Steaming clams in a light, herb‑fragrant broth made this pot feel coastal and comforting. The clams are fresh and tender, soaking up savoury notes from the stock while the toasted bread on top adds crunch and makes dipping into the broth a highlight. The broth itself was so fragrant and balanced that we finished it to the last spoonful. It’s a starter that feels hearty without being heavy 》$22.80

Silky smooth with a gentle soybean fragrance, the beancurd is light, refreshing and comforting. It’s clean texture makes it easy to enjoy, especially plain and classic. A timeless dessert and the perfect sweet treat to close a meal 》$1.50

📍Lucky Soya Bean | #01-08

The rendang was tender with a deep, slow‑cooked flavour that coated the rice nicely. The basmati rice was light and fragrant, making a clean base for the richer beef. Anchovies, peanuts and cucumber added crunch and freshness, while the fried egg gave a straightforward finish. The sambal leaned balanced, tying everything together without overpowering 》$6

Chicken wing, egg, otah and begedil all on one plate. The basmati rice was fluffy and fragrant, sambal leaned balanced rather than fiery. The chicken wing was crisp and juicy, otah added a nice bite and the begedil was soft and comforting. Everything came together well, though I wished the egg yolk was runny which would have made the whole plate the best of everything. Portions aren’t huge but for the price it’s a satisfying mix of variety and flavour 》$5.50

First try so I went with a few skewers. Tried the broccoli, chicken, pork, squid and baby corn. All turned out well, with pork being my favourite for its juicy bite, while chicken was the least exciting. Baby corn was a nice surprise, crisp and sweet under the seasoning. Everything came fried and dusted with salt and chili powder so the flavour leaned more on the seasoning than variety. At a dollar a stick, it’s easy to pile up a tray!

The gong bao chicken pot comes with four spice levels to choose from and I added noodles and mushrooms which soaked up the broth nicely. The base had that bold savoury‑spicy kick with a touch of sweetness, though the chicken portion felt modest. Like other chicken pot, they’ve got the colour‑plate add‑on system for extra ingredients which makes it easy to customise. Affordable and flavourful but I’d have liked a bigger serving and a stronger match between portion and price 》$16.90 (Small) + $6 Add-On

📍8889 Chicken Hotpot

Had the sea salt maple cloud matcha latte at Macha Better. The matcha was smooth and earthy, topped with maple cream and a touch of sea salt. It leaned a little too milky. The pale colour already gave it away and the matcha tasted weak. Nice salty‑sweet layers but I’d have preferred a thicker and bolder matcha 》$6

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📍310C Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, S563310

Gotten the braised duck meat for two, with peanuts and salted veg. The duck was tender and nicely braised but the portion felt too small, thinly sliced and not quite enough for sharing. The yam rice was fragrant, peanuts were usual and the salted veg balance things out. Flavours were good but the serving size left it less satisfying.

Braised Duck 》$12 / 2 Pax
Braised Peanut 》$1
Salted Veg 》$1.50
Yam Rice 》$1.50 Each

📍 South Buona Vista Braised Duck | #02-K59

The pistachio paste came thick and velvety, made from premium California pistachios. I liked that it wasn’t overly sweet, any heavier and it would have turned cloying. The crushed kernels added crunch and warmth, balancing the nutty richness.

The taro double‑layer milk custard offered a gentle counterpoint. Fresh taro gave it a fragrant and grainy texture, while the creamy milk custard melted in the mouth. Together, the taro and custard layered earthiness with milky sweetness.

The two desserts contrasted beautifully with pistachio’s bold depth alongside taro’s soft creaminess. Both fresh, handmade and comforting.

Intense Pistachio Paste 》$8.60
Taro Double-Layer Milk Custard 》$5.30

We started off with the sashimi and sushi set and the 7‑piece sushi set, each served with a comforting bowl of dashi soup and a sweet daifuku mochi to round things off. From there, we added ikura chawanmushi that was silky and briny with bursts of roe, smoky unagi sushi, colourful bara inari and a spicy salmon mayo inari with a creamy kick. The uni ikura handroll stood out as a highlight. With ikura and uni together, it was pure umami in a single bite and since it’s the season for bafun uni, the creaminess made it even more memorable.

What impressed me most was the freshness of the fish and the generous thick cuts of sashimi, which gave every bite a clean flavour and satisfying weight. The sushi rice with its subtle tang from red vinegar, tied everything together beautifully.

Sitting at the counter watching the chefs prepare each piece added to the omakase feel and for the price, it felt like incredible value. It’s walk‑in only so queues are part of the experience but the food and atmosphere make it worth the wait.

Sashimi and Sushi Set 》$22
7 Piece Sushi Set 》$23
Ikura Chawanmushi 》$5
Unagi Sushi 》$4.50
Uni Ikura Handroll 》$18 (1-for-1)
Bara Inari 》$4
Spicy Salmon Mayo Inari 》$2

This hits the spot when I’m craving comfort food. The curry chicken was rich and aromatic, with tender meat and potatoes soaking up all that flavour. The bitter gourd carried the kind of bitterness I enjoy, while the fried fish was crispy and flaky. I also liked the braised tau kee, well braised and fragrant with mushrooms adding depth and savoury richness. With rice drenched in curry bringing everything together, the meal felt hearty and satisfying. It’s a popular spot, so be prepared to queue a little but the food makes it worth the wait 》$11

This place has become a comforting late‑night spot for me since it’s nearby and always satisfying. This time I went for the dried chilli frog porridge, which carried an aromatic kick that warmed me right up. I paired it with the Muar otak‑otak and loved its soft yet firm texture with a smoky, spiced richness. Everything came together beautifully, leaving the meal both hearty and deeply comforting.

Frog Porridge 》$19 / 3 Frogs
Muar Otak-Otak 》$8