Ion Orchard, Singapore

If there is a place called paradise (for shoppers), it has to be Orchard Road. We were there last December for Christmas. With the introduction of three spanking new malls: Orchard Central, Ion Orchard and Somerset 313, it is the best time to get caught up with shopping fever.

From expensive bling and designer handbags to high street fashion, Ion Orchard has got everything in the 640,000 square feet retail space and 8 floor cavern. Among many other things, Ion Food Hall with a lip-smacking 80 stalls to chomp on is a food-lover’s paradise. My favourite has to be the Japanese cluster which features Japenese snacks and desserts that was brought in directly from Japan.

#1 Arinco King

Sorry lar, the fame Salt Caramel Roll will easily set me back RM 50 (SGD18 + Tax SGD 1.80) so I opt for the cheaper version – caramel sand (SGD 3.50).  It was an open slice of vanilla sponge heaped with blob of  fresh whipped cream, caramel sauce and toasted almonds. The vanilla sponge was insanely soft and light. Very fluffy and airy that it is almost non-existent the moment you put it into your mouth. The caramel sauce was so good, with intense flavor and richness.

#2 takoyaki from Tsukiji Gindaco

We queued for the much-hyped takoyaki from Tsukiji Gindaco and it took us a good 20 minutes (!!). For the closest authentic takoyaki you can get in Singapore, the wait is worth it.

We love the crispy browned exterior and a soft gooey centre with a good portion of fresh tako. We can finally bid good bye to those greasy flour balls covered in cheap mayonnaise and soft mushy tako!

Their Japanese website: http://www.gindaco.com/contents/menu/index.html

#3 Ginza Bairin

Hailing all the way from Ginza in Tokyo, it is a tonkatsu specialty restaurant that takes pride in their breaded pork cutlet. Established in 1927, Ginza Bairin was the first Tonkatsu restaurant in Ginza, as well as the first to offer the now popular “Bite-Size Katsu (Hitokuchi Katsu), “Tonkatsu Sauce” and the “Katsu Sandwich” (Katsu Sando).

Their Japanese website: www.ginzabairin.com

miso soup with porcine goodness.

damn! the Japanese has done it right again.

#4 Modern Peking Duck

We left the Japanese Cluster and walked towards the Modern Peking Duck’s stall, another extremely popular stall with long queue.

A box of 5 wraps costs SGD 6. We were given a choice of either peking duck’s skin or roasted piglet’s skin.

We had the wrap with roasted piglet’s skin. It was a delicious combination of roasted piglet’s skin, Hoi Sin sauce, cucumber and onions. The skin was very crispy and it crackled with every bit.

#5 Gusttimo Di Roma

sweet ending at a gelato franchise from KOREA (not Italy).

Gusttimo – “Gusto” (eating with gusto) and “Ottimo” (savouring the ultimate flavour).

We shall all eat with gusto (“mangiare di gusto”  in Italian)!

Arinco King
2 Orchard Turn
Ion Orchard Food Hall #B4-60

Modern Peaking Duck
2 Orchard Turn
Ion Orchard Food Hall #B4-75

Tsukiji Gindaco
2 Orchard Turn
Ion Orchard Food Hall #B4-64/65

Gusttimo Di Roma
2 Orchard Road
#01-17 ION Orchard