Reminisce those times spent at Insadong back in Korea? Not to worry because we have a fix for that. Why so? Because Insadong is here in Singapore! Located on the alluring island of Singapore, you can now have a feel and taste of Insadong.

Insadong Korea Town at Resort World Sentosa is created with the idea of bringing the entire Insadong experience here to Singapore. Before I go into details, let me talk a little bit more about Insadong. Insadong is a relatively long street in the city of Seoul. It is one of the most memorable attractions among tourist and represents the focal point of Korean traditional cuisine, culture and crafts.

As such, in order to achieve this overall experience, this place is sized at 6,000 square feet and able to cater up to over 300 diners. Insadong Korea Town offers an assortment of over 200 types of authentic Korean such as Korean-Chinese, Korean-Western, Korean-Japanese cuisine and a variety of street food. Not forgetting its traditional culture and crafts, one can even shop for Korean merchandise, accessories and souvenirs at the retail carts.

This ordering kiosk is user friendly and comes in 3 languages. As told, they will be having more languages to better cater to the mass, especially when it is located at Resort World Sentosa. As of current, it only accept cash payment but more mode of payments will be implemeted, including accepting credit card payment and Resort World Sentosa Reward’s Card.

Giving the ordering kiosk a try

Basically, one will just have to select what we want to order and its quantity. Once done, just press on the green button at the bottom right and a receipt will be dispensed. Present the receipt at the counter and in exchange, they will pass you a ‘beeper’ that will beep once the food is ready. Nothing new as Marché is using this concept too.

A clip-board showing where the counters and kiosk are located

Let’s take a look at its menu now.

Korea - Japanese

Korea – Authentic

Korea – Western

Totally spoiled for choice!

The first dish being served was non other than the traditional tteokbokki. Lightly garnished with white sesame seeds, a great appetizer to start with.

Next comes the Ginseng Chicken Soup. This is one of my favourite as I am always a fan of herbal soup. The ginseng taste is just nice, not too strong such as its overpowering the taste of the soup.

Another of my favourite is the Bossam. Bossam is a popular pork dish in Korean cuisine whereby the pork belly is thinly sliced and usually served with sides such as garlic, ssamjung (wrap sauce), kimchi etc. Upon eating, the meat and sides are often wrapped in vegetable leaves, hence the literal meaning of Bossam. I’ll have to admit that the pork served is of good quality, especially when it is priced at S$15 only!

Coupled these dishes with refreshing Watermelon Soju!

Drink like a boss! LOL

For the dessert, we have J-Cone! J-Cone is widely sold in Korea. It is basically a J-shaped cone with ice-cream in it. So if you spot anyone eating this J-shaped looking thing at Resort World Sentosa, you know it’s from.

A great thank you to The Influence Network (TIN) for organizing this food tasting session. Insadong Korea Town is definitely a great place to relax and enjoy great Korean food with your friends and family after a day of fun at Resorts World Sentosa. On top of it, it is at an affordable price, especially when most dining places in Resort World Sentosa are priced heftily.

Group photo and call it a day! ^^

Looking for restaurant to dine-in for celebrating your romantic anniversary with your love ones? Pool Grill restaurant at Singapore Marriott Hotel is one of your choices in your mind today!

A week back, I chance upon having my first fine dining experience at Pool Grill restaurant located in the heart of Orchard at Marriott Hotel. To kick off with my verdict of the outdoor restaurant, I would like to highlight that the place was filled with elegant dining set complementing with the sky pool which gave audiences a cozy ambience.

Beside the ala cart menu, Pool Grill Restaurant do serve 3 meal course set dinner menu which consists of 1 Starter, 1 Main and 1 Dessert. The chef restaurant will prepare dishes based on customers’ preference. Likewise, their service was fast and excellent too. Indulge with my dining moment at Pool Grill, I would like to share with you guys the dishes I had tried during my tasting session.

THE STARTER

I have chosen Pool Grill’s Caesar salad to be my starter dish. Despite the salty taste of the fish in the salad, the dish was well-seasoned and fresh and it is good for appetizer.

Chef’s crafted soup of the day

Duck liver and foie gras parfait, consommé jelly, chutney, crostini

Pool Grill’s caesar salad, Romaine lettuce, parmesan, anchovy dressing, croutons

THE MAIN

Next, I selected pan roasted butterfish for my main dish. I am totally in love with the sweet taste of the tender butterfish, thus it comes with cauliflower puree and Shiraz reduction to make the dish look healthy. Fish lover will love it! However, there are other two selections which are ‘braised boneless beef short rib’ and ‘roast chicken breast’ and are definitely worth the price!

THE DESSERT

‘Cheese Board’ is one of the recommended dessert dishes to end off a delighted meal. It is a selection of artisanal European cheeses, crackers, homemade nut confit and quince paste. It tastes savory and is value for sharing. Yummy!

I had a delightful dining experience with my friends at Pool Grill @ Singapore Marriott Hotel. Thumb up for the excellent services and delicious dishes. Concurrently while having my three-meal dinner course, I am able to enjoy seeing lights display from the opposite Ion Orchard and also feel the refreshing wind cooling the outdoor ambience.

In the mood of craving Japanese cuisine, Marugoto Shokudou, a traditional Japanese restaurant settled on the path of Ang Mo Kio Boardway Plaza serving rare and quality authentic Japanese dining experience with a menu of 150 unique varieties.

To indulge the feel of classical Japanese culture ambiance with Sakura blossom design, it was my first visit to Marugoto Shokudou restaurant and I am in love with their cozy dining experience as well as their authentic cuisine and sushi. In sync with the comfortable surroundings, it’s always suitable to bring your friends, family and loves one for a casual dining in the neighbourhood environment.

Lucky Cat welcome you to the authentic dining

Marugoto Shokudou Restaurant Dining Menu

In the event of food tasting session, we started off an appetizer, the Ankimo (Angle Fish) pairing with a glass of traditional sake. The dish does not give a fishy aftertaste, thus it present a smooth bite texture compliment with the sauce to the consumer.

For people who like to a light starter dish, you are welcome to try out their Buta Shabu-Shabu Salad. It is one of my favourite salad dishes of the night, and the Shabu Shabu meat taste fresh and appetizing.

One of the highlight yet expensive dishes of the night! - The Assorted Sashimi consists of Kanpachi, Toro, salmon belly and uni sushi. The sashimi was well-prepared and it was an eye-opening to see this dish presenting in a distinctive style. Likewise, this series of sashimi simply tastes delectable and I really love eating the salmon belly. Awesome!

The recommended main course at Marugoto Shokudou - Kimchi Miso Ramen, Tokyo Shoyu Ramen and Beef Kushiyaki.

NEXT! The SPERM SOUP!!! First time in my life having a bowl of SPERM SOUP! OMG Wait… Is Cod Fish Sperm soup (Shirauo Osui)! And this authentic dish is origin from Japan. The “Brain Look” Sperm texture taste as soft as minced meat and the soup was light and refreshing. Hence, it was quite an energetic soup for both genders whereby it helps to keep your body warm. You guys can have a try! ^^

Everyone love ice cream! To conclude our last dish of the night, we had the warm-cold crispy Ice Cream sandwiches dessert. Thus, there are two ice cream flavours which are vanilla and chocolate for customers’ preference.
Read More:
http://hpility.blogspot.sg/2014/12/authentic-japanese-dining-experience-at.html

Are you craving for Italian cuisine today? Nestled in the eye of Bugis compass, you are welcome to stopover at Oliva Restaurant located at 34 Arab Street for a delightful Italian dining with your friends and family.

Oliva, an Italian Restaurant with angelic interior and comfortable dining ambiance served a wide variety of authentic Italian cuisine from Pasta, Pizza and Desserts choice, and to add on, every dish has its unique taste of complimentary with the secret recipe Italian sauces created by the shop owner. Likewise, foods served in Oliva Restaurant also come in Halal and choice of vegetarian selection especially for their visitors.

In the list of Oliva Italian Restaurant menu, I am glad to try out their signature dishes during my food tasting session. Hence, kicking off with the starter dish, I would like to introduce their signature ‘Bruschetta’, one of the best fresh toasted baguette complement with their homemade salsa.

Next, the ‘Insalata Caprese’, a mixed salad well-blended with fresh mozzarella cheese, juicy tomatoes, pipe nuts and homemade vinaigrette. If you are a cheesy lover, you will definitely love this dish.

Their hot seller signature’s Lambshank is my favourite dishes of the day, this Lambshank was prepared over hours and was made with an Oliva’s special recipe. The meat of the Lambshank was soft and tender whereby it melts into your mouth immediately after every bite. Awesome!

Getting along with the Pasta savory, a taste of sweet crab meats with creamy tomato based pasta also known as ‘Signature Pasta’ at Oliva Restaurant. Eat it while is hot and this dish is definitely recommended and worth pricing. Thus for beef lovers, you may also want to try the Sunny Side Up pasta, comes with creamy white sauce, beef pepperoni and egg yolk.

Signature Pasta

Sunny Side Up Pasta

Lastly, introducing you guys the two attractive and delectable desserts, the ‘Tiramisu’ and ‘Panna Cotta’ to end off with a lovely Italian meal at Oliva Restaurant. I enjoyed having both desserts concurrent to soften my sweet taste bud. Well, if you are an Italian cuisine lover, do not hesitate and visit the Oliva Restaurant today! Hope you have a wonderful dining at Oliva Restaurant! Cheers

‘Panna Cotta’

Indulge with the Christmas mood here.

Oliva Italian Restaurant Address:

Kampong Glam Shop Houses #01-00,

34 Arab Street, (S)199733

Price Range: $10 - #30

Nestled in Maju Avenue in Serangoon Garden estate, SYNC Korean Tapas Bar offers a cosy environment where groups can have a relaxed time chatting, and imbibe the Korean culture. The bar opened from 3pm till 12am daily. Plans to provide lunch and weekend brunch menu will follow.

The owners of SYNC, Brian and Lisa wanted to bring the Korean Tapas to everyone, making it affordable, without imposing a service charge. Their first outlet, a Korean bistro at Westgate, currently sits on the apex of Burpple’s hot 100 in October list.

The Korean-inspired tapas menu is the brainchild of both Consultant Chef Edwin Lau, 32 and Head Chef Calista Ong, 26. Both have extensive chef experience especially Edwin Lau. Calista Ong graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.

Here are dishes that I have tried.

Toppoki : S$9.90

Traditional rice cakes covered with sweet and spicy sauce. In addition, sausages added with melted cheese. Very soft and sauce is awesome. This is a mouth-watering dish.

Sogogi Jowl : S$10.90

Char-grilled beef jowl in hoba & garlic confit. The beef is tender and tasty. In addition, the garlic completes the full taste. How do you eat this? Simply pull out the stick and wrap the beef / garlic with sesame leaf and put it whole into your mouth. Highly recommended.

Ssam : $40.90

This dish is very similar to the Chinese cruise, belly pork with bun. But instead of belly pork, pork ribs replace it. The bone can be easily removed. Wrap the meat together with bun and vegetable. Simply Delicious.

Dak-Kang Jung : S$9.90

Deep-fried sweet and spicy chicken bites, ricotta chili tempura. I find this dish slightly salty. Very similar in texture to the Chinese cruise, sweet and sour pork. It may appeal to others but this dish is not one of my favourites.

Crackling : S$9.90

Crackling of umani cod chips. This is definitely my favourite dish among all the dishes tasted. Unlike the usual crackers, it is soft and tasty. You will not be disappointed with this dish. Remember to order this dish when you are at the bar. Another highly recommended.

Dak Gar-Bi : $39.90 (2-3 Shares)

Spicy chicken paella with onions, mushroom, cabbage, sausage, kimchi. Quite a large portion. It has many ingredients. You need to mix it well. There seems to be many flavours such as the sour taste from the lemon, spicy taste come from the chicken and kimchi. According to waitress, this is popular main dish.

Misugaru : S$8.90

Misugaru lavacake, vanilla ice cream, strawberries & lime compote. A popular dessert. When you cut the cake, “lava” started to flow out. The concept is unique and refreshing. The cake combine with the “lava” sauce, produces a moist warm cake. Not forgetting the vanilla ice cream to cool you down from the “hot lava”.

Hotteok : S$8.90

Pan-fried chewy sweet Korean pancake with banana foster. Deliciously done pancake which was torched by the chef. You can smell the aroma when dish was served. Same goes for the banana.

Soju Mojito : S$9.90

A minty lime drink. Very refreshing. Some may not like the minty taste. As the ice melts, it tastes much better.

Soju Peach Shot : S$7.90

This is my favourite drink. Drink it together with a piece of peach does make a difference to your taste bud. Very satisfying… more please.

Bar Details

SYNC Korean Tapas Bar

12 Maju Ave, Serangoon Garden Estate

Opening hours : 3pm to 11pm (Sun to Thurs), 3pm to 12am (Fri, Sat, PH and eve of PH)

Phone Number :6282 9612

Facebook : facebook.com/syncbistro

Promotion

Daily 3pm to 6pm ( starting from 3 Nov to end Dec )

Free coffee/tea with any order of dessert
S$5.90 beer
$9.90 beer + Tapas of the day

3pm onwards, only on Weekends (Starting 8th Nov)

Family Set Meal at $63.90 with 4 Tapas and

1 Paella / Budae Jigae (U.P. $72.80)

My Opinion

It is only when you try it yourself, you will know the taste of good food. In my opinion, this is modern Korean foods with a twist. Food design and probably fusion of various Korean, European cuisine and even some influences of Chinese cuisine make this bar a must try restaurant in Singapore. The decoration and environment were well coordinated with its food theme.