PappaRich @ Suntec City Mall

The popular Malaysian restaurant, PappaRich has finally set foot on the shore of Singapore. Within a short period of time, PappaRich has opened 4 restaurants in Singapore at Star Vista, Marine Parade, Suntec City Mall and Westgate with a fifth restaurant to be opened in middle 2014 at OneKM Mall, Tanjong Katong. Now the well-loved Malaysian restaurant chain has planted its footprints around Singapore delivering their delicious and authentic Malaysian delights in a comfortable setting to Singapore diners. My first taste of PappaRich was at their very first oversea expansion in Melbourne and since then they have not looked back. expanding into Singapore, Brunei and China with outlets in Indonesia, India and the United States soon to open.

Hainanese Steamed Bread 4.2/5

The Hainanese Steamed Bread ($3.90) is served with PappaRich's freshly homemade kaya. The extremely soft steamed bread is made from a traditional recipe. The original maker behind the recipe of the bread came from Hainan province. He worked in Malaya for a British bakery in the 1930s before he setup his own bakery in 1946. We now can ensure these pillow soft steamed bread at PappaRich because they bought the bread factory so that they could make the bread exclusively for their customers. The steamed bread also goes very well with the Half Boiled Egg ($2.90) that is cooked in a special temperature controlled water bath, giving it a semi runny consistence.

Super Rich Combo 4.5/5

This is really value for money. Inspired by a trip to the East Coast of Malaysia to get a taste of the best Nasi Kandar, the founder created this super combo dish. The Super Rich Combo ($16.90) is served with aromatic premium basmati rice, fried chicken drumstick, braised beef, sweet & spicy squid, potato, hard boiled egg, lady finger, papadum and sambal. To ensure PappaRich serves only the best crispy fried chicken, they even gone all the way to specially hired a famed chef who is known for cooking a very popular crispy fried chicken to work for them, dedicated solely in making this delicious crispy fried chicken.

Char Kuay Teow 4/5

You may want to just stop by PappaRich if you are craving for a plate of Penang Char Kuay Teow. The Char Kuay Teow ($9.90) uses flat noodles directly imported from Ipoh weekly. Wok fried together with prawns, cockles and beansprouts, this delectable plate of wok fried flat noodles will definitely satisfied your craving.

Vegetarian Curry Mutton 4/5

Besides servicing delicious Malaysia delights, PappaRich also offers some vegetarian items on their menu such as the Nasi Lemak with Vegetarian Curry Mutton, Nasi Rich with Vegetarian Curry Mutton and Vegetarian Nasi Lemak. We got a bowl of the Vegetarian Curry Mutton ($5.90) which is beautiful cooked in a medley of spices. I never knew vegetarian dish can also tasted so good.

Assam Laksa 3.8/5

The Assam Laksa ($10.90) was probably the weakest link of the dinner. Served with thick rice noodles, Ikan Kembung, shredded pineapple, lettuce, red chilli, cucumber, onion, lemon grass, shrimp paste and mint leave in a fish based tamarind broth, it was missing that tangy shiokness.

Curry Laksa 4.2/5

If you do not enjoy the sourness of the assam laksa, I would recommend the more lemak Curry Laksa ($9.90). The mouth watering bowl of noodles in spicy coconut curry gravy comes with chicken, cockles, tofu puffs and foo chok. I had this in PappaRich Melbourne and I like the version in Singapore more because the gravy is more spicy.

Wan Tan Hor 4.8/5

This is definitely the surprise dish for the night that knocked me out of my chair. More commonly found in Zi Char stall, I didn't know PappaRich offers the Wan Tan Hor ($10.90) in the menu. Packed with wok hei flavour and covered in a delish egg gravy, this is one dish that I will come back for.

Chendol 4/5

Using freshly made chendol and gula melaka from Malacca, the Chendol ($3.90) is the perfect sweet ending for a delicious dinner.

The food at PappaRich definitely did not disappoint me. I am glad that they have managed to maintain their quality given that it is a chain restaurant with an ambitious expansion plan. They have also managed to keep the pricing very reasonable and affordable while not cutting back on the quantity. Given a choice, I would prefer to dine at PappaRich compared to another Malaysia brand that has also recently opened an outlet in Singapore.


PappaRich
Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard
#02-386
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 65323323
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PappaRichSg
Website: http://www.papparich.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Suntec City Mall. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Herbal Oasis (一盅汤) @ Neil Road

Just within less than a minute walking distance from Department of Caffine, is another totally different type of cafe opened by a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) Clinic, Ren Hai Clinic (仁海堂). The cafe, Herbal Oasis (一盅汤) is located on the 2nd level of the 2 storey shophouse with the TCM clinic on the first level. The cafe serves nourishing and healthy set lunches and teas in a cozy and relaxing environment.

Herbal Oasis (一盅汤) offers a valuable and healthy Set Lunch from $15 onwards that incorporated the benefits of traditional chinese medicine in the dishes. The set lunch comes with a choice of rice, soup and main, with a top up for $5 to complete the meal with a dessert and herbal tea.

Yam Rice 4.2/5 Walnut Brown Rice 3.5/5

Although there are 4 choices in the rice selections, only the Yam Rice ($4) and Walnut Brown Rice ($4) is available when I visited the cafe. Between the two, I preferred the more flavourful yam rice with chucks of yam with its low glycemic index that can help to control blood sugar. The walnut brown rice with raisins may not be as fragrant but comes with a delightful crunchy bite. The other 2 options available on the menu are Olive Rice and Pumpkin Rice.

Black Herbal Chicken Soup 4/5 Snow Pear with Fig Soup 4/5

There are 6 types of soups available on the menu which are Black Herbal Chicken Soup ($8), Snow Pear with Fig Soup ($6), Almond Aloe Vera Herbal Soup, Bitter Gourd Cooling Soup, Old Cucumber with Duck Soup and Qi Tonic Chicken Soup. We tried the black herbal chicken soup which is a booster for qi and blood that helps vitality and rejuvenation. The snow pear with fig soup and almond is good for those that has a troubled cough. The light and refreshing soup will help to nourish the lung and clear the phlegm.

Poached Spinach with Wolfberries 4/5

Luffa with Black Fungus Meatballs 4/5

Broccoli with Fish and Mushroom 4/5

Same as the soup menu, there are 6 choices for the main dishes. They have Asparagus with Black Fungus and Lily Bulbs, Broccoli with Fish & Mushrooms ($9), Celery with Walnut & Black Fungus, Fish with Danggui & Mushrooms, Luffa with Black Fungus Meatballs ($9) and Poached Spinach with Wolfberries ($7). If you noticed, every main dish comes with a green for a balanced diet. The seasoning is not very heavy but yet tasty. I am a person that needs my meat so if given a choice among the three dishes I tried, I would go for the Luffa with Black Fungus Meatballs or Broccoli with Fish & Mushrooms over the Poached Spinach with Wolfberries.

Afternoon Tea  Set

Too full for a proper meal? Herbal Oasis also offers a value for money Afternoon Tea Set ($7) that comes with a Herbal Tea and a Dessert. Beside the brew of the day, a range of health benefit teas are available on the menu such as the Nourishing and Claming Tea, Noble Tea for Rejuvenation, Clear Vision Tea and Complexion Enhancing Tea. Add on a dessert such as the Red Dates Muffin, Orange Muffin, Black Sesame Muffin with Lemon and Banana Walnut Cake to complete the afternoon tea.

Red Dates Muffin 4.2/5 and Black Sesame Muffin 3.5/5

Eating healthy does not mean that one has to eat bland and tasteless food. Ren Hai Clinic (仁海堂) with its traditional chinese medicine knowledge has specially created these nourishing and health benefit dishes that is not only delectable but promotes health living through natural means and daily lifestyles. My only disappointment and also my worry for the cafe is their menu. A lot of the items were not available during my visit. The menu is already small, further with limited items this deprived customers from the choices which they supposed to be entitled. Hopefully this is one off as the food is really not bad.


Herbal Oasis
27A Neil Road
Singapore 088817
Tel: +65 62218798
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herbaloasis
Website: http://renhai.com.sg/herbal-oasis.html
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 7pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk straight to Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right on Kreta Ayer Road and walk to the end. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]