Category: Cafes In Singapore

Old Chang Kee’s Exclusive ‘Curry Day’ Flavours Are Unexpectedly Fruity – Will You Dare To Try Them?

Back in June, Old Chang Kee announced that Curry Day 2018 will be taking place on 27 and 28 July 2018.

In case you missed the announcement, here’s the article.

They also announced that they will be unveiling 2 new exclusive Curry puffs closer to Curry Day 2018.

Enter Old Chang Kee’s new Durian Curry Chicken’O and Jackfruit Curry Chicken’O.

Curry With Jackfruit And…Durian?

Sometimes, pandering to local cuisine can take drastic turns, and this is one of them.

It may be Durian season but we’re not quite sure what to feel about mixing Durian and Curry.

Jackfruit, on the other hand, might not be that much of a stretch, considering that jackfruit is a component used in curries in Bangladesh and other parts of Asia.

Here’s a look at the Durian Curry Chicken’O in all it’s pastel green glory.

And the Jackfruit Curry Chicken’O.

These new curry puffs will be available at Curry Day 2018 at Velocity@Novena Square.

It’ll cost $4 for 2 pieces for the new curry puffs. The Chilli Crab’O will also be available at Curry Day 2018.

Other than the myriad of Curry puff flavours you’ll find there, there will also be curry puff crimping demonstrations, so you can make your own at home! The kids can also take part in spice art lessons!

Are you looking forward to trying the Durian Curry Chicken’O and Jackfruit Curry Chicken’O?

Curry Day 2018
Venue: Velocity @ Novena Square, 238 Thomson Road, Singapore 307683
Date: 27 – 28 Jul 2018
Website

Also read Cold Stone Creamery’s Latest Concoction Features Cucumber Slices And…Spicy Sambal Ikan Bilis?

(Header Image Source: Old Chang Kee)

Cold Stone Creamery’s Latest Concoction Features Cucumber Slices And…Spicy Sambal Ikan Bilis?

In another tribute to Singapore’s upcoming birthday and our diverse food culture, Cold Stone Creamery has come up with 2 new hyperlocal ice cream flavours – Nasi Lemak and Pulut Hitam.

These new flavours are available from 14 July to 31 August 2018.

The Nasi Lemak Ice Cream consists of coconut ice cream, roasted peanuts, rice puffs, spicy sambal ikan bilis and cucumber slices.

Once again, we’re not sure how to feel about this. And why does every reimagined dish revolve around Nasi Lemak? Do we not any other iconic dishes?

The Pulut Hitam Ice Cream is a little more familiar. NSFs will remember the cookhouse aunties in Tekong giving Pulut Hitam ice cream on the warmer days.

The version served at Cold Stone Creamery consists of coconut ice cream and black glutinous rice. Plain and simple.

Currently, there’s a 1-for-1 promotion on the Nasi Lemak and Pulut Hitam flavours for just $8.50. You can also add a plain or Pandan waffle cup for $1.20.

This isn’t the first time that Cold Stone Creamery has come up with local flavours. Back in April, they launched Chendol Ice Cream.

Once again, these 2 new local flavours will be available from 14 July to 31 August 2018 at all Cold Stone Creamery outlets islandwide.

Are you going to try their Nasi Lemak ice cream?

Also read 10 Michelin Bib Gourmand Eateries Actually Worth Visiting, According To S’poreans

(Header Image Source: Cold Stone Creamery Singapore)

Old Chang Kee And Its Sister Brands Are Serving A Chilli Crab-Filled Menu From Now Till Aug 31

With National Day coming up, many restaurants are coming up with themed menu items to pay tribute to Singapore and Old Chang Kee is no exception.

This year, Old Chang Kee and its affiliated brands have come up with a Chilli Crab feast, with all things related to the beloved seafood dish.

Here’s what you can get.

Chilli Crab Feast With Old Chang Kee

All Outlets Islandwide

The first addition in the Chilli Crab Feast, is the Chilli Crab’O ($2.20).

This isn’t the first time that Old Chang Kee has released a Chilli Crab-flavoured curry puff. They did it back in 2014, though it didn’t have the red hue that this new one sports.

Another difference is that this new Chilli Crab’O uses real crab meat instead of the crabstick that was used in the previous one.

The Chilli Crab’O will be available at ALL Old Chang Kee outlets islandwide for a limited time only.

There’s also a promotion currently, where you can get 2 Chilli Crab’O for $4 (U.P: $4.40).

Old Chang Kee Flagship Coffeehouse @ Rex

The Old Chang Kee flagship coffeehouse at Rex will be introducing 2 new limited time menu items, the Flower Bread with Chilli Soft Shell Crab ($14.90) and the Mussels with Chilli Crab Sauce ($14.90).

Old Chang Kee’s signature flower bread is great for dipping in the chilli crab sauce.

The best part is that the dish uses soft shell crab so it’s easy to eat. Because we all know that the most troublesome part of eating chilli crab is prying the flesh from the crab.

The Flower Bread with Chilli Soft Shell Crab is great for sharing. If you’re not a big fan of crab, go for the Mussels with Chilli Crab Sauce.

These 2 dishes are exclusive to the Old Chang Kee flagship coffeehouse at Rex.

Old Chang Kee Coffee House
Address: 19/21/23 Mackenzie Road #01-01, Singapore 228678
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 11am – 9pm, Fri – Sat: 10am – 10pm, Sun: 10am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6732 1665
Website

Old Chang Kee @ Kallang Wave

You’ve heard of Lobster Nasi Lemak and other gimmicks, now get ready for Chilli Soft Shell Crab Nasi Lemak ($11.90).

Soft shell crab drenched in their special chilli crab sauce, served with coconut rice, ikan bilis and peanuts, a fried egg, and sambal chilli.

This new dish is exclusive to the newly opened Old Chang Kee outlet at Kallang Wave Mall and will be available for a limited time only.

Old Chang Kee @ Kallang Wave
Address: Kallang Wave, 1 Stadium Place, #01-20/#01-K9, Singapore 397628
Contact no.: 6702 3148

Curry Times

Yet another Chilli Soft Shell Crab dish, this time it’s Soft Shell Crab Noodles with Chilli Crab Sauce ($14.90).

Thick bee hoon (like the kind you have in your fried fish soup) is cooked in their special chilli crab sauce, and served with crispy soft shell crab.

This will be exclusive to Curry Time outlets for a limited time only.

Find your nearest Curry Times outlet Image Credit: Old Chang Kee[/caption]

Pillow soft bun filled with chilli crab sauce and REAL crab meat. It’s both the chilli crab AND the mantou.

Sounds good already.

Get yours exclusively at Bun Times for just $2!

Find your nearest Bun Times outlet Image Credit: Old Chang Kee[/caption]

You can choose from their QQ Fries, Chicken Skin, Chicken Pop, Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Chunks, and even Baby Squid!

They have 6 dipping sauces for you to choose from – Fiery Chilli, Honey Mustard, Wasabi, Cheddar Cheese, Barbecue, and Teriyaki.

Now they’re adding a new sauce to the menu for a limited time. It’s Chilli Soft Shell Crab Dip!

If you’re sick of dipping mantou into chilli crab sauce, then you should try dipping chicken nuggets instead.

Try the Chilli Soft Shell Crab sauce exclusively at Dip ‘N’ Go.

Dip ‘N’ Go
Address: 30 Woodlands Avenue 2, #01-31 Woodlands MRT, Singapore 738343
Contact no.: 6303 2400
Old Chang Kee’s Curry Day too!

A Poke Theory Is S’pore’s First Halal Poke Place – Customise Your Bowls From $9.90

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed growing up as a Muslim in Singapore would be the lack of healthy Halal-certified food options.

Most salad bars and poke bowl restaurants in Singapore aren’t halal so imagine my happiness when A Poke Theory finally announced that they finally got their Halal-certification.

Of course I had to head down and try it out for myself and finally understand what the hype surrounding poke bowls are all about.

Life’s Too Short To Eat Bad Food

If you have no idea what poke bowls are, it’s a traditional Hawaiian “salad” filled with rice, covered with chunks of raw, marinated fish (usually tuna) and topped with lots of vegetables and umami-packed sauces.

What you get is an Instagram-worthy poke bowl that looks good and tastes amazing as well!

[caption id="attachment_35757" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

In Hawaii, it’s often found everywhere, from gas stations to roadside stands. Diners get to pick out the kind of poke they want and get it to go in a Styrofoam container.

Stepping into A Poke Theory instantly brought me back to the time I first had my poke bowl in LA. It’s modern, minimal and even the music selection was a 10 out of 10. Definitely a great place to gather your friends or family for a healthy meal.

[caption id="attachment_35754" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

A Poke Theory has been around since July 2016 and it only made sense for them to move towards feeding a community even larger than what they they were already catering for.

There were several major changes that the owner, Joey Lee, and his head chef had to make to the recipes in order to maintain the same taste and quality. They spent over 3 weeks making changes to the soy sauce which was a major part of the marinade as well as coming up with their own furikake which took over a month and half.

[caption id="attachment_35758" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

Despite all the delays and challenges that they faced, they managed to re-engineer their prized marinades with Halal-certified ingredients to achieve the same taste as their original non-Halal marinades.

I spoke to one of the founders of A Poke Theory, Joey Lee, who is the mastermind behind all the recipe creations.

“Normally if you already have a winning formula, you wouldn’t want to change it. However, if we can make the Halal ingredients taste the same or even improve the recipe, it pushes us out of our comfort zone.”

In fact, they taste almost similar that regular customers could barely see the change in the recipes as adaptations to include Halal ingredients have already been incorporated to gradually over the last 4 months so as to keep quality control at its peak.

[caption id="attachment_35763" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

Ordering a Poke bowl here is simple. All you have to do is pick a size ($9.90, $12.90, $15.90), your choice of base, poke (up to 2 options), free toppings and additional premium toppings that are freshly made daily.

If it’s your first time ordering a poke bowl, we highly recommend you getting the Lemon Herb Quinoa which pairs really well with the poke. It’s definitely a lighter option as compared to the signature sushi rice.

[caption id="attachment_35766" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

Be adventurous and get both the tuna and salmon! Their two best-selling poke would be the Spicy Garlic Sesame Tuna and Avocado Miso Salmon. The Avocado Miso sauce is a hit at A Poke Theory as the sauce is thick and creamy from the combination of olive oil, fresh spinach leaves and greek yoghurt. No mayo is included which makes it completely healthy and guilt-free!

They’ll be releasing new seasonal special flavours as well. Diners can look forward to their Romesco Salmon soon which is a bold step away from their typical Asian flavours.

[caption id="attachment_35768" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

With the smallest bowl priced at $9.90, it’s definitely an affordable and healthy lunch option especially if you’re working around the CBD areas.

If you’re looking for a healthy sweet treat, A Poke Theory makes gorgeous looking Superfood smoothie bowls which makes for a great post-gym fuel or after-work tête-à-têtes.

[caption id="attachment_35769" align="aligncenter" width="1078"] Image Credit: @apoketheory[/caption]

Swap your morning coffee for their cold pressed juices which ais packed with lotsa wholesome goodness, all bottled and ready to go for you. Their juice recipes are improvised from whatever leftover ingredients which is in line with A Poke Theory’s aim to minimise food wastage and making the most out of anything salvageable.

[caption id="attachment_35761" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

For those can’t get enough of their premium toppings especially their highly raved ‘Spiced Roasted Cashews’, you can get them in to-go snack packs for $6 each.

[caption id="attachment_35760" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]

Look no further when it comes to healthy lunch options, pop by A Poke Theory for affordable and fresh poke bowls that won’t leave you in a post-lunch food coma.

A Poke Theory (Telok Ayer)
Address: 27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm, Saturdays: 11am – 4pm, Closed Sundays & Public Holidays
Contact No.: 6904 8189

A Poke Theory (Bugis)
Address: #01-36/37, DUO Galleria, 7 Fraser St, Singapore 189356
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 9pm,  Sat – Sun: 11am – 4pm, Closed on major Public Holidays

A Poke Theory (Kent Ridge)
Address: #02-12, One@KentRidge, 1 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119082
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm,  Sat – Sun: 11am – 3.30pm, Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

A Poke Theory (Marina One)
Address: #B2-52, Marina One, The Heart, 5 Straits View, Singapore 018935
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm,  Closed on Weekends & Public Holidays
Contact No.: 6284 3100
McDonald’s Releases New ‘Har Cheong Gai’ Burger And Drumlets As Part Of National Day Menu

(Header Image Source: @apoketheory)

BreadTalk Buns Are Going For Only $1 On Their 18th Anniversary

Singapore’s very own BreadTalk is finally coming of age and turning 18 this month! Time really flies.

Anyway, the lovely creators of the pork floss bun hype in Singapore are celebrating their 18th anniversary with a few new additions to their signature product.

That’s not all, they’ll also be running a few promotions in July and August, where you can get their baked goods for $1!

Let’s not be lazy, read on for details.

What’s In Store In July

A New Flosss Flavour

BreadTalk has had many variations of their signature Flosss bun, with Wasabi Flosss, Sambal Chicken Flosss, and Black Pepper Crab Flosss.

Now, they’re introducing a new limited edition addition (say this quickly 10 times) – Golden Lava Flosss.

This new creation features ‘golden lava’ a.k.a salted egg filling and it’s topped with cereal floss, a local favourite in tze char stalls.

Imagine salted egg sauce with cereal floss. It sounds really good, to be honest. The Golden Lava Flosss will be available for 2 months, from 2 July to 2 September 2018.

What’s more, from 2 to 22 July 2018, mix and match any 6 flosss flavours at any BreadTalk outlet for just $8!

$1 Buns, Tea Cakes And Muffins

From 9 to 16 July 2018, you can purchase tea cakes, muffins and a selection of 18 types of buns for just $1 each, from 12pm onwards!

Some of the buns in the selection include the Butter Sugar Loaf, An Pan, Coffi-O, Croissant, and Pillow Raisin.

The promotion is valid while stocks last so don’t dilly dally!

If you miss this first round of $1 promotions, don’t worry. From 17 to 29 July 2018, purchase from the same selection of 18 buns – the first bun will go at its original price and you’ll get the 2nd bun for $1.

That’s not all, BreadTalk’s signature Hokkaido Snow Roll will retail for just $10.90 instead of the usual $15.80.

Also, do note that the July promotions will not be available at the following outlets: Citylink Mall, ION Orchard Link, Raffles City, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Cruise Centre, and Vivocity.

What’s In Store In August

BreadTalk Celebrates National Day

This year, BreadTalk is the principal partner of National Day Parade 2018, which means we’re getting new breads with locally-inspired flavours!

First up, the new Chilli Crab Puff ($2.20). No prizes for guessing what inspired this. Real crab meat is used in the chilli crab mixture that’s encased in flaky puff pastry, baked to perfection.

This sweet and spicy creation will be available in all BreadTalk outlets from 30 July to 19 August 2018 at $2.20 per puff, or get 4 at the promotional price of $8!

The next one is a Durian Mini Croissant ($1.50) that’s made with real Mao Shan Wang durians. Rich, bittersweet, and buttery. Get yours at all BreadTalk outlets from 30 July to 19 August 2018 at $1.50 per piece, or get 6 at the promotional price of $8.

While these 2 lead the charge, there are 8 other buns inspired by local hawker favourites.

Choose from the satay chicken and sambal shrimp-flavoured Bibi Baba, a coconut milk-infused kaya bun, Singashake, the spicy Rendang Pedas, Curry Chicken, Curry Naan, Ikan Bilis, Bak Kwa Delight, and Otah Oleh!

The prices range from $1.70 to $2.20.

Join BreadTalk as they celebrate their 18th Anniversary and National Day this July and August!

Also read Celebrate Food And Feast – Sentosa Holds A Grill Fest And BQQ With Outdoor Movies From Jul To Aug

(Header Image Source: BreadTalk)

Est. Since 1944 – We Checked Out Ya Kun’s First Outlet To See If The OG Is Really The Best

A traditional Singaporean breakfast would undoubtedly be the humble kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and kopi.

While it is a common staple in many coffeeshops across the island, there is a brand that’s synonymous with GOOD kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and kopi.

Enter Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

This humble brand started way back in 1944, before Singapore’s independence.

The first concrete stall was located in Lau Pa Sat, where it was simply known as Ya Kun Coffeestall. It remained there for 15 years before relocating in 1984 to Telok Ayer Transit Food Market, and then again in 1998 to its present location at Far East Square along China Street.

As someone who loves eating Ya Kun’s kaya toast, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never been to this OG Ya Kun outlet.

So this morning, I decided that I had to see for myself, to see if the quality of Ya Kun toasts changed with its expansion. And off I went with my kopi-connoisseur colleague.

A Simple Traditional Breakfast

At first glance, the shophouse outlet looks huge and rustic, with the little tiled roof extensions on the side entrance.

However, the indoor seating space is actually quite limited, with more spacious seats available outside. Stepping in, the interior of the outlet is actually quite old-school, with simple tiled walls and raw concrete floors.

The old-school vibe is further accentuated by the marble top tables, wooden stools, and the kopitiam posters with almost-tacky lines.

While the outlet itself isn’t big, the kitchen and food preparation area sure are.

You can choose to order at the counter inside, or from any of the roving aunties – one of the few things that’s not available at other outlets across the island.

This Ya Kun outlet also has portable menus, in contrast to the menu boards typically found at other outlets.

I decided to order my usual Kaya Peanut Toast Set ($4.80) for optimal taste comparison. That’s when I noticed, there was only 1 drink size available.

I always upsize my drink at Ya Kun, so this was a bit of a downer.

Service was incredibly quick and efficient, with the aunties, serving drinks, eggs, and cleaning tables in one swift dance-like movement.

Even the cups used here are different, with a more classic kopitiam look, compared to the usual white Ya Kun cups.

Call me biased, but even the toast here is sliced slightly thinner than the other outlets.

Overall, the meal was splendid. I expected nothing less from Ya Kun. The toasts were thin and crisp and the eggs perfectly soft-boiled (great for dipping).

I loved my cup of Teh while my colleague’s freshly-made kopi was aromatic and sufficiently “gao” without being too sweet.

While Ya Kun has always maintained a high standard for their food and service, what we got at this original outlet was beyond good.

It wasn’t a Ya Kun meal, it was a Ya Kun experience.

Just to clarify, this isn’t sponsored. I just have very strong feelings for Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Though if Ya Kun would like to sponsor, hello, I am available.

Sponsored or not, I will still continue recommending people to Ya Kun Kaya Toast for a good traditional Singaporean breakfast. With over 40 outlets across Singapore, you can find a Ya Kun outlet easily.

However, if you’re looking for the perfect Ya Kun meal, then you should head to this original outlet.

And if you haven’t had Ya Kun Kaya Toast, have you truly lived?

Ya Kun Kaya Toast (First Outlet)
Address: 18 China Street, #01-01, Singapore 049560
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 7pm, Sat: 7.30am – 4.30pm, Sun: 8.30am – 3pm
Contact no.: 6438 3638
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(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)