Audience: Foodies

This Aussie Dude Sells Makcik-Approved Nasi Lemak At Aliwal Street

Fighting over which country makes the best Nasi Lemak has been a constant debate that never seems to get resolved.

Nasi Lemak has been a long perennial favourite among Singaporeans regardless of race. So I understand why we’re so territorial over our Nasi Lemak.

Question is, do we really know our nasi lemak? Are we truly the best?

Most of us have had Nasi Lemak from both Singapore and Malaysia, but have you guys tried Nasi Lemak cooked by an Australian guy?

We have.

And he’s definitely our new competitor.

Nasi Lemak For The Soul

SoulFood Catering has been around for the last 8 months but no one ever really paid attention to this humble shop located at Aliwal Street.

Meet Brett and his wife, Yani. They’ve been married for the last 5 years and they both run SoulFood Catering.

Now, my expectations for their Nasi Lemak was low because I’m a Malay girl and I KNOW my Nasi Lemak. An Ang Moh cooking Nasi Lemak completely threw me off because I was expecting a 50 year old makcik or auntie to serve me instead.

As I walked to the entrance, Brett flashed me a smile and warmly welcomed me with a question: “You ready to makan?”

Brett first discovered Nasi Lemak while on holiday in Malaysia. After multiple tries of recreating Nasi Lemak in his kitchen back in Australia, he was never satisfied with the outcome.

That’s where his wife and mother in law came into the picture.

“My wife and mak (mother in malay), are both great cooks. They’re amazing. One thing led to another, now we have this little shop in Aliwal.

“Everybody knows Nasi Lemak, it’s cultural. You just can’t go wrong with it.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Sugar, Spice, And Everything Nice

Unlike the typical nasi lemak stalls, SoulFood Catering offers a variety of Nasi Lemak. From your standard fried chicken wing to Barbecued Salmon, you name it, they have it all.

But what makes their Nasi Lemak special would definitely be the different ingredients that comes with it.

“Back in Australia, I used to enjoy a good barbecue. We’d grill meats and enjoy food with our friends.”

From chicken and prawns to salmon and scallops, they’re all barbecued fresh upon order.

The sambal however, is the star of this simple dish. We all know a good sambal makes or breaks a good plate of Nasi Lemak.

“Mak, makes the best sambal. Oh you have to try it to believe it!”, he exclaimed.

Yani laughed and added, “I haven’t learn how to make the sambal yet, but I know she’ll make me learn it soon!”

Singapore’s Next Top Nasi Lemak 

The basic Nasi Lemak with Chicken Wing ($4) was definitely a game-changer.

As I took my first bite, I was left completely speechless. That sambal, was honestly love at first bite.

I haven’t met this famous Mak they fondly spoke of but I knew I have to meet her some day.

They gave me a generous portion of sambal which I was happy about as most sellers are quite stingy with theirs. The sambal was definitely spicy but it had a hint of sweetness which made it enjoyable and not jelak at all.

The chicken wing was coated in their own special batter as well. It was fragrant and incredibly crispy – just the way any good fried chicken wing should be. The recipe for their chicken wings took multiple tries before they finally settled on the perfect combination. I also liked that the outer coating was not too thick to the extent that it became overwhelming.

If you know your rice, a lot of stalls swap jasmine rice for basmati rice instead. Which just doesn’t give you the same satisfaction.

The rice is prepared in the shop and is the perfect balance of lemak and not being overly “mushy”. From the moment the rice is scooped from the massive rice cooker, your senses will be awoken. Mix the rice together with the sweet and spicy sambal and that itself can be a meal on its own.

Next up, I got the BBQ Prawns Nasi Lemak ($8.90) which comprises of the standard coconut rice, fried ikan bilis, a fried egg, a generous dollop of sambal and of course, 4 juicy prawns that are barbecued to perfection.

This one took about 5-10 minutes of waiting time. Smoke started to fill the shop as Brett was manning the barbecue station in the kitchen. He placed the prawns on the grill and covered it with a lid to ensure that the prawns are evenly cooked and contain all that smokey flavour.

Once that was done, he glazes them with his special sambal oil which gives it that fiery red colour.

I know we’re all lazy to peel our prawns but this is one dish that is worth getting your fingers dirty for.

Saving the best for last, the BBQ Salmon Steak Nasi Lemak ($9.90) was the one I was most excited for.

You’ll have to wait at least 20 minutes for the salmon but rest assured, it’s definitely worth the wait.

He first seasons the salmon with salt, pepper and mixed herbs before throwing it on the grill. Just like the prawns, he covers them with the lid so you’ll get that extra smokey flavour.

He then glazes the salmon with the sambal oil for the extra kick.

Despite being on the grill for about 20 minutes, the salmon was perfectly cooked throughout and best part, the skin was crispy as well. Safe to say, I had a real good food coma afterwards.

Atmosphere at SoulFood Catering

To sum up their entire menu, it would definitely be “Australian Meets Singapore Nasi Lemak” – and I’m all up for it.

It’s not your traditional everyday nasi lemak but this is perfect if you want an upgrade from your usual Changi Village Nasi Lemak.

The space may not be ideal for big groups but it’s definitely a great option if you prefer to dabao your lunch instead. It gets a bit hot and stuffy when they start grilling as the space is not big but there are a couple of seats outside for you to enjoy your meal.

The shop may often be overlooked as they’re located on the quieter part of Aliwal street but this shop definitely does not lack in character and flavours.

The next time you’re in the area, drop by SoulFood Catering for your Nasi Lemak fix.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think the Australians won this time round.

SoulFood Catering
Address: 77 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199948
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm, Sat: 10.30am – 10.00pm, Sun: 10.30am – 8.30pm, Closed on Tuesdays.
Contact No.: 8767 8299
Facebook

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

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

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

If the sheer number of articles, videos and opinion pieces showing up on our news feeds in the past week are any indication, it’s clear that we’ve reached peak Crazy Rich Asians hype.

There’s been a lot of discussion surrounding the movie, and while we’re generally okay with how Singapore was portrayed, one scene that did irk us was when the main characters visit Newton Food Centre and declared its satay as the best in Singapore.

Uh…no. We’re not calling ourselves the ultimate authority on food, but we’re pretty sure that we’ve had better ones at East Coast and Lau Pa Sat, at the very least.

While it might not have the best satay, it *is* true that Newton Circus is home to some really good eats. If you’re planning to head down to this iconic hawker centre to channel your inner Rachel Chu, here are the six dishes that you should be trying out instead:

Bee Heng Popiah

If you’re looking for an appetiser before going all-out, then Bee Heng Popiah ($4.40 for a minimum order of 2) is pretty much the only right choice here.

The generous amount of shredded turnip is probably enough to warrant a place on this list, but it’s the skin that’s the real star of the show. Unlike other Popiah’s it has a light, sweet taste of its own, which blends well with the other ingredients of egg, nuts and shrimp.

The soft skin makes for a weak foundation, however, and there’s about a 60% chance that the abundance of ingredients will spill out before you can bring it to your mouth.

Some might prefer more structurally sound Popiah’s, but if you’re willing to put up with the mess you’ll be treated to one of the tastiest versions of this beloved dish that we’ve had.

Bee Heng
Unit: #01-12

XO Bak Chor Mee

There’s Bak Chor Mee…and then there’s XO Bak Chor Mee ($4.50).

If you’re a fan of minced meat noodles and haven’t tried this variant, you owe it to yourself to. Thanks to the addition of…well, XO, the noodles don’t dry out as fast, and quite literally add a new layer of savoury taste to it.

The “meat” part of the dish isn’t anything to scoff at, either — the pork was extremely lean and pretty much melted in our mouths, and the minced meat was so abundant that we had enough to put in every spoonful.

The best part of the dish, however, is still the Fuzhou fish ball, which might honestly be the best Fuzhou fish ball that we’ve ever eaten. There’s only one per bowl, which is probably a good thing because any more would lead to a full-blown addiction.

XO Minced Meat Noodle
Unit: #01-10

Kwee Heng Duck Noodle

On their own, the ingredients of Kwee Heng’s Duck Noodles ($4) aren’t anything to write home about — the noodles and soup are standard prawn noodle fare, and the duck strangely enough tastes a bit like chicken.

When eaten as a whole, however, the flavour profile is flipped on its head in the best of ways. The saltiness of the soup is perfectly complimented by the lighter taste of the meat, creating a balanced taste that’s just the right amount of savoury.

And if for some reason that isn’t enough, adding a hint of chilli further enhances the flavour with an extra kick of sweet spiciness. We admittedly weren’t expecting much from this dish, but it quickly grew to become one of our favourites.

Kwee Heng
Unit: #01-13

Stall 51 Hokkien Mee

With the use of thinner noodles, Stall 51’s Hokkien Mee ($5) is reminiscent of those served at Old Airport Road or Serangoon Gardens’ Chomp Chomp, and taste just as good as well.

The dish has just the right amount of wetness, and retained its consistency even after being left on the table while we got our other dishes (the hallmark of a good Hokkien Mee). The amount of seafood is decent enough, but its the generous serving of egg that really puts this on a whole other level.

And what’s Hokkien Mee without some good chilli? The owner jokingly warned us about how spicy his blend was, but despite its belachan-esque appearance we found it to be more sweet and spicy, and added a new dimension to the dish’s flavour. Needless to say, we wiped the plate clean.

Stall 51
Unit: #01-51

Alliance Seafood

Being awarded the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand for two years straight is no small feat, but we can totally see why the folks at Alliance Seafood managed to do so. The stall is probably best known for their Chilli Crab and Cereal Prawns, but we decided to go for the other crowd-favourite choice of stingray ($12) instead.

the meat was well-cooked throughout, and flaked off the bone as soon as we applied the slightest amount of pressure with our chopsticks. The dish is also lathered with sambal, and while it wasn’t as spicy as we would have wanted it to be, has a rather sweet taste that grows on you.

Much like Kwee Heng’s Duck Noodles, the two ingredients are okay on their own, but produce an entirely new taste when eaten together. We’d recommend flaking all the meat and giving it a good mix before eating to achieve the maximum effect.

Alliance Seafood
Unit: #01-27

Bangkok Express

When you think of “good Thai food”, the usual suspects like Nakhon Kitchen and…well, the entire Golden Mile Complex are usually the first places that come to mind.

Don’t let the rather random location of Bangkok Express fool you, though — with food prepared by an actual Thai chef, this unassuming stall will give your favourite haunts a run for their money, and is one of the best-kept secrets of those working around the Newton area.

Their extensive menu offers everything from Phad Thai to Basil Chicken, and with so much food already on our plates we decided to go for the Seafood Tom Yum Soup ($6).

While most Tom Yum dishes will have you ordering another cup of sugar cane, this iteration is surprisingly light on the spiciness, while still packing a strong, sweet flavour at the same time. They’re pretty generous with the seafood part as well, with squids and prawns appearing in pretty much every spoonful.

Bangkok Express
Unit: #01-04

Also Read 5 Must-Order Dishes At Hougang’s Hainanese Village For $4 And Under

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

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

Cafes have become increasingly popular across the island in the recent years, favoured by millennials due to their Pinterest-worthy aesthetics and brunch menus.

However, the truth is, most cafes have a pretty basic food menu. Call me cynical but pretty latte art and a good brew can only go so far.

But there’s a newcomer in town and they’re gearing up to spoil market.

A Cafe And More

As I stepped out of my Grab, I saw the place – an entirely white shophouse save for their pastel-coloured logo and address.

Stepping in, I feel like I just walked into a Scanteak x MUJI showroom.

Of the 3 levels in the shophouse, level one houses the coffee bar, cashier, kitchen, and some seating space.

Level 2 is where you’ll find the Flex Space, which is a larger area that can accommodate up to 32 people comfortably, and can be booked for corporate or private events.

The Flex Space is divided into 2 sections.

Flex Space 1 is the larger of the 2 and provides additional seating for customers who are simply there to dine.

Flex Space 2 is primarily allocated as a work space. It can also double as a space for conducting workshops.

East Meets West

Now, for the part you’re all waiting for, THE FOOD.

The menu at Grids & Circles doesn’t really centre around a specific cuisine. Though the easiest way to describe it would be “East meets West”.

I managed to try a few dishes specially curated by the Head Chef and Co-Founder, Daryl Lim.

To start things off, I was served a Watercress Potage with Bacon.

I’m a big fan of vegetables and chunky soups and this reminded me of a chunkier cream of broccoli. All I can say is, it didn’t stand a chance against my spoon – gone in 60 seconds.

The next dish was a Tamago Sando ($12).

A fat slab of Japanese tamagoyaki sits between 2 slices of white bread, one slathered in house made konbu mayo, and the other with a thin but useful layer of pear compote.

I’m not going to lie. This sandwich comprises everything I love, so I was a little disappointed with the flavour of the tamagoyaki because it tasted a bit bland.

The konbu mayo was generous but did little to elevate the sandwich and it was quickly becoming jelak, 3 bites in. That was until the pear compote came into play.

The sweet pear compote helped to balance the flavours of the sandwich so maybe a little more pear compote and less konbu mayo would be great.

The next dishes were mains in the form of their Summer Pasta ($16) and Almond Bacon Carbonara ($16).

The Summer Pasta has tagliatelle tossed in a bacon cream sauce with fennel, watercress, Japanese cherry tomatoes, and garnished with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.

The Almond Bacon Carbonara also uses tagliatelle tossed in bacon cream sauce, toasted almonds, an onsen egg, and Parmigiano Reggiano.

If I had to choose one, I’d go for the Summer Pasta. The textures and subtle flavours from every ingredient made it a very enjoyable dish to eat. 10/10 will order again.

For the vegetarians, vegetarian options are available for all pastas.

The next to arrive was an interesting Modanyaki Slider.

Modanyaki is a type of okonomiyaki which also contains yakisoba for a double whammy of carbs. What Head Chef Daryl Lim has done, is that he took the key ingredients of a modanyaki and turned it into a slider.

There’s the beef patty, lettuce, katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), okonomiyaki sauce, konbu mayo, spring onions, and a unique “noodle crisp”.

The noodle crisp is made by blending cooked instant ramen into a paste, smearing it on a baking sheet and toasting. What you get is a thin, pale crisp that looks like uncooked tau kee (beancurd skin). While it’s tasteless, it does add an interesting texture to the slider.

Next, the Salmon Ochazuke ($16).

Now, I’m a huge fan of Ochazuke and it’s really hard to find good ones in Singapore.

The version here comes with seared sous vide salmon, shredded shiso leaf, nori strips, umeboshi (salted plum), brown rice, and bacon dashi green tea.

If you’re looking for something comforting for lunch, this is it. There’s no other way to describe this. You have to try it for yourself.

Ending off the meal were 2 desserts – the Matcha Affogato ($11) and the Strawberry Wonderland ($16).

The Strawberry Wonderland comes with 2 pancakes, strawberry compote, basil and mint sauce, and fresh strawberries sitting on a cloud of chantilly cream.

It’s simple, straightforward and so darn good.

You can also choose from their seasonal homemade cakes and pastries in the display at level 1.

Now, for the drinks, Grids & Circles has a rather extensive drinks menu. Choose from coffees, teas, cold brews, coffee and tea-based lattes, and even craft beers!

I got myself an Iced Hibiscus Tea with Honey and Mandarin Oranges ($7.50) because I’m boujee and I like sweet drinks. Bite me.

It was great for a while, before the ice melted and the drink started tasting a little like Ribena. But I liked it nonetheless. It’s refreshing for sure.

Finally, what makes Grids & Circles so unique, is that they hold tea degustations for the public, conducted by Clement Lim, a coffee and tea connoisseur and certified sommelier. He’s also the younger brother of Head Chef Daryl Lim.

The Fine Teas menu is separated into Classic Teas, Artisanal Teas, and Pinnacle Teas, in ascending order of quality.

Tea degustation ranges from $18 to $58, depending on the set of teas you choose for the session.

I highly recommend the tea degustation if you love your tea.

Despite their rather bustling location, Grids & Circles provides a respite from the hustle of the city. With good food, great coffee and tea, a cosy ambience, and even greater service.

I’m definitely returning for more, and if you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for?

Grids & Circles
Address: 200 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058749
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 9am – 9pm, Fri – Sat: 9am – 11pm, Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 6935 3546
Website

Also read This New Cafe Serves The Dopa-st Gelato In S’pore, And You Can Choose To Have It With Croissant!

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)

This New Cafe Serves The Dopa-st Gelato In S’pore, And You Can Choose To Have It With Croissant!

We’ve had ice cream paired with waffles, cookies, cones, bread, but thanks to Dopa Dopa Creamery, we now have ice cream with butter croissants!

New to the slew of cafés that have been sprouting on South Bridge Road is a small artisanal ice cream cafe, Dopa Dopa Creamery.

Dose of DOPAmine

Located just 2 minutes away from Clarke Quay MRT, Dopa Dopa Creamery is the perfect place to unwind on those hot sunny afternoons.

Whether it is a scoop of refreshing sorbet in the middle of the day or an indulgent dessert to end off your night, Dopa Dopa Creamery will please you with their range of ice cream.

Selling out on their first day of operations, here is why you need to make a trip down to Dopa Dopa Creamery if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Serving only a maximum of 8 ice-cream flavours a day, Dopa Dopa Creamery’s stretchy, gooey and creamy gelato is something for hot days. The thick consistency gives the icy treat a slight chewiness, which makes it great on their crunchy cone, flaky croissant and, of course, on its own.

https://www.facebook.com/dopadopasg/videos/221473108549433/

The Watermelon Mint and Apple Ginger sorbets are refreshing options, but if you’re seeking richer flavours, get the Roasted Pistachio or Speculoos with Lotus Biscuit which features bits and pieces of crushed caramel biscuits mixed into a creamy and milky base, giving it an extra crunchy texture

Premium flavours include Green Tea Toasted Rice, Hojicha, Home Roasted Pistachio, Home Roasted Hazelnut, and Speculoos with Lotus Biscuit.

Basic flavours like Banana, Apple Ginger Sorbet and Watermelon Mint Sorbet, meanwhile, are lighter and refreshing, making them a perfect accompaniment to the richer, premium flavours.

We highly recommend skipping the mainstream cups and cones and going straight for their flaky butter croissants instead ($5.50).

Plus, Dopa Dopa Creamery also serves staple coffee selection such as the flat white, black and espresso as well as a range of brewed tea from local tea retailer Leefe Tea. So coffee enthusiasts can look forward to getting a cuppa to complement the sweetness of their desserts.

If you’re looking for a decent stopover for some grab-and-go ice-cream, then head on down to Dopa Dopa Creamery for a treat.

Dopa Dopa Creamery
Address: 29 South Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 059665
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs : 12.00pm – 10.00pm, Fri – Sat : 12.00pm – 11.00pm, Sun : 12.00pm – 10.00pm
Facebook | Instagram

Also Read Have Breakfast At Tiffany’s: Free Croissants And Coffee From Tiong Bahru Bakery Available 27 Aug To 3 Sep

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Kat X, Burpple User Justyn Toh)

Have Breakfast At Tiffany’s: Free Croissants And Coffee From Tiong Bahru Bakery Available 27 Aug To 3 Sep

For those of you who loved the classic 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn, having ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is no longer a dream.

Tiffany & Co. is collaborating with Tiong Bahru Bakery as part of the launch of their Tiffany Paper Flowers collection in Singapore.

From 27 August to 3 September 2018, Tiong Bahru Bakery will be handing out free croissants and coffee from their striking turquoise kiosk outside ION Orchard.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm-WspPHqTb/

There are, however, certain prerequisites before you proceed to claim your croissant and coffee.

First, you’ll have to take a photo of the kiosk.

Next, upload it onto Instagram or Facebook with the hashtags #tiffanypaperflowers and #tiongbahrubakery.

That’s it. You have earned your breakfast. Or lunch. Note that the kiosk operates from 10am to 2pm daily.

But if a croissant and a coffee isn’t sufficient, then you might want to head to the actual OG Tiong Bahru Bakery instead, which has also been taken over by Tiffany & Co.’s signature colour.

This is a feast for eyes, as much as it is for the stomach.

For those of you who are more interested in the Tiffany Paper Flowers jewellery collection, check out their ad below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTjxuqn67d4

The collection arrives in Singapore on 1 September 2018. In the meantime, can I interest you in some light refreshments? A croissant, perhaps?

Tiffany & Co. x Tiong Bahru Bakery Kiosk
Venue: ION Orchard, outside Tiffany & Co.
Date: 27 Aug – 3 Sep 2018
Opening Hours: 10am – 2pm
Website

Also read Life’s A Beach – Sentosa Offers FREE Entry For S’poreans From 1 to 16 September

(Header Image Source: @tiongbahrubakery)

Take Your Tastebuds Around The World At S’pore’s Largest Food Fair – Happening 30 Aug To 2 Sep

As the end of August approaches, many events are taking place. If you love your booze, then you’ll be glad to know that Beerfest Asia will begin this Thursday all through the weekend.

However, if you’re not much of a drinker, then how about munching your way through the World Food Fair?

(Header Image Source:

FatBurger Gives You A Taste Of America With Its Quadruple-Sized Burgers – To Open 7 September

First, Shake Shack announces that they’ll be opening in Jewel Changi Airport.

Now, another American fast food chain has announced that they will be opening in Singapore – say hello to Fatburger!

Most of you would be wondering what Fatburger is, because our American fast food vocabulary is limited to Shake Shack, In-N-Out, Wendy’s and McDonald’s.

To start off, there is no affiliation to FatPapas or FatBoy’s.

All-American Fast Food

Fatburger has actually been around since 1952 and voted as America’s Best Burger on many occasions.

It’s odd that they’ve managed to stay out of Singaporeans’ fast food radar, considering that they have outlets in Japan, Beijing, and the Philippines.

Now that they’ve decided to open in Singapore, the first 2 stores will be opening in OneKM Mall in Katong and Velocity at Novena Square.

Here’s a look at what the stores are expected to look like.

If you think this is just another run-of-the-mill fast food chain, think again. Every burger is cooked upon order using fresh lean beef, chicken, or turkey.

While the full menu has not been revealed, we do know that you can choose to customise your burger in 4 available sizes – Single, Double, Triple, and Quadruple.

The last fast food chain that offered multi-layered burgers was Wendy’s (and we all know what happened to her). But here’s to Fatburger bringing it back because we’re all for customisable meals.

For sides, there’s your standard skinny fries, fat fries (chips), sweet potato fries, and onion rings. We’re loving this inclusivity. #AllSidesMatter

That’s not all, they even offer Buffalo Wings – traditional, boneless, and tenders.

To go with your burger, fries and buffalo wings, how about some milkshakes?

FatBurger has 4 flavours to choose from – Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Cookies & Cream.

The first outlet to open will be at OneKM, on 7 September 2018. The outlet at Velocity @ Novena Square will open a week later, on 14 September 2018.

Are you excited to try Fatburger?

Fatburger
Website

Also read If You’re Mad For Marbling, This Restaurant Serves Grade 9 Wagyu Beef Bowls Under $25

(Header Image Source: FatBurger Singapore)

If You’re Mad For Marbling, This Restaurant Serves Grade 9 Wagyu Beef Bowls Under $25

Let me just start off with a disclaimer – I’m a huge fan of steak.

So imagine my delight when I learned that I was going to be sampling Wagyu beef bowls one fine afternoon.

A short ride on my Grab later, I find myself in the heart of the CBD, at TOKIDON.

Beef Appreciation 101

Some background – TOKIDON is the new brainchild of the people who brought us sake gastrobar Kabuke, with the aim to educate customers and make them more discerning when it comes to beef.

Standing at the helm of this new venture, is Head Chef, Rio Neo.

Chef Neo started working in the kitchen when he was younger, helping out in his parents’ economic bee hoon stall, preparing ingredients and cooking. It is this experience which inculcated in him the belief that simple ingredients can produce big flavours, and that not everything has to be expensive to taste good.

He would later encounter the variety of Wagyu beef, as well as the different cuts and preparation methods during his time working in Fat Cow.

His stint in Kinki also equipped him with the know-how when it comes to food presentation and seamless fusion of different cuisines.

These experiences would subsequently culminate in TOKIDON’s menu.

A Beef-ed Up Menu

TOKIDON specialises in Wagyu beef bowls.

Chef Neo uses Grade 6 and Grade 9 Australian grass-fed Wagyu beef in the rice bowls.

For those of you who don’t know what the rankings mean, Australian Wagyu goes by the ranking of 1 to 9, with Grade 9 Wagyu having the best marbling (fat to lean meat ratio).

He mentions that he personally sources for the farms that raise the cows, to ensure that they live in optimal conditions and that the way the cows are slaughtered plays a part in the quality of the beef.

“Happy cows equals to delicious beef”, he quipped.

TOKIDON serves up 4 cuts of beef – Wagyu Tenderloin, Wagyu Striploin, Striploin, and Wagyu Shortplate.

If you’re new to Wagyu beef, Chef Neo recommends the Gyu Don ($11.90) which uses Striploin. It has a balanced fat to lean meat ratio, so it won’t be too rich and jelak after finishing a bowl.

But for those of you looking for something a little different, go for the Wagyu Sukiyaki Don ($17.90) which uses Wagyu Shortplate. It’s a unique cut of beef that’s offered at TOKIDON.

Wagyu Shortplate is usually braised or slow-cooked to offset the chewy and tougher texture of the cut. At TOKIDON, the Wagyu Shortplate is sliced thinly and cooked sukiyaki-style, before it’s served in the beef bowl.

The result is a Wagyu beef bowl that makes Yoshinoya’s Gyu Don retire in shame.

Chef Neo’s personal favourite, however, is the Truffle Wagyu Don ($23.90), which uses Wagyu Striploin and is dressed with a house blend of truffle and soy sauce.

For the accompanying pescatarians, TOKIDON didn’t forget about you guys. They have a Salmon Cha Soba ($16.90) which comes with a teriyaki-glazed, sashimi-grade salmon served on a base of green tea soba and an onsen egg.

If you’re looking to reduce your carb intake, you can choose from a salad or cha soba for other base options.

While the mains are great, the sides aren’t lacking either, with options such as Tori Karaage skewers with Yuzu mayo ($1.90), Fried Ebi skewers with Mentaiko sauce ($1.90), Spicy Corn Cup ($3.90), and Wagyu Suji Miso Soup ($3.90).

The side that stood out to me was the Wagyu Suji Miso Soup. It was an interesting creation and I’ve never seen it served in Singapore.

Chef Neo explained that he tries not to waste any part of the beef, so he used the wagyu trimmings to make the soup, and mixed in miso paste for additional flavour.

“Suji is actually a dish I came upon when I was in travelling in Japan, where it was served in traditional restaurants. It’s like a stew that the Japanese usually prepare in Winter. It’s very comforting”, said Chef Neo.

This is a side dish that you have to try. It’s worth every cent.

TOKIDON also has a Sunakku menu that starts at 3pm. The only items on the Sunakku menu currently are the Wagyu Sliders ($12.90) and Wagyu Bolognese ($9.90).

The Wagyu Bolognese comes served with buttered, toasted slices of foccacia, which goes incredibly well with the Wagyu Bolognese.

The beverage menu features authentic Japanese canned drinks (from $2.90) and cup sakes ($11.90).

Happy hour begins from 4pm to 9pm and every order of 10 beers or 5 cups of sakes will get you one-hour of FREE FLOW TORI KARAAGE. This is not a joke.

TOKIDON Merchandise

Food aside, TOKIDON has also collaborated with local artist and creator of Kult Magazine, Gallery & Studio, Mojoko, and Flabslab to come up with official merchandise.

Get the limited edition “Tok-Tee” for $59.90, or the adorable 8-bit acrylic keychains at $9.90 each, or $26.90 for a set of 3.

What’s more, with every purchase of a beef bowl at TOKIDON will earn you a chance to try your hand at their Gachapon machine where you’ll stand to win any of the acrylic keychains or meal vouchers.

So if you ever get the craving for wagyu beef, TOKIDON is the place to go, with really affordable (there’s no GST) and high quality Wagyu beef bowls, perfect for the uninitiated or seasoned wagyu connoisseur.

As for me, I’m definitely returning for more wagyu beef bowls because I am officially converted.

Update (20/09/2018):

TOKIDON has just announced island-wide delivery with all orders made through the their website, with free delivery on orders $100 and above!

If you’ve been longing to feast on their beef bowls, TOKIDON has also released the Beef Bowl Party Set which is great for a group of six. The set comprises of two Gyudon, two Sukiyaki Wagyu Don, two Truffle Wagyu Don with two Tori Karaage, two Corn Cups and six Green Tea for $99 only (U.P. $136.40).

A $20 delivery charge applies for all orders under $50 and just a $10 delivery charge for all orders above $50.

Now, you can enjoy TOKIDON’s repertoire of gourmet beef bowls, featuring only the best Grade 6 Wagyu slices and Grade 9 Sukiyaki Wagyu, in the comfort of your home or office.

TOKIDON
Address: 16 Raffles Quay, Hong Leong Building #B1-33, Singapore 048581
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 9pm
Contact no.: 9151 9572
Website

Also read Can’t Fight This ‘Filling’ – This Izakaya In Novena Serves Gyoza In Unique Flavours Under $8

(Header Image Source: TOKIDON)

Oreo They Didn’t – We Tried The New Oreo Mooncakes So You Don’t Have To

The Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us, and that can only mean one thing — mooncakes are going to be a constant in our diets for the next month or so.

As usual, you can count on all the bakeries, Chinese restaurants and hotel chains to release their usual fare, but the one that’s caught our attention this year are the Oreo branded mooncakes.

Yup, you heard us right — everyone’s favourite cookie brand has released a set of six “Wonderfilled” mooncakes, with flavours ranging from Brownie Chocolate to Custard & Pineapple Flavoured Jam.

Trust us, we’re just as curious as you, and since eating is…well, kind of our job, we decided to get a box for ourselves to see how they taste.

Brownie Chocolate

This was hands-down the most popular choice in the office, probably because it looks like an Oreo cookie in mooncake form.

The taste, however, is a whole other situation altogether.

As its name suggests, the Brownie Chocolate mooncake is primarily filled with a chocolate flavoured paste — the kind you usually find in mooncakes, just chocolate flavoured — along with a hint of the more traditional lotus seed paste in the center.

While a chocolate mooncake might sound good on paper (to us, at least), the combination of flavours don’t exactly go well together, with the distinct flavours of both jockeying for position in your mouth. The result is a taste that’s not strong on either front, ultimately resulting in a rather underwhelming taste.

Double Chocolate With Milk

If you’ve ever eaten those White Rabbit candies before (really, who hasn’t?), then the taste of the Double Chocolate With Milk mooncake is going to be very familiar to you. The taste of the skin starts off rather mild, but after a few seconds a strong, milky flavour creeps up on you.

The rest of the mooncake is pretty much an inverse of the Brownie Chocolate, with a lotus seed paste filling surrounding a chocolate centre. It’s supposedly double the chocolate, but we really couldn’t tell the difference, to be honest.

With more lotus seed paste in this one, however, the flavours are spread out a little more evenly, and when paired with the milk skin everything comes together pretty nicely to produce just the right amount of sweet and savoury.

Strawberry Jam

Unlike the previous two in this list, the strawberry Jam mooncake has a jelly-esque center that forms the center of its taste as well.

Considering that everything from the skin to the main filling is strawberry flavoured, however, everything is just slightly different variations of the same thing, and despite that there still isn’t much of a kick to it.

We’re thinking that strawberry just doesn’t work well as a mooncake flavour, and it might have been *slightly* better if they had used snow skin instead.

For what it is, though, we’ll pass.

Custard & Pineapple Flavoured Jam

Just like the Strawberry Jam before it, the taste of the Custard & Pineapple Flavoured Jam mooncake is dominated by it’s jelly filling, and more than one person in the office compared it to a pineapple tart.

As we’d come to expect by this point, however, its flavour wasn’t particularly strong, and you’d probably be better off eating an actual pineapple tart.

The custard flavoured skin does adds a rather unique, buttery taste, and if we had to pick a favourite out of the four it’d probably be this one.

Final Thoughts

If these mooncakes didn’t have the Oreo branding stamped onto their faces, we really wouldn’t have known that they belonged to the cookie company.

We really wish that Oreo’s attempt at mooncakes would’ve tasted…well, a little more Oreo-y (putting their signature cream inside, perhaps?), instead of playing it safe with a standard that you could probably find at your neighbourhood bakery.

If you’re ready to give in to the gimmick and still want to try these out for yourself, they’re available right now at select FairPrice outlets for $29.90, or $26.90 if you order online from their website.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you, though.

Also Read 5 Must Order Dishes At Hougang’s Hainanese Village For $4 And Under

(Header Image Credit: Discover SG)

No Friends, No Problem – Deliveroo Removes Minimum Spending So You Can Order For One

If you’re like me and find that most of your income is going to food delivery services, then I’ve got great news.

As of today, Deliveroo has REMOVED minimum spending for orders in densely populated neighbourhoods such as Jurong, Woodlands, Sengkang, Punggol and Tampines!

This isn’t the full list, don’t worry. I’ll get to it below.

Say Goodbye To Minimum Spending

Previously, users will have to hit a minimum spending of $12 to be able to complete your order and have it delivered.

But not anymore! Because let’s be honest, the function only ended up with more food wastage and excessive spending for no particular reason.

Now, here’s the full list of neighbourhoods that will have $0 minimum spending implemented.

• Admiralty
• Ang Mo Kio
• Bedok
• Boon Lay
• Bukit Batok
• Bukit Panjang
• Choa Chu Kang
• Hougang
• Jurong East
• Jurong West
• Loyang
• Mandai
• Pasir Ris
• Punggol
• Sengkang
• Sembawang
• Tampines
• Woodlands
• Yishun

Other than these heartlands, the $0 minimum spend will also be implemented in the Central Business District (CBD) but there’s a catch – it’s only applicable for orders BEFORE 6pm.

Anyway, this is great news for people like me who use the food delivery service a lot because having to constantly find people to pile on the orders to hit minimum spending is tedious.

With this change, there’s no better time to download and use Deliveroo!

Also read Deliveroo Singapore Offers Halal-Only Delivery Bags To Cater To Their Muslim Customers

(Header Image Source: Deliveroo)