Best Places To Get Plant-Based Meat Alternatives In Singapore

Over the weekend, I had the chance to meet up with a childhood friend. With her contagious personality and unwavering enthusiasm, she encouraged me to try the plant-based options at Starbucks. You read that right! Starbucks, of all places, introduced me to the wonderful world of plant-based meat alternatives.

To my surprise, the dish resembled the flavors and texture of the real meat. I expressed how eager I am to try another plant-based dish and my friend said: “If you think about it, meat primarily gets its taste from its herbs and spices.” My curiosity grew and I began to search for other vegan creations offered by restaurants and supermarkets in Singapore.

Through the innovation of companies and startups, the vegan scene is thriving with its amazing plant-based meat products. Read this article for the best brads and where to find them.

#1: IMPOSSIBLE FOODS

When the well-renowned plant-based meats by Impossible Foods graced our sunny shores in 2019, it won the hearts of many with its beef-like flavor and texture. Two years later, it became a center of many dishes such as burgers, pizzas, and even curry puffs.

Image Credits: facebook.com/ImpossibleFoods

Craving for the OG plant-based meats? Satisfy your hunger with Impossible Foods’ selection at FairPrice, Cold Storage, or RedMart. Its Impossible Beef (340g) retails for S$11.90 at these stores.

Website: impossiblefoods.com

#2: QUORN

Let us move the spotlight from California’s Impossible Foods to United Kingdom’s Quorn. Quorn sells a wide variety of vegetarian meat products including vegan fish fingers, crispy nuggets, burgers, sausages, and more. Their products are made from a fermented protein that is derived from the fungus that grows in soil.

Image Credits: facebook.com/Quornfoods

What separates Quorn from the rest is its competitive prices. For instance, a 336g packet of Quorn Sausages retails for just S$6 on RedMart. Quorn is available at most supermarkets including Cold Storage and FairPrice.

Website: quorn.sg

#3: IKEA

Let’s face it! Many Singaporeans drop by IKEA to eat their Swedish meatballs rather than to buy a list of furniture. Instead of braving the crowds, you can taste their plant-based alternative at the safety of your own home. Take home a frozen bag of plant balls for S$8.50 (12 pieces), S$10.50 (16 pieces), or S$12.50 (20 pieces). These plant balls are made of nourishing ingredients such as yellow pea protein, oats, and potatoes.

Image Credits: Lara Isabella Parry via facebook.com

Visually, these plant balls resemble the Swedish meatballs. Order a plate of 8 plant balls with mashed potato and mixed vegetable for S$6.50 to see for yourself!

Website: ikea.com

#4: BEYOND MEAT

From beef patties to ground beef, you can easily recreate your favorite meal dish with the plant-based meats offered by Beyond Meat. Australian company Beyond Meat’s plant-based products not only look and taste like meat, but they also cook in a similar fashion. Best of all? All their products are made without gluten or soy.

Image Credits: facebook.com/beyondmeat

Beyond Meat products are available at the local restaurants such as Porta and Wolf Burgers and supermarkets such as FairPrice, Cold Storage, and RedMart. Grab a 453g pack of minced beef for S$19.95 at FairPrice or S$19.67 at RedMart.

Website: beyondmeat.com

BOTTOMLINE

These plant-based meat substitutes can affect your wallet, your body, and the environment. Sticking with non-processed food like vegetables, grains, nuts, fruits, and tofu can help you save more money as meats tend to be relatively expensive. Incorporating these plant-based meats to your diet can affect your budget too depending on your frequency of cooking and your brand of choice. Plan your meals wisely.

At the end of the day, items made with plants are nutritious and versatile. Do not be afraid to explore other vegan options in Singapore!

Sources: 1, 2, 3

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Singapore Eateries That Can Deliver To Your Doorstep

As one of my parents reach the ripe age of 50, we have planned a special celebration that will gather all our loved ones. Enter COVID-19! The pandemic has halted several gatherings such as graduations, weddings, and funerals. With that being said, my parent’s birthday is no exemption.

We need to be creative as it will happen in two weeks time. Thankfully, there are several local businesses that host their delivery services through various apps such as foodpanda and GrabFood. Foodpanda is helping business owners by speeding up the on-boarding process and by offsetting related fees.

GrabFood has signed up hundreds of F&B businesses to its food and goods delivery platforms over the past month. Moreover, they help small local businesses by creating the “Local Heroes” icon. This will increase the visibility of highly-rated small businesses.

If you are not part of these apps, you may consider the following food websites that offer delivery services islandwide.

#1: SHO YAKITORI

Website: click here

Satisfy your Japanese food cravings by placing an order at Sho Yakitori through their Whatsapp number: +6596409321. Sho Yakitori specializes in Unagi (eel), Hitsumabushi, Yakitori, and Sushi. They offer bento sets and sides too. Surely, my sister will will place many orders of Japanese food during the circuit breaker period.

#2: NAGA IMO

Website: click here

Another Japanese restaurant that flourishes through its delivery services is Naga Imo. Naga Imo is originally located at Club Street. It serves a wide variety of Japanese dishes, which you can get by contacting them at 9638 8182 or 8595 5111. Orders above S$60 are free of charge.

#3: SOCIAL PLACE

Website: click here
Best known for serving contemporary Chinese cuisine and dim sum, Social Place is a restaurant hailing from Hong Kong. From now until May 4, Social Place is offering takeaway and delivery services with a minimum order of S$50. This comes along the S$7 delivery fee. For orders of S$100 and above, delivery fees will be waived.

Delivery hours span from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm daily. You may order through the website.

#4: MENYA KOKORO

Website: click here
Sorry for flooding you with Japanese restaurants, but Menya Kokoro is worth mentioning. It specializes in mazesoba. Mazesoba is a type of dry, mixed noodles. It is currently doing deliveries in the Tanjong Pagar area with a minimum order of S$25 and no delivery charge.

Delivery hours span from 11:00 am to 8:45 pm daily. Order by contacting
+65 6443 1727 or +65 9392 2466.

#5: 928 YISHUN LAKSA

928 Yishun Laksa is a hawker stall in Yishun that sells delicious laksa. Delivery services spanning from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm from Monday to Saturday are currently exclusive to Yishun and Khatib. The delivery fee is S$5.

The laksa’s friendly prices come in two sizes:

Small: S$3.00
Big: S$3.50

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You can add ingredients at S$0.50 extra or cockles for S$1 more. To order, contact Glen on WhatsApp at 9278 8282 and complete the payment via PayNow or PayLah.

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5 Obvious Ways Buffets Earn Money

The primary job of an all-you-can-eat buffet manager is to fill the customer’s belly as inexpensive and as quickly as possible. Apart from this, they must employ other strategies to keep the customers back! For starters, Singaporeans must be sold with the idea of the buffet’s capability of providing an ample variety while maintaining high quality. At the same time, food wastage must be minimized.

On that note, here are 5 Obvious Ways Buffets Earn Money.

#1: BEVERAGES ARE HUGE

As you enter an all-you-can-eat buffet, notice how huge the beverage glasses are. There is a method to the madness! Firstly, providing tall drinking glasses fill customer bellies fast. They would be able to eat less for the same buffet price. Secondly, they can up-sell the soft drinks to earn huge mark-ups without spending a lot for it.

#2: MENU ITEMS ARE CHOSEN CAREFULLY

To strike a balance between cost and quality, the menu items have been chosen carefully. You may notice how a restaurant will constantly change their array of meats. A buffet may have a long line of satisfied customers if you offer unlimited lobsters or steaks every night. However, you cannot expect a huge profit by doing this. Managers need to find cheaper cuts of poultry, fish, and other meat products. They get more savings by buying in bulk.

#3: CUTTING IN SMALLER PORTIONS

Have you noticed how buffets cut pricier meats into smaller pieces compared to cheaper breads? Rationally, a person would take two pieces of a buffet item instead of one. Can you imagine if all the guests take two huge pieces of lobster? That would be costly! Instead, they have to follow society’s unspoken rule and offer smaller pieces to keep the line moving.

#4: CHOICES ARE PRESENTED STRATEGICALLY

Buffets apply another strategy that is hidden in plain sight. Pay attention to the layout of the buffet line. Cheaper and more filling carbs and sides are laid out in the beginning of the line. By the time you get your entree, your plate will be so full.

Another trick is placing an expensive item along with a variety of cheaper items. For instance, an expensive protein among several cheaper side dishes. Pricier desserts are surrounded by a platter of fruits.

#5: MENUS ARE FLEXIBLE

Successful restaurants usually keep its food and beverage costs below 30% of its revenues. All-you-can-eat buffets achieve this by offering a flexible menu design. Its menu can change every day based on what ingredients are cheap and what food items are seasonally available.

You can apply the same ideal on your next trip to the grocery.

Sources: 1 & 2

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7 Buffet Tricks To Maximize Every Cent

From a wide selection of hotel buffets to hawker centers, Singaporeans just love to eat! If you are a devout food enthusiast such as I am, you will be able to relate to the sheer excitement that I get from seeing a well-stocked buffet table. Just think about all the vibrant and glorious food that you can eat in one seating!

What’s more? You can enjoy eating as much as you want without judgment from others. Such freedom comes with a price. Only a fool would walk out the door without ensuring that he or she actually got a good deal. On that note, here are some tricks you can apply to your next all-you-can eat buffet trip.

#1: DO YOUR RESEARCH

Singapore offers a decent amount of buffet options with varying food quality, price, and value. Do your research to find where you can get the best deal. Stay true to your preferences when it comes to the food selection. Go to a buffet whereby you can eat most of their offerings.

Researching will also help you learn about the fine print. Know what is included and what is not. You do not want any nasty surprises at the end of day!

#2: GET AN OVERVIEW

Plan your eating strategy by getting an overview of all the food options upon arriving. Yes! Salads or fresh vegetables may be ideal starters. However, do not get a mountain of lettuce and toppings if you are planning to survive the entire haul. Look around and focus on the premium stuff, which you can indulge on.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: TAKE SMALL PORTIONS

Buffets typically have unlimited refills. You can always go back for more! Do not get stuck with a large serving of pasta that does not taste as pleasant as it looks. Instead, get small portions of everything you want to taste.

#4: TAKE DISHES YOU CANNOT COOK AT HOME

You are celebrating something special as you are blessed with rows and rows of savory food. Choose dishes that you do not or cannot cook at home.

It is rare for me to eat seafood at home. Recently, I devoured several salmon breads topped with caviar as well as all the seafood I can eat in the buffet to maximize my experience.

#5: DO NOT FAST

Most people starve themselves as way to eat as much as they can in a buffet. These people forget that their stomach needs to prepare prior to the battle. The stomach needs stretching before it prepares for any rigorous activities such as eating in bulk.

Drink water throughout the day to stretch it. Furthermore, it is recommended to eat a light meal before you enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet.

#6: STICK TO YOUR PREFERENCES

The Indian buffet place nearby may offer an amazing promotion on their signature dishes. However, it is not amazing if you do not like curry or spiced food.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You are only trapping yourself if you focus on the price-to-food volume ratio! If you are not keen in eating a bulk of food from a specific cuisine, skip it.

#7: DO DAMAGE CONTROL

Once you are finished eating your glorious feast, the only thing left is damage control. Drinking probiotics is beneficial for your digestion. Another alternative is peppermint tea. Peppermint tea soothes the stomach, reduces bloating, and cures any nausea you may be experiencing.

You can purchase peppermint tea bags for as low as S$3.25 at FairPrice.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Save Big By Cooking Your Own Meals

On average, it is about five times more expensive to order food from a restaurant than cooking your own meal at home. It is no secret that eating out can snip your budget in a short span of time. However, many opt to place their orders online through food delivery apps due to their busy schedules or lack of talent in the kitchen. I cannot deny the convenience that Food Panda or GrabFood sells!

Eat better food and save money in the process by following these kitchen suggestions.

#1: PREP MEALS IN BULK

My significant other’s mother leads an efficient life by prepping meals on Sundays. She cooks three to four dishes, which can be reheated whenever one pleases. Try cooking boiled eggs and steamed vegetables that will last for two to three meals. This way, you and your family will be able to enjoy your cooking even when in a hurry.

Simply label the food accordingly and pop it in a freezer bag or a microwaveable container. Serve this pre-cooked meal with fresh sides and you are ready to go!

#2: USE A SLOW COOKER

On the other hand, my partner’s father seems to be fascinated with the slow cooker. He cooks ribs and fish using a slow cooker and vacuum seals these meals to last for a little over a month. Imagine that!

Using a slow cooker is a money saver. You can cook larger meals with enough leftovers to freshen up your second meal. Moreover, it enables you to purchase less expensive and tougher meat because it acts as a tenderizer.

#3: CREATE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Challenge your creative juices by cooking food with the ingredients available in your kitchen. It is easy to build your meals through daily grocery shopping. However, regularly cooking what is already at hand enables you to maximize your resources and minimize food wastage.

Curb your spending by scavenging the vegetables and meat available in the fridge. Consume food that will go bad soon before if it is too late!

#4: BUY WHAT IS ON SALE

Last but not the least, you may travel through the grocery aisles to purchase items that are on sale. Use this opportunity to purchase chicken breast or salad dressings, which are on sale. Purchase extra pack or pieces whenever possible to secure your future cravings.

I cannot deny that our modern generation consumes things in an instant! When we want things, we want them now. This increases the chances of ordering out and slimming your funds. Hence, you must learn the power of delayed gratification.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You cannot always eat what you want, but you can make most of what you have.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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