On The Menu | unique

Think you know your pasta and burgers? Well, think again. In this fast-paced, ever-evolving food scene, restaurateurs and chefs may feel the need to change things up, and give these classics a new lease on life. Sometimes they fall flat. The ones on our list don’t.

1. Tom Yum Seafood Pasta from 49 Seats

One of Singapore’s worst kept secrets, 49 Seats was probably the first to make tom yum pasta before it became more ubiquitous. So how do you know they are OG? Request a spiciness level of 49, and see if you can take the heat. The pasta has the texture and creaminess of a carbonara, but the intensity is 100% Thai.

Find it at 176 Orchard Road, #01-49, The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

2. Zucca Fettucini or Broccolini Pesto from Original Sin

These pastas are good for your waistline — everything is vegetarian. (No worries, they are tasty.) We like the Zucchini Pasta, served with a creamy pumpkin sauce, carrots, baby spinach, walnuts and fragrant sage. But when we are feeling edgy, we get the Broccolini Pasta. Apart from the tangy sun-dried tomatoes-and-chilli combination, it is flamed with Absolut Vodka in a pink sauce. Sublime.

Find it at 43 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-62, Holland Village Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore 278115
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

3. “Bak Chor Mee” from Labyrinth

It sure looks like one of Singapore’s best noodle dishes but chef Li Guang conjures up an edible illusion to delight the senses. Thin slices of squid, infused with saffron, make up the egg noodles, while the fish cake slices are made from fresh Hokkaido scallops. Get the tasting menu and try guessing what the rest of the dishes are made of.

Find it at 8 Raffles Avenue, #02-23, Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

4. Buah Keluak Noodle by National Kitchen by Violet Oon

Cr: Eatbook.sg

The exotic lure of the buah keluak, a poisonous fruit that yields aromatic ‘black gold’ when prepared properly, takes centre stage in this dish. Each spaghetti strand is coated with a paste reminiscent of squid ink, but comprising chillis, prawns, and coconut milk, not to mention buah keluak itself. It’s a wonderful way to end a meal of Peranakan favourites.

Find it at 1 St Andrews Road, #02-01, Singapore 178957
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

5. Cereal Prawn Pasta from Atlas Coffeehouse

This fusion dish is for the ‘zichar’ lovers up for an adventure, where a plump tiger prawn, coated in cereal batter, sits atop a mound of Aglio Olio-esque spaghetti. There’s enough garlic and chilli padi to convince you it’s a heartland favourite, but bite into a mouthful of cereal-coated pasta, and you know you’ve got something special before you.

Find it at 6 Duke’s Road, Singapore 268886
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

**6. Salmon Mentaiko Bao or Chilli Crab Bao from Bao Makers x Butler’s Steakbar**

Cr: Marchh.com

Bao Makers takes the best part of the beloved Kong Bak Bao (braised pork belly bun) — the fresh, steamed bun that smells live heaven — and gives it a modern-day twist with a variety of flavours. The salmon mentaiko and chilli crab flavours are among their most popular: we love the indulgence of the former and the sweet kick from the latter.

Find it at 4 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089261
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

7. Mac and Cheese Burger from The Beast

There’s plenty of heart — and calories — in this burger. The buns are made with the Southern classic that is mac and cheese, hand-shaped and fried with breadcrumbs till it turns a golden-brown. It’s a heart attack-inducing accompaniment for the juicy beef patty slathered in barbecue sauce, but it’s so good we’d do it all over again.

Find it at 17 Jalan Klapa Singapore 199329
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

8. Swordfish Burger or Bleu Cheese Burger from The Market Grill

You might not think that fish could taste so hearty, but get the Swordfish Burger here and live in ecstasy for the next 20 minutes. The fillet is grilled and paired with herbed mayo, mango salsa, spices and served on a sesame bun. The thick slab of fish meat has heft, and you go away feeling you are indulging in the rich goodness befitting of an oily beef burger. We also like the Bleu Cheese Burger, where the beef patty comes with salty bleu cheese and a sweet burnt onion marmalade and bacon, served in between a walnut raisin bun.

Find it at 208 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068642
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

9. Pulled Pork Burger or Prime Beef Burger with Foie Gras from Two Blur Guys

This unassuming joint might be called Two Blur Guys, but the chefs sure know what they are doing when it comes to burgers. The Pulled Pork Burger is a generous portion of shredded, slow-cooked pork between toasted buns, dripping with cheese. It’s a messy sight, but sure to be your tummy’s delight. They also do their Prime Beef Burgers well, but we’d up the ante and get the one with foie gras.

Find it at 1 Tras Link, #01-13, Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG

Are you ready for another round of promo code hunting? Get the latest version of the Chope app ready on your mobile phone because you’re going to need it: look out for the Mother’s Day Guide on the app and hunt for Gold Eggs this week. A little head’s up – all the eggs released this week are 400 Chope-Dollars each!

If trying new things is your New Year’s resolution, we’ve got you covered. From Tibetan to Egyptian, here’s a list of unique foods you haven’t heard of, and where to find them in on our sunny island. Happy eating!

Cr: Fill A Pita

Koshari

Koshari is the national dish of Egypt, and is served everywhere in the country – from restaurants to roadside stalls. The combination of elbow macaroni, lentils, and rice topped with a spicy tomato sauce and shallots may look unappealing at first, but mix the tomato sauce in thoroughly for a spicy yet sour mouthful that will excite your palate. Get your fill of this unique dish at Fill A Pita, a vegan-friendly eatery that doles out scrumptious plates of this delightful dish.

Find it at 3 Pickering Street, #01-29 Nankin Row, China Square Central, Singapore 048660
For more information about Fill A Pita, click here

Cr: The Myanmar Times

Laphet Thoke

Once served as a peace offering between warring kingdoms, this Burmese dish consists of pickled tea leaves and is commonly referred to as a ‘green tea salad.’ Myanmar is one of the few countries where tea leaves are both eaten and drunk, and this dish is considered a national delicacy there. Laphet Thoke is made with pickled green tea leaves, shrimp, and tomatoes, and is topped with peanut and sesame seeds. Inle Myanmar in Peninsula Plaza serves affordable, authentic Burmese cuisine and is popular with the sizeable Burmese population in Singapore.

Find it at 111 North Bridge Road, #B1-07A, Peninsula Plaza, Singapore 179098
For more information about Inle Myanmar, click here

Cr: Fig & Quince

Meigu Polo

If you think Indian food is good, wait till you get a taste of Persian. Rich stews, fragrant rice dishes and sumptuous curries are the cornerstone of this fabulous Middle Eastern cuisine. Meigu Polo is a dish that seamlessly marries land and sea in an earthy meal of saffron rice topped with prawns, walnuts, and raisins. If the heady aroma of this dish isn’t enough to tempt you, the blend of savoury rice, sweet raisin and crunchy nuts sure will! Give Shabestan a try – lush interiors, fresh seafood, and excellent service make for an unforgettable dining experience.

Find it at 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-13, Robertson Quay, Singapore 239013
Book a table at Shabestan and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG

Cr: chicken.ca

Thukpa

If you’ve ever wondered what Chindian food would taste like, Tibetan cuisine comes pretty close. Thukpa is made with South Asian spices, such as Garam Masala and Chilli Powder, as well as hand-pulled noodles from the East. Spicy, savoury, and best served piping hot, this is the perfect pick-me up on a cold day. New Everest Kitchen in Little India is a quaint little eatery that has been serving up authentic Nepalese, Tibetan, and Indian cuisine at wallet-friendly prices over the last decade, so you know where to go for good Thukpa in Singapore.

Find it at 55 Chander Road, Singapore 219550
For more information about New Everest Kitchen, click here.

cevapcici
Cr:turismo.it

Cevapcici

These aren’t your regular sausages. Popular in the Balkans, Cevapcici is a type of skinless sausage that can be made with pork, lamb or beef. Served on a platter of five to ten and eaten with flatbread and feta cheese, this meaty main is believed to be an Eastern European version of the kebab. Next Door Cafe makes excellent Cevapcici served with onions, feta cheese, and tomatoes. Pair the dish with a craft beer from their extensive list, and you for a moment, it’s almost as if you’re in Croatia.

Find it at 699 East Coast Road, Singapore 459061
For more information about Next Door Cafe, click here.

Cr: perunorth.com

Ceviche

This dish of fish and citrus is popular throughout Latin America, but is best known as the national dish of Peru. Fresh, raw fish marinated in a mix of citrus and pepper, and served with corn and sweet potato makes this dish both refreshing and interesting. There aren’t a lot of places to get Peruvian cuisine in Singapore, so Tiger’s Milk [closed] is a notable spot. Named after the citrus, salt and fish sauce mix used to flavour Ceviche, this rooftop bar serves up three varieties of the dish using several types of seafood, a must-try if you’re starting on your Ceviche journey.

Find it at 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708
Book a table at Tiger’s Milk and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG