Located along the same stretch as Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap, Punggol Nasi Lemak, Ding Te Le and Qi Wei Chicken Claypot, Naked Ice Cream is a new waffle and ice cream cafe in Kovan which opens until 2am daily.

Kovan is home to many eateries and food places and Naked Ice Cream is the latest addition to the neighbourhood.

Naked Ice Cream has officially opened to the public on 25 June 2021.

Like most ice cream cafes in Singapore, you can have your ice cream in a cup, cone or with a waffle. There are two waffles to choose from—Plain Waffle (S$3.80), or Charcoal Waffle (S$4.80). For drinks, you can choose from coffee, tea and house special fizzies.

Some of the ice cream flavours at Naked Ice Cream include:

• MSW Durian
• Pistachio
• Earl Grey Tea
• Cookie Monster
• Hokkaido Milk
• Hojicha Green Tea

Photos credit: Naked Ice Cream

Drop by Naked Ice Cream for ice cream and waffles after having supper in Kovan. Do note that there are only limited tables available for dine-in.

You can also get their pints to go (S$16 for classic flavours and S$19 for premium flavours).

Naked Ice Cream
957 Upper Serangoon Rd
Singapore 534717
2pm – 2am

NUDE Grill is our favourite pet-friendly restaurant in Singapore. It ticks all the boxes for us: a comfortable environment for the furkids to roam with water bowls provided for them, relaxing ambience and real, good food for humans, and it is sheltered!

The problem with most pet-friendly restaurants/ cafes in Singapore is that the food for humans is always shitty, and sometimes there is no shelter so there are no bad weather contingencies if it rains.

And all these make NUDE Grill even more ideal when you want a good meal at a nice seafood restaurant in Singapore but can’t bear to leave your furkid alone at home. They do not have a menu for pets but hey, that’s a small issue.

The centralized location makes it accessible to everyone. Conveniently sitting within Marina One, the popular seafood restaurant sits on the first level of the office-cum-residences building and has a big, airy space for you to walk your furkids.

NUDE Grill is able to serve quality seafood at reasonable prices as their family business is Hai Sia Seafood, a 3rd generation seafood wholesaler.

On their menu, expect honest good food from all-day brunch items to fresh seafood and Binchotan-grilled meats.

The ‘Bouillabaisse’ Seafood Stew (S$25.60) is our all-time favourite. A bowl of tiger prawns, seasonal fish, clams and cuttlefish simmered with watercress and potato, this hearty bowl of goodness is comforting as much as it is flavourful.

We also like the Grassfed NZ Wagyu ‘Bavette’ Steak (S$27.50). A slab of smoky steak prepared in your preferred doneness is served with a side of sweet corn (so good!) and scrambled eggs – simple and very filling. Oh, we sometimes cheat by letting our furkid have a piece of steak.

Some other popular items on the menu include the NUDE Breakfast (S$27.50), Fish & Chips (S$19.90), Fisherman’s Linguine (S$26.8) and Miso Halibut with Udon (S$22.9). They’ve got got a pretty comprehensive drinks menu, with reasonably-priced wines.

NUDE Grill
5 Straits View, #01-22 Marina One, Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 8726 1576

The first thought that comes to mind when Nara is mentioned is deers. Lots and lots of deers.

Nara is famous for its free-roaming Sika deer which can be found wandering around the city. There are at least 1200 of these nimble creatures in Nara and they are tame enough for people to pet and feed them.

However, did you know that the Nara deer used to be deemed as sacred? These graceful creatures were once revered and considered to be divine messengers of the gods. They were so enshrined that anyone found to have killed a deer of Nara were to face the death penalty.

The deers these days are no longer considered as sacred, but they still continue to be protected as national treasures. The city loves their deer so much that there are even signs reminding people to give way to them when they cross the road!

Nara is the perfect blend of both the past and present, making it a great place to make a day trip. If you’re new to the city and are clueless on what to add into your itinerary, here is a guide on what you can see, eat and do there.

Nara is easily accessible from Osaka as well as Kyoto and you can take a train to either Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station.

Aside from their massive obsession with deers, it is also interesting to note that Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital. Due to its rich past, this quaint city houses some of Japan’s most important cultural landmarks which include Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

The main place to explore is Nara Park, where you can find most of the temples, museum, shrines and deers. However, if you’re keen on exploring the sites of Heijo Palace and Horyuji Temple, there are also buses that are able to bring you there.

PLAY AND FEED DEERS

As mentioned earlier, Nara is famous for its gentle, free-roaming deers which can be seen wandering around the main parts of the city as well as Nara Park.

You can choose to purchase some biscuits from vendors located alongside the streets to feed them too. While the deers here are friendly, they can get a little aggressive if you withhold food from them, so try not to open the biscuits too obviously unless you want to be stampeded by a horde of hungry deers.

Top tip: If you bow at the deers, they will bow back. Reward them with some biscuits!

Photo Credit: lexy_ray_

VISIT TODAI-JI TEMPLE 

One of the most famous and important landmarks in Nara is Todai-ji Temple. The intricately designed structure is one of the biggest wooden buildings in the world and is also home to the world’s largest statue of Buddha cast in bronze. While the statue is mostly made from metal, x-ray scans have revealed that treasures are hidden within its framework. 

406-1 Zoshicho
Nara 630-8211, Japan
Daily: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Photo Credit: bymtw_

STROLL THROUGH ISUI-EN GARDEN AND YOSHIKI-EN GARDEN 

While many people have heard of Isui-en Garden, Yoshiki-en Garden is a less known hidden gem that is located nearby. Both gardens are shrouded in lush greenery and gorgeous blooms, making them great spots to snap some lovely photos as well as to meditate and take a breather from the hectic city life.

Isui-en Garden Japan
630-8208 Nara Suimoncho, 72-3
Daily: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Yoshiki-en Garden
1, Noboriojicho Nara
630-8213, Japan
Daily: 9am – 4.30pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Photo Credit: caihonglim

HAVE LUNCH AT TOU NO CHAYA 

Tou No Chaya is a small Japanese cafe that specialises in dishes that are served with tea rice gruel, which is essentially rice porridge cooked in green tea. This simple, traditional dish can rarely be found these days, so if you’ve always wanted to try some authentic tea rice gruel, this is a great place that you can do so at.

18 Minamijodocho Nara
630-8341, Japan
Daily: 11.30am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Nara

Photo Credit: mitaaninn

VISIT KASUGA TAISHA SHRINE 

Kasuga Taisha Shrine is Nara’s most celebrated Shinto shrine and it is dedicated to the deity who is responsible for protecting the city. The shrine’s offering hall is free for all but if you want to explore the inner area which contains the main sanctuary, you have to pay a small fee.

The shrine is also famous for its bronze and stone lanterns, which are donated by worshippers. These mesmerising lanterns are only lit twice a year during lantern festivals in February and mid-August.

160 Kasuganocho Nara
630-8212, Japan
Daily: 6am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Photo Credit: sakamai1260

ADMIRE TAMUKEYAMA HACHIMAN-GU SHRINE 

Tamukeyama Hachiman-gu Shrine is a small, less-known Shinto shrine that is located up a hill behind Todaiji Temple. As it is rather overshadowed by the other shrines in the area, it’s more peaceful, which is great for people who want to avoid the hectic crowds at the more popular shrines.

434 Zoshicho Nara
630-8211, Japan
Tel: +81 742-23-4404
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Photo Credit: ruudverstraeten

SNAP SOME PICTURES AT KOFUKU-JI TEMPLE & THE KOFUKUJI FIVE STORIED PAGODA 

The famous Kofukuji Temple is a Buddhist temple that features several buildings that are incredibly rich in history. Out of all the beautiful structures on the grounds, the most prominent one would be the five-storied pagoda which is 50 metres tall and Japan’s second tallest wooden pagoda.

Aside from the pagoda, you can also check out the Central Golden Hall which houses a large statue of the Yakushi Buddha, as well as the temple’s amazing art collection.

48 Noboriojicho
Nara 630-8213, Japan
Tel: +81 742-22-7755
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Photo Credit: guesthousesmq 

LEARN MORE ABOUT NARA AT NARAMACHI MUSEUM 

At the heart of Nara is Naramachi Museum, a great place for people to learn more about the rich history of Nara. The small yet well-curated museum has a variety of tools, signboards and other historical artefacts from the Edo and Meiji periods on display for visitors to learn about. Entry to the museum is free too!

14-2 Nishinoshinyacho
Nara, 630-8334, Japan
Tel: +81 742-22-5509
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Photo Credit: may_gio_d

DO SOME SOUVENIR SHOPPING AT HIGASHIMUKI SHOPPING STREET 

Higashimuki Shopping Street is a covered shopping arcade near Nara Park that is packed with souvenir shops and boutiques. You can head on over after a fun day of exploring to get gifts for your loved ones back home. There are also a plethora of eateries here where you can get a bite to eat to refuel.

5 Higashimuki Minamimachi Nara
630-8216, Japan
Tel: +81 742-24-4986
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Photo Credit: philmehz

HAVE DINNER AT EDOGAWA NARAMACHI 

For those of you who love unagi (eel), you need to have a meal at Edogawa Naramachi if you are ever in Nara. They specialise in grilled eel that is sourced from Kagoshima and this is usually served with a simple bowl of rice, miso soup and pickles. Their extensive menu also has a variety of other set meals for you to choose from.

43 Shimomikadocho Nara
630-8365, Japan
Tel: +81 742-20-4400
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Kintetsu-Nara

Hailing all the way from Taipei, the famed Ningxia Night Market has, at long last, arrived on our shores. The critically acclaimed Asian Night Market: Taiwan Food Festival has recreated a mini version of the bustling night market — a popular spot among locals and tourists for Taiwanese delicacies — which will span across Siloso Beach and Siloso Point from 16 January to 9 February 2020 (excluding 20 – 22 Jan).

Coined ‘the stomach of Taipei’, Ningxia Night Market Singapore will be offering a diverse range of mouthwatering Taiwanese street food such as Flaming Beef Cubes, Scallion Pancake and Taiwanese Oden. Locals can look forward to feast on an assortment of Taiwan’s exquisite delicacies in our very own Lion City as we will be featuring more than 30 vendors and chefs from the original market itself.

Here are 12 Taiwanese street food and drinks at Ningxia Night Market Singapore that you should not miss out on. So, put your new year dieting resolutions on hold, bring your family and friends down, and get ready to stuff yourself silly with snacks!

SESAME CHICKEN MEE SUA (STALL #7)

A perennial household favourite dish, Sesame Chicken Mee Sua is a hearty bowl of noodles that makes for a splendid comfort meal.

Stewed with wolfberries and bok choy, the broth was herbaceous with gingery nuances. It was also rich and full-bodied, pairing impeccably well with the silken noodles. Slurp the noodles with the aromatic soup to truly enjoy the dish.

BRAISED PORK RICE (STALL #7)

Braised Pork Rice is a dish testament to Taiwan’s food paradise. Essentially a dish comprising of braised minced pork served on a bed of steaming rice, this comforting bowl is sure to remind you of your grandmother’s cooking.

This simple dish is highly raved about by both locals and tourists and we can understand why. The pork was fork-tender and paired nicely with the fragrant rice, which was coated with a thin layer of flavourful oily sauce. The braised gravy also brought out the innate savouriness of the meat.

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BROWN SUGAR BUBBLE MILK (STALL #11)

Brown Sugar Bubble Milk has captured the hearts of many with its combination of fresh milk, brown sugar syrup and chewy tapioca pearls. Nicknamed “dirty tea”, the original brown sugar bubble tea fad was birthed in Taiwan, where Taiwanese brands pride themselves on their “QQ” tapioca pearls and creamy milk.

First boiled with handmade brown sugar, the sweetness-infused pearls are cooked till chewy. Cold ice milk is then added to the piping hot pearls where it blends to become a “dirty” mixture, allowing the drink to be a harmonious blend of saccharine and rich milk.

SCALLION PANCAKE (STALL #9)

The scallion pancake is an iconic local snack in the “OG” Ningxia Night Market — this well-loved, crispy delicacy is known for its gigantic size and crisp texture, reminiscent of Singapore’s very own roti prata. Customers can eagerly await their turn as they watch their pancakes being expertly prepared right in front of their eyes!

The dough is first flattened, then sprinkled with seasoning and spring onions before it is fried to crunchy, golden-brown perfection. An unpretentious dish, it is simple and prepared quickly, relying only on the strong fragrance from the onions to bring out its savouriness.

FLAMING BEEF CUBES (STALL #9)

Locals will be familiar with flame-grilled beef cubes — we have seen this beloved snack at every night market or festival. A Taiwanese street food favourite, these beef steak cubes are compactly packaged, making it a convenient snack to munch on.

The beef steak cubes are cooked over a grill and sprinkled with seasoning. Each beef cube was caramelised to perfection, giving it an addictive, smoky taste. Grilled to a medium-rare, the exterior of the beef was nicely charred and boasted juicy, tender meat.

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BRAISED BEEF NOODLES (STALL #13)

Taiwan’s “national dish” is none other than beef noodles! Featuring Braised Beef Noodles, this beloved delicacy is whipped up by renowned chef, Cheng Cheng-chung. Boasting a potent broth with morsels of beef, each bite is guaranteed to bring you an authentic Taiwanese experience.

The al dente noodles were infused with the piquant herbal notes of the full-bodied soup, allowing customers to thoroughly savour its distinct, rich flavours. The braised beef chunks were also juicy and tender.

FRIED SQUID (STALL #12)

Stroll along the stretch of food stalls, and this Fried Squid will stick out from the crowd. A giant deep-fried squid skewered on a stick, this snack will capture your attention with its monstrous size. A testament to Taiwan’s rich marine life, this is the treat to go for if you are looking to nibble on something hearty.

The battered squid is garnished with salt and pepper, allowing us to taste its rich and briny seafood flavour. The tentacles were also nicely charred, adding smokiness to the snack. We also appreciated how the meat was chewy and extremely “QQ”.

MENTAIKO PIZZA (STALL #11)

Pizza lovers should definitely check out the Mentaiko Pizza! The mentaiko is imported all the way from Japan to ensure that customers savour the dish only with the freshest ingredients.

The pizza dough is thinly spread and baked, rising to form a crumbly, flaky crust. Toppings such as the cheese and mentaiko are then sprinkled and laden on the base before it is baked in the oven a second time. This allows the layered snack to have contrasting textures of both a doughy middle and crisp exterior.

TAIWANESE SAUSAGE WITH GLUTINOUS RICE (STALL #19)

Sink your teeth in one of the most unique goodies available at the market: Taiwanese Sausage with Glutinous Rice. Known as “little sausage inside big sausage”, a pork sausage is wrapped in a bigger sausage made from glutinous rice. Customers can also spice the snack up with a variety of condiments such as garlic, peppers, or pickled cucumber.

A perfect harmony of sweet and savoury, this pork sausage is addictively good. Chomp on the springy meat and you get a satisfying burst of flavour!

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WINTER MELON TEA (STALL #3)

Beat Singapore’s sweltering heat with a cup of Winter Melon Tea! Attaining the title of Taiwan’s national tea treasure, this chilled drink is made from winter melon and sugar that has been boiled for an hour.

Regarded as a summer beverage with hydrating health benefits, the drink was mellow with just the right amount of sweetness. The usage of fresh winter melon fruits also lent the drink a fragrant, all-natural nectarine aftertaste.

TAIWANESE ODEN (STALL #3)

Taiwanese Oden, also known as Tian Bu La, is a traditional fried fish cake dish that has been moulded into various shapes and sizes. Made from a thick fish fillet paste, the mixture is slathered with sauce and seasoning before it is deep-fried. It is then skewered and enjoyed as a snack to go.

STIR-FRIED BRAISED SNACKS (STALL #12)

Known as Lo-Wei, Stir-fried Braised Snacks features an assortment of vegetables and sides that customers can choose from before it is stir-fried and served. Customers can also have a fun time watching the chefs skillfully toss their ingredients!

Expect a colourful mixture of ingredients such as chicken hearts, livers and drumsticks that individually adds a unique flavour to the dish. Distinct, herbal flavour from its gravy also entirely permeated the various snacks, making it all the more delectable.

Promising good vibes and good food, Ningxia Night Market is the perfect destination to make a beeline for when you are planning a day out during the weekends. Come on down and spoil yourself with Taiwan’s delicacies!

Ningxia Night Market Singapore
Siloso Point, Sentosa
Singapore 098997
Date: 16 Jan to 9 Feb 2020
Time: 5pm – 10:30pm

This post was brought to you by Asian Night Market: Taiwan Food Festival.

Crab lovers, it’s time to shell-abrate! Imagine this: juicy, meaty crabs slathered in luscious, rich sauce, sizable claws glistening in the light! If that sounds like a glorious meal, consider this alternative: replace that fun-sized mud crab – however big you’re envisioning it, this is gonna be a lot bigger – with the literal king of crustaceans, the Alaskan Red King Crab.

Crab-tivated? We are too. To usher in 2020, No Signboard Seafood at Esplanade is looking to make waves with an exciting menu revamp and a brand new look.  Renowned for its extravagant array of crab dishes, this overhaul is set to elevate things to the next level of opulence.

Settling for no less than the best, No Signboard  Seafood is featuring the enormous Alaskan Red King Crab in its signature dishes. Thought we were chitin’ you with the aforementioned scenario? At No Signboard Seafood, that dream is now a reality.

Gigantic Alaskan king crabs aren’t the only things to look forward to. Tired of the same ol’ crusty Chinese dishes? Starting with its Esplanade branch, No Signboard Seafood’s new menu supplements its core Chinese fare with Japanese and Western influences.

You’ll get all the belly-warming comfort of traditional Chinese cuisine, but with a twist – the inclusion of borrowed elements, all drawn together with superlative skill, brings about a stimulating culinary adventure unlike any other.

Outstanding seafood, excellent dishes, and distinguished service – the only component left is an equally splendid setting to complete the experience. Thankfully, No Signboard Seafood’s Esplanade outlet with its sprawling champagne-hued interior and an equally gorgeous al fresco option fulfils that option.

Located by the tranquil waterfront and in proximity to landmarks like the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands, it is the perfect spot to find a reprieve at after a day’s activities in the vicinity.

SALTED EGG ALASKAN CRAB

You’ve had your share of the acclaimed chilli crab, you’ve tried No Signboard Seafood’s signature white pepper crab, but have you tried the brand’s latest gourmet concoction: salted egg crab?

The Alaskan Red King Crab is a decadent number on its own, made even more indulgent when awash in a sea of luscious, creamy, gold. Prepared à la minute, the crustacean is cooked into a vibrant red, its hefty armoured shell housing an equally ample amount of succulent flesh awaiting a ravenous diner’s attention.

Magnificent and imposing in its lustre, the flesh of the Alaskan Red King Crab is sweet against the piquant savoury bursts of the sauce. Even when doused in the liquid gold, the suppleness of the crab’s flesh holds its own against the substantial body of the sauce – its lighter sweetness easing the predominant salted egg flavours, allowing extended consumption without the onset of any cloying saturation.

For those unable to get enough of this rich and ambrosial sauce, ladle a generous amount – don’t forget to spoon in crumbs of crispy fried quinoa for added texture – onto your rice for an even more sumptuous taste sensation.

JAPANESE UNI WITH OBA LEAF TEMPURA

Alluringly creamy and gilded in gold, uni, or sea urchin, is the stuff of every gourmand’s dream. Sweet yet savoury, mild yet bold, the duality intrinsic to this delicacy allows it to hold the spotlight in all dishes it features in – eaten raw on its own or paired with condiments, this delicate ingredient lingers not just in taste, but persists in the memory of your palate long after as well.

While uni holds complex flavours on its own, the skilled chefs at No Signboard Seafood elevate its taste profile by pairing the protein with a herb commonly used to garnish sashimi: oba, or shiso, leaf. By coating the leaf in a gossamer tempura batter, it becomes more than a condiment, transforming into the base upon which the uni’s flavour is augmented.

The result is a contrast between the smoothness of the protein against the brittle crisp of the oba leaf tempura, while maintaining the distinct flavour of the uni against the subtle fragrance of the leaf.

SIGNATURE CRISPY CEREAL PRAWN

A staple in many Chinese restaurants, cereal prawns are a sinful favourite of many Singaporeans with its lively flavours and addictive crunch. Adore this dish but lament how you’re usually resigned to munching on cereal over actual prawns? At No Signboard Seafood, you can expect not the pedestrian breeds, but nothing less than the most generously sized prawns for your enjoyment.

Deep-fried into a crispy brown, the shells of the prawns flake under gentle persuasion, revealing a succulent, sweet centre prime for dunking into the heap of sandy gold crumbs.

Equally flavourful, the cereal base is tossed with slivers of curry leaves and diced chilli padi until the mixture is imbued with a bite of aromatic spice. Spoon it onto your rice – a copious amount is just right – or eat it on its own – a nibble or two between courses – utterly scrumptious, the cereal here deserves just as much of a spotlight as the prawns that rest atop it.

PAN-SEARED AMADAI FILLET

Drawing inspiration from Japan, No Signboard Seafood has elected to feature the amadai – translated as sweet sea bream – or tilefish, in its menu update. In line with its moniker, this fish is slightly sweet, making it a refreshing option fantastic for Singapore’s eternal summers.

A curious breed, the amadai literally stands out with its spiny hide. Made not from bones but are instead intact scales, these protrusions become edible with the introduction of heat. When the fillet is pan-fried, these scales are pulled taut from its skin, leaving behind a wispy layer of crisp scales that naturally complements the amadai’s soft flesh. As such, don’t avoid the skin when sampling this dish; a forkful of both the crush and flesh with a dash of gravy is the best way to appreciate the inherent complexity of this entrée.

BAKED JAPANESE BABY EGGPLANT WITH GRUYERE CHEESE & BACON BITS

Unassuming at first glance, the simplicity of this dish belies a full-bodied richness unexpected of an eggplant-centric dish. Traditionally undistinctive in taste, this dish substitutes the larger eggplants for this Japanese baby variant, capitalising on its innate sweetness to create a flavour base upon which the other ingredients can build upon.

To supplement the fruit, a thick, generous layer of gruyere cheese is added. Luxuriantly creamy, the cheese permeates the eggplant during the baking process, imparting a potent salty and nutty profile in its wake. It is then served with a heavy dusting of bacon bits to intersperse the soft, spongy consistency with an added savoury bite. Who says vegetable dishes have to be boring and bland?

GLAZED AUSTRALIA TOMATO STUFFED WITH CRISPY MUSHROOM SALAD

Vivid red against the muted colours of spring, these glossy baubles are an exuberant and colourful number wonderful as a standalone inspired vegetable supplement, or as a more unique palate cleanser.

More than an aesthetically pleasing garden salad, these bulbous spheres are the product of a meticulously designed exercise in converging distinct flavour and textural opposites. Upon initial tasting, you’ll be met with a juicy, soft husk filled with a dewy sweet-tartness courtesy of the glazed tomato. After which, the bite unveils a core of airy crispness filled with a savoury mushroom salad fried to an addictive crunchiness.

SIGNATURE FRESH MANGO COMPOTE WIITH COCONUT SAGO & POMELO

Conclude your culinary adventure with a refreshing fruity dish to alleviate the abundant flavours of your seafood mains. Unlike puddings, whereby the taste profile of the mango is watered down into the custard base, compotes provide a similarly saccharine treat in a more intense form through distilling the fruit down to its essence.

Start off by sampling the syrup on its own; made with only the freshest mangoes, it is a honeyed treat that’s simultaneously easy on the palate without compromising on flavour. Gradually add in the pools of coconut sago into the compote before finishing with a gentle sprinkle of pomelo shavings – the infusion of milky coconut sago smoothens the compote further, while the pomelo interrupts the uniformity of the liquid by providing occasional bursts of bitter-sweetness.

The next time you’re in a pinch when finding a place to dine at, No Signboard Seafood with its assortment of first-grade Alaskan King Crab dishes alongside an unparalleled selection of fusions dishes is certain to make an impression.

Whether you are looking for a more luxurious yet comfortable place to hold a gathering with friends at, or a place with a pleasant ambience with exceptional seafood to bring your family to, as long as the table is partial to seafood, No Signboard Seafood is certain to make your dining experience a delectable and memorable one.

No Signboard Seafood
8 Raffles Avenue
The Esplanade Mall, #01-14/16
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 6336 9959
Mon to Fri: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post was brought to you by No Signboard Seafood.

Dessert aficionados, prepare your sweet tooths for a spanking new dessert spot in town on 21 October 2019, Monday!

Now Bakery stemmed from a common passion for fluffy, creamy roll cakes and they put plenty of love into each and every one their bakes. Each decadent roll cake is meticulously handcrafted using only the finest ingredients that are imported from Taiwan and Japan, so you know that you’ll only be getting the best roll cakes.

They have 3 different cake series with an extensive variety of flavours so even if you’re a picky eater, fret not as there is something for everyone!

In celebration of their new outlet at Capitol Piazza, they will be having an opening promotion from 21 October to 27 October 2019, where their roll cakes will be going for 50% off. Additionally, on 21 & 22 October 2019, they will be giving away 50 pieces of roll cakes for free from 11.30am onwards.

BLANCMANGE

Now Bakery’s Blancmange series features delicate and moist roll cakes that are each stuffed with Blancmange, a creamy milk pudding filling that has a smooth and light finish.

For those of you who enjoy the classics, we recommend that you get the Chocolate or Vanilla Blancmange cakes. Being chocolate fanatics, we absolutely adore the Chocolate Blancmange which is made with 75% cocoa. This provides the cake with a rich, chocolatey flavour that isn’t too cloying.

If you’re looking to try something a little more different, try their Sesame Blancmange cakes which are made from black sesame. The nuttiness of the sesame pairs well with the fluffiness of the roll cakes, creating a medley of flavours and textures that both the older and younger generation will love and appreciate.

An interesting flavour that will pique the interest of coffee lovers is the Gula Melaka Coffee Blancmange cakes. This classic flavour with a twist features a combination of saccharine Gula Melaka paired with aromatic premium coffee beans, producing a unique concoction that is surprisingly addictive!

Fans of matcha will be thrilled to know that there is also a Green Tea Red Bean Blancmange cake that is made using imported premium matcha powder and red bean. The earthiness of the matcha pairs pleasantly well with the sweetness of the red bean and we can see this becoming a hot favourite.

CLASSIQUE  

If you need some gift ideas for a loved one, we recommend that you get something from Now Bakery’s Classique series.

Made from a flourless recipe, their Classic Chocolate Classique cakes are incredibly rich and aromatic. They are also formulated with 75% cocoa, giving the cake just the right amount of sweetness without it being too overpowering.

The Almond Sesame Classique cake features a unique buttercream filling that is made from black sesame paste as well as almond. This winning nutty and earthy combination is definitely a treat to one’s palate!

Don’t miss out on the Almond Coffee Classique cake. Nutella is mixed with premium coffee and almonds, creating an interesting conglomeration of textures and flavours.

For something a little more old school, you can opt to get the Pandan Classique cake which is chock full of a decadent pandan filling that is made using Madagascar vanilla beans and pure pandan juice.

A savoury and unconventional option would be the Sushi Cake Roll. Here, ham, chicken floss and mayonnaise are wrapped in a layer of dense sponge cake and seaweed, creating a bizarrely good cake sushi roll that is a nice change from your regular rice sushi.

Now Bakery
13 Stamford Road #B2-22
Singapore 178905
Nearest Station: City Hall

This post was brought to you by Now Bakery.

The coffee scene in Singapore has been thriving, especially with the entrance of many third-wave cafés. And it doesn’t show signs of stopping any time soon. This is good news for coffee aficionados as this means that there’s always a new place to get your caffeine fix.

Previously known as Dancing Goat Specialty Coffee, this coffee shop is not exactly new but it has since been rebranded as Narrative Coffee Stand.

Located on the ground floor of Bras Basah Complex, the coffee shop sports a Kinfolk-esque interior with some bar seats and communal seating.

We started off our day with a White (S$4.50). Delightfully smooth and nutty, it had a mellow acidity towards the end with some fruity tones. It was pretty clean on the palate too!

For espresso, Columbian beans from Nylon Coffee Roasters are currently served.

To accompany our cuppa, we got a Raspberry Chocolate Scone (S$3) that was warmed up upon order. Despite being a tad dry for our liking, the scone was crumbly and had pockets of melty decadent dark chocolate pieces and raspberry swirls.

Apart coffee and a selection of tea, Narrative Coffee Stand has a daily line-up of fresh bakes such as brownies, muffins and cinnamon for you to choose from too.

231 Bain Street
#01-05 Bras Basah Complex
Singapore 180231
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 6pm
Sat, Sun and PH: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

Known for their beautiful hand-crafted tea selections and their freshly-baked, Instagram-worthy baked goods is Chinese lifestyle cafe, Nayuki. Pioneering the concept of pairing delightful cheese teas with baked goods, Nayuki has made its rounds across the various social media platforms for reigniting the tea-drinking culture amongst tea fans in Singapore!

Successfully launching their very first overseas outlet at VivoCity with BreadTalk Group, Nayuki has announced the opening of their second and third outlets. Its second opening will be at the revamped Funan on 28 June 2019, and the third opening will be at Takashimaya Shopping Centre on 12 July 2019.

To celebrate their new openings, Nayuki will be launching two new products that you will fall head over heels in love with: Supreme Cheese Mixed Berries drink (S$8.50)—only available in July—and Magic Mango Mystique bread (S$6.80)! That’s not all, though, because Nayuki has prepared some opening special promotions for their respective new outlets!

OPENING SPECIALS

Nayuki is holding its opening special at both of their new stores at Funan and Takayshimaya Shopping Centre.

Customers will be given a free Soft-Euro Bread along with a purchase of any drink. In addition, they will also be given an opening exclusive gift—an eye-catching and incredibly stylish holographic tote bag, adorable Nayuki-themed stickers, a postcard, and some vouchers.

All you have to do is like and follow Nayuki on their Facebook and Instagram pages (@nayukisg), upload a post with the hashtag #NayukiSG on either platform and present it together with your receipt to receive the opening exclusive gift!

• Funan Opening Promotion Dates: 28 – 30 June 2019
• Takashimaya Opening Promotion Dates: 12 – 14 July 2019

The “Free Soft-Euro Bread” promotion is limited to 1 redemption per customer but only the exclusive gift redemption is limited to 300 redemptions a day.

NEW FAVOURITES AT NAYUKI

Making their timely debut in July 2019, Nayuki is introducing two new products to their menu. We had the privilege to try them, and here is what to expect.

You will love the Supreme Cheese Mixed Berries.

Fresh strawberries and strawberry purée are added alongside Nayuki’s Jasmine Tippy Tea to create this delicious concoction. The mixed berries complement the Jasmine Tippy Tea well. Refreshing, fruity and mellow, we thoroughly enjoyed the drink balanced flavour profiles.

If you’re a fan of pink, strawberries and cream, pair the Supreme Cheese Mixed Berries with the Strawberry Blush Mystique bread.

Soft Euro-bake is filled with fresh cream and topped with real fresh strawberries! Bright pink strawberry-flavoured chocolate is also drizzled on top of the bread, making it look even prettier. It’s the perfect pretty-in-pink pairing!

Another one that’s joining the Mystique range of bread is the Magic Mango Mystique.

This pillowy Soft-Euro Bread is filled with light cream and cubes of fresh mango. Every bite of this wonderful baked good was an enjoyable one. Don’t we all love mangoes?

Pair this fluffy bread with Nayuki’s Supreme Cheese Mango for a dynamic combination.

MSW DURIAN SUPREME + SUPREME ORANGE

Durian lovers should add Nayuki’s MSW Durian Supreme to their list of must-tries because it was one of the most indulgent breads we have ever tasted. A spiky bread is stuffed generously with a creamy Mao Shan Wang durian filling. It was sweet, flavourful and creamy with the distinct flavours of durian greeting your tastebuds with every bite.

Cutting through the rich creaminess of the durian, Nayuki pairs its Supreme Orange with the MSW Durian Supreme. A genius pairing, we must say.

The Supreme Orange is made with 2 whole oranges that are freshly squeezed and mixed with Jasmine Tippy Tea and fresh lemon slices.

Bursting with the benefits of Vitamin C, the Supreme Orange’s acidity cuts through the creaminess of the durian for a balanced palate.

FROSTED CAP OOLONG BLACK PEARL & QQ PEARLY CHOCO BEAR

Bringing milk tea to a whole new level, Nayuki’s Frosted Cap Oolong is complemented with chewy brown sugar pearls and can be enjoyed either hot or cold. The Oolong tea brings a wonderful roasted flavour that elevates the freshness of the milk.

Complementing the Frosted Cap Oolong Black Pearl is the QQ Pearly Choco Bear. The cute bear-shaped bread is not only good-looking but extremely tasty. It’s filled with custard and dotted with chewy pearls and raisins. The cocoa-infused bread is rich in flavour so the milk drink is the perfect accompaniment.

A FARMER’S HARVEST + CHEESE ALI MOUNTAIN DEW

A classic baked bread filled with bits of ham and cheese, this delicious bread is yet another choice amongst the bakes by Nayuki.

For the ones with lighter palates, this bread is for you. Pair it with Nayuki’s classic Cheese Ali Mountain Dew.

The fragrant floral flavours of Nayuki’s award-winning Alisan Mountain Dew Tea is pleasantly combined with the luscious milk cheese foam for a soothing aftertaste.

AROMATIC COLD BREW TEAS

If milky drinks and fruity concoctions aren’t your cup of tea, try Nayuki’s range of Cold Brew Oolong Teas. They come in delicately labelled bottles with the various oolong tea leaves still in them!

They come in three different flavours: Frosted Cap Oolon, Green Oolong, and Golden Cicada Oolong. The different Oolong leaves are harvested from Alisan Mountain and Lugu Village in Taiwan; promising the most aromatic and full-bodied flavours. These teas are steeped for eight hours during preparation

This post was brought to you by Nayuki.

The Korean food scene in Singapore has been on the rise over the last couple of years. This is not a surprise for many of us since Korea has been riding on the tidal wave of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, and we all love Korean products.

Nipong Naepong has been on our little red dot for over a year now, satisfying the cravings of numerous Korean food enthusiasts with scrumptious Chinese-Korean cuisine. As Singapore’s first “ppong” specialty restaurant, the restaurant has seamlessly fused flavours inspired from around the world with impeccable flair.

For the uninitiated, jjamppong (ppong in short) is a Korean noodle dish typically served with spicy meat and/or seafood.

If you have been wanting to try jjamppong from all the K-Dramas you have been watching, drop by Nipong Naepong today! Two different amazing deals await,  too!

LUNCH DEAL AND OFF-PEAK HOUR PROMOTIONS

Presenting customers with the ultimate steal for Nipong Naepong’s dishes, a selection of ppong is paired with a glass of grapefruit or citrus ade for S$12++ to S$15++. This lunch deal happens on Mondays to Fridays from 11am to 2pm!

Diners will be able to satisfy their cravings and experience unique combinations of jjamppong that will take their tastebuds on a fiery, flavour-packed journey.

Unable to head to a Nipong Naepong outlet during lunch hour? Fret not, they also have discounts during off-peak hours on weekdays for their à la carte items! The discount increases by 10% with every hour—from 2pm to 3pm à la carte items are 10% off, from 3pm to 4pm they are priced at 20% off, and during the last hour at 4pm to 5pm à la carte dishes are 30% off!

Offering customers a wide selection of flavours and textures of the Ppong, there are soupy, creamy and dry varieties to cater to a myriad of preferences. We tried a diverse selection of their dishes to help you decide which dish is the perfect one for you.

THE PPONG

Dedicated to offering their diners with the most authentic flavours and food quality, Nipong Naepong ships all of their noodles, sauces and soup stocks directly from the franchise’s central kitchen in South Korea for the sake of authenticity.

CHA PPONG

Touted as the traditional and original form of jjamppong, the Cha Ppong (S$15.80) has a flavourful broth filled to the brim with jjolmyeon (Korean wheat noodles) and ingredients such as mussels, squid, prawn and quail eggs.

Cha Ppong is a crowd pleaser that offers a pleasurable spicy kick which adds further depth to the seafood broth. This is the dish for people who enjoy ramping up the heat; customers are able to choose the level of spiciness they prefer for their Cha Ppong, between level 1 and level 2 spice.

TAE PPONG

Inspired by Thailand’s Phad Thai, Tae Ppong (S$15.80) is a mildly sweet and spicy version. Wok-fried to enhance the dish, the ingredients come with a smoky aroma that raises the savoury flavours of the seafood.

Our table enjoyed the Tae Ppong for its creative take on Thai cuisine.

TOM YUM PPONG

The Tom Yum Ppong (S$14.80) a new one to the menu, and is Nipong Naepong’s take on the recognised Thai dish and comes in a cream sauce!

Cream sauce is typically heavier on the palate, but this dish carries the familiar fragrance of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf and spice to cut through the creaminess. Tom Yum lovers will not be disappointed by this dish.

VONGOLE PPONG

Steeped in a bed of fresh seafood and spiked with white wine, the Vongole Ppong (S$16.80) will win the hearts of seafood lovers; it is served with generous portions of plump and briny clams.

Whole cloves of garlic are also used in the dish to heighten the savoury flavour profile of the Vongole Ppong.

RO PPONG-ROJE

Nipong Naepong has married the wonderful flavours of tangy tomato sauce and the richness of cream sauce in their Ro Ppong-Roje (S$17.80).

This “pink” sauce ppong will please every pasta fan; it truly has a complementary richness and freshness of both sauces to satisfy everyone. It is even topped with a substantial helping of mozzarella to make the Ppong even more lavish and incredibly mouth-watering. This was a favourite at our table.

SALAD PPONG

Presenting light and refreshing flavours for a wholesome meal, the Salad Ppong (S$15.80) is filled with a colourful variety of mixed vegetables, succulent seafood and chewy jjolmyeon covered in sweet chilli dressing!

The Salad Ppong is both sweet and savoury all at once and is even covered in a blanket of parmesan cheese; an appetising and well-rounded meal indeed.

RISOTTO

Spinning their own twist onto Italian Risottos with their signature sauces and soup stocks shipped from South Korea, Nipong Naepong keeps it classic with Arborio rice to maintain a delectable richness to the dish.

SPICY KEU RISOTTO

Drawing a mild level of heat from chilli oil that is combined with cream sauce, the Spicy Keu Risotto (S$15.80) will tantalise your tastebuds with the burst of flavours from the drool-worthy smoky aroma of the wok-fried seafood.

SOI CHICKEN RISOTTO

Providing diners with an explosion of umami flavours, the Soi Chicken Risotto (S$11.80) is a dish the children will love, especially with the pile of bonito flakes that it is topped with.

This risotto is yet another innovative Thai-influenced flavour that is presented with chunks of soy seasoned chicken and deep-fried shallots. This is also one non-seafood alternative on the menu for those who may not fancy shellfish.

PIZZA

South Korea is known for its creative take on pizzas with interesting combinations of toppings that the rest of the world would never have thought to put together! Nipong Naepong rides on this creativity while adding their own originality and flair to it.

NINAE PIZZA – SPINACH

Seamlessly marrying savoury and sweet flavours, the Ninae Pizza – Spinach (S$18.80) is topped with a large helping of fresh spinach leaves, juicy cherry tomatoes, dollops of cream cheese and just the right amount of drizzled honey. To enjoy our slice of pizza, the staff recommended that we roll it up!

We could not help but be amazed yet again by Nipong Naepong’s creativeness. The tortilla base provides a salty foundation that is complemented by the velvety texture of the cream cheese and cut by the sweetness of the honey. The vegetables also adds a layer of freshness to the palate.

NI PIZZA – SWEET POTATO

Finish your meal with the Ni Pizza – Sweet Potato (S$16.80). A favourite among customers for the velvety smooth sweet potato puree, this addictive pizza comes with a helping of homemade whipped cream to dunk your slice into before enjoying the myriad of flavours dancing in your mouth.

We were told that the best way to enjoy this pizza is to fold it like a slice of New York pizza and scoop the whipped cream up with it.

313@somerset
313 Orchard Rd
#B3-03 313@somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6509 8364
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Jem
50 Jurong Gateway Rd
Jem #01-16
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6816 8061
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

This post was brought to you by Nipong Naepong.

There’s a famous saying: don’t judge a book by its cover.

And this café encapsulates this famous quote perfectly. Namelaka Patisserie is a hidden gem in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, that serves up unique, fruit-themed French pastries that will make you do a double take before digging in.

Namelaka is a novelty you have to visit when in Kuala Lumpur. Their desserts aren’t just “for-the-gram”, but also super delicious and not too sweet. It’s pretty quiet there too so it’s a perfect place to get a cup of coffee while enjoying their pastry on a lazy afternoon.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Boasting a minimalistic setting, Namelaka is a simple café that focuses on its signature fruit-shaped cakes, letting their brightly-coloured confections do all the talking. The owner learnt the techniques behind the pastries from world-renowned French pastry chef Cedric Grolet himself, inspired to bring these creations back with him.

Namelaka was named after the cream the owner uses to craft his pastries—a Japanese invention of a cross between a ganache and crème patisserie – which is super light, fluffy and not too sweet.

Namelaka’s small team of pastry chefs works hard to create these small pastries and makes no more than 120 cakes a week. This is because each pastry takes around 2 whole days to prepare—each cake consisting of a fruity core, infused sweet cream and a glaze.

First up at the table was the Apple (RM19/S$6.20) – filled with cream, apple ganache montee, apple gel and a core made with fresh cubes of green apple and dill.

The cream was light, fluffy and slightly sweet which complemented the acidic chunks of green apple well. The dill was a refreshing addition to the fruity core.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Namelaka’s signature has to be their Lemon (RM23/S$7.50) – replicating the said fruit immaculately, from the shape to the texture of its chocolate shell.

The fruit core of this ‘lemon’ is its star, combining zesty lemon segments with fresh mint to provide a tart yet vibrant flavour. It pairs perfectly with the fluffy namelaka cream and leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

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Other than these three fruity plates, Namelaka also offers the Pear (RM21/S$6.90) and their Passionfruit (RM23/S$7.50). They rotate their flavours seasonally and spice up their menu during festive periods, so prepare to be surprised by their selection when you pay them a visit!

Pro tip: Go earlier in the day! They sell out super fast, especially their Lemon, Apple and Passionfruit.

Namelaka Patisserie
No. 34, 1st Floor
Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar
59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 03-2201-3241
Sun to Tue, Thu: 11.30am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)

Life races ahead so fast that we sometimes don’t even realise what’s happening and how much we need to bring ourselves to a pause just to take in how we feel. That desperation for a brief reprieve is how we find ourselves booking our next flight out, or if we can’t, we do with a holiday within our sunny island.

Today, we have a new destination in the South of Singapore to share. Well, we’d like to think of Native Kitchen as a destination. It is located within Village Hotel at Sentosa and it is a restaurant that celebrates the best of islander cuisine.

Aside from serving up an International breakfast, Native Kitchen specialises in Polynesian and Islander cuisines which offer a myriad of dishes using the freshest ingredients and culinary techniques that bring out their natural flavours. With that, prepare your taste buds for a gastronomical feast that will leave not just the belly, but the heart full as well.

The family-friendly restaurant boasts serious resort vibes and with so many attractions in the proximity, it is no wonder Native Kitchen is fast becoming one of the hottest spots in Singapore for families, big groups or even if you just want a casual weekend date. Here are 8 reasons why we love Native Kitchen at Village Hotel at Sentosa.

A LITTLE PARADISE TUCKED AWAY IN THE HEART OF SENTOSA 

What we love about Native Kitchen goes beyond their food—it’s a tranquil respite far from the hectic city life. Whether it’s with a group of friends, your significant other or your family, they have created the perfect environment for some much-needed intimate time with your loved ones.

Despite being conveniently close to the city, Native Kitchen somehow manages to detach you from the stresses of the concrete urban jungle and transports you to a space where you can rejuvenate, relax and pamper yourself with good food and even better company.

STONE’S THROW AWAY FROM KIDZANIA SINGAPORE AND OTHER EXCITING ATTRACTIONS  

We appreciate how the restaurant is a stone’s throw away from plenty of exciting attractions that we know your kids will love such as Palawan Pirate Ship, Universal Studios Singapore, The Merlion and Kidzania.

This makes the restaurant even more ideal because what is a family day out without some nice dinner after?

If you’re eager to get some tanning done or if the kids want to build some sandcastles, you can also bring them to Palawan Beach which is just in the vicinity. After a day of feeling the sand in your toes and the sun on your skin, you can head on over to Native Kitchen for some seriously good island-inspired food.

SPACIOUS INTERIOR WITH A TROPICAL RAINFOREST AMBIENCE 

There is nothing not to love about Native Kitchen’s interior — breezy, spacious and modern, this beautifully furnished space will be your new favourite hangout spot. The lights bathe the place in a warmth and cosiness that adds to the tropical vibe set by the woody furniture and decorative plants.

With its rattan furniture, solid wood tables and lush plants, the tropical theme throughout the restaurant truly makes one feel like they have escaped to a completely different country!

We also appreciate how they have a mixture of both small table settings for more intimate sessions as well as long wooden tables to fit larger groups of people.

SHARING PLATTER FOR LARGE GATHERINGS

To keep you prepped for any large gatherings that you may be hosting, Native Kitchen has an array of sharing platters that you can get to feed the masses.

Yes, you will be spoilt for choice, but we highly recommend their Meat Platter (S$118) which features a juicy assortment of proteins such as short ribs, striploin steak, jumbo satay skewers and pork shoulder.

CHILDREN & FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING 

Native Kitchen is a family-friendly dining outlet that provides a chic yet cosy space for families to unwind and spend some quality time together.

Do your kids get impatient while waiting for their food to arrive?

The kids-friendly restaurant is equipped with children’s utensils as well as interactive menus to keep the children entertained. The puzzles and maps drawn onto their menus will have them so engrossed that they may not even realise that the food has come. Yes, chuck them iPads aside and truly bask in your relaxing “holiday”.

To refuel before or after a day of non-stop fun and games, your kids can indulge in Native Kitchen’s extensive children’s menu with favourites such as Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti (S$13), Fish & Chips (S$12) and Spaghetti Bolognese (S$13).

Seriously, how would any kid not like these? The Fish & Chips are really good; the lightly-battered white fish are not overly oily. The Chicken Alfredo is for the little ones who love their cheeses and cream!

ISLAND-INSPIRED MENU 

Resort vibes = island-inspired menu.

Some of the unique dishes that you can look forward to at Native Kitchen are the Island Ceviche (S$18), Misoyaki Butterfish (S$40) and Big Kahuna Burger (S$28).

A standout for us was the Kalbi Short Rib Loco Moco (S$24) which consists of an insanely tender short rib patty perched atop a bed of steamed jasmine rice and surrounded by a moat of smoked mushroom gravy. The dish is finished off with a lovely poached egg that provides the dish with a creamier consistency when the egg is broken and beaten into the rice.

ASIAN FLAVOURS 

For something up your Asian alley or to please the older folks in the family, be tantalised by a range of Asian dishes such as Chili Crab Linguine (S$30), Singapura Laksa (S$28) and Hainan Island Chicken Rice (S$24).

Well, we insist that you get the Bebek Goreng (S$25) which is essentially an Indonesia-style duck confit. The dish consists of an incredibly crispy and tender Balinese styled deep-fried duck leg, kicap manis, spicy hot sambal and fragrant jasmine rice.

MASTERCARD DINE 4 PAY 3 PROMOTION

Enjoy a dine 4 pay 3 for mains promotion at Native Kitchen when you pay with a Mastercard Debit or Credit Card. This promotion is valid on all days including eve of and on public holidays from now until 30 Sep 2019.

Terms and Conditions

• Promotion valid from 1 Apr to 30 Sep 2019, including eve of and on public holidays.
• Payment must be made with valid Mastercard Debit of Credit Card for promotion to be valid.
• Promotion applicable for mains in ‘Comfort Food’, ‘Fish’, ‘Poultry’, ‘Rice/Pasta/Noodles’ section only.
• Promotion strictly for dine in lunch & dinner only.
• Promotion cannot be used with other promotions, vouchers, discounts, loyalty cards, special offers, rebate cards and/or privileges unless otherwise stated. Splitting of bills is strictly not allowed.

Native Kitchen 
10 Artillery Avenue Sentosa Island
Village Hotel at Sentosa, Lift Lobby
Singapore 099951
Tel: +65 6722 0818
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post is brought to you by Native Kitchen. 

More than just another Korean restaurant dishing out your typical Korean stews, fried chicken and soju, NY Night Market impresses with its unique, over-the-top renditions of popular Korean delicacies. No, this is far more than just another joint for you to drown out your post-Seoul vacation blues.

Hailing from Seoul, this restaurant brings to Singapore a taste of new-age, contemporary cuisine fusing the best of both Western and Korean influences. Imagine this: the vibrant cuisine of cosmopolitan New York City intermingling with the nuanced, hearty flavours of Korea. The result? A smorgasbord of mouthwatering delights that are just too decadent to handle—on your own at least. Nearly everything on the menu comes laden with melted cheese, cream or bacon which is never a bad idea—unless you’re dieting.

There are so many items to choose from, each with its own unique quirks and delicious appeal, but if we had to pick a favourite, we’d easily go for their M.A.C Feat Bacon (a twist on the classic mac & cheese) as well as their unique take on a Korean classic, Budaejjigae—a dish that sees a heaping mound of bulgogi beef and a jumbo pork sausage on top of the usual trimmings.

We hope you brought along your appetite because NY Night Market is anything but light, what you can expect is a full-on feast of next-level fusion food—one that perfectly fuses the best of Korean comfort food and New York City-style attitude.

From 21 March to 10 April 2019, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy the following discounts at NY Night Market:

Get S$10 off with min S$50 spent
Get S$20 off with min S$100 spent
Get S$30 off with min S$150 spent

WATERFALL CHEESE SHRIMP

If you love the crunchy texture of fresh shrimp, as well as the idea of warm, savoury liquified cheese, doused over its sweet flesh then their Waterfall Cheese Shrimp (S$14.90++) will work up to be quite the treat.

The shrimps are first grilled along with a combination of herbs, vegetables and simple seasonings before being covered with a generous pour of melted cheese. The cheese sauce here is a combination of mozzarella and emmental—which is mildly sharp, buttery, slightly nutty but more importantly, stretchy enough to give you a satisfying cheese pull.

CREAM THE CURRY FEAT. TOPPOKI

A dish that packs serious heat and comes with a rather intimidating surprise is their Cream The Curry (S$14.90++). The dish arrives looking rather uninspiring at first, but not until a heaping mound of whipped cream is layered over it. Dig in through the layer of cloud-like cream to reveal a layer of chewy Korean rice cakes swimming in a lip-smacking red curry along with a handful of softened bell peppers.

Spicy, sweet and creamy all in one mouthful, this velvety smooth mammoth of a dish is given a sprinkling of curry powder as a finishing touch. Warm, savoury and oozing with a milky richness, this dish is one that really grows on you.

WATERFALL CHEESE STEAK

If you’ve never experienced a proper cheese raclette meal before, you haven’t missed out on much and we’re willing to go as far as to say that their Waterfall Cheese Steak (S$15.90++) is heaps better than the posh Swiss delicacy.

Certainly gimmicky, the dish sees chunks of sautéed beef on a hot plate loaded with sweet cherry tomatoes, broccoli coated in barbecue sauce before a cascade of cheese sauce is poured over top. Beyond the drama aspect of it, the dish was actually pretty good. The beef cubes were soft, tender and juicy and the cheese sauce complemented the sweet barbecue sauce well.

YOU’RE BACON ME HUNGRY

Korean sandwiches have been the fad as of late, but trust NY Night Market to do more than just serve up everyday sandwiches. Available from 8am to 6pm daily at NY Night Market’s 313 Somerset outlet only, tuck into a wide variety of sandwich options spanning the humble Bulgogi Babe (S$7.90++) to the bacon and cheese loaded You’re Bacon Me Hungry (S$7.90++).

More than your everyday bacon sandwich, their version is essentially a big breakfast compressed between two slices of toasted brioche, the contents of which see generous strips of fried bacon, scrambled eggs, hash brown, cheese, shredded cabbage, their house-made jam and tartar sauce. For lack of a better word, it was divine. It has everything you’d want in a sandwich from the fried, greasy components to the sweet, savoury and tangy profiles that make it incredibly addictive.

M.A.C FEAT BACON

What’s a cheese-forward menu without a section dedicated to the comfort food classic, Mac & Cheese? Here they have 3 varieties for you to choose from but we opted for the M.A.C feat Bacon (S$11.90++).

Enhanced with lashings of potato and bacon bits, the dish had a nice, smooth texture underscored by a rich, smoky and savoury flavour. Cheesy and all in all satisfying, this is one dish we wouldn’t mind stuffing ourselves with as we binge on Netflix.

BEEF LEEK PIZZA

The Beef Leek Pizza (S$15.90++) is a treat for meat lovers. Think thin slices of medium-rare steak neatly laid over a crispy tortilla sheet brushed generously with a sweet, luscious barbecue sauce with bits of savoury leeks scattered around. The result? A crispy, thin-crusted pizza oozing with sweet, smoky and beefy flavours, accompanied by a fragrant, umami hum from the sautéed leeks.

BUDAEJJIGAE

If you take a classic Korean army stew, load it up with a jumbo pork sausage that’s long enough to line the circumference of a round dish, bulgogi beef, melted cheese and possibly a pump of steroids as well, you might end up with something that’s a fraction of NY Night Market’s Budaejjigae (S$18.90++).

It is what it is—a heart attack in a pot—but for what it’s worth, it is essentially a pot brimming with both fried and stewed goodies, closely resembling a classic Korean army stew but double the satisfaction.

30CM STEAK FRITES

The crème de la crème of all of NY Night Markets steak offerings has got to be their colossal 30cm Steak Frites (S$22.90++). A feast for the eyes, what you get is a 30cm board that’s topped generously with grilled ribeye along with thick-cut fries and a medley of roasted vegetables.

ROSTI & BEEF

Made with finely shredded russets, the Rosti & Beef (S$11.90++) was crispy around the edges but pillowy soft in the middle. Topped with a dollop of sour cream, the sharp, creamy flavour of it did well to balance out the sweet, intensely meaty flavours of the bulgogi beef.

Although this dish is by no means American or Korean—it’s actually Swiss—we must admit that they were pretty spot-on with their own rendition of it.

PASTA DE DAK-GALBI

The Pasta Dak-Galbi (S$17.90++) is a whimsical, calorie-dense fusion dish comprising the likes of Korean dak galbi (spicy grilled chicken) and an assortment of vegetables with a heaping mound of spaghetti covered in a sweet, tangy tomato sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese. Not for the faint of heart, this pasta dish packs an intense fiery punch and you’ll likely be needing to gulp down a drink two bites in.

ALL-IN PLATTER

If you’re finding it hard to decide on a specific dish to order, why not order up a bit of everything to try? Provided you’re in a group with people who can seriously eat, order up the All-In (S$34.90++), a ginormous sharing platter comprising steak, shrimp, grilled pork, mac & cheese, bread rolls as well as an assortment of dipping sauces for you to choose from.

This really had us stuffed but if we’re talking about some of the best sharing platters we’ve ever had, this would easily come up among our top three. Every component was cooked perfectly, from the crunchy, lightly spiced skewered shrimps to the pink-hued medium-rare steaks.

From 21 March to 10 April 2019, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy the following discounts at NY Night Market:

Get S$10 off with min S$50 spent
Get S$20 off with min S$100 spent
Get S$30 off with min S$150 spent

Terms & Conditions
- Applicable for dine-in only at NY Night Market 313 Somerset and Westgate
- Minimum spend must not include amount spent on 1-for-1 beer
- Minimum spend must be on a single bill
- Quote ‘ladyironchef’ or flash our website / Facebook /Instagram post to redeem the promotion.

NY Night Market (313@Somerset)
313 Orchard Road #01-29,
313@Somerset,
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6957 4620
Sun to Thu: 8am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 1am
Nearest Station: Somerset

NY Night Market (Westgate)
3 Gateway Dr,
#01-08 Westgate,
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 6816 1018
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

This post was brought to you by NY Night Market.

The coming of the Lunar New Year marks the start of many things for the Chinese, with excessive feasting and snacking ranking the highest among our list of priorities. Among the popular mainstays such as pineapple tarts, love letters and other confectionery delights, the one we always go berserk for, is bak kwa—otherwise commonly known as rou gan or barbecued pork jerky.

Starting out from humble roots, turning his interest into passion and passion into a business, founder, Mr Teo Kim Tee began his own signature brand—New Eastern (Kim Tee) Dried and Minced Pork—back in 1976, setting up shop in the heart of Serangoon Gardens. They’ve remained at the same location ever since and have now grown to become a popular name among many.

Their bak kwa is unique in that it is made considerably thinner than most, allowing the complex smoky aromas and sweet, porky flavours to melt on the tongue. Priding themselves on producing bak kwa that is 100% hand-made, their products begin the traditional way, cooked in a charcoal oven before subsequently grilled over a charcoal stove.

As of today, the family heirloom that is Mr Teo’s bak kwa is run by his two grandchildren who not only aim to ensure that his legacy lives on but to give the brand itself a breath of new life through contemporary approaches—all while maintaining the stellar standard of their traditional handmade bak kwa.

OVER 40 YEARS OF TRADITION

Boasting more than 40 years of tradition in the way that they select and prepare their barbecued pork jerky, one can expect nothing short of pure deliciousness from its lovely sweet glaze, to the smoky and charred exterior that gives the bak kwa its signature taste.

Every batch of fresh pork undergoes a careful inspection process to ensure that only the best quality products are used. In addition, they also take the extra step in trimming off excess fat, making sure that their bak kwa is kept fairly lean—great news for all of you health conscious folks.

No preservatives are added, which also means that the average shelf life of their bak kwa is only about 1 to 2 weeks if stored properly. Although, if you’re a sucker for bak kwa like us, chances are they won’t last more than 5 days.

SLICED BAK KWA

If you’re new to their products, then you surely won’t go wrong with their Sliced Bak Kwa. Considerably thinner and sweeter than other brands, every strip melts delightfully on the tongue, creating a different experience altogether.

Allowed to roast in a massive charcoal oven, their bak kwa is laced with a strong smoky aroma as well as a crispy, char-grilled exterior. We particularly enjoyed this version as it has a nice chew to it, a vital quality when it comes to any meat jerky.

SIGNATURE BAK KWA

If you prefer an alternative with a little less chew, we highly recommend their Signature Bak Kwa that features finer bits of minced pork.

This version is much softer and pulls apart much easier, which is also great for the older folks or even young children who struggle with chewing. Boasting the same aromatic qualities of its chewier counterpart, one will find it hard to stop at just one piece.

CHILLI BAK KWA

Fancy a bit of heat? Their popular Chilli Bak Kwa comes with a decent amount of spice that does well to tease the tongue without leaving you sweating buckets. Speckled evenly throughout with chilli seeds, every bite promises a sharp kick of chilli that nicely complements to sweet barbecue flavour of the jerky.

GOLD COIN BAK KWA

Designed to look like coins, these bite-sized discs of bak kwa are especially good for kids who are never able to finish one whole square of bak kwa on their own. Think of them as little edible coins packed with smoky, meaty flavour that not only bring luck but serve as a tasty treat on-the-go.

A savoury-sweet snack that resembles the texture of cotton candy—if cotton candy were made of dry, fluffy, finely shredded savoury-sweet pork—is pork floss. A versatile product with several applications, we absolutely love this atop a bowl of congee, in a salad or simply scattered over buttered toast.

The folks here specialise in two varieties—crispy and soft. The crowd-favourite crispy version delights with the crunch that it gives, especially when some of the pieces clump together and get even crunchier.

The soft one takes on a much lighter hue and is much fluffier in comparison. Just as delicious, the soft pork floss melts easily on the tongue and, like a fine powder, delivers a massive flavour punch that coats the entire mouth.

Sweet, savoury and oozing with a flavourful barbecued pork aroma all in one, we can already see ourselves piling this onto everything.

New Eastern Kim Tee Bak Kwa (Flagship)
22 Maju Avenue
Serangoon Gardens
Singapore 556695
Tel: +65 6283 2829 / 9138 6665
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

New Eastern Kim Tee @ Toa Payoh
210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8, #01-69
Singapore 310210
Tel: +65 9738 8458
Nearest Station: Braddell

New Eastern Kim Tee @ Old Airport Road
51 Old Airport Road, #01-112
Singapore 390051
Tel: +65 9028 4606
Daily: 7am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

New Eastern Kim Tee @ Potong Pasir
147 Potong Pasir Avenue 1, #01-85
Singapore 350147
Tel: +65 8783 5762 / 9011 7743
Nearest Station: Potong Pasir

New Eastern Kim Tee @ TANGS Orchard
310 Orchard Road
Singapore 238864
Tel: +65 9138 6665
Daily: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post was brought to you by New Eastern Kim Tee Bak Kwa.

Nayuki has finally reached our sunny shores and we bet you are as excited as we are!

Priding themselves on serving high-quality brews alongside whacky soft Euro breads, Nayuki isn’t just another typical cheese tea store that is hopping onto the bandwagon of food fads.

An extremely popular brand in China that has already been around for more than three years, Nayuki is said to pioneer the concept of pairing Euro-inspired bakes with fresh fruit blend premium teas. Their success has led them to open dozens of outlets across mainland China. Since its beginning in 2015, this Shenzhen-born brand has opened an over 180 stores, earning themselves the reputation of “The Nayuki Veloci-tea” due to their rapid expansion.

A joint venture between Shenzhen Pindao and BreadTalk Group, this is Nayuki’s very first outlet outside of China. And it is right here in Singapore!

Nayuki is set to open at Vivocity tomorrow, 8th December 2018. You’d also be glad to hear that as part of their opening, Nayuki will be giving away one free bread with every purchase of a drink (while stocks last!).

Here is what you can expect!

SUPREME CHEESE FRUIT TEA

Nayuki Singapore will offer just 3 flavours for the Supreme Cheese Fruit Tea Series: Supreme Cheese Strawberry (S$8.30), Supreme Cheese Mango (S$7.90) and Supreme Cheese Grape (S$7.90).

For first-timers, we highly recommend you to get their signature Supreme Cheese Strawberry. Having consistently been the top-seller in its cheese fruit tea range, this beverage is the very one that spurred the brand into investing in a strawberry field. Atop the drink is a velvety blend of cheese derived from New Zealand cheese blocks, adding a tinge of saltiness to the refreshing beverage.

CHEESE FAMOUS TEA

If you’re all about that savoury cheesy goodness but without the sour kick from the fruits, perhaps Nayuki’s range of Cheese Famous Teas will entice you.

Out of the lot, what left the deepest impression on us was the Cheese Ali Mountain Dew (S$5.50), which is the very same brew that won them an award during the Taiwan Winter Tea Competition last year. Oh, and zero sugar is added!

The tea is brewed using tea buds that are painstakingly handpicked before sunrise when the leaves are still covered in morning dew, before being roasted at low temperatures for 40 hours. The result? An aromatic tea that comes with a hint of natural sweetness and floral scents.

PEARL FRESH MILK SERIES

Many food fads have come and gone, but bubble tea is one that has successfully endured the test of time. Nayuki also serves up a range of milk teas that, while rather selective, sure hits all the right spots in terms of quality.

Going back to the classics, Nayuki also serves a neat selection of milk teas in the likes of Fresh Milk Black Pearl (S$4.50), Frosted Cap Oolong Black Pearl (S$5.20), Golden Mountain Black Pearl (S$5.20).

COLD-BREW TEA & FRESH FRUIT TEAS

Tea-lovers can look forward to a range of cold brew offerings too. Their Cold-Brew Tea Series includes the Green Oolong (S$4.20), Frosted Cap Oolong (S$4.20) and Golden Cicada Oolong (S$3.90).

A fun fact: after finishing your tea, the bottle reveals a Chinese poem. Well, random nothings like that give us an odd sense of satisfaction.

SOFT EURO BREAD

Apart from being a stalwart in tea, Nayuki is also famous for their pillowy soft Euro bread, which are said to go hand in hand with the beverages.

There are many types of pairings in the world—cheese and wine, steaks and wine, and many more with wine. But hey, you can pair breads with tea here at Nayuki!

Every bread has a complementing tea flavour, so you really should get a tea and a bread to fully experience the flavours’ totality. For a start, the strawberry ones work well together. You can also ask the servers for various pairing suggestions.

Their signature items are the Strawberry Blush Mystique (S$6.80), Dark Oreo Mystique (S$5.80) and the adorable QQ Pearly Choco Bear (S$3.30), which we can safely say will be a surefire hit amongst children and adults alike.

Catering to the local palates, the MSW Durian Supreme (S$7.80) is Nayuki’s rendition on the King of Fruits—luscious, creamy Mao Shan Wang durian puree is stuffed in a fluffy soft-euro bread and it was so good that we couldn’t stop eating.

As part of their opening promotion, Nayuki will be giving away one free bread with every purchase of a drink from 8th December to 10th December from 11am onwards (while stocks last!).

Try out their signature pairings: Supreme Cheese Strawberry with Strawberry Blush Mystique, Supreme Orange with MSW Durian Supreme, Supreme Cheese Mango and QQ Pearly Choco Bear and Cheese Ali Mountain Dew with A Farmer’s Harvest.

So what are you waiting for?

Nayuki
1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-207
Vivocity
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6252 3618
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post was brought to you by Nayuki.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STOP BY YURURI RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH

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

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

VISIT A SALMON SPECIALTY STORE (KIKKAWA)

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

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

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

VISIT A TRADITIONAL TEA SHOP

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

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

SASAGAWA-NAGARE TOUR BOAT

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

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

DOYUNO: VEGGIE-TIME RESTAURANT

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

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

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

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

FIVE-TIER PAGODA IN THE FOREST OF MT. HAGURO

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

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

KAMO AQUARIUM

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

LEARN THE WAYS OF THE SAMURAI AT THE UESUGI SHINTO SHRINE

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

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

LOCAL DELICACY AT INAKAYA FURUMACHI OLD TOWN

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

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

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

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

PIA BANDAI FISH & FARMER’S MARKET

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

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

NORTHERN CULTURE MUSEUM + SAVOURING KOSHIHIKARI RICE

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

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

PONSHU-KAN – A SAKE LOVER’S HEAVEN

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

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

SHIRONE GRAPE GARDEN

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

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

UWASEKIGATA PARK – CHERRY BLOSSOM HOTSPOT IN SPRING

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

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

KOKAJIYA – ITALIAN-JAPANESE CUISINE

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

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

YAHIKOYAMA ROPE WAY – STUNNING VIEWS OF THE LAND BELOW

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

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

The festive Yuletide is soon upon us and with it, hotels and restaurants all over Singapore are pulling out all the stops, innovating and crafting stellar menus that aim to astound and make every diner’s Christmas feast a memorable and jolly one.

This festive season, The Square Restaurant over at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay will feature a splendid buffet line-up which will not only include an array of stellar wintertime roasts, such as gammon ham, roasted turkey and roasted beef strip loin, but also Asian favourites as well and a huge selection of sweet treats that will please even the most discerning sweet tooth.

If you have been an avid follower, you would know that being merry does not stop at good food. From 1st until 31st December 2018, our readers may quote ‘ladyironchef20′ to enjoy 20% off this very festive buffet spread—which means that you get to feast all the same, but at a much more value-for-money price!

Here are some of the highlights you can expect at the Festive Buffet over at The Square Restaurant.

ROASTED TURKEY WITH GIBLET SAUCE

No Christmas is ever complete without a serving (or two) of roasted turkey. In this case, treat yourself to unlimited portions of roasted turkey at the restaurant’s buffet line-up, served together with with a rich, savoury giblet sauce.

For those who surmise that turkey is a just a plain ol’ chunky meat, we beg to differ. Roasted and served whole on a bed of garden vegetables, the meat develops a deep fresh flavour and stays moist, succulent and delicious. For an extra flavour lift and to reintroduce flavour into the meat, ladle on some of that giblet sauce.

ROASTED HONEY BAKED HAM WITH PINEAPPLE AND ORANGE HERB SAUCE

What we perceive as the real treat for Christmas is The Square Restaurant’s rendition of Gammon Ham. Smoked until a deep, orangey bark develops on the surface, the ham boasts a robust and well-textured exterior, all while remaining incredibly moist and succulent on the inside. Penetrating right through, the ham possesses a nice smoky, fruity flavour to it but is best accompanied with the sweet, sticky pineapple and orange herb sauce that is served on the side.

The marriage of sweet and savoury had us heading for seconds and thirds in no time.

ROASTED BEEF STRIP LOIN WITH GRAIN MUSTARD SAUCE

Their Christmas delights do not stop at just turkey and ham. The luxurious Roasted Beef Strip Loin with Grain Mustard Sauce is every beef lover’s dream come true and one that you must not skip no matter how full you are.

Cooked to a pink-hued, juicy medium-well , the beef strip loin boasts a flavourful crust imbued with the punchy note of mustard and fresh peppercorns.

Other festive roasts diners can look forward to include the Roasted Lamb with Rosemary Sauce and Salt Crusted Sea Bass, which are on rotation throughout the entire festive season.

SEAFOOD ON ICE

Hankering for something cold? Be sure to begin your meal proper with fresh seafood over at the Seafood On Ice station. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and on New Year’s Eve, you’ll be delighted to know that they will feature an even more elaborated and extensive line of fresh seafood.

ASSORTED SUSHI & SASHIMI

In your group of friends or family, there’s always going to be that one hardcore sashimi lover who never fails to polish up an entire serving of sashimi and sushi.

The Square Restaurant’s buffet line-up offers a modest selection of fresh Japanese fare. Although limited in terms of variety, we promise you that it guarantees the same level of freshness and satisfaction derived from even the most reputable Japanese restaurants.

THE SQUARE SIGNATURE D.I.Y. LAKSA

The Square Restaurant also has a ‘live station’ where diners can D.I.Y their very own portions of laksa, and this station is one that sees consistently long queues more often than not.

Perhaps one of the most popular stations in the restaurant and definitely one that regulars are sure to make a beeline for, this is where you can customise the amount of white or yellow noodles, amount of toppings such as fishcakes, bean sprouts and fresh, plump prawns as well as garnishing to give your bowl the perfect finish.

ASIAN DELIGHTS

Beyond the festive treats and the D.I.Y station, the buffet line-up is also set to enthral with their scrumptious renditions of Asian delights that, while rather straightforward, will always be a classic favourite no matter what season of the year it is.

The Salted Egg Yolk Crayfish, Sambal Squid and the Chilli Crab are amongst their highlights in this section. These Asian delights are constantly on rotation so diners can expect something new every visit, such as Black Pepper Crab and Salted Egg Crab.

DESSERTS GALORE

Now, before you head back for more servings of hot food, we suggest that you leave some space for desserts because The Square Restaurant’s dessert selection is amongst the most elaborate that we have seen thus far.

What we reckon are the best treats to round off your feast on a sweet note are their stellar chocolate fondue as well as the Durian Pengat, both of which are amongst The Square Restaurant’s signatures and for good reason.

The former comes with a myriad of fruits alongside marshmallow to dip into, whilst the latter is one dessert that makes sure the King of Fruits lives up to its name.

Once again, here is a reminder to quote ‘ladyironchef20′ to enjoy 20% off buffet lunches and dinners at The Square Restaurant, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay. Do note that the promotion is not valid on eve and on public holidays.

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

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

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner* (24th December 2018, 6pm – 10.30pm)
S$85++ per adult, S$45++ per child aged 5-12 years old, S$70++ per senior citizen aged above 55 years old
*inclusive of free-flow martini, beer, wine & soft drinks

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

New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner (31st December 2018, 6pm – 10.30pm)
S$85++ per adult, S$45++ per child aged 5-12 years old, S$70++ per senior citizen aged above 55 years old
*inclusive of free-flow beer, wine & soft drinks

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

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

This post is brought to you by Novotel Clarke Quay.

Along the picturesque side of Esplanade mall, Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill—a halal-certified restaurant which specialises in ModSin cuisine—is one of the many dining destinations located along the boardwalk.

Opened by renowned Chef Ummi Abdullah, who is incidentally also the person behind the success of Ambeng Cafe, this chic classy restaurant serves up a plethora of not only attractive noodle and grill dishes but also tantalising desserts and mocktails.

Perhaps one of the most popular, as well as the most innovative dish, their Smoked Duck Lemak Chilli Padi Pasta (S$18.90) pays homage to the traditional Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi. Just like the original, this dish is fiery, much so that the waiters even warned us as we ordered it.

This dish is a super savoury coconut-based gravy, with warm pasta neatly twirled in the middle, and generously topped with smoked duck, arugula and cherry tomatoes. Don’t be so quick to dismiss the vegetables. The gravy is packed full of heat that’s only quelled by the fresh tart vegetables. The smoked duck meat was tender and juicy, though the smoked flavour was a little overwhelmed by the gravy.

We also ordered their Tori Hanjuku Ramen (S$16.90). After all, how often do you come across halal ramen? It was one of the more highly anticipated dishes online, and needless to say, we were pretty excited about it too. However, the appearance of the dish was rather underwhelming, with most of the ingredients hidden under the soup.

We weren’t too impressed by the taste either. While the noodles were firm and al dente, and the eggs lusciously soft and creamy, the soup itself was much saltier than the usual chicken based broth with little else to it.

Despite being a noodle-focused restaurant, their rice dishes delivered fairly well too. The last dish we ordered was their Noosh Bulgogi Chicken (S$14.90). It’s a classic bowl of stir-fried chicken in teriyaki sauce served over rice. Unpretentious and simple, the warm bowl of rice was nothing short of comforting and soothing.

The sauce to rice ratio was also just right, and made for a moist savoury bite, with honest chunks of chicken and sticky caramelised onions.

Located along the prime area facing Singapore’s iconic skylines, Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill is one of the more affordable restaurants around with plenty of tasty enticing modern Singapore specialities.

Noosh Noodle Bar & Grill
8 Raffles Avenue
Esplanade Mall #01-13B
Singapore 039802
Fri: 3pm – 10pm
Sat to Thurs: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

The famous Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market in Seoul is in a difficult predicament; both the old and new markets are located just side by side and this has resulted in a portion of the vendors moving over to the new building while the rest continue operating at the old market.

In an attempt to modernise the fishery industry to promote tourism growth, the new Noryangjin market has been built to accommodate more stalls in a cleaner environment. While the intention is to increase business opportunities for the owners, many owners from the old Noryangjin Fish Market refused to move over and cited a smaller land area and increased rental fees as their main concerns.

If you are curious about the similarities and differences between the old and new Noryangjin markets, read our guide to find out more.

#1 SAME CONCEPT AS THE OLD NORYANGJIN MARKET

The new Noryangjin Wholesale Fisheries Market runs the exact same concept as the old market—visitors can buy the seafood for takeaway or have them fresh at one of the many restaurants there.

Expect to be greeted with many varieties of live seafood—ranging from octopus to prawn, abalone, crab and lobster. The choices are never ending and that is one reason why we would always visit this place when we are in Seoul.

Vendors provide basic services such as slicing the seafood for sashimi and packing them up. If you are interested to dine there, there will be someone who will bring the seafood over to the restaurants for you.

#2 THE NEW BUILDING IS BRIGHTER AND SPARKLING CLEAN

In contrast with the old market which has dimmer lighting and the usual wet market odour, the new market is brighter, cleaner and feels like a modern supermarket due to its new retail facilities. However, visitors should wear shoes with a firm grip as the floor is wet and slippery.

#3 PATHWAYS ARE SLIGHTLY NARROWER

While there’s plenty of space to roam around the old market, the new market has narrower pathways in between the rows of stalls for people to walk along. Visit during off peak seasons so you do not have to squeeze with the crowd!

#4 THERE ARE TWO LEVELS OF SEAFOOD STALLS TO CHOOSE FROM

Yes, the new market has not one but two levels of seafood stalls! It is impossible to cover the entire place on one visit but we sure aren’t complaining—who doesn’t like more choices right?

#5 RESTAURANTS ARE LOCATED AT THE SECOND LEVEL OF THE NEW NORYANGJIN MARKET

When you have decided on the seafood you want to indulge in, head over to one of the restaurants on level two and decide on how you would like your seafood to be prepared. As most (if not, all) of the stalls are affiliated to the dining establishments, there will usually be someone who will lead you to the restaurant.

As expected from the new market, the restaurants here are modern and make use of bright and cheery colours to attract diners. This is a stark contrast to the traditional eating places where diners sit on cushioned mats at the old Noryangjin market.

#6 LACKS THE BUSTLING ATMOSPHERE FOUND IN THE OLD MARKET

Although the new Noryangjin market is supposedly an upgraded version with modern facilities and infrastructure, it lacks the same vibrance and bustling atmosphere as the old market.

For first-timers to Noryangjin market, we would still encourage them to visit the old market first as that is where you get to really feel what a traditional fish market is like in the past. However, the new market is still worth a visit as the sheer variety of seafood and number of stalls over there is simply mindblowing.

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market 
688, Nodeul-ro
Dongjak-gu, Seoul
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Noryangjin

Read: 5 Tips For Seoul’s Noryangjin Fish Market & Prices of Seafood & Cooking Services

Nolboo is a popular Budae Jjigae chain in Seoul and you can get it at only W7,500 per pax.

Nothing fills up your tummy nicely like a bubbling pot of Budae Jjigae when you are feeling hungry. Also known as Army Stew, this Korean delicacy is a popular family dish as the huge portion allows for communal dining.

Nolboo is one of our favourite Budae Jjigae restaurants in Seoul as they have been consistently good throughout these years while keeping prices low.

Like many Korean restaurants in Seoul, it is worth mentioning that some of the staff at Nolboo are able to understand Mandarin so if there is anything you would like to request for, do not be shy to ask them.

We ordered the standard Budae Jjigae (W7,500 per pax) and topped up W5,000 for extra ingredients such as noodles and processed meat to make it a more substantial meal.

That works out to be less than S$10 for each person! Even if you are feeling hungry, the generous portions should leave you feeling satisfied.

Some of the ingredients you can expect are what you will see in the standard Budae Jjigae such as sausages, ham, rice cakes, kimchi in savoury soup mixed with red pepper paste. The soup is a mixture of sweet and sour notes from the kimchi and meats and we enjoyed every bit of it.

Nolboo also provides a service to refill your soup for free so you can continue enjoying your meal till you are done! Wash your meal down with a bottle of soju to complete the Korean dining experience.

Nolboo
Myeongdong 2(i)-ga
Jung-gu, Seoul
Daily: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Myeong-dong

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s food and travel guides.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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