Un Yang Kor Dai @ South Bridge Road - Singapore’s First-ever Community Restaurant

Driven by the mission to give back to the local community, Un Yang Kor Dai was opened so that individuals from all backgrounds could showcase their love for food. To keep the spirit of Un Yang Kor Dai, which means “anything goes”, this Singapore venture at South Bridge Road is made possible by a group of friends who have various expertise and backgrounds. Back in Khao Yai, Thailand, Un Yang Kor Dai is the biggest community restaurant where both the young and old come together to share their culinary passion.

Thai Papaya Salad 3/5

On top of serving Thai cuisine, this 70-seater restaurant also serves Isaan (Northeastern Thai) cuisine which is what makes it unique. First, tuck into the refreshing Thai Papaya Salad, a popular Thai starter and also an appetiser that has it roots in Isaan. Also called Som Tam, expect crunchy leaves, cubed papaya, succulent prawns, and a kick of spice.

Crispy Spicy Minced Pork Sticks 3.5/5

A really interesting dish was the Crispy Spicy Minced Pork Sticks, which reminded me of spring rolls. It was so crisp with every bite. Served with a homemade sweet and sour sauce, this is a delightful snack to share amongst your friends or family.

Tom Yum Fresh Prawns 4/5

You would definitely expect this super popular dish to be served in a Thai restaurant. The Tom Yum Fresh Prawns (with coconut milk) is freshly prepared every day, and was so creamy and spicy. There was so much ingredients in it like fresh prawns, oyster mushrooms, lemongrass, tomatoes, etc. You could tell how much effort went into making this soup in one mouthful.

PenLaos Signature Grilled Chicken 4.5/5

The PenLaos Signature Grilled Chicken is made using a time-honoured recipe from Thailand. The meat of the spring chicken is marinated with a mix of fresh coriander and white peppercorn for 3 days, and served with a homemade spicy sauce. Even though this dish reminded me of our chinese zichar cuisine, it stood out with its flavours.

Grilled Pork Neck 3.5/5

Another dish you would expect from Thai restaurants is the Grilled Pork Neck. Marinated with a homemade marinate, the meat has a good amount of fat on it which made it so tasty. For a better experience, dip it with the Isaan spicy dipping sauce made with tamarind sauce, cilantro and chilli powder.

Deep-fried Whole Sea Bass 3.5/5

I loved how the Deep-fried Whole Sea Bass with Premium Fish Sauce & Mango Salad was filleted and fried, making it easier to eat. I recommend to have the fish with a scoop of mango salad as it was pretty bland on its own, but prepare for a kick of spice from the mango salad.

Stir-Fried Lobster with Salted Egg Sauce 4.5/5

Customising to Singaporeans taste buds, the Stir-Fried Lobster with Salted Egg Sauce used live lobster, making the meat so juicy and fresh. Drenched in a spicy and fragrant salted egg sauce, Singaporeans will love this dish.

Instead of plain white rice, Khao Niew Dum is used to accompany all these dishes. It is a common staple in Isaan culture which is glutinous brown rice, also known as sticky rice, and is served in a katip. Katip is a Thai basket, made with bamboo and palm, that is handcrafted by the children in Thailand and brought over to the outlet here.

Mango Sticky Rice 4.2/5

Of course, end of your meal with the Mango Sticky Rice and Thai Milk Tea Pudding here. I love mango sticky rice and the one served here definitely did not let me down. On the other hand, the pudding was so unique as it really held up to its name with the taste of fragrant thai milk tea in every bite.

Thai Milk Tea Pudding 4/5

Photos and words by Vanessa Chia. A girl who has a passion for taking photos. Determined to always get better at what I am doing. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Un Yang Kor Dai
57 South Bridge Road
#01-02
Singapore 058688
Tel: +65 67878575
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road using the overhead bridge. Turn left and walk down New Bridge Road. Turn left onto Hong Kong Street. Walk to the end of Hong Kong Street towards South Bridge Road. Cross the road at South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

HANS IM GLÜCK @ Republic Plaza - Fairy Tale-like German Burger Chain Opens 2nd Outlet In Singapore

With birch tree trunks stemming from floor to ceiling, the foresty ambience within HANS IM GLUCK at Republic Plaza might have you slightly fuzzled initially. While this might be your first time 'dining-in-the-woods', some might have already experienced this before when its first outlet opened in Orchard months ago. Combining gourmet burger concept with German draft beers, cocktail mixology and seasonal offerings, this double-storey flagship burgergrill is HANS IM GLUCK's latest outlet in the CBD. Originated from Munich, it specialises not just in beef and chicken but vegan and vegetarian as well. All the sauces used are vegan and on each table, there is a Allergen booklet which you can refer to. That probably makes it the most thoughtful burger place ever.

Geissbock 3.5/5

Alsdann 3/5

The burger patties here are made using 100% premium grain-fed beef, balanced with 20% fats. What can be a little disappointing is that although they belong to the Gourmet Burger category, all patties adhered to a well-done standard, which I find them somewhat dry and too flat, almost like a sandwich. That said, the variety of interesting combination makes up for it, such as pairing the patty with grilled pear, mild blue cheese sauce and walnut Alsdann ($17), or feta cheese, bacon and fig jam Geissbock ($17). In fact, most of them sound really yummy to me, especially the sharp, gooey, savoury and sweet combination. I prefer Geissbock to the latter, as it offers a lot more dimensions in terms of flavors. Alsdann falls short a little as I was expecting the grilled pear to be a lot sweeter to be up against the blue cheese but it turned out to be rather bland.

Klassik 3.5/5

All burgers can be double up with an extra patty at $4, and each come with a choice of a sourdough bun, multigrain bun or naked. What I appreciate is how the buns remain fluffy and pleasingly dry, unlike some which are be really soggy and greasy with butter. If you are having yours naked, perhaps it's good ask for less dressing as mine was soaked in sauce. Well, if everything is too much, just head for the mother of all burgers Klassik ($14)!

Fabelhafter 3/5

I had my first ever vegan burger Fabelhafter - Wheat patty with avocado cream, orange-mustard sauce & herby garden salad. Though i'm still skeptical about vegan alternative, especially on how it attains that meaty texture, the tender and nicely seasoned wheat patty lifted that thought away for a while.

The lunch specials here are quite worthwhile, considering the top up of $5 gets you a free side, coffee or tea, and a thirst quencher. The chunky 1 pfund Fritten - One pound of hans im glück steak fries and crusty Ringelrein - Beer-battered onion rings leave quite an impression, but their 1 pfund Susskartoffel Fritten - One pound of sweet potato fries is really what I will crave for. Each strip is sweet and starchy, with lovely crisp edges. Their version of Krautknolle (traditional german white cabbage salad) is more refreshing than the usual, with its crunchy chopped cabbage and potato dressing.

For the evening crowd, top up $15 to get a side order and a cocktail. My citrusy Lebemann (Bourbon, apricot brandy, pineapple, passion fruit, lemon & sugar) was great with all the meats and fried food. If that's too sweet for you, German Draft Beers are always available.

Do take some time to read the Hans im Gluck fairy tale in the menu. It talks about being present in the moment, like how you should enjoy the food! Spot the animals and other forest elements, and observe how the synchronized lighting that mimics the changes from day to night when you visit at different hours of the day.

Tuesdays at Hans Im Gluck is ladies night promotion exclusive to the raffles place outlet entitles all ladies to free-flow cocktails from 530pm to 8pm.

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.


HANS IM GLUCK
Republic Plaza
9 Raffles Place
Singapore 048619
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 12 mignight
Fri-Sun: 11am - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]