Following the resounding success of the SINGAPORE RESTAURANT WEEK held in March, October’s edition will once again see the city’s top dining establishments lure diners with sumptuous offerings and exclusive menus, this time to the overarching theme of “Sinfully Delectable”.

With Singapore as an iconic foodie paradise, food fanatics can indulge in an excit-ing range of cuisines from more than 100 of Singapore’s most celebrated restaurants offering week-long dining deals. We were invited to the media tasting to catch a glimpse of the dishes that will be presented during Singapore Restaurant Week.

Our first stop was Shisen Hanten (333 Orchard Rd) – a well known restaurant from Japan. It was started in 1958 by the late Chen Kenmin who is regarded as Japan’s “Father of Sichuan Cuisine.” He passed down his legacy to his eldest son, Chen Kenichi, who himself earned wide acclaim as one of Japan’s most celebrated iron chefs.

Nicknamed “The Szechwan Sage,” Chen Kenichi expanded the family business, branching out across Japan and imbuing his personal touch to the Shisen Hanten brand by incorporating fresh new ideas into the menu offerings. His signature dishes emphasised the seven basic flavours that give Sichuan food that distinct boldness, namely – sour, pungent, hot, sweet, bitter, aromatic, and salty.

Our appetizers include a chawanmushi with seafood and bamboo pith broth. The egg custard is smooth and velvety but the sauce was a little too salty for my liking. I prefer the other dish that we tried – Stir Fried Prawns with Chilli Sauce. Inspired by our local chilli crab, Chef Kenichi’s version is less sweet and more spicy.

We are chauffeured to our next destination – Opus Bar and Grill in Hilton Singapore, by spacious Audi cars. With a open kitchen right in the middle of the restaurant, you can witness the chefs expertly cook in the grill pod; hear the searing of prime cuts of meat; and smell the unique caramelized and smoky flavor.

Helmed by head chef Rene Knudsen from Denmark, chef firmly believes in keeping abreast to the culinary trends. Using a specially commissioned Himalayan salt tile cabinet and charcoals, this innovative grill creates some of the best meats anyone has tasted in Singapore. His Sous Vide Chicken Breast is served with corn, Scandinavian slaw, charred onion and browned butter. Beautifully plated, the chicken breast is tender and smoky. The Scandinavian slaw provides a refreshing take on the dish.

Positioned as modern European cuisine dining destination, Chef Selamat Susanto from The Royal Mail (2 Finlayson Green) combines colourful Asian ingredients in his European dishes. We ended our Restaurant Week trail with Durian Croquembouche. The soft puff is filled with durian custard on a bad of almond crumble.

Also for this coming edition, DiningCity is adding a social responsibility angle by set-ting a target of raising $100,000 for The Food Bank Singapore, a registered charity that collects surplus food to be redistributed to organisations and people in need of food. This project is called “Two-Bucks-For-A-Truck” and the funds raised will be used to purchase a truck and convert it into a mobile food pantry – that people might one day notice driving around Singapore.

Participating restaurants will donate up to $2 per check out of their revenue, until the fund-raising target is achieved. The progress of the fund-raising will be visible via the TRIKKLE-Funding platform by CrozzBorderz, which will also enable the public to do-nate towards this meaningful and tangible project, simply by sending an SMS.

Priority bookings will be offered to American Express Card Members from 18 September 2015. American Express® Card* Members can enrol and pay with your American Express Card at participating restaurants during Singapore Restaurant Week for a chance to win a 3D2N staycation and retail vouchers worth $1500! Look out for more information coming your way.

Booking for the public will be open from 28 September 2015. Participating restaurants will offer exclusive three-course menus for both lunch and dinner priced at $25++ and $35++ respectively. Dining City Star-Awarded restaurants will charge a supplement of $15++ for lunch and $20++ for dinner. A full list of participating and DiningCity Star-Awarded restaurants can be found on www.RestaurantWeek.SG

Opened last year, Legendary Hong Kong at Jurong Point reflects the restaurant’s commitment to give diners the most authentic Hong Kong cuisine experience one can find on this little red dot. Located along the vibrant “Mongkok” (旺角) district in Jurong Point — Singapore’s first Hong Kong themed shopping and dining street, the restaurant is recreated with an old Hong Kong ambience with décor of warm tones, mosaic flooring and old-fashioned dining booths and chairs.

Because of the many reviews we reviews we read online, we decided to make a trip to the west to give it a try. The menu has over 300 dishes and the kitchen is helmed by five accomplished Master Chefs, each with their own specialty in Hong Kong cuisine that spans across five themes – Roasted Meats, Noodles and Congee, Dim Sum and Bakery.

As part of the history and culture of Hong Kong’s Yum Cha lifestyle, Dim Sum is a must and has become an integral part of Hong Kong life. At Legendary Hong Kong, Master Chef Ko Che Fai, formerly from famed establishments such as W Hong Kong and Crystal Jade, is only interested in using the finest and freshest ingredients he can get his hands on.

We had some classic items including Steamed Shrimp Dumplings ($5.50) and Congee with Century Egg & Pork ($6.80). The har kao skin was slightly thick and the shredded chicken in the congee was rather tough. However, I like the Sauteed Turnip Cake with XO Sauce ($5.50) featuring soft turnip cake with mildly spicy XO sauce. Some of the uncommon items on the menu include the Rice Flour Roll with Deep-fried Shrimp Spring Rolls ($5.50) which has a party of contrasting textures.

Their Baked BBQ Pork Buns ($5.50++ for 3) was sold out that day. I was quite disappointed because I travelled all the way to Jurong for this and was craving for their baked buns. Sigh. But well, it’s my fault because I should have ordered that first and eat it instead of waiting till the last.

For those who are familiar with MAK’s Noodle, their noodles are undoubtedly considered to be one of the best in Hong Kong. Today, the same chef who made the noodles at MAK’s Noodle, Master Chef Ho Yum, is now working in the kitchen of Legendary Hong Kong.

In keeping with the authentic taste, besides the extremely springy and smooth noodles, the chef is insistent on using only the traditional Wonton – those which are filled with shrimp, rather than those filled with pork that are commonly found in Singapore. The wantons are stuffed full of juicy nuggets of shrimp, folded into little round wrinkled parcels. The skin is not as slippery as I expected at Mak’s but you get a good crunch from the shrimps. The soup has a hint of the lye-water (jian shui) aftertaste from the noodles but not too overpowering.

Honestly, I prefer the Tossed Noodle with Spicy Pork Sauce ($7.80) because the spicy pork sauce was really tasty and after a good toss, the savory and sweet sauce coats the noodles well.

Hong Kong styled roast meats are considered to be one of the best in Chinese cuisine. The glaze of the skin and the texture of the meats vary from the style of roasting to the cut and type of meats. Hong Kong Master Chef Siu Chin Ho, with over 23 years of experience in roast meats, prepares each roast with extreme care to deliver just the right amount of tenderness and succulence.

The Legendary Hong Kong house specialty of “Roasted London Duck” (明炉烧伦敦鸭) is undisputedly the best-seller on the menu. The restaurant goes through about 50 roast ducks a day. Named after the city of London where people from around the globe flock to in search of the “best duck in the world”, Legendary Hong Kong uses “Grade A” Irish ducks from Silver Hill Farm in Ireland.

98% of the Chinese restaurants in the United Kingdom selling roast ducks use the Silver Hill breed of ducklings, including the famed chef Heston Blumenthal. A premium farm where ducks are fed on wholesome, natural foods and exercised daily, this tender care from food to exercise gives the ducks consistent tenderness in its flesh and an unforgettable aroma when cooked. Our BBQ Twin Combo ($16.80) consists of Roasted London Duck and BBQ Pork. The roasted duck has a beautiful orange crispy skin with tender meat. However, the char siew we had that day was really dry and tough.

The stir fried dishes fare better, in my opinion. We had a bowl of Braised Beef Brisket, Tendon & Tripe ($10.80) which is stewed in broth until the briskets and tendons turn into fork tender magical nuggets with a light yet deeply flavorful broth.

After a round of dishes, the restaurant manager came over and recommended Braised Assorted Vegetables with Preserved Taro Sauce in Clay Pot ($12.80). This turns out to be the star of my dinner. Because they specially imported Chinese Preserved Beancurd from Hong Kong, the vegetable dish is spiced yet sweet, firm yet soft, and deliciously flavorful. For a safe option, for the the Poached Spinach with Salty and Century Eggs ($9.80).

Because I didn’t get a chance to eat their Baked BBQ Pork Buns, I ordered a French Toast HK Style ($3) instead. It’s sweet and eggy, with peanut butter in it. Still can’t beat my favourite french toast at Cafe de Hong Kong because the thick bread was more pillowy soft, but good enough to end the night.

We paired it with HK Style Tea and Coffee Mix ($2.20 Hot, $2.80 Iced). Master Chef Lo Chi Man, with over 20 years of tea-brewing experience was adamant none of the tea blended in Singapore gave that same bitter-sweet after taste as those in Hong Kong. As a result, his recipe for the “HK Style Tea and Coffee Mix” is prepared from a special blend of five different varieties of teas that are imported from Hong Kong. Additionally, his insistence on delivering the most authentic tea drinking experience also sees a different proportion of ingredients used in both hot and cold versions of the same tea. Excellent cup of yuan yang!

Legendary Hong Kong
Address: 63 Jurong West Central 3, #03-80 Jurong Point 2 Shopping Centre, Singapore 648331
Tel: 6794 1335
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays 11am to 10pm; Saturdays, Sundays and
Public Holidays 10am to 10pm

Seoul is South Korea’s largest city and one of East Asia’s financial and cultural epicenters, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with cutting-edge digital technology and trend-setting youth culture. Described as a 24-hour city, this metropolis filled with stark contrasts has something for everyone at any time of day. Last month, Samsung held the SEA Digital Influencer & Media Korea Tour and I was honoured to be invited to experience the best of technology, fashion and culture in the exciting metropolitan city of Seoul, South Korea. Here’s what we did! (all images taken with Samsung Galaxy S6 edge 4G+)
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Where to eat?
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1. Heukdon-Ga (Black pork BBQ restaurant)
Address: 1322-12 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Gangnam Station
Phone: +82-2-3471-9700

Koreans know their meat so it is best to get food recommendations from the locals. The Samsung Korean team has kindly arranged a BBQ dinner on the day of our arrival and this is the best meal I had in Samsung SEA Korea Tour 2015. Heukdonga is a renowned black pork barbecue restaurant originally from Jeju Island. If you don’t have the time to head over to Jeju Island for Black Pork, why not head over to their Gangnam outlet instead? The restaurant specializes in different cuts of black pork and they do it well. Experience an authentic BBQ setting surrounded with Korean business people and go for the Classic Ogyeopsal or the marbled textural wonder of Kabri-sal.

2. Bistro Seoul
Address: 159 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-3466-8022
Website: http://www.bistroseoul.com

As an upper dining Korean restaurant located in Samseong-dong Oakwood, Bistro Seoul has a relaxing atmosphere with great Korean cuisine such as pork & kimchi stew, beef stew, stir-fried glass noodles with seafood, bibimbap served with spicy paste. Focusing on fresh ingredients, my favourite is the fluffy egg stew in earthenware bowl.

3. Wol-hyang
Address: 335-5 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Opening hours: 12pm – 2am (Mon – Wed) / 12pm – 4am (Thu – Sat) / 12pm – 1am (Sun)
Website: http://www.tasteofthemoon.com/index.jsp

Wol-hyang is a colorful Korean pub offering delicious makgeolli (traditional Korean alcohol). Developed by makgeolli researchers over 10 years, makgeolli in Wol-hyang boasts rich flavor along with fusion makgeolli to promote the popularity of makgeolli. It is a famous spot among young drinkers. Their food items weren’t as impressive but there are various fusion food and snacks matching well with makgeolli, such as steamed octopus slice, tofu & kimchi served with sauteed pork belly, and grilled soybean sauce marinated chicken. Of course, no meal is completed without the korean makoli. Our Jahihyang premium has white grape, floral taste.

4. Two Plus
Address: Basement 1, Yeyoung Building. 532-9 Sinsadong, Gangnam-gu
Opening Hours: 1130am – 10pm daily
Website: http://www.dinehill.co.kr/new/src/twoPlus_about.asp

Two Plus is a recently popular Korean beef (Hanwoo) restaurant located in the Seoul. Its name Two Plus represents the “1++” grade of hanwoo beef (Korea’s counterpart to Japan’s wagyu) it serves. The restaurant is famous for its aged sirloin or tenderloin ― quality Korean beef aged by the restaurant’s special method ― are served as thick and juicy steaks on a charcoal fire that stimulates one’s appetite at first sight. Quality sun-dried salt and ssamjang, soybean paste mixed with red pepper paste, garlic and sesame add flavor like the icing on a cake.

5. Congdu
Address: 116-1, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2pm (Mon – Fri) / 11.30am – 3.30pm (Weekend) / 5.30pm –9pm daily
Website: http://congdu.com/main/ko/index.html

Congdu used to be housed in the Seoul National History Museum, but relocated and reopened in a literal national treasure — a traditional Korean building used by the last Chosun king’s grandmother. It’s located between what are now the British and U.S. embassies. Not only does it have a beautiful setting, it also features some unique dishes such as Dokdo sweet shrimps on pine leaves and steamed with Korean wine; stir fried glass noodle & burdock; slow cooked pork belly wrapped in lotus leaf’ grilled yellow corvina & Bosung green tea.
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Where to stay?
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The Shilla Seoul
Address: 249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-856 Korea
Tel: 02-2233-3131
Website: http://www.shilla.net/seoul/index.do

We stayed in The Shilla Seoul, a premium lifestyle hotel that offers refined rest and world-class services. The location is unbeatable: at the heart of the city and bordering the 23-acre Janchungdan Park. The main building is replete with restaurants offering outstanding international cuisine, a shopping arcade featuring global brand goods, a pool, and a luxurious spa while in a separate building within the property lies a grand duty-free shop.

It’s my second time staying at this beautiful hotel. Nothing much changes, their buffet is still one of the best I tried during my travel these few years. What sets Shilla apart is great attention to detail. This is a home away from home, giving guests a very sophisticated and urbane experience.
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Where to see?
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1. Samsung Innovation Museum
Address: 129 Samseong-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Tel: +82 31-200-3113
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10am- 6pm (Reservations Only). Saturday: 9am -5pm, closed on Sundays and holidays.
Website: https://www.samsunginnovationmuseum.com

Our lives have improved as great inventors and numerous electronics companies continued to introduce new technologies and products to the world through endless research and innovation. Samsung Innovation Museum exhibits the history and the future of innovations brought by the electronics industry, which has added new value to our lives.

2. Esprit Dior Exhibition
Address: Dongdaemun Design Plaza, 281, Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-2-2153-0000
Opening Hours: 10am– 6pm

The Esprit Dior exhibition has moved to Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the extraordinary world of Christian Dior. We walked through Christian Dior’s journey with the sublime look that he created, his taste for 18th-century splendour and his sense of the extraordinary. The visitors can discovers his imagination, his unique and extraordinary sense of art, and how its character applied on several collections from the past until present.

3. Peace Minus One Exhibition
Address: 61, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hours: Tues – Fri: 1000 – 2000 / Weekend & PH until 1900 (Closed on Monday)
Website: http://peaceminusone.modoo.at/

is an experimental exhibition that combines art of contemporary domestic and foreign artists with G-Dragon, a musician and globally famous pop icon, as the center. The exhibition will show what influence contemporary pop culture and art are giving to the topography and contemporary culture.
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Where to shop?
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1. Garosu-gil

Sinsadong Garosu-gil is one of Gangnam’s top shopping destinations for the latest in fashion, along with Apgujeong Rodeo Street and Cheongdam Luxury Goods Street. Garosu-gil’s tree-lined street, dotted with trendy boutiques, fusion restaurants and quaint coffee shops, has long been a hot spot for the fashion-forward crowd.

If you are a fan of LINE, head to the LINE FRIENDS flagship store at Garosu-gil. It is the first flagship store with character-themed bakery/café. We were greeted by the largest ‘Mega Brown’ at 3.2 meters. From the ever-loved character-themed stationery and plush dolls, to figurines from trending mobile game, ‘LINE RANGERS’, you are greeted with over 2,000 different products. In the cafe, enjoy cute desserts and coffee such as Brown & Sally macarons, Brown lattes, and Cony cookies are exclusively found at the Garosu-gil store.

2. Dongdaemun

It is home to the largest clothing suppliers in Korea, and aspiring designers also come to here to hone and test their skills. Cheap and diverse clothes attract not just fashion leaders but also the average consumer. It has become a place frequented by major Korean and international buyers.

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THANK YOU SAMSUNG for planning such a great trip and offering me Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge 4G+ to take pictures. It features an f1.9 camera that initiates in less than a second. The quick launch camera is ever ready to capture crisp and clear pictures in low light environment.

Plus, this 64-bit smartphone has superior performance backed by 3GB of RAM and uses Samsung’s own 14nm Exynos 7 octa-core processor. The next generation processor makes 3D gaming or heavyweight multitasking a breeze. Ultimate power efficiency is a plus. For more information, click here.

Ah vacation. I have been wanting to go on a vacation with the fiance but our work obligations prevent us from leaving town for a long time. Big thank you to Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, we had a weekend staycation to escape the hustle, bustle, & day-to-day responsibilities of our normal lives for some relaxation near home.

Strategically located in the heart of Orchard Road – Singapore’s prime shopping and entertainment district, the award-winning Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel creates brilliant experiences for leisure and business travellers with contemporary comfort in 393 guest rooms, an exciting array of dining pleasures at five restaurants and bars, as well as pampering spa treatments at The Retreat.

The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.

We checked into a Pool Terrace Premier Suite which is a lavish suite featuring a pool-facing verandah, allowing me to immerse in the resort-like ambience, all in the privacy of your own space.

Reconfigured to offer better use of space, all rooms are fitted with state-of-the-art furnishings including signature 1956 leather Eames Desk Chairs. Bathrooms come with large walk-in rain showers as well as extended vanity areas and technology upgrades include a 46-inch Samsung Full-HD Smart TV in every room and 55-inch in every Suite. The snug mattress creates a cozy feeling that makes one drift fast sleep.

The bathrooms featuring a tub, toilet and shower booth are decorated in white marble for sophistication. The extra-plush bathrobe offers supreme comfort at the end of a hectic day. 5-star bathroom amenities include rain showers, THANN bath products and an adjacent vanity area. The rooms here have high-speed Internet access suitable for business trips. But for me, I just wanted to go offline and soak myself in the pool. Hotel room amenities include plush bedding, safe, iron and an in-room coffee / tea maker.

Happiness is a day in the pool.

A change of scenery can also do the mind, body and, ultimately, the wallet some good. Whenever I plan for a staycation, I prefer a convenient location where I can walk to attractions, shops or restaurants. Also, I do not just want a city break with shopping. I want some downtime to relax in a lounge with a cold drink, or a pool to soak up some sun. I really love Marriott’s location and swimming pool. The sun is high up and I spent my afternoon in the pool, before heading for dinner and shopping in Orchard Road. The outdoor swimming pool aims to create into an enchanting urban escape. With the view of ION just a few meters away, the place is not just for swimming, but total entertainment and relaxation as the poolside runs bars as well.

The Executive Lounge offers sophisticated ambience with a view overlooking Orchard Road. It features a seating area and a dining room, aiming to offer relaxation to business travelers. Food is served frequently with breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktail and happy hour.

CROSSROADS CAFE

Crossroads Cafe brings East-meets-West cafe concept to life, and at the same time, offering guests a wider menu of signature dishes, premium wines by the glass and draft beers on tap. With a focus on high quality produce and ingredients, expect a menu of sumptuous signatures such as Wagyu Burger, or the all-time local favourite – Hainanese Chicken Rice. Ambient lighting and daily blackboard specials give this popular venue a relaxed yet chic atmosphere.

I had brunch at Crossroads Cafe which offers a mixture of classic european brunch items and asian dishes. My favourite is the Singapore Chilli Crab Omelet ($21) which is a thick eggy omelet with onion, coriander and tomatoes. Another must-try is Nasi Goreng Istimewa ($24) – Indonesian fried rice with sunny side-up egg, achar, chicken satay and peanut sauce. Desserts wise, the grilled banana is airy and soft with walnuts, gula melaka and coconut milk.

Location: Lobby Level
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Hours Sundays to Thursdays & Public Holidays | 7.00am to 1.00am
Fridays, Saturdays & Eve of Public Holidays | 7.00am to 2.00am

POOL GRILL

A chic alfresco restaurant, Pool Grill serves premium steaks and contemporary western cuisine made from only the freshest produce. With a capacity of up to 40 diners, this restaurant lends itself to those looking to relax in a resort-like oasis, right in the heart of town.

Our starters include half dozen Escargot Bourguignon ($20) baked with garlic and parsley butter, and served with baguette. The mediocre snails have a smokey aroma and the parsley butter and garlic helped enhance the dish. Sponge up the delicious sauce with bread. We like the Rare Yellow Fin Tuna Tataki ($28) with fresh pan seared tuna atop of thick slabs of compressed watermelon, paired with goat cheese mousse, chia and flax seeds.

For the mains, a plate of Poached Lobster Tail ($69) is a good choice. The rather bland but fresh lobster meat is paired with braised tender boneless beef short ribes and creamed verde potato. I know some of you don’t really like lamb, but a signature here that you can consider is Seared Lamb Loin ($46). Inspired by traditional Wellington, it is crusted with herbs and spices and is gently cooked so that its centre is still pink.

The mains piqued my tastebuds for my dessert to follow: a baked Bombe Alaska ($16.50), which had flaming rum poured over it at the table and which burned merrily for a good minute or so, giving the meringue a beautiful marshmallow-like texture. The cake and ice-cream inside was light and fresh, making for a perfect end to the meal.

Location: Level 5
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Hours Sundays to Thursdays | 11.00am to 10.00pm
Fridays and Saturdays | 11.00am to 11.00pm

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is offering an amazing deal for couples with a Couples Getaway Special at S$898++ per night. Rest in the luxurious Pool Terrace rooms and relax by the pristine blue swimming pool with special amenities prepared for you and your loved one.

Package includes:
• Signature welcome cocktail upon arrival for two persons
• American breakfast served on Terrace or in room with champagne for two persons
• Three-course romantic dinner with wine at Poolside Cabana for two persons
• Personal butler service during your stay

Book your amazing staycation (www.marriott.com/sindt) with promotional code LVU for special occasion! Promotion is valid from 1 August to 31 December only. T&C apply. For room reservations and enquiries, please call +65 6831 4555.

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Address: 310 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865

Tucked away in a quiet artery of the central business district, CHŌ OMAKASE is a respite from the buzz and bustle outside. It is a 30-seater restaurant with earthy tones and clean, minimal lines that evokes its Japanese inspiration, and sets the stage for a casual and relaxed dining experience.

Named after its Chef, YKChong, Chef Chong is a home-grown talent who returned to Singapore after six years of heading Bushido, a 1500-capacity multi-award winning Japanese restaurant in Bahrain. With a firm foundation immersed in traditional Japanese cooking, he developed and infused his own unique style through years of experience, which saw him serving world leaders, celebrities and other high-profile VIP guests.

Chef Chong uses only finer quality ingredients such as A4 grade marbled Hidawagyu, freshly flown-in variety of fishes, oysters and unagi from Japan, Australian lamb, and more. The Chef’s signature is prevalent in all elements of the dining experience, for instance, in the house-made sauces and umeshu.

Chef Chong crafted the omakase experience, and he said every season has its own unique flavour. Indeed, we tried some of these distinctive and unique seasonal flavours at our recent tasting. Frist, we had the handmade silken egg tofu with century egg topping. This was a cold dish served really whetted my appetite. The sashimi puts me in a state of utter contentment. The octopus leg, yellow tail, sea bream, scallop and otoro were excellent.

The classic chawanmushi or Japanese-style steamed egg custard made with dashi and bonito stock was very smooth and velvety. For my main course, I could not resist the grilled pork ribs marinated in garlic sauce, it was grilled to a glistering skin and amazingly tender meat. It was so good that I finished it quickly. Marinated with citrus sauce and sake, the grilled sanma fish is sitting atop a huge chunky piece of foie gras. In my opinion, it adds too much oiliness to the already rich fish.

It’s all kind of quiet as Chef Chongs gets to work on the sushi, with a resounding clap to get rid of the excess moisture as he shapes every piece of sushi with care. Before we know it, he presents us our sushi in sequence – flounder, yellow tail, salmon with sea kelp, scallop with tobiko, grilled beef on uni.

We ended the night with a smooth and soft rice pudding served with matcha ice cream.

Prices are not crazy and the meals are satisfying. Set lunch starts at $18.80++ per person; omakase courses begin from an accessible $50++ per person to $120++ per person. Guests are encouraged to be open with the Chef about how they feel, their likes and dislikes, and in true omakase fashion, sit back and be surprised and delighted by the specially tailored, tantalising dishes in the company of great colleagues and friends.

Chō Omakase
Address: 14 Lorong Telok, Singapore 049027
Tel: +65 6532 2098
Opening hours: (Mondays to Saturdays) Lunch 12pm –3pm; Dinner 6pm –10pm

Finally, Japanese minimalist brand Muji opens its first Café & Meal outlet in Paragon on 5 September. Located within the Muji outlet in the mall, the cafe’s dedign is synonymous with the Japanese lifestyle brand of minimalist chic, with simple wood furnishing.

When you reach the cafe, you will probably see two queues. The first queue near the entrance will be the queue to your dining table. After you get a seat, you go to the second queue where you buy the food.

You can choose either:
– 3 Deli (1 hot deli + 2 cold deli): $12.90 or
– 4 Deli (2 hot deli + 2 cold deli): $16.90

Honestly, I feel like I am having Japanese style Chap Chye Peng. There is a display of different dishes for you to choose from. According to the waitress, the hot and col deli offerings are based on recipes from Japan, including different salads, meat stir fried in sauces etc. Because we went on the first week of operation, service is very slow and we waited for close to 1 hour because we finally sat down and ate our food.

Of the dishes we picked, I like the fried chicken with sweet chilli mayo. This is a classic in MUJI with tender chicken chunks stir fried in sweet chilli sauce. The thick vegetables omelette with crunchy vegetable bites of pumpkin, broccoli, asparagus and red bell pepper is also worth ordering. There are locally inspired dishes such as Baked Bak Kut Teh with honey glaze, but only available for dinner. For single orders, each Hot and Cold Deli is priced at $5 and $2.70 respectively. As the air conditioning is very strong during our visit, food turns cold really fast, so be sure to stop instagramming and tuck in quick!

The outstanding difference is, Niigata Koshihkari Japanese white rice is used instead of the usual Jasmine rice. It is known for its nutritious value and sweet taste. I actually enjoyed eating 10 Grain Rice here which is a healthy mix of white rice and multi-grains.

I ordered the Butter Chicken Curry with Salad. Honestly, I think CoCoIchibanya does a better job with more ingredients in it. We ended our lunch with a cup of Roasted Tea Pudding ($5.40). This creamy and smooth pudding has a mild lingering aroma of Hojicha (roasted Japanese green tea) with crispy sesame tuile.

Café & Meal MUJI Paragon
Address: #04 – 36 to 40 Orchard Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859
Telephone: +65 6735 0123
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10am to 9.30pm

Advertorial

Want to enjoy delectable local dishes in the comfort of your home without the hassle of preparing from scratch or compromising on taste? You can now do so with Yamie Rice.

A product of homegrown integrated rice company, Gan Hup Lee (1999) Pte Ltd, Yamie Ready-to-Cook Premix Rice consists of Thai Jasmine rice blended with many flavourful ingredients to give it an authentic taste. Preparation is hassle free – simply add water, cook and serve. What’s more, the product range features wholesome ingredients and enhanced taste, turning a good meal into a great meal.

Yamie Rice comes in 7 truly delectable flavours, Claypot Rice; Chicken Rice; Yam Rice; Nasi Briyani; Sambal Rice; Black Pepper Rice and Chicken Flavoured Porridge. Each box comes with a pouch of rice (visible ingredients for some flavours can be found in the same box but packed separately). Do not wash the rice as it is coated with a special flavour.

3 simple steps – Add Rice; Add Water; Ready To Cook

So I tried to cook different Yamie Rice at home and my first attempt was Yamie’s Chicken Rice! Chicken Rice is the most unique iconic Singaporean dish. It is a dish of Chinese origin most commonly associated with Hainanese and Singaporean cuisine, and we all know that it is not easy to cook a plate of chicken rice because there are many steps involved.

Now, cooking chicken rice is made easy with Yamie’s Chicken Rice! Made using Thai jasmine rice with vegetable oil, sesame oil, ginger extract, shallot extract and more, all you have to do it to mix the rice contents, textured wheat protein and approximately 350-370ml of water into a rice cooker and cook. Then, I will poach the chicken with ginger and pandan, to serve with my rice.

You can choose to make it into chicken rice balls, here’s the recipe.

Another dish that is difficult to cook from scratch is Nasi Briyani. I once spoke to an Indian hawker who shares with me the nitty gritty details of cooking biryani rice. From the type of rice grains to the temperature and cooking time, it matters. And the proportion of the spices used, plus you need to cook curry as well… oh man, all these steps need precision to ensure that the meat is tender and the rice is not overcooked.

Things are made simpler with Yamie’s biryani rice. Of course, you can’t expect the same standard but Yamie’s version is good enough, in my opinion. Especially when you are having a big party at home, Yamie’s version makes your cooking simpler.

Again using the same steps, all you have to do it to mix the rice contents, textured wheat protein, raisins and approximately 350-370ml of water into a rice cooker and cook. While my rice is cooking, I simply throw some chicken drumsticks into the wok, stir fry with curry paste and cook a simple curry chicken to pair with my rice. It still has the flavours and best is, it doesn’t take up too much of my time.

After trying some recipes at home, I think I am ready for Yamie Rice COOK OFF! Together with Cheekiemonkies, The Food Chapter and Limaran, we held a friendly cookoff one afternoon.

Guess which Yamie Rice flavour did I get? SAMBAL RICE!

So after some brainstorming, I decided to cook sambal prawns & petai rice! Because when I think of sambal, I think of Sambal Udang Petai ( Sambal Prawns with Stink beans), a dish I love to eat whenever I visit any zichar stall.

Yamie’s sambal rice is mildly spicy for me because I take A LOT of chilli. But that’s just me. So to give it a little more kick, I decided to add more chilli, garlic and belachan into my dish. Of course, the rice packet is already good on its own lah. I am just trying to go a little creative!

POWER ANOT! Still use motar and pestle to make the chilli paste. I pound until my hands are super tired, so I got Kelvin to help me while waiting for his rice to cook. (See, it was a friendly competition).

After 15 minutes or so, I am done! A round of applause, ladies and gentlemen! *clap* Does my sambal rice look appetizing? Here’s the recipe!

Yami Sambal Fried Rice with Prawns and Petai

2015-09-15 22:56:56

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Ingredients

1. 1 packet of Yami Sambal Fried Rice
2. 300g medium-sized prawns, shelled
3. 150g petai (bitter beans), peeled and halved
4. 1/2 big onion, sliced

Sambal Belachan

1. 50g dried chilies, cut, soaked in hot water to soften and drain
2. 5 shallots
3. 3 garlics
4. 1 tsp ginger
5. 1 tsp belacan (shrimp paste)
6. 1 stalk lemongrass
7. 50g hei bi (shrimps), soaked in water

Seasonings

1. 2 tbsp of cooking oil
2. 1tbsp sugar
3. 1/2tbsp fish sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the Yami Sambal Fried Rice according to instructions.
2. Blend the sambal belachan ingredients together.
3. Blanch Petai in hot boiling water for less than a minute, set aside
4. Deep fry prawns in hot oil over high heat for less than a minute, set aside.
5. Heat cooking oil in a wok, add blended chili paste and onions. Stir-fry till fragrant and oil begins to appear on the surface, which take about 10-15mins.
6. Add in petai, prawns and Yamie rice.
7. Season with sugar and fish sauce. Serve.

Miss Tam Chiak http://www.misstamchiak.com/

So these are our Yamie Rice creations. Guess which dish won our hearts? Watch the video to find out the results!

Yamie Rice is Halal Certified and contains no preservatives, no added MSG, no Artificial Colourings and no Trans-fat. It is available at major supermarkets eg. Fairprice Xtra; Fairprice Finest; Selected Fairprice Supermarkets; Giant Hypermarts and selected Sheng Siong supermarkets. For more recipe ideas, visit www.yamierice.com or www.facebook.com/yamierice websites to get more inspirations!

Big thank you to Yamie Rice, they are giving away F&B voucher to 10 lucky readers! Here is what you have to do:

Simply fill in your personal details here, vote for your favorite blogger cook off recipe and submit your entry latest by 15 October 2015 @ 12pm. Lucky winners will be drawn from the pool of the voters of the blogger cook off recipe with the highest votes. Total 10 winners will walk away with $30 Hans cafe dining voucher.

Winners list will be announced on 16 October 2015 at Yamie Rice Facebook Page. Follow us to get the latest updates of promotion & Facebook campaign. Winners will be contacted via phone call and cafe dining voucher will be mailed out to the winners.

Terms & Conditions:
• Lucky draw result is final and no correspondence will be entertained.
• Prizes are not transferable or exchange for cash.
• Yamie reserve the right to amend and add in any terms and conditions without prior notice.

One of the best ways to experience Singapore’s unique identity is through food. Much of our local cuisine is made with a fusion of different spices and ingredients from different cultures. At Atrium Restaurant in Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, dine to your heart’s content at their very own Local-licious Long Lunch, lasting a whopping 4 hours! Lining the buffet is a wide range of Singaporean favourites such as Bak Kut Teh (Pork Rib Soup), Oyster Omelette, a D-I-Y Kueh Pie Tee station and even Ice Kacang for dessert!

Used to be known as Melting Pot Café, the cafe has underwent a revamp and it is now known as Atrium Restaurant. I like the change because the restaurant is brighter and more modern. The newly restaurant is led by Executive Chef Chua Yew Hock, who has 30 years of culinary experience working in hotels in Melbourne, Canberra, Cambodia, Myanmar, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

As with all buffet, it is almost a must to start off with a selection of fresh seafood. Any guest will be impressed by the fresh prawns and mussels ready to be devoured. There are also fresh sashimi and sushi which are popular among the locals.

I am quite particular about chicken rice and I think Atrium Restaurant’s version is decent. Look at the appetizing roast chicken! Their rice was lightly flavoured and I like their chilli sauce and ginger dip.

Besides doing your own rojak (which I enjoy), there are live stations such as the satay bee hoon where you can get a pipping hot bowl of noodles. The bak kut teh has a spicy kick and kueh pie tee are crunchy shell filled with juicy stewed turnip that have soaked enough of its rich stock to be fully infused with flavour.

One of my favourites is the Curry Laksa with fresh shrimps, fish cake slices, boiled egg and taupok in milky gravy. It is made with a rich, slightly sweet and strongly spiced coconut gravy (lemak). It packs a punch with its awesome flavour and spiciness.

End off the hearty spread with their ice kachang to beat the sweltering heat. There are also cakes and pastries which will satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s good to know that the little ones are also taken care of at their personalized Kids Buffet counter. Atrium Restaurant’s Local-licious Long Lunch is priced at SGD38++ per adult. It is available from 12pm to 4.30pm, every Saturday and Sunday.

Atrium Restaurant
Address: Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, 317 Outram Road, Singapore 169075
Tel: +65 67317172
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiatrium
Website: http://www.singaporeatrium.holidayinn.com

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium will be rewarding 3 readers from MissTamChiak.com with Local-licious buffet (worth $76++) for two.

All you need to do is:
Step 1 – LIKE Miss Tam Chiak and Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium on Facebook
Step 2 – LIKE and SHARE this blog entry
Step 3 – COMMENT below: Name three dishes that you would like to try in the buffet?

Winners will be picked at random. Closing date: 21 September 2015 (Monday), 23:59. Good luck!

I love weekends when I can go and hunt for good food in Singapore with my friends. From hawker centres, to cafes and restaurants, I have different places to try out every week. Last week, we drove all the way to the east to have my favourite claypot rice at Le Chasseur.

Le Chasseur means “The Hunter” in French. The owner was trained as an engineer and turned to cooking while living in Mauritius. He used to own a restaurant with the same name there. So when he came back to Singapore, he decided to use the same name. They started from a very humble looking restaurant opposite Clarke Quay Central. That’s where I got to know them when I used to work near Clarke Quay. When they moved to the east, I have been craving for their claypot rice and tau suan for the longest time and I finally get to try it last weekend!

As you may or may not have heard the gut is now considered the second brain. It primarily helps us to digest food but its also a major sensory organ for the entire body. Even though I love to feast, but it is also important to take care of my digestive system so that I have the chance to feast more! Soooooo, right before my dinner, I went to the nearest supermarket and grab some VITAGEN LESS SUGAR to share it with my friends over dinner.

What is VITAGEN LESS SUGAR?
It is a fermented milk drink made by fermenting skim milk with billions of live probiotic cultures. It is a cultured milk drink specially formulated for consumers who are health conscious and are concerned about their sugar intake. Compared to regular cultured milk drinks, they have more sugar than VITAGEN LESS SUGAR. Besides having the goodness of Probiotic cultures (good bacteria), VITAGEN LESS SUGAR is the only cultured milk drink in Singapore that has high in Prebiotic fibre (dietary fibre).

Probiotic cultures (good bacteria) can withstand stomach’s gastric juice and bile and reach the intestines alive to fight harmful bacteria. It can also aid in digestion and help support growth of good bacteria in the intestines.

With the help of VITAGEN LESS SUGAR, I have no worries about my gut (that explains why I always have strong gut feeling. HAHAHA). One of the MUST-TRY at Le Chasseur is their Claypot Rice. Cooked from charcoal, you get the smoky flavour and the charred bits around the claypot. What is unique about them is, their claypot rice uses basmatic rice (the rice that is used for nasi briyani). Hence the rice is lighter in texture and gives an excellent bite. The server will usually mix the sauce and stir for you, we love it!

Dinner ended with their homemade Tau Suan. This is the best tau suan I ever have. They are very generous with their mung beans and they are not too soft nor hard. The beans are steamed and placed in the fridge. When you place an order, the chef will then make the soup with gula melaka. Very very nice!

Of course, tau suan and claypot rice is best paired with VITAGEN LESS SUGAR. Its prebiotic fibre helps support the growth of good bacteria to maintain a better intestinal environment. Plus, VITAGEN LESS SUGAR & VITAGEN COLLAGEN LESS SUGAR have been awarded the Healthier Choice logo! Each pack of VITAGEN LESS SUGAR costs $3.05/pack, and VITAGEN COLLAGEN LESS SUGAR costs $3.85/pack. It is available at all leading hypermarts, supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol kiosks, provision shops and minimarts. For more convenience, VITAGEN can be delivered directly to your doorstep. For enquires, contact VITAGEN Home Delivery Service hotline at 6282 5949.

Skipping the weekend feast is not an option.
Maintaining your gut health for it, is.

We love to eat but we must also keep our digestive system healthy. VITAGEN LESS SUGAR, as the purveyor of digestive health, wants to tell Singaporeans that they might not be able to resist the temptation of weekend feasts, but they can be good to their gut and take care of it by having VITAGEN LESS SUGAR after their meals.

Instagram, tweet or upload your feast photos with #sgweekendfeast and #vitagensg for a chance to dine with Chefs Sam & Forest Leong at an exclusive BBQ. Plus, win amazing weekly and daily prizes such as holidays abroad, private yoga or pilates classes and more. I have already instagrammed already because I hope to meet Chef Sam & Forest Leong!!!

Contest starts on 31st August until 4th October 2015. Hurry, find out more at www.sgweekendfeast.com!

Hong Lim Food Centre has two famous stalls that sell curry chicken noodles. One is Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee at level 2, while the other is Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee at level 1. Recently, I get to try Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee and I must say, it is quite impressive.

Mr Tay (or many called him Ah Huat) is the third generation owner of Heng Kee. Together with his elderly mum, they run the stall founded by his grandfather more than 40 years ago. Generations after generations, it is still a crowd puller with long queues forming from the start of the day.

Fronting the stall is messy display of Hainanese-style poached chicken. But never judge the book by its cover because the meat is tender and juicy. Using over 50 years old curry recipe, the gravy is thick and robust, with large spongy tofu puffs dancing in the bubbling pot of soup. It’s nothing like Indian or Malay curry. The taste itself is unique that it is hard to pinpoint which clan does it belong to. Mr Tay’s mother will first collect the orders, blanch the noodles before passing the bowl of Mr Tay as he fills the bowl with piping hot curry gravy.

At $4 a bowl, each bowl comes out piping hot with large pieces of Hainanese-style poached chicken, potatoes and juicy, curry-soaked tau pok. I am conscious with my weight now, hence I try to avoid curry chicken as much as possible (even though I love it). When I had a sip of the greasy curry, it was so addictive that I almost emptied the entire bowl. It was aromatic and tasted quite sweet, slightly savoury, and just mildly spicy.

Don’t forget to scoop some sambal chilli sauce to add more fragrance to your curry mee. It is deeply savoury with strong hei bei taste to it. Some may complain that The mother is grumpy and only allowed one saucer per bowl of curry. That’s because many of us took more than needed and wasted the sambal which they take a long time to prepare. Make a guess what time do they come everyday to prepare the ingredients? 4am. Yes, that’s the life of a hawker. The mother and son may look fierce but they are friendly people when you speak to them. Now, I can truly appreciate every bowl of curry mee.

Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee
Address: #01-58, Hong Lim Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 510531
Opening Hours: 10 am to 2pm (Closed on Sunday, Monday, Public Holidays)

Chef Daniel Sia opens the second outlet of The Disgruntled Chef at Ann Siang Road following the success of its first outlet in Dempsey. Located in the recently revamped boutique hotel, The Club, the food philosophy still remainds the same – modern European and in big and small plates. So you can either share a big plate of food, or have many small plates to share, or for small appetites, you can even have a small plate for yourself.

The meal opened with a simple warm Truffle Brioche ($12) swirled with black truffle flecks. Positively imbued with the heady essence of black truffle, it easily stood on its own, even without the application of nori butter. Even as I am typing this, I am craving for it.

From the small plates menu, we tried Wagyu Beef Carpaccio ($26) which is thin enough to just tear apart and comes with cep puree, egg yolk confit and crispy shallots. Make sure you break the egg and spread it like a jam all over the carpaccio.

The Disgruntled Chef also offers Prix Fixe Weekday Lunch (two-course $38, three-course $45). Among the small plates menu, we tried the super sweet Grilled Watermelon with garlic chive labneh, pea shoot and balsamico. Other options include steak tartare, tuna carparccio, seared scallops, or soup of the day. For big plates, choose from grilled kurobuta pork collar, pan roasted salmon, crab pasta, ran roasted onglet or braised lamb shank.

Inspired by Chef Daniel’s travel in Korea, the Crispy Beef Short Ribs (S$38) is first sous vide for 36 hours, then coated with light cornflour before deep frying till golden brown. The braising jus is spiked with gochujang, which makes me miss Korea! It’s crispy on the outside, pink and juicy on the inside. Served with white kimchi, honey soy glazed potatoes, spicy mayo, this is my favourite dish for that day.

Tender, yet with a bit of “toothsome” bite, the Maine Lobster and Chicken Pot Roast ($56) was delightfully in-your-face, and subtly paired with field mushrooms, fried quail eggs and parsley. Other mains include Roasted Miso Cod ($38), Cannon of Welsh Lamb ($42), Twice Cooked Kurobuta Pork with Black Truffle Risotto ($38) and Chargrilled Smoked Ribeye ($68).

I recommend sharing the Strawberries & Mascarpone ($16), a sweet and tart dessert tempered with lime meringue and pistachio sponge.

Food here is sophisticated and were designed with a thought towards flavour. The core protein of the savory courses started with a simple delicious flavour and built upon that with sides that accent and contrast but never overwhelm. Fresh flowers and glowing crystal decanters further accentuate the energetic colours of the room, and create a softer ambience for the most memorable private dining experiences.

The Disgruntled Chef
Address: 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 12pm – 2:30pm; 6pm – 10:30pm. Closed on Sundays.
Tel: 6808 2184
Website: www.disgruntledchef.com

Greetings! I went on a delicious trip in Mandalay over the last weekend, all thanks to SilkAir! For the next week or so, I will be sharing my travel experience with all of you and there is also an exciting giveaway happening!

Why Mandalay, you may ask? Well, SilkAir has consistently searched for new and exciting Asian destinations to add to its network. It currently operates more than 350 weekly flights to 49 destinations in 12 countries. They offer a route network of destinations that are lesser known holiday choices but have so much to offer in terms of local food and culture. Mandalay, is one of them.

For our trip to Mandalay, we sat in the Economy Class cabins when we flew out of Singapore, and sat in Business Class cabin when we flew back to Singapore. It was my first time sitting in business class cabins in my entire life and I was overjoyed! In the Economy Class, relaxation is easy in the spacious seats with ample legroom. In Business Class, there is, of course, more personal space and comfort with luxurious leather seats.

These are some of the dishes we had in Economy Class cabins. I like it that SilkAir has many local favourites so it makes me feel like I am home. The sambal fish tastes good! I actually enjoy eating the chocolate ice cream on board while reading #SilkWinds magazine. SilkWinds magazine brings a different perspective on travel in that a destination is an experience and not just a place to visit. I spent an hour or so reading all the exciting stories and admire the stunning photography.

For passengers with special dietary requirements such as medical or religious reasons, SilkAir offer a selection of special meals – Baby, Infant and Child Meals; Religious Meals; Vegetarian Meals; Dietary Meals. You can make a Special Meal request after purchasing your tickets through our website, at least 24 hours before flight departure.

In the Business Class cabin, my meals obviously will be better. The fiance had the Yellow Bean Chicken with Fried Rice and Vegetables which is milder in flavours. While I really love my tender Braised Beef Brisket with creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. They had four bread selection which are baked freshly everyday, including kraftkorn roll, wholemeal roll, soft roll, garlic bread.

With compliments, we get to enjoy SilkAir Studio – the new wireless inflight entertainment system. Complementing the existing overhead drop-down screens, you can watch up to 20 Hollywood and international movies, and 26 TV programmes, and listen to 100 chart-topping music albums via wireless streaming directly onto your personal mobile devices.

For flights above 2 hours, Business Class passengers will get Lenovo tablets on loan to enjoy SilkAir Studio. I of course support my mentor KF Seetoh by watching the show “Anthony Bourdain: The Layover”. There is also complimentary newspapers and magazines available for reading which overs business, fashion, lifestyle and sports.

Guess what was the surprise? The crew gave us a rich and creamy chocolate mousse cake to celebrate as this will be our last trip as couple before we sign our lives away next month. Haha!

With the pretty air stewardesses and handsome pilots from my flight. Thank you for the exceptional service. On top of the warm service, the airline also offers a 30kg and 40kg baggage allowance for Economy and Business Class respectively.

From check-in to touch down, SilkAir, a full-service carrier, caters to the needs of the well-travelled global customer, providing comfort and convenience to those looking to explore Asia’s newest frontiers. Plus, passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir from Changi Airport Terminal 2 can have a faster and more flexible check-in experience with the Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) check-in kiosks.

Flights to Mandalay will be operated on a thrice weekly basis, through a circular routing with Yangon, departing Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. *SPECIAL PROMOTION* SilkAir is currently having a promotion to Mandalay. All-in return fares from SGD379! Promotion is valid till 30 September 2015 and travel has to be completed by 19 November 2015. To view more, please click here. Follow SilkAir Facebook / Instagram / Twitter for updates.

A Joy To Fly

Kaffles is a small F&B start-up by two friends, Kenny Huang and Kimberley Yeo. They wanted a simple name and thought to inject a twist to the word “waffles” by replacing the first letter with the initials of both of their names. Hence, the name, Kaffles.

Both owners have been in the F&B industry for two years. Kenny Huang is the owner and operator of 2IC Catering Pte Ltd. Kenny wakes up at 4am every morning to prepare breakfast for 500 residents in Eusoff Hall, a hall of residence in the National University of Singapore. Kimberley Yeo is the owner of Mean Bean & Wicked Grind, a tiny café along Beach Road that has now closed its doors and moved online to focus on a cake delivery and wholesale business.

Kimberley has always wanted a waffles and icecream shop but she knows how hard it is to set up a new business in the F&B industry especially with the labour crunch so she has been actively looking for spaces that allow co-sharing. She was thrilled when the owner of The Stirling agreed to her proposal of co-sharing the space on Saturday nights.

Their signature waffle will be the Thai Milk Tea Kaffles ($12.90) which is a Thai milk tea infused waffle that has gone through many hours of research and experimenting to achieve that cakey and doughy texture with a light crisp. The Thai milk tea drizzle is also the product of countless hours of work before it was perfected.

Catching on to the recent craze of coconut ice cream, Kenny has also come up with a gula Melaka ($11.90) combination that features a scoop of island coconut ice cream and red ruby on buttermilk waffles. I actually love this one because of its thick gula melaka, just that it’s a lil on the sweet side.

For patrons who prefer to stick to good old classics, there is always the Klassic Kaffles(from $9.50) that sees buttermilk waffles topped with their choice of icecream, complete with maple syrup. Kaffles is proud to be the first to launch the “drumstick” waffles in Singapore. With an inverted chocolate coated cone brightened with rainbow sprinkles sitting atop the icecream.

Other specialty waffles include Nutella Kinder Bueno Kaffles($11.90) and Speculoos Cookie Crunch Kaffles ($11.90) which are buttermilk waffles topped with homemade drizzles and a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream

It’s always good to meet friends on Saturday night, enjoy some good food at Stirling while having Kaffles for dessert. Kaffles will be launching more specialty waffles along the way and are already looking into an earl grey infused waffles and maybe more exciting options such as tom yum infused waffles!

With an operating time frame of seven hours, from 6pm – 1am, Kenny and Kimberley are aiming for Kaffles to be the next after-supper dessert venue.

Kaffles
Address : 15 Cheong Chin Nam Road, The Stirling
Operating Hours : 6pm – 1am (Only on Saturdays)

As many of you have known, the old couple from Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice Eating House (林成利鸭饭) have decided to retire. Fans of the famous braised duck rice stall at South Buona Vista Road should be screaming with joy as the founder’s brother-in-law, who had worked with him for 28 years, opened business at Sam Leong Road. Located in Sam Leong Road, just 5 minutes walk from Farrer Park MRT, this stall draws a good crowd during lunch time.

To make a good plate of duck rice, you need to find the correct breed and correct size as it affects the texture of the meat. As for the braising sauce, one needs to control the fire well to achieve the desired taste. At this new outlet, the owner uses imported duck from Malaysia and each duck doesn’t weigh more than 3kg. Braising sauce includes star anise, cinnamon, cloves etc.

Duck meat was tender and juicy, with no hint of gaminess. I thought it was a little too thinly slice to give the bite. However, the braised soy sauce was fragrant and mildy herbal, which pairs well with my plate of white rice. Each plate of duck rice starts from $3.50. The stall also serves the same signature sambal dishes including squid, prawn, kangkong and tofu.

South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice
Address: Kim San Leng Eating House, 16 Sam Leong Road
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5pm, closed every Thursdays

Selamat Hari Raya Haji! It’s the start of weekend feasting with my makan kaki Derrick. Our first stop is the super filling nasi ambeng for lunch at Pu3 Restaurant. Thank you to the tip-off from FINS, I ended at a nasi padang restaurant in Bencoolen to try their nasi ambeng.

I have previously tried Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah and was impressed by the massive display of dishes on the plate. The special thing about this traditional Javanese cuisine is that the fragrant rice and about 8 dishes are traditionally served in large trays and eaten in groups to encourage communal dining – so bring the whole gang, wash your hands and tuck in “makan tangan” style. Honestly, things always taste nicer when you tuck in with your hands.

To make good nasi ampeng, the most important and basic ingredient is the rendang. And by having an excellent rendang is half the battle won. I prefer this restaurant’s nasi ambeng than East Village’s one because the beef rendang is softer and has a more tender bite. Its curry chicken is cooked in a fragrant and slightly spicy coconut gravy. I like that the meat is infused in the gravy. Other dishes include daging, sambal goreng, terung, paru, bagerdil, sambal kachang ikan bilis, serunding, udang, urap, sambal belachan and ikan kering.

Its nasi ambeng sahan set comes in 1 pax ($7.50), 2 pax ($29.90) or 4 pax ($50.80). We went for the 2 pax portion. Served on a big platter, the dish is completed with up to ten side dishes (actually I think four pax also can). The service was good and the staff was very helpful with our requests. If I am more hungry the next time, I would like to try their tauhu goreng!

Pu3 Restaurant
Address: #01-06, Bencoolen Residences, 51 Bencoolen Street, 189630
Tel: 6338 4419
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 9pm; Sat: 11am – 4pm
Website: http://pu3.com.sg

Jenny Bakery, the home-grown butter cookie phenomenon in Hong Kong, is a familiar brand to locals and tourists alike. Jenny Bakery originally opened in Stanley in 2005 as a normal bakery, but soon started focusing on its highly successful cookies. I remember a time not so long ago, when it was possible to just walk into the bakery any time just to get a tin or two. But now, long lines are forming at every Jenny bakery outlet and it is almost impossible to get the cookies (unless you queue for hours).

During my last time to Hong Kong, I kinda give up already. We tried two Jenny bakery outlets but came out empty handed. So when Jenny Bakery contacted me and told me they are coming to Singapore, I was jumping with joy! “ARE YOU SURE? ARE YOU SURE?” That was my first question when we spoke on the phone.

YES, IT’S CONFIRMED! I have seen it in Jenny Bakery website to double confirm my query. JENNY BAKERY IS COMING TO SINGAPORE! WOOHOO! If you’ve been to Junction 8 these few days, you probably have seen how crazy the crowd is at their pop-up store. The snake queue is never ending. Just like yesterday, the queue started forming at 4.30pm when the sale only starts at 7pm. And by 6.30pm, they have already hit the stock quota. IT’S CRAZY!

At Junction 8 pop-up store, they only brought in 4 Mix Butter Cookies in small and large tins. The four flavours include flower, coffee, shortbread and raisin oats. Jenny Bakery’s cookies are buttery and full of flavour, yet made with natural ingredients and without artificial flavoring or preservatives.

I love The Butter and Coffee cookies are my all-time favourites because these cookies literally melt in your mouth. These are still the best butter cookies I have ever tried. Very addictive! Rest assure that the cookies you have bought in Singapore at freshly made as Lawrence paid for special cargo to fly the cookies in, hence it still keeps its shape and is good for consumption for about a month.

IT’S CONFIRMED! Jenny Bakery is looking for an ideal space to open their first shop in Singapore. And I was told that it will happen before Christmas! Jenny Bakery Singapore is currently having a pop-up booth at Junction 8 atrium (Level 2) till 27 Sep 2015. They have limited stock, so if you wish to get a tin or two, please go earlier to queue. P/S Each person can only buy 1 large and 1 small tin. 

EXCLUSIVE TO MISSTAMCHIAK.COM

If you were unable to get the cookies from Junction 8, here is your last chance! Thank you Jenny Bakery Singapore, 10 readers will each walk away with a small tin of 4 Mix Butter Cookies for free!

How to win?
Step 1 – LIKE Miss Tam Chiak and Jenny Bakery Singapore on Facebook
Step 2 – COMMENT below: What is your fondest memory of Jenny Bakery?

Terms & Conditions:
1. Closing date: 26 September 2015, 12pm.
2. Limit to one winner per household.
3. Winners MUST collect from me on 28th September (Monday) evening in Ang Mo Kio. If you are unable to do so, I will have to do a repick.

We all need to eat sometime, and whether you’re up with the sparrows or crawling out of bed at noon, it’s important to eat right. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has carved out an all-day breakfast / dining menu for all its stores.

I visited the ION Orchard outlet just last week to try out some of the items. The newly renovated cafe is now brighter with light wood furniture and comfy chair space out front, portraying a very relaxed vibe here. The new dining menu allows you to choose from sandwiches, salads, pastas or a good classic breakfast.

Busy work weeks leave us little time to cook and prepare healthy meals at home. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Fruit Salad ($7.90) caters to health-conscious consumers who wish to have a low carb diet. Cranberry, peach and walnuts are added to the fresh pile of lettuce. Drizzled with Italian dressing, who can resist the array of colors, textures, and flavors a fruit salad offers?

ALL DAY BREAKFAST

Scrambled eggs are a perfect breakfast option. Breakfast Platter ($12.90) offers a happy platter of scrambled eggs, sausage, grilled mushroom, turkey bacon and Panini bread. If you crave for something more, go for their Ultimate Breakfast ($14.50) with beef patty, scrambled eggs, turkey bacon and Panini bread.

Anything with brioche works for me because I love the pillow-y soft texture of the bread. Salmon Brioche Eggs Ben ($12.90) features smoked salmon, egg, cheese atop the brioche, which is crunchy outside, soft and moist inside.

SANDWICHES / WRAPS

There are four types of sandwiches available – Chicken Mayonnaise ($9.50), Smoked Salmon ($11.90), Tuna Mayonnaise ($9.50), and Hot Dog ($9.90). You can either choose to have the fillings with wraps (plain or whole wheat) or bread (ciabatta, Panini, whole wheat).

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf nails the components in their Tuna Mayonnaise wrap as it’s a winning package of lightly dressed tuna mayonnaise, loaded with crunchy lettuce and sweetened with tomatoes. If you are a sandwich fan, perhaps the hotdog sandwich will suit you because it is covered with melted cheese and turkey bacon. The smoked salmon sandwich is simple and classic, with silky smoked salmon, eggs, tomato and lettuce.

PASTA

For more filling meals, I like the Seafood Fusilli ($13.90). The pasta texture was al dente and the seafood tasted sweet, especially the prawns.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offers LUNCH TIME SPECIAL. From 12pm to 2pm, enjoy Today’s Brew (coffee or tea) for FREE with any pasta or sandwich purchased when you pay with The Coffee Bean Card. Offers end on 30 September 2015.

Since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has continued to search the earth for only the finest and rarest loose-leaf teas and premium coffees. Today, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf proudly offers over 22 varieties of coffee and 20 kinds of tea.

A sweet ending to the meal is a cup of Chocolate Mousse Ice Blended ($6.90 small; $7.90 regular) with rich indulgent dark chocolate flavour and a smooth velvety texture.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf may not be the most obvious choice for breakfast/dining but it does however offer a good range of dishes all day. The dishes are classic, you can easily grab a table, enjoy a good meal and do some people watching. Plus, the food and beverage served at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is certified Halal, so it is a good option for our Muslim friends!

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Address: #B1-12 ION Orchard, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Tel: 6509 9742
For store location, please visit http://www.coffeebean.com.sg

The best Italian family meals are a thrilling cornucopia of the land’s bounty, the kitchen’s expertise, and the heart’s giving. You’ll find no better expression of this than Zafferano’s exciting and brand-new Saturday brunch, ‘The Italian Table’. Head Chef Marco Guccio has pulled out all the stops on this one and dug deep into his roots, his creativity, and his passion.

Available on the first and last Saturdays of every month, this unique brunch features 4 incredibly generous courses, served sharing style at the table like the exact way Italian families have enjoyed their get-togethers for generations – something halfway between a buffet and a la carte.

Chef Guccio draws from the Italian favourites and influences from all over Italy, and uses the freshest and finest seasonal ingredients to craft his energetically contemporary creations.

However, indulgence is the key to this brunch: flavours and portions to make you swoon and keep you lingering for hours at the table. The Italian Table brunch is unadulterated indulgence wedded to pure quality.

Each of the 4 ‘courses’ contains myriad dishes. The anti-pasti alone comes with more than 7 different items, including live oysters; baby lobster ‘flambé’ with brandy served with mayo sauce; a selection of cold cuts; as well as ‘fritto misto’ – a selection of deep-fried calamari, anchovies and prawns.

The 2nd ‘pasta and risotto’ course is new and unique introduction and brings to the table 3 iconic pasta dishes: ‘homemade lasagna, in minced beef ragout, béchamel sauce’; followed by Chef Marco Guccio’s mother’s gnocchi recipe, ‘hand-craft potato, fresh seafood in white wine’; and the tasty gourmet dish from the Piedmont region ‘veal ravioli, porcini mushrooms and truffle emulsion’.

Our favourite is the hand crafted gnocchi which has a heartwarming homeliness of traditional cooking and the tomato sauce blended very well in a combination that is rich, but not overpowering. The ravioli is another delight to the eyes. It has a lovely colour and a great depth in flavour. The Italian dumplings were made to perfection and were very flavorful, with the truffle emulsion blending immensely well with the ravioli.

Following these 3 classic Italian pastas is Zafferano’s famed ‘superfine risotto Acquerello with Iranian saffron’, served in a large bowl, the traditional way it is presented on special occasions in Milan. Do you know that chefs all over the world are going crazy for Acquerello, a Carnaroli rice producer responsible for some of the best risotto of all time. It has a higher starch content and firmer texture, so it keeps its shape better. Chef has done this well, look at its creaminess and an amazing al dente texture! With its traditional charm and authenticity, this entire course is destined to be a hit with pasta lovers.

But we’re far from done. The 3rd course offers 3 superb mains to choose from: ‘ovenbaked sea bass with tomatoes, olives, capers and fresh herbs’; ‘a roasted whole French spring chicken with bell peppers, red onions and mushrooms’; or ‘a slow-cooked pork belly with potatoes and berry sauce’. Honestly, I have not mastered the art of pacing myself. Haha! With an impressive pasta dishes, I left little stomach space for the mains. But the most memorable one has to be juicy, tender and superbly flavored spring chicken. The berry sauce gave a nice fruity touch to the slow cooked pork belly too!

Still wanting more? The brunch leaves you on a truly decadent note with a free-flow table of at least 5 different desserts of Italian favourites including fluffy tiramisu, delightful chocolate cake, creamy panna cotta, and macarons; and diners can choose to accompany their meal on free-flow Prosecco bubbly wine.

It is often said “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” but this amazing brunch proves the saying wrong. At Zafferano’s the spirit of Italian culinary artistry and quality, and the timeless art of giving is constantly made relevant for a contemporary, food-loving audience.

Zafferano’s Italian Saturday brunch ‘The Italian Table’ is served from 11.30am till 2.30pm, and priced at SGD88++ per person inclusive of free-flow of soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea, SGD108++ per person with free-flow Prosecco and SGD138++ with free-flow of champagne. Available on the first and last Saturday of each month.

Zafferano Restaurant & Lounge
Address: 10 Collyer Quay, 43rd Floor, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315
Tel: 6509 1488
Website: www.zafferano.sg

Nestled on four acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, Sedona Hotel Mandalay is strategically located in the heart of the city and faces the majestic Royal Palace and Mandalay Hill – sights that are a pleasure to behold. After reaching the beautiful Mandalay via SilkAir, we are transported to Sedona Hotel Mandalay and this was our nest for the next four days.

We had our morning breakfast at Cafe Mandalay Restaurant which serves popular Asian cuisine such as Tandoori Chicken and Spring Beef Noodles amidst rustic settings. In addition, we also tried UNO as they serve us a range of new dishes which will be available from October to March.

Its oxtail soup, brown and steaming, light with ginger and celery, pungent with all other spices. It is a deeply warming soup filled with oxtail and root vegetables such as carrots, and potatoes.

My favourite is the Hot & Soup Chilli Crab and Prawns. Using the fresh prawns and crabs, chef stir fry it with pineapple, capsicum, egg, plant, onion, lemon grass, lime leaves to give it the tangy and mild spicy kick.

Zuppa soup is an inviting combination of creamy mushroom champignon, smoked chicken and chicken breast fillet covered with puff pastry. Simple garden herbs like bay leaves and thyme add flavor.

If you prefer something more mediterranean, go for the BBQ Mixed Grill – a hearty platter with lamb chop, beef loin and chicken breast, drizzled with basil pesto sauce. I am not a fan of lamb but UNO’s version is pretty good. The lamb slid off the bones easily and it brings a mild smokey flavour which is a perfect marriage with pesto sauce.

The Executive Club Lounge comes equipped with a dedicated concierge; and is ideal for small meetings, reading or simply relaxing with a selection of food and beverages offerings.

Situated at the junction of 26th & 66th Street, Sedona Hotel Mandalay is just 3 minutes from the city centre and about 12 minutes drive from Mandalay Airport. Opportunities for sightseeing and shopping abound as guests can take in some of the city’s famous attractions such as Mandalay palace and Mandalay Hill (which I will share in my next post), or bring home local handicrafts available at handicrafts centers and the Zegyo Market.

Sedona Hotel, Mandalay
Address: No. 1, Junction of 26th & 66th Street, Chan Aye Tharzan Township, Mandalay, Myanmar.
Website: http://www.sedonahotels.com.sg/mandalay/

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SilkAir flies to Mandalay thrice a week, through a circular routing with Yangon, departing Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. *SPECIAL PROMOTION* SilkAir is currently having a promotion to Mandalay. All-in return fares from SGD379! Promotion is valid till 30 September 2015 and travel has to be completed by 19 November 2015. To view more, please click here. Follow SilkAir Facebook / Instagram / Twitter for updates. Or read more blog for my SilkAir experience.

The second-largest city in Myanmar today, Mandalay has remained throughout its history the capital of culture and religion of the country. The city is also one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. If you’ve just got a day in Mandalay, we have put together the perfect itinerary just for you. Don’t miss a thing in Mandalay!

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1. Attend Cooking Class

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Imagine strolling through a wet market, picking up the perfect ingredients for a delicious Burmese meal with the help of a local, and then cooking all of that fresh seasonal produce in a open space roof top. That’s what Ma Ma Guest House Mandalay is doing. Even though it is a guest house, Su is passionate about cooking and she is probably the one and only one in Mandalay to offer cooking classes. Su has been living in Singapore for the past 20 years and it is only recently that she moves back to Mandalay to help her mother with the business.

We begin the class directly at the market where we will tour the stands and pick out produce with Su and learn all about the products available: seasonal vegetables, meats and poultry and more! The chef will help you decide what to cook – all depending on what’s in season and our preferences. Every market trip is a unique experience. All I have to do is be curious and ask questions!

So when we get to the guest house, cooking begins. We will work together to create the menu, then Su will guide you through the recipes. That day, we prepared Burmese Styled Chicken Curry, Traditional Burmese Soup, Burmese Mixed Salads, Browned Dishes (Mandalay style) and Stir fried vegetable (seasonal). Once you have done all the hard work creating the meal, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour over lunch, conversing with your fellow food enthusiasts. What else do you need for a perfect day in Mandalay? Don’t worry, all classes are taught completely in English!

Ma Ma Guest House Mandalay
Address: 60th Street, between 25th and 26th Streets
Contact: (+95) 2-33411 / Alice (+95) 9444 043284 / Su (+95) 9105 0415
Website: http://mama-guesthouse.com
Email: info@mama-guesthouse.com

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2. Visit a small town – Mingun

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Just an hour’s boat ride away from Mandalay, along the Ayeyarwady River, is the little town of Mingun. Even from a distance, one can see from the boat the massive ruins of the Mantara Gyi Pagoda. It was built by King Bodawpaya and aimed to be the biggest padoda in the world. But it was uncompleted and said to bring bad luck if finished. Only a third of of the pagoda was completed. Huge cracks are visible on the structure from the earthquake in 1839. Nonetheless, it is still spectacular.

While at Mingun, also visit the largest ringing bell in the world. King Bodawpaya had a gigantic bell cast to go with his huge stupa, and the Mingun Bell was cast in bronze and weighs 90 tons. On the northern edge of Mingun stands the impressive Hsinbyume Pagoda (Myatheindan Pagoda), built by King Bagyidaw in memory of his favorite wife. Its unusual architecture is quite striking. Seven terraces surrounded the pagoda which represents the seven mountain ranges around Mount Meru.

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3. Visit Golden Monastery

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The Shwenandaw Monastery is one of the fine examples of traditional 19th century wooden monastery in the country. The monastery is also called the Golden Palace Monastery, because it used to be part of the Mandalay Royal Palace and was completely gilded. If you were to look closely, you can see that the walls and roofs are elaborately decorated with the exquisite sculptures in wood or marble.

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4. Visit Kuthodaw Pagoda

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The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay comprises of a gilded pagoda, hundreds of shrines housing inscribed marble slabs and several pavilions. The pagoda is also called “the world’s largest book”, named after the 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings, each stone slab representing one of its pages. The works started in 1860 and took 8 years to complete.

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5. Climb up the Mandalay Hill

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Mandalay Hill is a 240 metres hill that is located to the northeast of the city centre of Mandalay in Burma. Go for the climb if you are fit for it. Or, if you are lazy like me, a one-way motor road today saves time and also makes it accessible for those who are unable to climb up the stairs, leading to an escalator to the pagoda at the summit. The sunset here is STUNNYING! You can see the western hills and river from Mandalay Hill and it is recommended to spend your evenings here.

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6. Dinner at Mingalabar

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“MinGaLaBar” is not just a word of greeting in Myanmar but also a name of newly opened Myanmar traditional restaurant near Mandalay Palace. It offers variety of Myanmar-style traditional cuisines, including Myanmar’s famous salads, traditional desert, Shan noodle, and fresh fruits.

Mingalabar
Address: 71 Street, Between 28th and 29th streets, Mandalay, Mandalay
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 6am to 9pm
View Tripadvisor review here.

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SilkAir flies to Mandalay thrice a week, through a circular routing with Yangon, departing Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. *SPECIAL PROMOTION* SilkAir is currently having a promotion to Mandalay. All-in return fares from SGD379! Promotion is valid till 30 September 2015 and travel has to be completed by 19 November 2015. To view more, please click here. Follow SilkAir Facebook / Instagram / Twitter for updates. Or read more blog for my SilkAir experience.