Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab

Flashback to 10 years ago, I was visiting the same café, Fresh Fruit Lab. Now, thanks to the recent hype over my favourite plush toy, Jellycat, I’ve found myself back here again, only this time in different company. 

Simplicite

The café now goes by a new name, Simplicité by Fresh Fruit Lab, and stepping inside isn’t so much a wave of nostalgia as it is a warm welcome into an atmosphere buzzing with hype and the many interesting characters that Jellycat has to offer.

Can you Spot them?

Most diners were indulging in the Jellycat Whimsy Hour set, designed for two at $55.90. Presented as a charming two-tier high tea, it features an array of patisseries and savouries. The set also includes your choice of a pot of tea or coffee to complete the experience.

Jellycat Whimsy Hour

We opted for calming chamomile tea over coffee, and were delighted to find that even the teaware was as lovely as the set itself.

Camomile Tea

For the patisserie selection, we had macarons, strawberry tartlets, raisin scones, milk tea vanilla mousse, and raspberry glacé rings. While most were enjoyable, the milk tea vanilla mousse tasted a little off for us.

Patisserie and Savouries

For the savouries, we enjoyed truffle cold angel hair, smoked salmon canapés, and prawn bruschetta. The truffle cold angel hair was my clear favourite, elegantly presented in a neat bundle, topped with fish roe and a sprinkle of seaweed. Light, fragrant, and full of umami, it was especially appetising for me.

The mushroom soup was completely my style, a comforting blend of wild button mushrooms, white onion, and butter, served with a side of crusty baguette.

Mushroom Soup - $13

Dipping the crusty baguette into the mushroom soup was absolutely yummilicious, pure comfort in every bite.

Bagette

With its charming theme and stylish décor, this place is definitely Insta-worthy. If you’re seated near the walls, you’ll find plenty of interesting spots for unique shots.

Simplicite

The Messy Breakfast features bockwurst sausage, shio pan, crispy bacon, wild mushrooms, tomatoes, and truffle scrambled eggs, all served with fresh garden greens tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

Messy Breakfast

Grass-fed NZ Angus Rib-eye served with rich brown sauce, crispy fried Chinese kale, and a side of golden fries.

NZ Angus Ribeye - $32.50

While we didn’t try the rest of the menu, the Jellycat collaboration offerings were just average for us.

Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab
Location: 351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818

Dongducheon Budae Jjigae 동두천부대찌개

Running out of ideas for Korean food, a light bulb moment struck, "How about Army Stew?" I was all for it, especially since I hadn’t seen Budae Jjigae on many menus and was curious if it’s something Koreans actually eat regularly. A quick search led us to a nearby spot that served it. The location was quite unexpected, it turned out to be a basement eatery. 

Dongducheon Budae Jjigae 동두천부대찌개

Menu on Wall

We walked down a flight of stairs into a cozy dining space with no windows, giving it an oddly tucked-away, hidden gem kind of vibe.

Basement Eatery

To complete the meal, we ordered some beer to pair with dinner. While waiting for our Army Stew to be prepared, we were served a few banchan, those classic Korean side dishes that always help set the tone. It was a nice way to ease into the meal and made the wait feel shorter.

Beer & Banchan

Along with the banchan, we were each served a bowl of rice topped with a perfectly fried egg, simple, comforting, and just right to go with the hearty stew that was coming.

Rice with Egg

And yes, finally, the Army Stew! While it didn’t wow us compared to versions back in Singapore, it still had all the essentials: tofu, enoki, tteokbokki, veggies, and noodles. A comforting, no-frills rendition of this Korean classic.

Budae Jigae (9,500 each)

Dongducheon Budae Jjigae
Location: 33-1 BIFF gwangjang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea

Dunkin' Busan Station

While Busan is renowned for its traditional seed hotteok, we were pleasantly surprised to find a playful take on this local favorite at Dunkin' Donuts. Their Busan Edition donut came generously topped with a hearty mix of seeds, think sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, and crushed peanuts, all drizzled with a sticky syrup reminiscent of the hotteok’s signature filling.

The donut retained Dunkin’s signature mochi-like chew, contrasting the nutty crunch on top with a delightful texture. It's an interesting blend of modern and local, comfortingly familiar yet unique to Busan. Definitely a fun and satisfying bite for anyone curious to try a fusion twist on a street snack staple.

Busan Edition

We also picked up another donut that leaned more towards the classic side, coated in a glossy layer of chocolate and topped with cheerful rainbow sprinkles. It looked pretty mainstream, but sometimes simplicity hits the spot. The donut was soft and fluffy, and the chocolate added that familiar richness we all love. While it didn’t have the local twist like the Busan Edition, it was still a fun and satisfying pick-me-up that brought a smile with every bite.

Usual

I’m not usually a fan of donuts, especially since they tend to be on the sweeter side for me, what with the sugar glaze and all. But since this shop was right along my usual walk back to the accommodation, and I couldn’t exactly avoid passing by it, I gave in and decided to give it a try. Even if it’s not something I would typically go for, it was still worth a bite out of curiosity.

Dunkin' Busan Station
Location: 1187-21 Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea

Fluc

A visit to Fluc at Pelikat surprised me, hidden in the basement of a mixed residential estate, it serves pocket-friendly Neapolitan hand-stretched pizzas, each made fresh to order.

The owner and staff were warm and welcoming, their passion shining through in the hearty conversations we shared.

Beef Ragu Pizza from FLUC was slow-cooked, rich beef ragu meets stretchy mozzarella on a crisp yet chewy crust. Comfort food reimagined in pizza form, hearty and satisfying in every bite.

Beef Ragu - $22.90 

For their pizza base, they use biga, a traditional Italian pre-ferment made from flour, water, and yeast. This slow fermentation process develops a deeper flavor, gives the crust a light airy texture, and makes it wonderfully crisp on the outside while soft inside.

Biga

The Pesto Chicken Pizza at Fluc is a true crowd-pleaser. What makes it special starts with the pesto sauce , made fresh in-house every single day, it bursts with the aroma of basil and a hint of nuttiness. This fragrant base is generously topped with tender, juicy chicken cubes, sweet pops of cherry tomato, and a blanket of melted cheese that ties everything together. Baked on their hand-stretched Neapolitan-style crust, it strikes the perfect balance of crisp edges and soft, chewy centre. Every bite delivers freshness, comfort, and just the right touch of indulgence.

Pesto with Chicken - $22.90

Up next was their Wagyu Sunrise, a flavour-packed treat with juicy slices of wagyu beef, topped with tangy onion sumac, and crowned with a perfectly runny onsen egg. As the yolk oozed over the toppings, it created a rich, velvety coating that mingled beautifully with the savoury beef, delivering a special taste that truly delighted my taste buds.

Wagyu Sunshine -$29.90

Their chicken is first marinated to lock in rich flavors, then sealed in a vacuum bag and slow-cooked for hours. This method keeps the meat incredibly tender, juicy, and infused with every bit of seasoning before it’s served.

Slow Cooked

After Slow Cooked

The chicken chop was a satisfying choice, especially for gym-goers looking for a hearty protein boost. It’s reasonably priced and offers great value for money. You can choose your preferred sauce, brown, black pepper, or mushroom  to suit your taste. We went with the chicken chop served with crispy fries and fresh rocket on the side, making it a well-rounded and delicious meal.

Chicken Chop + Fries - $8.90

If you prefer your chicken chop with pasta, they have got you covered, spaghetti with chicken chop is also on the menu.

Chicken Chop + Spaghetti - $8.90

FLUC delivers a satisfying balance of flavor, variety, and value. With thoughtfully prepared dishes and flexible options to suit different cravings, it’s a spot that makes everyday meals feel just that bit more rewarding.

Fluc
Location: The Promenade @ Pelikat, 183 Jln Pelikat, B1-74, Singapore 537643

Chai 797

After exploring Shinsegae Busan Centrum City Mall, we decided to settle lunch at their food court. While street food is a common sight in Korea, spotting a large, clean food court in a mall felt a little unique. In contrast, Singapore’s scene is quite the opposite, food courts are everywhere, while true street food is more limited. So in a way, this neat and well-organised food court felt surprisingly familiar to us.

After several days of indulging in Korean cuisine, we decided it was time for a change. Faced with an overwhelming number of choices and wanting to avoid the longer queues, we opted for something different, Chinese cuisine from Chai 797. It was a refreshing shift in flavours and comforting in a familiar way.

Chai 797

Each of us picked our own carb dish,  one went for the Stir-Fried Rice with Local Garlic, while the other chose Black Bean Sauce Noodles with Local Onion and Seafood. Both dishes were comforting in their own way: the fried rice was wonderfully fragrant and addictive, while the noodles packed a savoury punch.

Stir Fried Rice with Selected Local Garlic - 10,500
Black Bean Sauce Noodle with Selected Local Onion & Seafood - 8,800
Sichuan-style sweet & Sour Pork - 29,800

Chai 797 (Shinsaegae Department Store Centum City Food Hall)
Location: 우제2동 Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea

Paris Baguette

There’s a running joke among Singaporeans about this bakery chain, we would cheekily ask, “Want some Paris Bak Kut Teh?” Of course, we’re talking about Paris Baguette, which amusingly hails from Korea, not France. While passing by Busan Train Station, we decided to pop in for a quick breakfast. It was a simple meal of two pastries, one of them being a Kouign-Amann, paired with milk and coffee. A nice way to kickstart the day!

Breakfast

Paris Baguette Busan Station (1F)
Location: 206 Jungang-daero, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea

 

Feng Food

Feng Food is no stranger to me, I have come across them frequently at local coffeeshops. However, this visit to their full-scale outlet at Woodlands Woodsquare gave me a whole new impression. The mall branch offers a more extensive menu, showcasing a wider variety of Taiwanese classics that go beyond the usual quick bites.

Feng Food

If you’re craving hearty Taiwanese fare, this place hits the mark. From comforting bowls of Lu Rou Fan to crispy fried chicken cutlets and sides like salted egg sweet potato fries, their menu has something for every tastebud. The space is casual yet inviting, ideal for anything from a quick meal to a family gathering.

Menu

What makes it even better is their weekday promotion, they offer 15% off your total bill from Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm, excluding weekends and public holidays. It’s a wallet-friendly deal that’s hard to pass up, especially for office workers or nearby residents.

15% off on Total Bill

Feng Food has also earned several F&B awards over the years, which adds to their credibility. With no service charge on top of it all, this eatery delivers both value and taste. If you’re looking for affordable Taiwanese cuisine that doesn’t skimp on flavour, this is a great go-to spot in the north.

Dishes & No Service Charge

Kicking off our Taiwanese feast with a refreshing cucumber starter, crunchy bites lifted by a bold, spicy garlic dressing. Simple yet satisfying!

 Cucumber with Spicy Garlic Dressing 蒜辣黄瓜 - $5

Next up, we had the Taiwanese sausage with garlic, a familiar and comforting dish. True to tradition, it was served with raw garlic slices on the side, offering that unmistakable punch of flavour that complements the sweet, savoury notes of the sausage. The bold pairing may not be for everyone, but it’s a classic combination loved by many.

Taiwanese Sausage with Garlic 现烤蒜味香肠 - $7.60

Something unexpected from the Taiwanese menu, Shrimp & Kimchi Fried Rice. Not your usual pick, but surprisingly well executed. Each grain of pearl rice was evenly coated with the tangy, spicy kick of kimchi, and it came generously topped with plump, juicy prawns and a perfectly done sunny-side-up egg. A satisfying twist that worked beautifully.

 Shrimp & Kimchi Fried Rice 泡菜虾仁炒饭 - $7.90

Shrimp & Pork Wanton Noodles tossed in fiery chilli oil – silky dumplings packed with juicy filling, springy noodles, and a punchy kick in every bite.

Shrimp & Pork Wanton Noodles with Fiery Chilli Oil 红油虾肉抄手拌面(关) - $12.80

Don’t be fooled by the name, the Brown Sugar Caramel Pearl Milk Tea wasn’t overly sweet at all. It was refreshingly balanced and did a great job cooling things down after all the spice.  A soothing finish to the heat!

Brown Sugar Caramel Pearl Milk Tea 黑糖焦糖奶茶 - $4.50

Here’s the perfect cooling finish, Taiwanese Leong Aiyu Jelly! Zesty, light, and just what I needed to calm the lingering spice on my tongue.

 Taiwanese Lemon Aiyu Jelly 柠檬爱玉 - $5

Feng Food
Location: SG Woods Square Mall, 6 Woodlands Square, B2-04  Singapore 737737