Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant
100 Tras Street
#03-13 100AM Mall


Authentic North Vietnamese Dishes

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 6
Spent about SGD $34 per person.





Owned and operated by Vietnamese staff and chefs, Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant has attracted rave reviews for serving up tasty, authentic, and sometimes lesser known North Vietnamese / Hanoi dishes.

Beautifully decorated with imported Vietnamese artwork and traditional shaped lanterns, Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant exudes an elegant ambience. While interior lighting is dim, the furniture is comfortable and well spaced throughout. Artwork reflect slices of life, and even the staff are dressed in traditional costume.

Though staff are mostly Vietnamese, they can converse pretty well in English. Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant has a wide range of dishes on its menu, and staff are able to make recommendations on popular items. I find them to be quite helpful and proactive in offering assistance.

Prices at Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant are slightly high as compared to other Vietnamese restaurants, but the high quality of dishes produced justify the cost. Generally, I find dishes to be very tasty, made using very fresh ingredients. Because Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant focuses more on Hanoi style dishes, there is an abundant use of steaming or stir frying, along with lots of beef, vegetables, herbs, and seafood.





The interior is tastefully decorated without being over the top, but I dislike the dim lighting.

Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant Decor

Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant Painting

Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant Lanterns

Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant Hat

The Jasmine Tea here wasn't so good. Starting out sweet and fragrant, it gradually become more and more bitter as the tea leaves steeped in the water, becoming nearly undrinkable near the end without sugar. Would be better if we could extract the tea leaves from the teapot, rather than leaving the loose leaves within.

Jasmine Tea

The Grilled Chicken (SGD $12.90) is perfectly grilled, with a savoury crisp skin, but still juicy meat. I like that the chicken is thickly sliced, and very flavourful. Though the taste seems very similar to the kind of Honey Chicken Chop you get in Pasar Malams, I suspect they also use peanut oil for frying.

Grilled Chicken

The signature dish, and also the most expensive here, is the Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs (SGD $25.90). Also known as Cha Ca Hanoi, after the Hanoi restaurant where it was first invented. Featuring DIY fresh grilled fish marinated in turmeric, ginger, herbs, and fish sauce, then grilled on a skillet.

Fresh spring onions and more herbs are then added. Part entertainment and part meal, staff will prepare this dish for you, or you can opt to do it yourself! Finally, pair it with fresh rice vermicelli noodles, shrimp paste, and crunchy peanuts. Loved the overall taste and presentation of this dish, though I don't recall seeing it in Vietnam.

Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs 01

Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs 02

Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs 03

Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs 04

Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs 05

Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs 06

Hanoi Grilled Fish With Rice Vermicelli And Mixed Herbs 07

I would argue that the Pho Bo (SGD $9.90), or Vietnam Beef Noodle Soup, here is one of the best in Singapore! The signature Hanoi style Pho Bo consists of thick, flat rice vermicelli, in a huge bowl of flavourful, sweet, fragrant, and herby broth. The vegetables are very fresh, especially the herbs, spring onions, and crunchy bean sprouts. Best of all, the thinly sliced beef packs more flavour than it should, seeping into the already awesome broth. Highly recommended!

Pho Bo 01

Pho Bo 02

Pho Bo 03

The Los Leaf Rolls With Pork (SGD $12.90) are a meaty and juicy pork spring roll, wrapped in a Vietnam herb known as a Los Leaf instead of a batter. The leaf has a slight sourish bitterness that balances well with the sweetness of the juicy pork. Excellent, and highly recommended!

Los Leaf Rolls With Pork

I felt the weakest dish here was the Sugarcane Shrimp (SGD $13.90) appetizer. While the handmade shrimp rolled around a sugar cane was freshly made, the taste was somewhat muted, even after adding sauce.

Sugarcane Shrimp

Fatboy's The Burger Bar
187 Upper Thomson Road

465 Joo Chiat Road

122 Pasir Panjang Road

14 Scotts Road
#01-16A Far East Plaza

http://www.fatboys.sg/


Build Your Own Burgers With The Burger Grand Daddy

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 7
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $22 per person.


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Fatboy's The Burger Bar is among the first burger concept restaurants in Singapore, having first opened its doors in 2009. Known for their wide variety of ingredients and creative burger toppings, Fatboy's The Burger Bar is especially loved for their 'Create-Your-Own-Burger' concept. Sadly, most of their modern day competitors seem to have caught up, and even surpassed them, in terms of overall taste and quality of burgers.

Ambience at Fatboy's The Burger Bar is styled after the typical American diner, with white and black checkerboard patterns and garish, loud red for contrast. Walls are adorned with whimical artwork. Furniture is well laid out in a grid pattern, mostly featuring benches or bar stools. I dislike the dim interior lighting though, as well as the relatively open concept of the place, as high ambient temperatures make it rather warm at times.

Service at Fatboy's The Burger Bar is decent. Staff are young part-timers mostly, and while they are friendly and knowledgable on the menu, able to make recommendations or recite special offers, their service isn't that memorable or special. Functional service at best, could be a lot better.

Food at Fatboy's The Burger Bar focuses on American diner style food such as deep fried items, sandwiches, with the star item being burgers. With 3 types of burger buns, 5 types of meat patties, 20 types of toppings, and 10 types of sauces, there is nearly an endless combination of burgers you can create at Fatboy's The Burger Bar.

Alternatively, choose from one of the ready-made recipes on the menu. Prices at Fatboy's The Burger Bar are lower than most of their competitors, and very affordable. However, overall taste and quality is only slightly above average at best. Can you get tastier burgers elsewhere? Yes. Ultimately, I would probably only visit if I was nearby, and I certainly won't go out of my way just to dine here.


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The Jamaican Me Hungry (SGD $13) was probably the weakest burger I had here. Nowhere close to an authentic Jamaican dish, the jerk seasoned bacon stuffed pork patty actually manages to be low on flavour, and tasted slightly weird, tangy and sour but in an unpleasant way. And while I loved the sundried tomatoes and homemade fresh coleslaw with mayonnaise on a tasty sesame seed bun, the bacon strips were limp, and didn't add much to the dish. Skip.

Jamaican Me Hungry 01

Jamaican Me Hungry 02

Jamaican Me Hungry 03

There isn't a wide variety of beer here, but it's among the most affordable!

Beer Pure Blond

Beer Hoegaarden 01

Beer Hoegaarden 02

I quite like the Bolly Wooly (SGD $11), with its tasty and juicy lamb patty, homemade curry remoulade that has a slight spicy kick, and sweet mango chutney on a honey oat bun. With its tropical taste, this makes for a great summer burger.

Bolly Wooly 01

Bolly Wooly 02

Bolly Wooly 03

I loved the Swiss Shroom (SGD $13.80), featuring a juicy, tender, beef chuck patty, which isn't too tightly packed or dense. The sauteed shiitake mushrooms add a yummy burst of flavour, and the garlic aioli on a whole meal bun enhance the overall taste. The melted swiss cheese isn't really melted though, as this firm cheese just kind of blankets the burger rather than enveloping it.

Swiss Shroom 01

Swiss Shroom 02

Swiss Shroom 03

A house special, the home made Beer Battered Onion Rings (SGD $7.50) are excellent! Thickly sliced, fresh onions are battered in a savoury beer and herb batter, deep fried till crisp, then served with a homemade BBQ / barbecue sauce that is tangy and slightly sweet. Highly recommended!

Beer Battered Onion Rings

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Update Apr-2016: Returned to Fatboy's The Burger Bar after 2 years, and I find that the menu has been expanded! They now offer more options, and the food remains consistently decent in both taste, large portion size, and execution. The ambience and service at Fatboy's The Burger Bar has also largely remained the same, being passable.

They now offer Beer Guinness Draught Surger (SGD $14) on the menu, along with other new beverages! Tasting of malt and roast grains, this drink is bitter sweet in taste, with a long, smooth texture.

Beer Guinness Draught Surger (SGD $14)

The towering potential heart attack on a plate burger, The Yolo (SGD $17.50), is aptly named. Fluffy, soft sesame seed burger buns encase a thick, juicy, meaty beef patty (or pork or lamb), topped with fried sunny side up egg, fried spam luncheon meat, fried onion strings, 2 mozzarella cheese sticks, and a smoked chipotle sauce that has a wonderful fragrance and a smoky, savoury sweet taste. Incredibly unhealthy, yet so satisfiying!

The Yolo (SGD $17.50)

The Yolo

The Yolo

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Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries

Founded in 1966 by Mr. Lim Jit Siong and his wife Ms. Han Yew Lang, Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries is a born-and-bred Singaporean family business, known for their tasty and affordable Potato Chips, Assorted Nuts, and Dried Fruit snacks.

Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries is a closely knit family business, currently run by the 2nd and 3rd generations. The brand has consistently scored highly on taste of their products, as well as brand awareness.

Enjoyed by snack food lovers internationally, Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries focuses on "Goodness In Everything", constantly keeping up with the times, improving on their production methods, overall quality and taste of their Potato Chips, Assorted Nuts and Dried Fruit snacks, and packaging design. Find them at http://www.taisun.com.sg/.

Treatz Original

Treatz Lime & Black Pepper

Treatz Wasabi

UCA Cassava Chips Hot & Spicy

UCA Cassava Chips Grill Barbecue

Nuts Cocktail

Nuts Oriental Mix

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Artisan Boulangerie Co
118 Killiney Road

9 North Buona Vista Drive
#01-12 The Metropolis

12 Marina View
#01-02 Asia Square Tower 2

1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-23 Great World City

1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-163 VivoCity

http://artisanbakery.com.sg/


Excellent French Pastries & Bread

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $20 per person.


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Along with the wave of trendy cafes serving artisinal food, Artisan Boulangerie Co, more fondly known as ABC, has thrown its hat into the ring. Since July 2013, Artisan Boulangerie Co, fronted by master French baker Eran Mayer, has distinguished itself with their hand crafted, high quality breads and pastries, made using French flour imported from a traditional flour mill in Chartres, France.

Ambience at Artisan Boulangerie Co is decent, nothing particularly outstanding. Outlets are comfortable and rustic looking, mostly lit by natural lighting. Furniture is wooden themed, but packed quite closely together in the tight floor space. The biggest draw is their glass enclosed display case of pastries and shelves of bread, which both looks enticing and smells fantastic.

Service at Artisan Boulangerie Co is very good. Staff are knowledgable about their products, and can make good recommendations and offer insights on their menu. I also like that they take the time to speak to you individually, even though the place may be crowded.

Food at Artisan Boulangerie Co revolves around breads, pastries, desserts and sandwiches. Portions are nicely sized for individuals, and the higher than average prices reflect the use of quality imported ingredients and hand made skill. There's a rustic charm to their food, tasty, comforting and fulfilling, without being too showy. Don't visit Artisan Boulangerie Co for the presentation, visit for the substance!


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An attractive and open Shelf Of Bread draws the eye, and nearing it, the fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread wafts in the air.

Shelf Of Bread

The coffee here, Latte and Mocha, are pretty good. Strong, robust flavour, and the addition of an extra shot gives it a lot more strength and bitterness. The Water is so refreshing and thirst quenching! The Chai Latte is sweetly fragrant with the essence of cinnamon, and a delight to drink!

Latte

Mocha

Water

Chai Latte

They have an excellent range of French pastries, made fresh daily using traditional, classic France baking techniques. The patisserie doubles as decor, and the inviting display attracts potential customers. Pastries are generally tasty, in well sized portions, though prices differs greatly depending on what you order... some are cheap and affordable, others are expensive due to the use of premium ingredients. Examples include the Apple Turnover (SGD $4.80), the Bostock (SGD $6), the Paris-Brest (SGD $6), the Cinnamon Roll (SGD $3.50), the Pain Au Chocolat (SGD $3), the Kougloff (SGD $5.80), the Tart Caramel Pecan (SGD $6), the Tart Pear & Almonds (SGD $6), the Tart Lemon (SGD $6), the Tart Mixed Berries (SGD $8), the Tart Fruit (SGD $8), the Vanilla Flan (SGD $6), the Eclair Chocolate (SGD $4.50), the Tart Chocolate (SGD $7.50), and more. Choose wisely!

Apple Turnover

Bostock

Paris-Brest

Cinnamon Roll

Pain Au Chocolat

Kougloff 01

Kougloff 02

Tart Caramel Pecan

Tart Pear & Almonds

Tart Lemon

Tart Lemon Again

Tart Mixed Berries

Tart Fruit

Vanilla Flan

Eclair Chocolate

Tart Chocolate

Loved the lightness of the Bacon & Leek Quiche (SGD $6)! The taste of the smoky bacon comes through nicely, without being too salty or overpowering. The leek adds a touch of freshness, as do the accompanying mesclun salad.

Bacon & Leek Quiche

While the Roast Chicken Baguette (SGD $11) has good bread (duh), the actual execution of the sandwich is average at best. The redeeming quality is the use of sun-dried tomato paste, which adds a burst of flavour, but otherwise, the onions and chicken are rather one-note on their own. Decent sandwich at best.

Roast Chicken Baguette

Loved the White Chocolate Lava Cake (SGD $9)! Warm, with a brownie like texture and dense chocolate taste, the interior when cut oozes the white chocolate. Lovely, and sexy!

White Chocolate Lava Cake 01

White Chocolate Lava Cake 02

Love the range of fresh, hand made daily French, Swiss and German Bread. Popular items like the Baguette, Croissant, Sourdough, Pretzels, or Financiers tend to sell out quickly! The bakers churn out bread daily, making them fresh from scratch, using good quality imported French flour, and allowing the bread to rest for at least 12 hours.

Bread Baguette, Source

Bread Croissant, Source

Bread Sourdough, Source

Bread Pretzels, Source

Bread Financiers, Source

Loved the presentation of the NYC Breakfast / New York City Breakfast (SGD $18.50)! A thick, warm, soft bagel with smooth cream cheese sits beside a garden of fresh salad. Rosettes of salty, savoury salmon garnished with capers and onions complete the look. Portion is generous, and very filling!

NYC Breakfast 01

NYC Breakfast 02

Update Oct-2015: The Chocolate Banana Croissant (SGD $4.70) is a decent dessert pastry, and while I can taste the soft caramelised bananas over the chocolate and crisp, flaky pastry, I did think it was rather sweet.

Chocolate Banana Croissant

Update Oct-2015: The Egg Mayo Sandwich (SGD $7.50) is a tasty breakfast sandwich, with nicely creamy eggs, topped with greens on a toasted ciabatta bread. Pretty good, love that it's also rather filling! I like it with a healthy sprinkling of black pepper!

Egg Mayo Sandwich 01

Egg Mayo Sandwich 02

Update Dec-2015: Am pleasantly surprised by the improved menu at Artisan Boulangerie Co. The Pasta Linguine & Beef Meatballs (SGD $18) may hands-down beat other versions out there, even some from Italian restaurants! The reason is the home made freshness in this plate, everything, from the al-dente linguine noodle pasta, to the sweet and chunky tomato sauce, to the savoury and moist beef meat balls, is all hand made. Tasty, filling, and staright-forward pasta, executed well. Highly recommended!

Pasta Linguine & Beef Meatballs 01

Pasta Linguine & Beef Meatballs 02

Update Dec-2015: The healthy and light Red Rice Earth Bowl With Cage Free Egg (SGD $18) features a hearty blend of savoury, earthy red rice and grainy organic quinoa, topped with green lentils, bell peppers / capsicum, snow peas, 2 free range chicken eggs, and edamame. Lovely filling bowl, nutritious and clean. Good!

Red Rice Earth Bowl With Cage Free Egg 01

Red Rice Earth Bowl With Cage Free Egg 02

Update Dec-2015: The Spicy Peri-Peri Chicken (SGD $22) is more like a sambal belacan chicken, but it's still tasty! Hormone free grilled chicken breast, savoury but texture borders moist and dry, with a slightly firm touch, served over roasted potatoes, seasonal summer vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, snow peas, and cherry tomatoes). The home made chili sauce is fiery, lending a good amount of heat, but I'm thankful the burn fades moderately quickly. Decent, worth ordering!

Spicy Peri-Peri Chicken 01

Spicy Peri-Peri Chicken 02

Spicy Peri-Peri Chicken 03

Update Jun-2016: The ABC Big Breakfast (SGD $19) here is executed to a decent standard. The most outstanding item was the fluffy, creamy soft scrambled eggs, followed by the savoury salty, meaty pork chipolata sausages. The juicy cherry tomatoes, tender earthy sauteed wild button mushrooms, and smoky lean back bacon was decent. But the salad of arugula / wild rocket leaves, while fresh, had too much balsamic vinaigrette, making it overly sour bitter in taste.

ABC Big Breakfast (SGD $19)

ABC Big Breakfast

Update Jun-2016: The Design-It-Yourself Omelette (SGD $18) features a large, fluffy egg omelette, well seasoned with good savoury sweet flavour, stuffed with your choice of 3 ingredients! I choose to have ham, wild button mushrooms, and baby spinach leaves. Perfect comfort breakfast food!

Design-It-Yourself Omelette (SGD $18)

Design-It-Yourself Omelette

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