Category: Singapore Food Haven

NYC’s Wildly Popular Burger Joint Is Here: Booze, Burgers, & More

Burger Joint is known as THE underground burger joint from New York, and their mysterious “anti-gourmet” burgers have finally reached Singapore.

Located along the hip Amoy Street, look for their neon burger sign and find your way in through the back door at Gemmill Lane. Head in and you’ll yourself in a cosy, diner-style space, with scribbles, posters, and graffiti on the walls. Feel free to leave your mark there too!

Burger Joint prides itself in offering unpretentious, all-American burgers; the complete opposite of fancy gourmet burgers. Simplicity and taste reign supreme at this burger spot, with the highlight of each paper-wrapped burger being the ingredients- juicy patties, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese.

Hate tomatoes? Like your beef rare? Customise your burger as per the instructions on the wall, add a few squirts of ketchup and mustard, and voila, you can enjoy your burger exactly the way you want it.

And don’t forget to order up some fries and a milkshake or two. Apart from typical milkshake flavours like strawberry and chocolate, you can also opt for alcoholic versions with additional shots of booze like Baileys and Amaretto.

Speaking of booze, Burger Joint has a selection of craft beers on tap as well. Their selection includes Sweden’s Omnipollo, London’s Weird Beard, California’s Heretic, and more. TGIF, anyone?

While this burger spot has gained fame in The Big Apple, online reviews on the newly opened branch in Singapore seems mixed at the moment, so we say it’s best to try Burger Joint out yourself. And if you do, let us know if you liked it!

For burger fans, this might be your next go-to spot for a good old all-American burger. And with its location along the popular Amoy Street, we’re pretty sure the hipster crowd will be checking this place out too.

Burger Joint SG
Address: #01-03, 115 Amoy St, Singapore 069935
Phone: 6221 8648
Opening hours: 11am – 12am daily

Also read: A.R.C. – The Café All Hipsters Dream About

(Header image credit: original pictures from Burger Joint Singapore, edited by author.)

Toast Box’s 1933 Restaurant – A Food Blast To The Past

1933? Why not 1954? Or 1965? Or any other year for that matter?

Turns out, this nostalgic restaurant helmed by Toast Box is named after the year the Capitol Theatre was first opened. Located in the middle of Capitol, this 2-storey restaurant is pretty hard to miss.

With its revamped menu, 1933 now presents a range of Nanyang-inspired dishes that we’re confident will impress both locals and non-locals. We started with the Forest Mushroom ($6.90) and boy were we pleasantly surprised with the crunchiness of the bread bowl. We’re not proud of it, but we ended up ditching our cutleries and went for the bread with our hands instead. #dontjudge

The Luncheon Fries ($5.90) are pretty much like your usual SPAM fries but its accompanying sweet chili sauce made all the difference. The Hainanese-style Satay ($8.90/6 sticks) on the other hand, blew us away. Succulent and tender, the bursting smoky flavors of the charcoal-grilled meat hit us like a wrecking ball. In a good way. The only gripe we have however, is the size of the satays. Please sir, can we have some more?

Moving on to the mains, the Hainanese Chicken Rice ($12.90) was a delight. Though more expensive than your Kopitiam version, the quality of this dish is worth its price. Served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, a side of bean sprouts, a platter of chicken, a small plate of kang kong, and a bowl of soup, this dish is pretty much a meal by itself.

If you’re a fan of spicy dishes and Toast Box’s laksa, the Laksa Pasta ($13.90) is definitely the dish to go for. A local favorite with an Italian twist, the chef did a more than decent job in marrying the two. The taste of laksa is very evident despite the pasta’s dryness but as non-chili enthusiasts, we thought the dish was a tad spicy. So if you’re like us, do keep a drink handy which in our case, was the Berry Bliss ($5.50), a perfect blend of fresh mixed berries, mint and lemonade to douse the laksa fire.

To complete our meal, we had the decadent Gula Melaka Pandan Cake ($7.90), a soft pandan chiffon caked baked with bits of palm sugar and served with Gula Melaka syrup.

The prices may not be very 1933, but this revamped menu does offer some pretty good dishes. So if you’re in town and are game to try local food with a unique twist, take a trip to 1933 and who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Address: 15 Stamford Road #01-83, S178906
Tel: 6348 3660
Operating Hours: Daily 8.30am-10pm

(Header image by The Food Journal, words by writer.)

Also read: Hipster Hawkers: 5 Stalls That Are Redefining Hawker Culture

9 Of SG’s Best Local Street Snack, How Many Have You Tried?

After trawling through Coachella pictures from Buzzfeed and Instagram, the one thing that caught my eye was the food. Oh good lord, the pictures made my stomach rumble even after I just had my lunch! It looked so sinful yet so enticing at the same time. My mind instantly drifted to the street food that I could savour in Singapore.

Fret not when it comes to food in SG! You’ll always be able to find some unique and equally tempting street snacks on our sunny island from the night bazaar, a.k.a pasar malam. Read on to find out what food is available, and where you can find the nearest pasar malam to you.

1. Tutu Kueh

This ‘hobo’ right here, me, only learnt about tutu kuehs two years ago and boy when I tried it did I wonder what I was missing out all these years!

Depending on which flavour you choose, the soft and springy dough skin bursts open when you bite it, revealing the sweet filling inside. My absolute favourite version would be coconut but it comes in a few other varieties like chocolate or peanuts.

Tutu Kueh
Cost: 5 pieces for $2.50
Where to buy: Pasar Malams, most heartland malls, and Food Republic food court

2. Putu Piring

This is akin to the Malay cousin of Tutu Kueh. The difference? Gula Melaka filling, softer rice cakes, larger in size, and topped with freshly grated coconut. Warm, gooey, and not too sweet, these putu pirings are a definite treat.

However, there are only a few places that still sell this traditional Malay snack. One of which is Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, that has been well-loved and much raved about. Pay them a visit one of these days to give it a try!

Putu Piring
Cost: 5 pieces for $2.50
Where to buy: Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, 970 Geylang Road, #01-12; Pasar Malams

3. Ondeh Ondeh

These adorable little chewy green balls are typically made out of glutinous rice flour, dyed naturally using pandan leaves’ juice and comes with a white coat of desiccated coconut.

You can usually find these either kosong (plain) or with some gula melaka filling hidden inside. Some stores even sell a yam variety where sweet potato is used to substitute half the usual required amount of glutinous rice flour.

Ondeh Ondeh
Cost: 3 for $1
Where to buy: Xing Xing Tapioca Kueh/ Ondeh Ondeh
Address: #01-31, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069 184
Contact: 9863 2833
Operating hours: Mon to Sat: 8am to 2pm, Closed on Sundays

4. Steamed Tapioca Cake

My love for the fried version of the tapioca cake (featured below) was terrible for my waistline hence I stuck to its healthier steamed buddy when I was on a roll to cut down on my unhealthy eating habits.

Equally as delicious, just without the guilt, the steamed tapioca cake is typically moist and QQ (chewy). You can get this addictive chewy snack from the same place as above! Kill two birds with a stone and try out both their Ondeh Ondeh and Steamed Tapioca Cake.

Steamed Tapioca Cake
Cost: 1 box for $2.50
Where to buy: Xing Xing Tapioca Kueh/ Ondeh Ondeh
Address: #01-31, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069 184
Contact: 9863 2833
Operating hours: Mon to Sat: 8am to 2pm, Closed on Sundays

5. Fried Tapioca Cake

Found at most pasar malams, these green cakes were one of my favourite childhood snacks and I would bug my mom to buy three slices for me (three for $1 back then) whenever we pass by any pasar malams.

These greasy green cakes are crispy on the outside yet moist and chewy on the inside and since it is made out of tapioca (duh) it is naturally sweet but not overly so.

Fried Tapioca Cake
Cost: 5 pieces for $2
Place: Pasar Malams

6. 3-in-1 Nian Gao

Sandwiched between a slice of yam and sweet potato, it is no wonder this nian gao treat is known as 3-in-1.

This fried ‘sandwich’ tops the chart with a slice easily adding 300 calories (and possibly more) in your calorie count according to a doctor from Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

However, this sticky and chewy goodness will make my half-an-hour daily run worth it.

3-in-1 Nian Gao
Cost: Around $1.50 per slice
Where to buy: Kim Soon
Address: #01-18 Kovan Hawker Centre, Block 209, Hougang Street 21
Operating hours: Mon to Fri: 5am to 2pm; Weekends and public holidays: 5am to 4pm

7. Mee Jian Kueh

This fluffy pancake is cheap (roughly around $0.60 to $1.00 a slice) and comes in an array of fillings to choose from. I would recommend peanut or coconut fillings, but the best part would be the crunchy sides.

Mee Jian Kueh
Cost: $0.60 for one slice
Where to buy: Tanglin Halt Original Peanut Pancake
Address: Stall 16, Tanglin Halt Market, 48 Tanglin Road, 142 048
Operating hours: 5am to 11am, closed on Mon and Fri
Contact: 9712 3653

8. Tau Huey

The bean curd or tau huey as it is known locally, is a popular breakfast or all-day snack since it is relatively healthy. It comes in either the hot or cold option which is perfect for Singapore’s hot-rainy-humid weather.

Soft and silky, my favourite tau huey shop’s beancurd was so smooth that the best way to consume it was by drinking. Extremely unladylike I know, but this still is my preferred way to have my tau huey fix.

Tau Huey
Cost: $1.80 per bowl
Where to buy: QQ Soya Bean
Address: #01-165 Old Changi Airport Road Hawker Centre
Contact: 8339 3459
Operating hours: 11am to 9pm daily

My favourite stall would be Dou Xiang, located at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Block 453, #01-92. It operates from 7am to 9am daily for $1.50 a bowl. However, it is closed temporarily till 1 July 2016 as the market is undergoing and overhaul.

9. Popiah

Also read: 13 Eateries Open All Day All Night For Your Late Night Meal!

7 Ladies’ Night Deals In SG You & Your Gal Pals Need to Know

We have a love-hate relationship with Wednesdays. With it being the third day of the week, Hump Day starts from hours 6AM to 6PM and turns into Ladies Night when the Sun goes out.

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of Ladies Night, it is a night where women get special deals just to be present at a venue. This can range from free entry to discounts to lucky draws at bars and clubs where Ladies Night is observed.

While Ladies Night typically happens on a Wednesday, some watering holes do organise it on other days of the week instead, like kyō which hosts it on Thursdays instead. Without further ado, here’s our list!

1-Altitude

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEtgW58Raxx/?taken-at=148606

Whether you’re a rooftop bar connoisseur or a first-timer to skyline parties, we strongly advise taking the elevator all the way up to the 61st floor where 1-Altitude is located.

Deal: Ladies enjoy free entry into 1-Altitude all night long, along with $10 Martinis available as well.

1-Altitude
Address: 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6438 0410
Opening Hours: Fri & Sat 6PM – 4AM; Sun 6PM– 12AM; Mon & Tue 6PM–2AM; Wed & Thu 6PM – 3AM

kyō

https://www.instagram.com/p/BD-ftL5Qlzx/?taken-at=72571503

Open four nights every week, dance club kyo is a little different from its peers with its Ladies Night being held on a Thursday instead of a Wednesday. But you can be sure to still have a good time letting your hair down and moving your feet to the music.

Deal: Ladies will get to enjoy free entry into kyo on Thursday nights, and receive free vodka cranberry from 10PM to 2AM.

kyō
Address: 133 Cecil Street, Keck Seng Tower, #B1-02, Singapore 069535
Tel: +65 8299 8735
Opening Hours: Wed & Thu 10PM – 3AM; Fri 10PM – 3.30AM; Sat 10PM – 4.30AM

f Club

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Be transported back to the French Renaissance with chandeliers, red velvet furniture and portraits hanging off the walls with f Club, a relatively new dance club conveniently located in Clarke Quay.

The club understands the power of going online, and gives out a booklet of 12 drink coupons every week for Ladies Night.

Deal: Put that smartphone to good use by registering for f Club’s drink coupons 6338 3158
Opening Hours: Wed 9PM to 3AM; Thu & Fri 10PM to 3AM; Sat 10PM – 4AM

Bang Bang

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFG2VnARFs7/?taken-at=403916686

“Don’t take yourself so seriously.” That’s Bang Bang’s tagline, motto and mission all bundled into one. And it really doesn’t, with giant bear mascots and cages and wild nights. Just don’t forget to leave your serious bone outside.

Bang Bang
Address: 7 Raffles Boulevard, Pan Pacific Hotel, Marina Square, Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 8127 2808
Opening Hours: Wed 10PM to 6AM; Fri & Sat 10PM to 6AM
RSVP link: 

Lobby Lounge
Address: Level 32, 12 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 2, Singapore 018961
Tel: +65 6922 6988
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 9AM – 12AM, Sat & Sun 10AM to 12AM

Gem Bar

https://www.instagram.com/p/BD5Tg-4vTHo/?taken-at=214399022

On the surface, Gem Bar may seem totally normal. Just another watering hole on Ann Siang Hill. But once you look a little deeper, you’ll find that it is notoriously cheeky, i.e. the perfect place for you ladies to spend an evening at. Its Ladies Night, which is held on Thursdays, is affectionately dubbed G-Spot Ladies Night. Why? Just look over at its menu and you’ll see suggestive drink names that will leave you giggling in your seat.

Deal: Discounted drinks aplenty. Housepour spirits are priced at $5++; Lychee Martini, Mojito, Bellini at $10 ++; Jagerbombs at $10 nett; Blowjob, Orgasm, Slippery Nipple and Sex on the Beach at $5++

Gem Bar
Address: 10 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789
Tel: +65  6224 7762
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 12PM – 2AM; Sat 5PM – 2AM

With this list, Girls Night Out has just been made so much simpler and more affordable (now that you know the deals). You can be sure to always find a bar no matter what day of the week it is. Plus, there’s no one stopping you from hitting a few of these spots in one night… if you’re game.

Got a favourite bar or club to chill with your all-female squad? Drop us a tip!

Also read: Craft Beer Lovers, SG’s First Mikkeller Bar Has Just Opened!

These Lava Toasts From The Bakery Chef Will Surely Make You Drool

We’ve tried Salted Egg Yolk Xiao Long Bao, Salted Egg Yolk Croissants, and Salted Egg Yolk Lava Cheese Tarts (Prima Deli)… and now introducing Lava Toasts (Charcoal and Matcha) that ooze out salted egg yolk when you cut it open. If you don’t go ‘oooh’, we don’t know what does.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEAqdahBjsP/?taken-by=thebakerychef&hl=en

Served at The Bakery Chef at Bukit Merah, this honey-glazed Charcoal toast rose to international fame when publishing site INSIDER food featured a video of the toast. To date, there are over 16,000 shares and close to 5,000 comments on the video. We can see why so many people are sharing it. Just look at the sticky and creamy salted egg yoke lava… it sure looks delish!

On top of salted egg yolk lava, the signature charcoal toast is also available with Nutella filling! Just imagine a generous portion of the rich and warm hazelnut chocolate oozing from the brioche toast…heavenly.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BE3GPfyskE9/?taken-at=164558236

For those who like a little Japanese touch to their toast, you are also in for a treat. Also on the menu of The Bakery Chef is the Matcha Honey Lava Toast – salted egg yolk Matcha lava paired with a scoop of green tea ice cream. Initially, we thought it was a little odd to combine Matcha and salted egg yolk as together, they can be a little too powering in terms of flavours. Surprisingly they go amazingly well together like a match made in the kitchen.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFImCLhrim5/?taken-at=164558236

If you’d like to give this a try, the Lava Toast is available daily from 12pm onwards till 2 hours before closing. However, due to the overwhelming response, their signature toasts are usually sold out WAYYY earlier, even before 3pm! They do not do take aways for this dish and to be fair to everyone, The Bakery Chef does not accept reservations for the toast. Be sure to be there at the right time to avoid disappointment.

[caption id="attachment_7506" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Credit: +65 6273 9211
Operating Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun (10am-7pm), Fri & Sat (10am-9pm)
Facebook Page: The Bakery Chef
Lava toasts available from 12pm

(Header image credit:  Also read: Craft Beer Lovers, SG’s First Mikkeller Bar Has Just Opened!