Shabu Days Singapore

If you’re looking for a comforting and fuss-free hotpot experience, there’s a new spot to check out at Hillion Mall, Shabu Days しゃぶデイ. Built around the idea of “Your Daily Shabu Treat”, Shabu Days offers a personal dining concept that feels just right whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or winding down with a simple, satisfying dinner. What makes the experience enjoyable is how straightforward everything is. Ordering is designed to be easy and customisable in just 3 simple steps.

Shabu Days

 A Simple 3-Step Ordering Experience

You get to build your own set according to your preferences:

• Step 1: Choose your main, from Beef, Pork, Chicken Thigh or Seafood
• Step 2: Pick your preferred soup base
• Step 3: Select your rice or noodle

It’s a no-frills system that lets you enjoy shabu without overthinking, while still giving enough variety to suit different cravings.

If you are feeling a little indulgent, you can top up $3.50 to make your own DIY egg risotto. It’s a fun and comforting way to end your meal, especially if you enjoy something warm and rich after your hotpot.

Menu

Each set is thoughtfully paired with:

• 1 Yasai Garden Bowl (a fresh mix of vegetables)
• 3 Treasure Bowl

This makes the meal feel balanced and complete, without needing to order too many additional sides.

Yasai Garden Bowl and 3 Treasure Bowl

To go along with the meal, we had the Kimura Cider Muscat, a refreshing Japanese soda that added a light and fruity touch to the overall experience. Served chilled and poured over ice, the drink had a gentle fizz with a subtle sweetness from the muscat grapes. It wasn’t overly sugary, making it a great palate cleanser in between bites of shabu.The crisp and slightly floral notes made it especially enjoyable alongside the warm broth, offering a nice contrast that kept the meal feeling balanced and refreshing.

Kimura Cider - $6.80

One of our mains was the Japanese A5 Wagyu Chuck Roll (150g), and honestly, our eyes were immediately drawn to that “A5” on the menu, it’s hard to ignore. The slices arrived beautifully plated, showcasing that signature rich marbling that wagyu is known for. Each piece was neatly presented and even came with a name tag, adding a thoughtful and slightly premium touch to the dining experience.

Japanese A5 Wagyu Chuck Roll 150g

Another main we went for was the Pork Collar, which stood out for its beautiful balance of lean meat and fat. The slices were neatly presented and, just like the wagyu, came with a name tag, adding a consistent and thoughtful touch to the overall dining experience. The marbling was visibly well-distributed, promising a tender bite once cooked.

Pork Collar 120g

We also went for one of their popular items, the Seafood Treasure Platter, a great option if you’re looking for a mix of different textures and flavours in one set.

The platter comes with Tioman Fish (100g), 2 Scallops and 4 Tiger Prawns, all neatly presented and looking fresh. The prawns were plump and glossy, while the scallops had a firm, clean appearance. The slices of fish added a nice balance to the platter, making it feel like a well-rounded seafood selection.

Seafood Treasure Platter 

For our soup bases, we went with the Bonito Kombu and the Tangy Tomato, giving us the best of both worlds.

Meal Set

The Bonito Kombu offered a light, clean and comforting broth that allowed the natural flavours of the ingredients to shine, while the Tangy Tomato brought a richer, slightly hearty profile with a subtle tanginess that paired especially well with the meats.

Pork Collar from Bonito Kombu

As for the carbs, we had a mix of ramen and raw udon, which added a nice variation in texture, the ramen being springy and familiar, while the udon gave a softer, more chewy bite.

Wagyu 

Fish Slice

We also opted to top up for the DIY egg risotto, which turned out to be a fun and satisfying way to end the meal. Using the leftover broth, it transforms into a creamy, flavourful finish that rounds up the entire shabu experience nicely.

Risotto Set

To wrap up the meal, we followed their instructions and made the DIY egg risotto using the remaining broth and this turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable finale.

Risotto

The rice absorbed all the flavours from the soup, creating a rich and comforting base, while the egg added a creamy texture that brought everything together nicely. Each spoonful was warm, savoury, and deeply satisfying, especially after the hearty shabu experience.

What stood out was how simple the process was, yet the end result felt like a completely different dish altogether. It’s definitely more than just an add-on it’s a great way to round off the meal on a comforting note.

Rice

Interestingly, Shabu Days also introduces a 5-Step Dining Ritual, which adds a meaningful touch to the overall experience. More than just a guide on how to enjoy the meal, it feels like a gentle reminder to slow down, appreciate the ingredients, and be present while dining. From taking in the vibrant vegetables to savouring the broth and ending with a comforting bowl of rice, each step encourages a sense of mindfulness.

5 Step Dining Ritual

It also reflects a deeper element of Japanese dining culture the idea of giving thanks and showing appreciation for the food we enjoy. A small detail, but one that adds warmth and intention to the entire shabu experience.

Shabu Days Singapore
Location: Hillion Mall, 17 Petir Rd, #02-15 Singapore 678278

Ga-Hock Seafood

While some of us were craving Cze Char, we decided to return to Ga-Hock for dinner for their laid-back and Malaysia-lookalike environment was something we looked forward to. 

Having tried out their noodles on their menu after a few sessions, I will conclude that their standard item like this Hor Fun on the menu was nothing to shout able. It was plain and common with standard ingredients like fish cakes, pork, egg and vegetables.

Hor Fun

The group's Cze Char Session will not be considered to be completed without ordering their Prawn Paste chicken too.

Prawn Paste Chicken

Could not have done having the earthen pot of Curry Fish Head with our bowls of plain white rice! Their Curry Fish Head is undoubtedly the regulars' all-time favourite. Loaded with a generous portion of Tau ki, mixed with lady fingers, brinjal and Tau Pok. The Curry Gravy was not too spicy and makes a great pairing to our bowls of rice. 

Curry Fish Head - $30

Not many places do offer this dish as these Baby Sotong have to be fresh enough to be served in such a cooking style.  The simple execution made was prepared with ingredients such as ginger slices, garlic and spring onions to reduce its seafood smell. We enjoyed this particular dish.

Sotong

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Posted on 7th December 2022

After all these years, we were back here for their Seafood again. The rustic and Malaysian Style dining environment is really a charm and unique of its kind. During the weekdays evenings, this place is bustling with people too, not to mention weekends.

We ordered a small plate of prawn-paste chicken as a side dish. These crispy mid-joints were well marinated but they still lacked that kind of flavour we were looking for. They were decent but not the best we had.

Prawn Paste Chicken - $10

The Fried Mee Sua was pretty decent with vegetables, fishcake, prawns, lean meat and eggs. 

Fried Mee Sua - $7 (Small)

This is the main starring dish and also part of the reason to be here. The Salt Baked Crab is to die for so not many places do provide such a style of preparation. The Sri Lanka crab was rubbed with salt and baked. While patrons usually go for Chilli, Black Pepper, and Salted Egg Crab from Cze Char Stall, these styles often get us to taste the sauce which covers up the natural taste of the crab, unlike the Salt Baked Crab, we get to taste the natural sweetness of it.

Salted Baked Crab - $104

Sri Lanka crabs are known for their plump meat, these crawls from the crustaceans were big and meaty too.

Big Crawl

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Posted on 10 September 2014

Located along Upper Bukit Timah Road, Ga-Hock is a hot spot that most Cze Char lovers will want to visit. This place is hidden from the main road but human traffic is very high during meal times and parking lots are limited.

The environment was quite different from my usual Cze Char dining place where most of the time we are surrounded by neighbourhood flat. Instead, this area are sheltered with tall big shady trees or huge colorful umbrellas above our tables.

Dining Area

A booklet of their menu was given to us when settled down. Like most of the coffeeshop, there are 2 sections for dining, the smoking and non-smoking area.

Ga-Hock Seafood Menu

Dishes were pretty quick to serve and we had the spicy hot plate of vegetables served right up to our table. The tapioca leaves were fried with sambal belacan still retaining its juiciness and crunchness but it may be spicy for it has too much chilli padi in it.

Sambal Sweet Potato Leaves - $9

Believe to have prepared long before hand, they looked dry and unappealing from the exterior. In fact, as you sink your teeth teeth into them, the amount of moisture and crunchiness from its chestnut fillings are acceptable.

Prawn Fritters - $10

A dish that is so hard to skip as its menu had it printed on the main page. Gravy was thick and fragrant, very good to go with the plates of plain rice. Adding crunch to the hot claypot, fried beancurd skin was used.

Curry Fish Head - $25

Fish meat has the flavours of curry permeates its meat, however I find that texture of its meat was abit harder than the usual ones, perhaps it was overcooked. Other than that the level of spiciness and taste are just perfect.

Can you spot the fish head?

Having only a few pax dining, it was quite a challenge to order more dishes, especially the signature ones. Given the chance, I will like to try their signature salted baked crabs and others.

Rating: 3 / 5

Ga-Hock Seafood
Location: 794 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore 678133
Tel: 6314 5725

Ga-Hock Roti Prata (佳福印度煎饼)

It was an interesting find in this old school coffeeshop along Upper Bukit Timah Road on a Weekend morning. At the look from the main road, we thought that it was quiet, however, if you were to go into the coffee shop, it was actually bustling with people and there are a number of stalls for you to grab your breakfast here. We settled our eyes on the Roti Prata Stall and decided to give it a try.

Ga-Hock Roti Prata

Orders were non-stop at the peak hour. The Prata master is busying doing orders after orders, stretching those freshly made doughs into regular prata shapes and flipping them. 

Prata Master at Work

I was pretty amazed by how orders were done with the teamwork of 3. The boss was taking orders while auntie was by the side adding oil made and flipping the prata, ensuring that it's cooked. 

Teamwork of 3

Different types of prata price is listed at the side of the shop. Well, their price of prata may be a little steep here.

Prata Menu

We ordered a piece of Kosong and a piece of Prata egg. The taste and texture was not particularly outstanding but its a kinda good reminiscent of a childhood plate of prata in that kind of kampong environment. 

Kosong & Prata Egg - $3.50

In case you want additional gravy, the fish curry was refillable and self-service. Just walk up to the counter, grab the ladle and help yourselves with the curry gravy.

Curry Gravy

Though busy, the service from the team remain friendly and it left me a comfortable impression. The place is layback and I do not mind revisiting it.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Ga-Hock Roti Prata (佳福印度煎饼)
Location: 794 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678133

Hai Xian Zhu Zhou 海鲜煮粥

Updated September 2021

Personally going down to Bukit Panjang for the umpteenth times all for a bowl of Ke Kou Mian but in agony as they were either closed or sold out. And finally, I went early in the morning and got a taste of the so called famous bowl of noodle among the Bukit Panjang Estate.

I still remember the first time that I was looking for the stall of Ke Kou Mian in the coffeeshop but had a hard time locating it as it was hidden behind the porridge sign board.

Well, since porridge are the main display of the signboard, we bought a bowl of Century Egg and lean meat porridge with egg which includes a handful of cut fried fritters (you tiao).

Century Egg Porridge with egg - $3

Consistency of porridge was even and texture was rather ordinary. Each spoonful of the porridge was loaded with ingredients. Though there was nothing much to rave about, it still have the very old school and home cooking taste if you are looking for one.

Ingredients in the porridge

I'm not a person who is keen on spicy food on an empty stomach especially breakfast but it seems that these words of mouth recommendation are irresistible. Spicy Ke Kou Mian with egg was not something out nor within expectation. Broth looked spicy but in fact it was not so.

Spicy Ke Kou Mian with egg - $3.50

What I like about was that the portion of noodle was generous and ingredients consisted of liver, minced meat as well as vegetables. Dish may look very simple and served in a small bowl but it was a pocket friendly meal.

A spoonful of Koka Noodle

With the city that never sleeps the night, this stall gives a very good alternative for supper if hunger pangs in the night. However, if you are going there for breakfast or lunch, be prepared to wait for about half an hour and as for lunch, be early as they usually close about 2pm.

The Hainan Story 海南宝

While the media has been all over with the launch of "The Hainan Story" located in The Hillion Mall, we find it an interesting concept whereby this restaurant features a 5-in-1 multi-brand stall. To name a few, one will be quite familiar to the F&B name of Ah Chiang's Porridge & Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice. Besides these two, there are other popular foods like their Uncle Robert Western and Newspaper Curry Rice.

The Hainan Story

With the arrival of peak hours, the queue was quite long with safety ambassadors out there keeping an eye on the safety distance practice. 

The Hainan Story Pillar

The interior was like a semi-modern coffeeshop with old school white and green tiles. Diners get to enjoy sitting on wooden rattan chairs and marble top table. 

Stalls and Seating

The area was brightly lighted up. Seating was adequate and the staff will assist in securing seats for us as soon as we stepped into the floor.

Interior

All Hainanese Toast Set include Soft Boiled Egg, Coffee/Tea (200ml) or cold Beverage Upsize or switching to cold beverage at additional cost. The homemade Gula Melaka Kaya & Butter set includes soft boiled egg and a cold beverage upsize. The homemade Gula Melaka is notable for it is fresh with no preservatives added and has 1 week of shelf life.

Hainanese Toast Set - $6.50

Here comes the newspaper Hainanese curry rice set. Not to worry, your meal is not placed on the physical copy of the newspaper but instead a faux newspaper. Each set comes with choice of vegetables: stewed Hainanese Vegetable or heavenly four and choice of egg dish, either fried egg or long bean egg omelette.

Mama Wee Curry Chicken Drumstick Set was served with steamed rice, prawn cracker, Sambal  Tempeh, Sambal Belacan. We have chosen long bean egg omelette with Hainanese Stewed vegetables.  Curry Chicken was flavourful and the style floats my boat. The meat was so tenderly cooked and fall off from its bone easily.

Mama Wee Curry Chicken Drumstick Set - $7.80

The chicken drumstick was thoroughly coated drenched in the curry gravy and was tantalizing. 

Drumsticks

It's similar to the previous Hainanese Rice Set but instead of Drumsticks, we have braised pork belly meat and a different selection of vegetables here. However, the Heavenly Four vegetables were kind of oily and not to our liking.

Mama Wee Hainanese "Kou Rou" set - $8.80

While the braised pork belly was tender and tasted great.

Braised Pork belly

If you are ordering from Uncle Robert's stall, the notable item to go will be its old school's 1980's Hainanese Pork cutlet Coated with Potato Chips Crumbs Served with Corn Kernal Salad and Onion Ring. Diners can choose between the Rojak Yogurt Sauce or White BBQ Sauce.

1980's Hainanese Pork Cutlet Coated with Potato Chips Crumbs - $15.80

The exterior texture of Hainanese Pork Cutlet was tougher than I thought. The Pork Cutlet was coated with potato chips crumbs.

Breaded

This is one of their recommended food if you are looking for the chicken chop. It is served with salted egg fish skin salad and a choice of side dish. The chicken chop was tender and topped with grilled cheese as well as sweet-sour sauce.

Grilled Cheese Chicken Chop with Sweet & Sour Sauce - $14.80

Overall, I find that this concept of offering a variety of Hainanese food in the food court is pretty interesting. It gives the diner a fresh experience and a one-stop-shop to enjoy the food.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Hainan Story
Location: 17 Petir Rd, #01-15/16 Hillion Mall, Singapore 678278