PoMo: Bu Er Xin Handmade Baos

(Photo Credited to: https://www.facebook.com/buerxinsg/timeline)

Many have walked past School of the Arts (SOTA) en route to school, but did you know there's a food haven just behind it? The PoMo Shopping Mall, located just behind recently received a much needed a face lift, which included renovations as well as a whole new list of restaurants. One that particularly stood out for me was Bu Er Xin (不二心), a restaurant hailing from China that specialises in homemade Bao Zis, more commonly known as Bao in Singapore. 

The Baos are steaming hot and fluffy, the rich filling proving a nice contrast to the sweet and light dough of the Bao. Vegetarians may also find this place appealing, as they have a wide variety of Vegetarian options, such as Baos with red bean, or Chilled Shredded Sweet Potato side dish. The best thing about the restaurant is that there is a little takeout counter facing Selegie Road, perfect for popping over and grabbing a hot steaming pork bun to satisfy the midday energy slump!

Distance from SOE/SOSS: 180m/5 min

The Cathay: Saizeriya

(Photo credited to: http://www.saizeriya.com.sg/outlets/)

It's week 11, also known more terrifyingly as Hell Week, where SMUggers valiantly attempt to meet their fast-approaching deadlines, while at the same time trying to retain some sort of sanity. Meetings during this and following weeks are almost on a daily basis, and if they only occur once a day you ought to count your lucky stars.

If you're absolutely sick of having your meals in school, why not take a much-needed breather and pop over to Saizeriya at The Cathay? The newly opened Italian joint serves crowd-pleasers such as pastas, pizzas and set lunches. The best thing- the price. Quickly browsing through the menu, I didn't spot anything over $7, even the escargots were under $5. This is almost unheard of, especially in town where rent is frighteningly high. While I don't expect Michelin Star quality from this restaurant, food was of acceptable taste and portions were relatively large. So when Koufu's Western meals get on your last nerve, perhaps you can patron this place for roughly the same price.

Distance from SOE/SOSS: 110m/3 minutes

The 5Cs: The Art of Coercing Food from Unsuspecting Smuggers

Ever had someone sitting next to you eat a delectable meal as you helplessly look on? Well, you're not helpless anymore. The art of food coercion can be learnt using these 5 simple steps:

1. Compare

Look at your own meal. Proceed to look at your friend's meal. Look them in the eye and say "Wow, your food looks amazing. Wish I could have a meal like that." Continue to eat your meal dejectedly until your friend offers a bite of his crispy chicken. Proceed to take 5 bites instead.

2. Compliment

Similar to the first C, except emphasis should be placed on flattering your friend's meal until their guilty conscience overrides their mind, and they offer you a share.

3. Complain

Repeatedly announce to your friend who is eating how bad your food is, and how this is just the icing on the cake for the horrible day you're having. If your friend doesn't have a heart of ice, you've got a tasty treat heading your way.

4. Concentrate

Stare at your friend's food longingly. Don't look away until he/she offers a bite. Repeat.

5. Calculate

Remember that time I carried your laptop from SOB to SOE? Well that slice of pizza would return that favour sufficiently.

P.s The 5Cs only works on individuals that have some semblance of a conscience and a heart. Please choose your victims wisely. Smugger on!

Waterloo Hawker Center: Chicken Rice Paradise

(Photo credited to: foodiefc.blogspot.com)

For SMU students, Waterloo Hawker Center is like the Haji Lane of hawker centres. It's relatively unknown and unfrequented by students, who choose to patronise the more distance-friendly choices like Kopitiam or Koufu (ugh). I don't know about you, but I feel a little bit special every time I go there, as if I'm one of the few chosen people who know about the place (that sounds suspiciously hipster-ish but I swear that's not my intent). Tucked away in an alley behind Coffee Bean and Bras Basar MRT station, this humble joint boasts many stalls that sell local favourites like carrot cake and ban mian.

No doubt, one of the more popular stalls at Waterloo Hawker Center is the Chicken Rice stall. Queues for a plate of this classic dish can be long, and frankly that's understandable. The chicken is juicy and succulent, while the rice is fluffy and fragrant. They also have other choices such as char siew, a nicely barbecued strip of pork that has been marinated in a sweet-salty sauce, and roast pork belly, crispy and golden brown in its glory. Despite that, the star is no doubt still the chicken rice. At $4 a plate, it is as easy on the wallet as it is on the palette. 

Distance to Waterloo Hawker Center from SOE/SOSS: 440m / 6 min walk

Baja Fresh: Lets taco 'bout it!

Ever wondered, en route to the overcrowded bus stop in front of Hotel Rendezvous, what that neon green Mexican restaurant was? Well, it is no other than Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, one of the very few restaurants in Singapore that will satisfy all of your Mexican food cravings at an affordable price.

(Photo credited to: Baja Fresh Mexican Grill)

Customer favourites include their Burritos, where a juicy protein of your choice is paired with cheese, fresh hand-made guacamole and fresh salsa for a refreshing and scrumptious meal. For the guys who have stomachs like a bottomless pit (there are plenty in SMU for some reason), don't worry about not getting your fill. For $12.99, you will get a burrito as thick as an arm, as Baja Fresh is known for being downright generous with their toppings.  

(Photo credited to: Baja Fresh Mexican Grill)

For those who have a smaller appetite, their tacos are a wise choice. You can either buy it individually, or have it in a combo of 2 tacos of your choice, which come with a serving of rice and beans that are light but full of flavour.

So for those smugging away at SOE/SOSS and are looking for a delicious treat, head across for your Mexican fix! They also offer absolutely refreshing lime margaritas, but don't get too refreshed lest you forget the group mates you left behind in the GSRs. Check out their Facebook page for their latest updates and offers! The last I heard, they were offering a 30% discount for students between 2.30pm-5.30pm! 

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill Singapore Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Baja-Fresh-Mexican-Grill-Singapore/361101297234776?fref=ts

Distance from SOE/SOSS: 80m / 2 minute walk

Nam Nam: Bahn Mi Anyday

I'm sure most of you will be familiar with the popular Vietnamese Pho chain restaurant Nam Nam. Known for their affordable prices and acceptably-tasty noodle soups, it is a no-frills joint, and chains are popping up faster than mushrooms around Singapore. The place is especially packed during lunch time and after work, with hungry salarymen joining the long queues in order to have some warm and fragrant Pho without breaking the wallet.

While more known for their Phos, did you know they also had a sandwich bar? Most customers have given it a sideways glance just to occupy ourselves in the queue. However, Nam Nam offers a wide variety of Bahn Mi's, a Vietnamese sandwich that stuffs all sorts of delicious fillings into a crunchy baguette. This is a great option for those in a hurry, as the queue and preparation time for the Bahn Mi's are usually short.

For those early risers (more like reluctant risers with the newly implemented 8.15am class at SMU), you can get your much-needed caffeine fix alongside a toasty bun for just $5.90! However, word has it that Nam Nam may only be making this set available from 10am, so it'll be wiser to grab it during your 15 minute break instead of before your morning class.

There are two Nam Nam outlets near campus. The first is at Raffles City, where if you're quick on your feet, you can grab one if your class is at School of Business. If you're really really quick, then you can try the outlet at The Atrium just next to Plaza Singapura for students at School of Economics/School of Social Sciences, though I would suggest not to especially if you have a time-sensitive Prof who insists you come back on the dot (trust me, these Professors exist, I've met like two).

Check out Nam Nam's official website for their entire range of Bahn Mi's and their latest offers!

http://namnamnoodlebar.com.sg/

Distance from SOB to Raffles City: 470m / 6 min walk

Distance from SOE/SOSS to The Atrium: 600m / 8 min walk

Kopitiam: Institution Card

Many of us SMUggers head to Kopitiam just a stone's throw away from School of Information Systems and School of Economics/Social Sciences. Granted, the food there is pretty decent for a hawker center. However, I still find it slightly costly considering a good number of dishes (Fish Soup, Duck Rice etc) go up to $5.



However, the people at Kopitiam have very kindly presented us with a way out- a discount card. Sure, a frequent patron of Kopitiam will know by now that the normal blue-coloured card gives you 10% off regular-priced dishes. "Pfft, what is 10%?" you scoff, unimpressed. I'm with you on that, but here's the deal: The silver-coloured Institution card strictly for student gives you not 10%, but double that at 20% off dishes! It might not sound like much, but I'm almost radiating rainbows and sunshine when my XO Fish Soup drops from $5 to $4, giving me a whole extra dollar to splurge on an occasional Teh Peng at the drink store, or a nice little dim sum to act as a side dish.

You can grab your Institution card at the drink stall of any Kopitiam! Enjoy your savings!

Raffles City: Market Place

Having been in SMU for almost four years now, I can safely say that students studying in Lee Kong Chian School of Business have it the worst. Food wise of course. When at SOB and in need of a quick bite, your few options are limited to: 1) The automated sandwich machine on the ground floor, 2) Cheers, which is across the road, and 3) Koufu. Therefore, finding quick bite can be frustrating and downright stressful. But fret not, because unlike our other (more westly located) counterparts, our campus is in town. And there's always food in town, if you know where to look.

Raffles Place is one of the most densely populated shopping malls in Singapore, and for good reason. Parked right at City Hall, a majority of white-collared workers and students alike are likely to pass by the centrally-located mall in order to get their coffee fix and a quick lunch. Here, queues can be long and frankly quite expensive for the finger food of questionable quality we buy. However, for a rather upscale supermarket, Market Place offers a surprising number of quality and more importantly affordable eats that you can grab on the go.

Inside, there is an area specifically designated for take out, which they label "Food-to-Go". At this area, you have a wide variety of affordable take-out eats to choose from, such as garden salads, potato salads and cold-cut sandwiches.

T best thing about this Food-to-Go section is that there are usually items going at half price. Some people have reservations about eating food that's on clearance, but personally, I've had a few of these items on sale and the quality is just as good as the rest. So just use your discretion, if it looks relatively fresh, I say go for it if you're on a budget.

For those who aren't too fond of buying pre-packing food, there is a salad and pizza counter, where for where you pick and match 3 ingredients to go alongside your salad for only $4.99! The portion looks relatively large so I think this is quite a steal for salad junkies.

My all-time favourite place in the supermarket- the sushi bar. While it is a slightly pricier option than the pre-packed foods, you can still get a wide selection of fresh and pretty delicious sushi for roughly the same price. Each piece of sushi ranges from $0.70 to $1.50, which I find quite reasonable, considering you can get a decent 6 piece mix for under 5 bucks. The sushi is made fresh daily, so if you're looking for an affordable and healthy option, I suggest you head straight to this section.

Therefore, business kids at SMU, don't lament that you guys have no choice but to eat the stale sandwich from the machine. Just make a dash to Raffles City to grab your next lunch!

Distance from SOB to Raffles City: 470m / 6 min walk