Guide To Food Along North East MRT Line

*** Click on the pictures to bring you to the website or facebook page of the featured cafe/restaurant

Hougang Station

Sod Cafe

A cafe in the heartland that serves both decent and affordable cafe food fare that would not burn a hole in your pocket:) 📍 : 51 Hougang Avenue 9 #01-03, Ci Yuan Community Centre 🚊: Alight at Hougang Station Exit C (16 min walk from mrt to restaurant). Alternatively, take bus 6N, 72, 72A, 109, 112 and stop at bus stop B64471 (1 min walk from bus stop to restaurant) 📷: Glazed Chicken Wings (priced $7.90), Pinky Snapper Fish & Chips (priced $13.80), Chicken Supreme (priced $9.50) and Sod Milk Tea with pearls (priced $4.50) 📝: The glazed wings were crispy on the edges and the meat was tender inside, except that the wings were more of sweet and savoury as they were glazed with orange and honey. I especially love the fish & chips as the snapper fillet meat was fresh and sweet, like it did not taste like those frozen fish fillet kinds. Besides, there were more fish meat instead of a lot tempura batter so definitely worth your money 👍🏽 Special mention to the homemade coleslaw that came with the fish which was good! The chicken from the chicken supreme was tender and went well with the special cheese and tomato sauce. The sod milk tea was a little different from the usual milk tea @ KOI/Gong Cha where there was a strong tea taste. The sod milk tea had more of a herbal tea taste which I guess it was because of the aspalathus linearis in their tea which contains a lot of important antioxidants that are good for our body and health:) Will be back again for their value for money cafe food + cozy ambience that is great for chilling out with friends!

Serangoon Station

1. Nunsongyee

Looks like the bingsu craze is not over yet! Korean Bingsu is a dessert that everyone is likely to love, and Nunsongyee is probably one of my favourites with its smooth and milky bingsu. 📍: 45 Burghley Drive #01-04 📷: Injeolmi Bingsu (priced $14.90) and Black Sesame Bingsu (priced $18.90) 🚊: Serangoon Station Exit B/E/F/G/H --> Take bus 317 from the Serangoon bus interchange. 📝: Nunsongyee is located within Burghley Lifestyle Hub, which has a colourful exterior and can be easily spotted from far. Its Injeolmi Toast (priced $8.90) was also a satisfying treat of crispy toast topped with bean powder and chewy rice cake in between. The black sesame bingsu was really fragrant with the black sesame and toasted almonds that gave the bingsu a crunchier texture. What I love is that there are toasted almonds within the layers of shaved ice so you would not be just eating ice only.

2. Arbite

Time for more cafe hopping adventures 🏃🏻🚗 📍: 66A Serangoon Garden Way (Above Guardian) 🚊: Serangoon Station Exit B/E/F/G/H --> take bus 315/317 & alight at Serangoon Garden Circus bus stop 📷: Salted Egg Yolk Fries (priced $8), Express Lunch-Sesame Chicken w honey ($9.90++), Mac & Cheese (priced $16), Flower Power - Elder Flower Specialty Drink (priced $5), Lychee & Mint Arbite Freeze (priced $8) 📝: The salted egg yolk fries was DA BOMB as they were fried with thick salted egg sauce & curry leaves, making the fries really fragrant, both salty & slightly sweet combi:) We love that the express lunch was pocket-friendly as it is served with a soup and drink as well for $9.90++ and what's good is that you can change your drink to other specialty drinks and just top up the difference:) The Mac & Cheese was a unique twist from the usual Mac & Cheese with herbed breadcrumbs on the top layer which added a crunchier and crispier texture to the dish. The specialty drinks by Arbite are worth trying to as they are really good to quench your thirst especially with the hot weather these days🌞

3. KOOKS Creamery

Does it have lava? ✔ Does it ooze out? ✔ Does it flows? ✔ All checked and you are all ready for your TGIF or weekend ice cream treat😝😜 📍: Blk 211 Serangoon Avenue 4 #01-02 🚊: Serangoon Station Exit E --> take bus 43/43M/70/70M and alight at bus stop no. 63361 (Opp Serangoon Swimming Complex). Alternatively, you can take a 10-15 min walk to there from the MRT station. 📷: Matcha Lava Set with Black Sesame Ice Cream (priced $8.50) and Kooks Signature Lava Set with Rum and Raisin Ice Cream (priced $8.50) 📝: Anything that flows seems to be the IN thing now hahaha so you definitely would want to try these molten cookies from Kooks Creamery that are freshly baked:) Do be prepared for some waiting time as the cookies have to be warmed up for your lava experience! The ice cream staff there would wait for you to get ready all your phones to capture that BAM moment when the ice cream falls onto the molten cookie and that thick lava oozes out and flows...Between the 2 ice cream flavours that I chose, I preferred the black sesame flavour more as it had a distinct and fragrant sesame taste while the rum and raisin was weak in the rum flavour. To those chocolate lovers, I highly recommend the Kooks Signature Lava Set as the chocolate lava had a rich chocolate taste. Being a matcha lover myself, I felt that the matcha lava could have a richer matcha taste if not all else were perfect to cool down in the sweltering heat and for those with sweet tooth😄

4. The Plain Jane

Not your average SWISS girl-next-door; I mean ROLL over here @ The Plain Jane🤘🏼 📍: 211 Serangoon Avenue 4, #01-10 🚊: Serangoon Station Exit E --> take bus 43/43M/70/70M and alight at bus stop no. 63361 (Opp Serangoon Swimming Complex). Alternatively, you can take a 10-15 min walk to there from the MRT station. 📷: The Not So Plain Swiss Roll - Thai Milk Tea (priced at $5.90) 📝: The Swiss roll was moist and had a distinct strong fragrant thai milk tea taste, making it one of my favourite places to go to get swiss rolls from:) Not to worry the swiss roll was not overly sweet and it would be perfect to order with a cup of tea or coffee:) Furthermore, the cafe's interior had a vintage touch to it, making it a perfect afternoon tea with your girlfriends or for a date 😏

Farrer Park Station

1. Seoul Jjimdak

JIO-ing all of you to Seoul Jjimdak as they will be having 51% off their braised chicken and army stew to celebrate National Day. So hurry down with your friends before the promotion (11.30am-3pm daily) ends at end August! Don't say we BO JIO😏 📍: City Square Mall #05-04 🚊: Farrer Park Station Exit H/I 📷: Budae Jjigae - Army Stew (original price $33.90, now $16.60++) 📝: The Army Stew comes with luncheon meat, pork belly, tofu, vegetables, baked beans, kimchi, sausages, mushroom, tteokbokki and ramyeon. Add-on options like cheese or extra portions of ingredients are also available! Their homemade kimchi stew was thick and had a relatively strong kimchi flavour. However, the kimchi stew was a little thick for our liking so we added water to dilute the stew which was more to our liking! The portion of the army stew was enough to feed 2-3 persons. What's best is if you order the army stew, rice and a drink of your choice will come with it so it's definitely value for money especially with the 51% promotion!

2. Non Entrée Desserts

Bringing your dessert level game up is Non Entree that serves desserts that are both visually appealing and taste delicious as well 📍: 204 Rangoon Road 🚊: Farrer Park Station Exit B 📷: Matcha Avalanche (priced $13.90) and Cherry Pop (priced $13.90) 📝: Hands-up all matcha lovers!! Matcha Avalanche is matcha green tea lava cake sitting on the crunchy almond nougatine. The lava then flows into the chocolate soil and roasted green tea gelato. The matcha lava was thick and had a strong and fragrant green tea flavour. The only regret was that the lava flowed in chunks and did not flow as smoothly as we thought it would be when we were cutting the lava cake. I especially loved the almond nougatine that went really well with the roasted green tea gelato. The Cherry Pop was an unique dessert where the spicy cherry sorbet caught me by surprise. The sorbet tasted cool and refreshing upon the first taste, leaving the end of the taste a little to the tangy side that leave you wanting more of the sorbet. Not to forget the cafe also has a pretty entrance that will get your inner Instagram-ness out 😏

Dhoby Ghaut Station

1. Curious Palette

Another cafe by Strangers' Reunion and it's definitely the place for food and deco instagrammers:) 📍 : 64 Prinsep Street 🚊: Dhoby Ghaut Station Exit A/E/F (Walk towards The Cathay, SOTA. Prinsep Street is opposite the PoMo shopping mall) 📷: Truffle Fries (priced $14.90), Soft Shell Crab burger (priced $22.50) and Berry Ricotta Hotcakes (priced $18.90) 📝: I love the homemade aioli dip that came with the truffle fries as it paired really well with the cheese and truffle fries. I got a little shock when I saw the soft shell crab was a mini whole crab. It was crispy and the best part of soft shell crab is that you can just pop it in your mouth without bothering much about the shells to spit out. The wasabi sauce and avocado tasted really good with the soft shell crab. Last but not least the highlight was the Berry Ricotta Hotcakes. The Hotcakes was fluffy and fragrant together with the fruits, lavender sugar crystals, lavender flowers and sunflower seeds! We recommend that you share the Hotcakes as its quite full on its own. Not to worry if u think the lavender sugar crystals are to make the Hotcakes more pretty and insta-worthy, rest assured it taste good as well:)

2. Seorae

Fans of DOTS (Descendants Of The Sun) would be excited to hear that they can meet their oppa, captain Yoo Si Jin and be in Kang Mo Yeon's shoes (Just a life-sized picture though HAHA). Their star item is the galmaegisal (pork skirt meat), which is juicy and tender when grilled nicely. Cheese can be ordered at an extra $2 to go with the grilled meat, however it does get burnt quickly when placed at the sides of the grill, so you have to be quick to get the perfect cheesy texture! 📍 : Plaza Singapura #02-01 🚊: Dhoby Ghaut Station Exit D 📷: Galmaegisal (priced $21.90) and Kimchi Fried Rice in bento box (not sure if it is still available) 📝: We ordered the galmaegisal and hangjeongsal (pork neck). The trick was to constantly flip the meat to prevent blackening (chao da). It came with free flow of egg, which was silky and tasted really nice when slightly burnt at the sides. However, the grill itself was really warm, and we could constantly feel the heat from just sitting across it. They do offer really good service, as different grills were provided for the two meats we ordered, and the staff can help you grill the meat if requested.

3. The Cup

Korean food that is served in food cups. They have a variety of food items that include stews such as Soft Tofu Jjigae. 📍: #01-05 PoMo Mall, 1 Selegie Road 🚊: Dhoby Ghaut Station Exit A 📷: Honey Chicken Rice (priced $7.90) 📝: The Honey Chicken Rice was really yummy, with its boneless chicken that was fried without tasting too oily, and the drizzle of honeyed sauce all over. The vegetables placed on top of the dish made me feel like really healthy, probably because the vegetables were really fresh and tasted rather raw. Overall, the portion might be a little small for some people, but it is perfect for small eaters!

4. Ajumma's

Here's an another place that offers Korean food at nett prices (without GST or service charge), with a homely setting together with Korean music playing softly in the background, right in town! 📍 : 2 Handy Road #B1-23 The Cathay 🚊: Dhoby Ghaut Station Exit A/E/F 📷: Army Base Stew (Budae Jjigae) (priced $13.90) 📝: What I liked was that the army base stew came in the serving for one, which worked out well because you can order more items to share. We ordered the army base stew and chicken bulgogi for two to share, and each came with four complimentary side dishes. The army base stew arrived bubbling at the surface, and had generous ingredients of sausage, spam, rice cake slices, kimchi, golden mushrooms, tofu etc., with instant ramyeon noodles, a slice of cheese and baked beans. It was not too spicy for a person who has low tolerance for spicy food like me, and the stew went really well with the various ingredients. I especially liked the chewy rice cake slices. Ajumma's also has other main dishes such as stews and rice sets, but their desserts are worth a try as well. The hotteok pancakes had a slightly sweet filling and the crispy skin was not too oily. Overall, Ajumma's offers yummy Korean food at prices that are not too damaging to the pocket.

5. Sweet Monster

Treat yourself to a sweet treat to make your days better. Here's another Korean dessert - Sweet Monster! 📍 : Plaza Singapura #B2-49 🚊: Dhoby Ghaut Station Exit D 📷: Caramel Popcorn Ice Cream (priced $6.80) 📝: The caramel popcorn definitely worked well with the vanilla soft serve. However, the popcorn is not your usual crunchy one, as it has a softer and more chewy texture to it. A good match with the vanilla soft serve, although it may not taste as well on its own. They do have other popcorn flavours such as cheese and strawberry available, so do try them if you are feeling adventurous! Sweet Monster also has another outlet at Bugis Junction.

6. Arteastiq

This elegant boutique tea house is the perfect place for u to chill and have an afternoon tea with your girlfriends and/or boyfriend. Other than food and drinks, you can also have an art jam session there. They have 2 outlets, one at Mandarin Gallery, currently the new outlet is as below. 📍: Plaza Singapura (New Wing) #03-70/72 🚊: Dhoby Ghaut Station Exit D/E 📷: Cold Lychee Tea (priced $11) 📝: You will be guaranteed spoilt for choice as Arteastiq has a wide range of teas to select from like fruit teas, ginger teas, English & floral teas, Chinese & Japanese teas and even dessert teas where most of the flavors are not found in cafes.

Clarke Quay Station

1. Ronin Cafe

A cosy cafe nestled in the vicinity of Clarke Quay, it is easy to miss its entrance, but it offers an ideal place to chill and enjoy a delightful meal if you manage to find it. Their sandwiches, such as Dirty Ronin, are worth a try too! 📍: 17 Hong Kong Street 🚊: Clarke Quay Station Exit E 📷: Iced Wicked (priced $7.50) - the Wicked is a minted mocha 📝: The Ronin is a hidden cafe. There is no signage showing its name but you can look out for the "17 HK ST" sign at the exterior of the cafe.

2. PUNCH

A minimalist cafe with natural sunlight and a pretty courtyard that you would want to call it your home (same team behind Ronin and The Plain) 📍: 32 North Canal Road 🚊: Clarke Quay Station Exit A 📷: Earl Grey Pancakes (priced $15), Poached Eggs with Mushrooms (priced $14), Pineapple Slushie (priced $8) and Brownie Biscuits - Salted Caramel (priced $5) 📝: The Earl Grey Pancakes were fluffy and soft with distinct fragrant earl grey taste. The pancakes went really well with the crunchy white chocolate macadamia nut crumble and the poached pear that was coated with chocolate. The Pineapple Slushie with mint, basil and coconut water proved to be a refreshing drink especially during the hot weather like these days. I especially love the herb butter that came with the sourdough:) A little disappointment was the brownie biscuit which I expected it to be the soft chewy type of cookie, the texture similar to that of a brownie but the brownie biscuit was a little dry.

3. Once Upon A Thyme

Once upon a time (thyme)...I found another place to satisfy my pasta cravings besides PastaMania🍝 📍: The Central B1-39/40 🚊: Clarke Quay Station Exit E 📷: Seafarer Cream Pasta - sautéed prawns, fish and squid with spaghetti in cream sauce (priced $8) 📝: A seafood cream-based pasta that gives generous servings of fish, prawns and squid for a price tag of 8 bucks 😄 I usually avoid seafood pastas because I'm not a fan of clams, mussels etc. But this one was really good! The cream sauce which had the faint taste of herbs went well with the springy spaghetti. I especially loved the fish which had the taste of the sauce infused in it, and the ingredients were all really fresh. My only complaint was that the squid and prawns simply tasted fresh and did not have any taste of the sauce 😅

4. Dulcet & Studio

Matcha lovers definitely cannot miss out on this matcha-y goodness that comes in the form of a cream puff! Not forgetting other Japanese desserts and dishes from Dulcet & Studio as well😏 📍: 117 River Valley Road Liang Court #01-41/42 🚊: Clarke Quay Station Exit E (Cross the bridge from The Central to Liang Court - around 5 to 10 minutes walk) 📷: Matcha Puff (priced $2.80), Matcha Roll (priced $4.80) and Kyoho Grape Chiffon (priced $7.40) 📝: For a price of $2.80, the matcha puff was definitely our top pick for its fragrant and crisp pastry shell and thick matcha-y cream within that was so addictive😋 Good news is that Dulcet & Studio has made its matcha puffs available for another month so hurry head down to get your hands on those cream puffs don't say we nvr Jio u😁 Dulcet & Studio definitely lived up to their name of being famous for their rolls👍🏽 The matcha roll was moist and had a rich and smooth matcha taste and was not overly sweet. Even though the Kyoho grape chiffon was slightly pricey, we really liked its light and fluffy texture, and the grape was authentic Kyoho-certified 😉

Chinatown Station

1. Chir Chir Fusion Chicken Factory

When you don't feel like eating fried food, here's a healthier alternative to Korean fried chicken! 📍: Chinatown Point #01-43 🚊: Chinatown Station Exit E 📷: Rosemary Chicken (roasted chicken seasoned in rosemary recipe; priced $29.90) 📝: The chicken meat was really tender and juicy, and in each bite I could taste the faint taste of herbs. Together with the salt-baked egg and baked potato topped with sour cream, the meatiness of the dish was balanced nicely. I felt that the salt-baked egg simply tasted like hard-boiled egg, but with a slightly crumply texture. There seems to be a new dish of honey butter chicken, which sounds rather appealing to me 😋 Chir Chir has other outlets at 313@Somerset and Bedok Point.

2. Lepark

A secret spot located at the rooftop of People's Park Complex. It may be tricky to get here (you have to walk 1 level up via the staircase from level 5), but the place makes for a good place to chill n just LEPAK. 📍: 1 Park Road, Level 6 People's Park Complex 🚊: Chinatown Station Exit C 📷: Milo Dinosaur Soft Serve (priced $8), Poached Chicken Sushi (priced $8) and Salted Egg Yolk Soft Shell Crab Sliders (priced $12) 📝: The Milo Dinosaur Soft Serve came with Froot Loops, Honey Stars, banana slices and a Khong Guan biscuit, topped with rainbow sprinkles. The dessert looked and tasted a lot like what we would have in our childhood, though $8 might be a little pricey for a reminiscence of childhood. What we liked more was the food: the Poached Chicken Sushi which was based on our local favourite chicken rice dish, and the Salted Egg Yolk Soft Shell Crab Sliders.

3. Mooks Thai Bistro Chinatown

Sawadeeka 🙏🏼 Here's another Thai food place that serves affordable & authentic Thai food✌🏼 📍: 35 Smith Street 🚊: Chinatown Station Exit A (~3-5 mins walk) 📷: Thai Lunch Express Set (priced $7.90++) top up $2 for Thai iced tea/lemongrass and $2 for Tom Yum Soup 📝: For the lunch express set, you can choose any of the 3 mains like Basil Chicken Rice/Pad Thai/Thai Seafood Fried Rice which comes with a soft drink. We chose our mains as Pad Thai which was a little more towards the sweet side. Otherwise for the portion, the lunch express set is definitely value for money to satisfy our Thai cravings👍🏽 The Tom Yum soup was refreshing as it was both slightly spicy and sour:) The Thai milk tea was thick and not overly sweet which tasted similar to the ones I drank in Bangkok!

4. Châteraisé

Japanese stuff are usually the go-to for yummy food...this Japanese pastry/sweets/desserts shop is no exception😋 📍: 133 New Bridge Road, Chinatown Point #01-40 🚊: Chinatown Station Exit E/G 📷: Brown syrup and soybean flour ice cream (priced $1.50) 📝: This was really value for money! At only $1.50, the milk/vanilla ice cream was smooth and creamy, and there was a considerably generous amount of thick, sweet brown syrup with lots of soybean flour (also known as kinako powder) dusted atop. The taste reminded me of the Korean injeolmi too; the only thing missing was the chewy mochi! It might get a little messy though with all the kinako powder which "flies" when you put your spoon into the cup😅 now if only their packaged cone ice cream was not soft and non-crunchy, ALL of their ice cream is super worth it🙌