Audience: Foodies

$30 VS Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2018 – Can You Get Decent Food?

In the past, there were plenty of stalls selling handmade songkok and traditional baju kurung. I’ll always remember the pakcik with his white towel draped over his shoulders as he grilled his satay and dendeng all night long. Not forgetting that really loud makcik who would shove her kuih in your face to sample.

But stalls selling traditional fare that once lined Geylang Serai in the lead-up to Hari Raya Puasa are dwindling or have vanished altogether.

The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar used to be one of the most exciting “pasar malam” I’d look forward to every year when I was younger but I honestly don’t know what to feel of what it has become. The sanctity that is the Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar has been threatened and it’s worrying.

From unicorn everything to edible flavoured balloons, these are the things that my 5 year old nephew would get excited over.

Is paying $8.90 for edible air really worth the hype?

So, instead of spending all of our money to find the latest hype this year, we challenged the team to spend only $30 at Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar to find food and drinks that are actually worth the money.

Make Geylang Serai Bazaar Great Again

Many of the stalls are run by young entrepreneurs who have given our traditional food a modern twist, or offer creations that I could only ever dream of.

Upon reaching the bazaar, we first decided that we needed a drink. A huge one. I was dying from the heat and a small canned drink was not going to suffice.

I came across Broti, a famous stall selling teas in their signature 1 litre cups for only $4. You know how most vendors would fill your cup halfway with ice and the remaining half with water? Well, Broti is truly a bro because they don’t play you dirty like that. Best part, their teas aren’t overly sweet at all.

We ordered their Thai Iced Tea ($4) and went on our merry way. Thank god for their 1 litre drinks because there is no way I could survive the crowd and heat without staying hydrated.

Balance Amount: $26

We moved on and decided that we needed something to munch on. There were plenty of fried snacks we could have ordered such as the keropok lekor and goreng pisang. I did my quick maths and realised that they weren’t cheap too. I could have easily splurged $5-6 on finger food as well.

That’s when we came across Katoshka. They go by a very simple concept: good ol’ fries served in cups laden in different sauces, from special cheese, sour ranch, chilli beef and sambal cheese.

This stall in particular stood out to me because it wasn’t trying too hard to please the crowd.

We got their Fries with Special Cheese ($5.90) which was honestly one of my favourite food of the night. It was classic and hearty and definitely worth the $5.90. Do note that Katoshka is a pretty popular stall so you might have to wait in a long queue before getting your hands on their fries.

But I must say, Katoshka’s fries are worth the hype.

Balance Amount: $20.10

Next up, mains! We realised that most of the hyped mains were crazy expensive for the portion given. We weren’t about the $12 hotdog bun life so we searched high and low for a main that won’t cost us more than $6 at the bazaar.

I was close to getting a ramly burger ($4) until I came across Dendeng Duo selling Burger Dendeng for $4 as well!

[caption id="attachment_34554" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_34555" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Burger Dendeng ($4)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_34556" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_34557" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Turkish Chicken Pide ($8)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_34558" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Ferrero Banana Cheese ($6)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_34559" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_34560" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] 10 Mini Vadai for $2[/caption]

If You’re Living On A Budget, Here’s A List Of Crazy Cheap Eats In S’pore For Under $2

Don’t you just miss the days when life was simple, cartoons were great and food was cheap?

Now that we’ve grown up, life isn’t simple and cartoons have gone to shit. But we can still hope for cheap food. And the good news is, while prices have gone up in the last decade or so, there are some places that are still selling food at prices of the past.

So here’s a list of places that are still offering food below $2.

1. Cendol (Makan Melaka)

Because Singapore’s been experiencing a heat wave recently, we’re all clambering for the nearest air-conditioned shelter. And if that’s not available, a cold drink or dessert will have to do.

At Makan Melaka, they’re serving up a classic Singaporean dessert for less than $2. Their Cendol Melaka ($1.50) is made fresh daily.

You can also get the Cendol Melaka with Glutinous Rice for just $1.80.

Though the original Cendol Melaka is good on its own, other toppings such as corn and red bean are also available.

Makan Melaka
Address: Blk 1 Changi Village, Singapore 455207
Opening Hours: Wed – Fri & Sun: 8.30am – 10pm, Mon: 9am – 10pm, Sat: 8.30am – 11.30pm, Tue: 8.30am – 10pm, 11pm – 12am

Address: 492 Jurong West Ave 1, #01-70 Singapore 640492
Opening Hours: Daily: 7am – 7pm
Website

2. Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow

One of Singapore’s (debatable) most iconic dishes is Char Kway Teow. Waxed sausage slices, clams, beansprouts, and fishcake slices are stir fried with flat rice noodles (kway teow), yellow egg noodles and dark soy sauce.

The result is a dark and sticky sweet plate of kway teow full of flavour and wok hei. And that’s exactly what you’ll get for $2, at Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow.

As with most Char Kway Teow stalls, there’s the option of not having clams in your order. Personally, I don’t like clams in my Char Kway Teow.

You can also choose to order your Char Kway Teow with just kway teow and not a mix with yellow egg noodles.

If you’re looking for a simple, cheap, decadent plate of Char Kway Teow, this is it.

Tiong Bahru Fried Kway Teow
Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-11 Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening Hours: Thu – Tue: 11am – 10.30pm, Wed: Closed

3. Hum Jin Pang

Located in Maxwell Food Centre is a peculiar Hum Chin Peng (deep fried dough fritters) stall.

Aptly named Hum Jin Pang (no confusion here), what’s unique about this stall is that customers get to fry their own hum chin peng, coat it with sugar and pack it.

Crisp on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside, these traditional snacks prove that old truly is gold.

While some may argue that this is beyond self-service, please calm yourselves.

This practice is almost 3 decades old and it was started because customers in the past saw how busy the then-owner Li Zao was, and would offer to help him by frying their own hum chin pengs.

Smaller in size than what you might find elsewhere, Hum Jin Pang’s dough fritters come in two varieties – Five Spice Salt and Sweet Red Bean.

At six pieces for $1, these fritters are ridiculously cheap.

Hum Jin Pang
Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St., Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: Daily, 2.30pm – 8pm

4. Naan With Curry (Pak Kashmiri Delights)

I know of friends who have intense cravings for naan. While I don’t understand it, they’ve mentioned a certain place in Tekka Market, serving up $1 naan.

Enter Pak Kashmiri Delights, this unassuming Indian stall sells a variety of naan and curries. That’s not all, they make all their naan from scratch in the traditional tandoor.

The Plain Naan will set you back $1. Yeap, $1. For a HUGE piece of fluffy naan. For $2, you can get both the Plain naan and the Garlic naan.

Because their naan is baked in the traditional tandoor, each piece is specked with charred bits giving the naan an additional flavour profile.

While the curries will cost more than $2, if you’re willing to burst your budget a little, it’s definitely worth it.

Pak Kashmiri Delights
Address: 665 Buffalo Road, #01-250 Tekka Market, Singapore 210665
Opening Hours: Daily: 7am – 11pm

5. Rickshaw Noodles

Back at Maxwell Food Centre once again, is another stall that’s keeping a traditional dish alive, Zhong Guo Re Shi (Rickshaw Noodles).

Rickshaw noodles date back to the early days of Singapore, when vendors would peddle the noodles on a rickshaw.

While rickshaw noodles aren’t specifically defined, the stall here sells simple comforting noodle soups which are perfect on a cold day (kinda like Chicken Noodle Soup).

If you’d like a soupy option, go for the Yellow Egg Noodle Soup ($1) which comes with chye sim, carrots, dried shrimp and garnished with shallots.

There’s also the Mee Sua ($1) which comes with shitake mushrooms, chicken and fried shallots.

You can also choose from an array of ngoh hiang and fried food available. Quite a throwback to simpler times with simple food and simpler budgets.

Zhong Guo Re Shi (Rickshaw Noodles)
Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-87, Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu & Sat – Sun: 6.30am – 1.30pm, Fri: Closed

6. Junshin Express

Hidden in the basement of Bedok Mall, is Junshin Express. This halal-certified sushi joint sells sushi for just 50 cents per piece.

Yeap. 50 cents per piece is quite a steal considering that sushi isn’t usually cheap and even if it is, the lowest we’ve seen (till now) is $1.20 per plate.

A budget of $2 will net you 4 pieces of sushi. While it might not be filling, it’s perfect for a snack or if you just feel like eating something to occupy your mouth.

Currently, their only outlet is in the East. Here’s hoping they’ll open an outlet in the West.

Junshin Express
Address: 311 New Upper Changi Road, #B2-20 Bedok Mall, Singapore 467360
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6440 2893
Website

7.  Chicken Rice (820 Hainanese Chicken Rice)

Chicken rice is also one of Singapore’s most iconic dishes. Probably the most iconic.

820 Hainanese Chicken Rice sells their standard chicken rice for just $2. They do have other add-ons such as the braised egg and gizzards.

Where else can you find $2 chicken rice? Do NOT say Ananas.

820 Hainan Chicken Rice
Address: 823A Tampines Street 81, Singapore 521823
Opening Hours: Daily: 9am – 9pm, Closed: Alternate Mondays

Also read The First-Timer’s Guide To Food In Katong That Isn’t Just Laksa

The First-Timer’s Guide To Food In Katong That Isn’t Just Laksa

Katong is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Singapore. It’s very high SES living.

My aunt used to live in the area and we’d go to I12 Katong often because that’s the closest thing that Katong has to an actual mall.

Don’t get me wrong, I love I12 Katong. But what I wish I knew earlier was that Katong is packed with interesting cafes and places to explore.

So now that I’m older and wiser (that’s debatable), here’s a guide to Katong that I wish I had known about when I was younger.

Katong For First-Timers

1. Dona Manis

My friends claimed that Dona Manis Cake Shop in Katong Shopping Centre, makes the best Banana Pie in Singapore. I knew I had to try this one for myself to believe it.

Upon reaching, I met the owners of Dona Manis, Mdm Soh Tho Lang and Mr Tan Keng Eng, who were busy prepping their bakes for sale.

Their bakes are made and sold in this one unit shop. Must-tries include their incredibly light Cream Puff ($3.50 for 5 pieces) and their famous Banana Pie ($2.50 per slice, $25 per pie).

Dona Manis is Singapore’s hidden gem and is truly worth a visit.. You won’t find bakery shops like Dona Manis in Singapore anymore.

Dona Manis Cake Shop
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Mon: 9am – 5pm, Tue – Sat: 9:30am – 6pm
Contact No.: 6440 7688
Website

2. Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice

Down the corridor from Dona Manis Cake Shop, is Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice.

Every time Katong Shopping Centre is mentioned, I hear about this chicken rice stall. And as someone who shuns chicken rice because bone-in chicken is too much of a hassle for my liking, boneless chicken rice is a God-send.

And that’s not all, their boneless chicken rice comes with complimentary soup and free-flow achar. One thing to note is that the soup they serve is not your generic MSG water – they actually cook proper soups to go with their chicken rice.

After all, good chicken rice should not overlook any aspect of the meal.

If you’re ready to take on long queues and begin the quest of finding a free table, then you’re ready for some Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice.

Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-85/87 Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 10.30am – 8pm, Mon: Closed
Contact no.: 9789 6073
Website

3. Birds Of Paradise

Located beside other popular eateries along East Coast Road, Birds of Paradise gelato boutique is completely different from any other local ice cream parlour – they offer up botanical inspired gelato flavours.

4. An Acai Affair

The latest kid on the block is none other than An Acai Affair!

Located in the east, An Acai Affair is set to revoluntionalise the #eatclean trend with their delectable acai bowls and fruit smoothies.

Their Signature Acai Bowl – Tropical Coconut Bowl no doubt stands out from the other specialty stores with the use of an actual coconut husk as a bowl. Despite the relatively small portion due to the coconut husk, expect generous toppings of fruits the likes of pineapple, kiwi, blueberry as well as granola and even wolfberries.

An Acai Affair
Address: 101 East Coast Road, Singapore 428796
Opening hours: Sun to Thu 12nn – 10pm; Fri to Sat 12nn – 11.30pm
Tel: 9792 0837
Website

5. Ampang Niang Tou Foo

Yong Tau Foo is one of my favourite comfort foods. It’s customisable because you get to choose the ingredients you want, which are then blanched in broth and served with rice or noodles.

At Ampang Niang Tou Foo, they serve Ampang-style Yong Tau Foo.

The difference is that they stuff their usual Yong Tau Foo ingredients such as chillis and fried beancurd with minced meat paste instead of fish paste. It gives the ingredients a lot more bite than fish paste does.

That’s not all, the Yong Tau Foo is served in a light broth with soya beans and dried anchovies.

Don’t forget their chilli sauce to add a little “oomph” to the Yong Tau Foo.

Ampang Niang Tou Foo
Address: 225A East Coast Road, Singapore 428922
Opening Hours: Sat – Tue & Thu: 11am – 8.30pm, Wed & Fri: Closed
Contact no.: 6345 3289
Website

6. Chin Mee Chin Confectionery 

This place has been a long-running favourite among the locals. Located along East Coast Road, this nostalgic coffee shop is a nice change to modern joints.

Known for it’s decor typical of 1950s Singapore, with retro marble top tables, floor tiles, and ceiling fans. It’s also known for their traditional kaya toasts.

Instead of the kaya toast bread you’d typically see, their Kaya Toast is served in a hamburger-type bun and slathered with their homemade kaya and a slice of butter.

These buns are made in house and toasted till they are slightly burnt for that nice “char” taste. This place can get pretty busy so try and avoid peak hours if you’re looking at dining in.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
Address: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 8.30 am – 4pm, Closed on Mondays
Contact No.: 6345 0419

7. Beriwell

A not-so-little space at Katong, along the dessert-filled East Coast Road that houses An Acai Affair and Birds Of Paradise, Beriwell makes you feel like you’re chilling at a shack on the beach.

Easy to spot with its beachy murals, tropical vibes, flamingo printed seats, and rattan chairs, this casual joint will give you plenty of fodder for the ‘gram.

The brainchild of friends Galissa, Dash, and Anand, this acai joint was born out of a love for healthy living and acai.

The trio created the Superswirl, a soft serve that comes in 2 flavours: acai (‘Acai‘) and coconut (‘Coco Majik‘). You can even have the two flavours swirled into one (‘The Twist‘)!

Dairy free, gluten free, and vegan-friendly, the Superswirl is tagged at $6.90 for a small cup, where you can pick 2 toppings out of the day’s selection of fruits and crunch, and $9.90 for a large serving, where you get to choose 4 toppings.

The acai soft serve is a creamier, smoother version of the refreshing acai bowls we all love – perfect for a warm day in the East.

While the menu is still pretty trim at the moment, the store has plenty more up it’s sleeve. We hear there will be more sauces, more toppings, and another smoothie being added to the mix!

This super cute hangout is Instagrammable, chill, and serves up some healthy AND delicious stuff. If you live in the East, make sure to pop by for a refreshing treat in this little tropical retreat.

Beriwell
Address: 19 East Coast Road #01-01, Singapore 428746
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 11pm
Website

8. Ponggol Nasi Lemak

Make no mistake, Ponggol Nasi Lemak is not in Punggol, nor is it halal. They serve up Chinese-style Nasi Lemak (Yes.)

Established in 1979, this household name is known for their lemak sambal chilli and crispy fried chicken wings and some say the “Best Nasi Lemak in Singapore”.

There are also plenty of dishes for you to choose from.

It’s been a supper spot for many Singaporeans so if you’re coming here for supper, be prepared to queue.

Ponggol Nasi Lemak
Address: 238 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437026
Opening Hours: Fri – Wed: 5.30pm – 2.30am, Thu: Closed
Contact no.: 6287 0020
Website

Also read This Unassuming Old School Bakery In Katong Is Home To S’pore’s Best Banana Pie

Get Good Hawker Grub For $2 And $3 Beers At The Tiger Street Food Pop-Up This Friday

Growing up, I used to dislike going to hawker centres. It was always stuffy and unhygienic and the tables were gross. But I eventually found my appreciation for the humble hawker centre. Hawker food is cheap, unpretentious and speaks for itself.

While being a hawker is a dying trade in Singapore, there are a few who willingly embrace the trade and are doing well. These new generation hawkers are revamping hawker food and bringing new dishes to the masses.

Last year, the first Tiger Street Festival was held, for young hawkers to showcase their food and creations and the proceeds went to the Tiger Street Food Support Fund.

This year, the Tiger Street Festival returns for their 2nd edition.

Tiger Street Food Festival

On 11 May 2018, there’s the Tiger Street Food Pop-up, happening at Prinsep Street, a sneak preview for what’s to come in the Tiger Street Food Festival.

This pop-up will feature 6 out of the 11 young hawker lineup.

Participating hawkers include K.R. Banana Leaf Masala Chicken Nasi Lemak, Fishboss, Prawn Village, Ah Tan Wings, FORUM Hainanese Congee, and Snuggrubs.

We have our eyes on Fishboss, Ah Tan Wings, and Prawn Village.

Fishboss is known for their handmade fishball noodles, which are a hometown favourite of the owner in Yong Peng, Malaysia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMyQy9O0BTQ

Their handmade fishballs are soft and don’t have a lingering fishy smell, which is a sign that the fishballs are fresh.

That’s not all, their noodles are served with dark sauce, minced meat and spring onions which is always welcome because nobody likes plain noodles.

Ah Tan Wings made waves with their perfected Prawn Paste Fried Chicken, also known as Har Cheong Gai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_mo3xNp5HU

You might have seen the insane queues they generated at previous events such as the Kranji Countryside Farmer’s Market and the Civic District Festival last year.

If you’re a fan of Prawn Paste Fried Chicken, you cannot miss Ah Tan Wings.

If Prawn Noodles are what you seek, then Prawn Village is where you should be. While it’s not an actual village, it is a stall in Golden Mile Food Centre that serves up original Penang fresh Prawn Noodles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2L9WeeUA08

The recipe for the Prawn Noodles was taught to owner Anson Loo by a Penang hawker. He simmers pork ribs and chicken bones for hours to create a flavourful broth. The prawns used are big and fresh and are cooked only upon order.

If that doesn’t already sound good to you, we don’t know what will.

Happening from 5pm to 10.30pm, the Tiger Street Pop-up will also see local singer Gail Belmonte entertain the crowd with her soulful sound.

While admission is free, vouchers for food and beer are priced at $10 each. Beer will cost between $3 to $6 and each hawker dish will be sold at $2.

Remember to bring cash because card transactions will not be available.

If you miss the Tiger Street Pop-up tomorrow, don’t worry. There will be the Tiger Street Food Festival happening on 8 June 2018 at Tan Quee Lan street.

Do keep checking their website for more updates on the Tiger Street Food Festival.

Tiger Street Food Pop-up: The Deck
Venue: The Deck, 120A Prinsep Street, Singapore 187937
Date: 11 May 2018
This Unassuming Old School Bakery In Katong Is Home To S’pore’s Best Banana Pie

(Header Image Source: @snuggrub, Burppler Dex Neo, Burppler Yeung Kai Ho)

This Unassuming Old School Bakery In Katong Is Home To S’pore’s Best Banana Pie

There is a familiar nostalgic feeling when I first patronised this old school bakery located in a quite corner at the basement of Katong Shopping Centre.

It reminded me of those days my nenek would take me to my neighbourhood bakery and I’d beg her to get me my favourite rainbow-sprinkled donut.

My friends claimed that Dona Manis Cake Shop in Katong makes the best Banana Pie in Singapore. I knew I had to try this one for myself to believe it. 

Famous Old School Bakery In Katong

As I headed down to the basement level of Katong Shopping Centre, all I saw were rows of domestic helper and travel agencies.

I wondered, “Why in the world would Singapore’s famous old bakery be located here?”

After making a couple of turns, there she was, in all her glory. 

Upon reaching, I met the owner of Dona Manis, Mdm Soh Tho Lang and her husband, Mr Tan Keng Eng, who were busy prepping their bakes for sale. 

At first glance, anyone can tell that running this bakery involves a lot of labour. It was a lot of hard work for someone of their age.

Their bakes are made and sold in this one unit shop. Everything about this bakery was outdated but it definitely gave off safe and homely vibes. 

Nothing about this bakery screamed “OMG I NEED A PICTURE FOR THE GRAM” but I was so excited when I saw trays of freshly baked cream puffs. 

I was immediately sold when I took my first bite. It was like biting into a cloud. I don’t know what she puts in her cream puffs, but it was highly addictive. The cream was really light and not overly sweet.

It took me less than 5 minutes to devour everything – I have zero self-control when it comes to cream puff. Each box comes with 5 cream puffs for only $3.50!

You can’t leave Dona Manis without getting their famous Banana Pie as well. A slice will cost you $2.50 and $25 for a whole pie.

This Banana Pie is what I’d describe as the perfect cure to a broken heart. The pie that will comfort you and make you forget about all your problems. This pie that knows how to treat you right. Who needs Ben and Jerry’s ice cream when you have Dona Manis Banana Pie?

Its buttery base was the perfect complement to its sweet banana filling, while the bits of grated coconut and roasted almonds on top added a new dimension of texture to each bite.

This was the Banana Pie I’ve been searching for all my life.

This was the first pie I’ve had in a long time that is perfectly balanced and not jelak at all. It’s no wonder that Dona Manis’ Banana Pie is touted as the best in Singapore.

My trip to Dona Manis was a fruitful one. I left with a bag of goodies and a huge smile on my face. I bid goodbye to Mdm Soh and told her I’ll come back for another helping of Banana Pie and Cream Puffs.

Dona Manis is Singapore’s hidden gem. Heck it should even be considered as a Singapore National Monument. You won’t find bakery shops like Dona Manis in Singapore anymore. This humble bakery is truly worth a visit.

Dona Manis Cake Shop
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Mon: 9am – 5pm, Tue – Sat: 9:30am – 6pm
Contact No.: 6440 7688
Website

Also Read These 10 Bakeries In S’pore Serve The Best Bread – And They All Deserve A Toast

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

A Suaku Singaporean’s Virgin Visit To ‘Little Thailand’ Golden Mile Complex

There is only one reason for me to head towards Beach Road. The ICA.

However, I have friends who used to go there weekly – to Golden Mile Complex for a wild night in a Thai disco before ending the chaos with a semi-drunk Mookata meal.

I’ve never had that experience and I sure as heck wasn’t going to start now.

I’ve never been to Golden Mile Complex because there was no reason to (and also it seems dodgy as hell) and it’s too out of the way for me to just pay a visit and explore.

So for the sake of discovering Singapore, I made my way to Golden Mile Complex, with a friend who knows her way around the mall of course.

The First Step Into Little Thailand

With Singapore being known as a melting pot of cultures, it’s no surprise that many ethnic groups have taken root in different spots in the city and Golden Mile Complex has long been considered Singapore’s own “Little Thailand’.

The moment I stepped out of the Grab car, I was hit with a stench that can only be described as “old fishy cardboard”.

And it got worse as I entered the mall. It wasn’t hard to find the source of the stench though. I’ve never seen wet market produce being sold in malls. I mean, yes I know supermarkets exist, but a regular shop selling produce inside a mall, is new to me.

The smell is just stuck in the ventilation now. Please send help. Ambipur or Febreeze, anyone?

The assault on my nose ceased shortly when we were greeted by an atrium of sizzling pots of Mookata. God yes, redemption! This isn’t so bad.

After a cinematic 360-degree camera-under-your-chin “Let me look around in wonder like I’m in an MV” moment, we headed to the Thai Supermarket.

Because why not start there? A supermarket in an ethnic enclave gives pretty good insight as to what the culture and community is about. So off we went.

The first thing we noticed by the entrance of the supermarket was a lady selling fritters. We had a recommendation from a colleague about “to-die-for” Banana Fritters. This was it.

I almost missed the banana fritters. Thank goodness I didn’t because these are AMAZING. $3 for 6 pieces of perfectly battered, deep fried bananas.

I wasn’t expecting much because come on, it’s banana. But OH MY GOD. The bananas are sliced length-wise and thickly battered so it develops a crispy and crunchy batter while frying. And they’re sweet, which is good because the batter itself doesn’t have any flavour.

I’m still thinking about these banana fritters. The next time you’re at Golden Mile Complex, you HAVE TO get this.

Okay moving on into the Thai Supermarket. Did you know they have Sriracha here?

There’re so many things to buy here. From Knorr stock cubes with obscure flavours to multiple brands of instant Tom Yum soup powders and industrial-size toilet rolls, the Thai Supermarket basically brought the best of Thailand’s packaged goods to Singapore.

Also, please stop asking friends to buy the Cha Tra Mue Instant Thai Milk Tea back from Bangkok. Just come to Golden Mile Complex.

There’s also a Vietnamese section in the Thai Supermarket. I’m living for this kind of cultural support. Anyway, I bought a packet of honey gummies and a bowl of instant Pho. It’s a supermarket. I’m not coming out of it empty-handed. #Auntie

So, having refuelled on more banana fritters, we explored further. There were plenty of brandless clothing stores. Like Bugis Street but slightly more fashion.

There’s also a lot of mookata action going on around us so it wasn’t that dodgy. Yet.

We took the escalator up to the 3rd level of the mall and that’s where things got a little shadier. This is where the Thai discos, KTV lounges and massage parlours were located.

It’s hard to feel secure because just simply walking past these establishments warrants multiple soul-boring stares from the people working there.

There wasn’t much action going on besides an uncle or 2 hanging around the massage parlours. Then again, it was a Tuesday night.

The back corridors were quiet and dingy. We found a room and the door had a piece of paper stuck on it. Was it supposed to be an office?

We could hear movement inside and people were starting to stare at us because we were loitering for a little too long, so we left. Only to come face to face with a long corridor.

There was something about this corridor, because my mind was screaming and telling me not to go any further. It wasn’t just me – my colleague was feeling it too.

Long story short, we bailed and headed back down to the first level.

Now, when in Thailand, eat Mango Sticky Rice. So we did, at Diandin Leluk.

The Mango Sticky Rice ($6) was pretty good. The mango was sweet, the sticky rice had good texture, and they were generous with the coconut milk. My only gripe was that there wasn’t enough sticky rice.

I’ve never had Tako ($3) before. But my colleague loves it so I gave it a try. It’s a coconut pudding with sweet corn kernels and sweet potato chunks.

There were a lot of things going on in a single bite; lots of different textures and flavours, but I didn’t hate it. Solid 5/7, will order again.

Overall, my virgin trip to Golden Mile Complex was a rollercoaster of emotions. Disgust, wonder, amazement, fear and satisfaction. What exhilaration.

Honestly, I’ll probably come back, if not for the banana fritters (HNNNNGHHH), to restock on my Thai Milk Tea supply at home.

If you’re visiting, do yourself a favour and stay clear of the upper levels because they’re hella dodgy.

Also read There’s Finally A Halal Boat Noodle Place In S’pore – And It’s Only $1.90 A Bowl

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)

There’s Finally A Halal Boat Noodle Place In S’pore – And It’s Only $1.90 A Bowl

Upon hearing the news of this newly opened Thai boat noodles place in Singapore, I knew I had to go down to experience it for myself. My first thought was, “About god damn time we get halal boat noodles in Singapore.”

The boat noodles craze has sent plenty of Singaporeans including me going over the causeway JUST for Thai boat noodles, so imagine how excited I was when I found out there’s finally a halal boat noodle place in Singapore.

So I packed my bags, braved the weather and decided that today will be the day I finally get to indulge in this savoury delight right here in Singapore.

Cheap Cheap, Good Good

I drummed my fingers on the handrail of the escalator as it slowly descended into the basement of I12 Katong, perhaps one of my favourite malls in Singapore.

It was honestly a very small shop but I had real high expectations for the food served at Hat Yai Noodle Cafe.

Just like any other typical Thai boat noodles shop, the noodles are served in mini bowls ($1.90 each) that can be gobbled up in about 2 large mouthfuls. Each bowl comes with a slice of beef, meatball, leafy vegetables, beansprouts, spring onions and noodles of your choice (of course we got the traditional glass noodle).

I was not that blown away by their broth but honestly, for $1.90 per bowl, I’m not complaining. It’s definitely perfect if you’ve got a small appetite and looking for something light.

Ordering 3 bowls is definitely not a smart move if you’re hungry. If you’re looking for a proper heavy meal, they do have a bigger version which is the Braised Beef Tendon ($8.50). You can choose from 3 different proteins – beef, chicken, duck.

You can also choose to have it dry with soup on the side if that’s how you roll.

I was looking forward to trying out their side dishes like the Ping Gai which is basically Thai style BBQ chicken and beef sticks. Unfortunately, they weren’t selling any side dishes today.

So I settled for their Chicken/Beef Meatball Skewers ($1.90 per skewer) instead. Each stick comes with 4 beef/chicken balls. Was not too sure what they meant by “Thai Special Sauce” but ours came drenched in Thai Sweet Chilli sauce that my mom buys from Giant Supermarket.

I prayed real hard, “@ God, the least you can do is give me decent Thai Milk Tea. I headed all the way to Katong for Thai food. Please don’t disappoint.”

God heard my prayers and decided not to disappoint me any further. It tasted exactly like the famous Thai milk tea brand your friend would buy for you from Bangkok.

It helped wash all my sadness and problems away.

My total meal totalled up to $26, inclusive of a 10% service charge. I left Hat Yai Noodle Cafe feeling slightly disappointed but at least I’m pleased with the fact that there’s halal boat noodles in Singapore if I’m ever craving for it.

In the mean time, I’m gonna fix myself a cup of instant tom yum noodles and daydream of a getaway to Thailand.

Hat Yai Noodle Cafe
Address: 112 East Coast Rd, I12 Katong Mall, B1-18, Singapore 428802
Opening Hours: 11 am – 9.30 pm, daily
Website

Also Read These 10 Bakeries In S’pore Serve The Best Bread – And They All Deserve A Toast

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

These 10 Bakeries In S’pore Serve The Best Bread – And They All Deserve A Toast

Bread is incredibly versatile yet somehow underrated. There’s even a word created solely to describe someone who supports the family (with bread probably). BREADWINNER.

As someone who ranks bread as the top carb of choice, I have pretty strong feelings for bread.

They have everything from tarts and cakes to traditional Swedish pastries and of course, bread. If you’re a sucker for a good brioche or croissant, then you should try the ones here.

Oh, they have this divine Cranberry Cream Cheese Bagel that you NEED to try as well.

If you’re wondering, Konditori is Muslim-owned.

Konditori – Artisan European Bakery
Address: 33 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199451
Opening Hours: Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6209 8580
Image Credit: @stepanmarhoul[/caption]

This Muslim-owned bakery has a selection of both savoury and sweet sourdough toasts.

Go for their Nut Butter With Honey And Sea Salt Toast ($3.50). A thick slice of sourdough toast is slathered with almond butter, generously drizzled with honey and finished with a sprinkling of sea salt.

[caption id="attachment_34423" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Image Credit: @vanessa_kou[/caption]

If you’re looking for something more savoury, their Egg Salad with Dukkah and Pickled Onions ($5) is a great option.

The thick sourdough toast is topped with a heap of egg salad and garnished with pickled onions.

[caption id="attachment_34424" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Image Credit: @singaporeliciouz[/caption]

I mean, just look at it.

The Bakery By Woodlands Sourdough also has bagels and pizzas on their menu if you’re looking for something more substantial.

If you’re planning to visit, go early because their bread sells fast.

The Bakery By Woodlands Sourdough
Address: 10 Jalan Serene, #01-05 Serene Centre, Singapore 258748
Opening Hours: Wed – Sun: 8.30am – 6pm, Mon – Tue: Closed
Website

3. Asanoya Boulangerie

Asanoya Boulangerie is a Japanese bakery specialising in gourmet bread and pastries. They combine Japanese flavours with traditional European pastries.

Their flagship item is the Fruit Rye made with orange peel, rum raisin, walnuts and almonds. Apparently it’s so popular in Karuizawa that it gets sold out the moment it is displayed on the shelves.

[caption id="attachment_34427" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: Asanoya Bakery Singapore[/caption]

A popular item in Singapore is the Croissant Block that comes in various flavours. Like this Creme Brûlée Croissant Block, filled with fresh cream and topped with a caramelised sugar crust.

[caption id="attachment_34426" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Hwans Tan[/caption]

Asanoya Boulangerie Singapore is constantly churning out great quality bread with various seasonal flavours.

Head down to any of their 3 branches today!

Asanoya Boulangerie
Address: Find your nearest outlet 4. Baker & Cook

Baker & Cook is Singapore’s only true artisan bakery and food store chain by Global Baker Dean Brettschneider.

[caption id="attachment_34428" align="aligncenter" width="747"] Image Credit: Baker & Cook Singapore[/caption]

You have to try their Bombolini Donuts aka Custard Donuts. You can choose from either the Jam Bombolini or the Vanilla Custard Bombolini.

[caption id="attachment_34429" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Xing Wei Chua[/caption]

The donut is filled with custard (or jam) and dusted with sugar, yet somehow isn’t too sweet.

If you love your donuts as much I do, then this is it.

Baker & Cook
Address: Find your nearest outlet 5. Carpenter & Cook

Carpenter & Cook is an artisan bakery cafe and vintage home store. While they technically don’t serve bread, they do have amazing pastries.

Go for their Passionfruit Meringue Tart ($6.80). This beautiful dainty tart is almost too pretty to eat.

The passionfruit’s zest cuts through the sweetness of the tart and meringue so it’s not jelak.

[caption id="attachment_34430" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Ethel Tan[/caption]

This is strictly not for sharing because you’ll want to savour every bite. EVERY. BITE.

Carpenter & Cook
Address: 19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 10am – 10pm, Sat: 9am – 10pm, Sun: 9am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6463 3648
Image Credit: yelp user Ka L[/caption]

Prices start from $1.60 for the small size, $2.30 for the medium size and $4.20 for the large size.

[caption id="attachment_30615" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Image Credit: Facebook User Khoo Bee Ling[/caption]

Their best sellers are the Bacon, Tomato & Egg Mayo, Curry Chicken Sausage & Egg, Banana Chocolate, and Mushroom Veggie.

Come between 9 – 9.30am and you might just catch a fresh batch out of the oven!

Thai Baàng Bakery
Address: 809 French Road #01-41, Kitchener Complex, Singapore 200809
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 9pm; Sat: 8.30am – 8.30pm; Sun: 9am – 8pm
Contact no.: 9722 1213
Website

7. Tiong Bahru Bakery

If you have not tried anything from Tiong Bahru Bakery, have you truly been living?

While the cafe serves up a large variety of bread and pastries, baked fresh daily, their bestseller is the Kouign Amann.

[caption id="attachment_34431" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: Tiong Bahru Bakery[/caption]

The name ‘Kouign Amann‘ is derived from the Breton words for cake (kouign) and butter (amann). This pastry is rich yet not saccharine.

I usually buy in bulk because why not? (Actually it’s because there’s no Tiong Bahru Bakery near my place)

But my point is that the Kouign Amann here is AMAZING. Don’t say ‘never intro’.

Tiong Bahru Bakery
Address: Find your nearest outlet 8. Keong Saik Bakery

Keong Saik Bakery is riding the ‘Dirty Bun’ wave pretty hard.

Their recent ‘Dirty Bun’ creations include the Matcha Dirty Bread ($4.50) and the Chocolate Dirty Bread ($4).

[caption id="attachment_34432" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Brian Xavier[/caption] [caption id="attachment_34433" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Tammy Wee[/caption]

If you’re done with the ‘Dirty Bun’ trend like I am, go for the Keong Saik Bakery signature, the Sor Hei ($3.80).

It’s a black and white danish pastry filled with chocolate chips between the layers. Reminds me of the seaweed chicken I used to buy in the school canteen.

[caption id="attachment_34434" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Cassie Ong[/caption]

Best to come early for the Sor Hei because it gets sold out very quickly.

Keong Saik Bakery
Address: 41 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089146
Opening Hours: Daily: 8am – 8pm
Contact no.: 6909 3199
Website

9. Swee Heng 1989 Bakery

Swee Heng 1989 Bakery is one of my favourites. I’ve had their bread for dinner on countless occasions because why not?

[caption id="attachment_34437" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: Swee Heng 1989 Classic[/caption]

They use fresh ingredients and they have unique flavours for their bread. My favourite is the Mrs. Red Bean which is a red bean bun with cream cheese and a polo bun crust.

[caption id="attachment_34435" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image Credit: Swee Heng 1989[/caption]

The Rocky Chocolate is also really good.

[caption id="attachment_34436" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image Credit: Swee Heng 1989[/caption]

Chocolate bread peppered with walnuts and raisins. It’s very chocolatey and rich. Drink lots of water after because while the bread is really good, it does leave your throat a little dry.

Swee Heng 1989 Bakery
Address: Find your nearest outlet here
Website

10. Tai Cheong Bakery

Tai Cheong Bakery is well known for their HK Egg Tarts. There’s even a Pandan variation.

[caption id="attachment_34439" align="aligncenter" width="901"] Image Credit: Tai Cheong Bakery Singapore[/caption]

While their HK Egg Tarts hog the spotlight, another must-try is the HK Polo Bun.

[caption id="attachment_34440" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler K T[/caption]

If you’re a fan of HK cuisine and their pastries, Tai Cheong Bakery is the place to be.

Tai Cheong Bakery
Address: Find your nearest outlet here
Website

Also read Don’t Panic, Here Are 9 Last Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

(Header Image Source: Konditori – Artisan European Bakery)