Petite ($8, 1 base, 2 raw + savouries, 1 protein, 1 crunchy, 1 dressing)
[Base] Kale
[Raw/Savouries] Beetroot, Shredded Slaw
[Protein] Herb Chicken
[Crunchy] Apple
[Dressing] Lemon Tahini
-The Review-
Premium base at no added cost
Kale and Baby Spinach doesn’t come at any additional cost here! I have also tried their Pearled Barley, it’s a very good alternative to the usual grains!
Simple toppings are best
No-frills options like apple, beetroot etc. are what I like about Habit. The herbed chicken breast is also tender and well-seasoned.
This is the regular sized bowl I had a while back
The more complex options like the seasoned sprouts fell short because it was too salty. I would have preferred if they used soybean sprouts instead of mung bean sprouts for added texture.
As for the dressing, I’ve only tried the Tahini Lemon and I loved it. It was smooth, and had just the right amount of acidity from the lemon.
Decent portion of protein
The weight of the Petite bowl is about 380g. This is a pretty decent size for a $8 bowl. You can also pay $4 more for the regular bowl, which gives you an additional base, an additional topping, and an additional crunch. The regular bowl definitely gives more value-for-money but it was honestly too much for me. Here’s the weight breakdown of the Petite bowl I ordered –
160g Chicken Breast
35g Tahini Lemon Dressing
60g Apple
20g Beet
20g Slaw
85g Kale
-Information/Hacks-
Address: One Holland V #01-53 | Icon Village #01-31/32
Hours:
Mon-Fri, 11AM-8:30PM | 11AM-8PM
Sat-Sun, 11AM-8PM | 10:30AM-4:30PM
Other information/Hacks: Yoga Movement members can get a 10% discount in store! It costs a lot more on delivery platforms so I prefer to order in-person.
[Veggies] Green Papaya Salad, Sweet Potato w Fennel
[Side] Cauliflower Pickle
[Topping] Green Sambal Iljo
[Dressing] Homemade Coconut Curry
-The Review-
Vegetarian Option Pad Kra Pow Jackfruit available
They have very interesting proteins. Pad Kra Pao Jackfruit is essentially the vegan/vegetarian renditition of the Thai Basil Chicken. Unfortunately, they left this item out of my order and I wasn’t able to taste it, despite being so excited that I was willing to top up $5 (on deliveroo). I did get my refund in Deliveroo credits after a lot of back-and-forth with the platform, but that’s not Grain Traders’ fault.
Unlike everything else they offered on the menu, their Sous Vide Chicken Breast seemed to be the dish they put in the least effort in. It was disappointingly dry, and lacked finesse.
The 100 Day Grass-fed Beef Parrillada I tried in another order was so much better. It was incredibly tender, almost like braised pork, and beautifully seasoned. This will definitely be my go-to protein option on future visits, although I still look forward to trying the Pad Kra Pao.
Love the wide range of vegetables
Even the base is not the usual Romaine Lettuce, but a blend of Kale and Spinach. The raw vegetables are all crisp and fresh, and the cooked ones are perfectly timed.
A lot of work is needed to prepare each dish because they all have many layers and components. For example, the Broccoli was mixed with Okra and Coconut Flakes. The Cauliflower with Pomegranate & Pistachio. The eggplant was braised with a very light cashew sauce. All presenting a very nice contrast of sweet-and-nutty nodes.
Grain Traders July 2024 Menu – Base, Protein, Veggies
Even the Green Papaya Salad had edamame and purple cabbage in it.
Of the sides, I’ve tried the Cucumber Pickles (made with Kaffir Lime & Mustard Seeds) and the Cauliflower Pickles (made with carrots, tumeric, curry, and curry leaves). Both are refreshing, light, and adds just the right amount of acidity to your bowl. I can’t wait to try the other two as well.
As for the sauces, the Asian Gravy is a Teriyaki/Worcester mix and it was too salty for my liking. The Salsa Verde is a little too oily, although I did give it a taste and it is quite fragrant. I might try the Beetroot Yogurt or the Homemade Coconut Curry in future, but it seems like they are lacking a lighter dressing option.
Grain Traders July 2024 Menu – Sides, Toppings, Base
Small portion for its price.
The portion size is about 400g. They do weigh every component while adding it to your bowl so the portion sizes are fairly consistent. For a $17.50 bowl, this is one of the most expensive salad bowls in town. However, as I mentioned earlier, every dish is complex, made with multiple ingredients and spices/sauces, and the ingredients are of good quality so I felt that the price is quite justified.
95g Sous Vide Chicken Breast
50g Cauliflower, Tumeric, and Curry Pickle
80g Mixed Mushroom
75g Eggplant w Cashew
60g Super Greens
30g Spiced Chickpeas
25g Asian Gravy
[30 Jul 2024 Edit] I finally managed to try their Pad Kra Pow Jackfruit. The Jackfruit was so delicious, and it tastes almost like the texture of pulled pork.
The two remaining pickled dishes (Kimchi & Beansprouts) paled in comparison with the Pickled Cauliflower so that’ll be what I shall pick in my future orders.
The sweet potato with fennel and curry potato with grapes are both very tasty if you’re looking to supplement your bowl with some light carbs.
The homemade curry is also a good option as a dressing. Unfortunately in one of my bowls they forgot to include my Feta Beetroot Yogurt dressing, along with my chili & lemongrass peanut topping. After reaching out to them, one the owners asked me to return for another bowl on the house. I’m looking forward to try the remaining flavours that I’ve yet to explore!
[3 Aug 2024 Update]
Thanks Bryan and Javier for arranging this on the house! I appreciate the effort they put into maintaining their customer service standards.
The Beetroot Feta Yogurt is definitely a good higher-protein dressing, although I have to say the homemade curry is still my favourite. The peanuts are very fragrant, and a good topping to have if you’re looking for a nice crunch too!
I think I made up my mind on a go-to order, edited above. Grain Traders is definitely the place I’d visit when I’m looking to treat myself to a healthy but really tasty meal!
Other information: Upon comparing the various food delivery platforms and their self-pickup discounts, along with Grain Traders’ own website, Deliveroo‘s 25% off is the most value-for-money. If you have Deliveroo Plus, each bowl would cost you only $15.
It was 50% off for a week or so when they first opened their Guoco Tower branchThis would have been $17.50 on their website.This would have been $21.60 on their website.
[Sides] Roasted Mushrooms, Roasted Pumpkin, Roasted Broccoli, Japanese Cucumber
[Sauce] no sauce
-The Review-
If you’re looking for a salad bar in town on a weekend, this is the perfect place to visit!
Simple and nice old school salad bar
Their cooked vegetables are mostly roasted, while their raw vegetables are cubed. Although simple, their dishes are cooked very well. The pumpkin was perfectly cooked, retaining a slight bite while being soft. The mushrooms are just how I like them—not overly seasoned and without the spicy aftertaste that Shiitake mushrooms often have.
The Five-Spiced Chicken is very fragrant
Instead of sticking with my usual chicken breast, I decided to give their Vietnamese Five-Spiced Chicken a try because it was the most unique item on their menu, and I’m glad I did. It wasn’t too oily because the chicken they used was very lean; even the skin was thin. I also really enjoyed the taste of star anise, cloves, and cinnamon—these are not flavors you typically find at a salad bar.
Serving size is quite decent for their price.
Everything is well-portioned. Here’s how much everything weighed: it was about 345g of food, but I requested no dressing. Adding dressing will make your bowl approximately 370g.
60g Romaine Lettuce
110g Baked Vietnamese Five-Spiced Chicken
55g Roasted Brocolli
40g Japanese Cucumber
40g Roasted Mushrooms
40g Roasted Pumpkin
Bowl Voyage July 2024 Menu
-Information/Hacks-
Address: 90 Bras Basah Rd, B1-33 Esplanade Xchange, Singapore 189562
Other information/Hacks: You can order via FoodLine.sg for self-collection and you’ll get $5 off your first order with no minimum spend. You can also earn $3 after you leave a review for your order, and earn points on the platform for your next purchase.
Regular Bowl ($13.90, 2 bases, 1 protein, 2 sides, 1 dressing, Avo of the day) + $1 for chicken breast
[Base] Mixed Greens x2
[Protein] Roasted Chicken Breast (+$1)
[Sides] Zucchini, beets & carrots
[Dressing] Sriracha
[Avo of the day] Guacamole
(P.S. They definitely plated it nicely when I first received it but I messed it up in my transport home)
-The Review-
While they are not a halal-certified restaurant, they claim that they only use halal-certified meat, making them one of the only few Muslim-friendly salad bars in town.
Serving size is rather small for its price.
And any meat-based protein comes at an additional cost. $14.90 for ~360g of food makes it one of the most expensive salad options I’ve had thus far. Here is how much everything weighed –
60g Mixed Greens
85g Beets & Carrots
70g Zucchini
35g Guacamole
15g Spicy Sriracha Dressing
95g Roasted Chicken Breast
The items were of decent quality, but nothing truly outstanding.
The beets, carrots, and zucchini I ate were pleasant, but not outstanding enough to make me consider coming back. The roasted chicken breast was quite dry. Moreover, their dressings contain a lot of calories due to the oil/fat they contain. It will be nice if they had a low fat option.
Avorush Menu – July 2024
-Information/Hacks-
Address: #02-23 Asia Square Tower 2, 12 Marina View, 018961
Other information: They are on Deliveroo and Food Panda, but it is delivery-only and prices are more expensive than directly buying them items in store.
If you’re not particular about what is in your bowl, you can order a surprise salad at $7.50 for pickup at 1600-1800h on Yindii. Use my referral code DKJRMDG2 to get $5 cashback credit after your first order.
After hearing about Good Day’s swift sellouts of their signature dishes by noon, I finally had the chance to experience their offerings firsthand. I can see why they draw such a crowd, they are the cheapest healthy food option in the building.
Spinach & cabbage at no additional cost
At Good Day, unlike many other salad bars where you might expect an extra charge of $0.50-2 for Baby Spinach, their spinach and cabbage comes at no additional cost. However, the spinach portion was quite sparing; the bowl was mostly filled with cabbage, with only about 10 spinach leaves lining the top layer.
Standard options are limited
The selection of standard protein options is somewhat limited, in the sense that the chicken were either made from thigh meat or made with seasoning that might be high in fats (e.g. satay sauce). Notwithstanding, the Balinese Chicken I selected was quite enjoyable. Seasoned with lemongrass, the thigh meat was prepared without skin, though some pieces did contain noticeable fat which I removed while eating. It’s worth noting that opting for leaner protein choices like the Sous Vide Chicken Breast would incur an additional charge.
When it comes to supplements, items like broccoli and cauliflower require an extra fee as well. I found the Lemon Garlic Asparagus I chose to be overly oily, which detracted from its appeal. It’s unlikely I would choose it again.
Good Day Menu – July 2024
Serving size is ok
Considering the discounted price of $8.80, I found the serving size (~300g) to be decent. However, majority of the weight came from shredded cabbage rather than the other ingredients.
165g Cabbage
12g Spinach
75g Pumpkin
15g Asparagus
105g Balinese Chicken
Side note: They have macros for each item in-store, but it would be even better if they had this information on their website too.
Hacks: Create an account and join their loyalty program via Ziito receive 10x$2 vouchers (of varying expiry dates, min spend $10) for your next few purchases (my bowl cost me $8.80 instead of $10.80)! You will also be earning points to offset your future purchases.
Small Mix ($10.50, 1 base, 1/2 protein, 1 side salad, 3 toppings, 1 sauce)
[Base] Romaine Lettuce
[Protein] Slow Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork
[Side Salad] Shitake Mushrooms
[Toppings] Beetroot, Carrots, Pickled Onions
[Sauces] Vatos Hot Sauce
-The Review-
Urban Mix and their parent company VATOS are renowned for their Korean-Mexican fusion, and they excel in blending both flavors seamlessly. I particularly enjoy their Vatos Hot Sauce – a Peri Peri sauce that packs a spicy punch. I only used about a third of what they provided and saved the rest for future meals.
If you’re looking for pork in a salad bar, this is it
Not many salad places offer pork as an option, possibly because it’s difficult to perfect. Lean pork can become tough, and if seasoned incorrectly, it may taste gamey. The slow-cooked BBQ pulled pork from Urban Mix is very tasty and well-seasoned. Moreover, it’s not oily (they use lean cuts). I’ve heard their Korean Pork Belly is also delicious, but I haven’t had the chance to try it yet.
I’ve also tried their shredded roast beef, which is tender and fragrant. Their Sous Vide Chicken Breast is thinly sliced, which works well with dressing. However, without dressing, it can taste a bit dry.
The pickled onions are a little too raw for my liking
I prefer my pickled onions aged, but if you enjoy the kick from raw onion, this will be perfect for you. The Shiitake mushrooms are sliced thinly and borders on the salty side. I appreciate that the beetroots, carrots, and cabbage are unprocessed because their raw taste balances out the well-seasoned protein options very nicely.
The best service I’ve received from a salad bar
Of the three times I’ve visited Urban Mix, the staff has always been pleasant to deal with. They are friendly, positive, and impressively consistent.
During my latest visit, I placed a slightly different order on the app, but that was my mistake because I ordered near closing time and they had run out of certain items I had selected. However, the server handled it exceptionally well; he was genuinely apologetic about the inconvenience. To make up for it, he even gave me a free serving of Edamame, and I’m pretty sure he gave me a much larger portion than usual this time.
Serving size is huge for a $10 bowl
Perhaps because I usually visit near closing hours for dinner or a late lunch, the staff have been very generous. Here is how each item weighed (~415g in total) –
40g Romaine Lettuce
105g Slow Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork
60g Shiitake Mushrooms
60g Garlic Edamame (*free service)
40g Beetroot
40g Carrots
35g Pickled Onions
35g Vatos Hot Sauce
Urban Mix July 2024 Menu
-Information/Hacks-
Address: One Raffles Place, #B1-01A, Singapore 048616
Other information/Hacks: The prices are cheaper on Waitrr at $10 (instead of $10.50 in store) for a small bowl. Additionally, you can earn loyalty stamps to offset the cost of your future bowl.
My favorite part about TDC is that they change their menu every quarter. As someone who eats salad every day, certain supplements and options can get quite boring. The fact that they change their menus every now and then is what keeps me coming back.
From the summer menu, the Gochujang Cauliflower, Marinated Zucchini, Chili Lime Shrimp, Green Chili Chicken Patties, Pickled Cucumber, and Garlic Raita Sauce have become my go-tos. The spiced items (Gochujang Cauliflower, Chili Lime Shrimp, Green Chili Chicken Patties) are very refreshing and not too spicy. Sriracha-dusted broccoli and maple Dijon carrots are nothing special in my opinion.
Screen Grab from their Macros Calculator – The Garlic Raita Sauce is the lowest calorie option for dressing, besides the lemon wedge.
Beef is overcooked and tough
The only thing I really dislike on their menu is their beef. It is overcooked, rubbery, and tough. Every other protein option on their menu is a better choice.
[9 August 2024 update: I decided to give their beef another try and they have definitely improved their standards! They seemed to have also change the cut of beef they use and it tastes a lot better.]
Service standards are inconsistent
I first tried TDC in 2015 when I was interning nearby. More recently, since I started working in the area, there was a period when I would eat at TDC at least 2-3 times a week—mostly because it’s the only salad store still open by the time I end work. By now, I’ve tried everything on their menu (except the bases, as I always stick with romaine lettuce everywhere I go).
That changed when they made mistakes on my orders three times in a row just last month. In the first two instances, they forgot to add the additional topping I paid for, and in the third, they completely missed a supplement (corn).
I placed these orders through Deliveroo, and the refund process turned out to be quite a hassle. When I contacted TDC via Instagram, I received template service recovery replies. However, they did try to process a refund through Deliveroo for me. I received a full refund for one of the bowls, which I considered fair compensation for the missing items in the other two orders. Therefore, I told them that I didn’t need a refund for those.
For the sake of this blog, I decided to patronise them once more, and thankfully, there were no mistakes this time.
Other information/Hacks: TDC is only available on Deliveroo. They do have an ongoing promotion where you get 45% off self-pickup (50% for deliveroo plus members), making each bowl only $8.52!
[Aug 2024 update: Deliveroo’s offer has become 15% for plus members.]
Their display immediately showcases the freshness of their ingredients. The leaves are crisp, the grains and fruits look plump, and even the avocado, despite being cut, showed no signs of oxidation.
Pickled Cauliflower is definitely the highlight
The store’s unassuming appearance initially led me to underestimate its offerings, but I was pleasantly surprised to find interesting supplements like Pickled Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Mash available.
The pickled cauliflower provided a refreshing kick with its crunchy texture and tangy flavor, which complemented my bowl well.
As for the Sweet Potato Mash, its clean taste was exactly to my liking, allowing me to fully enjoy the other supplements without being overwhelmed by herbs or salt in every bite.
The mixed mushrooms were slightly too oily for me, but in terms of taste it is well-seasoned.
Many Sous Vide Chicken options available
You can choose from Plain, Kung Pao, Cilantro pesto, or Honey Mustard, all of which do not come at any additional cost. The plain sous vide chicken was lightly seasoned with a touch of pepper, and I appreciated its tender texture that made it easy to bite into.
This is a very well-balanced bowl.
The portion size of about 300-360g was just right, with everything perfectly proportioned. There was a good balance—enough base without overwhelming the supplements, and the flavors complemented each other well. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my Harvest bowl; it had a clean and fresh taste, exactly how a salad bowl should be. I can definitely see myself returning.
35g Romaine Lettuce
130g Sweet Potato Mash
95g Plain Sous Vide Chicken
50g Mixed Mushrooms
25g Pickled Cauliflower
7g Wolfberries
20g Spiced Yogurt
The Harvest Menu – July 2024
-Information/Hacks-
Address: 6A Shenton Way #03-30 Downtown Gallery, #2, Singapore 068815
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30AM-5PM
Other information: You can pre-order by contacting Irene via WhatsApp at 96487905.
[Supplements] Pickled Turnip, Roasted Pineapple, Egg White
[Dressing] Spinach Pesto
I did not use the pesto sauce in the end. It looked too oily for me. On a separate trip I picked the Ponzu Sauce and that was perfect.
-The Review-
I visited the SBF branch, which I heard is superior to SuperSimple’s other branches in CBD. This branch is partnered with Guerilla Coffee, and they recently launched their operations here in June 2024.
After visiting twice, SuperSimple has become my top choice for salad bowls because the flavours were unique, and yet I didn’t feel thirsty after having my meal. Every dish I ordered was perfectly seasoned, and it tasted clean, just as a salad bowl should be.
The only salad place that serves medium steak
So far, I’ve tried the steak and the slow-cooked chicken, and I liked them both. The steak is cooked to a perfect medium, and the slow-cooked chicken was clean-tasting yet juicy. In fact, it might be the juiciest chicken breast I’ve had from a salad bar.
They have very interesting sides
The pickled turnip tastes homemade, maintaining its satisfying crunch. If you’re not a fan of raw-tasting vegetables, this may not be for you. It was perfect for me and I order the pickled turnip every time.
Unlike most salad bars, the egg white is served in cubes rather than scrambled, resembling feta cheese or tofu, without the latter’s grittiness.
I’ve heard that the roasted pineapple’s standard can vary; some days it’s fragrant and juicy, but on other days it can be a bit tough to chew, probably depending on the quality of the pineapples they get. Fortunately, on the day I tried it, the pineapple was very nice.
For those looking to add cooked vegetables to their bowl, the curried cauliflower and roasted cabbage are excellent choices.
Generous serving
The $11.90 box is ~520g of food. This was how each item weighed in my bowl:
160g Chicken Breast
90g Pineapple
90g Pickled Turnip
80g Egg White
70g Romaine Lettuce
30g Spinach Pesto Sauce
This menu was available in-store but it is inaccurate. They no longer serve soba noodles, instead they have whole wheat pasta. The protein choices are also slightly different. Refer to the various food delivery platforms/YQueue for a more accurate version of their menu.
-Information/Hacks-
Address: SBF Center/Telok Ayer/International Plaza/Galaxis/IOI Central Boulevard
Other Information/Hacks: Upon comparing prices on various platforms, including the store-preferred YQueue, GrabFood’s 15% off self pick-up (or 20% off self pickup with subscription) turned out to be the cheapest option (at $11.81 without premium, less if you have Grab premium subscription).
On YQueue it is at retail price of $11.90 (but you can dine in with this method). On FoodPanda/Deliveroo it will be >$12.
When I first saw MAIZ, I couldn’t help but notice its similarity to OMNIVORE’s business model—from their minimal social media presence to the ordering process, food preparation methods, and even the choice of serving containers. The main distinction lies in the absence of a display window showcasing their offerings, and the somewhat introverted and shy demeanor of the staff. Admittedly, I approached with skepticism due to mixed Google reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised by the experience.
Everything Is Made Fresh!
I observed them sous vide some of their protein, and when they ran out of the Chile Cucumbers I had ordered, I had the opportunity to watch them prepare a fresh batch. The pickled carrots I received were clearly made from fresh carrots, retaining their original crunch.
The Mexican flavors were exceptional—complex and layered, just as they should be. The Chile Cucumbers were boldly spicy, while the pickled carrots, lemon caper sauce, and pickled cactus offered just the right amount of tanginess. The Pico De Gallo was refreshingly herbal and fresh. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed every item in my order.
Generous Servings
The container was impressively large, reminiscent of OMNIVORE’s offerings. Naturally, I decided to weigh my bowl to see how it measured up. It turned out to be about 600-650 grams of food, and it certainly did not disappoint in terms of filling me up.
130g Romaine Lettuce
160g Grilled Chicken Breast
70g Pickled Cactus
70g Chile Cucumbers
70g Pickled Carrots
50g Pico De gallo
35g Lemon Caper
I will be back.
I can already envision MAIZ becoming my go-to spot for satisfying my Mexican food cravings. Their extensive variety of Mexican flavors has me eager to return and sample more of their dishes. Initially eyeing the Grilled Achiote Chicken (which unfortunately was sold out), I caught a glimpse of the last batch being prepared, and it looked absolutely enticing.
MAIZ Menu July 2024
-Information/Hacks-
Address: Marina One – The Heart, 5 Straits View, Singapore 018936
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:30AM-5:30PM
Other information: MAIZ isn’t prominently featured on ordering platforms currently, possibly due to its new presence. Even their Deliveroo operates exclusively for delivery purposes. I’ll update this page if there are any changes.
[Edit: I just learnt that MAIZ is owned by the same person behind OMNIVORE, Nori, WOLF, Saigon Rolls, Infinity Cafe, Steam, and Local Coffee People! No wonder the standards are there.]
The Salad Addict 