Established in 2012 at Tanglin Post Office Building, Nassim Hill Bakery is best known for its brunch dishes and fresh bakes. The original outlet is a pet-friendly cafe and it is absolutely perfect for families looking to unwind over the weekend, if not, casual drinks at the bar with your mates.

Nassim Hill Bakery has opened a second outlet at the Killiney Post Office building, on Level 2 of KPO Café Bar.

The new outlet is right opposite the Orchard Central taxi stand, and only a few minutes walk away from Somerset MRT.

Nassim Hill @ Killiney will be serving breakfast and lunch from Tuesdays to Sundays 9am to 3pm.

The menu is a distilled version of the original Nassim Hill brunch menu. Regulars will be happy to know that the signature dishes such as Chilli Crab Pasta and Cheddar Cheese Bacon Waffles will be available on the menu, together with freshly baked artisanal sourdough and their popular Brioche Donuts.

Enjoy a cuppa by Liberty Coffee and Nassim Hill’s brunch fare in a spacious setting with lush greenery surrounding the Killiney Post Office building.

Nassim Hill @ Killiney
1 Killiney Road, Level 2
Singapore 239518
Tel: +65 8339 5368

Walking down Orchard Road, there are plenty of famous malls that line the streets but one of the lesser-known ones is TripleOne Somerset even though it’s right outside the MRT Station. Recently renovated, this mall now has several attractive food options – from lunch to coffee and pastries.

One cafe, in particular, could be your new favourite cafe in town – Glyph Supply Co. It’s a minimalist’s dream, decked in white walls and simple decor. They serve up some delicious coffee and pastries so you could spend your entire morning sipping away watching as bustling crowds pass by the roads of Orchard Road.

We first ordered a Hot White (S$5.50) from their selection of coffee. We thought that the coffee was very smooth and did not have any unpleasant bitterness that lingered on our tastebuds. It was slightly acidic, though.

We also had the iced Matcha Latte (S$7). They hand-whisk ceremonial grade matcha powder in the latte resulting in a smooth matcha flavour with grassy yet floral tasting notes.

To go along with our drinks, we chose to have Glyph Supply Co’s Lemon Drizzle Loaf (S$5). Though it was rather petite in size, it packed a big punch of flavour. This is the kind of cake that will instantly lift your spirits, perfuming your tastebuds with the vibrant flavour of lemon. Sweet, tangy and addictive – hallmarks of a wonderful lemon cake.

This minimalist cafe is definitely a gem tucked away in the heart of Orchard road. Give them a try when you’re in town – their friendly staff will be more than happy to cater to your coffee cravings!

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06
Singapore 238164
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 7.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

The Korean food scene in Singapore has been on the rise over the last couple of years. This is not a surprise for many of us since Korea has been riding on the tidal wave of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, and we all love Korean products.

Nipong Naepong has been on our little red dot for over a year now, satisfying the cravings of numerous Korean food enthusiasts with scrumptious Chinese-Korean cuisine. As Singapore’s first “ppong” specialty restaurant, the restaurant has seamlessly fused flavours inspired from around the world with impeccable flair.

For the uninitiated, jjamppong (ppong in short) is a Korean noodle dish typically served with spicy meat and/or seafood.

If you have been wanting to try jjamppong from all the K-Dramas you have been watching, drop by Nipong Naepong today! Two different amazing deals await,  too!

LUNCH DEAL AND OFF-PEAK HOUR PROMOTIONS

Presenting customers with the ultimate steal for Nipong Naepong’s dishes, a selection of ppong is paired with a glass of grapefruit or citrus ade for S$12++ to S$15++. This lunch deal happens on Mondays to Fridays from 11am to 2pm!

Diners will be able to satisfy their cravings and experience unique combinations of jjamppong that will take their tastebuds on a fiery, flavour-packed journey.

Unable to head to a Nipong Naepong outlet during lunch hour? Fret not, they also have discounts during off-peak hours on weekdays for their à la carte items! The discount increases by 10% with every hour—from 2pm to 3pm à la carte items are 10% off, from 3pm to 4pm they are priced at 20% off, and during the last hour at 4pm to 5pm à la carte dishes are 30% off!

Offering customers a wide selection of flavours and textures of the Ppong, there are soupy, creamy and dry varieties to cater to a myriad of preferences. We tried a diverse selection of their dishes to help you decide which dish is the perfect one for you.

THE PPONG

Dedicated to offering their diners with the most authentic flavours and food quality, Nipong Naepong ships all of their noodles, sauces and soup stocks directly from the franchise’s central kitchen in South Korea for the sake of authenticity.

CHA PPONG

Touted as the traditional and original form of jjamppong, the Cha Ppong (S$15.80) has a flavourful broth filled to the brim with jjolmyeon (Korean wheat noodles) and ingredients such as mussels, squid, prawn and quail eggs.

Cha Ppong is a crowd pleaser that offers a pleasurable spicy kick which adds further depth to the seafood broth. This is the dish for people who enjoy ramping up the heat; customers are able to choose the level of spiciness they prefer for their Cha Ppong, between level 1 and level 2 spice.

TAE PPONG

Inspired by Thailand’s Phad Thai, Tae Ppong (S$15.80) is a mildly sweet and spicy version. Wok-fried to enhance the dish, the ingredients come with a smoky aroma that raises the savoury flavours of the seafood.

Our table enjoyed the Tae Ppong for its creative take on Thai cuisine.

TOM YUM PPONG

The Tom Yum Ppong (S$14.80) a new one to the menu, and is Nipong Naepong’s take on the recognised Thai dish and comes in a cream sauce!

Cream sauce is typically heavier on the palate, but this dish carries the familiar fragrance of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf and spice to cut through the creaminess. Tom Yum lovers will not be disappointed by this dish.

VONGOLE PPONG

Steeped in a bed of fresh seafood and spiked with white wine, the Vongole Ppong (S$16.80) will win the hearts of seafood lovers; it is served with generous portions of plump and briny clams.

Whole cloves of garlic are also used in the dish to heighten the savoury flavour profile of the Vongole Ppong.

RO PPONG-ROJE

Nipong Naepong has married the wonderful flavours of tangy tomato sauce and the richness of cream sauce in their Ro Ppong-Roje (S$17.80).

This “pink” sauce ppong will please every pasta fan; it truly has a complementary richness and freshness of both sauces to satisfy everyone. It is even topped with a substantial helping of mozzarella to make the Ppong even more lavish and incredibly mouth-watering. This was a favourite at our table.

SALAD PPONG

Presenting light and refreshing flavours for a wholesome meal, the Salad Ppong (S$15.80) is filled with a colourful variety of mixed vegetables, succulent seafood and chewy jjolmyeon covered in sweet chilli dressing!

The Salad Ppong is both sweet and savoury all at once and is even covered in a blanket of parmesan cheese; an appetising and well-rounded meal indeed.

RISOTTO

Spinning their own twist onto Italian Risottos with their signature sauces and soup stocks shipped from South Korea, Nipong Naepong keeps it classic with Arborio rice to maintain a delectable richness to the dish.

SPICY KEU RISOTTO

Drawing a mild level of heat from chilli oil that is combined with cream sauce, the Spicy Keu Risotto (S$15.80) will tantalise your tastebuds with the burst of flavours from the drool-worthy smoky aroma of the wok-fried seafood.

SOI CHICKEN RISOTTO

Providing diners with an explosion of umami flavours, the Soi Chicken Risotto (S$11.80) is a dish the children will love, especially with the pile of bonito flakes that it is topped with.

This risotto is yet another innovative Thai-influenced flavour that is presented with chunks of soy seasoned chicken and deep-fried shallots. This is also one non-seafood alternative on the menu for those who may not fancy shellfish.

PIZZA

South Korea is known for its creative take on pizzas with interesting combinations of toppings that the rest of the world would never have thought to put together! Nipong Naepong rides on this creativity while adding their own originality and flair to it.

NINAE PIZZA – SPINACH

Seamlessly marrying savoury and sweet flavours, the Ninae Pizza – Spinach (S$18.80) is topped with a large helping of fresh spinach leaves, juicy cherry tomatoes, dollops of cream cheese and just the right amount of drizzled honey. To enjoy our slice of pizza, the staff recommended that we roll it up!

We could not help but be amazed yet again by Nipong Naepong’s creativeness. The tortilla base provides a salty foundation that is complemented by the velvety texture of the cream cheese and cut by the sweetness of the honey. The vegetables also adds a layer of freshness to the palate.

NI PIZZA – SWEET POTATO

Finish your meal with the Ni Pizza – Sweet Potato (S$16.80). A favourite among customers for the velvety smooth sweet potato puree, this addictive pizza comes with a helping of homemade whipped cream to dunk your slice into before enjoying the myriad of flavours dancing in your mouth.

We were told that the best way to enjoy this pizza is to fold it like a slice of New York pizza and scoop the whipped cream up with it.

313@somerset
313 Orchard Rd
#B3-03 313@somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6509 8364
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Jem
50 Jurong Gateway Rd
Jem #01-16
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6816 8061
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

This post was brought to you by Nipong Naepong.

Japanese eateries are common in Singapore; there are a plethora of them scattered all over our sunny island and their prices can range from wallet-friendly to ‘I may have to eat soya sauce and rice for the next 2 weeks’.

Joining the ranks of the wallet-friendly list is Sora Boru, a brand-new Japanese dining concept in Somerset that dishes out a wide range of Japanese casual one-dish meals at incredibly affordable prices. Sora Boru is conveniently located in the heart of town at 313@Somerset and it is little wonder how it is already so well-received among executives who work in the area as well as students and shoppers.

Playfully named after the way the Japanese pronounce ‘bowl’, Sora Boru’s menu includes customisable chirashi-don, curry rice bowls, soba and their signature Volcano Beef Don and Snow Beef Don. All the mains here come in regular and mini sizes—great for different people with varying appetites.

And from 17 to 30 April 2019, quote “ladyironchef” or flash this advertorial when you order any Regular main and get any Mini of your choice at Sora Boru!

As of August 2019, Sora Boru is officially halal-certified. You can bring your Muslim friends to enjoy Sora Boru’s affordable Japanese meals.

VOLCANO BEEF DON

Aptly named after its appearance, Sora Boru’s Volcano Beef Don (S$11.90) is a glorified beef bowl of Japanese rice topped with your choice of stewed cabbage or seasoned bean sprouts and a massive pile of incredibly tender flame-grilled slices of beef.

The cherry on top is the rivulets of ‘lava’ that run down the sides of the volcano, which is essentially Sora Boru’s special in-house concocted spicy sauce. Coating the heap of beef evenly and generously, the sauce adds that much needed fiery kick that makes this dish deserving of its volcanic title.

SNOW BEEF DON 

On the other end of the spectrum is their Snow Beef Don (S$11.90) where instead of spicy gochujang sauce, the beef is doused in a unique homemade sweet and savoury sauce that is made from whipping cream. This is further enhanced by a generous sprinkling of grated parmesan which gives the dish its snow effect.

In comparison to its spicy counterpart, the Snow Beef Don has a creamier texture as well as a much sweeter flavour that stems from the whipping cream. The contrast of the sweetness from the sauce with the savouriness from the parmesan cheese created a medley of varying flavours that definitely got us hooked!

If we had to choose between the two, we admit that it won’t be an easy decision because we are equally obsessed with both of them. But if you really can’t make up your mind, then get both! We recommend getting the mini versions of both don (S$7.50 each) so that you can have the best of both worlds!

CUSTOMISABLE CHIRASHIBORU 

Fans of chirashi-don would know that a decent bowl of this goodness does not come cheap. Here at Sora Boru, fill your bowl to the brim with juicy cubes of sashimi. Mini bowls are super affordable and are priced at S$6.50, while regular bowls are at S$11.90 and large bowls at S$16.90.

What we also love about their chirashi-don is its customisability. Through a six-step process, diners can pick and choose their preferred bowl size, base, raw fish, add-ons, sauces and garnishes.

Examples of some of the raw fish that you can choose to add into your ChirashiBoru are salmon, scallop, tuna, octopus and swordfish.

BARA CHIRASHI EBIMAYO ABURI DON 

If you want to up your chirashi don game, you can opt for their Bara Chirashi Ebimayo Aburi Don (Mini S$9.50, Regular S$16.90) instead. This bowl of goodness features cubes of assorted half-grilled seafood such as salmon and baby scallops, tamagoyaki, tempura bits and cucumber that are blanketed in an incredibly aromatic blow-torched shrimp roe mayonnaise.

The savoury umami of the shrimp roe mayonnaise was reminiscent of the flavours of mentaiko. Blow-torching the decadent sauce also created a lovely char and an irresistible smoky flavour. Texture wise, the tempura bits added a lovely crunch to the entire dish and provided a nice contrast to the chewy sashimi cubes.

If chirashi and beef do aren’t your thing, you can always try the other dons available which include their Salmon Teriyaki Toji Don (Mini S$7.50, Regular S$13.90), Chicken Teriyaki Toji Don (Mini S$4.90, Regular S$8.50) and Ebi Vegetable Tendon (Mini S$4.90, Regular S$9.50).

CURRYBORU 

Japanese curry has always been regarded as one of Japan’s most well-loved comfort foods, which is why Sora Boru has an entire section of their menu dedicated to this perennial favourite.

Every bowl of CurryBoru here is drenched in a gratifyingly rich curry sauce that is cooked with a secret recipe that has been fine-tuned and perfected for months. Mildly spicy with subtle hints of fruity acidity, this robust concoction packs on a lot of flavours without being too cloying. Based on how much heat you can take, you can also choose between two levels of spiciness.

Each bowl of curry rice is paired with one type of deep-fried meat or seafood. Some options available are the Chicken Katsu CurryBoru (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90), Shabu Beef CurryBoru (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90) and Breaded Ebi CurryBoru (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90).

If you’re feeling more peckish than usual, you can opt for one of their curry combo sets which are the Breaded Ebi with Shabu Beef CurryBoru (Regular S$12.90) and the Breaded Salmon with Shabu Beef CurryBoru (Regular S$11.90).

CHA SOBA SETS 

Sora Boru also has a selection of noodle options for you to tuck into. The cha soba here is springy and cooked to a nice al dente which goes perfectly with the chilled, savoury dipping sauce or warm soup.

The cha soba can also be enjoyed with your choice of accompaniments such as Ebi Vegetable Tempura (Mini S$7.50, Regular S$12.90), Chicken Karaage (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90) and Chicken Katsu (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90).

SCRUMMY SIDES

If you’d like more food for sharing (or if you’re simply ravenous), get some sides to go along with your mains. The recommended picks are Chicken Gyoza (S$8.50 for 6 pieces), Chawanmushi (S$1.90) and Yasai Corn Tempura with Tartar Sauce (S$5.50).

Our favourite of the lot is the Crispy Salmon Skin with Egg Mayo Dip (S$8.50) which features insanely crispy slivers of fish skin fried to a lovely golden brown. The egg mayo dip adds an addictively sweet and savoury touch to the salmon skin and we couldn’t stop ourselves from slathering everything on sight with it.

From 17 to 30 April 2019, quote “ladyironchef” or flash this advertorial when you order any Regular main and get any Mini of your choice at Sora Boru!

Terms & Conditions
- Valid for dine-in only
- Orders and redemptions must be made at the cashier
- Promotion is valid for any Regular and any Mini ChirashiBoru / DonBoru / CurryBoru / Noodles
- This offer cannot be stacked with any other promotions or discounts
- Flash Ladyironchef’s corresponding Facebook / Instagram / blog post to redeem

Sora Boru
313@Somerset #B3-19/20
313 Orchard Road
Singapore 238895
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Sora Boru. 

More than just another Korean restaurant dishing out your typical Korean stews, fried chicken and soju, NY Night Market impresses with its unique, over-the-top renditions of popular Korean delicacies. No, this is far more than just another joint for you to drown out your post-Seoul vacation blues.

Hailing from Seoul, this restaurant brings to Singapore a taste of new-age, contemporary cuisine fusing the best of both Western and Korean influences. Imagine this: the vibrant cuisine of cosmopolitan New York City intermingling with the nuanced, hearty flavours of Korea. The result? A smorgasbord of mouthwatering delights that are just too decadent to handle—on your own at least. Nearly everything on the menu comes laden with melted cheese, cream or bacon which is never a bad idea—unless you’re dieting.

There are so many items to choose from, each with its own unique quirks and delicious appeal, but if we had to pick a favourite, we’d easily go for their M.A.C Feat Bacon (a twist on the classic mac & cheese) as well as their unique take on a Korean classic, Budaejjigae—a dish that sees a heaping mound of bulgogi beef and a jumbo pork sausage on top of the usual trimmings.

We hope you brought along your appetite because NY Night Market is anything but light, what you can expect is a full-on feast of next-level fusion food—one that perfectly fuses the best of Korean comfort food and New York City-style attitude.

From 21 March to 10 April 2019, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy the following discounts at NY Night Market:

Get S$10 off with min S$50 spent
Get S$20 off with min S$100 spent
Get S$30 off with min S$150 spent

WATERFALL CHEESE SHRIMP

If you love the crunchy texture of fresh shrimp, as well as the idea of warm, savoury liquified cheese, doused over its sweet flesh then their Waterfall Cheese Shrimp (S$14.90++) will work up to be quite the treat.

The shrimps are first grilled along with a combination of herbs, vegetables and simple seasonings before being covered with a generous pour of melted cheese. The cheese sauce here is a combination of mozzarella and emmental—which is mildly sharp, buttery, slightly nutty but more importantly, stretchy enough to give you a satisfying cheese pull.

CREAM THE CURRY FEAT. TOPPOKI

A dish that packs serious heat and comes with a rather intimidating surprise is their Cream The Curry (S$14.90++). The dish arrives looking rather uninspiring at first, but not until a heaping mound of whipped cream is layered over it. Dig in through the layer of cloud-like cream to reveal a layer of chewy Korean rice cakes swimming in a lip-smacking red curry along with a handful of softened bell peppers.

Spicy, sweet and creamy all in one mouthful, this velvety smooth mammoth of a dish is given a sprinkling of curry powder as a finishing touch. Warm, savoury and oozing with a milky richness, this dish is one that really grows on you.

WATERFALL CHEESE STEAK

If you’ve never experienced a proper cheese raclette meal before, you haven’t missed out on much and we’re willing to go as far as to say that their Waterfall Cheese Steak (S$15.90++) is heaps better than the posh Swiss delicacy.

Certainly gimmicky, the dish sees chunks of sautéed beef on a hot plate loaded with sweet cherry tomatoes, broccoli coated in barbecue sauce before a cascade of cheese sauce is poured over top. Beyond the drama aspect of it, the dish was actually pretty good. The beef cubes were soft, tender and juicy and the cheese sauce complemented the sweet barbecue sauce well.

YOU’RE BACON ME HUNGRY

Korean sandwiches have been the fad as of late, but trust NY Night Market to do more than just serve up everyday sandwiches. Available from 8am to 6pm daily at NY Night Market’s 313 Somerset outlet only, tuck into a wide variety of sandwich options spanning the humble Bulgogi Babe (S$7.90++) to the bacon and cheese loaded You’re Bacon Me Hungry (S$7.90++).

More than your everyday bacon sandwich, their version is essentially a big breakfast compressed between two slices of toasted brioche, the contents of which see generous strips of fried bacon, scrambled eggs, hash brown, cheese, shredded cabbage, their house-made jam and tartar sauce. For lack of a better word, it was divine. It has everything you’d want in a sandwich from the fried, greasy components to the sweet, savoury and tangy profiles that make it incredibly addictive.

M.A.C FEAT BACON

What’s a cheese-forward menu without a section dedicated to the comfort food classic, Mac & Cheese? Here they have 3 varieties for you to choose from but we opted for the M.A.C feat Bacon (S$11.90++).

Enhanced with lashings of potato and bacon bits, the dish had a nice, smooth texture underscored by a rich, smoky and savoury flavour. Cheesy and all in all satisfying, this is one dish we wouldn’t mind stuffing ourselves with as we binge on Netflix.

BEEF LEEK PIZZA

The Beef Leek Pizza (S$15.90++) is a treat for meat lovers. Think thin slices of medium-rare steak neatly laid over a crispy tortilla sheet brushed generously with a sweet, luscious barbecue sauce with bits of savoury leeks scattered around. The result? A crispy, thin-crusted pizza oozing with sweet, smoky and beefy flavours, accompanied by a fragrant, umami hum from the sautéed leeks.

BUDAEJJIGAE

If you take a classic Korean army stew, load it up with a jumbo pork sausage that’s long enough to line the circumference of a round dish, bulgogi beef, melted cheese and possibly a pump of steroids as well, you might end up with something that’s a fraction of NY Night Market’s Budaejjigae (S$18.90++).

It is what it is—a heart attack in a pot—but for what it’s worth, it is essentially a pot brimming with both fried and stewed goodies, closely resembling a classic Korean army stew but double the satisfaction.

30CM STEAK FRITES

The crème de la crème of all of NY Night Markets steak offerings has got to be their colossal 30cm Steak Frites (S$22.90++). A feast for the eyes, what you get is a 30cm board that’s topped generously with grilled ribeye along with thick-cut fries and a medley of roasted vegetables.

ROSTI & BEEF

Made with finely shredded russets, the Rosti & Beef (S$11.90++) was crispy around the edges but pillowy soft in the middle. Topped with a dollop of sour cream, the sharp, creamy flavour of it did well to balance out the sweet, intensely meaty flavours of the bulgogi beef.

Although this dish is by no means American or Korean—it’s actually Swiss—we must admit that they were pretty spot-on with their own rendition of it.

PASTA DE DAK-GALBI

The Pasta Dak-Galbi (S$17.90++) is a whimsical, calorie-dense fusion dish comprising the likes of Korean dak galbi (spicy grilled chicken) and an assortment of vegetables with a heaping mound of spaghetti covered in a sweet, tangy tomato sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese. Not for the faint of heart, this pasta dish packs an intense fiery punch and you’ll likely be needing to gulp down a drink two bites in.

ALL-IN PLATTER

If you’re finding it hard to decide on a specific dish to order, why not order up a bit of everything to try? Provided you’re in a group with people who can seriously eat, order up the All-In (S$34.90++), a ginormous sharing platter comprising steak, shrimp, grilled pork, mac & cheese, bread rolls as well as an assortment of dipping sauces for you to choose from.

This really had us stuffed but if we’re talking about some of the best sharing platters we’ve ever had, this would easily come up among our top three. Every component was cooked perfectly, from the crunchy, lightly spiced skewered shrimps to the pink-hued medium-rare steaks.

From 21 March to 10 April 2019, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy the following discounts at NY Night Market:

Get S$10 off with min S$50 spent
Get S$20 off with min S$100 spent
Get S$30 off with min S$150 spent

Terms & Conditions
- Applicable for dine-in only at NY Night Market 313 Somerset and Westgate
- Minimum spend must not include amount spent on 1-for-1 beer
- Minimum spend must be on a single bill
- Quote ‘ladyironchef’ or flash our website / Facebook /Instagram post to redeem the promotion.

NY Night Market (313@Somerset)
313 Orchard Road #01-29,
313@Somerset,
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6957 4620
Sun to Thu: 8am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 1am
Nearest Station: Somerset

NY Night Market (Westgate)
3 Gateway Dr,
#01-08 Westgate,
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 6816 1018
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

This post was brought to you by NY Night Market.

Many hold Tanuki Raw in high regard not only because of their enticing happy hours and their affordable oysters, but mainly because these folks know how to guarantee a fun time through their remarkably innovative grub and tipples.

These are the same folks who inspired and more importantly popularised the low-cost Yakiniku Donburi—a heady bowl of sushi rice topped with strips of Angus short rib, doused in a truffle sauce and topped with a wobbly onsen egg.

Photo Credit: Tanuki Raw

Don’t think for a minute that this is some ordinary sushi and sashimi eatery because it’s not—just don’t forget to take advantage of their signature daily raw bar—their original claim to fame—that features top of the line oysters, freshly shucked for enjoyment.

The restaurant sees two open concept areas where chefs and bartenders alike can be seen expertly doing their thing from shucking oysters by the boxes to flame torching an assortment of rice bowls and even shaking some magnificent tipples.

Loyal patrons would tell you that Tanuki Raw is best for their impeccable range of donburi which—unsurprisingly—also happens to be their bestsellers. If you are having trouble deciding which to pick, then you cannot go wrong with the Truffle Yakiniku (S$18++), Salted Duck Egg Char Siew (S$18++) and Tanuki Kaisen Chirashi (S$24.90++).

Save your stomach for more because Tanuki Raw’s decadent sushi rolls are perfect for sharing as well. Some options to consider include Tanuki Aburi Maki (S$14.90++), Superstar Roll (S$12.90++) and The California Roll (S$8.90++).

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

Tanuki Raw
181 Orchard Road
04-01, Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6636 5949
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

A well-known gem for quality brunch item and strategic location near Somerset MRT station, Oriole Coffee + Bar has recently expanded their menu and upped their game in the local cafe and bar scene.

Whether it is gourmet coffee that you are craving or alcohol for you to indulge in during a night out with your friends, Oriole Coffee + Bar posits as one of the best spots in town for you to have a meal at and chill out. Founded in 2008, this diner has an interesting concept as it transforms from a hipster cafe during the daytime to a snazzy bar by dusk.

We’ve been frequenting Oriole Coffee + Bar since its opening and we have to say that their food and coffee are consistently good—if not, getting better and better over the years—and it is one of our favourite cafes in Singapore.

From now until 31 May 2018, diners who spend S$35++ with Mastercard are treated to Oriole Coffee + Bar’s signature Har Cheong Gai at only $1++! Do note that the promotion is only valid from Monday through Friday, 11am to 3pm, excluding eve and day of public holidays at the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard outlet.

THE CONCEPT

Oriole Coffee + Bar is essentially a specialty coffeehouse in the day and a bar by night. During the day, guests get to indulge in hearty meals while watching the skilled baristas in action as they create each cup of coffee with precision and care.

When night falls, get ready to be serenaded with live music as you knock down pints of beer or sip on cocktails throughout the night. Their all-encompassing drinks menu features cocktails, draft beers, wine and spirits.

Situated in Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard which is just right beside 313@Somerset, Oriole Coffee + Bar definitely does not fall short in terms of serving quality grub to cater to both locals and tourists around the area.

HEARTY ALL-DAY BREAKFAST ITEMS

Don’t we all love all-day breakfast items? If you are like us who cannot wake up early, Oriole Coffee + Bar has plenty of options for All-Day Breakfast meals, which are available from 8am to 6pm daily.

One of their highly recommended dishes is the Fully Loaded (S$22) that will surely, well, leave you loaded and fuelled. Choose how you would like your eggs to be cooked, and have them with 2 types of meat, maple-glazed bacon, roasted potatoes, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, baked bean and multigrain toast. There is also a gluten-free option for their multigrain toast!

For those with a smaller appetite and looking for a wholesome or vegetarian option, the Bircher (S$12) is a blend of healthy Greek yoghurt, rolled oats, fruits and granola.

COFFEE FOR THE DAY

Be it hot or cold coffee, Oriole Coffee + Bar will have you covered.

Coffee connoisseurs will definitely appreciate the effort taken by Oriole Coffee + Bar to offer the best brews in Singapore by travelling to countries like Ethiopia to source for beans and roasting them locally. Aside from single origin coffee brews, cold brews served black, with milk or non-dairy M.A.D milk (cold-pressed nut milk) are some crowd favourites you will be able to enjoy at the coffee specialty house.

In particular, the Death Cream (S$10++) is a special concoction of vanilla beans, espresso and cream – high level of caffeine well-balanced with the ensuing vanilla taste.

Otherwise, try their other signature in-house cold brew, Taisho White (S$8++), which is made using Oriole’s in-house signature Raven blend on the daily. Nitro cold brew lovers will be excited to hear that Oriole Coffee + Bar has recently introduced 5 different types of Nitro Cold Brew (S$7) too!

CLASSIC PIZZAS TO LOVE

This new addition to their extensive food menu is something to love. We sang nothing but praises for their Margherita Pizza (S$18), which was generously topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomato confit, parmesan cheese and basil leaves.

This dish would be good for sharing amongst a group of friends—but we wouldn’t promise that you and your buddies will not be fighting over the last slice!

SEAFOOD OPTIONS

Also a newly introduced dish, the Pan-Seared Barramundi (S$26) features a fresh fillet with nutty romesco sauce.

They also have other seafood options, such as Garlic Prawn Risotto (S$25) and classic Fish and Chips (S$20).

TRUFFLE MAC AND CHEESE

Do not be fooled by their Truffle Mac and Cheese (S$24) which is seemingly unappealing because the flavours are actually very on point. Unlike many dishes that claim to have truffle yet do not have a hint of truffle taste, the taste of truffle in this dish was extremely piquant for us.

Imagine freshly baked macaroni in cheese and topped off with chunky pieces of crabmeat, crunchy corn and then rounding it all up with aromatic truffle oil; it is any cheese lover’s wildest dreams come true.

PHILLY CHEESE STEAK

Open up their Philly Cheese Steak (S$18) to find a chock full of well-marinated beef, mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, mushrooms and capsicums sandwiched between toasted ciabatta bread.

With just the right proportion of the various ingredients, the sandwich is neither overwhelmingly sweet nor salty, making it very well-balanced.

FINGER FOOD

Look forward to close to 10 bar snack choices which are available from 11am onwards daily. These snacks go hand-in-hand with their beers and cocktails!

For an insanely addictive snack for sharing with friends, the Spam Fries (S$12++) is THE bar snack you have to get when you are at Oriole Coffee + Bar. Thick cuts of luncheon meat are deep-fried until crispy, making this sinful side the perfect accompaniment to your bubbles and ice-cold beer.

Oh what can we say, really? This is a guilty pleasure we are willing to forgo our diet for!

HAR CHEONG GAI AT ONLY S$1++

We have yet to meet a Singaporean who doesn’t enjoy Har Cheong Gai (S$16++). For the uninitiated, Har Cheong Gai is actually deep-fried chicken wings marinated with shrimp paste.

From now until 31 May 2018, Mastercard® cardholders can enjoy an exclusive deal—a serving of Har Cheong Gai at only S$1++ (U.P. S$16++) with a minimum spend of S$35++ on a la carte items in a single receipt.

Simply pay using any local or overseas Mastercard® credit or debit card to enjoy this deal! This promotion runs on weekdays from 11am to 3pm.

BAR BY DUSK

At 7pm daily, Oriole Coffee + Bar will feature a live band to bring out the chill vibes for the perfect ambience to have a glass of cocktail or beer after work. The outdoor seats will give you the best view of the live performances while you enjoy your meals and/or drinks.

We reckon that we aren’t the only ones who love their concept of ‘Café by Day, Bar by Dusk’, right? Besides whipping up quality grub and serving gourmet coffee, get some alcoholic drinks here at Oriole Coffee + Bar at night after a long day at work!

Oriole Coffee + Bar
96 Somerset Road, #01-01, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard
Singapore 238163
Sundays to Thursdays: 8am – 11pm
Fridays and Saturdays: 8am – 12am
Tel: 6238 8348
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Oriole Coffee + Bar.

It is tucked at a corner on the second level of Cuppage Plaza and you wouldn’t otherwise walk past it unless you were particularly looking out for it. The nondescript outlet has been around for three decades. We actually only discovered it about seven years ago but it has since remained as a favourite of ours whenever we want a simple, affordable Japanese meal in Orchard Road.

Izakaya Nijumaru is one hidden gem (literally) in Cuppage Plaza.

But if you find it, we say you walk right in and treat yourselves to a good Japanese meal. You’d be pleased to know that the prices are very reasonable and the menu is comprehensive.

Izakaya Nijumaru will have you reminiscing your times in Japan. The traditional setting—complete with dim lights, counter seats, seasonal menu handwritten in Japanese and plastered over the chef’s counter, fortune cats and beer taps—instantly made us feel like we have stepped into a Japanese izakaya. No frills, no pretence; Izakaya Nijumaru’s ambience hits all the right spots.

Then, there is a huge menu with many Japanese favourites that will spoil you silly. Set lunches start as low as S$9 for an Omelette Egg Rice to S$25 for an Unagi Bento Box complete with sashimi and miso soup.

For the in-betweens, go for the Buta Shioyaki Set (S$13), Deep Fried Pork Fillet (S$13) or Tendon (S$13). We are crazy about tempura bowls and the Tendon here didn’t disappoint. An assortment of prawns and vegetables served atop Japanese rice, this hearty bowl is something we’d return to Izakaya Nijumaru for.

The most value-for-money set and the one we loved most is the Nijumaru Bento Box (S$21) that comprises sashimi, grilled saba, pork belly, tempura and miso soup. The pork belly, in particular, was super flavourful and the grilled saba was fresh and sweet.

There is a concise sashimi moriawase selection, a series of simmered dishes such as Chawan Mushi (S$5.50) and Oden (S$9), and a whole page of grilled items (think xxx and xxx).

Japanese food wouldn’t be complete without a good beer or whisky and over at Izakaya Nijumaru, the beverage list is pretty well-curated in their own rights, too.

Izakaya Nijumaru
5 Koek Rd, #02- 228796, 10 Cuppage Rd
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Singapore is home to many dessert monsters and this craze for desserts has led to a spike in dessert places in Singapore over the last decade. Ranging from the ever popular chocolate waffles to the trending Korean Bingsu, Somerset is one area in Orchard Road, Singapore that boasts a whole slew of dessert options.

Just in that area alone, we managed to suss out dessert places housed in both proper dessert cafes and/or served in food kiosks. No matter what kind of sweet indulgence or experience you are looking for, you should find it in this guide.

Here is A Sweet Tooth’s Guide To 24 Dessert Places In Somerset.

ANTOINETTE

Antoinette is one of Singapore’s favourite patisseries in Singapore and it has an impressive range of desserts such as Mont Blanc, Le Royale, Saint Honoré l’ Amour, Strawberry Shortcake, and their namesake creation, Antoinette – a milk chocolate mousse infused with earl grey tea.

333A Orchard Road
#02-33/34 Mandarin Gallery
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6836 9527
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ARTEASTIQ BOUTIQUE TEA HOUSE

Arteastiq Boutique Tea House at Mandarin Gallery exudes the kind of sexiness you would associate with a date night or a regal dining affair for the high society.

The Silk Thread (S$13) is an interesting rendition of crème brûlée. It is not your usual sweet custard; it is infused with osmanthus. Lightly creamy and significantly less sweet, this variation is served with fresh plump berries.

333A Orchard Road
#04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6235 8370
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

BEN & JERRY’S

Everyone knows Ben & Jerry’s for its interesting ice cream flavours. The popular ones at 313@Somerset include Chocolate Fudge Brownie, New York Super Fudge Chunk and The Tonight Dough.

Apart from that, the ice cream parlour also offers sundaes, smoothies and shakes.

313 Orchard Road
#01-25/25A 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6884 9505
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

CHOCOLATE ORIGIN

Specialising in molten lava cakes, Chocolate Origin’s intense chocolate cake is paired with a scoop of cold vanilla ice-cream at the bottom. If that is not enough chocolate for you, get the speciality cakes that come in two flavours—original and dark chocolate.

313 Orchard Road
#B3-10A 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6884 4019
Daily: 2pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

CHURRO 101

Our picks from this popular Korean churro are the Dark Chocolate-dipped Churros and the filled churros, best eaten warm for that satisfying crunch.

313 Orchard Road
#B3-49 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

COLD STONE CREAMERY

Dedicated to being a multi-sensory ice cream chain, Cold Stone Creamery is known for their top quality ice cream and energetic crew working behind the counters.

Do not be surprised if the friendly staff to put up a short but exciting performance where they expertly toss your ice cream in the air before it lands into the cup.

181 Orchard Road
#01-17 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 1015
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DEAN & DELUCA

One of the top sellers at Dean & Deluca is its Rainbow Cake (S$7.50). The pastry chef uses six different fruit extracts – strawberry, orange, lemon, green apple, blueberry and grape – to give the cake its brilliant rainbow colours.

In fact, we liked it so much that Dean & Deluca’s cake is listed in our guide to Singapore’s best rainbow cakes.

181 Orchard Road
#01-09/10/15 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 7708
Sun to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Somerset

DOLCE TOKYO BY MOF

Aesthetically pleasing Japanese-Italian inspired desserts are the pride of Dolce Tokyo. Their Dessert Bento has five different types of desserts all neatly packed into a Japanese-style bento. You get to pick and choose a variety of options to personalise your own bento set.

GELÁRE CAFE

Geláre’s ice cream are all natural and do not contain any artificial ingredients, you can expect only the real deal. And everyone knows about Geláre Cafe’s half-priced promotion for their regular waffles on Tuesdays.

176 Orchard Road
#03-K01 The Centrepoint
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6659 6430
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

HONEY CREME

Known for its range of Korean-inspired soft-serve ice cream topped with different toppings such as honey comb (S$5.90), Organic Cotton Candy (S$5.50), and Popcorn (S$5.50) Honey Creme—a popular Taiwanese ice cream store has finally opened its first store in Singapore to much fanfare.

We will never say no to soft-serve ice cream on a hot day!

313 Orchard Road
#01-37 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6884 8468
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ICE LAB CAFE

Opened by Korean comedian Shin Jung-Hwan, this Korean Bingsu outlet makes you feel as though you are in Korea during the winter season. A polar bear structure right in the middle of the shop has captured the hearts of many visitors and it is apparently a snow making machine that will create artificial snow.

Choose between a range of Bingsu flavours such as Injeolmi, Milk, Oreo, Green tea and much more.

321 Orchard Road
#01-01/02 Orchard Shopping Centre
Singapore 238866
Tel: +65 9664 6885
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

LADY M CONFECTIONS

This well-known New York cake shop prides itself on creating the freshest and finest cakes. The signature cake Lady M Mille Crêpes consists no less than twenty paper-thin handmade crêpes layered with light and fresh cream.

181 Orchard Road
#01-27 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 3673
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

LLAO LLAO

With the array of toppings and sauces, Llaollao has revolutionised froyo, and they are no less pretty than ice cream sundaes.

Sanum is Llaollao’s signature – at S$6.95 per cup, it is really a froyo parfait that you can customise to your own preferences with three types of fruits, two crunches and one sauce.

313 Orchard Road
#B3-55 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

HONG KONG SHENG KEE DESSERT

Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert at The Centrepoint is where you will find authentic Hong Kong style desserts such as their Mango Combination Series, Rice Ball in Paste and Durian Sago.

176 Orchard Road
#B1-14 The Centrepoint
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6736 3688
Daily: 11am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

HVALA WAFFLE BAR

Hvala Waffle Bar, a food kiosk at the basement of 313@Somerset is popular for its Japanese soft serves and drinks. Try their Matcha and Houjicha Soft Serves.

Hvala Waffle Bar
313 Orchard Road
#B3-50 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

KISS THE TIRAMISU

Kiss The Tiramisu has been a hit in South Korea ever since its debut in Hongdae, fusing Tiramisu and soft serve ice cream served in a swanky gold-rimmed plastic “wine glass” for your perfect social media photo.

Each tiramisu soft serve is made pretty similarly to an actual classic tiramisu, with mascarpone cheese, ice cream, crushed cookies, coffee liqueur and cocoa powder.

277 Orchard Road
#01-15 Orchard Gateway
Singapore 238858
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MACCHA HOUSE

Matcha drinks are also really popular here and we can see why. Their matcha latte is one of our favourites and one that we always return for.

The Matcha Tiramisu (S$6) and Matcha Chocolate Parfait (S$10) were two desserts that we enjoyed on our trip there.

181 Orchard Road
#B1-40 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6636 5830
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

NUNSARAM KOREAN DESSERT

If you are heading to town, do swing by Nunsaram. Conveniently located at Orchard Central, it prides itself as the go-to cafe for desserts or simply a place where friends can hang out after a meal.

Most of the Bingsu in the cafe are presented with a scoop of ice cream sitting glamorously atop the pile of ice. We heard that they use fresh ingredients for every serving of Bingsu – such as the Sweet Potato Bingsu (S$12.90), where the purple paste is acquired from the sweet potato root itself.

181 Orchard Road
#05-51/52 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

O’MA SPOON

Having their Bingsu was akin to eating snowflakes with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that all of us approved. Their Patbingsu (S$12.80) did the phrase “less is more” justice. We were in awe of how a classic Bingsu that was served in just sweet azuki beans atop milk ice shavings could rock our worlds with its heavenly medley of textures and flavours.

313 Orchard Road
#04-20/32 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Sun to Thu: 11.15am – 10.45pm
Fri to Sat: 11.15am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

PONG HANDCRAFTED GELATO

Thai coconut ice cream is a dessert we will always love but not all of us have the time or money to fly over to Bangkok whenever that craving kicks in.

Pong Handcrafted Gelato in Scape is where you can go to satisfy your Thai coconut ice cream desire. The fresh gelato is placed in a coconut husk and you get to choose toppings that you fancy.

2 Orchard Link
#02-18C SCAPE
Singapore 237978
Daily: 12.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SUGAR LIPS

Quirky and whimsical, we did more than just a double take when walking past this dessert shop. Colourful paint is splashed across the cafe’s concrete floors, walls and exposed pipes.

We went for the Red Velvet Fluffy Waffle and Chocolate Seduction Truffle Cake. The former comprises octagon-shaped delightfully crisp red velvet waffles that are pillowy inside, while the latter is a sinfully rich chocolate cake alternated with generous amounts of chocolatey mousse.

277 Orchard Road
#02-01 Orchard Gateway
Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 6386 6387
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TSUJIRI TEA HOUSE

We highly recommend going for Tsujiri Tea House’s classic Matcha Latte (S$5.60) and matcha soft serve (S$4.80). The matcha flavours are crazy intense but so good at the same time. Die-hard matcha fans will definitely fall in love with it right away.

176 Orchard Road
#01 – 101 The Centrepoint
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6238 8824
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TWELVE CUPCAKES

Best known for their photogenic cupcakes, Twelve Cupcakes started out in 2011 founded by local celebrity couple Daniel and Jaime Teo.

Their standard menu consist of flavours such as Red Velvet, Cookies And Cream and Salted Caramel. In addition, they also have seasonal menus that change frequently to offer more variety.

277 Orchard Road
B1-01A Orchard Gateway
Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 6509 1255
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

21 CUBE ARTISAN ICE CREAM

Fried ice cream rolls were all the rage on social media just awhile ago after it became popular in Thailand.

While the trend is dying down, you can still find ice cream rolls at 21 CUBE Artisan Ice Cream. They have a good variety of flavours and toppings for you to choose from.

For more recommendations, read The Ultimate Orchard Road Food Guide that features the best places to eat at in Orchard Road.

&nbsp:

Fans of Dazzling Cafe will be delighted to know that a second outlet – Dazzling Cafe Pink – will be officially opening its doors at Orchardgateway on 23 March 2016!

Dazzling Cafe Pink is more female-centric with a dining and retail concept, featuring a plethora of different brands and products ranging from hand bags to fashion accessories. This probably also means a shorter queue at its first outlet at Capitol Piazza!

The new concept will maintain its pastel and ‘fun’ theme with a slight twist. Dazzling Cafe Pink’s interior is carnival-theme with pink and black as the primary colours. The interior of the cafe is designed by none other than America-based Taiwanese designer Angelo Wang.

Now, you can enjoy Dazzling Cafe’s popular desserts and dishes, then head over to the retail side to bag home some merchandise for yourself at the spanking new Dazzling Cafe Pink.

Savour sweet treats such as the Pandan Salted Gula Melaka Honey Toast and savoury mains such as Lobster Risotto. Besides this, all the different specialty Honey Toasts will be served here too, alongside a selection of brunch dishes.

Brands such as Star by Yun, Momo’s March, Evocateur, Hypso, Vanessa Mooney, Susan & Company, Hipanema and Vita Fede, will be showcased on the retail side.

With the massive success of Dazzling Cafe Singapore’s flagship outlet at Capitol Piazza, we can only imagine snaking queues at Dazzling Cafe Pink for the first few weeks.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Dazzling Cafe Pink
#01-12, #01-13, #01-14 Orchard Gateway
Singapore 238851
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Have you realised that Chinese New Year (CNY) is only a mere few weeks away? It is scary how time flies, but we are only thankful that the upcoming festive public holiday means yet another opportunity to spend time with our loved ones.

And of course, we have to profess our love for Mitzo, right? It has always been one of our favourite dining destinations for Chinese gourmet and we are all ecstatic about the scrumptious festive sets, CNY-themed cocktails and takeouts specially for the upcoming Chinese New Year at this sexy Chinese restaurant.

Mitzo’s irresistibly groundbreaking renditions of Chinese classics are far from ordinary, yet by no means stray away from traditional practices. The CNY specials will all be available from 23 Jan 2016 to 22 Feb 2016 for both lunch and dinner.

Quote “ladyironchef” and book by 20 Jan 2016 to enjoy 15% off (*not valid for 07 Feb 2016) all set menus and goodies at Mitzo.

By tradition, Lunar New Year is incomplete until everyone has tossed the yusheng. Celebrated Chef Nicky Ng – previously the head chef at Michelin-starred Hakkasan New York – and his A-team have created a unique reinterpretation of the classic Lo Hei.

The unexpected ingredients are unexpected choices for yusheng, especially the burst-in-your-mouth lychee caviars and crispy lotus root chips.

Mitzo’s Pearls of Prosperity Kingfish Yusheng (regular – S$68++, large – S$108++) is truly one of a kind. It uses superbly fresh Japanese Kanpachi Kingfish sashimi that is both sweet and rich in flavour and everything is plated so gorgeously.

A homemade savoury Chu Hou sauce which comprises garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, spices and soybeans is then drizzled all over, ready for you to toss to prosperity. You would have noticed that crispy lotus roots, fried salmon skin and toasted pistachos are too used to give the overall dish an extra crunch. Note that a regular portion can feed 4 to 5 guests, while the large portion is great for 10 pax.

If any of your dining companions are vegetarian or unfortunately allergic to seafood, Mitzo has a meat-free option. Bouncy Konnyaku jelly – which has an uncanny resemblance to the fish slices in terms of texture and appearance -  is used to replace raw fish slices.

The refreshing Prosperity Toss is characterised by a plethora of colourful fresh fruits such as mango, rock melon, and honeydew – just to name a few.

Have your chopsticks ready? Dig in and start exchanging well wishes!

The Superior Fortune Pot (S$338++) aka Pen Cai is an extravagant delicacy worth splurging on. Traditionally, this casserole-like basin is served to the Emperor, hence symbolic of wealth and prosperity. The piping hot bowl – filled with over 10 types of luxurious ingredients such as crispy roast pork belly, sea cucumbers, fish maw, premium abalone and more – is a must-eat during Chinese New Year. Portions are huge, and no less satisfying.

And at Mitzo, the star is definitely the Superior Lobster Fortune Pot (S$398++) – where generous amounts of succulent lobsters cooked in Mao Tai Chinese liquor are added on top of the already-sumptuous spread in the basin.

Mitzo’s Chinese New Year set menus are aplenty, too. The servings cater to a small group of four to a group of ten; prices start from S$118++ per pax to S$1,288++ per table, and every menu features different highlights and special creations, of which the platter of handcrafted steamed and fried nian gao is our favourite!

Nian gao is a classic CNY dish of sticky cake that symbolises good luck and the welcoming of a ‘higher year’.

Still need more recommendations?

We say you cannot skip Mitzo’s two signatures and everyone’s favourites – the Special Barbeque Pork (S$18++) and Black Truffle Crispy Roast Duck (S$38++). These two items are permanently available at Mitzo, even during the Chinese New Year period. We have been raving endlessly about them since one first visit to Mitzo for an obvious reason – they are beyond divine.

Honestly? Best charsiew in Singapore. And as if roast duck isn’t amazing enough, we have black truffle sauce to up the game; roast ducks are never the same again after you’ve had this rendition.

Chinese New Year or not, we go back to Mitzo for these two dishes.

While the consumption of cocktails is not a typical affair during the Lunar New Year, Mitzo has concocted two Asian cocktails made with oriental ingredients that signify prosperity, because they know these will get to your hearts.

The Mandarin Mojito (S$20++) and the Spring Elixir (S$20++) are what you should look out for. The former is a interpretations of the ubiquitous Mojito, where it is prepared with Angostura bitters, apricot liqueur, Havana Club rum and mandarins, while the latter is a red date blend infused with gin, Campari, goji berry syrup, honey dates and red vermouth.

East-meets-West tipples that were interestingly inspired by various symbolic meanings, we can get used to eating yusheng with cocktails.

Here’s a toast to a prosperous new year!

If you are tempted by Mitzo’s various festive offerings but wish to spend the occasion at home, takeaways are available for Pearls of Prosperity Kingfish Yusheng (regular – S$68+, large – S$108+), Superior Fortune Pot (regular – S$338+, large – S$628+), Superior Lobster Fortune Pot (regular – S$398+, large – S$688+) and Homemade Koi Fish Nian Gao (S$28+).

Remember to quote “ladyironchef” and book by 20 Jan 2016 to enjoy 15% off (*not valid for 07 Feb 2016) all set menus and goodies.

Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Level 4 Grand Park Orchard
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Reservations: +65 6603 8855 / rsvn@mitzo.sg
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 12am
(2 seating on 7 Feb – 1st Seating: 6pm to 8pm; 2nd seating: 8.30pm to 10.30pm)
Thu to Sun, PH and Eve of PH: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

This post is brought to you by Mitzo Restaurant & Bar.

Oh how we love the comeback of churros. Churro101 has arrived in Singapore just a couple of weeks back and its reception has been very successful. After an old wave of churros slowly disappeared in Singapore, some smart entrepreneurs decided to rekindle it, and this time, in a Korean style – because anything Korean seems to work, no?

Truth to be told, we are suckers for Korean food and food concepts, so Churro101 was a must-try on our list. They have a big range of different churros, but the ones that appealed to us the most on our first visit were their filled churros and churros coated with dark chocolate.

The churros are deep-fried fresh and served to us a la minute. We picked the Dark Chocolate Churro with Strawberry Crunch (S$5.90). The dark chocolate range is also available in two other coatings – almond and coconut.

The churro was served warm, and tasted no less exquisite with the dark chocolate surrounding it, melted very delightfully with every bite.

Churro101 also offers other options such as filled churros – think Cream Cheese-Filled Churro (S$4.70), Chocolate-Filled Churro (S$4.50) and even Milk Mustard-Filled Churro (S$4.50).

You can also go with the original taste for the classic Cinnamon Churro (SS$3.50), but can we say that the flavoured ones are more exciting?

As much as we love churros, we have to disagree with Churro101′s tagline of Korean “Better Than Boyfriend” Churros. Food always taste better when you have something to share it with. Make sure to bring along your loved ones here and share the churros (and calories). 

Churro101 first opened in Bugis+ and 313@Somerset is their second outlet. And we are guessing there will be more to come!

Churro101 Singapore
313 Orchard Road
B3-49 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Hvala Waffle Bar, a food kiosk at the basement of 313@Somerset, has just launched a new dessert that all of us in Singapore have been waiting for – the Hong Kong-style Egg Waffle with Soft Serve.

It is every bit photogenic, but is it anywhere near the original Oddies Foodies of Hong Kong?

Haven’t heard of this waffle bar? Business started back in May this year for Hvala, serving thin waffle on a stick. Sure, it is pretty, but ‘gai dan zai’ soft serve is still sexier and we definitely gravitate towards that more.

Hvala Waffle Bar’s rendition comes with vanilla soft serve in a cup, egglet (or what we all know as ‘gai dan zai’), and two toppings of your choice – koko crunch, muesli, fruits and fruity pebbles are a few to name. An Egg Waffle Soft serve with two toppings is S$6.90.

Admittedly, this is a direct copy of the famous Oddies Foodies in Hong Kong. Oddies Foodies’ version is much more sophisticated and well-balanced with a good mix of contrasting ingredients – think panna cotta, brownie and fruits – whereas Hvala Waffle Bar has kept theirs a lot simpler, and free for you to customize and ‘play up’.

We love how Hvala has so many different types of sauces to pick from; maple, chocolate and speculoos are a few to boast. But when it comes to the soft serve, it still has a lot more to catch up with Oddies’.

We have to wait and see if Hvala Waffle Bar can emulate the success of Oddies Foodies to start a new wave of egg waffle soft serve trend here in Singapore.

For now – trend or fad? You decide.

Hvala Waffle Bar
313 Orchard Road
#B3-50 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Gone are the days where you can indulge in a mouthwatering western meal without burning a hole in the pocket. Fortunately, 49 Seats exists and has made it a point to keep its fusion gourmet very affordable and accessible amidst the rising costs in this competitive industry. Most of the dishes are priced below S$16.90 and there is no GST and service charge.

From their signature spicy Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90) to Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90), 49 Seats may not be any gourmet fine dining establishment but its menu will leave you salivating. Your grandparents will find them comfortingly nostalgic whilst your kids will have no qualms gobbling them up. It is surely a place for everyone, without breaking the bank!

Here’s sharing our favourite dishes at 49 Seats. It is hard to just decide on one, or two.

49 Seats is renowned for their industrial chic ambience, where old-school metallic plates and tin mugs are used. We love that fuss-free, retro-ish touch to the food.

As its name suggests, the founding store at Outram Park sits exactly 49 diners. Due to its increasing popularity, 49 Seats has proceeded to open two bigger outlets at Bugis Plus and Orchard Central to accommodate more patrons. The casual dining establishment takes pride in serving East-meets-West delicacies similar to those served during Singapore’s British colonial era.

Being one of the leading pioneers in Singapore to create fusion dishes with spicy tom yum broth, we have to applaud 49 Seats for their brilliant concept of integrating Asian flavours into classic Italian dishes.

Who would have known that these seemingly contrasting ingredients would actually complement each other so well? We were completely hooked to the Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90).

Active foodies on the prowl might have already heard about this highly raved dish that features an exotic cream-based seafood pasta. It packs a punch of sweetness, sourness and spiciness with every bite and is indeed illustrative of Singapore’s diverse ethnicity.

Topped with generous amounts of mussels and prawns, the semi-spicy pasta is the bestseller at 49 Seats and you will not get this unique pasta rendition elsewhere.

The Creamy Smoked Duck Pasta (S$14.90) and Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (S$14.90) also got to us with its simplicity. The smoked duck breasts are so tender and juicy, and either way, we liked both pastas. The former takes on the classic carbonara, while the latter is a traditional aglio olio – the end results are delightful fusion dishes with a notable local twist.

Do note that the Smoked Duck Aglio Olio is not on the menu so one would have to make a special request for it.

Fish options to look out for are the Old Fashioned Fish & Chips (S$16.90) and Pan-fried Fish (S$16.90). The former is a battered seasonal fish, while the latter is a tender dory cooked simply with salt and pepper and lemon juice.

Both fishy mains are generously portioned and served with either an Al Scampi or Tom Yum sauce on the side for dipping. For the uninitiated, the Al Scampi is a seafood dish prepared with sautéed clams, mussels and prawns.

If your briny cravings are still not met, order the deep-fried Fish Bites (S$9.90) that comes in a basket of 10. Damn, these snacks got us hooked and we couldn’t stop munching on them while waiting for our mains! By the way, you would have guessed that the Tom Yum sauce is addictive, right?

49 Seats also offer a few poultry and red meat dishes, such as the chef’s recommendations of Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90) and Sirloin Steak (S$19.90).

Complete your main and make it a set with an additional S$4.90, and you get a portion of soup of the day, and a soft drink of your choice. And the drink choices include their pretty house fizz beverages (S$2.50 for a la carte); we’d say go for these instead of the normal soft drinks!

Should you be a light eater, there is a variety of light bites for you to snack on. Our favourite appetisers is the glorious Cheese Fries (S$7.90).

Need another reason to love 49 Seats? They are open at ungodly hours if you need supper! Ain’t this good news?! There is an ongoing supper promotion for all main courses where 49 Seats’ customers get to enjoy 10% off after 10pm, 20% off after 11pm and 30% off after 12am. Like it cannot get cheaper, nocturnal creatures actually get to enjoy an unbelievable 50% off all pastas after 3am! Partygoers now know where to go after all that dancing.

If you haven’t realised, 49 Seats’ favourite number is evidently number 49. Alcoholic drinks are very affordable, where you can enjoy a bucket of 5 beer bottles for just S$49! Choose your poison from Corona, Heineken, Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Tiger. And if you fancy some wines, a bottle of red or white wine is reasonably priced at S$60 and S$70 respectively.

This Christmas, customers also get to enjoy a scrumptious festive feast at 49 Seats at just S$49 nett for two. The value-for-money set meal is inclusive of two soups, two mains and a dessert for sharing.

We will definitely head back when those midnight hunger pangs strike, for both their lip-smacking dishes and awesome discounts!

For the latest updates, head over to www.49seats.com and like them on Facebook.

49 Seats Main Outlet
49 Kreta Ayer Road
Singapore 089007
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 2am
Fri to Sat: 6pm – 5.30am
Tel: +65 6225 4332
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Orchard Central #08-08
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6509 5895
Nearest Station: Somerset

Bugis Plus #07-04
201 Victoria Street
Singapore 188067
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6884 4633
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is brought to you by 49 Seats.

This is it. Mitzo is the sexiest Chinese restaurant in Singapore yet.

Situated in the heart of Orchard Road, Mitzo’s prime location makes it the perfect destination for business luncheons, family dinners, dates, or a late night’s out. Celebrated Chef Nicky Ng – previously the head chef at Michelin-starred Hakkasan New York – now fronts the restaurant with his A-team, skilfully preparing delectable modern Cantonese dishes that will have you returning for more. The array of impressive Asian cocktail concoctions also adds a touch of sexiness to the restaurant.

We are so in love with its gorgeous interior. Very atypical of a Chinese restaurant, Mitzo is absolutely sexy, and has a inviting lounge-like vibe. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Mitzo Restaurant, right about now.

From now till 31 August 2015, simply quote ladyironchef to get 20% off total bill at Mitzo. We are also giving away 5 X Weekend Brunch for Two (worth $136++). Leave a comment below, and share this post on your Facebook timeline to win. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.

#1 CONVENIENT LOCATION

Located in Singapore’s iconic hub of retail, Mitzo sits within Grand Park Orchard Hotel, and is the ideal pit stop to recharge with Chinese gourmet and artisanal cocktails. Positioned strategically between Orchard MRT and Somerset MRT, you can take a 5-minute leisure walk over from either train stations.

Six-month-old Mitzo sits on the fourth floor of 5-star Grand Park Orchard. Mitzo is an oasis of calm in the bustling city, offering utmost privacy and mouthwatering Chinese cuisine.

#2 STYLISH AMBIENCE

Upon entrance, we were blown away by Mitzo’s contemporary and elegant decors; full-length windows, colourful glass screens and mirrored ceilings surround the chic restaurant.

The swanky interior is accompanied by upbeat tracks specially curated by the in-house song curator; we love the transition of Nu Disco to Neo Soul grooves as night approaches. The venue boasts a capacity of 82 pax, and is available for booking for private events. For an intimate dining experience, you can book the exclusive Drawing Room that holds up to 26 guests.

#3 TALENTED CULINARY TEAM

Executive Head Chef Nicky Ng, whose vast cooking experiences include stints at Michelin-starred Hakkasan in New York City and the once glorious Club Chinois, helms this fine dining restaurant. Together with his brilliant team of professional sous chefs and knowledgeable waiting staff, Mitzo guarantees you a memorable dining experience. You will definitely be pampered and well taken care of.

#4 IMPECCABLE CANTONESE DISHES

Do not let the Japanese sounding name mislead you. Mitzo name is actually an inspiration from the Cantonese word, ‘Honeyed Date’ (known as Matzo in Cantonese), a key ingredient used in making soup by the Cantonese. Mitzo patrons get to enjoy a scrumptious spread of top-notch Cantonese fare with a refreshing twist on the finest bone china plate ware. By sticking to key Cantonese classic elements, Nicky ensures that familiar Canton flavours remain albeit the modern makeover.

We would say the menu is what you would least expect of your usual Chinese restaurants; you will be pleasantly surprised.

#5 BBQ PORK THAT MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH

While there are many tantalizing treats to choose from, one item that had our jaws dropping in awe was the extraordinary Mitzo Special Barbeque Pork (S$18++). The incredibly tender char siew with a tinge of sweet caramelized crispy coating is such a crowd pleaser – it literally melts in your mouth, while leaving you with a sweet crisp!

We honestly have no words. ‘So damn good’ just does not do it enough justice, really. We were speechless when we sank our teeth in to the first slice; how can char siew be so amazing?! This tasty appetizer is a definite must-order and a dish that we would specially return for any day.

#6 DIVINE TRUFFLE DUCK

Another signature dish that had us all raving about was the Black Truffle Crispy Roast Duck (S$38++). Epicurean foodies and fans of Hakkasan will find this dish familiar – which is no surprise since Chef Nicky Ng is the famed Executive Chef de Cuisine back in 2011.

The moment this dish was brought to our table, the strong aroma of black truffle perfumed the dining hall. You have no idea how we couldn’t wait to devour the glistening duck. And boy, was it a life-changing dish! We can never look at roast duck the same way again.

Only available on the ala-carte menu and in half duck portions, the dish is perfect for sharing with all your truffle-loving friends.

#7 FOUR TYPES OF SET COURSES

If selection of dishes from the ala-carte menu is too much to handle, why not select a curated dining experience from one of Mitzo’s four themed set menus? You will also get to sample a large variety of dishes at a more affordable price.

Choose from four-course set lunch (S$28++), eight-course signature set meal (S$108++ per pax), eight-course classic Cantonese set meal (S$48++ per pax) or a nine-course deluxe set meal (S$68++ per pax).

#8 ASIAN INSPIRED COCKTAILS

Besides an enviable selection of craft beers, wines and premium tonics, Mitzo also offers an interesting cocktail menu of updated classics, Asian inspired cocktails and other marvelous creations.

Using only the freshest ingredients that are carefully procured on a daily basis, you can be rest assured that your alcoholic beverages are of the highest quality. Best-selling cocktails include the refreshing Chrysanthemum-infused Garden of Eden (S$22++) and Empress Sours (S$20++). Enjoy your drinks at the stunning Cocktail Atelier where you can admire jellyfishes in the spectacular 3-meter long aquarium.

In addition, the friendly bar Staff will gladly make any bespoke drinks to your specifications.

#9 DIM SUM FOR SUPPER

How do you fancy the idea of artisanal dim sum for supper? While most Chinese restaurants only serve dim sum in the day, Mitzo is breaking all conventions by serving these dainty Asian delights – which include Black Pepper Wagyu Beef Spring Roll,  Shrimp Dumpling, Crab Meat & Chicken Dumpling - till the wee hours. What great news for nocturnal creatures!

This intriguing concept is not limited to just dim sums, as other savoury selections – such as Deep-fried Octopus with cumin salt and pepper (S$18++), Deep-Fried Prawn Coated with Wasabi Mayonnaise – are also available throughout the night to fight the untimely hunger pangs.

And by the way, if you are at Mitzo for lunch or dinner, you must try the Steamed Dim Sum Platter ($28++) that features exquisitely handmade pieces with premium ingredients. Just look at the little abalone atop the siew mai; aren’t you salivating already?

#10 THE MOST COMFORTING BRAISED VERMICELLI

We are usually not too excited about braised vermicelli. But Mitzo has earned our loyalty with the Braised Vermicelli (S$28++) with scallop, cod fish and prawns. This dish is most comforting, and boasts a taste that reminds us of home. With a sweet broth that is naturally thickened by the fresh ingredients, the Braised Vermicelli makes a splendid one-dish meal on simpler days.

We can never forget the taste of this Braised Vermicelli.

MITZO DINING VOUCHERS GIVEAWAY

1. Mitzo is giving away 5 X Weekend Brunch for Two (worth $136++)
2. Leave a comment in this post and tell us which dish you would like to try from Mitzo.
3. ‘Like’ Mitzo on Facebook.
4. Share the link of this post on your Facebook timeline.
5. The contest starts from now till 9 August 2015, 2359 hrs.
6. Winners will be notified by email.

UPDATE: The five winners are Hazel Yang, Teo Kai Sin, Luah Moi Kee, Koh Peng Jek, and Kash Koh. 

Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Level 4 Grand Park Orchard
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 12am last order
Fri to Sun, Public Holiday and Eve of Public Holidays: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 1am last order
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

This post is brought to you by Mitzo Restaurant & Bar.

After the resounding success of their first outlet at Grandstand, Dancing Crab has since opened a brand new outlet at Orchard Central, replacing the space where Noodle Stories used to be. Dancing Crab is known to be one of the best Cajun-Creole restaurants in Singapore, pampering its patrons with authentic Louisianan cuisine.

Now, Dancing Crab in Orchard Central is also open for lunch every day, and you can expect a list of affordable lunch items, featuring their same fresh seafood and ingredients. Some new dishes have also been added to the existing menu, including new flavours for their ever-popular seafood boil.

Here are some highlights and dishes we loved at Dancing Crab, and there is no reason you wouldn’t too! Time to get your hands dirty, pals!

[ GIVEAWAY ] We are giving away S$250 Dancing Crab dining vouchers. Leave a comment below, and share this post on your Facebook timeline to win. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.

A definite thirst-quencher is Dancing Crab’s range of colourful lemonades, served in a mason jar. As the seafood and dishes can be quite heavy in flavour, the lemonades are your best bet to wash down the rich tastes.

They offer a range of homemade lemonades such as the classic Fizzy Lemonade (S$4), our favourite Strawberry Lemonade (S$4) and the unique Key Lime Pie Lemonade (S$4). In Singapore’s relentlessly humid weather, a cup of ice cold lemonade is not only good for the soul, but for your Instagram too. Just how pretty are they?

The new lunch menu offers mains that mostly cost S$15 and below. With a pocket-friendly menu, be treated to generous servings of New Orleans-style fare like fish tacos and heartier shrimp dishes.

The Fish Tacos (S$11) has the option of fried or grilled fish and is served on a bed of sliced cabbage and topped off with onions and red peppers. This dish is great for those who do not want an overly heavy lunch.

If you are feeling ravenous during lunch, opt for their rice dishes, especially the Shrimp Etoufee (S$13). This is the pinnacle of comfort food, where the medley of flavours will immediately remind you of home. Not to mention that this dish also features a really generous amount of shrimps that will most certainly fill you up.

Shrimp lovers also have another choice of tasty Creole Black Pepper Shrimp and Rice. Accompanied with deep-fried bananas fritters (that tastes just like Singapore’s delicious Goreng Pisang), black beans and a side of mango salsa, we loved that this dish is a marirage of contrasting flavours. Wash this down with a cup of their refreshing lemonade and we promise you you will be recharged for the rest of the day.

We were wowed by the huge serving of Chicken & Waffles (S$15) at Dancing Crab, one of the best non-seafood dishes here. The batter on the chicken reminded us of the ones we had at New York City, and the accompanying sauces took this dish to a whole new level. It is indeed unexpected for a specialised seafood restaurant to dish such a mind-blowing rendition of fried chicken, and as much as it sounds funny, we will totally return to Dancing Crab for this very Chicken & Waffles.

Fans of seafood rolls, listen up. The Popcorn Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich (S$15) looks set to be a winner. Featuring a generous serving of fried shrimp cocooned in a buttery toasted brioche, this is what heaven is, and we’d gladly ditch the idea of dinner at a fine dining restaurant for a fuss-free Popcorn Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich fix.

The team at Dancing Crab has upped the ante of the classic Cornbread (S$5) by tweaking the ingredients so that the cornbread tastes as close to the version in U.S. as it can be. This is a splendid sharing portion if you are dining in a bigger group, and be sure to dip the bread into the cream sauce for a more fulfilling bite.

Now, we are on to the best stuff! Dancing Crab offers a variety of seafood boils that features premium shellfish and crustaceans such as Dungeness Crab, Sri Lankan Crab, Boston Lobster and even the highly sought after Crystal Crab. The boils that they offer are definitely the star of the menu, and it is the reason many flock to Dancing Crab for.

A seafood boil is best enjoyed ‘messily’ with your bare hands. The seafood and other ingredients will be spilled out on the table and to achieve the ultimate experience here, consume the dish the classic way – with your bare hands. Trust us when we say that the food will taste better when you eat it this way, where you can get the full flavours out from the seafood, especially the crabs and lobsters. Of course, sharing it with your loved ones is the cherry on top; communal dining at its best, we’d say!

We had the classic Combo Bag 1 (S$80) that features a full Sri Lankan Crab, 300g of prawns, 250g of mussels with potatoes, corn, carrots and sausages. This bag is good for about 2-3 pax, but some can even finish it up on their own! You can choose between different sauces, and while the signature cajun sauce is the killer, we highly recommend a go at their delicious new addition – the Spicy Miso Butter. Expect intense flavours that will only leave you wanting more.

For garlic lovers, the Zesty Garlic Butter sauce comes with generous amounts of chopped garlic that makes your seafood boil, of choice, extra tasty and fragrant. The Lobster Combo (S$121) includes a huge Boston Lobster with the same accompanying ingredients. Lobster and garlic is a sure-win combo and we could not stop singing praises of how tasty this sauce is.

Combo Bag 2 (S$40) is a lot more affordable and it comes with 300g of prawns, 250g of mussels, 250g of clams, potatoes, corn and sausages.

End your meal off with Dancing Crab’s delectable Beignets (S$6). Beignets are essentially deep-fried choux pastry, finished off with icing sugar. The beignets here reminded us of freshly prepared doughnuts and we loved how fluffy these ones were. Good desserts need not be fancy, as long as they taste good!

Of the many Louisiana seafood restaurants in town, Dancing Crab has the most competitive prices without compromising on the quality of their ingredients and seafood. And with the introduction of new lunch options, burning a hole in your pocket is the least of your worries now.

DANCING CRAB DINING VOUCHERS GIVEAWAY

1. Dancing Crab is giving away 5 x S$50 Dancing Crab dining vouchers.
2. Leave a comment in this post and tell us which dish you would like to try from Dancing Crab.
3. ‘Like’ TungLok Group on Facebook.
4. Share the link of this post on your Facebook timeline.
5. The contest starts from now till 31 July 2015, 2359 hrs.
6. Winners will be notified by email.

Updated on 7 Aug 2015: The winners are Koh Hock Guan, Elyn Chan, Fiona Chan, Adeline Yoong, and Peirong Lin.

Dancing Crab
Orchard Central #07-14/15
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 1878
Fax: +65 6509 1879
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30 – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road
#01-20/21 Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 6466 3303
Tue to Fri: 5pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Sixth Avenue (Opening Soon)

This post is brought to you by Dancing Crab.

The long wait is finally over! Hong Kong’s famous Mak’s Noodle has just opened its very first overseas outpost, and it is in Singapore no less!

Fellow discerning foodies will get to enjoy Mak’s Noodle’s signature wanton noodle soup and mouthwatering classic dishes at wallet-friendly prices. Sitting on the ground level of The Centrepoint, Mak’s Noodle in Singapore brings you the familiar authentic taste of Hong Kong with its concise menu of noodles and beef brisket.

If you are still confused by what we are talking about here, Mak’s Noodle is one of the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred eateries. It is well loved by food connoisseurs from all over the world, who return regularly for the restaurant’s legendary wanton noodles.

The international obsession with Mak’s Noodle goes way back – even before it made an appearance on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations TV Series. The reputable brand was established since 1920 and had won over countless of hearts, including former China President Chiang Kai Shek’s.

Coined as one of Hong Kong’s best dining destinations, Mak’s Noodle has been a mandatory attraction on every gourmand’s checklist, and we are no exception. We saw ourselves returning to the renowned eatery even on our umpteenth Hong Kong trip. Fret not if you have never been to Mak’s Noodle in Hong Kong, for you can now sample their popular wanton noodles right in the heart of Orchard Road.

Diners can be rest assured that the quality of Mak’s Noodle in Singapore will not be compromised at any costs. Third generation owner Tony W.K. Yung takes immense pride in the wanton noodles’ original taste and is insistent on the continuation of its timeless recipe despite the ever-changing trends in the market and increasingly demanding patrons.

Springy noodles and wanton skins are all specially imported from Central Hong Kong to retain the dish’s authenticity; it is as close to the real thing as you can get. In addition, Wellington Street’s seventy years old head chef has relocated to Singapore and will be personally overseeing the kitchen for the next two years.

Mak’s Noodle simple food menu is divided into three main sections, namely tossed noodles, soup dishes and sides. No trip to Mak’s Noodle is complete until you have ordered their best-selling Wanton Noodles Soup (S$6.90).

The tiny bowls used for wanton noodle soup may shock first-timers, but fret not; you are not the only one! The noodles are intentionally served in a tiny palm-size bowl for a bigger purpose – to prevent sogginess, and to emphasise the importance of quality over quantity. A small bowl of authentic, robust flavours triumphs over a huge bowl of mediocre and lacklustre noodles, right?

The flavourful broth – made with pork bones, dried flounder, powdered shrimp roe and other secret ingredients – was impeccably tasty and nothing short of satisfying. Only the freshest shrimps are used as fillings and they are wrapped by soft silk-like wanton skin.

The snack portion also allows you to try other tantalizing appetizers such as seasonal vegetables in oyster sauce (S$4.90) and beef brisket (S$14.70). Prices remain affordable despite being a globally recognised brand, with items starting from as low as S$4.90.

A piece of Hong Kong right here in Singapore; we cannot be more thankful. Now, damn those cravings for Mak’s Noodle already! Nothing too unattainable.

Beverages include a selection of traditional drinks such as refillable Chinese Tea (S$1.50), refreshing Five Flower Tea (S$3.20), Herbal Monk’s Tea (S$3.20) and Homemade Barley (S$3.20).

The restaurant’s beautiful interior is significantly more modern (when compared to its humbler Hong Kong counterparts), but without forsaking the essence of oriental beauty. Chinese decors are evident throughout – even the hanging ceiling lamps are surrounded with inverted Ming dynasty-inspired porcelain bowls! You can also watch the chefs in action through the kitchen’s clear glass windows.

The opening of Mak’s Noodle in Singapore is a great opportunity for both Singaporeans and foreigners to sample Michelin-starred eateries without breaking the bank. We do think that the prices are actually very reasonable, especially for an award-winning establishment.

Drop by Orchard Road today to savour this bowl of goodness before the queue becomes insane! And, we have news that the second outlet will soon open at Westgate!

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

Mak’s Noodle
176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint, #01-63/64
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6235 5778
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Mak’s Noodle.

Previously from Wasabi Tei, Mitsuba and Chikuwa Tei, Chef Peter Teo is no stranger in the local food scene. Despite his notorious reputation as a food nazi, he has always been known for serving excellent Japanese food.

Kaiware Japanese Restaurant at TripleOne Somerset is his latest venture. It offers a range of Teishoku (S$24 – S$32), Nabe (S$22 – S$35), Sashimi (S$30 onwards), as well as a pretty affordable 8-course Omakase set (S$58++/pax), but the only reason why we made a trip down was to try his famous Chirashi-don.

The Haru Chirashi Sushi (S$28) was decent, but it did not live up to expectations. The sashimi wasn’t particularly outstanding, and the rice could have been sweeter. We also didn’t like the fact that the sashimi was served separately from the rice, which kind of defeats the whole idea of a chirashi-don. At the same price, you can get better chirashi-dons at sushi restaurants like Chikuwa Tei and The Sushi Bar.

What we would return for is the nabemono. There are ten options under the Nabe category including the signature Cod Fish and Vegetables Nabe (S$30) and Steamed Sea Bream Head Nabe (S$32). The Sukiyaki (S$28) may seem deceptively simple, but we assure you that the soup stock was so gratifying, you would crave for more. The beef slices came in a generous portion, as with the veggies.

We would not be rushing to come back here just to have a meal, especially not when Fukuichi Japanese Dining – which offers excellent value-for-money Japanese food – is just next door. But if you have been a follower of Chef Peter Teo, you might want to check this place out the next time you are dining in Orchard Road.

Kaiware Japanese Restaurant
#02-15 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Tel: +65 6735 2345
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

It has been four years since we wrote our guide on restaurants in Orchard Road and though we update them from time to time, we thought it is high time to re-curate and to introduce a new guide, featuring even more dining places in Singapore’s most famous shopping street.

Options are aplenty and no doubt we are all spoilt for choice, but are they really worth their queues/ price tags/ waiting time? We have friends from overseas who visit Singapore and have limited time on our sunny island, and then we have our locals who do not want to waste their calories unnecessarily.

The next time you head to Orchard Road, you need not face the risk of stepping in to a random diner and not knowing what to expect.

Here is the Ultimate Orchard Road Food Guide—Top Places to dine at Orchard Road, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut:

ANTOINETTE PATISSERIE

Undoubtedly one of the prettiest tea salons in Singapore, Antoinette is a perennial favourite for elegant French pastries and sweets. Nothing quite like your usual cakes and tarts, Antoinette promises nothing but surprises.

Antoinette Patisserie is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s 58 must-try desserts.

333A Orchard Road
Mandarin Gallery #02-33/34
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

AKASHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Among the many mid-tier Japanese outlets in Singapore, we love Akashi for its consistency. The menu is neatly categorised, and whether you are looking for sushi, sashimi or teishoku, there will be something to please. Or you can sit by the sushi counter and do an omakase meal while interacting with the chefs to understand more about what goes on your plate.

Akashi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

290 Orchard Road
#B1-01 Paragon
Tel: +65 6735 8887
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

AKANOYA ROBATAYAKI

A meal here would be exceptional, and despite its hefty price tag, it is still worth saving up for and splurging on. Robatayaki is a fun experience; pick from the array of fresh ingredients, point to order, and the chefs will grill them over charcoal, and serve it to the customers using a long wooden paddle.

1 Tanglin Road
#01-01 Orchard Parade Hotel
Tel: +65 6732 1866
Daily: 6pm – 1.30am
Nearest Station: Orchard

AOKI

Les Amis fans would stand united when we talk about Aoki, a Japanese outlet that has always been well-received over so many years. Its Bara-Chirashi don is listed as one of the Best Chirashi Dons in Singapore.

1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre #02-17
Tel: +65 6333 8015
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

ARTEASTIQ TEA LOUNGE

A stunning tea lounge Arteastiq is, this gem in Mandarin Gallery sees us returning regularly for its collection of superior teas. The Iced Lychee Tea is a clear winner among the crowd, but we also love the range of hot ginger teas. Arteastiq also has an art jamming studio, so it is a post-lunch alternative away from the crowd in Orchard Road.

333A Orchard Road
#04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6235 8370
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ARTISAN BOULANGERIE CO

Towards the Killiney side, we have Artisan Boulangerie Co – or better known as ABC. Any time is a good time for ABC’s Vanilla Eclair. We love the minimalistic vibes at ABC, and how we can enjoy a cuppa while reading our magazine on a lovely weekend.

118 Killiney Road
Tel: +65 6444 8130
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ASTONS SPECIALITIES

They are no strangers to locals now. But if you do not already know, Astons’ shot to fame when they introduced very affordable steaks and casual Western food in a quick dining setting. They may not have the sexiest facade, but the food is nowhere near lacklustre. Choose from a huge menu of steaks, seafood, poultries and burgers, that all come with two side dishes.

2 Orchard Link
*Scape #03-04
Tel: +65 6509 4806
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

BEANSTRO

Offering a wide variety of mains, desserts and drinks, Beanstro is a lovely bistro that boasts a casual and laid-back vibe for shoppers. Let us not forget that Beanstro offers The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s signature drinks like coffee and ice blended drinks; perfect pair-ups with your hearty mains.

Unit B1-37, Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road
Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 6235 1610
Daily: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

BEDROCK BAR & GRILL

Bedrock Bar & Grill at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites is a modern New York style steakhouse. The restaurant boosts a dark, sexy, and classy interior; making it the ideal place to bring your client for a business luncheon, or your date for a romantic dinner.

The menu is small and concise. There are three US beef – 300g Dry Aged Ribeye ($96), 220g Tenderloin ($89), and 400g USDA Prime Black Angus Ribeye ($96); and three Australian beef – 400g Ribeye ($79), 350g Bone in Striploin ($69) and 500g Porterhouse ($89). For those in a big group, get the massive Tomahawk Steak for the table share.

Bedrock Bar & Grill is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best steak restaurants.

96 Somerset Road
#01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites
Tel: +65 6238 0054
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Somerset

BISTRO DU VIN

Bistro Du Vin has been seeing a steady following since its opening in 2009. Classic French food that offers fair value, head down for a French affair when you need some Duck Leg Confit or Braised Oxtail.

1 Scotts Road
#02-12 Shaw Centre
Tel: +65 6733 7763
Daily: 12am – 2pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

BROTZEIT GERMAN BIER BAR & RESTAURANT

An outlet for the discerning meat and beer lovers, Brotzeit is always packed with regulars and expats. Toast to a great meal with a pint of beer and lots of meat and sausages, Brotzeit offers a sexy and laidback environment for you to loosen your tie for some after-work fun.

313@Somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-27
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 12am
Tel: +65 6834 4038
Nearest Station: Somerset

CAFÉ & MEAL MUJI

Fans of MUJI, the popular Japanese concept store, rejoice as they bring you something even bigger and better. Café & Meal MUJI – the first MUJI cafe in Singapore is now open at The Paragon. The Japanese cafe is adjacent to their current merchandise store in the mall, and we were most certainly thrilled by their arrival.

Paragon Shopping Centre
290 Orchard Road, #04-36
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6735 0123
Daily: 10am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard or Somerset

CAFFE BEVIAMO

Caffe Beviamo has firmly established itself as a popular haunt for locals and expats alike. It is not difficult to understand why it is always packed. It offers affordable and well-prepared Australian-inspired food. A simple Scrambled Eggs with Toast is only S$8. If you want something more substantial, go for Pasta (S$12 – S$18) or Pizza (S$12 – S$14). It also has a range of tempting desserts (S$3.50 – S$7.50), including cupcakes, carrot cake, and sticky date pudding.

Caffee Beviamo is also listed in our guide on Singapore’s Top 20 Inexpensive Restaurants.

163 Tanglin Road
#02-K1 Tanglin Mall
Tel: +65 6738 7906
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

CAJUN ON WHEELS

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

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

CHOCOLATE ORIGIN

Look out for a little kiosk at the basement food hall of 313 @ Somerset, and you will be in for a decadent chocolate treat. Primarily serving chocolate lava cake, Chocolate Origin makes a good pit stop in between shopping.

#B3-10A, 313@Somerset
313 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 68844019
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

CHURRO101

A popular churro chain in Korea, Churro101 has a big range of different churros, but the ones that appealed to us the most on our first visit were their filled churros and churros coated with dark chocolate.

The churros are deep-fried fresh and served to us a la minute. We picked the Dark Chocolate Churro with Strawberry Crunch (S$5.90). The dark chocolate range is also available in two other coatings – almond and coconut.

313 Orchard Road
B3-49 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

CRYSTAL JADE LA MIAN XIAO LONG BAO

The Crystal Jade brand is renowned being one of the leading Singapore-based restaurant groups to preserve the rich traditions of Chinese cuisine.

As far as comfort food is concerned, one of our all-time favourite places to dine at is Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao. We grew up enjoying their classic and contemporary interpretations of the much-loved xiao long bao and la mian which finds its roots from the Jiangnan region in China!

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao has officially opened its latest outlet at Basement 2 of Ngee Ann City which was previously occupied by Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng Chicken and BBQ. Paying homage to its opening on 01 Dec 2017, the restaurant will be bringing back their limited-edition local-inspired Hainanese Chicken Rice Xiao Long Bao.

391 Orchard Road, #B2-36A,
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 6733 3229
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

CRYSTAL JADE GOLDEN PALACE RESTAURANT

One of the grandest outlets by the Crystal Jade empire, Golden Palace Restaurant is a longstanding favourite among locals and its constant crowd is a testament to its superb food quality. We always covet the idea of a Sunday dim sum brunch with our family here, what about you?

Crystal Jade Golden Palace is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 30 Chinese restaurants.

290 Orchard Road, Paragon Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6734 6866
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

DANCING CRAB AT ORCHARD CENTRAL

After the resounding success of their first outlet at Grandstand, Dancing Crab has since opened a brand new outlet at Orchard Central, replacing the space where Noodle Stories used to be.

Of the many Louisiana seafood restaurants in town, Dancing Crab has the most competitive prices without compromising on the quality of their ingredients and seafood. And with the introduction of new lunch options, burning a hole in your pocket is the least of your worries now.

Orchard Central #07-14/15
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 1878
Fax: +65 6509 1879
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30 – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DEAN AND DELUCA

There is absolutely nothing to not love about this New York brand. Dean And Deluca continues to wow the local crowd with its spacious Orchard Central outlet, spanning across Level 4 with takeaways, retail merchandise and a huge dine-in area. Weekend brunch is our favourite.

Dean & Deluca’s Rainbow Cake is also listed in our list of Best Rainbow Cakes in Singapore.

181 Orchard Rd, 04 – 23/24, Orchard Central
Tel: +65 6509 7708
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DIN TAI FUNG

Din Tai Fung – a household name in Singapore since 2003 – is a popular favourite among locals and visitors alike. Talk about xiao long bao and we all think of Din Tai Fung’s legacy. Among the 18 locations Paragon’s outlet is the flagship restaurant and it showcases three VIP rooms that can be expanded to accommodate up to 30 diners.

#B1-03/06, Paragon Shopping Centre
290 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6836 8336
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Sun & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Paragon

FOOD EXCHANGE

If you love luxuriating in weekend brunches, then you need to check out the all-new Food Exchange at Novotel Singapore on Stevens for your next weekend indulgence.

Comfortably nestled in the spanking new Novotel Singapore on Stevens, this sleek restaurant spins up a plethora of international cuisine, allowing you to tuck into delectable food while overlooking the view of the hotel’s infinity pool.

As far as lavish Sunday brunches are concerned, freshness, quality and variety are some of the factors that we value most. Helmed by award-winning Finnish Head Chef Janne Ollikainen, the extensive buffet line at Food Exchange encompasses everything from fresh sashimi and seafood to hot cooking stations that serve up eggs, pasta and risotto à la minute, a myriad of roasted meats and more. They even have their very own DIY Bloody Mary bar so you can concoct your own brunch-time cocktail!

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

Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road,
#01-01, Singapore 257878
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Email: h9543@accor.com
www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com/restaurants-bars/food-exchange/

GOOD MORNING NANYANG CAFE

When we need our comfort food in the form of kaya toast and eggs, our go-to place in town is Good Morning Nanyang Cafe. Sitting on level 2 of Far East Plaza, this old-school outlet stands the test of time and has been lathering fragrant kaya on their crispy toast for we-lost-count-how-many years. Some traditional kopi for you too?

#02-23, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 9650 3256
Daily: 8.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

HOSHINO COFFEE

Known for its hand-dripped coffee, Hoshino Coffee is located in the newer wing of Plaza Singapura. And we really love this popular Japanese coffee chain’s soufflés – Vanilla Soufflé (S$9.80) and Matcha Soufflé (S$9.80).

68 Orchard Road
#03-84 Plaza Singapura
Tel: +65 6338 3277
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

HUA TING RESTAURANT

One of the most reliable tables in town, Hua Ting at Orchard Hotel has been serving Cantonese delicacies for years and you can always be assured of a good meal here. The interior is not fancy, nor is the food particularly sophisticated. What it is, however, is simple and well-executed Chinese food.

Level 2, Orchard Hotel, 442 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6739 6666
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

IMPERIAL TREASURE SUPER PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT

Because the Peking Duck is really super, and it is our guilty pleasure when we crave some good Chinese meat. Its fatty goodness is a sin, but that extra few rounds of jogging will be worth it for Imperial Treasure’s Peking Duck. But of course, if you are already there, go for some dim sum too.

290 Orchard Road
#05-42/45, Paragon Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6732 7838
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 10.30am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

IPPUDO RAMEN

Ippudo’s ramen empire is showing no signs of slowing down as it opens more and more outlets across the globe, including New York City, Seoul, Shanghai and Sydney. Its first outlet in Singapore – Mandarin Gallery – continues to see queues for their world-famous Japanese noodles, and if you haven’t tried, what are you waiting for?

Ippudo Ramen is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen shops.

333A Orchard Road
#04-02/03/04 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6235 2797
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ISHINOMAKI GRILL & SAKE BAR

This Japanese restaurant at Palais Renaissance truly an undiscovered gem. Opening its door to public since December 2014, Ishinomaki Grill & Sake Bar is a welcoming diner helmed by Chef Chi – a well-experienced chef who has been in the industry for 25 years.

His keen passion for Japanese food has seen him travelling to different parts of Japan and building relationships with the best suppliers, so expect nothing less than the freshest catches when you dine at Ishinomaki.

390 Orchard Road
#B1-02/02A/03 Palais Renaissance
Tel: +65 67371065
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

ITACHO SUSHI

Salmon skin sushi for S$0.40 – everyone will know Itacho Sushi because of this. And more than that, they are a favourite because of the wide variety of sushi creations at very friendly prices. When dining at Itacho, treat yourself to a selection of makis, rolls and nigiris made with fresh ingredients. They have very value-for-money lunch sets, too.

Itacho Sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi places.

Ion Orchard, #B3-20 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 8911
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

IZAKAYA NIJUMARU

Izakaya Nijumaru is one hidden gem (literally) in Cuppage Plaza.

It is tucked at a corner on the second level of Cuppage Plaza and you wouldn’t otherwise walk past it unless you were particularly looking out for it. The nondescript outlet has been around for three decades. We actually only discovered it about seven years ago but it has since remained as a favourite of ours whenever we want a simple, affordable Japanese meal in Orchard Road.

5 Koek Rd, #02- 228796, 10 Cuppage Rd
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

J65 AT HOTEL JEN TANGLIN SINGAPORE

Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore’s gorgeous all-day dining restaurant J65 is an ultimate gourmet paradise if you are keen on mainly local fare.

Now, you can get excited every day of the week with the themed buffet nights through the week! There are 6 different buffet themes including Crab, Beef, Lobster, Prawn, Seafood and local food.

Lobby Level, 1A Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249176
Reservations: hoteljen.com/bookJ65
Tel: +65 6831 4374 / J65@hoteljen.com
Daily: 6.30am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Dinner Buffet
Sun to Thu: 6pm – 9.30pm / S$55++ per pax
Fri and Sat: 6pm – 10pm / S$60++ per pax

JADE PALACE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

It is pretty inconspicuous, and you might miss it unless you are familiar with its location. However, Jade Palace is a popular spot for those in-the-know, and the claypot rice, in particular, is one of the more memorable ones around. Jade Palace also has one of the most impressive selectionss of wines among the Chinese restaurants in town.

#B1-12, Forum The Shopping Mall
583 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6732 6628
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

JANE THAI

Orchard Towers is definitely not the best place to step in to, but if any, we would go there for Jane Thai. Sleazy as the building may be, any time is a good time for Thai food at Jane’s. They open till 4am, so it is perfect supper option. And the other good news is, they have an outlet at Simpang Bedok, too!

Jane Thai is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 affordable Thai restaurants.

400 Orchard Road
#04-30 Orchard Towers
Tel: +65 6887 5677
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

JIANG-NAN CHUN

The showpiece of the luxurious Four Seasons Singapore, Jiang-Nan Chun presents well-executed Cantonese fare – using traditional cooking techniques, with a slightly modern twist - in a refined setting.

Jiang-Nan Chun is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 30 Chinese restaurants.

190 Orchard Boulevard
Four Seasons Hotel
Tel: +65 6831 7220
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KAIHO SUSHI

Kaiho Sushi, a hole-in-the-wall sushi joint, is one of those nondescript Japanese restaurants in Cuppage Plaza. It has been around for years and it is where food lovers in-the-know head to for some authentic Japanese cuisine indulgence. During lunch, it serves nine sets (at S$30) – pick from Anago Don Set, to Sushi Set and Ebi Tendon Set.

Kaiho Sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best chirashi-don.

5 Koek Road, Cuppage Plaza, #03-01/02
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 9734 9822
Nearest Station: Somerset

KITH CAFE

One of our all-time favourite cafes in town has got to be Kith Cafe. They serve honest food and good brew, and the al fresco seating area is a lovely spot to catch up on some me-time or to simply people watch. Most of the items on their menu are reasonably-priced under $20.

163 Penang Road, #01-01
Winsland House II, Singapore 238463
Tel: +65 6235 0582
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

K COOK KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT

K. Cook Korean BBQ Buffet has just opened at Orchard Central for a few months, but it has already earned the loyalty of many customers for a simple reason. It is one of the most affordable Korean BBQ buffet restaurants in Singapore. On weekdays, the Korean BBQ buffet is S$14.90++ /pax for lunch, and S$24.90++/pax for dinner.

#07-01, Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6884 7282
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is a small eatery that sits within Wisma’s Food Republic, and the one dish that everyone queues up for is the very famous Shiok Maki. It is a maki made up of avocado, unagi and aburi salmon, drenched with a supremely addictive sauce that is seemingly a legit mixture of mayo and mentai, then topped with a copious amount of tobiko. Sounds tempting already?

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi places.

435 Orchard Road #04-21
Wisma Atria Singapore
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

LOKKEE

Located on the 3rd storey of Plaza Singapura is American-Chinese establishment Lokkee that is not just your ordinary Chinese restaurant. It is worth mentioning that the up-and-coming gourmet eatery is successfully pushing the boundaries of traditional Chinese cuisine – without compromising on key oriental ingredients – and introducing a tantalising variety of revamped Asian classics that will impress even the most discerning diners. Expect unique renditions of steamed baos, spicy Sichuan diced chicken and whatnot.

Plaza Singapura
#03-01, 68 Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 4566
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

LUKE’S CHOPHOUSE & OYSTER BAR

Luke’s is a classy and upmarket chophouse, the sort of restaurant that you will find in New York. Known for its seafood cocktails, steaks and oysters, Luke’s Chophouse also does an impressive rendition of the classic lobster roll too.

Luke’s Chophouse & Oyster Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best steak restaurants.

260 Orchard Road
#03-02 The Heeren
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MAISON KAYSER

We love the eclairs at Maison Kayser! They do not have the best coffees, but the outlet at Scotts Square makes a decent pitstop in between shopping. And we love their spread of breads, too!

#B1-09, Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6636 3672
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MAK’S NOODLE

Hong Kong’s famous Mak’s Noodle has just opened its very first overseas outpost, and it is in Singapore no less! Sitting on the ground level of The Centrepoint, Mak’s Noodle in Singapore brings you the familiar authentic taste of Hong Kong with its concise menu of noodles and beef brisket.

176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint, #01-63/64
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6235 5778
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MANHATTAN BAR

This sleek, dark and sexy bar is exactly the kind of place where you’ll refuse to call it a night, which would be for the best, since your refusal will be met with a number of discreetly potent cocktails. Or you could give them a wild-card route (layman’s term: bespoke)—tell them your poison of choice, serving style and whatever preferences pop into your head, and watch them do their magic.

1 Cuscaden Road
Regent Singapore
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 6725 3377
Mon to Sun: 5pm to 1am
Nearest Station: Orchard

MAKAN @ JEN

This all-day dining restaurant at the new Hotel Jen orchardgateway that offers both a la carte and buffet-style options. Weekday Semi Buffet Lunch is affordably priced at S$19.90, while its Weekend Singapore Brunch is only S$30 – quite possibly the most affordable weekend brunch buffet in Singapore.

277 Orchard Road
Hotel Jen orchardgateway
Tel: +65 6708 8899
Daily: 6.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MARRIOTT CAFE

One of the best buffet restaurants in town where you can indulge yourself, Marriott Cafe at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is best known for its local high tea buffet which comes with an amazing lineup of more than 50 treats including Nasi Lemak, Chicken Rice, Laksa, Hokkien Mee, as well as Western desserts like Scones, Crepes and Toffee Date Pudding.

During the dinner buffet, you can find the freshest selection of oysters, snow crabs, crayfish and prawns at the Seafood Station. Seafood aside, you can look forward to local favourite such as Singapore Chilli Crab, Chicken Rice and succulent roasts.

320 Orchard Road
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Daily: 6am – 11am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 3pm – 5.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MARUTAMA

The popular ramen shop is now in town! Away from the crowd and sitting unassumingly along the stretch of eateries at Killiney, Marutama serves their famous chicken-based ramen all day. We usually prefer tonkotsu soup base for ramen, but nobody says no to Marutama’s spicy chicken soup. Period.

Marutama is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen shops.

75 Killiney Road
Tel: +65 6352 6369
Nearest Station: Somerset

MENYA MUSASHI

Menya Musashi commanded long queues in the first few months, but the hype has died down since then which is unfortunate, as they’ve opened a few more branches around and out of town.

The broth is boiled for more than nine hours, and the chef has to stir it every half an hour to prevent the bottom from being burned. Menya offers three different types of ramen – ‘White’, ‘Red’ and ‘Black, each featuring different combinations of noodles and broth.

Menya Musashi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen shops.

Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, #B3-25
Tel: +65 6509 9394
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MEZZA9

Dining at mezza9 is always a comforting familiarity akin to dining at home. They offer superb value for their weekday set lunches. Else, indulge in a Sunday Champagne Brunch. “The ultimate champagne brunch,”- that was the only thought we had on our minds while enjoying our feast. Read more here.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Sun Brunch: 11.30am – 3pm
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MITZO

We will go out on a limb and say that Mitzo at Grand Park Orchard is the sexiest Chinese restaurant in Singapore. It combines a contemporary and intimate design with modern Cantonese cuisine. Quite unlike your usual Chinese restaurants, Mitzo actually has a lounge-like feel, and they have song curator for the daily loops.

270 Orchard Road
Grand Park Orchard
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 12midnight
Nearest Station: Somerset

NAKAJIMA SUISAN GRILLED FISH

Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish at Takashimaya’s Japanese food court is gold. The prices of the set meals — choose from Salmon Teriyaki ($12.50), Gindara Teriyaki ($14.50), and Shio Saba ($7.50) — are so pocket-friendly. We’ve had their grilled fish for a decade, and still falling in love with it with every visit.

Nakajima Suisan is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 budget restaurants in Orchard Road.

391A Orchard Road Basement 2
Takashimaya Food Hall Ngee Ann City
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

NAMNAM NOODLE BAR

The pho and banh mi at NamNam Noodle Bar are not only delicious, but also very value-for-money. A bowl of pho is less than S$10, while the Banh Mi is only S$5.90. They also have extremely value-for-money lunch sets.

501 Orchard Road #B2-02
Wheelock Place
Tel: +65 6735 1488
Nearest Station: Orchard

NANA’S GREEN TEA

A modern Japanese tea house that offers a selection of Japanese food like  as well as matcha drinks and desserts. From matcha parfait, to matcha latte, and matcha Anmitsu, fans of matcha will enjoy every item here.

68 Orchard Road
#03-80/81/82, Plaza Singapura
Tel: +65 6684 4312
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

NARA THAI

We used to go to Bangkok for Nara Thai, for its fine Thai cuisine is truly deserving of all its credits and accolades. The well-known name is now in Singapore, and has an outlet at Ion Orchard.

2 Orchard Turn
#B3-21 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6634 5787
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

NASSIM HILL BAKERY & BISTRO BAR

Tucked at the end of the Orchard Road, Nassim Hill Bakery & Bistro Bar sits beside Singapore Post at Tanglin, and is a quaint outlet when you need a break from the crowd. Its menu is comprehensive and we dare say almost every dish is enticing. Oh, it is a family-friendly spot too!

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

56 Tanglin Road
Tanglin Post Office #01-03
Tel: +65 6835 1128
Tue to Sun: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

NIKU KAPPO

A brand new dining concept by WATAMI originating from Tsukiji, Japan, Niku Kappo offers diners authentic Japanese Kappo-style delights through its colorful menu filled with a diverse selection of food options.

As the word “Niku” suggests, Niku Kappo’s menu has a strong focus on meat. From Meat Sushi to Meat Hot Pot, Niku Kappo only seeks to present Japanese cuisine at reasonable prices.

NOODLE PLACE

If you find yourself stranded in Orchard Road with nothing “budget” to eat, well we’d say to head straight to Noodles Place @ 313 Somerset for a bowl of hearty dumpling noodles. Or more affectionately known as wanton mee.

The restaurant prides themselves on Hong Kong-style food, mostly simple one-dish meals that you would typically expect from a regular cha chaan teng, and at S$10.80, you will be served a bowl of noodles with prawn dumplings in soup. Fuss-free, but so good.

Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Road #01-17
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6733 3171
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

OMAKASE BURGER

Quite arguable the best cheeseburger in Singapore is Omakase Burger’s rendition. The Omakase Cheeseburger oozes with flavours – delicious hand-ground beef patty with melted cheese, iceberg lettuce, sweet tomato slices and sauce in a nicely toasted bun.

#01-02/38 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
435 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6737 3218
Mon to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

ORIOLE CAFE & BAR

Oriole Cafe & bar has been making headlines in the Singapore National Barista Championships 2010. Coffee lovers can always get a good cup of coffee here, and it is conveniently located just right beside 313@Somerset.

96 Somerset road
#01-01 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites
Tel: +65 6238 8348
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 12midnight
Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

OPUS BAR & GRILL

What used to be Checkers Brasserie at Hilton Singapore is now revamped and known as Opus Bar & Grill. The culinary team is helmed by Aussie chef Nick Philip, and the menu is contemporary with Australian influence. The charcoal grill and dry-age cabinet are what Opus Bar & Grill are building their success on, and they are on a mission to spoil you with only the best meals.

581 Orchard Road
Hilton Singapore
Tel: 65 6730 3390
Daily: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard Road

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

Outback Steakhouse, the largest steakhouse chain in the world, is known to serve reasonably-priced steaks and mains in a casual ambience with friendly service. Even if you are not a fan of steaks, you will be spoilt for choice with its array of mains. They have a fantastic range of cocktails as well.

#04-01 orchardgateway
277 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6702 6842
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

PARADISE DYNASTY

Known for its colourful xiaolongbao (steamed pork dumplings) that are available in eight different flavours – original, garlic, ginseng, Szechuan, crab roe, cheese, foie gras, and black truffle – Paradise Dynasty is where we like to head to for a simple and fuss-free meal.

2 Orchard Turn, #04-12A
ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 9118
Mon to Fri: 11am to 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PARADISE TEOCHEW

Singaporeans should be familiar with Paradise Group – the Singapore-based restaurant group with an impressive portfolio of mainly Chinese restaurants under their belt. Think Taste Paradise, Paradise Dynasty and Beauty In The Pot.

The reputable empire has recently launched an entirely new concept – Paradise Teochew Restaurant, where its speciality lies in authentic Teochew-style offerings to preserve and glorify the Teochew culture that many Singaporeans are more than familiar with.

6 Scotts Road, #03-04 Scotts Square
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6538 0644
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PARIS BAGUETTE

This famous Korean bakery cafe serves a pretty lineup of pastries, cakes and breads, sandwiches and salads. Drop by its branch at Wisma Atria for a pitstop in between shopping.

#02-48/53 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
435 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6836 2010
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PAUL BAKERY

Paul Bakery has opened in Singapore with much fanfare, and it’s not difficult to understand why the French boulangerie/patisserie is packed with customers everyday. For those who have been to Europe, Paul Boulangerie is the place for them to relive those wonderful memories of having a warm croissant and a cup of coffee during winter. For others who have heard much about Paul from their friends, the restaurant in Singapore gives you the chance to taste a piece of Europe.

391A Orchard Road
#03-16/16A/17
Ngee Ann City Tower A
Tel: +65 6836 5932
Sun to Thu: 8.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PETE’S PLACE

Pete’s Place is one of the most established Italian restaurants in town, specialising in authentic Italian homemade pasta and wood-fired oven pizzas. Tiramisu is always a good way to measure the standard of an Italian restaurant, so you have to try the rendition at Pete’s Place – it always tugs our heartstrings.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Daily: 12pm – 4.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sunday: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

POOL GRILL RESTAURANT

Pool Grill at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has gone through a little makeover and is now a stunner with a show-stopping menu to beat.

Drop by at night for a dinner with your loved one or friends, and the restaurant will not only captivate your heart with its mouthwatering food and innovative cocktails. You will also be swept off your feet with the romantic candle-lit ambience, complemented by the starry night sky and enchanting music.

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
310 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PS.CAFE

Everyone knows PS.Cafe, and it is almost synonymous with Palais Renaissance. This outlet is ever popular, and you can always count on these folks to whip up scrumptious dishes to put on the table. It also makes a perfect pit stop in between shopping, and a quaint afternoon with the girlfriends over some cakes and coffee sounds like a splendid idea, yes?

390 Orchard Road
Palais Renaissance
Tel: +65 6887 2207
Mon to Thu: 9.30am – 12 midnight
Fri & Sat: 9.30am – 1am
Sun: 9.30am – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Orchard

RAMEN SANTOUKA

Here is a worthy contender for the best all-rounded ramen. A robust broth, chewy noodles and one of the most tender chashu we have had (it is the prized pork cheek after all), it is one easy ramen to love.

Ramen Santouka is also listed in our Best Ramen in Singapore here.

21 Cuppage Road
Cuppage Terrace
Tel: +65 6235 1059
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 12midnight
Sat: 12pm – 12midnight
Sun: 12am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SABOTEN

Many consider Saboten to be one of the best tonkatsu restaurants in town, but I cannot really agree with that. Don’t get me wrong, though. Saboten definitely has one of the better breaded meats. Try the signature loin katsu ($23), katsudon ($20), and katsu Curry ($19.50).

Saboten is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best tonkatsu restaurants.

#B2-02/03, 313 @ Somerset
313 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6333 3432
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SALT GRILL & SKY BAR

Among the Celebrity Chef Restaurants in Singapore, Salt Grill & Sky Bar stood out with its magnificent view, classy setting, impeccable service and fair cuisine. It has the complete dining experience.

2 Orchard Turn Level 55 & 56
ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6592 5118
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

SHANGRI-LA SINGAPORE LOBBY COURT

If you are looking for somewhere to spend a quiet afternoon with a group of friends, we cannot think of a better place than Lobby Court at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore. Treat yourself to a traditional English Afternoon Tea with finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea.

22 Orange Grove Road
Mezzanine Level Shangri-La Hotel
Tel:+65 6213 4486
Nearest Station: Orchard

SHINJUKU

Another haunt at Cuppage Plaza that we go to for a simple Japaanese meal is Shinjuku. It may not have the most attractive facade, but if you give them a chance, you might just fall in love with their S$10 lunch sets.

#01-01 Cuppage Plaza, 5 Koek Road
Tel: +65 6734 8436
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 1am
Sun & PH: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

STEEPLE’S DELI

Steeple’s Deli is a bit of a hidden gem, tucked away at Tanglin Shopping Centre that makes you feel transported into a different space. They have been around for years, and what keep regulars coming back again and again are the Reuben Sandwich (S$13.90), Beef Burger (S$12.90), and the super thick and rich Milkshakes (S$5.90).

Steeple’s Deli is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 budget restaurants in Orchard Road.

#02-24/25 Tanglin Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road
Tel: +65 6737 0701
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

SUPPLY & DEMAND

Since its inaugural outlet at Esplanade, we’ve always enjoyed the fusion spread at Supply & Demand. And they are now at Orchard Gateway too. Of pastas and pizzas and even Asian dishes, its variety is comprehensive and you can always count on the joint for a good dinner with family and friends.

#02-13/14, Orchard Gateway
277 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6702 6218
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SU SUPERSTAR KOREAN CUISINE

Su Superstar Korean Cuisine is a casual Korean eatery in *SCAPE that is popular among students and youngsters who hang around the area.

With 12 varieties of Korean ramyeon that are priced below S$10, it is no wonder why the Korean eatery is mostly packed during lunch and dinner hours. If you are looking for a quick Korean fix without burning a hole in your pocket, give Su Superstar Korean Cuisine a try.

2 Orchard Link
#02-18/18A/28 *SCAPE
Singapore 237978
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

STRAITSKITCHEN

Renowned for its uniquely Singaporean buffet, StraitsKitchen is one of the most popular buffet restaurants for two reasons. It is the place where you bring overseas guests to savour the best of our local hawker food in a stylish and comfortable setting. And it is a showcase of and opportunity to sample all the popular local dishes in one seating. And, it has a Halal-certified kitchen.

10 Scotts Road, Lobby Level
Grand Hyatt Singapore
Tel: +65 6732 1234
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TAMPOPO RESTAURANT

Tampopo is one of those top-of-mind restaurant when we need a fuss-free Japanese meal. Their Tonkatsu Ramen is always good – a bowl of springy ramen accompanied by Tampopo’s signature tonkatsu in a spicy broth. We also love their range of chiffon cakes!

391 Orchard Road
#B2-33 Ngee Ann City
Tel: +65 6235 2318
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TASTE PARADISE

Taste Paradise at ION Orchard is one of our favourite dim sum restaurants in Singapore. The food is always consistently good, and we can never get sick of its spread of classic dim sum. Try the char siew sou and custard bun when you are there; we promise you won’t be disappointed.

2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 9660
Nearest Station: Orchard

TATSUYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT

A stalwart of the local dining scene, Tatsuya is where in-the-know locals go for top quality Japanese food. It comes with a price, of course. Omakase – where the chefs decide the menu for dinners based on the guests’ preferences and the freshest ingredients available – here is S$280++/pax for 8-10 course dinner. We would suggest going for their set lunches. The Sashimi Bento (S$45), Sushi Bento (S$45) and Bara Chirashi (S$35.90) sets offer excellent value.

Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6887 4598
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TENSHO JAPANESE SPECIALITY TENDON

Found in the basement of the recently revamped Centrepoint, Tensho Japanese Speciality Tendon is a recent venture by the Ministry Of Food, which officially opened late September last year.

If you are searching for a reason to visit, the Mixed Tendon (S$14.90++) at Tensho Japanese Speciality Tendon might be your answer.

176 Orchard Road, #B1-20 The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6733 0449
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE BETTERSHIP

The Bettership, a sashimi-centric eatery, has recently opened up on the ground floor of The Cathay. This humble Japanese eatery serves up boats—yes, boats—of fresh restaurant-standard sashimi as well as show-stopping donburi.

Priced decently at no more than S$20 for a sizeable donburi, this makes it a rather affordable option as opposed to many restaurants.

2 Handy Road #01-03,
The Cathay
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6835 9006
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THE HUNGRY CAVEMAN

Bringing the very best of China’s skewer cuisine to Singapore, a colossally popular barbecue skewer restaurant chain, called The Hungry Caveman. Located on the 6th floor of Orchard Central, this new barbecue skewer restaurant aims to blaze the trail in Singapore’s meat skewer scene by being the first to adopt automated barbecue skewers. Just how cool is that?!

181 Orchard Road, #06-25
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TIM HO WAN

Opened by Chef Mak Kwai Pui, Tim Ho Wan is the cheapest 1 Michelin Star dim sum restaurant from Hong Kong. The star on the menu and what you must order at Tim Ho Wan is the legendary Baked Buns with BBQ Pork ($4.50 for 3). we can say with confidence after trying, that the buns are as good as the ones in Hong Kong.

#01-29 Plaza Singapura
The Atrium @ Orchard
68 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THAIEXPRESS

Quite contrary to “popular beliefs”, ThaiExpress is not a fast food chain. It is a restaurant chain, yes, but its casual dining style is what makes the household brand so popular and affordable.

The chefs here take their Thai food very seriously, and the kitchen is kept busy all day through because every item that is served on the table is prepared in-house with fresh ingredients and homemade sauces – cooked to order in each kitchen daily.

ThaiExpress has launched 3 brand new Sanook Sets which are priced not more than S$10.90++. Our favourite is the Sweet Chilli Fish Set (S$9.90++) which comes with Jasmine rice, Tom Kha Mushroom Soup, and Sweet Potato with Ginger Slice Dessert.

ThaiExpress is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 affordable Thai restaurants.

68 Orchard Road
#03-24 Plaza Singapura
Tel: +65 6339 5442
Daily: 11am to 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THE COFFEE ACADEMICS

The Coffee Academics has opened its first outlet in Singapore at Scotts Square. If you have been to Hong Kong, chances are that you have either seen or heard of The Coffee Academics, voted one of the best coffee shops in the world by international publications such as Vogue, CNNGo and Buzzfeed.

Lvl 2 Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
Singapore 228209
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

THAI TANTRIC

Another Thai eatery that is worth checking out at Orchard Towers is Thai Tantric. Prices range from S$6 to S$10, and some of the items that you should try – other than the usual classic Thai dishes – include Thai Fried Rice (S$6), Deep-fried Pork with Garlic & Pepper (S$10), and Deep-fried Chicken Wings with Honey (S$10).

Thai Tantric is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 affordable Thai restaurants.

400 Orchard Road
#03-23 Orchard Towers
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE ASSEMBLY GROUND

This relatively new addition to the cafe scene is a pleasant one. Spacious, dimly-lit and sexy, very good green tea latte and more. On the food menu, they’ve got you covered with appetizers, sandwiches and burgers, salads and soup, pastas and pizzas and brunch food. Of course, their regular brews are aromatic too. Cappuccinos and Flat Whites are at S$5.50 each for single shot.

#01-21 The Cathay
2 Handy Road
Tel: +65 67333375
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THE DRAGON CHAMBER

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.

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

THE LINE

The highly popular The Line at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is one of the best buffets in town. Everyone loves a good buffet treat, and at The Line, be lost in the wondrous world of international and continental spread. You can eat a bit of everything and before you even reach the end, you might already be completely stuffed.

Yes, the spread is that extensive. Sixteen live stations for your ala minute dishes too, and a special drinks station where you can order the very satisfying Teh Tarik.

22 Orange Grove Road
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Lower Lobby, Tower Wing
Tel: +65 6213 4275
Daily: 5am – 1am
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE PROVIDORE

A nice brunch spot at Mandarin Gallery is The Providore. It is a cosy European-styled cafe, with a retail corner where you can take home colourful tea pots and tea cups, English tea, house jams and homemade chocolates.

#02-05, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6732 1565
Daily: 09:00 – 23:00
Nearest Station: Somerset

THE SUSHI BAR

The Sushi Bar at level three of Far East Plaza serves the standard dishes like sushi, sahimi, Japanese-style pastas and donburis, but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the much-lauded Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$14.50). It is really good, and the main reason why this hole-in-the-wall sushi bar is always packed with regulars.

The Sushi Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi places.

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TONKATSU BY MA MAISON

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison at Mandarin Gallery is as close to authenticity you can get – easily the best tonkatsu in Singapore. The Kurobuta Rosu Katsu (S$31.80) is excellent, but the highlight is the to-die-for Hungarian Mangalica Rosu Katsu (S$31.80) that will melt in your mouth.

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best tonkatsu restaurants.

333A Orchard Road
#02-35/36 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6733 4541
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TONKICHI RESTAURANT

Another Tonkatsu restaurant that retains its popularity among loyal customers for so many years is Tonkichi. Weekends would have the Ngee Ann City’s outlet see long queues of waiting time up to an hour, and it is little wonder because they do their breaded pork so well. Servings are huge, too.

Tonkichi Restaurant is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best tonkatsu restaurants.

391 Orchard Road
Ngee Ann City #04-24
Tel: +65 6735 7522
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TOSS & TURN

The worship ground for health nuts, Toss & Turn is like an institution for salads. You mix and match and create your desired salads, and a regular plate is only S$9.90. Very affordable, very healthy and very (surpringly) filling. The dine-in area is really small, but that does not stop us from popping by when we need to do a VS Angel’s diet.

#B4-55 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
Tel: +65 6636 5835
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TSUKADA NOJO

Love a good pot of Japanese collagen soup? Then Tsukada Nojo will not disappoint. Trust us on this – because its premium jidori chicken soup is so out of the world that every night for dinner, people queue up for 1-2 hours for a table. And we can assure you that it would be so very worth the wait. Priced at S$26.90 per pax, it is also pleasantly affordable!

#03-81, Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6336 5003
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET RESTAURANT

Japanese food lovers, you need to know about this secret Japanese restaurant on the rooftop of Orchard Central—Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant! It houses 5 different restaurant concepts in one, serving up flavourful Japanese fare in generous portions at fairly affordable prices.

Dishing out a vast variety of Japanese food options spanning from sushi and sashimi, ramen, tempura and an assortment of chicken dishes and wagyu dishes, to say diners will be spoilt for choice is an understatement. And the best part is being able to order from any of the 5 menus and having them served and billed together!

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant takes pride in providing diners with a variety of fresh seasonal fish and sashimi and you’d be happy to know that most of their seafood products are all air-flown from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market twice a week.

181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TSURU KOSHI UDON

The udons on the menu here range from the basic Kake Udon (S$6.5) to the popular Curry Udon (S$9). We had the Ebi Tempura Udon (S$9) and Niku Udon (S$9) and they were fairly decent. Add S$5 to get a set meal with Mini Soboro Don or Mini Kakiage Don.

Tsuru Koshi Udon is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 budget restaurants in Orchard Road.

391 Orchard Road
Takashimaya Shopping Centre Food Hall
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

TUNGLOK SEAFOOD

Seafood restaurants are aplenty in Singapore, but it is considerably harder to find one that serves consistently good seafood at affordable prices. Tung Lok Seafood specialises in the best of Singapore-style seafood prepared with the quality and standards synonymous with the Tung Lok brand.

181 Orchard Road
Orchard Central
Tel: +65 6834 4888
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Sun & PH: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TUNGLOK SIGNATURES

TungLok Signatures has been around for a long time and has since branded itself as one of Singapore’s most established and well-loved Chinese restaurants for impeccable service and high quality food. The restaurant serves modern interpretations of traditional Chinese food, while still keeping traditional flavours intact, hence, appealing to both the older and younger generations.

TungLok Signatures’ cuisine concept is centred upon offering a menu which is planned and executed by Hong Kong-born Senior Executive Chef Li Man.

It features a unique combination of traditional Chinese cuisine, such as Cantonese Shanghainese and Sichuan dishes with a dash of Modern creations – authentic in tastes but with TungLok’s distinctive touch.

Orchard Parade Hotel #02-18
1 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247905
Tel: +65 6834 0660
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TUNGLOK XIHE PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT

There are many Chinese establishments that impressed us and left us good memories, but TungLok XiHe is one that is timeless. We love its concise menu and how it does not differ too much from its origins – nothing but the comforting familiarity of Chinese food at competitive prices. It is the kind of place that you can host your business associates, throw a celebration or to simply gather with your close ones.

Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road, #07-07/09
Tel: +65 6736 0006
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TWG TEA SALON

TWG Tea Salon is a homegrown brand that has won over the taste buds of many tea and dessert lovers. Its growing reputation as a tea institution that offers a variety of exclusive and interesting tea blends and tea-infused delicacies has cemented its popularity in the local food scene.

TWG Tea Salon’s macarons are also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best macarons.

2 Orchard Turn
#02-21 Ion Orchard
Tel: +65 6735 1837
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WAN HAO CHINESE RESTAURANT

A stalwart in the local dining scene, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has been serving its loyal regulars since its opening in 1995. What makes Wan Hao a place where you can return to again and again is its familiarity and consistency; standards are always very high and you will never be disappointed by the food.

320 Orchard Road
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Mon to Fri: 12pm to 3pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Sat, Sun and PH: 11.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WILD HONEY

In a city that has seen almost every restaurant and café serving brunch on weekends, Wild Honey has done remarkably well. It is one of the first few places that offers all-day brunch. It seems to have the right formula: brunch food made from produce that is sourced from the best in-season markets over the world – with very familiar flavours that would appeal to diners of all age.

6 Scotts Road
#03-01 Scotts Square
Tel: +65 6636 1816
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WINDOW ON THE PARK AT HOLIDAY INN SINGAPORE ORCHARD CITY CENTRE – THE BOSTON LOBSTER WEEKEND

While many other buffet restaurants out there pride themselves on having the largest and most extensive range of food and cuisines, Window on the Park adopts the ‘less is more’ approach by dishing out a substantially sized spread of only the good stuff, allowing diners to be able to savour each and every item before their bellies beg them to stop.

11 Cavenagh Rd, #02-00
Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre,
Singapore 229616
Tel: +65 6730 0170
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset / Dhoby Ghaut

YA KUN KAYA TOAST

Sometimes, all we need is a cup of kopi, two half boiled eggs, and Singapore’s well-loved kaya butter toast. And that is when we need to make a trip to Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Totally unpretentious but extremely comforting, this is one joint that will tug every Singaporean’s heartstrings with their traditional offerings.

313 Orchard Road
#01-32/33/34 313@Somerset
Tel: +65 6238 1872
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

YAYOIKEN

We are always on the hunt for inexpensive and decent Japanese food, and it ended at Yayoiken. Of course, it does not have the most incredible tastes, but it is casual and fuss-free and satisfying enough, and the prices won’t have your wallet take a beating. Set lunches are mostly around S$10, too.

313 Orchard Road
313@somerset #B3-33/34
Tel: +65 6884 7550
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

YAN TING

The luxurious St Regis Singapore has no lack of good restaurants. Our favourite, however, is Yan Ting. The restaurant is classy and exudes an air of understated elegance. You’d be delighted to know that the average check per person for dim sum is actually S$30. Exquisite bites crafted from scratch and using the most premium ingredients, the dim sum at Yan Ting has always been a favourite all these years.

Yan Ting is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 30 Chinese restaurants.

29 Tanglin Road
The St Regis Singapore
Tel: +65 6506 6888
Nearest Station: Orchard

49 SEATS

Gone are the days where you can indulge in a mouthwatering western meal without burning a hole in the pocket. Fortunately, 49 Seats at Orchard Central exists and has made it a point to keep its fusion gourmet very affordable and accessible amidst the rising costs in this competitive industry. Most of the dishes are priced below S$16.90 and there is no GST and service charge.

Orchard Central #08-08
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6509 5895
Nearest Station: Somerset

5 ON EMERALD HILL

Possibly the oldest cocktail bar in Singapore, 5 on Emerald Hill has been taking residence in an old Peranakan-styled shop house near the outskirts of town since the early 1990s. The two-level bar exudes an air of nostalgia that envelops you into thinking you’re in the 1990s—think oak wood paneling, worn out furniture and walls covered in black and white pictures of customers and celebrities from that era.

5 Emerald Hill
Singapore 229289
Tel: +65 6732 0818
Mon to Thu: 12pm to 2am
Fri to Sat: 12pm to 3am
Sun: 5pm to 2am
Nearest Station: Somerset

10 SCOTTS

10 SCOTTS at Grand Hyatt Singapore is more than just a hotel’s tea lounge. Impeccably designed with a collection of rooms, it makes you feel right at home. On days when you feel like taking a break and giving yourself a little treat, the afternoon tea at 10 SCOTTS at Grand Hyatt Singapore is just the thing you need.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6732 1234
Afternoon tea: Daily 12pm – 2.30pm, 3pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

10 AT CLAYMORE

10 at Claymore at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore is an a la carte buffet concept you can enjoy unlimited servings of premium meats, seafood and other seasonal specialities, served in petite portions and prepared à la minute for the best experience.

Look out for its much anticipated and highly raved Oyster Occasions buffet where you can indulge in premium oysters sourced from five different parts of the world as well as an array of the freshest seafood.

Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
10 Claymore Road, Singapore 229540
Tel: +65 6831 6686
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard