Specialising in Taiwanese-style hotpot and bubble tea, Coucou Hot Pot is opening two outlets in Singapore at Suntec City and Jewel Changi Airport.

Photo by Lynde Lim

Established in 2016, Coucou Hotpot has currently has outlets in China and Hong Kong and it is opening its first outlet in Singapore at level three of Suntec City’s North Wing will open in Dec 2021 while the second outlet at Jewel Changi Airport level 2 (next to Kam’s Roast) will open in Jan 2022.

While Coucou Hotpot Singapore has yet to announce the full menu for its Singapore outlet, it has revealed on Instagram that it will serving a selection of meat (Japanese wagyu, Iberico black pork slices USDA beef), seafood (abalone, live shrimps, Boston lobster) as well as the usual hotpot ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms and meatballs.

Photos credit: Coucou Hotpot Singapore

Other than hotpot, Coucou Hotpot will also be offering a selection of Taiwanese tea and bubble tea.

Coucou Hotpot Singapore
Level three of Suntec City’s North Wing
3 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983

Jewel Changi Airport level 2
78 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819666

A brand new addition to PasarBella’s last standing outlet in Suntec City is Japanese donburi specialist, Wan Niu Wan. They mainly focus on meat-based dishes using top-quality stuff such as Iberico pork jowl, Karubi short ribs and of course, the luxe Wagyu.

An easy, quick and surprisingly wallet-friendly option in the heart of town, donburi is a great option to consider but what sets these folks apart is their clear attention to detail and the way that they treat their meat pre and post cooking, resulting in a rice bowl that’s well balanced.

Their menu is straightforward in its approach, just rice bowls featuring a variety of meat options from the high-end Wagyu to the affordable teriyaki chicken.

Boasting a heady aroma of fresh truffle and toasted sesame seeds, the Wagyu Bowl (S$25) is truly one of the most well-prepared ones we’ve tried over the years. For one, we appreciated that everything was properly seasoned and it was also great that every component of the dish was skilfully prepared.

The Wagyu, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, revealed specks of buttery fat running through the meat, indicating that it was indeed beef of exceptional quality, which, doesn’t leave much to the imagination with regards to how utterly orgasmic it tasted.

Great news though, as part of their opening promotion, this particular rice bowl is only going at S$19.90!

We also had the Karubi Rice (S$16.50), a donburi featuring a tender short rib, coated with a fruity yakitori, garlic-sesame sauce atop Japanese rice. No regrets getting this because it was literally mind-blowing.

The moment you take a bite, a number of sensations are simultaneously felt. You get the buttery, slightly sweetish soft beef that melts on the tongue followed by the fruity sauce that livens up the entire dish. This does not come with an onsen egg although we highly recommend adding it on for S$2.

Wan Niu Wan
3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-455
Singapore 038988
PasarBella Suntec City Mall
Tel: +65 8309 3212
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

Bringing you the authentic tastes of Korea in a posh setting is Kimchi Korean restaurant, a diner situated in Suntec City Convention Tower. This restaurant was highly raved about a few years back for their “handsome Korean boss who looked like a celebrity”, Haden Hee, who worked as a part-time model and actor.

That aside, Kimchi Korean Restaurant is well-known for their reasonably priced Korean cuisine in a refined setting. With their kitchen being manned by 100% South Korean chefs, the food at Kimchi Korean Restaurant is as authentic as it can get.

Here’s everything we loved about Kimchi Korean Restaurant, which includes free-flow side dishes with every meal.

ENJOY KOREAN CUISINE IN STYLE

Walk past this Korean restaurant at Suntec City Convention Tower and you’d definitely get a whiff of their alluring kimchi broth. Just the smell of it will kick up some Korean food cravings and tempt you to walk in for a meal.

Dine in style in this classy Korean restaurant—the spacious, elegant restaurant is a perfect setting for catch-ups with your buddies or a family meal!

CLASSIC KOREAN BEEF BULGOGI BIBIMBAP

We just had to order the classic—Korean Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap (S$15.90). The thinly sliced beef was flavorful and well-marinated. Served in a sizzling hot stone bowl, this bowl of beef bulgogi bibimbap is well complemented with fresh, crunchy vegetables and a kick-ass Korean chilli paste.

KIMCHI DAE-JI KALBI JJIM

If you are in a group, we suggest you opt for one of their Kimchi Jjim for sharing. Although served with only 2 bowls of rice, one serving of this Kimchi stew will be good to share amongst a group of 3-4 pax!

We dug into this portion of Slow-cooked Pork Ribs with Braised Kimchi (S$49.90) and there was a chock full of ingredients in there, and it includes slow-cooked pork ribs, kimchi, enoki mushroom, and wild rocket salad.

Served with a side of Korean ramyeon, this is a definitely tummy-filler and a very hearty one at that!

SAMGYETANG

Their soups, Ginseng Chicken Soup in particular, tasted so comforting that it felt like home. This unassuming bowl of Ginseng Chicken Soup (S$17.90) features half a spring chicken, complemented with jujube red dates and gingko nuts that attributes to the subtle nutty flavours of the ginseng soup.

Peel off some of that tender chicken and dip it into the side serving of salt and pepper mix for a greater flavour kick.

CRISPY POTATO CHEESE PANCAKE

Their Crispy Potato Cheese Pancake (S$13.90) is a good option if you are looking for a side to share. Topped with a fried egg and parmesan cheese, this savoury dish is simple but very tasty.

Look forward to many other side dishes that you can enjoy too. This includes their Traditional Korean Kimchi Pancake (S$13.90), Korean Seafood and Spring Onion Pancake (S$14.90), Kimchi Cheese Egg Pancake (S$14.90) and many more.

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Kimchi Korean Restaurant
3 Temasek Boulevard #02-387
Suntec City Convention Tower
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6337 7811
Mondays to Fridays: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Weekends: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

A Japanese gastro bar situated centrally in Suntec City, KURO Izakaya is recognised for their Robatayaki, Kushiyaki, small plates, sake and whisky.

The dual concept dining establishment is a ramen donburi shop by day where you will find working executives there for comforting Japanese food at affordable prices but night time is when you will find the crowd streaming into the modern izakaya for drinks and tapas.

With over 70 dishes features on their comprehensive menu, there is something that will delight everyone at KURO Izakaya. Think premium porcine, succulent wagyu and a curated selection of charcoal grilled seafood.

If you are not enticed yet, what about their exciting Happy Hour promotions when Frozen Kirin Beers are going at only S$5?! 

Leveraging on Japanese lanterns to light up the dim space and a gorgeous stone bar that is fully stocked with all sorts of alcohol, KURO Izakaya’s arousing ambience is the perfect spot for idling the night away.

The Smoked Ajitsuke Tamago (S$8++) and KURO Kushiyaki Platter (6 sticks for S$18++, 12 sticks for S$34++) are not to be missed. Using a special Kosei Charcoal Grill imported from Japan, this equipment ensures that the food is perfectly grilled without turning dry.

The Frozen Beer, an ice-cold Kirin Beer topped with frozen beer slushie, was an interesting addition to the bar’s offering of more than 38 whisky, sake and shochu.

KURO Izakaya’s Happy Hour promotions have Kirin beers going at S$5, Whisky Flights at S$38++ and Nikka Barrel or Nikka Black at S$99++.

KURO Izakaya
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, East Wing #01-604/605,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6235 1066
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

Widely recognised as one of the best tendon eateries in Singapore, Tendon Kohaku is a popular tendon speciality restaurant found at Eat at Seven at Suntec City. It is also situated right beside Katsudon Hanakatsu, a Katsu Don specialist by the same team at Tendon Kohaku.

The last time we visited Eat at Seven, we recalled seeing snaking queues outside Tendon Kohaku and we were curious to discover what was all the rage about this tendon specialist. Although we visited early, we were still greeted by a no less lengthy queue. But trust us, Tendon Kohaku’s KOHAKU Tendon (S$15) will make your efforts worthwhile.

At Tendon Kohaku, ordering is relatively straightforward as the menu only features 4 types of tendon and its corresponding set meals. Like Katsudon Hanakatsu, patrons will have a choice of Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice or 16 multi-grains rice mixed with Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido Rice for their tendon at no extra charge.

We kept things simple and ordered the KOHAKU Tendon (S$15) with Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice. The KOHAKU Tendon comprises of vegetables, chicken, prawn and other seafood atop a bed of fluffy rice, with a helping of sauce drizzled all over the tendon. At first glance, we already found ourselves impressed by the sheer generosity of ingredients served.

But what sets the KOHAKU Tendon apart from other tendon in Singapore is how exceptionally tasty the ingredients are. As most tendon we’ve tried seemed to channel most of their focus on perfecting their tempura batter, it was often the case there was nothing special about the taste of their ingredients.

Here at Tendon Kohaku, you get everything you queued for and more. The chicken meat and other ingredients were so juicy, tender and well-seasoned and the tempura batter, albeit not as crispy as some others, was delicious and flavourful.

As seating at Tendon Kohaku is rather limited, we were not surprised that there were such long queues outside this eatery. But for those who wish to avoid the lunch crowd, a good time to visit would be 3pm.

Otherwise, you can consider visiting its 2nd branch at 64 Circular Road near Boat Quay, to satisfy your tendon cravings.

Tendon Kohaku
3 Temasek Boulevard,
#03-310/311 Eat At Seven, Suntec City,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Daily: 11.30am – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

About the writer:
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets – to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Katsudon Hanakatsu at Suntec City is the newest Katsu Don restaurant in Singapore. Opened by the same team behind the popular Tendon Kohaku, Katsudon Hanakatsu specialises in Katsu Don and you can choose between the spicy and non-spicy alternatives.

If you are rushing for time and do not want to join the long queue at Tendon Kohaku, Katsudon Hanakatsu is a decent alternative.

The seating is rather limited so it is best to reach before the lunch or dinner crowd.

The original HA-NA Katsudon (S$13.50++) features a generous portion of two types of meat—pork and chicken. Diners get well-marinated meat with a subtle taste of shoyu on top of warm Japanese rice.

While there is nothing spectacular to shout about, we liked how the breaded deep-fried meat went well with tender meat. On top of that, the katsudon also came with the usual savoury egg and sliced onions.

Those who prefer your dish with a spicy kick can opt for the HA-NA Katsudon Spicy Flavour (S$13.50++) instead. The taste is similar to the original HA-NA Katsudon but came with chilli flakes for extra spice.

Do be warned that the level of spice is not for everyone; those who prefer something not too extreme should get the original flavour and add in the amount of chilli they are comfortable with.

Visitors get to choose between Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice (16 multi-grains) or Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice for their katsudon at no extra charge. Top up an extra S$1.50 for Tonjiru (S$1.50++), which is miso soup with pork chunks and vegetables.

If you are thinking of hanging out with some drinks, Katsudon Hanakatsu also offers a small selection of alcoholic beverages as well.

Katsudon Hanakatsu
#03-10 Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Daily: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

Located in the heart of the Singapore Marina Bay precinct, Suntec City is an exciting shopping, dining and entertainment destination which is directly linked by 2 MRT stations, Promenade and Esplanade MRT. It also has the largest car parking facility in Singapore with a whopping 3,100 parking lots.

Housing a smorgasbord of more than 350 stores with over 100 restaurants, cafes and bars spread out over close to 1 million square feet of retail space and three distinct wings, this means you’ll never run out of ideas to experience Suntec City. 

Here is a selection of standout Happy Hour and Ladies Night deals in Suntec City not to be missed! If getting more bang for your buck whets your appetite, head on down to Suntec City this April and May.

SKY GARDEN 

Suntec City’s Sky Garden, is a rooftop garden enclave of bars and restaurants popular among city-dwellers who like their cocktail with a resplendent city view.

EAT AT SEVEN: ENBU

Enbu at Sky Garden is the first and only Japanese restaurant in Singapore that specialises in traditional Warayaki Izakaya. Warayaki meaning charcoal grill, a cooking method that originated from Shikoku in Japan.

Their bestsellers—En-Bu Atsuage Tofu (deep-fried tofu served with an in-house sea urchin sauce, S$13), Jilasei Tsukune (S$15) and the Enbu Warayaki Mix of Prawn, Chicken, Kurobuta Pork (S$18.50)—are the perfect bar bites to go with their beer deals.

Their 1-For-1 draft beer promotion featuring Tokyo Highball or Sapporo Premium Beer, is available at only S$6.60 and S$5.50 respectively from 5pm to 8pm. Whisky fans should opt for Enbu’s signature cocktail, the Tokyo Highball (S$6.50), a delicious concoction of Japanese whisky soda.

Ladies looking for a caffeine break have another reason to visit Enbu as a cup of Americano is now available on free flow at a mere S$3.50.

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Eat At Seven: Enbu
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, Sky Garden #03-306/307,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6268 8043
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

INDOCHINE BAR @ SUNTEC

One of Singapore’s original Asian Fusion restaurants, IndoChine @ Suntec is no stranger among foodies although their Suntec City outlet, nestled among the lushness of the Sky Garden, offers a unique dining experience that is unlike their other outlets.

The IndoChine Bar @ Suntec’s 1-for-1 Happy Hour promotion runs throughout the day for house pour spirits, wine and draft beer at just S$19++. The bar also offers an attractive Suntec’s Beer Bucket deal at just S$45++. On top of that, ladies are in for a sweet 1-For-1 treat on Rosé Wine every night.

The Indochine Bar’s menu spoils you for choice and their signature wraps—Grilled Squid & Chili Lime Dip (S$16++), Laotian Rolls with Minced Chicken and Roasted Organic Brown Rice (S$12++) and Oven-Roast Chicken Thigh Skewers & Honey Pineapples (S$15++)—are the ones we definitely recommend.

IndoChine Bar @ Suntec
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City,
Sky Garden #03-304/305,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6332 0322
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

DALLAS RESTAURANT & BAR

Tucked away in the corner of the Sky Garden, Dallas Restaurant & Bar’s bay windows enhance your dining and drinking experience with a view of Singapore’s beautiful cityscape.

From 01 Mar to 31 Dec 2017, look out for the craft cocktail Happy Hour specials which go for only S$12++. At Dallas Restaurant & Bar, not only can wine enthusiasts choose from a range of Australian and New Zealand wines, beer lovers can also enjoy a pint of Stella Artois or San Miguel between 11am to 9pm for only S$10++.

Weekend diners are also in for a treat with free flow of sparkling wine, house red and white wine, draught beer and soft drinks at S$50++ per pax from 12pm to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 9pm.

Excellent complements to your drinks are the Snapper Fish Tacos (S$6 for one, S$17 for three) and Dallas Fajitas (S$28).

Dallas Restaurant & Bar
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City,  Sky Garden #03-302/303,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4068
Mon to Wed: 11.30am – 12am
Thu & Fri: 11.30am – 1am
Sat to Sun & PH: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

DRINKING HOLES NEAR PROMENADE STATION

BISTRO 1855

Bistro 1855 is an urban gastro bar that transforms into a wine bar in the evening. Its trendy interior makes it an ideal spot to unwind over some after-work drinks. Its budget-friendly Happy Hour promotions include San Miguel Draught Beers at S$6++ per glass, house pours and spirits for S$7++ per glass and premium house wines at S$8++ per glass.

Bistro 1855 also dishes out an amazing selection of bar bites and food items and an absolute must-try is the Spam AKA Luncheon Fries (S$10).

If you are planning to dine for dinner, try Bistro 1855′s 1/2 Roasted Chicken (S$26), a half roasted chicken with Tunisian tabil, wilted spinach, purple sweet potato and tomato fondue.

Bistro 1855
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, East Wing #01-643/644,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6836 5994
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Promenade

MORGANFIELD’S

Modelled after New York’s BBQ restaurants, Morganfield’s is known for being the home of the sticky bones.

Try the Golden Fried Wings (S$12.90), Loaded Chilli Nachos (S$13.90) and, definitely, the iconic Hickory BBQ Sticky Bones (S$27.90 for half a slab and S$42.90 for a full slab).

Quench your thirst with beers on tap from S$10 per pint and wines and spirits from S$9 per glass. This Happy Hour promotion is available from 11am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday, and throughout the day on Sunday and public holidays.

Morganfield’s drinks selection also includes a wide array of handcrafted beers and ciders. Don’t miss the Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar (S$15.90), a delicious rich nutty ale with a smooth malty finish.

Morganfield’s
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, East Wing #01-645/646,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6736 1136
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Promenade

GINZA LION

Ginza Lion is a beer hall that serves high-quality, special draft beer through two ways: “pouring in one action” or the traditional beer pouring technique. Its signature is the Sapporo Premium Beer, an original Japanese beer with a crisp, refreshing flavour and refined bitterness.

Beer can be enjoyed with the crispy and tender Fried Chicken (S$12 for 4 pieces and S$20 for 8 pieces), flavourfully made with the Ginza Lion secret marinade recipe.

The ultimate Beer O’Clock promotion between 5pm to 9pm is a fantastic S$5 deal for a mug of Sapporo Premium Beer. After 9pm, the beer goes at S$9 a mug.

With any purchase of a dish from the menu, Ginza Lion complements it with a 90-minute free flow beer and wine promotion for S$28++ per pax.

Ginza Lion
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, East Wing #01-649/650,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6836 6053
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri: 11.30am – 11pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

AL FRESCO DRINKING SPOTS AROUND SUNTEC TOWERS

BACCARAT

Baccarat is the epitome of opulence and luxury with an interior boasting strong Great Gatsby-esque vibes. Its black and gold colour scheme is accentuated with the bar’s impressive chandeliers.

Happy Hour promotions are for 2 draft beers at S$23, 2 bottles of red or white wine at S$98 and 2 glasses of red or white wine at S$16.

On Wednesdays, ladies can enjoy 2 free drinks at the bar.

Baccarat’s food menu offers local dishes such as Fried Hokkien Mee and Western fare such as Roast Chicken with Mashed Potatoes.

Baccarrat 
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, North Wing #01-434/437/439/442,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 9737 2063
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 1am
Fri: 4pm – 3am
Sat: 4pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

DISTRICT 10 BAR & GRILL

District 10′s S$10 nett drinks guarantee you a good time with its selection of draught beer, house pour spirits and wine.

The most satisfying bar grub at District 10 is its sinful and delicious rendition of the Buffalo Wings—fried chicken wings in spicy sauce, celery sticks and Blue Cheese dip (S$12). It’s a perfect match with a pint of beer.

District 10 Bar & Grill
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, North Wing #01-514/515,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6822 2886
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

JAMAICA BLUE

A café bar located at the Suntec City Tower 3 entrance, Jamaica Blue is known for their amazing coffee. However, many are unaware of the great alcoholic drink deals that Jamaica Blue offers.

From 12pm to 9pm, buy 2 draught beers or house pour wines and get one for free! You can choose from a pint of Heineken (S$17), a pint of Erdinger (S$18) or a glass of red/white house wine (S$9.90).

The Chicken Karaage (S$11.90) with its accompanying sauce dip, though different from the typical Japanese version, was surprisingly impressive. The Open Steak Sandwich (S$17.90) was also a good beer pairing, although unconventional, comprises of a rib eye fillet, bacon, caramelised onion, cheddar cheese, pickle, rocket, tomato and paprika aioli on toast. 

Jamaica Blue
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, East Wing #01-606/607,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6737 8061
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

KURO IZAKAYA

A Japanese gastro bar situated centrally in Suntec City, KURO Izakaya is recognised for their Robatayaki, Kushiyaki, small plates, sake and whisky.

The Smoked Ajitsuke Tamago (S$8++) and KURO Kushiyaki Platter (6 sticks for S$18++, 12 sticks for S$34++) are not to be missed.

The Frozen Beer, an ice-cold Kirin Beer topped with frozen beer slushie, was an interesting addition to the bar’s offering of more than 38 whisky, sake and shochu.

KURO Izakaya’s Happy Hour promotions have Kirin beers going at S$5, Whisky Flights at S$38++ and Nikka Barrel or Nikka Black at S$99++.

KURO Izakaya
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, East Wing #01-604/605,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6235 1066
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

OSG – Our Simple Goodness

OSG – Our Simple Goodness is an interesting and one-of-a-kind concept that marries several different cuisine types in an all-in-one hangout place. Good ‘ol traditional breakfast is served in the mornings and the restaurant is transformed into a hip and trendy bar come nightfall.

Every item on OSG’s menu has a story to tell and you would notice that certain dishes were also included because of recommendations by regulars and special guests.

Sapporo beer lovers can enjoy a full pint at S$7.90 at OSG in addition to the bar’s 1-for-1 Happy Hour promotion for draft beers, Grey Goose Martini, wines and spirits throughout the night.

The promotion also has 2 bottled beers going for S$16 and 3 bottles for S$18.

OSG Our Simple Goodness
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, North Wing #01-510/511,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6268 6702
Mon to Thu: 11am – 2am
Fri: 11am – 3am
Sat & Sun: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

MORE DINING DEALS & REWARDS

From now to 21 May 2017, a total of S$150,000 worth of rewards are up for grabs!

Simply spend a minimum of S$30 on dining in a single same-day receipt in Suntec City, and receive 3,000 Suntec Rewards Points, a complimentary parking coupon and a ‘Match & Win’ card. Also, win S$50 when you collect 2 matching cards. Charge to your American Express ® card to receive an additional S$5 Suntec City voucher.

While you’re there, visit the 1855 Wine & Whisky Week fair and pick up a bottle of Pinot Noir at the East Atrium (from 19 April to 30 April 2017). There’s also an Urban Farmers’ Market happening in the North Atrium (from 20 April to 30 April 2017) where you can stock up on healthy snacks and wholesome bites.

Please note that all Happy Hour and Ladies Night promotions are subject to each restaurant’s individual terms and conditions. For more information, please go to www.sunteccity.com.sg/highlight/a-chance-to-dine-for-free/.

This post is brought to you by Suntec City.

Character cafés are on the rise here in Singapore and adding on to the ever-growing list is the spanking new Gudetama Café Singapore. Gudetama is Sanrio’s latest character and quite possibly the current most popular one. It is no doubt that the whole world is in love with this adorable lazy egg.

Officially opening its doors to the public on 30 November 2016, Gudetama Café Singapore will be serving a myriad of cute Gudetama-themed desserts that will make your hearts melt. We were thrilled to step into the café with cosy lighting and intimate egg-shaped booths around. Spanning a large area of 2,300 square feet, the cafe at Suntec City can sit up to 112 people. Of course, expect snaking long queues in the first few weeks.

Here are some of the dishes you can expect from Gudetama Café Singapore.

Note: For those of you who are heading down to Gudetama Cafe Singapore, it is located near to Suntec City Convention, not Suntec City Tower 3.

Gudetama Café Singapore is a joint venture between two local food brands, The Soup Spoon and Joe & Dough.

Teaming up with popular author and food stylist Shirley Wong (aka Little Miss Bento), they have crafted a menu with some seriously visually-appealing options. Whip out your cameras because you are going to have a fun time photographing them!

EGG-CEPTIONAL SIDES

Two highlights from the sides menu are Gudetama Lobster Onsen (S$16) and Truffle Fries in a Cone (S$16.50). While the latter was sinfully addictive and admittedly a great snack to munch on while waiting for your mains, it was nothing special. You can skip this safe option to go for something a little more adventurous—the Gudetama Lobster Onsen.

The lobster bisque was delightfully rich and creamy, with a very distinct taste of the luxurious shellfish.

EGG-CELENT MAIN COURSES

Gudetama Café Singapore serves a decent range of main courses with a total of 10 options for you to pick from. Popular treats like Rib-”I” Don’t Care (S$28.50), Eggcited Cajun Chicken with Waffles (S$23.90) and “Shiok” Pork Ribs (S$38.50). We liked that the menu is quirky, with a subtle hint of Singlish to appeal to the local crowd.

The Rib-”I” Don’t Care is an adorable name for their Chargrilled New Zealand Grass-Fed Angus Ribeye Steak dish. You can pick the preferred doneness of your steak and it is served with rich and generous wild mushroom sauce, served with grilled vegetables and sweet potato mash.

The Eggcited Cajun Chicken with Waffles is also a wonderful choice and we really loved the marinate on the poultry.

EGG-SQUISITE DESSERTS

Who can miss their huge range of adorable desserts? They have 5 desserts on their actual menu and plenty of other smaller desserts available at the storefront for dine-in or takeaway.

One that stood out the most for us was the Ta-Ma-Go (S$17.90). Shaped like adorable tamago sushi, this dish actually comprises “sushi cheesecakes” coated with rice puffs and topped with fluffy egg sponge cake. It is also served with matcha curd (like wasabi) and maple syrup (like soy sauce).

The Shoyu Ramen (S$21.50) is another twist on a savoury dish. It is actually chocolate mousse cake with Feuilletine, chestnut Mont Blanc, earl grey jelly and orange tuile. Served on the side is some panna cotta with sweet rose tea.

The Iced Tea Coolers (S$8.50 each)—namely Straw-Very “Lazy” and Hula Hula—were pretty generic and run-of-the-mill.

Intrigued by this new character cafe? It is certainly worth a visit because some dishes really surprised us with its taste. However, as with most of these “gimmicky cafes”, do not have high expectations of the food. They are primarily attractive because of their aesthetics.

Nonetheless, the dishes are totally cute and creative, and if you are keen, join in the queue from 30 November 2016. Happy lazing around with Gudetama!

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.

Gudetama Cafe Singapore
3 Temasek Boulevard
#01-361 Suntec City Mall
(Near to Suntec City Convention)
Singapore 038983
Mon to Thu: 9am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 8am – 10pm
(Last order 9.30pm daily)
Nearest Station: Esplanade/ Promenade

It is true – cheese tarts are the new salted egg yolk of food trends here in Singapore because it genuinely seems like everyone is working on and introducing new cheese tart dishes. Of course, the undisputed winner – BAKE Cheese Tart – still has a special place in our hearts, but we are definitely on the look-out for more.

We chanced upon Nigiro Cafe’s unique Churro Cheese Tart (S$4.80) and decided to give it a shot because it has an irresistible molten centre that just looked too good to pass up on! Nigiro Cafe is a Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant and it sits inside Eat at Seven at Suntec City.

Although the restaurant might be a little to tricky to locate, our trip was so worth it and here is why.

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First of all, the tart is huge. We recommend having the tart immediately after purchasing so you can savour the freshly baked warmth of it. A flat churro top sprinkled with cinnamon sits atop the tart, exuding a pleasant fragrance.

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The tart itself is buttery and not overly crumbly. The actual molten cheese is the perfect combination of sweet and savoury and went superbly well with the rest of the elements.

When eaten together in one bite, it was pretty much heavenly. If it was up to us however, we would have just skipped the churro top and devoured the cheese tart whole! For such a reasonable price tag, there is no reason not to head down for a bite!

Nigiro Cafe
3 Temasek Boulevard # 03-315
Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6238 1669
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

HANDS UP, LLAOLLAO FANS!

Who else is a fan of the very famous Spanish froyo (frozen yogurt)? If you haven’t even heard, which is close to impossible, Llaollao is a must-eat dessert in Singapore and the very photogenic froyo has been getting so much attention from everyone since it set foot on our shores. What is essentially just frozen yogurt is so much more with Llaollao, and they have changed the way we eat froyo forever.

With the array of toppings and sauces, Llaollao has revolutionised froyo, and they are no less pretty than ice cream sundaes. The good news is we no longer have to stand in queue for thirty minutes before we get our froyo fix, especially with the newest Suntec City shop – Llaollao’s biggest outlet in the world – that boasts a huge space with significantly shorter queues.

From now till 31 October 2015, flash this post at Llaollao’s Suntec City outlet and get 50% off the second item purchased (at same value or lower). Imagine buying one Sanum and getting the second Sanum at half the price!

SANUM

Where do we even begin? Sanum? That’s everyone’s favourite, right?

Alright, Sanum it shall be. You might have seen a thousand photos of this iconic parfait on your social media feeds already, but that does not make it any less attractive. 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. The possibilities are endless for Llaollao always stocks up their counters with so many types of toppings.

FIVE FAVOURITE SANUM COMBINATIONS

Many times, we see customers stressing up over the counter, not knowing what to order. Perhaps this is where we can help? We have five Sanum combinations that we enjoy, and you may want to use the mix-and-matching of toppings as inspirations on your next order!

First up, we have Caramelised Cookies everything. This is our default Sanum, and we can never get enough of this combination!

Suggested toppings: caramelised cookies x2, strawberries x2, banana, Cookie sauce.

Our next favourite is the Raffallao sauce. We believe this is many’s favourite too. It is essentially white chocolate sauce with coconut bits, so you can imagine how awesome that is.

Suggested toppings: chocolate peanuts and caramalised cookies, pineapple, mango, watermelon, Raffallao sauce.

For a berry-dominated combination, do the Berry Lovers way. Berries everything, that is.
Suggested toppings: Chips Ahoy and muesli with chocolate, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, Wild Strawberries sauce.

Can’t decide if you prefer hazelnut or chocolate? Then do both. It will be a colourful treat with the toppings.

Suggested toppings: Smarties, dehydrated cranberries, melon, strawberries, banana, Nocilla sauce.

All Dark, if you like to go heavy on the chocolate. All dark, all for decadence, yes?

Suggested toppings: Oreo, crunch, mango, banana, strawberries, Black Chocolate sauce.

Ask any Llaollao fan and they will agree the fun comes from watching your parfait being built, one topping at a time. There is something therapeutic about seeing how your yogurt twirl around in the cup, and a pretty Sanum deserves a spot on our Instagram. But of course, we suggest you have fun and go all out with your creativity. The fruits are always fresh, the crunch variety is aplenty, and there many sauces are sure to excite.

THREE SIZES – SMALL, MEDIUM, SANUM

On to the smaller sizes if you do not prefer froyo overdose, though we think that is a good problem to have. For a small midday perk-me-up, the Small (S$4.90) is a simple serving with one topping of your choice. Whatever you like – crunch, fruit or sauce, take your pick. We like it with a simple Mango sauce. You?

Want something bigger than Small but not as big as Sanum? If you can relate to this “dilemma”, then Medium (S$5.90) is your answer. You have more options here, with three toppings of your choice. Why, this is splendid because you can pick a sauce, a crunch and a fruit!

GREAT SMOOTHIES WITH FROYO

Llaollao is also home to great smoothies. What is otherwise under the radar, because everyone’s attention is always on Sanum, is their series of smoothies with froyo. As cliche as it may sound, we would like to think of this as a perfect summer drink.

Split (S$6.90) is our favourite combination! The sweetness of the cookie sauce cuts through the tartness of the froyo, and the fresh banana slices make a great complement. Something refreshing, something unusual, and no less fun; we will totally return to Llaollao for this.

LLAOLLAO OPENS ITS BIGGEST OUTLET IN THE WORLD AT SUNTEC CITY

In Llaollao’s earlier days in Singapore, we saw crazy queues are every outlet; some go up to an hour! We were one of those curious ones who stood in queue, who waited patiently to discover all the wonders Llao Llao can do for our souls. Well, we fell in love, of course. But we were not prepared to wait another thirty minutes for a cup of Sanum.

Luckily, our prayers were heard, and there are now many more outlets in Singapore. The newest one at Suntec City (near to H&M and Din Tai Fung) is the largest one yet.

Being the most spacious unit, Llaollao at Suntec City is our go-to outlet for its strategic centralised location; anywhere we are, when we crave for some froyo goodness, Llaollao Suntec City it shall be.

The toppings selection is a lot fuller, and the queue is significantly shorter. Yay to saying goodbye to long waiting time! And the great news we bear with this post is, in celebration of Suntec City’s opening, OUR READERS ENJOY 50% OFF THE SECOND ITEM PURCHASED AT LLAOLLAO!

LADYIRONCHEF’S READERS GET 50% OFF THE SECOND ITEM PURCHASED AT LLAOLLAO’S SUNTEC CITY BRANCH

From now till 31 October 2015, Ladyironchef’s readers can get 50% off the second item purchased (at same value or lower). This is exclusive to Suntec City’s outlet, and all you have to do is to flash this post when you are ordering your Sanum.

We cannot think of a better way for you to visit the biggest outlet. Of course, if it is going to be your first time at Llaollao, make it a great one with Suntec City’s Llaollao!

Llaollao Singapore
3 Temasek Boulevard
#02-313 Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
Nearest Station: Promenade

This post is brought to you by Llaollao Singapore.

Updated on 27 Apr 2014: LÈ Restaurant is no longer in operations.

Regulars will know that I am a huge fan of Paradise Group. It is really inspiring to see how a small Chinese seafood restaurant at Defu Lane has evolved and expanded to a restaurant empire within such a short span of time.

LÈ Restaurant & Bar at Suntec City is Paradise Group’s latest venture – and its biggest project till date, spanning over 10,000 square feet – consisting of a trendy bar, contemporary restaurant which faces the open kitchen, and eight classy private dining rooms. LÈ offers a complete dining experience where you can indulge in pre-dinner cocktails and tapas, before having a delectable dinner at the restaurant. After the meal, relax at the lounge over post-dinner digestifs till late.

If I were to sum up LÈ Restaurant & Bar in a paragraph, it would be this: polished and well-furnished interior decorations; attentive and genuine service from the eloquent and smartly-dressed staff; unconventional and ingeniously concocted cocktails at the swanky bar and lounge; tantalising modern and refined Chinese cuisine; stylish and sensuous music and lighting – LÈ takes pride in delivering even the tiniest details for an immaculate experience. It is very sexy and it makes you feel alive.

Here are some of the highlights of some of the signature dishes at LÈ Restaurant & Bar.

We started with cocktails and tapas at the bar. While you can find the classic cocktails (S$20 – S$28) like mojito and martini, what you must not miss is the list of LÈ’s Asian-inspired signature house cocktails. There are many brilliant concoctions such as the LÈ Special (S$22), a cocktail inspired by ice kacang; and Little Nonya (S$22), a combination of bombay sapphire east gin with fresh laksa leaf. Surely something you cannot get anywhere else.

There is also a wide range of Asian-style tapas which go very well with the house cocktails. Interesting options include Baked Escargot with Parmesan Pastry (S$9), Chilli Crab Kuey Pie Tie (S$15), Braised Cherry Foie Gras (S$26), and my favourite Mantou Burger with Braised USDA Prime Beef (S$16).

LÈ is having a 1-for-1 cocktail promotion (excluding house cocktails) till 31 October. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, DJs will be spinning upbeat groove tunes at the bar. So, if you are looking for a place to unwind and have some drinks and snacks after work, LÈ is the undisputed destination.

Upon stepping in to the main dining hall, you will find yourself in a voguish and grand space which feels more like an upmarket chi-chi Western restaurant rather than a Chinese restaurant. Another point that is worth mentioning is LÈ has a team of international service crew, all of them are well-trained and speak frequent English. No other Chinese restaurants in the market have hit this standard, and your benchmark of Chinese restaurants will never be the same again.

LÈ offers many popular, well-executed and straightforward dishes that you might expect from a good Chinese restaurant. But what sets them apart, however, is their effort to push the boundaries of Chinese cuisine to a new high. LÈ’s menu offers many novel creations, and there is a strong emphasise on table side service as it creates an intimate dining experience for the guests.

One of our favourite dishes was the Coral Trout Poached in Lobster Broth (S$16 per 100g, S$28 for the broth) with a whole filleted coral trout freshly and lightly poached right before our eyes. While the lobster broth was intense and robust in flavours, it did not overwhelm and mask the freshness of the fish. If any, it was beautifully balanced – the separate sweetness of the fish and lobster broth was so unpredictably yet so impressively complementary that we emptied our soup bowls almost instantaneously.

Another dish that was served ala table side style was the Pan-Seared Grade 9 Australian Wagyu (S$160 for 200g, S$240 for 300g). The beef on its own was fantastic, but the addition of truffle oil and lemon zest sea salt elevated and brought out the flavours of the beef; every bit was a joy to eat and gave every reasons to order this dish again on my next visit.

The piece de resistance was LÈ’s Dirty Duck (S$38 for half, S$68 for whole). Instead of the ubiquitous Peking Duck, LÈ serves an interpretation by stewing the duck in a special blend of spices, then flash-fried till crispy. The Dirty Duck was shredded tableside by the skilful staff, then wrapped with cucumber, Hoisin sauce and basil in homemade scallion crepes. If you love Peking Duck, you must try the Dirty Duck because it is a fascinating re-invention of the classic Chinese favourite. Simply put, I would not dine at LÈ without ordering this dish.

To round up the meal, try the Stir-fried Angel Hair with Dried Japanese Ebi (S$28/S$42) with assorted seafood in truffle oil. It had a good balance of Chinese and Western cooking styles and ingredients. On one hand, foreigners would not be intimated to try it as it is primarily a European-originated dish. While on the other hand, it is very similar to fried bee hoon, which most Chinese are familiar with. The addition of fried sakura ebi also completes the dish with just the right touch of sweetness.

Among the options on the dessert menu, you will be tempted by the Layered Durian Crepe (S$8/pax), Candied Strawberry (S$4/pax, min 3 orders) with candy floss, but we recommend the Sweet Temptation (S$13/pax) which is essentially a dessert platter of Yakult and Sesame Pudding, Avocado Puree with coffee ice cream, Chilled Mango Puree with Sago, and fruits.

LÈ Restaurant & Bar is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular Chinese restaurants in Singapore. While concepts like LÈ are common in Western countries, it is the first-of-its-kind in Singapore, and it is indeed enthralling that Paradise Group has created LÈ. Bold and innovative, this is one destination that offers a uniquely complete dining experience which no other Chinese restaurants in town can match up to. I have no doubt that it is set to redefine the high-end Chinese dining spectrum in Singapore.

It is the kind of place where I would bring my partner to for a special date or to celebrate an important occasion. If you love Chinese food, and have always lamented the fact that most Chinese restaurants are more than predictable and have nothing exhilarating to offer, I say with confidence that LÈ fills the gap very nicely and is your definite answer.

If you need any more reason to go there, LÈ is currently having an opening promotion of 30% off total bill, valid till 30 September.

LÈ Restaurant & Bar
#02-314 Suntec City Mall (Convention Centre)
3 Temasek Boulevard
Tel: +65 6338 8775
Restaurant Lunch: 11.30am to 3pm daily
Restaurant Dinner: 6pm to 10.30pm daily
Bar: 3pm to 11pm (Sun to Thu), 3pm to 12mn (Fri & Sat)
Nearest Station: City Hall, Esplanade

I, Willy Wonky, have decided to allow three children, to visit my Research facility this year. These lucky three will be allowed to see all the secrets and the magic of my facility. Then at the end of the tour, as a special present, one of them will be given enough chocolates and sweets to last him/her for the rest of the life! So watch out for the Choc Tickets!

The Chocolate room. An important room, this! This is the heart of the whole research facility. And so beautiful yes! Below the melting chocolate wall, are bars and bars of chocolate, 100 different flavours! There, it’s all chocolate!

The inventing room. All the most secret new inventions are cooking and simmering in here. The connoisseur, exotic, double fruit series are some of the ones which will make your saliva-gland start working. Not to mention there’s the classic, nut, coffee and tea series.

Only Brad Brat left. The winner, with enough chocolate & sweets to last him for the lifetime! The dark chocolate 70% from Saint domingue in the spotlight.

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Chocolate Research Facility (CRF) is a chocolate boutique, which comprises of a retail store and a cafe. The interesting layout of the shop, the unique packaging of the chocolate bars, the intriguing combination of flavours available, meant that you need to grab a bar here! The chocolate are priced at $8, 10, & 12 for different flavours. I brought one bar, guess the flavour!

This post is inspired base on the story, Charlie & the chocolate factory by Roald Dahl. I have made some changes to parts of it, no intention of misusing the author’s right.

Chocolate Research Facility
9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-30 Millenia Walk
Tel: 6338 5191
Website here

Three. It is the natural number following two, and preceding four. It also represents the three of us, the memories; of the fun, joy and laughter that we shared throughout the years. No, although we didn’t meet frequently, but somehow our conservation always continue smoothly from the previous meeting which was a few months ago, as though we just met yesterday.

Friends, are like the macarons you see. They come in all shapes and flavours, just like friends who has different characters and personality. And how long have we all known each other; with each finger representing a year, I count almost nine out of the ten fingers I could afford on both of my hands.

Friends. There isn’t a need to contact with each other all the time. A simple greeting, uncomplicated chit-chats, and a sincere well-wishes, are the ingredients needed, just like how a good macaron is defined by having chewy shells, with flavourful fillings.

Friends, we automatically updated and filled in on each others life, the gossips and chit-chats that make a whole afternoon passed by in a blink of the eye. A place to sit, some desserts to go along with a cup of tea, are all we need.

She giggled, you chuckled, and we smiled. Much as we used to complain about dragging ourselves out of bed on a Saturday morning just for the practice, thinking of the silly times we had, those were the days.

All of us had moved on, to new pasture, and a different world. But we still managed to meet up even though the rest often had excuses to miss our gatherings. Yes, always the three of us.

Bakerzin is currently having their Macarons promotions, selling at a dollar for each macaron (usual price $1.60++). And since it is a promotion, their usual flavours will not available, instead there’s ten different flavours to choose from. We had seven out of the ten, namely; lemon, coffee, Peach, Pistachio, Sakura, Blueberry, and Chocolate.

In short, not all the macarons impressed. We like the coffee, with the strong after-taste lingering on our tongue. The pistachio was chewy and sticky. The first bite of the chocolate was overwhelming bitter, but the taste became sweeter for the second bite. The different macarons have different texture, the lemon and the blueberry’s shell crumbled easily, while pistachio and chocolate have slightly crispy ones. But still, a dollar a macaron is cheap, and you can’t complain.

I was sceptical about choosing the Mango mousse ($6.20) initially. But since I’ve try most of the other cakes available at Bakerzin, we decided to take a risk and go ahead with it. And I must say the mango cake, or rather mousse was better than what we thought. Two layers of thin sponge with thick layer of mango mousse in between. The mango mousse, was naturally fulsome with mango.

With a name like Lavande ($6.90), we were perhaps expecting something more of the lavender flower, but it never came. Instead, the cake was very rich, with the goodness of dark chocolate fudge, and the velvety lavender-infused chocolate mousse. The very subtle lavender flavour in the cake meant that it was simply a chocolate cake, with a slight hint of flower.

As with most tastings, we always leave the strongest for the last. Sweet Pleasure ($6.90) is what my friend call it, my-kind-of-cake. How very true. A top layer of chocolate, jivara milk chocolate ganache, a layer of chocolate mousse, and hazelnut praline dacquoise. All in all, it did seem like a ferrero rocher cake. And having tried about thirteen of Bakerzin’s cake so far, sweet pleasure together with the chocolate amer are two of my favourites.

Friends are one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. One year technically isn’t very long, and with the advancement in technology, there’s always msn and email to bridge the gap of the two countries. Have fun in the coming months, my friend, my senior, my big sister. The three of us, yes as always, three, will meet once you got back.

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Total Bill was $37.25 for 3 cakes, 7 macarons, and 3 drinks. With the promotion of getting a drink at $1.90 each with the purchase of each slice of cake during tea time. As you will know by now, I don’t like to repeat visits, but the one-dollar a macaron was too tempting for me to resist. Having tried thirteen cakes on two visits, it is unlikely that i will visit Bakerzin in the near future, but yeah, you shouldn’t missed their current promotion until end of Feburary.

Read about my previous visits to Bakerzin here, and here

Bakerzin
9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-23 Millenia Walk
Tel: 6837 2422