Last updated: 18 Apr 2018
Ichinoji Miyagawa
Hopping on the bandwagon of live eel restaurants is this franchise from Tokyo’s 125-year-old Miyagawa Honten, and Singapore is its first overseas outpost. Prices are affordable, and the cooking is spot on at this Robertson Quay joint. Get the Hitsumabushi, in which the eel is grilled to tender perfection.
Le Bon Funk
This cosy spot amidst the Club Street buzz is an oasis of great food and natural wines. Chef-owner and Burnt Ends alumnus Keirin Buck puts together a daily menu based on the day’s best produce — we feasted on excellent plates like Cedar Jelly and Foie Gras Toast, the mind-blowingly good Hanger Steak with Tomato and Hot Sauce, and a Burnt White Chocolate, Rosemary and Orange Tart we still dream about. Read all about it in next week’s Dig In!
HOLLIN
For an artisanal take on bubble tea (handmade pearls!), look to this new shop just a short walk from Toa Payoh MRT station. The Burpple community has really taken to their offerings. Thanks to their reviews, we now have our eye on the Matcha Latte with Matcha Pearls, as well as the Black Tea Macchiato with Peanut Pearls. Been there? Let us know what you think!
Hainan Street Steamboat
Tuck into good old Hainanese favourites at this new joint in Chinatown Point. Expect classics like Hainanese Chicken Rice, Pork Chop and Satay, alongside a Chicken Rice Steamboat, which Burppler Blanche Tan tried and loved! She had great things to say about the chilli too. Garlicky, tangy with a potent kick at the end, ahhh… that’s how a good chicken rice chilli should be. Pop by soon and you may still be able to enjoy their opening discount of 15 percent off the total bill.
The RANCH by Aston’s
Thanks to Burppler K T, we now know that the ever popular Aston’s chain has added yet another restaurant to their belt, this time a steakhouse in Clarke Quay. Expect dry-aged beef served bone in for enhanced flavour, alongside other beefy classics like Beef Tartare and Roasted Bone Marrow, all priced very competitively.
Yamato
For fans of Man Man Unagi and Teppei Syokudo who are tired of braving the queues, look to this three-in-one Japanese concept in Oxley Bizhub, which brings together the two brands alongside Yamato Izakaya. Burppler Polly Wei was happy to tuck into Man Man’s classic Hitsumabushi sans crowds. Does the food live up to what’s served at the original outlets though? We’d like to hear from you!
Marugame Udon & Tempura
In the mood to slurp? This Japanese chain in ION Orchard is best known for their freshly-made Sanuki style udon, which is thick and nicely chewy. Burpplers are loving the Udon with Seasoned Cod Roe and Soft Boiled Egg — break the yolk and enjoy the mess! And lest you think the portion looks small, Burppler Veeky Momo declares that it is sufficient for most appetites, especially when paired with their selection of crisp tempura.
Chirashi King Kong
A name like this is hard to miss, despite this Tanjong Pagar Plaza shop’s unassuming appearance. The compact space serves up its namesake, which Burppler Xing Wei Chua tried and liked. While not the cheapest, the Bara Chirashi Don is great if you don’t like the seafood marinated, but don’t worry about it being boring or tasteless. The final sprinkling of furikake and drizzle of truffle oil really elevate the flavours. Seating is limited, so consider getting this to go.
The Social Space
This new multi-concept space in Kreta Ayer boasts lovely resort vibes and a commitment to showcasing quality, eco-friendly brands and products, many from social entreprises. Pop over for some fair-trade retail therapy, and then stay on for a bite. Sit back with one of their gorgeous Smoothie Bowls, sip on a Almond Milk Cold Brew, or sink your teeth into the Toasted Banana & Peanut Sourdough. The hearty toast won Burppler’s M*s seal of approval.
Oporto
Australia’s popular flame grilled Portuguese chicken chain has made its way onto our shores. Head to its Holland Village outpost for tasty flame-grilled chicken, burgers, wraps and sides, priced from an affordable $5.90 — great for penny pinching days!
The Salted Plum
What started as a pop-up (Five Ten) serving Taiwanese fare tapas style has since found permanent home in a shophouse unit along Boat Quay. Signature dishes like their housemade Taiwanese pork sausage and braised pork belly are available as small plates (priced between $5 to $25). Visit at lunchtime to enjoy their $10 lunch bowls — the burnt chilli chicken one seems to be a hot favourite!
HRVST
HRVST serves up a plant based menu packed with punchy flavours — think pumpkin risotto in tom yum broth. It’s a convenient space for fitness buffs taking classes or training at the gym next door, but we’ll gladly make the drive here for the food itself.
Dig in to HRVST here.
En Sushi
For affordable Japanese, look to this Prinsep Street newbie. The Burpple community has had great things to say about the rice bowls. This includes the Bara Chirashi Don, which Burppler Wei Zhi Chiang liked for its substantial portion, as well as the Mekajiki Aburi Salmon Don, which Burppler Shawn Loh declares to be “undeniably scrumptious”.
NY Night Market
As Burppler Rachel Xie puts it, this new spot from Seoul is the place to check out if Korean-Western fusion comfort food is your jam. She was all raves about the MAC feat Bacon, which combines pasta, melted cheese, bacon and crispy fried potato strips — yum! We hear that the Toppoki Curry is quite something to reckon with, too. Westies, let us know what you think if you’ve popped by!
So France
Another addition to DUO Galleria, this sprawling space is the place to chill out with a few glasses of vino while tucking into really reasonably priced platters — Burppler Dex Neo enjoyed one piled with assorted cold cuts and French cheeses for just $32 (good for sharing among three to four). Take his advice to reserve indoor seats; you can only order from the tapas menu when you dine alfresco seats.
Sushi Shiki Hanamaru
Look to this Orchard Central basement newbie for excellent sushi, topped with seafood brought in from Hokkaido port town, Nemuro. The sushi menu is extensive, and the ocean-fresh quality of the seafood has been getting many stamps of approval from sushi loving Burpplers. The prices are on the higher but still affordable side, but it’s a treat we’ll happily splurge on!
Read about our take on it here.
Goatee
For boozy deals and killer pub grub, we’re going with Burppler Nobelle Liew’s recommendation. This new bar in Bali Lane wowed her with their rendition of the classic burger, sporting spot-on trimmings and a perfectly cooked medium-rare beef patty. Grab your drink and burger loving buds for this one.
Update (26 Apr 2018): The Homemade Burger (from RM17) is no longer available. Try the new menu and let us know what you think!
The Cook & The Barista
This hidden find cafe at Jalan Sultan is on the quiet side, but trust our Burpple community to have already sussed out their well-pulled cuppas, comforting bowls and sweets like the signature Pandan Gula Melaka Cheesecake! Burppler Izumi 泉 loves how it’s not too sweet, and really tasty.
Sumo-Ya
This locally owned, 30-seater spot on Pickering Street has won Burpplers over with their tasty plates and cosy ambience. Expect familiar favourites like hearty rice bowls and ramens, all dished up with laudworthy service. File this away for your next workday lunch!
The Hungry Cavemen
Tear yourself away from the food frenzy at the basement (Don Don Donki, anybody?) and head upstairs for meaty grills. The auto-grilled concept (think self rotating grills) from China sees the like of skewers — beef, lamb, salmon and mid-joint chicken wings, alongside a surprisingly tasty Grilled Banana. You get to choose from three spice levels from the wings; go for the third only for a dare, or a sweaty laugh!
Lor Duck
This new shop at Eastpoint lured Burppler Boon Wai Hoong in with tempting braised aromas, and we’re glad to hear the LOR Duck Platter (served alongside pork belly, skin, tofu and boiled eggs) lived up to its expectations. Wai Hoong describes the braised sauce to be done exceptionally well, redolent of rich soy sauce and a hint of Chinese herbs. Yum!
Liberty Coffee
Add this to your list of places for seriously good coffee. The well-respected roastery turns out excellent cups, alongside a menu of simple cafe fare like pastas and sandwiches. Go for the latter, which are garnering pretty great reviews on the Burpple app.
We’re always on the lookout for new places to dine at. Leave a review in the app if you know one!
