It is that time of the year again; with the festive season just around the corner, we are undoubtedly reminded of decadent holiday treats and majestic wintertime roasts. Although many associate the holidays with the typical Western spread, not every meal needs to be an elaborate and extravagant affair of turkey, ham, and a copious amount of cranberry sauce. This festive season, why not treat your family to a casual yet delightful Japanese repast at Ichiban Sushi?

More than just a convenient option, Ichiban Sushi is a welcoming space perfect for families to spend some quality time together over the holidays. Instead of needing to splurge on lavish meals to be able to enjoy Japanese cuisine, the brand prides itself in offering an accessible alternative without skimping on standards.

Offering four value-for-money set meals, expect to indulge in a sumptuous meal that will leave you hankering for more. Each set is accompanied by a myriad of dishes, such as a main, rice bowl, chawanmushi and sides. They will be available from 12 November 2019 till 9 February 2020!

To add on something special, Ichiban Sushi is partnering Citi to offer diners a S$10 return voucher on every festive set ordered and paid with a Citi Card.

SPICY SHIROMI SEAFOOD WAZEN

Surely making a bold statement at your table is Ichiban Sushi’s luxurious Spicy Shiromi Seafood Wazen (S$23.90). The set is served with a delicious hotpot of Spicy Shiromi Seafood, succulent Kimchi Prawns, Seared Salmon Sashimi and Poached Egg Mini Sushi Rice bowl, Tuna Mayo Salad, and delectable sides such as Chawanmushi, Miso Soup, and fruits.

The glorious Spicy Shiromi Seafood hotpot is definitely the highlight of the set. Chock full of huge cream dory fish pieces and a medley of vegetables and mushrooms, the dish is served in a spicy, thick broth that is both fiery yet tangy. The soup base was aromatic and fragrant from the strong garlic notes, while the different capsicums added a hint of sweetness.

In line with the set’s seafood theme, Ichiban Sushi has included a seared salmon sashimi don, topped with spicy cod roe mayo and a poached egg atop a fluffy bed of sushi rice.

The sashimi was lightly seared to give it an aromatic char and crisp that added to its savouriness. Garnished with chopped chillis and coated with spicy cod roe mayo, both elements lent the dish a mild, tangy spice, making the rice bowl all the more delectable.

Though seemingly unassuming, the thick prawns are full of sweet flavour, which is further enhanced by the sweetness of the kimchi dressing.

While distinctly different in taste profiles, the kimchi flavouring is not too far removed from the peppery base of the teriyaki sauce. More importantly, it supplements the succulent freshness of the prawns versus being the highlight of the dish.

KIMCHI BEEF STEAK WAZEN

Introducing their premium Kimchi Beef Steak Wazen (S$23.90) — this delectable set comes in yet another hotpot stew comprising a myriad of colourful vegetables and prime steak. Accompanying it is a platter of Breaded Crab Sticks, Bara Chirashi-Don as well as the usual sides.

There is a good reason as to why Ichiban Sushi is confident enough in labelling the kimchi sauce as a house-special here. Unlike the subtle sprinkling of spice on the prawns from the previous set, the gravy here holds within it a much more complex blend of flavours. To fully appreciate this dish, allow for the beef slices to marinate for a moment in the sauce until a light glaze forms for the best possible taste experience.

The kimchi presence here is but an enhancement to the beef; it brings forth the full-bodied tenderness of the protein against the tangy zest of the red pepper seasoning.

The same goes for the bara chirashi number – the coldness of the dish cuts through the fiery zest of the beef, giving diners a temporary reprieve from any flavour saturation from the main protein.

As yummy as diced sashimi are on their own, their flavours are muted when compared to the myriad of tastes present in the other dishes. To prevent the rice bowl from fading into the background, the inclusion of the onsen egg adds a richness to the dish, and binds the distinct fish cubes into a cohesive whole.

Tempuras are a staple to include in every traditional Japanese set meal! This time, expect a twist to your the shrimp tempuras, as you will be served breaded crab sticks instead. Well-battered with a flaky, crispy crust, the crab sticks break apart easily to reveal a soft, substantial filling of fish paste.

CHEESY CHICKEN ROLL WAZEN

Get the best of both worlds with their Cheesy Chicken Roll Wazen (S$22.90) — what more can you ask for with their finger-licking sides of seafood, beef and chicken dishes?

This set is surely our personal favourite; we got to taste one of their festive oceanic gems such as the Grilled Scallop with Spicy Sauce & Cheese, as well as feast on the toothsome Yakiniku Beef Steak Rice Bowl and Bacon and Cheese-Stuffed Rolled Chicken!

Similar to a tori katsu, the chicken roll is nicely fried to golden-brown perfection, resulting in a crispy skin that is not overly greasy. It also had a nice skin to meat ratio – the thin layer of fat beneath the skin oozes juicy, savoury flavour, while the meat is tenderised and luscious.

All the chicken cuts also encase a gooey, cheesy middle and small bacon strips that simply melts in your mouth. Remember to coat the chicken with their recommended Tonkotsu Dipping Sauce.

The Yakiniku Steak Mini Rice Bowl features savoury yakiniku beef steak on Hitomebore premium rice.

Instead of drowning the beef in heavy sauces, the juices from the beef slices naturally accentuate the aroma of the rice base, making this simple dish a more subtle, but no less appetising end to an otherwise playful meal set.

The Grilled Scallop with Spicy Sauce & Cheese comes with a spicy dressing which is reminiscent of mentaiko sauce. The cheese is also lightly torched, adding a subtle, mouthwatering char.

HOT AND SOUR PORK NABE WAZEN

Truly boasting a grand aesthetic is the Hot and Sour Pork Nabe Wazen (S$22.90). This set is bound to leave you gobsmacked with its huge portions, fully-cooked sides and hearty rice bowl. Stealing the spotlight is none other than their Hot and Sour Pork Hotpot!

It comes with a multitude of ingredients including pork slices, mushrooms, tofu and corns. Topped with chilli slices, it adds an extra piquancy to the already sweet and sour broth.

The perfect accompaniment to the hotpot is none other than their udon. Served in a small portion, this tiny bowl of noodles is meant to be poured into the broth while you slowly slurp it up. Slowly let the chewy noodles simmer in the hot and sour base while it absorbs the spicy, tangy soup.

This is Ichiban Sushi’s Assorted Mushrooms with Scrambled Egg Mini Sushi Rice Bowl! Appearance-wise, it looks like an “Oyako Don”, except it consists of only mushrooms and eggs served with premium Hitomebore Rice.

We loved how there were two different types of shrooms, such as the shitake and enoki mushrooms, which gave the dish textural contrast to the soft rice and egg base.

This set includes a Seared Salmon with Tataki Sauce platter. Following this set’s fully-cooked theme, it is lightly seared to bring out the aromatic flavours and fattiness of the flesh. The flesh was succulent and thick, while the seared exterior brought out the umami in the salmon.

SIDES

Wazen is incomplete without a variety of sides! Take a break from their heavy mains and tuck into their staple sides, which comes in tiny portions perfect to cleanse your palate with. Included in each set is a small platter of fruits, chawanmushi and tuna salad. Savour their earthy miso soup as well, which also comes in all sets with the exception of the Hot and Sour Pork Nabe Wazen.

Do note that the fruits given each day will vary.

No festive season is complete without an exchange of gifts. Ichiban Sushi, in collaboration with Citi, is bringing two great holiday treats to all its diners. Between 12 November 2019 until 9 February 2020, customers who pay using a Citi Card will receive a S$10 return voucher with every Festive Set purchased while stocks last.

You can also stand to win S$30 worth of dining vouchers here at Ichiban Sushi every week by simply following their social media at @ichibansushi.sg, snapping a picture with their quirky menu and hashtagging them at #ichibansushisg.

Ichiban Sushi
53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
#02-01 AMK Hub
Singapore 569933
Tel: +65 6555 1617
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio
** Multiple outlets islandwide

This post was brought to you by Ichiban Sushi Singapore. 

If you’re in the mood for some Italian food but you are stumped on where you can get some authentic plates of pasta and pizzas, we recommend that you check out iO Italian Osteria at HillV2.

Helmed by the owner and Head Chef of the acclaimed Etna Italian Restaurant, iO Italian Osteria dishes out scrumptious Italian fare that will make you feel like you’re in Italy. The prices here are kept relatively reasonable, making it an ideal place for a special occasion or if you’re just feeling some hearty Italian nosh.

There is nothing more Italian than a plate of pasta, so if you’re spoilt for choice, you should make this an option.

We got ourselves a plate of Homemade Tagliolini, Prawns, Lemon and Aromatic Breadcrumb (S$22) which came with a generous amount of twirled pasta, asparagus and juicy prawns.

The pasta here is the very definition of al dente; firm with a good bite. Each strand was also evenly coated in a copious amount of sauce that was packed full of umami. A dash of lemon also gave the entire dish a subtle zesty touch that elevated its other components.

We also love the addition of prawns which provided the dish with a crunchiness that complemented the al dente pasta perfectly.

It is also a must to try their freshly baked pizza, so we got ourselves a Margherita (S$9). All their pizza is made in-house so you’ll receive them piping hot from the oven.

The pizza base was generously smothered with pulpy tomatoes and mozzarella cheese before being baked to perfection. Despite the base being quite thick, it managed to maintain a good balance of fluffiness and crunchiness instead of coming off as doughy. The slight sourness of the tomatoes also paired well with the saltiness of the cheese, creating an addictive medley of textures and flavours.

End off the meal with a slice of Pistachio Tiramisu (S$14), which features chopped pistachio, creamy mascarpone and coffee-infused biscuit. If you love coffee, this dessert is perfect for you as the coffee taste is really strong.

iO Italian Osteria 
4 Hillview Rise, #02-01
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 6710 7150
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hillview

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/12/io-italian-osteria/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/11/ice-cream-man-and-friends/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/11/ice-cream-man-and-friends/#comments Thu, 07 Nov 2019 16:25:50 +0000 Natasha Ng https://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=188454 Continue reading →]]>

The west of Singapore, to many people, is an often-unexplored area with jokes of passport-requirements being thrown around. Cafes in the west are a novelty and we have found yet another hidden gem tucked away in Taman Jurong Shopping Centre.

Ice-Cream Man and Friends is a circus-themed ice cream parlour, decked in whimsical decor and over 20 flavours of ice cream to choose from. Westies will now have a new place to beat the sunny Singaporean heat!

Stepping into Ice-Cream Man and Friends, you’ll be transported to a whimsical wonderland of circus-themed decor. Their extensive menu will have you spoilt for choice – not to mention their 28 flavours of multi-coloured ice creams!

You can choose from their signature Buttermilk Waffle (S$6), the ever-popular Charcoal Waffle (S$7) or their Red Velvet Waffle (S$7). We chose to have a Charcoal Waffle topped with two scoops of ice cream (S$7.60) – Red Velvet Cookies and Speculoos Cookie Butter.

We found the waffle to be nice and fluffy with a slightly crisp exterior. The waffle was first drizzled with sweet caramel sauce before the ice cream was scooped atop it, adding an extra sweet touch.

The ice cream, on the other hand, was good but not exactly spectacular. The Red Velvet Cookies ice cream tasted more like regular cookies and cream ice cream despite the bright red colour.

We also felt the Speculoos Cookie Butter flavour was more sweet than flavourful. There were a few crumbs of cookie inside, but it lacked substantial flavour. Perhaps we would have had better luck with the rest of the ice cream flavours!

Ice-Cream Man and Friends
Taman Jurong Shopping Centre #01-23
399 Yung Sheng Road
Singapore 610399
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lakeside

The legendary Ichiran is finally coming to Singapore! From 3 to 20 October 2019, Ichiran will be having a pop-up in Singapore at Takashimaya Square as part of the third edition of annual ramen festival Ramen Revolution at the Japan Food Matsuri event.

If you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ll know that ramen is a must-try item; leaving Japan without slurping down a bowl of this goodness is an absolute crime! There are a plethora of ramen shops scattered across Japan but one of the more famous brands that is high up on everyone’s list is the well-loved Ichiran.

Ichiran has been widely accepted as the god of tonkotsu ramen and they definitely set a high benchmark for a classic bowl of ramen. We are so damn excited that Ichiran Ramen is finally having a pop-up in Singapore (and hopefully a permanent shop next?!). That means that you no longer have to book a plane ticket to Japan just to satisfy your cravings for a bowl of the best ramen in the world.

Our team joined the queue at 10am during the opening on 3 October 2019 and we waited for almost 2 hours for our Ichiran Ramen! The queue is expected to get even longer, so get there early if you are planning to try it.

The secret to Ichiran’s exceptional tonkotsu ramen is its ambrosial broth; rich, thick and chock full of umami, every sip is pure bliss. Paired together with the ramen noodles which are cooked to perfection — springy, chewy and al dente — and outrageously tender chashu slices, it is no wonder that they are one of the most popular ramen chains in Japan!

But before you get too excited, Ichiran Ramen’s pop-up in Singapore will serve bowls of its instant ramen instead of fresh noodles. The instant noodles will be cooked on-site with spicy seasoning and sprinkled with wood ear mushrooms and green onions, and there will be no charshu. There are only 700 portions available daily.

For those of you who are not familiar with Ichiran Ramen, what makes Japan’s Ichiran special is the fact that they value alone time and solitary dining so much that they have individual booths where people can huddle up in their own space to enjoy their piping hot bowl of ramen.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that Ichiran Ramen will be opening a permanent shop in Singapore after the pop-up.

Ichiran Ramen Singapore
3 to 20 October 2019
Takashimaya Square
Japan Food Matsuri event

If you are heading to Tokyo to eat the real Ichiran Ramen, check out our Tokyo’s travel guides on the other places in the city that you should explore.

America’s famous fast-food chain In-N-Out Burger will be having a surprise pop-up at Upper Thomson on 6th March 2019 from 11am to 2pm or until they are sold out! 

Set to take place over at Columbus Coffee Co., In-N-Out will be serving just 3 variations of their burgers: Double-Double, Protein Style, and Animal Style.

Photo Credit: none.fit

When the famous burger chain first held a pop-up in Singapore in 2012 and 2014, their burgers were sold out within a whopping 5-minutes. This time, brace yourself for the insane queues as only a limited quantity of burgers will be sold!

Photo Credit: love_and_junk

The Double-Double is the one carnivores should keep a lookout for—featuring two thick and succulent beef patties, two slices of cheese, greens and their special sauce sandwiched between fluffy buns, this is a must to order for meat-lovers.

Their Protein Style, on the other hand, sees patties being held together by lettuce instead of buns, while the Animal Style burger is a classic rendition which features a combination of mustard-grilled beef patties, Thousand Island sauce and pickles.

More information on the prices of the burger will only be revealed at the pop-up tomorrow.

220 Upper Thomson Road
Thomson Garden Estate
Singapore 574352
Pop-up timing: 11am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

ICYMI: Shake Shack is opening in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport next month.

For the first time ever, East Japan Railway Company (JR East), one of Japan’s most notable railway companies, has come to Singapore to present an exhilarating new project in the station retail facilities of SMRT Experience. The result is an interesting multi-sensory platform “Inspiration Store” over at  Orchard Xchange in Orchard MRT.

Be sure to watch out for renowned artists, craftsmen, and chefs from Japan who will make special appearances to share their inspiring insights into the art they create.

Every few weeks, the store will transform itself, showcasing different Japanese crafts and adoring different themes and displays. The event aims to provide an immersive experience and promote sustainability and community. The current theme for the second phase of the installation—that nicely ties in the spirit of Chinese New Year—is “Spring with Daruma”. Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that symbolise of perseverance and good luck.

If you’re someone who harbours a deep fascination for Japanese culture, this is one pop-up that you really need to check out to get inspired as well as to learn a thing or two about Japan and its rich heritage.

INSPIRATION STORE 

From now until 30 April 2019, they will have a special pop-up food store that sells local Japanese snacks, comforting bowls of dashichazuke and soothing cups of freshly brewed Japanese tea.

COMFORTING BOWLS OF DASHICHAZUKE 

For the unitiated, ochazuke is one of the most basic and traditional Japanese dishes out there and the Japanese consider this rustic dish an essential comfort food that they turn to when they need something light on the palette yet comforting at the same time.

It comprises simply of rice, various toppings such as meat, vegetables and seaweed and freshly brewed tea that is doused over, creating a porridge-like concoction with a pretty thick consistency. However, for the case of Inspiration Store, dashi stock is used instead of tea, resulting in a richer broth packed full of umami, hence the name, dashichazuke.

Their Onsen Egg Set (Dine-in S$11, Take away S$9) comprises of a bed of warm rice that is topped with seaweed, sakura shrimp and a plump onsen egg. After pouring in the rich dashi stock, we broke the onsen egg and let all that yolky goodness flow out.

The egg gave the entire dish an interesting thick and creamy texture that helped it glide down our throats with ease. The flavours here were simple yet they managed to hit all the right spots, resulting in a comforting dish that really warmed the heart.

For those of you who love seafood, you can opt to have their Shrimp and Scallop Set (Dine-in S$14, Take away S$12). Here, the rice is topped with juicy chunks of shrimp, succulent scallop bits as well as sakura shrimp and seaweed.

The shrimp and scallop give a nice, chewy bite to it as well as a delicate sweetness that was a nice contrast to the savoury and dashi stock. Though the flavours here were more pronounced than the Onsen Egg Set, the various components of the dish still managed to come together to create a soothing medley of flavours that was simply addictive.

Don’t let their Wasabi Set (Dine-in S$12, Take away S$10) scare you away; fret not as this dish is not one that will leave you in tears. Instead, the wasabi here comes in a small dollop that is placed at the side of the bowl, giving you full control over how much wasabi you’d like to have in your ochazuke.

Aside from wasabi, the dish is topped with a colourful array of vegetables. When mixed together with the dashi stock, everything comes together to create a light-tasting concoction with lots of crunchy components. The wasabi provides a heated punch of flavour and the seaweed gives the overall dish a deep umami flavour.

Sashimi aficionados will be thrilled to know that Inspiration Store also has an ochazuke option which features sliced tuna. The  Zuke Maguro Set (Dine-in S$15, Take away S$13) features rice that is draped with generous slices of fresh, tender maguro slices that come pre-marinated in soy sauce.

The maguro slices added a delightfully rich umami flavour to the entire dish and each perfectly sliced piece of tuna was a melt-in-your-mouth treat that definitely elevated the simple flavours of the ochazuke.

FRESHLY BREWED JAPANESE  TEAS

Just for this event, Inspiration Store has flown in a premium type of tea from Shizuoka, Japan called Gyokuro (S$8). This aromatic, high-grade tea is considered one of the most precious and noble types of Japanese teas out there and it has a sweet, soft marine-like flavour.

The optimum temperature of the water to be used in the preparation of the tea is 60 degrees as this brings out the tea’s true essence best. With its rich flavour and soft, delicate finish, the Gyokuro tea goes satisfyingly well with a piping hot bowl of Dashichazuke.

DARUMA CRAFT BOOTH 

Aside from all that scrumptious food, Inspiration Store has a crafts corner where you can get hands-on and decorate your own adorable daruma figurines. Don’t worry about making a mess because gloves are provided!

For the uninitiated, daruma dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that symbolise perseverance and good luck.

To get your daruma figurine, all you have to do is slot one of the provided token coins into a capsule machine that stands at the entrance of the booth, turn the knob and watch your figurine slide out—gashapon style!

The booth also provides a variety of acrylic paint and colourful markers that you can use to decorate your daruma. Once decorated, they’ll pass you a little bag to put it in to bring home. They make great decorations and if you have kids, you definitely should bring them down to let them try their hands out at making their own daruma dolls.

This daruma activity will be available until 18 Feb 2019, after which a new installation will be revealed to take its place.

Keep an eye out for the next instalment via their Instagram and Facebook pages. We already can’t wait for the next phase!

Inspiration Store
Orchard MRT Xchange, #B1-30/ 31
Singapore 238878
Daily: 10.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by East Japan Railway Company (JR East).

ION Orchard impresses both locals and international guests with the world’s best-loved brands—be it luxury boutiques, lifestyle stores or sensational F&B establishments—ION Orchard has literally become a beacon of envy in the retail scene.

Over 300 retail, F&B establishments and entertainment stores—which includes some of the world’s top luxury brands—we honestly can’t think of a better lifestyle destination to splurge and indulge as the year draws to a close.

ION Orchard houses a vast array of both homegrown and internationally-renowned fashion boutiques, food brands and some of Singapore’s finest restaurants, including award-winning Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine and the newly-opened Violet Oon Singapore.

With the new revamp on Level 3 as well as several new additions to the basement food hall, ION Orchard has even more to offer now. Life’s already short enough as it is, so treat yourselves to some year-end indulgence—both shopping and feasting—and if you need a solid place to start, let ION Orchard be your preferred location.

VIOLET OON’S NEW FLAGSHIP

The brand-new Violet Oon Singapore in ION Orchard occupies the open space on Level 3. The new restaurant traces the Singapore food story back to colonial times with dishes that include British food interpreted by Hainanese cooks back in the day.

Offering a stellar menu that covers every aspect of the niche cuisine such as oxtail stew, Hainanese pork chop and shepherd’s pie and a selection of Violet’s crowd-favourite Nyonya signatures, all nicely cradled around the ideology of Peranakan hospitality, the restaurant is perfect should you wish to stop by for a tasty meal, a cocktail or coffee in the midst of your shopping.

The all-day restaurant has also tailored special menus to cater to diners looking to enjoy breakfast, high-tea and weekend brunch as well.

New to her repertoire of dishes and exclusive to this outlet is her Steak Sandwich. A traditional take on a classic British sandwich that sees elements of Nyonya cuisine injected into the sauce, good bread and a perfectly seared-off 150-day grain-fed Blank Angus ribeye.

Nicely seared on the outside but staying perfectly pink in the middle, the beef was tender and gave off a nice grilled aroma. However, impressive as the steak was, it was the Nyonya-style green chilli relish that truly made it for us. Punchy with a good amount of heat, the piquant relish added a dimension of fresh, botanical flavours underscored by a sharp spicy kick, to further lift an otherwise decent-but-typical steak sandwich.

A crowd-favourite and one that warrants multiple return visits is their signature Dry Laksa. Reduced down naturally rather than thickening with a roux, the flavour is concentrated and rich.

Punctuated with the fresh, uplifting flavour of laksa leaves, the dish is an aromatic and decadent marriage of flavours that represent centuries of Peranakan food heritage—presented and interpreted in a modern way of course.

At the entrance of the restaurant, visitors can feel free to browse through shelves of pre-packaged edible delights such as homemade pineapple tarts, cashew cookies, and kaya.

Available throughout the year, diners (both local and foreign) will be able to bring home a part of Singapore’s culinary heritage along with them.

Violet Oon Singapore (ION Orchard)
ION Orchard #03-28/29
2 Orchard Turn,
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 9834 9935
Daily: 12pm – 10pm

IMPERIAL TREASURE FINE TEOCHEW CUISINE

Awarded a one-Michelin star for 2 years running, Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine in ION Orchard is one Chinese restaurant that can always be relied on to provide us with an exquisite, out-of-this-world dining experience whether it be a casual dim sum brunch or a full-on feast. And judging from our recent visit, we can see why the restaurant is indeed deserving of the prestigious accolade.

Well-lit and accentuated with lots of fresh flowers and natural sunlight, the interior gives off a cheery appeal and an overall laid-back vibe—but the atmosphere is only secondary to their array of brilliantly crafted dishes. Nuanced in flavour, their food is prepared with the utmost skill and attention to detail by a team of master chefs.

Delicious, straightforward and great for sharing, we opted for their delicately hand-crafted Diced Abalone wrapped with Egg White Skin , Wok Fried Hor Fun with Diced “Kai Lan” and Preserved Radish as well as their Frog Legs with Sze Chuan Peppercorns.

Freshly poached daily in a mix of sauces and spices, their marinated offerings take on a lacquered sheen of brown, indicating that flavours have indeed been permeated all the way through. We opted for the Three Kinds Of Marinated Combination In Teochew Style that includes marinated pork knuckle, sliced duck meat and octopus.

The flavours were mellow, refined and milder in comparison to other dark-coloured braised meats found elsewhere. Based solely on taste, we have to admit we were hesitant about its lightness but as we proceeded to take more bites, sampling the various sauces as we went, the items became more and more addictive.

Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine
ION Orchard, #03-05,
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6736 2118
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 10.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

Well-known for their ultra-rich and sinfully-good chocolate cakes and desserts, local chocolatier Awfully Chocolate, is no stranger to anyone who’s ever had a hankering for decadent desserts. Tucked away in a cosy corner of ION Orchard’s basement, Awfully Chocolate’s only concept store offers takeaway cakes, sliced chocolate desserts as well as a permanent collection of handcrafted chocolate bars, cookies and gift sets.

Exclusive for the festive season, Awfully Chocolate has launched a new range of Artisanal Christmas Cakes that include luxurious and decadent Christmas Fruit Cake Brownie (S$78 for 800g), Crème Brûlée Cake (S$98 for 1.8kg) as well as many others.

Awfully Chocolate
ION Orchard, #B4-50,
2 Orchard Turn,
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6884 6377
Daily: 10am – 10pm

HEYTEA SINGAPORE

Dedicated to serving high-quality brews made using only the freshest and top-quality ingredients, it is no surprise that HEYTEA is the most highly sought-after tea brand in China—and now, Singapore. The original inventors of the acclaimed cheese tea, HEYTEA has garnered many fans across Asia and inspired a global trend.

Having opened its very first outpost outside of China in Basement 4 of ION Orchard, the cheese tea giant serves massive queues on a daily basis. Their tea leaves are specially sourced and blends are customised for their own use only and with it, they brew a myriad of thirst-quenching, refreshing beverages that come with a generous dollop of their signature Cheezo.

HEYTEA Singapore
ION Orchard, #03-0528/#B4-29
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel: +656908 0019
Daily: 10am – 10pm

LUXURY FASHION BOUTIQUES GALORE

Boasting floor upon floor of luxury brands and boutiques, ION Orchard is a shopaholic’s heaven. The 3rd floor of the mall recently underwent a revamp and features more internationally-renowned brands such as Valentino, HUGO, PINKO, Longchamp, Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF) and Karl Lagerfeld.

Feeling like you need a wardrobe makeover? Pick up a printed dress from Diane Von Furstenberg; a pair of shoes and some accessories from Karl Lagerfield and a bag from Longchamp.

With big names such as Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber being the faces of these brands, get a piece of Europe and its incredible fashion right here in the heart of Orchard Road—at ION Orchard.

Now you know where to get luxurious Christmas presents too, yes?

This post was brought to you by ION Orchard.

Surrounded by lush greenery and a host of beautiful architectural pieces scattered across its massive compound, the Independence Palace is a place that warrants a visit for first-time travellers to Ho Chi Minh City.

Besides being a place deeply associated with the fall of the city in 1975, there is a sense of charm about the place that makes walking through its desolate halls fill one with a sense of intrigue yet eeriness at the same time.

While the Reunification Palace or Independence Palace in HCMC holds historic significance, it may or may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Unless you’re a history buff that enjoys the history of politics and more specifically that of Vietnam, the palace itself might prove to be a tad underwhelming in terms of what’s in store. But here’s why it’s worth a visit anyway.

Entering the compound is as easy as walking up to the ticketing counter at the entrance and purchasing a ticket. We got the full pass which basically allowed us to enter every exhibit and it cost us 195,000 VND per person.

The Independence Palace, which was first opened to the public in 1990 has been the scene of many of the most important (and dramatic) events in Vietnam’s history.

Occupying the site of the former residence of the French colonial government general, the palace was home to several Vietnamese presidents and subsequently in 1975, was stormed by Liberation Forces which led to one of the most significant events in Vietnam’s history—the liberation of the South.

The entire palace is huge and is almost entirely free for visitors to roam. Strolling in and around the palace grounds, you will find a few prominent landmarks, eateries and even souvenir shops. The main palace has 5 levels filled with exhibits from war rooms to bunkers and even massive and extravagant dining halls.

On display outside, you will find the exact tank that was used by the Vietnamese liberation forces to break through the palace through the great palace gate back on 30 April 1975.

Why is it important? Because having crashed through its main gate, the North Vietnamese Army successfully managed to end the Vietnam War—that’s why.

Making your way into the palace, you are first greeted with two separate exhibits of the original Cabinet Room and State Banqueting Hall—both kept clean and as pristine as when they were used back then.

The Cabinet Room was where meetings among the president and his ministers were held and, as its name suggests, the State Banqueting Hall was where state banquets used to be held.

Receptions for as many as 500 guests were held at the Conference Hall, which was also used for the installation of each new cabinet. A room that boasts both stunning architectural and artistic prowess, every detail of this room is truly marvellous.

Independence Palace
135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia,
Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Daily: 8am – 11am, 1pm – 4pm

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

It’s only been a few weeks since Isaac Toast announced its plans to open in Singapore but the wait has been agonising. But all’s good now because Isaac Toast will begin operations at Plaza Singapura from tomorrow (15 July 2018) onwards!

This popular Korean toast chain is famous for their breakfast toasts that come in an assortment of flavours which include the likes of ham & cheese, bulgogi and more. Locals and tourists alike love their sandwiches for the over-the-top fillings and crisp bread slices.

We had a sneak peek of their menu before they officially open so carry on reading to find out more!

From their MVP Series, patrons are treated to savoury gourmet sandwiches such as Double Spicy Cutlet, Hot Chicken MVP, Bulgogi MVP, Shrimp MVP and Hot Tteokgalbi MVP.

We came to a consensus that the Double Spicy Cutlet stole the limelight. Comprising a thick chunk of chicken cutlet, barbecue sauce and shredded cabbage for that added crunch, every bite of this decadent sandwich was flavourful.

One of our other favourite at Isaac Toast is their Ham & Cheese, which comes with ham, savoury omelette and cheese in between two slices of toasted bread.

Other flavours you can find include the Steak Ham, Ham Special and Ham & Cheese—simple recipes that will leave your tummy and taste buds satisfied.

Coffee, tea and fruit smoothies make up Isaac Toast’s beverage menu; you can go for an Americano, Cappuccino, Earl Grey Tea or cold drinks such as Strawberry & Banana Smoothie and Iced Tea.

Isaac Toast Singapore
68 Orchard Road
B2-42, Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Situated in Pelangi, Johor Bahru is Ink N Water, a well-known café that has been around for the past few years. It takes just a 10-minute drive from the immigration checkpoint close to Johor Bahru City Square to get to Ink N Water and it is not uncommon to see Singaporeans amongst the locals over there.

This café whips up a wide range of dishes, ranging from pasta to pizza to meatballs and salads. Coffee lovers will also be pleased to hear that they have a myriad of caffeinated drinks, made with coffee beans sourced from both Ethiopia and Brazil.

This café’s furnishing is rustic themed, giving off a retro vibe that makes the café feel extra homely and familiar.

We opted for their Salted Egg Yolk Waffle (RM17.90) which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and generously drizzled with their homemade salted egg yolk sauce and Hawaiian coconut shavings.

The waffle had the right texture—neither overly crispy nor soggy—and it wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet as well. The homemade salted egg yolk sauce went surprisingly well with the waffles.

Made from a blend of apple pieces, hibiscus, cranberries, sultana raisins, rose-hip peel and raspberry pieces, the aromatic Fruit Basket Tea Depot (RM14) is a crowd-pleaser.

Ink N Water is definitely a conducive café fit for those who are café hopping or looking for a place to chill. 

Ink N Water
46, Jalan Pingai, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Mon, Wed – Sat: 1pm – 1am
Tue and Sun: 1pm – 9pm
Tel: +60 7-336 4766

Miyagawa Honten—125-year-old Unagi Speciality Restaurant—is opening its first-ever overseas outlet in Singapore.

With the arrival of so many international brands in Singapore this past couple of months, it has been a challenge to keep track but one, in particular, that has got us stoked out of our minds is the renowed unagi speciality restaurant, Miyagawa Honten.

For those who are unfamiliar, Miyagawa Honten is one of Tokyo’s most well-known unagi restaurants, with a history that spans 125 years. Its first outlet was Tsukiji Miyagawa Honten back in 1894, and it has since grown from strength to strength, now operating 20 outlets in Japan alone!

The restaurant’s very first foray out of Japan and the very first one out of Japan will be known as Ichinoji Miyagawa and we are all ecstatic to get our hands—or rather our tastebuds—on their speciality eel that boasts a unique, thick and somewhat spicy sauce—very different from the usual unagi dishes that we are familiar with.

The 34-seater restaurant located at Riverside View, Robertson Quay will serve unagi in three of its signature styles: hitsumabushi, seiro mushi and donburi.

Hitsumabushi is a traditional Nagoya’s style of cooking freshwater eel that involves slitting the eel open along the belly and grilling it whole without steaming beforehand. This style of preparing freshwater eel can be enjoyed on its own or with dashi, nori, wasabi and green onion.

For those who are wish to experience and savour the natural flavours of grilled unagi at its purest should definitely opt for the donburi option that features clean flavours and neutrally-flavoured accompaniments to really bring out the taste of the fish.

Photos credit: Miyagawa Honten

Ichinoji Miyagawa Singapore has yet to announce its official opening date. Watch this space as we bring you the latest news about its opening in Singapore.

Ichinoji Miyagawa Singapore
01-05 Riverside View
Robertson Quay Singapore 238251
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Long regarded as the Island of Gods on the clear waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Miyajima—an island just off the coast of Hiroshima—is one of the top three scenic spots in Japan which is home to the floating Itsukushima Shrine and O-Torii Gate.

Both the Itsukushima Shrine and O-Torii Gate carry religious significance to the Japanese and the former has been dedicated to the worship of the three daughters of Susano-o no Mikoto—Shinto god of the seas and storms. The Itsukushima Shrine and O-Torii Gate were also built over water so as to protect the purity of these religious sites.

Normally visited as a day trip from Hiroshima, a day full of adventure and discovery awaits you on Miyajima. This is one island that you must visit once in your life.

Awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 1996, the Itsukushima Shrine is a national treasure of Japan which spans across an area of about 280 metres and 20 buildings.

Prior to entering the Itsukushima Shrine, visitors are welcome to cleanse their hands at the Chozuya as a symbolic act of purification. All you’d have to do is to use the ladle to scoop some water from the central catchment area and pour the water over both your hands.

The Itsukushima Shrine is a splendid example of Shinden-style architecture—an architectural style used in the building of residences for nobility in the past. Take the time to explore the entire complex which comprises several halls and shrines lit by lanterns. 

And just 200 metres ahead of the Itsukushima Shrine lies the O-Torii Gate, the iconic “floating” gate which many flock to Miyajima for. First constructed in 1168, the O-Torii Gate is considered the boundary between the spirit and human worlds and the vibrant vermilion colours of the gate is believed to keep evil spirits away.

Depending on the tide, visitors may have the chance to walk to the foot of the O-Torii Gate and pass through it. Otherwise, admiring it from land during high tide would be just as magical.

Admission to the Itsukushima Shrine will cost ¥300 per adult and ¥200 for high school students. Viewing of the O-Torii Gate is free.

Admission hours for the Itsukushima Shrine
01 January: 12am – 6.30pm
02 to 03 January: 6.30am – 6.30pm
04 January to end of February, 15 October 2017 to 30 November: 6.30am – 5.30pm
01 March to 14 October: 6.30am – 6pm
01 December to 31 December: 6.30am – 5pm

Itsukushima Shrine & O-Torii Gate
1-1 Miyajima-cho,
Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588
Tel: +81 829 44 2020

For more recommendations, read our guide on 5D4N Shikoku & Setouchi itinerary featuring 19 reasons to visit this beautiful region.

It is tucked at a corner on the second level of Cuppage Plaza and you wouldn’t otherwise walk past it unless you were particularly looking out for it. The nondescript outlet has been around for three decades. We actually only discovered it about seven years ago but it has since remained as a favourite of ours whenever we want a simple, affordable Japanese meal in Orchard Road.

Izakaya Nijumaru is one hidden gem (literally) in Cuppage Plaza.

But if you find it, we say you walk right in and treat yourselves to a good Japanese meal. You’d be pleased to know that the prices are very reasonable and the menu is comprehensive.

Izakaya Nijumaru will have you reminiscing your times in Japan. The traditional setting—complete with dim lights, counter seats, seasonal menu handwritten in Japanese and plastered over the chef’s counter, fortune cats and beer taps—instantly made us feel like we have stepped into a Japanese izakaya. No frills, no pretence; Izakaya Nijumaru’s ambience hits all the right spots.

Then, there is a huge menu with many Japanese favourites that will spoil you silly. Set lunches start as low as S$9 for an Omelette Egg Rice to S$25 for an Unagi Bento Box complete with sashimi and miso soup.

For the in-betweens, go for the Buta Shioyaki Set (S$13), Deep Fried Pork Fillet (S$13) or Tendon (S$13). We are crazy about tempura bowls and the Tendon here didn’t disappoint. An assortment of prawns and vegetables served atop Japanese rice, this hearty bowl is something we’d return to Izakaya Nijumaru for.

The most value-for-money set and the one we loved most is the Nijumaru Bento Box (S$21) that comprises sashimi, grilled saba, pork belly, tempura and miso soup. The pork belly, in particular, was super flavourful and the grilled saba was fresh and sweet.

There is a concise sashimi moriawase selection, a series of simmered dishes such as Chawan Mushi (S$5.50) and Oden (S$9), and a whole page of grilled items (think xxx and xxx).

Japanese food wouldn’t be complete without a good beer or whisky and over at Izakaya Nijumaru, the beverage list is pretty well-curated in their own rights, too.

Izakaya Nijumaru
5 Koek Rd, #02- 228796, 10 Cuppage Rd
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Mid-Autumn is a widely celebrated festival among Chinese all over the world. It is a heart-warming occasion that brings family and loved ones together for a time of bonding while admiring the bright full moon and enjoying decadent mooncakes and tea.

As with every year, we want nothing but the best for this occasion—luxurious mooncakes of the highest quality that everybody enjoys.

This year, InterContinental Singapore’s award-winning restaurant Man Fu Yuan unveils a divine collection of handcrafted mooncakes featuring four new tantalising snowskin mooncakes that come in floral flavours, and a selection of six baked mooncakes handcrafted by Executive Chinese Chef Kwan Yiu Kan using time-honoured recipes.

SNOWSKIN MOONCAKES

Making its debut this year, the Garden Collection features four snowskin mooncake flavours that include Roselle and Red Date; Rosemary, Almond and Green Tea; Rose and Pistachio; and Pandan and Macadamia.

The Garden Collection (S$72 nett for a box of four) features a stellar line-up of innovative snowskin mooncake creations that incorporate the use of botanicals and floral flavours—  think elegant aromas such as rose, pandan, and rosemary.

The Roselle and Red Date Snowskin Mooncake is a unique standout that features the use of red date paste—a refreshing difference from the traditional lotus seed paste. The light smoky notes of Roselle are perfectly balanced by the luscious red date filling.

Inspired by the use of botanicals and flowers in the kitchen, Chef Kwan takes a bold step in incorporating other new elements, including rosemary infused with green tea paste and almonds, rose with white lotus paste and pistachio, and pandan with white lotus paste and macadamia nuts.

BAKED MOONCAKES

The Baked Mooncake selection is available in a variety of flavours to suit all palates, such as White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk (S$68 nett for a box of four) and Double Yolks (S$72 nett for a box of four), Red Lotus Paste with Single Yolk (S$64 nett for a box of four) and Double Yolks (S$68 nett for a box of four), Assorted Nuts (S$66 nett for a box of four), and Low-Sugar White Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts (S$68 nett for a box of four) for a healthier indulgence this Mid-Autumn.

These dazzling mooncakes are all available online until 03 October 2017, and guests enjoy a 5% savings when they make their purchases at InterContinentalShoppe.sg.

If you prefer to make the trip down, you can also get them at the Man Fu Yuan Shoppe, located at the entrance of InterContinental Singapore from Bugis Junction until 04 October 2017.

For more information, you may visit ManFuYuan.sg, email sinhb-festive@ihg.com or call +65 6825 1131 or +65 6825 1132.

Man Fu Yuan Shoppe 
80 Middle Road
InterContinental Singapore, located at the entrance of InterContinental Singapore from  Bugis Junction
To Order: +65 6825 1131 / InterContinentalShoppe.sg / sinhb-festive@ihg.com
11:00am to 8:00pm daily
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is brought to you by InterContinental Singapore.

Bara Chirashi Don is a rice bowl topped with a variety of diced and marinated sashimi, and its popularity is unparalleled. But they don’t usually come cheap.

A hidden gem along New Upper Changi Road, Izumi Japanese Fish Market has successfully packaged affordability together with quality in their Bara Chirashi Don (S$11.80).

Other than the Bara Chirashi Don, it also has other donburi on the menu—the cheapest donburi on the menu is only S$5.50!

At just S$11.80 per bowl, Izumi Japanese Fish Market’s Bara Chirashi Don is prepared à la minute and you can watch the skilled chefs slice your sashimi right before your eyes.

We were extremely impressed by the generous portions of fresh seafood—which includes salmon and tuna, grilled unagi, crab stick, fish roe and seaweed strips.

However, simply calling this a value-for-money meal understates how wonderful this don was. The presentation of the Bara Chirashi Don was on point and the rice to sashimi ratio was perfect. There was just the right amount of marinade with the sashimi, which drew out the true flavours of the fish.

Throw in the grilled texture and light teriyaki marination of the grilled unagi, Izumi Japanese Fish Market’s Bara Chirashi Don was an absolute stunner that we would be thrilled to have again.

As mentioned earlier, Izumi Japanese Fish Market offers a range of affordable donburi that start from as cheap as S$5.50.

Some of them include Salmon Teriyaki Don (S$6.80) and Anago Don (S$9). A selection of sides is also available, such as Takoyaki (S$5 for 10 pieces) and Urchin Flavoured Ball (S$4).

Izumi Japanese Fish Market also sells freshly packaged sashimi which can be sliced and enjoyed on-site upon request.

A humble and unassuming dining establishment with incredibly affordable prices, Izumi Japanese Fish Market is truly the emblem of the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.

Izumi Japanese Fish Market
59 New Upper Changi Road, 1, Singapore 461059
Tel: +65 6245 5568
Tue to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

About the writer
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets—to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Nobody goes to Sunshine Plaza unless they are printing name cards, but you would have heard about the famous Victor’s Kitchen and made a trip there for dim sum.

But we have another reason for you to visit that otherwise random mall.

Our search for good and affordable eateries led us to this discreet Japanese shop called Ichi Tei, which is located inside Sunshine Plaza. Ichi Tei’s set meals are less than S$14, which makes for a decent lunch or dinner.

Upon stepping into the mall, you will definitely notice the bright red colours of the signboard of Ichi Tei, which will stand out in the plain-looking mall.

Affordably priced at S$8.90, the Chicken Teriyaki Set Meal is a good go; flavourful, and we liked that the chicken skin was slightly charred and crispy. The sweet teriyaki sauce enhanced the flavours of the chicken without it being overwhelming.

Every set meal entitles you to a rice set, creamy potato salad and a bowl of miso soup.

Another popular choice at Ichi Tei is the Unadon Rice Set Meal (S$12.90), where visitors get a generous serving of unagi (Japanese eel) with rice.

While we also enjoyed this rice bowl, the chicken teriyaki fared much better.

There is more on Ichi Tei’s menu—Udon Set, Curry Rice Set and Curry Udon Set. Sides include Deep Fried Shumai (S$6), Salmon Sashimi (S$9) and Tori Karage (S$8).

Ichi Tei
91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9139 1746
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sun & PH: Closed
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

Ippoh, a famous tempura restaurant in Osaka, is opening its casual dining concept in Singapore this month.

Ask any local in Osaka to recommend a tempura shop in Osaka and they are likely to direct you to Ippoh, which is said to be the oldest and best tempura eatery in the region. No foodie would pass up the chance to give this prestigious restaurant a try.

And if you aren’t heading to Japan anytime soon, that’s fine too because you will have the chance to taste Ippoh’s crispy and delicate Osaka style tempura right here in Singapore.

Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh will be opening at COMO Dempsey on 10 December 2016. Chef Masaru Seki, the fifth-generation member of the founding family has promised that the eatery will stick strictly to the same culinary standards as the original Ippoh outlet in Japan.

Expect only the most premium ingredients to be used which changes accordingly to the season. Every piece of tempura is fried individually with care, using high-quality safflower oil to lock in all the rich flavours in the tempura sans the greasiness found in most tempuras.

Of course, every chef has been trained to master the art of tempura-making, from crafting the tempura to understanding the right oil temperature and time taken on the fryer so that the tempura is crisp on the outside and yet cooked to perfection inside.

Visitors will be seated in a 1,200 square feet restaurant that can fit up to 18 pax, with the best seats at the tempura bar where you will get to watch your tempura being prepared carefully by hand before it is served to you.

Lunch sets start from S$60 to S$100 and dinner sets are going at S$140 to S$200. Besides that, complement your meal with a wide range of sakes, wines and beers.

Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh
Block 17B Dempsey Road
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 3388
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Fri, Sat, Eve of PH & PH: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Located in the heart of Kovan—just a stone’s throw away from Kovan MRT Station—is Ice Edge Cafe.

The cafe-cum-restaurant has been around for a decade and has gained a huge following over the past years with its hearty savouries and stellar sweets. Dishes served here are very affordable and generously portioned; there is even a perpetual one-for-one lunch promotion* on weekdays!

You might have heard of their legendary Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake, Waffles and Homemade Brownies, but Ice Edge Cafe is more than that. It offers a menu of wallet-friendly dishes (most mains are priced under S$20). If you haven’t been, you are missing out, dude.

From now until 15 December 2016, quote “ladyironchef” to get a FREE Waffle with a scoop of gelato when you spend S$20 per table. This offer is valid during dinner daily.

#1 BUFFALO WINGS

Ice Edge Cafe’s Buffalo Wings (S$9.80+) come in a platter of six.

Each deep-fried chicken wing is coated in a hot peppery buffalo sauce that is infused with vinegar and butter, and garnished with herbs and spices. If you can’t handle spices well, steer clear of this.

The Buffalo Wings are part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu.

#2 CALAMARI WITH THAI MAYO

We absolutely love the Calamari with Thai Mayo (S$12.80++) that is on the starters menu. Green salad and Thai mayonnaise dip are served alongside succulent, deep-fried battered squid rings.

#3 JAPANESE BONITO PRAWN SALAD

If calories matter, then the Japanese Bonito Prawn Salad (S$12.80++) is for you. This is a salad of assorted leafy greens, Japanese seasoning, fresh prawns and crispy wakame. Pretty simple, but no less fresh and healthy.

The Japanese Bonito Prawn Salad is part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu.

#4 SEAFOOD AGLIO OLIO SPAGHETTI

The Seafood Aglio Olio Spaghetti (S$16.80+) is an Ice Edge classic. Served with clams, juicy prawns and squid, the pasta is served al dente and tossed with chilli padi and garlic. It comes in a very generous portion too!

The Seafood Aglio Olio Spgahetti is part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu. Each pasta works out to be just S$8.4+ during lunch!

#5 TOM YAM SEAFOOD LINGUINE

Tom Yam Seafood Linguine (S$17.80+) is an interesting East-meets-West pasta invention which has successfully incorporated the traditional Thai soup into an Italian classic. The pasta is cooked firm to the bite and enhanced with the garlic’s aroma. It is then complemented with clam, squid and prawn.

And it is very spicy. But that is precisely how we like it to be. Definitely our favourite pasta in the entire menu!

#6 BUTTER CREAM SALMON

Over at Ice Edge Cafe, salmon fillets are cooked to perfection—think crispy skin and runny flesh. The fish flakes easily when pierced through with a fork, and topped with a slap of buttery herbs cream and pink peppercorn. The Butter Cream Salmon (S$19.80+) is also served with grilled asparagus and a house salad.

It honestly looks like nothing, but it is the kind of comfort lunch you’d wish for on a boring workday.

#7 PESTO CREAM CHICKEN

The chef-recommended main course Pesto Cream Chicken (S$17.80+) looked pretty messy but this plate packs a punch. It comprises a juicy chicken thigh pan-fried till golden brown, then topped with fresh pesto, and accompanied with carrots, cream, herbs, potatoes and spices.

The Pesto Cream Chicken is part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu. S$8.90 for a main course? Lunch doesn’t get any better than this.

#8 CORDON BLEU

By now, you would have noticed that the menu is comprehensive; from American, Italian to Swiss, you can expect a myriad of cuisines.

Ice Edge Cafe’s take on the Cordon Bleu (S$18.80+) is a beautiful one. Slice into the deep-fried breaded chicken and you will see the intersection of bacon and bursting nacho cheese. This is actually our favourite main, for it was satisfaction in every bite.

#9 PIZZA PRAWN MENTAIKO

The Pizza Prawn Mentaiko (S$16.80+) is a work of art and damn, ain’t it photogenic?! The pizza comes with a thin crust. Herbs, prawns and mozzarella cheese are scattered all over the flat dough, before Japanese mayonnaise and mentaiko cream are drizzled in circular motions.

#10 MAO SHAN WANG LAVA CAKE

The divine Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake (S$14.80+) is a must-order when at Ice Edge Cafe. And we’ve heard many stories of how people from all over Singapore travel to Kovan for this legendary dessert. It is safe to say the folks at Ice Edge Cafe pioneered the durian lava cake trend.

The King of Fruits has been integrated into a dense lava cake and warm molten durian will ooze out upon forking it. No efforts have been spared in the making of this signature dessert, and the end result is a robust, divine dessert that bursts with aroma. The lava cake comes with a scoop of gelato of your choice.

#11 WAFFLE

Super crisp on the outside and featherlight on the inside, the Waffles here are superb. Choose to top your waffle with one, two, three or four gelato scoop(s). Prices are S$10+, S$14.50+, S$19+ and S$23.50+ respectively.

There are many flavours to choose from for your gelato (which is also what Ice Edge Cafe is well-loved for), and unique flavours include Salted Egg, Japanese Yuzu and Cotton Candy.

#12 BROWNIE WITH GELATO

Like the idea of death by chocolate? Well, then you have to get the warm double chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce. This decadent dessert comes with either one or two scoop(s) of gelato; the former is priced at S$9.80+ whilst the latter would set you back S$14.30+.

And it is important to know that Ice Edge Cafe takes pride in their desserts, and this brownie is baked fresh in-house daily.

#13 CHEESECAKE

We can always do with a good cheesecake, yes? There are three flavours of cheesecakes available on a rotational basis, i.e. Blue Berry, New York and Oreo. Each rich cheesecake costs S$6.80+.

Of course, you need to top it off with a scoop or two of gelato.

From now until 15 December 2016, quote “ladyironchef” to get a FREE Waffle with a scoop of gelato (worth S$10+) when you spend S$20 per table. This offer is valid during dinner daily.

*The 1-for-1 Lunch Promotion is available every day on weekdays (excluding eves of and Public Holiday), and it is redeemable from 11.30am to 3pm. The higher-priced item will be charged. 1-for-1 items can be mixed and matched, and no splitting of bills is allowed.

Ice Edge Cafe
2 Kovan Rise
Simon Plaza, #01-10
Singapore 548008
Tel: +65 6858 5729
Daily: 11.30am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

This post is brought to you by Ice Edge Cafe.

ION Orchard is a luxurious shopping mall that puts together familiar retail brands all within the eight levels of development, which total up to be 66,000 square metres.

From luxury brands to high street fashion and lifestyle brands, ION Orchard has over 300 retail, F&B and entertainment stores. It is one comprehensive destination mall that has attracted many international brands, as well as shoppers from all around the world.

Besides shopping, ION Orchard has a significant amount of retail space dedicated to dining. There are so many dining choices to choose from, and our ION Orchard Food Directory will give you a great overview.

4 FINGERS CRISPY CHICKEN
#B4-06/06A ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 8641
Sun to Thu & PH: 11am – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11am – 10.30pm

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE
#B4-50 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6884 6377
Daily: 10am – 10pm

BAKE CHEESE TART
#B4-33 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Daily: 10am – 10pm

BENGAWAN SOLO
#B4-38 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6238 2090
Daily: 10am – 10pm

BREAD SOCIETY
#B4-08/09 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 4434
Sun to Thu: 9.00am – 10.00pm
Fri & Sat: 9.00am – 10.30pm

CRAVE
#B4-58/59 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Daily: 9.30am – 9.30pm

DUNKIN’ DONUTS
#B4-60 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 8511
Daily: 8am – 10pm

FIRST LOVE PATISSERIE
#B4-63 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6238 8006
Daily: 11am – 10pm

GINZA BAIRIN
#B4-39/40/41/42 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 8101
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm

GYOZA-YA
#B4-56 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 4647
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm

HAAGEN-DAZS
#04-27-32 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 4421
Daily: 10am – 10pm

HOCK LAM BEEF SPECIALITIES
#B3-18 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Daily: 11am – 10pm

HONEYMOON DESSERT
#B3-15/16 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6834 4483
Daily: 11am – 10pm

HONG KONG WONTON NOODLE
#B4-54 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6636 8622
Daily: 10am – 10pm

HOSHINO COFFEE
#B3-25/26 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 8638
Sun to Thu: 11.30AM – 10PM
Fri to Sun: 11.30AM – 10.30PM

HOT STAR LARGE FRIED CHICKEN
#B4-70 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6634 2254
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm

IMPERIAL TREASURE NOODLE & CONGEE HOUSE
#B3-17 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 8283
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 10.30am – 10pm

IMPERIAL TREASURE STEAMBOAT RESTAURANT
#04-09/10 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6636 9339
Daily
Lunch: 11am – 3pm
Dinner: 6pm – 11pm

INDOBOX
#B3-24 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 8600
Daily: 11am – 10pm

ISLAND CREAMERY
#B3-K1 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 5098
Daily: 10am – 10pm

ITACHO SUSHI
#B3-20 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 8911
Daily: 11am – 10pm

LET’S EAT
#B4-66 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Daily: 10am – 10pm

LIM CHEE GUAN
#B4-37 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 3776
Daily: 10am – 10pm

LONDON SANDWICH CO
#B4-45/46 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 4355
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm

MAGOSABURO
#04-11A, #05-01 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6634 1411
Weekdays
Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm
Dinner: 3.30pm - 11pm
Weekends & Public Holidays: 11.30am – 11pm

MEI HEONG YUEN
#B4-34 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 3301
Daily: 11am – 10pm

MONSTER CURRY
#B4-52 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 4245
Daily: 11am – 10pm

MR CHURRO
#B4-61 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 1300
Daily: 10am – 10pm

NARA THAI
#B3-21 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6634 5787
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm

Old Chang Kee
#B4-36 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6303 2400
Daily: 10am – 10pm

PARADISE DYNASTY
#04-12A ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 9118 (Does not accept reservations)
Daily: 11am – 10pm

PEZZO
#B4-51 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6844 4222
Daily: 10am – 10pm

PUTIEN
#04-12 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 4296
Weekdays
Lunch: 11.30am – 3pm
Dinner: 5.30pm – 10pm
Weekends & Public Holidays
Lunch: 11.30am – 4.30pm
Dinner: 5.30pm – 10pm

SALT GRILL & SKY BAR BY LUKE MANGAN
#55-01/#56-01 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6592 5118
Restaurant
Lunch: 11.00am – 2pm
Dinner: (Thu – Sun) 6pm – 10pm / Dinner (Fri & Sat) 6pm – 10.30pm
Sky Bar: 11am – 11.30pm
Brunch (Weekend): 11am – 2pm / Afternoon Tea 2pm – 6pm

SAVEUR ART
#04-11 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6634 1141
Daily: 12pm – 9.30pm

SEOUL YUMMY
#B3-22 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 4045
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Friday, Saturday, Eve of PH & PH: 11.30am – 10.30pm

SIMPLY WRAPPS
#B4-30 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 6008
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm

STARBUCKS COFFEE
#B3-59 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 8028
Daily: 8am – 11.30pm

SWENSEN’S
#B1-31 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6884 5967
Weekdays: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Weekends & PH: 10.30am – 10.30pm

TASTE PARADISE
#04-07 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 9660
Weekdays
Lunch: 11.30am – 3.00pm
Dinner: 6.00pm – 11.00pm
Weekends & Ph
Lunch: 11am – 4.30pm
Dinner: 6pm – 11pm

TAZEH BY SHABESTAN
#B4-64 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6238 8519
Daily: 10am – 10pm

TEA LOFT
#B4-03 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 9278
Sun to Thu: 7.30am – 10.30pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 7.30am – 11pm

TEPPEI SYOKUDO
#B4-57 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 9882
Daily: 10am – 10pm

TCC – THE CONNOISSEUR CONCERTO
#B2-49 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 6106
Sun to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri, Sat, Eve of PH & PH: 10am – 11pm

THE 1872 CLIPPER TEA CO.
#B4-07 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Daily: 10am – 10pm

THE COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF
#B1-12 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 9742
Daily: 7.30am – 11pm

THE MARMALADE PANTRY
#03-22/28 to 34 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6734 2700
Daily: 10am – 10pm

THE SOUP SPOON UNION – THE SOUP SPOON/ THE GRILL KNIFE
#B4-67/68 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6634 5378
Daily: 10.30am – 10pm

TORI Q
#B4-53 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 1127
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm

TOSS & TURN
#B4-55 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6636 5835
Daily: 10am – 10pm

TWG TEA SALON & BOUTIQUE
#02-20/21 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6735 1837
Daily: 10am – 10pm

WATAMI
#B3-23 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 9366
Daily:11.30am to 10pm

WRAP & ROLL -THE BEST OF VIETNAMESE FOOD
#B3-19 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6509 1555
Daily: 10am – 10pm

YA KUN KAYA TOAST
#B4-71/72 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6238 0458
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm

YAMI YOGURT
#B4-62 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 23880
Tel: +65 6238 6682
Daily: 10am – 10pm

For more recommendations, read our Ultimate Orchard Road Food Guide which covers more than 100 restaurants, cafes and eateries you must dine at.

The number of cafes in Rangoon Road has grown steadily over the past years and the quaint Farrer Park neighbourhood is now home to an eclectic mix of old-school coffee shops, hipster-looking cafes and whatnot.

Icebox Cafe – one of the newer kids on the block – has come up with its version of Dominique Ansel-inspired Cookie and Milk Shots.

Icebox Cafe is Singapore’s very first halal-certified specialty bingsu cafe, but the menu features more than just Korean ice-cold treats. Indulge in sinful over-the-top shakes, tasty fluffy toasts and of course, do not leave the cafe until you have tried their lovely Cookie Shots (S$6.90) served with a choice of ice cream.

Icebox Cafe’s Cookie Shot is served on a triangular dish with a jug of milk and your preferred flavour of ice cream. The cookie cup is coated with chocolate at the rim and boasts a delightful doughy texture.

Fill the edible cup with milk and sip from it, or start nibbling on the cookie shot glass. The cookie cup is not overwhelmingly sweet and has a pleasantly mild salty aftertaste.

Admittedly, the underwhelming cookies-and-cream ice cream melted a tad too fast.

While the attention-grabbing dessert is arguably gimmicky, we have to say we actually did enjoy chomping through the thick edible chocolate chip cookie shot glass.

Besides the head-turning cookie shot, signature bingsu snow desserts and dramatic shakes, Icebox Cafe also sells a splendid selection of toasts.

Some flavours to try are the Red Velvet Toast with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese (S$9.90) and the Peanut Butter Cheesecake Toast stuffed with Chocolate Brownie (S$9.90).

Icebox Cafe
89 Rangoon Road
#01-02, Urban Lofts
Singapore 218375
Tel: +65 9155 4720
Mon to Fri: 2pm – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor