This long-anticipated opening is THE place to go to for stellar woodfired sourdough bread (check out their custom-made lava stone oven) and hearty dishes to accompany them. Start with the Firebake Bread Board ($10), which showcases the best of chef-owner Konstantino Blokbergen's made-from-scratch creations — rye, wholemeal, white and fruit — served with salted butter and olive oil on the side. Beef that up with lip-smacking plates like the super Smoked Eggplant ($15) and, what seems to be a house favourite, Norwegian Blue Mussels ($25). Slurp that all on their own, or mop it up with more bread. If you're dropping by before sunset on a lazy Sunday (as you should), dine alfresco and dive into the decadent 4-Spice Chicken Liver Paté ($12) as you soak in the relaxed vibes and warm hospitality. The restaurant is currently open for dinner, but plans for all-day dining in April are underway. Stay tuned.
Avg price: $40 per person
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua
What started out as a nine-seater ramen shop in Nagoya back in 2010 is now a successful ramen chain in Japan and Indonesia. The first Singapore outpost of Menya Sakura is located along buzzy Boat Quay, offering extremely affordable lunches and bar bites (otsumami) with drinks at night. Prices start from just $9.90 for a bowl of ramen — great for enticing your colleagues to make the trip down with you. Swing by and order our favourite Tonkotsu ($10.90) that features a creamy and flavourful pork broth that's been simmered for 12 hours. The thin noodles, nori, wood ear mushroom strips, flavoured egg (ajitama) and four slices of fatty, melt-in-your-mouth cha shu ensures that you'll get the most bang for your buck! Also worth trying is the Spicy Abura Soba ($10.90) that features thick, chewy noodles tossed in a special blend of soy sauces and a scoop of ramen chilli. Its spice is mild, so add a little chilli oil should you want a bigger punch. Pro tip: From now till the end of March, quote "WAttention" when you order any ramen for a complimentary side of gyozas!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A
To cool down on hot days, head to Leng Leng Ice Cream for old-school ice cream treats. The menu is simple but full of retro flair, and we love their in-your-face Singaporean branding. Ice cream, mostly in local flavours like Thai milk tea and coconut, starts from $3.20 a scoop. Choose to have it sandwiched in a slice of Rainbow Bread for free, in a Cone ($0.80), or on top of either the Pandan Waffle ($1.50) or Sugee Waffle ($3.50). The latter is quite dense and cakey, and bears a hint of almond. We like that familiar childhood toppings like gem biscuits and peanut candy are complimentary. Alternatively, quench your thirst with Milkshakes (from $6.80 each), a Root Beer Float (from $4.20) or a chocolaty Milo Godzilla (from $4.20 with a scoop of ice cream).
Avg price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Leigh Khoo
At this sleek Korean seafood joint on Amoy Street, you'll be served staggering seafood towers filled with ingredients like scallops, Boston lobsters and even Sri Lankan crab — all stacked on top of a soup broth of your choice (seafood, kimchi, ginseng or army stew (additional $10)). Each table bears its own in-built induction plate which heats the tower and keeps it steaming, allowing the natural flavours of the seafood to flow back down into the broth. Prices start from $58 for a Three-Tier Tower that is good for two to three to share, and go upward to $298 for a feast that would feed a group of eight to 10. We like how the restaurant thoughtfully includes dustbins built into the table for discarding your empty shells. Apart from their signature towers, they also serve Korean dishes like the incredibly flavourful Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup ($17.90) and a fun Shake Shake Rice Box ($9.90) that you have to rattle vigourously to mix all the ingredients!
Avg Price: $30 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See
This stand-alone stall within Rivervale Plaza is hard to find, but well worth the hunt. Located across the cashier section of NTUC, Boat Noodle Express dishes out hearty portions of Thai noodles. The menu is simple — choose to either have pork or beef, and in tom yum broth, soup or dry (from $4.80). From there, select your noodles (glass noodle, bee hoon, kway teow and tang hoon) before indicating to the staff if you would like to have additional chilli flakes. Spice lovers will have a field day with the crowd favourite Pork Tom Yam Noodles ($5.50) — the spicy version doesn't hold back and packs a punch! While the other sides like Thai Fish Cakes ($3.50 for two pieces) didn't impress as much, a generous portion of Pork Lard ($2.80) is worth splurging on. Wash it all down with a cup of refreshing Signature Thai Ice Milk Tea ($2.50).
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua
This cozy joint in the heart of Toa Payoh serves charcoal frozen yoghurt that is set to give other yoghurt chains a run for their money. Made with natural black charcoal powder, the "incredibly soft and velvety" yoghurt will create a "silky sensation that will send immense pleasure to your palate," says Burppler Ken Poon. For a satisfying midday snack, opt for the Pistachio ($6.90), one of the two signatures on the menu. The charcoal yoghurt comes drizzled generously with lusciously rich Pistachio sauce that you can't get elsewhere! Otherwise, customise your own by choosing from four sizes like the Mini Me ($2.90), which comes with one topping, to the Popular ($5.90), which comes with two toppings and one sauce. What makes this joint stand out from the rest is their unusual selection of toppings and sauces. These include toppings like sliced watermelons, nata de coco and our favourite brownie brittle, and more unusual sauces like choco wafer and croco milk. The latter is a combination of chocolate sauce and biscuit balls. Black Mamba also dishes out Lava Cakes ($7.90) available in both chocolate and matcha flavours.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu
This diner-style space on the ground floor of Hotel G is where you should head to on your next "treat yo self" day. Swing by with your friends during lunch on weekdays (11-3pm) to take advantage of their Lunch Special ($18). This gets you a complete meal comprising of a signature burger (regular price $14), French fries (regular price $5) and half a pint of beer (regular price $12) or a soda (regular price $5). There are five signature burgers to choose from, of which we liked the Number One and the Number Three best. Both come with a juicy, well-seasoned patty of ground sirloin, cooked to your preferred doneness. Number One comes stuffed with caramelised onions, blue cheese, bacon, arugula and with Thousand Island sauce, while Number Three comes with Mezzo Secco Jack cheese topped with green chilli, chipotle and avocado. For burger enthusiasts, go crazy customising your burger with an extensive selection of ingredients including 12 types of cheeses!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh
Wine and Chef's main draw is that they serve wines by the glass at super reasonable prices (from $6). Pair that with some equally affordable mains and you've got yourself a happy meal. Located across the street from Foong Kee Coffee Shop on Keong Saik Road, Wine and Chef sees floor-to-ceiling walls stocked with wine bottles, making the space dark and tight, but cozy. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable — great for a relaxed, affordable date. Start your meal with the Homemade Focaccia Bread ($3) that Burppler Jayson Yeo recommends dipping into the Egg Confit with Mushrooms ($5). For mains, order the Steamed Black Mussels ($18) cooked with a generous amount of coriander, chilli and a splash of Chinese wine. Feel free to add on pasta (additional $3) should you want a more filling meal. Big eaters will love the humongous portion of Curry Pork Knuckle ($20). Served with achar on the side, the hearty, tender pork is deboned and cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces that can easily feed a group of four! Pro tip: Visit on Mondays to have the Steamed Black Mussels ($18) at half price!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayson Yeo
Local celebrity chef Violet Oon's latest venture features char-grilled satays and meats alongside her celebrated Peranakan classics. Decked out in dark woods and intricate tiles, the space is reminiscent of her other restaurant National Kitchen at National Gallery, and equally chic. This is where we'll bring foreign friends for modern Nonya food with flair, and then take them for drinks around the quay after! Start with the satay — both the Chicken Satay ($14) and Pork Satay Hainan ($16) boast meaty skewers with loads of flavour, and a killer chunky peanut sauce. Also from the grill, the Garam Assam Barramundi with Pineapple and Ginger Flower ($32) is punchy and tender, albeit pricey for its portion. Fill up on the comforting Chap Chye (braised vegetables, $15) and famed Dry Laksa ($22), which is redolent with aromatic dried shrimps (hae bee). We'd skip the Buah Keluak Otak ($16), unless you're a big fan of the nut's smoky, slightly sandy personality. Save space for the stellar Chendol with Durian Pengat Sauce ($15). It comes topped with fragrant durian pengat AND durian pureé, and we're told the shaved ice is made from gula Melaka syrup, so it's consistently flavoured. Pro tip: The restaurant fills up fast so make reservations early.
Avg Price: $35 per person
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh
Taking over the now defunct Azzura Gelato Bar in Katong V is this casual spot by Group Therapy that serves handmade pastas and pizzas. Strong Flour may be tucked away in a sleepy corner of the mall (it's near the entrance leading to the carpark), but the scent of freshly baked dough is what draws the crowds. Seats are aplenty, portions are hearty and flavours are spot on, which makes this the perfect place for big group gatherings. Order the Truffle Pizza ($22) and the Prawn & Salami Aglio Olio ($18) to share. The pizza dough is freshly rolled upon order and baked thin crusted, so be sure to order this first. Burppler Hwans Lim likes how the Prawn & Salami Aglio Olio ($18) comes with "springy squid ink spaghetti and juicy fresh prawns". Add a dash of chilli flakes for just the right amount of heat in your pasta!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hwans Lim
Located on Peck Seah Street, this 12th concept by chef Keisuke Takeda only has two items on the menu: the Keisuke Prime Beef Hamburg Set ($18.80) and the Triple Cheese Prime Beef Hamburg Set ($20.80). Both are made with minced prime US beef shoulder. In the Triple Cheese Prime Beef Hamburg Set, the juicy 180g patty is stuffed with a trio of cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan), resulting in an unbelievably oozy, molten cheese centre. Apart from the steak, the set also comes with strips of fried beancurd, tofu, fried shrimp and a choice of sauce on the side. Of the four sauces (demi-glace, ponzu, teriyaki and Keisuke original sweet and spicy sauce), we liked the latter the most — slightly spicy with just the right amount of tang. Be sure to help yourself to the spread of complimentary Japanese side dishes too! There are 20 items on rotation, including a DIY salad bar, pre-marinated sides like the cha soba salad as well as a live egg station where you can have eggs scrambled, sunny side-up or tamagoyaki style. Pro tip: Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei is slated to open this coming Monday (13 March) — now you know where to go to chase your Monday blues away!
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See
This part retail, part cafe space diagonally opposite Kream Beer along Duxton Road offers a good cup of joe and light bites. The vibes are casual and relaxed, with ample seating space for getting work done (WiFi and power points available). Opt to sit at the window counter seat if you prefer more privacy, or at the sofa if you're catching up with friends over a Pourover ($6.50). Otherwise, pop by to grab a Latte ($6) on the way to work — they start operations at 8am. All coffees are brewed using Four Barrel Coffee beans imported from San Francisco. Those feeling peckish can fill their tummy with the open-faced Artisanal Toast (from $6.50). Of the flavours (avocado, Nutella, cinnamon, lemon and apple), we liked the Lemon ($6.50) very much. Made upon order, a generous layer of cream cheese is slathered on top of a thick piece of sourdough, and topped off with a layer of tangy lemon curd. Pro tip: Those working in the area can look forward to heartier sandwiches that will be introduced next month.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo
If you find waiting months for a seat at lavish omakase palaces tiresome, this well-kept secret that only requires two days' advance reservation is where you can go to enjoy an omakase that specialises in aged ingredients. Located in Fortune Centre on the second floor, the 12-seater place is run by Chef Aeron Choo on her own, who has spent many years learning the art of aging ingredients. Expect unique creations like aged egg yolk in red miso as well as beautifully aged eggplants and red scorpion fish sushi, one of the more unusual fish option available here. The food comes highly recommended by our Burpple community, perfect for impressing your date or celebrating a birthday over a memorable meal. The nine-dish Omakase Set ($68) is a preview of her prowess in the kitchen. Sit by the counter and watch as she works her magic; you won't want to miss anything she does! Pro tip: If you're celebrating a birthday, don't be shy to let her know. She might just whip up a hill of seafood chunks, drizzled with mentai mayo (like what she did for Burppler Dex Neo)!
Avg Price: $80 per person
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu
New lifestyle space Como Dempsey is now home to renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's first restaurant in Asia. In the day, The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar is a picture-perfect dream — think white rattan chairs with intricate back details fitted around white marble tables, coupled with a lush greenery overhanging from the bar in the centre of the restaurant. At night, the space transforms into a cosy restaurant with mellow lighting — great for intimate date nights. For best value, we recommend skipping the Egg Caviar ($35) and spending your money on the Foie Gras Brulee ($19) instead. Expect a generous portion of goose liver cooked to perfection, and served with lychee and black olives for a fun mix of sweet and salty. Also try the Chef's specialty, Black Truffle and Fontina Cheese Pizza ($20), cooked in a cherry wood oven. Smothered generously with black truffle paste from France and topped with black truffle shavings, the crisp and light pizza is also sprinkled with fontina cheese to give it "a touch of creamy saltiness", according to Burppler Veronica Phua. She also loves how the small pile of frisee in the middle helps to cut through the richness.
Avg Price: $50 per person
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua
This grain bowl place just opposite Park Bench Deli on Telok Ayer Street has all the trappings of yet another trendy restaurant jumping on the grain bowl bandwagon, but we're happy to report that the bowls are delicious. Opened by Sin Lee Foods and actor Shane Pow, the all-day dining concept serves tasty grain bowls by day. The bowls come in two sizes, Petite ($10) and Regular ($14) and be prepared to exercise your creativity as there are no pre-selected bowls here. In their $14 grain bowls, you get one base, one protein, three vegetables, a choice of sauce and one topping. The base includes brown rice (the most flavourful base in our opinion), soba and spinach, while proteins include salmon (our pick!), beef (additional $1) and tilapia. The bold flavour of the vegetables is what bumps Mojo ahead of its nearby competitors: saucy sauteed mushrooms, refreshing Thai papaya salad and charred corn and broccoli that is reminiscent of Sin Lee Foods' aburi broccoli. Finish off with the Basil Pesto as your choice of sauce and furikake as your topping. Come night time, this place turns into a vibrant bar serving cocktails, yakitori and tapas.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hannah Chew
Kowloon Bay HK Cafe in the newly opened Hillion Mall (nearest MRT Station is Bukit Panjang) serves hearty Hong Kong cafe fare that we'll gladly return for. Start with the Iced Milk Tea ($4.50) served in a bottle that is stashed in a bucket of ice, keeping the sock-pulled milk tea chilled but not diluted. The locally-owned cafe also makes a wonderful bowl of Signature Fei Po Char Siew Noodle ($9.90). Skip the option to have it with wantons — it means you'll be sacrificing precious, fatty char siew slices for two measly wantons. The thick-cut pork belly with melt-in-your-mouth fatty bits is caramelised to a beautiful dark brown glossy finish, and fondly reminds us of Char in Jalan Besar. Al dente noodles are set atop sweet dark sauce before the char siew is added as the finishing touch. Another satisfying main is the Kowloon Bay Fragrant Rice with Chicken Chop and Soup ($11.90) that comes with a palm-sized piece of freshly fried chicken cutlet served over wok hei ladened fried rice.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See
If you've ever associated clean eating with boring and tasteless fare, Thrive Kitchen may just be the place to change your mind. Tucked in the middle of new and currently quiet shopping mall NEWest in West Coast, the cosy space (all warm lighting and light wood) makes an inviting spot for a quiet meal with a friend. They have recently launched their full food menu, which sees tons of flavourful and nutritious eats, from wholemeal pastas to rice bowls and hearty mains. For a meatless meal, you're in for a treat with the Thrive Benedict ($12.90), which sees pillowy multigrain toast topped with mashed avocado, perfectly wobbly sous vide eggs and a super delish cashew mayonnaise. The star of the meal, however, was the Nonya-inspired Assam Fish Rice Bowl ($17.90). The assam sauce would wake you right up with its zingy hit of flavours, and we're pretty sure it would get nods of approval from Peranakan matriarchs. It's spicy, but absolutely worth the sweat. For sweets, try a slice of their moist gluten-free Coconut Almond Cake ($6.90), or a scoop of Despicable, a creamy banana and walnut ice cream. Will we be back? You bet.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Leigh Khoo
This casual, all-day dining concept in Tanjong Pagar offers up wholesome dishes and a long cocktail menu for when night falls. Crackerjack takes its drinks seriously (prices range from $16 to $20), no surprise considering the people running it are from 28 HongKong Street and Proof & Company Spirits. Come by with a group of friends to unwind after work, or sit by the bar for an intimate catch-up. Have the Brandt Bavette Steak ($28) that comes with a unique grape salsa, and share the unique and refreshing Zucchini Farro Salad ($8). The latter is sprinkled with almonds, dates and sesame, and tossed in a tasty sour cream dressing. This is also a great spot for brunch, with tons of natural light streaming in, and is one of the few places in the CBD that is open on the weekend. Have the Horchata Pancakes (with bacon, $16) or the Funnel Cake ($14) that Burppler Veronica Phua loves. Described as "a deep-fried patty woven together by twirls of crunchy batter", the creation is then topped with slices of banana, candied bacon, and lashings upon lashings of salted caramel sauce. Wash it all down with an excellent cup of Flat White ($5) — beans are a custom blend from 2Degrees North.
Avg Price: $50 per person
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua
When you're in the mood for a new dining experience, head right on to Punggol East, where a cluster of seven restaurants in shipping containers are now operational. Located within Social Enterprise Eco Development at Social Innovation Park, these container restaurants overlook the waterway, offering great atmosphere for alfresco dining. Whether you're up for a nibble or a full meal, you're likely to find something, from classic Fish and Chips ($6.90) from Big Fish Small Fish to tasty Sambal Stingray ($13) from D'Grill. To beat the heat, hop over to L'Chaim Bistro for a couple of pints ($6 for half; $11 for full), or cool off with a cold treat at like the Matcha Sherbet ($6.30) at Leung Kee Healthy Dessert. Pro tip: Check the weather forecast before you leave home. The sun can be merciless in the afternoons, so we would suggest coming by for an early dinner.
Avg Price: $10-$25 per person, depending on restaurant
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu
By the good folks behind Standing Sushi Bar and Tanuki Raw comes this Donburi-focused stall. Located in 100AM, Salmon Samurai serves a great Salmon Bowl ($9.90) with fresh salmon brought in on a daily basis and only prepared a la order. There are four ways to have your salmon — raw, poke, grilled or mentaiyaki (our Burpple Community's favourite). The latter sees smoky yet creamy mentai sauce flamed to perfection — just like the stellar scallop mentaiyaki available at Standing Sushi Bar. Choose to have your salmon over a bed of udon, brown rice or salad and ask to top up with half an Avocado ($1.50), Onsen Egg ($1) or Ebiko ($1) if you want more flavour, although the bowl is satisfying enough on its own. Pro tip: Complete your donburi with a side of Salmon Miso Soup ($2) — Burpple Tastemaker Justin Teo praises it for being great value, considering it comes chock full of soft salmon chunks and mushrooms.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo