We visited the Paik’s Coffee at Mapletree Business City, similar to their Tiong Bahru outlet, whereby a Paik Bibim is within the same premise. This outlet too has a consistent image with sunshine yellow.

Not only is the drinks huge and affordable, certainly tasted more than decent, Paik’s Coffee is not a takeaway concept but a cafe with seats.

Paik’s Coffee Korean Smoothies

The 3 Paik’s Coffee Korean Smoothies has interesting atypical flavours. Initially, we were skeptical about the taste of some flavours, however, they caught us by surprise. These smoothies are as either a meal replacement or healthier choice of drink.

From the lightest flavour among the 3 Paik’s Coffee Korean Smoothies is the Sweet Potato Smoothie 24oz ($5.50). Savour the creaminess filled with light sweet potato flavour. A popular Autumn / Winter slush in Korea.

Mitsugaru Smoothie 미숫가루 24oz ($5), a popular Summer-only drink in Korea. Made from Korean roasted grain powder comprises beans, nuts and mixture of healthful ingredients like barley, rice (glutinous and non-glutinous, black, brown, and white), millet, soybeans, and sesame seeds. A very healthy nutritious whole grains drink with high protein and is easy to digest. A highly aromatic drink with Japanese barley taste note with faintly grainy texture.

The Coconut Coffee Smoothie 14oz ($5.50) won thumb-up from all and it is the strongest flavour among the 3 smoothies. A good balance of both Coconut and Coffee flavour existed. In addition, Nata De Coco were added to provide some bite. Overall flavour note was rich, intense, bold and creamy cum nuttiness.Though all of us love it, NAHMJ thinks that you need to love both Coffee and Coconut to enjoy this Smoothie.

NAHMJ Verdict

Among the 3 Paik’s Coffee Korean Smoothies, the ranking from least to most favourite is Sweet Potato Smoothie, Misutgaru Smoothie and Coconut Coffee Smoothie.

Paik’s Coffee

@Mapletree Business City

40 Pasir Panjang Road, #02-39B, Mapletree Business City, Singapore 117440
Tel: +65 6255 0870

FB: https://www.facebook.com/paiks.coffeesg/

Opening Hours

Mondays – Frdays  0830 to 1915  |  Closed on Saturdays & Sundays

Getting There

By MRT:

• Circle line – Labrador Park station

By Bus:

• NOL building   51, 57, 61, 93, 97, 97e, 100, 120, 166, 175, 963, 963e

• PSA Building   10, 30, 30e, 51, 143, 175, 176, 188, 188e

Rating: 8/10

*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.

The post Paik’s Coffee Korean Smoothies, Launched Three New Flavours Available At All Three Outlets – Singapore appeared first on NAHMJ.

[It is now re-branded to Jin Ho Mia]

On top of the existing western lunch selections, the new Set Lunch Menu will offer another 8 Asian Rice Bowls and 4 Asian Pastas in Thai, Japanese, Korean and Chinese flavors, so you can have something different each time you dine here. The new lunch sets are priced affordably (from S$11.80++ to S$15.80++) and even comes with a complimentary beverage! Look out for them from Mondays to Fridays, 11am to 3pm!

Rice Bowl

I was initially skeptical about the Asian rice bowls because Atmosphere Bistro has placed itself as a Western Bistro specializing in pastas, pizzas and burgers. Fortunately, my worries were unfounded and I am happy to inform you that all the rice bowls (the ones I have tasted) are pretty well done. Apart from the taste, I also like that each rice bowl is a hearty balanced meal consisting of grains, vegetables, meat and a half boiled egg. While brown rice/quinoa is not used and the vegetables are even cooked in a little butter, these tasty rice bowls are probably still healthier than some meals out there. So you can indulge without feeling too guilty.

I tried five out of the eight rice bowls available- Japanese Curry Fish Cutlet Rice Bowl, Teriyaki Roasted Pork Rice Bowl, Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl, Sweet & Sour Chicken Rice Bowl and Tom Yum Pao Fan with Roasted Pork. And little did I expect that my favorites will be the Sweet & Sour Chicken Rice Bowl and Tom Yum Pao Fan with Roasted Pork because I don’t like my meats to be sweet and I prefer my rice to be dry rather than being drenched in sauces or soups.

If you like your rice with gravy, the Tom Yum Pao Fan with Roasted Pork (S$13.80++) is perfect for you. Like the Mui Fan (rice with gravy) we get at Zi Char stalls, this rice bowl is half submerged in a broth then topped with roasted pork and vegetables. It is worth noting that despite being immersed in a soup, the rice did not turn soggy. Thai food fans will be happy to know that the broth used is a delightful spicy, sweet and tangy Tom Yum clear soup. For me, the roast pork in this rice bowl is not impressive but I am ready to accept this average meat topping because the broth more than makes up for it.

Although the Sweet & Sour Chicken Rice Bowl (S$13.80++) didn’t really excite me when I saw it on the menu, I took a strong interest in it when it first arrived on my table; because the aroma coming from it was so good, I was so tempted to skip the pictures and just grab a bite! I am glad I resisted so I can show you what it looks like. Because the taste is as good as the smell, it will be a pity if I don’t have pictures of it! In fact, I think this is way better than our usual sweet and sour pork; first, chicken is more tender and juicy than pork and second, the batter used for this dish is thinner. But the star in this bowl is the addictive sweet and sour marinate, which manages to be flavorful without being overly sweet or tangy.

I like the taste of the Japanese Curry in the Japanese Curry Fish Cutlet Rice Bowl (S$13.80++) since it is not too sweet. The fried fish is crispy and delicious but I wish that the fish cutlet can be thicker so that I can taste more of the fish meat. For this rice bowl, the curry gravy is only served on top of the fish, which I don’t mind. However, most of my dining partners felt that there should be enough gravy for both rice and fish. If you feel the same, request for more gravy when ordering. By the way, I really like the super crunchy pickled carrots in this rice bowl.

I am normally not a bulgogi fan because I don’t like my meats to be sweet. But this Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl (S$15.80++) tastes good; rather than sweetness, the beef slices were serenaded by spicy pepper instead! But although the beef pieces are tender, there are many tendons on them, making them hard to chew. If you don’t like tendons or too much chewing, avoid this. One of my fellow diners loves tendons though and she specifically buys the cut of beef with tendons if she’s cooking at home.

Teriyaki Roasted Pork Rice Bowl (S$13.80++) is the one that I thought will be my favorite when I saw the menu. But it became my least favorite after I tasted all the rice bowls. The reason is that I don’t like the teriyaki sauce, which tastes one dimensional. In addition, I find the roast pork average because the pork crackling is not crispy enough. The meat is also slightly dry. Unlike the Tom Yum Pao Fan, which has a very nice broth that can make me overlook the shortcoming of the roast pork, this rice bowl has nothing else interesting going for it, except the vegetables. With that said, do note that one of my fellow diners actually like the roast pork, so much so that he asked if the roast pork is for sale separately.

Pasta

Just in case you prefer pasta to rice, Atmosphere Bistro also has 4 Asian pastas for you to choose from. I tried two pastas- Mentaiko Aglio Olio and Kimchi Aglio Olio. Personally, I think that Atmosphere Bistro is better at rice bowls than pastas.

The Mentaiko Aglio Olio (S$13.80++ for lunch set, usual S$17.80++) is one of the crowd favorites here. According to my fellow diner, he likes this for the ample mentaiko, which coats every strand of the spaghetti. For me, this is a little too salty. Also, I dislike this dish because there are no meats or vegetables.

The Kimchi Aglio Olio (S$11.80++) fared better for me as it has both kimchi and some minced meat. However, it is still lackluster compared to the rice bowls. I think pastas are best left to be Italian, unless it is chili crab pasta we are talking about!

NAHMJ Verdict

Despite being a western bistro, I am surprised that Atmosphere Bistro does very good Asian rice bowls; the Asian pastas didn’t really impress me enough though.

Atmosphere Bistro @ Alexandra Retail Centre

460 Alexandra Road, Alexandra Retail Centre #02-20, Singapore 119963
Tel: +65 6352 7725

Website: http://atmosphere-bistro.com.sg/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pg/atmospherebistro/

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday: 1100 to 2200 | Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 1100 to 2100

[Set Lunch is only available on Mondays – Fridays: 1100 to 1500]

Getting There

By MRT:

• Circle line – Labrador Park station

By Bus:

• NOL building   51, 57, 61, 93, 97, 97e, 100, 120, 166, 175, 963, 963e

• PSA Building   10, 30, 30e, 51, 143, 175, 176, 188, 188e

Rating: 7.5/10

*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.

Written by Denise Chua myfoodstory.sg.

The post Atmosphere Bistro At Alexandra Retail Centre Launches Asian Rice Bowls for Lunch – Labrador, Singapore (Re-branded) appeared first on NAHMJ.

In this year event, a total of 46 F&B brands curated 95 wholesome, healthier and yet delish dishes for the event. Among the 46 F&B establishment, 10 are heritage restaurant.

Each qualifying dish must contain 500 calories or less and/or at least 8% of wholegrains such as oatmeal, brown rice and wholemeal bread.  All dishes for the event were approved by certified HPB nutritionists. Diners could identify these HPB endorsed dishes with the ‘Healthier Choice’ label.

Some Highlights At Singapore Restaurant Month 2016

We have the honour the check out some of the F&B joints and their participating dishes of healthier choice.

UNA at One Rochester

1 Rochester Drive, Singapore 139212
Tel: +65 6773 0070 or 6773 0060

Website: http://una.sg/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/1RochesterGroup?fref=ts

Our first stop was UNA at One Rochester. We were surprised to find the Coca De Higos Y Foie Con Vermouth ($26++) as a dish with lower calories. It has as low as only 384.1 calories per serving. Furthermore, no additional sugar added, the sweetness comes purely from the Fig. Who would ever associate Foie Gras as healthier choice? But indeed, this delicacy is an healthier choice. Doubt no further.

An alternative dish, Cogollos Con Idiazabal Y Achoas Ahumadas with lower calories is also available. The total calories for this grilled spanish sucrine lettuce, Idiazabal cheese form, smoked anchovies and pomegranate is at 260 calories.

Earl Swensen

1 HarbourFront Walk #02-117 VivoCity Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6272 3306

Website: http://www.earleswensens.com.sg/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/EarleSwensens/?fref=ts

Second stop was at Earle Swensens, a popular household F&B brand whereby most Singaporean knows. And in fact must have ever patronised.

The only available healthier choice is the Baked Hoisin Cod Fish ($35.90++). Likewise, it is a lower calories dish with 470.2 calories per portion. Since the Cod Fish is baked with Hoisin sauce, result in a flavourful dish. Beside are also baby potato and shiitakae mushroom.

Soup Spoon Union

252 North Bridge Road, #B1-77/78 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6334 3220

Website: http://www.thesoupspoon.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/thesoupspoon/?fref=ts

HPB identified the Grilled Salmon with Cauliflower Rice ($15.80) as a dish with both lower calories and higher wholegrains. The dish comprises of cauliflower bites mixed with quinoa and beans, grilled salmon and black pepper sauce. We find there are room for improvement in this dish though. Some diners found it dry while other commented on the raw cauliflower.

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant

80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624
Tel: +65 6535 6006

Website: http://www.sichuandouhua.com/

Lastly, a dessert at Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant. Dessert are usually associated with high sugar and high fat content but the Double-boiled White Fungus in Pear Vessel ($15++) otherwise. The result of fungus coupled with refreshing pear after double-boiled is a refreshing and yet nourishing dessert. Diner could enjoy at ease since it consists of only 454.2 calories for the full portion. This is another lower calories dish.

NAHMJ Verdict

Finally, at NAHMJ, we understand the importance of healthy eating by choosing the healthier choice. With the same token, we also believe taste should not be compromised in the healthier dishes too. Lastly, the result of our taste test; we are glad that most didn’t.

Singapore Restaurant Month 2016

For more information regarding the Singapore Restaurant Month 2016, check the link below.

Website: http://www.singaporerestaurantmonth.com/
Official hashtag: #singaporerestaurantmonth, #singaporerestaurantmonth2016

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