Black Olive Bakery & Cafe @ Keong Saik Road - A Surprisingly Cosy Spot For Mediterranean Fare

Black Olive Bakery & Cafe is a cosy space nestled along Keong Saik Road, focusing in Mediterranean fare and handmade baked goods. The moment I stepped inside, its warm and inviting space offered a welcome respite from the buzz of the neighbourhood. The menu is versatile — equally suited for a quick stopover for sandwiches, pastries, and coffee or a more leisurely meal with complete courses and wine. All the breads and toasts on the menu are baked in-house by owner Suzanne, who brings years of experience from her time helming the baking departments of prestigious kitchens before settling into this venture.

Paprika Chicken Salad 4.5/5

I began with the Paprika Chicken Salad ($11.80) and Truffle Mushroom Soup ($6.80). I loved the addition of olives to the salad. Their briny tartness kept me going back for more. The sous-vide chicken breast was nicely cooked. It was tender and moist even when thinly sliced.

Truffle Mushroom Soup 2.8/5

The soup came with house-made truffle focaccia crouton, which, I enjoyed more than the soup itself. The truffle flavour in the soup was a tad too overwhelming for my liking.

Prawn Linguine 4/5

From the pasta selection, the Prawn Linguine ($19.80) carried more of a tropical vide. While coconut isn't typical in Mediterranean cuisine, it worked well here as a dairy-free alternative to creamy sauces. The spicy coconut cream was rich in aromatics, punctuated by bursts of sweetness from cherry tomatoes, and the fresh tiger prawns were well-seasoned. The linguine was al dente and held the sauce beautifully. That said, a squeeze of lime would have added a welcome lift to balance the richness.

Shakshuka 3.8/5

Moving on to the mains, I tried the Shakshuka ($15.90), which is available as part of their lunch set, along with the earlier salad. It's vegetarian-friendly (with the option to swap the egg for mushrooms), and the vegetable stew is slow-braised for around three hours. The result was tender bites of vegetables infused with herby, aromatic depth. I only wish the spice profile was a little bolder, and the egg could have been creamier. Overall, it was a comforting, anytime kind of dish.

Portuguese Pork Shoulder 4.8/5

The Portuguese Pork Shoulder ($18.90) was a highlight for me. Bold and full of character, the tender pork was rich with spices and chilli, balanced by a generous dollop of Greek yoghurt that added just the right amount of creaminess. The lemon cilantro rice was fluffy and fragrant, though I personally would have preferred a punchier hit of cilantro and a sturdier basmati grain to better stand up to the richness of the pork.

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.


Black Olive Bakery & Cafe
7 Keong Saik Road
Singapore
Tel: +65 69707568
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (DT, NE, TE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 10pm
Fri: 1130am - 11pm
Sat: 11am - 7pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight towards Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Keong Siak Road. Walk down Keong Siak Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Neil Road to Keong Saik Road. Turn right onto Keong Saik Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mintues. [Map]

Sampanman Kelong @ Jurong Point - Opens Second Outlet in The West with Free-Flow Chendol and Exclusive Dishes

Following its debut at Jewel Changi Airport, Sampanman Kelong has cast its nets westward with the opening of its second outlet at Jurong Point. This new branch offers several exclusive items, including free-flow Chendol and outlet-only dishes, while the flagship at Jewel has also undergone a recent menu refresh.

Grilled Shellfish Sampan 3/5

A highlight of our visit was the Grilled Shellfish Sampan ($39). It came in a vibrant, rustic presentation served atop a wooden boat. The dish features an enticing mix of flower clams, prawns, and scallops, all tossed in a sweet and mildly spicy kicap manis sauce that's rich, sticky, and thoroughly addictive. While the sauce elevated the seafood, the portion was underwhelming, both in terms of quality and quantity, especially for its price point.

Tingkat

To round out our meal, we added on the Tingkat set — available in 2-Tier ($14) or 3-Tier ($20) options. We chose the 3-Tier set, which allowed us to select one item each from the rice, vegetable, and meat categories for a satisfying and balanced meal.

Blue Pea Rice 4/5

From the rice options — which also include Jasmine White Rice and Egg Fried Rice — we went with the Blue Pea Rice. It was nicely steamed, lightly aromatic, and added a touch of visual appeal to the tingkat.

Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Leaves 3/5

For vegetables, we opted for the Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Leaves. While the greens were tender and well-cooked, the sambal leaned a little too sweet, lacking the fiery punch I had hoped for. Moreover, the vegetables were chopped into small pieces, which took away from the textural enjoyment. Other options include Stir-Fried French Beans and Spicy Egg Sambal.

Nanyang Chicken Curry 4.2/5

The Nanyang Chicken Curry was the standout among the tingkat selections. The chicken was succulent and tender, and the curry sauce was rich, lemak, and fragrant. It was a well-executed, comforting dish. Other available proteins include Berempah Fried Chicken and Fried Mid Wing.

Butter & Gula Melaka Toast 3/5

For something sweet, I went off the beaten track and tried the Butter & Gula Melaka Toast ($2.90). The toast had a lovely charred exterior with a soft, fluffy interior. Unfortunately, the gula melaka spread lacked the depth and smoky aroma typically associated with high-quality palm sugar. It leaned more towards one-dimensional sweetness, which made it less memorable.

Sampanman Kelong continues to offer a kampung-inspired seafood experience in the modern mall setting, with creative local twists and nostalgic presentations. While some dishes shine, particularly the Nanyang Chicken Curry and the addictive kicap manis sauce on the shellfish, there's room for improvement in terms of consistency and value. That said, the free-flow Chendol and hearty Tingkat sets offer diners something both fun and familiar in the West.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sampanman Kelong
Jurong Point
1 Jurong West Central 2
#01-16G/H/J
Singapore 648886
Tel: +65 83184863
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Nearest: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1. Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]