Sinpopo Brand Cafe
458 Joo Chiat Road


Nostalgic Cafe With Decadent Desserts

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 9
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 6
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $14 per person.


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What's in a name? Plenty, if the name is Sinpopo, a notoriously sleazy 1960s night club along Joo Chiat. Although it closed in the 80s, the name has been resurrected and given a squeaky clean makeover with Sinpopo Brand Cafe, a retro cool cafe styled after a 1970s coffee shop. With decor, food, and desserts that have been painstakingly researched and recreated by the people behind Awfully Chocolate, Sinpopo Brand Cafe evokes memories of days past, and is a draw for both young and old alike.

The 1970s nostalgia ambience at Sinpopo Brand Cafe begins with its reto signage and 1970s Sharp brand sliding door television. Retro posters created by in-house designers adorn the walls, old vinyl records and other antiques like a rotary dial telephone are placed around the interior, and even the floor tiles, authentic 1970s doors, enamel and metal cutlery were sourced. The curated items even include period Chinese music which plays in the background! The only sign of modernity... air conditioning which keeps the place cool!

Service at Sinpopo Brand Cafe is semi self-service. Refer to the old-school exercise books for the menu, check off the items you want on a small paper menu chit with a 2B pencil, place orders and make payment at the cashier counter, styled to look like a coffee shop drink stall. The upbeat and friendly staff will serve orders to your table when ready... which is quite fast even during peak periods. Good! But don't expect too much conversation from staff, though they can make recommendations.

Half the menu at Sinpopo Brand Cafe focuses on retro, classic Singaporean food, the other half features classic Singaporean desserts, given a modern twist. I feel the desserts stand out more, because Sinpopo Brand Cafe has taken creative liberties with classic desserts, giving some a surprising twist, or showcasing it in different ways. Their desserts tend towards the sweeter side though. The food is generally tasty and hearty, but with some hits and some misses.

Portions at Sinpopo Brand Cafe are generally quite large, and more then sufficient for one person, although I recommend sharing their dishes. Prices at Sinpopo Brand Cafe are cafe-esque, costing an average of SGD $9 or so per main dish, and SGD $6 or so per dessert. This tends to polarize people, some love the high quality and creative food / desserts, while others complain they can get cheaper versions from elsewhere. Personally, I feel the price is rather justified for the quality of food and the ambience.


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The retro-cool decor is surprisingly comfortable and clean, giving a chill, relaxing vibe. Perfect for groups, couples, or lone diners!

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Exterior

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Interior

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Cashier

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Seating

Antiques from a bygone era, were painstakingly source and curated. The fantastic ambience here attracts an eclectic mix of families, elderly couples, students, hipsters, affluent office workers, tourists, and even beggers! (One actually came into the shop to ask for money)

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Television

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Contact

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Tins

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Posters

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Menu 01

Sinpopo Brand Cafe Menu 02

The Fried Chicken Wings were extremely good, with a tasty, flavouful batter that seems to be seasoned with Chinese 5-spice powder. The chicken meat within is tender and still moist, not dry, and best of all, not oily! Love the satisfying crunch of the batter!

Fried Chicken Wings

The Sambal Fishballs (SGD $5.90) were a bit of a let down for me. The fishballs were properly cooked and still had that bouncy, springy texture. The sambal though, was actually not spicy at all, being more savoury instead, from the usage of anchovies and onions. Found myself wondering why people would want to takeaway bottles of non-spicy sambal.

Sambal Fishballs

The Sng Muay Pop (SGD $3.90) is a refreshing fizzy soda drink made with Sprite, fresh calamansi, and sour plum ice balls which melt to release the slightly sour, tangy flavour into the sweet and sour drink. Loved it!

Sng Muay Pop

The Chin Chow With Attap Chee (SGD $4.90) has chunks of cooling chin chow grass jelly, over a bowl of finely shaved ice. The attap chee / attap seeds are perfectly cooked and soft, lovely to eat. But perhaps the most surprising twist was the addition of lychee jelly balls, which pop in the mouth to release a delicious, fruity burst of flavour which coats everything in its sweetness. Excellent!

Chin Chow With Attap Chee

The Gula Melaka Soft Jelly (SGD $4.90) features gula melaka palm sugar jelly, also known as dodol, cooked till silky soft and smooth, almost like soy beancurd smooth! The addition of coconut milk help to cut through the sweetness of this dessert, but I recommend sharing, because the portion is a lot for 1 person!

Gula Melaka Soft Jelly

The Chendol (SGD $3.90) is done in the Singaporean style, with chendol jelly, red beans, coconut milk, and gula melaka palm sugar syrup over shaved ice. Cooling and refreshing, albeit a little on the sweet side, which lingers in the mouth.

Chendol

Reserve a table now @ Sinpopo Brand Cafe

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Barraka Bar Tasting Session
11 Unity Street
#01-18 Robertson Quay

Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 5pm - 1am, Sat - Sun: 12pm - 1am


http://www.barraka.com.sg/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from OpenRice, NightDoWhat, and Amie Hu.

Several photographs taken with Nikon Coolpix P340, sponsored by Nikon Singapore.


Wide Range Of Fresh Spanish Tapas & Cocktails

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 7
Value for Money: 8
Budget about SGD $25 ++ per person.





Barraka Bar is a hip, modern bar serving authentic Spanish tapas and sharing plates, also known for their house speciality Sangria cocktails. Co-owner Dragan is extremely proud of his chef, who hails from San Sebastián, bringing influences from Basque, Madrid, and Barcelona in Spain.

Ambience at Barraka Bar is casual yet modern, with seating layout in communal style, as befitting its sharing plates theme. Furniture is relatively comfortable, though I find the cushions tend to sink in slightly. Clean lines throughout, with bright spotlights creating a pattern of light and shadow. A brick wall with Guy Fawkes masks and the Barraka Bar signage fronts one wall, opposite the large bar with televisions screening live sporting events.

Barraka Bar Signage

Guy Fawkes Mask

Barraka Bar Layout - Shot With Nikon Coolpix P340

Service at Barraka Bar is friendly, though attracting their attention sometimes is difficult, due to the large floor space, ambient background music, and dim lighting. Food takes a little while to be prepared, as it's made to order. But staff are polite, and carry out requests quickly and efficiently. Not all staff are knowledgable on dish preparation, though they can make general recommendations for popular dishes or beverages.

Food at Barraka Bar is generally presented in a simple, rustic style, but tastes delicious. Chef uses fresh ingredients, and allows them to shine in well prepared dishes, where you can taste the nuances of the dish. Portions are meant for sharing, and prices reflect that as well, costing an average of SGD $25 - $40 per person. I find prices to be reasonable for the quality of food, and the quantity served.

Barraka Bar - Bar Area - Shot With Nikon Coolpix P340

Barraka Bar - Sports Channel

Barraka Bar Indoor Seating

Barraka Bar Outdoor Seating - Shot With Nikon Coolpix P340

The house signature cocktail Sparkling Sangria (SGD $10 Glass, $15 Small Jug, $30 Big Jug) is made from a Spanish sparkling wine called Cava, mixed with orange juice, cognac, and fruit slices, then served in a traditional Spanish terracotta jug. I find the fresh, orange citrus taste to be slightly sweet with a hint of sour, but refreshing and thirst quenching.

The Sparkling Sangria is 1 of the 20 must-try Singapore cocktails in the Cocktail Paspport from NightDoWhat. Showing this passport gets you a 10% discount on the Sparkling Sangria!

Sparkling Sangria (SGD $10 Glass, $15 Small Jug, $30 Big Jug)

Sparkling Sangria

The Calamares A La Andaluza (SGD $12) or 'Deep Fried Squid Rings In Andalusian Style', are prepared in the traditional Andalusia method of dredging fresh squid rings in pure flour without egg, frying in hot olive oil, then sprinkled with salt. This results in a crisp, savoury batter, while the squid rings within remain meaty and springy in texture. Very good, and rather addictive too!

Calamares A La Andaluza (SGD $12)

Calamares A La Andaluza

The Boquerones En Vinagre (SGD $10) or 'Fresh Anchovies Seasoned In Olive Oil, Vinegar And Garlic', use specially imported fresh anchovy fishes on ice. Prepared in a simple marinade by curing with lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, then serving with fresh pitted black olives. This dish is an acquired taste, as the sour, tangy, slightly salty, taste may not appeal to everyone. I recommend pairing it with a starch if you don't fancy eating it on its own, but I personally like it as originally served.

Boquerones En Vinagre (SGD $10)

Boquerones En Vinagre

The Salteado De Setas Y Gambas (SGD $12) or 'Prawns And Mushrooms In White Wine And Garlic Sauce', is lovely. The mushrooms are fragrant, soft, tender, and lend an earthy aroma. The prawns are big, meaty and juicy, freshness is evident as they detach from the shells easily. Plated almost like a work of art, with a sprinkle of spices around the edges, and the mound of deliciousness in the middle.

Salteado De Setas Y Gambas (SGD $12)

Salteado De Setas Y Gambas

The Arroz Negro (SGD $32 Portion For 2, $58 Portion For 4) or 'Squid Ink Paella Rice With Squid And Red & Black Bell Peppers', is totally infused with squid ink, such that the entire dish is black. Squid ink is an acquired taste, as the briny, salty, oceanic taste may not appeal to everyone. I like it for the flavouring it gives the rice, which has a sticky, thick texture, very filling. The bell peppers / capsicum and squid rings used are very fresh as well. Garnished with a dollop of mayonnaise to cut through the thickness / heaviness of this paella rice.

Arroz Negro (SGD $32 Portion For 2, $58 Portion For 4)

Arroz Negro

The Cocktail Passport from NightDoWhat is useful for a night or two of bar-hopping. Hit 20 bars throughout Singapore to sample 20 iconic, made in Singapore cocktails! With a full map to all of Singapore's nightspots, plus the 10% discount if you show the Cocktail Passport when ordering any of the 20 cocktails, this is the passport to have for exploring Singapore's nightlife! Available at selected 7-Eleven stores, or online.








Overall, a very satisfying experience at Barraka Bar (courtesy of OpenRice and NightDoWhat), and I will return with friends for the tasty and authentic Spanish food, chill ambience, and wide variety of drinks. Barraka Bar is a good place to catch a night soccer match, or even for business dinners.

Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken Tasting Session
1 Jurong West Central 2
#03-39 Jurong Point 2 - Feast Foodcourt

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm


http://www.malioboro.com.sg/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from HungryGoWhere.


Novel Edible Chicken Bones From Bali

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 8
Value for Money: 9
Budget about SGD $12 ++ per person.





Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken is a Halal restaurant that was first established in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, in 2000. The unique item at Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken, as suggested by its name, is their chicken which is pressure cooked till the bones become soft and edible. This secret recipe of marinade and cooking time results in a tender, flavourful chicken, flying in the face of what you know about chicken bones!

Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken was established in Singapore in 2012, directly operated by the original owner, and has since made a name for itself in the Boon Lay / Jurong area. Ambience at Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken is minimal and functional. The rather small, cramped layout within the food court is sectioned off from the rest of the stalls, and has sufficient space to seat about 60 diners, but the colours are rather drab and the lighting is dim.

Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken Signage

Service at Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken is very good. Staff are friendly and enthusiastic, able to make recommendations on the menu. They're also able to give some background on each item, especially how it fits into Indonesian / Balinese cuisine. Orders are fulfilled rather quickly, as is table clearing. Overall, very impressive service!

Food at Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken revolves around signature Indonesian and Balinese dishes. The menu is small and focused, with highlights being their signature soft bone chicken. In general, I find their food to be tasty, and prices are very affordable, costing an average of SGD 12 or so per person. Portion sizes are suitable for one, though big eaters may wish to get several dishes for sharing. Communal dining is encouraged here!

The Honey Sesame Soft Bone Chicken With Yellow Rice (SGD $9.90) features a tender, moist piece of chicken that has a tangy and sweet marinade of honey and the crunch of sesame seeds. The balance is just right, not overly sweet, and the entire piece of chicken can be consumed, even the bones! The yellow rice is fragrant and warm, and this add-on is worth it for an additional SGD $1 in price!

Honey Sesame Soft Bone Chicken With Yellow Rice (SGD $9.90)

Honey Sesame Soft Bone Chicken With Yellow Rice

If you've ever eaten salted egg crab, you'll get a good idea how the Soft Bone Chicken With Salted Egg Sauce (SGD $8.90) tastes like. The salted egg sauce is incredibly yummy and generous, and I like that it coats the chicken without making it soggy. The meat is tender and moist, and the texture of eating the bones really reminds me of a soft shell crab.

Soft Bone Chicken With Salted Egg Sauce (SGD $8.90)

Soft Bone Chicken With Salted Egg Sauce

I felt the Grilled Chicken Wings (SGD $4.20), while having a nice, savoury taste and a perfect grilled texture, lacked meat. Great for a snack, or for light eaters, but not very satisfactory as a dish. Perhaps it might be better if they gave an additional piece of chicken wing. The Edible Soft Chicken Bones breaks conventions, looking at it, you don't think it's edible, but chew on it and you'll find it gives way easily, without even the slightest crunch. Supposedly, eating chicken bones provides your body with calcium!

Grilled Chicken Wings (SGD $4.20)

Edible Soft Chicken Bones

Cone Of White Rice

The Tahu Telur (SGD $6.50) is done in typical Indonesian style, flat with a crisp outer layer and a soft interior. I like that the mound of vegetables adds some crunch to the texture, but I noticed the kecap manis sauce is slightly more sweet than the authentic versions in Indonesia. Still, it's a very good side dish.

Tahu Telur (SGD $6.50)

Tahu Telur

I loved the Fried Sambal Petai (SGD $4.90), the chili here is quite shiok! A nice portion of petai / bitter bean / stink bean is stir fried with ikan bilis / anchovies and sambal chili, resulting a a fragrant, aromatic, spicy dish. Best paired with rice! The Prawn Sambal Petai (SGD $11.90) on the other hand, has more prawns than petai, and is more a seafood dish. The prawns are small, but fresh and juicy.

Fried Sambal Petai (SGD $4.90)

Prawn Sambal Petai (SGD $11.90)

Tried the Soft Shell Crab With Salted Egg Sauce and it just boggles the mind how similar in texture this is to the soft bone chicken. This was executed well, though I've had better elsewhere. But not many Halal establishments serve this, so it stands out!

Soft Shell Crab With Salted Egg Sauce

A decent Iced Honey Lemon (SGD $3.50), with a nice balance of honey, water and lemon juice. Can't complain, but quite refreshing to cut through some of the oil and spice of the dishes.

Iced Honey Lemon (SGD $3.50)

The Es Campur (SGD $4.80) is a popular Indonesian shaved ice dessert, that is garnished with grass jelly, shaved coconut, syrup, condensed milk, and a variety of tropical native fruits. Es Campur is a filling dessert, and the version here doesn't disappoint!

Es Campur (SGD $4.80)

Es Campur

Once past the novelty of edible chicken bones, I can see myself visiting Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken again, especially if I'm in the area and want to dine at a Halal establishment. Tasty Indonesian style comfort food, affordable pricing, and friendly service means Malioboro Soft Bone Chicken will see crowds for some time to come!