If heading to the same ol’ places for dinner doesn’t scream ‘fun’ anymore, here’s a few new additions to our F&B scene to check out.
When life gets impossibly hectic, meal times are your most precious moments, as they offer a short intermission amidst the chaos. And if heading to the same ol’ places for dinner doesn’t scream ‘fun’ anymore, here’s a few new additions to our F&B scene to check out.
Lickety Ice Cream & Waffles
This newly opened pastel-themed ice cream joint specialises in those Hong Kong style Egglet Waffles that’s folded into a cone to house your ice cream. Choose between their Red Velvet or Buttermilk flavoured waffles to accompany your choice of ice cream. We recommend going for a combo of fluffy buttermilk waffles and a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream ($8.90) – the little nuggets of fudge in the ice cream was a nice contrast to the crisp waffles.
For the adventurous, they also have quirky ice cream flavours like Coconut & Taro, Earl Grey Fig and Snickers Bar for you to choose from. A wide variety of toppings such as Pocky sticks, mini marshmallows, and crushed Lotus biscuits are also available, guaranteed to end off your sweet treat on a high note!
Located along Bussorah street, Lickety is perfect for that midday ice cream treat, with its aesthetically pleasing decor and a wide variety of flavours.
Mui Kee
Known for their unique tasting and silky-smooth congee, those familiar with Mui Kee will be glad to know that they are finally making an appearance here. This famous congee restaurant in Hong Kong will serve as a pop-up store in Les Amis’ Casa Verde restaurant for 6 months and it intends to open a permanent one in 2018.
Mui Kee offers more than 8 types of congee, and they are all sold in sets – congee with a plate of youtiao and century eggs ($12.50-$14.50). Expect classics like Sliced Fish, Homemade Pork Meatballs and Pig’s Innards to a slightly more premium range such as Fish Belly and Scallop. It’s definitely pricey for a bowl of congee, but you’ll also understand why this place is a must-visit when in Hong Kong.
Wolf Burgers
If you’re a burger-lover in the East and lamenting your options, you’ll be able to get your burger fix at Wolf Burger’s first stand-alone outlet at Changi City Point. The new outlet will feature all your favourites (including milkshakes and sweet potato fries) as well as new creations like The Good Catch – the outlet’s first fish burger made with tempura-battered tilapia, wasabi mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes.
The burgers here are all pretty simple, but they pack a punch. The shrooms burger featured a perfectly done beef patty, topped off with a generous portion of mushrooms and caramelized onions; smeared with truffle oil – a treat for the taste buds!
Don’t forget to order their s’mores fries, where the sweet potato fries are topped off with cornflakes, maple syrup, and fluffy torched marshmallows.
Not a fan of meat? Then try The Good Catch ($10.90), a tempura battered golden fried fish fillet topped with wasabi mayo or the newly launched Tofu Miso Veggie burger with its 24-hour miso marinated tofu paired with fresh avocado slices and apple cider vinegar crunchy slaw.
Five-Ten
You read that right – this casual joint in Chinatown dishes out sharing plates, rice bowls and sandwiches that are priced at either $5 or $10. During lunchtime, they offer a spectacular array of innovative dishes such as their take on the popular Taiwanese street food, Lu Rou Fan, and at night, the humble and seemingly innocent establishment transforms into a bar where you can enjoy a tipple.
We recommend starting with the addictively tasty Fried Smashed Potatoes ($5) and the Fried Chicken ($5) served with a squeeze of house made nori mayonnaise on the side. The menu reminds us of a playful take on Taiwanese street snacks. Sink your teeth into the crowd favourite Steak Sandwich ($10), where a nicely grilled steak is sliced into bite-sized pieces, topped with a generous portion of caramelised onions and slathered with bearnaise. All this is sandwiched between two slices of toasted bread that provide just the right ratio of meat to bread. For something heartier, go for the Lu Rou Fan ($10), a rice bowl topped with thick chunks of what we deem as the most tender braised pork belly, sous vide egg and kai lan.
Keong Saik Bakery
If you’re in the Chinatown area, pop by this new kid on the Keong Saik block at tea-time. The bakery serves European bread, local-inspired cakes, and drinks, along with a good dose of nostalgia. The wooden chairs, stools and vintage murals bring about an old-time Kopitiam feel.
Give the Sor Hei ($3.20) a try, it’s a black and white Danish pastry that’s buttery yet light, and sweetened with chocolate chips. For cakes, try the Chendol Delight ($6.50), which reimagines the local dessert into a delicious, modern slice layered with chendol custard cream, gula Jawa genoise, red beans and attap chee (palm seeds). If you’re looking for something different, try the Lucy ($6.50), which is a cheesecake infused with pandan flavour – you’ll fall in love with the light and creamy texture. Order the Kopi Susu ($2.80) to go with the bakes. Although coffee beans used in local kopi are used, the espresso style brewing, results in a unique aromatic and milky brew.
SIXBYSERA
Tucked in a quiet spot along Rangoon Road away from other bustling cafes, all the dishes at this relatively new cafe are priced at $13 or less, so don’t worry about burning too big a hole in your pocket.
If you’re a fan of pastries, SIXBYSERA has a selection of unique croissants for you to feast on. For a savoury twist, try the Chili Crab Croissant ($11.90), which comes in a pool of tangy chili crab sauce that’s complete with a sunny side up. Taste-wise, it bordered on the tangy side with just a slight kick from red chili although the croissant definitely made a great alternative to mantou.
Besides croissants, SIXBYSERA also serves a variety of savoury donuts. Truffle Smoked Salmon Donut ($2.90) is the classic combi one can never go wrong with – smoked salmon and cream cheese. Besides adding a nice fragrance, the hint of truffle oil also accentuated the savouriness of the smoked salmon.
To end, their Cheesecake Croissant ($6.60) is a must try. Imagine biting into a buttery croissant that’s filled with a generous filling of cream cheese filling and melt-in-your-mouth digestive biscuits.
HolyCrab
Neighbours to Joo Bar along Tan Quee Lan Street, Holy Crab is the collaboration between private chef Elton Seah and the owner of Joo Bar. The space is small and portions are big, so make reservations in advance and come in a big group. The menu is kept to the bare minimum – one appetiser, three carbs, and shines the spotlight on what Chef Elton does best – gravy-ladened crabs.
All the crabs are brought in daily, charged based on weight ($8 per 100g) and you’re allowed to split one large crab to be cooked with two different sauces at no extra charge. Of the six sauces including the signature chili crab, go for the Devil’s Crab, which features crabs coated in an incredible butter sauce that are infused with chili padi and curry leaves. If you’re tired of the usual crab dishes, try the Green Chili Crab, which is a fusion of Peranakan and Thai flavours. Don’t forget to order a plate of mantou to share – this place serves up kong ba bao buns instead of your typical mantou.
