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Fresh Eats Singapore

FRESH EATS: July’s 7 new spots will take you to foodie heaven!

We’ve finally reached the mid-year mark! The first half of the year has seen a flurry of new openings and revamps, so we’re bringing you seven new spots to boost your dining game for the next half of the year.

1. Godmama

New Spot Godmama
New Spot Godmama

If you haven’t already been, the newly revamped Funan Mall is THE HOTSPOT after Jewel at Changi. No kidding, this mall has a maze-like layout, and is filled to the brim with innovative retail stalls. That’s why it’s no doubt that Funan is home to one-of-a-kind dining spots like Godmama! 

This Peranakan restaurant offers both indoor and alfresco seats, with the latter allowing you to have a great view of Funan’s rooftop garden. Godmama infuses modern elements into its traditional Peranakan plates—their All-Star Egg Skin Popiah is a hit with both the young and the old! Chock-full of comforting stewed veggie fillings, fresh prawns, and loaded with crispy garlic bits (the more crunch the better), their hearty popiah sure hits the spot after a day of exploring Funan’s facade. 

Find it at Funan Mall, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105
Earn an additional 100 Chope-Dollars with TASTYBLOG

2. Jimoto Dining

New Spot Jimoto Dining
Cr: Jimoto Dining
New Spot Jimoto Dining
Cr: Jimoto Dining

We know, you’ve probably been to Joo Chiat for an #OOTD session or two along its pastel-hued shophouses, but here’s another reason to visit the hipster enclave. If you’re pacing around the East, wondering what to have for dinner, head to Jimoto Dining, a quaint Omakase restaurant nestled amongst the other stylish cafes and bars. Helmed by Chef Takahiro Sato, the restaurant serves affordable, quality Japanese fare. 

As sushi lovers ourselves, we too were intrigued by how Chef Sato uses Akazu—Red Vinegar—to make the sushi rice. The Red Vinegar adds a touch of acidity, and gives an umami flavour to the sushi rice—oishi! Sake-lovers, we haven’t forgotten about you! With their extensive sake list, you’re sure to find the perfect drink for every course! All omakase courses at Jimoto Dining consist of an appetiser, sushi, and dish of the day from the hot-kitchen. If you’re looking for a quick-fix post work, take up the five-course Toki ($55+), served only from 6—7pm. On the other hand, their Introductory Sanpuru ($68+), innovative Kakushin ($98+) and the premium Zeitaku ($128+) are perfect choices if you’re looking to impress a date.

Find it at 325 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427582 
Click here for more information on Jimoto Dining

3. In Bad Company

New Spot InBadCo
Cr: In Bad Company
New Spot InBadCo
Cr: In Bad Company

Did you momma ever tell you not to hang out with your friends because they were ‘bad company’? Well, this casual bar embraces your ‘bad company’, with a to-hell-with-it attitude! In bad company makes sure you have good time, even in bad company. 

At this spot, you’ll find yourself in the company of an array of craft beers—they constantly update their beer list with niche craft beers from local, and international providers, making sure it ain’t ever a dull moment when you crack open a cold one with them. If you’re feeling peckish, have a go at their yakitori sticks and bar bites—trust us when we say their spicy Super Crispy Nankin Kubes really pack a punch! So the next time your friends sabo you to pick a hangout spot, head over here and relish in the company of your favourite people! 

Find it at 46 The Herencia, Kim Yam Road, Singapore 239351
Click here for more information on In Bad Company

4. Skiver Sky Bar

New Spot Skiver Sky Bar
Cr: Skiver Sky Bar
New Spot Skiver Sky Bar
Cr: Skiver Sky Bar

Speaking about bars, here’s another! Skiver Sky Bar is a no-frills watering hole, serving up your favourite drinks and bites in a swanky interior. Their plush couches and dark mahogany accents add to the cosy ambience—perfect for unwinding with your pals after slogging it out at work! 

Have we mentioned that it’s also a rooftop bar? Those who’d rather the alfresco seating will be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the city, perfect for those golden hour selfies! To start off your night, try their Three-Tier Bar Food. Served in a tower reminiscent of high-tea dates with your aunties, this option consists of a mish-mash of their best bar bites, making sure you won’t have to fight over what dish to order!

Find it at The Seacare Hotel, Singapore 169875
Click here for more information on Skiver Sky Bar

5. goo ITALIANO

New Spot goo Italiano
New Spot goo Italiano

Fun fact: this restaurant has two outlets in Japan! goo Italiano is a casual Italian restaurant that prides itself on serving up affordable and authentic plates of pasta along Clarke Quay! This spot infuses elements from its Japanese outlets, offering creative options like the Tokyo Style Lasagna. 

Unlike most Italian restaurants, goo Italiano shines the spotlight on Foccia Di Recco, a lighter version of Pizza. Their Foccia Di Recco comes in flavours like Parma Harm and Mushroom, great if you’re a traditionalist. But for those looking to try something different, we suggest the ‘Cacio e Pepe’, a version that infuses Baked Mash Potato and Cheese into the dough. If you’re a carb lover like us, that’s exactly what will hit the spot! 

Find it at 35 North Canal Road, Singapore 059291
Earn an additional 100 Chope-Dollars with TASTYBLOG

6. Nakama Bistro

New Spot Nakama Bistro
Cr: Nakama Bistro

Sometimes it’s such a drag to crack your brains over what to eat. Trust us, we’ve been there. On days like those all we want is some good ol’, home-cooked food. That’s where Nakama Bistro comes in! 

Whether you’re craving a hearty rice bowl, bento set, or a warm bowl of udon, this spot has you covered. Their Sukiyaki Beef Donburi and Teriyaki Chicken Donburis are perfect if you’re a student in the area on the hunt for an affordable meal. Still hungry? Take your pick from their array of add-ons. So if you’re a student looking an after-school meal that won’t break the bank, you know where to go!

Find it at 9 King Albert Park, Singapore 598332
Click here for more information on Nakama Bistro

7. Ramen Nagi

New Spot Ramen Nagi
New Spot Ramen Nagi

Did someone say ramen? If you’re a ramen addict, here’s some good news! This restaurant isn’t exactly new—they have an existing outlet at Suntec City—but they’ve heard the pleas of the ramen hungry, and answered. Ramen Nagi is opening it’s second outlet at ION Orchard! You might have seen their unique Tonkotsu broths online—the original white, squid ink black, red cayenne pepper and chilli oil, and fresh basil and olive oil green. Fret not veggie lovers, this restaurant also has similar veggie options! 

Find it at ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Click here to find out more about Ramen Nagi’s new outlet.

Hungry yet? Well go on, try these seven fresh spots out and you might just find your next favourite haunt!

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Categories
Lifestyle Singapore Singapore

“My partner is a foodie”: Confessions of an Instagram Partner

If there’s one thing that millennials love more than good food is taking snapshots of good food. From learning the right angles to knowing how to strategize your shots, we speak to 10 Instagram partners and hear their experiences of living with a foodie.

 

“Usually when I help my girlfriend book at one of the cafes on Chope, I always remember to add a request for a window seat with ample lighting. If there’s anything I’ve learned, shadows are a flat-lay’s worst enemy.” – Jia Sheng L.
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“Whatever you do, DO NOT USE FLASH.” – Amy T.
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“Always know what angle you’re going for when it comes to taking photos of desserts because a melted bowl of ice cream is never appetising.” – Vanessa N.
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“Always ask if the shot is good to go. Never assume that what you took is the right one!” – Mike O.
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“When they say candid photo, they never mean candid photo. Take bursts because one is never enough.” – Louiza W.
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“It will be a while before you even can taste anything, so patience is a must.” – Xin Yee T.
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“Add props to your shots so that it looks more realistic. Some of the more popular day-to-day items to use are utensils, the restaurant’s menu booklet, flowers on the table, sunglasses, wallets, etc.” – AJ

 

“Ask for the most colourful dish on the menu, even if it’s a salad. Trust me, it’ll make your photos pop!” – Simon C.
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“Never make the drink as a subject of the image – use it to accessorise!” – Ashley N.

 

“Diners from other tables or even the waiters will stare at us when we take a little longer with our shots but sometimes you just gotta ride through it… and then never go back to the cafe again.” – Nick H.
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Are you one of these underappreciated Instagram Partners? It’s time for you to show off how you help your partner achieve drool-worthy photos by tagging your food photos on Instagram with the hashtag #ChopeBites.

Your photos deserve to be seen – come through and be a part of the largest food collage in Singapore revealing in mid-June!

Categories
Featured Singapore Singapore

Declare your love for food by being part of the #ChopeBites Food Collage on our 7th Birthday!

You came, you ate, and you conquered; it’s been an amazing seven years running, and we at Chope would love to commemorate this journey with you!

Like everything else we do, this isn’t going to be just some cake with candles (though don’t get us wrong, cakes are awesome): We’re going epic with a collage of food photos from each and every one of you to celebrate this landmark in our ongoing journey of making dining easier and smarter than it was before!

So help us out with those pictures you’ve painstakingly crafted while your friends look on hangry! Tag us with via the four steps below, and ta-da! Have your food snaps immortalised with a place in Chope history.

ChopeBday-FB

“How can I see my images on the food collage,” you ask?

Step 1: Trawl through your Instagram feed and find those mouthwatering snaps (or take a new one!)

Step 2: Post the photo with the hashtag #ChopeBites*

Step 3: Geotag the restaurant that served up that memorable morsel

Step 4: Savour the feeling of being part of something amazing!

Lest we forget: make sure that your profile page is public in order for your lip-smacking photos to be part of the collage.

What’s more, we’re also shining the spotlight on 7 of our most loyal Chope fans in June. Stay tuned to find out what we’ve got brewing!

*By posting your picture(s) on Instagram with the hashtag #ChopeBites, you consent to your photos being used in the Food Collage, as well as for other Chope marketing campaigns, including (but not limited to) both online and offline collaterals and editorials.

Categories
Lifestyle Singapore Singapore

7 Instagrammable Cafes To Glam Up Your Feed!

We live in a new age where everyone wants to be living the best virtual life, which means snapping the most aesthetic photos. For foodies, finding a new cafe that is easy on the eyes and has good lighting can be a struggle. Hence, here’s a list of 7 Instagrammable cafes based on ambience and food that will leave you with an Instagram page that’s #onfleek!

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Brunches Cafe

Go back in time at Brunches Cafe, a vintage-themed eatery that’s decorated with retro knick-knacks. Step into the cafe and you’ll immediately notice the Instagram-worthy Mini Cooper-turned-sofa set. Old-school chalkboards, rustic wooden furniture, oil barrel-turned seats, and more throwback pieces give this cosy cafe its signature look and feel of yesteryears.

Food-wise, Brunches Cafe nails it with their popular Eggs Benedict – two beautifully poached eggs with homemade hollandaise sauce and generous strips of streaky bacon. For desserts, the Fluffy Pancake Stacks with maple syrup and a side of fresh fruits will definitely sweeten up your Instagram feed!

Find it at 96 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218381
Book a table at Brunches Cafe and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

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Boufe Boutique Cafe

Boufe’s immaculate white walls and minimalist interior simply beckons you to get your camera out. Lamps with intricate metalwork lampshades adorn the ceilings, adding bold contrasts that make the cafe look super sophisticated. The simplicity of the cafe lets any dish take center stage, which is great for achieving that perfect, uncluttered flat-lay. Want a group photo with your friends here? Look no further than the charming garden swing outside. Snap away!  

Find it at 308 Tanglin Road, #01-01, Singapore 247974
Book a table at Boufe Boutique Cafe and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

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Common Man Stan

This wildly popular coffee haunt has everything you could look for in a cafe: tasty food, great coffee, and gorgeous decor. Be sure to get a taste of their unique house blends, the sweet and flowery CMCR Espresso, as well as the rich and warm 22 Martin. Its interior is the perfect blend of fashionable, chill, and homey, with cute spherical lights, a sleek bar and communal table, and a touch of nature in the wood tables and chairs. The colour scheme of the cafe is muted and calm, meaning that your food (beautifully plated, of course) will look even more appetising on camera.

Find it at 11 – 12 Stanley Street, Singapore 068730
Book a table at Common Man Stan and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

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Hatched

As its name suggests, Hatched serves everything with eggs, making it the ultimate spot to have your brunch or all-day breakfast. Egg lovers will scramble to get a taste of the egg-cellent  Sam’s Chetta. Hatched cooks eggs in every way possible, from poached eggs to eggs over-easy to eggs benedict – you name it, they’ve got it! The warm-toned interior accented with bright yellow chairs makes a wonderful backdrop for a cheery breakfast shot, and the web of yellow streaks surrounding its simple wooden door is perfect for a shot with your brunch buddies.

Find it at 267 Holland Ave, Singapore 278989
Book a table at Hatched and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfzY5XyAeny/?taken-by=licketysg

Lickety

Pretty pastel cyan and baby pink colour the walls and furniture at Lickety, a Halal-certified dessert cafe. The interior of Lickety is embellished with more pastel candy adornments such as a giant lollipop and ice cream cones. So ‘candylicious’! Choose from funky flavours like ‘Dark Angel’, ‘Speculoos’, and ‘Earl Grey & Fig’ along with classic toppings like chocolate sauce, pocky sticks, and fruit loops. This is perfect for hot and humid days when you need to cool down and catch a breather. Be sure to strike a pose with your Hong Kong egglet waffle cone and ice cream outside this mini dollhouse cafe.

Find it at 34 Bussorah St, Singapore 199452
Click here for more information on Lickety.

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Cr: sgcafehopping.com

Wakey Wakey

This new cafe in The Concourse may just be your motivation to get out of bed early in the mornings. Serving up smooth, creamy lattes (including a delicious matcha latte) and heartwarming breakfast foods, Wakey Wakey is a great place to get your mid-morning pick-me-up. With natural light streaming into the cafe’s sleek industrial interior through floor-to-ceiling windows, your photos of the perfect latte art and cheerful breakfast food are guaranteed to be amazing.

Find it at 302 Beach Rd, Singapore 199600
Click here for more information on Wakey Wakey.


Cr: Moodforfoodsg.com
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Cr: danielfooddiary.com

Mellower Coffee (Bugis)

Furnished to give you maximum comfort and tranquility, Mellower is a spacious sanctuary for you to relax and get lost in a book and feel, well, mellow. This modern cafe features the chic, industrial decor that we all love, so get your phone ready for some aesthetic shots. We highly recommend getting the “Sweet Little Rain”. The cotton candy perched on top of your cup slowly melts because of the steam from the hot coffee below, making it look like delicate, sugary rain. If that’s not Instagram-worthy, then we don’t know what is!

Find it at 108 Middle Road, #01-01 The Prospex, Singapore 188967
Click here for more info on Mellower Coffee.

Want more? Don’t miss this month’s Chope Exclusives for some of the best offers at top cafes!

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Categories
Lifestyle News Reviews Singapore

Ugly Delicious, a review: the docuseries that has set everyone’s craving ablaze.

Still flipping through episodes on Chef’s Table? Time to change the channel, fellow foodies – Ugly Delicious is what you should be tuning into right now.

 

Cr: YouTube.com

Hosted by celebrity chef David Chang of Momofuku fame and food writer (and Chang’s foodie-in-crime) Peter Meehan, Ugly Delicious is a refreshing take on gastronomy that covers everything from amazing, every day eats to the sociological and culinary history of popular foods.

Forget about white tablecloth restaurants. Instead, step out onto the streets as Chang and Meehan draw your attention back to food at its very core. Join the duo as they travel to Naples for AVP-certified pizza, tuck into street-side tacos in Los Angeles and Mexico, and gather over Thanksgiving at Chang’s family home. Each episode touches on thought-provoking discussions with revered chefs (Spago’s Wolfgang Puck from Spago, René Redzepi from Noma) as well as TV personalities (comedian Aziz Ansari, actress Gillian Jacobs), challenging them to think about what food means to themselves and to the community. 

A word of caution: make sure you have tonnes of snacks with you as you watch – hunger is guaranteed. There’s nothing this docuseries hasn’t served that won’t whet your appetite.

 

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Cr: The Daily Meal

Highlighting critical cultural dialogues through light conversations – all packaged and presented in true Lucky Peach* fashion – Ugly Delicious is an epicurean delight that can be enjoyed by experienced gourmets and everyday foodies due to its relatability. The episodes have so much depth, and yet they maintain extremely digestible at the same time.

Since its debut, numerous popular food sites such as Food52 picked up the usage of the hashtag #uglydelicious. Chang frequently uses the hashtag on his social media platforms. The title in itself epitomises the whole series, prompting viewers to remember that good food isn’t always Insta-ready. In fact, sometimes the messiest or ugliest dishes are the best ones that you’ll ever come by.

Both entertaining and enlightening, it comes as no surprise those who have watched the series are hungry for more (spoiler alert: there are only 8 lip-smacking episodes in the first season). True to its name, Ugly Delicious is proof that food doesn’t need to look pretty to be “food porn”. When you binge-watch this (and you will), it’s almost impossible not to drool the piles of crawfish boils, piping hot fried chicken tossed in sticky, sweet hot sauce, and more.

We’re not kidding – you WILL get hungry.

Whether you agree with Wolfgang Puck that people should steer away from “originality” or if you have second thoughts about Ali Wong’s stand on what makes a good Asian restaurant, there’s one takeaway from this series that we can all get behind: Food is a human experience, and no two experiences are ever alike.

To quote Chang: “There’s good food everywhere. It just may not be where you’re looking.”

*Lucky Peach is a now-defunct magazine originally founded by Chang and Meehan

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