Sawa De' Kafe @ Chinatown - Offering both Traditional Thai Dishes And Fusion Plates

Sawa De'Kafe on Temple Street is a modern Thai bistro cafe that offers a delightful combination of well-loved Thai classics and fusion plates enriched with Thai flavours. The founders, Mr. David and his Thai wife from Chiang Rai, were former chefs during their time studying in Japan, where Japanese Western-style cafes are common and popular. Drawing inspiration from these fusion cafes, Mr David aims to offer diners a different way to enjoy Thai cuisine by creating Western-style dishes infused with Thai flavours alongside the classics, all within a cosy and comfortable environment. Overseeing the kitchen is his wife's ensuring the most authentic Thai flavours reach every table.

Mango Salad 4.8/5

Papaya Salad 4.8/5

I had the Papaya Salad ($7) and the Mango Salad ($7). Both dishes whetted my appetite with the utmost amount of peanuts and dried shrimp tossed into the shredded fruits, all brought to life with piquant Northern Thai-style sauce.

Kor Moo Yang 3.8/5

Kor Moo Yang ($15) features slices of grilled pork collar. While they weren't as tender as expected, they were quite delectable despite the visibly good amount of fats present, especially when paired with the dipping sauce.

Red Coconut Curry 5/5

Red Coconut Curry ($15) with Prawn is a dish that's impossible to discuss without salivating. It's robust and vibrant, packed with aromatics and spices. Staying true to its café concept, besides rice and glutinous rice, diners have the option to add on a Butter Croissant ($3.50) to soak up the irresistibly moreish curry. This pairing draws inspiration from the way we savour chilli crab with fried mantou.

Tom Yum Spaghetti 4/5

The menu offers a diverse range of pasta dishes infused with Thai flavours, including Green Curry, Red Curry Prawns, Basil Pork, and even Phad Thai with Spaghetti. I had the Tom Yum Spaghetti ($17). Brimming with seafood ingredients, the al dente spaghetti was zingy with a well-executed Tom Yum sauce. While most Tom Yum sauces out there tend to be relatively rich and creamy, the version here had a lighter consistency, which was much more elegant, and the heat level was just right. I particularly appreciate its bright and citrusy notes, which elevated the dish's overall taste.

Vegetarian Green Curry 3/5

Catering to the increasing demand for meatless options, most curries and pasta dishes have vegetarian alternatives. I opted for the Vegetarian Green Curry ($13), which included Konjac prawns, tofu, and brinjal. It's worth noting that a greater variety of vegetables would have been more complementary to the robust curry.

Ice Hale's Butterfly Pea Tea, Red Ruby, Green Tea Butterfly Pea Basque Cheesecake

Other than Thai desserts, there is also a range of cakes which one can enjoy with Thai beverages or coffees. Red Ruby with Jackfruit ($6) was rather average. I recommend the Green Tea Butterfly Pea Basque Cheesecake ($6), which is homemade by one of the couple's daughters and one of the best cheesecakes I have had for a long time. It was light and mildly sweet with a hint of lemony note, laced with an alluring tea fragrance. Its light bluish-green colour was aesthetically pleasing and tasted as elegant as it looked. Ice Hale's Butterfly Pea Tea ($6) was pretty with Thai pink milk, which was refreshing after all the spicy dishes.

High Tea sets are also available if you want to try more of their desserts and cakes. As Sawa De'Kafe is still relatively new, it will be adding more Western fusion dishes to the menu 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.


Sawa De'Kafe
30 Temple Street
#01-01
Singapore 058575
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed: 11am - 9pm
Fri-Sun: 11am - 930pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street. Turn right onto Trengganu Street. Walk down Trengganu Street and turn left onto Temple Street. Walk down Temple Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Ya Ge (雅阁) @ Orchid Hotel Singapore - Exquisite Weekend Dim Sum Brunch

Ya Ge Chinese Restaurant, nestled in the Orchid Hotel Singapore, has introduced an enticing culinary experience - the Exquisite Weekend Dim Sum Brunch. This brunch affair promises an array of premium, one-of-a-kind Chef's Specials, comprising meticulously crafted artisanal dim sum, hearty main courses, and delectable desserts. As a bonus, diners can savour these delicacies alongside unlimited servings of the restaurant's signature dishes.

Siew Mai, Fresh Scallop Dumpling, Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumpling 4.8/5

Kicking off our brunch adventure was a trio of exquisitely prepared dim sum: Siew Mai with Abalone in Abalone Sauce, Fresh Scallop Dumplings with a delightful Mentaiko Mayo twist, and Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumplings crowned with lobster and bathed in a rich seafood sauce, topped with delicate bonito flakes. These were no ordinary dim sum; each bite was a carefully orchestrated symphony of flavours that danced on the palate.

Double-boiled Shark's Fin Pomegranate Dumpling in Shark's Bone Cartilage Broth 4.5/5

One standout was the Double-boiled Shark's Fin Pomegranate Dumpling in Shark's Bone Cartilage Broth. It was like enjoying two culinary treasures in one dish – a luxurious dumpling encasing premium ingredients submerged in a deeply satisfying and gelatinous broth.

Garden Greens Rill 3.8/5, Gyoza 3.8/5, Deep-fried Gourd-shaped Puff 4.2/5, Shrimp Ball 4.2/5

The dim sum brunch continued with another quartet of dim sum delights: Garden Greens Rill with Black Garlic and Tea Tree Mushroom, Pan-fried Snow-flakes Kurobuta Pork Gyoza paired with Japanese Leek, Deep-fried Gourd-shaped Sea Cucumber and King Oyster Mushroom Puff, and the innovative Lava Mango Shrimp Ball. Among these, the Deep-fried Gourd-shaped puff filled with sea cucumber and king oyster mushrooms was a revelation. The interplay of textures, from the chewy puff to the crunchy filling, was a delightful contrast. Equally impressive was the Shrimp Ball, a creative twist on the classic dim sum featuring a mouthwatering combination of fried prawn and mango.

Crispy Noodles with King Prawn in Superior Broth 4/5

Braised Minced Meat in House's Special X.O. Sauce with Japanese Pearl Rice 3.5/5

Moving on to the main courses, we savoured Crispy Noodles with King Prawn in Superior Broth and Braised Minced Meat in the House's Special X.O. Sauce served with Japanese Pearl Rice. While these dishes provided comfort and satiety, they couldn't quite match the artistry of the dim sum that had preceded them.

Chilled Blueberry Yogurt Snow Ball Mochi 4.8/5, Steamed Red Dates Cake 4.2/5

The grand finale of the Chef's Special selection featured a tempting dessert duo - a chilled Blueberry Yogurt Snow Ball Mochi and a Steamed Red Dates Cake. However, the chilled Blueberry Yogurt Snow Ball Mochi truly stole the spotlight. It was my inaugural encounter with this Taiwanese sensation, and it left a lasting impression. The creamy filling, beautifully balanced with a stretchy mochi skin, offered a delightful contrast of sweetness and chewiness. It was a lovely discovery that concluded our dining experience on a high note.

Chilled Mango Sago Pomelo 4/5

For those with ample room in their stomachs, the unlimited signature selections offered even more culinary treasures, including Mini Pumpkin Pastries with Minced Chicken, Mushroom, and Thyme, Ugly Duckling with Chicken, Yam, and Mushroom, Golden Pumpkin Seafood Thick Broth, Braised Ma Po Tofu Sze Chuan-style, Sautéed Kurobuta Pork with Garlic Sauce, Chilled Mango Sago Pomelo, and Chilled Lemongrass Jelly with Aloe Vera to name just a few.

Chilled Lemongrass Jelly with Aloe Vera 4/5

Available every Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, this Exquisite Weekend Dim Sum Brunch is priced at $68 per adult and $48 per child (with a minimum of two adults per table). It offers two seating options from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. For those looking to elevate their experience, a $35 top-up grants unlimited pours of Le Contesse Prosecco Spumante DOC Treviso Brut, adding a touch of effervescent luxury to an already exceptional brunch affair.

Note: This is an invited tasting


Ya Ge (雅阁)
Orchid Hotel
1 Tras Link
Level 3
Singapore 078867
Tel: +65 68186831
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight towards Orchid Hotel. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]