[CLOSED] Tai Parfait @ Bugis Junction

[Update 3 June 2016: Tai Parfait has closed.]

It’s not so often that we see a school of fish swimming around busy Bugis, let alone one with mouthfuls of sweet, sweet toppings – literally. Adding to Bugis Junction‘s burgeoning kaleidoscope of F&B options is Yokohama-based Tai Parfait, home to a culinary hybrid for dessert lovers.

The store’s titular offering, Tai Parfait, is really that – a combination of the beloved traditional Japanese fish-shaped pancake with piping hot filling on the inside and the rich toppings of a parfait in place of its closed mouth. Cheery decor beckons customers and the brisk, factory-like production of taiyaki behind the counter is telling of just how popular it is.

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[CLOSED] Crystal Jade Steamboat Kitchen @ Plaza Singapura (Invite)

Update 20 Jan 2025: Crystal Jade Steamboat Kitchen has closed. Visit Crystal Jade’s other outlets.

Besides an assortment of traditional Cantonese favourites, the Crystal Jade brand has expanded its reach to other forms of Chinese cuisine to stay ahead of its competitors.

At Plaza Singapura, the name of the game is: steamboat. True to its name, Crystal Jade Steamboat Kitchen offers healthy, hearty steamboat buffets all day long at a price upwards from $20 or adults and $17 for children under 13 years old.

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[MOVED] The Assembly Ground @ The Cathay

Update 20 Jan 2025: The Assembly Ground has moved to Somerset.

If you were confused initially by The Assembly Ground’s presence at The Cathay, you’re not alone. This newly opened cafe is the F&B counterpart to The Assembly fashion store, and it bears no relation whatsoever to its namesake, Assembly Coffee in Evans Road.

It also breaks the mould of not being situated in an out-of-reach, hole-in-the-wall kind of neighbourhood.

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[CLOSED] Charlie Brown Cafe @ Orchard Cineleisure

Update 20 Jan 2025: Charlie Brown Cafe has closed.

Growing up, if there’s anything I like more than leisurely weekend breakfasts, it’s gotta be the cartoons that they used to air on those mornings. Pokémon, Powerpuff Girls – you name it. Few things were as good as watching my favourite onscreen heroes and heroines with a plateful of home cooked goodness in front of the telly. 😀

With themed cafe’s like the Charlie Brown Cafe at Orchard Cineleisure and 313 Somerset, there’s no need to wait around all week for the opportune moment. At both its alfresco and indoor outlets, the simple-minded, yellow shirt-donning boy stands tall with his pet beagle, promising a slice of childhood for shoppers and office workers alike in Singapore’s busiest commercial district.

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Pokémon Cup Noodles from Pokémon Centre

It’s no secret of mine that I’m absolutely obsessed with Pokémon, ever since those animated monsters hit my television screen some fourteen years back. With Pikachu and gang dominating the anime industry ever since, it’s no surprise that they would have their own instant cup noodles alongside their already massive line of games, shows and merchandise.

The concept of these instant noodles is no stranger to the otaku world, really – just replace the regular kamaboko (boiled fish paste) with prints of the character in question. But since I had never seen them before, I was pretty excited – gotta eat ‘em all, I guess! 😀

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Hello Hokkaido! Kitakaro Cafe 北果楼 @ Sakaimachi Street, Otaru

Japanese cream puffs. They taste like heaven, cherub’s kisses, and sweet dreams come true. Okay, I may have exaggerated a little, but that’s the feeling I get whenever I bite into one of ‘em pastries: soft, puffy shell with rich cream, fresh custard and I think I just drooled over my keyboard typing that last sentence.

And then, there’s Kitakaro Cafe’s cream puffs.

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Signature 8-flavoured Xiao Long Bao @ Paradise Dynasty

With its tender minced meat encased in a flavourful broth and smooth flour skin, it’s no wonder that xiao long bao is fast becoming a fixture in our Chinese palate. There’s little not to love about this bite-sized offering of meat and broth, which is why restaurants and eateries across the country are catching on to this delicious trend faster than you can say, “zai lai yi long!” (translation: bring me another!)

Confessing your ignorance about this dish is about as sacrilegious as, say, telling others that you don’t like to eat chicken rice; it’s just not possible. Thankfully, there are many places you can go to to “right the wrongs” and taste the legend of xiao long bao yourself. 😉

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