The best part about food trends is that they can range from anything between sensible (the Mediterranean diet) to downright questionable (coloured/dyed foods). And some trends might even sound bizarre at first, but make total sense once you try them. For example, remember the cronut and cruffin craze? Well, croiffles (yes, you guessed it, they’re a croissant-waffle hybrid) are bound to make their way here soon, as they’re already a thing in the US. But until that trend hits us, here are eight others to get on board in 2019.

 

#1: Guilt-Free Desserts

A lot has been said about avoiding — or at least cutting down on — sugar in our diets but this doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy our favourite desserts. Local favourite Swensen’s has launched a new lower-sugar ice cream range, with up to 39 per cent less sugar. They’re available in three classic flavours — vanilla, chocolate and strawberry — and is in line with the Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Dining guidelines for lower sugar content in desserts. The ice cream is priced the same as their regular versions — $4.50 for a single scoop and $7.50 for double scoops.

Another place for you to indulge in healthy treats without an ounce of guilt is at All The Batter, a cafe that aims to make lives ‘all the batter’ through avocado and natural foods. Avocados take centrestage here and the cakes are made without butter and are non-dairy too (you can request for egg-less options). Enjoy the natural goodness of the fruit through its Avocado Strawberry Gateau cake, Chocolate Avocado cake, Avocado Citrus Pie and Avovegado Yogurt Fruit Tarts.

You can also try Delcie’s Desserts, which has a range of cakes and bakes that are gluten-free, keto, vegan-, diabetic- and even baby-friendly. Their natural cake recipes do not contain eggs, dairy products, chemicals or egg-aiding agents, while not compromising on taste. Feast away.

Swensen’s has various outlets. All The Batter is at #B1-46 Anchorpoint, Singapore 159953 and 17 Jasmine Road, Adelphi Park, Singapore 576585, tel:8510 6313. Delcie’s Desserts is at 34 Whampoa West #01-83, Singapore 330034, tel: 6282 2951.

#2: Probiotics

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Many of us who grew up in Singapore have been exposed to probiotic drinks since were were kids. With the importance of gut health being emphasised in recent years, probiotics have become much-talked-about, and have also become a must-have supplement for many medicine cabinets. Probiotics are essentially live bacteria (the good type) that are good for your digestive system and are found in foods such as yoghurts.

Lately, drinks like kefir and kombucha have become popular alternatives. Kefir is a fermented milk drink that improves digestion and bloating. Kombucha is made from an either green or black tea base, with some fermented ingredients added too. You can get these drinks from various health food stores, such as Miss Kefir.

Miss Kefir is at 308 Telok Kurau Road, #01-06 Vibes@ East Coast, Singapore 423858, tel: 9198-6016.

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#3: Sustainable Dining

It has been a buzzword for a few years now but ‘sustainable food’ is definitely gaining traction in Singapore. Farm-to-table restaurants have been sprouting out all over our sunny island and eateries like Open Farm Community focuses on locally sourced, seasonal and innovative dishes. The herb and vegetable garden as well as farmers’ market here are definitely worth a look too.

Even The Grand Hyatt’s popular restaurant mezza9 launched a new menu a few months ago with sustainability on its mind. All the seafood is certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council or the Marine Stewardship Council as responsibly farmed or caught. The restaurant also uses herbs from the hotel’s rooftop gardens and sources for organic vegetables from farms in Singapore and Malaysia.

And popular brunch spot Strangers’ Reunion has just launched a new menu soon (on Feb 27), featuring some exciting additions that are prepared with upcycled ingredients. For example, Salmon Skin Chips utilises salmon skin which would otherwise be discarded, and Pork and Broccoli gives the vegetable’s stems and stalks a new lease of life by first steaming to soften them, then slow roasted to enhance their natural sweetness. Less food wastage overall — we’re definitely applauding this.

Open Farm Community is at 130S Minden Road, Singapore 248819, tel: 6471 0306. mezza9 is at Mezzanine Level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211, tel: 6738 1234. Strangers’ Reunion is at 33-35 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169355, tel: 6222 4869.

#4: Going Meat-Free

Perhaps you’re vegetarian or vegan or you just like to have a few meat-free days during the week. It’s now easy to find such dining options, with a plethora of cafes and restaurants with vegetarian/vegan menus. Greendot is an Asian-fusion meat-free casual eatery that started out as a stall in Temasek Polytechnic in 2011 and has grown into a chain with ten outlets all over Singapore.

And if burgers are your food of choice, VeganBurg is the place to go. The world’s first 100 per cent plant-based burger joint is, indeed, a Singapore brand, and it has an outlet in San Francisco too. It’s also changing the concept that fast food is junk food; their burgers aren’t just vegan, they’re also free of cholesterol, hormones and GMOs. Celebrities such as Paul McCartney, Belinda Carlisle and Chrissie Hynde are huge fans of these burgers, how cool is that?

Greendot has various outlets, check here for details. VeganBurg is at 44 Jalan Eunos, Singapore 419502, tel: 6844 6868.

#5: Famous Names Go Casual

Singapore has been a haven for celerity chefs to venture into the Asian market and we have seen a number of them set up shop here, with varying levels of success. But it seems well-known faces in the F&B scene are scaling down and making their food more accessible to the masses.

David Pynt, from modern Australian barbecue restaurant Burnt Ends (which earned a Michelin star in 2018), surprised many when he opened a hawker stall at Makansutra Gluttons Bay in December. Meatsmith Western BBQ is a nod to his other venture, American barbecue joint Meatsmith. The menu features reasonably-priced Asian-inspired BBQ dishes, such as Char Siew Pork Ribs and Smoked Suckling Pig with Glutinous Rice, and prices start at just $4.

Affordable ‘fancy’ food is also the recipe to FrapasBar’s success. This venture by the Saveur group has introduced French tapas to Singaporeans, with dishes such as Crabmeat Croquette, Salmon Tartare and, of course, Foie Gras. We approve.

Meatsmith Western BBQ is at #01-15, Makansutra Gluttons Bay, 8 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039802, tel: 6336 7025. FrabasBar has outlets at Century Square and The Cathay. Visit here for addresses.

#6: Eating And Shopping In One Place

One of the most ingenious ideas we’ve seen is to combine two of our favourite pastimes — eating and shopping – in one venue. Who doesn’t love stores like Cafe&Meal MUJI, where we can browse through a range of products such as stationery and household goods, then rest our weary legs with a drink or meal at their minimalist-yet-stylish cafe?

Carpenter & Cook is a charming vintage home store that also houses an artisan bakery cafe. It’s a unique step back in time and you’ll be thinking about the food long after too. We love the fresh baked goods served on pretty china. Men can get in on the fun as well, at Monument Lifestyle, which sells clothes that embody the California lifestyle, and has a cafe too. The laid-back spot sells light bites like various toasts and a granola cup from Plain Vanilla’s house blend granola.

Café&Meal MUJI stores are located at Plaza Singapura, Paragon Shopping Centre and Raffles City. Visit here for addresses. Carpenter & Cook is at 19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120, tel: 64633648. Monument Lifestyle is at 75 Duxton Road, Singapore 089534.