Hotel buffets need not be the most extravagant and fancy; we are happy if the food is good and the price is reasonable. Royale at Mercure Singapore Bugis has constantly been on our list of affordable buffet spreads in Singapore since its opening and we are giving you another reason to love them.

For the next three months, Royale is going to pay tribute to Asia’s dynamic flavours. The new Rasa Sayang BBQ Buffet is the next buffet with local spread to try. It is super value-for-money and it is like enjoying all your favourites at Chomp Chomp Food Centre in a comfortable air-conditioned environment for just one price.

From 01 June to 26 August 2018, indulge in a huge array of local goodies which features an extravagant lineup of over 30 local and Asian delights. You may quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 30% off the buffet upon making reservations from Sundays to Thursdays, and 20% off on Fridays and Saturdays. Do note that the discounts are not applicable on Father’s Day, Eve and Public Holidays and it is limited to a maximum of only 10 diners per booking.

DO IT YOURSELF STATION—ROJAK

Rojak is a dish that needs no further introduction. In Malay, ‘rojak’ is a word that means ‘mixture’. In Singapore, ‘rojak’ is a local “salad”. Essentially a salad tossed in sweet sauce, rojak compromises dough fritters, turnips, pineapples, cucumbers and jellyfish.

Look forward to the D.I.Y. rojak station at Royale where you can customise your rojak to your own liking. We like the sound of unlimited D.I.Y. rojak because it means we can add as many pineapple and dough fritters as we please!

OUTDOOR BBQ STATION

This time, Royale at Mercure Singapore Bugis has taken their buffet spread a notch up by featuring a live barbecue station outdoors. Think your favourite BBQ seafood stalls from Chomp Chomp, but even better because this is free flow!

You can indulge in a myriad of barbecued food items, which include ayam panggam, grilled squid, 3 different varieties of satays and everyone’s favourite grilled sambal stingray!

Just think about the value you are getting for the price you are paying—at your typical hawker centres, you pay an average of S$12 per sambal stingray; you pay S$26.60++ (on weekdays) here for endless servings. Isn’t it unbelievable?!

DO IT YOURSELF STATION—ASIAN BAO-WICH

Royale has decided to redefine ‘kong ba bao’. Choose from not 1, but 3 different types of meats.

Besides the classic Braised Five Spice Pork Belly, Royale also offers diners Nyonya Chicken and Black Pepper Beef fillings that sit in between soft, pillowy steamed mantou buns.

While the fatty and mildly sweet pork belly is surely a crowd-pleaser, we sang nothing but praises for the Nyonya Chicken, which had a really nice crispy skin. The Black Pepper Beef was well-marinated and came with a hint of spice, although the heat is not lip-smacking so children can enjoy this dish as can everyone else.

FRIED KWAY TEOW

Fried Kway Teow may not be what you’d expect to get at a hotel buffet but you would be thankful for this delight at Royale.

The Fried Kway Teow at Royale boasts smoky and robust flavours and every mouthful of this char kway teow is bursting with a complex charred aroma. This station will definitely be one that Singaporeans will be making multiple rounds to.

HAR CHEONG GAI

Trust us when we say that Royale’s version of Singaporeans’ favourite Har Cheong Gai is insanely addictive. The crispy and succulent prawn paste chicken is richly marinated in shrimp paste and just the aroma of this dish alone is enough to whet your appetite.

Royale has executed this dish so brilliantly such that die-hard fans of prawn paste chicken will definitely be pleased. 

WOK FRIED SALTED EGG YOLK PRAWNS 

Here in Singapore, we take our food trends seriously. The salted egg yolk trend is undisputedly one that will last for a long time and it is dishes such as the Wok Fried Salted Egg Yolk Prawns at Royale that keeps this food trend alive.

Royale’s rendition of salted egg yolk prawns definitely did not disappoint—the prawns were beautifully coated with a creamy, rich and piquant salted egg yolk coating which came with a hint of spiciness.

PAPER BAG OVEN-BAKED LAKSA CHICKEN

Having been marinated for 24 hours before being roasted in a paper bag, the tender meat of the chicken is a showstopper in its own right, especially when complemented with the luscious broth.

Royale’s version of the Singapore laksa broth differs slightly from the traditional ones—made with a blend of seven spices, the laksa broth which the chicken is doused in is rich and fragrant, bursting with a distinct spicy coconut flavour.

Every piece of chicken you have would have locked in the was creamy and full-flavoured laksa broth, making the tender chicken surprisingly flavourful.

SNAPPER FISH HEAD CURRY

The Fish Head Curry at Royale is a slightly tangier version and less spicy than what we had hoped for it to be, but it left an impression on us anyway. We were pleasantly surprised by the strong aroma and richness of the curry despite it being slightly watery.

Coupled with a variety of vegetables such as lady’s fingers and brinjal, this is one hearty dish that stood out in the line-up and is one that will make us return to the buffet for.

TRADITIONAL DESSERTS

Royale’s Rasa Sayang BBQ Buffet includes not just their usual sweet treats but also a repertoire of traditional local desserts which come with a modern twist.

Look forward to items such as Durian Crème Brûlée, Coconut Custard Tart and an assortment of Nonya Kueh—every one of their desserts is made fresh in-house. Don’t miss out on the classic Pandan Chiffon Cake sweetened with a layered of fluffy marshmallow, inspired by the nostalgic ice cream sandwich.

There is also a D.I.Y. Chendol station which will be part of the buffet spread—customise your dream chendol and end off your meal with this icy treat!

From 01 June to 26 August 2018, indulge in a huge array of local goodies which features an extravagant lineup of over 30 local and Asian delights. You may quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 30% off the buffet upon making reservations from Sundays to Thursdays, and 20% off on Fridays and Saturdays. Do note that the discounts are not applicable on Father’s Day, Eve and Public Holidays and it is limited to a maximum of only 10 diners per booking.

Rasa Sayang BBQ Buffet Details
1 June – 26 August 2018
Daily Dinner: 6pm – 10pm
Price: Adults—S$38++, S$68++*, Children—S$19++

*Inclusive of free flow wines and beer

Royale
Level 3, Mercure Singapore Bugis
122 Middle Road
Singapore 188973
Tel: +65 6521 6030 / or email HA0D7-FB1@accor.com
Buffet Dinner: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is brought to you by Mercure Singapore Bugis.

Curry fish head, like chilli crab or chicken rice, is one of the iconic dishes in Singapore. When it comes to curry fish, one would immediately think of the famous places like The Banana Leaf Apolo, Muthu’s Curry, and of course, Samy’s Curry Restaurant.

I do not know what took me so long to try Samy’s Curry, but I finally did one night when my dining companion and I could not decide what to have for dinner. And oh boy, I wondered why I never had it earlier.

I like the fact that Samy’s Curry Restaurant is located in Dempsey – one of the most popular dining enclaves in Singapore – but unlike most of the places there that are overpriced yet often under-delivers, it serves good Indian food at affordable prices.

If you are dining in a big group, you can share a curry fish head ($18 for small, $26 for medium) and get several ala carte items – butter chicken ($8 for small, $12 for big), black squid ($7 for small, $10 for big), chicken tikka ($8 for small, $12 for big) – from the menu.

If you just want something light, you can have rice and order individual portions of the dishes. Rice is being served on a banana leaf with two complimentary vegetarian side dishes and papadum. Alternatively, you can also have nasi briyani or naan topped with garlic, butter, or cheese ($2.80).

Given that many mediocre restaurants and eateries serve their fish head curry for prices ranging from $20 upwards, I feel that Samy Curry’s Restaurant is undeniably one of the more value for money options. We shared a small fish head, and it was more than enough for the two of us. The sauce is tangy, not too spicy and packs a punch. And I like that it leaves a pleasant after taste in your mouth.

Samy Curry’s is definitely the place if you do not have an adventurous palate but would like to have a go at Indian cuisine. It is also a place where I would bring my overseas friends to enjoy an authentic Indian feast.

Samy’s Curry Restaurant
25A Dempsey Road
Tanglin Village (Dempsy Hill Green)
Tel: +65 6472 2080
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Singapore is a foodie paradise. It is not exaggerating to say that eating is part of the Singapore Spirit. Since we will be celebrating National day in a month’s time, I thought it would be nice to write about some of the must-eats in Singapore.

Here’s my list of 10 Things to Eat in Singapore.

For first time visitors, it is a must to try all the popular hawker food from places like Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre and Old Airport Road Market. If you are willing to spend more on food, Singapore has many excellent fine dining restaurants, like Les Amis and Iggy’s. And of course, we mustn’t forget about the Celebrity Chefs Restaurants like Waku Ghin, Santi, CUT at the swanky Marina Bay Sands; Osia and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at Resorts World Sentosa.

However, I’ll not be including Singapore’s best restaurants in this post. Instead, I want to share about some of the food that I miss whenever I am out of town. For non-food recommendations, please read my list of 10 Things to do in Singapore.

Chicken Rice

If you ask around which is the most famous Singapore food, chances are, people will reply with either chilli crab or chicken rice.

Amongst the many good chicken rice stalls in Singapore, I’d suggest going to either Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice or Boon Tong Kee. I like Tian Tian’s chicken rice, but I hate the queue. If you are lazy to queue like me, go to Maxwell market before or after lunch hour. Tian Tian is definitely one of the best chicken rice in Singapore.

Boon Tong Kee, on the other hand, is a tricky one. Many people would argue that it is a commercialised restaurant, and there are probably lots of places that have better chicken rice. Let me explain. With six branches around the island, Boon Tong Kee is much more accessible, and you can have your chicken rice in a clean environment (not everyone is willing to brave the heat in hawker centre). It is a relatively safe option to bring your overseas visitors there for their first taste of our famous Singapore chicken rice.

Boon Tong Kee
425 River Valley Road
Tel: +65 6736 3213

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Maxwell Road #01-10 Maxwell Food Centre

Chilli Crab

As mentioned, Chilli Crab is probably the most famous Singapore food. It is the face of Singapore Cuisine, the must-try food for tourists. You cannot visit Singapore without having Chili Crab. There are many Chinese seafood restaurants in Singapore serving this popular dish, but my favourite is No Signboard at Geylang.

Fresh meaty crabs in a spicy-sweet chili sauce with deep-fried mantou – this is one of the most satisfying experiences in life.

No Signboard Seafood
414 Geylang Road
Tel: +65 6842 3415

Kaya Toast

Kaya is a coconut jam made from coconut milk, eggs which are flavoured by pandan leaf and sweetened with sugar. It is easily one of the best jam spread ever created.

Spread the kaya on the toast with a generous slab of butter – this is a very delicious thing for breakfast, tea, or supper. All you need is kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and a cup of coffee. This is the best local breakfast.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204 East Coast Road Singapore

Ya Kun Kaya Toast Singapore
18 China Street #01-01
Far East Square Singapore
Tel: +65 6438 3638

Tropical Fruits

There are plenty of tropical fruits to eat in Singapore, so it is a good idea to head to the markets if you are not from the region. Some of the must-try fruits are: rambutans, mangosteen, longan, lychee, durian, and mango.

Even though I hate durian, I think it’s a pretty cool experience to visit Geylang and sit by the roadside to try the king of fruits.

Fish Head Curry

Fish Head Curry is a dish created by Singapore’s Malayalee. Cooked in a hot and spicy Indian curry, the large fish head is usually eaten with white rice or bread. Try the one from Muthu’s Curry at Race Course road.

Muthu’s Curry
138 Race Course Road #01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6392 1722

Laksa

Laksa has a rich coconut-based curry soup with rice noodles alongside ingredients like cockles, shrimp, tau pok and fish cake.

The first time I had a bowl of laksa (many years ago) was a total revelation. It was like taking a plane for the first time; the first sip of champagne, or having the first ever taste of foie gras. It was something very special.

Without a doubt, Laksa is one of the Singapore’s must-eats.

328 Katong Laksa
51 East Coast Road Singapore
Tel: +65 9732 8163

Zi Char

Zi Char (also known as Zhi Char/Cze Char/Tze Char) is a Chinese stall (in a coffee shop) that serves a variety of ala carte dishes at affordable prices. Different ‘restaurants’ have their own unique signature dishes, but a typical zi char place will usually has the following: meat items – pork ribs, har cheong gai ($8 – $20); vegetables – sambal kangkong, kailan ($6 – $12), side dishes – beancurd, noodles, rice ($4 – $20) ; and seafood – prawn, fish, crabs ($15 upwards).

There are many good zi char places in Singapore, but I’d recommend Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon (for har cheong gai), Keng Eng Kee Seafood and for a slightly more upmarket option, Ming Kee Live Seafood.

Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon
Jumbo Coffee Hub
Blk 19A Dover Crescent

Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-136 Alexandra Village Singapore
Tel: +65 6272 1038

Ming kee Live Seafood
556 Macpherson Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6747 4075

Peranakan Cuisine

Peranakan Cuisine, also known as Nyonya food, is the result of blending Chinese ingredients and wok cooking techniques with spices used by the Malay/Indonesian community. There are plenty of Peranakan restaurants in Singapore serving fantastic nyonya food, you can check out the fairly new Candlenut Kitchen by Malcolm lee – one of the up and coming chefs in Singapore; and Ivin’s – a popular and no frills place for families to have dinner.

Candlenut Kitchen
25 Neil Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6226 2506

Ivin’s
19 Binjai Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6468 3060

Dim Sum

Hong Kong might be the land of dim sum, but I feel that some restaurants in Singapore serve very good dim sum too. I’m sure everyone knows by now: my favourite dim sum restaurants in Singapore are Royal China at Raffles Hotel, Yanting Restaurant at St Regis, and Taste Paradise at Ion Orchard.

Royal China
1 Beach Road
#03-09 Raffles Hotel
Tel: +65 6338 3363

Taste Paradise Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 9660

Yan Ting Restaurant
29 Tanglin Road
The St Regis
Tel: +65 6506 6888

Char Kway Teow

“What food do you miss the most when you are away from Singapore?”

This is a simple question. My answer is definitely Char Kway Teow. The stir-fried noodle is artery clogging, but it is very, very tasty! For me, the best char kway teow in Singapore will be the one from Zion Road. You MUST EAT it!

No 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow
Zion Road Riverside Food Centre

I wrote this list of 10 Things to eat in Singapore for the NDP 2011 Official Website, but this is not a sponsored blog post and I have not received any monetary benefits in return. That said, I got two tickets to the NDP preview and I’ll be writing a second post to share more about the Singapore spirit during the parade.

Besides all the good food, what do you think defines the Singapore spirit? Share your thoughts at the NDP website and NDPeeps Facebook page!

Reading Food Blogs and watching food shows are among my favorite pastimes. Food blogs with delicious photos and intriguing words have the ability to suck me in for hours, while food shows are somewhat more direct – they make me hungry instantly. I’m sure many of you are currently hooked to Sizzling Woks, the popular food show on the best zhi char eating places in Singapore.

I’m not surprised because I get many requests to blog more about cheap and good Zhi Char in Singapore all the time. Today, I will like to share about one of the Zhi Char restaurants in Singapore that my family always go to: B.K Fortune Seafood Steamboat restaurant. They are located just a few steps away from Bar Bar Black Sheep along Bukit Timah road (towards King Albert Park direction after Sixth Avenue).

Unlike some Zi Char Stalls in neighbourhood coffee shops that charged $40/kg for crabs (prices that are comparable to Seafood restaurants), the ones at B.K Fortune Seafood restaurant are only $30/kg and we paid $56 for two huge Salted Egg Yolk Crabs.

Crabs do not really appeal to lazy people like me. It’s a dish that requires a lot of effort, but offers very little return (in terms of meat) – so you can understand why I don’t really like crabs. But when we eat out at Seafood restaurants in Singapore, I will always go for either the famous Singapore Chilli crab, or the Salted Egg Yolk Crab. And if there’s one thing you should know, Fortune Seafood Restaurant’s Salted Egg yolk Crabs are gorgeous! I’m not going into details about how they taste like, but believe me – they are fingers-licking good!

This isn’t a very pretty photo, but Fortune Seafood’s signature Assam Curry Fish Head ($15) is a must-order dish. The flavours hit you in different waves, first the spicy-and-sourish assam gravy, second the smooth and fresh taste of the fish head – I love it! The assam gravy was so good that I filled my bowl of rice with it.

Amongst the other dishes that we had at Fortune Seafood Steamboat Restaurant, the Sweet & Sour Pork ($10) was exceptionally ordinary – there was too much fatty meat and it didn’t have the right bite.

When eating at Zi Char restaurants, we would usually order the crowd-favorite Hot Plate tofu. But this time round, we decided to throw caution out of the window and went for their Mango Sauce Fried Tofu ($8). It was a disaster. The sauce accompanying the tofu was done the Thai-mango-salad way, but the whole dish was just deep fried tofu (bland and slightly dry) with the dressing. Give me hot plate tofu any day please.

If you have difficulty finding the place, they are located directly opposite the old turf city. Otherwise, look out for the former premises of Brewerkz. Now, it’s your turn to share with me a good zhi char stall in Singapore.

// The name of the restaurant is Forture Seafood Restaurant with a ‘R’, but it seems that there is a common spelling mistake online where everyone calls it Fortune Seafood.

Singapore Food Restaurant Review
B.K Fortune Seafood Restaurant
887 Bukit Timah Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6469 5957
Opening hours: 11am – 2.30pm
Dinner: 5pm – 11.30pm Daily