Well, we are big fans of Korean food and we are delighted to share with you 5 “must-try” dishes at Insadong Korea Town @ Resorts World Sentosa, a one-of-its-kind food and beverage [F&B] concept in Singapore.
A replica of the famous Insa-dong Street in Seoul, Korea; Insadong Korea Town @ Resorts World Sentosa offers an assortment of over 200 types of authentic Korean, Korean-Chinese, Korean-Western, Korean-Japanese dishes and a variety of Korean street food!
Dining Ambience
Whether you are dining in big groups or dining solo, there are ample dining areas that won’t cause you to feel so claustrophobic. Some of the interior decoration are specially flown in from Korea and the wall murals are hand-painted by Korean artists; providing a very authentic and traditional Korean dining setting.
Employing an automated system that allows you to order and pay for your meals, dining at Insadong Korea Town is hassle-free and very convenient.
5 “Must-Try” Dishes at Insadong Korea Town [all prices listed are nett]
Ginseng Chicken Soup, SGD$28
The Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup [also known as Samgyetang in Korean] is a very popular but traditional dish that is believed to prevent illness. At Insadong Korea Town, the recipe for the Ginseng Chicken Soup has been slightly tweaked to suit the local taste buds and it is served alongside with a small dish of milk which you could choose whether to add into the soup or not.
What we really like about the Ginseng Chicken Soup is that the dish is very authentic. The chicken is served whole and it is stuffed with glutinous rice that is mixed with chestnuts. As with all Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup, the flavour is on the lighter side and the chicken meat is soft and tender.
Napa Wraps with Pork, SGD$15
The Napa Wraps with Pork [also known as Bossam in Korean] is a dish where the pork belly meat is boiled in spices, thinly sliced, and served with side dishes like garlic and kimchi; resulting in a very flavourful dish. To eat this dish, the pork belly meat and side dishes are wrapped in the crunchy Napa cabbage.
Authentically prepared and served the Korean way, the Napa Wraps with Pork will definitely whet one’s appetite.
Xiao Long Bao in Kimchi Soup, SGD$13
Whether Xiao Long Bao has its origins in China or Korea, it doesn’t matter because the Xiao Long Bao in Kimchi Soup is a sheer delight! Should you like to increase the spice level, the Xiao Long Bao in Kimchi Soup is served alongside with a small dish of chilli sauce that you can add to the Kimchi Soup. We guarantee you, a bite of the Xiao Long Bao will send you craving for more.
Carbonara Spaghetti, SGD$14
There are many variations of the ever-popular Carbonara Spaghetti and what is really unique about this dish at Insadong Korea Town is the rich and flavourful pumpkin cream sauce that complements the spaghetti. Although the portion of the Carbonara Spaghetti is sizeable enough to satisfy your hunger, having too much of it will make you feel so full that you can’t fill anything else in your stomach.
Watermelon Soju, SGD$30
The Watermelon Soju has got to be our most favourite dish [or should we say dessert/beverage] at Insadong Korea Town and it can serve up to 4 persons. With a bottle of Soju that has an alcohol content of 19.5% mixed into the freshly blended watermelon juice with some cold ice, this delightful dessert/beverage is a real refreshing treat to help you unwind after a day at work! One Watermelon Soju wasn’t enough for us and we definitely will recommend you to order this if you chanced by Insadong Korea Town.
To Go Or Not To Go?
Well, we say, “GO!”
With over 200 types of authentic Korean, Korean-Chinese, Korean-Western, Korean-Japanese dishes and a variety of Korean street food; Insadong Korea Town is definitely a haven for lovers of Korean food. As a matter of fact, we will be visiting Insadong Korea Town again and again to try out the many other dishes that they have!
After 40 years of rich history in serving only authentic Japanese cuisine, Restaurant Hoshigaoka launched a newly redesigned ala carte menu which is available at all of its four outlets.
The new menu features signature and popular dishes such as Black Pepper Gindara Teishoku, Goma Beef Houba Yaki, and Kurobuta Shabu Shabu. Designed with kids in mind, the menu also includes an all-new kid’s menu that highlights a selection of four different sets in kawaii tableware.
Served in kawaii tableware that resembles airplanes, high-speed trains or bento boxes, children can look forward to complete their dining experience with a jelly, yakult, and a snack.
The Yoko Airlines airplane set offers a variety of treats such as crispy prawn coated in breadcrumbs, cucumber rolls, mini udon and French fries.
One of the signature dishes in the menu is the Black Pepper Gindara Teishoku. It features a tender codfish drizzled with homemade black pepper sauce, served with asparagus, sliced onions and carrots. Well-seasoned and bursting with flavours, the set is also paired with fresh salmon sashimi, silky smooth chawanmushi, miso soup, and fruits amongst others.
For beef lovers, the Goma Beef Houba Yaki is a sheer delight for the palate. Served on a magnolia “Houba” leaf, the slices of the 30 days Aged New Zealand Rib Eye Beef are meltingly tender and flavourful. Abundantly marinated with sesame sauce and complemented with garlic to enhance the flavour, this dish is certainly a must-try.
If you would like to have some comfort food, the Kurobuta Shabu Shabu is definitely a dish to consider. The goodness of the soup broth, made with shoyu, mirin, sake, and fish stock, impeccably complements the light texture of the thinly sliced pork slices. The accompanying dipping sauce of spicy radish, ponzu, and spring onion slices promises a delightful feast for the taste buds with its distinct combination of mild spiciness and citrus notes.
Our Personal Opinion/Review of Restaurant Hoshigaoka
It was our first time dining at Restaurant Hoshigaoka and we really like the warm, homely, and comfortable ambience.
We had a variety of dishes ranging from appetisers to soups, main courses, and even desserts, and it was definitely a fulfilling and satisfying time!
One of our personal favourites is the Mentai Potato Salad and it comes with assorted vegetables, potato salad, and spicy cod roe mayonnaise with sesame dressing.
Another must-try iconic dish that has been around for more than 30 years is the Hoshigaoka Zen. It comes with an appetiser, salmon sashimi salad, tempura, gindara teriyaki, beef misoyaki, rice, miso soup, chawanmushi and matcha ice cream.
Personally, we found the Black Pepper Gindara Teishoku and Gindara Teriyaki a little too salty for our liking.
Other than that, the new menu does features a variety of food that are of fine quality and value-for-money.
Our Verdict?
Although Restaurant Hoshigaoka is a family Japanese restaurant with more than 40 years of rich history in serving only authentic Japanese cuisine, we are pretty sure there are other Japanese restaurants in Singapore that offers a similar fare. We honestly appreciate the warm ambience and the exceptional service rendered by the service staffs, but we felt that this wasn’t a strong pull for us to dine there in future as the menu offerings are pretty commonplace.
Editor’s Note: It has been awhile since we last blogged and for that, we do apologise for being away for too long. After all, we do deserve a break especially after the hectic year that we had!
With so many media events, food tastings, and things to do, the month of December has certainly been a very busy month for us. Thankfully, we managed to take some time off and embark on a 3 days 2 nights adventure in Batam, Indonesia.
I have to admit that when I first went to Batam, I was very apprehensive about going there as I didn’t have a positive impression of the place. Any information that I had about Batam were pretty negative but after my virgin trip there, I decided that Batam isn’t too bad a place for a good relaxing vacation and so, we decided to make a second trip.
Although prostitution in Batam is illegal, the island has always been a place that is associated with sex tourism; even till now. This would probably explain why people would occasionally give me a weird look when I tell them that I’m going to Batam for a holiday.
In this blog post, we will be mainly sharing about our virgin trip to Batam, the spas that we visited, the cafes that we dined at, the hotels that we stayed at, and the activities that we did.
Virgin Experience to Batam
When we first went to Batam, we booked for a half-day tour around the city and because we were newbies to Batam, we went to places where tour guides can earn commissions from us.
The hotel that we stayed at was Gideon Hotel Batam and the half-day tour included a lunch at Golden Prawn 933 Restaurant.
The Superior Room at Gideon Hotel Batam is really quite crammed and small. Location wise, it is near Nagoya Hill but a distance to Batam Center Ferry Terminal. The level of service met our expectations but if you were to ask whether we would stay at Gideon Hotel Batam for future visits, we would definitely not as there are way better properties than this!
City View from Gideon Hotel Batam
The food at Golden Prawn 933 Restaurant is nothing to shout about and so, if you are planning to dine there, save the trip and money for something else. Golden Prawn 933 Restaurant is way too touristy for our liking.
In our most honest opinions, our first virgin trip to Batam was such a waste of time and money because of visits to places that were unnecessary. As such, we highly recommend travellers to go free-and-easy if they choose to visit Batam. After all, information is readily available on the Internet and when we planned for our second trip to Batam; Tripadvisor, Agoda, and Blogs, were really our best tools.
For our second trip to Batam, all we wanted to do was eat good food, do some shopping, and unwind. It wasn’t so much of a cultural or sight-seeing trip although we might plan for that in future. Hence, we hereby present to your our comprehensive free-and-easy travel guide to Batam.
Currency Exchange
The rupiah [Rp] is the official currency of Indonesia and the current exchange rate [updated as of 12 December 2014] is approximately SGD$1 to 9216 Rp. There are talks that the existing rupiah would be phased out by the end of 2018 but during the transition period, the old and new currency notes will stay valid.
Ferry To Batam
There are a number of ferry operators available but the more popular ones are WaveMaster, Batam Fast, and Sindo Ferry. For our second trip to Batam, we took the WaveMaster and ticket prices for a return trip cost SGD$38 per person. There really isn’t much to compare between the three ferry operators as the level of service is decent enough to bring you from Singapore to Batam and vice-versa. However, the ticket prices will differ so do check out the three and choose the cheapest one.
Web check-in is available for WaveMaster, Batam Fast, and Sindo Ferry so you don’t have to go collect your boarding passes if you have booked your ferry tickets online. However, do ask your ferry operator for the disembarkation / embarkation card as we had to rush and collect ours at the Batam Center Ferry Terminal.
A typical journey from Singapore Harbourfront Centre to Batam Center Ferry Terminal will take about 45 minutes. We recommend visitors to travel to Batam during the weekdays instead of the weekends as it may get too crowded.
When returning back to Singapore during the weekends, make sure you arrive early at Batam Centre as the queue at the immigration counters can get quite long.
Batam Ferry Terminal
Upon arrival at the Ferry Terminal, do observe the rules and regulations. The immigration officers at the Ferry Terminal are especially strict and they expect visitors to be silent while waiting in line to get their passports chopped. We have observed instances where visitors were sent back to Singapore for not adhering to the rules and regulations.
Indonesia’s Prepaid SIM Card
After you have cleared immigrations, you would be at the arrival area and that is where you can purchase a prepaid SIM card to get you connected. We purchased the Indosat Mentari 3GB SIM Card and it comes with 3GB Internet and 25 minutes local talktime. All that for only 75000 Rp [equivalent to about SGD$9]. To be on the safe side, we purchased an additional top-up card that cost 50000 Rp and we still had some leftover balance upon returning to Singapore.
It was our first time staying at Harris Hotel Batam Center and we will definitely be considering to stay there for future visits to Batam.
Harris Hotel Batam Center is conveniently located beside Batam Center Ferry Terminal and it is very safe as checks are routinely done for every vehicle that enters the hotel’s compound. The level of guest service has over exceeded our expectations and we were very impressed with the facilities that are available at the hotel.
The Harris Hotel branding advocates a healthy and active lifestyle and we really like its Simple-Unique-Friendly concept. Upon checking-in, we were even served with welcome drinks. Hotel facilities such as the gym and swimming pool are also available for hotel guests to utilise.
There is only one room type at Harris Hotel Batam Center and the views from the hotel room are either city view or sea view. We opted for the room that offers sea view and when we entered our room, we were greeted by the pleasant aroma that was coming from the scented oil.
Sea View From The Harris Hotel Batam Center Room
City View From The Harris Hotel Batam Center Room
Breakfast at Harris Hotel Batam Center was also a hearty affair. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are available upon request at no charge and the sumptuous food fare left hotel guests spoilt for choices.
Address: Jl. Engku Putri, Batam Center, Kepulauan Riau 29641, IndonesiaPhone: +62 778 7498888
Our Preferred Mode of Transportation Around Batam- Silver Cab
Learning from our virgin trip to Batam, we decided that Silver Cab was going to be our only mode of transportation around Batam because they charge by the meter. The flag-down rate for Silver Cab is 7000 Rp and every 110 metres will see the fare jump by 500 Rp. From Batam Center Ferry Terminal to Nagoya Hill, the cab fare will cost around 50000 Rp [inclusive of parking fees that cost 2000 Rp]. Our most expensive cab fare was the trip from Harris Hotel Batam Center to Turi Beach Resort as it costs us about 130000 Rp [equivalent to about SGD$15].
Do note that there are a couple of Silver Cab lookalikes in Batam so instead of flagging down cabs as and when you like, always call and book. The cab will usually take about 20 minutes to arrive.
We are sure many of you might be puzzled as to why we didn’t rent a car with a personal driver but it is only because after calculating the approximate cab fares that we would be spending on, taking a cab is way cheaper than having a driver at our disposal.
To calculate approximate cab fares, what you can do is to measure the distance from one place to another using Google Maps and then for every 110 metres, add 500 Rp. After which, you add another 7000 Rp for the flag-down rate and top it up with 30,000 Rp for contingency planning. The flag-down rate of 7000 Rp is correct as of December 2014.
For example, to travel from Harris Hotel Batam Center to Turi Beach Resort, the distance calculated on Google Maps is about 21.2 KM.
Step 1: 21.2 KM X 1000 = 21200 Metres
Step 2: 21200 / 110 = 193 [rounded up]
Step 3: 193 X 500 Rp = 96500 Rp
Step 4: 96500 Rp + 7000 Rp + 30000 Rp = 133500 Rp
Silver Cab Booking Hotline: +62 778 461000
Shopping In Batam
There are a few malls where you can do some shopping in Batam. However, if you are shopping for the latest trendy and fashionable apparels, Batam is not the place for it. Most of the branded goods in Batam are either outdated or of poor quality. Some branded goods may even not be authentic so do be wary before purchasing any branded goods. However, grocery shopping is at the top of our priority list whenever we visit Batam because the prices are really affordable.
Nagoya Hill
Nagoya Hill is Batam’s largest shopping mall and there are many retail stores that sell branded goods. However, do be aware that some of the branded goods at Nagoya Hill are not authentic. If you are looking for places to dine at, Nagoya Hill would be the best place as they offer more dining options as compared to Mega Mall Batam Centre. Nagoya Hill also has a Cinema where you can catch some movies too. Personally, we feel that Nagoya Hill would be a better place for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Mega Mall Batam Centre
Located just opposite Batam Center Ferry Terminal, Mega Mall Batam Centre offers a couple of dining and shopping options. Though not as big as Nagoya Hill, Mega Mall Batam still has a fairly decent number of retailers for visitors to do some last minute shopping before departure. One of the places that we will always shop at Mega Mall Batam Centre is the Hypermart because that is where we could stock up on our daily amenities such as facial cleansers, shampoos, shower gels, and many more. If you have too much time to kill while waiting for your ferry, Mega Mall Batam Centre has a cinema where you can watch some movies.
Batam Factory Outlets
Most tours will include shopping at the various factory outlets and some of the brands include Polo Ralph, Burberry, Chanel, Gucci and etc. Personally, we are not a fan of branded goods and if you’re like us, you can give a visit to the factory outlets a miss. Furthermore, most of the designs are either outdated or not authentic.
Dining
In Batam, there are many places you can dine at. Whether it is Italian, Thai, Japanese, or Indonesian cuisines, Batam has them and you can be spoilt for choices as the prices can be very affordable. We generally don’t recommend visitors to patronise roadside food stores as hygiene may not be so ideal.
Bella Italia Pizzeria Ristorante Batam has been rated as the num
ber 1 restaurant in Batam on Tripadvisor and truly, it really is! We have always enjoyed dining there ever since we first came to Batam and the food there is top notch.
Our favourites at Bella Italia Pizzeria Ristorante Batam include the freshly shucked oysters, the piping hot wild mushroom soup, the Hawaiian pizza, the linguine marinara pasta, and the flaming chocolate lava cake with liqueur. The serving portions are also quite big!
Although Bella Italia Pizzeria Ristorante Batam is a fine dining restaurant, it is ok to dress down and be casual. If you call in advance to make a table reservation, the waiters will specially lay the table with table cloth and place a table centrepiece.
A dinner at Bella Italia Pizzeria Ristorante Batam with all of our favourite dishes will cost less than SGD$40. We know it sounds pretty pricey but for a high quality meal like this in Singapore, it will cost about SGD$100+.
Seafood restaurants in Batam is aplenty and so far, we have been to Golden Prawn 933 Seafood Restaurant and Wey Wey Live Seafood Restaurant. Rezeki Seafood Restaurant Batam is the third seafood restaurant that we have visited in Batam and so far, it is the best as compared to the other two that we have visited. Just a note, hygiene at Wey Wey Live Seafood Restaurant isn’t so ideal and coupled with the pungent smell of sulphur lingering in the air, dining at Wey Wey Live Seafood Restaurant is a total turn-off.
Although Rezeki Seafood Restaurant Batam is located a distance away from Batam Center, the quality of the seafood there is relatively good.
When we were dining there, there were many locals and not so much foreigners. The price is also rather reasonable. Although the prawns and crabs are quite small in size, they are extremely fresh!
Scenic View From Rezeki Seafood Restaurant
For a lunch which consist of 4 grilled scallops, 1 crab, prawns, sambal kang kong, seafood fried rice, hot plate tofu, and some beverages, it cost us less than SGD$50.
Address: Batu Besar, RT.01/RW.02, Nongsa, BatamPhone: +62 778 761 180 or +62 812 7023 942
Caffein Café is one of the cafes that we visited in Batam and there, we had their breaded chicken, fish & chips, a slice of red velvet cake, a slice of dark chocolate cakes, and some hot beverages.
The quality of food there is pretty decent and it is one of the better cafes in Batam that visitors could add to their café hopping adventure. In total, lunch at Caffein Café cost us less than SGD$25.
Address: Komp. Ruko Nagoya Hill blok R3-A3A, Batam, Riau, IndonesiaTelephone and Reservation No: +62 778 7493712
Black Canyon Coffee is a semi-café restaurant in Mega Mall Batam that serves Thai fusion food. We had their Thai mango salad, chicken wings, fried rice with salted fish, and the dinner in total cost less than SGD$18.
Visitors can consider dining at Black Canyon Coffee if they would like to have some Thai food.
Coffee Story Co. is located near Nagoya Hill and no offence but it is one of the worst cafes that we have visited in Batam. The quality of the food is really bad and the level of hygiene didn’t quite meet our expectations as we saw ants crawling around most of the tables on the second level.
We were quite disappointed with the food that we didn’t even finish half of it. To be fair, we have to comment that their hot beverages isn’t too bad.
Out of the 3 dishes that we ordered, the fries is the only palatable food.
The food was too much for us to take that we gave up eating altogether!
In total, we spend less than SGD$18 but it wouldn’t be a café that we would recommend to visitors.
Massage & Spa
Massage & Spa Parlours in Batam can be quite sleazy and if you are looking for a genuine and authentic massage & spa experience, you need to go to the right places. Just make sure you do your research before visiting any of the Massage & Spa Parlours in Batam to prevent yourself from being ripped off.
The Spa Secret Batam is one of the highest rated Massage & Spa Parlours in Batam with close to 190 reviews on Tripadvisor. The level of service and spa treatment is truly commendable and the place is extremely clean. The therapists are very professional and a variety of body spa treatments are available.
Jacqueline did The Coffee Body Spa Treatment which consist of a sea salt foot bath, body cleansing, relaxing body massage, coffee body lulur, body steam, body yogurt polish, soaking in bath foam Jacuzzi pool, and V-Ratus treatment while I did The Balinese Aromatic Body Spa Treatment which included a sea salt foot bath, body cleansing, aromatic body massage, aromatic body scrub, body steam, body yogurt polish, soaking in bath foam Jacuzzi pool, and a back & shoulder massage.
In total, we spent about SGD$160 for 2 persons and it was really worth the money. In Singapore, such body spa treatments can cost about SGD$400+!
Address: Komp. Nagoya Garden Phase I Blok D No. 1-2-3, Riau 29432, IndonesiaPhone: +62 778 423123
Spa Central Batam is also one of the highest rated Massage & Spa Parlours in Batam on Tripadvisor. There, we did the Vitamin-C Facial, a 1-hour Foot Reflexology for me, and a 1-hour Hair Cream Bath for Jacqueline.
The level of service and treatment exceeded our expectations and we were quite pleased with the experience. The place was also very clean and we had an enjoyable time over there.
In total, we spent about SGD$71 for all these treatments that we just mentioned and the prices are very reasonable because in Singapore, such treatments will cost two to three times more!
Address: 2nd Floor Clubhouse @ Central Sukajadi, The Central Sukajadi, Batam – 29444 Phone: +62 [778] 736 7512 or +62 821 69900341 (WhatsApp)
There used to be two location for water activities in Batam; one at Harris Resort Waterfront and the other at Turi Beach Resort. However, Harris Resort Waterfront no longer carry out any water activities and the only place that is available to do water activities in Batam would be Turi Beach Resort.
Turi Beach Resort is quite a distance away from Batam Center and the cab fare cost us about SGD$15. If you’re planning a visit to Turi Beach Resort, we recommend that you drop by Rezeki Restaurant as they are both located around the same vicinity.
Turi Beach Resort is a really nice place to relax and unwind, away from the urban civilisation.
Water activities such as Para Sailing, Jet Skiing, and Banana Boat are available at Turi Beach Resort and they can be pretty pricey. When I did the Para Sailing and Jet Skiing, it cost me about SGD$108 but I personally felt that it was worth the money for satisfying the adrenaline junkie me.
If you are planning to do the water activities at Turi Beach Resort, do call and make a reservation beforehand and also enquire on the weather status. If it is low tide or when there’s an impending storm, there will be no water activities carried out for guests’ safety. From the information that we have gathered from the staffs at Turi Beach Resort, the best time for Para Sailing or Jet Skiing would be in the morning before 12pm but it is subjected to weather conditions.
Address: Jalan Hang Lekiu, Nongsa, Kepulauan Riau 29465, Indonesia Phone: +62 778 761080
Batam Specialty Products
There are two Batam specialty products that visitors should get as souvenirs for family members and friends and they are the Kueh Lapis [Layer Cake] and Bika Ambon [Honeycomb Cake]. Although Singapore do have Kueh Lapis and Bika Ambon, the prices are almost twice of those in Batam.
Kueh Lapis / Layer Cake
Kueh Lapis also known as Layer Cakes are pretty popular with tourists visiting Batam. In Singapore, Kueh Lapis is extremely costly but in Batam, it is almost half the price. Hence, it is no surprise that visitors will horde boxes of Kueh Lapis to bring back to Singapore.
There are many retailers selling Kueh Lapis but we will always buy from Diana Layer Cake Batam as we personal
ly feel that their homemade layer cakes is the best in Batam. Diana Layer Cake Batam only offers two types of traditional layer cakes; original and prunes. A kilogram of the original layer cake will cost 250000 Rp [equivalent to about SGD$28] and a kilogram of the prunes layer cake will cost 300000 Rp [equivalent to about SGD$33].
If you would like to order layer cakes from Diana Layer Cake Batam, do give them a call at least one day in advance. As we were staying at Harris Hotel Batam Center, we had our layer cakes personally delivered to us at the hotel.
Address: Taman Seruni Indah Blok G No. 10, Batam Centre Telephone: +62 778 466906
Honeycomb Cake / Bika Ambon
The Honeycomb Cake also known as Bika Ambon is also another popular specialty product of Batam. My mum personally likes it a lot and she is pretty satisfied with the Honeycomb Cake that we purchased at Nagoya Hill. Prior to the purchase, we did a few comparisons and sample tastings and found that the retailer, The Master, offers the best Honeycomb Cake in our opinion.
The Honeycomb Cake cost 70000 Rp [equivalent to about SGD$8] for half a kilogram and 130000 Rp [equivalent to about SGD$15] for a kilogram.
Name of Retailer: The MasterAddress: Food Street Nagoya Hill [beside the Hypermart Escalator] The Master Telephone: +62 085271388585 or +62 085272099109
In Summary
Batam isn’t so bad a place for a good relaxing vacation. In our future trips to Batam, we will be looking to explore more on the cultural side of the city. Should you have any questions about our comprehensive guide to Batam, do not hesitate to drop us an email! We hope that this comprehensive guide by us has been helpful!
Kkongdon [pronounced as Kong-don and not K-kong-don] means ‘best price value’ in the Korean language and we daresay that Kkongdon Barbecue does indeed give diners the best value-for-money for its all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue menu.
Originating from Sinchon in Korea, Kkongdon Barbecue opened its first outlet in Singapore in 2012 and has a total of 4 outlets till date. With modern interiors, seating areas with K-pop enhancements, and warm lighting, Kkongdon Barbecue is a perfect dining place for gatherings over meals.
What We Think Of Kkongdon Barbecue?
It was our first time to Kkongdon Barbecue @ SAFRA Toa Payoh and it will not be the last because after having tried many different barbecue menus at various Japanese and Korean restaurants, Kkongdon Barbecue does offer the best value for money.
With a price of SGD$23.30 nett [Mondays to Thursdays] and SGD$29.30 nett [Fridays to Sundays] per adult, the all-you-can-eat menu features a new selection of barbecue favourites that include chicken, pork, beef, and the newly introduced premium 30 Days Aged New Zealand Sirloin cut; all of which are available in three different marinades.
At Kkongdon Barbecue, the well-marinated meats follow the authentic Korean formula and a selection of Ssamjang, Garlic Ssamjang, and Onion Sauce are specially imported from Korea and blended by the local chef. When paired with the well-marinated barbecued meat, the sauces enhance the aromas and flavours of the meat for a lip smacking experience.
The all-you-can-eat menu also includes flow of side dishes such as Kimchi, Gyoza, Deokbokki [Korean Rice Cakes] and sliced fruits. However, if your stomach is not fully satisfied, a-la-carte add on options are available where wallet-friendly prices are extended to an array of appetisers, soups, stews, and desserts.
When we were there, we had the Pork Belly Kimchi Stew [Kimchijjim Jeongol] and it is presented in Korean earthenware with pork belly slices, kimchi, tofu, enoki mushrooms, and a generous amount of yummy spicy soup!
As for appetisers, we had the Kkongdon’s Kimchi Pancake [Kimchi Buchimgae]. This firm-textured pancake presents itself with kimchi chunks, and a mild spicy sour flavour to whet an appetite for a feast.
To go or not to go?
Well, our overall dining experience at Kkongdon Barbecue is a pleasant and shiok one and we will definitely be back for more well-marinated barbecued meat! Between Seoul Garden [not to say anything bad but because they are almost similarly-priced] and Kkongdon Barbecue, we will definitely choose Kkongdon Barbecue because the meats are more premium and better-tasting; though we don’t deny the fact that Seoul Garden has more variety on their buffet menu.
The Jack’s Place at Ang Mo Kio Central was my family’s favourite restaurant and even till today, whenever I dine at Jack’s Place, it will remind me of my childhood days.
Known for it’s “steaks and more” concept, Jack’s Place serves not only sizzling beef steaks, but also a wide range of hearty food, desserts, and cakes. The casual fine-dining restaurant has recently launched its wholesome U.S Premium Selection menu, and it is only available at Jack’s Place [The Grandstand] and Jack’s Place [Great World City].
The U.S Premium Selection features six new dishes, which includes the finest Kurobuta Pork also known as “black hog” pork, USA Brandt steak cuts, and Chargrilled Baby Back Ribs.
We were very privileged to have been invited to a tasting of the U.S Premium Selection and in this blog post, we will be sharing with you what we think of the hearty menu that is sure to delight all meat-lovers!
Are you a fan of steaks?
The USA Brandt Ribeye Cuts [SGD$36.80] is definitely Jack’s Place crème de la crème of all cuts. The well-marbled ribeye cuts are paired perfectly with a homemade special brown sauce which melts in the mouth.
Not to forget the USA Brandt Striploin Steak [SGD$35.80], this 365 day grain-fed beef striploin steak is lightly marinated with home-made garlic and paired with Jack’s special black pepper sauce that is underscored by a tenderness that few palates know.
The scrumptious signature dishes also include the Grilled Kurobuta Rack of Pork [SGD$32]. The moist and juicy rack of pork comes together with Jack’s Place very own caramelized onion brown sauce and we enjoyed having a bite of this very tender and gratifying meat.
If you prefer a much leaner kind of pork meat, the Kurobuta Fillet of Loin [SGD$21.80] that comes with the signature black pepper glace, accompanied with roasted onions and new potatoes is a very good choice. The peppery flavours will definitely whet one’s appetite but honestly, we still prefer the Grilled Kurobuta Rack of Pork over the Kurobuta Fillet of Loin.
The Kurobuta Pork Schnitzel [SGD$18.80] is a main dish where the tender Kurobuta fillet of collar is coated with crushed biscuit crumbs and herbs, then paired with arugula salad and roasted almond flakes. Truthfully, we don’t really fancy this dish because it was a little dry for us and we prefer our meat to be either grilled, steamed, or baked; definitely not deep-fried.
Our personal favourite is the lip-smacking and bone-drop textured Chargrilled BBQ Baby Back Ribs [SGD$36] that is marinated overnight with paprika spice, drizzled with pineapple BBQ sauce, and served with lattice fries! This is definitely a must-try dish because it is so flavourful and very satisfying!
Bursting with flavours, the U.S Premium Selection at Jack’s Place definitely promises a gastronomic time and just a gentle reminder, it is only exclusively available at Jack’s Place [Great World City] and Jack’s Place [The Grandstand].
Editor’s Update [as of 2 April 2015]: Anjalichocolat Artisan Chocolatier has shifted to 73 Loewen Road, #01-15 & #01-16, Singapore 248843.
Despite the distance that we have to travel to get there, PasarBella is no stranger to us as we have been there so many times for the fresh seafood and fine wines. This time round, we chanced upon Anjalichocolat Artisan Chocolatier at PasarBella and we can’t wait to share about this awesome find that will delight all chocolate connoisseurs!
We had a casual meet up with Anjali, the owner of Anjalichocolat, and we were treated to an indulgent chocolate and wine pairing session. When chatting with Anjali, we found out that she left her illustrious career in the banking sector to pursue her passion in chocolates and since then, she has been in the kitchen experimenting with chocolates. We even discovered that Anjali has successfully incorporated blue cheese into chocolate truffles!
Our Personal Opinion/Review of Anjalichocolat
Anjali handmade every single piece of chocolate and they are a real treat. The ingredients used in making the chocolate come from Belgium and there are absolutely no preservatives or additives added. The luscious chocolate melts in the mouth and the assortment of flavours that are available will tickle the tongue. Our personal favourite is the Salted Caramel Bonbons and it is so rich and very satisfying that one serving isn’t enough!
Though the chocolates from Anjalichocolat are premium-priced, it is definitely more value-for-money as compared to chocolates from Godiva and the like. When we brought home some Toasted Almond Rochers which cost only SGD$18 a pack, our family members absolutely loved it and they finished the entire pack within minutes.
Anjali is also able to handmade and customise chocolates for corporate gifting. If you are looking for a suitable gift for your clients, you might want to consider giving chocolates as it is a natural stress-reliever that makes people happy.
Lastly, here are some tips which we picked up from Anjali herself. Buy chocolates to eat, not to keep. If you want to keep and store chocolates, the wine chiller is the best place for it but do note that it can only keep up to a maximum of 2 weeks. Should you have the desire to indulge in a little pampering treat, you can pair the chocolates with some sweet wine like the Italian Moscato D’Asti and we guarantee that you will have a bubbly chocolatey time!
We have to confess that we have been having an affair….
Yes…
an affair with food…. and we have been sinfully indulging in so much delicate food that we have put on quite a fair bit of weight and gained some unwanted public scrutiny.
Alright, jokes aside.
We were recently at Breeze, a rooftop bar atop The Scarlet Hotel Singapore for dinner and we had a relaxing evening of decadent indulgence and the ultimate al fresco experience under an alluring night sky.
Rejuvenated during the hotel’s extensive five-month facelift last July, Breeze is set to seduce the senses once again with a swanky new look, an updated and exciting food menu, and an expanded drinks menu, featuring signature cocktails and an exclusive range of beer.
Our First Impression
Inspired by the elegance of Summery gardens and infused with the gracious hostess’ impeccable style, we were welcomed with a touch of sensuality and finesse.
Then, as we were gently caressed by the cool evening breeze, we were ushered into the main seating area, decked with comfortable, curved and inviting chaise lounges, and as well as chic glass-top tables for groups of four.
Set amidst lush greenery, Breeze offers an urban retreat with stunning views and the perfect ambience to unwind.
Our Personal Opinion/Review of Breeze
Lovingly created by award-winning Chef Vincent Teng, Breeze’s new menu features dishes designed with a contemporary twist and a fine blend of creativity inspired by Scarlet. Here, we are going to highlight some of the dishes that we had when we were there!
Grilled Chicken Salad
romaine lettuce|semi hard boiled egg|Caesar dressing|parmesan crust|crouton
A pretty creative way of presenting the classic Caesar’s Salad
Absolutely love the semi hard boiled egg
Parmesan crust was a little too chewy for our liking. We would have preferred it to be crispy.
The addiction for another signature dish comes from the crispy sensation of the Avocado Tempura, salmon roe marinated with sake & shoyu and topped with Japanese mayonnaise.
Momotaro Tomato
A salad which delivers a satisfying melange of sweet, tart and aromatic flavours to the taste buds. The famed variety of Japanese tomatoes are tossed with generous shreds of crab meat and seasoned with fragrant Japanese sesame dressing.
Bar snack staples are boldly given a refreshing twist, such as the Chicken Wingette with Bulgogi Sauce.
The chicken wings are marinated with beef sauce for the extra hint of classic Korean flavour.
Mini Wagyu Beef Burger
The Wagyu beef patties and and even the burger buns are handmade from scratch!
We don’t consume beef because we don’t like the beefy smell and taste but this converted us
Simply grilled to perfection with the juice oozing out!
You can put the whole burger in your mouth and enjoy it.
Kurobuta Pork Belly With Marmite Sauce
Has a local twist because of the Marmite sauce
Tastes bittersweet but definitely satisfying and flavourful
Not forgetting guests with a sweet tooth, Chef Teng presents an array of seductively tempting desserts in the menu, including Tiramisu, Strawberry and Cheese Parfait, Mango and Coconut Panna Cotta, Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse Cake. The desserts are all served in delightful miniature cups for the most unadulterated visual and tasting pleasure.
Expanding its beverage menu, Breeze boasts of being the first rooftop bar to serve Archipelago Beer to guests in Singapore amidst a grand selection of artisanal beers, wines and signature cocktails, with Graciously Scarlet, a voluptuous mixture of gin, lime juice, fresh raspberry, cube sugar, ginger beer and raspberry liqueur.
Personally, we really like the Graciously Scarlet cocktail because of its fruity and berry-licious taste! We highly recommend it and we’re pretty sure the ladies will love it!
An alternative highlight, Foam Party, is an epicurean drink for guest with a palate for an amalgamation of vodka citrus, galliano, lemon juice, vanilla syrup and egg white.
Wednesday nights will take on a whole dimension at Breeze, with an exclusive cocktail for the ladies, Entice Me, offered at S$12++ instead of S$18++.
Fine fare, exceptional drinks, a relaxed evening breeze and the company of friends set the perfect stage for an unforgettable evening at Breeze. Set against the backdrop of the financial district’s skyline, guests will undoubtedly be charmed by the exclusive enclave on top of a 19th century heritage building, while regaling in the luxurious extravagance that Scarlet has intended for her beloved guests to rest their souls and recharge.
If you are looking for a charming rooftop bar that allows you to dine in a contemporary romantic setting, Breeze is definitely the place!
Breeze Rooftop Bar
The Scarlet Hotel Singapore
33 Erskine Road, Singapore 069333
Telephone: 6511-3326.
E-mail: askme@thescarlethotels.com
Centrally located in the heart of Singapore, SET is the latest up-and-coming restaurant to open its doors at PoMo earlier this month and true to its name, SET presents a tantalizing array of contemporary cuisine with Asian and Western influences.
Established by former members of Tao’s Restaurant, SET reintroduces the attractively priced, value-for-money set meal concept that offers flexibility in menu choices. Crafted only with the freshest ingredients to ensure the best food quality, SET presents a five-course lunch at SGD$28.80++ and six-course dinner at SGD$38.80++.
Our Personal Review of SET
Our family has always been a big fan of Tao’s Restaurant and they were very popular when they first opened at the basement level of PoMo. Subsequently, Tao’s Restaurant moved to Clarke Quay Central and the move probably led to its downfall.
We believe many diners enjoyed the food at Tao’s Restaurant but unfortunately, we personally felt that the quality of the food served by Tao’s Restaurant [when it shifted to Clarke Quay Central], wasn’t as good as when they were at PoMo. Coupled with the high rental costs and the decreasing number of diners, it was no surprise that that they closed their restaurant operations at Clarke Quay Central.
Now that the former members of Tao’s Restaurant have once again come together to start SET at PoMo, we are heartened by the fact that the popular value-for-money set meal concept is making a comeback with some really delectable dishes!
Executive Chef Erick Chun has prepared these original creations spanning straight from the kitchen.
Here are some of the tantalising Appetizers & Side Dish that we tried when we were there.
Salmon Garvlax
We found the Salmon Garvlax to be rather flavourful and the slices of smoked salmon sent us craving for more!
Smoked Duck Breast
The leafy vegetables complements the Smoked Duck Breast really well and it tickles the tongue with its sweet and sour taste.
Grilled King Oyster Mushroom
The Grilled King Oyster Mushroom is only available for the 6-course set and we enjoyed this really juicy side dish that is grilled to perfection.
The velvety Mushroom Velouté with Peanut Butter is a delectation that unveils a hidden surprise for the palate with the rich and creamy peanut butter at its base.
Chef Erick puts a contemporary reinterpretation on the traditional miso soup with Miso Soup with Sake. Served in a tokkuri and appreciated from an ochoko, the delicate lightness of the sake turns the homemade miso soup into an exquisite treat to behold.
The Double-boiled Herbal Chicken Soup is highly nutritious and very nourishing; perfect for boosting one’s vitality!
Guests are spoilt for choice with five main course options from the land and the sea, promising to satisfy the most ravenous of appetites.
Meat lovers will relish the Baby Pork Back Ribs. Steamed, roasted, and generously slathered with Chinese Barbeque Sauce, the dish is a melt-in-your-mouth wonder to savour. In fact, this main dish is our personal favourite!
Roasted Chicken Pullet
The Roasted Chicken Pullet that we had was slightly bland in taste and we felt that there’s room for improvement.
Dessert lovers will be thrilled with the trio of decadent treats available at SET.
Featuring the Poached Pear with Gelato, Pistachio Panna Cotta, and Bread Pudding, guests will be able to satisfy their sweet tooth with the gustatory delights.
Poached Pear with Gelato
Pistachio Panna Cotta
SET is dedicated to serving premium dishes prepared using the freshest ingredients and offering meticulous service to its customers. The restaurant houses a 94-seater main dining area adorned with modern furnishings, private dining rooms, and an alfresco area overlooking the charming shop houses along Prinsep Street.
Spacious and atmospheric, SET is ideal for private date nights, business meals and a gathering between friends and loved ones. As for us, we will definitely return to SET to fulfill our stomach’s cravings for the attractively priced, value-for-money set meal!
We were recently invited to the SCS Star Baker Challenge 2014 Finals that took place at APS Lifestyle Gallery and we had a really enriching and inspiring time checking out the baked creations by the 4 finalists! [From Left to Right]- Magdalene See, host for the day; Hong Poh, Jane, Joe, and Shelby
While the 4 finalists were preparing their baked creations, we also had the privilege of having Chef Diego Forte who taught us to make a Pavlova with Hazelnut Cream Cheese Filling topped with Raspberry Jam and Feuilletine.
In all honesty, we have never attempted to make a Pavlova, a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova, because we felt that it was too difficult. However, after the live baking demonstration by Chef Diego Forte, we were so inspired that we wanted to try and bake this popular dish the following weekend, which we did with much success.
If you would like to try making this really delightful dish, you can find the recipe here.
The finalists’ skills and creations were scrutinized by Baking Instructor Chef Siti Mastura, Palate Sensations’ Head Instructor Chef Diego Forte, Celebrity Baking Blogger Maureen Ow, and Auric Pacific’s Chief Creative Officer Michelle Lim.
While waiting for the results to be tabulated by the panel of judges, guests were also treated to some refreshing cocktails and delectable teatime refreshments.
Alas, the results were announced and Jane Tan emerged as the Champion for the SCS Star Baker Challenge 2014. Formerly an Air Stewardess and a HR Bank Manager, the 31-year-old full-time mother and part-time home baker cites Martha Stewart as her baking inspiration. To Jane, baking is the perfect marriage between science and art. Like a chemistry experiment, recipes can be easily replicated to get the perfect result each and every time. Yet, baking allows her to showcase her artistic flair through decoration and creativity in the flavours she chooses.
Being participant of the SCS Star Baker Challenge 2014 ourselves, we truly had a great time honing our baking skills and we enjoyed the process of baking some tantalising treats for our family members and friends. Though the SCS Star Baker Challenge has officially concluded, the SCS Passionate Chef Rewards Loyalty Programme is still ongoing till October 2014.
SCS Passionate Chefs Rewards is a six-month long loyalty programme aimed at rewarding loyal supporters of SCS Butter, and as well as giving new consumers more reasons to try SCS Butter. You can earn points when you purchase blocks of SCS Butter or tubs of SCS Spreadable Butter and the points can then be used to redeem a variety of SCS baking essentials and other fabulous items like crystal pens, notebooks, cooler bags, and butter bowls!
In order to earn points, you must first sign up to be members on the SCS Website. The registration process is free of charge and hassle-free.
So what are you waiting for? Start embarking on your baking adventure with SCS now!
Espuma is Spanish for foam or froth, and it is a culinary technique in which an espuma siphon is used to infuse air into food, creating an airily light mouthfeel. The use of foam in cuisine has been used in many forms in the history of cooking. For example, whipped cream, meringue, and mousse are all foams.
An espuma or thermo whip is commonly used to make these foams through the making of a stock, creating a gel, and extruding through the N2O canister.
Natural flavors such as fruit juices, infusions of aromatic herbs, and etc. are mixed with a neutrally-flavored gelling or stabilizing agent such as agar or lecithin, and either whipped with a hand-held immersion blender or extruded through a whipped cream canister equipped with N2O cartridges.
Such foams add flavor without significant substance, and thus allow cooks to integrate new flavors without changing the physical composition of a dish. Hence, Espuma adds an interesting new dimension to the texture of natural ingredients that have been pureed, mashed, or juiced.
Sous-vide is French for “under vacuum” and it is a method of cooking where the food is sealed in airtight plastic bags and then put to cook in a water bath or in a temperature-controlled steam environment for longer than normal cooking times [72 hours in some cases], at an accurately regulated temperature much lower than normally used for cooking, typically around 55 °C to 60 °C for meats and higher for vegetables. The intention is to cook the food item evenly, ensuring that the inside is properly cooked without overcooking the outside, and retaining moisture at the same time.
Both the Espuma and Sous-vide methods of cooking are usually used in many high end gourmet restaurants and the prices for dishes prepared in such a manner can be quite extravagant. However, you don’t necessarily have to break your wallets because E’spuma Lab at POMO, is a new casual dining outlet that makes use of Espuma and Sous Vide in its dishes at wallet-friendly prices.
Eat Like A King At E’spuma Lab Without Breaking Your Wallet!
Appetizer
Sous Vide Eggs [Smoked Norwegian Salmon], Topped with Crispy Salmon Skin and Ginger Soyu, SGD$3.80
The Sous Vide Eggs with Smoked Norwegian Salmon elevates the local breakfast favourite of soft-boiled eggs to new heights with the addition of premium ingredients. Savour the interplay of textures between the perfectly cooked runny eggs and crispy salmon skin!
Main Course
Fragrant Rice Served with Pan Seared Sou Vide Chicken Breast and E’spuma Pesto Sauce, SGD$6.80
Delight at the play of flavours on your tongue as you savour the rich melange of spices in the Fragrant Rice served with Pan Seared Sous Vide Chicken Breast and E’spuma Pesto Sauce.
Durian Fitters that encase the creamy flesh of premium D24 durians in a similarly crispy, golden espuma batter. Inhale the heady scent of this tropical King of Fruits and complete your meal with this lovely sweet treat!
Total Cost?
SGD$14.40
And if you top up just SGD$2, you can have an additional bowl of soup and a choice of beverage such as orange juice, coffee, tea, or ice lemon tea!
To have a taste of Espuma and Sous Vide dishes without breaking your wallet, head down to E’spuma Lab!
On a similar note, we will be giving away 1 X SGD$20 worth of E’spuma Lab Dining Vouchers to one of our lucky readers to try the extremely unique dishes at E’spuma Lab and all you have to do is just comment on this post and tell us what are the dishes that you would like to try at E’spuma Lab and why.
