New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Singapore: March 2016

The Keisuke ramen chain strikes again, this time with a joint specialising in crab broth ramen. Located in Cathay Cineleisure, the restaurant closes at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, making it the ideal stop for a post-movie supper. Choose from five ramen styles: Crab Broth Ramen with Clear Soup ($12.90), Crab Broth Ramen with Rich Soup ($13.90), Spicy Crab Broth Ramen ($14.90), Crab Dipping Noodles ($13.90) and the unique Crab Broth with Mixed Fried Omelet Ramen ($13.90). Reminiscent of egg hot plate tofu, the latter is a winning combination of springy noodles, a super flavourful broth and a blanket of soft, fluffy omelette. Yum.

The brainchild of DP Architects and Grub, redpan serves Western grub with a local twist, making this the perfect place for a family meal after a day's worth of shopping. Located in Marina Square, come with the whole jin gang and start with the Truffle Floss Fries ($8). Order the Prawn and 'Hae Bi Hiam' Pasta ($15) for Dad — tagliatelle tossed with sakura ebi, sauteed prawns and the housemade hae bi hiam that packs a spicy punch while mum can opt for the Vegetable Lasagna ($13) that comes with grilled eggplant, mushrooms and pumpkin. End the meal on a sweet note with the Coconut Panna Cotta ($7) or the Gooey Banana Donuts "Milo Dinosaur" ($7).

Get your hands on the handcrafted ice pops from this popular Hong Kong brand, which recently debuted as a takeaway kiosk in 313@Somerset. The tasty popsicles come in a range of both milk and fruit-based flavours. Try the Refreshing Kiwi ($5.90) on a hot day, and go for the milk-based flavours like Strawberry Hokkaido Milk and Earl Grey Pistachio ($6.90 each) if you're in a mood for a post-dinner sweet!

Joining the Japanese hotspots in Tanjong Pagar's Orchid Hotel is Kajiken, Singapore's first maze soba (dry ramen) specialist. Go for the Mazesoba Nagoya Style ($12.80), al dente noodles topped with spicy minced pork, strips of seaweed, plenty of chopped spring onions and a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg. Add lashings of vinegar and chilli oil if you like your noodles punchy. Pro tip: On hungry days, upsize your portion of noodles (1.5 or 2 times) for no extra charge!

This iconic Russian-Hainanese eatery has reopened, and while the interiors may be refreshed with a new colour scheme, the signature Shashlik experience of classic tableside service is still intact thanks to many former waitstaff returning to work, bow tie and all. Take your parents out for a nostalgic meal and enjoy the Shashlik Beef Skewers ($32) which come on a hotplate, along with a portion of slurp-worthy Escargots ($32/dozen). If you're here on a weekend, go for the Oxtail Stew ($32) — braised for a whole day till meltingly tender. Finish off with the flaming Baked Alaska ($24, serves two) for dessert.

Located in the heart of Dempsey, come to Portico Prime with your girlfriends to bond over tea, pretty cakes and all things girly. For just $48 per pax, the Portico Favourites High Tea Set comes with a generous spread of 15 savouries and sweets. Look forward to chilled truffle-scented angel hair pasta topped with avruga caviar and crispy kawa ebi shrimps for that extra crunch. Slather homemade honey kaya on the freshly baked raisin and citrus peel scones, before having the unexpectedly good Singapore-style chili crab meat eclair. For a light ending, don't miss the bandung rose cream, strawberry and lychee tart! Pro tip: Follow @porticosg on Instagram or Like them on Facebook to enjoy the high tea set at $38 per pax, valid till 14th April.

This modest shop located near Sengkang serves ice cream flavours inspired by well-known dishes. With 22 ice cream flavours on rotation every day, you'll be spoilt for choice at Mingle Mangle. The usual chocolate, vanilla, strawberry are available, but what you should be going for are the premium ones. Daring eaters simply must try the Chili Crab flavour ($4.80 one scoop) — just spicy enough to pack a punch. On a balmy night, go for the alcohol-infused Watermelon Soju ($4.80), a refreshing flavour inspired by the popular Korean drink!

With two sister outlets in Katong and Geylang, Mongkok Dim Sum has opened a third outlet just a minute's walk from Beauty World station on the Downtown line — the perfect venue for a fuss-free late night supper. Come with a big group of friends and start with their silky smooth Steamed Rice Roll with Shrimp ($4). Apart from the usual dim sum fare, heartier zi char dishes like Salted Egg and Butter Pork Ribs ($14) and Beef Horfun (from $6) are filling, tasty options to share.

Conveniently located on the first floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre, Workspace Espresso is the answer for busy workers in that area who want a hearty but healthy meal. Lunch service starts promptly at 11.30am, where you can either choose one of their five pre-selected grain bowls or build your own from scratch. Go for the Stamina Bowl ($16.30) — goji brown rice base topped with sea bass, miso chili eggplant and reliably good wakame wood-ear salad. Wash it all down with a cup of coffee (from $4), take it away if you're in a rush!

At Chot Nun, there is no need to gather a troop to satisfy your bingsu craving. This Korean dessert store at Far East Plaza serves the soft-as-snow icy dessert in a takeaway cup — great if you want to continue your window shopping in town! Every cup also comes with a dry ice holder, so it allows the Bingsu to last longer in this heat. Choose from 12 different flavours, including the familiar Injeolmi Bingsu ($7.50) served with soy powder and chewy mochi, or the unexpectedly good Breakfast Bingsu ($7.50) — milky ice topped with honey corn flakes for that extra crunch.

Previously located in Macpherson, Royal J's Seafood now brings its signature Fried Porridge (from $6 for small, enough for two modest appetites) to its new digs in the Jalan Besar neighbourhood. Plain porridge is fried with an abundance of ingredients including tau kwa, fried dried shrimp, cuttlefish and shredded meat, resulting in a wok hei laden pot of pure umami comfort. The texture of the porridge is thicker and starchier than most, so pace yourself! Be discerning about what you order from the zi char menu. While it looked promising, the Royal J's Cheesy Prawns (from $28) underwhelmed with its cloying sweetness. Go for the Tasty Fried Pork (from $12) and You Mai Cai (from $8) instead.

At Creamier's second outlet, 10 out of their 18 signature flavours are now permanently on the menu (the rest are on rotational basis) — that is reason enough to travel down to Gillman Barracks for dessert! The bigger and better Creamier also boasts more indoor seating than its Toa Payoh outlet and two new ice cream flavours — Macadamia Tropicana ($4.20) and Pomegranate Yoghurt ($4.20). First time here? Go for their signature ice cream flavour Sea Salt Gula Melaka ($3.30). If it's available, add on a scoop of the Peanut Butter and Jelly ($4.20) — it's a winning combination of savoury and sweet. Don't miss out on their fluffy waffles too ($6 for waffles alone, $8.80 with one scoop of ice cream)!