Move Over, Matcha: 10 Up-and-coming food trends to get excited about in 2018

MF editorial team 26 Jan 2018 updated the 15 March 2018 à 11:32

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1 – Specialty Teas
Heads up, coffee enthusiasts: there’s a new hot beverage in town.

If cold drip coffee and latte art were once the craze, it seems like tea is quickly brewing to be the new trendy beverage of 2018. Herbal teas - particularly floral-infused teas and green teas - are proving to be firm favourites across the world. And Singapore proves to be no exception, with the the growing number of tea bars and local tea boutiques cropping up in the city.

Where to go for exquisite specialty teas: T2 Tea, 1872 Clipper Tea

T2 Tea, #01-20, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895

1872 Clipper Tea. Various locations island-wide.

Photo: T2 Tea Singapore (Facebook)
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2 – Local Hawker-Inspired Creations
The buzz food dish of 2017 in Singapore has got to be the nasi lemak. This humble ubiquitous dish native to both Singapore and Malaysia has made waves this year, with the highly-raved McDonald’s Nasi Lemak Burger, Food Anatomy’s compact nasi lemak cubes, and even bars whipping up Nasi Lemak Cocktails. Not only do we expect this trend to continue, we have a hunch that this will not be the last hawker dish to have a fusion spin played on it. Who knows - we might just have a Char Kway Teow Burger or Laksa Pizza right around the corner this 2018?

Where to try hawker-inspired beverages: No one perfects local-inspired tipples quite like Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall does. Furnished much like a quintessential Singaporean kopitiam, with alcoholic beverages served in actual ‘kopi’ cups, its truly ingenious and surprisingly delicious concoctions certainly are a testimony to our dynamic cocktail scene.

60 Boat Quay Singapore 049848

Photo: Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
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3 – Floral Fever
Edible flowers, as well as beverages and dishes infused with trendy flowers like rosewater, lavender and elderflower are slated to increase in popularity next year.

Where to try edible flowers in food: With its high-ceilings and spacious interior furnished with a lush rainforest-themed decor, it is unsurprising that Forest has curated a pretty visually spectacular appetiser featuring a beautiful arrangement of edible flowers.

UOB Special: Up to 20% off all a la carte lunch and dinner menu with min. spend of SGD200.

Valid till 30 September 2018. UOB Dining Privileges’ General T&Cs apply.

16 Sentosa Gateway, Equarius Hotel #01-521 & 522 Singapore 098133

Photo: Forest
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4 – Mocktails: The New Trendy Tipple
Thought mocktails were dull and dated? Think again. Slated to be the new trendy booze-free tipple, health-conscious folks looking for alcohol-free alternatives during happy hour can look forward to a new generation of brilliantly-concocted craft mocktails, non-alcoholic ‘spirits’ and botanical mixes in bars across the city.

Where to go for trendy mocktails: Try the delightful Thai-inspired mocktail concoctions at Long Chim, known for their fine-dining rendition of your favourite Thai street foods. With drinks like the creamy Ga-Thi Thai (SGD8), a twist on the famous coconut beverage shaken with a rich coconut cream, and Maktham (SGD8), a refreshing take on the traditional Thai tamarind juice, these are certainly a far cry from your usual Shirley Temple fare.

UOB Special: 15% off total bill.

Valid till 1 June 2018. UOB Dining Privileges’ General T&Cs apply.

10 Bayfront Avenue #02-02, Atrium 2 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Singapore 018955

Photo: Long Chim Singapore (Facebook)
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5 – Gut-friendly Foods: Miso, Kimchi & More
With fermented and pickled foods gaining popularity both in the gourmet and health circles, it does seem natural that gut-friendly foods are set to be a major food trend in 2018. And no, we’re not just talking about your Yakult fix. Instead, we’re referring to scrumptious probiotics like kimchi, miso and kefir and prebiotics like onions, garlic and other alliums. So if you’re looking for another reason to justify that kimchi craving or miso obsession, this is certainly one.

Where to go for gut-loving miso dishes: Enjoy a refined take on this traditional Japanese seasoning at Resort World Sentosa’s Syun, which whips up mouthwatering dishes like the Grilled Cod with Saikyo Miso, Yuzu Miso Sauce, Dried Mullet Powder and Parmesan. Tasty and actually good for your gut health - win-win combo, anyone?

UOB Special: Up to 20% off all a la carte lunch and dinner menu with min. spend of SGD200.

Valid till 30 September 2018. UOB Dining Privileges’ General T&Cs apply.

26 Sentosa Gateway, Festive Walk, #02-135 & 135A Singapore 098138

Photo: Syun
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6 – Plant Proteins & ‘Meatless’ Meat
Plant-based proteins like tofu, tempeh and quinoa are fast becoming a staple fixture in menus across the city. With veganism and people embracing a more conscious lifestyle on the rise, you can certainly expect more meat-free and meatless meat options in the city - even meatless burgers that actually ‘bleed’ (much like a rare meat patty).

In fact, a Silicon Valley-based startup is in the works to develop this meat-free burger patty using the plant-based “heme” (which actually translates to ‘blood’ in Greek), which supposedly tastes superior to their meat counterparts. And good news: this meat-free patty is set to come to our shores in Singapore this year! Watch this space, folks.

Where to go for meat-free burgers in the meantime: For a mouthwatering, generously-portioned meat-free burger fix that gives other meat-filled renditions a run for its money, try the delicious vegan burgers at VeganBurg. Their bestsellers include the Smoky BBQ (SGD9.90), which comes with a pan-grilled GMO-free plant-based protein patty, smoky barbecue sauce, fresh onion rings and a wholemeal bun.

44 Jalan Eunos, Singapore 419502

Photo: Vegan Burg (Facebook)
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7 – Instagram-worthy Foods
In a day and age where social media is a huge part of determining how quickly a food trend picks up, it is therefore not surprising that food still continues to be a very visual experience. So yes - aesthetically-plated “Instagram-worthy” foods are definitely not going anywhere this 2018.

Where to go for aesthetic, Instagram-worthy food: For a culinary experience that is both equally as pleasing to the eyes (and your Instagram feed) as it is to your taste buds, head down to Sessions at Resorts World Sentosa. Fewer places perfect the art of plating the way the folks at Sessions do, so you’ll certainly not be disappointed!

UOB Dining Special: Up to 20% off all a la carte lunch and dinner menu with min. spend of SGD200.

Valid till 30 September 2018. UOB Dining Privileges’ General T&Cs apply.

26 Sentosa Gateway, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, #02-261, 262, 263 & 264, 098138

Photo: Sessions
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8 – Sustainable Cuisine
Another trend on the rise in our local food scene - and one that we’re actually heartened by - is sustainable dining. Slowly gaining momentum across the world, sustainable cuisine is all about dining that lets food lovers indulge without damaging the Earth. The produce used are organically grown, ethically raised and responsibly sourced - all in a way that does not deplete natural resources or upset the ecosystem.

Where to try sustainable dining in Singapore: Open Farm Community, mezza9, Rumah Rasa at Bay Hotel Singapore

UOB Dining Specials (Rumah Rasa): 10% off a la carte menu. Valid till 31 July 2018. UOB Dining Privileges’ General T&Cs apply.

UOB Dining Specials (mezza9): 15% off total bill for dinner and Sunday Brunch (not valid on child’s pricing). Valid till 30 September 2018. UOB Dining Privileges’ General T&Cs apply.

Open Farm Community, 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819

Rumah Rasah at Bay Hotel Singapore, 50 Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 098828

Mezza 9, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road Singapore 228211

Photo: Open Farm Community (Facebook)
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9 – Multi-concept Stores
With Merci Marcel’s opening in the hipster enclave of Tiong Bahru and Japan Gourmet Hall Sora’s launch in Changi Airport last year, it’s safe to say that multi-concept dining is a trend to watch in Singapore.

Referring to hybrid stores that lets you dine, shop, play and more all in a single space (hence its name), these cafes are growing to be a destination in itself. Some of our favourite trendy spots, like 12 Ann Siang and Mahota, even host art house film screenings and yoga sessions you can opt to go for after a meal!

Our recommended picks of multi-concept stores: Merci Marcel, Monument Lifestyle, 12 Ann Siang

Merci Marcel, 56 Eng Hoon St, #01-68, Singapore 160056
12 Ann Siang, 12 Ann Siang Hill

Monument Lifestyle, 75 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089534

Photo: Merci Marcel (Facebook)
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10 – Mad About Cheese
First came the raclette and gooey cheese wheels; next the cheese tarts; and then the widely-raved cheese tea. Just earlier this month, Say Chiizu, Thailand’s famous Hokkaido-style stretchy cheese toast made its way to our shores. Needless to say, it seems like Singapore’s morphing to become a grate place to brie for cheese lovers.

Once typically associated with pizza, pasta, fondue and desserts, cheese has been slowly oozing its way into unlikely cuisines like steamboat, Korean barbecue, as well as Thai and Japanese food over the past year, with no signs of slowing down. And we’re certainly not complaining either.

Where to try decadent and unconventional cheesy dishes: ‘Yaki Cheesy Gyoza’ at Gyoza-ya, ‘Hokkaido Cheese Tarts’ at BAKE, a cheese drenched ‘Vintage Cheese Burger’ at Ollie Cafe

Ollie Cafe, 277 #B2-10 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858

Gyoza-ya, 2 Orchard Turn #B4-56 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801

BAKE, 2 Orchard Turn, # B4-33 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801

Photo: Ollie Cafe (Facebook)

All the food trends cookin’ and brewin’ this 2018.

2017 saw us tucking into hearty poke bowls, marvel at decadent charcoal desserts, get giddy over Instagram-worthy avocado toasts and of course, fiercely contend against whether we like the ingenious Nasi Lemak Burger by McDonald’s (the debate’s still up in the air on that one).

If you thought nothing could top the food trends 2017 has kindly bestowed upon us, think again. Gear up for change as the humble tea edges out coffee as the hot new beverage of the year, mocktails make a comeback, and our dining scene welcomes multi-concept stores and embraces sustainable cuisine.

For more exciting food trends set to be huge in Singapore this 2018, browse our gallery above!

SAVING A BUCK ON YOUR FOOD ADVENTURES IS ALWAYS ON TREND

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Move Over, Matcha: 10 Up-and-coming food trends to get excited about in 2018

SAVING A BUCK ON YOUR FOOD ADVENTURES IS ALWAYS ON TREND

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