Wandering Fel

Singapore Food Log: Kagurazaka Saryo, Vivo City

Cha-nabe menu from Kagurazaka Saryo Vivo City

Desserts menu from Kagurazaka Saryo Vivo City

Beverage menu from Kagurazaka Saryo Vivo City

Signature parfait from Kagurazaka Saryo Vivo City

Kagurazaka Saryo’s signature matcha parfait

I was actually thinking of cancelling tonite’s dinner but then I remembered that my buddy won’t be around next week as she’s travelling to Taiwan. I decided to go on with the appointment despite my irritating cramp. Since I was not in really good mood with the cramp and last minute’s annoying email from someone in the office, we decided to eat something sweet at the latest addition of Japanese restaurant in Vivo City, Kagurazaka Saryo. The brand is brought into this tiny island by the same group who brought in Ajisen Ramen, Osaka Osho and Menya Musashi Ramen. Hmm, if I recall correctly, Kagurazaka Saryo is located at the exact location where Fruit Paradise used to be.

In fact, both brands belong to the same group. This is proven by the fact that Kagurazaka Saryo offers the fruit tarts which are the special items from Fruit Paradise. Good thing for the fruit tarts lover I suppose. However, tonight we went for the parfait because it looks so good and it’s just the right size for sharing. There are two types of parfait offered by Kagurazaka Saryo. One comes with normal vanilla and matcha ice cream while the other one comes with soft served matcha. We took a while to decide between the two but finally we went for the cheaper one at SGD 10.90 before tax. We are frugal people hahaha.

The presentation of the parfait seems to lack color but it’s probably because of the lighting too, I’m not sure why. The parfait comes with two scoops of ice cream (vanilla and matcha), 2 pieces of waffles, 2 pieces of mini sponge cake, 2 pieces of white mochi balls, 2 pieces of another type of mini square mochi, and matcha pudding/ jelly underneath the whole thing. Overall, it’s not bad although I can’t say it’s fantastic either. We do enjoy devouring it while talking about life in general, tough work, difficult people to work with and upcoming travel plan. At least it’s always fun to talk about travel plan although we don’t travel together this year with me haven’t been able to secure a permanent job. But let’s think positively and be grateful with our current situation no matter what. God will make a way.

I am quite curious with the rice/udon broth that Kagurazaka Saryo offers though. You just need to top up for 3 SGD to get the drink to come together with the meal. Hmm, that’s probably not so bad of a deal. I may come back for it next time I’m in the mood for soupy stuff.

8D Avia Japan Trip: Asakusa Temple and Nakamise Street, Tokyo

Kaminarimon Gate at Asakusa Temple in Tokyo Japan

Nakamise Street in front of Asakusa Temple in Tokyo

So I have finally decided to use my subliminal amount of leaves to go for 9 days 8 nights trip to Osaka. But when I think about Japan, I remember that I haven’t even finished updating my travel blog about my spring trip to Japan. Oh wait, that means I will be in Japan 2 times in a year, man, I should have gotten that multiple entries visa. But then, I only decided this trip like few days ago and you will need to have your air tickets ready for those two trips if you want to even try your chance to apply for multiple entries visa so yeah, that’s out I guess.

Actually my last write-up about Japan was right about when I was about to enter Tokyo from Mt Fuji. You know you have reached Tokyo when you can see the view of Tokyo Skytree from your window bus. However, a visit to the top of Tokyo Skytree is never in any tour group itineraries in Jakarta so the bus continues to bring us to Asakusa Temple. We were in Tokyo on a Sunday and if you are wondering how’s the weekend crowd is like at Nakamise Street, the street leading to the main gate of Asakusa Temple, you will see head and head of human trudging toward the same direction. In other words, be prepared to get...well, squeezed with some strangers along the way.

Our tour guide did not allow us to make detour or pit stop to buy food because she wanted to dismiss us right at Kaminarimon Gate, the main gate of Asakusa Temple. The main gate is actually pretty impressive but taking picture there without getting any photo-bomber in your picture needs superhuman skill. I did not even feel like trying, to be honest with you. However, if you are not intimidated by the crowd, you should give Kaminarimon Gate closer observation. The huge lantern is especially the famous landmark of Kaminarimon Gate and Asakusa Temple which seems to be the favourite photo-taking spot amongst tourists.

If you are joining a tour, I recommend not to spend too much time at Kaminarimon Gate because there are a lot of food street to explore at Nakamise Street and its neighboring alleys. The problem with enjoying food street at Nakamise Street is that you are not allowed to eat and drink while walking along the street. I’m not sure if there is police to watch over you and summon you fine if you are caught doing that, but I suppose it’s just polite to follow other country’s law and regulation when you are in one. That, and I suspect the food vendor may just scold you right there (especially if they are not youngsters) for eating and walking at the same time.

Daily handmade pearls from Hollin at Suntec City

Hazelnut black tea macchiato with coffee pearls

Hazelnut rock salt tea macchiato from Hollin

Eli, the bubble tea lover, introduced me to Hollin when the bubble tea brand has just opened its first store in Toa Payoh. The only thing I remember was her comment about it being pricy but she did not mind because thankfully, it tastes good. The problem is I am too lazy to go all the way to Toa Payoh just to try out Hollin so it kinda slipped my mind after that. Until I found out that it has another stall at Suntec City.

To be honest, I would only go to venture out all the way to Suntec City from my office in Tanjong Pagar if I am not too busy on that day and I eat by myself. Not everyone is up for this kind of foodie adventure during lunch hour so I don’t dare to impose this habit on anyone. I found out that Hollin is located in the East Wing (which is actually nearer to Promenade MRT station). So if you are able to locate Marche at the ground floor, you just need to go up 2 levels and walk further down to spot it. It’s pretty near to Toys’r’Us if you know where it is.

The staff was giving away tester for its Strawberry Rock Salt Macchiato and it tastes pretty yum for a macchiato lover like me. I am a fan of Koi’s green tea macchiato so I think I would like Hollin’s macchiato too. So despite it’s somewhat pricier range (cheapest is SGD 3.20), I decided to pick hazelnut rock salt tea macchiato with the pearls of the day, coffee pearls (SGD 4.20 for the drink + SGD 0.70 for the pearls). Hollin offers different pearls each day in addition to its standard honey pearls. It advertises the no added preservatives and no coloring but since it’s flavoured, I supposed it will be kinda sweet. But the coffee pearls are not that sweet tho because after all, it’s coffee-taste.

Upon collecting my drink, the staff told me that I should not mix the macchiato (which actually what I usually do for KOI’s green tea macchiato, oops) because it will ruin the drink. I decided it’s better for me to follow his instruction and sip it from the hole on top of the cup and oh boy, I love the taste of cheese froth layer which subsequently followed by the black tea. I think 25% is just right for this drink because otherwise, it would be too sweet. But I suppose everyone have different sweetness tolerance. The problem is, there’s no way I can reach the coffee pearls if I don’t use the straw. And once you’re using the straw, the drink will be somewhat mixed at certain degree. Hahaha. I still enjoy the drink nonetheless but I do suggest you follow the staff recommendation not to stir the macchiato too much. Maybe I should try another time without the pearls.

Btw, there is a small sitting area (with around 5 or 6 seats) for you to sit down while enjoying your macchiato for a while if you are tired of walking to reach Hollin at Suntec City. Hahaha.

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Wandering Fel

Singapore Food Log: Kagurazaka Saryo, Vivo City

8D Avia Japan Trip: Asakusa Temple and Kaminarimon Gate, Tokyo

Hollin, Suntec City