Emporium Shokuhin, Senmi Sushi

It is always an adventure to try some place new especially in tiny dot Singapore. And this is definitely one of the latest big thing in the Singapore scene. Making the headlines as the largest Japanese supermarket with Japanese Restaurants and a Japanese Supermarket to boot, it was surely a place I would have to check in and check out. Such a concept is indeed a great one, however, I felt on the whole there was nothing special, other than a place to buy fresh seafood, eat Japanese food, and buy Japanese groceries. I believe a better job can be done to the display and layout, as what has been done for PasarBella at Turf Club to make it a more exciting Japanese experience. A great idea though.

For lunch we decided on Senmi Sushi as my lunch kaki was talking about this huge bowl of Charashi Don that was unique in this Japanese restaurant. We settled for the regular bowl Charashi Don, and added a side of sashimi salad and salmon sushi rolls. I would say the Charashi Don continues to be a winner, and going for the large bowl would certainly on my next to try list.

As for the fresh seafood market, it was quite nice to see all the fresh seafood on display, with very attentive and helpful staff that explained each seafood for us. It almost felt like I was going to the aquarium, just that these could be bought and eaten.

Emporium Shokuhin, Senmi Sushi
Marina Square
Unit 01-18
Singapore 039594
Nearest MRT: Esplanade

Hifumi Japanese Restaurant

Hifumi Japanese Restaurant is a casual Japanese restaurant that gives you the most out of your dollar with its combination of main meal plus free flow of sides. If you like variety, but unable to eat too much, this is a perfect Japanese restaurant located at Marina Square to check out.

One of our favorite main dishes is the sukiyaki hot pot with beef. With a free flow sides of steam egg, sweet potato fries, tamago, and cooked vegetables, it is no wonder that Hifumi is usually quite packed especially over the weekends.

Hifumi Japanese Restaurant
Marina Square
Unit 02-106A/106B
Tel: 6337 4721
Nearest MRT: Esplanade

Oma Spoon Korean Bingsu

Bingsu mania hit Singapore quite a few months back where every Facebook and Instagram feed was a picture of friends having a Bingsu. Bingsu, hailing from Korea, comprises of shaved fresh milk. With the fruit toppings, Bingu would probably be one healthy dessert, compared to gelato or ice cream. 

Finally, I had the opportunity to try out Oma Spoon located at Marina Square. We opted for the Mango Cheesecake Bingsu. This was a smooth and flaky concoction of shaved milk ice topped with mango and with a cheesecake at the side. Without the cheesecake, this would have been one healthy dessert of milk and mango. With sprinkles of almond flakes and dried fruit this gave the crunchy and chewy feel to an otherwise smooth dessert. I also particularly like their table where they have a tagline that says "One Spoon Will Take You To Heaven". Indeed, this is how we felt on a blistering hot day. 

I believe Bingsu will probably be here to stay in Singapore, even with stiff competition from yoghurt ice cream, this is one kinda of dessert that you will enjoy sharing with friends after a meal, or when you want to indulge in a healthy yet delicious dessert.

Oma Spoon

Marina Square #04-12

6 Raffles Boulevard 

Singapore 039594

Nearest MRT: Esplanade

Putien Chinese Restaurant

Before Putien, most of us Singaporeans would turn to Crystal Jade, Imperial Treasure, or Din Tai Fung for a hearty meal of Chinese cuisine. However, now that Putien offers fine and reasonably priced dishes that places itself in the same rank as the above-mentioned restaurants, it is my to-go choice when going Chinese. I have been to the Putien outlets at Marina Square, Parkway Parade, and Raffles City Shopping Centre, and I must say I prefer the one at Raffles City Shopping Centre the most, with the upbeat decor and comfortable, and relatively private conversations you can have without having to shout over another.  

There are several usual dishes which I would have when dining at Putien. The ultimate highlight for me would be the Putien Lor Mee, which is a broth with noodles and seafood. Coming a close second is the Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon, which has been hoon so fine and delicious that you will definitely ask for seconds.

Other favorites are Stir Fried Yam that's fried crispy sweet on the outside and soft and most on the inside. Another dish I would also usually have would be the Homemade Bean Curd, such a simple and common dish, but with tofu fried and silken that you would definitely be thrilled at how it just slides and melts in your mouth.

I think Putien as a winning formula of hearty and relatively healthy food that keep you coming back for more. I hope it is here to stay and with more outlets in time to come.

Putien
Raffles City Shopping Centre #02-18
Tel: +65-6336 2184

Parkway Parade #02-13
Tel: +65-6345 6358

Marine Square #02-205
Tel: +65-6336 4068

St Marc Cafe - Japanese desserts in Singapore

You wonder how so many cafes can open in Singapore, such a tiny nation with a relatively small population. Given the prosperity of the nation, it is no wonder many global retail stores open up here. In fact, often Singapore is the test market, a gateway to the rest of Asia. If it can succeed here, it can succeed almost every where else. The latest cafe chain to enter Singapore is St Marc Cafe. Coming from Japan, it is essentially a Japanese dessert place, perfect for the after meal drinks and desserts, an alternative to Starbucks, but with a greater variety of desserts. They offer a wide selection of pastries, Japanese ice cream, and the usual coffee/tea. I have tried both Vivocity and Marina Square outlets, and I prefer the one at Marina Square for its cozy and comfortably luxurious ambiance with a better prepared dessert. The dessert tends to be a little sweet, so I would recommend choosing the ones without red bean. 

St Marc Café 
Marina Square #02-105
MRT: Esplanade MRT
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Addictions Cafe Remedy Bar Marina Square

In the search for somewhere to dine that was convenient by train, sheltered because it's the rainy season, and was spacious with healthy foods (just in case someone was on a diet), I decided on Addictions Cafe & Remedy Bar located at the new dining wing at Marina Square.

I love the spaciousness of the area with the restaurants not cooped up in four walls but opens into the mall which makes it less noisy and smelly. 

The first thing my girl friends dived into was the Truffle Fries. Having had tasted fries in various locations this was one closest to PS cafe. Among the 4 of us we ordered a chicken salad, roast spring chicken, and seafood pasta. I must say that the pasta was definitely a winner. The chicken salad was a tad salty for my liking with the spring chicken a little too 'papery'. 

With the place set up in Scandinavian style retro decor you kind of feel like you are in your own home. It's a great place to hang out and chat, away from the crowds which I kind of like these days.