📍 Take Kushiyaki
The Scallion Oil Udon ($8.50) was slurpy and satisfying as a carb option. The Oden ($7.50 small / $15 large) offered a comforting selection of ingredients—perfect for rainy days. And the Tsukune ($5/stick, +$1 for egg yolk) was excellent: plump, well-seasoned, and deliciously moreish.
📍Kawano Izakaya
The Potato Somen Mentai ($9.80) was creamy and indulgent—anything with mentaiko can do no wrong. The 5 Kind Sashimi ($48) was fresh with decently satisfying thick slices, while the Rainbow Roll ($25) had well-balanced flavours I would gladly reorder. The 8 Type Yakimono ($26.80) was respectable, and the Potato Salad ($6) was simple, classic, and foolproof.
📍Tom’s Palette
Alphonso Mango | Kochi Yuzu | Granny’s Favourite | Sicilian Pistachio
($5.80/ regular, $10.60/ large)
It has been a hot minute since I have had Tom's Palette. Still a favourite with their vast not-too-sweet ice cream selection and the localised flavour options. As good as I remembered them to be.
📍Tofu-G
Korean Sweet Potato | Vegan Tofu Gelato | Vegan Black Sesame
($8/ cup)
Melts a little quick, but not too bad in terms of taste or texture. The ones I tried do have very minimal soy after-taste except for the original. The original tofu gelato had an odd saltish tang too in my opinion, while the Korean Sweet Potato was like a mellow taro ice cream. Thus, the black sesame was my pick among the three, as the earthy flavour was the most pleasant and pronounced.
📍Freaky Cone
Pistachio | Sea Salt Gula Melaka
($11/ double cup)
Flavours were distinct and pretty on-point. I enjoyed the savoury-sweet combo I got. Smooth and fragrant, a lovely perk-me-up that wasn’t cloying at all despite the scoops’ creamy sweetness.
Aspalathus Linearis Milk Tea ($7.80/bottle) – I went for the hot version, which really brought out the distinct rooibos tea’s character. Smooth and not cloying, it had earthy, woody, and subtly sweet notes that paired beautifully with milk.
Pull-Tab Coffee 拉环咖啡
Iced Mocha Aerofoam Coffee ($7.80) – I am not usually a coffee drinker, but Pull-Tab’s viral smooth, velvety foam might have converted me. The aromatic cloud tasted like coffee mousse—slightly bitter, a touch acidic, yet gently sweet. Perfect when paired with their butter toast.
PT Kaya Peanut Butter Toast ($3.80) & PT Kaya Butter Toast ($2.80) – Thin slices of lightly toasted bread sandwiched with the classic pandan-infused coconut jam and deceptive slabs of unsalted butter which didn’t quite fill the entire toast. Crisp around most edges with some softer spots, they made for simple, decent snacks.
Mondo: the new gelato bar on Amoy Street to look out for 🍨
Double ($10)
Piedmont Hazelnut - Full and balanced flavour of hazelnuts in a deliciously creamy, aromatic scoop. Fine, robust, and fragrant with an almost buttery, luxe mouthfeel.
Chèvre & Pumpkin Custard - A fairly delicate number; mixing the lightly sweetened and spiced pumpkin puree with the mild, savoury French cheese base. Pleasant and unique - enjoyed the cinnamon-ish aftertaste.
Sicilian Pistachio - Classic, can-do-no-wrong, yummy rendition. Think lingering and pronounced nutty notes, indulgent without being overly heavy.
Toasted White Choc & Strawberries - Love the swirls of tangy-sweet, vibrant berries with the not-too-sweet white chocolate base. The added caramel-y/toasty flavour of the white chocolate was a very nice touch~
Marinated Thigh ($28) – Full of flavour with beautifully charred edges, juicy and succulent meat, and a sweet-savoury marinade. The portion was just right for me who was dining alone for dinner, and also because the standard grill platter includes the more unique chicken parts which I am a little too scared to try.
Jidori Udon ($24) – Honestly, I would say you could skip this. It wasn’t bad, just pretty average, though the portion size is generous enough for two to share.
SamGyeTang Truffle ($34) – A lunch special that was extra tempting when you add $6 for a set with Tofu G ice cream and egg roll. The thick, creamy broth reminded me of a Western-style truffle mushroom soup, but with that comforting Korean twist. The chicken stuffed with soft glutinous rice was tender and the broth satisfying rich without being cloying.
📍Yuen Kee Dumpling 袁记云饺
Shrimp and Crab Roe Pork Wanton Dry Noodles ($7.80/ 6pcs) - overdid it with the sesame sauce and not a fan of the noodles but the dumplings were yummy (love the plump, fresh-tasting shrimp in every morsel)
📍IKI Healthy Soba
Avocado Kaisen Tororo Soba ($20) - still one of my favourite soba places that I go to from time to time (for their seasonal bowls) and the slurpy matcha soba was a solid ten
