Ever had Belgian chocolate ondeh ondehs? How about Lavender Kuehs? Family-run HarriAnns prides itself in constantly innovating to keep up with the times. While it’s impossible to resist their timeless classic creations, their new-fangled creations are worth a try too. While the chocolate and yam paste-stuffed rice balls are unique, the traditional gula Melaka-filled ones are still the best, with a syrupy centre that is not cloyingly sweet encased in a glutinous rice ball with just the right thickness. Pick these up after lunch for a sweet bite!
No meal at Fyr Cycene Ond Drinc is complete without their Baked Pistachio Melt with Pandan Ice Cream. Served in a cast iron pan, this pistachio lava cake "yields a salty, thick, gooey sea of nutty goodness", as Tastemaker Shawn Loh puts it. It's paired with the homemade pandan ice cream (a match made in heaven) that's refreshing and light on the palate, brilliant in keeping this dessert from being too heavy and monotonous. This one's truly a feast for the eyes and stomach, so get those cameras ready.
The glutinous rice balls ($1.50 for four) at 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup are handmade and stuffed generously with five types of fillings including the classic peanut, sesame and red bean. While the popular yam-filled balls are a must-try, so are the less commonly seen green tea rice balls. As for the ‘soup’ base, the peanut soup is well-loved, and rightly so, simmered for hours until the peanuts are ultra tender and the soup beyond flavourful. Alternatively, opt for the almond milk, sweet corn syrup or ginger soup. Pro Tip: Always pop the whole ball in and let the filling explode in your mouth!
This fairly new kid on the Burlington Square block shares a space with Geisha Coffee, an unassuming spot for good brews that faces LASALLE. Neato has taken over the humble shopfront, banging out ridiculously tempting sweet treats like Pumpkin Cheesecake ($4.90) and Toasted Marshmallow Fudge Cake ($5.90) alongside small takeaway servings of salads. What you really need to get in on is this gorgeous Malted Milk Custard Puff ($3) — imagine flowy milk custard that reminds you of cereal, held together by a lovely choux casing that yields instantly to your teeth. It's slightly savoury thanks to the malted milk, and is a lovely twist to the sweet vanilla cream we've come to expect of a custard puff.
Springleaf's eggs benny-inspired Plaster Blaster ($5) comprises a crisp, fluffy plain prata topped with slices of ham and a wobbly poached egg smothered in Hollandaise sauce (though you might prefer ladling spoonfuls of good ol' curry instead). When you break into that egg, watch as it mixes into the hollandaise (or curry) as you tear that prata apart. Come with a big group to try their ridiculous murtabak inventions, like the Ultimate Murtabak ($12) stuffed with tandoori chicken and oozing mozzarella studded with mushroom slices, or the Umami ($7.50), brimming with chicken luncheon meat, chicken floss, Japanese mayonnaise, egg and mozzarella. p.s. They created the patty and cheese-filled Murtaburger ($7) too.
A trip to BLACK&INK would be incomplete without having at least one muffin to go with their excellent cuppa. The Salted Egg Coffee Muffin is probably the most popular variant, stuffed with a familiar golden liquid found in liu sha baos. While not everyone may fancy the marriage between the coffee-based muffin and the salted egg yolk centre, the Kimchi Egg Muffin (!), on the other hand, hits all the right spot. The batter is studded with kimchi bits and a soft-centred egg is nestled in the middle of it all. If you’re lucky, you might catch some of the limited edition ones like the gooey-centred Thai Milk tea or the zippy Calamansi Curd Muffins when you visit!
East 8's Molten Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cake ($15) is possibly the epitome of decadence (well, if you're a fan of peanut butter and chocolate). Save the best for last — after you've had a good round of their delectable tapas, go ahead and order the lava cake. Served hot from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for balance, this is one dessert you should share but might not want to. Dig in and you'll find a molten peanut butter core enveloped by moist, warm chocolate cake.
This 26-year old Cantonese institution’s baked liu sha bao ($5.80 for three) needs no introduction. The slightly sweet, crusted buns are perfectly executed: each has a crackly top, and a fluffy interior. To take things up a notch, the molten salted egg yolk filling really oozes out as you sink your teeth into these babies. Now this is what dreams are made of.
Leaving Mr Baguette without trying their lava baguettes ($1.80) is simply a no-no. Just looking at these baguettes will get you salivating. This humble little stall in Golden Mile Food Centre have both sweet and savoury baguettes, so you're not going to miss out if you don't have a sweet tooth. Imagine biting into a mini hot, crusty baguette, and having a copious amount of luscious molten chocolate or red velvet filling flow out – oh so irresistible. They're rather innovative here; flavours include cheese tiramisu and cookies and cream. These little babies can be brought home and reheated as well, so you can enjoy them from the comfort of your home. ;)
Oreo Tiramisu (top) ($5.90) & Horlicks Tiramisu ($5.90). The flower pots were too cute to resist. The tiramisu was also pretty good! The type of food there is very innovative, especially the desserts. Even the menu is cool. Would come back here again no doubt. Very Instagram worthy as well 👍🏼
Sticky cinnamon-filled swirls topped off with condensed milk atop which was not too overwhelmingly sweet!
Saveur offers possibly the most affordable French cuisine you can find, and you've probably had many-a-meal here already. Priding themselves in the use of local products and making French food accessible to the masses, Saveur has become the go-to place for quality food that won't break the bank. Start with Saveur's Pasta ($4.90) — capellini tossed in chilli oil, finely chopped Japanese konbu, and topped with minced pork sauce, chives and sakura ebi. For mains, get the melt-in-your mouth Salmon Confit ($10.90) or Chicken Roulade ($10.90). If you're in the mood for a complete three-course meal, their lunch sets priced at $22.90++ are available at their Purvis Street and Scotts Road outlets.
