Tag: foodie

This German Restaurant In Joo Chiat Has Been Serving Handmade Breads And Wursts Since 1988

If you ask me what I know about German cuisine, all I can tell you is sausages, bratwursts, sauerkraut, spätzle and pork knuckles.

And all this is just from memorising Brotzeit’s menu. You would think that the Singapore of old wouldn’t have any room for European cuisine, but that’s where you’re wrong.

Sitting in a quiet corner of Joo Chiat, is Werner’s Oven.

The owner of Werner’s Oven is actually German and considering that I’ve never really had proper German food, I decided to head down to check out the food for myself.

Werner’s Oven

I was a little confused when I stepped into an empty restaurant, save for the one couple sitting near the door, waiting for their food.

The restaurant had a standard seating area, and to the right was where they had the bread and pastries. Being a bread lover, I naturally gravitated towards the display.

Displayed were the different German breads available, from Kraftkorn to Spelt bread, they had it all.

For those who don’t really know how to appreciate sourdough, they have donuts and muffins for sale too.

The artisanal breads were priced from $6 to $7.20 while the donuts and muffins were priced from $2.20 to $3.

After ogling at the different bread and pastries, I chose a table, perused the menu and proceeded to the counter where I was recommended a Jägerschnitzel ($26.80) while I added a Beef Goulash ($9.80).

Not going to lie, the food was quite pricey.

The food took a while to arrive, around 10 to 15 minutes. It’s probably because the food is only prepared upon order.

My Jägerschnitzel consists of 3 thick pork escalopes covered generously with mushroom sauce, a side of broccoli and cauliflower, and a large serving of spätzle.

I’m not sure if it’s because I left the Jägerschnitzel out for too long, but the pork became tough and it was still rather gamey. The salvation came with the sides of spätzle, broccoli and cauliflower. I love my vegetables, so no complaints there.

For those of you who don’t know what spätzle is, it’s like a tiny, coarse kind of egg noodle. It’s carbs, basically. In terms of taste, it reminds me of a cross between Mee hoon kueh and french toast. I love it.

The Beef Goulash came in a standard serving; the same size as a “Soup of the Day” at any Western cuisine establishment, though the price was honestly steep for a bowl of soup.

The good thing is, you get your money’s worth of ingredients in that bowl of soup. It was loaded with carrots, celery, and beef.

Now let me just dedicate a tiny paragraph to the humble bun that came with the Beef Goulash. This little guy, blindsided me because I was not expecting this much effort in a bun that comes with soup (looking at you, Soup Spoon).

This bun, came toasted beautifully, and the best part was the butter that melted during the toasting, seeping into the wonderfully baked bread. Honestly, I’d just get the soup for the bun. Though if I had to pay $9.80 for another bowl of soup, I’d rather starve.

The meal left much to be desired, but I’m going to give Werner’s Oven a second chance, since I did go in at a weird timing. I trust that a brand that has been around for so long, can serve food of a better standard.

But one thing that warms my heart here, are the aunties working there. Though it’s a traditional German restaurant, the staff are still very local, conversing in Teochew and Cantonese, then effortlessly switching to English when communicating with customers.

And they’re so nice! It’s like going to Grandma’s for a meal.

All in all, the food here has room for improvement, but the service is great. You can even choose to come in between 2pm to 6pm to play any of the boardgames that they have. Talk about keeping up with the times.

If you’re in the area, do pop in to get their breads because if there’s one food that’s consistent, it’s the bread.

Werner’s Oven
Address: 49 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427773
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 8.30am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6442 3897
Website

Also read Stuff Your Face With Cake At This Bake Sale Pop-Up – Happens Every Weekend Till August

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)

Forget Geylang – This Durian Stall In Punggol Is A Hidden Gem, Serves Everything From D24 To MSW

The thing about us durian lovers is that we’re all slightly crazy.

There’s just something about this thorny, creamy, pungent fruit that sparks a certain obsession in us.

Durian season is back in full swing and we definitely can’t wait to stuff our faces with durians. We recently came across a Durian spot that was set up “For Punggolians, By Punggolians”. Of course we had to check this place out.

Know Your Liu Lian

When we hear Punggol, we only think of BTOs and….Waterway Point? If you’re a hardcore durian fan then you know the best places with old school durian sellers would be in Geylang.

Nonetheless, we headed down to Durian Empire at Punggol Plaza to check what the hype is all about.

We arrived at 7pm but there was already a long queue of Singaporeans waiting for their durians. And just like any typical Singaporean, we joined in the fun because our mothers always say, “Long queue means must be good”.

The queue may seem intimidating but it was constantly moving so you don’t have to worry about waiting in line for too long. They even gave out complimentary bottled water for their customers – 10/10 service.

We met with Martin, one of the founders of Durian Empire to ask him every question we ever wanted to ask a Durian Seller.

1. How do I know if the durian I picked is fresh?

A lot of people assume that watery durians are not good quality durians, but some people prefer this over the more creamier durians. So “freshness” is subjective in a sense.

Sometimes some durians may look good on the outside but the inside may still be underripe. You can also hit the durian to hear if it makes a “hollow” sound.

2. Are the durians that are pre-packed in plastic/styrofoam sold in supermarkets fresh?

I think most Singaporeans don’t really like the packaged ones because of their perception that they’re “low-quality durians”. A lot of my friends have feed-backed that a lot of durian sellers pack the nice looking durians on the first row and the bad ones on the second row.

We want to be honest and have a long term relationship with our customers instead.

3. Do names (D24, Mao Shan Wang, Jin Feng) really matter?

The taste is really different. Taste is really subjective.

Not everyone loves Mao Shan Wang, some prefer XO because of the texture. Last time, I don’t think they got all these different types of durians. Only now, because of the cross-breeds, there’s all these different durians like Black Thorn etc.

4. Is there a sequence to eating durians?

Yes there is. Because of the overwhelming taste, if you taste something too strong and then go for the lighter one afterwards, it will just cover all the flavours and you won’t taste anything at all.

You should eat the lighter ones first and save the stronger ones for last. For example, go for the D13, XO and save the Mao Shan Wang for last.

5. What durian would you recommend for first timers who are intimidated by the taste and smell of this fruit?

D13. This durian is not so overwhelming.

I would compare the D13 durian to cheddar because the taste is milder. The Musang King is like Blue Cheese because it is more flavourful. The Musang King is an acquired taste because not everyone would like the overwhelming flavour.

6. Are you sick of durian yet?

I still enjoy durian a lot. I’m not here every day so I don’t face durians as often as they (his colleagues) do.

I’m still okay, I still enjoy my durian.

The durians sold at Durian Empire are extremely cheap now. Their Mao Shan Wang durians are going for as low as $13/kg and their D13 for $8/kg. If you’re looking for a durian feast with your makan kaki, then this is the perfect place for you.

https://www.facebook.com/durianempiresg/photos/a.680391182164265.1073741828.675783929291657/783596661843716/?type=3&theater

We tried two different MSW, one from JB and the other from Pahang. Both had intense flavours but I prefer the one from Pahang. It had a slight nutty taste to it making it not as jelak as the one from JB.

The Pahang MSW’s flesh was thicker and had a heavier bitterness as compared to the JB MSW which was more watery and had a sharper sweetness to it. We tried their D13 and XO durians as well. Although not as intense as the MSW, they definitely did not lack in flavour.

Their selection of durians are definitely some of the best I’ve had in Singapore. They were smooth, creamy and almost buttery even. The durian instantly melts in your mouth once you eat it.

In other words, you know its a good durian when you go “OOOOOHHH” or “AAAHHH” on your first bite. It was shiok lah.

The durians here are so good that they have customers from Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang coming all the way to Punggol for their durians. Now that’s what you call dedication.

Unfortunately they don’t do delivery but if you’re lucky, you might just be able to reserve some durians for yourself if there’s enough for the walk-in customers as well.

If you’re a durian connoisseur, then you can’t miss out on the best and freshest durians from Durian Empire.

Durian Empire
Address: 168 Punggol Field, Punggol Plaza B1 Atrium, Singapore 820168
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 4:30pm – 11pm, Fri – Sat: 4:30pm – 12:00 am
Website

Also Read Stuff Your Face With Cake At This Bake Sale Pop-Up – Happens Every Weekend Till August

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)

Stuff Your Face With Cake At This Bake Sale Pop-Up – Happens Every Weekend Till August

I love cake. It’s one of the most comforting desserts we’ve ever invented.

Growing up, cake was always something that was only available or bought for birthdays and special occasions. I always envied westerners and their bake sales, where pastries and bakes were made and sold within a community.

Bake sales weren’t a thing in Singapore back then, and till today, it’s still uncommon. But now, my dreams of going to a bake sale is about to come true.

Enter Cake Club.

Cakes, Bakes, And Pastries Galore

Every weekend for the month of July and August (14 July – 26 August 2018), Marina Square Glasshouse will play host to the Cake Club.

Cake Club is a pop-up retail market featuring some of Singapore’s best bakeries and cake shops, and they’re not kidding when they say they brought the best.

In July, Cake Club visitors will be able to find and purchase pastries and cakes from Bloomsbury Bakers, Inthebrickyard, My Sister Bakes, Milk Moons, and more!

August will see the roster shuffle to feature our favourite Edith Patisserie, Boufe Boutique Cafe, Creme Maison Bakery and many more!

That’s not all, you might even find some guest bakeries such as Non Entrée Desserts, who are known for presenting their desserts as savoury dishes, and Konditori, appearing at the Cake Club!

Also, we heard that there’ll be a surprise appearance by a special dessert chef. No clues given at the moment. Hmmm…

For those of you who need something to wash down all that cake, The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. will be serving their freshly brewed signature teas at the Cake Club.

Of course, Cake Club isn’t just a retail market. There will also be workshops for budding bakers to learn a thing or 2 from the pros.

Yume Patisserie will be conducting Buttercream Flower Cream Piping workshop on 11 and 12 August 2018 while Once Upon A Table will have Cookie Painting workshops on 25 and 26 August.

Don’t forget to register for the workshops here.

So, if you’re looking to get your cake fix or you’ve just had a bad week, Cake Club is the place to go because let’s be honest, good cake makes everything better.

Cake Club
Venue: Marina Square, The Rooftop Garden, Glasshouse, #03-03, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594
Date: 14 Jul – 26 Aug 2018 (Weekends only)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm
Website

Also read A Poke Theory Is Now S’pore’s First Halal Poke Place – Customise Your Bowls From $9.90

(Header Image Source: Edith Patisserie and Inthebrickyard)

A Poke Theory Is S’pore’s First Halal Poke Place – Customise Your Bowls From $9.90

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed growing up as a Muslim in Singapore would be the lack of healthy Halal-certified food options.

Most salad bars and poke bowl restaurants in Singapore aren’t halal so imagine my happiness when A Poke Theory finally announced that they finally got their Halal-certification.

Of course I had to head down and try it out for myself and finally understand what the hype surrounding poke bowls are all about.

Life’s Too Short To Eat Bad Food

If you have no idea what poke bowls are, it’s a traditional Hawaiian “salad” filled with rice, covered with chunks of raw, marinated fish (usually tuna) and topped with lots of vegetables and umami-packed sauces.

What you get is an Instagram-worthy poke bowl that looks good and tastes amazing as well!

In Hawaii, it’s often found everywhere, from gas stations to roadside stands. Diners get to pick out the kind of poke they want and get it to go in a Styrofoam container.

Stepping into A Poke Theory instantly brought me back to the time I first had my poke bowl in LA. It’s modern, minimal and even the music selection was a 10 out of 10. Definitely a great place to gather your friends or family for a healthy meal.

A Poke Theory has been around since July 2016 and it only made sense for them to move towards feeding a community even larger than what they they were already catering for.

There were several major changes that the owner, Joey Lee, and his head chef had to make to the recipes in order to maintain the same taste and quality. They spent over 3 weeks making changes to the soy sauce which was a major part of the marinade as well as coming up with their own furikake which took over a month and half.

Despite all the delays and challenges that they faced, they managed to re-engineer their prized marinades with Halal-certified ingredients to achieve the same taste as their original non-Halal marinades.

I spoke to one of the founders of A Poke Theory, Joey Lee, who is the mastermind behind all the recipe creations.

“Normally if you already have a winning formula, you wouldn’t want to change it. However, if we can make the Halal ingredients taste the same or even improve the recipe, it pushes us out of our comfort zone.”

In fact, they taste almost similar that regular customers could barely see the change in the recipes as adaptations to include Halal ingredients have already been incorporated to gradually over the last 4 months so as to keep quality control at its peak.

Ordering a Poke bowl here is simple. All you have to do is pick a size ($9.90, $12.90, $15.90), your choice of base, poke (up to 2 options), free toppings and additional premium toppings that are freshly made daily.

If it’s your first time ordering a poke bowl, we highly recommend you getting the Lemon Herb Quinoa which pairs really well with the poke. It’s definitely a lighter option as compared to the signature sushi rice.

Be adventurous and get both the tuna and salmon! Their two best-selling poke would be the Spicy Garlic Sesame Tuna and Avocado Miso Salmon. The Avocado Miso sauce is a hit at A Poke Theory as the sauce is thick and creamy from the combination of olive oil, fresh spinach leaves and greek yoghurt. No mayo is included which makes it completely healthy and guilt-free!

They’ll be releasing new seasonal special flavours as well. Diners can look forward to their Romesco Salmon soon which is a bold step away from their typical Asian flavours.

With the smallest bowl priced at $9.90, it’s definitely an affordable and healthy lunch option especially if you’re working around the CBD areas.

If you’re looking for a healthy sweet treat, A Poke Theory makes gorgeous looking Superfood smoothie bowls which makes for a great post-gym fuel or after-work tête-à-têtes.

Swap your morning coffee for their cold pressed juices which ais packed with lotsa wholesome goodness, all bottled and ready to go for you. Their juice recipes are improvised from whatever leftover ingredients which is in line with A Poke Theory’s aim to minimise food wastage and making the most out of anything salvageable.

For those can’t get enough of their premium toppings especially their highly raved ‘Spiced Roasted Cashews’, you can get them in to-go snack packs for $6 each.

Look no further when it comes to healthy lunch options, pop by A Poke Theory for affordable and fresh poke bowls that won’t leave you in a post-lunch food coma.

A Poke Theory (Telok Ayer)
Address: 27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm, Saturdays: 11am – 4pm, Closed Sundays & Public Holidays
Contact No.: 6904 8189

A Poke Theory (Bugis)
Address: #01-36/37, DUO Galleria, 7 Fraser St, Singapore 189356
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 9pm,  Sat – Sun: 11am – 4pm, Closed on major Public Holidays

A Poke Theory (Kent Ridge)
Address: #02-12, One@KentRidge, 1 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119082
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm,  Sat – Sun: 11am – 3.30pm, Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

A Poke Theory (Marina One)
Address: #B2-52, Marina One, The Heart, 5 Straits View, Singapore 018935
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm,  Closed on Weekends & Public Holidays
Contact No.: 6284 3100
McDonald’s Releases New ‘Har Cheong Gai’ Burger And Drumlets As Part Of National Day Menu

(Header Image Source: @apoketheory)

McDonald’s Releases New ‘Har Cheong Gai’ Burger And Drumlets As Part Of National Day Menu

Just last week we saw the release of the D24 Durian McFlurry. And when you thought McDonald’s was done with their offerings for National Day, they’re back again with more.

This time round, in conjunction with Singapore Food Festival 2018, they’re going all out with a ‘Har Cheong Gai’ burger and a new breakfast burger.

More Singapore-Inspired Food

Named the Ha Ha Cheong Gai Chicken Burger ($6.05), chicken thigh is marinated in real prawn paste, then breaded and fried to ‘har cheong’ perfection, and finally topped with more prawn paste-flavoured mayo for even more flavour.

If you love your Har Cheong Gai as much as we do, then hold on just a minute because there’s MORE.

McDonald’s will also be launching the Ha Ha Cheong Gai Chicken Drumlets ($2.20 for 2pcs). McWings be damned.

You can also order the Ha Ha Cheong Gai Chicken Burger Feast ($10.25) which comes with the burger, drumlets, a drink, and the new Criss-Cut fries.

For breakfast, why not try their new Breakfast Curry Burger ($4.20)?

It’s basically McChicken with curry sauce, melted cheese, and a sunny side-up.

We don’t know about curry AND cheese in the morning, but if you can handle it, go for it.

Lastly, McCafes islandwide will also be seeing the return of their popular Kueh Salat Cake.

These new local creations will be available from 10 July 2018 at McDonald’s outlets islandwide, McDelivery, and GrabFood.

Are you excited to try the new Ha Ha Cheong Gai Chicken Burger? Because we definitely are.

Also read KFC Brings The Salted Egg Trend Back With Their New Goldspice Chicken

(Header Image Source: McDonald’s Singapore)

‘Don’ You Love A Good Rice Bowl? Get Them Delivered, Or Self-Collect Them From NTU, NUS and CBD

Singapore’s Japanese food scene has evolved a lot ever since we were introduced to the cuisine. From sushi to Ramen, Udon, Don, Teppanyaki, and Shabu Shabu steamboats, there are plenty of restaurants offering Japanese food all over Singapore.

However, not many have the option of delivery because the cuisine places emphasis on the freshness of the food as it is prepared and presented – and delivery directly contradicts this aspect of Japanese cuisine.

Enter Don Play Play.

As their name suggests, they don’t mess around when it comes to their dons.

Don’t Play With Don Play Play

Don Play Play is a new food delivery service that provides and delivers Japanese rice bowls (dons) at wallet-friendly prices to students and faculty of NUH and NTU, as well as workers in the CBD.

They have 6 items on their complete menu. While the menu seems limited, the demand is quite overwhelming.

You can choose from the Truffle Beef Yakiniku Don, Salmon Chirashi Don, Chicken Grain Bowl, Salmon Sashimi Salad, Unagi Don, and Salmon Mentaiko Don. Everything on the menu is $12.80.

Their bestsellers are the Salmon Chirashi Don that comes with fresh salmon sashimi, tamago cubes, ikura, vinegared sushi rice, wasabi and pink ginger, and the Unagi Don which comes with Teriyaki-glazed grilled unagi, 63-degree onsen egg, and Japanese garlic fried rice.

Look at the gorgeous glaze on that unagi. Mmmm…

The Salmon Mentaiko Don uses fresh Norwegian salmon and their own homemade spicy mentaiko sauce, and comes topped with a 63-degree onsen egg.

To be honest, everything on their menu sounds delicious.

Delivery And Pickup

So currently, you can choose to have your food delivered to you, or pickup your food from a fixed location.

For delivery, there is a $64 minimum order (5 rice bowls) and a $10 delivery fee on top of that. However, delivery is free for orders above $128.

Orders for NTU, NUS and the CBD can have their orders delivered at no minimum order amount and no delivery fee, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays respectively.

Now, if you choose to pick up your food, there are fixed pickup points in NUS, NTU, and the CBD.

Check out their pickup locations and timeslots here.

If you’re ordering from NUS, NTU or the CBD, better do so earlier because the rice bowls sell out FAST.

Don Play Play have also mentioned that they will be further expanding their menu in future, so keep a look out!

If you’re thinking of ordering from Don Play Play, it’s best to do so in a group so delivery is free. Now, who’s up for don?

Don Play Play
Website

Also read Hokkien 101 – Words And Phrases You Can Use Everyday Without Getting Slapped

(Header Image Source: Don Play Play)

Does It Taste Like Home? 2 Filipinos Found The Best Pinoy Fare In Singapore

One of the least prominent cuisines in Singapore is probably Filipino cuisine. I’ve personally never tried filipino cuisine, and my filipino colleagues haven’t had proper filipino food since they left their motherland (Jollibee doesn’t count).

So today I decided to take my filipino colleagues, Raymond and Ardhel, out to lunch, for REAL filipino food and at the same time, have them do a comparison of the standard of filipino food in Singapore to the ones they have back home.

I’ve already done a bit of research on 3 of the best, crowd-favourite places for filipino cuisine. It should come as no surprise that they’re all in Lucky Plaza.

Inasal Restaurant

The first place we went to was the highly-acclaimed Inasal Restaurant.

A good part of the restaurant is hidden behind a tiny store-front. The actual entrance to the restaurant is down a corridor to the side of the store-front.

We ordered the Pork Kare-Kare ($8.25) and Sisig ($11)

A little background – Kare-Kare is a savoury peanut meat stew while Sisig is a dish made with diced parts of pig’s head, liver, and seasoned with lime and chilli peppers.

I was a little confused because as far as I know, beef was usually used in Kare-Kare, and not pork. But it was small issue.

The Pork Kare-Kare came with a side of Bagoong (fermented fish paste). Firstly, the gravy of the Kare-Kare was like a watery, savoury peanut sauce. While I’m not irked by it, it certainly was an unusual taste.

The pork, however, fared much better. It was so tender, it disintegrated the moment my jaws closed. And paired with the gravy, the dish finally made sense.

Now, I was informed that I should put a tiny bit of Bagoong on the pork and have it with the gravy, and so I did. All I can say is, mind-blowing.

The Bagoong is basically a pure force of salty umami, hence the tiny amount. Have this sparingly.

Next, the Pork Sisig. It was a little disappointing. Raymond and Ardhel were expecting to hear sizzling. But the only sound the Sisig made was when the hotplate hit the table.

“I mean, it’s called Sizzling Sisig for a reason.” – Ardhel, 6 July 2018.

So points off for the lack of sizzle.

Apparently, some Sisigs are also crispy because crispy pork crackling is added into it for texture. But this version uses diced parts of pig’s head and presented uniform textures. And it didn’t help that it was a little bland because there was no chilli or lime given.

However, the Sisig came with a small bowl of Bulalo Soup.

Bulalo is the filipino version of Soup Tulang and it’s a clear soup that packs so much umami, it’s almost unbelievable because it doesn’t look rich.

Overall, Ardhel rated the food at Inasal Restaurant a 3.5/5 and Raymond gave it a 3/5.

Points were taken off because the Sisig wasn’t sizzling, and the Kare-Kare was a little heavier on taste.

Inasal Restaurant
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #04-49/50/51 Lucky Plaza, Singapore, 238863
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 8.30pm
Contact no.: 6733 2752
Website

Kabayan Restaurant

Kabayan Restaurant is situated in a corner to the left of the escalator on the third level of Lucky Plaza.

The whole restaurant resembles a canteen of sorts, with 2 counters right inside, one of which is a huge glass display of all the dishes they’re serving.

Once again, we ordered the Kare-Kare ($4) and Sisig ($6.50).

The Kare-Kare here uses beef and comes served with a side of Alamang (fermented shrimp paste). Unfortunately, it was too dry and tough. The gravy was smoother and milder than the one we had at Inasal Restaurant though the portion leaves more to be desired.

The Alamang, though splendid, did nothing for the texture of the beef.

Next, the Sisig here is a feast for the stomach AND the eyes.

It was a beautiful sizzling plate of Sisig, and it was closer to authentic Sisig, served with chilli and lime and also more substantial, thanks to the addition of chopped pork belly for additional textures.

Ardhel and Raymond loved this Sisig and they even packed one more to go.

Finally, the Sisig was served with a bowl of Sinigang – a soup made with tamarind, either pork, beef, chicken or prawns, and fish sauce. It tastes exactly like Sze Chuan Vegetable soup to me.

Overall, both Ardhel and Raymond rated the food at Kabayan Restaurant, 4/5.

Kabayan Filipino Restaurant
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #03-25 Lucky Plaza, Singapore, 238863
Opening Hours: Daily: 9am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6738 0921
Website

Kamayan Pinoy

Kamayan Pinoy is a stall in the Asian Food Mall. It’s not an actual mall. It’s just the name of the food court in Lucky Plaza’s basement.

No prizes for guessing what we ordered, once again. It’s for fair comparison.

Right off the bat, the Sisig here is terrible. It’s pre-cooked and just scooped onto a plate upon order. There was no egg, chilli, lime or SIZZLE. The dish was chunky but extremely bland. Don’t order it.

Next, the Beef Kare-Kare here was a surprise. We were expecting a small bowl but it was a huge pan.

And the taste was even more surprising, maybe because our expectations were at a new low after tasting the Sisig, but the Beef Kare-Kare here was extremely tender and the gravy was smooth and mild, with a strong taste of peanut butter.

It was by far the best Kare-Kare we’ve had so far.

Overall, Ardhel rated the food at Kamayan Pinoy a 3.5/5 and Raymond gave it a 3/5. The salvation lies in their Beef Kare-Kare. It’s a must-try.

Kamayan Pinoy
Address: Lucky Plaza, Basement 2, Asian Food Mall, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863

Overall Verdict

Singapore’s Filipino cuisine is pretty decent, with some establishments presenting dishes that makes filipinos feel at home.

If you’re looking for great Sisig, Kabayan Restaurant is your best bet, for just $6.50 a plate, it also comes with rice so you’re set for a filling lunch. Though we’ve heard of issues with freshness and consistency, it’s still one of the cheapest places offering filipino cuisine.

But if you’re with company and you’re craving Kare-Kare, Kamayan Pinoy serves up one of the best in Singapore.

But all in all, if you’re looking for great filipino food, Kabayan Restaurant is where you should go.

Also read 10 Budget-Friendly Karaoke Studios In S’pore From As Low As $1 For 2 Songs

(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)

BreadTalk Buns Are Going For Only $1 On Their 18th Anniversary

Singapore’s very own BreadTalk is finally coming of age and turning 18 this month! Time really flies.

Anyway, the lovely creators of the pork floss bun hype in Singapore are celebrating their 18th anniversary with a few new additions to their signature product.

That’s not all, they’ll also be running a few promotions in July and August, where you can get their baked goods for $1!

Let’s not be lazy, read on for details.

What’s In Store In July

A New Flosss Flavour

BreadTalk has had many variations of their signature Flosss bun, with Wasabi Flosss, Sambal Chicken Flosss, and Black Pepper Crab Flosss.

Now, they’re introducing a new limited edition addition (say this quickly 10 times) – Golden Lava Flosss.

This new creation features ‘golden lava’ a.k.a salted egg filling and it’s topped with cereal floss, a local favourite in tze char stalls.

Imagine salted egg sauce with cereal floss. It sounds really good, to be honest. The Golden Lava Flosss will be available for 2 months, from 2 July to 2 September 2018.

What’s more, from 2 to 22 July 2018, mix and match any 6 flosss flavours at any BreadTalk outlet for just $8!

$1 Buns, Tea Cakes And Muffins

From 9 to 16 July 2018, you can purchase tea cakes, muffins and a selection of 18 types of buns for just $1 each, from 12pm onwards!

Some of the buns in the selection include the Butter Sugar Loaf, An Pan, Coffi-O, Croissant, and Pillow Raisin.

The promotion is valid while stocks last so don’t dilly dally!

If you miss this first round of $1 promotions, don’t worry. From 17 to 29 July 2018, purchase from the same selection of 18 buns – the first bun will go at its original price and you’ll get the 2nd bun for $1.

That’s not all, BreadTalk’s signature Hokkaido Snow Roll will retail for just $10.90 instead of the usual $15.80.

Also, do note that the July promotions will not be available at the following outlets: Citylink Mall, ION Orchard Link, Raffles City, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Cruise Centre, and Vivocity.

What’s In Store In August

BreadTalk Celebrates National Day

This year, BreadTalk is the principal partner of National Day Parade 2018, which means we’re getting new breads with locally-inspired flavours!

First up, the new Chilli Crab Puff ($2.20). No prizes for guessing what inspired this. Real crab meat is used in the chilli crab mixture that’s encased in flaky puff pastry, baked to perfection.

This sweet and spicy creation will be available in all BreadTalk outlets from 30 July to 19 August 2018 at $2.20 per puff, or get 4 at the promotional price of $8!

The next one is a Durian Mini Croissant ($1.50) that’s made with real Mao Shan Wang durians. Rich, bittersweet, and buttery. Get yours at all BreadTalk outlets from 30 July to 19 August 2018 at $1.50 per piece, or get 6 at the promotional price of $8.

While these 2 lead the charge, there are 8 other buns inspired by local hawker favourites.

Choose from the satay chicken and sambal shrimp-flavoured Bibi Baba, a coconut milk-infused kaya bun, Singashake, the spicy Rendang Pedas, Curry Chicken, Curry Naan, Ikan Bilis, Bak Kwa Delight, and Otah Oleh!

The prices range from $1.70 to $2.20.

Join BreadTalk as they celebrate their 18th Anniversary and National Day this July and August!

Also read Celebrate Food And Feast – Sentosa Holds A Grill Fest And BQQ With Outdoor Movies From Jul To Aug

(Header Image Source: BreadTalk)

Celebrate Food And Feast – Sentosa Holds A Grill Fest And BBQ With Outdoor Movies From Jul To Aug

For those of you who frequent Sentosa, we’ve got good news for you.

This July and August, Sentosa is stepping up the game in a celebration of food, with not 1, but 2 events!

While food options in Sentosa have been known to be a little pricey, this July and August, you don’t have to worry because they’ve got a food street lined up just for you.

Sentosa GrillFest

Lining Siloso Beach is the Sentosa GrillFest.

That’s right, Sentosa GrillFest returns once again for its second edition, transforming 1km of Siloso Beach every Friday to Sunday from 13 to 29 July 2018, into a food street.

This year’s edition of Sentosa GrillFest features over 100 local and international food and drink options from 21 F&B establishments!

Expect local favourites such as Salted Egg Yolk Chicken and unique creations such as Laksa Mentai Soft Shell Crab Rice Bowl. There will also be local favourites such as Hokkien Mee, Char Kway Teow, and Satay.

If you’re not feeling any of the available options, feel free to curate and make your own at Sentosa GrillFest Festival Gourmet Market!

Just pick your raw ingredients from the market and bring it to any of the chefs on-site for preparation!

Of course with good food, we require good entertainment. There will be local bands such as The Jumpstart, AnchorBlanc, and Pam Khi & The One Boy Band performing for guests at the GrillFest!

Sentosa “Kaki” BBQ

From 8 to 12 August, join Sentosa as it celebrates National Day with the very first Sentosa “Kaki” BBQ.

Held at Palawan Beach, this beach barbecue will feature outdoor movie screenings next to communal barbecue pits at Palawan Green.

You won’t have to bring your own food, because ingredients that have already been marinated and seasoned for cooking, will be provided. Everything is provided actually. From the BBQ pit to the ingredients and the cutlery. All you have to do is bring friends and family and barbecue.

If you require professional assistance, chefs will also be available to assist you.

That’s not all, if you’re there on National Day, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the National Day flypast!

So this July and August, if you’re looking for dining options and ideas, why not head over to Sentosa?

Sentosa GrillFest
Venue: Siloso Beach
Date: 13 – 29 Jul 2018
Opening Hours: Fri – Sun: 6pm – 11pm

Sentosa “Kaki” BBQ
Venue: Palawan Green
Date: 8 – 12 Aug 2018
Opening Hours: 6pm – 11pm
Website

Also read Est. Since 1944 – We Checked Out Ya Kun’s First Outlet To See If The OG Is Really The Best

(Header Image Source: Sentosa)

Est. Since 1944 – We Checked Out Ya Kun’s First Outlet To See If The OG Is Really The Best

A traditional Singaporean breakfast would undoubtedly be the humble kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and kopi.

While it is a common staple in many coffeeshops across the island, there is a brand that’s synonymous with GOOD kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and kopi.

Enter Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

This humble brand started way back in 1944, before Singapore’s independence.

The first concrete stall was located in Lau Pa Sat, where it was simply known as Ya Kun Coffeestall. It remained there for 15 years before relocating in 1984 to Telok Ayer Transit Food Market, and then again in 1998 to its present location at Far East Square along China Street.

As someone who loves eating Ya Kun’s kaya toast, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never been to this OG Ya Kun outlet.

So this morning, I decided that I had to see for myself, to see if the quality of Ya Kun toasts changed with its expansion. And off I went with my kopi-connoisseur colleague.

A Simple Traditional Breakfast

At first glance, the shophouse outlet looks huge and rustic, with the little tiled roof extensions on the side entrance.

However, the indoor seating space is actually quite limited, with more spacious seats available outside. Stepping in, the interior of the outlet is actually quite old-school, with simple tiled walls and raw concrete floors.

The old-school vibe is further accentuated by the marble top tables, wooden stools, and the kopitiam posters with almost-tacky lines.

While the outlet itself isn’t big, the kitchen and food preparation area sure are.

You can choose to order at the counter inside, or from any of the roving aunties – one of the few things that’s not available at other outlets across the island.

This Ya Kun outlet also has portable menus, in contrast to the menu boards typically found at other outlets.

I decided to order my usual Kaya Peanut Toast Set ($4.80) for optimal taste comparison. That’s when I noticed, there was only 1 drink size available.

I always upsize my drink at Ya Kun, so this was a bit of a downer.

Service was incredibly quick and efficient, with the aunties, serving drinks, eggs, and cleaning tables in one swift dance-like movement.

Even the cups used here are different, with a more classic kopitiam look, compared to the usual white Ya Kun cups.

Call me biased, but even the toast here is sliced slightly thinner than the other outlets.

Overall, the meal was splendid. I expected nothing less from Ya Kun. The toasts were thin and crisp and the eggs perfectly soft-boiled (great for dipping).

I loved my cup of Teh while my colleague’s freshly-made kopi was aromatic and sufficiently “gao” without being too sweet.

While Ya Kun has always maintained a high standard for their food and service, what we got at this original outlet was beyond good.

It wasn’t a Ya Kun meal, it was a Ya Kun experience.

Just to clarify, this isn’t sponsored. I just have very strong feelings for Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Though if Ya Kun would like to sponsor, hello, I am available.

Sponsored or not, I will still continue recommending people to Ya Kun Kaya Toast for a good traditional Singaporean breakfast. With over 40 outlets across Singapore, you can find a Ya Kun outlet easily.

However, if you’re looking for the perfect Ya Kun meal, then you should head to this original outlet.

And if you haven’t had Ya Kun Kaya Toast, have you truly lived?

Ya Kun Kaya Toast (First Outlet)
Address: 18 China Street, #01-01, Singapore 049560
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 7pm, Sat: 7.30am – 4.30pm, Sun: 8.30am – 3pm
Contact no.: 6438 3638
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(Header Image Source: DiscoverSG)