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2016 111/03/
come makan with bites p1
The
foodie
dating guide
inside BUFFET BOUNTY p10
High tea spreads from classic to Asian
DESTINATION: HOLLAND VILLAGE p12
New eats at the malls, and cafes you’ll love
Meal inspirations for every stage of your romance p6
SUPERMARKET SLEUTH p14
Exotic flavours of Pocky and Pretz from olive oil to adult’s milk”
DRINK TANK p16
The homiest neighbourhood bars around Singapore
More Valentine menus p2
Bites.com.sg is live! The latest food news and creative content to sink your teeth in.
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ie This is your quickn one-stop sectio , gs for latest openin ty events, personaliher interviews and otod top-of-mind fo news.
EAT Cafes, restaurants, buffets and hawkers—it’s the ultimate in eating out.
DRINK Sip on our drink categories, with updates on booze, (non-alcoholic) beverages and new openings.
COOK
From kitchen cipes equipment to re it’s and caterers— ng ni the ultimate in di at home.
DESTINATION
Dive into our guides by dining South, East, North, W Central reg est or ions.
WIN
Contests, promotions and signature session, Makan on BiTES.
D is co v e r o n e x cl u si v e s l in e that y o u w o n ’t f in d in t h p r in t v e r si on, and ea e sh a r in g b sy b r in g co n t u t t o n s t h a t t o F a ce b o o e n t st r a ig h t k, a n d Y o u T u bIn st a g r a m e, y o u r f r ie n a n d ds
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on BiTES GUESS AND WIN!
Each month, we’ll feature a fresh makan place—whether it’s a new outlet of a familiar brand, revamped concept or completely new entrant—for you to guess what/where it is. Correct answers will be entered in a draw to win a dining experience with us!
FEBRUARY: 5 READERS STAND TO WIN DINNER FOR 2
Located directly opposite Parkway Parade shopping centre, this buffet restaurant was recently refurbished to reflect the rich Peranakan culture in a contemporary setting. Look towards a live station serving Katong laksa, and Peranakan favourites like babi buah keluak and babi ponteh. Feast at the dessert bar with a selection of handmade local desserts—from banana cake to ice kachang. Durian lovers will fall head over heels with the signature durian paste. Give us your best guess of the hotel and restaurant’s name between 1-18 February to dine on 9 March, 7pm! For full details and to enter, visit www.bites.com.sg/makanonbites.
B i TES reserves the right to publicise winners’ names and pictures. By entering the contest, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish publicity photos and video in any format without limitation. Participants to ensure they can dine on 9 Mar at 7pm. More on www.bites.com.sg/makanonbites
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Check out more news at
bites.com.sg Swensen's
Gallery & co
CELEBRATING ROMANCE Nothing but ice cream will do when it comes to making the heart melt a little faster. Swensen’s Tira-Miss-U cake ($19.80) with its rich, creamy tiramisu ice cream topped with berries and macarons is a treat for the eyes as well. Available 1-28 Feb, for dine-in or takeaway at all Swensen's and Earle Swensen's outlets. www.swensens.com.sg
Spruce invites you to a night of romance on 13 and 14 Feb with their three-course menu featuring a smoked duck salad for starters, duck ravioli Bolognese or striploin steak for mains, and a toothsome banana filo pastry for dessert. At just $138 per couple, with two complimentary glasses of Prosecco. #01-01, 260 Upper Bukit Timah Road. Tel: 6466 5582 Birds of a Feather, the modern Sichuan restaurant, is decked up like an indoor garden, a perfect perch for the four-course meal ($199 per couple, inclusive two glasses of sparkling wine). Choose from options such as pan-seared foie gras with glutinous rice cake, spicy oriental bolognaise with pork ragout and sakura ebi, or hot and sour chazuke with charcoal grilled barramundi and Japanese rice. 14 Feb. 115 Amoy Street. Tel: 6221 7449
Plan your date around the National Gallery and be surprised to find a gourmet-worthy meal too. Gallery & Co's head chef Kenneth Lim is serving up a threecourse lunch or dinner ($88 per couple), comprising pan-seared scallops with sweet corn fritters and chillicherry sauce, Wagyu rump with roast potatoes and red wine jus, and dark chocolate pave with black tea sorbet. Add a glass of wine for $10. 13-14 Feb. #01-05 National Gallery, 1 St. Andrew's Road. Tel: 6385 6683
Birds of a feather
porta fine food & import company
New Openings
Nassim Hill
Nassim Hill's tantalising three-course TLC set dinner ($88 per couple) comes with two complimentary glasses of wine and the restaurant's newly launched items including a tender pork chop served with caramelised carrots. #01-03 Tanglin Post Office, 56 Tanglin Road. Tel: 6835 1128
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Charmingly eclectic and homely, PORTA Fine Food & Import Company comprises four distinct spaces. Settle into an armchair and enjoy a cup of Joe in The Reading Room; shop for gourmet products such as Fireman Pommery Mustard and 120 days grain-fed Black Angus at The Store; or order a cocktail at The Spirit Box. Settle down for a meal in The Veranda Room, where executive chef Michael Suyanto—formerly of Bistro du Vin and Les Amis—doles out modern European plates such as the two-cheese ravioles de royans ($22), doused in a Provencal vegetable and tomato coulis, and the plancha-grilled and harissa-seasoned Spanish octopus ($18) with Idaho potatoes and aioli. Tip: lunch is particularly value-for-money—order two- or threecourse sets for just $18 and $22 respectively. Park Hotel Clarke Quay, 1 Unity Street. Tel: 6593 8855
yellow cab pizza co.
meat. Diners can enjoy 18 types premium donburi, such as otoro meshi ($32.80)– marbled tuna belly, salmon toro aburi meshi ($24.80)– flame-seared premium salmon and barachirashi (S$18.80)–cubed sashimi. #01-04, 7 Wallich Street. Tel: 6386 8561 Wildseed CafÉ
Inspired by pizzas found in The Big Apple, Yellow Cab Pizza Co. pizzas are on the larger side (10, 14 and 18 inch sizes), thin and easily foldable. Using premium ingredients as well as pizza dough that's made fresh daily, look forward to signatures like The New York's Finest ($16/$26/$38), which is generously topped with Italian sausages, ham, pepperoni, bacon, ground beef, olives, mushrooms, onions and bell peppers. Unique to the pizzeria is their Dear Darla range, where diners are encouraged to roll up the thin pizza crust with various ingredients together with fresh arugula and alfalfa sprouts for an added flavour burst. #B1-01/02 CityLink Mall, 1 Raffles Link. Tel: 6327 9000 Japanese ramen chain restaurant IPPUDO opens their ninth outlet at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, together with KURO-OBI, the NYC takeaway ramen stall's first foray in Asia. Serving only tori-paitan, diners can enjoy a heartwarming bowl of creamy chicken broth served with thick Japanese le kei ramen noodles and slow-cooked chicken thigh chasu. While a basic bowl with one piece of meat goes for $8, we recommend ordering the original Kuro-Obi ($12) for the full works— an umami egg, three pieces of chicken chasu, seaweed and spinach. #B2-54/55 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue.
From the people who brought you The Summerhouse, Wildseed Café is located at the ground floor of the colonial establishment. The space is shared alongside Poppy, a local floral specialist shop, and the lush greenery gives a refreshing touch to the wooden furnishing and industrial concrete floors. Food-wise, they sure know how to serve up a mean sandwich—choices include pulled pork, braised beef brisket or falafel ($15-18). Coming up are their Dutch-style Hangover pancakes, drenched in maple syrup and topped with grilled corn niblets and knobs of house-churned butter. Desserts are not to be missed, such as honey rosemary lemon tart, ginger flower banana loaf, and the bluetinted pea flower coconut muffin ($6.50 each). 3 Park Lane. Tel: 8608 3340 The brainchild of the creatives who brought you Fresh Fruits Lab in Kembangan, the wizarding themed Platform 1094 is located in a cosy nook in Boon Keng. From the décor to the food, expect to be swept off your feet (or in this case, broomsticks) with Instagram worthy moments. The most popular drink is aptly named Goblet of Fire ($15)—a magically sparking concoction of Blue Curacao liqueur, lemonade and Bacardi rum. Other notable dishes include crab meat e aglio olio ($17) which is spaghetti with crab meat, smoked salmon and
flying fish roe tossed in beurre monte and chilli as well as Bloodberry ($18) featuring two chocolate spheres containing yogurt parfait and Hoegaarden Rosé topped with honey caviar and berry foam, and accompanied by a macaroon stick resembling a magic wand. 1094 Serangoon Road. Tel: 6204 6003 Latest brainchild of Creative Eateries, KURO Izakaya fires up the grill in the heart of CBD, Japanese style. The contemporary gastrobar sets the scene for casual late-nights. Line your stomach with a broad selection of small plates such as the Kuro Kushiyaki platter ($36)—expertly charred meat skewers, or the smoked Ajitsuke tamago ($8)—smoked “ramen egg” on a bed of Hokkaido potato salad. At the same time, repose at the whisky bar with over 38 whisky, sake and shochu to choose from. The office crowd will be pleased to know that pocket-friendly donburi and ramen sets are available for weekday lunch from $14. #01-604/605 Suntec City Tower 3, East Wing, 3 Temasek Boulevard. Tel: 6235 1066 platform 1094
Kuro Maguro
Kuro Maguro is a new and exciting concept by Misaki Megumi Suisan, a wholesaler of maguro and sashimi from Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. They insist on using only premium blue fin tuna that weigh over 280kg to ensure a good amount of fatty as well as lean
Kuro izakaya
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Kevin lau, 46
Third-generation owner of Wah Kee Prawn Noodles
Loof
Work sTYLE: Driven
H t Seat
In this series of light-hearted interviews, BiTES celebrates homegrown food companies headed by their next generation of family members. We get a glimpse of the stories behind the brands and the personalities in the boss' seat. By Katie Boon, Photography by Clair Ong How is grandfather like? Ye ye passed away when I was very young. He came from China and lived a relatively simple life. I don’t have a strong impression of him, except that he loved selling his kok kok noodles. What made you decide to expand Wah Kee? Dad is not getting any younger. Despite his age, he is
still pouring his heart and soul into the business to serve his diehard fans; it’s not just for money. As his son, I don’t want to see his legacy disappear. I was very fortunate to meet one of my partners, Andrew Tan, who is a veteran F&B player in Singapore. He broadened my vision of the expansion and found me this space at Esplanade. When did you first start working at Wah Kee? At five. My first lesson was how to boil and peel the prawns fast. In the olden days, we did not have fridge or coolers. We just used normal tap water to keep the prawns cool, so the speed in which to peel the prawns was very crucial. Was continuing Wah Kee always part of your ambition? No. Dad always wanted me to do my own thing and was reluctant for me to take up the business. He clocks in 16 hours daily and didn’t want me to live the hawker life. But as I grew older, I saw the potential in Wah Kee. I actually have other businesses handling cars—Elite Auto Salon and Italia Motor. What’s next for the business? We are in the works of opening up another store in Singapore as well as bringing Wah Kee overseas. But before I do all this, I must make sure that the taste of the broth and noodles stay consistent throughout. How do you feel about today’s hawker scene? I feel sad that the youth of today have no desire to continue their family’s hawker businesses—a lot of good
food will be lost. But I guess it’s understandable as being a hawker is very difficult, what with the irregular hours and lack of annual leave. In 10 years’ time, food served in hawker centres will no longer be authentic local food. We will see more and more `bistros’ opening up at our hawker centres. What kind of food did you grow up eating? I’m Cantonese, and my mom makes the best soups. I also really enjoy hawker food. When you go to places like Europe, you can’t get such local dishes. My favourite hawker dishes are carrot cake, char kway teow and orh jian. They are simple yet delicious. How do you unwind? Watching TV on the internet, especially Hong Kong dramas. What is your greatest strength? I will take it in my stride to master a skill when I want to accomplish something. For example, I spent hours learning how to make the broth. Everything must be pre-measured and follow a strict standard operating procedure. Even the timing (of brewing the broth) must be precise. In fact, I also went to source for my own mee kia—it’s different from the Pei Kio branch and is of higher quality, using more egg than flour. Valentine’s Day is coming up. Where will you be celebrating with your wife? I will be working. If I have time, I will get a small gift for my wife. To me, every day is Valentine’s Day anyway (laughs).
THE BRIEF STORY OF WAH KEE prawn noodles
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1951-1970s
1980s-1990s
Late 1990s
2000
2016
Lau Fook Wah helped his father Lau Cheong Lam sell kok kok mee at Starlight Road since nine years old. They would push the cart from Starlight Road all the way to Bendemeer Road, where the old Kickapoo soft drink factor was, to peddle for business. Prices started from $0.20 for the traditional normal prawn noodle featuring a pork bone base soup.
Wah Kee relocated to Owen Road. Prices rose and ranged from $0.70 to $1.50.
Moved to Farrer Park Food Centre. Fook Wah started to use big prawns instead of the normal size prawns to stand out from his competitors. He also improvised the soup base by using only seafood instead. During this period, he removed all the pork dishes off the menu.
Wah Kee Prawn Noodles relocated again to Pek Kio Food Centre.
Third generation Kevin Lau brings Wah Kee to Esplanade and continues the legacy. His dad, Fook Wah, serves as an advisor to Wah Kee @ Esplanade and continues to run his stall at Pek Kio.
New menus
dosirak
Korean bibimbap brand, DoSiRak, is dishing out three new versions of its popular dish: baby octopus ($13.90), kal bi sal ($14.90) and ginseng chicken ($10.90), adding to their already healthy menu of well-balanced meals, filled with carbs, vegetables and proteins. #01-02, China Square Central, 18 Cross Street. www.facebook.com/dosiraksg Nando's
out their range of house-made cocktails while you’re there too. 103E Minden Road. Tel: 6371 0306 Tomo Izakaya has launched three new ramen dishes, only for their Clarke Quay outlet. Catering to the busy executive at lunch and the hungry supper-hunter after 9pm, each of the ramen are quite distinct. The most traditional taste is in the Tokyo Ramen ($9.50 nett), which has a clear shoyu base of pork bone marrow, chicken bones and niboshi (sardine) broth, topped with Kurobuta pork char siew. Kai Ramen ($14 nett) has a more delicate taste of chicken, snapper and clam clear broth, topped with large hamaguri and smaller asari clam meat. Shake-tantan men ($12 nett) appeals if you like a nuttier, creamier stock made from miso, salmon meat and sesame, which is carried well by the al dente dan dan noodles. #01-14, 3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay. Tel: 6333 0100
For the first time in Peri-peri history, Nando’s is rolling out a fruity new flavour, Mango and Lime. Its signature flame-grilled chicken matches well with the sweetness of mango and zesty punch of lime on their flame-grilled chicken. Go for their robust chicken wings ($10.90) or generously sized whole chicken sharing platters ($44.90) that come with a choice of sides, though it was the espetada ($17.90), a skewer of juicy, tender chicken thigh with fresh peppers that was the highlight for us. Nando’s outlets islandwide, www.nandos.com.sg. Open Farm Community
Don’t miss out on Open Farm Community’s newest Asian-tinged menu offerings such as steak tartare marinated with ginger chili, spring onion and coriander puree ($26), a contemporary local twist on the classic. Where possible, all greens are sourced from their own on-site farm. We loved the succulent roasted pink red snapper ($32) with calamansi and sesame cucumber salad, served on a bed of barley risotto. The meat was juicy, and left a clean taste on the palate when eaten with the cucumber salad. Check
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The foodie
dating guide For us foodies, dining is the pillar of any relationship—we plan our dates around the latest restaurant as well as the constant food cravings that come from scrolling through our Instagram feed (the pains of following too many food profiles). Here's how to plan an amazing date with our well-curated dining guide, specially tailored for those at different stages of love. By Katie Boon
ready to mingle The word dating seems so foreign to you. You love the freedom of having to do things on your own, and enjoy meeting new pals. The only reason you look forward to Valentine’s Day is the number of fun single activities popping up. Plus, it also makes for a great excuse to throw a massive party for all your happy bachelors and bachelorettes. Dinner date for five Three is never a crowd in your books. Hire a private chef to whip up a gourmet feast for your friends in your own den with Dine Inn, which connects you to talented home chefs across the island. The app also has options of dining at the chef’s gorgeous home, or having your food delivered instead, for those seeking a more intimate session without any strangers around. sg.dineinn.com
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Meet other singles Billed as the “number one single’s event of the year”, Valentine Vendetta is back for the sixth year with a sexy masquerade themed party, organised by Creative Insurgence. It’s the perfect place to be single as they are ice breakers and games to help meet other guests while $10,000 worth of prizes are waiting to be won. $45 includes two drinks at the door. 11 Feb, 6pm till late. www.vday.sg
just started dating
You guys are just about to cross the three-month honeymoon period and are still unsure on the boundaries of sharing food. Can you steal his fries or would that be crossing the line? That said, you really like each other, and are willing to go the extra mile to impress your other half. Bring on the candlelight dinner and fireworks!
All that jazz Go all out and spoil each other with an extravagant dinner at Montreux Jazz Café. Setting you back $180 per couple, their fancy degustation menu that kicks off with a refreshing amuse bouche followed by a grilled compressed watermelon with strawberry granita, and roasted prawn bisque. Then, choose from two mains— the grilled Chilean sea bass cooked in shellfish broth, or the robust braised Kobe oxtail roulade featuring seared foie gras and shaved winter truffle. A minty sorbet is served to cleanse your palate before you end the date with a toothsome caramelised banana crepe. To celebrate the night further, two complimentary flutes of Moët & Chandon will be served. And in true Montreux Jazz style, expect jivin’ live music to accompany you throughout the night. 14 Feb. #01-02, Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road. Tel: 6733 0091
Dinner under the stars A picnic is a sure win recipe for an awesome date night. Better yet if it is set up by the lovely team behind Picneeds. Preparing everything for you, from the set-up to the delicious food to the packing up, picnickers simply need to relax and have a good time. Starting at $190 for their basic set up with food, you can pick your desired theme such as Bohemian Rhapsody featuring mandala throws and patterned cushions. Want to make this special day even more memorable? You will be glad to know the packages are all customisable and Picneeds will do their best to fulfil any requests. Make your booking at bit.ly/picneedsform
For the fussy ones She likes fish and chips, while you hate fried food. She prefers her whites and reds, and you rather guzzle down a pint of beer. The only thing you have in common at the dining table is your love for each other—and maybe dessert. Make a trip to Austria Set in a charming, old-world restaurant, Kaiserhaus transport you to the romantic Habsburg Empire with their tantalising three-course menu ($108 for two). The meal impresses right from the beginning with indulgent starters like the beef tenderloin, where the aromatic juices of the meat is sealed within a golden puff pastry. Meat lovers will enjoy the signature gourmet beef stew, Tafelspitz, while pescatarians can order the a seafood soup packed with oceanic goodies like plump mussels, scallops, prawns and sea bass filet. Known for their toothsome dessert, lovers have the freedom of choosing their own sweet creations at the pastry counter to end off their meal, together with a complimentary glass of Szigeti Grüner Veltliner sparkling wine. 11-14 Feb. #02-06 & #03-06 Capitol Singapore, 7 Stamford Road. Tel: 6377 0013
Love is in the air Skip the usual town offerings and head to the quaint Raffles Marina at Tuas for their Valentine's Day Dinner ($138 per couple), which comes with two glasses of house pour wines, a box of chocolate pralines and a red rose. Whetting your appetite at the start of the four-course meal is a serving of hickory chip smoked duck breast along with creamy lobster bisque. For mains, diners can opt between a grilled black angus beef with sauteed mushrooms and an oven baked Norwegian salmon that's stuffed with spinach, and served with truffle flavoured noodles and Champagne cream sauce. The lovely dinner concludes with a treacly crème caramel crowned with mixed berries. To top it all off, diners stand a chance to win a 2D1N guest room stay at Raffles Marina worth $200. 14 Feb. 10 Tuas West Drive. Tel: 6861 8000
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chasing novelty You’ve been there and done that. A romantic date for you and your beau means going for an impromptu weekend trip with no packed luggage and trying exotic grub just for the fun of it. Friends and family members think you both should settle down, and you can’t understand why.
Lights, cameras, dinner! Fans of Lewis Carroll’s enchanting world will be intrigued by Andsoforth’s latest theatrical dinner pop-up, Dinner in Wonderland ($128, inclusive of a complimentary cocktail). Hosted by the Queen of Hearts, get entertained by the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and Alice, as you partake in a dress-up four-course dinner. Taking place in a big hall, the space is brought to life with gorgeous chandeliers and quirky paintings (think designs like a bunch of angry mushrooms and a sad bumble bee) lining all four walls. As for the location, it’s a well-kept secret that will only be revealed closer to the date. 14 Feb. 8pm. www.andsoforth.com.sg
When sharing is caring Your idea of an adventure is embarking on a food safari. Both of you can spend hours café hopping and eating your way around Singapore. The last you’ve recorded, you visited five eateries in a day! #foreverhungry is the hashtag your friends coined for the two of you. But aside from having a bottomless pit, you guys just enjoy variety and sampling new nosh—and the best way to do that is to share.
Foodie theme park Embark on a gastronomic adventure at contemporary food park, Picnic. The 10,000 sq ft. restaurant offers 13 individual food and drink concepts from around the world, each delivering an exciting menu that changes according to seasons and themes. Tuck into Taiwanese grub before making your way to the Mexican food truck for scrummy tacos and Italian-American stand for rigatoni that's flambéed in vodka right in front of your eyes. The space makes for a whimsical date too, with its garden interior showcasing walls covered in foliage, and gorgeous flowers hanging from the ceiling. #03-15 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road. Tel: 6734 8352
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Ignite your senses Take your relationship to new heights with an intimate dinner at NOX—Dine In The Dark, where you experience a three-course set in total darkness. Priced at $288 per couple, the mystery dinner will highlight 12 unique creations, all selected with the intent on surprising your taste buds and to keep you guessing. Best part? No mobile phones are allowed at the dining table. Menus can be tailored according to food preferences and restrictions upon request. 14 Feb. 269 Beach Road. Tel: 6298 0708
Eat without boundaries Treat yourself to an exquisite array of free-flowing nosh at The Villa Halia at Singapore Botanic Garden. For $250 nett per couple, lovers will get to enjoy free-flowing wines along with an indulgent spread of fusion dishes including smoked duck breast in hoi sin dressing and pickled orange, as well as tomato and olive pignolina pasta 'risotto'. What is sure to attract a queue is the action station delivering a succulent slow roast beef striploin and Halia's famous chilli crab spaghettini prepared a la minute. Leave space for afters, as dark chcolate matcha cream puff and lemon botanicals meringue tartlet will be gracing the dessert spread. 14 Feb. Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Garden, 1 Cluny Road. Tel: 8798 0180
SWEET heart
You can't eat roses. For the other half who loves all things edible, pick up a delicious, quirky gift with our toothsome selections.
Candy jewels Shower your lover with sweet accessories like multi-coloured candy necklaces ($0.80), watches ($0.60) and all-time favourite, fruit flavoured lolly Ring Pop ($1.50). Perfect for the child at heart. Available from tuck.com.sg (additional $10 for shipping)
Kinky chocolates Have a good chuckle with your loved ones and present them with a box of Sophisca’s chocolates ($8.90). Naughtily packaged as condoms and breast booster pills, these goodies are one of the Taiwanese confectionary store’s best sellers. #02-32 Marina Square Mall.
Flower cupcakes Think flowers are a waste of money? How about a dozen floral cupcakes ($69.60) from Creme Maison Bakery instead? The customised-order bake shop does a gorgeous buttercream piping featuring blooms like peonies and roses, with toothsome flavours like earl grey lavender. #02-01, 50A Prinsep Street. Tel: 8181 3689
ChurROSE bouquet While the chicken wing bouquet has been trending all over the internet, Singapore's Churros Factory has blessed us with an alternative—a churros bouquet ($28) featuring five churros hand piped in the shape of a lollipop. Top up a dollar for dips like chocolate and butterscotch. Order 2-3 days in advance from churrosfactorysg.com
Edible creations Skip the cliché box of chocolates with a specially crafted coco confectionary. Food and Dreams are able to conjure up anything you can think of—from handy tools to nine-inch chocolate shoes and ‘Rolex’ watches. Partnering with Chocolab Vecchia Brianza in Italy, the chocolate used promises to melt in your mouth. #02-K3 238 Novena Velocity, Thomson Road. Tel: 9026 4014
Sweet talk Rose are red—and delicious too, when they’re made of dark chocolate Chantilly from Antoinette. Made for two to share, La Rose ($12 each) is crafted from grand cru chocolate mousse, cocoa sponge soaked in Grand Marnier and almond nougatine with fruity caramel, dotted with raspberry and sherry vinegar dew on its lifelike red petals. Pre-orders three days in advance, from 1 Feb. www.antoinette.com.sg
Brainy delights Give your bookworm beau a Beans to Bars Organic Chocolate Gift Encyclopaedia ($25). Sophistically packaged, this artisanal chocolate pressie feature five toothsome flavours—dark chocolate with forest honey, berries, hops, dark milk chocolate with porcini, and milk chocolate with caramel. Available at Naiise outlets including #02-23 Clarke Quay Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street. Tel: 6252 7701
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Treat yourself to a classy afternoon at these wonderfully indulgent high tea buffets. From classic scones to local delights, whether you prefer finger sandwiches or nasi lemak, there’s something for everyone.
HOUSE AT DEMPSEY
12 high tea BUFFETS
KUVO
ATRIUM AT HOLIDAY INN
[International]
CAROUSEL
Albert Café Albert Café’s weekend high tea buffet (Fri-Sun 2.305.30pm, $23.28++) serves up various hot savouries like vegatable samosas, and the standard high tea fare including mini sandwiches, Danish pastries and desserts. Nestled within the old school buildings of Albert Court, the surrounding flora and fauna adds to the café’s cozy charm. Reservations required. #02-01 Village Hotel Albert Court, 80 Albert Street. Tel: 6337 8096 ALBERT CAFÉ
Atrium at Holiday Inn Start as early as lunchtime for Atrium’s high tea buffet LEE’S TAIWANESE (Sat-Sun 12pm-3.30pm; $58++ adults, $20++ children). Savour local flavours, in addition to the English tea time offerings, like fried oyster omelette, and have a go at their DIY kueh pie tee station. Atrium Holiday Inn, 317 Outram Road. Tel: 6733 0188 Carousel At Carousel, high tea (Mon-Thu 3.30-5.30pm; $42++ adults) is a sumptuous affair. Feast on fresh salmon, tilapia and tuna sashimi, with oden or shabu-shabu on rotation. There’s also an array of seafood on ice
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and a deli corner that offers delicious beef pastrami sandwiches. Toss up a salad, or make a beeline for the Singapore rojak station and kueh pie tee. Another local fave is the nasi lemak, with dishes like sotong petai masak hitam and ikan siakap lada hijau ikan billis. Sweet treats include ice kachang and three flavoured chocolate fountains. Lobby Level Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Road. Tel: 6589 7799
stand of Asian delights, gourmet sandwiches and your choice of tea or coffee. We personally like the TokyoSingapore tea and the nutty-citrus yuzu kukicha. From the buffet spread, fill up on Danish pastries, Peranakan delights, parma ham and a selection of cheeses. #02-01 Orchard Shopping Centre, 321 Orchard Road. Tel: 6733 8272
House at Dempsey The popular vintage high tea menu at House has just been refreshed with over 30 new items served on a rotational basis. This hi-tea (Thu-Fri 3-5.30pm, $30++) is inspired by The Spa Esprit group’s collaboration with Edible Gardens to support local farming. Fresh herbs and spices feature in dishes like sweet potato leaf fried rice, phad Thai salad and avocado and chocolate cake. 8 Dempsey Road. Tel: 6475 7787
Lounge@Jen Have a joyful weekend enjoying Hotel Jen’s Singapore high tea buffet (Sat-Sun 3-5pm, $28++). It features a full spread with a wide dessert, local and dim sum selection, including Peking duck in crepe rolls, and open faced tandoori chicken. It also comes with free-flowing coffee and teas. Level 10, Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Road. Tel: 6708 8900
KUVO A view of busy Orchard Road stretch is juxtaposed against the relaxing interior of KUVO. The weekend high tea (Sat-Sun 2-5.30pm, $42++) includes a three-tier
Bites guide: Price guide (nett) $ wallet-friendly (below $50) $$ just can’t resist a splurge ($50-100) $$$ a special occasion ($100-150) $$$$ indulgence galore (above $150)
Certified halal Does not serve pork or lard Kid-friendly facilities Veg-friendly
The Brass Rail Tuck into a spread of local treats at this high tea buffet (Sat-Sun, PH 3-5pm; $18.90++ adult). One of their must-tries is the live laksa station, as well as braised pork buns. Indulge in their delectable desserts, bread pudding and selection of macarons. Hotel Miramar, 401 Havelock Road. Tel: 6631 3021 Tier Bar Start your weekends right with a lush getaway on Sentosa Island at the Tier Bar (SatSun, PH 2.30-5.30pm; $26++). Rest and relax with a spread featuring a mix of local and international goodies like Nyonya kueh, dim sum and laksa. Reservations recommended. Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, 1 Larkhill Road, Sentosa Island. Tel: 6825 3868 Tiffany Café Halal-certified and affordable, Tiffany Café offers a plethora of sweets and desserts, along with savouries from both the east and west. The spread (Sat-Sun, PH 2.45-5.30pm; $19.90++) includes local fare like dim sum and kueh, as well as mini sandwiches and cakes. Furama City Centre, 60 Eu Tong Sen Street. Tel: 6531 5366 Straits Café For durian lovers, you cannot miss treating yourself at Straits Café’s buffet (Sat-Sun, PH 3-5pm; $40++). Aside from the wide variety of local and western nibbles, some notable dishes include the hearty Peranakan laksa, Malaysian desserts like kueh lapis and seri muka and not forgetting the famed durian penget, along with durian puffs and crepes. Level 1 Rendezvous Grand Hotel Singapore, 9 Bras Basah Road. Tel: 6335 1771
[Asian] Straits CafÉ
Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe (Heng Mui Keng Terrace) Head to this cosy west-side Peranakan cafe (Sat-Sun & PH 3-5.15pm; $10.80++) for a spread that includes chee cheong fun, siew mai, chwee kueh and kong bak pau. Help yourself to tauhu goreng, laksa, mee siam, kueh pie tee and fried items spring roll and samosa. From the Nyonya kueh table (10 varieties), colourful rainbow lapis, kueh kosui and kueh lapis await. Do visit on a Sunday if you, like us, love your bubur chacha. #06-21, 29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace. Tel: 6872 2982 LingZhi Vegetarian Bring a fellow veggie-loving friend to enjoy their high tea buffet (Sat-Sun & PH 3-5pm; $14.80++). Start with crisp-fried sweet potato with plum powder and braised mushrooms with spicy beancurd sauce, before diving into the mushroom and corn bisque. Be sure to get in many orders of their dim sum: steamed Teochew dumplings, vegetarian barbecued pork’ buns and crisp-fried yam croquettes. Fill up on fried noodles with vegetables and mushrooms and round off your meal with black sesame or almond cream and chilled beancurd with mixed fruits. Chinese tea at $1.50 per person and pickles charged at $2 per plate. Minimum two to dine. #03-09 Velocity @ Novena Square, 238 Thomson Road. Tel: 6538 2992 Chilli padi nonya cafe
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Unwind at Holland Village Named after its architect, Hugh Holland, The expat hangout has evolved into one of the coolest residential estates. Stretching across Chip Bee Gardens to Lorong Mambong, the trendy enclave today offers wine bars, restaurants in vogue and hipster cafes to unwind at. By Justina Liew, Photography by Olivia Ong
FOSTERS
Lorong Liput
Project Acai (27A Lorong Liput) Pronounced as ‘ah-sigh-ee’, Project Açaí is the pioneer of superfood cafés that dish out berry bowls packed with nutrition. You won’t go wrong with the classic original flower bowl (from $6.80)—topped with fresh fruits, granola and superfoods like goji berries on a bed of smoothly blended berry base. Embrace the guilt-free calories and have a 'beach body to-go' smoothie ($8.50) for seconds.
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363 Katong Laksa (29B Lorong Liput) Why travel to the East when you can have one of Singapore’s must-try local delicacies here. Warm your stomach with a ‘lemak’ bowl of laksa ($4)—especially if you love the strong taste of shrimp paste in thick coconut gravy and cockles. You can also order via iPads at the entrance and pay after. Tel: 6464 9303 Yee Cheong Yuen Noodle Restaurant (31 Lorong Liput) Tossing silky strands of hor fun since the 70s, Yee Cheong Yuen Noodle Restaurant is known for their Ipoh-style shredded chicken hor fun ($4.80) and extensive local fare—think assorted roast meats, claypot rice and stir-fry vegetables. Psst… go crazy on the chili for added flavour. Don't worry too much about the lunch crowd as alfresco seats are available. Tel: 6468 7737 Tai Cheong Bakery (31 Lorong Liput) Just like cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong, the brand's first dine-in concept boasts a cosy space lined by the modern interior of tiled green walls and cushioned booth seats. One-dish meals are served in generous portions with no service charge—don't miss the three-egg macaroni soup with luncheon meat ($8.50) or scrambled egg toast stack with chicken chop ($9.50). Apart from the famous egg tarts, exclusive to Singapore is their durian & cheese tart ($3.60). Pressed for time? Takeaways are available for baked goods in a separate, shorter queue. Tel: 8233 1954 Ritual (17B Lorong Liput) This 30-minute gym focuses on HIIT giving you no excuse not to get your #WOD (workout of the day) done. The funky mod space is fully equipped—from training attire to towels and multi-sized lockers to shower cubicles. You don’t even need to wear shoes to train! When you’re done, head to the in-house café for a post workout smoothie (from $8.50) such as a vanilla or chocolate protein blended with peanut butter, nuts and fruits. Tel: 6463 469
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Holland Village Food Centre (1 Lorong Mambong)
Holland Village Parking
Holland Village Food Centre
Holland V. Fried Bee Hoon (#01-11) Start the day right with this daytime legendary stall. Top your noodles (from $1) with a variety of ingredients like fried chicken wing, luncheon meat and a sunny side-up at pocket-friendly prices. While the queue builds up fast during lunch, the aunty manning the stall works at the speed of lightning, so you never have to wait for more than 10 minutes.
Lor Liput
Holland Road Shopping Centre
Claypot & Stewed Soup (#01-29) Marrying the fragrance of smoky rice, chicken and lup cheong, their signature traditional claypot rice ($5) is not to be missed. If you love charred and crusty rice bits, allow the rice to cook for a couple more minutes before stirring in dollops of black sauce to taste. Expect to wait 15 minutes on normal days.
FRIED BEE HOON
Lorong Mambong
The party begins at this avenue of watering holes when night falls and the road gets shut off from cars. Chug like a boss at tables and chairs that flow out from the bars into the pavement. Barossa (22 Lorong Mambong) From wines and Champagne to cocktails like frozen margarita ($14) and sangria ($16), Barossa will leave you spoilt for choice. Known as the bar that dispenses Archipelago beers (from $12) on tap, beef things up with the rib eye tasting platter for two ($78) made up of three premium rib eye cuts, or Barossa wings ($14) and naughty nachos ($14) for snacks. Tel: 6468 4688
CLAYPOT & STEWED SOUP
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La Nonna (26 Lorong Mambong) Just like how grandma would, La Nonna dishes out traditional Italian country cuisine in an intimate rustic ambience. Line your stomach with their risotto alloz afferano ($27) or gnocchi ($24)—homemade potato dumplings in pomodoro sauce. While 1-for-1 lunch deals are available on weekdays from 12pm to 2.30pm, be rewarded with an assortment of Italian sausages with a bottle of prosecco ($35) during happy hour from 6-8pm. Tel: 6468 1982
Holland Avenue
Sanpoutei Ramen (253 Holland Avenue) The location is perfect—just turn right from exit C Holland Villave MRT. Get your fix for Niigata ramen with the classic shoyu ramen ($14)—you’ll be surprised by the fine broth boiled with pork bones and sardine. The Butariki niigata rice mini don ($5) won’t disappoint. Tel: 6463 7277 d’Good Café (273 Holland Avenue) Decked with vintage décor and whimsical garden themed corners, this quirky two-storey space is a popular hideout among students. You may even dine on a swing. Order the signature deutsche skillet pancake ($8) or portobello mushroom eggs benedict ($14.50), along with a D’White ($7.50) cold brew coffee and let the clouds roll by. Tel: 6219 9807 Fosters (277 Holland Avenue) Experience the warm-heartedness of dining in a country home at Fosters, an institution since 1960. Surrounded by the outdoor greenery, its rustic charm runs through this cosy space with a mock-up fireplace and alfresco dining area on the porch. Sip the afternoon away with their Devonshire cream tea set ($11.50)— comes with freshly baked scones and finger sandwiches. Come nightfall, go for their robust signature steaks (from $39). Tel: 6466 8939 SANPOUTEI RAMEN
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Raffles Holland Village
Have you noticed the sleek new building facing Holland Road Shopping Centre? Raffles Medical Group is the backbone of the multi-disciplinary establishment. With not only easy-access to healthcare facilities, residents can expect a decent range of food & beverage outlets to dine at—they steer towards healthier dining options too.
Haakon Superfoods and Juice (#01-03, 118 Holland Avenue) Jumping onto the bandwagon of healthy living, Haakon introduces the Scandinavian lifestyle through our bellies—wholesome, nourishing and flavorful. Have the best of both worlds with the creamy smashed avocado & feta toast ($14.90) laid with slices of avocado on one rye bread and a poached egg on the other. Gym rats will like the sound of the Viking protein bowl ($13.90)—three types of meat served with quinoa, tofu and egg on a bed of greens. Forget about ice cream or cakes, the star is Haakon’s classic açaí bowl ($7.90) topped with a garden of fruits, nuts and granola for crunch. Although stuffed, walk off feeling energized, satisfied and guilt-free! Tel: 8399 2450
Sunday Folks
Jln Rum
Raffles Holland V
Wala Wala Café Bar (31 Lorong Mambong) This well-established two-storey pub has been in Holland Village since 1993. Bask in the live music scene with local artistes such as The Trella Trio, an acoustic group covering top 40s to well-loved classics, or rock and roll to the beat with Reverie. While you tuck in to the pizza ribeye ($28) or Wala buffalo wings ($14), look out for happy hour deals before it ends at 9pm—think wide range of spirits (from $7 per glass), beers (from $9 per bottle) and wines (from $8). Tel: 6462 4288
Patissez (#01-16, 118 Holland Avenue) The original creators of this extravagant milkshake have finally landed on our shores. Most of their ingredients are house-made from start to finish. Fans of Nutella will love the Pretzella ($16), where the sweetness of Nutella is counter-balanced with salty pretzels and an airy vanilla mousse that’s so delicate you won’t feel any guilt finishing it. The refreshing Mint Condition ($16) is another must-try. Get your hands messy and enjoy the mint ice cream sandwich that’s gracing the top of the milkshake. Tel: 6262 3616
Chip Bee Gardens (44 Jalan Merah Saga)
Used to identify roads such as Taman Warna and Jalan Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens today rests on a forested area that was also once home to members of the British Armed Forces.
Sunday Folks (#01-52) Known as Creamier’s little sibling, Sunday Folks serves up its own take on waffles with their soft serve ice cream, that comes in a charcoal-coloured cone as well. Look forward to six unique soft serve flavours from earl grey lavender to sea salt gula melaka, and an eye-popping number of toppings that can be added on (almost overwhelming the soft serve!), including lavender konnyaku, soufflé cheesecake, and caramel pearls. Tel: 6479 9166 Phoon Huat (#01-48) The one-stop grocery store to grab all you need for the next hazelnut feuillantine or pineapple tarts. Forget about pacing the aisles at the supermarket. From bake ware to ingredients such as dried fruits, pie fillings and varying chocolate couverture, they got you covered. (Psst… baking classes are also available at their outlet along Sims Lane). Tel: 6654 4333
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UUji Matcha $6.60, Cold Storage Taste test: Uji Matcha is the most expensive of the lot, however, it did come with 4 smaller packs of biscuits in one box. The packaging was tasteful with Japanese ribbons adorning its front. The matcha biscuit stick itself is a light shade of green, with the chocolate coating hiding even more of the cookie bits underneath it. The gritty texture is akin to its crunchy almond pocky counterpart. If only the matcha flavour was more intense.
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Choco Banana
$1, Isetan Supermarket Taste test: This flavour is popular amongst the kids for its sweet banana chocolate dip. Adults might find it more artificial. The biscuit itself is chocolate flavoured and the thick yellow chocolate coating smells of bananas. Reminds us of the popular banana milk found in Korean convenience stores.
Karu Jyaga
For the love of all things stick-y
$3.50, Cold Storage Taste test: This salt-flavoured potato snack from Glico comes in a red box with a cute illustrated baked potato in front. The snack is on the salty side, but stays true to its potato taste. It is crunchy and thin, with a hollow centre. Dangerously addictive.
From sweet to salty, umami to different variations of chocolate, there's a pocky that'll suit your taste buds on this page. on the next page, check out a bonus review of narita airport's pretz boxed set. By Olivia Ong, Photography by Clair Ong B i T E S paid for our own groceries
Handy Pocky Men’s
($3.80, Cold Storage) Taste test: The cutest of the lot, the intensely dark chocolate Handy Pocky Men’s stands out with its small packaging box, almost the size of a pack of cards. The chocolate biscuit is thicker and has a thin layer of semi-sweet dark chocolate surrounding it. We liked how rich this chocolate flavour is among the others, with the bitterness of the chocolate giving it a little more kick.
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E D I T O R ' S P I C K
Olive Basil Adult’s Milk Chocolate
($4.30, Isetan Supermarket) Taste test: From the packaging, it looks like any other regular chocolate flavoured pocky. But what sets this apart is the evident crunch of the biscuit itself, which is almost as crisp as a pretzel. It has a nice surprise texture wise and melded nicely with the thin coating of milk chocolate. We are curious about the name though. Why adult’s milk chocolate?
($3.30, Isetan Supermarket) Taste test: This olive-basil flavoured pocky’s box is tastefully designed with olives and basil leaves, for a look that reminds us of olive groves and the Tuscan sun. The biscuit looks like a baguette and is thicker and denser than the average Pocky stick. Though flecked with bits of seasoning powder, there isn't much of a basil nor olive taste, it seems like a humbler version of the kind of bread sticks that one would have at an Italian restaurant.
Crystal Salty
($3.50, Isetan Supermarket) Taste test: We can see why it's called Crystal Salty. The chocolate coating is dusted with salt crystals. This biscuit has the right balance of sweet and salty, with the salt elevating the chocolate. One box comes with two packets of biscuit sticks.
Seto lemon from Chugoku region One look and this brightly coloured box is sure to brighten up your day. This lemon flavoured biscuit is wonderfully fragrant, and dusted with a sweet and sour powder, which complements the lemon biscuit stick. Comes across as a more robust Khong Guan lemon cream biscuit.
Takoyaki from Kinki region One of Osaka’s most famous street foods, takoyaki stands out brightly against the black coloured box, while the opposite side of the box features the famous Glico man who fronts the famous tourist area of Dotonbori. These biscuit sticks smell of bonito flakes, and are also sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and tastes strongly of takoyaki sauce.
Hakata mentaiko from Kyushu region The biscuit stick is lightly dusted with pink savoury powder and we can really taste the saltiness of the mentaiko upon the first bite. It gets milder towards the end with a faint spicy aftertaste.
Butter from Hokkaido prefecture Hokkaido is best known for its dairy products and butter is definitely one of them. The packaging itself is already mouthwatering, featuring a block of yellow butter. This biscuit flavour is leaning towards the sweet side and the butter flavour stands out.
Zawa wasabi from Touhai region One might think wasabi packs too much of a punch as a primary flavour, however that’s not the case for the Zawa Wasabi. The biscuit itself is light green and dusted generously with a savoury seasoning. The wasabi taste is spicy enough to leave a tingling numbness on the tongue. Definitely one of our favourites and oh so addictive!
If you’re travelling from or transiting in Japan’s Narita airport, you won’t regret picking up this boxed set of Pretz biscuit sticks (set of nine for ¥1200/SGD15).
Beef seasoning from Tohoku region Yonezawa beef is most well known from the Tohoku region for its marbled meat, comparable to the likes of Kobe beef. This flavour is filled with delightful umami taste and the roasted scent is evident in the biscuit as well as the aftertaste.
Modanyaki from Tokyo region Modanyaki is a type of Japanese savoury pancake filled with vegetables and various toppings. The box features the Tokyo Tower on both sides with different backdrops, one in the day and one at night. We would have preferred a more generous coating of seasoning, though there was an aftertaste of ginger and modanyaki sauce.
Nishio matcha from Chubu region Nishio city in the Chubu region is one of Japan’s leading producers of powdered green tea, and this flavour lived up to its famous namesake. The green biscuit is covered in a light powdered sugar, which melds well with its strong matcha taste. The fragrant aftertaste of the sweet green tea left us wanting more.
Fuji apple from Shinagawa region One of our favourites, we were welcomed with a strong apple fragrance upon opening the package. The biscuit stick is powdered with a sweet and tart flavouring, that reminded us strongly of apple pie filling.
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Bars in da’ hood Venture to the heartlands closest to you and grab a swig at these unpretentious neighbourhood bars across the island. By Katie Boon
[West] Jolly Roger Feel right at home at this British pub. For sport fanatics, they screen live rugby and football matches, and boast an electronic dart board and pool table. Aside from offering a range of tapped draught beers and ales, wines and classic cocktails, they also serve delicious grub. For a taste of U.K., one must absolutely order their beer battered fish and chips. Best part? They welcome four-legged friends too! 15 Chu Lin Road. Tel: 6468 2344 Coq & Balls Coq & Balls’ events never fail to deliver a night of boisterous fun; follow their Facebook for updates. While prices are pretty steep at $14 for a pint of Asahi, they do serve stiff cocktails such as The Chuck Norris ($30) featuring a triple shot with a choice of Absinthe chaser – great if you’re looking to get boozy fast. Bar snacks include luncheon fries ($8.90) and mini wagyu beef sliders ($12.90), along with pasta, pizza and Asian noodles for mains. 6 Kim Tian Road. Tel: 6276 6609 Bojangles The go-to bar for Bukit Timah residents since 1997, Bojangles delivers genuine service—the staff never fail to ask you about your day. Beer is the drink of choice with a pint of frothy Kilkenny going for $15.80. First time here and ready to mingle? Gather around the large pool table and play a game with the regulars to get the ball rolling. They have since opened outlets at Woodgrove and Bukit Timah Shopping Centre. #01-01 Balmoral Plaza, 271 Bukit Timah Road. Tel: 6737 1471
COQ & BALLS
labels like Churchview Bartondale Cabernet ($68/ bottle) and Altos de Corral Single Estate 2005 ($83/ bottle). It gets packed fast after dinner time, so be sure to book a table via Whatsapp if you’re coming in a big group. 752 Upper Serangoon Road. Tel: 6372 1125/ 8511 5498
[South] Blue Mist Situated under an old flat in Tanjong Pagar, this casual bar offers one of the cheapest pints around the area. At just $10 for 500ml of Tiger during happy hours, this place is teeming with office workers and heartlanders. Skip the food though—there are much better options within walking distance. #01-03, 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza. Tel: 6220 1820
Birdie Num Num There are many reasons why this laidback gastrobar has been packed since their opening. For starters, their drink promotions are really attractive, with five pints of freshly-tapped beer including Guinness and Erdinger Weissbier going for $55 nett. The staff are genuinely friendly too, especially the owner’s mom Rose, who never fails to strike a conversation. For food, order the hand-cut duck fat fries ($10.90) and chicken roulade ($14.90). 54 Jalan Kembangan. Tel: 6449 2546
BURP KITCHEN & BAR
[EasT]
[North] Nectars & Vines This no-frills, self-service drinking den manages to keep their prices low by acting as a wholesaler for wines, beer, ciders and spirits. Look forward to a wide range of craft brews from around the world such as Murray’s Dark Knight Porter ($10.90) and Cocoa Wonderland ($11.90). Their wine selection is impressive too with
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Burp Kitchen & Bar Tucked away in a hidden corner of Block 740, Burp is a well-kept secret among those who live in the Bedok Reservoir precinct. Small and cosy, the bar has an al fresco area overlooking the Bedok Reservoir. The crew is young and hip, promising to deliver a good laugh during your late-night swig. The nosh is on the heartier side and includes appetising delights like tacos pork carnitas ($12 nett) layered with tangy barbecue sauce and fruity apple slaw. Coming in a big group? Share a tower of Asahi Super Dry for just $62 nett. #01-3165, 740 Bedok Reservoir Road. Tel: 8428 4722
The Bark Café Located beside the secluded Changi Museum, this al fresco joint is the perfect late-night spot for a quiet guzzle in the East. The fusion menu includes juicy double lamb patty with butter bun ($21.90) and roasted smoked pepper duck ($18.90) served with sour plum sauce. There is also a good selection of spirits like Hakushu 12-Years whisky, along with a nice variety of beers and wines. 1000 Upper Changi Road North. Tel: 6545 4118
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After Ghim Moh Market refreshed itself, we went in search of our old-time favourite stalls. By Olivia Ong, Photography by Clair Ong
Phew! We arrived just before the lunch crowd.
“hmm, My dad used to eat here as a kid.”
we zoom striaght for the stalls that have been here for over 40 years!
Wow, Ghim Moh Market looks newer and fresher after its thorough clean-up!
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The Store is fronted by an elderly couple who have been serving up chwee kueh faithfully for the past 56 years. Aung Sang Suu Kyi also stopped by during her official visit to singapore.
The Char Kway Teow is glistening fresh off the wok, with generous helpings of bean sprouts, eggs, lup cheong and fish cakes. Not forgetting lots of crispy pork lard too!
Generouss! Filling
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The fluffy briyani rice, with scallions, cashews and raisins is accompanied by a thick chicken curry. Leaving with a happy belly, the taste of the old is indeed gold at Ghim Moh market.
OOPS, DISTRActed! we also sampled min jiang kueh, Hainanese curry rice and Hor fun.
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address: 20 ghim Moh road.
➔ True to its taste and its queues, these stalls that have been here since Ghim Moh Market started did not leave us disappointed. The dishes, especially the char kway teow, was indeed worth the 25-minute wait. We love how even after renovation, the market still retains its rustic charm with its many sights, sounds and flavours.
The bill ➔ Guan Kee Char Kway Teow #01-19: $3 (small plate) ➔ Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh #01-54: $1.40 (for 4 pieces) ➔ Mohd Faisal Seeni Eating Stall #01-37: $5.50 (Chicken Briyani) ➔ Hin Hor Fun #01-56: $5 (Beef Hor Fun) ➔ Granny’s Pancake #01-52: $1 (Peanut Butter) ➔ Hainan Hometown Curry #01-49: $5 (Hainan Curry Chicken Cutlet Rice)
The score ➔ VALUE
➔ variety
➔ taste
Have a favourite hawker haunt? Talk to us at [bites.editorial@magsint.com] *BiTES dined incognito and paid for our own meaL
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Heritage Feast in the East At Feast@East Buffet Restaurant
Savour a traditional Singaporean heritage buffet at the newly refurbished Feast@East Buffet Restaurant with authentic local favourites that are influenced by the rich diverse blend of cultures in Singapore. Helmed by Head Chef Lester Wang, do not miss perennial signature delights such as Ayam Buah Keluak, Babi Pongteh (Stewed Pork with Fermented Soya Bean), Katong Laksa, authentic Durian Paste, homemade Banana Cake and more.
Enjoy
50% off Lunch and Dinner on Wednesdays Call 6340 5665 for reservations All images are for illustrative purposes only
Feast@East Buffet Restaurant, Level 3 • Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy • 50 East Coast Road, Roxy Square S428769 www.grandmercureroxy.com.sg