New year (not just any new year, but a new decade!), new me! Forget your holiday self, who went overboard with binge eating. That was 2019’s you – 2020 is the time of new beginnings, and you’re finally going to stick to your new year resolution! What better way is there to kick the decade off than with a healthier and trimmer you?

When we talk about health-conscious eating and dieting, the first food item that comes to mind is salad. Especially for those carnivores among us, the thought of eating salads regularly can seem an overly daunting task. It doesn’t help that many might imagine salads as being plain tasting, monotonous to prepare, and more expensive than more substantial food options; it is no wonder that few manage to see this particular resolution through to the year’s end.

Rather than embark on an insurmountable task of breaking your bank (and spirit), join us on a hunt for good, affordable, wholesome foods. We’ve compiled a list of salad bars that serve up fresh, palatable and affordable salads for under, or at, the S$12 mark. You can now have your green(back)s and eat them too!

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

COLD STORAGE SALAD COUNTER

The next best thing to making salads yourself, Cold Storage’s Salad Counter is heaven-sent for those of us looking for a more affordable option without compromising on portion size and quality.

At older bars, prices start at S$4.99 to takeaway a DIY salad with three toppings and free mixed seeds or dried fruits.

For the newer CREATE salad sections, you can choose either a DIY salad – S$7.90 for two toppings and additional meat – or a premade bowl to go or to have in-house. Besides having more premium items like Black Pepper Ragu, the house bowls are equally satisfying – we suggest the salmon-centric Fresh Off The Hook (S$11.40) and the Thai-inspired Suay Mak Mak! (S$8.90).

252 North Bridge Road
Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-01
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6336 2676 / 2267
Daily: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

MUNCH SALADSMITH

For those wary about not just price, but also the monotony of a vegetable-based dish, Munch Saladsmitth may just be the place for you.

Boasting a team with over a hundred years of cumulative F&B experience and with the motto of serving only food that the kitchen team is willing to eat too, you can expect even their salads to hold a heartiness and full-bodied flavour profile that is atypical of many of its contemporaries.

Fancy fish? Go for the lighter option of John Dory (S$12). Craving chicken? The Roast Chicken (S$12) is a flavourful take on the classic salad staple without incurring any sinful penalties.

1 Raffles Place
One Raffles Place, #B1-16
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6438 1456
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9.30pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

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

SALAD CO. SG

Finding economical food in the CBD can be an uphill task, let alone something that is both easy on the calories as well as your wallet. Providing economical salads (from S$5.90) since its inception in 2016, Salad Co. SG provides a gastronomical (and economical) respite for the health-conscious population in the CBD.

Besides the price, Salad Co. SG has another draw: instead of being forced to subsist on a mandatory base, you can choose to go without here. Say goodbye to the days of filling up on undesirable vegetables; now you can eat what you really want to instead!

10 Anson Road
International Plaza, #01-17
Singapore 0799903
Tel: +65 6221 9556
Mon to Fri: 10am – 4pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

SALADSTOP!

If eating sustainably is as important as eating healthily to you, this brand fulfils that criterion and more.

As one of the pioneers to healthy eating in Singapore, Saladstop spent its years fostering ties to local communities while building on a portfolio of healthy and delicious food.

In its desire to pay homage to nature, the brand ensures that controllable ends of its supply chain comply with its core values to impart an element of sustainability in all its offerings. The next time you head over for a mix and match salad (S$9.90), you can rest assured that every item in the bowl served is honest, sustainable and trustworthy.

168 Robinson Road
Capitol Tower, #01-05
Singapore 068912
Tel: +65 6820 7670
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.saladsnwraps.com.sg/

SALADS & WRAPS

As per its namesake, Salads & Wraps specialises in precisely those items. Its salads are as hefty as its wraps; their junior salad contains six toppings for S$7, while the regular with all throw-ins is at the wallet-friendly S$10. If you’ve a bigger appetite, the latter is the ideal option for you!

To start the new decade, why not venture out of your culinary comfort zone with something more interesting from the Speciality Junior Salads menu? For example, the Avocado Shrimp (S$8.50) is a wonderful alternative to more common protein bases and holds a hint of sweetness courtesy of its raisin addition.

12 Gopeng Street
Icon Village, #01-86/87
Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 9433 3860
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sun: 11am – 3.30pm
(Closed on Saturdays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

SALMON SAMURAI

Most of us love salmon. Lusciously succulent with a wonderful brine-touched sweetness, for many of us, it is a perennial fish of choice for our salads. The next time you’re looking to scratch that salmon itch without jeopardising your diet or bank account, drop by Salmon Samurai for salmon, salmon, and more salmon.

The new concept of the Shinkansen team, Salmon Samurai has streamlined its salad bar into a DIY donburi place focusing on salmon instead. Before any weight-watchers turn away in disappointment at the inclusion of carbs, and single protein present, you can still craft a mixed greens salad (S$9.90) from this new menu that is just as substantial.

100 Tras Street
100AM, #01-11
Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6543 6823
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

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

SIMPLY WRAPPS

Those who pick Simply Wrapps over its competitors do so for a very simple reason: there’s nowhere else in Singapore that serves up palatable salads with such an extensive list of nutritious ingredients – a whopping fifty toppings – and vibrant dressings – eighteen house specials – to pick from.

Worried about choice paralysis? Feel free to consult any of the friendly staff available, or try one of the fifteen chef creations instead. Ranging from S$9.90 to S$11.90, you can take a globetrotting taste adventure by sampling the range of country-themed bowls – if you’re cutting calories, try Amazing Thailand; for those with more leeway, Arabian Paradise is fantastically flavoured.

2 Orchard Turn
Ion Orchard, #B4-30
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 6008
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://sumosalad.com/

SUMO SALAD

An Australian brand, Sumo Salad’s sole outlet in Singapore is in a rather unexpected location. Found inside Holland Village MRT Station – yes, we mean the actual station, not next to it – this kiosk capitalises on the busy footfall, and the working population and the residents in the vicinity.

Unlike the usual mix and match concept, customers get to choose from a set collection of salads (S$9.50 for small; S$10.50 for large): the Warm Moroccan Lamb is especially delightful with its blend of lemon acidity and spiced protein, while the Pumpkin & Pinenut is a sweet vegetarian alternative that’s light in flavour yet substantial in portion.

200 Holland Avenue
Holland Village MRT Station, #B1-11
Singapore 278995
Tel: +65 9088 4580
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/iceaxe/

SUNMOON FRESH

Predominantly a purveyor of fruits, the uninitiated will likely be oblivious that this is one of the most budget-friendly salads you can find in the CBD. Beginning at just S$5.80 – with additional S$1.50 top-ups for premium meats – you can get a lettuce base alongside five non-meat sides in a takeaway box.

What Sunmoon Fresh lacks in variety – they do have some interesting choices like pomegranate and guava – it makes up for in portion sizes. Deconstructing the salad during eating unveils a plentiful serving that will placate even the most voracious eaters. With unparalleled value like this, go early, or risk the daily meandering lunch queue!

114 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068583
Tel: +65 6634 3575
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/thedailycut.sg/?hl=en

THE DAILY CUT

Tired of boring, healthy meals? This 2020, there’s no need to test your will by eating bland and uninspired salads. The Daily Cut hopes to subvert that trend by plating up fresh, wholesome, nutritious food to show Singaporeans that eating healthy can be a delectable affair too.

While the menu is seasonal, the prices are not: bowls are S$9 for petite, S$12 for regular and S$15 for large.

Unsure of what to pick? This winter, go for the piquant halloumi or the alluring sweetness of the passion fruit vinaigrette to finish your salad. For the truly health-conscious, hop on their website for a detailed breakdown of your bowl’s nutritional information.

1 Raffles Place
One Raffles Place, #B1-31
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6443 3391
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

THE GREEN BAR

The Green Bar seeks to elevate the experience into a more gourmet one. How does it do that?

Firstly, it offers a curated array of freshly prepared house salads with an equally colourful mix and match selection. To really up the ante on luxury, house dressings here can contain up to thirteen ingredients!

Next, it provides cosy seating that’s comparable to any other respected establishment. Bathed in warm hues of brown, it’s comfortable and bright, making it a conducive place for the working crowd to convene during lunch hours.

The kicker? You can experience all that for between a very reasonable S$8.90 to S$13.90. What a steal!

9 Raffles Boulevard
Millenia Walk, #01-91
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6336 0780
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.thelawn.com.sg/

THE LAWN

Packed neatly inside bento boxes, The Lawn’s salads are a captivating kaleidoscope of technicolour, enticing in their vividness and brimming with freshness. By marrying style and flavours, the brand hopes to excite by moving salads from a boring, single-person dish into a viable sharing option between friends and colleagues.

While the premade bowls tend towards a pricier end of the spectrum, their Create Your Own bowls start are at a friendlier range of S$10.30 to S$10.90. Touting its tagline of “meat your greens”, you have a choice of either a traditional salad bowl with five toppings or a heavier carb-based bowl featuring your preferred grill(s) instead.

31 Biopolis Way
Nanos, #01-07
Singapore 138669
Tel: +65 6478 9739 / Whatsapp: +65 8403 3426
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

Photo Credit: https://www.thesaladbox.com.sg/

THE SALADBOX

Another salad bar furnished with a huge assortment of toppings and equally large portions, The Saladbox offers over forty ingredients – including more unorthodox items like shimeji mushrooms and red brown rice – and thirteen dressings for customers to customise to their hearts’ content.

With that vast a selection, you’d expect the luxury of choice to be translated into some form of price increment; on the contrary, the brand offers pick-your-own salads with complimentary dressing from just S$6.95. If the sheer variety is daunting, why not decide from the slew of all-day-favourites (from S$7.50) – get the timeless Crispy Caesar Salad at only S$8! – available instead?

11 Tanjong Katong Road
KINEX Shopping Mall, #B1-36
Singapore 437157
Tel: +65 6336 6265
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: https://www.thesaladcorner.com.sg/

THE SALAD CORNER

Yet another popular salad bar residing in the CBD, The Salad Corner has garnered a healthy crowd willing to brave the outlets’ enduring queues to get their fix of greens.

Given the intense competition in the area, The Salad Corner manages to stay afloat through the following combination: a robust serving, a broad range of toppings and an economical price tag.

While inflation has siphoned away its once extraordinarily suppressed prices, the brand keeps its regular salads under S$10, large salads around S$10, and extra-large ones around S$12 (all prices vary depending on outlet).

Here’s a hack for newcomers: send an SMS preorder to beat the queue instead!

7 Maxwell Road
Amoy Street Food Centre, #B1-41
Singapore 069111
Tel: +65 9853 4093 (SMS only)
Mon to Fri: 10am – 2.30pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar / Telok Ayer
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

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

THE SALAD SHOP

A persistent quandary faced by establishments is finding balance between convenience and convictions.

For homegrown brand, The Salad Shop, this manifests through offering authentic, inventive meals that promote sustainability, while keeping prices reasonable. Additional initiatives include encouraging customers to reduce waste by bringing their own containers for a S$0.50 discount on any salad.

Keeping to its belief, its toppings and feeds are mostly common items, but with special flourishes. Whether you’re enjoying the refreshing flavours of the chilli lime cucumber or the spicy tang from the cauliflower curry turmeric, you will be promised a wholesome salad (S$9 and up) with a taste profile unlike others.

80 Raffles Place
UOB Plaza 2, #01-20
Singapore 048624
Tel: +65 6536 3686
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

TOSS & TURN

Set up by the Cedele group, Toss & Turn is the chain’s answer to its customers’ demand for healthier and more customisable fare. Located mainly in the city centre, the brand serves the health-conscious population by giving them an easily accessible and affordable healthy alternative.

While most of the menu is slightly over the S$12 mark, Toss & Turn’s appeal lies in its seriously sizable salads and the fantastically full-bodied flavours contained within. To illustrate, their signature salads contain a staggering eight toppings – inclusive of protein! – a carb base, and a deliciously wicked dressing (the plum sesame is absolutely divine). Now that is a hefty meal!

290 Orchard Road
Paragon, #B1-09
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6974 2128
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

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

WAFUKEN

 One of the forerunners in the local sous vide trend, Wafuken is proud to plate up food with an innate complexity of flavours without the need for excessive touch-ups, and dishes that retain the ingredients’ nutritional benefits courtesy of careful preparation.

Specialising in bowls, Wafuken’s menu is built similar to salad bars: mixing and matching protein and sides, then paying only for the items you’d chosen.

Need a protein on protein meal for gains? Sure, do you want duck, chicken, saba, or all three? Need a salad but can’t give up carbs? Why not add konnyaku and soba with your greens?

At Wafuken, the gastronomical creations are yours.

12 Marina View
Asia Square Tower 2, #02-05
Singapore 018961
Tel: +65 9459 6073
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Downtown
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

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

WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR & CAFÉ

Would you believe us if we told you one of the most long-lived and popular salad bars in Singapore is vegetarian? Created by the Eight Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant group, Well Dressed Salad Bar has been quietly showing the health-conscious crowd that salads do not need a meat supplement to give it flavour and depth.

The secret to the magnetism of the brand – besides its humble from S$5.50 price range – lies not in offering extraordinary ingredients. Instead, it excels by providing toppings of an exceptional level of freshness, and by infusing extra dimensions to their bowls through dressings made by melding usually disparate flavours into a refreshing, cohesive new whole.

282A South Bridge Road
Singapore 058831
Tel: +65 6534 7787
Daily: 12pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

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

WHEAT BAUMKUCHEN

Rounding off the list is another Japanese-styled establishment that provides DIY bowls (from S$10). While their other outlets predominantly serve premade creations, WHEAT Design Your Own Bowl kiosks hand customers the ability to enjoy the brand’s healthy, tantalising fare – salmon sashimi in your salad, yum! – with the luxury of customisation.

Alternatively, if there isn’t a DYOB kiosk in accessible proximity, you can still opt for a premade salad at WHEAT’s other branches. Indulge in a full salmon slab atop a copious bed of greens for just S$12, or get the Penguin salad – no penguins here, just chicken and eggs – which features a soba base for only S$10.

313 Somerset Road
313@Somerset, #B3-46
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 9012 3037
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Somerset
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Green eats, healthy eats, we all want it all, but sometimes it’s just too much effort to prepare our own meals every day. And more often than not, the foods we tend to consume as a result of limited time, are usually the ones loaded with unhealthy amounts of fat.

Instead of reaching for those pre-packed vending machine salads or the ones that are sold at commercial cafes, make life easy and more exciting by heading down to these amazing salad bars in Singapore.

Who said healthy food, let alone a big bowl of vegetables, was boring?

AFTERGLOW BY ANGLOW

Feast both your eyes and your stomach on the spread offered here at Afterglow By Anglow. Using ingredients only sourced from local and Thai farmers, Afterglow builds their platters from scratch to give you nothing but the best quality.

While they also have baked, grilled and cooked options, their raw versions look the best in photos. So for all of you Instagram fanatics out there, take note.

24 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089131
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

HARVEST

Located right opposite i12 Katong. This homely salad and protein bowl bar features an extensive range of fresh ingredients of which you can pick to customise your very own healthy bowl.

What makes them stand out from other salad bars is their use of sous vide in cooking their protein to ensure even and consistent cooking, after which they complete it by searing or flame-torching.

81 East Coast Road #01-01
Singapore 428785
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo Credit: Levitise

MAHOTA COMMUNE

An all in one eat, drink and shop space, Mahota Commune keeps true to their motto of “we grow what we cook, we cook what we sell”.

Within Mahota Commune you can find both Mahota Kitchen and Mahota Pantry, both of which pay extreme attention to details for each of their carefully crafted menus so the food served not only tastes good but looks good too.

809 French Road
Level 3 Kitchener Complex
Singapore 200809
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

MUNCH SALADSMITH

Munch Saladsmith is one of the more popular and longer-standing salad places in the CBD, offering a whole range of wholesome and natural foods such as sandwiches and salads.

The salads alone have more than 60 concoctions, all of which are freshly (and painstakingly) hand-cut upon order.

1 Raffles Place
#B1-16 One Raffles Place
Singapore 048616
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9.30pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

SALMON SAMURAI

Opened by the same guys behind Tanuki Raw, Standing Sushi Bar and The Secret Mermaid, Salmon Samurai is meant for busy people looking for healthy meals on the go.

Serving up the king of omega 3 on a bed of your desired base for just S$9.90, Salmon Samurai is both affordable and the perfect way to settle your health and sashimi cravings at once.

100 Tras Street
#01-11 100AM
Singapore 079027
Daily: 11am – 11am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

THE DAILY CUT

Known for their protein-filled salad and rice bowls, generous portions and affordable pricing, The Daily Cut is a hot favourite among gym-goers and office workers alike. Unlike most salad bars, The Daily Cut serves up even ribeye steaks with their salads.

For the vegetarians, they offer tofu selections for their protein section too.

1 Raffles Place #B1-31
Singapore 048616
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 8.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

THE GREEN BAR

The Green Bar serves up a creative blend of ingredients that are not only fresh but refreshingly jam-packed with flavours. All their salad combinations are tried-and-tested and carefully arranged in a wooden bowl for you to enjoy.

Using only freshly imported greens and homemade dressings, their salads will leave you thoroughly satisfied.

9 Raffles Boulevard
Millenia Walk
Singapore 039596
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

TOSS & TURN

Opened by Cedele, Toss & Turn is one of our favourite salad bars in Singapore for wholesome and affordable salad. The DIY salad station with unusual ingredients and dressings such as goat cheese and plum sesame.

Of course, they also offer the usual Cedele sandwiches and cakes alongside soup for the salads here.

2 Orchard Turn
#B4-55 Ion Orchard
Singapore 238801
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: Julius Lee

WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR

Well Dressed Salad Bar’s motto of “Meatless doesn’t mean tasteless” shines through in their salads, so much so that you really won’t miss the meat at all.

From pulled jackfruits, spiced beans and vegetarian ham topped with scrambled tofu and creamy guacamole, there’s not much else that you can ask for. Every component is well thought of

282 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058831
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Photo Credit: Wheat Baumkuchen

WHEAT BAUMKUCHEN

WHEAT is the go-to for Japanese and Asian-inspired flavours in humble salad bowls. They pay special attention to their noodle varieties as well as premium sauces.

As they’re approved by the Health Promotion Board as a Healthier Dining Partner, all their meals are kept below 500 calories.

International Plaza #01-19
10 Anson Road
Singapore 079903
(Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 10am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Looking for something new besides the cluster of food establishments along Dempsey Hill? Carrotsticks & Cravings is a cafe and cooking school in the Dempsey neighbourhood that is helmed by Terri-Anne, a Melbourne expat who is passionate about creating healthy recipes that do not compromise on taste for her family and friends.

Guests can expect to dine on superfoods and other healthy dishes inspired by the owner’s family, friends, cookbooks and travel experiences. The all-encompassing breakfast and brunch menu includes vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free options. Yes, this is a new place that will please all the health junkies.

The cafe’s al fresco seating arrangement boasts a very calm and relaxing atmosphere so you can unwind and partake in soulful food. Opened from morning to early afternoon daily, Carrotsticks & Cravings is the next place you should be checking out soon.

The concise menu is divided into two sections—mainly breakfast and lunch items. Some breakfast options you have there include Smashed Avo, Organic Acai Breakfast Bowl and Breakfast Berry Parfait.

What you should not miss, however, is their Sourdough Special—you can add your favourite toppings including feta, bacon, smoked salmon and more.

Lunch at Carrotsticks & Cravings is a delicious affair too. The lunch menu features Quinoa and Pomegranate Salad, Green Falafel Bowl and Quinoa Tart With Side Salad among others.

Those who are bringing the little ones along will be keen on knowing that they have a Kids Menu with highlights such as Scrambled Eggs And Sourdough, Mini Acai Bowl and Coconut Water And Fresh Fruit Popsicles.

Carrotsticks & Cravings
75E Loewen Road
Singapore 248845
Daily: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

All photos are credited to Carrotsticks & Cravings. 

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/01/carrotsticks-cravings/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/10/harvest-east-coast-singapore/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/10/harvest-east-coast-singapore/#comments Tue, 24 Oct 2017 01:00:00 +0000 Dick Tan http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=148391 Continue reading →]]>

Harvest is the new kid on the block along East Coast Road, located right opposite i12 Katong. This homely salad and protein bowl bar features an extensive range of fresh ingredients of which you can pick to customise your very own healthy bowl.

Every portion of either the salad or protein bowl comes with one base, one sous vide-cooked protein, three sides, one topping and one dressing. Should you require something refreshing to wash down your food with or simply to cool you down, they also carry a pretty impressive variety of bottled cold-pressed juices.

What is impressive is that they adopt the French cooking technique of sous vide in cooking their proteins—a practice not commonly found in your average cafe. For all you health nuts living on the East side in need of a quick and healthy fix, Harvest is one spot that you should definitely pay a visit to.

Decked out in white walls, minimal decor and lots of plants and wooden furniture, this humble eatery gives off a rustic, almost tropical-like ambience.

The way things work here is pretty straightforward. Simply grab an order sheet and fill in your order that consists of one base, one sous vide-cooked protein, three sides, one topping and one dressing, and submit it at the counter.

What truly impressed us was their use of sous vide to cook their proteins which is not something you would typically expect to find in a cafe.

It takes the hassle and stress away from traditional cooking methods by utilising precise temperature control to deliver even and consistent cooking, ensuring that the final product is always cooked to the right doneness. After which, the dish is completed by either searing or in this case, flame torching for that extra hit of flavour.

Each bowl starts off at S$12 but you will have to top up for premium items such as steak, salmon or avocado.

Our first protein bowl came with Japanese brown rice as its base. For our choice of protein, we went for the dory fillet along with shaved parmesan, marinated cherry tomatoes and an onsen egg  (+S$1) as our sides. Finally, we topped it with bonito flakes and a garlic soy dressing.

The dory was soft and flavourful, and the brown rice was given an extra flavour boost thanks to the parmesan cheese and the runny yolk of the onsen egg. Separately, the ingredients may not have worked but the garlic soy dressing really did well to bring the entire dish together.

The second bowl we got started off with a bed of mixed baby spinach and rocket (+S$1) and a marinated chicken breast as our protein of choice. Our sides comprised broccoli, roasted pumpkin and shimeiji mushrooms which were beautifully topped with furikake and a sesame wafu dressing.

Despite being cooked sous vide, the chicken itself was rather dry. The other vegetable items were decent but special mention has to be made about the roasted pumpkin. Roasted till soft, the pumpkin was incredibly sweet and delicious.

Harvest
81 East Coast Rd,
Singapore 428785
Tel: +65 8715 1625
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/10/harvest-east-coast-singapore/feed/ 1 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/09/pizza-express/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/09/pizza-express/#comments Tue, 05 Sep 2017 03:30:16 +0000 ladyironchef http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=143425 Continue reading →]]>

It was not too long ago when PizzaExpress opened its first outlet in Singapore at Scotts Square just about a year ago and already this colossal pizza restaurant chain—with 600 outlets in the UK, Asia, the Middle East and in several parts of Europe—has opened its second outlet at Duo Galleria with a third one at Marina One on its way.

Founded in London more than 50 years ago, PizzaExpress specialises in gourmet, hand-made Italian pizza that even Italian palates will agree with. Quite contrary to its name, it really isn’t an “express” fast food chain. With so many years of expertise to its name, diners can expect nothing less than top-notch pizzas, pasta, salads and desserts.

There are so many items to love at PizzaExpress and one trip is simply not enough! Read on to find out more about our favourites and must-tries. And you’d have to take a look at its new outlet at Duo Galleria. There are cosy al fresco seating, too!

Staying true to its signature layout across its restaurants around the world, their new outlet features a cosy, intimate interior with marble counters and tables. The kitchen adopts an open concept where diners can watch the masters at work. Witness how your pizzas are flipped and prepped!

All the food at PizzaExpress are made from scratch in-house using only fresh ingredients. Besides pizzas, the menu also features a diverse range of Italian-style salads, pasta and desserts. What’s more, most of the items here are priced around S$20 or less which is incredibly reasonable considering their portion sizes and quality.

STARTERS – ITALIAN ANTIPASTO, DOUGH BALLS & BURRATA

If you are not dining alone, then get some starters to share. The Classic Italian Antipasto (S$26++) is a grand platter that includes Italian mozzarella, Italian sausages, strips of prosciutto that will literally melt-in-your-mouth and more.

The Dough Balls Doppio (S$11++) is another ideal appetiser for sharing. Consisting of sixteen dough balls along with three types of dip—garlic butter, pesto siciliano and pesto genovese—this simple snack is truly a tasty treat that even kids will love!

If you adore Italian squeaky cheese, then the Burrata with Roasted Peppers (S$19++) is highly recommended. This may not be the most visually appealing item but you can bet that it is pretty darn satisfying—milky, smooth cheese that tears so smoothly; it is one of the better Burratas we’ve had in Singapore.

SALADS FOR CHAMPIONS

Hardly anyone goes to a pizza joint to get a salad, but over at PizzaExpress, you just might. Consider the Beetroot & Goat’s Cheese Salad (S$11++ small, S$18++ large) that is packed full of wild rocket, beetroot, avocado, goat’s cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries and drizzled with a decadent honey balsamic dressing.

Never mind the judgemental stares, this salad is legit! And it is really pretty filling!

A TASTE OF CALABRIA

For fans of heat, the Calabrese (S$26++) will not disappoint. This iconic rectangular pizza inspired by the food of Calabria—a region in South-West Italy—comprises Calabria-style sausage, spicy Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella, jalapeño peppers and more.

Do be cautioned that this is not for kids and for the faint-hearted because it can get really spicy.

CLASSIC PIZZAS – SIMPLE AND SO SATISFYING

Staying true to their original recipes which have not changed since 1965, go for PizzaExpress’ Classic Lava (S$22++) that comprises simply olives, burrata cheese, chilli oil, cherry tomatoes and finished with basil for that added herbaceous note that goes perfectly well with tomatoes; or the La Reine (S$16++) that is topped with mushrooms, olives, ham, mozzarella and passata.

ROMANA PIZZAS – BIGGER, THINNER & CRISPIER

The Romana pizzas are inspired by the pizzas from Rome—thinner and crispier. Out of all their quirky concoctions, we particularly enjoyed the Carbonara (S$25++).

Consisting of crispy smoked bacon, mozzarella, a creamy béchamel sauce and finished with garlic oil and a soft egg in the middle, this instantly won our hearts. All in all, the runny egg yolk, the sauce and the rendered bacon fat makes each mouthful a rich yet flavourful experience.

LEGIT ITALIAN PASTAS – CRABMEAT LINGUINE AND LOBSTER & CRABMEAT RAVIOLI

If you love yourself a good lasagne, then the Lasagna Classica (S$18++) should be right up your alley. Layers of rich beef bolognese and a mixture of béchamel and parmesan cheese are enveloped in thin sheets of pasta that is then topped with more cheese and heated in a broiler to give you a nice charred surface.

We also highly recommend the Linguine Granchio Con Pana (S$23++)—one of the best crabmeat pastas in Singapore. It is essentially a crabmeat pasta that includes steamed crab meat, onion, garlic and coriander in a spicy cream sauce finished with caviar and a wedge of lime.

With such a heavy cream based sauce accented with distinct notes of seafood, the wedge of lime does really well to cut through all that.

The Lobster and Crabmeat Ravioli (S$26++) is also worth a try. The classic ravioli is pimped up with fresh and generous amounts lobster and crab meat with a mushroom pomodoro sauce to bind it all together.

This dish has everything we love about a good ravioli—pasta has a nice bite, tender lobster and crab meat and a luscious sauce that is decadent yet not overpowering.

DESSERTS TO END THE MEAL

After a heavy meal filled with so much richness, it is never a bad idea to end it off with some sweet treats. The Mango Panna Cotta (S$8++) here is a must-try for pudding lovers. We liked that the mango was slightly tart, which did well to cut through the creaminess of the panna cotta which is pretty dense.

The Chocolate Fudge Cake (S$9++) is flavoured with a touch of salt, giving the dessert a nice savoury touch to combat the overall sweetness.

And this is a little tip—enjoy all your PizzaExpress dishes with a glass of the signature Lemonade (S$6), featuring freshly squeezed lemon and lime, soda, and mint. Italian food can be pretty rich and heavy so this drink definitely helps in balancing the flavours and keeping you refreshed throughout your meal!

It is also good to note that if you plan on driving, park at Park View Suites instead of Duo Galleria to minimise on the walking distance!

PizzaExpress
7 Fraser Street, #01-01/02
Duo Galleria
Singapore 189356
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is brought to you by PizzaExpress Singapore.

The Dragon Chamber is the first speakeasy restaurant in Singapore. A new dining concept by TungLok Group, The Dragon Chamber is hidden within Lokkee at Plaza Singapura.

For the uninitiated, a speakeasy usually refers to a bar which is hidden from plain sight; with that, part of the fun is in digging out its whereabouts. Go through a secret entrance in Lokkee and enter a different world. The Dragon Chamber is effortlessly hip and cool without trying too hard.

Do be warned that this new concept is not a space for political correctness. Only individuals aged 16 and above are permitted to enter. Contrasting Lokkee’s familiar, lovable Chinese-American recipes, The Dragon Chamber pushes boundaries by adopting experimental techniques and working with unconventional animal parts—think grilled pig’s tail and crocodile foot—to create a myriad of exotic dishes.

Whoever said dining in Singapore is getting boring most definitely need to know about The Dragon Chamber. Now, we promise you an experience unlike any other.

A KINKY INTERIOR

If you have been wondering about the story behind The Dragon Chamber, it is actually inspired by secret hideouts and gambling dens where Chinese gangsters used to hang out at. Let your hair down and be free from any social limitations!

The short journey from Lokkee to The Dragon’s Chamber is intriguing in itself. Entering through a random red door located in the middle of Lokkee, you will find yourself stumbling through a tunnel filled with mirrors and red fluorescent lighting. After which, you will move past a set of curtains which will eventually reveal a totally different space.

Upon entering and soaking up the atmosphere of the place, we finally understood what being in an underground Chinese triad den felt like. It was rather daunting at first, we won’t deny. The lights were dimly lit (there is only a total of 14 filament bulbs lighting up the entire place), giving the speakeasy restaurant a dark and dingy feel.

‘BAKKWA’ BACON SALAD

Making a grand entrance with an amazing fog effect, we were blown away by the beauty of the ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad (S$32++). It is indeed a feast for both your eyes and taste buds.

What you get is succulent bacon strips grilled “bakkwa style”, giving it a lovely caramel coloured sheen and has a sweet and smokey flavour. Accompanied by fresh, oriental green salad, do not miss out on the lotus root croutons.

‘GUO TIE’ POTSTICKERS WITH DANCING CRAB® SIGNATURE SAUCE AND BAKED CHEESE

A collaboration with Dancing Crab®, those who are a fan of the Louisana seafood restaurant will recognise its signature cajun sauce which has been incorporated into grilled potsticker dumplings (S$18++). It is then topped with cheese before baking in the oven.

It was subtly spicy, giving it a good kick and the tartness from the sauce helped to cut through the intense meatiness of the potstickers really well.

CRISPY CORN ROLLS

Any corn lovers out there? You get to create your very own Crispy Corn Roll (S$14++) at The Dragon Chamber with stir-fried sweet corn and mini Sakura shrimp stuffed in tortilla cones.

JOSPER GRILLED PIG’S TAIL

Do not be put off by its name because the Josper Grilled Pig’s Tail (S$28++) is nothing too gross. In fact, it is very flavourful and much effort has been taken to prepare it. Grilled in a Josper oven, this method of cooking results in juicy and tender meat encased in delicate, crispy skin.

The staff will pull the meat apart. You have the option of enjoying it on its own, or wrapped up in lettuce leaves along with fresh cilantro and basil leaves to offset the intense porky flavours. To give it an additional kick, drip in a few drops of chili padi-infused fish sauce and enjoy!

‘MALA’ IRISH DUCK

This is not your typical mala dish. What we love about their ‘Mala’ Irish Duck (S$60++ for whole; S$36++ for half) is the in-house special mala sauce drenched over beautifully roasted Irish duck—it has a rich mala flavour without being overly spicy that it stings your tongue. A must-try for all duck lovers!

DRAGON’S CLAW

We wouldn’t blame you if you are wondering what Dragon’s Claw (S$60++) is because of its ambiguous name. It is essentially a crocodile’s foot! Yes, not one for the faint-hearted but nobody goes to The Dragon Chamber without trying this.

A Singapore farmed crocodile foot is braised in a herbal sauce and served atop a bed of kale. The melt-in-the-mouth texture and herbal taste resembled that of braised pig’s trotter.

Trust that The Dragon Chamber is not one to skimp on theatrics. The dish comes served surrounded by a ring of fire and once the fire dies out, that’s when you tuck in.

X.O. ‘GRUB’ CHOP SUEY

Daunting as it may look and sound, fret not because no actual grubs were used in making this dish. The X.O. ‘Grub’ Choy Suey (S$24++) features grub-like abomination that is actually a special type of artichoke.

The dish is stir-fried with mushrooms, kale and zucchini.

LOBSTER CRISPY NOODLES

The Lobster Crispy Noodles (S$25++ for regular; S$48++ for large) at The Dragon Chamber is one of our favourites. The juicy grilled lobster is as stunning to look at as it is delicious.

When the special gravy is doused over and the crispy ‘sheng mian’ absorbs the decadent sauce, enjoy it together with the scrumptious lobster and your day is sure to be made.

WAGYU TRUFFLE HOR FUN

It would be a sin to skip the Wagyu Truffle Hor Fun (S$50++). This dish left all of us speechless; it was easily the best dish on The Dragon Chamber’s menu.

Imagine medium rare A4 grade Wagyu beef atop warm hor fun. It is made all the better with crispy deep-fried hor fun strips, poached egg with a runny yolk and truffle gravy. The sheer explosive flavours is mind-boggling. As luxurious as hor fun can get, we will never look at hor fun the same way ever again.

SWEET MULBERRY EGG TEA

End your meal with Sweet Mulberry Egg Tea (S$7++), the house’s signature dessert that is brewed with egg, mulberry tea, dates and cane sugar.

Also known as ‘Sang Ji Sheng’, this is a delectable ancient Chinese dessert with many health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood circulation.

The Dragon Chamber
68 Orchard Road
#03-02 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 4566
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

This post is brought to you by TungLok Group.

It is finally here – PizzaExpress is now open in Singapore, and it sits on the basement level of Scotts Square. The name should be no stranger to you as they have over 500 outlets in United Kingdom, various European countries, Hong Kong, India and the Middle East.

Founder Peter Boizot created this wildly successful pizzeria chain because having tried and tested the best and most authentic pizzas during his holidays in Italy, he was unsatisfied with what he had in London. PizzaExpress was thus conceived in United Kingdom, with the notion of offering authentic Italian pizza outside of Italy to the masses.

Having tried and loved PizzaExpress when we were in London, we are extremely stoked to have them here in our own country. We popped by for a preview and had a taste of their world-renowned pizzas – made from scratch in store with fresh ingredients. Besides pizzas, the menu is pretty much similar to that of U.K’s, with a whole range of salads, pastas and bite-size snacks.

Most of the dishes on PizzaExpress’ menu are priced under S$20 – they are extremely reasonable for the quality and huge portions. Here’s what you can expect from PizzaExpress’s first outlet in Singapore – which is officially opening its doors to the public this coming Friday (29 July 2016).

STARTERS – FRESH BURRATA, PROSCIUTTO & MORE

If you head down in a big group, the Classic Italian Antipasto (S$26) is a must-try, especially if you are a fan of fresh Italian mozzarella, Italian sausages and more. This huge platter consists of Calabria-style sausage, spicy Italian sausage, prosciutto crodo, fresh mozzarella, sun-blushed tomatoes, peppadew, rocket leaves and freshly-made flatbread.

We especially loved the mozzarella cheese together with the spicy sausage; the light and refreshing mozzarella cheese really evens out the taste of the sausage’s intense flavours and saltiness.

Want a starter just for yourself? The Gambaretti Piccante (S$12) should do the trick. It is essentially a serving of fresh jumbo prawns, sitting on top of passata, chilli flakes, garlic and flatbread. Passata is basically a kind of tomato puree, hence it adds a nice tanginess to each bite.

The Fungotto (S$12) is a pair of huge portobello mushrooms, stuffed with goat’s cheese, mozzarella, bread crumbs and parsley. We are a fan of the slightly crisp breadcrumbs that contrasts well with the soft and juicy mushrooms.

GREAT SALAD CHOICES

Who wants salads when you can have great pizzas, right?

Actually, this does not hold true at PizzaExpress. If you are looking for a quick, simple and fuss-free dish, PizzaExpress’ range of salads makes great options. The Leggera Superfood (S$13 small, S$20 large) stood out amongst the rest with its generous portion.

This massive (the large portion can serve 2-4 people as a side or starter) salad consists of spinach, cucumber, avocado, butternut squash, lentils, fresh mozzarella, beetroot, basil, balsamic syrup and pine kernels. Basically, all the kinds of goodness and the single serving is less than 500 calories. Health nuts can now dine in PizzaExpress.

CLASSIC PIZZAS

Now, we are on to the top dogs – the pizzas! The classic pizza range includes a variety of different flavours on a slightly thicker dough. The doughs are all made fresh on the spot, and you can watch the chefs in action via the open kitchen. We had a taste of a popular flavour – Lava (S$20). It looked “normal” at first, just like your everyday Margherita.

But upon your first bite, you will be greeted with an explosion of flavours. This is not your regular Joe; it is topped with olives, burrata cheese, chilli oil, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and passata, and fresh basil. The pizza dough is fluffy and fragrant, and we liked that the addition of chilli oil amped up the otherwise “regular” pizza. Classic, with a nice spicy twist.

The classic pizzas are slightly smaller in size, and are great for solo diners with a bigger appetite. Else, two persons with small appetites can share one.

ROMANA PIZZAS – BIGGER, THINNER & CRISPIER

If you want a bigger sharing portion that will feed 2-3 people decently, try their Romana pizzas. They are thinner and crispier, inspired by the pizzas from Rome. Besides the quintessential Italian flavours, PizzaExpress also offers some spicy concoctions that are out of this world – specifically the Pollo Forza (S$23) and American Hottest (S$24).

These thin-crust pizzas won our hearts. The Pollo Forza is a dream come true. It is topped with chicken with smoked chilli, garlic oil, dried chilli flakes, red and yellow peppers, jalapeño and mozzarella, then finished off with grana padano, chilli oil and parsley. The heat, textures and cheeses blended beautifully together, producing a robust flavours with underlying spicy notes.

The American Hottest is another one that you must try. We cannot get enough of these spicy pizzas! This one here is topped with pepperoni, hot green and roquito peppers, fresh red chilli, spicy Italian sausage, passata and buffalo mozzarella. After it is baked and taken out of the oven, the chef scatters torn buffalo mozzarella  (yes, more mozzarella for extra cheesy goodness) atop, together with chopped parsley and fragrant chilli oil.

ITALIAN PASTAS

For Italian pastas, we always lean towards the tomato ones and the pomodoro-based ones. Both the Farfalle di Calabria (S$22) and Spaghetti Frutti De Mare (S$24) are great choices. The former is simply farfalle pasta tossed with spicy Italian sausage and salami, with fresh basil, grana padano and cherry tomatoes in a creamy pomodoro sauce.

The Spaghetti Fruitti De Mare is our favourite. The classic dish is tossed with fresh and generous amounts of prawns, clams, mussels and squid, in a spiced pomodoro sauce. It has everything we love about a good pasta – a great sauce base made with fresh tomatoes, al dente pasta and lots of seafood!

And this is a little tip – enjoy all your PizzaExpress dishes with a glass of the signature Lemonade (S$6), featuring freshly squeezed lemon and lime, soda, and mint. Italian food can be pretty rich and heavy so this drink definitely helps in balancing the flavours and keeping you refreshed throughout your meal!

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

This post is brought to you by PizzaExpress.

High ceilings and a spacious interior aside, walking into Grain Traders feels just like visiting an old friend. The aroma of fresh veggies and proteins is one so comforting and familiar; we knew we were in for some wholesome goodness.

A new addition to Capitagreen in Raffles Place, Grain Traders serves up healthy grains, together with proteins and vegetables that are far from haphazardly cooked and prepared. And yes, they are healthy AND tasty food.

What we first noticed after scanning their cooked food on display was the vibrancy and variety of the food. Besides pre-arranged healthy bowls, the main draw of Grain Traders is their DIY bowls.

These bowls get you a protein, a hot veggie, 2 cold veggies, a topping, a sauce – all on top of your grain of choice. They are priced at S$16 each and you can customise them however you want. Of course, we were initially hesitant about the relatively high price, but after having our bowl, we can safely say that the taste than justifies it.

For our bowl, we picked quinoa as our grain (and we got such a huge serving that could have fed two!) and salmon as our protein. Roasted beetroot and carrots were our hot veggie choice, and coleslaw and cherry tomatoes were the cold ones.

Trust us when we say all the vegetables here are so fresh and with each component, you can really taste the effort put in to cook and flavour it. We topped off our bowl with some garlic & shallots, together with a sauce of coconut curry on the side for an extra oomph.

Other choices include beetroot feta yogurt and Asian gravy for sauces, and you can even find striploin and seared tuna in the protein choices. One thing’s for sure – at Grain Traders, you certainly get more than what you paid for.

Grain Traders
138 Market Street #01-01/02/03
Singapore 048946
Weekdays: 8am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Across the big colourful bridge, it is a path to company, fun, and good food on a Saturday afternoon. Thirty-eight of us, chat, laugh, and eat.There was a lucky draw, giving out some free desserts, tapas, pasta & burgers to the lucky few. And for the rest of you all, I’m glad you will not leave the place empty-hand, with the 1-for-1 vouchers.

The menu which I discussed with Helena, was to showcase the specialities of Epicurious. Simple, comfort food that you and I can do it at home if not for the fact that half of us are lazy creatures who preferred to eat than cook. Mushroom soup paired with croque Monsieur toast.

A lightly dressed Asian salad, paired with bacon-wrapped chicken. The latter was a brilliant creation. Taking one bite, I proclaimed it as the bacon Ngo hiang (prawn roll), just that instead of the beancurd skin that we are familiar with, they replaced it with the bacon, and the chicken in place of the prawn.

Mini burger paired with spaghetti Vietnamese bolognaise. Instead of the full size Epicurious burger, we did a half-patty-bun so that it will not be too overwhelming given we are having a four course.

And for the non-beef eaters, we specially did this pork patty for them. Oh-oh-oh-oh! The famous Epicurious burger! I’m trying to persuade Helena to have this pork burger on their menu as well! All right, the next time I go back, I’m gonna have my special order for this.

Hello everybody! Can you see the sparking vanilla bean that shines from the surface of the cold, creamy white? Vanilla-bean ice cream! Oh my, the sight of it never failed to excite me! The apple crumble at Epicurious was done on-the-spot, and the combination of chill ice-cream and warm crumble is surely a hit! My dear friend commented it’ll be better if there’s cinnamon added as well.

And the pairing of the apple crumble was the simple french toast, given a make-over by the folks at Epicurious.

* * *

I’m glad all of you came for my food outing, and I do hope it was an enjoyable one! This was my first time having a lucky draw for some fun, with Helena sportingly giving out several free vouchers for the lucky few, and everyone-else getting a 1-for-1 vouchers. Burgers, pastas, tapas and desserts. Whee!

I’ll like to thank Helena and her crew for hosting us at Epicurious, and see you all next time! I reckon there will be more impromptu small group food outing soon, but I probably just announced it through my Facebook page for those smaller outings, so do check it out!

Read about my previous visits to Epicurious here, and here.

Epicurious
60 Robertson Quay
#01-02 The Quayside
Tel: 6734 7720

Confession of a non-Japanese food lover. Right, I admit. I’m not the biggest fan of Jap food, while others rave about the freshness of the sashimi, I stared at them and wondered why they like to eat raw seafood. When others sipped and finished their bowl of ramen, I’m quietly thinking of my wanton mee. But, I can’t stop myself eating Tonkatsu, whenever I enter a Japanese restaurant.

The inevitable thing happened when I stepped into Tonkichi, thoughts of the excellent Kurobuta pork cutlet that I had at Tampopo, flowed into my mind. And of course, the visit here was because friends have always recommended Tonkichi for their famous tonkatsu. The interior is very simple, smaller than what I expected from the outside, with a comprehensive menu to showcase their speciality.

And this is where the main difference between Tonkichi and Tampopo lies. The latter offers a wide range of Japanese food, with Katsu and ramen as their signatures, the former does what they’re best in, Tonkatsu. They have the hire and rosu katsu of course, but there are also other set combinations to try their prawn, oyster, crab with their katsu.

Eggs are my favourite, and fried eggs with white rice can satisfied me. I’m a simple person with a simple taste bud, really. But somehow I do not fancy the Chawanmushi ($3.50). I guess the problem is steamed eggs and I simply do not get along. Nonetheless, my friend enjoyed the starter, and finished it fast enough.

Somebody once told me that Japanese potato salad ($3.50) is very good. It surely represented what an appetiser was about, light and simple, something to get your engines, or rather stomach going.

We were expecting the tonkatsu to be the star since Tonkichi is famous for it. But instead, we found ourselves falling in love with this instead. Man, the simmered pork belly was just so, so good! Well it tasted akin to our Chinese braised pork belly, everything was perfect. My friend was contemplating to order another serving, but we decided to come back to Tonkichi again, just for the divine Buta Kakuni ($6.50).

I was somewhat disappointed by the supposedly signature dish, Rosu Katsu ($20). There was the option of going for the premium tonkatsu set, but since I tried the normal grade pork loin at Tampopo last time, I wanted to give them a equal footing for the comparison. Sadly to say, I felt that the rosu katsu here didn’t quite match up to the one I had before. While there was a layer of fats underneath the crispy exterior, but the katsu somehow just lacked the oomph factor.

Adding a few more bucks, gets you the Oyster & Rosu Katsu set ($24.50). The same goes for the rosu katsu, while my friend who is a big fan of oyster dutifully chomped down both oysters while leaving the katsu unfinished.

Total bill was $68.25 for two person. The conclusion was quite clear-cut, I’ll like to think that Tampopo serves a meaner and better Tonkatsu, well the best I ever tried so far. But I’ll certainly come back to Tonkichi, just for their Buta Kakuni.

Tonkichi
391 Orchard road
#04-24 Ngee Ann City
Tel: 67357522

I read on the Sunday Times that Fish & Co is coming out with Fish & Co Express, and I must admit the revelation of the news hit me. Much as I don’t like Fish & Co (too commercialise), they are still a restaurant to me. But with the idea of having fast-food associating together with them, I will definitely think twice before dining there again. While it’s good for businesses to diversify, it can be a double-edge sword if not handle properly.

And this brings us to Aston Riding on the popularity of Aston specialist, the owner introduced Aston Prime which offered finer and of course pricer meats. And Aston express, the coffee-shop version, into the local heartlands. The result, immediate success, given the number of express outlets springing up all over Singapore.

The fisherman’s pride. Grill fish with herb ($6.50), of which we chose tasty rice and house salad. Express or no express, the standard in quality wasn’t really apparent. But given my last visit to Aston Specialist was over a year ago, my failing memory might not be a good judge. And quite unlike the name, the tasty rice wasn’t very tasty. I called it the fried-rice-without-eggs. And i love eggs, so it was a no-no for me.

You are right about this, we should have got two servings of this instead.

Tempted as I was to get the beefy jack burger, I ended up with the char-grilled chicken ($5.90) instead since the latter came with two side dishes, and the former none. The French fries were all about ordinary Joe & plain June. With the onion rings proving to be better. Given the price, I thought that the char-grilled chicken was pretty good.

Total bill was $13.2 for two mains. While it really depends on what you are comparing with. With hawker-fare or restaurant/cafe food? Given the accessibility of Aston Express, and the shallowness of my pockets, I dare say you will be seeing this post again. Although i’ll have no qualms revisiting them, but I seriously doubt anybody will spend $59.90 on the burgundy roast beef from their menu.

Aston Express
Beside 8 Sixth Avenue

* * * Now closed * * *

My fourth, her third, another’s second, and many others first. Our common love for food. That’s how it all began. At the heart of East-Meet-West. Persimmon.

Kopitiam, the symbolic of our local heartlands. The place where everybody grew up sipping their milo & coffee, where everybody settled their three meals when their mother was on strike, and the gateway to many delicious heritage hawker food.

Persimmon is quintessentially a swanky and upmarket kopitiam, retaining the traditional feel by using the classic kopitiam furnitures and floor tiles. The furnishings were a combination between comtemporary and rustic. And not to mention her location is right in the middle of Tiong Bahru, with the shophouses and kopitiam lining side by side.

Choices of desserts pick from a la carte buffet. Bread pudding, carrot cake, mango pudding, panna cotta, chocolate mousse. For the discerning us, perhaps only the carrot cake made the cut.

The kong ba bao (stewed pork belly) was way off my radar. The bun was hard and dry, the meat was not fatty enough, and lacked the delicious gravy. And oh ya, it wasn’t part of our menu, but was under the a la carte buffet offered.

Inspired by NoSignBoard white pepper crab, Persimmon white pepper Crabcake is all about that. Enjoyed the white pepper “crab”, no doubt in the form of crabcake, without any hassle. Under the sunny weather, the crab was toned prefectly brown, with a crisp-cross shell, and savoury meat within. Adiós

The crown of Persimmon. Hainanese Chicken Salad. Featured in almost all the media publications, there isn’t any excuse for you to miss this dish. The concept is simple, Singaporeans loved their chicken rice, but dreaded the calories. So what do you do? Remove the rice, throw in some greens, and voila! Singapore’s very own Hainanese chicken salad. Poach chicken, fresh local herbs & mesclun greens, rise crisps, and special dressing.

Tomato base pasta? Boring! How about our rich cream base instead? I hate cream! Right, why not try our Linguine laksa leaf Pesto? Specially created for your exquisite taste buds, the laksa infused linguine will definitely blow you away with its unique taste. Think laksa, but swop the thick rice noodles with pasta. Some felt that the laksa leaf was too heavy and overwhelm the whole dish. On the other hand, i thought the pasta was perfectly fine. Innovative with a big I.

Mixed blonds (fusion) are interesting in some ways, and the 8 treasures certainly roused my curiosity. Three mushrooms, two nuts, chinese sausage, parmesan cheese and risotto. What happens when Italian Risotto combine with the 8 treasures? You get the 8 treasure Risotto! The intial impression was Glutinous rice, but it was way better. I need to be honest, i couldn’t taste all of you. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter, you are all mine!

Staying true with the principle of fusion food, we have the European-style steak meeting heads on with our Asian carrot cake. The grilled ribeye with “chye tao kueh” carrot cake is bound to make your eyes popped out. The carrot cake was fried with XO and balsamic, with the latter providing a sour taste. A vast contrast with the steak. Not everyone could accepted sour carrot cake with steak though. Aspiring combination, but somehow failed to sizzle with the seemingly weird taste.

Eaten alone, the Slow poached salmon with zuchinni ribbons didn’t come as tender as we thought it will. But dipped in the green curry sauce, the fish went through a make-over in the taste department. There was cucumbers used in the green curry, which caught my attention. Like what one of our fellow friend say, when you don’t understand, just say “fusion!”

Our humble Otak is given a upmarket transformation by going créme brulée. With richly flavoured spicy kaffir lime & coconut used as the main ingredients, there was fish mousse hidden beneath the otak. The otak creme brulee is a very creative fusion dish indeed, but the experiement could perhaps be better. Some of us found the otak to be too watery, and maybe it’s meant to be this way. But is créme brulée ever so soggy?

There was a slight tweak to the menu compared to the one i previously shown. And the cost per person was 20 dollar nett, which everybody agreed was a reasonable price given we managed to try a variety of food. I hope everybody enjoyed their meal, and see you all at the next LIC food outing! We had 27 people for this outing, which was quite a healthy figure.

Well, like what some of you mentioned, it was a case of hits and misses, fusion food is pretty much an experiment between the Asian and Western cuisines, and it was certainly interesting to try some food which we’ll never get to try elsewhere.

And not to forget, LIC outing is all about the fun, joy and laughter during the event, and getting to know more friends. I’ll also like to take the opportunity to thank Helena and Sharon, the co-owners of Persimmon for having us there.

Do add me on facebook, if you missed the links earlier.

Read Jaime-la-nourriture chinese post on the outing here

For those who missed this Persimmon outing, you can get the best discounts when you mentioned ladyironchef while you are at Persimmon. So do go down and give the fusion food a try.

Tetsu, opening its doors at Tanglin Mall on January 17, 2008, pride themselves in serving Kushi-Tempura and Kushi-Katsu. Their concept is based on a “LIVE” preparation in front of you by their chefs, who have intensive training in their Japanese Headquarters.

The first impression upon stepping into Tetsu is really nice decorations. Contemporary yet not too modernize till the extend of losing the authentic Japanese feel. Chic furnishings like the curtains, and decors in the restaurant. The whole place exudes an elegant feel with its classy and clean look.

Tetsu certainly does not fits the bill with association to Food Junction, your local food courts isn’t it? But the truth is, Tetsu is actually owned and operate by Food Junction. Surprise surprise, i was quite astonished by this fact when i first heard of it. But i am pleased Food Junction is finally making full use to leverage on its experience and connections in the Food & Beverage Industry, to provide us the consumers with a wider variety of choices to dine at.

The counter bars in Tetsu are specially designed in such a way that diners can seat in close proximity to the chef, who will prepared their feast up for them, well its not just the stomach feast alone, there’s the visual feast right before you.

I was invited by Miss Pris Yap, who’s the consultant for Tetsu for a food tasting session. Here i will like to put disclaimer first, the review written herein will not be influence simply because this is a food tasting session. Whatever written herein is the Frank and Honest opinions of my friend and i who went to Tetsu for the occasion.

We had the assurance from Miss Yap that they will seek our honest opinion to improve Tetsu, and that every visit to Tetsu will be the same, the food will not look or taste specially good just because this is a food tasting event.

My secret food partner joins me for Tetsu, and she’s a lover of Japanese food, so the review will be a combination of what both of us felt about the meal.

There’s also a VIP room which u can actually make a reservation to book it if you have a certain number of guests, around 10 at least if i’m not wrong.

At Tetsu, there are affordable set lunches from the Jubako, Katsu, Tempura,Sakana (fish) which are in the 20s to 30s price range. I’ll say the set meals are definitely value-for-money.

There is also the designer Kaiseki sets available. Kaiseki is an 5 course set, made up of 4 seasonal appetizers, designer salad, premium kushi-style main course, imported udon from Japan, and dessert at a mere $35. Of course there are more expensive options of the Kaiseki sets going at $45 and $55.

A wide range of Sake, Shoju, and wine are also available to go along with the food. We didn’t had any Sake because it was still early in the afternoon. Perhaps next time!

Salmon Carpaccio ($18)

For appetizer to start off our meal at Tetsu, we had the Salmon Carpaccio with french dressing. Carpaccio originated from Italy, and its usually slices of beef, tuna, or veal traditionally thinly sliced or pounded thin, with olive oil or vinaigrette drizzled over it.

We’ll preferred the carpaccio to be slice thinner, the thick and generous slices of the carpaccio at Tetsu is almost akin to sashimi portions. For people who like sashimi, they will probably have mixed feelings for this dish because usually sashimi lovers like the clean and fresh taste of the fish, and its raw texture on its own, but for this salmon, it has a french dressing on it.

Nonetheless, the Salmon Carpaccio is quite fresh, and with the current Citibank promotion, receive this as a complimentary with a minimum spending of $50.

The Salmon Carpaccio is an interesting take on fusion japanese & italian appetizer (although this is done with french dressing). The french dressing helps to balances the richness of the salmon with the complex sweet and sour taste of the dressing, the contrast between the taste is definitely appealing.

Roll sushi 6 Pieces ($18)

The roll sushi is covered with crunchy sesame seeds, but on the other end the sushis can actually can get quite dry. My friend thought that if the roll sushi comes with some sauce it will be perfect.

Traditionally sushi rolls are supposed to be eaten in one mouthful by putting the whole sushi inside. But the sushi here is a tad too big, so we couldn’t really fit it into our mouth.

Apparently it has salmon and scallops inside, though when mixed together the scallops taste can’t really be felt. The blend of crunchy sesame seeds and tobiko makes its quite yummy though. However at $18 for 6 pieces, it is considered rather expensive. Have this if you have the extra budget to spend on A la carte.

Onsentamago Tofu Salad ($13.50)

Onsen Tamago is hot spring egg. The eggs here are cooked slowly in hot water, so the whites are still soft while the yolks just slightly cooked. Blended together with tofu and sesame sauce, the combination offers a very refreshing approach to the normal salad.

The salad is served by mixing the egg together with the greens and tofu. A good appetizer if you are like us, prefer runny eggs.

Thats all for our A la carte starters, just to recap, we had the Salmon Carpaccio, the roll sushi and the Onsentamago Tofu Salad. All these three appetizers are ordered from the A la carte menu and are not in the set meals which are coming up next.

Rosu Katsu Set ($24.50)

The Rosu Katsu (Pork Loin) set is the actual main course that we are having for our lunch. There are two options for the Katsu set, you can choose from either the Rosu Katsu (pork loin) or the Hire Katsu (fillet katsu). Pork loin is fatter than fillet katsu in nature, which makes it more tender than Hire Katsu.

Another interesting point to note, besides the usual sauce that comes with the Katsu, Tetsu provides an alternative, the curry powder to go along with the pork loin. The curry powder is another option if you are sick of the usual sauce, however the powder here is quite on the salty side, so just dipped into it slightly.

The katsu is specially imported from Japan, lightly fried to produce a crust that is light but yet double the thickness of the usual katsu. The meat is marinated for 3 days to ensure its tasty and succulent texture.

Famed for their Katsu, the Kushi-age style (skewered with breaded batter) certainly lives up to expectations. The breaded style of the katsu is really good, the panko crumbs on it is very light which gives it a melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Furthermore, the katsu here has a generous cut, unlike some restaurants which cut the pork into very thin slices. At $24.50, the Rosu Katsu set is really a steal, definitely good value for money!

Fresh greens

The fresh greens are the appetizer which comes along with the Katsu set. Basically its a run of the mill salad with japanese sesame salad dressing, ordinary but yummy.

My partner likes the dressing for its slightly tangy but yet salty taste, and the texture of the sauce is creamy. But for me, i’m more of a fan for oily italian salad dressings, so this salad didn’t quite work out for me.

Kaiseki Set Course B ($45)

The Kaiseki Dinner course B comes with assorted 4 on a palatte as its appetizer, stick vegetable, Crab sukiyaki for the paper pot, with tempura as the main, and udon or rich, served with a dessert.

The main difference between course A ($35) and B ($45) is 10 bucks, with the addition of the Crab Sukiyaki. And the differiential between B ($45) and C ($55) is that C has an addition tuna carpaccio.

For our main course in the Kaiseki set B, the tempura is done kushi-tem style (tempura). It comes with six tempura, prawn, salmon, pork, beef, scallop and vegetables.

Tetsu is being known for its Katsu and Tempura aspects, and to tell the truth, we found the tempura to be quite a disappointment as we had expected better things from them. Right, the prawn was a bit small, not fat enough for a tempura, we didn’t get the “kick”from eating the prawn.

The Salmon (beside the prawn) was done better than the appetizer in the course.

My partner love the fresh air-flown scallop from Japan.

The seasonal vegetables are zuchinni and okra which my partner found it to be all right, but i didn’t like my vegetables to do it in this way, i prefer them green!

The pork and beef were quite average too. One thing that my partner concluded was if the mains are done in Kushi-age (breaded) rather than the one we had Kushi-tem (tempura), we felt that it will be definitely be better.

We felt that the tempura batter had nice texture, but it wasn’t seasoned enough, so it was quite tasteless for us. Nevertheless the batter is very light, not that oily and it didn’t leave any oily aftertaste that mediocre tempuras do.

The only reason we can conclude for the disappointment in the Tempura is because we had such high hopes for them, so even they are quite good, but they didn’t come out as well as we are expecting. You should try the Kushi-age (breaded) for this main!

Assorted 4 on palette

This is the appetizer for the course B. One thing that i liked about the starters in Tetsu course meal is that they are changed regularly because the chef will always pick the freshest ingredient for the current season.

The appetizer is suppose to comes in the different flavors, sweet, salty, and sour. Specially designed to tantalize your taste buds and “prepared” them for the main course.

I like the zesty chicken too which comes with orange and lemon flavour to provide the sour-ish taste.

My partner didn’t like the Salmon teriyaki, she preferred the tamago and prawn which helps to the sweet flavoring of the salmon.

Cod is done with miso, to give the salty flavor.

Stick vegetables

The Stick Vegetables also comes part of the Kaiseki set B. Its just your normal vegetables, but it comes with a soy-bean like sauce.

Kani-Suki (Crab Sukiyaki)

The prelude to the main, there’s the snow crab legs which are filled with snowy sweet white meat. However we lamented the fact that there is only two crab legs.

The Japanese straw mushroom is always nice in sukiyaki. And the soup base here is nicer than the other sukiyaki we tried before. It tasted sweet but not excessively so till its artificial.

Inaniwa Udon (warm)

The Inaniwa Udon is also imported from Japan. but the warm udon had a nice soup base so it’s good for rainy days.

Inaniwa Udon (cold) ($6.80)

The udon is not the fat kind, and its sort of flat like ipoh hor fun, nice and slippery! One of the udon comes with the Kaiseki set, and we ordered another one to try both the cold and hot udon.

Banana Tempura & Ice ($7.80)

In our frank opinion, the banana tempura is a ripped-off. For two pieces of banana tempura, we can get better ones at the hawker center at 50 cents each. Certainly not worth the price tag of $7.80!

Kisetsu ice & Warabimochi Monaka ($7.80)

This dessert fares slightly better than the Banana tempura. The combination of the Japanese Mochi with one scoop of normal vanilla ice cream is quite good, but still not worth the hefty price that comes along with it.

Kokonatsu Milk Purin ($5.80)

We concluded that the Kokonatsu milk purin, or coconut pudding is the best among the three desserts. This pudding is something new to us, not your usual run of the mill Japanese dessert which you commonly find in Singapore Japanese restaurants even though its supposed to be a classic Japanese dessert.

Coconut flavor wasnt that strong, we like the sublet flavor! hmm it was really pudding not creamy so i dont really like it
The coconut pudding is good to try for novelty, and it comes with the Kaiseki course set anyway, so there’s no need to order additional dessert.

Tetsu is certainly a nice place to try if you are looking for Japanese food. The set meals are really value-for-money, and the Kaisekis course meals, although heavier in price tag, but they provide more in variety and quality also. We felt that if its two person going to Tetsu, you can either order two set meals, or order one Kaisekis Course meals, and something from the A la carte menu.

The reasonable and affordable pricing at Tetsu means that you will no longer need to spend a bomb for your favourite Japanese food anymore. Tetsu offers a really chic environment, quite unlike your traditional Japanese restaurant. Its an excellent place to either bring a date for her cravings of Japanese food, or a group of friends where you can chill out with the selections of Sake, Shoju, and wine.

My secret food partner and i, plus Miss Yap had a great afternoon enjoying and discussing about Japanese food, restaurants, and some off-topic conservations. We were so full from the meal! My thanks to Miss Yap for inviting us to a wonderful lunch experience at Tetsu.

And one other thing which I noticed, when we went in during 12 noon on a Monday afternoon, there wasn’t much people in the restaurant. But when the clock ticks towards two, the crowd starts coming in already. So you will be fine if you go during normal lunch hour, but still better to make a reservation.

I’ll certainly revisit Tetsu to try out their other stuff, maybe i will have the Kaisekis done in Kushi-age style (breaded) the next time! Tetsu’s at Tanglin Mall level 3, and remember to use your Citicard to get the free Salmon Carpaccio!

All in all, the Katsu is excellent! Its really a must-try if you visit Tetsu. The other fame of Tetsu, their Tempura leaves more to be desired, we felt that their Kushi-age style is better than the Kushi-Tem style. Nevertheless, the Kaisekis course meals are still value for quality. The desserts area is the part which i felt Tetsu must really improve on if i were to go back for a revisit. Being a big fan of any dessert, i must have a nice dessert after every meal. And the desserts selection there can’t quite make it for now.

Tetsu
163 Tanglin Road
#03-18 Tanglin Mall
Tel: 6836 3112

” Singapore’s First LIVE Kushi-style Tonkatsu & Tempura restaurant “