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DOWNLOAD WIN A FREE THE ISSUE DINNER! HERE ON MAKAN
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BITES P1
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2016 111/03/
SHABU SHABU BUFFETS P9
inside NEW EATS P2
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M A I S K U A ! D A T
The best donburi, omakase and okonomiyaki p4
Hidden steaks and char siew rejigged
HOT SEAT P3
Serene Ang on the viral expansion of Ah Mah Homemade Cake
SPECIAL FEATURE P7
4 types of hot soba you must try at Yomoda Soba
DESTINATION: PUNGGOL P10
Explore our scenic trail of foodie finds
w e l c o m e
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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Publisher Cecilia Goh Contributing Writer Fred Voon Editorial Intern Rachel Lee
Publishing Admin Manager (Admin & Circulation) Siti Haneymah IT & Digital Manager Jun Evangelista Accounts Manager Linda Ng
Art Director Jenn Chew Design Intern Nazurah Rahim
Group Publisher Ho Sum Kwong Group Managing Editor Adeline Wong
Business Manager Jack Ang Serena Bakshi Business Executive Kiara Zhong
BITES
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 Distributed by Region Periodicals Distributor Printed by Image Printers Company Reg No: 200918015G MCI (P) 111/03/2016
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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 BITESare 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.
Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 12pm – 11pm Fridays/Saturdays/Public Holiday eve: 12pm-12am Hararu Izakaya 16 Bussorah Street Singapore 199437 (T): +65 6291 5373 (W): www.hararuizakaya.com
Haráru Izakaya is Singapore’s first Muslim-owned izakaya. Specialising in Japanese grilled cuisine using traditional charcoal grills, Haráru Izakaya hopes to deliver an authentic ambience as well as food experience whilst maintaining the standards required of a Muslim-owned establishment. Set in the heart of the Arab Quarter – a stone’s throw away from the renowned Kampong Glam and Haji Lane enclaves – this double-storey restaurant’s centrepiece is its ground floor bar boasting skylight access and an array of non-alcoholic beverages, where diners can also choose to sit and interact with the bar staff. Murals of recognisable Japanese landscapes and icons adorn the walls on both levels. Haráru Izakaya is collaborating with ‘Hombre Twenty-One’ for sales of merchandise, available at the Level 2 dining area.
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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 at Courtyard by Marriott (a 250-room hotel opening in Novena on 1 November), this all-day dining restaurant offers scrumptious Singaporean fare and panoramic views of the Central Catchment Area. It’s located on the 22nd floor—a fact that’s reflected in its name! Besides a tempting buffet spread, the restaurant serves a la carte dishes such as ‘nasi ulam’ wild rice salad and tiger prawn laksa lemak. There’s also a B.Y.O.B. (Build-Your-Own-Bowl) option where you can top up your salad, grain or noodle bowl with proteins such as turmeric salmon and Hakka braised pork. Give us your best guess of the restaurant and its address between 1-21 October to dine on 10 November, 7pm! For full details and to enter, visit 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 10 November at 7pm. More on www.bites.com.sg/makanonbites
MAKAN ON BITES WHERE: GINGER, PARKROYAL ON BEACH ROAD WHEN: 7 SEPTEMBER
WHAT WE ATE: • Chilli Crab • Black Pepper Crab • Crustacean Hotpot—a medley of crabs, lobsters, tiger prawns and mussels in a flavourful seafood broth
• Salt-baked Seasonal Fish • Live Seafood • Oyster Omelette • Assam Laksa • Kueh Pie Tee
Our five diners and their partners after a filling feast
The spicy and oh-sosatisfying chilli crab
The must-try black pepper crab
Their signature orh luak (oyster omelette)
Last month, our five happy winners and their plus-ones helped themselves to an extensive buffet line at the newly re-opened Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road. We got to enjoy a wide range of cuisines in one sitting—Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan, with signature dishes such as beef cheek rendang, tandoori lamb rack, Hainanese chicken rice and laksa.
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OKTOBERFESTIVITIES When you’re up to your eyeballs in bratwurst and weissbier, you know Oktoberfest is here. Party on with free-flow beer at Spuds & Aprons, explore the live food stations and mobile bars at The Summerhouse, or revel in the rousing tunes of an Oompah band at Savourworld. More at bites.com.sg THE SUMMERHOUSE
NEW OPENINGS Strictly speaking, Fat Belly is less of a new opening and more like a new addition. It’s a dinner-only steak bar located inside the Serene Centre ice cream parlour Sugarhaus. Their seasonal, affordable cuts such as flat iron ($22) and short rib ($25) are tender, juicy and served with chimichurri and a house salad. Sugarhaus has also launched several desserts, including the galaxy tart ($8), which boasts a dreamy mirror glaze and a decadent filling of chocolate mousse, raspberry jelly and chocolate crumble. #01-03A Serene Centre, 10 Jalan Serene. Tel: 6314 2247 Sea & Blue is an oceanSTICKY WINGS themed buffet restaurant (lunch: Mon-Fri $42++, Sat-Sun & PH $64++; dinner: Mon-Thu $58++, Fri-Sun & PH $68++) with over 100 European and Korean offerings. Dig into premium seafood (scallops, clams, snow crabs) and succulent roast meats, but don’t miss the special soy sauce tteokbokki or the DIY bibimbap station. End your meal with bingsu, which you can customise with toppings such as grass jelly, fruits and red bean paste. #B2-01/01A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue. Tel: 6688 7165 From the same company behind Swensen’s and Hello Kitty Orchid Garden comes Sticky Wings, a fried chicken outfit that focuses on regional flavours. Have your wings (sets from $7.90) ‘naked’ or doused with one of two sauces—Spicy Flamin’ (a sweet chilli sauce that packs some heat) or, our preferred option, Sticky Kecap Manis. Frieswise, go for We Meat Again ($6.50), which is topped with cheese and beef rendang. The restaurant also offers unusual burgers ($7.90) with Portuguese doughnut buns, local breakfast (bee hoon or nasi lemak, $3) and weekend pancakes ($5.50). #02-05 Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive. Tel: 6266 8455
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NEW MENUS The new lunch bowls at Caffe Pralet are serious flavour bombs, starting with rice that’s seasoned with sesame oil and furikake. There are seven variations (plus bowl of the day), including the signature roasted sesame chicken rice bowl ($11) CAFFE PRALET which contains garlic cherry tomatoes and braised shimeiji mushrooms perfumed with truffle oil. Come back for dinner—options range from har jeong gai charcoal burger ($17) to smoked hoisin duck pizza ($18). #01-04 Eng Hoon Mansions, 17 Eng Hoon Street. Tel: 6223 5595 FYR (pronounced ‘fire’) has stepped away from its caveman origins and adopted a more refined menu of moderate portions. Still, there are lots of grilled, roasted and smoked meats on offer. The prime ribeye ($48) and Ibérico tomahawk ($46) are both luscious, though the flavour of the rum-infused pineapple in the latter is slightly off-putting. For sides, try the Brussels sprouts ($8) or Paris mushrooms ($10), and end your meal with black sticky rice with grapes and coconut ice cream ($12). 19 Boon Tat Street. Tel: 6221 3703 Though the menu at CHAR has gone through a 70% revamp, the dinner-only premium FYR slow-roasted char siew ($20, limited portions daily) is reason enough to visit the restaurant. Kurobuta pork belly is marinated for two days, then repeatedly glazed and roasted over charcoal and lychee wood, resulting in flesh so tender and an aroma so delicate that even the pairing of rice seems like an interference. Other standout dishes include the double-boiled chicken soup ($10)—rich in collagen from dissolved fish maw and chicken cartilage—and crispy egg noodles with sliced Kurobuta ($16.80), featuring an incredibly flavourful gravy. 363 Jalan Besar Road. Tel: 6842 7759
CHAR
H T SEAT OPENINGS WE GO BEHIND THE SCENES TO FIND OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES OF THE LATEST F&B OPENINGS. By Fred Voon
Who: Serene Ang, 40, CEO of Ah Mah Homemade Cake, Singapore & Snackz It! What: Ah Mah Homemade Cake has expanded to six Singapore outlets in two months, with three more slated to open soon
Tell us about your career before Ah Mah. My background is in accountancy. In 2003, I didn’t want to continue, so I started a Vietnamese and Thai food outlet in Plaza Singapura. Unluckily, my startup was quite affected by SARS and bird flu. I converted it in 2005 to a Taiwanese concept, Snackz It! 可口味, which is more mass market. The brand grew gradually and there are now 11 outlets in Singapore, seven overseas. How did Ah Mah come about? I got to know Ah Mah in April through a business friend. I saw the queues in Malaysia and thought maybe I could bring it to Singapore. But another brand, Le Castella, opened much faster than me and was creating quite some hype. My strategy was, if I cannot be the first, then I want to win in terms of numbers. I improved on what I think they didn’t do. We made sure our staff is trained, our supply chain is very reliable, and our product is consistent in terms of quality and presentation. We were prepared to manage long queues and by June I had an expansion plan. What challenges did you face? It was tough looking for a kiosk because it’s so competitive, but my many years of experience and networking with landlords, not owing a single day of rent, made it easier. Another challenge was finding people to bake the cakes, because it’s very labourintensive. Everything is done on-site—no humans, no cakes. With the volume we’re doing, every stall needs about four bakers.
NEW LOOK
Describe the success of Ah Mah in Singapore. Did you expect it? It was overwhelming from the first day in mid-July. I was expecting it to be a success but not to that extent, partly because I didn’t expect a location like Bukit Panjang Plaza to receive that much hype. When I first chose it, everyone told me, “Don’t start there.” On the whole, my stalls are selling at least 400 cakes a day and serving at maximum capacity. My Malaysian business partner was so surprised at how well the brand is doing here that he’s following us and opening some mall outlets. How will you prevent Ah Mah from becoming just a fad that fades? To be honest, the queues will eventually die down, but you don’t need a queue to be profitable in my business, because the demand is limited by supply. And I also know the selling point of this brand: freshly baked. Is it a food fad? No, because freshness never dies. That’s how I see it. What future plans do you have for Ah Mah? I want to make Ah Mah an everyday stall that people turn to whenever they want a fresh cake. I love the queues, but my goal is for customers to get their cakes within 10 minutes. That’s why I need to strategically space out my stalls. I don’t want to expand too much; I have a target of 15 stalls. I am also eager to expand to Cambodia and Indonesia in October or November.
The signature chochinillo asado or whole suckling pig ($338) is suitable for a grand occasion. Marinated with sherry, white wine, vinegar and herbs, the piglet is roasted for over three hours and served with potatoes. A small porcelain plate is used to cut the meat up tableside to demonstrate its exceeding tenderness, then smashed in a large bin, a ritual symbolising the disposal of bad luck. There is no shortage of drink options: choose from wines and spirits (from $6.90), Paulaner beers ($11 a pint), plus 19 variations of sangria (from $10) made with red, white or sparkling wine. #01-98/99 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk. Tel: 6376 8185
After 10 years at VivoCity, Spanish bar and restaurant Serenity has undergone a makeover. It now sports a vibrant interior filled with warm wooden furnishings, mosaic pillars inspired by Antoni Gaudí, and tiles imported from Spain. Colourful graffiti and pop art murals splashed on the walls add to the lively ambience. Despite the restaurant’s facelift, its menu retains the all-time favourites. Enjoy a wide array of tapas (from $6.80) like tortilla española (Spanish omelette) and buñuelos de bacalao (deep-fried cod cakes). Be sure to order the crema de mariscos ($16.80)—a creamy seafood soup of mussels, prawns and squid—and try the various renditions of paella (from $38 for 2 pax) such as squid ink or traditional Valencian. Serenity uses premium bomba, a short-grain variety that is much more absorbent than regular rice, producing a paella with richer flavour.
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Japanese cuisine boasts a richness beyond just sushi and ramen. Here are five alternative types of Japanese restaurants and the best versions found in Singapore. Let’s eat! By Rachel Lee
Izakaya Izakayas are casual Japanese joints (analogous to Spanish tapas bars and American gastropubs) for unwinding after a hard day’s work. Typically, beer and sake are downed along with small plates of edamame and kushiyaki (skewers).
KURO IZAKAYA
bites FAVOURITE Hararu Izakaya
Unique Kuro Izakaya If you are around Suntec City and wish to grab a beer with some quick bites, check out Kuro Izakaya. Their menu ranges from small appetisers to kushiyaki platters. We especially love the onsen tamago ($8), a silky soft-boiled egg with calorie-free shirataki noodles in a refreshing yuzu miso broth. The kakiyaki does not disappoint—a grilled oyster topped generously with mentaiko cheese that melts in your mouth. End your meal with the gorgeous matcha tiramisu ($10). #01-604/605, Suntec City Tower 3, 3 Temasek Boulevard. Tel: 6235 1066
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HARARU IZAKAYA
Hararu Izakaya is the first Halal-certified izakaya in Singapore. We love the familyfriendly setting and charcoal-grilled items such as their signature surume ika ($16), a springy whole squid with a delicious smoky flavour. Another must-try is the gyu nitsuke ($14), which is bathed in a sweet and savoury sauce. For an unusual drink, order the matcha egg, a saccharine combination of matcha soy with egg whites and simple syrup. 16 Bussorah Street. Tel: 6291 5373
Affordable Five Izakaya Bar Nestled in the East is Five Izakaya Bar, which serves value-for-money set lunches by day and transforms into an after-work hangout in the evening. They offer a wide selection of small plates such as unagi fried rice ($7), chicken karaage ($6) and sautéed mushrooms ($6). Can’t decide which skewers to choose? Get the kushiyaki platter ($24) which includes chicken thigh, chicken with leek, chicken meatballs and sliced pork belly with
shiitake mushrooms. Perfect with a pint of beer (or three). #01-66/67 Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1. Tel: 6604 8255
Okonomiyaki
Donburi
Okonomiyaki is a crowd-pleasing street food that originates from Osaka. To make the savoury pancake, a yam and dashi batter mixed with ingredients such as scallions, squid and pork belly is pan-fried then topped with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce and bonito flakes.
Donburi, or Japanese rice bowls, consists of steamed white rice topped with various ingredients such as fish, meat and vegetables—a great opportunity for home cooks to use up leftovers. Popular variations include gyudon (beef), unadon (eel), tendon (tempura), oyakodon (chicken and egg) and kaisendon (seafood).
BiTES Favourite Ajiya Okonomiyaki Ajiya Okonomiyaki is a cosy restaurant with a familyfriendly ambience and Japanese decorations like red lanterns and bamboo blinds. Choose your batter— seafood, meat, veggie or combo ($12-15)—and cook your own okonomiyaki on a hot plate. Other highlights include century egg kani tofu ($7), crabmeat flooded in a creamy, complex sauce and topped with tobiko; and potato cheese mentai ($10), a fantastic side of potato slices slathered generously with mentaiko cheese. 104 Jalan Jurong Kechil. Tel: 6463 3461
Unique Osaka Kitchen Located at Japan Food Town in Wisma Atria, Osaka Kitchen is famed for their teppanyaki and okonomiyaki which use ingredients that are mostly sourced from Japan. Watch as the chef cooks up a storm right before your eyes. There are five variations of okonomiyaki, ranging from a basic pork okonomiyaki ($11) to the
AJIYA OKONOMIYAKI
Osaka Kitchen special okonomiyaki ($22), filled with beef tendon, squid and prawns. A nine-course omakase set ($90) is also available. Level 4 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road. Tel: 6262 3271
Affordable Seiwaa At this okonomiyaki and teppanyaki restaurant, you can mix the batter and cook the okonomiyaki yourself or request help from the staff. Best of all, the pork okonomiyaki costs only $10—what a steal! If budget is not an issue, though, go for the Seiwaa premium okonomiyaki ($20), a recently launched item that comes with large fresh prawns along with shredded cabbage and grated yam in the batter, making up a filling and satisfying portion. In terms of sides, the Nagoya chicken wings ($10) are not to be missed. 72 Dunlop Street. Tel: 6291 6084
BiTES Favourite Flaming Don Flaming Don serves a whopping selection FLAMING DON of 15 rice bowls with signature homemade sauces as well as charcoal-grilled meats, all at reasonable prices. Their signature flaming beef don ($17.90) features perfectly cooked diced Australian tenderloin with a honey black pepper sauce and onsen egg. Our favourite, however, has to be the miso butayaki don ($9.90), where the smoky sliced pork belly is rich in umami. #05-02/03 Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street. Tel: 6835 7019
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THE BURNING OAK
Omakase
Affordable Don Meijin
Unique The Burning Oak
Don Meijin is a fairly new donburi concept by Ramen Champion. Here you can find a wide range of rice bowls that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. The jumbo chicken katsudon ($13.80) boasts generous portions that are sure to fill you up, but we’re particularly in love with the mille feuille katsudon ($12.80) and its succulent cutlet composed of 14 thin slices of pork loin, served atop a silky omelette. #04-10 Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street. Tel: 6238 1011
You may not expect to find Wagyu don at a hawker centre, but The Burning Oak at The Bedok Marketplace offers just that. Their foie gras and beef don ($20) presents Wagyu rump cap cooked to medium rare with melt-in-your-mouth fat, while the pork cheek don ($12) boasts thin, juicy slices of pork along with pickled ginger and radish. #02-16 The Bedok Marketplace, 348 Bedok Road. Tel: 9873 6093
accompanies Dome ($22), whereby a chocolate sphere encasing strawberries and almond biscuit is doused in liquor and torched, engulfing it in a tall blue flame. Afterwards, a strawberry sauce is poured on. 9A Dempsey Road. Tel: 6479 5518
FUKUSEN RESTAURANT
Omakase (literally ‘I’ll leave it up to you’) originally applied to high-end sushi restaurants where the chef presents a succession of dishes based on seasonality and his knowledge of the customer’s preferences. Nowadays, it is used to refer to any multi-course house special set that saves you the trouble of ordering a la carte.
Affordable Doutor Coffee Doutor Coffee prides themselves on crafting high quality coffee and desserts while providing a comfy and cosy setting. The fluffy-as-a-cloud Hokkaido soufflé
Unique Bistro du le Pin At this hidden gem along Orchard Road, take your seat among the 14 diners (reservations recommended) and watch the chef up close as he crafts and serves your food. The $60 omakase set comprises eight courses, along with a potato salad to start and yuzu sorbet at the end. A la carte options are also available. #02-25 Orchard Plaza, 150 Orchard Road. Tel: 6734 5530
Affordable Teppei Japanese Restaurant Known for its affordable omakase, Teppei Japanese Restaurant offers quality food and excellent customer service that makes you feel right at home. From Mon to Wed, Teppei serves a $60 omakase set that comes with at least 20 dishes within a time frame of two hours; from Thu to Sat, they offer a $80 set with premium beef and sashimi. By reservation only. #01-18 Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link. Tel: 6222 7363
BiTES Favourite Fukusen Restaurant Fukusen Restaurant serves top-notch food with ingredients flown in from Japan. Their off-the-menu omakase comes in three options: five-course ($80), seven-course ($120) and eight-course ($160). The seasonal selections feature fresh catch such as uni and anago (saltwater eel), and produce such as mizuna (mustard greens) and Japanese persimmons. #01-02, 33 Jalan Sultan. Tel: 6291 4818
DOUTOR COFFEE
Dessert Traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) are typically made of mochi, anko (red bean paste) and kinako (roasted soy flour). You may be familiar with taiyaki and daifuku, but have you tried mochi ice cream or hakuto jelly (made from white peaches)?
BiTES Favourite Maccha House Love all things matcha? This dessert specialist offers matcha tiramisu ($7.99), a surefire crowd-pleaser with layers of cream, vanilla chiffon and matcha sponge cake (made with premium Morihan matcha powder). Alternatively, try the matcha mille crepes ($10.99), which is topped with red bean paste and served with raspberry sauce and matcha soft serve. Look out also for the monthly dessert special. #B1-39 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road. Tel: 6636 5830
Unique Henri Charpentier Looking for a time-out at a fancy café? Head to Henri Charpentier for their amazing strawberry shortcake ($10.20), classy décor, and service that will make you feel like royalty. The most dramatic presentation
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cheese cake ($6) is our favourite, but we also love the waffle ($5.80) which comes with a choice of three ice cream flavours: Hokkaido vanilla, Japanese matcha and premium chocolate. This café offers great variety and good value. #01-05 Marina Bay Link Mall, 12 Marine Boulevard. Tel: 6604 6082
a d v e r t o r i a l
Soba So Good It’s Fit for a Shogun DID YOU KNOW? Yomoda Soba is the only restaurant in Singapore to serve sarashina, a style of soba reserved for shoguns and aristocrats during the Edo period in Japan. The noodles, made in-house every day, are composed of 30% wheat flour and 70% sarashina flour, which is milled from buckwheat cores, resulting in a smoother texture and a subtle sweetness.
4 SOUL-WARMING HOT SOBA BOWLS
Hot Ebi Tempura Soba
with 5 crispy & flavourful tempura prawns
POPULAR TOKYO BRAND
MULTIPLE HEALTH BENEFITS
Hot Oyster Tamago Toji Soba with fresh oysters stewed in eggs
Yomoda Soba hails from Tokyo, where their two restaurants have been packed with customers for the past 11 years.
Soba has fewer calories than rice and contains rutin, which is anti-ageing. Also, Yomoda Soba uses no oil, no fat and no MSG in its broth.
3 LIP-SMACKING SIDE DISHES Hot Yuba Tamago Toji Soba
with beancurd skin stewed in eggs
Kakiage Tempura with onions, carrots, kidney beans and prawns
Dashimaki Tamago Japanese egg roll in a light, savoury sauce
Fried Eggplant with white radish, bonito flakes and dried seaweed
Hot Buta Nanban Soba Yomoda Soba #04-53 Japan Food Town @ Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238877 Daily 11.30am-10pm (last order 9.30pm) Tel: 6262 3467 fb.com/YomodaSobaSingapore
pork belly and leeks in a light dashi broth TIP: Hot soba must be eaten right away in order to enjoy its nice texture!
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You don’t have to burn a hole in your wallet to have your fill of sushi and sashimi at these a la carte buffets.
8 A La Carte BuffetS MITSUBA JAPANESE RESTAURANT Since its opening in May 2014, Mitsuba Japanese Restaurant ($38.90 adult, $23.90 child) has quickly become the go-to restaurant for a wide variety of Japanese offerings. We’re talking 130 dishes, from California maki and thick-cut sashimi to sake mentai aburi (torched salmon in mentaiko sauce). We couldn’t ask for more. #03-88 Clarke Quay Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street. Tel: 6227 0388 IKOI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Ikoi Japanese Restaurant (Lunch and Dinner: $38++) offers seafood soup, fresh cuts of sashimi (e.g. salmon, yellowtail, swordfish, octopus) along with a divine selection of grilled meats. Watch the chef skilfully slice the sashimi and plate dishes in front of you. Reservations are recommended. #01-01 Hotel Miramar, 401 Havelock Road. Tel: 6887 3788
SHIN MINORI
SHIN MINORI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Tucked away in a corner of UE Square, Shin Minori is known for their value-for-money Japanese buffet (Lunch: Mon-Sat, 11.30am to 2.30pm, $34++ adult. Sun and PHs, 12pm-3pm, $39.90++. Dinner: Mon-Sun and PHs, 6pm-10.30pm, $41.90++). Their lunch buffet spread includes sushi, fresh sashimi, and many grilled teriyaki fish and meats. Don’t forget to try their baked scallops which are topped with a delicious mentaiko cheese. #03-15/16 UE Square, 81 Clemenceau Avenue. Tel: 6733 2272
HOKKAIDO SUSHI RESTAURANT Hokkaido Sushi Restaurant (Lunch: Mon-Sun: 11.30am-2pm, $41++ adult. Dinner: Mon-Thu: 6pm10pm, $45++ adult, Fri-Sun and PHs: $48.50++) uses
fresh fish and ingredients flown in daily from Japan. The spread includes appetisers like edamame, agedashi tofu and ikura chawanmusi; along with an impressive array of sushi, maki rolls and tanuki hand rolls. Don’t miss their signature seafood offerings such as aburi scallops and fresh hamachi. Level 9, M Hotel Singapore, 81 Anson Road. Tel: 6221 3075 SANKAI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Sankai Japanese Restaurant (Lunch: $31.90++ per pax, Dinner: $37.90++ per pax) serves over 100 items, including tempura, fresh sashimi and meat skewers. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner or on weekends. 1 Liang Seah Street. Tel: 6336 0384 TENKAICHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Tenkaichi offers a deluxe BBQ buffet (Mon-Thu: $44.80. Fri-Sun and PHs: $49.80) and, if you’re in the mood to splurge, a premium BBQ buffet (Mon-Thu: $69.80++. Fri-Sun and PHs: $74.80++) which offers succulent Australian Wagyu beef. Watch the meat sizzle on the hot grill with butter and let the Maillard reaction work its magic. #03-129 Marina Square Shopping Mall, 6 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6250 8918 OSAHIME JAPANESE RESTAURANT For sushi fanatics, Osahime Japanese Restaurant is the place to dine at. The restaurant offers an extensive dinner buffet (Saturday: 6pm-9.30pm, $45++) with sushi, sashimi, maki and more. We recommend the spicy tuna maki and spicy salmon maki to perk up the palate. #01-25/26 Golden Shoe Carpark, 50 Market Street. Tel: 6227 6880
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SENKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Located in the heart of the city, Senki Japanese Restaurant (Lunch: $32++, Dinner: $39++) serves up to 138 items and offers fresh selections of sashimi such as yellowtail and tuna, all for an affordable price. Don’t miss their maki, nigiri sushi and hand rolls too for a wellrounded Japanese buffet experience. 109 Killiney Road. Tel: 6634 0100
Bites guide:
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Price guide (nett) $ wallet-friendly (below $50) $$ just can’t resist a splurge ($50-100) $$$ a special occasion ($100-150) $$$$ indulgence galore (above $150)
Does not serve pork or lard Veg-friendly
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Get your feast on at these FIVE shabu-shabu buffets offering unusual SOUP BASES AND PREMIUM INGREDIENTS. NETT
shabu shabu buffetS
Angus, Kurobuta pork and seafood with free-flow drinks. #01-102/103 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk. Tel: 6377 0070
Shabu Sai MOMIJI JAPANESE BUFFET Nestled in City Square Mall is Momiji, which serves an extensive Japanese buffet (lunch—Mon to Fri, $25.80++, Sat-Sun and PHs, $40.80++. Dinner—Mon to Thu, $40.80++, Fri-Sun and PHs, $42.80++) of beloved Japanese dishes such as tempura, sushi and more. Don’t want to share but don’t know what you want? Go for their mini, personal pot of shabu-shabu which includes a variety of pork, premium beef, vegetables. #05-04/06 City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road. Tel: 6509 1193
Shabuya Shabuya features Japanese hotpot with an amazing waterfront view at VivoCity. On weekends, they offer a premium shabu-shabu buffet with an assortment of vegetables, freshly cut sashimi, Wagyu beef, US black
What’s special about Shabu Sai is their monthly soup special, keeping their soup choices interesting. This value-for-money shabu-shabu buffet (Mon-Thu, lunch—$14.99++, dinner—$22.99++. Fri-Sun and PHs, lunch—$19.99++, dinner—$24.99++) includes sliced U.S. beef, South American pork and Brazilian chicken, with a choice of two soups out of a selection of seven (sukiyaki, seaweed soup, curry dashi, etc.). #05-14/15 Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square. Tel: 6462 1557
Suki-ya With eight outlets across Singapore, Suki-ya is known for their quick service and affordably priced shabu shabu buffet (Mon-Thu: lunch—$18.90++ adult, dinner—$24.90++). You can enjoy unlimited slices of meats and indulge in their vegetable bar filled with enoki mushrooms, sliced bamboo shoots, beancurd skin and more. Top up $1++ for an assortment of free-flow drinks and ice cream to round out your dinner. suki-ya.com.sg
SHABURI AND KINTAN BUFFET
Shaburi and Kintan Buffet Can’t decide between shabu-shabu or BBQ? Shaburi and Kintan Buffet offers both (Kintan—lunch: $22.80, dinner: $27.80. Shabu-shabu—lunch: $19.80, dinner: 26.80). Enjoy quality cuts of chicken, beef and pork that are served straight to your table. Dining in a group? No more disagreement over your choice of soup as every customer gets a personal pot. #03-11/12 Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road. Tel: 6262 4329
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Wheeling around Punggol THOUGH PUNGGOL IS A YOUNG RESIDENTIAL ESTATE, IT USED TO BE ONE OF THE OLDEST SETTLEMENTS IN SINGAPORE, HOME TO FARMERS AND FISHERMEN EVEN BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES. COME HERE FOR MYRIAD DINING OPTIONS, WATER RECREATION, PLUS A NETWORK OF CYCLING PATHS THAT MAKES EXPLORING THE AREA A BREEZE. By Justina Liew, Photography by Nazurah Rahim
MARINA COUNTRY CLUB (11 NORTHSHORE DRIVE) Did you know? The food and entertainment options here are open to the public.
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SINGAPORE INDOOR DOG AGILITY ARENA Challenge your canine’s agility and guide it through the obstacle course in this 10,000 sq ft space. Before enrolling your dog in training programmes or agility competitions, sign up for the beginners’ workshop ($38) to assess Fido’s potential. Tel: 9839 3394
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OBAR Kick back and enjoy nightly performances by local musicians while getting your dose of booze (2 pints of Erdinger, Guinness or Kilkenny for $20). Bar grub includes crispy chicken skins ($8.80), crackling pork belly ($12.80) and baked escargots ($17.80 per dozen). There is also more substantial nosh like OBAR roast chicken ($19.80), salted egg fish skin ($13.80) and quickfried pork ribs ($14.80). Tel: 9797 1799
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WAKEMUSTERS For water sport enthusiasts, the surf’s up at WAKEMUSTERS (from $50 for a minimum of 90 minutes). Gather a group of three or more and gear up with the equipment provided. Whether you love catching big airs at wakeboarding or riding waves at wake surfing, learn a trick or two from the coaches during your session. Tel: 9048 7060
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Take in the fresh air and lush scenery at Punggol Waterway Park, then journey along the park connector towards SAFRA Punggol where an indoor water playground, bowling alley and karaoke studio await.
ISSHO (#02-02) There are simply too many dishes to recommend at this cosy restaurant but we’ll try. Start with grilled fugu ($15) or roasted Japanese sweet potatoes ($5). If you’re in a larger group, order a sushi or sashimi platter (from $15) to share. For solo dining, go with the bara chirashi don ($22) which comes with a raw quail egg, paired with housepour ($15/180ml) or sparkling ($19/250ml) sake. Tel: 6386 6855
SIAM THAI TUCKSHOP (#02-05) At this cheery and colourful restaurant, the majority of the kitchen staff is Thai, so you know the cuisine is authentic. Aside from classics like gai yang (roast spring chicken, $15.90) and tom yum goong ($13.90), you must try the addictive coconut ice cream ($6.90) served in a whole coconut with sweet condiments. Tel: 6385 6909
NOM LA LA BY BAKERZIN (#02-04) Nom La La is a self-service café where diners order, pay and collect their food at designated counters. This familyfriendly joint will please the little ones with kid options like ham and cheese macaroni ($5.80). DIY pasta and pizzas in adult portions are also available (from $6.80 and $10 respectively). Tel: 6385 0409
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PUNGGOL SETTLEMENT (3 PUNGGOL POINT ROAD) This row of colonial buildings on the northern edge of Punggol plays host to over a dozen bars and restaurants. Perched on the seafront, it is where many flock to for the tranquil vibes and many dining choices. GEORGES (#02-12) This casual bar and bistro boasts a Balinese-inspired interior and offerings such as the Georges burger ($17.90) and beer-battered fish and chips ($15.90). Armed with beers and light bites, catch live sports at the bar or enjoy the sea view by the outdoor benches. (Happy hour is weekdays before 9pm.) Tel: 6702 6186 IZAKAYA 95 (#02-05) Satisfy your cravings for Japanese tapas and grilled skewers here, from bacon asparagus ($4) to hotate scallops ($5) and Kagoshima pork belly ($5). For the health-conscious, Izakaya 95 offers a delightful sashimi bara salad ($14). Complete your meal with sake, Japanese beer or Japanese whisky. Tel: 6384 1132 WHITE RESTAURANT (#01-10) Did you know? White bee hoon was invented in 1998 at the Sembawang outlet of this restaurant. Try the original ($6) or have it topped with Maine lobster ($15.80) if you feel like splurging. We love the rich chicken stock and homemade sambal belacan. The meat and seafood roll ($10) is another must-try. Tel: 6702 2002
SEED CONTAINER PARK (50 PUNGGOL EAST)
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SEED is a cluster of seven restaurants housed in colourful shipping containers and equipped with self-ordering systems. Sit outdoors if you don’t want your clothes to reek of grease. Plus, you get to dine with your pet!
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PUMP STATION 1965 (#01-K32) Decorated with gasoline tanks and wooden barrels, this retro space reminds us of Route 66. We suggest you skip the mains and go straight for the specialty tapas. Think Japanese soya sesame wings ($12.90) and dong po pork belly ($12.90), perfect with the range of over 100 beverages including craft beers, cocktails and shooters. Tel: 9459 7703
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LEUNG KEE HEALTHY DESSERT (#01-K34) Beat the heat with Hong Kong-style desserts that won’t ruin your diet. Made with all-natural ingredients and less sugar, options include shaved ice sherbets in flavours like matcha ($6.30) and mao shan wang ($7.30). Traditional hot desserts such as sesame paste ($3.80) and red bean soup ($3.30) are also available. BIG FISH SMALL FISH (#01-K35) This casual eatery offers five battered fish options: dory ($6.90), tilapia ($8.90), sea bass ($11.90), salmon ($12.90) and arrowtooth flounder ($14.90). The highlight: the chips served on the side—potatoes are freshly sliced and fried upon order. Help yourself to sauces such as XO, cheese, and salted egg. Tel: 9438 7623
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TEBING LANE
Adjacent to Serangoon Reservoir, this one-stop destination offers food, booze and entertainment that will keep you occupied from dusk to dawn.
HAI BIN (#01-04, 6 TEBING LANE) Prawning is the new fishing, and at the Punggol outlet of Hai Bin, there are four ponds to practise at with friends or family. Rent a rod ($20 for an hour), hook on the bait provided, and show off your skills. Catch all the prawns you can, then barbecue them and enjoy them fresh. Tel: 6447 8693
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UBER SPORTS (#01-05, 6 TEBING LANE) If you’re looking for more action, head to the futsal courts ($50/hour off-peak, $95/hour peak) next door. Essentially five-a-side football played on a smaller indoor pitch, futsal is a fun group activity that’s great for working up a sweat. The Punggol hub also hosts tournaments from time to time. Tel: 6303 0663 WHISK & PADDLE (#01-01, 10 TEBING LANE) This homey bistro offers picturesque views in the day and a chance to dine under the stars at night. Highlights of the all-day menu include crab linguine ($17.80) and a simple but perfectly executed French toast ($10.80). Got a sweet tooth? Try the matcha and rose latte ($6.50) and end off with the pandan waffle accompanied by vanilla ice cream and gula melaka sauce ($13.80). Tel: 6242 4617
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Eat & drink your way around
Changi City Point A vast range of foodie adventures awaits you at Changi City Point, from creative poke bowls to New Zealand craft beers. And with the opening of Downtown Line 3, the mall becomes even more accessible, gaining a direct connection from the basement to Expo MRT station.
ACCESSIBLE BY DOWNTOWN LINE FROM 21 OCT
NEW ADDITIONS
Fruity froyo
Viva l’Italia!
Spanish frozen yoghurt brand llaollao (#01-42) serves low-calorie, guiltfree treats eaten with a signature swish-shaped spoon. Choose the modest Petitllao, a small serving of plain yoghurt, or go for the towering Sanum, which includes three types of fruits, two crunchy toppings and one sauce.
O Mamma Mia (#01-42) is known for its use of premium ingredients imported from Italy. Best-selling pizzas include 5 Terre (Boletus mushrooms, pesto) and O Mamma Mia (ham, mushrooms, egg), while pastas come with a choice of five sauces and unusual shapes like strozzapreti and ravioli plin.
Hawker delights
Hurray for poke
Enjoy Laksa, Char Kway Teow or Bibimbap at Kopitiam (#02-01/02), where the 20 stalls showcase the best of local heritage and international cuisines. Returning your tray or opting for Healthier Choice meals earns you KPoints, which may be redeemed for a hot coffee/tea or kaya toast set.
At Ohana Poke (#01-20), customise your poke bowl or try a signature one like Unagi Avocado or Uahi Duck (smoked duck, onsen egg, black pepper sauce). Round off your meal with a cup of homemade Honey Cinnamon Apple Juice or Strawberry Currant Lemonade.
RELAX AND RECHARGE For evening drinks or weekend brunch, retreat from the bustle of city life to The Oasis @ Changi City Point, a cluster of gastrobars with waterside pavilions lining a lush courtyard.
Great Kiwi craft beers
Inexpensive izayaka
The barrel-aged craft beers at MOA Tiki New Zealand Bar & Grill (#0170/71)—of over a dozen varieties—come in glasses, bottles, buckets, towers and sampling flights. There’s also a fantastic selection of Allan Scott wines from the Marlborough region, which you can pair with Honey BBQ Pork Ribs (basted with a red wine sauce) or the Mixed Grill Platter, a bounty of pork loin, lamb rack and sirloin steak with fries and salad.
FIVE Izakaya Bar (#01-66/67) offers value-for-money set lunches as well as reasonably priced alcohol and Japanese bar snacks. Drinks start from just $5—this includes beer, spirits, sake and umeshu—and most light bites cost $5 to $8. Nosh on kushiyaki (skewers), yakisoba, unagi maki and mentaiko fries, all while enjoying live music on weekday evenings (a different band takes the stage each night).
Mind your manners
Pizza to puttanesca
Besides coffee beans from OCo and designer cocktails by Bar Stories, Table Manners (#01-68/69) offers a well-rounded food menu with delectable offerings like Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger and Tiger Prawn Truffle Pasta. We also love how the restaurant décor is peppered with tongue-in-cheek declarations such as: It is impolite to text at the dinner table unless you are sharing TM’s food on Facebook.
BLVD (#01-72/73), a bistro and bar with multiple outlets in the CBD, offers beechwood-fired pizzas and pasta options such as Puttanesca and Mushroom Truffle Crema. For smaller bites, try the cured meats and cheeses, served with fresh bread, dried fruits and nuts; or the bar snacks, which range from Western (Truffle Fries, Garlic Baguette) to Asian (Avocado Sashimi, Black Carrot Cake).
Changi City Point 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Singapore 486038
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@ChangiCityPoint_ SG
Great food • Great drinks • Great music
The place to dine and celebrate in Singapore No. 1 HarbourFront Walk #01-98/99 VivoCity Singapore 098585 Tel: 6376 8185