Audience: Foodies

An Oldie But A Goodie: Canteen 398 At Seletar Is Possibly The Longest Surviving Canteen In S’pore

Seletar has changed drastically over the years as the authorities cleared the old RAF airbase and colonial architecture and transformed the space into an aerospace hub.

Located along Piccadilly Road in Seletar, this kampong style canteen dates back to the 1960s and still feels like it.

The canteen served mainly British military personnel of RAF Seletar followed by local military personnel when the camp was handed over to SAF after the British withdrawal in 1971.

Yet at this intense transformation of Seletar, a couple of things still brings you back to what Seletar was. Canteen 398 has been sitting on the chopping board for development since 2012 as Seletar is being developed into an aerospace hub. 

A Disappearing Piece Of History

This canteen is a piece of vanishing history of Singapore. Situated in the vicinity of an army camp, Seletar Camp, Canteen 398 is open to public and accessible by car and bus.

Time and time again, I kept reminding myself to visit Canteen 398 and boy I’m glad I finally did.

At a glance, you won’t be able to guess that it’s a functioning canteen. That was until, William, owner of Canteen 398 waved his arms and signalled to me that there were more seats inside.

The canteen is a humble looking structure, serving the workers around the area as well as military personnel from Seletar Camp.

Stepping into Canteen 398 felt like I was being transported into another dimension. It was as though time stood still and I was back in the 1960s.

It was hot out so I quickly ordered my Milo Peng and made a beeline for the seats.

The interior was something straight out of the 1990s when solid wooden top table and red stackable chairs are still widely used in coffeeshops. The old school mosaic tiles flooring and chipped paint stands as a testament to its age.

William shared with us that he took over his brother’s business and now runs Canteen 398 with his wife and sister in law.

“I’ve been working here even before I enter army. I’m 70 now. You count lah how many years I work here already,” William laughed.

He mentioned that he wakes up at 4am everyday and takes a bus from Yishun to get to Canteen 398 and you’ll see him mingling and laughing with his regulars.

“This place ah, second home to me already. I know everyone that comes to my canteen,” William added.

Even at a warm afternoon at 12pm, I felt a sense of serenity while I was sipping on my Milo Peng as workers around the area streamed in and out to get their lunch fix.

Canteen 398 only has three stalls. A drink stall managed by William’s wife. A Malay stall selling Nasi Padang which has been around for 20 years and a Chinese stall selling Cai Fan which has been around for 10 years.

Her food definitely did not disappoint as I wiped my plate clean in under 5 minutes.

Despite having gone through a major damage in 2015 caused by a fallen tree, Canteen 398 has recovered and it seems like nothing ever happened to this humble looking structure.

Canteen 398 is like another world on its own, going on with what they have been doing since the 1960s, while Singapore continued to change outside.

Coming to this canteen gave me a sense of closeness to this place although it was only my first visit. I was not born in the 1960s but this canteen offers a glimpse of Singapore’s humble past when things were not as perfect and comfortable as today.

The experience at Canteen 398 is truly one of a kind in Singapore.

“Come again this Saturday okay!” William smiled and waved as we parted ways.

Canteen 398
Directions: Jalan Kayu exit at Tampines Expressway and enter camp
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 6am – 4pm, Sat: 6am – 12pm, Closed on Sun

Also Read NP & NYP’s Iconic Sandwich Shop Is No Longer On Campus, But You Can Find It At ION Orchard Instead

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

NP & NYP’s Iconic Sandwich Shop Is No Longer On Campus, But You Can Find It At ION Orchard Instead

If you’re a former or current student at NP or NYP, then you’ll be familiar with Splash n Decker or “that sandwich shop”.

It’s been 2 years since I graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and till today I still remember the sandwiches from Splash n Decker. Their simple yet delicious sandwiches got us through morning lectures or for a quick go-to when the school canteens got too crowded.

Sadly, both branches have since closed down – the NYP joint closed years ago, while the loss of NP’s branch was more recent on June 1.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjUcOnrh6ZE/?taken-by=ngeeannpoly

#RIPTeriyakiChickenSandwich

That Xtra Sandwich

Die hard fans of Splash n Decker will be pleased to know that the brand has moved on to bigger things such as opening up shop at ION Orchard’s Basement. Which is a major upgrade from NP and NYP combined.

Owned by the Four Leaves brand, Splash n Decker now goes by the name Sandwich Lab. The ION Orchard store now sports a new sleek and clean exterior – which is a stark contrast from their previous old school bakery vibe.

If you ask any NYP/NP kid, they’ll highly recommend the Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich ($4.80) which comes with a slab of tender teriyaki chicken sandwiched between two buttery toasted bread.

There are at least 10 types of sandwiches you can choose from ranging between $4 – $4.80. They’re not as cheap as it was back during our poly days (it was only $2.90 then) but hey, if it means I get to enjoy the same old sandwiches, they can take all my money.

There are also new additions to the menu such as the Spicy Tuna Croissant ($4) and the Tom Yam Seafood Sandwich ($4.50).

If you miss your poly days, grab your friends and head on down to Sandwich Lab for your sandwich fix!

Sandwich Lab
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-40/41/42, ION Orchard, Singapore 23801
Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm, daily
Contact No.: 6509 9500
Website

Also Read Popular China Tea Brand TaiGai Opens First Overseas Outlet At NEX – Prices Start From $3.30

(Header Image Source: @ngeeannpoly and Stella Thng Facebook)

‘Costa’ La Vista – Costa Coffee Is Closing Its Last 2 Outlets In S’pore By 16 Sep

If you haven’t already noticed, British coffee chain Costa Coffee has closed six outlets in Singapore over the last three and half months, with their two remaining branches at Holland Village and VivoCity Mall bowing out in the next two weeks.

Costa Coffee entered Singapore in 2012, riding on the wave of generic coffee brands that offered a quick cuppa to the masses who are looking for convenience.

The Final Pour

Hit by hefty rents and labour costs, Costa Coffee’s failure to survive in Singapore is also partly due to the growing popularity of indie cafes and their focus on solid brews.

Over the past 6 years, we’ve seen a rise in popular indie cafes such as Dutch Colony Coffee Co. and Common Man Coffee Roasters who are known for serving up java that are roasted in-house or sourced from roasters around the world. This gives them a slight edge in serving quality coffee at the same prices or even cheaper than the offerings from bigger chains.

Indie coffee shops continue to spring up in Singapore while big-name coffee shop chains are opening up more and more stores to mark their turf.

They’ve done a great job by starting to educate the market on how to appreciate better quality coffee.  But whether coffee shops can survive will depend on rental rates.

Or perhaps Costa Coffee was good yet not good enough to make up for their lack of character. They weren’t distinctive enough to beat fellow big brands like Starbucks or The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I mean, honestly, when have we ever craved a drink from Costa?

Fret not, if you love Costa Coffee, no other stores in Southeast Asia are affected by the move, though the company did not say why the chain was puling out of Singapore. This also means, the next nearest Costa Coffee outlet for you would be JB.

Whatever the case, if you love Costa Coffee, you might want to head down to their two remaining outlets at Holland Village and VivoCity Mall soon for your coffee fix.

Costa Coffee Holland Village 
Address: 269 Holland Ave, Singapore 278990
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 7am – 9pm, Fri – Sat: 7am – 10pm

Costa Coffee VivoCity Mall
Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-100 VivoCity, 098585
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm, Daily

Also Read This 7-Eleven At Boat Quay Doubles Up As A Bar – Serves Beer On Tap For $4.70

(Header Image Source: The Chosen Glutton)

Popular China Tea Brand TaiGai Opens First Overseas Outlet At NEX – Prices Start From $3.30

While food trends come and go, Fruit Teas look like they’re here to stay for a while.

From Partea to Teafolia, fruit tea fans can look forward to the opening of TaiGai at NEX Serangoon!

Established in Shenzhen, China, TaiGai is a popular tea brand in China with over 60 stores across the country. They’re also known for their signature offerings and healthier tea options using mainly fresh fruits and premium quality teas in their concoctions.

TaiGai’s NEX outlet is their first venture out of China.

Love At First Sip

If you’re wondering, “What’s the difference between TaiGai and other fruit tea brands?”

TaiGai is the pioneer behind “Fruity Milky Kiss” – fruit-blended milk cheese crowns. The drinks are topped with a milk cheese foam that has been blended with fruits, which gives you that natural sweetness and pulpy bits as you sip on your fruity tea.

With fresh fruits used predominantly in the teas, TaiGai is careful to retain its natural fragrance and sweetness to complement the taste and aroma of these crafted teas.

Another highlight of their drinks would be their “Beary Cute Series” that comes with an adorable bear-ear lid.

If you’re wondering what drink you should get from TaiGai, here’s what we highly recommend:

Pulpy Strawberry Kiss ($6.80)

The most popular “Fruity Milky Kiss” drink would be the Pulpy Strawberry Kiss, which is perfect if you want something refreshing and sweet. About half a cup of strawberries are used for just one drink!

This drink is exceptionally popular as it has the perfect balance of fresh sweetness and a hint of sourness from the strawberries, along with the fragrance of the tea.

When you take the first sip from the opening, you can first taste the blended crown which has well-balanced milk-cheese to fruit ratio followed by the fruit-blended tea.

The milk cheese crown has a perfect velvety finishing when sipped together with the fruit blended tea. The generous pulp from the blended strawberries adds dimension to the entire experience.

Pulpy Pineapple Kiss ($6.20)

Also a part of the “Fruity Milky Kiss” series, the Pulpy Pineapple Kiss is one of TaiGai’s signature drinks.

If you’re looking for something to quench your thirst, this drink is a juicy tropical blend that is both refreshing and zesty – reminiscent of sunny days lying on the beach in Thailand.

Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong ($4.90)

For the tea lovers, you can choose from the “Pure Tea” or the “Pure Tea Milky Kiss” series that are topped with the milk cheese crowns.

The Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong is one of the signature drinks on the menu. Similar to the civet cat coffee, when a cicada bites the baby tea leaves, it changes the chemistry resulting in an authentic taste profile of this oolong tea.

This golden-coloured tea is paired nicely with the milk cheese crown as it was smooth and has a slight hint of bitterness from the tea itself.

Perhaps it’s time to swap out your everyday tea for the Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong.

Fresh Premium Orange Burst ($5.90)

Fruit Teas, also known as infusions, are gaining popularity because they come across as healthier versions as compared to their counterparts of Bubble Tea.

In their “Fresh Fruit Tea” series, you can choose from Fresh Golden Kumquat Burst ($4), Fresh Green Lemon Burst Green Tea ($4.50), Fresh Yellow Lemon Burst Black Tea ($4.50) and Fresh Premium Orange Burst ($5.90).

The recommended drink is the Fresh Premium Orange Burst. The drink consists of freshly sliced oranges and a slice of lime.

This calming and refreshing drink makes for the perfect afternoon thirst quencher.

Beary Creative Milk Tea ($4.50)

This is probably a favourite for most as the drinks comes with an adorable bear-shaped lid.

You can choose from the Beary Co Co which is a very chocolatey drink or the Beary Creative Milk Tea which is a milk tea drink with choice of pearls, nata de coco, or red bean.

The Beary Creative Milk Tea comes with one topping of your choice and an additional 80cents for extra topping.

Pro-tip: Shine a light from the top of the cup and see the magic happen!

Overall Store Atmosphere

The service at TaiGai is fast and simple. All you have to do is key in your orders on the iPad available at the counter and wait for your number to appear on the screen!

There are seats available in the store as well for you to take IG-worthy pictures of your drinks. Do be prepared for the long queues!

If you’re looking to try out a new fruit tea place, then you might just like TaiGai’s fruity tea creations!

TaiGai
Address: NEX Serangoon, #B2-34, Singapore 556083
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 10pm
Facebook | Instagram

Also Read This 7-Eleven At Boat Quay Doubles Up As A Bar – Serves Beer On Tap For $4.70

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

This 7-Eleven At Boat Quay Doubles Up As A Bar – Serves Beer On Tap For $4.70

There’s no shortage of drinking spots in Singapore, but none are as iconic as the clarke/boat quay area.

Though it might lean towards the more expensive side of things (there are definitely cheaper places to get your drink on), tourists and locals alike still flock there every week. And if Zouk sets up shop in your backyard you must be doing something right.

The central location and high traffic make it the perfect place to set up a bar, so much so that even 7-Eleven have set up one of their own.

Well…kind of, at least.

It’s A Store And More

While 7-Eleven has always sold cans and bottles of alcohol, their outlet at 82 Boat Quay is home to a beer tap that serves up fresh pours for $4.70.

This clearly isn’t a dabao situation either — an open-air seating area has ben set up opposite the convenience store, and a hand-drawn sign below the tap lists the various “munchies” that you can order alongside your drink.

There isn’t anyone tending the tap, so just head on inside, tell the cashier you want a beer (never thought I’d be ordering one at 7-Eleven), and he/she will head out to serve you.

Just because you could doesn’t mean you should, though, and as I watched the cashier-bartender hybrid pour my beer, one word kept running through my head:

Why?

Good Idea, Bad Execution

Turning a 7-Eleven into a makeshift bar might sound like a novel idea on paper, but it’s actually a lot less exciting in reality.

Firstly, the only brand on tap is Tiger Beer — not exactly the most exciting of choices — and the amount you get is pretty much equivalent to a standard 330ml can.

All 7-Eleven’s sell said can at $4.10, which means that you’re actually paying 60 cents more for the privilege to drink out of a plastic cup. And it doesn’t help that the surrounding restaurants and bars are serving drinks in actual mugs at pretty competitive prices (at happy hour, at least).

If you can look past the #aesthetics of the fancy sign, you’ll also realise that the food on offer are the same things they’ve had in their ready-to-eat section for years.

Don’t get me wrong — I love me some Butter Chicken Briyani, but if the price and presentation remains unchanged, what’s stopping me from getting it from my neighbourhood outlet instead?

I can’t help but feel like more could be done to make the place feel a little more unique — I left with a bad taste in my mouth, and it wasn’t the beer.

I’m not sure who 7-Eleven was targeting with this half convenience store / half bar concept — CBD businessmen looking for a quick midday drink? Bored tertiary students who have nothing to do after their classes? Tourists who’d be reeled in by the novelty of it all?

I’ll probably never know, but what I do know is that it wasn’t me.

7-11 Boat Quay
Address: 82 Boat Quay, #01-02, Singapore 049870
Opening Hours: 24 Hours (alcohol available from 6am to 11:59pm)

Also Read From Fusion Dishes To Tea Tastings, Grids & Circles Has Everything For The Perfect Date

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

Missing Bangkok? Head To Soi 19 To Get Your Thai Wanton Mee Fix For Just $4 A Bowl

When it comes to Thai food, I order the same three things every time — green curry, basil chicken and an omelette.

Any self-respecting chef serving Thai grub will have no problem cooking these classic dishes, and they’re so tasty and reliable that i’ve never really seen the need to try anything else.

In a way, this “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset has stunted my knowledge of Thai cuisine, so when I was told that I’d be eating Thai Wanton Mee I honestly thought that it was some kind of Southeast Asian fusion dish.

Turns out Thai wanton mee is actually pretty similar to Singapore’s, but prepared in a different style. Same same but different, basically.

For the uninitiated (I can’t be the only one…right?), the main difference between “regular” wanton mee and the Thai version is the absence of any sauce, resulting in a drier dish that places a heavier reliance on the noodles for flavour. The ingredients remain mostly the same though, with the inclusion of char siew, vegetables, and of course, wantons.

Bang(kok) For Your Buck

When it comes to eating Thai wanton mee in Singapore, there’s only one name that you need to know: Soi 19.

Named after the street that houses the famous SabX2 Wanton Mee in Bangkok, founder Ng Sing Chow set up his first outlet in Ang Mo Kio back in 2012, and has since opened two more outlets in Jurong and Kovan that see long queues every day.

This isn’t a case of culinary appropriation either. Ng — who previously worked in the clothing industry and had zero f&b experience — actually learned his recipe from his god brother in Thailand, and painstakingly tried 20 noodle varieties before finding one with the right texture.

His efforts have certainly paid off, because the noodles are without a doubt the star of the show here. Despite having no sauce, they’re infused with a rich, eggy flavour, and have a bouncy, al dente texture that makes it effortless to chew on. I seriously think I could’ve eaten a bowl of them without the ingredients.

That’s not to say that the ingredients aren’t good, though. The char siew used here is less sweet than what you’d usually expect — a deliberate choice, according to Ng’s daughter Claire — and it balances out the noodles’ strong taste. The larger bowls also include a few slices of fish sausage, which strangely enough taste like bak kwa (I’m still trying to figure that one out myself).

And then there’s the crispy pork lard, which is made in-house on a daily basis. The Ang Mo Kio outlet is famous for offering a free flow of these crispy bites, but this unfortunately isn’t available at the other two stores in the interest of cost. It’s a shame, considering that a small amount already adds yet another dimension of savoury goodness to an already-varied taste.

And what would a wanton mee be without…well, good wantons? The dish includes both the crispy and soft variety, and they’re quite literally bursting with flavour thanks to a generous amount of minced meat within each of them. Throw in some juicy greens for good measure, and you have an extremely hearty and satisfying meal for as low as $4.

You’d think that a wanton mee with no sauce would be less flavourful than its gravy-laden counterpart, but Soi 19 has converted my wanton allegiance to team Thai.

Earlier in our interview, Claire tells me that the goal was not to produce an exact replica of Thai wanton mee, but instead use it as an inspiration to create a version that appealed to the local palate (“60% Thai, 40% Singaporean”, she says).

Having tried a bowl for myself, I can safely say that they’ve succeeded.

Soi 19 Kovan
Address: 9 Yio Chu Kang Road, #01-56, Singapore 545523
Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10pm

Soi 19 Ang Mo Kio
Address: 151 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, Singapore 560151
Opening Days: Wednesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 7am – 3:30pm

Soi 19 Jurong
Address: 130 Jurong Gateway Road, #01-211, Singapore 600130
Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 7am – 4pm (7pm on Fridays)

Also Read 6 Dishes Crazy Rich Asians Should Have Tried At Newton Food Centre Instead Of Satay

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

Last Chance To Catch The Food Trucks At Market On Wheels – Ends 9 Sept At AMK Hub

Remember when Market On Wheels took over Bugis Junction back in June?

If you missed the first edition of the container pop-up market, no worries, here’s your last chance to catch the food trucks at Market On Wheels.

From now till 9 September, head down to AMK Hub for IG-worthy food and shopping! Here’s what you can expect.

A Sugar Rush by Cereal Citizen

You might’ve seen them at previous events like Artbox. Cereal Citizen was founded by local blogger and influencer, Bong Qiu Qiu. They’re known for their signature Crododo, which is a quirky little creation of a cross between a croissant and a donut.

Basically, a donut with the texture of a croissant.

If you love everything unicorn, then you’ll love their Unicorn Milkshake and Unicorn Crododo ($8) which is topped with an adorable unicorn meringue.

Grilled Meats From The Swag Social

Brought to you by the people from The Swag Social who were also at the previous Market On Wheels, they offer grilled Yakiniku Ribeye Beef Cubes ($10), Grilled Salmon Mentai ($9), Donburi, fries & refreshing mojitos!

Local Delights by Abracowdabra

Serving up a combination of Singapore and Thai flavours, you can expect unique dishes such as Crab Phad Thai ($10), Satay Beef Phad Thai ($9) and Satay Chicken Phad Thai ($7).

For the satay lovers, the fragrant nutty satay sauce along with the aromatic tinge of spice from the sambal chilli makes for a sweet & spicy combination that would suit those with a lower threshold for spice!

Each bowl of phad thai comes with a runny egg yolk and a medley of spices such as spring onions, chilli flakes and fried shallots.

Deep Fried Treats by Ha-Mess

If you’ve never had fried oreos or fried toblerone, it’s about time that you do!

Each set goes for $4 each!

Expect to find an aesthetically-pleasing range of food available from other vendors such as Hasan Istanbul for your kebab fix as well as Charms Cafe for their Over the Rainbow Gelato Ice Cream ($7) which comes with Mango, Yuzu, Raspberry topped with Green Apple Nata, Aloe Vera, Mango Jelly.

And if it’s anything like Bugis’ Market on Wheels, there’ll also be designated photo spots for you to snap pictures for the gram!

Market On Wheels (AMK Hub)
Address: AMK HUB, 53 Ang Mo Kio Av‍‍‍‍‍‍e 3, Singapore 569933
Date: August 3 – September 9
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am-9pm, Sat – Sun:11am-10pm

Also Read Let It Glow, Let It Glow – Tsum Tsum Takes Over Vivocity With 2000 Lanterns This Mid-Autumn Festival

(Header Image Source: @robinpok, @gnohznaij)

Orchard Road Turns On The Christmas Magic With A Disney-Themed Light-Up This Year

Every year, in the months leading up to the festive Christmas season, Orchard Road is decked out in the prettiest of lights and glittery decor thanks to Christmas on a Great Street.

Who can forget the giant glowing arcs?

Now that National Day is over, that means it’s time to prepare for Halloween and Christmas. And this year, Orchard Road is about to be taken over by everyone’s favourite childhood characters.

This Christmas, Hitachi proudly presents Disney Magical Moments – Christmas on a Great Street!

A Very Disney Christmas

Disney fans can expect to see themed installations featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, the Disney Princesses, characters from Frozen, and Pixar’s Toy Story, all along the stretches of Orchard Road!

The Disney spectacle begins from Tanglin Mall along Tanglin Road with the Disney Princesses greeting you, and ends at Dhoby Ghaut, with the beloved characters of Pixar’s Toy Story.

Some of the highlights to look out for along the stretch include the Ariel (The Little Mermaid) photo spot at Shaw House, Mickey Mouse and friends set pieces, and pop-ups by popular brands such as OWNDAYS, Häagen-Dazs, Uniqlo, SK-II, and OPPO!

We heard there’ll be 25 brands in total, so stay tuned for more details on the other participating brands!

Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza will also host the Endless Wonder Christmas Village, with bouncy castles, food vendors, and musical performances!

That’s not all, head over to Plaza Singapura for the Light-Up Ceremony on 10 November 2018 at 7pm and watch as the Disney-themed decor lights up Orchard Road and usher in the spirit of Christmas!

The lights and decor will be up 1 January 2019 so you’ll have plenty of time to get all your photos.

Disney Magic Moments – Christmas on a Great Street
Venue: Along Orchard Road
Date: 10 Nov 2018 – 1 Jan 2019
Let It Glow, Let It Glow – Tsum Tsum Takes Over Vivocity With 2000 Lanterns This Mid-Autumn Festival

(Header Image Source: Study Break)

Art After Dark Returns – Another Round Of Good Food, Musical Acts And Exhibitions At Gillman Barracks This Sep

Singapore’s art scene has blossomed over the years, with numerous art festivals annually, celebrating the nation’s growing appreciation for the arts.

One of the most consistent and popular events is Art After Dark.

We had the first Art After Dark of 2018 back in January, in conjunction with Singapore Art Week. This time round, it’s coming back on 21 September 2018 as part of Gillman Barracks’ 6th Anniversary!

In celebration of the arts, galleries will open their doors with free entry to their ongoing or new exhibitions. Artists will also take the opportunity to showcase the works that they’ve been working on.

And of course, no arts festival is complete without entertainment in the form of musical performances.

Jam to a wide range of tunes by local Rock ‘n’ Roll quartet The Pinholes (7:50pm to 8:30pm), eclectic punk rock band Tiramisu (10pm – 10.40pm) and indie group, Pleasantry (8.50pm – 9.30pm).

After a long night of jamming to local music, dig into a variety of savoury bites and sweet treats by Handlebar, Park Bench Deli, The LAB, Hopscotch, Super Simple and Iskina Cebu.

This upcoming Art After Dark is set to be the biggest one yet, as Gillman Barracks celebrates its 6th anniversary, complete with live performances, interactive art experiences, precinct-wide activities and programmes and much more!

If you plan on going by public transportation, one-way FREE bus services to Gillman Barracks will be available from:

1. Raffles City (Swissotel Bus Bay) (7pm, 7.15pm, 7.30pm, 7.45pm and 8pm)

2. Vivocity Bus Bay (7pm, 7.15pm, 7.30pm, 7.45pm and 8pm)

3. Art Stage Singapore at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre (8.15pm, 8.30pm, 8.45pm, 9pm and 9.15pm)

Please note that cars will be directed to Alexandra Retail Centre carpark when the carparks onsite are full.

Come 21 September 2018, gather your friends and family and head over to Gillman Barracks to show your support for the arts and also for a night of good food and great fun!

Art is not just for the elite anymore. Art is for everyone.

Check out the full exhibition lineup here.

Art After Dark x 6th Anniversary Celebrations
Venue: Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road, Singapore 108937
Date: 21 Sep 2018
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Website

Also Read Calling All Roald Dahl Fans: Matilda The Musical Is Coming To Singapore In Feb 2019 

(Header Image Source: Gillman Barracks)

From Vodka Apple To Acai Berry – 6 Millennial-Approved Mooncakes That Aren’t Lotus Paste

There are a few things that you can count on seeing every Mid-Autumn Festival — Chinatown being popular for a few weeks before fading back into obscurity, gaudy-yet-endearing lanterns being sold in the heartlands (bootleg Spider-Man is a personal favourite), and companies getting into an unofficial competition to create the most unique mooncakes possible.

We know firsthand that not all of these creations hit the mark (*coughOreoMooncakescough*), but here are five that certainly do:

Milo Dinosaur Snowskin Mooncakes By Fullerton Hotel

Milo has become so ubiquitous that you can find it in everything from energy bars to ice cream these days, and thanks Fullerton Hotel the chocolate-malt drink has now been immortalised in mooncake form as well.

Wrapped in a soft snowskin exterior (because if you’re going to appeal to the millennials, you might as well go all the way), the filling is comprised of milk lotus seed paste, along with a generous serving of milo “pops” for a little bit of crunch.

We’re not sure where where the “dinosaur” part is, though. Not sprinkling milo powder on these is certainly a missed opportunity, but when it comes to mixing one of our favourite drinks into a traditional snack, we’ll take what we can get.

The Fullerton Hotel Milo Dinosaur Snowskin Mooncakes
$61 For a Premium Box of 4, $73 For a Classic Box of 4
Website

Acai Berry and Chia Seeds Snow Skin Mooncake by Raffles Hotel Singapore

Acai Bowls have become the new health hotness over the past year, and with the Mid-Autumn Festival rolling around it was only a matter of time before someone made a mooncake version of this superfood.

That “someone” appears to be none other than Raffles Hotel Singapore, who have a track record of releasing unique flavours like Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Feuilletine (2016) and Strawberry Yoghurt and Crunchy White Chocolate (2017). Their latest Acai Berry and Chia Seeds Snow Skin Mooncake might be their healthiest yet, said to be full of anti-oxidants, calcium and vitamin A.

The health factor is turned all the way up to eleven with the inclusion of organic chia seeds and Greek yoghurt, which add even more nutrients that your body probably needs. If you want to indulge in the festivities and feel a little less guilty about it, then these are the ones to get.

Raffles Hotel Singapore Acai Berry and Chia Seeds Snow Skin Mooncake
$72 For a Box of 8
Website

Mao Shan Wang Snowskin Mooncakes by Golden Moments

There are two types of people in this world: people who love durian, and people who don’t.

For the former, these Signature Snowskin Mao Shan Wang Mooncakes by Golden Moments are probably as close as they’ll get to the perfect mooncake. According to their website, the filling consists of nothing but the “purest of luscious Mao Shan Wang durian”, making it more akin to an extremely atas cream puff a than a mooncake (not that we’re complaining, though).

Aesthetics wise, these babies are instagrammable AF too — the use of bamboo charcoal snowskin (which is supposedly healthier) gives it a stylish black exterior, and it’s also sprinkled with edible friggin’ gold for that extra touch of class.

Golden Moments Signature Snowskin Mao Shan Wang Mooncakes
$98.80 For a Box of 4
Website

Prestige Collection by Bakerzin

“You know what’s missing in a mooncake? alcohol”. If that very specific thought has ever crossed your booze-loving mind, then Bakerzin’s Prestige Collection has got you covered.

Whether you’re a fan of the strong stuff or just want a hint of liqueur in your mid-autumn bites, this long-running set has it all — the collection’s four flavours range from Apple Vodka to Butterscotch Baileys, all of which are wrapped in a pastel snowskin exterior.

Each mooncake is also infused with white chocolate truffle ganache, so you don’t have to worry about wincing every time you take a bite (even the biggest of alcoholics have to admit that that don’t drink alcohol for the bitter taste). Throw some lotus seed paste into the mix, and you’ve hit pretty much every point on the flavour spectrum.

Bakerzin Prestige Collection
$47.66 For a Box of 8
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Snowskin Collection by Caffe Pralet

Caffe Pralet are probably best known for their Rice Bowls and Chilli Crab Cheese Fries, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t make a mean mooncake too.

Or should we say mooncakes? With flavours like Red Velvet, Butterscotch and Yuzu Coconut White Chocolate, we’re having a hard time picking a favourite out of their eight flavours. There’s not a trace of lotus seed paste to be found either, instead replacing the filling with modern palate pleasers like cream cheese and crushed cookies.

And did we mention how #aesthetic these bite-sized beauties are? From the gold shine of the Signature Pralet to the ombre effect of the Lychee Rose, we wouldn’t have eaten them if they didn’t taste so damn good.

$54.80 For a Box of 8
Call 6223 5595 or WhatsApp 8318 0698 to Order
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Crispy Skin Mooncakes by Garden Pastry

What makes a mooncake, exactly? Well, the folks at Garden Pastry certainly don’t think it’s the skin, because they’ve completely thrown that out the window for their signature Crispy Skin Mooncakes.

Resembling more of a Tau Sar Piah than a mooncake, this unique take completely flips the mooncake-eating experience on its head — rather than your teeth slowly sinking into the skin, the flaky exterior creates a satisfying crunch that’s as messy as it is delicious.

Most of the items in the collection include a sweet yam filling, but the collection also includes D24 Durian and vegetarian variants as well. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, you might also want to try out the Mini Cheesrispy Lotus With Yolk, which throws parmesan and cheddar cheese into the mix.

Garden Pastry Crispy Skin Pure Yam Mooncakes
$48 For A Box of 4
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Also Read Oreo They Didn’t – We Tried The New Oreo Mooncakes So You Don’t Have To

(Header Image Credit: Golden Moments)