If you’re on a see-food diet and are always on the hunt for more of that luscious, crustacean meat, then you will be pleased to know Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road is bringing back their famed crab-themed buffet: Crabs Galore!

From now until 9 Jan 2020, expect a stellar line-up of succulent crab dishes. Taking centre stage would be their myriad of seafood specialties, such as the Claypot Crab with Pumpkin Broth and the Singaporean favourite, Singapore Chilli Crab.

Helmed by Executive Chef Vincent Aw, Ginger will also be rolling out innovative creations, such as the drool-worthy Soft-Shelled Crab with specially concocted wasabi mayo and Crab Meat Bee Hoon. Of course, they will be featuring an array of classic local delicacies as well!

These ocean gems are available on both weekends lunch, as well as daily dinner. If you are in for a rollercoaster ride of oceanic flavours, Ginger’s crabby buffet is claw-some for your next seafood hunt.

Quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservation to enjoy 25% OFF Ginger’s Crabs Galore Buffet from now until 9 Jan 2020 (excluding 9 December 2019 to 1 January 2020).

CRAB SALAD WITH GREEN APPLE AND CAVIAR

We were impressed with the Crab Salad with Green Apple and Caviar; we thought it was a unique twist to the usual salad dishes! Topped with green apple and caviar, the salad was soft and creamy, while the green apple bits were crunchy, giving a nice contrast to the pulpy dish.

The slight sourness of the apple also helped to balance out the dish, so there was no overwhelming seafood-y smell. Big chunks of crab meat would also melt in our mouths, while the caviar added a burst of salty flavour.

SEAFOOD ON ICE

Ginger’s classic Seafood On Ice is one station that everyone loves, with heaps of delectable black mussels, prawns, flower clams and mud crabs that you can eat to your heart’s content.

We appreciated how the mud crab’s shell was already broken, so we could easily pull the meat apart. It was tender and fleshy, and when drizzled with its homemade ginger and vinegar sauce, it had a very tangy, piquant taste. It was a refreshing change from the usual savoury crab dishes.

CLAYPOT CRAB WITH PUMPKIN BROTH

Featuring the star of the show: the Claypot Crab with Pumpkin Broth. Beautifully plated in a claypot with a pumpkin puree, the claypot crab was a standout among the previous crab buffets we have been to. The broth was light on the palate, with a fragrant and rich pumpkin taste.

We enjoyed dipping the crab with the pumpkin dressing; it added an extra sweetness to the meat. This is one dish that you can continuously eat without feeling jelak.

Do note that the crab is only served during weekends, while prawns are used during the weekdays.

STIR-FRIED CRAB IN SALTED EGG SAUCE

Salted egg fanatics, you have to check out the Stir-Fried Crab in Salted Egg Sauce. This dish is different from the other typical salted egg crabs you have eaten before.

The crab is first stir-fried, resulting in a crispy crust, then coated with thick salted egg sauce. The dressing is not overly greasy nor sweet, but instead, rich and creamy and bursting with salted egg yolk flavour.

SOFT-SHELLED CRAB WITH WASABI MAYO

The Soft-Shelled Crab with Wasabi Mayo is yet another impressive creation Ginger has come up with.

The pairing of wasabi with mayo never fails. The kick of spice from the tangy wasabi elevated the sweetness of the mayo—the fire came first, then a slightly sweet, gentle aftertaste.

SINGAPORE CHILLI CRAB WITH DEEP-FRIED MANTOU

Chilli crab is an undying favourite of us locals. This traditional staple is a must-have at every family occasion! Now, you can indulge in the Singapore Chilli Crab as much as you want without feeling the pinch on your pockets.

This dish’s luscious gravy is sweet yet spicy and filled with eggs to give it that thick creaminess. The sauce is a perfect marriage with deep-fried mantous; the bun’s pillowy middle will soak up all that savoury chilli dressing!

CRAB MEAT BEE HOON

The Crab Meat Bee Hoon is one that is worth highlighting too.

Steeped in a claypot full of creamy and robust broth, the bee hoon is generously garnished with big chunks of crab meat. The noodles were flavourful and soft after absorbing all the thick sauce.

SINGAPORE CHILLI CRAB BUN

True to the crabby theme, they have come up with their own unique rendition of dim sum: Singapore Chilli Bun. Think chilli-crab inspired bao! It might look ordinary, but break it apart, and you will find that this soft steamed bao is chock full of ingredients coated in spicy sauce.

GRILLED RIVER PRAWNS WITH SAMBAL BELACHAN

Savour the Grilled River Prawns with Sambal Belachan!

Topped with spicy sambal belachan, this dish is sure to numb your tastebuds. We loved how there was a hint of char on the juicy prawns and the skin was slightly crisp, standing out from the rest of the prawn dishes here.

MISO-GLAZED SALMON WITH SPRING ONION AND BONITO FLAKES

Introducing the Roast of The Day: Miso-glazed Salmon with Spring Onion and Bonito Flakes!

The salmon had different depths of flavours: the aromatic char from its grilled skin and the sweet and savoury miso marinade. The fish was tender with a good bite, while the bonito flakes added hints of smokiness.

NOSTALGIC LOCAL DELICACIES

Take a break from the plethora of seafood dishes and stroll down the aisles – you will find some local delicacies that will definitely remind you of your childhood.

Be your own chef as you visit the DIY Rojak Station and DIY Kueh Pie Tee Station! You can also take your pick between Beef or Chicken Satay and create your own special sauce to go with it. Other homely delights also include the Singapore Laksa and Chicken Rice.

SWEET TREATS WORTH GAINING CALORIES FOR 

A buffet is incomplete without desserts. How about sweetening your meal with Ginger’s petite treats? Here, you can expect a toothsome selection of pastries ranging from cakes, crumbles, assorted nyonya kuehs and ice cream!

We are a sucker for sweet things, so we could not resist trying their Berry Crumble, which was wonderful – the crust was crispy, while the cake fluffy and airy. The berry filling was also nicely balanced with sweet and sour fruity notes. The mousse cakes were yummy as well!

Quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservation to enjoy 25% OFF Ginger’s Crabs Galore Buffet from now until 9 Jan 2020 (excluding 9 December 2019 to 1 January 2020)

Weekend Lunch: S$58/adult, S$29/child
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2:30pm

Weekday Dinner: S$58/adult, S$29/child
Mon to Thurs: 6pm – 10pm

Weekend Dinner: S$68/adult, S$34/child
Fri to Sun: 6pm – 10pm

Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Rd
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 6505 5710
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway/ Bugis
Instagram @PARKROYALBeachRoad
Facebook.com/PARKROYALBeachRoad
Make your booking here

This post was brought to you by Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

No surprises here—Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) is our favourite cafe in the East of Singapore. This has never changed since our first visit in 2015.

The themed cafe has seen a revamp recently and it is nothing short of amazing. Still keeping their core laboratory theme and incorporating fruits into their menu, FFL now boasts a colourful, pastel interior that is both whimsical and photogenic.

It has also become a kids-friendly dining outlet with a play corner for your little ones as well as a low-salt kids menu that is so reasonably priced.

How can a cafe make us fall in love so much? FFL always does it best. Here are some of our favourite dishes from its current menu. You need to bring your squad here for your next gathering!

So you think the cafe only looks pretty?

FFL has always been consistent with their food. No effort is spared to serving only the best—from their dedicated culinary team (most of the chefs have years of experience cooking and baking in top hotels in Singapore!) to the freshness of ingredients.

The menu goes beyond a typical cafe’s standards. It has a wide range of appetisers, salads, mains, desserts, coffee and juices; basically everything that attributes to a good meal. And as its name and theme suggest, FFL incorporates fruits as much as possible into everything for that healthy and refreshing touch.

FFL SIGNATURE FISH & CHIPS

If we had to pick only one dish to love at FFL, it would be their Signature Fish & Chips. Fish & Chips may sound boring but wait till you’ve tried FFL’s version!

For just S$19, you get a huge piece of beer-battered pacific dory fried to a golden perfection. As if the generous serving is not filling enough, it comes with a larger portion of fruits salad, a mountain of fries and homemade tartare.

This is comfort food for the soul, guys.

SOFT-SHELL CRAB PASTA

Also at S$19, this pasta is our favourite among the four choices on the menu.

Featuring a huge and crispy soft-shell crab sits atop al dente spaghetti, the Soft-Shell Crab Pasta is a slightly spicy rendition that is not for the faint-hearted. The chilli crab sauce is homemade, by the way.

FFL DA BOMB BURGER

Need your burger fix but don’t want your wallet to take a beating? The FFL Da Bomb Burger (S$19) will make your trip to FFL worth the while.

This beauty is everything a burger should be—juicy beef patty (200g) that is grilled to medium well, fresh romaine lettuce for the crisp,

SALMON STEAK

A healthier option for the ladies (and even the kids) is the Salmon Steak (S$26). This dish is set on fire (literally) as it is served to you and the end result is a sweet piece of pink salmon that boasts a subtle smoky flavour.

It is accompanied by asparagus purée, mashed carrots, arugula and a homemade grape sauce served in a cute onion cup! That is a fair bit of greens if your skinny jeans are getting a little tight but you still need good food in your life.

SPARKEY THE DOG

This is probably the cutest item on the kids’ menu. At only S$10, this is a pancakes dish that is prepared with low-salt bacon and ham. It is completed with fresh blueberries.

BOO-BOO BEAR

This is too cute, even the adults might not be able to resist the Boo-Boo Bear (S$13)!

And it tastes as good as it looks. We wouldn’t want to cut the bear up but the fried sweet potato cake is too yummy to pass. Stuffed with chicken, zucchini, mushroom and tomato, the sweet potato cake is wrapped with an egg—yes, the bear’s blanket.

LIGHTNING CARS

The perfect dish for your boys (or girls who love cars!), the Lightning Cars (S$12) is a simple yet hearty grilled chicken that is tender and flavourful despite the fact that no salt is used in cooking.

This chicken main is served with purple sweet potato purée and mixed fruit skewers for a more balanced meal.

CREEPY-CRAWLY

Fancy something more filling for the older kids? The Creepy-Crawly (S$13) is a wholesome tortilla wrap that is jam-packed with yummy smoked duck, onion, lettuce and carrots.

There is also a side of homemade fruit yogurt—blueberry, strawberry, granola, honey yoghurt.

ULTIMATE PEANUT BUTTER CHOC CAKE

FFL has a dedicated pastry chef and he bakes the prettiest French-style sweets. The one that we really love is the Ultimate Peanut Butter Choc Cake.

Priced at S$7.50, this decadent treat is our newfound guilty pleasure. Every mouthful of the dense cake is so rewarding; the taste of the rich peanut butter lingers on.

TEA BY LUPICIA INFUSED CAKE

For a lighter but no less satisfying cake option, this doll is your best bet. The Tea by Lupicia Infused Cake is also priced at S$7.50 and it totally reminds us of sweets we’d see in French patisseries.

The whiff of the aromatic tea will first enrapture you, and as you take a bite, you’d realize just how well balanced the sweet and bitter notes of the tea are.

EMERALD GREEN APPLE TEA

The Emerald Green Apple Tea (S$12) may not sound like much, but just wait until you see it in real life. Served in a test tube, the Emerald Green is made of butterfly pea tea, green apple juice and soda water. Get your phone ready and watch as the staff adds in edible dry ice for a mini explosion. We won’t spoil it for you; make sure you order the drink when you are at Fresh Fruits Lab!

COLOURED LATTES

Just when you thought coloured lattes are so gimmicky, you might want to consider trying FFL’s versions. These 4 pretty colours are all achieved using natural ingredients.

There is the Beetroot Latte which boasts a shocking shade of pink, the Sweet Potato Latte which is the gorgeous lavender-coloured cup, the Butterfly Pea Latte which spots a dreamy blue hue, and the Matcha Latte in the usual green.

Because zero artificial colouring is used for these lattes, you shouldn’t expect a super sweet cup with strong flavour notes. Instead, think good old latte with nuances of sweetness and aroma.

Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Kembangan

This post is brought to you by Fresh Fruits Lab.

Three years ago, I somehow chanced upon the stretch of restaurants at Greenwood Avenue.

In the dimly-lit restaurant, and in the company of a group of good friends; that dinner easily became one of the best meals in my life. Needless to say, the fish and chips I had at Greenwood Fish Market that night, was one of the best that I had in Singapore.

Greenwood Fish Market is definitely the place to go if you are a fish/seafood lover. With more than 20 variety of fishes to choose from, everyone will be able to find a fish that suits their palate. Terakihi? Hapuku? Yes they actually serve them in the restaurant.

We had the House Fish & Chips ($18.95) which came with a healthy dose of salad and chips. Time seemed to freeze as I leaned forward to examine the fish and chips. It looked vaguely similar to the one in my memory, and for a second or two, I was hesitating if I should eat the fish and chips.

I had the best fish and chips in Singapore at Greenwood Fish Market, and I wanted to keep that precious memory.

What if it isn’t as good as before? What if my impression of Greenwood Fish Market goes downhill from here? So many what ifs. Shit. At that moment in time, I found myself questioning if it was a right thing to revisit the restaurant. Maybe I should just  stick with the other dish and let my friend have the fish and chips. But deep down inside, a part of me wanted to try the fish. I wanted to experience that magical moment again.

The fish and chips was great, but it wasn’t as wow, or out-of-the-world like what I remembered it to be. It is still probably one of the better fish and chips in Singapore. Perhaps, some things in life will just never be the same anymore.

It’s only after looking at my old post, then I realized that we actually ordered the same items as the previous visit. Call it a coincidence, maybe. But I certainly didn’t remember that the Spaghetti Soft Shell Crab ($20.95) tasted so good before. It was completely different from the one that I’ve at Cedele restaurant recently.

The sauce was fainter, and very un-tomato-ish (if there’s even such a word). It was tangy, and it was slightly sweet — it tasted (almost) like a real crab sauce.

If you are a big fan of oysters, go to Greenwood Fish Market every Tuesday night – it’s a dollar for each oyster. We were there on a weekday night, and the restaurant was almost packed, so please remember to make your reservations.

Greenwood Fish Market
34 Greenwood Avenue Hillcrest Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6467 4950
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

As a kid, I grew up having Pizza Hut’s Pan Pizzas. Before the invention of the thin crust pizza, I always thought that there’s only one type of pizza – the thick crust one – and I liked it a lot. Even after I came to discover the existence of the Thin pizza with crispy base, I still preferred the thick doughy ones.

I mean eating pizza is all about the thick crust. It doesn’t feel right to have a pizza, which has such a thin base, that it’s almost like just having the toppings. That’s why when it comes to Pizza; my family will always go to Pizza Hut.

Pizza Hut is all about family time. It is the time where the whole family gets to enjoy dining out together. It is also the time to call for pizza delivery to satisfy my brother’s craving, or when my mom is too tired to cook.

Sitting in the familiar environment, it felt like we were kids again. I can remember the excitement while anticipating for the pizza to come. When it comes to Pizza Hut, I’m sure many of you remember their popular Sweet ‘N’ Spicy Drumlets, as well as the garlic bread. Forget about everything else, I will exchange anything for all the Drumlets – just give it all to me.

I like my pizza to be crusty, and doughy and filling. Most importantly, it has to be cheesy – just like the one up there in the picture. The sight of the entangled cheese is always so alluring, evidently my tame effort to resist it always fails – but at least I tried. Now it’s time to have our pizza party!

All along, I’ve always thought that pizza hut was only about pizza, but during the tasting session, we were introduced to Pizza Hut’s Pasta Perfetto series. Pizza Hut currently has 12 selections on their pasta menu, which includes 8 classic and 4 specialty pastas.

The 8 Classic pastas are the following: Chicken Pomodoro, Creamy Porcini Mushroom, Pep ‘n’ Spice, Prawn Aglio Olio, Spicy Chicken Pomodoro, Traditional Bolognaise, Turkey Bacon Carbonara and Veggie Pomodoro.

As for the 4 specialty pastas, they are: Basil Crayfish (above picture), Fish in Tomato cream sauce, Peppery Ribs, and Seafood Vongole. The prices range from $5.90 for the classic selections to $12.90 for the specialty ones.

The latest addition to the menu is the Soft Shell Crabbiatta ($12.90). I am not very good with words, nor am I lyrical enough to describe how the Soft Shell Crabbiatta taste like.

But, I think it tasted like Chili Crabs.

Yes, Chili crabs. It was spicy yet sweet, tangy to the tongue and appealing to the palate. The sauce was a bright hue of orange-red, I know – it’s definitely not the most photogenic pasta out there. But then again, when is pasta ever photograph-able? Pastas are meant to be messy, and disorganized, but yet when they are tossed and mixed together – somehow, everything looks just right.

What aspects do you look out for in pasta? Do you like the rich and heavy cream base ones, or the sweet and mellow tomato base pasta? There are a lot people who like the meatball rendition, but personally I’d prefer seafood pasta. Having tried the Soft Shell Crabbiatta, it was actually quite decent. Deep-fried to a handsome shade of golden-brown, the soft shell crab was partially immersed in the sauce. The pasta would taste even better if they had added in chunks of crabmeat.

It’s inevitable that people will judge it against chilli crab, but it’s not even fair to compare it that way since it’s not even chili crab to begin with. Look, here’s a pasta that somewhat tasted like chilli crab; I’m not telling you if it’s good, go try it for yourself!

The Soft Shell Crabbiatta is available at all Pizza Hut restaurants from now till 30th April.

Join us for Food Tasting on Pizza Hut

Date: 18th March 2010
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: City Square Mall – Pizza Hut #01-19/21

If you are keen to try out some of the pastas (and of course pizza), Pizza Hut will like to invite you to join me for a second round of tasting. Send your full name & contact details to bradleyfk@gmail.com, we will choose 15 readers and be in contact with you shortly to confirm the dinner. The closing date for this will be 11th March.

You can check out their full range of pastas here.