BiTES - The Scoop on Good Eats (June 2016) by BiTES - The Scoop on Good Eats

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T h e s c o o p o n

g o o d

e at s

2015

happy dad's day p5

t l i m u a e t h T alal e

inside LUNCH HOTSPOTS

10 midday breaks at Orchard Central

o t A Z dishes

DESTINATION: ARAB STREET p18

Hipster and hijapster hangout galore

nasi lem ak risotto from hyde & co

Coodkaunpg

reanstes! p p17

9 Ram1 b adha

DRINK TANK p20

A round-up of cloudy apple drinks

upf1fets n 4 LAST BITES p21

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s samba(l)!

w e l c o m e

Where to find your B i T E S ? DOWNLOAD THIS ISSUE at www.bites.com.sg PICK US UP! Free at over 100 venues Cafes & restaurants Alfresco Gusto • Bonta Italian Restaurant & Bar (District 10) • Brussels Sprouts - Robertson Quay • California Pizza Kitchen - Forum • Delifrance Cafe - Cold Storage Jelita • Delifrance Cafe Gateway West • Delifrance Cafe - Gleneagles Hospital • Delifrance Cafe - Harbourfront Centre • Delifrance Cafe - KK Women's and Children's Hospital • Delifrance Cafe - Lot One Shoppers' Mall • Delifrance Cafe - Mount Elizabeth Hospital • Delifrance Cafe - Rendezvous Gallery • Delifrance Cafe - Thomson Medical Centre • Delifrance Cafe - UE Square • Emicakes @ Kovan • EN Grill and Bar • Farisya's Kitchen • Ginkhao Restaurant • Ginza Lion Beer Hall • IPPIN • Joe & Dough (Kallang) • K.Kook Korean & BBQ Buffet • Milagro Spanish Restaurant • Ootoya Japanese Restaurant • Oriole Coffee + Bar • Outback Steakhouse • Oyster Bar & Grill Wharf • Pu3 Restaurant • Ramen Champion • Roti Mum • Selfish Gene Cafe • Spinelli (all outlets) • Starbucks (all outlets) • tcc - The Connoisseur Concerto (all boutiques) • The Rustic Bistro • The Marmalade Pantry ION • Yellow Submarine (Toa Payoh) • ZEN Japanese Cuisine • 31 Bar & Kitchen Cooking Schools Cookyn Inc • The Eureka Cooking Lab Country & Private Clubs British Club • China Club • Ee Hoe Hean Millionaire Club • Hollandse Club • Jurong Country Club • Keppel Club • Laguna National Golf & Country Club • NUSS - Kent Ridge Guild House • NUSS - Bukit Timah Guild House • NUSS - Suntec City Guild House • Orchid Country Club • Raffles Marina • Seletar Country Club • Sentosa Golf Club • Serangoon Gardens Country Club • Singapore Chinese Swimming Club • Singapore Cricket Club • Singapore Island Country Club • Tanah Merah

Cover image Hyde & Co

Publisher Cecilia Goh Editor June Lee Staff Writer Katie Boon Editorial Intern Samantha Seah Contributor Adam Shah Creative Consultant Thng Wee Nee Associate Art Director Leyna Poh Senior Designer Benjamin Soh Design Intern Soh Kah Khee Head of Business Development (Food Division) Carlos Loh Business Director Ashad Shah Assistant Business Manager Stephanie Tan Marketing Executive Justina Liew Publishing Admin Manager (Admin & Circulation) Siti Haneymah

Country Club • The American Club • The Swiss Club • Tower Club Hotels Amara Singapore • Carlton City Hotel • Changi Village Hotel • Concorde Hotel Singapore • Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore • Dorsett Singapore • Furama City Centre • Furama RiverFront • Hilton Singapore • Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium • Hotel Miramar • Hotel Re! • ibis Hotel Singapore • Intercontinental Singapore • Mandarin Orchard • Moon Hotel • Nostalgia Hotel • Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay • Orchard Hotel Singapore • Pan Pacific Orchard • Park Hotel Alexandra • Peninsula Excelsior Hotel • Ramada and Days Singapore at Zhongshan Park • Studio M Hotel Singapore • The Elizabeth Hotel • The Quincy Hotel • The Scarlet Hotel • Village Hotel Bugis • Wangz • York Hotel MallS Orchard Central • SVC@ION Orchard• The Grandstand National Tourism Offices Australia Tourism • Japan National Tourism Organization • Korean Tourism Organization OTHERS Pet Lovers Centre supermarkets Meidi-Ya Singapore • PasarBella Also hand-distributed at: OUTSIDE MRT Stations Ang Mo Kio • Bedok • City Hall• Jurong East • Lavender • Orchard Road • Raffles Place • Woodlands • Yishun

Consultant Digital Manager Eugene Koh Web Developer Jun Evangelista Accounts Manager Linda Ng Group Publisher Ho Sum Kwong Group Managing Editor Adeline Wong is published 12 times a year by Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd. 85 Playfair Road, #04-02 Tong Yuan Building, Singapore 368000 Tel: +65 6848 6884 Fax: +65 6748 3453 Website: www.bites.com.sg Advertising enquiries: 6848 6882 bites.editorial@magsint.com bites.advertise@magsint.com bites.marketing@magsint.com

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Copyright by the Publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. Views and opinions expressed in B i tes are not neccessarily those of the Publisher and the Editors. Although every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the information provided in this publication, neither the Publisher, editors and their employees and agents can be held liable for any error and omission, nor any action taken based on the views expressed or information provided within this publication. You should always seek your own professional advice. All prices are in Singapore dollars unless otherwise stated and exclude miscellaneous taxes, unless stated.

c a l e n dA r :

J u n e sunday

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wednesday thursday 1 2 GLAM ‘THE PESTA UBIN BEST LOOKING 2016 14 MAY-12 JUN | LADIES NIGHT PULAU UBIN IN TOWN’ LADIES FREE; MEN $30 | ATTICA | TILL LATE Ladies who RSVP will receive 12 birthday drinks coupons before 12am. Snack on mini birthday cupcakes prepared by GLAM bar too! www.attica.com.sg

5 ZESPRI SUNGOLD KIWIFEST

6 NEGRONI WEEK

12 THE SINGAPORE COFFEE FESTIVAL

13 THE GREAT SINGAPORE SALE

20 ARMOUR @ THE BAY 2016

8.30-11.30AM | EMPRESS-JUBILEE LAWN Kickstart your Sunday morning on a positive note with Zespri picnic in the city: yoga, pilates and, of course, kiwi fruits too. wakeupwithzespri.com

$13-43/DAY | 9-12 JUN | 11AM-9PM | F1 PIT BUILDING Over 100 vendors offering specialty coffee, tasty cafe food, and talks will be held during this four-day festival. sgcoffeefestival.com.sg

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

26 KRANJI COUNTRYSIDE FARMERS’ MARKET

25-26 JUN | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN KRANJI Experience farm-to-table with fresh produce and artisanal goods from this quarterly Farmers’ Market. kranjicountryside.com

6-12 JUN | VARIOUS LOCATIONS Help a cause and order a negroni from 24 of the particpating bars including Vasco, Kite and Bitters & Love. All proceeds during the week go to charity. www.negroniweek.com

iMAGINE | NATIVE— CREATIVE FEST FOR KIDS

15 STILLETOS WEDNESDAY

$35 | 6-9PM | EVERY WED | WOOLOOMOOLOO Indulge yourself with free-flow bubbly for $35++ as you dine on delicious steaks. Steak is optional if you’re counting those calories. http://www.wooloomooloo.com/sg/

FREE | 15 MAR-28 JUN | EVERY TUE 6.307.30PM | CLIFFORD SQUARE Sportswear label Under Armour has launched free fitness programs for the public. Bring along a yoga mat and work up an appetite before dinner! www.tripleready.com/events

$3-34 | TILL 12 JUN | 10AM-7PM | S.E.A. AQUARIUM An educational fair set to an exciting marine theme with engaging musical performances, captivating storytelling sessions and hands-on encounters with marine life. Each child will receive a free goody bag worth $25. www.rwsentosa.com

3 JUN-14 AUG Get ready to shop and eat and then shop and eat some more as the Great Singapore Sale is back again. www. greatsingaporesale. com.sg/

More than 50 activities are on offer in this year’s Pulau Ubin open house. Whet your appetite with some locally-caught seafood or organic durians grown in Ubin. pestaubin2016.blogspot. sg/

10-11 JUN | 7PM2AM | STEWORDS RIVERBOAT Gear up for an exciting time on board with a Coney dog and root beer float in hand while you party the night away like a true sailor. www. facebook.com/events/ 1365278496832584/

16 BEERFEST ASIA 2016

11 BOOKS AND BEERS

3-6PM | THE TUCKSHOP For the bookworm in you, trade stories and books over some chilled local craft beers. www.facebook.com/ events/ 1238674966161022

FROM $25 | 6-10PM | 16-19 JUN | MARINA PROMENADE Thirsty and need a good laugh? Beerfest Asia has got it with a lineup of standup comedy, live music and over 500 different beers to quench that thirst. The eighth edition offers a complimentary welcome beer included in the entrance fee. www.beerfestasia.com

11AM-10PM | 23-26 JUN | EXPO HALL 6 Over 150 F&B exhibitors will be gathered under one roof for your sampling pleasure. Shop till you drop with exciting new product launches and promotions. www.facebook.com/ SingaporeFoodShows

$78-$88 | 7.30-10.30PM | CHOPSUEY CAFÉ Widen your social circle while enjoying a threecourse meal. This event is for singles above the age of 21 only. midweekjune.peatix.com

saturday

3-5 JUN | $48 from SISTIC Korea’s famous comedic culinary performance is back! www. sistic.com. sg/events/ nanta0616

10 BANDWAGON RIVERBOAT II

HAPPY DRAGONBOAT FEST!

YUMMY FOOD EXPO

29 MIDWEEK DINNER DATES @ CHOPSUEY!

friday 3 NANTA (COOKIN’)

24 ANIMAL CUPCAKE CLASS

11AM-1PM | VIVOCITY CANDYLICIOUS Spend some quality time with your child and learn to bake cute animal cupcakes that you can take home. spoonfulevent-132. peatix.com/view

25 SAKE FESTIVAL SINGAPORE 2016

$40 |1-6PM| SUNTEC CONVENTION CENTRE Brewers from all over Japan have been gathered to showcase their wares at this event organised by distributor and bar Orihaha.

coming up in J u ly 3 July: Brussels Sprouts Mussel Festival 16-17 July: One Farrer Food Street 23-31 July: Singapore Garden Festival

Maka

# m a k a n o n b i t e s

on BiTES GUESS AND WIN!

Each month, we’ll feature a fresh makan place—whether it’s a new outlet of a familiar brand, revamped concept or completely new entrant—for you to guess what/where it is. Correct answers will be entered in a draw to win a dining experience with us!

JUNE: 5 readers stand to win DINNER FOR 2

Are you ready for modern meatless cuisine? You’ll be dazzled with joyful dishes from this concept at the rooftop garden of a central Orchard Road mall. The refined restaurant is influenced by new wave dining trends from Europe and Taiwan, resulting in signatures like gratinated champignon with mozzarella, vegetable sashimi on ice and grilled bai-ling mushroom steak on hot stone. The feast for the eyes continues in the restaurant decor that’s decked in contemporary chic, from the bronze light fixtures to leather-quilted banquette. Bonus? The sweeping views of nearby Somerset and Orchard Road areas. Give us your best guess of the restaurant’s name and location between 1-19 June to dine on 11 July, 7pm! For full details and to enter, visit www.bites.com. sg/makanonbites

B i T E S reserves the right to publicise winners’ names and pictures. By entering the contest, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish publicity photos and video in any format without limitation. Participants to ensure they can dine on 11 July at 7pm. More on www.bites.com.sg/makanonbites

BiTE Makan on BRIDGE ip’s, Where: Table @ P l Orchard Centra When: 9 May, 7pm What we ate: • Starters:

menu including »» Starters from the s, Pip’s escargot Pip’s sweet scallop hee salad bourgignon and lyc

• Mains:

menu including »» Mains from the rib, Pip’s chive Pip’s BBQ crocodile ’s duck leg salmon steak and Pip confit

• Dessert:

menu including »» Desser ts from the r pudding, Pip’s bread & butte te and Pip’s Pip’s durian chocola isu Flowerpot Milo Tiram

Chef-owner Philip Chua—the namesake Pip of the restaurant—was our affable host as B i T E S winners and their dining partners enjoyed a night of conversation and modern continental dining. In a surprise gesture from the chef, our group of diners enjoyed the choice of ordering anything we fancied from the wide menu! Philip’s creativity was evident as we tucked into a tangy lychee salad that was perked up with candied bacon, while the sweet scallops were invitingly topped with caviar and croutons for texture. The restaurant is decked up like a living room, adding to the cosy feel as we shared foodie tips with new friends. Meat lovers ordered the crocodile

rib, Wagyu minute steak and the famous duck leg confit for mains, while the chargrilled salmon steak topped with chive puree was the second most popular choice. The pretty desserts were not just for looks—they were as delicious as they looked. The Flowerpot Milo Tiramisu is a hearty serve of Milo enriched tiramisu, while the bread & butter pudding and chocolate lava cake were also topped with candy bacon to enhance the contrast of sweet and Scan the QR code for a savoury. A toast with fruity Penasol Sangria slice of was in order before we ended the night. the action.

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New Openings The Populus Coffee & Food Co. is opened by the guys behind 2 Degrees North Coffee Co.—so what’s the buzz? Tuck into chicken and waffle ($22.50) where thick waffle is replaced with a light spring onion and corn pancake, seafood linguine ($24-$25) is topped with creamy scallops and crab meat, and dark chocolate sundae ($14) is loaded with passionfruit curd, raspberry puree, hazelnut the and chocolate populus coffee & crumbs, and food co honeycomb. Take away thick housemade Mork Cold Chocolate ($7.50). 146 Neil Road. Tel: 6635 8420 Cha chaan teng (tea restaurant) concept Honolulu Café open its fifth overseas outlet. Expect unpretentious, affordable fare of deep-fried egg puff ($2), curry fish ball ($3) and chicken wings in Swiss sauce ($4). But the highly anticipated signature 192 layer Hong Kong egg tart ($1.70/tart), with 70 years of history backing it, is the one to bite into while you sip on the special blend of their Hong Kong style milk tea ($3$3.20). #01-33F/G The CentrePoint, 176 Orchard Road. Tel: 6515 9888 Olivia and Co. serves bistro food, superfruit juices like the mango and coconut based Protein Punch ($7.50), and craft beers (from $8). We were taken with the Tokyo Wings ($9), one of several flavours. Crisp outside and juicy inside, the teriyaki wings are great starters before you opt for a burger (from $14) or an entree like the terrific spring chicken ($14). Sticky date cakes ($12) are a pancake twist on the usual, and don’t miss their range of Australian StrangeLove organic soda pops ($7). #01-481, Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Boulevard. Tel: 6337 2518

ramen champion

NEW EATS Joining the remaining six ramen brands at Ramen Champion is Torimaru by chef Takano Koji. Specialising in tori paitan ramen (creamy chicken soup ramen), the latest ramen fad in Japan, Torimaru’s rich broth is made with chicken and full of collagen. Warm your bellies with their Special Chicken Ramen ($16) that’s served with the stall’s original springy thin ramen noodles, slices of tender chicken breast chashu and homemade chicken meat balls. The Chicken Nanban ($8), which features four succulent pieces of fried chicken doused in a decadent homemade tartar dressing, is a great side dish to round up your meal. Available at all Ramen Champion outlets including #04-01 Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street. Tel: 6238 1011 Hurry to catch old hong the Beijing Duck kong kitchen with Rainbow Sauce Feast ($128/4 pax set, $228/8pax set) at Old Hong Kong Kitchen, till 30 June only. The traditional Peking duck, with crisp skin and meaty slices, is first served with a tray of seven naturally coloured sauces, including blueberry and mustard. The rest of the duck will be served three ways: in a homey beancurd pot which ‘sets’ at your table, stewed duck in three seasonings in claypot, and rice

Fill up on nostalgic eats

barrio

Spanish for ‘neighbourhood’, Barrio by Mex Out is the newest place in town to get your South American fix. With fresh ingredients and authentic flavors, load up on snacks like Mexican street corn ($7.90) and fish ceviche ($14.90). Alternatively, chow on more filling fare like tacos, burritos and tortas (from $11.40) while enjoying some sangria or a margarita ($12). Barrio also has a free taco day on the fourth of June, where they give out limited free tacos! 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road. #01-14, Tel: 6634 2102

with duck meat in shark’s bone cartilage soup. Dishes are also available a la carte. #02-80 Square 2, 10 Sinaran Drive. Tel: 6397 7023 The FrenchJapanese Miam Miam launches new donburi offerings aside from their popular mainstays of Miam Miam spaghetti, Riz Au curry and French soufflés. Dig in to the Shogayaki pork miam miam donburi ($15.90), pork loin meat marinated for 24 hours with shoyu sauce and fresh ginger; seared barramundi fillet ($16.90); and the glazed chicken teriyaki version ($14.90) featuring succulent chicken chunks glazed with Nippon sauce and garnished with wafu tofu, baby radish and cucumbers. Not forgetting the fluffy, soft soufflés (from $8.80), now in black sesame. Four other outlets including #02-14 Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street. Tel: 6837 0301 Hard Rock Cafe is kicking off the Asian edition of their World Burger Tour! throughout the month of June with four different burgers ($25-30) inspired by Chicago, Key West, New York and Singapore. These burgers will be offered at their Sentosa outlet, where you can wash them down with a hard rock series cafe of new cocktails ($20) created especially for World Burger Month. 26 Sentosa Gateway, #01-209, Tel: 6795 7454

one farrer hotel & spa

One Farrer’s Food Street is back with more yummy eats. Held at One Farrer Hotel & Spa from 11am to 9pm on 16 and 30 July, and 11am to 6pm on 17 and 31 July, foodies can look forward to a wider range of food selections including a mega paella pan, traditional ba-long drinks and a seafood market. Alongside the scrumptious food offerings are a slew of cooking classes by Origins of Food; learn how to make some of the delicious dishes offered at the food street as well as embark on an exploratory trip to Tekka Market. End your night on a high at Box Kite No. 27 on Saturdays, 5pm to 11pm. The al fresco lounge will be featuring live DJs together with an ice bar serving toothsome cocktails. Purchase of food and drinks will be made with Farrer Dollars, which can be bought at moneychangers along the Food Street or in advance at One Farrer Hotel & Spa. One Farrer Hotel & Spa, 1 Farrer Park Station Road. Tel: 6363 0101, www.onefarrer.com

one farrer hotel & spa's escape restaurant

PokÉmon cafÉ

Father’s day happenings

hello kitty cafÉ

Get in character From Pokemon to The Little Prince, Snoopy and Pompompurin, themed cafés are all the rage these days—the Hello Kitty Café has attracted a winding queue that can take up to four hours! Eager to visit one? Head over to www.bites.com.sg for all the character cafés you can find in our little red dot.

Your superhero deserves a break. Treat dad to One Farrer Hotel & Spa’s Escape Restaurant (lunch $50++; dinner $60++) featuring popiah and prawn noodle stations as well as a live carving counter with roasted prime rib with beef jus and Yorkshire pudding. Better yet, toast to your papa with a complimentary serving of draft beer or a glass of house pour wine for all dads (19 June only). Origins of Food will be providing a hands-on cooking class where you will learn to whip up a three-course meal specially crafted for your papa. (12-19 June; $68++/person, minimum 4 persons per class). 1 Farrer Park Station Road Tel: 6705 7828 Steak out at Restaurant Hoshigaoka with their newly introduced Tajima Wagyu Creations. For an all-encompassing meal, the Wagyu set ($35.80) features 100g of Tajima Wagyu

beef simply grilled with sea salt and pepper, served with homemade pickled tomatoes, salmon carpaccio dressing, rice, miso soup, appetiser of the day, and pickles and fruits, or choose the wagyu don ($25.80) with an onsen egg (upgrade a la carte items to the set for just $4.80 which includes a mini salad bowl, chawanmushi and fruits), or for a taster platter, go for the cheese aburi sushi (3pcs) and wagyu tataki ($21.90). Two other locations besides #01-04 SAFRA Toa Payoh, 293 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh. Tel: 6258 9050 With views overlooking the Marina Bay Area, Crystal Jade Prestige, their newest concept takes flight with the signature weekend brunch. Customise your own brunch set (Sat-Sun 11.30am-3pm; $58-98, the latter with freeflow Veuve Clicquot crystal Champagne. Till 26 June) jade with 10 items from five prestige different components like appetisers, dim sum, BBQ meat selection, soups, wok-fried dishes and desserts. There’s also signature tea-smoked roasted duck at just $48 (usual $78). #02-01 8A Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Link mall (Ground Plaza). Tel: 6509 9493

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Cafe H t Seat

WHAT WE ORDERED:

Chelsea had: Oreo milkshake ($8 nett) and bolognese lasagne with chips and salad ($10 nett) Katie had: Latte ($5 nett) and waffle fries ($2 nett) Benjamin had: Vanilla Milkshake ($8 nett)

In this column, we pick a notable personality to go cafe-hopping with us. Over western nosh at Cola Café by Jack’s Place, we got cosy with the jovial Taekwondo poomsae gold medallist Chelsea Sim. By Katie Boon, Photography by Benjamin Soh @chelseannsim eager to devour her bolognese lasagne

#JacksColaCafe affordable dishes sure racks up a crowd Bubbly with the brightest smile, it’s hard not to like Chelsea Sim, the 28th SEA Games gold medallist for the women's individual taekwondo poomsae finals. Dressed in a pretty black dress and strappy platforms, the petite athlete eyes twinkled when she greeted us at Cola Café in Paya Lebar Square. Busy doesn’t even begin to describe Chelsea. The hardworking SMU student currently has to juggle an internship and taekwondo training, which happens six times a week with only Fridays off. However, positive and driven, her hectic schedule doesn’t seem to wear her down. “I usually reach home after 10pm; and now with my university internship, it gets even more tiring due to the rigid nine to six schedule. But I’m not the sort who can sit still anyway.” She chimes cheerily as she digged into her bolognese lasagne and Oreo milkshake. In between mouthfuls, she mentioned how thankful she is that a strict diet is not something she or her fellow Taekwondo peers have to follow unlike other sports. Supper with her teammates is always on her agenda after training, and when asked about her favourite food, she had trouble deciding. “I have no specific dish that I love but I do like going to cafes and food like truffle fries—or Korean

barbecue! One of my favourite cafes is Lola's Café. There’s also a new ice cream shop near my house that just opened, which serves reasonably priced waffles and ice cream.” Like any other 21-year-old, the young adult is still deciding what to do with her life. "I would most probably be following my degree and taking on an office job, but at the same time try my best to give back to the federation by helping to mentor my juniors and continue to train as much as possible." That being said, the idea of hanging her dobok is never on her mind and she plans to continue practicing forever. Her most memorable competition was the SEA games in Singapore where she won her gold medal. “It was really great because my family could finally watch me compete in an international competition, as most of the time these international competitions are held overseas. I was so happy when I walked out and saw them at the stands holding a “GO CHELSEA” banner. And when I carried out my routine, I could hear my mom cheering. It was really heart-warming.” One should not be fooled by her small built though. The poomsa-trained martial artist can throw a mean

#champion

punch. While she doesn’t formally train for taekwondo sparring, Chelsea did try her hand at it for a month last year where she sparred against two trained taekwondo sparrers. “Everyone was discouraging me for taking part in a spar as they thought I couldn’t win. Even when I went to the competition, people were (jokingly) telling me I was at the wrong place. It did affect me but also spurred me on into training even harder so I could proof them wrong.” And proof them wrong she did. Despite the fact both her opponents towered over her (they were around 1.6m tall and weighed at least 5kg heavier than her), Chelsea managed to win them gracefully. She even knocked out one of them with a swift kick to the head.

@bitessg meets @chelseannsim Certainly not a girl to be messed with.

On studies: “I’m not the kind who’s smart and can pass with flying colours without studying, so I have to work really, really hard to get good grades.” Fear: Failure and not wanting to disappoint. “As an athlete, we have the mindset that we need to win—especially since we train so hard. But, of course, throughout the years, I’ve learnt that winning isn’t everything.”

#struggleisreal

On losing the 2013 SEA games "I would never have been able to do it without the support from the Singapore Taekwondo Federation."

Time for Timms A new look and first menu overhaul in six years at The House of Robert Timms has got us buzzing—and not just with caffeine! While the baristas still ensure you get your freshly crafted coffee with beautiful latte art ($7), there’s much more on the menu for discerning diners. The Australian joint’s menu is now presented in a clipboard style, illustrated with inspiring #foodporn pictures to get you inspired. After tasting nearly the entire menu, we take you through our old and new favourites. At two locations including #01-02/03 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road (Tel: 6735 9201) and #01361/362 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Boulevard. Tel: 6338 7758

All-Day Breakfast Whether you’re a granola & berries ($13) or 120-day ribeye steak ($26) fan, you’ll find both on the menu! No kidding, the granola & berries have that wholesome touch from Greek-style yoghurt and honey, but it was the steak that satisfied our meat-loving streak— who doesn’t love a hearty grilled ribeye, with pimento cream sauce, toasted brioche, arugula, sautéed mushrooms and choice of eggs? It still has all the elements of a wholesome breakfast, but one that keeps you going at any time of day.

composition of red quinoa, firm slices of avocado, cherry tomatoes, blueberries, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, romaine lettuce, baby spinach, arugula and citrus vinaigrette. For those who love salad as a main course, the perennial favourite of Robert Timms’ roasted chicken salad ($17.50) makes it easy to go paleo with generous slices of chicken, mango, cherry tomato, capsicum, and romaine and butterhead lettuce, with honey mustard mayonnaise and balsamic vinaigrette for a more robust balance to the hearty ingredients.

perfectly smothered with smoked bell pepper sauce, with cabbage slaw for tanginess, and the sautéed onion and herb mushrooms ($9). The large basket of French fries ($11) is popular, with garlic ($1), cheese sauce ($2) and truffle oil and parmesan ($2) variants.

Over The Top Milkshakes The menu descriptions of the very trendy, very now Over The Top Milkshakes ($16 each) don’t give away much, but the pictures reveal all. It’s a full dessert in a cup, whether you go for the Rocky Timms, Vanilla Bonbon Strawberry, Whoopee Banana Popcorn or Cocoa Carousel—the latter comes with wafer sticks, Oreos, brownie and pretzels, all freshly assembled so you can enjoy nibbling on every element (it’s not just for show!).

Sandwiches, Wraps and Burgers Two words: garlic fries. Most of the items in this section are accompanied by real potato, thick-cut, crisp and more-ish fries with melt-in-your-mouth garlic cloves still in skin. You’ll get it when you order the new crispy fish sandwich ($19.80), comprising breaded snapper, pineapple and chilli salsa fresca on brioche, or the Aussie Wagyu beef burger ($26), with emmenthaler cheese, mushrooms, fried egg and red wine sauce. Salads and Soups The new organic quinoa salad ($16) here was a surprise find, with most of us reaching back for it even with 10 other dishes on the table. It’s a thoughtful

Lite Bites We’re BiTES magazine, of course we have to mention this. Don’t miss the new items of chicken wings ($12) that were

o r c h a r d

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s p e c i a l

Lunch meetings Pick the right venue for your next power luncheon with Orchard Central’s range of fine restaurants and friendly dining spots. From just $8.90, there's a meal for every craving.

Tanuki Raw #04-01

Recently revamped, Tanuki Raw’s new space screams fun! Fitted with cheery orange bar stools and hanging potted plant lightings, the Japanese-inspired bar and restaurant is ideal for a relaxed get-together. Starting from $12, their lunch menu includes their well-loved donburis at half of their usual price. Crowd favourites are their popular truffle yakiniku don ($14.80) and salted duck egg char siew don ($12.80).

Genki Sushi #04-30

Turn stuffy luncheons into a delightful affair and dine at Genki Sushi. Unlike other conveyor belt sushi restaurants, the Japanese franchise restaurant uses a high-tech order system that allows you to pick your sushi rolls and sashimi, and have them delivered to you fresh on a speedy Shinkansen bullet train. Service here is real efficient too as it’s mainly technology-based—perfect for a quick catchup! Tel: 6238 0900

Joie by Dozo #12-01

Invite clients for a luxurious six-course lunch ($38.80) or seven-course dinner ($68.80) featuring modern meatless dishes. Top picks on the menu are the grilled bailing mushroom steak served on a granite hot stone, as well as the pumpkin and spinach ravioli. Prefer a more intimate setting? The sophisticated restaurant has five private rooms that seat 4-16 people, which can be reserved at no additional cost. Tel: 6838 6966

181 Orchard Road, S238896 Tel: 6238 1051 w w w.orchardcentral.com.sg

w w w.facebook.com/oc

Kilo @ PACT #02-16/18 Looking for an alternative dining spot to switch up your next lunch meeting? Housed in lifestyle retail store Pact, this beatnik restaurant is great for hosting big groups with their unique L-shaped dining table that easily fits more than 15 people. Get their lunch sushiro or rice bowl combo ($20) and enjoy a choice of homemade citrus ice tea or sodas, as well as a choice of basil panna cotta or lemon pie. Tel: 6884 7560

@oc _t weet

@orchardcentral

Milagro Spanish Restaurant #08-06/07

NANTSUTTEI #07-12/13

Sumiya Charcoal Grill Izakaya #12-02

Table @ Pip’s #B2-11 to 22

Moving away from their usual Spanish fare, the lunch menu centres on wholesome fusion dishes that won’t leave you sluggish after. From the Bistro Selections ($8.50), fill up on succulent beef stew that comes with a hearty side of mixed-grain rice or soft roasted potatoes. Or order an Epicure Selections set ($14.50) and have their hickory-smoked Norwegian salmon with seasonal greens and unique sea foam. Tel: 6238 6248

Sumiya is always packed for their value lunch sets, which was renewed recently. Select fom the most popular mixed bara kaisen don ($20.80) and assorted sashimi ($28.80) sets. Cooked food such as their char-grilled fish set ($20.80) and the newly introduced Wagyu beef steak don set ($36.80) are also highly recommended. All sets come with an appetiser, salad, pickles, miso soup, chawanmushi, and dessert. Tel: 6509 9618

Be like the hardworking salarymen in Tokyo and have a power lunch over a piping hot bowl of ramen. Known for their rich tonkatsu broth that’s layered with fragrant black roasted garlic oil, this popular Japanesebased diner is famous for their chasu-men ($16) which features high quality pork loin marinated in a rich special shoyu sauce. Chill out in this colourful space with a view of the chefs slinging out noodles from behind the counter. Tel: 6337 7166

Impress associates and treat them to a scrumptious modern European meal at Table @ Pip’s. Using fresh ingredients, this quaint joint serves up quality fine dining cuisine at pocket-friendly prices. Enjoy a 200g chargrilled Wagyu minute steak for just $36.90, or if you’re adventurous, head straight for their tender barbecue crocodile rib ($25.90). Tel: 6467 6867

SOM TAM #08-13

Catering to everyone’s palate is trendy dining spot SOM TAM. Look forward to delicious modern Thai fusion dishes like the succulent basil-marinated Krapow chicken burger ($12.80), as well as traditional dishes including pad thai with prawns ($12.80) and grilled squid with Thai chilli sauce ($14.80). Available during weekdays from 11.30am to 2.30pm, Som Tam’s Thai Pinto set lunch box ($14.80-$15.80) comes with pineapple rice, Thai spring rolls, mango or papaya salad, and a main course. Tel: 6238 6872

TONKIN #B1-02

TONKIN serves Vietnamese classics such as bánh mì, fresh spring rolls ($4.90), and of course, pho, making it a safe lunch destination. Savour a heartwarming bowl of their delicious Hai Phong fish noodle soup ($10.90) for a healthy midday meal; top up to their lunch set ($13.90) to receive a soup, side and drink to quench your thirst. Tel: 6444 4406

Fancy a treat from one of the outlets in this feature? Flash a picture of this blurb, whether print or online, at OC L1 Concierge Counter to win a dining voucher in their sure-win lucky dip. Valid from 1 to 30 June 2016, while stocks last. Terms & conditions apply.

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The ultimate

halal A to Z dishes

sed ap!

If we made a list of all our favourite things to makan, it’d be a really long one! So we narrowed it down to 26 dishes, just as the Hari Raya Puasa celebrations await. Join us in the rundown of our favourite Halal dishes from A-Z, and the top spots to try them at. Text and photography by Adam Shah / The Halal Food Blog

encik tan

A - Ambeng Makan at: Ambeng Café by Ummi Abdullah #01-65 East Village Upper Changi Road. Tel: 6755 4225 Food always tastes better when shared and what better dish than a Nasi Ambeng Trio Set ($49)! Beware the queues, but once you snag a seat, everyone will be digging into ayam kalio, beef rendang, sambal sotong, sambal goreng, and paru. Our personal favourite? The sambal ikan bilis.

Ambeng cafÉ

fix hometeamnsjom

Afterwit

B - Beef Briyani Burrito

Makan at: Afterwit 778 North Bridge Road. Tel: 6299 3508 What’s the fuss about this halal Mexican eatery? Just wait till you sink your teeth into the Beef Briyani Burrito ($17)—a fusion of two iconic dishes. This is one dish that will fill you up and go ole with the fragrant basmati rice and big chunk of beef in it.

C - Claypot Chicken Rice

Makan at: Encik Tan B1-41/42 Bedok Mall 311 New Upper Changi Road. Tel: 6779 8980 We actually LOVE claypot rice but it’s so difficult to find a halal version in Singapore. Thankfully, local hawker food chain Encik Tan has us covered with their Claypot Chicken Rice ($5.50) served steaming hot and doused in with dark soy sauce. Absolutely delicious!

D - Donuts with Salted Egg Yolk Makan at: FIX HomeTeamNS-JOM Clubhouse, 31 Ah Hood Road. Tel: 6397 5662 We simply can’t get enough of salted egg yolk dishes—one of the first we ever tried was the Donuts with Salted Egg Yolk Dip ($6) at FIX. Sweet, salty, crispy and addictive, it goes well with a cuppa coffee.

E - Elotes

Makan at: El Cubanos 244 Jalan Kayu. Tel: 9338 0936 So you came here for the Cuban-style pressed sandwiches, but then discovered the elotes ($3)? Join the fan club! The Mexican street snack takes on a Cuban touch—it’s basically grilled corn slathered with butter, mayonnaise, lime juice and chilli powder.

H - Heisenberger

butter studio

Makan at: The Lab #01-01 1 Jalan Pisang. Tel: 6299 5681 The Lab is an experimental joint, and their signature Heisenberger ($12.90) was named after TV show Breaking Bad’s Heisenberg character (who worked in a lab, geddit?) Call it anything you like though, this is an experiment gone right! Chomp on a thick 6oz beef patty, tomato salsa, a beef bacon strip and blue cheese dressing, with sweet potato fries on the side.

el cubanos

jinjja chicken

Famous satay burger

I - Ispahan Cake

Makan at: Butter Studio 147 Jalan Besar. Tel: 6294 7115 A cake with an exotic name (harking to the historic Iran city and its namesake rose) and great flavour— everything we wanted in our slice of Lady Ispahan ($7.90). This lychee rose cake is gorgeous to look at and even better to eat with its luscious fresh lychee infused frosting.

J - Jjajang Myeon Makan at: Jinjja Chicken 249 Victoria Street Walk in for the superb Korean fried chicken and a bowl of the iconic Jjajang Myeon ($7.50)—made famous thanks to Korean dramas. Generally eaten to commemorate Singles Day in Korea, this thick comforting soybean paste ramen is enjoyable with its sweet-salty sauce, and is served vegetarian style.

badoque cafÉ

K - Kaisen Don

the ramen stall

ratu lemper

L - Lemper Ayam

the lab

F - Famous Satay Burger

Makan at: Famous Satay Burger at pasar malam stalls (email: satayburger@gmail.com) Everybody loves satay and now we can enjoy it in burger form too. The Famous Satay Burger ($5) is the real deal—thick patty of meat (beef, chicken or mutton) marinated with authentic satay spices and a tasty peanut sauce.

Makan at: The Ramen Stall 787 North Bridge Road. Tel: 6655 0800 One of the newest items on the menu, the kaisen don ($16.90) is a sashimi rice bowl that’s sure to appeal to fans of Japanese food. Tuck in a hearty rice bowl topped with cubed pieces of salmon, tuna and tamago. Best of all, it’s open till 6am for those late-night hunger pangs!

G - Garlic Chilli Cuka

Makan at: Badoque Café 298 Bedok Road (Tel: 6446 6928), 246 Upper Thomson Road (Tel: 6552 1646) These baby octopi are almost too cute to eat but they are super sedap. Garlic Chili Cuka ($7.50) is seasoned simply and has just the right balance of chilli and garlic. Cuka here refers to the octopus, and not vinegar like we first thought!

Makan at: Ratu Lemper address pending. Tel: 9885 2678 This popular Indonesian snack may be simple to make, but it can be quite difficult to find one that's lip-smacking. Head to Ratu Lemper for one of the best lemper ayam ($25 for set of 10 original, 10 spicy and 13 nagasari) in town. These little glutinous rice cakes with generous chicken floss fillings are perfect for office parties, and we’re pleased to report that the pulut stays soft and pliable.

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M - Murtaburger

Makan at: The Prata Place 1 Thong Soon Avenue. Tel: 6459 5670 Here’s a dish that has recently taken social media by storm even though it’s been around for quite a while. The Murtaburger ($7) combines murtabak and burger with a tasty lamb patty, mayonnaise, chilli sauce and a whole load of mozzarella.

N - Nasi Lemak Risotto Makan at: Hyde & Co. 785 North Bridge Road. Tel: 6635 5785 There’s no fusion confusion when it comes to the nasi lemak risotto ($21) at this recently halal certified café that first opened in 2014. The rich creamy rice, which sadly won't be available during Ramadhan, is infused with coconut and topped with sambal prawns, crispy fried anchovies and a runny poached egg.

O - Overdose

Makan at: Ooriginal #01-14 East Village 430 Upper Changi Road. Tel: 9651 0303 Finally, we won’t need to cross the Causeway to get our hands on this drink that’s taken both cities by storm. Get your Overdose ($5) fix at Ooriginal café—there’s a choice of chocolate, hazelnut, matcha and even durian coffee.

P - Poseidon Bucket Makan at: Cajun on Wheels #01-455 PasarBella @ Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard Here’s another dish that’s perfect for sharing with a group—The Poseidon Bucket ($108) at Cajun on Wheels is a force to be reckoned with. Dig into fresh seafood like prawns, clams, mussels and strips of chicken spam fries (oh yes!). But the hardest part is choosing from a range of sauces including salted egg yolk and sambal belacan.

Q - Queen of Philly Cheesesteak

Makan at: The Cheesesteak Shop #01-10 Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Place. Tel: 9027 5626 The Queen of Philly Cheesesteak ($17.90) has strips of thin sliced beef, onions and a whole lot of American white cheese in a 7-inch loaf bun—you’re definitely in for a filling and satisfying meal. You can customise a huge variety of fillings and extra stuffings to your heart’s content too.

R - Rojak Fondue Makan at: Ministry of Rojak #01-30 White Sands Shopping Centre, 1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3 A twist on the favourite Indian rojak, Abdhus Salam has come up with the inventive Rojak Fondue ($35). Pile on your favourite items like wadeh, fried dough balls, potatoes and more, and enjoy it with the sweet potato gravy in a bubbling fondue in the middle of your platter.

S - Smorgasbord

Makan at: FIKA #01-02 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6336 7234 FIKA offers authentic Swedish fare. One of their signatures is the Smorgasbord ($69.90) which is a traditional Swedish platter with tasty treats including meats, cold cuts, smoked salmon and their famous Swedish meatballs too. It’s good for a hungry group to share.

the cheeseSteak shop

the prata place

ooriginal

hyde & Co.

ministry of rojak

cajun on wheels

fika

gelare

uyi

m.a. deen biasa

swensen's seoul garden hotpot

T - Tulang Merah Makan at: M.A. Deen Biasa 95/97 Jalan Sultan. Tel: 6392 2712 One of our favourite dishes ever—tulang merah ($10)! Mutton bones are cooked for hours in a sweet and spicy gravy and the result is sheer pleasure. You can still enjoy some of the meat on the bones but the treasure is the bone marrow within. Enjoy with slices of French loaf to soak up all that gravy.

U - UYI Giant Squid

Makan at: UYI #B1-K5 Bugis Junction 200 Victoria Street UYI Giant Squid ($6.80) has made its way from pasar malams to its own store in Bugis—yay! This Japanese street snack sees a giant squid battered and deep fried to crispy perfection. Bite in for that satisfying crunch and great flavour thanks to the seasoning powder you can choose. P.S. this squid is probably bigger than your head!

V - Volcano Ayam

Makan at: Swensen’s outlets including #B1-64 Jurong Point, 63 Jurong West Central 3. Tel: 6795 2187 Part of Swensen’s Around the World in More Than 80 Days, Volcano Ayam ($14.90) is available only in June and features their delicious fried chicken with a special spicy chilli sauce. The fried chicken itself is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and all-round bagus.

W - Waffles & Ice Cream

tang tea house

Makan at: Gelare outlets including #02-27 The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green. Tel: 6268 8352 This oldie but goodie has been serving up classic waffles and ice cream ($17.90) since 1986, and received its Halal certification a few years ago. Choose a waffle treat from the menu, or build your own with choice of waffle base, sauces, toppings and ice cream. Tip: halfpriced waffles every Tuesday!

X - XO Beef Fried Rice

gIon dining

Makan at: Tang Tea House 359 Bedok Road Did you think we’d be stuck at X? Tang Tea House has an extensive menu (including dim sum) and one of its most popular dishes is the Chinese-style XO Beef Fried Rice ($5.50 per person, larger servings available) served in a mini wok. Ask for extra spicy if you’d like that extra kick to go with your morsels of beef and bean sprouts with fragrant rice. And don't worry, there's no actual XO in the dish.

Y - Ya-Chae Bap

Z - Zaru Soba

Makan at: Seoul Garden HotPot #01-112 IMM Building, 2 Jurong East Street 21. Tel: 6566 8339 Ya-Chae what? It’s actually none other than bibimbap, our favourite Korean dish because it’s a big complete meal in one bowl! The Ya-Chae Bap ($10.90) at Seoul Garden Hotpot is the vegetable version and consists of spinach, beansprouts and kimchi—your vegetarian friends will love it.

Makan at: Gion Dining Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Road. Tel: 6735 6100 Sometimes, simple is best. The Zaru Soba ($12) at Gion Dining is a great example of this. This cold noodle dish has two varieties of buckwheat noodles—plain and green tea—and comes with only the dipping sauce (Fun Fact: the dipping sauce is known as ‘Tsuyu’). Slurp it up for the full experience.

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Wish you had a reliable buffet resource available to guide you to the best all-you-can-eat spots? Buffet Bounty is your go-to resource on buffets for all budgets, tastes and locations. Plan ahead for breaking fast, with global cuisines to satisfy all your cravings.

Bites guide: Price guide (nett) $ wallet-friendly (below $50) $$ just can’t resist a splurge ($50-100) $$$ a special occasion ($100-150) $$$$ indulgence galore (above $150)

Certified halal Does not serve pork or lard Kid-friendly facilities Veg-friendly

Halal Buffets Updated

1 MARKET BY CHEF WAN [ ] #04-45 to 49 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road. Tel: 6341 9159 Known for their bigger than life buffet (11.30am-2.30pm Mon-Thu $31.80++ and Fri-Sun $37.80++; 6-10pm Mon-Thu $43.80++ and Fri-Sun $47.80++), get set for a journey through Malaysian, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Middle Eastern flavours with Malaysian celebrity chef Wan’s dishes. Try their signatures of butter crab, ayam pencik and beef rendang for the full experience.

1 market BY CHEF WAN

21 on rajah

AZUR [ ] Crowne Plaza #01-01 Changi Airport, 75 Airport Boulevard. Tel: 6823 5300 Even while in transit, you’ll be in for a special Ramadhan buffet ($48 nett). Break fast over a selection of traditional Raya favourites like fried sambal prawns, signature laksa and an assortment of Nyonya kuehs. Now, there’s more reason to stop by the airport for your Iftar feast (6 June-4 July). Reservations required. BUFFET CITY [ ] #01-04 Tanjong Pagar Community Centre, 101 Cantonment Road. Tel: 6410 9084/ 6222 3188 Tucked away at Tanjong Pagar Community Centre, this international buffet offers an impressive spread (11am2.30pm; Mon-Fri $26.80++ and Sat-Sun $27.80++, and 5.30-9pm; Mon-Thu $27.80++ and Fri-Sun $29.80++) of Japanese, Thai and Asian with dim sums and pastries, Western and fusion cuisines. Pay through their website and get a 10% discount.

21 ON RAJAH [ ] Days Hotel at Zhongshan Park, 1 Jalan Rajah. Tel: 6808 6847 Experience ‘Mediterr-Asian’ nasi ambeng family dining this Ramadhan month with a sharing platter that will be presented at each table aside from their buffet spread (daily 6-10.30pm: Mon-Thu $50++, Fri-Sun $55++). Specials during this period include the homely bubur lambuk, and from their signature carving station; slow roasted N.Z. rib-eye and roasted yogurt marinated lamb shoulder with mixed herbs couscous. Additionally, dine in during the weekends for the D.I.Y. kebab with both chicken and beef ragout, as well as the churros stations with flavours like vanilla, red velvet and pandan. Further sweeten your evening at the fondue stations, with fondue flavours like rosehip bandung and milo lava. ASIAN MARKET CAFÉ [ ] Level 2, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road. Tel: 6339 7777 Feast on an extensive spread ($70++: Sun-Thu 6-10pm; Fri-Sat 6-10.30pm), from the carving station serving Arabic style roasted whole baby lamb with Arabic sauce, mint gravy or tahini sauce, to new live stations like D.I.Y. rojak bandung and ayam penyet, and chef’s hot plate special of roti prata. Finish off with Fairmont’s signature durian pudding. It’s an all-out splurge specially crafted for the Iftar dinner. AQUAMARINE [ ] Level 4, Marina Mandarin Singapore, 6 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6845 1111 The newly renovated space now allows you to enjoy your Iftar dinner (Mon-Fri 12-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 12-3pm: $60++; 6.30-10pm: Sun-Thu $70++, Fri-Sat $80++) with the view of the natural skyline at the Terrace@AquaMarine. Dig into a feast of whole roast

baby lamb, daily specials of Indonesian oxtail soup and cooked live prawns in tamarind curry, as well as a Bakar station with an assortment of juicy chicken, oxtail and giant seabass in banana leaves (6 June-5 July), as you savour your meal with a view.

buffet city

CAROUSEL [ ] Lobby level, Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Road. Tel: 6589 7799/7745 This award-winning buffet restaurant serves everything from seafood, roasts and desserts which are all prepared in its halal-certified kitchens (12-2pm; MonFri $56++ and Sat-Sun $65++, 6.30-9.30pm; Mon-Fri $76++ and Sat-Sun $86++). Tuck into slipper lobster, leg of lamb and choose from its three-counter dessert spread while you dine comfortably in one of its four tastefully designed sections: The Living Room, The State Rooms, The Verandah and The Terrace.

GOOD OLD DAYS [ ] #01-03/04 Beach Station, 60 Siloso Beach Walk. Tel: 6273 1743 Set in a colonial-themed building boasting an old school charm, their buffet (daily 5-10pm: adults $20 nett; child $15 nett. Till 30 June) takes your tummies on a whirlwind tour of Singapore’s classic, local delights. Indulge in an array of familiar, authentic dishes such as beef hor fun, full of the traditional wok hei taste; chicken biryani, prepared with different spices and achar, poppadum and homemade cucumber raita; as well as our Singapore chicken rice, a must-try when in the city or in this case, on the sandy shores of our most popular island spot.

KINTAMANI INDONESIAN RESTAURANT [ ] Furama RiverFront, 405 Havelock Road. Tel: 6333 8898 This long-standing Halal Indonesian buffet (daily 6-10.30pm $55++) restaurant has been around since 1985. Led by Balinese chef I Gusti Nyoman Kaler, you’ll find a mix of traditional Halal Indonesian dishes like rendang, roti jala kari ayam and grilled lamb leg as well as the chef specials like chilli crab and pisang epek (grilled banana with cheese). KUBLAI KHAN MONGOLIAN BBQ [ ] #04-01 Park Mall, 9 Penang Road. Tel: 6334 4888 The restaurant, modelled after a Mongolian state, impresses with its variety of dishes (Daily 6-10pm: MonThu $29++, Fri-Sun $30.80++) such as seafood on ice, traditional clay pot dishes and Japanese cuisine. But the main highlight would obviously be the Mongolian BBQ station standing on only three legs, which depicts weapons like spears that would be propped up to support the roast ceremoniously in a Mongolian homebase where warriors would rest and train. NUR INDAH RESTAURANT [ ] #03-1111 Blk 2 Joo Chiat Complex. Tel: 8488 1122 The great kampung vibes here matches the array of over 45 authentic and traditional dishes. Be sure to visit the Ulam Corner that boasts over 15 types of fresh ulam (raw salad) and about 10 sambals and condiments. Their claim to fame is also their pioneering Halal Peking duck dish and Malay desserts like roti jala, serawa durian, bubur kacang durian and goreng pisang. Reservations during Ramadhan are a must (6-8pm, $29.90 nett).

PENANG ST. BUFFET [ ] COLONY #05-11/12 Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square. Tel: 6894 7872 You don’t have to cross the Causeway this Ramadhan for a Penang street food festival! (90 minutes. $16.90++: Mon-Fri 11.30am-4pm; $20.90++: Sat-Sun 11.30am4.30pm; $22.90++: Mon-Thu 5.30-10pm; $26.90++: Fri 5-10pm and Sat-Sun 4.30-10pm). Look forward to classics including Penang assam laksa, cuttlefish kangkong and durian chendol. Their range of BBQ seafood, which are cooked a la minute and salted egg crab should be checked out too!

straitskitchen

kublai khan mongolian bbq

good old days

GRAND EMPIRE [ ] #08-00 Poolside Singapore, 3 Belilios Road. Tel: 6291 8144 Situated off Belilios Road and accessible via Little India Station, its casual dining setting by the pool provides some respite away from the bustling crowds, and forges a more intimate ambience for diners. Specialising in Indian-Chinese, Pakistani and authentic Indian cuisine (daily buffet lunch $25++ and dinner $30++), expect dishes like tandoori chicken, chilli prawns and assorted naan, subject to changes. KATONG KITCHEN [ ] Level 4, Village Hotel Katong, 25 Marine Parade Road. Tel: 6551 2141 An international spread (daily dinner: $48++ MonThu; $58++ Fri-Sun) that draws on inspiration from the Peranakan culinary heritage of the Katong area, expect dishes like ayam buah keluak, chef sugi nasi ulam and pisang goreng. Special highlights this Ramadhan period are the seafood on ice station with king crab, Boston lobster and oysters, slow braised ox tail with jus and the fragrant pandan cheese cake.

nur indah restaurant

STRAITSKITCHEN [ ] Lobby level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road. Tel: 6732 1234 Beefing up the buffet ($52++: Mon-Fri 12-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 12.30-3pm; $78++: daily 6.30-10.30pm) menu for the Ramadhan month, we’ll see a seafood on ice station with poached sustainable Spencer Gulf prawns, clams and mussels, and live oysters as well as a Middle Eastern ‘live’ fattoush salad station. Do keep a look out for specials like the Saudi Arabic roast leg of lamb, Lebanese Shawarma and Ramadhan desserts like Umm Ali (traditional Egyptian dessert similar to American bread pudding), and Mohallabiah (a Middle Eastern pudding made with thickened milk and rice flour) among others. SWENSEN’S ION [ ] #B1-31 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn. Tel: 6884 5967 The largest dessert buffet (daily 10.30am-10.30pm. Mon-Fri $19.90, Sat-Sun $20.90. With food orders, the dessert buffet goes for $13.90 and $14.90 respectively) of its kind in Singapore, be treated to an extensive array of over 50 ice cream and gelato flavours like mocha almond fudge and dark chocolate as well as more than 40 exciting toppings of Maltese chocolate balls and atap seeds, cold stone, chocolate fondue fountains and an assortment of delicious pastries and cakes, with new offerings regularly.

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under $50

NETT

beef lovers’ buffets

Beef up your appetite as your favourite red meat takes centre stage at these spreads.

Carne & Caipirinha The only Brazilian churrascaria in Singapore that slowroasts its meats using charcoal fire. Come during their happy hour buffet ($39.90++, Mon-Sat 5.30pm-7pm, Sun, 5pm-6pm) and sink your teeth into 15 premium meats including rare cuts like chicken heart, beef rump, and cupim (beef hump). The beef is exclusively imported from Brazil and boasts a more robust flavour as compared to its Australian counterparts. Balance out your protein-heavy feast with the barbecue house’s generous spread of greens and pasta. #01-50 Sunset Way Residence, 106 Clementi Street 12. Tel: 6464 0478/79

Rocku Yakinuku Rocku’s lunch and dinner buffet (100min lunch: $15.90++, Mon-Thu and $18.90++ Fri-Sun; dinner:

$29.90++ Mon-Thu and $32.90++ Fri-Sun) features a wide selection of meats including a beef chuck tender and beef short rib; top up an additional $5.90++ for free-flowing Wagyu beef brisket. Alongside meats, there’s a good range of seafood choices like green mussels, baby cuttlefish, and baby octopus too. Don’t forget to slather your meat with their three sauces for an extra oomph. #04-06 Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street. Tel: 6634 3313

Ssikkek Korean Grill Look forward to an abundance of well-marinated meats and seafood at Ssikkek Korean Grill—sister restaurant of popular 2D1N Soju Bang—barbecue buffet ($14++, Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm; $24++ Sat-Sun 11.30am-2.30pm, Mon-Sun 5pm-10.30pm). Pile your plates high with succulent beef shortribs as well as the melt-in-your-mouth beef bulgogi. One of the more affordable Korean barbecues in town, the restaurant is always packed so head early to ensure a table. #B1-15/16/17 United Square, 101 Thomson Road. Tel: 6254 8123

Our idea of a perfect rainy day is indulging in an all-you-can-eat sukiyaki and shabu-shabu buffet (80 minutes lunch: $18.90++ Mon-Thu and $20.90++ Fri-Sun; 100 minutes dinner: $24.90++ Mon-Thu and $26.90++ Fri-Sun). Warm your soul as you dip thinlysliced beef, chicken, and pork into tasty soup bases like the nourishing touyu miso or picante kimuchi. Unlimited servings of Wagyu beef are also available for an additional $5.90++. #04-63 & 67 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road. Tel: 6884 5423

Fill up on an indulgent spread of local and international dishes with 10@Claymore’s lunch buffet ($42++ Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm). Each month, the buffet’s beef station features a different cut. For May, tuck into the premium New Zealand Silver Fern beef tenderloin served with balsamic red-wine reduction. Raised on a grass-fed diet, the cut is beautifully marbled, lean, and full of flavour. Lobby Level Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road. Tel: 6831 6686

rocku yakinuku

tiffany cafÉ and restaurant

TIFFANY CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT [ ] Level 2, Furama City Centre, 60 Eu Tong Sen Street. Tel: 6531 5366 Featuring traditional Malay dishes in the buffet ($32.90++ daily 6-10.30pm. One dines free with each paying adult. Valid from 6 June-5 July), it’ll give you a sense of nostalgia. Noteworthy dishes include braised mutton with dried coconut, spicy chicken cooked in tomato sauce, cuttlefish with rojak dressing and finish off on a sweet note with the jackfruit creme brulee and other assorted Malay kuehs.

Suki-Ya

10@Claymore

THE LANDMARK [ ] #05-01 Village Hotel Bugis, 390 Victoria Street. Tel: 6299 1512/ 7786 Helming the kitchen is Chef Amri crafting a delectable spread (daily 12-2.30pm $20++ and 6.30-10.30pm $30++) of largely north Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. Start off with vegetable samosas and chicken tikka, before digging into the butter chicken and mutton vindaloo piled on top of fragrant briyani. Finish off with the lingering sweetness of honeydew sago. the landmark

suki-ya

WINDOW ON THE PARK [ ] Level 2 Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, 11 Cavenagh Road. Tel: 6733 8333 Indulge in a delectable Asian and local spread for your Iftar dinner, especially with the current 1-for-1 Ramadhan buffet promotion (7-10.30pm: $76.50++ Sun-Thu; $85++ Fri-Sat 6 June-10 July). Tease your taste buds with the complimentary dates and nuts, before digging in to dishes such as curry lembu, sautéed mussels in sambal belacan and local favourite, Singapore laksa. Complete your feast with chendol panna cotta, or for something more traditional, go for the bubur hitam with coconut milk instead.

window on the park

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In the mood for rendang A Malay feast wouldn’t be complete without beef rendang, which originated as a dry-style gravy made with buffalo meat in Padang, Indonesia. We tasted the convenient Halal pastes to pick the robust, rich rendang that we would eat over and over again. By June Lee, Photography Benjamin Soh B i T E S paid for our own products at Giant supermarket g o o d

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Adabi Perencah Rendang ($1.55, 120g) Serves 3 (requires 300g meat) Taste Test: A household name in Malaysia since 1984, Adabi’s recognisable slim pouches contain more than enough gravy for two to three servings. It calls for an alarming 800ml of coconut milk, resulting in a very oily, creamy texture that can be a little overwhelming. The flavour however misses the mark of a typical aromatic rendang. Verdict: 2/5

Straightforward flavours but texture could be better.

Sing Long Nonya Rendang ($1.70, 130g) Serves 3 (requires 500g meat) Taste Test: Surprise! We enjoyed the heat level in this bright red paste, which has more of a Chinese-Peranakan twist thanks to garlic, onion and chilli. The paste isn’t easy to use, however, as it calls for extra ingredients to be prepared and fried before adding the sauce—and the results are dryer than what you see on the packaging. Overall, what it lacks in aromatics like lemongrass and galangal, it makes up for in a more punchy first impression. Verdict: 4/5

Chinesestyle rendang that hits the right spice notes.

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Ayam Brand Rendang Paste ($2.50, 185g) Serves 6 (requires 750g meat) Taste Test: We loved the convenience of scooping out the paste from a jar, and easily adding more paste as we like while cooking. The smooth paste is richly aromatic on first impression, with somewhat more onion on the taste. “Just right,” noted a taster and it’s nicely balanced with no sharp notes —but it also lacks the earthy spices that would make it more Padang-like. Verdict: 3.5/5

The most harmonious blend, for a crowdpleasing flavour.

Mak Nyonya Instant Rendang Sauce ($2.55, 200g) Serves 6-8 (requires 1.2kg meat) Taste Test: From this brand that was introduced in 2005, comes a simplified gravy adapted by the Nyonyas—heavy on the lemongrass and onion. Though sealed in a double pouch, the oil managed to leak out leaving red stains in its wake. The proportions given for cooking seem to stretch the sauce too much, even with the addition of coconut milk, leaving us with an oilier, saltier and thinner gravy than what we’d like. Verdict: 2.5/5

A simple, fussfree base sauce— but adjust portions to your own taste.

Dancing Chef Padang Rendang Paste ($2.85, 100g) Serves 4 (requires 600g meat) Taste Test: This popular Thai brand offers a broad range of Asian specialty sauces. This Padang style curry had the most complex and lingering flavours, impressing our tasters with its roasted coconut and pandan aromatics. The paste is easy to use, encased in a pouch within a cardboard packet, but calls for a lot of extra ingredients— we added coconut milk, but not lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf and desiccated coconut, and it still turned out well. Verdict: 4.5/5

Most ‘authentic’ tasting with memorably strong spices.

Brahim’s Rendang Sauce ($2.90, 180g) Serves 4 (requires 500g meat) Taste Test: One of our favourite brands, Brahim’s has been around since 1986 and is a staple for its many Asian sauces. This kuah rendang delivered the delicious brown gravy colour we expected, with all the aromatics of roasted grated coconut. We found this to have warm, nutty tones, enriched with cinnamon and galangal, but lacking a bit of oomph—maybe a pinch of salt and a splash of coconut milk would do the trick. Verdict: 3.5/5

Lacks the heat to bring it to the next level.

New Moon Rendang Paste ($3.15, 120g) Serves 4 (requires 400g meat) Taste Test: This Healthier Choice paste contains 25 percent less sodium compared to regular rendang paste, but seems to also skimp on flavour. The ingredient list surprisingly includes curry powder and curry leaf, bringing it closer to a Chinese style curry. The consistency of the reddish paste is just about enough for the suggested amount of meat. Verdict: 2/5

A mild hybrid style of curry that tastes homemade but indistinct.

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Glamorous Kampong A beautiful contrast of old and new, our buzzing Malay heritage area of Kampong Glam and Arab Street pays homage to tradition and history, while making way for many modern boutiques, trendy eateries and bars. On one end you will find old school perfumeries, historic architecture and long-standing textile stores; and on the other, contemporary restaurant and bars frequented by those in the know.

Arab Street

The ‘spine’ of Kampong Glam precinct, Arab Street is filled with stores selling carpets, textiles, perfumes and other trinkets—similar to yesteryear when the Malay and Muslim community made this their town centre. Take a stroll and discover artisanal scents at SIFR Aromatics, an aromatic studio inspired by the owner’s grandfather perfumery at Kampong Gelam in 1933, before enjoying an authentic Turkish meal filled with kebabs and home-made baklava at Sufi’s Corner. The Hangar (25 arab street) This Melbourne-styled establishment not only roasts their own coffee beans, but makes their bread and sauces from scratch too. Come nightfall, the laidback space turns into a haven of boisterous fun. Fill up on well-loved tacos, especially their appetising Brazilian spiced chicken ($15 for 3) filled with roasted garlic tahini, as you take a swig from one of their many craft beers available and jive to good music. Daily 9am-10pm. Tel: 6291 0127 (Working Title) Burger Bar (28 arab street) Sink your teeth into the juicy Power of Tower ($22 nett) filled with two grilled beef patties topped with caramelised onions, double cheddar, mesclun, tomatoes and truffle tater tots with barbeque sauce, before finishing off with their daily selections of cakes and tarts. Make use of the natural lighting at their makeshift garden backdoor for Instagram-worthy photos. Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-11pm; Sat-Sun 10am-11pm. Tel: 8248 2841

By Katie Boon; Photography by Benjamin Soh the hangar vi

Gleam insight into your life with a tarot and oracle card reading, or engage their spiritual healing and feng shui services at Life By Design Consultancy (42 Haji Lane). The holistic centre also acts as a retail store, carrying metaphysical and occult products like white sage, chakra stones, Ouija board and essential oils.

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Bar Stories (57A haji lane) From their drinks to the gorgeous Scandinavian interior, aesthetics play a major role in this bespoke cocktail bar. Leading the bar is jovial bartender and fervent foodie Dave Koh, who is known to present drinks with an interesting twist and bar grub you can’t resist. Here, drink menus are thrown out the window, so let the talented mixologists surprise you with a special concoction. Sun-Thu 4pm-1am; Fri-Sat 4pm-2am. Tel: 6298 0838

Al’ Frank (12 haji lane) Support home grown cookie brand Al’ Frank and fill your cookie jar with their gluten-free cookies like the bestselling oatmeal macadamia nut cookie ($8 nett/100gm) and the delicate early grey almond cookie ($8 nett/100gm). Using finely grounded oatmeal to replace wheat and flour, the cubed cookies are baked fresh in-store and are healthier with a nice crunch. Al’ Frank also does customisable orders (minimum 500g). Daily 11am-8pm. Tel: 6341 7041

The Pantry at Shop Wonderland (37 haji lane) Part florist stall, part café, this lovely space resembles a whimsical garden. Cakes here are pretty and filled with toothsome floral flavours like the delicate Earl Grey Lavender ($8.60) and Rose Blossom ($8.60). The perfect joint for a day out with the girls! Daily 10am-6pm. Tel: 6299 5848

Long Play (4 haji lane) Boasting a well-curated playlist, Long Play spins catchy tunes from the 50s to the 70s. The space is laid out with brass mirrors fitted along the dining table as well as cosy booths boasting linen curtains for added privacy. Tipples here are top-notch and pretty potent. Fans of spiritforward cocktails must try the cognac-based Marlon Brando ($20) that’s mixed with maple, beer reduction and ginger ale. Wed-Sun 4pm-12am. Tel: 6291 3323

CAD Café (23 haji lane) All about coffee, art and design, this colourful space is usually packed with young creatives. Not only do you get to enjoy one of the best cups of Joe ($3-$6 nett) in the area, CAD Café also hosts regular block parties where they serve craft beer on tap. Tue-Wed 9am10pm; Thu-Fri 9-12am; Sat 10-12am; Sun 10am-10pm. coffee@cad.sg

Mention Haji Lane and beatnik hipsters pop into mind. But prior to being the cool kids’ hangout, Singapore’s narrowest street was a gathering spot for pilgrims on the way to Mecca. Today, the colourful lane is lined with independent fashion boutiques, offbeat eateries including popular Mexican joint Piedra Negra and crowd-puller I Am, who is known for their seven-layer rainbow cake.

The nameless drink stall

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(Working Title) Burger bar

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The pantry at shop wonderland

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Look out for a blue building opposite Kampong Glam Café and beside the start of Kandahar Street for the best teh tarik in the vicinity! The place is always packed with customers young and old alike.

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Bussorah Street

Previously named Sultan Road back in 1910, this popular tourist stretch leading up to Sultan Mosque was home to many sheikh haji (pious men) as well as a large Javanese community who were known coppersmiths. Today, Bussorah Street is lined with many Turkish restaurants, a really cool Children Little Museum filled with local toys from the past, and the famous Kampong Glam Café that gathers a crowd with their delicious nasi padang and local Malay dishes. Alaturka (16 bussorah street) Experience a genuine Turkish dinner at Alaturka where beautiful mosaic-patterned tiles and traditional Turkish ornaments adorn the walls and floors—similar to restaurants found in the Eastern European country. Coming in a group? Start off with the tasty Meze Tabagi ($17 small; $26 large), an assorted platter of popular mezzes like patlican salata and shakshuka, before sharing the Karisik Kebab ($38) filled with lamb chop and beef meatballs. Mon-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11.30pm; Sun 11am-11pm. Tel: 6294 0304 Pizza Fabbrica (70 bussorah street) Industrial-chic pizzeria and bar Pizza Fabbrica specialises in delicious wood-fire pizzas and homemade pastas.Line your belly with gourmet pizzas such as their pungent Gorgonzola ($30) that’s topped with fresh figs, parma ham, walnuts and mozzarella, as well as their unique Birramisu ($12) that’s infused with stout beer. They also have an interesting selection of craft beers on tap like Hitachino Nest and Fabbrica Birra Perugia. Tue-Thu 12-11pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-12am; Sun 12-11pm. Tel: 6291 0434

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Le Frenchie (73 bussorah street) Less than a-year-old, this vibrant French tapas bar serves up a tempting spread of small plates. Prices are kept low despite the high standard of quality in both wine and nosh. This is mainly because the owner’s family dabbles in wine production back in France, allowing him to import and distribute them directly. Pick on the mix platter ($30) filled with six types of cheese and charcuterie while you sip back a glass of Château de Monteberiot La Closerie ($13.50). Tue-Fri 12pm-3pm and 5pm-12am; Sat-Sun 12pm-12am. Tel: 9825 6067

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Maison Ikkoku (20 maison kandahar street) ikkoku Café and cocktail bar all rolled into one. Swing over for a cup of aromatic coffee and delicious all-day breakfast grub, before continuing on to the bar upstairs for their crafted cocktails made with fresh fruits and culinary herbs. Must-tries on their cocktail list is their famous dark chocolate Flambé-tini that’s topped with toasted marshmallows ($28). Cafe: Mon-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat 9-11pm; Sun 9am-7pm, bar: Mon-Thu 6pm-1am; Fri-Sat 6pm-2am. Tel: 6294 0078

Our Taproom (32 kandahar street) This unpretentious brand new bar is run by an animated team who are best known for their bespoke concoctions ($18 to $25)—we had a spicy gin-based tom yam bloody Mary that was surprisingly refreshing. Bar grub reminds us of home where the menu is heavily Asian influenced. Have their addictive crunchy yam chips along with the sinful popcorn pork belly that comes together with the owner's homemade sambal. Mon-Sat 5pm-12am. Tel: 6291 8001

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Kandahar Street remains the same with a slew of eateries; only back in the days it was street hawkers instead of restaurants. But one street hawker remains from the early 1940s: Rumah Makan Minang. Still serving their specialties like chunky beef rendang and crispy tahu telor, the familyrun business is now part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s heritage trail.

Box n Sticks (28 kandahar street) A friendly staff invites you into this warm izakaya that resembles a small family-owned diner in Osaka. The menu is extensive with delicious dishes like clams sautéed with chilli and Japanese rice wine ($9.80) and their signature buta kakuni buns ($9.80). The highlight of their menu, however, is their yakitoris. Choose from over 25 different sticks including ebi mentai mayo ($6.80), pork belly ($2.40) and shishamo ($1.60). Tue-Fri 12-3pm and 6-10pm; Sat 1.30-10pm. Tel: 6341 7780

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Did you know?

The base of Sultan Mosque’s dome, which was built in 1824, is actually made up of black bottle caps collected from poor devotees who were eager to have a part in building the mosque.

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Bali Lane

Café hop your way through Bali Lane and visit hotspots like vintage-industrial themed Stateland Coffee, which is known for their creamy mentaiko aglio olio and red velvet waffles. On weekends, the street revs up with tipplers having a pint at the ever buzzing BluJaz Cafe. Keep your eyes peeled for spiffy dudes too, as this lane is also home to pioneering gentlemen barber Hounds of the Baskervilles as well as many men’s boutiques. Richmond Station (17 bali lane) Inspired by the owners’ barista stint in London, this British-inspired halal café serves scrumptious all-day English breakfast that comes with homemade traditional crumpets or English muffin bread. Be blown away by their scrummy crab benedict ($18) featuring shredded crab meat and a runny egg atop spongy crumpets. Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm. Tel: 6291 4170 Krave (28 bali lane) Marrying Asian flavours with western dishes, Krave is not your usual, run-of-the-mill café. Take their creme brulee ($7 nett) for instance; the bittersweet dessert showcases

Cicheti (52 kandahar street) Prounced as ‘chi-keh-tee’, Cicheti is named after traditional small plates in Venice’s wine bars. Presenting Italian dishes from different regions, eat your way through Italy in one setting at this modern restaurant. Don’t leave the restaurant without trying their wood-fired Napoletana ($18) pizza topped with anchovies and the decadent Salted Chocolate ($12.50) made with 72% Venezuela cocoa and pink sea salt. Mon-Fri 12-3pm; Mon-Sat 6.30-11pm. Tel: 6292 5012

chempedak emulsion within the custard base. Plus, revel in their rendition of Bolognese ($16 nett) that swaps tomato-based ground beef with minced beef rendang. Tue-Thu and Sun 11.30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11.30am-11pm. Kitchen closes 4.45-6pm. krave.sg@gmail.com

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Pita Bakery (29 bali lane) This quaint bakery is run by a friendly Middle Eastern bloke who gave us free pitas just because he wanted to share his passion. Drop by and be introduced to a variety of pita flavours including garlic, zaatar herb and sesame seeds ($2.20 nett). The bakery also whips up yummy homemade hummus ($5 nett for 100g) to go with the freshly-baked pitas. Daily 10am-8.30pm. Tel: 6635 6256 Brother Bird (30 bali lane) Opened by the brains behind Stateland Coffee, this rustic ice cream parlour is a hit for their luscious soft serve in unique flavours like spiced pumpkin pie. Follow the crowd and savour their Signature Rice Donuts ($14) served with creamy cookie butter soft serve, almond crunch and sweet caramel sauce. Wed-Mon 12-10pm. Tel: 9800 7628

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Cloudy with a chance of apples Unclarified apple juice is said to contain up to four times the polyphenols (antioxidants) when compared to its clear counterpart. We shake and sip these supermarket brands to look for a 'clear' winner. By Meredith Woo, Photography Benjamin Soh

Cawston Press Sparkling Cloudy Apple [ ]

Cawston Press Cloudy Apple ($5.35, 1L, RedMart.com) FAVE On the label: Not from concentrate, 100% pressed apple juice (Golden Delicious with Cox’s Orange Pippin, Bramley, Braeburn, Gala, Jonagold), vitamin C Taste test: We like the eco-friendly Tetra Pak as well as its natural viscosity (gao-ness) and flavour. Reminded us of watered-down applesauce, in a good way. Rating:

($2.50, 330ml, RedMart.com) On the label: Not from concentrate, 70% pressed apple juice (Cox’s Orange Pippin, Braeburn, Bramley), sparkling water, vitamin C Taste test: Smells sweeter than it tastes, and reminded us of watered down apple juice with flat gas. A slightly odd, almost bitter taste, like an apple that has oxidised. Rating:

Eager Cloudy Pressed Apple Juice

BEST BUY

($4.45, 1L, Cold Storage) On the label: Pressed apple juice not from concentrate, antioxidant (ascorbic acid) Taste test: Starts out tart, but overall pleasant. Love the eco-friendly carton too. A faint raisin-like taste. Rating:

Ripe Superfruit Cloudy Apple Juice ($3.95, 1L, RedMart.com) On the label: Water, cloudy apple juice concentrate, apple flavour, malic acid, permitted preservatives, ascorbic acid Taste test: This was somewhat pungent, with a rubber tyre smell. The green apples used tinted the juice in that colour, so it didn’t look very appealing. Had a lime-y, sourish flavour too. Rating:

Nudie Nothing But Apples Cloudy Apple Juice ($6.10, 1L, Cold Storage) On the label: 100% Australian fruit, no added sugar, no preservatives, no artificial flavours Taste test: Could be too tart for some with a slight ‘Mama Lemon’ smell. Expensive, but pure. Rating:

THE REAL DEAL

Marigold Peel Fresh Cloudy Apple Pokka Cloudy Fuji Apple Juice [

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($3.75, 1.5L, RedMart.com) On the label: Water, cloudy apple juice, sucrose, flavouring, citric acid, stabiliser, malic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B3 Taste Test: We liked that this was not too sweet, light and refreshing with a clean aftertaste. Maybe a teeny bit tart for some, and a tad artificial: “like apple candy”. A very palatable drink overall. Rating:

Cold Storage Essential Cloudy Apple ($1.50, 500ml, Cold Storage) On the label: Water, cloudy apple juice concentrate, apple flavouring, malic acid, preservative, ascorbic acid Taste test: Described as “smelly apple pie”, the juice is heavy and doesn’t quench thirst. Too sweet and leaves tongue feeling scrubbed. Well-priced for an on-the-go fresh juice. Rating:

(No Sugar Added) ($2.70, 1L, RedMart.com) On the label: Juice concentrates (cloudy apple, apple), grape juice concentrate, permitted stabiliser and flavouring, vitamin C, permitted preservative, vitamin E, vitamin A, malic acid Taste test: We had a bit of a problem breaking the seal, but ‘girl strength’ should suffice. The juice is refreshing and well-balanced with dimension but a bit too sweet. Rating:

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Always wanted to make sambal but just don’t have the ‘right’ recipe? We give you a visual taste of the sambals being shared at Sambal Exchange Project (sambal.sg), set up by Sheere Ng for chilli lovers. Read, drool—and contribute your personal recipes and memories at the website.

Is there anything more pragmatic and Singaporean than this Hokkien dad's mash-up sambal chapalang? It does the trick!

*Pictures and stories courtesy of the Sambal Exchange Project.

Bliss is in this sambal ayam penyet from central Javanese domestic worker Kamini.

Fresh red chillis brighten up the colour of this sambal tumis, from homemade Aida. It's a base for petai, prawns or quail’s egg dishes, or eaten plain with nasi lemak. Malcolm Lee of Candlenut restaurant's "super hot"” sambal belachan recipe was given by his mother. Bawanese homemaker Rose's sambal mak kasek is one for the ikan bilis lovers.