January 2021

On my quest to find the best healthy restaurants in Singapore, I had no choice but to give the Kind Bowl’s Vegan Vietnamese cuisine a try. Many of my vegan friends swear only by this place when it comes to getting an affordable, delicious dinner – meat-free of course, but packed with authentic flavours. It sounded almost too good to be true, so I finally went last week, and here is my honest review.

The location, the place & the vibe

The Kind Bowl is located on Killiney Road; a short walk from Somerset 313 – a quiet street where it is easy to forget about Orchard Road’s craziness after working hours.

The restaurant is relatively small – a dozen tables inside and a couple of larger tables outside – so you may want to arrive early to beat the queue. However, even during peak hours, the food comes quickly to the tables – you won’t wait for long if you can’t find a spot right away.

The atmosphere is friendly and chill – not a date spot per se, but a great place to meet up with friends or colleagues after an intense day.

The food & drinks

Their menu is straightforward – you get 5 to 7 main dishes to choose from, along with a few sides and desserts.

Of course, the most famous is the Kind Pho – a vegan version of the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, where the meat is replaced with chicken-like Seitan. The broth is flavorful, and the portion is quite large. Their latest addition, the BBQ delight, offers a broad range of flavours and some exciting combinations of textures – the fried mushroom rolls are to die for.

The salads are relatively small, but very tasty too – 2 mains & a side were the perfect amount of food for 2.

They don’t serve alcohol but have an interesting drinks menu, based on natural ingredients.

Price-wise, expect to spend around $10 for a main and $5 for a side/dessert.

What are the healthiest options on The Kind Bowl’s menu?

The “Eat the Rainbowl”, BBQ Delight & Tropical Salads are the most balanced options, as they contain a decent amount of protein, vitamins and fibres, thanks to the fresh veggies.

The kind Pho is a great option too, although the noodle portion is very generous, while the protein content remains relatively low. It is worth noting that none of the dishes feels oily or heavy, and the portions are just right – you’ll feel great after a meal.

BBQ delight the kind bowl menu — BBQ Delight (New 2021)

What is not so healthy on the menu?

The No-Moo Spicy Noodle is both carb & oil-rich, making it the least healthy option available, along with the oyster mushroom fritters.

Both their bubble teas & ice latte are pretty rich too, so if you are trying to control your intake, you should probably go for one of the herbal teas instead.

Some last thoughts

I had heard many good things about this place and was delighted to get to try it out finally. I will, without a doubt, go back whenever I’m in the area. They also do delivery – check out their website to learn more.

The Kind Bowl, 71 Killiney Rd, Singapore 239527

Keep Reading

Does the word “Calisthenics” ring a bell? I wouldn’t be surprised if it did: this discipline is getting more and more popular, especially among gym addicts who are getting bored with weights. If you’re looking for a new sport to try, and some new skills to add to your repertoire – you should probably give calisthenics a try. Here are a few good reasons to register for a Cali class today!

Wait, what exactly is Calisthenics?

The definition is quite broad, but basically, Calisthenics is a discipline involving no or minimal equipment (usually rings or bars, no free weight or barbells) teaching athletes how to master their bodyweight.
If you can’t really imagine how it looks like, I’d recommend checking some youtube channels, like CalisthenicMovement & ThenX.

Here are 5 reasons why you should try Calisthenics

1. It’s a great opportunity to learn how your body works

You’ll gain in balance, strength and overall consciousness around your body – which comes handy in all other activities you might be into. You will also realise that you are stronger than you think, and maybe discover muscles that you had never felt working before.

2. It’s suitable for everyone – and there is a lot to learn

If it’s based on a limited set of movements (principally push-ups, pull-ups, dips), calisthenics offer tons of variations and progression opportunities, making it both accessible from beginners & still challenging for advanced athletes.
Men & women are equally welcome too, and your body type doesn’t matter!

3. It’s an incredibly complete workout

If you’re a regular gym-goer, you could think that working out without weights could potentially be “pointless”. Well, wait to try a Cali class first – because it requires the use of different muscle groups, as well as a lot of the core muscles you might not use on a daily basis if you only work out with guided machines.
It might not be as “cardio” as a HIIT class, but you should still expect some sweat. If you give your 100%, you’ll get out of the studio exhausted and shaky (But beginners can also take it easy!)

4. It’s a good occasion to meet like-minded people

Calisthenics classes are usually held in small groups (just imagine the exact opposite of a crowded body combat class, if you’ve been to one of these) – you can have a chat (and most likely a laugh) with the people around, and good pieces of advice too for people who’ve been training for a while.
As everyone is learning (it would take years to reach the stage where you can’t get better at it), it is pretty much a judgment-free zone.

5. It’s good fun!

Because you get to learn a lot of new techniques and experiment with your body, calisthenics is a really fun activity. It is challenging for sure, and some people might be quite intimidated during their first session. But the more you practice, the more used your body will be to the different exercises, and you’ll make amazing progress in no-time. Time flies during a Cali class, and you won’t even think of checking your phone!

And last, but not least: where to learn Calisthenics in Singapore?

There are a few studios offering Calisthenics classes in Singapore, including some in public parks – but if I had to pick one, I’d definitely choose The Faculty (of calisthenics & yoga) on North Bridge Road.

Why you should visit the Faculty?

They offer several different calisthenics classes, focusing on specific skills (handstands, pull-ups, muscle-ups) or helping with general fitness (push-pull, strength), along with Yoga classes.
The classes are beginner-friendly – except for a few advanced classes, that require an invitation, all sessions can be attended by newcomers who want to improve and are willing to sweat.
The team is amazing – every trainer has their own speciality, but they are all dedicated to sharing their passion, making each session a great learning experience
They have a 3session intro pass at S$50 – so you can get your own opinion!

The Faculty of Calisthenics and Yoga, North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198691