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?

Showing posts with label East. Show all posts
Showing posts with label East. Show all posts

PLQ - Singapore’s Latest Business And Lifestyle Hub

Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) by Lendlease marked the transformation of Paya Lebar into Singapore’s latest business and lifestyle hub with a grand opening ceremony with celebrations over the long weekend. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance, and Mr Bruce Gosper, the High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia to Singapore. They joined Mr Steve McCann, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director and Mr Tony Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer, Asia, Lendlease to mark the opening by activating a vertical domino show, which gradually unveiled the Paya Lebar Quarter logo against the songket-inspired backdrop.


Ng Hsueh Ling, MD Singapore and Chief Investment Officer, Asia, Lendlease; Tony Lombardo, CEO, Asia, Lendlease; Steve McCann, Group CEO and MD, Lendlease; Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance; Bruce Gosper, the High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia to Singapore; Richard Paine, MD, Paya Lebar Quarter by Lendlease...
(Photo Source : Lendlease Singapore)

First-ever joint performance between the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – a musical collaboration echoing the Singapore-Australia connection in Lendlease’s largest project in Singapore...
(Photo Source : Lendlease Singapore)

With the completion of PLQ, the 22,000-strong workforce within a seven-minute walking radius of PLQ and one million residents in the trade area can now enjoy the 100,000 sq ft of green spaces across the precinct. PLQ also supports Singapore’s car-lite vision with its superb connectivity, with direct links to the dual-line Paya Lebar MRT interchange and seamless connection to the wider Park Connector Network.


"Today, we have before us a truly world-class example of what can be achieved when government and companies such as Lendlease partner with local communities to deliver game-changing urbanisation projects that will leave a positive legacy for the community for generations to come."
--- Steve McCann, Group CEO and MD, Lendlease ---

PLQ Workplace is now home to 18 multi-national corporations and leading Singapore organisations, including newly moved in UOB, Sabre Asia Pacific, Roche Singapore, Obayashi Singapore and Tokyo Electron Singapore. Lendlease’s inaugural flexible workplace solution, csuites, which combines the benefits of premier corporate offices with the advantages of shared services and collaborative spaces offered by co-working products, has received much interest from the market, and is set to welcome German multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company Bayer later this year.


As the heart of a new lifestyle precinct and the social heart of the Paya Lebar community, PLQ is set to welcome even more sumptuous offerings across the development, with the opening of Maccha House, Joe & Dough, Hokey Poki, Donburi King, Makino, Western Mahua and Ichikokudo Hokkaido Ramen (halal-certified), together with experiential brands from Smigy, Zone X to Sing-My-Song Karaoke.


There are exciting retailers such as The Whisky Distillery, H&M, Mango, 6ixty8ight, iStudio and Laneige to look forward to. Living up to its vision of one place, many moments, PLQ Mall also offers a multi-layered experience for the community - from book exchange spots, quirky photobooths, Instagram-worthy backdrops, interactive activity/play areas and a Cine-Mini installation.


"We set out with a mission to create one of the best and most progressive places for Singapore with PLQ. Today, we are proud to say that we have achieved this mission with the support from the community, tenants and partners."
--- Tony Lombardo, CEO, Asia, Lendlease ---


As part of its Community Development Plan, PLQ has been actively engaging the community from the start of the project in 2015, including the conceptualisation of events and activities to be held at 100,000 sq ft of green public spaces in PLQ.


One initiative is an upcoming collaboration between PLQ, Health Promotion Board and anchor tenant Virgin Active to host complimentary health and wellness activities at PLQ to improve the health and well-being of residents as well as building a healthy and vibrant workplace community.

PLQ has also been engaging with schools in the area and is partnering a secondary school for the next three years to enable their students to learn about sustainability using PLQ as a case study. Other initiatives are also in the works, including the creation of an online portal to support sustainability education by schools.

On the employment front, PLQ previously partnered with Workforce Singapore for a job fair showcasing jobs at PLQ, bringing jobs closer to homes and enabling employment and upskilling.

From Friday 25 October to Monday 28 October, PLQ will play host to various celebration activities including performances by 53A, Supersonic and Sambiesta. Members of the public can also look forward to acts by renowned local acts like magician Danny Koh, caricaturist Welles Tan and Cyr Wheel performer Yang Shih Hao, with a nightly mass silent disco celebration.

Enigmatic Yang Shih Hao, Asia's Got Talent finalist, will be performing with his Cyr Wheel...

For more information, visit www.payalebarquarter.com.

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

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  | 

Refresh To The World Of Tea At The Singapore Tea Festival 2019

Before Merlion Wayfarer attended the Singapore Tea Festival, all she knew about tea was just tea leaves. However this weekend's Singapore Tea Festival changed all that.

The festival, organised by local tea technology company Teapasar, is now in its third year. Consisting of 55 booths selling over 1,200 products, the three-day event is held at Jewel Atrium, Changi Airport.


Bubble tea brand Woobbee with its unique herbal mint milk tea made with Pei Pa Koa (herbal cough syrup). With no sugar added, this healthier option drink is suitable for the hot weather these days...

Or try out their cold brew fruit tea...

Asmara, a Singapore-based nutrition company started by two food scientists and modern day apothecarists, retails its brand of drinks blended with ginseng, bird's nest, french rose and lavender...

Master classes and tea competitions in the foyer area...

Enjoy Arinobu's refreshing Cold Brew Sencha after a hot day out at the beach... 

Organic skincare brand Oasis:skin retails shampoos made of tea with delicious-sounding flavours like Pine Hojicha, Yuzu Matcha, and Blue Pea Lemongrass...

Want your wine and your tea too? Try out A.muse's teas with flavours like Riesling, Scotch and Pina Colada...

And savour the convenience with their tea pods which are compatible with a Nespresso machine...

Let's get Fizzicle with its junboocha health drink made from tea fermented with honey...

Known as the "Tea of Immmortality", Kombucha has been around for centuries as a gut health protector. A type of fermented tea, it is made with symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Try one too?

Looking for a mix of East and West? Infusion-de-vie blends its tea with TCM herbs to give the benefits of body regulation with your daily cuppa...

Don't just sip alone! Pair off your tea with snacks like Amazin' Graze's healthy granola, Nut Culture's Almond Butter or Peanut Butter, Kettle Gourmet's Popcorn or Nutkins, 

For more about the Singapore Tea Festival, visit www.teapasar.com/stf2019/.

About Teapasar

Based in Singapore, teapasar is the first global tea marketplace, featuring local and international tea brands, as well as exclusive and rare tea direct from farms. teapasar is powered by a metabolomic fingerprinting and taste mapping technology - ProfilePrint.

By scanning tea leaves to create a fingerprint unique to each tea, teapasar is able to generate its respective taste profile, which allows for taste matching between consumers’ taste preferences and the profiles of every tea on the teapasar database. Discover your perfect blend, and more confidently purchase teas online before even tasting or smelling it.