Monday, December 18, 2023

Places to Dine near Promenade

Nestled within the vibrant heart of Singapore, Promenade station is surrounded by office buildings,  myriad of shopping malls and tourist attractions. The area is further enhanced by the array of restaurants that line its surroundings. I have came up with a compilation for places to dine near Promenade.

1. Marutama Ramen & Dining

Marutama Ramen is easily recognised by their basketball look alike logo. What sets their ramen apart is the commitment to using only natural ingredients without additives, means no MSG.

I had Marutama Ramen with a seasoned boiled egg. The noodles were soaked in the delicious collagen-rich, thick chicken soup that was cooked for hours, resulting in the richness of the broth and flavourful taste.

The Yaki Goyza was deep fried to achieve the crunchy exterior and juicy interior. For extra kick, dip it into the accompanying chili sauce for a spicy note.

Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd, #02-16A Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
Operating hours: 11.30am to 3pm daily, 5pm to 9pm from Sun to Thu, 5pm to 9.30pm on Fri and Sat

2. Elemen

Elemen is no stranger to me as this marked my third visit. Renowned for its meatless recipes and commitment to natural ingredients, Elemen consistently captivates us with its innovative dining experience.

We had 5 course set at $28.80++, I skipped introducing the dish that I posted before. For the main course, I tried something different, Golden Pao Fan. The dish did not taste like porridge even though the rice was simmered long in a flavourful broth. The addition of crispy rice bits created a contrast in texture.

Ended off with Toffee Chocolate Cake with Gelato. I like that despite being set course, their dessert is served in a decent portion The sponge cake was fluffy and light and the vanilla gelato added a sweet aroma to the cake.

9 Raffles Blvd #01-75/75A/76 Millenia Walk, 039596
Operating hours: 11.30am to 3.30pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm daily

3. Benihana Singapore
Benihana is known for its exquisite Japanese cuisine and teppanyaki cooking, showcasing Japanese-inspired dishes, all expertly crafted and served with flair on a sizzling teppan grill. 


I had Chicken Teppanyaki ($20++) from executive lunch set which came with a tray of goodness consisting of rice, salad, miso soup, boneless chicken thigh teppanyaki and chanwanmushi. The rice was fluffy and the teppanyaki carried a distinctive smoky fragrance that elevated the dining experience.

9 Raffles Blvd, #01-41/42/42A/43 Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
Operating hours: 11.30am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm from Mon to Fri, 11.30am to 10pm on Sat and Sun

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Monday, September 25, 2023

Aura Blender Review: Aura Portable Blender and Aura Insulated Sleeve

 We all know that having a blender at home is a great help, simplifying the process of preparing delicious smoothies, juices, sauces, and more. But having a portable blender offers an added dimension of convenience, allowing us to blend our favourite ingredients on the go, whether at the office, the gym, or while traveling. It is definitely a preferred option in our fast-paced lifestyles, ensuring a nutritious boost whenever we need it.

I recently had the opportunity to review the Aura Portable Blender, paired with the Aura Insulated Sleeve.

Aura Portable Blender
Regular price: $150.00 

The Aura Portable Blender boasts a sleek and compact design with AuraXtreme Borosilicate glass, the travel-sized wonder packs a punch for power, style, and convenience all in one.

The power button has a built-in light indicator that displays the current battery level. Press the power button to check the battery level. When the Aura Blender is running low on battery during use, the red light indicator will start blinking, serving us a reminder that it's time to recharge.

Red Light: 0-20%
Blue Light: 21-80% 
White Light: 80-100%

Cleaning the Aura Blender is an easy chore, simply add water and a drop of dish soap, then click on start button to blend and clean the blender.

I was amazed by the magic of a simple blend comprising only water and a single drop of dishwashing soap. The mixture transformed into a milky solution, and within seconds, my blender was completely  clean.

 I rinsed the blender with plain water to kickstart my blended creation.

I am going to try making dragon fruit drink where I will be blending together some fresh dragon fruit cubes with water for the antioxidant intake. I'm quite lazy in consuming the fruits so blending it into a drink in a perfect solution for me.

The cutting-edge blending technology allows the dragon fruit slices to be blend into smooth and velvety texture. The Aura Nutri Extractor blades extract & preserve up to 99% of vitamins and minerals, ensuring each sip of our blends are packed nutritional goodness.

The blender is equipped with AuraVortex blend technology, capable of pulverizing ingredients at an astonished rate of 25,000 RPM, equivalent to a dizzying 417 times per second! It can even crush ice in under 10 seconds.

I loaded the blender with dried shrimps, all set to create a batch of Hae Bee Hiam. This was the end result of the blended dried shrimps, which shows in a finely shredded form. The powerful blending capabilities surprised me, effortlessly breakdown the solid ingredients into smooth texture. 

I also had mango juices where I blend mango slices with milk to create a refreshing treat.

The Aura Blender has a built-in safety feature which ensure the blades do not function unless the jar is firmly secured to the motor base. This feature not only prevents accidental mishaps but also provides a sense of security during use.

Aura portable blender also features a convenient bottle cap, which offers the flexibility of transforming the blender into a portable bottle by swapping the base for the cap. This allows us to take our blended creations with us on the go without the need to transfer them to a separate bottle. 

Aura Insulated Sleeve

Regular price: $30.00

The addition of the Aura Insulated Sleeve was a thoughtful touch, ensuring that my freshly blended beverages stayed at the perfect temperature on the go. It can fit any standard 500ml bottles.

Crafted in premium neoprene, the Aura Insulated Sleeve provides waterproof and padded protection for the Aura Portable Blender. With the AuraGrid insulating technology, it works like a personal climate control system within the sleeve, ensuring our drinks maintain their intended temperature, whether refreshing cold or soothingly warm.

Check out Aura Blender Website to find out more about Aura Portable Blender and Aura Insulated Sleeve. Delivery is free for those residing in Singapore. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity if you have intention of getting a blender.


This post is a collaboration with Aura Blender and expressed in my own opinion.

Friday, September 22, 2023

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Day 3: Café 30/4 + Checking Out Of CityHouse Ariosa

 I managed to catch at least three hours of sleep last night despite waking up twice to check the time, I really dragged sleepless night because the time was so hard to pass. 


By 8.10am, I was fully prepared to start the day, though the lingering traces of tiredness still visible on my face.

The reason for waking up early was to enjoy the breakfast set available from 7am to 9am at Café 30/4. We arrived at the cafe around 8.30am, it was just 5 minutes walk away from our serviced apartment, besides Independence Palace. While we had visited this spot five years ago when it was under Highlands Coffee, it had now been taken off by Café 30/4.

It was a two storey cafe and we had the whole of level 2 all to ourselves. Stepping into this cafe brought a wave of nostalgia, reminding us of past memories. The wooden charm of the new interior design gave a different style to the familiar cafe.

After gotten our food, we moved in to get a seat besides the floor-to-ceiling glass window with ample of sunlight filtering in. The tranquil and relaxing ambience, coupled with greenery surrounding, make having breakfast here enjoyable, and with privacy too as we were the only customers on level 2.

Both of us got the combo set which consist of Ice Coffee and Pork Banh Mi Que. we added milk to the coffee for an additional of 10,000VND per pax, making the set cost 65,000VND (or S$3.71) per pax. While it may not be considered very cheap, the price remained reasonable for a café. The coffee was not bitter with substantial ratio of sweetness in it.

We sat here for about 1 hour 15 minutes to immerse ourself in the pleasure of coffee, bread, scenery and conversation. I really enjoyed moments like these, where we simply live in the present. 

I noticed a routine of the locals where they like to gather at the opposite park. Some sat along the pathway or on the grass, enjoying breakfast or engaging in conversations to kickstart their day.

Café 30/4
1 Huyền Trân Công Chúa, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Operating hours: 6am to 9pm daily

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Day 2: Godmother Bake & Brunch

I had a sleepless night. Being a light sleeper, I found myself tossing and turning throughout the night. It's quite typical for me not to sleep well during the first couple of nights on a trip. I found myself getting up a few times during the night, walking over to the bench to check the time on my phone (no side table as my bed was facing the wall), and then returning to bed to continue resting. I was so happy when I started hearing the sounds of passing vehicles on the road (since we were staying on the ground floor) because morning has arrived.

As I finished my preparation,  I felt excited for the day ahead. Today would be the highlight of our trip, so we chose our nicest outfit that we bought to the trip to wear today.


Here's how our serviced apartment looked like when viewed from the opposite side of the street. As we headed in the direction of Saigon Square, we also looked around for a good spot to have breakfast.

Just 5 minutes walk from our serviced apartment is Independence Palace, a well-known attraction for tourists. Since we explored it during our previous visit, we did not revisit again.

Saigon Square was 26 minutes walk from our apartment. We ended up spending less than 10 minutes inside the mall because I was quite hungry and we couldn't find a suitable breakfast spot during our journey there.

As we stood on the opposite side of the street, we noticed a charming food spot above the striking blue awning called "Godmother." Without hesitation, we decided to dine there regardless of the menu, I was so hungry that I was unwilling to walk any further.
After nearly 40 minutes of walk, we finally settled down at Godmother Bake & Brunch for our breakfast at 10am. We were led to the second floor where there were plenty of seating options awaited us, each corner with different table arrangements. There was also alfresco seating for smokers who want to have a puff while waiting for food.

The panoramic street view from the cafe's second floor was refreshing.

 Our impromptu exploration of the streets led us to surprises, and stumbling upon this lovely cafe was an unexpected finding. The ambiance and vibe were delightful, and they offered a wide variety of Western brunch options.
Since our food required 25 minutes preparation time, we took the opportunity to explore the alfresco area. With our flexible food itinerary, we have the freedom to leisurely explore and take in delicious food around the city. 

Both of us ordered Matcha Latte at 85,000VND (or $4.86 before tax) which came with a beautiful latte art of rabbit and seahorse. After yesterday incident of not eating full for dinner, Linda decided to follow exactly the same as my pick. The matcha latte had a harmonious blend with robust matcha flavour and well balance earthy tone. 

I had Signature Savoury Pancake Stack at 170,000VND (or $9.71 before tax). After Linda's experience yesterday of not eating full for dinner, she decided to follow me in ordering the same menu, even though she had initially considered another option. The pancake stack arrived, consisting of three delectable pancake layers, accompanied by three savory bacon slices and a perfectly cooked egg.

Godmother Bake & Brunch
2-4-6, 4 Đ. Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Operating hours: 8am to 9pm daily

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Day 1: CityHouse Ariosa + Banh Khot Co Ba Vung Tau

Here marks the beginning of my first vacation after Covid-19, I felt so happy being able to travel again. It's a much-needed break from work, a chance to create new travel memories. I am going to resume my travel adventures, making up for the lost time and fully embracing life once more.


Once we had completed the check-in process, we walked around Terminal 1 departure hall, looking around for lunch at 11.50am. I settled for Pontian Wanton Noodle with black sauce ($7). Though expensive, the wanton noodle was nice with combination of boiled and fried wantons, each bursting with different flavours.

Waiting at the boarding gate, we were flying with Scoot with air ticket at the price of S$137.31. There was a delay of 45 minutes which was quite common occurrence with Scoot flights. 

This time around, we decided to travel light. I only had a backpack and a small hand-carry cooler bag with me, especially since we were planning to switch hotels and not much things that we want to buy.

I exchanged my money at a rate of SGD1 : 17,500VND.

We touched down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport around 2.50pm local time in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam is one hour behind Singapore. Clearing customs took about half an hour. After we left the airport, I spent some time activating my eSIM card for mobile data and booked a Grab ride to our serviced apartment. It took a bit of time for the Grab driver to locate us because we couldn't find the specific meeting point he mentioned. Eventually, we decided to meet at the front of the location. I was surprised that the driver didn't cancel the ride when he couldn't find us, which was quite considerate.

The journey from airport to our serviced apartment was 35 minutes drive. We arrived in District 3 around 4.30pm, the fare for the ride was 112,000VND (or $6.40).

We were staying at CityHouse - Ariosa for two nights at S$100.10, it is a five storey high serviced apartment with a total of 29 rooms. The exterior gave a charming aesthetic, like an assembly of multiple wooden houses stacked on top of one another.

174 Đường Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Cityhouse - Ariosa, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Here's our standard double room with loft bed (22sqm). We were staying on the ground floor and directly the first room, we could see the view of the reception table through the small window. It was my first experience staying in a serviced apartment, it was amazed how the room was designed to incorporate a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom within such a compact space. The wooden interior and high ceiling added a tropical house ambiance, enhancing our overall experience.

The window opened up to the view of  a mini courtyard featuring a small round table, two chairs, and potted plants. This outdoor space was also used by their staff as a dining area and a place for their breaks. I like the window that allows abundance of light into the room.


We did not have a particular destination in mind, so we just walked around and explored the nearby restaurants and eateries to find a place for dinner.

We chanced upon Banh Khot Co Ba Vung Tau and decided to give it a try for "early" dinner. It was around 5:30pm local time, though it was actually 6:30pm in Singapore.

The restaurant had an inviting atmosphere with wooden interior details against a white backdrop. Since it was still early for dinner, the place appeared a bit empty, but as time went by, more diners began to arrive.

I enjoyed a refreshing Coconut drink at 35,000VND (or $2). The coconut was served directly from its husk where I can taste the natural freshness of the coconut.

I had Egg Fried Rice at 70,000VND (or $4) which was served in a claypot with cucumber and tomato. While the rice had a delightful fragrance, I noticed that some parts of it were a bit firm and tended to stick together, which was a minor drawback.

The total bill came up to 205,800VND (or $11.76). The sky already turned dark when we finished our dinner, the sun set at around 5.45pm.
Just 6 minutes walk from the restaurant, we found a shopping mall named Diamond Plaza. However, it was a high-end department store operated by Lotte, akin to Isetan of Singapore. After a quick five-minute exploration, we decided to leave the mall. 

Though it was only 6.30pm, the sky was completely dark. On our way back to the hotel, we spotted a convenience store. Linda picked up cup noodles and snack to consume in hotel as she was still hungry, she only had crab soup and one spring roll at the restaurant.

We reached our serviced apartment at about 7pm.

Since our main objective for the choice of this serviced apartment was the bathtub, I also utilised it during our stay.

We spent our night watching YouTube variety shows till midnight. It felt like a staycation to us as we found ourselves spending the majority of our time in the room, enjoying the cozy atmosphere. 

This sums up our experience on the first day in Ho Chi Minh City.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Happenings in August - The Modern Izakaya + Senka Perfect UV Gentle Milk SPF 50+

Tuesday 8/8/23

I had my lunch at The Modern Izakaya @Chijmes, a casual Japanese dining restaurant that boosts a chill atmosphere, offering a selection of sake, beer and Japanese cuisine.

I had Tori Chicken Katsu Lunch Set ($18++), it was quite a good deal as it came with salad, main course, chawanmushi, miso soup and a sweet conclusion of mango pudding. The set was decent but well rounded meal, making it valuable for the price paid.

Wednesday 9/8/23

Wearing daily sunscreen can effectively shield our skin from harmful UV rays and preventing premature aging. Incorporating a higher SPF into our skincare routine is one of the most beneficial actions we can take to maintain healthy skin. 

I’m glad to be introduce to Senka Perfect UV Gentle Milk SPF 50+ PA++++, a water-resistant sunscreen specially crafted for sensitive skin. What sets this sunscreen apart is its formulation, which is free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, alcohol, and added fragrance, making it ideal for those with delicate skin. With its high level of protection, SPF 50+ and PA++++, it offers a reliable defense against harmful UV rays. 

Senka's sunscreen has a watery texture that effortlessly blended well into the skin. Being water resistant offers peace of mind even during hot and humid weather. This sunscreen provides both effective sun protection and a comfortable experience throughout the day.