Raffles Place – Page 2 – The Salad Addict

Urban Mix

2024-07-092024-07-09Leave a comment

-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

-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.

The Daily Cut (Summer 2024)

2024-07-082024-08-09Leave a comment

-My Order-

Regular Bowl ($14.00, 2 bases, 1 protein, 3 supplements, 1 topping, 1 dressing)

[Base] Lettuce Medley x2
[Protein] Chicken Breast
[Sides] Sriracha-Dusted Broccoli, Gochujang Cauliflower, Marinated Zucchini
[Topping] Pickled Cucumber
[Dressing] Garlic Raita

-The Review-

I love their summer menu

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.

Macros available, and they are quite accurate

The macros calculator available on their website is very helpful. Moreover they are quite accurate. Here is how much everything weighed in my bowl (~500g of food) –

90g Lettuce Medley
160g Chicken Breast
80g Gochujang Cauliflower
70g Sriracha-Dusted Broccoli
55g Marinated Zucchini
8g Pickled Cucumber
35g Garlic Raita Sauce

-Information/Hacks-

Address: One Raffles Place, Guocco Tower

Hours:
Mon-Fri, 11AM-9PM
Sat-Sun 11AM-4PM

Website: thedailycut.sg | Macro Calculator Here

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.]

SuperSimple

2024-07-062024-09-09Leave a comment

-My Order-

Regular Bowl ($11.90, 1 protein, 1 base, 3 supplements, 1 dressing)

[Base] Romaine Lettuce
[Protein] Slow Cooked Chicken Breast
[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

Hours:
Mon-Fri, 11AM-2:30PM, 5-8PM [SBF, IOI]
Mon-Fri, 11AM-2:30PM, Mon-Thu 5-8PM [other outlets]

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.

OMNIVORE

2024-07-042024-07-271 Comment

-My Order-

Regular Bowl ($13.90, 1 base, 1 protein, 3 sides, 1 garnish, 1 dressing)

[Base] Romaine Lettuce
[Protein] Masala Chicken Breast
[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.

-Information/Hacks-

Address: The Sail@Marina/79 Robinson Rd/Ocean Financial Centre

Hours:
Mon-Thu, 10:30AM-5:30PM
Fri, 10:30AM-4:30PM

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◡̈

Grains & Co.

2024-07-032024-08-13Leave a comment

-My Order-

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]

[Base] Romaine Lettuce x2
[Supplements] Korean Beansprouts, Charred Cauliflower, Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Carrots, Smoked Pumpkin
[Protein] Paprika Chicken Breast
[Dressing] No sauce

-The Review-

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 ❤

Regular Bowl – 2x Romaine Lettuce (120g), Korean Beansprouts (40g), Roasted Okra (60g), Beetroot Hummus (40g), Boiled Egg (50g), Capsicum Hummus (40g), Chipotle Dressing (20g), Herb roasted Angus Beef (112g, +$3.30)

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

Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:30AM-7:30PM

Website: https://grainsandco.sg/

Nutrition Information (with Macros) available here

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 Shop @UOB Plaza

2024-07-022024-07-29Leave a comment

-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.