Taiwan’s vegetarian dining concept SUFOOD opens in Singapore at Raffles City


Macaroni Alfredo Casserole

SUFOOD is a meat-free (aka vegetarian) dining concept hailing from Taiwan’s largest restaurant chain operator WOWPRIME. In collaboration with local PUTIEN, SUFOOD opens its first outlet outside of Taiwan in Singapore at Raffles City. The casual yet stylish 140-seater diner draws the health conscious crowd with its affordable full-service meat-free experience.

The Italian-inspired menu introduces sparks of novelty into modern day meat-free eating. Using about 200 ingredients, many of which sourced regionally, hugely focused on freshness, all food is prepared with no artificial flavourings or MSG.


SUFOOD appetiser: poached Japanese Yuca root with blueberry coulis, white water snowflake greens, cherry tomato jelly

Set menus are affordable at $25++ for a full customisable 8-course meal, consisting of the SUFOOD appetiser, rosemary breadsticks, fruit vinegar, choice of salad (4 choices), soup (4 choices), main (10 choices), dessert (4 choices) and drink (8 choices). If you don’t have time for a lengthy lunch, go for the 5-course Express Set Lunch at $18++ that comes with your choice of salad or soup, main, dessert and drink.


Mulberry Vinegar (foreground), Rosemary Breadsticks (background)

The mulberry vinegar that comes with the 8-course set meal sends forth sweetness to the palate rather than the expected vinegary tang. I couldn’t resist asking for a second serving!


Mushroom Salad

The Mushroom Salad was the most popular choice at our table. It comes with button and shitake mushrooms, steamed broccoli and sliced cherry tomatoes, drizzled with vinegar dressing.


Mushroom & Pea Pottage

My choice of soup was the Mushroom & Pea Pottage, which turns out lightly seasoned and a touch watery. Three kinds of mushrooms – button, shitake and king oyster – are stewed in a puree of sweet peas.

The Cream of Pumpkin Soup looks more appealing. Other options include the Cabbage & Sweet Potato Stew and the Root Soup, clear vegetable broth brimming with burdock root, lotus root and cashew nuts. The latter received many nods across the table.


Vegetable Pita Pockets

As for mains, I took a leap out of my comfort zone and went for the Vegetable Pita Pockets instead of my all-time favourite comfort food, baked casserole –and I had no regrets.

The tender “Meatballs”, doused in a tomato-based Arrabiata jalapeno sauce, are made of a blend of mushroom and broccoli amongst other indistinguishable ingredients, bound together with a touch of breadcrumbs.

Stuff them meatballs together with fresh accompanying greens in pita bread.

Other mains include the Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers, Macaroni Alfredo Casserole, Conchiglie Mushroom Bake, Star Pizza, Homemade Vegetable Calzone, Baked Potato Al Funghi, Spaghetti Pesto, Wild Mushroom Charcoal Tagliatelle and Porcini Pasta.

The Wild Mushroom Charcoal Tagliatelle is another highly recommended dish.

The star-shaped pizza is filled with oyster mushrooms, cream cheese and mustard sauce, topped with salted seaweed. Tempting.

On a side note, SUFOOD held a Guinness World Record setting event for “Most pizzas made in 12 hours” to commemorate the launch, and achieved a record of 3,574 pizzas. The event raised $11,555 with all proceeds going towards Pink Ribbon Walk.


Sesame Panna Cotta

My choice of dessert was the Sesame Panna Cotta, essentially panna cotta (jelly-pudding like dessert made of cream and milk) topped with a layer of black sesame seed puree and walnut –an intriguing Asian twist to the traditional Italian dessert.

Other desserts include the palate cleansing Osmanthus Flower Jelly, Banana Cheesecake and Vanilla Ice Cream served with Hot Chocolate.

Lovingly concocted drinks include The Ashitaba (a blend of aloe vera juice with honey and Japanese Ashitaba leaves), The Tropical (a revitalising mix of seasonal tropical fruits) and The Very Berry (a sweet and detoxifying blend of blackcurrants and elderberries). Hot beverages include the Yuzu Chamomile Tea, Mint Herbal Tea, Passion Fruit Calamansi Tea (available cold as well), Eco-Friendly Black Tea and Eco-Friendly Coffee.

I have to applaud the chef for creating delicious meat-less dish that even carnivores would enjoy.

SUFOOD
Raffles City, #02-19
,
Tel:
Website: http://www.sufood.com.sg/

Opening hours: 11.30am to 3.30pm, 5.30pm to 10pm