New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Singapore: April 2017
Those hankering after a comforting bowl of ramen should head to this ramen-ya in China Square Central (opposite Wang Dae Bak). Instead of the more commonly known pork broth, Jimoto Ya specialises in a unique pork and amaebi (sweet prawn) broth made from amaebi prawn heads. There are five items on the menu (from $16.50) including the crowd favourite Ebi Shio Ramen ($16.50). The flavourful yet light tasting broth is ladled over al dente noodles, crunchy cabbage, ajitama (marinated egg) and minced meat. Note that the restaurant swaps out cha shu for minced meat, claiming that cha shu doesn't go well with their soup base. For a hearty and satisfying meal, opt for the value-for-money sets that are available for both lunch and dinner. Each set ($19.50) comes with a ramen, a side (opt for the ebi tempura!) and complimentary tea.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Justin Teo
This casual izakaya spot on Tras Street is the perfect place to wind down with friends (who love eating as much as you do). Sit near the grill to watch the chefs work their magic or opt for the large table if you're in a large group. From the skewers section, go for familiar items like Tsukune ($4.50), the melt-in-your-mouth Pork Belly ($4), and our favourite Nagaimo Mentai ($8 for three pieces) — yam topped with mentai mayo and torched for a smokey finish. Adventurous eaters should have the Heart ($4), the Gizzard ($4) and the unbelievably tasty Tail ($4) glazed in a garlic shoyu sauce. Birders also offers small plates for sharing like Liver Mousse ($16), a bourbon-infused chicken liver pate that comes with deep-fried mantou and house made yuzu marmalade on the side, and chicken-stuffed Curry Crouqetas ($10 for three). End with a Takikomi Chazuke ($10), a humble grilled onigiri with a side of dashi broth. Drinks-wise, get the Cup Sake (prices from $15), which allows you to try different sakes in small quantities (180ml). Just ask the friendly staff for recommendations!
Avg Price: $50 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Jason Wong
Unlike Woon Woon Pek Beehoon at Changi Village (run by the son) that uses white bee hoon in their famous seafood bee hoon, this outlet (run by the father) offers a thicker handmade noodle much like the lor mee from Putien, or rice as your carb. Go for the Crayfish Seafood Soup ($10 for one pax, $28 for three pax) and opt for the handmade noodles ($0.50). In an individual portion, expect a whole crayfish, plump slices of fresh Taman fish, prawns and clams in a flower crab and clam soup broth that has been simmered for over six hours. The ingredients and soup broth are cooked in a wok for that signature wok hei taste, and the soup broth is naturally sweetened by the addition of cabbage. For the full works, order the Signature Seafood Platter ($28) that comes with two crayfish, prawns, scallops, clams and fish and share it amongst a group of three or more!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See
Opened by the same folks and situated beside Muslim-owned The Ramen Stall along North Bridge Road, this restaurant dishes out all-day dim sum and zi char items. Seats fill up quickly during mealtimes, so it's best to make a reservation if you're heading down in a big group. Go for the Vermicelli Roll with Rendang (from $6.90, option of beef, lamb or chicken), Congee with Beef and Poached Egg ($8.90) and our favourite Pan-fried Chives and Beef Dumpling ($3.90 for two pieces). The latter comes with a generous portion of flavourful filling encased in a thin yet super crisp, deep-fried wonton skin. Be sure to slap on their homemade chilli on all your dim sum items — it's spicy and addictively good! Note that they are in the midst of getting their halal certification.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Alvin Wang
Tucked within Hotel Clover's lobby is this cosy 18-seater space decked out with marble tables, plenty of greenery and an open concept kitchen where you can watch the chefs work their magic. Run by the folks from Laneway Market, Brine is currently in their soft launch stage and only offers a tasting menu. The four-course tasting menu ($25) features dishes that are in the running to be in the finalised menu (slated for release on 23rd April). The offerings change daily (check their Instagram for updates), but if available, you must order the Tenderloin Tartare — lightly smoked, finely chopped raw beef mixed with powdered truffle and salt, topped with wasabi mayo and crisp lotus roots. For mains, meat lovers will enjoy the five-day ponzu brined ribeye that comes with mushroom pate, puffed rice and a poached egg. Note that all meats used are from halal suppliers. Pro tip: Brine is offering a 40% discount on their tasting menu, which brings your four-course meal down to just $15, so make this your priority this weekend!
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo
All-you-can-eat toppoki at $18.80 per person? Yes please! Bring an appetite, for there is a lot of starch to sample at this newly opened Korean joint in Suntec City (it's near Giant). Concept-wise, Dookki is similar to the toppoki restaurants in Seoul's Tteokbokki Town — cook a whole pan of ingredients till bubbling and the sauce thickens, and then dig in. The bonus is that there are eight types of soft and chewy rice cakes to choose from (we love the sweet potato), you get to concoct your own toppoki sauce, as well as pick your own ingredients from a variety that includes luncheon meat, cocktail sausages, fish cakes and greens. Towards the end, hit the rice bar for a portion of rice, corn, kimchi, seaweed and sesame oil to stir into the remaining sauce for super delish kimchi fried rice. Pro tip: Leave your favourite top at home. The constantly bubbling pan equals splash galore.
Avg price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Leigh Khoo
If you're in the Bugis area and the heat gets unbearable, cool down with an Ice-Cream Puff ($3.90) from Hokkaido IceCream Puff. The popular ice-cream chain from Malaysia is located along the buzzy Haji Lane, great for those in the vicinity to pop by for a refreshing midday snack! There are eight ice-cream flavours including familiar mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream and the bright purple taro, all of which you can find in the ice cream push carts. The highlight is certainly the freshly baked, slightly sweetened puffs. Unlike the ones from Shuu by KOKI Tamagoyaki where the outer crust is more chewy, Hokkaido IceCream Puffs pride themselves on having super crispy shells. The strictly takeaway shop (the puff is packed in a nifty brown casing for you to have on the go) scoops your ice-cream to order, so exercise some patience during peak hours.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo
For a fun and casual night out with friends, DON HO may just be the place. This latest addition to the Keong Saik enclave is all about sharing the good times, as seen in its cheery tropical-inspired decor and fusion plates to share. The cuisine isn't distinct, which can make it a bit difficult to decipher what sort of a meal you're going to have, so bring an open mind. You wouldn't go wrong with the Crispy Eggplant ($10), which is beautifully caramelised with a lovely sweet-spicy flavour, the Zaatar Flat Bread ($12) or the Wood Roasted Pumpkin and Sweet Potato ($12). The Burpple community also has good things to say about the Grassfed Black Angus Striploin ($20) served with chimichurri, and the Clams ($12) with iberico cubes served in a tasty broth. Wash it all down with any of their well-executed cocktails. Pro tip: The entrance is via the back alley; walk past the brightly painted wall of Loloku and turn left. It's beside popular unagi restaurant Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant.
Avg price: $45 per person
Photo by Burppler Thechoyalicious :)
The top picks, popular finds and newly opened places in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, curated by Burpple editors!