[Singapore Buffet] Let's Celebrate the Festival of the Golden Crabs at TODAI!

Chilli Crab, a popular local dish amongst Singaporeans cooked mostly using Sri Lankan crabs.  But now, how about trying a different breed of crabs?  I recommend the Golden Crabs that are now exclusively available at TODAI, a global international buffet chain located at Marina Bay Sands, for a very limited period this February.

These Golden Crabs, came all the way from the Atlantic Ocean, are big and heavy (up to 2kg each) with super long claws and legs are specially brought in by TODAI during this festive season! Compared to the crabs that we normally have, the Golden Crabs have softer shell that covers the fresh and succulent flesh.

Select from 3 cooking styles, Chilli Crab or Steamed Crab or Cold Crab, each has it's own unique characteristics.

The "Korean" Chilli Crab has a distinctive flavour which tastes like gochujang, Korean red pepper paste.  It is not particularly spicy and has a little sweet after-taste.  The gravy can get quite addictive and it was a pity that there was no mantou (Chinese plain steamed/fried bun), which we typically will dip it in the local chilli crab dish.

8The Steamed Crab is my favourite.  Like plain vanilla, the freshness and sweetness of the flesh was most apparent.  "Less is More" was how I felt when I first tasted it.  This is a very authentic crab dish.

If those who prefer something more "fanciful", the Cold Crab might be the right choice.  Cooked yet kept cold in an iced bowl, the flesh texture was a little firmer compared to the Steamed and Chilli version.  This will probably suit fans of sashimi.

And to celebrate the Winter Season in the temperate countries, TODAI is serving 4 types of Korean winter street food in February.  The 4 types of street food are mini Carp Bread filled with red bean paste, Hotteok (pancake filled with brown sugar and nuts), grilled sweet potato and eomuk (boiled fish cake).  Notice that all are warm dishes?  But of course, it is freezing cold in Korea during winter!

Complete your Korean meal with some cabbage kimchi or radish kimchi.  These are on the regular TODAI menu all year round.  Be spoilt for choice for popular dishes such as Japanese Sushi and rolls, Chinese food, Italian food, Ovenbaked, Noodles, Pastries etc.  If only you can stay in the restaurant whole day, that'll be great!

 Japanese Soba



 Salmon Sashimi

The chef at the sashimi counter is probably the busiest in the entire restaurant because there is always a queue waiting the sashimi to be served.  He cuts the salmon with so much care and concentration!



 Chinese Food Section

There are also various types of dishes that are available only at TODAI eg.  Rolled Bacon (on crab stick) with Balsamic Sauce, is unique.  A thin layer of pan-fried bacon wraps around fresh-tasting crab sticks.  The fried wings were great too!

Even the fruits served are different from what other buffet restaurants are serving.  Grapefruits provides lots of vitamin C, helps lower cholesterol and has antioxidant properties.  However, this fruit is not suitable for individuals who are already on cholesterol-related treatments.   

Don't miss the lunar festival joy at TODAI!

Todai Singapore

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

2 Bayfront Avenue

#B2-01

Singapore 018972

Tel: +65 6688 7771

Website: www.todaisingapore.com



Monday to Saturday:
Lunch: 11.30am to 3pm; Dinner: 5.30pm to 10pm

Sunday:
Lunch: 11.30am to 4pm; Dinner: 5pm to 10pm


Getting there: Take MRT to Bayfront Station.  Use Exit D.  Enter Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and walk through The Shoppes in MBS.  Todai is located almost at the end of the building.


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Related Posts:
- Bibigo @ Suntec City (click here)

[CNY 2014] Step-by-Step Lo Hei Guide

If you need to feel a little guided during Lo-Hei, this step-by-step guide will be useful.  Auspicious phrases (even in hanyu pinyin) are included too!!  Do excuse for not having lo-hei during CNY anymore =)

 



 

[CNY 2014] Vegetarian Steamboat and Yusheng

Looking for a different type of CNY cuisine? How about a vegetarian steamboat or yusheng then? 

website: www.kmspks.sg

[CNY 2014] Nian Gao

One of the Lunar New Year tradition is to eat Nian Gao (年糕), or some calls it Tian Guo (甜粿 or sweet cake).  It is a steamed sticky rice cake made using glutinous rice flour.  It is said to be an auspicious dish because it symbolises "raising oneself taller" in each coming year.  It doesn't mean to physically grow an inch taller, but it means having an improvement (in whatever ways) in the coming year.

Nian Gao can be easily purchased from confectionery shops or even at the supermarkets.  It comes if varying sizes and some even provide lucky number for lottery.  For some families, they prefer to make this special delicacy themselves.  Recipe for reference:
http://www.chow.com/recipes/29363-steamed-chinese-new-year-cake

As we celebrate and welcome the year of the galloping Horse, let's not forget the importance of gratitude, and not to take things for granted!  Watch this short video as a reminder to ourselves =)

[Singapore Local Delight] Char Kway Teow from Air House Cafe

Who would love food that is good and cheap? Air House Café, a club house in the Changi Airport (public area) serves really delicious zi char (ranging from rice to noodles and cooked dishes.  Members pay slightly cheaper price when prices for non-members are already pretty reasonable. 



 

 

Crispy and well marinated chicken wings.  Seriously, I could hear the crunch from every bite.  It costs only $1.20 (members price).

 

Flavourful with wok hei (a special fragrance as a result of cooking using high wok heat), thick fish cake slices and al dente noodles and kway teow.  The only slight disappointment was the lack of Chinese sausage, otherwise, I would consider this as a perfect char kway teow, just the way I like it!  It costs only $3 (members price).

 

 

Air House Café

Airport Boulevard, Changi Airport Passenger Terminal 2

Singapore 819643

Tel: 6546 8218

 

Getting there: Take MRT to Changi Airport Station.  Exit to Terminal 2, walk to the passenger car park within the terminal.  The café is located next to the carpark.

 

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SG Cafe Series: Water Drop Teahouse

Water Drop Teahouse is a unique café, located in a corner of Punggol.  Housed in Buddhist Centre, Fo Guang Shan (Buddha's Light Association, Singapore) , the cosy cafe serves vegetarian snacks and meal.  The place seems to be pretty crowded on weekends but fortunately, the café is spacious and it won't be difficult to get seats.



 

While having a cuppa, diners can also browse at the CDs, books, artifacts and accessories available for sale.  It is a good place for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The menu is environment friendly.  You can place your order by writing the order quantity on the laminated menu using a marker pen, present it at the cashier, make the payment and the food will be prepared. 

The café has a good selection of beverages ranging from fruit juices to coffee to tea and even bubble tea.

These were the 2 snacks that I ordered - Fried Pumpkin Patty and Kimchi Roll respectively.  They looks quite ordinary but in fact, they were delicious.

On another occasion, I ordered this tofu peanut snacks.  It was kind of chewy, like mocha.  The sauce was savoury and I thought it was quite unique.  The mocha was also delish.

Ah, and I ordered a noodle dish - 随缘面。  Oh well, I didn't know that it was a mushroom noodles dish and hence, it wasn't to my liking.  I always find that shitake mushroom taste is too strong.

Water Drop Teahouse

Address:

Fo Guang Shan (Singapore)
No.1 Punggol Place (3rd floor), Singapore 828844
Tel ：(65) 6411 0596

Opening Hours：

Tuesday to Friday	:	10am – 6pm
Saturday	:	10am – 7pm
Sunday and Public Holiday	:	10am – 5pm
Closed on Monday

 

Website: http://www.blia.sg/en/waterdrop.aspx

 

Getting there: Take MRT to Punggol Station and walk 6 mins to Fo Guang Shan.

 

 

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[CNY 2014] New Year Snacks Part 2

Bought more CNY cookies and I seem to be particularly attracted to gula Melaka cookies this year.  The second batch of cookies that I bought for this CNY is from Cedele Depot, Artisan Handmade Cookies.  Although they are a little more expensive, I think it is worth it because the cookies are hand-made, do not contain artificial ingredients and there is no trans fats.

 

Gula Melaka Coconut - Love the nostalgic taste of gula Melaka and the declicious desiccated coconut.  The cookies are really crispy.

 

 

Pineapple Pocket Pie - This isn't my first time getting the pineapple pockets for CNY.  The pineapple pockets are for those who likes buttery pastry.  Cedele's version isn't too overpowering.  Soft and firm pastry filled with sweet & sourish pineapple jam.

Website: http://www.cedeledepot.com/

[CNY 2014] New Year Snacks

It is the time of the year again!  Lunar New Year comes faster this year, just within a month from the start of 2014.  I contemplated quite a bit what new year snacks to get this year.  Pineapple tart is a must but I have yet to find one which really excites me.  While shopping at Takashimaya CNY fair, I chanced upon 2 snacks from Rasa Sayang which are rather unique and tasty.  Their snacks are made in Indonesia.

 

 

The first is Oven Baked Purple Yam Chips.  It is oven baked and there isn't other added flavouring.  It is simply thinly sliced purple yam, sent into the oven.  Sounds healthy?  I think so.  It tasted so.  The only unhealthy bit is that some vegetable oil has been used during the baking process.

The second is Gula Melaka Kueh Bangkit (literally means fragrant cake).  Tasty kuah bangkit should crumble and melt in the mouth, not too floury, not too sweet and has a fragrant coconut taste.  It is actually quite labour intensive to make kueh bangkit.  The additional plus point to this particular kueh bangkit is the gula Melaka taste.  Double coconut happiness!

Ok, I have a week to continue my search for the perfect pineapple tart this year.  Send me recommendations!

Website : http://www.rsayang.com/

[Singapore Restaurant] Korean Food: Jang Shou Korean BBQ

It has been more than 5 years since I last stepped into Jang Shou Korean BBQ.  Jang Shou also means longevity.  The restaurant is conveniently located downtown, at The Esplande.  For this visit, I tried 2 BBQ and a soup dish.

Jang Shou restaurant is generous with their side dishes.  A total of 9 dishes are served, in addition to the onion soup as appetiser.

I always hesitate trying this dishes as I was afraid that the onion taste will be too over-powering.  But thankfully, the onion soup was quite refreshing.  It tasted sweet and a little sourish.  The restaurant serves set meal only during lunch.  Each set meal costs $23 and comprises 1 grilled meat dish (choice of beef, pork and chicken) and 1 stew dish (choice of soybean paste stew, spicy soft tofu stew, buckwheat noodles in cold broth and dry buckwheat noodles in spicy sauce).  For such a combination, I personally think that it is pretty worthwhile. 

But for this lunch, I decided to order BBQ meat instead of the set meal.  For some reason, the restaurant uses charcoal for BBQ only during dinner.  And during lunch, it is cooked over gas.  The first BBQ meat I ordered was the Jang Shou Galbi, marinated pork ribs in olive and honey.  There are 3 BBQ pork choices.  Besides pork ribs, they also serve olive-wine marinated pork belly and hot-pepper marinated pork belly.

The second BBQ meat that I had was Jang Shou Dak Galbi, grilled spicy chicken.  In fact, the choice of BBQ chicken is only limited to the spicy flavour.

While the spicy chicken looks more appetising than the pork ribs, I like the pork ribs more than the spicy chicken.

The soybean paste stew was average.  I like it more when the beanpaste taste is stronger.  But I guess the restaurant would have to cater to the majority's preference.

Overall, the dishes are decent but variety is limited for non-beef diners.   But I like the variety of side dishes served.  There are very few restaurants that provides such elaborate side dishes.

Note: WAH! Korea Club members enjoy 5% discount on regular food items from Monday to Thursday, excluding set meals.


Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ
Address : 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-13A/B Esplanade Mall, S039802
Tel : +65-6337-8880
Business Hour:
Mon to Sat: 11.30am to 2.30pm / 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Sun and PH: 5.30pm to 10.30pm.

Website: http://www.jangshoukoreanbbq.com/

Getting there: Nearest MRT station is Esplanade Station on the Circle Line.  Follow the walking directions with the MRT station to Esplanade - Theatres by the Bay.  Go to level 1, take the exit next to Harry's.  Keep left and turn left into the entrance to Jang Shou Korean Restaurant.




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SG Cafe Series: Charlie Brown Cafe

There aren't many cartoon-themed café in Singapore.  In fact, I think Charlie Brown Café might be the one and only one.  Located in 313 Somerset, it is easily accessible by public transport, food is reasonably-priced and is a pretty good place to chill out.  Good thing is - there is no service charge but GST is still applicable though.

That's a Charlie human-sized figurine that welcomes all guests into the café.  If you're a Peanuts comic strip fan, this is a place to check out.  Other than food and beverages, character souvenirs are be purchased here.

The café adopts a open concept, which means that it may get a little warm and humid especially during the warmer months.

Besides coffee, tea, baked pastries, they also serve all-day breakfast, soup, salad, sandwich, finger food and ala carte meal items.

Tried the fried chicken wings.  It was quite delicious.  The colour may appear a little dark but it was in fact, flavourful.

The café runs a membership programme and members are entitled to 15% discount.  Do make good use of the discount ^^

Charlie Brown Café
313 Orchard Road #01-25/25A (Discover Walk; facing open carpark)
Singapore 238895
Tel: 68365344
Website: http://www.charliebrowncafe.com.sg/

Getting there: Take the MRT and alight at Somerset Station.  At Exit B, turn left and walk in the direction towards Marche, until the outdoor section.  The café is on the right side.


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