Wisma Atria Brings Japan To S’pore – Tsukiji Sushi To Wagyu Beef!
It’s not cheap to fly all the way to Japan for a food adventure. Don’t even get us started on the language barrier! But guess what? Japan Food Town will officially open its doors at Wisma Atria, Orchard on the 16th of July 2016! It’s about curating and bringing the best of Japanese food to our sunny shores!
We Singaporeans loveeeeee Japanese food. From takeaway sushi rolls, cook-it-yourself curry rice or the ‘I saved for moths for this piece of Kobe beef’, there’s always an occasion for Japanese food.
Image source: Japan Food Town
But how about authentic Japanese food? How many of us actually had proper artisanal sushi (not machine pressed rice with corn and mayonnaise)?
What is Japan Food Town?
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Image source: 
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Image source: Japan Food Town[/caption]
Known for their deep fried pork cutlet (specifically Japanese black-haired pork, also known as kurobuta) served with homemade sauce, you sure can count on Anzu for your Katsu cravings. Everything is prepared from fresh Kyushu produce. They even grow the vegetables themselves!
2. Onigiri @ Bonta Bonta
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Image source: Japan Food Town[/caption]
Do not underestimate the Rice Balls (onigiri) at Bonta Bonta. Every grain of rice is carefully selected by a ‘Rice Sommelier’ and processed to the highest standards to qualify as Kinmemai – low-calorie brown rice with high nutritional value. Certainly a humble dish prepared with lots of effort and love.
3. Sake @ Dassai Bar
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Image source: Hokkaido Izakaya[/caption]
Hokkaido’s unique geographical location means access to the best flavours of both worlds – the sea and the land. You’ve heard people rave about their seafood (Hokkaido crab!!) and soba from the Tanjong Pagar branch. How about trying it for yourself at Japan Food Town?
5. Handmade Udon @ Inaniwa Yosuke
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Image source: shomao.h[/caption]
Ramen Ramen Ramen! Need we say more?? We’d love to let the broth do the talking but what makes Machida Shoten really special is their “Iekei” concept, which translates to noodles that are cooked to the diner’s specified softness or hardness. Personalised Ramen, bring it on!
7. 2 Michelin Star Hotpot @ Nabe Seizan
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Image source: Japan Food Town[/caption]
Feeling under the weather? Maybe a 2 Michelin Star hotpot (nabe) will pick you up. Helmed by Tokyo-born chef, Haruhiko Yamamoto, Seizan strives to bring out the true flavours of each ingredient rather than rely on sauces. Be blown away by this nabe.
8. Premium Teppanyaki & Wagyu @ Osaka Kitchen
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Image source: Japan Food Town[/caption]
Ever wonder what a ‘premium Teppanyaki’ experience is like? Just head to Osaka Kitchen for the finest wagyu on hot stove. While you’re at it, order Okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) and Yakisoba (fried noodle) for a true blue Kansai dining experience.
9. Fried Chicken @ Rang Mang Shokudo
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Image source: Japan Food Town[/caption]
This isn’t just ANY fried chicken. Tokyo’s Rang Mang Shokudo’s fried chicken is marinated in buttermilk for 6 hours. It is then double fried in low heat to bring out the umami, that desirable Japanese flavour. Pair it with their signature frozen lemon cocktail…that’s definitely finger licking good!
10. Mackerel @ Sabar
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Image source: Japan luxury guide[/caption]
Started in 1997, this eatery operated on a simple motto – “good quality food with reasonable price”. Try their beef and vegetable buffet Shabu Shabu or Sukiyaki and you’ll understand the true definition of amazing quality food and reasonable price.
12. Sushi Takewaka from Tsukiji Market
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Image source: Originally from Tsukiji (the super famous fish market), this 28 years old Edo style sushi place only uses good quality fish and seafood, prepared by their skilful chef.
13. Tempura Tsukiji Tenka
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Image source: Japan Food Town[/caption]
At Yakiniku Heijyoen, their beef is treated like fine wine – only top quality black haired wagyu beef from Japan is used. Before the beef even sees the kitchen, it is first aged for tenderness to bring out a deeper concentration of beef taste. Beef lovers, this is a treat you don’t wanna miss.
15. Yomoda Soba
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Image source: Japan Food Town[/caption]
“Yomoda” means many things – carefree, fun, easy going, but most of all, it’s a word used for friends to see things on the lighter side of life. Boasting freshly made soba served with “Yomoda” hospitality at a surprisingly affordable price, this is the kind of place you’d want to visit with your family and friends.
With such a wide range of authentic Japanese food to choose from, which eatery would you like to try out first? You can bet that we’ll be heading down with friends & family. Let’s pen this new food town in our food bucket list!
Japan Food Town
Official opening date: 16 July 2016
Location: 4th Floor, Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, 435 Orchard Rd, 238877
Operating Hours: 11am-11pm daily
Website: Japan Food Town
Header image source: Pexels
For more Japanese food in Singapore, click here.
Also, read A Rundown Of What’s Cooking At Food Opera – 8 Stalls You Must Check Out!
A Rundown Of What’s Cooking At Food Opera – 8 Stalls You Must Check Out!
Orchard Road has always been a convening point for us Singaporeans. It is a glitzy, world-famous shopping stretch that is adorned with restaurants dishing out fine dining selections. However, when it comes to eating at Orchard, we know how you feel; hunting down affordable (apart from fast food) comfort food can be tougher than scouting out the best bargains during GSS.
If you’ve got your head in your hands about what to eat at Orchard, fret not! We’ve discovered this hidden food gem of a place, and we’re letting the cat out of the bag. The reopening of Food Opera at Set C ($25)[/caption]
The white bee hoon at this new stall differs slightly from the Singaporean version we’re familiar with – Xing Lou’s unique rendition has wok-fried vermicelli simmered in shellfish gravy. The gravy is not as viscous as our local version but has a complex depth of flavour and a sweet aftertaste. The bee hoon has an ultra-soft, springy bite that breaks easily with each mouthful.
We all know how grimy stale seafood tastes like, and Xing Lou goes the extra mile to ensure this never happens. Expect only the freshest of crustaceans as seafood is imported from Endau, one of Malaysia‘s largest fishing ports, almost every other day.
Set C is perfect for sharing as it comes with a generous serving of bee hoon and an impressive seafood medley of prawns, crayfish, scallops and clams. If you’re not into sharing (we totally understand), you can opt to have your own bee hoon with any crustacean of your choice from just $6.90.
2. Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh
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Signature Prime Ribs ($10.50)[/caption]
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Claypot Tofu ($8.70)[/caption]
Bak kut teh (pork bone soup) has always been a familiar favourite; a warm and comforting broth that fills both your heart and stomach with joy on a cold day. Ya Hua, a long-time contender in the bak kut teh scene, is helmed by founder Madam Gwee Peck Hua who believes in cooking healthy, unpretentious food that is humble yet comforting at best.
This bak kut teh recipe of hers underwent countless revisions after years of trial and error before the broth was finally perfected. Boiled for hours, the soup is flavourful with just the right hint of pepper – it won’t leave that burning sensation down your throat, yet will warm the cockles of your heart. The meat is well-cooked and tender and glides off the bone effortlessly. If you find chewing off the pork bone a hassle, Ya Hua also has a boneless sliced pork soup option ($7.50) – now you’ve got no excuses.
Apart from her iconic bak kut teh, Madam Gwee has also introduced new, homely dishes into her menu at her new stall. The Claypot Tofu – silken tofu simmered with steamed egg and pork balls – is laced with a nostalgic taste of home. Every mouthful of this humble dish will remind you of grandma’s cooking.
3. Ah Yat Kitchen
Ah Yat Shredded Roasted Chicken with Fries ($6.50)[/caption]
Ah Yat may be a new tenant at Food Opera, but it has been a household name since the 1970s. While they’re undeniably known for their abalone, do give their Roasted Chicken a try! With meticulous care, the chicken is marinated and roasted to coax out flavours that will delight your taste buds. After the chicken is roasted to perfection, it is seasoned with sesame oil and sesame seeds to further enhance the flavour of this traditional Chinese dish.
The texture of the shredded chicken is impeccable – you won’t have to worry about it being too dry! All these tedious preparations contribute to fragrant, hand-pulled chicken so tender you have to try it to believe it – it might possibly give your favourite Hainanese chicken rice stall a run for its money. For $6.50, you get a quarter-chicken serving of meat and a choice of crispy fries or a bowl of rice on the side.
Another gem to try Ah Yat would be their Abalone Baked Rice ($8.80); a fragrant and delectable mix of egg fried rice with baby abalone.
4. Scotts Hwa Heng Beef Noodle
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Beef Noodle Combo Set Meal ($7.50). Credit: Fishball Noodle ($5.50)[/caption]
Fishball noodle – a satisfying, fuss-free Singaporean dish that needs no further introduction. Forget about all day breakfast! Fishball noodle has been a go-to for breakfast, lunch and even supper for as long as we can remember.
Here at Li Xin, they take great pride in serving quality, handmade fishballs. Their fresh fishballs are made of top-grade yellowtail fish meat and chilled in cold water (no freezing!) to ensure freshness. According to second-generation owner Mr. Eddie Lim, this is an age-old method used to keep the fishballs bouncy and succulent. These rustic balls have a unique, ‘meaty’ texture to them – a world apart from the processed ones you find in supermarkets, in a good way of course.
The dry version of their mee pok noodles is tossed in an otherworldly concoction of chilli and ketchup, striking a perfect balance between sweet and savoury. It does not have that strong vinegar sourness but rather a mild, tangy aftertaste, much like good sourdough bread. As for its soup counterpart, the broth is refreshingly addictive – you will be down to your last slurp before you know it. Fans of pork lard, you’re in luck. Li Xin is extremely generous with their self-prepared, fried pork lard – sinful at best but irresistibly good.
6. Riverside Indonesian BBQ
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Ayam Panggang Set ($6.50)[/caption]
You can’t call yourself a true blue Singaporean if you haven’t heard of Riverside. We’re kidding, it’s never too late to introduce this hearty dish into your world. Their bestseller, the Ayam Panggang (Indonesian grilled chicken) set, heralds snaking queues at Food Opera daily.
Riverside goes to great lengths to serve this scrumptious dish. The chicken thigh is first dipped in a secret sauce – a combination of Indonesia spices. After being set to rest, the thigh is barbequed till it exudes a smoky aroma. That’s not all! Before being served, the thigh is dipped in a homemade special black sauce. This is THE sauce that defines their legendary ayam panggang.
The dish is served with a slab of omelette, homemade sambal chilli and rice slathered with curry gravy. The coconut-heavy curry is slightly on the sweeter end and is not too spicy, so go ahead and raise the spice level with their killer sambal chilli. All in all, this divine combination of grilled chicken in black sweet sauce, rice smothered with curry and sambal chilli gets a resounding nod of approval from us – and probably half the population in Singapore already.
Seafood lovers, you can also rejoice! Riverside serves up equally delish BBQ squid and fish too.
7. Padang Padang
Ikan Assam Pedas ($3.50),Ayam Kari ($3.50/drumstick or $5.50/quarter chicken)[/caption]
If you, like every other Singaporean, live for cai png (economical rice), then this Indonesian version of our everyday staple provides a refreshing twist. You are more than free to mix and match a variety of meats and vegetables that are prepared daily, but we’d say go straight for the Ayam Kari and Ikan Assam Pedas.
The Padangnese-style ayam kari is essentially chicken simmered in a rich, coconut curry gravy that boasts a blend of at least seven spices. The chicken has a firm, silky texture and slides off the bone with a simple tug.
The ikan assam pedas, on the other hand, is a sour-spicy stingray dish prepared with a medley of fresh laksa leaves, tamarind and lemongrass – so rejuvenating, it’s almost like a wake-up call for your taste buds. The stingray is fresh with a nice succulent texture. We absolutely love the spot-on tanginess of the gravy – it is not too sour and has an addictive aftertaste that leaves you salivating for more.
The folks behind Padang Padang only cook with raw spices specially imported from Indonesia. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to know that Padang Padang uses no preservatives or MSG in any of their dishes. Kudos to them! We now have the liberty to order anything here without setting the MSG alarms off.
8. Ice Shop
Bobo Chacha with Taro Balls ($3.20)[/caption]
You know what they say, there is always a dessert stomach – the happy ending to any meal. We love our rainbow cakes and churros, but traditional desserts will always hold an uncontested place in our hearts. This stall has a lengthy menu of over 35 hot and cold selections to satisfy your sweet cravings. The portions are not monstrous, so you won’t get jelat of the milk-based treats.
The Chendol here is remarkably different from the ones served elsewhere. Topped with jackfruit, it is a rich and flavourful thirst-quencher in a bowl. The red bean and sago jelly balances out the sweet and salty coconut milk nicely, and the shaved ice is doused in the ever familiar Gula Melaka. No doubt an ideal finish to a satisfying meal, or a midday indulgence.
If your palate gravitates more towards the warm desserts, the Bobo ChaCha with Taro Balls is a traditional option with a twist. The usual, transparent tapioca pearls you would expect to find in this coconut milk-based broth are replaced with taro balls instead. These purple, jelly-like balls have a strong, natural taro taste to them. No bobo chacha is complete without sweet potato and yam chunks, and the ones at Ice Shop are delightfully soft, but not to the point of mushy.
The next time you’re in town (we’re guessing soon), do drop by Food Opera for your local hawker and street food fix. Apart from old favourites, the new tenants are also part of a carefully curated bunch with authentic and quality food to offer – all in the comfort of air-conditioning. Now you’ll know where to get the best eats at Orchard.
Food Opera @ ION Orchard
Address:
#B4-03/04 Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel:
+65 6509 9198
Operating Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, and Public Holiday 10am – 10pm
Eve of Public Holiday, Friday to Saturday 10am – 11pm
Brought to you by Discover SG x
A Timbre+ Event: Expect Only The Best Food & Music @ Open Stoves!
Delight in a fun-filled weekend at Timbre+ this coming 23 and 24 July! As part of Singapore Food Festival, Timbre+ presents Open Stoves, its largest food-centric event to date. A variety of gastro-adventures awaits you!
Tuck into newly created mouth-watering dishes from nine Timbre+ chefs, food partners, and other invited chefs. You’ll get to enjoy the fruits (and food) of their inspired labour. Kick back and relax with nostalgic games and entertainment!
Chefs collaborating at Open Stoves
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Image credit: Timbreplus[/caption]
At Open Stoves, Timbre+ chefs and invited guest chefs will be paired together. These collaborative pairings will bring about different cuisine styles and cooking techniques to create unique off-menu items.
You can look forward to chef pairings to the likes of chef Jeremy Cheok (Dusk by Slake, Timbre+) with chef Tan Huang Ming (Park Bench Deli). The duo has come up with prata taco, topped with stewed tripe or barbequed pork collar. What a modern take on soft-shelled tacos!
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Dessert Duriancanboleh. Image credit: Timbreplus[/caption]
3-course menu at Open Stoves
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Chilli Crab Rillette. Image credit: Timbreplus[/caption]
In addition, look out for chefs cooking up a 3-course Mod-Sin (modern Singaporean) menu. The menu starts with delectable appetiser Chilli Crab Rillette, main course Nasi Kuning Opor Ayam, and dessert Duriancanboleh from 11 July to 9 August 2016. Enjoy 10% discount off drinks from the Timbre+ Bottle Shop when you purchase this set meal.
BBQ Blowout
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Satay Chicken Burger by Kush. Image credit: Timbreplus[/caption]
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Zesty garlic butter lobster tail served with a grill brioche bun. Image credit: Timbreplus[/caption]
On 23rd and 24th July, Timbre+ chefs will run pop-up BBQ kitchens at the outdoor event space. Tuck into special Striploin Steak from chef Bernie Utchenik (Big Bern’s American Grill), and signature Chicken Satay Burger with homemade rice patties ($14) from chef Chung Deming. Dancing Crab Shack will be grilling up a storm with two kinds of Lobster Tails (available with signature sauce or zesty garlic butter) with Grilled Brioche Bun ($22).
To add to your BBQ experience, Timbre+’s courtyard space will be transformed into a large outdoor playground area. This will be complete with picnic benches, beanbags, and hammocks for lounging. Sit back and relax while the chefs cook up a storm with their off-menu BBQ creations.
Games at Open Stoves
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Image credit: Amazon[/caption]
Once you’re full, entertained, and satisfied, gather your friends and family for a fun-filled time of games. Enjoy a friendly game of life-sized Jenga, Connect Four, and Pick-up Sticks!
Open Stoves is definitely for the young and young-at-heart. You can even try your hand at neon beer pong and ‘Run the Dish’, a race that combines running and speed eating!
Live Music & Entertainment
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Image credit: O.K READY Facebook page[/caption]
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Resident bands -Supersonic. Image credit: Timbreplus[/caption]
What is good food without great music? At Open Stoves, you’ll get to experience both. Wind down to live music from Timbre resident bands, such as SuperSonic, and O.K READY!. With the best live music scheduled throughout both days, you’ll get to enjoy great music while you indulge in the food.
Timbre+ Open Stoves details
There’s no better way to bring on the weekend than to indulge in the best food, great music, and entertainment! Open Stoves is definitely an event not to be missed.
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Image credit: Timbreplus[/caption]
6 Affordable Japanese Buffets So You Can Gorge On Fresh Sashimi!
For more information about Singapore’s Food Festival, click here.
What To Expect At The Singapore Favourite Food Village 2016!
Attention foodies, the Singapore Favourite Food Village (SFFV) is back! Themed “A Wok Through Singapore’s Culinary Heritage”, the festival will be held at Rochor Event Space (Bugis MRT Exit A) for a period of 10 days, from 22 – 31 July 2016!
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Image source: SSFV[/caption]
In celebration of good food, visitors (free admission yas!) can expect a helluva unique variety of local dishes with over 20 culinary partners from three different school of thoughts – Old Favourites, Modern Take and On The Go.
Culinary Face Off: Old Favourites VS Modern Take
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Image source: SSFV[/caption]
The key feature of this year’s festival is the culinary showdown between two dominant groups of culinary talents – the traditional Old Favourites and the avant-garde Modern Take. The two waves would be presenting their version of our local dishes, where the best part has to be getting visitors to taste before deciding on the winning dish.
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Image source: SSFV[/caption]
On top of that, there will be food trucks and pop-up cafes dishing lip-smacking street food, live cooking demonstrations and street performances to keep the lively atmosphere going. We understand going through all 20 culinary vendors can get a little tough on your waistlines so listed below is are our top 5 picks of the festival.
1. Chilli Crab In Prata Bag by Big Street
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Source: Glamour Wave Photography[/caption]
Chilli Crab in Prata Bag sure does sound like a heavenly combination. The birth of this signature dish from Big Street however, is certainly not by chance. After many unsuccessful attempts at flavour experimentation and presentation, this uniquely Singaporean dish was created. Thank you Big Street.
2. Cow’s Taco Bowls by The Travelling C.O.W
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Image source: jiaruiii_[/caption]
A favourite at any food festival, we’re more than delighted to hear of Singapore’s first gourmet food truck, sous-vide!
3. Rainbow Churros by Churros Factory
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Image source: Churros Factory[/caption]
We’ve had salted caramel churros, chocolate churros, cinnamon coated churros, but have you head of Rainbow Churros? Inspired by the traditional Nyonya 9 Layers Kueh, Jeremy Chiang, founder of 4. Fortune Food
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Image source: fortunefoodsg[/caption]
With a variety of dishes that include Popiah (spring rolls), Kueh Pie Tee, Nyonya Laksa, Muah Chee to Ayam Koro Bun (a braised chicken in a bun), 5. Souperstar
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Image source: souperstarsg[/caption]
The brain child of Fortune Food, 
Image source: SSFV[/caption]
Now who is excited for the end of the month? We know we are! No better time than the present to make a list of dishes you wish to try at the festival, eh? What is the dish you’d love to try the most? Drop us a comment and let us know!
Singapore Favourite Food Village – A Wok Through Singapore’s Culinary Heritage
Date: 22 – 31 July 2016
Time: 5PM-11PM daily
Venue: Rocher Event Space (Bugis MRT Exit A)
Ticket: Free admission
Website: Singapore Favourite Food Official
(All images in courtesy of Singapore Favourite Food)
Also read: Lobster Chicken Rice? Gastronomic Event STREAT 2016 Is Here!
Majestic Peking Duck: The New 5-Star Hawker Dish?
You heard us right – the Peking duck has made its way into our local hawker scene! Helmed by award-winning chefs Yong Bing Ngen and Yang Lai Fatt from the is dishing out restaurant quality fare at economical hawker prices. Gone are the days when you require special occasions to indulge in this plate of 5-star goodness.
They’ve got five different versions of a duck dish, but the stall’s highlight is definitely the Duck Platter. For just $24, you get the exact same thing you would expect from reputable Chinese restaurants at just half the price. We reckon it’s the best GSS (Great Singapore Sale) deal for our food-loving nation. The duck is roasted in a classic Apollo oven to achieve its crispy, charred skin and succulent interior.
We know that BBQ chicken wings are an all-time favourite street food, basically a must-have at every hawker centre. However, if you’re here at Makansutra, skip the usual chicken wings and try something new. The Honey Glazed Roasted Duck Wings, for instance, is a sweet alternative.
This Duck Salad makes the perfect snack or a side dish to share. Here we’ve got a hearty mix of greens tossed in umami laden sauce and truffle oil, topped with a generous serving of sliced duck meat.
The Salted Duck Vegetable Soup is a traditional favourite. The peppery broth is boiled with preserved veggies for a flavoursome, homely taste that is served with a whole duck wing.
Fans of fried rice, the Duck Fried Rice with Crispy Cereal is calling out for you.
This is a bonus treat at Majestic Peking Duck. We know it’s not a duck dish, but the Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Thai Mango Salad is so divine that the chefs had to include this in their menu as well.
Major props to the Majestic group for bringing this delectable Chinese delicacy into our hawker scene without compromising an ounce of quality. Now we can get the best of both worlds – our humble hawker fare alongside restaurant-standard Peking duck, all without breaking the bank.
Majestic Peking Duck
Makansutra Gluttons Bay
8 Raffles Ave, The Esplanade
Mon-Thu: 5pm to 2am, Fri-Sat: 5pm-3am, Sun: 4pm-1am
(All images from Makansutra)
Also read: Knickers+Bockers – Create Your Very Own Pizzas And Eat Them Too!
Lobster Chicken Rice? Gastronomic Event STREAT 2016 Is Here!
Whether it’s a bak chor mee stall, the latest food trend or a new fine-dining restaurant, the people of this tiny island is pretty much passionate about food. After all, eating (besides queueing) is sort of like the national hobby. As part of the Singapore Food Festival this year, 
This year’s theme “Savour The Past, Taste The Future” presents mouth-watering locally-inspired dishes and top-notch local favourites at affordable prices. Times may change, but Singaporeans will always be up for a good ol’ bowl of Bak Kut Teh or a plate of Char Kway Teow. So gear up and get ready to indulge in traditional and modern flavours at STREAT!
Pop-up restaurant with renowned chefs
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Featuring Chef Ken Ling, Chef Han Liguang and Chef Susur. Image credit: yoursingapore[/caption]
STREAT 2016’s pop-up restaurant will feature three renowned chefs. They’ll create new expressions of Singapore’s iconic street food, presented in an exclusive six-hands dinner menu. One of the most sought-after chefs in the world, Canadian chef Susur Lee, is the consultant chef to the TungLok Group. He is also one of the pioneers of fusion food scene in Singapore and was recently a judge on MasterChef Asia.
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Lobster Chicken Rice[/caption]
Chef Lee will be collaborating with Tunglok Heen senior executive chef Ken Ling, and Restaurant Labyrinth’s chef-owner Han Liguang. Chef Lee, Han, and Ken Ling will be delivering an exclusive five-course dinner menu ($40 a person) that promises to re-interpret and elevate Singapore’s iconic street food.
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Laksa Chee Cheong Fun[/caption]
Local favourites re-imagined
Savour dishes such as a “cup” made of Fried Oyster Omelette placed on top of a collaborative dish of grilled chicken satay, housed in an egg shell, and topped with peanut sauce foam. If you’re craving for something more local, give the Laksa Chee Cheong Fun a try! At STREAT, you’ll get to try unique local favourites re-imagined, while preserving the familiar flavours of the dishes.
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Chef Ken Ling and Susur Lee preparing a dish of laksa chee cheong fun. Image credit: The Straits Times[/caption]
More pop-up restaurants
In addition, hawkers and chefs from Casuarina Curry restaurant, The Disgruntled Chef, Candlenut, and Char will also helm stalls alongside the pop-up. This pop-restaurants are only available from 15 to 16 July, so be sure to save the dates!
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STREAT[/caption]
Besides the pop-up restaurant, diners get to choose from a curated selection of more than 10 popular hawkers and celebrated chefs. A variety of classic and modern interpretations of local food will be served.
Singapore’s culinary scene has certainly come a long way. With a dazzling range of delights at STREAT to choose from, you’ll sure be spoilt for choice.
So what are you waiting for? Mark down your calendars, call your makan kakis and get your tummies ready for some good food!
When: 15 – 16 July 2016, 5pm – 10:30pm
Admission: Free entry, variable pricing for food items
(All images are in courtesy of Singapore Food Festival unless otherwise stated. Header image by STREAT Facebook Page, words by author)
Also, read Kopitiam Talk – The Art Behind Your Everyday Kopi O Siew Tai
For more information about Singapore’s Food Festival, click here.
Seafood So Fresh, They’re Still Alive! 6 Best Places To Get Them
Cooking with seafood is a delicate process. While it requires both meticulous preparation and the right techniques, working with quality ingredients is also paramount in the execution of the perfect seafood number.
Here in Singapore, we often find ourselves limited to the measly seafood selection at chain supermarkets (no offence NTUC). Sometimes, sourcing for the freshest seafood can be more challenging than cooking itself. This is why we’ve taken upon ourselves to uncover a list of places to buy the best of seafood. These 7 honest-to-goodness places are guaranteed to sell you only the freshest seafood. In fact, for Ah Hua Kelong, Eating Crabs, Emporium Shokuhin, and Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro, some seafood can be bought or delivered live!
1. Song Fish Dealer Pte Ltd
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Source: greatnewplaces[/caption]
The super ulu location may not be as convenient as your Giant or Cold Storage. However, the fresh and extensive range of seafood sold at wholesale prices make the visit to Taman Jurong worthy. At black cod, king crab leg, lobster, rohu, shark fillet, tuna loin.
Song Fish Dealer
Address: 19 Fishery Port Road (retail showroom)
Opening Hours: 8 am – 5 pm (Mon-Sat), 830 am – 12 pm (Sun & PH)
Tel: 6777 3939
2. Ah Hua Kelong
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Source: ahhuakelong[/caption]
Situated amongst the hipster vendors at PasarBella is
Fish is only hauled up on the actual day of your delivery to ensure optimum freshness. Ah Hua Kelong’s highlights include the barramundi, pearl grouper, live mussels, flower crabs and seabass. Picking out fresh seafood isn’t exactly second nature to us millennials so major props to them for providing an Seafood that can be bought or delivered live: clams, mussels, and crabs. Ah Hua Kelong This vibrant, two-storey wet market located at Little India is possibly the largest and most iconic wet market in Singapore. Housing over 284 tenants, expect to find a good handful of stalls selling fresh ocean catches at Tekka. This is also where you’ll experience bargaining – a quintessential aspect of the authentic wet market experience. The better the vendor knows you, the lower the prices. If you are a first-time buyer, put on your sweetest smile and maybe bat your eyelashes a little. For the guys, try flexing a little and see how far that gets you. Be sure to look out for squids, snappers, salmon, tiger prawns. Lee Yit Huat Trading is one of the stalls to check out. They are known for their bountiful array of seafood, including squid and stingray. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much cheaper the seafood here can be. Tekka is open until late afternoon, so you have the luxury of sleeping in and avoiding the jostle with the morning marketing crowd. Tekka Wet Market This one’s for all crab lovers out there – Apart from crabs, they also offer a range of fresh Canadian oysters, sea bass, green or blue mussels and prawns of all varieties. Seafood that can be bought or delivered live: oysters, mussels, clams, lobsters, and crabs. Eating Crabs This new Japanese supermarket at Marina Square has its own in-house, live seafood market with fresh imports from Japan, US, Australia and Europe. Armed with 22 specially-designed water tanks that house over 20 variations of live fish and shellfish, chances are you will be able to find what you are looking for at Oyster lovers, this is also the place to get your indulgent fix – Emporium Shokuhin has over 10 live oyster varieties freshly imported from countries like France and Canada. If you find the traditional, rowdy wet markets and giant warehouses too overwhelming, you can now shop for all your favourite seafood at this gourmet supermarket – all in the comfort of air-conditioning without compromising on quality. Oysters aside, keep a look out for their Alaskan king crab, Dungeness crab, abalone, flounders, Japanese saba and Boston lobsters. Delivery is also available for those who prefer shopping from the comfort of their homes. Seafood that can be bought or delivered live: crabs, oysters, lobsters, and more. Emporium Shokuhin This cosy neighbourhood fish market and bistro is dedicated to bringing in only the freshest of seafood. Greenwood Fish Market and Bistro specialises in importing cold water fish from the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. The staff here is well trained and extremely knowledgeable. They’ll dish out recommendations and cooking tips to ease you into the seafood-buying process. They also have a bistro section; you can choose to bring your buys home or have their in-house chef prepare it for you on the spot. Highlights include its smoked Haddock, swordfish, mahi mahi, tuna steak and live Boston lobsters. Seafood that can be bought or delivered live: lobsters and oysters. Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro For the benefit of those who have no idea what Senoko Fishery Port is, this one’s for you. A familiar name to most, the Senoko Fishery Port, unlike our local wet markets, only roars to life when the sun is down. Open from 2am-6am, be prepared to stay up if you want to snag the freshest ingredients at this wholesale fish market. As this is a wholesale market, you can expect an extensive range of seafood; from fish to squid to the ever indulgent lobster and even guitar sharks at bargain prices. Do also check out the stingray, shark, sea bass, tilapia, red and white snapper. For those keen on exploring the market, you can find an informative guide to Senoko So the next time you’re on the hunt for fresh seafood, do check out the aforementioned places. You no longer have to be confined to the limited range at your nearest supermarket or settle for anything less than fresh. Apart from obvious health reasons, the quality of the seafood you use does make a world of difference to your final dish. (Header image by crystalcovesingapore) Also, read Watermelon Fried Rice In Singapore, Have You Tried It?
Address: #02-K2 PasarBella, 200 Turf Club Rd
Opening Hours: Mon to Thu, 1 pm-930 pm; Fri to Sun 12 pm -10 pm
Tel: 8655 30743. Tekka Wet Market
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Source: macomberproductions[/caption]
Address: 665 Buffalo Rd, L1 Tekka Centre S210665
Opening Hours: Daily 6.30 am-5 pm4. Eating Crabs
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Source: crabtowkay[/caption]
Opening Hours: Daily 9 am – 6 pm (4pm last order)
Tel: 833374365. Emporium Shokuhin
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Source: wheretoeat[/caption]
Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, #01-18 Marina Square
Opening Hours: Daily 8.30 am-10 pm
Tel: 6224 34336. Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro
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Source: thesilverchef[/caption]
Address: 34 Greenwood Ave
Opening Hours: Daily 11 am-1030 pm
Tel: 6467 49507. Senoko Fishery Port
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Source: clubsnap[/caption]
Kopitiam Talk – The Art Behind Your Everyday Kopi O Siew Tai
As a colloquial term for coffeeshops in Singapore, kopitiam is an integral part of any Singaporean. Very much like the microcosm of local culture, Kopitiams effectively capture the multi-racial fabric of our society – from the food choices to languages spoken. Even the word kopitiam itself is a mishmash of two different languages. ‘Kopi’ means coffee in Malay while ‘tiam’ is the Hokkien dialect for the word stall. Indeed, our kopitiam lingo is a curious and eclectic mix grounded in Singlish, and the result is that of a unique language system surrounding this humble and traditional eatery.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="660"]Spend some time at your neighbourhood kopitiam and I’m sure you’ll pick up a whole slew of lingo that is baffling to the uninitiated. These diverse stall owners themselves are a reflection of the Singapore culture. With all of them under one roof, the various languages have blended together over the years to create an eclectic concoction of kopitiam lingo. Let us explore this curious lingo and at the end of it all, I’m sure you’ll get the hang of kopitiam talk one lah.
Bottoms Up
Ordering a cup of coffee or tea at Kopitiams is in itself an art form. With so many suffixes that can be attached to the stem word of coffee or tea, getting your caffeine fix from Kopitiams might be a little daunting especially if you’re new to the scene. Fret not, for with the help of this flowchart, you’ll find yourself ordering your cuppa like a Singaporean in no time.
I’d Drink To That
It won’t be surprising to hear drink stall owners echoing something completely different after ordering a drink. Many of the drinks have alternative names affectionately coined by drinks sellers. Let’s uncover some alternative names of drinks that have caught on with the Kopitiam culture.
From these Kopitiam lingos, we can see how language has revolved around this eatery, making it the perfect representation of Singapore itself. From Malay, Chinese and dialects, it really is amazing to see these various cultures blend into one.
Also, read Look How Far Singapore Has Come! We Compare The Now & Then
McDonald’s So Smart, Everyone’s Queueing For Salted Egg Burger
The salted egg yolk trend has been around for quite a while already. Just when we thought we’ve seen it all, guess who’s hopping on the bandwagon? Behold salted egg yolk lovers cause McDonald’s is now dishing up the new Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger! Yes, you’ve heard it right. The hipster of all burgers is now available at McDonald’s!
Singaporeans love queueing
Considering that the queue for the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger is insane – we counted about 40 heads in this picture, we’re not surprised if people start choping tables with tissue paper.
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Image source: Jane Too[/caption]
Get your hands on these burgers!
If you’d like to join the queue, get behind us! We kid. The new offerings are available after breakfast hours at all McDonald’s branches. If you’re just way tooooo lazy to queue, good news for you!
The new menu is available on McDelivery, while stocks last.
The new McD’s menu
With salted egg yolk sauce slapped on breaded chicken patty, topped with curry leaves and chopped lettuce, this juicy burger is priced at $5.75 for a-la-carte. For an Extra Value Meal that includes a medium sized fries and a small drink, prices start from $7.50.
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Image source: eileen eats a lot[/caption]
The Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger is only available for a limited time starting from June 30 2016. It is also halal so if you’re planning a break fast dinner, you can add that to your dining list.
For the other delish items in the new menu, read more here, Salted Egg York Burger? Here’s A Look At McDonald’s New Menu!
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For McDonald’s outlets in Singapore, click here.
For McDonald’s delivery service, click here.
Also, read Watermelon Fried Rice In Singapore, Have You Tried It?
A Party In Our Mouths – Watermelon Fried Rice Is Just Amazeballs!
Nestled among an array of other gastronomic selections and retail shops in Sentosa, Gin Khao Bistro stands out with its red in black facade, catching many a passers-by’s eyes. It was quiet as we were early for dinner, allowing us a moment to enjoy the evening breeze and yacht marina view.
Thai Iced Rose Milk Tea
We start off the meal with a classic Thai Iced Milk Tea, a staple drink to have at every Thai eatery. Gin Khao Bistro ups its Thai Iced Milk Tea game by adding a special ingredient to it.
Their version is a Thai Iced Rose Milk Tea ($5.80), a shot of rose syrup is added to the iced tea. Rose syrup can be a tad sweet and cloying, but what is special about this blend is that the rose adds a layer of flavour to the milk tea, giving it an overall pleasant yet refreshing aftertaste.
Som Tam
Our next dish was a perfect contrast to the sweet Thai Iced Milk Tea. Som Tam ($8.80), also known as Papaya salad, is possibly an all-time favourite appetiser for Thais. The first few bites can be slightly acidic, but is expected. The papaya they use here is fresh and crunchy. Gin Khao’s Som Tam is indeed tantalising, a great choice to whet the appetite of diners early on in the meal.
Tom Yam Tulay
Our next dish was the Tom Yam Tulay ($13.80), a soup base accompanied by a generous amount of seafood such as mussels, squid, and shrimp. The seafood contributed a rich flavour in the broth, but its addictive nature is in the aftertaste.
Phat Neua
After the appetiser and the soup, we were ready for more. The next dish that came piping hot was Phat Neua ($14.80). This generous serving of stir fried spicy beef got our appetites raring to go. We sank our teeth into the tender well-seasoned beef and were hooked after the first bite. It is best enjoyed with steamed rice.
Watermelon Fried Rice
As always, we save the best for last. Recommended by the restaurant manager, Kevin, we tried the Watermelon Fried Rice ($25.80). The dish is a new creation by Gin Khao, an unexpected twist to the traditional pineapple fried rice. The Instagram-worthy dish is a sculpted watermelon bowl containing fried rice, mussels, sliced squids, shrimps, beancurd skin, cashew nuts, chicken floss, and of course, watermelon balls.
We were rather sceptical of how this would taste. It sounded a little absurd to eat watermelon balls with rice but if we could eat pineapple and mango with rice, why not watermelon!
We were right to trust Gin Khao’s creation. It felt like a party in my mouth with the sweetness of the watermelon contrasting the saltiness of the fried rice. The ingredients were seasoned and cooked to perfection. The fluffiness and chewiness of the fried rice complemented the juiciness of the watermelon balls, and it had us drooling for more. We relished the entire dish to the very last mouthful.
I must say, we had a scrumptious Thai dining experience with Gin Khao Bistro and would come back anytime. Visit Gin Khao Bistro for delectable Thai food with a special twist!
Gin Khao Bistro @ Sentosa Cove
Address: 31 Ocean Way #01-12 Quayside Isle
Opening hours: Mon to Thurs: 12pm to 3pm, 530pm to 10pm
Fri: 12pm to 12am
Sat/Eve: 11am to 12am
Sun/PH: 11am to 10pm
Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World
This was an invited food tasting session.
Also, read A Teppanyaki Dinner That Hits All The Right Spots – Teppan Bar Q
