SG Food on Foot Best Restaurants 2012

Goodbye 2012 and welcome 2013. A great thanks to all the readers, supporters, media friends and friends. 2012 has been a busy year for me and it was not easy maintaining the blog while at the same time striking a balance between my full time job and personal life.

Being a food blogger, many times friends and readers will ask me for recommendations or which is the best restaurant I have visited? Here is a wrap up of the restaurants in 2012 that I have visited and I find their food memorable. Since my blog is about food near the MRT stations, the 10 restaurants below (not in any order of merit) are selected as they are near to MRT stations too.

Without further a do, I present to you SG Food on Foot Top 10 Best Restaurants 2012.

STELLAR @ 1 ALTITUDE

Stellar @ 1 Altitude
One Raffles Place
1 Raffles Place
Level 62
Singapore 048616
Website: http://www.1-altitude.com/
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (NS Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 12am
Sat, Sun & PH: 6pm - 12am

Direction:
Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards One Raffles Place which is on the left. Journey time about 5 minutes.

CAFFE B

Caffe B
The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-15 & 01-83
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 68873311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caffeb.singapore
Website: http://www.caffeb.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Restaurant:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Bar:
Sun-Wed: 11am - 11pm
Thu-Sat & even of PH: 11am - till late

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station: Exit and walk towards The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Journey time about 5 minutes.

RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

Ruths Chris Steak House
Marina Mandarin Hotel
6 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 63369093
Website: http://www.ruthschris.com/
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Marina Mandarin Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes.

WOOLOOMOOLOO

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse
Swissotel the Stamford
2 Stamford Road
Level 3
Singapore 178882
Tel: +65 63380261
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WooloomoolooGroup
Website: http://www.wooloo-mooloo.com/
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Restaurant
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 11pm
Set Lunch
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm
Bar
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 1am
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 2am
Sun: 12pm - 12am
Bar Bites
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 12am
Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Swissotel the Stamford lift lobby. Take lift to level 3. Turn right to Wooloomooloo Steakhouse. Journey time about 5 minutes.

2) Alight at Esplanade. Take Exit G. Follow the underground walkway to Raffles City Shopping Centre. Proceed to level 3 and walk to Wooloomooloo Steakhouse. Journey time about 8 minutes.

GU MA JIA

Gu Ma Jia
Sennett Estate
45 Tai Thong Crescent
Singapore 347866
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sg.gumajia
Website: http://www.gumajia.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk along Upper Serangoon road towards the row of shophouses. Turn left into Tai Thong Crescent and walk to the end of the road. Journey time about 5 minutes.

MOUTH RESTAURANT

Mouth Restaurant (地茂馆)
China Square Central
South Bridge Court Shop House
22 Cross Street
#01-61
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 64385798
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mouth-Restaurant-%E5%9C%B0%E8%8C%82%E9%A6%86/213508241996944
Website: http://www.mouth.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Weekday: 1130am -3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Weekend & PH: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit E. Cut throught Chinatown Point and Hong Lim Complex. Cross South Bridge Road. Walk towards the stretch of shop houses along South Bridge Road. Journey time about 8 minutes.

MAJESTIC BAY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant
Gardens by the Bay
Flower Dome
18 Marina Gardens Drive
#01-10
Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 66046604
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MajesticBay
Website: http://www.majesticbay.sg
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line), Marina Bay (CC Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1145am - 230pm, 545pm - 930pm (last order)
Sat, Sun & PH: 1130am - 230pm, 545pm - 930pm (last order)

Direction:
1) Alight at Marina Bay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Marina Bay MRT station (Stop ID 03311). Take bus no. 400. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to vistor centre. Follow the sheltered walkway to flower dome direction. At the ticketing counters, take the escalator on the right side. Head down the escalator and the restaurant is on the left. Journey time about 20 minutes.

2) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit B. Follow the underground link way. Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge into Gardens by the bay. Turn left and keep walking straight cutting through the Malay Garden, Chinese Garden and Indian Garden towards the flower dome. At the ticketing counters, take the escalator on the right side. Head down the escalator and the restaurant is on the left. Journey time about 15 minutes.

RAMEN KEISUKE TORI KING

Ramen Kaisuke Tori King
Amara Hotel Shopping Mall
100AM
100 Tras Street
#03-15
Singapore 088539
Tel: +65 66046861
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeisukeTokyoSG
Website: http://www.grandcuisine.jp/keisuke/
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Gopeng Street and turn onto Tras Street. Walk to Amara Hotel Shopping Mall. Journey time 5 minutes.

2 FIFTEEN KITCHEN

2fifteen Kitchen
Rochester Mall
35 Rochester Drive
#02-15
Singapore 138639
Tel: +65 66598215
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2fifteenkitchen
Website: http://www.epicurean.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take exit A or C. Head south on North Buona Vista Road towards Rochester Park. At Rochester Mall, take the escalator to level 2 and walk to the end of the building facing Rochester Park. Journey time about 7 minutes.

JAPANESE DINING SUN

Japanese Dining SUN
Chijmes
30 Victoria Street
#02-01
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 63363166
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Japanese-Dining-SUN-Chijmes/112908922053939
Website: http://www.sundining.com.sg/sun-dining-chijmes.html
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch (Sun-Fri): 12pm - 3pm
Dinner (Mon-Sat): 630pm - 11pm
Sun & PH: 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across Raffles City Shopping Centre to Bras Basah Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, cross the road to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes.

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk southwards towards Victoria Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Road, cross the junction to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes.

Bornga @ The Star Vista

The brain child of celebrity Chef Jong Won Paik, Bornga is established in 2002 in Korea. Famed for numerous patented under his belt, Woo Samgyup is one of his original creations offered at Bornga. Bornga has 46 outlets internationally, including 33 in Korea and 13 across China, United States, Indonesia and now Singapore. Opened at Star Vista in November 2012, Bornga adds to the growing Korean BBQ-dinning scene in Singapore.

Ssamcheban

A long tray of fresh raw vegetables is served at Bornga when you dine you. I actually adore the idea instead of repeat request for refilling. Interesting fact that even the long tray is patented.

Like all Korean restaurants, side dishes are served.

Samgyupsal

Samgyupsal 4.2/5

If you noticed, the meat at Bornga is in its natural colour without any pre-marination causing the colour of the meat to be dark brown or black. Concerned about the appearance of Korean BBQ meats, Chef Paik created a new Korean style of BBQ while keeping the natural colour and taste of meats. The Samgyupsal or Grilled Pork Belly ($18) is chosen for the right proportion of fat and meat. Surprisingly the grilled pork belly tasted as good or even much better in its natural flavour without marination.

Woo Samgyup

Woo Samgyup 4.5/5

The star attraction and probably the reason for repeated customers is the Woo Samgyup or Thinly Sliced Beef with Bornga's Special Sauce ($22). Woo Samgyup is served shortly after being doused in a unique dressing that retains the meat's natural colour while enhancing the traditional bulgogi taste. The beautiful marbled meat was tender and juicy. In exact fact, it tasted better than bulgogi/galbi. I will definitely return for it again.

3 different types of dipping sauces are served at Bornga. Woo Samgyup sauce, Bean Paste sauce and Sesame Oil with Salt. The darker coloured one is the Woo Samgyup sauce, another of Chef Paik's patented creation.

Chadol Duejang Jjigae

Chadol Duejang Jjigae

Chadol Duejang Jjigae

Chadol Duejang Jjigae 4.2/5

Another signature at Bornga is the Chadol Duejang Jjigae ($16). The Korean beef stew made with rich soybean paste is reduced over a few minutes at table side over a table top stove. The stew is then poured over the rice, mixed and served like a bibimbap. Each mouthful of the rice coated with the beef stew was filled with wonderful flavours partying on the palate.

Jap Chae 3/5

The Jap Chae ($23) which is glass noodles stir fried with pork and vegetables. The silky glass noodles were nicely flavoured by the soy sauce but I felt it was a bit on the oily side.

Naengmyeon 4.2/5

Another favourite of mine in Korean cuisine is Naengmyeon ($15), buckwheat noodles with cold broth. The best method of eating cold noodles is to add some mustard and vinegar to it. The combinations of sour, sweet and spicy was very appetising and refreshing summer dish for the Singapore weather.

Kimchi Jjigae 4.2/5

Kimchi Jjigae ($15) is a hearty and comfort spicy stew with kimchi, pork, tofu and vegetables. Give me a pot of kimchi jjigae and a bowl of rice I will be content.

Haemul Pajeon 3.5/5

The Haemul Pajeon ($22), Korean pancake made with scallions and a variety of seafood. The egg batter, wheat flour and rice flour mixture was not too thick with a slight crisp on the surface. The haemul pajeon itself was a bit bland and it is best enjoyed with the dipping sauce.

Omija

At the end of dinner, diners at Bornga will be served a complimentary drink, Omija also known as 5 flavour tea. The refreshing drink with its sour, sweet and bitter taste is really ideal to cleanse the palate after all the BBQ meat.

Bornga is an ideal place for family and friend gathering. Like any other Korean BBQ restaurant, do expect to smell like BBQ meat yourself after meal.


Bornga
The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-24
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 66944696
Website: http://bornga.co.kr/bonga/index.asp?str_na=en
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take exit A or C. Follow the shelved walkway and walk to Star Vista. Journey time about 5 minutes.