It might surprise you that the word “sushi” does not translate to raw fish. Rather, it is an old term that means “sour” which is used in reference to Japanese grains that are mixed with vinegar to make the rice we use for sushi.

Styles and presentation of sushi varies widely but sushi originally began as just fish that was fermented with salt and rice after rice was discarded. It was over time that people began to eat the rice as well as the fish. Subsequently, vinegar was used in place of fermented rice, creating the fast food we have today that we strongly associate with Japanese culture.

Which kind of sushi is your favourite?

SAKE & AJI NIGIRI

TAMAGO & EBI NIGIRI

IKURA & UNI MAKI

SUSHI ROLLS

ONIGIRI & TEMAKI

If travelling to Japan is on your bucket list, one of the toughest questions you might first face is, “which city?” and you’ll want to consider Osaka as long as you’re guided by your tummy.

This city is tenka no daidokoro, which is its affectionate national nickname as “the kitchen of Japan” where epicures make a gastronomic pilgrimage. Kuidaore, which means to eat yourself into bankruptcy, is huge in Osaka’s history and culture.

If you’re looking for the best places for nosh without breaking the bank though, we recommend starting on the streets and Dotonbori in the Namba district is one of the principal destinations for this. It might feel like food is shouting at you from the teeming street vendors with their myriad of treats. If you’re excited to eat your way through this culinary paradise, we’ve gathered 8 soul foods that originated in Osaka for you to keep an eye out for.

HORUMONYAKI

You might have heard of yakiniku (grilled meat) which, although is very strictly Korean in origin, is said to be brought to Japan by a Korean living in Osaka. While yakiniku typically uses high-grade meat, horumonyaki uses pork and beef offal or innards.

It’s a typical option on the menus of most yakiniku and izakaya joints in Osaka so prepare yourselves to find animal parts you might never have expected to eat.

Photo Credit: agoda

GRILLED KANI

Kani is crab in Japanese and you should get grilled kani as well as kani miso. You’ll find crab legs cooked over charcoal which gives its sweet flesh a smoky aroma. Kani miso is usually served in a crab shell and it’s miso made from crab roe and its internal organs.

If you’re walking along Dotonbori, you’ll likely chance upon a huge mechanical crab hanging on the walls of one of the buildings. That’s where you’ll find Kani Doraku Dotombori Honten, which is a seafood shop that specialises in crustaceans. It’s highly recommended that you try kani there.

Photo Credit: jpvisitor

IKAYAKI

Ikayaki refers to a whole baked or grilled squid in Japan. In Osaka though, it usually refers to a ”squid pancake” which is their regional style specialty. It’s like a folded crepe with a mixture of chopped squid and batter between two iron plates. Sometimes, it also has eggs.

It’s pretty similar to okonomiyaki because it’s can be topped with rich Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise. It only takes a minute to cook which makes it a popular fast food to get.

Photo Credit: Experience Japan with Yuka

KITSUNE UDON

Kitsune udon is a standard udon with a piece of aburaage which is deep-fried tofu that’s simmered in a sweet sauce. Kitsune means “fox” and its significance to Japan lies in Shintoism which is Japan’s major religion. The name of this dish is derived from the saying “the fox loves deep-fried tofu”.

You can eat kitsune udon anywhere in Japan these days but its origins are rooted in Osaka. Recipes vary from place to place but the Osaka-style broth is gentle and delicate from kombu (dried kelp) and dashi (Japanese stock), giving it more balance compared to the rich flavours of most of the other foods Osaka is famed for.

KUSHIKATSU

Kushikatsu is also known as kushiage which are deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables coated with flaky bread crumbs. There’s everything from sticks of pork and seafood to shiitake mushrooms, quail eggs, and slices of lotus root.

As with the rest of the items on this list, portions, batter recipe, and ingredients differ in different parts of Japan. Look out for containers of dipping sauce which takes the flavour of your kushikatsu up a notch. What you absolutely must remember though is your manners. Don’t double dip!

Photo Credit: Digijapan

NEGIYAKI

Negiyaki is a thin batter of flour that’s fried with liberal amounts of negi which are green onions like scallions or leek. It’s almost always described in comparison to okonomiyaki because they’re both savoury pancakes.

The main differences are that negiyaki is thinner and comes without cabbage. Sometimes, it’s stuffed with beef tendons too. It’s also eaten with soy sauce which gives it a healthier and lighter flavour.

Photo Credit: migrationology

OKONOMIYAKI

Okonomi translates to “preference” and yaki translates to “grill”. So think of okonomiyaki, as a savoury cabbage pancake with ingredients you can choose with meats and seafood to even wasabi and cheese.

They’re usually served with a thick sweet sauce, bonito flakes, aonori (dried green seaweed) and, sometimes, a zigzag of mayonnaise. The batter, toppings, and sauces can vary greatly throughout Japan though. Osaka’s style typically has a batter made from yam, with shredded cabbage, green onions, and strips of pork belly.

TAKOYAKI

Takoyaki are commonly called “octopus balls” but they basically look like cute balls of fluffy dough smothered in thick Worcestershire-style sauce. They’re usually enhanced with mayonnaise, bonito flakes, aonori, and shallots.

You can watch vendors pour dashi batter into a cast-iron plate of half-spherical moulds. They’ll add ingredients like tako (octopus) into its centre then roll it to form a ball as it cooks. Eat them hot off the griddle so they’re piping hot and creamy on the inside. It’s said they pair perfectly with cold beer, so you might spot them on izakaya (Japanese pubs) menus.

When artisanal bread was introduced to Singapore’s bakery scene, it became clear that not all bread is created equal. The long fermentation process that artisanal bakeries go through allows the dough to develop for more robust flavour and texture which gives rise to remarkable bakes.

Begin visually as you appreciate the bread’s brown hue. Feel its crispiness and breathe the perfume of the bread itself. Only then do you bite into it and take in its balanced texture of crunchy crust and fluffy soft insides. Let its complex flavours gradually develop in your mouth.

To fully experience this, we rounded up 10 specialty bakeries in Singapore if you are in it to get quality loaves and top-notch breads.

Photo Credit: bakerandcooksg

BAKER & COOK

Baker & Cook is a cosy artisanal bakery in the Holland Village neighbourhood for a place to settle into with a good read while sipping on warm cup of coffee. Bakes include cakes, fruit tarts, and bagels of which all are available for takeaway. Regardless, eating them fresh and warm on the spot is the best way to enjoy their flavours.

44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-56
Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6472 0998
Mon to Thu: 7:30am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7:30am – 10pm
Sun: 7:30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

CARPENTER & COOK

Carpenter & Cook in Upper Bukit Timah is a place that exudes vintage vibes as if you stepped back into the 1960s. Their menu includes choices such as Heavenly Croissant, Pain Au Chocolate, a simple Buttery Plain Scone or Fruit ones. You can also enjoy their daily bakes in savoury flavours such as Smoked Salmon and Avocado Croissant and their Bacon Tartines, both of which sound enticing.

19 Lorong Kilat
#01-06 Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Mon to Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: King Albert Park

Photo Credit: Choupinette Singapore

CHOUPINETTE

For a taste of France and its idyllic countryside, Choupinette is a charming little French bakery tucked away in a corner along Bukit Timah road near Coronation Plaza. The scent of their bestselling freshly baked croissants and sour dough bread fill the air as you enter. Bag them with some danishes and macarons and stay for lunch because their Eggs Benedict’s are superb.

607 Bukit Timah Road #01-01
Singapore 269708
Tel: +65 6466 0613
Tue to Sat: 7am – 7pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

ELEMENTS

Elements Cake is the bakery concept by the Fresh Fruits Lab group and they offer a range of delicious bakes including croissants, Basque Burnt Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake and tarts at reasonable prices.

Their latest creation is these assorted flavoured croissants (S$24 for a box of 6). they’ve been such a hit and makes a great gifting idea too! Our favourites are Espresso Lotus and Chocolate Almond. There are also Lychee, Oreo, Boba and Fruit Custard. How not to love?

They offer islandwide delivery and you can place your order on their website.

ENJOUÉ BAKERY

enjoué bakery works with numerous F&B brands including the Black Hole Group, Bayswater Kitchen by Privé, Redtail by Zouk, Burgernomics, and more. The sturdy crusts of their breads are imbued with the natural flavours of fermentation and have a robust mouthfeel. Their bakes include a mean collection of pastries, croissants, cookies and cakes to whet every demanding appetite.

174 Joo Chiat Road,
Singapore 427445
Tel: +65 6440 3028
Tue to Sat: 8.30am – 5pm
Sun: 8.30am – 3pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: maisonkaysersingapore

MAISON KAYSER

Maison Kayser is Eric Kayser’s eponymous bakery chain from France with sweet and savoury bakes and it has been named by Paris’ Figaro newspaper to be the best. Besides their famed croissant, they are good with classic breads, viennoiseries, snacks, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Keeping things exciting are unexpected flavours that they bring to traditional French recipes.

6 Scotts Rd, #B1-25
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6636 3672
Daily: 8:30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MOTHER DOUGH

Mother Dough was an active pop-up selling Halal artisanal bakes but has now settled in Bugis so you can get their pains au chocolat straight from their store. Their name takes inspiration from the fermentation starter used to make bread and they source flour from environmentally friendly grain millers. Their baked goodies include their crusty sourdough baguettes and warm buttery sourdough croissant.

749 North Bridge Rd, #01-01
Singapore 198717
Tel: +65 6909 6604
Tue & Thu to Sat: 12pm – 7pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
(Closed on Monday & Wednesday)
Nearest Station: Bugis/ Jalan Besar

PAUL

The largest bakery chain from France, PAUL, began doling out fresh loaves in 1889 and now has a presence in over 33 countries. Besides their must-try croissant, they have a variety of country-style and fancy breads, pre-made sandwiches, flaky pastries, and desserts that succeed because of their respect for tradition. For us, their eclairs and palmier, in particular, are to die for.

PAUL Takashimaya
391 Orchard Road, #03-16/16A/17
Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6836 5932
Mon to Thu: 9:30am – 9:30pm
Fri: 9:30am – 10:30pm
Sat: 9am – 10:30pm
Sun: 9am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

THE PROVIDORE

The Providore at Raffles Place is the perfect solution for the downtown crowd be it for dine-in lunches, after work bites, or office-friendly pickup meals. From their menu, choice of breads include sourdoughs, bagels, baguettes. They offer Danish pastries, pain au chocolat, almond croissants, and fruit scones too as well as a flourless chocolate cake that is served with vanilla gelato.

7 Raffles Place
Singapore 048625
Tel: +65 6533 1352
Mon to Sat: 8am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

THE BREAD RACK

The Bread Rack is an artisan bakery cafe near Serangoon and Kovan which specialises in freshly-baked sourdough, croissants and baguette.

It opened earlier in January 2021 and it has already garnered a following amongst residents in the neighbourhood for its delicious croissants and pastries. They bake everything on premise daily and you can be assured of the freshness of their bakes.

The Bread Rack
9 Yio Chu Kang Rd
#01-55, Space@Kovan 545523
Tel: +65 8875 5407

TIONG BAHRU BAKERY

Tiong Bahru Bakery an iconic bakery for French pastries. Their kouign amann—which is a buttery pastry or cake—as well chocolate croissants are what are wildly popular on their menu and have been dubbed as one of the bests in Singapore. There is also a dine-in area at TBB outlets where you can relax with a gourmet sandwich and a coffee.

56 Eng Hoon St, #01-70
Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 6220 3430
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

A good beer can highlight the best part of any dish if you know which kind to choose. The versatility of the drink makes beer pairing a very practical skill. A helpful tip to take away today is that light beers go with lighter dishes and heavier beers go with heavier nosh. 

But at the end of the day, what reigns supreme is your palate. If you are feeling chips with stout, go for it. Otherwise, here are a few pairing suggestions for some of the more common beer types you might come across!

Whether it tastes bitter, malty, dark, or light, keep in mind a few guidelines when drinking to get the most out of your pairing. Besides matching complementing flavours, you can pair by contrast, use your beer as a palate cleanser for dishes with strong flavours, or avoid overpowering beers that can mask the taste of your food.

Here, save this chart. It will help you enjoy your beer with food better!

Yes, you are very welcome!

While most would still be focused on all the new things to do and see in Jewel Changi Airport, this June, we are shifting our gaze away to look at all the new openings that are worthy of a stopover in the rest of the country.

We found creative dishes such as a fish fillet prepared with Twisties, as well as a durian-centric cafe, a garden-themed hideaway, and a new bubble tea concept place. Here are 10 new openings we think are worthy of your calories.

CAMACA

Camaca is a sugar-free dessert cafe, serving up indulgent treats that come without the guilt, along with a wide selection of single-origin coffees. The deceiving giant macarons on display are just packaging for the gelato inside, keeping the gelato from turning too icy so it maintains a smooth texture. They even have a special machine to “de-shell” their gelato and to churn it out in a swirl after.

9 King Albert Park #01-11 / #01-12
Singapore 598332
Tel: +65 6904 3811
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: King Albert’s Park

Photo Credit: Café de Nicole’s Flower

CAFE DE NICOLE’S FLOWER

A dog-friendly cafe that is a gorgeous addition to garden-themed F&Bs is Cafe De Nicole’s Flower. The scent of fresh flora hits you first as you enter and settle in for their all-day brunch meals such as Nicole’s Favours which features avocado toast. They also have Souffle Pancakes, Waffles, healthy and light Acai Bowls, as well as Flower Teas to wash it all down. Dried or fresh flowers decorate most of the desserts and drinks you can order.

224 Telok Kurau Road, #01-01
Singapore 423836
Tel: +65 9119 9588
Tue to Thu: 9am – 8pm
Fri to Sun: 8am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: sirihousesg

JAM AT SIRI HOUSE

Jam At SIRI HOUSE brings together people, art, design, food, and retail—all essential elements for a sought-after place of gathering. Whether you are looking for brunch, a cocktail masterclass to attend, a thoughtful gift or just a quiet refuge, SIRI HOUSE is the place for that this month. Their Apple & Ice Cream is made with calvados, caramelised apples, brown sugar oat crumble, and clove ice cream for a sweet finish.

8D Dempsey Road, #01-02,
Dempsey Hill
Singapore 249672
Tel: +65 9667 0533
Tue to Sun: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Commonwealth

Photo Credit: Molten Diners

MOLTEN DINERS

Molten Diners is located along Upper Thomson which most would be familiar with for its stretch of cafe finds. Its bright orange signboard leads you into the Western restaurant that offers creative dishes. ”The Twist” Lava Golden Crispy Fish Fillet is made from real Twisties if you wish to relive a taste of childhood. Their Katsu Curry Chicken Schnitzel marries Japanese flavours and Australian-style meat which you can add on a small side of pasta to.

?246 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574370?
Tel: +65 ?6802 4082
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Photo Credit: Ms Durian

MS DURIAN

Durian dessert lovers can flock to Ms Durian for a sweet and indulgent fix. Their MSW Durian Mousse Cake is made of fresh Mao Shan Wang durian with crunchy gula melaka, topped with lightly-salted macadamia nuts. It is a light and smooth treat with a spongey base. For something easy to take with you on the go, their Durian Craquelins are freshly baked craquelin choux filled with creamy D24 Durian.

51 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-70
Poiz Centre
Singapore 347697
Tel: +65 6962 0058
Mon: 2pm – 10pm
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Potong Pasir

Photo Credit: Penguin’s Kitchen

PENGUIN’S KITCHEN

Penguin’s Kitchen is tucked away in Serangoon and is a tranquil spot for Thai food. One of their many affordable menu items is their their Stir Fried Hot Basil Pork Rice which has a side of minced pork that is generously fried with red chilli and basil alongside a mound of rice that is blanketed by a runny fried egg. As a pairing, try their Deep fried Crab meat Ngoh Hiong which are served in sets of five pieces per plate.

9 Opal Cres
Singapore 328404
Tel: +65 6291 5949
Daily: 11am – 2pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Potong Pasir

Photo Credit: The Affogato Lounge

THE AFFOGATO LOUNGE

The Affogato Lounge along Keong Saik Road is conceptualised after The Affogato Bar at Cluny Court and features alcohol-infused affogatos, along with light bites and ice-creams. Their alcoholic Tiramisu is served with a double shot of Ozone Coffee Roasters’ Paramount and house-blend rum. The sponge soaks up the alcohol-infused coffee giving the dessert a strongly caffeinated and boozy kick.

55 Keong Saik Rd, #01-02
Singapore 089158
Tel: +65 9889 7005
Tue to Sun: 11am – 11pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

THE ALLEY LUXE

The Alley Singapore unveiled their first-of-its-kind premium lifestyle cafe concept store in Cineleisure Orchard. Most iconic at The Alley Luxe is their Brown Sugar Deerioca Series but equally Instagrammable are their Aurora Series and Garden Milk Tea. On that note, we also recommend their Snow Velvet Peach Oolong Tea for a fragrant thirst quencher. Along with their beverages are European bakes such as gourmet croissants, cruffins, and kouign-amann.

8 Grange Road, #02-06A/B
Cineleisure Orchard
Singapore 819666
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: What’s Pide

WHAT’S PIDE

What’s Pide sells soft and fluffy flatbreads in Chinatown packed with warm fillings. Their pockets of Middle Eastern-inspired breads are stuffed with savouries such as muar otah and soft shell crab dressed in kimchi mayo. Order yours as a set meal for additional shoestring fries and a drink for a complete alternative to a fast food meal. Their bites are ideal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

22 Cross Street, #01-63
China Square Central
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 9389 0863
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Chinatown

WISHES CAFE

A hidden gem situated in the residential area of MacPherson is Wishes Cafe, selling creamy gelatos and fluffy waffles. They offer several unique gelato flavours including Avocado, Thai Milk Tea, Mint Tea, Peary Ginger, and Kumquat Sorbet. We dare say that the matcha gelato here could compete with the other big names in Singapore. Pair them with buttermilk waffles which we found to be deliciously dense yet pillowy.

36 Circuit Rd, #01-414
Singapore 370036
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: MacPherson

The night before Monday begins is when the blues start to reach their peak. You are trapped wide awake in the hours between midnight and dawn. You blame yourself for sleeping in on Sunday morning and napping so much even after that. Whatever you do, do not count sheep because focusing on the numbers keeps you awake.

How do you deal with Monday blues when they make you like a slob on the inside and out? Well, at least you are not alone because this is how our Mondays are.

SUNDAY NIGHT INSOMNIA

Your Monday blues starts with Sunday night insomnia as you count sheep trying to drift off to sleep. Instead, thoughts about the pile of work you left uncleared on TGIF crowds your mind. It definitely does no’t help that you slept in and napped through Sunday.

YOU CANNOT DEAL WITH LIFE

Come morning, you cannot wake up and do not want to get out of bed to face the world and that pile of work you now actually have to clear instead of just fret about.

TOO LAZY FOR BREAKFAST

But you decided you cannot be bothered right now—not when the bed feels so cosy—and you snooze anyway. You start to dream about that Sunday big breakfast you had instead of actually making something to eat. Who needs breakfast when you can have sleep?

YOU REALLY CANNOT GET UP

But no, you really have to get up. You are going to be late. You try to snooze but you cannot really drift off. Your alarm went off thrice. Can your mum just barge in and drag you out of bed?

YOU ARRIVE (ALMOST) LATE

You run. You run for the bus and the traffic light and grab a bun along the way because you are still starving. This exercise and light breakfast diet was not how you planned on losing that weight you gained from being on your butt all day in the office.

LOTS OF COFFEE

Coffee. You desperately need COFFEE to wake… you up. You reached office—just in time—but the adrenaline is wearing off and you need something to force you awake so you punch the Espresso machine and try not to fall asleep while sipping the hot cuppa.

WAIT AROUND FOR THE CAFFEINE KICK

You finish the last drop and wait for the caffeine rush because you simply cannot function and cannot find the will to before coffee pulses through your veins. That chirpy colleague walks by—you long gave up wondering how he keeps it up.

FAIL AT GETTING WORK DONE

You pick up your pen or start to tap away at your keyboard to try to get work done. But it’s Monday. You scratch off whatever you write because nothing your brain churns out makes sense.

TIME CRAWLS BY

All you can think of is, “When is lunch time?”. You sneak glances at the clock every five minutes. When can you get out to breathe?

WEEKEND, PLEASE COME SOON

It is still Monday even after lunch is done. You cannot wait for Saturday once more.

Jurong East has grown over the past decade, and for those who stay in the West of Singapore, shopping is made convenient with malls such as JEM, JCube, Westgate, IMM, and Big Box.

Housing a slew of big brand names, Westies have few reasons to head all the way to town, be it for shopping or cafe-hopping.

Here is our list of cafes in Jurong East for you to stop over to chill at after shopping. They include bingsu places, intriguing Korean temple food, chocolate indulgence, and even a vegan ice-cream shop.

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

Awfully Chocolate is one of Singapore’s most well-known chocolatiers, and they have been in the chocolate business for almost 20 years.

Some of their famous chocolate items are Super Stacked Chocolate Cake, Hei Ice Cream, Chocolate Banana Cake, Dark Chocolate Truffles, Cold Poached Truffles, Chocolate Tiramisu Cake, and their Chocolate Praline Cake. Find their outlet in JEM for an indulgent tea time stopover.

50 Jurong Gateway Rd, #01-15
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6734 1530
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Photo Credit: life.tjy

CAFE GALILEE

Cafe Galilee is where most of us would be familiar with as the cafe place in the library for a cup of afternoon tea while having a read, or pausing over a fish and chips for lunch before diving into some research in library.

Sometimes, it is where we sip on a simple iced coffee while waiting for the little ones. For a host of reasons, Cafe Galilee is the hangout and retreat for book lovers and for students after school.

21 Jurong East Central 1
Singapore 609732
Tel: +65 6425 0629
Daily: 10am – 9pm

Photo Credit: joyful.carol.loi

COFFEEMIN

Coffeemin is a co-working space and anti-cafe for creative professionals, freelancers and entrepreneurs in Singapore.

You can work, read a book, play games, get acquainted with good people, drink, and eat as much as you want. Do whatever you like as long as you respect the space and the other people in it. Everything is free except the time you spend.

2 Jurong East Central 1, #02-11
Singapore 609731
Daily: 11am – 9:30pm

FART TARTZ

If you’re looking for a cafe with Instagram-worthy desserts, fArt tArtz is probably it. The cafe first grabbed our attention with their rows of adorable-looking mudpies that look like potted plants as well as cakes in old-school glass jars. There’s definitely more to it though.

Aside from these Instagrammable delights, they also offer light bites, pastas, burgers, and many other desserts.

2 Jurong East Central 1, #02-53
JCube Mall
Singapore 609731
Tel: +65 6925 5296
Daily: 10am – 10pm

MY LITTLE ICE-CREAM SHOP

With minimalism as its core theme, My Little Ice-Cream Shop has a clean and spacious area to chill at with your friends or to hang out after work.

Their plain waffles come with wet and dry toppings so you choose anything from sauces and syrups, to marshmallows, chocolate chips, crushed biscuits, chocolate sprinkles, almond chips, and gummy bears.

150 Pandan Gardens
#01-07 Ayer Rajah Community Club
Singapore 609335
Tel: +65 6265 5845
Daily: 11:30am – 10:30pm

NUNSARAM KOREAN DESSERT CAFE

Most of the Bingsu in Nunsaram Korean Dessert Cafe are presented with a scoop of ice cream sitting glamorously atop the pile of ice.

We heard that they use fresh ingredients for every serving of Bingsu–such as the Sweet Potato Bingsu where the purple paste is acquired from the sweet potato root itself.

3 Gateway Drive
#04-37/K4 Westgate
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 6338 8191
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Photo Credit: Oh My Cafe

OH MY CAFE

If you are vegan, one of the interesting things on the menu of Oh My Cafe in Westgate which is located near Isetan is their Korean Temple Food which consists of Korean lotus tea, nutritious rice, eight wild herbs, vegetables, side dishes with their own seasoning, and grilled eggplant stick.

Otherwise, they have heavier Korean dishes such as fried chicken, army stew, and various soups for you to fuel up on.

3 Gateway Drive #B1-K1/2/3/4
Westgate Mall
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 8650 9292
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Photo Credit: One Ice Cafe

ONE ICE CAFE

One Ice Cafe is a convenient stopover for a cold bowl of shaved iced dessert after a hearty and savoury meal in the eateries around it in JCube. Their best offerings include Caramel Bingsu, Oreo Bingsu, Mango Bingsu, and Injeolmi Bingsu, all of which you cannot really go wrong with.

The shaved ice could be more flavourful, but you’d be glad to know that most of the desserts are under S$10.

2 Jurong East Central 1,
#02-67, JCube
Singapore 609731
Daily: 12:30pm – 9:30pm

POPPY POPS

Most of us who stay in the West would have already visited JEM but not all know that Poppy Pops sits on its sixth floor above Cookhouse by Koufu. It is only accessible through the food court or the breezy rooftop located at the top of the shopping mall.

Grab a Poppy Classic or Premium along with the cafe’s Maple Butter Waffle. They also sell savoury dishes but those are less spectacular. 

52 Jurong Gateway Road
#06-03 JEM
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6262 0339
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm

Photo Credit: Smoocht

SMOOCHT

For vegan ice-cream in the West, Smoocht sells what they call r’ice-creams which are made from organic crystal brown rice, organic evaporated sugar cane juice, real fruit and/or pure nut butters. Each scoop only contains a third of the calories of regular ice-creams!

If you are craving mains, they also sell pizzas and pastas.

319 Jurong East Street 31, #01-58
Singapore 600319
Tel: +65 6266 5691
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 9:30pm

Nearest Station: Jurong East

Pre-drinks before hitting the clubs in Singapore are part of a ritual and though you can bring your own alcohol to get yourself high, ambience matters. For the best night out to alleviate the misery of work or school or even to just have a spanking good time, you need a legit place to party.

With a barrage of watering holes, we whittled down 10 popular drinking places to wet your whistle and start the nightlife in Singapore. Some of these places even open doors in the afternoon to sate your thirst but as they say, though it might be 2pm here it is 12am somewhere else in the world.

Besides happy hour and cheap beer towers, some of our roundup of reigning pre-clubbing drinking places have challenges for dares, games, and those with a competitive streak. With others in this list, watch out for inventive drinks such as Milo Godzilla and alcoholic Milk Tea too.

What are you waiting for? Go hard or go home.

AL CAPONE’S RISTORANTE & BAR

Located at *SCAPE, Al Capone’s Ristorante & Bar is a hot favourite amongst party-goers to load up on pre-party drinks before the night’s antics simply because they are insanely cheap. They sell three bottles of Heineken at only S$13 and a full pint of Guinness Draught at S$8.80.

2 Orchard Link, #02-38
Scape Building
Singapore 237978
Tel: +65 6509 5097
Daily: 11am – 3am
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: The Chupitos Bar

CHUPITOS SHOTS BAR

Like its name suggests, Chupitos Shots Bar specialises in shots and they come in over 130 flavours such as Milo Godzilla and Pandan Cake. Make it there between 6:30pm to 9pm for Happy Hour for S$6 beers, shooters, and house pours. Dare your friends to the Hall of Fame (S$88+) for a series of 10 challenges that puts their name on their wall of fame if they win.

3B River Valley Rd, 01-05
Singapore 179021
Sun to Tue & Thu: 6:30pm – 1:30am
Wed & Fri: 6:30pm – 3am
Sat: 6:30pm – 3:30am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: Get Juiced

GET JUICED

Get hyped at Get Juiced where you can snag special deals such as drinks from S$5 when you order through their GetJuiced SG app—mixers included. They have self-ordering machines too for you to go cashless and ditch jostling at the bar counter. There are three themed rooms named after their music genres: Live, Dance, and Chill.

3E River Valley Rd, #02-01
Block E Clarke Quay
Singapore 179024
Tel: +65 6208 7293
Tue: 6pm – 12am
Wed to Fri: 6pm – 3am
Sat: 7pm – 4am
(Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: Holey Moley Golf Club

HOLEY MOLEY

Holey Moley at Clarke Quay is a putt above the rest with a cocktail bar, restaurant, mini-golf course, work of art, and all-out cool hub rolled into one brilliant venue. They have 27 whacky holes to keep you on your toes so make a booking for your whole crew. Mini golf is thirsty work but their Caddyshack Bar has a luscious list of libations.

3B River Valley Rd
Singapore 179024
Tel: 800 492 2410
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 1am
Thu & Fri: 12pm – 2am
Sat: 10am – 2am
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: Level Up

LEVEL UP

Singapore’s first arcade bar, Level Up, takes places for drinking up another level. This retro gaming bar has 10 game machines. Their Hot Shot Challenge that happens every Friday from 8pm to 11pm gives you a chance to win a Red Bull cap if you beat their best score of 350 at their basketball machines.

3A River Valley Road, #02-04
Singapore 179020
Tel: +65 6266 2276
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 3am
Sun: 4pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: LuLu’s Lounge

LULU’S LOUNGE

LuLu’s Lounge is one of the bars in Singapore with a speakeasy vibe but theirs comes with characteristics of a 1950′s New York backstreet club. This dark tavern offers cocktails paired with live jazz, retro DJ performances, and burlesque shows for a banging good night. Their Whisky Pucker Up is a whisky sour complete with a sexy lipstick motif.

7 Raffles Blvd
Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 9829 1922
Wed: 7pm – 4am
Thu: 9pm – 3am
Fri & Sat: 9pm – 5:30am
(Closed from Sunday to Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Promenade

Photo Credit: RedTail Bar by Zouk

REDTAIL BAR BY ZOUK

Before you go to party at Zouk, prep for a night of havoc at RedTail Bar By Zouk that is just a stone’s throw away from it. Bottoms up with their Mega Blue challenge which consists of a Blue Spin, an Absinthe shot, and a glass of Sprite to chug down in eight seconds flat. Cost of failure is S$50++.

3C River Valley Road, #01-04
The Cannery
Singapore 179022
Tel: +65 6738 2988
Sun to Tue & Thu: 6pm – 11pm
Wed & Fri: 7pm – 3am
Sat: 7pm – 4am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: SMÖÖbar

SMÖÖBAR

SMÖÖbar is catered for students studying at the nearby campuses so you know that prices are cheap. Be sure to snag their happy hour towers from S$38 daily from 2pm to 8pm. Their new outlet at Holland Village has a Yakult Soju that you might fancy. Prices start from S$28 per jug to S$68 for a three-litre tower.

44A Prinsep St
Singapore 188674
Tel: +65 6884 5796
Daily: 2pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

Photo Credit: Stickies Bar

STICKIES BAR

Stickies Bar is incredibly popular among youngsters especially since beer and house pour liquors begin as low as S$2 from 2pm onwards. It increases by a dollar with passing every hour till midnight! A new concoction from them to taste is their Stickies Milk Tea at S$8++ per glass and S$35++ per jug.

11 Keng Cheow St, #01-10
Singapore 059608
Tel: +65 6443 7564
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: Timbre

TIMBRE X @ THE SUBSTATION

Hop over to flagship Timbre X @ The Substation that has had a facelift, adorning it with more foliage which is a breath of freshness to its rustic tranquility. Fairy lights dot the central dining area with dreaminess. They serve fresh, creamy, and rich Guinness Draft using the “two part” pour as recommended by Guinness Master Brewer Fergal Murray.

45 Armenian St
Singapore 179936
Tel: +65 6338 8030
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 1am
Fri: 6pm – 2am
Sat: 6pm – 3am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: City Hall

The gold standard for egg tarts demands prominent egg fragrance from a silky custard, and a pastry that lets its sweetness and texture shine. But the real secret to making them the bomb lies in the temperature.

Pop them into the oven to toast to the limit, just before they get burnt, so the crust becomes crisp and crumbly, with an egg custard that warms your belly.

Here are 10 old-school places we found for egg tart comforts that will bring you a touch of nostalgia, especially so if you grew up in the 90′s.

Photo Credit: cheehuey

BALMORAL BAKERY

Egg tarts from Balmoral Bakery have a custard that is slightly runnier but a relatively firm crust. You can only get them on weekends, but you can call in two days prior to place advanced orders for at least a box of nine. With baked goods piped with buttercream sold in paper boxes featuring a vintage red print, Balmoral Bakery is a throwback to 1965.

105 Clementi Street 12
Singapore 120105
Tel: +65 6779 2064
Daily: 9am – 7:30pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

Photo Credit: tast.ly

DA SHENG HONG KONG PASTRY

For freshly baked egg tarts from Drop by Da Sheng Hong Kong Pastry, drop in half an hour after they open. Their generous custard is less sweet than most which makes up for their thick, flaky crust that’s slightly dry. They also sell a few classic pastries including a signature Lotus Paste Salted Egg Yolk Pastry to add to your buys.

36 Sago St
Singapore 059027
Tel: +65 6224 6287
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

DONA MANIS CAKE SHOP

You can find Dona Manis Cake Shop in Katong Shopping Centre looking like a relic of ‘90s bakeries. Be gentle with each egg tart as you sink your teeth into its silky soft filling, held together by a delicate buttery crust that crumbles with each bite. The inconspicuous shop, also sells pastries such as chocolate tarts and their famed scrumptious banana pies.

865 Mountbatten Road, B1-93
Katong Shopping Centre
Singapore 437844
Tel: +65 6440 7688
Mon to Sat: 10:30am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Dakota

LEUNG SANG HONG KONG PASTRIES

When you exit Tiong Bahru MRT Station, turn away from Tiong Bahru Plaza to the less updated side, because nestled there is Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries. Leung Sang Egg Tarts has a puffier and flakier crust that turns into creaminess.

We first had the egg tarts from Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries back in 2007, and we have been fans of it ever since. The confectionery used to be on Sago Street – inconspicuous and hard to locate. But the ones in the know make it there anyway.

The egg custard encased in the pastry is of a pastel yellow shade – not the typical rich hue you might see, but what do you know? It is so silky, creamy and sweet! This is hands down one of the best egg tarts you can find in Singapore.

They also have Western-style egg tarts which come in a different shell – the harder kind that tastes more subtle. While it uses the same egg custard filling, we prefer the Hong Kong-style egg tart’s flaky puff pastry.

18 Jln Membina, #01-06
Singapore 164018
Tel: +65 6271 6056
Mon to Sat: 7:30am – 7:30pm
Sun: 7:30am – 4:30pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Photo Credit: teojb

NG KIM LEE CONFECTIONERY

A stone’s throw away from Beauty World MRT Station is Ng Kim Lee with rows of old school egg tarts placed beside the cashier and Portuguese egg tarts that have a crust in a pale shade of brown. A fragrant eggy scent envelops you as you take in the first bite. Assorted flavours of adorable starry-shaped muffins will likely catch your eye and we recommend you get those too.

4 Chun Tin Rd
Singapore 599591
Tel: +65 6466 3515
Mon to Sat: 9:30am – 9:30pm
Sun: 9:30am – 1pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

TAI CHEONG BAKERY

The endless line for Tai Cheong Bakery screams volumes about this powerhouse that’s known as one of Hong Kong’s bests. A strong buttery scent exudes from its crust, with a hint of saltiness that balance its sweet and firm pudding centre. What makes this gold is its wonderfully fresh taste.

391B Orchard Rd
Singapore 238874
Tel: +65 8223 1954
Daily: 10am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: carenlaiyx

TIONG BAHRU GALICIER BAKERY

Exercise restraint at Tiong Bahru Galicier Bakery, as there’s a huge selection of raved-about Nyonya kueh to shake up cake time. Eating their ondeh ondeh is like biting into a mochi that explodes with sweet gula melaka. That said, do not cast aside are their egg tarts. With a light and delicate custard, and crumbly but moist crust, it’s delectable and the cheapest find on this list.

Singapore 160055
Tel: +65 6324 1686
Tue to Sun: 10am – 8:30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Photo Credit: Tong Heng

TONG HENG

Tong Heng a familiar remedy to treat a bad bout of blues and cracking into its flaky and crusty shell brings waves of comfort. Their diamond-shaped egg tart has a velvety-soft pudding that’s contrasted by the hard but thin pastry. The wobbly custard is also sweeter than most egg tarts. Their coconut egg tart is a few notches sweeter with the fibrous texture the crunchy coconut shreds add to the egg custard.

285 South Bridge Rd
Singapore 058833
Tel: +65 6223 3649
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Although kopi gu you is a dying tradition, Heap Seng Leong is one of the surviving coffee shops in Singapore that still sells this old-school drink. Entering their humble space is often described as walking into a museum showcase of a 1950s kopitiam. We settled in to the throwback of a place for breakfast with kaya toast, eggs, and kopi gu you.

Everyone knows the iconic Singaporean kaya toast breakfast but have you tried it with a cup of traditional kopi that is served with a stick of butter in it? That, or steaming tea with condensed milk and a slab of yellow butter.

Kopi served with butter in it is called kopi gu you and literally translates to “coffee butter” in the Hokkien dialect. It is said to have been first found in Hainanese coffee shops in Singapore back in the 1930s. Today, instead of adding butter to coffee, coffee beans are usually first roasted in butter or margarine to achieve the same effect.

What primarily differentiates Singapore’s kopitiam coffee from those in fancy coffee houses is the type of coffee beans used. Robusta coffee beans creates a blend of coffee stronger in caffeine which jolts you awake.

They have a harsher taste than your usual espresso which is smoother and more complex so adding butter to it is meant to lend it a caramelised flavour and dull its strong flavour.

At Heap Seng Leong, a breakfast set of a drink with kaya toast and soft boiled eggs are affordably priced at S$3.60.

The butter that came in our kopi and teh quickly disintegrated into a yellow film on the surface of our drinks. A buttery aroma wafted up as we brought the glass cups up for a sip, overwhelming the scent of the coffee and tea. Drinking it down though did not leave any greasiness and made the drinks slightly thicker and smoother.

Slices of traditional white bread were toasted and flipped on a charcoal stove to brown both sides before they were lightly scrapped with butter knives to remove any burnt bits. Orange Hainanese-style of kaya spread and two squares of butter were sandwiched between two slices of toast before they were cut into triangles to be served.

The old furnishing and dim lighting inside felt like a serene contrast to the modern coffeeshop right beside Heap Seng Leong. Time stood still as we started our day there and nourished ourselves while the uncle who wears the same pajamas each day went about pouring coffee for other customers. Having a slow breakfast there made for a peaceful morning.

10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Tel: +65 6292 2368
Daily: 4am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

Read our guide on the best kaya toast places in Singapore.

For some of us, pink reminds us of sugar, spice, and everything nice for that little girl who dreams of pretty houses and Barbies.

We’ve sussed out 10 pink cafés and restaurants for all who relate to the millennial colour.

Pimp up your Instagram feed with their minimalist interiors that are in soft and charming shades of pink to make your friends pink with envy. It’s the colour of universal love of one’s self and of others, symbolic of friendship, harmony, and inner peace.

Photo Credit: amberembersg (left)

AMBER EMBER

Amber Ember is for all-day brunch meals within walls in the shade of amber pink. It exudes simple yet charming vibes, with marble and wooden furnishings that are decorated with potted plants and paintings. Their K-Pork Jaffles (S$10) has purple sweet potato mash that’s both sweet and deliciously creamy.

730 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-01
Singapore 534613
Tel: +65 6926 3312
Tue to Sun: 10am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Serangoon

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Photo Credit: endonana__(left), carollaisw (top right), stephenpoon (bottom right)

BEAUTY IN THE POT

The newest and largest branch of Beauty In The Pot has walls and ceilings in the colour of cherry blossoms and marble floors that are stippled with pink quartz. Hungry insomniacs can get a hotpot supper with their much raved about Fried Beancurd Skin and Ebiko Prawn Paste to pair with slices of pork belly and beef. Try their Cooling Coconut Broth base for something different from the usual.

11 Tanjong Katong Road
KINEX, #03-38
Singapore 437157
Tel: +65 6284 8820
Daily: 11:30am – 3am
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: cottondreams.co

COTTON DREAMS

Cotton candy flavoured milk still doesn’t exist but Cotton Dreams does have milk tea topped with a huge cloud of cotton candy. There’s even edible cotton candy bouquets and bubble tea vodka. Their dreamy interior reminds us of unicorns, bubble gum, and candy cane.

2 Orchard Link
*SCAPE, #02-18D
Singapore 237978
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: jigglytummy (left and bottom right), winelevigrub (top right) 

HEY SUGAR

Hey Sugar looks sweet and simple in a dainty shade of pastel pink. It’s a spot for a sugary treat when in the Keat Hong neighbourhood. Ask for an all-day set that’s complete with iced tea and a waffle topped with a scoop of ice-cream. At their counter are also dainty slices of cakes like Ondeh Ondeh and Rainbow Vanilla to add on.

818 Choa Chu Kang Ave 1, #01-06
Singapore 680818
Sun to Thu: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Fri & Sat: 12:30pm – 11:30pm
Nearest Station: Choa Chu Kang

LA MARELLE CAFÉ AND BOUTIQUE

La Marelle pops up from the minimalist cafes in this list. It reminds us of a whimsical birthday party with paper lanterns, raindrop motifs, and pink backdrops with food served on beautifully crafted plates. Ladies will likely adore their range of hand-crafted accessories on sale.

25A Baghdad Street
Singapore 199664
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis/Nicoll Highway

Photo Credit: jezzywangg (top left), msfoodhunter (bottom left), denisey27 (bottom right)

LOOKSEE LOOKSEE

Looksee Looksee has a blush pink set up where you can browse through shelves of books. This reading room and tea studio by Lo and Behold Group works on a pay-as-you-wish system. Choose your tea flavours at the counter and lounge on their pink couch while you wait to be served.

267 Beach Rd
Singapore 199545
Tel: +65 6338 8035
Mon to Fri: 11am – 5pm
(Closed on weekends)
Nearest Station: Bugis/Nicoll Highway

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Photo Credit: estheriorr (left), madi_rin (top right), philinanana (bottom right)

LUMINE CAFÉ

Food meets fashion at LUMINE Café so shopaholics can take a breather after browsing the popular premium LUMINE line of premium retail. Indulge in Japanese parfaits while charging your phones with their USB ports. Update your Instagram feed with its tasteful tones of soft pink and rose gold with marble and light wooden textures.

6 Eu Tong Sen St, #02-20
Singapore 059817
Tel: +65 6224 0959
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: mymelodycafesg (top left), floof.chirp (bottom left), minyambot (right) 

MY MELODY CAFÉ

Step past a flower arch entrance into the world of My Melody Café and Instagram kawaii moments in the themed café. Food here fits the ”Strawberry Paradise” concept with Little Pink Riding Hood pink eggs benedict and On Cloud Nine candy floss-topped tea. The floor length windows lets in natural sunlight that’s best for photo-taking.

3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-361
Suntec City, West Wing
Singapore 038983
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

Photo Credit: sugarfin.sg

SUGARFIN

Dive right in to Sugarfin for a perk me up cup of coffee held in a paper cup designed after Nissin cup noodles. Pair it with some fresh Lemon Loaf and chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies for sweet eats. Watch their space for workshops like brush pen calligraphy and floral art too. They sell mocktails and alcohol if it’s friyay and you’re ready to say R.I.P. to sobriety.

21 Lor Telok
Singapore 049033
Tel: +65 6533 1301
Mon, Tue & Thu: 8:30am – 7pm
Wed: 8:30am – 8pm
Fri: 8:30am – 11:30pm
(Closed on weekends)
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

If you watched the animated movie, Sausage Party, you know that food porn took on a whole new meaning. If food had feelings and could talk, would you still eat it? You aren’t alone if you had moments feeling maniacal thinking of your veggies screaming as you chopped them up like sacrificial offerings.

We let our imaginations run wild and anthropomorphised what you chomp down on without thinking on a regular basis. The results may be slightly morbid but they are absolutely cute too. We hope this helps you be more aware of what you put in your body the next time you crave that cake or eighth bubble tea when it’s only Thursday.

Illustrations inspired by realllifelines.

Sipping a fragrant cuppa on a slow afternoon and nibbling on small bites over light banter is how we picture a perfect afternoon tea to be like. Yet pampering yourself like that usually involves a splurge and we hear your woes.

Afternoon tea sets do usually come with a price tag that feels too heavy for a midday perk-me-up. For that, we have affordable alternatives so you can still be kind to yourself without hurting your wallet.

Here is a list of 10 affordable afternoon tea places in Singapore for under S$25 per person that you can take yourself and your friends to.

Photo Credit: b3lle.ame

BRUNCHES CAFE

Brunches Cafe is a chic spot with a retro vibe and is highly accessible being just minutes away from Farrer Park MRT Station along Rangoon Road.

Their High Tea Set is limited to 10 sets daily (S$36++ per set) and is made for two. Please your palates with their assortment of savoury and sweet bites which come with a pot of tea from their selection of House Blends.

96 Rangoon Rd
Singapore 218381
Tel: +65 8685 8488
Mon & Wed to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

Photo Credit: garysy_chiang

CHILLI PADI NONYA CAFE

If you have a hankering for Peranakan cuisine, Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe should be at the top of your list.

Substitute your usual cakes and coffee with an assortment of Nonya kueh. Their afternoon hi-tea buffet is only available during the weekends and public holidays, from 3pm to 5pm at S$14.80++ for adults, S$10.80++ for children.

29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
#06-21 (Ground Level)
Singapore 119620
Tel: +65 6872 2982
Mon to Thu: 11:15am – 3pm
Fri: 11:15pam – 3pm, 6pm – 9:30pm
Sat & Sun: 11:15am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Haw Par Villa

EAGLEWINGS LOFT

If you are looking for a light pick-me-up, treat yourself to a taste of Eaglewings Loft’s High Tea set for one (S$12++).

Choose four sweet or savoury classics from an assortment of bon bons, tartlets, scones, quiches and more. It comes with a EagleWings blend of coffee or tea. Their afternoon tea menu is available from 2pm to 5.30pm.

9 King Albert Park
#01-14/33/34/56/57
KAP Residences Mall
Singapore 598332
Tel: +65 6264 7787
Mon to Thu: 10:30am – 12am
Fri: 10:30am – 1am
Sat: 8:30am – 1am
Sun: 8:30am – 12am
Nearest Station: King Albert Park

FOSTERS

Fosters has a Devonshire Cream Tea Set at only S$11.50++ from 3pm to 5pm daily.

Expect freshly-baked scones served with butter, home-made strawberry preserve and fresh cream, as well as cakes, finger sandwiches, and a freshly brewed cup of coffee or pot of tea. The selection may be small but hey, it is very affordable!

277 Holland Ave
Singapore 278994
Tel: +65 6466 8939
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

JAVA+

Java+ is one of the few restaurants within a hotel along Orchard Road that provides affordable high tea sets. It is little wonder they are ever popular.

With them, you can have your selection of cakes and coffee at $14++. Their delectable homemade cakes are crafted with premium quality. Spoil yourself in this cosy deli that boasts the best place for an afternoon unwinding sesh.

320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 6735 5800
Daily: 7am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

LAO BEIJING

To idle away an afternoon in old-school feels of 1980s China, Lao Beijing has a hi-tea buffet serving up Northern and Southern Chinese cuisine from 3pm to 5pm on weekends and public holidays.

Adults pay S$18.80++ each while children dine at S$13.80++ each so mark this place down as one to bring your grandparents to during your family gatherings.

238 Thomson Rd, #02-11/12
Velocity @ Novena Square
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6358 4466
Mon to Fri: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Newton

SWATOW SEAFOOD

Swatow Seafood at Toa Payoh is a reliable restaurant where you can enjoy an afternoon of dim sum ala buffet style at S$19.80++ on weekdays and S$22.80++ on weekends per person.

Their plates and steam baskets of bites are served on traditional pushcarts so that’s something the old folks in your family might love!

181 Lor 4 Toa Payoh, #02-602
Singapore 310181
Tel: +65 6363 1717
Daily: 8am – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

THE MARMALADE PANTRY 

Plan a girly afternoon session with your besties at The Marmalade Pantry from 3pm to 6pm where their daily High Tea Set goes for a very affordable S$38++ for two.

Enjoy an array of egg and cress, beef and horseradish and green land shrimp finger sandwiches buttermilk scones with candied orange and cranberry, strawberry preserve, clotted cream, and your choice of any two cupcakes. This is one place for afternoon tea we never get sick of!

8 Sinaran Dr, #01-02/04
Oasia Hotel
Singapore 307470
Tel: +65 6664 0348
Daily: 6:30am – 10:30am, 11:30am to 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

TWG TEA

If you have a penchant for timeless teas, TWG should be a familiar brand name in Singapore to you.

TWG Tea has a 1837 tea-time menu (S$19++) that comes with your choice of two freshly baked muffins or scones served with TWG Tea jelly and whipped cream or a patisserie from their trolley. If you are willing to splurge a little, they have three other more premium tea-time menus too.

2 Bayfront Ave, B1-122/125
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 6535 1837
Mon to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

WILDSEED CAFE & BAR

Sit down at Wildseed Cafe & Bar from 2pm to 5pm to nibble on their afternoon tea set (S$40+ for two).

They have sweets such as madeleines, macaroons, mini brownies, and mini cheesecake as well as a chicken pinche petit sandwich for savouries. Slowly sip on a choice of two coffees or tea as you lounge the hours aways.

Level 1, 3 Park Lane
Seletar Aerospace Dr
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 9643 9116
Mon to Thu: 9am – 11pm
Fri: 9am – 1am
Sat: 8:30am – 2pm
Sun: 8:30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

You are kind of a big dill to us so thanks for pudding up with that. We hope you understand the food puns that we want to share.

Hopefully, they are a-peeling and give you a Fanta-stick day. If you are starving for smiles, these eight cheesy food puns made us feel grate and hope they work the same for you.

We also cooked them up with cuteness to feed your hunger for mirth. We think you shrimply deserve the best so lettuce begin to try to ease off your stress.

Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar begins welcoming in the crowd from 03 May to 05 June 2019.

Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2018 was widely criticised for offering mostly hipster food rather than traditional Malay snacks that are usually found at the annual Ramadan event. The organiser has taken the feedback and 60 per cent of food stalls at Geylang Serai Bazaar this year will be offering traditional Malay food, while the remaining may offer “contemporary” or “hipster” options.

TRADITIONAL FOODS AT GEYLANG SERAI RAMADAN BAZAAR 2019

Out of the estimated 500 plus stalls at Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2019, 60% of those selling food are dishing out traditional nosh while young entrepreneurs continue to get creative and ride on the Instagrammable hype of the recent years. We spotted deng deng, spicy ayam percik, and apam balik for our sweet tooth.

APAM BALIK

The Apam Balik from Istana Apam Balik Super was one of our favourite snacks from the bazaar. A mix of Chocolate + Cheese cost us S$5 but was enough to satisfy us with its gooey thickness.

Stall WGSB 115

AYAM PERCIK

The Ayam Percik (S$2 each) was generously coated with spicy sauce making it finger-licking delicious.

Stall WGSB 138

DENG DENG

From DDHS Deng Deng, we had a packet of 3 slices of well-marinated deng deng at S$4 in total and they were spicy and chewy soft.

Stall WGSB 116

FINGER FOOD

We ordered a mix of keropok lekok, goreng pisang, keledek goreng, and wadeh for a total of S$4.50 from Sabaruah Kitchen Ramly.

Stall WGSB 113-116

We also spotted Prawn Vadai Specialist (Stall WGSB 124) selling traditional finger foods with the addition of an interesting Chocolate Vadai (S$4) as well as Cheese Vadai (S$4).

RAMLY BURGER

The Ramly Beef Burger S$4 was packed full of sauces with the aroma of fried egg sandwiched between two soft buns.

Stall WGSB 113 & 116

TURKISH KEBAB

We also got a Chicken Kebab from Turkish Kebab House for S$5.

Stall WGSB 126

CREATIVE NOSH

If you are keeping an eye out for photogenic food and drinks as you squeeze through throngs of hungry humans, there are options made for eating for both you and your cam. There were the usual Twist Potato and even Ke Cha, but here are a couple of others you can consider lining up for.

BURP — White Rabbit Drink Bucket 

The White Rabbit Drink Bucket (S$8) from BURP Live Station Catering piqued our curiousity. This drink reminded us of “susu” or Want Want Hot Kid Milk. Fresh milk was loaded with countless heaping spoonfuls of sugar which quickly sent us into a sugar rush and coma. It felt overpriced and with a cute name like that, we expected some White Rabbit candy in the mix.

Stall WGSB 125

SOFNADE—MEATBALLS IN A BUCKET

The folks behind Sofnade are also back with Meatballs In A Bucket if you are missing some of the more “hipster” items from last year.

Stall WGSB 130

THE VIBES

We paid our visit to Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar early on its first day and the expanse of space seemed a lot well organised into zones. Furthermore, the bazaar is a lot more spacious as there are fewer stalls than last year.

FAIRY LIGHTS

GAME BOOTHS

More than just fairy lights and bright installations along Geylang Road, Changi Road, and Sims Avenue, Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019 does try to bring back the “kampung spirit”. 

Be it to break fast or to soak in the latest event this May, let us know if there are more stalls worth trying and whether you like this year’s version of Geylang Serai Bazaar as much as we did!

Geylang Serai Bazaar 2019
3 May 2019 to 5 June 2019
32 Onan Road
Singapore 424484
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

At buffets, some of us lose all self-control and rationality as we devour way more food than what our bellies usually can take. The array of choices is a gastronomical galore for the glutton in us.

Quality of food aside, what’s as essential to such feasts is the company we are with. They say people who eat together, stay together, but eating in a group can be tricky sometimes with different palates and needs.

Katong Kitchen is an inclusive location for communal dining with family, friends, and colleagues. They are halal-certified with a buffet line-up that they expanded to feature familiar Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Eurasian dishes in addition to their Peranakan cuisine. Like their theme, it’s where the ‘Flavours of Singapore’ meet. There’s a selection of fresh seafood on ice, DIY dishes, as well as a hot plate and a noodle station where you can request for food that’s made-to-order.

This is definitely one place that will please one and all. If you haven’t been, here’s everything to love about Katong Kitchen.

Our readers can quote “ladyironchef” upon making reservations to enjoy 15% off Katong Kitchen’s lunch and dinner buffet from now until 30 June 2019.

Head towards the East of Singapore and get off at the main entrance of Village Hotel Katong (formerly Paramount Hotel), then go up to the fourth floor and you will see Katong Kitchen. A weekday buffet lunch costs S$40++ per adult and S$20++ per child, while weekend lunches cost S$50++ per adult and S$25++ per child.

Dinners on Mondays to Thursdays go at S$50++ for an adult and S$25 for a child, while the prices on Fridays to Sundays, eve of and on Public holidays are S$60++ per adult and S$30++ per child.

Settle in to the modern and cosy vibes of Katong Kitchen that reflects Peranakan culture with its panels of Peranakan motifs. Its central dining space is where you will be surrounded by the buffet stations. There are seats on the side that are ideal for a quieter cosy gathering.

If you prefer to work your way up to the mains, appetisers include Smoked Duck Salad, Baby Clam with Onion Dressing, Baby Octopus Salad, and Gado Gado. There’s a whole variety but as with the rest of the stations at Katong Kitchen’s buffet, most of the food items are put out on a rotational basis.

Explore the buffet range and stop by the live stations. Watch the chef cook up Katong Kitchen’s Signature Laksa with your choice of noodles and condiments. The laksa is robust with rich coconut milk flavour. There are also other rotational options such as Beef Ball Noodle Soup, Mee Rebus, or Prawn Noodle Soup at the live noodle station.

Walk down the line for a serving of Fried Carrot Cake (the white version). Copious amount of chopped garlic are first thrown into hot oil, giving off an irresistible aroma. Fat chunks of radish cake are cooked with generous amounts of fried eggs. Add however much condiments you need; the sambal chilli is a must.

Katong Kitchen also has Do-It-Yourself stations where you can toss up a Singapore Rojak or stuff Nyonya Kueh Pie Tees with only your favourite ingredients. If these items are foreign to you, Katong Kitchen has a step-by-step guide to teach you how to do it; anyone can enjoy it, including kids!

For the rojak, throw in lots of dough fritters and toss with as much rojak sauce as you wish. There are also side of cucumber, beansprouts and turnip. If you’ve got overseas guests dining with you, this Asian salad is one local delight you have to introduce to them.

Kueh Pie Tee—a quintessential Peranakan dish—is a bite-size item that really is braised turnip (same filling as popiah) encased in a crispy deep-fried pastry shell. The textural delight is sweet from its sauce and savoury from its ingredients which include boiled eggs and shrimps.

If you’re a meat lover, the carving station is where you can get your cuts of meat. Swing by for dinner and you’ll have the option of Roasted Ribeye with Rendang Mushroom Sauce.

Katong Kitchen also has a large skillet for more choices such as Satay Marinated Roasted Lamb, Grilled Chicken, and Grilled Prawns. Pair these meats with herby Baked Potato and Sauteed Asparagus for a wholesome plate.

Their range of Seafood On Ice includes Gong Gong Clams, Prawns, Mussels, and Flower Crabs. But if you’re here for dinner, you can indulge in unlimited Snow Crabs and Poached Salmon. Weekend dinners also includes Boston Lobsters.

The mains at Katong Kitchen feature cuisines from various cultures, so you truly have to sample everything for the full experience of the Flavours of Singapore. Other options include the Kam Xiang Crayfish, Sambal Stingray, and Katong Kitchen Assam Pedas Fish.

Other signature mains include the Peranakan classic Ayam Buah Keluak and an Indian-style dish of Devil’s Mutton Curry. The Shepherd’s Pie has an intensely bovine base of beef mince but we loved how substantially meaty the pie was; the Eurasian Oxtail Stew was fragrant sans the gamey taste. To round it off with carbs, there are options of blue-hued Nasi Bunga Telang and Chinese Ee-Fu Noodles.

Katong Kitchen also spoils you with a good mix of choices for desserts. If you’ve overstuffed yourselves with savoury items, end the feasting off with shots of chilled Durian Pengat for a taste of Singapore’s famed fruit.

What you must not miss, too, is the Ondeh-Ondeh Cake which has some crunch from gula melaka (palm sugar) granules.

Just look at this beauty! Another dessert to love is this gorgeous Chempedak Crème Brulee which is heavily topped with cut fruits and has a pasty base of jackfruit.

There’s also a variety of bite-sized kueh—for the uninitiated, kueh are heritage snacks made of glutinous rice flour with a pudding-like texture but firmer.

If you have belly space for something heavier, there’s also the American Cheesecake as well as Bread & Butter Pudding which comes topped with colourful marshmallows.

Our readers can quote “ladyironchef” upon making reservations to enjoy 15% off Katong Kitchen’s lunch and dinner buffet from now until 30 June 2019.. This promotion is not applicable on eve of and on public holidays and not valid with other promotions, discounts, privileges unless otherwise stated.

Buffet Lunch
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2:30pm
S$40++ (Adult), S$20++ (Child)

Sat & Sun: 12pm – 3pm
S$50++ (Adult), S$25++ (Child)

Buffet Dinner
Mon to Thu: 6:30pm – 10pm
S$50++ (Adult), S$25++ (Child)

Fri to Sun, Eve of PH & PH: 6:30pm – 10pm
S$60++ (Adult), S$30++ (Child)

*Child: Aged 6 – 12
Children under 5 years old dine free with every paying guest.
Prices may vary during festive periods.

25 Marine Parade
Village Hotel Katong Level 4
Singapore 449536
Tel: +65 6551 2141
Nearest Station: Dakota

This post was brought to you by Katong Kitchen.

Our latest mission to up your Instagram game brought us to the Joo Chiat neighbourhood where we uncovered colourful shophouses, a vertical playground, creative murals, and architecture.

Nailing an Instagram-worthy photo can be a tricky thing but always keep an eye out for even the most unlikely of places. Remember, don’t just do this for the gram. Have fun and explore all the ways you can frame your shots because that creative challenge is a huge reason why avid photographers can keep revisiting the same ol’ place.

Find your own ways up the ante but here’s our guide to how you can start!

JOO CHIAT COMPLEX

The first thing we did was explore the Joo Chiat Complex right opposite Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre.

In an open area surrounded by outdoor retail shops and FairPrice are long panels in varying shades of green. Get in a full body portrait shot of that to capture the concept.

Another image you’d want to try is with the slanting link bridges between the complex and the carpark.

If you can get in a wider shot you’ll catch its interesting angles.

We explored deeper into the housing estate area and found a quiet resting spot with plenty of vines growing behind wooden chairs. It might be experimental but you could try framing this spot with leaves.

MURALS

If you prefer an artsy backdrop for your #ootd, most of us know about Haji Lane and Joo Chiat, so rake in the likes with a couple of these murals.

If you want to blend in with the picture, maybe try a walking shot or even get a gif of you touching the cattle.

A playful splash of art we found deeper in the residential area along Everitt Road was the Jousting Painters mural.

Pull our your brolly right here to add some humour.

VERTICAL PLAYGROUND

You have to find this blue three-storey vertical structure in Carpmael Park and indulge the kid in you. This urban pay structure is a “Wallholla” playground with ribbon-like platforms that look like they’re floating within a metal cage.

Climb through all its ins-and-outs while taking all kinds of crazy shots you need to fill your Instagram feed.

SHOPHOUSES

The Joo Chiat district is defined by its pre-war architecture and much of its charm from back when it was still a Peranakan enclave still remains. Play with the colours of its rows of two-storey shophouses and terrace houses that have been injected with some modernity from fresh tenants.

Take pictures with ornate facades that bear reliefs and motifs.

Or pose with those that exude minimalist vintage vibes.

Get your cameras ready for whimsical pop of colours that accentuate the traditional architectural style too.

WALKWAYS

As you navigate yourself through the cobweb of narrow lanes and five-foot ways, you’ll easily come by collapsible grilles that are a nostalgic throwback to our grandparents’ youth.

To us, there are no fixed must-or-don’t methods to get That Instagrammable Shot because, to quote Ansel Adams, there are no rules for good photographs. Besides, “you don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Have fun.

You’ve got your luggage packed for your staycation and you’re ready for that well-deserved break. Trouble is, you’ve got to drop your fur-kid off with a dog sitter or at a pet hotel while you’re away.

Sometimes, that means more than just a hassle to the start of your holiday. There’s separation anxiety and that nagging worry about whether the doggo’s getting as good a treatment as you would give.

To help, here’s our list of dog-friendly hotels so your little BFF can join you for breakfast-in-bed and get a getaway too. Go ahead. It’s time to pamper yourself with your furry friend by your side.

Photo Credit: Amara Santuary

AMARA SANCTUARY RESORT SENTOSA

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa knows that holidays are for spoiling yourself and their Pampered Paws pack does that for your dog too. Two adults and one pooch that weighs 7kg or less can stay in an exquisite colonial-style Courtyard Suite (from S$520++ per night).

It comes complete with a complimentary Fur Kid Welcome Pack and Fur Kid stay amenities so you can look forward to breakfast-in-bed with the little one. Keep fur-baby close to you and out of the gym, swimming pool areas, and F&B outlets, except the designated alfresco area at Shutters.

1 Larkhill Rd
Sentosa Island
Singapore 099394
Tel: +65 6825 3888
Nearest Station: HarbourFront/Imbiah

Photo Credit: Capella

CAPELLA SINGAPORE

Bringing your pet along for a five-star treatment may not be the easiest thing to do. Capella Singapore, which comes up as one of the top five hotels in Asia, has a Capella Personal Assistant to take care of your every need. Your PA will be in touch with you shortly before you arrive.

Capella permits one pet weighing no more than 6kg per room — no pet fee required. Do note that the Sentosa shuttle service does not allow dogs on board!

1 The Knolls
Sentosa Island
Singapore 098297
Tel: +65 6377 8888
Nearest Station: HarbourFront/Imbiah

Photo Credit: Four Seasons

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SINGAPORE

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is for calm respite in the central where you can easily drop into dog-friendly café and restaurants if you’re venturing out for nosh. There will be a pet bed, pet bowl, and a chew toy throughout your stay. Ring them up early and they may offer a towel embroidered with doggo’s name too.

The pet policy here lets in one pet that’s no more than 7kg to each room and it’s an extra S$100 for cleaning. Arrange a time slot for that if need be because your pet has to be accompanied by a guest during housekeeping.

190 Orchard Boulevard
Singapore 248646
Tel: +65 6734 1110
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: Fraser Place

FRASER PLACE ROBERTSON WALK

Another refined hotel that’s minutes from the Central Business District of Singapore for all your modern conveniences is Fraser Place Robertson Walk. It is situated by the waterfront of Singapore River so you get a panoramic view of the city skyline. It’s designed with chic and contemporary interior in a Mediterranean-inspired setting.

Bring a maximum of two furry friends with you for an additional S$10 per night each.

11 Unity Street
Singapore 237995
Tel: +65 6736 4800
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

Photo Credit: Far East Hospitality

ORCHARD SCOTTS RESIDENCES

Just a four-minute stroll from Newton MRT Station is Orchard Scotts Residences which is a high-end hotel for the elite. It is designed with an arresting modernistic decor that epitomises luxury and elegance.

If you have a bigger doggo, you won’t have to feel left out. This hotel allows up to two pets per room, each up to 20kg in weight — and it is only a S$16.05 top-up per night for each pet.

5 Anthony Road
Singapore 229954
Tel: +65 6496 0687
Nearest Station: Newton

Photo Credit: Regent Hotels

REGENT SINGAPORE

Regent Singapore is a sophisticated hotel close to Singapore Botanic Gardens and to enjoy that sliver of space away from the crowd, Regent offers a dog-walking map. To start things off, your BFF gets a PuppyPack which means a pet bed, a towel from Woofer & Purrlensky, and even an exclusive in-room menu. Call for room service to get grooming accessories like handmade soaps for an additional fee.

Regent allows one under 15kg or two small pets less than 7kg each. Cleaning is an extra S$75 for the regular room package.

1 Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 6733 8888
Nearest Station: Somerset

Don & Tori is a modern Japanese restaurant that sets the bar pretty high for dons, makis, and yakimono (grilled or pan-fried) items as long as you’re not a purist. It’s a serene enclave in the Central Business District that joins the heavyweights on Tras Street.

A quiet lunch crowd trickled in when they opened soon after noon into the comfortable fusion vibes of old meets new, East meets West.

Their live sushi bar will entertain you as you watch your orders being assembled and made. There’s almost something for everyone, vegetarians and non. It’s hard to say which dishes make up the highlights of this place because every one we tried were show stoppers in terms of both presentation and taste.

Start with a light bite of seafood with Scallop Butter Yaki (S$25++). Watch the chef build it up first with a mound of salt for the shell to sit on before chunks of scallop are flame seared and doused in yellow butter sake.

Its flavour is hugely decadent for something so small and you’ll want to slurp up all the sauce.

Something new on the menu is the Foie Gras Toast (S$18++) which is assembled with a small slice of bread crust slathered with foie gras spread that’s torched then topped with uni, caviar, and finished with an edible gold leaf.

Though the flavour of the bread base was overwhelming, every other component was rich with a balance of concentrated umami from the foie gras and brininess from the seafood. The buttery smooth texture with the pop of caviar was highly pleasurable to say the least.

For a filling rice bowl, the Hokkaido Don (S$26++) is a briny union of tuna mince, salmon roe, plump scallops, and caviar toppings on appetisingly marinated rice. As a whole, the overall textures of the chilled dish were almost too uniformly soft but not quite with the individual grains that were still discernible.

A must-try maki is their Unagi Foie Gras Maki (S$25++) that has a crab meat core with some crunch from cucumbers. It is topped with torched foie gras and caviar. Shoving a piece into your mouth fills you with a mix of crab meat and foie gras flavour while chewing into it combines the usual maki texture with creaminess.

74 Tras Street
Singapore 079013
Tel: +65 9811 7888
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10:30pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

The Shilin-inspired Night Market opens to the public for two weekends (from 19 to 21 April & 26 to 28 April 2019) at Grounds@Kranji, Singapore Turf Club.

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. Despite there being enough nosh, fashion, lifestyle and design goods to see, the event was generally underwhelming.

Brought to you by Invade Industry who also hosted Artbox Singapore and other flea markets in Singapore, you would expect the event to be better organised. The queue at most of the stalls are between 30 to 90 minutes. And there’s a long snaking line just to enter Shilin-inspired Night Market.

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

EAT

Popular Taiwanese F&B brands are featuring exclusive menus. There are five dining zones decked out with Airmocks and seats for 3000. However, the queues are very messy and can take half an hour and more before you can make your order.

Below are some of the food stalls we spotted.

CHIATE BAKERY

GONG CHA

JOLLY KITCHEN

KAZO

MILKBRO

MONKI CAFE

PLAYMADE 

SHOP

The least crowded areas were the aisles of booths with artisanal products by creative makers and partners from Taiwan and Singapore.

AMUSSE

AROMA PLATE

PLAY

The most interesting part of the ‘Play’ corner is the human claw machines where an adult can pretend to be the claw itself. Aside from that, there are the KTV booths and foosball for brief entertainment for the family.

FOOSBALL

HUMAN CLAW MACHINE

KTV BOOTHS

FUN

The notable spots aren’t that photogenic after all.

LANTERN WALL

LIGHTED WINDMILL FOREST

At the end of the day, it is ok to queue up and wait for something—if it is worth it. But in this case, nothing here is “original” and actually from the real Shilin Night Market from Taiwan.

Shilin Singapore

19 – 21 April 2019
26 – 28 April 2019
Fri to Sun: 3pm – 11pm

1 Turf Club Ave
The Grounds@Kranji
Singapore 738078
Nearest Station: Kranji

Shuttle Bus Service from Bugis
Shuttle Bus Service from Carros Centre (every 30 minutes)

Read our Taipei’s guide to discover the best places to visit in the city.