[FOOD DELIVERY] Enjoy Premium Sushi and Sashimi by Sushi Delivery Singapore at the Comfort of Your Couch!

May 13, 2020May 16, 2020 / Fiona Seah / 2 Comments

Hello everyone!

Staying at home (involuntarily) has opened my eyes to the scores of food delivery options which I would not have otherwise known if I had continued to eat out. Just yesterday, I had the luxury of relishing a spread of Japanese food on my dining table without stepping out of my house because Sushi Delivery made it possible 🙏🏻

Sushi Delivery website

Not like any other sushi joint…

An adopter of the virtual kitchen concept, Sushi Delivery debunks the notion that takeaway foods are of inferior quality with little to no nutritional value by procuring ingredients from Japanese sources and staying true to traditional preparation methods for their sashimi.

Let’s begin with the promised taste: the flavour and texture of the fish is preserved through the employment of the ikejime technique which involves disrupting its brain and spinal cord to mitigate all the effects of biochemical reactions, thus allowing the flesh to develop an umami dimension. Since the fish is sourced only from ikejime-trained suppliers in – where else – Hokkaido and Tsukiji, you can be assured that only the freshest, high-grade catch is used for your sashimi to give the soft, melt-in-your-mouth goodness in every bite.

Maki page

The sushi-meshi (sushi rice) is made of premium Japanese shortgrain obtained directly from Miyagi prefecture – a place famous for its fertile environment that enables rice paddies to flourish. The rice is processed and packaged in the same year in which it was harvested (“shinmai”) to retain its moisture and flavour, that’s why it has a more glutinous, sticky and plump texture when cooked.

Committed to beating the clock…

Each of the seven kitchens located islandwide is helmed by a Japanese itamae (or head sushi chef, an exceptionally prestigious and revered title given only to those who have undertaken years of training and apprenticeship), and is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and technology to ensure efficiency and food quality. Orders are also assigned to kitchens with the closest proximity so that they are fulfilled on time. To help you take your mind off delays, a $10 discount code will be given to you to use on your next Sushi Delivery order if they fail to deliver within the selected 1-hour window and the subsequent hour (i.e. delay of more than 2 hours). Granted, it’s not the best way of doing damage control but at least there’s no restrictions on the redemption (apart from having to pay S$5.90 for delivery if you do not meet the minimum order amount of S$60) – it’s $10 off regardless of order amount (their cheapest items are makis, so there’s that 🤪).

Dropdown menu

My order arrived at 7.23pm, well within the delivery window that I had chosen (i.e. 7.00pm – 8.00pm). The friendly deliveryman carefully handed me two bags at the door – one containing the sushis and makis, and the other the mains, and I must say the neat presentation of the finger foods – despite them having travelled on the roads – had left me really impressed. The dishes looked almost like what you’d expect to see if you were to dine in a Japanese restaurant!

My order (sans salmon sashimi)

Thank you, Mr Deliveryman for safely delivering our dinner to us!

To sidetrack for a moment, that the layout of the website struck me with a sense of deja vu. Like, I thought I had seen it somewhere before. Then, it hit me – it has similar design to that of 8 Crabs! Now, I don’t know if both businesses are run by the same company or if they’re merely using a very common e-commerce website template (and the same delivery model), but I do know both websites are managed by different registrars and were set up on dates far apart.. so I guess these put my suspicion to rest?

Here’s what went into our tummies, courtesy of Sushi Delivery:

Containers came with see-through lids.. and many, many packets of shoyu sauce and wasabi 😅

What a spread!

Salmon Aburi Maki (8 pieces, S$15.90)

Salmon Aburi Maki

THICCC

Drizzled with rich mentaiko mayo and black tobiko, the salmon slices were flame-torched to a nice brown texture to give a mild burnt fragrance. There were also tamago and Japanese cucumber wrapped inside the roll for an added crunch. This was a pure pleasure to eat, and definitely worthy of its chef’s recommendation status.

Mango Maki (8 pieces, S$16.90)

Mango Maki

This felt like a party in my mouth. Grilled unagi was used in place of avocado (which is a common ingredient in mango maki) inside the roll, giving the maki a savoury yet slightly sweet flavour. There was also diced Japanese cucumber which acted as a crunchy, refreshing ingredient. The top of the maki is blanketed by a generous slice of mango topped with a dash of mayonnaise and tobiko, which made the whole dish even more tantalising on the palate.

Multi-layers of goodness

The chef who came up with the list of recommendations must have made a mistake. Why isn’t mango maki featured when it’s so delectable? Even my mother, who isn’t really a fan of Japanese cuisine, couldn’t resist the urge to have seconds! This was easily my favourite dish of all!

Salmon Sashimi (5 pieces, S$9.90)

Salmon Sashimi

Salmon sashimi wasn’t shortlisted for this review originally because past food delivery experiences had made me weary of receiving lukewarm sashimi. But the Sushi Delivery representative I corresponded with decided that I should still give it a try because… which Japanese food review doesn’t talk about the most beloved sashimi? Silly me!

The salmon sashimi was included in the bag with the other makis and I was pleasantly surprised it came chilled, owing to the ice packs beneath those thick, smooth slices. True to Sushi’s Delivery promise, it was fresh but didn’t appear very dark-hued, which could suggest that the salmon was farmed.

Saba Shioyaki Set Bento (S$12.90)

Saba Shioyaki Set Bento

The bento box menu is ideal for people who aren’t fond of raw food (like my mother). This bento set, in particular, included a piece of severed grilled saba (mackerel) seasoned with salt, and sushi rice topped with furikake served with a side salad and Japanese pickles. It was all right but nothing to write home about. My mother did remark that the freshness of the fish wasn’t quite up to her standard, though.

Cheesy Unagi Aburi Don (S$15.90)

Cheesy Unagi Aburi Don

This bowl of sushi rice was served with thick slabs of unagi slices, grated parmesan cheese, slices of Japanese cucumber. The unagi was slightly crispy on the outside and tender inside with a balance of sweet and savoury flavours, and the unorthodox addition of cheese lent a salty note.

There is a mistake in the official description (which I believe was copied from Unagi Don) – the egg ingredient isn’t onsen egg but tamagoyaki, as you can tell from the accompanying image on the website.

Bara Chirashi Don (S$16.90)

Bara Chirashi Don

The Bara Chirashi Don might look like a mossy mess in pictures but it was actually loaded with a generous amount of ingredients that still felt a little chilled to the touch. There were diced salmon, maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellowtail) and tamago (egg), topped with slices of Japanese cucumber and kizami nori (shredded seaweed), and not once did my spoon emerge from the dish without an ingredient. The portion was more than substantial for me. In fact, I was unable to finish my sushis and makis after having this! (I kept them in the fridge and had them at a later time, don’t worry.)

Besides the taste and quality, prices, in general, are also comparable to those of Japanese restaurants. But since Sushi Delivery operates out of a virtual kitchen, you get to save on service charge and prevailing government taxes, which usually work out to be quite a sum.

That said, I would still prefer to dine in at Japanese restaurants because there’s just something about the experience that food deliveries cannot duplicate. Maybe it’s the act of sipping on a cup of hot Japanese green tea while waiting for my orders to be served, the Japanese music playing in the background that sets the mood, or the fact that I can actually see the sushi chefs in action. However, if the need arises for me to dine at home in the future (but please, don’t let it be due to COVID-20!), Sushi Delivery would be one of my choices.

What are your thoughts about Sushi Delivery? Would you give them a shot? Let me know your views in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

Sushi Delivery SIngapore · sushidelivery.sg · Delivery hours: 10.45 am – 9.45 pm (daily) · For more information, please visit Sushi Delivery FACEBOOK PAGE, INSTAGRAM or WEBSITE.

PRODUCTs WERE SUPPLIED BY SUSHI DELIVERY FOR MY EDITORIAL CONSIDERATION. ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.

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[WEDDING SCOOP] Be Camera-Ready! – Small Face Care for Groom & Bride at Facia Ginza Singapore

August 22, 2018January 5, 2019 / Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

WEDDING SCOOP is a brand new series dedicated to my wedding preparation. In this series, you will find reviews of products and services (ads will be disclosed at the end of the posts) that I have used leading up to the actual day. Hopefully, these will come in handy for any prospective wedding couples ❤️
—♥—♥—♥—♥—
P/S: If you own a business and would like to be part of this special day, feel free to drop me a message via askme@fionaseah.com

Hello everyone!

Since the proposal nearly two years ago, fiancé and I have been busy with our wedding preparation (but I must say most, if not all, of the credit goes to him as he has been more hands-on while I’m just hoping for the bare minimum and shirking as many responsibilities as possible) amidst our hectic schedules and the stress was gradually showing on our (his) faces. Apart from the more visible eye bags, we had also noticed our faces becoming more bloated presumably from poor eating habits. Fiancé was the worst hit as existing health issues have prevented him from engaging in strenuous exercises so the other feasible way for him to shed some weight was to watch his diet – which we as foodies often struggle with. Furthermore, having born with a round face meant that any additional weight gained would cause the him to look swollen so whenever we take wefies, he would strategically conceal himself behind me 😒

Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to employ this tactic during the pre-wedding photography shoot and, even more so, on the actual day (🤪🤣) because we would be constantly on the move. I could sense his desperation to look his best for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion; hence when Facia Ginza Singapore approached me for a wedding collaboration, I asked if I could pass the opportunity to him. They sorta rejected that idea and had instead extended the invitation to him so that we could both enjoy the treatment together! How thoughtful of them 😍

Courtesy of Facia Ginza Singapore

Relatively new on our shores, Facia Ginza Singapore is an award-winning facial salon with two prior outlets in Tokyo and Taipei, serving as a private sanctuary where women (and now men too if accompanied by a female patron!) can unwind from the daily grind. It provides an authentic Japanese ambience while combining original and highly-effective beauty techniques originating from Ginza, Tokyo. Located at Soho 1 within same complex of The Central (Clarke Quay), Facia Ginza Singapore is convenient and peacefully quiet as visits are by appointment only. Hence, the level is only accessible via the lift with the salon’s acknowledgement.

The techniques of their signature massage – Small Face Care – were developed by the founding team and a group of Japanese orthopaedic doctors. Unlike the Korean Golki therapy which focuses solely on “bone-setting” massages, the Japanese equivalent stimulates the bones through muscles to improve blood circulation and encourage the discharge of waste substance from our skin. Non-invasive with immediate results, the treatment brings about significant changes to the face including a desirable v-shape visage, facial symmetry, radiance, reduced sagging, eye strain reduction and an improved complexion, as well as relief from stiff shoulders and neck – all noticeable in just one session! The benefits of the Small Face Care resonated between us (our videography shoot was just a month away!) and it being the first facial treatment for fiancé, he was absolutely thrilled about it!

After a couple of back-and-forth emails to settle on a date (slots on most days were fully booked), we finally agreed on one which all of us could commit to. The publicity team had wanted to assign their Japanese master therapist (Tomomi Kosho) to me but she was off that day so we were attended by therapists Vivian (fiancé’s) and Andrea (mine) instead – both of whom were equally competent to perform the massage.

Room with strong Japanese ambience (Courtesy of Facia Ginza Singapore)

Once at the salon, we were offered the Premium Face Care which includes the Small Face Care and a choice of one clinical-grade facial treatment (Moisturising Care, Whitening Care or Pore Cleansing Care). We decided to go with a different treatment so that we could do a more extensive review on the therapy; hence fiancé opted for Pore Cleansing Care while I selected Moisturising Care.

Small Face Care

Upon entering a room that could accommodate two patrons (essentially a couple room), fiancé and I placed our belongings on a ledge near the window and changed out of our clothes into the provided towel wrap (with buttons sewn on) before sliding onto the plastic-covered bed.

Room for two. Also the room we were allotted to (Courtesy of Facia Ginza Singapore)

Plastic-covered bed (Courtesy of Facia Ginza Singapore)

Boxes to store our belongings. Facia Ginza also provides hairbands and hair ties

The provided towel wrap

The therapists entered the room and did an analysis of our faces with us and highlighted the areas which they would be concentrating on during the treatment. Bringing my attention to my higher left cheekbone to illustrate my facial asymmetry, my therapist took the effort to explain that it could be due to the fact that I have been consistently sleeping on one side of the face (which is very true 🤣), and gave me a rough idea of what I would expect to see at the end of the session.

She began with a décolleté massage (which fiancé thoroughly indulged in) that focused on the shoulders and neck, and proceeded with a muscle sketch using a hot towel. Then, as a quick way to measure the size of our head, we were told to rest our palms on the back of our head and intertwine the fingers of both hands. Our fingers merely met at the tips!

I didn’t know my face could be stretched so much XD

Shoulder massage!

Fiancé indulging in his massage

Remembering our “old” faces before the Small Face Care treatment

Shifting their attention to the skull and face muscles, they worked to loosen our muscles and make bone adjustments for the next 15 minutes or so. Having experienced the Golki Therapy prior to this, I knew I had to put up with a certain degree of pain during the facial massage. But the initial presses (against the head, back of the head, forehead and cheekbones) were surprisingly bearable although it felt like the therapist had practically exerted her mighty strength with every thump on my face.

Head – Pain scale: 1/10

Was he sleeping already? Oh gawd.

Back of neck – Pain scale: 4/10

Cheekbones – Pain scale: 3/10

Still a 3/10 surprisingly.

My relief, however, abruptly turned to distress when she moved on to my jaw in the final (thank God!) phase of the massage. Somehow it hurt so much – unexpectedly – that tears started streaming down my puckered face uncontrollably and she had to pause for a while to soothe my face like a baby to ease some of the pain 😂 Gosh, how embarrassing! Fiancé, on the other hand, cleverly distracted himself from the agony by repeatedly cracking his knuckles and clenching his teeth.

?!?! This sicko doesn’t seem to be in pain at all LOL I’m impressed! I had always thought I was the one with high pain threshold!

The most dreadful part – the jaw! Pain scale: 11/10!!!

At the end of the massage, we positioned our palms at the back of our head again the same way as before and were pleasantly surprised (especially so for fiancé – he was literally dumbfounded by the results!) at how far our fingers could go past the other hand! No rocket science is required to conclude that our faces had shrunk in size 😍 The effectiveness totally won the initially-sceptical fiancé over and he couldn’t stop raving about his smaller, lifted face for the next couple of days! (My poor ears though..)

Double Cleansing

Following the Small Face Care, the therapists cleansed our face with 2 different types of Wove Style cleansing product. As someone with extremely acne-prone skin, it kinda worried me when the therapist kneaded my face after doing so on my scalp because it could potentially transfer dirt or sebum over and cause new pimples to erupt on my face. But this rigorous step certainly robbed the bacteria of the chance to breed and gave me a peace of mind.

Still recovering from tears

The start of double cleansing

Those white pads my therapist was using to wipe my face felt so comfortably warm!

Another round of cleansing

So soothing!

Soaking up all the water

Wove Style products available for sale at the reception

Wove Style is a skincare brand developed in Tokyo by WOVE Clinic – one that specialises in anti-aging treatments – which offers a professional line of clinical-grade products produced with the latest technology to deliver GFs (Growth Factors) and other vital nutrients while focusing on cell-activation to achieve fundamentally-improved skin. Most of the products or machines utilised at Facia Ginza are by Wove Style, and they can also be purchased at the cashier for home use if you are satisfied with how your skin feels after the treatment. But be sure to plan your shopping list well because Facial Ginza is currently the only facial salon in Singapore to distribute Wove Style products – you won’t want to make another unnecessary trip there (or spend S$8 on local delivery if you buy it off their online store) just to get that one bottle of Special Essence you missed out on the first time ’round 😉

Facial Steaming and Ultrasonic Cleaning

With fiancé’s face now clean and free of dirt, impurities would less likely be able to get into his pores during the 3 to 5-minute session of facial steaming. Facial steaming further loosens dirt and contaminants that are clogging pores and is a great option for people with blackheads (his biggest concern), and acne-prone skin. While fiancé was getting his face steamed, his therapist performed a gentler version of extraction on his wet skin with an ultrasonic cleanser (that little handheld device with a spatula).

Putting on those strips to aid in the removal of his awful blackheads

Ultrasonic cleaning while his face was being steamed (not sure if you can see clearly but there’s steam coming down from that machine on top of him)

Close-up of the man, because there’s too many of mine

The junk collected from his face. Actually, it’s not that bad considering this was his FIRST facial treatment lol

Only Ultrasonic Cleaning for me

Since I had opted for another treatment, I was only offered ultrasonic cleaning at this stage. Therefore, if you’re not sure which face treatment to choose for your Premium Care Treatment, I suggest taking up the Pore Cleansing one because it seems to deliver greater value for the same expenditure with that extra step. Otherwise, if you’re not that gian png (always on the lookout for better deals), go for the one that you think can meet your needs!

Moisturising Care and Pore Cleansing

The Moisturising Care and Pore Cleansing treatments were both carried out via an Electroporation Machine. Developed by dermatology specialists in Japan, electroporation is an innovative process that enables key nutrients and substance to penetrate deeper into our skin as compared to regular treatments that are delivered using supersonic wave and Iontophoresis (the process of transdermal drug delivery by use of a voltage gradient on the skin).

Do you see the blackhead coming out of his nose? His nose was a HAVEN for blackheads

Don’t know why I’m sulking here but I was definitely relieved that the kneading was finally over lol

Electroporation causes little to no pain and is a highly effective treatment (20 to 60 times more effective than Iontophoresis) with an ultrasonic probe vibrating at 25,000 Hz per second to turn the cleaning solution the therapists had applied on our faces into a fine spray to remove pore-clogging dirt. The machine comes with handpieces of different tips designed for each treatment. In my case, it was a revolving flat round tip attached to a rectangular hand grip while the one fiancé’s therapist used looked like a two-pin plug attached to a large pen.

Face Mask

Once the aforementioned treatments were completed, our therapists coated our faces with a layer of Custard Pro Mask using a brush before covering it with a fabric sheet. At this juncture, our therapists would leave the room, giving fiancé the long-awaited opportunity to drift off to sleep when he should be awake to mentally document the whole experience with me 😠 According to the time stamps of my photos (we were instructed to close our eyes), the masking session lasted for about 10 minutes.

Applying the mask

On his face too

Putting on the fabric gauze

Lotion & Moisturiser

Our therapists returned to remove the mask, and apply lotion and moisturiser on our faces. As a finishing touch (literally), we were treated to a final round of massage on the shoulders and the back of our necks before we were left alone in the room again to get changed. Tea and snacks were already served on the table when we reached the reception area. There was even a vanity table for ladies to do their makeup or fix their hair before leaving the salon. Talk about after-service hospitality! 😁

Wiping the mask off my face

Applying moisturiser/lotion

I think he was already deep asleep at this point

Last round of massage!

MY FACE IS GLOWING

Fiancé’s hair was somehow given a new look too hahaha

Vanity table

Despite the pain felt during the Small Face Care therapy (which to him was just a short segment of the whole treatment), fiancé enjoyed his Premium Face Care treatment very much and looks forward to his next appointment (that’s right) with Facia Ginza Singapore even though he will have to pay this time. In general, I thought this was much less painful than Golki therapy because the number of kneads into each area were relatively fewer, yet equally, if not more, effective. We did feel a lingering ache in our jaws the next day, but it was too mild to cause any hindrance in our daily routine so we ignored it most of the time.

My before and after! Sharper chin, more defined forehead (Courtesy of Facia Ginza)

His before and after! More defined jawline, and a complimentary hair makeover XD

The result of all those magic that was done on his face – NO MORE BLACKHEAD. I was so amazed! His nose was SPOTLESS for the first time

Of course, one session isn’t going to yield a long-term effect. To maintain the current size of our faces, we were encouraged to do the treatment once a week for the first four to six sessions for optimal results, and once a month subsequently to maintain the effects of the treatment. All in all, the Premium Face Care prepared us well for our videography shoot. Not only did it make our faces look smaller and ease the tension on our shoulders and faces through a very relaxing and invigorating massage, it also helped us achieve a more flawless complexion that ensured we would look marvellous on-screen. That’s killing multiple birds with one stone! ☺

If you are still on the fence about giving Facia Ginza Singapore a shot before your big day, hopefully a special promotion of S$188 NETT (U.P. S$248+) for the first trial AND a free hand pack when you quote “fionaseah.com” (or my name) would push you off the edge!

Would you be keen to prep your skin at Facia Ginza Singapore with your other half? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

Facia Ginza is located at The Central Soho 1 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #09-20 SINGAPORE 059817. Nearest MRT is Clarke Quay (NE5). For more information, visit their website or like them on Facebook.

Treatment was complimentary in exchange for this review but all opinions expressed are my own.

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FIVE Square @ Great Eastern Centre

October 26, 2015May 11, 2016 / Fiona Seah / 1 Comment

MEDIA INVITE

Hey everyone!

It was an emotional moment for many Han’s ardent fans when the announcement of the closure of the food chain’s biggest and most popular outlet at Great Eastern Centre came last December. Having served only pocket-friendly gourmet food to hungry office works for a decade, the closure meant that there would be one less affordable eating place amidst the throng of lavish restaurants in the business district.

For months after it shut down, the large ground-floor unit spanning over 13,000 square feet was left vacant for a couple of months before the next lessee took over. With such a vast amount of space, many wondered if the shop would be partitioned into smaller units to accommodate more tenants. Well, it is true enough that the unit has now been cut up into several divisions, but what most people probably didn’t expect was that these different sections are actually operated by the same company in a borderless setting.

FIVE Square @ Great Eastern Centre

Currently occupied by FIVE Square (stylised FIV五 Square), the latest flagship outlet of the FIVE Bar Group cleverly split the unit into 4 different concepts, each signifying a corner that makes up the newly-opened restaurant which has been operating since June 2015. From an impressive range of food choices at The Bazaar to alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and whiskey, there is clearly something for everyone.

The Bar

Synonymous with the renowned all-day-everyday $5 food and drink specials offered at other FIVE outlets, the Bar delivers the FIVE tradition of offering all-day happy hour that doesn’t break the bank. Enjoy sports screenings on large televisions and ‘live’ local bands performances at this 300-seater lounge every night while you hang out with your pals over beer, wine or sake at just $5 per glass.

The stage for live performances

The Bar

Asahi’s and Kronenbourg 1664’s

To chill the glass

Luke showing us how to tap some beer, complete with the foam and all

Successfully did my first beer tapping! Not too bad for a first-timer.

And mind you, it’s not just any beer either – it’s icy cold beer! Unlike many pubs which derive their beer from keg coolers at about 4-5 degree Celcius, all beer at the Bar is directly dispensed from the cold room at 0 degree Celsius. It is especially uncommon to find cold rooms at local establishments these days due to the lack of space.

Cold room

The Wine Cellar

Located in a tranquil little corner overlooking the busy cross junction into the CBD, visitors can sit back and watch the world go by while sipping on some wine at any time of day. With over a hundred labels of quality wines listed at the Wine Cellar, there are plenty of wine to choose from for a tête-à-tête between friends or for takeaway as gifts or for parties.

credit: FIVE Square Facebook

The Recess

Hidden away from the public gaze is the Recess which name is a play on words literally meaning going into a hole in the wall, to take a break from (work) proceedings. The secretive location of this 50-seater space makes it an ideal venue for company functions. It enables networking in this sophisticated and posh environment that is free of disruption from external noise and foot traffic while sipping on premium and rare whiskies without the exorbitant price tags. You would also be surprised to find popular whiskies that are already sold out across the rest of the globe!

The semi-hidden entrance to the Recess

The Recess

Whiskies at the Recess

The Bazaar

Majority of the space at FIVE Square is dedicated to this self-service gourmet food hall that seats up to 300 people. Similar to its predecessor, the Bazaar offers a variety of reasonably priced food for lunch and dinner to feed busy executives and families around the area as well as the merry-makers drinking at the adjacent bar, wine bar or whisky room – all part of FIVE Square.

The Bazaar

There are five gourmet stalls offering dishes from around the world. Apart from Asian cuisines like Japanese donburis, Korean Bulgogi and our very own wholesome noodles with a twist, the Bazaar also boasts European classics such as Spanish Tapas and German Bratwurst Sausages served with pork, chicken and steak. Vegans and health-conscious individuals can opt for hearty salads to pair with fresh fruit juices from the beverage stall. With so many choices, FIVE Square has managed to achieve a fine balance of everyday affordability and occasional decadence to create a dining concept that can be your everyday lunch spot or your weekly indulgence. What’s more, all prices are nett! Yay to no service charge and GST! 🙂

The food stalls are open from 10am to 10pm every Monday to Saturday.

Beverage stall

Beat the heat with a cup of refreshing Papaya Milk Shake (S$4.50)

1. Cinqo Tapas

A spin-off from the popular Tachinomi Izakaya-inspired Five Tapas Bar at Cuppage Terrace, the Spanish-equivalent to its name (well, sort of, if cinco is spelt properly) offers a selection of the hot-selling items such as the garlic cockles (S$6), bacon mushrooms (S$6) and whole pork knuckle (S$28). For lunch, Cinqo serves up two different Paellas ($9.50) cooked fresh daily – the traditional seafood staple is available every day while the Paella of the day varies. These special Paellas include several Asian-inspired flavours such as the Claypot Rice Paella, Hainanese Chicken Rice Paella and Thai Pineapple Rice Paella which fuses local flavours with European ingredients and cooking styles; a definite must-try!

Cinqo Tapas

Seafood in Chilli Crab Sauce Pizza (S$15)

Hand-tossed with a 10-inch thin crust, this seafood pizza came topped with a generous shower of squids which unfortunately were too dry and tough for my liking. The chilli crab sauce also failed to impress as it lacked heat and flavour, therefore making the overall taste bland. However, I did enjoy the airy and crispy crust. It was well-balanced with just the right amount of doughy goodness. The pizza is available all-day at S$15 in 5 other flavours – Pepperoni, Vegetarian, Asian-Inspired, Quattro Formaggi and Prosciutto Carpegna & Arugula.

I was supposed to try their signature Paella too, but my stomach had reached its peak by the time it was ready to be served. It was pity as I was pretty sure it would be a million times tastier than the pizza considering the number of times I was urged (albeit subtly) by the marketing team to try it. The unique flavour combinations, too, are definitely worthy of a shot.

The menu gets even more enticing at dinner (from 5pm) with the addition of Truffle Fries (S$10), Angus Beef Carpaccio (S$10), Angus Beef Cubes (S$12), Pan Seared Foie Gras (S$12) and many other crowd favourites. With so many food options at Cinqo to rouse your palate, you certainly would see yourself coming back for more!

2. Teppei Syokudo

If the name rings a bell, that’s because Teppei Syokudo is indeed a branch from its famous parent restaurant, Teppei, at Tanjong Pagar. Best known for his top-grade yet affordable Japanese food at his flagship restaurant, Chef Teppei brings the same goodies that have made him such a hit to his latest outlet at FIVE Square – the Katsu Don (S$15.80), Chicken Nanban Bento (S$13.80), and the ever popular Kaisendon (S$16.80) which are literally flying off the counter. There is also a wide selection of Izakaya style snacks specially created to cater to the drinking crowd!

Teppei Syokudo

Kaisendon (S$16)

Kaisendon

Being the first dish I had sampled for this tasting session, Teppei had unknowingly set the bar for the food standard at the Bazaar sky high with this divine bowl of Kaisendon. This seafood don had thick, large and absolutely fresh salmon sashimi cubes and tuna sashimi chunks atop a bed of well-prepared Japanese rice and completed with tobiko and a tiny dollop of wasabi to clear the palate. The sashimi are to die for and the entire dish was simply scrumptious. It’s so SYOK, I swear!

After a few mouthfuls of the Kaisendon, I had to battle with my inner self to abstain from devouring some more because of the sprawl of food before me. It was tough but I eventually managed to achieve this almost-impossible feat – only after gobbling down every piece of the sashimi in the bowl.

Pork Katsu with Egg (S$15.80)

Served alongside a separate bowl of Japanese rice, the katsudon was another plate of comfort. Besides giving the dish texture, the corn also lent a mild sweetness to the overall flavour. Portions were generous as there was quite a fair bit of pork. The meat was tender and there was sufficient gravy and egg scramble to make it moist yet maintaining the crunch of the batter at the same time.

3. Omnivore

From the brains behind The Soup Spoon comes another healthy concept that offers wholesome salads and grills. Whether you’re a meat eater or a veggie lover, you’d be able to find food that suits your diet at Omnivore. From salads for the Herbivores (S$6.80) and perfectly grilled meat platters for the Carnivores (S$16.80) to a combination of both for the Omnivores (S$12.80), there are numerous food combinations to choose from to create your own perfect plate of healthy goodness. Not sure what to eat? The fickle-minded can also opt for the Carnivore sample platter (S$24.80) which comprises everything!

Omnivore (S$12.80)

Omnivore

Having a balanced meal is imperative in making your body function properly but many a time, busy working professionals fall short on essential nutrients like fresh vegetables or proteins from surviving on merely convenience food. If you’re guilty of this, hopefully this dish would propel you to eat more healthily!

Offering the best of both worlds, not only would you get half-sized Herbibowl (a.k.a. salad) on your Omnivore plate, you would also be able to choose a meat and housemade sauce of your choice. I was given grilled chicken thigh doused with Ponzu Miso Butter sauce that had a sweet citrusy taste and a subtle sour finish to it. The chicken was succulent and cooked perfectly and there were even crispy wonton skins (without fillings) to spruce up your greens (if you’re not a veggie person, that is).

Carnivore Sample Platter (S$21.80)

Carnivore Sample Platter

A food heaven for the carnivores, this platter has all the (common) meat to fulfill your protein needs. Indulge in grilled pork cutlet, 100% NZ grass-fed flank steak, Bratwurst sausage, chicken thigh and chicken breast with this brilliantly thought-out dish. They were all well-garnished and lean. Better still, they also came with a homemade sauce of my choice, or rather, two in my case since it was a food tasting session. I had Ponzu Miso Butter and House Gravy, both of which had their own distinctive taste to compensate for the lack of flavour of the platter. Ponzo had a thicker consistency while House Gravy was lighter and way blander.

However, except the sausage, I personally found the meat (especially the steak) rather dry and tough in general. But then again, perhaps I had too high of an expectation for this platter. Also, unless you’re extremely hungry, chances are you wouldn’t be able to finish the entire platter. Therefore, it’d be a better idea to share this with friends or colleagues!

4. Gogibox

Gogibox is the first quick-serve Korean food concept in Singapore offering 7-8 kinds of daily freshly grilled Bulgogi for you to choose from. They pride themselves on their Bulgogi—literally meaning “fire meat”— which they consider to be their strength and culinary weapon. On top of that, Gogibox also offers 3 kinds of Korean fried rices namely kimchi, prawn and bulgogi marinade. Snacks like fried dumplings are provided on the side menu should you feel like getting some quick bites.

Gogi Plate – Beef (S$8.50, top-up S$1.80 for each additional meat)

Gogibox’s signature is the Gogi Plate served in a takeaway box. It comes with 1 choice of Korean fried rice, 1 choice of bulgogi (beef, chicken, spicy chicken, spicy pork, pork galbi, gochujang pork bell or wine pork belly), fried egg and a side of salad, all combining to give you a complete meal that would leave you satiated without burning a hole in your pocket at the same time.

My first impression of this dish was that it looked dry but fortunately my beef turned out to be deliciously sweet with the right tenderness. Apart from the beef, the flavours were also coming from the fragrant kimchi fried rice. Presentation-wise, it suffered because of the broken and dried-up egg yolk. And being served egg yolk that is anything but runny is sadly at the top of my list of pet peeves $:\$ Therefore I didn’t really enjoy Gogi Plate as much as I wanted to.

Gogi Dog – Chicken (S$6.80)

If you’re in the mood for a lighter bite, there are plenty of options at Gogibox like Gogi Dog and Gogi Taco that can fill your stomach for awhile. The Gogi Dog is a combination of American hot dog and the bulgogi. It had soft and fluffy buns sandwiching fresh, crunchy cabbage and a steaming hot sausage. The saltiness from the sausage also helped to balance out the overall flavour.

Gogi Taco – Spicy Chicken (S$6.80)

The Gogi Taco, on the other hand, is Gogibox’s interpretation of Mexican taco using thick and chewy wraps and the freshest vegetables. Although not very spicy (it could well be after several bites), the chicken still left a tingling sensation in the mouth. It also has the tendency to become a messy affair if not careful. Divide it with cutlery if you’re a messy eater like me. It surprising cut very smoothly!

Omnivore (left) and Gogibox

5. GRUB Noodle Bar

Previously located at Rangoon Road, the popular brand of noodles has finally made its way to a more accessible location at the CBD. Best known for its tasty broth, it is made using beef bones and vegetables and boiled for long hours to extract the full flavour from the beef bones. Furthermore, it contains no MSG or artificial flavours. GRUB Noodle Bar also prides itself on offering only quality beef with its noodles. Take your pick from grades of beef often only found in high-end steakhouses, starting from a pasture-fed beef brisket (S$10.90) to a tender premium sirloin option (S$13.90).

Grub Noodle Bar

Pork Collar Noodles – Dry (S$9.90)

Pork Collar Noodles – Dry

Besides the miso pork broth, GRUB apparently makes great chilli sauce to go along with the noodles too! It was adequately spicy and slightly tart which complemented well with the sweet and flavoursome 100% pork balls and springy egg noodles. If not for my exploding stomach, I would have totally went for one of their the beef noodles as well!

The pork collar noodles is available in both soup (S$7.90) and dry versions. Those with a more exquisite palate may opt for the Kurobuta Collar Noodles that is also sold in soup (S$10.90) and dry (S$12.90) versions.

Payment methods

Payment instructions

In a bid to reduce reliance on manpower, the Bazaar is the first to roll out a fully automated self-service ordering and payment kiosk. It is integrated to a SMS system which sends customers a message once their food is ready for collection so that they do not have to wait by the store while their orders are prepared. Customers can also use this time to look for a seat or purchase drinks and other items. This system has been warmly received by the masses and touted as a game-changer for the food and beverage industry here.

Family FUN² @ FIVE Square

Although catered mostly to working professionals during the workweek, FIVE Square continues to be abuzz on Saturdays (the only weekend on which it is open for now) with family-centric activities. Starting 10 October 2015, a refreshing concept combining feast, shop and play called Family FUN² @ FIVE Square enables patrons to tuck into a selection of food for lunch and/or dinner and browse through a myriad mix of eclectic items at The Artisan Market while their little ones have a whale of a time at the outdoor Bouncy Castle, mini ball pit and remote control cars.

The free and open-to-public event is only available on Saturdays.

Pushcarts at The Artisan Market

25 vendors will be stationed at The Artisan Market from 12pm to 7pm every Saturday to sell an extensive blend of products and services ranging from hand-made accessories, arts & crafts, fashion apparels, decor, home-ware items and more. Apart from that, visitors can also expect an exciting line up from the bustling marketplace showcasing their participating artisans and lifestyle vendors such as clay miniatures, personalized craft /scrap books, crochet bears, patchwork blankets, bottle lamps and many more, providing a unique shopping experience for both the locals and tourists!

Bouncy Castle

Remote Controlled Cars

Mini Ball Pit

However, the management of FIVE Square is still working on bringing more children-friendly dishes at the Bazaar so food choices for the little ones (especially those below the age of 5) is still quite limited for now. Hence, it is advisable to pack lunch just in case foods like fried calamari do not suit their appetite!

All in all, I feel that FIVE Square has done a pretty good job in taking over Han’s task of providing affordable and quality food for the masses in the CBD area. I, for one, would without a doubt make FIVE Square my regular eating place if I’m working in the vicinity! I will stuff my face with Kaisendon every single day! Omnomnomnomnom.

What about you? Let me know in the comments below! 🙂

Thanks for reading!

FIVE Square
Great Eastern Centre @ 1 Pickering Street
#01-03, Singapore 048659
Tel: +65 87980245
Parking available @ Great Eastern Building at the rate of $1.65 per hour
Operation Hours: 10am – 12am, Mondays to Saturdays
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer / Chinatown / Clarke Quay (all about 5-minute walk away)
Website | Facebook | E-mail

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Not like any other sushi joint…

Committed to beating the clock…

Salmon Aburi Maki (8 pieces, S$15.90)

Mango Maki (8 pieces, S$16.90)

Salmon Sashimi (5 pieces, S$9.90)

Saba Shioyaki Set Bento (S$12.90)

Cheesy Unagi Aburi Don (S$15.90)

Bara Chirashi Don (S$16.90)

Sushi Delivery SIngapore · sushidelivery.sg · Delivery hours: 10.45 am – 9.45 pm (daily) · For more information, please visit Sushi Delivery FACEBOOK PAGE, INSTAGRAM or WEBSITE.

PRODUCTs WERE SUPPLIED BY SUSHI DELIVERY FOR MY EDITORIAL CONSIDERATION. ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.

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Small Face Care

Double Cleansing

Facial Steaming and Ultrasonic Cleaning

Moisturising Care and Pore Cleansing

Face Mask

Lotion & Moisturiser

Facia Ginza is located at The Central Soho 1 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #09-20 SINGAPORE 059817. Nearest MRT is Clarke Quay (NE5). For more information, visit their website or like them on Facebook.

Treatment was complimentary in exchange for this review but all opinions expressed are my own.

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MEDIA INVITE

The Bar

The Wine Cellar

The Recess

The Bazaar

1. Cinqo Tapas

2. Teppei Syokudo

3. Omnivore

4. Gogibox

5. GRUB Noodle Bar

Payment methods

Family FUN² @ FIVE Square

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