Category: Uniquely Singapore

Burger King’s Signature Pie Now Comes In New ‘Teh Tarik’ Flavour At Just $1

As you’ve already noticed, many fast food chains and restaurants are coming up with a locally-inspired menu because National Day is just 2 weeks away.

With a sudden surge in Nasi Lemak and Durian menus across the island, we gladly welcome ANYTHING ELSE that isn’t any of the abovementioned flavours.

For National Day, good guy Burger King brought back their popular Rendang Tendergrill and Hainanese Tendergrill.

https://www.facebook.com/BurgerKingSG/photos/a.403938841773.193415.398894966773/10156485167376774/?type=3&theater

While there wasn’t much fanfare, it certainly kept their loyal subjects content.

But Wait, There’s More!

If you thought that was all that Burger King was offering for the nation’s birthday, think again.

They also unveiled some delicious-looking snacks and add-ons to go with your Tendergrill burgers.

Here at DiscoverSG, we LOVE our Teh, if you couldn’t already tell. So while this little menu item was missed by most people, it didn’t miss our Teh-spotting eyes.

Sneaky sneaky. But we see you, Teh Tarik Pie.

If you love your Teh, then you should give this a shot. For just $1, it’s available at all Burger King outlets islandwide.

However, you can’t seem to have it delivered at the moment, so maybe just order and have it in Burger King instead.

At the moment, there’s no date given as to when the Teh Tarik Pie will be discontinued. So go get it while stocks last!

Also read Old Chang Kee’s Exclusive ‘Curry Day’ Flavours Are Unexpectedly Fruity – Will You Dare To Try Them?

(Header Image Source: Twitter User Xavier Lur)

This Young S’porean Sells Traditional Nonya Kueh On Instagram Using His Ah Mah’s Recipes

Making Nonya Kueh is not a typical career path most Singaporean men would take fresh out of National Service.

Most of us would dream of being teachers, doctors, engineers but this 23 year old decided to take on a whole new challenge and sell Nonya Kueh using his Ah Mah’s recipes.

Meet Keith Su, a 23 year old whose love for kueh spurred him to take his fondness for pastries a step further – by making them from his kitchen and selling them on Instagram (@ahmahzingsg).

Exploring Traditional Food With Ah Mah

Operating out of his kitchen in his family flat in Ang Mo Kio, Keith started taking in orders in April 2018, selling nonya treats like Kueh Salat and Kueh Bingka Ubi via Ahmahzing‘s Instagram Account.

The name is a play on  the words ‘ah mah’ (meaning grandma, in hokkien) and ‘amazing’.

“I wanted a name that reflects the concept of heritage and tradition,” he shares. Which led him to to think about his grandparents and that his happiest childhood memories stem from being pampered by ah mah.

“While I was serving National Service, I spent my free time visiting public libraries and borrowing cookbooks,” he added.

He would study the recipes and experimented with them until he got it right.

“The Kueh Salat took me about four attempts before I actually got it right and when I did, the feeling of satisfaction was indescribable,” he quipped. His first successful attempt at making the technically-challenging Kueh Salat, spurred him on to try other recipes, building up his repertoire, one kueh at a time.

It wasn’t just the positive comments he received that spurred him on, it was his personal interest and love for kueh that motivated him to do better.

While most millennials would prefer a sugar-packed cupcake to a more traditional Ang Ku Kueh, Keith believes that kueh is something that we are all familiar or grew up with, and hence we will crave for it from time to time. It is this symbolic value about kueh that makes it more than just a commoditised product.

One of the best-tasting kueh in his arsenal would definitely be the Ang Ku Kueh. The chewy red skin is made from sweet potato which he boils and then mashes before adding coconut milk and oil to get that supple, chewy texture. Tucked within is generous filling of mung beans.

Keith also recently started selling Soon Kueh which took a lot of trial and error to get the right texture and thickness of the skin. He shared that the Soon Kueh requires a lot of effort from start to finish: from slicing the turnip into thin strips, to rolling out the dough and stuffing them into dumplings. Lots of attention to detail is required to ensure that the dumplings are not overstuffed or else they will split open while steaming.

Always on the adventure to explore other kinds of Kueh, Keith expressed that his current interest is in Teochew Kueh. He is also intrigued by the Hainanese Yi Buah, which is less commonly known. He also plans on doing more pop-ups and looking at more locations to set up shop. Who knows, Ahmahzing might just set up shop at a neighbourhood near you.

“Kueh is more than just a snack; it is part of our childhood and unique to our local culture,” he added.

I mean, let’s be real. Most of us would rather eat a real good Kueh Salat over a lemon meringue tart any day.

Interested in Keith’s homemade Nonya Kueh? Check out Ahmahzing’s Instagram page and maybe order a few for your Ah Mah to try!

Ahmahzing
Website

Also Read Meet S’pore’s Spice Boy And His Muji-Style Spice Shop In AMK

(Header Image Source: @ahmahzingsg)

Save Your Data – Get Free Wi-Fi On 16 SBS Buses From Now Till Mid Sept

Running low on data? Bout to hit your data limit for the month?

From now till mid September 2018, DBS is offering FREE Wi-Fi service on board 16 buses as part of the #DBSturns50 celebrations!

DBS x SBS = No BS.

All you have to do is spot the DBS print on the 16 buses.

Once on board, look for the Wi-Fi network “LiveMoreWithDBS” on your mobile device, connect, and start surfing!

It’s as simple as that.

The 16 selected bus services are 8, 13, 21, 30, 39, 58, 81, 86, 87, 107, 132, 153, 163, 168, 174, and 196.

We’ve been waiting for Wi-Fi on buses for those long bus rides and while SBS and SMRT doesn’t seem to be implementing these as permanent features anytime soon, this is the closest we can get to that dream.

I guess it’s time to start taking the bus home.

Also read Work Out At Singapore’s First 24-Hr Container Gym For Only $7/Hr

(Header Image Source: DBS)

Cold Stone Creamery’s Latest Concoction Features Cucumber Slices And…Spicy Sambal Ikan Bilis?

In another tribute to Singapore’s upcoming birthday and our diverse food culture, Cold Stone Creamery has come up with 2 new hyperlocal ice cream flavours – Nasi Lemak and Pulut Hitam.

These new flavours are available from 14 July to 31 August 2018.

The Nasi Lemak Ice Cream consists of coconut ice cream, roasted peanuts, rice puffs, spicy sambal ikan bilis and cucumber slices.

Once again, we’re not sure how to feel about this. And why does every reimagined dish revolve around Nasi Lemak? Do we not any other iconic dishes?

The Pulut Hitam Ice Cream is a little more familiar. NSFs will remember the cookhouse aunties in Tekong giving Pulut Hitam ice cream on the warmer days.

The version served at Cold Stone Creamery consists of coconut ice cream and black glutinous rice. Plain and simple.

Currently, there’s a 1-for-1 promotion on the Nasi Lemak and Pulut Hitam flavours for just $8.50. You can also add a plain or Pandan waffle cup for $1.20.

This isn’t the first time that Cold Stone Creamery has come up with local flavours. Back in April, they launched Chendol Ice Cream.

Once again, these 2 new local flavours will be available from 14 July to 31 August 2018 at all Cold Stone Creamery outlets islandwide.

Are you going to try their Nasi Lemak ice cream?

Also read 10 Michelin Bib Gourmand Eateries Actually Worth Visiting, According To S’poreans

(Header Image Source: Cold Stone Creamery Singapore)

10 Michelin Bib Gourmand Eateries Actually Worth Visiting, According To S’poreans

The list of restaurants that have been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2018 has been released.

Not to be confused with the Michelin Star, the Bib Gourmand is awarded to eateries that serve really good food below a maximum price determined by local economic standards. For Singapore, the maximum is $45.

And this year, there are 17 new additions to the Bib Gourmand list.

However, with so many eateries on the 50-strong list, how many are ACTUALLY worth visiting?

After all, food preference is subjective. So we’ve sieved through the list of 50 to pick out our 10 favourites.

Here we go.

Ah Er Soup

If you love soup like I do, then this is it.

I’ve seen many shops with the sign “老火汤”, which translates into “Old Fire Soup”, but I’ve never come across one with accolades like the Bib Gourmand.

Ah Er Soup serves up various herbal soups with offerings such as Lotus Root Soup and Watercress Soup and even their own version of Buddha Jumps Over The Wall.

Every order of soup comes with white or pumpkin rice. And the best part is, the prices are incredibly affordable, between $3.50 to $6.50.

Ah Er Soup
Address: 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre #01-143, Singapore 618642
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 9pm

Alliance Seafood

Alliance Seafood blends into the sea of tze char stalls at Newton Food Centre very easily mainly because it looks like a generic stall.

It doesn’t really look any different from a regular tze char stall.

Like any tze char stall, the available dishes are quite standard. You can expect Chilli Crab, Black Pepper Crab, Fried Rice, Cereal Prawn, BBQ Stingray, Sambal Kangkong, and more.

Seats are hard to find due to the crowd here, so come early with a tissue packet for the chope.

Alliance Seafood
Address: Newton Food Centre, 501 Clemenceau Avenue North #01-27, Singapore 229495
Opening Hours: Thu – Tue: 1pm – 12am, Wed: Closed

Chey Sua Carrot Cake

Don’t expect to find the sweet, dark carrot cake here because Chey Sua Carrot Cake only serves the savoury, white carrot cake.

The carrot cake here is homemade from scratch, unlike most carrot cake stalls nowadays who prefer to use machine-processed carrot cake chunks.

The cooking method is also slightly different. While most carrot cake hawkers pan-fry the carrot cake chunks first before cracking and adding the eggs later, Chey Sua Carrot Cake mixes the carrot cake chunks in beaten egg mixture before pouring it on to the pan to fry.

The result is a carrot cake that resembles a pancake. Flat with each carrot cake chunk evenly coated in egg mixture.

Need your carrot cake fix? Be prepared for a wait. Especially now that they’ve received their Bib Gourmand accolade.

Chey Sua Carrot Cake
Address: Blk 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre Lorong 1 #02-30, Singapore 310127
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 6am – 1pm, Mon: Closed

Hoo Kee Bak Chang

Hoo Kee Bak Chang is known to be Singapore’s best bak chang (rice dumpling).

If you love salted egg, then you’ll love this too. They’re known for their Salted Egg with Chestnut Bak Chang – a traditional bak chang with the addition of salted egg yolk.

The bak changs are priced from $2.80 to $3.60 and each one is handmade.

If you know your bak chang, then you have to try this because there’s no better bak chang than this.

Hoo Kee Bak Chang
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, Amoy Street Food Centre #01-18, Singapore 069111
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 3pm, Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 6221 1155

Address: Blk 161 Bukit Merah Central #01-3735, Singapore 150161
Contact no.: 6222 7866
Image Credit: Burppler Wan Yu Elton Goh[/caption]

There are other sides to order as well, such as various boiled soups and blanched vegetables with oyster sauce.

Because of the long waiting times, there’s the option to call ahead to place your orders so piping hot claypot rice will be ready when you arrive.

Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice
Address: 335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #02-198/199, Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: Fri – Wed: 4.30pm – 10pm, Tue: Closed
Contact no.: 6227 2470

Na Na Homemade Curry

I remember there was a stall in Bukit Panjang Plaza’s Kopitiam that sold really good Chinese-style curry.

I love Chinese-style curry. It is usually spicier and comes paired with either white rice or baguette.

This is what you’ll find at Na Na Homemade Curry. They serve a variety of Chinese-style curries, with options such as Curry Chicken ($3), Curry Vegetable ($3), Curry Fish Head, and even Curry Mutton ($4) and Curry Pork Ribs ($4).

[caption id="attachment_36002" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Christina Nanana[/caption]

Order yours with a side of white rice or toasted baguette slices because you’ll definitely need a buffer for the incoming spice hit.

Na Na Homemade Curry
Address: 115 Bukit Merah View, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 7pm, Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 9106 4316

Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee

Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee always has a long queue, but don’t worry, it clears pretty quickly because every plate is cooked and served with surprising speed.

Even though it says “Kway Teow Mee” in the name, what they serve here is basically Char Kway Teow. However, the version here isn’t as oily as the ones you’d find elsewhere, with plenty of egg, lard, beansprouts, and cockles.

[caption id="attachment_36003" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Steve G[/caption]

They’re also not heavy-handed with their dark soy sauce so the Char Kway Teow is more savoury than sweet.

You can order the spicy version and your order will be fried with chilli instead of the typical scoop of chilli on the side.

This is probably the best Char Kway Teow you can find in Singapore at the moment.

Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee
Address: #02-18 Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
Opening Hours: Daily: 7am – 9pm

Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice

Chicken rice is probably Singapore’s most iconic dish. Everyone can learn to cook chicken rice, but few can make GOOD chicken rice.

However, that’s what Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice has managed to achieve. The chicken is tender and full of flavour, so no complaints there. The chicken rice, however, could do with a stronger flavour.

[caption id="attachment_36001" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Marvin Lowe[/caption]

At this point it just seems like white rice flavoured with a bit of chicken stock and is a little mild. I prefer the chicken rice to be full of flavour.

And now the aspect of chicken rice that can make or break the dish, the chilli. Once again, flawless execution. Spicy with a hit of tanginess, thanks to the lime and vinegar.

You want good chicken rice? This is where you should be going.

Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice
Address: Blk 40 Holland Drive, Singapore 270040
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 11am – 8pm, Mon: Closed

Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty

Ipoh Hor Fun is a magical dish. It’s neither kway teow or hor fun. It just toes the line between the 2 and is so simple yet delicious.

The ones served at Shi Hui Yuan come with either duck, chicken, braised spare ribs, or a mixture of all 3.

[caption id="attachment_36000" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Jeremy Tan[/caption]

The recommended one is the Blissful Combination ($5), which has braised shiitake mushrooms, roast duck and chicken slices, as well as braised spare ribs.

A worthy mention is the sauce that they pour over the hor fun. It’s a magical concoction of the braising liquid of the mushrooms, spare ribs, and chicken.

The biggest problem you’ll encounter here is finishing your hor fun before you can finish the sauce.

Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty
Address: 159 Mei Chin Road, Mei Ling Market & Food Centre #02-33, Singapore 140159
Opening Hours: Wed – Sun: 7.30am – 2pm, Mon – Tue: Closed

Zai Shun Curry Fish Head

Zai Shun Curry Fish Head looks just like a regular cai fan stall albeit slightly more upscale, with their rather impressive display shelves for the dishes.

While their name suggests that they’re known for their Curry Fish Head, it’s their Steamed Fish that fares better and is more popular.

[caption id="attachment_35998" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Sze Qi Wong[/caption]

The steamed fish depends on the catch of the day which ranges from red snapper to grouper.

Aside from their signature Steamed Fish, other must-orders include the Salted Egg Minced Pork, Fried Egg with Bittergourd, Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste Chicken), Braised Pork Belly, and Herbal Chicken.

[caption id="attachment_35999" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Image Credit: Burppler Gin[/caption]

There’s a lot more that’s worth trying so our advice is bring more people so you’ll get to try everything once.

Zai Shun Curry Fish Head
Address: 253 Jurong East Street 24 #01-205, Singapore 600253
Opening Hours: Thu – Tue: 7am – 3pm, Wed: Closed
Contact no.: 6560 8594

So there you have it. 10 of the best eateries, out of the 50 chosen by the Michelin inspectors, that’s actually approved and loved by locals.

Are any of these eateries already a favourite of yours? Or which are you going to try next? Let us know!

Also read Beyond Char Siew Siew Yoke – Cantonese Words & Phrases You Can Impress Your Grandma With

(Header Image Source: Burppler Marvin Lowe and Burppler I Makan SG)

Men In S’pore Blessed With Facial Hair, Here’s Where You Can Groom It For Under $30

For the gifted few men in our society that have the capacity to grow a full beard, this one is for you. In the recent decade, we’ve had many metrosexuals and “gentlemen” popping up.

I don’t mean “gentlemen” sarcastically. I’m referring to the term that dapper men who groom themselves with a fervent passion, use to address themselves and others like them.

[caption id="attachment_35746" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image Credit: Pinterest[/caption]

You know, men like that.

Along with the emergence of this particular group of people, there have been modern barbershops appearing all over the island, catered specifically for men’s grooming.

However, not all are good and they’re always rather pricey, depending on the size of your beard. So we’ve compiled a short list of tried and tested barbershops that are affordable and good.

Grooming Is A Basic Human Right

1. We Need A Hero

We Need A Hero (cue song), is a grooming centre that provides haircuts, beard trimming, brow grooming, and even waxing services.

[caption id="attachment_35747" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: We Need A Hero[/caption]

The name comes from their belief that there is a hero, buried within every man – he just needs proper grooming to emerge.

[caption id="attachment_35748" align="aligncenter" width="1648"] Image Credit: We Need A Hero[/caption]

We Need A Hero provides beard trimming services starting from $15 and waxing from $22. For a full list of their services and prices, check 2. Paul’s Barbershop/Barbershop Pauls’

Paul’s Barbershop is a humble barbershop in Bedok offering haircuts and beard trimming services.

[caption id="attachment_35749" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: Barbershop Paul[/caption]

A haircut will set you back $20, while a haircut and beard trimming session will cost $25.

There has been issues with inconsistency in the quality of the haircuts in the past few months, but haircuts are usually good.

Paul’s Barbershop
Address: Blk 202 Bedok North St. 1, #01-477, Singapore 540202
Opening Hours: Sat – Thu: 10am – 9pm, Sun: 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Contact no.: 8104 9577
Website

3. Limpeh Barbershop

For a more consistent and affordable grooming experience, Limpeh Barbershop is your “man”.

[caption id="attachment_35751" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Limpeh Barbershop[/caption]

An adult haircut here will set you back $20 and beard sculpting alone (it’s basically beard trimming) only goes for $10!

That’s extremely affordable to be honest. For a solid beard sculpt at just $10, it’s hard to beat.

For a full list of their services and prices, check here.

You can also book an appointment on their website here. Do note that customers are given a 15 minutes grace period. Any latecomers will be rescheduled to the next available slot.

Limpeh Barbershop
Address: Blk 537 Bedok North Street 3, #01-511, Singapore 460537
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 9pm, Sat: 11am – 6pm, Sun: 12pm – 6pm
Contact no.: 9422 5895
Website

4. Barber Point

Barber Point might seem like another random neighbourhood barbershop, with no social media or website, but don’t let that fool you.

[caption id="attachment_35752" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Image Credit: HDB[/caption]

Because it really doesn’t have any social media or website.

All we know is that the haircuts only cost $15. So a beard trim wouldn’t be that far off. In fact, it might be even less.

If you’re expecting young, dapper men, the barbers here are all veteran barbers who know their stuff.

Sometimes, you just need a good and simple, unpretentious haircut to look good.

Barber Point
Address: Blk 118 Rivervale Drive, #01-12, Singapore 540118

5. The Black Tie Barbershop

The Black Tie Barbershop is by far the most proper barbershop on this list. The barbers are dressed to the nines, in formal shoes, pants, suspenders, and a combover so smooth you’d slip.

[caption id="attachment_35770" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Image Credit: Vulcan Post[/caption]

A haircut will cost you from $20 to $30, depending on your age, while a beard trim will be $25.

The shop is usually crowded, so book an appointment on their Also read McDonald’s Releases New ‘Har Cheong Gai’ Burger And Drumlets As Part Of National Day Menu

(Header Image Source: Unsplash)

Hokkien 101 – Words And Phrases You Can Use Everyday Without Getting Slapped

Hello, ho seh bo? I’m Ian, DiscoverSG’s leading Hokkien speaker.

Singapore is home to many dialect groups, but one of the most common one is probably Hokkien.

If you grew up in Singapore, you’ve definitely heard Hokkien being spoken around you, whether you’re aware of it or not.

The place where Hokkien is most prevalent is the humble kopitiam, where the elderly chatter fluently in the dialect.

If you don’t understand a single word of it, or if your Hokkien is limited to the expletives, then allow me to teach you some simple words and phrases that you can use daily.

Trust me, I spoke Hokkien before I learnt English.

1. Ai and Mai

These are your most basic words.

Ai, means “want”. Whereas, Mai, means “don’t want”.

So, in future, if you’re bombarded with a sentence in Hokkien and you’re not sure, just say Mai and spare yourself the embarrassment.

2. Ai Mai?

You’ve probably heard or even used it before.

Ai Mai, a combination of the previous 2 words, is usually used as a question to ask if you want something or not?

Example: “We’re going to have supper after karaoke. Join us ah. Ai mai?”

3. Chut Mng

Chut Mng is a term that’s used by the older generation that means “heading out” or “going out”.

Example: “Ah boy, where you going? Everyday see you chut mng, you think my house is hotel is it?”

4. Tit Toh

Stop giggling. Tit Toh is somewhat similar to Chut Mng, but its meaning is closer to “jalan jalan” or going out to have fun.

Example: “Everyday chut mng tit toh, you a lot of money to spend is it?”

5. Jiak Hong

Jiak Hong literally translates into “eating air”.

The real meaning of the word is “to travel” or “holidaying”.

Example: “Eh I saw Alex’s Instagram Story, he go to Switzerland to jiak hong or for exchange?”

6. Dng Chu

Dng Chu means to “go home”.

Example: “Eh guys I’m gonna dng chu already. Y’all have fun.”

7. Lor Hor

Lor Hor translates to “raining”.

Example: “AH BOY FASTER HELP ME KEEP THE LAUNDRY!!! LOR HOR ALREADY!!!”

8. Jiak Png

Jiak Png is probably one of the most used Hokkien phrases. It directly translates to “eat rice” but it’s used to mean “have lunch/dinner” or “to eat”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYgr3lK_7VA

Example: “Eh it’s 1pm already. Let’s go jiak png.”

9. Kun

Kun, in this case, does not refer to the Japanese honorific for boys. In Hokkien, it means “to sleep”.

Example: “This lecturer talk so slowly. I want to kun already.”

10. Ho Seh Bo?

Ho Seh Bo is a greeting which means “How are you?” However, this would be better used when speaking to someone who is of the same age, or younger.

When speaking to an elder, you should be using Li Ho Bo which means “Are you well?”

Example: “Wah bro, long time no see. Ho seh bo?”

11. Eh Sai and Buay Sai

Singaporeans who speak Hokkien love to use these. Eh Sai means “can”, and Buay Sai means “cannot”.

Example:

A: “Can I borrow your pen?”

B: “Eh sai.”

OR

A: “Can I borrow your pen?”

B: “Buay sai, cos I only have one.”

However, if you’re using Eh Sai in the context of “can or not”, then Eh Sai needs to be complemented with “Buay” at the end. The sentence would be something like this.

Example:

A: “Eh you not using your pen. I borrow ah? Eh sai buay?

B: “Eh sai. Take lor.”

12. Kah Kin

Kah Kin means ” to hurry up”. If you’re a sloth, you might’ve heard this used on you more than a few times.

Example: “Eh you very slow, the movie going to start already. Can you kah kin anot?”

So there you have it. Hokkien words and phrases that you can use daily. Feel free to pepper your sentences when speaking with your grandparents for that bit of extra.

Also please don’t let Hokkien die out as a dialect. Pass it on.

Also read Does It Taste Like Home? 2 Filipinos Found The Best Pinoy Fare In Singapore

(Header Image Source: Tapa Talk)