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Last updated: 22 Nov 2018
Chef Kang's Noodle House
Rundown: Michelin-starred chef Kang dishes out wanton noodles at a Toa Payoh hawker stall.
Perfect for: Hawker weekends with foodie friends.
Order this: Classic Noodle with Char Siew and Wanton ($5).
For those who like: Da Jie Famous Wanton Noodles and Quan Kee Wanton Noodles.
FYI: The steady crowd also means a rather long wait in the two-hour ballpark, so plan your visits on quieter, off-peak hours.
HEYTEA
Rundown: China’s foremost cheese tea brand opens its first overseas outpost in ION Orchard.
Perfect for: Post-lunch tea breaks.
Order this: King Fone with Cheese ($5.50), made with fragrant oolong tea.
For those who like: R&B Tea and TaiGai.
FYI: There is also soft serve in local flavours like durian, which Burppler Kenneth described to be just like the real deal!
Scrambled
Rundown: This Icon Village cafe takes a crack at scrambled eggs in brioche buns.
Perfect for: A hearty breakfast to start the day.
Order this: Spam & Eggs ($8.90) and Avocado & Tomato ($8.90).
For those who like: Egg Stop.
FYI: These soft, fluffy brioche buns are sourced from Burnt Ends!
Komyuniti
Rundown: Futuristic hotel Yotel adds a chic, spacious restaurant and bar to its directory.
Perfect for: Dinner and drinks, before catching a movie in town.
Order this: Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($13), Roasted Pork Belly ($19) and Fat Roger ($18).
For those who like: Telok Ayer Arts Club.
FYI: Located on the 10th floor, the privy restobar is open to public till midnight daily.
Brown Sugar
Rundown: A hole-in-the-wall joint for light, local eats within Balestier’s Value Hotel.
Perfect for: Simple lunches with a friend or teatime takeaways.
Order this: Crispy Toast Set ($3.40) and Truffle Noodle Drunken Chicken ($8.80).
For those who like: Ya Kun Kaya Toast.
FYI: Enjoy 1-for-1 here with Burpple Beyond!
Restaurant JAG
Rundown: A French fine dining joint crops up along Duxton Road.
Perfect for: When you need to impress a business partner.
Order this: 5 Expressions Course ($98).
For those who like: Les Amis.
FYI: This one’s co-founded by Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Gillon and ex-ME@OUE maitre d Anant Tyagi.
NCR
Rundown: A buzzy new North Canal Road spot with butter-focused fare and fun drinks to follow.
Perfect for: An offbeat French-inspired experience with a few friends.
Order this: Carpaccio ($18), Brown Butter Fish ($26) and a glass of Orient ($22).
For those who like: The Masses.
FYI: Despite its hidden, speakeasy-like location, there’s actually plenty space in here for small groups. Also check out the soothing slideshows projected on the wall.
Easy Noodles Bar
Rundown: A no-frills Asian noodle bar takes over the now-defunct VXX Cooperative.
Perfect for: Wallet-friendly noodle lunches or rainy day dinner and drinks.
Order this: Beef Noodle ($12.80).
For those who like: Chuan Grill & Bar.
FYI: While the broth is on the sweeter side, the handmade noodles are touted for their smooth, chewy texture.
GAKE
Rundown: Carpenter Street sees a new contemporary Japanese-meets-European locale serving simple but quality fare.
Perfect for: Date nights or treat-yourself dinners.
Order this: Omakase (from $128).
For those who like: Terra.
FYI:34-year-old Angus Chow who helms this kitchen was named Chef of the Year at the 18th World Gourmet Summit Awards of Excellence.
Hawker QSR
Shared by Burpplers Nobelle Liew & Alicia Kho
Rundown: No Signboard Seafood’s hawker-themed fast food chain in Esplanade Mall.
Perfect for: Pocket-friendly lunches or when you feel like having both chicken rice AND a burger.
Order this: Chicken Rice Burger ($9.50).
For those who like: MOS Burger.
FYI: There are also pratas, chilli crab baos and noodles on the menu.
ESORA
Rundown: The Lo & Behold group’s first Japanese concept is a 26-seater, modern Japanese restaurant serving kappo-style cuisine (a chef-curated multicourse meal) along Mohamed Sultan Road.
Perfect for: Splurge-worthy special occasions with Jap food lovers.
Order this: Seven-Course Menu ($188).
For those who like: Odette and Hashida Sushi.
FYI: Come for the food, stay for the stunning space decked out in beige and marble tones.
BLOSSOM
Rundown: Taking over now defunct Jin Shan Lou, Marina Bay Sand’s latest Cantonese name cooks up royally good duck and more.
Perfect for: Celebrations with the family.
Order this: Royal Secret Recipe Smoke Duck (from $40) and Chilled Avocado Puree with Tiramisu Ice-cream (from $10).
For those who like: Forbidden Duck.
FYI: The pièce de résistance secret recipe duck is painstakingly smoked with 15-year-old pu-er tea from Yunnan and chrysanthemum from Zhejiang.
Tiger Sugar
Rundown: Taiwan’s bubble tea joint famed for tiger-striped drinks takes its business to City Hall.
Perfect for: Bubble tea fanatics!
Order this: Brown Sugar Boba & Pearl Milk with Cream Mousse ($5.30).
For those who like: KOI Thé and R&B Tea.
FYI: The stripes (brown sugar syrup) meld with the drink in minutes, so snap quickly if you intend on grammin’ this.
Go-ang Chicken Pratunam
Rundown: From Pratunam to Serangoon, this Thai chicken rice joint awarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand is now in town.
Perfect for: Taking your folks out for a new experience.
Order this: Go Ang Chicken Rice (from $4.50) and Fried Tofu Cubes with Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce ($8).
For those who like: Chicken House and Wee Nam Kee.
FYI: Have the chicken rice with their signature chilli sauce — a winning combination of ginger, bird’s eye chillies and dark soy sauce.
LINO
Rundown: Les Amis’ refreshed contemporary Italian concept LINO now open in Binjai Park.
Perfect for: Smart-casual dinner with a few friends.
Order this: Burrata ($20) and Mixed Mushroom Pizza ($26).
For those who like: iO Italian Osteria and Nostra Cucina.
FYI: The name 'LINO' means linen, which is used to cover their pizza dough during leavening. This kitchen’s also helmed by Peperoni’s head chef, so expect delicious pies!
Tipo
Rundown: Halal pasta joint along North Bridge Road by the same guys who run The Mad Sailor and The Working Title.
Perfect for: Fun dinners with pasta-loving friends.
Order this: Dill & Lemon Fettuccine with Ragu ($10.90).
For those who like: Pastaria Abate.
FYI: The menu focuses on build-your-own pastas — a plus for picky eaters.
Rizu
Rundown: Quiet enclave in Duxton Hill for an intimate, upscale Japanese experience. Perfect for: Dinner and drinks with a close friend, or date nights in Duxton.
Order this: Lobster Bisque ($12), 5-Kinds Selected Sushi ($35) and Yuzu Pavlova with Passion Fruit and Mango Topping ($15).
For those who like: béni.
FYI: The sake selection is stellar, so be sure to ask the staff for recommendations on a bottle or two.
Telok Ayer Arts Club
Rundown: This multi-concept venue by The Supermarket Company pops up along McCallum Street, with a menu focused on Western classics done well.
Perfect for: Unconventional nights out with the gang.
Order this: Locally-bred Spatchcock ($28) and Highball (from $14).
For those who like: House of MU.
FYI: Expect themed club nights and art events coming up at the venue.
