Author: Ian Lim

East Meets West At Birdfolks, Where American Fried Chicken Is Served With Kopi

There has been a recent spate of Korean-style fried chicken restaurants opening in Singapore. From 4Fingers to Chir Chir, sometimes all we want is just to have good ol’ American-style fried chicken.

Crispy, juicy, and greasy. That’s the way fried chicken should be, unclouded by a myriad of gimmicky flavours.

At Birdfolks, that is what they are serving – good ol’ American-style fried chicken.

Leave It To The Birdfolks To Serve Good Fried Chicken

Located at 1 West Coast Drive, their Signature Chicken Rice Box ($9.90) includes edamame, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, their house recipe boneless fried chicken and comes topped with a sous vide egg!

The best part is you get to choose from 4 different flavours of rice!

Choose from Original, Cilantro Lime, Tomato Oregano, and the recommended Garlic Butter rice.

Someone get me a tissue. Now. I need to stop drooling!

If you’re looking for a more traditional chicken meal, try the Thigh & Drum ($12.90) which includes 2 pieces of their signature American-styled brined fried chicken, served with fries.

What makes their fried chicken special is that the chicken is brined in a blend of seasonings before frying. This allows the chicken to retain its juiciness, ensuring satisfaction with each bite.

Another popular item on the menu is the Wasabi Mayo Chicken Sandwich ($12.90).

Chopped fried chicken is tossed in wasabi mayo before being sandwiched in dark rye sourdough (because white bread and burger buns are mainstream) with julienned carrots and corn kernels for crunch.

The cafe doesn’t serve up much in terms of drinks. Diners can choose from canned drinks ($2.80), honey lime tea ($2.60 for hot, $3.20 for iced), chocolate ($2.60 for hot, $3.20 for cold), kopi or teh. The choice of drink is clear. Teh is the weh (way) to go.

This quaint fried chicken joint currently seats 30 people and the food is really satisfying. We recommend that you pop by if you’re in the area!

Birdfolks
Address: NEWest, 1 West Coast Drive, #01-75, Singapore 128020 (Nearest MRT: Clementi)
Opening Hours: Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Contact no.: 6924 0876
Someone Finally Opened A Durian Specialty Cafe, And It Serves More Than The Typical Puffs And Cakes

(Header Image Source: @birdfolks.sg)

Magic! Set To Perform In S’pore For One Night Only In January 2018

Ladies and gentlemen, please do not panic.

MAGIC!, the singers of the 2014 summer earworm, “Rude” will be performing in Singapore on 26 January 2018, at The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel.

The Toronto-bred, LA-based band is made up of lead vocalist, guitarist and producer Nasri Atweh, guitarist Mark Pellizzer, bass guitarist Ben Spivak, and percussionist Alex Tanas.

The reggae-pop quartet took the no. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks back in 2014 with their hit song, “Rude”. The upbeat reggae-pop song sold more than 10 million singles and charted in 41 countries.

Watch MAGIC! perform “Rude” along with other hits such as “Don’t Kill The Magic”, “Let Your Hair Down”, and their upcoming single “Darts In the Dark”.

Early bird tickets go on sale on all SISTIC channels at $118 from 5 to 8 October 2017. Public sales will start on 9 October 2017.

Grab your tickets here.

Magic! Live in Singapore
Venue: The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa
Date: 26 Jan 2018
Price: Early Bird Tickets: $118; Standard Tickets: $128 (excluding Booking fee)
Website

Also read Jurassic Park Stomps Into Esplanade With A Complete Orchestra And We’re Quaking

(Header Image Source: blog.cheatbook.de)

Because Flat Whites Are Boring, This Cafe Serves Up Latte In A Gorgeous Lavender Hue

If a pastel purple sweet potato latte is not something you find beautiful, we don’t know what is. This gorgeous concoction can be found on the menu at Abbie’s Coffeehouse at Havelock II.

Slaying The Coffee Game

Abbie’s Coffeehouse, previously known as Slayer Coffee, is a local mobile coffee catering service opened by Abbie Tok.

They offer specialty coffee catering for events, barista and latte-art courses, and coffee appreciation events. The cafe space at Havelock II can also be booked for events. Generally, a great one-stop space for all things coffee.

The cafe offers 10 different types of coffees priced from $3.50 to $5.50, 5 different types of teas at $4.50 each, 2 unique latte flavours and also hot chocolate for those seeking a caffeine-free option.

Unique latte flavours and Chocolate go for $5 and iced versions of all drinks are an additional $1.

For those looking for a bite, they have a Matcha Infusion Cheesecake ($7), Espresso & Matcha Jinglepuffs (Jigglypuff?) and a 70% Dark Cacao Brownie.

We are obsessed with the stunning Roasted Sweet Potato Latte ($5), which easily stands out in a sea of brown and flat whites.

The unique colour is really pleasing to the eyes. The drink may sound carb-loaded and heavy, but it’s surprisingly creamy and light, with bits of sweet potato for a subtle texture contrast.

However, if the taste doesn’t appeal to you, at least your Instagram will enjoy this cup of pastel brilliance!

Havelock II is a relatively quiet mall as it is more of a commercial space than a shopping mall but if you’re in the Clarke Quay area, do drop by for a coffee!

Abbie’s Coffeehouse
Address: Havelock II, 2 Havelock Road #02-14, Singapore 059763 (Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay MRT Exit A/B)
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 6pm; Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 8688 4256
This Juicery Is An Explosion Of Millennial Pink And We Want To Take Photos Against Every Wall

(Header Image Source: Abbie’s Coffeehouse)

This Juicery Is An Explosion Of Millennial Pink And We Want To Take Photos Against Every Wall

Just as we thought millennial pink was making its way out of trend, A Juicery has just opened up its first physical store, and it’s splashed in the unmistakable hue.

Image Credit: A Juicery Instagram

Located at Lorong Telok, you might want to put on shades when you enter this store because it is PINK AF. It reminds us of Charli XCX’s “Boys” music video. Where are the boys? Jay Park, hello?

Even the staff are decked in pink lab coats. Talk about commitment.

Founded in 2014, A Juicery started off as an online store selling a variety of unique juices.

There are 4 categories of juices available for selection.

Choose from green vegetable-based juices (‘Pure’), root vegetable-based juices (‘Fuel’), citrus fruit-based juices (‘Invigorate’) and nut-based milks (‘Calm’).

A 100ml bottle is tagged at $4, a 250ml bottle will cost $7, and the largest 400ml bottle will set you back $9 each.

Aesthetics aside, what’s cool about A Juicery is that they use local produce. Their juices use local vegetables such as bok choy, kai lan, chye sim, watercress, sweet potato leaves, lotus root, and bitter gourd.

A Bite, A Cleanse, An Instagram Chance

The store has very limited seating as it is meant to be a takeaway spot rather than a dine-in. In addition to their current range of juices, the store also sells different types of coffees ($3 – $6) and wraps if you’re looking for a bite.

The 3 wraps available are the Turkey Ham & Cheese, Roast Chicken & Mango, and Tangy Thai Chicken ($6.80 each).

We also got wind of a secret menu so do check with the baristas and juice staff. We know that one of the items on the secret menu is the Strawberry Latte.

It makes sense that there would be a strawberry-flavoured item on the menu, considering how everything is pink.

This store may be small, but it definitely has character.

So if you’re on a hunt for Instagram-worthy spots, this is one you should definitely check out, and get some drinks while you’re at it! Because we’re all about that LA juice cleanse life.

A Juicery
Address: 21 Lorong Telok Singapore 049033
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 8.30am – 5pm; Sat – Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 6533 1303
5 Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shops To Satisfy Your BBT Cravings Before Gong Cha Makes Its Return

(Header Image Source: A Juicery)

5 Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shops To Satisfy Your BBT Cravings Before Gong Cha Makes Its Return

Bubble tea has been a local favourite for over a decade.

This delicious milky – or milkless (we see you lactose intolerant crew) – tea comes with “pearls” which are essentially little chewy black orbs made from tapioca.

As it was tragically reported in May this year, Gong Cha, one of the largest bubble tea chains in Singapore pulled out of the country, and was replaced with the new local brand LiHo.

Many Singaporeans still pine for the return of Gong Cha and the company did not disappoint. They announced that they will eventually be returning to Singapore later this year.

The Prodigal Son Isn’t Back Yet, Can We Take Your Order?

Since Gong Cha hasn’t given us a specific date of return, here are some other good Taiwanese bubble tea shop alternatives that you can try!

1. Yuan Cha

Yuan Cha is a newcomer to the local bubble tea scene but reviews have been generally good.

Yuan Cha is known for their lower sugar levels and stronger tea flavour, which appeals to avid tea lovers who love to savour the taste of the tea instead of the sugar and milk.

Their QQ Rainbow “pearls” are made fresh daily, using matcha, yam, and sweet potatoes so they don’t include any food colouring or artificial flavouring.

We love that Yuan Cha is genuinely trying to place the tea in the spotlight and we highly recommend that you give them a try! Who knows, you might be a convert.

Image Credit: @shareteasg[/caption]

Sharetea was established in 1992 and now has franchises in more than 18 countries worldwide.

Jurassic Park Stomps Into Esplanade With A Complete Orchestra And We’re Quaking

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park, the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra presents “Jurassic Park In Concert” at the Esplanade Theatres, from 22 to 23 December.

[caption id="attachment_30364" align="aligncenter" width="1017"] Image Credit: Image Credit: Jurassic Park In Concert
Venue: Esplanade Theatre
Date: 22 – 23 Dec
Price: $105, $185, $255
The Smell Of Burning Rubber Is Still In The Air But You Can Already Buy GP 2018 Tickets

(Header Image Source: entertainment-focus.com)

The Smell Of Burning Rubber Is Still In The Air But You Can Already Buy GP 2018 Tickets

Rev your engines and prepare your wallets.

The Singapore Grand Prix has released “Super Early Bird” tickets for the 2018 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, provisionally scheduled to be held on 14 to 16 September 2018.

A Race To Grab Tickets

There will be a total of 10 three-day grandstand ticket categories sold in the “Super Early Bird” phase.

Other ticket categories available are the Zone 1 Walkout Combination Package and the three-day Premier Walkabout tickets.

Priced from $258 to $1788, racing fans will enjoy savings of up to 33% off regular ticket prices.

The Super Early Bird tickets are available from 27 September until 31 October via the SISTIC outlets in Singapore and all authorised ticketing agents worldwide.

For those of you who are looking forward to the 2018 Formula 1 Grand Prix, grab your tickets now for great savings!

You can purchase your tickets Teppei Syokudo Is Releasing Self-Heating Bento Boxes And It’s Like We’re Living in The Future

(Header Image Source: motorsportchannel.com)

According To Google Autocomplete, Singaporeans Are Freebie-Loving And… Selfish?

Have you ever tried to google yourself? Just to see what Google says about you? Or to check up on what people who share your name are up to all over the world?

Well today, we’re googling Singaporeans, on behalf of Singaporeans. Because self-awareness is important.

So, let’s dive in and see what Google thinks about Singaporeans!

Google Says:

Okay, right off the bat, the search suggestions are already negative. That’s encouraging.

To be fair, we do walk really fast. Look at our public transport crowds during peak hours, speeding up and down escalators with such nimbleness.

I realise that I developed a fast-walking habit which is really prominent when I go on holidays. It gets so bad to the point where my mother thinks that I’m embarrassed to walk with her.

Truth is, I just find it really hard to slow down because I only have 1 speed setting. Sorry Mummy.

Things got deep for a second there. Are we truly happy? Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Philosophy aside, Singapore is considered the most expensive city to live in, so we have some of the richest people in the world living here, though I wouldn’t really say that most of us are rich.

Are Singaporeans racist? Racial Harmony is important and friendship is nice. Peace, Love and Vegetables.

Why would you want to vote in the UK elections if you’re Singaporeans? Who’s actually googling these things? I am perplexed. Also, no, Singaporeans don’t speak a single word of English. Clearly.

Honestly, if you want to migrate or study overseas, just do it. Live your dreams.

Personally, I feel that Singlish isn’t something to be proud of. It’s great for casual conversations and daily interactions but not for official business. But that’s just me.

All I can say to the suggestions above is, YES. We like all of the above. Convenience is understood because everyone is innately lazy. Freebies and queueing go hand-in-hand because we queue for freebies. We’re very hardworking when it comes to freebies. Free Castella cakes, for example.

Google seems to have painted a rather distinct image of Singaporeans. We’re somewhat unhappy, speak English and Singlish, like to queue, like free things, and like convenience. Sounds like a typical city dweller to me.

This has been incredibly enlightening. I’m glad I know how to be a proper Singaporean now.

Also read: BAKE Is Warming Up The Oven Again, And They’re Serving A Zesty Twist On Their Classic Cheese Tarts

Teppei Syokudo Is Releasing Self-Heating Bento Boxes And It’s Like We’re Living in The Future

In July this year, there was a Chinese brand, Ba Shu Lan Ren, which was selling self-heating “Lazy” Ma La Hotpot.

This innovative meal comes with its own heating pack which reacts with water to generate enough heat to cook a small container of food.

Teppei Syokudo’s Hot New Creation

Teppei Syokudo is a casual dining concept brought to you by the same people who founded Teppei Restaurant. They are popular for their fuss-free, customisable Kaisen Dons which are a hit with Chirashi Don and Sashimi lovers.

Fast forward to 27 September, Teppei Syokudo is releasing their own series of self-heating bentos which utilise the same heating pack concept.

Out Of The Kitchen And Into Your Belly

There are 4 types of bentos: the Gyu Don ($15.80), Oyako Don ($12.80), Minced Meat Mapo Tofu Don ($12.80) and the Napolitan Pasta With Hamburg ($15.80).

Instead of the usual vacuum-packed ingredients, these bentos come ready to eat. All you have to do is prepare the heating pack and water.

The heating pack will take only 5 minutes to heat up the bento, so you don’t have to wait long to dig in!

For those of you who are fans of their Kaisen Don, do give these self-heating bentos a try. They can be ordered at any Teppei Syokudo outlet in Singapore. They definitely look more appetising than a microwaveable meal from a convenience store.

Also read Because Teh Is Better Than Kopi, Here Are All The Ways To Show Your Loyal-teh

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Joe Yang)

Because Teh Is Better Than Kopi, Here Are All The Ways To Show Your Loyal-teh

You don’t have to be a connoisseur to appreciate the wonder that is Teh. Or tea, as regular (read: non-Singaporean) people call it.

Teh is a lifeblood of Singapore, alongside it’s more caffeinated counterpart, Kopi (Coffee).

A local classic, Teh has many variations. Teh Tarik, Teh Halia, Teh Ais, Teh C, Teh O, the list goes on. But the frothy goodness of Teh Tarik trumps all. This “pulled” concoction of milk and tea is always a welcome beverage in every Singaporean meal.

Since Kopi already has its own life-sized bag, we refuse to let Teh lose out to this hype.

So, to demonstrate our love for this magical drink, we have compiled a list of Teh-related thingamabobs so you too can show your love for Teh!

Teh Cream Of Teh Crop

1. This Teh Tarik Graphic T-Shirt

Words cannot describe how badly I want this shirt. I am torn between framing this shirt up and wearing it 24/7. A genuine Teh Tarik-themed shirt is everything I never knew I needed.

2. Teh Best Postcard and Greeting Card

These are the only acceptable greeting cards/postcards to send to anyone. Hallmark, stand aside. Teh is the way to go.

3. Teh Tarik Iron On Patch and Sticker Patch

I am probably going to iron this on every shirt, shorts, pants, bag, fabric, curtain, towel and tablecloth that I own. I will build this Teh shrine. Watch me (Don’t quote me on that).

4. The Teh Peng Pin

I am crying tears of joy. This pin is beautiful. A Teh Peng pin? It’ll sit perfectly on my backpack. Or any tote, case, or makeup pouch. Check out the detail on the ice cubes.

5. Kopitiam Brooch (Teh and Teh Bao)

If you think that this brooch does not go with any formal attire, you are entitled to your wrong opinion. Because Kopitiam culture is the best culture.

6. Kopitiam Keychain (Teh Peng)

These quirky little trinkets come in the form of various food options from Teh, Kopi, Bandung, Milkmaid condensed milk to Laksa, Mee Pok Dry and Chicken Rice. Do you know which one I want? Guess.

7. Kopitiam Magnet (Teh Bao)

(Header Image Source: Carnival Munchies)