One thing that all foodies can agree on is that we are constantly on a see-food diet and there is no stopping us when a feast of tantalising seafood is laid before us. The joy of getting down and dirty with crabs, mussels and prawns is so appealing and should this experience come at an affordable price tag, what is there not to love?

Located on Level 3 at the new extension of Plaza Singapura, Cajun On Wheels is a Halal-certified seafood diner serving unadulterated and fresh seafood in true American fashion. This is their second outlet—after their first food truck at Pasarbella Suntec City—and you would be delighted to know that their menu at Plaza Singapura is exclusive to that outlet too.

As its name says, Cajun On Wheels is a Cajun-themed diner and you can expect all dishes on its menu to pack a punch.

A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE

As our mantra goes, why settle for less when you can have more?

An unconventional dining experience awaits at Cajun On Wheels, where you can order your food from a gourmet food truck. This translates to a fuss-free dining experience that is good for both solo diners and group gatherings.

MENU EXCLUSIVE TO PLAZA SINGAPURA

In contrast to their first outlet at Pasarbella, Cajun On Wheels at Plaza Singapura has taken things up a notch by with the addition of succulent beef burgers and platters for sharing to its menu.

And this month, this Louisana seafood restaurant will be introducing a few new seafood dishes. Excited? Yes, you should be.

FEAST WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Indulging in seafood is not the same if you don’t get your hands dirty in the process of ripping out fresh and juicy meat from the seafood galore before you.

Head down to Cajun On Wheels with your family and friends and partake in their incredible selection of seafood buckets that are great for sharing. Here is a little glimpse of what you can enjoy. 

POSEIDON BUCKET

You either go big or go home. Serious seafood lovers searching for big and bold flavours should begin your meal with the Poseidon Bucket (S$115) that would be good for sharing among 2 to 3 persons.

And we are pleased to tell you that the Poseidon Bucket (S$115) lived up to its hype. Comprising Sri Lanka Crab 600g, Prawns 300g, White Clams 300g, Mussels 300g, Sweet Corn, Potatoes and Chicken Spam, this is surely one value-for-money bucket that we thoroughly enjoyed. 

A tip from us is to pour out the Poseidon Bucket onto the table before you. Not only will it be a party in your mouth, it will be visually arresting as well. We enjoyed ours with Spicy Cheesy Soil.

Did you know that Cajun On Wheels only uses live crabs in its seafood dishes so as to retain the maximum freshness of each crab? This is how you know you are getting what you paid for. 

THE NAUGHTY PLATTER

The Naughty Platter (S$33.90) is another dish that is great for sharing. But if you are hungry (or naughty) enough, we trust that you could probably have the whole thing yourself.

The Naughty Platter comes with deep-fried squid, sea bass, tiger prawns and a choice of pilaf rice or aglio olio pasta.

THE INCRAWDIBLES

Now, let us present to you Cajun On Wheels’ latest addition to their menu—The Incrawdibles (S$42 for 500g, S$79 for 1kg). When we first laid eyes on the bucket, we were impressed by the sheer portion of crawfish that was served.

Like the Poseidon Bucket, unleash your inner beast as you feast over the red spectacle laid before you. The Old Bay Seasoning may look spicy but it is not. Its taste bore more resemblance to a slightly tangy tomato sauce immersed with a variety of western herbs. Delicious, in every sense.

FEAST BY YOURSELF

Even if your family or friends are not up to some seafood feasting, there is nothing to stop you from doing so. Cajun On Wheels offers various ocean boxes for individuals to eat like a king.

FISH AND TORPEDO PRAWN OCEAN BOX

The Fish and Torpedo Prawn Ocean Box (S$10.90 for a la carte; S$12.90 for a set) is one ocean box that allows diners to customise their own box and create their own seafood fantasy.

All you have to do is choose a seafood, a side (fries, sweet potato fries, purple coleslaw, corn, aglio olio or rice pilaf), and a sauce from Cajun On Wheels’ selection and you will be good to go.

SEA BASS FISH ROLL

Another new face to Cajun On Wheels’ menu at Plaza Singapura is the Fish Roll (S$13.90) which comes with a side of sweet potato fries.

Dished out with herb and butter sauce over the fish, the Sea Bass Fish Roll would be suitable for smaller eaters who don’t want to miss out on the quality of seafood that Cajun On Wheels has to offer.

CRUSTY C.O.W. BURGER LOBSTER & BEEF

As we mentioned earlier, Cajun On Wheels has added succulent beef burgers to their menu at Plaza Singapura and one burger to try is the Crusty C.O.W. Burger Lobster & Beef (S$39.90).

On top of coming with a 100% premium beef patty, the Crusty C.O.W. Burger Lobster & Beef also consists of half a lobster which makes this dining option worth every dollar. A ladle of butter herb sauce is layered over the fresh and juicy lobster and it made this dish so worth the indulgence.

Diners can also top up an additional S$3.90 to complete their burger with 1 drink and 1 side (Cajun fries, sweet potato fries or purple coleslaw) of their choice.

FULL SAMPLING OF ALL SIX SAUCES

For those of you who crave a little more flavour in your meal, why not top-up for one of Cajun On Wheels’ sauces? A total of 6 sauces are available for your picking, and this includes Singapore Chilli Egg (S$3), Chilli Crab (S$3), Salted Egg Yolk (S$3), Thai Red Curry (S$2), Butter and Herb (S$2) and Spicy Cheese Soil (S$2).

But our favourites of the lot have to be the Salted Egg Yolk and the Spicy Cheese Soil. The former was so creamy and rich but with the right amount of spiciness due to the incorporation of fried curry leaves and chilli padi. The latter was similarly as rewarding as its velvety texture and herb and spice flavours brought another dimension of flavours to the palate.

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Cajun On Wheels
68 Orchard Road, #03-92 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

This post is brought to you by Cajun On Wheels.

Plaza Singapura is where you will go to for a quick retail fix after a long day at work. Other than retail items and familiar brand names, Plaza Singapura also houses a large array of eateries to feed your tummy after a long day. There are so many dining choices here to choose from!

Here, we have compiled this Plaza Singapura Food Directory which gives you a list of all the food places. You can now dine without the worry of excessive Googling on phone numbers or opening hours.

4 FINGERS CRISPY CHICKEN

#B1-07 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6338 0631
Daily: 11am – 10pm

85 REDHILL TEOCHEW FISHBALL NOODLE

#B2-39 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Daily: 10am – 10pm

DAEBAK KOREAN FOOD EXPRESS

#B2-44 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Daily: 11am – 10pm

HOT TOMATO EXPRESS

#B2-40 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6341 9162
Daily: 11am – 10pm

HOSHINO COFFEE
#03-84 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6338 3277
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm

LET’S MEAT UP

#B1-08 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6835 7832
Daily: 11am – 10pm

LOKKEE
#03-01 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 4566
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm

MANNA STORY

#B2-22 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6238 1245
Daily: 10am – 9pm

MOS BURGER

#B1-01 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6883 0026
Daily: 10am – 10pm

MUCHOS MEXICAN BAR & RESTAURANT

#01-34 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 6884
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am

NAMNAM NOODLE BAR

#B1-55 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6837 2252
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm

NANA’S GREEN TEA

#03-80/82 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6684 4312
Daily: 11am – 10pm

NANDO’S

#04-10/11 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6337 2555
Daily: 10am – 10pm

NANJING IMPRESSIONS

#04-46 to 51 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6352 7877
Daily: 11am – 10pm

OLD CHANG KEE

#B2-02 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6341 9650
Daily: 11am – 10pm

OLD STREET BAK KUT TEH

#B2-07 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6759 1082
Daily: 10am – 10pm

PAPPARICH

#01-32/35 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6735 9323
Daily: 10am – 11pm

PATBINGSOO

#B2-47 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 9181 3038
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm

PIZZA HUT

#B2-01 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6334 3757
Daily: 11am – 10pm

POPBAR

#B2-64 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 9368 6678
Daily: 10.30am – 10pm

Photo Credit: sapporolionsg

RIVE GAUCHE PATISSERIE

#B2-57 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6341 9936
Daily: 10am – 10pm

SAKAE SUSHI TAKEAWAY

#B2-52/54 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6337 5676
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm

SAKAE TEPPANYAKI

#B2-52/54 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6337 5676
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm

SAYBONS – BY FRENCH FOOD FACTORY

#B2-32 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 9018
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 10pm
Sun: 9.30am – 9.30pm

SECRET RECIPE

#03-18 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6341 9909
Daily: 11am – 10pm

Photo Credit: plazasingapura

SEORAE

#02-01 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 9181 2709
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm

SHITAMACHI TENDON AKIMITSU

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

SIMPLY WRAPPS

#B2-26 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6684 0930
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm

SKINNY PIZZA

#03-79/83 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 8381
Daily: 11am – 10pm

SNACKZ IT

#B2-46 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6325 4508
Daily: 10am – 10pm

SNAFFLES

#B2-56 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 6077
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm

STARBUCKS

#01-34B/53 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6910 1153
Daily: 24 hours

SUKI-YA

#04-63/67 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 5423
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm

SWENSEN’S

#03-23 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6837 0650
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm

TANGZAI

#B2-45 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Daily: 11am – 10pm

TEPPEI SYOKUDO

#B2-20 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6266 6382
Daily: 11am – 8pm

THAIEXPRESS

#03-24 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6339 5442
Daily: 10am – 10pm

THE MANHATTAN FISH MARKET

#06-07 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6835 9300
Daily: 11am – 10pm

THE SOUP SPOON

#03-21 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6338 9894
Daily: 11am – 10pm

THE DRAGON CHAMBER
#03-02 Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 4566
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm

TIM HO WAN

#01-29A Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Daily: 10am – 10pm

TORI-Q

#B4-53 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6509 1127
Daily: 11am – 10pm

TSUKADA NOJO

#03-81 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6336 5003
Daily: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 10pm

UYI SAVOURY SQUIDS

#B2-42 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6555 9101
Daily: 10am – 10pm

WANG CAFE

#B2-35/36 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 5096
Daily: 7.30am – 9.30pm

WOOW

#01-K1 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6336 3633
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm

WOW TAKO

#B2-41 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6238 8435
Daily: 10am – 10pm

XIN WANG HONGKONG CAFE

#06-08/09/10 Plaza Singapura
68, Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 8698
Mon to Fri, Eve of PH: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun, PH: 10am – 11pm

Fans of Arteastiq Boutique Tea House and Painting Studio, we have a piece of good news for you. If you cannot get enough of this unique hangout location that has predominantly earned its spotlight at Mandarin Gallery, you will be heartened to know that Arteastiq has unveiled its second location at Plaza Singapura, catering a new space for tea appreciation and art jamming sessions.

The new outlet at Plaza Singapura will boast a setting with an exquisite and pleasant charm, accommodating a space that is befitting for a quaint tea session away from the bustle of the city. Just like its flagship outlet, the teahouse will be furnished with the colour themes of black and white with gold accents to further complement the elaborate tea experience.

For those who cannot wait to get their creative juices flowing, you can also head on to their art jamming studio located adjacent to the tea lounge and work on your paintings – an activity which will prove as an unconventional way of jotting down new fond memories.

Arteastiq takes pride in churning out plates of impeccable quality while spoiling diners with its eclectic menu choices. Here at the new outlet, look forward to dishes that are Inspired by cuisines from around the world.

The menu is divided into two segments – mainly “Ladies Affair” and “Gentleman’s Dinner” – because there are different palate patterns for both genders, right? With more delicate food items set for the ladies and a more robust menu for the men, we suggest you gather your friends and your loved ones, and head on down to indulge in some home styled goodness in the very pretty Arteastiq!

Arteastiq Boutique Tea House
#03-70/72 Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6336 0951
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

This post is brought to you by Arteastiq Boutique Tea House.

For so long now, Hoshino Coffee at Plaza Singapura has been a favourite among shoppers and executives in the area. The queues are always long, and their popularity is no surprise. But if you do not want to join the queue, then venture further to the new Capitol Piazza as Hoshino Coffee has recently opened an outlet there.

Tucked away in a secluded area of Capitol Piazza’s Basement 2, Hoshino Coffee remains under the radar and is a serene place to enjoy a meal and to catch up with friends. The Japanese establishment is famous for their coffee and desserts, but what remains relatively unknown to most people is that they do serve a delectable variety of wholesome savoury dishes at very affordable prices.

Here is our take on the 13 items that you must try at Hoshino Coffee’s new flagship outlet at Capitol Piazza, and we are pretty certain you will fall in love too.

#1 FUWA FUWA HOSHINO SOUFFLÉ

Probably one we will return for, the Fuwa Fuwa Hoshino Soufflé (S$15.80) is famed for its wobbly golden hue puffy top. Dig through the eggy fluff and a bed of rice infused with cheese, mushroom slices, chunks of bacon, and tomato sauce awaits. The portion of this baked dish is huge and we think it is best to be share it with someone.

#2 PIE PIZZA

Pie Pizza is, well, a hybrid of a pie and pizza. Made with mainly flaky and buttery puff pastry, these fusion creations are significantly less dense than the traditional pizza. Each Pie Pizza (S$15) comes with a side salad, minestrone soup and wedges. There are only two flavours at the moment – mushroom & chicken and mixed flavours. But they are good enough, trust us. These Pie Pizzas are also exclusive to Capitol Piazza’s outlet.

#3 TONKATSU TOAST

Last but certainly not the least, Hoshino Coffee did an exceptional job with their mouthwatering Tonkatsu Toast (S$11.80). The delightful deep-fried breaded pork and shredded vegetables were sandwiched between two toasted breads, and each each bite reminded us of the ones we had in Japan.

#4 SALMON SPAGHETTI

Hoshino Coffee’s menu also boasts a variety of spaghetti options and a perennial customers’ favourite is the Salmon with Wasabi Cream Sauce (S$16). Served on a white oval dish, the Japanese cream-based pasta is prepared with shiitake mushrooms, shredded seaweed, salmon chunks, bits of spicy wasabi and a dash of sesame seeds. Lots of flavours in one dish, indeed!

#5 POT-BAKED CURRY RICE

Hoshino Coffee’s Pot-Baked Curry Rice (S$15) is served piping hot on a sizzling hot pan. The robust dish of baked Japanese cheesy curry rice served with generous chunks of sausages, broccoli and a semi-molten egg, is actually a memorable highlight that we will gladly return regularly for. It is one of those amazing wonders-all-in-one-bowl dish.

#6 PANCAKE SOUFFLÉ

Pancake Soufflés are Hoshino Coffee’s best-selling desserts. Ironically, they are neither a soufflé nor a pancake, but are actually a cross-breed between these two classic dishes. Enjoy a single slice of soufflé-style pancake (S$9.80) or a double portion (S$12) with a choice of honey or maple syrup. You can also choose to have them with chocolate and banana or homemade whipped cream (single – S$13.50, double – S$16.80).

From time to time, limited edition selections are available and the current menu recommends Pancake Soufflé Style with Peach (single – S$14.50, double – S$17.80). By the way, we totally dig how they are so damn photogenic.

#7 ICE MATCHA LATTE WITH SOFTEE

Hoshino Coffee has an ultimate combo perfect for green tea lovers. The Ice Matcha Latte with Green Tea Flavoured Softee (S$9.30) is a delightful drink-cum-dessert. Why have just an element of green tea when you can have two? Do note that the cold beverage becomes milkier as the soft serve ice cream melts. Warning: this is an addictive treat.

#8 MATCHA / VANILLA SOUFFLÉ

The pot-baked soufflé (S$10.80) is available in either matcha or vanilla flavour. Each soufflé is baked upon order, so do be prepared to wait for at least 20 minutes before the dessert is presented to you fresh from the oven. Watch in awe as the soufflé’s jiggly pillow-like top eventually collapses into the ceramic dish containing it. If you have ordered the vanilla soufflé, you can choose from viscous chocolate or thick custard sauce as condiments. We suggest the former, because chocolate is always more decadent and satisfying, yes?

#9 FRENCH TOAST

The soft and fluffy lukewarm brioche French Toast with Caramel Nuts (S$10.80) is drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with sliced bananas, sifted icing sugar, pan-roasted almond slices. The large scoop of ‘ice-cream’ is actually a generous portion of chilled homemade whipped cream. A simpler variation of the French Toast (S$9.90) is available, where it is simply topped with sugar and cream.

#10 MILLE-FEUILLE

The Mille-Feuille is a flaky French-inspired dessert made with layers of incredibly thin and light puff pastry. We particularly enjoyed the Strawberry Mille-Feuille (S$15) where it was filled with vast amounts of piped cream, juicy strawberries, strawberry ice cream and jam.

If you were wondering, the strawberry ice cream and jam are actually hidden by the cream. Should strawberries not appeal to you, you can choose to have the Tiramisu Mille-Feuille (S$15)  instead. Both Mille-Feuilles are exclusive to Capitol Piazza’s outlet so do make a special trip down to sample these sugary treats.

#11 HOSHINO HAND-DRIPPED COFFEE

The highest quality Arabica coffee beans have been selected by Hoshino’s in-house coffee blend specialist Master Kano, and are roasted over open fire. The piquant hot coffee (S$5.80) flavours leaves a pleasant acidic aftertaste and is best consumed within 15 minutes. You can choose to refill your coffee at 50% off for Hoshino Blend Coffee, Americano, and Iced Coffee – this is amazing news!

#12 HOT FRUIT TEA

If you are more of a tea person, you must not miss out on a fragrant pot of Hot Fruit Tea (S$9.90). This is our favourite drink! The refreshing fruity tea comes with an interesting mixture of freshly sliced apples, oranges, kiwis and blueberries. We were hopelessly addicted to the sweet tea and completely unsurprised when told that it at times sells out by afternoon.

#13 SAKURA LATTE

Contrary to popular belief, the gorgeous-looking pink coloured Sakura Latte is actually free from caffeine and colourings. You can choose to have it hot (S$9) or iced with softee (S$9.30). The milk-based beverage infused with cherry blossoms is actually very light and has an aromatic floral scent.

For the latest updates, go to www.hoshinocoffee.com.sg, and like Hoshino Coffee on Facebook.

Hoshino Coffee
Capitol Piazza #B2-55
15 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 6384 5131
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

This post is brought to you by Hoshino Coffee.

Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest 1 Michelin Star dim sum restaurant from Hong Kong, is opening in Singapore at The Atrium @ Orchard, Plaza Singapura today. Opened by Chef Mak Kwai Pui (previously from Lung King Heen at Four Seasons Hong Kong), Tim Ho Wan has gained a strong following over the years and long queues are a common sight at his restaurants.

We got a sneak preview at a media tasting last night. Here are some of the highlights from the much anticipated Tim Ho Wan in Singapore.

The star on the menu and what you must order at Tim Ho Wan is the legendary Baked Buns with BBQ Pork ($4.50 for 3). I can say with confidence after trying, that the buns are as good as the ones in Hong Kong.

The Steamed Egg Cake ($3.80), another of Tim Ho Wan’s ‘Big Four Heavenly Kings’, is also a must-try — soft, fluffy and very addictive. I also enjoyed both the Steamed Prawn Dumplings ($5.50 for 4) and Steamed Pork Dumplings ($5 for 4). These classics were well-executed to a good standard.

Also good was the Deep-fried Beancurd Skin Roll ($4.20 for 3). It was a lot better than I thought it would be, and this was because of two combined successes — the deep-fried beancurd skin roll was not too greasy, and the fillings were of impressionable quality.

Tim Ho Wan also offers five different variations of Vermicelli Roll (Chee Cheong Fun) – BBQ Pork ($5.50), Shrimp ($5.50), Beef ($5.50), Black Pepper ($5) and its signature Pig’s Liver ($5.50).

We also tried the Steamed Beef Balls with Beancurd Skin ($4.20 for 3) and Steamed Dumpling Teochew Style ($4 for 3), and while decent, both were unremarkable.

The Pan-fried Carrot Cake ($4.50 for 3), one of the much-lauded items on the menu, was disappointing. It was slightly bland and it was missing the x-factor of a carrot cake that would otherwise mark a satisfying dim sum meal.

Other dishes on the menu include Glutinous Rice Dumpling ($5), Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce ($4), Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce ($4.20) and Garlic, Mushroom, Spinach Dumpling ($3.80 for 3). They also have a rice category where they serve dishes such as Rice with Beef & Fried Egg ($6), and Rice with Chicken, Sausage and Mushroom ($6).

To end off the meal, there are two sweets available – the Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake ($3.50 for 3) and Yam Puree with Sago ($3.50).

Supporters of Tim Ho Wan swear by the awesome BBQ pork buns and their affordable dim sum. At the same time, there are naysayers who feel that it is over-rated and not worth the time. This brings us back to the million dollar question: Is Tim Ho Wan worth the hype and queue?

Tim Ho Wan got famous because it offered good dim sum at very cheap prices – when it first started, you could get a very satisfying meal for around HK$50-80 (S$9-13) per person. However, with the high rental in Singapore – as with its branch at IFC Hong Kong – the dim sum here is slightly pricier. Most of the items are priced around $4-5.50 per basket. To be fair, they are still comparable with Singapore’s average; most dim sum restaurants in Singapore are priced at that range as well.

The dim sum in general is good. If you have never been to Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong, then this one in Singapore is not to be missed. But if you had been there before, then I would suggest to give it a little wait before stepping into the Singapore outlet. As with any new restaurant, there will inevitably be teething problems. I urge everyone to be patient.

All in all, the arrival of Tim Ho Wan is great news and a strong boost to the F&B scene in Singapore. Tim Ho Wan will be opening its second branch at Toa Payoh in July, before adding four other branches by the end of this year.

Tim Ho Wan
#01-29 Plaza Singapura
The Atrium @ Orchard
68 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

The long queues outside Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest one Michelin star restaurant in the world, are a testament to its popularity. Waiting time is easily an hour, yet people queue up for their dim sum. Now, we will be able to enjoy the famous barbecued pork buns without having to fly to Hong Kong. Tim Ho Wan will be opening its first overseas outlet in the new atrium wing of Plaza Singapura on 10 April 2013.