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Healthy Restaurants Review

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If there are countless healthy food options in Singapore, we are always on the lookout for new concepts – This week, we test out the latest meal delivery service in town, Faba Food, and their plant-based recipes. Did they manage to combine flavours, vegan products and sustainability? It’s time to find out. 

What is Faba? How does it work, and how is it different from its competitors? 

Sean and Alex, two entrepreneurs with a strong background in food manufacturing and retail, had the goal to make food delivery more sustainable through better delivery practices and lower carbon footprint food.
They created Faba in 2021, and aimed to combine sustainability with (in their own words): taste, nutrition, affordability, convenience and an ever-growing appetite for plant-based food. And based on our experience, they have done pretty well:  

Taste – The team has experience with food, and it shows – the recipes are well crafted and much closer to comfort food than diet meals. It’s hearty; it’s filling; it’s flavourful. 

Nutrition – Whilst most brands on the market focus on a specific diet or trend (keto, low calorie, low GI.. ), Faba food focuses more on offering balanced meals.
Each meal contains around 500kcal and 20g of protein – but some recipes are richer in carbs and fats.
They might not be the best option for weight loss strictly speaking, but they are balanced enough to fit a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Affordability – with 6meal bundles priced at $88 ( slightly less than $15 a meal + a 10% discount if you sign up for more than a week), using Faba is cheaper than getting individual meals delivered from Grab or Food Panda. It is, however, slightly more expensive than some other meal subscription services, as most work with bigger bundles. 

Convenience – Ordering from the website is a hassle-free process – one can either get the pre-made bundle made of all six recipes currently available or customise their order and choose the recipes they like the most. 
The food is prepared and frozen in their kitchen on the East of the island and delivered twice a week by dedicated Faba drivers.
The meals arrive at your doorstep in a well-designed box – layered with insulation sheets, it can stay up to 8 hours outside without compromising the quality of its content. 

faba food delivery packaging

Plant-based – Faba meals are 100% vegan (they contain no animal or animal-derived ingredients) – which is a first in Singapore. Interestingly, the brand doesn’t use processed meat substitutes or “fake meats” and instead chooses to emphasise naturally high-protein ingredients. faba food delivery services singapore

Lastly, sustainability is a big part of Faba’s promise and what we enjoyed the most about the service.
Whilst many brands only use sustainability as a marketing point, Faba embedded this value into their concept.
They focus on keeping a low carbon footprint, sourcing ingredients locally and eliminating meat & dairy.
The delivery system only runs a couple of days a week, and each box contains six meals (vs one for the usual food delivery services)
Lastly, it is worth noting that not only customers can recycle the boxes, but the insulation sheets inside are made with recycled clothes and can also be kept and reused.

 

But most importantly, is the food good?

We got a chance to try out all of the six options currently available – the team is working on adding more by the end of the summer, and we’d be curious to test these too. 

Note: All meals are individual portions, 400g and around 500kcal each

Our favourite meal was probably the  Smoky Chili Bowl. With great texture and flavours, It is also the lowest in calories and the highest in protein (24g/portion).  The Chickpea and Eggplant tagine was also a winner – creative flavours and the perfect amount of spice. 

smoky chili bowl
smoky Chili bowl

The Maca Greens and Rigatoni Bolognese are on the more traditional side – but we particularly enjoyed the almond parm on the latest, and the new dimension it brings to a classic. 

Rigatoni Bolognese
Rigatoni Bolognese

The Tofu Tikka Masala was incredibly flavourful, but we would have loved more vegetables to make the most of the delicious sauce. 

Finally, although very tasty, the Chipotle Burrito Bowl was too heavy on the carbs to our liking, but it is easy to imagine brunch lovers loving it.

Mac & Greens
Maca Greens


The ingredients’ freshness is remarkable, and all recipes were perfectly seasoned, which is rare for frozen meals. More than anything, we enjoyed the convenience of it – for a whole week, there was no need to cook after work – only take out one of the boxes from the freezer, pierce the film and put it straight into the microwave for 8 minutes. 

Last thoughts

Far from the old stereotypes around vegetarian food, Faba food is ideal for vegans & vegetarians and meat eaters who want to make small changes toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
It might not be the best option if you are actively trying to lose weight, but if you are trying to make healthier choices (and save time) while still eating delicious food daily, Faba is resolutely worth a try.

Check out their website & order here 

After two years of being incredibly quiet, Singapore’s CBD is finally coming back to life – And if you are looking for a clean meal on your way to the office, it is time to visit The Whole Kitchen‘s newest outlet, as they now serve breakfast and lunch to gym-goers and businesspeople alike.
Let’s have a look and find out about the restaurant and their gluten-free menu.

The location, the place & the vibe

The Whole Kitchen Bakery Cafe is located in the CBD at the corner of Mccallum and Robinson Road – it is the brand’s second outlet, opened in late 2021, after a successful launch in Katong.
As expected, the place gets busy (yet not crowded) during lunchtime – but it is also open for breakfast and afternoon tea. The decor is bright and natural, and the staff is very welcoming—a breath of fresh air in the ever-busy CBD.
The indoor seating area is surprisingly spacious and doesn’t get as noisy as some other places – I can picture myself having coffee meetings and sharing lunch with colleagues there.

The food & drinks

The lunch menu offers a wide variety of 100% gluten-free sandwiches (fresh & toasted), salads, soups and other bakery goods. I had the Saigon sandwich with chicken, a side of the Clean Green Goddess, and tried the daily soup (pumpkin) and keto quiche. All of it was beautifully plated and incredibly flavourful.

whole kitchen singapore saigon sandwich
The Tumeric bread brings the Saigon Chicken Sandwich to the next level
the whole kitchen singapore pumkin soup
The Pumkin Soup was perfect on a chilly and rainy day
the whole kitchen singapore keto quiche
Keto Quiche

The only downside: the portions are quite small – perfect for a quick lunch that won’t let you groggy in the afternoon, but you might want to consider adding one of their bakery items if you are starving.

I would also love for the menu to show the nutritional values of each item to make life easier for people tracking their macros.

(menu available here)

What are the healthiest options on The Whole Kitchen’s menu?

If we are looking at the most balanced dishes, the winners are:

  • The Saigon Chicken/tofu Sandwich
  • The salmon & avocado charcoal roll
  • All salads with (with one of the protein add-ons)

What is not so healthy on the menu?

Because of the ingredients used to create compelling textures and flavours without gluten, some recipes can be pretty calorie-dense. This includes the keto bread, coconut cookies and most keto items, which need to be eaten in moderation if you are watching your intake.

From the breakfast menu, the only “guilty pleasure” is probably banana toastie – again, all-natural ingredients, but it combines fresh banana, the Whole Kitchen’s peanut butter and hazelnut cacao butter on gluten-free bread. Fantastic to recover from a strenuous workout, or share with your kids (they apparently love it) but not necessarily the lightest, calorie-wise.

the whole kitchen singapore spread butter chocolate
The Whole Kitchen’s peanut butter and Hazelnut cacao butter spreads

Last thoughts

You don’t need to be a fitness buff or a nutrition junkie to enjoy the Whole Kitchen’s delicacies. There is something for everyone, and The Whole Kitchen CBD Bakery Cafe is a fantastic place to get an energizing breakfast or lunch. It feels so good to eat clean.

The Whole Kitchen – 2 locations 
CBD Bakery Cafe – 120 Robinson Road, 01-01, 068913
Katong Bakery Cafe – 11 East Coast Road, Odeon Building,  #01-16 428722

 

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

kind bowl killiney road

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.

 

The Kind bowl menu main

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

 

Starting here a series of healthy restaurant reviews – starting easy too, as I picked what is for me one of the best places in the CBD to get a healthy lunch or grab dinner on your way home: Shake Farm HQ, in Telok Ayer.

The location, the venue & the vibe

You can’t really find a more vibrant street – on weekdays, at least – and it’s only a few meters away from Telok Ayer MRT. Perfect if you work in the CBD area (a bit less convenient if you plan to drive there, parking slots are quite limited in the neighbourhood.)

The venue is really cute, located in a 2storey shophouse – there’s a “farm” theme going on, but the best part is probably the 2nd floor and the quirky paintings & furniture. It’s a nice place to come for breakfast, or to work all day with a coffee (it gets busy during lunchtime, so don’t expect to take your 1pm call from there, though.

shakefarm hq night evening singapore dinner

That being said, I’d love to see it becoming more popular after work – for now, it is pretty much a lunch place, and it doesn’t get as much traction later during the day, even if they serve nice beers & organic wine. The staff is also very used to the craziness of the lunch rush – but they are struggling a bit to create a nice dinner atmosphere (the only downside I found there!)

They organise activities from time to time, hosting yoga sessions or talks – something they should probably emphasize more, as the venue looks like it was made for it.

The food & drinks

First thing first: they have a BIG menu (quite literally, it’s a huge page) but the ingredients are fresh, and all combinations work perfectly. Inspiration comes a bit from everywhere: Sunday Roasts, traditional brunch plate, burrito-style salads… there is a lot to choose from and you can go quite regularly without getting bored.

menu shakefarm hq singapore

I have to admit I fell in love with their bowls and salads: hearty, healthy, and prepared with love. Bowls tend to be more filling, as they contain carbs, while salads don’t. Portions are generous, still – and you can’t leave without trying their beetroot hummus.
You can also craft your own bowl – either from scratch, or by adding/removing things from the signature dishes. They have vegan and gluten-free options if required.
Pro-tip: make any dish low-carb by replacing the quinoa or rice with their cauliflower rice. Delicious & filling, yet much less calorie-dense.

Price-wise, expect to spend 14 to 20$ per bowl – breakfast options being a bit cheaper (you can get toasts for 7$).

salad bowls and muesli smoothie bowl shake farm hq singapore

What are the healthiest options on Shake Farm’s menu?

Short answer: mostly everything.
The great thing is that you can choose the option that is the best fit for your nutritional needs just by looking at the menu: macros are indicated (although if some of them sound a bit too good to be true) and, thanks to a colour code, you can spot at a glance which ones are highest in protein (if you’re coming back from a workout) or in carbs (if you’re getting ready for a training session.)
If you want a high protein, super filling lunch or dinner, you should probably pick the Beef bros.
If you’re looking for something lighter, both the Mexicana & the superfoods salad are delicious.

They also have a few protein bars to choose from if you want to grab a snack or a dessert on the go – which is a GREAT idea.

Beef Bros Bowl

What is not so healthy on the menu?

If they are made with fresh ingredients and without added sugar, fruit smoothies are still packed with natural sugar – regardless of where they come from. Containing up to 400kcal a portion, and virtually no other macronutrient than fast-processing carbs, they might not be the best option if you’re willing to lose or control your weight. Of course, they are packed with vitamins, and still a much better option than any pastries or industrial products – just make sure you’re going to use this energy afterwards.

Some last thoughts

Shake Farm is one of my favourite places around, I can’t lie about it – As a huge healthy food advocate, I found there everything I was looking for – If I want to get a healthy meal, I’ll always try to cook and bring it from home first, but when it’s not an option, then Shake Farm is definitely my go-to option.
You can get their food delivered too – and they are on Entertainer (at the time this article is written, you can get 25% off the bill).

Shake Farm HQ, 126 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068595