Tag: cafe

The Workbench Bistro @ AMK: More Than Just Waffles ‘Cos Their Mains Do Not Disappoint!

The Workbench Bistro is a hip contemporary cafe nestled under a block of HBD flats in the quiet neighbourhood of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, just behind Christ the King church.

Serving up mains, a host of drinks including artisan ciders, dessert and even breakfast items, the café oozes simplicity and a homely, warm, and cosy charm.

The Workbench Bistro: Food

The café is small in size, but big on food.

The ice cream here is supplied from local brand Bing Bing while their food creations are a fusion of western and Singaporean flavours.

The Workbench Bistro takes pride in the presentation of their dishes! All are super picture worthy.

Salted egg chicken wings

The salted egg chicken wings ($12.90) was as delectable as it could get!

They were super generous with the salted egg sauce. The sauce wasn’t overpowering, and it was just right – creamy and flavourful.

Egg lava beef burger

Next up was the egg lava beef burger ($16.90). The beef patty comes in the shape of a donut with the half boiled egg positioned inside.

The burger is then topped with crispy grilled bacon and cheese.

When you cut the burger open, the yolk flows out nicely, hence the name egg lava. There were plenty of herbs infused into the meat. If you love your meat with a herby taste, you’d love this.

All the burgers are served with freshly made brioche buns and paprika fries!

Crab meat linguine

The crab meat linguine ($15.90) was our favorite main, the dish was very refreshing. Here’s what our ambassador, Ruth, had to say!

The lumpy, jumbo crab meat was more than sufficient and the pasta itself was cooked to perfection – Al dente!

The sauce is a mixture of white wine and light tomato cream sauce. Surprisingly, it was delicate and light. We didn’t feel gelat at all! Could totally eat this forever.

We also had their signature truffle fries ($9.90), which smelled heavenly, and their iced chocolate ($5.50) and the iced green tea latte ($6.00), which were served in pretty mason jars.

The Workbench Bistro: Dessert

Finally came the behemoth that is the s’moreffles supreme ($29.90).

By the time we reached this part of the meal, we had to ask the chefs if they could just give us 2 instead of 3 waffles, which they did so with a smile.

The waffles were dark red and green. As a dish together, it certainly provided the wow factor. It looked impressive and tasted even better – the perfect guilty indulgence!

It was a tad sweet, and should definitely be shared.

Our Verdict?

The café itself was very comfortable. We were there for almost 2 hours and did not feel unwelcome at any point of time. The service was prompt and food was served at a brisk pace upon ordering.

With a cosy, rustic interior and reasonable prices (they do not add any service taxes or GST!), this café is definitely worth a visit!

The Workbench Bistro
Address: 332 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, #01-1881, 560332
Opening Hours: 12:00PM to 10PM (Mon-Thurs), 12:00PM to 11:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM to 11:00PM (Sat), 10:00AM to 10:00PM (Sun)
Phone: 6452 0810

This was an invited tasting session.

Also, read BAKE Cheese Tart Continues Singapore Invasion With Its Second Outlet In Westgate Mall!

Enjoy 1-for-1 Coffee At These Cafes Because It’s National Coffee Day!

Coffee-lovers out there, listen up! National Coffee Day is back for its third consecutive year!

You can look forward to some really delicious deals and events in town. Here’s what you can expect this week:

1-for-1 coffee deals

In celebration of National Coffee Day, 14 cafés will be participating in a 1-for-1 coffee deal from 3PM to 5PM on 29 September, so don’t forget to grab a friend!

Flash this image for 1-1 coffee. Image Credit: The 14 participating cafés:

Read more, and stand a chance to win a KopiPass here: Attention Coffee Lovers: Here’s Your Chance To Savour 30 Cups Of Coffee At Only $30!

Deliveroo Giveaway

Espressyo-self with Deliveroo and stand a chance to win the NESCAFÉ Barista and NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto MINI ME coffee machines when you order from 21-30 September.

Image Credits: Deliveroo Facebook

 There’re only 10 sets to be won, so click

Image Credits: Dutch Colony Coffee Co. Facebook

With all these deals coming your way, it seems like there’s really something to look forward to, doesn’t it?

Of course, we’ll be updating this page should more deals surface, and if you got lobang, please don’t hesitate to contact us ASAP!

Stay tuned for more, and here’s to a delicious National Kopi Day!

Also, read Mai Tu Liao! Up Your Cafe Game And Visit Sin Lee Foods For Some Sinfully Good Food!

Header image credits:

Mai Tu Liao! Up Your Cafe Game And Visit Sin Lee Foods For Some Sinfully Good Food!

Sick of the same old cafe food at your typical neighbourhood cafe? Drop by Sin Lee Foods and tuck into unique creations for some sinfully good food!

The ambience

Located in the tranquil neighbourhood of Bukit Ho Swee, Sin Lee Foods was converted from an old coffeeshop. Its original name and signboard remains!

Choose between al fresco dining under a sheltered pavilion or head indoors for respite from the afternoon heat.

Decked in wood, metal and red bricks, the cosy interior space exuded a rustic and homey feel.

We sat at the bar table outside and really enjoyed the peaceful estate and environment Sin Lee was situated in.

The ambience, especially with the overhanging lights, gave off a warm and cosy comfort that immediately drew us to the place.

The food

You won’t find your usual egg benedict at Sin Lee Foods, but you’ll surely devour awesome food and beverages. With the owners being trained in Guy Savoy and Les Amis, they sure know flavours well.

Aburi Mentaiko Burger ($14)

We particularly enjoyed the Salted Egg Yolk Fries and the re-introducd Aburi Mentaiko Burger. The savoury creamy housemade mentaiko sauce made it taste so good!

The torched aburi pork shoulder was tender, lathered with the sauce, and topped with a gorgeous amount of salmon roe. All the flavours went well together!

Prepare to get your hands dirty and dig in to this delicious burger.

Besides the Salted Egg Yolk fries and the re-introducd Aburi Mentaiko Burger, here are other items on the menu you should try!

Chirashi Rice Bowl ($14)

All those sashimi and tuna lovers, hands up!

Fresh tuna and salmon, fish roe, spring onion, and black sesame seeds are served atop rice. This dish is definitely for those who love salmon and tuna sashimi.

Yakiniku Beef Bowl ($14)

There you go! Who’s ready for some awesome good food?

Thumbs up to Sin Lee Foods for its constant innovation and take on cafe food. Sin Lee Foods is indeed satisfying and definitely worth future visits.

Not the easiest to get to, so get your GPS out and track down this unique cafe at Tiong Bahru!

You can get a 10% discount at Sin Lee Foods with HollerOut. Read here for details!

Sin Lee Foods
Address: Blk 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-164, Singapore 162004
Contact: 6377 3170
Opening Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-9pm; Sat 9.30am-9pm; Sun 9.30am-6pm; PH 11:30am-6pm. Closed on Mon
Official Website: 5 Local Bakers With Cake Creations So Pretty, You’ll Give Everyone Else #CakeEnvy

9 New Desserts So Wacky, You Need To Try Them At Least Once!

Desserts are sinful because they pile excess calories on you and make you fat. Hence, you’ve been trying to shun these sweet “harmful” delights because you seriously need to diet.

But wait, desserts is STRESSED spelled backwards. With so much stress everyday, surely you need some relief from it all? After all, a bite into your favourite dessert will make you happy.

Check out these top 9 best new desserts that are not only very instagrammable, but also amazingly delish. They’re so incredibly tempting, you just have to shelf your diet plans till you try them all!

TOWN/ CENTRAL

1. Matchaya

Singaporeans love Japanese matcha and hence, the number of matcha-themed cafes proliferate. Operating as a pop-up concept store previously, Matchaya now occupies an oh-so-Japanese wooden shopfront at Icon Village.

Riding on the success of their matcha and houjicha milk teas, Matchaya has recently introduced the uber-pretty Cha Cha Pop to its desserts menu. This Magnum lookalike popiscle is first dipped in black honey and houjicha feuilletine, followed by a matcha dip topped with toasted sesame. Every bite of the popiscle is not just crunchy, but also heavenly!

Matchaya
Address: 12 Gopeng Street #01-72 Icon Village
Open: 9 am to 9 pm (Mon to Fri); 10 am to 7 pm (Sat to Sun)
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/matchayasg

2. Niceday Taiwan Snow & Grass Jelly Desserts

No, I’m not recommending you any Korean Bingsu. I know you’ve seen enough of the Kimchi-Land dessert.

This lovely Purple Sweet Potato Milky Snow Mountain is the proud creation of Niceday Taiwan Snow & Grass Jelly Desserts. The base is made using silky smooth grass jelly all the way from Taiwan, covered with a mountain of fluffy ice shavings and chewy balls.

Imagine yourself in Taipei as you enjoy the pleasant bowl of dessert. Notice a small bowl of Taro Q mix and mochi balls in a separate bowl? Add in the balls to your dessert when you wish, otherwise the balls may become stiff in the icy bowl if they are put together.

So thoughtful of the owner to make sure the dessert is served in the best condition!

Niceday Taiwan Snow & Grass Jelly Desserts
Address: 302 Tiong Bahru Road #02-111A Tiong Bahru Plaza (Food Street)
Open: 11 am to 10.30 pm
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/NicedayDessert/

3. Sugar Lips

Sugar Lips the latest addition to the myriad of dessert cafes in Singapore. In fact, they are currently in their soft launch opening week 1-for-1 promotion from 9 to 16 September.

Enjoy the visual feast of the gorgeous dessert platters, and sink your teeth into sweet favourites such as Rainbow Fantasy and Chocolate Seduction Truffle Cake. Life’s short, so eat dessert first and enjoy. 🙂

Sugar Lips
Address: 277 Orchard Road #02-01, Orchard Gateway
Open: 11 am to 10 pm
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/eatsugarlips

4. Meet & Melt

*NEW* Curry Lava Toast

*NEW* Mentaiko Lava Toast

Who says desserts can only be sweet? Visit Meet & Melt and you will be delighted to find novel savoury creations of their toasts. Previously located in ulu Tampines, they have just opened a second outlet near Somerset MRT at *SCAPE.

To celebrate their new outlet opening, the folks at Meet & Melt have introduced 2 new desserts – the Curry Lava Toast, as well as the Mentaiko Lava Toast!

Singaporeans love their curry with bread, and the Curry Lava Toast is an amazingly yummy delight you can eat anytime of the day. The Mentaiko Lava Toast is another remarkable creation that not only smells delicious, but also tastes great with the Sea Salt Gula Melaka ice cream. We wonder why no one thought about such divine concoctions earlier!

Meet & Melt
Address: 2 Orchard Link #02-33/34, *SCAPE; Blk 915 Tampines St 91 #01-49
Open: 1 pm to 10 pm (*SCAPE outlet); 2 pm to 10 pm (Tampines outlet)
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/meetandmelt

5. Epicurious Cafe

First it was rainbow cake making the Insta-rounds. Then earlier in the year, videos of rainbow-coloured cheeses stretching in various postures went viral, thanks to Kala Toast in Hong Kong. And now, our own Epicurious Cafe has also created the first Rainbow Cheese Toastie in Singapore.

The rainbow is made up of 5 different colours and flavours: Pink (beetroot), Orange (carrot), Green (Spinach), Blue (potato and garlic with butterfly pea) and Violet (eggplant and red cabbage).

Great to know that it’s made using natural ingredients and minimal colouring. At least we can eat this appealing cheese toastie at ease! Have fun stretching your rainbow for the best shots before you tuck in to the crispy and buttery toast!

Epicurious Cafe
Address: 81 Clemenceau Ave #01-13 UE Square Shopping Mall
Open: Lunch – 11.30 am to 2.30 pm (Tue to Fri), Dinner – 6 pm to 10 pm (Tue to Sun), Brunch – 9 am to 5 pm (Weekend/ Public Holiday)
Official website: 

Located in a shop unit of the first floor in the old commercial Sultan Plaza building, The Pound‘s classier decor makes it stand out from the rest of the shops. The Pound is a small cafe specializing in premium Dutch Iced Coffees and homemade cakes. Unlike other Korean-owned cafes, they do not sell the Korean Bingsu.

What you will find here is roll cakes that look so delicately tasteful. Leave some stomach space after a satisfying kopitiam meal nearby for their Earl Grey Roll Cake. Light with a chiffon-like texture, the earl grey flavour was subtle and a perfect dessert for a complete meal.

The Pound
Address: 100 Jalan Sultan, #01-17B Sultan Plaza
Open: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm (Mon to Sat)

HEARTLANDS

7. Birds Of Paradise Gelato Boutique

Located opposite the Roxy Square, Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique is a sleek and tastefully furbished boutique in a restored shophouse along East Coast Road. The unique point of Birds Of Paradise lies in its 9 gelato flavours inspired by botanical flavours.

Think fruits, flowers, pods, herbs, and spices. Instead of your usual chocolate and strawberry flavours, get the garden taste on their special homemade thyme ice cream cones! Exquisite flavours include Basil, Lychee Raspberry, Spiced Pear, Mint Cacao, Strawberry Basil, Pandan and White Chrysanthemum.

Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique
Address: 63 East Coast Road #01-05
Open: 4.30 pm to 10 pm (Tue to Fri), 12 pm to 10 pm (Sat to Sun)
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/bopgelato/

8. KOOKS Creamery

KOOKS Creamery is not just your ordinary ice cream cafe in the heartlands. They specialise in molten lava cookies (or KOOKS as the folks call them) and ice cream.

KOOKS may be just a small cosy 20-seater cafe, but they whip up a total of 18 ice cream flavours. Some of the unique flavours include Lemon Curd, Milk Cereal, Nougat and Brown Butter.

Top the smooth and creamy ice cream on the thin yet crispy lava cookie, and ta-da! Here’s your oozing sweet Molten Lava Kooks treat!

KOOKS Creamery
Address: 211 Serangoon Ave 4 #01-02
Open: 12 pm to 10 pm (Tue to Thu, Sun), 12 pm to 11 pm (Fri to Sat)
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/kookscreamery/

9. The Workbench Bistro

*NEW* Red & Blue Velvet S’morffles

*NEW* Purple Japanese Sweet Potato Waffles

Located in a quiet part of Ang Mo Kio at least 10 minutes’ walk away from the MRT, The Workbench Bistro (TWB) is an unassuming neighbourhood cafe that has recently gone through a menu overhaul. Its latest original dessert creation – the Blue & Red Velvet S’moreffles seems to be flooding all the Instagram feeds.

In case you still do not know what s’moreffles is, it’s actually s’mores baked in waffles. How cool and sinful is that?! Sandwiched between two quarters of the crisp waffles are melted fluffy marshallows, drizzled with graham cracker crumbs within the waffles. Topped with big scoop of ice cream and generous chocolate sauce, this insanely awesome dessert is worth every penny and calorie!

As if the Blue & Red Velvet S’moreffles isn’t sinful enough, TWB has also introduced another irresistible dessert to their menu – the Purple Japanese Sweet Potato Waffles.

This pretty waffles is made using fresh purple sweet potato with no additional colourings. Savour the sweet potato bits in this yummy waffles drizzled with homemade Gula Melaka sauce and topped with ice cream. Don’t count the carbs, just enjoy first!

The Workbench Bistro
Address: Blk 332 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 #01-1881
Open: 12 pm to 10 pm (Mon to Thu), 12 pm to 11 pm (Fri), 10 am to 11 pm (Sat) and 10 am to 10 pm (Sun)
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/theworkbenchbistro/

Don’t you agree these 9 new dessert creations are so tempting and irresistible? Not only do they look wonderful on the pictures, they are also incredibly palatable!

Don’t just drool over your phone, iPad or laptop. Make a move to these cool cafes right now to taste the real stuff. You can always resume your diet plan after you have try them all!

Also, read K.F Seetoh Is Bringing Singaporean Favourites To A Brand New Destination – Manila!

Header image credit: Danielfooddiary.com

16 Insanely Awesome Eats In Yishun That You’ll Brave The MRT Red Line For

Yishun is probably not one of the first few places we’ll think of when we wanna look for great yummy food in Singapore. But don’t dismiss this new town up north quickly as a pathetic and boring place for foodies yet.

Let the hidden yummy food in Yishun make you relook at this suburban neighbourhood. Read on to discover the top 16 yummylicious all time best eats and new eats so good, you wish you could have them now!

All Time Best Eats

1. Hojiak Black & White Rojak

As the name of this stall implies, they sell real “ho-jiak” (“delicious” in Hokkien) rojak, a popular local delight.

Hojiak Black & White Rojak has been faithfully serving the palatable delight to residents around Khatib MRT for a long time. While it has moved from one coffee shop to another within the same neighbourhood, it is always strategically located next to the drinks stall.

Rojak served with the black shrimp paste (“hae ko”) is considered a sinfully unhealthy food. But who can resist the plate of crisp tofu and dough fritters, with crunchy cucumber and turnip slices drizzled with lots of diced peanuts? I can’t!

If you prefer a healthier version, try the white rojak which is served with sour plum sauce, a refreshing tangy taste that is equally yummy too!

Hojiak Black & White Rojak
Address: Blk 846 Yishun Ring Road
Open: 1.30 pm till sold out
Price: From $3

2. Yishun 925 Hainanese Chicken Rice

Shami Banana Leaf Delights is a popular Indian food stall that started operations at Northpoint Shopping Centre food court since 1993. There were crazy queues in front of the stall during meal times back in the good old days.

Their signature dish has to be the nasi briyani set that comes with flavourful meat served on fluffy briyani rice. With the expansion of 2 outlets at Food Republic Causeway Point and Sembawang Road, it’s now more convenient to get your briyani fix!

Shami Banana Leaf Delights
Address:
Northpoint Shopping Centre, 930 Yishun Ave 2 #B2-10;
349 Sembawang Road;
Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square #04-01
Open: 10 am to 10 pm (Northpoint & Causeway Point); 7 am to 10 pm (Sembawang Road)
Price: $7 for the chicken briyani set

4. Chuan Kee Braised Duck Rice

Enough of chicken, folks in Yishun love duck meat too! And so, we love Chuan Kee Braised Duck Rice in Chong Pang Food Centre. The boneless braised duck meat here comes in a generous serving doused with thick dark gravy, accompanied by slices of soft braised tofu and flavourful peanuts.

No wonder there is always a queue at the stall!

Chuan Kee Braised Duck Rice
Address: Chong Pang Food Centre, 105 Yishun Ring Road, #01-159
Open: Tue to Sun 10 am to 8 pm
Price: From $3

5. 928 Yishun Laksa

Yet another perennial favourite of the northlanders, Chong Pang Nasi Lemak started as a humble stall in the Chong Pang Village Hawker Centre in 1973. Over the years, it has gained such a huge following with its freshly cooked dishes that it has since relocated to a coffee shop along Sembawang Road to cater to a larger crowd.

The coconut rice is aromatic but not overpowering. Popular dishes include the specially marinated chicken wings fried to perfection, spicy long beans and sambal brinjal. For a really satisfying meal with a kick, don’t forget to add their signature chilli sauce!

Chong Pang Nasi Lemak
Address: 447 Sembawang Road
Open: 5 pm to 7 am the following day
Price: varies based on the dishes you order
Official website:  Image Credit: Johor Kaki[/caption]

Also found in Chong Pang Food Centre, Xiang Xiang Fishball Noodles is one of my favourite comfort food. This is a familiar name to many of those who grew up in the old kampung days in Nee Soon.

As one of the rare hawker stalls that still serves food to your table, Xiang Xiang’s fishballs are big and springy, made with fresh yellowtail fish or ikan parang. Try the dry spicy version for a savoury bowl of noodles tossed with a generous mix of lard, chilli paste and soy sauce. The accompanying soup is lightly flavoured with “chye poh” (preserved turnip) which adds to the fragrance!

Xiang Xiang Fishball Noodles
Address: Chong Pang Food Centre, 105 Yishun Ring Road, #01-177
Open: Tue to Sun 6 am to 4 pm
Price: $3 (small), $3.50 (big)

8. 618 Sim Carrot Cake

Nestled within the quiet Nee Soon South district at Fujo Eating House, 618 Sim Carrot Cake is the place to satisfy your cravings early in the morning! Located about 10 min away from Khatib MRT station, count your lucky stars if you manage to tuck into a yummy plate of fried radish cake mixed with a plentiful amount of “chye poh”.

On weekdays till 9.30 am, you can ask for either black (fried in dark sweet sauce) or white carrot cake. However, only the white carrot cake is available on weekends. Be prepared to wait around 10 minutes or so on weekdays, and up to 30 minutes on weekends!

618 Sim Carrot Cake
Address: Fujo Eating House, Blk 618 Yishun Ring Road #01-3230
Open: Wed to Sun 6.30 am to 3 pm. Closed on Tue
Price: From $2.80

9. Heng Hua Restaurant

Do you know that there is a Heng Hua Restaurant tucked in a quiet corner of Yishun, serving heartwarming Fujian Henghua cuisine? It is a homely zi-char style eating house serving a variety of authentic dishes at reasonable prices. Classic dishes include the Heng Hua Style Lor Mee and Fried Bee Hoon. Who needs Putien when we have such a nice cosy eatery in Yishun?

Heng Hua Restaurant
Address: Blk 748 Yishun Street 72 #01-212
Open: 11 am to 11 pm
Price: From $4.50

10. Bei Sheng Taste of Thailand Restaurant

For a taste of Thailand, Yishun residents can find comfort at Bei Sheng Taste of Thailand Restaurant in Chong Pang City. Tuck into your favourite zi-char dishes with Thai influence. A must-have at this restaurant is the Tom Yam Soup, with plenty of seafood cooked in the aromatic broth. As its name implies, enjoy a variety of fresh and yummy seafood here, such as the signature Thai Deep Fried Fish Delight.

There’s also another outlet, Taste of Thailand, run by the same family, at 1001 Yishun Industrial Park A.

Bei Sheng Taste of Thailand Restaurant
Address: Blk 701A Yishun Ave 5 #01-01, 1001 Yishun Industrial Park A, 18 Sin Ming Lane (new outlet)
Open: 11.30 am to 2 pm (lunch) and 5.30 pm to 10 pm (dinner)
Price: From $4

11. Zi Zai Vegetarian

Vegetarians in Yishun are not left out. Zi Zai Vegetarian is a popular vegetarian eatery in the community. With a myriad of vegetarian dishes available, you’ll never be done trying them all! Must-try dishes include the signature crispy yam ring filled with lots of yam, cereal vegetarian prawns and claypot tofu. If you think vegetarian food is boring, you haven’t been to Zi Zai Vegetarian!

Zi Zai Vegetarian
Address: 236 Yishun Ring Rd #01-1000
Open: 7.30 am to 9.30 pm
Price: From $3

12. Jing Ma Che (H.K) Roasted Porridge Noodle House

Jin Ma Che (H.K) Roasted Porridge Noodle House is another mean foodie place where you can satisfy your craving for roast meat delights. Strategically located opposite Chong Pang Camp, be prepared to fight with army personnel for your steaming plate of fragrant rice topped with thick cuts of roasted meat.

What sets this apart from other roast meat stalls in Yishun is its rich and flavourful sauce. Their porridge, only available on weekend mornings, is worth the wait too. Try some yourself and you will know what I mean!

Jin Ma Che (H.K) Roasted Porridge Noodle House
Address: 101 Yishun Ave 5
Open: 7.30 am to 8.00 pm
Price: From $4

New Eats

13. The French Table

Yishun not only has yummy hawker delights to boast of, we are also able to savour cool French cuisine at The French Table. Sink your teeth into traditional French dishes like their signature Duck Confit, and Roasted Chicken. The best part of the deal, this casual dining restaurant is wallet friendly!

The French Table
Address: Northpoint Shopping Centre, 930 Yishun Ave 2 #01-44
Open: 10.30 am to 10.30 pm
Official website:  Credit: Image Credit: The Moose[/caption]

Coba Coba is a retro-looking cafe tucked in a quiet corner of a HDB block that serves traditional Nasi Padang. Tuck into favourite dishes such as Terung and Sayur Lodeh that taste just like homecooked food. No worries about the meal burning a big hole in your pocket though. A great meal with drink costs less than $10 in such a cosy ambience!

We recommend choosing your own sides as compared to ordering the Nasi Ambeng.

Coba Coba
Address: 156 Yishun Street 11 #01-106
Open: 7.00 am to 9.00 pm
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/cobacobasg/

16. Nakhon Kitchen

Nakhon Kitchen is a popular casual Thai eatery that started in the Kovan neighbourhood. Since last year, Yishun residents need not travel all the way to northeast Singapore just for a taste of authentic Thai food at wallet-friendly prices. Hooray!

Satisfy your Thai cravings with Nakhon’s affordable and quality eats. Best part of the deal? No GST and service charge to be paid here!

Nakhon Kitchen
Address: 233 Yishun Street 21 #01-03
Open: 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm (Lunch); 5.30 pm to 10.00 pm (Dinner). Closed on Wednesdays.

Instead of drooling over mouth-watering images of these yummylicious Yishun eats, make a move up north! Don’t just envy us northlanders. Discover these best food yourself for a satisfying culinary experience. Enjoy 🙂

Also, read 7 Insanely Cool Places To Chill At In Yishun That You’ve Not Heard Of

8 Kampong Glam Places For Cool Vibes, Best Drinks, And Music That Will Soothe Your Soul

1. Going Om

Decent dive bars are hard to come by, yet Going Om ticks all the criteria of a good bar on our list. Tucked in the eclectic Haji lane, this bar brings a homely and cosy atmosphere. You can sit on little stools with small tables and listen to great live music. Chill at this bar and enjoy the relaxed vibes. This hidden gem is definitely a good getaway from the busy city life.

Drink prices here are pretty decent with a daily happy hour from 5pm to 9pm and house pours from $8.

63 Haji Ln, Singapore 189256
Tel: 65 6396 3592
Opening Hours: Tue-Thu 530pm-1am, Fri 5.30pm-3am, Sat 3.30pm-3am, Sun 3.30pm-1am (Closed on Mon)

Unwind and relax while you listen to live band performances at Blu Jaz Cafe. This cafe is a bohemian-style pub that has pretty cool interiors and a laid back feel. Set up in a restored shophouse along Bali Lane, Blu Jaz features authentic live jazz, resident DJs and comedy sessions. While the 1st floor usually plays host to local Jazz and Funk banks, the 2nd floor is frequently taken up by local DJs playing 90s Hip Hop to Reggae. On its top floor, expect a quieter lounge catering to their frequent spoken word and poetry performances by local troops.

Whether you are looking for an intimate cosy corner, or prefer outdoor seatings at the courtyard, this place provides it all. Blu Jaz has an extensive menu which features bar snacks to Western comfort food, Asian local delights, and a large selection of beers, spirits and cocktails.

 11 Bali Lane, Singapore 189848
Tel: 65 6292 3800
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-1am, Fri-Sat 3pm-2am (Closed on Sun)

Chill the night away with authentic Mexican food at Piedra Negra. Opened by the same management at Blu Jaz, Piedra Negra serves up delightful Mexican food in an affordable casual dining style. Covered in colourful murals with eclectic pieces of furniture, this place is hard to miss.

Don’t worry about getting a seat here. The restaurant is pretty big and there are tables that are built in as part of the walls that can be unfolded out. Head in if you prefer relaxing in its plush cushioned bar stools casted in soft dim lights with Mexican music playing in the background.

Piedra Negra
Address: 241 Beach Road, Singapore 189753
Tel: 65 6291 1297
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-1am

4. Bar Stories

Located on the 2nd floor of a shophouse, Bar Stories is a quirky little bar. Don’t expect to refer to a drinks list, there is no menu. Every drink here is crafted by a team of mixologists who will bring out the best flavours. As this swanky spot gets a little packed in the evenings, it is recommended that you make a reservation before you make your way down.

Bar Stories
Address: 55/57A Haji Lane, Singapore 189248
Tel: 65 6298 0838
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 3pm – 1am, Fri-Sat 3pm – 2am, Sun 3pm-1am

5. Maison Ikkoku

If you’re looking for a great brunch on a weekend, drop by this quaint little cafe. Exposed brick walls, old furniture and bare bulbs light the cafe with its industrial-retro interior. Maison Ikkoku serves up quite a good range of brunch items and is famous for their quality coffee.

While the 1st floor of the shophouse houses a cosy cafe, its 2nd floor is a cocktail bar by night. Head up to its cosy bar after a good meal at the cafe. Select from the menu of cocktails or simply let the bartenders serve you a cocktail specially catered to your taste buds. With the recent trend of mixology bar openings, this bar is a cut above the rest and is sure to leave you refreshed after a drink or two!

Tel: 65 6294 0078
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-7pm

Tel: 65 6294 0078
Opening Hours: Sun-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat 4pm-2am

If you’re looking for a chill out spot with good coffee, Working Title is the place to go. This cafe is connected to the hostel right above. It has a relaxed, slightly hipster, and indie vibe, with an eclectic choice of furniture that was collected from preloved stores. Pop in for a relaxing time with a friend or with your laptop after the long afternoon exploring the area around Arab Street and Haji Lane. If you’re looking for some extra peace with free wi-fi and sockets, you’ll find an unexpected light and breezy outdoor area to get some work done. The backyard space of the cafe also hosts musical performances at times.

Check out their wide variety of food
Tel: 65 6295 5509
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm

7. The Lab

As you can tell by their name, The Lab is all about experimenting and trying new things especially when it comes to food. Designed somewhat like an underground laboratory, with assorted lab equipments and copper pipes running down their walls, this cafe is a sight to behold.

The Lab serves up a mixture of experimental Western and European cuisine. You’ll find food from cuisines such as Dutch, Hungarian and Russian on the menu. When you’re here, do try their interesting drinks which are served in beakers and syringes of syrup or coffee.

The Lab
Address: 1 Jalan Pisang #01-01,Singapore 199069
Tel: 65 6299 5681
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 1230pm-10pm, Sun 1pm-930pm

8. I AM Cafe

Located at the junction of North Bridge Road and Haji Lane, I AM cafe is inspired by the city of Amsterdam. Halal Certified and opened by 3 Muslim friends, this cafe is an open space concept which serves hearty sandwiches, burgers, pastas and pizzas. One of the must try dishes on their dessert menu is the Rainbow Mille Crepe and Red Velvet Cake baked by one of the owners’ mothers. If your definition of a good chill out place includes good cakes and drinks or a comforting lunch, I AM Cafe is the place to visit!

Do note that this cafe doesn’t take reservations so do drop by early to snag your seats!

I AM Cafe
Address: 674 North Bridge Road #01-01, off Haji Lane, Singapore 188804
Tel: 65 6295 5509
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 1130am-11pm, Fri-Sat 1130am-1am, Sun 1130am-10pm

Awed by all the bohemian vibes and cosy atmosphere at the Kampong Glam district? If your definition of a good chill out place includes good music, delightful desserts or a good meal, be sure to make your way down this weekend to explore the Kampong Glam area!

(Header image by expatliving, edited by writer)

Also read: Beerfest Asia 2016 – Bottoms Up To Your Favourite Beers & More!

10 Food In Bukit Merah So Good That They’ll Make You Weep Tears Of Joy

We’ve always harbored the assumption that Bukit Merah was a ghost town with little or nothing to offer. We had no idea what started it but my oh my, how foolish we were. Turns out, Bukit Merah is home to so many great places that offer quality food.

With this, Discover SG has completed yet another food listicle that takes you on a foodgasmic tour of the best spots to grab an affordable meal (under $15) at Bukit Merah.

1. Tian Tian Curry Rice

It’s hard to walk by Tian Tian without passing a look at all its endorsements displayed at the stall front. Boasting at least 6 different types of curries to suit your palate, enjoy a collision of sweet and savoury gravies together with your standard cai fan fare.

Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Address: #01-253, Blk 116, Bukit Merah View, S 151116
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 10pm
Tel: 9109 6732

2. Wow Wow West

Aside from generous portions at bargain prices, this Western food stall has a unique story. Ex-owner Eric is part of the Yellow Ribbon Project and he hires ex-convicts to run his stall. So yea, the food here is prepared by people with criminal records. But as the saying goes: don’t judge by a book by its cover, because the food here is fantastic.

Wow Wow West
Address: #01-133, ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 150006
Opening Hours: Tues – Sat: 10.30am – 7.30pm
Tel: 9380 8571

3. Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake

Meh, what’s so special about carrot cake? Don’t they all taste the same? Well, this 60+ year old stall nestled in the heart of Bukit Merah is probably the last of its kind in Singapore that serves true blue carrot cake. What we mean is, they actually mill their own rice to make the fried radish cake we all so fondly love. That’s maybe why they taste so much better.

Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake
Address: #01-279, Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre, 115 Bukit Merah View, S 151115
Opening Hours: Daily: 7am – 2pm; 6pm – 1am
Tel: –

4. Yan Fried Bee Hoon

Remember when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was photographed queuing for chicken wings? Yup, this is the one! Don’t be deceived by the stall’s ordinary exterior. It may seem like any other typical Nasi Lemak stall, but beneath the façade is one of the juiciest, crispiest, and finger-licking chicken wings you can find at a hawker centre. PM Lee approves!

Yan Fried Bee Hoon
Address: #01-09, Redhill Food Centre, 85 Redhill Lane, S 150085
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 3pm – 10pm
Tel: –

5. Stew Küche

Pronounced Ku-Shay, not Ku-chi, this German (yes, German!!!) food joint is a Bukit Merah gem at the very hip and atas coffee-shop Salut. Served with authentic German flair, some dishes are approaching the expensive threshold. But still, it is really affordable compared to other German food joints like Brotzeit.

Stew Küche
Address: #01-40, Salut Coffeeshop, 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 151119
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 11.30am – 3pm; 5.30pm – 10pm
Tel: 6276 6445

6. Keng Eng Kee Seafood

Award-winning Keng Eng Kee is a specialist seafood eatery serving local zi char dishes. Most patrons go in groups to bask in the joys of eating a cooked crustacean together. Not to worry though, they also serve meal-sized dishes such as the fan-favourite Moonlight Hor Fun (why moonlight? Check out the picture, no explanation needed!)

Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Address: #01-136, 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 150124
Opening Hours: Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm; 5pm – 10pm
Tel: 6272 1038

7. Joe’s Kitchen

With a name like Joe, you’d probably expect the owner to be a Singaporean. But nope, Thai blood runs in his veins. So don’t worry that the food about the food being unauthentic. Here you’ll find the mandatory dishes like Green Curry, Phad Thai, Basil Leaf Pork, Tom Yum… we could go on, but we won’t because our tummies are already starting to growl.

Joe’s Kitchen
Address: #01-182, 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 150125
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am -3pm; 5pm – 10pm
Tel: 6270 8484

8. Butterscotch

Heading into café territory now, let’s begin with this Muslim-owned café. As its name suggests, the menu consists of quite a number of butterscotch-infused dishes. Together with aesthetically appealing desserts, they also serve some of the most creative halal mains you can find at the heartlands.

Butterscotch
Address: #01-3625, 164 Bukit Merah Central, S 150164
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 10am – 10pm
Tel: 6271 1164

9. The Bakery Chef

The Bakery Chef is one of the best cafes in Singapore specialising in your favorite baked goods drizzled with your favourite sauces. Making the rounds on Instagram are their picture-perfect desserts that will make you wish you could grab food out of the screen.

The Bakery Chef
Address: #01-3711, 161 Bukit Merah Central, S 150161
Opening Hours:
Tues – Thurs: 10am – 7pm
Fri – Mon: 10am – 9pm
Tel: 6273 9211

10. Pan Delights

The décor is clean, simple, and white. There are beautifully drawn pictures on the wall. That’s Pan Delights for you, a café that serves quality food at reasonably wallet-friendly prices. On weekdays, you can indulge in the pleasure of pasta sets at $12. For food that yummy, it’s daylight robbery!

Pan Delights
Address: #01-3725, 161 Bukit Merah Central, Bukit Merah Estate, S 150161
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 3.30pm; 5.30pm – 9pm
Tel: 6377 4009

Bukit Merah is the undervalued neighbourhood with food so good, even PM Lee approves. Teeming with delicious hawker and cafe favourites, you’ll certainly regret not visiting and trying the food here. If this is already your go-to place for good food, did we miss out anything? Let us know!

Also read: Beerfest Asia 2016 – Bottoms Up To Your Favourite Beers & More!