Sumo Bar Happy is the latest project from the team behind Standing Sushi Bar, Tanuki Raw, Shinkansen and The Secret Mermaid. Helmed by the team behind a handful of successful dining establishments, we naturally have very high expectations for this place.

The one-day-old ramen, tapas and sake bar is a delightful addition to Waterloo Street, which is just a stone’s throw away from Bras Basah MRT Station. Eat your way through a selection of Japanese ramen bowls, donburis or have some homemade tapas accompanied with their signature one cup sake.

If you are looking for a casual dining place which does not compromise on service or quality of food, Sumo Bar Happy is the place to check out.

Taking up half the floor space, you will definitely notice the sake bar when you first walk into the restaurant. That is where you can watch the bartender in action as he whips up your drink for you. As Sumo Bar Happy is a small restaurant, we would recommend you to head there early to beat the crowd.

What makes the ramen bowls there better than average is its collagen-rich tonkotsu ramen broth which can only be achieved through 48 hours of simmer. Every bowl of ramen comes with bean sprouts, toasted seaweed, black fungus and free-flow soft-boiled eggs.

The Sumo Ramen (S$23++) is a beef lover’s idea of perfection—featuring slow-roast oxtail, braised beef tendon, 8-hour-slow-roasted red wine boneless short rib and sauteed sliced US beef. Hearty eaters will enjoy its generous portions of meat.

We particularly liked how the sliced beef was tender and extremely flavourful.

Another more affordable ramen option is the Char Siew Ramen (S$17++). While it was also good and came with thick slices of roasted slow-braised Nagano pork char siew, we felt that it pales in comparison against the Sumo Ramen.

Not in the mood for ramen? There is also donburi on the menu as well. We really enjoyed their Mini Loco Moco Don (S$18) which was well executed. On top of warm Koshihikari rice is pan-seared foie gras, succulent house-made luncheon from Nagano pork and fried quail egg.

Guests also have alternatives such as Oxtail Ramen (S$21++), Mini Chirashi Don (S$18++) and a range of sides including Beef Tayaki Sliders (S$15++) and Pork Trotter Korokke (S$12++).

Sumo Bar Happy
261 Waterloo Street
01-24 Waterloo Centre
Singapore 180261
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 12 Midnight
Sun: 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

There is little chance that you will stumble upon Paper Crane unless you have heard of that place. Hidden in the grounds of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) in Waterloo Street, this cafe is within walking distance from Bras Basah MRT Station.

Paper Crane is an unpretentious cafe that serves comforting Western food. Their attractive menu boasts All Day S$10 Deals and other Western main dishes that are below S$20.

Visitors do not have to pay for GST or service charge at this cafe.

Choose from the spacious al fresco seating area and indoor seating by the window if you prefer to stay away from the heat. However, do note that indoor seating is limited to four to five people only due to space constraints.

The Beer Battered Ah Hua Kelong Sea Bass and Chips (S$15) is a value-for-money dish. Under the beer battered crispy skin is soft and juicy sea bass which tastes great on its own without the need for any sauce.

Another favourite is Paper Crane’s Southern-style Fried Buttermilk Chicken with Slaw and Fries (S$15). We could hear the delightful crunch from the crispy skin crumbling into pieces in our mouths. The dish comes with the usual western sides—coleslaw and fries.

Those who enjoyed their homemade chilli can purchase it in bottles at the cafe.

If you are on a budget, they have a range of dishes for only S$10 on the menu such as Spaghetti in Pesto, Greek Chickpea Salad and Popcorn Chicken with Chili and Coriander Mayo.

Otherwise, pick from Kimchi Fries with Grilled Steak and Cilantro Mayo (S$15), 48 Hours Sous Vide Beef Brisket Sandwich with Fries (S$18), Spaghetti with Grilled Prawns in Prawn Butter Sauce (S$20) and more.

Paper Crane
96 Waterloo Street
Singapore 187967
Tel: +65 6837 0836
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

Before I start, I have to admit that I know very little about Mexican food, so I can’t really talk with any real authority about it. But my friend Mike and his Latin American friends have been to many Mexican restaurants and they agreed that Casa Latina restaurant at Waterloo street serves the best Mexican food in Singapore.

While there are quite a few Mexican Restaurants in Singapore, most of them are offering Tex-Mex cuisine. Casa Latina, on the other hand, prides itself on serving authentic Mexican food. From the brief encounter with the chef, I understand that he has many years of experience in cooking Mexican food, and the restaurant actually import most of their sauces and spices directly from Mexico.

Casa Latina Mexican Restaurant has a rather extensive menu: there are around 17 appetisers/soup/salad ($12-18); over 20 main courses which comprise meat and seafood ($20-34); and 4 desserts ($8-9). With so many items to choose from, it is naturally advisable to come with a group of friends so that you can order more and share. Since there was only two of us that day, we ordered 4 items and spent about $40 each.

We started with Casa Latina’s Melted Cheese ($16) and it was very very good. The Ceviche Estilo ($20) – pictured in the opening of this post – was also a great appetiser. Shrimps cooked with tomatoes, onion, coriander and fresh chillies; very fresh and appetising.

I don’t usually order soup when I am dining out in restaurants. To me, it seems a little silly to pay so much for soup – I’d rather get an additional dessert. But Mike spoke highly of the chilli poblano soup ($10), so I had to try it for myself. Intriguing is the only word to describe it.

The photo above doesn’t really do justice to the Las Carnitas ($29). The amazing pork confit was served with corn tortillas and a divine Mexican sauce. Initially, I was eating the meat wrapped in the tortilla. But after a while, I was annoyed that the wrapping process was taking too much time, so I decided to eat the meat directly (without the tortilla). Yum.

Most people usually mention Cafe Iguna or Margarita’s when you ask them for their favourite Mexican Restaurants in Singapore. Although Casa Latina has very good Mexican food, not many people know about them. I was there for lunch on a weekday and we were the only table. Mike told me that business is better during weekends, but no restaurant can survive solely on weekend crowd.

If you have always wanted to try Mexican food, I urge you to check out this Mexican restaurant along Waterloo street.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Casa Latina Mexican Restaurant
42 Waterloo Street
Tel: +65 6884 6929
Daily: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm

Located between the junction of Middle Road and Waterloo Street, Artichoke Cafe & Bar is a nice cafe which is 5 minutes away from Bugis.

Most of you probably read about Artichoke Cafe on other food blogs by now, so I shall go straight to the point. Artichoke Cafe at Sculpture Square, is definitely one of the best brunch places in Singapore.

However, there is still room for improvement for the service. We were there for brunch on a weekend, and they could not handle the crowd. Having said that, I do think they have good breakfast food and the cafe has a nice laid-back feel which sets the tone for a lazy afternoon.

Artichoke Restaurant is all about communal dining. Most of the family-style shared plates for dinner are around $10-$15 for appetisers and $25-$30 for main courses.

As for Weekend Brunch, they have nine items on the menu. Prices range from $9 for the Turkish Toast with homemade apple, to $14 for the Scrambled Eggs and $18 for the 65 degree slow cooked eggs with smoked salmon. If you are feeling hungry, go for the Self Destruction ($24) – which is sort of like a big breakfast with everything.

Accompanied by roasted tomatoes, toast and rocket, the Scrambled Eggs comes with either organic mushrooms ($14) or Maple Glazed Bacon Chop ($16).

We ordered both, and the Maple Glazed Bacon Chop was certainly more value-for-money filling since it came with a huge slab of Bacon Chop.

At $20, I felt that the Middle Eastern ‘baked beans’ with Merquez lamb sausage (above picture) was somewhat overpriced. There was nothing particularly outstanding as the dish only had lamb sausage, baked beans fried eggs and toast.

I’d definitely go for the Eggs Shakshouka ($20) which you see in the first picture of this post. It reminded me of the Tunisian Breakfast that I had at Wild Honey. Two eggs baked in tomato sauce with braised lamb, yogurt cheese and toast. The braised lamb was delicious.

I didn’t have the Grilled Haloumi cheese on toast ($17) with mushrooms, avocado hummus and wild rocket, but it looked quite appealing.

My favourite breakfast dish at Artichoke Restaurant was the Self Destruction ($24) – which came with crispy hash brown, country sausage gravy, melted cheddar, mushrooms and two fried eggs. The portion was huge, and it was very rich (perhaps a little too salty). Make sure you share this with someone, it is impossible to finish it on your own.

The al fresco area at Artichoke Cafe is a good place to chill out if you can take the heat. Otherwise, there are plenty of tables indoor, and they also have a Greenhouse which is like a private dining room.

Still looking for a brunch place? Why not visit Artichoke Cafe & Bar this weekend?

Read my list of Brunch Restaurants in Singapore | Best Cafes in Singapore

Singapore Food Blog Review
Artichoke Cafe & Bar
161 Middle Road
Inside Sculpture Square (beside NAFA)
Tel: +65 6336 6949

Operating Hours:
Mon closed
Tue to Thu 6pm – 10pm
Fri 6pm – midnight
Sat 11am-4pm, 6pm-midnight
Sun 11am – 4pm

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