The Ugly Cake Shop @ GB Point (Kallang Bahru)

Started as a home bakery, owner and baker Lisa quit her corporate job a few years back to concentrate on her baking at a licensed central kitchen in Ang Mo Kio. With the encouraging online orders and limited kitchen space, The Ugly Cake Shop took the bold step and moved into GB Point at Kallang Bahru, having its own cafe space offering its signature cupcakes and cakes.

Do not expect any latte art or pretty instagrammable cafe food dishes at The Uglly Cake Shop. The Ugly Cake Shop is still very much focus on her bakes while the cafe space provides a convenient sitting area for guests that needs a break, to enjoy their cupcakes and cakes.

Juliana

 If you have not known, the cupcakes at The Ugly Cake Shop are named after the owner's favourite people such as Juliana (Salted Caramel with Sea Salt Flakes),  Melissa (Strawberry, Rum & Dark Chocolate).

Melissa

Other cupcakes available are Zesty Zee (Lemon), Jamie (Earl Grey), Sally (Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate). However the most popular cupcake is the Big Daddy (Super Chocolatey with Nutella & Valrhona), which is not in the picture. As you probably would have guessed, it is sold out.

Zesty Zee, Jamie, Sally 

The cupcakes at The Ugly Cake Shop ranges from $3.80 to $4.50.

Desmond

For a twist to the usual cupcake is Desmond, a grilled cupcake. The butter base cupcake is grilled and served with orange blossom cream and cherry compote. Do note that this is a special item and is not always available. Please check with the cafe.

With a kind heart and a vision to feed the poor. Lisa has pledged and donates 20% of its proceeds towards buying meat, eggs and other much-needed protein sources for the kids in Shallom School, a school set up by Brazilian missionaries and supported by Agape Baptist Church. Every baked good you purchase from The Ugly Cake Shop will help to supplement their meals!


The Ugly Cake Shop
GB Point
535 Kallang Bahru
#01-06
Singapore 339351
Tel: +65 82288300
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT; Geylang Bahru (DT Line), Potong Pasir (NE Line), Lavender (EW Line), Kallang (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am - 7pm
Fri-Sat: 10am - 8pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Geylang Bahru MRT station. Take Exit. Walk to junction of Kallang Bahru and Geylang Bahru. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Potong Pasir MRT station (Stop ID 60269). Take bus number 107 or 853. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about. 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Lavender MRT station (Stop ID 01311). Take bus number  61, 107 or 175. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to junction of Kallang Bahru and Geylang Bahru. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

4) Alight at Kallang MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite block 2C along Lorong 1 Geylang (Stop ID 80101). Take bus number 26. Alight 3 stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Ugly Cake Shop + The Accessory Report

I was invited to a very interesting event organised by Ugly Cake Shop and The Accessory Report at Working Title pairing Bakes and Bling. To be frank, I could not visualize what am I walking into when I accepted the invite. It is probably the very first collaboration when a bakery and accessories. Even not, it is definitely a first for me.

I have been a fan of Ugly Cake since a couple of years back when the owner Lisa was still a home baker. To focus on her bakes, she has since quit her corporate job and concentrate in her baking at her licensed central kitchen at Ang Mo Kio. Now her bakes are available at various pop-up stores at Pasar Bella and other events. She has also started supplying her yummy bakes to a couple of cafes.

Another interesting thing about Ugly Cake Shop is their is a story behind each and every cupcakes and cakes. They are all named after someone that is part of her life. Among her different cupcakes flavours, my all time favourite is Sally (Peanut Butter) and Big Daddy (Nutella & Valrhona).

Taking the opportunity, I managed to sample some of the new flavours such as Melissa (Strawberry, Rum & Dark Chocolate), Zesty Zee Lemon and Juliana (Salted Caramel).

Ugly Cake Shop used to only bake cupcakes but now they have expanded their bakes to include cakes. If you are interested to order the cakes, you can find out more from their website.

Ugly Cake Shop isn't ugly at all right? Look how beautiful the cupcakes and cakes are. The beautiful accessories from The Accessory Report even made them more standout. I am sure it will look as good on the ladies and made them standout.

If you are interested in either the bakes from Ugly Cake Shop or the accessories from The Accessory Report do check out their respective websites.

Ugly Cake Shop 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UglyCakeShop
Website: http://www.uglycakeshop.sg/

The Accessory Report
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theaccessoryrep
Website: http://www.theaccessoryreport.com/

The Ugly Cakes Shop - Online Bakery Shop

Met up with Lisa Tan ( @thelittlebowl ) a couple of weeks back and she brought me some Peanut Butter Cupcakes and Drizzle Cakes. I have tried her cakes several times and I really like them. She has this humble online bakery shop called The Ugly Cakes Shop.

You may wonder why the name Ugly Cakes? Well. The Ugly Cake Shop does not believe in using artificial colouring, fondant, gum paste or marzipan. While these additions make for beautiful cakes, the baker believes that the more natural ingredients (and the fewer chemicals) you put in your body the better! :)

With a kind heart and a vision to feed the poor. Lisa has pledged and donates 20% of its proceeds to support the meals of undernourished kids in Timor-Leste. Every month she donates $150 to charity and if business is poor she will top up the balance from her own pocket.

Peanut Butter Cupcake Rose (Sally)

The Peanut Butter Cupcake Rose (Sally) was really yummy. The cupcake was moist and rich in flavours. The natural richness of the flavours stood out for me in The Ugly Cakes Shop's cupcake. By the way, all the cakes at The Ugly Cake Shop are named after Lisa's loved ones and friends.

Besides the cupcakes, Lisa also baked me some Lemon Drizzle Cake (Kamski) and Lime Drizzle Cake (Maggie). They are pound cakes from British recipe. Enjoyed how the ingredients worked harmoniously together in the final product. I could not decide which I preferred as both were as good.

HOW TO ORDER
To order, please tweet @thelittlebowl, text 8228 8300 or email uglycakeshop@gmail.com before Friday each week! Please provide the following details:
Name:
Mobile No.:
Cake Flavour:
Order Quantity:
Desired Collection Date:
Desired Collection Venue:

COLLECTION
All baked goods can be collected on Saturday Evenings, Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays at selected MRT stations in the west and along the North East Line.

FREE DELIVERY
For orders of $100 and above :)


The Ugly Cake Shop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UglyCakeShop
Website: http://www.uglycakeshop.tumblr.com/
 

What To Eat Along Downtown Line 3

MRT Downtown Line 3 will be officially opened on 21 Oct 2017. Phrase 3 of the Downtown line will see another 16 stations along the blue line. The current downtown line starts from Bukit Panjang station and ends at Chinatown station. With the opening of the new Downtown Line 3, 16 new stations are extended beyond Chinatown station ending at Expo station.  There is also 3 interchange stations along the new section of the blue line at Macpherson, Tampines and Expo stations.

The 16 new stations are,

DT20: Fort Canning
DT21: Bencoolen
DT22: Jalan Besar
DT23: Bendemeer
DT24: Geylang Bahru
DT25: Mattar
DT26: MacPherson
DT27: Ubi
DT28: Kaki Bukit
DT29: Bedok North
DT30: Bedok Reservoir
DT31: Tampines West
DT32: Tampines
DT33: Tampines East
DT34: Upper Changi
DT35: Expo

I have put together a brief list of the restaurants and eateries when you can find along the new Downtown Line 3 that are worthy to check out.

FORT CANNING STATION

Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant

There are many Japanese restaurants in Singapore offering Japanese cuisine such as sushi, ramen and izakaya. Unlike your usual Japanese restaurants, Okinawa food is slightly different from mainland, Japan. You will get to find dishes such as braised pork belly and stir fried bitter gourd with egg.

Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant 
Address: Liang Court Shopping Centre, 177 River Valley Road #B1-01/02 Singapore 179030 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm / Sat-Sun 12pm - 11pm


Ramen Keisuke Lobster King

Opened by Chef-owner Keisuke Takeda, the ramen place offers lobster stock ramen in 4 different. styles. Besides its delicious bowl of piping hot ramen, the menu offers dishes such as gyoza and omelet rice.

Ramen Keisuke Lobster King
Address: 3C River Valley Road, #01-07, Singapore 179022
Opening Hours: Daily 6pm - 5am

BENCOOLEN STATION

Pu3 Restaurant

Nasi Ambeng is a Javanese cuisine usually served during festivities and served in a tray with around 8 dishes and enjoyed together, like communal eating. At Pu3 Restaurant, a typical Nasi Ambeng ($7.50 for 1pax/ $29.90 for 2 pax/ $50.80 for 4pax) comes with a total of 13 different items. On the big plate, there are Nasi, Ayam, Daging, Sambal Goreng, Terung, Paru, Bagerdil, Sambal Kacang Ikan Bilis, Serunding, Udang, Urap, Sambal Belacan and Ikan Kering.

Pu3 Restaurant
Address: 51 Bencoolen Street #01-06, Singapore 189630
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 9pm / Sat & PH 11am - 4pm, 530pm - 9pm (Closed on Sun)


Victor's Kitchen

Popular for its all day Hong Kong style dim sum, the dim sum place constantly has a queue waiting to savour their dim sum. Be prepared to sit shoulder to shoulder with fellow diners as you dig into your siew mai and har gow. Do not leave the place without trying their liu sha bao.

Victor's Kitchen
Address: Sunshine Plaza, 91 Bencoolen Street #01-49, Singapore
Opening Hours: Tue-Sin 1030am - 830pm

JALAN BESAR STATION

Sungei Road Laksa

Laksa is one of Singaporean's favourite local hawker dish. It is a noodle dish in curry gravy that you can find in almost every food centres or coffeeshops. However, Sungei Road Laksa (结霜桥叻沙) is probably the only one left that still insists in cooking their laksa gravy over charcoal fire.

Sungei Road Laksa
Address: Blk 27 Jalan Berseh #01-100 Singapore 200027
Opening Hours: Daily 9am - 6pm (Closed on 1st and 3rd Wed of the month)


Lim's Fried Oyster

Hidden in the corner of the food centre, the stall has been around for almost 40 years starting as roadside stall before moving into the food centre. Currently the stall is man by second generation Mr Lim and his wife. What stood out at Lim's Fried Oyster is the used of Korean oyster which is plump and juicy. Compare to other stalls, this is like giant oysters. Besides the crispy version, the stall also has a wet version that is known as 唐山炒 (Tang Shan Chao), hardly seen nowadays. Instead of the crispy egg batter, the egg is fried to a delectable runny texture.

Lim's Fried Oyster
Address: Jalan Berseh Food Centre, 166 Jalan Besar #01-32, Singapore 208877
Opening Hours: Daily 6pm - 12midnight


Good Chance Popiah

Good Chance Popiah (好彩薄饼) a heritage brand since 1977, now oversee by the third generation has opened its 2nd restaurant at Jalan Berseh. Many may have known Good Chance Popiah for their signature Do-It-Yourself popiah but what many may not known is that their cooked food is top notch too. Some of my favourite items are their Fish Head Yam Soup, Kong Bak Pau, Braised Pig Trotter Beehoon.

Good Chance Popiah
Address: 1 Jalan Berseh #01-15 Singapore 209037
Opening Hours: Daily 1130am - 930pm

BENDEMEER STATION

Claypot Delights

Hidden and surrounded by buildings at Kallang Basin Industrial Estate, there is a eating house offering that houses quite a number of food stalls selling our local food. One of the popular stalls in the eating house is Claypot Delights where you can get a meal for $5. Their menu offers a range of dishes cooked in claypot such as Assam Fish, Vinegar Pig;s Trotter, Assam Curry Chicken, Salted Fish Pork Belly, Herbal Chicken Drumstick, Bittergourd Pork Ribs, Sesame Oil Chicken etc.

Claypot Delights
Address: Yew Yi Hup Eating House 23 Kallang Avenue Singapore 339414


Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak

Bring the taste of their Grandma's nasi lemak recipe to Singapore, Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak uses less coconut milk and 100% natural pandan juice to give it the aroma. Rarely seen in Singapore, is the blue rice nasi lemak. The colour of the rice is achieved from cooking the rice naturally using butterfly pea. Not to be missed is the chicken rendang too.

Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak
Address: CT Hub 2, 114 Lavender Street Singapore 338729
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 3pm / Sat 11am - 4pm (closed on Sun)

GEYLANG BAHRU STATION

The Ugly Cake Shop

Started as a home bakery, owner and baker Lisa quitted her corporate job to concentrate on her baking at a licensed central kitchen in Ang Mo Kio. With the encouraging online orders and limited kitchen space, The Ugly Cake Shop took the bold step and moved into GB Point at Kallang Bahru, having its own cafe space offering its signature cupcakes and cakes. Do not expect any latte art or pretty instagrammable cafe food dishes at The Uglly Cake Shop. The Ugly Cake Shop is still very much focus on her bakes while the cafe space provides a convenient sitting area for guests that needs a break, to enjoy their cupcakes and cakes. The cupcakes and cakes at The Ugly Cake Shop are named after the owner's favourite people such as Juliana (Salted Caramel with Sea Salt Flakes), Melissa (Strawberry, Rum & Dark Chocolate).

The Ugly Cake Shop
Address: GB Point, 535 Kallang Bahru #01-06 Singapore 339351
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am - 7pm (closed on Sun)

MATTAR STATION

Ho Jia Bo? Fishball Minced Meat Noodle

The queue and waiting time can be rather long at times as the lady stall owner man the stall all by herself. She has to take the order, cook the noodle and be the cashier. The noodle and the ingredients here are served separately. I like the variety of ingredients that comes with al dente noodle. While the chilli sauce is shiok, I felt it lacked vinegar to hold everything together. Nevertheless, it is still a hearty bowl of noodle which I will go back for. My favourite is the Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle ove the Fishball Minced Meat Noodle.

Ho Jia Bo? Fishball Minced Meat Noodle
Address: Blk 79/79A Circuit Road #01-59 Singapore 370079
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun 8am - 11pm (Closed on Tue)


Ghim Guan Fried Oyster

If you like the crispy style Fried Oyster or Orh Lah, you will enjoy the version at Ghim Guan Fried Oyster. As you bite into the fried batter, you can hear the biscuity crispiness in the mouth. The tangy chilli complement the fried oyster too. The stall also sells oyster egg and fried carrot cake too.

Ghim Guan Fried Oyster
Address: Blk 79/79A Circuit Road #01-60 Singapore 370079
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 6pm - 11pm (Closed on Thu)

UBI STATION

Mr Lor Bak

Using a recipe from his grandmother, the ex-GM of a restaurant group, Mr William quitted his job and opened a stall seeing braised pork belly rice. The braised pork rice $3.50 comes with fork tender pork belly that has been braised for hours in a variety of herbs and spices. I also comes with braised egg and black fungus.

Mr Lor Bak
Address: Blk 350 Ubi Ave 1 Singapore 400350
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun 11am - 8pm

TAMPINES WEST STATION

Soi Thai Kitchen

Thai food has been moving into the neighbourhood offering value for money dishes with wallet friendly pricing. The casual Thai eatery is quite popular with the neighbourhood. The dishes here are well executed and very close to authentic Thai flavours.

Soi Thai Kitchen
Address: Blk 824 Tampines Street 81 #01-28 Singapore 520824
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm


Xing Yun Kway Chap

This is one stall you need to wake up early and queue for it. There is a constant long queue at the stall and it always sold out before 1pm. More importantly it only opens 3 days a week! Only on Friday to Sunday.

Xing Yun Kwap Chap
Address: Tampines Round Market Food Centre, Blk 137 Tampines St 11 #01-14 Singapore 521137
Opening Hours: Fri-Sun 8am - 1pm


I hope the brief list will be a handy and useful guidance for you to explore the new downtown line 3. I will try to update it whenever I have discovered more worthy restaurants/eateries to recommend along the new line. If you have recommendations, do feel free to leave a comment so I can share it with other readers.

Hai Siang Joo Seafood Restaurant @ Pioneer Food Village

The best reward for my blogging journey is to get to know a bunch of awesome foodies friends. On and off we will still come out for a meal or meet one another at events but not in a big group. The last time we have a group makan gathering were probably back in October 2011 whereby we headed to Ghim Moh Food Centre to indulge the best of hawker food there.

Thanks to Maureen for organising the gathering, our journey to the west brought us to Hai Siang Joo Seafood Restaurant at Pioneer Food Village. The 18 years and counting restaurant is located at Tuas West woks up some awesome chinese dishes.

Fish Maw Soup 4/5

The bowl of Fish Maw Soup ($4/bowl) comes with a generous serving of mushrooms, fish maw, prawns and bean sprouts. The soup has a nice smooth consistency neither too watery nor overly starchy.

XO Sauce Seafood Crystal Kway Teow 4.5/5

The XO Sauce Seafood Crystal Kway Teow ($8, $12, $16) was definitely the surprise of the night. Instead of using the normal flat rice noodle, the restaurant uses translucent Fen Pi (粉皮) or bean flour sheet that is made from green bean flour. It had a firmer bite and it seemed to be able to absorb the flavours better.

Sweet and Sour Prawns 4/5

Sweet and Sour Pork is quite common at restaurants but Sweet and Sour Prawns ($24, $30, $40) is a twist from the convention. The peeled succulent prawn which was lightly battered had a crisp crunch texture while the sweet and sour sauce coated the prawn evenly.

Steamed Pomfret with Nonya Sauce 4.5/5

The sight of the colourful dish already won me. I knew I am into something good. The Steamed Pomfret with Nonya Sauce ($6/100g) is a MUST TRY. The main cast is the Nonya sauce. The sweet, sour and spicy flavours of the sauce gave the dish a perfect marriage.

Special Braised Pork Ribs with Flat Buns 4.2/5

Special Braised Pork Ribs with Flat Buns 4.2/5

The Special Braised Pork Ribs with Flat Bun ($12, $24) which was braised for 4 hours at least easily fell off the bone and had the almost melted in the mouth tenderness. Paired with the flat bun and a slice piece of pineapple, it was just fating good.

Kung Pao Prawns 4/5

I have heard of Kung Pao Chicken but Kung Pao Prawns ($24, $30, $40) was another surprise twist for me. I really appreciated the Chef's approach to step away from conventional zhi char dishes.

Stir Fried Dou Miao 4.2/5

This type of Dou Miao is imported from Taiwan which is more leafy and crunchy. The simple Stir Fried Dou Miao ($12, $18, $24) is not available everyday. I enjoyed the simpicity approach to the dish allowing me to enjoy the nature earthy sweetness of the greens.

Black Pepper Crab 4/5

Singaporean loves their crab and it can be done in many version. We tried the Black Pepper Crab($4.50/100g) which had a nice balance of sweetness and spiciness. The crab meat was also firm and chucky.

Of course a group photo after a sumptuous meal. By the way our friend Lisa (aks @thelittlebowl) baked each of us a very delicious dark chocolate and nutella cupcake. Sorry it was so good that I finished it without taking a picture. Her cupcakes are selling like hot cakes at The Ugly Cake Shop.

Unfortunately, Hai Siang Joo Seafood Restaurant is not accessible by public transport. If you are not driving, the nearest MRT station is at Joo Koon Station. From the station, you will need to cab to the destination.

Hai Siang Joo Seafood Restaurant
Pioneer Food Village
29 Tuas West Avenue
Singapore 638427
Tel: +65 68633651
Nearest MRT: Joo Koon (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm