Pho Vietz @ Bugis Junction - Brings Authentic Flavours of South Vietnam’s Street Food to Singapore

Pho Vietz, the well-established Vietnamese cuisine restaurant group with outlets across the United States, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, has officially opened its first flagship outlet in Singapore. Founded by Chef Kenny Ton Ngoc Hiep, Pho Vietz is dedicated to showcasing the authentic flavours of South Vietnam — a culinary philosophy he has upheld for over two decades. The Singapore flagship reflects this commitment, offering a comprehensive menu that spans street food favourites to comforting noodle and rice dishes.

Vietnamese Spring Roll 4/5

We began our meal with some light bites, starting with the Vietnamese Spring Roll ($6.80). This deep-fried version is filled with well-seasoned minced meat, wrapped in a thin, crispy skin, and fried to a beautiful golden brown. Simple yet satisfying, it makes for a good starter to whet the appetite.

Steamed Flat Rice Roll with Minced Pork 4.2/5

The Steamed Flat Rice Roll with Minced Pork ($8.80) is a must-order. Each rice roll skin is freshly made upon order, resulting in a silky-soft texture. Inside, the filling of minced meat, glass noodles, black fungus, and prawns is flavourful and well-balanced, making this dish both comforting and delicious.

Vietnamese Prawn Salad 4.2/5

The Vietnamese Prawn Salad ($10.80) is refreshing and appetising, featuring a pleasant balance of tangy and sweet flavours that instantly lifts the palate. Served with crispy crackers, which can be broken and used as a vessel for the salad, it adds both textural contrast and fun to the dining experience.

Famous Vietnamese Baguette 4.2/5

Pho Vietz’s Singapore flagship features a dedicated Banh Mi station, and the Famous Vietnamese Baguette ($11.80) highlights the best of Vietnamese sandwich-making. The light, crusty baguette is generously filled with steamed ham, fried ham, gammon ham, and pork ear. Each bite delivers a delightful interplay of flavours and textures, making it a very satisfying option.

4 Beef Combo Noodle Soup 4.2/5

No Vietnamese meal is complete without pho. We opted for the 4 Beef Combo Noodle Soup ($17.80), which features a naturally sweet, beefy broth simmered for 8 hours with beef bones, marrow, and thigh bones. The bowl is generously topped with premium sliced beef, beef shank, beef ribeye, and handmade beef balls. This is a well-executed and comforting bowl of pho that hits all the right notes.

Pho Vietz Dried Beef Noodle 4.2/5

For something different, the Pho Vietz Dried Beef Noodle ($17.80) offers a dry-style alternative. Diners can choose between Ho Fun or egg noodles, tossed in a savoury, addictive sauce that reminds me of Indomie Goreng. Accompanied by a separate bowl of soup with premium sliced beef, beef shank, beef ribeye, and handmade beef balls, this unique offering is not commonly found in other Vietnamese restaurants.

Hue Style Spicy Pork Rib Noodle Soup 4.2/5

A signature favourite at Pho Vietz outlets internationally, the Huế-style spicy noodle soup features an intensely aromatic broth simmered with beef and pork bones, lemongrass, and fermented shrimp paste, finished with a fiery homemade chilli oil. The Hue Style Spicy Pork Rib Noodle Soup ($14.80) comes with thick, round rice vermicelli and two massive, fork-tender pork ribs. The broth delivers a distinctive balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavours that fans of bold tastes will appreciate.

Grilled Marinated Pork Belly Rice 4/5

For those who prefer rice over noodles, the Grilled Marinated Pork Belly Rice ($14.80) is a solid choice. The dish features tender, flavourful pork belly served with a fried egg, pickled vegetables, and crackers. A sweet and tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce is provided, which can be poured over the rice to add another layer of flavour.

Overall, Pho Vietz delivers an authentic and satisfying taste of South Vietnam, with well-executed dishes that reflect the group’s strong culinary heritage. Whether you are craving pho, banh mi, or classic Vietnamese rice dishes, this new flagship outlet is a worthy addition to Singapore’s Vietnamese dining scene.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Pho Vietz
Bugis Junction
B1-08
200 Victoria Street
Singapore 188021
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

Issho Izakaya @ Marina One - Second Outlet with Lunch & Dinner Omakase Experiences from $68

Issho Izakaya has recently opened its second outlet at Marina One. In addition to their standard menu, this new outlet offers lunch and dinner omakase experiences, starting from $68, with options ranging from 8 to 11 courses.

Bonito Walnut

Homemade Tofu

We tried the 11+ course dinner omakase ($128), beginning with a trio of appetisers. The Bonito Walnut was crunchy and addictive with deep umami notes. The Homemade Tofu had a light, creamy mouthfeel, subtly flavoured with an aromatic corn sauce, which could have been less starchy.

Horse Mackerel with Seaweed Somen

The Horse Mackerel with Seaweed Somen brought an intriguing contrast of savoury crunch and briny strands of “seaweed noodles.” A touch of vinegar helped balance the brininess.

Sashimi 5/5

The Sashimi course was a highlight, featuring five indulgent belly cuts: Toro, Kanpachi Belly, Tai Belly, Kajiki Belly, and Salmon Belly, each unctuous with a lingering fullness.

Prawn Wanton in Black Vinegar 2.5/5

A local fusion touch came next with Prawn Wanton in Black Vinegar, reminiscent of chilli oil dumplings. The flavours were familiar and enjoyable, but the thick, slightly stiff wanton skin and the lack of a juicy filling were a letdown.

Tai 4.5/5

The Grilled Tai course delighted with its tender, flaky flesh and beautifully crispy scales. A squeeze of Japanese lime added a refreshing citrus lift.

Chilli Crab 4.5/5

Fusion continued into the Agemono course with their take on Chilli Crab, featuring fried soft-shell crab served alongside housemade chilli sauce and toast. The batter was light and airy, keeping the crab succulent. The sauce struck a delicate balance of sweetness and heat, making this dish a pleasant surprise.

Miyazaki A5 with Foie Gras Miso 3.5/5

The Miyazaki A5 with Foie Gras Miso followed. The desired beef flavour was there, but the texture and mouthfeel were slightly drier than expected. The accompanying grilled vegetables were full of flavour, and what I also loved about the dish was the savoury miso served at the side, which was infused with a subtle hint of foie gras funk that enhanced the flavour of the beef up a notch.

Cheese Kani 2.8/5

Instead of the usual temaki and rice course, we were served Cheese Kani and Beef Noodle with Clam Soup. The Cheese Kani, layered with gooey cheese, macaroni, and ikura, leaned indulgent but heavy, overshadowing the natural sweetness of the crab.

Beef Noodle 3.5/5

The Beef Noodle, a local interpretation of Japanese ingredients, was tasty, though a touch of grated yuzu zest could have brightened the richness and tied it more seamlessly to the overall theme. I reckon a less saucier Rice course would have given a much more cohesive flow of the omakase experience. The accompanying clam soup, while pleasant, could have carried more depth.

Dessert

Dessert was simple yet satisfying with sweet and juicy melon.

The fusion take on the omakase was refreshing and delivered a few standout dishes. That said, a stronger emphasis on seasonal ingredients, a more defined progression of courses, and greater refinement in execution would have elevated the experience into something truly memorable.

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.


Issho Izakaya
Marina One Show Gallery
West Tower
5 Straits View
#01-14
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 6592 8876
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Website
Nearest MRT: Shenton Way (TE Line), Marina Bay (CC, NS, TE Line), Downtown (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am – 3pm, 530pm – 10pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 11am – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Shenton Way MRT station. Take Exit 1 or 5. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marina Bay MRT station, Take Exit 1. Walk to Marina Way. Cross the road and walk to destination. [Map]

3) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk to Straits View Road. Walk down Straits View Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Cai Lin Ji (蔡林记) @ Jurong Point - Exploring the Unique Flavours of Hubei Street Food

Cai Lin Ji (蔡林记), located at Jurong Point, introduces the unique flavours of Hubei cuisine, featuring a range of street food from this region, including the famous Wuhan Hot Dry Noodles. Service here is quick, reminiscent of a fast-food restaurant, making it a convenient choice for a satisfying meal.

Three Delicacies Dou Pi (三鲜豆皮) 3.5/5

My curiosity was piqued by the Three Delicacies Dou Pi (三鲜豆皮), priced at $4.50 for one or $8.50 for two pieces. This traditional Hubei snack is a multilayered dish, with potato flour forming the base, steamed egg or glutinous rice in the middle, and a top layer featuring bamboo shoots or minced meat combined with pork belly and mushrooms. It's somewhat akin to our local prata, with layers of ingredients that create a delightful texture.

Fresh Meat Soup Bun (鲜肉汤包) 4/5

The Fresh Meat Soup Bun (鲜肉汤包), priced at $5.90 for three pieces, closely resembles our beloved Xiao Long Bao. These little pockets are filled with juicy and well-marinated pork to be savoured with a side of vinegar dip.

Signature Shao Mai (重油烧卖) 3.8/5

The Signature Shao Mai (重油烧卖), at $3.90 for three pieces, offers a unique twist on the Cantonese-style siew mai we're familiar with. This peppery rendition features a mixture of sticky rice, raisins, rock candy, peanuts, osmanthus flowers, orange peel, and shredded carrots. It's a delightful blend that somewhat resembles our local Png Kueh.

Signature Zha Jiang Hot Dry Noodle (炸酱热干面) 3.8/5

The Signature Zha Jiang Hot Dry Noodle (炸酱热干面), priced at $7.90, was a novel discovery. Hailing from Wuhan, this dish holds the title of "Top 10 Noodles in China." It's served dry and coated with a secret black sesame sauce. While it's undoubtedly a good bowl of noodles, I needed time to adjust to the unique pairing of black sesame sauce with noodles.

Xiang Yang Beef Noodles/Beehoon (襄阳牛肉面/米粉) 4.2/5

The Xiang Yang Beef Noodles/Beehoon (襄阳牛肉面/米粉) at $10.90 is a staple breakfast in Hubei. I opted for the beehoon, which had a silky texture with a delightful bite. It came with crunchy bean sprouts and was served generously in rich beef broth laden with beef and offal. I found this bowl of noodles incredibly enjoyable and versatile enough to have for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Shrimp Wanton (虾仁馄饨) 4.8/5

We originally wanted to order the Han Kou Wonton, but it was sold out. We settled for the Shrimp Wanton (虾仁馄饨), priced at $9.90 for ten pieces, which were freshly made daily. These wantons featured fresh shrimp encased in tender, chewy skin and cooked in a flavorful broth.

Signature Osmanthus Paste Rice Wine (桂花糊米酒) 4/5

My culinary journey took an exciting turn with two Hubei speciality soups. First up is the Signature Osmanthus Paste Rice Wine (桂花糊米酒), priced at $3.90. This delight combines rice wine with glutinous balls in a sweet, slightly starchy broth. The second is the Egg Drop Rice Wine (蛋花米酒), priced at $4. It involves dropping a raw egg into boiling water at 100 degrees and adding rice wine. The more I indulged in these unique flavours, the more I appreciated the new tastes that graced my palate.

Signature Egg Drop Rice Wine (蛋花米酒) 3.8/5

In summary, my visit to Cai Lin Ji at Jurong Point expanded my culinary horizons. The menu featured dishes I'd never tasted before, emphasizing the vastness of the culinary world and the endless possibilities for exploration.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Cai Lin Ji
Jurong Point
63 Jurong West Central
#03-56
Singapore 648331
Tel: +65 9238 0368
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Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Lne)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 9pm

Direction:
1. Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

EatAlley @ Orchard Gateway - A Malaysian Food Court Featuring Popular KL Street Food Brands

EatAlley, located in basement 2 of Orchard Gateway, is Orchard's latest Malaysian food theme foodcourt. This 150-seater houses 8 top KL street food brands- Koon Kee Wanton Mee, Hong Lai Hokkien Mee, Siong Huat Bah Kut Teh, Kam Heong Braised Duck, Soong Kee Beef Noodle, Fatty Nasi Lemak, and Restoran Chuan Huat.

Kampung Nasi Lemak (adapted for EatAlley) - Founded a decade ago, the Malaysian founder, nicknamed Fatty, has been making nasi lemak kukus the old-fashioned way using wooden steamers. So here we have the signature dish - Nasi Lemak with Ayam Rempah, complete with fried ikan bilis, peanuts, sunny side up egg and sambal ($8.80), finished with a ladle of curry sauce doused over. The rice was incredibly fragrant and fluffy, making it a perfect match with the robust sauce and sambal. The fried chicken leg had a good crunch on the outside, with the meat tender and juicy. We also had a serving of Beef Rendang that was pleasingly tender.

Kam Heong Braised Duck - Established in 1976 by Tan Boon Seong, the Teochew-style Braised Duck is cooked with eight herbs. The duck meat carried a light herbal fragrance and was at its right tenderness, and the sauce left a delectable lingering herbaceous aftertaste.

Koon Kee Wanton Mee (adapted for EatAlley) - Established in the 1940s on Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, their thin egg noodles, minced pork wanton and roasted char siew are prepared and cooked in-house. We had the Signature Duo Combo of Char Siew, "Flower" Mushrooms, and Braised Chicken Feet with KL-style dark sauce noodles ($10.80). The noodles coated in a flavourful dark sauce had a good bite to it. The pork shoulder char siew was succulent with pronounced layers of fats that stood out against the glossy, blackish caramelized exterior.

Soong Kee Beef Noodle - was founded by Siew Wei Hann's father, who started the business right after the second world war in 1945. What's interesting about their beef noodle is that the dish is made with two components - housemade noodles coated with dark soy sauce and decadent with a scoop of umami-rich minced pork and beef mixture and served alongside a bowl of clear beef soup containing beef tripe, juicy beef balls and tender beef slices from Australia. The latter acquires its light depth of flavour from the brewing of only beef balls without the bones, and its cleaner taste makes it the perfect accompaniment to the noodles.

Uncle Beh Pork Noodle - was started by Beh Chin Kiang's late father in 1963 at a rented stall in Pudu Raya (Pudu market). The Signature Pork Noodle Combo with Kway Teow in Soup ($10.80) features minced and sliced pork and pigs' intestines, liver and kidney. The much-anticipated soup was savoury sweet with a good depth of flavour, and I relished it till the very last drop.

If I were to pick three dishes to eat again, I would go for the Pork Kway Teow Soup, Wanton Mee and the Nasi Lemak. They are my favourites among the 8 stalls.

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.


EatAlley
Orchard Gateway
277 Orchard Road
#B2-12
Singapore 238858
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am – 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]

Estate @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - Unveils New Epicurean Buffet Offerings For Lunch And Dinner

Hilton Singapore Orchard's residential all-day buffet restaurant, Estate unveils a range of sumptuous new gourmet offerings on their spread for lunch and dinner from May 5, 2023 onwards. Diners can indulge in a tantalising variety of elevated local and regional dishes, each crafted with the finest and freshest ingredients to delight the taste buds and awaken the senses.

Guests looking to start their dinner light can first head to the Raw and Seafood Bar, where in addition to the succulent seafood available for lunch, diners can also enjoy freshly shucked seasonal oysters on ice and thick cuts of sashimi and sushi rolls.

Exclusively for dinner are the Premium Meats and Live Carvings of Estate Signature Black Truffle Roasted Duck with fried tofu and peanut crust, as well as the locally sourced Whole Barramundi with green pepper, chilli, potato, coriander and spring onion.

Another new highlight exclusive to dinner is a refreshed take on flavours for the Grilled Skewers, where carnivores will find a delectable range of meats well-marinated with homemade marinades created by Sri Lankan chef and butcher Bala from Estate's culinary team. Highlights include Chicken Shish Taouk, Fish Kebab, Beef Kofta, and Black Curry Pork Skewer.

The dinner buffet boasts a daily rotational menu of Western and modern Asian delights that will appeal to every palate. Diners who enjoy French specialities can indulge in the Baked Chicken with Dijon Creme Sauce and Grilled Angus Cube Roll with rich peppercorn brandy cream sauce.

The Carribean Coconut Mussel Curry is not to be missed, where perfectly cooked mussels are drenched in a rich and fragrant coconut curry sauce.

One of our favourites is the cooked-to-order Cantonese-style Wagyu Beef Handmade Noodles with tender beef tendon, white radish and a rich, soothing beef broth at the Noodles Kitchen.

Other Asian specialities include Szechuan-style Spicy and Soup with tofu, black fungus, mushrooms, sea cucumber and shredded chicken to start, and stop by the porridge station for a comforting bowl of Hong Kong-style Chicken Ball Congee with minced chicken ball, braised peanuts, century and salted eggs.

The dessert selection for dinner offers guests an even more comprehensive choice of toothsome treats like Rose Velvet Cake, Mixed Nuts Fudge Brownie, Bread and Butter Pudding. Diners can also head over to the Charcoal Waffle Ice Cream corner to enjoy freshly made charcoal waffles with creamy vanilla and chocolate gelatos.

Estate offers a range of sweet treats served in the restaurant’s iconic glass jars. Highlights include the Black Sesame Taro, Lychee Sakura Velveteen, and Coconut Pineapple Panna Cotta.

Estate Dinner Buffet
• Mondays to Sundays | 6:30 pm to 10 pm
• $88++ per adult (Sundays to Wednesdays)
• $108++ per adult (Fridays, Saturdays, Public Holidays & Eves of Public Holidays)
• Children aged between 6 and 12 years old dine at 50 percent off adult price. Children aged 5 years and below dine for free.
• Estate’s Lobster, Crab and Seafood Dinner Buffet (Every Thursday), priced at $158++ per adult

Estate Lunch Buffet
• Mondays to Saturdays | 12 pm to 2:30 pm
• $72++ per adult (Mondays to Thursdays)
• $78++ per adult (Fridays, Saturdays, Public Holidays & Eves of Public Holidays)
• Children aged between 6 and 12 years old dine at 50 percent off adult price. Children aged 5 years and below dine for free.
• Estate Grand Champagne Brunch (Every Sunday), priced from $158++ per adult

Prices include chilled juices, soft drinks, homemade iced tea, coffee and tea.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Estate
Hilton Singapore Orchard
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 67374411
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 10pm
Breakfast: 630am – 1030am
Lunch: 12pm – 230pm
Dinner: 630pm – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]