We always believe that the best way to barbecue meat is over charcoal. It gives it that subtle hint of smokiness that elevates its overall flavour. Wang Dae Bak has long been our go-to for a seriously good Korean BBQ meal and until this day, it is still one of our top choices when we’re craving Korean barbecue.

Most Korean BBQ places in Singapore use an electric grill where the heat can be adjusted accordingly. However, Wang Dae Bak prefers to use charcoal instead and we absolutely love it. This gives our meats a nice char and a delightful taste that far exceeds that of cooking on an electric grill.

Wang Dae Bak has been around for years but they still garner a huge crowd and snaking queues, especially during peak hours. Call ahead to reserve a seat if you want to skip the long wait. Here’s what we love about Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant.

Treat yourself and splurge on their premium meats because it is worth every cent. We typically go for the Boneless Prime Rib, Marinated Chicken, Pork Belly and Marinated Shoulder-Loin.

We do recommend going for a good variety of marinated and non-marinated meats to get a taste of their best offerings. Since chicken is not as flavourful on its own without seasoning or a marinade, the Marinated Chicken is a great choice, even more so when wrapped with some fresh lettuce leaves and kimchi.

The Boneless Prime Rib is, of course, a must. The gorgeous marbling of the beef creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked to a nice medium to medium-rare.

Besides their host of fantastic meats, try the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup or Kimchi Pancake for a complete meal and a more rounded out experience.

Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant
22 Cross Street
#01-64 China Square Central
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6225 2646
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer

Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel we were staying at in Ho Chi Minh City, sits cosy little pho joint, Mama Pho Restaurant. The seemingly cafe-style establishment serves up pho as well as other local delights but how it differs from those you get from the streets is a massive variety of pho types, as well as sides.

Mama Pho has a stellar pho-centric menu, featuring not only different flavours of the classic soup-based pho. Here is where you’ll find unique pho-based creations such as their Crispy Pan-Fried Pho, Rolled Pho and even Wok-Fried Pho.

You won’t find many locals dining here given its higher price point, but here’s why we think that Mama Pho is worth a visit regardless.

Stepping into the cosy little joint, you’ll be greeted by gorgeous floor tiles and comfortable seating. The wait staff was attentive and their strong air-conditioning really relaxed us after a long day of walking in the heat.

We went right for the unique Pho Sate Bo (78,000 VND, S$4.61) which is essentially beef pho but served in a rich peanut-based broth instead.

The pho broth was incredibly unique and we liked that it wasn’t overly rich, complementing the springy rice noodles and tender beef slices to perfection. After trying so many bowls of pho, we were glad to dig into something a little different.

We were torn between the Wok-Fried Pho and Crispy Pan-Fried Pho but we settled for the latter.

The Pho Ap Chau Tom & Rau Cu (Sautéed Shrimp & Vegetables over Crispy Pan-Fried Pho, 78,000 VND, SS$4.61) was, unfortunately, a little too tough to bite through.

For a light nibble before your meal, order up the Cahn Ga Chien Sa Nghe (Fried Lemongrass & Turmeric Chicken, 48,000VND, S$2.84). This deep-fried chicken wing delight comes served with a sweet chilli sauce on the side but truly, it stood up well on its own.

The chicken wings were marinated well and who can dislike the combination of turmeric and chicken, fried to golden perfection?

There were a few hits and misses during our visit but despite that, Mama Pho certainly deserves praise for their unique pho creations. Which one will you be trying?

Mama Pho Restaurant
111, Hem so 9, Ben Nghé
Quan 1, Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Tel: +84 28 3915 1009

Phuc Long Coffee & Tea is essentially the Starbucks of Vietnam, with outlets sprawling all over Ho Chi Minh City at literally every corner.

This Vietnamese-born chain is best known for their tea and their iced teas are a big hit with many people of all ages. The outlet we visited was rather spacious and it took up 3 levels of a stretch of shophouses, and although it might resemble the look and feel of a commercial coffee and tea chain, it was far from it.

Here’s what’s actually worth ordering at Phuc Long Coffee & Tea.

We went for a Cappuccino Blast (49,000VND, S$2.89) and a Vitamin C Relaxing Fruit Smoothie (49,000VND, S$2.89) as we were craving for something refreshing.

The former was a quick kick and we instantly felt a lot more awake after a few sips. The caffeine content was pretty high but the strong roasted taste was actually really pleasant.

The latter was a nice refreshing and healthy drink that made for a good pick-me-up after our heavy pho lunch but it was nothing to shout about. Stick to their coffee and tea and you’re set.

We also picked up a croissant that we saw in their glass display but it was disappointing. We like our croissants buttery and flaky but this was the complete opposite of that.

A word of advice is to just stick to their drinks and skip the food. Just pop by and grab a quick iced coffee or tea and go about the rest of your day in the city.

Phuc Long Coffee & Tea
29 Ngo Duc Ke Q 1
Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Tel: +84 1800 6779

(Multiple outlets located within District 1)

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

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L’amant Café impresses with both their gorgeous decor and a sensational medley of tasty treats. Conveniently located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, the elaborate yet cosy café is best known for their range of Vietnamese coffee and contemporary Vietnamese dishes.

Upon stepping into L’amant Café, you will be amazed by the huge and spacious interior and the massive range of instant coffee in their retail section. From the food, the coffee and even the service, here is what we loved about L’amant Café in Ho Chi Minh City.

Craving a taste of Vietnamese coffee (after so long), we went right for the most unique item on their coffee menu—L’amant Egg Café (65,000VND, S$3.82).

Floating above strong, black Vietnamese coffee is a sweet egg custard. The frothy custardy layer was sweet, eggy and creamy and it complemented the bitter coffee exceptionally well. Having egg in coffee was something that we had never tried before and we were pleasantly surprised.

The café doesn’t have many food items on their menu since they specialise in coffee, but we went for a breakfast item that seemed (to us) like a deconstructed banh mi sandwich

Costing us 90,000VND (S$5.30), this platter consisting of fried eggs, Vietnamese pork sausages, hams, luncheon meat, cilantro and pickled vegetables arrived at our table on a sizzling hot griddle. It is then accompanied by (you guessed it) a baguette.

The dish was tasty and made for a pretty decent breakfast (and picture), but it was truly nothing exciting. We could have easily gotten a version that boasted similar flavour profiles on the streets for a fraction of the price.

It certainly is a must to pop in for a nice warm cuppa before continuing on the rest of your trip in Ho Chi Minh City, or some cafe food too if you fancy it.

L’amant Café
12 Nguyên Huê, Ben Nghé
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3827 7978
Sun to Mon: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 7.30am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, we found a cosy little wine bar in the heart of District 1—BRIX Winebar Kitchen. This cosy little bar stood out amongst the other bars in the vicinity with its sleek design and modern furniture—and considerably less dodgy appeal.

BRIX also serves a great range of charcuterie, cold cuts and cheeses on their menu that pair excellently with their wines. You can mix and match a few of your favourites to enjoy while you drink the night away.

If you’re looking for a nice and comfortable retreat in Ho Chi Minh City, you will fall in love with BRIX Winebar Kitchen.

Before we even saw the wine list, we were sold by their impressive range of cheeses and cold cuts. You can have them in 2 sizes—Platter of 3 (270,000VND, S$15.80) or Platter of 6 (540,000VND, S$31.71).

Their cold cuts selection include Honey Glazed Ham, German Beer Sausage, Parma Ham, Salami Milano and so much more. We decided on the Salami Milano.

Their cheese selection is even more impressive. Their range features cheeses such as Gruyère, Camembert, Gorgonzola and Pecorino.

The platter has a very generous serving of each cheese and cold cut we chose and it went exceptionally well with their house white wine.

Their House bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (560,000VND, S$32.90) was smooth and crisp and the wine tasted even better when enjoyed together with the salty, creamy nuggets of cheese.

If you’re looking for a bar with great vibes and wines, look no further than to BRIX Winebar Kitchen.

BRIX Winebar Kitchen
42 Pasteur Street
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam
Tel: +84 8 3825 6300
Mon to Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 1pm – 12am
Website: brixsaigon.com

Visiting night markets in any country is one of the best things to do to truly soak up a country’s culture, largely due to the amount of local street food, people and shops present. In Saigon, the popular Phan Boi Chau Night Market is a hit among tourists.

In the day, Ben Thanh Market is bustling with locals and tourists buying fresh produce and knick-knacks. When night falls, the area surrounding Ben Thanh Market comes to life and the Phan Boi Chau Night Market emerges. In District 1, Phan Boi Chau Night Market is the most populated night market as they open daily from 7pm.

When we arrived, we were slightly disappointed by the size and crowd of the night market. However, that didn’t stop us from exploring it in its entirety. Should you visit the Phan Boi Chau Night Market? Let’s break it down for you.

PRODUCE AND PRODUCTS

There were a number of stalls around the market offering Vietnamese products, produce and snacks in the night market. However, we did realise that they were priced slightly higher than the exact same ones we saw in the day at another street stall.

While the price difference wasn’t a huge issue for us as it was not significant, we were thoroughly underwhelmed by the variety of items sold at the stalls.

Tip: Check the prices of the items you want in the day before purchasing anything here. It’s harder to bargain for snacks and produce compared to fashion items such as bags, clothing and accessories.

FOOD & DRINKS

There were roughly only 2 to 3 stalls here that offer full sit-down meals and dishes. The majority of the stalls offer seafood and a number of standard Vietnamese dishes priced higher than regular street stalls.

Tip: Ask for the prices before ordering anything as most of the seafood items do not have a specific price on the menu and you might be conned into paying way more than what it’s worth.

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

If you compare the retail stalls at other night markets to Phan Boi Chau Night Market, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Most stalls offer only touristy t-shirts and every single bag stall here sells the exact same thing. There are a ton of fake luxury goods here, from branded bags to even sneakers.

Tip: You can bargain easily, especially if you purchase more than one item, as long as you don’t quote too ridiculous a price to annoy the stall owners.

VERDICT: HIT OR MISS?

Phan Boi Chau Night Market was just immensely underwhelming for us and it lacked the fun and exciting atmosphere of most of the markets we’ve visited in Asia. Many of the shops sell similar items and there really isn’t much variety with regards to street snacks and apparel.

Phan Boi Chau Night Market
32-30, 36-34-32-30 Phan Boi Châu
Phuoung Ben Thành, Quan 1
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 7pm – 11.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

The bustling and vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City is the busiest and most populated area in the whole of Vietnam. Named after the late leader of Vietnam, people flock to this colourful city for its friendly people, incredible street food and rich history. For foodies like ourselves, our quest for the best food in Ho Chi Minh City started from the streets.

It is in the streets that you find the best of their street food with the most authentic flavours. Everywhere you stroll in Ho Chi Minh City, you will see a variety of road-side vendors dishing out tasty street food and passing them on to busy motorists or see groups of people sitting on tiny plastic stools enjoying their street food by the sidewalk.

We’ve tasted some of the best street food in Ho Chi Minh City but in our adventures, we also stumbled upon pretty disappointing ones. Here’s our Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Guide to help you find the best street food.

THE CLASSIC PHO BÒ (BEEF NOODLE SOUP)

When you think of Vietnamese food, most people will have pho on their minds. It is the country’s national dish after all.

You can find Pho in just about every street corner in Vietnam. The most common Pho is Pho Bo, or Beef Pho but you can easily find other variations such as Pho Ga (Chicken Pho). While we tried our best to find the best Pho Bo in random alleyways and street corners, our favourite Pho was still the one at Pho Phuong 25, a pho joint just beside the famous Lunch Lady.

Besides the tender cuts of beef and generous portions of other beef parts such as tendon and beef balls, the broth of their pho bo is just sensational. The slightly darker clear broth brimmed with flavour and each mouthful bore an intense meaty quality. Your trip to Ho Chi Minh City will not be complete without a trip here.

Our favourite Pho in Ho Chi Minh City:
Pho Phuong 25
25 Hoàng Sa Da Kao, Quan 1, Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam

Verdict: #1 must-try street food Ho Chi Minh City.

BÁNH MÌ (VIETNAMESE SANDWICH)

Whenever you need a quick and satisfying bite on the go in Vietnam, people go right for a Bahn Mi, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich popular all over the world. Like Pho, Bahn Mi is found is every street corner, available in fancy food joints and street stalls any where in Ho Chi Minh City.

Bahn Mi usually features a baguette sandwich with pork paté, a variety of cooked meats, Vietnamese hams and sausages, pickled vegetables, chilli, coriander and more. You can also customise your own Bahn Mi in most places. While we thoroughly enjoyed the Bahn Mis we had in Ho Chi Minh City, nothing really stood out for us.

Verdict: Worth a try just for the experience. .

BÁNH TRÁNG NUONG (RICE PANCAKE)

While strolling around in the city, we passed by a couple of road-side stalls offering the Bánh Tráng Nuong. It is a type of rice cracker more commonly found in Ho Chi Minh City (in Southern Vietnam). A rice paper sheet is toasted over a charcoal fire to a nice crisp before being topped up with ingredients such as diced vegetables, cream cheese, quail eggs, minced meat and a variety of sauces.

For just about S$1, this pancake was one of the highlights of our trip. Each bite was an explosion of savoury, umami flavours and each bite came with a pleasant crunch. If you see a stall like this around Ho Chi Minh City, do not hesitate!

Verdict: Extremely satisfying, a must to try if you see it around.

COLOURFUL GLUTINOUS RICE

When strolling around the Phan Boi Chau Night Market, we were privy to a street cart offering gorgeous colourful glutinous rice desserts topped with coconut cream and desiccated coconut. We quickly ordered up a serving without first asking for a price. We chose a mix of colours and the total came up to about S$9 for a pathetically small portion.

The sticky rice was hard and not cooked well and the coconut cream made the taste one dimensional. We quickly tossed the dessert away after a bite or two because it was that bad. These street carts hang around the night market and serve tourists exclusively to trick them into buying a portion. You have been warned!

Verdict: Do not try unless you’re recommended by a local. Check the prices beforehand.

VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS

You can find Goi Cuon or Vietnamese Spring Rolls every where in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can find street vendors offering them and restaurants serving them as a start or side. On our trip to Ho Chi Minh City, we realised that many locals enjoy this dish as a full-fledged meal. They would gobble up 4 to 6 of these rolls before going about the rest of their day.

We are huge fans of Vietnamese Spring Rolls and each refreshing bite really whets our appetites for more food. Each roll features rice wrappers stuffed with shrimp, Thai basil, mint leaves, coriander, lettuce and more. Dip it in some hoisin sauce and you’re good to go.

Verdict: Must-try street food, easy to consume and great for any time of the day.

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Tucked away on a street in Samcheong-dong in Seoul, GLOBO Coffee Faktory is an unassuming cafe front with a gorgeous secret hideout deep within it. If you stroll into the cafe, you will be greeted by a massive coffee roaster as the cafe roasts their own beans.

We knew we had to have a taste of their coffee after being pleasantly overwhelmed by the aroma of coffee beans. Little did we know that deeper into the cafe, is a patio with indoor and alfresco seating with natural sunlight streaming in. How delightful!

The patio at the back of the cafe is probably one of the most photogenic spots we have stumbled upon in Seoul, South Korea. The quiet and intimate ambience makes the patio a great place to sit and relax for a bit while sipping on some amazing coffee.

The patio area is amazing. The contrast of old and new makes the area so ethereal. Think bamboo bench seats, white stones and potted plants alongside cobalt blue sofa seats and Parisian-like white tables and chairs. However, if the weather is too warm, you can also take a respite from the sun indoors.

The indoor seating area just beside the patio is small but cosy with gold and marble tables and comfortable sofa seats. You can read, catch up on work or simply relax with a drink or a dessert here for a calm and stress-free afternoon.

To order some drinks and desserts, you would have to head to the front of the cafe where the massive roaster is. We purchased an Iced Latte, Iced Matcha Latte and a Tiramisu cake as a light snack before lunch.

The coffee is just as fantastic as we anticipated. The aroma of the coffee was distinct, even in an iced latte. The beans tasted different from the usual Australian beans we have regularly. It was stronger and packed a punch.

The Iced Matcha Latte was nothing to shout about but it was a pleasant treat nonetheless. It was not overly sweet and it went well with the dessert we ordered. The Tiramisu was light and the sponge cake inside was fluffy and airy.

GLOBO Coffee Faktory
Sa jik dong, Jong no gu
Seoul 03044
South Korea
Tel: +82 2-722-7848
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 11am – 6pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 8.30pm

Punggol is a residential neighbourhood with modern facilities and entertainment; there are now more people venturing to Punggol to explore the latest happenings in the North East side of Singapore—and of course, to indulge in some seriously good bites as well.

Wander around The Punggol Settlement and catch amazing sunsets there—the scenic view of red and pink hues in the sky is a sight to behold for sure. Even shopping has turned up a notch after the opening of Waterway Point, a massive mall that has basically everything you would need.

Here are 7 Things You Can Do in Punggol—Shopping Sprees, Food Adventures, Movies & More!

#1 WATERWAY POINT HAS EVERYTHING YOU WILL EVER NEED

Residents of Punggol and Sengkang have a town of their own.

With the addition of major brands to Waterway Point such as H&M, Cotton On, Uniqlo, Daiso and so much more, you do not need to head down to Orchard Road for shopping anymore!

#2 CYCLE AT CONEY ISLAND

A 10-minute walk from The Punggol Settlement, Coney Island is a picturesque island with majestic trees you do not normally see on the streets of Singapore. It is extremely accessible whether you are going by foot or cycling.

If you wish to choose the latter, there are bicycle rental shops nearby that rent out bicycles on hourly rates.

#3 EXPLORE PUNGGOL PARK CONNECTOR

Punggol is a massive place but do not be intimidated! We suggest taking the park connector to have a stroll or jog, as you admire the flora and fauna while taking in fresh air. We love how the estate is progressive, while some parts of the land are still relatively untouched by modernisation.

#4 FEAST LIKE KINGS

The meal possibilities at Punggol are endless, with choices such as @Punggol, The Punggol Settlement, Waterway Point and more. All these places are equipped with ample parking spaces and can be accessed by public transport.

Think traditional Chinese zi char to upmarket restaurants and familiar food chains—there is something for everyone in the family.

#5 PRAWNING

You can settle for some prawning at Hai Bin Prawning at @Punggol after a great meal at one of the restaurants there (we recommend Whisk & Paddle, our go-to restaurant for no-frills and delicious cafe fare).

The cost of prawning is relatively inexpensive and it is a communal activity that you can enjoy with your friends, partner or family.

#6 INDOOR WATER THEME PARK

The SAFRA Indoor Water Playground, Splash @ Kidz Amaze, is the first of its kind in Singapore. This kid-friendly attraction is where you can expect to have a ball of time here with the little ones.

#7 PLAY FUTSAL, SNOOKER & POOL

Besides prawning, you can also book Futsal courts or have some fun playing pool or snooker at @Punggol. Time to call your mates down for a friendly game of football!

Walking down Craig Road in Tanjong Pagar, it would be easy to miss the unassuming Kko Chi Bar, a Korean BBQ skewer restaurant. It took us quite awhile to find the restaurant as it was tucked away in a corner with a signboard featuring only Korean words. However, our little adventure to Kko Chi Bar was just so worth it.

The restaurant is run by a Korean owner who spent most of his early life in China, hence the menu has a very distinct Chinese influence. Each table has an interesting auto-rotating BBQ machine where you can simply place the skewers on and the machine rolls each skewer periodically to ensure that the meats and vegetables are cooked evenly.

The menu is pretty straightforward with a huge variety of skewers and other classic Korean dishes that you would find at any Korean restaurant. You can either pick from the a la carte menu or go for the value-for-money skewer sets.

The Set A (2 pax, S$45) is a great choice for those dining in a pair as it features a whopping 24 skewers that you can enjoy. The set includes–Chicken Skewers, Marbled Beef Skewers, Lamb Skewers, Sliced Lamb Chop Skewers, Pork Belly Skewers, Pork Belly with Enoki Mushroom, Shishamo Skewers, Grilled Mushroom Skewers, Garlic Moss Skewers and Mushroom Skewers.

Each set comes with banchan such as Kimchi and white rice to complement the skewers. You will also be served 2 condiments, a non-spicy dry dip and a sweet and spicy Korean-style chilli sauce. Each skewer was delicious but the spicy Lamb Skewers were a stand-out.

The lamb is dry-rubbed with Szechuan-style spices that reminded us of good ol’ Ma La Xiang Guo. The gaminess of the lamb is rid completely as the spices complement the juicy meat outstandingly well.

Kko Chi Bar
10 Craig Rd
Singapore 089670
Tel: +65 9730 4433
Daily: 6pm to 3pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Along the popular street of Jalan Dhoby, lies Flowers in the Window, a gorgeous garden-themed café by the folks behind Roost just a couple of units down on the same street. Jalan Dhoby is known to have some of Johor Bahru’s best cafés and the street is just a stone’s throw away from the border.

After clearing the immigration, you can easily walk over to the street and enjoy a huge range of popular restaurants and cafés. Flowers in the Window is hard to miss. Their gorgeous exterior is decorated with plants and so much greenery that you will feel like you are stepping into a secret garden café.

This stunning café occupies two levels. Level one features their main café area where the baristas do their magic with a few seated tables. Level two is the roof of the two-storey building and it features comfortable sofa seats in a spacious area.

This whimsical café is a sight to behold. Every corner of it is Insta-worthy and beautiful.

We waited around 20 minutes on a Saturday afternoon and was promptly seated on the first floor. During a second visit, we managed to snag a seat on the top floor sofa seats.

The first floor had an open kitchen and you can watch the baristas whip up your drink of choice while you marvel at the greenery within the café.

Flowers in the Window rotate their cake and dessert offerings every day. During our first visit, we went for one that stood out most to us–Earl Grey Cake (RM14). This grey cake was a sight to behold and it actually tasted even better, much to our surprise.

The buttercream on the outside was done just right, slightly sweet without overpowering the taste of the actual cake. The cake had a cake pop-like texture but the taste was just fantastic!

Flowers in the Window is definitely a place that you have to visit the next time you go for a day trip to Johor Bahru.

Flowers in the Window
9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-222 7489
Wed to Mon: 10pm – 8pm
Closed: Tuesday

For more recommendations, read our Johor Bahru guides to discover the best places to go to.

During our stay in Swan Valley—Western Australia—we visited many beautiful vineyards and wineries which we will never find in urban Singapore. In Swan Valley, vineyards are abundant and they are stunning, to say the least.

Even in early spring, vineyards boast a magnificent view and we were impressed by how massive they are and the excellent wines that are produced from the high-quality grapes that require attentive care. From whites to reds and even fortified options, you can find just about any variety here.

For your next visit to Swan Valley, here are the 7 Must-Visit Wineries & Vineyards for the perfect day trip from Perth.

COWARD & BLACK WINERY

Over at Coward & Black Winery, visitors can look forward to fun Chocolate and Wine pairing masterclasses where you get to taste an array of their signature wines.

For reds,  the sophisticated Cabernet Sauvignon os highly recommended and the favourites for whites are the Chenin Blanc and Sweet & Light.

5123 West Swan Road
West Swan WA 6055, Australia
Daily: 9am – 5pm

MANDOON ESTATE

Mandoon Estate is one of the biggest wineries and craft breweries in Swan Valley and it is home to some of the best wines in Western Australia.

Our pick of the night was unanimously the Grenache—it was love at first sip and everything about this wine also enhanced the taste of our dinner mains.

10 Harris Rd
Caversham WA 6055, Australia

OAKOVER GROUNDS

Oakover Grounds shares the same space as FiORi Coffee and has a nice industrial warehouse-style interior on the inside, and a huge lake outside where you can feed the fishes.

They have a great range of whites that surprised us with how clear they were, instead of the usual yellowish-white we see. Light, fruity and easy to drink, the white wines were definitely the stars of the show.

14 Yukich Cl
Middle Swan WA 6056, Australia
Wed to Sun: 8am – 3.30pm

OLIVE FARM WINES

As one of the oldest wineries in Swan Valley, Olive Farm Wines is a must-visit destination. Having relocated from South Guildford, the new space that they have taken up is shared with The Cheese Barrel in Millendon.

The wines here are classics but we suggest trying out their fortified wines which are essentially brandy-infused wines that have a touch of toffee sweetness to it and a higher alcohol content.

920 Great Northern Hwy
Millendon WA 6056, Australia
Daily: 11am – 5pm

PINELLI ESTATE WINES

One of our favourite wineries by far, this Italian family-run winery has an exceptional bottle of Durif that is only produced in small amounts.

For only S$36 a bottle, all of us were wowed by the firm and not-too-acidic taste that made the wine easy to drink.

30 Bennett St
Caversham WA 6055, Australia
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm

SANDALFORD WINES

It is hard to pick a favourite amongst the variety of wines we got to try there (not that we are complaining) and we love how Sandalford conducts wine tours so visitors get a taste and first-hand view of how their wines are made and kept in the barrels.

One of the most unforgettable experiences during the wine tour was when we got the chance to sample an aged fortified wine straight out of the barrel!

3210 West Swan Rd
Caversham WA 6055, Australia
Daily: 10am – 5pm

WINDY CREEK ESTATE

Hands down one of the most relaxing wineries in Swan Valley, you must not leave without trying Windy Creek Estate’s Chenin Blanc which is best paired with seafood or pork dishes.

Sip on your wine while admiring the fantastic view at the same time—this is how life should be like.

27 Stock Rd
Herne Hill WA 6056, Australia
Tue to Sun: 11am – 5pm

Traveling from Perth? You can read our 5D4N Perth Itinerary over here.

Nestled within a residential area, Anthracite Coffee Roasters stands out amongst the buildings surrounding it. Anthracite Coffee Roasters is a café chain in Seoul, South Korea and this particular outlet in Yongsan-gu is our favourite. The café occupies the entire old building, with an open-space terrace on the second floor.

The impressive interior excited us the moment we stepped in. The first floor is the main counter area where the skilled baristas whip up aromatic cuppas for you to enjoy. The backdrop of the counter is a digital wall mural that displays futuristic and cosmic digital art that adds a little something extra to the gorgeous architecture and interior design.

You can grab a beverage and snack of your choice and head to level 2, where the main seating area is. If the weather is nice and cool, you can even grab a seat outside on the terrace.

No matter what coffee you like, they have the works. Enjoy the original splendour of coffee with their range of Espressos which they have beautifully named–Pablo Neruda, Natsume Soseki and William Blake–some of the most celebrated poets in history. The complex flavours of good coffee mirror an alluring poem, both enticing the body and soul of the consumer.

They specialise in both single origin and a carefully-curated list of house blend coffee that you can choose from. You can pick from a plethora of different single origin choices such as–Ethiopia, Kenya, Honduras and Guatelama, each with its own one-of-a-kind flavours and aromas.

As the weather was pretty warm in Seoul on the particular day of our visit, we opted for an Iced Latte (6,000 Won), using their own signature house blend beans. From one coffee lover to another, we can tell that a lot of effort was put in to create this ideal blend of coffee here.

The Piora Original Iced Tea (6,500 Won) was a delightful and refreshing treat but it fell short of impressing us after we had a taste of the amazing coffee whipped up by the baristas. So we say, skip the tea and stick to what they do best.

Anthracite Coffee Roasters in a must visit in Seoul if you are a huge fan of coffee. Even if you are not obsessed with coffee, a trip here might just make you one!

Anthracite Coffee Roasters
738-20 Hannam-dong
Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-797-7009
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

Artbox Singapore garnered massive crowds and was a huge success last year. Hence, it is no surprise that this wildly-popular creative market from Bangkok will be returning this year and it will be almost 3 times bigger than last year’s edition to accommodate more people and vendors.

The event showcases local and Thai entrepreneurs dishing out creative and ‘hipster’ snacks and other knick-knacks such as designer bags and jewellery. Here’s what you should know about Artbox Singapore 2018.

This year’s event will take up 140,000 square feet, featuring hundreds of vendors. While we were not thrilled that Artbox 2017 was a packed nightmare with virtually no walking space and parking lots around, we are confident that the organisers will do a better job this time around with the bigger event space.

We were greeted by a plethora of creative and colourful snacks and drinks at last year’s Artbox and we expect to be wowed by even more unique and delicious grub.

We look forward to a better-planned event this year with more spacious walking rows and great live music. The verdict is not out on whether this year’s event is worth a visit but we are certainly hopeful.

Artbox Singapore 2018
When: 25 – 27 May 2018, 01 – 03 June 2018
Where: Bayfront Event Space (beside Marina Bay Sands)
From: 3pm – 11pm

Just a short 3-minute walk from City Square Mall in Johor Bahru, Kam Long Curry Fish Head is a top choice of many locals and Singaporeans who frequent the eatery for its affordable and delicious Curry Fish Head.

Whether you are visiting on a weekday or weekend, there is always a snaking queue here. The reason is simple—the curry fish head is unique and pocket-friendly! At just S$7 for a small portion (good for 2 to 4 people), you get a bang for your buck for this huge and delicious bowl of curry packed with incredible flavours!

You need to add this to your itinerary the next time you visit Johor Bahru. Kam Long Curry Fish Head is truly a gem!

It is no surprise that this little food joint is so popular. With a simple search online, you will find tons of reviews of the amazing curry fish head here.

The prices here are so affordable. For a mere RM24, you get a massive portion of the curry fish head that is more than enough to feed 2. We found that the small fish head portion was just right for us as we were especially ravenous after queueing for about half an hour.

You have to get to the restaurant early as they run out around mid-afternoon. The curry fish head comes with a fresh fish head, beancurd skin and lots of vegetables! The fish is oh-so-fresh and the tender flesh falls apart off the bone easily.

The curry is a whole new level of awesome and tasted nothing like we have ever tasted. It is so delicious that we were spooning it into our mouths directly! It wasn’t too spicy but packed a punch, for sure.

Is Kam Long Curry Fish Head worth a visit? Definitely. This unique Curry Fish Head will change the way you feel about the dish.

Kam Long Curry Fish Head
74, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-752 8382
Daily: 8am – 4pm

Established in 2006, Quaich Bar is the first whisky bar in Singapore which houses more than 500 whiskies, of which 95% are sourced from boutique distilleries in Scotland.

It is quintessentially a heaven on earth for all whisky lovers. Many of the whiskies are also exclusive to Quaich Bary and they cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The owners of Quaich Bar take pride in sourcing for the best whiskies from around the world. These one-of-a-kind whiskies should be enough for you to pay this sleek bar at South Beach Avenue a visit!

Gather your fellow whisky enthusiasts to further hone your appreciation and understanding of whisky at the Quaich Bar. Tutored tastings are available for a group of between 4 to 6 pax for the Flavours of Singapore Malt tasting set. Prices range from S$45 onwards for 4 tasting portions.

We had a taste of a few exquisite single malts such as the Hazelburn Aged 12 Years, Bunnahabhain Aged 12 Years, Deanston Virgin Oak and Ledaig Aged 10 Years, each with its own unique flavour.

There is also a cosy private room at Quaich Bar where you can book in advance for intimate dates, corporate meetings or small gatherings with you and your pals. Prices for whisky by the glass range from S$17 to S$416 and S$200 to a whopping S$32,000 for a bottle.

Quaich Bar
30 Beach Road, #01-16 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 6386 5366
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

Strolling around the Myeong-dong district in Seoul, South Korea, you will find that Korean Fried Chicken joints are aplenty. However, one spot that was highly recommended to us was Noo Na Hol Dak. They have several outlets in Seoul but we visited the one right in the heart of Myeong-dong.

Upon stepping in, we found out for ourselves just how popular they are with both locals and tourists alike. The restaurant is spacious, making it a great place for communal gatherings and casual hangs with friends or colleagues. Beer is the beverage of choice to complement fried chicken—but of course.

The menu was pretty simple, focusing on what they do best: Korean-style chicken. Since Noo Na Hol Dak is well-known for their oven-baked chicken, we opted for the basic Crispy Baked Boneless Chicken (W16,900) and pints of Cass beer to enjoy.

You have the option of having chicken on the bone (wings and drumlets) or boneless and we opted for the latter for ease of consumption. The chicken came in a huge sharing portion with two sauces on the side: black pepper sauce and tangy sweet chili sauce.

Digging into our first chicken piece, we noticed that the chicken was lean and a lot less greasy since it was baked instead of deep-fried.

The chicken skin was still crisp and tasty and the meat inside was so tender! The sauces on the side did not wow us though; they were simple accompaniments that had no actual added value to the chicken. The chicken tasted better on its own and we highly recommend that you have it this way!

Some shoe-string fries are thrown in on the side for you to munch on. If you love beer, do not miss out on their draft beer Cass. The beer is served icy cold. Beer and fried chicken is a match made in heaven, no doubt!

While the oven-baked chicken was not exceptionally spectacular, we liked the overall experience at Noo Na Hol Dak. It is the place to go after a long day of shopping or sight-seeing if you are ever in the Myeong-dong neighbourhood.

Noo Na Hol Dak
Hotel Ibis Ambassador Seoul
Myeong-dong, 78 Namdaemun-ro
Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-6361-8353
Nearest Station: Myeong-dong

Image: www.foodtolove.co.nz

Let us get this straight: there is no such thing as Singapore Noodles.

If you are a frequent traveler, you might have chanced upon restaurant menus overseas, especially in the Western states, that has ‘Singapore Noodles’ on the menu.

Often, these servings of Singapore Noodles consists of stir-fried or wok-fried curried vermicelli noodles with vegetables, fried eggs and meat. Sliced chicken, pork, beef or even de-shelled shrimps are very commonly used in the mix. Although all of this sounds delicious, Singaporeans will vehemently scoff at it. Because Singapore Noodles just doesn’t exist in Singapore!

Instead, we have many more amazing noodle options.

We were curious to find out the origin of Singapore Noodles because being born and bred here in Singapore, we want to know who actually created this dish. Just like Chicken Tikka Masala, the roots of the dish do not match up with the actual dish itself. If you did not already know, Chicken Tikka Masala was not created in India, but by the British who adopted the flavours of Indian dishes to create their own. Surprise, surprise!

Diving into the web, we actually discovered that the first known records of Singapore Noodles being sold is actually in Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong. Gradually, with globalisation, it made its way to several different other Western countries.

Now, we are not local food snobs but we know for sure that Singapore has the best variety of noodle dishes that are arguably so much better than Singapore Noodles. Not convinced? Here are some of our absolute favourite quintessentially Singaporean noodles dishes.

#1 CHAR KWAY TEOW

From the smoky wok hei to the ultra-tasty noodles, cockles, sausages and eggs, this is highly-rated on our list.

#2 BAK CHOR MEE

What makes traditional minced meat noodles (or what locals call the ‘bak chor mee’) so special is the tart vinegar taste coupled with “QQ” or springy noodles and minced pork; the perfect combination!

#3 HOKKIEN MEE

Some like it wetter (cooked with more stock), some like it drier. For us, as long as it’s tasty Hokkien Mee with kickass chillii, we are up for it!

#4 MEE SIAM

This traditional Malay/Nyonya dish has it all: spice, tanginess and intense flavours.

#5 LOR MEE

Lor Mee stalls are quickly vanishing. However, there are still a couple of good ones left. We love diving into a warm bowl with generous zhap (rich sauce) and lots of minced garlic!

#6 WANTON NOODLES

Wanton Noodles dry with green chilli is a favourite of many Singaporeans, especially if it also comes with delicious char siew!

#7 PRAWN NOODLES

Prawn Noodles are nothing without its rich (and oily) broth, made from hours of simmering prawn heads, pork ribs and a variety of spices. A good bowl of Prawn Noodles is our comfort on a rainy day.

#8 LAKSA

Lastly, no one can say that they hate laksa—a creamy spicy vermicelli soup dish topped with prawns, fish cakes, eggs and more! The fresher the coconut milk, the more fragrant the broth!

Being blessed and content living in a multi-racial society such as Singapore is a privilege that many people overlook. This diversity is what brings our little nation together, fusing people from all backgrounds and cultures into one big and happy family.

With this, it brings us the opportunity to explore these races and their specific cultures in a more in-depth setting—with various monuments, religious buildings, heritage centers and more that are available to us at any time and are generally free to visit.

As a local, you can always take a day off or use a day of your weekend to take a breather and immerse yourself in Singapore’s heritage. If you are visiting from overseas, this will be your definitive guide to do all these things in a span of a day. Here is How to Explore Singapore’s Heritage in A Day For Free.

GENERAL SINGAPORE HERITAGE

A visit to the national museum will kick-start your day on a high. Head over here after your breakfast and spend at least an hour or two reading about Singapore’s heritage and marvel at the art structures.

Time: 11am
Where to visit: National Museum of Singapore
Cost: FREE (for locals), S$10 for foreign visitors
Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
(Opens from 10pm to 7pm daily)

MALAY HERITAGE AT KAMPONG GLAM

Pick a nice lunch spot, if you can, head to one of the traditional Malay eateries in the vicinity of Kampong Glam for the most authentic and tasty eats. The Sultan Mosque is a must-see and we can promise you that it is beautiful.

Time: 2pm (After Lunch)
Where to visit: Kampong Glam Conservation Area & Sultan Mosque
Cost: FREE
Address: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833

A VISIT TO LITTLE INDIA

The epitome of Indian culture lies right here. Take a walk down the smaller streets to truly get a glimpse of the shops and the daily life. Remember to have some authentic Indian curries and food and maybe have a peek at Mustafa, a huge convenience store with the best bargains.

Time: 4pm
Where to visit:
Cost: FREE
Address: General Little India Area (MRT: Little India or Farrer Park)

CHINATOWN ADVENTURE

Before you end your day, head down to Chinatown for dinner at a Chinese restaurant, then proceed on to shop bargains and other lovely products in the vicinity. The Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple are must-sees.

Time: 7pm (after dinner)
Where to visit: Sri Mariamman Temple & Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Cost: FREE
Address: 288 & 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840

ANOTHER MUST-VISIT ATTRACTION

(If you have extra time) You can visit Haw Par Villa. We left this as an optional place to head to as it is pretty far away from the rest of the places mentioned but it is filled with rich history of Chinese mythology and folklore that are not to be missed.

Where to visit: Haw Par Villa
Cost: FREE
Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, 118628
(Opens from 9am to 6pm daily)

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

How many calories are there in the food that you eat every day? There is always a negative connotation when it comes to calories. You might not know exactly what it is but you do know that too much of it is not good.

A calorie is actually a unit of energy and it basically means your energy consumption through eating, drinking, and energy usage through any physical activities. So calories are extremely important in our everyday lives—but in the right amounts. Unhealthy food such as deep-fried or processed food have an unhealthy amount of calories and your regular everyday activities are not enough to burn it all away.

Do you actually know how many calories there are in your favourite sinful foods that you binge-eat when no one is looking? Here’s just how unhealthy they are! You are welcome.

#1 BANGERS & MASH

Calories: 457* per serving

#2 CHICKEN TACOS

Calories: 189* per piece

#3 EGG FRIED RICE

Calories: 163* per serving

#4 KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

Calories: 130* per piece

#5 LIU SHA BAO

Calories: 326* per piece

#6 MAC & CHEESE

Calories: 164* per serving

#7 PIZZA

Calories: 285* per slice

#8 ROTI PRATA & CURRY

Calories: 797* (2 pieces of prata + a bowl of curry)

#9 PIE

Calories: 370* per serving

#10 SPICY INSTANT NOODLES & EGG

Calories: 504* per serving

*Figures are a rough estimate from several sources including USDA, FitBit & Sparkpeople.