Eat simi: Mala (Zhong La/Med spicy)
Eat how much: $14
Eat which store: Good Taste Mala Hotpot
Eat where: Fajar Shopping Centre, Koufu
Eat nice not: 4.4/5
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One bite in and i was immediately SOLD!! Each ingredient was decadently coated with glistening mala sauce 🥲 Every mouthful packed so much more than a punch of heat and flavour 🔥 I am really proud at how this dish has also achieved the holy trinity of characteristics only found in a well-cooked mala - numbness, spiciness and fragrance!! It embodies more of the heat and numbness than fragrance which is perfect for Singaporeans who absolutely love spicy food 🤤 Not to mention, this mala was also reasonably priced for 4 noodles and so many ingredients?!!
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This mala may be great but it lacks a distinct persona which differentiates it from other well-cooked mala. Also, it may taste slightly salty for people who prefer their mala to be more mild tasting. However, in the defense of the mala, it's the MSG which makes it so insanely addictive isn't it? 😬 Nonetheless, EAT IN MODERATION OK!!
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This mala has taken over ma heart ❤️‍🔥

Eat simi: Cranberry Chocolate Scone
Each how much: $2.30 (-10cents w/o plastic bag)
Eat which store: Gokoku Japanese Bakery
Eat where: Millenia Walk
Eat nice not: 2.1/5
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I was rather surprised by the initial strong savoury notes which hit me as i expected it to be sweet! 😮 This was accompanied by the bitterness of the chocolate and a buttery fragrance thereafter. I couldn’t quite decipher the usual tang and taste of the cranberry though, as it was overpowered by the myriad of strong flavours. Also, there was an awkward doughy aftertaste. :/ Conversely, i liked the bits of dark chocolate chips scattered throughout the scone which supplied some bittersweet happiness! ❤️ I particularly enjoyed the bottom of the scone due to it’s almost biscuit-like texture which nicely contrasts with the soft dense scone.
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The texture lacked the supposed crumbliness and was similar to dense fudge brownies instead. 🧐
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Any yums and on point scones to recommend??

Eat which store: Dumplings-RU
Eat where: 32 Maxwell Rd, #01-05 Maxwell Chambers, Singapore 069115, Tanjong Pagar
Eat nice not: 4/5
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🫑 Stuffed bell pepper ($15.95): What I’d consider to be the star of the show. Pocketed within, meats are deeply infused with the flavours of the pepper while retaining the quintessential melt-in-your-mouth texture from the flavourful fats. Immediately transports you to a home in Russia with it’s the warmth of a home-cooked food.

🐟 Seledka (Salted Herring) ($14.90): Don’t be too taken aback from your first salty bite! This tender, cold and fatty palate is indeed an eye-opener to the cuisine. Paired perfectly with the carbohydrates, it neutralises the savouriness while providing ample warmth and sweetness to complement the herring.

🍗 Kotlety ($17.49): The mashed potato was served with an acidic tang which surprisingly works. Chicken patty although one-dimensional, had a bouncy texture alike a sausage frank. Salad has an acquired acidity which was crunchy and unlike any others.

🥟 Combo platter (12pcs) ($21.89): Our exotic entrée (main actually,) which is mainly made up of mashed potatoes and minced savoury meats, though they all taste pretty similar to me. 😅The skin is considerably more chewy compared to the conventional dumplings we’re used to! The dip has an uniquely acquired-tasting alcoholic end. 😳
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Dumplings-RU intricately balances flavours on two end of the spectrum to produce exotic combinations which will undoubtedly surprise your SE-Asian tastebuds. 🙌
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Tips: Make a reservation before coming down!!
*all prices stated includes 10% service charge.
IG:@eat_simi

Eat simi: Lemon Danish
Each how much: $6
Eat which store: Mother Dough
Eat where: 3 Jln Kledek, Singapore 199259, Bugis
Eat nice not: 2.7/5
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I was first invited by the soft fluffy dough with the classic tangy tug of sourdough which whets you appetite. 🤰 It was also pretty dense and bread-like while retaining a good amount of moisture. 🙌
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It felt like there was a civil war between the acidity of the lemon and sourdough though, as I couldn’t quite differentiate the two. The butter was quite lacking compared to other bakeries’ viennoiseries. :/
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I haven’t tried other bakes from MoDo but have read raving reviews. This is probably best to be missed and not the most stellar bake from them. Any other recommendations from MoDo though?
IG: @eat_simi

Eat simi: Soboro Beef Bowl
Each how much: $11.77 (Inclu. GST + service charge)
Eat which store: Tanuki Raw
Eat where: Orchard Central
Eat nice not: 3.4/5
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First bite in and you’ll definitely be able to tell that the slow braised beef was well-marinated with its deep soy umami flavours diffusing in each mouth! 🥺 I particularly liked how the beef weren’t sinew and was relatively tender with a slight chew. Rice was cooked to perfection - fluffy and well doused with sauce. 🙌
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However, the yolk seemed to make the rice tad watery. 😱 I would also prefer consistency in its meat as some beef cubes were spicy while other parts weren’t. 🧐 Was also expecting a more complex flavour too as it turned out quite monotonous.
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Nevertheless, it’s a decent meal with adequate serving and taste for $10++! It works perfectly as a quick-fix lunch when you’re craving for something slightly atas too. 🥳 Get the salmon bowl instead! 👌
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IG: @eat_simi

Eat simi: Soboro Beef Bowl
Each how much: $11.77 (Inclu. GST + service charge)
Eat which store: Tanuki Raw
Eat where: Orchard Central
Eat nice not: 3.4/5
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First bite in and you’ll definitely be able to tell that the slow braised beef was well-marinated with its deep soy umami flavours diffusing in each mouth! 🥺 I particularly liked how the beef weren’t sinew and was relatively tender with a slight chew. Rice was cooked to perfection - fluffy and well doused with sauce. 🙌
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However, the yolk seemed to make the rice tad watery. 😱 I would also prefer consistency in its meat as some beef cubes were spicy while other parts weren’t. 🧐 Was also expecting a more complex flavour too as it turned out quite monotonous.
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Nevertheless, it’s a decent meal with adequate serving and taste for $10++! It works perfectly as a quick-fix lunch when you’re craving for something slightly atas too. 🥳 Get the salmon bowl instead! 👌
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IG: @eat_simi

Eat simi: Ottogi Corn Dog
Each how much: $9.50 (UP: $12.90)
Eat which store: Available at supermarkets
Eat where: Home
Eat nice not: 4.1/5
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Dayum. Super impressed with the satisfyingly long cheese pulls which lasted throughout the entire corn dog! (and longer than my relationships. Jkjk.). The crust was so shamelessly loud that my neighbour had to knock on my door for noise disruption. 😶‍🌫️ Flavours were milder compared to Sajo’s one which allowed me to focus on the cheese pull. 😏 Sausage was not too fishy but is rather awkwardly sweet, and the texture something which takes time getting used to — kinda soft with no bite (like a sausage frank without the graininess)!
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Ottogi vs Sajo? 1:0.

Eat simi: Egg Tart
Eat how much: $0.99 (shopee) /UP: $1.50
Eat which store: Qin De Egg Tart and Pastries
Eat where: Whampoa Makan Place
Eat nice not: 5/5
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Omai omaiiiiii!!!!! Please take a moment to admire the beautifully browned top and the head-turning layers of crossiant-like skin. When the egg tart is first bitten into, you could hear so loudly the harmony of the crisp fragile skin. I loved how the bottom of the bottom of the egg tart is more firm due to the absorption of all the "ZHUP" which provides a pleasant textural contrast the layered skin. Taste wise, the exterior was extremely fragrant and buttery. 👍 The creamy and eggy taste was very well carried in the tart, with the right amount of sweet. Also, it wasn't too drenched while retaining the soft, luscious and *jiggle jiggle jiggle* texture.
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I often find the egg tarts sold in commercial-chains too overwhelming in at least one of its different elements, savouriness, sweetness or greasiness. However, Qin De has perfected each of them to provide THE EGG TART with the golden ratio. The different characteristics of the egg tart was allowed to shine by itself without overshadowing each other, yet it blends in harmony to bring out the best flavours and texture. 😳
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Important note: please eat after it cools down. Sis got scalded which proves how freshly served and hot it was. 🙂

Eat simi: Brown Sugar Peanut Pancake
Eat how much: $2
Eat which store: Baotianxia
Eat where: People's Park Complex, Chinatown
Eat nice not: 2.3/5
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I love how it was piping hot when i first got it 🔥 The flakey exterior crust was contrasted by the doughy bread-like interior holding the fillings together. I enjoyed how this pancake was not too greasy! 👍 It also comes with thick chonky pieces of peanuts, very ideal for people who enjoys chunky nuts!! It also has an adequate amount of sweetness, similar to those in less sweet red bean buns.
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I was rather let down by the lack of fragrance despite the addition of sesame seeds. The crust was also rather thick with a 3:1 crust to filling ratio, thus resulting in it tasting quite surfeit even after a few bites. Definitely best eaten when shared between two people. 👭 Would be cool if the sugar was molten in the bun too. :/
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If you are a carby-person and miss sweet snacks from china, this would be an acceptable compensation for the lack of travel due to covid. 😗 I'd also recommend the other savoury buns and pancakes which i enjoy! 🤭
IG: @eat_simi

Eat simi: Salmon Tuna Bowl
Each how much: $10.90
Eat which store: Chirashi King Kong
Eat where: Millenia Walk
Eat nice not: 3.8/5
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Their truffle infused rice never fails to amaze me especially with it’s sweet-smelling fragrant, rather than pungency. The addition of tobiko roe provided a symphony of textures — with surprising pops in between takes. 🥷 The salmon was neither the silkiest nor smoothest one I’ve had but for this price, still acceptable lah! 😶‍🌫️
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I’m not quite sure what the hallmark of good tuna is but mine tasted slightly fishy and stale. As you can see from the pic it was kindaaa breaking apart alrdy. :/
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Think the cooked bowls tastes better! Really liked their aburi salmon too so perhaps get that instead. 👀
IG: @eat_simi

Eat simi: Coffee Bun
Each how much: $2
Eat which store: Roti Mum
Eat where: IMM
Eat nice not: 2.8/5
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Coffee buns never fail in their aromatic and slight crisp crust - hot or cold. It was also satisfyingly sweet with some savoury melted butter encased in the floofy, soft bread.
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Coffee buns from roti mum used to be one of my favourite buns but this really pushed down my expections. ☹️ I recall my buns with more molten butter, and stronger tasting. TDLR: It lacked the critical elements of a coffee bun. There were other reviews speaking of it wasn’t quite up to standard too. 😩
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OG mummy best. Free one.

Eat simi: Ashes Smash Cheese Burger Set (Single)
Each how much: $5.90
Eat which store: Ashes Burnnit
Eat where: Golden Mile FC, Bugis Beach Rd
Eat nice not: 3.4/5
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First impression: quite impressed. For only $5.90, Ashes has offered me a burger set transcending the standards of similarly-priced traditional fast food burgers! 😳 Evident in the generous servings of freshly fried and seasoned fries, they definitely do not scrimp on their portions. 🥺 The bread worked magic by absorbing the essence of the patty juices, while still maintaining an adequately firm bite. The molten cheese undoubtedly brought out the best of the flavours in the burger too!
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Despite its merits, the beef patty which was the supposed main highlight wasn’t the most stellar though. It was tad overcooked, resulting in parched and tough meat lacking in its own flavours. Having a fluffier bread would also aid in the texture too!!
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Surprisingly, Ashes seems to do well with the sides and supporting elements. For only $5.90, it would’ve been a solid burger go-to hotspot if the entire dish was executed better. 🙌
IG: @Eat_simi