Meow BBQ @ Bugis+ - Cat-themed BBQ Restaurant From China Opens First Overseas Outpost In Singapore

Award-winning Meow BBQ from China, with over 30 outlets across ten major Chinese cities, opened its first overseas outpost at Bugis+, Singapore. The founder's love for cats can be seen around the interior of the cat-themed BBQ restaurant. The cuteness of cat paws and motifs can is found all around the restaurant, from the front entrance to the crockery used and various decorative ornaments in and around the space.

Meow Signature Spicy Beef 4/5

The Meow Signature Spicy Beef ($23.80) is a must-have at Meow BBQ. Do not be deceived by the name of the dish. It is not spicy at all. The thinly cut grain-fed 129-day-old sliced beef is marinated with pickled chillies and sprinkled with sesame. While the flavours are appetising, the meat is too thinly cut for a satisfying textural enjoyment.

Meow Signature Mixed Meat Platter 3.5/5

Great for sharing and trying out the different options on the menu is the Meow Signature Mixed Meat Platter ($66.80). It comprises Meow Signature Beef Cubes with Onion, Premium Iberico Pork Belly, Iberico Pork Collar in Smoky Sauce, Teriyaki Chicken Thigh and Marbled Beef Chunk.

Iberico Pork Collar Marinated in Pineapple Sauce 3.8/5

The Iberico Pork Collar Marinated in Pineapple Sauce ($22.80) is succulent and juicy with a hint of sweetness from the pineapple marination.

Meow Signature Chicken with Cheese Dip 3.5/5

The Meow Signature Chicken with Cheese Dip ($15.80) is incredibly tender. Heat the cheese dip and dunk the chunky chicken pieces into the melting cheese for an accentuated enjoyment.

Meow Signature Beef Donburi 3/5

For something more substantial or a quick lunch, one can go for the Meow Signature Beef Donburi ($8.80). For less than ten dollars, you get a bowl of grilled beef, sweet onions and an onsen egg for a wallet-friendly meal.

Black Cat Snow Ice 4/5

Diners can go for the Black Cat Snow Ice ($10.80) and Meow Signature Caramel Pudding ($6.80) to wrap up the meal on a sweet note. My favourite is the snow ice which is like the Korean bingsu. The snow ice is soft and fluffy, with a sweet finish. As for the caramel pudding, I preferred it to be more caramelised.

Meow Signature Caramel Pudding 3/5

Meow BBQ restaurant offers wallet-friendly grilled meats for the masses hence do not expect premium cuts for the price you are paying. Overall, it will appeal to the students and younger generations.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Meow BBQ
Bugis+
201 Victoria Street
#01-17
Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 80384659
Facebook
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Bugis(EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 930pm
Fri-Sat, PH: 11am - 1am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Victoria Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ryan's Grocery and Ryan's Kitchen @ Great World City - Grocery And Restaurant Under One Roof

This January saw the opening of the flagship concept of Ryan's Grocery at the newly revamped Great World. Occupying a space of 4,000 square feet, this second outlet includes Ryan's Kitchen, its first cafe in Singapore. Perhaps better known among cooking enthusiasts who are well acquainted with its retail store at Binjai Park, Ryan's Kitchen now invites all to have a taste of its eco-friendly produce imported from trusted partners, along with its housemade nitrate-free hams and bacon, sausages and dry-aged meats. The menu also showcases the expanded variety of its retail store - organic, gluten-, preservative-, and allergen-free products from Australia, Singapore, Europe and the U.S.

All mains are served with thick fries from U.S. made with 100% potatoes, mesclun salad and choice of sauces including Jamworks Beetroot Relish, Jamworks Spanish Onion Jam, Artigiani del Tartufo Truffle Mustard and Artigiani del Tartufo Truffle Parmigiano Cream, all of which can also be purchased at the grocery. Butcher's Grill offers different cuts of beef and pork.

OP Rib 4.5/5

The highly acclaimed Five Founders Carbon Neutral Certified Beef (70 days grain-fed) OP Rib ($148 for 1Kg) is nothing short of spectacular. A feast for the eyes, the 1kg slab of bone-in ribeye was simply grilled to medium-rare, the recommended doneness for this cut. The accompanying beetroot relish and truffle mustard were both ideal counterpoints to the richness of the meat.

Pork Collar 4/5

Winner of Australia's Best Pork National Award 2018, Borrowdale Free Range Pork is prized for its clean flavours and texture. Similarly to that of beef, to allow one to appreciate the natural flavours of the meat, the Borrowdale Free Range Pork Collar ($28 for 250g) is grilled and finished with a touch of tantalizing sticky apple balsamic.

Aussie 'The Lot' Burger 4/5

The burgers here are made with 180g patties from the butchery counter. Aussie' The Lot' Burger ($28) hits all the right spots with its combination of flavours - juicy and flavourful patty paired with piquant beetroot relish, tangy cured beetroot, sharp cheddar, smoky bacon; enrich with contrasting sweet and creamy mayonnaise. Not to forget the joy of biting into the oozy egg yolk of the skillfully done sunny-side-up egg.

Mushroom Swiss Burger 3.8/5

For a slightly milder, comforting flavour, Mushroom Swiss Burger ($25) deeply satisfies with the mouth-filling combination of beef with warm, creamy mushroom ragout and milky swiss cheese.

The Australian grain-fed patty can be upgraded to Organic (+$3) or Waygu (+$5). For the buns, you can choose between Brioche and Ciabatta, or top up $3 for a gluten-free, Keto or Organic Bun. The keto bun we tried had a brown and nutty crust and was amazingly airy. Compared to a brioche which can be overly buttery at times, or a gluten-free bun that tends to be relatively greasier, based on my experience, this fluffy keto bun not only holds the ingredients better, it balances the richness of it all. As for the ciabatta, I find it a little stiff for burgers.

Assorted Housemade Sausages 3.5/5

You can even design your own meat platter with the Pick & Grill service from the Butchery, select your preferred cuts or housemade cured meats and sausages like Pork Cumberland Sausage ($2.80/ 100g) and Herb Garlic Beef ($2.80/100g), and they will be prepared at a nominal fee at the cafe.

Crispy Pork Belly Nuggets 3.8/5

Sides are also available, which are ideal for wine pairing. Such as the thinly sliced Crispy Pork Belly Nuggets ($12) with Jamworks' BBQ relish which is a must-try. They were crispy with a slightly chewy texture at the fats portion, and didn't leave much grease on my fingers!

You can also try Noosa's Whiting Fillet at Ryan's Kitchen, which is served as Breaded Wild Caught Whiting ($16), paired with a tangy tartar sauce. I find the crust slightly tough, which doesn't showcase the beauty of the fish.

Anything that you fancy after your meal, the ingredients are all available for purchase at Ryan's Grocery. Beyond that, there are also new and outlet-exclusive brands such as Carrara Beef, Woodward Lamb and Kilcoy Beef. You can also select your preferred cut and request to be aged at their facility with a nominal fee. The frozen foods and products section also offers a range of frozen meats and seafood from outlet-exclusive Noosa Seafood Market. Available both fresh and frozen, products include Australian-made fresh frozen burger buns, as well as freshly baked raisin toast, miso sourdough, and a variety of pastries and bagels. At the back of the store, you will find a cold room that is stock up with a wide range of fresh organic and seasonal vegetables from Australia, UK and other parts of the world, including my favourite brussels sprouts but on the stalk!

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.


Ryan's Grocery and Ryan's Kitchen
Great World City
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#B1-144/146
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 67673393 (Ryan's Grocery) / +65 67670118 (Ryan's Kitchen)
Ryan's Grocery Facebook
Ryan's Kitchen Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Ryan's Grocery
Daily: 9am - 9pm
Ryan's Kitchen
Mon-Fri: 9am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]