Gary Lim
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Articles by Gary Lim
Review: One-man stall Curry Popo serves up a homely curry chicken at Alexandra Village
I’m a sucker for a good bowl of curry chicken, the kind that’s rich and fragrant enough that you find yourself looking for something just to mop up every last drop of the gravy with. And I found that and did just the same at Curry Popo, a new stall at Alexandra Village Food Centre that does little else besides curry chicken. That’s not a bad thing because the menu is short enough that I ended up trying everything on it in just one visit, and you can probably do the same, too.
Singapore haze: Some sports facilities closed as PM2.5 reaches very high band for first time this season
live Singapore The hourly PM2.5 reading in western Singapore surged from 195, in the high band, to 284 at 2pm. View of haze from MBS overlooking the CBD at 1.20pm on Oct 14, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Raydza Rahman) New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool. 14 Oct 2026 04:20PM SINGAPORE: Singapore's hourly PM2.5 reading reached the very high band for the first time this haze season on Wednesday (Oct 14), as air quality worsened across the country.
Review: Hawker concept Casa Osteria at Chomp Chomp nails bistro-level pasta
I have fond memories of Chomp Chomp Food Centre from back when I lived in the northeast part of Singapore. Satay beehoon, barbecue wings, sugarcane towers (with plenty of lemons, please) were a regular supper staple. It’s been a good four years since I moved away, so I relished the chance to return when I heard about a new pasta spot Casa Osteria at Chomp Chomp. Of course, hawker pasta isn’t a novelty anymore.
Review: Cloudmills, a new bakery by a former MasterChef runner-up, sells out fast for good reason
Cloudmills is a new bakery on Claymore Road with over 25 Japanese-inspired bakes. The menu is developed by MasterChef Singapore runner-up Genevieve Lee, who was also behind the now-defunct Sourbombe Bakery and Shio & Sato. Bakes we recommend include the seeded sankaku, banh mi shio pan, choko pan, and kohi nama. If you’ve kept up with Singapore’s bakery scene these past few years, the name Genevieve Lee will ring a bell.
Review: Liora blends Korean flavours with European techniques, and it’s one of the best meals I had this year
Clarke Quay, particularly that lively open plaza with the fountain (yes, all you millennials and Gen-Xers know where I’m talking about) has spent so many years being synonymous with bars, clubs, and tourist traps — that’s the reputation, at least. A serious restaurant though, not so much. So a place such as Liora, whose premise alone — a Korean-European menu built almost entirely from scratch, down to the kimchi fermenting in jars — feels like a small statement in itself.
Review: Get your hands on Malaysia’s viral ayam gepuk at Gepuk Guys, by a former Masterchef Singapore winner
Ayam gepuk is having a viral moment in Malaysia thanks to TikTok, and it was only a matter of time before the trend spread across the Causeway to Singapore. There were already spots such as Papa Ayam and Ayam Gepok Anakmak where you could get your smashed fried chicken fix, but the latest to join the ayam gepuk fray is Gepuk Guys. The concept is created by Derek Cheong, winner of Masterchef Singapore’s season two, which gives an additional reason to check it out.
Review: Chef Lai’s Cafe by former Chatterbox chef has great chicken rice at wallet-friendly prices
I’ve indulged in chicken rice at Chatterbox all of one time, maybe six or seven years ago. While I was thoroughly impressed, its hefty price tag of almost 30 dollars is fine for a once-in-a-while splurge, but it was one of the reasons why I was one and done. But the memory of the taste lingered. So when I heard about Chef Lai’s Cafe, a casual eatery concept run by an ex-Chatterbox chef, I — as a self-proclaimed chicken rice lover — had to try it out.
Thai police say gunman killed grandparents before deadly school shooting, 26 rounds fired
live Asia At least seven people were killed before the gunman fatally shot himself. Emergency personnel stand near ambulances and vehicles parked at Debsirin Nonthaburi School following a shooting incident at the school in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand on Aug 7, 2026.
Review: Hup Lok proves the best seafood restaurants aren’t always the fanciest ones
A lot of restaurant stories start like this: An eatery does well, then opens a proper restaurant with a fancy concept. Hup Lok runs sort of backwards, though not in as dramatic a fashion. No flashy interiors, no prime location, just a modest space on Havelock Road.
Faishal Ibrahim resigns: No by-election to be held in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC
live Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said investigations found the acting minister's interactions with a woman had fallen short of the standards expected of political office holders. Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, pictured here on Aug 27, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Tan Grace) New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool.
Review: Dumpling Darlings’ latest New Bahru outlet is a glow-up of the old CBD favourite
I first had Dumpling Darlings years ago at its Amoy Street outlet, back when it felt like a cheeky little CBD “secret” that everyone working in the area would talk about. It quickly became an easy lunch — or the occasional dinner — fix, and has somehow managed to be consistently good every time, with its punchy dumplings and solid noodles that started from S$5 (back then, but probably not now in this economy).
Review: Mimmo Bakery at Asia Square is an east-meets-west CBD bakery worth a detour
The CBD isn’t short of bake shops, and it’s one of the main reasons why I enjoy working there so much. Every other tower lobby along Shenton Way and Robinson Road seems to have at least one of these in some form: Grab-and-go counters selling croissants, sandwiches, brownies, and decent-enough coffee to the morning office rush. Most of them are fine, but probably not something I’d be thinking about past lunchtime.
Review: Cookboys by Han’s is the brand’s newest British-Hainanese concept, and it’s surprisingly good
Han’s is one of those brands that’s been around so long it deserves its own page in Singapore’s history books. It’s reliable and unpretentious, but has somehow been relegated to the background since the early 2000s. But even though there hasn’t been much fanfare around Han’s (compared to the buzz of new openings left and right, that is), the brand seems content with feeding people quietly and reliably, with more than 20 outlets under the brand still in operation here.
Major quake off Philippines kills one, triggers tsunami warnings
live Asia The offshore quake hit at a depth of 35km about 24km west of Mindanao island's Sarangani province. This shows vehicles damaged by debris after powerful earthquake in the Mindanao region, Philippines on Monday, Jun 8, 2026.
Loh Kean Yew chases historic Singapore Open title on home soil
live Sport Loh Kean Yew at the Singapore Badminton Open. (Photo: Singapore Badminton Association) New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool. 31 May 2026 06:34PM SINGAPORE: Loh Kean Yew is one win away from a dream home title after battling his way into his first final of the KFF Singapore Badminton Open. The former world champion has fed off the energy from the stands throughout the tournament to keep Singapore’s hopes alive on home soil.
Review: 42 Pasta at Thomson Plaza does only one pasta dish daily, and does it very well
There’s a concept in the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which states that the number 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. The running joke, though, is that nobody quite knows what the question is. At Thomson Plaza, however, an ex-NUS physics professor has apparently figured it out with his pasta concept, aptly named 42 Pasta is the Answer.
Review: Tanjong Pagar’s Yakizakana Ramen puts fish in the spotlight, and it works
Singapore’s ramen scene is crowded. From Hakata-style tonkotsu, to tori paitan (creamy chicken broth), and lobster ramen — there is no shortage of good bowls if you know where to look in Singapore, and it’s fair to say that with so many choices, the bar has risen considerably over the past decade. Which is exactly why news of an unassuming ramen shop that leads with grilled fish, tucked within the PSA Pass Centre — the unlikeliest of places — catches my attention immediately.
Review: Sta Western is Katong’s new retro diner with big portions and bigger value
Sta Western is a (soon-to-be) 24/7 retro-style eatery by the same team behind Kovan’s popular Star Western. Expect generous portions of old-school local Western fare, with mains starting from S$9.90. Dishes we recommend include the Hainanese chicken chop, fried squid, and USA baked potato.
Indonesian rescuers search for missing hikers after Mount Dukono erupts
live Asia Nine Singaporeans were reported missing. Plumes of ash from Mount Dukono in Indonesia after it erupted on May 8, 2026. (Image: MAGMA Indonesia website) New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool. 08 May 2026 02:51PM (Updated: 08 May 2026 02:54PM) Three people have died and several hikers – including Singaporeans – are missing after Indonesia’s Mount Dukono erupted on Friday (May 8), sending ash into the sky as rescuers race to reach those trapped.
Su1739 SEDATIVE DOSE AFFECTS HUMAN GASTRIC SLOW-WAVE AMPLITUDE MEASURED BY ENDOSCOPIC GASTRIC MAPPING
Also available on ScienceDirect
Trump unharmed after shots heard at White House correspondents dinner
live World Guests at the black-tie White House Correspondents' Dinner scrambled to hide under tables. Agents stand guard after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner Apr 25, 2026 in Washington, DC.
US, Iran warn ready for war as talks in limbo
live World "We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats," said Iran's top negotiator, as a two-week ceasefire nears its expiration. A container ship is seen in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Apr 18, 2026. (Photo: AP/Asghar Besharati) New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool.
Review: Patchwork Kitchen is a hidden fifth-floor bistro in Boat Quay worth seeking out
Sometime in the beginning of last year, I remember hearing about South Bridge Reserve, an invite-only members’ club for Burgundy lovers tucked inside a Chinatown shophouse, and didn’t pay much attention. I mean, I know a tiny bit about wine, but an exclusive and intimate wine club limited to 250 passionate wine enthusiasts? That’s not quite my kind of thing.
Review: Touchwood Breakfast Bar is a weekend-only Joo Chiat spot worth waking up early for
Touchwood Breakfast Bar is a weekend-only bakery in Joo Chiat, by the team behind Brotherbird Bakehouse. Expect a small curated selection and relaxed outdoor setup that feels more like a neighbourhood hang than a formal cafe. Dishes we recommend include the egg bacon onion English muffin, tomato cheese Danish, and freshly-squeezed orange juice. For as long as I can remember, the Joo Chiat Road stretch has been teeming with cafes everywhere.
Review: Error 404 cafe at Capitol Singapore is chef Pang’s sweet return to what he does best
Back when he was running Antoinette — that beloved French-inspired patisserie in Jalan Besar — chef Pang Kok Keong was already somewhat of a cult figure among dessert lovers in the city. When it closed in June 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was quite gutted, not just because I loved his mousse cakes and chocolate cheese tarts, but because it felt like the end of a chapter for one of Singapore’s most talented pastry minds.
Review: Cafe Dough by That’s My Pizza serves up 72-hour Neapolitan pizzas and solid bakes in Alexandra | HungryGoWhere
I’ve always been a fan of the homegrown brand stories. You know, the type which starts out small, builds a following through word-of-mouth, and then grows into something genuinely interesting. It’s heartening to hear of these local success stories, especially in this era where foreign brands tend to dominate the headlines. That’s My Pizza is one of those with such beginnings. It was started by two first-time hawkers in 2022 at Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, as an experimental F&B venture.
Review: Boronas is a small-but-mighty bakery for Colombian bakes, buttery pastries, and bold coffee | HungryGoWhere
Ask most Singaporeans what Colombian food means to them and, honestly, you’re probably going to get a blank stare. Maybe someone mentions their coffee, maybe someone says: “Isn’t that where Pablo Escobar and Narcos is from?” My point is: South-American cuisine has been a bit of a tough sell for the longest time here, but there are a few that have succeeded.
Review: New Taishu Yakiniku Horumon Mokurin is pricey but smoking good
Taishu Yakiniku Horumon Mokurin is a hot new yakiniku spot on East Coast Road with solo-friendly counter seating and individual grills. Over 30 quality meat cuts, including offal options such as intestines, liver and stomach. Dishes to try include the beef dashimaki tamago, 4-kind horumon platter, and Arabica coffee jelly. I’ve always loved the way the Japanese approach solo dining.
On the Table: Mee rebus, a tangle of traditions
On the Table is a HungryGoWhere series about the stories behind Singapore’s plates. It dives into the “past lives” of our food and the people who keep it alive today. Read its first instalment on char kway teow. The first time I really appreciated mee rebus, I was standing in the queue of Haig Road Market, watching a middle-aged man ladle thick, golden-brown gravy over yellow egg noodles.
Review: Third Floor Social is your new Orchard hangout that’s cafe by day, bar by night
The third-floor rooftop space of Design Orchard has long been something of an open secret for those looking for somewhere to chill amidst the bustle. From up there, you can watch the busyness of Orchard Road unfold while comfortably removed from it all. And then there’s the fact that it’s been home to so many cafe iterations over the years — Alchemist Coffee with its cool, minimalist iteration, followed by Nowafter Cafe’s trendy Instagram-led iteration.
Review: The Fresh Pasta proves fresh pasta at hawker prices is possible
Handmade pasta has become something of a movement in Singapore over the past few years. Decades-old traditional Italian restaurants aside, it’s now not uncommon to find the fresh stuff at new-ish places such as Noci Pasta Bar and Scarpetta, and people are lapping it up. But fresh pasta in a hawker setting?
Review: Tori San does a tasty homage to tori paitan ramen, but isn’t quite the real thing
When it comes to ramen in Singapore, the creamy chicken (tori paitan) version has never quite managed to capture the same limelight as tonkotsu, the well-loved version made primarily from pork bones. That said, I sometimes find myself craving for the former more than its porky counterpart. The chicken rendition tends to be less heavy-hitting, yet it is every bit as comforting and warm, with even more collagen to boot (yes, I’m vain that way).
King of Laksa serves great guilt-free laksa, but needs better flow
Let’s be honest: Laksa has never been associated with healthy eating. Right now, you can probably picture a gloriously sinful bowl swimming in a layer of orange oil loaded with coconut milk richness, and with enough sodium to get you feeling thirsty. It’s everything a nutritionist might warn you about — at least, until two former fitness consultants (one of whom is actually a doctor) decided that it doesn’t always need to come with a side of guilt. The result?
Review: Kin Hoi’s spicy Thai-Teochew cockles and “Melting” beef make their way to Orchard Towers | HungryGoWhere
Thai food isn’t so much a trend in Singapore as it is a permanent category of comfort food. As it turns out, it’s also one of the top categories on my GrabFood home screen. There’ll always be a time in the week — after work, after drinks, after a particularly crowded MRT ride — when nothing sounds better than a plate of pad krapow or pad Thai (yes, I’m basic that way).
Review: All Hands Cafe brings shokupan and matcha magic to Telok Ayer
Matcha and shokupan (Japanese milk bread) are two staples that have headlined Singapore’s cafe scene of late. There’s something undeniably comforting about the cloud-like softness and fragrance of Japanese milk bread, as is the mesmerising green and sophisticated earthiness of quality matcha, whether dusted over desserts, mixed into ice cream, or in a drink. Both have become fixtures in Singapore’s cafe scene over the past few years, and honestly, I’m all for it.
Review: Bastille Bakery absolutely has a place among Joo Chiat’s pastry greats
Bastille Bakery is the new French patisserie bringing a taste of Parisian charm to Joo Chiat Dine-in or take away from a substantial selection of sweets, savouries, and rustic breads Dishes we recommend include the hazelnut praline eclair, yuzu lemon tart, and grande decadent cookie Does Joo Chiat need another bakery-cafe when there are already several famous ones around?
Review: Indonesia’s smashed beef ribs concept Warung Leko makes a glorious S’pore debut | HungryGoWhere
I’ve only been to Surabaya once, back in 2017, but I still remember how good the food there was. Especially the rawon that I tried, a local signature and a deeply savoury beef soup perfumed with keluak. It’s a dish which I feel captures the very essence of what I like about Indonesian food — rich, earthy, and unapologetically bold. Sure, you can find renditions of these flavours in Singapore, but rarely at the same level as when you’re in Indonesia personally.
Review: Salt & Soul reminds us that European dining can be big on taste, light on cost | HungryGoWhere
Salt & Soul is making social media headlines for serving up fancy restaurant fare, without the hefty price tag The menu features European comfort classics with lunch sets from S$17, and hearty pastas for S$18 or less Dishes we recommend include the savoury chicken beignets, cauliflower with quinoa, and slow-cooked chicken thigh confit European food in Singapore has long been associated with high prices, but the new Salt & Soul at Frasers Tower wants to change that narrative.
Stop waiting for perfect data. It's not coming (and that's a good thing)
You know the story. A marketing team sets out to launch a campaign. It's bold. It's creative. It's got that "Cannes Lions contender meets stakeholder alignment" energy. Then someone says, "Wait - do we have the latest customer segmentation data from the new CDP?" Suddenly, that campaign is now starring in its own TV reboot called Waiting for Data, where nothing happens and everyone blames IT. Here's the hard truth: perfect data is promised often but delivered rarely.
Why startups in Asia need their own marketing playbook
Marketing playbooks from the West are a little like bubble tea in the Mall of America: technically it's the same idea, but something always feels off. And for startups in Asia, trying to carbon-copy growth tactics from Silicon Valley is like bringing a snow shovel to Bangkok. You're solving the wrong problem, in the wrong place, with the wrong tool.
Trump says arrangements being made for Zelenskyy-Putin meeting
US President Donald Trump called his Monday (Aug 18) meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European partners as "very good" and said he began arrangements for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy after a subsequent call with Putin. He said security guarantees for Ukraine - provided by the European countries with a coordination with the US - was discussed during the meeting.
An AI glossary for marketers: 21 jargons to know
Vending Machine explores the latest marketing campaigns and trends in creativity and business across Asia, for an audience of marketers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. What all the buzzwords actually mean. Press enter or click to view image in full size You’re probably hearing a lot of AI jargon out there. You probably sort of know what some of them mean… but not really. And that’s OK.
A relook at Jaipur Rugs’ ‘The Court of Carpets’ campaign
Wimbledon is peak British tradition. Jaipur Rugs represents Indian craft. A retail campaign that actually moves the needle (or ball). Press enter or click to view image in full size As Wimbledon season passes, we take a relook at an extraordinary campaign by Jaipur Rugs, the Indian heritage brand known for its artisan-led weaving model, quietly stole headlines last year in a collaboration that felt both unexpected and entirely natural.
Why impact-first marketing matters more than ever for Asia startups
Take these cues from an agri-tech, healthtech, and edtech startups from Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Press enter or click to view image in full size Across Asia and its neighbours, impact-first startups are tackling some of the region’s most pressing challenges, like helping farmers increase their income, bringing healthcare to remote areas, and making education more equitable.
Hyundai breaks advertising rules, wins Cannes Lions Grand Prix with ‘Night Fishing’
And it was shot entirely from its Ioniq 5 electric vehicle. Press enter or click to view image in full size As global marketers we’ve long been told: cram the logo in, shout through the ear-drums, and glitter-bomb the ROI data. Hyundai, in collaboration with Innocean Seoul, disregarded those rules with a 13-minute short film shot entirely from cameras mounted on its Ioniq 5 electric vehicle — and accepted a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions 2025 for doing so.
Tycoon Ong Beng Seng set to return to court for sentencing
live Singapore The 79-year-old billionaire pleaded guilty on Aug 4 to abetting former Transport Minister S Iswaran in obstructing justice. New: You can now listen to articles. SINGAPORE: All eyes will be on the State Courts on Friday (Aug 15) as property tycoon Ong Beng Seng – widely known for bringing Formula 1 to Singapore – learns his fate. The 79-year-old billionaire pleaded guilty on Aug 4 to abetting former Transport Minister S Iswaran in obstructing the course of justice.
SBS Transit CEO apologises for train disruptions on North East Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT
SINGAPORE: Train services on the North East Line have resumed, about three hours after a power fault was reported late Tuesday morning (Aug 12). The issue started at about 11am, resulting in a halt to MRT services at 11 stations between Farrer Park and Punggol Coast MRT stations on the North East Line. The line is connected to the Sengkang-Punggol LRT, which was also affected.
NEL disruption: No train services at 11 stations due to power fault; Sengkang-Punggol LRT also down
Singapore Train services have been disrupted between the North East Line's Farrer Park and Punggol Coast MRT stations. SINGAPORE: Train services have been disrupted on the North East Line between Farrer Park and Punggol Coast MRT stations due to a power fault, according to transport operator SBS Transit. Sengkang-Punggol LRT services have also been disrupted. Follow live as we bring you updates from the ground: MRT
On the table: Where has all the char kway teow gone?
It’s a Saturday afternoon in Tampines Mall and the food court feels like it’s been scrubbed of heritage: Stainless steel counters, LED menus, and signboards that use the same ol’ boring fonts. I order the chicken rice, but what I really want is char kway teow. Then I think to myself, “It’s quite rare to find the dish in food courts nowadays, huh.” Some malls might still have a stall selling char kway teow, but it’s no longer a guarantee.
Review: Homm’s new RWS outlet now has savouries, but desserts still shine more
There’s something almost scandalous about how good Thai desserts smell. The Thai people even have a word for it — “Hom” which means fragrant and aromatic The word perfectly describes the sweet scent of pandan leaves, glutinous rice, coconut milk, and caramelised palm sugar, all of which are common and popular ingredients in Thai desserts. (Think bua loi with its colourful sticky glutinous rice balls, the simple khanom tako or pandan coconut pudding, and of course, mango sticky rice).
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