For those who grew up in the West side of Singapore, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery would be a name familiar to you. A family-run bakery situated along Chun Tin Road, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery is known for selling Teochew-style pastries and traditional Western cakes at affordable prices.

Here’s why you should pay a visit to this bakery the next time you are in the Upper Bukit Timah area.

Step back into time once you reach the doorstep of Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. From traditional patterned tiled floors to the blue Bostwick collapsible gates (aka shophouse grilles), these are just some reasons why this humble bakery has stayed popular with many Singaporeans for more than 60 years.

Pastries always taste best freshly baked, and this is exactly what you’d get at Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. One of their top-selling bakes is the mini butter muffins.

At just S$0.70 per piece, you’d be able to sample many of their flavours without feeling the pinch. As we arrived rather late in the day, we only managed to pick up a couple of their Strawberry Muffins and Jam Muffins. These mini butter muffins had a balanced taste and was not overly buttery.

Other popular pastries that we sampled were the Honey Chicken Siew Pao (S$1.60 per piece) and Portuguese Egg Tart (S$1.50 per piece). The crust of the Honey Chicken Siew Pao was crispy and when cut, revealed tasty chicken chunks enveloped by a buttery flaky crust. The filling of the Portuguese Egg Tart had a slight milky flavour and its pastry was not overcooked.

If you fancy something sweeter, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery offers a decent spread of traditional Western cakes for your picking. We were told that the Durian Mousse Cake (S$3) and the Yam Mousse Cake (S$3) were their most popular flavours. Though you’d expect these ingredients to have strong flavours, both cakes were soft, slightly sweet, and light in flavour.

You can also pick up childhood snacks (such as Iced Gems, Pig Ears at S$3 per packet), Tau Sar Piah (S$4.50 per packet) and Walnut Biscuits (S$3 per packet) here. A tip: As their freshly baked pastries sell out quickly, we recommend visiting the bakery earlier in the day. Elsewise, drop by to enquire about their daily baking schedule so that you can pick up your favourite bakes fresh out of the oven.

Ng Kim Lee Confectionery
4 Chun Tin Road
Singapore 599591

Nestled on the 8th level of Hillview Building at 48 Hillview Terrace, Coexist Coffee Co is a new hidden rooftop cafe with a striking red and white interior.

It has officially opened its doors to the public on 29 June 2021 and there’s an opening promotion of 10% off your bill from now until 9 July 2021.

The cafe is located on the rooftop of an industrial building in Hillview and it has a great view of the surrounding greenery.

On the menu, Coexist Coffee Co serves a selection of mains and all-day breakfast that are priced between S$14 to S$26 each.

Some of the more interesting dishes include:

• Rendang Wagyu Beef Burger (S$22)
• Sambal Fish & Chips (S$20)
• Seafood Coconut Broth (S$18)
• Bao Benedict (S$14)
• Kaya French Toast (S$16)

Photos credit: Coexist Coffee Co

Coexist Coffee Co provides an escape from the busy everyday life and it is a great addition to the growing list of cafes in the west of Singapore.

To reach the cafe, you will need to take the elevator to the 7th floor and climb the stairs up to the 8th floor.

Coexist Coffee Co.
Hillview Building
48 Hillview Terrace
Singapore 669269

Yuba Hut is opening a new outlet in the west of Singapore. Known for its Aburi sushi rolls and Japanese rice bowls, Yuba Hut’s newest outlet will be opening at Rail Mall on 23 Oct 2020.

Other than Rail Mall, the sushi chain is opening another outlet at Guoco Tower (formerly known as Tanjong Pagar Centre) in October.

With the addition of the two new outlets, Yuba Hut will have six locations around Singapore—Heartland Mall, Northpoint City, White Sands, The Poiz Centre, Guoco Tower and Rail Mall.

Fans of the brand will be happy to know that they are currently having a promotion for their signature Champion Maki Roll at S$9.90 on every Tuesdays.

Established in 2009 at Phoenix Park, Spruce has garnered a following for its burger, brunch and drinks over the past decade. It has opened its third outlet at HillV2, taking over the space vacated by Dean & Deluca.

Folks staying in the west of Singapore will be familiar with Spruce’s second outlet at the old fire station along 260 Bukit Timah Road. The new outlet at HillV2 is just a 5-minute drive away and it offers a similar menu of all-day dining favourites and brunch fare.

Enjoy a choice of house pour wines, spirits, or beer on tap at only S$7++ with the purchase of every main course (from Sunday to Thursday, 5pm to 8pm).

Spruce
4 Hillview Rise #01-01 HillV2, Singapore 667979
Mon – Fri: 10.30am to 10.30pm
Sat/Sun/PH: 9.00am to 10.30pm
Reservation Hotline: 9759 5790

Bukit Timah spans over a very large (or rather, long) stretch of road in the west side of Singapore, and is home to a great variety of restaurants and cafes. However, it can be tricky to venture to these eateries; navigating winding roads amidst islands of neighbourhoods without a car is not the easiest mission for those unfamiliar with the area.

Despite its meandering paths and general inaccessibility to public transport users, Bukit Timah is home to a hidden enclave of great cafes including the likes of perennial crowd-favourite, Atlas Coffeehouse, as well as amazing restaurants in the vicinity such as the restaurant-cum-marketplace, Greenwood Fish Market, and classy Italian restaurant, Ristorante da Valentino.

To aid your pilgrimage into the area, here is our guide to Bukit Timah’s Restaurants & Cafes. Clear your schedules, it’s time to satisfy your tummies!

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/AjiyaSG/

AJIYA OKONOMIYAKI RESTAURANT

Craving some okonomiyaki? Not a particularly common sight – especially when we consider one with proper seating – Ajiya is a welcomed addition to the Japanese dining scene in the area.

Perfect as a casual meal or as a family activity, you can opt to either get the staff to grill up your okonomiyaki for you, or try your hand at designing and cooking one yourself!

104 Jalan Jurong Kechil
Singapore 598603
Tel: +65 6463 3461
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/atlascoffeehouse/

ATLAS COFFEEHOUSE

The sister cafe of the now-defunct Assembly Coffee, Atlas Coffeehouse is located just a few minutes walk away from Botanic Gardens MRT Station. For the best spot, pick a table next to the floor-to-ceiling windows for ample natural light and casual people watching.

Notable dishes you should try include the Butterscotch Banana Pancake (S$18.50) and Creamy Mushrooms On Sourdough (S$12).

6 Duke’s Road
Singapore 268886
Tel: +65 6314 2674
Tue to Sun: 8am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

BAKER & COOK

When you are here, do pair their aromatic coffee blends with their freshly baked pastries – the Mixed Berry Bun and Lemon Drizzle Cake are fantastic choices. In the event of a heavy crowd (or rain if you lack an umbrella or raincoat), pop by their outlet at the nearby Chip Bee Gardens (Holland Village) instead.

77 Hillcrest Road
Singapore 288951
Tel: +65 6469 8834
Sun to Thu: 7am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP

As a multi-dining concept restaurant, this is the place to go for the fickle-minded. Be it Indian cuisine or classic Western fare, there’s something for each member of your dining group when you visit Bar Bar Black Sheep. As a bonus, you can enjoy watching live screenings of your favourite sports matches while being in the serenity of Botanic Gardens’ Bamboo Forest!

501 Bukit Timah Rd
#01-05C, Cluny Court
Singapore 259760
Tel: +65 6763 4757
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 12am
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 1am
Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

BOON TONG KEE

For those lamenting the lack of good hawker food in the area in an air-conditioned setting, there’s a full-fledged Boon Tong Kee outlet in the vicinity!

While the price point is a good margin above that of your more routine hawker stalls, you can expect the chicken served to be wonderfully silken, with a chilli that is delightfully piquant, and rice that is mouthwateringly fragrant. As a bonus, they serve a hearty selection of zi char dishes too!

18 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Singapore 599742
Tel: +65 6463 2289
Mon to Fri: 11am – 2.45pm, 3.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

CAMACA

Beat Singapore’s sweltering weather and look cute while doing it with Camaca’s macaron-shaped capsule ice-creams. Savour flavours such as Roasted Oolong, Musang King Durian and Royal Earl Grey; if you’re feeling guilty about indulging, rest easy knowing that the entire selection of gelato is sugar-free. For a mid-day treat, pair their airy Swiss Rolls with a cup of their single-origin coffee brews for a mid-day treat.

9 King Albert Park
KAP Mall, #01-11/12
Singapore 598332
Tel: +65 6904 3811
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: King Albert’s Park

CARPENTER & COOK

As both a vintage home store and cafe, this cafe along Lorong Kilat boasts an eye-catching interior. Besides its decor, get ready to be regaled by tantalising pastry options such as the popular Passion Fruit Meringue Tart and their colourful range of macarons.

19 Lorong Kilat
#01-06 Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

When King Albert’s Park is mentioned, people normally think of the good ol’ days when McDonalds occupied the area. However, now, the place has been completely revamped into an up-and-coming mall space.

Just a walk through King Albert’s Park Mall, you will see several cafes and restaurants, including a new cinema. One such place that caught our eye was the sleek and simple Camaca cafe.

Camaca is a sugar-free dessert cafe, serving up indulgent treats that come without the guilt, along with a wide selection of single-origin coffees.

We ordered the Roasted Oolong Tea gelato (S$4.80++) and were pleasantly surprised by how creamy and flavourful the ice cream was even though it is sugar-free! The deceiving giant macarons on display were actually just packaging for the gelato inside.

The staff explained this keeps the gelato from turning too icy, hence maintaining a smooth texture. They even have a special machine to “de-shell” their gelato and to churn it out in a swirl after. One gripe we had was that it started to melt very quickly after it was served, but it was satisfying nonetheless!

Their gelato features all-natural flavours such as Pomelo Tea, Lychee Rose and even Musang King Durian. You can choose to have your gelato with an add-on of waffles (S$10.00) as well.

Camaca also serves a selection of pastries, and we managed to try their popular Vanilla Cheese Roll (S$4.00++), served with a splash of berry coulis.

It was truly one of the softest roll cakes we have ever tried—the texture of the cake and cream felt like cloud on our tongues. It was mildly sweet, with specks of vanilla bean running through the cream.

Lastly, we tried their Camaca SG Limited blend in the form of a Cappuccino (S$5.50++). It had a well-balanced flavour with hints of acidity and a lingering bitter note. The blend consists of 5 different beans from various origins including Ethiopia and Columbia.

They do serve up more varieties of single-origin coffees with other more unique tasting notes. Their staff were more than happy to explain the tasting notes of each of the bean varieties when we asked. They don’t provide any sugar with their coffee but you can request for some syrup!

Located just a stone’s throw away from King Albert’s Park MRT, Camaca is a great place to fight the increasingly warm weather with their gelato or to simply enjoy some cake and coffee. Keep an eye out for their bright green signboard; it’s hard to miss.

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

Nestled in the new KAP Residence Mall along King Albert Park, Kindred Folk is a charming double-storey ice cream café that provides a relaxing respite where families and friends can gather and indulge in an array of comforting, homemade recipes.

Serving a decent selection of unique homemade ice cream such as Roasted Rice Milk Tea and Wasabi, patrons get to pair them up with charcoal waffle, cone and even deep-fried man tou (Chinese buns)! Beyond that, the menu also features a variety of fusion pasta and finger food such as Tom Yum Aglio Olio and Fried Chicken Drumlets.

Place your orders on the first floor before heading up the second floor where you will find seats with an idyllic view and a hammock you can rock on.

Kindred Folk’s tantalising Mi-So Sexy pasta (S$15) was full of flavours and it came with al dente Capellini tossed in savoury miso sesame sauce, topped with an onsen egg and  generous amounts of sautéed shimeiji mushrooms.

The café also offers lunch sets (S$12.90) that come with a bowl of wholesome pasta and a drink of your choice (black coffee/ ice lemon tea/ canned drink). Students studying in the campuses nearby can consider dropping by for their student meals (S$9.90).

Ice cream flavours that caught our attention were Roasted Rice Milk Tea (S$3.70) and Cereal Milk (S$3.70). Customers can top up a dollar for the Charcoal Cone or a Fried Mantou.

The Roasted Rice Milk Tea ice cream with Charcoal Cone was a unique combination. The charcoal cone had a subtle earthy flavour that complemented the slightly nutty Roasted Rice Milk Tea.

Kindred Folk’s Fried Mantou (S$1 for a mantou, add S$3.7 for a scoop of ice cream) is a must-order! Sandwiched between the Cereal Milk ice cream, the piping hot Fried Mantou provided a very good crunch and texture that grows on you with every bite. The Cereal Milk ice cream may be on the sweeter side but it paired so well with the savoury Fried Mantou that we devoured ours in seconds.

With that, Kindred Folk is a hidden gem in Bukit Timah that makes a perfect place to unwind and relax or study if you wish. This humble ice cream café won us over with their down-to-earth concept that focuses on serving quality food.

Kindred Folk
9 King Albert Park
#01-09, King Albert Park Shopping Mall
Singapore 598332
Tel: +65 6928 3043
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest station: King Albert Park

Fat Belly is a new speakeasy-style steakhouse in Singapore that shares the same space with its sister brand and ice cream joint, Sugarhaus, at Serene Centre. It only opens in the evening, occupying the counter seats at the back of the ice cream parlour.

This 10-seater steakhouse is helmed by chef-owner Stanley Seow, who specialises in alternative, less well-known cuts of beef such as the Flat Iron, which is essentially a cut taken from the shoulder of a cow—generally much less tender than a tenderloin or even a ribeye but let us leave it to the expert to prove us otherwise.

Photo Credit: Fat Belly Singapore

The menu is small and concise. Choose either the Flat Iron (S$22) or the juicy well-marbled Short Rib (S$25). Instead of drowning their steaks in an overly rich sauce, they are treated with a modest seasoning of salt and a house-made chimichurri sauce that comes served on the side—simple, yet ideal for meat as flavourful as this.

Some side dishes to consider are their Guanciale Mac & Cheese (S$5), Salted Thyme Mushrooms (S$5) and the surprisingly addictive, Creamed Kale (S$5).

For dessert, don’t miss out on the unusual Foie Gras Ice Cream (S$13) that comes served with candied bananas, Speculoos and roasted nuts.

Fat Belly
10 Jalan Serene, #01-03A
Serene Centre
Singapore 258748
Tel: +65 6314 2247
Sun to Thu: 6pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

Situated right next to Coronation Plaza, KARA Cafe & Dessert Bar is a new cafe and dessert bar by the team behind Sogurt. It takes over the former space of Sogurt and this is where you can enjoy a splendid array of delicious food in a warm and welcoming environment.

To top it off, you will be dining in a beautiful space decorated by tropical foliage and imaginary creatures with art by Mark Wee. 

When it comes to dessert and good food, it will always be a love-hate relationship. Well #sorrynotsorry because after today, you will be adding on one more cafe on your list of cafes to visit in Singapore.

We decided to begin our meal with the Classic Grilled Cheese (S$10.50). A signature Kara cheese blend and zesty sweet pickle relish are sandwiched in sourdough, and this spectacular combination is toasted to caramelised perfection prior to serving.

Remember all those cheese-pull videos? Well, now you can achieve that in real life and this dish sure left us with a cheesy grin.

The Pork Belly Miso (S$16) was an interesting creation that we had to try. Consisting of extremely tender kakuni braised pork belly, soft egg, cucumber edamame salad, miso cream and nori atop well-cooked rice, we particularly enjoyed the topping of ramen crisps as it added a nice, crunchy texture to the dish.

But for the price point, we did feel that the portion served was not very substantial and this is perhaps something that could be improved for a better dining experience.

We ended our meal with the Matcha Berry Homemade Mochi Waffles with Salted Speculoos Ice Cream (S$12.50).

This was indeed a heavenly pairing and we were very pleased with the elegant presentation of the dish. Furthermore, the dish was oh so tasty and satisfying, which only justified any weight gain.

KARA Cafe & Dessert Bar
671 Bukit Timah Road,
Singapore 269718
Tel: +65 6468 8940
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10.30pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10.30am – 11pm
Sun: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

New kid on the block, CATfeine, is nestled in The Hillford along Jalan Jurong Kechil. Contrary to its name, nothing about the cafe’s interior design reminds you of a cat but the idea is there—a cosy environment coupled with relaxing vibes to encourage their guests to lounge around.

Other than specialty tea and coffee, CATfeine’s also offers sweet and savoury bites in the likes of waffles, pies and cakes.

Curious about how the cafe got its name? The cafe was set up by a pair of cat-loving couple who were inspired by their other passion—Coffee And Tea. Add the first letters together and you get the acronym CAT.

The two-month-old cafe opened its doors in early May this year and has since earned the approval of residents living nearby who come here for a chat with their friends or to read the morning papers.

Sit by the floor-to-ceiling glass window which overlooks the busy main road or find yourself an empty table at the cafe. We liked how the tables are not cramped together, which makes it comfortable to have a private conversation with your dining partner.

If there is a must-try at CATfeine, it has to be their waffles. The beautiful presentation alone is enough to impress us and we are glad to share that the taste did not disappoint either.

Out of the few waffle choices on the menu, we decided to go for their popular Sweet Summer (S$15) which came with orange, grapefruit, fresh berries, rich lavender ice cream and crispy waffles that are made upon order.

CATfeine also offers cakes and muffins over at the glass display by the counter. The Lychee Strawberry Cake (S$6.50) is essentially a sponge cake with layers of lychee cream. Overall, we felt that it looks better than it tastes.

Caffeine addicts will surely appreciate their selection of coffee drinks. We thoroughly enjoyed their Cappuccino (S$5.80) which was creamy and came with just the right amount of bitter tones from the espresso.

Other choices include Long Black (5oz – S$4, 10oz – S$5), Popcorn Capp (5oz – S$5, S$6.30) and Floral Latte (5oz – S$5, 10oz – S$6.30).

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Read: Guide to the best cafes in the West of Singapore.

Singaporeans seem to have an unfathomable appetite for waffles. Over the years, many cafes and dessert joints have boasted the iconic dish in numerous innovative ways to satisfy our cravings (and Instagram feeds), but it is a shame that in the midst of all the hype, many people have neglected one of Singapore’s oldest fried chicken and waffle joint.

Waffletown at Balmoral Plaza is a family-owned retro fast food restaurant that has been serving American food such as burgers, fried chicken and Belgian waffles for the last thirty odd years in Singapore.

At Waffletown, expect no gimmicks, just great food and possibly the best (and simplest) waffles around.

The first thing that greeted us at Waffletown was the strong whiff of fried chicken goodness coupled with the sweet, doughy smell from freshly made waffles—we had officially arrived in Heaven.

To cool ourselves down, we started off with one of their signature Belgium waffles topped with ice cream (S$2.90). At first glance, you may assume this dish to be immensely basic—well it is—but it was so good.

Raspberry ripple flavoured ice cream atop a toasty and crunchy waffle. Perfect for a hot day—or any day for that matter.

The two-piece fried chicken (S$8.50) was beyond amazing. Marinated and deep-fried to perfection, the chicken was super crispy on the outside but moist and succulent on the inside. An added bonus is that it was not the slightest bit oily.

The sides that came along with it were decent but nothing much to shout about.

We also got the Super Value Meal (S$6.80) which consisted of a deep-fried boneless chicken thigh, white rice and a fried egg with a runny yolk. For what it’s worth, we think that it is a pretty good deal considering the large portion size.

The chicken was deep fried to perfection and the egg was cooked just right. However, we wish the rice could have been more aromatic and flavourful to better complement the other two components.

Waffletown was truly a breath of fresh air. A cosy eatery devoid of the hustle and bustle and pretentious aesthetics, serving comfort food at reasonable prices. We will definitely be back.

Waffletown Singapore
271 Bukit Timah Road #01-08
Balmoral Plaza
Tel: +65 6836 6536
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Newton

Bukit Timah Plaza is an old shopping mall with many hidden gems and our latest discovery is Boyle’s Coffee which is situated beside Rise & Grind cafe. Nothing is over-the-top at Boyle’s Coffee and the most impressive thing you will find there is probably their chic espresso machine.

If you are looking for a change from the usual gimmicky cafes, Boyle’s Coffee is an artisanal cafe where you can settle in and escape with great coffee and some light bites.

The venue boasts a refined and welcoming interior, with dark brown and orange as its primary colours. It is a great place to make like-minded friends over exceptional coffee as guests are expected to share long communal tables.

We tried their Cappuccino (S$5.50) which came in the right temperature so you can drink it immediately. It was by far one of the better ones we have tried so far. Under the blanket of thick foam, we could taste the pronounced flavour from the espresso which went well with creamy hot milk.

Guests can choose to add chocolate or cinnamon powder on top of their cappuccino.

If you are looking for other coffee alternatives, you can try their signature Espresso (S$4) or more interesting flavours such as the Yuzu Latte (S$6.50).

Unlike their wide range of coffee options, Boyle’s Coffee keeps a simple food menu and one addictive temptation is the Ham & Cheese Grilled Sandwich (S$12). Savour all the cheesy goodness and generous slices of ham in between toasted bread.

Our only gripe was that the toasts are slightly overdone and hard which makes it difficult to bite.

Looking for more bites? There is also the Butter & Jam Toast (S$4) and Sticky Bun (S$4). Sweet treats include a selection of cakes over at the display counter.

Boyle’s Coffee
L1-CS1 Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit
Singapore 588996
Mon to Thu: 9.30am – 9pm
Fri: 9.30am – 9:30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am to 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

A wallet-friendly dining establishment you should be taking note of is 73@Hillcrest—one of the many options along Greenwood Avenue.

73@Hillcrest is a coffee shop by day where diners can delight in their multi-cuisine menu and a bistro by night for a chill dinner and drinking session with your mates. Most of the items on their menu are kept below S$13 and there is no GST and service charge.

We popped by on a Sunday afternoon to check out their weekend brunch.

Visitors can choose to sit in the alfresco area or indoors, but do note that the bistro does not have air conditioning.

Avocado & Poached Egg (S$12.80) is the most popular brunch item on their menu and it is not hard to see why. The presentation alone is enough to win our hearts and it surely is a dream for all who are into food photography.

The poached egg was done to perfection with a ’Boomerang-worthy’, runny egg yolk that spilled out almost immediately. And we loved the generous portion of soft avocado and subtle hint of bitterness from the kale.

The Truffle Scramble Bacon Toast (S$8.80) came with soft, buttery scrambled eggs, crispy bacon sprinkled with truffle salt and toasted brioche.

Swing by on a weekend to enjoy other All-Day-Brunch items such as Pork in Duxelles with Brioche (S$11.80) and Caesar Salad but Prawns (S$13.80). There are also kid-friendly choices including Waffle Double Delight (S$7.80) and Scramble Toast (S$3.80).

Otherwise, opt for their regular lunch menu featuring their signature 73 Angus Burger (S$17.50) and Chilli Crab Linguine with Soft Shell (S$19.50).

If you are not planning to drive there, the bistro is about 15 minutes walk from Tan Kah Kee MRT Station.

73@Hillcrest
73 Hillcrest Road
Singapore 288945
Tel:+65 9694 5888
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 8.30am – 11pm
Sun: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

Lorong Kilat is a cosy little street near Beauty World MRT Station on the new Downtown Line in Singapore. The new Downtown Line has made the whole Bukit Timah area very accessible so there is no excuse to not travel to the West for food now!

The whole stretch feels very comforting, like a quaint little neighbourhood street. But during meal hours, the place comes to life. Bars, bakeries, restaurants, cafes and more populate the area, with some very well known names such as Carpenter and Cook, Kim’s Family Restaurant and more.

Here is a Guide to Lorong Kilat’s Restaurants, Cafes & Eateries.

#1 CARPENTER AND COOK

This is probably the most popular at Lorong Kilat that is both a vintage home store and cafe, with some of the prettiest cakes. This is the ideal spot to rest and relax with a nice warm cup of coffee and a book.

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19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06,
Singapore 598120
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: I Eat And Eat

#2 CAKE AVENUE BISTRO

Starting out as a cake shop in 2000, Cake Avenue has recently opened the Cake Avenue Bistro which has transformed the bakery into a bistro, with the aim to whet their customers’ appetite for more gastronomical delights. You will find the bistro serving full American and Italian cuisine, and is also a great venue for children or themed parties.

33 Lorong Kilat, #01-01 Kilat Centre,
Singapore 598132
Tel: +65 6877 9008
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#3 CHICKEN HOUSE

Many head to Chicken House to have a taste of the signature yellow gingered kampung chicken which has firmer and leaner meat and served with scrumptious chilli sauce and fragrant rice. The prices here are also reasonably inexpensive.

17 Lorong Kilat, #01-01 Kilat Court,
Singapore 598139
Tel: +65 6469 2121
Daily: 10.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#4 FEI SIONG SEAFOOD

Fei Siong is a well-known casual eatery and everyone loves their signature fish ball noodles. This branch serves seafood dishes such as Fish Head Steamboat, Steamed Crabs, Stir-Fried Clams and a lot more, making it ideal for family or friend gatherings.

17 Lorong Kilat, #01-01/03 Kilat Court,
Singapore 598139
Tel: +65 6465 6067
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#5 KIM’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

This popular Korean restaurant is a hot favourite of many from all around the island. People flock here for the affordable and authentic Korean dishes in a very homely setting. Some popular dishes are Bibimbap, Kimchi Stew and Army Stew.

17 Lorong Kilat, #01-06,
Singapore 598139
Tel: +65 6465 0535
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#6 NOOK CAFE & BAR

What was once Nook D.I.Y House of Pancakes is now Nook Cafe & Bar, a rebrand that now includes even alcoholic drinks and other cafe fare. However, they still have their D.I.Y pancake option for you to go for. It is a fun activity that doubles as a fun date idea.

21 Lorong Kilat, Sun Court, #01-03,
Singapore 598123
Tel: +65 6466 1811
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#7 MOOKALICIOUS

Located within the Chicken House coffeeshop, Mookalicious is an affordable and authentic Thai mookata barbeque and steamboat that is the favourite of many. It would not be uncommon to sight long queues outside of this establishment, especially on weekends.

17 Lorong Kilat,
Singapore 598139
Tel: +65 9892 2550
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#8 REVELRY

This cafe is packed to the brim with people even when during non-peak hours. As they specialise in waffles, we highly recommend their Chicken & Waffles for a solid meal. Crunchy and juicy chicken with the fluffiest waffle base, you will not be disappointed.

21 Lorong Kilat, #01-02,
Singapore 598123
Tel: +65 9278 0466
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#9 THE SIGNATURE PATISSERIE

The Signature Patisserie has an array of pastries and other sweet treats that you can have in store or to go. Some options include the popular Signature Lime Pie and the delicious Cream Cheese Muffin, an amazing snack for any time of the day.

21 Lorong Kilat, #01-01 Sun Court,
Singapore 589123
Tel: +65 6463 0919
Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#10 UDDERS & THE UDDER PANCAKE

This Udders outlet offers both the usual sweet treats (Udders ice cream and waffles) and a menu of casual cafe fare. Some of our picks are the lip-smackingly good Mentaiko or Salted Egg Yolk Fries and also the Pulled Pork Eggs Ben.

17 Lorong Kilat, #01-08 Kilat Court,
Singapore 598139
Tel: +65 6466 5707
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#11 WOORINARA KOREAN RESTAURANT

As another well-loved Korean restaurant on the street, Woorinara offers a wide range of Korean food, specialising in Korean Fried Chicken. Get the Woorinara Chicken Sampler to try out all the flavours if you cannot decide which to go for!

19 Lorong Kilat,
Singapore 598120
Tel: +65 6464 9282
Mon to Sat: 11.30am- 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 12am
Sun: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Beauty World

For more recommendations, read our guide to 29 best cafes in the West of Singapore.

Photo Credit: Singapore.locanto

We never thought this day would come, but unfortunately and to much dismay, the day is here. The Beauty World Food Centre is slated for renovation works, with the potential sale of this food centre.

If you have not dropped by the Beauty World Food Centre in a while, or if you have not visited before, stop what you are doing right now. It is not too late for you to rewalk your steps and relive the tastes of your childhood.

Here are 5 Reasons to Visit Beauty World Centre Food Centre Before It Is Too Late.

Photo Credit: Qiuthosefood

#1 TOP 1 HOME MADE NOODLE

Highly-raved as one of Singapore’s best handmade noodles, the Top 1 Home Made Noodle is one of our favourites when it comes to yummy, homemade noodles in West Singapore.

The menu is filled with different soup choices, noodles and ingredients. For those who are fans of spicy food, give their Tom Yam Soup a try. This soup is extremely spicy yet very flavourful.

Be warned that this stall is particularly busy during lunch and has a regular queue throughout the day. But be patient, for that moment of intense flavours is worth the wait.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Beauty World Centre #04-44, Singapore 588177
Tel: +65 8448 8450
Thurs to Mon: 9am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

#2 JIN LI SATAY BEE HOON

Jin Li Satay Bee Hoon serves up a hearty, solid plate of Satay Bee Hoon. Heaped with a deliciously creamy and nutty peanut sauce, the Satay Bee Hoon is also served with cockles, lean pork slices, cuttlefish, prawn and kang kong.

The Satay Bee Hoon also comes in 3 different size portions (S$4, S$5, S$6) and it is one stall that we will definitely miss during the renovation period.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#04-40 Beauty World Centre, Singapore 588177
Tel: +65 9154 6406
Thurs to Tues: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: Anthony Ali

#3 YOU PENG NOODLE DUMPLING HOUSE

Most of us usually visit restaurants such as Din Tai Fung and Imperial Treasure to satisfy our cravings for xiao long bao. However, did you know that You Peng Noodle Dumpling House has xiao long bao which are just as good (some may even say better) and more affordable?

Priced at S$7 for 10 pieces, the dumplings at You Peng Noodle Dumpling House is a steal.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#04-23 Beauty World Centre, Singapore 588177
Tel: +65 6463 5608
Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: Groupon

#4 OISHII BAKERY

With the constantly evolving food scene in Singapore, it is a rare sight to see traditional-style bakeries such as Oishii these days.

Tucked away in the corner of the fourth floor of Beauty World Centre, Oishii Bakery is a hidden gem that reminds us of old school neighbourhood bakeries that we are so fond of.

Like the modern bakery, there is a wide selection of bread for all at Oishii Bakery, which includes favourite like the Black Sesame Paste Bun or the Nacho Cheese Bun.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#04-02 Beauty World Centre, Singapore 588177
Tel: +65 6777 0811
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: Miss Tam Chiak

#5 DULUKALA PERANAKAN RESTAURANT

A traditional family-run Peranakan restaurant, Dulukala Peranakan Restaurant is a must-visit for authentic and affordable Peranakan food.

The food at this restaurant is also cooked with family recipes and their menu spans over a great variety of meats and vegetable dishes.

Visit Dulukala Peranakan Restaurant again for an experience of home-cooked Peranakan dishes in a cosy and warm atmosphere before the renovations!

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#04-04 Beauty World Centre, Singapore 588177
Tel: +65 6465 2036
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

My Cosy Corner is a hole-in-the-wall Peranakan eatery tucked in the corner of Coronation Shopping Plaza, in Bukit Timah.

It is a place where you will feel instantly at home and the staff would occasionally have a friendly conversation with the customers.

Come here for great-tasting Peranakan dishes, local fare and Japanese bento sets.

Due to its rising popularity and limited space, do not be surprised if you see a long queue forming outside the eatery. We were lucky to find a table within 10 minutes of waiting time during off-peak hours.

If there is one thing that made My Cosy Corner famous, it has to be their legendary popiah (S$2.50). Freshly made to order, ours came with thick slices of moist bang kwang (Chinese turnip) and hard boiled egg wrapped in thin popiah skin. We could even hear a delightful crunch coming from the crispy garlic bits as we bit into it.

Amazed by the popiah, we decided to try out some of the other main dishes as well. Laksa at My Cosy Corner is going at S$5 and it comes with a full hard boiled egg, fish cakes and tau pok (beancurd puff). We liked that the broth was rich and there was a distinct coconut taste to it.

The Mee Siam (S$5) is a combination of sweet, spicy and sour notes and made better with small pieces of deep fried tau pok, dried shrimp and a boiled egg. While it left a good impression, we still preferred the other two dishes.

Other items on the menu you can find at My Cosy Corner include Japanese bento and udon dishes such as Gyu Don (S$16), Beef Teriyaki (S$9) and Kaki Udon (S$7.50).

My Cosy Corner
587 Bukit Timah Road
#02-02 Coronation Shopping Plaza
Singapore 269701
Tel: +65 6463 8286
Mon to Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun & PH: 11am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/01/my-cosy-corner-singapore/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/11/sugarhaus-singapore/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/11/sugarhaus-singapore/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2016 02:37:28 +0000 Hui Jun Ng http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=116924 Continue reading →]]>

To many fans’ dismay, Bing Qi Lin in Seletar Hills has closed its doors in mid-August. But little did they know – that was not the end of the ice cream brand.

Bing Qi Lin has undergone a major brand revamp and renamed itself as Sugarhaus Singapore. The owners have worked doubly hard to expand the business and now offer its patrons a comfortable dine-in concept. It is situated within Serene Centre, just right beside Island Creamery—a pioneer in making freshly made ice cream featuring local flavours.

From Gula Melaka Pecan, Thai Milk Tea to White Choc Miso, Sugarhaus Singapore boasts a splendid selection of ice cream (one scoop – S$3.50, double scoop – S$6, triple scoop – S$8).

There are 18 unique ice cream flavours to choose from. Why not complete these luscious ice cream scoops with a Plain Waffle (S$5.50) or Handmade Choux Pastry Bun (S$3.50)?

While Island Creamery is renowned for its signature mud pies and baked Alaskas, Sugarhaus Singapore has too carved out a niche for itself with its trippy-looking taro-flavoured galaxy cakes (S$7.80 each). These gorgeous galaxy cakes are currently only available on weekends.

The taro sponge cake is layered with velvety buttercream and coated with a beautiful galaxy mirror. Don’t worry, these cakes are 100% edible and you can assure those paranoid eaters that the coating definitely isn’t paint! We know it looks like it – and that’s the novelty of it.

Sugarhaus Singapore
10 Jalan Serene
Singapore 258748
#01-03A Serene Centre
Tel: +65 6314 2247
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

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

Ming Jia Korean Food is a Korean cuisine eatery run by a middle aged Korean lady or as the Koreans term affectionately as “ahjumma”. This no-frills Korean eatery tucked in a corner of Bukit Timah Plaza looks unassuming from the front, but the place is nothing short of lively during the afternoon lunch hour crowd.

In one look, you will know that Ming Jia Korean Food serves up authentic Korean dishes as the majority of their customers are made up of Koreans and the lady boss enjoys a conversation or two with them.

This place is perfect for students and those working nearby who are looking for an affordable lunch or dinner option.

Most Korean restaurants offer free side dishes to go along with your meals and this is also a practice at Ming Jia Korean Food too. The fresh kimchi helped to induce our appetites before we got started on our main courses and we enjoyed the fluffy egg rolls as well.

The only thing to note is that the side dishes are not free flow.

The Yung Yang Dolsut Bibimbap (S$13.90+) comes with aromatic beef slices and generous portions of vegetables and mushroom. You get a seaweed soup with every order of a Bibimbap.

Ming Jia Korean Food’s Kimchi Sundubu (S$13.90+) is a traditional soft tofu stew with kimchi and comes with a bowl of white rice. The soup arrived boiling hot from the kitchen with a strong fragrant kimchi smell. This is a hearty bowl of kimchi soup which does not disappoint.

Ming Jia Korean Food is a popular dining destination so try to go during non-peak hours or expect to wait for around 15 minutes before you are able to get a table.

Ming Jia Korean Food
1 Jalan Anak Bukit
#B1-07 Bukit Timah Plaza
Singapore 588996
Nearest Station: Beauty World

We love indulging in Korean cuisine, especially Korean barbeques! Unfortunately, Korean food does not come cheap in Singapore, and this reflects even in food courts.

So when one All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ comes to mind, one would often think that it is going to be a wallet-damaging meal. Well, you are neither wrong nor are you right.

Korean BBQ Buffet in Singapore is indeed usually expensive, but that’s not the case at Maru Korean BBQ Buffet. The no-frills Korean restaurant is located along the stretch of Cheong Chin Nam Road and only a stone’s throw away from recently opened Beauty World MRT Station. Buffet prices are incredibly affordable and start from S$9++ per child and S$14++ per adult during weekday lunch. What a steal!

Tuck into endless servings of prawns, sausages, marinated beef, marinated pork belly and whatnot. There are several different marinations to choose from and you can look forward to spicy, soy sauce teriyaki and even herb wine. A selection of vegetables is available too.

You can cook these raw ingredients by yourselves on a hotplate. A parchment paper is placed atop the cooker and the appliance has a drainage at the corner to drain out excess oil. Fret not if you suffer from encavmaphobia–just sit back, relax and let the staff take over the cooking.

Raw food aside, Maru Korean BBQ Buffet also features cooked food such as Korean rice cakes, japchae and takoyaki balls. The japchae was very disappointing, but the free flow of marinated meats made up for it. All in all, Maru Korean BBQ Buffet still delivers for its economical price.

The 2-hour buffet also entitles you to unlimited iced water and fruit cordials. Do take only what you can eat as Maru Korean BBQ Buffet has a policy of charging S$50/100g for leftovers.

Weekday Lunch: S$9++ per child, S$14++ per adult
Weekday Dinner S$15++ per child, S$21++ per adult
Weekend: S$18++ per child, S$24++ per adult

Maru Korean BBQ Buffet
16 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Singapore 599740
Tel: +65 8183 4939
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best Korean BBQ Restaurants in Singapore.

Located in the vicinity of horse stables at Turf Club Road, Tin Hill Social serves as a great hang-out spot to kick back with good food and drinks. The food, in general, is pretty hearty with meats and heavier sharing items, and a selection of alcoholic beverages from wines to cocktails.

The area is split up into a few sections – an indoor and alfresco area and a standalone bar.

The spacious and relaxing vibes of Tin Hill Social makes it a very popular spot for people of all ages. When night falls, the restaurant gets pretty romantic – perfect for couples to treat themselves to some good food and drinks too. Here is what you can look out for at Tin Hill Social.

There are small and big plates available, with a good selection of sharing items for big groups. Some of these items include Hay Smoked Quail Eggs with Quinoa and Caviar (S$14) and Australian Darling Downs BMS* 6+ Wagyu Tartare (S$26.50).

The latter is a party of flavours and is served on a hollowed bone marrow. The mixture of Italian black truffle, the fresh meat, grana padano, quail egg and the dressing, makes it a delicious bite when eaten with a crisp crostini.

For mains, go right for the Tin Hill Darling Downs BMS 4+ Wagyu Brisket Burger (S$28.50). If burger is not your thing, try the Risotto (S$28). The taste of Porcini mushroom in each bite was distinct and fragrant. Mix in the half-cooked egg and egg yolk for a creamy texture.

Dining at Tin Hill Social will not be complete without a glass of wine or cocktail.

Tin Hill Social
100 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287992
Tel: +65 6466 0966
Tue to Fri: 10am – 12am
Sat & Sun: 9am – 12am
Closed: Mon
Nearest Station: Sixth Avenue