Wu Pao Chun Bakery—Taiwan’s famous bakery—is opening in Singapore. Established in Kaohsiung in November 2010, Wu Pao Chun Bakery is best known for its award-winning Taiwan longan with red wine bread and Taiwan Litchi Rose Champion Bread.

Breadtalk Group will be entering into a joint venture agreement with Wu Pao Chun to open the bakery in Singapore.

The founder of Wu Pao Chun is a Taiwanese baker who rose to fame after winning the title of Master Baker in the bread category of the 2010 Bakery Masters competition held in Paris.

Wu Pao Chun currently has three outlets in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung and other than the iconic Taiwan longan with red wine bread and Taiwan Litchi Rose Champion Bread, it also offers a range of European Bread, Japanese Bread and Taiwanese Wheat Toast.

Breadtalk Group has yet to announce the official opening date and location of Wu Pao Chun Bakery in Singapore.

Photo Credit: Original Cake Website

Unless you have been living under a rock, you would have heard of Castella cakes by now as the bouncy Japanese sponge cake is currently the latest food trend that has exploded on social media.

It seems that the ongoing Castella cake fad has brought yet another brand to Singapore shores and it is none other than the famous Original Cake from Taiwan—the first cake store in Tamsui Old Street which specialises in Castella cakes.

The bakery is so successful among their loyal customers that it currently has four stores in Taiwan and six outlets in Malaysia.

Great news for all west siders! Original Cake will be opening its first outlet in Westgate. This is the second Castella cake shop located in the west of Singapore, after the launch of Ah Mah Homemade Cake in Bukit Panjang Plaza.

Photo Credit: Original Cake Facebook

Original Cake is known for serving fresh, out-of-the-oven Castella cakes that are made upon order to keep up with the highest standards for their customers.

Photo Credit: Original Cake Website

Besides the Original and Cheese flavours, we are hoping that Original Cake will also be offering other signature favourites from Taiwan such as Spurted Chocolate, Banana Milk, Cranberry, Almond and Nuts and Healthy Dried Longan.

Gear up for the queue that is probably going to form outside their first outlet in Westgate when they are ready for business. Original Cake has yet to announce its official opening date, so keep your eyes peeled for it.

In the meantime, those who are not willing to wait can always head over to Le Castella, Antoinette or Ah Mah Homemade Cake which might have a shorter queue after the opening of Original Cake in Singapore.

Original Cake
3 Gateway Dr
#02-24 Westgate
Singapore 608532
Nearest Station: Jurong East

Curious to find out which Castella cake is the best in Singapore? Read our taste test review to find out.

Le Castella, a famous Castella cake shop from Taiwan, opened in Singapore back in May 2017 and it kickstarted a new trend 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. Its ingredients comprise sugar, flour, eggs and starch syrup, however, the baking process remains a trade secret.

At Le Castella in Tampines One, people begin queuing for this jiggly, yummy sponge cakes literally an hour before the shop even opens.

The main draw at Le Castella is being able to witness the freshly baked Castella cakes being brought out from the back kitchen and cut in full view of the public eye every 10 to 15 minutes. Eager customers can feel free to snap photos of the amazing spectacle that is—the reveal of the moist and fluffy interior that oozes cheesy and eggy goodness once it is cut.

The Original Castella cake (S$9.90) boasts a fluffy and moist texture that is further accentuated by a strong aroma of freshly cooked eggs. The outer crust possesses a mildly toasted flavour that we thought complemented the richness of the eggy interior well.

The Cheese Castella cake (S$11.90) on the other hand is exactly the same except for a thin layer of cheese that adds a subtle saltiness and richness to the cake. This is one you have to enjoy hot in order to fully savour the melted cheese.

The overall taste is pretty similar to a steamed egg cake you would typically find in dim sum restaurants. It is light, moist and not overly sweet—this would probably go amazingly well with a cup of tea in the afternoon.

Le Castella’s cakes—or Castella cakes in general—should be enjoyed fresh out of the oven when it is still warm and fluffy. The textural experience transcends all other cakes out there but you would have to try it for yourself to understand why.

If you plan on getting your hands on these lovely bakes at Le Castella, we highly recommend that you begin queuing from 10.30am onwards. Each customer is only entitled to 2 boxes of Castella cakes per order.

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

Read our Castella Cake Taste Test – Which is the best castella cake in Singapore?

Singaporeans live for great food, and we are not ashamed of it. Even when we travel, we have a list of go-to places – famous cafes, Michelin-star restaurants and what-have-you.

We know too well those moments when indulging in BAKE Cheese Tarts on the streets of Tokyo and enjoying a pizza in PizzaExpress in London, and wondering when would be the next we could savour them again.

Luckily for us, Singapore has more and more international brands setting foot on our shores, and we are infinitely closer to satisfying all our cravings.

Now, let us take a look at the 13 Popular Overseas Dining Concepts That Opened In Singapore in 2016.

BAKE CHEESE TART

Originating from Kinotoya confectionery store in Hokkaido, BAKE Cheese Tart was founded by Shintaro Naganuma who strongly believes that freshly baked tarts taste the best and that only fresh ones can be sold to its customers.

BAKE is hence very well-loved for their cheese tarts for they are baked on the actual premises – nothing but fresh, fragrant, warm cheese tarts.

#B4-33 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

BURGER JOINT NYC

New York’s cloak-and-dagger burger restaurant – Burger Joint – made its debut in Singapore on 03 May 2016, with its first outlet at Amoy Street. Proudly deemed as a burger restaurant without all the fluff of gourmet burgers, Burger Joint makes genuinely unpretentious burgers that have left the harshest of critics in awe.

They have been known to refer to their burgers as anti-gourmet burgers. Although there is nothing wrong with a tasty gourmet burger, the main idea of the burgers at Burger Joint is to just serve up some honest and delicious burgers – maybe even the best one you will ever have.

#01-03
115 Amoy Street
Singapore 069935
Tel: +65 6221 8648
Mon to Wed: 11am – 11pm
Thu to Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

FABCAFE

Singaporeans need their daily dose of caffeine and there is really no lack of cafes in town that provide good coffee. While most cafes are starting to look similar, FabCafe – a futuristic cafe with state-of-the-art new fabrication technology like 3D printing and laser cutting – has opened up in the ArtScience Museum that aims to bring technology, creativity and food together.

ArtScience Museum
6 Bayfront Ave
Singapore 018974
Daily: 7am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

GUDETAMA CAFE

Gudetama Cafe is opening in Singapore at Suntec City this November.

Fans of Sanrio’s lazy egg character will probably have heard of Gudetama Cafe in Osaka, as well as Gudetama Cafe by Izumi Curry and the dim sum pop-up restaurant at Dim Sum Icon in Hong Kong. We can finally look forward to Gudetama Cafe in Singapore!

3 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City Mall #01-361
Nearest Station: Promenade

GREYHOUND

Greyhound Cafe, famous fashion and lifestyle cafe in Bangkok, will be opening in Paragon come November. With the brand’s background in fashion and graphic design, the new café is set to impress – in terms of both interiors and food.

We are looking forward to seeing the space, the specially designed staff uniforms, as well as being able to try the food that people often rave about. One item to look out for is the popular Greyhound Famous Fried Wings.

Paragon
290 Orchard Road
Singapore 238859
Nearest Station: Orchard

HONOLULU

Honolulu Café was founded in Hong Kong during the 1940s, and it started out as a humble eatery selling Hong Kong-style coffee and tea and baked confectionery. The casual eatery is renowned for their flaky egg tarts, pineapple buns and Hong Kong milk tea.

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

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.

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

KAM’S ROAST GOOSE RESTAURANT

Kam’s Roast Goose – famous roast goose restaurant from Hong Kong – is opening in Singapore at Pacific Plaza this October. Kam’s had always been one of our favourite Hong Kong restaurants. We are glad that we no longer have to fly abroad just to satisfy our roast goose cravings.

Pacific Plaza
9 Scotts Road
Singapore 228210
Nearest Station: Orchard

KISS THE TIRAMISU

Kiss The Tiramisu, the popular South Korean Tiramisu soft-serve ice cream joint, is set to open in Singapore soon! Their first outlet will be located right in the heart of Orchard Road, at Orchard Gateway.

Kiss The Tiramisu has been a hit in South Korea ever since its debut in Hongdae, fusing two popular desserts into one awesome treat. Tiramisu and soft serve ice cream are like two peas in a pot. Each tiramisu soft serve from Kiss The Tiramisu is also served in a swanky gold-rimmed plastic “wine glass” for your perfect social media photo.

277 Orchard Road #01-15 Orchard Gateway
Singapore 238858
Nearest Station: Somerset

KYUSHU PANCAKE

Kyushu Pancake’s 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.

The 42-seater outlet in Novena opened on 11 May 2016 and offers the Kyushu Butter Milk Classic Pancake, Salted Caramel French Toast, Matcha Azuki Waffle, Egg Benedict Pancake and Matcha Montblanc. Signature drinks that are served include Matcha Latte, Fresh Fruit Tea and Special Milk Tea.

#01-08 Novena Regency
275 Thomson Road
Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 6352 6265
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Novena

PIZZAEXPRESS

This popular pizza chain has over 500 outlets in United Kingdom, various European countries, Hong Kong, India and the Middle East. PizzaExpress is now open in Singapore and sits on the basement level of Scotts Square.

The doughs are all made fresh on the spot, and you can watch the chefs in action via the open kitchen.

Classic pizzas include a variety of different flavours on a slightly thicker dough. They are smaller in size, which is great for solo diners. We had a taste of a popular flavour – Lava (S$20) which is topped with olives, burrata cheese, chilli oil, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and passata, and fresh basil.

Scotts Square
6 Scotts Rd
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6538 0083
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

POPBAR

Popbar, the famed popsicle store from The U.S., is opening in Singapore at Plaza Singapura. We tried Popbar’s popsicle when we were in New York City and trust us when we say that they taste as good as they look. With the opening of Popbar in Singapore, there is no need to fly all the way to the States to have a taste of these Insta-famous popsicles.

The store will be housed in Plaza Singapura, and from what we understand, it is set to open within the next few weeks.

Plaza Singapura #B2-64
68 Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

SMOOTHIE HOUSE

This is Taiwan’s most popular and bestselling shaved ice store that sits along Yong Kang Street. Singapore’s Smoothie House imports the blocks of ice directly from Taiwan so you can be assured that the quality and taste will be exactly like the original snowflake ice in Taiwan.

Mango Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta (S$12.90) is their signature and probably the most ordered item in their Taiwan stores. Many reasons to love this bowl, indeed. Why, just look at the generous chunks of fresh mango atop the powdery snowflake ice. And a panna cotta to top, too!

A little fun fact: every piece of mango is sliced with precision to ensure a consistency in the size for the best dining experience, and the number of mango chunks is even on each side! Also, every bowl of Mango Snowflake Ice actually comprises almost a whole mango fruit.

#01-08 Westgate
3 Gateway Drive
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 6710 5567
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

TAI CHEONG BAKERY

Tai Cheong is an institution in Hong Kong, and its egg tarts are well-loved by people from all around the globe. Egg tart is one of the must-try local food in Hong Kong, and we are extremely delighted to know that Tai Cheong Bakery’s egg tarts can be found at he basement of Takashimaya now!

Other than the much-lauded egg tarts, the old school bakery is also selling pineapple buns (bolo buns), doughnuts, egg rolls, pastries and local cha chaan teng dishes.

Tai Cheong Bakery’s egg tarts are priced at S$7.60 for a box of 4.

#B208-5 Takashimaya Shopping Centre
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 8223 1954
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Popular Taiwanese Snowflake Ice Smoothie House is opening its flagship store at Westgate this Friday on 06 May 2016.

Following its success of its two outlets at Paya Lebar Square and One Raffles Place, Smoothie House is bringing the famous Taiwanese dessert to the west of Singapore - in a much bigger space which will be their flagship store.

Our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy a sharing-size Mango Ice (U.P. $12.90) at just S$2 – only at Smoothie House (Westgate) from 09 till 15 May 2016. Smoothie House has also lined up several promotions specially for its opening this weekend.

You probably would have known about Smoothie House – Taiwan’s most popular and bestselling shaved ice store that sits along Yong Kang Street. They see queues every day, and are best known for their Mango Shaved Ice that features fine snowflake ice with chunky fresh mango pieces.

Smoothie House in Singapore imports the blocks of ice directly from Taiwan; you can be assured that the quality and taste will be exactly like the original snowflake ice in Taiwan.

Its new outlet at Westgate will open its doors to public this Friday. It will sit on the ground level of The Courtyard – a casual yet inviting environment to sit down and enjoy some delicious iced cold desserts with friends and family.

Other than its usual signatures, Smoothie House’s Westgate outlet will have some new additions to the menu including the Tie Guan Yin Milky Snowflake Ice as well as Napoleon Pie and Waffles.

SMOOTHIE HOUSE WESTGATE OPENING SPECIAL

From 06 to 08 May 2016, enjoy a free healthy size mango snowflake ice (U.P. $7.90) with every purchase of a sharing size snowflake ice (S$12.90).

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL AT SMOOTHIE HOUSE WESTGATE

On Mother’s Day (08 May 2016), the first 10 customers per hour can dig in to a sharing size Mango Snowflake Ice Dessert at only $2 (U.P. $12.90) when you bring along your parent to Smoothie House Westgate. Bonding time – yes!

LADYIRONCHEF’S READERS SPECIAL

And just for you, the S$2 promotion will be extended from 09 to 15 May 2016 at Smoothie House Westgate. Don’t worry about not being the first ten per hour; it is applicable to everybody who flashes this post or quote “ladyironchef”

This post was brought to you by Smoothie House Singapore.

If you have been to Taipei, you would probably be familiar Smoothie House, one of Taiwan’s most popular and bestselling shaved ice stores that sits along Yong Kang Street.

Now,  now. Smoothie House is finally in Singapore and we cannot be more excited to celebrate their opening. They are currently at only two locations, Paya Lebar Square and One Raffles Place (both together with Greendot Fast Casual), but come 2016, Smoothie House will be branching out to more locations island-wide.

The daily snaking queues over at Taipei is gonna bother us no more, for we now have Smoothie House serving the same bowls of goodness here in sunny Singapore. Smoothie House in Singapore imports the blocks of ice directly from Taiwan, and you can be sure that the quality and taste is far from being compromised on.

Also, readers of ladyironchef will enjoy a 1-for-1 promotion on Snowflake Ice at Smoothie House (Paya Lebar Square) from now till 31 December 2015 when you flash this post! More details at the end of this post.

SNOWFLAKE ICE BOWLS WITH FRESH FRUITS

What first caught our eyes was the Mix Strawberry Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta (S$15.90) because of its colourful assorted fruit toppings. The strawberry-flavoured snowflake ice is also served with panna cotta.

We recommend having the snowflake ice together with the panna cotta and fruits in one bite to balance out the flavours. Each bowl is good for two people to share (or for one really hungry person)!

This is their signature and probably the most ordered item in their Taiwan stores – Mango Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta (S$12.90). Many reasons to love this bowl, indeed. Why, just look at the generous chunks of fresh mango atop the powdery snowflake ice. And a panna cotta to top, too!

A little fun fact: every piece of mango is sliced with precision to ensure a consistency in the size for the best dining experience, and the number of mango chunks is even on each side! Also, every bowl of Mango Snowflake Ice actually comprises almost a whole mango fruit.

We matcha addicts sure couldn’t resist this one – Matcha and Red Bean Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta (S$12.90). Matcha with azuki (red beans) is a always stellar combination.

What pleased us the most was the fact that the matcha ice did not taste artificial nor was it too overpowering. And yes, that’s a lot of azuki. Talk about value for money!

While you might gravitate towards the signature fruit options, don’t dismiss the very unique Tiramisu Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta (S$15.90) just yet. We were just slightly obsessed with the textures of this bowl, from the chewy mochi bits to the lady fingers, and yes, the same creamy panna cotta (we lost count of the number we ate!).

You might be keen to know that this version is alcohol-free. Unfortunately, no Baileys for our tiramisu because Smoothie House caters to vegetarians and our Muslim friends too, but be rest assured that the taste is in no way lacklustre.

Need your yogurt fix? Yes, you can have it in the form of a bowl of snowflake ice with the Yogurt-Berry Snowflake Ice (S$15.90). This is certainly something unique and different from the regular fruity snowflake ice.

Of course, we love the tartness of this rendition and the addition of berries couldn’t be a better complement to the bowl of smooth ice.

SMOOTHIES

If you are looking for something simpler to something to quench your thirst, the Smoothies (S$6.50) at Smoothie House are actually really good and do not pale in comparison with the signature snowflake ice.

Pick from flavours such as Strawberry, Mango and Yogurt. It is freshness in every sip in these huge cups of smoothies.

MINI ICE CUPS FOR TAKEAWAY

Besides just bowls of shaved ice, Smoothie House in Singapore also offers individual portions in adorable takeaway cups – we reckon they will look so good on your social media feeds!

These takeaway cups are genius, because we all love dessert cups on the go. Priced at S$6.90 each, we still recommend the signature Mango Snowflake Ice – the chunks of mango are no less generous and fresh.

The one true thing that we appreciate most about here at Smoothie House is the fact that everything is not overly sweet nor tastes artificial. Fresh fruit, original ice blocks from Taipei, and huge portions for sharing; what’s not not love, right? Even more so for the month of December with the 1-for-1 promotion!

1-FOR-1 SNOWFLAKE ICE FROM NOW TILL 31 DECEMBER 2015

Simply flash this post upon ordering and you are entitled to a complimentary Mango Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta worth S$12.90 when you order any of the 3 regular snowflake ice bowl (Mix Strawberry Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta, Yogurt Berry Snowflake Ice, or Tiramisu & Red Beans Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta). The 1-for-1 promotion is only valid at Smoothie House’s Paya Lebar Square outlet from now till 31 December 2015.

Smoothie House
60 Paya Lebar Road
#02-15/16/17, Paya Lebar Square
Singapore 409051
Tel: +65 6702 2221
Daily: 11am – 10pm
(Last Order: 9pm)
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

One Raffles Place #03-25
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6532 1025
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

This post is brought to you by Smoothie House Singapore.