Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine 湘香湖南菜 @ Hougang Mall

 With authentic Hunan dishes gaining popularity in Singapore, we are now spoiled with plenty of Hunan restaurants popping up across the island. This was my first visit to Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine despite the brand already having 22 outlets across Singapore.

I visited their Hougang Mall outlet and, comparable to other restaurants of the same cuisine, we were warmly greeted upon arrival before being ushered through the restaurant to our dining table. The spacious interior, cosy lighting and modern Chinese-inspired setup created a welcoming atmosphere that made the dining experience feel comfortable right from the start.

Xiang Xiang Cuisine

We also tried their Jumbo Lemon Tea, which turned out to be both tasty and refreshing. Served in a generous portion, it is a great choice for those who enjoy having a large drink to go along with their meal. The balance of sweetness and citrusy notes made it especially satisfying and a good complement to the bold and spicy flavours often found in Hunan cuisine.

Jumbo Lemon Tea 超大杯柠檬茶 - $3.60

The Crystal Vermicelli with Minced Pork was served bubbling hot in a claypot to keep it warm throughout the meal. For those who enjoy vermicelli dishes, this was especially satisfying with its smooth and silky texture. The savoury sauce was well absorbed by the vermicelli, making it a comforting dish that paired wonderfully with bowls of rice.

Crystal Vermicelli with Minced Pork 肉沫水晶粉

The Steamed Ribs with Glutinous Rice reminded me of the flavours of a traditional rice dumpling. Wrapped in fragrant leaves, the sticky rice was infused with savoury flavours while remaining soft and comforting. 

Steamed Ribs with Glutinous Rice 糯米蒸排骨

What stood out was the addition of sweet potato among the glutinous rice, which gave the dish a subtle sweetness that balanced the otherwise savoury profile beautifully. The overall aroma was rich and fragrant, making it a comforting dish to share.

A Spoonful Hot of Steamed Ribs with Gluinous Rice

To be honest, the Claypot Three-Cup Chicken was my favourite dish among everything we ordered. It was a comforting and hearty dish, featuring tender chicken, soft potatoes, onions and a slight hint of chilli for extra flavour. The rich gravy carried a pleasant sweetness that paired exceptionally well with rice, making it very easy to enjoy spoon after spoon. Just be careful when serving, as the claypot was served piping hot straight from the kitchen.

Claypot Three-Cup Chicken  砂锅三杯鸡

When it comes to Hunan cuisine, a dish like the Spicy Boiled Fish is something that simply cannot be missed. Served in a vibrant red broth filled with chillies and spices, the fish was tender and flavourful while soaking up the rich savoury gravy.

Spicy Boiled Fish 麻辣水煮鱼  

 Although it carried a noticeable level of heat, I felt the spice level had been adjusted to better suit local Singaporean tastes, making it enjoyable and manageable for most diners.

A Spoonful of Spicy Boiled Fish at Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine.

Here’s what we had for our meal, a comforting spread perfect for a casual catch-up session. From the rich and spicy Spicy Boiled Fish to the savoury Claypot Three-Cup Chicken and silky Crystal Vermicelli with Minced Pork, every dish brought a different layer of flavour to the table. We also enjoyed the fragrant Steamed Ribs with Glutinous Rice alongside refreshing drinks that helped balance the bold Hunan flavours. Altogether, it made for a hearty and satisfying dining experience.

Our Meal at Xiang Xiang's Latest Outlet

Before leaving, do remember to grab their ice cream near the main entrance for a little sweet treat to end the meal. The ice cream came in adorable packaging featuring a cute pig mascot from the Xiang Xiang × Mingo collaboration, making it look extra fun and eye-catching. It was a simple yet enjoyable way to wrap up our comforting Hunan dining experience.

Grab your Ice Cream before leaving

Overall, Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine delivered a comforting and satisfying dining experience with its bold flavours, hearty dishes and cosy atmosphere. From the spicy and savoury classics to the refreshing drinks and cute dessert collaboration, the meal felt enjoyable from start to finish. If you are looking for approachable Hunan cuisine in Singapore with dishes suitable for sharing, Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine is definitely worth considering for your next gathering.

Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine 湘香湖南菜 @ Hougang Mall
Location: Hougang Mall, 90 Hougang Ave 10, #02-25 Singapore 538766
Website

Crossroads Cafe

 A unclaimed childhood wish in me had finally been granted. Since young, whenever I passed by Tangs Plaza, I would always notice this open-concept cafe and was often told that it was very expensive.

Fast forward to today, we finally made our way to Crossroads Cafe for their “Get Juicy! Beef Edition”, available from 1 April to 30 June 2026. A little childhood curiosity turned into a satisfying dining experience.

Crossroads Cafe

The cafe dining area feels open, airy and welcoming, conveniently located at a strategic spot along the high human traffic area of bustling Orchard Road.

Dining Area of Crossroad Cafe

The Tropic Glow features Lyre’s non-alcoholic tequila, passion fruit syrup and fresh lime, giving it a refreshing tropical twist.

Tropic Glow  & Berry Noir - $18 Each 

For sharing plates, we had the Prawn Paste Chicken Wings, also known locally as Har Cheong Gai, served with Hainanese chilli sauce. What we enjoyed most was how localised the dish felt, especially with the addition of Achar on the side which gave it a tangy and appetising touch. The wings were crispy on the outside while remaining juicy within, making it a great starter to share.

Prawn Paste Chicken Wings - $18

The Har Cheong Gai had a satisfying crispy exterior while remaining juicy inside. Paired together with the punchy Hainanese chilli sauce and tangy achar, it gave off a familiar local flavour combination that made the dish even more appetising.

Let's Dip Into the Hainaese Chilli Sauce

The Assorted Satay comes with a choice of 6 or 12 sticks, featuring selections of beef, chicken or lamb. Served together with ketupat and a rich peanut sauce, the satay was smoky, tender and packed with flavour, making it a comforting local favourite to share.

Assorted Satay - $19 (6 sticks)

The satay was lightly smoky with tender grilled meat that paired especially well with the thick and nutty peanut sauce. Together with the ketupat on the side, it delivered a familiar local flavour combination that felt comforting and satisfying.

Dipping Satay into Peanut Sauce

The Double Beef Patty Burger was stacked generously with juicy beef patties layered with raclette cheese, tucked between a soft brioche bun. Served alongside crispy fries and rich beef jus for dipping, this was definitely a hearty and indulgent burger experience that beef lovers would appreciate.

Beef Burger au Jus - $34

The Classic Beef Bourguignon featured tender beef cheek slow-cooked in a rich red wine sauce alongside pearl onions, mushrooms and vegetables. Served with sourdough toast on the side, the dish was hearty, comforting and packed with deep robust flavours.

Classic Beef Bourguignon - $34

The Get Juicy! Beef Edition at Crossroads Cafe turned out to be more than just a beef-centric dining experience. From comforting local-inspired sharing plates to hearty mains and refreshing non-zero proof cocktails, the menu offered a satisfying balance of familiar flavours and indulgent creations. Coupled with the open-concept ambience along bustling Orchard Road, this was definitely a fulfilling meal that made a long-awaited childhood curiosity worth the visit.

Crossroads Cafe
Location: Singapore Marriiott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238865
Website

Dandy @ Queensbay Mall

 Been to Penang a few times over the years, but this was actually my first time stepping into Queensbay Mall. Since we decided to settle our dinner in the mall, we spent some time discussing where to dine before finally deciding on Dandy. With its bright and welcoming interior, the restaurant gave off a casual and comfortable vibe that felt perfect for a relaxed dinner after a day out.

Dandy @ Queensbay Mall

Flipping through the menu, we were pleasantly surprised by Dandy’s “Modern Food Culture” concept. Offering a halal-friendly selection with Mediterranean-inspired dishes, the menu featured a wide variety of comforting options that immediately got us excited for the meal ahead.

Food Menu of Dandy's

For drinks, we had the refreshing Blossom Iced Tea, a light and fizzy combination of flower tea, wolfberries, mint leaves, honey jelly, and a subtle hint of soda that made it extra cooling. The Caramel Spice Latte, on the other hand, looked indulgent and comforting with its creamy topping and aromatic flavours, making it a lovely pairing for the meal.

Blossom Iced Tea  & Caramel Spice Latte - RM17 Each

One of their recommended signatures was the Lamb Rice, proudly claiming over 500k plates sold. Served together with house salad, vegetable soup, and their signature red and white sauces, it felt like a wholesome and satisfying meal. I especially enjoyed the light aromatic fragrance of the basmati rice, paired with tender and well-cooked lamb that came without any overpowering gamey taste. 

Dandy Lamb Rice - RM42

The combination of the signature sauces added an extra layer of flavour that wrapped the dish up beautifully.

Dipping into the Red & White Sauce

In fact, we came into the restaurant craving for steak, so we decided to order the Dandy Striploin Steak. Served with straight cut fries, tomatoes, assorted mushrooms, vegetables, gremolata, garlic aioli, and steak sauce, the plate looked hearty and satisfying. The steak itself was nicely grilled with beautiful char marks while remaining juicy and tender, making it a comforting choice for steak lovers.

Dandy Striplion Steak - RM75

Cooked to our ideal doneness, the steak was wonderfully tender and juicy with every bite. Paired with the fragrant gremolata and crispy fries on the side, it was honestly a comforting and satisfying steak experience. What more could we ask for?

Cross Section of the Steak

Calories well spent indeed, and we were glad that stepping into Dandy turned out to be such a satisfying decision. From the hearty lamb rice to the juicy steak and refreshing drinks, the meal delivered both comfort and flavour. It was a pleasant dining experience that wrapped up our visit to Queensbay Mall on a happy and fulfilling note.

Dandy @ Queensbay Mall
Location: Queensbay Mall, GF112 & 113, 100, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website

TriCow Hotpot & BBQ Buffet 犇火锅烧烤自助

 Recently made a visit to Tricow at West Coast Plaza for their 100 Minutes Hotpot & BBQ Buffet, a spot that will definitely appeal to beef lovers and those who enjoy gathering over a hearty meal. 

Specialises in Beef

The buffet offers up to 20 types of beef alongside a wide variety of classic hotpot ingredients, making it a satisfying dining experience for both hotpot and BBQ fans.

Menu

Besides the extensive meat selection, the buffet line also includes BBQ skewers, fresh vegetables, cold dishes, snacks, drinks, and desserts.

Assorted Chinese Skewers

There was a good variety available, allowing diners to enjoy both heavier and lighter options throughout the meal. 

Cooked Food

Whether you prefer grilling meats over the BBQ or simmering ingredients in a comforting soup base, there is plenty to choose from.

Cooked Food

Guests can also customise their dining experience with 5 different soup bases and 4 dipping sauces available. 

Beef Bone and Tomato Broth Soup Base

These are charged separately from the buffet price, but they help elevate the overall flavours and make the meal more enjoyable.

Signature Sauce, Sesame Sauce, Special Chilli Sauce and Sacha Sauce

The buffet is priced at $38 for adults and $28 for children during both lunch and dinner sessions from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm. Ladies can also enjoy a special Wednesday promotion where every 3 ladies dining will receive 1 free buffet (excluding public holidays), making it a great option for gatherings with friends and family.

Very Comfortable Settings of Tricow

Beyond the hearty buffet spread, Tricow also features a cosy and playful interior that adds to the dining experience. The space is decorated with adorable cow plushies and bright decorative elements, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere for diners. The warm wooden accents and comfortable seating made it feel like a casual spot to relax and enjoy a comforting hotpot meal with friends and family.

A cozy dining space made even cuter with adorable cow plushies 

One of the highlights at Tricow was watching the staff expertly hand-slice fresh beef behind the counter, preparing thin and tender cuts made fresh upon order for the hotpot and BBQ experience.

Fresh Beef Hand-Sliced Upon Order at Tricow

An indulgent spread of freshly sliced beef featuring different cuts and marbling, served alongside bubbling hotpot broth and flavourful dipping sauces at Tricow.

Different Cuts a Marbling

Tricow also impressed with its wide variety of beef cuts, allowing diners to enjoy the different textures and flavour profiles from the various parts of the beef. From fattier cuts with beautiful marbling to leaner slices with a meatier bite, each platter offered its own unique taste when cooked in the hotpot or over the BBQ grill. The thinly sliced beef cooked quickly in the bubbling broth while still retaining its tenderness, making it easy to savour the natural richness and juiciness of the meat. For beef lovers, the buffet provided plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy different cuts throughout the meal.

A satisfying spread of different beef cuts at Tricow

Besides indulging in the wide variety of meats, we also made sure to balance the meal with selections from the vegetables section. The spread included fresh leafy greens, mushrooms, lotus root, radish, and potato slices which paired well with the hotpot broth. It added a lighter and more refreshing touch to the overall buffet experience while complementing the richness of the meats.

Adding some fresh vegetables to balance out the hearty hotpot feast. 

Of course, no hotpot session feels complete without the classic staple ingredients that everyone loves adding into the bubbling broth. From fish balls and dumplings to tofu pouches, crab sticks, and other comforting hotpot essentials, these ingredients added extra variety and texture to the meal. They soaked up the flavours of the soup beautifully and made the overall dining experience feel even more satisfying and comforting.

Classic hotpot staples that complete every comforting hotpot feas

For those who enjoy more adventurous hotpot ingredients, Tricow also offers beef tripe and beef tendon as part of the buffet selection. The beef tripe carried a pleasantly chewy and slightly crunchy texture after cooking in the broth, while the beef tendon became soft and gelatinous with a rich bite. 

Beef tripe

These classic hotpot favourites added more variety to the meal and paired especially well with the flavourful dipping sauces.

Beef Tendon

Not forgetting the handmade seafood paste selections too. Smooth, bouncy, and packed with natural sweetness a comforting hotpot essential that soaked up all the rich broth flavours beautifully.

Fish Paste

Shrimp Paste

Not forgetting the auspicious fortune bag in our hotpot feast. A symbolic ingredient believed to bring luck and prosperity, especially when enjoyed during gatherings. Soft, juicy, and fully soaked in the comforting broth, it made the meal feel even more hearty and satisfying.

Fortune Bag for Hotpot

Last but not least, we wrapped up the hearty hotpot feast with their homemade desserts. 

Refreshing White Fungus Soup

From the refreshing white fungus sweet soup to the cooling herbal jelly topped with sweet toppings, both desserts were light, comforting, and a satisfying end to the meal.

Herbal Jelly 

The hotpot experience was made even more enjoyable with the wide variety of ingredients, comforting broths, handmade seafood pastes, and delightful homemade desserts to end the meal on a sweet note. From premium meats to comforting staples and auspicious items like the fortune bag, every dish came together for a hearty and satisfying feast perfect for gatherings with family and friends.

TriCow Hotpot & BBQ Buffet 犇火锅烧烤自助 
Location: West Coast Plaza, West Coast Rd, #01-02  Singapore 127371
Website

Pastamo

It’s been a while since my last visit to Circular Road, and I’m finally back in the evening to soak in the after-hours vibes of this bustling CBD area.

This time, we dropped by Pastamo, a Japanese-Italian pasta bar known for its affordable $19.90 nett set meals, which come with a main, drink, and no extra service charge. A pretty fuss-free spot to unwind after work while enjoying comforting pasta dishes in the heart of the city.

Entrance of Pastamo

It’s not too difficult to locate Pastamo along the stretch of eateries and shophouses at Circular Road. If you’re walking through the corridors, just keep an eye out for the LED-lit fork with spaghetti signage that makes the spot stand out from afar.

Facade of Pastamo

We also had a refreshing lineup of drinks to pair with the pasta dishes, the Tiramisu Latte with its rich coffee notes, the Strawberry Matcha that carried a creamy earthy sweetness, and the Iced Grape Jasmine Tea which was light, floral and especially cooling for the evening.

Peach Black Frizzy $8 , Strawberry Matcha $6  and Iced Grape Jasmine Tea $6

Before diving into the pasta dishes, we grabbed some bites with the Crispy Mid Joints. Loved the loose crispy batter bits that added an extra layer of crunch on the outside, while the chicken remained juicy and tender inside. Definitely a satisfying starter to kick off the meal.

Crispy Mid Joints - $10

The Fried Tortellini looked absolutely cute, and with its bite-sized form, it was dangerously easy to keep popping them into the mouth one after another. Crisp on the outside with cheesy goodness within, this made for a fun and addictive snack to share at the table.

Fried Tortellini - $12

The Spaghetti with Clams, Garlic, White Wine & Chilli delivered comforting aglio olio vibes with a light spicy kick. The pasta was coated nicely with the garlicky white wine sauce, while the clams added a natural briny sweetness that paired well with the burst of freshness from the cherry tomatoes.

Vongole

The Duck Ragu Tagliatelle featured slow-cooked duck ragu tossed with silky tagliatelle, creating a rich and comforting combination. The duck carried a tender texture with deep savoury flavours, while the creamy sauce and onsen egg brought everything together beautifully with an added layer of indulgence.

Duck Ragu

The Tomato Cream Crab Pasta featured spaghetti coated in a rich tomato cream sauce together with chunks of crab meat for added sweetness and flavour. The sauce leaned creamy and savoury with a slight tang from the tomato base, while the generous shaving of cheese gave the dish an extra layer of indulgence.

Tomato Cream Crab

Overall, Pastamo makes for a pretty cosy and fuss-free spot along Circular Road to gather after work over comforting Japanese-Italian dishes. From the addictive fried bites to the hearty pasta selections, the dishes leaned approachable and satisfying without being overly heavy. 

Front View of Our Order

Coupled with its affordable nett set meals and relaxed after-hours atmosphere in the CBD area, it’s definitely a pleasant place to chill, catch up with friends, and enjoy a casual pasta night in town.

Top View of our Order

Pastamo
Location: 17 Circular Rd, Singapore 049373