Tag: 24 hours

Hello Kitty vs Pompompurin – Here’s The Low-down On Both Cafes!

With the recent launch of the Hello Kitty and Pompompurin Cafe, and the upcoming launch of the Pokemon Café later this month (limited time period), character-themed cafes here seem to be facing fierce competition. With so many choices, and so little time, which cafe should you visit? Without further ado, we analyse and compare both cafes, so you can prioritise which to visit!

Pompompurin Cafe

Fans of Sanrio would probably have heard of this café which opened a few weeks back. Like what its name implies, the Pompompurin café’s décor and food are designed after the yellow canine – from the pancakes to the caramel pudding down to the seats and placemats.

Aside from the limited edition Pompompurin merchandise, selected dishes like the signature Bagel’s Special: Pancake Tower ($21.99, pictured bottom right) comes with a Pompompurin mug which you can take home!

[caption id="attachment_7165" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Credit:

Hello Kitty fans rejoice! Now, there is no need to fly overseas to get your Hello Kitty fix because you have a Hello Kitty cafe at your doorstep. And it’s open 24 hours to boot!

Hello Kitty merchandise are displayed and available for purchase. There’s also a limited edition Hello Kitty plushie, which is the first worldwide to feature a double bow, up for grabs (500 pieces only at $49.90 each). Custom Hello Kitty-inspired tea blends ($38.90), and grow-it-yourself plant kits ($34.50) are sold along with other Hello Kitty merchandise.

Since this café is under Europar Specialty Restaurants (S) Pte Ltd, which is under the subsidiary of ABR Holdings Limited who owns Swensen’s, the gelatos ($6 per scoop) and soft serves ($4.90) are a must try. They are my personal favourites out of the whole menu!

This Garden-themed Sanrio café is open around the clock (the first in the world) so night owls now have a new hang out spot!

Hello Kitty Orchid Garden Cafe
Price range: About $15 to $24 per main dish
Location: Arrival Hall Central #01-22, Terminal 3, Singapore Changi Airport
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
Maximum seating capacity: 84 pax
Advantages: open 24 hours, quality food (as compared to kawaii food), adult-oriented, merchandise available for purchase, beautiful orchids and plants displayed to keep to Orchid Garden theme, subtle Hello Kitty decor and interior

Verdict: Having analysed and been to both cafes, we’ll have to say that each has its own pros and cons. Pompompurin Cafe is certainly very family friendly and great for kids. Their adorable food will coax and please even the fussiest child to eat. On the other hand, Hello Kitty’s decor and menu is more suited to adults, and their location at Changi Airport makes it convenient to stop for a visit and a bite. Conclusion? It’s a draw!

Also read: Get Your Limited Edition Hello Kitty EZ Link Cards Now!

13 Eateries Open All Day All Night For Your Late Night Meal!

There’s just no telling when the hunger pangs would start kicking in. Whether you had a super late day at work, or you’re just craving for a snack. Luckily, Singapore is in fact the food city that never sleeps.

No matter what time it is, come rain or snow (I wish), these places open all day err day to satisfy your tummy rumblings. So grab your nearest BFF and head down to these food joints for a sinful night of indulgence.

1. Fei Fei Wanton Mee

Undoubtedly one of the most raved about Wanton Mee in Singapore, it is perhaps unfortunate that portions are quite small. However, the springy texture and delicious flavor of the noodles make up for it. At ($4), I would recommend ordering it dry with added chilli sauce to complement the overall taste.

Fei Fei Wanton Mee
Location: Sin Wah Coffeeshop, 62 Joo Chiat Place, S (427785)
Contact: 6345 7515

2. Diandin Leluk

Situated in Little Thailand, as it is affectionately known by locals, Diandin Leluk is the biggest Thai eatery in Golden Mile Complex. Popular dishes include Green Curry Chicken ($10) and Red Ruby ($3), a Thai coconut-milk dessert to cool off the spiciness. To sweeten the deal, there is also no service charge and GST!

https://www.instagram.com/p/3oOAEPnRaW/?taken-at=217549352

Diandin Leluk
Location: #01-67/68/69, Golden Mile Complex, 5001 Beach Road, S (199588)
Contact: 6293 5101

3. RK Eating House

Regularly packed with a plethora of youths, especially late at night, RK House offers an extensive menu of North Indian Cuisine. Nestled in the boisterous Serangoon Gardens, give their crispy Plain Roti Prata ($1.20) a go. For drinks with friends, go for a Milo Tower ($12) to share.

RK Eating House
Location: 1A Kensington Park Road, S (557253)
Contact: 6289 5379

4. 333 Bak Kut Teh

It’s a shame that this place doesn’t get nearly as much attention as compared to Founder’s Bak Kut Teh. Their Pork Ribs Soup ($6) is on par with Founder’s in terms of flavour and tenderness. The peppery aftertaste of the refillable soup really hits the spot too! I recommend completing your meal with Salted Vegetable ($2) and Tou Fu Skin ($2).

333 Bak Kut Teh
Location: 333 Balestier Road, S (329765)
Contact: 6352 6192

5. Meng’s Kitchen

Aww yesss, this Bak Chor Mee ($4) is so good that it deserves visits at least 2-3 times a week. The chilli and vinegar base perfectly provides the platform for the bouncy and chewy noodles to truly shine. Don’t get me started on the meatballs. Trust me, a single bowl is never enough.

Meng’s Kitchen
Location: 246B Upper Thomson Road, S (574370)
Contact: 6455 4890

6. Yong He Eating House

Located at a place synonymous with Singapore’s red light district, Yong He is the ideal place to try or reminisce Taiwanese delights at any time of the day. Their signature dishes include the Soya Bean Drink ($1.50), Beancurd ($2), and of course, who can leave out the silky vermicelli in a thick, flavorful broth – the savoury Mee Sua ($4) aka Taiwanese noodles.

Yong He Eating House
Location: 517 Geylang Road, S (389473)
Contact: 6745 5682

7. Al-Ameen

The North has always been kind of a downer for supper, with almost a very limited selection of places that you could go for that 4am craving. Not anymore! Branching out from their origins in Bukit Timah, Al-Ameen serves up Thai Muslim favourites. For a gratifying experience, Butter Chicken ($7) with a side of Naan is the way to go.

Al-Ameen
Location: #01-11, 35 Marsiling Industrial Estate Road, S (739257)
Contact: 6366 1740

8. Changi Airport 24 Hr Food Gallery

We all know that Changi Airport houses many 24-hour food choices. There’s McDonalds, KFC, 1983, Swensens, and so on… But, for a true dining experience that showcases Singapore’s cultural diversity, look no further than the 24 Hr Food Gallery at T1. Hey, what can go wrong with a plate of chicken rice or a bowl of steaming Laksa?

Changi Airport 24 Hr Food Gallery (T1)
Location: Airport Blvd, Changi Airport International Airport Terminal 1, S (819642)
Contact: 6543 4881

9. TCC

One of my favourite places to go to for a quiet read, TCC at the International Building at Orchard Road is a quiet and cosy location for late night mugging or meet-ups. The food is delicious and portions are generous, albeit on the pricier side. I would recommend a Dark Devotion ($13) to go with a cup of House Blend ($5.80).

TCC at International Building
Location: #01-01, 360 Orchard Road, International Building, S (238869)
Contact: 6732 3696
Closed for renovation from 3 May to 2 June 2016

10. 126 Dim Sum

As a regular patron, ‘Wan Dou Sek’ offers a no-frills dining experience of value for money dim sum. Usual delights include Carrot Cake ($4), Siew Mai ($3.20), and Man Tou with Chili Crab Sauce ($6). The major downside is that it may be hard to find a parking spot, and dishes may not be consistent from time to time.

126 Dim Sum
Location: 126 Sims Avenue, S (387449)
Contact: 6746 4757

11. Al-Azhar

Another place that serves Indian cuisine, Al-Azhar also offers an extensive menu which includes some Western cuisine selections. A food rival with Al-Ameen, which coincidentally is a mere walking distance away, Al-Azhar has its own charm. Tuck in to popular dish Butter Chicken ($7), and complement it with a side of Egg Thosai ($2).

Al-Azhar
Location: 11/11A Cheong Chin Name Road, S (599736)
Contact: 6466 5052

12. Wong Chiew Restaurant

Renamed from Wong Chiew Eating House, this humble food joint serves a ‘chapalang’ of dishes. They offer dim sum and porridge for a delicious light meal or roasted meat and plenty of zi-char style dishes for a satisfying heavy meal. Not forgetting to mention, Wong Chiew’s famous Kampong Bucket Chicken ($14 for half-chicken), chicken served in herbal broth marinade. Till this day, the recipe remains a closely guarded secret.

Wong Chiew Restaurant
Location: 19 Sembawang Road, S (779075)
Contact: 6456 6838

13. New Mahamoodiya

What better way to end off the list with yet another Prata place! Situated just outside the effervescent Simpang Bedok area, New Mahamoodiya emanates a rustic, kampong style atmosphere. Pratas are their specialty, which come freshly made and piping hot. Their Egg Prata ($1.50) comes with chopped onions, adding a distinctive taste to the dish.

New Mahamoodiya
Location: 335 Bedok Road, S (469510)
Contact: 6243 2086

Ladies and gents, with such an avalanche of food options at your fingertips, there’s no need to be hungry at any time of the day anymore. I know I won’t be!

(Header image credit: Steel Wool, words by editor)

Also Read: Stuff Yourself Silly! 7 Best Buffets Below $30

The Best Study Spots All Students Should Know About

One of the many things most Singaporean students can agree on is that we can never study where we are supposed to study. Classrooms are great learning places but they’re just not so great mugging spots. While there are some lucky students who can focus in the comfort of their own bedrooms, most students find that the bedroom is the worst place to study. Mainly because there is usually a bed in the bedroom and where there’s a bed, there’s sleep… and sleep and study do not really go well together (tried and tested).

We all know the must-haves to a good study spot, mainly; air-con, Wi-Fi, and power plugs. So, to help all the muggers out there, here’s a list of places with the essentials for a good mugging session:

Libraries

Libraries are one of the best places to go to if you’re mugging. There’re more than enough power plugs and tables to go around, the noise levels are kept to a minimum and the environment is generally clean and cosy. All libraries are air-conditioned and most of them have food places just around the corner, so you can grab a quick bite when you get distracted hungry. Below are the top 3 libraries that we think are awesome study spots:

Library @ Esplanade

The library @ esplanade is one of the quietest libraries in Singapore. The Esplanade, being a hub for performing arts and theatre, is frequented by very few people on weekdays, thus making the library a very peaceful place to study in. You won’t have to worry about being swarmed by large groups of school kids talking at the top of their voices, or toddlers running rampant among the bookshelves. A quiet atmosphere, coupled with great views, make the Library @ Esplanade the number one library to study at.

Library @ Esplanade
Address: 8 Raffles Avenue #03-01, Esplanade, Singapore 039802
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

Library @ Orchard

Being one of the newest libraries in Singapore, the facilities at Library @ Orchard are relatively new. Besides the cool architecture and new books, the library also has many seats available for reading and studying. Located near Somerset MRT station, Library @ Orchard is very accessible and is surrounded by many retail stores, perfect for a little shopping therapy to (escape reality) relieve the stress from studying.

Library @ Orchard
Address: 277 Orchard Road #03-12/#04-11 Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

National Library

The National Library is the largest library in Singapore. It houses both the Central Public Library and the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. In this 16 storey building, you never need to worry about not being able to find a seat. The noise level in this library depends on the section and floor of the library. Avoid the children’s section if you’re looking for a quieter spot to study at. Other than that, the National Library makes a pretty decent study spot for students.

National Library
Address: 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

Starbucks

Ahhh… Starbucks… One of the most well-known study and hangout spots in Singapore, other than McDonald’s. Comfy seats, power plugs, air-con and Wi-Fi, all the things needed for a productive study session. Not to mention, being able to sip on your favourite Starbucks drink while revising, makes the chore of studying just a little more bearable. Listed below are some Starbucks outlets that are open 24/7, for the hardcore students who study better at night.

Starbucks (United Square)
Address: 101 Thompson Road, #01-01 United Square, Singapore 307591
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

Starbucks (Plaza Singapura)
Address: Plaza Singapura #01-53, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

Starbucks (The Cathay)
Address: The Cathay #01-05, 2 Handy Road, Singapore 229233
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

Starbucks (Raffles City)
Address: Raffles City Shopping Centre #01-46, 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes 

Starbucks (NUS University Town)
Address: Education Resource Centre #B1-01, 8 College Avenue West, Singapore 138608
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes
Accessible to the public 

Cafés

Besides libraries and Starbucks outlets, some students study better in cafés where they can mug and eat at the same time. For gluttons people like these, finding a good café that is mugging-friendly can be challenging. But don’t worry; we’ve already done the homework for you! Here are 3 cafes with air-con, Wi-Fi, power plugs and awesome food.

Do buy some food and drinks while you’re at the cafe, and make way for other customers if you really need to!

The Book Café

The Book Café is a cosy book-themed café, located along Robertson Quay. The interior is filled with many seats and sofas. Customers can browse through the books available on the shelves while they sip on a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Enjoy a plate of Eggs Royale with Smoked Salmon ($12.95) or a delicious Shibuya Toast ($10.50) while you study. The café also offers free Wi-Fi and has many power sockets available for their customers.

The Book Cafe
Address: Seng Kee Building, 20 Martin Road #01-02 Singapore 239070
Opening Hours: Sun – Thu: 8:30am – 10:30pm; Fri – Sat: 8:30am – 12am
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

The Coffee Daily

Looking for a quiet café for an afternoon of mugging? The Coffee Daily is the perfect spot. With so much food on the menu, you’ll never stay hungry for long in this café. Tarts ($6.50), and waffles ($4.50) are available on the menu for a sweet treat while studying. Their coffee (a wide range) provides the added boost for concentration as well!

The Coffee Daily
Address: 75 Brighton Crescent, Serangoon Gardens Estate, Singapore 559216
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 12pm – 10:30pm; Sat – Sun: 9:30am – 10:30pm
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

Five And Dime

At Five and Dime, you can find the most important thing that all students who study outside need in order to survive: stable Wi-Fi connection. The café also provides power plugs and free parking spaces for those who drive. Five and Dime also has different menus for different times of the day.

Feast on their sumptuous Big Brekkie ($22) at lunchtime or have their Beef Tataki ($15) for dinner. Meeting all the essential needs for a good mugging spot and serving delicious food at the same time, Five and Dime is definitely one of the most mugging-friendly cafés you can find in Singapore.

Five And Dime
Address: 297 River Valley Road, Singapore 238338
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 12am, Fri: 12pm – 2am, Sat: 10am – 12am, Sun: 10am – 10pm
Wifi: Yes
Power Plugs: Yes
Aircon: Yes

With these study spots, you’ll know exactly where to go to chiong for your upcoming exams! Know any other mugging-friendly places? Let us know!

Also read: Study Spots In Town That Will Make Every Mugging Session A Conducive One!