The Spot
Helmed by executive chef Lee Boon Seng, previously from Osia and Curate at Resorts World Sentosa, this sprawling space in the new Marina One offers a great drinks list and spot on Asian-inflected cooking — think Cuttlefish Arancini with kaffir lime dressing, Pan-Fried Red Snapper in green curry emulsion, and a stellar chocolate peanut dessert paired with pulut hitam style rice. Get the full lowdown here.
Mother Dough Bakery
For great bakes, pop on over to this Muslim owned, North Bridge road bakery. We love their Mini Baguette, Croissants and chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies, while Burppler Yan AW had amazing things to say about their Cheddar Chive Loaf. Coffee here’s from Sarnies, so you bet it’s good.
Haritts
Listen up, doughnut fans! The first outpost of Tokyo’s famed doughnut cafe Haritts has sprouted up at Havelock II. Burppler K T describes the doughnuts to be airy, fluffy and slightly chewy, and warns us that one is never enough. The Cream Cheese Donut comes highly recommended by Burppler Xing Wei Chua, who describes it to be a cross between a bagel and a doughnut. Perfect for an indulgent breakfast, we say.
Chao Chao Gyoza
Originally from Osaka, this gyoza chain has gone international, with an outlet popping up on our shores. It’s early days yet, but the Burpple community has mostly positive reviews about the Novena joint so far. Burppler Blanche Tan describes the bite-sized gyozas to sport perfect 2:8 skin to filling ratio. Try the Shrimp, Mushroom, Chilli, Curry & Cabbage Gyoza Platter that Blanche recommends, and let us know what you think by leaving a review on the app!
Early Bird
You’ve probably heard about chicken and waffles, but it’s the Chicken & Pancakes by Early Bird that has got our Burpple community buzzing. Burppler Michael Hade describes the chicken to be crispy with a light batter, while Burppler Dex Neo loves the chilli maple syrup that ties the dish together. P.S. Their sweet pancakes are garnering great reviews too. Bring friends to try them all!
The Guild Singapore
A collab between American chef Vinny Lauria and Hong Kong’s Young Master Brewery, this new spot on Keong Saik Road pairs really good food (their Mac & Cheese blew our minds) with amazing craft beers, set to a soundtrack of good old rock and roll. Sounds like your idea of a good night?
Read our full lowdown here.
Restaurant Ibid
Feast on creative contemporary Chinese cooking at the highly anticipated opening by chef Woo Wai Leong, winner of the inaugural MasterChef Asia competition. In a blend of east meets west, the food is elegant and plates are thoughtfully put together, often with an element of surprise. The Burpple community has nothing but good things to say so far, especially about his Spring Onion Shao Bing and a soybean ice cream dessert that combines sesame cake, almond foam and Sarawak pepper. Consider splashing out on the eight-course menu ($118) for the full experience.
Read all about our experience here.
Took Lae Dae
Bangkok’s popular Took Lae Dae has found its way to our shores, and this Tai Seng joint is now high on our list for when the Thai food cravings strike. According to Burppler Eunice Foo, the name actually translates to cheap and good, so expect tasty, familiar fare like Som Tam, Pad Thai and Seafood Tom Yam Soup, all well under $10!
Scissors Paper Stove
For happy hour in Serangoon, look to this new Asian-inspired tapas joint on Teck Chye Terrace. Served in tingkats for a nostalgic touch, tapas run the gamut from Pineapple Chicken to Indian Lamb Kebab, and the Burpple community is loving all of it so far. They also have more substantial mains like paella and steak, alongside interesting cocktails like the Nin Jiom (yes, the pi pa gao!) that Burppler Xing Wei Chua tried.
Forbidden Duck
Chef Alvin Leung, of Hong Kong’s three-Michelin-starred Bo Innovation fame, is the man behind this Peking duck restaurant in Marina Bay Financial Centre. Get the Signature Slow Roasted Duck, which Burppler Joe Yang describes to be “irresistibly pink, tender and juicy” with spot-on crispy skin, but also leave room for the Iberico Pork Char Siew. The rest of the menu sees classic Cantonese dishes and dim sum, including an intriguingly named Giant Egg Tart. Let us know if you’ve tried it!
Monnani
For a change in your tea time routine, pop by this stall at the basement of Hong Leong Building for a taste of Korea’s famed “ugly” pretzels. A specialty from Cheonan-si, the pretzels are made using sticky rice and seven different grains, resulting in their signature chewy texture. There are several flavours available, including Original, Yuzu and Korean Red Bean.
Clan Cafe
Set in the ground floor, this gorgeously outfitted cafe serves up smart Asian-inspired plates — think Squid Ink You Tian with Calamansi Chilli Butter, Otah Sandwich and what we hear is a Kueh Salat that gives Chalk Farm’s rendition a run for its money. Take note that only the cafe is open to the public. The rest of the sprawling space is reserved for members.
The Stamford Brasserie
Set on the ground floor of Swissôtel The Stamford, this all-day dining concept is an ideal space to have a fuss-free lunch meeting, or even to get some respite from shopping. The menu is pretty extensive, from soups and salads to hot plates like House-made Gnocchi and Fresh Catch Seafood Stew. There’s a great selection of craft beers too!
Circa 1912
Here’s a new spot for you dim sum loving Burpplers. Set in Shaw Centre, Circa 1912 serves up classic Cantonese fare and we hear the cooking is spot on. Burppler K T visited recently and had great things to say about the silky smooth Century Egg Congee, Braised Ee Fu Noodles and Almond Tea with Egg White. Yum!
Qi - House of Sichuan
Hong Kong’s one-Michelin-starred Qi has brought its Sichuan dishes to our shores. Expect classic dishes like Dan Dan Noodles and Bang Bang Chicken, and what we hear to be really tasty Sichuan style Fried Chilli Crabs. Burppler Shawn Loh also really enjoyed the Sugar Glazed Ginger and Scallion Beef, which might be easier on the palates of those who don’t quite enjoy tongue-numbing spices.
Twenty Eight Cafe
This new cafe on Wilkie Road serves up classic brunch plates like Baked Avocado, 28Signature Burger and Common Breakfast (essentially a fry up). It seems from Burpple community reviews that the kitchen’s still working on perfecting their food, BUT they do serve a well pulled cuppa and really light and airy Indian Churros (made using roti prata dough). Swing by for coffee, perhaps?
Columbus Coffee Co
Thomson residents looking for a new haunt in the area can now chill out at Columbus Coffee Co, owned by the same guys behind Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers. Expect hearty cafe-type fare and, as Burppler Hwans Lim found out, excellent coffee and cold brews — both the Colombia Filter Coffee and Matcha Warrior Cold Brew come highly recommended! Food wise, the Burpple community’s diggin’ the Soft Shell Crab Burger, the Butter Croissant with Scrambled Eggs, and the Thai inspired Mussels with Coconut Lemongrass & Ale.
Read all about it here.
Chunky Lobsters
Love lobster rolls but not the hole a good one leaves in the pocket? Burppler Zhihui Lim has found a worthy contender in the CBD — Chunky’s Original in Oxley Tower prices theirs at a very competitive $16. There’s a generous around of lobster sandwiched between crisp buns, and while Zhihui has tasted sweeter lobster, she declares this satisfying all the same. We can’t wait to try it!
Martin Zwerts Potato Daddy
Potato-loving Burpplers, listen up! Third-generation run Dutch fries shop Martin Zwert has found its way to our shores. Head on down to Holland Village for golden frites in a cone, topped with delicious sauces including a Singapore special pork-based Rendang! Let us know what you think!
Fu Men
For udon lunches in the CBD, flock on down to chef Yamashita Teppei latest joint, which specialises in Hakata udon from Fukuoka. Renowned for being soft and tender, the noodles here are available dry, with sauce or in soup, and it seems that Burppler K T likes them all! The Ontama Gobo Udon, bathed in delicate broth and topped with crispy burdock tempura, is perfect for rainy days.
Da Shi Jia
An offshoot of the Big Eater Seafood restaurant chain, this Killinery eatery promises umami-packed prawn noodles. If you don’t mind a splurge, consider getting their Signature Prawn Noodles ($16.80). The hefty price tag is justified by really fresh ingredients like sweet and large prawns and juicy pork ribs, all cooked to perfection, and the portion size is pretty generous too. Consider trying the dry version, which Burppler Veronica Phua says packs a ton of wok hei.
Panamericana
Spice up your dining out routine with a meal at this hip new bar-grill in Sentosa Golf Club. Drawing from the rich diversity of cuisines along the Pan-American Highway, which connects North, South and Central America, Panamericana serves up amazingly spot on plates like Grilled Steak topped with mustard seed caviar, Lamb grilled Argentinian style, and a Salt-baked Trout that’s deboned tableside. Enjoy that with a cocktail from the bar, and stellar views of the sea.
Get the full lowdown here.
Makanista
For a casual meal in Tampines Mall, consider this new eatery that serves local dishes with a twist. Burppler Dex Neo tried and loved the Mala Chicken Rice, which sees tender chicken topped with a crunchy mix of chillies, garlic, black vinegar and house-made sweet sauce sure to whet appetites! We hear there’s a super flavourful Luncheon Meat & Floss Prata.
Jinjo
This modern sumiyaki restaurant by the Les Amis Group certainly has their yakitori skills down pat. Head here for excellent grilled chicken — according to Burppler Hwans Lim, the heart, gizzard and thigh are all flawless. They also do (slightly pricey) lunch sets, which makes the elegant space perfect for hosting business lunches. It’s a lovely treat too in between shopping sprees!
Lepakz at Rayz
Previously at Selegie, this popular Muslim-owned restaurant has relocated to Bussorah Street. Expect the same elegant Western fare on the menu, which has been facelifted to include some new additions AND more economic prices. Their Pasta Sotong Hitam, for example, is now $13.90 (previous $19). All the more reason to visit, we say!
Mitsuba
Look to this new Japanese eatery in Golden Mile Tower for affordable lunch sets. The Burpple team had lunch here recently and quite enjoyed the Yakiniku Don and Tori Teppan Don Set (comes with miso soup and green tea). The latter stands out for its sweet and tasty chicken, as well as the generous topping of fragrant fried garlic. Consider ordering the Gyoza to share.
Tried a place on this list? We’d love to hear what you think. Leave a review on the Burpple app!
