Being more than just a national dish and a bowl of noodle soup, Pho carries the tradition and history of Vietnam since the 19th century. Pho has since gone through a series of modification as the years go by, but it remains a well-loved dish by many.

Amongst the many food options in Somerset, we spotted this Que in TripleOne Somerset that serves Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Cha and other Vietnamese dishes. The menu is relatively affordable with nothing over S$10.90.

Aside from the usual chains you see in town, maybe this could be a new choice for you to savour!

Our Beef Pho (S$10.90) came served in a huge bowl; plus points for big portions! We first tried the broth on its own without adding any extra condiments and thought it was too light. Masterchef us started to add various sauces and toppings that were available at the counter in using our “agaration” to create our work of art.

We threw in some hoisin sauce, fish sauce, sriracha sauce, black pepper, two small limes (make do with just one if you don’t like it too sour) and some beansprouts. The flavours were immediately enhanced and the broth came to life.

Out of the few ingredients in the pho, we were bowled over by the beef balls that came with a chewy consistency and a pleasant beefy fragrance.

If pho is not your thing, here’s a rice option. As one of the highlights on their menu, the Grilled Pork Rice (S$8.90) comes with a fried spring roll. It was covered in a sweet sauce, similar to teriyaki or Thai pork skewers, moo ping, but with a firmer texture. The nuts and shallots sprinkled on it added some crunch and a nutty aroma to it.

The lady boss shared that she uses pork collar as it contains less fat but still has a good bite to it. Personally, we thought that a little more fat would have done this dish more justice with a more tender bite and fat-rendered goodness, possibly by using pork belly.

A dipping sauce made with fish sauce, vinegar and sugar that tasted similar to achar was served on the side, and it blended well together with the pork.

This food stall is a one-man show by this Vietnamese lady boss and was previously located at Toa Payoh before shifting here. She prepares everything on her own and we could feel her sincerity in cooking while tasting the food. Her friendliness and hospitality made the dining experience at Que even warmer than the bowl of noodles we had.

111 Somerset Road
#01-K10, TripleOne Somerset
Singapore 238164
Sun to Fri: 11:30am to 8pm
Sat: 11:30am to 3pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Previously known as the brand that brought the Instagram-worthy Hong-Kong style egglet waffles to Singapore in 2015, Hvala since has rebranded as an all-matcha lifestyle cafe. They have recently opened their second outlet at TripleOne Somerset, boasting the same chic, zen vibe as their outlet at CHIJMES.

Serving all-things Matcha, think Matcha Lattes, Whisked Matcha, Matcha cakes and Matcha Ice Cream, Hvala is an oasis for true matcha fans in Singapore.

Walking into Hvala at TripleOne Somerset was like walking into a modern Japanese Garden. Its Japanese-style minimalist interior was extremely calming and it provided the perfect backdrop to relax and enjoy the food and drinks.

It would be a great place to spend an afternoon catching up with friends over tea or just having some nice alone-time.

We first had to try the Matcha Latte (S$5.80) and we were not disappointed. The Matcha was freshly whisked and gently poured over milk to create a beautiful gradient. Sipping it down, the bitter taste of the matcha is contrasted by the milk and a little sweetness from the sugar syrup.

The Matcha was wonderfully smooth and flavourful with a floral note to it. It was pretty much one of the best Matcha Lattes we have had in Singapore.

To pair with our Matcha Latte, we ordered a slice of Hvala’s Hojicha Cake (S$7.80). Light and airy Hojicha-infused sponge is layered with fresh cream, adzuki beans and a generous drizzle of thick Hojicha sauce.

We loved how the smoky aroma of Hojicha was amplified by the bitter Hojicha sauce but we felt that the cake did not hold as much Hojicha flavour as we had hoped. We did like the nice contrast in texture that the adzuki beans provided, though!

Overall, we were pretty pleased with our experience at Hvala and we would love to come back again and spend the day here, sipping on a Matcha Latte and perhaps enjoy a book while doing so.

111 Somerset Road
TripleOne Somerset
Singapore 238164
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

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