True Cost Singapore @ Suntec City - Quality Fare Priced At its “True Cost” Instead Of Usual Market/Restaurant Price

True Cost Singapore at Suntec City prides itself on offering quality dining at a fraction of the market price. You need only pay a relatively low cover charge ($5 for weekday lunch) and ($10 for weekend dinner) to experience good quality fare at a fraction of its market price. Each dish is tagged on the menu with its "True Cost" price and market prices.

Yellowtail Crudo 4.8/5

We started the meal with a few cold appetisers showing off their ingredients' freshness. The Yellowtail Crudo ($7.65 / Usual Market Price $24.00) had a firm flesh and a light flavour elevated with a citrusy but savoury dressing. I love how the olive tapenade and green chillies atop lent an extra bite and freshness.

Heh Marinated Scallop 4/5

Another well-loved dish is this plump Heh Marinated Scallop ($19.76 Usual/ Market Price $24.00) flavoured with fragrant chilli garlic, coriander and pink pepper that brought out the sweetness of the scallop. The pickled cucumber added an enjoyable crunch to these mouth-filling pieces of the scallop.

Salmon Truffle Crudo 4/5

Salmon Truffle Crudo ($10.50 / Usual Market Price $18.00) is a crowd-pleasing dish. The addition of fresh horseradish gave the salmon an edge that counters its richness.

Hummus With Kim Chi Cucumbers 4/5

Hummus With Kim Chi Cucumbers ($5.95 / Usual Market Price $14.00) was rich, creamy and wholesome, perfect with the flatbread served on the side.

Japanese Style Beef Tartare 3/5

Japanese Style Beef Tartare ($9 / Usual Market Price $23.00) was decent, but its creamy and tangy accompaniment overwhelmed its flavour.

Bone Marrow 3.5/5

Slathered with dried chilli oil, the Bone Marrow ($14.25 / Price In Other Restaurants $28.00) was full-flavoured, with a cheesy yoghurt sauce served on the side to cut its richness. A basket of bread instead of just a slice is probably more apt to clean the bones!

Grilled Eggplant With Miso 2.5/5

I had an excellent grilled eggplant with miso at Sens of Japan before, and that is just unforgettable. Unfortunately, this Grilled Eggplant With Miso ($6.65 / Price In Other Restaurants $14.00) paled in comparison with a confusing flavour profile and too many elements. The miso lacks flavour, and the presence of the pickled onions seems unnecessary.

Octopus With Potato Mousse 4/5

For mains, Octopus With Potato Mousse ($19.85 / Price In Other Restaurants $30.00) is a real gem at this price point. The octopus was grilled with the right amount of char and doneness. However, the potato mousse could have been less buttery as it got cloying after a while.

Beef Cheek With Pea Purée 2.5/5

The Beef Cheek With Pea Purée ($12.75 / Price In Other Restaurants $30.00) comes at a very attractive price point but was disappointingly dry. The curry-flavour puree was too sweet and intense, and the sauce didn't quite bring the elements together either.

Ceviche Mary 4/5

True Cost also keeps the tipples at affordable prices despite its location and gorgeous setting. We had a smokey and piquant Ceviche Mary ($11.30), a reimagination of the morning cocktail Bloody Mary, featuring a tomato mix blended with 12 handpicked secret ingredients.

Cover Charges
Mon - Thu: 11am - 3pm - $5
Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm - $10
Mon - Fri: 3pm - 5pm - FREE ENTRANCE
Fri: 5pm - 10pm - $15
Sat: $15
Sun: $10
PH: $15

I understand the restaurant currently is opened daily from 5pm to 11pm but it has planned to extend it opening hours in the future.

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.


True Cost Singapore
Suntec City
Sky Garden
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-302-303
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 88940615
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 11pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Yakiniku Kura @ Woodlands - Yakiniku In Coffeeshop Serves Affordable And Good Quality Yakiniku Set Menus

Situated within 785E Woodlands Rise Food Paradise coffeeshop is Yakiniku Kura, a Japanese Yakiniku Stall offering yakiniku sets, perfect for those looking for an affordable charcoal yakiniku experience in the North. While the coffeeshop setting might not be the most suitable for yakiniku, we managed to grab a seat outside, which is more ventilated.

They offer a wide variety of set menus to cater to solo diners and large groups, starting from $7.80. It includes Pork and Chicken Set ($7.80 for 150g), Karubi and Kata-Rosu Set with Beef Short Plate and Chunk Eye Roll ($10.80 for 120g), and Wagyu Beef Steak Set with authentic Wagyu Beef Striploin ($18.80 for 120g). All sets are served with rice, soup, and a side dish (usually kimchi) for a complete meal.

We opted for the Premium Beef Platter (from S$35.80 for small), which has generous servings of short plate, chuck eye roll, oyster blade, beef tongue, meltique striploin, and short rib. All platters are served with three dipping sauces — yakiniku sauce, sweet sauce and ponzu sauce.

We also had the Wagyu Beef Steak, a top-up of S$15 for 100g of premium wagyu, and the Hokkaido Snow Pork Belly Set (from S$9.80). The meats are superbly tender, with a distinct charcoal flavour from grilling over the charcoal fire.

While you're there, don't forget to try their most popular set menus like the "Shiok" Rib Set with Premium Beef Short Rib ($14.80 for 120g) and Marbling Beef Set with Meltique Beef Ribeye/Striploin ($13.80 for 120g).

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.


Yakiniku Kura
Blk 785E Woodlands Rise
#01-16
Singapore 735785
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Sembawang (NS Line), Admiralty (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 230pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sun: 230pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sembawang MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Sembawang MRT station. (Stop ID 58211). Take bus number 858. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Admiralty MRT staton. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Admiralty MRT station (Stop ID 46771). Take bus number 904. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to Woodlands Rise. Turn left, cut through the housing blocks and walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]