Wednesday, September 30, 2026

4 good food choice @ Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre – Next to Farmway LRT

Singapore - Updated 2 October 2026

Went to Anchorvale Village hawker center again on 2 October to try other dishes . 

On my return to Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre, I decided to try Hainan Beef Noodle & Claypot for lunch. Whenever I order a beef noodle, I usually pay attention to two important things — the gravy and the tenderness of the beef. For this visit, I ordered their dry beef noodle so that I could properly taste and judge both.

The gravy was rich, savoury and packed with flavour, coating the noodles nicely without being overly salty. More importantly, the portion of beef was generous, and the beef was tender and easy to chew. This made the dish satisfying from the first bite to the last.

What made the dish even more interesting was the chincalok, served with a generous amount of onions. The combination added a distinctive fermented, savoury and slightly tangy flavour that worked surprisingly well with the beef and noodles. It gave the dish an extra dimension and made each mouthful more enjoyable.

After lunch, I headed down to the ground floor and spotted A&W. Seeing the familiar root beer immediately brought back memories of my younger days, when an A&W Root Beer Float was such a treat.

Naturally, I ordered one — served in a frosted mug with ice-cold root beer and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That first sip brought back plenty of nostalgia. Sometimes, a simple drink can bring back wonderful memories.

--------------- 30 September 2026 

Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre is an interesting addition to the Sengkang food scene, conveniently located on the second floor of Anchorvale Village, right next to Farmway LRT station. The hawker centre officially opened on 19 June 2024, making it a relatively new destination for residents and food hunters exploring the north-east.

There is quite a lot happening within the building. The first floor houses a variety of familiar fast-food outlets and restaurants, including Jollibee, Burger King, A&W and Subway. Down in the basement, you will find a FairPrice supermarket together with several smaller food stalls. The hawker centre itself occupies the second floor, offering a more traditional Singaporean dining experience.

My first stop was Hakka Leipopo (#02-05), an establishment known for its popular thunder tea rice (Lei Cha). I ordered the Let Cha Set for $5.30, which comes with white rice, finely chopped vegetables and the signature green thunder tea soup.

I found the meal very tasty and appetising. The green soup had a wonderfully umami-rich flavour, complementing the rice and finely chopped vegetables. It was a simple yet wholesome meal that felt both satisfying and refreshing.



I also tried the Thai fried banana from Thai Khanom, priced at $5 for eight pieces. The bananas were sweet and ripe, wrapped in a thick, crispy batter generously sprinkled with sesame seeds. The combination reminded me of the old-school butterfly fritter, with a light and crunchy exterior.

My only complaint was that the fried bananas were rather oily. I think Thai Khanom could improve this by placing the freshly fried bananas on a rack to allow excess oil to drain.

Overall, Anchorvale Village is worth exploring, especially if you are looking for a convenient new hawker centre in Sengkang.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

XLX Modern Tze Char at Jalan Sultan Plaza

 Singapore - After the Cyber Security Exhibition at MBS,  together with Joseph we dropped by XLX Modern Tze Char at Jalan Sultan Plaza to try a couple of dishes, and the experience turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag.

First up was the Hokkien Fried Mee at $8.50, which I found quite enjoyable. The dish came with generous, fresh ingredients, including plump prawns and fresh clams, all sitting in a gooey, savoury gravy packed with umami. The seafood was definitely the highlight — the prawns were juicy and the clams fresh, giving the noodles a natural sweetness.

However, compared with some of the famous Hokkien mee stalls around Singapore, I felt the dish was missing that unmistakable “wok hei”. There was less of that smoky, charred aroma and flavour that you get when the noodles are fried over high heat in a well-seasoned wok. Nevertheless, the combination of fresh seafood and the rich gravy made this a decent and satisfying plate of Hokkien mee. At $8.50, it is not the cheapest, but the quality of the ingredients helped justify the price.

Unfortunately, the Salted Egg Chicken Cube Rice was a completely different story. I would suggest giving this one a miss. The chicken cubes were hard and noticeably tough, seemingly because they had been refried. Instead of the tender, juicy chicken I was expecting, the meat had lost much of its moisture and bite.

So, if you are visiting XLX Modern Tze Char, the Hokkien Fried Mee would be the dish I would consider ordering, especially if you enjoy seafood and a rich, savoury gravy. Just don't expect the strong wok hei of some of Singapore's famous Hokkien mee specialists.

As for the Salted Egg Chicken Cube Rice — skip it.

Friday, September 25, 2026

Toa Payoh Palm Spring Market – 3 delicious Hawker Finds at Lorong 4

I made a trip to Toa Payoh Palm Spring Market at 93 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, a relatively small and cosy neighbourhood food centre that often gets overshadowed by the more famous Toa Payoh hawker centres. But there are some interesting stalls here, and I decided to try three of them on this visit.

My first stop was Ping Xiang Wanton Mee (#01-46), run by a friendly husband-and-wife team from Ipoh. The lady was especially chatty and welcoming, happily chatting with customers while managing the stall. I arrived around 11am and was actually in the queue when they were down to the last few dishes they could cook.

I ordered the small Wanton Mee for $4.50. The springy noodles came with lean char siew, but because they were closing and had run out of wantons, the wife kindly asked whether can add mushrooms and shredded chicken. Together with a bowl of soup, I enjoyed the Malaysian-style darker soy sauce, which was robust without being overly salty. The noodles soaked up the sauce beautifully, making this a very satisfying bowl.

Next was Tea Inn Bak Kut Teh (#01-33), a young hawker's take on Malaysian-style herbal BKT. The $6.50 claypot herbal Bak Kut Teh came with pork ribs, enoki mushrooms and beancurd skin in a dark, aromatic herbal broth.

I have always enjoyed Bak Kut Teh, but unfortunately, the pork ribs were not tender enough for my liking. They had a texture that reminded me of previously frozen and thawed pork, which took away some of the enjoyment despite the fragrant soup.

Finally, I tried the French loaf kaya toast set from 99 Coffee Roti (#01-41) for $3.60. This was a pleasant surprise — crispy on the outside, moist inside, and generously spread with delicious kaya and butter.

Three stalls, three different experiences, but together they made for an interesting morning exploring another corner of Toa Payoh's hawker scene.

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Best Handmade Pau in Singapore

1.   Mei Kee Handmade Pau @ Lor 4 Toa Payoh, #01-301 Block 66, Singapore 310066.   The Char Siew Pau it turned out to be a simple but very satisfying treat.  The first thing I noticed was the texture of the pau itself. The skin was smooth, soft and nicely made, with a pleasant texture that was easy to bite through. There was no excessive sweetness or heaviness in the pau skin, allowing the filling to stand out.

Inside was a generous portion of char siew, which had a nice savoury-sweet flavour and complemented the soft pau perfectly. The char siew was tender enough to enjoy without being overly fatty, and the sauce gave the filling an additional depth of flavour. Every bite had a good balance between the fluffy pau and the tasty char siew inside.

What I liked most was its simplicity. There was nothing overly fancy about this char siew pau — just a well-made pau with a good filling, which is exactly what I look for when buying traditional handmade pau. 

2.  Ah Hao Handmade Dim Sum @ 47 Serangoon North Avenue 1 - This humble dim sum stall is run by an incredibly hardworking couple, and you can immediately taste the passion and dedication that goes into every piece they make. Unlike many commercial outlets, every dim sum here is handmade fresh, and the quality shines through in every bite.

I never miss their Siew Mai, which is juicy and flavourful. Their char siew pau is another favourite, but be warned—it sells out quickly, a testament to its popularity among regulars. My absolute favourite, however, is the Steamed Beancurd Skin Dumpling. Wrapped in delicate beancurd skin and filled with a delicious, well-seasoned filling, it is simply outstanding and one of the best I've tasted.

Another must-order is their Lor Mai Kai, featuring fragrant glutinous rice with tender chicken that is steamed to perfection.

If you're looking for authentic, handmade dim sum crafted with care rather than mass-produced offerings, this little stall is well worth visiting. Supporting passionate hawkers like this hardworking couple makes every meal even more enjoyable.

Top 3 Delicious Discoveries @ Toa Payoh Vista Market & Food Centre

Sometimes, you don't need a huge hawker centre with dozens of stalls to find good food. Toa Payoh Vista Market & Food Centre is one of the smallest food centres I have visited, with only around 10 stalls, but I discovered three dishes here that were really delicious and well worth trying.

Kar Sou Hakka Yong Tau Fu

My first stop was Kar Sou Hakka Yong Tau Fu #01-04, where I ordered the Bee Hoon Yong Tau Fu for $5. This is a traditional-style Hakka yong tau fu, featuring ingredients such as tofu, bitter gourd and brinjal stuffed with minced pork and herbs. The ingredients are deep-fried or braised before being served with a clear, comforting broth.

What I enjoyed was the simplicity of the dish. The stuffed pieces had a nice texture and savoury filling, while the clear broth brought everything together. Served with bee hoon, it made for a satisfying and comforting meal. It is the kind of traditional hawker food that doesn't need complicated presentation to be enjoyable.

Rahmath Cheese Prata

Next, I headed to Rahmath Cheese Prata #01-08, a stall that has been serving crispy prata for many years. I ordered their cheese prata, and it was a very enjoyable combination. The prata was crispy and golden on the outside, while the melted cheese inside added a rich and savoury flavour. 

The crispiness of the prata together with the soft, gooey cheese made every bite satisfying.

Finally, it was time for dessert — and this was something quite different. There is a stall dedicated to selling chendol, and that's pretty much what you will find there. No complicated menu, just one specialty done its own way.

The chendol came with fine shaved ice generously topped with rich gula melaka syrup. The sweetness of the gula melaka worked beautifully with the cold shaved ice, making it a refreshing and satisfying way to end my meal.

Monday, September 21, 2026

A Quiet Matcha Experience at KLARRA Cafe @ Raffles City

Edmund introduced me to a rather interesting little spot for a matcha break — KLARRA Cafe, tucked quietly inside a homegrown fashion boutique. It is not the kind of café that you would necessarily notice from the outside, but once you step inside, you discover a quaint and comfortable space that feels quite different from the usual busy cafés.

The atmosphere was one of the things I enjoyed most. It was quiet, cosy and relaxed, with the fashion boutique giving the café an unusual setting. It felt like a little hidden corner where you could slow down, enjoy a drink and have a conversation without the noise and bustle of a typical café.

KLARRA focuses on quality matcha and specialty coffee, with its matcha prepared using a traditional hand-whisking method and ceremonial-grade matcha. Naturally, I had to try their recommended Matcha Latte with Honey Cream, served over ice at $10.50.

The iced matcha latte had a rich, smooth and distinctly umami character. The honey cream added another layer of sweetness and creaminess, balancing the natural earthiness of the matcha. I enjoyed the contrast between the slightly bitter matcha and the sweet honey cream, making the drink quite indulgent without being overly sweet.

What I particularly liked about KLARRA Cafe was that it wasn't just about the drink. The experience of sitting quietly inside a fashion boutique made the nice visit quaint. It is a nice place to escape from the usual café crowd and enjoy a quality matcha in a comfortable setting.

At $10.50, the Matcha Latte with Honey Cream is certainly not the cheapest matcha drink around, but for those who appreciate good matcha and enjoy discovering unique café spaces, KLARRA Cafe is an interesting place to put on the list.

A Fun Mexican Lunch with Edmund at Chimichanga @ Raffles City

 Singapore - Today, I had lunch with my good friend Edmund at Chimichanga in Raffles City, looking for something a little different from our usual Singaporean hawker food. 

The moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were greeted by a friendly atmosphere and plenty of Mexican character. The décor was colourful and, I have to say, a little fun Mexican way — but somehow, it added to the experience and made the place feel lively and casual.

We decided to try a couple of the lunch specials and share the experience.

Vegetarian Jungle Jack Chimichanga

First up was the Vegetarian Jungle Jack Chimichanga. The chimichanga was nicely wrapped and fried until crispy on the outside, while the inside was piping hot. I was expecting to get more of the taste of the spiced jackfruit, but it wasn't particularly noticeable to me. Nevertheless, the filling was flavourful, satisfying and surprisingly filling. The crispy exterior combined with the warm filling made it an enjoyable lunch option.

Borracho Fish Tacos

We also ordered the Borracho Fish Tacos, featuring beer-battered fish. This was probably my favourite of the two. The fish tacos had a distinctive and rather unique taste that felt quite different from the usual tacos I've tried. The beer-battered fish added a nice texture and flavour, and every bite was enjoyable. It was an original combination that worked well for me.

Another nice touch was that each lunch special came with a glass of juice, making the meal feel quite complete.

Overall, it was a fun lunch with Edmund at Chimichanga. The food was hearty, the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, and the Borracho Fish Tacos were a real highlight. Sometimes it's nice to step away from the usual lunch routine and try something completely different — especially when good food is accompanied by good company.


Sunday, September 20, 2026

A Delicious Cantonese Dinner at East Bistro @ Serangoon Gardens

 Singapore - I recently had dinner at East Bistro, located at Serangoon Gardens Village, and it turned out to be a very enjoyable Cantonese dining experience. The food was genuinely good, with each dish prepared with care and packed with flavour although I have to say, the prices are on the expensive side for a neighbourhood restaurant.

Fish Curd with Luffa

We started with the fish curd with luffa in soup, which was essentially fresh and fluffy fishballs served together with luffa in a clear soup. The soup had a lovely ginger fragrance and flavour, while the fishballs were soft, fresh and bouncy. It was a comforting dish and a very good way to start the meal.

Mongolian Pork Ribs

The Mongolian pork ribs were another highlight. The ribs were tender and delicious, with a rich savoury flavour that made them very easy to enjoy. The meat came away nicely from the bone and was one of the dishes that everyone at the table kept going back to.

Salt-baked half chicken

We also tried their signature salt-baked half chicken, which was beautifully tender and nicely seasoned. The salt and spices penetrated the chicken well without overwhelming the natural flavour of the meat. It was simple but very satisfying.

For vegetables, we had kale with garlic and fried broccoli with garlic. Both were cooked very well, retaining a pleasant texture while carrying the fragrant flavour of fried garlic. Sometimes vegetable dishes can be an afterthought in a Chinese meal, but these two were definitely not; both were delicious and complemented the heavier meat dishes nicely.

East Bistro is also associated with Chef Tony Wong, who was previously the head chef of the Michelin-starred Lei Garden in Hong Kong and Singapore. That background certainly adds some credibility to the restaurant's Cantonese cooking.

Overall, I enjoyed my dinner at East Bistro. The fishball and luffa soup, Mongolian pork ribs and salted-baked chicken were particularly memorable, while the two vegetable dishes were equally well executed. The only drawback for me was the price; good food, but not a cheap dinner. 

Saturday, September 19, 2026

A Simple but Delicious Lunch @ Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Hawker Centre

 Singapore - Today’s food adventure brought me to Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Hawker Centre, located at Block 210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. Like many of Singapore’s neighbourhood hawker centres, the biggest challenge is not finding food; it is deciding what to eat! There was a wide selection of stalls offering everything from noodles and rice to snacks and desserts.

After walking around and looking at the different choices, I finally decided on the beef noodles from Sheng Tai Beef Noodle #01-12.


What arrived was a very generous portion. This $5 bowl came with plenty of tender beef shank, thick white noodles and a delicious beef sauce that coated the noodles nicely. The beef was especially tender, and the sauce had a wonderful umami flavour that made every mouthful satisfying. It was a simple bowl of noodles, but the generous serving and tasty beef made it a very enjoyable lunch.

Just nearby was another stall that immediately caught my attention — not because of its food display, but because of the snaking queue that seemed to never end at Wang Mei Soya Bean @ #01-27.

This stall has been operating at the food centre for more than 30 years and is now run by an elderly man together with his young daughter. Watching the constant stream of customers lining up made me curious, so naturally, I had to join the queue and find out what the attraction was.

I ordered a soya bean drink for $1.40 and a soya beancurd for $1.20. Both were wonderfully smooth and had a clean, gentle soya flavour. Nothing overly complicated — just simple, fresh and comforting. I can understand why this little stall continues to attract such a loyal following after so many years.

It was another reminder that sometimes the best hawker food doesn't need to be fancy or expensive. At Toa Payoh Lorong 8, a bowl of beef noodles and a cup of traditional soya bean drink were enough to make a very satisfying lunch.


Thursday, September 17, 2026

3 Best Food @ Shunfu Market & Hawker Centre

Singapore - Updated September 2026

I recently returned to Shunfu Market & Hawker Centre after my original visit in 2023. This time I tried Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice, Mei Zhen Hakka Delicacies and several other stalls.  Shunfu Market & Hawker Centre, also known as Shunfu Mart Food Centre, is a neighbourhood hawker centre near Marymount MRT in Singapore. I took the Circle Line to Marymount MRT Exit A and walked about 10 minutes to explore some of the popular food stalls at Shunfu.

Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice at Shunfu Mart #02-22

My first stop was the highly regarded Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice #02-22. I was lucky to get the chance to try this popular stall, which has received attention from The Straits Times and well-known food bloggers including Miss Tam Chiak and Daniel Food Diary. The stall has also appeared on television, with owner Mr Neo Cheng Leong featured as a hawker mentor in a Mediacorp/CNA Insider documentary series.

So, was the chicken rice worth the attention? For me, absolutely. The chicken was very tender, and the rice was particularly delicious, cooked and soaked in rich chicken broth that gave every mouthful a wonderful flavour. At $4.50, it was a very satisfying plate of chicken rice and easily became the highlight of my lunch.

Next, I headed to Mei Zhen Hakka Delicacies #02-26 for their famous Hakka abacus seeds. These chewy, indented yam paste balls are becoming increasingly rare because making them traditionally requires a tremendous amount of manual work — steaming, mashing and shaping the yam paste by hand.

The plate cost $5.50, and I could understand why they are so sought after. The abacus seeds were beautifully stir-fried with plenty of dried shrimp or hae bee, mushrooms and turnip, then generously covered with fragrant fried shallots. There were so many layers of flavour — savoury, aromatic and slightly chewy — making this another dish I thoroughly enjoyed.

Then came my biggest disappointment of the day: the popiah from Heng Heng #02-25. Unfortunately, the preparation looked quite unappetising to me, and the chilli was simply chilli sauce rather than the kind of chilli accompaniment I was hoping for. The taste was ordinary, and at $2, it was easily the worst dish of my lunch.

To end the meal on a sweeter note, I tried the chocolate éclair from Chocolate N' Spice #02-12. At $2.50, it was packed with rich chocolate flavour and plenty of chocolate — a delicious little treat to finish the afternoon.

Overall, Shunfu gave me a great hawker experience, with the chicken rice and Hakka abacus seeds standing out as the stars of my visit. Sometimes, exploring a neighbourhood hawker centre is like opening a treasure box — you never know what delicious discovery awaits you.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Morning walk @ Fort Canning Park with sister

 Singapore -  My sister and I started our walk around Fort Canning Park at 7am, and it turned out to be a lovely morning. The haze had subsided considerably, and the weather was much more comfortable for walking. The cooler morning air and greenery made the early start worthwhile.

Fort Canning is one of those places in Singapore where you can enjoy nature while walking through layers of history. The park itself is 22 hectares and has nine historical gardens, making every visit feel like there is something new to discover.

One of the highlights was the newly renovated Spice Garden, which reminded us of how closely Singapore's early history was connected to spices, plants and trade.

We also stopped to admire Scholars in Conversation: Sir Stamford Raffles and Dr Nathaniel Wallich, two life-size bronze statues unveiled in May 2024. Rather than standing formally on pedestals, the two figures are depicted having a natural conversation. The sculpture commemorates their contributions to Singapore's early botanical heritage and stands at the site of Singapore's first botanical garden.

As we continued walking, we passed the old lighthouse site, reminders of Fort Canning's role as an important communication centre during the colonial period. The hill once had a flagstaff, time ball, lighthouse and telegraph office.


We also walked past the Fire Director's House, before heading towards the Singapore River and the rapidly changing Clarke Quay area. The former Liang Court site is now part of the major CanningHill development, with Moxy Singapore Clarke Quay, CanningHill Piers, CanningHill Square and Somerset Clarke Quay taking shape. Moxy is expected to receive its TOP around the end of 2026 and open in 2027.

Moxy (left) Somerset (foreground) and Condo (background)

We ended our walk at Sang Nila Utama Garden, where we spotted a squirrel, and an archaeological excavation site. Archaeological evidence shows Fort Canning Hill was inhabited as far back as the 14th century.

Sang Nila Utama garden

Spot the squirrel

A beautiful morning walk, exercise, nature and Singapore history all in one. Sometimes the best way to rediscover Singapore is simply to walk

Friday, September 11, 2026

Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles – @ Grantral Mall - Tai Seng MRT

 Singapore - I recently found myself craving a comforting bowl of Lanzhou beef noodles, so I decided to give Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles a try. There is something satisfying about watching a bowl of hand-pulled noodles come together, especially when you can customise the type of noodles to suit your preference.

For my lunch, I ordered the Lanzhou Beef Noodles with small flat noodles. I like having the choice of noodle types, as the texture can make quite a difference to the eating experience. I also requested less chilli oil, as I prefer some spice but don't want the chilli to overpower the soup.

The bowl arrived looking simple but inviting, with tender slices of beef, plenty of coriander and leek, and a fragrant soup. The beef was nicely cooked and tender, while the soup was flavourful and comforting. Despite asking for less chilli oil, there was still a small kick of spice, which was actually perfect for me.

I particularly enjoyed the balance. The chilli added warmth without taking over the natural flavour of the beef and soup. The coriander and leek also added a nice freshness to every mouthful. With the small flat noodles soaking up the delicious broth, it made for a very satisfying lunch.

Sometimes, a good bowl of noodles doesn't need to be complicated. Good noodles, tender beef, a flavourful broth and the right amount of chilli can make a very enjoyable meal.

Overall, I had a nice and satisfying lunch at Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles, and I think it is worth another visit. Next time, I would like to try a different noodle style and perhaps another item from the menu.

Thursday, September 10, 2026

A Taste of Hainanese Heritage at The Hainan Colony @ 18 Tai Seng mall - Tai Seng MRT

 Singapore - Today, I discovered another interesting little eatery near the Tai Seng MRT exit C — The Hainan Colony, located at Tai Seng 18, a nine-storey mixed-use commercial and retail building.

This was my first visit to The Hainan Colony, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The restaurant is a simple, no-frills diner, but its story is what makes it interesting.

The menu features classic dishes prepared using family recipes, celebrating the unique fusion cuisine created by early Hainanese immigrants who came to Singapore and worked as chefs for British colonial families.

Over time, these Hainanese chefs adapted Western dishes using local ingredients and their own cooking techniques, creating a distinctive style of Singaporean Hainanese cuisine that many of us have grown up enjoying.

Looking through the menu, there were quite a number of tempting choices. After some consideration, I decided to try the Beef Stew Baguette.

And what a good choice it turned out to be!

The beef stew was rich and comforting, with tender pieces of beef braised together with carrots, potatoes and a blend of spices. The beef was soft and flavourful, and the sauce had that wonderful hearty taste you expect from a good slow-cooked stew.

But what really completed the dish was the baguette.

It was served warm, with a wonderfully crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. Dipping the crispy bread into the beef stew and soaking up the delicious gravy made every bite even more enjoyable.

It was a simple meal, but sometimes simple is exactly what you want.

My first visit to The Hainan Colony turned out to be a very pleasant discovery. Good food, interesting heritage and a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere — all at one small diner in Tai Seng.

I had a very good meal here, and I would definitely come back to try some of their other Hainanese-inspired dishes

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Tora-San @ Grantral Mall - Tai Seng MRT

 Singapore - Today’s food adventure brought me to Tora-San, located at Grantral Mall @ MacPherson. Getting there was easy and it was just a short five-minute walk from Tai Seng MRT Station exit B.

Tora-San offers around eight different set meals, ranging from sashimi selections to cooked dishes. After looking through the choices, I decided to try the Bara-Chirashi Don.

The bowl came generously topped with fresh sashimi, including salmon, tuna and yellowtail, all cut into small cubes. The sashimi tasted fresh and delicious, and the combination of different fish gave every mouthful a nice variety of flavours and textures.

What made the meal even more worthwhile was the set that came with it. Besides the Bara-Chirashi Don, I also received miso soup, sesame tofu, hot green tea and mochi ice cream for dessert.


The total came to $26.13, which I thought was quite reasonable considering the amount of food included in the set. It was a satisfying Japanese meal without feeling overly expensive.

After lunch, I decided to explore the mall, which was my first visit to Grantral Mall @ MacPherson. The mall opened in late 2024 and is a relatively mid-sized neighbourhood shopping mall.

The 1st floor has various restaurants and eateries, while the 2nd floor houses Scarlett Supermarket, which focuses mainly on Chinese groceries, fresh vegetables, snacks and other food products. The 3rd floor is largely dedicated to children's enrichment centres, while the 4th floor consists mainly of offices.

It was also interesting to learn more about the ownership behind the mall. Grantral Mall @ MacPherson is part of the Grantral portfolio under Elegant Group, which is associated with Guangzhou-based Grantral Group. The group has been expanding its presence in Singapore's retail property scene.

Its Singapore mall portfolio includes The Clementi Mall, Grantral Mall @ Clementi, Grantral Mall @ MacPherson, Changi City Point, KINEX and Tanjong Katong Complex.

All in all, it was a worthwhile trip — good sashimi, a value-for-money Japanese set meal, and a new Singapore mall discovered!

A Heritage Food Trail @ People’s Park Hawker Centre

 Singapore - Located in the heart of Chinatown, People’s Park Food Centre is one of Singapore’s long-established hawker centres, offering a...