Wednesday 26 March 2014

[Shout Out] Launch of Japan's Number One Online Shopping Mall - RAKUTEN

Konnichiwa, Singapore!

Newly launched in Singapore, Rakuten brings the one-stop online shopping experience on all things Japan into Singapore!
Click on their web link to find out a wide range of Japanese products, http://www.rakuten.com.sg/


Look out for crazy sales and promotional items!


Browse with ease...
 
Calling all foodies, shopaholics and fans of Japanese products – look out for a giant shopping bag installation in the heart of Orchard Road.

To celebrate the launch of Rakuten – Japan’s number one online shopping mall – in Singapore, the e-commerce giant is bringing together the best of its Japanese and local merchants’ products in an experiential showcase at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza over three days, from March 28 – 30 (11am – 10pm daily).

Set against a larger-than-life Rakuten Shopping Bag installation, the event will give members of the public a taste of what Rakuten Singapore (www.rakuten.com.sg) has to offer – ranging from food, fashion, beauty, consumer electronics, household products, children’s toys and products, and much more.
Not to be missed: Japanese culinary demonstrations by some of Singapore’s best-loved celebrities!
Event name: Rakuten Super Bag
Date: March 28 – 30, 2014 (Friday – Sunday)
Time: 11am – 10pm daily
Venue: Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza
Admission: Free entry

Key event highlights:
·         Can our local celebrities rise up to the culinary test? Watch as Kuriya Fish Market’s chef guides them through a different Japanese-themed culinary demonstration each day
o    Mar 28, 6.30pm: Keagan Kang and Paul Foster
o    Mar 29, 5.30pm: Michelle Chia
o    Mar 30, 2.30pm: Wong Lilin
·         Showcase of more than 300 products from over 40 merchants
o    [Food] Merchant Kuriya Fish Market brings a gorgeous array of fresh fruit, premium seafood, sake and delectable sweets and snacks all the way from Japan
o    [Fashion] Check out the best of Japanese fashion from Rakuten Direct and more
o    [Home & living]: Consumer electronics, home furnishing and toys by merchants Parisilk, BLMG and Toys”R”US respectively

Rakuten reserves the right to amend the day’s programme.

Monday 10 March 2014

[Media Tasting] Ramen Kagetsu Arashi

With more and more ramen stores being introduced to us, this is one good ramen store not to be missed!

Just months ago, the famous, top ramen chain in Japan and over 290 outlets worldwide - Ramen Kagetsu Arashi "Kagetsu Ramen", opens business here in Singapore and within a short span of 6 months since its first opened, there are currently 3 outlets island-wide!

Established in 1992, Ramen Kagetsu Arashi takes pride in its dedication to serve quality ramen and its masterfully infused traditional and modern ramen flavours.

They are easily identified by their theme colours in black and orange with friendly, comfortable seating. I would say the seating capacity is of average so be there early (suggest before 7pm) if you are planning to have your dinner there or you may have to follow the queues..
 
Nicely arranged table setting on each table, with set of condiments and ice water. (Perfect ice water jar)


Well known for their signature add-ons, customers is free to enhance their ramen to suit each and every taste buds. Of these, there are four main add-ons which are highly recommended for a complete Kagetsu's experience;
     1. Freshly imported black pepper
     2. Kagetsu Ramen's secret recipe soy sauce, handed down through its many generations
     3. Special in-house seasoned chives made fresh daily (very appetising with a little spicy-ness)
     4. Freshly crushed garlic (hands-on experience with the unique garlic press tool)

Specially made in-house seasoned chives,
First time seeing this in a ramen store with a plate of garlic and tool served,
interesting idea!
 
   Their 2 newly launched exclusive items are a Must-try if you haven't;
        1. Ginjiro Ramen
        2. Itameshi dry curry rice



This is by far the best Dry Curry i have ever tasted! Probably because it doesn't taste like the usual Japanese Curry rice, kind of like a mix of western and chinese fried rice. The dry curry rice, at only sgd $12.90, includes a blend of spices (sweet with just a little spicy). The rice is slightly scorched to create a crispy texture and smoky aroma. Resting atop the rice is a wonderfully prepared egg, fragrant and cooked to perfection.

This dish is specially served with a crew preparing the mix of the rice on the spot!

  The Ginjiro Ramen at sgd $13.90, is a laborious dish where Pork bones are simmered over long hours till their natural sweetness can be extracted. Dried bonito, kelp and several other ingredients are then tossed in to achieve that flavoursome goodness. Highly addictive, this Kagetsu Ramen original is rich in collagen and a definite must-try.


Everything tasted just right in a bowl, broth is rich enough that my boyf and I feels that other add-ons is actually not necessary.
Texture of the ramen was good! Love their seaweed too!

Their Gyoza, sgd $6, is another in-house special! Encased in crispy pastry skin is juicy pork meat filling. The skin is specially imported from Japan and even after frying, it retains its crispiness and chewy texture (which explains why its thicker than what we usually had outside). We think that the Gyoza is best to have it with either Shoyu, Layu or Vinegar. Among these, i like the Layu most!


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KagetsuRamen

Store Locations:

Tampines 1
   10 Tampines Central 1, 
   #02-09/10, Tampines 1
   Singapore 539536
   Tel: +65 6854 0335
  Opening Hours: 11:30am - 10:00pm

The Star Vista
   1 Vista Exchange Green, #01-41
   Singapore 138617 (Buona Vista MRT)
   Tel: +65 6339 0335
   Opening Hours: 11:30am - 11:00pm (Fridays, Saturdays and eve of PH), 
                             11:30am - 10pm (Sundays to Thursdays)

The Cathay
   2 Handy Road,
   #B1-01/02/03, The Cathay
   Singapore 229233
   Tel: +65 6736 3055
   Opening Hours: 11:30am - 10:00pm

Saturday 1 March 2014

[Media Tasting] Weekend Brunch Special - MEDZS

Lovely weekends, everyone! I am back with new yummelicious food to share here!

I was first introduced to MEDZS at their first outlet at Orchard Central, Singapore and since then.. am loving it so much for its beautiful restaurant concept with wide varieties of great Mediterranean dishes. (Read my past post here.) Just the other day, i am here again for their brunch menu set!

2nd outlet at Millenia Walk with alfresco dining area,
MEDZS at Orchard Central and Millenia Walk houses over 100 labels of international & craft beers and great Mediterranean tapas like crispy pork belly, paprika chicken fritters, calamari fritters with aioli dip, and MORE! 
MEDZS prides itself on the open-kitchen concept where one can enjoy seeing the chefs at work, dishing up a piping hot seafood paella or grilling a line of gourmet kebabs. You can always ask our friendly servers for the recommendation of the day.
Customers enjoy a cashless electronic card system, which gives them the convenience of paying only at the end of the meal. There is also no service charge.

Apart from its usual outlets promotions, MEDZS came up with their latest creation, the brand new Weekend Brunch Menu, which will be available from Saturday, 22nd February 2014. This very special all-day Weekend Brunch Menu at MEDZS is a pastiche of authentic French, Spanish, Moroccan, Italian, Greek and Turkish cuisines. Diners will get to experience one of the largest range of brunch items, with crazily affordable prices from $12.90 to $14.90! Below pictures will show you why i find it so affordable.

There were two different set of menu which will be alternate on a weekly basis. So far, i have only tried their first set which i thought the dishes tasted really rich and nice! I believe the other set will definitely be as delicious too! =)

As there are a lot of different dishes in their menu, it will be possible for you getting a little lost especially so if you are new to the place.. Fret not, just look out for the Brunch Special notice board in front of each counter if you are planning to try out their new brunch menu too! Just like this,

Other usual items are still available, just adding more choices for you.. =)

Okay, so here are some of the items in their new weekend brunch menu;

1. Croque Monsieur or Le Jolly Monsieur

   A French connoisseur. Fluffy, thick toast with Ham, Cheese and Béchemel Sauce (White Sauce), pair with Bacon and Pork Bratwurst, and a cup of Scramble Egg at the side. This hearty dish melts in the mouth as i munch in. How can we not have Egg in a brunch menu right? Their Scramble Egg is super yummy with just the right amount of butter in it.. not too watery, not too dry. Everyone will love this dish for sure!

Look at that oh-so-good scramble egg! =D

2. Stacked Brunch Torte

   From Italy, layered Puff Pastry with Eggs, Ham, Mushroom, Spinach, Cheese and Bell Pepper along with Salad. Ingredients are well put together and the thickness seems just nice. The serving size isn't this small, there are actually two of this Puff Pastry in this dish which in fact, enough to fill one person's stomach!


3. Bouncy Benedict

   A MEDZS style item; Home-cured Salmon with Baked Tomato, Rosti Potato and English Muffin (at the bottom of the Egg Benedict) along with salad. Their Rosti Potato tastes really nice so does their salmon!

A closer look into the Egg Benedict when cut into halves, taste were pretty okay.

4. Toasty Tortilla

   From Spain, Chorizo and Brioche Toast with Scrambled Egg and warm Stewed Beans. Taste good with omelette-like texture. I love the way they present their dishes, each with different style.


5. Poseidon's Wrap

   From Greek, Wrap with Prawn, Fish, Squid, Tomato, Lettuce, Tzatziki and Greek Salad. A cup of Scrambled Egg as side.A healthy-looking meal, their wrap is done to the right texture and serving size and the ingredients are well put together. The Salad here is amazingly good! Love it!


6. Spicy Chicken Tagine

   A Morocco cuisine. Chicken with Tomatoes, Capsicum, Hard Boiled Egg and Potato Pancakes.
Its a rather huge portion and quite a heavy serving size for a brunch set, but since its a all-day brunch item.. consider having this for dinner, yes?! An appetising dish with spicy, sweet sauce. Kinda taste like a mix of Malay and Indian cuisine. Thumbs-up for its tender Chicken meat so soft i could just swallow it!


7. Egg-crowned Shakshouka

   Another Morocco dish. Lamb Kefta with Tomatoes, Eggs Tagine and Garlic Toast. Of similar sauce or gravy as the "Spicy Chicken Tagine", the lamb meat are presented in unique, meatball sizes. Love the eggs here!


8. A Berry Pancake Gala (Dessert)

   Fresh Berries, Summer Berries with Topping cream. ( Choice of Maple Syrup, Mango Sauce, Vanilla Sauce and Strawberry Sauce) A good match of berries and pancakes to end my meal! =D


In complement to the hearty range of brunch menu, the first 200 customers this month with purchase of every brunch item at each MEDZS outlet will receive a complimentary cup of premium coffee! =)

If you are not into coffee, there are wide varieties of other tasty drinks available as well.
Their fresh juices are one of the best choices to go with your meal!


Happy Dining!~


   Email: enquiry@medzs.com.sg

   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEDZS.SimplyMediterranean

Store Locations:

   MEDZS at Orchard Central
   181 Orchard Road #B2-01, 
   Singapore 238896
   Tel: +65 6238 9028

   MEDZS at Millenia Walk,
   9 Raffles Boulevard #01-46, 
  Singapore 039596
  Tel: +65 6337 7507