Where I ate in Melbourne

Melbourne is a Foodie city...

Queen Victoria Market

From Korean fusion to Meatballs to crepes, Melbourne has so much for foodies to enjoy. I was delighted to find there were so many different types of cuisines in this busy Australian city. I wish I had more time in Melbourne to explore the different ethnic neighborhoods and to sample the fun hipster brunch places that my foodie friend keeps raving about. There's no shortage of new places to explore and eateries to sample. The Queen Victoria Market was a block away from the hotel I stayed in and had many stalls there. When I walked in though, the smell of the meat from the butchers was a bit too strong for me so I didn't stay very long inside the market. There was a wine stall that had local wines from the region that I became really interested in. Prices of wine is fairly cheap in Australia so of course, I couldn't resist and brought home a Barbera from a winery just outside Melbourne in Yarra Valley.

Where I ate in Melbourne:

1) Supernormal
2) Krimper Cafe
3) Ca de Vin
4) Harajuku Crepes
5) Seven Seeds

6) Coopers Malthouse bar
7) The Meatball and Wine Bar

Korean rice cakes at the trendy Supernormal restaurant 

There is a multitude of trendy "it" restaurants in Melbourne so if you plan on dining at a popular spot, I recommend either getting there early or arriving a bit after the popular times or booking ahead for reservations. On my first night in Melbourne, I met up with two friends for dinner and we waited about an hour for our table at Supernormal on Flinders lane. Luckily, there was a bar so we ordered some wine for an aperitif. The food offerings were interesting and fuses Korean food with experimental cooking techniques. Fusion if done well can really push the envelope on odour palate perceptions. 

Prosciutto wrapped asparagus on a brioche pesto toast with salad and poached eggs

Krimper cafe

Trendy hipster cafes are all the rage in Melbourne and they take their coffee pretty seriously. Melbournians love coffee. My Friend suggested lattes and cappuccinos at these cafes but I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to coffee. I like to drink my coffee black or espresso. A dark Italian roast is my favorite. Ever since I discovered I am lactose-intolerant last year, I've been highly observant to milk or cream used in dishes, dessert, and drinks. Luckily, I like my coffee black without milk or sugar so it's one less thing I have to worry about. 

Ca de Vin restaurant

Aperitivo

Garlic and rosemary flat breads

Ragu tagliatelle

Little laneways and streets off the main roads offer a refuge for the passerby to stop for a meal or something to drink. I found this little Italian restaurant nestled in a little alley between shops. It was quaint to eat there. But I was a little bit sad that the meal itself wasn't exactly exciting. The food was edible and alright in my opinion. The little garlic and rosemary flat breads were really tasty though. I'm quite a picky eater so was a little disappointed by this place. I'd recommend it for the ambience, have a glass of wine, some flatbread appetiser before going to another place for dinner.  

Chocolate crepe with cookie butter!

Probably the best "street food" I had in Melbourne was from a Japanese creperie called Harajuku Crepes! That is the best name ever! If you have never had Japanese crepes, you certainly are missing out. The French crepes are good but the Japanese are creative and good. You can get creative with your fillings either for the savory or sweet crepes. I ordered Chocolate flavoured crepes but with speculoos (Dutch cookie butter!) for my filling.

A bike for decoration at Seven Seeds cafe

Fish tacos at Seven Seeds

I did mention earlier about the hipster brunch cafes with awesome coffee and food! I think Seven Seeds fit the bill for a great spot. The place is on a quiet street near the University of Melbourne and according to my foodie friend, it was a hangout spot for her. Popular among the student crowd but also young professionals, tourists, and yes a few hipster-types. I ordered the fish tacos and a iced long black. The coffee here was better than Krimper cafe in my honest opinion, it might be due to the fact they sell their own coffee (Coffee blends they sell). The fish tacos were delicious however, the amount of coriander/cilantro on the tacos were a bit overkill.

Lemon poppyseed cake

Malthouse Cooper is located at the Malthouse Theater building

I was looking for the Contemporary Art museum and found it next to this beautiful theater. The cafe had a rustic but cozy feeling that I felt compelled to slow down and take a fika paus break. I love taking a coffee break in the middle of the afternoon with something sweet to pair the black coffee. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Malthouse Cooper cafe to serve a nice brew and really delicious lemon poppyseed cake.

The Meatball and Wine bar. My giant meatball and gnocchi 

I love Meatballs! Its one of those cozy comfort foods that I crave every now and then. Whether its Asian style meatballs or Italian or Swedish or even Vegetarian. Something comforting about eating meatballs. I was pleased to find out about The Meatball and Wine Bar (Yes! Two things I love!!!) and tried my luck to go there without a reservation. I was placed towards the back squished between a few groups of diners. I have been having a challenging time with dining out since I developed lactose-intolerance (I can't digest lactose from milk and milk products). In tiny quantities, I can deal with it but in larger doses, the result is very bad. I told my waiter about my food allergy and he made sure there was no cream in my sauce. They were really accommodating and my giant meatball and gnocchi was AMAZING! I loved it! I highly recommend this restaurant if you're going to Melbourne. :-)

Overall, my trip to Melbourne, Australia was too short but definitely a yummy one! I'd like to stay a little longer next time and spend more time dancing at Chunky Move studios, eating, walking around, visiting Yarra Valley, maybe a little shopping, and also visit the coast!

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A Bourgeois guide to eating, drinking, shopping, and pampering in Singapore

Scrambled eggs and bacon on a flaky croissant from Populus Cafe

My friends will probably laugh at the title. I've made some lovely friends online from the travel blogger community groups but one thing was bothering me... I'm not a backpacking hostel type of female traveler nor am I into full-on luxury travel. I fall somewhere in between and I think a lot of you do too. I like a bourgeois way of life that is not overtly luxurious or bargain hunting for the cheapest hostel around. Its the middle of the road for me. I also do my research for the best places to eat, shop, drink.

I enjoy good food whether its from the corner street stall at the hawker centres commonly found in every area of Singapore to fine dining. As long as it tastes good. ;-) I like a good massage but it doesn't have to come from the most luxurious spa. I will take public transportation but if its raining or too hot to walk outside and I have to look presentable then I'd take a taxi or Uber car. You get the picture...

PS Cafe Petit at Robertson Quay

Black fried carrot cake and fresh watermelon juice at Makansutra Gluttons by the Bay

Food & Drink:

1) P.S. Cafe at Robertson Quay
I've grown to love this homegrown chain of restaurants for the food, ambiance, design aesthetic of the restaurant, and locations they tend to open. My favorite location is P.S. Petit Cafe at Robertson Quay. The location is a bit on the residential side but close to Robertson Walk where there are a number of al fresco dining options. A very chill vibe in this neighborhood that reminds me of life in Europe but more tropical weather. The restaurant is also beautifully designed with a design hipster sensibility i.e. white exposed tiles, cake displays, handwritten chalk boards, flower arrangements. Order the parmesan truffle fries! I've not had a bad meal at P.S. Cafe so you can't really go wrong.

2) Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery
You may start to notice that I like quiet, chill, eclectic type places. The decor at Wild Honey is eclectic, colorful, yet has a hip grandmother-feel to the upholstery and choice of dining room furniture. A good place for brunch and catching up with girlfriends over strong black coffee and eggs.  I like the eggs benedict.

3) Imperial Treasure at Ngee Ann City
This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Singapore. I really like the dim sum here. The ambiance is less chill and beautiful design-centric as the other two but like I said, the food is good. Be prepared to wait for a table when it gets busy for dim sum lunch. They also have really good Chinese food. I like to order the Beijing dumplings here. The pork and scallions with a hint of ginger is addictive!

4) Satay club at Makansutra in the Esplanade
This curated outdoor food centre is particularly lovely at night after a performance. The Satay is made Malaysian style served together with a peanut chilli sauce. Wash the satay down with a fresh juice from the juice stand then take a walk towards the bay. The views are wonderful with the backdrop of the city lights from the Central Business District and the behemoth Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.

5) Manhattan bar at The Regent Hotel
This is probably the most expensive from this list as this bar is a top-rated luxury hotel bar. But for the discerning drinker who likes a smooth negroni, only the best mixologists will do. I don't come here often but I have been here a few times over the past 4 years. I threw my birthday party/going away party here a couple years ago. The food here is good but overpriced, the drinks are phenomenal but overpriced but on the same level as other bars in Singapore of the same caliber. The dark interior and leather reminds one of being inside a cigar room for dapper gentlemen or a speakeasy of the 20s. A great place to have a birthday or a date.

6) Cedele at Wheelock Place
This chain of restaurants and cafes are found throughout Singapore but this location is a sit down restaurant with a chill vibe and views overlooking the fountain and the busy road intersection from above. The food here is pretty good and they have a focus on nutrition and wholesome food. My favorite things to order here is the caesar salad, pumpkin or butternut squash soup, and earl grey with fig ice cream. Prices are middle of the road so you won't break the bank eating here.

7) Boon Tong Kee at River Valley Road
A fairly clean chicken rice restaurant that has renovated itself to be a full fledged restaurant from the chicken rice joint that it once was in the 90s. I still like the chicken rice and its my favorite place to get chicken rice in Singapore. They also serve other dishes that are found in Chinese restaurants. I like to order chicken rice to go but if I eat here, I order steamed chicken with chicken rice, a veggie dish, and an appetiser to share with my dining companions.

8) Bar hopping on Club street, Ann Siang Hill, Keong Saik Street
I never really know where I'm going when I meet friends in these areas for drinks. There are so many bars and restaurants on these streets. After work hours are the most popular times. This area is also good for people watching. Some bars to look out for: The Library, The Cufflink club.

9) Sanpoutei Ramen at Holland Village
I like my ramen noodle soup at this casual ramen place because the noodles are springy, thicker, and the soup is a nice rich broth. When this place first opened, the broth was a bit too fatty for my tastebuds but now I know not to order the tonkotsu (pork bone broth) and all is well with the world. I like tonkotsu ramen but not at this place. The shoyu or the tori + miso ramen broth works really well with the springy noodles.

Yoga Movement at Robertson Quay

Getting foot reflexology at Natureland

Shopping and Pampering:

1) Jurlique Spa and the shops at Wheelock Place
The Jurlique products and the facials at the spa keep my skin refreshed and glowing. When I'm in Singapore, I try and fit a facial appointment here to rebalance my skin out. The change in temperatures while traveling can really mess the moisture levels of my face.
The shopping centre is a curated experience of smaller boutiques and they are fun to poke around in because some of them have a focus on local designs or hard to find products.

2) Natureland at Robertson Walk
There are a few rituals in Singapore that I do when I'm in town. I book myself a foot reflexology appointment because my feet take a beating from walking miles and miles, exercise, and dancing up a storm in studios. Foot reflexology is my time to unwind and get all the kinks out. When I was teaching over 48+ hours of dance, this became a necessity. My feet and legs were taking a massive beating and I needed this badly. My foot reflexologist is based here and the space is relaxing but not too posh. I like that I can use the free wifi and catch up on blogging while getting my feet massaged!

3) Mandarin Gallery Shops
I like wandering around this little shopping centre in the middle of Orchard Road because the air conditioning is strong, quiet and peaceful, and the shops are not your run of the mill shops that you can find in any other mall in town. However, they did just open a flagship Victoria's Secret so I don't know how quiet this place will be or a sign that more mainstream shops will occupy the stores inside eventually.

4) Kampong Glam boutique shops
In the Kampong Glam area around Arab street there are some adorable little boutique shops and cafes that have opened up in the recent decade. It is the place with an eclectic mix of styles that border from hipster cool to urban fashionista. Definitely a fun place to walk around.

5) Far East Plaza
This old shopping centre houses some eclectic boutiques, nail salons, eateries (the rojak shop is good!), and hair salons. I like browsing some of the shops here for the eclectic and quirkiness that other new shiny malls lack. This place was also a favorite place to shop as a pre-teen for baggy jeans, flannel, and used books. You can still find some really good deals here. There are also tailors here that can do alterations for not exorbitant prices.

6) Manicure and Pedicure at Holland Village Shopping Centre
There are so many places in this complex. I no longer get manicures or pedicures done regularly because its easier to keep my nails looking neat and healthy by keeping it short and no polish. Also because I'm traveling quite a bit that its difficult to maintain a pretty polish from looking chipped. When I do feel like a little pampering, I come to Holland Village Shopping Centre and get my nails done. I like I love Nails for efficient service, affordable prices, and they do a pretty good job. Its a no frills place so don't expect a spa atmosphere.

7) Yoga class at Yoga Movement
I started to go to weekly yoga classes again this year and it has been wonderful to find yoga classes during my travels. When I'm in Singapore, I go to Yoga Movement. The classes can be purchased per class or by a class card. There are a lot of yoga studios in Singapore but most of them require some kind of membership which doesn't work for travelers like me. Thankfully Yoga Movement has been expanding throughout the island and opening up new studios in different locations.

All of the places mentioned in this post are my own opinion and suggestions. If you like my post please follow me on Facebook and Instagram. I am also available if you would like to do a collaboration post or sponsored post, just drop me an email

Foodporn from around the world

I like creating Foodporn but I also like looking at what other people post too!

Best of all: it's calorie-free and so indulgent!



IG @odevour_me posted a picture of Ribs and Coleslaw that looks so mouth-watering! Singapore

IG @emelyntjy is enjoying dimsum in Hong Kong. Dimsum is a MUST in Hong Kong. 

IG @standuplawyer has a typical Swedish breakfast of lox and knäckebröd while visiting family in Stockholm. 

IG @widyay has some Japanese comfort food of chicken karaage (Japanese style fried chicken) and rice with salad in Japan. 

IG @anna_alleshiba is having amazing padthai noodles in Pattaya, Thailand. Looks so good!

IG @nunjourney had rijstaffel in Amsterdam. An ode to the Dutch colonial past with Indonesia resulted in a lot of Indonesian restaurants and establishments in Amsterdam. 

IG @veritablyzontee enjoys the Apricot Toasted Almond Cronut from the original creators at Dominique Ansel bakery in New York City 

IG @quaintandkawaii indulges in the "best gyoza" in Tokyo. My mouth is salivating. 

IG @oursiciliantable has such mouth watering Foodporn! It's seriously amazing and you can tell it's all cooked from the heart. Sicily.

All of these photos were discovered from Instagram and I have permission from each owner to publish their pictures on this blog. 

Foodporn while traveling part 1

Soup dumplings in Guangzhou, China. Jan 2013. I was a guest artist teaching and choreographing at a International school for a week. 

Foodporn can bring about envy and hunger on social media. But I love taking pictures of my food especially when I travel. It reminds me of the amazing meals I've eaten and some really nice memories. I find myself 'at home' within my memories so it is helpful for me to have many pictures that trigger these memories. This is part one! 

Fish and chips in London, UK. July 2013. 

I arrived London a week prior to a summer performing at the fringe festival in Edinburgh. 

Peking Duck in Singapore. Nov 2013. 

My birthday meal request. 

Mussels in Valencia, Spain. July 2014. This was the first time ever for me to eat mussels. This little restaurant was so much fun and authentic. We chucked the shells on the floor! 

Paella in Valencia, Spain. July 2014. We found the restaurant that serves the very first paella. 

Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon, Portugal. July 2014. These were so hyped up but once you had one, you understand why. They are super good! 

Shrimp "burrito" Swedish style in Brännö Island in Gothenburg, Sweden. July 2014. This was the best shrimp salad burrito I have ever eaten! It was such a beautiful Swedish summer day. I spent that day lying on a rock like a mermaid basking in the sun. 

Seafood/fish bouillabaisse in Stockholm, Sweden. July 2014. The meal before an amazing night bar hopping in Stockholm. 

Indian food in Singapore, Sept 2014. I rarely eat Indian food as it doesn't sit too well with me. This was a lovely evening exploring a new neighborhood in the east side of Singapore. 

Herring with condiments in Stockholm, Sweden. Oct 2014. A very Swedish meal of herring and meatballs. 

High tea with mom in Singapore, Oct 2014. 

Jamon croquettes and iced lemon mint tea in Singapore, Jan 2015. Dinner with a fabulous group of women before I left Singapore. 

Chilli crab dinner in Singapore, Jan 2015. This was a big going away party and I invited so many people this evening. I was so happy to see a lot of my friends come out to see me off. 

Danish pastries in Copenhagen, Denmark. Jan 2014. I trekked out in the cold rain to find this bakery. The smells of the fresh bread baking in the oven and the large selection of pastries was truly overwhelming! 

Reindeer in Rovaniemi, Finland. Jan 2015. I was fascinated that Santa Claus and reindeer existed in Northern Finland! So the saying goes: when in Rome...do as the Romans do! 

Chokladbollar in Stockholm, Sweden. Jan 2015. Fika is a Swedish tradition that everyone should adopt. Taking time out during the day to have a coffee break and something sweet. A short break to refresh, socialize, reflect, and recharge with sugar and caffeine. Chokladbollar is my favorite Fika snack and the Bryggt kaffe (black coffee) is strong in Sweden. Just the way I like it. 

Brunch in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Jan 2015. This was my first brunch with a few new friends the first weekend during orientation week. We were excited to embark on a new hospitality program and career. 

Crepe with ham, cheese, and egg in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Feb 2015. An evening dinner with my new classmates/friends to bond together over a yummy dinner of crepes. I always remember this meal whenever I go to this little restaurant. 

Cheese fondue in Geneva, Switzerland. Feb 2015. I went to visit an acquaintance from Singapore who now lives in Geneva and we went to get cheese fondue. This was my first Swiss Fondue and it was so yummy. I'm not used to eating cheese because I didn't grow up eating cheese as a child. So to have a meal of just cheese is quite the experience! 

Chicken satay lunch at my hospitality school in Switzerland. March 2015. One of the coolest things about attending a hospitality program is the fact that you get to eat international cuisine because the chefs and students that cook the food are international and from many different cultures. 

Ham and cheese open faced sandwich with chinotto soda in Milan, Italy. April 2015. This was a simple afternoon lunch that was enjoyed slowly. I remember I spent the day shopping and got famished so I took my time eating this meal slowly and people watching. I love just taking my time during a meal and people watching. It feels very cerebral and relaxing to do this. 

Wiener schnitzel with potato salad. Coffee and apfel strudel. Innsbruck, Austria. April 2015. This meal during the middle of a ski day was enormous but soooooo good. The Austrians do schnitzel so well because it's so thin and battered just right. 

Peach Danish in Vevey, Switzerland. May 2015. Right after our exams, we had two field trips and one of them was to go to the food museum (sponsored by Nestle). We had a mini cooking class on how to make these flaky pastries. This is the Danish I made :-)