Sitting in the heartlands of Singapore, in the bustling neighbourhood of Toa Payoh is Krazy Salad Bar, a nondescript eatery that is more than just salad. It is a semi-buffet place that has a full menu of Western main courses and we love them for their value-for-money main course + salad bar concept.

Of course, it is up to you whether you want to go for the full works, and you can always just opt for just the main course or the salad buffet. But if we are telling you that for under S$20, you get free flow of main courses, salad and desserts, would you not be tempted?

Now, this offer right in the heart of Toa Payoh Central is a gem—yes you need to check out Krazy Salad Bar.

From now until 30 November 2016 (Mon – Thu), readers of ladyironchef can simply quote “ladyironchef” or flash this post to enjoy the free top-up of a salad buffet, or to enjoy a discounted top-up of S$5 for free flow main courses from the special promotional menu.

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT SALAD BAR

While you may frown upon salads, let’s just say Krazy’s salad bar is more than just vegetables and healthy whatnots.

There is a selection of soups on a weekly rotation. Soup choices range from the highly popular Mushroom Soup to comforting Clam Chowder Soup and Country Pumpkin Soup. The Mushroom Soup is a mainstay because it is the most well-loved for its chunky, creamy goodness.

The salad and toppings are also on rotation. Enjoy free-flow Smoked Duck Salad on the first week; Pumpkin and Cashew on the second; and Hawaiian Chicken on the third… you get the drift.

At Krazy Salad Bar, some vegetables such as Tangy Romaine, Green Caesar and Lollo Red are actually local produce from Singapore’s very own vegetable farm. And the best news is that they are pesticide-free! Indeed, the vegetables are a lot more crisp, fresh and sweet.

And did we mention that there is free-flow soft serve, too?

The all-you-can-eat salad bar is available as an a la carte at S16.90 (lunch) & $19.90 (dinner) and S$9 as an add-on to your main. But you know what is the good news?

Simply flash this post upon ordering and the add-on fee of S$9 will be waived entirely. In other words, with every order of a main course, you are entitled to a buffet at the salad bar too!

KRAZY PEPPERY RIBS

Oh, just look at that glorious rack of ribs. Baked slowly in the oven, the Krazy Peppery Ribs (S$28.90) are glazed with homemade peppery BBQ sauce. We enjoyed pulling the ribs apart and have it fall into a beautiful mess of tender meat and sticky peppery BBQ sauce.

TENDERLOIN STEAK

You might sceptical about a steak at a salad bar. We shared the exact sentiments too before taking a bite into the tenderloin. Our medium rare steak (S$29.9) was juicy and flavourful, to say the least.

Red wine infused gravy poured over the steak gave it an extra oomph, and it was the kind of comforting Western food goodness that reminded us of good old childhood days when our parents would reward us with a good Western meal if we did well in school.

HOT LAVA CHICKEN

This one is for those who want something spicier and more kickass. The Hot Lava Chicken (S$13.90++) is served with Chef David’s homemade hot and spicy lava sauce, and was strongly recommended to us as one of the best sellers in the house.

We could see why it is a favourite among regulars for the marinated chicken thigh was so tender, with hints of BBQ sauce and chilli, and complete with a smoky aftertaste.

TYSON PORK CUTLET

It is not just the Japanese who serve up good pork cutlets. The pork cutlet (S$13.90++) we had at Krazy Salad Bar was extremely crispy. Every piece is double crumbed and deep fried till golden brown, and Chef Tyson’s recipe carries a mild charred taste which balances well with the accompanying sweet sauce.

OTHER MAINS AT KRAZY SALAD BAR

Besides the dishes that we’ve mentioned, Krazy Salad Bar has an extensive menu which has other main courses such as Battered Fish & Chips, Surf & Turf, Pan-seared Salmon Steak, Lemongrass Pacific Dory, Pan-seared Duck Breast and Oriental Pork Chop.

EXCLUSIVE PROMOTION FOR READERS OF LADYIRONCHEF

There are various top-up options, but our readers are exclusively entitled to a complimentary salad bar top-up when you quote “ladyironchef” or flash this post upon placing your order. This means you are only paying for your main course but your meal will come complete with salads, pasta, soups and more at the all-you-can-eat salad bar.

The next option, which is the one we prefer, is a top-up of S$9 (Option B) on top of your mains from Krazy’s special promotional menu—which includes mains such as Hot Lava Chicken, Salmon Steak, Pork Cutlet, Sirloin Steak and American Sticky Ribs—to enjoy the salad bar buffet and endless mains!

That means paying only S$9 for your second or even third plate of Sirloin Steak. How awesome is that? And for Ladyironchef readers, the add-on fee for Option B will be only S$5 when you flash this post upon ordering. Yes, S$5 for a complete buffet. You know this is one deal you must not pass up on!

This exclusive promotion is valid on Mondays to Thursdays (not applicable on eve of and Public Holiday) from 13 October to 30 November 2016.

By the way, you don’t have to pay for GST when you dine at Krazy Salad Bar. This is really one wallet friendly semi-buffet place – for students, for those who are tight on their budgets, for those who are after a casual yet satisfying meal, for everyone who loves both their greens and meats!

Krazy Salad Bar
Toa Payoh Central (Above KFC)
#02-516, Block 190 Toa Payoh Lorong 6
Singapore 310190
Tel: +65 6254 7872
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm (last order 9.30pm)
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

This post is brought to you by Krazy Salad Bar.

Updated on 18 March: The Chicken King has stopped operations due to manpower issues.

Tucked away in a quiet street of food stalls at Toa Payoh, The Chicken King is by the same people behind Orchid Live Seafood, helmed by none other than the man himself, Chef Steven Chua.

It is an unassuming-looking outlet that got our attention with their chicken-only menu. No service and ambience to speak of, so don’t expect anything at all. They are really just a small eatery that would do for a fast, hassle-free meal.

The Chicken King is a very different concept from its sister restaurant, offering hearty and affordable food in the heartlands of Toa Payoh.

Chicken is the primary ingredient on the menu here, with dishes such as Steven Chicken (4pcs for S$5), Salted Egg Popcorn Chicken (S$5.40) and even Buttermilk Chicken Waffles with Salted Egg Sauce (S$13).

When the Salted Egg Popcorn Chicken was served to us, the fries were piping hot but the chicken tasted like it was left out there for quite awhile before being served to us. And it tasted ordinary. But the sauce is worth a mention, and we soon overlooked it all for the salted egg yolk sauce was addictive and divine.

What you should try at The Chicken King is the Chicken and Waffles. The chicken thigh comes topped with caramelised onions and torched mozzarella cheese. Sadly, the caramelised onions did nothing for us, and together with the badly torched cheese, it looked and tasted nothing more than a burnt mess.

But what took us by surprise was actually the waffle itself! The fragrance and taste of the buttermilk sure upped the ante for the waffle, and the accompanying salted egg sauce is what they would say, “the bomb dot com.”

Thick and boasting bits of salted egg and chilli padi, the sauce was every bit flavourful and slightly spicy; it sure elevated the overall taste of the dish.

For an additional S$2.50, you get a soft drink and a side of your choice – pick from Shoe String Fries, Egg Fried Rice and Coleslaw. Unfortunately, the fries tasted so bad. It was basically just frozen fries badly fried. The Coleslaw was slightly better; we thought it was mayo overload, though.

Well, just skip the sides altogether.

And oh, the waiting time can be extremely long. You have been warned.

The Chicken King
Blk 190, Toa Payoh Central #01-530
Singapore 310190
Tel: +65 9191 8268
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

For more recommendations, read our guide to cafes in Toa Payoh neighbourhood.

That sense of familiarity when stepping into the huge space at Toa Payoh where Swatow Seafood Restaurant is is one that we can always resonate with. The Teochew restaurant brings to mind the good times we have with our families, and the aroma from the food is something we’ve known since we were kids.

As more traditional restaurants such as Swatow get lost with the younger generation, the stronger the need is to preserve the traditions and the culinary skills of Teochew cuisine and all the trained chefs. Most Teochew dishes take a lot of preparation time, and a restaurant like Swatow is hard to come by – where the food is not only the perfect comfort remedy, but nothing short of authentic and tasty.

As the Chinese New Year is drawing near, we are reminded again of our roots and a visit to this Teochew restaurant did just the trick for us. Here is everything to love about Swatow Seafood Restaurant – Authentic Teochew Fare For The Family At Reasonable Prices.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT TEOCHEW CUISINE

Teochew cuisine emphasizes a lot on the freshness of the ingredients, and the culinary is circled around bringing out the essence and true flavours of every ingredient.

Teochew dishes are hence light in taste and more often than not “naked”. Very often associated with healthy food, the method of preparation revolves largely around steaming, poaching and braising. Stir-frying is not uncommon, but oil is used sparingly.

Sauces and condiments are aplenty when it comes to dining the Teochew way. Mostly made from scratch, there is a myriad of options when you need something to complement your dishes; think chilli and soya, garlic sauce and fermented bean sauce.

AUTHENTIC TEOCHEW DISHES – COMFORT FOOD FOR THE SOUL

Swatow Seafood Restaurant has two separate menus for you to choose from – the Seafood menu and the Teochew Porridge menu. You can order dishes from both menus simultaneously.

Start your meal with these Crystal Dumpling Teochew Style (S$9 for 6). Steamed and best eaten piping hot, these dumplings wrapped in translucent skin are part of the dim sum menu and make a great appetizer!

Cold crab is a classic Teochew dish and the Teochew Cold Crab (Seasonal Price) at Swatow is a must-order. What lies beneath its stark simplicity is the sheer freshness. Teochew cold crabs’ emphasis is on the roe, and if there is no substantial amount of the creamy delight, Swatow will not serve it. The best and only the best will be put on your table; this is dedication to the true Teochew cuisine.

So this dish will definitely be worth your while. Steamed first then served chilled, enjoy the true experience; eat it plain like that and enjoy the beautiful creaminess – without any sauce and condiments.

Because the Teochews take their braise seriously, a meal at Swatow is not complete without one or two braised dishes. The Teochew Braised Duck Meat (S$15 per serving) hit us hard with nostalgia. The tender meat soaked in the sauce is something we can enjoy every day, and is served with beancurd on the side.

If you prefer more exotic cuts of the duck, Swatow Teochew Restaurant also offers serving of Braised Duck Webs and Wings (S$12 per portion).

Now, this is one dish that you must try!

The Swatow Kampong Chicken (S$12 per serving or S$18 for half chicken) won us over with the first bite; everyone on the table had seconds. Well-cooked chicken that is prepared with a fermented bean sauce, producing a savoury flesh that is so smooth and succulent.

It comes with a side of ginger sauce, though we think the chicken should be best enjoyed in its naked glory.

This dish of Steamed Pomfret (Seasonal Price) should be comfort food for all, yes?

Prepared in the same style that our parents whip up in the kitchens at home, this classic fish dish is one of the best representation of Teochew cuisine. Only the freshest catch can be used, else this dish would reek of stinky fishiness.

At Swatow, the silver pomfret is huge with shiny white flesh. Steamed with preserved vegetables, ginger and plum, this healthy fish dish is one that will please every diner on the table.

This came out as one of the top contenders for the best dish of the day. The Crispy Oyster Omelette (S$15 per serving) looked every bit unphotogenic, but you want to know what makes it one of Swatow’s best-selling dishes?

It is the fact that more eggs are used instead of flour – like what it normally is everywhere else – and that they deep-fried it to a brilliant crisp, leaving us all in awe. The accompanying sambal sauce served on the side is filled with juicy and plump oysters. What more can we ask for?

The Teochew Braised Eight Treasure Vegetables (S$16 per serving) is a huge, substantial portion. This should be the star vegetable dish at Swatow.

Mustard greens are used despite the higher food cost because its sweetness will elevate the taste of the entire dish. Together with several types of mushrooms and moss vegetable, this is one value-for-money dish!

On to more Teochew goodies, and this platter of four sides feature quintessential Teochew-style bites.

The four stars are Chilled Jellied Pork Knuckles (S$8), Teochew Chilled Sliced Braised Pig’s Head (S$8), Crispy Pork Roll (S$8) and Crispy Pork Liver Roll (S$10). They are all served chilled, ala the traditional Teochew way.

The liver roll is especially tasty as they used a combination of different livers – chicken, pork and duck – to achieve this texture and taste. And of course, the pork jelly is what Teochew chefs take pride in. It is essentially braised pig’s legs made into jelly form and chilled before serving,

THE STAR DESSERT

The Sugar-Coated Yam Cubes (originally made into bars) (S$16 per serving) is the only dessert at Swatow you need to try. For one, few Teochew restaurants in Singapore offer this dessert as it requires notable skills and a significant amount of preparation time.

It looks simple, but read this. The chef has to first deep-fry the yam cubes and set them aside. He then melts the sugar in the wok, and tosses the yam cubes back in before turning on a huge fire. Immediately after, he tosses again rapidly, this time to transform the melted sugar back into a powdery form that will cover the yam cubes completely.

The end result is one sweet treat so amazing that loyal patrons return for regularly. Do note that the yam cubes will not be available during the Chinese New Year period.

SOMETHING FOR THE LUNAR FESTIVITY

Available during the Chinese New Year period is this classic Teochew-style yusheng that differs slightly from the conventional ones. No pickled and preserved elements; just vegetables that are freshly grated, and dressed with a homemade plum sauce that was not cloyingly sweet.

It was almost like an ideal palate opener for us as each bite was very refreshing and crunchy.

CHINESE NEW YEAR LUCKY DRAW

Swatow Seafood Restaurant is having a Chinese New Year lucky draw. From 25 Jan to 22 Feb 2016, spend a minimum of S$250 in a single receipt to stand a chance to win a pair of return airtickets to Hong Kong. You can find out more details of the lucky draw on Swatow’s Facebook and Instagram.

Swatow Seafood Restaurant
181 Toa Payoh Lorong 4
#02-602
Singapore 310181
Tel: +65 6363 1717
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

This post is brought to you by Swatow Seafood Restaurant.

Located in the Central Region of Singapore, Toa Payoh is evidently one of the oldest regions in the country and is fondly remembered for its iconic dragon-shaped playgrounds. In the recent years, cafe entrepreneurs have started to take notice of the estate and introduced the cafe culture there, making it a perfect afternoon escapade for many.

More often than not, cafe hoppers are greeted with a peaceful and quaint environment that will never remind them of the stressful life in a city. Most of these cafes are situated near to one another, making it irresistible to conquer them all while you are at Toa Payoh – like a day trip in Toa Payoh, yes?

So, we did some rounding up, and here are the Cafes To Visit In Toa Payoh while you are in the area!

#1 CREAMIER

Creamier needs no introduction. Known for their premium ice cream flavours such as Thai Milk Tea and Earl Grey Lavender, this ice cream parlour has been ranked as one of the top ice cream parlours to try in Singapore. Their signature Belgian Waffles are evidently a crowd’s favourite too! This would be a great place for some summery treats on a hot afternoon, or for supper with your pals.

BLK 128, Toa Payoh Lorong 1
Singapore 310128
Tel: +65 6250 1476
Tue to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Closed on Mon
Nearest MRT: Braddell

#2 FROZEN BY A THOUSAND BLESSINGS

We were captivated by the interior decor of this ‘froyo’ parlour’ – think sleek wooden furnishings and a myriad of toppings on display. Priced at S$3.80 per 100 grams, build your own frozen yogurt! Choose from froyo flavours such as Pomegranate, Coconut, Green Tea, Chocolate, Mango & Soy and Natural. And of course, you have to dress your froyo with your favourite toppings.

BLK 126, Toa Payoh Lorong 1
Singapore 310126
Tel: +65 6259 8028
Daily: 11:30am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Braddell

#3 FIX CAFE

Alhough FIX Cafe is not very accessible, it is an increasingly popular cafe loved for their halal-certified homemade fares. With nothing above S$10, treat yourself to a menu of naanwiches, cakes, doughnuts with salted egg dip while lounging by the poolside in this alfresco dining cafe.

HomeTeamNs-JOM
31 Ah Hood Road, #01-06
Singapore 329979
Tel: +65 6256 1484
Daily: 11am – 10:30pm
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh

#4 NICHE BOULANGERIE 

As you enter Niche Boulangerie, the aroma of the freshly baked goods will wake you up. Other than the usual cakes, muffins and bread, they offer interesting finds like sweet and savoury scones and a Western food menu – try the Bacon and Cheese Scones (S$4) and Banana Nutella Muffins (S$2.50).

BLK 128, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-833
Singapore 310128
Tel: +65 9633 5108
Daily: 11:30am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Braddell

#5 SHROVE TUESDAY

Shrove Tuesday stands out with its striking decor. Other than dealing with sweet treats, the cafe also experiments with savoury waffle inventions such as Chicken Tikka with Butter Curry (S$13.90) and Angus Beef with Black Pepper (S$15.90).

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BLK 94, Toa Payoh Lorong 4, #01-32
Singapore 310094
Tel: +65 6258 2254
Sun to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 10am – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Braddell

#6 THE DREAM CAFE

The Dream Cafe sits within an HDB block, and is a popular get-together spot among students because they offer several promotions that are exclusive to students. It is home to a variety of baked goods and ice cream on waffles. The cafe offers free wi-fi and a conducive environment for students, too!

BLK 163, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-1016
Singapore 310163
Tel: +65 6258 3120
Mon to Sun: 1pm – 10:30pm
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh

#7 THE DAILY PRESS

The Daily press cafe sets itself apart in the cafe scene by only serving sandwiches specially prepared from its sandwich machine and good cuppas from Liberty Coffee. The unpretentious cafe setting makes it a joy for patrons to just sit back and relax while enjoying some me-time in the quiet surroundings.

BLK 126, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-561
Singapore 310126
Tel: +65 6258 0167
Tue to Sun: 10:30am – 9:30pm
Closed on Mon
Nearest MRT: Braddell

About the writer:
Cassandra is a staff writer for ladyironchef. During her free time, she fuels her passion for fashion through shopping and indulges in all things food. She loves anything egg related and is always ready for a cafe-hopping adventure.