At this wanton noodle store (you'll recognise it by its insanely long queue), it's the char siew that the crowds will gladly wait an average of 30 minutes for. The Wanton Noodles (from $4) are springy and decent, but pale in comparison to the barbecued pork on top — beautifully charred, sliced into thick slices and just delicious. To make the queuing worth your while, take the advice from Tastemakers Casey Tan and Amanda Liu to go for the Premium Cha Shao Noodles (from $6), which is made from the armpit of the pork (bu jian tian in Mandarin). According to Tastemaker Amanda, this prized cut results in char siew that sports the perfect ratio of meat to fat, so it's tender without being overwhelmingly fatty. Pro tip: The char siew sells out early, so make this a breakfast outing.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Amanda Liu
To quote Burpple Tastemaker Fiona Ting, this hole-in-the-wall Clifford Centre newbie is the place for "seriously saucy" Braised Pork Belly Rice ($3 for small, $5 for big). Portion-wise, we found the best way to go was to add meat ($1) to the small bowl to get a great proportion of meat to rice. Get your appetites ready for a bowl of Japanese pearl rice, topped generously with slow-cooked braised pork belly. Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua describes the rice to be drenched with the savoury braised sauce, and the meat to be melt-in-the-mouth tender. In short, it's a super comforting, belly-warming meal that'll perk you up for lunch. They also serve pretty tasty old-school waffles, smeared with your choice of filling. Fiona loves the Nacho Cheese Waffle ($2), sandwiched with a slice of cheddar and copious amounts of nacho cheese sauce. Pro tip: Ask for a bowl of chili to go with your lu rou fan!
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Fiona Ting
Tokyo's famously hip coffee house has found its way to our shores, and aficionados can now get their fix at Downtown Gallery. So far, the Burpple community has affirmed that the coffee is as good as it tastes in Japan. Omotesando is known for their quality coffee (beans from Melbourne are roasted in Kyoto by Ogawa Coffee Roasters), and the brand's dedication is reflected in their very precise approach to brewing coffee. Taste the magic in the Iced Cappuccino ($7.50), a milky, mellow brew that comes with Omotesando's signature bubble cap, topped generously with cocoa powder. If you prefer a stronger brew, take Burppler Dex Neo's to go for the hot drinks, which'll give you more of a kick. Pro tip: Good things come to those who wait. Be prepared to queue; the average waiting time is about 40 minutes.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Lewis Tan
This new Japanese kushiyaki bar at The Sail @ Marina Bay serves up amazingly smoky and yummy kushiyaki (skewered sticks), but that's not all — they dish out some stellar rice bowls too. There are only counter seats, so come solo or bring just one friend. Get acquainted with their style through the Kushiyaki Omakase ($22), which gets you six skewers that are grilled till they sport a lovely char. Expect the likes of pork, chicken, and chicken with leek, all of which go very well with a drink. Portions run small for the rice bowls like the Kushiyaki Don ($14.90) that is served with four assorted sticks atop a bowl of rice, along with a fried onsen egg; or the Special Tempura Don ($14.90), which sees the chef's selection of ingredients battered and fried till crisp golden. Order the free-flow Ocha (hot tea, $2) to wash it all down.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler chutoro eats
Housed in a standalone metal and glass structure, sporting floor-to-ceiling windows, wood accents and lush greenery, this gorgeous light-filled space in CHIJMES is ideal for a bit of respite in the city. Pop in for a coffee and something small to eat, be it a cinnamon roll, a slice of banana cake with cream cheese frosting or an open-faced sandwich from their toast bar — try the Avocado & Dukkah ($7) if you fancy something savoury. They use sourdough from The Bakery at Woodlands Sourdough for their toasts, so expect a good, crisp crust. The Burpple community has praised the friendly service and warm ambience, so file this away for some me-time or a quiet tete-a-tete. Coffee-wise, their offerings (from $3.50 for a black coffee) feature a rotation of beans from various roasters, so you're likely to be surprised every time.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Salsera Love
This durian dessert cafe is THE place for all things durian, served with a dose of industrial chic — think brick walls and exposed beam ceilings. Four Seasons Durian is well-known for their durian confectionaries, so rest assured these desserts will hit the spot. Go in a group so you can share the love but think twice about bringing non-converts; as Burppler Kris Lim says, the smell will hit you once you enter the space. The extensive menu is bound to get durian lovers hot under the collar. The D24 Durian Mochi ($5 for four) are chewy and rather mild but if you yearn for stronger flavours, go straight for the Mao Shang Wang Durian Mochi ($8.80 for four). Others to try include the Durian Strudel ($15.80), Mao Shan Wang Ice Cream ($5.80), Mao Shan Wang Coffe ($5) and the delectable Mao Shan Wang Ice Cream Puffs ($15.80 for six), which many say are a must-order. If you can't find a seat, get the Mao Shan Wang Takeaway Cup ($6.80) to go — the soft serve sundae makes a lovely treat while moseying through Chinatown.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Kris Lim
For a whole new perspective on hotdogs, visit Frank for their creative fusion takes on the humble sausage. These guys dish it out from Singapore's first and only food container! While the franks are creative, the menu is kept uncomplicated and simple, making it really easy to narrow down your choices. Go classic with the Nürnberger Dog ($10), sandwiched in a pretzel bun with potato salad, wholegrain mustard, mayonnaise and chives; the Tokyo Frank ($12) that tops a kurobuta pork sausage with miso dressing and bonito flakes; or the Curry Dog and Beer ($22, comes with a 300ml beer) at dinner. The latter is elevated with sauerkraut and crispy bacon, and is so good that Burppler Kenneth Lee declared it to be one of the tastiest ones he's had. Try it, and then tell us all about it. Lowenbrau lager is also served on draft (from $8 for 300ml).
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Kenneth Lee
If you want good and satisfying fried chicken wings — those sporting a perfectly crisp outer coat while maintaining juicy insides — go to Sticky Wings. Taking over Four Fingers in Westgate, this casual chicken restaurant (pending Halal certification) serves wings, burgers and light bites. Choose from three different flavours for your wings — sweet-savoury Kecap Manis glaze mixed with garlic and gula Melaka, fiery Spicy Flamin' that is a blend of chillies, or have it Naked, simple but still finger-licking good. For a satisfying meal, opt for the Black Belt ($8.50), which comes with a drumstick and three two-joint wings and top up $2.50 for a soft drink and a side. Of all the sides that we tried, we enjoyed the Fries with Minced Beef Rendang and the My Butter Half ($1.50), a portion of tasty butter rice.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Marc T.
Located in the basement of Marina Bay Sands, this sprawling 350-seater nautical-themed buffet space is great for hosting company lunches as well as weekend family gatherings (prices start from $42 for adults). There are private rooms for large groups (50 pax) and round booth tables that are designed to look like boats on the outside for smaller families. Parents, take delight as kids under 1.3m dine for free! There are 10 hot and cold stations to choose from — tuck into familiar continental buffet items like pastas and pizzas, sashimi, Alaskan king crab (even at lunch!) and local dishes like chilli crab and sio bak. There's also a dedicated Korean station where you can make your own bibimbap, customise your bowl of guksu (noodles) and have free-flow soon dae (blood sausages). For dessert, go crazy at the DIY Bingsu station and don't forget about the chewy Korean cakes, waffles and chocolates!
Avg Price: $45 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim
For a modern spin on bak kut teh, check out BakBak at Circular Road. The 80-seater space is started by the same guys behind Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh, so expect good ol' flavours, albeit with a twist. They've even modernised the ordering system — diners order using their mobile phones and the QR codes assigned to every table. There is an emphasis on healthy eating, so expect the likes of sea cucumber, tofu and brown rice on the menu. Try their Sanuki Udon with Dragon Rib ($11) — Burppler Rachel Chua loves how the noodles soaked up all the umami flavours from the broth, or keep it classic with the Premium Dragon Rib Soup ($10.50). The use of fresh pork loin ribs and garlic lends a robustness to the broth. For sides, don't miss out on the Fried Prawn Roll ($11), which Burpplers are raving about. Pro tip: This place is great for groups but if you're in the need for some solo time, opt to sit at one of the single diner booth seats.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Cassie Ong
When in the mood for an Indonesian feast, book in for the weekend lunch buffet ($38) at this Bay Hotel restaurant. The current buffet promo ($55 for two pax) makes it a fair deal to enjoy a smorgasbord of Indonesian flavours. For us, their Indonesian dishes were the standouts — be sure to ladle on the ayam kalio, reminiscent of rendang albeit with more turmeric and blue ginger, the DIY Indonesian rojak (check out the shrimp paste gula Melaka sauce!) and the udang petai belado (prawns with petai beans) stir-fried in a sambal gravy. The chilled seafood and French pastries aren't worth the calories, so zero in on the Nonya kueh kueh instead. Pro tip: There's no guarantee when the promo buffet prices will last, so visit quick!
Avg Price: $40 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A.
Located on Stanley Street, the Singapore outpost of Barcelona's Michelin-starred Restaurant Gaig serves delish Spanish plates, with a focus on Catalan classics. While cosy, the white-washed space is inviting, and the rustic cooking is steadily winning the Burpple community over. The Paellas (from $28.20) are foolproof, but it's the Catalan dishes that are likely to lure you back. Try the flawless Stuffed Baby Calamari ($24.50), which sees the calamari stuffed with minced squid, beef, pork and egg, and slicked in a rich tomato-based sauce, and the Pig Trotter with Turnips ($19.20), a super comforting dish that features melt-in-the-mouth meat. Order the Chocolate Beignets ($12.70) for dessert. Battered, deep-fried dark chocolate ganache balls that are crisp on the outside and silky smooth within? Yes please.
Avg Price: $40 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Blueskies Cottonclouds
Started by fish farm and wholesaler Ah Hua Kelong, this restaurant in Haji Lane (it shares space with hip cocktail bar Bar Stories) is perfect if you're in the mood for a seafood feast. Consider starting with the Curry Mussels ($16 with deep-fried mantou, $18 with pasta). The mussels are plump and fresh, and the gravy certainly made an impression on Burpple Tastemaker Amanda Liu, who declared she would gladly drink it all down. Take Tastemaker Zhihui Lim's advice to go for the mantous, which are great for mopping up all that luscious curry. Another interesting dish is the Confit Seabass ($20), served on a base of hummus. The fish, like most of the seafood here, was super fresh and cooked in a way that offered a hint of plum-like sweetness. Mix things up with an order of Braised Beef Shin ($22), fork-tender yet retaining a good bite, served with torched potato mash, broccoli and crisp barley chips. If you fancy a tipple, the bartenders at Bar Stories would be happy to shake up a bespoke cocktail for you (average price $20-$25).
Avg Price: $60 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim
Sharing the space with Sugarhaus at Serene Centre (beside the popular Woodlands Sourdough), this 10-seater steakhouse offers a super simple menu of two steak mains, four sides and three desserts. The Shortribs ($25) have more marbling than the Flat Iron ($22), but both are seared till nice and pink in the middle, and tender to the bite. The meats come with chimichurri sauce and a garden salad, but for something more substantial, add on sides ($5 each) like the Sautéed Thyme Mushrooms and Creamed Kale. Interestingly, Burpple Tastemakers Xing Wei Chua and Casey Tan both enjoyed the meat sans sauce, and just with a sprinkle of salt. Based on Burpple community reviews, you may be better off skipping dessert for now. Currently trending on social media, Jade ($10) features a pretty dome of pistachio mousse cake with a strawberry jelly centre, but while it makes a stunning picture, it leaves much to be desired in terms of taste.
Avg Price: $30 per person
Photo by Burppler Gerald Tan
This tiny shop in Sembawang is a good place to get a quality ice cream fix in the north. Occupying one of the smaller shop spaces at Victory8 at Jalan Legundi (opposite Sembawang Shopping Centre), Just Because Creamery serves house-churned flavours that are rich, smooth and luxurious. For something creamy, consider the Hazelnut Praline, which is nutty, chocolaty and well-balanced, or the Earl Grey, which bears lovely flavours of the tea. For something fruity, the Mango Mint bears a pleasant freshness that complements the tangy mango, while the Lychee Rose is delicate, without overpowering rose syrup flavours. Prices start from $3.50 a scoop, served in a cup or cone. Add on $0.80 to upgrade to a waffle cone.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Wang Sharon
This King Albert Park cafe serves up an extensive menu of eats from pastas and pizzas to Asian plates, making it an ideal place for all occasion gatherings, be it family meals or laidback brunches with friends. Favourites among the Burpple community so far include the simple but tasty Pancetta Fungi Pasta ($15), the decadent Foie Gras Wagyu Burger ($22) that comes with two pieces of foie gras, and the deliciously oily Smokin' Sambal ($18), which slicks the pasta in a fiery sambal sauce. Save space for dessert. The Jasmine Peach Panna Cotta ($12) is a magical combination of peach-glazed panna cotta, toothsome ume soil and bittersweet jasmine tea sorbet.
Avg Price: $30 per person
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh
Tucked away inside NTU's Alumni Building in One North, this casual dining restaurant serves tasty Asian fusion plates that hit the spot, and its spacious interiors make it perfect for large group gatherings. Try the Ground Beef Rendang Pot Pie ($24), which features the time-tested combination of flaky and buttery pastry with tender ground beef. According to Burppler Jonathan Teo, the beef was well-spiced and mixed through with rocket and potatoes for extra bite. Another winnning plate is the Laksa Linguine ($22), which comes topped with a generous helping of springy squid, peeled prawns and tau pok, as well as a perfect onsen egg. Break the egg and stir it through the pasta for extra lusciousness. It's also only mildly spicy, which makes it ideal for those with a low threshold for spice. If the tongue still burns, cool things down with the Iced Coconut Yam Parfait ($12), a variation on local yam paste (orh nee) that combines yam parfait, fried pumpkin mochi and deep-fried shallots (yes you read that right) — yum! Pro tip: Check out their affordable weekday set lunch ($8.80). For that price you get a main (consider the Spicy Balacan Seafood Linguine), a soup and a drink.
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua
This casual concept by Mexican stalwart Margarita's is all set to bring a load of deliciousness to the east. The decor is fun and so are the vibes, so bring good company. The menu is straightforward with no pretenses, and dishes feature the best quality ingredients, many imported straight from Mexico. Start with a drink — the bartenders are happy to pour you a beer, or to shake up a cocktail. The interestingly flavoured Margaritas (from $18 a glass) are worth a try — jalapeño + lime anybody? Then, settle down for a feast with the Mexican Yucatan Chicken ($28). The tender chicken skewers are slicked with achiote, garlic, orange juice and lemon juice, served with steamed tortillas on the side. For something a little different, try the Carnitas ($32), which serves fork-tender pulled pork alongside salsa rojas, salsa verde (red and green salsa), guacamole and warm corn tortillas. Don't miss the Salted Caramel Piña Colada Bread Pudding ($15). Expect, in Burpple Tastemaker Geraldine Tay's words, "fluffy, buttery brioche soaked in dark rum and cream, studded with chopped pineapples. Served with a generous scoop of coconut ice-cream, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce and a sprinkle of toasted coconut shavings."
Avg Price: $40 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Geraldine Tay
Replacing defunct Ramyun & Soju at Orchid Hotel, this Japanese curry house from Hiroshima is worth checking out if you're in Tanjong Pagar. The space is rather cramped, so go solo or bring just a friend or two. They offer customised toppings and spice, like many other curry houses out there, but what really sets them apart is the inclusion of paitan soup. Diners are encouraged to add the light broth to any leftover rice and curry, turning it into a porridge-like consistency that is quite comforting. The Deep Fried Chicken Curry ($15.70) is a classic, and one that has Burppler Jianwei Low coming back from his weekly fix. For something different, try the Garlic Pork Belly Curry ($15.70). Sliced thinly, the pork was less garlicky that Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua expected, but he still enjoyed it for its juiciness. Pro tip: The bowl may look large but don't be deceived, says Xing Wei. The portion is actually good for one.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua
Set in Alexandra Retail Centre, Jin Ho Mia serves up tasty grain bowls and hot pots. The rice bowls (available only for weekday lunch) are perfect for those working in the area but come sundown, the hotpots are great for unwinding over. Grain bowls offer classic combinations like Salmon Poke ($14.80) and Greens and Soba ($11.80), or try the unique Pao Fan ($14.80), which drenches the bowl in a tasty tom yum broth. Come dinner time, hotpot is the way to go. There are five different broths including tom yum, tomato and their signature fish broth, and all form a delicious base to cook the ingredients in. The Tok Kong Pot ($48.80) is a guaranteed crowd pleaser packed with decadent ingredients like Alaskan king crabs, tiger prawns and flower clam. The Ah Boy Pot ($33.80) is great if you like the ingredients meaty, while the Giam Pui Pot ($28.80) has an abundance of greens to nourish the health-conscious.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler j xbl
Set in PoMo, this new cafe serves up all-day breakfasts and affordable lunch specials, making it a great option for students and executives in the area, as well as diners looking to get away from the Orchard crowds. The food is priced competitively and tastes decent, albeit not particularly outstanding — great for regular meals, but probably not special occasions. Try the Seafood Tom Yum Pasta ($10), which is tangy and bright, or go for breakfast plates like Truffle Scrambled Eggs ($9.50) and Banana Pancake ($9). Coffee (from $4), on the other hand, is surprisingly good. Try the Flat White ($4.50), which is creamy and smooth. Pro tip: Their lunch promotion is great value. Most mains ordered come with a complimentary drink.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua