Tag: bugis

Keisuke Is Opening A New Omurice Joint At Bugis+ – Prices Start From $9.90 And You Can Upsize For Free

You may have already seen that viral video of Japanese chef, Yukimura Motokichi, who wows his customers with his theatrics whenever he prepares the famous omurice in his resturant, Kichi Kichi.

Originating more than 100 years ago in Kyushu, this Japanese soul food is a staple dish in many Japanese homes and restaurants as they are reasonably priced and affordable to the masses. Most Japanese diners have grown up eating omurice and this yōshuku (Japenese-style Western food) brings back many childhood memories for them.

Comfort Food For The Soul

Celebrity Chef and Ramen King, Keisuke Takeda kicks off the new year with the opening of Keisuke Group’s 17th outlet in Singapore, Omurice Keisuke. This classic Japanese dish consists of a wrapped omelette (“omu”) over western fried rice with ketchup.

While it may seem like the typical “Nasi Goreng Pattaya” you can get at most hawker centres, omurice is actually quite challenging to make. The key to perfecting this dish is that the egg has to be soft, creamy on the outside and smooth on the inside.

Situated on the fourth floor of Bugis+, Omurice Keisuke is a cozy 22-seater outlet, perfect for dinner with the family or a night out with your partner. As the eatery is not exactly spacious and they don’t take reservations, you might want to avoid peak hours if you plan on bringing more than 4 people.

You can also choose to sit at the bar counter so you can watch the chefs prepare the dishes right in front of you.

While it may not be as entertaining as it is at Kichi Kichi, the food here definitely does not disappoint.

The Omurice ($9.90) features Keisuke’s own locally-farmed eggs which come from hens fed with omega-rich grains. The difference is that you’ll get a richer and creamier omelette that pairs perfectly well with the fried rice. The rice is simple and perfectly seasoned with ketchup dashi, diced chicken and corn.

There is also an option to customise your omurice by choosing from a range of sauces including wafu, demi-glacé, creamy white sauce or chilli tomato sauce. We highly recommend pairing your omurice with the wafu or dami-glacé sauce as it cuts the richness of the eggs. We had the creamy white sauce as well, however it got pretty jelak by the time were halfway through our meal.

You can also have the option of adding cheese ($2.00) to your Omurice. The cheese is a combination of mozzarella and two types of cheddar which will be melted and prepared right in front of you over your main dish.

Best part, if you have a bigger appetite, you can choose between the regular or large size at NO additional cost. Honestly, we were already struggling to finish the regular portion so a large portion will be perfect for two.

There’s also an option of getting Spaghetti instead of the Omurice. They serve two types of spaghetti here – Mentaiko Spaghetti and Neapolitan Spaghetti ($9.90). There’s nothing outstanding about the pastas but it definitely gave us the comfort of a home-cooked meal.

For those who can’t choose between the omurice and spaghetti, you can choose to have the best of both worlds in one plate. For $12.90, you can get the Omurice Combo which comes with omurice, spaghetti and a refreshing side salad – potato salad, coleslaw, green salad or spinach and miso soup.

Diners can also order additional side dishes such as deep fried chicken wing, ebi-fried, teriyaki chicken hamburg and pork spare ribs which cost between $2 – $3. If you’ve been to Hamburg Steak Keisuke, then you’ll definitely want to get the teriyaki chicken hamburg here. The seared patty itself has a lovely char, but was still very tender and juicy in each bite.

Omurice Keisuke officially launches in Singapore on Monday, 14 January 2019. This is the 17th outlet under the Keisuke Group with plans to open more locations with different concepts later this year.

Omurice Keisuke
Official Launch: Monday, 14 January 2019
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-01, Singapore 188067
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10pm, daily
Contact No.: 6634 4558
Facebook | Instagram

Also Read The McVerdict: Are McDonald’s New Items As Bad As Everyone Says They Are?

(Header Image Source: Omurice Keisuke & Discover SG)

This New Halal Deli In Bugis Serves Stacked Sandwiches With Hearty Fillings Like Rendang And Chilli Beef

Like many types of food out there, sandwiches are easy to eat, quick to make and delicious to eat. This combination of food traits is perfect for a society that is always in a hurry but still loves eating.

Now, if you love sandwiches as much as we do, you might just wanna pay Stack a visit the next time you’re craving for one!

Curator Of Fine Sandwiches

Stack is the latest addition to The Black Hole Group, known for its themed cafes. Located along Jalan Klapa, the muslim-owned sandwich deli gives you a variety of sandwiches to choose from. With unique sandwich names such as ‘The Makcik’, ‘Sweet Valley High’ and ‘Sleepy Nonna’, Stack is definitely worth a visit.

Being a sandwich deli surrounded by plenty of offices, Stack provides a grab-and-go alternative, especially for those with tight schedules and deadlines.

Here are some of sandwiches you have to try the next time you’re at Stack!

1. Chunky AF ($15)

A definite crowd pleaser, this Chunky AF sandwich is thiccer than Nicki Minaj and Cardi B combined.

If you love a good bagel, this one comes with squashed lamb meatballs, peanut butter hummus, garden greens, roasted beets & eggplant with tzatziki which is basically a yogurt based sauce.

Make sure your wallet’s thicc too as this sandwich will cost you $15.

2. The Makcik ($13)

Any makcik should know how to make good rendang and that is exactly what this sandwich is made of.

Using Rye bread, this sandwich comes with a generous portion of tri-tip beef rendang; garlic aioli; bruised tomatoes, garden greens, pickled onions and fresh jalapeños.

3. Sweet Valley High ($11)

If you love a sweet and savoury sandwich, then you’ll love this one.

This sandwich comes with two slices of fluffy french toast with country apple and peach compote, hickory turkey ham; blueberry cream cheese with speculoos sauce.

This sandwich is bound to give you a sugar rush once you’re done with it.

4. Deli Alli ($13)

The Deli Alli Challenge took over the internet by a storm so Stack also named one of their sandwiches after the famous football player.

Earn your spurs with the Deli Alli which consists of sourdough, hickory turkey ham, beef pepperoni, dill-brined chicken breast, pomegranate aioli, seedy slaw, bruised tomatoes and garden greens.

5. Sloppy Joe ($11)

Everyone loves a good sloppy joe but have you ever had it in a sandwich form?

The Sloppy Joe sandwich comes with onion peppers chili beef, paprika BBQ, bruised tomatoes, onion jam and mild cheddar sandwiched between two pullman loaf.

You’ll be begging for seconds once you’re done with this one.

6. Blue Steel ($11)

This Blue Steel sandwich is definitely Zoolander-approved!

The Blue Steel sandwich comes with a generous portion of crockpot chicken, sriracha aioli, seedy slaw, garden greens fresh jalapeños sandwiched between two pullman loaves.

7. Gold Finger ($9)

Taking comfort food to another level, the Gold Finger sandwich will remind you of those egg mayo sandwiches your mother used to pack for breakfast!

Instead of being a plain ol’ egg mayo sandwich, this one comes with an extra touch of golden mustard and fresh dill.

8. Sleepy Nonna ($9)

This is the perfect treat for those with a sweet tooth!

This sweet sandwich comes with two french toasts, ripen banana, crushed oreos, swiss cheese with nutella drizzled all over!

We all love a good sandwich every now and then. So if you’re looking for a change from the usual plain sandwiches from 7-11, head down to Stack instead to get your sandwich fix.

Hey lovely folks at Stack, if you ever need new names for your sandwiches, you know who to call!

Stack
Address: 4 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199316
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Also Read This Famous Chicken Wing Stall Closed Down After 40 Years At St. Nicks – Now They’re Back In RP

(Header Image Source: Stack)

This Aussie Dude Sells Makcik-Approved Nasi Lemak At Aliwal Street

Fighting over which country makes the best Nasi Lemak has been a constant debate that never seems to get resolved.

Nasi Lemak has been a long perennial favourite among Singaporeans regardless of race. So I understand why we’re so territorial over our Nasi Lemak.

Question is, do we really know our nasi lemak? Are we truly the best?

Most of us have had Nasi Lemak from both Singapore and Malaysia, but have you guys tried Nasi Lemak cooked by an Australian guy?

We have.

And he’s definitely our new competitor.

Nasi Lemak For The Soul

SoulFood Catering has been around for the last 8 months but no one ever really paid attention to this humble shop located at Aliwal Street.

Meet Brett and his wife, Yani. They’ve been married for the last 5 years and they both run SoulFood Catering.

Now, my expectations for their Nasi Lemak was low because I’m a Malay girl and I KNOW my Nasi Lemak. An Ang Moh cooking Nasi Lemak completely threw me off because I was expecting a 50 year old makcik or auntie to serve me instead.

As I walked to the entrance, Brett flashed me a smile and warmly welcomed me with a question: “You ready to makan?”

Brett first discovered Nasi Lemak while on holiday in Malaysia. After multiple tries of recreating Nasi Lemak in his kitchen back in Australia, he was never satisfied with the outcome.

That’s where his wife and mother in law came into the picture.

“My wife and mak (mother in malay), are both great cooks. They’re amazing. One thing led to another, now we have this little shop in Aliwal.

“Everybody knows Nasi Lemak, it’s cultural. You just can’t go wrong with it.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Sugar, Spice, And Everything Nice

Unlike the typical nasi lemak stalls, SoulFood Catering offers a variety of Nasi Lemak. From your standard fried chicken wing to Barbecued Salmon, you name it, they have it all.

But what makes their Nasi Lemak special would definitely be the different ingredients that comes with it.

“Back in Australia, I used to enjoy a good barbecue. We’d grill meats and enjoy food with our friends.”

From chicken and prawns to salmon and scallops, they’re all barbecued fresh upon order.

The sambal however, is the star of this simple dish. We all know a good sambal makes or breaks a good plate of Nasi Lemak.

“Mak, makes the best sambal. Oh you have to try it to believe it!”, he exclaimed.

Yani laughed and added, “I haven’t learn how to make the sambal yet, but I know she’ll make me learn it soon!”

Singapore’s Next Top Nasi Lemak 

The basic Nasi Lemak with Chicken Wing ($4) was definitely a game-changer.

As I took my first bite, I was left completely speechless. That sambal, was honestly love at first bite.

I haven’t met this famous Mak they fondly spoke of but I knew I have to meet her some day.

They gave me a generous portion of sambal which I was happy about as most sellers are quite stingy with theirs. The sambal was definitely spicy but it had a hint of sweetness which made it enjoyable and not jelak at all.

The chicken wing was coated in their own special batter as well. It was fragrant and incredibly crispy – just the way any good fried chicken wing should be. The recipe for their chicken wings took multiple tries before they finally settled on the perfect combination. I also liked that the outer coating was not too thick to the extent that it became overwhelming.

If you know your rice, a lot of stalls swap jasmine rice for basmati rice instead. Which just doesn’t give you the same satisfaction.

The rice is prepared in the shop and is the perfect balance of lemak and not being overly “mushy”. From the moment the rice is scooped from the massive rice cooker, your senses will be awoken. Mix the rice together with the sweet and spicy sambal and that itself can be a meal on its own.

Next up, I got the BBQ Prawns Nasi Lemak ($8.90) which comprises of the standard coconut rice, fried ikan bilis, a fried egg, a generous dollop of sambal and of course, 4 juicy prawns that are barbecued to perfection.

This one took about 5-10 minutes of waiting time. Smoke started to fill the shop as Brett was manning the barbecue station in the kitchen. He placed the prawns on the grill and covered it with a lid to ensure that the prawns are evenly cooked and contain all that smokey flavour.

Once that was done, he glazes them with his special sambal oil which gives it that fiery red colour.

I know we’re all lazy to peel our prawns but this is one dish that is worth getting your fingers dirty for.

Saving the best for last, the BBQ Salmon Steak Nasi Lemak ($9.90) was the one I was most excited for.

You’ll have to wait at least 20 minutes for the salmon but rest assured, it’s definitely worth the wait.

He first seasons the salmon with salt, pepper and mixed herbs before throwing it on the grill. Just like the prawns, he covers them with the lid so you’ll get that extra smokey flavour.

He then glazes the salmon with the sambal oil for the extra kick.

Despite being on the grill for about 20 minutes, the salmon was perfectly cooked throughout and best part, the skin was crispy as well. Safe to say, I had a real good food coma afterwards.

Atmosphere at SoulFood Catering

To sum up their entire menu, it would definitely be “Australian Meets Singapore Nasi Lemak” – and I’m all up for it.

It’s not your traditional everyday nasi lemak but this is perfect if you want an upgrade from your usual Changi Village Nasi Lemak.

The space may not be ideal for big groups but it’s definitely a great option if you prefer to dabao your lunch instead. It gets a bit hot and stuffy when they start grilling as the space is not big but there are a couple of seats outside for you to enjoy your meal.

The shop may often be overlooked as they’re located on the quieter part of Aliwal street but this shop definitely does not lack in character and flavours.

The next time you’re in the area, drop by SoulFood Catering for your Nasi Lemak fix.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think the Australians won this time round.

SoulFood Catering
Address: 77 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199948
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm, Sat: 10.30am – 10.00pm, Sun: 10.30am – 8.30pm, Closed on Tuesdays.
Contact No.: 8767 8299
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Also Read 6 Dishes Crazy Rich Asians Should Have Tried At Newton Food Centre Instead Of Satay

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

This Aroi Mak Nasi Ambeng Swaps Rendang And Achar For Green Curry And Mango Salad

As a proud Malay millennial, I get extremely excited when I hear these two words: “nasi” and “ambeng”.

Nasi Ambeng (pronounced Nasi Um-Bng) is a classic Javanese dish that is usually shared between 3 to 4 people.

The dish consists of a mountain of rice in the middle of the platter, surrounded by other traditional Javanese dishes such as ayam masak lemak, fried tempeh, begedil, urap, sambal goreng and beef rendang (which is technically Minangkabau but let’s not get into that).

You’ll find plenty of restaurants serving this traditional dish. However, the version at Sticky Rice stands out from the rest with their Thai Style Nasi Ambeng.

Old Dish, New Flavours

The Rice Platter ($28.50), as the Nasi Ambeng dish is named at Sticky Rice, comes with a generous portion of fragrant steamed white rice, fried beef strips, mango salad, fish cakes, spring rolls, green curry chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and “son-in-law” eggs.

If you’re wondering what the “son-in-law” eggs are, you’re not the only one.

This egg dish is also known as Khai Luk Khoei. It’s basically hard boiled eggs that are deep fried so they have a crispy golden skin. It is served with a sweet-sour sauce – made from tamarind and fish sauce.

This Rice Platter also comes with a small bowl of Thai Green Curry, which in my dictionary, is the most essential dish in Thai cuisine. The green curry is mild and light which helps in balancing out the flavours of all the other dishes.

It also comes with a green mango salad which ties the entire dish together with it’s tangy and spicy flavour.

This platter is perfect shared among 2-3 people. If you’re feeling a little peckish, go alone. We dare you.

However, if you’re not looking for a heavy afternoon lunch, you can also opt for the Pad Thai Platter ($28.50) which basically replaces the rice with a mountain of chicken pad thai.

This platter comes with a side of omelette strips, crispy chicken skin, prawns, bean sprouts, peanuts, lime and chilli powder. All you have to do is mix everything together and enjoy!

If you’re not up for a huge feast, you can order individual dishes from their menu as well. Best part, they have vegan options for all you vegans out there. Now everyone can enjoy quality food together.

We highly recommend you to take a trip to Sticky Rice for a taste of Thailand here in Singapore. Aroi mak!

Sticky Rice
Address: 23 Bali Lane, Singapore 189859
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 9.30pm, Fri – Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm, Closed on Sundays
Contact no.: 6294 0118
Singapore’s First Vegan Ice Cream Joint Takes The ‘Guilty’ Away From Pleasure

(Header Image Source: Sticky Rice Facebook)

Goodbye Gong Cha, LiHo Is Taking Over – We Tried Their New Cheese Bubble Tea To See If They’re Worth It

Bubble tea lovers, and specifically Gong Cha lovers, we’ve got some very bad news for you.

Gong Cha will be shuttering all its stores, and in its place will be a new home-grown bubble tea brand–LiHo.

Change is already underway, with 30 Gong Cha outlets already converted into LiHo shops. By 5 June 2017, all 80 Gong Cha outlets island-wide will be replaced. #RIPGongCha

Long story short, this drastic change comes because of a change in ownership of Gong Cha’s parent company, leading to new franchising terms that are no longer favourable to its Singapore franchisee, RTG Holdings.

LiHo – Singapore’s Newest Bubble Tea Spot 

Brought to you by the same RTG Holdings, LiHo is Singapore’s answer to Gong Cha with a very cheesy twist!

For those of you who don’t speak Hokkien, LiHo translates into ‘How are you?’.

Not only is the phrase quintessentially Singaporean, it distances the brand from its predecessor. Aside from the name change, here are some things we’ll be saying goodbye to and some new things we can get excited about.

New Flavours 

The biggest pull at LiHo is their new line of Cheese flavoured drinks. Yes, CHEESE flavoured.

While some of you might recoil in disgust at the mere thought of having cheese added to your bubble tea, the cheese flavour will only be in the froth of the tea! From Cheese Black Tea to Cheese ‘n’ Choc Smoothie, you won’t find these unique flavours at any other bubble tea shop.

We managed to try a few of their cheese bubble teas and were honestly quite underwhelmed by the experience.

There was no discernible cheese flavour, and even when we tasted the foam directly, the cheese flavour was very, very subtle. Some of our colleagues did note that the cheese froth tastes similar to the salty froth you find in some of Gong Cha’s teas, so that’s good news!

While there are novel additions to LiHo’s menu, Gong Cha lovers will be pleased to know that there are old favourites that taste exactly the same!

Keen to try something different? The Cheese Guan Yin Ji is a good bet. Traditional Chinese tea with milk, this tea is a refreshing addition to the menu.

Looking  for something that’s both sweet and refreshing? LiHo has a range of Lemon & Vitagen beverages. The crowd-pleaser, Fresh Lemon Juice Honey, is tagged at $2.90 for a medium-sized cup and the array of Vitagen beverages go for $3.60 – $4.50.

New Packaging 

Another change we were pretty psyched about was their new packaging. LiHo has given the old bubble tea cup–complete with its plastic sheet cover–an upgrade. Firm, reusable plastic containers with plastic lids are what your LiHo bubble teas will come in. Not only is it a sleeker option, the lid lets you choose between sipping from the cup or drinking from a straw!

LiHo’s plastic cups are re-usable so we foresee our kitchens filling up with empty LiHo cups!

Price Points 

The classic milk teas at LiHo will set you back between $2.80 – $3.50 for a medium sized cup and $3.80 – $4.50 for a large cup. Cheese smoothie drinks come in a standard large and will set you back a jaw-dropping $6.90!

While the serving is generous, the price tag is pretty steep for bubble tea. That said, most of the large-sized drinks will cost you under $5. (Phew!)

Price-wise, add-ons like custard pudding and Nata de Coco are comparable to other bubble tea spots, with only the cheese froth setting you back $2.

Out With Old And In With The New 

In all, the new LiHo has a more ‘atas’ vibe, with its sleeker, higher quality cups and lids. They definitely have the novelty factor with their cheese flavoured drinks. Their drink selection is also significantly smaller, at 2/3 the size of Gong Cha’s. The price point is also higher, which is a big deterrent for us long-time lovers of Gong Cha.

With Gong Cha stores still open from now till 5 June, you’ll want to make sure you get as much Gong Cha in before they disappear across the country!

Want to try LiHo for yourself? Head to their outlets at Bedok Mall, Bugis+, Bukit Merah Central and Tiong Bahru. While we were lucky enough to avoid long queues when we headed down, we can’t guarantee the wait time will stay short once word gets out!

Also read, 8 Instagram-Worthy Drinks That Will Have Your Followers Spamming The Like Button

7 Super Fun Snapchat Geofilters You Can Unlock In Singapore!

Every time I take a snap, I find myself swiping left and right to find geofilters.

Because let’s face it- Snapchat’s geofilters give our pictures an extra oomph!

For those of you wondering what geofilters are, they are special overlays for Snaps that can only be accessed in certain locations.

Here’s a look at 7 Snapchat geofilters you can find on our sunny island!

1. Greetings from SINGAPORE

Unlocked at: Anywhere in Singapore

2. Marina Bay Skyline

Unlocked at: Anywhere in Singapore

3. Sands Sky Park Observation Deck

Unlocked at: Anywhere in Singapore

4. SIN Stamp

Unlocked at: Changi Airport

5. Orchard Road

Unlocked at: Orchard, Somerset, and Dhoby Ghaut

6. Singapore River

Unlocked at: Raffles Place and Clarke Quay

7. Bugis

Unlocked at: Bugis and Rochor

Bonus: Special Events

Sometimes, Snapchat celebrates with us during special events by releasing geofilters for a limited time!

Available during: 9 August 2015

Bonus: FASS

Unlocked at: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore

The Geofilter How-to

For iPhone users, go to your ‘Settings’ > ‘Privacy’ > ‘Location Services’.

Make sure to toggle your location services ‘ON’.

Scroll down the list to find ‘Snapchat’

and grant the app location access.

In the Snapchat app, go to ‘Settings’ and ‘Manage’,

turn your filters on,

and you’re done!

Happy snapping!! Did you find any other location filters? Share them with us in the comments below.