Nowadays you’ve probably heard a lot about ModSin cuisine, though more often than not the novelty of fusion food is pretty much a thin disguise for more gimmicky quirks than actual delights. Fortunately, Uncle Kiisu in Novena Square 2 offers up an affordable yet impressive plethora of dishes that seeks to please all sorts of foodies.

This relatively new establishment serves up fusion food where West meets modern Asian cuisine. Aiming to challenge culinary norms, Uncle Kiisu displays its unique interpretations of food where diners are constantly wowed with creative combinations of Peranakan, Japanese and other local flavours.

First to arrive was their Mentaiko Cheese Bruschetta (S$3.80), two pieces of crispy dough fritters that were mercilessly doused with mentaiko and cheese and topped with ikura. Freshly torched before serving, the breath of char made this umami bomb all the more smoky and creamier.

Next was a plate of KiiWings (S$7.80), which was the furthest thing from your regular fried chicken. The wings are tossed in a mixture of soy and sambal and sprinkled with Japanese seasoning and fried garlic shards.

It’s really hard not to suck the meat off the bones because of how well seasoned the wings were. Crispy, juicy and succulent, the flavours oozed out with every single crunch of the fried exterior.

We also ordered their BellyRollMee (S$12.80) which was their take on a classic Porchetta, stuffed with mee siam instead of the usual meat based filling. This was, hands down, the single best bite we’ve taken, and perhaps in ever too. From the beautiful crackling skin to the fragrant fat and the soft tender meat, everything was melty and oozy and just absolutely divine.

Touted as their number one signature dish, we definitely understand why.

Last but not least, we also had their SobaSoGood (S$8.80). A simple and classic pun for a dish name, it was also the dish that we were most looking forward to. With cold matcha noodles served in truffle soba sauce alongside hotate and ikura, what more could we have asked for?

When it arrived, the smell of truffle wafted through the air and was definitely not hiding. We took a couple of generous slurps and fully enjoyed the way the delicate flavours played off one another.

Uncle Kiisu
10 Sinaran Drive
#02-65 Square2
Singapore 307506
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

When it comes to popular food enclaves in Singapore, Novena may not particularly stand out from the crowd—especially not with the likes of so many up and coming food havens such as Bedok or even Toa Payoh.

But little do you know that Novena packs many great local eateries and restaurants. To give you more purpose in visiting Novena, other than sending your children for tuition or shopping for sports apparel, here are 18 eateries, cafes and restaurants in Novena that you have to try!

328 KATONG LAKSA

If travelling to Katong is a little too much of a stretch, then you find comfort in knowing that an outlet exists just a few minutes away from Novena. Serving up hearty bowls of intensely rich laksa, these bowls of soul-enriching goodness will definitely put you in a good spot whenever you find yourself hankering for something warm and comforting.

101 Thomson Road #01-K1,
United Square Shopping Mall
Singapore 307591
Daily: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Novena

BAAN YING

One of the latest restaurants to take up residence over at Royal Square at Novena, Baan Ying Singapore serves up a wide range of Thai fare stemming from other, more underrated parts of Thailand, and while the usual Thai staples such as tom yum and green curry are available, they most certainly aren’t the main stars of the show.

Their menu boasts a pretty extensive array of Northern Thai-inspired curries, salads and rice dishes and most dishes fall below S$10.

103 Irrawaddy Road
#02-07, Royal Square At Novena
Singapore 329566
Tel: +65 9111 7852
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

CHYE KEE CHICKEN RICE

Over at Chye Kee Goldhill Roasted Chicken Rice, be mesmerised by the display counter that comprises rows and rows of gorgeously roasted chicken, char siew, pork belly and duck. This is one meat lover’s heaven that often sees a long line leading outside even before lunchtime.

As much as we love their roasted chicken rice, their rice tends to be a tad dry so instead, we recommend going for their Dry Macaroni with Roasted Chicken.

No. 151, Thomson Road, #01-151,
Goldhill Shopping Centre,
Singapore 307606
Tel: +65 9143 4147

Mon to Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Novena

CRAFTSMEN SPECIALTY COFFEE

A popular coffee stop for office workers or even students in the search for a quiet place to study, Craftsmen Specialty Coffee is your answer to delicious coffee and all-day-breakfast items. Inspired by flavours from abroad, most if not all their nosh are designed with the intention to complement their freshly roasted and brewed coffee.

The Craftsmen Full Breakfast comes close to a traditional English breakfast while the Pulled Pork Burrito is divine on so many levels.

173 Thomson Road
Goldhill Centre
Singapore 307623
Tel: +65 96580769
Mon to Thu: 8.30am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Sun: 8.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Novena

DA LUCA RESTAURANT

Serving up real-deal Italian food Da Luca Italian Restaurant is one spot that never fails to leave an impression. Owned by chef-owner Luca Pucciani along with his wife, this cosy Italian restaurant in Goldhill Plaza dishes out an arsenal of stellar antipasti, pasta and hearty mains.

Fresh ingredients, masterful preparations, friendly owners and good vibes all rolled out into one, this is without a doubt a place that promises a sensational dining experience.

1 Goldhill Plaza Novena #01-19/21,
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6258 4846
(Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Wed to Sun: 11.45am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

HAIDILAO

Singapore’s hottest hotpot restaurant at the moment, Haidilao is one that needs no introduction.

Having opened yet another outlet at Royal Square at Novena, what Novena residents can expect is the same top-notch service, delicious soup broths and a sensational dining experience right in your very neighbourhood—all the way to 6 in the morning.

Royal Square @Novena,
103 Irrawaddy Road, #06-01/02,
Singapore 329566
Tel: +65 6565 7767
Daily: 10.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Novena

JOE & DOUGH

Homegrown chain, Joe & Dough, is known for their high-ceilinged lounge cafes which rivals the likes of Starbucks. From sourcing the best Arabica beans to roasting the coffee beans locally, this popular coffee chain ensures that every cup of coffee they serve is a cup packed-full of warmth and unbeatable flavour.

10 Sinaran Dr, 01-156,
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6397 2669
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

KYUSHU PANCAKE

A notch above than your average pancake, what you can expect from this pancake joint from Japan, are incredibly thick yet light pancakes that come in a variety of mouthwatering flavours. The secret to it and what makes it unique is that unlike most, it is made using 7 different grains grown in Kyushu.

Must-try’s include the Kyushu Butter Milk Classic Pancake, Salted Caramel French Toast and Egg Benedict Pancake.

275 Thomson Road, #01-08,
Novena Regency
Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 6352 6265
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Novena

LA RISTRETTOS

If you’re looking to hide from the hustle and bustle of the city, then allow La Ristrettos to be your safe haven. Hidden in the most obscure area in Novena, within a maze of private clinics, this humble cafe serves up hearty Melbourne-style brunch items as well as top-notch coffee.

10 Sinaran Drive #08-37
Novena Medical Centre,
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6397 7165
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 1pm
Nearest Station: Novena

LAO BEIJING

Capturing authenticity in both its appearance and cuisine, Lao Beijing in Velocity@Novena Square is where you’ll more than likely find well-executed Northern Chinese fare in the form of exquisite fish dishes, noodle dishes as well as an array of juicy dumplings. Famed for their xiao long bao and famous customisable popiah, the restaurant has bagged numerous awards over the years and sees a constant flood of loyal patrons daily.

238 Thomson road
Velocity@Novena Square, #02-11/12
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6358 4466
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

LINGZHI VEGETARIAN

Vegetarian dining is very seldom on the top of anyone’s lists, but LingZhi Vegetarian is one of the rare few that proves to be an exception. Offering a straightforward yet dazzling new menu, diners can expect to fall head over heels for their vegetarian renditions of Lasagna, Peking Duck and even Satay.

The lack of meat may be hard to stomach, but judge all you want because the food really speaks for itself.

238 Thomson Road, #03-09/10,
Velocity@Novena Square
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6538 2992
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

MARMALADE PANTRY

Have yourself an indulgent afternoon at one of the city’s best bistros. Beyond tea, scones and gorgeous little pastries, the outlet at Novena boasts a pretty good selection of mains. Bask in the luxury that is modern comfort food in the form of their Truffle Beef Burger and Miso Lobster Burger that will have you submerged in pure, sensorial bliss.

8 Sinaran Drive, #01-02/04
Oasia Hotel Novena
Singapore 307470
Tel: +65 6664 0348
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30am, 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

NARA

Offering quality Japanese food, service that’s hard to fault and an overall intimate dining experience without breaking the bank, Nara is one spot that will take your taste buds on a sensorial journey.

If you’re ballsy, you should definitely opt for the shirako ponzu (fish sperm served in ponzu) when it’s in season.

167 Thomson Road,
Singapore 307619
Tel: +65 6256 6568
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

SSIKKEK KOREAN GRILL BBQ BUFFET

There are a few Ssikkek outlets in Singapore, and the popularity of each outlet leaves one little to wonder. It is really a simple and fuss-free place for some casual feasting.

While Ssikkek doesn’t have the best quality meat such as Wagyu, it makes up for it with its competitive pricing and lively atmosphere.

101 Thomson Road, #B1-14/15/16
United Square Shopping Mall,
Singapore 307591
Tel: +65 6254 8123
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

SKY 22

Sky22 sits on the 22nd level of Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, boasting an unbeatable view of the surrounding city area.

The restaurant focuses on a small plates-style buffet where the different dishes are prepared in small batches to ensure quality and freshness. Dishes to look forward to are the ‘Nasi Ulam’ Wild Rice Salad with charred octopus, Pan-seared Red Grouper with Sambal Oelek and Tiger Prawn Laksa Lemak.

99 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329568
Tel: +65 6378 2040
Daily: 6.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

SUSHI MATSUO

Featuring a pretty extensive lineup of sushi, sashimi and donburi options made using fresh seasonal produce, Sushi Matsuo is one spot we would recommend to satisfy your craving for raw seafood without the fine dining price tag.

Set in a small yet homely space, the restaurant dishes out anything from uni to tuna served several ways and will have you feeling as if you were dining in a restaurant in the suburbs of Tokyo.

1, Goldhill Plaza, #01-17,
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6356 2603
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

TUNGLOK TEAHOUSE

We are such big fans of TungLok Group’s arsenal of restaurants and one of the places we frequent most is TungLok Teahouse for their delectable, handcrafted dim sum. Their signature Steamed Siew Mai with Quail Egg and Truffle is a huge hit and don’t even get us started on their Boxer Chicken.

10 Sinaran Drive
#01-73 Square 2
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6893 1123
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 4.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

WEE NAM KEE

Anyone who’s truly a fan of chicken rice would definitely have tried Wee Nam Kee at least once or several times. Having moved to United Square, the interior does feature a brand-new look but where taste and quality are concerned, the standard of their food remains pretty much unchanged.

Their rice is fragrant, their homemade chilli sauce is superb and their chicken, well, is simply put, one of the best we have ever tasted from its outrageously succulent meat to the delicious sauce that does well to enhance every bite with its savoury and subtly sweet qualities.

101 Thomson Road, #01-08
United Square Shopping Mall
Singapore 307591
Tel: +65 6255 6396
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

One of the few food enclaves that rarely comes to mind is probably Goldhill Plaza. Unless you happen to live, work or send your kids for tuition around the area, this humble plaza would pretty much still be unheard of by most who don’t visit the vicinity.

But little does anyone know that nestled within Goldhill Plaza lies a fairly sizeable array of eateries and cafes—the options are pretty awesome too! From real-deal Italian fare, cosy Japanese food and even pub and grub spots for a night out with your mates, here is our list of 13 food spots to check out in Goldhill Plaza—you’re most welcome!

AH CHEW DESSERTS

A busy day at work or even having to brave Singapore’s midday sun almost always calls for an invigorating bowl of dessert. Serving a variety of hot and cold ‘tong sui’, Ah Chew Desserts is the go-to place if you ever find yourself hankering for something sweet.

Their range of traditional and modern Chinese-style desserts are pretty wide, but our go-to’s are always the Mango Sago with Pomelo and the Yam Sago.

181 Thomson Road,
Goldhill Centre,
Singapore 307627
Tel: +65 6254 8198
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 12.30pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Novena

CHYE KEE GOLDHILL ROASTED CHICKEN RICE

While their signboard reads ‘Chye Kee Roasted Chicken Rice”, we recommend ordering their dry macaroni instead. Apart from being a rather unique and uncommon kopitiam-style food, we feel it does the popular stall more justice than their regular chicken rice—which we found to be rather dry.

The dry macaroni is topped with blanched chye sim, roast chicken and swims in a delicious dark sauce.

No. 151, Thomson Road, #01-151,
Goldhill Shopping Centre,
Singapore 307606
Tel: +65 9143 4147
Mon to Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Novena

CRAFTSMEN SPECIALTY COFFEE

A popular coffee stop for office workers or even students searching for a quiet place to study, Craftsmen Specialty Coffee is your answer to delicious coffee and all-day breakfast items. Inspired by flavours from abroad, most of their nosh are designed with the intention to complement their freshly roasted and brewed coffee.

The Craftsmen Full Breakfast comes close to a traditional English breakfast while the Pulled Pork Burrito is divine on so many levels.

173 Thomson Road
Goldhill Centre
Singapore 307623
Tel: +65 96580769
Sun to Thu: 8.30am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

DA LUCA ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Serving up real-deal Italian food Da Luca Italian Restaurant is one spot that never fails to leave an impression. Owned by chef-owner Luca Pucciani along with his wife, this cosy Italian restaurant in Goldhill Plaza dishes out an arsenal of stellar antipasti, pasta and hearty mains.

Fresh ingredients, masterful preparations, friendly owners and good vibes all rolled out into one, this is without a doubt a place that promises a sensational dining experience.

1 Goldhill Plaza Novena #01-19/21,
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6258 4846
(Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Wed to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – late
Nearest Station: Novena

HUANG TAI YANG CAFE

Huang Tai Yang Cafe is a small stall that sells halal-certified grub at affordable prices. The eatery can easily go unnoticed if you had no intention of searching for it but office workers working in the nearby areas will tell you that tucked inside this small stall is decent nasi padang worth stopping for.

Ingredients are bountiful and they are all kept hot, meaning that you will almost always never end up with a plate of cold, unsatisfying food.

153 Thomson Road
Goldhill Centre
Singapore 307607
Tel: +65 8323 9331
Nearest Station: Novena

MUFIZ PRATA POINT

Got a hankering for some prata and other Indian comfort foods? Then Mufiz Prata Point is where you need to be. The food here is decently priced and yummy enough for us to consider making return trips.

We especially enjoyed how their prata is so fluffy and not as oily as we expected it to be and their briyani options come in massive portions.

159 Thomson Road
Goldhill Shopping Centre
Singapore 307612
Tel: +65 8388 1165
Daily: 7am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Novena

NANTA BBQ

If you’re a fan of hearty Korean fare especially when it finds itself doused in an unhealthy amount of stretchy cheese, then Nanta BBQ is a place you should definitely check out. Located in Goldhill Centre, this Korean barbecue joint serves up an array of meaty mains as well as small bites.

The Cheese Pork Spare Rib (Set A) comes highly recommended. Think sweet, porky flavours surrounded by a rich cheese flavour that just makes the post-meal food coma all the more worth it.

175 Thomson Road, #01-175, #01-177
Goldhill Centre,
Singapore 307624
Tel: +65 6258 1391
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

NARA

Offering quality Japanese food, service that’s hard to fault and an overall intimate dining experience without breaking the bank, Nara is one spot that will take your taste buds on a sensorial journey.

If you’re ballsy, you should definitely opt for the shirako ponzu (fish sperm served in ponzu) when it’s in season.

167 Thomson Road,
Singapore 307619
Tel: +65 6256 6568
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

THE CLUE-LESS GOAT

The Clue-Less Goat is a speciality coffee house decked out in simple industrial decor with a laid-back atmosphere. They offer coffee from Common Man Coffee Roasters and serve up a decent array of affordable all-day brunch fare.

Interesting dishes to try at this humble cafe include their Truffle Tater Tots and Avocado BLT.

189 Thomson Road,
Singapore 307631
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Thu: 8am – 6pm
Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 9am – 7pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Novena

SUSHI MATSUO

Featuring a pretty extensive lineup of sushi, sashimi and donburi options made using fresh seasonal produce, Sushi Matsuo is one spot to satisfy your craving for raw seafood without the fine dining price tag.

Set in a small yet homely space, the restaurant dishes out anything from uni to tuna served several ways and will have you feeling as if you were dining in a restaurant in the suburbs of Tokyo.

1, Goldhill Plaza, #01-17,
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6356 2603
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

THAILILY RESTAURANT

Granted that it may seem a tad dodgy and unappealing from the outside, this unassuming Thai eatery serves up a pretty good selection of traditional Thai food.

What you can expect to find here is nothing that far off from your usual tom yum, papaya salad and Thai green curry lineup.

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165 Thomson Road
Goldhill Shopping Centre,
Singapore 307618
Tel: +65 6251 0123
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Novena

TOGATHER KITCHEN & BAR

ToGather Kitchen & Bar is a melting pot of 4 different dining concepts featuring American burgers, Japanese food, Fusion-Asian cuisine and more. During the day, this unassuming eatery is basically a slightly more upmarket coffee shop but once the sun sets, it turns into a full-on bar.

Food options are aplenty and the beer taps never run dry, so what are you waiting for? Round up your hungry buddies or gal pals for a solid night out.

1 Goldhill Plaza #01-05
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6256 0261
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Novena

UDDERS

An ice cream parlous that needs no introduction, Udders is our go-to ice cream spot for quirky flavours, boozy concoctions and some of the best waffles around. For durian loves, just know that their highly acclaimed Mao Shan Wang flavour will not disappoint.

155 Thomson Road,
Singapore 307608
Tel: +65 6254 6629
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Novena

The popularity of Thai food in Singapore is evident from the large number of Thai restaurants and eateries in Singapore offering the best of local cuisine from the Land of Smiles.

New to the dining scene in Singapore is Baan Ying Singapore, a contemporary Thai restaurant, an authentic Thai eatery which first opened in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, 20 years back. Bringing to us the genuine taste of Thailand with a modern and local twist to its dishes, Baan Ying Cafe and Meal serves amazing and delectable Thai fare. In fact, some of the ingredients are imported all the way from Thailand to ensure that the food tastes exactly like how it does in Thailand!

Baan Ying Singapore serves up a wide range of Thai fare but they aren’t the normal Thai dishes you find at typical Thai eateries. From salads to curries to omelette rice, foodies will love the fusion of authenticity and innovation in their meal!

Prices are extremely reasonable and most fall below S$10, so you are really getting authentic Thai cuisine that is value-for-money!

From now to 30 June 2018, quote ‘Ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 20% discount off a la carte menus on weekday dinner and weekend lunch and dinner. This promotion cannot be used jointly with other ongoing promotions at Baan Ying.

Baan Ying is conveniently located near Novena MRT station and the 126-seater casual restaurant boasts a modern outlook with door-to-ceiling glass windows.

SALADS

Whenever we hear the word ‘salad’, most of us will dismiss the idea entirely. None of us is massive fans of salads, but boy oh boy, the Thai-style salads at Baan Ying Singapore were so delicious we found ourselves going back for more again and again.

The Fried Morning Glory Salad (S$10.80), for example, comprises deep-fried morning glory leaves which are accompanied by a small bowl of minced pork. Scoop up a small portion of piquant minced pork bits and have it with the crispy greens; it was so addictive we went for extra helpings.

Other salads to consider are the Wing Bean Salad in Coconut Milk (S$9.80) and Glass Noodle Salad with Seafood (S$9.80).

PORK BELLY FRIED RICE WITH SALTED EGG

Fried rice on its own is tasty but fried rice with salted egg? Now, that is something worthy of mention. The salted egg yolk chunks gave the fried rice an added bite to it with its crisp texture and complements the fried rice instead of overpowering it.

To make it a substantial dish, you can look forward to thick, generous pieces of pork belly lying atop the bed of egg-coated fried rice.

SIGNATURE GREEN CHILI FRIED RICE

Fried rice is a typical street food in Thailand and if you are craving for some authentic Thai-style fried rice, the ideal fiery option for the solo diners would be the Signature Green Chili Fried Rice (S$9.80).

Squeeze a few drops of lime juice on the rice and have it with fresh red chili—now that’s how you enjoy Thai fried rice at its finest.

MORE THAI DISHES

The best part about dining at Baan Ying is that the food can be catered to single diners and even those who are visiting in groups.

Some outstanding ones to try are Thai Red Curry with Chicken (S$12.80), Pork & String Bean Stir-Fry (S$9.80) and Century Egg with Minced Pork & Basil (S$11.80).

DEEP-FRIED SEABASS WITH CRISPY HERBS

Besides the individual portions, those who are visiting with their family or groups of friends can consider options that are catered for communal dining.

For a wholesome dish, the Deep-Fried Seabass with Crispy Herbs (S$32.80) is a crowd-pleaser that cannot go wrong. When it comes to deep-fried seabass, It is important to ensure that the fish remains juicy and moist on the inside while the skin is crispy—which was exactly what we got at Baan Ying. Of course, the addition of herbs heightened the sweet, original taste of the fish.

Other family-friendly dishes include Stuffed Squid Steamed in Herbs (S$14.80), Assorted Seafood On Hotplate (S$14.80) and Steamed Seabass with Chili & Lime (S$32.80).

CHILI SOFT SHELL CRAB AND MUSSELS IN OMELETTE RICE (WITH CHILI CRAB SAUCE)

Look forward to their seasonal special: Chili Soft Shell Crab and Mussels in Omelette Rice (with Chili Crab Sauce). It was amazing! The full-flavoured Thai-styled chilli crab sauce was generously ladled over steaming white rice, then topped off with a well-executed omelette egg that was still runny in the middle.

The rich gravy reminded us of Singapore’s iconic chilli crab dish because of the sweet and spicy notes. Yet, they are not exactly similar as the chefs at Baan Ying are more heavy handed with the spice—sticking true to traditional Thai cooking methods.

THAI-STYLE DESSERTS

What better way to end off your meal than with some Thai desserts? We loved the traditional Mango With Butterfly Pea Sticky Rice, Rainbow Ruby in Coconut Milk and Home Made Mango Jelly with Coconut & Mango.

The restaurant is looking to expand their dessert menu so keep your eyes peeled for what’s to come next!

As mentioned earlier, quote ‘Ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 20% discount off a la carte menus on weekday dinner and weekend lunch and dinner from now to 30 June 2018. This promotion cannot be used jointly with other ongoing promotions at Baan Ying.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Baan Ying Singapore
103 Irrawaddy Road
#02-07, Royal Square At Novena
Singapore 329566
Tel: +65 9111 7852
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

This post is brought to you by Baan Ying Singapore.

We are such big fans of TungLok Group’s arsenal of restaurants and one of the places we frequent is TungLok Teahouse for their delectable, handcrafted dim sum. This casual dining restaurant has extremely competitive prices—which means you can always pop by to satisfy your dim sum cravings even if you are on a budget!

TungLok Teahouse at Square Two recently underwent a transformation: From a retro old-school Chinese Teahouse, to a place which revolutionizes the way dim sum is served. Hint: there is automation and interaction involved here.

After all these years, it remains as one of our all-time favourite places for reliable dim sum.

At first look, the new TungLok Teahouse at Square 2 resembles a classic American Diner with its green and red booths. It is indeed refreshing for a dim sum restaurant.

The restaurant has implemented a new dining concept with its tray delivery system. Choose to sit where the action is at, the booths, which cater to group of four or six; or the round tables at the side of the restaurant which seat bigger groups.

The chefs will prepare the orders upon receiving the electronic orders made via an iPad at every table—this is to ensure that every basket and plate of dim sum is steamed to order and served fresh and piping hot.

Then comes the interesting part—look out for your food which will be delivered to your table straight from the kitchen via the “tray”.

We felt like we were kids again, having so much fun exploring a new game that has just been launched. This new system also means that your waiting time is greatly reduced!

SIGNATURE DIM SUM

Cartoon dim sum will always capture our hearts, which is what the Mini Piglet BBQ Buns (S$5.30++ – 3 pieces) at TungLok Teahouse did. On top of being adorable, we gave this dish additional points for its taste too.

We tore apart the soft bun and were delighted to be greeted with a generous portion of barbequed pork and sweet sauce.

TungLok Teahouse’s signature Steamed Siew Mai with Quail Egg and Truffle (S$5.80++ – 4 pieces) completely blew our minds. Who would have thought the classic dim sum could be reinvented this way?!

We loved how we were surprised by the runny quail egg yolk when we bit into the pork and shrimp siew mai. And as if the sweetness from the egg wasn’t enough, black truffle is added for an overall elevation of the taste!

We are never looking at siew mai the same way again.

Steamed Cheong Fun (rice rolls) is a staple in most dim sum restaurants and you bet it is a must-order at TungLok Teahouse.

We liked the textural variety in the Steamed Prawn Rice Rolls ‘Cheong Fun’ (S$6.80++). Imagine fresh plump prawns, vegetables and crispy vermicelli wrap, combined together in delicate rice noodle rolls before it is drenched with light soya sauce.

Many of you will agree with us that good baked pork buns should come with flaky tops and are soft to bite. Besides that, it is also crucial that the sweet and savoury bits from the bun and juicy pork have to go well together.

That is what you would get with the Baked BBQ Pork Buns (S$4.80++ – 3 pieces) at TungLok Teahouse. Since our first trip, we had concluded that this is a must-try at TungLok Teahouse and our stand remains today.

Other dim sum choices you get are Steamed Shrimp Dumplings ‘Har Gao’ (S$5.30++ – 4 pieces), Baked Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.30++ – 3 pieces), Deep-fried Yam Puffs with Truffle (S$4.30++ – 3 pieces) and Steamed Juicy Meat Buns ‘Xiao Long Bao’ (S$5.30++ – 4 pieces).

SIDES

Boxer Chicken (S$8++) is so sinfully good that it is worth every damn calorie. Although the limelight at TungLok Teahouse is the dim sum, it would be a shame to miss out on this crispy delight.

Deep fried to perfection, you can enjoy the chicken with the chilli dip for a spicy kick.

BECAUSE ROAST MEATS

The Duo BBQ Meat Combination Platter (S$20++) is a plate of roasted goodness that comes with ‘Char Siew’ and Roast Irish Duck. Roasted to a glorious shade of deep red, the best part of the roast duck has got to be its crispy skin.

Well, we don’t think you need another reason to be convinced, right? Good roast meats are worth the while.

THIS UNFORGETTABLE POT OF NOODLES

This pot of Braised Prawns with Vermicelli in X.O. Sauce (S$18++) comes with prawns and tanghoon. It was flavourful with a distinct wok hei, and as simple as it may look, it was an unforgettable item from our lunch that afternoon.

TungLok Teahouse
10 Sinaran Drive
#01-73 Square 2
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6893 1123
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm (high tea), 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

This post is brought to you by TungLok Group.

Thai food is versatile, a myriad of flavours, and generally a whole lot of fun for chefs. And Rochor Thai’s Chef Owner Joel Ong—who lived a year in Thailand to learn about the Central Thai cuisine—was determined to bring the best of Thai dishes to Singapore.

While most Thai eateries and restaurants in Singapore serve more North-Eastern Thai fare, Rochor Thai specialises in Central Thai Cuisine—which is a lot more balanced, less salty and no less delicious—and it does not use any MSG at all.

Rochor Thai prides itself in its meticulous preparation and the use of fresh ingredients to ensure the authenticity of its food, with flavours found nowhere else in Singapore.

Making his mark in 2012 at Rochor Centre, Rochor Thai’s inception saw overwhelming success and has brought them to where they are today. Today, they are located at Novena Regency, with a more modern and swanky look. They have rocketed to the top of our list and is now among our favourite Thai restaurants.

From now until 15 March 2017, simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 30% off your bill—valid from 6pm to 10pm on Mondays to Thursdays, except PHs.

THE BEST VARIETY OF AUTHENTIC TOM YUM SOUPS

Depending on your preference, Rochor Thai has a decent variety of tom yum soups for you to choose from. What we like about Rochor Thai is that they choose the best meats or seafood to go with each type of soup base. Some Thai restaurants confuse you with too many options, but Rochor Thai picks out the best combinations for you.

We had a taste of two different types of tom yum soups, Red Tom Yum Prawns (Tom Yum Goong, S$15) and Clear Tom Yum Super (S$15).

Some people prefer a milkier consistency, hence the former is an excellent choice, the soup is packed with generous amounts of fresh prawns and we really loved the spicy red soup base—just the right balance of sour and spicy, without burning our throats.

However, the Clear Tom Yum Super is actually their speciality and it comes with chicken wings and feet inside. But you have been warned—this soup is extremely spicy. Not for the faint-hearted!

REFRESHING SOM TUM KAI KEM – THAI PAPAYA SALAD

In every Thai restaurant, you need a good Som Tum or Papaya Salad. This Som Tum Kai Kem (S$12) hit all the right spots for us.

It was crunchy, refreshing and more importantly, the tamarind sauce really wowed us. It comes with salted egg, carrots, long beans, garlic, chillies, dried shrimp and peanuts.

BEAUTIFUL PAD THAI WITH SUCCULENT PRAWNS

Another classic Thai dish is the Pad Thai. The Pad Thai Rochor Thai (Pad Thai Song Krung, S$14) was impressive, to say the least. We liked that the noodles were not overly cooked; they were a little al dente, and the plate of noodles was sweet, flavourful and bursting with wok hei flavour on the whole. One of the best

CLASSIC VERMICELLI WITH BAKED PRAWNS

The Baked Prawns in Claypot (Goong Ob Woon Sen, S$19) is something you really have to try! Clear glass noodles are tossed in peppercorns, garlic and coriander; the dish exuded a distinct aroma.

THE BEST STIR-FRIED CABBAGE EVER

This is the most unassuming dish on the menu and before you skip it, you have to know that this is THE BEST STIR-FRIED CABBAGE EVER. So much so that we would eat an entire serving on its own with a bowl of steamed rice and we are satisfied.

The Cabbage with Fish Sauce (Kalum Pad Nampla, S$12) is a unique dish and it took Chef Joel 3 months to perfect it.

Sure, you might be skeptical, because it is ‘just veggies’. But it is almost unexplainable; the umami flavours become stronger with every bite. There is something about the combination of garlic and fish sauce tossed with crunchy and fresh cabbage.

TENDER, MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH GRILLED PORK

The Grilled Pork Collar (Kor Moo Yang, S$19)—Rochor Thai’s best-selling and signature dish—lived up to all the hype.

Marinated perfectly, the tender pork is grilled to a beautiful tenderness. When served, the pork collar slices are so almost melt-in-your-mouth. Eat them with a homemade Issan-style sauce.

Thai-style grilled pork has got to be one of our favourite ways of eating pork.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY WHOLE SEA BASS

If you are coming in a group of 3 or more, then you should really order the sea bass. We fell head over heels in love with the Orange Curry Fish Broth (Thai Assam, Gaeng Som Pla, S$32 Whole Fish 800 – 900g).

The fish is deep-fried whole, then orange curry broth is drizzled all over. The broth is spicy with a hint of sourness, but it paired up well with the crispy fish. The fish stayed nice and crispy even after awhile and for S$32, it is a steal!

FLAVOURFUL DRUNKARD’S PRAWNS

These prawns are aptly named Drunkard’s Prawns (Pad Kee Mao Goong, S$19).

According to Chef Owner Joel, they adapted an old Thai recipe based on a true incident. It was a rainy night when a drunk man was walking home after a night of drinking, and he stopped by a small street food stall for some supper. The dish was so spicy and flavourful that it jolted him up, hence the name.

POPULAR THAI SWEET TREAT – MANGO STICKY RICE

Lastly, we ended our amazing Thai meal with the best way we know how to—with Thai Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Ma Muang, S$8).

The sticky rice was served to us warm and the rice was chewy with a nice al dente bite to it.

Apart from the typical Thai dishes such as Green Curry Chicken, Pad Thai, and Thai Basil Stir-fried Pork, Rochor Thai serves authentic Thai dishes that are strong-flavoured yet well-balanced. It is a lot more dimensional than the spicy and sour Thai food that most of us are familiar with.

Chef Owner Joel hopes that diners get to experience a true taste of Thailand—for a lack of a better phrase. The prices might be slightly higher than the usual Thai restaurants in Singapore, but what you get is quality Thai food that will transport you to the Land of Smiles.

Don’t take our words for it, make a trip to Rochor Thai and find out for yourself. Remember to quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 30% off your bill—valid from 6pm to 10pm on Mondays to Thursdays, except PHs.

And the next time you are throwing a party for a special occasion, you will be keen to know that Rochor Thai also offers complimentary venue usage with a minimum spending on Food and Beverage, as well as catering for events. Their tea reception buffet starts from as low as S$9.80 per guest. You can see the buffet catering menus from Rochor Thai’s website.

Rochor Thai
275 Thomson Road
#01-03, Novena Regency
Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 8797 7080
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

This post is brought to you by Rochor Thai.

The sheer number of ice-cream shops in Singapore would leave everyone dizzy with glee, but have you ever come across a store that specialises in Japanese yam soft serve?

Nope. Not at all. But that gap has alas been met with the recent opening of Small Potatoes Ice Creamery!

Small Potatoes Ice Creamery is a Hong Kong franchise that serves pretty purple potato ice cream and yes, these ice-cold sweet treats are in a very rich purple hue. These photogenic desserts are not overwhelmingly sweet and come with a variety of toppings.

Hong Kong’s foodie scene is very much integrated into Singaporeans’ lifestyles and we are somewhat witnessing the migration of a Hong Kong food-and-beverage brand into Singapore every other month.

Small Potatoes Ice Creamery is interestingly called Small Potato Ice Creamery in Hong Kong – but never mind the slight tweak of name in its branding.

Located in the basement of Novena Square 2, Small Potatoes Ice Creamery’s menu consists of delicious Japanese purple yam ice cream and Japanese sea salt ice cream. Customers can choose to add a myriad of unique ingredients such as brownies, crispy rice, doriyaki, mochi, popcorn and Japanese cheesecake to their soft serve at additional charges per topping.

As its name implies, the portions at Small Potatoes Ice Creamery are indeed tiny and we have to admit that prices for its sizes are considered rather pricey. Customers can expect to pay between S$5 and S$9.50 for an ice-cream cone and Small Potato Party Cup respectively.

A Small Potato Party Cup comprises purple potato soft serve served with purple yam powder, Japanese purple yam paste, warabi green tea mochi and shiratama dango. The velvety ice-cream is delightfully creamy and its smoothness is well contrasted with real bits of purple yam.

Yam lovers now have a specialty outlet to turn to when they need a desserts fix!

Small Potatoes Ice Creamery
10 Sinaran Drive
#B1-131, Square 2
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6352 2661
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

Kyushu Pancake, a popular pancake cafe from Japan, is coming to Singapore and its first outlet will open on 11 May 2016.

These healthy pancakes sure are different from the usual sweet desserts we are used to, and with their arrival, it is bound to change the “pancake scene” in Singapore!

Established in 2012, Kyushu Pancake is well loved for many reasons. Its famed pancakes are made with seven different grains that are grown in Kyushu – the gem of Japanese agricultural regions. The result is a premium pancake mix that gives the perfect texture and unique taste.

Following its success in Tokyo is other successful outlets in Kyushu and Taipei. And we are looking forward to its flagship in Singapore – a 42-seater outlet in Novena.

Some of the dishes that you can expect at Kyushu Pancake Singapore include Kyushu Butter Milk Classic Pancake, Salted Caramel French Toast, Matcha Azuki Waffle, Egg Benedict Pancake and Matcha Montblanc. It will also be serving signature drinks such as Matcha Latte, Fresh Fruit Tea and Special Milk Tea.

Kyushu Pancake Singapore
275 Thomson Road
Novena Regency #01-08
Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 6352 6265
Nearest Station: Novena

Photos credit: Japan Times and All About Japan.

Our usual go-to Japanese restaurant in the Novena neighbourhood is Tomi Sushi Bar, but when we were in the area last week, we wanted to try a new place for a change.

Located at the ground floor in the same building as Oasis Hotel, Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant has been around for a few years, and while we have noticed its branch in Dempsey Hill before, we never thought of trying it now until now.

Man, we’ve been missing out. Its much-lauded aburi sushi deserves a special mention. The Tokubetsu Set (S$28.60) – includes a salad, an assortment of 6-piece aburi sushi, stir-fried fish head with teriyaki sauce, seafood & vegetable tempura, miso soup, and sesame ice cream – is extremely value-for-money. There are also cheaper lunch sets like saba shioyaki, shake teriyaki and katsu don at S$18.60.

Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant
#01-05, Oasia Hotel
8 Sinaran Drive
Tel: +65 6659 6683
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

#01-22, 10 Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6474 2143
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

It’s all about you. It’s all about you baby. Yesterday you asked me something I thought you knew. So I told you with a smile, ‘It’s all about you‘. Say ‘if you made my life worthwhile it’s all about you’. It’s all about the company, it’s all about the cakes, it’s all about the laughter, it’s all about the fun, it’s all about the sugar-rush, from the desserts.

It’s all about pistachio and strawberry. The fraisier ($6.90++) was the first one we started with. The very subtle & mild pistachio butter cream, worked for me, but it might just disappoint the pistachio purists. A simple dessert, with the almond sponge cake enveloping the butter cream. I’ll pick this again, yes I will.

On my first time trying the Strawberry shortcake ($6.50++), I was disappointed by Canele’s rendition. Well still basically a shortcake sponge with cream and strawberry, Bakerzin’s version appealed more to me. But, for people with stronger taste buds, go for other highly-flavoured cakes instead of this.

It’s all about New York. No, you do not need to go all the way to NY just for a slice of the famous New York cheesecake ($6.50++). Possibility one of the most popular cheesecake, this one here came with a coat of tangy strawberry glaze, topped with a sole berry. Light and airy, a few of us preferred this to the stronger lemon cheesecake.

Lemon, cheese, and cake. I’m talking about the Bloom cheesecake ($6.50++) of course. Cheesy flavour with a strong hint of lemon. In the battle between the supporters of the heavy-cheesy, and the light subtle dessert, I’m leaning towards the light airy camp in this case. It’s not that I do not like the cheesy type, but the bloom somehow was overwhelming, although I like the lemon zest.

It’s all about the love of coffee, and chocolate. The Sumatra ($6.50++) coffee mousse with the combination of dark and white chocolate. I ain’t a coffee lover, so it didn’t quite worked out for me.

It’s all about childhood, birthday, and nostalgia. I remember the time when I was a kid, eating my black forest cake to celebrate the-day-I-was-borne. The Foret Noir ($6.90++) was the biggest in slice, with chocolate flakes showered all over the chocolate almond sponge cake soaked in kirsch. You know, the only reason why I detested eating black forest cake was the presence of brandied cherries within. Why can’t we do a black forest without them inside!

It’s all about chocolate. It’s all about chocolate baby. The sweet, o so sweet chocolate mousse with the flourless chocolate sponge. The “oomph” and “ahh” all came out. Heavenly chocolate. I can’t imagine somebody who will dislike this, and chocolate. The Chocolate Amer ($6.20++) was by far, one of the best cakes among the 10 that we tried.

With crunchy walnuts, chocolate ganache, and caramelised bananas. Ambrosia ($6.50++). I’m always against the marriage of banana and cakes. And now, there’s even a third party, walnut involved. Not my cup, or rather slice of cake.

I called this the cousin of Foret Noir. Having similar ingredients like chocolate mousse, and brandied cherries, the Coeur Noir ($6.50++) has dark chocolate glaze instead of the chocolate flakes, and a hazelnut dacquoise base.

Bakerzin’s signature, warm chocolate cake ($4.90, usual price $9.80). The chocolate ooze out like lava erupting from volcano. Like I mentioned before, when you eat the warm chocolate with the cold ice cream. The chemical process between the two combined together, was magic. At the current promotional price, i’ll agree its a good deal to try this out.

I must say the arrays of cakes Bakerzin offered, make them one of the leaders for gourmet cakes. But I still think that in terms of appeals, Bakerzin loses out, with Canele having stronger marketing and branding. I’ll like to thank the warm hospitality of area manager, Miss Janet Chua, who was around at the Novena branch.

Bakerzin
101 Thomson Road
#01-07/60 United Square
Singapore 307591
Tel: 6251 5550