Embu @ Mandarin Oriental Singapore - Flavours of Singapore Buffet Theme in Celebration of The Nation's 60th Birthday

Embu at Mandarin Oriental Singapore presents 'Flavours of Singapore' with a special SG60 Nostalgic Gourmet Series from 30 June to 10 August 2025, in celebration of the nation's 60th birthday. As part of Mandarin Oriental's SG60-themed experiences, the SG60 Nostalgic Gourmet Series features pop-up stations that pay tribute to local culinary heritage. On selected days, celebrated pastry and Chef Pang Kok Keong will present his signature Mee Tai Mak. You can also look forward to Haig Road Putu Piring, a beloved name in traditional Malay steamed rice cakes, and Ah Mah's Legacy, known for their nostalgic renditions of Muah Chee and Orh Nee.

Hakka Mee Tai Mak

On the evening I visited, it was Chef Pang in action, dishing up his signature Hakka Mee Tai Mak. The star of this dish lies in the handmade rice noodles, which boasted a noticeably more bouncy and chewy texture than the typical version. Guests could choose between a dry or soup rendition. The dry version highlighted the rich umami of savoury minced pork, while the soup offered a comforting, flavourful broth that made for a heartwarming bowl.

Hakka Abacus Seeds

Hakka Radish Balls

Adding to the exclusivity of the evening were Hakka Abacus Seeds and Hakka Radish Balls. I was pleasantly surprised by the execution of these traditional dishes, especially considering they were served buffet-style. The taro dumplings were satisfyingly chewy, while the radish balls were a rare and nostalgic highlight that brought unexpected joy to the lineup.

Fried Carrot Cake

Over at the Chef's Live Station, a variety of local hawker favourites were made to order. The Fried Carrot Cake leaned slightly on the salty side but was still deeply moreish, with savoury radish bits adding subtle sweetness. The Oyster Omelette was a standout, featuring crisp edges, gooey bits, and generous helpings of plump, fresh oysters.

Popiah and Kueh Pie Tee

Popiah and Kueh Pie Tee were both well done too. The popiah skin had a nice springy bite, and the kueh pie tee shells were crisp, carrying well-seasoned turnip filling that balanced sweet and savoury notes.

Singapore Bak Kut Teh

Singapore Chilli Crab

The Local Favourites station offered comforting staples that many Singaporeans would instantly recognise. The peppery-style Singapore Bak Kut Teh warmed the soul with its heady broth and fork-tender pork ribs, while the Singapore Chilli Crab was indulgently rich, served with golden fried mantou perfect for soaking up the sauce.

Singapore Hokkien Mee

The Singapore Hokkien Mee brimmed with juicy prawns and crunchy pork lard.

Baked Whole Fish

Australian Grass-fed Angus Sirloin

Baby Back Ribs

At the Chef's Speciality Carving Board, Baked Whole Fish impressed with its moist, tender flesh, elevated by a piquant Nonya spice sauce. The slow-roasted Baby Back Ribs were coated in a sticky barbecue glaze that made them finger-licking good. Meanwhile, Australian Grass-fed Angus Sirloin was slow-roasted and paired with red wine sauce, offering a hearty Western touch to the spread.

Singapore Rojak

You could customise your own Singapore Rojak at the DIY station. The spread included pineapple, cucumber, bean sprouts, apple, turnip, youtiao, prawn paste sauce, and crushed peanuts. I appreciate the youtiao, which was crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, soaking up the punchy rojak sauce beautifully.

Seafood Colosseum

The Seafood Colosseum, a highlight of the buffet, was extremely popular due to its impressive array of seafood. There were seasonal oysters, Boston lobster, mud crab, tiger prawns, green-lipped mussels, and white clams.

Chendol

To round off the experience, the dessert section featured a lavish assortment of both local favourites and Western pastries. My personal favourite was the Chendol, which was delightful with fragrant coconut milk and soft, chewy green jelly. It was a sweet and refreshing way to end an evening that truly celebrated Singapore's culinary richness.

Flavours of Singapore
30 June to 10 August 2025
6:30pm - 10pm
SGD 98 per adult inclusive of free flow of chilled juices, coffee and tea (Sunday to Thursday)
SGD 118 per adult inclusive of free flow of chilled juices, coffee and tea (Friday and Saturday)

SG60 NOSTALGIC GOURMET SERIES
Mee Tai Mak by Chef Pang Kok Keong: 18–19 July and 8–9 August.
Muah Chee & Orh Nee by Shiny Phua of Ah Mah’s Legacy: 4–5, 11–12, 25–26 July and 8–9 August.
Haig Road Putu Piring: 27 July and 3 August.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Embu
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 68853500
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Zhup Zhup @ MacPherson Road - New Premium Upgrade Jumbo Series

Prawn noodle lovers would likely be familiar with Zhup Zhup at Macpherson, formerly known as One Prawn & Co. Led by Chef Gwyneth Ang, who brings a wealth of experience from several acclaimed restaurants, the eatery has built a name for itself with its robust, prawn-rich broth.

We have had Zhup Zhup a couple of times before. They've now introduced a new premium upgrade - the Jumbo Series, which features tiger prawns in place of the usual prawns. These larger, meatier crustaceans lend an extra layer of natural sweetness to the broth, complemented by upsized portions. To complement their new offerings, they've also launched a drinks menu featuring house-brewed teas and sodas.

' The coffee shop setting can get rather warm and humid on sunny days, but the heat doesn’t seem to deter the steady stream of diners eager for a bowl of their signature prawn noodles.

Five Fortune Jumbo Prawn 4.5/5

We started with the Five Fortune Jumbo Prawn ($30), which arrived bubbling hot in a claypot straight off the stove, a thoughtful touch that kept the broth warm throughout.

The soup was intensely sweet, packed with the essence of the prawns. It features tiger prawns, pork ribs, lala clams, shabu pork slices, and tobiko prawn balls.

For the noodles, diners can select from yellow noodles, thick beehoon, thin beehoon, or kway teow. We opted for a mix of yellow noodles and thick beehoon, tossed in their house-made sambal, lard, and shallot oil. We appreciated how the chilli here wasn’t that intense, which balanced out with the soup.

If you prefer a specific pairing of toppings, other combinations are also available, such as Jumbo Prawn & Prawn Ball ($26), Jumbo Prawn & Lala ($26), or All Jumbo Prawn ($26).

Jumbo Prawn Paofan 4.2/5

Next, we tried the Jumbo Prawn Paofan ($42), a portion generous enough for two. Tiger prawns and lala infused the rice broth with deep seafood flavours, topped with crispy fried egg floss for texture. Personally, I found the prawn noodle broth more balanced, as this paofan leaned extremely rich. If you are a fan of stronger flavours, this would be up your alley.

There’s also a single-portion Seafood Paofan ($18) available, though that version uses regular prawns.

The last signature dish you might want to try is the Jumbo Prawn Hokkien Mee ($38), also designed to feed up to two. A smaller portion of Seafood Paofan for one pax is also available, at $18, but this version uses the normal-sized prawns instead.

Har Cheong Gai 4.2/5

For sides, the Har Cheong Gai ($11) is well worth a try. The mid-joint wings were well marinated, fried to a satisfying crunch, and juicy within.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Zhup Zhup
458 MacPherson Road
Singapore 368176
Tel:
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line), Mattar (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Macpherson Road. Turn right at Macpherson road. Walk down Macpherson Road to the stretch of shop houses. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Mattar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Merpati Road to Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Jalan Anggerek. Walk to the end of Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mintues. [Map]

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery @ East Coast Road - Iconic Katong Coffee Shop Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Since 1925, Chin Mee Chin Confectionery has stood proudly at its original location, charming generations with its iconic kaya toast, homemade kaya spread, classic kopi and teh, and soft-boiled eggs.

Fast forward to 2025, the heritage cafe is now celebrating an incredible 100 years with a time-limited expanded menu designed to appeal to both long-time regulars and curious tourists.

Kaya Toast Set with Milo Dinosaur 4/5

No trip to Chin Mee Chin is complete without their signature kaya toast. We opted for the Kaya Toast Set with Milo Dinosaur ($7.30), which featured large, fresh, soft-boiled eggs and soft buns with a generous slab of cold butter and house-made kaya. We enjoyed how the kaya leaned less sweet, balancing the richness of the butter.

Curry Pork Chop 3.8/5

From the anniversary menu came the Curry Pork Chop ($8.80). The curry sauce was fragrant and rich, but it was a pity that the pork slices were slightly on the dry side. Still, it was a pretty hearty plate.

Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens 4/5

This Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens ($10.80) was a pleasant surprise. The pork belly was melt-in-the-mouth tender, and the preserved mustard greens were well-seasoned without overpowering the dish. Great for sharing, though a full portion could get a bit heavy if dining solo.

Peanut Butter French Toast 3.8/5

We rounded off with the Peanut Butter French Toast ($7), made from soft shokupan dipped in egg batter. While the toast was lightly crispy with a lovely eggy aroma, we wished for more peanut butter filling and a touch more honey drizzle to balance the richness. Other flavours, such as Kaya and Nutella, are also available for $6.

To mark this milestone, Chin Mee Chin is also releasing limited-edition ‘Chin Mee Chin 100’ t-shirts in black, white, beige, and dark green starting 1 July, while stocks last. From 1 to 15 August, spend $25 or more to receive a blind bag keychain featuring miniature icons from the brand, and stand a chance to win the grand prize: a 2D1N stay at Artyzen Singapore.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
204 East Coast Road
Singapore 428903
Tel: +65 6904 9688
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line), Marine Parade (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 4pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 10 or 32. Alight 7 stops later opposite Holy Family Church. Cross the traffic light at traffic juntion and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes.[Map]

2) Alight at Marine Parade MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Chapel Road. Turn left onto Chapel Road. Walk down Chapel Road to East Coast Road. Cross the road at East Coast Road. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

La Table d'Emma @ Mercure ICON Singapore - Classic French Flavours with Alsatian Soul

Tucked within Mercure ICON Singapore, La Table d’Emma is the brainchild of acclaimed Chef Michael Muller, whose stellar culinary journey spans from the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower to his former role as Executive Chef at JAAN. With decades of experience and having coached Singapore’s team for the prestigious Bocuse d’Or, Chef Michael now brings his refined vision and deep-rooted Alsatian heritage to life in his very own restaurant.

As the restaurant marks its first anniversary, Chef Michael celebrates with a refreshed and elevated menu, a tribute to classic French recipes reimagined with a modern twist, each dish subtly echoing the traditions and flavours of his hometown in Alsace.

Mushroom Consomme "Cappuccino" 4.8/5

A standout opener, the Mushroom Consommé "Cappuccino" ($22) instantly captivated with its intense, earthy aroma. The robust shiitake broth, crowned with button mushroom foam and grilled portobello julienne, made for one of the most memorable mushroom soups I’ve had in a long while. What elevated the experience even further was the accompanying warm cepe mushroom and parmesan brioche, a savoury delight that could easily shine on its own.

French Onion Soup en Coute 4.2/5

Next came the comforting French Onion Soup en Croute ($26), topped with a golden puff pastry lid that not only sealed in the flavours but added a satisfying crunch. The addition of emmental cheese enriched the sweet onion and beef stock, giving the classic soup an indulgent lift. The crispy pastry also served as the perfect vessel to soak up that hearty broth.

Traditional Pot-Au-Feu of My Childhood 4.2/5

The Traditional Pot-Au-Feu of My Childhood ($42) is a nostalgic dish that pays homage to Chef Michael's upbringing. The poached beef was wonderfully tender, having soaked up the essence of the aromatic vegetable stock. Paired with a generous slab of roasted bone marrow and a bright horseradish cream, this dish evoked warmth and rustic charm. The bone marrow with sourdough toast feels like a whole separate indulgence, like getting a bonus dish.

Les Bouchees A La Reine D'Emma 2.0 4.2/5

Originally created by a royal chef for the queen, the Les Bouchees A La Reine D'Emma 2.0 ($34) holds personal significance for Chef Michael, as it was the first dish he cooked for his wife, Emma. The updated version 2.0 features veal, chicken, and mushroom velouté encased in a buttery puff pastry, laced with a well-balanced white wine reduction. Rich, comforting, and elegantly presented, this was classic French fare with a loving twist.

Lobster and St Jacques French Raviole 4.5/5

This was hands down the dish of the night. The Lobster and St Jacques French Raviole ($42) impressed with its oversized, housemade ravioli generously filled with scallop mousse. The luscious tarragon-infused lobster sauce added a luxurious depth, tying the whole dish together. And just when we thought it couldn't get better, the dish came with an entire lobster tail, which is a true showstopper.

Ending on a sweet (and very Singaporean) note was the Kaya Mon Amour ($16). This creative dessert features a warm Kougelhopf, filled with housemade gula melaka kaya and chilled pandan mousseline cream, alongside a kaya parfait glacé. This fusion dessert was both nostalgic and innovative. Honestly, we wouldn't be surprised if Chef Michael opened a bakery just for this.

Kaya Mon Armour 5/5

La Table d'Emma is not just a celebration of French cuisine, but also a heartfelt reflection of Chef Michael's culinary journey, deeply infused with memories, love, and Alsatian spirit. Whether you're here for the refined Lobster Raviole, the soul-warming Pot-Au-Feu, or the unforgettable Kaya Mon Amour, there's a palpable passion in every dish. Chef Michael's cooking isn't just about flavours; it tells a story. And it's one well worth tasting.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


La Table d'Emma
8 Club Street
#01-04
Singapore 069742
Tel: +65 81018691
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Pagoda Street to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to Mohd Ali Lane. Walk down Mohd Ali Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]