10 Dishes Around the World We Miss and Where to Fuel That Culinary Wanderlust in Singapore

 

For foodies who can’t wait to resume their gastronomic exploration around the world, here’s 10 places to explore in Singapore — including special deals, exclusive to UOB Cardmembers.

For most of us, a majority of 2020 was spent stuck at home. And with ongoing travel restrictions, it’s almost certain we’ll have to wait a little longer before we can resume our gastronomic adventures overseas.

Lucky for us, Singapore doesn’t fall short when it comes to international cuisines.

Here are 10 dishes from all over the world we know you’ve sorely missed, and where you can get your culinary wanderlust fuelled despite not travelling!

 

 

1. Japan: Omakase dining

Image credit: Jin Fine Dining Facebook
Omakase set from Jin Fine Dining.

 

Japan has been one of Singaporeans’ top travelled destinations in recent years, and the pandemic has gotten us all missing Japanese cuisine too much! Lucky for us, there are many places that serve up a quick fix for Japanese delectables.

For an authentic Japanese meal experience, try Omakase. In Japan, “Omakase” is a fine-dining concept where diners leave the decision to the chef to serve up a selection of handcrafted dishes.

 

Image credit: Jin Fine Dining Facebook
Sashimi plate from Jin Fine Dining.

 

Take a break and treat yourself to an Omakase meal at Jin Fine Dining. Seafood is fresh and ingredients are flown in from Japan so you know you’re in for a memorable gastronomic experience.

Cost: S$350++ per Omakase set
Address: 76 Telok Ayer Street (Amoy Hotel)
UOB Cardmembers special: 1-for-1 Omakase set at S$168++/pax (U.P. S$350++/pax). Offer ends 31 Dec 2020

 

2. Mexico: Tacos and other Mexican Food

Image credit: Muchos
Quesadillas from Muchos.

 

Nachos, burritos, quesadillas~ Nothing feels more satisfying than sinking your teeth into one of these tasty yet refreshing Mexican delights. What’s awesome about Mexican food is they can be enjoyed not only as mains but also great as snacks in between meals.

 

Image credit: Muchos
Fajitas from Muchos.

 

For some classic Mexican food, there’s Muchos that specialises in modern yet authentic Mexican cuisine! And from now till 26 December, UOB Cardmembers can enjoy a 20% discount for pick-up and delivery orders — perfect for small cosy end-of-year gatherings!

Cost: S$12–S$38/dish
Address: 3D River Valley Rd, #01-04, Singapore (Clarke Quay)
UOB Cardmembers special: 20% off non-dine-in orders (pick-up & delivery) with promo code <MUCHOSUOB20>. Offer ends 26 Dec 2020

 

3. Italy: Neapolitan Pizza

Image credit: Extra Virgin Pizza

 

Pizzas are easy-to-eat staples that can be found anywhere from fast-food restaurants to high-end dining spots. The ubiquitous dish has become quick-fix party food that comes in many different varieties to cater to the pickiest eaters.

But if you’re craving for something more exquisite, like a handmade wood-fired pizza, you can get your fix at Extra Virgin Pizza. Their thin-crust pizzas are made with imported Italian Caputo 00 flour and fresh ingredients, then fire-baked in their woodstone ovens.

 

Image credit: Extra Virgin Pizza Facebook

 

Cost: S$21–S$30
Address: Asia Square Tower 1, 8 Marina View, #01-04, Singapore 018960
UOB Cardmembers special: 1-for-1 takeaway pizzas (orders must be made directly with the restaurant) with your UOB Cards. Offer ends 31 July 2021

 

4. Hong Kong: Classic Hong Kong Egg Noodle with Shredded Char Siew & Superior Soya Sauce

Image credit: Crystal Jade
Classic Hong Kong Egg noodle with Shredded Char Siew & Superior Soya Sauce.

 

For many, the first thing that comes to mind when speaking of Hong Kong cuisine is dim sum. But when hunger strikes, a plate of hearty egg noodles with shredded char siew surprisingly hits the spot just as well. Hong Kong egg noodles are wok-fried with soy sauce, and although it looks simple and ordinary, the flavours are strong but not overpowering.

Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen is no stranger to most Singaporeans — a perfect dining place for exquisite Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant serves up timeless Cantonese favourites such as dim sum, congee, roasted delicacies and sizzling wok specialities.

Other than the classic Hong Kong egg noodle dish, other popular favourites here include the Sautéed Chinese Spinach with Prawn Paste and Fish Roe (U.P. S$16.80), XO Carrot Cake (U.P. S$9.80), Double-boiled Cordyceps Flower & Peach Resin in Chicken Soup (U.P. S$ $11.80 per person) and General Tso's Chicken (U.P. S$16.80).

Cost: From S$9.80/dish
Address: Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Rd, #B2-38, Singapore 238872 (Various outlets)
UOB Cardmembers special: 1-for-1 for the classic Hong Kong Egg Noodle with Shredded Char Siew & Superior Soya Sauce with min, spend of S$35. Offer ends 31 December 2020

 

5. Thailand: Tom Yum Goong

Image credit: RENNthai
Seafood Tom Yum Goong.

 

Spicy, tangy, savoury and a little sweet, Tom Yam Goong is a key Thai dish that never fails to ignite my appetite. The national soup of Thailand, just like other Thai dishes, comes in many variations and preparation styles.

For unpretentious and traditional Thai cooking, check out RENNthai. This place is known for offering the best of Thai cuisines since its opening here in Singapore in 2014.

 

Image credit: RENNthai Facebook
Thai dishes from RENNthai.

 

Cost: S$12–S$39/dish Address: 3D River Valley Road, #01-05, Singapore 179023
UOB Cardmembers special: 20% discount with promo code <RENNUOB20> for pick-up and delivery orders. Offer ends 26 Dec 2020

 

6. Greece: Moussaka

Image credit: Zorba
Moussaka.

 

From yoghurts, pita bread, and grilled meats, a Greek meal is packed with healthy ingredients that fill both the soul and the stomach. If you’ve been to Greece, you’d agree that having a meal in a Greek taverna is more than a gastronomic pleasure. It’s a vibe, a whole mood. Munching on a pita, people-watching, smelling the Mediterranean breeze from the Aegean sea.

 

Image credit: Zorba

 

You don’t have to only imagine you’re on a holiday. At Zorba the Greek Taverna, you’ll be able to dine on flavourful Greek dishes such as greek moussaka and chicken souvlaki. And if you’re a UOB Cardmember, you’ll get to enjoy a complimentary welcome drink when you dine at Zorba.

Cost: S$10–S$28/dish
Address: 3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-02, 179024

 

7. South Korea: Bibimbab

Image credit: Seoul Yummy
Sarang Bibimbab from Seoul Yummy.

 

The Korea fever in the recent decade isn’t subsiding anytime soon, not even amidst a pandemic and travel bans. The worldwide craze of dalgona coffee pretty much sums up everything. And for those who love Korean cuisine, you’ll know that it isn’t just about kimchi.

Another classic Korean dish is just as well-loved — the Bibimbab, literally translated as “mixed rice”, is a traditional Korean dish with rice, an assortment of vegetables, meat and egg. Not all Bibimbab dishes are made the same though, and ingredients differ from chef to chef. But one thing is for sure, no matter what ingredients are put into a bowl of Bibimbab, it’s guaranteed to be a tasty and nutritious meal.

Relive a memorable trip to South Korea with a bowl of Bibimbab from Seoul Yummy. Their signature Sarang Bibimbab is the perfect comfort food to order in as you binge on your favourite k-dramas from home. If you’re dining in, choose the option to have it served sizzling in a hotstone bowl (Dolsot Bibimbab) which retains the heat, giving the rice at the bottom a slight charred flavour — so yummy indeed!

Cost: mains from S$10
UOB Cardmembers special: 10% off total bill for delivery orders with promo code <SYUOB10>. Offer ends 26 Dec 2020

 

8. China: Si Chuan delicacy

Image credit: Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
Sichuan dishes from Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant.

 

Mala is all the rage now and no matter the spice preference, we simply just can’t get enough of it. Mala xiang guo stores are sprouting from Chinatown to your heartland malls. But for a finer taste of Sichuan cuisine, there is the Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant that serves up tantalising dishes such as “Chong Qing” Diced Chicken with Dried Chilli and Boiled Sliced Fish in Sichuan Pepper Sauce that will leave you craving for more.

 

Image credit: Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
Boiled Sliced Fish in Sichuan Pepper Sauce.

 

Cost: U.P. S$62++/adult
Address: 7500 Beach Road, Singapore 199591
UOB Cardmembers special: 20% off ‘A Gastronomic Journey of Sichuan Flavours’ Set Menu at Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, PARKROYAL on Beach Road outlet. Offer ends 31 Dec 2020

 

9. Germany: Schweinshaxn "pork knuckle"

Image credit: Brotzeit
German Schweinshaxn or pork knuckle.

 

The most iconic German dish would be the crispy oven-roasted pork knuckle, or “schweinshaxn”. The crispy cracking skin with tender juicy meat makes the German schweinshaxe an all-time favourite among meat-lovers. It’s a meal fit for a king, even if you’re not Bavarian.

At Brotzeit, the Signature oven-roasted pork knuckle is marinated for 24 hours in premium draught beer and massaged with Brotzeit proprietary spice mix. Served with sauerkraut and potato salad.

 

Image credit: Brotzeit

 

Cost: S$23 for the Signature Pork Knuckle (half portion)
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #01-17 Raffles City Shopping Centre, 179103, Singapore (Various outlets)
UOB Cardmembers special: $10 off Brotzeit’s Signature Pork Knuckle (U.P S$39) with the promo code <BROTZEITUOB>. Offer ends 26 Dec 2020

 

10. France: French Duck Confit

Image credit: The White Rabbit Facebook
Duck confit.

 

A certain Netflix series has got me yearning to visit Paris again, sipping wine in a Parisien cafe, indulging in duck confit, and just watching people going by. An iconic French dish, duck confit is prepared by curing the duck meat in its own fats, then slow-cooked till tender. Thankfully for us, The White Rabbit serves up delightful duck leg confit with green curry, brussels sprout, and roasted vine cherry tomatoes.

 

Image credit: The White Rabbit Facebook
At Home Experience takeaway set.

 

Cost: Mains start from S$32/dish
Address: 39C Harding Road
UOB Cardmembers special: 1-for-1 Hendrick’s Gin & Tonics when you dine in on Tue – Sun, or a complimentary bottle of wine with min. spend of S$250 on takeaway orders. Offer ends 31 Jul 2021

 

Aren’t you glad Singapore is a food haven? With so many choices of different cuisines available, there’s something to look forward to every meal. Overseas travel may be out of bounds for now, but with these ongoing dining promotions, it’s time to take your UOB Cards out for a culinary adventure around Singapore.

Dine with UOB Cards to earn cashback, accelerated miles and more! Click here for details.