Tag: Singapore

From Snacks To Hijabs – Here Are 10 Of Our Favourite Vending Machines In Giant’s Vendmart

For those of you who think that vending machines are only for drinks, think again.

Giant has partnered with local companies in a first-of-its-kind initiative to launch VendMart, a cluster of the largest and widest range of vending machines under one roof in Singapore.

This Giant collaboration (see what we did there?) is an effort to showcase the many unique and innovative vending machine concepts created in Singapore. Giant has also included its own “Mystery Box” vending machine among the lineup.

So let’s dive in; we’ll show you some of our favourites!

So Many Vending Machines, So Little Time

1. Giant Mystery Box

For the low price of $10, you could walk away with an iPhone 8. Yes, we said iPhone 8. Yes, we know that this is a vending machine. No, we’re not lying.

In addition to Giant household appliances and kitchen gadgets, Giant has included one iPhone 8 in this cash-only Mystery Box vending machine from October to December 2017. Don’t say we bojio.

2. Tenacity Toys

Stocked with toys from Funko POP!, Tomica, Dorbz, Metacolle and Rock Candy, you’ll be able to find Star Wars, Marvel and DC character products in this cashless vending machine.

Prices start from $11.90 but that’s not the only amount we’ll be spending for the blind-packaged DC character figure boxes.

3. Asian Foodbox Powered By No Signboard Seafood

Close your eyes and imagine tze char in a vending machine. Okay, now open your eyes.

Meet the Asian Foodbox, which sells ready-to-eat hot meals such as hokkien mee and fried rice served with No Signboard Seafood‘s signature chilli crabs that have been deshelled.

Prices start from $4.50 and the machine is cashless-payment only.

4. Ninja Oden By No Signboard Seafood

If you’re not familiar with Oden, it is a hearty winter dish that includes fishcakes, daikon, konjac, and eggs simmered in a light dashi broth. Think Lok Lok, Japanese style.

This cashless vending machine sells ready-to-eat canned oden from $4.90 so you don’t have to bring out your steamboat pot.

5. Healthy Snacks By BoxGreen

For all the vegans and healthy snackers, BoxGreen‘s vending machine sells guilt-free, healthy snacks which range from vegan, gluten free, to under 120 calories.

Prices start from $4.90 and the machine does not accept cash because deforestation is an actual thing.

6. Shiok Pizza

Never in my life would we expect to see a cashless Pizza vending machine. But this is a real thing now. And we’re not even sorry to be cheating on Pezzo.

Halal-certified pizzas from $16? Goodbye Pezzo.

7. Men’s Grooming Products By SGPOMADES

This cashless vending machine looks more stylish than we do. SGPOMADES‘ cashless vending machine sells hair and grooming products for men. Like all stylish men, it accepts cashless payment only.

8. Halal Islamic-Related Products By Vibes Mastery

This cashless, fully Halal vending machine offers essential oils, teas, snacks, hijabs, and even jubahs from $8.50! Clothes in a vending machine! Now that is a new concept.

9. Farmily By Farmily

This first-of-its-kind vending machine dispenses gardening tools and seeds, perfect for those with a green thumb. Prices start from $12.

Please note that the seeds only accept cash.

10. Fish Food By Dajana

With prices from $2, this cashless vending machine sells fish food for tropical fish, goldfish, bettas, and more!

From now till December 2017, VendMart will be housed at Giant Hypermarket at Tampines and IMM Jurong.

Don’t miss this limited time vending machine shopping experience!

VendMart
Giant Hypermarket Tampines
Address: 21 Tampines North Drive 2 #03-01 Singapore 528765
Opening Hours: Sun – Thu: 8am – 12am, Fri – Sat: 8am – 2am
Contact no.: 6788 5919

Giant Hypermarket IMM
Address: 2 Jurong East Street 21 #01-100 IMM Building Singapore 609601
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 9am – 11pm, Fri & Sun: 8am – 11pm, Sat: 8am – 12am
Contact no.: 6564 3811

Also read You Can Jalan Jalan Down Memory Lane At This Nostalgic Festival Of Eats And Treats

(Header Image Source: Giant Singapore)

It’s Time, Imagine Dragons To Bring Their ‘Evolve’ World Tour To Singapore In January 2018

Fans of Imagine Dragons, brace yourselves. The Grammy Award-winning band is returning to Singapore on 7 January 2018 for a ONE NIGHT ONLY concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium!

Since their full-length debut in 2012 with their multi-platinum album, “Night Visions”, Imagine Dragons has captured fans worldwide with their anthemic alt-rock music.

With multiple Billboard-topping hits under their belt, the Grammy Award-winning band will be bringing their music to Singapore once again, following the debut of their 3rd studio album, “Evolve”.

The band will be performing hits such as “Whatever It Takes”,”Believer” and “Thunder” from the “Evolve” album as well some of their old favourite singles such as “It’s Time”, “Radioactive” and “Demons”.

Ticket prices start at $98 for Cat 7 tickets to $228 for Cat 1 tickets.

Tickets can be purchased online Also read Tickets For Taeyang’s ‘WHITE NIGHT’ 2017 World Tour Are Now On Sale!

(Header Image Source: cidentertainment.com)

You’re Not Going To Need A Wallet At This New ‘Smart’ Hawker Centre At Jurong West

Yishun step aside, Jurong West has gotten its own ‘smart’ hawker centre.

Located at Jurong West Street 61, next to Pioneer Mall, this 500-seater ‘smart’ hawker centre has 34 food stalls and a 14-stall wet market.

This is Singapore’s 2nd “smart” hawker centre after Yishun Park Hawker Centre.

A Smarter Hawker Centre

Jurong Hawker Centre has self-payment kiosks that accept cash. It also offers 8 other cashless payment options such as Apple Pay, Paywave and EZ Link Payment.

Diners also get to enjoy free wi-fi.

The food centre also has 3 tray-collecting robots to increase the efficiency of clearing tables and also to help diners who might not be able to carry their tray to the Tray Return Area.

Keeping Hawker-Fare At Hawker Prices

Aside from being a ‘smart’ hawker, this hawker centre is managed on a not-for-profit basis.

As such, each cooked food stall in this complex sells 2 regular-portion dishes at $2.80, ensuring there is a cheap option at every stall.

With 34 different hawker stalls, there is no shortage of variety and cuisines for diners to choose from.

The hawker centre will also be used to host community activities such as fairs, flea markets and music performances, in an effort to make it a natural gathering place for residents to dine and bond.

Also read You Can Jalan Jalan Down Memory Lane At This Nostalgic Festival Of Eats And Treats

(Header Image Source: Ekfigo Chua Facebook)

You Can Jalan Jalan Down Memory Lane At This Nostalgic Festival Of Eats And Treats

Singapore has changed so much within a short amount of time.

We’ve grown Smarter, our food (and palate) has grown fancier, and we’ve had international acts grace our shores and give us some amazing performances. But every now and then, it’s good to take a moment to remember the past, to reminisce simpler times, and to delight in the simple things that make us who we are.

“Let’s Go Jalan Jalan” is a food and music festival that brings all the most iconic things about Singapore – both new and old – to one place.

Happening from 17 – 19 Nov, this three-day event will take place at the nostalgic The Three Peacocks @ Labrador Park and will feature over 100 varieties of food and merchandise stalls.

The best part? Entry to this festival is free!

Made In Singapore

Expect popular local cuisines such as Ice Blended Rainbow Dash, Rickshaw Noodles, traditional “You Tiao” with soya bean drink, the old school ice cream uncle, and more!

There will also be sand art, rubber water colour art, and glitter art – a fun throwback to back when we were kids!

Harking back to simpler times, there will be henna stalls, stalls selling handcrafted ware, and a creative heritage trail!

The soundtrack to this festival will be provided by buskers and up-and-coming singers. Look out for performances by Alan Fong, Nick Shen and his Teochew Opera Crew!

Leave Your Wallets At Home

At this festival, only old-school Festival Coupons and Ezi Wallet payments can be used to purchase food, beverage and merchandise.

Food coupons can be purchased online at Image Credit: Let’s Go Jalan Jalan Facebook[/caption]

Only one bag may be claimed per customer and only while stocks lasts, so act quickly!

With free shuttle buses available at Labrador Park MRT and at Seah Im Carpark open space (nearby Harbourfront MRT), getting there will be a cinch.

The event is pet-friendly and wheelchair-friendly, so bring your ah ma, ah gong, and even your furry ones to this festival come November! You’re sure to have a good ol’ time at this chill, hyper-local extravaganza!

Let’s Go Jalan Jalan
Address: The Three Peacocks @ Labrador Park, 8 Port Road, Singapore 117540
Date: 17 – 19 Nov
Time: 17 Nov: 5pm – 12.30am | 18 Nov: 10am – 12.30am | 19 Nov: 10am – 12.30am
Admission: Free
Website

Also read This Thai Bakery Is Baking Up A Storm Of Fluffy Loaves – And You Knead To Try It

Tickets For Taeyang’s ‘WHITE NIGHT’ 2017 World Tour Are Now On Sale!

Attention all BIG BANG fans!

Taeyang will be performing in Singapore for ONE NIGHT ONLY on 27 October as part of the Asian leg of his ‘WHITE NIGHT’ World Tour and tickets are now on sale!

The multi-talented singer will not only be performing tracks from his latest solo album, he’ll also be serenading you with some of his biggest hits such as ‘Eyes, Nose, Lips (눈.코.입)’ and ‘Wedding Dress’.

If You Love Tori-Q And Satay, You’ll Love This Kushiyaki Bar That Serves Grilled Skewers

‘Kushiyaki’ is a term that many people in Singapore are not familiar with.

Don’t worry, we will explain. Kushiyaki essentially refers to skewered food that is grilled.

Grilling brings out the natural flavours of the food. It caramelises the sugars in vegetables and marinated meat tend to take on a distinctive roast aroma and flavour.

Enter Kimoto Gastro Bar. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant bar located at The Sail@Marina Bay serves up a wide range of skewered meat and vegetables, tempura, rice bowls, and an extensive menu of saké to go with the food.

This quaint bar may be small but their food is big on flavour.

Stick After Stick Of Deliciousness

Now, this is the fun part. The food!

The Buta Bara (Iberico Pork Belly) is a must-try. The iberico pork belly is brushed with a special sauce before being grilled to caramelised perfection. We promise that this will disappear from the table faster than you can say “Buta Bara”.

New on the menu is this Kimoto original, the Unagi Riceball. Generous amounts of grilled fatty unagi is wrapped in a toasted riceball and is served with their special sauce, bonito flakes and a dollop of tobiko mayo.

This delectable creation is crispy and packed with flavour. We love how umami the unagi is when paired with the special sauce. However, it is quite a hassle to try and get rid of the toasted rice from your teeth afterwards.

It is still a really good riceball though, so do give it a try!

Another Kimoto original, the Crispy Fried Squid is an addictive bar bite that is fried to perfection, yet tender and moist on the inside. This is a hot favourite on the menu so order fast or it might just run out!

The Uzura Tamago (Quail Egg) is a mini ramen egg. The yolks are not fully cooked so it’s still a bit runny and the umami is concentrated. Each bite of the quail egg is akin to setting off an umami bomb.

Grilled and simply seasoned with salt is the Zucchini kushiyaki ($4.50). It looks underwhelming but don’t let that fool you. We never knew zucchini could be this good.

When you finish your food, don’t just leave the skewers lying around. Kimoto provides these cups for you to leave your finished skewers. Handy!

For those of you who are craving something a little more familiar, Kimoto has that covered.

The Tempura Moriawase comes with battered prawns, shitake mushroom, brinjal, sweet potato, carrot, and interestingly, chicken breast!

The chicken breast is tenderised before being coated in tempura batter and fried. The result is a flat, tender piece of chicken breast that just melts in your mouth.

Kimoto also has a rather extensive saké menu, because no decent japanese bar serves food without alcohol. Prices for the saké go from $70 to $1688. Yes, $1688. If you’re not sure about the drink pairing, feel free to ask the friendly staff for recommendations!

All in all, Kimoto Gastro Bar is a great spot to unwind with friends, with great food, great saké and reasonable prices for quality food.

Kimoto Gastro Bar
Address: 6 Marina Boulevard #01-15 The Sail@Marina Bay Singapore 018987
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm; Sat – Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 6222 7588
Website

Also read 21Moonstone Lets You Revisit Your Youth With Arcade Games, Cheap Booze, And Old School Snacks

(Header Image Source: Kimoto Gastro Bar)

This Thai Bakery Is Baking Up A Storm Of Fluffy Loaves – And You Knead To Try It

Thai Baàng holds a special place in our heart, for we believe that they make one of the best breads in Singapore. This bakery may be small, but the bread they churn out isn’t.

Located in the corner of Kitchener Complex at Lavender, this Thai bakery also recently opened their second outlet at Orchard Xchange.

Tradition Brings Comfort

Following her love for traditional comfort Thai Bread she discovered on a trip to Thailand early 2017, Jovi – owner of Thai Baàng, left her job as a financial advisor to open up this bakery.

After spending a few months in Bangkok to pick up the art of making traditional Thai bread, Jovi opened Thai Baàng in mid-2017.

Particular about the quality of bakes that leaves her bakery, everything is made fresh daily in the kitchen she has in both stores.

With no preservatives or bread softener added, each bread is baked in a tin container to help hold it’s shape and keep it warm, even after sitting out for 30 minutes. This helps to keep the bread soft and fluffy on the inside, creating that soft and chewy texture.

With over 30 flavours of bread in their shop, here are some of their most popular flavours:

Banana Chocolate Bread ($2.70)

They have a variety of sweet breads but this is perhaps our favourite of them all! The dark chocolate and mashed banana complemented each other well without being overly sweet.

Thai Milk Tea Butter Sugar ($3.00)

What’s Thailand without their Thai Milk Tea? If you love Thai Milk tea then this bread is right up your alley. Honestly, we can eat this bread in one sitting.

Thai Milk Tea With Chocolate ($3.00)

If the plain one doesn’t cut it for you, then we highly recommend the Thai Milk Tea with Chocolate bread. This is perfect for all chocolate lovers. Just like the Banana Chocolate bread, this option comes with chunks of chocolate in every bite.

What draws us to their bread is that they do not skimp on the ingredients used in their bakes.

Curry Chicken ($2.70)

This is the perfect alternative to curb your cravings for curry chicken. This bread comes with generous portions of chicken, egg, sausage which blends well with the soft and chewy texture of the bread.

Tom Yam Chicken ($2.70)

Fresh out of the oven, this bread smelled heavenly and we just couldn’t wait to dig in.

This bread tastes exactly like sipping on a hot, spicy bowl of tom yam soup in BKK.

Mushroom Vege ($2.70)

Remember those old school bakery that sells mushroom mayo buns?

This option brings back those memories – except that this bread got a whole new upgrade. Put together the savoury mushrooms and crunchy radish along with the soft, fluffy bread, this is the perfect comfort food for kids and adults alike.

Asides from the bread, Thai Baàng also sells other delicacies such as the Chili Shrimp Glutinous Rice ($1.50). Just like how their breads are generously filled, this was no exception as well!

Don’t be fooled by it’s colour as the chilli shrimp is honestly not that spicy! This delicacy has just the right amount of spice and balanced proportion between the chilli shrimp and glutinous rice.

You can also look forward to their selection of cakes.

We love the Banana Chocolate Cake ($7.00) which consists of of a layer of chocolate sponge cake atop a layer of banana cake. Both flavours blended well with each other in this moist cake.

Last but not least, they also have a selection of Swiss Rolls starting from $5. From Traditional Butter Kaya ($5) to Coffee Rum And Raisin ($5.50), their swiss rolls makes the perfect afternoon tea snack!

Thai Baàng’s fresh bakes will have you hooked at first bite and are totally worth a trip down! So if you’re looking for an alternative from BreadTalk or Four Leaves, we highly recommend getting the breads from this Thai bakery instead.

Come early and you might just catch a fresh batch out of the oven! You can also give Jovi a call to reserve your breads as they run out fast.

Thai Baàng Bakery (Lavender)
Address: 809 French Road #01-41, Kitchener Complex, Singapore 200809
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm, Sat: 8:30am – 8pm, Sun: 9am – 7:30pm
Contact no.: 9722 1213
Website

Thai Baàng Bakery (Orchard Xchange)
Address: 437 orchard road, B1-37 Orchard MRT Station, Singapore 238878
Directions: Orchard MRT Exit A, head up the escalator on your left and turn right
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 8.30pm, daily
Contact no.: 9722 1213
Website

Also read An Oldie But A Goodie: Canteen 398 At Seletar Is Possibly The Longest Surviving Canteen In S’pore

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

21Moonstone Lets You Revisit Your Youth With Arcade Games, Cheap Booze, And Old School Snacks

Singapore has seen its fair share of bars situated in odd locations, from Smoke & Mirrors, the rooftop bar at the National Gallery Singapore, to The Library, which is hidden behind a bookcase.

Enter 21Moonstone, a bar located on the 9th floor of an old office building.

Situated on the 9th floor of Poh Leng Building at 21 Moonstone Lane (hence the name), this space is a creative co-working studio by day and a beer house by night – at least on Fridays and Saturdays.

A drastic change of pace from the trendy bars and swanky watering holes of Singapore, this bar is laidback and arty.

Think: exposed ceilings, mismatched lights, furniture, floorboards, art scattered around the space, and a giant traditional Chinese signboard!

Did you know most of the resources here are crowdsourced or donated by users of the space?

If you need some air, there is also outdoor seating (and standing) for you and your friends to make yourselves at home.

Great Minds Think Alike

21Moonstone was the brainchild of 4 friends who realised that they needed a communal space not just to work at but to hang out at.

Founded by Yang Er Tan, Jeremy Lim, Vincent Ho, and Narelle Kheng (of The Sam Willows!), each of them brings their own experience and knowledge to the table.

Welcoming freelancers, artists, photographers, and other creative minds, their intention is to establish a safe space for exchanging and generating new ideas.

Where Artistry Meets Celebrity

Considering that one of 21Moonstone’s founders is a celebrity in her own right, the place is no stranger to celebrities.

Drop by for some good, cheap alcohol, and who knows? You may even bump into some familiar faces!

21Moonstone is all about creating a casual setting for big groups of friends to chill and unwind. There’s even an old school arcade machine and card games you and your party can help yourselves to!

21Moonstone’s menu is straightforward, with a trim list of beers, ciders and a secret food menu.

You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Asahi ($8 per bottle) beer. If you’re looking for a change, we hear the Westmalle Trappist Dubbel ($12 per bottle) is founder Jeremy Lim’s personal favourite.

If you get the munchies, the bar offers old school snacks such as Muruku Ikan and Super Ring. Comfort foods such as nachos, seaweed chicken and luncheon meat are also available!

Because most of the food served here are simple finger foods, we recommend you come after dinner. Otherwise, there’s a good Fishhead Steamboat/Tze Char place downstairs called Tian Wai Tian where you can fill your stomachs before you go to 21Moonstone.

A low-key bar that’s big on good vibes, end your week on a good note at 21Moonstone!

21Moonstone
Address: 21 Moonstone Lane, Poh Leng Building, #09-01, Singapore 328426
Opening Hours: Fri – Sat: 8pm – 12am
Contact no.: 9187 0898
Website

Also read Laneway Festival Singapore 2018 Reveals Lineup Including The War On Drugs, Wolf Alice, And More

(Header Image Source: @jemplify)

The Flagship Gong Cha Outlet Has Been Spotted And We’re Choking On Our LiHo Pearls

Oh. My. God. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

There has been a Gong Cha outlet sighting in Singapore!

Located at Singpost Centre at Paya Lebar, the flagship outlet is still undergoing renovations in preparation for a December 2017 opening.

Since announcing their eventual return to the Singapore market back in June, Gong Cha has been quietly planning their much-anticipated comeback.

On 26 September, Gong Cha began its recruitment via a Facebook post and that was the last we heard from them.

And today, we have this! A physical Gong Cha outlet!

Gong Cha may not have a specific date of return yet, but they sure know how to keep us in anticipation.

Do stay tuned for more details in the near future!

Also read 5 Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shops To Satisfy Your BBT Cravings Before Gong Cha Makes Its Return

(Header Image Source: Gong Cha Facebook)

East Meets West At Birdfolks, Where American Fried Chicken Is Served With Kopi

There has been a recent spate of Korean-style fried chicken restaurants opening in Singapore. From 4Fingers to Chir Chir, sometimes all we want is just to have good ol’ American-style fried chicken.

Crispy, juicy, and greasy. That’s the way fried chicken should be, unclouded by a myriad of gimmicky flavours.

At Birdfolks, that is what they are serving – good ol’ American-style fried chicken.

Leave It To The Birdfolks To Serve Good Fried Chicken

Located at 1 West Coast Drive, their Signature Chicken Rice Box ($9.90) includes edamame, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, their house recipe boneless fried chicken and comes topped with a sous vide egg!

The best part is you get to choose from 4 different flavours of rice!

Choose from Original, Cilantro Lime, Tomato Oregano, and the recommended Garlic Butter rice.

Someone get me a tissue. Now. I need to stop drooling!

If you’re looking for a more traditional chicken meal, try the Thigh & Drum ($12.90) which includes 2 pieces of their signature American-styled brined fried chicken, served with fries.

What makes their fried chicken special is that the chicken is brined in a blend of seasonings before frying. This allows the chicken to retain its juiciness, ensuring satisfaction with each bite.

Another popular item on the menu is the Wasabi Mayo Chicken Sandwich ($12.90).

Chopped fried chicken is tossed in wasabi mayo before being sandwiched in dark rye sourdough (because white bread and burger buns are mainstream) with julienned carrots and corn kernels for crunch.

The cafe doesn’t serve up much in terms of drinks. Diners can choose from canned drinks ($2.80), honey lime tea ($2.60 for hot, $3.20 for iced), chocolate ($2.60 for hot, $3.20 for cold), kopi or teh. The choice of drink is clear. Teh is the weh (way) to go.

This quaint fried chicken joint currently seats 30 people and the food is really satisfying. We recommend that you pop by if you’re in the area!

Birdfolks
Address: NEWest, 1 West Coast Drive, #01-75, Singapore 128020 (Nearest MRT: Clementi)
Opening Hours: Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Contact no.: 6924 0876
Someone Finally Opened A Durian Specialty Cafe, And It Serves More Than The Typical Puffs And Cakes

(Header Image Source: @birdfolks.sg)