#IONFoodie Travels – A Local and Global Food Adventure!

We are feeling hungry as we scroll through the #IONFoodie hashtag on Instagram! The 1-for-1 deals are too attractive already! Maureen and I were back at ION Orchard recently for another round #IONFoodie adventure.

From now till 31 July 2016, various F&B outlets in ION Orchard, representing cuisines from around the world, will be offering discounts or 1-for-1 deals for selected items. To enjoy the deal, simply visit the store and redeem it in the ION Orchard App (iOS / Android).

After redeeming a deal, a country / city stamp will appear on your ION Holideals Foodie Travalog page. After 31 July 2016, 5 users with the most deals redeemed and 5 users with the most country / city stamps collected will each receive a $20 dining voucher. For more information, visit their website.

This time round, we dropped by homegrown F&B brands which have established themselves locally and also regional ones with a faithful fan base here in Singapore.

*STAMP: SINGAPORE
Putien
#04-12

Putien’s outlet in ION Orchard is their newest in Singapore and continues to serve up familiar Henghwa cuisine such as Heng Hwa Bee Hoon and Lor Mee that many Singaporeans (including us) have come to enjoy.

The Heng Hwa Bee Hoon makes use of beehoon vermicelli that is handmade from non-glutinous rice flour and manually sun-dried to remove its moisture. The end result is a vermicelli that is light and springy in texture. The vermicelli is then cooked in a rich stock along with ingredients such as clams and prawns, and topped with peanuts and dried seaweed.

Exclusive to ION Orchard’s outlet is the Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon with Soy Milk ($7.90++). Nope, you will not find a separate glass of soy milk when you dine in here – the chefs instead put a twist to this classic Putianese breakfast pairing by adding the soy milk into the fluffy vermicelli while cooking. So enjoy the very mild soy fragrance as you savour this comforting dish!

While you are here, don’t forget to grab Putien’s drinks! The Grandma’s Bayberry Tea is a refreshing drink made from Chinese bayberries and helps with digestion. Its sweet and tangy flavour makes both a good appetiser and an after-meal drink.

Enjoy 1 for 1 Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon with Soy Milk at $7.90++. Limited redemptions valid till 31 July 2016, while stocks last. Available daily except eve of and on public holidays, for dine-in only. T&Cs apply.

Enjoy a free fruit juice (selected flavours) with every main course takeaway. Limited redemptions till 31 July 2016, while stock last. Available daily except eve of, and on public holidays. T&Cs apply.

*STAMP: JAPAN
Watami
#B3-23

Watami is a casual Japanese dining concept, and the ION Orchard outlet is one of their flagship stores with a special grand menu. For a fuss-free lunch, give their rice set meals a go – they come with a mini salad, a small bowl of miso soup and a choice of drinks. I’m told their yuzu soda and yuzu tea are very popular here!

If you are looking for value for money, give the Hire Katsu Don Lunch Set ($12.90++) a try. The rice bowl makes use of Japanese short grain rice and is topped with onion sweet sauce, breaded fried pork cutlet and scrambled egg sauce. Hire katsu is a leaner fillet cut and is generally more expensive than the juicer rosu katsu (pork loin). Meanwhile, the scrambled egg sauce is a slightly runny omelette that, taken together, goes well with the rice.

#Protip: This lunch set is listed as Pork Cutlet with Scrambled Egg Sauce Rice Set 豚ヒレカツ卵とじ丼定食, item number 34 on the lunch menu.

Enjoy 1 for 1 Hire Katsu Don Lunch Set at $12.90++. Limited redemptions valid till 31 May 2016, while stocks last. T&Cs apply.

*STAMP: SINGAPORE
Paradise Dynasty
#04-12A

Paradise Dynasty’s xiao long bao is their signature dish and of course we have to grab two trays of them! Start with the original flavour in the centre, move to the ginseng one in green and go clockwise until all eight flavours of xiao long bao are in our tummies. This is my third time enjoying Paradise Dynasty’s xiao long bao, and I still rank black truffle and crab roe as my favourite flavours.

Enjoy 1 for 1 Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao at $14.80. Limited redemptions till 31 May 2016 while stocks last. Available on Mondays to Fridays (except eve of and day of public holidays). T&Cs apply.

*STAMP: JAPAN
Hoshino Coffee
#B3-25/26

Many head to Hoshino Coffee for their signature coffees, pancake souffles and Western-style main dishes with a Japanese touch. They recently launched a Value Executive Set Lunch ($35++ for 2 people) that comes with two brand new spaghetti dishes and two drinks.

Of the spaghettis not yet on their main menu, the Karasumi Olive Oil Spaghetti is a flavourful concoction with salted mullet roe, scallops and tiger prawns with spaghetti tossed in chilli paste and olive oil, while the Squid Ink Spaghetti is a classic with a spicy touch of garlic and chilli paste. And you can pair them with a choice of six drinks including Hoshino’s Blend Coffee or Tea.

Enjoy 2 sets of Value Executive Set Lunch (choice of 2 spaghetti and 2 drinks) at $35++. Limited redemptions valid till 31 July 2016, while stocks last. Available from Mondays to Fridays from 11.30am to 3.00pm, excluding public holidays. T&Cs apply.

*STAMP: SINGAPORE
The Soup Spoon
#B4-67/68

Homegrown brand The Soup Spoon serves up a great range of soups from around the world, such as the SG Chicken and Mushroom, Velvety Mushroom Stroganoff and Peppery Chicken Hotpot. After a long and tiring day, I would usually head to The Soup Spoon for a comforting soup bowl, along with salad and bread.

Chef Anna is always brainstorming for new creations, and only for this month, The Soup Spoon is having a “Memories on the Table” promotion where you can look forward to Hainanese Beef Stew, Javanese Opor Ayam and Vegan Chap Chye Stew. Don’t miss them!

Enjoy 1 for 1 soups from $6.50. Limited redemptions valid till 31 July 2016. Available from Mondays to Fridays, excluding public holidays. T&Cs apply.

*STAMP: TAIWAN
Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken
#B4-70

Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken serves up the popular Taiwanese crispy fried chicken from the Taipei Shihlin Night Market. The oversized chicken fillets are cooked only upon order and served uncut, thus ensuring crispiness and flavour. Various condiment flavours are available, such as garlic and curry.!

Enjoy the 1 for 1 Signature Large Fried Chicken at $4.90 and purchase a peach tea or lemonade drink at $0.60 per cup (maximum two cups). Limited redemptions valid till 31 July 2016. T&Cs apply.

*STAMP: KOREA
Mr. Churro
#B4-61

Popular Korean churro brand Mr. Churro landed on our shores last year, offering the 50cm long snack in different styles – curved, with a soft serve ice cream, or along with chocolate, milk custard or blueberry dips. The churros are prepared on the spot and fried to golden brown, so be prepared to wait for a short while before you get to enjoy them!

Enjoy 1 for 1 Churros with dipping sauce at $5. Limited redemptions valid till 31 July 3016 while stocks last. Available on Mondays to Thursdays. T&Cs apply.

*STAMP: TAIWAN
Each A Cup
#B4-69

Homegrown bubble tea brand Each A Cup has the perfect weapon for the sweltering weather – a range of five Sooo Big Cup drinks ($4.50) that measure a full litre (1000cc) each! You can choose between the Old School Plum Juice, the Chinese Herbal Tea, the Blue Lagoon, the Peachy, and the Winter Melon Bliss flavours, and enjoy these icy drinks with cooling properties.

Enjoy 1 for 1 1000cc drink at $4.50. Limited redemptions valid till 31 July 2016, while stocks last. T&Cs apply.

What are your favourite food choices at ION Orchard? Share them with the hashtag #IONFoodie!

This post is brought to you by ION Orchard.