Royal Host @ Jewel Changi Airport - Pioneer of Japanese-Western Food Opens Its First Direct Store Outside Japan

Renowned as the pioneer of Japanese-Western food, Royal Host boasts over 200 stores in Japan and a legacy spanning over 50 years. Now, this beloved household family restaurant has opened its first direct store outside Japan at Jewel Changi Airport. With its extensive history and reputation for delicious Japanese-Western comfort food, Royal Host brings a much-anticipated culinary experience to Singapore.

Onion Gratin Soup 4.2/5

We commenced our dinner with a comforting bowl of Onion Gratin Soup ($7.80). This homemade consommé, sweetened by caramelized onions, features a slice of toasted baguette loaded with melty Gruyère cheese. I recommend leaving the baguette to soak up the delicious soup for a bit longer for an even richer experience. This soup is a long-standing bestseller of Royal Host, gaining fame when Marilyn Monroe praised it during her honeymoon to Japan in 1954.

Kale Salad 3/5

For a healthier option, we tried the superfood Kale Salad ($19.80). This crunchy kale salad is complemented by plant-based meat, blueberries, and a special peanut oil salad dressing that adds an aromatic finish. It's a refreshing and nutritious choice that perfectly balances the meal.

Omurice with Demiglace Sauce 4/5

The Omurice with Demiglace Sauce ($26.80) is a must-try. Fresh eggs flown all the way from Kyushu prefecture create a creamy omelette that tops fluffy Japanese ketchup rice. For a unique twist, there's a Singapore-exclusive version featuring Singapore Chilli Sauce and Snow Crab on top. The dish combines traditional Japanese flavours with a local touch, making it a standout item on the menu.

Hamburg with Brown Butter Sauce 4.5/5 

Royal Host's signature item is their Japanese Hamburg. We sampled the "ROYAL" Hamburg Steak with Brown Butter Sauce ($29.80), served sizzling on a hot plate. Made using premium-quality beef typically reserved for steaks, the hamburg is seared to perfection, achieving a beautiful exterior char while maintaining a succulent and juicy texture. There's also a Singapore-exclusive Black Pepper Sauce version for those who prefer a bit of heat.

Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae 4.5/5

We indulged in the Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae ($18.40) to wrap up our meal. The dessert menu offers three categories: Parfait, Ice Cream, and Cake. Our choice, the Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae, was delicately layered with tantalizing flavours in each layer, providing a delightful end to our dining experience.

Royal Host's debut in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport is a delightful addition to the local culinary scene. With its rich history and dedication to quality, the restaurant offers a unique blend of Japanese-Western comfort food that is both nostalgic and innovative. Whether you're craving a hearty bowl of soup, a nutritious salad, or a sizzling hamburg steak, Royal Host promises a memorable dining experience that brings the best of Japan to Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Royal Host
Jewel Changi Airport
78 Airport Boulevard
#03-219
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6908 5591
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Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Changi Airport MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

WALA Pizza Private Dining - Out Of This World Pizza Flavours That Will Blow Your Mind

WALA Pizza is a new private home dining started in 2021 by Jenna that offers Canotto-style pizza with out-of-the-world flavour profiles that you can't find elsewhere. Besides the delicious food, be treated to Jenna's warm in-home hospitality and inspiring travel stories to find the best pizza.

Herring & Red Beet Hummus, Kale Wrap

Our antipasto started with the Herring & Red Beet Hummus paired with Wala homegrown Kale Wrap and dill. Resting on a bed of red beet hummus are marinated herring topped with caviar and pomegranate dressed with Italian extra virgin olive oil. To eat, place everything onto the kale and have it like a wrap.

Garlic Basil Bread

The other antipasto is Garlic Basil Bread. A glimpse of Canotto-style pizza with its huge air pocket. The airy and fluffy pizza dough is topped with Wala sweet Italian basil, French garlic and Italian 36-month-aged Parmigiano.

REAL Pistachio Mortadella

A popular choice among the diners is the REAL Pistachio Mortadella. The pizza is topped with Italian mortadella, Wala Sicilian pistachio puree, fresh Italian stracciatella, creme fraiche, 36-month-aged Parmigiano, crushed Sicilian pistachio, and further accentuated with lemon zest and Wala homegrown basil.

Pumpkin 4 Cheese

Next, we have another exciting and unique combination in the Pumpkin 4 Cheese. It comprised Wala Japanese pumpkin creme, 36-month-aged Parmigiano, Ex-matured vintage cheddar, gorgonzola, charred halloumi, pink peppercorn, red onion and Wala homegrown Thyme as the topping.

Truffle Carbonara

An OG of Wala Pizza and a must-have for any first-timer is the Truffle Carbonara. The airy and fluffy pizza is packed with beautiful flavours from topping comprising Italian tartufata truffle, buffalo milk, guanciale, creme fraiche, pasteurized egg yolks, 36-month Parmigiano and Italian truffle-infused EVOO.

Xinjiang Lamb

An unexpected pizza on the menu is the East meets West, Xinjiang Lamb pizza. It is the most flavoured pizza that packs a robust punch to it. It is topped with Wala Xinjiang spiced lamb, cumin seeds, Wala basil, red onion, mala oil, white sesame and fresh Italian mozzarella.

3-Way Toms & Chovies

The last savoury pizza we had was the 3-Way Toms & Chovies topped with Wala San Marzano base, Italian sun-dried tomatoes, roasted golden tomatoes confit, Spanish anchovies, Italian burrata, Wala pine pesto, Wala dill and Italian balsamic vinegar.

5-Spice Pumpkin Kaya & Coconut 'Nice' Cream

We opted for the 5-Spice Pumpkin Kaya & Coconut 'Nice' Cream for the dessert pizza. It is a sweet combination of hot and cold contrast. The hot elements came from the Australian pumpkin, Nyonya pandan kaya and Chinese 5-spice, while the coconut dairy-free ice cream, Wala mint and orange zest provided the cold element.

Wala Pizza Private Dining is worth visiting for its unique flavour combinations that are out of this world. Jenna has over 100 different flavours up her sleeves, and I have only seven of them. However, I am already planning my next visit to try other flavours. By the way, it may be seen that there are a lot of pizzas over one meal, but the dough is airy; hence you will not feel stuffed after the meal.


WALA Pizza Private Dining
Choa Chu Kang
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Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant @ Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy - All New A La Carte & Dim Sum Menu In Support Of Local Produce

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant, located at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, introduces new a la carte and dim sum items to support our local produce and reduce the reliance on food imports. Chinese Executive Chef Victor Lee has curated a mouth-watering menu sourcing vegetables and fish from the local farms, incorporating them into the revamped menu.

Wok-fried Daikon Cake with XO Sauce 4.5/5

A must-try is the Wok-fried Daikon Cake ($10) from the dim sum menu with XO sauce. Coated in umami XO sauce, the wok-fried daikon is crispy on the exterior and soft inside. Topped with shredded egg and beansprouts, they give the daikon cake a lift in flavour and texture.

Jia Wei Butterfly Pea Har Gow 4.2/5

Butterfly Pea Rice Roll with Australian Scallop 3.8/5

Giving the classic Har Gow and Rice Roll a modern take is the Jia Wei Butterfly Pea Har Gow ($7.80 for 3pc) and Butterfly Pea Rice Roll with Australian Scallop ($8.80). The Har Gow was plump with crunchy prawns. As for the rice roll, I find the scallop stuffing an unusual choice as the ingredient itself is rather bland in taste. Thanks to delicious soy sauce that lifted the flavour profile.

Crispy Local Soft Shell Crab with Ice Plant 4/5

Moving to the a la carte menu, we started with the Crispy Local Soft Shell with Ice Plant ($22 per serving). A refreshing combination of crispy soft shell crab paired with crunchy ice plant. The whole enjoyment is brightened with the addition of ume infused tomato and yuzu dressing.

Curly Kale Soup 4/5

I am not a fan of kale, but that does not deter me from finishing the Curly Kale Soup ($20 per serving) cooked with braised crab meat and beancurd. It doesn't have the earthy Kale taste, which I dislike. Instead, it felt more like having a bowl of chicken soup with the braised crab meat and beancurd giving it a substantial mouthfeel.

Corn-fed Har Cheong Chicken Slider 4.2/5

One of my favourite dishes for the night is the Corn-fed Har Cheong Chicken Slider ($28) drizzled with yuzu dressing, giving it a tangy kick. A crispy and tender chicken fillet is sandwiched between a soft and fluffy bun. I enjoy the textural combination of soft, fluffy, tender and crisp, all coming together in a delicious bite.

Wok-fried Celtuce Stem 4.5/5

It is my first time trying celtuce stem, and I was surprised by how much I like it. The Wok-fried Celtuce Stem ($24) cooked in Szechuan dried chilli has a delectable sweetness and a delightful crunchy texture.

Crispy Egg Noodle 4.2/5

Regulars can still look forward to perennial favourites and signature dishes on the menu. One of them is the Crispy Egg Noodle ($26) in chicken broth gravy. It even comes with fresh seafood such as prawns and fish slices.

Chilled Homemade Coconut Pudding 4.8/5

Wrapping up our dinner is the Chilled Homemade Coconut Pudding ($15 per serving) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pudding made from fresh coconut water is light and refreshing. It is just a perfect dessert to end the night. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant
Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy
50 East Coast Road
Level 2
Singapore 428769
Tel: +65 63405678
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line), Paya Lebar (EW Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 31. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Paya Lebar Road (Stop ID 81111). Take bus number 43, 76, 134 or 135. Alight 8 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Blu Kouzina @ Siglap - Greek-style Breakfast In An Idyllic Setting

Blu Kouzina at Dempsey has been known for its authentic Greek cuisine for the past decade. Its latest outlet at Siglap now even includes a breakfast menu, allowing customers to enjoy a full-fledged Greek dining experience any time of the day. It opens as early as 730am on the weekend!

It is such a great place to be before the day begins with its idyllic island-inspired setting. I was lucky to visit on a weekday morning, where I got to enjoy its serenity before it got disturbed by the buzz of chatter from the afternoon crowd.

Greek Breakfast 4.5/5

The biggest drawn of its Breakfast Menu is its Greek Selection. We had the Greek Breakfast ($22) that comes with a choice of coffee or tea, alongside a Spinach Pie ($9.50) and Lamb Sausage Roll ($11.50). The Greek Breakfast was wholesome with a slab of feta cheese, two perfectly done hardboiled eggs with a slight oozy yolk, tomatoes, fried bread, olives, a generous portion of yoghurt, a handful of walnuts and a serving of honey.

I amped up my Greek Breakfast with a few Add ons - Crispy Kale ($2), Roasted Potatoes ($3), and Spinach ($2). The Roasted Potatoes is not your usual kind but are marinated with lemon before roasting to give it a touch of tanginess.

Spinach Pie 4.2/5

Rarely you will get a good Spinach Pie loaded with spinach and feta cheese filling. The pie is incredibly yummy with a thin, buttery and flaky crust made with phyllo pastry.

Lamb Sausage Roll 3.8/5

The highly recommended Lamb Sausage Roll ($11.50) comes with homemade sausage. The lamb sausage was tender and juicy, and the rich tomato sauce complemented it excellently.

Homemade Granola 4/5

Every place has its recipe for homemade granola. You will probably crave its Homemade Granola ($8) if it is your kind of breakfast. The granola wasn't too sweet, and the generous portion of yoghurt and honey dolloped over the granola was pleasingly satiable.

Lemon Verbena Tea

Greek Coffee

The regular coffees are great but do try the specialities such as the Greek Coffee and a range of tea imported from Greece.

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.


Blu Kouzina Siglap
907 East Coast Road
#01-01
Singapore 459107
Tel: +65 91010681/ 91010682
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Website
Nearest MRT: Bedok (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed - Mon: 830am - 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bedok MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Bedok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 84009). Take bus number 16. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

Fat Prince @ Tanjong Pagar - Turns Up The Vibe With Its New Brunch Menu

The notion of fun dining is central to the recent revamp of Fat Prince at Peck Seah Street. Known for its modern middle eastern cuisine and unconventional 'kotails', a new head chef is on board to drive the refreshed menu. If you are looking for more ideas for brunches, Fat Prince might just be the answer.

Morning Star Kotail

Fat Prince’s brunch menu is available every Saturday from 1130am to 3pm. And you will be delighted to know you can couple that with a two-hour free-flow from 12pm to 2pm ($59), featuring a selection from red and wine wines, prosecco, Peroni lager and the signature Morning Star Koktail.

Mimosa

The brunch menu comprises Mezze and Salads, Mains and Kebah. You can also opt for a Royal Brunch ($49 per person), a set which includes their pick of a brunch exclusive, paired with a glass of Mimosa to start, a choice of Fat Prince’s signature house dips, a mezze or salad, and a dessert of the day.

Cured Salmon Crudo 4/5

Mezzes are great introductory dishes to Fat Prince's take on modern middle eastern's flavours. Served as a light appetiser, I enjoyed the mouth-filling texture of the Cured Salmon Crudo ($18) and the contrasting crunch from the sprinkle of Dukkah. The drizzle of Pomegranate Molasses and Smoked Date Puree layered the dish with notes of dark, caramelised sweetness, which complemented the savouriness of the cured fish really well.

Cashew Hummus 4/5

Hummus lovers will not be disappointed with this Cashew Hummus ($10) - savoury, lemony and zingy; as compared to a chickpea hummus, it is more textured, which makes it all the more suitable for the soft, fluffy toasted yoghurt pita.

Lamb Meatballs 4/5

The Lamb Meatballs ($18) was an aromatic dish with much emphasis on the use of herbs and spices. The meatballs were well seasoned, juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside. They sat on top of Chermoula, a Morrocan sauce which is a mix of garlic, herbs and spices, accentuated by a sprinkle of Za’atar and a handful of arugula leaves. There are a lot of heady flavours going on in one dish, and it is one good dish to order if you are here for their kotails.

Negroni Rouge

I have to say, if you didn't go for their kotails, a Saturday at Fat Prince would be like any other Saturdays.  For a more cautious start, perhaps go for the Gimlet 100 ($20) with Roku Gin, Japanese cucumber cordial and citrus. For something a lot bolder, the menu features two renditions of Negroni: Negroni Rouge ($22) with Beefeater Gin, Mancino Rosso, peppercorn and juniper; and Negroni Blanc ($22) with Beefeater Gin, dill, Mancino Secco and gentianne. Even for the untrained palate, they came across as more balanced and rounded than what I had tried till date.

Fatteh Breakfast 3.5/5

To hold the drinks, line your stomach with something hearty, such as the Fatteh Breakfast ($24). What a feast to the eyes to see a wholesome combination of poached eggs, halloumi and falafel served with yoghurt, baby spinach and toasted pita. What stood out for me is the falafel with a dollop of hummus, as well as the spiced eggplant stew. What didn't sit well with the dish was the eggs - Sous vide eggs ain't just the same as eggs that are skillfully poached in water, and in the case, the runny eggs messed up the plate the moment they were being broken.

Mememen 3.8/5

The Menemen ($28) scores with its robust spiced tomato base, lightened with labneh (a creamy, yoghurt cheese) and toasted pita. You get a choice of either lamb or halloumi.  Every spoonful of the tender shredded lamb meat together with the deep savoury tomato was deeply satisfying. The dish could have fared even better if raw eggs were cracked directly into the spiced tomato. Our eggs were overdone, and I reckoned that was because those were pre-cooked eggs.

Shakshuka Leek & Kale 3.5/5

Chef's vegetarian version of Shakshuka is this Shakshuka Leek & Kale ($20) - Baked Eggs, Leek & Kale Ragout, Dukkah and Toasted Pita. Although I don't quite agree that this embodies the authentic flavours of shakshuka, which can also be done in various meatless versions using eggplants, capsicums and so on, I appreciate it as a meatless dish that appeals on taste and texture. Interestingly, it reminds me of thunder rice tea with the diced leek and kale, along with the addition of ground nuts!

Half Fried Chicken 3.5/5

The Half Fried Chicken ($24) was clean and straightforward, hitting us with the right amount of greasiness and flavours. The fried yoghurt batter was thin and crisped, and the accompanying sauces and pickles injected even more characters into this classic dish.

Spiced Berry French Toast 3/5

Something sweet on the brunch mains, which can also be a dessert is the Spiced Berry French Toast ($21) - Brioche, Caramelised Banana, Preserved Lemon Ice Cream. The saltish housemade preserved lemon ice cream was a winner but the dense slices of thick-cut toast that tried to pass off as a legit brioche were disappointing. It was a pity as the spiced berry compote stuffed inside the toast was really delicious.

Overall, the vibe that Fat Prince provides, on a Saturday morning, will set you right for the rest of your weekend.

Written and photography 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.


Fat Prince
48 Peck Seah Street
#01-01
Singapore 079317
Tel:+65 62217794
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm to 12midnight
Sat: 1130am -3pm, 6pm to 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. take Exit A. Turn right onto Peck Seah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]