Ken & Weiwei Singapore Food Journal

Tuga Singapore located in Dempsey Hill is an engaging space which celebrates authentic Portuguese cuisine and guests can immerse themselves in Portuguese culture.

The restaurant consists of a retail space for Portuguese food products and currently offers a 10% discount for off the shelf purchases. There are also over 600 labels of wine from different region of Portugal with prices start from $60.00.

The following are some of the menu items that we had.

“A Bulhao Pato” Clams – Portuguese white and garlic clams

Pastéis de Bacalhau – Codfish cakes, a mixture of potatoes, codfish, eggs, parsley and onion

Salada de Polvo – Portuguese Octopus Salad

Carne de Porco “À Alentejana“One of the most traditional and popular pork

dishes of Portuguese cuisine. It is a combination of pork and clams with potatoes and coriander.

 “A Lagareiro” Octopus – a seafood dish featuring grilled octopus and smashed potatoes with herbed garlic oil drizzled over

The Francesinha do Carvalho is Portugal’s decadent answer to the croque-madame. It is a Portuguese sandwich originally from Porto, made with bread, wet-cured ham, linguiça, fresh sausage like chipolata, steak or roast meat and covered with melted cheese and a hot and thick spiced tomato and beer sauce.

Arroz de Marisco, Seafood Rice prepared in a rich and flavorful broth.

The “A Narcisa” Codfish is another popular Portuguese dish which consists of codfish , potatoes and onions that is fried together with laurel and cloves.

Those with a sweet tooth will fancy the dessert Leite de Crème or Portuguese Milk Custard.

 Block 8 Dempsey Road 01-15 Singapore 247696

 Opening Hours: Daily: 11.00am to 11.00pm

Soak up the glitz and glamour of the Fashionista Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge in Conrad Singapore.

Conrad Singapore decadent Afternoon Tea has received a gorgeous makeover. Themed “Fashionista”,  it includes a host of sweet and savoury delights with a wide variety of free flow Ronnefeldt Tea or Brazilian Coffee.

You will be greeted with the welcome drink Heel Top which is a specially curated concoction made up of Strawberry, Lemon Juice, Rose Syrup and topped up with Ginger Ale.

Thereafter savor these eyecatching and flavorful treats

Berry Rouge – Raspberry Sensation

Passion for Heels – Passion Chocolate, Mango Crémeux, Peta Crispy

Cap-tivating -Thai Red Tea Mousse, Strawberry Compôte, Joconde

“Lapis” Purse – 55% Chocolate

Pink Sakura – Ice Plant, Truffle Salsa, Brie, Pear and Raisin Chutney

Gold Dust Bresaola Charcoal Puff – Ricotta Cream Cheese, Cress, Gold Pearls

Smoked Salmon and Caviar Wheels – Dill & Horseradish Cream, Gold Leaf, Baby Sorrel

Sesame Tuna Tataki – Togarashi Cream Cheese, Yuzu Caviar, Toasted White Bread and Cracker

Plain and Raisin Classic Scones with Wild Strawberries Jam and Clotted Cream

For the Coffee Selection, there is House Blend Coffee options of Espresso , Macchiato , Piccolo Latte , Long Black , Flat White, Caffé Latte , Cappuccino and Caffé Mocha.

The Tea Selection consists of the below.

Black Tea – English Breakfast, Splendid Earl Grey, Darjeeling Springtime, Classic Orange Pekoe, Irish Whiskey Cream

Wellness Tea – Herbs & Ginger

Green Tea – Finest Shizuoka Sencha, Morgentau, Jasmine Pearls

Chinese Tea – Pu-er, Superior Oolong, Milky Oolong, Dragonwell Zhejiang

Herbal Fusion – Peppermint, Pure Camomile

Flavoured Fruit Fus – Granny Garden, Soft Peach, Sweet Kiss

 2 Temasek Boulevard Singapore 038982

 Opening Hours: 

Monday to Friday: 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Saturday to Sunday (2 seatings)

1st Seating: 1.00pm to 3.00pm

2nd Seating: 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Singapore’s largest organic and natural food store Terra Madre has recently opened at Dempsey Hill. It encompasses both a retail and dining concept with a mission statement to make healthy and pure foods available to all, inspire people to eat better and to look after our planet.

The retail outlet offers all organic and natural produce that is mainly imported from Australia while its kitchen serves up a Modern Australian menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Below are some of their recommended lunch items

Charred eggplants, organic freekeh, grilled peppers, charred onions, Persian feta, sherry dressing, pomegranate (vegan)

Vine leaf grilled halloumi, vine leaf verde, lemon, micro herbs (vegan)

Asian slaw, wombok, pickled red cabbage, chilli, pickled ginger, tamarind dressing, mint, jalapeno

Gochujang baked salmon, yuzu, miso, lemon, spring onions, organic sesame seeds

Avocado and kale with organic pepita, organic goji berry, cherry tomatoes, micro-herbs and TM sherry dressing (vegan)

Organic spatchcock chicken, peri-peri sauce, coriander, charred lime, mint

Grilled sweet potato, kumara gold, tamarind, coriander, chilli, charred lime, organic peanut, butter (vegan)

Wild caught grilled tiger prawns, pickled cucumber, lemon, parsley

Grilled mushrooms toastie, cashew cheese pesto, portobello & button mushrooms, romesco on multigrain sourdough (vegan)

Their exquisite desserts caught our eye and we were impressed with the Calabaza Squash Mousse Cake consisting of gluten free sponge, cream cheese pumpkin mousse, spiced ginger meringue, ginger syrup.  We also had the Tropical Panna Cotta made up of guava & mango jelly, lime zest, fresh seasonal mango and the
Vegan Chocolate Tart prepared with pecan streusel, yuzu ganache, vegan chocolate mousse and soybean tart. All 3 desserts are vegan friendly.

 71 Loewen Road 01-02 Singapore 248847

 Opening Hours: Daily: 8.00am to 10.00pm

Yoshi Restaurant located at Forum Shopping Mall offers authentic Kyoto kaiseki fine dining experience. I attended a Sake Pairing and Omakase Lunch there recently as Sake Sommelier Joshua Kalinan shared about the different sakes that go well with the dishes in the special menu.

We started with the Sakizuke, Chiba Abalone served with Fruits and Vinegar Jelly. It is paired with Kitaya Junmai Ginjo Summer Season Sake.

Then we had the 6 Types of Seasonal Appetisers paired with Born Gokuhizo Junmai Daiginjo.

The Suimono was warm and comforting. Prepared with King Crab and Shimeiji Mushroom in Kyoto Style Clear Soup, it was paired with Shichiken Kinunoaji Junmai Daiginjo.

Then we had the Tsukiri items of Seabream and Tuna Fatty Belly which were paired with the Daina Chokarakuchi Junmai Ginjo.

Chef’s Special Sushi was the Hiroshima Wagyu rolled with Hokkaido Bafun Uni. It was paired with Aizu Chujo Junmaishu.

This was followed by the Pike Conger Eel with Pine Mushroom Mini Hotpot that was paired with Taiheikai 1314 Junmai Ginjo Genshu.

For mains, we had the Japanese Seasonal Mixed Mushroom Claypot Rice which was paired with Suminoe ‘Assemblage Something Four’ Junmai Ginjo.

Finally, we end off with Seasonal Fruits from Japan and hot Japanese Matcha to complete the sake pairing and omakase lunch.

The Sake Pairing and Omakase Lunch is held on the first and third Sunday of each month. Head to https://yoshirestaurant.com to make a reservation.

 583 Orchard Road Forum The Shopping Mall B1-39 Singapore 238884

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12.00pm to 1.30pm, 7.00pm to 9.30pm

Dopo Teatro by Creative Eateries is where traditional Italian cuisine meets modern interpretation. Here one can find a variety of wholesome dishes which are prepared using premium Japanese ingredients that embodies the best of the distinctive Italian way of life.

First we had the Appetizers Sakoshi Oysters served with Yuzu Cucumber Granita, Seaweed Pearls and Spiced Lardo and the Sake Broth Live Mussels consisting of live green lip mussels with sake shellfish broth, kombu, mascarpone and tomatoes.

For the Mains, we delighted in the Unagi Pizza which features premium unagi with kebayaki drizzle and shaved bonito,  Asari Pasta, linguine in sake clam jus with clams, asparagus and tomatoes , the Snapper Acqua Pazza, locally farmed snapper with tomato nage, fregola and ice plant and the Onglet Tagliata, barley fed grilled onglet with garlic potato puree, grilled brocollini and house special jus.

The Pistachio Canoli made up of cocoa canoli shell, pistachio whipped ganache, matcha pistachio semifreddo and buerre noisette crumble is our dessert for the meal.

 8 Raffles Avenue Esplanade Singapore 01-11 Singapore 039802

 Opening Hours: Daily: 12.00pm to 10.00pm

The weekend is here and its time for a lovely indulgence with the Weekend À La Carte High-Tea Buffet at Royale by Mercure Singapore Bugis. Start with the 3-Tier Tea Set of sweet treats Traditional English scones with Raspberry Preserve & Clotted Cream, Royale Dark Chocolate Black Forest Cake, Swan Choux with Salted Egg Custard, Tarte Au Citron, Earl Grey Financier, Cempedak Green Velvet Cake, Cheese Cake, Champagne Gelee with Limoncello Macerated Fruits and Mascarpone as well as Assorted Macarons.

Then you can enjoy a free flow of Asian favorites, Assorted Dim Sum Basket consisting of Prawn Har Kaw, Truffle Jade Dumpling and Siew Mai with Tobiko, Steam Lau Sa Pau, Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice, Udon with Bonito & Poached Egg and Chilli Crab with Mantou.

There is also a variety of items to select too such as Smoked Salmon Cucumber Sandwich, Tomato & Emmental Cheese Sandwich, Banh Mi, Spinach Quiche, Fried Carrot Cake with Prawns, Kataifi Prawn Roll and Crispy Spring Roll and the crispy Angry Wings.

Complete the meal with desserts such as Chilled Fruit Compote, Cheng Tng, Durian Pengat and Sesame Ball with Lotus Paste. For beverages, there is free flow freshly brewed coffee and TWG tea.

 For enquiries or reservations, call 6521 6030 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit https://www.mercure-singapore-bugis.com/offers/royale-weekend-high-tea/

Follow @mercuresingaporebugis on Instagram to be updated of their latest promotions. 

 122 Middle Road Singapore 188973

 High Tea Hours: Saturday and Sunday 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Cost: $58.00++ per pax. Quote “Ken” to enjoy 1 for 1 offer for their Weekend À La Carte High-Tea Buffet

Pamper your loved ones to an afternoon of indulgence in the comfort of your home with Park Royal Pickering Lime Restaurant’s Tiers of Joy Afternoon Tea Set.

Tiers of Joy by Lime on the Go starts with a selection of savouries that includes Parma Ham Sandwich, Smoked Salmon in Pumpernickel and Singapore Chilli Crab Lobster Quiche. My favorite is the latter which boasts a rich, robust flavor and chunky crab lobster meat to go with.

This is followed by famed sweet desserts comprising and not limited to Macaron with Mascarpone Cream, Raspberry and Framboise Jam, Rainbow Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Yuzu Meringue Tart.

The high tea set is complimented by a selection of six exclusive coffees and teas of your choice and one can pick from a wide variety of Bacha Coffee and TWG Tea based on your preference. One can also opt to top up with both Classic and Chicken Bak Kwa scones served with Strawberry Jam, Orange Marmalade Jam and Cream Cheese.

 Preorder one day in advance at https://shop-parkroyalcollectionpickering.panpacific.com/en_SG. Enjoy 10%* off Tiers of Joy takeaway set for orders placed and delivered from Monday to Thursday. 

Call 3138 2251 or email [email protected] to enquire.

 3 Upper Pickering Street Singapore 058289

 Opening Hours: Daily 7.00am to 10.00pm

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The menu of Nozomi is curated by parent restaurant Yoshi and features high quality bento boxes and donburis.

We had the opportunity to savor some of their recommended items and the highlight is the Yoshi’s Special Chirashi, a luxurious combination of seasonal sashimi including Hokkaido Uni, Otoro, Ama Ebi and Zuwaigani on red vinegar sushi rice. There are also the Hokkaido A5 Wagyu Beef Rice, Hay-smoked chargrilled A5 Wagyu beef from Hokkaido served on rice and Yoshi’s Maguro Special, Bluefin tuna (Otoro, Chutoro, Akami and Negitoro) served on red vinegar sushi rice. Both are part of Yoshi’s Signatures menu.

Also featured here is the Premium Sushi & Maki Platter consisting of Assorted Nigiri, Tamago Maki and Tuna Maki that is perfect for sharing and one can also choose to add on sides such as the Lobster Mentaiyaki. Nozomi also offers an extensive selection of sake that can be a perfect complement to any meal.

? Head to https://order.nozomi.sg to order

? Forum The Shopping Mall

Millenia Walk

The Star Vista

TXA Gastorbar by One Group at The Alkaff Mansion embraces all things Spanish with the launch of a new menu, focusing on delectable Spanish grills and flavours.

First we had the Tapas and featured here are the Clams Andalusian Style, Tindle Foods Chicken Meatballs , Roasted Cauliflower, Coca De Chorizo and Spanish Omelette. The rich and flavorful broth of the Clams Andalusian Style stands out for us.

Next up are the ‘Char’ Grills, there is the signature Grilled Octopus and my favorite Honey Glazed Pork Ribs, the meat fall off the bone easily and is meltingly tender. We end off with the Bunuelos De Viento, Spanish Donuts coated with snow sugar and dipped in the warm and comforting chocolate syrup.

 10 Telok Blangah Green The Alkaff Mansion Singapore 109178

 Opening Hours: Daily: 4.00pm to 11.00pm

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Sapporo Misono by is the 9th concept store by Keisuke Group and their first-ever Hokkaido specialty ramen concept. There will be 3 signature broths, the Sapporo Misono Miso is loaded with the wonderful earthy flavours of fermented Japanese soy paste while the Scorched Shoyu has a soy sauce-based broth that is first scorched to impart its full distinct flavour. Not forgetting the spice lovers, the Hokkaido Sapporo Spicy Miso is made using Keisuke’s special spicy sauce using Gochujiang, local chilli paste and chili padi for that extra kick.

Sapporo Misono uses special yellow Sapporo noodles that are left to age for 5-6 days after they are kneaded and formed into noodles which reduces the moisture level and resulting in a more springy-chewy texture. The recommended ramen item for any of the broths will be the Hokkaido Sapporo Ramen with Butter & Corn Special which makes the broth even richer and creamier with a pat of butter.

Tsukemen enthusiasts can also enjoy dipping noodles with the Hokkaido Miso Tsukemen and add on the new side dishes such as Char Mayo, Hokkaido Potato Mochi, Ikameshi (rice-filled squid) and Kani Ikura Meshi (Crab meat & Salmon Roe on Rice) . Complete the meal with their dessert Hokkaido Premium Milk Soft Cream.

 9 Raffles Boulevard Millenia Walk 02-15 Singapore 039596

 Opening Hours: 

Monday to Friday: 11.30am to 3.00pm, 5.00pm to 9.30pm 

Saturday, Sunday: 11.30am to 9.30pm