Colours, Sights & Patterns At Kampong Glam

In the 19th century, Kampong Glam was essentially an ethnic district with a strong Malay-Arab influence. It was a place where locals patronized for their Arab-Muslim traditional foodstuff and merchandise...

Immersive 4K HDR Viewing Experience With Sony Projectors

Sony’s latest innovative laser light source projector is High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible with native 4K resolution, creating an amazling clear lifelike experience, as if you are there yourself…

Back 30 Years To Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre

Iconic along this stretch of road is the rectangular block of a nondescript beige-tiled building. The facade of this building is blocked by an overhead bridge. And this is the front entrance to a shopping centre - the Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre… (USSC).

Monti - Singapore's Longest Brunch Every Sunday

Enjoy brunch by the bay concept, complete with stunning views of the Marina Bay and its surroundings, and a fabulous menu and music programme to match at Monti…

Where Freemasons Convene

In 1886, the Masonic Club was established to support Singapore freemasonry. Guess who was the first Freemason in modern Singapore?

What Does Hotel Del Luna’s Yeo Jin-Goo Always Eat When In Singapore?

Yesterday, Yeo Jin-Goo was in town to promote his latest show, Hotel Del Luna.


Run by a cursed CEO, Hotel Del Luna is a rusty-looking hotel that only serves dead souls. The owner Man-wol (IU) has committed a severe crime in her past life, so has been confined in the hotel for a long long time. Coincidentally, she meets an elite hotel manager Goo Chan-sung, who is the youngest vice-manager of a multinational franchise hotel company. However, due to a stroke of fate, Chan-sung ends up running the hotel and facing different mysterious stories that happened there…

(Photo Credit : tvN)

"I would like to visit Clarke Quay again, but of course, I’m open to exploring new places in Singapore, so please let me have your recommendations!”
--- Yeo Jin-Goo's comment that left the fans screaming out their recommendations ---


“In Korea, we have a saying that if you leave the food on your plate uneaten, then after you die, you might face the punishment of having to finish all the food you left behind.”
--- Yeo Jin-Goo, on why he will always finish up his favourite dish of Chilli Crab ---


"I’m not exactly afraid of ghosts or anything supernatural, but I do get frightened easily by things that appear suddenly, like bugs. (Laughs) If a really small insect popped out of nowhere, I might still jump out of fear!"
--- Yeo Jin-Goo, on his fears ---


"It’s very hard to choose as they’re both very different in nature. For dramas, you need to be very adaptable and attentive because there could be slight changes to the storyline that you have to act out on a whim. On the other hand, you get more time to dive deeper into your research for a movie role before filming begins. They each have their own charms and I wouldn’t want to choose one over the other."
--- Yeo Jin-Goo, on the difference between acting in dramas and movies ---


“The drama’s ending isn’t exactly a happy one and I remember crying so much after filming the last scene. The same went for all my co-stars.”
--- Yeo Jin-Goo, on the last scene in Hotel Del Luna ---

(Photo Credit : tvN)

He displayed his impeccable acting skills through a little game he played during the occasion, where he was given three scenarios to act out on the spot. When asked to persuade the audience to buy a luxurious yacht at triple the purchase price, a simple and sincere "please buy it" from him melted the fans' hearts and garnered multiple buyers.


Following the press conference was a cosy exclusive fan moment, where he met with 70 fans selected by tvN Asia and StarHub. They came bearing gifts and were mesmerised by his radiant smile and sincere greetings, took group photos with the dashing male lead.


Catch the 16-episode Hotel Del Luna every Tuesday and Wednesday at 2145 hours on tvN (StarHub  824 & Singtel TV 518/619).


About Yeo Jin-Goo

Making his debut in the entertainment industry as a child actor, Yeo Jin-Goo is undoubtedly one of the most conspicuous new generation actors. He caught much attention in various tvN productions including Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013), Circle (2017) and The Crowded Clown (2019), and his acting has enchanted not only the drama directors but also the worldwide audience. With his superb acting skills, he has won the Most Promising Actor awarded by tvN Movies in 2017; Best Actor (TV) of the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. In 2019, he was cast in Hong sisters’ fantasy mystery drama Hotel Del Luna alongside IU. The drama is a commercial success which consistently topped the ratings in its timeslot against other cable channels in Korea.


About tvN

The Number 1 Pay TV Channel in Korea, tvN is expanding to Asia-Pacific. Being the content trend leader, tvN provides the best general entertainment through express top-rated variety shows, record breaking hit dramas, world class music shows, trend leading lifestyle programmes, and star-studded original productions exclusively for Asian viewers. tvN is available in Asia-Pacific territories, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. tvN is owned by CJ ENM, Asia’s leading entertainment and merchandising company headquartered in Seoul, Korea.


About CJ ENM

CJ ENM is Asia’s leading entertainment and merchandising company headquartered in Seoul, Korea. As of July 1, 2018, CJ E&M has merged with CJ Group’s home shopping and e-commerce subsidiary CJ O Shopping to become CJ ENM. Its entertainment division has five main business units - broadcast, film (CJ Entertainment), music, live entertainment and animation. CJ has been contributing to promote Korean culture around the world, through the company's 'One Source, Multi-Content' strategy. As a trend leader in Asia, it has produced and distributed various popular content, some of which include Asia’s largest music awards Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), leading Hallyu convention KCON, Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, record-breaking box office hits Roaring Currents, Ode to My Father and Veteran, along with sought-after television series such as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Youn's Kitchen, Super Star K, Show Me the Money and Produce 101. For more information, please visit: www.cjenm.com.

(Photo Credit : tvN)

Mom's Touch PLQ - Heartwarming Fried Chicken

Merlion Wayfarer recently had a chance to try out Mom's Touch, an exciting new Fried Chicken brand brought in from Korea for the first time in Singapore.

Based in South Korea since setting up its first store in 2004, Mom’s Touch presently has over 1,200 stores across South Korea and is established in major cities in the USA, Taiwan and Vietnam. Its brand name comes from the simple thought of preparing its food for their patrons, the very heart-warming way a mother prepares for a meal for her family.

Marinated with its very own special blend of seasoning, the Mom's Touch Fried Chicken ($3.60 per piece) is available in both spicy & non-spicy versions...

The fried chicken is hand-battered and handbreaded in the kitchen for a fuller, tender and juicier taste. The chicken tastes fresh and delicious, with none of the cloying oily taste you would expect from a "fast food" outlet...


Mom’s Touch Spicy Sauce Chicken ($3.80 per piece) is a  popular choice in South Korea with its signature Homemade Spicy Sauce...
Source : PLQ

A wide variety of burgers are also available -
All come with the delicious Fried Chicken patty that Mom's Touch is famous for...

Mom’s Thigh Burger ($5.70) with freshly-cut lettuce, onions, pickles & the Mom's Touch Burger Sauce and Mom’s Spicy Thigh Burger ($6.00) with  a drizzle of authentic Korean Spicy Sauce...

The best-selling Incredible Burger looks absolutely fantastic with boneless thigh chicken, ham, fried egg, onions, pickles, iceberg lettuce, drizzled with Honey Mustard & Thousand Island Sauce...
Source : PLQ

Hydrate in this hot weather with the colourful rainbow of ades ($3.80)
- Peach Pear, Raspberry Melon, Elderflower Apple...



Mom's Touch is located at PLQ #01-37, within the outside plaza near the Paya Lebar MRT station.


Read more about PLQ
|  PLQ  |  Elemen  |  Fong Sheng Hao  |  Hibiki  |   Mom's Touch  |  Morphine Coffee  | 


Fong Sheng Hao PLQ - Retro Charcoal-Grilled Toast

With their trademark charcoal-grilled toast, Fong Sheng Hao allows one to travel back in time to a traditional Taiwanese breakfast cafe setting with a retro storefront.

Enthusiastic sharing by the owners Louis Tan and Mr Shi. Their passion for the brand is incredibly contagious!

The open kitchen, textured cement wall, solid wood tables and chairs, were all specially curated to bring out a rush of nostalgia. Walls are adorn with visual information about the ingredients and the unique preparation methods.


Toast is produced in-house with Fonterra NZMP Anhydrous Milkfat and Old-Dough Technique creating that soft bouncy texture...

The Cane-Flavoured Black Tea uses Sugar Cane Syrup extracted from freshly-peel sugar cane boiled overnight for 12 hours that natural cane sweetness...

The brand has been recommended by the Magazine B Michelin Guide in 2018. A must try is the Pork Egg & Cheese + Drink ($7.30 with Kopi)...

Peanut Butter Special + Drink + Hard Boiled Egg ($7.10 with Kopi) amazes with the additional sprinkling of peanut shavings on top of the toast...



Read more about PLQ
|  PLQ  |  Elemen  |  Fong Sheng Hao  |  Hibiki  |   Mom's Touch  |  Morphine Coffee  | 


Elemen PLQ - Deliciously Meatless

While at the visit the newly-opened Paya Lebar Quarter Mall, Merlion Wayfarer had the chance to try out Elemen. Now, this is a restaurant chain that outlets in Millenia Walk, Harbourfront Centre and recently, Great World City. Outlets that she normally walks by because she was not used to the strong taste of vegetarian food.

Elemen is a dining concept focused on a modern interpretation of natural and meatless cuisine. It is dedicated to fostering the well-being of diners through the wholesome meatless recipes and use of natural ingredients. The brand motto of "Love Self, Love Earth" focuses the provision of healthy and natural food, without compromising the sustainability of the environment.

Wild Mushroom & White Truffle Pizza ($16.80)

The pizza crust is thin and crispy, handmade fresh in the kitchen in the true Italian-style. It was the rich spread of the white truffle sauce that makes a difference and brings out the fragrance of the wild mushrooms...


Sizzling Quinoa Brown Rice ($15.80)

For a small bowl, this dish seems a tad pricey until you consider the healthful ingredients within - Quinoa, one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids, high-fibre Brown Rice, and that each dish is a multi-step process consisting of pre-heating the hot stone bowl, and individually cooking (and tossing) the brown rice...


5 Elements Soup ($9.80)

Consisting of bamboo shoot, white fungus, honey lotus, red dates blended together into a mild broth, this soup is refreshingly light and healthy...




Read more about PLQ
|  PLQ  |  Elemen  |  Fong Sheng Hao  |  Hibiki  |   Mom's Touch  |  Morphine Coffee  | 

Morphine Coffee PLQ - Creative Brewing


This open space outside Paya Lebar Quarter mall is  the Plaza, and was built with the intention of creating a buzzling hub with events, activities and performances are organized. The sheltered space is well-ventilated with air circulator fans. Diners are welcome to sit at the tables and chairs next to the fun fountain area.


Morphine Coffee is an independent micro roastery that sells brewed coffees and teas from S$1.60 to S$3. Made with traditional Robusta beans, the beans are roasted on the spot, and brewed with special techniques by the crew of young entrepreneurs.


Good to try are their Matcha Latte ($5.50) or Hojicha Latte ($5) blended and thickened with an emulsifier to create the smooth creamy taste. Check out also their Speciality Cold Brew ($5.50)




Read more about PLQ
|  PLQ  |  Elemen  |  Fong Sheng Hao  |  Hibiki  |   Mom's Touch  |  Morphine Coffee  | 

Paya Lebar Quarter - Shop, Dine, Play

Paya Lebar Quarter is located within the culture-rich neighbourhood of Paya Lebar, Joo Chiat and Geylang. Sitting at the heart of the Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority’s masterplan to develop a dynamic regional business hub between the CBD and Changi Airport, the quarter consists of residential, commercial and retail spaces with vast, green public green spaces to encourage the community within to relax, mingle, and engage in the planned diverse range of activities around the year. 


Inspired by the Songket fabric, a traditional Malay brocade textile, the gold-and-silver colour palette for the facade, interior and landscape design unifies the buildings and public areas, and seamlessly weaves the four plots into a single tapestry.


To move around, there are sheltered open spaces with huge cooler fans, and bridges connecting the various buildings seamlessly, making exploration of PLQ and the adjoining culturally-rich neighbourhoods seamless.


To prevent the claustrophic feel that this is just another carbon copy mall, the mall management team has thoughtfully introduced Instagrammable spaces within the mall - Say hello to the iconic Pelican and Dragon playgrounds, or watch a trailer at the Shaw IMAX spaces...

The  mall will have over 200 stores with familiar brands, entertainment and F&B establishments like Popular Bookstore, Tokyu Hands, Starbucks Reserve, Haidilao Hot Pot, and Shaw Theatres with its 12 cinema halls and IMAX theatre. In addition, the Mall also has several spaces for start-outs as well as "first in Singapore" established brands from overseas. 


Read more about the delicious food options in PLQ
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Hibiki Sake Bar & Dine PLQ - A Fine Blend Of Sake & Japanese Food

With a goal to evolve and develop Japanese cuisine as part of the world’s food culture and convey the indomitable Japanese spirit to the world, Hibiki brings the best in the pairing of simple dishes with their signature line up of sake and shochu.

Choose from a variety of colour sake cups to start your sake experience...

For those preferring a non-alcoholic drink, Saffron Tea ($2.50) is a refreshing cuppa made with Saitama Green Tea and saffron spices...

A surprising combination this is - Cheese Miso Zuke ($10) - cream cheese cubes wrapped in crispy dried seaweed - crunchy yet deliciously fragrant with that melt-in-your-mouth taste...

Traditional favourites like the Negima (grilled chicken thigh with leek) skewers ($3) and Buta Bara (grilled pork belly) skewers ($3) are roasted over the fire and dusted with salt...

Japanese culture focuses on the harmony of nature, the body and the heart. Consult the resident sommelier if you need any suggestions. He will explain the background behind the sake, and suggest food pairings to match.

90% of Hibiki's sakes are only available in Singapore inhouse...



Read more about PLQ
|  PLQ  |  Elemen  |  Fong Sheng Hao  |  Hibiki  |   Mom's Touch  |  Morphine Coffee  |