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BITES E E R F S S U F Food of the future FR
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12 MUST-TRY ASIAN BUFFETS P8
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inside NEW EATS P2
The latest food pairings: skewers with claypots, ice cream with egglet waffles
HOT SEAT OPENINGS P3
Ben Soon‘s exceptional menu at Uncle Leong Signatures
DESTINATION: CITY HALL’S OTHER GEMS P10
Foodie finds in the historic district
Queueless. Cashless. Painless. p4
SUPERMARKET SLEUTH P12
An instant mee goreng showdown
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Where to find your B i T E S ? PICK US UP! Free at over 100 venues | BITE INTO US ONLINE www.bites.com.sg | CAFES & RESTAURANTS Bonta Italian Restaurant & Bar (District 10) • BRUSSELs SPROUTS - Robertson Quay • California Pizza Kitchen Forum • Emicakes @ Kovan • EN Grill and Bar • Farisya's Kitchen • Ginkhao Restaurant • Ginza Lion Beer Hall • 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 • Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant • Spinelli (all outlets) • Starbucks (all outlets) • tc c - The Connoisseur Concerto (all boutiques) • 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 • Club HDB • Ee Hoe Hean Millionaire Club • Hollandse 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 Country Club • The American Club • The Swiss Club • Tower Club
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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 • 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 • York Hotel MALLS Orchard Central • The Grandstand NATIONAL TOURISM OFFICES Australia Tourism • Japan National Tourism Organization • Korean Tourism Organization SUPERMARKETS Meidi-Ya Singapore • PasarBella SALON Jean Yip Hairdressing Also hand-distributed at: OUTSIDE MRT STATIONS Ang Mo Kio • Bedok • City Hall • Jurong East • Raffles Place • Woodlands • Yishun
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Cover image Little Nanyang Kitchen, from Five Square
Publisher Cecilia Goh Staff Writer Katie Boon Contributing Writer Fred Voon Editorial Intern Rachel Lee Art Director Jenn Chew Design Intern Mary Abcede Contributing Designer Geraldine Lee Associate Business Director Alban D'Sa Business Manager Jack Ang Serena Bakshi Business Executive Kiara Zhong Marketing Executive Justina Liew
Publishing Admin Manager (Admin & Circulation) Siti Haneymah IT & Digital Manager 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 BITES
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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 T E S 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.
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Each month, we’ll feature a fresh makan place for you to guess what/where it is. Correct answers will be entered in a draw to win a dining experience with us! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram/Facebook!
5 READERS STAND TO WIN A DINNER FOR 2 Located on the ground floor of a hotel near Kampong Glam, this restaurant is named after a spice commonly used in Asian cuisines. (Hint: The answer can be found in one of the pictures)
Guests can now revel in nostalgic local favourites in one sitting—think beef cheek rendang, tandoori lamb rack and Hainanese chicken rice. If you can't get enough of Asian herbs and spices, they've got you covered with the house-made lemongrass and ginger ice cream with gula melaka for a sweet ending. Give us your best guess of the restaurant and its address between 1-21 August to dine on 7 September, 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 7 September at 7pm. More on www.bites.com.sg/makanonbites
MAKAN ON BITES WHERE: DA MIAO HOTPOT WHEN: 10 JULY 2017
WHAT WE ENJOYED: • Australia & U.S. prime beef • Vegetable & mushroom platter • Fresh tripe
• Two types of soup base: special spicy mala & pig bone
• Fresh shrimp paste • Free-flow condiments & fruits Our five lucky winners and their plus ones
• Mutton rolls • US black pork
Our extravagant hotpot feast
A rousing tea-pouring performance
Sun Wu Kong greets and invites guests inside
• Homemade barley, water chestnut, sour plum & bitter buckwheat tea
Last month, our five winners and their friends joined us for a fiery feast of authentic Sichuan mala hotpot at Da Miao Hotpot. Besides indulging in all the fresh meats and vegetables at the richly decorated restaurant, their experience was made complete by traditional face-changing and tea-pouring performances.
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CAT & THE FIDDLE
NATIONAL DAY In celebration of our nation’s birthday, enjoy lychee martini cheesecakes by Cat & the Fiddle and buffet discounts at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy. Over at Woody Family Cafe, 9 Aug babies receive a free main course, while GRUB and Redpan introduce fun new creations such as crispy otah burger and ‘kopi C’-misu. More at bites.com.sg
NEW MENUS A 66-year-old institution, Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodle surprises with a new addition to their menu—BIG WAH! Kee Pot ($30), a seafood treasure trove that contains their signature prawn noodle broth and ingredients such as flower crab, squid, clams, and two types of sliced fish. The pot also comes with a choice of fried rice patty, fried ee mian or plain rice. Perfect for sharing between two persons on a rainy day. #01-13C, Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue. Tel: 6327 9187 Known for their humongous pancakes and hand-drip coffee, Hoshino Coffee has introduced three new dishes: teriyaki chicken steak plate with onsen egg ($17.80), which boasts a sweet, tangy sauce; chicken and mozzarella cutlet plate ($17.80), with stringy cheese goodness; and Angus beef steak plate ($21.80). Each comes with a choice of rice or toast. End your dinner with a matcha pancake soufflé style ($13.50), big and fluffy, drizzled with sweet matcha sauce and topped with ice cream. #02-06/07 United Square, 101 Thomson Road. HOSHINO COFFEE Tel: 6264 5878 Available at both their Forum and VivoCity outlets, Jamie's Italian’s new menu includes truffleinspired creations and a slew of new antipasti. Try the crispy mushroom fritti ($11.50) or the salumi crostini ($15.50), then move on to the especially satisfying truffle ravioli ($26.50), with minced black truffle, brown butter and grated Parmesan. #01-01 Forum Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road. Tel: 6655 7676; #01-165 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk. Tel: 6733 5500
NEW OPENINGS The original Sogurt shop on Bukit Timah Road is no more. In its place, founder Lee Li Ping has launched KARA Café & Dessert Bar, an all-day dining spot with hearty mains and plated desserts. Try a grain bowl (we liked the taco Mexx option, $14) or
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grilled cheese toastie (from $10.50), but save space for a mochi waffle ($12.50)—chewy, crispy and topped with a softie swirl. At the back of the café, you’ll find a regular Sogurt self-serve bar, now with ice cream flavours and a couple of new toppings. 617 Bukit Timah Road. Tel: 6468 8940 Five Ten is a pop-up industrialstyle diner that serves small plates inspired by Taiwanese street food, with each plate costing $5 or $10. Try the fried smashed potatoes ($5) LICKETY seasoned with chilli pepper spice that‘s reminiscent of Shilin‘s XXL crispy chicken, or deep-fried tau kwa with century egg ($5). Your experience won’t be complete without the chef‘s specialty, lu rou ($10)— braised pork bathed in a special house sauce that boasts subtle flavours of licorice root. For a hit of caffeine, try their ice-cream float ($5), made with chocolate, carbonated soda and a scoop of house-made cold brew ice cream. 237 South Bridge Road. Tel: 6924 7352 A joint venture by chef Justin Foo and bartender KC Rahmat, Provisions in Dempsey offers an unusual menu that highlights skewers and claypots. There's chicken gizzards ($4) and octopus ($10) on sticks, and new takes on claypot rice such as mushroom tea ($9) and oyster omelette ($18). The interior and tableware tap into Singaporean nostalgia, what with enamel plates and a corner stocked with old-school snacks and toys. Don’t bother looking for a cocktail menu, though—Rahmat mixes bespoke drinks with Asian herbs and spices and his infusions of the week. #01-04, 7 Dempsey Road. Tel: 9783 0792 Lickety stands out with its DON MEIJIN brightly coloured façade and an offering of over 15 ice cream flavours. These include milo dinosaur, earl grey and fig, red velvet and dark angel—a dark chocolatey treat churned with freshly baked chocolate bread bits. Get a single scoop ($4.50) or share a bouquet of three ($8.90), which is served in a buttermilk or red velvet egglet waffle, a cakier and fluffier version of its Hong Kong counterpart. 34 Bussorah Street. Tel: 6291 7670 Don Meijin has opened its second outlet at the Changi Airport Terminal 3 branch of Ramen Champion. Specialising in donburi, the stall offers a variety of rice bowls, most notably the signature tendon ($13.80) and the spicy chilli crab tendon ($14.80), whose sauce is cooked for over four hours. #B2-58 Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3, 65 Airport Boulevard. Tel: 6214 2958 JAMIE'S ITALIAN
H T SEAT OPENINGS
WE GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE LATEST OR BUZZIEST F&B OPENINGS TO FIND OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES FACED. By Fred Voon
Tell us how Uncle Leong Signatures came about. The first Uncle Leong Seafood was at an Ang Mo Kio zi char coffeeshop. Then the landlord told us we had to move out, so we shifted to our Punggol East branch [run today by my brother Jeff]. A few months after, my brother Roy set up the second one at Toa Payoh. When I told my dad that I wanted to set up my own, he gave me the chance to be independent and run my own business. What makes Uncle Leong Signatures different? We have our own signature dishes, and a wider variety. Every section of the menu has at least one signature, so that we can differentiate from the other Uncle Leong branches.
Who: Ben Soon, 34 What: Uncle Leong Signatures in Waterway Point
How did you develop these signatures? I discuss with the chef and give him ideas, tell him what dish I want. And we will conduct food tastings, then finetune and improve the dish. For example, spicy hor fun is one of our signatures. I like to eat hor fun. I also like black beans and eggs, so I asked my chef to create
a hor fun with these ingredients. Tell us about the décor here. You can feel the café ambience, which suits the shopping mall atmosphere. I recently set up an al fresco area in the back [facing Punggol Waterway]. I have customers who after a meal can sit there for hours, drinking and chatting. What difficulties did you face in the beginning? I hit a lot of walls. It’s very tough to set up a restaurant from an empty shell. All my staff was new at the start. They didn’t have much time to learn as we were rushing to open the restaurant. Every day we kept receiving complaints from customers. But after I had a meeting and talked to my staff, they improved tremendously and started to learn from each other. What are you most proud of at Uncle Leong Signatures? That my staff feel that they are not just workers, but part of the family. All of them treat me like I’m their eldest brother. When there are mistakes, I will tell them and ask them to learn, so that they can improve.
SAVOR LOCAL DELIGHTS WITH A PERANAKAN BUFFET AT ROYALE!
Royale Restaurant is proud to present a delectable Peranakan Dinner Buffet showcasing over twenty Straits Chinese offerings to delight fans of local cuisine.
ADULT $48++ / CHILD $24++ (Fridays and Saturdays - 6.00pm - 10.00pm)
Royale Restaurant is located at Level 3 For reservations and enquiries, please contact +65 65216030 or email HA0D7-FB1@accor.com
Snap a photo of this page and enjoy 35% off total buffet bill!
122 MIDDLE ROAD | SINGAPORE 188973
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Food of the future Technology is fast taking over the way we dine. Say hello to the latest self-operating systems, inventive F&B concepts, and state-of-the-art vending machines. By Fred Voon and Justina Liew make the best of your lunch hour by ordering in advance. In addition to the app, Happy Hawkers in Tampines is equipped with a self-order kiosk at every stall, where customers can order food from any other stall at the same time.
CHANG CHENG FOODTASTIC
REVOLUTIONARY HAWKERS Increasingly, heartland coffee shops and hawker centres are undergoing a digital transformation, with customers making orders and payment at on-site kiosks or via mobile app. Don’t worry, you’ll still get to enjoy the same affordable comfort food – just minus the fuss.
CI YUAN HAWKER CENTRE (51 Hougang Avenue 9)
CHANG CHENG – FOODTASTIC (818 Choa Chu Kang Ave 1)
This airy 640-seat space champions young ‘hawkerpreneurs’ as they play a part to preserve Singapore’s hawker scene. The bright red self-payment kiosks found at all 40 stalls address hygiene concerns since stallholders no longer have to handle cash. We hear a self-ordering system is on its way too!
You’ll be spoilt for choice at this high-tech foodcourt. Order from 20 food categories and over 300 items—think dim sum, roasted delights and Western cuisine—all at one go through the six self-service order and payment terminals. You no longer have to queue multiple times! Dishes are whipped up in a central kitchen kitted with technologically advanced machinery to increase productivity and ensure quality standards, while robots assist in keeping the space clean.
How does it work? Step 1: Place your order at the stall and the stallholder will key it into the system Step 2: Insert cash into the machine and collect your change Step 3: Collect your food
KOUFU (Block 872C Tampines Street 86) Available at six locations (100 AM, Square2, White Sands, JEM, Tampines and Waterway Point), Koufu’s new mobile app powered by DBS FasTrack allows you to beat the crowd and
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How does it work? Step 1: Place order via self-service kiosk or mobile app Step 2: Select preferred mode of payment Step 3: Collect receipt with queue number Step 4: Collect food when queue number appears on display screen Step 5: Return tray to smart robots roaming around
LAWN @ REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC BevEat encourages customers to dine for a cause. Every transaction through the mobile app gives back to the community, with 20% of growth profits donated to your preferred charity. Furthermore, the company also creates job opportunities for people with disabilities.
How does it work? Step 1: Download BevEat Step 2: Nominate a charity Step 3: Top-up your eWallet at the BevEat Cash Top-up Kiosk (refundable) or via iBanking Step 3: Select Dine-In or Takeaway, download eMenu and order Step 4: Collect food when notified by app
DBS FasTrack DBS FasTrack was implemented to solve the problem of long queues. With dining establishments such as Aloha Poke, Boon Tong Kee, Miam Miam and Tiong Bahru Bakery on board, get your craving fixed in a jiffy by downloading their respective restaurant apps, all powered by DBS FasTrack. All it takes is a few taps on the screen—add to cart and check out with your DBS/POSB credit card—then wait for a notification to collect your food for dine-in or takeaway.
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TRENDY & TECH-SAVVY
FIVE SQUARE
Food that's all convenience and no fun can be a drag. These snazzy establishments combine modern technology with fresh and exciting dining concepts.
FIVE SQUARE This buzzing 13,000 sq ft space near Hong Lim Park is split into three areas. At the Bar, enjoy $5 house pours—wines, spirits, sake, umeshu and half-pint Kronenbourg lager—as well as live music on weekdays from 7.30pm. Whisky lovers can withdraw to the Recess, a private space with an impressive whisky collection sold at affordable prices. The Bazaar, the largest of the three spaces, features six food stalls of various cuisines— from $6 small plates at Cinqo Tapas to $16 kaisendon (seafood bowl) at Teppei Syokudo. Each stall has a self-ordering kiosk which takes only cashless payment, and an SMS prompts you when your food is ready for collection. #01-03 Great Eastern Centre, 1 Pickering Street. Tel: 8798 0245
OUE SOCIAL KITCHEN
OUE SOCIAL KITCHEN
GET JUICED
Opened on 3 Aug, OUE Social Kitchen is a communal cooking space for friends, families and co-workers. It has eight cooking stations (two of which are Halal-friendly) complete with kitchen equipment, utensils and cookware. Book a time slot ($45/ hour) as you would a barbecue pit via the Downtown Gallery app, order drinks at the bar, and get cooking! You can bring your own ingredients (perhaps from the nearby supermarket at 100 AM) or purchase pre-packed ingredients ($15/pax) to make dishes such as spicy seafood linguine and Thai green chicken curry. Feel like a kitchen disaster waiting to happen? No fear—a chef and other staff members are around to assist at all times. #03-02 Downtown Gallery, 6A Shenton Way. Tel: 6513 7727
Located at Clarke Quay in the alley leading to Zouk, Get Juiced is Singapore‘s first cashless bar. No more trying to catch the bartender‘s attention—instead, submit your order through a mobile app (which also takes song requests), then collect the drinks when your queue number flashes on the screen. Like Five Square, the venue is divided into three concepts: the Live space (from 7pm) hosts a band; the Chill space (from 6pm) offers $5 house spirits and draught beer; and the Dance space (from 10pm) features a DJ at the turntables. Arriving with a large entourage? Order 25 shots for $60 or 50 for $100 (flavours include melon spritz and caramel milk). Best of all, entry is free. #02-01 Clarke Quay, 3E River Valley Road. Tel: 6208 7293
FRESH FROM THE VENDING MACHINE While we’ve never had anything like the automats of America or astonishing innovations of Japan, this year has seen the remarkable rise of fresh meals from vending machines.
Shake Salad delivers healthy, premium and surprisingly satisfying salads at affordable prices. Starting at $4.90 (with $1 add-ons such as fusilli and chicken breast), the salads are incredibly fresh because the raw produce is restocked daily, while other components are sealed in nitrogen-enriched air, greatly extending shelf life. The machines also offer cut fruit, sandwiches and three types of granola. Highly recommended! shakesalad.com
CHEF MARIO
SHAKE SALAD
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SHAKE SALAD
Available outside NUS Central Library and at Block 57 in SUTD, the Chef Mario vending machine produces piping hot 10-inch pizzas ($8.90) in two flavours, pepperoni and Hawaiian. Their ingredients, down to flour and cheese, are largely sourced from Italy, and the patented pizza oven, flanked by freezers, is able to heat up instantly to 400°C so that your pizza is delivered through the hatch in under four minutes.
MR POPIAH
JOO CHIAT KIM CHOO
What started over 20 years ago as a humble coffee shop stall in Bedok has now moved into large-scale distribution, overseas operations and, most recently, vending machines. With 10 locations across Singapore, Mr Popiah‘s machines dispense unusual offerings ($4 each) such as salted egg prawn popiah and chocolaty banana popiah. Have a crazy idea for a new flavour? Send in your suggestions to their website! mrpopiah.com.sg
Joo Chiat Kim Choo (not to be confused with Kim Choo Kueh Chang) launched the first rice dumpling vending machine on 30 May at the Holland Avenue Ma2 Shop. Restocked at 8am every day, the machine maintains a temperature of about 65°C to keep the fresh dumplings warm. Currently two types of rice dumplings are offered—Nyonya and salted—and each comes in two sizes, regular and mini. Look out for more of these machines to be rolled out in the months to come. joochiatkimchoo.com.sg
MA² SHOP Ma2 Shop, a cluster of vending machines by No Signboard Seafood, brings Tokyo-style vending convenience to the heartlands, dispensing groceries (e.g. detergent), first aid essentials (e.g. Panadol) and hot food (e.g. canned oden). The Asian Food Box machines are stocked with No Signboard's signature chilli crab, served with spaghetti or rice ($11.90). There are now Ma2 Shops across the island, from Jurong West to Tampines; the seventh opens midAugust at Mount Faber.
CHEF-IN-BOX VENDCAFÉ The long queues that still form at VendCafés are no deterrent for the most ardent fans. With over 90 food and drink options, tempting offerings include paella, fried carrot cake, and Thai green curry chicken. Meals cost less than $6 each and are replaced twice daily. By the end of August, you'll be able to find VendCafés in Sengkang, Ang Mo Kio, Lakeside, Rivervale and Pasir Ris. chefinbox.com.sg
MA2 SHOP
MR POPIAH
POLAR PUFFS & CAKES
Polar Puffs & Cakes is in the early stages of launching vending machines that offer both hot puffs and chilled cakes. Their vending ovens maintain a temperature of 60 to 65°C, keeping pastries crisp, while vending chillers keep confections refrigerated. They have installed machines at Mediacorp and SMU School of Law, but these are accessible to internal staff and students only. polarpuffs-cakes.com
CHEF MARIO
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Satisfy your taste buds with these 12 Southeast Asian buffets that include not just your usual Thai mookata, but also a prata buffet you may not have heard of. Take your pick and fill up that belly now!
Check their website for ongoing credit card promotions. Level 3 Furama Riverfront Singapore, 405 Havelock Road. Tel: 6739 6463. furama.com/riverfront/Dining/ Dining-Promotions
CHINESE:
12 ASIAN BUFFETS YOU SIMPLY CAN’T MISS INDONESIAN/ INDIAN:
TALAY KATA
THAI: TALAY KATA Talay Kata is more than just your typical Thai mookata experience (Lunch: Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm, $18.80++ adult, $9.40++ child, Sat-Sun and PH 11.30am-5pm, $27.80++ adult, $13.90++ child. Dinner: Mon-Thu 6pm10pm, $28.80++ adult, $14.40++ child, Fri-Sun and PH 6pm-10pm, $33.80++ adult, $16.90++ child). Apart from an amazing spread of fresh seafood and meats, you can choose one of their local-inspired soup bases such as salted egg soup and try premium offerings such as Alaskan king crab, scrapper lobsters, Japanese scallops and sea cucumbers. Senior citizens aged 60 and above receive a 15% discount. #08-04/05 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road. Tel: 6634 0551 PATARA FINE THAI CUISINE Patara Fine Thai Cuisine not only impresses our palates with their spread of homely classic Thai dishes made with premium ingredients, it also boasts a cosy, brightly lit interior. The restaurant is currently offering a luscious a la carte buffet (Weekends and PH 12pm-3pm, $48++ adult, $24++ child, $68++ with premium a la carte buffet selections) with more than 40 dishes to choose from, such as spicy tom yum with vegetables and mushrooms, grilled Australian beef sirloin in aromatic Panang curry, and stir-fried squid in salted egg with a local twist. #03-14 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road. Tel: 6737 0818 SUANTHAI RESTAURANT Suanthai Restaurant offers an affordable yet delicious Thai buffet option in town. (Lunch: Mon-Fri 11.30am2.30pm, $19.90++ adult, $13++ child. Dinner: Mon-Thu). Out of the spread of 28 dishes, we love the boneless stuffed chicken wings, and tom yum soup with prawns. The latter is slightly tangy with a big hit of spice at the first sip. 101 Killiney Road. Tel: 6235 4126
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KUBLAI KHAN MONGOLIAN BBQ Kublai Khan BBQ’s buffet (Lunch: Mon-Thu 11.30am3pm, $18 adult, $12 child, $17 student/senior citizen. Fri-Sun and PH, $20 adult, $14 child, $19 student/ senior citizen. Dinner: Mon-Thu 6pm-10pm, $29 adult, $16.80 child, $24.80 student/senior citizen. Fri-Sun and PH, $30.80 adult, $17.80 child, $26.80 student/senior citizen) comes with a view of Clarke Quay through floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant offers a feast for the belly with an assortment of different cuisines such as their popular Mongolian BBQ, traditional Chinese claypot and noodles, and even Japanese sushi. #02-01 Clarke Quay Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street. Tel: 6334 4888
AL JASRA RESTAURANT 24/7 prata heaven Al Jasra Restaurant offers 16 varieties of prata in their all-day buffet for only $7.90. Savour classic favourites or unique creations such as strawberry prata and pineapple prata for those with a sweet tooth and ikan billis prata for those who love that extra crunch. Simply opt for the buffet and write the amount of prata you want and it will be served piping hot within minutes. Welcome to your new prata supper spot. 459 Changi Road.
SI WEI YAN
KINTAMANI RESTAURANT
SI WEI YAN For spice lovers and fans of Sichuan cuisine, Si Wei Yan is the buffet for you. Lunch and dinner buffets are both priced at $38.80++ and feature over 60 authentic Sichuan dishes including their signature cumin-flavoured crispy lamb ribs, boiled fish fillet, and chicken in chilli oil. 1 Club Street. Tel: 9479 5736 ZHONGSHAN PARK Indulge in Zhongshan Park’s ‘hawkerlicious’ lunch buffet (from 12pm-3pm weekdays: $34++ adult, $17++ child. Weekends and PH: $40++ adult, $20 child) which includes seafood Hokkien mee, dry mee siam and a roast meat station. Their weekend lunch buffet includes sumptuous poached tiger prawns and half shell scallops. Take the entire family to the dinner buffet (from 6pm-10.30pm, Mon-Thu: $40++ adult, $20++ child. Fri-Sun and PH: $45++ adult, $22.50++ child) which features a seafood wok-fry station. Pick your seafood and pair it with signature sauces such as salted egg yolk, black pepper and assam curry. Ramada Hotel, 16 Ah Hood Road. Tel: 6808 6888
KINTAMANI RESTAURANT Nestled in Furama Riverfront hotel, Kintamani Restaurant’s Halal-certified buffet (Mon-Sun, Lunch: 12pm-2.30pm, Dinner: 6pm-10.30pm, $58++ adult, $20++ child) has much to offer. Their spread includes gado gado, mee soto ayam (which boasts a fragrant chicken broth) as well as their tender rendang daging Sumatra (spiced beef braised in thick coconut gravy).
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
PERANAKAN: GINGER At the newly re-themed buffet restaurant Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road, expect an array of local cuisines, from Chinese and Indian to Malay and Peranakan. Dig into meaty offerings such as beef cheek rendang, ayam masak merah and tandoori lamb rack, or dive straight into the seafood bar, stocked with shellfish and crustaceans galore—think lobsters, crabs, mussels and clams. There are also live stations with skilled chefs flipping prata or carving gammon ham. PARKROYAL on Beach Road, 7500 Beach Road. Tel: 6505 5710
GINGER
CHILLI PADI NONYA CAFÉ Located in NUS, Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe offers authentic Peranakan fare (Lunch: Mon-Fri 11.15am-3pm, $18.80++ adult, $11.90++ child. Sat-Sun and PH 11.15am2.30pm, $21.90++ adult, $12.80++ child. Dinner: Fri 6pm-9.30pm, $18.80++ adult, $11.90++ child. Sat-Sun and PH 6pm-9.30pm, $21.90++, $12.80++ child. High tea buffet: weekends and PH 3pm-5.15pm, $12.80++ adult, $9.80++ child). Start off with the DIY stations offering laksa, rojak, mee siam and kueh pie tee. There’s also chwee kueh with unlimited amounts of chye poh and chilli. Finish your meal with sweet treats such as chendol. #06-21 (ground floor), 29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace. Tel: 6872 2982 PRINCESS TERRACE CAFÉ Looking for authentic Penang cuisine? Try the buffet at Princess Terrace Café (Mon-Thu, lunch: 12pm-2.30pm $49.80 adult, $24.90 child, dinner: 6.30pm-10pm $53.80 adult, $26.90 child. FriPRINCESS Sun and PH, lunch: $51.80 TERRACE CAFÉ adult, $25.90 child, dinner: $56.80 adult, $28.40 child), famed for their traditional cooking methods. Don’t miss their signature dishes such as Hokkien prawn mee soup, Penang laksa, curry noodles and popiah. Their fu rong crab egg is a simple dish that evokes the comfort of home. Don’t leave without trying their fantastic handmade kueh, desserts like seri muka, apom bokwa and a soya beancurd that is sweet and satisfying. Copthorne King’s Hotel, 403 Havelock Road. Tel: 6318 3168 PENANG ST. BUFFET If you live in the north and want some delicious Penang food, look no further. Situated in Causeway Point is Penang St. Buffet (Mon-Thu: lunch, $26.90/pax, dinner, $34.90/pax. Fri-Sun: lunch, $32.90/pax, dinner, $38.90/pax), where the offerings extend beyond Penang street food specialities. Their seafood selection includes fresh oysters, scallops and sashimi. Tuck into their fragrant nasi lemak and rojak, as well as a unique assortment of crabs such as Parmesan butter crab and espresso coffee crab that’s bound to make your belly happy. But before you leave, try their famous durian chendol. #05-12 Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square. Tel: 6802 0456
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City Hall's other gems Timbre
HOME TO HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AS WELL AS SPANKING NEW MALLS AND HOTELS, CITY HALL IS A CONFLUENCE OF THE OLD AND THE NEW. FROM TRADITIONAL PERANAKAN CUISINE TO A MODERN CRAFT BEER BAR, WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE BEST EATS IN THE AREA. By Rachel Lee, Photography by Mary Abcede
Peranakan Museum
BIBLE HOUSE (7 ARMENIAN STREET) If you walk down Armenian Street, you’ll definitely notice this large, white building with an intriguing façade known as the Bible House. Whether you’re a believer or simply want to learn more about their faith, this building is worth a visit. It is also an interconfessional mission agency working across 200 countries and doing meaningful volunteer work.
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Named after the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, this street was originally known as Armenian Church Street. Now, it is home to two great museums: the Singapore Philatelic Museum, which holds philatelic treasures and collectibles dating back to the 1830s, and the Peranakan Museum, which was once a Chinese school that focused on teaching dialects. Now the street showcases the various aspects of Chinese culture and civilisation. It also houses one of our favourite bars, Timbre @ The Substation.
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THE SUBSTATION (45 ARMENIAN STREET) Founded in 1990 by legendary playwright Kuo Pao Kun, The Substation became Singapore’s first independent contemporary arts centre. Not only do they have free and ticketed performances from time to time, they also conduct classes in capoeira ($100/ month for 12 and below, $130/month for 13 and above), Tanz Ballet and contemporary dance. Tel: 6337 7535. substation.org Central Fire Station
TRUE BLUE CUISINE (47/49 ARMENIAN STREET) Taste authentic Peranakan dishes at True Blue Cuisine (daily, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm). The restaurant also provides an immersive experience with its traditional décor and waitresses wearing traditional kebayas. We especially love the ayam buah keluak ($18), which is rich and meaty, and the sotong hitam ($20), a sweet and filling dish. Tel: 6440 0449
Civil Defence Heritage Gallery
LE BISTROT DU SOMMELIER (53 ARMENIAN STREET) Indulge in French fare and high quality wines here. If you’re looking for a hearty lunch, check out Le Bistrot du Sommelier’s set lunch ($35) which comes with an entrée of meats or a mesclun salad, a main course of beef or chicken, and for dessert, homemade choux buns filled with vanilla ice cream, drizzled handsomely with chocolate sauce and almond flakes. Tel: 6333 1982
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HILL STREET One of the first roads ever built in Singapore, Hill Street got its name because it lays at the foot of Government Hill, known today as Fort Canning Hill. This short stretch depicts Singapore’s development post-independence, with many historical buildings such as Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dawoodi Bohra Mosque still standing.
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CENTRAL FIRE STATION (62 HILL STREET) Being the oldest surviving fire station, Central Fire Station is an iconic building that has become a monument to our local firefighting force. It was built in 1909 by the Municipal Council of Singapore and became the first headquarters for the fire brigade. History aside, the bright red building is also the perfect background for that Instagrammable photo. CIVIL DEFENCE HERITAGE GALLERY (62 HILL STREET) Located in the same building is the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery (Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm). You’ll be captivated by all the old firefighting vehicles and interactive stations that show how firefighters work in an operation. Learn about the two major fires in Singapore’s history and how they were overcome in the olden days with lessadvanced technology. Free admission
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PENINSULA PLAZA/ PENINSULA SHOPPING CENTRE MOSTA RECORDS LP. (#02-21 PENINSULA SHOPPING CENTRE) With streaming music and Internet videos exploding into popular consciousness, we frequently forget about the soothing, nostalgic sounds of good ole vinyl records. You can expect to find nearly all genres of music at Mosta Records—from rock, blues and funk to pop and dance. There’s something for everyone and nothing beats the feeling of putting a 12” record on the turntable and letting the music fill the air. Tel: 9452 8179
NALAN RESTAURANT (#B2-54 CAPITOL PAZZA) With a motto of Eat Healthier, Be Happier and Live Longer, Nalan Restaurant serves dishes that highlight the complexity of Indian vegetarian cuisine. Relish in their paneer tikka ($14), a starter with cottage cheese cubes, onion, capsicum, and tomato toasted in the tandoor. Don’t forget their sizzling delights such as the tandoori platter ($25), which includes an assortment of five flavours of kebabs. For a satisfying ending, order the sweet and milky carrot halwa ($5.50).
SWEETFISH POKE (#B2-30 CAPITOL PIAZZA) Stirring things up in the sea of Hawaiian poke bowls is SweetFish Poke, with a Californian-style sashimi rice bowl ($9 small, $14 large). What sets them apart is their use of the freshest ingredients which are mixed to order instead of marinated for hours. Bowls come in two portion sizes, with three choices for the base—Japanese rice, red brown rice mix (+$1) and chopped romaine (+$1). There are five combinations available but we recommend the Hawaiian Original, which features salmon, tuna, edamame, onions, spring onion and chuka, a hearty bowl that will fill you up. sweetfish-poke.com EQUILIBRIUM (#01-86 CAPITOL PIAZZA) One of the sister stores of Supply and Demand, Equilibrium teases our palates with traditional Venetian cuisine using modern techniques. Start off with a cocktail; we recommend the smokey nectar ($18), which is infused with spiced pear liqueur and a touch of smoked hickory wood. Dig in to their lostata di manzo ($39), New Zealand beef ribeye that’s dry aged for 28 days, cooked to a perfect medium rare, and drizzled with the sauce of the day. Tel: 6384 4069 TAP CRAFT BEER BAR
POP TRASH (#02-20 PENINSULA SHOPPING CENTRE) Love the vibe of a rave or a mega music festival? Wonder what it’s like to be a DJ? Well, Pop Trash can help. Not only will you be schooled in the ins and outs of party culture, you will also pick up the basics of record spinning to kickstart your DJ-ing career. They have two courses available. The Teen Spirit weekend DJ workshop (suitable for teenagers) includes an introduction to DJ-ing, basic mixing on turntables, learning DJ software; the Main DJ mixing course provides coaching based on individual skill level. Tel: 9766 9493. poptrash.sg
SATISFYING BUDGET MEALS:
◊ AH CHENG’S YONG TAU FOO
(L1, PENINSULA SHOPPING CENTRE) Looking for a budget meal around Peninsula Shopping Centre? Ah Cheng’s Yong Tau Foo is great when you are yearning for something piping hot on a rainy day. Pick your ingredients ($0.60/piece), pair them with clear soup, laksa broth, or opt for the dry version.
◊ INLE MYANMAR (#B1-07
COLEMAN STREET PENINSULA PLAZA) FOOD CENTRE Inle Myanmar takes pride in serving authentic Burmese cuisine, which is rich in flavour and blends influences from China, Thailand and India. Their lunch special (Mon-Fri, 11am-2.30pm), comes with a choice of eight different dishes such as rice noodles in fish broth ($6), smoked BBQ pork fried rice ($7) and butter rice with chicken curry ($6), which boasts fragrant curry leaves and sweet coconut milk. Add $1.50 for cold drinks, $1.90 for signature teas and $2.90 for desserts such as chendol or a slice of semolina cake. Tel: 6333 5438
TAP CRAFT BEER BAR (#01-K1/K2 CAPITOL PIAZZA) There are 20 international craft beers on draught and 80 bottled varieties of craft beers, wines, spirits and juices on offer at TAP. Not sure which to order? Get the tasting paddle ($26) which allows you to select four beers from the menu. There’s no lack of dishes to pair the beers with. Try the buffalo wings ($12), which is less spicy and more tangy-sweet. The poutine ($8) is the newest addition to the menu, a dish that boasts cheesy, meaty goodness. Tel: 6384 7188 ARCH SINGAPORE (#B1-13 CAPITOL PIAZZA) Arch Singapore pioneered a revolutionary technique in the design and production of 2D art pieces and 3D miniature models, creating a vast heritage collection using quality veneer wood. Pieces range from customised gifts and souvenirs to collectibles in the form of bookmarks, stationery, desktop items, keychains and more. Their aim is to create an awareness of our local heritage, and to share it internationally and locally. Tel: 6384 6608. archsingapore.com.sg
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CINTAN MI GORENG, SPICY
MYOJO MEE GORENG, SPICY
iBUMIE MI GORENG, SAMBAL
The warm orange hue of this packet from Malaysian brand Cintan hints at the mild spice level of the seasoning. Ideal for those who can’t deal with too much chilli but still want the sensation of tingling taste buds. The noodles are chewy with a mild assam aftertaste. Verdict: A decent quick fix that won‘t leave you perspiring.
There‘s little hint of chilli in this one—in fact it reminds us of ‘char mee’. The thin noodle strands have a good bite and are seasoned with light soy sauce. Verdict: Needs way more flavour—more sweet sauce and chilli would do the trick.
Ibumie‘s bright green packet stands out from the sea of red and orange packaging. Also oddly different is its taste, which has an overpowering shrimp flavour. Verdict: Spice it up with a dose of chilli powder for an extra kick.
($2.55 for a pack of 5)
($2.25 for a pack of 5)
($2.35 for a pack of 5)
Goreng down in flames ALL IT TAKES IS THREE MINUTES TO WHIP UP A SPICY AND SEDAP BOWL OF INSTANT MEE GORENG. WE TASTED 10 VARIATIONS TO FIND THE IDEAL COMBINATION OF HOT SAMBAL, SWEET SOY SAUCE AND TOOTHSOME NOODLES. By Justina Liew, Photography by Mary Abcede B i T E S paid for our own products.
($2.95 for a pack of 4)
This is the newest addition to Maggi’s range of instant packet noodles. The noodles are made from oat and wheat, which give a grainy yet starchy texture. Verdict: The curry was hardly spicy and pretty disappointing.
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MI SEDAP MI GORENG, SAMBAL GORENG ($1.65 for a pack of 5)
Hailing from Indonesia, these Mi Sedap noodles are pleasantly spiced with traces of tom yam—the piquant notes that really whet the appetite. The noodles are on the chewier side, so blanch them for an extra minute if you prefer them softer. (Psst… you can easily find this brand at a ValuDollar store.) Verdict: Comfort food on a budget with a real kick.
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INDOMIE MI GORENG, HOT & SPICY ($2.00 for a pack of 5)
Each packet of noodles contains five sachets of spices and condiments to bump up the sweet, salty and spicy flavours; plus fried onions for extra crunch and fragrance. Verdict: Fragrant and packed with flavour.
($3.75 for a pack of 4) This is the spiciest of the lot. When the burn kicks in on the first bite, you know Maggi isn‘t kidding about the noodles being ‘extra spicy‘. The fragrant spice blend is redolent of dried chillies and curry, while the thick, springy noodles and generous portion are sure to fill you up. Verdict: Looks and smells good, with a wonderful homemade taste.
LUCKY ME! PANCIT CANTON, EXTRA HOT
NISSIN TOM YAM MEE GORENG
($3.10 for a pack of 5)
Filipinos will be familiar with this household brand, which offers thick, smooth noodles and a spice level that‘s just right—you feel the kick but not the burn. Unfortunately, the taste of the garlic powder lingers in your mouth. Verdict: Strong garlicky flavour. Have a mint or drink on standby.
WORLD O’NOODLE MI GORENG
($2.40 for a pack of 5)
($2.10 for a packet of 5)
This is like a dry rendition of Nissin cup noodles—the taste is identical. The noodles are slightly thicker, but you get the same tangy notes and well-balanced spice. Verdict: Very appetising and satisfying.
The sweet and savoury flavours are what you would expect from a packet of mee goreng. There is, however, a more peppery than spicy aftertaste. Verdict: A tad forgettable.
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