The latest PasarBella outlet features 14 gourmet concept stalls to whet your appetite in a hip setting
PasarBella@Suntec is inspired by the streets of Lower East Side in New York City.
When PasarBella first unveiled its gourmet enclave at The Grandstand at Bukit Timah, it didn’t take me long — one hour travel time not withstanding — to rush there to visit the open-concept market.
There, at the former Turf City, PasarBella’s cosy space had all the makings of a dream farmers’ market, complete with fresh seafood, various produce, craft beers and more.
Thankfully, PasarBella’s latest outlet is much easier to get to. Conveniently located in the downtown area, PasarBella @Suntec has a noticeably edgy vibe to it. Inspired by the streets of Lower East Side, New York City, the place features walls decked in multi-coloured graffiti, tables made from street signs and illumination from snazzy neon lights.
PasarBella’s outlet at The Grandstand is the perfect family dining spot to me. If so, then the appeal of PasarBella
@Suntec must lie in its fuss-free meals, which are made to satisfy busy urbanites who want it quick, healthy and tasty all at once.
With 14 gourmet concept stalls in all, I ate my way through the bustling streets of ‘New York’ and lived to tell the tale. Here are some must-try food items.
Choo Choo Chicken Korean Seafood Rice Burger
The Korean Seafood Rice Burger from Choo Choo Chicken consists of two well-seasoned rice patties sandwiching a generous portion of kimchi.
Touted by food bloggers as one of the best Korean fried chicken places in Singapore, Choo Choo Chicken looked promising with various flavours such as crispy, soy, garlic and more. I tried the fried chicken in honey soy flavour and found it moreish but not as crisp as I would’ve liked it to be.
The highlight for me was the Korean Seafood Rice Burger. Consisting of two well-seasoned rice patties sandwiching a generous portion of kimchi, the burger was also topped with extra seaweed strips for greater crunch.
An An Flower Crab Noodle Soup
Since my last trip to Vietnam, I’ve been hankering after the fresh and flavourful street food that the country is known for. An An satisfies this craving of mine.
The An An stall is helmed by a veteran chef with more than 25 years of experience and offers dishes such as beef pho, rolls and salads. A must-try is the newly-launched Flower Crab Noodle Soup, which comes with firm yet springy rice noodles, fish cake slices and soft-shelled flower crab coated in an eggy batter. Yum!
Squeezed! Original Squeezed! Bun
How do you fit frozen yogurt into a UFO-shaped bun? Just ask Squeezed!
Squeezed! is a burst of sunshine with its bright orange counter and walls flanked by wooden boards. Serving a variety of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, salads, waffles and more, the stall is the place to be if you’re in the mood for something healthy and refreshing.
The most interesting offering on the menu is the Squeezed! Bun ($4), a UFO-shaped brioche bun sandwiching frozen yogurt and a thin layer of creamy Nutella. Sweet, tangy and toasty, it reminded us of an ice cream sandwich.
Grillo Yuzu Salmon Bowl
Grillo’s Signature Skewers, of mostly grilled Asian food items, looks highly tempting.
Riding on the wave of hearty rice bowl dishes is Grillo. The stall specialises in Asian grilled food and serves a variety of items including its signature bowl dishes and skewered food.
Among the signature bowl dishes we sampled, the Yuzu Salmon Bowl ($12.90) stood out for its light citrus notes and flavourful rice. The tender flesh of the salmon also had a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Porsena Deli Smoked Beef Pastrami
Porsena Deli’s Smoked Beef Pastrami came with smoky and tender beef brisket.
After savouring Porsena Deli’s gourmet sandwiches, I’m not sure if I could go back to my haphazardly put together, homemade creations. Inspired by the iconic delicatessens of New York, the stall serves gourmet sandwiches with fresh locally-made breads and house-made quality ingredients.
My favourite had to be the Smoked Beef Pastrami ($14), which came with smoky and tender beef brisket, crunchy pickles for a hint of tartness and sharp cheddar — it was one of the most flavourful pastramis I’ve had in a while. I truly enjoyed it.
At such a central location, Pasarbella @Suntec looks set to be the new food haven for busy yet discerning foodies. As for me, I’ll be making my way back to my favourite stalls there for seconds, and maybe thirds.
By Samantha Francis
PasarBella@Suntec, Suntec City, 3 Temasek Blvd, #01-455 to 461 (North Wing), Singapore 038983
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