Tag: Singapore

9 Of SG’s Best Local Street Snack, How Many Have You Tried?

After trawling through Coachella pictures from Buzzfeed and Instagram, the one thing that caught my eye was the food. Oh good lord, the pictures made my stomach rumble even after I just had my lunch! It looked so sinful yet so enticing at the same time. My mind instantly drifted to the street food that I could savour in Singapore.

Fret not when it comes to food in SG! You’ll always be able to find some unique and equally tempting street snacks on our sunny island from the night bazaar, a.k.a pasar malam. Read on to find out what food is available, and where you can find the nearest pasar malam to you.

1. Tutu Kueh

This ‘hobo’ right here, me, only learnt about tutu kuehs two years ago and boy when I tried it did I wonder what I was missing out all these years!

Depending on which flavour you choose, the soft and springy dough skin bursts open when you bite it, revealing the sweet filling inside. My absolute favourite version would be coconut but it comes in a few other varieties like chocolate or peanuts.

Tutu Kueh
Cost: 5 pieces for $2.50
Where to buy: Pasar Malams, most heartland malls, and Food Republic food court

2. Putu Piring

This is akin to the Malay cousin of Tutu Kueh. The difference? Gula Melaka filling, softer rice cakes, larger in size, and topped with freshly grated coconut. Warm, gooey, and not too sweet, these putu pirings are a definite treat.

However, there are only a few places that still sell this traditional Malay snack. One of which is Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, that has been well-loved and much raved about. Pay them a visit one of these days to give it a try!

Putu Piring
Cost: 5 pieces for $2.50
Where to buy: Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, 970 Geylang Road, #01-12; Pasar Malams

3. Ondeh Ondeh

These adorable little chewy green balls are typically made out of glutinous rice flour, dyed naturally using pandan leaves’ juice and comes with a white coat of desiccated coconut.

You can usually find these either kosong (plain) or with some gula melaka filling hidden inside. Some stores even sell a yam variety where sweet potato is used to substitute half the usual required amount of glutinous rice flour.

Ondeh Ondeh
Cost: 3 for $1
Where to buy: Xing Xing Tapioca Kueh/ Ondeh Ondeh
Address: #01-31, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069 184
Contact: 9863 2833
Operating hours: Mon to Sat: 8am to 2pm, Closed on Sundays

4. Steamed Tapioca Cake

My love for the fried version of the tapioca cake (featured below) was terrible for my waistline hence I stuck to its healthier steamed buddy when I was on a roll to cut down on my unhealthy eating habits.

Equally as delicious, just without the guilt, the steamed tapioca cake is typically moist and QQ (chewy). You can get this addictive chewy snack from the same place as above! Kill two birds with a stone and try out both their Ondeh Ondeh and Steamed Tapioca Cake.

Steamed Tapioca Cake
Cost: 1 box for $2.50
Where to buy: Xing Xing Tapioca Kueh/ Ondeh Ondeh
Address: #01-31, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069 184
Contact: 9863 2833
Operating hours: Mon to Sat: 8am to 2pm, Closed on Sundays

5. Fried Tapioca Cake

Found at most pasar malams, these green cakes were one of my favourite childhood snacks and I would bug my mom to buy three slices for me (three for $1 back then) whenever we pass by any pasar malams.

These greasy green cakes are crispy on the outside yet moist and chewy on the inside and since it is made out of tapioca (duh) it is naturally sweet but not overly so.

Fried Tapioca Cake
Cost: 5 pieces for $2
Place: Pasar Malams

6. 3-in-1 Nian Gao

Sandwiched between a slice of yam and sweet potato, it is no wonder this nian gao treat is known as 3-in-1.

This fried ‘sandwich’ tops the chart with a slice easily adding 300 calories (and possibly more) in your calorie count according to a doctor from Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

However, this sticky and chewy goodness will make my half-an-hour daily run worth it.

3-in-1 Nian Gao
Cost: Around $1.50 per slice
Where to buy: Kim Soon
Address: #01-18 Kovan Hawker Centre, Block 209, Hougang Street 21
Operating hours: Mon to Fri: 5am to 2pm; Weekends and public holidays: 5am to 4pm

7. Mee Jian Kueh

This fluffy pancake is cheap (roughly around $0.60 to $1.00 a slice) and comes in an array of fillings to choose from. I would recommend peanut or coconut fillings, but the best part would be the crunchy sides.

Mee Jian Kueh
Cost: $0.60 for one slice
Where to buy: Tanglin Halt Original Peanut Pancake
Address: Stall 16, Tanglin Halt Market, 48 Tanglin Road, 142 048
Operating hours: 5am to 11am, closed on Mon and Fri
Contact: 9712 3653

8. Tau Huey

The bean curd or tau huey as it is known locally, is a popular breakfast or all-day snack since it is relatively healthy. It comes in either the hot or cold option which is perfect for Singapore’s hot-rainy-humid weather.

Soft and silky, my favourite tau huey shop’s beancurd was so smooth that the best way to consume it was by drinking. Extremely unladylike I know, but this still is my preferred way to have my tau huey fix.

Tau Huey
Cost: $1.80 per bowl
Where to buy: QQ Soya Bean
Address: #01-165 Old Changi Airport Road Hawker Centre
Contact: 8339 3459
Operating hours: 11am to 9pm daily

My favourite stall would be Dou Xiang, located at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Block 453, #01-92. It operates from 7am to 9am daily for $1.50 a bowl. However, it is closed temporarily till 1 July 2016 as the market is undergoing and overhaul.

9. Popiah

Also read: 13 Eateries Open All Day All Night For Your Late Night Meal!

[GIVEAWAY] Dose! – The Must Visit Café For Your Daily Dose Of Coffee

That’s right, it’s Dose! (with the exclamation mark). Given the owner’s enthusiasm for coffee and food, we have to say, the use of this punctuation is pretty apt.

Tucked along Tyrwhitt Road, this unassuming café is one of the latest additions to this hipster area. With its specialty coffee, varied food menu and cosy space, all you need is a good book or a laptop and you’ll never want to leave this café. We swear.

With Chye Seng Huat Hardware across the street and Tiramisu Hero down the road, competition is more than stiff for this humble café. Like you, we were just as curious about its location. How does Dose! intend to have its competition beat? Turns out, instead of instagram-worthy décor or any hipster related gimmick, this café goes back to basic by placing its emphasis on its menu.

First up, we have Dose!’s specialty coffee. The Candyman Espresso Blend consists of a mixture of three beans; the Ethiopian, Colombian, and Guatemalan beans. With its light-medium roast, the coffee was pleasantly smooth with, dare we say, zero acidity. We had the Latte ($6) and its flavour is slightly chocolate-y and malty at the same time. If you’re not a kopi gao person, the café’s specialty coffee is definitely for you. Usual coffee aside, Dose! also offers two particularly intriguing drinks; the Black Latte and Miloso.

The Black Latte ($6) is a bamboo charcoal infused coffee and is entirely black. For those who are worried about the charcoal overpowering the taste of coffee, fear not. You can definitely still taste the coffee whilst enjoying this unique drink. As for the Miloso ($6), it’s simply a combination of Milo and Espresso. We’re not sure about you, but this drink reminds us of a less thick Mocha. To be honest, we’ll take the Miloso over the usual Mocha any day.

When it comes to food, Dose! certainly does not skimp on quality and quantity. Jumping right off the menu will be the popular Full Dosage #2, Savory Waffle-Wich and Chili Crab Pasta. With its crispy-skinned chorizo, cheese bratwurst, and fluffy croissant, Full Dosage #2 ($13.90) makes a delightfully wholesome brunch. Flavourful sausages aside, we simply cannot get over how awesomely crispy and fluffy the croissant is. The secret, we’re told, is how the croissant is air fried instead of deep-fried. We’re telling you guys, c’est manifique!

For its signature Chili Crab Pasta ($13.90), the chef has meticulously included some mantous to complete the dish. In the pasta sauce, you’ll find chunks of authentic crab meat (that’s right, chunks) and mushrooms. For those who aren’t exactly fans of spicy food, fair warning: this dish may be a little too hot for you to handle so do consult the café’s staff before placing your order! Also, do note that this dish is only available on Wednesday!

For a cosy coffee spot, we thought Dose! has a relatively extensive menu. That is until we heard that the café is planning on introducing more mouth-watering dishes such as the Kong Bak Waffle-Wich, and Laksa Seafood Pasta. We’re not sure about you, but given its track record with food, we’re already anticipating the realisation of these new dishes.

For desserts, we’d recommend Charcoal Waffles with ice cream ($11), and Dose!’s handmade Tiramisu. To our pleasant surprise, the Earl Grey ice cream for our waffle is topped with teeny lavender buds that really complemented the flavor of the ice cream. The waffle is appropriately crispy and not too doughy, so yes to more Charcoal Waffles! As for the Tiramisu, all we gotta say is that fans of baileys will really dig this dessert.

If you’re not already thinking of visiting this quaint café, we’re going to bring you more good news. Besides free wifi and power plugs, Dose! is offering a lucky reader one complimentary set of

BLACK LATTE AND CHARCOAL ICE-CREAM WAFFLES

How to win:
Simply LIKE and SHARE this post on Facebook and you’ll be good to go! One lucky reader will be selected and contacted by us through Facebook.

The giveaway will end on 2359 1st May 2016. So what are you waiting for? Head down to Dose! for your caffeine fix today!

Dose! 
Address: 139 Tyrwhitt Road #01-03
Tel: 9145 8103
Operating Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun: 8.30am – 6pm

*All pictures by writer

Also read: The Tiramisu Hero Strikes Back With A Brand New Menu!

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10 Unconventional Things You Do In SG That Show You’re A Local

This is not your typical list. Conventional activities are all hipster and cool. Which is why here at Discover SG, I’m introducing you to the slightly bizarre things. Are you ready? Let’s find out where you stand on the true blue Singaporean scale.

1. Shop at a local pasar malam

Our local pasar malam is a fashion world, food paradise, game zone, and antique auction all rolled into one. I mean, where else can you get an ear pick, Chinese wooden drum stool, and a giant bunny plush toy all at the same place?

Has it been a long time since you’ve stepped into a street market? If you’re feeling a tiny bit lost, well, fret not. I recommend you to follow Twitter account Pasar Malam Updates for the latest deets.

2. Play chess with ah gong

It’s the battle of the brains. These retirees are so absorbed in their chess games that they probably don’t even know if you’re stealing a peek over their shoulder. If you think you can handle the pressure and the strong possibility of them kicking your little monkey butt — go for it.

Address
Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street

3. Try your hand at 4D & TOTO

The culture of 4D and TOTO in Singapore is flourishing. If you’ve seen the long queue at the Singapore Pools stores — especially if you live in Chong Pang — you’ll nod in agreement. Maybe you’ve got a set of numbers in a fortune cookie, or a recurring dream? Better buy 4D or TOTO.

4. Get your personal care & toiletries fix at lesser known stores

Most of us amateurs replenish our personal care products in Watsons, Guardian, and Unity. Bargain experts know better — they shop at lesser-known stores like Swanston. I once bought a Simple Gentle Care Shampoo at this kind of stores and it costs me less than S$5. Most retail stores sell it S$9.90. I felt like a fool.

Swanston’s
Address: People’s Park Food Centre Level 2, 32 New Market Road
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 9pm
Cash only

5. Quad cycle at East Coast Park

In terms of team building activities, quad cycling — hands down — beats kite flying and rollerblading. It requires a group of people to join forces and support each other to combine their individual strengths.

If you’re not much of an athlete, I suggest you sit at the back. The pedals at the front require you to exert more leg power, and good lord, you will not feel your thighs for at least three days. Bring along a cap, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.

Address: East Coast Park Service Road,

6. Visit old shopping centres

Let’s face it, most shopping malls aren’t built like the old ones anymore.

To give you a head start, check out Beauty World Centre. My favourite hang out place is the bookstore and open-air hawker centre. The Feng Ji Shu Shi Char Kway Teow is one of its main highlights.

Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road,

7. Buy secondhand books at Bras Basah Complex

Forget Kinokuniya and Popular. Bras Basah Complex is the ultimate destination for bibliophiles. (It also houses Cats Socrates, Image credit: That Balloons[/caption]

It used to be really easy to find a kachang puteh kiosk. Now? They’re as rare as a chance to kiss the Pope’s ring. I did a quick Google search and found that there’s one kiosk at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard. I’ll definitely miss eating nuts out of a paper cone.

9. Go shopping at OG

OG may not be as posh as Robinsons, but it’s got its own charm. The vast variety of fashion apparels is the sundae, while the shopping vouchers and pearls are the cherry on top. OG treats their customers right. They have a habit of shelling out freebies whenever their customers hit a minimum purchase.

Address: 60 Albert Street, OG Albert Complex

Tip: If you find that OG is not your cup of tea, you can hop on over to Bugis Junction, which is right around the corner!

10. Have ice cream from a cart

Here’s a back story. My father’s a Buddhist and I frequently tag along with him to visit the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple at Waterloo Street. Because of the cheaper parking rates, he would often park his car at the car park next to Sim Lim Tower.

And I’ve discovered something along the countless journeys. Rain or shine, this ice cream cart uncle is always there. For as long as I can remember, he’s been selling ice-cream at the exact spot since I was a primary school kid. He works fast and he’s not much of a talker.

This is an unpopular opinion, but the mixed ice-cream from ice cream carts are better than ice cream from some cafes — and they’re cheaper, to boot!

Aside from this uncle at Sim Lim Tower, you may find ice cream carts along Orchard Road.

(Header image credit: 8 Delish Meals Under $10 In Orchard That Will Leave You Satisfied! – Part 2

The Most Singaporean Gifts You Could Get For Your Foreign Friends!

What gift to buy for my foreign friends ah?

Thinking of a gift to get is hard work. What more a meaningful gift that exudes Singaporean charm. Fret not, we’ve compiled a list of The Most Singaporean Gifts You Could Get For Your Foreign Friends. Don’t forget to watch their reaction when they receive it!

1. $INGLI$H Notebook

Singlish is undoubtedly one of the most uniquely Singaporean things that fascinate foreigners. Give your foreign friends an opportunity to learn a new (Singlish) word a day with this $INGLI$H notebook. It’s such a practical, fun, and extremely Singaporean gift. Plus, the black and gold hardcover makes it look so atas, they’ll probably take to Instagram to show it off in a #flatlay. 

S$22, from BooksActually

2. Ang Ku Kueh Cushions

A traditional Chinese delicacy, get your foreign friends a squishy cushion shaped like an Ang Ku Kueh for their home. Better yet, gift this auspicious glutinous rice cake plushie during the Chinese New Year season to wish them good luck.

S$29.90, from Naiise

3. Iced Gems Salt & Pepper Shakers

Recognise this old-school Singaporean favourite biscuit? Love SG has recreated them in the form of this classy gold salt & pepper shaker, with separable icing and biscuit portions to hold salt/ pepper. This makes a great present for Masterchef wannabes and lovers of whimsical gifts alike. While you’re at it, get your friends the original iced gems snack too!

S$29.90, from LoveSG

4. Nasi Lemak Tea

Chances are, you’ve taken your foreign friends out for the well-loved Nasi Lemak before. And now they can take the aromatic local favourite back home (well, kind of) with this creative tea made by the local company ETTE TEA. It may not recreate the exact taste, but for a tea, it comes in pretty close, with ingredients including dried pandan, coconut flakes, and even dried chili.

S$26, from Naiise

Get some ideas on where to take your visiting foreign friends here: Only have 1 day in Singapore? Here are the some must visit food places- for all budgets!

5. Singapore Sling Marmalade

Here’s another uniquely Singaporean taste that you can gift your foreign friends, and it’s the first of its kind. Straits Preserves has bottled up the flavour of Singapore’s famous cocktail into a citrusy marmalade with a hint of cherry. This would be perfect for those who have fallen in love with the Singapore Sling.

S$15.50, from Naiise

6. Singapore Streets Luggage Tag

What better way to tempt your foreign friends to come back to Singapore than with a tag that’ll remind them of Singapore whenever they travel? Extra street cred for them if they have actually visited all the places on the tag!

S$9.90, from LoveSG

Which is your favourite Singaporean gift? And let us know if we missed out any distinctly Singaporean gift ideas too!

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9 Best Dim Sum Places In Singapore That You Won’t Feel Guilty Splurging On!

Dim Sum is a style of Cantonese cuisine where bite-size portions of food is traditionally served in small steamer baskets. There are heaps of Dim Sum stores that have popped up around our island, widening our choice of options for this specific cuisine. To simplify your job of choosing, here’s a list of the 9 Best Places for Dim Sum in Singapore.

1. Tak Po

Located 5 minutes away from convenient Chinatown MRT Station, Tak Po features Hong Kong dim sum and homestyle Cantonese cuisine at affordable prices. Their porridge has a very smooth texture to it, and they are absolutely not stingy with the toppings. A budget of $20 will well fill your tummy’s needs.

Tak Po
42 Smith Street, Singapore 058954
Daily: 0700 – 2230

2. Yan Ting

A Cantonese restaurant located at the 6-Star St. Regis Hotel, Yan Ting is famously notable for its Weekend Dim Sum Buffet. At $98++ per person (or $138++ for an alcoholic option), dining here will leave you brimming with options ranging from high caliber dim sum to comforting Cantonese favorites. Yan Ting promises to not disappoint. Food here is also served at a swift speed to ensure you’ll never have to wait long. Do remember to make your reservation in advance to avoid disappointments!

Yan Ting
The St. Regis Singapore, Level 1U, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911
Daily: 1200 – 1430 (Lunch) and 1830 – 2230 (Dinner)

3. Hua Nam

A store that features a quaint and rustic atmosphere is Hua Nam, a traditional store selling cheap and delicious Dim Sum. They offer the usual dim sum dishes like Har Gao and Siew Mai, all of which are worth the price you pay. Besides offering dim sum, Hua Nam also sells Tze Char, offering a variety of options for all its customers.

Hua Nam
244 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574369
Daily: 0700 – 0000

4. Red Star

As one of the pioneer Dim Sum restaurants here in Singapore, Red Star serves up some extremely delicious dim sum in an authentic setting. The concept is highly similar to Hong Kong Dim Sum halls, where waitresses serve food by pushing around old fashion carts. When you’re there, do try their Char Siew Sou – a chinese delicacy with a buttery and flaky crust filled with a moist Char Siew center. The restaurant does not accept reservations, so remember to arrive early to avoid their famously long snaking queues!

Red Star
Block 54, China Swee Road #07-23, Singapore 160054
Monday to Saturday: 0800 – 1500 (Lunch) and 1800 – 2200 (Dinner)
Sunday: 0700 – 1500 (Lunch) and 1800 – 2200 (Dinner)

5. Victor’s Kitchen

Victor’s Kitchen should be a very familiar name to all Liu Sha Bao (custard bun) lovers out there, as the restaurant constantly tops food lists for offering one of the best Liu Sha Bao in Singapore. Their other dishes such as the Carrot Cake With XO Sauce and Victor’s King Prawn Dumplings are pretty delicious as well! The atmosphere closely resembles the small and cozy Hong Kong dim sum eateries, which comes as no surprise since the head chef himself hails from the land of Dim Sum.

Victor’s Kitchen
91 Bencoolen Street, #01-49, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Daily: 1030 – 2000 (Open on Public Holidays)

6. Yum Cha

Yum Cha continues to remain as one of the popular restaurant icons in Singapore. The food here is moderately priced, and the ambience is classy yet traditional. The service  is impeccable as well, with all the servers paying close attention to your every need. Food is also served very quickly within a very short span of time.

Yum Cha
20 Trengganu Street, #02-01, Chinatown, Singapore 058479
Saturday and Sunday: 0900 – 2300
Monday – Friday: 1100 – 2300

7. 126 Eating House (Wen Dou Sek)

126 Dim Sum at Sims Avenue serves both delicious and affordable food. Besides selling the usual favourites, this eatery also offers some very creative items like Tom Yum Siew Mai and Curry Chicken Chee Cheong Fan. Besides Dim Sum, they also offer a range of dishes like Thai-style Fried Crab Dong Fen and White Pepper Crab Bee Hoon that is typically offered till 8pm.

126 Dim Sum
126 Sims Ave, Singapore 387449
24 Hours Daily

8. Mongkok Dim Sum

Mongkok Dim Sum is no stranger to those living in the East of Singapore, as all 4 of their outlets are located within this region. The Dim Sum offered here is not only of high quality, but is affordably priced. They are well known for their Har Gao, also known as the House Special Shrimp Dumpling, where succulent and fresh shrimp chunks are wrapped with a translucent dough skin. Another popular shrimp dish is Mongkok’s Steamed Rice Roll that is of the perfect thickness, served with its delicious accompanying soy sauce.

Mongkok Dim Sum
214 Geylang Road, Singapore 389274
Saturday and Sunday: 1000 – 0500
Monday to Friday: 1600 – 0500

9. Canton Paradise

Ending the list is one from the Paradise Group family – Canton Paradise. Canton Paradise is one of the more family friendly restaurants on our list, with numerous branches spread all around the island. The Radish Cake, and Century Egg Porridge With Lean Meat are extremely delicious, and leave you coming back for more.

Canton Paradise
112 East Coast Road, I12 Katong, #B1-15, Singapore 428802
Monday to Friday: 1100 – 2200 (Last order at 2130)
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday: 1030 – 2200 (Last order at 2130)

Let us know in the comments where your favorite Dim Sum eatery is!

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