Tag: halal

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
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(Header Image Source: @apoketheory)

Deliveroo Singapore Offers Halal-Only Delivery Bags To Cater To Their Muslim Customers

If you frequently use food delivery services, you’d realise that the same bags are used for all orders, regardless of restaurants, Halal certification, or Vegetarian orders.

Also, what if the food spills out?

So in response to this potential concern and at the request of Muslim restaurants and customers, Deliveroo has decided to just straight up separate halal from non-halal food – by introducing Halal-only delivery bags!

Halal Food Meets Halal Bags

Singapore will be one of the first of the 12 countries that Deliveroo operates in, to receive halal-only delivery bags.

The halal bags are set to be distributed to 3,000 riders in various phases in the month of July.

If the public’s response is favourable, Deliveroo will increase the number of riders carrying halal bags to its remaining 6,000-strong fleet.

In conjunction with this launch, the Deliveroo app will be updated to indicate the Halal certification of a particular restaurant, and riders will be expected to use the Halal-only bags for those orders.

By the end of July, your food order might be delivered in Halal-only bags if you’re ordering from a Halal certified restaurant.

At least now, whenever I order for a party, my Muslim friends can eat in peace.

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

(Header Image Source: Deliveroo Singapore)

If You Can’t Cook, These 7 Caterers Will Get Your Rendang Ready For Hari Raya

As most festive gatherings go, preparing a Hari Raya open house will often involve some shedding of blood, sweat and tears.

If you’re a millennial like me who can’t cook traditional dishes to save her life, catering is your best friend. So take some time off and let these guys do all the work—you deserve it.

Here’s a compilation of Hari Raya catering to impress your pakcik, makcik, nenek, atuk, mother in law and basically the entire kampung.

1. Nasi Ambeng Asli Jurong West 

If you need to impress your Asian mom that you’re now independent and can cook on your own, Nasi Ambeng Asli Jurong West is right up your alley.

Serving up traditional Hari Raya dishes must-haves such as Lontong, rendang, sambal goreng and more. For just $12 per pax, you don’t have to break a sweat in the kitchen and deal with all the cleaning up afterwards.

They’ll also throw in a complementary dessert of your choice and beverages.

Their Nasi Ambeng set ($12/pax) is also highly raved about! If you prefer this style of eating as compared to buffet-style, then you can’t miss out on their Nasi Ambeng.

Pre-order for the Hari Raya buffet will only open 23 June, so fastest fingers first!

Nasi Ambeng Asli Jurong West 
Contact No.: 8124 0031
Website

2. Deanna’s Kitchen 

Let’s be real, we kinda get sick of lontong and rendang after a couple of days. So what better way to change things up a by serving your guests the famous prawn noodles from Deanna’s Kitchen.

The Deanna’s Prawns x Clams Mee ($8.50 per pax) comes with 3 different type of noodles, 3 big prawns per pax, 10 – 15 clams per pax, kang kong, bean sprouts and sliced fish cake.

They’ll also throw in complimentary homemade garnishes as well as a full set of disposable wares.

The prawn noodles will be served buffet style. All you need to do is prepare a pot for them to pour the soup into so you can reheat easily. Alternatively, they can lend you the soup warmer and they will return to collect it after your event. How convenient!

This is covered in the delivery charge of $45. However, if you do not need the warmer and then delivery is only one way, it will cost only $20.

Deanna’s Kitchen
Contact No.: 9424 5496
Website

3. Aroma Kampung 

Aroma Kampung is known as the Mother of all Padang buffets. Using only authentic recipes, you know you’re in for a real treat this Hari Raya. If you love traditional home cooked food, you can get their Aidilfitri Package for $150 which covers for 10 pax.

The package includes our favourites such as Rendang, sambal goreng pengantin, kuah lodeh, sambal tumis and more!

However, you will have to self collect at their restaurant in Joo Chiat Complex between 12am – 6pm.

Do take note that there are limited slots available. We highly advise you to book your slot as soon as possible!

Aroma Kampung
Contact No.: 9436 4767
Image Credit: Mamanda Facebook[/caption]

Free delivery is provided for orders $300 and above. If you don’t wish to pay for delivery, you can opt for self-collection instead.

Mamanda 
Contact No.: 6396 6646
Website

5. Dapur Naes 

Possibly the cheapest option in this list, Dapur Naes charges only $7 per pax (*min order is 30 pax) for their Hari Raya package.

For $7, you get Lontong, ayam masak merah, rendang, kuah lodeh, sambal tumis and serunding. Which is basically all you need for a simple Hari Raya gathering.

However if you feel like that won’t be enough, you can discuss with the Dapur Naes team to add more dishes to your package.

Delivery charge is an extra $30 for orders less than $300.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative this Hari Raya, Dapur Naes is right up your alley.

Dapur Naes
Contact No.: 9771 4934
Website

6. Redz Kitchen

Not all of us have the luxury of time to cook a whole feast for our guests. Why don’t you sit back and let Redz Kitchen do all the work.

For just $14/pax, you can get a variety of Hari Raya dishes without having to lift a finger.

https://www.facebook.com/redzkitchen/posts/1373025166177499

Pay an additional $250 and they’ll provide you with buffet tables with skirting, beverages, desserts, disposable plates and cutleries as well as delivery and collection.

If you want a fuss free Hari Raya open house, Redz Kitchen can do everything for you!

Redz Kitchen
Contact No.: 8782 1974
Website

7. Cucina Restaurant & Catering 

If you believe that variety is the spice of life, then you’ll love Cucina’s Hari Raya Package.

For $280nett, you get 9 different dishes that feeds up to 10 pax. Dishes includes Beef Rendang, Sambal Udang, Sambal Goreng Pengantin, Lodeh, Sambal Sotong, Ayam Masak Merah, Serunding, Acar Telur.

The Aidilfitri Raya Set will be available after 18 June as pre-order.

If you don’t plan on having a huge feast or you’d rather have a smaller portion of food, they also have a special Raya Open House Menu Mini Buffet with free delivery from 20 June.

Cucina Restaurant & Catering
Contact No.: 9380 4729
Website

Also Read Skip The Geylang Crowd And Visit These 6 Ramadan Bazaars In S’pore Instead

(Header Image Source: Nasi Ambeng Asli Jurong West Facebook )

There’s Finally A Halal Boat Noodle Place In S’pore – And It’s Only $1.90 A Bowl

Upon hearing the news of this newly opened Thai boat noodles place in Singapore, I knew I had to go down to experience it for myself. My first thought was, “About god damn time we get halal boat noodles in Singapore.”

The boat noodles craze has sent plenty of Singaporeans including me going over the causeway JUST for Thai boat noodles, so imagine how excited I was when I found out there’s finally a halal boat noodle place in Singapore.

So I packed my bags, braved the weather and decided that today will be the day I finally get to indulge in this savoury delight right here in Singapore.

Cheap Cheap, Good Good

I drummed my fingers on the handrail of the escalator as it slowly descended into the basement of I12 Katong, perhaps one of my favourite malls in Singapore.

It was honestly a very small shop but I had real high expectations for the food served at Hat Yai Noodle Cafe.

Just like any other typical Thai boat noodles shop, the noodles are served in mini bowls ($1.90 each) that can be gobbled up in about 2 large mouthfuls. Each bowl comes with a slice of beef, meatball, leafy vegetables, beansprouts, spring onions and noodles of your choice (of course we got the traditional glass noodle).

I was not that blown away by their broth but honestly, for $1.90 per bowl, I’m not complaining. It’s definitely perfect if you’ve got a small appetite and looking for something light.

Ordering 3 bowls is definitely not a smart move if you’re hungry. If you’re looking for a proper heavy meal, they do have a bigger version which is the Braised Beef Tendon ($8.50). You can choose from 3 different proteins – beef, chicken, duck.

You can also choose to have it dry with soup on the side if that’s how you roll.

I was looking forward to trying out their side dishes like the Ping Gai which is basically Thai style BBQ chicken and beef sticks. Unfortunately, they weren’t selling any side dishes today.

So I settled for their Chicken/Beef Meatball Skewers ($1.90 per skewer) instead. Each stick comes with 4 beef/chicken balls. Was not too sure what they meant by “Thai Special Sauce” but ours came drenched in Thai Sweet Chilli sauce that my mom buys from Giant Supermarket.

I prayed real hard, “@ God, the least you can do is give me decent Thai Milk Tea. I headed all the way to Katong for Thai food. Please don’t disappoint.”

God heard my prayers and decided not to disappoint me any further. It tasted exactly like the famous Thai milk tea brand your friend would buy for you from Bangkok.

It helped wash all my sadness and problems away.

My total meal totalled up to $26, inclusive of a 10% service charge. I left Hat Yai Noodle Cafe feeling slightly disappointed but at least I’m pleased with the fact that there’s halal boat noodles in Singapore if I’m ever craving for it.

In the mean time, I’m gonna fix myself a cup of instant tom yum noodles and daydream of a getaway to Thailand.

Hat Yai Noodle Cafe
Address: 112 East Coast Rd, I12 Katong Mall, B1-18, Singapore 428802
Opening Hours: 11 am – 9.30 pm, daily
Website

Also Read These 10 Bakeries In S’pore Serve The Best Bread – And They All Deserve A Toast

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

From Bak Kut Teh To Bak Chor Mee – 9 Places In S’pore With Halal Chinese Fare

If you’re like me, you’ve always been listening to your Chinese friends go on and on about their Bak Kut Teh and Bak Chor Mee without any way of relating to their experiences.

It’s no great secret that Singapore is a food obsessive’s paradise. Over the years, the halal food scene has grown and now our Muslim friends can enjoy halal versions of authentic Chinese fare.

As much as I love my nasi padang and mee soto, having halal options to authentic Chinese hawker food makes me really happy.

Rejoice my Muslim friends, here’s a list of halal chinese food you can finally enjoy!

1. Bak Kut Teh (Habib Family Restaurant)

Yes, you read that right. There’s halal Bak Kut Teh in Singapore and you’re going to love it.

For the uninitiated, Bak Kut Teh directly translates to “meat bone tea” in Hokkien but it doesn’t actually have tea in it. Instead of pork ribs, the Bak Kut Teh is served with beef or lamb meat in a rich herbal broth.

The Malaysian-style Bak Kut Teh served at Habib Family Restaurant is made with a rich herbal broth and they’ve been making it for over 15 years now!

The restaurant’s Chinese chef keeps the flavours authentic by using traditional bak kut teh herbs, but substitutes the traditional pork with beef and lamb to keep it halal.

You can choose from either Beef ($6) or Lamb ($8.50) meat or opt for the set ($16) which comes with a plate of white rice, omelette, kang kong and sambal belacan.

Habib Famliy Restaurant
Address: 374 Bukit Batok Street 31, Singapore 650374
Opening Hours: 6am – 1am, Daily
Contact No.: 6561 6976
Website

2. Prawn Noodles (Deanna’s Kitchen)

Deanna’s Kitchen is one of my go-to place for real good comfort food.The owner is a Chinese convert who decided to make her own prawn mee when she couldn’t find anywhere to satisfy her cravings.

Halal prawn noodles in Singapore is not as common yet as they traditionally use pork bones to cook the broth.

This stall serves up real good halal prawn mee with luxurious add ons such as crayfish and giant prawns at relatively affordable prices.

The rich broth is made from boiling prawn shells, anchovies and other essentials for hours, which results in a decadent soup base that is briny with a natural sweetness.

Their Regular Prawn Noodles starts from $3.50. It comes with a generous amount of noodles, broth and peeled prawns.

If you’re feeling a little more fancy, get their most expensive item which is the Prawn Noodles With Crayfish ($12.50). This one comes with four crayfish halves and three regular prawns.

The amount of seafood in this bowl definitely does not lack.

Deanna’s Kitchen
Address: Block 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh #02-25 Singapore 310127
Opening Hours: Wed – Fri: 10am to 2pm, 5pm to 8pm, Sat: 9am – 5pm, Sun: 9am – 2pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Contact No.: 9424 5496
Website

3. Mala (Paya Lebar Square Cantine)

Mala hot pot has been all the rage for awhile now. Just like yong tau foo, you get to pick your own choice of ingredients –  except that instead of clear soup, your taste buds will be met with spicy and numbing Szechuan sauce.

As with many other mala hot pot places, you get to choose from their range of ingredients – from meats to seafood, greens and mushrooms.

Inform the makcik your preferred spice level – mildly spicy, spicy, and extra spicy and you’re good to go!

Be warned, the mala is seasoned with a fiery mala paste that is bound to set your tastebuds on fire after a few mouthfuls.

Mala Hot Pot Stall
Address: 60 Paya Lebar Road, #B1-51 Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051
Opening Hours: 7am – 10pm, Daily
Contact No.: 6702 1877

4. Roasted Duck Rice (Selera Restaurant)

If there’s one dish i’ve always wanted to try, it would be roasted duck rice. Halal Duck Rice in Singapore is not common at all however Selera Restaurant serves up one of the best in town.

[caption id="attachment_34252" align="aligncenter" width="765"] Image Credit: HereNow[/caption]

The duck meat is seasoned and well-caramelised with the sauce enveloping all over the thick duck meat and the skin. The end result: It gives your duck meat a charred, alluring look.

[caption id="attachment_34253" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Image Credit: Theosofie Mashon Facebook[/caption]

Best part, the duck meat is completely succulent, tender and juicy.

Selera Restaurant
Address: 15 Mackenzie Road, Singapore 228677
Contact No.: 6338 5687

5. Dim Sum (The Dim Sum Place)

Dim Sum lovers rejoice! If you’re longing for halal dim sum, then head on down to The Dim Sum Place that is conveniently located around Bugis.

 

[caption id="attachment_34255" align="aligncenter" width="1312"] Image Credit: @sg_explorer[/caption]

This establishment serves up their rendition of Cantonese style cuisine with a localised twist to suit the locals.

[caption id="attachment_34254" align="aligncenter" width="1042"] Image Credit: @where.is.karl[/caption]

You can find the usual “yum cha” staples such as Har Kow, Siew Mai, Chee Cheong Fan. While pork has been a key ingredient in mainstream Cantonese cuisine, The Dim Sum Place does not disappoint with their halal take on dim sum.

The Dim Sum Place
Address: 791 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198759
Opening Hours: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm, daily
Contact No.: 6655 8787
Website

6. Zi Char (GLC Restaurant)

Some people have compared this eatery to the former Tong Seng.

The food at GLC will most definitely leave you feeling satisfied and happy. Do be warned that this place gets really packed during lunch hour and slightly stuffy especially on hotter days.

Pro-tip: If you don’t know what to get at GLC, the Chicken Rice ($3.50) never disappoints.

GLC Restaurant
Address: 121 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534836
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 9pm, Sat: 9am – 9pm
Contact No.: 6581 9338
Website

7. Char Kway Teow (786 Char Kway Teow)

Halal char kway teow can be slightly tough to find because it usually has lard in it. The owner, Anis, is a Muslim convert and has been selling char kway teow for close to 6 years now.

You can expect a good amount of egg, chye sim and cockles thrown into this dish as well. You will definitely love his homemade chilli as well if you can take the heat.

786 Char Kway Teow
Address: 115 Bukit Merah View, #01-28, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 2.30pm – 10pm, daily. Closed on Thursdays.

8. Bak Chor Mee (Noodlelicious)

Bak Chor Mee, or minced meat noodle are blanched egg noodles tossed in oil, black vinegar, oyster sauce, fish sauce and chili paste.

The noodles are served with a variety of ingredients such as minced meat, meat balls, dumplings, stewed mushrooms, bean sprouts, and chopped spring onions.

I never really had bak chor mee in a typical hawker setting until Noodlelicious came by.

Noodlelicious serves familiar items such as Fishball Noodles and Minced Chicken Noodle.

The springy mee pok is served with a good amount of chilli and a generous serving of meat. This meal makes for the perfect filling lunch.

Noodlelicious
Address: Berseh Food Centre Stall 13, 166 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208877
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9.30am — 9.30pm

9. Hand Pulled Beef Noodles (Yi Zun Noodle)

Rainy weather calls for a piping hot bowl of noodles for lunch. This quaint noodle place serves hand-pulled noodles by a Chinese-Muslim couple from China.

For just $7.80, you can expect a bowl of Hand Pulled Beef Noodles with generous servings of noodles and sliced beef.

The fresh handmade noodles are so fresh and light, you wont start to feel full until more than halfway through your bowl.

This eatery serves comfort Chinese food that’s not only halal but delicious too!

Yi Zun Noodle
Address: 45 Sam Leong Road Singapore 207935
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
Contact No.:  6291 6616
Website

Also Read 10 Best Places To Get Ice Cream And Waffles Because CRAVINGS

(Header Image Source: @where.is.karl, HalalFoodBlog Facebook, Deanna’s Kitchen Facebook )

This Halal Cafe Puts A Sweet Spin On Murtabak – Serves Flavours Such As Kit Kat And Red Velvet

My fondest memory of travelling to Indonesia will always be the street food. The murtabak manis in particular has always been my go-to dessert after a long day of activities.

If you’re not too familiar with murtabak manis, it’s the Indonesian version of a ‘pancake’ that’s usually thick and sinful due to the excessive amount of butter and toppings such as sweet condensed milk, chocolate sprinkles, grated cheese, ground peanuts.

Terang Bulan is a muslim-owned eatery that offers murtabak manis with several unique flavours – there’s bound to be something for everyone here.

Sugar Overload

Terang Bulan offers 30 over flavours for you to choose from, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. The Pizza Terbul (from $9) comes with 4 flavours of your choice.

Some of their popular flavours would be the Kit Kat, Choju (chocolate and cheese) and Juna (banana and cheese).

Freshly made upon order, you can expect hot pancakes, packed with your favourite toppings and drizzled with condensed milk. So bad for your health but so good for your soul.

In case you’re not up for sharing and you just want an entire terbul to yourself, they offer Mini Terbul (from $3.50/pc) as well.

Aside from their usual murtabak manis base, they have a red velvet edition as well. Just imagine sinking your teeth in red velvet murtabak manis topped with velvety cream cheese and oreo crumbs.

The owner, Ms Adhita, who migrated from Indonesia to Singapore at 14 years old, personally went back to her hometown, Surabaya to learn how to make murtabak manis.

So you know this murtabak manis at Terang Bulan is as close to authentic as you can get.

If you don’t have the time to head all the way to their stall, they do delivery as well. So you can get murtabak manis at the comfort of your own home.

Do give this murtabak manis a try if you’re ever in the East side. It’s definitely worth the calories.

Terang Bulan
Address: 430 Upper Changi Road, #01-04, East Village Mall, Singapore 487048
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 12pm – 8pm
Contact No.: 9230 9514
Price: $3.50 – $15
Website

Also Read Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day Is Back – Get Ready To Queue On April 10

(Header Image Source: @duashutter)

This Stall’s Affordable Halal Salmon Bowls Are The CBD Lunch Crowd’s Latest Craze

Finding halal Japanese food in a hawker centre is like finding a Snorlax in Pokemon Go. It’s rare.

Even if you do come across a halal Japanese stall, it’s either confused with Korean cuisine or just simply bland and dry.

What’s a girl got to do to get cheap and good Japanese food around here?

Fret not, Big Bowls Project is here to change our opinions of halal Japanese Bowls that doesn’t compromise on it’s flavours.

Big Bowls, Big Flavours

Big Bowls Project recently opened their store at Amoy Street Food Centre which is perfect for office workers around the CBD area. Best part, they’re 100% Muslim owned.

We all know how expensive poke bowls can amount to however, Big Bowls Project sells affordable food for the masses.

At the moment, Big Bowls Project has 4 Salmon Bowls available on their menu. These includes their Mentaiko Salmon ($8.90), Big Bowl’s Homemade Recipe ($7.90), Truffle Oil Salmon ($8.90) and Szechuan Black Bean Salmon ($7.90).

Their Mentaiko Salmon definitely got us drooling. At just $8.90, it’s such a great steal!

Their Homemade Recipe Bowl is perfect if you’re looking for a healthier option for lunch. The salmon is perfectly cooked and lightly seasoned with sesame seeds.

Why eat truffle fries when you can have truffle salmon? Am I right?

Finally, we have Big Bowl’s personal favourite – Szechuan Black Bean Salmon, Cherry Tomatoes, Japanese Cucumber on top of Jasmine Brown Rice. Just look at this beauty.

Despite being relatively new in the scene, they’re pretty much selling out on a daily basis. So you have to come real early if you’d like to try a bowl for yourself.

Best part, they’ve announced that they’ll be adding customisable poke bowls to their menu during the second-half of the year. Guess who’s excited!

Who knows they might just even expand and open more stalls. Keep your fingers crossed!

To the lovely owners over at Big Bowls Project, we hope you open 20 more stalls all over Singapore so we can all enjoy your halal salmon bowls!

Big Bowls Project
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, #02-90, Singapore 069111
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Price: $7.90 – $8.90
Website

Also Read This New Tom Yum Ramen Brings Together The Best Of Both Thai And Japanese Cuisine

(Header Image Source: @bigbowlsproj)

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)

You Can Now ‘Jio’ Your Muslim Pals To Drink With You At This New Halal Rooftop Bar

Who would’ve thought there’d be a day we can finally say “halal” and “bar” together in the same sentence. We’ve got news for you, Singapore has a halal rooftop bar and you’re going to want to jio your Muslim buddies for this.

If you’re looking for a night out with friends or a date with bae, this rooftop bar experience will definitely give you chill vibes after a long day at work.

Halal Rooftop Dining Spot

Located in the Arab Street precinct, Atap Bar will take you back to the old days. Its cosy interior, patterned floors and swing chairs will remind you of your grandma’s kampung.

This family-friendly establishment serves up non-alcoholic, localised bespoke mocktails. With drinks inspired by Malay folklore and traditional songs like “Rasa Sayang”, there’s bound to be a drink for everyone here.

The “Rasa Sayang” ($14) is a blend of rose infused water mixed with strawberry, mint leaves and more! Just like the folk song itself, this drink captures much of the Malay character.

If you’d like a little sugar, spice and everything nice, get the “Tiga Abdul” ($15) which is inspired by the classic 1964 movie played by famous actor P. Ramlee.

Feeling a little daring? You can make your very own customised mocktail starting at $13. Who knows they might just name a mocktail after you!

 If you’re feeling a little hungry, they serve up bar snacks such as Honey Wings ($10). Oh and did you know they serve Keropok Lekor ($8) as well? Talk about the perfect snack.

If that isn’t already convincing enough, Atap Bar also provides games you used to play back in primary school. From old maid to five stones, relieve your childhood memories and brag about how good you were at these games back then.

If you need a good night accompanied with good drinks, stunning view and chill music, Atap Bar is the place for you. It’s the best sober vibes you can get in Singapore!

With a lot of thought put into the concept for this modern kampong bar – it’s definitely one of Singapore’s hidden gems you don’t want to miss.

Atap Bar
Address: 48 Arab Street, Level 5 Singapore 199745
Opening Hours: Mon 7pm-12am, Wed-Thurs 5pm-12am, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 3pm-1am, Sun 3pm-12am, Closed on Tuesdays
Website

Also read $5 Is All You Need To Get Drunk At Singapore’s Cheapest Pub Crawl

(Header Image Source: Atap Bar Facebook)

Food At The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar Isn’t Cheap — Here’s What’s Worth It And What’s Not

In the past couple of days, much has been said about this year’s Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar.

Some have pointed out that Artbox 2.0, and others have said the food there is not worth the price or the queue.

The DiscoverSG team headed down to taste-test the food ourselves, to distinguish those that are worth the money (and the queue) from those that are not. Full disclosure: we picked many of these items based on their insta-worthiness and novelty.

Our conclusion? Some of the most photogenic foods actually tasted the worst.

These are some of the things we liked.

Worth It

1. Katoshka (Muslim owned)

One of our favourite stalls at the bazaar–by far– was Katoshka, which serves up russet fries drenched in sauce. Here, you don’t have to worry about running out of sauce for your fries. Not your average cup of cheese fries, this snack packed a punch without being too overwhelming.

We tried the Sambal Cheese ($5.90) and loved how the crispy fries mixed with the spicy cheese. While the serving size is quite small, we think it’s worth every dollar

We also tried the Asam Boi Special ($3.90), a sour plum drink. The drink was on the sweet side, with just the right amount of sourness from the Asam.

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2. Banana Cheese Fritters 

Another sweet treat we tried is the Banana Cheese Fritters ($6)–the humble pisang goreng with a twist. There was barely a queue or a wait when we were there. We went with a classic chocolate flavour from a list of options including chocolate rice and oreos. Served warm, these were the perfect balance of sweet and salty–great for those who want a sweet treat that isn’t too cloying.

The melted cheese brought a very subtle flavour to the fritters. If you’re looking for a stronger cheese flavour, we suggest asking for an extra helping of cheese.

And now, on to the stuff we didn’t like.

Not Worth It

1. Milk Bites (Non-halal)

The Singaporean wisdom of ‘if there’s a queue, join it‘ led us to Fried Milk. An interesting concept, these bite-sized squares of fried milk pudding come in 3 different flavours: Original, Pandan and Thai Milk Tea.

We tried the platter ($9), which came with 4 milk bites of each flavour. Freshly fried, these desserts were crunchy on the outside and oozy on the inside. The consistency of the cream was a bit chunky for our liking and the flavour was quite overwhelming. Suffice to say, we weren’t fans of these.

2. WORD (Muslim owned)

WORD is no stranger when it comes to cooking up a storm. Their outlet at Upper Thomson Road serves up delicious Western fare alongside crafted sodas and mocktails.

At their pop up stall, we tried the Minah ($8), a bucket of soda dressed to the nines. We were in for a bit of a wait despite the short queue due to a shortage of staff. When we did get our drink creation, we were pretty disappointed. Crafted from Fanta Orange, Ice Cream Soda and two scoops of ice cream, this tasted like diluted Fanta and felt like it could easily have been made at home.

While we appreciate the size of the drink, hauling it around was also a bit of a struggle, especially given the crowd.

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3. Loco Loco

Loco Loco made a splash at last year’s Geylang Bazaar for offering up flavoured churros. This year, they have 3 outlets spread out over the entirety of the bazaar. We picked up the Chilli Crab Churros ($6) and Beef Scotch Eggs ($6).

The Chilli Crab Churros were warm and the chilli sauce topping tasted like the real-deal, minus the spiciness. Sadly, these Churros were unexpectedly dense. Without the sauce, this snack would have ranked low on our score scale.

The Beef Scotch Eggs were served warm and with a serving of keropok. We waited about 10 – 15 minutes for the Scotch Eggs, so pick this up only if you’re willing to wait around for this dish. While the eggs were nicely done, the beef was pretty plain.

At least they’re photogenic?

Image Credit: passerbyshaz[/caption]

SOFNADE is one spot you might want to check out for a sweet treat. Serving up Cendol Soft Serve, Galaxy Milkshakes and Donut Balls, it’s no wonder this dessert stall is a favourite among sweet tooths.