From Fluffy Pancakes To Fresh Oysters, honestbee Welcomes You To Their New Supermarket X Dining Space

Apps that provide convenient services have become part and parcel of modern life. From ride sharing to finding a date, there’s an app for almost every need and concern.

Enter honestbee – if you think all it does is just shop your groceries for you, then you’re wrong.

From online to offline, Asia’s leading marketplace that delivers quality food products and experiences, unveils their latest offering: habitat by honestbee – the world’s first tech-integrated multi-sensory grocery and dining destination of its kind.

habitat marks honestbee’s first foray into brick and mortar: its a supermarket, restaurant and retail innovation lab all in one.

[caption id="attachment_37854" align="aligncenter" width="2122"]habitat by honestbee Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

A Multi-Sensory Experience

Occupying a 60,000 square feet space in an industrial building in Pasir Panjang, habitat comprises a full supermarket stocked with over 20,000 curated Asian and international produce and essentials.

[caption id="attachment_37855" align="aligncenter" width="2120"]habitat by honestbee Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

You can also expect a dining area featuring 15 unique food and beverage concepts – from grain bowls and grilled wagyu meats to Japanese soufflé pancakes and homemade kombucha, there’s something for everyone here.

habitat is honestbee brought to life. It is a cashless space that ensures your experience is fuss-free, all you have to do is come equipped with the honestbee app.

Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect at this one of a kind tech-enabled multi-sensory, grocery and dining experience.

Concepts

Shufu

[caption id="attachment_37858" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]habitat by honestbee Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

Possibly our favourite spot in this place, Shufu is a little reading corner at habitat. With high ceilings and plenty of natural light shining into the space, Shufu is a good vantage point for all the excitement at habitat.

Shufu also overlooks lush greenery – perfect for cosying up with a good read and a cuppa. Shoppers can pick from an array of exclusively curated books and periodicals revolving around food, design, chefs and local literature.

Seafood

[caption id="attachment_37860" align="aligncenter" width="2118"]habitat by honestbee Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

The trio behind Bear Bear Fresh, Roger Wong, Chen Wei Nan and Christopher Chan believe in all things local, especially seafood from Singapore’s very own shores.

With a network of local fishermen casting the net in our backyard, the fish that comes to habitat are locally sourced and completely fresh. You can also find oysters, lobsters and alaskan king crabs.

[caption id="attachment_37857" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]habitat by honestbee Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

You can also buy your oysters and get them chucked on the spot so you can eat it while it’s fresh.

Butchery 

[caption id="attachment_37859" align="aligncenter" width="2110"]habitat by honestbee Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

Browse and select from a wide variety of premium cuts of meat. Customers have the freedom to choose the amount, types of cut and number of years aged – all straight from the butcher.

If you love your meats, some of the interesting selections include snow-aged beef from Niigata and Mayura station beef, where the cows are fed with chocolates.

Hanaya

[caption id="attachment_37856" align="aligncenter" width="4240"]habitat by honestbee Image Credit: Melissa Chan | Vulcan Post[/caption]

A tribute to the level of artistry of the floral works in Japan, Hanaya (also known as “florist” in Japanese) is habitat’s very own florist. At Hanaya, you are invited to embrace the scent of fresh blooms and even learn to arrange a bouquet.

Dining Concepts

With something for every type of foodie, dine fresh in over 15 F&B concepts. Here’s what we tried and loved!

hinoki (IG: @hinoki_sg)

[caption id="attachment_37865" align="aligncenter" width="2114"] Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

White or black, single origin or house blend – each and every cup of coffee from hinoki embodies understated elegance, like the Japanese cypress tree it’s named after.

The hinoki blend comprises of coffee beans that are sourced around the world and roasted in Kyoto. Japanese fresh milk is used in all white coffees. hinoki also offers tasting and latte art classes, where you get to choose and try new beans and even taste coffee in its most authentic forms.

[caption id="attachment_37862" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

hinoki is also situated right next to Shufu so guests can head over to the cosy space after ordering their coffee and cakes.

Lazy Loaf (IG: @lazyloaf_sg)

[caption id="attachment_37863" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

Lazy Loaf is the go-to place for rustic loaves, Asian-sourced flours and spreads.

With a repertoire of homemade spreads that have been perfected through generations of bakers, we highly recommend chef John Tan’s homemade kaya – a recipe that can be traced from his grandmother.

This bakery lets you call the shots. Choose a bread, select a toaster, and dress up your toast. Many of their loaves and breads are lovingly baked in-house and exclusive to habitat, putting a spotlight on premium ingredients and flours.

Campfire (IG: @campfire_sg)

[caption id="attachment_37861" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

Reflective of the great outdoors – Campfire is perfect for warm meals shared with friends and family. You can buy the meats fresh from the butchery and drop them off at the Campfire and have the chefs prepare it right after.

Featuring both grass-fed and grain-fed beef as well as quality cuts from Tajima Wagyu and Black Angus cows, Campfire’s mains are complemented by sides which are stars in their own right.

Set lunches are at a steal for as low as $12.90 – perfect for the corporate crowd.

Poofy (IG: @poofy_sg)

[caption id="attachment_37864" align="aligncenter" width="2132"] Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

At Poofy, pancakes are the star. Japanese soufflé pancakes to be specific.

If you’ve patiently queued at Japanese pancake specialist Riz Labo Kitchen’s pop-up shop at Wisma Atria’s Japan Food Town for its soufflé pancakes, you’ll be pleased to know that they’ve partnered with honestbee to open a permanent shop at habitat.

Enjoy a comforting after-meal treat of a good ol’ soufflé pancakes, just the way the Japanese do it – fluffy, light and perfect.

World’s First Cashless, Automated Checkout Experience

Powered by honestbee’s leading edge technology, habitat by honestbee offers two firsts in the world: a cashless checkout experience (AutoCheckout) and fully automated, robotic collection point (RoboCollect) for a seamless and fuss-free grocery shopping experience.

If those two terms are completely foreign to you, trust us, it’s pretty cool.

Here’s how it works:

Use the Bee Pass on the honestbee app to enter the space and make cashless transactions throughout the store with beePay – honestbee’s very own digital wallet.

[caption id="attachment_37866" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

For purchases of 10 items or less, shoppers can use the “Scan & Go” function on the honestbee app, so you can skip the checkout line and get your items on the spot. No more joining long queues just to pay for a bottle of water!

[caption id="attachment_37867" align="aligncenter" width="2116"] Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

For more items, drop off your trolleys at the world’s first convenient AutoCheckout and habitat will take care of the scanning and packing. After paying with beePay, you’ll receive a text notifying that your bags are read for collection at the RoboCollect Stations.

[caption id="attachment_37869" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] AutoCheckout | Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_37868" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] RoboCollect | Image Credit: Honestbee[/caption]

While you’re waiting for your orders to checkout and be ready for collection (orders can be processed in “as fast as 5 minutes”), head around habitat to grab a cup of coffee or enjoy a meal at one of their many F&B dining concepts.

At habitat, you can see, feel, hear, smell and of course, taste food items and ingredients at their freshest. Although it is slightly out of the way, we do love the fact that this multi-sensory grocery and dining experience is truly one of a kind.

habitat by honestbee
Address: 34 Boon Leat Terrace, Singapore 119866
Launch Date: 18 October 2018
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Also Read GTFO And Conquer The World’s Largest Inflatable Playground For Adults This Dec

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

A Makcik Revamped Nasi Ayam With Lava Eggs And Sous-Vide Chicken – But Is It Worth $9.50?

Chicken rice might seem like a simple dish – easy to cook, but hard to perfect.

In Singapore, you’ll find that most stalls offer up Hainanese chicken rice, served up with sides like braised eggs, vegetables and tau kwa (braised tofu).

Makcik Chicken is here to change the chicken rice game, putting a modern twist on the classic Singaporean dish!

Legend has it that there is a makcik with chicken rice skills second to none

Mackcik Chicken is run by a couple who used to work at a media advertising agency, which would explain why their branding game is so on point.

Makcik Chicken maintains that a very camera-shy makcik wants everyone to try her secret recipe. We’re going to assume that makcik exists, so here goes nothing!

Our boxes of chicken rice arrived in simple brown cardboard boxes, no frills attached. But as soon as you open the box, you’ll be greeted by the comforting fragrance of chicken rice. Smells good? Check.

[caption id="attachment_29922" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Simple yet satisfying chicken[/caption]

In case you were wondering what’s so special about Makcik’s chicken; the chicken is cooked sous-vide style. For those who didn’t learn to cook from a French chef, that means your chicken was cooked in a vacuum bag to keep it from becoming overcooked. As promised, the chicken was juicy, tender and bursting with flavor with every mouthful.

If you don’t like spice, you probably won’t be impressed by the rice (although it does come in a huge portion). Once you add a lil red or green chili, it’s like the rice suddenly came alive in your mouth. The red chili is potent, with loads of garlic, whilst the green chili is slightly sourer because of the vinegar.

Tastes good? Check.

[caption id="attachment_29929" align="alignnone" width="1192"] Pick from red or green chili![/caption]

Makcik be working her magic with lava eggs and glittery drinks

The Hanjuku eggs (soft boiled eggs) was the ultimate deciding factor that made me decide that I liked Makcik’s chicken rice. Seriously, their Hanjuku eggs can even compete with the ones that are sold at 7-Eleven.

[caption id="attachment_29914" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Cik Rose Syrup Limau (left), Bandung Baik Gila (right)[/caption]

Grab a drink to accompany your meal while you’re at it. Makcik has stirred up three concoctions to choose from; a crazy good Bandung that even comes with rose petals, a Calamansi Fantasti that comes with a refreshing tinge of mint, and Cik Rose Syrup Limau, a combination of rose syrup, lime and pomegranate drink to satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you have $10 to spare, you might want to consider trying Makcik’s Jambu Jampi Juice, a rose apple drink that swirls with shiny, sparkly edible glitter. Plus points for presentation!

[caption id="attachment_29920" align="alignnone" width="1180"] Let makcik work her magic (Image Credit: makcikchicken)[/caption]

The only downside that we could really foresee is that there isn’t space for you to dine in when you visit their outlet; there’s only a bench outside right now.

Your best bet is to order Makcik Chicken through Deliveroo, Ubereats, or Honestbee so that you don’t need to hunt for a place to enjoy your meal before it becomes cold.

The only thing really stopping me from ordering from my dear Makcik everyday is the $9.50 price tag. While you might not be able to afford to have it everyday, it’s definitely worth trying. Or maybe every once in a while as a treat.

Makcik Chicken
Address: 77 Aliwal Street
Opening Hours: Wed – Sat, 11am – 8pm
Also read Prodigal Roasters Has The Most Bizarre Cheese Tart Flavors To Complement Their Seasonal Coffee Menu

Skip The Store – Here Are 8 Everyday Products That Are Better Bought Online

Loathe lugging heavy items around the supermarket or simply too busy to even visit one? Well, your weekly supermarket shopping doesn’t have to be a struggle when you can sit in front of your computer to check the best prices of the items you need. You can even save some money on public transport fares or taxi when you purchase in bulk.

Whether you are a busy career women or a bachelor wanting to spend time at the bar instead of the supermarket, we sussed out a list of everyday products that are better bought online.

1. Toilet paper/Tissues

Think necessities, and you definitely have toilet paper and tissues up on the list. These household essentials are used daily, so why not buy it in bulk online and get it delivered to your doorstep? You’ll save lugging these bulky rolls of toilet paper up the public transport. Just make sure you have some extra room in your store to load them up.

Purchase Red Mart’s house brand of 3-Ply luxuriously soft toilet tissue at only $4.70 as compared to buying at FairPrice Supermarket for Kleenex at $6.95 with similar 3-Ply 220 sheets per roll. Red Mart’s house brand is definitely more affordable and gets you much more savings!

Where to purchase:
Redmart (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery)
Honestbee (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery. $12 off your first order with min $100 spent)
Purchase any three 600ml Kirei Kirei Body Foam Refill at $5.40 each and get $5.05 off the total amount at FairPrice Online, offer valid till 7th September 2016. As compared to Red Mart, 600ml Kirei Kirei Body Foam Refill retails online at $4.25, thus buying more quantities at FairPrice Online is a better option which saves you $1.60!

Where to purchase:
Redmart (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery)
Honestbee (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery. $12 off your first order with min $100 spent)
Zalora (Purchase a min of $40 for free delivery. Enjoy 20% off using Citi Rewards card – Use code: “CITISTYLE20”, All other Citi credit cards enjoy 18% 0ff – Use code: “CITISTYLE18”)

3. Detergent

Doing laundry may be a chore to some, especially with the need to purchase heavy bags of detergent powder. Why not order your detergent online and settle this tedious task easily. You’ll save the hassle of lugging those heavy bags around the supermarket and get them delivered right to you.

Where to purchase:
Redmart (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery)
Honestbee (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery. $12 off your first order with min $100 spent)

Save up to $24.70 when you purchase in bulk from Red Mart. Their Huggies Ultra Diapers M retails online for $50.15 for 3 packs of 64 diapers as compared to Honest Bee which retails at $24.95 for 1 pack of 64 diapers. Other brands such as Pampers, MamyPoko and Merries has great savings when you purchase in bulk from Red Mart. 

Where to purchase:
Redmart (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery)
Honestbee (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery. $12 off your first order with min $100 spent)

Purchase 3 bottles of vitamins at Watsons for 33% off your total price. As compared to Redmart, Honestbee and Guardian, Watsons’s deal is a great saver!

Where to purchase:
6. Durex

Do you know you can shop for condoms and lubricants online? Buying online makes the process much easier with you being able to slowly browse through and purchase the best condom for yourself or partner. The obvious reason to shop online for this intimate product is also for privacy, and to avoid any embarrassment. You won’t need to be standing at the store to decide what you need, when getting them online is so much easier.

Order from Honestbee for same day delivery. If you’re not in a rush, slowly browse through the different types of Durex condoms on Redmart. Prices for both Redmart and Honestbee are the same.

Where to purchase:
Redmart (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery)
Honestbee (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery. $12 off your first order with min $100 spent)

7. Toothpaste and Tooth Brush

Get into the habit of changing toothbrushes 2 to 4 times per year. Toothbrushes tend to contain bacteria and it’s always good to have a new, fresh toothbrush storing in the cabinet. Other hygiene care products are also available purchased online. With its long shelf life, you need not worry about the toothpaste or mouth wash expiry dates.

Buy 2 get 1 free at Honestbee when you purchase Colgate Fresh Cool Mint Toothpaste (175g) at $6.40. As compared to Redmart, its 250g Colgate Fresh Cool Mint Toothpaste retails online at $4.10 for 1 box. Honestbee definitely saves more when you purchase 2 boxes.

Where to purchase:
Redmart (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery
Honestbee (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery. $12 off your first order with min $100 spent )

Homenoffice provides a large range of office needs from stationary to printer inks and other office equipments as compared to Redmart and Honestbee. Bulk purchases at Homenoffice sets you for great discounts. For example, Double A Copier Paper 70gsm A4 cost $5.90 at Honestbee, while at Homenoffice they retail online at $3.50. If you purchase 50 qualities and above Homenoffice offers a bulk price of $3.15 each.

Where to purchase:
Redmart (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery)
Honestbee (Purchase a min of $30 for free delivery. $12 off your first order with min $100 spent)
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