Unless you’re Japanese or an expert on the topic of Japanese cuisine, chances are you wouldn’t be able to differentiate between Japanese sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. Believe us, not even die-hard foodies know the difference so it’s totally understandable that you don’t.

Quit making the mistake of thinking that both of them are the same because they’re worlds apart.

For one, sukiyaki is not hot pot, despite the fact that it is typically eaten out of a pot. Sure, it’s a one-pot-meal (essentially) but there is no soup nor stock involved—rather, a sauce. Shabu-Shabu, on the other hand, bears similar qualities of the conventional hot pot in that raw ingredients are cooked in a pot of boiling water or broth but still, there are some differences.

Sukiyaki is considerably more full-flavoured and robust. Commonly eaten during wintertime, this style of cooking involves raw ingredients, usually raw beef, vegetables and tofu cooked in a shallow base comprising soy sauce, mirin (Japanese rice wine) and sugar.

More of a sauce than a broth, the flavour of sukiyaki is sweeter and more pronounced. It is typically eaten with rice and meat is dipped into a raw beaten egg. The egg provides richness and also smoothens out the intense sweetness of the beef.

Shabu-Shabu, on the other hand, is much lighter and more savoury than sweet. Like conventional hot pot meals we’re used to, shabu-shabu involves cooking raw ingredients piece by piece in the centre of the table in a boiling pot of water or broth.

The broth is much lighter in flavour, sometimes flavoured with no more than bonito, kombu and a bit of salt to taste. The main difference between shabu-shabu and sukiyaki (besides its sweet and savoury rivalry) is that rather than just egg as a dip, shabu-shabu sees a variety of different dipping sauces—allowing diners to appreciate ingredients in more than one way.

From a diner’s point of view, the best way to understand the difference between the two is to know that sukiyaki is sweeter, tastier and heavily reliant on the quality of its base whereas shabu-shabu is milder, simpler yet places heavy emphasis on the quality of the ingredients.

Best known for being a heartland artisanal ice cream gem, Creamier has long been a go-to for lovers of good, honest ice cream and coffee, as well as a humble respite from the hustle and bustle. Sad to say, the folks here will be hanging up their aprons come 30 June 2019.

No concrete reason was given about their sudden decision to close, but here’s what we do know based on their announcement so far.

The news comes from a recent Facebook post from them thanking their loyal supporters and their landlady, announcing their eventual closure come late June and informing the public about an apparent ‘farewell gift’ that will come in the form of a special flavour.

This special flavour, although still unknown, serves to commemorate the shop and its nearly-a-decade-long stint in Toa Payoh. Whether it’ll be a hit or not is secondary, but what we can be sure of is that it’ll taste bittersweet, similar to how we’ll feel inside.

When the founder of Lana Cake Shop, Violet Kwan, announced back in 2016 that she was ready to call it quits, and was offering to handover her pride and joy (her shop) to potential buyers, many Singaporeans were called to attention. Many of whom had grown up eating her iconic Chocolate Fudge Cake, either for birthdays or just because.

In an interview with Straits Times, Mr Jason Kwan (the founder’s son) shared his decision to continue his mother’s legacy. Having left his previous job as a banker, he has been working on revitalising Lana Cake Shop over the past 18 months, breathing new life and improving it slowly from branding to work processes.

Of course, not forgetting perfecting his mother’s timeless Chocolate Fudge Cake recipe.

Putting his own little twists into his mother’s original recipe, while being careful not to make a blunder of such a beloved icon of a cake, he claims to have given it a more intense chocolate flavour while balancing out the qualities of saltiness, sweetness and bitterness so as to achieve the perfect chocolate fudge cake.

Other improvements include the efficiency of their kitchen, which is now able to sell up to 500 cakes a week. Good riddance to having to call way in advance. If you’re lucky, you just might be able to walk away with one without pre-ordering.

After everything that’s been said and done, and being avid fans of Lana Cake Shop’s iconic Chocolate Fudge Cake, all we can do is to hope that Mrs Kwan’s legacy is carried forward properly and not turned into another commercialised product.

Lana Cake Shop
36 Greenwood Ave,
Singapore 289239
(Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Tue to Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

A highly celebrated stalwart in the Chinese dim sum scene here in Singapore, Red Star Restaurant is one that needs no introduction.

Here is where one can relish in a large selection of dim sum goodies be it steamed or fried and have them served to you table-side via food trolleys—the traditional way. Standing as one of the few Chinese restaurants left in Singapore (or at least the only one we know about) that still serves dim sum this way, Red Star Restaurant is a gem that many loyal patrons, new and old, hold dear.

If you’d like to experience proper Cantonese dim sum dining the traditional way, then Red Star Restaurant is where it’s at.

No dim sum meal is complete without a basket full of steaming hot char siew bao, and while the ones served here are slightly bigger than the average bao, we were a tad disappointed with how it turned out.

Their char siew bao is nice and soft with a sweet, doughy aroma, however, the filling—an amalgamation of both lean and fatty components of pork—was very little and we found ourselves loading up on more bao than actual filling.

Flaky on the outside with an outer crust that’s buttery but not too thick, the BBQ Pork Pie—otherwise referred to as Char Siew Soh—is one item that we got as well.

The pork filling was sweet and meaty, bearing a milder flavour in comparison to its stickier, diabetes-inducing cousins.

When dining at Red Star Restaurant, the Ha-Kau is a popular pick among the crowd, however, we were not really impressed seeing as to how it arrived at our table, overturned and in a mess. The skins were all punctured and the dumplings all stuck to the basket—probably a result of oversteaming.

A hit among the crowd, their Egg Tart  is one of the fastest items to go. The egg custard is velvety and boasts a sweet, fragrant vanilla note and the crust that holds it all together is a delicate pastry that flakes upon the lightest touch.

A simple porridge dish, their Century Egg Porridge comes with a decent portion of pork slices and bits of century egg.

A rather unusual item yet one that the ladies persistently told us to try was the Jin Long Ji. What it is is essentially chicken skin that’s stuffed with a prawn paste and deep-fried. Satisfyingly crispy, the dish had a mild prawn flavour but other than that it didn’t really impress us.

Chee Cheong Fun is one item you’re most likely to see taking up residence on most of the tables around you. Available fillings include prawn, scallop and char siew—all of which are just as good.

All in all, Red Star Restaurant is a place that we highly recommend if you’re keen on having an all-rounded, authentic traditional dim sum eating experience but where price and quality of their dishes is concerned, you could probably do better at many other dim sum restaurants in Singapore.

Red Star Restaurant
Chin Swee Road,
#07-23 Block 54,
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 7am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

It seems these many years of hopeless praying has finally paid off, because, at long last, one of our all-time favourite wanton mee stalls is re-opening.

Kok Kee Wanton Mee, famous for their uniquely sweetish, lard-based sauce and springy egg noodles that just make the simple dish so delicious. For those unfamiliar, their version of this noodle classic is very straightforward, just wanton noodles, slices of char siew and steamed wantons served in a flavourful soup—no fried wantons or any other side dishes.

Feeling a sense of nostalgia creeping in? Here’s where you can finally have this again come March 2019.

Believed to be the niece of the original owners, this famous wanton mee stall is slated to open sometime in March over at 30 Foch Road, right beside its former premise at the old (now demolished) Lavender Food Court.

Snaking queues, grumpy old folks, alarmingly high prices for such a simple dish but above all, one heck of an orgasm-inducing plate of wanton noodles. That’s right, Kok Kee Wan Ton Noodle, we’re coming for you.

30 Foch Road

All photos are credited to Singaporeactually & chanksters. 

A brand new addition to PasarBella’s last standing outlet in Suntec City is Japanese donburi specialist, Wan Niu Wan. They mainly focus on meat-based dishes using top-quality stuff such as Iberico pork jowl, Karubi short ribs and of course, the luxe Wagyu.

An easy, quick and surprisingly wallet-friendly option in the heart of town, donburi is a great option to consider but what sets these folks apart is their clear attention to detail and the way that they treat their meat pre and post cooking, resulting in a rice bowl that’s well balanced.

Their menu is straightforward in its approach, just rice bowls featuring a variety of meat options from the high-end Wagyu to the affordable teriyaki chicken.

Boasting a heady aroma of fresh truffle and toasted sesame seeds, the Wagyu Bowl (S$25) is truly one of the most well-prepared ones we’ve tried over the years. For one, we appreciated that everything was properly seasoned and it was also great that every component of the dish was skilfully prepared.

The Wagyu, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, revealed specks of buttery fat running through the meat, indicating that it was indeed beef of exceptional quality, which, doesn’t leave much to the imagination with regards to how utterly orgasmic it tasted.

Great news though, as part of their opening promotion, this particular rice bowl is only going at S$19.90!

We also had the Karubi Rice (S$16.50), a donburi featuring a tender short rib, coated with a fruity yakitori, garlic-sesame sauce atop Japanese rice. No regrets getting this because it was literally mind-blowing.

The moment you take a bite, a number of sensations are simultaneously felt. You get the buttery, slightly sweetish soft beef that melts on the tongue followed by the fruity sauce that livens up the entire dish. This does not come with an onsen egg although we highly recommend adding it on for S$2.

Wan Niu Wan
3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-455
Singapore 038988
PasarBella Suntec City Mall
Tel: +65 8309 3212
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

Proudly standing as one of Hong Kong’s oldest and most popular tea houses and perhaps one of the only few places left that still serve dim sum the traditional way—chaos, screaming old ladies and all—Lin Heung Tea House was speculated to close for good in February 2019 but has since, managed to renew its lease for another 3 years, operating under a new name, Lin Heung Tea Room, on March 1—so hoorah for that!

Hailed as one of the top attractions in Hong Kong and a tourist hot spot for those who crave the ultimate and most authentic dim sum experience, the age-old establishment is one spot to visit if you want to experience traditional Cantonese dim sum.

As authentic as a proper Cantonese yum cha experience can get, dining at Lin Heung Tea House over in Central has always been a must for us with every visit to Hong Kong. The only main difference now is that dinner services will no longer be available, so we suppose our only option is to get ourselves out of bed earlier from now on.

Granted that dining there is always one heck of an intimidating and at times frustrating experience, that’s part of the whole experience. No one is going to have their hand held here. You need to go with the flow and be as ravenous as a local.

We love everything about the place, from the ambience, the high levels of stress you experience just to have your order placed and of course, the wonderful dim sum dishes.

What’re you waiting for? Get those tickets booked and have yourselves a solid dim sum meal at Lin Hueng Tea House.

Lin Heung Tea House
162 Wellington Street,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2544 4556
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Central

If you’ve ever travelled to Europe, you’ll understand the joy that walking up to a pastry stand would entail. The aroma of freshly baked bread comes second to none and the endless varieties of brightly coloured tarts and pastries never fails to seduce the senses. Over at La’Farine located in JB’s Taman Mount Austin, you can experience just that with their many numerous French desserts and pastries.

For the love of Western pastries, local delicacies and everything in between, this is one place to visit to kickstart your JB day trip proper. For first-timers, Taman Mount Austin is just a short 15-minute drive from the checkpoint. We suggest hailing a cab or booking yourself a GRAB because it’s literally impossible to walk there.

Combining the best of Western bakeries and Malaysia’s local cuisine, La’Farine offers diners a well-rounded experience. We took a gamble and went for their Rendang Nasi Lemak (RM15.90) as opposed to the more conventional version.

There was nothing to complain about. The rice was fluffy and aromatic, the sambal was fresh, piquant and sweet and the chicken rendang was hearty, flavourful and extremely tender. The rendang gravy was thick, full-flavoured and paired exceptionally well with the rice.

A fried chicken rice dish stemming from Eastern Java, the Ayam Penyet Rice (RM14.90) impressed with its brilliantly seasoned, super crispy skin.

The chicken was succulent and the exterior, although crispy, was not oily at all. Served alongside it was a halved calamansi fruit which, when squeezed over top, gave the fried chicken a nice citrusy zing.

Their dessert selection is seriously off the charts. They have anything from cakes, crème brûlée, tarts and freshly baked bread with a selection of jams to pair with it. Many of the desserts seem to draw its influences from classic French recipes, especially their La’Farine Classic Dessert (RM15.90).

Without even taking a second to ponder, the wait staff confidently recommended it. Comprising layers of almond dacquoise—basically, a meringue made using almonds—fresh cream, diced fruits, toasted and toasted almonds, this dessert impressed with its many interesting textures underscored by a fruity, creamy decadence.

La’Farine (Taman Mount Austin) Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 19-343 1415 Mon to Sun: 9am – 12am Tue: 11am – 10pm

Offering diners a spacious, charming respite from the midday heat, humble cafe, Restoran Tastea is one that deserves a stopover when exploring the cafe-laden enclave of Taman Mount Austin. Their menu focuses heavily on Western dishes, leaning more towards Italian comfort food with their wide spectrum of pasta dishes from the humble linguine to risotto.

If you’re on the prowl for a decent cafe-style brunch, we highly recommend coming here. Their food is delicious, portion sizes generous and above all, much more worth paying for than a cafe back in Singapore.

Hankering after a basic yet satisfying egg-forward dish, we settled for the Omelette with Mushrooms (RM16.90) over its slightly more expensive counterpart, smoked salmon.

Enriched with butter (lots of it), the omelette delighted with its savoury, creamy appeal. The flavour was spot on, striking a good balance between salty and creamy, nicely contrasting with the garlicky mushrooms served over top.

Their drinks menu is quite possibly one of the most elaborate we’ve ever come across with a healthy selection of classic coffee styles and some pretty unusual offerings. Feeling an itch for something sugary, we chose the Popcorn Latte (RM14.90).

In this fancy mix, the humble latte is topped with a mound of whipped cream before caramel popcorn is speckled around and over the glass. Taste-wise there was nothing spectacular. It was what it was, latte, whipped cream and caramel popcorn, that besides looking pretty in photos, didn’t possess much gastronomic value.

Restoran Tastea
49, Jln Austin Height 8/5,
81100 Johor Bahru,
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-665 1538
(Closed on Thursdays)
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 11pm

No trip to Malaysia is complete without a piping-hot plate of KL-style Hokkien mee stall.

Brimming with intense charred flavours and heady wok hei aroma, the famous KL version is special in that it is stir-fried over a charcoal flame and is infused (heavily) with pork fat, a smattering of crispy golden pork lard and a dark soy sauce that gives it its signature dark colour.

While prowling the food-laden streets of Taman Mount Austin in JB in search of solid local Malaysian fare, we stumbled upon Petaling Street Hokkien Mee—or Lai Noodle House as they are also called—an unassuming eatery specialising in Malaysian-style zi char. Only a few days old when we visited, their food was remarkable

Boasting a smoky aroma and a myriad of savoury flavours, the KL Hokkien Mee (RM8.50) is not one to skip. Stir-fried to dark, caramelised perfection, each mouthful greets you with little surprises of crunchy lard morsels and a sweet, lip-smacking caramelised flavour courtesy of the dark sauce added.

The noodle variety used is also thicker (similar to Japanese udon) allowing more sauce to latch on and giving the dish more chew.

Adorned with many vibrant colours from bits of char siew, prawn, diced green onions and egg, the Yang Zhou Fried Rice (RM8.50) is great to have if you’re just looking for something simple to fill the tummy.

Their rendition of the popular Chinese fried rice dish is lighter in flavour and not as oily, which serves as a good option if you should decide to order cooked dishes to try.

A dish we were recommended to try was their Spicy La La (RM15), which ironically was disappointing, to say the least. Albeit the clams were fresh, the dish itself was bland tasting save for subtle hints of curry leaves, chilli and garlic.

Petaling Street Hokkien Mee
61 Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 3pm, 5.30pm – late

A family-run restaurant, Moi Lum is one of Singapore’s few surviving heritage Chinese restaurants and a gem amongst those who value good quality, home-style Cantonese cooking. Many of us—or at least members of the foodie community—would have eaten or even celebrated a reunion there once before.

They are most widely known for their signature Crispy Fried Chicken and Golden Coin Beancurd—both unmatched in its taste, texture and the culinary mastery required to prepare them.

Unfortunately, their 99-year run has come to an end. On 15 March 2019, the restaurant will officially be closing its doors, meaning to say that if you haven’t yet tried their food, then you really really should.

Founded in the early 1920s, the restaurant has paved the way for Cantonese cooking in Singapore, allowing it to prosper in an otherwise saturated society. Moi Lum brings traditional food but with certain contemporary twists to keep up with rising trends.

Among their repertoire of Cantonese dishes, the one dish that you absolutely must try is their Majestic Roast Chicken. The outer skin is crispy and paper-thin, and the meat is tender, fresh and succulent beyond compare.

15 March 2019, that’s how little time you have left to try one of Singapore’s most iconic heritage restaurants so pick up your phones and start dialling to make a reservation.

Moi Lum
38 Maxwell Road,
Singapore 069116
Tel: +65 6226 2283
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Tokyo is a bustling city that never sleeps and is one that never grows stale no matter how many times you visit. There’s always something new to look forward to, be it a new place to visit or a new restaurant to try.

To fully experience the modern, urban city of Tokyo, Japan, you will need at least a full week but that’s provided you’re in it for the whole package which includes eating, drinking, sightseeing, shopping and the likes. But if you’re more of a touch-and-go sort of traveller then 3 full days is all you need.

From the crucial must-eats to the places that simply cannot be missed, here is our guide on the places that you absolutely must visit if you’re strapped for time in Tokyo but want to make the most out of your stay. Take your pick or visit them all if you can!

MUST-TRY FOOD PLACES

GRAM

Famous for their jiggly soufflé pancakes that almost broke social media for a period of time, Gram is a must-visit if you’re planning to up your Instagram game, and of course, to luxuriate in quite possibly, one of the fluffiest pancakes in the world.

The soufflé pancakes come in a stack of three thick pieces. The cream-coloured goodie is cooked to order and served warm, and freshness is guaranteed. Due to its overwhelming popularity, queues are often long and they only cater a few time slots for these pancakes a day —11am, 3pm & 6pm.

GYUKATSU MOTOMURA

Gyukatsu, which is essentially a deep-fried breaded beef cutlet, is very much similar to the tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork cutlet) that we are all familiar with. The only exception being the superior, snowflake-like marbling that comes with every piece.

Gyukatsu Motomura is arguably the most popular restaurant in Tokyo for gyukatsu and for good reason. Their gyukatsu brims with an intense beefy flavour that is nicely wrapped in a layer of buttery, delicious fat. Dab over a smidgen of wasabi, along with a dip of soy sauce and be prepared for your mind to be blown.

ICHIRAN RAMEN

Offering diners one of the absolute best bowls of ramen in the world as well as a unique dining experience all rolled out into one, Ichiran Ramen is a must to visit when in Tokyo. Period.

At Ichiran Ramen, you first place your orders via machines and paper forms to indicate your preferences. It might seem daunting at first but English versions of either are also available. After which, you’ll be allocated a booth where you get to enjoy your ramen in peace sans any distractions. It’s just you and your bowl of piping-hot, delicious ramen.

If you would like a refill of noodles, soup or whatever, feel free to ask without feeling embarrassed—we always do.

MAISEN TONKATSU

Landing yourself in joint that sells decent tonkatsu is almost as easy as finding a FamilyMart every few blocks, but if you’re only going to be staying for a few days, you’ll want to nail down one of Tokyo’s best, and really, there are few that have been able to match up with Maisen Tonkatsu.

Preferably the main outlet at Aoyama in Shibuya, this retro-toned restaurant specialises in 5 different types of breaded pork cutlet but the one we always opt for is the Amri Yuwaku, a variety of pork that is exclusive only to Maisen. Crispy, succulent and robust, every bite promises a long, pleasurable journey to flavour town.

WAGYU MAFIA THE CUTLET SANDWICH

Slap on a hunk of some of Japan’s finest Wagyu beef in-between two slices of lightly buttered and grilled Whitbread and what do you get? An orgasm-inducing experience that’s what.

At Wagyu Mafia The Cutlet Sandwich, luxuriate in some of the most premium quality Wagyu beef, prepared the same way a gyukatsu would, but in a sandwich. The result is a lot more impressionable than the idea of it and trust us when we say that it’s worth the splurge.

YOSHINOYA

No, this isn’t a prank. We’re serious when we say that Yoshinioya is a place worth visiting when in Tokyo, either for breakfast or as a midday snack.

Despite having multiple outlets back home, neither can compete in terms of variety and quality of their food. Everything is next-level, from the tender slices of beef to the sauce that goes over your rice—they nail it down perfectly.

PLACES TO GET SLOSHED

NONBEI YOKOCHO (SHIBUYA)

Nonbei Yokocho, also referred to as Drunkard’s Alley lies down an innocuous passage just a stone’s throw from Shibuya Crossing. At first glance, the alleyway may seem to lead you nowhere, but a few steps down the same direction and you’ll be greeted with rows upon rows of izakaya, yakitori stalls and bars.

OMOIDE YOKOCHO (SHINJUKU)

Shinjuku is known to be Tokyo’s party capital with its near-countless entertainment venues which open until late daily. If you’re out to drink and feast on some solid street food while you’re at it, we suggest heading down to Omoide Yokocho.

Upon exiting the West Exit of Shinjuku Station, follow the road into a narrow alley where you’ll be fumbling around a maze littered with endless rows of small bars and eateries. The establishments are pretty run-down and the stalls are as traditional as they get. But if all you’re pining for is cheap beer and decent grub, what’s there to complain about?

FANCY COCKTAIL BARS IN GINZA

Feeling a little fancy? Then you should definitely hit up a swanky, speakeasy in Ginza. Scattered all over this upmarket district are a host of speakeasy cocktail bars that, by themselves, are pristine institutions that have preserved their art from as early as the 1920s—think places such as Bar High Five, Lupin, Bar Musashi and Gaslight Eve.

Drinks at one of these establishments are by no means cheap with a separate cover charge just for entering the premise, but what you do get is professionally crafted cocktails that you are both delicious and elegant.

TOURISTY THINGS

AKIHABARA – ELECTRONICS & ANIME PARADISE

Akihabara is a buzzing shopping hub famed for its electronics retailers, ranging from tiny stalls to vast department stores like Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba.

It is also a haven for anime fans because literally every street you turn into, you’re bound to wind up at a venue specialising in manga, anime and video games. Massive superstores include Tokyo Anime Center that boasts a wide array of exhibits and souvenirs and Radio Kaikan that has 10 floors full of toys, trading cards and collectables. Don’t be surprised to see young girls dressed as maids handing out flyers on the street because Akihabara is also home to many maid cafes.

MEIJI SHRINE

Meiji Shrine is a stone’s throw away from the bustling shopping district of Harajuku and is a must-visit if you’re keen on soaking up and learning about the ancient Japanese tradition of shrine culture.

The walk from the main entrance to the shrine itself will take you about 10 minutes and before entering the sacred site’s main hall, you are expected to wash your hands and mouth as a form of purification at the troughs located right outside. At the shrine, you can write down your wishes on a wooden plate at a fee of ¥500 before hanging them on one of the two divine trees.

After you’re done, head over to Harajuku’s shopping street where you can shop for the latest trends in clothing, cosmetics and more!

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

A huge, quintessential part of the market may have shifted to a new location but the area is still bustling with plenty of street food stalls selling anything from freshly-cooked tamago to fresh sashimi. The streets are bustling and besides tasty nosh, you can also land yourself some pretty interesting souvenirs to take home.

The item that definitely warrants a try, but is extremely hard to find—because it’s that popular—is the uni bun. This charcoal-black bun comes generously filled with fresh uni and an orangey custard that’s made with—you guessed it—uni.

SHIBUYA CROSSING + SHOPPING IN SHIBUYA

It’s official, no one ever travels to Tokyo without paying a visit to the Shibuya Crossing in Shibuya.  During weekends, the Shibuya intersection can see up to 3000 people crossing simultaneously.

Apart from the iconic intersection, Shibuya is a neighbourhood that’s dominated by fashion which makes it a shopping haven for tourists and locals alike. And if you’re a young group, you’ll be happy to know that nestled in and around Shibuya are a host of pubs, clubs and cool bars waiting to be explored

SAMURAI MUSEUM IN SHINJUKU

A place that definitely warrants a visit if you’re a fan of the historically badass samurai, the Samurai Museum located in Shinjuku expresses the culture of these ancient warriors and the spirit behind them.

On display, you can expect rows and rows of armour and swords from the Kamakura to Edo Eras as well as those created by contemporary artisans. You can even experience donning the samurai outfits for a commemorative photo.

DON QUIJOTE

The departmental store of sorts that houses literally anything and everything, the iconic Don Quijote is not to be missed. If you thought the double-storey outlet in Orchard Central was huge, you seriously have no idea. In Tokyo, we’re talking about 8 to 10-floor buildings dedicated to a wide array of goods ranging from household products, clothing to food and liquor as well.

VISIT A THEMED OR ANIMAL CAFE

In Tokyo, themed cafes are a popular draw and you can find anything from robot cafes—where everyone and everything is operated using artificial intelligence—maid cafes, vampire cafes (we’re serious), owl cafes and so much more!

They typically serve food there as well but they probably will not impress you as much as the atmosphere and the experience will.

Happening for two consecutive weekends this April (19 to 21 April 2019 & 26 to 28 April 2019), Singapore Turf Club at Kranji will play host to Shilin-inspired Night Market—a Taiwanese-themed street food festival of massive proportions.

Boasting rows upon rows of stalls selling authentic Taiwanese street snacks such as mee sua, ji pai (Taiwanese fried chicken cutlet), and many more!

Just to be clear, the Shilin Singapore is a Shilin-inspired Night Market concept and not the actual Shilin Night Market from Taiwan.

Read our guide on Shilin-inspired Night Market in Singapore – too crowded and not worth trip.

This Taiwanese-themed street festival is held at a 200 000 ft² space with over 300 stalls and different vendors segmented into four zones: Eat, Shop, Play, Fun.

Brought to you by the same folks responsible for massive events such as Artbox Singapore, the event will see a culmination of both local and Taiwanese street food delicacies fit for any fancy.

In addition to the endless sea of food stalls, expect a wide array of activities as well such as movie screenings, performances and game booths too!

Shilin-inspired Night Market Singapore
The Grounds @ Kranji,
Singapore Turf Club @ Kranji (Carpark B)
19 Apr – 21 Apr 2019
26 Apr – 28 Apr 2019
Fri to Sun: 3pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Kranji

Read our Taipei guides to discover the best places to explore in the city.

If there’s one thing that can easily amp up a tippling experience, and really take it to a higher level—besides boasting shelves upon shelves of quality liquor—, it’s a well-furnished bar. Decked out in anything from marble island tops to elements of greenery, it’s bars that bother to spruce themselves up to up their Insta-worthy game that really gets our attention.

Picturesque from tipple to tabletop, here is our list of 8 beautiful bars in Singapore that’ll get you high on both alcohol and aesthetics. In fact, these places nail the aesthetics game so well that it’s worth visiting even if you don’t plan to drink.

ATLAS BAR

Housing one of the largest and most diverse collections of gin, ATLAS is, hands down, one of the best places to visit if you’re a fan of the stuff. Thoughtfully curated, their massive tower boasts over 1000 labels with labels that date as far back as 1910 as well as younger craft gins from the far corners of the world. For starters, definitely get their signature, ATLAS Martini.

Boasting a classy appeal fully armed with warm ambient lights, comfortable leather couches and a high ceiling adorned with beautiful paintings, this is definitely one of the top places we’d recommend if you’re looking for a bar that’ll captivate.

600 North Bridge Road,
Parkview Square,
Singapore 188778
Tel: +65 6396 4466
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Thu: 10am – 1am
Fri: 10am – 2am
Sat: 3pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Bugis

BAR CANARY

One of Orchard Road’s best-kept secret—until now—Bar Canary offers diners a lovely view of the sparkly streets down below as well as a breezy, laid-back vibe that’s absolutely perfect for after-work tippling. Getting here is easy. Simply take the lift at Grand Park Orchard up a few floors.

Here the vibe is immensely chill, and the drinks, exceptional with decent offers to match.

270 Orchard Road,
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Orchard

COMO DEMPSEY – THE DEMPSEY COOKHOUSE AND BAR

With the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill as the perfect backdrop for a gratifying and intimate brunch or lunch, COMO Dempsey astounds with its effortlessly elegant interiors and picture-perfect scenery.

Besides offering diners a host of refined dishes, their bar also impresses on so many levels. Their drinks are stellar—they whip up a killer Old Fashioned—and the bar itself is decked out in a mixture of white marble and a few touches of plant elements.

Block 17D Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 5588
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am
Sat: 11.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Road

MARTINI BAR AT MEZZA9

A popular spot among well-heeled bar mavens, Mezza9’s Martini Bar at Grand Hyatt Singapore is a paradise for martini lovers. The glass-enclosed bar on the mezzanine level has one of the largest selections of martinis in the city and has won itself numerous awards for being the best bar in Singapore.

Exuding a rustic charm, the bar allows lots of natural light in during the day, nicely highlighting the wooden furnishings of the bar counter but at night, turns into a dim-hued and intimate speakeasy.

10 Scotts Road
Grand Hyatt Singapore
Singapore 228211
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Orchard

LANTERN

Promising inimitable views of Marina Bay where you can soak up the balmy sea breeze while swirling fine champagnes and signature cocktails is Lantern.

Perched on top of Fullerton Bay Hotel, Lantern is both stylish yet sophisticated and what makes it stand out is its uniquely designed bar counter that’s shaped like a lantern with bronze metal fins. Their team of seasoned bartenders do well to make guests feel warm and welcome as they sling an arsenal of creative cocktails of varying profiles and complexities.

80 Collyer Quay,
Singapore 049326
Tel: +65 6597 5299
Sun to Thu: 8am – 1am
Fri & Sat: 8am – 2am
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

LOOF

One of Singapore’s first rooftop bars, Loof serves as the benchmark to newer upstarts and impresses with its commitment to crafting contemporary and we dare say whacky cocktails as well as offering tipplers a gorgeous view.

There is a certain exclusivity about the place, especially at night when neighbouring office buildings close by turn off their lights and the only thing illuminating the night sky is their iconic neon sign. Beautiful, casual and a fun place to hang out, Loof easily tops our list.

331 North Bridge Road,
#03-07 Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop,
Singapore 188720
Tel: +65 6337 9416
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Cityhall

POTATO HEAD FOLK

Run by the folks behind the ever-popular beach club in Bali, Potato Head Beach Club, this whimsically-decorated in Keong Saik Road sports 4 levels of fun, excellent nosh and funky drinks.

Every floor exudes its own eclectic charm and the sheer disorganisation of the place makes it feel as if you’re within the confines of your own home without actually being home. Cosy, inviting and chaotic from floor to ceiling, Potato Head Folk ranks high on our list of gorgeous bars in Singapore.

36 Keong Saik Road,
Singapore 089143
Tel: +65 6327 1939
(Closed on Mondays)
Sun to Thu: 11am – 1am
Fri & Sat: 11am – 2am
Nearest Station: Outram Park

SMOKE & MIRRORS

Perched on the rooftop of the iconic National Gallery Singapore, Smoke & Mirrors is a destination bar known for its spectacular panoramic views that overlook the entire Marina Bay area and a progressive cocktail programme that look and taste sublime.

With plenty of wood and copper tones, nicely kiss with warm lighting, the bar exudes a magnetic intimacy that makes it an ideal place for date night.

1 St. Andrew’s Road,
#06-01 National Gallery Singapore,
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 9380 6313
Mon to Thu: 3pm – 1am
Fri: 3pm – 2am
Sat: 12pm – 2am
Sun: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Cityhall

Few things in life are as mind-blowing as Wagyu beef. Better yet, thick juicy slices of perfectly seared, smoky and tender Wagyu on a bed of sauced up Japanese rice, a healthy amount of pickles and an onsen egg for good measure—yes, we’re talking about Wagyu donburi.

Beef bowls are a mainstay at many Japanese restaurants, but what goes into a bowl and how every component is treated varies across the board. We particularly enjoyed the version at Waa Cow! due to its simplicity and its emphasis on flame-torching their Wagyu prior to plating.

If you’re ever planning on indulging on something as rich and luxurious as a Wagyu bowl, we urge you not to waste your calories (and money), head on down to Waa Cow! for one heck of a memorable meal.

You can’t go wrong with their Mentaiko Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$21.90) that comprises a bed of Akitakomachi rice that is topped with 24-hour sous vide Wagyu beef smeared with creamy mentaiko and a tender onsen egg.

Every component was spot on from the beef right down to the pickles served at the side. To say the least, this was easily one of the best beef bowls we’ve ever had.

At its price, the Yuzu Foie Gras Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$25.90) is a far better bargain than many that we have tried before that either cost more than double the price or just tasted underwhelming overall.

Comfortably nestled atop a bowl of fluffy Japanese rice sits a generous layer of charred, smoky slices of succulent beef, a sizeable portion of foie gras and of course, the obligatory runny onsen egg to bind it all together and to give it an additional layer of richness. The light sprinkling of yuzu peel over the foie gras does well to provide a citrusy appeal and nicely cuts through the intense fattiness.

Seafood lovers are sure to enjoy the Mentaiko Salmon Don (S$18.90), a delicious plate made with sashimi-grade salmon that is cooked medium-rare and topped with mentaiko, shoyu and a heaping mound of tobiko (flying fish roe).

Waa Cow!
5 Straits View, #01-09 Marina One
The Heart West Tower,
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 9851 1552
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

Located on the island of Shikoku, Kochi is rather out of the way for many which are what deters tourists from visiting. But what this humble area in Japan treated us to was nature in its most pristine form and its fascinating yet exciting drinking culture.

Kochi is blessed with beautiful and abundant nature such as the Shimanto River, Niyodo River and the Kuroshio coastline. From clear-blue lakes to autumn leaves and silhouettes depicting a never-ending sea of mountains, Kochi truly impressed us from leaf to pebble.

And when it comes to eating and drinking, these folks are anything but simple. Drinking alcohol is a huge deal here and eating good food is more of a lifestyle here rather than a necessity—something we can definitely resonate with. Bonito, a close relative of tuna and mackerel, is also hugely popular here and can be found in literally every restaurant and izakaya.

We had a lovely opportunity to go on a 5D4N adventure through Kochi, seeing and experiencing all sorts of fun things, eating amazing food and even getting hands down to make our own paper and harvest our own sea salt. For the curious traveller, here are 12 reasons why Kochi has to be on your next Japan itinerary.

TOSAWO SHOTEN

Specialising in soba, Tosawo Shoten is an excellent place to begin your trip proper as their delicious yet modest bowls guarantee comfort that nicely combats the cold, and gives diners a proper introduction to some of the prefecture’s local delicacies.

Unlike the soba dishes we’re used to, we had ours in a soupy broth made using a light dashi and further intensified with whitebait—a predominant ingredient used in many of Kochi’s esteemed dishes—with a few slices of fishcake added. This type of broth is commonly used in udon rather than soba.

KOCHI CASTLE

Kochi Castle is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan to have survived both the Edo and Meiji eras and is worth a visit to gain a deeper understanding of Kochi’s history. Much of the castle itself has been demolished but it still remains pretty well preserved nonetheless, in fact, Kochi Castle is one of the only 3 castles left in Japan that still has its main gate fully untouched.

A rather interesting concept, the design of the castle isn’t in any way straightforward. Having been designed by the lord’s wife back in the day, the design of the castle was largely intended to confuse and mislead invaders, which explains its many awkward and random structural placements. Kochi Castle is located just a short walk away from Kochijomae tram stop.

HIROME ICHIBA MARKET

When visiting Kochi, it is paramount to pay a visit to Hirome Ichiba at least once (or thrice) for a meal. Similar to the hawker centres we have back home, this unique market located in Kochi’s city centre that houses over 60 stalls, many of which are either hole-in-a-wall restaurants or izakaya. The vibe and energy here is amazing and literally everywhere you turn, you’re likely to see locals socialising, eating, drinking (a lot) and having a swell time.

Many stalls there serve beer, sake, and shochu in addition to food, so having a drink together with your finger food of fancy is highly recommended.

The food options here are plenty with bonito being one of the more prominent items on display. We went for a pretty good selection of fan-favourites which included grilled Shimanto Pork, Bonito, Tuna Sashimi as well as a local river ebi that’s deep-fried and enjoyed as a beer accompaniment.

YASUI VALLEY – HIRYUU WATERFALL, NIYODO RIVER

A treat for the senses for any nature lover, the Niyodo River is something to definitely check out. The water takes on a blue-hue which is partly influenced by the naturally bluish rocks at the base of the river and the water itself is crystal clear.

Walking through the forest and toward the Hiryuu Waterfall, the experience was one filled with tranquillity and relaxation. Coupled with the autumn breeze on our backs and surrounded by the multicoloured autumn foliage, appreciating nature never felt better. During the summer, many people drive down here for picnics and barbecues and even make it a point to take a dip in the river.

MIYANOMAE PARK – COSMOS FESTIVAL

At Miyanomae Park during autumn, bask in a sea of pinkish beauty at the Cosmos Festival, a celebration of the flowers of the region in full bloom. During the festival, there are also food tents set up, allowing you to get your fill of some local cuisine as well as a series of performances for visitors.

Patronised heavily by young couples, this scenic spot is great for photos and would make for the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous couple photo for the ‘gram’.

TAISHO-KEN – UNAGI RESTAURANT

Just a short drive away from Miyanomae Park is 106-year-old unagi-centric restaurant Taisho-ken. The restaurant is currently run by 4th generation owner, Mr Masahiro Wada, who makes it his life mission to perfect the art of serving proper unagi cuisine the way his family has been doing it for over a century now. He claims that he is still far from achieving that, but we beg to differ.

Choosing the lunch set allows you to savour unagi in 3 different varieties—grilled, slathered with tare and served over rice, cooked within a tamago, and in a salad. Grilled to perfection and glazed in that perfectly balanced tare, we dare admit that their unagi is one of the best that we’ve had. Make no mistake, making the trip down for a meal here is well worth the journey, the time and the price.

HAMACHO – DINE AND BE ENTERTAINED BY A GEISHA

Geishas are a dying tradition in Japan and nowadays you can literally only find a number of actual ones that still exist—under the radar of course. Yet, over at Hamacho, a traditional Japanese high-class restaurant, a number of geishas are still allowed to perform, drink and interact with guests.

The food served here for 1 or 2 people is typically kaiseki, a massive platter of individual small components featuring a host of Kochi’s local delicacies and seasonal produce as well. But should you dine in a bigger group, they would serve a sawachi platter which is much larger.

Our behemoth of a platter comprised several types of fish, seafood and even whale. Fancy the opportunity to play games and drink with a real-life geisha? Feel free to express your interest to any of the staff and they will gladly come over to entertain you. However, language is a barrier so you may need an interpreter.

QRAUD: TOSAWASHI KOGEIMURA – PAPER-MAKING

Paper plays a big part in all of our lives—well, before computers and tablets anyway—but how often does anyone stop to wonder how the stuff is made? In Japan, paper-making is more than just a means of generating income, it’s an art.

If you’re someone artsy and enjoys getting hands-on, we reckon that paper-making will definitely be right up your alley. Over at hotel QRAUD Tosawashi Kogeimura Hotel, they offer a variety of workshops with paper-making being one of them.

KURE-TAISHO MARKET

Perhaps Kochi’s very own, smaller scale Tsukiji Fish Market, what this seafood market offers is truly a treat for any seafood or fresh fish lover. The concept is pretty much the same in that you go around selecting your item of choice and choose whether you wish to have it sliced in sashimi form or grilled with some light seasoning. There are also many other stalls selling grilled meat skewers and other types of tidbits.

Kure-Taisho Market has gained considerable popularity over the years with many people from all corners of Japan flocking over to have a taste of their bonito.

KUROSHIO TOWN – SALT HARVESTING

Salt is such a vital seasoning and is what makes food tasty. Yet, back home we never ever think about how salt is made since the majority of the time we depend on store-bought ones. Over at Kuroshio Town, residing along the vast and beautiful coastline are small family-owned facilities that devote themselves to the craft and art that is sea salt harvesting.

The particular place that we visited called Tosa no Shiomaru specialises in ‘sunshine salt’, which is naturally derived sea salt harvested using only sunlight and the coastal breeze—nothing else. The experience itself was a rather fascinating one as we were taught how about the fundamentals of salt as an ingredient and how different the effects and taste of salt can be depending on the amount of tampering it receives.

MUTEMUKA SAKE DISTILLERY – JAPAN’S FIRST CHESTNUT SAKE DISTILLERY

Everybody knows sake to be a rice-based wine and one synonymous with Japanese cuisine and Japan’s culture. At Mutemuka Sake Distillery in Kochi, they take a slightly different approach to making theirs, using locally grown chestnuts in addition to rice.

The flavour derived from Mutemuka’s chestnut sake is a lot more complex than regular, purer sakes in that it takes on a distinct nutty aroma coupled with a subtle savoury aroma. We had the pleasure of sampling a few varieties of their sake and of course, had to buy a few to take home.

CHIAKI NABEIYAKI RAMEN 

There are so many amazing flavours that one can unlock out of food simply by cooking it in a claypot. For one, its primary benefit is that it locks in heat in for a longer period of time, allowing food to stay hot longer and more importantly, lets the ingredients develop more intense flavours. The same can be observed in many Chinese dishes, and therefore comes as no surprise that cooking ramen in a claypot will guarantee one heck of a rich, multi-dimensional flavour profile.

You will find many places selling nabeiyaki (claypot ramen) all over Kochi but the one that we visited—which we strongly suggest you do too—is Chiaki Nabiyaki. The standard nabeiyaki comprises rather simply, tender yet firm egg noodles, bits of fish cake and an egg cracked over top right before serving.

As expected, the flavour was intense but balanced well enough such that it didn’t become difficult to gulp down and the egg stirred in not only thickened the broth but also added a heightened richness to the overall dish. A brilliant alternative to izakaya-style ramen and one that we highly recommend trying when in Kochi.

This post was brought to you by Kochi Tourism Board

A time of celebration and merrymaking, Christmas is the one holiday we look forward to the most every year, because we have a valid reasons to shop and feast like there’s no tomorrow.

When you think of Christmas, you think of indulgence, you think of a celebration. Yet, while the year-end splurge is necessary during the festive Yule, it does not mean that you cannot cut back on over-spending either. To ensure that you have yourself a memorable holiday feast sans the overly hefty price tag, here is our list of 7 Christmas buffets in Singapore with special promotions that’ll make you go ‘ho ho ho’.

EDGE

One particular buffet restaurant that never fails to impress is Edge at Pan Pacific Singapore. This festive season, revel in a merry splendour as you savour glorious wintertime roasts alongside a plethora of other international and Asian dishes across 7 live stations and not to be missed is their massive dessert station that is housed within a structure constructed entirely out of edible gingerbread.

Happening from 12 November 2018 until New Year’s Eve, this buffet only gets better—our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making a reservation to enjoy 20% off Festive Lunch and Dinner Buffet from 19 November 2018 to 30 December 2018 (excluding eve of PH, PH and Sunday Champagne Brunches).

Thanksgiving Dinner 
22nd November 2018 (6.30pm – 10.30pm)
Adult S$98++, Child S$49++

Festive Lunch (excluding Sundays)
12th to 30th November 2018
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm
Adult S$62++, Child S$31++

1st to 23rd Dec & 26th December 2018
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm
Adult S$75++, Child S$37.50++

Festive Dinner
12th November to 30th December 2018 (excluding 25th & 25th Dec)
Daily: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun to Tue: Adult S$98++ Child S$49++
Wed to Sat: Adult S$108++ Child S$54++

Child prices are applicable for children aged six to 12 years old.

Terms and conditions:

• Offer excludes eve of PH and PH and Sunday Champagne Brunch
• Not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discount cards, promotional vouchers and in-house offer discount cards
• Prices quoted are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing Goods & Services tax unless otherwise stated.
• Please quote “Ladyironchef” upon reservation to enjoy the promotion

Edge
Pan Pacific Singapore, Level 3
7 Raffles Boulevard
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Reservations: +65 6826 8240 / dining.ppsin@panpacific.com
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

FOOD EXCHANGE

This year, Novotel Singapore on Stevens and Mercure Singapore on Stevens are pulling out all the stops to offer a series of hearty and stunning Christmas time classics such as their Honey Studded Gammon Ham, Salmon Coulibiac (this one’s a must-try!) and not forgetting their Traditional Roast Turkey—all of which are available for takeaway via Fudebar or dine-in at Food Exchange.

Their Festive Takeaway and Festive Buffet starts on the 15th of November 2018 and will go on until the 31st of December. Remember to book before 14th December 2018 to enjoy a 25% Early Bird Discount off Buffet at Food Exchange.

Fudebar Festive Takeaway 
Period: 15th November 2018 – 31st December 2018
To order, email h9543-FB11@accor.com.

All prices are inclusive of service charge and government taxes. Delivery charge of $30 per location applies. Complimentary delivery for orders $200 and above. All orders must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Food Exchange Festive Buffet
Period: 15th November 2018 – 1st January 2019

Weekday Buffet Lunch, Monday – Friday, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm $42++
Saturday Buffet Lunch, Saturday, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm $52++
Sunday Buffet Brunch, Sunday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm $88++
Daily Buffet Dinner, Monday – Sunday, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm $68++

Christmas Pricing:

Christmas Eve Dinner, 24th December 2018, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm $88++
Christmas Eve Dinner, 24th December 2018, 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm $88++
Christmas Day Brunch, 25th December 2018, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm $88++

New Year Pricing:

New Year Eve Dinner, 31st December 2018, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm $98++
New Year Eve Dinner, 31st December 2018, 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm $98++
New Year Day Brunch, 1st January 2019, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm $98++

To book a table, visit www.foodexchange.sg.

Food Exchange
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road
#01-01, Singapore 257878
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Nearest Station: Orchard/ Stevens

GINGER

Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s culturally-rich enclaves with many dishes possessing nuances of Asian flavours such as their Rock Lobster Bouillabaisse and Gula Melaka Log Cake with Coconut Flakes so expect a wide range of exciting (and enticing) dishes fit for a solid Yuletide feast over at GINGER at PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

From 1st December 2018 to 1st January 2019, our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef‘ upon making a reservation to enjoy this lavish buffet spread at 25% discount (exclude blackout dates), and 15% discount on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Festive Lunch (12pm – 2.30pm)
Mondays to Fridays: Adults S$58++, Children S$29++
Saturdays & Sundays: Adults S$68++, Children S$34++

24, 31 December 2018 & 01 January 2019: Adults S$68++, Children S$34++
25 December 2018: Adults S$88++, Children S$44++

Festive Dinner (6pm – 10pm)
Mondays to Thursdays: Adults S$78++, Children S$39++
Fridays to Sundays: Adults S$88++, Children S$44++
24 & 31 December 2018: Adults S$98++, Children S$49++
25 December 2018: Adults S$88++, Children S$44++
01 January 2019: Adults S$68++, Children S$34++

GINGER
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
For reservations: +65 6505 5710 or dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com
Nearest Stations: Bugis/ Nicoll Highway

PARKROYAL ON KITCHENER ROAD

From Festive buffets, Chinese Festive Set Menu to Festive Takeaway Delights, luxuriate in new items specially curated by the team of chefs from their hotel’s restaurants Spice Brasserie and Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant. From the former, indulge in the likes of their Pan Seared Honey Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Sauce and Brandy Crab Bisque, and from the latter, the crowd-favourite Suckling Pig that will available in their Festive Takeaway Menu.

Regardless the venue of your year-end party, there is always a reason to celebrate. Festive buffets at Spice Brasserie starts from S$48 per person and Festive Takeaways starts from S$6 to S$108 per item. Citibank, DBS, Standard Chartered and UOB cardmembers enjoy 15% savings. Terms apply.

Yuletide Feasts at Spice Brasserie

Festive Buffet Lunch:
17 to 21 December 2018
Adult: S$42++, Child: S$21++
26 to 30 December 2018
Adult: S$42++, Child: 21++

Festive Buffet Dinner:
17 to 21 December 2018
Adult: S$50++, Child: S$25++
26 to 30 December 2018
Adult: S$50++, Child: 25++

Festive Buffet Lunch:
22, 23 & 25 December 2018
Adult: S$54++, Child: S$27++

Festive Buffet Dinner:
22, 23 & 25 December 2018
Adult: S$70++, Child: S$35++

Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch:
24 December 2018
Adult: S$68++, S$34++

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner:
24 December 2018
Adult: S$88++, Child: S$44

New Year’s Eve Buffet Lunch:
31 December 2018
Adult: S$54++, Child: S$27++

New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner:
31 December 2018
Adult: S$70++, Child: S$35++

New Year’s Day Buffet Lunch
1 January 2019
Adult: S$42++, Child: S$21++

New Year’s Day Buffet Dinner
1 January 2019
Adult: S$50++, Child: S$25++

Yuletide Treasures at Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant

Christmas Set Menu
1 to 31 December 2018
S$68 per pax

181 Kitchener Road
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3160
Daily: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

ROYALE

Watch the flavourful magic of Christmas come to life in an enticing festive feast featuring over 40 scrumptious Yuletide dishes at Royale’s Santa’s Christmas Circus Festive Buffet. Gracing this year’s buffet line is their glorious Truffle Cheese Fondue, a selection of show-stopping roast meat delights, a Live Outdoor BBQ station and even DIY gingerbread men over at their kid’s playroom for your little ones to get creative with.

For the extra star on top of the tree, our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ for 25% off Royale’s festive dinner buffet at only S$36++ per pax for lunch buffet and S$51 per pax for dinner buffet (valid every day except for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve).

Santa’s Christmas Circus Festive Buffet

Lunch:
S$48++ (Adult)/ $24++ (Child 6 – 12 years)

Dinner:
S$68++ (Adult) / $34++ (Child 6 – 12 years)

Children under 6 years dine free

Christmas Eve & Day
24 December & 25 December 2018

Lunch:
S$68++ (Adult)/ $34++ (Child 6-12 years)

Dinner:
S$88++ (Adult) / $44++ (Child 6 – 12 years)

Children under 6 years dine free

New Year’s Eve & Day
31 December 2018 & 1 January 2019
Lunch: $68++ (Adult) / $34++ (Child 6 – 12 years)
Dinner:$88++ (Adult) / $44++ (Child 6 – 12 years)

Children under 6 years dine free

Royale
Level 3, Mercure Singapore Bugis
122 Middle Road
Singapore 188973
Tel: +65 6521 6030 / or email HA0D7-FB1@accor.com
Buffet Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm
Buffet Dinner:  6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

SINGAPORE MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL

In this season of good tidings, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel invites you to relax and indulge yourselves with a line-up of spellbinding and gastronomic experiences. Tuck into a festive medley of perennial classics such as Roast Turkey with Chestnut Bread Stuffing, Roast Duck Breast with Apricot and Orange Glaze as well as Pan-Fried Duck Foie Gras—available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

From 22 November to 25 December 2018, these Yuletide goodies are available for takeaway at www.singaporemarriott.com/christmas or at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel’s Forecourt Stall (by the hotel entrance). Orders have to be placed at least 3 working days in advance.

Marriott Cafe Festive Buffet Lunch (1 – 23, 26 – 30 December 2018)
Mon to Sat: S$68++ per adult, S$35++ per child
Sun: S$78++* per adult, S$38++ per child

Marriott Cafe Festive Buffet Dinner (1 – 23, 26 – 30 December 2018)
Sun to Wed: S$80++ per adult, S$40++ per child
Thu: S$108++** per adult, S$44++ per child
Fri & Sat: S$88++ per adult, S$44++ per child

Marriott Cafe Christmas Eve Festive Buffet (24 Dec 2018)
Dinner: S$160++*** per adult, S$70++ per child

Marriott Cafe Christmas Day Festive Buffet (25 Dec 2018)
Lunch: S$138++**** per adult, S$60++ per child,
Dinner: S$160++*** per adult, S$70++ per child,

*Inclusive of free-flow juices and soft drinks
^Inclusive of free flow sparkling wines, beers & juices
**Inclusive of free flow sparkling wines, red & white wines, beer, juices & soft drinks
***Inclusive of free flow of sparkling wines, red & white wines, beer, cocktails & juices
****Inclusive of free flow of sparkling wines, red & white wines, beer, mocktails & juices

New Year’s Eve Buffet & Countdown (31 December 2018)
Dinner: S$188++** per adult, S$88++* per child

**Inclusive of free-flow champagne, red & white wines, beer & soft drinks

All prices stated above are subject to 10% service charge and 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST) unless otherwise stated.

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Dining Reservations: +65 6831 4605 / www.singaporemarriott.com/christmas
Festive Goodies Preorders: +65 6831 4708 / www.singaporemarriott.com/christmas
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE SQUARE RESTAURANT

This festive season, The Square Restaurant over at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay will feature an all-rounded buffet line-up that will not only include an array of stellar wintertime roasts but also a repertoire of Asian favourites which includes their DIY Laksa—a serious crowdpleaser—, all starting from S$38.40++!

And to top it all off, from 1st until 31st December 2018, our readers may quote ‘ladyironchef20′ to enjoy 20% off this very festive buffet spread—now that’s a steal.

Festive Buffet Lunch (except Christmas Day)
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm
S$48++ per adult, S$24++ per child aged 5-12 years old, S$32++ per senior citizen aged above 55 years old

Festive Buffet Dinner* (except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve)
Sun to Thu: 6pm – 10.30pm
S$68++ per adult, S$34++ per child aged 5-12 years old, S$50++ per senior citizen aged above 55 years old

*inclusive of free-flow soft drinks

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner* (24th December 2018, 6pm – 10.30pm)
S$85++ per adult, S$45++ per child aged 5-12 years old, S$70++ per senior citizen aged above 55 years old

*inclusive of free-flow martini, beer, wine & soft drinks

Christmas Day Brunch (25th December 2018)
Lunch (11.45am – 3.15pm) and Dinner (6pm – 10.30pm)
S$68++ per adult, S$34++ per child aged 5-12 years old, S$50++ per senior citizen aged above 55 years old

*inclusive of free-flow soft drinks

New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner (31st December 2018, 6pm – 10.30pm)
S$85++ per adult, S$45++ per child aged 5-12 years old, S$70++ per senior citizen aged above 55 years old

*inclusive of free-flow beer, wine & soft drinks

Prices are subject to 10% service charge and thereafter 7% GST. Menus will be on rotation and buffet items may be subject to change.

The Square Restaurant
Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay
Singapore 179031
Tel: +65 6433 8790
Email: H5993-FB8@accor.com
Website: www.novotelclarkequay.com
Mon to Fri: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays:  6am – 11am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

Japan astounds in more ways than just its food and its people and wherever you choose to embark on your next adventure, we’re almost certain that you will not be disappointed. Our wanderlust brought us to Niigata, a coastal prefecture located north of bustling Tokyo. A lovely place untouched by time, and one that proves excellent for road trips.

Boasting the highest concentration of rice plantations and accounting for a majority of the country’s rice exports, there really is no wondering why Niigata is well-known for their excellent quality rice, rice wine (sake) and other rice-based products. Located close to the Japan Sea, fresh fish and seafood are often in abundance and of exceptional quality too.

Yet, as far as gastronomy goes, Niigata’s vast array of food choices come second only to the prefecture’s rich culture and a plethora of scenic views. Like lines in a sketch, the terraced rice paddies littered all over present a view like no place else. Each season brings with it a different ambience and having visited in Autumn, we were treated to stunning spectacles of technicoloured leaves and marvellous views wherever we were brought.

Brimming with breathtaking scenery, awesome food and inherently kind yet down-to-earth locals, you best believe us when we tell you that Niigata is a destination to consider if you crave adventure and new experiences. We’ve broken it all down for you, listing down how you can go about renting a car, where you should visit and what you should eat—you’re welcome.

RENT A CAR AT NIPPON DRIVE RENT-A-CAR IN MURAKAMI CITY

The journey toward Niigata prefecture takes about 2 hours via the Joetsu high-speed bullet train from Tokyo station—located 30 minutes from Haneda Airport. Our journey started at Murakami City, a castle township located just slightly north of Niigata City.

Located right outside Murakami Station, the Nippon Rental Car Depot is where you should first visit to kick-start your Niigata road trip proper. The staff may not be able to communicate in English effectively but they do have pamphlets available in multiple languages. Renting a car for a day is not very expensive either with a decent, standard car costing as little as 7000 yen (approx. S$85) for a day. It comes in mint condition with a navigational device in English.

STOP BY YURURI RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH

Once you’ve gotten your car settled, you could probably do with some grub and located just a short 5-minute drive away is Yururi Restaurant. Off their lunch set menu, you can find anything from rice bowls to soba, each of which features seasonal meat, fish and vegetables—a great way to taste a good variety of what Niigata can offer in terms of its products in just one meal.

We got ourselves the Tendon and Kaisen set, both of which came with a bowl of soba noodles in addition to rice. Fresh-tasting and decently priced, our first meal in Niigata kicked off pretty darn well at Yururi.

VISIT A SALMON SPECIALTY STORE (KIKKAWA)

If you’re a sucker for salmon, you’ll be thrilled to know that Murakami is famous for the stuff due to its proximity to Miomote River—a salmon hotspot basically. In fact, salmon has been a key element in sustaining the city’s financial backbone ever since the Edo period which explains why the people there are insanely proud of it.

Here in Murakami, there are over 100 different ways that the natives prepare salmon with the most common being salting and dry-curing, relying on the natural wind from the coastal breeze.

Don’t be alarmed at the number of salted salmon hanging in and around the houses here because it’s a norm, and scattered everywhere are little salmon speciality stores where you can find heaps of salmon-based products. Kikkawa is one such store and it truly is massive, selling anything and everything salmon-related from snacks, condiments to even salmon burgers which they make fresh daily

VISIT A TRADITIONAL TEA SHOP

The Murakami township is popular for their green tea and black tea varieties and you’re more than likely going to have no trouble finding a tea shop tucked in a corner somewhere. It might seem intimidating from the outside but don’t be shy and just waltz right in, the locals are extremely friendly and will do their utmost to serve you well despite the language barrier.

You can get the full tea-drinking experience with the added bonus of having your tea brewed over charcoal and an expert to prepare, serve and educate you about traditional Japanese tea and the art of tea-drinking.

SASAGAWA-NAGARE TOUR BOAT

For just a small fee, you get to go on a 45-minute boat ride meters away from the coastline to have a better view of the natural landforms as well as feed seagulls while you’re at it. Notable landforms include the Lion Rock, Eagle’s Nest and Dinosaur Rock.

Upon docking, be sure to stop by the fisherman’s wharf, where fresh fish is caught, treated and cooked fresh on an open grill. Fortunately for us, we arrived just in time to savour some fresh local ebi that was literally caught and carried off a fishing boat minutes prior.

DOYUNO: VEGGIE-TIME RESTAURANT

The thought of having a vegetarian meal in Japan might not appeal to many. In fact, some might find it a waste, but over at Doyuno Veggie-Time Restaurant, your impression just might change.

This is a proper as farm-to-table dining goes with all of the restaurant’s menu offerings coming straight from the farm. The experience starts off with a tour of the vegetable garden, of which guests will be educated on the different varieties of vegetables and herbs they grow, before letting you indulge in them all back at the restaurant.

Every recipe is designed specifically to the taste of each individual vegetable so depending on which season you visit, you just might have a different menu every other day.

As history has shown, the people of Tsuruoka have been and are, until today, incredibly reliant on vegetables for sustenance, largely because of their historical ascetic practice of Buddhism which disallows them to indulge in meat-based food.

FIVE-TIER PAGODA IN THE FOREST OF MT. HAGURO

Fancy a scenic trek through a thick cedar forest? The path leading toward Mt. Haguro is excellent and is a popular spot for both locals in search of a spiritual escape or simply just folks who’re looking to get some exercise in.

The lush greenery and the still, tranquil atmosphere is a pleasure to take in and is definitely a spot we recommend if you’re looking to get some solid portrait shots of yourself taken. The spiritual charm of the place comes in the form of shrines and little totems scattered all around the forest with a massive 5-tier pagoda located slightly deeper within.

KAMO AQUARIUM

The Kamo Aquarium in Yamagata Prefecture is in the Guinness Book of World Records for housing the world’s largest collection of jellyfish. Peculiar yet beautiful creatures nonetheless, a trip here will not be wasted. However, do note that the aquarium closes at 5pm so plan your time carefully if you do not want the drive down to be in vain.

LEARN THE WAYS OF THE SAMURAI AT THE UESUGI SHINTO SHRINE

If you’ve always had a fascination for Japan’s ancient warriors, the samurai, then perhaps a tour through the Uesugi Shinto Shrine should be right up your alley. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a quartet of samurai role-players, who, not only looked the part but also sounded and behaved like the proud samurai warriors of Edo-period Japan.

From learning to purify your body, to submit an offering to the Gods, the tour covers it all—if you dare to ask, they’ll probably even let you hold their weapons. The tour ends off with a 15-minute-long skit featuring the samurai warriors.

LOCAL DELICACY AT INAKAYA FURUMACHI OLD TOWN

Craving something authentic and exclusive to the Niigata prefecture, we were brought to try a local delicacy called Wappa Meshi at Inakaya Restaurant at Furumachi Old Town (basically the restaurant where the dish was born).

Wappa Meshi is a steamed dish consisting of steamed rice cooked using dashi that is topped with meat, or seafood cooked. It is steamed in a wooden box, similar to Chinese dim sum and the beauty of it is that the process allows for allows for the flavours of every component to marry well with one another.

The box itself, otherwise known as the ‘Mage-Wappa’ is a kind of container which was used as a lunch box by the folks who worked high up in the mountains and has been a tool of transporting food for over 600 years now.

We had a variety with some comprising chicken, salmon, ikura (salmon roe), local ebi and more. Every Wappa Moshi was cooked to utmost perfection and albeit looking simple, they each boasted incredible flavour.

PIA BANDAI FISH & FARMER’S MARKET

Anyone who’s anyone in the food industry would know of Japan’s highly acclaimed Tsukiji Fish Market—the home of some of the world’s best seafood. Well, in Niigata city, they have one similar called Pia Bandai.

The market stocks a considerable amount of Niigata speciality products such as rice, vegetables, fruits, sake, local fish, tidbits and more but its main appeal would be its wide array of fresh fish and seafood offerings. From unbelievably affordable uni (sea urchin) to thickly cut sashimi prepared fresh upon order, any seafood lover would be excited.

NORTHERN CULTURE MUSEUM + SAVOURING KOSHIHIKARI RICE

The Northern Culture Museum once belonged to one of the wealthiest family of landowners or ‘farmer lords’—as the local people refer to them as—in the Echigo area. However, it has long changed and while the massive complex astounds with its rustic, well-kept furnishings, perhaps one of the more interesting facts to note is that it is the only one in Japan that still stands.

You’d have to go on a tour for the full explanation but we promise you this is far more interesting than some mere museum walkthrough. The owners of the house were huge in the rice farming industry and provided rice of exceptional quality to all parts of Japan.

PONSHU-KAN – A SAKE LOVER’S HEAVEN

Located in Cocolo at Niigata Station, you’re bound to stumble upon a sake speciality store—Ponshu-Kan—right smack in the middle of it. The prefecture is known for their rice, so it is only natural that they’d be home to outstanding sake as well. Skilfully brewed with high-quality rice and spring water from the mountains, much of their sake take on a clean and refreshing taste.

At Ponshu-Kan, visitors can taste and sample their fill of all the major sake brands (¥500 for 5 samples) in Niigata and with more than a hundred labels to choose from, chances are you’ll be there for quite a while.

SHIRONE GRAPE GARDEN

It’s one thing to buy fresh fruits from the supermarket, let alone a farmer’s market, but to actually be able to pick your own fruits with your bare hands? That really is a killer experience. When in Niigata, you should definitely try your hand at fruit picking at the Shirone Grape Garden.

With grapes in the summer, pears in the fall, strawberries and more during winter through spring, this lovely fruit orchard allows you to enjoy fruit-picking all-year round. Their popular gelato is made using the seasonal fruits that they grow onsite too and if you’re a fan of Japan’s esteemed Kyoho grapes, you’ll be glad to know that you can pick those here too (or have them in gelato form).

UWASEKIGATA PARK – CHERRY BLOSSOM HOTSPOT IN SPRING

Considered Niigata’s national park, this vast and beautiful park is popular for numerous reasons. On weekends, the park is open for people to have barbecues and picnics and is also a great place for photographers and fitness gurus.

During the spring season, the park itself is said to boast spectacular displays of cherry blossoms but during other parts of the year, the park also plays host to a myriad of artistic sculptures and the ones that we were fortunate to see were the animal ones made using rice straws.

KOKAJIYA – ITALIAN-JAPANESE CUISINE

When in Japan, to eat any cuisine other than Japanese cuisine would not the most ideal, but we beg to differ, or at least at Kokajiya Restaurant. Fusing together Italian recipes and culinary techniques but relying heavily on local produce derived from Niigata itself. From their pasta to their mains, all of their food nicely tie together the best of both cuisine’s culinary disciplines and flair.

The result? Possibly one of the best Italian dishes we ever had. Period.

YAHIKOYAMA ROPE WAY – STUNNING VIEWS OF THE LAND BELOW

To round off your trip on an epic note, there’s nothing quite as majestic as a stunning sunset view a couple of hundred metres above sea level. At the Yahikoyama Rope Way, not only were we treated to a gorgeous 360-degree view of the land below, but the sunset—coupled with the mountain breeze—marked one heck of a solid end to our 5D4N adventure in the Niigata prefecture of Japan.

This post was brought to you by Niigata City, Murakami City, Tsuruoka City and Yonezawa City.

Whenever we talk about Vietnamese food, the first thing that comes to mind is a cuisine that boasts complex heady aromas of fresh herbs and robust flavours that pack a punch yet remain light on the palate.

An amalgamation of fresh and exotic flavours hailing from various regions of Vietnam, newly-established Paper Rice aims to give diners nothing short of the real taste of Vietnam. This new concept by Arteastiq Group—you may know them for their stellar range of brewed teas and art jam spaces—sees a collaboration of colossal proportions, tying in the skillsets of Arteastiq’s award-winning Executive Chef Yip and Vietnamese-born Chef Minh.

Officially opening its doors at Changi City Point on 30 November 2018, Paper Rice takes diners through Vietnam’s rich gastronomic history encompassing the cuisine’s signature clean, exotic and robust flavours. Think nostalgic classics such as the hearty pho, smoky street-style grill and Vietnamese drip coffee, as well as other traditional and uncommon Vietnamese delights.

As part of their launch, you get to enjoy Saigon Export beers at just S$2 and 50% off Kirin beers with any purchase of food from 30 November to 31 December 2018. The best part? That’s probably the least exciting promotion the restaurant has in store. Make sure to read till the end of this article for more details.

STARTERS

Offering a pretty decent selection of starter dishes, these are what we advise you to start with to give you a more restrained introduction to the courses to come.

Vietnamese spring rolls are a must and on their menu, they have more than just the conventional spring rolls available. Feeling undecided? Consider their Spring Rolls Platter. heFeaturing 4 different kinds of spring rolls, the platter comes with two dipping sauces accompanied by rice noodles and greens.

PHO

A quintessential Vietnamese dish, the pho provides hot and meaty comfort in a nutritious bone broth.

At Paper Rice, you can choose from 5 different variations of pho originating from different parts of Vietnam. Apart from meat toppings such as beef, chicken, and pork, Paper Rice also offers a vegetarian option. Regardless of which you choose, each bowl of pho boasts silky rice noodles soaked in a flavourful broth which has been simmered overnight. Served with a heaping plate of crunchy leafy greens and various aromatic herbs, these aromatic bowls of comfort are certain to lift your senses.

RICE VERMICELLI

Rice vermicelli are essentially served dry, keeping the ingredients from becoming sodden. In the mouth, what you get is an ingenious combination of flavours accentuated by a vibrant dressing and exciting textures of beef slices, crunchy peanuts, bean sprouts and fresh herbs.

To bind it all together, stir in a tablespoon or two of fish sauce. One particular offering that we’re stoked to try is their Fresh Rice Vermicelli With Grilled Chicken.

BANH MI

On our recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, we tried multiple delicious variations of this Vietnamese staple – the Banh Minh, and was thrilled to see this Vietnamese street food featured in Paper Rice’s menu.

Banh mi—which literally translates to bread—is made up of a toasted baguette stuffed with grilled meat and pickled vegetables. At Paper Rice, two classic Banh Mi is featured—the Grilled Pork Banh Mi and the Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi.

MEKONG SPECIAL

The restaurant’s ‘Mekong Special’ features a selection of specialty dishes hailing from the Mekong region of Vietnam which has been known for its more pronounced flavour profiles and unique ingredients.

The Deep Fried Seabass with Spicy Lemongrass Peanut Sauce and Signature Hand Pulled Chicken are among the many unique Mekong dishes that grace this section of the menu. A special curation, the dishes here aim to bring nothing but sheer authenticity from pasture to plate.

EGG COFFEE & VIETNAMESE-STYLE HIGH TEA

To round out the entire experience, be sure to order up a cup of hot Vietnamese Egg Coffee. Every sip rewards the tongue with a frothy, creamy foam that provides a subtle sweetness as well as a gentle nuance of egg, all working well to complement the intensely flavoured dark coffee.

An all-day dining destination, Paper Rice also offers Singapore’s first Vietnamese-style high tea set ($32++ for 2) featuring colourful traditional snacks, desserts and pastries served alongside your choice of Vietnamese coffee or Arteastiq’s signature teas.

As part of their opening promotion, diners get to enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee at just S$1 (with purchase of any food items) from 2pm to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays until 31 December 2018.

GIVEAWAY OF A LIFETIME

In need of a getaway? Visit Paper Rice any time between 30 November 2018 to 31 Jan 2019, share about your dining experience on either Instagram or Facebook as well as post a review on Google or Tripadvisor and you just might stand a chance to win a free 3D2N trip to Danang, Vietnam.

If lounging on pristine beaches and visiting the Instagrammable Da Nang Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills sounds like the perfect vacation for you, be sure to make a trip down on their opening day (30 November 2018) to stand a 10x chance of winning this prize!

Paper Rice
Changi City Point #B1-26/27
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6443 1261
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest MRT Station: Expo

This post was brought to you by Paper Rice. 

Sandwiches are a common-thread dish that literally every culture and cuisine in the world shares. They may come in different shapes, sizes, fillings and what not, but at the heart of it, a sandwich is basically bread, sauce and meat (sometimes veggies too).

Crafting a great sandwich, let alone a decent one, is not as easy as it sounds. You’ve got to balance textures and flavours, moistness and crunch. Everything, from the type of bread you choose, to the way you decide to prepare your proteins, your pickled elements and your vegetables, they all require careful thought in order to yield satisfying results.

Nestled within Camelia & Co, newly-opened Stack is a Muslim-owned sandwich parlour that serves up tasty, hearty and photo-worthy sandwiches. Creativity and a ballsy attitude are key attributes that have led them to come up with so many of their bestsellers.

THE MAKCIK

Nicely balancing moistness and crunch, we can understand why The Makcik (S$13) is a crowd favourite. Cooked low and slow in a fragrant rendang, the tri-tip develops a lean, fork-tender exterior, as well as a robust, heady aroma—just enough to give the sandwich that fiery punch of flavour without overshadowing the other components.

The rendang was spicy, as it should be, and the pickled onion and slightly chilled greens did well to provide a crunch as well as a brightness to the sandwich, nicely combating the richness.

BAMBOOZLE

Aptly named because the sandwich itself is so full of flavour that you’ll fail to realise the absence of meat, the Bamboozle (S$9) is a sandwich that packs formidable finesse and balance. The garlic aioli was light yet assertive in both aroma and taste and complemented the flavours of the mushrooms nicely.

A show of class in the way each and every individual component is executed, this umami-packed megalodon is something that we’ll likely make several return trips for.

SLEEPY NONNA

Besides savoury sandwiches, Stack offers sweet alternatives as well. The idea of the Sleepy Nonna (S$9) was just too hard to resist. Comprising a ripened banana, Nutella, crushed Oreos and Swiss cheese, all comfortably stacked between two golden slices of French toast, we just knew we were in for one heck of a sinful (but satisfying) experience.

It’s literally everything you could ever want in a bite, provided things like weight-gain and health issues were not a concern—and that’s saying a lot. Was it good? Absolutely. Would we get it again? For the sake of our health, probably not.

STACK
4 Jalan Klapa,
Singapore 199316
Tel: +65 6904 8117
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bugis