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Craving for Chicken Rice? Here are the Best Places to Get Some

Because Hainanese Chicken Rice is well known as Singapore’s national dish, you can expect to find it almost anywhere. But you can’t presume that every chicken rice stall will meet your expectations. That’s why we’ve listed some of the best places to get chicken rice in Singapore.

Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Tian Tian Chicken Rice is practically a landmark because of its popularity, with many of its customers saying they have the best Hainanese chicken rice in the country. They are best known for having firm chicken slices with fragrant, oily rice along with equally delicious side dishes. Because Tian Tian is popular, you can expect a long queue during lunch time. That is why it is best to go before 11 AM and after 2 PM if you don’t want to wait in line.

Chin Chin Eating House
Chin Chin Eating House is one of the oldest establishments serving chicken rice, having started operations in 1934. This has contributed to the authentic Hainanese flavor that you get from their dish. The oily rice gives off a sweet aroma of garlic and ginger. The tender chicken, on the other hand, gives a burst of flavors because of the sesame oil and light soy sauce drizzled over it.

Kampong Chicken Rice/Chicken House
For one, the service is pretty fast here. Chicken House is known for serving juicy chicken slices with rice that’s also quite fragrant. Their chicken is also considered leaner and healthier, not as fatty compared to those of other stalls. They also have a chili sauce that goes really well with the chicken rice and adds a thick and spicy flavor.

Nam Kee Chicken Rice & Restaurant
Nam Kee Chicken Rice & Restaurant is another establishment that’s been operating for a long time already. They also serve authentic Hainanese chicken rice which many people enjoy because of the tender and juicy slices of chicken. The sauce poured over the chicken meat, although not too strong, also adds a certain balance of flavors.

Ming Kee Chicken Rice
Ming Kee Chicken Rice is famous for keeping the chicken in the ice bath until it is served. This helps to retain the flavor and firmness of the chicken meat until the dishes reach your table. Today, leaving the chicken in the ice bath isn’t unique to Ming Kee anymore. Nonetheless, their chicken rice is masterfully prepared and is undeniably delicious. Also, the chili that they use compliments the whole dish well.

Good Year Local Hainanese Chicken Rice
All you really need to know is, the rice in Good Year is served differently. They serve traditional chicken rice balls! This is already pretty rare today in Singapore, that’s why you should go to try it. One issue, though, is that the rice is quite mushy and some people don’t like it that way. Even so, if you want to try new ways to eat your chicken rice, here it is.

A Quick Guide on the Best Korean Restaurants in Singapore

Ever since the popular Korean drama “Jewel in the Palace” was broadcast in Singapore in 2005, Singaporeans have had increased interest in Korean culture. Today, with popular Kpop groups and dramas gaining so much public attention, more and more restaurants are also popping up everywhere.

There are already more than 200 Korean restaurants and food stalls in Singapore. So here are some you can go to for your Korean food cravings.

Singkoba Barbeque
Korean restaurants are known to serve a variety of side dishes or ban chan and there’s no shortage of that here! The food is also served surprisingly fast, which of course, is very convenient for all the hungry customers. Their samgyeopsal is a feast for the eyes while cooking and just as satisfying when eaten. Even with the quality, Singkoba is one of the more affordable Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore. An added bonus is that they have staff who can speak Korean, English, and Chinese.

Seoul Restaurant
Seoul Restaurant, located in the Regent Hotel, is one of the authentic Korean restaurants in Singapore. The tables, chairs, and overall layout of this restaurant reflect that of the Regent Hotel as a five-star hotel. The layout and furniture were all very new and clean, matching up to the top-quality layout and amenities of the entire Regent Hotel. Anything part of Korean cuisine from charcoal barbeque, rice bowls, and vegetable sides, you can have here.

Bornga
When the first outlet of Bornga started operations in Star Vista Mall in 2012, it became so popular that the franchisee had to start more outlets later on. Bornga is a chain of barbeque restaurants by Korean celebrity chef, Baek Jong-won. He says he started Bornga with the aim of making Korean cuisine accessible to foreigners and not just Koreans. And we can say he succeeded in that! The meat they serve is juicy and there’s also no shortage of vegetables as sides.

E!ght Korean BBQ
This Korean barbeque restaurant is known for their unique 8 Colors Set. It is a set of eight thick-cut slices of pork belly, each with different flavors from herbal, to curry, to wine and so on. It also comes with side dishes like Seafood Doenjang Jjigae or bean paste stew, kimchi, potato salad, and etc. The 8 Colors Set should be good for 3-4 people. If you’re going alone or with a partner, you can order the 4 Colors Set.

Three Meals A Day
This restaurant shares the same name with a popular South Korean reality cooking show. You won’t doubt authenticity here because you’ll see that most of their customers are Koreans from office workers to moms with their kids. The dishes are also priced reasonably, which is always good. The side dishes were also very much appealing, from egg rolls to bean sprouts. Their kimchijeon or kimchi pancake is also must-have as a side

Helpful Things to Know When Visiting Singapore

When visiting other countries, it is obviously important to get to know your destination before you’re even there. Singapore is an exciting place to go to, but there are a lot of things you need to know to make your visit as smooth as possible.

Singapore is generally safe
Singapore is considered the safest country in the world. Most of the crimes committed in Singapore are petty crimes like scams and pickpocketing, most commonly. So it does not necessarily mean that you should be care-free when in Singapore. It is safe, but not entirely crime-free.

Consider the weather
Being a tropical country, much of the weather in Singapore is dictated by the monsoon seasons. Basically, there’s dry weather earlier in the year and a wet season near the end. When they say dry weather, it’s not your simple “dry weather”, it’s going to be really hot. That is why flip flops, tank tops, and shorts are the typical go-to’s when walking around.

The transportation is great
You won’t have any problems not having a car in Singapore as a tourist. The subway system is quite reliable and can get you almost anywhere. Major areas and landmarks are connected through the train systems. Taxis, on the other hand, can have pros and cons. For one, you won’t have to worry about being scammed because taxis are regulated and metered. But, it can still get pretty expensive because of airport charges or highway tolls.

You’ll rarely get hungry
Food is a great part of Singapore’s culture given the diversity in the country. Hence, Singaporeans are very passionate when it comes to food. Along with all the tourist spots, it’s a grave mistake to not explore Singapore’s hawker center, food stalls, and restaurants. An added bonus is that many places also stay open day and night.

“Singapore is a Fine City”
Singaporeans and many tourists alike joke around with this statement as it has a double meaning. Singapore has been known to impose fines on so many things. If you think about it, it does make sense because they just want to discourage unpleasant behavior. There are fines for spitting, chewing gum, smoking in certain areas, littering, peeing in the elevators (this makes absolute sense!), and a lot more.

Tap water is safe to drink
The quality and standard of water in Singapore is very high. The tap water is clean and even safe to drink. Although that’s the case many Singaporeans still shun the idea of drinking tap water from hawker center or old coffee shops. Given that, you should still avoid being overly reliant.

Escalator etiquette
If in your country you follow a stand on the right, walk on the left rule, it’s the opposite in Singapore. You stand on the left. If you’re new to this concept, you’re basically just standing on one side of the escalator to allow those in a hurry to walk on the other side.

3 Fitness Classes to Smash Your Fitness New Year’s Resolutions

To those who have just decided to live a more active lifestyle, the gym can be an intimidating place. It’s filled with so many people who have the same goal as you, and the gym can only accommodate so many people at the same time. Especially during the first few weeks of the New Year, gyms tend to be full of people with the same New Year’s resolutions as you. But how do you still achieve your goal, and not get stuck waiting forever for your turn on the elliptical? The answer is fitness classes! It’s a much more practical (and cost-effective) to reserve a spot for you in a class that can cater your specific fitness goals. It even opens up more options for exercising; from yoga mats to underwater, fitness classes can help you achieve your fitness goals, tailored exactly to you.

1. Pulse, powered by Clubbercise
For those who love dancing the night away, why not do so while getting a good workout? Pulse is a dance fitness concept that combines energetic dance moves and cardio. While dancing to hits from the 90’s to the modern day, you can tone your entire body from head to toe. Each class lasts an hour and is led by fitness experts that can give you a healthy and safe workout. Pulse also hands out glowsticks that you can wave around while doing your workout, which completes the nightclub look and gives your arms a great toning. These classes are held at Tanjong Pagar every 6:30 pm; all you’ll need to bring are workout clothes, good shoes, water and a towel.

2. Ritual Gym
Ritual Gym is the perfect gym for busy-bodies who still want to be active. All you need is 30 minutes and Ritual Gym can guarantee an effective and safe workout for you. Science says that all you need is a good workout for twenty minutes, and Ritual Gym can help you make the most out of those twenty minutes. Your workout will consist of a combination of strength training and cardio, giving your whole body a workout. After your workout, shower and change in one of their private cubicles, grab one of their fresh and healthy smoothies from their fuel bar, and you can be on your way to other priorities all under thirty minutes. You don’t even need to bring anything, as Ritual provides all the materials that you need (you can even train barefoot!)

3. Aqua Cycling by Aquaspin
Aquaspin adapts land-based exercise programs and puts them in the water. Aqua cycling lets you do your usual cycling exercise routine, but submerged partially underwater. With the pressure of the water pushing down on your knees, you could get a good and safe workout that is both soothing and healthy. For those who have never tried water aerobics before, you could find a sport that you’re familiar with, like cycling, running, and aerobics, and try the underwater version provided by Aquaspin.

Top Franchises in Singapore

Singapore is a great place to set up a franchise. The market in Singapore is unbelievably huge. With a huge population despite it’s size, setting up a franchise in the perfect location could easily keep your business healthy. Singapore is very brand oriented which means that having a popular brand is a must if you want to have a successful business in Singapore. Of course, the downside of franchising is the lack of personal input since you are duplicating a business that is already successful. But if you are after money, then franchising is definitely something for you.

In this article, we will be talking about the top franchises that actually originated in Singapore! You don’t need to invest in a foreign company to get a pretty successful franchise. All you need to do is pick the right one from the very country you’re in, Singapore.

Here are a few of the top franchises in Singapore:

1. Old Chang Kee
Old Chang Kee is famous for serving Singapore’s top snacks. Of course, why wouldn’t there be a franchise that focuses on selling something people eat everyday? They have a really interesting selection of fried curry puffs, chicken wing, sotong, fish ball, nuggets, and more! Old Chang Kee has even been able to expand to Australia, Malaysia, and also Indonesia.

2. Prima Deli
A fusion of Singaporean Asian, French and Western business which sells pastries, buns, cakes and bread. Prima Deli is an inspiring tale of a home-grown bakery franchise that has started to get recognition and grow beyond the founder’s expectations.

3. Ya Kun Kaya Toast
We don’t know about you, but we definitely love breakfast! Ya Kun Kaya serves amazing classic Singaporean breakfast like toast, soft boiled eggs, and coffee. Another fun fact about this place is that it makes you feel like you can have breakfast any time of the day! Ya Kun Kaya is of Hainanese origin and now has 70 outlets across seven countries including Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan

4. Toast Box
Famous for it’s Nanyang coffee, this franchise also focuses on serving the best classical Singaporean breakfast! As for Toast Box versus Ya Kun Kaya, we can not say which one is the best. You’ll just have to find out for yourself!

5. Pezzo
Pizza is one of the greatest franchises around the world which is why Pezzo is an amazing franchise! Pezzo serves pizza in nine different toppings! Imagine having that much toppings to choose from! Well, it may not be a lot, but for a franchise, Pezzo does pretty good!

Here are the top franchises in Singapore that originated in Singapore itself! Why not hit the mall and check them out?

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