Laksa Cocktail? 8 Whacky Singaporean Cocktails You Need To Try!

Let’s be honest, for people who aren’t exactly the fiercest of patriots, we are surprisingly crazy for any food/beverage that has local twists to them. With Salted Egg Yolk hogging the spotlight for the past couple of weeks, we’d like to take the chance to introduce the cocktail equivalent of the McDonald’s Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger.

Kidding. Had you for a second there, didn’t we?

Seriously, though, you never know if a Salted Egg Yolk cocktail is coming our way. In the meantime, we did some prowling in our bar scene. Guess what? We came across several locally inspired drinks, Singaporean cocktails specifically, whose weirdness rivals that of the imaginary Salted Egg Yolk’s.

Unusual yet delicious, we present you seven whacky and uniquely Singaporean cocktails you need to try.

1. Stylo Milo

[caption id="attachment_11168" align="alignnone" width="670"] Even the cup is green.
Source: Weekender
[/caption]

Straight from the Kopitiam is Stylo Milo, Ding Dong’s playful take on our favourite childhood drink. More than just freshly brewed Milo and condensed milk, Stylo Milo also features a dash of Hakushu Distillers Reserve’s whisky and green chartreuse. This guys, is how you drink Milo peng in style.

Ding Dong
Address: 115 Amoy Street #01-02, S069935
Contact: 6557 0189
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am; Sat, 6pm – 12am

2. Kaya Toast Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11170" align="alignnone" width="640"]Source: @gourmetandtravel Source: @gourmetandtravel[/caption]

Need some toast to go with your Milo? Fret not, 3. Mr. Bean [caption id="attachment_11171" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Source: Saveur Source: Saveur[/caption]

A modern take on tao huey, this beancurd cocktail is a signature drink from Jekyll & Hyde that consists of butterscotch liqeuer, kaya, frangelico, vodka and of course, beancurd. Yes, there is actual tao huey in it. Not just some chapalang beancurd, but the renowned Lao Ban beancurd is what is used for this concoction. This is a creamy, sweet and hazelnutty drink that we think is great on its own.

Jekyll & Hyde
Address: 49 Tras Street S078988
Contact: 6222 3349

4. Prawn Noodle Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11172" align="alignnone" width="960"]Source: KUVO Singapore Source: KUVO Singapore[/caption]

It’s not enough that Kuvo serves its own rendition of the traditional Prawn Noodle Soup. It serves also the Prawn Noodle Cocktail! Comprising of the ingredients you’ll find in your everyday Prawn Noodle Soup, be warned that this unorthodox concoction may be a little too exotic for some.

Kuvo
Address: 321 Orchard Road, #02-01 S238866
Contact: 6733 8272
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 12pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 12pm – 2am; Sun 12pm – 1am

5. Laksa Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11541" align="alignnone" width="421"]364c3048631b95359e1151462_original Source: Burpple[/caption]

A frothy beverage made of laksa leaves, coriander, ginger, chilli, lime juice, egg white and rum, the Laksa Cocktail by Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is a cocktail with a kick. Slightly creamy, this distinctly aromatic blend is a pretty good Singaporean cocktail rendition of the traditional laksa. On a side note, how old school is the name Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall?

Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
Address: 60A Boat Quay, S049848
Contact: 6535 0838
Opening hours: Mon to Thu, 6pm – 12am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 3am

6. Chicken Rice Cocktail

[caption id="attachment_11174" align="alignnone" width="788"]Source: Gourmetadventures Source: Gourmetadventures[/caption]

Served in a traditional teacup of sorts, the Chicken Rice Cocktail from 7. Nonya Crack [caption id="attachment_11175" align="alignnone" width="700"]Source: Chope Source: Chope[/caption]

A concoction similar to Baileys, Singaporean cocktail of batida de coco, pandan, milk, pink salt and rum. This is another Singaporean cocktail we’d recommend as a dessert cocktail.

6327 4820
Opening hours: Daily, 4pm – 1am

8. Liang Teh

[caption id="attachment_11176" align="alignnone" width="382"]Source: The Straits Times Source: The Straits Times[/caption]

Feeling a little heaty from the laksa and chicken rice? Maison Ikkoku presents to you the Liang Teh. A mixture of chrysanthemum, luo han guo, xia gu chao, red dates, ginseng and white spirits, traditional herbal tea has just gotten better. If only our ah ma had thought of this.

Maison Ikkoku
Address: 20 Kandahar Street, S198885
Contact: 6294 0078
Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 6pm – 1am; Fri & Sat, 6pm – 2am

With these eight cocktails, there really is no better time to let your Singaporean-ness shine. So unleash your inner alcoholic patriot and get started on these whacky Singaporean cocktails!

(Header image by Weekender, words by editor)

Also, read Verdict Is Out! Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore For Best Food Under $45

Here’s An Ingenious Way To Easily Save 10% Off Your Dining Bills

When it comes to the end of the month, some of us always have issues with ‘meal budgeting’ (read being broke and hungry).  An eat-out meal can easily cost up to $25 per person and all that MSG from 3 servings of instant noodles per day isn’t the best idea.

Fortunately, at Discover SG, we understand the pain of not being able to enjoy good food! We’ve teamed up with HollerOut, a referral marketing app with some of the best meal deals in town, to bring you 10% discounts off some of your dining bills.

Here are 6 irresistible deals that will do your wallet a big favour. The best part? You will even get rewarded, monetarily, when you refer friends! Read on to find out how this works.

10% off your dining bills at these 6 places

1. Sin Lee Foods

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFTirF1g1oW/?taken-at=327556374&hl=en

Tired of the usual brunch food? Head over to Sin Lee Foods for a one of a kind menu. This cafe boasts beautiful aesthetics and unique creations such as Salted Egg Sweet Potato Fries, Aburi Broccoli, Mentaiko Crab Mantou and many more. The talents of Sin Lee were trained in New York and French kitchens and yes, they sure know a thing or two about flavours.

Sin Lee Foods
Address: Blk 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-164
Contact number: +65 6377 3170
Operating hours: Tue-Fri (11am-9pm), Sat (9.30am-9pm), Sun (9.30am-6pm)
Website/Facebook: Sin Lee Foods
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $50 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

2. Maison Ikkoku

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFvOwSjh6sT/?taken-at=214431872&hl=en

What do you get when you combine all day breakfast, gourmet sandwiches, and specialty coffee? And on top of that, a cafe that switches into a cocktail bar when the sun sets. I don’t know what you have in mind but that sure sounds like Maison Ikkoku to me. Located near the Arab Street district, this is the kind of place to dine at after some hipster shopping at Haji Lane.

Maison Ikkoku
Address: 20 Kandahar Street, 198885
Contact number: +65 6294 0078
Operating Hours: Mon- Thu (9am-9pm), Fri – Sat (9am-11pm), Sun (9am-7pm)
Website/Facebook: Maison Ikkoku
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $50 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

3. Rochor Thai

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEbI_HXn_RH/?taken-at=128119604&hl=en

No flavours are more appetising than sour and spicy and you sure can depend on Rochor Thai for some seriously appetite-arousing Thai dishes in Singapore. Initially a small eatery at Rochor Centre in 2012, this Thai restaurant has successfully charmed many tastebuds with their authentic flavours and is now established firmly at Thomson Road.

Rochor Thai
Address: 275 Thomson Road #01-03 Novena Regency 307645
Contact number: +65 64403270
Operating Hours: Mon- Thu (11.30am-2:30pm, 6:00pm-9:30pm), Fri (11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm- 10pm), Sat-Sun (12pm – 2:30pm, 5:30pm -10pm)
Website/Facebook: Rochor Thai
HollerOut  deal: 10% discount with $50 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

4. On The Table

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFYT2ZTFL6E/?taken-at=772085775&hl=en

Feeling down? Maybe what you need is comfort food prepared with TLC – carefully crafted coffee and some sweet handmade desserts. Look no further, you can get it all at On The Table. Located at Pasir Panjang, this cosy cafe dishes out the best comfort food in generous portions.

On The Table
Address: 118 Pasir Panjang Road, 118541
Contact number: +65 9780 8094
Operating Hours: Tue-Thu (11am-10pm), Fri (11am-10:30pm), Sat (10am-10:30pm), Sun (10am-100pm)
Website/Facebook: On The Table
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $60 min spent, $5 referral fee (code: DISCOVERSG)

5. The Laneway Market

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFvzCmnts-R/?taken-at=501059963&hl=en

From casual breakfast to dinner mains, you can count on The Laneway Market for a hearty dining experience. Everything on their menu looks super yum and if you’ve no idea what to choose, we suggest you go for the Dashi Risotto, Truffle Fries or Wagyu Beef Cheeks Aglio Olio. And did we also mention that they bake their own pastries?

The Laneway Market
Address: 266 Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437053
Contact number: +65 6719 8832
Operating hours: Wed – Sun, 10am-9:30pm
Website/Facebook: The Laneway Market
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $40 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

6. Brother Bird

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEfWirLMPYr/?taken-at=947616497&hl=en

Artisanal soft serve ice cream, home made rice donuts (mochi) and a HollerOut discount… need we say more? Just call your friends and head to Brother Bird at Bali Lane. They serve some of the prettiest looking ice cream in town but the matcha mochi balls… literally BURST with matcha lava!!

Brother Bird
Address: 30 Bali Lane Singapore 189866
Contact number: +65 9800 7628
Operating hours: Wed – Mon (12pm-10pm)
Website/Facebook: Brother Bird
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $55 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

How do I use the discount code? Introducing HollerOut

What exactly is HollerOut all about? Basically, HollerOut encourages word of mouth recommendation for cafes and restaurants with a promo code concept.

For example, when I visit Brother Bird, I’ll key in the code ‘DISCOVERSG‘ on the app to get my 10% discount with a minimum spend of $55. After that, I’ll automatically be an ambassador for Brother Bird and will have my very own promo code, which I can share to my friends.

When my friend uses my promo code at Brother Bird, I will be rewarded with a referral fee of $5. Simply, you’ll get a discount by quoting someone else’s code and you’ll even be rewarded monetarily if your referral code is used by your friend.

Can’t wait to enjoy the 10% discount off your dining bill at these 6 places and more? Just follow the following steps to great discounts (and extra pocket money):

1. Download the app (iOs / android) and visit a partner merchant mentioned above
2. Open the merchant’s page in the app, click on ‘Promo Code’
3. Key in ‘DISCOVERSG’ as promo code and pass the phone to the merchant, who will validate the promotion.
4. After a successful transaction, the merchant will give the discount, and in the ‘Home’ tab, you will see a ‘+$5’ in your credit (which you can withdraw anytime)

With nothing to lose, and everything to gain, what are you waiting for? Download the app and go cafe hopping with your friends while enjoying discounts and getting rewarded!

*Referral fee differs from place to place. It isn’t always $5.

Brought to you by Discover SG x HollerOut

(Header image credit: calvinteng, words by editor)

Also read: Join In One Of SG’s Biggest & Best Bazaars – The Market Hop

FORT By Maison Ikkoku – An Exquisite 4 Course CNY Menu With A Twist

I could hardly contain my excitement when I was invited to FORT by Maison Ikkoku to savour its latest Four-Course Chinese New Year Menu, which was carefully whipped up and conceptualised by Executive Chef and Head Mixologist, Ethan Leslie Leong. Available from 1 Jan – 29 Feb 2016, the 4-course menu, set at $48++ per person, and an additional $40++ for four unique cocktails, boasts 4 dish that are named after auspicious Chinese wishes.

Having stepped foot to the newly-minted Pinacotheque De Paris at the historical site of Fort Canning Hill for the first time, I was immediately enchanted by FORT’s 30-seater restaurant bar. The place was adorned with luxurious velvet curtains, copper pipes & Edison filament bulbs, creating an ambience that epitomises both modern chic and ancient industrial.

Four-Course Chinese New Year Menu at FORT by Maison Ikkoku

Starting the prosperous dining journey was the 招财进宝 (Joyous Treasure): a delectable starter of pan-seared Hokkaido scallop, heaps of seaweed and a generous amount of golden roe, sprinkled all over with edible gold flakes. This was paired with喜气洋洋 (Jubilant Festivity), a sake infused with fragrant lemongrass that whets my appetite for the upcoming dish.

Second in the menu was the 好事连连 (Bountiful Harvest), a reinterpretation of the classic Roast Goose. This is certainly one of my favourites, being an avid Roast Goose fan. The puree, made using ingredients such as lotus, beet, sweet potatoes and kaffir lime, complements the Roast Goose so perfectly, both in terms of the palate and sight. This was paired with a visually stunning cocktail, 珠光寶氣 (Bejewelled Radiance), which was made with sparkling bubbly and floating daisy caviar.

Moving on to the mains, the auspiciously named 年年有余 (Sea of Fortune), features a succulent Salmon steak that was cooked to perfection. Presented on a bed of sweet, tart green apple, grapefruit and passion fruit, the dish was perfectly balanced with a copious dollop of salmon roe. The cocktail pairing was the carefully concocted 招財進寶 (Opulent Prosperity), made specially in-house with citrus sugar, whiskey and bitters.

The 金玉满堂 (Golden Royale) is such an adorable dessert that I couldn’t help falling in love with. Bursting with zesty and citrus aroma, this sorbet was served alongside frozen Kumquats. As I savoured the tantalising flavours and observed with fascination the gold colour of the dessert, I came to a realisation that the dish was so aptly named. I was then treated to a beautiful sight when the mixologist concocted 歩歩高升 (Passion Abundance), an earthy drink made with a base of spiced rum, a dash of Himalayan salt, a hint of caramel and passion fruit, that was served with heaps of dry ice, for that added drama.

 

Signature Ala Carte Dishes at FORT by Maison Ikkoku

Apart from the festive menu, I was kindly treated to one of its signature dishes from the ala carte menu – The Fort (4 pcs S$18++ / 8 pcs S$28++), which was a beautifully created spicy maguro hand-roll.

For Omakase Lovers

In addition, since 1 December 2015, FORT by Maison Ikkoku has launched their 12-course Omakase for just S$68++ per person. Diners will be taken through a gastronomical journey with dishes using the freshest ingredients presented in a form that brings out the best in them. Given the delightful experience with the 4-course menu, I would certainly visit Fort again, for the Omakase.

FORT by Maison Ikkoku

Address: Pinacotheque De Paris, 5 Cox Terrace, Fort Canning Hill, S(179620)

Telephone: +65 6336 0507

Opening Hours: Daily 4P.M till Late

Getting There:

  • Nearest MRT Station -Dhoby Ghaut (5 – 8 minute walk from Park Mall towards Fort Canning Park)
  • Nearest Car Park
Car Park B, Fort Canning Park (Free parking after 5pm)
  • Nearest Bus Station
04223 – Old Hill Street Police Station
(5 minute walk up the stairs leading to Fort Canning Park)

This article is written by Yi Shiean (@yishiean), our brand ambassador for Discover SG. We are looking for more ambassadors to join us, so email us at [email protected] to find out more!