To Eat

Every dish we had were well-executed and mostly addictive - the kind where you just wish for an endless supply of piping hot, fresh bread slices so you can wipe it all up. (Even the bread itself was good😂) We had the Babaganoush ($10) - smoked eggplant, sesame, yoghurt, pomegranates, Burnt Miso Hummus ($10) that was heavier on the palate (pairs well with bread as it’s rather salty), Ispanak ($12) - spinach, labneh, fragrant fried onion and plum for a refreshing element to the dish. Last but not least, our table’s unanimous favourite of Iraqi Spiced Mushrooms ($12) - delightfully eggy fried egg purée, mushrooms, topped with Parmesan.

Thank you Artichoke for the superbly good meal and #burpple for the kind invite!

Tucked away on Upper Dickson Road, away from the main street's bustle, Madras New Woodlands is a nondescript joint serving up humble vegetarian South Indian fare. The two-page menu is compact and simple, and the selection familiar enough to not put you off — expect the usual suspects like dosa (otherwise known as thosai), idly (steamed rice cakes) and samosas, among other light snacks perfect for a mid-afternoon break. What we really like though is the Appam Set ($4.80). Made from a batter of fermented rice and coconut milk, Madras New Woodlands' rendition of the pancake is spot-on — brown and crisp around the edges, yet fluffy and slightly moist in the middle, and so delicious dipped in coconut milk and orange sugar. Pair this with their aromatic Madras Coffee ($1.90 for small/ $2.70 for large). Pro-tip: The milky filtered coffee is often served scalding hot, so cool it down for drinking by pouring a third into the shorter, wider metal cup.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Leigh Khoo

This Simpang supper hotspot is gaining a steady reputation for this one thing — Prata Coin ($7). Unlike regular flattened pratas, these come coiled up to look like coins, and every bite presents an unbeatable mix of crisp golden exteriors, soft and fluffy insides and the unmistakeable fragrance of butter. The icing on the cake however is the accompanying mutton curry, which is more than just an afterthought like in so many prata shops. The curry here is extremely flavourful and generous with chunks of meat, and it pairs fantastically with the prata. After his first bite, Burppler Dixon Chan actually excitedly shared the news among five Whatsapp chat groups — it is THAT good.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler May Cho

A firm favourite among Bukit Panjang and Bukit Timah families, Karu's has been that dependable spot for banana leaf cravings for years. Having moved recently from its spot in Upper Bukit Timah to its new digs in Sime Darby Centre (above ToTT, across from King Albert Park), fans will be glad to know that the food has not changed one bit. When you sit down, you will have a banana leaf laid out in front of you, and an option of white or biryani rice. We much prefer their light and fragrant biryani rice over their white. They will also ask if you'd like fish or chicken curry gravy — we recommend getting both. To order your dishes, go to the window to point and pick. Don't miss the popular Chicken Masala that every table orders, and their Mutton Mysore for those who love a good spicy hit. The Curry Sotong is also a crowd favourite, and consider their satisfying Fish Head Curry (get a small for 3-4 pax) to share, it's affordable and one of the better ones around. Pro tip: If you're coming by for takeaway, remember that their rice portions are epic, so order two packs for five people — it's more than enough.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Kenny Kung