Manna Korean Restaurant

Manna Korean Restaurant at Telok Ayer Street first started in Singapore before the Korean wave, tried and tested, it maintains its position as one of the finer Korean restaurants in Singapore.

I particularly like the warm wood open concept setting at Manna, with private rooms available for corporate dining. This is so much different from some of the recent Korean restaurants that I have been that have either bee dimly lit or look completely utilitarian (passing off as sleek).

When the Korean starters came, we knew we were in for a treat, with the juiciness of the bean sprouts to the black beans (though a tad hard). 

We ordered the pork casserole, which is basically spicy soup with tofu, leek, cabbage, and pork. Initially when the dish came, I was doubtful that it would taste nice as it all watery with a sprinkling of chili powder. However I was mistaken, as the dish needed to be boiled for a while, tasting even better towards the end of the meal. A definite hearty meal that could be the alternative to the usual kimchi soup.

Another dish we ordered was the Korean chive pancake. This is probably one of the better ones I have eaten, arriving to us nice and crispy on the outside, and slightly chewing on the inside. With a generous serving of chives, as it should be, it made having the pancake quite a healthy affair. 

All in all we only had 2 dishes, which ore than sufficiently fed the four of us. A definite hearty meal that I am happy to repeat again in the future.

Manna Korean Restaurant
101 Telok Ayer Street
Telephone: +65-6227 7425
MRT: Telok Ayer MRT

Opening Hours: 11am-2.30pm,5.30pm-10.30pm

(closed) 8 Stanley Street excellent food and cafe at Telok Ayer Street area

8 Stanley Street is cafe around Telok Ayer Street area that joins the already busy cafe scene in Singapore. Run by young entrepreneurs daring to foray into the dining scene, it does stand out with excellent food and coffee options. The cafe offers breakfast options at lunch, an almost necessary item on the menu these days. Singaporeans seem to really like their brunch and coffee, myself included. It was a last minute lunch decision at this cafe, since it was so near Telok Ayer Street, and we did not have to walk far.

I had the salmon and hash (baked potatoes) with a poached egg, a very hearty protein meal less the processed food. I thought it geared towards the oily side, perhaps because of the salmon, and because the dish was a stir fry. My colleague had the grilled salmon, which you could request on the 'doneness'. I thought the grilled salmon was really perfectly done, crusty on the outside and tender in the inside. Another colleague of mine had the burger which she said though medium was a little on the tough side.

After our meals, though we were tempted to order the waffles that seemed to be quite a signature, we just settled for coffee. I was glad they offered Piccolo Latte which is to me a baby version of a latte. The coffee was just a tad bitter and strong which a teaspoon of brown sugar could easily resolve.

All in all it was a really pleasant meal here, a great place for a cup of coffee and a good meal that will leave you satisfied and happy. I'm definitely coming back again!

8 Stanley Street
Tel: 6223 5138
Opening Hours: 8am - 10pm
MRT: Telok Ayer

The cafe has since closed.

Sarnies Cafe at Telok Ayer Street

Being at Sarnies you would will think you are in another country. I heard from a friend that this place belongs to an Australian, and the effort taken to create a environment for fellow Aussies to hang out is incredible with it's barbecue nights and fabulously thick sandwiches that don't skimp on the ingredients. The food here is wholesome and healthy, just like what your mom would pack for you if she had all the time in the world.

Almost invisible to the passerby with it's black awnings, you will have to know this place otherwise you will just miss it. Sarnies is one of those hole in the wall cafes that don't give a care about decorating the place, laid out in simple benches that makes you think you are out in the bush.

Both soup and chicken sandwich that I had was hearty and healthy, worth every bite. Sandwiches start from $14 which is rather steep but since their portion sizes is huge you can share the food and cost with your lunch mate. 

Sarnies Cafe
136 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068601
Tel: 6224 6091
MRT: Telok Ayer
Opening hours:
Mon to Fri: 7:30 am - 10.00 pm
Sat and Sun: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Gayatri Restaurant Indian food at Telok Ayer Street

On the way to Amoy Food Centre, one would see a grey unobtrusive shophouse made out of stone, very 70s looking and a picture perfect moment reminding you of old Singapore. 

Expect a constant stream of people at this casual joint. There is both aircon and non-aircon seating available. Surprisingly the non-aircon seating along the pavement was quite cooling and perfect for for people watching. 

If you want good Indian food in the Singapore CBD neighborhood, Gayatri is the place to dine. We had the cabbage, Tandoori chicken, curry prawns, and mutton accompanied by Naan (healthy version of roti prata). On the side, was an order of Nasi Brayani. I was intrigued with the Cheese Naan as it felt like eating a pizza base. The dishes were all really well cooked with spices, with the Tandoori chicken and curry prawns clear winners. Even though mutton has never my favorite, it was well spiced as a dish. All in all, a happy good meal washed down with a cup of Teh Tarik or lime juice, no one could ask for more. 

Would I come back? Perhaps so, when I am in the area, and craving for some good Indian food.

Gayatri Restaurant
212 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068645
Tel: 6225 4221
Daily: 8.00am - 10.00pm
MRT: Telok Ayer

My Awesome Cafe Telok Ayer Street

When passing by My Awesome Cafe at Telok Ayer Street countless times, it didn’t stand out to me as a cafe, especially with the huge wording ‘Chung Hwa Free Clinic’ plastered on top. In fact, I was figuring out the name of this cafe and realised it only after a friend posted pictures on Facebook one day. My BFF so happened to be in town, and in the desire to try something new each time, I decided on My Awesome Cafe for lunch and coffee. This place is always busy during lunch, and hence since time permitted, we went in just before lunch.

It was the pre-lunch lull when the crew was relaxing a bit before the craze of the lunch crowd wanting their food fast and faster. We had all the space to walk around and take pictures like a tourist. And this is one place that is filled with artsy stuff that makes every picture perfect. It’s retro Singapore all the way, first being located in a free Chinese clinic of Singapore founding years, right down to the furnishings and plating. We even spotted a Chinese medicinal cabinet; it was so tempting to pull open the drawers!

Food was a happy fare; we took the suggestion from the waiter to look for the description ‘My Awesome’ and chose My Awesome Salad. It is one of the better salads I have had in a long time, a huge portion suitable for sharing, loaded with chicken and smoke salmon slices, tuna, and avocado. We each had coffee which was pretty good, and one of the highlights was the dessert of the day, an apple turnover cake, which tasted like pineapple cake, and it was soft, moist and yummy. Think eating pineapple tart in a cake.  What made this experience pleasant was also the fact every waiter had a smile on their face, and they totally understood that you needed to take many pictures.

Would I come back again? A definite yes, perhaps after I have completed my exploration of this historically quaint Telok Ayer Street area.

My Awesome Cafe

202 Telok Ayer Street

Singapore 068639

Tel: 8428 0102

Email: franck@myawesomecafe.com

MRT: Telok Ayer

Opening Hours:

Monday and Tuesday: 7:45am till 9:00pm

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:45am till 12:00am

Weekend: 10:00am till 3:00pm

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