Banana Republic.

If you are hungry, I would suggest that you do not continue reading the rest of this entry because it will be mostly pictures of food. Let’s begin with this baby.

1) Red velvet cake

According to Wiki, red velvet cake is most popular in the South of the United States and I have been wanting to taste one ever since I read about how after Lil’ Kim had a huge one for her birthday. The description of the cake already sounded good – chocolate cake that is given a distinct reddish-brown colour, layered and topped with cream cheese frosting. I love the colour red, I love chocolates and I love cream cheese, so this is a perfect combination. While I was busy doing research during my internship, I found a bakery nearby which sells it. So off I went with Lina during lunch to get a slice. The cake is moist and sufficiently chocolatey, while the cream cheese wasn’t cloying and I would say it even tempered the sweetness of the cake itself. In other words, I bloody love this and would return for more. Especially since it’s less than $4 a slice.

2) Summertime carrot cake

Ignore my off-focus macro and instead focus on this next baby, the summertime carrot cake from the same bakery. Personally, I prefer my carrot cake to be crispy, eggy and doused in sambal. This Western version, however, deserves a nod of recognition for being fragrant, multi-textured and very yummy. Again, less than $4 a slice. For a taste, go to :

Room For Dessert
Blk 261 Waterloo Street
#01-42

3) Filipino desserts

On the topic of desserts, I would like to introduce you to the wonders of Filipino dessert! Clockwise from the top left – leche flan, ube halaya, leche flan again, sponge cake with caramel and nuts and corn custard with crispy coconut shavings. I remembered Apol once told me she felt like making some leche flan, which is basically a Filipino version of crème caramel. I found a restaurant in Lucky Plaza selling it as well as other Filipino desserts, so I brought her as well as Boarie and Alfian along to try it out. GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES FOR LECHE FLAN AND VASELINE SHAMPOO. I love it! It’s denser than the usual crème caramel and it’s also a lot sweeter. In fact, all of the desserts above contain a large amount of condensed milk. The ube halaya is made of mashed yam and condensed milk. I love it because of the funky colour and the gritty texture, and who would have though that yam and condensed milk would go together eh? The sponge cake is light and fluffy whereas the accompanying caramel and nuts frosting is sooo bloody good. No prizes for guessing the important ingredient! The corn pudding is probably the least sweetest of all but still good, especially with the crunchy coconut bits. And you know what is the best part? THEY COST $2 EACH!! There are also other desserts there on sale, which I will try in my next visit. If you are curious and would like to try, go to

Kabayan Filipino Restaurant
304 Orchard Road
#03-25 Lucky Plaza

4) Halal xiao long baos

I am telling you my internship was well spent because again, this gem was another one of my finds. Xiao long baos are traditionally made with a pork meat filling. In fact, most of the dim sum items in Singapore are made of pork. After tasting awesome Halal ones in Hong Kong, I have been searching for Halal dim sum here. These xiao long baos uses chicken as a substitute and accompanying the meat inside the little parcels is a flavourful broth. My only gripe would be that the baos are small and kinda expensive for the size. And if you take too long to eat it, the top part of the baos gets a bit stiff and chewy. But considering that finding Halal xiao long baos here is akin to finding the proverbial needle in a haystack, this will suffice. Boarie also found a Halal dim sum teahouse in the East, you may want to check out her blog for it.

5) Beef noodles

Besides the xiao long baos, I also tried the beef noodles there. I warn you, the soup’s taste and smell is very very very beefy. But I have no problems with it because beef is my favourite meat. This version is light and not as herby as compared to the Thai version (which I love also). It’s a nice change if you want a change of style. I still maintain that the best beef noodles ever is from the now gone beef noodles stall in the Le Meridien Hotel foodcourt. Where are you tranny aunty?!? Anyway, for the xiao long baos and beef noodles, go to

Ah Mei Cafe
210 Middle Road
#01-02 IOI Plaza

6) Halal bak kut teh

Bak kut teh is a Chinese soup made of pork ribs and a bunch of herbs and spices. I’ve heard about it many times from my non-Muslim friends, who swears by the soup for sobering purposes, especially after a night of partying. So when I found a place selling the Halal version, of course I had to try it! This version uses beef (yay for me!) and I love it because the meat was tender (none stuck to my teeth), the soup was rich in flavours and it kicked ass when eaten with the accompanying sambal belachan! Again, the price is a winner at $4.50 per claypot, inclusive of a plate of rice. Go to Habib at Bukit Gombak RIGHT NOW.

Habib Family Restaurant
Blk 374 Bukit Batok Street 31
#01-194

7) Halal bibimbap

I mentioned before in an earlier entry about my new found interest in bibimbap, after trying it in Hong Kong. Hard to find Halal Korean restaurant here so I tried to forget about the dish. And then, I was told that there is one right at my doorstep in Causeway Point! THANK YOU, BANQUET! Now whenever I patronize Banquet, I will only buy from the Korean stall because I can easily get chicken rice, yong tau foo, carrot cake and laksa elsewhere. But finding bibimbap is gold. This dish is extremely filling because the bowl is deep and the rice almost hits the 3/4 level. The combination of the sauce, the meat (beef! but got chicken also lah) and the crunchy vegetables = VERY SEDAP OK?

Suddenly I cannot recall the name of the stall but I am pretty sure it’s called Han River. It’s right beside the carrot cake stall.

Banquet at Causeway Point, Level 7

Thin crust pizza

Ok last food pic, I promise. The above pizza you see is a thin crust pizza, smothered with a tangy tomato base and piled with generous amount of ground beef and mozarella cheese. SO GOOD, TRUST ME. It’s big enough for 2 (or 3 if you all eat like birds) and it will only burn a $6 hole in your pocket! Ridiculous price but excellent taste! I shall psycho the Paki to bring me this weekend.

Serai Makan Place

Opposite Joo Chiat Complex, where the old cinema used to be.

So are you hungry now? Because I sure am!