It has been a great year for Singapore, with many world-renowned brands picking this humble city of ours and setting foot on our shores. Foodies who reside on our sunny island are definitely happy to welcome them all, and now that we get to spoil ourselves with (more) food options, we are happy souls.
Singapore’s food culture has always been strong, and with these international brands spouting out in our city, it has propelled Singapore’s reputation and made us more significant on the world map.
Of the 15 Most Hyped Up Brands to Come to Singapore in 2015, which are your favourites? From photogenic Taiwanese desserts to a large-scale superhero cafe concept, our city is nothing short of exciting.
Andong Zzimdak arrived in Singapore with much fanfare, and it looks like the excitement won’t die down just yet. The communal stews come in four options – Andong Jjimbak (S$45.90), Boneless Jjimbak (S$49.90), Seafood Jjimbak (S$52.90), and Mayak Jjimbak (S$47.90). Korean stews are always welcomed, yes? Pickles and kimchi here are on free flow too!
#B1-44F, Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6533 3951
Daily: 11.30am – 1pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
Angelina – the world’s classiest tearoom where Coco Chanel loved to spend her Parisian afternoons at – made its way to Singapore this year. This piece of Paris is among our favourites, and the Singapore outpost is a perfect spot to treat yourself to their world famous Hot Chocolate and decadent desserts such as the iconic Mont Blanc – definitely the best you can find.
15 Stamford Rd, #01-82 Capitol Galleria
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6384 0481
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
This popular Korean chain has its first Singapore outlet at VivoCity, and if you are unfamiliar with the brand, they are especially known for their beautiful bingsus and Korean waffles.
VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk
#02-150, Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6635 1778
Nearest Station: Harbourfront
Japanese lifestyle giant opened their first cafe this year at Paragon called Cafe & Meal Muji, much to the excitement of their fans. It is served ‘deli’ style and very minimalist, just like their brand.
Paragon Shopping Centre
290 Orchard Road, #04-36
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6735 0123
Daily: 10am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset
#5 CHURRO 101
This is another Korean chain that has won the hearts of many. Churro 101 saw insane snaking queues when they first came to town, and it is a common beauty that its fans photograph. There is a filled-churro option, where chocolate is pumped into the churro itself for a more gratifying texture.
201 Victoria Street
#04-01 Bugis+
Singapore 188067
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis
#6 DC COMICS SUPER HEROES CAFE
As the first official DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe to open in Singapore, this large-scale area consists of a merchandise shop, a takeaway counter and a seated cafe area for you to dine in. As big fans of the DC universe, this is our Mecca.
2 Bayfront Avenue, L1-03/04/05 Bay Level
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 6688 7610
Nearest Station: Bayfront
Taiwanese cafe chain Dazzling Cafe is quite possibly the most hyped up brand this year. Serving possibly the most-Instagrammed Shibuya toasts and mochi waffles, they are still seeing steady crowds daily since their mid-year opening.
15 Stamford Road, #01-85
Capitol Piazza
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 6384 3310
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
This Japanese brand made its way to Singapore at Marina Square this year and it has made all our crazy Japanese food dreams come true. Besides awesome products such as the Ume Somen, an array of unique Japanese food merchandise awaits. You can also find a handful of Japanese restaurants within the emporium itself.
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-18 Marina Square
Singapore 039594
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Esplanade
#9 FOUR SEASONS CHINESE RESTAURANT
Acclaimed as one of the best roast ducks in the world, Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant has seen mixed reviews since they first opened in Capitol Piazza despite its popularity in Shanghai, Bangkok and London. However, we are firm believers that their roast duck lived up to its title.
13 Stamford Road
#02-27/28/29 Capitol Piazza
Singapore 178905
Tel: +65 6702 1838
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
Joe & The Juice – a popular Danish Coffee & Juice Bar makes its debut in Singapore!
Established in Copenhagen in 2002, Joe & The Juice is a renowned chain that boasts cosy spaces and offers fresh fruit/vegetable juices that are made on premise, as well as coffee and sandwiches.
30 Raffles Place,
Chevron house, #01-35A
Singapore 039803
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
Mak’s Noodle is among the most well-known noodle shop in Hong Kong, and for so many decades, this family business has enjoyed immense popularity. What you must definitely try is the classic wanton noodles. Key ingredients used are imported from Hong Kong to retain its authenticity.
176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint, #01-63/64
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6235 5778
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset
#12 MILKCOW
They were late in the soft serve game, but nevertheless, Milkcow fared really well though we thought the soft serve is a little too milky for our liking. But hey, here’s your answer to “Got Milk?”!
2 Handy Road
#01-03 The Cathay
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6734 4307
Mon to Thu & Sun: 11.30am – 9.50pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10.50pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Gaut
(Milkcow has various outlets islandwide.)
Smoothie House is finally in Singapore and we cannot be more excited to celebrate their opening. They are currently at only two locations, Paya Lebar Square and One Raffles Place (both together with Greendot Fast Casual), but come 2016, Smoothie House will be branching out to more locations island-wide.
60 Paya Lebar Road
#02-15/16/17, Paya Lebar Square
Singapore 409051
Tel: +65 6702 2221
Daily: 11am – 10pm
(Last Order: 9pm)
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar
We were more than happy upon learning that The Coffee Academics from Hong Kong is finally here in Singapore. The full-fledge outlet is slated to unveil by December 2015, but for now, to tease fans, the temporary kiosk sits within OnPedder at Scotts Square. Their coffee has always been good and you bet we are regulars already.
Lvl 2 Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
Singapore 228209
Daily: 10am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
This Taiwanese brand pioneered the trend to serve shaved flavoured ice in cute takeaway cups with generous toppings. And of course, where better to enjoy an unadulterated cup of shaved ice than in sunny Singapore, right?
#B2-05, Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 8725 6001
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset