Bumbu Indonesian Food at Telok Ayer Street

It so happened my ex-colleague and I found jobs right in the heart of CBD, nearby Telok Ayer Street. So we decided to catch up over lunch at Bumbu Indonesian restaurant, a tiny outfit located in a shophouse. I was quite surprised at the interior as it was not designed in the usual Indonesian style. Since it was in a shophouse, the noise was deafening, hence we decided to sit outside and have lunch alfresco.

Expect dishes to start from $8 onwards, which is reasonable for dining at a restaurant. With the 2 of us we ordered 3 dishes and it was way to much for us.

The Gado Gado is mainly made of lightly cooked vegetables topped with peanut sauce, it was a little disappointing, apart from the peanut sauce, which was nice and delicious. My order was the Coffee Chicken which is superbly done. Fried chicken coated with honey. And with Sambal Kang Kong you cannot go really wrong, a spicy kick to an otherwise peaceful life.

Bumbu
125 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068954
Tel: 6536 8636
Email: telokayerstreet@bumbu.com.sg
MRT: Telok Ayer

Operating Hours:
Monday to Saturday 11am-3pm, 6pm-10pm

Paradise Inn a hidden treasure trove at Marina Bay Link

One of the cheaper Chinese food chain outlets in Singapore is Paradise Inn. We went to the one located at Marina Bay Link on a Saturday night as we were looking for somewhere quiet to dine. Dining in the financial district in Singapore on a weekend night is sure to find you some peace and quiet where the shopping hub at Orchard Road would not provide.

We had a lovely meal consisting of prawn paste chicken, Spinach cooked in different types of eggs, wasabi prawns and double boiled pork soup. It was a hearty meal that causes the Chinese in me to sigh in contentment.

Paradise Inn is also simply decorated in old-style Chinese courtyard sitting - you could almost imagine yourself right back in historical China eating hot steamed buns and wearing a qipao - yes to that effect! Service was prompt and well, I must say I was a satisfied customer.

A wonderful post dinner activity is to take a slow stroll around the Marina Bay Area right up to Marina Bay Sands. Another option is to head up to Level33 at MBFC for a in-house beer brew and at the same time enjoying the best night view of Singapore city.

Paradise Inn at Marina Bay Link Mall
Marina Bay Link Mall
8A Marina Boulevard
#B2-20
Singapore 018984
Tel: 6634 8389
MRT: Downtown

Opening Hours
Mon – Fri
11.30am – 3.15pm
5.15pm – 9.30pm
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays
11.30am – 9.30 pm

Muthus Curry conveniently located to satisfy the Indian curry crave

I have been to India and I must say the Indian curry is so good over in India no where else would ever compare to it. So to satisfy my occasional crave for naan, that would mean a trip down to Suntec for Muthus Curry.

This is one of the places I would not ask the staff for a recommendation, as they would recommend the most expensive items on the menu i.e prawns. I have tried the curry fish head and didn't find anything noteworthy that a neighborhood zhi char stall could not do. What's great is the naan to go with the dishes. I recalled enjoying the potato curry and the chicken curry best.

Would I come here? Only when I have a craving, as you know how intensely rich curries are.

Muthus Curry
3 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City Mall
#B1-1019 S
Singapore 038983
Tel: 6835 7707
MRT: Promenade

Operating Hours:
Lunch: 11.30am - 3pm
Dinner: 6pm - 10pm

Blue Garden Korean BBQ almost too amazing BBQ!

I almost did not want to post this and keep it a secret a while longer as I enjoyed the Korean BBQ buffet at Blue Garden, Link Hotel so very much.

I have a group of friends who regularly eats Korean BBQs because they love their meats and all things Korean. Each time we dine we probably spend at least $40 and it's not a buffet. Finally I found a place that meets my budget. Fresh BBQ meats with a combination of non-BBQ food all good for less than $30. That's as perfect as it gets in Singapore if you are looking for a good Korean BBQ place.

The location at Link Hotel is a little challenging to find as it is a good 20 minutes walk from Tiong Bahru MRT. Either take a bus or grab a cab from the MRT station as Link Hotel is located in the older part of Tiong Bahru. Coming here always reminds me of my younger days when I spend my growing up years walking up and down the streets of Tiong Bahru.

Blue Garden Korean BBQ
Link Hotel
50 Tiong Bahru Road
#01-07
Tel: 6224 0700
MRT: Tiong Bahru

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm

Food For Thought - Simply Divine Pancakes

Once in a while you encounter food that's simply fabulous because prices meets taste perfectly. Located at Queen Street, Food For Thought is hidden away from the main city area, tucked behind The Singapore Art Museum. It's a pretty little small place and they only accept reservations during off peak hours. You simply have to pray to get a seat!

I was at Food For Thought with a couple of my girlfriends for brunch and I must say prices are fairly decent and they have the most decadent pancakes with banana and walnuts. Simply divine and the best pancakes I have ever tasted in Singapore.

You know how Singapore is growing in the food scene with more people stepping out and having little bistros with fine food in a simple setting and more people are daring to try new food places each time. Food For Thought - A place not to be given though and revisited ever so often.

Food For Thought
8 Queen Street
Tel: 63389887
MRT: Bras Basah

Opening Hours: 
Mon - Sat 9am  to 10pm
Sun 9am to 9pm

Food For Thought Banana Walnut Pancake