Western cuisine may be a common fixture at hawker centers, but what about Taiwanese-style western cuisine? Kiang Kiang Taiwan Teppanyaki is a not-so-new stall specialising in Western hotplates prepared to order and other traditional Taiwanese fried items and snacks.
Sometimes, the search for the perfect bowl of noodles takes you to places where you least expect it. Which is why I found myself in the far-flung corner of Bukit Batok’s industrial area, after braving an almost two-hour commute there.
“Noodles worth traveling from (insert neighbourhood in the opposite end of Singapore) to Bukit Batok for” should be Laifaba Authentic Wood-Fired Roast & Noodles‘ tagline. And judging by the bustling crowd at 2pm on a weekday, it seems many think the same.
I know what you’re thinking – another cafe in another cafe-overrun neighbourhood with specialty menus for lunch and dinner with the same island living-inspired decor. But, hear me out on this one!
Frankie & Fern’s is the new kid on the block – more specifically, Holland Avenue in Holland Village, that launched a little over a month back, and is already drawing non-stop queues to its “hidden” rooftop premises.
The Dawson-Queenstown neighbourhood just got a major upgrade in the form of Margaret Market, a refurbished, air-conditioned space fitted with seven local eateries and cafes. One of these is Urban Folks.
Inspired by founder Vernetta Fong’s time as a student in Melbourne, Australia, Urban Folks’ menu has all the trappings of an Australian cafe – namely, jaffles, acai, and coffee.
It’s refreshing to venture out of town and explore heartland cafes for a change. Sin & Savage Bakehouse is a little over a year old, having been opened by the team behind Mixsense Private Dining. Located at Stirling Road in Queenstown, Sin & Savage aspires to serve elevated comfort food inspired by the owners’ love of classic flavours.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Acai Brothers has closed.
Singapore’s love for açaí shows no signs of slowing down, as yet another name sets up shop. This time, it’s Acai Brothers, an Australia-based. Established in 2014, this superfood brand has 20 chains across Down Under, with Singapore marking its first Southeast Asian expansion.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Lee’s Confectionery has closed.
I have a soft spot for HDB cafes, especially if it’s somewhere I can find artisanal, plated desserts. There’s something understated about savouring elegantly-crafted sweets in the comfort of a humble, familiar neighbourhood.
Lee’s Confectionery is about as unpretentious and heartland as you can get.
Chue On It 