dairy & cream - A Singapore + Japan Food Blog : Eat, Write & Relish

While Tonkotsu ramen seems to be reigning overseas, chicken-broth ramen is running hot in Tokyo. Opened only March 2013, Kagari has attracted crowds for its tori-paitanchukasoba.

You might steer away from the idea of squeezing with other diners in a small area that sits only 8 people at any one time but it was a cool area with jazz and classic music playing in the background. My visit was during summer at breakrecord 36 degrees Celsius but I did not feel stuffy or sweaty at all.

All the noodles here are classified as "Chuka Soba" (chinese-style noodles) but they are not soba butthin yellow ramen with a nice bite. The basic and most popular Tori-Paitan Soba (¥880) does not include Ajitama (¥100) but there are slices of tender chicken and sparse greens.

This is my first time having chicken-based broth and I actually enjoyed it more than Tonkotsu broth because it was less saturated and greasy, close to a creamy chicken soup. Everyone was busy slurping their own bowl of ramen and those who came in pairs were whispering how delicious the ramen was to their partners.

Though I still suffered from the usual post-ramen syndrome (thirst), I did not regret to queue up for this ramen. A bowl that truly lived up to its name.

Kagari Ginza 銀座篝

(Very very hidden, the clue is the snaking queue, good luck finding!)

Chuo-ku Ginza 4-4-1

Ginza A Building 1F

11am-3.30pm

5.30pm-10.30pm

A giant 15 feet Christmas Tree greeted me when I stepped into the lobby. Making a detour around it, I spotted a familiar figure--Mr Santa--resting happily in the goodie house and surrounded by his old friends, Mr and Mrs Gingerbread Men. The cheery festive spirits at Grand Waterfront Copthorne Waterfront were highly infectious and they definitely pumped up my appetite to indulge in the Yuletide treats at Cafe Brio's. Here are FIVE REASONS why this is a great location to wine, dine and be merry!

Reason No.1:SALADS
I know most people would naturally dive straight into the oysters and sashimi but it would be a grave strategic error NOT giving their salads a chance. One never look at buffet salads the same way again after trying the tasty offerings such as juicy mushroom salad, fresh corns with lentil beans and even a "heart-shaped" Seafood salad constructed with lots of cured salmon cubes and cherry tomatoes for that bit of tart balance. And the deeply savoury Norwegion Smoked Salmon with horseradish cream? Yes, they are my salads too.

Reason No. 2: LIVE STATION
With hotels upping their ante to dish up fresh hot food ala minute, live stations are no longer a novel concept. But where in Singapore can one possibly have Australian meatballs at the Live Station?

And there's the famed superb Super Laksa here too. The fragrance of the coconut milk permeates the potent broth which is the key that makes it an arduous task to leave any drip behind. It must be a lot of hard work for the one-man chef who is tending the station; one hand busy boiling the noodles and the other hand cooking the tomato sauce. But fret not as the quality is highly assured.

Reason No. 3: MEATS

Buffet is always a game of chance where there are plenty of choices but the only way to sieve out the better ones is to try a little from each dish. One great thing is that Cafe Brio stocks up quite a few dishes for each meat category, which increases the probability of success.

Take of example in my favorite fish category, there is Deep Fried Sichuan Fish, Atlantic Butter Cod, Fish Otah, Stewed Fish Maw, etc. What took my fancy was the Pan Fried Sea Bass that sat in a pool of creamy mushroom, scattered with pomegranate seeds that complemented the savoury dish splendidly.

Reason No. 4: OUTDOOR GRILL
Adjourn to the outdoor grill section where one gets different kinds of marinated meats hot of the grill. We tried the thinly-sliced beef whose juices are duly retained. Some options like the pre-grilled items like pork fillets or lamp chops resided in the buffet warmer but I think it's still best to go for those freshly grilled items.

Reason No. 5: FRENCH DESSERTS
Attention gravitates towards the dessert counter, where a spread of tantalizing treats created by award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Maugardwho has honed his skills at several Michelin-star establishments over his 17 years of pastry career. This year's highlight is theVanilla Pineapple Roasted Confit, Coconut Biscuit, Mango and Yuzu log cake.

Don't wrong the cake if you couldn't detect any crunch as the "Biscuit" is not literally the biscuit, but a dacquoise layer that is saturated with fragrant coconut shreds. Each segment had its own sea of significance but they seemed to bumped corners with another in what seemed to be an arbitrary assemblage.

The Raspberry flavoured Grand Marnier and "Guanaja" Chocolate Christmas Yule Log Cake is a comfortable partnership of flavours but I wished the Grand Marnier flavour could be more pronounced. Nonetheless, the texture of the chocolate mousse is astoundingly velvety, just like the excellent Panna Cotta which I had previously at Pontini.

Freshly made on the spot, the golden waffles with crisp browned edges and a tender, not-too-sweet interior is also worth a spot in the limited stomach space. Highly flexible to go along with any savoury ingredients like smoked salmon or sweet creamy ice cream.

For a traditional Italian Christmas, hop to Pontini at the second floor where you can indulge in a 7-course dinner set menu ($128++) featuring slow poached red gurnard fillet, stuffed premium suckling pig and limoncello truffle ice cream with chilled wild berries soup and mint-almond biscuit.

Festive Buffet @ Cafe Brio's (Now till 30 Dec except 24th/25th)

Lunch Adult $52//Child $26 (weekdays)

Dinner Adult $62//Child $31 (Mon-Thurs) Adult $72//Child $36 (Fri-Sun)

An exclusive buffet spread will be served on 24th (lunch/dinner) and 25th (brunch, dinner)

Place your booking before 13 Dec 2014 to enjoy 20% off on 24th and 25th!

Full information here

Festive Takeaway at Goodie House
Yule Log Cakes, X'mas cookies, stollen, orange cinnamon loaf, etc.
From $9.00 onwards
Place your order before 13 Dec 2014 and enjoy up to 20% early bird discount
Full info here

Cafe Brio's

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
Lunch 12noon-2.30pm
Dinner 6pm-10pm
Click here for the list of ongoing dining specials
https://www.facebook.com/GrandCopthorneWaterfrontHotel

Special thanks to Jennifer for hosting the dinner!

Get ready for a sugar-fueled festive season with the array of sweet treats at O'Coffee Club. Before the wave of artisan coffee culture invaded our shores, it might be the place to go for coffee lovers but it was my sweet sanctuary for some indulgent mud pies. This season, the usual chocolate Mudpie undergoes a festive makeover to assume a refreshingly light character with strawberry sorbet, honey parfait ice cream and almond nibs, mint flavored Italian meringue called Jolly Mud Pie ($12.20++).

Jolly Mud Pie ($12.20++).

The Joy ($9++) also marks another joyous but short-lived moment where the Grand Marnier Parfait, raspberry sorbet, barely supported by an almond nibs base, disintegrates rapidly under the heat. It's delicate and fruity, though the Grand Marnier was drowned by the sugar.

One of the three new Yule log cakes dished out this year is the White Lychee Christmas, an orange flavored traditional Swiss roll swirled with sweet raspberry jam and a rose essence cream at the centre. It sounded like an inspiration from Pierre Herme's Ispahan but did not quite captivate the senses, with a too-buttery lychee emulsion frosting and timid floral notes. Stick to the classical Chocolate Wonderland for a more playful textural contrast between the crunchy praline and savoury dense cream cheese body.

Instead of the triple Christmas Edition macarons that crack like egg shells, the assorted butter cookies may work better as gifts. There are the rustic Oat & Raisins ($13.50/jar) and vanilla-coco hybrid Checkerboard Cookies($18/jar) but the cream of the crop is none other than the humble Sables ($17.80/jar) cookies. Delicately light and buttery, they are irrevocably the best discovered gems at Coffee Club.

Another of my personal favourite is the Christmas stollen (approx $14 nett/400g), a light buttery dough underneath a lovely brown crust, that sported just the right amount of plump golden sultanas and mixed fruits without being overwhelming.

The Praline box ($24/12) makes great gift options too. Containing four assorted flavours of Earl Grey Raspberry, Grand Marnier Sesame, Baileys and Crispy Chocolate Feuilletine, each bite-size pralines is encased in a thin chocolate shell brushed with a festive garnish.

O coffee club also offers a festive dine-in menu that are ideal for those looking to feast on a budget. The ala carte items feature Smoked Duck Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette ($12++), a heartwarming Turkey & Mushroom Roulade served with Cranberry Compote, butter carrots, asparagus ($18.90++) and Roasted Chicken & Mixed Mushroom Pasta tossed in truffle cream ($16++). In fact, there is also a catering menu from which you can order your favourite items for the Christmas home party.

Festive sweets such as Yule log cakes, cookies, pralines, etc. are available for takeaway till 22 Dec, delivery and self collection till 31 Dec

O' Coffee Club
Outlets at Raffles Place, Capital Square, The Central, Holland Village, etc.
For full outlet listings,
visit http://www.ocoffeeclub.com/

Special thanks to Mag, Sixthsense and O' Coffee Club

做女人不容易。做美丽的女人更不容易。继《红楼梦》和《西游记》之后，四季酒店江南春中餐厅总厨再次率领其团队以精湛的厨艺来诠释中国古代四大美人的凄美故事。“四大美人宴”的每一道菜色不仅蕴藏了典故，更娓娓道出了人生百态。

这场文学飨宴以 “国色天香四美图”打头阵，拼凑出四大美人的特征。荔枝鸡尾酒番茄、琵琶豆腐、鱼子酱芝麻鹅肝、海鲜水饺分别代表杨贵妃、王昭君、貂蝉和西施。难得看到四大美人齐聚一堂，争妍斗丽，这道前菜的魅力非“闭月羞花、沉鱼落雁”足以形容。

据说，杨贵妃是因为“气质非凡”，身上有“XX” ，所以喜欢泡美人浴。“春寒赐浴华清池，温泉水滑洗凝脂”，这道滋补养颜的炖汤刻画出杨贵妃一边品尝荔枝，一边沐浴于华清池温泉水的旖旎风光。此炖汤食材珍贵足以媲美杨贵妃手里那还含着“鲜露”的荔枝，其中不仅有南非六头鲍、还有淮山等，分量十足，尽显豪气。想知道为什么杨贵妃的荔枝在当时造成轰动？身上的“XX” 究竟是什么？品尝过这场文学飨宴便自有分晓！

师傅说这道“俪影赛鱼儿”是当中最具挑战性的一道菜。餐厅团队用不同的食材搭配，试了将近17次才抓住西施美得“沉鱼”的精髓。上菜时，撒在上方的黑松露早已虏获我的芳心。师傅用越南薄饼皮将白皙嫩滑的鳕鱼与爽脆的沙葛和野真菌包裹起来，淋上高汤和几滴橄榄油。这看起来像不像是西施于溪水中浣纱时那婀娜多姿的俏影呢？难怪水里的鱼儿都迷醉于她一袭白裙之下，忘了游水而沉落河底……最终成为我们的桌上佳肴！

这道“一曲琵琶忆乡思”看起来像不像一道本土美食呢？话说王昭君为了西汉与匈奴之间的和平，毅然告别故乡，出塞和亲。昭君的思乡之情正如异乡游子想念家的味道一样。对思乡游子而言，再怎么美味的珍馐也不如简单熟悉的民间美食。烧鸡弹爽滑嫩，上层的微甜酱汁份量略嫌不足，不过陪衬的香脆鸡饭球挽回不少分数。那特制辣椒酱充分挑逗味蕾，叫人一尝难忘。

自古以来英雄难过美人关。绝世佳人貂蝉使出“美人计” 把董卓和吕布迷得神魂颠倒，我也不禁拜倒在这道富有巧思的矜贵甜品的石榴裙下。顺滑如丝绸质感的黑芝麻布丁铺上爽脆的燕窝，搭配酥脆的咸蛋酥，一口咬下去，那热腾腾的杏仁内陷瞬间在嘴里流淌。杏仁的香气一股劲扑过来，层次丰富，让我无法抵挡。这道甜品仿佛是貂蝉的人生写照：外表天生丽质，聪明伶俐，内心却是如此脱俗潇洒、汹涌澎湃。殊不知貂蝉其实牺牲了自己的爱情、为国献身……此时此刻，嘴里的甜就有如镜花里的惊鸿一梦。。。。。。

这场五道菜的飨宴通过文艺的方式赋予食物一种新的灵魂。富有文学气息、让人叹为观止的菜色固然征服了众人的味蕾，但更重要的是，在那光鲜亮丽的外表下，我看到了四大美女脆弱孤独的一面。一边听着故事一边品尝眼前的菜肴，四大美人的坎坷人生仿佛历历在目。这场文学飨宴，让人吃得喜悦，也不禁让人吃得心碎！

想要一睹四大美人的风采吗？从即日起至1月31日到四季酒店江南春就能享受这场文学飨宴。每人收费$148++。

Food Literature Series : Four Beauties

四季酒店江南春

Jiang Nan Chun @ Four Seasons

11.30am-2.30pm daily

6pm-10.30pm daily

Visit here for reservations and more information

欲知更多详情，请点阅这里

鸣谢江南春四季酒店的美食特邀

I rarely touch coffee but when it comes to chocolate-coated coffee beans, my hands cannot stop.

As a snack huntress who loves to browse supermarket shelves or confectionary shops for the perfect nibblings, I have noticed a strange shortage of chocolate-coated coffee beans in Singapore, as compared to Japan where major confectionary producers would count them as one of their regular items. Finally after much anticipation, ROCQ Star, the first chocolate brand in Singapore to launch chocolate-coated coffee beans, is now born and their products are now distributed at retail stores......

Priced at $3.90 per pouch, the chocolate coffee beans proved to be a dangerous snack as one can easily polished the entire pack at one go. It is rather pointless to pick between Espresso and Mocha as both were good and not too sweet. Once you experience the crunch and bitter caffeine kick from each of these dark morsels, you will understand why they are irresistible.

For the fruit lovers, there are Cranberries and Raisins coated in dark chocolate. The cranberries aren't exactly tart but the rich and smooth dark chocolate helped to boost the natural taste of the fruits. I thought they were better than the nut options to satisfy the sugar craving after dinner without giving too much guilt.

In the nuts category, there are no peanuts but hazelnuts and almonds, expertly roasted and drenched in dark chocolate. There is more than meets the eye for these snacks as they are great source of antioxidants and vitamins. Moreover, all products are FREE of preservatives, artificial coloring, flavorings and sweeteners. Grab yours now at the nearest retail store for just $6.90 per pack.

To celebrate the launch, there is an ongoing #IAmARocqStar social media campaign which you can stand a chance to win ONE YEAR's supply of ROCQ STAR Choc-Pops (worth $600)! YES, one year!

All you need to do is:

1) Follow ROCQ STAR on Instagram (@rocqstarsg)

2) Post a photo showing why you are a ROCQ STAR on Instagram

3) Hashtag #IAmARocqStar + #rocqstar

4) Caption why you are a ROCQ STAR (e.g. #IAmARocqStar because I love helping my friends! #rocqstar)

5) Like ROCQ STAR SG's Facebook page

21 winners will be chosen as finalists, based on judges’ discretion

The public can then vote for their favourite ROCQ STAR!

Winners will be chosen based on 40% public voting, and 60% judges’ discretion.

Submissions close on 31 December 2014.

ROCQ Star

Cold Storage (All ROCQ Star Products)

Giant ( All Fruits and Nuts Pops)

SPC/Caltex (Almond, Cranberry, Coffee Beans)

Cheers (Coffee Beans)

NTUC (Currently unavailable)

Where it comes to Christmas feasts, one can barely count the number of buffets with ten fingers. But when it comes to a multi-course Christmas dinner, especially a traditional British one, I think the Royal Mail Bar is the only one in Singapore. From now to 2nd January 2015, one can pick and match an exquisite 2-course at $35 or 3-course set lunch at $38!

Highlights for the starters include the Bay Scallops Salad with Walnut Mustard Dressing. Expertly cooked till the surface were lightly browned, the scallops were sweet and tender, complemented by red radish and mesclun at the side.

Chestnut Soup with Chestnut crumble, balsamic oil grissini breadstick

To most people, chestnuts means turkey stuffing or Mont Blanc. But here, chestnuts mean soup, a luxuriously creamy dish with bold splashes of subtly sweet balsamic vinegar reduction, giving it a great a multi-dimensional sweetness. Bread is not missed here for the crunchy grissini breadstick works even better with the soup. Or one may consider soaking some of the amuse bouche of an aromatic, albeit deflated, Gruyere Cheese Choux puff into the soup!

Turkey Breast Blanquette, with Winter Vegetables and Truffle Cream

Surprises never ceased as we were served a Turkey Breast Blanquette which was so unyieldingly tender and succulent that one would never imagined that it was a turkey. "Blanquette" generally refers to braised items in white sauces or stews for white meat. However, prior marination before the sous vide process resulted in a flavourful cut on its own even without the fragrant truffle cream--a minimalist dream come true.

Monkfish Medallion Fillet with Roasted Shallots, Baby spinach, porcini mushrooms and port wine sauce

It is good to take a break from salmon and try the Monkfish Medallion Fillet, which is seldom found in local restaurants but very common in Japanese hotpot during winter. Perhaps some people might have already eaten it's liver known as "ankimo" or "foie gras of the sea", a prized delicacy on sushi or served raw in ponzu vinegar. However, the ironic truth is that monkish is also popularly known as the "Poor Man's lobster" for it has a meaty, chewy and sweet texture similar to lobster. But it was another dish executed masterfully and complemented well with the port wine sauce.

On the other hand, the Duck Leg Confit with Roasted Potato, Green Lentil-scented mustard with brown gravy was a little lost on us. The meat seemed inconsistently done as some were tougher to chow than the others, though the skin was gratifyingly crisp. The lentils were also slightly undercooked.

The idea of a traditional Christmas truly shined forth in the desserts, where there are plenty of familiar wintry sweets such as the Ginger Creme Pot with Rhum Baba and Kumquat Compote. But to some, Christmas isn't Christmas without an old-fashioned pudding. Instead of being chocked full of dried fruits, the version is a clean date pudding with a moist, dense texture. All is needed is more brandy to make this a satisfying adult treat.

Similarly, kirsch liquor was in short supply for the cream filling of the Black Forest log cake. The texture of the whipped Varlhona chocolate frosting resembled more of chantily cream than ganache, but it was light and not too sweet. A little more variation would create more excitement in this dish.

A glorious mess it is, the Eton Mess was the most memorable dessert that night. It's better than a pavlova, as the sweet-salty manipulation between the fresh meringue shards and salted caramel sauce was deftly achieved. Loads of rich fattening devon cream but that's the way it should be. Thankfully this is not only a festive dessert but a regular item available throughout the year!

The Royal Mail Restaurant

Ascott Raffles Place Singapore

2 Finlayson Green Singapore 049247
Mon – Fri Breakfast: 6.30am-10.30am
Mon – Fri Lunch: 12 noon-3pm
Mon – Sat Dinner: 6.30pm-11pm

Festive Set Lunch from $35 and Festive Set Dinner at $88++

For full Christmas and New Year Menu, visit here

Not a great fan of gingerbread man? Why not try the gingerbread latte at Joe and Dough?

The seasonal brew is not overpowered by spices but has a well-rounded smooth taste with lingering aroma of nutmeg and cinnamon. This is one of the festive items launched at Joe and Dough, a 6-year old homegrown cafe establishment which takes pride in serving quality coffee and fresh wholesome food. Run by a passionate husband-and-wife-team, Damien Koh and Dawn Wee, this local brand remains unfazed against Starbucks' muscles and continues to expand with latest outlets at Kallang and Novena.

Besides the gingerbread latte which pairs very well with the two creative named gingerbread "Hansel & Gretel" ($3.20 each), there is a huge, gorgeous Varlhona Chocolate Noel Cake with Mixed Berries.

Clad in 62% Varlhona Satilia chocolate ganache and rolled in 33% Varlhona Opaly white chocolate cream, there is tinge of roasted almond aroma in the deep chocolatey profile that contrasts well with the light filling in the middle. The bright tart berries give the cake a lot of zip but I wish the sponge could be more moist and more chocolate ganache to illuminate the dark beauty of Varlhona. But at $6.80 per single slice roll, it is quite a steal.

I was worried that the pairing of Turkey Ham with Brie Cheese ($9.50) would make this an intensely savory sandwich but it was not! Sweet cranberries and refreshing wild rocket provided an excellent support for the creamy brie and moist flavorful meat, all barely stuffed within a crusty home-made cheddar cheese baguette. If only this special X'mas hot sandwich was for life and not only for this season......

Nevertheless, the tasty regular items would keep us coming back for more. For instance, the Spicy Surimi Crab Sandwich ($8.50) was an unexpected triumph. Between two slices of warm, fluffy sesame brioche, generous heaps of shredded crab smothered in light mayonnaise were piled neatly on fresh lettuce. There isn't much of the spicy kick, but the tangy mayo juices kept us working through to the final crumb.

Like the Christmas Roll cake, all pastries and bread are produced in-house and they were well above the average cafe standards, if not pleasantly satisfying. I urged anyone to try the Blueberry Yoghurt Tart ($6.50), which is no flouncy haute tart but one of a silky-textured, gelatinous filling with hints of tart. Surrounded by a crumbly digestive fortress wall which caused a mess on a plate that anyone would be happy to clean up.

Instead of the Strawberries & Custard ($5.800 that owned a slightly clumpy cream, the Chocolate Trio ($6.50) is one to order. Dominated by white chocolate and milk chocolate mousse, the cake did not fit quite into the concept of "trio" but it was unexpectedly lighter than it looked, with a superbly crunchy Feuilettine base that would appeal to anyone.

Served warm and fluffy, the Cinnamon Melt ($2.80) was less dense than most of the sugar laden American swirled brioches and filled with fresh crunchy walnuts. A pity that the icing frosting did not melt into a sticky gooey pool. There are plenty of lemon tarts but few is as delicious as the Tangy Lemon Tart ($4.80). There is a sweet tart vibe to the creamy filling within the crumbly shell, baked to a nice chocolate-brown shade. Definitely goes well with our matcha latte ($5.40)

Shirley @ littlemissbento making her "Rilakkuma" Latte that made everyone go WOW!!

At the end of the meal, we were treated to a coffee appreciation session, during which we went behind the scenes to understand the secrets behind the perfect brew. Our coffee barista trainer, Adrian, not only knows his coffee beans well but also guides us patiently through the steps of coffee-making. Dedicated to serve the best quality coffee, the team roasts Arabica beans of the finest quality in small batches and grounds them upon order. I may not remember much of the technicalities, but my appreciation of coffee truly grew after the session. Most importantly,I also see the care, sincerity and pride that goes into every cup.

Interestingly, "Joe" refers to the name of an American navy commander called "Josephius" who indirectly brought the rise in coffee consumption with his notorious alcohol ban. But at the heart of Joe and Dough is a humble local dream driven by passion to succeed. The team confess that they don't do a lot, but I don't see the need to. With good honest coffee, home-made bread and pastries made by people who care, Joe & Dough is another successful Singapore story that shines like no other.

Joe & Dough

Various Outlets: Leisure Park Kallang, Orchard Gateway, Millenia Walk,

Marina Bay Link Mall, Income at Raffles, Golden Shoe Car Park

Details on http://www.joeanddough.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeanddough

~LOGCAKE GIVEAWAY~

Joe & Dough is giving 2 logcakes this Christmas! Simply hop over to their instagram account ( @joendough) for more details! Good Luck!

What is Christmas without a requisite fruit cake? Mariette have come up with the convenient dessert solution for your Christmas party this year. One of the four seasonal edition flavours, the Mixed Fruits and Nuts tea cake is choked full of ingredients to keep the mouth busy. There isn't much of the traditional booze here, but this makes it a great appeal for kids.

I gleaned in delight as I opened the pack of Apple Cinnamon & Raisin (see top pic). Lightly spiced cinnamon aroma and crumble toppings were indicators of a potential cake and yes, this did not disappoint. Tender and less sweet than the previous one, it would own a permanent spot in my fridge if there were more were more buttery crumbles.

Exclusively only at Fairprice stores, the Matcha and Azuki Red beans worked their magic in this lusciously dark green cake. With robust, genuine green tea undertones and tight reins on sugar, this is the perfect breakfast, served warm with a cup of milk.

As much as I love the matcha Azuki flavour, the Red Velvet Cheese Swirl left me with the deepest impression. There is a more full-bodied savory flavor when the cheese is baked together into the cake, bringing it a notch above the typical red velvet with cream cheese frosting.

All these four freezer cakes are Trans-fat free and retailing at $8.90. And good news is that the original flavours like Salted Caramel or Chocolate Lava is now promotion price of $6.90 (up to $7.90). Buy any two at NTUC Fairprice and get a Mariette Cake Slicer for FREE!

Seasonal flavours tend to be hit-and-miss but not the case for these limited editions treats, especially the Red Velvet and Matcha Azuki. Looks like I have to jot them down on my grocery lists before they vanish from the shelves on 31 January 2015!

Click here to check out regular flavours.

Mariette Seasonal Edition Tea Cakes

Available at selected outlets of the following supermarkets:

FairPrice (All 7 flavours except Apple Cinnamon and Raisins)

Cold Storage (All except Matcha Azuki Beans)

From its classic Carrot cake to Middle Eastern inspired Sesame Tahini Cake, Cedele's organic cakes have always impressed with their light, delicate, exceptionally moist cake layers and this is no exception for Christmas log cakes. Blessed with a touch of zen, the Green Tea Yule Log ($8.50++) is such a wonderful and joyous thing to eat because of its unrivalled intense flavours and superbly fluffy green tea sponge. One bite simply tells it all-- a genuine matcha cake that in on par or even better than some in Japan.
The bonus lies in the smooth black sesame mousse, a much better match than red beans in my opinion. I'm thankful to have found my BEST Matcha Roll Cake in Singapore.

Yuzu Pistachio logcake ($8.50++) is also another stunning creation where the nutty pistachio cream with plenty of grinded nuts are rolled in feathery light sponge and smeared with a tart citrusy cheese frosting. Organic unrefined sugar and grapeseed oil is used

Since it is now the festive season, we decided to try theall-day Christmas set menu which features a Grilled Turkey Bacon Roulade (or any other main course) + Christmas cake (or any chilled cakes) + coffee/tea at $35++.

Filled with basil pesto and red pepper, the turkey was well-seasoned but too chewy for my liking. It didn't help that the bacon lacked the crisp as well. But the sides and condiments were unique and tasty. The strawberry cranberry chutney had some plump cooked-down strawberries which added some juicy bites while the orange mash turned out to be sweet Kumara (New Zealand Sweet Potatoes)!! Lovely!

Speaking of strawberries, we had the X'mas Strawberry Champagne Cheesecake, which enchanted me not with the posh wine taste but finely-textured salty chocolate cake base, so moist that oozes juices with the slightest pressure of the dessert spoon. It is dense enough to be satisfying, but not so rich that you have a problem finishing it.

Forget about the soggy anemic pastry base of this Pumpkin cake($5.50++) . Creamy, dense and comforting, the expertly baked pumpkin custard married just the right amount of spice to lure me away from the cheesecake.

It would be sacrilege not to mention the Pecan Pie ($6.50++) here as this is one good pie that threw me of the hooks with some awesome tri-layer concoction. Not sure if black treacle is used but every forkful yielded deep molasses flavor from the black eggy curd, the best part of the pie that made me forgive the stodgy pastry crust. If you do not mind too much chopped nuts, this would be up the alleys.

Though PODI and Cedele belongs to the same company, I find that Cedele's cakes/pastries are of higher and more consistent quality. I was so happy with the cakes that I took away a Pandan Coconut cupcake home! Other festive treats include a decadent Black Forest Cheesecake, Blueberry Minced Pies and an interesting Christmas Brown Bread made with Gula Melaka and raisins.

A return visit to chronicle more delicious food here is my new year resolution.

Cedele Singapore

All-day dine in Xmas menu at Great World City, Paragon, Wheelock Place and Raffles Place outlet

For full menu and store locator, visit https://www.facebook.com/cedelesingapore

Tip Top is not a new name to many Singaporeans, especially those who lived in Ang Mo Kio area. Famous for its "tip top" curry puff, it has now launched an all-new Nyonya Beef Rendang ($1.40) curry puff, created from a home recipe by simmering beef with spices for long hours.
From its humble beginnings as a kopitiam stall in 1979, Tip Top has expanded to 5 outlets and more are slated to opened in 2015, including Changi Airport Terminal 2 and 3 (Transit)! Times may have changed but the recipe and production method remained the same. Each puff is still handmade with all ingredients prepared from scratch. It was sheer joy tucking into the new Beef Rendang because the meat is soft and not too dry, with a tantalizing subtle sweetness that is not usually found in curry puffs.

Across all three types of curry puff, the ratio of filling to skin was perfect, but the quality of the pastry skin wielded less clout among the curry puffs specialists in Singapore. Even after trying to toast or microwave them, the pastry skin remained soft and pliable, yet achieving its full potential of crisp and flakiness.

Nonetheless, the excellent fillings cannot be overlooked. I enjoyed the Sardines ($1.40) very much because it was not only tangy but the addition of Chilli and chili padi imbued another dimension of heat that complemented the soft caramelized onions. But for non-regular chilli eaters, do stand by a cup of water.

The best is still of course, the top-selling curry chicken curry puff ($1.40). I don't know and I doubt I'll never know which 18 spices have been handpicked and blended into the curry paste (secret formula). However, every bite is bursting with robust flavours, as if I was digging into a pot of curry chicken. Chunky chicken cubes, smooth curried potato, slices of boiled eggs, it's a simple yet profound snack that holds a special position in the hearts of many Singaporeans.

From 26th Dec 2014 to 7th Jan 2015, all curry puffs will be sold at $1 (up to $1.40) at a temporary booth in Takashimaya Orchard basement.

Tip Top

AMK Outlet Blk 722, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, #01-2843,

Singapore 560722

Daily 8am-10pm

Other outlets: Changi Airport Terminal 2,

Raffles City Shopping Center, One Raffles Place

More details: www.tiptopcurrypuff.com

www.facebook.com/TipTopSG

If you happen to spot a white color mousse cake studded with dried fruits called "Cassata Siciliana" at any local patisserie, don't think much, just get it. It is such a traditional and peripheral cake that few pastry chefs in Singapore would ever think of making one. The rarity drove me to get a slice at Dolcetto by Basilico, despite being already full to the brims.

This Italian pastry shop used to be my to-go place for takeaway pastries when it was still under the name of "Something to Go". The interior and menu have been revamped, but the signatures like Strawberry Torte, Praline Torte and Espresso Tiramisu still stay. In the spirit of all things Italian, all the pastries here that involved chocolate are made with Tuscany's organic chocolate brand Amedei, which is perhaps also one of the world's most expensive chocolate.

Take for example the Amedei Chocolate Pumpkin Tart ($9) that took a sinful detour from the usual pumpkin pie. The mastery of the cacao tones is virtually undisputed, so does the crisp tart shell which not overworked and perfect in volume with the filling. Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients but the taste seemed to have wandered off to elsewhere and did not meld together with the chocolate

The Praline Torte ($9) is hard not to love with the appealing crunchy base. But I was craving for something less milky, something more intense and I figured that the other option of Amedei Dark Chocolate Cake would have satisfied my lust for chocolate.

Bright juicy and sweet, the soft chunks of pineapple rested amidst the delectable vanilla baked custard in this humble Italian Crostata ($9). But instead of being served the traditional family way in big, rustic free-form version, it has been elevated to the fine ranks of French gateaux with mild "Violette perfumes" and a touch of gold on top of the dainty raspberries.

The Espresso Marsala Christmas Cake ($9) was our unanimous pick. It might seem like a messy pile of various textures (crunch, custard, sponge, ganache, gelee) but I loved the sweetness from the Marsala wine even though the espresso kick wasn't assertive as I had imagined. And of course the delightful sound of the crushed chocolate pearls is music to the ears.

One can't miss the conspicuous fresh-baked pane (breads) that are stacked along the wall. We've finally got a taste of the famous squid ink panini with fresh king crab and prawns ($13), a hearty dense and chewy sandwich that seemed a little deprived of tantalizing juices from the filling. The Roasted Chicken & Cheese Foccacia might not be brimming with luxury ingredients but the flavors were simple and comforting.

Many may raise eyebrows at the sight of Squid Ink Salmon Macaron but it is quite a success. In fact, a good step to convert those who usually steer away from these sugary meringue bites. The chewy shells appeared rather flattened but the flavors were spot on, especially the Vanilla Prosecco and Cassis.

Since it's Christmas, the Italian doughnut turns into a plump, glittering Christmas tree. See that hole at the corner? It's the source of goodness, the gateway to gooeylicious blueberry jam and custard heaven.

But back to the story on the Cassata Siciliana ($9), it would do this cake (and the chef) much grievance if you associate this with the sugar-laden cloyingly sweet fruit cake just because it contains dried fruits. It is more than a bit understated in appearance. Yet the consistency of the ricotta cream layer is mind-bogglingly good; of the most sublime crème studded with pistachio nuts and cherries in their most innocent form. Belying truly delicious Italian flavors beneath the old fashion facade, this piece is one that would be glued to my memory.

Dolcetto by Basilico

Cuscaden Road, Regent Singapore

Singapore 249715

Daily 7.30am-9pm
http://www.regenthotels.com/EN/Singapore/Cuisine/Dolcetto-by-Basilico

**Updates**

I thought it is good to chronicle my final visit to Gontran Cherrier Tokyo before I flew back because I've discovered some delicious stuff there again.

I'm super picky when it comes to choosing bread or items to be placed on the tray. My eyes usually zoom into those that looked more fully-baked (ok even if it's slightly burnt) and with more fillings. After much deliberation, I managed to select this Green Tea White Chocolate Scone out of the freshly baked batch and oh my, this was so heavenly delicious!

Squarish and studded with plenty of medium sized WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNKS, this boasted crumbly edges and an evident green tea taste in the tender interior. It was sweeter than the average scone but that's what made me love it so much.

These Boule De Neige aren't exactly those ultra-sugary snowballs. Instead, they veer more towards a buttery and crumbly sables. The taste of Matcha and Houjicha were strong and I regretted NOT getting the last flavour, Kinako. But it's alright, as this means that I have another excuse to come back for more new items and the matcha croquette that I am dying to try.

***************************

I have been dreaming about Gontran Cherrier for the past few weeks.

Of course, I do not refer to the French baker himself but his pastries. A year ago, the space opposite Shinjuku Station and besides Takashimaya Shinjuku and now it had become the third outlet since he opened his flagship store in Shibuya since last August. While some people may think that it is pointless to visit his shop since his recipes are used at Tiong Bahru Bakery (TBB), but trust me, the stuff here is 80% different from what we see in Singapore.

First Visit : 20th October 2013

Perhaps some info about Gontran Cherrier:

Born in 1978 to a family of professional bread/pastries maker. Trained under many Michelin chefs in many different countries since he was 21 . Returned to Paris in 26. Published his recipe books, appeared on TV shows and became a celebrity chef. Opened his first shop in Paris 2010. 3 shops in Paris. 3 shops in Singapore and 3 shops in Tokyo.

What's good:
A MUST TRY bread which practically every Japanese customer places on his/her tray is the Croissant au Matcha et Citron 250 yen.

Wonderfully flaky and yet the inner dough retains the soft, stretchable texture. Has an earthy flavour with bits of citrus peels within. BUT haha...it's still NOT the BEST croissant in Tokyo.

The Viennoise au matcha et Yuzu confit 180 yen is another heaven match of two favorite ingredients. I found it boring at first for there is nothing inside. But the more you pluck the bread into your mouth, the more you can taste its subtle sweetness and catch the light aroma.

Muffin au cafe et Creme patisserie. 230 yen: I never order muffin if I can choose but my friend was a muffin lover. And so we had the staff warmed it up for us just like the earlier two pastries. Oh my, it's good. Not greasy, not too dense like a pound cake (which is unfortunately the case for most muffins). Strong roasted coffee flavour balanced by a moist semi-custardy filling in the centre.

Chou ala creme au potimarron aka Pumpkin Cream Puff 300 yen: Slightly sweet yet crunchy crust with smooth pumpkin filling, fresh cream and a surprise vanilla custard at the base. Not only larger in size, this one also offers more interesting components and better choux texture than his overpriced chocolate cream puff at TBB.

Mass Destruction Time!!

Kouig Annan 230yen: An all-time favourite pastry of mine and most people (I believe) because it's shiny caramelized surface just beckons at you to pick one to your tray. Slightly smaller than in TBB but less doughy and cloying to the touch. Each bite crackles with a pleasant sound, but this would be perfect with more salt. The sweetness is just right.

Moving on to "What's average and can be skipped"......
Strawberry Roll Cake 420 yen : Too safe and predictable. Quite sweet too. Can find similar quality in convenience stores

Chocolate Millefeuille 420 yen: The chocolate cream can grow to be sickeningly sweet after a while. Puff pastry is marginally crisp but not consistent.

Yuzu Fromage Tart 420 yen
This seems to be the signature gateaux since it is the only one that appeared on the official website. Rare cheese with a yuzu cream center was light and creamy but the biscuit base was a failure. In general, skip the cakes and go for the bread

Gontran Cherrier's signature and baguette wall paintings on the 2nd floor

What's disappointing:
The Yuzu Sable (120 yen) was strangely bitter. No taste of sugar but a bitter cookie with no sight of any Yuzu taste or fragrant. And this made me hesitant to try their other biscuit selections.

Smoked Iwashi with Yuzu Pepper Quiche 360 yen
Did they dump the whole bag of salt into the egg mixture? Smoke Iwashi (sardine) was already very salty and it became worse when I reached the custard. Even the underbaked tart shell could not provide temporary relief to the saltiness. And so it was a great surprise to still be able to catch the sourishness of Yuzu.

Here are more of the bread selection:
A popular item is the chestnut cream filled croissant tower poked with a French Flag, besides the apple puff and signature plain croissant.

(From left to right clockwise) Jasmine Tea and Banana Tart, Pumpkin Brioche, Pumpkin Danish, White Chocolate and Green Tea Scone

(From left to right clockwise) Tart Flambe, Croissant with Ham & Cheese, Avocado & Bacon Foccacia, Olives and Anchovies Foccacia (the black one)

The price range is higher than most local Japanese bakeries but similar to other French bakeries like Joel Robuchon boutique. You can ask the staff to warm your bread BUT do not expect it to reach your ideal temperature because the service staff just put it in the oven (not microwave) for less than 30 seconds and dish it back to you, urging you to leave the counter after payment. Though it is understandable that they wish to ease the queue as fast as possible, the service level still has room for improvement.

Nonetheless, one can still find a seat easily in the dining area on the second level even during a crowded Sunday afternoon despite the fact that the seats are fewer than TBB at Raffles City Basement.

On my last visit, the Matcha Palmier and Matcha Croquant were stopped till further notice. Hopefully they will be back soon.

Gontran Cherrier Tokyo ゴントランシェリエ東京

Shinjuku Terrace

Shibuya-Ku Yoyogi 2-2-1

No fixed rest days

Daily: 7.30am-10pm (Most bread are only available after 11am)

http://gontran-cherrier.jp/

You can connect with me on facebook for latest updates

It has been a long time since I truly felt touched by honestly good food.

The moment I bite into the Kale and Mushroom, the cacophony of flavours simply exploded in my mouth without warning. Sweet, spicy, tangy......how can this humble looking sandwich taste so fabulous? I could not suppress my excitement and wanted to find out what magic has gone into this sandwich.

"It's Chilli flakes that we've infused into the olive oil and that tang comes from the clots of lemon milk juice cream you see on top of the mushrooms." answered the owner Traveen in a slow-paced Norwegian accent. Chilli flakes and lemon milk juice? WOW.

This brilliant inspiration can only be found here at Smor, Singapore's first Scandinavian Deli that is opened by food enthusiast twin brothers Traveen and Tarun Gulrajani. They were so captivated by the concept of Smorrebrod (which means "butter bread") during their 3-month tour of 12 Scandinavian cities that they decided to bring it to Singapore, elevating to an artisan level with quality ingredients all sources from Scandinavia.

It is not only the quality ingredients that make this worth. Like the Kale and Mushroom, the Crunchy Bacon is piled onto buttery and crisp toasted brioche bread that doesn't turn claggy with the moisture of tomatoes. Topped with side eggs, wilted baby spinach and shavings of emmental cheese, this warm open-faced sandwich is a great breakfast choice that tickles one's fancy.

These sandwiches worked amazingly better than most cold pleasure-less wraps as they are prepared fresh upon order. The warm versions easily gain the upper hands as our palates acclimatize to the heat but the cold sandwiches are seriously not bad either.

Instead of mundane ingredients like cream cheese and capers, the Smoked Salmon has a lovely acidic-sweet kick coming from the horseradish and dill-infused sweet mustard dressing which I mistaken to be honey at first.

Some might find the Norwegian hand-peeled shrimps to be tad salty but if you factor in the tangy lemon mayonnaise and the sprinkles of chives, it's a simple, refreshing yet addictive combo.  These voluminous seafood filling are stacked onto gluten-free light rye bread is resilient enough to avoid saturation from the extra moisture, yet still soft enough that it doesn't wear out the muscles as you chow into it.

This is probably also the only place in Singapore where you can discover a fair range of Scandinavian chocolate snacks, savoury produce like caviar or coffee. I bought the Jaffa Nougatine bar ($2.50), some really good milk wafers at only $2.50 and the Shuffle Toffee Biscuits, the sinful combination of snickers, Mars and Toackers that are worth the calories.  I have posted the Shuffle Toffee on my instagram here

Was it by chance that we managed to pick all four choices that were delicious? I seriously doubt so. Yes, the price of $6.90 for one sandwich, $12.90 for two and $17.90 for the Viking meal of three might seemed a little pricey or not satisfyingly sufficient for a meal. But trust me, a regular meal of two sandwiches are more than enough to fill you up. Moreover, if it's such a wholesome meal prepared with healthy ingredients, passion and sincerity, why not? 

I seldom say that I will return to try the place but this I shall unabashedly say that a return is a must.

SMOR

#B1-23 One Raffles Place

(Direct underground walk from Raffles MRT)

Mon-Fri 8am-8pm

Sat 9am-4pm

https://www.facebook.com/smor.sg

May 2014 had been a busy month...of eating green stuff. Like most shops elsewhere that are coming up with green items (May is the month of "shin ryoku" aka New Green), Dean & Deluca has also come up with Green Bakery theme where all the baked items contained some green ingredients.

The first item that catches my eye is of course, the military green matcha scone drizzled sparingly with green tea icing sugar.

The first few bites were rather disenchanting as the taste was bland. But after a while, the bitterness starts to emanate and sings along with the dark chocolate. It's just as tasty as the chocolate scone during earlier visit.

The Giant Pistachio Roll looks too yummy to be missed. Similar to a cinnamon roll, the interior is slathered with filling of strawberry jam. The Pistachio cream was very concentrated in sweetness but proportionate to the thickness of the chunky plain brioche.

Kiwi & Chardonnay Pancake, Asparagus Tartine, Pistachio Brioche

This Blueberry Melon Pan in bright purple stood in stark contrast to the green items

Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll

D and D's take on gheclassic American brown bag lunch (or breakfast) is so much than the pistachio because the interior is smeared with lots of unevenly grinded salted peanuts and peanut paste. Crunchy, salty and sweet, this is an all-round indulgent comfort food.

Dean & Deluca Tokyo

Various Stores including Shinjuku, Yurakucho Lumine,

Roppongi Midtown and Tokyo Station.

More info http://www.deandeluca.co.jp/
For the previous visit, click here

$2 for a burger? Yes, it is quite unbelievable that one can still find quality gourmet burgers at such an affordable price (other than McDonald's). This petite slider that punches above the rest comes from Stirling, one of the restaurants along the stretch of food outlets opposite Beauty World Centre in Upp. Bukit Timah Road.

The juicy and tender beef patty has a depth of smokiness that when combined with the cheese, roma tomatoes, garlic aioli, makes for a seriously good bite. This is so good that it makes logical and monetary sense to go full course for the Sirloin Steak Burger ($19+). With a moist and plump Sirloin patty, snuggled in between two halves of a lightly toasted bun, this is even more irresistible because of the Jack Daniel infused Shitake mushroom sauce and zesty coleslaw-like salad that softens the bottom bun.

Taking pride in its grilling techniques, the Signature plate is none other than the slow charcoal grilled steaks that is served with avocado butter ($35+). Both the sirloin and rib-eye have a nice glorious char outside and luscious red interior but sirloin turned out to be the more flavourful and tender cut with a soft pleasant chew even though it has less fat than the ribeye.

The Pan Seared Duck Breast ($25+) did not forge a deep impression because the meat were dry and flavourless. If the duck could be sliced thinner, the dish has potential to shine because the creamy truffle mushrooms and pencil asparagus was delicious.

At Stirling, from meats to cheese, practically anything can be grilled and the standards are consistent. Take for example the Grilled Halloumi Salad ($9+), a mouth-watering mix of baby spinach and slightly crisp Greek cheese, which gets a fresh bright punch from the dressing and tomatoes. Even fruits like watermelon ($12+) were not saved from the hot grill and ended up as a delightful appetizer served with Parma ham and rocket salad.

Among the non-grilled dishes, I prefer the Caesar salad to the bacon wrapped asparagus ($11+) as the hydrating slabs of crisp iceberg lettuce are slathered in the right amount of dressing, with crispy bits of croutons and bacon adding to the decadence.

Surprisingly, there was no grilled desserts, unless you count green tea waffles or crepe as grill items. If dessert is a must, the Mud Pie ($8+) is a dependable choice as it is hard to go wrong with ready-made ice cream and Oreo cookies. However, I would devote the space reserved originally for desserts, all for another plate of Crispy King Salmon ($23+).

With a gently-salted and delicately crisp skin falling away to perfectly cooked interior, this dish is testament of the chef's proficiency. I like the idea of using sesame seeds, seaweed flakes in the creamy mash and the savoury roe toppings as they truly enhanced the taste of the moist pink flesh. If someone were to ask me where in Singapore has the best pan-seared salmon, I would say Stirling.

Stirling
15 Cheong Ching Nam Road
Singapore 599 739
www.stirling.sg
Mon - Thurs:11.30am - 2pm, 6pm - Midnight
Fri and Sat: 11.30am - 2pm, 6pm - 1am
Sunday: 11.30am - 2pm, 6pm - Midnight

Kikumaru is another Wagashi house that is located in Asakusa but off the crowded touristy zone. Hence, it is not surprising to learn that there is no mention of this place on any guide book or tour blog. Like 森の園 Morinoen, it also serves matcha and houjicha parfait. But i decided to kill two birds with one stone by having the Special parfait (¥1100).

There is not much difference compared to other parfaits: bran corn flakes, azuki beans, whipped cream, jelly. But there is a whopping amount of ice cream here: matcha ice cream, Houjicha ice cream and vanilla soft serve. Luckily, the ice cream was not too sugary and their signature anko paste is also worthy of the name. In fact, Kikumaru takes pride in its ingredients as 60% of the soft serve is made with full fat milk and no artificial coloring or sweeteners. A special breed of beans from Furano, Hokkaido, called 赤豌豆Akaendo is also used here.

Instead of the quirky "Versailles Anmitsu" (Anmitsu with a rose shape apricot), I opted for the Uji Kintoki Kakigori (900 yen), adding one scoop of kurogoma ice cream. Doesn't this Kakigori look like a ship?

What is good about this place is the flexibility to change or add on any ice cream flavour of your choice. There were even sake and salt vanilla flavour! A good mid-point rest stop if you are going to explore Asakusa and Kappabashi (Kitchen Street) area. It is also a place that I recommend if you like to avoid the mad crowds at Kagetsudo 花月堂。

P.S. Savoury Menu of Anago Chirashi, Curry bentos, etc. is also available

甘味茶房菊丸 Kikumaru

Tokyo Taito-ku Nishi Asakusa 2-4-1

Fukushima Building 1F

Daily 11.30am-7pm (L.O. 6.30pm)

Nearest Station : Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa 浅草 or Tawaramachi 田原町

http://kanmidokoro-kikumaru.com/

Other nearby eats in Asakusa: Funawa, Kagetsudo , Yoshikami , Tempura Sansada, Umezono

It's interesting to see how ramen moves from reality to virtual space and back to ramen again. Japan's online ramen delivery store, Takumen, has launched its first restaurant not in Japan but in Singapore. Small, brightly lit and minimal, the space is just like a typical ramen-ya in Japan, minus the enthusiastic welcome shouts and loud slurping noises. It currently showcases the signature bowls from 6 famous ramen shops in Japan, each prepared from scratch by one single Japanese chef who has amazingly mastered all the secret formula and recreating the same quality to the smallest detail in the tiny kitchen.

Tori-Paitan Ramen by Hajime 3/5

Ramen is hardly the lightest grub out there and this perfectly oily chicken-broth based ramen by Hajime is no exception. My mouth tells my brain to go on because the broth is pretty flavorful but my eyes tells it to stop because the layer of glistening oil globules is too conspicuous to go unnoticed. This is a dilemma that has yet been resolved but this is the most competitively priced ramen at $14.90. On the side note, the thick chewy noodles did not provide much satisfactory texture compared to the rest, though the "Chicken Char Siew" or chicken breast meat was indeed tender.

Jiro-Inspired Ramen by Chibakara 3.8/5

Ramen Jiro is a ubiquitous Tokyo brand that has earned a cult status for its unmistakable mountain of vegetables toppings and eye-poppingly thick rounds of char siew. However, this Jiro-Inspired Ramen from Chibakara($18.90) looks wimpy in comparison and the meat was tough to chew on the rims, though there was still hearty helping of bean sprouts and sweet cabbage. After giving it a good toss, it does reflect a stark resemblance to our local "Lor Mee".

Diners can choose to customize any ramen here for the healthier "Singapore" version (less oil and salt) and we decided to experiment with this bowl. Yet the flavor after customization remained persistently rich and mellow, and I could imagine how robust it would be if we had the original Japanese version.

Ramen Kurume by Honda Shoten 4/5

For the Tonkotsu purists at heart, Honda Shoten’s Ramen Kurume ($15.90) proved a truly wise investment of calories. It's difficult to argue about the quality of the broth with this shop that hails from Kurume, the city that gave birth to the first Tonkotsu broth in Japan. The bowl is indulgently rich and full-flavored, finished off with two thinly sliced gelatinous char siew that would send you to porky wonderland. But the silver shreds of sour ginger pickles, sesame seeds and crunchy black fungus pulled everything back to reality, leaving a first-rate aftertaste.

Katsura-style Tantan noodles by Bingiri 4.5/5

Can ramen ever be spicy? Yes, when the noodles are not doused simply with mild Japanese ra-yu (chili oil) but attempt a bold and dangerous affair with grinded Sichuan peppercorns that sat afloat the dark red broth. No, I'm not exaggerating to say that this Katsura-style Tantan noodles from Bingiri ($19.90) is a flavour bomb. The spiciness did not really hit at first but built up as I worked on it and my tongue eventually went into temporary numbness. Yet the heat was so addictive and I caved in again.

One amazing fact is that the spicy chilli oil is intensified with not one but THREE kind of pepper and blended with soy sauce base instead of sesame paste. To put off the fire in the tongue, one can munch on the sweet crunchy onions whose supply seemed to be endless in the large bowl. Alternatively, top up $2 for that beautiful onsen (soft-boiled) egg, which really helps to mediate some of the heat. On the hindsight, the more commonly seen parboil egg was slightly overcooked that day.

The basic version of all noodles here does not come with any soft-boil eggs or parboiled eggs. However, I doubt this is a major problem since most self-respecting ramen fans would not bear to miss it. A second outlet has already opened one day after this first outlet and given Takumen's impressive online inventory of over 100 ramen, it is not surprising if these prized 6 ramen spots will be filled up by new brands in 2015. I wait eagerly to see what will be up next.

This article first appeared on SG Food on Foot, an excellent and comprehensive food blog that showcases Singapore's best food near MRT stations.

Takumen

66 Circular Road

#01-¬01

Singapore 049420

Tel: +65 65364875

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takumen.sg

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Fri: 1130am - 12midnight

Sat-Sun & PH: 9am - 12midnight

Mon-Thurs: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm

Fri: 11:30am- 3pm, 5:30pm-Midnight

Sat: 5:30pm-Midnight

Sun: 11:30am-3pm

*Public holidays: 11:30am-3pm

There are few sweet potato specialists in Asakusa and Funawa 舟和 is probably the most famous shop and oldest imo yokan shop in Tokyo (since 1902). Most tourists might have tried the imo yokan soft serve ice cream at its outlet along Nakamise Dori towards the temple direction but do you know that it operates a Wagashi area as well?

Tucked off the busy main street is its main outlet that houses a cafe on the 2nd and 3rd floor. Most people come here for kakigori or anmitsu during summer. Since Funawa is famous for its sweet potato sweets, it has introduced its very own Matcha Sweet Potato Parfait (900 yen)

Though the star is the creamy matcha soft serve, one can dig out several pieces of its signature yokan, together with bitter matcha jelly cubes and two types of Satsuma imo senbei (see that yellow and purple "ears" of the parfait?)

The signature yokan (a kind of traditional condensed bean paste) has been on sales since 1903. It does not contain any preservatives nor artificial flavoring. Still, I found it too sweet but it did pair very well with tea.

Similarly, the Imo Yokan ice cream is just as intense as the yokan itself. But this is probably a good thing since we are all looking out if the flavour of any particular soft serve is discernible, isn't it? And yes, this is pretty yummy.

Besides its main outlet (Honten), there is also another outlet in Asakusa offering a slightly different menu. Other cafe outlets include Takadanobaba and Jiyugaoka but for the quickest access to its traditional sweets, just head to the major depato.

Funawa Asakusa　舟和浅草　Since 1902

Shin Naka-mise Dori (At a corner of Orange Street)

Map Here

Cafe hours: Weekdays 10.30am-7pm

Sat 10am-8pm

Sun/PH 10am-7.30pm

(L.O. 30 minute before closing)

Website http://funawa.jp/

Japanese Menu here

Other nearby eats in Asakusa: Kikumaru, Kagetsudo , Yoshikami , Tempura Sansada, Umezono

If you think that Thai cuisine is all about Tom Yam Soup, Phad Thai or Pineapple Rice, then it's time to make a trip to Spicy Thai Thai Cafe, a casual Thai style eatery in the Aljunied heartlands that serves North-Eastern Thai cuisine with some Teochew flair.

The Claypot Lala Beehoon ($18) justified a visit on its own, with the succulent fresh clams, chillies and moist beehoon that soaked up the peppery broth. The addictive, vibrant flavors immediately sparked an enthusiastic response across the table that borders on mania.

The Fried Lad Na, thai style deep fried hor fun, paled in comparison as the stock was slightly diluted and lacked much aromatic character. Nonetheless, the chef's deft hand in seafood is also evident in the Basil Mussels ($15), submerged in a funky, umami-laden broth enhanced with aromatic cilantro and Thai Chilli.

More delicate tongues can rest eat with the BBQ Pork Collar, slices of beautifully burnished meat with a distinctive caramelized aroma. The Chicken Wings $6 for 4pcs were slicked in a delectably sticky and sweet coating but the meat was too dry.

Some of the cuisine here reminded me of comfort home-cooked dishes that go superbly with a bowl of rice. The Dill Pat Omelette ($8) is a well executed puffy "chye poh neng" that comes without the radish but a special legume called cha om (or English Cattle) that is grown in Thailand. For a unique twist, try the Water Fry egg, a pool of tasty and tender scrambled eggs studded with occasion chopped chillis, spring onions and served with Thai Style Crispy Sun dried fish ($12), which disguised sneakily as the brown conch-like decoration at the corner. Other tasty gear on offer includes the fish cakes and prawn cakes ($2 each)

Looking like the tempura vegetables, the Deep Fried Kangkong ($10) would probably be a great snack to go with beer or simply with the special thai sauce--a nutty, mildly spiced concoction with mixed with minced pork. These were not too greasy but I prefer still prefer stir-fry vegetables because the greens were zapped of its original taste after a dip in the high-temperature oil.

The real treat here is THE FISH. To ensure that the spicy, complex lemon broth stays piping hot till you even finish your desserts, the owner goes the extra mile to serve the Thai Walking Cat Fish ($28) on charcoal , an authentic way of maintaining the heat and quality. With fresh meat of melting texture, this dish kills two birds with one stone as one can skip the Tom Yam Soup and slurp down the hellaciously hot soup to the very last drop.

Something a little more extravagant would be the Red Emperor Fish Snapper (seasonal price) that is steamed and sprinkled with garlic, chilli's and slices of lime. This second fish of the night is as much an achievement as the previous catfish, or perhaps even better as the flavours are sharp and seasoning is bang on.

Other desserts include Thai Red Ruby ($3.50) Lemon Grass Jelly with Aloe Vera Cubes and Calamansi ($2.50)

The desserts were those usual suspects that one would rattle off from a typical Thai menu but they were above pedestrian quality. My favourite was the Tapioca in Coconut Milk ($3.50) . These starchy roots were as soft as sweet potatoes and the warm temperature of coconut milk heightened the natural sweetness--a welcome change from the usual cold, stodgy version. The Sticky Glutinous Rice with Mango ($6) took me by surprise too, with the rice yielded a perfect texture.

Given such an extensive menu of more than 50 items, I am really impressed that the chef can manage to maintain such a stellar quality across most of the dishes here. Though I did not manage to try my favourite Tom Yum Soup or Papaya Salad this time round, I was very satisfied with the robustness of the herbs and spices here. With a constantly changing menu and very reasonable prices, this is definitely another great place for Thai food

Spicy Thai Thai Cafe

Daily 11am-12am

Blk 115 Aljunied Ave 2 #01-35

Singapore 380115

http://spicythaicafe.com/

These little colorful cubes have been around when Tokyo Sky Tree since the landmark opened in 2012. They never truly attracted me because their appearances are too cheesy and seemed like one of those touristy food that lacked quality. Moreover, cream puffs in squares are no longer a novelty. But I decided to give them a chance to try in June 2014 when I was in nearby Asakusa to hunt down some Wagashi houses.

Rated by TokyoWalker as the No.1 omiyage (souvenir) this year, the cube cream puffs are usually available in 8 different flavour, each one either in the simple one with the "Brothers" logo or the other ehem......touristy one with the Tokyo Sky Tree logo.

What makes them special is their "Japanese style" filling. The custard has been blended with shiroan (white bean paste), resulting in a thick velvety texture that is heavier than usual cream puffs. This is similar to the idea adopted at Creme De La Creme, but the custard ratio is much higher here. In addition, Belgium Callebaut chocolate is used, but I doubt if this truly enhances the quality.

Out of the four flavours (Matcha, Raspberry, Caramel and Mango) which I bought (353 Yen Each), the MATCHA is relatively sound but not as outstanding as the CARAMEL The rest were also delicious and not overly sweet. But the pastry aspect was less than remarkable. Perhaps implicated by the sheer volume of the custard, the choux pastry (not brioche disguised as choux) was rather soggy and quite wet at the base. That said, the volume of filling did helped to obscure this flaw and boost the level of satisfaction derived from these treats.

On a side note, BROTHERS is a Kansai pancake cafe opened by 3 "kakoi" (cool) ikemen brothers from the Sakimoto family. Haha, if you are curious about their profile, click here . However, I doubt they were in-charged of the baking as this seemed more like a collaboration with Chef Inamura.

For something good to pack home, I would highly recommend the White Chocolate-coated Vegetable Chips which are creatively packed like a dictionary. Imagine ROYCE's decadent chocolate coated potato chips but a healthier version. Called Vegefri choco + (plus) (743 yen), it contains an amazing variety of 10 different vegetables-- purple imo, sweet potato, pumpkin, bittergourd, banana, apple, lotus, carrots, ladyfingers and long beans. So yummy that I finished reading the entire "book" in one sitting--fastest speed in my life.

One might be tempted to get the boxes of Tiramisu and cheese Millefeuille (1200 yen) which are souvenirs suitable to sit at room temperature. Innovative or convenient as they may seemed, their standards are inevitably compromised. Just stick to the vegetable chips and you'll be jolly.

Brothers パティスリーブラザーズ

Tokyo Sky Tree Solamachi Outlet

Daily 10am-9pm

Menu and details HERE

Brothers Pancake Cafe in Osaka

Website here

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