Category: Uniquely Singapore

When Pasar Malam Meets USS – Singapore’s Biggest Carnival Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again

If you’re a fan of Uncle Ringo fairs, the mother of Uncle Ringo fairs is coming to Marina Bay – just in time for the holidays.

Open from 15 December 2017 – 1 April 2018, the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival is slated to be Singapore’s biggest carnival, occupying a sprawling 25,000 sq metre area. It’ll feature thrill rides, carnival games, and delicious fairground food, among other tantalizing treats. 

Over 40 Rides And Games

Spanning The Promontory and Bayfront Event Space area, expect over 40 rides and games, some of which have been specially flown in from various parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

Some of the rides you can expect include The Star Flyer, a tower ride that has you feeling like you’re flying while 35m up in the sky, giving you an incredible 360 degree view of the Singapore skyline.

The Booster Maxx, is not for the faint of heart, standing at a whopping 55m above ground, spinning you around at super high speeds.

There will also be the Log Flume, the Das Fun Schiff pirate ship that swings like a pendulum, and the Apple Coaster, a rollercoaster ride just for the little ones!

If you love playing carnival games, trying your hand at winning plushies to take home, get your game face on; this carnival will see 30 games catering to both adults and children, so hopefully, you won’t leave empty-handed!

Good Music, Good Vibes

To add to all the good fun going around, there will also be an eclectic collective of youth bands and DJ performances, ventriloquism acts, and carolling groups!

With music from home-grown musicians Falling Feathers, Kexin Tay, TheLionCityBoy, and Jasmine Sokko, there won’t be a dull moment while you’re at the fair.

Fairground Food At Its Finest

What’s a fair without fairgound classics like fries and sausages?

Get your fingers greasy chowing down on curly fries, sizzling sausages, warm melted raclette, churros, and freshly-popped buttery popcorn! For a more substantial meal, take your pick from everything from Michelin-starred offerings to gourmet burgers, and comforting local food!

With more than 20 curated vendors serving up delicious grub each week, you won’t be complaining about having nothing to eat.

Open daily from 4pm to 11pm (except Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when it will start from 3pm), admission to the carnival is completely free! To get yourself credit for rides and games, you can purchase them online beforehand or while you’re on-site. 

With so many things to do – and plush toys to be won! – you’re in for a hell of a good time at this fair!

Prudential Marina Bay Carnival
Address: The Promontory, 11 Marina Blvd, Singapore 018940
Date: 15 December 2017 – 1 April 2018
Admission: Free
The Folks Behind ArtBox Are Back, With A New Market That Features Food, Crafts And Neon Lights

5 Stylish Airbnb Shophouses You Can Pretend You Own, On Your Next Staycay With Bae

Shophouses are one of the few remaining pieces of Singapore’s past.

A type of building characterised by narrow, small terraced houses that open up to a sheltered pedestrian way, these beautiful, nostalgic buildings are something most of us Singaporeans can only dream of living in.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in one of Singapore’s shophouses, wonder no further, because there are a handful of them listed on Airbnb.

We sussed out some of the best shophouses/colonial homes you can stay in in Singapore, and here they are.

1. Vintage Vibes In Jalan Besar

If you’ve been to the Petain Road area, you’ll notice one striking detail about the area – its Insta-worthy walls.

Lined with a mish-mash of Spanish tiles, Chinese animal motifs, Malay eaves, and European carvings, it’s no wonder so many Singaporeans flock to the place, hoping to snap a picture for the ‘gram.

It is precisely here that you’ll find one of the most interesting shophouses that’s listed on Airbnb.

‘Eclectic’ is the first word that comes to mind when it comes to this unique space.

The first floor of this two-storey house is a Bohemian lobby-cum-waiting area. There’s plenty of foliage in the form of large potted plants, as well as an inviting seating area decorated with mismatched patchwork cushions.

What’s interesting about this place is that many of the objects in the house have been upcycled and restored, such as the TV cabinet and study desk.

There’s even a working gramophone player you can use to play records! Lounge in the lobby to the crackling and good tunes drifting from the old gramophone – we can’t imagine an afternoon better spent.

A house that’s not only stylish but bursting with character, we just want to explore every inch of it – we hear there are antiquities stowed away in the cupboards!

Book at: Bright & Airy, Heritage Shophouse
Location: Jalan Besar
Price: SGD$127 – SGD$165/night

2. A Danish Finish At Jalan Besar

If you’re a fan of loud colours and bold prints, you’d wish this was your home.

The owner of this place doesn’t shy away from colour, as can be seen from the lime green couch, blue curtains, pink walls, and neon yellow pillows.

Inspired by “Mad Men”, each piece of furniture in the room makes a statement on its own. Framed artwork fills the space and tropical plants are strategically placed throughout the studio.

Head down to the common area/guest waiting lobby and a completely different (read: safari) vibe awaits.

With more gorgeous greenery, as well as zebra motifs filling the room, there’s no way you don’t take a million photographs in this amazing space.

Book at: SuperHost Danish Designer Apt In 1920s Shophouse!
Location: Jalan Besar
Price: SGD$125 – SGD$168/night

3. A Rustic Roost In Chinatown

If you like a more rustic, minimalist aesthetic, get a load of this place.

Dark wood and black is a theme that threads through the entire house. Situated in the heart of Chinatown, the place is spacious, with delightfully local art hanging on the walls, giving the 2-storey space some local flair.

There’s a place to people watch by the window and a lounging area for you to read a book or flip through some magazines.

The rooms are simple but inviting, with bold patterned sheets breaking up all the wood in the room. There are even cute fairy lights for a fun little addition to the space!

Another great thing about this place is that you can split it however you like. With movable partitions and so much space at your disposal, you’re free to create your own ideal living situation in this shophouse!

Book at: Loft Living In The Heart Of Chinatown
Location: Chinatown
Price: SGD$220 – SGD$345/night

4. Heritage Home Meets Helsinki In Geylang

If you’re all about that Scandi-chic aesthetic, this house will give you a visual orgasm. That, and there’s a roof hatch on the second floor that leads to a private roof terrace.

Located in the historic and culturally-vibrant Geylang district, this is probably the most famous crib of those listed here, having been featured in various publications such as WSJ and New York Times.

Not only are the rooms extremely easy on the eyes. One thing that is sure to excite the kid in you (because it had that exact effect on us) is that it has a ladder leading up to the roof. Nope, not stairs but a ladder that leads up to a hatch.

Exit through the hatch and you’ll find yourself on your own private terrace!

Book at: Helsinki Loft in Award-winning Heritage Shophouse
Location: Geylang
Price: SGD$167 – SGD$310/night

5. Quirky Enclave In Orchard

Now, this is a cute place to stay.

A charming little Colonial House on Emerald Hill Road along Orchard Road, everything about this place puts a smile on our faces.

Cozy throw blanket on the sofa? Check. Cute planters? Check. Dashes of quirky art? Check!

Unlike the previous houses that weren’t too big on colour, this one has pops of colour in the places you least expect them. There’s a periwinkle blue chair, a bright yellow side table, a laundry bag with a bright orange lining….

Our favourite spot in this shophouse has to be their little yard.

Appointed with a couple of chairs and a handful of hanging planters, turn on the fairy lights at night to create your own little romantic hideout! We can picture ourselves laying on the ground, just talking through the night.

Book at: Orchard Road Heritage Shophouse | Somerset MRT
Location: Orchard
Price: SGD$128 – SGD$188/night

Want to plan something different for your special someone this Christmas or New Year’s? Why not have a staycation at one of these gorgeous Airbnbs? Not only is it a much more affordable getaway option, you also get to play house with your partner!

And hey, there’s nothing more romantic than living out the future you might have, imagining how life would be years down the road.

Also read This New Black And White Hotel In Singapore Is A Minimalist’s Dream Come True 

(Header Image Source: Airbnb)

S’pore’s Iconic Drag Queen Kumar Turns 50 And He’s Putting On An Epic Show To Celebrate

Singapore’s most iconic Drag Queen, KUMAR is back! This time for his Golden Jubilee!

Yes, our favourite Drag Queen is turning 50 and he’s celebrating it with everyone with his Kumar50 show at the Capitol Theatre!

From 28 February to 11 March 2018, Kumar will be performing at the Capitol Theatre for 13 shows only!

The Queen Returns

Watch as Kumar regales us with tales from his birth, growing up, and his career doing standup. Nothing is off the table as he touches on every topic that tickles our funny bone.

No drag performance is complete without lip-syncing. Be prepared for a hilariously entertaining Golden Jubilee as Kumar is joined by his fabulous showgirls, shaking booties and lip-syncing to legends such as Whitney Houston!

So gather your friends and family for a no-holds-barred, side-splitting comedy night with Singapore’s favourite Drag Queen at the Kumar50 show!

Tickets for the Kumar50 are available on Hapz on a name your own price basis, so quote your own price and purchase your tickets here!

Kumar50
Venue: Capitol Theatre, 17 Stamford Road, Singapore, 178907
Date: 28 Feb – 11 Mar 2018
Price: Name your price*
Website

*Discounted prices available only on Hapz.

Also read Have A Furry Merry X’mas At Changi This Year As Hello Kitty And Friends Take Over Our Airport

(Header Image Source: Kumar50)

5 Of The Biggest Bills You Will See In Your Lifetime As A Singaporean

Whoever said adulting would be fun was clearly playing a cruel joke on all of us.

As a woman in her mid-20s who is soon to be married and who has recently paid the down payment on her future home, if I could pick just one word to describe adulthood, it would be ‘expensive’.

While many of us were blissfully unaware of how much we were spending during our carefree teenage years, once you reach your late 20s or early 30s and you are standing at the cusp of the next phase of your life (i.e. marriage), you quickly realize how much it costs to build – and to live – a life here in Singapore.

Here are 5 of the biggest bills you’ll see in your lifetime as a Singaporean. A word of warning: Brace yourself for these numbers.

1. A House

Price Tag: ~S$240,000 – ~S$580,000 for a BTO flat

It’s no secret that home ownership is prohibitively expensive in Singapore; everyone who is soon to be married will be well acquainted with this fact.

One of the most expensive things you will purchase in your lifetime is a house, and it’s the price of the first property you will ever own that will be the rudest shock to your system.

If we consider the BTO launches that happened this year, that bill will be somewhere between ~S$240,000 for a 4 room flat in Woodlands to ~S$580,000 for a 5 room flat in Toa Payoh.

After you subtract off the grants, that comes up to about ~S$180,000 and ~S$580,000 respectively for the two types of property.

Not going the BTO way? If you’re considering resale flats, be prepared to part ways with a sum of between ~S$260,000 for a flat in Marsiling and ~S$1,200,000 for one in the award-winning Pinnacle @ Duxton. Yes, that’s S$1.2M for a HDB flat.

Do we even want to think about the price of private property?

2. Renovation Costs

Price Tag: ~S$40,000 – ~S$70,000

According to Qanvast, HDB homeowners spend an average of S$50,000 on home renovations, while people living in condominiums spend an average of S$75,000.

Of course, that price tag differs depending on various other factors, such as the size of your flat. People spend an average of about S$35,000 to renovate a smaller 70sqm house, while the average amount spent for larger homes of 140sqm and larger is S$120,000.

Interior style also plays a huge role in determining how much your total bill will run up to. A simpler Scandinavian or Industrial style home costs an average of S$40,000 while a more contemporary look and feel costs an average of S$70,000. Yikes.

All that said, it is not unusual for people to keep within a modest S$20,000 budget when designing their home. At the end of the day, it all depends on what you want, what you need, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Cost-cutting Tip: To shave down home renovation costs, drive across the causeway to Malaysia or go online to sites like Taobao to purchase your furniture pieces!

3. Wedding

Price Tag: ~S$35,000 – ~S$73,000

While your wedding day may be one of the most unforgettable days of your life, it is also likely to be one of the most freakishly expensive days of your life.

When you’ve factored in key items such as the engagement and wedding bands, the bridal package, wedding banquet, actual day costs, and the cost of your honeymoon, you can rack up a bill of a woman took to social media and revealed that her mum’s care and treatment at the hospital resulted in a whopping S$1,018.469.29 in bills – a figure none of us would wish to see in our lifetime.

Hospital bills are one of the most painful things to pay for, and often, we only discover this too late – when the bill is already in our hands.

Take breast cancer surgery for example. The total bill, for hospitalisation and all procedures necessary, starts between S$1,372 – S$1,909 if you’re staying at the lowest grade C-class ward. Opt for an A-class ward and it can cost you between S$7,619 – S$13,009.

And if you decide to seek surgery at a private hospital? That number can be multiplied three-fold or even more.

While health is important, it’s definitely hard to part with that kind of money just to get better.

Cost-cutting Tip: Choosing yourself a good insurance policy will serve you well in such instances. In the best case scenario, you won’t have to pay a cent for hospitalisation, and in the worst, you only foot a fraction of the bill.

5. Car

Price Tag: At least $65,800

Singapore is notorious for being the most expensive place in the world to buy and own a car.

This is due to the S$65,800 and S$77,000, COE and all other taxes and fees included. The brands in the mix? Malaysia’s Perodua, China’s Chery and Japanese Mitsubishi.

If we’re talking about the 3 most popular car models in 2016, the Toyota Corolla Altis, Mazda3 and Nissan Qashqai, the price ranges between S$97,800 for a Mazda3 and S$110,300 for a Nissan Qashqai.

Cost-cutting Tip: Can’t bear the thought of spending so much money on a car? Then a second hand car is the way to go!

Protect The Things You Love The Most

Feel poor just reading this article? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one.

Thankfully, some of the things we value most – and that cost us the most – like our homes and our cars can be insured so as to soften the blow in case something bad happens to your home or car.

Freelancers who work from home in particular will benefit from an extensive home content insurance coverage. Not all home insurance policies cover the home office, which means that in the event that your work equipment (e.g laptops, printers) is lost or stolen, you will not be able to make a claim.

There is no sure-fire way of preventing such unfortunate events from happening, so the only way to protect yourself from the huge financial cost of getting back on your feet is to make sure you’ve covered yourself and all your most valued things with insurance.

If you’re new to insurance, the first thing you should know is that not all insurance policies are created equal. In fact, there are 4 different layers of insurance. The more layers of insurance you have, the more protected you are in the case that emergency strikes.

4 Layers Of Insurance

Ranking according to importance, you have Hospital Insurance, Life Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance and Endowment Plans.

Hospital Insurance covers hospitalisation, surgery and personal accidents both local and overseas. This type of insurance ensures that when you have to put yourself through treatment or therapy, you don’t wipe out all of your hard earned savings.

Life Insurance, on the other hand, covers death, terminal illness and total permanent disability. The most basic form of insurance, Life Insurance policies ensure that in the case of an unexpected death or disability, your dependents are well taken care of.

One thing to take note of is that most Life Insurance policies exclude serious illness and the treatments required. Instead of having you and your family dig deep into your own pockets to pay for the exorbitant medical bills, Critical Illness Insurance takes the financial burden off you and your loved ones.

And finally, there are Endowment Plans. More of a savings plan than an insurance policy, putting your money into an Endowment Plan will give you better returns that if you put your money in a deposit account. As an added bonus, you also get basic insurance coverage.

Still don’t know the what’s what of insurance? Why not get a professional to explain it all to you? To gain a better understanding of insurance and what kinds of insurance you’ll need, sign up for a consultation with FRANK here!

This article is written in partnership with FRANK by OCBC.

Also read 8 Houses In Singapore So Extravagant, You’ll Wonder What The Owners Do For A Living 

(Header Image Source: Unsplash)

If You See Strange Things Popping Up In Jurong This November, Don’t Freak Out – It’s Just Art

Arts In Your Neighbourhood is back, and this time, it’s taking a journey to the West.

An initiative by the National Arts Council that happens twice a year, Arts In Your Neighbourhood has taken over neighbourhoods like Toa Payoh, Yishun, and Woodlands previously, bringing arts experiences to the doorsteps of Singaporeans living in these areas.

From 9 – 26 November, Arts In Your Neighbourhood is giving Jurong residents the same treatment with its interactive arts programmes that show a different side of Jurong.

Expect visual arts installations, performances, trails, stories, and more by established artists and arts groups happening across Jurong.

Programme Highlights

1. Urban Distortions by t.r.a.n.s.i.t.s.c.a.p.e

Sometimes, it feels like we’re living in a bubble, doesn’t it? Perhaps Urban Distortions is a commentary on that. Or not. Since it is art, it’s all up to your interpretation.

Urban Distortions is a cross‑disciplinary installation-performance that brings together dance, song, and territories. Watch the performers as they dance inside giant life-size plastic bubbles, with live music accompaniment!

Performances:
9 November 2017 (Thurs), 12:15pm, at Ocean Financial Centre (Covered Plaza)
10 November 2017 (Fri), 6pm, at Woodlands Civic Centre
11 November 2017 (Sat), 6pm, at Westgate (L1 Courtyard)
12 November 2017 (Sat), 6pm, at Bedok Town Square

2. Larger Than Life: The Unspoken Histories of Jurong Neighbourhood by Vertical Submarine

What was Jurong like before it came to be Singapore’s second CBD?

Larger Than Life is an outdoor art showcase that answers precisely this question.

Curated by art collective Vertical Submarine, Larger Than Life comprises of 5 works that reminisce the Jurong that came before, bringing back the fond memories and forgotten history of the neighbourhood.

Installations to look out for include artist Liyu’s “Drive”, a sculpture of a car that invites people to recall and share their memories of the old Jurong drive-in cinema.

Where: Canopy @ J Link & Adjacent Field
When: 9 Nov 2017 – 28 Jan 2018

3. #seeyoursg by Shophouse & Co

#seeyoursg is no ordinary trail. In this trail, participants will literally see Jurong through new lenses.

A device designed by artist Samantha Tio, the device lets you view and record your experience, allowing you create your own narrative of the neighbourhood which you can later add to the Jurong story as part of the exhibition.

Not only will you unravel the myths and legends of Jurong through this discovery trail, you’ll also get to experience how reality and perception are interwoven at each stop of the trail.

*Take note that the recommended age for this trail is 12 years and above.

Walking Trail
Where: Jurong Regional Library
When: 25 Nov 2017, 10am – 11am; 4pm – 5pm (The 1-hour trail will start every 15 minutes)

Exhibition
Where: Jurong Regional Library
When: 9 – 30 Nov 2017, 10am – 9pm

4. .txt by Pooja Nansi & Daryl Qilin Yam

Another visual arts installations springing up in Jurong is .txt, which comprises two text-based works inspired by none other than Jurong and its surrounds. Conceived and devised by writers Pooja Nansi and Daryl Qilin Yam, these works draw from existing texts, interviews and original writings.

The works explore the relationship between language and its specific localities, highlighting the little things that make Jurong unique.

Where: Westgate (L1 Fashion High Street) and Canopy @ J Link
When: 9 – 26 Nov 2017, 10am – 10pm

5. The Story-teller by Slacsatu

As part of Arts In Your Neighbourhood, street artist Slacsatu will also be taking to Jurong to create a street art installation that explores the memories, dreams, experiences and cultural roots of Jurong that have played a role in shaping the community.

An artwork that is dedicated to the Jurong community, a place that has influenced Slacsatu’s practice, his hope is that the stories and spirit of Jurong is passed down from one generation to the next.

Where: Taman Jurong Community Club (Wall next to Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre)
When: 9 Nov – 31 Dec 2017

Contrary to what people may say or think about Jurong, it is a neighbourhood with plenty of history and plenty of soul.

For the month of November, pop by these installations, watch these performances, or go on the trail! Who knows, you just may come away with newfound appreciation for your neighbourhood!

Arts In Your Neighbourhood
Address: Various locations
Date:  9 – 26 Nov 2017
Website

Also read Singapore Streets Are Re-Imagined As Cult Films In Kult’s ‘Sin City’ Tee And Tote Collection

Singapore Streets Are Re-Imagined As Cult Films In Kult’s ‘Sin City’ Tee And Tote Collection

The creative folks at Kult have a ‘Sin City‘ merchandise collection and double takes are necessary because you probably won’t see the little change in the iconic designs at first glance.

Familiar yet different, we are loving these designs already. But wait, there’s more.

Foreign But Familiar

Here are some of our favourite picks from the ‘Sin City’ collection.

1. Mighty Morphin Punggol Rangers

If Singapore had its own Power Rangers, it would make sense for them to reside in Punggol. Ample space to park the Megazords. IT’S MORPHIN’ TIME!

2. Teenage Newton Ninja Turtles

Is Newton the place where people are releasing their terrapins? Is that what’s happening now?

3. A Nightmare On Oxley Road

Well… we all know the nightmare that went down with regards to Oxley Road this year. Ahem.

4. Big Trouble In Little India

Big Trouble In Little China, but different. To be fair, we had our own big trouble in Little India previously.

5. Serangoonies

No, this is not an allusion to garang gunis. This is a reference to The Goonies movie back in 1985.

6. The Desker Chainsaw Massacre

Desker Road is one of Singapore’s oldest red light district. Did Leatherface pass by?

7. Balestier Galactica

We missed the “Balestier” in this one the first time we saw it and it was a confusing 5 seconds trying to figure out the local place in the print.

8. The Good, The Bad And The Ubi

We need to see Clint Eastwood carry this bag just for the lawls. Anyone know his agent’s number?

9. Straight Outta Commonwealth

A local film starring Sheikh Haikel, Shigga Shay, and Tosh Zhang. We’re kidding.

10. The Wolf Of Waterloo Street

Did you notice “Martini Scorsese”? Bet you didn’t.

11. Brokeback Mountbatten

We were thinking “Brokeback Mount Faber” but Mountbatten works too.

12. The Phantom Of The Opera Estate

This is our absolute favourite. Broadway classics are the best! Anyone who says otherwise is entitled to their wrong opinion.

All tees go for $38 each while tote bags are $28 each. You may purchase them here.

We absolutely love the collection. Our only gripe is that there are only selected designs that are printed on both tote bags and tees.

Also read Bianca Del Rio Is Bringing Her Wit, Wigs And Savagery To Singapore For Her Hilarious 2017 Tour

(Header Image Source: kultstore.online)

Michelin-Starred Tsuta Adds Two Duck Ramen Dishes To Their Menu And It’s Ducking Good

Ramen fans, there’s a new ramen coming to you, and this one comes courtesy of none other than Michelin-starred ramen restaurant Tsuta.

If you’ve been to Tsuta, you’ll know that the limited seating restaurant sees queues daily at both its Orchard and Tai Seng branches. You’ll also know that they serve up sumptuous bowls of their signature fragrant truffle oil blended Shoyu Soba.

If you’re a fan of Chef Yuki Onishi’s truffle-y take on Japanese ramen, or just love trying different, novel ramen dishes in general, you’ll love what Chef Yuki Onishi has cooked up just for his Singaporean customers. 

An Ode To Duck

For their first year anniversary in Singapore, Tsuta has come up with not one but two ramen dishes, and the star ingredient is a meat we Singaporeans eat plenty of: duck.

Noticing the popularity of the ingredient during his visit to Singapore in 2016, Chef Yuki Onishi decided to create a ramen dish inspired by it. After experimenting with different recipes and cooking methods for a year, he created 2 ramen dishes: the dry Kamo Abura Soba, and Kamo Paitan Soba which is served in soup. 

The Kamo Abura Soba ($10) features noodles that have been marinated with premium shoyu and duck oil. Creamy, with an umami flavour, the ramen noodle comes topped with poached duck breast, baby leaves, crushed roasted cashew nuts and yellow onions. The ramen is served with a separate bowl of clear chicken stock soup.

What we love about this dry ramen is that you can really taste each individual component of the dish. The poached duck breast is slow cooked in shoyu sauce for an extended period of time, and is juicy with a tender bite. The cashew nuts and onions provide a nice contrast, bringing some nuttiness and sharpness to the flavours in the bowl.

The clear soup is also light and refreshing – a nice contrast from the stronger flavours in the ramen.

If you prefer your ramen in soup, you will probably prefer the Kamo Paitan Soba ($11).

This ramen dish features a creamy broth where the flavour of the duck really comes through. A broth that’s not too heavy, it is slow cooked for 5 hours with duck bones and even duck feet, giving it its rich flavour and creamy consistency.

Just like the Kamo Abura Soba, this ramen comes topped with slices of duck breast, baby leaves, cashew nuts, and yellow onions.

While Tsuta is not the only ramen restaurant in Singapore to come up with a duck ramen, we think they’ve nailed it with these delectable new ramen dishes. A dish that celebrates the flavours of duck, this is sure to be a hit with those who love the gamey meat.

These ramen dishes will only be available from 4 November onwards and are exclusively available in Singapore. The next time you’re craving a hearty bowl of ramen, be sure to head down to your nearest Tsuta to eat it!

Tsuta
Address: Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road, #01-01, Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6734 4886
This Sandwich Shack Makes Grilled Cheese Sandwiches That Will Put Your Homemade Ones To Shame

These Unassuming Brown Boxes Contain A Different Curated Dessert Experience Every Month

Rose tea, gold leaf soft serve ice cream, rainbow prata… it seems every other week, some new type of food emerges onto Singapore’s food scene.

With the incredible variety of eats for us to choose from, it can all be a little overwhelming, even for the biggest foodies among us.

If you’re fan of food, but not so much the clutter that’s on our plates these days, Pare is here to help.

A Box Of Goodness Every Month

Pare was born out of its founders’ philosophy of trimming away the excess in the food scene today. A monthly themed dessert box, each month presents a different theme, and with it, a different kind of bake.

That means you can expect anything from cookies to macarons, to apple pies, depending on what kinds of produce are in season, and the story its creators – Felicia and Geraldine – wish to tell.

Last month, the box was themed around the duo’s childhood dreams of a fruit tart, inspired by the Enid Blyton books they read as children.

This month, it was a tea set that was all about the scone.

The box contained 3 scones and 3 accompaniments including jams and creams! This was inspired by the hours they would spend in cafes during their travels, slowing down, reflecting on life over a pot of tea. To complete the experience, it even came with a custom-blend floral black tea!

The scones came in 3 different flavours: Classic cream, lemon basil, and rosemary grana padano. These were paired with wild berry compote, honeyed cream, and roasted garlic cream cheese.

With each release, Pare hopes to share with the world a bit of magic, drawing from the stories of their childhood to the fleeting moments of everyday.

Next month, they will be presenting an entirely different concept.

Fastest Fingers First

Because the baking duo believe in serving only good things and pay great attention to detail, all their bakes are small batch only – specifically, they produce 10-15 boxes each month for a very lucky group of 10-15 people who manage to put in their orders first.

You order a box, pick it up, and enjoy it wherever and however you want!

The bakes come packaged in a recyclable brown carrier box – rustic, minimal, and oh-so-Instragrammable!

Have it in your office on a gloomy day, put on some good tunes and enjoy your bakes in the comfort of your own room, or gift it to a friend!

Unfortunately, Pare rarely revisits and re-features an old box, but they’re not opposed to the idea if there is strong demand for a certain one. Look out for the surprise releases they hold occasionally, where they sell some of their baked items in very limited quantities. Whatever it is, the rule is always fastest fingers first.

To make sure you don’t miss out on Pare’s bakes, be sure to follow them on Instagram. The pair tease new releases on their stylish Instagram feed, and once these hints are out, it won’t be long before you can start putting in your order!

Prices differ from box to box, depending on the bakes and experience you’ll be receiving.

Love baked goods that taste and look amazing? Keep an eye out for Pare because they’ll be rolling out some amazing bakes in the coming months!

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If You Like Blackball, This Dessert Shop Will Have You Questioning Your Loyalties

If you’ve been to Taiwan, you’ll know that one of the snacks the country is well-known for is its Jiu Fen Taro Balls.

Sold along the streets of bustling Jiu Fen, these coloured balls are chewy and are served alongside other ingredients such as sweet potato and green tea balls, in red bean, green bean or sweet potato soup.

A party of flavours and textures, if you’re a fan of these dessert bowls and are a strong believer that ‘the more the toppings, the better‘, you’ll love Nine Fresh‘s local spin on the Taiwanese classic.

Nine Fresh

If this is the first time you’re hearing of Nine Fresh, you’re missing out!

Nine Fresh is a dessert stop that has been serving up quality cups of the delicious dessert for almost 5 years now.

That is, cups of grass jelly, beancurd, or ai-yu jelly (or a mixture of the three) heaped with beans (red bean, green bean, pinto bean, eight treasure bean), balls (mini taro ball, taro ball, durian ball), flavoured pearl jelly (aloe vera, mango, lychee, passionfruit), black pearls, and many more toppings.

At Nine Fresh, they’re all about keeping traditions fresh, and recently, they’ve done exactly that by rolling out 2 new series of desserts.

Nine Fresh Goes Local

The first is its Local Flavours series, which consist of dessert creations inspired by some of our favourite local desserts, including Chendol and Cheng Teng.

The Chendol Cup ($3.80) has a grass jelly base and is topped with green chendol jelly, attap seeds, red bean, and taro balls.

With (almost) all the ingredients you’d typically find in a chendol dessert, this is a far less sweet variant of the coconut milk-heavy dessert.

The Cheng Teng Cup ($3.80) also has all the good stuff you’d find in the traditional dessert: pong tai hai, lotus nut, barley, and sago. These are served over a wobbly ai-yu jelly base. And of course, you can’t forget the taro balls!

As durian lovers, our favourite is the Durian Yin-Yang, a half beancurd, half grass jelly base that’s topped with black sugar jelly dice, taro balls, and a generous scoop of rich durian puree – yes, actual durian flesh. The flavourful and creamy durian, combined with the array of chewy and QQ ingredients in the cup make it a winner – and all for just $3.90.

Singapore’s Favourites, According To Data

Another exciting addition to Nine Fresh’s offerings is the Fanspiration Series, a bunch of cups and flavours that are essentially customer-generated.

The best-selling flavour and ingredient combinations based on Nine Fresh’s data, gathered from its create-your-own-cup promo this year, you can’t go wrong with these flavours that are beloved by many, many Singaporeans.

Some of these items in this series include the all-black The Black Cup ($2.90), the all-white The White Cup ($2.60), and The Yin-Yang Cup ($2.90), which is half black and half white – at least when it comes to the base.

If you simply can’t decide between the bases (or love them all equally), the Aww In One Cup cup contains all three of them.

This cup comes piled with black pearls, taro balls, and mini taro balls on top. If you’re a first timer to Nine Fresh, we suggest you go for this so you can sample a little bit of everything and figure out which you prefer!

From there on, you can customise your own cup and create your own perfect combination of ingredients.

With so many decadent desserts out there, from rich chocolate treats to lava toasts, Nine Fresh is – literally – a refreshing change from the lot.

Priced very affordable from $2 to $3.90 for one of their pre-set cups, Nine Fresh’s desserts are a lighter option with so much to offer in the way of taste and flavour!

The next time you’re craving a refreshing dessert, make sure to pop by one of Nine Fresh’s 16 outlets – you won’t be disappointed!

Nine Fresh
Address: Find your nearest Nine Fresh Also read This Thai Bakery Is Baking Up A Storm Of Fluffy Loaves – And You Knead To Try It 

This Singaporean’s LEGO Replicas Of Local Icons Will Give You A Serious Case Of Nostalgia

We’ve all played with LEGOs at some point in our lives. However, for this man, LEGO is a career and a way of life.

Meet Jeffrey Kong, a Singaporean brick artist and founder of Artisan Bricks. He makes replicas of local landmarks, food and items out of LEGO bricks and parts.

Each piece he makes catches every detail of the original.

With multiple awards under his belt, Jeffrey has been creating with LEGOs for almost half a decade now and his works look so much like the original, you have to do a double take just to be sure.

Building Classics Brick By Brick

Jeffrey’s creations are small yet complex and most of them evoke a sense of nostalgia in most Singaporeans.

Here are some of our favourites.

How many of these things can you identify? We love the replicas of the Toa Payoh Dragon Playground and the floppy disk.

For those of you who are confused as to what this is, it’s a replica of the classic Overhead Projector (OHP). This was before overhead projectors were really overhead and hung from classroom ceilings.

Most Singaporeans who were in school before the millennium would know that this was a staple in every classroom.

Machines and pencils made out bricks, we get it. But how he made a mooncake out of LEGO bricks is simply mind-blowing. The craftsmanship is so detailed and accurate. We are in awe.

This is the most adorable replica of a neighbourhood we’ve ever seen. It’s honestly quite difficult to not gush about these creations.

Now, isn’t this a familiar sight? The little pieces of “laundry” is what really completes this replica.

Does this look familiar to you? Yes, it’s the red mailbox found in old homes in Katong!

This is, without a doubt, our favourite. The ability to capture the essence and details of The Fullerton Hotel, one of the most iconic buildings in Singapore’s cityscape, is truly a commendable feat. Mr Kong, you’re the real MVP.

Jeffrey does commissions as well; so if you’re looking to have something made out of LEGO bricks, he’s the perfect man for the job.

You can contact Jeffrey here and find more of his creations on Instagram, Facebook and on his website.

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(Header Image Source: Artisan Bricks Facebook)