Tag: Mexican

Mom’s Hug

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-My Order-

Light Bowl ($8.90, 2 Base, 1 Protein, 2 Sides, 1 Topping, 1 Dressing)

  • [Base] Romaine Lettuce, Tomato Barley
  • [Protein] Lemon Spice Chicken Breast
  • [Sides] Baked Sweet Potato, Scrambled Eggs
  • [Topping] Pickled Cucumber
  • [Dressing] Yogurt & herb
Deliveroo made me select a wrap despite it being a bowl (so I selected Multi-grain wrap), and they missed out on my Tomato Barley.

-The Review-

My first visit to Mom’s Hug happened before I started this website. At that time, I told myself that I wouldn’t patronise this place again because the food lacked character. I decided to give them another chance so that I could keep a record of their offerings on this website, but I think this would really be my last visit.

Everything tastes frozen/instant and nothing like a Mom’s hug

The first time I tried the Lemon Pepper Fish I was very disappointed. It tasted like frozen Sutchi fillets seasoned with Lemon Pepper Spice Mix you can purchase off the shelf at supermarkets.

This time round I picked Lemon Spice Chicken Breast, it is definitely better seasoned because it tasted like pre-seasoned Frozen/Instant Chicken Breasts I could purchase from grocery stores/minimarts. I felt thirsty after eating it, possibly due to the amount of additives usually found in such produce.

The baked sweet potato lacked texture and was overly moist, characteristics often associated with frozen sweet potatoes. It was the same for the broccoli. The sautéed mushrooms were under-seasoned (tasted like they only added salt, pepper and oil), with a strong ammonia-like aftertaste from the Shiitake mushrooms; a touch of garlic powder could have balanced this better.

Both the Pickled and Shibazuke Cucumbers tasted exactly as expected if bought from a grocery store, lacking any distinctive homemade or artisanal quality.

“Romaine Lettuce” is actually Iceberg Lettuce

Additionally the menu on Deliveroo is not in sync with their offerings and so I didn’t manage to get the base I ordered. I wanted to select 2xRomaine Lettuce but couldn’t, so I opted for Romaine Lettuce & Barley Rice. However the app forced me to pick a wrap, so in the end I had multigrain wraps and iceberg lettuce in my bowl. (Mom’s Hug, if you’re reading this, perhaps you can update your Deliveroo options).

Iceberg Lettuce is alright. The wrap was overly gritty (tasted like it was defrosted and refrozen before reheating). I have not tried the other bases, but to be fair, I tend to only select Lettuce/Greens at all the salad/grain bowl outlets I visit.

Scrambled Egg and Yogurt dressing is “healthy” only if you’re looking for something high in fats

The scrambled eggs tastes like it has been mixed with too much milk/butter/oil to be healthy. Granted it was creamy and it would fit the tastebuds of someone looking for something to indulge in.

The yogurt dressing was drenched all over the egg, so perhaps I didn’t manage to have a proper taste of it – it tasted more like mayonnaise without a hint of yogurt nor herbs. I would have definitely preferred it packed separately so I could leave it out if it isn’t to my liking.

As someone who is conscious about my calories, I will definitely not order these toppings again.

Portion is good!

For the price, the portion is honestly decent. I could not weigh the dressing accurately as it was drenched onto the bowl, but the bowl was about 500g. This makes it one of the most value-for-money bowls, especially after Deliveroo’s discount.

  • 20g Mixed Grains Wrap
  • 100g Lettuce
  • 160g Lemon Spiced Chicken Breast
  • 75g Scrambled Egg
  • 120g Baked Sweet Potato
  • 15g Pickled Cucumber
  • ~20g Yogurt & Herbs

Perhaps if they provided nutrition information for their items I would be able to better justify how the food is “healthy”.

Mom's Hug Menu - July 2024
Mom’s Hug Menu – July 2024

-Information/Hacks-

Address: B1-21 One Raffles Place

Hours:
Mon-Fri, 11AM-8PM
Sat, 11AM-4PM

Other information/Hacks: Deliveroo’s self-pickup offer is the best, the light bowl costs $6.57 after discount.

Grain Traders

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-My Order-

Gather Your Meal ($17.50, 1 grain, 1 protein, 2 veggies, 1 side, 1 topping, 1 dressing)

  • [Grain] Super Greens
  • [Protein] 100 Day Grass-fed Beef Parrillada
  • [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!

-Information/Hacks-

Address: CapitaGreen, Guoco Tower

Hours: CapitaGreen – Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM, Guoco Tower – Mon-Fri, 8AM-8PM, Sat 11AM-4PM

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 branch
This would have been $17.50 on their website.
This would have been $21.60 on their website.

Urban Mix

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-My Order-

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
Urban Mix July 2024 Menu

-Information/Hacks-

Address: One Raffles Place, #B1-01A, Singapore 048616

Hours:
Mon-Thu, 11AM-8:45PM
Fri, 11AM-8PM
Sat, 11AM-3PM

Website: https://vatossg.com/urban-mix/

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.

MAIZ

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-My Order-

Regular Bowl ($12.90, 1 base, 1 protein, 3 sides, 1 garnish, 1 dressing)

  • [Base] Romaine Lettuce
  • [Protein] Grilled Chicken Breast
  • [Sides] Pickled Cactus (+1.5), Pickled Carrots, Chile Cucumbers
  • [Garnish] Pico De Gallo
  • [Dressing] Lemon Caper

-The Review-

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 Marina One The Heart
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 Shop @UOB Plaza

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-My Order-

Human Feed ($14.80, 3 cold + 2 warm + 1 protein) + 1 add-on protein ($3)

  • [Base] Romaine Lettuce
  • [Cold Feed] Red Cabbage w French Dressing, Tomato Salsa, Thai Glass Noodles
  • [Warm Feed] Char Siew Eggplant, Egg White with Spinach
  • [Topping] Spring Onion
  • [Dressing] Signature Chili
  • [Protein] Pesto Sous Vide Chicken Breast, Spicy Blackened Chicken

-The Review-

I was thrilled by the unique options on their menu. Their offerings certainly set them apart from most places. For instance, they provide choices like cauliflower rice and broccoli rice, though I preferred to stick with my romaine lettuce base to fairly judge their supplements and proteins. However, I was disappointed with two aspects.

The Salad Shop UOB Plaza Menu
The Salad Shop’s July 2024 Menu

First, many things on their menu turned out to be high in fats.

The red cabbage was excessively coated in French dressing, which typically contains 13% carbs, 86% fat, and 1% protein. It would have been better if the cabbage had been thinly shredded.

The Spicy Blackened Chicken was prepared using chicken thigh, and after removing the skin, only about half the amount of chicken remained. Additionally, it seemed they had added oil during the cooking process.

Even the Sous Vide Chicken, which is supposed to be the healthiest standard option without an additional charge, included Pesto. Pesto is usually high in fats due to the nuts, olive oil, and cheese content.

Second, the taste profile of the items were very one-dimensional

The Thai Glass Noodles, which I was excited about, lacked acidity and did not capture the expected Thai flavors. Adding more lime/lemon, garlic, and fish sauce could enhance its authenticity.

Similarly, the Tomato Salsa was missing the bright flavors of lime, cilantro, and onion.

While the signature chili had a satisfying kick and texture, it didn’t offer much beyond that in terms of flavor complexity.

Overall, the bowl tasted predominantly spicy and oily. I found that adding some White Wine Vinegar at home significantly improved the flavors, suggesting that they might consider incorporating more acidity into their offerings to enhance taste profiles.

If I had to buy it again…

I would definitely opt for the Egg White with Spinach. It was the standout item in my bowl. In terms of protein, the Sous Vide Chicken Breast was also very well-prepared. It remained tender and appeared to be the least oily option available.

However, as someone mindful of my caloric intake, I didn’t find the additional calories from the oil and fats (even if they are healthy fats) justified. Those calories would have been better spent enhancing the natural flavors with ingredients like onion, cilantro, and lime in their supplements.

Personally, I prefer the Thai flavors at Omnivore and the salsa at Urban Mix/Patrons.

Nevertheless, The Salad Shop is still worth trying. They offer vegan-friendly options, and if you’re bulking, this place might be a better fit for you than for someone like me watching calories closely.

[Edit: 29 Jul 2024] I decided to give The Salad Shop a try again and this time round I picked the Beetroot Yogurt along with Brussels Sprouts. I also opted for the simpler cold feeds like pickled tomato and boiled egg which did make the bowl a lot less oily. The bowl added up to a total of about 665g.

  • 50g Mixed Greens
  • 134g Pickled Tomato
  • 132g Tomato Salsa
  • 56g Boiled Egg
  • 57g Egg White Spinach
  • 63g Brussels Sprouts
  • 125g Pesto Sous Vide Chicken Breast
  • 12g Fresh Lime
  • 35g Beetroot Yogurt

-Information/Hacks-

Address: UOB Plaza 2, 80 Raffles Pl, #01-20, Singapore 048624

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8AM-4:30PM

Website: https://www.thesaladshop.com.sg/

Hacks: Their queues can get quite long. You can pre-order for self-collection using this link here.