Food

Last week, I had the pleasure of dining at Miraku, located in Icon Village along Gopeng Street, and it was an unforgettable experience. The 11-course omakase meal was nothing short of spectacular, starting with a refreshing salad and a perfectly steamed chawanmushi.

The highlight was undoubtedly the wide range of high-quality nigiri sushi, each piece meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. The flavors were exquisite and showcased the chef's incredible skill. The meal concluded with a flavorful rice bowl and a refreshing sorbet, both of which were delightful.

The service was excellent, with attentive staff ensuring my experience was seamless from start to finish. The restaurant's modern interior and calming ambiance added to the overall experience, making it a great spot for a special occasion. I highly recommend Miraku for anyone seeking an authentic and top-notch omakase experience in Singapore.

Had a great weekend dinner at Zhup Zhup. They are located along Macpherson Road, walkable from Tai Seng MRT and the upcoming Mattar MRT.

I opted for the recommended Claypot Hokkien Mee. It came piping hot, and the first mouthful was simply amazing, packed with umami flavor. There were ample amounts of fresh clams and prawns, and my personal favorite, deep-fried pork lard! The chili sauce provided was also excellent, fragrant with a slight kick that paired really well with the noodles. I also ordered a side of Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste) Chicken Wings, which were crispy and well-seasoned.

They are pretty well known place, and the queues can get quite long, so do be prepared for that. Nonetheless, I highly recommend Zhup Zhup to get your prawn noodles fix!

Had a weekday lunch with my fellow colleagues at Fu Lin Bar and Kitchen. They have an interesting and unique concept, being a bar by night and a yong tau foo place by day, both extremely popular in their own right.

The first thing that caught our attention, which definitely cannot be missed, is their interior design. It is well decorated with a special theme that pays homage to the early era of modern China, centered around Chairman Mao memorabilia.

They offer a wide variety of the standard yong tau foo options, which you pick out and pay for immediately afterward. The speed of their service was shockingly fast. No more than five minutes after I returned to my seat, my buzzer rang for me to collect my food.

In that short span of time, they had re-fried the items I picked out, and they were all crispy and piping hot. What makes them stand out, however, is their meat gravy, which is generously blanketed over the yong tau foo and mixed in with the bowl of noodles. The meat gravy had many chunks of meat, with a perfect level of consistency and just the right amount of saltiness.

They are located right in the heart of the CBD, along Telok Ayer Street. As usual for any popular lunch spot in the area, the place becomes extremely packed starting from 11 am onwards, and rightfully so for their excellent food quality, efficient service, and affordable price!

Much anticipated dinner after the end of a gruelling work week, and it did not disappoint. Spoiled for choice with the variety of starters they offer, I finally decided on the Deep Fried Burrata. The star of the dish, the burrata, had a great texture with a curdy outer shell and a soft, creamy inside that oozed when cut into. The arugula greens on the side were extremely fresh, adding a slight crunch and bitterness that paired well with the burrata. What truly elevated the dish was the pomodoro sauce; its thickness was just right, and it had a fresh flavor with a perfect balance of sweet and sour.

For the main course, I opted for a very unique pizza option, the Japanese A Dog pizza. As the name suggests, all the ingredients are from Japanese cuisine, and they came together beautifully. The pizza bread was extremely well made, stretchy with the right amount of char. It was my first time trying arabiki sausage, and it was surprisingly good, with just the right firmness and a clean, meaty taste.

The decor was simple yet elegant, with a wall design made of corks that I really liked. The dim, warm lighting created a pleasant dining ambiance. The service staff were all extremely friendly, professional, and efficient.

All in all, Paradise Pizza is a fantastic place to unwind and enjoy a great meal after a long work week. Highly recommended!

Was in JB with the family over the weekend and decided to have a late lunch at Nimmies Pastry Cafe. There are numerous cafes in the area, but their raving reviews and food options attracted me, and there were definitely no regrets choosing to dine here.

First and foremost, they have a wide selection of drinks, and some of them were really unique. My partner and I opted to try the Matcha Latte and Chocolate Latte. Both were very well made, with the Matcha Latte being on the milkier side and featuring high-quality matcha, while the Chocolate Latte had the right level of sweetness.

For starters, we had the Cheese Sticks. The Pomodoro sauce that cane along was fantastic and paired really well with the cheese sticks, although we would have loved for it the batter to had been crispier and the cheese more melted. Nonetheless, it was a great dish.

For the mains, we first had the Salted Egg Soft Shell Chilli Crab Squid Ink Spaghetti. It was surprisingly delicious, with the squid ink spaghetti not being too overpowering and the salted egg chili crab sauce was excellently made. The dish was topped with a generous-sized soft shell crab, which was fried superbly—crispy on the outside and with soft, succulent crab meat inside. For the other main dish, we had their award-winning fish and chips. The fish was battered and fried flawlessly, accompanied by tasty criss-cut fries. However, it was the 3 sauces provided that really elevated the dish, each offering a unique gastronomic experience when paired with the fish.

Beyond the food, all the staff were extremely attentive, polite, and efficient. The experience from queuing, ordering, serving, and paying was fantastic. The interior decorations and ambiance were also really nice.

Although we didn't manage to try their famed pastries, we did take away two baked goods that caught my eye, and they received many praises from my family members when tasted.

However, a word of caution, the queue can be extremely long, with lengthy wait times of over 1 and a half hours, and their waiting area is outdoors. Nonetheless, I highly recommend Nimmies.

Went down to Meat n Chill for a midweek dinner. Conveniently located within walking distance from Sixth Avenue MRT station, as the name suggests, it’s really a great place to indulge in great meat and chill with friends and family.

We started with their Buffalo Wings, which were fried perfectly with a crispy exterior and juicy, hot meat inside. The Buffalo sauce was splendid as well, thick and rich, with the right level of spice and tanginess. For the mains, I opted for the chef-recommended Cubano Sandwich. The pulled pork was extremely flavorful and tender, pairing really well with a generous amount of melted cheddar cheese. The sandwich also had gherkin and mustard, adding a depth of acidic flavor and crunchy texture. All this goodness was packed between two amazingly grilled breads.

I didn't have enough stomach space this time, but will most definitely be paying Meat n Chill another visit to have a taste of their must-try pork ribs.

Meeting up with friends for a Monday dinner around the Raffles Place area, we decided to give Kin Tub Thai Mookata a try. First and foremost, the view from our table was spectacular. I made a reservation via WhatsApp, requesting outdoor seating, which they kindly accommodated. We were seated right at the river's edge, offering us a great view of the Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands.

We ordered the Premium Beef and Pork set, which, after GST and service charge, came to a little over $150. The portions were generous and sufficient for three people, with three varieties of beef and pork cuts, all marinated and seasoned very well. The set also included a basket of vegetables, glass noodles, and an egg.

The staff were extremely friendly, professional, and attentive, always ensuring our soup was refilled before it dried up. While their prices are on the higher side, the quality of the meats, the excellent service, and the impeccable scenic sunset view during the evening make it worth the expense. I highly recommend Kin Tub Mookata for a great evening with friends and family over dinner, enjoying both the food and the view.

Had dinner at Shukuu Japanese Izakaya and Bar on a weekend night. The place is located along Stanley Street, an area packed with plenty of popular eateries.

The first dish I had was the Crab Gratin with Mentaiko, creatively served in a crab head. The potato was cooked perfectly—soft but not crumbling when eaten—with notable chunks of crab within, all topped with a generous amount of torched mentaiko. Another mentaiko dish that I thoroughly enjoyed was the Rosti Mentai, which featured a plentiful amount of torched mentaiko paired perfectly with shredded rosti potatoes that had crisp edges and a soft, steamy interior.

I also ordered several Kushiyaki, namely the Tontoro Black Pork Collar, Bacon with Asparagus, and my personal favorite, Tsukune Meatballs. The meatballs were superbly well glazed, and the meat was juicy and flavorful.

Last but definitely not least, for drinks, I decided to try the Sawanotsuru Aged Umeshu. It was sweet with hints of sourness and a pleasant plum aroma, and I will most certainly be getting an entire bottle to enjoy at home.

I highly recommend Shukuu Izakaya to anyone looking for a great night out with friends and family while enjoying good Japanese izakaya cuisine and drinks.

Had a weekend dinner at Noa with my partner and her family. We were a large group and ordered many of their dishes, and I will highlight some that I really enjoyed.

For appetizers, three dishes really stood out. First and foremost was their signature NOA “Bomba.” The meatballs had a clean, crisp exterior with flavorful and juicy meat within, paired perfectly with the harissa and allioli sauces. The other starter that not only myself but my entire group thoroughly enjoyed was the hummus salad. The texture was perfectly creamy, and the chickpeas were of great quality. Topped with sardines and grape salad, the hummus was a unique and delightful dish that paired wonderfully with the warm and fluffy bread served alongside it. Last but definitely not least for the starters, my personal favorite which really impressed me was the falafel. Fried perfectly, the chickpeas were fresh and of high quality. The za’atar yogurt and olive oil were extremely flavorful, elevating the entire dish.

For the small dishes, a must-order is definitely the burnt cauliflower salad. It was so good that we had to order seconds. They roasted the cauliflower impeccably, and the sauce it was served with is unlike any other I have tasted before. It was citrusy with a hint of sourness from the plum, plus a hint of saltiness from the anchovies, making it a really special dish.

For the mains, two dishes stood out to me: the black angus beef tenderloin and the Iberico suckling pig belly. The beef was cooked just right, with a texture that was neither too tough nor too soft. The potato puree and vegetable escabeche with their sauces blended really well with the meatiness of the beef. My personal favorite main was the latter, the suckling pig chunks were packed with flavor, and every bite oozed with juices. The cuts were perfect, with the right amount of skin, fats, and lean meat in every piece. What really brought the gastronomic experience of this dish to the next level had to be the roasted pineapple served with it. The pineapple was sweet and juicy with a seared exterior, and having it alongside or even after every bite of the pork added a unique flavor and also served to clear the greasiness of the pork.

Moving on to the desserts, I chose to take a leap of faith and ordered the truffle cheesecake. To put it out there, this dessert is not for everybody. The truffle smell and taste are extremely strong. Even for me, someone who absolutely loves truffle and cheese, it still took me by surprise. The portion stated was for two people, but it definitely could serve up to four or even five given that it is quite overwhelming. That being said, nonetheless, I really enjoyed it, and it was an eye-opening experience.

The ambience of the restaurant was great, it had an up-class yet chill environment. The wait staff were extremely attentive, and service was great. Not forgetting the drinks, they have a decent alcohol selection. I ordered the Moscow Mule, and it was an extremely well-done cocktail. I wouldn’t expect less as they had an entire bar within the restaurant, and the bartender seemed to be very proficient in what he was doing.

Overall, Noa offers great food with an impressive selection of dishes and drinks. The prices are definitely on the higher side, but Noa is perfect if you are looking to celebrate something special.

Had a weekend dinner at Sin Heng Claypot Bak Kut Teh (BKT), located along the bustling streets of Joo Chiat. The restaurant is quite famous and popular among locals in the area. I have dined here several times already, and the food quality and quantity have always been consistently excellent.

Here are my top 3 must-order dishes at Sin Heng Claypot BKT. Firstly and most definitely is the Claypot BKT, their soup is the herbal variation, with a rich and fragrant flavor that is not too overpowering. The soup is refillable, and the pork ribs are always cooked to perfection, offering the right texture and chewiness. The portion size is generous for the price. They also offer variations with pork innards and tail, and a mix dry version.

Next is the Cereal Chicken, the portion is generous, with many chicken pieces fried to an even, crispy coating of cereal. The cereal chicken pairs extremely well with the hot, soupy Claypot BKT.

Last but not least is the Cai Po (Preserved Radish) Egg. This dish features a thick and fluffy omelette paired with crunchy cai po. It serves as a perfect complementary side to the previous two dishes, making for a hearty meal combination.

Beyond the food, the staff at Sin Heng Claypot BKT are friendly and very efficient. From queuing to ordering, getting condiments, serving, and payment, everything was hassle-free. I believe the restaurant has deep heritage and dates way back, with a display booth at the front showcasing their history, which is very interesting, which you can check it out while queueing.

The dining environment is clean with indoor seating, but it is not air-conditioned. It can get quite hot and humid during sunny afternoons, which might not be ideal while eating hot BKT soup. However, on rainy days and chilly nights, this conditions are perfect.

They have a small car parking area right in front of their stall reserved for customers, accommodating about 10 vehicles. The queue during dinner time, especially on weekends, can get pretty long. However, the food wait time is short, and the turnover is usually fast, making it worth the wait.

I highly recommend Sin Heng Claypot BKT to anyone looking for an authentic, hearty BKT experience to enjoy with friends and family.

After dinner at Star Vista, my family and I were on the lookout for a dessert place and happened to chance upon Plan A Dessert Cafe. Located away from the bustling crowds on the lower levels of the mall, the cafe is situated on the second floor, offering a dining view of the Star Vista Atrium.

They have a wide selection of Bingsu flavors, and after some deliberation, we settled on a large bowl of Choco Banana. Firstly and most importantly, the shaved ice was perfect—soft like snow and deliciously milky. The toppings of banana, chocolate ice cream, oreo bits, and whipped cream were fantastic, making for a fail-proof flavor combination.

I will definitely be back again when I am in the area to try their other Bingsu flavors. I highly recommend Plan A if you are looking for a pleasant dessert place to enjoy great Bingsu with your friends and family or to treat yourself!

Went for a weekday dinner with my family at Boon Teng Kee Happynest, located at the basement level of Star Vista. The restaurant offers plenty of outdoor seating and a few indoor tables. Given the Singapore weather, I opted for the indoor air-conditioned seating, which was a comfortable choice as the place was about half full.

We ordered their signature boiled kampong chicken along with a few other dishes to share. The kampong chicken tasted okay, but given the price, I expected a larger portion. It's worth noting that kampong chickens are typically smaller and less meaty but offer a softer texture and better flavor. The saving grace was the chili sauce, which wasn't too spicy but had a nice kick and complemented the chicken and rice well.

The other dishes we tried included Stewed Pork Belly with Mui Choy, Spinach with Assorted Eggs, Salted Egg Prawns, and Crispy Beancurd. While all the dishes were decent, my personal favorite was the Crispy Beancurd. The skin was thin and lightly fried, with a hot, steaming, and soft beancurd inside, paired perfectly with the wasabi mayo sauce.

Overall, for the price point, some aspects could be improved, particularly the portion sizes. I believe their other branches, especially those at coffee shops, will be a better option.