This is what happens when a cook runs out of ideas and goes “GUYS WHY NOT JUST LUMP ALL THE FOOD TRENDS INTO ONE EPIC DISH?!?” Strangely enough, we actually enjoyed this outrageous mix which - by some strange twist of fate - had all the loud and rich flavors meshing really well together. To be fair, the salted egg sauce was almost intangible, relegated to the background by the honey mustard, kimchi and bulgogi, all of which form an unbeatable trio! It helped too that the chips were of the junk-y variety - thin, salty and appealing immediately to the natural human thirst for instant gratification😂 I’d probably sneak this into the movies the next time I come!
Got these babies omw home because who can say no to a 2-for-$4 deal?!? Since their last attempt to join the “local flavors” frenzy (recall their Nasi lemak puff), they’ve put considerably more thought into conceiving their latest Chili Crab ‘O’!! Each handmade puff is stuffed with shredded crab & strips of egg which are bound together by an incredibly traditional-tasting chili crab sauce!!! Well I wouldn’t have minded more crab but this is more than enough to rekindle my love for OCK😭 Definitely gonna get me some durian & jackfruit puffs at their curry day party this weekend!!!
Ok I know I made it sound really exciting but sorry to burst your bubble, this place literally serves the crappiest food EVER. Can you believe the spread above cost us $40? Steamed vegetables that aren’t even seasoned, pickled radish that made us gag...it’s as if Mark(the owner) served us this just for laughs. You’re essentially paying for a play but don’t expect anything from the actual meal or drinks!
To silence the call of our dessert stomach, we were offered yoghurt jelly with fresh blueberries. Light, refreshing and a good end to a heavy meal. I can finally see why there’s so much buzz about this place; from sharing a long table with other guests to idly watching the chef bumble about in his element, the whole session is an intimate dining experience that will undoubtedly keep one coming back.
For the main, we got carbonara! The creamy pasta, touched by swirls of olive oil and covered first in crisp, juicy bacon, then a smattering of grated Parmesan was divine. On the first bite, I’d think even the most errr gastronomically-challenged person can intuitively tell that the pasta is made in-house; each strand is highly irregular, with a dense floury texture that is a welcome change from the mass-produced smoothness that we’re so used too! Coupled with the generous portion, we were surprisingly stuffed by the end!
What better way to end a week than with a meticulously prepared meal by one very talented individual at this cosy hole-in-the-wall restaurant? Still can’t believe impatient me actually managed to wait a MONTH to dine here...but I guess it made the lunch all the more satisfying😚
For starters, we were served a charcuterie plate comprising champagne ham, pâté (made with ground pork, cognac and pistachio) and a hunk of focaccia. The cold cuts did whet my appetite but what stole the show really was dat thick, doughy, chewy lightly oiled focaccia with a consistency true to European bread - I could almost taste the blood, sweat and TLC put into kneading and baking it (figuratively ofc, no one likes the taste of sweat). Next time I go, please serve me a whole basket’s worth ok?😉
Hvala, ooh na-na...half of my heart is in THIS GOMA CAKE!!! Words simply can’t describe the raw richness that this simple slice exudes, but I’ll try my best! Think moist, spongy layers of chiffon sandwiching a cream filling that is all at once earthy and nutty, rounded off by a gritty texture made possible only by the inclusion of real black sesame seeds. The layering creates a harmony that grants each bite adequate richness that - at the same time - does not overwhelm. In contrast, their 1925 cold brew is a light and slightly bitter tea with lilting floral notes that linger on your tongue - when ordered in tandem with the former, the set is undeniably a killer combination, embodying the essence of an exquisite afternoon tea!😚
P.S.: 1925 cold brew price may be wrong, no hatin’ on my poor memory pls💖
Ion Orchard’s Football Food Fiesta is happening NOW at level B4!!!⚽️ Catch a live screening of the England vs Belgium match tonight without worrying about getting peckish halfway through; food carts surround the main screen, offering local goodies like durian fritters, fruit popsicles, mantou w/ chili crab sauce and my personal favourite...ICE CREAM SANDWICHES FROM GLACIEL(sister brand from LeTao)!!😍 With such a wide array of treats, there’s sure to be something for everyone!!
This Fraise Vanilla ice cream cookie ($5.50) is the best I’ve ever had. Hands down, no debate, QED, case CLOSED! Cookie layer is gritty and crumbly to the right degree; firm enough to be held and yet disintegrating without resistance upon being bitten into. And its buttery, moist and slightly caramelized stroopwaffle-like feel goes amazingly well with the fresh ice cream within. With the marked au naturale flavour of strawberries, you can almost imagine yourself prancing about a strawberry field, munching on berries picked directly from the vine😍 Dez Japanese patissiers seriously need to stop setting the bar so high!!!
First up, their ✨dry dumpling noodles ($6.90) were firm and springy, accompanied by thick, succulent dumplings that were bursting at the seams! My favourite dish: Their ✨mini yolky custard paos ($2.90) which turned out to be not-so-mini after all!! Careful when you tear these pillowy balls open, you don’t want a single drop of molten salted egg custard to go to waste!!! Protip: get them to steam it a little longer; in a previous visit, the custard was all cold and clumped together. Today’s buns were a VAST improvement!!!👏🏻
Mmm feeling quite divided on this one😭 On one hand, the inner fitspo in me is like “yumyum healthy shake!!” and on the other...let’s just say every fiber of my being is screaming NO!!! Don’t order this expecting a light and sweet refreshment - each cup is dense and packed with natural grassy flavors that take some getting used to. We surmised that these smoothies are probably meant to be some kind of healthy meal replacement...albeit to the point where you can almost taste the LACK of sugar😱
We got the Green Warrior and Açaí super boost! One thing both have in common is that the “superfood” component is nearly nonexistent - the former (comprising avocado, mixed greens, flax seeds and chia seeds) reeked of spinach with the avocado apparent only in the super “gao” texture and the latter (açaí, beetroot, strawberries, oats) basically was beetroot mush with just a berry-like hint of açaí and strawberries. Meh. Not to be overly critical, but for $7.80 a cup, we expected a lot more. Health freaks will probably go nuts for deez though!
Embarked on a journey to the far flung lands of Bedok just for a taste of this humble western coffeeshop stall helmed by ex-wooloomooloo chef Jimmy Teo. We were tempted to get the Wellington but eventually decided on the chicken chop! It comes plated simplistically and looking absolutely tantalizing; taste-wise, a little charred on the edges, but chomp through the crust and you’ll be rewarded with juicy, tender flesh that is simply oozing with juices! Yet, what really elevates the dish is the capsicum & pesto sauce - a zesty, loaded combination that cuts through the meatiness with its aromatic tang.
The sides were really enjoyable too, but chef Jimmy switches things up every so often so take note: you might not get what I had😚 Essentially microgreens & spinach leaves layered over some wedges and wild mushrooms that are sautéed to perfection. These baby fungi poppers “pop” in your mouth and you can literally feel the warm flavours spread across your tongue😍 You’ll definitely get a happy belly at the end of this meal!!
Y’know how cafes usually serve “chili crab pasta” as just pasta whipped up with a bit of chili? Well, you won’t get any of that substandard stuff here; their al dente noodles are bathed in an abundance of chili crab sauce that is loaded with shredded eggs and comprise a perfect balance of sweet and savory - an orthodox flavor that guarantees this dish’s status as a crowd pleaser. Contrary to its appearance, the soft shell crab - though browned more than usual - was actually just lightly battered, allowing the crab to steal the spotlight!
The Beef Suki Rice Bowl was what you’d expect - nicely seared beef slices at medium doneness coupled with a jiggly sous vide egg. Though carrying the right amount of char in its flavour, the beef did feel a little tough on the outside - possibly due to a flat iron steak being used. Their signature homemade sauce was delish though, and added some oomph to the bed of rice!!😋
