Category: Singapore Food Haven

You’re Not A True Singaporean If You Have Not Tried Any Of These 10 Local Dishes

Are you a foodie? If you answered yes, can you tell me what are the dishes that are quintessentially Singaporean?

Singapore has so many races and cultures in our tiny island, that Singaporean cuisine doesn’t exclusively belong to one particular culture.

However, here are some dishes that come to mind whenever Singaporeans think of local food.

1. Cai Fan (Mixed Rice)

Mixed Rice, colloquially known as Cai Fan by locals, is a simple, cheap, and filling meal for most Singaporeans.

Cai Fan stalls are decked out with trays upon trays of various dishes, from the humble steamed egg, to stir fried cabbage or long beans, and even poached fish fillets.

Customers would choose their carb of choice and select their accompanying dishes and that’s a meal on it’s own.

It’s a very simple and affordable option for a meal.

2. Roti Prata

Roti Prata is a fried flatbread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

It can be eaten plain or stuffed with fillings like cheese and sliced button mushrooms or hot dogs. It is usually served with a side of curry, usually fish or chicken, and in rare cases, mutton.

It’s a local favourite breakfast and supper dish, and the best part, it’s usually cheap!

3. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Ah, Hainanese Chicken Rice, the most iconic dish in Singapore. It’s even been mentioned in cooking anime, Shokugeki No Soma (Food Wars).

There are a few version of chicken rice served in Singapore, with roasted chicken or the standard hainanese white chicken rice.

Besides the fragrant chicken, hainanese chicken rice is also known for its flavoured rice. Instead of being cooked in water like white rice, the chicken rice is cooked in chicken broth and fat, resulting in flavoured rice that complements the chicken perfectly.

4. Sliced Fish Soup

Sliced Fish Soup is a comfort dish for most. While there’s a variant that uses fried fish pieces instead, sliced fish is still preferred because it allows the freshness of the fish to come through.

Sometimes, evaporated milk is added to the fish soup for an extra layer of flavour.

Most sliced fish soups are made with snakehead fish, though there are some that use more expensive fishes like pomfret, batang and grouper.

Read our list of best fish soup places in Singapore!

5. Yong Tau Foo

People love customising their food, and Singaporeans are no different. After all, we like the idea that we’re in charge.

Which explains why Yong Tau Foo is a popular dish here. You pick a minimum of 6 ingredients that’s then quickly boiled and served in anchovy broth and soy beans.

Personally, I like Nasi Lemak as it is – rice cooked in coconut milk, a chicken wing, omelette, ikan bilis and peanuts, and the sambal chilli. Some might even have ikan kuning instead of a chicken wing.

Either way, Nasi Lemak is a filling and simple dish that can be eaten at any time of the day.

7. Bak Kut Teh

Now this might be a bit polarising, but I prefer the white, peppery broth of Bak Kut Teh, rather than the dark herbal version.

Bak Kut Teh, which translates to “Meat Bone Tea”, is made with pork ribs cooked in a broth with various spices.

The dark, herbal version is more popular among Malaysians, while the white, peppery version is more common here.

It is usually eaten as a breakfast meal, with dough fritters (you tiao) or rice, and a variety of sides such as braised pig trotters, preserved vegetables, and braised beancurd skin.

Which type of Bak Kut Teh do you prefer?

For our Muslim friends, there’s actually Halal Bak Kut Teh.

8. Chilli Crab

Chilli Crab is also a popular dish among Singaporeans – mud crabs are cooked in a thick, sweet and spicy sauce that’s made with tomato and chilli.

The dish also includes beansprouts, fish cakes, and clams. Some hawkers even include vegetables in the dish for a healthier option.

I don’t know about you, but I like mine without clams.

10. Durians

Durians. These pungent, thorny spheres are also known as the “King of Fruits”.

And they’re also Singapore’s national fruit! We even have a building in Singapore that’s designed to look like durians.

There are many types of durians, each with a slight difference in their taste.

You either love or hate durians, and I personally am not a fan of it. Someone just pass me a banana. That, I can deal with.

Tickets To NDP 2018

With the nation’s birthday coming up, what better way to rejoice the fact that you’re Singaporean by indulging in Singaporean food?

That’s not all, from 2 to 29 July 2018, if you’re dining at Food Republic, join in their Instagram Snap-and-Win contest and you might even win yourself a pair of tickets to the National Day Parade 2018!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkxE3xYnSos/

Don’t forget to check out the terms and conditions here!

There will be a total of 15 winners picked across multiple batches.

Don’t worry, if you didn’t win in the first batch, your name will be forwarded to the subsequent batches, so you will always stand a chance to win until all 15 winners have been selected.

Meanwhile, which dish do you think represents Singapore the most?

Also read This New Korean-Western Cafe At Tampines Serves Dishes Like Kimchi Mac & Cheese For $9

(Header Image Source: Gastronommy and Ang Sarap)

This New Korean-Western Cafe At Tampines Serves Dishes Like Kimchi Mac & Cheese For $9

Why do the Easties always get the good stuff?

First it’s Seoul in a Sandwich, then A&W and Shake Shack, and now, Two Hana.

Two Hana is a cafe in Century Square serving up Korean-Italian fusion food.

Korean-Italian Fusion

Korean food has become very popular in Singapore and many Korean restaurants have popped up over the years. The problem, however, is that they all serve pretty much the same things.

Two Hana stands out from the rest by taking traditional Italian dishes and giving them a Korean twist.

Like the Korean Seafood Cioppino ($12). A Cioppino is a Italian-American fish stew that also includes other seafood such as crab, clams, shrimp, scallops, squid, and mussels.

You can choose to have your Cioppino with tofu or a bread roll.

Another dish to look out for is the Braised Gochujang Lamb Shank ($24). The lamb shank is fork tender due to the long braising, and the accompanying gravy uses gochujang, resulting in a slightly spicier variant of the classic lamb shank gravy.

Also, this lamb shank comfortably feeds 2, so be careful not to over-order.

For sides, go for the Kimchi Mac and Cheese ($9), Korean Cauliflower Fritters ($8), and the Seafood Mandu with Tteokbokki Cheese Sauce ($8).

If you’re looking for a traditional Mac and Cheese, you’re looking in the wrong place. The one served here comes as a fried cube of kimchi-flavoured mac and cheese.

If you find this too jelak to finish, try it with the accompanying chilli sauce which is a sucker punch to your throat because of the chilli padi. Try it. I dare you.

Now I love Cauliflower Cheese, or any form of Cauliflower, so these Korean Cauliflower Fritters make me very happy. Each pale florette is covered in dakgangjeong sauce, giving them a sweet, spicy flavour.

Lastly, the Seafood Mandu with Tteokbokki Cheese Sauce. For those who are unfamiliar, mandu is the korean version of a gyoza. It’s basically a dumpling.

The ones here come served with cheese sauce and topped with tteokbokki. It’s a lot of textures, so take your time to chew.

Prices at Two Hana are rather affordable, with nothing beyond $24. And the best part is that the prices are already inclusive of GST and there’s no service charge because everything is self-service.

Two Hana also has plenty of lunchtime and afternoon tea promotions available. Do check their Facebook page for any ongoing promotions.

You can view their full menu here.

For our Muslim friends, don’t worry. Two Hana is in the midst of finalising their Halal certification, so hang tight!

In the meantime, I’m going to plan how to move to the East side because I’m getting district envy.

Two Hana
Address: 2 Tampines Central 5, #01-21 Century Square, Singapore 529509
Opening Hours: Daily: 8am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6260 4321
Website

Also read A&W And Shake Shack FINALLY Come To S’pore – To Open At Jewel Changi Airport In 2019

(Header Image Source: @spadely and @travlim)

A&W And Shake Shack Are Set To Open At Jewel Changi Airport In 2019

Once again, the East side beats the West, with 2 major fast food chains opening next year in Jewel Changi Airport.

New Fast Food Chains In The East

A&W Singapore

First on the list, is A&W Singapore. Since their announcement of their impending return to Singapore, they’ve remained very quiet with little to no details given.

All we knew was that the A&W Singapore outlet will be its flagship outlet and it will be halal-certified, so that’s great news for our Muslim friends.

But now, it has been announced that they will open in Jewel Changi Airport, when it’s completed in 2019!

A&W used to have 5 outlets in Singapore before closing them all in 2003, much to the dismay of my parents.

Since the closure of all Singapore outlets, the only way Singaporeans could get their A&W fix was in Malaysia, where there are over 36 A&W outlets still serving their classic frothy root beer, curly fries, and the Beef Coney hot dog.

I’ve never eaten at A&W before though I do love their root beers, so I’m excited to see why my parents loved them so much.

Shake Shack Singapore

For the millennials and visiting New Yorkers, one of the most famous fast food chains in America, will be opening its first outlet in Singapore.

It’s Shake Shack!

The West Coast in the States has In-N-Out, while the East Coast held their own with Shake Shack.

Shake Shack first opened in New York serving up burgers and hand-spun frozen custard.

They’re well known for their simple yet delicious burgers, such as the classic Shackburger® – a single or double cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, topped with their signature Shack Sauce™.

Here’s hoping that their Cheese Fries won’t devolve into the sad state of McDonald’s Cheese Fries.

Shake Shack has many outlets across the United States, and each outlet is said to have their very own exclusive menu items, and some Shake Shack outlets even have a breakfast menu!

Which makes me wonder if the Singapore outlet will be getting any exclusive menu items. Will we be getting a Singapore-inspired burger? Or maybe Rendang Fries?

Either way I’m excited to try Shake Shack.

Opening In 2019

These 2 fast food giants are set to open once the construction of Jewel Changi Airport is completed.

Jewel Changi Airport will be linked with Changi Airport Terminal 1, with Terminals 2 and 3 accessible via air-conditioned pedestrian linkways fitted with travelators.

The new Jewel Changi Airport will have 7 storeys and over 280 shops, with a good 30% of the shops being F&B outlets.

Find out more about Jewel Changi Airport P.S Cafe Launches Jypsy – New Japanese Dining Concept Featuring Sushi, Sashimi, And Unagi Fried Rice

(Header Image Source: Twitter and @shakeshack)

P.S Cafe Launches Jypsy – New Japanese Dining Concept Featuring Sushi, Sashimi, And Unagi Fried Rice

P.S Cafe has long been a prime brunch spot for Singaporeans.

With various dining concepts, each housed in a beautifully decorated interior, there’s something for everybody when it comes to dining at P.S Cafe.

Recently, P.S Cafe launched a new concept, Jypsy.

Japanese Cuisine By P.S Cafe

Located at 38A Martin Road, this new concept by P.S Cafe is a casual and vibrant restaurant that’s stunning yet not intimidating.

Because sometimes if a place is too atas, I’m not stepping in.

Now unlike the other P.S Cafes, this one serves contemporary Japanese cuisine.

On their rather extensive menu, you’ll find grilled skewers, fresh sashimi, sushi rolls, cold and hot plates, as well as rice and noodle bowls.

For mains, try the Unagi Fried Rice, which comes with grilled unagi, tofu, pickles, omelette, and slaw.

Don’t miss out on the Tonkatsu Curry Rice, which has breaded Iberico pork cutlet, Japanese curry, a pile of shredded cabbage, and grilled shishito peppers.

Some of the items on the menu can also be tweaked for vegetarians, like the Smokey Nasu sushi roll – robata Japanese eggplant, roasted peppers, tofu, miso aioli, and pickled radish.

If you’re looking for sides, be sure to get the Nest of Fries, crispy shredded potato is drizzled with white truffle oil, wasabi mayo, and teriyaki balsamic sauce to become what’s possibly the most fragrant “nest” we’ve ever smelled.

If that doesn’t look appetising to you, I don’t know what does.

Jypsy’s menu is extensive, with many sharing plates available if you’re in a large group.

Check out their full menu here.

Jypsy is casual yet elegantly refined and the food is great! So if you’re planning a dinner date, this is it.

Jypsy
Address: 38A Martin Road, #01-02, Singapore 239072
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 11.30am – 11pm, Mon: Closed
Contact no.: 6708 9288
Website

Also read Escape Reality At These 5 VR Gaming Places In S’pore – Prices From As Low As $12/Hour

(Header Image Source: @pscafe)

Seoul Garden’s New Takeaway Kiosk Offers Korean-Inspired Sandwiches For Under $9

Thanks to the K-wave that swept the nation back in the early 2000s, Singapore is now home to many Korean food establishments, with many more continuing to pop up.

Korean food is also one of the more popular cuisines among Singaporeans, with the food portions being easily shareable and comforting. I mean, have you ever had Korean Army Stew? That’ll warm you right up on a rainy day.

Now, the Seoul Garden Group has come up with a new concept in the form of Seoul In A Sandwich.

The Taste Of Seoul In A Sandwich

This kiosk in the basement of Century Square might be small (okay maybe not that small), but the sandwiches sure come in big flavours.

As its name suggests, it serves up sandwiches with a Korean twist. Expect western sandwiches with Korean flavours.

Like this Bulgogi Cheesesteak ($8.50). It’s basically a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, but it uses grilled Bulgogi beef instead.

The result is a sweeter flavour than the usual savouriness you’d get from a Philly Cheesesteak, that’s further accentuated by the sautéed onions and peppers.

The Seoul Street Toast ($6.50) is a neat stack of onion and cabbage omelette, chicken ham, and sliced cheese on white bread.

If you’re looking for something more comforting, how about going for the Kimchi Grilled Cheese ($5.50)? Cheddar and Mozzarella and Kimchi bits are sandwiched between 2 slices of white bread and grilled to cheese heaven.

But the most ambitious crossover sandwich has got to be the Army Stew-ich ($8.50). Just look at this monster of a sandwich.

This sandwich has stewed chicken hotdogs, chicken luncheon meat, tteokbokki, and daikon slaw slapped between ciabatta toasts. This already sounds filling to me.

On a side note, I’m bothered that they didn’t call this the “Bread-ae Jjigae”.

Seoul Sandwich has a few other sandwiches on their menu, including 2 sweet ones – the Matcha White Chocolate ($3.50) and the Citron Cream Cheese and Asian Pear ($4.50).

For first-timers, you can always approach any of the staff and they’ll give you recommendations on what to try.

As someone who loves their bread, and by extension, sandwiches, this makes me very happy.

Seoul in a Sandwich
Address: 2 Tampines Central 5, Century Square #B1-23, Singapore 529509
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6260 4339
Website

Also read This Authentic Mexican Joint In Tanjong Pagar Serves Tacos From $8 – And It’s Vegetarian-Friendly Too

(Header Image Source: Seoul in a Sandwich)

This Authentic Mexican Joint In Tanjong Pagar Serves Tacos From $8 – And It’s Vegetarian-Friendly Too

One of the most enjoyable foods to eat, has got to be the taco.

It’s so simple yet so good, which probably explains why it’s considered to be one of the best foods to eat when drunk.

Is this why they serve alcohol with tacos?

In Singapore, there’s an increasing number of Mexican restaurants and a crowd favourite is Lucha Loco.

Going Loco For Tacos

Located on 15 Duxton Hill, Lucha Loco is a casual Mexican cocina (kitchen) and bar, serving up great Mexican food and tequilas (of course).

It first opened in 2012 and today, it is known as one of the few places in Singapore for great Mexican fare.

The coolest part of this restaurant has got to be the outdoor garden seating.

Beautifully decorated, yet still spacious enough to accomodate large groups, it’s almost as if you’re dining with fairies.

Now, for the food.

They serve up tacos and quesadillas, as well as a wide variety of other authentic Mexican snacks and sides.

Some of the favourites are the Baja Fish Tacos ($10), the vegetarian Corn & Artichoke Tacos ($8), and the Cangrejo Tacos ($16), which uses buttermilk fried soft-shell crab.

Lucha Loco has seasonal flavours for their tacos too, so do check their Facebook page for any updates on exclusive taco creations.

Their most recent creations were for the Trump-Kim summit.

If you’re looking for something easier to munch on, try their Crab Tostadas ($17), which uses blue swimmer crab meat, salted egg sauce, and crispy chicken skin. Mmm….

The good thing about Lucha Loco is that they’re also vegetarian-friendly, with many vegetarian options available on the menu.

For dessert, if you’re not getting the Churros ($14), were you really at Lucha Loco?

For drinks, Happy Hour takes place from 5pm to 7pm on weekdays, with discounts on their frozen lime, piña margarita, kirin draught, corona, cava, house wines, gin, rum, and house vodka.

Lucha Loco is a must-visit if you’re looking for an authentic Mexican dining experience.

Here are their Also read This German Restaurant In Joo Chiat Has Been Serving Handmade Breads And Wursts Since 1988

(Header Image Source: Lucha Loco)

This German Restaurant In Joo Chiat Has Been Serving Handmade Breads And Wursts Since 1988

If you ask me what I know about German cuisine, all I can tell you is sausages, bratwursts, sauerkraut, spätzle and pork knuckles.

And all this is just from memorising Brotzeit’s menu. You would think that the Singapore of old wouldn’t have any room for European cuisine, but that’s where you’re wrong.

Sitting in a quiet corner of Joo Chiat, is Werner’s Oven.

The owner of Werner’s Oven is actually German and considering that I’ve never really had proper German food, I decided to head down to check out the food for myself.

Werner’s Oven

I was a little confused when I stepped into an empty restaurant, save for the one couple sitting near the door, waiting for their food.

The restaurant had a standard seating area, and to the right was where they had the bread and pastries. Being a bread lover, I naturally gravitated towards the display.

Displayed were the different German breads available, from Kraftkorn to Spelt bread, they had it all.

For those who don’t really know how to appreciate sourdough, they have donuts and muffins for sale too.

The artisanal breads were priced from $6 to $7.20 while the donuts and muffins were priced from $2.20 to $3.

After ogling at the different bread and pastries, I chose a table, perused the menu and proceeded to the counter where I was recommended a Jägerschnitzel ($26.80) while I added a Beef Goulash ($9.80).

Not going to lie, the food was quite pricey.

The food took a while to arrive, around 10 to 15 minutes. It’s probably because the food is only prepared upon order.

My Jägerschnitzel consists of 3 thick pork escalopes covered generously with mushroom sauce, a side of broccoli and cauliflower, and a large serving of spätzle.

I’m not sure if it’s because I left the Jägerschnitzel out for too long, but the pork became tough and it was still rather gamey. The salvation came with the sides of spätzle, broccoli and cauliflower. I love my vegetables, so no complaints there.

For those of you who don’t know what spätzle is, it’s like a tiny, coarse kind of egg noodle. It’s carbs, basically. In terms of taste, it reminds me of a cross between Mee hoon kueh and french toast. I love it.

The Beef Goulash came in a standard serving; the same size as a “Soup of the Day” at any Western cuisine establishment, though the price was honestly steep for a bowl of soup.

The good thing is, you get your money’s worth of ingredients in that bowl of soup. It was loaded with carrots, celery, and beef.

Now let me just dedicate a tiny paragraph to the humble bun that came with the Beef Goulash. This little guy, blindsided me because I was not expecting this much effort in a bun that comes with soup (looking at you, Soup Spoon).

This bun, came toasted beautifully, and the best part was the butter that melted during the toasting, seeping into the wonderfully baked bread. Honestly, I’d just get the soup for the bun. Though if I had to pay $9.80 for another bowl of soup, I’d rather starve.

The meal left much to be desired, but I’m going to give Werner’s Oven a second chance, since I did go in at a weird timing. I trust that a brand that has been around for so long, can serve food of a better standard.

But one thing that warms my heart here, are the aunties working there. Though it’s a traditional German restaurant, the staff are still very local, conversing in Teochew and Cantonese, then effortlessly switching to English when communicating with customers.

And they’re so nice! It’s like going to Grandma’s for a meal.

All in all, the food here has room for improvement, but the service is great. You can even choose to come in between 2pm to 6pm to play any of the boardgames that they have. Talk about keeping up with the times.

If you’re in the area, do pop in to get their breads because if there’s one food that’s consistent, it’s the bread.

Werner’s Oven
Address: 49 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427773
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 8.30am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6442 3897
Website

Also read Stuff Your Face With Cake At This Bake Sale Pop-Up – Happens Every Weekend Till August

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)

Forget Geylang – This Durian Stall In Punggol Is A Hidden Gem, Serves Everything From D24 To MSW

The thing about us durian lovers is that we’re all slightly crazy.

There’s just something about this thorny, creamy, pungent fruit that sparks a certain obsession in us.

Durian season is back in full swing and we definitely can’t wait to stuff our faces with durians. We recently came across a Durian spot that was set up “For Punggolians, By Punggolians”. Of course we had to check this place out.

Know Your Liu Lian

When we hear Punggol, we only think of BTOs and….Waterway Point? If you’re a hardcore durian fan then you know the best places with old school durian sellers would be in Geylang.

Nonetheless, we headed down to Durian Empire at Punggol Plaza to check what the hype is all about.

We arrived at 7pm but there was already a long queue of Singaporeans waiting for their durians. And just like any typical Singaporean, we joined in the fun because our mothers always say, “Long queue means must be good”.

The queue may seem intimidating but it was constantly moving so you don’t have to worry about waiting in line for too long. They even gave out complimentary bottled water for their customers – 10/10 service.

We met with Martin, one of the founders of Durian Empire to ask him every question we ever wanted to ask a Durian Seller.

1. How do I know if the durian I picked is fresh?

A lot of people assume that watery durians are not good quality durians, but some people prefer this over the more creamier durians. So “freshness” is subjective in a sense.

Sometimes some durians may look good on the outside but the inside may still be underripe. You can also hit the durian to hear if it makes a “hollow” sound.

2. Are the durians that are pre-packed in plastic/styrofoam sold in supermarkets fresh?

I think most Singaporeans don’t really like the packaged ones because of their perception that they’re “low-quality durians”. A lot of my friends have feed-backed that a lot of durian sellers pack the nice looking durians on the first row and the bad ones on the second row.

We want to be honest and have a long term relationship with our customers instead.

3. Do names (D24, Mao Shan Wang, Jin Feng) really matter?

The taste is really different. Taste is really subjective.

Not everyone loves Mao Shan Wang, some prefer XO because of the texture. Last time, I don’t think they got all these different types of durians. Only now, because of the cross-breeds, there’s all these different durians like Black Thorn etc.

4. Is there a sequence to eating durians?

Yes there is. Because of the overwhelming taste, if you taste something too strong and then go for the lighter one afterwards, it will just cover all the flavours and you won’t taste anything at all.

You should eat the lighter ones first and save the stronger ones for last. For example, go for the D13, XO and save the Mao Shan Wang for last.

5. What durian would you recommend for first timers who are intimidated by the taste and smell of this fruit?

D13. This durian is not so overwhelming.

I would compare the D13 durian to cheddar because the taste is milder. The Musang King is like Blue Cheese because it is more flavourful. The Musang King is an acquired taste because not everyone would like the overwhelming flavour.

6. Are you sick of durian yet?

I still enjoy durian a lot. I’m not here every day so I don’t face durians as often as they (his colleagues) do.

I’m still okay, I still enjoy my durian.

The durians sold at Durian Empire are extremely cheap now. Their Mao Shan Wang durians are going for as low as $13/kg and their D13 for $8/kg. If you’re looking for a durian feast with your makan kaki, then this is the perfect place for you.

https://www.facebook.com/durianempiresg/photos/a.680391182164265.1073741828.675783929291657/783596661843716/?type=3&theater

We tried two different MSW, one from JB and the other from Pahang. Both had intense flavours but I prefer the one from Pahang. It had a slight nutty taste to it making it not as jelak as the one from JB.

The Pahang MSW’s flesh was thicker and had a heavier bitterness as compared to the JB MSW which was more watery and had a sharper sweetness to it. We tried their D13 and XO durians as well. Although not as intense as the MSW, they definitely did not lack in flavour.

Their selection of durians are definitely some of the best I’ve had in Singapore. They were smooth, creamy and almost buttery even. The durian instantly melts in your mouth once you eat it.

In other words, you know its a good durian when you go “OOOOOHHH” or “AAAHHH” on your first bite. It was shiok lah.

The durians here are so good that they have customers from Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang coming all the way to Punggol for their durians. Now that’s what you call dedication.

Unfortunately they don’t do delivery but if you’re lucky, you might just be able to reserve some durians for yourself if there’s enough for the walk-in customers as well.

If you’re a durian connoisseur, then you can’t miss out on the best and freshest durians from Durian Empire.

Durian Empire
Address: 168 Punggol Field, Punggol Plaza B1 Atrium, Singapore 820168
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 4:30pm – 11pm, Fri – Sat: 4:30pm – 12:00 am
Website

Also Read Stuff Your Face With Cake At This Bake Sale Pop-Up – Happens Every Weekend Till August

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)

Stuff Your Face With Cake At This Bake Sale Pop-Up – Happens Every Weekend Till August

I love cake. It’s one of the most comforting desserts we’ve ever invented.

Growing up, cake was always something that was only available or bought for birthdays and special occasions. I always envied westerners and their bake sales, where pastries and bakes were made and sold within a community.

Bake sales weren’t a thing in Singapore back then, and till today, it’s still uncommon. But now, my dreams of going to a bake sale is about to come true.

Enter Cake Club.

Cakes, Bakes, And Pastries Galore

Every weekend for the month of July and August (14 July – 26 August 2018), Marina Square Glasshouse will play host to the Cake Club.

Cake Club is a pop-up retail market featuring some of Singapore’s best bakeries and cake shops, and they’re not kidding when they say they brought the best.

In July, Cake Club visitors will be able to find and purchase pastries and cakes from Bloomsbury Bakers, Inthebrickyard, My Sister Bakes, Milk Moons, and more!

August will see the roster shuffle to feature our favourite Edith Patisserie, Boufe Boutique Cafe, Creme Maison Bakery and many more!

That’s not all, you might even find some guest bakeries such as Non Entrée Desserts, who are known for presenting their desserts as savoury dishes, and Konditori, appearing at the Cake Club!

Also, we heard that there’ll be a surprise appearance by a special dessert chef. No clues given at the moment. Hmmm…

For those of you who need something to wash down all that cake, The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. will be serving their freshly brewed signature teas at the Cake Club.

Of course, Cake Club isn’t just a retail market. There will also be workshops for budding bakers to learn a thing or 2 from the pros.

Yume Patisserie will be conducting Buttercream Flower Cream Piping workshop on 11 and 12 August 2018 while Once Upon A Table will have Cookie Painting workshops on 25 and 26 August.

Don’t forget to register for the workshops here.

So, if you’re looking to get your cake fix or you’ve just had a bad week, Cake Club is the place to go because let’s be honest, good cake makes everything better.

Cake Club
Venue: Marina Square, The Rooftop Garden, Glasshouse, #03-03, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594
Date: 14 Jul – 26 Aug 2018 (Weekends only)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm
Website

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

(Header Image Source: Edith Patisserie and Inthebrickyard)

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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(Header Image Source: @apoketheory)