Flavour Flings...


Flavour Flings is such a heartthrob, always creating interesting and delicious food. This halal-certified café in Hougang is back with an impressive Raclette-themed menu bound to tantalise your tastebuds. Cheese-lovers can expect a decent range of Raclette-inspired dishes at an affordable price. On top of that, Flavour Flings has also added a brand new dessert – Ice Cream Goreng with Raclette Cheese. This combination might sound absurd but I can guarantee that it works just fine. So, mark your calendar because the full Raclette menu will be out on the 1st of October 2017! It’s a Raclette party at Flavour Flings!

You are in for a cheesy treat! How can one ever resist the charm of melted Swiss raclette cheese? I can’t, for sure! Not a huge fan of cheese, but this was really worth a try!

Before the cheese party start, I need a dose of caffeine! Really like the flat white here, clean and smooth!

RacletteSant // $9.90
Flavour Flings was the first one that brought in the salted egg craze and they were really very popular for it. The croissant was crispy, but not too flaky, and hidden inside lies a thick & rich salted egg lava in it. Paired with the flavourful melted Swiss raclette cheese, the combination was legit deadly. It complemented the salted egg lava really well. Super addictive and seriously, one is not enough! A must-order!


This burger is not in the menu (but you can request it when you asks them for this or show them the photo!). I mean not everyone can take beef (religious purposes), and at Flavour Flings, you can swop it to chicken instead if you can’t take beef! Very flexible. The chicken was well-marinated, tender and very juicy. Again, it paired well with the raclette cheese. I mean what doesn’t right? Oh ya, the fries were really nice too – well-seasoned with paprika and it was very crispy.



Beef Steak & Raclette // $24.90
The steak was well-cooked (asked for medium-rare), and lightly seasoned. It was tender and juicy. It tasted equally good with or without the raclette cheese. The only complaint I have was the roasted potatoes. It was a little too tough for me (but some people may think otherwise). Other than that, this is a well-executed dish!



Ice Cream Goreng with Raclette Cheese // $13.90
This comes with or without raclette cheese, but I would highly recommend you getting the cheese one. It might sound absurd (Ice cream & Cheese? You must be kidding me!) but the combination works perfectly. You might be confused from the first bite, thinking about the texture and flavour but trust me, it later grows on you. The burger bun was soft and fluffy, had a similar resonance to that of the Chinese Ham Jin Peng, and it was generously stuffed with Chocolate Ice Cream. You have that sweet, savoury and cheesy in one bite! This has to be shared because the portion was big and very filling! Very interesting dessert!






Nearest Mrt Station: Kovan
Location: Blk 121 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1348, Singapore 530121
What To Order: Raclette-themed Menu
Café Rating: 3/5
Food Ratings: 8/10

Written by: Yong Wei Kai (Follow me on Instagram @yongweikai or @sgcafehopping)

Jin Ho Mia...

The latest hotpot sensation is in Singapore! Situated within ARC (Alexandra Retail Centre), Jin Ho Mia is a new restaurant that serves delicious and fuss-free rice bowls in the day (perfect for all office-goers), and appetizing hotpots at night (perfect for family/friends gathering). Since I didn’t get to try their rice bowls, I’ll be sharing with you the hotpots that I’ve tried. They offer Tok Kong Pot ($48.80) which features the colossal #JinHoMiaMonster (Alaskan Crab) accompanied with fresh and juicy Tiger Prawns and Flower Clams for the seafood-lovers, Ah Boy Pot ($33.80) for meat-lovers and Giam Pui Pot ($28.80) for the health-conscious crowd. It also comes with several interesting soup bases and my favourites were the Tom Yum, Tomato and Fish broth. So if you want to have a ‘seriously good life’ (direct translation from its name), you know where to go!

My tummy was definitely very satisfied after having the hotpots. It was extremely comforting. Seriously good life!!!! Just look at the Alaskan Crab and the noodle lifts! I'm getting hungry again!

Noh Hiang
The Noh Hiang was not too bad, with generous servings of fillings and was relatively flavourful. If it was a little bit crispier, it would have been perfect!

Chye Por
The Chye Poh was fragrant, salty but enjoyable. Egg was well-cooked, soft and fluffy.



Ah Boy Pot with Fish Broth
First of all, I’ve got to say the fish broth was sweet, flavourful and least fishy at all. It was so delicious that I think most of us were targeting the soup rather than eating the ingredients. My favourites were the assorted fish balls (always a sucker) and the roasted pork belly. The noodles were damn good with the broth. I like my noodles not so cooked, so that it has a crispy texture to it! Actually, the broth really goes well with anything!




Tok Kong Pot with Alaskan Crab & Tomato Broth
OMG! That was all of our reaction when this Tong Kong Pot was served onto our table! We were visually-shocked (in a good way), and had to let our cameras eat it first. Spent a good load 10 minutes capturing this beautiful hotpot. Tomato broth was not too sweet, and it actually paired well with the seafood ingredients without overpowering their freshness. Alaskan Crab was meaty and sweet. This is a MUST-TRY!





Nearest Mrt Station: Labrador Park
Location: #02-20 Alexandra Retail Centre, 460 Alexandra Rd, Singapore 119963
What To Order: Tong Kong Pot
Restaurant Rating: 3/5
Food Ratings: 8/10

Written by: Yong Wei Kai (Follow me on Instagram @yongweikai or @sgcafehopping)

Orchid Roast Fish...

Chinatown in Singapore is home to several different cuisines. You can find local delights, Si Chuan cuisine, Dong Bei (Northeastern Chinese) cuisine, Steamboat, Mookata and the list goes on. Adding to the list is Orchid Roast Fish – a two months old Chinese restaurant, also known for being Singapore’s first-ever 3D Holographic Projection restaurant that not only offers specialty roasted live fish but also crab and lobster hotpots with different bases and varying levels of spicy to suit your preferences.

Recently, they have rolled out an attractive promotion where you get to enjoy their Seafood Crab & Lobster Hotpot at $68 & $98 respectively. You should really check out this place with your family and remember to make a reservation via the Quandoo app, www.quandoo.com. It is so easy and convenient!

(Promotion) Seafood Crab & Lobster Hotpot // $68
Our eyes and mouth were wide open when they served this Seafood Crab & Lobster Hotpot onto our table. It was nicely presented (all the seafood are placed beautifully) and very aromatic. You can find fresh prawns, clams, scallops, baby lobsters and a crab in this $68 hotpot. My favourites were definitely the crab roe, meaty scallops and prawns. Even though it was heavily soaked with all the spices, it did not overpower/cover the freshness of the seafood. The base wasn’t very spicy initially, but it gets stronger towards the end. Has a subtle mala spice to it! Very enjoyable! When you finish all the seafood, you can also order other ingredients that you like and cook them in the broth. Highly recommended!


Since the base is so heavy, I would recommend getting some vegetables to neutralise the oiliness. You can order cabbage or even enoki mushrooms. 

(Promotion) Chinese Longsnout Catfish // $42
Since they are known for speciality roast fish, you can choose a variety of fishes with the base you want. I chose the Chinese Longsnout Fish because it has no longkang (drain)/ fishy smell and it has lesser bone. The staff also recommended us to go for the mild spice base because I can’t take very spicy food. Fish was really well-cooked, with the meat soft and melty. The base was also flavourful and it gets addictive with every bite.



Look at that huge chunk of meat from the fish! It is very sweet!


We were welcomed with their in-house nuts which I finished all. Preferred the caramelised popcorn-similar nuts (first picture).

They also serve in-house drinks such as winter melon and ice lemon teas. These two are my favourites!



As you can see, you are accompanied with 3D holographic projection of the wall! 

It is very easy to spot once you take exit A from Chinatown Mrt Station!





Nearest Mrt Station: Chinatown
Location: 68 Pagoda St, Singapore 059227
What To Order: Seafood Hotpot
Restaurant Rating: 4/5
Food Ratings: 8/10

Written by: Yong Wei Kai (Follow me on Instagram @yongweikai or @sgcafehopping)

Long Jiang Chinos...

Sometimes it’s really hard to organise a family gathering/reunion dinner, especially so if you have a huge family with different age groups. You have to take into account their dietary preferences, their choice of cuisine and the list goes on. The restaurant you choose may work for the older people in your family but it may not if you have younger kids, and vice versa. So, where can you find one that fits both?

Recently, I found a hidden gem in Yishun ORTO Park and it’s the perfect restaurant for a good family reunion dinner. Yes, I’m referring to the traditional Chinese restaurant, Long Jiang Chinos which offers an extensive range of classic Chinese dishes in a contemporary settings. Their new Instagram-worthy and appetising Seafood Hotpot is definitely suitable for the entire family, be it the young or the old. Also, I’ll be recommending some other signatures from Long Jiang Chinos that you might want to try. So, give them a call to reserve and treat your family to a sumptuous Chinese feast! P/s: the view at Long Jiang Chinos is amazing as well!

Seafood Hotpot // $128
The whole Soon Hock is simmered slowly under a bed of cabbage, ensuring that the fish will not be overcooked while you savour the soupy goodness of the hotpot. It also comes with live prawns, clams and squid, corn and enoki mushrooms. The broth was really flavourful and sweet (seafood fragrance and flavour), and it gets even more flavoursome as the broth continues to boil. Clams was fat and juicy and the squid was well-cooked (not too tough). Prawns were really fresh (very easy to remove the skin) and crunchy. Needless to say, the fish was so soft and melty, and I really liked the added garlic on top which enhanced the sweetness of the Soon Hock. The broth is really nice, and it goes very well with rice. I believe it will be a hit among the young and the old. A must-try! I’m definitely bringing my family for this!

Look at that amazing Seafood Hotpot! I’m salivating just looking at it again! Best way to bond with your family!

Baby Squids // $14
This was one of my favourite side dish at Long Jiang Chinos and I finished most of it alone. It was so addictive that I felt like I was under a spell by it. It was well-fried, crispy and flavourful. Damn good lah!

Crispy Fried Har Chou (8pcs) // $12
The Har Chou was really well-fried and the fillings were amazing. They were very generous with the fillings (you can see a huge piece of prawn inside as well as bits of chestnut). It was flavourful and not too oily. 2 thumbs up! 

Fish Skin with Salted Egg Yolk // $8.80
Take this away from me please because this is another highly addictive dish from Long Qiang Chinos. It was well-fried, soaked with Salted Egg flavour and very crispy. The subtle spiciness that kicks at the end is just too shiok! 

Stir Fried Fine Beans & Crispy Shredded Yam in Guangzhou Style // $14
The fried beans were really crunchy and it wasn’t too oily. It was flavourful but light and it paired well with the crispy shredded yam. Not too bad! The Lup Cheong added an extra sweetness to the savoury dish.

(New) Rojak Chicken // $16
The flavour was not too bad but I thought it could have been better if the flavour was a little stronger. Perhaps more crushed peanuts or even adding you tiao can make it even better. But I’ve got to say the chicken was well-marinated and tender. This dish is not in the menu yet but you can show them this post and request for it! Let me know if you like it!

Cheesy Crab Bee Hoon with Crab Roe // $44.80
This has to be eaten while it’s piping hot! The cheese flavour was surprisingly not too overpowering that it covers the sweetness of the crabs. Noodles were nice and yah, it’s slurping good! There’s two crabs here and I guess you guys can fight for the crab roe!





The restaurant is really spacious and has a very strong oriental vibe. There also have an outdoor bar area. Very atas-looking but actually very affordable!





Nearest Mrt Station: Khatib
Location: 81 Lorong Chencharu, #01-06/07 Orto Park, Singapore 769198
What To Order: Seafood Hotpot, Fish Skin, Baby Squid, and Crab Bee Hoon
Restaurant Rating: 4/5
Food Ratings: 8.5/10

Written by: Yong Wei Kai (Follow me on Instagram @yongweikai or @sgcafehopping)

Sugarhaus & Fat Belly...

Most of you might have already heard about Sugarhaus – A new dessert parlour known for their delicious in-house ice cream and exquisite pastries located near Botanic Gardens Mrt Station. Recently, they have expanded their store front by adding new flavours of ice cream and intricate plated desserts to their menu. On top of that, they will be introducing a brand new concept in the café – Fat Belly, a speakeasy-style steakhouse that offers alternate cuts of beef during the evening. In short, Sugarhaus & Fat Belly is a one-stop destination for good steaks and desserts. So, if you are looking for a place that offers both sweet and savoury food, here's the place to go!

Besides the well-executed steaks, Fat Belly also offers addictive sides at only $5. It's hard to choose a favourite because they were all very impressive. Simple but satisfying!

Creamed Kale // $5
Not a huge fan of kale (because of its flavour and texture) but there wasn’t any sign of it (except its physical form) in this dish. The cream sauce totally covered the taste of the kale and honestly, I’m not complaining. The sauce was kinda addictive and it wasn’t jelat. Shredded cheese on top further enhance the flavour and texture!

Guanciale Mac & Cheese // $5
This wasn’t as cheesy as what I imagined it to be but it was a good thing in the sense that you will never get too sick of it after a few bites. Mac was well-cooked, not too soggy or tough. Overall, this Mac & Cheese was relatively flavourful.

Salted Thyme Mushrooms // $5
Mushrooms were well-sautéed and has a really great texture. It was really addictive! Had to literally stop myself from finishing everything! 

Flat Iron // $22
The flat iron is for people who prefer lean meat on their beef. There wasn’t any single fats in the steak and it was well-marinated & well-cooked. Eat it while it’s hot because it gets a little tough when it has cool down.

Short Rib // $25
Personally, I preferred the Short Rib as compared to the Flat Iron. The Short Rib was fattier and juicier. I also liked how the fatty area adds an extra chewiness to the steak. Highly recommended!

Foie Gras // $13
The dessert combination totally works. Foie Gras ice cream was really strong (but not too overpowering), rich and creamy. Banana was well-caramelised as well!

Galaxy Tart // $8
I have always been very sceptical about pretty and colourful desserts, be it rainbow or galaxy-related pastries. Most of them are only photo-worthy but really cannot make it when it comes to the taste. The Galaxy Tart from Sugarhaus turns out otherwise. It has a strong chocolate flavour and the inner layer was really moist. 

Lemon Popsicle Tart // $8
Not a fan of sour stuff but this was alright. It wasn’t too sour and has a subtle lemon flavour. If you like sour desserts, you will probably like this! 

Waffles with Hisbicus Yogurt, Speculoos, Sea Salt Toffee and Dutch Chocolate
Nothing still beats having a classic waffle topped with your favourite ice cream. The waffle was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Personally, the Dutch Chocolate stood out the most for me. Rich and creamy but not so that you feel like you’re going to have a sore throat the next day. Perfect for the hot weather! 






Nearest Mrt Station: Botanic Gardens
Location: 10 Jln Serene, Singapore 258748
What To Order: Short Ribs, Waffles with Ice Cream, Creamed Kale and Galaxy Tart
Café Rating: 3.5/5
Food Ratings: 8/10

Written by: Yong Wei Kai (Follow me on Instagram @yongweikai or @sgcafehopping)

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Yong Wei Kai Founder of SgCafeHopping Promoting Singapore's food scene has always been my dream.

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