It has been 3 years since I joined my current company. All things were good and of course, brand new experience in a different work culture and industry. Further broaden my horizons and dumping more into my knowledge bank.
As anyone who knows me too well (especially current and ex colleagues), I'm a solo lady during lunch since N years, unless special occasions like Christmas or Lunar New Year, if not I hardly lunch with my colleagues which they got so used to it. I love to roam around during lunch without anyone in toll so that within an hour, I'm done roaming and back at my desk. But then again, I'll be missing out on new food places and bonding with my colleagues. So I still go with them at times. Here are some of the places I have lunch with them, including company dinners and colleague's recommendations.
1. CHILLI PAN MEE (BATU ROAD)
22 CHINA STREET
SINGAPORE 049564
NEAREST MRT: TELOK AYER
[ASIAN CUISINE]
Was brought here when I first started work in my current company. This place is always packed during lunch hour (even on my 2nd visit). Managed to get a seat without long wait to enjoy a good pan mee. You can choose the spicy level or add more when served, with the chilli on each table. In the bowl, you get noodles cooked to springy texture, onsen egg, big crispy anchovies and minced meat. Mixed well with their chilli for that succulent, eggy and crispy taste. A 3 in 1 experience. Try spicing up like my colleagues do with spoonfuls of the chilli.
2. THE TACO BAR
39 PEKIN STREET #01-01
SINGAPORE 048769
NEAREST MRT: TELOK AYER
[MEXICAN CUISINE]
1st Christmas lunch of the year (2022) with the colleagues and we were in for some tacos and quesadilla in this skeleton/skull theme restaurant. Googled n understood that in Mexican culture, it represents Death and Rebirth and they have a culture holiday called Day of the Dead which the locals celebrate (if I'm wrong, blame Google). That explained those nice wall arts in the restaurant.
Their tacos were good but to go with the pan-seared fish was kind of salty even though it was fresh. The salsa helped a little in minimizing the saltiness though not really a good job. Nachos were very thin and nice with their sauce. Had their churros too but without dips which was a little disappointing and also it could be crispier. Much work needed there.
3. SUPPLY & DEMAND
8 RAFFLES AVENUE, #01-13 ANNEXE
ESPLANADE MALL SINGAPORE 039802
NEAREST MRT: ESPLANADE
[ITALIAN FUSION CUISINE]
Our Company's Christmas Dinner 2022 after a hiatus because of the pandemic. And on that day itself was Winter Solstice too. So each of us got a bowl of tang yuan from Mr Bean (they brought outside food oops...). I definitely loved Mr Bean's tang yuan, well-cooked with different fillings like peanuts, sesame and so on. To have it with ginger soup couldn't be better on this chilly evening.
We were seated at the right spot where we could see the beautiful skyscrapers of Singapore especially in Central Business District (CBD) and Marina Bay Sands. A display of our country as a financial center to the world, all in one place. The most well-loved sight of my country.
A wine and dine night with the management and colleagues from different departments. A drink drank drunk but joyous night although the food were mediocre. Except for their satays that were tender and succulent, served with thin keropok, tomatoes and the sauce of course. Mostly finger food (like canapes, calamari, cheese balls etc) and 2 mains. Loved the idea of sharing platters because we shared the fats (sharing is caring hehehe...).
4. KIYOSHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
75 AMOY STREET
SINGAPORE 069894
NEAREST MRT: TELOK AYER
[JAPANESE CUISINE]
The first thing we did after coming back from Lunar New Year break was planning a LO HEI lunch! Tossing for a good year ahead (and many more) with my colleagues. All thanks to my colleague for the search of this restaurant. Didn't expect roes in our Yusheng. Damn shiok! Despite having to order a 2-3 pax Yusheng, we were so full and we actually still ordered set meal each, thinking that we won't be too full. Wrong ya. Don't belittle the fullness Yusheng could give you. After mixing the Yusheng, it tasted good with a balance between limey and sweet taste plus fresh sashimi slices.
My Tempura Udon Set that came with a salad, fruits (watermelon were sweet), soup, pickles, sashimi (fresh salmon slices). The plate of tempura was crispy but the udon soup was quite normal. But I hardly seen udon looking like ramen (the thickness). Tell me I'm not the only one who had ramen-looking udon.
The restaurant was quite cosy with dim lights. My colleagues were saying they couldn't see the menu clearly. Lol... and those gozillas pictures made me laugh out loud. Chesty Gozillas. It did have that Japanese feel through those nice interior designs. Overall quite worth the price with that portion. Their staff were also helpful and friendly and recommended one of my colleague the must-try in their restaurant.
5. HE BREWS
30 CECIL STREET,
PRUDENTIAL TOWER
SINGAPORE 049712
NEAREST MRT: TELOK AYER/RAFFLES PLACE
[COFFEE STAND]
My colleague was raving about their Latte so how not to try, right? I'm into Latte now so wanna try all the Lattes from different coffee places. Their Hazelnut Latte was good and aromatic. Subtle sweet after-taste. Another colleague tried Caramel Latte and same verdict too. Must try if you are working in this area. Their payment method will be cash or Grab Pay. Closes at 4pm.
6. NANJING IMPRESSIONS
68 ORCHARD ROAD
#04-46 PLAZA SINGAPURA
SINGAPORE 238839
NEAREST MRT: DHOBY GHAUT
[CHINESE CUISINE]
Another Company's dinner and this time for Lunar New Year! Now I loved exploring new places for new dining experience. Honestly, if not for them I won't know the places mentioned above, including this one which is quite popular in China since 1994, according to my colleague. Their unique interior design of the last dynasty's courtyard house can be seen here.
I don't know exactly the name of each dish but based on the best of my knowledge, here are some of my favourites:
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| Lion Head Meatball |
Lion Head Meatball a must-try as it was so good. So soft and fresh that it brought some sweetness. Showed my dad and he said in his knowledge, it supposed to be dry cooked with sauce. Beats me. This version in light broth with some greens.
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| Braised Tofu and Bai Ye Tofu |
I loved braised tofu and bai ye tofu all in one. Protein filled dish and the tofu weren't mashed up when cooked. Perfect to go with a bowl of rice with that savoury sauce. Yumz.
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| Dry Stir Fry/Braised Beef |
Dry Fry Beef with garlic and chilli, in my opinion a must-try too. Hardly come across such tender beef without those tendons. Cut into small cubes making it easy on every bite.
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| Steamed Red Snapper |
A big red snapper that was fresh with tender fish meat, drizzled with the light savoury sauce. Very common dish but it was just so good.
And some other dishes served up too which were nice but still not as good as my favourites above:
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| 腊鸭腿 |
腊鸭腿 Waxed Duck Leg (I think I remember correctly) sliced thinly with every piece. A cold dish but dipped with the sauce on the side.
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| 咸水鸡/鸭 |
I forgot if this was Salt Water Chicken or Duck 咸水鸡/鸭 but never tried it so no verdict for the taste. A Nanjing Specialty.
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| Potstickers |
Potstickers were big and fried perfectly, cut halves when served up, with generous fillings and juicy too.
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| Shrimp Fried Rice |
A simple plate of shrimp fried rice without too much MSG. Like I mentioned earlier, mixing it with the braised sauce from the tofu dish was dope! I'm really a heavy taste bud food hunter.
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| Broccoli with Mushrooms and Scallops |
A simple dish with scallops, mushrooms and my favourite broccoli. I liked that the scallops ain't overcooked, if not it would be hard. A healthy dish which I would cook at home too.
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| Small Lobster |
This small lobster served cold but it was sweet, though not very fleshy but there were roes/eggs in it. I remember having it at my friend's place during Christmas many years back. She steamed it and it was equally good which you can taste the freshness (though frozen food).
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| Lo Hei a.k.a Yusheng with Abalone |
Not forgetting yusheng a.k.a lo hei for this New Year. My 2nd one this year. Not sure why some of my friends love Yusheng and can have them as much as they can on Lunar New Year. I just have it for heng heng (for luck) for the whole year and forward. Yes, toss the higher the better for a good year ahead for ourselves and the Company. The Company good, we good too (the pocket).
So that's all for this post. Gathered just some of them and I hope this year 2023, I can be more sociable to lunch with them for more exciting food places near our workplace or participate in our Company's event. Cheers.
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by writer except Company events. Not sponsored post.