The bread was crispy and fresh which was not a surprise, given that they are freshly baked everyday. The filling was generous and perfectly seasoned where combination of flavors and textures was absolutely divine. The meats were tender, the vegetables were crisp and the sauce was tangy. But what sets this bahn mi apart from others is the balance of flavors. It was not too salty, not too sweet and not too spicy. It was just right. It was the kind of sandwich that you could eat every day and never get tired of. Between you and I, I even ordered an extra serving for lunch the next day and it tastes just as good after a few minutes in the oven!
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/sandwich-saigon-vietnamese-banh-mi/
The star of the show was the sour and spicy fish that came in like the main character it was. Engulfed in dry ice, the fresh fish was brought in separately from the pot of hot soup. Like a true taste sensation, we were able to cook the fish on our own time so it doesn't disintegrate into the soup. The spicy and sour soup was a perfect complement to the white fish as the peppercorns and preserved vegetables gave it a burst of flavors. I couldn’t stop drinking the soup despite sweating with every mouthful, but it is that kick that keeps you going back for more. The portions were generous, and the prices were very reasonable considering the high quality of the food and the immersive atmosphere.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/chef-china-bugis-hua-chu/
One of the standout offerings at this cafe is their watermelon cake ($12), a nod to the famous version served at Australia's Black Star Pastry. For someone who have had the chance to taste the original, I can confidently say that the version served at this cafe is not too far off. Although I found the watermelon a little too moist to pair with the layers of sponge and cream, it brought me back to the old days when I discovered the surprising combination of both watermelon and cake.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/the-twisted-trio-hdb-bakery-cafe-at-toa-payoh/
We had rather high expectations of Punggol Nasi Lemak given its fame and the price point it commands. However the competition for Nasi Lemak is extremely tough and I have to admit this is not one of the best nasi lemaks around. We will be on the hunt for more, so drop us a note if you have a favourite! Just a thing to note, they close at 11.30pm so don’t expect it to be open for late night supper!
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/ponggol-nasi-lemak-tanjong-katong/
As for the Classic Eggs Ben, you can choose between smoked salmon or turkey ham (we highly recommend the salmon) to go with their poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and rosemary lemon sourdough. The poached egg was done to perfection and splitted gracefully when we cut it open. The hollandaise sauce was also sweet and umami, a perfect complement to the sourdough which may be otherwise hard to have on its own. The bread was quite toasted and crunchy but I would have preferred it to be fluffier and soft.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/penny-university-halal-cafe-east-coast/
Who doesn’t love heritage and age old food that has withstood the test of time? Even with the recent trend of “traditional food with a modern twist”, I find myself going back to authentic, original food such as Janggut Laska, tucked in a corner of Roxy Square. The sign board says it all - The Original Katong Laksa, more than 50 years experience in serving the best Nyonya Laksa.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/janggut-laksa-roxy-square/
To get the best of everything, we highly recommend the Signatures Combo for one ($30). You can choose from a set of 2-boned lamb cutlets and 100g beef or duck wellington, or a combination of both the duck and beef wellington at 100g each. Both options come with a serving of baked potato/fries and a side salad. Definitely a spread for one if you ask me! Could possibly be enough to share between 2 which makes it really affordable.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/meet-4-meat/
I deliberately picked White Chrysanthemum, a refreshing tea that I expect to be lighter and less creamy. However, I still found it a little too sweet and quite heavy on the milk. It was much like the Pokka Chrysanthemum we are all too familiar with. The floral notes however, were brought out strongly and the cacao nibs provided crunchiness with every bite.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/birds-of-paradise-east-coast/
There are a variety of prawn mee ($6.50) for you to choose from - classic prawns, jumbo prawns, and pork ribs. We ordered the classic one that came with 4 half prawns that were big, almost the size of my palm. For just $6.50, I was surprised at how juicy and big the prawns were! They were also very fresh, as expected from a store with a high run rate.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/beach-road-prawn-mee-east-coast/
The steaming hot bowl of laksa is slightly on the pricey side, going for $6.30 just for a small bowl. However, the ingredients were abundant, with 4-5 pieces of fleshy prawns and cockles. What really took us by surprise was the flavour punched in the red hot gravy - prawns, hei bi (spicy chilli shrimp), and the sweetness of the coconut milk. The flavour profile was extremely strong, and together with the generous amount of chilli that was given to mix into the gravy, 328 Katong Laska is not for the faint hearted.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/328-katong-laksa/
While it is newly renovated, the store maintains its rustic interior design - with old school floor and wall tiles, thick marble slab and traditional tables and wooden chairs. The cafe serves up nostalgic Kaya Toast with soft boiled eggs, and also old school savoury and sweet treats such as Luncheon Meat Buns and Chiffon Cakes. There are traditional Eurasian confections such as Cream Horns too!
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/chin-mee-chin-confectionery/
Brawn and Brains Coffee has a carefully curated selection of roasted coffee and is no stranger to coffee lovers. Brawn and Brains Coffee East Coast spots a minimalist rustic interior - white-washed walls, brown tiles and with black furnishing. It has a bit of a similarity to their original cafe’s design - you can expect a cosy ambience.
Read more at: kopiwaffles.com/brawn-brains-coffee-great-coffee-in-east-coast/
