Audience: Family

Korean Food Is All The Rage Now – Here Are 11 Ways To Eat And Drink Like A True Korean

K-dramas, K-pop, Korean food… It seems Singaporeans are crazy for all things Korean, and for good reason.

Their heart wrenching drama storylines tug at our heartstrings. Their very successful reality-variety shows like Running Man leave us in fits of laughter. Their virally catchy pop tunes stick in our heads and are fun to sing along to.

But although Singaporeans do enjoy Korean food, do you know that some of us may unknowingly be flouting Korean table manners?

To help us better appreciate their cuisine and get the full Korean dining experience, here are 11 ways you can eat and drink like a true Korean.

How Koreans Eat

In Korea, rice is a staple food with most of South Korea’s agricultural policies centred on rice. Though we are seeing more unique Korean food creations, the Koreans still love their usual meal of rice with side dishes.

This is one act we are guilty of. While it’s that much more shiok to hold up your soup bowl for big gulps of the soup, it’s not recommended to do so in public, especially not so when you’re having Korean food – you’ll just seem rude.

3. Don’t reach across the table for food

As mentioned, a traditional Korean meal consists of a wide assortment of small side dishes that usually fill up the table. While it may seem normal for us to reach across the table for dishes placed further away, it isn’t for the Koreans.

It’s considered poor manners to extend your arm across the table to reach for food. The general rule is to bring the dishes closer to you, and if you really need to, get your friends to pass the food over to you.

4. When you’re done with your meal, place your utensils on the table

Once you’re finished with your food, don’t stick your chopsticks into your bowl, because they look like joss sticks offered to ancestors. It is regarded as disrespectful and a sign of bad luck. Place your utensils back on the table instead. But only do it after the elders have placed their utensils on the table, and make sure that you place them neatly.

Always wait for everyone to have their glasses ready before you toast and drink up together.

4. Do not refuse alcoholic drinks

The Koreans consider it rude when someone turns down a drink, especially when the elders offer it to you. So… bottoms up!

Remember to also hold your cup or glass with both hands when someone is pouring drinks for you.

5. Turn sideways when you drink liquor

Like the Japanese, Koreans emphasise a lot on societal ranking. One way that juniors show respect to elders, especially those higher in the corporate ladder, is to turn away when drinking.

6. Alcohol-food pairings

Did you know that some Korean alcohols were meant to be eaten with specific foods?

Korea has a long history of having alcohol when celebrating special occasions. Besides long-stemmed beliefs (like consuming Soju during the new year as a way to drive away bad spirits and illnesses), these alcohols actually make Korean cuisine that much more enjoyable.

Soju + Anju

While Anju is a general term for side dishes consumed with alcohol, Anju is most commonly paired with Soju.

These side dishes aren’t just any kind of foods. These are usually finger foods like nuts and fruits, or salads like Golbaengi-muchim (a mix of moon snails and vegetables).

Soju is also best paired with grilled meat like Samgyeopsal (pork belly).

Makgeolli + Jeon

The best food to eat with your makgeolli is Jeon, a fried pancake that at its most basic, consists of meat and/or vegetables, coated in flour and egg.

You can find all kinds of jeon—crispy, soft, doughy, and less doughy jeons versions, and they all pair deliciously with makgeolli.

Beer + Chicken

If you haven’t already heard of Chimaek, it’s about time you learnt of this.

A combination of “chicken” and “Maekju” (beer), Chimaek very literally means chicken and beer. The Koreans love their chicken with beer, particularly spicy and fried chicken. There are even Korean restaurants like Chir Chir that specialises in selling just that.

Learning from Asian Masters at e2i’s Taste Of East Asia

Wondering where we learnt all of this? It was at e2i’s Taste Of East Asia event that happened in May 2017, where Dr Dr Kim Sang-woo, Chairman of the East Asia Cultural Project[/caption]

A session intended to introduce people to the cultural, economic and political aspects of Korea, Dr Kim gave us a peek into Korean food and cultural traditions that went beyond the glitz and glamour we’ve all come to associate with the country.

We Singaporeans love Korean food, and so does the rest of the world. Interestingly, food is one of the mediums through which Korea has forged closer, friendlier ties with other nations.

Taste of East Asia is one of many masterclasses organized by the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to help working people.

For Taste of East Asia, people working in the F&B industry attended the professional development workshops by Korean, Japanese, Sri Lankan and Hong Kong masters, to increase their knowledge and mastery of food techniques.

Attendees also got to mingle with the masters, participants and booth exhibitors to expand their professional networks.

To find out more about future e2i events, you can contact e2i here.

This article is written in collaboration with e2i to help trade professionals upskill and network via trade events such as curated masterclasses.

There’s A Durian Buffet In Town And Free Flow Mao Shan Wang Isn’t The Only Thing To Look Forward To

Durian – a fruit that inspires either fanatical love or intense loathing; there’s no in between.

If you belong to the camp that LOVES durian, there’s a durian buffet in town we want to put on your radar. At this durian buffet, expect a host of inventive spins on your favourite fruit, as well as – wait for it – FREE FLOW DURIAN!

The stars of this buffet dinner are a medley of signature dishes infused with the pungent, creamy fruit. On the savoury end of the spectrum are Durian Ravioli with Sage and Garlic Butter, Butter Durian Prawn with Curry Leaves and Chilli Padi, Wok-Fried Prawn and Petai with Sambal Durian, and Foie Gras Torchon with Torched Meringue.

Other die-die must tries that lie on the sweet side are durian pastries including Pandan Crepes with Durian Mousse, Deep-Fried Durian Ice Cream, Mini Durian Crumble and the timeless favourite, Durian Pengat.

Our favourite part? At the outdoor terrace, there will be chefs wielding their knives, serving up all-you-can-eat ”D24” and ”Mao Shan Wang”!

Happening at Lime Restaurant at PARKROYAL on Pickering, this mouthwatering buffet is tagged at $88 per adult (includes free flow coffee and tea) and $58 per child (ages 6 – 12). Available everyday except Monday, this buffet will run from 7 July – 2 September 2017 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

So, make a date with all your durian-loving kakees and make sure to come to this buffet with an empty stomach! The last thing you want is to have all the durian you can dream of right before you, only to be too full to eat it!

Thorny Temptations at Lime
Address: 3 Upper Pickering Street, PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore (058289)
Date: 7 Jul – 2 Sep
Contact no.: 6809 8899
Price: Adult: $88 | Child (ages 6 – 12): $58
Website

Also read Live Out Your Wizard Fantasies At Platform 1094 – Dine On Magical Food And Bewitching Drinks

(Header Image Source: Parkroyal Hotels)

There’s An Ice Cream Cone That Looks Like A Unicorn, And It’s Almost Too Cute To Eat

Love your Ben & Jerry’s ice cream? Here’s something that will make you love the ice cream company even more!

Ben & Jerry’s has recently released a new Unicone ($8.90), an ice cream cone that resembles everyone’s favourite mythical creature – the unicorn.

[caption id="attachment_27937" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ben & Jerry’s Unicone (Image Credit: charcoal waffle cone, the creation is topped off with a pair of impossibly cute candy ears, with a gold-dusted biscuit stick serving as the all-important horn.

A fun, adorable creation that’s basically made for the ‘gram, make sure to take tons of photos when you get your hands on one of these! Better yet, get a few – with your friends, of course! – all in different colours for that one magical photo! Catch up with your girlfriends over these picture-perfect treats that are almost too cute to eat.

Available only until 31 August 2017, the Unicone is available at all Ben & Jerry’s stores! Head down to your nearest Ben & Jerry’s store before they disappear!

Also read Grab Your Mugs, A&W Is Making A Comeback And We Are Floating To Root Beer Heaven

(Header Image Source: Weekender Singapore)

Grab Your Mugs, A&W Is Making A Comeback And We Are Floating To Root Beer Heaven

If you love American fast food chain A&W, you’ll be happy to know that they’ll be coming back to Singapore!

I’m sure we – or the older ones of us, at least – can all remember their delicious root beer floats and addictive onion rings!

A&W, which is short for “Allen and Wright”, shuttered their last store in Singapore in 2003. After disappearing from our island over 10 years ago, the fast food chain will be returning as part of its expansion into Southeast Asia in 2018. This means it will still be quite a wait before we can get get our hands on some A&W.

We can’t wait to be reunited with their root beer floats, Coney dogs, curly fries, waffles and more!

Other countries A&W plans to expand into in the Southeast Asia region include Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

[caption id="attachment_27880" align="alignnone" width="1600"] A&W Coney Dog (Image Credit: While there is no word yet on where their first store will be, there’s a good chance there will be a branch near you, as the fast food chain has plans to open 30 – 40 new restaurants a year between the 4 countries.

Also read At This New Tempura Restaurant, Building Your Own Tendon Bowl Is As Easy As Ebi-C

(Header Image Source: A&W Canada Facebook)

10 Amazeball Events And Makan Places To Jazz Up The First Half Of July [1-15 July]

Hello, July!

There’s no need to mope over the end of the June holidays. This month, there’s still a host of exciting activities and scrummy new eats to dive into!

This month’s line-up includes a trippy circus, an out-of-this-island trip to pulau ubin, interesting art exhibitions, and new food spots to tickle your tastebuds. Whether you’re an adventurer, an art lover, or a die-hard foodie, here are some ways to keep yourself busy for the first half of July!

Here’s a calendar of 10 electrifying events and eats to try out this month!

Play & Discover

1. Singapore International Festival Of Arts

Who says Singapore’s art scene is dead?

The Singapore International Festival of Arts is just one of the many arts events happening this month!

From street performances to public film screenings, to even talks over brunch, everyone’s invited to this celebration of the Arts!

Helming the event are the best of local and international artists.

Maybe you’ll recognize some of the more established names like Robert Wilson, Michael Nyman, London Sinfonietta, and the Berliner Ensemble in the line-up.

This year, there are even some of the newest productions from Korea and the US, such as the award-winning The Chorus, Oedipus, and Robert Move’s Martha.

They’ll be showcasing quality works in theatre, dance, and music you don’t want to miss!

Singapore International Festival Of Arts
Where: Various Locations
When: 28 Jun – 9 Sep
Website

2. Pink Dot

Let your pride shine at the brightest event of the year!

Pink Dot is set to bring together family, friends, and lovers of all kinds at its annual event.

3. Closing of Sungei Road Thieves Market

Sadly, another remnant of Singapore’s past will soon be no more. 

After eight decades of existence, Singapore’s oldest flea market in Sungei Road will be turning its last page.

The open-air market was already reduced by half once, to make way for Jalan Besar MRT station.

This time, all of it will be cleared for residential and commercial developments.

Known as the “Thieves Market”, stolen items were once notoriously sold here.

Popular with tourists, foreign workers, and locals, it offers all sorts of nibs and nubs ranging from household items to jewellery and electronic items!

Come down and have a glimpse of this lesser-known bit of history before it’s gone for good!

Sungei Road Thieves Market
Where: Sungei Road
Last day: 10 July

4. Cirque du Soleil – KOOZA

Get ready for some jaw-dropping action.

Cirque Du Soleil is back in Singapore with KOOZA, its most chilling and thrilling show yet!

KOOZA combines acrobatic performance with the art of clowning, while exploring the themes of fear, identity, and power.

Expect breathtaking acts like Hoops Manipulation, with up to 7 spinning hoops at once, as well as the Double Highwire, where the acts skitter and ride bicycles across wires criss-crossed diagonally at up to 25 feet above the stage.

There’s also the Skeleton Dance, a crazy trip to the dark side, and the Wheel of Death, an enormous spinning contraption that can’t be tamed.

Cirque du Soleil has brought so much wonder and delight to more than 300 cities, and it’s landed on our shores once again.

Don’t hold your breath, this is one circus show you’ll want to catch!

Cirque du Soleil – Kooza
Where: Under The Big Top Tent, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
When: 13 Jul – 20 Aug
Contact no.: 6348 5555
Website

5. Gallery Children’s Biennale

No more dragging your children around to boring art exhibitions.

The National Gallery’s newest and most colourful display will have them clamouring to go again and again.

Themed “Dreams & Stories”, the Children’s Biennale invites not just children, but your inner child, to embark on a creative journey.

Exhibitions are interactive, and truly let you delve right into and explore the world through the eyes of different artists.

The Obliteration Room, for example, lets you stick colourful stickers all over the furniture and walls of a completely white room. Watch as the space magically transforms as more and more colourful spots are added to it!

A series of public programmes, film screenings, special family tours, and artist-led workshops for children are also in the line-up.

Here, there’s something for everyone to discover, whether young or young at heart!  

Gallery Children’s Biennale
Where: National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
When: 20 May – 8 Oct
Contact no.: 6271 7000
Website

6. Pesta Ubin

We’ve all heard of Pulau Ubin, our most happening offshore island.

This July, the yearly Pesta Ubin celebrates all there is to this little island!

Pesta Ubin is a kampung-style open house, during which people step up to share their special slice of Pulau Ubin with the public.

That means activities are heartfelt, organic, and passionately led by the community.

Expect kampung photo booths, map colouring booths for the kids, and even kayaking with the family.

The event is set to highlight all of Ubin’s unique charms, its culture, kampung life, nature, and wildlife, on both land and sea.

Leave the city attitude behind and get a taste of the kinder, gentler way of life here.

What’s more, most Pesta Ubin activities are free of charge and don’t require registration!

So, simply take a bumboat to Pulau Ubin and join in the fun!

Pesta Ubin
Where: Pulau Ubin
When: 10 May – 16 Jul
Website

7. Imaginarium: To The Ends Of The Earth

How much do you know about the planet we live in?

This nature-focused art exhibition brings you in for a closer look at the environments we reside in.

This is Singapore Art Museum’s seventh edition of the family-focused exhibition.

Young and old explorers alike are invited to see how people, flora, and fauna, adapt to their ever changing surroundings.

The lovely exhibits include a giant lizard’s tail, and a magical floating mountain.

There are even real life plants and mushrooms incorporated into the art pieces.

Walking amongst them will surely bring you closer to appreciating Earth’s many marvels.

With such inspiring and engaging artworks, be prepared to see the world that much differently by the end of it!

Imaginarium: To The Ends Of The Earth
Where: Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555
When: 6 May – 27 Aug
Contact no.: 65899 580
Website

Eat

8. Sama Curry & Café

The mention of curry most often brings to mind a spicy, thick gravy.

Well, Sama Curry & Café throws off all expectations as the first ever Japanese soup curry restaurant in Singapore.

Sama Curry & Café
Where: OUE Downtown 2 Gallery Level 2, 6a Shenton Way Singapore 068809
When: Mon – Sat: 11am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6224 0590
Facebook

9. Gain City Durian Feast

Love it or hate it, durian is here to stay.

Gain City is holding a Gain City Durian Feast for all those who can’t get enough of our national fruit!

Gain City Durian Feast
Where: Gain City Megastore @ Sungei Kadut, 71 Sungei Kadut Drive, Rooftop, Singapore 729577
When: 7 – 9 July
Contact no.: 6333 1212
Website

10. Singapore Food Festival

There’s no question that our Singaporean love for good food runs deep in our blood.

Well, there’s no better time to eat like a local than at the annual Singapore Food Festival!

[caption id="attachment_27799" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Image Credit: Here, local culture, proud tradition, and contemporary dining are served up on a platter.

Singapore Food Festival
Address: Various Locations
When: 14 – 30 Jul
This ‘EZ-Link System’ For Beer Lets You Drink To Your Heart’s Content And Pay By The Millilitre

We Tried Glamping For The First Time And It Was As Awesome As It Looks

If you own a Tumblr or a Pinterest account, you’ll probably have seen picture of glamping – large, spacious tents furnished with stylish bedding, cushions, and accessories.

For those of you who are coming across the term ‘glamping’ for the first time, it’s a combination of two words that typically don’t go together: ‘glamourous’ and ‘camping’. Like the term suggests, glamping is camping with a chic twist.

Now, this Instagram-worthy trend is available on our very own Singaporean shores!

With Glamping Society, you won’t have to move a muscle – all the heavy lifting is done for you. Everything is set up nicely for you, so all you have to do is bring your own clothes, toiletries, and entertainment.

Here’s what went down during our 2 day 1 night glamping experience at East Coast Park.

Our 2D1N Experience At East Coast Park

Because a total of 20 of us were glamping, Glamping Society gladly accommodated our request to have 3 tents. While each of the bell tents can accommodate up to 6 people, we felt that the main tent (the most spacious tent) was big enough to fit 2 or 3 more people comfortably – you just need to bring your own extra sleeping bags.

When we saw the tents fully set up, we were impressed by how pretty it was.

The plush cushions, fairy lights, buntings, and overall bohemian look provided the perfect setting for hipster Instagram photos that’ll make your friends green with envy. There was even a big flamingo float in the main tent! While it was pretty random, we have to say it made for some pretty cool photos.

While the two smaller tents didn’t match up to the main tent in terms of decorations, it was still comfy and welcoming with amenities like airbeds, cushions, a fan, a mini bar, and a cute picnic basket.

We were pleasantly surprised by the snacks and chilled drinks provided. Unlike the mini bar of a hotel, you won’t have to pay extra for consuming the goodies they’ve provided. Another treat we didn’t expect was the working fan – a clever touch that ensures it doesn’t get stuffy in the tent!

Thankfully, it wasn’t as hot as we thought it would be. The only thing some of us were really bummed out about was that no towels were provided, so we couldn’t bathe. (Glamping Society has stopped providing towels due to the constant damage.)

In all, we had a lot of fun barbequing, playing card games, and lounging on the airbeds as we stayed up all night talking.

The location of our tents offered pretty views of the sea and this was the beautiful view we woke up to:

Verdict

Taking into consideration factors like comfort, aesthetics, space, amenities, and cleanliness, here’s what we loved, what we didn’t love as much, and a couple of tips for you to keep in mind for your own glamping adventure!

Things We Loved

What we loved most about our experience had to be the pretty decorations. They made for pretty photos and gave the tents a romantic, cosy atmosphere at night – great for heart to heart sessions with friends and even better for cuddling with your partner!

We also loved that the main tent was spacious enough to fit all 20 of us. A refreshing alternative to a hotel staycation, it was definitely a unique experience for all of us. We also liked that snacks were provided – these came in very handy when we were hungry in the middle of the night!

Things We Didn’t Love As Much

While our experience was great for the most part, we wish the two smaller tents were jazzed up a bit more. A flashlight would have been a handy addition to the amenities, especially since it was quite dark out at night. Another issue we had was that the air beds deflated with time, but at least they provided us with air pumps that made it easy to re-inflate them.

Tips To Make The Best Of Your Glamping Experience

1. Check out the map before deciding where to set up camp

We stayed at Area G, which is very far away from the main hub of East Coast Park.

While this might mean peace and quiet away from crowds, you won’t be able to find any food near you. If you pick this location, make sure you bring plenty of snacks and drinks to avoid going hungry or thirsty!

Also, consider where the public toilets are when picking your tent location. You don’t want to have to walk a distance when you need to take a leak in the middle of the night. So, make sure you check out the map before deciding on where to set up camp to ensure you get the most ideal glamping spot!

2. If you intend to have a BBQ, book pits in areas D and G

If you intend to have a BBQ party while glamping, you can request for your tent(s) to be pitched near certain BBQ pits. Just note that the official camping sites are areas D and G, so be sure to book the BBQ pits in those areas.

3. Zip up your tents before settling in for the night

If you’re not a fan of bugs, zip up your tents fully before settling in for the night. You don’t want to have to deal with a cockroach entering the tent at 3am in the morning like we did.

4. Bring your own entertainment

While Glamping Society provides plenty of luxurious amenities, you’re in charge of creating your own fun. Bring card games, portable speakers to blast your favourite songs (Glamping Society also no longer provides speakers due to constant damage), a guitar, and good company for a truly fun time!

In all, we had a blast glamping. The tents were pretty, clean, spacious and sleeping arrangements were comfortable – at least for most of us. A totally unique experience, this is definitely something you should try at least once in your life!

To book a tent for yourself, check out their website here.

Also read Welcome To The Dark Side – These 13 Black Foods Will Surely Soot Your Tastebuds

Live Out Your Wizard Fantasies At Platform 1094 – Dine On Magical Food And Bewitching Drinks

Fancy yourself a bit of a wizard? At this cafe, you can pretend to be it for a day–or at least a couple of hours.

There’s a wizard themed cafe in town and here, you can leave the muggle life behind by donning the elaborate cloaks, witches’ hats, and accessories like wands and broomsticks that are provided free of charge.

At this cafe reminiscent of The Three Broomsticks (the wizarding pub you may recognise from the Harry Potter books), a brick wall with a mystical-looking crest forms the perfect backdrop for all your photo-taking needs.

No mere muggle or wizard will be able to resist grabbing some nosh at this pretty place, and we quickly succumbed to their quirky menu that was filled with magical-sounding drinks, finger foods and desserts.

Where else can you find food that sounds like it came straight out of a spell book?

Drink, drank but not drunk: Mrs Lich’s Butterscotch Ale ($10)

Intense black sesame panna cotta, crispy charcoal cake, squid ink profiterole filled with mango creme and crackly lace tulle… Eat this, and embrace your dark side.

Here at Platform 1094, wizards and muggles alike are bonded by food, laughter and cosy camaraderie. Whiz by on your broomstick (or drop by on your two feet) whenever you’re craving a little magic in your cafe-hopping spree!

Platform 1094
Address: 1094 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 328192
Opening Hours: Tues – Fri: 11am – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6204 6003
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Welcome To The Dark Side – These 13 Black Foods Will Surely Soot Your Tastebuds

Black – we love to wear it, we love it on makeup, we love to… eat it?

Black coloured foods seem to be the next big food trend and we think you’ll be seeing more of these dark, moody foods all over your Insta-feeds. From sinful desserts to devilish mains, with foods as black as our hearts, we’re not going to say no.

We’ve rounded up some of the blackest foods in Singapore, so let your inner goth come alive with these cold, black treats.

1. 黑 “Hei” Rice ($22) – Paddy Hills

This signature dish consists of the OG black food, squid ink pasta, tossed with a generous amount of crayfish, scallops, prawns, clams, and squid. The pasta is infused with the natural taste of the sea from the squid ink, and the sauce is briny and flavourful. While squid ink pasta is not hard to find across our little island, this is one of the better squid ink pastas you can get in Singapore.

Pasta Brava
Address: 11 Craig Road, Singapore
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.45am – 2.15 pm (lunch), 6.15pm – 10.15pm (dinner); Closed on Sun & PH

4. Squid Ink Panini with King Crab and Prawns ($14) – Dolcetto by Basilico

Black Magic[/caption]

You may have chanced upon this all-black dessert before. Now, it’s back again in all its glory. The magic unfolds in an intricately designed medley of black sesame panna cotta, squid ink profiterole, crispy charcoal biscuit, lace tulle, black berries, with a chocolate wand. A tasty and quirky combination that works wonders!

Platform 1094
Address: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 11am – 10pm; Sat & Sun: 10am to 10pm; Closed on Mon

10. Foie Gras Macaron ($12) – Hashida Garo

[caption id="attachment_27604" align="aligncenter" width="1500"] Image Credit: 

To beat the heat, come to the dark side with KokoPanda’s black frozen yoghurt, made with charcoal and roasted coconut husk.

It’s a tangy, refreshing and absolutely yummy alternative to ice cream. What’s more, it’s also a much healthier choice as it comes topped with superfoods. These include dried strawberry, apple, pear, persimmon and Jeju tangerine, as well as caviar bubbles made with real fruit juice.

A single topping with the base froyo will cost $4.90, while a froyo with 3 toppings will cost $5.90, with additional toppings priced at $0.80 each.

KokoPanda
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #B2-60, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 10pm

12. Homemade Black Soy Ice Cream ($4.90 for Regular, with 2 toppings) – Dofu

This grand tower consists of fine milk shavings topped with a generous layer of black sesame and kinako powder, a heap of red beans, and a scoop of ice cream. Feast your eyes on the Black Sesame Bingsu, a slayer at Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Café that for good reason, has garnered its own fan club.

Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Café
Address: 534 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188749 | #02-25 Century Square, 2 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529509 | 227 Upper Thompson Road Singapore 574359 | The Midtown Singapore, 1187 Upper Serangoon Road #01-14, Singapore 534785
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily (North Bridge Road branch) | Mon – Sun: 12pm – 10pm (Century Square branch)

It seems when it comes to food, black is now the new black. With all the multi-coloured and ombre foods and drinks we’ve been seeing lately, this is definitely a refreshing and much welcomed change.

If you’re in the mood to try something new, check out these deliciously dark eats. And of course, make sure to bring a mirror with you–you don’t want to be out in public with black stuff all over your teeth!

Also read 8 Instagram-Worthy Drinks That Will Have Your Followers Spamming The Like Button

There’s A Picnic Party Happening In July, And You Don’t Need To Bring Anything

Love the idea of a picnic, but not so much the process of preparing the food and lugging everything out of the house?

There’s a picnic party coming up, and at this picnic, all you have to bring is yourself.

Weird Wonderful World is a two-day picnic party happening from Jul 8 – 9 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Led by Spa Esprit Group’s Tiong Bahru Bakery, at this picnic, there are pre-packed buckets (not baskets) filled with all sorts of goodies from the Spa Esprit brands.

Food-wise, expect sandwiches from Tiong Bahru Bakery, fish sliders from Open Farm Community, kong ba pau from House, and for drinks, juices, wines and more. Each bucket, with the exception of the starter bucket, also comes with all your picnicking needs including mats, fans, and even a helium balloon, because why not?

Picnic baskets start at $10 for a starter bucket with all your picnic essentials (includes a mat and a helium balloon) and go up to $200 for a premium bucket containing a wide selection of signature pastries and dishes. The WWow Bucket is tagged at$50, the WWWonderful Bucket at $100, and the WWWhoopwhoop Bucket at $200.

If you’re still hungry after emptying out your picnic bucket, there will also be pop-up stalls by Open Door Policy, House, Open Farm Community and Common Man Coffee Roasters at the Bandstand and Palm Valley areas of the garden!

Still on the fence about whether or not you should attend? How’s this: also present on the picnic grounds are plenty of fun, wacky inflatables, giant versions of our favourite childhood games Twister and Connect 4, roving buskers, relaxing shoulder massages and foot rubs, and even men’s grooming services!

For even more picture perfect fun times, you can buy giant flamingo, unicorn, and donut floats ($50) to sit on–a fun little detail to jazz up your own picnic area!

With music from concert performances at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, early morning yoga sessions and guided tours you can join, this weird and wonderful picnic party is the perfect remedy to a tough week of work.

Pre-order your picnic bucket from 19 June to 7 July at Tiong Bahru Bakery (Raffles City, Tangs Orchard, Eng Hoon), Open Farm Community, Open Door Policy and House at Dempsey, and receive a free Tiong Bahru Bakery tote worth $10! Limited buckets are available, so make sure you book them early!

Let loose and let the good times roll at Weird Wonderful World!

Weird Wonderful World
Address: Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569 
Date: Jul 8 – 9
Website

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These 5 Indie Bookstores Are A Bibliophile’s Dream And Will Make You Want To Never Leave

“A town isn’t a town without a bookstore” — so writes Neil Gaiman in American Gods, and we agree.

For all you bookworms, we’ve rounded up 5 best independent bookstores around the island where you can get your lit geek on and #SupportLocal while you’re at it.

1. Booktique

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: BooksActually[/caption]

BooksActually is the place to be if you’re looking for local literature, with its good selection of works by Singapore poets. Here, you’ll also find the trademark minimalist SingLit book covers printed by BooksActually’s publishing arm, Math Paper Press.

Venture into the back room and you’ll find several knick-knacks and accessories with local flavour. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to say hi to the bookstore’s resident feline friends.

BooksActually
Address: 9 Yong Siak St, Singapore 168645
Opening Hours: Tues – Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun – Mon: 10am – 6pm
Website

3. Woods in the Books

A few doors down from BooksActually is Woods in the Books, an independent bookshop that specialises in picture books for the little ones.

With its adorable outdoor mural and charming decor, Woods in the Books is nothing short of enchanting.

The young at heart can also indulge in a little childhood nostalgia here, as the bookstore carries plenty of classic titles such as The Giving Tree and The Hungry Caterpillar.

Woods in the Books
Address: 3 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 16864
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 10am – 7pm; Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun: 10am – 6pm; Closed on Mon
Image Credit: Littered with Books[/caption]

Wandering through the bookshelves here will take you from fantasy novels to science fiction, to cookbooks and travel guides, with helpful post-it recommendations along the way on the staff’s favourite picks.

DiscoverSG Pro Tip: Look out for the discount pile under their staircase, where you can get some great steals.

Littered With Books
Address: 20 Duxton Road, Singapore 089486
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 8pm; Fri 12pm – 9pm; Sat 11am – 9pm; Sun 11am – 8pm
Website

5. Basheer Graphic Books

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="970"] Image Credit: Basheer Graphic Books[/caption]

Hankering for a dose of design inspo? Head to Basheer Graphic Books. Offering shelves upon shelves of books and magazines on architecture, graphic design, fashion, photography, typography and more, the store is a mecca for lovers of design and collectors of magazines. The store’s no-frills, old-school vibe is also a big part of its charm.

Basheer Graphic Books
Address: Bras Basah Complex #04-19, 231 Bain St, Singapore 180231
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun: 11am – 6.30pm
Visit Mini World Heritage Sites For Only $17 – We Promise ‘Everything Is Awesome’

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