Category: Singapore Food Haven

10 Uniquely Singaporean Cocktails You Can’t Find Anywhere Else In The World

In the 1900s, the first cocktail with a local twist was born: the Singapore Sling. Fast forward 100+ years later, and we are seeing a new wave of locally inspired cocktails handcrafted all over bars in Singapore! 

These unconventional concoctions are the genius works of Singaporean bartenders who have delved deep into their roots to create drinks that capture different aspects of Singapore. Kudos to these guys who’ve created some amazing drinks out of flavours and elements that hit so close to home!

Without further ado, here’s our guide to 10 uniquely Singaporean cocktails you can’t find anywhere else in the world!

1. The Red Ruby – Hopscotch Bar

Kicking off this list is The Red Ruby, a crowd favourite at Hopscotch, a craft cocktail bar tucked away in the colonial Red Dot Traffic Building.

[caption id="attachment_23498" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Red Ruby ($22), Image Credit: Topped with an Ang Ku Kueh Agar Agar, the Red Ruby will definitely get people looking over. The drink is a mixture of homemade coconut sorbet, Angostura Light Rum, and pandan syrup. A coconut-y cocktail that doubles as a dessert, this drink is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Hopscotch2. Laksa Cocktail – Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is a hidden speakeasy with limited seating. Here, they make almost every syrup and ingredient from scratch, and boast a wide variety of cocktails with a local flair.

[caption id="attachment_23697" align="alignnone" width="640"]
Address: 60A Boat Quay, S049848
Contact: 6535 0838
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 6pm – 12am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 3am
Website

3. Raspberry Milo Moonshine – The Secret Mermaid

By day, this space operates as an unassuming Shinkansen, a Japanese Salad Bar, in the CBD. But once dusk falls, it transforms into The Secret Mermaid.

[caption id="attachment_23502" align="aligncenter" width="1620"] Milo Moonshine ($15), Image Credit: Topped with sticks of Pocky, this drink is perfect for all who are young at heart!

The Secret Mermaid4. Prawn Noodle Cocktail – Kuvo

Located in the heart of Orchard road, Kuvo, which means ‘blend’ in French, offers a fusion of flavours through their food and beverages.

[caption id="attachment_23510" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Prawn Noodle Cocktail ($20), Image Credit: Address: 321 Orchard Road, #02-01 S238866
Contact: 6733 8272
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 12pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 12pm – 2am; Sun 12pm – 1am
Mr. Bean ($23), Image Credit:
Address: 49 Tras Street, Singapore 078988
Contact: 6222 3349
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 6pm – 1am; Fri & Sat,6pm – 2am
Website

6. Tomyum Martini – Maison Ikkoku Bar

Also known for it’s cafe of the same name, Maison Ikkoku Bar is situated right above it. There, amidst the cosy chic vibe going on, you will find their gutsy Tomyum Martini.

A concoction leaning on the savoury side with salty, sour and peppery notes, it has a lingering spiciness that may prove too exotic for some.

[caption id="attachment_23623" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Tomyum Martini ($28), Image Credit:
Address: 20 Kandahar St, 1F, Singapore 198885
Contact: 6294 0078
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday – 4pm to 1am, Friday to Saturday and PH Eve – 4pm to 2am
Website

7. Pipagao Cocktail – Ding Dong

Pipagao is a traditional Chinese medicine many of us have taken at some point in our lives to relieve a cough or sore throat.

Who would have thought to turn it into an alcoholic drink? Well, the guys at Ding Dong did, which is why the Pipagao Cocktail now exists.

[caption id="attachment_23522" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Pipagao ($22), Image Credit:
Address: 23 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069703
Contact: 6884 6884
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am; Sat, 6pm – 12am
Website

8. Kaya Toast Cocktail – Bitters and Love

A play on a local breakfast favourite, Bitters and Love’s Kaya Toast Cocktail is fittingly served in a kaya jam jar.

[caption id="attachment_23526" align="aligncenter" width="975"] Kaya Toast Cocktail ($23), Image Credit:
Address: 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587
Contact: 6438 1836
Opening hours: Mon to Thu: 6pm – 12am, Fri to Sat: 6pm – 2am
Website

9. Singapore Sazerac – The Warehouse Hotel Bar

The newly opened Warehouse Hotel has an unmistakable slant towards Asian/Singaporean influences. This is clearly reflected especially in the hotel’s lobby bar, where they serve a unique Singapore Sazerac.

[caption id="attachment_23593" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Singapore Sazerac ($20), Image Credit:  a mix of spices, raisin bourbon, pandan bitters, rye, cognac, and absinthe. You can expect a kick from this cocktail!

The Warehouse Hotel Bar10. Kopi Cat – Loof

Loof, which affectionately pokes fun at the Singaporean pronunciation of ‘roof’, is a casual rooftop bar steeped in 90’s Singapore nostalgia. With a food and drink menu that gives off a distinctively local vibe, one of the must-tries here is The Kopi Cat.

[caption id="attachment_23534" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Kopi Cat ($19), Image Credit: Address: 331 North Bridge Road, #03-07, Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, Singapore 188720
Contact: 6337 9416
Opening hours: Mon to Thurs, 5pm – 1am; Fri to Sat, 5pm – 2am

These 8 Social Enterprise Eateries Serve Food From The Heart

If there’s one thing Singaporeans share, it’s a common love for food. Local eateries are constantly competing to whet our appetites with new flavours, but some have taken their fare one step further by making a social enterprise out of their businesses.

Whether it’s providing employment opportunities to the marginalised or donating profits to the less fortunate, these eateries have made it their mission to do good.

Check out these 8 social enterprise eateries! The causes they stand for only give us more reason to head out to try the cuisines they have to offer.

1. Art Bar

Get your daily coffee fix at Art Bar, a community project with Starbucks Singapore. Art Bar trains young adults with autism to handle cash and work the coffee machine, and ultimately, become fully-fledged baristas!

Art Bar is one of the various job sites at the E2C campus of Enabling Village. Enabling Village is a cosy community in Singapore where people with different disabilities can move independently, feel accepted for who they are, and be valued for their contributions.

While you’re there, you must try the rich, chocolatey and moist Double Chocolate Chip Muffin. It goes especially well with the Cafe Latte! Other drinks include Cafe Americano, Cafe Mocha and Milo Smoothie.

Art Bar
Where: The Art Faculty By Pathlight, 01-07 Enabling Village, 20 Lengkok Bahru
Hours: 9am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday; closed on Sunday
Phone: 6513 0706
This quiet bao shop just off Upper Thomson Road is more than just another dim sum shop. Its owner, Madam Sarah Tan helps the less fortunate by giving them employment and having them make and sell their steamed buns. 

[caption id="attachment_23044" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image credit:

Choon Ming Bao Dian
Where:
203 Toa Payoh North, #01- 1121, Singapore 310203
122 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, Singapore 560122
628 Ang Mo Kio Market & Food Centre, #01-91, Singapore 560628
Facebook

3. Crossings Cafe

The aptly named Crossings Cafe seeks to provide employment opportunities, personal development and dignity to the disadvantaged. The hope is that they will be able to cross boundaries and chart more paths in society.

Crossings Cafe
Where: 55 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm
Phone: 6336 6203
Email: [email protected]
Facebook

4. Dignity Kitchen

Tucked away in Serangoon is Singapore’s first ever hawker training school. It gives practical training to people with disabilities, so they can secure stable jobs as chefs or hawkers!

80% of its staff is disabled, and another 20% is made up of the elderly and the poor–all of which are able to achieve financial independence working here.

Dignity Kitchen is home to Singaporean favourites like rojak, chicken rice, baked goods and local desserts. You can even pre-order bento boxes for large scale events here!

Dignity Kitchen
Where: Blk 267 Serangoon Avenue 3, #02-02, Singapore 550267
Phone: 8189 7678
Email: [email protected]
Facebook

5. Eighteen Chefs

Opened by an ex-convict himself, Eighteen Chefs inspires troubled youths and people with conviction backgrounds to find positive ways to reintegrate back into society.

6. Joan Bowen Cafe

Originally opened by the owners to fulfil their special needs daughter’s wish to be a chef, Joan Bowen Café has since employed more than 10 special needs youths.

is another cosy social enterprise that provides training and employment opportunities to the disadvantaged, so they can be integrated back into society.

[caption id="attachment_23050" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image Credit:

Those working in this establishment include people with physical or hearing impairments, recovering stroke patients and mature, vulnerable individuals.

Expect Singaporean favourites like fish head curry, beef rendang, soup kambing, hainanese chicken rice, dry laksa, char kway teow, fried carrot cake, chap chye, and many more!

New Rasa Singapura
Where: 56 Tanglin Road B1-02 Tanglin Post Office Singapore 247964  (opposite Tanglin Mall)
Open: 12noon-10pm; Closed Sundays and public holidays
Phone: 9818 8102
Facebook

8. Qita In The Park

A contagious passion to help the less fortunate was what drove the owner, Genevieve, to leave her cushy lawyer job to run a social enterprise of her own. 

[caption id="attachment_23051" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image Credit: This cafe-cum-retail shop showcases beautiful artwork on its walls for sale, in support of the artists at Pathlight. Singapore-themed gifts made by home-bound women and senior citizens are also on display. 

Qita In The Park
Where: 20 Upper Pickering Street, Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre
Open: 7.30am to 6pm, weekdays; 9am to 3pm, Saturday; closed on Sunday.
Phone: 6225 4318
Email: [email protected]
Facebook

These eateries are doing a world of good for those who truly need it, and it has definitely warmed our hearts. If it’s warmed yours too, come show your support for those less fortunate and taste what they have to offer!

Not only will you leave with a full belly, your heart will also be full.

Also, read Bon Appétit! 6 Legit French restaurants In Singapore That Won’t Burn A Big Hole In Your Wallet

10 Marvellous Activities to Kick Off Your March  [1-15 March]

Here we are once again at the beginning of a brand new month.

If work or school has fallen into that inevitable lull, don’t worry! As always, we’ve got some awesome events lined up to help you keep things interesting this month!

Here’s a calendar of 10 not-to-be-missed activities to kick start a month to remember!

Play & Discover

1. The Pillowman

Who says the theatre scene in Singapore is dead?

Enter Pangdemonium’s restaging of The Pillowman, a nail-biting, nightmarish nursery story for grown-ups.

The dark comedy, written by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, will have you squirming at the edge of your seats, even as you roar with laughter.

The story revolves around writer, Katurian, who is interrogated in a dark prison cell. His crime? Penning gruesome fairy tales that bear an uncanny resemblance to a series of child murders. Tensions soon mount as the line between real and fictional worlds blur in this darkly comic psycho thriller.

This sinister stunner of a play is a vicious whirlpool of thrilling storytelling and a scary examination of the very nature and purpose of art.

The Pillowman
Where: 9 Empress Pl, 179556
When: 24 February – 12 March 2017
Timings: Tue-Fri: 7.30pm, Sat: 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sun: 2.30pm, Sun: 7.30pm (12 Mar 2017)
Website

2. Singapore International Jazz Festival

Put on your jazz shoes, because the Singapore International Jazz Festival (SingJazz) is back!

#SingJazz2017 promises to be a dazzling musical extravaganza, set against Singapore’s glittering, iconic skyline at Marina Bay Sands.

Get ready for 3 days and 2 nights of world class music entertainment by some of the biggest names in jazz. Headliners include David Foster, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gilles Peterson and more! Kick back by the water as you enjoy the wind in your hair, amazing music in the air, all with a glass of bubbly in your hand!

Also, proceeds from the festival go towards the Foundation for Arts and Social Enterprise, which provides funding to nurture local jazz talents through the Jazz Academy.

Singapore Jazz Festival
Where: Marina Bay Sands Events Plaza (The Main Stage); MBS Expo and Convention Centre (The Late Show)
Address: 2 Bayfront Ave Singapore 018972
Date: 31 Mar-2 Apr 2017
Time: 4pm to 10.30pm (The Main Stage); 10pm to 4am (The Late Show)
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

3. Garden Beats Festival

This March, get ready for the #summervibes at Garden Beats!

Groove to the hottest electronic tunes at Sunshine Nation’s Electronic Picnic Festival. Expect a multi-sensory experience of music, food and games, all at Fort Canning Park.

4. Choking Hazard: An Exhibition About Toys

You’re never too old for toys–at least not the ones in this exhibition.

Kult will be showcasing the works of 30 artists and toy makers, in a great coming together of international artists and designers.

Inspired by the waste of mass production and over consumption, these artists have torn apart existing toys sourced from toy markets, and remixed them into new objects. Some are gruesome, some are hilarious, and all are witty as hell.

You can even make your own art! An assembly line of pre-loved toys will be available at the gallery to take apart and re-build into your own Frankenstein-ian art piece.

Choking Hazard: An Exhibition About Toys
Where: kult, C2-5, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120
Dates: 17 FEB – 18 MAR 2017
Time: Mon-Fri 11am to 7pm, Sat 2pm to 7pm
Facebook

5. Singapore Design Week

Bet you didn’t know there was a national agency for design.

Well, the Design Singapore Council’s mission is to develop our design sector to make life better. Sounds good to us.

What’s better, its annual Singapore Design Week is back!

Get artsy home goods at the International Furniture Fair, experience robust collaborations between local designers and the industry at Singaplural, or get inspired at the ‘Innovation By Design’ Conference.

Expect a week of Singapore’s creative culture and ecosystem that integrates design and creativity into our everyday life!

Singapore Design Week
Where: Multiple venues
When: 3012 March 2017
Phone: 6333 3737
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

Eat

6. PasarBella & Friends Go to Town

Here’s the perfect post workday idea: PasarBella & Friends Go to Town returns for the third iteration of its special pop-up market at this year’s i Light Marina Bay!

7. terratoria OLA

Prep your stomachs for a gastronomical adventure.

Michelin starred Chef Daniel (OLA Cocina Del Mar) and Chef Seita (terra) will come together for a one day only affair that is terratoria OLA!

[caption id="attachment_23259" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image credit: OLA Cocina Del Mar
Address: Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, #01-06 12 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018982
Date: 12 March 2017, 12pm to 4pm
Price: $150++
Reservations: +65 6604 7050
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

8. Singapore Cocktail Festival

Mix it up at Asia’s largest celebration of cocktails this March!

The inaugural Singapore Cocktail Festival promises to be an immersive experience that will excite the palates of novices and aficionados alike.

With a mish mash of activities to Taste, Learn and Play, you’ll get to interact with a truly global lineup of mixologists. Features include some of Singapore’s best cocktail bars, as well as world class bartenders from cocktail cities like Hong Kong, London, New York, Seoul and Tokyo.

Excite your palate at the experiential cocktail village, nurture the budding mixologist in you at the workshops, or jump in a themed cocktail party!

Singapore Cocktail Festival
Where: Multiple venues
When: Thursday March 16 2017 – Tuesday March 21 2017
Email: [email protected]
Website
Facebook

9. Singapore Restaurant Week

The concept of Restaurant Week is unbelievably simple.

Dining City is offering limited seats for a special 3-course lunch and dinner at established local restaurants–for a fraction of their usual prices.

This 3-course menu will be offered at an irresistible fixed price of S$35++ for dinner and S$25++ for lunch all through the week.

Some of these luxe restaurants include the fancy 1919 Waterboat House, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse Singapore, Privé Grill, and Lewin Terrace.

What are you waiting for? Reserve your tables as soon as possible–we don’t know when’s the next time you’ll be able to savour this spread at such good prices.

Singapore Restaurant Week
Where: Participating restaurants
Date: 25 March 2017 – 1 April 2017
Email: [email protected]
Website
Who can resist a good flea and art market?

Much less one in the heart of 20 dazzling light art installations from 9 different countries. Enter Hypefest @ i Light Marina Bay!

[caption id="attachment_23255" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Image credit: MAAD[/caption]

Here is your one stop shop for artisanal goods featuring over 50 indie labels. Find eco-friendly crafted gifts and even personalized merchandise!

We won’t say more! Come down and experience it all for yourself. It’ll be an evening of pleasant discovery that’s sure to excite!

Hypefest @ i Light Marina Bay
Date: 3 Mar 2017 – 26 Mar 2017
Time: 4.00pm to 11.00pm
Venue: Marina Bay Seating Gallery Platform 20 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039805
Website

Excited yet? With this list of the freshest events, yummiest food spots, and shopping opportunities, there’s no reason to say “Singapore got nothing to do”!

Grab your friends and family, and kick back at these cannot miss activities! They’re sure to offer a well-deserved break from the work desk to keep you going all through the month.

Keep calm and March on!

Also read, These Light Art Installations Popping Up At Marina Bay Will Make You See Nature In A Whole New Light

7 Crazy Things You Won’t Believe Singaporeans Would Eat (Or Sell!)

Remember the television show ‘Fear Factor’? The show where contestants would face their fears, which often required them to do gross things like bob their heads in tubs of blood or eat live earthworms. Despite it being a blood-curdling, stomach-churning 60 minutes, it was hard to look away.

What if you could experience Fear Factor for yourself, right here in Singapore?

We went out and found the craziest things you wouldn’t believe Singaporeans (or anyone for that matter) would eat! The only difference is that true to Singapore’s Foodie Nation title, these foods are actually pretty yummy.

Let’s kick things off with Imperial Restaurant. Formerly known as Imperial Herbal, this branch, located at Riverview Hotel, was first opened in 1988, specialising in traditional Chinese health concepts incorporated into unique, gourmet dishes.

A collagen-heavy portion of the crocodile, the Braised Crocodile Tail is soft and gelatinous in texture. Fragrant herbs and spices are infused into every inch of this jelly-like dish, which is also great for smooth skin and strong hair! 

2. Penis: Deer Penis Soup

[caption id="attachment_22070" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Photo Credits:

[caption id="attachment_22069" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo Credit: Braised to succulent perfection, the web is delicate but flavourful, having absorbed the herby fragrance of the soup it was braised in. Having been braised for hours, each morsel of meat falls easily from the bone, making it a great dish for toddlers and elderly alike.

Imperial Restaurant
Address: Riverview Hotel Level 2, 382 Havelock Road, Singapore 169629
Tel: 6337 0491
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 1130 – 1430; 1800 – 2230; Sat & Sun: 1130 – 2300
Website

5. Fallopian Tubes: Fried Fallopian Tubes

Fried eggs are a breakfast staple, but what about fried fallopian tubes?

[caption id="attachment_22072" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo Credits: A delicacy that is essentially flavourless, the fallopian tubes of a female pig are actually quite juicy. Stir-fry them with a little garlic, ginger and soya sauce, and you’ve got a delicious meal!

Old Mother Traditional Herbal Soup
Address: Blk 59 New Upper Changi Road, Singapore 461059
Tel: 6841 8789
Opening Hours: Daily: 1100 – 1400; Daily: 1700 – 0130

6. Sperm: Cod Fish Sperm (Shirako)

Bend (your stomach) like Beckham, who had a taste of this dish in 2015 when he visited Singapore.

[caption id="attachment_22073" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Photo Credits: koi-thailand.net[/caption]

Shirako can be eaten either raw or cooked, and it melts in your mouth like butter! If you can swallow the knowledge that you’re eating fish sperm, give it a try at Teppei Japanese Restaurant!

Teppei Japanese Restaurant
Address: #01-18, Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link, Singapore 078867‎
Tel: 6222 7363
Opening Hours: Daily 1200 – 1430; Daily 1800 – 2230
Website

7. Squid Innards: Shiokara

Cream cheese goes well with so many things: salmon, chives, and even shiokara! To those of you not in the know, that’s fermented squid innards to you.

Briny and creamy, similar in texture and taste to that of uni (sea urchin), the cream cheese helps mellow the intense flavour of the shiokara.

Shukuu Izakaya
Address: 8 Stanley St, 068727
Tel: 6327 9240
Opening Hours: 1:30AM–2PM, 5:30–11PM

While the thought of eating deer penis and cod fish sperm might make your stomach turn, these restaurant have mastered these unusual ingredients and made incredibly tasteful delicacies out of them.

If reading this article has piqued your interest, maybe you should head down to one of these places to try some of these out. It’s one thing to read about them, but it’s another altogether to experience them for yourself!

10 Supper Haunts In The East To Try With Your Insomniac Supper Kakees

For those of you who stay in the East side of Singapore (i.e. Bedok, Changi, Paya Lebar, Tampines and Pasir Ris), there is no denying good places to eat are aplenty. However, the real makan (eating in Malay) fun only starts late at night!

For the benefit of our friends who are not as familiar with the late-night supper spots in the East, here are some of the best places to have supper in the East that are open till the break of dawn.

1. 89.7 Supper Club

From local Chinese and Indian dishes to international fare, whatever the cuisine you’re craving, 89.7 Supper Club will hook you up.

2. Seng Kee Black Chicken Herbal Soup

If slurping a bowl of healthy herbal soup sounds like your idea of a good supper, you should definitely check out Seng Kee Black Chicken Herbal Soup.

[caption id="attachment_23194" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Credit: Website

3. 126 Wan Dou Sek Dim Sum

Indulge in some steaming hot siew mai or moist chicken porridge with your supper club here at 126 Wan Dou Sek Dim Sum! The chefs here seem to be perpetually at work, cooking up fresh and piping hot dim sum, buns and delectable fried items such as fried spring rolls.

[caption id="attachment_23195" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Credit: Credit: Credit: tripadvisor.com[/caption]

Regardless of when your prata pangs strike, the 24 hour Mr Prata is here for you. Sink your teeth into their delicious Murtaba Specials such as Chicken Cheese Murtaba or even Chocolate Thosai!

Their extensive selection of prata flavours will surely fill you and your hungry supper gang right up!

Mr Prata
Address: Blk 742 Bedok Reservoir road, #01-3105, Singapore 4707426
Opening hours: 24 hours
Tel: 6243 1743
Credit: 7. Udders & Kook

Late night suppers need not always be heavy and savoury. For some of us, supper simply means dessert and the best place to satisfy those late night sugar cravings is at Udders & Kook!

[caption id="attachment_23201" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Credit: Website

10. Ninethirty Singapore by Awfully Chocolate

Opened by the same folks behind Awfully Chocolate, Ninethirty is a dining bistro that serves a varied selection of western mains with an Asian touch, along with their highly-raved Awfully Chocolate desserts.

[caption id="attachment_23202" align="aligncenter" width="2016"] Credit: bo jio!

(Header image credit: blog.chope.co)

Also read, 10 Foods Invented By Singaporeans That Will Give You Massive #SGPride

The Wicked Cream: Gourmet Marshmallows To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

West-siders, we’ve found a sweet spot for all you dessert fiends! The Wicked Cream offers gourmet marshmallows that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Their signature creation, the WickedMallow, gives the humble roasted marshmallow a gourmet update.

These marshmallows are made in small batches, and are carefully hand-crafted and roasted individually. You can choose from an array of unique flavours like sea salt gula melaka, speculoos caremelised cookie and uji matcha, just to name a few!

[caption id="attachment_22507" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Credit: You might have even seen these guys around at pop-up stalls and art markets with their beautifully packaged jars, all ready for you to take home or give away!

[caption id="attachment_22551" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: The Wicked Cream also has a These guys have definitely left their mark with their unique, instagrammable treats. Be sure to keep a lookout for these carefully crafted goodies the next time you’re at a pop-up event or local art market!

The Wicked Cream
Address: 3 South Buona Vista Road, #B1-04 Viva Vista Mall, S118136
Tel: 8222 0140 / 9732 3123
Operating Hours: Based on reservations / appointments only
8 Best Acai Bowls And Smoothies In Singapore For A Completely Guilt-Free Treat

10 Foods Invented By Singaporeans That Will Give You Massive #SGPride

A foodie’s paradise with cuisines from all over the world, Singapore is probably the one country where eating is a national pastime.

For a country that loves food so much, it’s no wonder we’ve taken it upon ourselves to invent new culinary delights. Here are 10 amazing foods invented by Singaporeans that will give you massive #SGPride!

1. Chilli Crab

Ask any tourist what Singapore’s national dish is and the answer will probably be Chilli Crab.

Sweet, savoury and lightly spicy with thick threads of beaten eggs floating through its sauce, eating Chilli Crab is always a messy affair.

[caption id="attachment_22869" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo Credits: The story goes that MJ Gomez, a South Indian restaurant owner in the 1950s, sold curry in a colonial building at Mt. Sophia. In an attempt to connect with the Chinese community, he incorporated whole fish heads into his curries, thus inventing the Fish Head Curry we know and love today.

[caption id="attachment_22875" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo Credits: Chef Hooi Kok Wai, former chef at the old Cathay Restaurant in 1958, needed to prove his love and dedication to his fiance, Leong Ah Lin. Struck by inspiration and with his obvious dedication to cooking, he invented the Yam Ring, a circle of mashed yam fried golden brown, surrounding a bed of stir-fried vegetables drowned in a silky sauce.

If you want a taste of this romantic dish, you can find it at the couple’s Did you Lou Hei this Chinese New Year? As you were shouting out New Year wishes (and trying to bring the salmon sashimi closer to you), did you know that Lou Hei is a singularly Singaporean dish and activity?

[caption id="attachment_22876" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo Credits: Silverkris[/caption]

Lou Hei Yu Sheng literally means to toss raw fish in Cantonese. Fishermen in Guangzhou used to eat raw fish on Renri, the 7th day of Chinese New Year. In 1964, chefs Tham Yui Kai, Lau Yoke Pui, Sin Leong and Hooi Kok Wai decided to popularise it as a lucky Chinese delicacy.

As a result, the popular dish now consists of a plate of raw fish (typically ikan parang or mackarel) with radish strips, carrot strips, pickled ginger, crushed nuts and pomelo. The dish is then sprinkled with deep-fried flour crisps, peanuts, sesame seeds, and cinnamon, then doused with a specially proportioned sauce consisting of plum sauce, kumquat paste, rice vinegar and sesame oil.

5. Singapore Sling 

I mean, of course we would include the Singapore Sling to this list! It literally has the word “Singapore” in it.

While the exact year of its creation remains a mystery, the most popular story goes that this drink was invented by a Hainanese bartender, Ngiam Toon Boon, at Raffles Hotel in 1915.

We’d recommend leaving it to the professionals at Pasar Malam (Singaporean night markets) these days are getting so artisanal, it’s become much easier to find rainbow bagels and ice cream macaroons than the classic Tutu Kueh.

[caption id="attachment_22877" align="alignnone" width="960"] Photo Credits: Zoylent[/caption]

A health-conscious individual with a busy work schedule himself, Alvin decided to hop onto the Soylent train. Marketed as a meal replacer that has “all of the elements of a healthy diet, with limited contribution from less desirable components such as sugars, saturated fats, or cholesterol”, it sounded like a futuristic dream come true.

He decided to switch from passenger to conductor after one sip. Malty but otherwise flavourless and boring, Alvin’s Singaporean identity as a foodie kicked in and he set about improving the flavour by 1000%.

Working with a food technologist and an R&D team in Malaysia, Zoylent was thus created, a vanilla-coconut-y drink that will save you the time and money a typical lunch might waste.

9. GSH Conserves

Jam shouldn’t be restricted to berries, marmalade or coconut and eggs (à la Kaya) and Joey Gan of GSH Conserves agrees.

[caption id="attachment_22872" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Photo Credits: Invented by three School of Chemical and Life Sciences students at Singapore Polytechnic, together with their industry partners RevoPack Pte Ltd and Fountainhead Manufacturing Pte Ltd, the Singapore Salad Sauce is the result of combining spices from around the region.

Also read, 20 Pictures That Show How Singapore Looked Like 20 Years Ago

Singapore’s Most Outrageous Burger Creations That Are 100% Worth The Experience

Most, if not all, of us are familiar with burgers. Think thick, juicy patties with fresh lettuce, tomato slices, generously drizzled with mayonnaise or tomato sauce, sandwiched between two toasted buns. Yum!

The classic beef burger has evolved over the years to include more irresistible combinations of ingredients and sauces. If you think you have heard it all, here are some of Singapore’s most outrageous burger creations that are 100% worth the experience!

1. Truff Ryder

Here at Three Buns, it is a burger party all day, every day. Their extensive selection of burgers will certainly require some serious decision-making!

[caption id="attachment_22825" align="aligncenter" width="3264"] Credit: rockabitebaby.com[/caption]

This vegan burger features grilled eggplant, raw dijon mustard and a selection of mushrooms layered on a bed of crisp greens. This entire chunk of healthy goodness is packed between two sesame-crusted tofu “buns”, with baked sweet potato fries on the side. For a change from your usual sinfully greasy burger, The Living Cafe’s Sesame Tofu Burger is certainly a healthy alternative!

The Living Cafe
Address: 779 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 269758
Opening hours: Mon to Thu 11am – 7pm; Fri 11am – 10pm; Sat 9am to 10pm; Sun 9am – 8pm
Tel: 6468 4482
Credit: 4. Black Bun Lobster Burger

You may have heard of lobster rolls but have you ever come across a lobster burger? Well, Spathe Public House certainly raises the bar on lobster rolls by several notches with their Signature Black Bun Lobster Burger!

[caption id="attachment_22785" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Credit: Website

5. The Beast

Besides being known as a cool Southern-themed bar, The Beast is also famous for its wicked The Beast burger. It is so insanely massive that a pre-order is recommended if you are game to wolf down this gigantic burger!

[caption id="attachment_22811" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Credit: 6. The Chili Crab Burger

Because Singaporeans love their chili crab, Artistry decided to infuse this iconic local dish into one of its burgers – the Chili Crab Burger. Here, fresh blue swimmer crab meat is made into a huge, flavourful patty that will surely not disappoint!

[caption id="attachment_22801" align="aligncenter" width="698"] Credit: Website

7. Mini Chocolate Burger

First things first, this is not a burger per se. Wait, what?! A quick glance at FOC Restaurant’s deceptive Mini Chocolate Burger and you might easily mistake it for a real burger. As one of the most recent food trends seem to involve desserts masquerading as mains, here we have a realistic-looking burger made entirely of chocolate!

[caption id="attachment_22821" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: FOC Restaurant
Address: 40 Hongkong Street, Singapore 059679
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 12nn – 2pm & 6pm – 10pm; Fri to Sat 12nn – 2pm & 6pm – 10.30pm (Closed on Sundays)
Tel: 6100 4040
Credit: yinom.wordpress.com[/caption]

Finish this burger in 20 minutes and you not only walk away with an extremely full stomach–you won’t have to pay a single cent! There is even a spicy, red hot version of this! Are you up for this insane eating challenge?

Roadhouse
Address: 13 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249674
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11.30am – 3pm & 6.30pm – 11.30pm; Sat to Sun 9am – 11.30pm
Tel: 6476 2922
6 Best Places For A Customised Burger So You Can Really Have It Your Way

These Poké Bowls Are Worth Poking Your Forks And Spoons Into!

Joining the latest #eatclean craze within our little red dot are Poké bowls. With no relation to Pokémon, Poké bowls (pronounced ‘poh-kay’) actually originated from tropical Hawaii.

If you are not sure what a Poké bowl consists of, it is essentially a Hawaiian-inspired Chirashi don – slices of raw fish such as tuna or salmon with your choice of rice or greens, topped with sesame seeds, seaweed or other topping variations.

With the slew of Poké bowls popping up around Singapore, it is only a matter of time before we succumb to this latest healthy food trend. If you have finally decided to jump on the bandwagon, here are some Poké bowls in Singapore worth poking your forks and spoons into!

1. A Poke Theory

If you have a considerable appetite and are a little nitpicky about your food, A Poke Theory is the perfect place for you. Here at A Poke Theory, there is no such thing as a signature poké bowl. Whether you prefer sushi rice as opposed to lettuce or tuna as your choice of sashimi, you get to customise your poké bowl just the way you like it!

[caption id="attachment_22723" align="aligncenter" width="1999"] Credit: Credit: 3. Katto

For a wholesome and budget-friendly poké bowl, you should absolutely make a trip down to Katto! This quick-service restaurant serves up some delicious poké bowls with a Singaporean twist. On top of the locally-inspired flavours, you can expect a Katto bowl of healthy carbs and protein, and of course, not forgetting the fresh premium sashimi!

[caption id="attachment_22729" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Credit: Credit: facebook[/caption]

Katto
Address: 1 Fusionopolis Place, Galaxis Building, #01-21, Singapore 138522
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11am – 8pm  (Closed on weekends)
Website

4. Rollie Olie

Nestled within the hipster PasarBella in Suntec City, Rollie Ollie is an Asian fusion restaurant with a touch of Californian style. Known for its made-to-order fresh sushi rolls, Rollie Ollie also offers appetising Asian- inspired poké bowls that are full of flavour and texture!

Furthermore, you have the option of swapping out certain ingredients if there are any that are not to your liking! However, do note that the golden hours to indulge in their wholesome poké bowls is only between 11am to 8pm.

Alter Ego
Address: 8 Raffles Ave, #01-13D, Singapore 039802
Opening hours: Mon to Thu 11am – 1am; Fri 11am – 2am; Sat 10am – 2am; Sun 10am – 1am
Tel: 6327 9301
Credit: Credit: 6884 4566
Credit: Credit: Website

Forget the conventional salad or sushi bowl! Healthy eating has reached a whole new level with these Poké bowls. Not only are they presented in a variety of colourful ways, they also pack a punch of flavour with their raw sashimi, plethora of healthy ingredients and unique sauces.

Whether you intend to switch to a healthier lifestyle or simply want to diverge from your usual sinful pleasures, it is never too late to hop onto this latest Poké bowl food trend!

(Header image credit: 9 Places With Wholesome Good Food That Will Inspire You To Eat Clean!

13 Cool Activities You Should Know About To Wrap Up Your February [16-28 Feb]

February has been such a busy month! There was Chinese New Year and the endless Yu Sheng dinners, Valentine’s Day… and now, here are 13 cool activities you should know about from 15 to 28 February. They’ll chase away your post-festive blues!

Play & Discover

1. Urban Ventures x House Of Noise

Our favourite street party is back! And this time round, it’s all about #supportlocalSG.

For their very first road transformation of the year, Urban Ventures partners up with Noise Singapore to transform good old Keong Saik into a one-night only, feet tapping , head banging music party!

Featuring 21 fantastic local musicians and acts from Noise Music Mentorship 2016 (programmed by Thunder Rock School), your ears are in for a real treat!

On top of that, you can party your night away with DJs Brendon P, Oliver Osborne and Sivanesh, with free manicure and face painting sessions, thanks to Vaniday.

Urban Ventures x House of Noise
Date: 18 February  2017
Time: 3:30pm – 10:30pm
Venue: Keong Saik Road
Admission: Free
Facebook page: Urban Ventures x House of Noise

2. Choking Hazard : An Exhibition About Toys (Launch Party)

No one is ever too old or too young for… toys!

Unlike any other toy exhibition, Choking Hazard is…visually different. The toys here look a little odd and you probably won’t be able to find them elsewhere.

This is because the artists involved in this show have dismantled existing toys sourced from toy markets and remixed them into new objects.

While you’re at it, you can also try making your own toys. An assembly line of pre-loved toys will be available for you to tear apart and rebuild. Whether you’d like to make Chucky, or your own little Frankenstein, we’re sure you’ll have a blast!

Choking Hazard: An Exhibition About Toys
Date: 17 February  (Exhibition from 17 February – 18 March)
Launch Party Time: 7:00-11:00pm
Exhibition Time: Mon-Fri (11:00am-7:00pm), Sat (2:00pm-7:00pm)
Venue: kult, C2-5, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120
Admission: Free
Facebook Page: Choking Hazard

3. Talk Cock Comedy feat. The Latecomers (Improv)

Need some laughter to get through the week? Just sit back, relax, and let The Latecomers entertain you.

They may be late to the game but the Latecomers sure are on time with punchlines.

4. Say It With Love

Say It With Love
Date: 24 & 25 February, 2017
Time: 6:30-10:30pm
Venue: Meadow, Gardens by the Bay 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Admission: Free
Picnic Bag: $60 (Online pre-sale), $65 (On-site)
Facebook Page: Say It With Love 2017

5. Red Dot Cinema ~ Asian Short Film Screening

Need new inspiration? How about rediscovering Asian narratives that have shaped our values and culture?

There are many independent film festivals in the world, but not many focus on Asian films. Fortunately there’s Red Dot Cinema – they amplify the Asian voice, one screening at a time.

Founded in 2015, Red Dot Cinema curates inspiring Asian short films and organises screenings around the world. They aim to bring Asia’s culture, social issues and entertainment to the global audience.

In this second edition, they’ll be screening 7 shorts from 5 different countries including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and our very own award winning “Hentak Kaki” by James Khoo.

Red Dot Cinema~ Asian Short Film Screening
Date: 24 February, 2017
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Venue: JustCo 6 Raffles Quay #16-01 Singapore 048580
Admission: $15 (Early bird), $18 (All tickets are inclusive of a popcorn)
Ticketing Website: Red Dot Cinema

6. Holi 2017

The official Holi festival only takes place in March but in Singapore, we’re celebrating it a little earlier this year!

Singapore’s biggest Holi Festival will be organised at Wavehouse Sentosa and it’s gonna be an experience like no other.

A line up of DJs, including the all time Holi favourite DJ Milan, will keep the festival rolling while water jets, rain dances and live performances will keep you entertained and Instagram-busy.

If you’re concerned about the coloured powder used at the festival, fret not as the organisers had it lab tested and it’s certified to be safe.

Holi 2017
Date: 25 February, 2017
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Wavehouse Sentosa
Admission: $20.00 via Eventbrite
Facebook Page: Singapore’s Biggest Holi Returns

7. PRISM

In the spirit of #supportlocalSG, here’s another local production to check out!

8. Crossings

Remember Britney Spear’s ‘Crossroads’? Here’s one that is more relevant, realistic and…updated.

The new young & W!LD cohort will be staging their very first public performance- Crossings, at Centre 42’s Black Box!

Bold, dark and funny, Crossings follow characters who have arrived at a critical crossroads in their lives. (Not your daily what to wear, what to eat kinda decisions).

The choices they make will change their journeys forever – its either a road to self-discovery or self-destruction.

If you need a fresh perspective about how the decisions we make will change our lives, Crossings will only be staged for 7 performances and 4 shows are SOLD OUT already! Grab your tickets now before its too late!

Crossings
Date: 15 – 19 February, 2017
Time: 3pm (18 & 19 February), 8pm (15-19 February)
Venue: Black Box, Centre 42, 42 Waterloo St, Singapore 187951
Admission: $30.00 via

Also, read CROSSINGS – A Play Dark And Bold Enough For A Different Kind Of Valentine’s Day

Eat

9. An Afternoon of Art + Food with Mamakan

Have a thing or two for heritage food? This is a culinary journey that you won’t wanna miss!

Featuring an 8-course taster menu, the Mamakan Art Collective will inspire you to get creatively in touch with nature. You’ll taste your way through botanical treasures available locally in Singapore.

They will also be serving cocktails ranging from Bathing Princess on the Hill, a purple liqueur made from Fort Canning flowers, to SpiceBomb of Diversity, an infusion of native spices.

If you’re hesitating because you overate during Chinese New Year, all taster items served are vegetarian, gluten-free and free of pesticides. It’s guilt free and delish at the same time.

An Afternoon of Art + Food with Mamakan
Date: 18 February, 2017
Time: 3-5:00pm
Venue: Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd
Admission: $49.00 (Individual), $490.00 (Table of 10) via 

Crab lovers, raise your claws! A crab party is happening this February and everyone is invited!

All crabs are handpicked from Dapur Melaka’s very own crab farm and go at $18 each. Freshness of every crab is guaranteed or you get your money back.

It’s based on a first come first served basis so do make your reservations to avoid disappointment!

Dapur’s Crab Party
Date: 16 & 17 February, 2017
Time: 5:30pm onwards (last order at 8:30pm)
Venue: Dapur Melaka Singapore 56 Sembawang Road, Singapore 779086
Contact number: +65 6455 0857
Admission: $18 via Oh crab, it’s a party

Shop

11. Majestic Market

You’ve probably done a whole lot of shopping for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s. One more pop-up market doesn’t harm right?

In conjunction with their 10th anniversary celebration, New Majestic Hotel will be hosting a collaborative 3-day pop up weekend bazaar!

Set in a 1928 shophouse, the market aims to celebrate and revive Bukit Pasoh’s heritage by showcasing local design, culture and its rich colourful history.

The hotel rooms will also be transformed into carefully curated retail spaces for vendors to display their products.

Heritage and shopping? That sure sounds like a pretty refreshing retail experience.

Majestic Market
Date: 16-19 February, 2017
Time: 6:00pm
Venue: New Majestic Hotel 31 – 37 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089845
Admission: Free
Facebook Page: Majestic Market

12. Wanderlust Market

You probably have a million reasons to save your angpao money but here’s one good one for you to spend ’em!

Don’t worry about coming back from Travel Revolution empty handed because this year, the organiser actually included Wanderlust Market, a curated artisanal market by Makers Market at the event venue.

There will be a variety of products ranging from artisanal creations to mouth-watering food, children products and many more adorable items that will make you go “take my money!”.

Wanderlust Market
Date: 24-26 February, 2017
Time: 11:00am to 9:30pm
Venue: Marina Bay Sands L1 Expo Halls A & B 10 Bayfront Avenue, 018956
Facebook Page: Wanderlust Market

13. EMU Australia Pop-up

Fans of Aussie fashion and shoes, EMU from the land down under is finally on our Singaporean shores!

Pronounced as eem-you, EMU is a premium lifestyle brand best known for their super comfy yet stylish footwear and accessories for women and children alike.

This 3-weeks special pop-up event will showcase the brand’s Spring Summer 2017 collection. There are strong bursts of colours, exotic prints, metallics designs with sports-inspired elements.

The collection, ranging from heels, sandals, summer wedges, slip-ons to covered shoes, is functional yet chic.

Women’s shoes start from $79, while children’s sneakers start from $59.

EMU Australia Pop Up
Date: February 10, 2017 onwards
Time: 10:30am – 10:00pm daily
Venue: Robinsons The Heeren, Robinsons Raffles City, Metro Paragon
Facebook Page: EMU Australia Singapore

With 13 funtastic activities to explore, it seems like life is not slowing down at all this February! And there goes our ‘hard earned’ angpao money!

Also, read Bon Appétit! 6 Legit French restaurants In Singapore That Won’t Burn A Big Hole In Your Wallet