimum spend of $50) for its opening special.

Magic Touch
1 Raffles Link, CityLink Mall #B1-23, Singapore 039393
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

* This post is brought to you in partnership with Magic Touch.

Nothing to do with “Wing Chun” – the Southern Chinese Kungfu style, Yong Chun Wanton Noodle 永春云吞面 can be said to be putting on a good fight, and is enjoying a constant long queue at Bukit Merah View 115 Food Centre.

This particular Bukit Merah View Food Centre actually has quite a high proportion of wanton mee stalls – Depot Road Wanton Mee, Kim Huat Wanton Mee, R&D, and Yong Chun, and they all come with relatively long lines.

I have tried all of them, and they all have varied styles which will appeal to different fans: Depot Road Wanton Mee for it spinach and tomato-based noodles with plump dumplings; Kim Huat Wanton Mee (not related to Mr Brown) for its old-school flavours; R&D for springy noodles.

Yong Chun probably has the most buzz for now due to a viral video from SethLui’s team.

Worthy to take note that the stall opens before sunrise at 5:30am till about 1:30pm (or sold out) to cater to the workers and elderly in the vicinity who have early breakfast.

That also means the young hawkers also have to be at the stall from 2am plus to start preparation. It is very hard work and sacrifice.

The stall serves up Wanton Noodles ($3, $4, $5), Dumpling Noodles ($3, $4, $5), Shredded Chicken Noodles or Horfun ($3, $4, $5), and Chicken Feet Noodles ($3.50, $4.50).

What I enjoyed was the springiness of the noodles that had a good eggy (can say al dente) bite to it, matched with soft char siew that is cooked in a wok rather than roasted.

I would have personally preferred the roasted type with the caramelised slightly-charred exterior, but this somehow worked and also came across as less greasy and easier to bite (for the older folks).

The base sauce was also on the slightly sweeter side, with a particular old-school savour.

Special mention goes to the dumplings (I ordered on a separate occasion) that were plump and meaty with minced pork and water chestnuts.

Special tip for you: The sister actually owns a Bak Chor Mee stall at ABC Food Centre called “Chun Seng” (noticed the similarity in signboards and styles and asked). 春 symbolising “spring” is their mother’s name.

Yong Chun Wanton Noodle
115 Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre #01-56, Singapore 151115
Tel: +65 9028 1285
Opening Hours: 5:30am – 1:30pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Tues

Other Related Entries
Foong Kee (Keong Saik Street)
Fatty Cheong 肥仔详 (ABC Food Centre)
Koung’s Wantan Mee (Geylang)
Ji Ji Noodle House (Hong Lim Food Centre)
Kok Kee Wanton Noodle (Foch Road)

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

The Mid-Autumn Festival which falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, will be on the 1st of October (Thurs) this year.

Looks like the welcoming of the festivities have already started, with shops pushing out mooncakes earlier than expected and consumers grabbing hold of the various early-bird deals.

While the traditional big mooncake fairs for us to sample different treats are a no-go in 2020, many brands are going online and offering various delivery options and promotions.

If you are looking at some of the best mooncakes in Singapore for 2020, look no further. (I really styled, photographed and ate my way through all of them and more…)

Here are 12 must-have mooncakes, and also included are details such as the new flavours, box design, purchase venue and corresponding promotions. So, enjoy!

Awfully Chocolate
Exquisite Classic Baked Mooncakes and Chocolate Truffle Mooncakes

The Awfully Chocolate Mid-Autumn Collection 2020 comprises two distinct styles of mooncakes of Classic Baked Mooncakes and Chocolate Truffle Mooncakes.

Each chest of Classic Baked Mooncakes boasts four different flavours, baked in either light golden Shanghai pastry or signature dark chocolate pastry ($88 per box of 4 mix flavours).

You can look forward to the NEW flavour of Six Treasure with White Lotus, which is inspired by the traditional “Five Nut” mooncake. Enjoy velvety white lotus lavished with supple cranberries and golden fruit, hand-roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cashews and almonds encased in their signature dark cocoa mooncake pastry.

The Must-Have Mooncakes:
The Chocolate Truffle Mooncakes series comes in four different luxury cacao flavours – Chocolate Autumn Berries, Matcha Dark Chocolate, Dark Milk Espresso and Caramel Calamansi.

Priced at $88 per box of 8, with 2 pieces of each.

The Dark Milk Espresso remains as one of Awfully Chocolate’s classic, with a beautiful combination of rich dark milk chocolate ganache and a velvety double espresso yolk.

The Box:
Awfully Chocolate has designed a matching set of bespoke wooden chests meant for more than just a single-use.

Each hand-painted chest is one-of-a-kind and comes with reusable gold fork-knives. Their Classic Baked Mooncakes come individually packaged in brushed gold tins with engraved wooden lids, that doubles as a plate. These elegant keepsake chests are good as an accessory box.

Available at:
Website: Awfullychocolate.com or Mooncakefair.com
Pre-orders are available at all Awfully Chocolate stores. Walk-in purchases will be available 1 Sep onwards at selected stores.

Promotion:
25% OFF Early Bird Special (Till 31 Aug)

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
Mini Snowskin Lychee Rose, Durian Mao Shan Wang, Plantation 1840 and Tiramisu

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel has introduced six exciting flavours of Mini Snowskin Mooncakes.

The highlight would be the rum-based Mini Snowskin Plantation 1840 ($78 for 8 pieces) which transformed from the hotel’s signature cocktail to an edible form, a sweet treat with an alcoholic kick.

Other indulgent Snowskin flavours are the Tiramisu ($78 for 8 pieces), Valrhona 70% ($78 for 8 pieces), Salted Caramel ($74 for 8 pieces), Lychee Rose ($74 for 8 pieces) and Mao Shan Wang Durian ($86 for 8 pieces).

Assorted mini Snowskin flavours are also available at $78 for 8 pieces.

If you are looking for the traditional baked mooncakes, the ones offered here come in bite-sized pieces and are good to pair with tea.

They include Pandan Paste with Melon Seeds ($70 for 8 pieces), citrusy Red Bean Paste with Orange Peel ($74 for 8 pieces), classic White Lotus Seed with Egg Yolk and reduced sugar ($78 for 8 pieces) or with Macadamia Nuts and reduced sugar ($74 for 8 pieces).

Want to try it all? Then go for the Assorted Mini Baked Mooncake box ($74 for 8 pcs).

The Must-Have Mooncake:
Will be tough to choose from the Mini Lychee Rose and Mini Mao Shan Wang Durian. The former has light and floral notes with delicate-fruity sweetness; whereas the latter is stuffed with real creamy Mao Shan Wang durian flesh for a powerful punch.

The Box:
A visually stunning, intricately designed and multi-functional wooden jewelry box dressed in a vibrant crimson colour of Kempinski’s iconic Lady in Red.

The design draws inspiration from two key landmarks of Singapore’s Civic District – Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES, the stained glass windows in CHIJMES Hall is crafted onto the top of the mooncake box.

Available at:
Website: www.shop-capitolkempinski.com (till 1 Oct 2020)
Whatsapp: +65 9817 2750 or https://wa.me/6598172750

Promotion:
– 20% Early Bird Discount is available until 31 Aug 2020 for orders made through the hotel’s online store at www.shop-capitolkempinski.com
– 20% privilege on all mooncakes for AMEX, and 15% privilege for UOB, OCBC and DBS card members. Not applicable in conjunction with bulk purchase privileges and online orders.

Goodwood Park Hotel
Orange with Grape Snowskin Mooncake, and Japanese Sweet Potato with Pumpkin-Coconut Centre Snowskin Mooncake

Widely known for its delectable Durian Snowskin Mooncakes, durian fans can look forward to the return of Goodwood Park Hotel’s signature D24 Durian, Mao Shan Wang, and Black Thorn Durian Snowskin Mooncakes with their luscious bittersweet fillings.

To mark 120 years of legacy, Goodwood Park Hotel has also introduced the ultimate 16.5cm wide 120th Anniversary Mooncake ($108) filled with white lotus seed paste and 12 salted egg yolks, bound to make a striking impression. Available in limited quantity.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
If you are looking out for something new, there are two which may just capture your heart – the Orange with Grape ($37 for 2 pcs, $58 for 4 pcs) and Japanese Sweet Potato with Pumpkin-Coconut Centre ($41 for 2 pcs, $66 for 4 pcs).

The Orange with Grape Snowskin Mooncake is light and refreshing (plus full of Vitamin C) that comes from the red grapes slices embedded within a fruity mousse, complete with bright notes from fresh orange juice.

The Japanese Sweet Potato with Pumpkin-Coconut Centre Snowskin Mooncake is almost akin to eating the real Japanese Sweet Potato fruit itself, with a mix of smooth and earthy flesh and rich centre packed with pumpkin puree and desiccated coconut.

Its appearance is also dazzling, with a cross-section that resembles the root with its vibrant reddish-purple outer layer and golden yellow and orange luscious filling.

Available at:
Website: goodwoodparkfestive.oddle.me (Last pre-order date 24 Sep 2020, 5pm)
Minimum $100 purchase is required for online pre-orders (delivery or self-collection) 5 days advance order is required from order date for delivery or self-collection. Delivery fees apply
Tel: +65 6730 1868

Promotion:
– Legacy Bundle price of $120 (U.P $177, till 11 Sep 2020)
Bundle comprises 1 box of Baked Combo, 1 box of Snowskin Combo, 2 pieces of Japanese Sweet
Potato with Pumpkin-Coconut Centre Snowskin
– 20% OFF selected mooncakes for Healthcare Workers (only available at The Deli till 1 Oct 2020)
– 20% OFF selected mooncakes for Citi, DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB Cardmembers (on 12 – 13 Sep 2020 at The Deli, walk-in purchases only)
– 15% OFF selected mooncakes for Citi, DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB Cardmembers (till 1 Oct 2020)

InterContinental Singapore
Peranakan-Inspired Chendol, Pulut Hitam, Durian Pengat, and Pandan & Coconut Kaya Snow Skin Mooncakes

InterContinental Singapore has introduced snow skin mooncakes with Peranakan flavours, inspired by the hotel’s rich heritage along with the geographic location within the historic and cultural streets of Bugis.

Crafted in Man Fu Yuan’s iconic shape of the blooming rose, unique and interesting flavours include Chendol – Gula Melaka with Red Bean, Coconut & Pandan Jelly, Pulut Hitam – Dark Glutinous Rice with Candied Longan & Coconut, Durian Pengat – Durian with Gula Melaka & Butterfly-pea, and Pandan and Coconut Kaya.

These are part of the Heritage Collection which goes for $84 nett for a box of 4.

The flavours this year are bold and distinctive, infusing the fragrant coconut – a key ingredient used in Peranakan cuisine, within most of their snow skin mooncakes.

Worthy of mention is that the texture of the snow skin mooncake is delicately light and soft, almost mochi-like.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
The Durian Pengat Snow Skin mooncake, generously packed with durian pulp with slight bitterness, complemented well by the sweetness from the Gula Melaka.

The Box:
Not exactly a box, but a tingkat carrier (which is also known as the traditional tiered lunch box) which is modernised with pastel-like blush and turquoise hues and Peranakan design motifs using architectural elements within the hotel. Gorgeous.

Available at:
Website: InterContinentalShoppe.sg (till 28 Sep 2020)
Man Fu Yuan Shoppe (Entrance of InterContinental Singapore from Bugis Junction), till 1 Oct 2020

Promotion:
DFD Readers can get 35% OFF InterContinental Singapore’s mooncakes with promo code: ICSDFD35 Head over to this link.

Kam’s Roast
Red Dates Longan Mooncake, Almond Egg Custard Mooncake, Coconut Egg Yolk Mooncake

While travelling to Hong Kong may not be that possible now, one-Michelin-starred Kam’s Roast Goose will be offering its three delectable Hong Kong-style mooncakes to the Singapore market.

Created by Executive Chef Wong Kwan Sang, they include Red Dates Longan Mooncake ($68+ for 6 pieces in a box), Almond Egg Custard Mooncake ($68+ for 6 pieces), and Coconut Egg Yolk Mooncake ($68+ for 6 pieces) with a balance of sweet fresh coconut and savoury premium salted duck egg yolk.

Regular favourites such as Kam’s Roast Red Bean Orange Peel Mooncake ($68+ for 6 pieces in a box) and Kam’s Roast Assorted Nuts with Roast Duck Mooncake ($68+ for 6 pieces in a box) are also making a return.

All mooncakes are also available at $10.80+ per piece.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
I am always a fan of the HK style Egg Custard Mooncake, so this brings it a level up. The Almond Egg Custard Mooncake contains lusciously-smooth golden egg custard, enhanced with fragrant almond paste made with premium hand-ground almonds.

Bonus: the mooncakes are made with reduced portions of sugar and oil.

The Box:
A Chinese imperial inspired gift box in royal colours of red, gold and purple that symbolise prosperity and luck. Look for a surprise within the box – a unique repurposed porcelain coaster.

Available at:
Website: https://kamsroast.oddle.me
Kam’s Roast at Pacific Plaza (#01-04) and Jewel Changi Airport (#02-210)

Promotion:
– 15% OFF exclusive pre-order on YQueue (1 Aug – 1 Oct 2020)
– 20% OFF for corporate orders of 20 boxes and above
– 20% OFF Kam’s Roast Mooncakes with Joy Luck receipt (Joy Luck store located at ION Orchard B4) within 2 days of purchase, or 15% OFF when purchase is made by 30 Sep 2020

Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Yam and White Chocolate Snow Skin, Green Tea and Azuki Red Bean Snow Skin Mooncake

The perennial favourite of Mandarin Orchard Singapore’s mooncake selection is the Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake ($76 nett for 4 pieces), with creamy-smooth white lotus paste and flavourful dual of salted egg yolks.

For gifting, consider getting the Mandarin Collection ($74 nett for 4 pieces) comprising four assorted baked mooncakes – Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico, Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste, Macadamia Nuts and Low Sugar White Lotus Paste, and Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts.

Special mention goes to the Baked Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Low Sugar Lotus Paste which comes with the same pleasure and less of the guilt.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
Ever popular is the Hotel’s range of pastel-hued mini snow skin creations including Yam and White Chocolate, Red Wine Cranberry with Japanese Yuzu and Lemongrass, Lychee Martini and Chocolate, and Red Wine Cranberry Paste with Japanese Yuzu and Green Tea and Azuki Red Bean Snow Skin Mooncakes.

Get a box of Assorted Mini Snow Skin Selection ($70 nett for 8 pieces) which will include two pieces of each flavour.

Being a Japanese dessert lover, my pick would be the Japanese-inspired creation of Green Tea and Azuki Red Bean Snow Skin, which showcases sweet and earthy azuki red bean in a creamy decadent matcha-infused paste.

The Box:
A glossy medium-blue gift box, embellished with a lattice-patterned crest and a customisable leather patch in rose gold.

Available at
Website: shop-orchard.meritushotels.com
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, at Level 5 Coffee & Crust

Promotion:
– 30% OFF for DBS/POSB card holders. till 1 Sep. 25% OFF thereafter
– 20% OFF for UOB and Citibank card holders, till 1 Sep. 15% OFF thereafter.

Pan Pacific Singapore
Raspberry Chocolate and Matcha Black Sesame Snowskin Mooncakes

The chefs from Hai Tien Lo at the Pan Pacific Singapore has hand-crafted an ensemble of eleven mooncakes, including the Four Treasures Snowskin Mooncakes with vibrant flavours.

The exquisite box includes Hazelnut Yuzu, Raspberry Chocolate, Matcha Black Sesame, and Soursop Lychee – different from the typical offerings.

Instead of the usual fruits puree and ice cream, the snowskin mooncakes have a mousse-like texture, almost akin to that of a decadent dessert.

My favourite is the Soursop Lychee – citrusy and refreshing with a fruity punch; and the Raspberry Chocolate with raspberry crunchy pearls and delicious ruby chocolate.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
For those seeking traditional mooncakes, go for the Four Treasures Snowskin Mooncakes ($68.80+ for a box of 4) which features the signature White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Charcoal Black Sesame Seed Paste with Melon Seeds, Assorted Nuts with Chicken Ham, and low-sugar Jade Paste with Melon Seeds for the health-conscious.

The Box:
Decked in a strikingly red which symbolises overflowing luck and happiness in the Chinese culture, this satin-covered crimson box is adorned with intricate florals and a wooden lattice centrepiece.

Available at:
Website: ppsinshop.com (till 1 Oct 2020)
Tel: +65 9009 5936
Self-collection and delivery available from 11:30am – 9:30pm via drive-through at the hotel’s main entrance driveway. Enjoy complimentary delivery for orders above $100.

Promotion:
– Advanced orders with eligible credit cards (till 31 Aug 2020) will enjoy an exclusive early bird deal of 25% savings on all prepaid orders.
– Up to 15% savings on orders placed between 1 Sep – 1 Oct 2020.

Paradise Group
Japanese Yuzu with Sake, Passionfruit with Choya, White Peach Crème de Peche, and Red Cherry Griottine

Handcrafted and freshly made upon order with no preservatives, Paradise Group has introduced new Fruity Liqueur Snow Skin Mooncakes this year with an elegant floral print appearance, synonymous with the design on their mooncake boxes.

Expect each mooncake to be filled with silky smooth white lotus seed paste and a chocolate truffle core infused with different liqueurs.

Not just any ordinary chocolate, but chocolate from the world-leading chocolate company Valrhona’s Inspiration series is used for the truffle centre.

By popular demand, the Mini Baked Custard with Molten Salted Egg Yolk ($56 per box of 8 pieces) and Traditional Teochew Yam Pastry Mooncake ($54 per box of 4 pieces) are back this year. Note that a pre-order of 3 days in advance is required for the Traditional Teochew Yam Pastry Mooncake as they are freshly made.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
Paradise Group’s Gems of the Full Moon line-up include citrusy and fruity flavours such as Japanese Yuzu with Sake, Passionfruit with Choya, White Peach Crème de Peche, and Red Cherry Griottine.

My vote will go to the Japanese Yuzu with Sake featuring bright-citrusy yuzu puree and mildly-sweet Japanese sake encased within the white Valrhona chocolate truffle shell.

The Box:
Gold-plated acrylic box with intricate floral motifs, which can be reused to serve snacks during festive occasions.

Available at:
At all Paradise Group of restaurants (excluding Canton Paradise Noodle & Congee, Le Shrimp Ramen and LeNu outlets), till 30 Sep 2020. Collection of mooncakes is available from 25 Aug – 30 Sep 2020, at participating outlets. Visit https://www.paradisegp.com/restaurant-locator/ to view outlet locations and details.

Promotion:
– 20% OFF for Citi, Maybank and PGR Cardmembers. Till 31 Aug 2020
– 15% OFF for Citi, Maybank and PGR Cardmembers. From 1- 30 Sep 2020
– Public will enjoy 25% discount for orders above 10 boxes of mooncakes

Raffles Hotel Singapore
Handcrafted Apricot and Sourplum Snow-skin and Yuzu and Osmanthus Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake

The signature Raffles Hotel Champagne Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncakes ($78) need little introduction, well-received for its velvety-smooth white lotus paste, also known to sell out every year.

Two fan-favourites are also making a return this year, which are the Earl Grey Tea and Pearl Snow-Skin Mooncake ($76), and Cognac Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake ($76) which features a blend of brandy and dark chocolate ganache.

If you are looking for something new, then look out for the two latest creations of Apricot
and Sourplum Snow-skin Mooncake ($76), and Yuzu and Osmanthus Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake ($76).

The Must-Have Mooncake:
The Yuzu and Osmanthus Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake is a perfect balance of the sweetness of the lousy along with light tart flavour from the citrusy yuzu.

The Osmanthus tea leaves also add that alluring floral fragrance as you take a bite.

The Box:
The Raffles Mooncakes are presented in a beautiful cream-coloured ivory box designed with gold lotus flowers and palm leaves, inspired by the lush greenery and pristine shades of white of the restored Raffles Hotel Singapore.

Available at:
Website: rafflescelebrations.com.sg
At the Raffles Mooncake Booth located at the North Bridge Road Atrium of Raffles Arcade. Till 1 Oct, 9am – 8pm daily

Promotion:
25% OFF all online mooncake purchases with selected bank partners (till 31 Aug 2020)
20% OFF all online mooncake purchases with selected bank partners (1 Sep – 25 Sep 2020)

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
Hennessy X.O. Chocolate Mini Snowskin Mooncakes, Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest

Highlights from Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore would be the Shang Palace Mini Snowskin Mooncakes ($88 for 8 pieces) which include the Hennessy X.O. Chocolate Mini Snowskin Mooncakes and Yuzu Sake Mini Snowskin Mooncakes, both available as part of a set of eight.

The first includes alluring cognac with rich, dark cocoa notes; while the other comprises white lotus paste complemented by bright citrus fragrance and sweetness of sake.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
Making a comeback this year is the Signature Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest ($120 for 8 pieces), created by Shang Palace’s Executive Chef Mok Kit Keung.

What you get are Hong Kong-style baked custard mooncakes, with tempting egg custard wrapped in golden pastry and baked. Chef Mok brings up the luxurious factor by incorporating quality bird’s nest within – also for the added beauty and health benefits.

The Box:
The classic Baked Mooncakes are packed in a box in elegant turquoise (pictured) or nostalgic red, patterned with flowers in full bloom to represent the bountiful harvest.

In addition, look out for the Limited Edition Peranakan-Inspired Gift Box Set by fashion designer and artist Benny Ong, with printed motifs similar to those found on the heritage blue-and-white plates commonly used in Peranakan homes.

Available at:
Delivery and self-collect options at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore are available, till 1 Oct 2020.

Promotion:
20% OFF Classic Baked Mooncakes for online orders bit.ly/SLSMooncake20

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Red Date Baked Mooncake with Wolfberries & Pumpkin Seeds

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel’s mooncakes has a well-preserved tradition of sourcing for the finest ingredients to deliver mooncakes with no added preservatives or artificial flavouring.

You can look forward to a total of 10 signatures and new favourites, specially handcrafted by chefs from the award-winning Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant.

These include the Golden Black Truffle Baked Mooncake with Bayonne Ham & Single Yolk ($82 nett); Red Date Baked Mooncake with Wolfberries & Pumpkin Seeds ($74 nett); Rose Tea Snowskin Mooncake with Champagne Truffle ($74 nett); Almond Custard Snowskin Mooncake with Osmanthus Truffle ($72 nett); Mandarin Orange Snowskin Mooncake with Caramel Sea Salt Truffle ($72 nett).

Or take your celebration up a notch with a luxurious take on their specially-curated Mid-Autumn Premium Gift Set ($238 nett for a box of 4) that features 4 gold dusted Black Truffle Baked Mooncakes with Bayonne Ham & Single Yolk. The bonus? A bottle of 375ml Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne.

The Must-Have Mooncake:
The Red Date Baked Mooncake with Wolfberries & Pumpkin Seeds ($74 nett) incorporates superfoods, resulting in a satisfying texture and well-rounded flavour.

This is one of the more few mooncakes that incorporate wolfberries, which medicinal properties have recently gained popularity due to their high dosage of vitamins A & C and antioxidants which aid in immunity.

The Box:
A timeless piece of elegance and Oriental charm, the red-hued, two-tier box that can be recycled to contain your trinklets, signifies luck and prosperity. It is decorated gold ornate floral motifs symbolises love; sparrows that represent joy and unity; a gold helix clasp.

For a more luxurious indulgence, their Limited Edition Premium Mid-Autumn Gift Set comes in a gold, regal chest that unveils 4 gold-dusted baked mooncakes as well as a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne, and doubles up as a makeup box, complete with 2 side mirrors and 4 individual drawers.

Available at:
Website: www.celebratorydelights.com/mooncakes
Booth: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel’s Mid-Autumn Booth, Level 1, Hotel Lobby
Tel: +65 6831 4708
Email: singaporemarriott.festive@marriotthotels.com

Promotion:
– 25% early bird discount on purchases made from 27 Aug to 11 Sep 2020 with the promo code: PUBLIC25 on website www.celebratorydelights.com/mooncakes
– 20% discount for purchases made between 12 Sep – 1 Oct 2020 with the promo code: PUBLIC20 on their website.
– Marriott Bonvoy, Club Marriott and TANGS Preferred/ Classic Card members enjoy 30% OFF till 1 Oct 2020.
– Online orders have to be made at least 48 hours prior to date of collection.

Yan Ting, The St. Regis Singapore
Tea-Infused Snowskin Gems In A Glass Mooncake Box

Tea lovers will rejoice as Yan Ting at The St. Regis Singapore has introduced an all new selection of snowskin mooncakes showcasing unique tea infusions.

A total of 4 different snowskin mooncakes are available, from Royal Milk Tea Paste with Honey Osmanthus Truffle ($78+ for a box of 8), Green Tea Paste with Oolong Tea Truffle ($76+ for a box of 8), Honey Purple Sweet Potato Paste with Orange Yuzu Truffle ($78+ for a box of 8), to Black Sesame Paste with Caramel Sea Salt Truffle ($78+ for a box of 8).

If you miss Yan Ting’s Pure “Mao Shan Wang” Mini Snowskin Mooncake ($118+ per box of 8), it is making a return this year, featuring yellow delicate snowskin with hints of gold, enveloping pure Mao Shan Wang of bittersweet goodness.

For those seeking traditional mooncakes, do not miss out on White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk ($79+ per box of 4) or Double Yolks ($82+ per box of 4), White Lotus Paste with Assorted Nuts and Yunnan Ham ($82+ per box of 4), White Lotus Paste with Four Yolks ($111+ per box of 4) or Reduced Sugar White Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts ($75+ per box of 4).

The Must-Have Mooncake:
My favourite is the Green Tea Paste with Oolong Tea Truffle ($76+ for box of 8) which combines Japanese matcha in the paste with Oriental Oolong tea within the truffle.

Other than the buttery creaminess, I loved the delicate tea fragrance – and Oolong is also packed with theanine that can reduce stress and aids in mind relaxation.

The Box:
A custom-designed solid and sturdy glass box offering a luxurious touch of floral motifs and pastel colours, can double as a jewelry chest.

Built with an eco- friendly exterior, each intricate mooncake is encased within a limited-edition box in your preferred choice of colour – pastel pink or blue

Looking to order a smaller portion of mooncakes this year? Delight in their new and exclusive bright orange-hued boxes that can house two pieces of baked mooncakes or four mini snowskin mooncakes.

Available at:
Website: yantingrestaurant.com/midautumn2020 (till 1 Oct 2020)
Yan Ting (Level 1U) (till 1 Oct 2020, 10.30am – 10pm daily)
Tel: +65 6506 6887
Email: festive.midautumn@stregis.com

Promotion:
– 20% early bird discount for Citibank, UOB and OCBC credit card holders (till 6 Sep 2020)
– 15% OFF for purchases made between 7 Sep – 1 Oct 2020 for Citibank, UOB and OCBC credit card holders

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape and @DanielFoodDiary. This post is brought to you in partnership with Awfully Chocolate, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, Goodwood Park Hotel, InterContinental Singapore, Kam’s Roast, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Pan Pacific Singapore, Paradise Group, Raffles Hotel Singapore, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, The St. Regis Singapore

Cafe hopping should definitely part of your East Coast Plan, with the newest addition C Café at 477 Joo Chiat Road.

The café is located right next to Homeground Coffee Roasters, opposite Sinpopo Brand at Katong).

At C Cafe, the “C” refers to Cards, Choices and Connections, but I find their story too cheem and shall refer to it as Cardistry, Chill and Coffee instead.

The 40-seater space is white and minimalist, with a Magic Table in the middle of the cafe for the magic-enthusiast owners to pull a magic trick or two to interact with the diners.

Their menu is specially designed to look like a deck of cards, with brunch items such as Avocado on Sourdough Toast ($18), Breakfast for Champions ($24), Toasties – Chicken/ Leg Ham/ Smoked Salmon ($18) and Chicken on Waffle ($18).

I had the vegan-friendly Avocado on Sourdough Toast ($18) that comes with options such as Honey Baked Leg Ham (+$3), Sous Vide Chicken (+$3), Smoked Salmon (+$3) and 2 Poached Eggs (+$3).

The Avocado on Sourdough Toast was considered well-made, and came with pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds for the extra crunch and feta cheese for additional flavours.

The highlight was the smooth and savoury hummus, which was made using cooked and mashed chickpeas, blended with garlic and lemon juice for dipping with the crunchy sourdough toast.

The poached eggs (+$3) was unfortunately overcooked and not as runny as expected. Perhaps opening-jitters.

For those seeking small bites instead of a full meal, Salad ($15 – $17), Chicken Wings (6pcs for $8, 10pcs for $12), Spam Slam ($10) and Truffle Shuffle ($12) are available.

Unlike most dessert menu featuring cakes and ice cream, C Cafe offers healthier options such as Chia Seed Pudini ($8), Greek Yogurt ($8) and Tropical Acai Bowl ($12).

I decided to go with the only “less-healthy” dessert which is the Hot Waffle ($14) that comes with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream, strawberries, blueberries and sliced banana as toppings, sprinkled with icing sugar and drizzled with maple syrup.

The waffle is not as crispy and fluffy as I expected, with a softer and chewier texture akin to that of a pancake.

Drinks-wise, expect the prices to be slightly more expensive as they only serve in 8oz cup for their Latte ($6.50) and Flat White ($6.50).

Using a 2-beans-blend (Brazil and Ethiopian) roasted locally, I chose the more uncommon Honey Latte (Hot $7/ Iced $7.50) which has a sweet and floral scent.

Suitable for those who prefer a less acidic coffee, the honey added balanced well with the acidity in the espresso without being overwhelming sweet.

Frankly speaking, I was quite excited to visit C Cafe because of the magic tricks that supposedly would be performed, but unfortunately, me and my friends went on separate occasions and did not witness the magic in action.

Maybe wrong time.

C Cafe
477 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427683
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
10 Brunch & Dessert Cafes In The EAST
Sinpopo Brand (Katong)
Homeground Coffee Roasters (Katong)
Brawn & Brains Coffee (East Coast Road)
Forty Hands (East Coast)

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

Missing Hong Kong too?

Perhaps having some authentic HK cha chaan teng food of Egg Tarts, Pineapple Buns, Hong Kong-style Milk Tea and Curry Fishballs can help bring back those joys.

Joy Luck Teahouse 歡樂冰室 has brought 3 iconic F&B brands from Hong Kong to Singapore at ION Orchard #B4-61.

A 2nd sit-down concept is already in the works, anticipated to open at Bugis Junction next month.

The person behind this concept is none other than veteran Singapore-born TV producer Robert Chua, who has persuaded over a year for the long-standing brands of Hoover Cake Shop, Kam Kee Café and Tak Hing Fishball Company to bring their signature items overseas.

A little trivia: He was also the producer of Hong Kong’s popular TVB variety show “Enjoy Yourself Tonight” 歡樂今宵, and therefore the similarity in the names – both representing joy and happiness.

While an air ticket to Hong Kong is not quite possible now, you can also satisfy those cravings for Hong Kong Curry Fish Balls aka Gah-Lei Yu-Dan by Tak Hing Fishball Company right at Joy Luck Teahouse. Here’s more:

Hoover Cake Shop 豪華餅店
The Egg Tarts from Hoover Cake Shop has been listed by The Guardian as the “Top 10 dishes to try in Hong Kong”. The bakery shop is also famed for being Chow Yun-Fat’s and Liza Wang Ming-Chuen’s favourite.

Founded in 1975 by Chow Ping-kuan, you could always spot a line around the block with its unmissable buttery aroma at Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City.

There are two styles of Egg Tarts offered here, one with a puff pastry shell and the other with sweet shortbread crust almost like butter cookie.

Both are filled with rich custard made with high-quality eggs and butter, resulting in a rich yellow hue, and creamy-smooth texture.

Hoover Egg Tart Cookie Skin ($2.30)
Between the two, I found the shortcrust with a distinct butter fragrance leaving the deeper impression, as the firmer base also complemented the custard’s silky flavour better.

I loved that the fillings had a rich and wobbly egg-iness, and would highly recommend you to eat this warm.

Hoover Egg Tart with Pastry Skin ($2.30)
There are also many fans of the flaky puff pastry.

The good thing is: this is not the super-crumbly kind where pastry bits would likely fly all over, but I could imagine some may prefer that more-airy and light version.

Even so, easily one of best Hong Kong style Egg Tarts you can find on our island.

Kam Kee Café 金記冰室
Kam Kee Café started more than 50 years ago, originally as a dai pai dong at Shau Kei Wan which grew to a famous cha chaan teng at Sheung Wan (Sai Ying Pung). You may have also spotted a modern version of it at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1 Arrival Hall.

Popular for its Pineapple Butter Buns aka Boh Loh Bao and Hong Kong Milk Tea, and has remained true to its recipes from the 60s.

Kam Kee Pineapple Bun Butter ($2.80)
The classic cha chaan teng staple which is baked fresh within the store itself, and comes with sweet, crumbly golden crust.

Available in original, butter, luncheon meat and kaya versions.

Get the Bo Lo Yau which has fragrant premium butter in the middle that melts within the soft warm bread.

The exterior still had a light crisp, and thankfully didn’t fall flat even though I dabao to have at home.

Kam Kee Pineapple Bun Luncheon Meat ($2.80) and Kam Kee Pineapple Bun Kaya ($2.50)
Exclusive to the Singapore market are the Luncheon Meat and Kaya buns – the former if you prefer something sweet-savoury like a sandwich.

While still good on its own, I would personally prefer a thin slab of butter which should go very well together.

Kam Kee HK Milk Tea ($3.80 for hot, $3.50 for cold)
This is the one drink that would instantly bring me back to Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong-style milk tea also follows Kam Kee’s secret recipe that calls for a blend of many types of superior-quality tea leaves imported from Sri Lanka.

European full cream evaporated milk is added to the brew to lend a moderately sweet flavour. I did find mine slightly on the sweet side, and an option for half-sugar would have been great (because I am trying to cut down on sugar).

The criterion of a good cup of HK milk tea is how fragrantly-smooth (香滑) it is, and this was indeed creamy, fully-bodied – even after much of the ice melted (as I brought the cup home).

And yes, it also had that lingering distinctive siap-siap bitterness that was alluring.

HK Bubble Milk Tea ($4.80, $5.80 with collagen)
Exclusive to Singapore will be this Hong Kong-style bubble tea – Joy Luck Teahouse’s milk tea complemented with a chewy brown sugar tapioca balls.

Wait, there is a collagen version. It didn’t really add much to the taste, but I suppose you would feel prettier after. You decide if you want that included.

Tak Hing Fishball Company 德興魚蛋公司 HK Curry Fish Balls ($4.80)
A popular Hong Kong street snack, but quite hard to find around here. The Curry Fish Balls are from the famed Tak Hing Fishball Company, served in a cup of six.

If you are wondering, the fish paste is freshly-made by a local supplier using yellowtail fish, and they use 50% more fish than the regular fish balls in the market for more softness and bounce.

These are first fried to make them more flavourful and with a golden coating, then drizzled in a curry sauce before serving.

I can’t say that the sauce was what I was used to having while in Hong Kong, but I liked that spicy tinge at the end that was quite addictive – and actually drank the last bits down.

Joy Luck Opening Specials
– 10% OFF regular items with no minimum spending for all walk-in customers
– 20% OFF regular items with $10 minimum spending with membership signup in the 1st 2 weeks of ION opening
– Buy 1 get 1 Free Hong Kong Milk Tea (Hot/Cold) or Pearl of the Orient (Hong Kong Milk Tea with Bubble) with membership signup in the 1st 2 weeks of ION opening. The free item will be the lower priced item.

Also, remember to keep your Joy Luck Teahouse receipt as customers can get 20% OFF Kam’s Roast Mooncakes with the receipt 2 days of purchase, or 15% OFF when purchase is made by 30 Sep 2020.

Joy Luck Teahouse – ION Orchard
#B4-61 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/joyluck.teahouse

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