Tag: acai

The First-Timer’s Guide To Food In Katong That Isn’t Just Laksa

Katong is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Singapore. It’s very high SES living.

My aunt used to live in the area and we’d go to I12 Katong often because that’s the closest thing that Katong has to an actual mall.

Don’t get me wrong, I love I12 Katong. But what I wish I knew earlier was that Katong is packed with interesting cafes and places to explore.

So now that I’m older and wiser (that’s debatable), here’s a guide to Katong that I wish I had known about when I was younger.

Katong For First-Timers

1. Dona Manis

My friends claimed that Dona Manis Cake Shop in Katong Shopping Centre, makes the best Banana Pie in Singapore. I knew I had to try this one for myself to believe it.

Upon reaching, I met the owners of Dona Manis, Mdm Soh Tho Lang and Mr Tan Keng Eng, who were busy prepping their bakes for sale.

Their bakes are made and sold in this one unit shop. Must-tries include their incredibly light Cream Puff ($3.50 for 5 pieces) and their famous Banana Pie ($2.50 per slice, $25 per pie).

Dona Manis is Singapore’s hidden gem and is truly worth a visit.. You won’t find bakery shops like Dona Manis in Singapore anymore.

Dona Manis Cake Shop
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Mon: 9am – 5pm, Tue – Sat: 9:30am – 6pm
Contact No.: 6440 7688
Website

2. Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice

Down the corridor from Dona Manis Cake Shop, is Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice.

Every time Katong Shopping Centre is mentioned, I hear about this chicken rice stall. And as someone who shuns chicken rice because bone-in chicken is too much of a hassle for my liking, boneless chicken rice is a God-send.

And that’s not all, their boneless chicken rice comes with complimentary soup and free-flow achar. One thing to note is that the soup they serve is not your generic MSG water – they actually cook proper soups to go with their chicken rice.

After all, good chicken rice should not overlook any aspect of the meal.

If you’re ready to take on long queues and begin the quest of finding a free table, then you’re ready for some Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice.

Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-85/87 Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 10.30am – 8pm, Mon: Closed
Contact no.: 9789 6073
Website

3. Birds Of Paradise

Located beside other popular eateries along East Coast Road, Birds of Paradise gelato boutique is completely different from any other local ice cream parlour – they offer up botanical inspired gelato flavours.

4. An Acai Affair

The latest kid on the block is none other than An Acai Affair!

Located in the east, An Acai Affair is set to revoluntionalise the #eatclean trend with their delectable acai bowls and fruit smoothies.

Their Signature Acai Bowl – Tropical Coconut Bowl no doubt stands out from the other specialty stores with the use of an actual coconut husk as a bowl. Despite the relatively small portion due to the coconut husk, expect generous toppings of fruits the likes of pineapple, kiwi, blueberry as well as granola and even wolfberries.

An Acai Affair
Address: 101 East Coast Road, Singapore 428796
Opening hours: Sun to Thu 12nn – 10pm; Fri to Sat 12nn – 11.30pm
Tel: 9792 0837
Website

5. Ampang Niang Tou Foo

Yong Tau Foo is one of my favourite comfort foods. It’s customisable because you get to choose the ingredients you want, which are then blanched in broth and served with rice or noodles.

At Ampang Niang Tou Foo, they serve Ampang-style Yong Tau Foo.

The difference is that they stuff their usual Yong Tau Foo ingredients such as chillis and fried beancurd with minced meat paste instead of fish paste. It gives the ingredients a lot more bite than fish paste does.

That’s not all, the Yong Tau Foo is served in a light broth with soya beans and dried anchovies.

Don’t forget their chilli sauce to add a little “oomph” to the Yong Tau Foo.

Ampang Niang Tou Foo
Address: 225A East Coast Road, Singapore 428922
Opening Hours: Sat – Tue & Thu: 11am – 8.30pm, Wed & Fri: Closed
Contact no.: 6345 3289
Website

6. Chin Mee Chin Confectionery 

This place has been a long-running favourite among the locals. Located along East Coast Road, this nostalgic coffee shop is a nice change to modern joints.

Known for it’s decor typical of 1950s Singapore, with retro marble top tables, floor tiles, and ceiling fans. It’s also known for their traditional kaya toasts.

Instead of the kaya toast bread you’d typically see, their Kaya Toast is served in a hamburger-type bun and slathered with their homemade kaya and a slice of butter.

These buns are made in house and toasted till they are slightly burnt for that nice “char” taste. This place can get pretty busy so try and avoid peak hours if you’re looking at dining in.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
Address: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 8.30 am – 4pm, Closed on Mondays
Contact No.: 6345 0419

7. Beriwell

A not-so-little space at Katong, along the dessert-filled East Coast Road that houses An Acai Affair and Birds Of Paradise, Beriwell makes you feel like you’re chilling at a shack on the beach.

Easy to spot with its beachy murals, tropical vibes, flamingo printed seats, and rattan chairs, this casual joint will give you plenty of fodder for the ‘gram.

The brainchild of friends Galissa, Dash, and Anand, this acai joint was born out of a love for healthy living and acai.

The trio created the Superswirl, a soft serve that comes in 2 flavours: acai (‘Acai‘) and coconut (‘Coco Majik‘). You can even have the two flavours swirled into one (‘The Twist‘)!

Dairy free, gluten free, and vegan-friendly, the Superswirl is tagged at $6.90 for a small cup, where you can pick 2 toppings out of the day’s selection of fruits and crunch, and $9.90 for a large serving, where you get to choose 4 toppings.

The acai soft serve is a creamier, smoother version of the refreshing acai bowls we all love – perfect for a warm day in the East.

While the menu is still pretty trim at the moment, the store has plenty more up it’s sleeve. We hear there will be more sauces, more toppings, and another smoothie being added to the mix!

This super cute hangout is Instagrammable, chill, and serves up some healthy AND delicious stuff. If you live in the East, make sure to pop by for a refreshing treat in this little tropical retreat.

Beriwell
Address: 19 East Coast Road #01-01, Singapore 428746
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 11pm
Website

8. Ponggol Nasi Lemak

Make no mistake, Ponggol Nasi Lemak is not in Punggol, nor is it halal. They serve up Chinese-style Nasi Lemak (Yes.)

Established in 1979, this household name is known for their lemak sambal chilli and crispy fried chicken wings and some say the “Best Nasi Lemak in Singapore”.

There are also plenty of dishes for you to choose from.

It’s been a supper spot for many Singaporeans so if you’re coming here for supper, be prepared to queue.

Ponggol Nasi Lemak
Address: 238 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437026
Opening Hours: Fri – Wed: 5.30pm – 2.30am, Thu: Closed
Contact no.: 6287 0020
Website

Also read This Unassuming Old School Bakery In Katong Is Home To S’pore’s Best Banana Pie

This Insta-Worthy Acai Joint Will Bowl You Over With Their Berry Good Acai Soft Serves

Many of you have probably tried acai bowls, but have you tried an acai soft serve?

The first of its kind in Singapore, this refreshing treat comes courtesy of the guys (and girl) behind Beriwell.

A not-so-little space at Katong, along the dessert-filled East Coast Road that houses An Acai Affair and Birds Of Paradise, this acai joint makes you feel like you’re chilling at a shack on the beach.

Easy to spot with its beachy murals, tropical vibes, flamingo printed seats, and rattan chairs, this casual joint will give you plenty of fodder for the ‘gram.

For The Love Of Acai 

The brainchild of friends Galissa, Dash, and Anand, this acai joint was born out of a love for healthy living and acai.

Galissa, one of the founders, shares that the first time she tried acai in Hawaii, it was love at first taste.

A healthy dessert that doesn’t leave you feeling bloated or heavy, one gripe she had about these guilt-free treats was that it tends to melt and become watery quite quickly – not so fun when you’re busy catching up with your friends, only to find that half your acai has become a watery mess.

Because of this, the trio created the Superswirl, a soft serve that comes in 2 flavours: acai (‘Acai‘) and coconut (‘Coco Majik‘). You can even have the two flavours swirled into one (‘The Twist‘)!

Dairy free, gluten free, and vegan-friendly, the Superswirl is tagged at $6.90 for a small cup, where you can pick 2 toppings out of the day’s selection of fruits and crunch, and $9.90 for a large serving, where you get to choose 4 toppings.

The acai soft serve is a creamier, smoother version of the refreshing acai bowls we all love – perfect for a warm day in the East.

The coconut soft serve too is refreshing, but with a more subdued coconut flavour. A blend of Thai coconut, the superfood spirulina, and an iron-rich algae, this soft serve is packed with amazing stuff for your body.

While the swirl probably makes for better Insta-pics, we think you can taste and appreciate each flavour much better when you have them on their own!

A Smoothie Criminal

Aside from their Superswirls, Beriwell also does smoothies that are not just healthy, but taste delicious too. At Beriwell, they believe being healthy doesn’t have to mean eating (or drinking) food you don’t enjoy.

Galissa recommends Vitamin Sea ($5.90/small, $7.90/large), a thick yet refreshing smoothie containing mango, passionfruit, pineapple, orange and tumeric. Finished off with a freshly squeezed lime, you can really taste the passionfruit and pineapple in this sweet-sour smoothie.

If you love your peanut butter, give the PB&J – that’s J for ‘joy’ – a try. Made of organic peanut butter, almond milk & maca, a chunky blend of mixed berries, medjool dates and banana, this heavier concoction is perfect for peanut butter fans.

There is also LycoPink, a smoothie centred around (and a wordplay) on the antioxidant Lycopene. A small cup is priced at $6.90 and a large cup costs $8.90.

Need a protein boost? Ask them to add some pea protein (+$2.50) or whey protein isolate (+$2) into your drink!

While the menu is still pretty trim at the moment, the store has plenty more up it’s sleeve. We hear there will be more sauces, more toppings, and another smoothie being added to the mix!

This super cute hangout is Instagrammable, chill, and serves up some healthy AND delicious stuff. If you live in the East, make sure to pop by for a refreshing treat in this little tropical retreat.

Beriwell
Address: 19 East Coast Road #01-01, Singapore 428746
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 11pm
Website

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

An Acai Affair: Fall In Love With Healthy, Delicious & Instagram-able Acai Bowls

If you haven’t tried an acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) bowl yet, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. And if you have, then you’ll be delighted to know that the newest acai specialty shop on the block has just opened.

Get ready for An Acai Affair!

Tucked in the heart of Katong (right opposite 112 Katong), An Acai Affair is the two-month-old brainchild of two of Discover SG’s very own ambassadors, Anna and Isabel.

They’re on a mission to raise greater awareness about acai and its countless health benefits, by making acai bowls more accessible and affordable to everyone.

A What Affair?

Acai is truly a crazily healthy treat, perfect for you health nuts out there. This Brazilian superfood lowers cholesterol, boosts immunity, is energy boosting and rich in antioxidants.

It’s a tiny berry that packs a big punch, and we wonder why it’s still so underrated in Singapore.

At An Acai Affair, the purple acai berries are blended into an ice-cream like texture–essentially ice-cream minus the guilt. It forms the crucial base of all its acai bowl and smoothies.

Their acai is also personally sourced, fresh from a Brazilian friend and supplier.

Tropical Coconut Bowl

The Tropical Coconut bowl has to be the most photogenic acai bowl out there–and that’s saying a lot! It’s their signature too, so be sure to try it.

It’s chock full of superfoods: kiwis, pineapples, dragonfruit, strawberries, blueberries, granola, chia seeds, raw cacao nibs, goji berries and coconut shavings galore.

The toppings sit atop the chilled acai base, and that makes it super refreshing on a hot day. You can even scrape and eat the coconut flesh at the end. Double win!

An Acai Affair’s acai base is unbelievably smooth–you won’t find any graininess at all. Cut daily, the fresh fruits offer a burst of sweetness and texture with every bite.

Acai Chia Parfait

The Acai Chia Parfait is similar to the Tropical Coconut Bowl, ingredient-wise, but with a generous layer of chia seed pudding to boot. The chia seeds balance out the sweetness of the frozen acai, and are loaded with nutrients themselves.

Did we mention that An Acai Affair’s acai base isn’t diluted with anything at all? That means it’s a hundred percent smooth and flavourful, without being the least bit icy or watery.

While their handcrafted combinations are a sure bet, you can also make sure all your favourite ingredients are in, by ordering from the pick and and mix menu.

The thirstier of you can also go for the wide selection of smoothies!

Secret Garden

If you walk all the way into the shop, you’ll also discover a secret outdoor garden, with cushions, pillows and mats aplenty.

Tuck into your yummy acai bowl in this cosy outdoor garden.

It’s perfect for chill nights and hearty conversations, and of course as the prettiest backdrop for your photos.

You can even come in the evening to catch movie screenings here on some weekends!

Behind The Affair

You’ve probably noticed the abundance of gyms and yoga studios around Katong. But what’s exercise without healthy food alternatives?

That’s what An Acai Affair is here for. They’ve partnered with surrounding gyms – flashing your gym pass gets you discounts! Living a healthier lifestyle has never been so easy.

The interior of the shop was also lovingly designed by the owners themselves, as are the acai bowl combinations. Chow down your acai by the hand-painted wall for personal, cosy vibes all around.

Ready to have an affair with acai?

Gorging on one of these light and refreshing acai bowls from An Acai Affair will leave you feeling satisfied and good inside, without the bloatedness and guilt.

If you think that something good for you definitely won’t taste good, then eating your own words has never been more delicious.

An Acai Affair
Address: 101 East Coast Road Singapore 428796
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11.30pm
Phone: 9792 0837
Facebook

Also, read 8 Best Acai Bowls And Smoothies In Singapore For A Completely Guilt-Free Treat

8 Best Acai Bowls And Smoothies In Singapore For A Completely Guilt-Free Treat

Complete abstinence from sweet treats is a blasphemy. We are all-too familiar with the “I will not give in to my sweet tooth anymore!” – only to subconsciously reach for some chocolates within the next hour.

Fortunately, with the introduction of superfoods (the likes of Acai (ah-sah-ee) berry) into the realm of food, our lives are now healthier and sweeter. With the inclusion of acai bowls and smoothies into our everyday meals today, you can now enjoy a sinfully-sweet indulgence without fretting about the calories.

Here are 8 best acai bowls and smoothiess in Singapore for a sweet but completely guilt-free treat!

1. Project Acai

As one of the pioneers of the superfood scene in Singapore, Project Acai is dedicated to serving superfood bowls and smoothies.

Their acai bowls typically come in three sizes, with prices ranging from $6.80 to $14.50.

Project Acai
Address: 27 Lor Liput, Holland Village, Singapore 277738
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am – 10pm
Credit: Credit: facebook.com[/caption]

Haakon Superfoods & Juice
Address: 1118 Holland Avenue, #01-03, Singapore 278997
Opening hours: Daily, 8am – 10pm
Tel: 8399 2450
Credit: Credit: 6224 4088
Website

4. Seed and Soil

If you are rushing for time, Seed and Soil is your one-stop solution for a quick grab and go.

This healthy joint offers cold pressed juice for an instant healthy fix. Likewise, you can “upgrade” your juice into a meal by combining it with other whole fruits and superfoods such as chia seeds and goji berry.

[caption id="attachment_22421" align="aligncenter" width="925"] Credit: alainlicious.com[/caption]

Their signature Superfood Sprinkle Acai Bowl will certainly pack a nutritional punch to your diet.

[caption id="attachment_22420" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Credit: 9644 0752
Credit: peanutloti.wordpress.com[/caption]

For a BERRY healthy bowl, you should definitely go for their Blackberry Binge. Their smooth creamy base is made up of bananas, blackberries, raspberries and soy milk. Topped with blueberries, pomegranate, quinoa puffs and roasted cashew, you will want to get this the next time your sweet cravings kicks in!

[caption id="attachment_22422" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Credit: facebook.com[/caption]

Moreover, all of their smoothie bowls are affordably priced at $6, which definitely beats a pint of ice cream anytime.

A Poke Theory
Address: 27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11am – 6pm; Sat 10am – 4pm (Closed on Sun)
Credit: Credit: facebook.com[/caption]

It comprises of creamy acai smoothie dressed with chia seeds, mango chunks, blueberries, quinoa and crunchy bits of granola. Sprinkled with coconut for a delectable finishing touch, it is almost as if you are having gelato itself – but without the calories of course.

Super Loco
Address: 60 Robertson Quay, #01-13 The Quayside, Singapore 238252
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 5pm to 12am; Sat to Sun 10am – 3.30pm (Brunch) & 5pm – 12am ( Dinner)
Tel: 6235 8900
Credit: Credit: 6815 4600
Credit: Credit: facebook.com[/caption]

Their Signature Acai Bowl – Tropical Coconut Bowl no doubt stands out from the other specialty stores with the use of an actual coconut husk as a bowl. Despite the relatively small portion due to the coconut husk, expect generous toppings of fruits the likes of pineapple, kiwi, blueberry as well as granola and even wolfberries.

An Acai Affair
Address: 101 East Coast Road, Singapore 428796
Opening hours: Sun to Thu 12nn – 10pm; Fri to Sat 12nn – 11.30pm
Tel: 9792 0837
Website

These delectable acai bowls and smoothies show that sweet treats are not all about weight-inducing and artery-choking desserts.

Not only do these healthy acai bowls pack a powerhouse of nutritional value, but they also offer an equally luscious and sweet flavour as well! So the next time you feel a strong food craving for something sweet, head down to these spots for some delicious acai bowls and smoothies.

(Header image credit: 6 Interesting Cuisines You Didn’t Know You Can Get In Singapore To Spice Up Your Meals