Welcome To The Dark Side – These 13 Black Foods Will Surely Soot Your Tastebuds
Black – we love to wear it, we love it on makeup, we love to… eat it?
Black coloured foods seem to be the next big food trend and we think you’ll be seeing more of these dark, moody foods all over your Insta-feeds. From sinful desserts to devilish mains, with foods as black as our hearts, we’re not going to say no.
We’ve rounded up some of the blackest foods in Singapore, so let your inner goth come alive with these cold, black treats.
1. 黑 “Hei” Rice ($22) – Paddy Hills
[caption id="attachment_27591" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Image Credit: 
Image Credit: 
Image Credit: Burpple User Seth Lui[/caption]
This signature dish consists of the OG black food, squid ink pasta, tossed with a generous amount of crayfish, scallops, prawns, clams, and squid. The pasta is infused with the natural taste of the sea from the squid ink, and the sauce is briny and flavourful. While squid ink pasta is not hard to find across our little island, this is one of the better squid ink pastas you can get in Singapore.
Pasta Brava
Address: 11 Craig Road, Singapore
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.45am – 2.15 pm (lunch), 6.15pm – 10.15pm (dinner); Closed on Sun & PH
4. Squid Ink Panini with King Crab and Prawns ($14) – Dolcetto by Basilico
[caption id="attachment_27694" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
Image Credit: Image Credit: Image Credit: Image Credit: Image Credit: Black Magic[/caption]
You may have chanced upon this all-black dessert before. Now, it’s back again in all its glory. The magic unfolds in an intricately designed medley of black sesame panna cotta, squid ink profiterole, crispy charcoal biscuit, lace tulle, black berries, with a chocolate wand. A tasty and quirky combination that works wonders!
Platform 1094
Address: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 11am – 10pm; Sat & Sun: 10am to 10pm; Closed on Mon
10. Foie Gras Macaron ($12) – Hashida Garo
[caption id="attachment_27604" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]
Image Credit: 
Image Credit: Burpple User V T[/caption]
To beat the heat, come to the dark side with KokoPanda’s black frozen yoghurt, made with charcoal and roasted coconut husk.
It’s a tangy, refreshing and absolutely yummy alternative to ice cream. What’s more, it’s also a much healthier choice as it comes topped with superfoods. These include dried strawberry, apple, pear, persimmon and Jeju tangerine, as well as caviar bubbles made with real fruit juice.
A single topping with the base froyo will cost $4.90, while a froyo with 3 toppings will cost $5.90, with additional toppings priced at $0.80 each.
KokoPanda
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #B2-60, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 10pm
12. Homemade Black Soy Ice Cream ($4.90 for Regular, with 2 toppings) – Dofu
[caption id="attachment_27607" align="aligncenter" width="480"]
Image Credit: 
Image Credit: Burpple User Zhi Hui Lim[/caption]
This grand tower consists of fine milk shavings topped with a generous layer of black sesame and kinako powder, a heap of red beans, and a scoop of ice cream. Feast your eyes on the Black Sesame Bingsu, a slayer at Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Café that for good reason, has garnered its own fan club.
Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Café
Address: 534 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188749 | #02-25 Century Square, 2 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529509 | 227 Upper Thompson Road Singapore 574359 | The Midtown Singapore, 1187 Upper Serangoon Road #01-14, Singapore 534785
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily (North Bridge Road branch) | Mon – Sun: 12pm – 10pm (Century Square branch)
It seems when it comes to food, black is now the new black. With all the multi-coloured and ombre foods and drinks we’ve been seeing lately, this is definitely a refreshing and much welcomed change.
If you’re in the mood to try something new, check out these deliciously dark eats. And of course, make sure to bring a mirror with you–you don’t want to be out in public with black stuff all over your teeth!
Also read 8 Instagram-Worthy Drinks That Will Have Your Followers Spamming The Like Button
The Best Rainbow Cakes To Indulge In While Celebrating The Freedom To Love
As June rolls around, it brings plenty of good stuff: the national treasure that is the Great Singapore Sale, turbulent Gemini season and, best of all, LGBTQ Pride Month.
Pride Month celebrations are meant to commemorate the June 28 anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, which is considered a milestone event in the modern fight for LGBTQ rights.
The rainbow flag has long been used to represent the LGBTQ community worldwide, and while there may have been some escalator drama and cake-bashing on our shores in recent weeks, love is still love and these events won’t dull our colours.
We’ve sussed out the best cafes around the island where you can give your sweet tooth the rainbow treatment in honour of Pride Month.
1. Dean & Deluca
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1152"]
Image Credit: The Coffee Daily[/caption]
Tucked away at Brighton Crescent is The Coffee Daily, where the vibes are chill, the coffee is good and the rainbow cake is gorgeous.
The presentation here really takes the cake—get it?—with chocolate drizzles and bonus rainbow sprinkles. Their rainbow cake is also one of the most popular items on the menu, known to sell out by mid-afternoon, so be sure to get there early!
The Coffee Daily
Address: 75 Brighton Crescent, Singapore 559216
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 12pm – 10.30pm; Sat – Sun: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Image Credit: 4. I am…
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Image Credit: I am…[/caption]
This halal-certified café serves up some of the most iconic rainbow desserts in town.
Tuck into a classic seven-layer rainbow cake or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try out the rainbow mille crepe cake. Think white and dark chocolate cream between layers of soft multi-coloured crepe, drizzled with rich chocolate syrup. You can also pair these with a warm cup of rainbow latte—latte art’s never been so technicolour.
I am…
Address: 674 North Bridge Road, Singapore 199486
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 11am – 11pm; Fri – Sat: 11am – 1am; Sun: 11am – 10pm
Website
Show your colours this month as we celebrate the freedom to love. Eat these cakes or gift them to your LGBTQ friends as a sign of support or solidarity! And to all our friends from the LGBTQ community, we stand with you! #loveislove
Also read Pancake Burgers Are The Latest Food Mashup In S’pore And We Are All Flippin’ Out
(Header Image Source: Pinterest)
There’s A Picnic Party Happening In July, And You Don’t Need To Bring Anything
Love the idea of a picnic, but not so much the process of preparing the food and lugging everything out of the house?
There’s a picnic party coming up, and at this picnic, all you have to bring is yourself.
Weird Wonderful World is a two-day picnic party happening from Jul 8 – 9 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Led by Spa Esprit Group’s Tiong Bahru Bakery, at this picnic, there are pre-packed buckets (not baskets) filled with all sorts of goodies from the Spa Esprit brands.
Food-wise, expect sandwiches from Tiong Bahru Bakery, fish sliders from Open Farm Community, kong ba pau from House, and for drinks, juices, wines and more. Each bucket, with the exception of the starter bucket, also comes with all your picnicking needs including mats, fans, and even a helium balloon, because why not?
Picnic baskets start at $10 for a starter bucket with all your picnic essentials (includes a mat and a helium balloon) and go up to $200 for a premium bucket containing a wide selection of signature pastries and dishes. The WWow Bucket is tagged at$50, the WWWonderful Bucket at $100, and the WWWhoopwhoop Bucket at $200.
If you’re still hungry after emptying out your picnic bucket, there will also be pop-up stalls by Open Door Policy, House, Open Farm Community and Common Man Coffee Roasters at the Bandstand and Palm Valley areas of the garden!
Still on the fence about whether or not you should attend? How’s this: also present on the picnic grounds are plenty of fun, wacky inflatables, giant versions of our favourite childhood games Twister and Connect 4, roving buskers, relaxing shoulder massages and foot rubs, and even men’s grooming services!
For even more picture perfect fun times, you can buy giant flamingo, unicorn, and donut floats ($50) to sit on–a fun little detail to jazz up your own picnic area!
With music from concert performances at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, early morning yoga sessions and guided tours you can join, this weird and wonderful picnic party is the perfect remedy to a tough week of work.
Pre-order your picnic bucket from 19 June to 7 July at Tiong Bahru Bakery (Raffles City, Tangs Orchard, Eng Hoon), Open Farm Community, Open Door Policy and House at Dempsey, and receive a free Tiong Bahru Bakery tote worth $10! Limited buckets are available, so make sure you book them early!
Let loose and let the good times roll at Weird Wonderful World!
Weird Wonderful World
Address: Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Date: Jul 8 – 9
Website
(Header Image Source:
These 5 Indie Bookstores Are A Bibliophile’s Dream And Will Make You Want To Never Leave
“A town isn’t a town without a bookstore” — so writes Neil Gaiman in American Gods, and we agree.
For all you bookworms, we’ve rounded up 5 best independent bookstores around the island where you can get your lit geek on and #SupportLocal while you’re at it.
1. Booktique
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1066"][caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="2048"]
Image Credit: BooksActually[/caption]
BooksActually is the place to be if you’re looking for local literature, with its good selection of works by Singapore poets. Here, you’ll also find the trademark minimalist SingLit book covers printed by BooksActually’s publishing arm, Math Paper Press.
Venture into the back room and you’ll find several knick-knacks and accessories with local flavour. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to say hi to the bookstore’s resident feline friends.
BooksActually
Address: 9 Yong Siak St, Singapore 168645
Opening Hours: Tues – Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun – Mon: 10am – 6pm
Website
3. Woods in the Books
A few doors down from BooksActually is Woods in the Books, an independent bookshop that specialises in picture books for the little ones.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="4669"]
Image Credit: Kaimen Asia[/caption]
With its adorable outdoor mural and charming decor, Woods in the Books is nothing short of enchanting.
The young at heart can also indulge in a little childhood nostalgia here, as the bookstore carries plenty of classic titles such as The Giving Tree and The Hungry Caterpillar.
Woods in the Books Wandering through the bookshelves here will take you from fantasy novels to science fiction, to cookbooks and travel guides, with helpful post-it recommendations along the way on the staff’s favourite picks. DiscoverSG Pro Tip: Look out for the discount pile under their staircase, where you can get some great steals. Littered With Books Hankering for a dose of design inspo? Head to Basheer Graphic Books. Offering shelves upon shelves of books and magazines on architecture, graphic design, fashion, photography, typography and more, the store is a mecca for lovers of design and collectors of magazines. The store’s no-frills, old-school vibe is also a big part of its charm. Basheer Graphic Books (Header Image Source:
Did you know batignolles is actually a neighbourhood in romantic Paris? That is the inspiration behind O Batignolles, a French diner opened by a–you guessed it–French couple along the hipster Club Street. With an artfully decorated interior with a dark wood and red colour scheme, O Batignolles transports you to the trendy district of Paris. Its outdoor seating includes marble-top tables and rattan chairs, and are perfect for some people watching. The French love their wine, so it comes as no surprise that this restaurant has an extensive wine selection. O Batignolles imports a stellar range of wines that is curated from small batch independent winemakers throughout France. Their wine menu includes little nuggets of information such as the region the winery is located, the acidity of the wine, level of dryness, and so on. Where there is wine, there is cheese. Here at O Batignolles, be dazzled by the large selection of cheese available! All their cheeses are air-flown from France weekly. Whether you are looking for a mild cheese such as cheddar or stronger ones like blue cheese, you will definitely be able to get it here. With so many types of cheese available, simply order the cheese platter, where you can choose to sample 3, 5 or 7 types. Alternatively, pair your cheese platter with cold cuts such as ham or rosette under their Mix Cold & Cheese Assortment ($34). Although O Batignolles specialises in wine and cheese/cold cut platters, they also offer tapas-style dining as well. Think tantalising French dishes, downsized to bite-sized portions on sharing plates. Their French Fries (drizzled with truffle oil) and Smoked Salmon and Avocado are great for sharing! Alternatively, dine like a true French with their cheesy Croque-Monsieur Bites, the French equivalent of ham and cheese bread. If you are feeling peckish, simply order their Mini Burger. The real star of this dish is the slice of melted Morbier cheese sandwiched between the burger buns! The French love their sweets, there is certainly no disputing that! After all, macarons, eclairs and Crème Brûlée all hail from France. Naturally, you can expect classic French desserts such as Crème Brûlée and Lemon Tart in their dessert selection. Likewise, their Chocolate Truffon promises a sinful indulgence like no other! If you can’t afford the pricey airfares to Paris, get a taste of French living right here at O Batignolles–just remember to grab an outdoor seat for that perfect Parisian alfresco setting! O Batignolles (Header Image Source: These 10 Places Serve Waffles That Are Sweet, Savoury, And Batter Than The Rest
Address: 3 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 16864
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 10am – 7pm; Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun: 10am – 6pm; Closed on Mon
Image Credit: Littered with Books[/caption]
Address: 20 Duxton Road, Singapore 089486
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 8pm; Fri 12pm – 9pm; Sat 11am – 9pm; Sun 11am – 8pm
Website5. Basheer Graphic Books
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="970"]
Image Credit: Basheer Graphic Books[/caption]
Address: Bras Basah Complex #04-19, 231 Bain St, Singapore 180231
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun: 11am – 6.30pm
Visit Mini World Heritage Sites For Only $17 – We Promise ‘Everything Is Awesome’Get A Taste Of French Living At This Quaint Restaurant, Which Serves Up Authentic French Grub
Artfully decorated to ooze that Parisian atmosphere[/caption]
Wine and dine like the French
An assortment of cheeses and cold cuts[/caption]
Choose from the variety of cheese available[/caption]
Savour delicious iconic French dishes
Smoked Salmon and Avocado[/caption]
Tuck into their cheesy Croque-Monsieur Bites[/caption]
Mini burgers which include the special Morbier cheese[/caption]
The French love all things sweet
Sinful, decadent Chocolate Furron[/caption]
Address: 2 Gemmill Lane, Singapore 069247
Opening Hours: Mon to Tue 11am – 12pm; Wed to Fri 11am – 1am; Sat 10am – 1am; Sun 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6438 3913
Website
Pancake Burgers Are The Latest Food Mashup In S’pore And We Are All Flippin’ Out
Here in Singapore, we have seen our fair share of food mashups. These include the “cronut”, a croissant and donut hybrid, the sushi burrito (self-explanatory), as well as the pizza waffle, to name a few.
Now, Tiong Bahru Bakery unveils their latest creation–pancake burgers–as part of their new Raffles City outlet dinner menu.
Pancake burgers at Tiong Bahru Bakery Raffles City
The creative folks at Tiong Bahru Bakery have whipped up 3 types of pancake burgers for you to sink your teeth into.
They recommend the PB & B Pancake Burger ($23) which has smoky spiced pork belly sandwiched between a stack of fluffy pancakes. The pancakes have maple syrup drizzled over them, with a generous helping of salted caramel, caramelised bananas, and peanuts to add some crunch.
[caption id="attachment_27510" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
PB & B Pancake Burger (Image Credit: Burpple User Raine Liu)[/caption]
If you prefer something savoury, The Kim Cheesy Pancake Burger ($23) is the dish for you. It tastes and resembles an okonomiyaki with its bonito flakes and lettuce toppings. The savoury kimchi pancakes in this unique creation are complemented with a tofu patty that is drenched with a sweet bean sauce. Pick this if you want a lighter option to the PB & B Burger.
[caption id="attachment_27228" align="alignnone" width="1810"]
The Kim Cheesy Pancake Burger (Image Credit: 
The Breakfast Pancake Burger (Image Credit: 
Rainbow Rice Bowl (Image Credit: Burpple Guides)[/caption]
Another item worth trying is the No Fuss Chicken Fusilli ($19). While this is a relatively common dish in many restaurants, Tiong Bahru Bakery checks all of our boxes with their well seasoned pasta, coupled with tender chicken thigh ragu. This will definitely be included in our list of comfort foods after a tiring day at work.
Located at such a central location and with such well executed dishes, Tiong Bahru Bakery is going to be our go-to option for dinner gatherings!
Tiong Bahru Bakery
Address: #B1-11/12, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Dinner timing: Weekdays: 5pm – 9.15pm; Weekends: 9am – 9.15pm
Contact no.: 63334160
Soup Curry Is A Thing, And You Can Now Get A Taste Of This Hokkaido Specialty In S’pore
(Header Image Source:
These 10 Places Serve Waffles That Are Sweet, Savoury, And Batter Than The Rest
Waffles are such a versatile food. You can have them sweet or savoury, and you can have them any time of the day.
Although they can be found everywhere, not all waffles are created equal. The perfect waffle is fragrant, light, with just the right amount of crunch. From taro waffles to Korean fried chicken waffles, here is a list of the best waffles in Singapore. Try not to salivate while reading.
For those with a sweet tooth,
1. Hatter Street Bakehouse & Cafe
Hatter Street Bakehouse & Cafe is probably one of the more underrated cafes selling waffles in Singapore. Their waffles are baked to the perfect level of crispiness, while remaining moist within, and the texture of the waffle is consistent throughout.
[caption id="attachment_27452" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Pandan Ice Cream with Gula Melaka Sauce Whoa’ffles (Image Credit: Burpple User Doreen Tan)[/caption]
The Pandan Ice Cream with Gula Melaka Sauce Whoa’ffles ($9.50) was rich with local flavours. Instead of honey or chocolate sauce, Hatter Street drizzles Gula Melaka over the waffles. The Pandan Ice Cream was a nice accompaniment, with its light pandan fragrance. The waffle was perfect for soaking up the mixture of Gula Melaka and the melted scoop of creamy ice cream.
Hatter Street Bakehouse & Cafe
Address: 212 Hougang Street 21,#01-333, Singapore 530212
Opening Hours: Daily, 1pm – 10pm
Chocolate Root Beer Float Waffle (Image Credit: Burpple User Cafehoppingkids .)[/caption]
The Chocolate Root Beer Float Waffle ($12) is an aesthetically pleasing dessert creation. The rectangular waffle comes with a chocolate chip cookie, and an ash grey charcoal vanilla soft serve to top it all off. The charcoal soft serve had a hint of root beer in every mouthful, which did not overwhelm the original vanilla taste.
[caption id="attachment_27180" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Image Credit: Burpple User Jayson Yeoh [/caption]
Because Red Velvet is so 2015, The Cold Pantry has taken their waffles to the next level by introducing Pink Velvet Waffles with Baileys Coffee Ice Cream and Sea Salt Caramel drizzle ($13.50). The rose-infused waffle and slightly bitter Baileys Coffee Ice Cream combo is a sure-win on two fronts: your stomach and your Instagram feed.
The Cold Pantry
Address: 88 Rangoon Road, #01-01, Singapore 218374
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 4pm – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 12pm – 1opm
Website
3. Froth
[caption id="attachment_27686" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Image Credit: Burpple User Thechoyalicious 🙂[/caption]
Served with one scoop of gourmet ice cream, the Taro Waffles ($15.90) has a rich taro taste, with beautiful purple hues. The waffle screams “Taro Heaven” as there was taro infused within the batter, and a generous spread of yam paste all over the buttery waffles. While the ice cream is nothing too special, the waffles more than made up for it.
Froth Cafe
Address: Ascott Raffles Place Singapore, 2 Finlayson Green, Level 2, Singapore 049247
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 10pm; PH: 11.30am – 5pm; Closed on Sun
Image Credit: Facebook
5. PrimaDeli
PrimaDeli serves some of the best affordable waffles in Singapore. Done in a traditional Singaporean style, the waffles are dense and soft on the inside. They’re made fresh and right before your eyes when you order, so you can munch on them while they’re nice and warm.
[caption id="attachment_27455" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Image Credit: Some recommended flavours are the old school Kaya Waffle ($1.70) and the cannot-go-wrong Peanut Butter Waffle ($1.80). Classic, tasty, and oh-so-nostalgic, these waffles are the perfect comfort food to take with you on the go.
PrimaDeli [caption id="attachment_27457" align="aligncenter" width="960"] For those of you who prefer your waffles savoury instead of sweet, Revelry is the place for you. They serve ‘Burffles’, a cross between burgers and waffles. The Revelry Signature Burffle ($18) comes with juicy beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese sandwiched between crispy waffles. The waffle quarters are crisp and light, making the dish less heavy on the stomach.
Address: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road #B1-K09, Singapore 208539
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 10pm
For adventurous tastebuds,
6. Revelry
The Revelry Signature Burffle (Image Credit: theurbanwire)[/caption]
Waffles Royale (Image Credit: Revelry Facebook)[/caption]
The Waffles Royale ($17.50) is a spin on the classic all-day breakfast favourite, Eggs Royale, but with a waffle in place of the usual English muffin. The waffle has a light, fluffy texture and with its subtle flavour, pairs nicely with the runny poached eggs and creamy Hollandaise.
Revelry
Address: 21 Lorong Kilat, #01-02, Singapore 598123
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Friday: 11am – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 10am – 10pm; Closed on Tue
Facebook
7. Griddy
Imagine old school waffles but with chunks of succulent meat piled into it. That’s what Griddy specialises in – savory waffles for adventurous foodies.
[caption id="attachment_27188" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Griddy Burger (Image Credit: Griddy Facebook)[/caption]
The Griddy Burger ($9.90) is generously stuffed with a juicy beef patty and black pepper mushrooms. With a relatively thin and buttery waffle, this waffle burger hybrid is a real crowd-pleaser.
[caption id="attachment_27189" align="aligncenter" width="639"]
Ocean Catch (Image Credit: Griddy Facebook)[/caption]
Alternatively, try the Ocean Catch ($7.90). The golden brown fish fillet is tender, with bonito flakes and mayonnaise scattered and splattered over it. Fish and Chips lovers should definitely give this a try as the Ocean Catch is a unique twist on savoury waffles.
Griddy Am I the only one who eats pizza without the crust? For those of you who shun the pizza crusts like I do, why not try the waffle ‘pizza’ at 23 Jumpin? [caption id="attachment_27193" align="aligncenter" width="2448"] And if you want the best of both worlds? Simply opt for the half-half option of Mushroom and Hawaiian! 23 Jumpin Many of you may know Stateland Asian-Fusion Cafe for their Red Velvet or S’mores Waffles, but how many of you have tried their newest creation–the Korean Fried Chicken Waffle?
Address: Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, #B2-K12, Singapore 608532
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm; Fri – Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
8. The Beast
[caption id="attachment_27458" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Chicken & Waffles (Image Credit: 9. 23 Jumpin
Image Credit: Image Credit: Burpple User Alexander Chiew[/caption]
Address: The Commerze Building, 1 Irving Place, 01-25, Singapore 369546
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 11am – 9pm; Mon: 11am – 2pm
Website10. Stateland Asian-Fusion Cafe
Korean Fried Chicken Waffle (Image Credit: Burpple User Phoebe Ting)[/caption]
The chicken was nicely fried, with a crispy outer layer and tender meat on the inside. Paired with a waffle that was tossed in cinnamon, this is a dish that we daresay even the Koreans can’t re-create.
Also, the kimchi slaw that is served on the side is so rich with flavour, you’ll be wishing there was more of it!
Stateland Asian-Fusion Cafe
Address: 32 Bali Lane, Singapore 189866
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Sun: 12pm – 10pm; Tue: 6pm – 10pm
Website
No matter your personal preference when it comes to waffles, I’m sure we can all agree that waffles can bring a smile to your face any day. So, text your friends and jio them out for a waffle date if your stomachs are up for it!
Also read 9 New Desserts So Wacky, You Need To Try Them At Least Once!
Soup Curry Is A Thing, And You Can Now Get A Taste Of This Hokkaido Specialty In S’pore
What comes to mind when you think of curry? Spicy, thick gravy with either turmeric or coconut milk?
Be prepared to have your expectations thrown out the window at Sama Curry & Café. Originating from Sapporo, Hokkaido, they are the first Japanese soup curry restaurant here in Singapore.
[caption id="attachment_27209" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
A simple, yet flavourfully complex menu[/caption]
I have to admit, while the cafe was adorable with its grumpy bear silhouette on the walls and on the menu, I was initially a little underwhelmed by the selection on the menu. With only 8 menu items, 2 of which were simply variations of the other items, it felt strange being so quickly certain of what I wanted to eat.
I ordered the Oink2 Hamburg ($16.90), Japanese Base, at spiciness level 10. I expected a simple thick curry gravy poured over a bed of warm rice and steamed veggies–after all, that’s what Japanese curries typically look like right?
Our 2 DiscoverSG ambassadors, Nicholas and Vanessa, ordered the Hungry Bear ($18.90) with Pork Belly, with a Shrimp Base, spiciness level 10, and a Cheesy Bear ($16.90) with a Coconut Base, spiciness level 13 respectively. We also decided to get the Hokkaido Imomochi Cheese ($6.50/2 pieces) and Hokkaido Crab Cream Croquette ($6.50/2 pieces) as sides.
Our food in all their glory
To say we were surprised was an understatement. Receiving our curries in a bowl of what seemed like soup left us speechless for a couple of seconds. Couple that with the amazing smells wafting up in roiling steam, we couldn’t wait to dig into the unusual dish.
[caption id="attachment_27201" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
The Oink2 Hamburg in a Japanese Base curry[/caption]
My dish came with a thick hamburg patty, surrounded by a bed of vibrant, assorted vegetables and half an Ajitsuke Tamago (Japanese marinated soft boiled egg).
At level 10 (out of 30) of spiciness, I was greeted with a gentle, warming heat from the light curry. While I thoroughly enjoyed the juicy beef patty, what intrigued me most were the vegetables. After a quick chat with the chef, we found out that the vegetables (potatoes, green peppers, baby corn, carrot and broccoli) were first pre-fried for around 10 seconds, before being assembled in the dish.
The pre-frying was clear from the crispy potatoes which only required the slightest pressure to achieve a satisfying popping of its crunchy skin, revealing a melt-in-your-mouth tender potato.
As for the curry broth… I still can’t figure out the components of its complex herb and spice mix. It was a special, secret recipe, which was probably why the chef wasn’t too keen to share what the particular herb dancing on my palate was. My guess is basil, but I could be wrong.
[caption id="attachment_27202" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Hungry Bear with Pork Belly in a Shrimp Base[/caption]
Flavours of shellfish burst forth from this curry, making one suspect that tons of shellfish, ranging from shrimp to clams, have been boiling for hours in this shrimp base to infuse it with such intense seafood flavours. You may think pork belly is a weird topping for a shrimp base curry, but the two actually paired nicely. Definitely a dish you’ll have to try for yourself to understand.
[caption id="attachment_27199" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Cheesy Bear in a Coconut Base[/caption]
We also got to try the coconut base curry, which was both unique and familiar in flavour at the same time. The milky coconut essence floods your mouth without overwhelming the flavours of sweet cabbage, carrots and fragrant, crispy chicken katsu. The cheese was a nice touch, accenting the dish without distracting from the other components of the dish.
[caption id="attachment_27200" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Hokkaido Crab Cream Croquette (centre), Hokkaido Imomochi Cheese (lower right)[/caption]
Our attentive waiter recommended the house’s special side: the Hokkaido Crab Cream Croquette.
Covered in the classic Japanese tempura breading, the croquette was stuffed with the creamiest crab mash ever. When topped with the savoury, slightly acidic dipping sauce (my guess is it’s Yakitori): Heaven.
[caption id="attachment_27207" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Hokkaido Imomochi Cheese[/caption]
I saved the best appetiser for the last: the Hokkaido Imomochi Cheese.
A thin, crispy breading reminiscent of fried ice cream, your teeth will sink into a layer of chewy mochi before hitting the jackpot of melted, oozing cheese. Coupled with a sweet teriyaki dipping sauce that enhances the delicate, dripping cheese, it’s safe to say that Sama Curry & Café has perfected their dishes.
With every dish packing a punch of flavour, scoring 10/10 on presentation, and breaking our expectations by surprising our palates, Sama Curry & Café is THE place to go to for a comforting and delicious workday lunch.
Sama Curry & Café
Address: OUE Downtown 2 Gallery Level 2, 6a Shenton Way Singapore 068809
Operating Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6224 0590
Also read Visit Mini World Heritage Sites For Only $17 – We Promise ‘Everything Is Awesome’
Visit Mini World Heritage Sites For Only $17 – We Promise ‘Everything Is Awesome’
Legos – we played with them as children, and some of us still play with these colourful little bricks even as grown-ups.
If you’re a fan of Legos and the amazing things you can create with them, this exhibition will have you seeing these humble building blocks in a brand new light.
[caption id="attachment_27394" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Taj Mahal, India[/caption]
As part of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Lego has partnered up with the Piece of Peace executive committee to showcase Lego sculptures of various UNESCO world heritage listed sites. Singapore will be the first Southeast Asian country to play host to this UNESCO world heritage art exhibition, Piece Of Peace World Tour Singapore 2017, which will happen at Fort Canning Arts Centre on Jul 27 – Sep 3.
Already, over 2.9 million visitors have seen this exhibition.
[caption id="attachment_27398" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Basilica of Sagrada Família, Spain[/caption]
Expect a showcase of 34 Lego replicas of UNESCO heritage sites from 25 countries, and 9 more from ASEAN countries, which will be assembled by eight local builders. From Greece’s Acropolis of Athens to Australia’s Sydney Opera House, to Japan’s Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, these Lego replicas will leave you amazed by their intricacy and detail.
[caption id="attachment_27396" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Piazza del Duomo, Italy[/caption]
Entry on weekdays are tagged at $13 (child/senior) and $17 (adult), while weekend admission will set you back $15 (child/senior) or $19 (adult). Tickets are available for purchase at Apac Tix.
Here’s a taste of what else you might see at the art exhibition:
[caption id="attachment_27400" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, Japan[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_27397" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
Moai, Chile[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_27404" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
UNESCO World Heritage Sites[/caption]
Piece Of Peace World Tour Singapore 2017
Address: Fort Canning Arts Centre
Date: 27 Jul – 3 Sep
Admission: Weekdays: $13 (child/senior), $17 (adult) | Weekends: $15 (child/senior) – $19 (adult)
Purchase tickets for Piece Of Peace World Tour Singapore 2017 here.
Also read The Ultimate June/July Guide To Cool Hipster Dates
Tickets To Jay Chou’s Concert In Singapore To Be Released On 7 July
Jay Chou fans, a date and time has been set for the sale of tickets for his upcoming concert here in Singapore: 7 July, 10am.
Remember those details because if last year is anything to go by, it’ll be a mad scramble for fans to get their hands on tickets. During his last concert here, about 30,000 tickets for the concert were snapped up within a short two hours, so don’t say we didn’t warn you!
The king of Mandopop will be here to perform on 6 Jan, 2018 at the Singapore National Stadium. He will be here for “The Invincible” Part 2 concert.
Tickets are priced between S$128 and S$348 (excluding booking fee). Purchase your tickets via West Your Case, East-siders – You’re Missing Out On These 8 Dessert Spots At Jurong
