A taste of FIV五 Square outlet food and experience their self-ordering kiosk (Video)

I remember when I was working as an IT professional years ago in a supermarket chain, we were considering self-service payment kiosks in the supermarket. Today, we have these kiosks in the various supermarkets chain. Such self-service kiosks helped to improve the speed of payment, cut down on manpower and streamline processes. As technology improved, businesses benefited with lowering of labour costs and better customer services. 

My recent trip to Japan, Hokkaido, opened my eyes on their self-help kiosks in many areas of applications. Most commonly seen is their food dispenser machines which are much more sophisticated intelligent machines than the ones in Singapore. 

I have the chance to experience this self-ordering kiosk recently at the Five Bar Group new flagship outlet, Five Square restaurant at Pickering Street. If you are familiar with AXS payment kiosk and ATM machines, you should have no problem operating these kiosks. Going through the step by step menu is a breeze. You will need to enter your mobile number for notification. Choices of food are displayed in pictures for your selection. Payment can be made by cash, credit card and Nets which are the most common form of payments in Singapore. The system will send you an SMS to notify you that food is ready for collection. 

The process is straight-forward, fast and efficient. No more queuing and overcrowding at the various food stall outlets making it difficult for those who are walking past the stalls. It helps to cut down on manpower cost for the stall or restaurant operators which may pass the benefits back to the customers in term of cheaper food prices. 

After all, in today business strategy, quality of food, experiences, pricing and customer service satisfaction are important factors in the success of businesses. Technology not only help to improve the workflow and processes in various businesses but also help to save time. The accuracy of using Technology is zero mistakes after a proper and complete test of the system. 

Singapore's first Tachinomi Izakaya inspired bar! FIV五 is Singapore's answer to the ever-popular Izakayas in Japan. Modelled after the 300-Yen bars which offer $5 specials all-day-everyday.

Beside the new outlet, FIV五Square,  FIV五 Bar Group also has a few other outlets in Singapore. FIV五Square is located at the Pickering Street. It is a relatively huge food establishment in term of floor area of 13,000 sq ft. 

There are basically two sections. The Gourmet Food Hall where the food stalls and self-ordering kiosks are located. The other section is the live band and bar. Depending on your preferences, you can order and bring your food to the live band area to enjoy your food and listen to music or simply enjoy your food at the spacious brightly lighted Gourmet Food Hall area. 

Let us start our food tasting session. At the Gourmet Food Hall, a total of 5 stalls with food varieties ranging from Western, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. It would have covered most of the famous gourmet food of various nations. 

Cin.qo Tapas - Truffle Fries ($10 ). That was the first dish we ate very quickly. Maybe we were hunger. Somehow it tastes nicer than any other known fries in the fast food restaurants. Love it !

Omnivore SALADS & GRILLS - Carnivore Sampling Platter ($24.80). For those meat lovers, this dish is definitely a must for them. 

Cin.qo Tapas - Teriyaki Pizza ($15). I remember taking two slices of this delicious pizza ( one slice more than others ). Somehow, the seaweed toppings make it taste really good and my favourite sauce is Teriyaki. Well, you should know my verdict for this dish. Yes, it is my favourite dish. 

Gogibox - Beef Tacos ($6.80) Besides offering beef, they also have chicken, spicy chicken and spicy pork. 

Teppei Syokudo - Kaisendon ($16). Somehow my taste buds does not fancy raw salmon fish. For those raw fish or Sashimi eaters, they will enjoy this dish. 

Cin.qo Tapas - Seafood Paella ($9.50/$12). Mixed seafood in saffron infused European rice. 

Gogibox - GogiPlate ($8.50) Kimchi Fried Rice,Spicy Chicken and Salads. A choice of 1 Korean fried rice  and 1 choice of meats plus salads.  Gogibox is is the first quick-serve Korean food concept in Singapore and serves tasty, wholesome Korean meal. 

Grub Beef Noodle ($8.90)

Grub Pork Collar Noodle ( $9.90)

What better way to chill out with old and new friends at this interesting food outlet with a touch of technology to spice up our appetite. If you have not visited Five Square, do popped over with friends for an evening of nice food and company. 

Video

Thanks Soon Koon, Rachel, Christine and Ling Ling for the invite. 

More information on FIV五 Square:

Operating Hours

Mon-Sat 10am to 12am
Sun and Public Holidays - Closed

Location

 FIVE Square @ Pickering Street

1 Pickering Street #01-03, Singapore 048659

Great Eastern Building

A 5-minute walk from NEL Chinatown & Clarke Quay MRT Stations
A 7-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT Station

Parking available @ Great Eastern Building at the rate of $1.65 per hour

Website :

 http://fivebar.sg/ 

If you require an event photographer, wedding photographer or any other professional photography services, do email me ( Derrick See ) at see323@yahoo.com.sg . You can also message me at my  FACEBOOK account. To view my photos, click My Flicker Photos 

Announcing the arrival of the first Korean Tapas Bar in Singapore

Tuck in quiet Maju Avenue in the affluence Serangoon Garden estate, SYNC Korean Tapas Bar offers a cosy environment where groups can have a relaxed time chatting, and imbibe the Korean culture. The bar opened from 3pm till 12am daily. Plans to provide lunch and weekend brunch menu will follow.

The owners of SYNC, Brian and Lisa wanted to bring the Korean Tapas to everyone, making it affordable, without imposing a service charge. Their first outlet, a Korean bistro at Westgate, currently sits on the apex of Burpple’s hot 100 in October list.

The Korean-inspired tapas menu is the brainchild of both Consultant Chef Edwin Lau, 32 and Head Chef Calista Ong, 26. Both have extensive chef experience especially Edwin Lau. Calista Ong graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.

Here are dishes that I have tried.

Toppoki  S$9.90

Traditional rice cakes covered with sweet and spicy sauce. In addition, sausages added with melted cheese. Very soft and sauce is awesome. This is a mouth-watering dish.

Sogogi Jowl  S$10.90

Char-grilled beef jowl in hoba & garlic confit. The beef is tender and tasty. In addition, the garlic completes the full taste. How do you eat this? Simply pull out the stick and wrap the beef / garlic with sesame leaf and put it whole into your mouth. Highly recommended.

Ssam  $40.90

This dish is very similar to the Chinese cruise, belly pork with bun. But instead of belly pork, pork ribs replace it. The bone can be easily removed. Wrap the meat together with bun and vegetable. Simply Delicious.

Dak-Kang Jung S$9.90

Deep-fried sweet and spicy chicken bites, ricotta chili tempura. I find this dish slightly salty. Very similar in texture to the Chinese cruise, sweet and sour pork. It may appeal to others but this dish is not one of my favourites.

Samgyupsal S$10.90

Char-grilled pork belly with scallion salad and chili yuzu dressing. For a change of the usual salad dressing, let’s have a spicy salad. For those who love it hot, this will be a wonderful dish.

Crackling S$9.90

Crackling of umani cod chips. This is definitely my favourite dish among all the dishes tasted. Unlike the usual crackers, it is soft and tasty. You will not be disappointed with this dish. Remember to order this dish when you are at the bar. Another highly recommended.

Dak Gar-Bi  $39.90 ( 2-3 Shares )

Spicy chicken paella with onions, mushroom, cabbage, sausage, kimchi. Quite a large portion. It has many ingredients. You need to mix it well. There seems to be many flavours such as the sour taste from the lemon, spicy taste come from the chicken and kimchi. According to waitress, this is popular main dish.

Misugaru S$8.90

Misugaru lavacake, vanilla ice cream, strawberries & lime compote. A popular dessert. When you cut the cake, “lava” started to flow out. The concept is unique and refreshing. The cake combine with the “lava” sauce, produces a moist warm cake. Not forgetting the vanilla ice cream to cool you down from the “hot lava”.  

Hotteok S$8.90

Pan-fried chewy sweet Korean pancake with banana foster. Deliciously done pancake which was torched by the chef. You can smell the aroma when dish was served. Same goes for the banana.

Soju Mojito S$9.90

A minty lime drink. Very refreshing. Some may not like the minty taste. As the ice melts, it tastes much better.

Soju Peach Shot S$7.90

This is my favourite drink. Drink it together with a piece of peach does make a difference to your taste bud. Very satisfying… more please.

Bar Details

SYNC Korean Tapas Bar

12 Maju Ave, Serangoon Garden Estate

Opening hours : 3pm to 11pm (Sun to Thurs), 3pm to 12am (Fri, Sat, PH and eve of PH)

Phone Number :6282 9612

Facebook : facebook.com/syncbistro

Promotion

Daily 3pm to 6pm ( starting from 3 Nov to end Dec )

·        Free coffee/tea with any order of dessert

·        S$5.90 beer

·        $9.90 beer + Tapas of the day

3pm onwards, only on Weekends ( starting 8 Nov )

Family Set Meal at $63.90 with 4 Tapas and

1 Paella / Budae Jigae (U.P. $72.80)

A video montage was created for this food tasting event : Video

More photographs can be found at Flickr Photos

Opinion

In my opinion, this is modern Korean foods with a twist. Food design and probably fusion of various Korean, European cuisine and even some influences of Chinese cuisine make this bar a must try restaurant in Singapore. The decoration and environment were well coordinated with its food theme.

“It is only when you try it yourself; you will know the taste of good food.”   

Quote by Derrick See 2014