Toast Tenderloin Katsu Sandwich Set @ Saboten, Changi Airport Terminal 1

KopiKosongGirl and I have a mad obsession with airports. We love taking holidays and usually book 'cheap' tickets way in advance so that we can go for holidays.

Few weeks ago, we flew again and since it was a morning flight, we thought we will try out more food at the airport. We walked around after checking in and saw that from 8 am - 11 am, Saboten has a few breakfast sets.

What caught our attention was this Toast Tenderloin Katsu Sandwich Set for only $10.



Looked like a nice deal that will keep you from hunger on the flight and yet not too full so that when you reach your destination, you can start enjoying local food.

It comes with fries and free flow of either tea or coffee. We had it with Japanese Green Tea.

There's also Udon or Rice set meals too if you are interested in heavier meals.
What we found amusing is that this branch in the airport, it's a Japanese restaurant, but most of the service staff we see are Filipinos. Probably they are more courteous and hardworking?


Saboten
Changi Airport Terminal 1 (Public Area)
Viewing Mall Level 3

Tel: + 65 6214 9504
Hours: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Saboten @ Changi Airport Terminal 1

I was at Changi Airport taking quite a few flights the last few weeks. A few times to receive people, I have been taking a few flights out from Changi Airport too.

KopiKosongGirl works in the Suntec area and she has been telling me Saboten is really nice. We have noticed the branch at Terminal 1 and have been wanting to try it. Just the other day, I had a flight to catch and I arrived early. After checking in, I still had time and I thought I would grab some dinner, it was a short budget flight with no food after all.


I went up the escalator and I saw this. I looked at my watch and it's before 6 pm. Looks like a very good offer!

I ordered it. I usually order pork but I thought I will try the chicken this time. For $12, it's quite a good deal isn't it?


The almost all Filipino service staff were quite efficient. Got me a table pronto and since I already knew what I wanted, I said, the deal on the big poster outside. :-)

A huge bowl of sliced cabbage was served in a jiffy. (Like most airport eating place, most people have a plane to catch!) There were two sauces, sesame and yuzu vinaigrette. I tried both and I prefer the sesame one.


The mix of black and white sesame to be grounded. The sauce for the fried chicken katsu later.


Three scoops of it with the grounded sesame was the instructions when I asked.
I like that bamboo scoop!


The chicken katsu was nice! It was so crisp and fluffy outside and the meat was nice too.
It was so easy to eat and bite because the chicken was so tender. Be careful, it's really really hot!

I had 30 minutes for the whole meal, so I had enough time to eat slowly.
The big bowl of cabbage, I only ate half of it, I was being considerate to my neighbors on the plane later. You know cabbage causes lots of gas right?


When I thought I was done, I asked for the bill. I was told there's still green tea ice cream.
Oh wow, ice cream too! You can see it's taken straight out from the freezer all pre-portioned and left in the freezer. It was nice though.

Quite a nice warm meal that's considered cheap in the airport.
Oh yes, for those who are collecting Changi Rewards points, your meal here gets you some points too. The machine that day was not working so I could not get the points though. (sigh!)

Saboten
Changi Airport Terminal 1 (Public Area)
Viewing Mall Level 3

Tel: + 65 6214 9504
Hours: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Bar Hopping @ Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Singapore

About 2 Fridays ago, if you have been following me on Twitter, Facebook or on Instagram on the iPhone, you would have followed me on my adventure around the 3 Terminals at Changi Airport.

What were the group of 5 of us doing? We were bar-hopping in the Departure / Transit Area of the airport, i.e. the section after you have passed the Immigration. While bar-hopping we also got to visit the Butterfly Garden and discovered that there are 2 Movie Theatres at the airport too.

There are just so many things to do in the airport, each Terminal has about 100 shops or more. The whole airport is like 3 huge shopping, adventure, eating and drinking mall!

How early do you always check in for your flights? There are people who like to check-in online and arrive at the airport just in time. If you do that, you are missing out what Changi Airport has to offer. Do you know that for some airlines, you can check-in 24 hours before the flight? Check this page for the timing. The past few years I have been checking in 2 to 3 hours early so that I can roam the airport. I have this fascination about airports that I can't explain.

Anyway, if you have been to Changi Airport recently, you would have noticed the Fabulous Fridays Deals that is going on.  I flew back to Singapore the other day and I was in a rush to go home I forgot about the deals. So the next time you are flying in or out of Changi Airport on Fridays, remember to go early or stay back later. In the past few months, they were featuring different themes such as Perfume and Cosmetics (SKII Cellumination and Laneige Water Sleeping pack was at 30% off) and Electronics (iPad2 going at 30% off).

The Fabulous Friday theme for November is "Liquor". Selected liquors will be offered at 50% off! All shoppers need to do is to spend a minimum of $30 via Visa or $60 by other means at any retail or dining outlets at Changi. Present the receipt at the event area and redeem these vouchers to enjoy fabulous savings.

Follow me as I remember the trip around the 3 Terminals of Changi Airport for the Bar-Hopping Experience.

>> Changi Airport Terminal 3 - Hard Rock Cafe



The adventure started with dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe at Terminal 3.

Do you know that the Hard Rock Cafe at Terminal 3 is the first Hard Rock Cafe in an airport in the world? The menu is pretty interesting and most of it I remember being told can also be found at the city branch.



The Hurricane ($18) and if you opt for it to be served in a souvenir glass ($30) that you can bring that glass home!

What's inside? It's a rumbling blend of orange, mango and pineapple juice, infused with Bacardi Superior Rum, dark rum, amaretto and grenadine and garnished with an orange and maraschino cherry.

I would say 'potent'.



The Triple Platinum Margarita ($15) and you want a Keeper, ie with the Margarita Glass it's $30.
It's a mix of Sauza Gold Tequila, triple sec, Grand Marnier and margarita mix come together to provide the ultimate margarita experience.



The Exotic Margarita ($22)
It's a Patrón Silver Tequila and triple sec mixed with Monin Pomegranate syrup and margarita mix.



If you want a non-alcoholic drink, this is an example of it.
The Groupie Grind ($8) with Margarita Glass ($23)

It's made from Mango purée, piña colada mix and pineapple juice blended with a strawberry swirl. I find this very nice!



This was the Crushed Velvet ($8) with Martini Glass ($23)

It's Monin Pomegranate and Monin Raspberry syrup combined with fresh lemonade and Sprite. I warn you this was super super sweet!

End of Stop 1. We tried 5 drinks.
My personal favourite was probably the Groupie Grind.




>> Changi Airport Terminal 1 - Harry's Bar at the Cactus Garden



Did you know that there's a Cactus Garden on the rooftop of Terminal 1?

I did not until this bar-hopping adventure. The Cactus Garden is where Harry's Bar is located. There are 40 species of cacti and succulents that they brought in from Africa and the Americas. It was dark at night so I did not go around. I would come back again during the day time on my next flight out of Terminal 1.

There are Golden Barrels, Silver Touch, Oldman Cactus, towering Prickly-Pear and giant bottle shaped Club-Foot trees. There is also a collection of massive prehistoric Cycads, towering Euphorbia's and tree-like Dracaenas. (Information that I got from the Changi Airport website) There are also metal cactus plants that glows at night! These were the ones that I could see at night. LOL




This was Dirty Harry. ($15)
It's a mix of Vodka, Lychee Liqueur, Brown sugar and lime wedges.




The Dry Martini. ($14)
I found out that night that I don't like Martinis at all! Just not my type of drink. ;-)



The Jungle Juice ($15)
It's a blend of Banana Liqueur, Malibu, Midori Melon Liqueur, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice and Grenadine.

I like this! It just taste so refreshing!




The Strawberry Margarita ($15)



The Singapore Sling ($15)



The bartender really know his stuff. When asked to come up with a drink, he mixed a special drink for us. Cointreau, cranberry and lime with a orange fragrance. The fragrance was from a slice of orange peel that was set aflame.

End of Stop 2. We tried 6 drinks. Total 11 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Jungle Juice.



>> Changi Airport Terminal 1 - Swimming Pool and Bar



I heard of the swimming pool on the rooftop of Terminal 1 and it's the first time that I set foot into it.
It's next to the Ambassador Transit Hotel that is very very popular. If you are transiting in Changi, it's best to prebook a room if you want to stay there.



It's free entry, you only pay when you want to use a pool when you are not a hotel guest. Non hotel guest pay SGD $13.91 nett. Price for use is inclusive of pool usage, shower, basic toiletries and a non-alcoholic drink.



Remy Martin VSOP.

Note for Airport Visitors on 18 Nov 2011:
Transit Area: Remy VSOP (1 litre) - Usual price $70.50, Special Price on 18 Nov only $35.25
Public Area: Remy Martin VSOP (750 ml) - Usual price $105.00, Special price on 18 Nov only $52.50



Johnnie Walker Black Label.

I should have blogged this earlier. On 4 Nov, Johnnie Walker Black Label was part of the Fabulous Friday special.

Anyway, for the Fabulous Friday 25 Nov deal, Vodka drinkers would be glad.
Transit Area: Grey Goose Original - Usual price $57.00, Special Price on 25 Nov only $28.50
Public Area: Absolute Vodka Blue (750 ml) - Usual price $66.50, Special price on 25 Nov only $33.25



Black Label and Remy Martin's again not my kind of drink.
If you like a sweeter version of the Singapore Sling ($18.50 nett), try it here at the Pool Bar.

The bartender said, their follow quite closely the original Singapore Sling recipe.

End of Stop 3. We tried 3 drinks. Total 14 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Singapore Sling here, since I don't like hard liquor.



>> Changi Airport Terminal 2 - Hari's Pub



This is different from Harry's Bar that we went earlier. This is Hari's Pub.
Smoker who are dying to get a puff after or before going up the plane (smoking is bad by the way! Seek help from Health Promotion Board's Quit4Life if you can.) can come here.



Fuzzy Navel ($16 nett)
Mix of Vodka and Peach




Limelight ($16 nett)
Sweet, Smoky and a bit of lime.



Green Ice ($16 nett)
Mix of Vodka,  Gin, Tequila, Rum and Midori.



Negroni ($16 nett)
Mix of Campari, Gin and Martini.

We also had another Negroni variant that was lighter. That was mixed with Soda. I can't take it. Still too strong for me.




House Beer. It's incredibly nice. Very smooth and easy to drink.
We were listening to the Manager explaining to us that most house beer are made in house, but for theirs, they get someone to brew it for them. Only when it's done at a brewery they can get it so light, smooth and consistent. Too many kind of alcohol in the system, I can't remember who brew it for them.

End of Stop 4. We tried 6 drinks. Total 20 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Singapore Sling here, since I don't like hard liquor.


>> Changi Airport Terminal 2 - O'Learys Sports Bar and Grill



O'Learys Sports Bar and Grill at Terminal 2 serves food that's similar to Hard Rock Cafe in Terminal 3. I was reading Instagram and Twitter replies plus the Changi Airport staff, half seems to like Hard Rock better, the other half thinks O'Learys is nicer.

What do you think?



I always think it's fun to sit at the bar counter.
I think it's because I can 'see' what the barman is doing.




Tiger Beer.



We got to try out 2 new drinks that they are going to serve in their menu. I think it's available now since it's November.

The Cosmopolitan.
A mix of Vodka, Cointreau, Lime Juice and Cranberry Juice.



The Sidecar.
Remy Martin, Cointreau and Lime Juice.



Kir Royale.
Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) in Champagne.




Thanks to the manager here, he said we should try this.
Their signature Chicken Quesadilla. It's nice to have something to eat after drinking so many kinds of spirits. It is nice. Something warm after all the cold drinks.


End of Stop 5. We tried 4 drinks. Total 24 drinks for the night.
My personal favourite was probably the Chicken Quesadilla. I think too much alcohol has numb the brains. LOL



>> Changi Airport Terminal 3 - Tiger Signature Bar



We got back to Terminal 3. Tiger has their Signature Bar here.
Previously known as the Tiger Champions Lounge, they have renovated and it's call Tiger Signature Bar.



See your favourite drink there?



It was like 12:45 in the morning and we were half awake and half filled with the spirit.
But when some deep fried food was served, we ate it.



The drink to try here is Tiger Crystal.  It's the lighter version of the original Tiger Beer. It's lower in alcohol content too, at 4.3% instead of 5%.

You can see how cold the beer is. The beer tap was frozen with ice!



Tiger Crystal. ($12)



Their version of Singapore Sling. ($20)
Of the many versions of Singapore Sling, I like the version here.


End of Stop 6. We tried 4 drinks, 2 kinds. Total 28 drinks for the night.

My personal favourite was probably the Tiger Crystal.

Now, that was quite an adventure isn't it? There are many more drinking places to visit in Changi Airport, but we could only do that many in around 6 hours. Do you know that Anthony Bourdain said that Changi Airport is one of the Top 3 Airport Bars in the World?

The next time you are flying through Changi Airport, check in early! There are things to discover at this wonderful airport. The places above also serves non-alcoholic drinks. While walking around, I also discovered something else. There are also as many Coffee places in Changi Airport! The next time I fly out, maybe I shall recce the place and find Chocolate and Chocolate Drink places!



Please, please drink responsibly. We shared the drinks and did not finished them all.


This bar-hopping adventure has been made possible thanks to Corporate Communications Office of the Changi Airport Group.

Delifrance @ Terminal 1 Changi Airport

Thanks to all who asked what happened to me. I am fine and I am back!
Pardon me for not updating anything here. I only tweeted updates from my phone.
You can follow me on twitter - www.twitter.com/keropokman ;-)

I was "leaving on a jetplane" (I am using John Denver's famous song title, it has been ringing in my head since early this evening!) to this location, and came back 2 days ago (Sunday). It was a great trip! I was briefly in London, spent most of my time in a small town called Guildford and had 2 side trips to Paris and Rome. ;-)

While I sort out my travel photos, here are photos of my last meal just before flying off.

We left for the airport early hoping that we could eat something nice there. When we got there, we realise Terminal 1 is under renovation. Most places to eat with a decent seating area in the public area were all closed for renovation as well. We decided to eat 'inside' i.e. shops after immigration.

 ***

This was the quick bite at Delifrance. Yes, we know we are going to France, but we still ate here.
I had a Seafood Croissant. Standard fare like any Delifrance in Singapore.

 ***

 
Sis had the Chicken Ciabata. She wanted the Crab with the Ciabata but it was sold out.



While we were more than halfway though the meal, the Delifrance folks gave us a delightful surprise. The lady that we earlier ordered our food came over and said, we were sorry that we could not serve you what you wanted earlier. We now have some crab fillings and we would like you to have them. She saw that we were almost done and had nothing to eat the crab with, she came back with some baguette too! (FOC if you are wondering...)


Wow, this Delifrance has the best customer service ever ya?
I think it's little gestures like this that helped Changi Airport become No 1 again?

***

Mum decided to have some Spaghetti Carbonara. Mum likes it. Sis and I were saying to her, we are looking forward to pasta in Italy! LOL

Pardon the photo, mum already took a bite of it. ;-)

***

My cup of hot chocolate to warm up my tummy so that I can get straight to sleep on the plane!

*** 

If you are wondering why did we go to UK?
It's because mum's gonna be a granny! She was there to be the confinement lady/mummy!

We each have an allowance of 23kg of baggage, so that mum can bring in all the ingredients she need to prepare the confinement food and we can also bring in jars of Goober Grape for my bro-in-law! We had brought in my bro's favourite Koka no MSG Tom Yam Hor Fun. (Any of you like this too? I like it!)

Sis asked us to bring her Chiffon Cake baking tins! I was kiasu, I brought over 2! Mum said while I am at Poon Huat, get some 'Ang Ku Kueh' and 'Tho Kueh' moulds too. Guess what? I bought 20 mini chwee kueh moulds, pineapple tart moulds as well! Now you know what we brought over with our 69kg luggage allowance! LOL. What is this thing about Chiffon Cake, I realise the Sunday Times just had a write up about Chiffon Cake! It all started with my sis' craving for Chiffon Cake? LOL.

By the way, if you are wondering, we only brought things that are legal. No bak kwa or anything prohibited by the UK Border Agency / Quarantine. By the way, there's a Bee Cheng Hiang Bak Kwa shop near the departure gates! I asked them if I can bring them in to UK, they gave the the usual "I don't know wor... I work here only, don't ask me lah". You know the answer when they give such answers.

You can get almost everything in UK! One of the days we were there, we visited the biggest Asian Grocery Store I have seen! It's called Wing Yip. We visited their Croydon branch. Oh man, it's so so huge, and you can find any ingredient you want! From Chinese, Malay, Thai, Indian, Philippines etc. We bought bamboo leaves here for mum to make her Nyonya Bak Chang. For the first time, we tried bak chang made from Organic British Pork bought from Waitrose or / and Sainbury's.


Have a great week everyone!
It's a very very busy week ahead!

I miss my little nephew!

Japanese Selection @ SQ12 (SIN-NRT-LAX) Economy

I was wondering if I should post this. Not technically eaten in Singapore. (This diary/blog only post the food eaten in Singapore) But this time it's on a Singapore Airline flight. OK lah....

This is the leg between SIN and NRT on Economy class on SQ12. There's two selection, the International Selection and Japanese Selection. This is the Japanese Selection.



Zensai.

It was kinda tasty, slightly fishy. But it's something that can be eaten cold, so it does not need to be heated up and become dry as other airplane food.



Japanese Cold Noodles.

Another cold dish, so it's not 'treated with heat' on board the plane. In fact, the noodles are quite delicious. The only complaint was there's too little wasabi. You can ask for more wasabi on board right?



The Soba Noodle Sauce that goes with the noodle above.
The SIN-NRT leg used Australian Soba noodle sauce.



Wakadori Sansho Yaki
Grilled chicken with sansho peppers, selected vegetables and steamed rice. See heated up food changes colour and the rice is dry. The grilled chicken was not dry though. Only the rice ;-)



Rice Crackers.



Ice Cream
The SIN-NRT leg served Wall's. The NRT-LAX leg served Fauchon ice cream :-)



Roll and Butter.




It was quite an all right meal. Airplane food is not always so bad ya.