Tim Ho Wan @ Plaza Singapura - Celebrates 12th Anniversary with Newly Revamped Menu

Tim Ho Wan, the famed Hong Kong dim sum chain, marks 12 incredible years in Singapore at its inaugural outlet at Plaza Singapura. To commemorate this milestone, the brand has launched a newly revamped menu that blends the comfort of familiar favourites with fresh creations and elevated classics, all at new pocket-friendly prices.

Barbecue Pork Rice 4/5

Barbecue Pork Noodles 4/5

The Barbecue Pork Rice ($12.80) and Barbecue Pork Noodles ($11.80) stood out among the new dishes. Both feature tender, smoky char siew that's full of flavour and satisfyingly moreish. The rice comes topped with a sunny-side-up egg, and we recommend breaking the yolk and mixing in more sauce for that extra indulgence. The noodles, while deceptively simple in appearance, were springy and well-seasoned.

BBQ Pork Bun 4.2/5

No visit to Tim Ho Wan is complete without their signature BBQ Pork Bun ($7.50/3pcs), and this revamped version delivers on all fronts. With a more fragrant, slightly crisp crust and juicier, chunkier meat fillings, this classic dim sum favourite is as crave-worthy as ever. It remains one of our top must-orders.

Pork & Shrimp Dumplings 4.2/5

Spinach Dumplings with Shrimp 3.8/5

For other dim sum staples, we tried the Pork & Shrimp Dumplings ($5.80/3pcs) and the Spinach Dumplings with Shrimp ($4.80/3pcs). The former impressed us with its juicy, flavourful filling, which we suspect is a subtle upgrade in the recipe. The latter, while lighter in taste, was generous in filling and offered a refreshing contrast on the table.

Sweet Plum Jelly 3.5/5

The Sweet Plum Jelly ($3.80) was a lovely palate cleanser to end the meal. Its soft, jiggly texture paired well with the sweet-tangy notes, making it a great way to balance out the richer dishes and cut through any lingering greasiness.

Cold Brew Teas 4/5

Tim Ho Wan's new Cold Brew Teas ($3 each) are a refreshing option if you want a chilled drink to pair with your meal. The White Peach Oolong and Rose Lychee Black teas offer distinct floral-fruity notes and aroma. Fragrant and light, they complement the dim sum spread beautifully, perfect for Singapore's weather.

Whether you're a long-time fan or a first-time diner, Tim Ho Wan's refreshed offerings are worth revisiting. The 12th anniversary menu stays true to the brand's commitment to traditional flavours while introducing modern touches that make the experience even more enjoyable. Celebrate this milestone with comforting dim sum and discover what's new. Now available at all Tim Ho Wan outlets across Singapore.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tim Ho Wan
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#01-29A/52
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6251 2000
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 930pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit D, E or F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Atic @ Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore - The Rooftop Restaurant Reopens with a New Contemporary Southeast Asian Cuisine

The rooftop restaurant at Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore has recently reopened as Atic, offering a menu of contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine. Helmed by Chef Newein Dolph Toolseram, whose multicultural roots span Burmese, Chinese, Dutch, Thai, and Peranakan-Hokkien heritage, Atic presents a vibrant reflection of the region's rich culinary traditions — reimagined with modernity and Chef Newein's distinctive personal touch.

Peperoncino Egg Noodles with seared Barramundi 3.8/5

As a start, Atic opens exclusively for weekday lunch, offering a well-priced menu featuring sharing sides and customisable lunch sets. The set allows diners to mix and match a base with their preferred protein, creating a satisfying and personalised experience. There are four base options to choose from. The Peperoncino Egg Noodles were pleasing with a springy texture, and the flavour profile was reminiscent of local soy sauce wanton noodles — savoury and comforting.

Roti John with Ribeye 3/5

Nasi Kuning with Signature Pork Chop Bakar 4/5

The Roti John, which uses Hainanese buns layered with a spiced omelette, had a lovely, sweet, bready aroma. However, the buns leaned too soft and doughy for my liking, lacking the airy, light texture one might expect. On the other hand, the Turmeric Basmati Rice, or Nasi Kuning, stood out with its fluffiness and aromatic spices, making it my preferred base for its well-balanced and comforting qualities. For something lighter, there's also the option of a mesclun salad.

Brick Chicken 4.5/5

The Brick Chicken was a clear winner among the proteins — delightfully crispy skin enveloping tender, succulent meat. The Signature Pork Chop Bakar fared equally well. Inspired by Chef Newein's hometown, the pork is marinated in spices and grilled using traditional Malay-style techniques, resulting in flavours that evoke the smoky taste of satay. The Ribeye was simply seasoned and grilled to the right doneness, allowing its natural beefy flavour to take centre stage.

Fried Oyster Mushrooms 3.8/5

While I found the Fried Oyster Mushrooms an interesting protein option, their deep-fried nature and addictive crunch made them feel more like a side dish than a main dish.

Rojak 4.5/5

On the side menu, the Rojak ($13.90) was a refreshing and vibrant take on the traditional dish. Pomelo, cubed cucumber, pineapple, and turnip were tossed in a citrusy shrimp paste, paired with mesclun leaves and mixed herbs, and finished with croutons in place of the usual you tiao for the textural crunch.

Chicken Wings 4/5

Spiced Calamari 2/5

The Chicken Wings ($13.90) were their rendition of shrimp paste chicken, featuring juicy and tender meat beneath a thin, crisp, umami-packed crust, complemented by their housemade sambal. The Spiced Calamari ($13.90) came with a delicious roasted masala crust, but the calamari rings were somewhat bland, falling short in flavour.

Grilled Hispi Cabbage 4/5

The Grilled Hispi Cabbage ($11.90) was deeply savoury, enriched by a bonito emulsion and shio kombu, though I found myself wishing for a hint of citrus to lift and balance the umami.

Lunch set menu starts from $17.90+, available Monday to Friday, 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM.

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Atic
Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore
182 Clemenceau Ave
Singapore 239923
Tel: +65 8087 1182
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm
(Closed on Sat-Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Penang Road. Cross the road. Turn right and walk to Penang Lane. Turn left onto the Penang Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ganko Sushi @ Penang Road (Dhoby Ghaut) - Welcome Chinese New Year with $98 14-Course Omakase

Ganko Sushi, situated on Penang Road near Dhoby Ghaut, is the brand’s first foray into Southeast Asia. Since its arrival in Singapore a few years back, the restaurant has consistently maintained its hallmark quality by flying in fresh ingredients from Japan up to three times weekly.

Diners can choose between counter seating to observe the chefs at work or more traditional table seating, ideal for gatherings.

14-Course Omakase 4/5

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Ganko’s meticulously crafted 14-Course Omakase ($98/pax), available for lunch and dinner.

Appetiser

The omakase began with an Appetiser of lightly torched Chutoro drizzled in Ponzu Sauce and garnished with radish.

Sashimi

The Sashimi course presented a selection of Salmon, Golden Eye Snapper, Flounder, and Monkfish Liver in a sweet sauce. While the cuts weren’t the finest we’ve encountered, they were considerably fresh.

Palette Cleanser

Next was the Chawanmushi with Ikura, a Palette Cleanser. It was lightly seasoned with pops of ikura, mushroom and prawn.

Fried and Grilled

Fried and Grilled offerings followed, including Grilled Eel, Tempura Lotus, Shiso Pepper, and Tempura Sea Bream. My dining companion and I thought it was a pity that the tempura batter was slightly thick and under-seasoned.

Chilled Dish

The Chilled Dish served thick-cut aburi Amberjack on dashi soy sauce, paired with tender turnip and sweet red pepper.

Sushi - Tai

Sushi - Aji

Sushi - Otoro

The Sushi course featured Tai, Aji topped with ginger and green onion, and Otoro, with each piece offering well-balanced flavours.

Mid-way through the Sushi course, we were served with a hot bowl of Miso Soup to accompany.

Sushi - Bara Gunkan

Sushi - Hotate

The Sushi lineup continued with a Bara Gunkan, a blend of salmon, sea bream, and prawn topped with ikura, and a lightly torched Hotate dressed in sweet soy sauce and a hint of yuzu kasho for a refreshing hit.

Seasonal Dessert

Dessert rounded off the meal with a seasonal medley of Apple, Pear, Muscat, Strawberry Jelly, and raspberry sauce, offering a simple and sweet end to the feast.

Reservations are highly encouraged to be made by reaching them at +65 8828 2280.

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.


Ganko Sushi
9 Penang Road
#01-01
Singapore 238459
Tel: +65 8828 2280
Facebook
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130a, - 230pm, 6pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Penang Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

9Toast Cafe @ Singapore Shopping Centre - Cosy Cafe Specialising in Korean-inspired Taro Lattes & Honey-Glazed Toasts

9Toast Cafe is a cosy cafe tucked along the exterior of the Singapore Shopping Centre, just a short stroll from Dhoby Ghaut MRT. Its signatures include Korean-inspired offerings, particularly its Taro Lattes and Honey-Glazed Toasts.

One specialty of 9Toast is its signature sweet potato paste prepared daily in-store. The paste is crafted from steamed sweet potatoes, transformed into a smooth, thick consistency without the use of artificial colouring, preservatives, or flavouring.

Purple Haze Latte 3/5

One of their signature drinks is the Purple Haze Latte ($7.90), which incorporates this sweet potato paste with milk. While it’s undoubtedly Instagram-worthy with its striking pastel tones, the flavour leans towards being overpowered by the milk.

Creamy Tamago Sando 3.5/5

9Toast also specialises in sandos made with white Shokupan bread, which features a honey-glazed exterior that adds sweetness to the savoury fillings.

We tried the Creamy Tamago Sando ($12.50), generously stuffed with egg mayo. While the portion was satisfying, the flavours fell slightly flat, and the texture leaned toward being a little dry, leaving us wishing for more balance.

Mentaiko Fries 3/5

For sides, we opted for the Mentaiko Fries ($8.50). The fries were fried to a golden crisp, providing a nice crunch. However, we were not big fans of the mentaiko sauce, which mainly had mayonnaise flavours in the spotlight.

Purple Haze 3.8/5

Moving on to their signature toast offerings, we sampled the Purple Haze Honey-Glazed Toast ($10.50). This dish features stretchy, oozy milk injeolmi sandwiched between slices of honey-coated bread. It is served with a scoop of their housemade sweet potato paste and a small pitcher of frothy milk for an extra touch.

While the paste's natural sweetness was pleasant and mild, the toast itself could be crispier. I would also recommend having this shared, as it could get quite heavy.

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.


9Toast Cafe
Singapore Shopping Centre
#01-18
190 Clemenceau Avenue
Singapore 239924
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1030am - 6pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 7pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Penang Road. Cross the road and turn right on Penang Road. Walk to Clemenceau Ave. Turn left onto Clemenceau Ave. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Toko Yakitori @ Dhoby Ghaut - Savour Smoky Chicken Yakitori at Latest Yakitori Hotspot by Michelin-Starred Chef Taisei Iwao

Enjoy 30% off all yakitori selections during the last week of December at the latest yakitori hotspot, Toko Yakitori. With a menu masterfully curated by Michelin-starred Chef Taisei Iwao, you know you are in for a treat.

Nestled in the cosy 14-seater restaurant adjacent to Ganko Sushi at Dhoby Ghaut's UBS Building, the star yakitori offerings are complemented by a menu featuring sashimi, mains, soups, salads, and sides.

Yellowtail Carpaccio with Yuzu Pepper 4/5

The Yellowtail Carpaccio with Yuzu Pepper ($18) served as a decent starter to whet our appetites. Slices of yellowtail sashimi were topped with a hint of yuzu pepper, providing a salty-spicy and citrusy punch. My only gripe is that they are thinly cut.

Whole Fruit Tomato Salad 4.5/5

Go for the Whole Fruit Tomato Salad ($9) for something refreshing and sweet. While the portion might be on the smaller side, the flavours are anything but. The tangy and bright onion-based light sweet sauce perfectly complements the sweet tomatoes imported from the Kōchi prefecture.

Chicken Wing Gyoza 4.5/5

The Chicken Wing Gyoza ($9) is made with deboned wings, re-stuffed with gyoza filling and fried to a crunch. Biting into the tender and juicy meat with bits of chives was satisfying.

Sweet and Spicy Fried Chicken 4.8/5

The Sweet and Spicy Fried Chicken ($9) was a pleasant surprise. The chicken chunks were deep-fried to an addictive airy crunch before being dressed in a vibrant, sweet sauce with a hint of heat. The silky yolk added a creaminess to balance.

Yakitori 4.5/5

I was excited to finally tuck into the main highlight of the restaurant, their Yakitori selection. We tried several sticks, including Chicken & Green Onions ($5), Breast ($4.50) and Skin ($4.50). They impressed me with the perfect char and smokiness, and the Chicken & Green Onions stood out as my favourite.

Other chicken options include Tail ($4.50), Heart ($4), Cartilage ($4.50), and more. Diners can choose to have the chicken yakitori finished with sauce or salt. The menu also features a variety of vegetable yakitori, including Zucchini ($7), Kaga Lotus Root ($5), Grilled Eggplant ($4), and more.

A tray of spice powders awaits at every table, featuring options like Bird Eye Chilli, Seven Spices, Yuzu Chilli, and more. These add an extra layer of flavour to the diverse yakitori selection. My favourite is always the Yuzu Chilli for the zesty spice.

Wing 4.5/5

Another standout yakitori item was the Wing ($5). Thoughtfully wrapped in foil for convenience of consumption, its skin was crisp while retaining a juicy interior.

Tsukune 4.2/5

Their Tsukune ($5) might not be the best of what we've had in terms of texture and juiciness, but they are still grilled to an above-average standard. Pairing them with the yolk adds a delightful touch of creaminess.

Chicken Stock Ramen 4.8/5

The Chicken Stock Ramen ($12) was an absolute comfort. The small portion featured thin al dente ramen noodles in a semi-clear chicken broth, accompanied by a slice of chicken and half an egg. The richness of the chicken broth, coupled with a subtle sweetness, created a well-rounded flavour profile. Needless to say, I wiped this clean very quickly, and I hope the restaurant considers offering a full portion in the near future!

Oyako Don 4.2/5

Concluding our dining experience with the classic Oyako Don ($6) was a delightful choice. The bowl featured a generous serving of tender chicken chunks, topped with velvety eggs, resting on a rice bed. While this much wetter rendition might not appeal to everyone, I enjoyed the harmonious blend of flavours.

If you enjoy beef and curry, make sure to try out Iwao Chef Curry ($8), introduced to the menu as a nod to Chef Iwao's favourite dish. It is, of course, crafted with his signature curry recipe using braised beef and the natural sweetness of a combination of fruits.

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.


Toko Yakitori
9 Penang Road
#01-02
Singapore 238459
Tel: +65 8289 0772
Facebook
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk straight to Penang Road. Cross the right. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]