It’s been a little while since we last spoke about Shake Salad, the convenient and nutritious on-the-go meal option that many of us rely on for tracking our macros. As you may recall from my previous article, Shake Salad was a lifesaver with its transparent nutritional information and wide availability.
The great news is that Shake Salad has expanded its lineup! I’ve been keeping a close eye on their offerings, and I’m excited to share the latest macros for their products. Whether you’re looking for a low-carb option or a high-protein boost, this article will help you navigate their new menu and make informed choices to meet your fitness goals.
Do note that the macros for some of their older products have also changed.
HEYBO launched some new menu items that are so great I decided to write another review (you can check out my previous review here).
New items on HEYBO’s menu (Sep 2024) – it would be great if they could update their macros
The new flavours really compliment each other.
The prawns are tender and refreshing, beautifully complemented by the Laksa Vinaigrette. The Bean Sprout Salad brings an extra layer of texture that elevates the entire dish. It’s like enjoying a healthier version of Laksa, without the guilt.
I’ve tried all their bases and personally I enjoy their cauliflower lentil rice the most.
Sometimes I opt for a lighter bowl featuring their garden greens, and I really appreciate the blend of arugula, lettuce, cabbage, and carrots. Every now and then, I also indulge in their Sweet Potato Noodles, which remind me of japchae!
The Bean Spout Salad has become my topping of choice
I love to pair it with a pumpkin wedge, Brussels sprouts, their cabbage salad, or sometimes mushrooms. The toppings are perfectly seasoned—just the right amount of flavor without being too salty. I often choose their Yuzu Soy dressing to tie it all together!
-Information/Hacks-
Multiple locations, check out their website for more details on their opening hours and addresses.
Other information/Hacks: Create your online account and use WELCOMEHB50 (HEYBO) for 50% off (up to $20) your first order.
I first tried their new items in my Yindii order. You can download Yindii, and grab your surprise meal at 50% off. Use my referral code DKJRMDG2 to get $5 cashback credit after your first order.
This post deviates slightly from my usual focus on salad bars, but I felt it was worth highlighting Shake Salad. They’ve become my reliable alternative when salad bars are closed on weekends and public holidays.
You can find Shake Salads at most Cold Storage, Jason’s, FairPrice, or Cheers stores, and they also have vending machines scattered throughout Singapore.
For added convenience, you can order them online and have them delivered right to your door. Plus, online orders/vending machines offer the option to add extras like chicken breast to boost your protein intake.
Another standout feature is their excellent customer service. When I inquired about the nutritional information for their salads, they responded swiftly and thoroughly. If you’re tracking macros and need a quick, nutritious salad option, Shake Salad is definitely worth considering.
I am pleasantly surprised at how much I actually loved this salad bowl and am so happy to find a good quality salad bar that opens till late on the weekends.
Quality ingredients
The ingredients are of such good quality that their natural tastes are enough, without the need for any seasoning. For instance, this has got to be the sweetest tasting steamed pumpkin that I’ve had from a salad bar. I am definitely ordering the pumpkin again the next time I patronise this store.
Their broccoli looked unassuming because it appeared a little yellow (one hack that salad stores use is to boil broccoli with sugar so it maintains its bright green colour). Nonetheless this also means I can tell that Cafe Coldrea used fresh and not frozen broccoli which is so commendable. Moreover it is actually boiled just right, maintaining its crunch without it tasting raw. I am genuinely amazed at how well-made this simple dish was.
The Sous Vide Chicken is also cooked perfectly, maintaining its juiciness and natural sweet tastes. I again love that they didn’t have to overly season any of their ingredients because it is of such good quality.
The only ingredients that seem to come out of a can are the button mushrooms and the Tuna. Then again, these are typically canned ingredients and for how much preparation their other toppings seem to require I could easily let them off the hook for this one.
All that for just $9.90
The bowl is very well balanced, I had enough sides to taste a different texture with every bite of my greens. If anything I’d say they can consider giving less sauce because it is too much for one bowl (but they do have separate packaging for that should you require it and I kept my leftover sauce for the next meal). The bowl was about 450g including the sauce.
Other information/Hacks: You can order for self-pickup using their website. Do also ask for a loyalty card so you can get some freebies and 20% off on your 15th stamp ($8 = 1 stamp).
Make Your Own Bowl ($11.50, 1 Base, 1 Protein, 3 Sides)
[Base] Mesclun Salad
[Protein] Grilled Chicken Fillet
[Sides] Gochujang Cucumber, Baked Cauliflower, Thai Green Papaya
-The Review-
Haakon is my original go-to place for healthier options. Their macro-calculator and nutrition information on their website are very helpful, although it’s worth noting that these resources haven’t been updated with their new menu yet. Unfortunately, the branches I frequented at Raffles Place and Holland Village have since closed, so I haven’t had the chance to visit in a while. Their standards seem to have fallen quite a bit.
Light-tasting sides
Their dishes generally have a clean taste due to their light seasoning. For instance, the Thai Papaya Salad in my order was notably mild, lacking a strong fish-sauce flavor. Similarly, the Gochujang cucumber, which included onions, carrots, and cucumber, was quite subtle in flavor—though I found the raw onion a bit too intense for my taste. The baked cauliflower, seasoned lightly with curry powder, was also on the milder side.
The grilled chicken fillet is rather dry
I recall loving their Tuna Tataki, but I’ve noticed that their menu has since shrunk, and many of my previous favorites are no longer available. The grilled chicken fillet, seasoned with turmeric and cumin, was well-seasoned, but unfortunately, the chicken was tough and dry.
Portion is small for its price, every item would cost you a little bit more
For the price, the portion size is quite small. My bowl, which would have cost $11.50 if purchased directly from Haakon, contained less than 100g of protein and totaled about 325g. Adding extra toppings or sauces would have further increased the cost. Here is the weight breakdown.
Other information/Hacks: Deliveroo’s self-pickup offer is the best, my bowl will cost $10.50 after self-pickup discount. Ordering directly from their website would cost me $11.50. However, because I had my new user discount, I chose to order via FoodPanda, as my bowl was $7.40 after discount.
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.
[Sides] Spiced Green Papaya (Som Tam), Kimchi, Egg White
[Garnish] Fresh Red Chilli
[Dressing] Thai Basil
-The Review-
Best for Southeast Asian (especially Thai) Flavours
OMNIVORE is my go-to whenever I crave Southeast Asian flavors. Their Thai dishes are absolutely spot-on, surpassing every other salad bar that attempts Som Tam or Thai Basil sauce. Everything is perfectly seasoned with minimal use of oil, thanks to their Sous Vide preparation method. What really won me over is the variety of textures they offer.
You should definitely give these sides a try:
Smashed Cucumber – Unlike the Szechuan style, they use white vinegar, making it incredibly refreshing and a wonderful palate cleanser.
Kimchi – Enhanced with carrots and soybean sprouts, their kimchi offers additional texture and crunch beyond the standard version.
Spiced Green Papaya – This dish embodies the true essence of Som Tam with its perfect balance of fish sauce, lime, and chili—a must-try for authentic flavors.
Generous Servings
Each protein option consists of a whole fillet, steak, or breast. The smoked duck is juicy, the nonya tilapia comes with Assam chili sauce that delivers a refreshing hint of Kaffir lime. The Tuna Tataki is clean tasting, seasoned lightly with sesame oil. Unfortunately the masala chicken breast which used to be juicy, has recently been rather dry.
Out of curiosity I decided to weigh my bowl, and these were the numbers (close to 700g worth of food!)-
100g Romaine Lettuce
150g Masasla Chicken Breast
100g Som Tam
150g Kimchi
100g Egg White
15g Fresh Red Chili
30g Thai Basil Sauce
I have no complaints.
I wish they would stay open a bit later so I could grab dinner there. It would also be nice if they had a stronger social media presence, but even without it, their long queues suggest they’re maintaining quality by limiting accessibility.
OMNIVORE July 2024 Menu
-Information/Hacks-
Address: The Sail@Marina/79 Robinson Rd/Ocean Financial Centre
Hacks: You can pre-order for self-collection on Waitrr. You should definitely pick your favourite branch and return to the same one to earn loyalty stamps. Every $10.90 spent earns you 1 stamp, and every 10 stamps you’ll receive a $10.90 gift voucher◡̈
Regular Bowl ($12.90, 2 base, 5 supplements, 1 protein, 1 dressing) [Side note: You can also purchase their Gain Bowl at the same price for 1 base, 3 supplements, 2 proteins, 1 dressing]
I’ve tried everything on their menu—I’m that big of a fan. Grains & Co is hands down one of the most value-for-money options out there. The portion sizes are fantastic (nowhere else offers two proteins for $12.90), and every item on their menu actually tastes delicious.
First, their proteins are very worth it.
The Cajun Fish is my absolute favorite. Getting two whole fillets in a $12.90 grain bowl is incredible value.
Their vegetarian choices like tofu kebab, Korean tofu, and black bean kebab are all well-seasoned. Each protein is perfectly flavored—never too salty—and they provide generous portions.
The chicken breast options (paprika and rosemary) are cooked to perfection, remaining juicy. Their chicken thighs (Thai basil and teriyaki) strike a great balance with minimal oiliness and just the right skin-to-meat ratio.
The beef is typically cooked to medium-well, although occasionally it may be slightly overcooked. You can always check through the glass display before ordering to ensure it meets your preferences.
This was such a perfectly cooked batch of angus beef, thank you CIMB branch ❤
Secondly, their supplements are lightly seasoned and offer a diverse range of flavors and textures.
The beetroot hummus provides a nice balance to the spices in the protein dishes. Korean beansprouts add a satisfying crunch, while roasted okra offers a unique stringy texture. Potatoes contribute a comforting starchiness.
They also offer basics like boiled broccoli, charred cauliflower, or roasted carrots, catering to different preferences and moods.
Gain Bowl – Romaine Lettuce (100g), Smoked Pumpkin (60g), Charred Cauliflower (70g), Boiled Broccoli (70g), Jalapeno Ranch (25g), Rosemary Chicken (138g), Cajun White Fish (143g)
While these options may seem simple, many salad stores typically prepare them (especially broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and sweet potatoes) in a standard manner—usually boiled or roasted. Grains & Co stands out by providing variety to these otherwise common choices, enhancing the overall dining experience.
If I had to nitpick…
It would be the limited availability of low-calorie sauce options. While their sauces are flavorful, during my calorie-conscious days, I preferred choosing “no sauce” so I could add my own vinegar at home. (I must commend the team for promptly accommodating my request for a “no sauce” option through their platforms.)
-Information/Hacks-
Address: One Raffles Place/CIMB Plaza/Fusionopolis
Hacks: You can pre-order for self-collection on their website. Add in the code “20off” for 20% off ($10.32 per regular/gain bowl) your first order. You can also earn points to offset future meals!
Alternatively, Deliveroo would cost you $10.50 with self-pickup for Plus members, which is the cheapest option across delivery platforms.
The Salad Addict 