Located a few units down the road from Supernova is another new cafe, Bella People and Coffee which opened less than a week ago.

Taking over the space vacated by the now-defunct Little Ice Cream Kafe, Bella People and Coffee is a small and cosy cafe which serves a selection of breakfast dishes, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and coffee.

It is a comfortable space where you can enjoy a simple brunch and coffee with your friends.

For those of you who prefer sitting outdoor, Bella People and Coffee has two tables at the outdoor patio area.

It has a small and concise menu with prices ranging from S$18 to S$25 for a main course and some of the more interesting dishes include:

• English Breakfast (S$22)
• Bella Roasted Chicken Leg (S$25)
• Pulled Pork Burger (S$20)
• Soft Shell Crab Pasta (S$21)
• Bella Truffle Cheese Toastie (S$18)

Bella People and Coffee
258 Tanjong Katong Rd
Singapore 437046
Mon, Wed to Sun: 8.30am – 6pm

We haven’t been this excited about a new cafe in a while, until Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab came along. This new Parisian-style cafe in the East of Singapore was previously Fresh Fruits Lab, and recently underwent a major revamp.

Staying at the top of their game and always slaying, the owner—who is our good friend—strives to bring diners value-for-money quality fare in a relaxing atmosphere. Its menu offers a range of modern European favourites, with a good selection of mocktails and cocktails too. Fans of Fresh Fruits Lab will also be happy to know that they have retained several popular dishes on the menu.

Let’s just say they are a Parisian-style cafe in the day, and a laid-back neighbourhood bar at night. Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab is definitely our of our new favourite cafes in the East of Singapore.

Simplicité’s spanking new space is decked in monochrome colours and is very Instagram-worthy; every corner is a possible photo spot. French rattan chairs line the outdoors and that’s where you can enjoy a nice meal with your furkids at this pet-friendly cafe.

What we love about Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab:

• Chic Parisian-style cafe in the East of Singapore
• Pet-friendly cafe where you can bring your furkids along for a meal
• Affordable beer and cocktails—S$10 Asashi draft
• Amazing French-style Duck Confit which is perfectly-executed
• S$10 Angel Hair Pasta

The food is impressive! You know how some cafes only look good “on the outside”, but their food is mediocre, and you’d never return after taking your OOTDs? This won’t be the case at Simplicite, we can guarantee that.

Highlights include Angel Hair Pasta (S$10), Crabmeat Aglio Olio (S$19), Duck Confit (S$28), Salmon Meunière, French Bone-in Pork Loin with Garlic Butter Herb (S$20), Smashed Avocado on Brioche with Poached Eggs (S$16).

There is a S$10 Angel Hair Pasta under the appetizer menu that you have to try, too. Adorned with edible flowers, this elegant dish looks too pretty to be eaten.

On its menu, our favourite is the Duck Confit (S$28). In one glance, it may look pricey for a cafe, but actually, you really have to order this. What you would get is a perfectly-executed French-style Duck Confit.

Featuring a big and fat drumstick, the Duck Confit is so close to what you would get in France—crispy and salty skin, fork tender meat, accompanied with creamy mash and grilled vegetables. Parfait!

Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab serves brunch until 3pm daily and they are affordably priced between S$14 to S$18. The brunch options include Messy Breakfast (S$18), Eggs Benedict (S$15), and Brioche French Toast (S$15).

Smashed Avo (S$16) may be a common brunch dish, but Simplicité’s rendition is definitely not common. Served with a poached egg and mint sauce atop a thick slice of brioche, this dish is a clear winner. The toasted brioche was so buttery and good, we were tempted to ask for an extra slice!

Anyone remembers the super popular FFL Burger? If you’ve missed it, or haven’t tried it, Simplicité has refined this bestselling dish and it is now simply known as the Double Cheeseburger (S$20). It is better and bigger than before, with two juicy patties now!

Simplicité also has a wide array of drinks—from coffee, mocktails to cocktails, everything was a sight to behold. The Rose Latte won our hearts with its aesthetics and flavour.

You can also get a pint of Asahi draft at only S$10, while cocktails start from S$14. Be sure to order the signature La Simplicite (S$16) cocktail which comes with quite a show. We won’t spoil it for you, just get ready to take more photos and videos of the beautiful gin & tonic.

If you are just looking for a space for a simple midday perk-me-up, get yourself a basket of assorted Simplicite Bakes (S$10.5)—which includes Pain Au Chocolat, Croissant, Orange Snail, Raspberry Claw, Blueberry Braid, Apple Braid—a cup of latte, and pretend you are in Paris.

Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741

If you haven’t heard of Simpang Bedok or you’re an Eastie looking to (hopefully) discover some new in the area, we’re here to introduce some places you might fancy at this popular alcove of affordable eats and undiscovered hot spots!

Nearby Tanah Merah MRT station, this cosy corner in the East of Singapore has much to offer – from good ol’ Bak Chor Mee and halal Dim Sum to fancy Crab Meat Linguine and Wagyu Bowls, Simpang Bedok’s food options will keep you coming back for more!

BADOQUE

Looking for monster portions of pasta dishes, pizzas and steak? Badoque is one of the few stalls in Bedok’s bustling cafe scene that boasts a wide array of Italian fare with a touch of Asian and Mediterranean flavours.

With 10 different types of pasta dishes and pizzas to choose from, we reckon that there is surely something for everyone at Badoque!

298 Bedok Road
Bedok Shopping Complex
Singapore 469454
Tel: +65 6446 6928
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Bedok

BURNING OAK

Beef-lovers, keep your eyes peeled for the Wagyu and Truffle Mince (S$16 nett) bowl which comes served with medium-rare slices of wagyu as well as minced beef that boasts a strong note of truffle.

The juicy and tender wagyu sure hits all the right spots to satisfy any beef bowl cravings and the umami-packed truffle mince gives the dish an extra fragrance. What’s more, portions are rather huge considering the price point!

The Burning Oak
348 Bedok Road
The Bedok Marketplace#02-16
Singapore 469560
Tel: +65 9873 6093
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

ENAK ENAK HONG KONG TEA HOUSE

Nestled in quiet Simpang Bedok is Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House, a halal dim sum tea restaurant in Singapore which offers a variety of affordable halal dim sum.

Some highlights were the steamed Siew Mai and the Fried Carrot Cake! With a myriad of dim sum options to choose from, it’s the perfect place to go with a group of friends!

Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House
340/342 Bedok Road
Singapore 469520
Tel: 6246 1211
Daily: 10am – 6am
Nearest station: Tanah Merah

FORAGE CAFE

Taking over the space of the now-defunct D’Zerts Cafe is the newest hidden gem in the East of Singapore, The Forage Cafe by Thirteen Honey in Simpang Bedok. Their extensive menu features a plethora of all-day brunch, pasta and mains. What’s great is that they also are trying to incorporate their own farmed honey (from Malaysia) into all their dishes as a sugar replacement!

The price point may be a little hefty to some, but the portion certainly makes up for it. That’s not all! If you were a fan of D’zerts Cafe’s sweet creations, you’ll be happy to know that D’zerts still supplies bakes and desserts to The Forage Cafe.

The Forage Cafe
30 Jalan Pari Burong
Singapore 488696
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Simei

JALAN TUA KONG LAU LIM MEE POK – THE ART OF MEE POK

Embroiled in a same-name battle with two other mee pok establishments, Jalan Tua Kong Lau Lim Mee Pok strives to bring the best bowl of noodles to the table. Affordably priced at S$5 per bowl, you’re served a generous portion of noodles, fishballs, meatballs and minced meat.

The noodles are super “QQ” and are coated with their signature lard-chilli sauce. It’s definitely a winner of the mee pok rivalry in our books!

306 Bedok Road
Singapore 469466
Daily: 7am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

MR/MS KNEADY’S

Mr. and Ms. Kneady are two adorable, artisan bakeries that sell different bakes. Mr Kneady sells a variety of delicious, dense sourdough bread and pizzas while Ms. Kneady sells sweet treats such as pastries and desserts. All of their items are baked fresh daily.

348 Bedok Road
#02-24 The Bedok Marketplace
Singapore 469560
Tue to Thu: 11am – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

Photo Credit: Instagram

SELEGIE SOYA BEAN

Specializing in the freshest soya bean-based drinks and desserts, Selegie Soya Bean is a popular place in Simpang Bedok for many to grab-and-go some healthier sweet treats. Their soya bean drink and grass jelly are amazing thirst quenchers in Singapore’s sweltering heat!

320 Bedok Road
Singapore 469487
Daily: 7.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

SPIZE

When it comes to having supper in Singapore, Simpang Bedok – a stretch of halal eateries that open till late – immediately comes to mind. Among them, Spize Supper Club is one of the most famous Muslim restaurants serving halal food. Besides Simpang Bedok, it also has another branch at River Valley that caters to the hungry late night club goers.

If you ever find yourself hungry in the middle of the night, Spize halal restaurant at Simpang Bedok is probably your best bet.

336 Bedok Road
Bedok Shopping Complex
Singapore 469512
Mon to Thu: 10am – 3am
Fri to Sun: 10am – 4am
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

TANG TEA HOUSE

We are firm believers that the best dim sum should not only be yummy, but affordable too. Tang Tea House is a halal dim sum eatery at Simpang Bedok known for their budget-friendly scrumptious dishes, made fresh every single day.

Our favourite were their Coffee Buns! The soft bun tore apart easily, oozing thick coffee paste that wasn’t too jelak or sweet.

357/359 Bedok Road
Singapore 469545
Sun to Thurs: 11am – 2am
Fri & Sat: 11am – 3am
Tel: +65 6445 9100
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

THE NAUGHTY CHEF

The Naughty Chef believes that authentic Italian food should not be expensive. This can be seen in their menu choices where they serve up affordable, delicious Italian food at a fraction of restaurant prices. Here, they sell classic Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza and risotto. There are also desserts such as pannacotta and Baileys tiramisu.

Century Square’s renovations are finally about done and the malls spanking new look is definitely well worth the wait. Apart from that, the mall is packed with a whole bunch of new food options that have got out bellies rumbling.

Amongst them is FrapasBar by the renowned Saveur. This new restaurant serves up delectable, authentic French fare and tapas with modern twists here and there—all while keeping prices affordable. Craving French? FrapasBar will not disappoint, especially not their S$15 lunch deals that feature both a fancy starter and a hearty main.

Beautifully furnished with marble tables, plush chairs and a gorgeous circular bar decked out in wooden textures to match, this restaurant exudes vibes of a classic French cafe.

Posh as the establishment might appear, rest assured that prices here are kept consistent with that of Saveur. Their lunch deals are especially enticing—for just S$15++, you get an appetiser and a main.

We started off with a plate of their Crabmeat Croquette (S$9), which featured crab meat that was mixed with fennel, cucumber, red chilli, spring onion, mayo and coconut.

The croquette was nice and crisp on the outside, yet still managed to remain tender and juicy on the inside. The crab meat lent a subtle, sweet flavour to the croquettes which went well with the other components. We recommend adding a dash of lemon to it before you eat it — it really makes quite a difference!

Next up, we had the Saveur Pasta (S$6) which consisted of angel hair pasta mixed with chilli oil, kombu, pork sauce and sakura ebi.

The varying tastes and textures of all the ingredients came together to create a fragrant medley of flavours. The pasta was also cooked to a perfect al dente giving it a nice, slightly chewy texture.

Moving on to the mains, we tried their Duck Confit (S$15), served on a bed of creamy mash and cooked to a lovely, golden crisp. Served alongside are a grilled orange round and a handful of fresh watercress.

The confit of duck, was immensely crunchy while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. The mash, on the other hand, was in another league of its own and was lusciously creamy and delicious.

Finally, we had a plate of their Seafood Bouillabaisse Pasta (S$16), which we have to admit is our favourite. This lip-smacking pasta dish consisted of angel hair pasta topped with fresh and juicy seafood such as mussels, squid, prawns and sea bass.

The varying flavours of the seafood added a great depth of flavour and texture to the overall dish. We also like how generous they were with the amount of seafood they gave. Taking inspiration from the classic French stew, we’d say that they nailed the recipe down perfectly.

FrapasBar by Saveur
2 Tampines Central 5, #01-35
Singapore 529509
Tel: +65 6789 1121
Daily: 11.30am – 12pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

While the idea of supper is frowned upon by the fitness community, especially those of you who are now embarking on your “new year, new me” journey, it’s unfortunately, something that’s inescapable, no matter how disciplined you try to be.

When you’re forced to stay up late either for work, or what not, late-night hunger pangs will strike inevitably, and that’s where we come in. Supper is a quintessential part of our diets (we’re not sorry) and as such, it’s our moral duty to always know where to go whenever we feel hungry at night.

The Eastern part of Singapore bustles with several late-night eateries, some well-known and some not so much. Whatever the case, you’re in luck because here, we have sussed 12 of the most highly raved night-time supper spots in the East.

CHAI CHEE PORK PORRIDGE

Nestled within the folds of Bedok 85 Fengshan Centre, Chai Chee Pork Porridge offers a selective but enticing range of porridge dishes, with their speciality being the pork porridge. A standard-sized bowl (S$3.50) features a massive portion of velvety smooth pork porridge with a side of crispy dough fritters and generous amounts of pork meatballs and pork slices.

85 Bedok North Street 4
85 Fengshan Centre #01-23
Singapore 460085
Tel: +65 9672 0521
Daily: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Bedok

CHAN BBQ

Located in the popular Bedok 85 Fengshan Centre, Chan BBQ is where you can find mighty good, sizzling-hot plates of barbecued sambal stingray, on top of a wide array of barbecued seafood delights.

Coated with a generous serving of sambal sauce and served on a banana leaf, dive right in with your fork to reveal a sizeable portion of fresh, tender stingray that oozes with spicy, savoury flavour.

85 Fengshan Centre #01-24
85 Bedok North Road
Singapore 460089
Daily: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bedok

FEI FEI WANTON MEE

Located in Joo Chiat, many have claimed this shop to sell one of Singapore’s best wanton mee. While we’re on the fence on that, we must admit that their wanton mee is pretty decent. Their wanton mee is delicious as is, but if you’re the type who loves heat, then definitely go for their famous dry chilli version.

72 Joo Chiat Place,
Singapore 427789
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Eunos

NEW MAHAMOODIYA RESTAURANT

A popular supper spot that is no stranger to anyone who lives in the East, this coffee shop dishes out anything and everything from the humble roti prata to butter chicken and naan.

Their coin prata is a must-try and besides being moulded and cooked fresh upon order, comes with savoury sambal—nope, not curry—that just makes the dish so much more enjoyable (and interesting)

335 Bedok Road,
Singapore 469510
Tel: +65 6243 2086
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

PONGGOL NASI LEMAK

Perhaps one of the more reputable Chinese-owned nasi lemak stalls in Singapore, this humble brand now has 3 outlets islandwide with one being the East—along Tanjong Katong Road. We love that their rice is fragrant and how their chicken wings are crispy, succulent and flavourful every time.

Aside from the usual chicken wing, egg and ikan bilis, feel free to add on items such as prawn fritters, fried wontons and more!

2 Parkstone Road,
Singapore 437649
Tel: +65 6287 0020
(Closed on Thursdays)
Mon to Sun: 5.30pm – 2.30am
Nearest Station: Dakota

SENG HIANG BAK CHOR MEE

Cheap yet superb in terms of taste and quantity, Seng Hiang Bak Chor Mee is truly one of the best we’ve ever tasted. Prepared using simple ingredients including handmade egg noodles, pork meatballs, minced pork and soup, the combination of these straightforward elements result in an explosion of flavours that promise both comfort and amazing flavour.

Blk 85 Bedok North St 4 #01-08
85 FengShan Food Centre
Singapore 460085
Daily: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bedok

SENG KEE BLACK CHICKEN HERBAL SOUP

If you’re ever hankering after a solid bowl of soup, one that promises maximum comfort and deliciousness with every sip, then take a drive down to Seng Kee Black Chicken Herbal Soup. Despite boasting an extensive menu, there really is only two things that we go back for, their Herbal Soup Mee Sua and their Chao Da Bee Hoon.

467 Changi Road,
Singapore 419887
Tel: +65 6746 4089
Daily: 11am – 4am
Nearest Station: Kembangan

SHI WEI DA FENGSHAN SATAY BEE HOON

A sizeable plate of Satay Bee Hoon from this humble stall in Bedok 85 Food Centre comes with a generous portion of bee hoon (rice vermicelli) and ingredients such as kang kong and cuttlefish, that upon serving, is topped with a copious amount of luscious satay gravy.

Every mouthful screams pure deliciousness followed by a sweet, nutty aroma that does well to balance out the subtle heat of the gravy. The best part? They’re open until 12am daily!

Blk 85 Bedok North Street 4, #01-41
85 Fengshan Centre
Singapore 460085
Mon to Sun: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Bedok

SPRINGLEAF PRATA PLACE (BEDOK)

A prata eatery is a prata eatery until they start coming up with creative versions that border on insane. Over at Springleaf Prata Place, opt for some of the house specials which include the Plaster Blaster (a prata Benedict of sorts), Murtaburger, Umami 50 and Special Paper.

57B Jalan Tua Kong,
Singapore 457253
Tel: +65 6636 2935
Daily: 8am – 11.45pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

TANG TEA HOUSE (BEDOK)

Delicately prepared by a team of experienced Shanghainese chefs, Tang Tea House is known for their dim sum that are both delicious and pork-free. Ranging from chicken pau, har gao, siew mai and steamed chicken dumplings, the choices that you can opt for are pretty much endless.

Aside from dim sum, they also have zi char and various noodle and rice-based items as well.

357 Bedok Road,
Singapore 469545
Tel: +65 6445 9100
Sun to Thu: 11am – 3am
Fri & Sat: 11am – 4am
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

SPIZE (BEDOK)

A quintessential suburban supper place that defines late night dining, Spize is much loved—until recently at least—for their wide array of dishes ranging from Indian, Western to even Mediterranean food.

Rest assured that their Bedok branch serves good quality grub devoid of salmonella and the likes—believe us, we recently paid a visit there and are still very much alive and well.

336 Bedok Road,
Bedok Shopping Complex,
Singapore 469512
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

XING JI ROU CUO MIAN

People often debate over whether theirs or their neighbour’s bak chor mee is better, but frankly both are just as good. Serving theirs in soup, a humble bowl sees a generous portion of thin egg noodles, flavoured minced pork and meatballs that are both bouncy and possess a strong hint of dried fish.

85 Bedok North Road, #01-07
85 Fengshan Centre
Singapore 460085
(Closed on Thursdays)
Fri to Wed: 12.30pm – 12.30am
Nearest Station: Bedok

Preserved to reflect the Peranakan culture in Singapore, the gorgeous shophouses and bungalows that line the streets of Joo Chiat are only one of the many reasons to visit this underrated area in Singapore. 

Instagrammable pastel-coloured shophouses aside, Joo Chiat Road is home to many cafés, restaurants and eateries that offer a wide variety of scrumptious grub ranging from traditional Teochew steamboat to artisanal bakery and reinvented nasi lemak.

Here are 20 food places in Joo Chiat that will make you wish you stayed there.

BERGS GOURMET BURGERS

For those who value good quality burgers, BERGS is the place to go. Conveniently nestled just across the street from 112 Katong Mall, BERGS remains as one of the most popular spots amongst those who reside in the area for any burger craving fix.

The burger patties, sauces, and marinades are handcrafted from secret recipes designed to deliver the freshest, most intense mix of sensations and flavours.

45 East Coast Road
Singapore 428765
Tel: +65 6348 8466
Mon to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

ENJOUÉ BAKERY

When it comes to artisanal bread and pastries baked fresh, very few do it better than the good folks over at Enjoué Bakery. Specialising in a vast array of quality European-style artisanal bread, pastries and cakes, each and every one of this humble Joo Chiat bakery’s authentic bakes come with sturdy crusts imbued with the natural flavours of fermentation and a robust mouthfeel that is quite unlike any other.

All their products are hand-made, freshly-baked daily and free from any preservatives and other unnatural ingredients. In essence, what you are likely to get is real-deal, healthy loaves that boast spectacular flavour profiles and textures—something you probably will not be able to find at commercial bread shops

174 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427445
Tel: +65 6440 3028
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sat: 8.30am – 5pm
Sun: 8.30am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Paya Lebar

GUAN HOE SOON RESTAURANT

Guan Hoe Soon is possibly Singapore’s oldest Nyonya restaurant that has been dishing out authentic Peranakan fare since 1953.

Now run by the founder’s granddaughter and her husband, you can count on Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant to bring you a scrumptious Peranakan feast as they pride themselves in using only the freshest ingredients and a selective choice of spices without skimping on the quality of their food.

40 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427764
Tel: +65 6344 2761
Daily: 10.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Paya Lebar

JINJI TEOCHEW TRADITIONAL STEAMBOAT RESTAURANT

Jinji Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant is a no-frills and utterly unpretentious steamboat restaurant along Joo Chiat Road which local stars have been frequenting this traditional restaurant over the past decade.

The owner has travelled to various countries to pick up the skills needed to execute each dish to an utmost perfection, so you can definitely count on Jinji to indulge in an authentic Teochew meal.

From now until 31 Oct 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy these promotions (for customers who dine in only) upon making reservations:

- 30% off all steamboat orders (excluding seafood and beef) during lunch daily (not available on Mondays and public holidays).
- Free-flow live drunken prawns for every steamboat order during dinner from Mondays to Fridays (not available during weekends and public holidays). Do note that this is available while stocks last for the day.

176-178 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427447
Tel: +65 6348 8924
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Paya Lebar

LONG PHUNG 

Located just across the street from Jinji Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant and Enjoué Bakery, Long Phung is a restaurant whose menu focuses primarily on Vietnamese cuisine.

Once a hidden gem in Joo Chiat, Long Phung is now a place where many flock to for authentic Vietnamese fare without breaking the bank.

159 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427436
Tel: +65 6440 6959
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Paya Lebar

MR & MRS MOHGAN’S SUPER CRISPY ROTI PRATA

Remarked as one of the best roti prata stalls in Singapore, Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata is located within a shabby, old-world-looking coffee shop named ‘Poh Ho Restaurant’ along Crane Road.

Here they serve real-deal, crispy prata flipped to perfection to give the right amount of crispiness on the edges and a fairly fluffy interior. Their curries—not that you need it—are extremely fragrant and pair well with their doughy goodness.

7 Crane Road
Singapore 429356
Tel: +65 9794 3124
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
Thu to Sun: 6.30am – 1pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Paya Lebar

NINETHIRTY BY AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

Joo Chiat is where you can find Awfully Chocolate’s flagship store, Ninethirty, which offers a decadent selection of well-loved comfort food and of course, the famed chocolatier’s desserts.

Besides their toothsome chocolate-centric confectionery and desserts, you can expect a tantalising array of hearty mains in the likes of pasta dishes and palatable brunch fare.

131 East Coast Road
Singapore 428816
Tel: +65 6345 2190
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 9.30am – 1am
Sun: 9.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Paya Lebar

SINPOPO BRAND

Sinpopo Brand is an extremely charming retro café that sits amongst the many shophouses in Joo Chiat. Boasting an extensive menu of traditional local favourites that have been reinvented to form creative dishes, what you can expect is a unique dining experience unlike any other.

From quirky mains that bring out nostalgia, an interior decked with minimalist furnishings and an innovative drink and dessert menu, what’s there to not love about Sinpopo Brand?

458 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427671
Tel: +65 6345 5034
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Dakota

WALAKU

Whipping up traditional Malay fare with modern interpretations is Walaku, a humble bistro nestled along the streets of Joo Chiat. Some of their innovative dishes include the Seafood Mee Goreng (S$8) and the Lemak Chilli Api Soft Shell Crab Pasta (S$15.90).

For a more comforting and traditional meal that will nonetheless leave your tummy satisfied, opt for the Ayam Goreng Rempah Nasi Lemak (S$7.80).

110 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427402
Tel: +65 6284 2420
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

WERNER’S OVEN

Werner’s Oven is a traditional German restaurant and bakery that prides itself in serving authentic and handmade bread and wursts.

Over the years, they have up kept the conventions of the Germanic culinary and baking methods while introducing innovative alterations to suit the taste buds of both Asian and Western guests.

49 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427773
Tel: +65 6442 3897
Tue to Sun: 8.30am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Eunos

A humble burger joint opened by the folks behind Carvers & Co, Wolf Burgers has, over the last few years, risen through the ranks to become a popular choice among burger aficionados all over Singapore.

The brand is famous for a few things, but more notably for their affordable prices and undeniably delicious burgers.

This no-frills burger joint puts out some scrumptious, meat-packed options, with most items on the menu priced below S$10. And before you begin comparing them to any ordinary fast-food restaurant, let us assure you that the quality and satisfaction that Wolf Burgers guarantees go far beyond your average happy meal.

If you’re a first-timer, perhaps it would not be a bad idea to start yourself off with their signature Wolf Burger (S$9.90). This anything-but-basic burger comprises a freshly ground beef patty with cheddar, sweet onions, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles in their house-made sesame seed bun.

Our patty was beautifully cooked, achieving the perfect medium-rare. During the cooking, the cooks press the patties down hard against the griddle to achieve a deep and even crust, all while expertly flipping and timing each one to ensure that every patty is done just right.

What we particularly enjoyed about the Wolf Burger, despite it being so simple and ordinary, was the fact that neither one of the ingredients were overly assertive, allowing us to truly appreciate the quality of the beef.

Every burger here is fully customisable, so feel free to exclude or include whatever you want from the type of cheese to their wide selection of toppings. We requested for some pickled gherkins to be added as well as we wanted something acidic to cut through the richness of the beef and melted cheese.

For an additional S$3, you can choose to upgrade to a meal that comprises any side item and a drink of your choice. There were quite a few interesting choices but the Sweet Potato Fries (S$4) seemed like the most enticing.

Crispy from edge to edge, every shoestring of sweet potato brimmed with a deep caramelised flavour—a quality that complemented our burger extremely well.

If you’re a truffle fanatic, then our advice is to go for the Truffle Fries (S$6).

The notes of truffle were apparent and the fries were nicely textured, but all in all, it was rather underwhelming as compared to its sweet potato counterpart.

Wolf Burgers
#01-43, Changi City Point,
5 Changi Business Park Central 1,
Singapore 486038
Tel: +65 6902 0486
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Expo

Read: 11 legit burger places in Singapore

Situated just a stone’s throw away from the ever-so-popular Blk 85 Fengshan Food Centre at Bedok North is a newly-opened carnival-themed café, Sir Stamford Waffles, which serves waffles, ice cream, coffee and more.

Do not be confused by the name of this café—Sir Stamford Raffles did not open this café—but rather, the people behind Hatter Street Bakehouse and Café did.

Essentially a carnival-themed café, Sir Stamford Waffles is well-furnished and boasts a bright and colourful interior with huge posters with whimsical illustrations on their walls. The space in the café was small and can fit just 4-5 groups of people, but they have seats outside too.

Sir Stamford Waffles bear great similarity to their sister café in terms of their range of desserts and coffee, but with a twist of local flavours, as their name suggests. Specialising in waffles, they offered several noteworthy signature waffle sets such as The Miraculous Merlion (S$15.90) and the Kopi Kusu (S$15.90).

They serve coffee and tea too, perfect for those just looking for something to sip on in Sir Stamford Waffles whilst escaping the glaring heat!

We opted for the Pulau Unikorn Signature Waffle Set (S$14 nett), which came with 2 signature waffles, 1 scoop of Lavender Blackberry Ice Cream, 1 scoop of Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream and of course, unicorn accessories.

As they were out of the Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream on our visit, we opted for the Strawberry Cheesecake flavour instead. Both the lavender blackberry and strawberry cheesecake flavours were delightful to have with the waffles, as they were neither overwhelmingly sweet nor sour.

The waffles were extremely crispy and light, but we would have preferred if the waffles had a more fluffy texture to it. However, the waffles were not too sweet, making it a great complement to the ice cream.

With plenty of cafés serving waffles with ice cream coming forth in Singapore, Sir Stamford Waffles does not stand out in any particular way.

We wouldn’t go all the way to Bedok for Sir Stamford Waffles, but should you be around the east of Singapore and looking for somewhere to curb your waffle and ice cream cravings, you can consider dropping by.

Sir Stamford Waffles
Blk 89 Bedok North Street 4 #01-91
Singapore 460089
Mon to Thu: 1pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 1pm – 12am
Tel: 97428895
Nearest Station: Bedok/ Bedok Reservoir

The Original Boat Noodle at Changi City Point is a new restaurant everyone needs to know about.

As with most Thai dishes, their food features a punchy marriage of herbs, spices and aromatics, as well as the iconic 4 tastes—sweet, salty, spicy and sour—resulting in a plethora of dishes encompassing complex flavours reminiscent of the hearty street foods of Bangkok.

Starting out humbly along the back alleys of Bangkok, the restaurant, as well as its menu, has grown exponentially since its first outlet opened in Malaysia in 2014 and with it, fuelled many people’s interest toward the dish as well as Thai street fare in general.

Their boat noodle selection is limited to two classic flavours but, make no mistake that by the end of your meal, you’ll probably be shocked by the number of bowls you have towering over your table.

THAI BOAT NOODLE

Like most Thai soups, the stock is a complex harmony of herbs, spices and aromatics, resulting in a sweet and sometimes tangy broth full of varying flavour profiles. Over at The Original Boat Noodle, they specialise in two variations of the iconic Thai snack—Pathumthani and Ayutthaya.

Pathumthani (S$1.20 per bowl) uses dark soy sauce as the foundation of its flavour with the addition of herbs and aromatics to give it a warm, assertive kick. Sourish with a good amount of heat, spice lovers should opt for this rendition.

Ayutthaya (S$1.20), on the other hand, boasts a creamier, richer broth that is mildly spicy with aromatic notes from warm spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and star anise. We liked that it possesses a much fuller body as compared to the former but if we had to decide on a winner, it would no doubt be its tangier counterpart.

Chicken or beef can be had with either choice but you probably wouldn’t need to choose given how small each portion is—because you’ll probably be ordering them all.

KRA POW CHICKEN RICE

Kra Pow Chicken Rice (S$8.80), or as many would recognise as the iconic basil chicken rice, is a great rice option to have should you wish for a more substantial meal. Served with white rice is a fried egg as well as a generous portion of minced chicken fried in a mixture of chilli, Thai basil leaves, and fish sauce.

A hearty, authentically-made dish—made even better with the runny egg yolk that just coats itself beautifully on everything—this is easily something we can imagine ourselves returning for.

BANGKOK OMELETTE RICE

Cooked to perfection with a fluffy center and crispy edges served atop rice and a coconut-based curry-like sauce, the Bangkok Omelette Rice (S$8.80) is a lot more than what it seems. Fried in hot shallow oil, the beaten egg is able to get crisp around the edges while the insides puff up, allowing its center to achieve a nice fluffy texture.

Greasy, yet comforting the same way fried chicken would be on an empty stomach, the dish stands up well on its own, especially so with the sauce that gives the egg a creamy flavour and a hint of spice.

TASTY CHICKEN WINGS

Served piping hot, crispy and tasty (as its name suggests), the Tasty Chicken Wings (S$4.80 for 3, S$6.80 for 5) is without a doubt a crowdpleaser and probably something that kids would love.

There really isn’t anything special to shout about with regards to this dish but as far as fried chicken wings go, we were pretty much sold the second we felt the skin crackle under the weight of our teeth.

Available on their menu is a myriad of signature side dishes from the classic Som Tam Thai (S$4.80) or papaya salad, the highly popular Crunchy Thai Popeye’s Tempura (S$3.80) and more. But perhaps the one dish that stood out the most was their Flame Grilled Ayam Legend (S$8.80).

Brimming with deep char-grilled flavours, tender meat and further accented with a sweet, salty, tangy and spicy dip, what else can we say? If there was one dish that truly epitomizes the 4 iconic tastes of Thai food, this would be it.

HOT STEAMY SANGKAYAA

For the love of all things comforting, we must admit that their Hot Steamy Sangkayaa (S$4.80) really hit the spot. Essentially a dim sum tray filled with steamed bread that comes with a luscious kaya dip in the middle, this dessert item was delightful from the first bite to the very last.

The house-made kaya is a sweet and creamy one that is heavy on pandan—which makes it all the better. The steamed bread felt a notch denser than your average bread too. It was chewier, aromatic and just the perfect vessel to hold onto all that decadent kaya.

MADE-FROM-SCRATCH BEVERAGES

Boasting a wide array of beverages such as Cha Yen (S$3.80) and Cha Keow Yen (S$3.80), the restaurant takes pride in preparing all of their beverages the old-fashioned way with properly brewed tea leaves and none of the powdered stuff typically found elsewhere.

That is real dedication and a great testament of their quality. Another Cha Yen, please!

The Original Boat Noodle
5 Changi Business Park Central 1,
Changi City Point #B1-34A
Singapore 486038
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Expo

This post was brought to you by The Original Boat Noodle.