Location: Central

Kampai! This Joint In Dhoby Ghaut Serves “Beer Ramen” And Classic Japanese Dishes

Considering how ubiquitous ramen has become in Singapore, it’s no surprise that some restaurants are to switching things up to set themselves apart from the rest.

Hawker heroes A Noodle Story, for example, add special ingredients like wanton to their recipe, while the folks at Ramen Champion have turned their chefs into bona fide celebrities.

Probably the most memorable ramen we’ve seen in recent memory, however, is En Sushi’s Beer Ramen.

Not As Crazy As It Sounds

Located in a discreet corner along Prinsep Street, En Sushi is a cozy Japanese restaurant that’s probably best known for their affordable Bara Chirashi Dons.

The new hotness on their menu, however, is the aforementioned Beer Ramen, which — as its name suggests — serves the Japanese noodles in a mug and employs other forms of visual trickery to make the dish look like an ice-cold pint.

The “beer” for example, actually consists of the restaurant’s in-house broth, while the “foam” is made out of egg whites.

Thankfully, aesthetics are where the similarities end, but the dish still has one more trick up its sleeve.

While ramen is more often than not a warm dish, this rendition is served cold, making it feel more like soba than ramen.

The taste is very soba-esque as well, with the broth giving off a strong umami flavour and sweet aftertaste.

According to provided “instructions”, you can chug the ramen like an actual beer, or use chopsticks and imagine that you’re eating out of a very narrow bowl.

For $22.90, you’ll get one mug of noodles, along with an assortment of fried dishes (Tori Karaage, Kaisen Tofu, and Kakiage Tempura) and Tsukenomo (Japanese Pickles).

You’re supposed to dip the fried dishes in the broth, but they’re tasty enough to be eaten on their own too.

Not A One-Trick Pony

While Beer Ramen is definitely something you should try at least once, you shouldn’t sleep on the rest of En Sushi’s menu either.

The Pitan Tofu ($4.90), for example, is something I wish I had discovered earlier in my life. The strong taste of century egg creates a perfect balance with the lighter tofu, and is a great way to kick off your meal.

Seafood lovers, on the other hand, can opt for the Hotate Mentai Aburi ($13.90) as an appetiser as well — while these thin slices of scallop might not look like much, they’re actually packing a decent amount of sweet (the scallop) and savoury (the mentaiko), and the inclusion of fish roe means that it’s quite literally bursting with flavour.

No Japanese restaurant is complete without some sushi, and the Salmon Aburi Mentai Maki ($15.90) certainly does not disappoint. Drizzled with a very generous amount of mentaiko and fish roe, you might not even need soy sauce for this one.

And finally on the dessert side of things, the Tofu Cheesecake ($8.90) is a light-but-flavourful way to end off your meal. It isn’t available just yet, but you should order it when it to the menu soon.

Whether you’re going for the Bara Chirashi Don or the culinary anomaly that is Beer Ramen, En Sushi ticks all our boxes for a good Japanese meal.

The Beer Ramen might not sit too well with those looking for a more “traditional” ramen experience, but even without that there’s more than enough here to warrant a visit.

En Sushi
Address: Income@Prinsep: 30 Prinsep Street #01-02, Singapore 188647
Opening Hours: 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm

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Also Read This Hawker Stall In Bedok Run By 3 Young Dudes Serves Ume-Zing Japanese Fusion Food For Under $7

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Build An Arcade Cabinet Or Race In A Gaming Chair – Here Are 5 Ways To Have The Most Fun At GameStart 2018

It’s been less than a month since the Singapore, Toy, Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) ended, but geeks in Singapore already have their next big event to look forward to.

Taking place at the Suntec Convention Hall on the 13th and 14th of October, GameStart returns for its 5th edition, and is pretty much a must-go for gamers in Singapore.

As is the case with most conventions there’s going to be an overwhelming number of things to do, so we’ve once again rounded up five things that you should totally put on your to-do list:

Watch Asia’s Biggest Fighting Game Tournament Live

Not everyone has the finger dexterity to pursue e-sports as a full-time job, but watching those who do duke it out on a big stage is just as fun, we’d say.

While STGCC’s WESG focused on team-based games like Counter Strike and Dota 2, GameStart will play host to the SEA Major 2018, where top players from all around the world will compete in fighting games such as Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, and Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite.

With qualification spots for larger competitions (Street Fighter V) and a whopping USD $15,000 (Tekken 7) up for grabs, you can bet that everyone will be bringing their A-game, which’ll no doubt make for some intense, jump-out-of-your-seat moments that you won’t want to miss.

Build Your Own (Mini) Arcade Machine

Anyone who’s been to an arcade has probably wished that they could bring one of those machines back home, and this workshop happening at Gamestart is giving you the opportunity to do just that.

Well…kind of, at least. With the guidance of the folks at RetroCade, this four hour workshop will teach you how to build a fully-functioning miniature arcade cabinet from scratch, from setting up the wires to installing the joysticks.

Slots for this are limited, so you might want to drop an email to [email protected] to secure a spot. At $400 this definitely isn’t the cheapest of activities, but can you really put a price on having unlimited lives in Metal Slug?

Meet Your Heroes

Conventions usually feature a number of high-profile guests, and GameStart is no exception.

Probably the biggest name to look out for this year is Elise Zhang, who you might know better as the voice of Mei from the wildly popular shooter Overwatch. Pro wrestling fans can also look forward to an appearance by New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Kenny Omega, who will be commentating Street Fighter matches at the aforementioned SEA Major tournament.

Both will be holding meet-and-greet sessions, though it’ll cost $35 to get up close and personal with Zhang. Whether that’s worth your cash is a matter of personal preference, but this is probably the only chance to get your Funko Pop signed.

Race In A…Chair?

Secretlab chairs are the holy grail of a gamer’s furniture setup, but with prices starting at $620 you have to be packing some serious expendable income to even consider getting one.

And that’s where the Secretlab Grand Prix comes in — now in its third year, the strangest race you’ll probably ever participate in has you manoeuvring one of the local brand’s chairs through an circuit lined with traffic cones.

The fastest timing each day will win a Secretlab Omega Stealth chair, which’ll make your $12 GameStart ticket feel like a pretty good investment. Even if you aren’t in the market for a chair right now, we’d recommend signing up for this one anyway.

Play A Game Of Dungeons & Dragons

Video games might be the main focus of GameStart, but the convention will have an entire section dedicated to the underrated art of tabletop gaming as well.

Appropriately named GameStart Tabletop, this area is your gateway to games like Warhammer 40,000 and Star Wars X-Wing Miniature Game. Whether you want to learn how to play or just watch the pros battle it out, this is the place to be for a more analog gaming experience.

The classic of all classic tabletop games, Dungeons & Dragons is set to make an appearance as well, so if you’ve ever wanted to play a game like the kids in Stranger Things, now’s your chance.

Gamestart Asia 2018
Venue: Suntec Convention Centre, Halls 401-403
Date: 13th – 14th October
Time: 11am – 9pm (General Public), 10am-9pm (VIP Ticket Holders)
Price: $12 Per Day, $70 for 2 Day VIP Pass

Tickets I Website I Facebook

Also Read Award-Winning Musical ‘Phantom Of The Opera’ Returns To S’pore In April 2019 – Tickets Start At $75

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Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant In S’pore Is Pretty Close To The Real Deal – Serves Fish, Ramen, Yakiniku All In One Place

Considering how many Japanese restaurants there are in Singapore (seriously, there’s like at least one in every mall), it’s no secret that we love our Japanese food.

Anyone who’s actually been to Japan, however, can tell you that our food court Katsudons and conveyor belt sushis are a pretty poor representation of how good Japanese food can actually be.

Obviously, the best place to eat authentic Japanese food would be in…well, Japan, but for the 90% of us who can’t book a flight at a moment’s notice, the next best thing to do when the cravings strike might be to head over to Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant.

One Restaurant, Five Concepts

Located at the top floor of Orchard Central, Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant is named after the iconic wholesale market in Tokyo of the same name.

And while it might look like just another Japanese restaurant at first glance, what sets this restaurant apart from the rest is the fact that it’s home to not one, not two, but five dining concepts under one roof.

Ranging from fish (duh) to Ramen to Yakiniku, each concept specialises in a particular type of Japanese cuisine, and you can order from their respective menus to create the perfect meal.

Spoilt For Choice

With the collective menu being so extensive, there’s really no wrong way to kick off your meal.

Sushi lovers can start with the 7 Kinds Sashimi Boat, which — as it name implies — serves seven types of sashimi in a miniature wooden boat. Considering that the restaurant receives fish from the actual Tsukiji Fish Market four times a week, it’s no surprise that every slice was incredibly fresh and smooth.

Meat lovers, on the other hand, can consider the Chicken Yakitori Moriawase, which consists of 8 skewers that each use a different part of the chicken. We were initially squeamish at the thought of eating a chicken’s heart, but its unique taste and springy consistency made it one of the more memorable selections on the plate.

If you’re feeling particularly luxurious, you might want to spring for the Fresh Oysters, which definitely live up to their name. There wasn’t a trace of fishiness in its taste, and the addition of soy sauce makes for an explosion of flavour that effortlessly slides down your mouth.

On the mains side of things, there’s no shortage of choices either. The Bara Chrisashi Don comes with a generous assortment of sashimi, and while favourites like salmon and tuna make an expected appearance, the dish includes more premium pieces like swordfish and Uni (sea urchin) as well.

For a heartier alternative, you might want to try the Wagyu Roast Beef Don instead. As expected the wagyu beef is good enough to eat on its own, but the simple, yet impactful inclusion of a soft boiled egg truly take this dish’s flavour to a whole other level.

If you happen to be eating in a group (or are just really hungry, we won’t judge), we’d recommend getting a few extra dishes to share. The Soft Shell Crab and Premium Beef Cutlet With Ponzu Sauce are both deep fried to perfection, and add some crunchy goodness to your meal without being too heavy.

The standout sides, however, are those from the Hamayaki menu, which are grilled right at the comfort of your table. From squid to scallops to crab risotto, everything is extremely juicy and tender thanks to being cooked on the spot. If you’re committed to only getting one side, it’s got to be from here.

Considering how extensive the menu is (we’ve barely scratched the surface, really), it’s no surprise that there’s a pretty varied dessert menu as well. Whether its the Yuzu Cheesecake, Mango Puree or Matcha Fondant, any choice cleanses your palate without being overly sweet, and is the perfect way to close out your meal.

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant might not be the cheapest place to scratch your Japanese food itch, but it’s very much a “you get what you pay for” situation. If you love Japanese food and want to treat yo self, this is definitely one place to consider.

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant
Address: Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road #12-02, Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm (Monday to Sunday), 3pm-5pm (Saturday, Sunday)

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Also Read Travelling Soon? Try Over 70 Different Kinds Of Alcohol At Changi Airport From Now To 31 October

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Taiwan’s Famous ‘Tiger Sugar’ Bubble Tea Is Coming To The Lion City This November

As though we don’t already have enough bubble tea stores in Singapore, Taiwan’s famous bubble tea brand, Tiger Sugar, is coming to Singapore this November.

Those who have had a sip of this drink have claimed that the hype is very real, dubbing it as the most popular milk tea in Taipei.

Bubble Tea Craze

Taiwan is known to be a milk-tea crazed nation with stalls and shops lining the streets with some of their brands crossing over to our shores.

Since its opening late last year, Tiger Sugar has been getting all the hype from hard core milk tea lovers in Taipei. They got their name from the ‘tiger stripes’ it forms when the caramalised syrup mixes with the thick milk tea mixture.

Tiger Sugar will be opening their first flagship store in Singapore this November at City Hall. The exact date and location has not been revealed.

If you’re wondering whether you should hop on the bubble tea craze train, we can vouch for Tiger Sugar as people are willing to queue for up to an hour for the Tiger Sugar Boba Fresh Milk (NTD50/S$2.20~) in Taipei. The queues are always snaking long despite the abundance of bubble tea shops nearby.

Many have praised their Brown Sugar Fresh Milk for its undiluted taste, a mistake often made by most bubble tea stores who scrimp on flavour affecting the overall taste and experience of milk tea addicts.

Skip the flight to Taiwan because you can finally get Tiger Sugar’s famous Brown Sugar Fresh Milk right here in Singapore!

Also Read [REVIEW] We Spent $5.90 On LiHo’s New Salted Egg Bubble Tea So You Don’t Have To

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Picking Things Up At Army Market? Here Are 5 Underrated Food You Need To Try At Golden Mile Food Centre

When you think of what to eat in the Beach Road area, the Thai food haven that is Golden Mile Complex is usually the first place that comes to people’s minds.

The similarly-named Golden Mile Food Centre across the road, however, is a lesser-known-but-equally-satisfying hawker centre that has its fair share of good food as well.

So if you’re in the area but aren’t in the mood for Pad Thai, here are five dishes at Golden Mile Food Centre that are definitely worth your consideration.

Chung Cheng Chilli Mee

We’ll say it right now: Chung Cheng Chilli Mee is unlike anything you’ve ever tried before.

You’d think that covering a bowl of noodles in what seems like a comical amount of chilli would result in an overwhelmingly spicy dish, but it actually has a surprisingly amount of flavour to it.

This is actually thanks to the titular chilli itself — it somehow manages to provide a strong, sambal-esque taste without being overly spicy, and adds an extra kick of savoury goodness to its ingredients (fish cake, egg and tau pok, to name a few) to create a truly unique dish.

$3 will get you a decent serving with prawns, and if you’re feeling hungry you can add another dollar for pork ribs (add $2 for additional servings of both). With a seemingly endless queue at any given time of day, however, be prepared to wait for this one.

Chung Cheng Chilli Mee
Unit: #01-59
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 6:30pm (Closed On Tuesdays)

Kheng Fatt Hainanese Beef Noodles

With the fragrant smell of beef filling the air, chances are that you’ll smell Kheng Fatt Hainanese Beef Noodles before finding the stall itself.

And while it might look like any other bowl of beef noodles, the taste of these is anything but — the sauce isn’t as heavy but still retains its savoury goodness, and the noodles have a slightly milky taste that adds another dimension to the flavour as well.

Of course, you’re probably eating beef noodles for…well, the beef, and fortunately that’s the best part of this dish. The meat slices are extremely tender, and the meat balls were bursting with so much flavour that we wish there was a buffet for them.

Kheng Fatt Hainanese Beef Noodles
Unit: #01-89
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 7:30pm (Closed on Wednesdays)

Burgs By Project Warung

Burgers found in hawker centres are more often that not a little…meh (we’re looking at you, generic western food stalls), but the ones served at Burgs By Project Warung are an exception to that rule.

Even though it was left out in the open for awhile (these photos don’t take themselves, y’know), the Burgs’ Bacon & Cheese Burger ($7) that we got was still incredibly juicy, and had that distinctive beef taste that you’d expect from a pricier restaurant or cafe.

Throw a slice of smoked turkey bacon and American cheese on top of that, and you have yourself an extremely flavourful burger that punches way above its weight.

Other burger options include Truffle Mushroom ($8) and Nacho Fish & Chips ($5.90), but don’t sleep on their wide selection of fries either — ranging from the standard Truffle ($4.50) to the more experimental Okonomi (Okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayonnaise and Bonito flakes, $4), you’re bound to find something to like here.

Burgs By Project Warung
Unit: #B1-24
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8:30pm

Nasi Lemak And Chicken Rice Hipster by Adimann

Nasi lemak is such a ubiquitous dish that you really have to switch things up to get noticed, and that’s exactly what the folks at Adimann have done.

For starters, the key ingredients of rice and chilli have a rather different flavour, giving off a slightly sweet taste instead of the savoury that we’ve come to expect from nasi lemak. The use of hard-boiled quail eggs instead of fried ones — topped in thousand island dressing, no less — further sets it apart from the rest.

And then there’s the chicken — using cutlets instead of wings and draping them in a generous amount of salted egg sauce, the dish starts to feel more western than Malay, which might be a good or bad thing depending on your tastes.

One thing to take note of, however, is the price — $8.50 is admittedly a little steep for hawker centre food, but in its defence the serving is big enough that you can consider sharing it with a friend.

Nasi Lemak And Chicken Rice Hipster by Adimann
Unit: #B1-12
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm

Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly

As its name might suggest, Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly has only one thing on their menu (no prizes for guessing what that is).

The good news, however, is that they do that one thing really, really well — available in both drink and desert versions, their grass jelly has an almost tau huay-like consistency to it, and might be the smoothest we’ve ever had.

Unlike the ones that you’d find in a food court, the jelly is light with the slightest hint of bitterness, which is probably how the desert should taste like to begin with. Sugar syrup, however, is still available for those looking for a more “mainstream” taste.

And as if that wasn’t enough to convince you, it’s extremely affordable as well — a standard bowl goes for a mere $1.50 (slightly more if you want to add extras like Longan or Nata De Coco), and is the perfect way to cleanse your palate after a heavy meal.

Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly
Unit: #01-58
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 7:30pm

Also Read This Stall In The CBD Serves ‘Thai Cai Png’ – Mix & Match Basil Pork, Green Curry For $5

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This Stall In The CBD Serves ‘Thai Cai Png’ – Mix And Match Basil Pork, Green Curry For $5

Apart from a few exceptions, Thai food is something that you pretty much have to eat in a group — with most eateries serving dishes à la carte, it’s not possible for one person to get everything they’d want without overordering and burning a hole in their wallet.

Order the green curry, for example, and you’ll wish you had some basil chicken to go with it. Order both, and you’ll soon realise that even the smallest portions weren’t meant for a party of one.

Basil & Mint, however, changes all that.

Thai Food Meets Cai Fan

Located conveniently at the first level of Amoy Street Food Centre (a mere three minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT), Basil & Mint is a small, unassuming stall that makes full use of its limited space — the storefront is lined from end to end with cooking pots, filled with an assortment of Thai-inspired meat and vegetables.

This isn’t the result of poor space management, though — unlike most eateries that make you commit to a single dish, Basil & Mint operates on a cai fan-esque system instead, where you can mix and match different dishes to create the perfect plate of Thai food.

And in true cai fan fashion, it’s incredibly affordable too, with prices starting from $5 for the classic order of one meat and two vegetables. If that isn’t enough, additional meat and vegetables go for a reasonable $2 and $1 respectively as well.

The mind (and hands, considering that she cooks and serves the food as well) behind Basil & Mint is a woman who goes by the name of “Vee”. She’s not Thai, but her previous job in the airline industry did allow her to make many Thai friends, who then taught her how to cook their native dishes in an authentic way.

Made With Love

Having ordered two plates, my team and I were able to sample pretty much everything that was available (considering that it’s a one-woman operation, it’s understandable that the selection isn’t as extensive as an actual cai fan stall).

While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it’s better than the food I’ve had in Bangkok, there is a distinct, home-cooked feel to everything — the general taste is something I can best describe as “hearty”, and you can really tell that Vee makes every single dish with love.

While select dishes like the moo palo (AKA Five-Spice Pork) are packed with flavour, others like the basil chicken and bean sprouts are a little too light for my tastes.

That’s where the green curry comes in, though — providing a savoury kick without going overboard, the curry helps to unlock the flavour of other dishes, and everything comes together for an extremely satisfying bite. If there’s one thing that you have to order here, this is it.

Special mention also needs to be said about the portions — Vee is extremely generous when scooping from those cooking pots, and the standard $5 order is more than enough to get you into a food coma (whether that’s a good thing is a whole other thing altogether).

With a unique concept, wide selection and cheap prices, Thai food lovers owe it to themselves to give Basil & Mint a try. It takes all the hassle of choosing what to eat out of the equation, and provides a uniquely homely flavour that you won’t find in your average Thai eatery.

Basil & Mint — Thai Street Eats
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre – 7 Maxwell Road, #01-47
Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 2PM (Monday to Friday), 5PM – 8PM (Monday to Thursday)

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Also Read From Korean Sandwiches To Steaks, Here Are 10 New Eateries In Century Square Worth Checking Out

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[REVIEW] We Spent $5.90 On LiHo’s New Salted Egg Bubble Tea So You Don’t Have To

Will the salted egg yolk trend ever die out?

The short answer is: No, it won’t.

Just when we thought we’ve had enough of the Salted Egg trend, LiHo decided to surprise us with their latest creation during the CMYK Flea Market.

Introducing their latest bubble tea – Salted Egg Lava Brown Sugar Pearl Fresh Milk ($4.90/$5.90)

https://www.facebook.com/lihosg/photos/a.141429665902858/1913082468737560/?type=3&theater

We have salted egg crab, salted egg potato chips and heck even salted egg lava cake. Do we REALLY need salted egg in our bubble tea as well?

So the team headed out on this fine sunny afternoon to see if this drink was worth a try.

Let It Flow, Let It Flow

If you were there at the CMYK Flea Market over the past weekend, you might’ve seen long snaking queues in front of LiHo for their latest Salted Egg Bubble Tea.

It was initially advertised as a one-time thing at the CMYK Flea Market. However, we’re guessing the response on the day changed their mind as the drink is now available in three of their outlets: Bugis+, Vivo City and Suntec City.

First Thoughts

Upon reaching their outlet at Bugis+, I noticed that there was a queue forming at LiHo at 3pm on a Thursday.

As I watched them prepare my drink, I was impressed by the generous amount of salted egg that they poured into the drink. And in that moment, I knew this drink was going to be a complete sugar overload.

When the lady behind the counter handed over my drink, I couldn’t help but notice the slight judgement in her face as though she was secretly telling me, “You’re going to regret this.”

Of course, she smiled at me wearily and told me to “Enjoy!” – whatever that means.

First Sip

Now I was expecting a velvety, smooth drink but I was wrong.

Oh boy, I was so wrong.

Firstly, it was completely tough to drink it because the salted egg was thick, the pearls were clumped together and I could barely taste the milk. Instead of it all mixing together nicely, I was tasting three different elements instead.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t terrible. The taste of the salted egg was great – reminds me of a freshly steamed liu sha bao. However the texture of the drink threw me off.

After getting the entire office to try this drink, no one liked it.

In fact, everyone was completely confused by the taste and texture. Some preferred if the drink was thicker and creamier whereas some just felt that Salted Egg and Bubble Tea should never be combined.

The drink was pretty jelak for us after 3 sips because it was just too sweet for our liking.

Honestly, if this drink came in a dessert form, we would’ve been all for it. Pour the salted egg sauce all over a pudding and we’ll gladly eat it.

If you were to ask us if we’d ever buy it again, sadly, it’s a no from us.

We love you salted egg, but perhaps you should just stay out of our bubble teas from now onwards.

If you do love salted egg, try it out and let us know what you think!

LiHo Bugis+
Address: 201 Victoria St, #03-29/30 Singapore 188067
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm daily

LiHo Suntec City
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #03-379 Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm daily

LiHo Vivo City
Address: #01-111, Vivo City, 1 Harbourfront Walk, 098585
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 10.30pm daily

Also Read From Korean Sandwiches To Steaks, Here Are 10 New Eateries In Century Square Worth Checking Out

(Header Image Source: LiHo Singapore Facebook, Discover SG)

Award-Winning Musical ‘Phantom Of The Opera’ Returns To S’pore In Apr 2019 – Tickets Start At $75

2019 is shaping up to be a good year for theatre lovers in Singapore.

Not only will Matilda the Musical make its Asian debut in Singapore next February, but it’s recently been announced that The Phantom Of The Opera will be making a return to our shores next year as well.

Broadway’s longest running show was last staged in Singapore five years ago in 2013, and is now set to play at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands from the 24th of April to the 12th of May.

If you aren’t familiar with what The Phantom Of The Opera is all about, here’s what wikipedia has to say:

“…its central plot revolves around a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the subterranean labyrinth beneath the Paris Opera House.”

Eh, words don’t really do justice to this epic tale of love and tragedy, so here’s a video of how the production looked like when it last came to Singapore:

Ah, better.

Tickets are available for pre-sale right now at sistic.com, with prices ranging from $75 to $780 for a VIP box for four (for that price, the phantom better fall in love with us).

There’s also a 15% discount going on today, so it’s probably a good idea to get them sooner than later.

The Phantom Of The Opera
Venue: Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands
Dates: 24 April 2019 – 12 May 2019
Showtimes: Tue – Fri: 8pm I Sat: 2pm & 8pm I Sun: 1pm & 6pm
Prices: Tue – Thurs: $75 – $700 I Fri – Sun: $75 – $780

Also Read Calling all Roald Dahl Fans: Matilda The Musical Is Coming To Singapore In Feb 2019

(Video Credit: SuperAdrianMe TV Youtube
Header Image Source: Phantom Of The Opera)

Fine Dining On A Budget: S’pore Steakhouse ‘Fat Belly’ Serves 6-Course Meal With Wagyu Steak For Just $78

Despite the fact that my job pretty much revolves around food, I’ve never been one for fine dining — I’ve never been able to justify the price-to-portion ratio in my head (“$100 for a single scallop!?”), and the closest I’ve gotten to it is watching Gordon Ramsay cooking on YouTube.

It would seem then, that Fat Belly’s Alternative Steak Experience is the perfect middle ground for someone like me — for $78, this “speakeasy steakhouse” in the Botanic Gardens area is offering a six-course meal centered around their alternative wagyu steak cuts.

With an open mind and open-er stomach, I headed down to try it out.

Raising The Steaks

Before we get into the food, something needs to be said about the ambience.

The entirety of Fat Belly is comprised of a cozy bar counter that sits 10 (it shares a space with its sister restaurant, Sugarhaus), and an open kitchen concept allows you to watch the chef prepare your meal as the fragrant smells act as a mouth-watering precursor for what’s to come.

The close proximity of everything makes for an rather intimate experience, making it a great place if you’re running out of date night ideas.

You know you’re in for a good time when your appetisers have appetisers, or a “pre-dinner snack”, as the chef called it. This part of the meal varies from day to day, and I was served Homemade Rice Crackers — sprinkled with beef salt and furikake, this light starter definitely got me in the mood for food.

The meal then began in earnest with the Foi Gras Creme brûlée. The ignorant foodie in me expected the dish to be sweet, but it gave off a truffle-like taste instead (alternative experience, indeed). Fans of savoury food will enjoy this, but it does lean on the stronger side and might be a little too overwhelming for some.

The saltiness of the previous two dishes had me craving for meat, and it just so happened that the next appetiser consisted of a Skewered Wagyu Beef Intercostal (that’s the space between the ribs, for those of you who didn’t know). Cooking the meat in red wine gave it an alcoholic aftertaste, and the addition of chimichurri sauce added another fresh dimension to the already-flavourful dish.

Next up was the Tajima Beef Char Siew, which I can only describe as “char siew on steroids”. Draped in a house sauce consisting of honey and fermented red beancurd, the distinct char siew taste was especially strong, and when paired with the accompanying kale made for a balanced and satisfying bite.

You’d think that three appetisers would be enough, but the chef had one more up trick up his sleeve in the form of a Wagyu Slider (not that I was complaining). Sandwiched between homemade potato buns and melted Gouda cheese, the mini burger gave off a buttery umami flavour, and was the perfect end to the string of appetisers.

Finally, it was time for the main event — the Marble Score 8 Grilled Tajima Tri-Tip, and a USDA 150 day Grain Fed Angus Flat Iron Steak from the a la carte menu as well. Eating the two side by side really exemplified how different cuts can provide wildly different experiences — the flat iron was so tender that it pretty much melted in my mouth, while the Tajima tri-tip was probably the most flavourful steak I had ever eaten in my life. There’s no wrong choice here.

And what better way to end a meal than with some dessert? The Molten Lava Chocolate Cake was extremely rich, and the addition of raspberry helped to mix things up as well. The cinnamon gelato from Sugarhaus that’s served alongside it warrants a writeup of its own, but that’s an article for another day.

I was always under the impression that fine dining wouldn’t fill my stomach, but I was surprisingly full at the end of the meal (I suppose six courses will do that to you). From sweet to savoury to every thing else in between, pretty much every taste receptor had been satisfied.

And even if you aren’t up for such an extravagant meal, their surprisingly affordable a la carte menu is worth checking out as well — the aforementioned Flat Iron Steak goes for a very reasonable $22, and sides like Truffle Fries and Sauteed Thyme Mushroom cost a mere $5.

Fat Belly’s Alternative Steak Experience strikes the perfect balance between fine dining and…well, normal dining, and proves that you don’t have to break the bank for a premium culinary experience (relatively speaking, at least).

If you’re ever in the mood to treat yo self, Fat Belly is definitely one place to consider.

Fat Belly
Address: Serene Centre, 10 Jalan Serene #01-04, Singapore 258748
Opening Hours: 6pm-10pm (Monday – Thursday, Sunday), 6pm-11pm (Friday, Saturday)

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Also Read Meatballs, Wine and Comfort Food – This Restaurant At Telok Ayer Will Put You In A Mellow Mood

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

A ‘SuperPark’ Is Opening In S’pore On 17 November With Over 20 Activities For Both Adults And Kids

From Pororo Park to Amazonia, kids in Singapore are truly blessed with some of the best indoor playgrounds in Singapore.

If you wish that adults had fun and exciting playgrounds as well, you’re in for a real treat.

Come November, you’ll have chance to be a kid again because SuperPark is coming to town.

Adults Just Wanna Have Fun

This coming 17 November, an indoor activity park brand ‘SuperPark’ is coming to Singapore.

Founded by Finnish businessman Taneli Sutinen in 2012, the first SuperPark opened in Finland in 2012. Singapore is the 2nd country in Asia to have its own SuperPark.

There’s a host of activities to look forward to at this new indoor super playground. Offering more than 20 activities in three themed zones for Singaporeans of all ages, there’s something for everyone.

SuperPark will be located at Suntec City Mall. And at 40,000 square ft – it’s roughly around three-quarters of a football field.

Day Passes for the park are tentatively priced between $22 and $48. Here’s what you can look forward to once SuperPark opens this coming November!

The Adventure Area

Unleash your inner child at the Adventure Arena as it has everything you can ever dream of.

Obstacle walls, trampolines, zip wires, slides, play towers, pedal car racing track, you name it, SuperPark has it.

The Game Arena

Need a place to show off your skills to your friends?

Here at SuperPark’s Game Arena, you can compete in everything from basketball to baseball. Don’t need to keep score as performance is measured by radar and other digital systems.

The Game Arena is a great place to practice your baseball swing and pitching, test the power of your slap shot and hone your accuracy on the basketball court.

The Freestyle Hall

Always wanted to try out parkour?

SuperPark’s Freestyle Hall includes a parkour course and gymnastics floor, as well as trampolines and foam pits. You don’t have to worry about hurting yourself as the Freestyle Hall provide a safe environment for putting your skills to the test.

You can also challenge yourself with the super climb, a tailor-made climbing concept, or partake in the ninja warrior obstacle course.

Best part is, you don’t need to be pro to try out any of these activities as  the experienced staff – many of whom are recognised coaches will man the park and help you out.

Don’t Forget The Food

You’re bound to get hungry after all that playing. SuperPark got you covered with their extensive buffets that includes burgers, hot dogs and fresh salads.

Famous for its family-centered approach to having fun – children, teenagers and even parents can all play, be active and have fun together.

Also Read I Attended A Self Defence Class – Now I Can Take Down Someone Twice My Size

SuperPark Singapore
Opening Date: 17 November 2018
Address: Suntec City Mall

(Header Image Source: SuperPark)