When it comes to Thai options in Singapore, most people may think of Golden Mile Complex but we sometimes find ourselves heading to Tan Quee Lan street because apart from the ever popular Ah Loy Thai, we also enjoy visiting Kin Moo and our most recent discovery—Sawadee Thai Cuisine.

Having been around for more than a decade, this Thai restaurant teleports you all the way to the Land of Smiles with its decadent Thai dishes and soft Thai jazz music serenading you while you dine.

Given its close proximity to offices in the Bugis district and communal dining concept, Sawadee Thai Cuisine is an ideal dining destination for working professionals during lunch time.

The restaurant’s interior is heavily inspired by Thai culture that is reflected from the use of wooden decor and Thai decorative ornaments.

Tom Yum Soup (small – S$12++, medium – S$18++) at Sawadee Thai is a concoction boasting spicy, sour and savoury notes that perked our taste buds immediately. Dig a little deeper and you will find tasty seafood such as sliced fish and prawns as well.

Thai-Style Otah on Clayplate (S$10++/4pcs) is an unassuming dish featuring mackerel fish mousse on a traditional clayplate. With the addition of rich Thai spices, the bite-sized otah pieces had aromatic and complex flavours which we enjoyed thoroughly.

While most places will opt for a simpler presentation, Sawadee Thai Cuisine’s Mango with Glutinous Rice (S$30++/sharing platter for 4 to 5 pax) truly impresses us with its gorgeous aesthetics. Alongside sweet mango cubes and glutinous rice coloured with all-natural butterfly pea flower, diners are also treated to creamy coconut ice cream which was we needed to end the meal on a high.

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.

Sawadee Thai Cuisine
9 Tan Quee Lan St
Singapore 188098
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Read: 20 Thai Restaurants in Singapore that are cheap cheap good good

2015 is coming to an end, and with that, we celebrate a year of amazing food and also fresh new trends that have landed on our sunny island. Of course, trends come and go but the really good ones shall stay on.

In this piece, we explore the trends that have invaded Singapore this year. The rubrics are simple – a) Photogenic and hence, hyped up on social media, b) more than one store riding on the trend, c) so delicious and/ or innovative that it is no surprise they are labeled as a ‘trend’.

Here are 13 Food Trends in Singapore in 2015 that you probably already know about. We pay homage to some of the best food that graced our nation this year.

#1 KOREAN BINGSU

What better way to curb this awful humidity than with a Korean Ice Kachang? This Korean shaved ice dessert is well-loved by many. We love how it comes in a variety of flavours, but for us, we would choose anything with injeolmi for sure!

#2 ‘BLACK’ DISHES

‘Black’ is always sexy and many have caught on to this trend. With black steamed buns, black waffles and black pastas, the chefs mainly use either squid ink or charcoal to make this happen. However gimmicky it may be, we have to say that this trend most definitely got our attention and our hearts!

#3 OVER-THE-TOP CAKE SHAKES

A small bakery in Canberra first started serving these insane milkshakes and now you can find them at many cafes around the world, including Singapore.

The Cake Shake includes crazy things ingredients such as macarons, slices of cakes, biscuits and more in a milkshake. However pretty they look in pictures, it is still a tiny bit ridiculous to us. Calories aside, aren’t cake shakes a little too massive that they don’t blend well?

#4 COCONUT ICE CREAM

These Thai-style coconut ice cream were everywhere for awhile. Served in a half coconut shell, coconut ice cream is usually paired with other condiments such as jelly or fruits. It worked really well here because anything that can save us from the heat is marvelous. But of course, they are pretty too!

#5 COLLAGEN HOTPOT

Collagen has been a trend for a long time. However, collagen in steamboats or hot pots have only been popular recently. With the most popular being Tsukada Nojo, the collagen is first served in a jelly form and it will slowly liquify into a collagen soup over high heat, resulting in a creamy, rich broth that is so sweet and addictive.

#6 FLAVOURED LAVA CAKES

From red velvet to matcha to all kinds of interesting flavours. We always welcome a classic molten chocolate lava cake, but these unique creations can be great too – but it all depends on how good the pastry chef is.

#7 ICE CREAM ROLLS

Ice Cream Rolls first became a thing when people started sharing cool videos of street vendors making it in countries such as Thailand. When Hari Raya season rolled up, people started setting up booths, and the queues were almost an hour of wait! Now, you can see permanent stores in a few places in Singapore selling this cool new technique of serving ice cream.

#8 JUICE CLEANSE – COLD-PRESSED JUICES

Whether juice cleanses actually work, it is subjective and varies from consumer to consumer. This year, there was a sudden influx of cold-pressed juice places in Singapore. However, juices like these can be pricey, so if you want to splurge, make sure you are truly disciplined to adhere to the programme for optimal results.

#9 KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

This needs no introduction because it is basically everywhere and it is a trend that we foresee will stay a long long time. With so many restaurants specialising in this dish in Singapore, that shows just how much Singaporeans love this classic Korean dish. And, give us beer please.

#10 SALTED EGG YOLK EVERYTHING

Well, we would not say this is a new trend but rather, an ongoing one and one that is so strong this year. Salted Egg Yolk brings life to just about any dish and truth be told, we can never get sick of it. Salted Egg Yolk Chicken, Squid, Prawns… anything. We love them all!

Read: The Best Salted Egg Yolk Dishes in Singapore.

#11 SHIBUYA THICK TOAST

Thick toasts were first made popular on social media by Taiwanese cafe chain, Dazzling Cafe when they opened its doors here in Singapore. Now, so many cafes and dessert parlours have started to serve and further popularise it. And yes, they are very photogenic.

#12 SOFT-SERVE ICE CREAM

This is nothing new but 2015 has seen a spike in people going for soft-serve ice cream as more and more restauranteurs start to get creative with flavours and plating. The Korean ones are usually very well received too.

#13 CHURROS

Churros aren’t new for sure, but Singaporeans have fallen head over heels in love with them this year alongside the sudden influx of churros stalls/ kiosks sprouting out in Singapore. Are you a fan of the classic ones with cinnamon sugar, or the Korean versions with lots of fillings on the inside?

With the erratic and humid weather here in Singapore, we all need something chilled or cold to soothe and hydrate ourselves. Why not grab a cup of coconut ice cream? Served on a halved husk, this style of serving is largely adapted and inspired from the ones you get in street markets in Thailand.

With more and more specialised coconut ice cream shops popping up in Singapore, getting a cup of this delicious thirst-quenching desserts is more accessible than you think. Now, you need not travel all the way to Chatuchak in Thailand just to have it!

Here is a list of 5 Bangkok-Style Coconut Ice Creams in Singapore that you have to try!

#1 320 BELOW

East-siders rejoice because yes, there is one near you! Located inside OneKM Mall along Tanjong Katong Road, 320 Below is just a 5 minute walk from Paya Lebar MRT. 320 Below uses liquid nitrogen to freeze their ingredients, hence the ice cream served here is always tastes fresh.

Although 320 Below does not serve their freshly-made coconut ice cream in a halved coconut husk, we can ensure that they have one of the best and freshest coconut ice creams you can find here in Singapore.

11 Tanjong Katong Road
#01-K1 One KM
Singapore 437157
Tel:+65 6702 2727
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#2 CO NUT INK

Priced at S$5 for a portion served with the standard topping of Classic Peanuts, you will be presented with a scoop of sorbet-textured coconut ice cream served atop young coconut husk and a complimentary cup of coconut water. Definitely a must-have to combat the sweltering weather while taking a stroll along Esplanade!

Esplanade Waterfront
1 Esplanade Drive, #01-K7
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 9685 5573
Mon to Fri: 1:30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade/Esplande

#3 KOKO ICE CREAM

Opened by a group of three young men, this fresh concept stands out inside Amoy Food Street and is probably one of the most affordable around! For S$3, you get a halved husk, with coconut flesh, a scoop of coconut ice cream, two toppings of choice and a cup of fresh coconut water!

We loved Koko Ice Cream for being unpretentious and the simplicity of their ice cream, makes this a winner for us. Add a little crunch to your ice cream with either cornflakes or peanut (or pick both!) or pick a sweet sauce to be drizzled on your ice cream for a little something extra.

7 Maxwell Road
#02-104 Amoy Street Food Centre
Singapore 069111
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3.30pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#4 PONG

Located in the heart of Orchard Road, Pong serves a great purpose of quenching shoppers’ thirst with their delicious coconut ice creams. The main unique point about Pong is that they serve their coconut ice cream with a choice of another fruit sorbet or ice cream.

A good choice as an accompaniment is the mango sorbet, which adds a nice slightly acidic and fruity touch to the overall taste. Top your ice cream off with a variety of ingredients such as red beans and nata de coco.

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

#5 WIMI ICE CREAM

We can ensure you that a photo of this will be a hit on your social media platforms because of the beautiful and bright colours. As possibly the closest you can find to the one in Chatuchak, Wimi serves the biggest variety of toppings and condiments to accompany the coconut ice cream.

For S$4.90, get a scoop of coconut ice cream on a halved husk with three toppings of your choice. The toppings range from fresh pomegranate (we really loved this) to taro and even Thai red ruby. For ice cream wise, they have two types – original and ‘The Stronger’. The latter is just a more concentrated version of the classic one.

321 Clementi Ave 3
#01-13
Singapore 129905
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

As you might have seen on the papers or your Instagram feed, many have been flocking to this year’s Ramadan Bazaar at Geylang Serai for some interesting street food.

Flavoured churros? Yes please! With a growing trend of churro-lovers, you can find more than just one stall here selling these highly Instagrammable deep-fried doughs.

Remember those ice cream rolls you had while you were in Bangkok? Good news because they are now here in Singapore too. Not sure what to try at this year’s Ramadan Bazaar? Here are 5 highlights from this year’s Ramadan Bazaar at Geylang Serai.

#1 FLAVOURED CHURROS

Trust us when we say that these are a must-try when you head down to the bazaar this year. The wide array of flavours include Pandan Churros with Gula Melaka Sauce (S$4.50), Red Velvet Churros with Salted Caramel Sauce (S$4.70) and the classic Churros (S$4.20) coated with cinnamon sugar.

The churros here are made fresh and we highly recommend munching on these immediately after receiving them – or after snapping a photo or two, if you must (and you must). There is a nice crunch to the churros and we could not stop raving about the sauces, especially the Gula Melaka one!

#2 THAI COCONUT ICE CREAM

We were delighted to find this gem of a store located at the side nearest to Paya Lebar MRT. Reminiscent of the ones at Chatuchak in Bangkok, this ice cream was topped off generously with corn, red rubies, atap seeds and also juicy young coconut flesh.

For just S$4, you get your dollars worth as this is a perfect choice to combat the heat and humidity there at the bazaar. There is also a range of other Thai food served here such as coconut pancakes and mango sticky rice.

#3 ICE CREAM ROLLS

Shared thousands of times on our Facebook pages, these ice cream rolls made fresh are a treat for everyone. As the most crowded stall in the bazaar, they even have an automated queue system and the wait ranges from 30min to 1 hour if you come after 7pm (post-breaking fast for Muslims).

You can choose between two ingredients for your ice cream rolls and these ingredients range from fresh fruits to chocolatey picks such as oreo. For S$5 a cup, we are definitely not complaining!

#4 DEEP-FRIED OREOS

This snack needs no introduction and we can all agree that it is one of the most delicious street food snacks we have ever eaten. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?

Coated in batter then deep-fried to a golden brown, these Oreo bites, drizzled with some chocolate sauce, is our definite guilty pleasure. They also have fried Mars bars and other mouth-watering snacks here!

#5 TAKOYAKI

While Takoyaki certainly isn’t something new at bazaars, the one at this year’s Ramadan Bazaar is probably one of the most delicious and value-for-money renditions yet. For just S$2.50, you get a portion of six takoyaki balls, sprinkled generously with bonito flakes and sauces.

You can choose different fillings such as the classic tako (octopus) and others like prawn, etc. The portion makes it an ideal sharing item. Save some tummy space for the other yummies ya?

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.