On The Menu | Movies

Bored of the same old this New Year’s? From old-school dance parties to quiet nights out, here is a list of some unconventional activities you can do to end 2017 with a bang – don’t worry, there’s more than just fireworks on our list! Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have fun and here’s wishing you a fabulous 2018, from all of us at Chope!

Rooftop barbecue at Sum Yi Tai

Sum Yi Tai, which means third wife in Cantonese, promises to redefine the way you enjoy Chinese food. This three-level joint, which is karaoke lounge, bar, and restaurant rolled into one, is hosting a rooftop barbecue this New Year’s Eve. Count on the kitchen to dish out authentic Cantonese classics in a delightfully unpretentious environment. Skyline views, cheap nosh, and ice-cold booze – all we need to bid farewell to a great year.

More information about Sum Yi Tai’s Rooftop Barbecue can be found here.

Find it at 25 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069622
Book a table at Sum Yi Tai and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Cr: blujazcafe.net

Street Party at Blu Jaz Cafe

Free tequila shots? Yes, please! Blu Jaz cafe promises to bring you back to the 90s with hip-hop and reggaeton tunes that will have you grooving into 2018. The first 300 revellers to turn up will also get a free shot of tequila. Set in the artsy grunge of Haji Lane, you’ll definitely have a spot to get one last #OOTN before the clock strikes 12. If you’re looking for a spot to let loose away from the crowds of the city, you might have just found your place.

Find out more about Street Party here.

Find it at 11 Bali Lane, Kampong Glam, Singapore (189848)
Click here for more information on Blu Jaz Cafe.

Get some KFC at Kko Kko Na Ra

Get your Korean Fried Chicken fix at this saucy joint in Tanjong Pagar. Opened till 1am on Sundays, this is the perfect place to go with your friends to get your junk food fix before the New Year begins. With chicken available in four flavours – from soy garlic to hot & spicy, there’s something for every taste. Pair your sinful treats with some cold soju for an authentic Korean experience. Remember, diet starts tomorrow!

Find it at 68 Tanjong Pagar Singapore (088489)
Book a table at Kko Kko Na Ra and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Cr: honeykidsasia.com

Cow-nt down at Udders

Fried chicken not your thing? Fret not, Udders has got you covered! Indulge your sweet tooth with delectable flavours like Thai Iced Tea, Mocha Rocks, and Oktobeer at this homegrown ice cream chain. Eggless ice creams mean that even the picky vegans in your life will be satisfied here. We recommend the Upper Thomson outlet as it tends to be deserted (see what we did there?) late on New Year’s Eve.

Find it at 246D Upper Thomson Road Singapore (574370)
Click here for more information on Udders.

Guilty Pleasures at Overeasy

This isn’t your average New Year’s party. Enjoy Singapore’s best burgers, booze, and bangers – all in one place! This retro diner in Orchard has probably been all over your Instagram timeline in the last few months, but come December 31st, prepare to party it up with classic tunes at this retro-themed New Year’s Eve event. Enjoy one of their delectable burgers till 10pm, then move to the dancefloor and bump and grind to the tunes of DJ Hookstyle.

For more information about Guilty Pleasures, click here.

Find it at 541 Orchard Road #01-01 Liat Towers Singapore (238881)
Book a table at Overeasy Orchard and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Cr: uberding.net

Countdown Cinema at Esplanade Park and Empress Lawn

You’ve seen these blockbusters in the theatres, but how about on an eight-metre inflatable screen under the stars? Ring in 2018 with your loved ones in Empress Lawn and Esplanade Park with some of the highest-grossing movies of 2017, including Spiderman: Homecoming and Wonder Woman. Top off your movie marathon with a fireworks display at midnight. Bring your snacks, grab a beanbag and chill out!

Kick back and relax at Esplanade Park Connaught Drive, Singapore 179682 or Empress Lawn 10 Empress Lane, Singapore 179555.
Click here for more information on Countdown Cinema.

Now that food delivery has expanded beyond the borders of Pizza Hut and McDonald’s, it’s so much easier to order-in and just curl up on the couch after a long day. Of course, that’s when you ask yourself, what do I want to watch with my plate of Greek souvlaki/Japanese sushi/perfectly seared steak? Well here are some of our top favourites, from movies to variety TV to anime. (Yes, you read that right: anime!)

If you like lip-smacking depictions of food on the screen to go with similarly tongue-tingling food on the plate, well, sit tight because here are some shows that will make your meal just that bit more satisfying.

Cr: chefthefilm.com

Chef

A delightfully heartwarming movie about how an ex-head chef quits his job/is fired after a nasty review from an ex-fan, takes his son from his ex-wife, and goes on a cooking journey on a food truck that was given to him by his ex-wife’s ex-husband.

Wow. That was a lot of exes. That aside, this movie earned the highest votes from the Chope staff, both for the great food (cuban sandwiches anyone?) and the touching scenes. Many of us felt that it forged a certain relatableness to the characters, which kept us engaged and invested. As the bond between father and son grew stronger, we cheered. And ate our dinner. In the end, we all agreed that it was a great movie that left us hungry (both literally and figuratively) for more.

Cr: telegraph.co.uk

The Hundred-Foot Journey

This movie has Helen Mirren – that’s all the reason you need to watch it! But there are more cherry toppers: Ever wondered what would happen if Indian cuisine went toe-to-toe with French cuisine?

Apparently, Indian-French fusion.

When the Kadam family arrives in France and sets up a restaurant across from a Michelin-starred establishment owned by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), they begin an unintentional (or intentional?) competition that starts with food and ends with traditions and beliefs. To add to the delight, there’s a dash of Romeo-and-Juliet-esque romance between the young sous chef from Madame Mallory’s restaurant and the young Kadam heir.

What we liked about this movie? The heartwarming, humble, and delightful humour. Add a dash of gorgeous cinematography of food that will have you cravings for chapati and omelettes. Mix in more scenes of stirring consomme and curries, and your stomach is set on growl for the night!

CR: netflix.com

Cr: whats-on-netflix.com

Chef’s Table

Anyone subscribed to Netflix would have been sucked into the wonderful world of Chef’s Table, a documentary that’s got everyone talking (and drooling) for days. Chef’s Table brings you behind the scenes of both fine-dining restaurants and casual diners alike. The diversity of food on show is both craving-inducing and satisfying. The chaos of a restaurant kitchen only serves to highlight the grace of each chef’s actions. Ingredients are handled with calm and poise that seem to glide from chopping board to pan to plate.

If this show doesn’t get your mouth watering, I’m not sure what will. Be sure to have something to eat in hand while watching!

Cr: thedailybeast.com

Cooked

Yet another Netflix pick, Cooked is a show to get your taste buds wagging. Based on the book Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation by Michael Pollan (the same person in the show), this is a four part documentary that explores cooking through the elements of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Unlike Chef’s Table, Cooked goes right into the deep traditional techniques of aborigines and how this knowledge is passed on through word of mouth from parent to child. It is no less flavourful than the former, with sizzling, seared steaks and crisp loaves of bread that break with a gratifying crack.

Cr: youtube.com

The Food Ranger

If TV isn’t your jam, and you’re a modern millennial who eats at your computer table, take a look at this Youtube channel that features food all around the world. And I mean, all around the world. Most of the videos are about street food, which is a refreshing change from formal restaurants. The Food Ranger himself, Trevor James, is funny and engaging with a gift of the gab in describing whatever he eats. Watching his channel will definitely give you new ideas for that vacation trip you’re planning!

Cr: easyspace.com

Migrationology with Mark Wiens

For those who’d like some traveling tips with your food commentary, take a look at Mark Wiens’ channel. This self-described travel-eater has roamed almost the entire world , eating his way through the humble local cuisines. He has a knack for finding local haunts, bringing his viewers closer to the local culture. You’ll definitely learn many new food names as you follow Mark on his journey.

Cr: anoboy.com

Cooking Master Boy

If you haven’t watched Cooking Master Boy, then it’s about high time you did! With wacky shenanigans and crazy, gravity-defying techniques, Cooking Master Boy cooks up a storm that will leave you craving for the dishes after every episode. Set in China during the “era of the cooking wars”, this anime follows main character Mao on his quest to become a legendary Master Chef, gathering both friends and enemies along the way.

Many giggles are to be had at the extreme reactions the characters have towards every bite of food, while each dish shines and shimmers (and sometimes sparkles). The trick is to not take it too seriously, but be sure to enjoy yourself (and your Chinese takeaway), as you watch!

Cr: reddit.com

Shokugeki no Soma

A more recent manga turned anime, Shokugeki no Soma takes the extreme reactions and builds a freaking jet out of them. If you thought Cooking Master Boy was exaggerated, then this anime takes the metaphorical cake, eats it, and changes the atmosphere into pink sparkles and writhing moans of enjoyment in reaction to how “fluffy” the texture of it was. There’s now a third series to this, so you can imagine just how popular it has gotten.

(And yes, the guy is yelling “fish soup” in French.)

And of course, these movies with food-porn worthy scenes deserve some credit.