Singapore: Hokkaido pumpkin

I bought a Hokkaido pumpkin from the Takashimaya Autumn Hokkaido fair today for only $7.90. Sounded quite cheap for what it was so I couldn't resist. I later found out it was going for $13 in another Japanese supermarket. Score! They were selling a bunch of stuff imported from Hokkaido so I also had to get a stick of butter made from Hokkaido milk that came in the cutest cartoon packaging. Mmmm roasted pumpkin slathered in butter, here I come! 

Singapore: Creamier

Best ice cream in Singapore. Also, best waffles in Singapore. Had the sea salt gula melaka and Sicilian pistachio flavours like I always do, but it was a tough fight against them and the Thai iced tea. I could drown myself in good pistachio ice cream and this really hit the spot. What I like about the ice cream here (and the soft serve at sister outlet Sunday Folks) is that the natural ingredients always shine through and the creaminess and sweetness levels are just right. This place is mad crowded on the weekends and deservingly so. 

While we're on that topic of pistachio, plus39 gelato at Boat Quay still is the best pistachio gelato in my books but it's quite pricey and melts too fast. Any other recommendations to share? 

8/10

Singapore: Ootoya

This is my family's go-to place for casual Japanese around our house. I've been a fan of Ootoya since they first opened in SG and despite the many menu iterations, they've still managed to upkeep standards. To kinda breakdown their value prop, it's like wholesome Japanese food that you can eat everyday and they don't stinge on the ingredients. My all time favorite is the basil chicken salad set but this time the yellowtail collar and grilled pork belly really sealed the deal for me. They have some cool tie up with the Panasonic Factory in Singapore and get their veggies fresh from the company's rooftop garden. 

7/10

Singapore: Grain Traders

I was eagerly awaiting the opening of this place because from the sneak peeks, the food genuinely seemed delicious and good for you unlike many of the other nasty salad places in SG. I was right. I made my own bowl and picked 1 protein (steak), 1 carb (quinoa), 1 hot veg side (furikake corn), 2 cold veg sides (bean sprouts and apple kimchi), 1 sprinkle and 1 sauce. Throw in another 2$ and you get a fig bar and a juice for 18$ in total. Not cheap for a work lunch but the portion was enough and imo worth the price. 

Definitely want to come back more often but it's a bit of a stretch from the office. They also need to work on their order system because people are hogging the queue since they don't know how to order and the only menu is so high up on the wall that blind bats like me can't see a thing. 

7.5/10

Singapore: Sanpoutei

I'm a big fan of this ramen place from Niigata ever since my colleague introduced it to me. Have probably been back at least 15 times and I still haven't experienced diminishing marginal utility. There's something about the tonkotsu broth here that is complex (undertones of of mushroom, chicken, pork, bonito imo) and yet not too rich - the perfect balance really. I also love the fat curly noodles, the nicely charred and caramelised char siew and the ajitama egg never fails. 

Every time here I'll also get the mini buta don which comes topped with the most insane organic egg yolk. You have to mix it up together and make sure it coats every grain of rice. The ponzu chicken karaage is another must try side dish and I also often get a glass of their decently priced sakes which you can savour out of a bamboo container and feel very traditional Japanese about it. Kanpai!

8/10

Singapore: Clinton Street Baking Company

I've already been here twice since its opening because it's really near the office. I haven't had to wait for long on both occasions since I came abit off peak lunch hour. It's not queue-for-2-hours-in-Manhattan-fabulous but more of a comfort food meets junk food meets all day brunch concept. Sometimes you just feel like having something like that instead of #eatclean ancient grains or a nourishing bowl of noodle soup, y'know what I mean?

The pancakes here were really moist and fluffy and I liked the Spanish scramble with chorizo too. The fried chicken and waffles were disappointing for me and the sweet potato fries came out too burnt and soggy. But that didn't stop my dining companion from mopping everything up. Huge portions at friendly prices too so this is one of my go to places when I'm feeling greedy - I'll just stick to my faves. Haven't tried the one in NYC so I can't compare.

7/10

Singapore: Tiger's Milk

The newly launched Club Hotel at Ann Siang seems to be getting the F&B mix right with this new Peruvian rooftop bar, B28 in the basement, The Disgruntled Chef and more. Anyway I was excited to check out Tiger's Milk since we don't have a Peruvian place in SG yet and I was frequenting the ones in Shanghai pretty often in my time there. Hey, the charming setting doesn't hurt too.

Food wise, I haven't been to Peru so I'm no authority. But it definitely measured up to what I had in Shanghai at least. The sea bass ceviche was super spicy and tart; and the causa which had prawn, avo and mayo filled me up pleasantly. The pisco cocktails were not bad too. I started with a pisco sour and also tried the one with a flambéed passionfruit that smelled divine. Lovely service by Mike at the bar. The music was a bit too loud and clubby indoors but I liked the easygoing and colourful vibes of the place. Well I suppose if you can't get to Peru, Peru comes to you. 

PS: Tiger's milk aka tigre de leche refers to the marinade of citrus, chilli and coconut milk that cures and cooks the raw fish. Kinda like an atas yusheng (the one you eat with porridge) as what my friends would say. 

7/10