The Circuit Breaker has turned many of us into bakers; the shelves at the baking section in supermarkets are completely barren and everyone has been posting their freshly-baked creations on their respective social media platforms.

If you want to hop onto the baking bandwagon but don’t know the difference between all-purpose flour and self-raising flour, don’t give up! Start with our 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe to give yourself the motivation to try bigger projects in the future. The Circuit Breaker period is the best time to pick up a new skill, and this could be it.

All you need for this simple recipe is peanut butter, sugar, an egg and a little bit of patience.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR 3-INGREDIENT PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES: 

• Peanut butter (240 grams)
• Sugar (100 grams)
• 1 egg
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
• Oven
• Baking tray
• Fork
• Parchment paper

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 180 degree celsius.

STEP 2 

Spoon 240 grams of peanut into the mixing bowl.

STEP 3 

Pour in 100 grams of sugar.

STEP 4

Crack in an egg.

STEP 5

Give everything a good mix.

STEP 6

Roll mixture into even-sized balls. Place balls onto the baking tray covered in parchment paper with about a 1-inch gap between them.

STEP 7

Flatten balls with a fork in a criss-cross pattern so they will bake evenly.

STEP 8 

Pop cookies in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes at 180 degree celsius.

STEP 9 

Remove cookies from oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes and then plate.

And there you have it, 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies in 9 easy steps. It’s so easy that you can make them with your kids while you stay home during the Circuit Breaker period. Enjoy!

Bangkok is indisputably one of the best holiday destinations for people who love cheap shopping, food and massages. However, there’s more to this beautiful city than roaming the streets of Chatuchak and slurping down a cooling cup of Thai iced tea.

Culture enthusiasts who want to enjoy Bangkok beyond just shopping and eating will be glad to know that Bangkok is steeped in a rich, enthralling history that is definitely worth exploring. There are a plethora of landmarks and museums that are open to the public that allows us to dip our toes into the city’s bounteous history and culture, offering a fresh new perspective to the land of smiles.

If you’re keen to explore this side of Bangkok, we recommend that you start off at Phra Nakhon, where you can find a number of culturally significant attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Aside from that, the area is home to a number of eateries serving up authentic Thai fare to complete the experience.

Photo Credit: my.mdi

HAVE BREAKFAST AT THIAN SONG ROAST DUCK 

This hole-in-the-wall street restaurant specialises in roast duck and they’ve been in the business for over 70 years. Aside from their ambrosial plates of duck rice and noodles, they are also popular for their coffee and toasted bread with orange kaya, a perfect breakfast combination to start your day!

Dinso Road
Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 224 4554
Daily: 8am – 7.30pm

GRAND PALACE 

To properly immerse yourself in Thailand’s rich, cultural history, a trip to the Grand Palace is a must. Located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the famous Chao Phraya river, this majestic, sacred landmark is nothing short of breathtaking. It will truly make you feel like you’ve been transported to another era.

Na Phra Lan Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 623 5500
Daily: 8.30am – 3.30pm

TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA 

The Grand Palace also houses Wat Phra Kaew, which translates to ‘The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha’. This is one of the most sacred places in Thailand and the small Buddha statue that resides in the temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old. The Buddha was created in India and has been moved a number of times before it was re-discovered in 1434 in a temple in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand.

Na Phra Lan Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 623 5500
Daily: 8.30am – 3.30pm

LUNCH AT THE SIXTH 

Located just a short walk away from Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, The Sixth is a cosy and hip little cafe that is run by a young couple. The quirky and homely decor gives the entire place a very relaxed and chill atmosphere, making it the perfect pitstop after a tiring morning of exploring the Grand Palace. They specialise in wholesome and soulful Thai food which include the likes of Tom Yum Koong, Phad Thai and Thai Green Curry.

Maha Rat Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 316 6890
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)

WAT PHO (RECLINING BUDDHA) 

Another historical monument that you definitely need to check out is Wat Pho, home of the famous reclining Buddha. Aside from that, it is also the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai massage. You can get a massage at the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School as well to complete the experience.

2 Sanam Chai Road
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 226 0335
Daily: 8am – 6.30pm

Photo Credit: paolo.patricola

WAT ARUN 

Directly opposite Wat Pho is Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. You can reach it by taking a riverboat from Saphan Taksin. The compound features a majestic 70-meter-high spire that is intricately decorated with tiny pieces of Chinese porcelain and coloured glass. If you are observant, you’d even realise that the image of Wat Arun is actually printed on Thailand’s 10-baht coins!

158 Thanon Wang Doem
Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai
Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 891 2185
Daily: 8.30m – 6pm

DINNER AT THIPSAMAI 

End off a tiring day of exploring by having dinner at the famous Thipsamai. Dubbed to have the best pad thai in Bangkok, this humble eatery has even managed to snag themselves a Bib Gourmand award by the Michelin Guide. The place is constantly flooded with both tourists and locals alike so do try to head on down early to secure yourself a seat!

313 Maha Chai Road
Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 226 6666
Daily: 5pm – 2am

Previously located in a tiny space underneath a HDB block at Macpherson Lane, Prodigal Café has moved to Rangoon Road and it is where you can find yummy sandwiches, toasties and specialty coffee.

First up, we had Poh’s Egg Mayo (S$12), a mouthwatering egg mayo toastie consisting of smoked paprika, rockets and double cheese atop a fluffy bed of Japanese thick toast. You can choose between thick toast and sourdough, but the staff recommends getting the former.

The toast was pillowy in texture — it had a soft middle while the corners were crispy. The hand-mashed egg mayo was creamy and rich, the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. It also paired well with the stringy melted cheese. With the topping of paprika and rockets, the dish also had slightly sour and zesty notes — a nice contrast to the sweetness of the mayo.

We also got the best-selling Prodigal Grilled Cheese (S$12). The plating was mouthwatering; garnished with yellow generous peppers, rockets and shaved cheese, gooey cheese would ooze from the buttered toast.

Made from a triple Cheddar, Mozzarella and Padano cheese blend, the cheese was light in flavour with hints of salt and pepper. The toast was also crisp with a nicely charred surface. The best thing about this dish? It has the perfect, Insta-worthy stretchy cheese pull!

Lastly, we had the Flat White (S$5). It was smooth with a velvety texture. We could also taste the bold bitter notes from the medium-bodied brew, which had a nutty finish.

For those in the area looking for a great pick-me-up or a satisfying brunch meal, do drop by Prodigal Café!

217 Rangoon Rd
Singapore 218457

If you’re in the mood for some freshly-baked buttery, crisp croissants and pastries, you’re in luck because we’ve found a bakery nestled in Joo Chiat that serves just that.

Established in August 2019, Petit Pain specialises in bread and pastries such as croissants, danishes and escargot rolls. Check out what we had from this cosy bakery and our thoughts on their bakes!

The humble bakery has a simple display counter with all their freshly-baked goods lined up neatly behind a glass case. Stepping into the space, the immediate smell of butter and bread tantalized our tastebuds, enticing us toward the golden-brown goodies.

If you’d like to have your pastries at the store, they do have a few tables and chairs to sit and relax while you munch!

We first tried their Classic Croissant. This seemingly-simple pastry was definitely the highlight of our trip down. Taking a painstaking 3 days to make, this croissant is certainly a labour of love we enjoyed to the fullest.

We loved how the pastry had a slight saltiness from the sea salt added to it. It was certainly one of the best croissants we have ever tried in Singapore.

We also had the Orange Chocolate Escargot, a flaky twist of puff pastry chocked full of Orange Confit and Dark Chocolate. Orange and chocolate are a classic pairing and it could not have been emphasized better than in such a decadent pastry.

It’s really nice that we don’t have to simply dream about heading to Paris for some really good pastries and croissants when there are such amazing options available at home!

Petit Pain
315 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427566
Tue to Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Dakota

While we love Singapore’s duck rice, we admittedly prefer Bangkok’s duck rice a tad bit more. We don’t know how they do it but most of the ducks that we have tried here have turned out more succulent and tender as compared to the ones that we have had in Singapore.

While there aren’t as many stalls in Bangkok that sell duck rice as there are that sell chicken rice, we know a handful of good ones to recommend to you. One of them would be Pondtip Pratunam, a humble stall that sells an array of scrumptious Thai food which includes duck noodles and rice.

Conveniently located right smack in the middle of busy Pratunam, Pondtip Pratunam is the perfect pitstop for ravenous shopaholics who need a mid-shopping perk-me-up.

We recommend getting the Soya Duck Rice (60 baht) which comes with succulent duck slices atop a mound of white rice and a side of blood pudding and chilli sauce.

What we love about the duck here is how it is so outrageously moist and tender despite being cooked for such a long period of time. In similar cases, the duck usually ends up dry and tough, so having such well-cooked duck is certainly refreshing.

We also recommend dunking the duck into the provided chilli for an extra spicy kick. To be honest, we don’t feel that the duck needs any more enhancement as it already is good on its own but if you love to have your food with a little spice, you definitely need to try the duck with their chilli.

Our absolute favourite dish here would hands down be the Stewed Duck Rice (80 baht) which features a massive stewed duck leg accompanied with white rice, pudding blood and their signature chilli.

The duck meat here is the definition of fall-off-the-bone as it was so easy for us to tear off strips of meat due to the duck flesh being so tender. We find the duck in this dish significantly more succulent and flavourful than the one we had for soya duck rice and each bite was packed full of umami.

If you’re a duck lover who happens to be popping by Pratunam area, please try the duck here! If you aren’t a fan of rice, they also have a few noodle dishes on their menu for you to choose from.

Pondtip Pratunam 
922, 924 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 650 4023
Daily: 6am – 8pm

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/09/pondtip-pratunam/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/09/leng-saap-bangkok/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/09/leng-saap-bangkok/#comments Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:38:58 +0000 Melissa Teo https://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=188041 Continue reading →]]>

Just recently, news has been going around about a stall at Golden Mile Tower that specialises in a popular Thai dish called Leng Saap. Since then, the internet has been splattered with pictures of a gargantuan mountain of pork and everyone has been scrambling to try this Instagram-worthy pile of meat.

Leng Saap essentially translates to ‘Spicy Pork Bone Soup’ and it basically consists of giant portions of pork ribs and spine that are generously doused in a rich and addictively spicy broth as well as plenty of lime, coriander and chilli.

We’ve tried the one at Golden Mile Tower and were instantly hooked, so naturally, when we were in Bangkok, we HAD to try the original to see how it measured up. And boy, were we impressed.

Leng Saap can be found in a number of places in Bangkok but the more popular spots are at the Rot Fai Train Markets. We had ours at the Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin Night Market but if it is too far for you, you can always hop on over to Ratchada Rot Fai Train Night Market instead. 

With Leng Saap, you either go big or go home, so we went straight ahead and ordered ourselves an XL (290 baht). If you are aren’t a picky eater, they have smaller portions available in M (150 baht) and L (220 baht) and if you’re coming with a big group of friends, go ahead and order yourselves an XXL for just 599 baht. For the amount of meat you’re getting, it is a complete steal.

If you can’t handle spice very well, we recommend that you tell them to go gently on the amount of chilli because Leng Saap can get unbearably spicy at times.

Skip the forks and spoons and just dig right in with your hand; the great thing about this place is that they provide plastic gloves for those of you who don’t like to get your hands all nitty-gritty.

We were blown away by how tender and lip-smackingly good the pork was; it was the literal definition of fall-off-the-bone. We didn’t need to do too much with our hands to get all that succulent meat out and we love how the fat to meat ratio on each piece was just right.

What truly elevated the dish was the pork bone soup which consists of crushed green chillis, a generous scattering of cilantro as well as plenty of zesty lime. Each mouthful of this ambrosial soup was tangy, savoury and spicy all at once and despite it being so spicy, we couldn’t help but gulp it down with tears in our eyes and dripping noses (no exaggeration here, the broth is REALLY very spicy).

While Singapore’s Leng Saap is phenomenal, trying the original is absolutely life-changing and if you don’t have this while you’re in Bangkok, you are completely missing out. Plus, this towering sight makes for a great picture for the gram!

Leng Saap
Soi Srinagarindra 51
Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand
Thu to Sun: 5pm – 1pm
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) 

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/09/leng-saap-bangkok/feed/ 1 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/07/ppp-papa-palheta-singapore/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/07/ppp-papa-palheta-singapore/#comments Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:36:22 +0000 Natasha Ng https://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=186515 Continue reading →]]>

Despite being labelled as an IT-focused mall, the newly-reopened Funan is home to a myriad of new F&B concepts and stores. From bubble tea to protein bowls and ice cream, Funan is quite the budding hot spot in Singapore.

From the same people who brought us Chye Seng Huat Hardware, PPP Coffee (previously known as Papa Palheta) has opened in the revamped Funan. Serving up an extensive range of single-origin filter coffees, pastries and other signature brews, it’s a great place to stop by if you need a quick pick-me-up.

Nestled in the centre of Funan, PPP Coffee is one great place to grab a quick cuppa after a scrumptious lunch at the many new F&B shops at the refurbished mall. Just walking up to the cafe, we were greeted by the strong aroma of freshly brewed espresso.

We ordered a refreshing Iced White (S$7), made with their signature Throwback Blend of coffee beans. It contains beans from India and Columbia, giving it a rich dark chocolate and hazelnut note.

The coffee was very smooth and not acidic at all. The blend would appeal to those who love their coffee heavy bodied and on the bitter side.

We also enjoyed a Lemon Meringue Tart (S$7) and were pleasantly surprised by the tart as the curd was zesty and vibrant despite looking a little pale. The crunchy tart base and the petite meringue topping chased the acidic tang of the lemon curd perfectly.

Other than just western pastries, PPP Coffee serves up some colourful kuehs, honouring its Singaporean roots. Some kuehs you can expect are the ever-popular Ang Ku Kueh (S$2.50) and their signature Coffee-Infused Gula Melaka Ondeh Ondeh (S$1.20).

107 North Bridge Road
Funan, #02-19
Singapore 179105
Tel: +65 6299 4321
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Pablo Cheese Tart has closed down its two outlets at Wisma Atria and nex in Singapore. Known for its cheesy and crumbly baked cheese tarts, the famous cheese tart chain from Osaka opened to much fanfare in August 2017.

The news of Pablo Cheese Tart’s exit from Singapore should not come at any surprise as the hype for cheese tarts has died down last year.

As of today, Pablo Cheese Tart Singapore’s Facebook and Instagram pages have been deactivated.

Photo credit: Aaron Heng on Facebook

This is a photo of Pablo Cheese Tart’s Wisma Atria outlet. We don’t suppose they are closed for renovations, right…?

In 2018, Pablo Cheese Tart also closed its outlets in Malaysia after 19 months. Such coincidence, or is something really going on?

Pablo Cheese Tart is still available in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Canada, Australia and Phillippines.

New to the slew of cafes and eateries in Upper Thomson is Pho Viet, a humble Vietnamese eatery situated along the same stretch where Maneko Japanese Restaurant and One Man Coffee are located at.

They serve up anything from the classic pho to other lesser known Vietnamese dishes, mostly priced below S$10. Being literally the only Vietnamese joint in the whole stretch, we had pretty high expectations but did it meet them, surpass them or disappoint? Read on to find out.

Starting off with what many of us would consider a Vietnamese staple, the Beef Brisket Noodle Soup (S$8.90) is one of the most popular dishes in Pho Viet amongst diners which goes highly recommended by their staff.

Pho Viet’s rendition of the noodle soup dish features thick rice noodles topped with beef slices and beef meatballs. While the rice noodles were silky smooth just the way we like it, we thought that the broth could do with more flavours and that the beef pieces were a major letdown.

The meatballs that were served were undercooked, resulting in a hard texture whereas the beef slices were tough and lacked flavour.

The Pork Stew with Quail Eggs (S$8.90), on the other hand, came packed with robust flavours. A traditional dish that is consumed by the Vietnamese during Lunar New Year, this dish sees fork-tender pork belly pieces alongside quail eggs.

Served with steamed rice, the stew came with caramelised pork belly pieces and quail eggs which were both well-marinated in a sweet-savoury sauce. However, considering the price point of this item, we thought that they could afford to be more generous with its portion.

Pho Viet also offers a variety of appetisers on the menu ranging from barbecued seafood to Vietnamese baguettes. We ordered up a portion of BBQ Pork (S$8.90), our personal essential whenever we patronise a Vietnamese eatery.

Presented in the form of skewers, the pork pieces had a pleasant bite to it. Be that as it may, we thought that the skewers were overly salty. Besides the strong notes of fish sauce used in its marination, the skewers lacked dimension to its flavours taste-wise.

Pho Viet
215M Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 8518 0090
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A charming, beautiful dining spot that’s a surefire way to impress a date, POLLEN Terrace astounds with its lush botanical surroundings, stellar service and delicious French-Mediterranean food that presents itself in the most vibrant of colours.

POLLEN Terrace takes up a large space in the Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay and you can get there by hopping onto a personalised buggy ride at the arrival plaza—how fun is that?!

All POLLEN’s guests are also given complimentary access to the flower dome so you really do get so much more out of your meal there!

While the main draw of POLLEN is the restaurant at level one that offers multi-course dining, the terrace bar on level two is equally worth visiting too. Unlike many open bars in Singapore where you will have to bear with the midday heat, the temperatures at POLLEN will always remain at a cool 20 degrees Celsius.

It is always a great time to have a tipple at POLLEN; the curated beverage menu comprises their signature cocktails, wines and beers from both international and local brands.

Have a starter to whet your appetite. POLLEN’s couscous, duck ham, date and pomegranate salad (S$19++) is a visual feast that is refreshing and palatable on the taste buds as well.

One of our favourites on the menu, the Saffron risotto with beef cheek (S$34++) came with a chunk of juicy beef cheek placed on a bed of creamy saffron risotto that reminds us of the Spanish paella. We would, however, recommend this only for the light eaters or for sharing with other mains as the serving size is not substantial.

POLLEN’s 1,000 Guineas Shorthorn Beef (Striploin – S$38++, Ribeye – S$48++) is a treat for the senses.

From the perfectly seared edges to the medium pinkish interior, this one is for all the meat lovers. Accompanied on the side is a serving of fluffy, buttery mashed potato and a grilled portobello mushroom.

Pollen Terrace
18 Marina Gardens Drive
#02-09 Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 6604 9988
Daily: 9.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

In a bustling city like Ho Chi Minh City that bustles even more at night, places to find food in the wee hours of the morning is never a difficult feat. And Pho Ha, a cosy little pho-focused eatery in District 1 just a short walk from where we stayed, proved to be a solid go-to to satiate our pho cravings from as late (or early) as 1am.

This late-night spot is a bit of an institution in Saigon. Before the arrival of Bitexco tower across the road, the street that Pho Ha sits on used to be packed with late night pho outlets serving Saigon’s later night revellers.

Having been around for the past 20 years, these folks know how to serve up a proper bowl of pho, so skip your McDonald’s and head over to Pho Ha for a delicious late-night bite instead.

Having knocked back a couple of beers, we were hankering for something hot, soupy and comforting, hence, a bowl of beef pho seemed to be the only logical choice.

Meaty and straightforward yet brimming with heady notes of spices—at only 50,000 VND a bowl—there really is no questioning why the locals here can have this every single day.

Delving into unfamiliar territory, we decided to order their Fried Pho with Beef (85,000 VND). The dish resembles that of the crispy noodles we often find in zi char stalls in Singapore with the only exception being that it did not come with much sauce.

Because there wasn’t much sauce to soften the noodles, the noodles did become a hassle to chew through and our jaws ached after a while. The only saving grace to this would be the strips of tender and well-seasoned beef and onions that helped to amplify the dish’s otherwise non-existent flavour.

Pho Ha
19 Hai Trieu, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 91 394 49 43
Daily: 4pm – 2am

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

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

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

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

PRODUCE AND PRODUCTS

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

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

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

FOOD & DRINKS

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

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

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

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

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

VERDICT: HIT OR MISS?

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

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

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

Offering the absolute pinnacle in bespoke service as well as an amazing selection of wines rated RP90 and above, Park90 is a new wine bar at Regent Singapore which offers over 800 labels of fine wine.

Sharing the same space as Tea Lounge, the colonial lounge transforms to Park90 at 6pm, offering stellar vino and wine-drinking experiences unlike any other.

At Park90, it is much more than a wine bar. Led by Head Sommelier Mason Ng (previously from Les Amis & Atlas), guests will be well guided through the various collections on offer, from beautiful to the rare. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned connoisseur, there’s a bottle to suit all preferences and expectations.

Crafted specially to meet all the finest standards and expectations of wine lovers, the 40-seater wine bar will offer access to over 800 labels, primarily those which are rated RP90 and above by Robert Parker Wine Advocate—who, for the uninitiated, is the world’s most trusted authority in wine for over 30 years now, and a huge deal where fine wine is concerned.

In name, wine selection and branding, the Park90 concept is inspired by the world’s most influential buyer’s guide for fine wine, Robert Parker Wine Advocate. The key here is educating both novices and experts about the elegance that is fine wine, allowing people to truly enjoy a vino to the fullest.

Park90
1 Cuscaden Road Singapore 249715
Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel
Tel: +65 9749 7049 / +65 6725 3246
Daily: 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Orchard

Nested along the rows of bars at Seah Street is Papi’s Tacos. Opened by the crew behind the famous Employees Only, this back-alley taqueria blends fun with food to serve up only the best and most authentic Mexican delights.

From excellently done burritos to tacos, mezcal to a range of tequila-forward cocktails, this humble joint is not only great for a quick taco fix, it is also perfect for winding down after a long workday.

Adorning the shirts with “Papi knows best” on them, the chefs display what real Mexican food is like while they scoop black beans over their tomato rice, toss giant bowls of salsa and fold burritos like it’s nobody’s business—right from behind the open counter.

We ordered Papi’s Classic Margarita (S$15), Steak Quesadilla (S$15), Burrito de Carnitas (S$15) and a set of Tacos de Pescado (S$13).

It didn’t take long for the margarita to arrive. The margarita was a zesty lime cocktail that was nicely balanced without the tequila overpowering the flavour of the lime. We had ours shaken instead of frozen so it diluted a lot less quickly and retained the tang for much longer.

What’s different here is that they use coarse rock salt to line the rim of the glass instead of fine grain salt, which while was an interesting change-up, to some it might make the drink too salty to enjoy.

While it’s much smaller than the likes of Stuff’d, the Burrito de Carnitas is still an extremely generous portion meant to satiate the hungry. It was filled with slow-braised pork, Mexican rice, black beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream.

Not to be daunted by the amount of rice and black beans in it, the pico de gallo was extremely fresh and tangy and provided that acidity required to cut through all the flavours.

The Tacos de Pescado is a set of flour tortillas topped with grilled white dory, fresh cabbage, and smoked chipotle aioli.

It proves that size doesn’t matter here as, despite its small size, they were handheld pockets of flavour. The firm juicy white fish flaked off beautifully and was complemented by the creamy rich aioli, which was slightly spicy without overbearing.

The fresh cabbage provided a good crunch to add on to the layers of texture in the dish. Our only pity was that we devoured them too quickly.

Our last dish was the quesadilla. Within the tortillas were good honest strips of steak cooked till slightly pink in the middle and covered in cheese, served with homemade salsa and sour cream.

We had a hard time deciding if we liked the taco of the quesadilla more. The meat wasmoist and tender while the cheese provided that savoury umami taste that left us feeling guilty and sinful but still wanting more.

As the eatery is a small dining space with only 16 seats, do try to make your way down before peak hours to snag a good seat—be it over the counter to watch the chefs at work, or to dine alfresco and enjoy a good smoke.

Papi’s Tacos
39 Seah Street
Singapore 188395
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

For more recommendations, read our guide on 20 Mexican Places in Singapore with authentic Mexican food.

To only have a single bowl of pho during a vacation to Vietnam is a downright atrocity. The popular street food is the core staple of Vietnamese cuisine and is literally what going to Vietnam’s all about—for us anyway.

Stumbling upon a rather unassuming eatery by the street going by the name Pho Hai Trieu, we were lured in by the bold aromas of simmering meat broth and freshly stir-fried delights, as well as a team of friendly wait staff who were eager to sit us down.

Specialising in an assortment of chicken dishes, pho and hearty soups, this humble eatery may not seem like much at first, but it really does impress with its wide array of menu offerings—especially their chicken dishes.

While pho was the main item on our agenda, we were intrigued by the sheer number of dishes available in this small eatery. From an assortment of chicken dishes, comforting soups that include anything and everything, to a wide array of noodle dishes, they have it all.

Seeing as to how literally every table was having chicken, we decided to give their chicken a go too. Ordering a bowl of their Pho Ga (55,000 VND) did not disappoint as it came with a generous portion of tender shredded chicken meat, sliced onions and an insanely huge serving of rice noodles.

The broth was heavenly, to say the least, with every mouthful delivering so much more than just a deep, comforting chicken flavour. There was a subtle sweetness in the broth that complemented the overall savouriness of the dish as well as a thin yet crucial layer of chicken fat that provided an additional layer of hearty chicken flavour.

The Pho Tai (55,000 VND), essentially a bowl of beef pho featuring rare steak, was a tad underwhelming—only because of the fact that we already had our minds blown from the beef pho at Pho Phuong.

Nonetheless, the broth and everything else in it was pretty solid. Our only gripe was that the beef could have been slightly rarer so as to give it a better texture.

Great if you’re in a hurry—because service here is lightning quick—, Pho Hai Trieu may not be the best place for pho if that’s your main goal, but it sure does pack a substantial arsenal of yummy delights with their chicken dishes standing out the most.

Pho Hai Trieu
Ben Nghe, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 98 984 62 18

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

Walking down the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, one might find it a challenge to identify exactly which pho stall is truly the best especially with the sheer amount of street-side stalls, food stands and restaurants selling it.

But perhaps one of the best and most highly recommended pho places in Ho Chi Minh City to visit is Pho Phuong 25 in District 1. Having heard so much praise being sung by both locals and tourists, we did not hesitate to pay this humble corner stall a visit—we were far from disappointed.

For a truly authentic and out-of-this-world beef pho experience when in Ho Chi Minh City, you really have to drop by Pho Phuong 25.

Based on the only menu that was given to us, it seemed that the eatery only had one item on the menu but served with different varieties of beef cuts and offal.

Feeling a mad hankering for all things beef, we opted for the Large Bowl (75,000 VND), a monster-sized bowl that comprised all sorts of beef types from the tender brisket, to semi-rare beef slices and even cartilage and soft tendon as well.

The first thing that hits you—besides how enormous the entire bowl is—is the fragrant scent of beef broth that you just know packs unbeatable flavour. Served alongside it is an entire tray of fresh basil, lime wedges and chilli.

Brimming with an insanely concentrated beef flavour along with a heady back note of warm spices and fresh herb, the broth was pretty clean tasting yet super flavourful. Every component from the rice noodles to the individual beef slices was cooked perfectly and each mouthful was just literal comfort at its best.

Crucial to a bowl of pho bo (otherwise known as beef pho) is the addition of raw garnishes and truly, the experience was elevated tenfold when we tore bits of basil leaves into the mixture along with some lime juice and chilli.

We may not have gotten the real deal when it came down to ordering up a glass of their Vietnamese coffee but the one thing that we can admit to is that it tasted really good. Like drinking a liquified version of Kopiko.

Besides offering tasty bowls of pho, we really liked the overall atmosphere of the eatery. Featuring both indoor and open-air seating, you could easily bask in the aroma of simmering beef broth and freshly plucked herbs surrounding the entire eatery.

And another interesting thing to note if you’re a foodie is that just around the corner nestles one of the most popular street food restaurants in the whole of Ho Chi Minh City—the widely praised Lunch Lady.

Pho Phuoung
25 Hoàng Sa, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 6am – 9pm

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

Gone are the days when bars used to be after-work hangs for working adults to either drink to celebrate or drown their sorrows. Now, many newer and hipper bars have adopted several fun elements to heighten the overall experience—fun in the form of arcade-style games as well as party games that involve a lot of drinking.

Replacing the now defunct Beer Market—just across the street from Liang Court—is one of Clarke Quay’s newest and most fun-filled beer pong-focused sports bars, PONG Singapore. Established only this year, this luxurious drinking hole impresses with its array of beers on tap, hand-crafted cocktails, fusion-style food and their top-of-the-line, digital beer pong tables.

Singapore’s pioneers of the latest PongConnect™ technology, PONG Singapore revolutionises traditional beer pong with more fun, enjoyment and friendly competition. Coming straight to you from Hong Kong, PongConnect™ is the latest trend hitting the nightlife scene all around the world. Not to mention that the features include live scoreboards that not only show your score but connect beer pong players on a global level as well.

The beauty of the happy hour lies not only in the pleasure of boozy libations but also in the food that is often sinful yet incredibly tasty. Here at PONG Singapore, you will find no shortage of impressionable nosh. And we will not lie—their food truly takes bar food to a whole new level and is something we will definitely return for. You have to try the Beef Sliders, guys.

Adopting the latest PongConnect™ technology, the very same one that has been making waves in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, every beer pong game at PONG Singapore is guaranteed to be a fun and action-packed experience.

While it is not entirely compulsory—unless you’re the competitive type—players can download the ‘PONGConnect’ App that integrates with the table itself. The app automatically synchronises with the table and updates player’s scores and leaderboards live, allowing users to compete on a global scale.

BEEF SLIDERS

When it comes to hearty bar grub to take the alcohol edge away, nothing beats sinking our teeth into one of PONG Singapore’s signature delights, their oh-so-scrumptious Beef Sliders (S$23 nett).

Essentially a mini burger that’s small enough to slide down one’s throat in a jiffy—hence the name—these beauties of thinly patted ground beef, caramelised onions, cheese, mayo and cornichons are just the perfect thing to indulge in along with drinks.

With just the right combination of ingredients to achieve that fine balance of umami, savoury, sweetness and a hint of tartness on the tongue, we dare say this is one of the best sliders we have ever tasted. They were really that good.

DEVIL’S WINGS

On nights where you’re knocking back one too many beers, it will probably be a good idea to offset all the excess alcohol with something with a little heat. Which is why more often than not, bars would typically have some form of spicy wings.

Here at PONG Singapore, you absolutely have to order a plate of their Devil’s Wings (S$12 nett). Every wing boasts a fiery kick with a stickily sweet and savoury flavour.

TRUFFLE FRIES

What’s a cold one without a bucket of fries to go along with it? While it may rank pretty similar to many other versions we have tried, their Truffle Fries (S$12 nett) is a sharing item that we will never say no to.

These truffle-infused shoestrings boast a delightful crunch with just the right amount of salt.

SEAFOOD POMODORO

Brimming with the delicious oceany flavours of fresh shrimp, mussels and squid, the Seafood Pomodoro (S$20 nett) was truly a joy to eat from start to finish.

The pasta was cooked just slightly past the point of al dente, allowing each individual strand to have a nice firmness to it but still being soft enough to slurp up. The various seafood components complemented the sweet and mildly tart tomato sauce perfectly as well.

BEER BATTERED FISH & CHIPS

Their Beer Battered Fish & Chips (S$28 nett) comes with a generous serving of rustic, thickly-cut potato chips, a generous serving of mushy peas and a massive battered cod fillet.

On the side, you get a tray of condiments featuring the likes of malt vinegar, ketchup and salt—just the way the Brits do it. Delightfully crispy, the lightly battered exterior was neither oily nor overly doughy. Eaten with a sprinkling of salt and some malt vinegar, this dish blew us away.

PROSCIUTTO HAND-ROLLED PIZZA

Another great item for sharing while drinking is pizza. Texturally, it hits all the right spots from the ultra crispy layer of dough to the meaty and crunchy components that work well together to form the perfect bar snack.

There are several hand-rolled pizza varieties to choose from but we decided to go with the Proscuitto (S$21 nett) that encompassed classic Italian flavours. This Italian pie came loaded with prosciutto, arugula, tomato, shaved parmesan cheese, pesto as well as a sweet balsamic glaze drizzled over top.

HALF & HALF HAND-ROLLED PIZZA – WAGYU BEEF & SMOKED DUCK BREAST

Struggling to decide on which pizza to get? Then opt for a Half & Half that includes 2 halves of 2 hand-rolled pizza varieties.

For ours, we got the Wagyu Beef (S$22 nett) that came highly recommended as well as the Smoked Duck Breast (S$22 nett). Both boasted nice textural elements to them as well as a multitude of differing yet pleasant flavours.

The former pie takes on a Japanese influence with bonito flakes, seaweed, a Japanese wine cream sauce as well as, of course, Wagyu beef. Savoury, sweet and brimming with umami notes, this is one that we highly recommend. The former was just as meaty and delicious but the real money-maker for us was the addition of crispy wonton skins.

Compared to many of the bars that we have been to, PONG Singapore is one of the few that exceeded our expectations where service was concerned. The wait staff were attentive and extremely hospitable and the bar itself boasts an exquisite setting and the bustling nature of the bar once the crowd comes makes it a great place to have fun together with your friends and colleagues.

Whether you fancy a pint or a tower of lager, a glass of Champagne or even something a little more personalised like a hand-crafted cocktail, you are sure to get yourself well sorted here at PONG Singapore.

PONG Singapore
3B River Valley Road #01-17,
The Foundry
Singapore 179021
Tel: +65 8808 7664
Sun to Tue & Thu: 5.30pm – 2am
Wed, Fri & Sat: 5.30pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning / Clarke Quay

This post is brought to you by PONG Singapore.

Crowned as the best steakhouse in New York City by Zagat Survey for 30 years in a row, Peter Luger Steakhouse has earned itself a Michelin Star and it is perhaps one of the most famous steakhouses in New York City.

Established in Brooklyn (New York City) in 1887,  Peter Luger Steakhouse opened a second outlet in Long Island (New York City) in 1960.

Peter Luger Steakhouse is planning to open its first ever international outpost in 2020 in Tokyo, where they will bring their renowned dry-aged steak outside of New York for the first time.

Japan is known for their premium Wagyu beef, especially their Wagyu Katsu Sandwiches which took the internet by storm. While there is no doubt that one can turn to Japanese wagyu or Kobe beef to indulge in an extravagant meal, Peter Luger Steakhouse does not intend to use those meats in their Steakhouse.

Fourth-generation co-owner David Turtel says that Peter Luger’s identity is tied to USDA prime beef, which often represents less than 2% of graded beef cattle.

As such, you can expect to find the same USDA Prime beef used in the first 2 outlets in Tokyo’s branch, although they may incorporate the use of wagyu and Kobe beef in side dishes to cater to local palates.

Besides plans to ship the same USDA Prime used in the two NYC restaurants, the team also plans to have a dry-ageing room in Peter Luger Steakhouse Tokyo as like the other two branches.

Managed by famous sommelier Gerald Lu—two-time National Sommelier Champion—and his partners, Praelum Wine Bistro is a welcoming space for not just wine connoisseurs, but anyone who enjoys good food with even better wine.

Its location at Duxton Hill is just one of many reasons why working professionals head there after work for a good time with their colleagues and friends.

Service is intimate, food is impressive and they have their very own walk-in cellar which houses about 1,000 bottles of vino. What other reasons do you need to visit Praelum Wine Bistro?

Their wines, oh their wines. Wine aficionados will appreciate the splendid array of fine wines that are sourced from all over the world—including Italy, France and Germany. But for someone who is just starting out on wines, it can be somewhat intimidating to go through the extensive wine menu but this is when the servers step in to give suggestions.

Whether you are looking for bubbles, pinks, reds or whites (from S$17++/glass onwards), Praelum Wine Bistro has them all. We have been told by Gerald that the wine list is updated frequently so guests can probably expect something new on every visit. Well, more reasons to keep going back then!

While wine is the main focus here, we actually like how the bistro keeps their food menu concise—focusing on quality instead of quantity.

You cannot go wrong with the Pork Parcels, Tomato-Basil and Pineapple Chutney (S$27++), Foie Gras, Caramelised Apple and Balsamic Reduction (S$28++) and Salmon-En-route, Dill-Tarragon Butter (S$35++). Ask the wait staff for their recommended wine pairing and you are on your way to a gastronomic journey!

If you are curious and wish to sample on a variety of wines, opt for the wine flights where you can get to taste three to five different types and even rare wines that are not easily found anymore. The sommeliers will also share about the history and story behind the wines.

Praelum Wine Bistro
4 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089590
Tel: +65 6238 5287
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 1am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar