Category: Singapore Food Haven

Long-Lost Malay Dish ‘Nasi Beringin’ Revived At Yishun: It Was Once Served To Royalty In The 1890s

One would typically associate Malay food with Nasi Lemak, Mee Rebus, Nasi Padang etc.

However growing up as a Malay in Singapore, most of us would probably have never heard of this Malay dish called Nasi Beringin.

This Malay dish was once sold in Singapore for a short period of time in the 1950s but gradually disappeared from the local Malay food scene.

Chef Fahmi Rahaman decided to revive this long lost Malay dish that was once served to the Johor Royalties in the late 1890s.

Reviving A Long Lost Dish

Introduced in the late 1890s, Nasi Beringin was first popularised within the compounds of the Johor Royalties. Sultan Sir Ibrahim, then the 2nd Sultan of Johor in the modern era, regularly had this dish in his feasts especially when guests were invited to dine in the palace.

Nasi Beringin, was also called the “Nasi Bering Harum” (Fragrant Beringin Rice), as the scent from the dish never fails to invigorate one’s palate.

Owner of Fifty50 Empire, Fahmi Rahaman who was an ex Assistant Head Chef with Timbre Group recently set up stall at Yishun Park Hawker Centre together with his partner, Khairul Afnan selling Nasi Beringin.

Nasi Beringin is served with traditional favourites such as the Ayam Kurma, Rendang, and Achar which combines all the sweet, sour, spicy and savoury elements into a harmonious unity within a plate.

At Fifty50 Empire, you are given a wide range of meat to choose from – Fried Chicken Wing (Signature), Fried Fish, Beef Rendang, Tiger Prawn, Fried Squid which comes in various portion size (lite, double, triple).

They also provide three different sauces – rendang, kurma and masak merah. The sauces are really unique as they were taught to him by his mother.

If you’re wondering how Nasi Beringin tastes like, its basically a cross between Nasi Lemak and Nasi Briyani. Fahmi uses short grain basmati rice that is cooked with a variety of spices and oil resulting in rice that’s temptingly fragrant. Delicate hints of cardamom, cloves, star anise and fenugreek can be discerned in the rice.

The prawns were definitely the star of the entIre dish. The prawns were fresh and battered to give it a slight crunch. We recommend pairing the Prawns with Masak Merah Sauce.

The chicken wing was as impressive as the prawns. Instead of coating the chicken in a thick batter, the wings are lightly coated with flour and his blend of spices before frying. This makes a lot of difference to the chicken as the batter won’t soak up the oil and this also keeps it crispy.

If you’re looking for a traditional way of eating Nasi Beringin, we highly recommend pairing the Chicken with Kurma Sauce which is made from coriander, cumin, coconut, curry and chili.

The Beef Rendang is another favourite of Fahmi’s. The beef was tender and tore apart easily. I also liked the fact that the rendang was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Each plate of Nasi Beringin comes with sambal belacan for the extra kick, achar to cut the acidity of the dish as well as a crispy piece of papadum.

As compared to Malay dishes such as Nasi Lemak and Nasi Padang which can be pretty heavy as a lunch option, the Nasi Beringin did not leave me with a food coma.

If you’re ever in Yishun, and looking for a change from your typical Malay fare, you know where to go for a good meal.

Fifty50 Empire Nasi Beringin
Address: 51 Yishun Avenue 11, Singapore, 768867
Opening Hours: 11am to 9pm daily. Closed for Friday Prayers from 1pm- 2pm
Website

Also Read [REVIEW] We Spent $5.90 On LiHo’s New Salted Egg Bubble Tea So You Don’t Have To

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

[REVIEW] We Spent $5.90 On LiHo’s New Salted Egg Bubble Tea So You Don’t Have To

Will the salted egg yolk trend ever die out?

The short answer is: No, it won’t.

Just when we thought we’ve had enough of the Salted Egg trend, LiHo decided to surprise us with their latest creation during the CMYK Flea Market.

Introducing their latest bubble tea – Salted Egg Lava Brown Sugar Pearl Fresh Milk ($4.90/$5.90)

https://www.facebook.com/lihosg/photos/a.141429665902858/1913082468737560/?type=3&theater

We have salted egg crab, salted egg potato chips and heck even salted egg lava cake. Do we REALLY need salted egg in our bubble tea as well?

So the team headed out on this fine sunny afternoon to see if this drink was worth a try.

Let It Flow, Let It Flow

If you were there at the CMYK Flea Market over the past weekend, you might’ve seen long snaking queues in front of LiHo for their latest Salted Egg Bubble Tea.

It was initially advertised as a one-time thing at the CMYK Flea Market. However, we’re guessing the response on the day changed their mind as the drink is now available in three of their outlets: Bugis+, Vivo City and Suntec City.

First Thoughts

Upon reaching their outlet at Bugis+, I noticed that there was a queue forming at LiHo at 3pm on a Thursday.

As I watched them prepare my drink, I was impressed by the generous amount of salted egg that they poured into the drink. And in that moment, I knew this drink was going to be a complete sugar overload.

When the lady behind the counter handed over my drink, I couldn’t help but notice the slight judgement in her face as though she was secretly telling me, “You’re going to regret this.”

Of course, she smiled at me wearily and told me to “Enjoy!” – whatever that means.

First Sip

Now I was expecting a velvety, smooth drink but I was wrong.

Oh boy, I was so wrong.

Firstly, it was completely tough to drink it because the salted egg was thick, the pearls were clumped together and I could barely taste the milk. Instead of it all mixing together nicely, I was tasting three different elements instead.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t terrible. The taste of the salted egg was great – reminds me of a freshly steamed liu sha bao. However the texture of the drink threw me off.

After getting the entire office to try this drink, no one liked it.

In fact, everyone was completely confused by the taste and texture. Some preferred if the drink was thicker and creamier whereas some just felt that Salted Egg and Bubble Tea should never be combined.

The drink was pretty jelak for us after 3 sips because it was just too sweet for our liking.

Honestly, if this drink came in a dessert form, we would’ve been all for it. Pour the salted egg sauce all over a pudding and we’ll gladly eat it.

If you were to ask us if we’d ever buy it again, sadly, it’s a no from us.

We love you salted egg, but perhaps you should just stay out of our bubble teas from now onwards.

If you do love salted egg, try it out and let us know what you think!

LiHo Bugis+
Address: 201 Victoria St, #03-29/30 Singapore 188067
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm daily

LiHo Suntec City
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #03-379 Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm daily

LiHo Vivo City
Address: #01-111, Vivo City, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 098585
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 10.30pm daily

Also Read From Korean Sandwiches To Steaks, Here Are 10 New Eateries In Century Square Worth Checking Out

(Header Image Source: LiHo Singapore Facebook, Discover SG)

From Korean Sandwiches To Steaks, Here Are 10 New Eateries In Century Square Worth Checking Out

Century Square at Tampines reopened its doors after a nine-month long facelift. What most people don’t know is that the newly revamped mall has plenty of new food spots that East Siders can claim “East Side, Best Side”.

Other than the regular favourites such as Ayam Penyet President, Maki San, FatPapas Burgers & Shakes, Men Men Don Don, there’s plenty of new eateries you can look forward to at Century Square.

Here are some of our favourites:

1. Two Hana

Two Hana is a Korean-fusion cafe that stands out from the rest by taking western dishes and giving them a Korean twist.

They serve everything from rice bowls to pastas and small bites for a quick and fuss-free meal.

Some of the highlights include Kimchi Mac and Cheese ($9) which is a fried cube of kimchi-flavoured mac and cheese. If you’re looking for something heartier, we recommend getting the Striploin Bap ($15) or Korean Seafood Cioppino With Tofu ($12).

Two Hana
Unit number: #01-21
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Contant No.: 6260 4321
Website

2. Seoul In A Sandwich

Korean food is one of the more popular cuisines among Singaporeans, with the food portions being easily shareable and comforting.

The Seoul Garden Group has come up with a new concept in the form of Seoul In A Sandwich. As its name suggests, it serves up sandwiches with a Korean twist. Expect western sandwiches with Korean flavours.

The Bulgogi Cheesesteak ($8.50) is basically a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, but it uses grilled Bulgogi beef instead. But the most ambitious crossover sandwich has got to be the Army Stew-ich ($8.50) which has stewed chicken hotdogs, chicken luncheon meat, tteokbokki, and daikon slaw slapped between ciabatta toasts.

Seoul In A Sandwich
Unit number: #B1-23
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Contact No.: 6260 4339
Website

3. The Meathouse

Steak lovers, here’s a halal steakhouse set up by chef Benny Se Teo, the man behind Eighteen Chefs.

Just like his previous venture, you’ll find a decently-priced selection of soups, salads, sides, and proteins on the menu, which is actually quite extensive.

You can order a whole Black Angus 250g Striploin Steak for just $22.50 or the Australian Tajima 200g Wagyu Striploin Steak for $45. If you’re looking for decent cut of steak for under $50, The Meathouse should be your next go-to.

All steaks are served with a side of hot bun, greens and café de Paris butter with a choice of mushroom, black pepper or garlic sauce.

The Meathouse
Unit number: #05-04
Opening hours: Sun – Thur: 11am – 10:30pm, Fri – Sat: 11am to 11pm
Contact No.: 6260 1752
Website

4. Jian Bo Tiong Bahru Shui Kueh

There’re countless of Chwee Kueh’s stall in Singapore but Tiong Bahru Market’s Jian Bo Shui Kueh is always on everyone’s lips when asked where the best is.

Now east siders no longer have to travel all the way to Tiong Bahru for their Chwee Kueh fix. The chwee kuehs have the right amount of bounce, and the preserved radish topping features a wonderfully savoury and spicy combination of flavours.

This certainly justifies the perpetual queues snaking in front of Jian Bo!

Jian Bo Tiong Bahru Shui Kueh
Unit Number: #B1-28
Opening Hours: 6am – 10pm daily
Contact No.: 6260 2551
Image Credit: Mahota Singapore Facebook[/caption]

If you’re new to Mahota and not sure what to pick from their menu try out the Signature Mahota 9 Element Box (S$20) which is basically an omakase in a bento box. The nine “elements” in the box is a mixture of items from their Signature Plates (S$12 – S$19) and Small Plates (S$5 – S$9), which are also available on the menu.

Mahota Kitchen
Unit Number: #01-11
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
Contact No.: 6260 8018
Image Credit: Souperstar Facebook[/caption]

They’re known for serving hearty soups paired with zhnged-up popiah. Some favourites include Souper Shroomy ($3.90/$5.20/$6.80) and the Boston Clam Chowder ($4.40/$5.70/$7.30).

As for the popiahs, they’re rolled with 100% handmade popiah skin. Get either The Traditional ($2.90) or The Seafood Wasabi Mayo ($5.30) which comes with fresh shrimp, seasoned tune & crabsticks, wakame seaweed and light wasabi mayonnaise.

Souperstar
Unit Number: #01-34
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am-9:30pm, Sat & Sun: 9:30am-9:30pm
Contact No.: 6781 1031
Website

7. Beef Bro

If you were at the Geylang Serai Bazaar this year, you’ll probably recognise Beef Br.

Opened by Mediacorp actor Danial Ashriq, Beef Bro made their debut at the Geylang Serai Bazaar this year and drew crowds with up to an hour and a half of waiting time.

What they’re known for is, of course, beef. Specifically, flame-grilled beef cubes, like the ones you find in Taiwan.

Each order of beef cubes is seared and cooked with a blow torch upon order and comes with a selection of toppings such as Mentaiko, Cheese, Garlic Chilli, Barbecue Sauce, and even their signature Sambal Belacan!

Beef Bro’s signature Beef Cubes are available in 130g ($7.90)and 200g ($12.90). 

Beef Bro
Unit No: #B1-38
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 9pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 9:30pm
Contact No.: 8484 4359
Website

8. Nakhon Kitchen

This Thai eatery needs little introduction, especially since all their branches enjoy long queues.

If you’re a huge fan of Thai food, you might want to consider adding Nakhon to your list. Be prepared to queue during peak hours though, this place is well known for their affordable yet quality food.

Some of the must-try dishes at Nakhon include Phad Thai, Pandan Chicken and of course the Tom Yam Soup.

Nakhon Kitchen
Unit No: #01-42
Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm, daily
Contact No.: 6260 1632

9. Pizza Express

Pizza Express is a restaurant that will impress you with their take on both classic and unconventional pizzas.

One of their more unique creations would be the Laksa Pizza ($28) which comes with prawns, mussels, squid clams, quail eggs, fried beancurd (tau pok) and homemade laksa sauce.

They also serve handmade pastas. The Lobster and Crabmeat Ravioli comes with a velvety mushroom and pomodoro sauce.

Pizza Express
Unit Number: #02-20/27
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm, daily
Contact No.: 6260 6383
Website

10. Cheese Addiction

The cheese raclette trend may be a fad but cheese will always be a favourite for Singaporeans. Cheese Addiction is another kiosk in the basement that sells a variety of baked cheese bites.

Some favourites include Raclette Tori Karage ($6.50), Mac and Cheese ($5.90) and Kimchi Cheese Tteokbokki ($5.90).

Cheese Addiction
Unit Number: #B1-39
Opening Hours: 10am – 9.30pm, daily
Contact No.: 9029 5838
Website

Also Read Fine Dining On A Budget: S’pore Steakhouse ‘Fat Belly’ Serves 6-Course Meal With Wagyu Steak For Just $78

(Header Image Source: Beef Bro, Seoul In A Sandwich, The Meathouse, Two Hana)

Fine Dining On A Budget: S’pore Steakhouse ‘Fat Belly’ Serves 6-Course Meal With Wagyu Steak For Just $78

Despite the fact that my job pretty much revolves around food, I’ve never been one for fine dining — I’ve never been able to justify the price-to-portion ratio in my head (“$100 for a single scallop!?”), and the closest I’ve gotten to it is watching Gordon Ramsay cooking on YouTube.

It would seem then, that Fat Belly’s Alternative Steak Experience is the perfect middle ground for someone like me — for $78, this “speakeasy steakhouse” in the Botanic Gardens area is offering a six-course meal centered around their alternative wagyu steak cuts.

With an open mind and open-er stomach, I headed down to try it out.

Raising The Steaks

Before we get into the food, something needs to be said about the ambience.

The entirety of Fat Belly is comprised of a cozy bar counter that sits 10 (it shares a space with its sister restaurant, Sugarhaus), and an open kitchen concept allows you to watch the chef prepare your meal as the fragrant smells act as a mouth-watering precursor for what’s to come.

The close proximity of everything makes for an rather intimate experience, making it a great place if you’re running out of date night ideas.

You know you’re in for a good time when your appetisers have appetisers, or a “pre-dinner snack”, as the chef called it. This part of the meal varies from day to day, and I was served Homemade Rice Crackers — sprinkled with beef salt and furikake, this light starter definitely got me in the mood for food.

The meal then began in earnest with the Foi Gras Creme brûlée. The ignorant foodie in me expected the dish to be sweet, but it gave off a truffle-like taste instead (alternative experience, indeed). Fans of savoury food will enjoy this, but it does lean on the stronger side and might be a little too overwhelming for some.

The saltiness of the previous two dishes had me craving for meat, and it just so happened that the next appetiser consisted of a Skewered Wagyu Beef Intercostal (that’s the space between the ribs, for those of you who didn’t know). Cooking the meat in red wine gave it an alcoholic aftertaste, and the addition of chimichurri sauce added another fresh dimension to the already-flavourful dish.

Next up was the Tajima Beef Char Siew, which I can only describe as “char siew on steroids”. Draped in a house sauce consisting of honey and fermented red beancurd, the distinct char siew taste was especially strong, and when paired with the accompanying kale made for a balanced and satisfying bite.

You’d think that three appetisers would be enough, but the chef had one more up trick up his sleeve in the form of a Wagyu Slider (not that I was complaining). Sandwiched between homemade potato buns and melted Gouda cheese, the mini burger gave off a buttery umami flavour, and was the perfect end to the string of appetisers.

Finally, it was time for the main event — the Marble Score 8 Grilled Tajima Tri-Tip, and a USDA 150 day Grain Fed Angus Flat Iron Steak from the a la carte menu as well. Eating the two side by side really exemplified how different cuts can provide wildly different experiences — the flat iron was so tender that it pretty much melted in my mouth, while the Tajima tri-tip was probably the most flavourful steak I had ever eaten in my life. There’s no wrong choice here.

And what better way to end a meal than with some dessert? The Molten Lava Chocolate Cake was extremely rich, and the addition of raspberry helped to mix things up as well. The cinnamon gelato from Sugarhaus that’s served alongside it warrants a writeup of its own, but that’s an article for another day.

I was always under the impression that fine dining wouldn’t fill my stomach, but I was surprisingly full at the end of the meal (I suppose six courses will do that to you). From sweet to savoury to every thing else in between, pretty much every taste receptor had been satisfied.

And even if you aren’t up for such an extravagant meal, their surprisingly affordable a la carte menu is worth checking out as well — the aforementioned Flat Iron Steak goes for a very reasonable $22, and sides like Truffle Fries and Sauteed Thyme Mushroom cost a mere $5.

Fat Belly’s Alternative Steak Experience strikes the perfect balance between fine dining and…well, normal dining, and proves that you don’t have to break the bank for a premium culinary experience (relatively speaking, at least).

If you’re ever in the mood to treat yo self, Fat Belly is definitely one place to consider.

Fat Belly
Address: Serene Centre, 10 Jalan Serene #01-04, Singapore 258748
Opening Hours: 6pm-10pm (Monday – Thursday, Sunday), 6pm-11pm (Friday, Saturday)

Website I Facebook

Also Read Meatballs, Wine and Comfort Food – This Restaurant At Telok Ayer Will Put You In A Mellow Mood

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

Bubble Tea Buns Are A Thing Now – BreadTalk Launches Earl Grey Buns And Swiss Rolls With Pearls

Looks like bubble tea craze isn’t dying any time in Singapore.

BreadTalk just stepped up their game with their latest bubble tea buns and toasts which starts from $1.90.

Taking Bubble Tea To New Heights

If your go to order at your favourite bubble tea shop is Earl Grey Milk Tea, then you’ll love their new buns.

Celebrated in an unexpected form, the Earl Grey Bubble Tea Bun ($1.90) features an Earl Grey tea infused dough filled with Earl Grey tea infused cream and paired with pearls, making each bite an aromatic and chewy treat.

We were pleasantly surprised by how soft the pearls were as compared to the chewy texture we’re all used to.

If that isn’t good enough for you, they also come in toast ($2.90) and roll ($8.50) forms!

The Early Grey Bubble Tea Roll ($8.50) features an airy, light and fluffy Swiss roll wrapped around an Earl Grey Tea infused cream filling with chewy pearls. This roll makes for the perfect afternoon snack or post dinner treat.

However, bubble tea-based food aren’t the only Taiwanese items that BreadTalk’s introducing.

Inspired by the delicious mash-up of street snacks and familiar local delicacies, BreadTalk has also created a range of baked treats that will take you on a journey through Taiwan food markets.

Relive the nights of walking through Raohe Night Market with their range of Taiwanese street food buns. The Pepper Bun ($1.90) is filled spiced minced pork and flavourful spring onion, seasoned with a good dose of white pepper and topped with white sesame.

Just like the ones they make in Taiwan, the buns are crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside.

For those craving a sweet treat, the Sweet Potato Red Bean ($2.00) is a delightful bun filled with red beans from Wandan in Taiwan, known for its rich flavours, sweet potato, boluo crumble and sprinkled with Matcha Powder.

You can find these items at all BreadTalk outlets, except for:

Earl Grey Bubble Tea Toast and Chocolate Malt Bubble Tea Toast: only available at the IHQ, Chinatown Point, CityLink Mall, ION Orchard, Novena Square and Toa Payoh HDB Hub outlets.

Earl Grey Bubble Tea Roll: available at all outlets except Singapore Cruise Centre and United Square.

Also Read This Thai Bakery Is Baking Up A Storm Of Fluffy Loaves – And You Knead To Try It

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

5 Must-Try Hawker Favourites At Old Airport Road, One Of S’pore’s Largest Food Centres

When talking about eating spots in Singapore, Old Airport Road Food Centre is bound to come up sooner or later.

Since 1973, the ex-Kallang Airport has been home to a wide variety of good eats, and foodies still flock to the now-legendary eating spot to this day to get their munch on.

With more than 150 stalls we’re probably definitely going to have to come back for a second round, but until then here are five dishes that you can count on for a good meal:

Nam Sing Hokkien Mee

Let’s get the usual suspects out of the way first — Nam Sing Hokkien Mee might very well be Old Airport Road’s most well-known stall, and the seemingly endless queue at any given time suggests that this isn’t going to change anytime soon.

Similar to the one we had at Newton Circus, this iteration uses thinner noodles, and isn’t as wet as the ones you’d find in your average hawker centre. Each plate comes with a generous serving of seafood and eggs, and it’s well-rounded taste definitely lives up to the hype.

If you’re going to order food from multiple stalls (as most people do at Old Airport Road), make sure to make Nam Sing your first stop — the store is notorious for its 30-45 minute waiting times, so plan accordingly.

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee
Unit: #01-32

Bedok Minced Mixed Noodle

If you’re a fan of Bedok 85’s minced meat noodles, you owe it to yourself to try Old Airport Road’s Bedok Minced Mixed Noodle (no prizes for guessing where they got their inspiration from).

Prepared by two of the nicest ladies you’ll ever meet in a hawker center, the dish looks deceivingly simple — minced meat, dumplings, and greens are pretty much the only ingredients here, but everything comes together to create an extremely flavourful bite (some might argue that it’s a little too salty, so people who prefer something less intense should take that into account).

Price-wise, a small and large bowl goes for an affordable $3 and $4 respectively. While the serving size of the former was enough to fill our stomachs, the dish is so tasty that we wished we had gone for the bigger option.

Bedok Minced Mixed Noodle
Unit: #01-125

Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun

Chee cheong fun has always been a pretty unassuming dish, but the ones by Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun might become the unexpected star of your meal for a number of reasons.

Like its name suggests, each order is made fresh (always a plus, but be ready to queue), and the amount of fillings to choose from is nothing short of staggering. There’s the usual prawn and char siew, but more peculiar choices like egg, otah, scallop and even pig liver are available as well.

Of course, all the choices in the world wouldn’t matter if the dish didn’t taste good, and thankfully it delivers on that front as well. The rice flour skin possesses an extremely silky texture that melts in your mouth, and the accompanying sauce adds a light, savoury taste that doesn’t go overboard.

And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s still the prawn chilli paste, which adds another dimension of sweetness to an already flavourful dish.

Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun
Unit: #01-155

Toa Payoh Rojak

Full disclosure: we aren’t exactly the biggest fans of rojak, but the one we had from Toa Payoh Rojak might have turned us into converts.

While most rojaks are a little too heavy for our tastes and can get jelak after awhile, this one manages to strike the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Despite being lathered in sauce, pretty much every piece remained crispy, and we couldn’t put our satay sticks down.

We received a very generous serving for $3, and you can bump that size up to $5 if you’re eating in a bigger group. As you might expect, the stall is popular among regulars (it has a clinic-esque numbering system, for crying out loud), so make sure to get in the queue early.

Toa Payoh Rojak
Unit: #01-108

Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow

The queue at Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow might not be as lengthy as some of the other stalls in this list, but you can count on waiting just as long to get your food.

This isn’t without good reason, though — instead of cooking an entire batch wholesale, the chef prepares each order individually, and that attention to detail definitely makes a difference.

The result is a personalised wok hei of sorts, coupled with an ever-so-slight seafood taste thanks to the addition of prawn, squid and cockles. The overall flavour still leans towards the lighter side, but that’s actually a good thing considering that it allows you to eat other dishes without feeling too bloated.

At just $3-$4 per plate, Dong Ji is definitely worth giving a shot. Just pray that the person in front of you doesn’t order ten packets.

Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow
Unit: #01-138

Old Airport Road Food Centre
Address: 51 Old Airport Rd, Singapore 390051

Also Read An Oldie But A Goodie: Canteen 398 At Seletar Is Possibly The Longest Surviving Canteen In S’pore

(Header Image Credit: Discover SG)

Friendship Is Magic This September As A My Little Pony Cafe Pops Up At Bugis

For those who believe in magic, unicorns and flying ponies, Kumoya has exciting news for you.

Your favourite characters from My Little Pony are flying from their home in Equestria to Singapore’s shores from 27 September – 30th December as part of Singapore’s first My Little Pony x Kumoya pop-up cafe!

Friendship Is Magic

In the past, we’ve seen Miffy, Care Bears and Tokidoki-themed character cafes hosted by Kumoya. This time round, the young and young at heart can expect an explosion of rainbows, stars, fluffy clouds and all the My Little Pony stars in action.

Together with Shirley Wong (Little Miss Bento), Kumoya has created a special My Little Pony inspired menu for everyone.

Here are some dishes that will be available at the My Little Pony x Kumoya pop-up cafe:

Mains

Magic Friendship Rainbow Big Breakfast ($24.90)

A breakfast designed by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie just for you – toasted house-made rainbow bread, chicken and beef sausages, crispy turkey bacon, chicken ham, grilled tomato, scrambled eggs, hash brown with a side of fresh garden salad.

Twilight Sparkle Soaring Skies Chicken Katsu Burger ($22.90)

Head skywards for this juicy chicken katsu on a mantou with wings! Drizzled with house-made teriyaki sauce, cheddar cheese, tomato, fresh garden salad, Twilight Sparkle mantou with a side of curly fries.

Friendship Meets Love Seafood Curry Rice ($28.90)

If you’re craving for something heartier and savoury, this dish consists of Japanese rice infused with beetroots, accompanied by breaded ebi, calamari and scallop, fresh tempura salmon, steamed broccoli, cherry tomatoes and house-made tempura potato cake hearts.

Desserts

Pinkie Pie Pack Pack-a-Punch Strawberry Cake ($17.90)

Just like Pinkie Pie herself, this fully loaded dessert is pony power packed with Strawberry sponge cake with kanten jelly, vanilla Hokkaido soft serve, fluffy cotton candy, sweet pink lollipop, marshmallow, pink chocolate slab, strawberry cereal crunch and fresh strawberries.

Candylicious Rainbow Fruity Shibuya Toast ($24.90)

Expect a rainbow explosion in this dessert. With a toasted buttery bread tower, vanilla Hokkaido soft serve, Rainbow Dash cookies, colourful rainbow cookie, fresh berries and fruits, rainbow lollipop, fruity candy drops, drizzled with warm dark chocolate sauce.

Magical Princesses With Magic Potion Galaxy Cake ($21.90)

Whip out your camera as you pour the multi-coloured shiny galaxy glaze over the mango mousse cake right in front of you, complete with magical dry ice – for your Instagram, of course!

Drinks

Rainbow Dash Fluffy Clouds Bubblegum Soda with Fluffy Cotton Candy/ Twilight Sparkle Sparkling Water Melon Soda with Fluffy Cotton Candy ($12.90)

Make a quick dash for this delicious high-flying soda. Both soda comes with a fluffy cotton candy cloud.

That’s not all, all beverages are served with a limited edition coaster (5 different designs to collect)! While stocks last.

Like the previous character cafes, dining time is limited to 90 minutes and there is a minimum spending of $10 per person.

The My Little Pony pop-up cafe will run from 27 September 2018 to 30 December 2018.

Will you be heading to the My Little Pony pop-up cafe at Kumoya this September?

My Little Pony x Kumoya
Address: Kumoya Cafe, 8 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199320
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, Sunday: 12.00pm – 9.30pm, Friday and Saturday: 12.00pm – 10.00pm, Closed on Mondays
Website

Also Read An Oldie But A Goodie: Canteen 398 At Seletar Is Possibly The Longest Surviving Canteen In S’pore

(Header Image Source: Kumoya)

NP & NYP’s Iconic Sandwich Shop Is No Longer On Campus, But You Can Find It At ION Orchard Instead

If you’re a former or current student at NP or NYP, then you’ll be familiar with Splash n Decker or “that sandwich shop”.

It’s been 2 years since I graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and till today I still remember the sandwiches from Splash n Decker. Their simple yet delicious sandwiches got us through morning lectures or for a quick go-to when the school canteens got too crowded.

Sadly, both branches have since closed down – the NYP joint closed years ago, while the loss of NP’s branch was more recent on June 1.

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#RIPTeriyakiChickenSandwich

That Xtra Sandwich

Die hard fans of Splash n Decker will be pleased to know that the brand has moved on to bigger things such as opening up shop at ION Orchard’s Basement. Which is a major upgrade from NP and NYP combined.

Owned by the Four Leaves brand, Splash n Decker now goes by the name Sandwich Lab. The ION Orchard store now sports a new sleek and clean exterior – which is a stark contrast from their previous old school bakery vibe.

If you ask any NYP/NP kid, they’ll highly recommend the Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich ($4.80) which comes with a slab of tender teriyaki chicken sandwiched between two buttery toasted bread.

There are at least 10 types of sandwiches you can choose from ranging between $4 – $4.80. They’re not as cheap as it was back during our poly days (it was only $2.90 then) but hey, if it means I get to enjoy the same old sandwiches, they can take all my money.

There are also new additions to the menu such as the Spicy Tuna Croissant ($4) and the Tom Yam Seafood Sandwich ($4.50).

If you miss your poly days, grab your friends and head on down to Sandwich Lab for your sandwich fix!

Sandwich Lab
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-40/41/42, ION Orchard, Singapore 23801
Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm, daily
Contact No.: 6509 9500
Website

Also Read Popular China Tea Brand TaiGai Opens First Overseas Outlet At NEX – Prices Start From $3.30

(Header Image Source: @ngeeannpoly and Stella Thng Facebook)

‘Costa’ La Vista – Costa Coffee Is Closing Its Last 2 Outlets In S’pore By 16 Sep

If you haven’t already noticed, British coffee chain Costa Coffee has closed six outlets in Singapore over the last three and half months, with their two remaining branches at Holland Village and VivoCity Mall bowing out in the next two weeks.

Costa Coffee entered Singapore in 2012, riding on the wave of generic coffee brands that offered a quick cuppa to the masses who are looking for convenience.

The Final Pour

Hit by hefty rents and labour costs, Costa Coffee’s failure to survive in Singapore is also partly due to the growing popularity of indie cafes and their focus on solid brews.

Over the past 6 years, we’ve seen a rise in popular indie cafes such as Dutch Colony Coffee Co. and Common Man Coffee Roasters who are known for serving up java that are roasted in-house or sourced from roasters around the world. This gives them a slight edge in serving quality coffee at the same prices or even cheaper than the offerings from bigger chains.

Indie coffee shops continue to spring up in Singapore while big-name coffee shop chains are opening up more and more stores to mark their turf.

They’ve done a great job by starting to educate the market on how to appreciate better quality coffee.  But whether coffee shops can survive will depend on rental rates.

Or perhaps Costa Coffee was good yet not good enough to make up for their lack of character. They weren’t distinctive enough to beat fellow big brands like Starbucks or The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I mean, honestly, when have we ever craved a drink from Costa?

Fret not, if you love Costa Coffee, no other stores in Southeast Asia are affected by the move, though the company did not say why the chain was puling out of Singapore. This also means, the next nearest Costa Coffee outlet for you would be JB.

Whatever the case, if you love Costa Coffee, you might want to head down to their two remaining outlets at Holland Village and VivoCity Mall soon for your coffee fix.

Costa Coffee Holland Village 
Address: 269 Holland Ave, Singapore 278990
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 7am – 9pm, Fri – Sat: 7am – 10pm

Costa Coffee VivoCity Mall
Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-100 VivoCity, 098585
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm, Daily

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Popular China Tea Brand TaiGai Opens First Overseas Outlet At NEX – Prices Start From $3.30

While food trends come and go, Fruit Teas look like they’re here to stay for a while.

From Partea to Teafolia, fruit tea fans can look forward to the opening of TaiGai at NEX Serangoon!

Established in Shenzhen, China, TaiGai is a popular tea brand in China with over 60 stores across the country. They’re also known for their signature offerings and healthier tea options using mainly fresh fruits and premium quality teas in their concoctions.

TaiGai’s NEX outlet is their first venture out of China.

Love At First Sip

If you’re wondering, “What’s the difference between TaiGai and other fruit tea brands?”

TaiGai is the pioneer behind “Fruity Milky Kiss” – fruit-blended milk cheese crowns. The drinks are topped with a milk cheese foam that has been blended with fruits, which gives you that natural sweetness and pulpy bits as you sip on your fruity tea.

With fresh fruits used predominantly in the teas, TaiGai is careful to retain its natural fragrance and sweetness to complement the taste and aroma of these crafted teas.

Another highlight of their drinks would be their “Beary Cute Series” that comes with an adorable bear-ear lid.

If you’re wondering what drink you should get from TaiGai, here’s what we highly recommend:

Pulpy Strawberry Kiss ($6.80)

The most popular “Fruity Milky Kiss” drink would be the Pulpy Strawberry Kiss, which is perfect if you want something refreshing and sweet. About half a cup of strawberries are used for just one drink!

This drink is exceptionally popular as it has the perfect balance of fresh sweetness and a hint of sourness from the strawberries, along with the fragrance of the tea.

When you take the first sip from the opening, you can first taste the blended crown which has well-balanced milk-cheese to fruit ratio followed by the fruit-blended tea.

The milk cheese crown has a perfect velvety finishing when sipped together with the fruit blended tea. The generous pulp from the blended strawberries adds dimension to the entire experience.

Pulpy Pineapple Kiss ($6.20)

Also a part of the “Fruity Milky Kiss” series, the Pulpy Pineapple Kiss is one of TaiGai’s signature drinks.

If you’re looking for something to quench your thirst, this drink is a juicy tropical blend that is both refreshing and zesty – reminiscent of sunny days lying on the beach in Thailand.

Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong ($4.90)

For the tea lovers, you can choose from the “Pure Tea” or the “Pure Tea Milky Kiss” series that are topped with the milk cheese crowns.

The Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong is one of the signature drinks on the menu. Similar to the civet cat coffee, when a cicada bites the baby tea leaves, it changes the chemistry resulting in an authentic taste profile of this oolong tea.

This golden-coloured tea is paired nicely with the milk cheese crown as it was smooth and has a slight hint of bitterness from the tea itself.

Perhaps it’s time to swap out your everyday tea for the Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong.

Fresh Premium Orange Burst ($5.90)

Fruit Teas, also known as infusions, are gaining popularity because they come across as healthier versions as compared to their counterparts of Bubble Tea.

In their “Fresh Fruit Tea” series, you can choose from Fresh Golden Kumquat Burst ($4), Fresh Green Lemon Burst Green Tea ($4.50), Fresh Yellow Lemon Burst Black Tea ($4.50) and Fresh Premium Orange Burst ($5.90).

The recommended drink is the Fresh Premium Orange Burst. The drink consists of freshly sliced oranges and a slice of lime.

This calming and refreshing drink makes for the perfect afternoon thirst quencher.

Beary Creative Milk Tea ($4.50)

This is probably a favourite for most as the drinks comes with an adorable bear-shaped lid.

You can choose from the Beary Co Co which is a very chocolatey drink or the Beary Creative Milk Tea which is a milk tea drink with choice of pearls, nata de coco, or red bean.

The Beary Creative Milk Tea comes with one topping of your choice and an additional 80cents for extra topping.

Pro-tip: Shine a light from the top of the cup and see the magic happen!

Overall Store Atmosphere

The service at TaiGai is fast and simple. All you have to do is key in your orders on the iPad available at the counter and wait for your number to appear on the screen!

There are seats available in the store as well for you to take IG-worthy pictures of your drinks. Do be prepared for the long queues!

If you’re looking to try out a new fruit tea place, then you might just like TaiGai’s fruity tea creations!

TaiGai
Address: NEX Serangoon, #B2-34, Singapore 556083
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 10pm
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Also Read This 7-Eleven At Boat Quay Doubles Up As A Bar – Serves Beer On Tap For $4.70

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)