Craving for a taste of some of the world’s most highly acclaimed eateries, restaurants and cafes, but short of the expenses to travel the distance? We feel you. Well, lucky for us, Singapore is a burgeoning food hub that sees the constant arrival of trendy International F&B brands from all across the world.

Whether you are in the mood for a comforting cup of joe, hearty South-Korean stews, or even an opulent dry-aged steak from one of USA’s top restaurants, you can now spare a couple of hours to travel across our island to satiate your desired cravings.

Savour the best that the world has to offer right at your doorstep with our list of 26 international F&B brands in Singapore to visit if you can’t travel overseas.

25 DEGREES (USA)

Bringing its signature West Coast flavour to Singapore, 25 Degrees Burgers & Liquor Bar is a gourmet American burger joint from Los Angeles which serves up a myriad of gourmet burgers, milkshakes, beer and wine at reasonable prices. So far-reaching is its famed that It is even rumoured to be a cult favourite among many Hollywood stars.

Drop by during lunchtime on a weekday to enjoy their lunch special of the brand’s signature burger and fries set for only S$12++.

200 Middle Road
Singapore 188980
Tel: +65 6809 7990
Daily: 11am - 3am
Nearest Station: Rochor / Bencoolen

AH MAH HOMEMADE CAKE (MALAYSIA)

Castella cakes were by far one of the most raved about food trends in 2017. With so many competing brands vying to be the best in Singapore, Ah Mah Homemade Cake from Malaysia is one of the latest contenders in the foray.

Typically baked for 80 minutes, Ah Mah’s castellan cakes are a welcomed departure from the more conventional storebought variety, bringing with it the polished touch of an upmarket bakery with the comforting goodness of homemade treats. The cakes come in various flavours, with hot favourites being their original and cheese flavours.

1 Jelebu Road
#01-18 Bukit Panjang Plaza
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Panjang

BURGER & LOBSTER (UK)

Hailing from the vibrant London pub food scene, Burger & Lobster isn’t what you would expect as your typical English pub food fare. Having since expanded from a small pub in Mayfair to a global chain, Burger & Lobster still maintains its original vision: serving burgers and lobsters, and doing them well.

Customers can choose from either burgers, lobsters, or lobster rolls from the establishment’s lean menu. House favourites include the staple burger, The Mayfair (S$25++), or the famed Original Roll (S$40++). For those more keen on seafood, try the local exclusive of Sambal Glazed Lobster (S$65++) for a unique local and spicy twist that will leave you salivating for more.

78 Airport Boulevard
Jewel Changi Airport, #05-203
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6971 6126
Sun to Thu: 10am – 12am
Fri & Sat: 9am – 1am
Nearest Station: Changi Airport
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/chichasanchen.sg/

CHICHA SAN CHEN (TAIWAN)

Bubble tea enthusiasts rejoice, for one of Taiwan’s most acclaimed bubble tea brands has finally arrived on our shores! Founded in 1998, the brand prides itself on using only quality tea leaves for brewing. The result is their creations always hold a subtle aftertaste of smoky bitterness courtesy of the tea base.

Although their drinks are less customisable than their competitors, CHICHA San Chen ensures their blends are palatable to most – maintaining enough flavour without being overly saccharine. Some of the brand’s more popular creations include their signature Bubble Milk Tea (S$4.50), and their Dong Ding Oolong Tea (S$4.70).

313 Orchard Road
313@Somerset, #03-41
Singapore 238895
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

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

COFFEESMITH (SOUTH KOREA)

K-drama fans and coffee-lovers will definitely invite you to pay Coffeesmith a visit. Having made multiple appearances in various Korean dramas, this coffee place looks set to beat even the reigning global heavyweight of the industry, Starbucks, in its hometown of South Korea in terms of following.

Their coffee is made using a blend of 5 different beans, and also available on their menu are a series of innovative sweet treats, including their popular Smith Iced Cereal Latte.

#01-09/09A, Gateway,
277 Orchard Road,
Singapore 238858
Sun to Wed: 9am – 3am
Thu: 9am – 12am
Fri & Sat: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Somerset

DAL.KOMM COFFEE (SOUTH KOREA)

Yet another popular Korean café chain, Dal.komm Coffee in The Centrepoint is a great pit stop for shoppers looking for a quality cuppa during a momentary reprieve.

Having been featured several times in the hugely popular Korean drama, ’Descendants Of The Sun’, it is no wonder that snaking queues form here on a regular basis.

176 Orchard Road
#01-01/06 and #01-102/103 The Centrepoint
Singapore 238843
Daily: 9.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DEVIL CHICKEN (TAIWAN)

Unlike the other entrants on this list, Devil Chicken doesn’t present itself as an upmarket brand. Originally conceived in Taiwan’s bustling Shilin Night Market, Devil Chicken has made a name for itself there despite the intense competition, serving up piping hot fried chicken cutlets to the hungry crowd.

Customers can choose from two options – Original or Spicy – at the price of S$7.90 each. Although the spices are not as overwhelming as the brand’s name suggests, the cutlets are crispy and tender, and of a more substantial size than most alternatives. A must-have for any fans of fried chicken!

2 Tampines Central 5
Century Square, #01-40
Singapore 529509
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tampines
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

DIN TAI FUNG (TAIWAN)

Located at most major shopping malls, Din Tai Fung has made its name known in the local market by serving quality xiao long bao. So beloved is this international brand that even on the average day, many of its outlets can be identified by their unending queues during meal times.

This Michelin-star awarded restaurant is all about serving authentic Chinese cuisine, and typically features an open kitchen showcasing the chefs carefully crafting their edible masterpieces. The chain’s coveted dumplings are filled with steamed chicken broth and a healthy serving of protein; it is to no one’s surprise that most tables order more than a basket of dumplings in order to satiate their cravings!

23 Serangoon Central, #B1-10/11/12
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 6634 7787
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 10:30am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Serangoon

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

DOOKKI SINGAPORE (SOUTH KOREA)

For anyone who has a fondness for Korean tteokbokki, Dookki Singapore is a must-visit for lovers of the iconic Korean rice cake snack.

With an unlimited supply of ingredients from the self-serve bar, diners can enjoy a communal dining experience while sharing a seemingly endless amount of tteokbokki prepared in a variety of ways.

3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-107,
Singapore 038984
Tel: +65 6266 2425
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

GREYHOUND CAFE (THAILAND)

Bangkok’s popular Greyhound Cafe is here to tantalise with their extensive array of Thai and Thai-fusion dishes, all of which have been tailored to fit the Singapore palate.

Boasting gorgeous interiors and fine furnishings as well as a killer menu with some never before seen creations, Greyhound is a fantastic spot for brunch, dinner and everything else in between. For those who miss the milk tea from Bangkok’s café scene, fans can now get their fix at the café starting at S$8.50.

290 Orchard Road,
Paragon Shopping Centre
Singapore 238859
Tel: 6235 4078
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

HAI DI LAO (CHINA)

This hot-pot chain from the Sichuan Province of China is no stranger to any of us. While many would identify them merely as the hot pot restaurant that offers free-flow snacks and pre-meal manicure services, the population has started to view them as a restaurant that dishes out spectacular ma la hot pots with premium quality ingredients as well.

One of the reasons the brand has endeared itself into our collective is how most, if not all, of their outlets open past midnight, with their Vivocity outlet opening until 6am daily. By giving Singaporeans a very late night option of indulging in quality hot pot, it is no wonder the chain sees an endless stream of customers looking for an extended meal at their outlets.

1 Harbourfront Walk
Vivocity, #03-09
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6250 7557
Daily: 10.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

IPPUDO (JAPAN)

Having made a great impression on the local population ever since its arrival here, Ippudo sets the standard for serving quality ramen in Singapore. The restaurant is poised to provide an upscale and modern ramen brasserie experience where diners can enjoy a variety of authentic Japanese dishes alongside a hearty bowl of their acclaimed ramen creations.

333A Orchard Road
#04-02/03/04 Mandarin Gallery
Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 62352797
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

LAVENDER (MALAYSIA)

After years of Singaporeans braving the Causeway traffic into Johor Bahru to takeaway this Malaysian bakery’s delectable goods, Lavender has finally opened its first Singapore branch in Jewel. Merging their bakery with a patisserie space, customers can choose to either bring home their choice picks to savour, or immediately indulge in them.

While the prices here are a factor higher than the original Malaysian branches, they are on par with other Singaporean bakeries. Moreover, the freshness and convenience of being able to obtain baked goodies of such stellar quality is a price many here are willing to pay. For those with a sweet-tooth, try the bakery’s Panettone (S$15.60); for those who prefer something more savoury, go for the Hanjuku Cheese (S$2.50/piece).

LE CASTELLA (TAIWAN)

Le Castella, a famous Castella cake shop from Taiwan opened in Singapore back in May 2017, and kickstarted a new wave of demand for castella cakes in Singapore. For the uninitiated, a Castella cake is a sponge cake from Nagasaki, Japan, known for its pillow-like appearance and moist interior.

With a globally-renowned Castella cake shop finally available in Singapore, locals have been spotted taking away multiple boxes of the jiggly and yummy sponge treats even outside of festive seasons. With the general airy and lightness of the cake’s texture, we don’t want to stop popping them either!

10 Tampines Central 1
Tampines One, #B1-32
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

OMOTESANDO KOFFEE (JAPAN)

Those of you hankering after a cuppa can grab yours from the highly acclaimed Japanese Omotesando Koffee. Originally from the hip Omotesando neighbourhood in Tokyo, this coffee place is known for its exacting standards in its brewing process, and uses beans from all around the world.

Located in Downtown Gallery right in the heart of the CBD, this spot is not just well-loved by the working crowd for a convenient pick-me-up, it is one of the favourite stopovers for the nation’s coffee connoisseurs.

6 Shenton Way, #04-09
The Work Project Downtown,
Downtown Gallery
Singapore 068809
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

PARIS BAGUETTE (SOUTH KOREA)

Serving up anything from coffee to sweets, Paris Baguette from Korea is the perfect spot for lovers of all things sweet and pretty to look at. Whether it pertains to their charming cakes or gorgeous French pastries, the chain adopts a traditional French baking technique to ensure all items on the shelves are nothing short of perfection.

435 Orchard Road, #02-02,
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 6836 3010
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PINK FISH (NORWAY)

Ever thought fast food could be healthy? Well, Pink Fish is here to prove that it is not only possible, but viable to achieve without compromising on taste either. This Norwegian brand believes in not just providing healthy meals for the masses, but promotes sustainability in its practices too.

All of the menu items contain the chain’s quintessential protein, salmon. Whether you are craving a full burger (S$9.90), or want a more comforting soup option (S$10.90++), Pink Fish manages to reinvent what many traditionally see as an unexciting fish into a myriad of flavour profiles. The next time you are craving some fast food, go for PInk Fish; your waist-line and health will be thankful!

78 Airport Boulevard
Jewel Changi Airport, #B1-261
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6909 9771
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

PIZZA MARU (SOUTH KOREA)

Famous for their plethora of menu options: fusion-style pizzas, pasta, bibimbap towers and wildly-popular Korean fried chicken, the world’s largest Korean pizza chain has finally reached the shores of our sunny island.

The first of its kind in Singapore, despite serving what many would consider a more sinful dining option, Pizza Maru is dedicated to advocating a healthy-wellbeing concept. Its signature premium Korean pizzas make use of a special, nutrient-packed dough formula comprising of green tea and chlorella, along with 12 healthier grains which include rye, black rice, barley and oats. So, who’s up for some guilt-free pizzas?

930 Yishun Avenue 2
1 Northpoint Drive #B1-192/193,
Northpoint City (South Wing)
Singapore 769098
Tel: +65 6280 6196
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

SHAKE SHACK (USA)

Arguably the most anticipated franchise opening in 2019, Shake Shack of American fame has finally arrived in Singapore! Known for serving up excellent no-frills burgers and fries, Singaporeans have continued to flock to the branch even months after its initial launch, craving a taste of the American (food) dream at the convenience of their doorstep.

Visitors must definitely try the franchise’s winning combo of ShackBurger (S$9.20++) and Crinkle Cut Fries (S$4.50). With its signature chunky and perfectly grilled beef patty, and the crisp thickness of fries under a generous blanket of cheese, Shake Shack has won the hearts of many across the world, and to no surprise, now the loyalty of many Singaporeans too.

78 Airport Boulevard
Jewel Changi Airport, #02-256
Singapore 819666
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

SAYCHIIZU (THAILAND)

A new addition to Singapore’s food scene is SayChiizu, popular Hokkaido cheese toast brand from Thailand.

Besides their tasty, and somewhat entertaining, bestseller, you can also look forward to an array of colourful cheese-based beverages served in adorable packaging. For the love of all things stretchy, cute, and cheesy, this is one food concept opening you do not want to miss.

1 Harbourfront Walk
VivoCity #B2-K16,
Singapore 098585

SOCIAL PLACE (HONG KONG)

When we think of dim sum places in Hong Kong, we imagine the cosy traditional teahouses of yonder. Social Place, however, is a contemporary take on the cuisine, and elegantly melds the modern and the more time-honoured elements into a charming concept perfect for crowds of families and friends alike.

Likewise, Social Place showcases a similar balancing of the modern and tradition in its menu as well. Customers can go for the lusciously decadent Charcoal Custard Buns (S$8.80), or the sinfully tasty yolk-drenched Eggs (Ain’t) That Simple Sichuan fried chicken dish (S$22.80).

583 Orchard Road
Forum the Shopping Mall, #01-22
Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 8870 2288
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

SHITAMACHI TENDON AKIMITSU (JAPAN)

Award-winning tempura and tendon restaurant, Shitamachi Tendon Akimitsu, made its debut at Plaza Singapura mid-2017 and has been wowing local crowds ever since. With more than 128 years of culinary experience, Shitamatchi Tendon Akitmisu promises to impress all diners with authentic tempura and tendon. And all that at an affordable price point too!

68 Orchard Road, #04-65/68
Plaza Singapura,
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6264 3390
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TAI CHEONG BAKERY (HONG KONG)

Perhaps one of the better places to get egg tarts around, Tai Cheong Bakery is a must-try if you are a die-hard fan of Cantonese confectionary. Baked fresh in their outlets daily, each tart straddles the perfect mix of wobbly and crunch; every bite feels like sheer bliss!

More popular branches see a small crowd camping around the second they smell the buttery sweetness of the tarts being made. So, go early if you wish to nab yourself a box or two!

31 Lor Liput,
Singapore 277742
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

TIM HO WAN (HONG KONG)

For delicious dim sum without burning too big of a hole in your wallet, Tim Ho Wan is your best bet. This dim sum restaurant from Hong Kong serves up a small yet tantalising range of dim sum classics, of which their Baked Buns with BBQ Pork is a must-have. Be warned, queues tend to pile up during lunch hour!

68 Orchard Road, 01-29A/52,
Plaza Singapura,
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

WOLFGANG’S STEAKHOUSE (USA)

If the words “USDA Black Angus Beef, dry-aged and tender” are among your top few trigger words then Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is a restaurant you need to visit.

Famed for serving tender cuts of prime USDA Black Angus beef, each slab is dry-aged for about a month in their in-house proprietary ageing room, before being cooked under the masterful watch of the restaurant’s chefs. With such intense attention to detail and quality control, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse promises nothing less than beefy perfection for even the most discerning of diners.

YOOGANE (SOUTH KOREA)

Yoogane Singapore is one of the most popular chicken galbi restaurants in South Korea. Having been established nearly 3 decades ago in Busan, South Korea, the brand has over 130 outlets and counting. With hoards of customers pledging loyalty to the franchise, there is little doubt that Yoogane is worth visiting for authentic Korean food that is both delicious and comforting.

Aside from their famed chicken galbi, Yoogane in Singapore also features a collection of popular dishes such as the iconic Army Stew, Dosirak, and newly launched Korean-style fried chicken that features three lip-smacking flavours.

4 Tampines Central 5,
Singapore 529510
Tel: +65 6544 1098
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

Famous Hong Kong cha chaan teng Honolulu Café has officially opened its inaugural international outpost in Singapore and we had the honour to savour their menu firsthand just a few hours ago.

Local chefs from Hong Kong’s Honolulu Café are also sent to Singapore to ensure that the dishes served here remain similar to the flagship store’s.

Honolulu Café was founded in Hong Kong during the 1940s, where it started out as a humble eatery selling coffee, tea and baked confectionery. The casual eatery is renowned for their scrumptious egg tarts, pineapple buns and Hong Kong milk tea – we are glad that we no longer have to board a four-hour flight just to satisfy our cravings!

No trip to Honolulu Cafe is complete until you have tried their signature Honolulu Egg Tarts (S$1.70++ each). Each palm-size flaky pastry encases to-die-for sweet soft egg custard; the dough had been frozen overnight and folded into many layers to achieve a crisp shell.

Is it exactly like those god-like ones we had in Hong Kong? Close enough. Well, we have to be honest that we were too carried away with taking photos and swooning over the tart of our dreams, so by the time we bit into the case, it was cold. That said, the custard was distinctly creamy, smooth, wobbly and subtly sweet; we remembered the ones in Hong Kong to be like that. The pastry was no doubt flaky, and fragrant with strong primary notes of butter.

Hopefully the next time we visit, we’d get to taste them warm for more exact comparison!

Honolulu Cafe’s next bestselling item is the popular Hong Kong snack, Honolulu Pineapple Bun with Butter (S$2++ each). Known as Bo Lo Bao in Cantonese, these buns are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and served lukewarm with a slab of melting butter in-between.

Yes, get this.

Another favourite is the Chicken Wings with Swiss Sauce (S$6++ for six pieces) – which actually has zero link to Switzerland. Instead, these tender chicken mid wings have been marinated in a myriad of Chinese wine, soy sauce, spices and sugar. The plate came with generous sauce, and we took the effort to coat our wings in the soy sauce further before eating them. Mamma mia!

Now, this may sound random but another must-order savoury dish would be the succulent Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice (S$7.80++). You would think it is weird to eat a typical “tze char” dish at Honolulu Cafe, but trust us – these succulent pork chunks are well executed. Those with a stronger palate may find it a tad too bland, but we thought it was just the right balance of flavours.

We have always struggled to find authentic Hong Kong-style curry fish balls in Singapore and boy, are we glad that Honolulu Cafe has finally filled the gap! Bouncy and “full”, these Curry Fish Balls (S$3++) pack an addictive punch with every bite.

The curry paste is imported from Hong Kong and cooked to order here in Singapore, so it is definitely one of those highly recommended that you should get.

Mr. Luo Tak – the Winner of both 2010 International Hong Kong Milk Tea Competition and 2011 Hong Kong Yuan Yang Competition – is stationed at Singapore’s Honolulu Cafe to make sure that customers can enjoy authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea.

Help yourselves to Tea or Coffee with Condensed Milk (hot – S$3++, cold S$3.20++) or a glass of Yuan Yang (hot – S$3.30++, cold – S$3.50). Yuan Yang is essentially a beverage that has infused Hong Kong tea and brewed coffee into one kick-ass caffeine-loaded rejuvenating drink.

However, if you prefer your milk tea to be super sweet with overpowering evaporated milk afternote, this ain’t for you. We prefer ours to come with a lingering bitterness from the tea, and this met our mark.

With up to 35 dishes on the food menu, 13 drinks on the beverage list and three desserts, there is surely something you would definitely fancy at Singapore’s Honolulu Cafe. Other familiar Hong Kong delicacies such as Beef brisket in Soup (S$6), Pork Chop Bun (S$5++) and Condensed Milk Toast (S$2++ each, S$2.50++ for two).

It is only natural that new restaurants would have teething problems, mostly with operations. Honolulu Café has taken a very good first step by opening their first overseas outpost here in Singapore – because we love Hong Kong cuisine, right?

Hopefully, the team will be able to adapt well to Singapore’s service climate, and that the restaurant would run more smoothly in months or even weeks to come. For now, can we just say again how much we love Honolulu Café? You might have read this one too many times but it stays true.

BEST. EGG. TARTS. EVER.

Honolulu Café
The Centrepoint #01-33F/G
176 Orchard Road
Singapore 238843
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post was brought to you by Honolulu Café.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is arguably the biggest name in the local Hong Kong ‘Cha Chaan Teng’-style restaurant scene. When you think of Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe, you think affordable prices, comfort food and a relaxing casual ambience.

In conjunction with their 10th anniversary celebration, Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has launched a specially curated #AWESOMELY10 menu. Since their first outlet opened in Heartland Mall (which is also their flagship outlet), 19 other outlets have popped up in every corner of Singapore; there is definitely an outlet near you.

What we love best about Xin Wang is that most outlets are open till 2am to cater to the late-night dining crowd. With an entire menu priced S$15 and below, we learned lately that all the dishes are cooked a la minute to ensure freshness and tastiness.

Here are some highlights from the #AWESOMELY10 menu and some other signature dishes that are ever popular.

Our eyes were first drawn to the Scallop Cheese Baked Rice (S$11.90) which featured two plump and juicy scallops atop a bed of rice with sauce and cheese on top, baked till crisp. It is nothing fanciful, but makes a simple, casual dish that is value for money.

The Sliced Beef Claypot Ee Fu Noodle (S$11.90) fared better, though. That is our idea of basic comfort food at its best. Ee Fu Noodles have always been a local favourite and the addition of sliced beef really kicked the dish up a notch.

We were extremely stoked to try the Pork Cutlet Dry Curry Ramen (S$10.90) as we have always been fans of their Asian-style curry dishes. For just S$10.90, you get a massive piece of perfectly deep-fried pork with noodles doused in tasty, thick curry. The varying textures sure got our hearts.

Then, there is the Smoked Duck Fried Rice (S$9.90) that was created to bring a unique twist to their classic fried rice offerings.

This other curry-centric dish, the Seafood Curry with Rice (S$11.90), features a variety seafood simmered in a bowl of not-too-fiery curry. We are the typical Asians who find comfort in curry with rice, and you bet this flavourful one sealed the deal for us.

We were a little skeptical about the Ham Ying Yong Sauce Spaghetti (S$11.90) when we first saw it on the #AWESOMELY10 menu, but it turned out to be pretty comforting. The brave marriage of cream and tomato sauce sure turned out well. Of course, those ham slices were added comfort; simple goodness that we can always count on for supper, right?

People in Hong Kong love their spaghetti with an Asian twist. Or more specifically, a Hong Kong twist. The Fried Fish Fillet Spaghetti might scare the Italians away, but not us. Al dente spaghetti is tossed in a tomato sauce, and accompanied with a huge serving of deep fried fish fillet; that is how they roll in Hong Kong. By the way, this dish is only S$9.90!

Sometimes, we can be creatures of familiarity and we just want to return to dishes that we know. Those are the all-time favourites that we’ve relied on, and the Eel Hot Pot Porridge is one of them. Just look at how great this claypot dish looks!

Grilled and slathered in Japanese sauces, the generous slab of eel adds sweetness to the porridge. Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is probably the only place where you can find such a unique combination, and it is only S$12.90.

Now, here comes the star – one that we will never be sick of. Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe’s signature Pork Chop and Egg Papaya Soup Bee Hoon has over 3 million bowls sold. Papaya might seem intimidating to some, but we can assure you that the soup is really just a rich broth that is sweet and milky, and tastes nothing like papaya at all.

Accompanied by an egg, sweet corn and pork chop, we find ourselves gravitating towards this dish every time we don’t know what to eat. You know how menus can confuse us sometimes because there are just too many (great) choices, but this – we know it will never go wrong.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has two other signature dishes that have been crowned favourites since day one – the Signature Stir-Fried Rice and the Signature Stir-Fried Noodles that are at S$11.50 each.

Both are extremely flavourful and come with generous seafood and meats. The latter is our favourite. The springy noodles are stir-fried in a sweet sauce, and every mouthful boasts a ‘wok hei’ that is so intense with each bite.

For the uninitiated, ‘wok hei’ simply means the essence of the stir-fried taste “imparted” by the wok over high temperature. You know it is a good dish when the ‘wok hei’ is robust.

These two desserts are new and are part of the new #AWESOMELY10 menu. We tried them both and loved both; so good that we couldn’t pick a favourite.

The Kiwi and Mango Shaved Ice (S$3.90) is a refreshing alternative and we know that we will be ordering this if we need something tart yet sweet.

The Glutinous Rice with Coconut Ice Cream (S$4.90) brought back many childhood memories of growing up with this dessert that we all so affectionately know as ‘pulut hitam’.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe (Flagship outlet*)
205 Heartland Mall
Hougang Street 21 #01-133/135
Singapore 530205
Tel: +65-487 3481
Daily: 11am to 2am
Nearest Station: Kovan

*Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has a total of 20 outlets islandwide.

This post is brought to you by Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe.

Occasionally I like to indulge in a sinful supper, and even though I have my trusty list of late night dining places to turn to, there are times when I would run out of places to go to, too.

Some restaurants are great spots for late night dining, but they often close by midnight, and of course, it is impossible to dine at expensive restaurants all the time. Some eateries, on the other hand, have good supper food, but they are not places where you would want to linger for long.

My ideal supper place should be somewhere that a) opens across wee hours, b) serves hearty supper food at affordable prices, c) offers a nice environment to hang out and d) is located conveniently. And Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe fits the bill perfectly.

I was thrilled when I learned that 13 of the 16 Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafes have extended their opening hours till 4am daily. Whoopie! What a great news for supper lovers.

The good people from Thai Express Group (parent company of Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe) hosted us for a late night party, and all of us had so much fun playing games while pigging out.

Also, to celebrate the newly revised operation timings, Xin Wang Hong Kong Café is launching a new Facebook ‘Spot the Wee Owls’ contest. Read more to find out more about Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe and the contest.

I am sure Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is a familiar name for most people. But not everyone knows that it has 200 items on the menu. Diners can choose from not only the typical Hong Kong cafe dishes – like Bo Lo buns (pineapple buns), congees and noodles – but also local Singapore favourites, tim sum and tea-time snacks.

Some of the items that you cannot miss out at Xin Wang include their Hong Kong style western food, uber-thick French toast with maple syrup, cheese baked dishes, and of course, the signature mango shaved ice.

Besides the food, I love that Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe has a cosy ambience, with nice cushioned seats and seating booths for us to lounge around chit-chatting to the background music.

Anyway back to the ‘Spot the Wee Owls’ contest. It will commence in mid-October for four days throughout the month – 14th (Sunday), 20th (Saturday), 26th (Friday) and 1st November (Thursday). All you have to do is to visit any of the five selected Xin Wang Hong Kong Café outlets on every contest day from 12am to 4am and spot Xin Wang Wee Owls cosying up in the restaurant. Snap a photo together with the Wee Owls and post it on Xin Wang’s Facebook Page.

There will be a total of 12 Lucky winners with three chosen per contest day. Each winner will receive an Exclusive Limited Edition Xin Wang Wee Owls Membership Card. So, be sure to stay tune to Xin Wang’s Facebook Page for the five selected outlets set to be announced a day before every contest day!

Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is definitely the place to visit when you have food cravings late into the night. And remember to follow them on facebook to get the latest updates.