Why Buldak ramen is an US$8 billion brand
Samyang Foods, the manufacturer of Buldak ramen, has gained 93 per cent this year. Trading at 26 times forward earnings, it boasts an US$8.1 billion market cap, as much as bigger rivals Japan's Nissin Foods Holdings and Korea's Nongshim combined.
This rally has also made chief executive Kim Jung Soo, who married into a conglomerate family and turned around the instant-noodle company after it declared bankruptcy in the late 1990s, a rare billionaire in her own right in the country's male-dominated business world.
Not for the faint-hearted
Buldak, which translates to 'fire chicken' in Korean, is not for the faint-hearted. With its debut in 2012, Samyang introduced a level of spice previously unseen in the instant ramen market. It has roughly the same heat level as jalapeno peppers. Last year, Denmark briefly recalled the fiery ramen for being too spicy.
Perhaps because of its 'seriously extreme spice', Buldak has become an object of fascination for social media influencers who might enjoy truth-or-dare antics. The carbonara version, in particular, resembles the boxed macaroni and cheese Americans grew up with – with a kick.
In May, the number of TikTok hashtags related to Buldak surged 250 per cent from last year, according to CLSA, a brokerage. The keyword leaps up on Google trends, too. As these ramen packs go viral online, they fly off supermarket shelves. In the first quarter, revenue in the US jumped 20 per cent quarter on quarter, even as sales at Walmart declined slightly due to a Buldak Carbonara shortage.
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This is nonetheless music to investors' ears: Unrequited love can be a beautiful thing. Upon the completion of a second plant in Miryang in June, Samyang will soon be able to ramp up shipments to major distributors including Costco Wholesale. By 2030, Samyang's market share in the US can double from 8.1 per cent in 2024, according to CLSA estimates.
In many ways, there are parallels between Samyang and China's Pop Mart International Group, the maker of Labubu, an elf-like plush toy that has become a global sensation. With US$45 billion market cap, the toy maker is worth more than twice as much as Sanrio and Mattel combined, owners of long-time favourites Hello Kitty and Barbie.
A man walks with two Labubu plush toys of Pop Mart hanging from his backpack straps in Shanghai. PHOTO: AFP
These products are not for everyone. With pointy ears and nine serrated teeth, Labubu has a weird look, which only some consumers find cute, while others scratch their head and puzzle over its stardom. Existing outside the mainstream, both generate conversation and attract eyeballs. They are designed to go viral.
Adventurous young Americans
Investors are also betting that unlike older generations, young Americans have the adventurous spirit for something different. These days, people are getting hooked on Korean specialty grocery chain H Mart, quite a cultural shift considering cucumbers were a new vegetable for McDonald's US menu just over a decade ago. And the youth are friendlier to China than their parents. IShowSpeed, a streamer with 38 million followers, certainly enjoyed Chinese cars and robots during his two-week trip in the spring.
As for US President Donald Trump's trade policies? Investors are not at all worried, seeing that both brands are tariff-proof. In the US, eating out has become an expensive endeavour. A meal at a fast-food restaurant can easily set you back US$10. Instead, staying at home with a bowl of Buldak ramen, which will cost just over US$2 even with the incremental 25 per cent duty Trump plans to impose on South Korean products, can be equally satisfying. As for Labubu, good luck getting your hands on them at all. They are sold out at Pop Mart's retail stores worldwide.
In a year's time, Gen Z and influencers might have moved on to something different. But for now, investors are happy to reward Samyang and Pop Mart with outsized valuation premium. They know that despite Trump's protectionism, young people are interested in exotic tastes and aesthetics, and that's worth billions. BLOOMBERG
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Let's face it — dining out in Singapore isn't cheap. Between GST, service charge, and the sneaky add-ons, a "simple" buffet outing can feel more like a financial commitment than a casual meal. But what if we told you that feasting like a king doesn't have to cost an arm and leg? With the right deals, you can enjoy top-notch spreads without second-guessing your life choices. Whether you're planning a special occasion or just want to demolish a mountain of prawns on a random Tuesday, we've gathered the best buffet promotions in town for 2025. Wallet-friendly, belly-filling, and 100 per cent worth it. 1. 9 best hotel international buffets (2025 prices) Check out the list below to get up to speed with the latest buffet prices before your next big gathering with your foodie friends or family. Generally, weekend prices are higher than weekday ones, and dinner costs more than lunch. Here are the adult prices for lunch and dinner buffets on weekdays and weekends: Buffet prices for adults Hotel and international buffets Weekday lunch Weekday dinner Weekend lunch Weekend dinner Carousel, Royal Plaza on Scotts (H) $68++ $88++ $78++ $98++ Colony, Ritz-Carlton Hotel $74++ $96++ $78++ (Sat) / From $228++ (Sun brunch) $118++ (Sat) / $96++ (Sun) Edge, Pan Pacific Hotel $72++ $95++ $80++ (Sat) / $118++ (Sun) $110++ (Sat)/ $95++ (Sun) Peppermint, ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay (H) $72++ $98++ $82++ $112++ The Line, Shangri-La Hotel $68++ $118++ $68++ (Sat) / $118++ (Sun) $98++ Landmark (1-for-1), Village Hotel Bugis (H) $85.50++ $94.90++ $88.90++ $102.90++ Oscar's, Conrad Centennial Singapore $68++ From $78++ $68++ From $96++ Rise, Marina Bay Sands $72++ $98++ $92++ (Sat) / $102++ (Sun) $112++ (Sat) / $98 (Sun) 21 on Rajah, Aloft Singapore Novena (H) $56++ $68++ $68++ $78++ Buffet prices above exclude alcoholic beverages, and are before GST and service charge. 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Carousel buffet at Royal Plaza on Scotts ($68++ to $98++) Located in Orchard at the Royal Plaza on Scotts, Carousel's halal-certified international buffet dishes up seafood, Japanese salmon and tuna sashimi, oysters, mud crabs, tiger prawns, snow crab, Korean dishes, tapas, local dishes, and more. Here are the standard buffet prices at Carousel: Weekdays Weekend Carousel buffet Adult Child Adult Child Breakfast (6.30 am – 10 am) $30++ $15++ $30++ $15++ Lunch (12 – 2 pm) $68++ $34++ $78++ $39++ High tea* (3 – 5 pm) – – $58++ $29++ Dinner (6 – 9.30 pm) $88++ $44++ $98++ $49++ * Carousel's High Tea buffet is only available on weekends. In commemoration of SAF Day and to celebrate the contributions of civil servants, Carousel is offering a promotion of 50 per cent off the second diner for Safra members and servicemen from now until Aug 31, 2025. Carousel Phone: +65 6219 3780 Address: Royal Plaza on Scotts, Lobby Level, 25 Scotts Road, Singapore 228220 3. Colony buffet at Ritz-Carlton Hotel ($74++ to $998++) [embed] Ritz-Carlton Hotel's Colony restaurant is best known for their afternoon high tea sets. The international buffet dinner was commonly lauded as one of the best luxury buffets in town, and commanded long queues in the past. On Sundays, Colony hosts their Vintage Champagne Brunch, a lavish affair with unlimited champagne that starts at $228++ and can go up to $998++ for adults. And don't forget GST and service charge. *gulp* But before you write Colony off as 100 per cent unattainable with your current pay check, check out their weekday lunch spread instead. For those of us whose pockets don't go as deep, their weekday lunch buffet costs a much friendlier $74++. Expect fresh seafood, sashimi, sushi, local Singaporean fare, grill and rotisserie cuts, dim sum, tandoor selections, and an assortment of desserts to end on a sweet note. The dinner buffet menu is pretty similar, although you get a few more dishes in the spread such as freshly shucked oysters. On Fridays and Saturdays, dinners at Colony get a seafood spin with dishes like grilled Boston lobster, Spanish black mussel, and grilled octopus leg. Colony buffet prices Adult Child Lunch (Mon – Fri) $74++ $37++ (6-12 years old) Lunch (Sat) $78++ $39++ (6-12 years old) Vintage Champagne Brunch (Sun) $228++ / $698++ / $998++ $57++ (3-5 years old) / $114++ (6-12 years old) Dinner (Sun – Thu) $96++ $48++ (6-12 years old) Seafood dinner (Fri – Sat) $118++ $59++ (6-12 years old) Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm; dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm; Sunday brunch: 12pm – 3.30pm. Prices accurate as of 3 July 2025. Credit card promotions for up to 15% off Colony's buffet: Credit card promotions at Colony Credit card provider Discount Applicable cards DBS/POSB 15per cent off food bill DBS Insignia DBS Treasures Black Elite DBS Vantage DBS Woman's World 10per cent off food bill All other DBS or POSB cards UOB 10per cent off food bill All other UOB cards 15per cent off food bill UOB Reserve UOB Privilege Banking UOB Visa Infinite UOB Lady's Solitaire UOB Empire UOB Regal Business Citibank 10per cent off food bill All other Citibank cards 15per cent off food bill Citi PremierMiles Citi Prestige Citi ULTIMA OCBC 10per cent off food bill OCBC Credit/Debit cards 15per cent off food bill OCBC VOYAGE OCBC Premier VOYAGE OCBC Premier Private Client VOYAGE OCBC Premier Visa Infinite Bank of Singapore VOYAGE HSBC 10per cent off food bill All other HSBC cards 15per cent off food bill HSBC Premier MasterCard HSBC Premier Visa Infinite The credit card promotions above are not applicable for the following: Seafood Dinner (Fridays & Saturdays Dinner). Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon tea and Dinners on weekends, and Sunday Vintage Champagne Brunch. The eve of Public Holiday and Public Holidays, during special promotion and prepayment events. Colony's beverage packages Even though some of the 10 - 15 per cent credit card promotions aren't available on certain days, you can still get cashback with the right dining or cashback credit card. If you're expecting a huge bill that will bust your dining cashback caps (going for the Sunday Vintage Champagne Brunch?), opt for unlimited cashback cards like the Citi Cash Back+ Mastercard or the Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card: Colony Phone: +65 6434 5288 Email: Address: Level 3, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue Singapore, S039799 4. Edge buffet at Pan Pacific Hotel ($72++ to $138++) [embed] Located on Level 3 of Pan Pacific Hotel, Edge's sprawling international buffet holds up to 316 guests at once. The buffet menu is pretty extensive as well, with all the usuals: seafood, sashimi, local dishes, Cantonese roast dishes, plant-based salads, hummus and kebabs, cheeses, hams, sausages, and desserts. Plus, from what we see, Edge's buffet menu is perhaps one of the most vegetarian-friendly menus around town, with mains like roasted cauliflower, eggplant stew, carrot soup, and vegetarian curries and biryani. If you've done a staycation at Pan Pacific Hotel over the past two years and became a member of Pan Pacific Privileges, you get to enjoy 10 per cent off (Premium members) and 15 per cent off (Prestige members) off your bill. Edge is a great buffet option for families. Not only is the restaurant child-friendly, but it's also wheelchair accessible and offers free parking-very useful for those families dining with seniors. Edge regular buffet prices Adult Child (6 – 12 years old) Lunch (Mon – Fri) $72++ $36++ Dinner (Sun – Thu) $95++ $47.50++ Dinner (Fri – Sat) $110++ $55++ Brunch (Sat / Sun) $80++ / $118++ $40++ / $59++ Brunch: 12 – 3pm; lunch: 12 – 2.30pm; dinner: 6 – 10pm Credit card promotions for up to 15% off at Edge: HSBC: 15 per cent off total bill for lunch, dinner, and brunch with HSBC credit cards. Valid till Dec 30, 2025. Maybank: 15 per cent off with DBS credit or debit cards from now till Dec 31, 2025. Edge Phone: +65 6826 8240 Email: Address: Level 3, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore 039595 5. Peppermint buffet at ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay ($72++ to $138++) [embed] Peppermint is a swanky buffet spot with pretty Instagram-worthy capsule seats nestled in ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay. Like its predecessor AquaMarine, Peppermint is also halal-certified. At Peppermint, expect an international buffet with usuals such as seafoods, sashimi, bread, roast meats and seafood, but also special chef creations. Don't forget to do some exploring and step out onto their terrace, which is home to their Urban Farm. There, Peppermint grows over 60 varieties of herbs, edible flowers and vegetables that they use in their food and drinks. Here are the Peppermint international buffet prices: Peppermint buffet prices Adult Child Weekday Lunch (Mon – Thu, 12 – 2.30 pm) $72++ $36++ Weekend Lunch (Fri – Sun, 12 – 3.30 pm) $82++ $41++ Weekday Dinner (Mon – Thu, 6.30 – 10 pm) $98++ $49++ Weekend Dinner (Fri – Sun, 6.30 – 10 pm) $112++ $56++ Child pricing applies to children aged 6 to 12 years old. Peppermint is serving up a Seoul Good Buffet from June 6 till July 13, 2025. Look forward to hearty Korean dishes curated by Chef de Cuisine Chef Leon and his culinary team. Tuck into favourites like Soegogi-yachaejuk (Wagyu beef brisket and seaweed rice soup), spicy Ramyeon Chijimi, indulgent Korean Cheese Grilled Lobster, and staples like Tteokbokki, Kimchi Bokkeumbap, and Bibimbap. Credit card promotions for up to 15% off your Peppermint buffet: Maybank: 15 per cent off total bill at Peppermint with Maybank credit cards. Valid till Dec 31, 2025. Peppermint Phone: +65 6845 1111 Email: Address: 6 Raffles Blvd, Level 4 ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore 039594 6. The Line buffet at Shangri-La Hotel ($68++ to $168++) [embed] The holy grail of all international buffets in Singapore is The Line at Shangri-La Hotel. Pre-Covid, you'd have to book your spot a month or so in advance to secure yourself a slot. Today, The Line isn't that coveted anymore. But it still has a fairly good reputation for its buffet spreads. The Line features different buffet specialties on different nights. For example, Thursday dinners are their Seafood Extravaganza nights with Boston Lobster, Snow Crab, and Half Shell Scallop on ice. Oyster lovers, take notes: Thursday nights at The Line also come with an oyster feast of Depp Fried Oyster and Grilled Oyster with either XO Sauce or Salted Egg Bechamel and Cheese . Here are The Line's buffet prices: The Line festive buffet prices (adults) Lunch (12 pm – 2.30 pm) Dinner (6 pm – 9.30 pm) Monday – – Tuesday – – Wednesday – – Thursday $68++ $118++ Friday $68++ $118++ Saturday $68++ $98++ Sunday $118++ $98++ Shangri-La Circle members: Children 6 – 11 years old pay 50per cent of the adult price. Up to two children below six years old dine for free when accompanied by a dine-in adult. The Line Phone: +65 6213 4398 Email: Address: Tower Wing, Lower Lobby, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350 7. Landmark 1-for-1 buffet at Village Hotel Bugis ($85.90++ to $102.90++) Need a hotel setting and an international buffet menu to impress your date…but on a budget? At Village Hotel Bugis, Landmark's 1-for-1 buffet from $85.90++ ($103 nett) for two pax is your best bet. Wait, what is Village Hotel Bugis even? It's that greyish looking building that you always pass by en route to Haji Lane, with escalators leading up to a dingy shopping arcade full of vintage tailor and Chinese cheongsam shops. Yup, your date won't be the most impressed with the walk there… so maybe you'd want to take a Grab or any other ride-hailing service directly to the hotel's drop off point. Landmark buffet offers three menus, namely Menu A, B, and C, and they're all halal-certified and all applicable for the permanent 1-1 buffet deals Landmark has. The only downside is that the spreads aren't quite as extensive as the others on this list. But then again, neither are their prices as high, so we can't really complain. Landmark buffet prices Adults Children (4 – 8 years old) 1-1 weekday lunch (Mon – Fri) $85.90++ ($103 nett) $15++ ($17.98 nett) 1-1 weekend lunch (Sat – Sun, PH, eve of PH) $88.90++ ($106.60 nett) 1-1 weekday dinner (Mon – Thu) $94.90++ ($113.80 nett) 1-1 weekend dinner (Fri – Sun, PH, eve of PH) $102.90++ ($123.40 nett) Lunch: 12 – 2.30pm / Dinner: 6.30 – 10pm Landmark Phone: +65 629 97786 WhatsApp: +65 8869 9114 Email: enquiry@ Address: 390 Victoria Street, #05-01 Singapore 188061 8. Oscar's buffet at Conrad Centennial Singapore ($68++ to $96++) If you crave the variety of buffets but also can't live without freshly cooked food, Oscar's at Conrad Centennial Singapore may be the solution. Their buffet comes with both a sumptuous buffet spread as well as live stations, such as a noodle bar and Asian and Western stations. That doesn't mean they skimp on the free-flow buffet items; you can expect the usual international buffet culprits such as lobsters and oysters on ice, sashimi, salads, and dishes from Asia and the West. Oscar's offers two buffet dining options: weekday lunch (12 - 2.30pm) and daily dinner (6 - 10.30pm). Here are their buffet prices: Oscar's festive buffet prices Adults Children (6 – 12 years old) Weekday lunch (Mon – Sun) $68++ $34++ Dinner (Sun – Tue / Wed – Sat) $78++ / $96++ $39++ / $48++ If you're a Hilton Honours member, you enjoy discounted rates at Oscar's buffets: Base & Silver: 10 per cent off Gold & Diamond: 25 per cent off Oscar is also running an SG60 special, featuring a lunch buffet from June 23 to Aug 21, 2025, and a dinner special from Aug 4 to 9, 2025. Expect a spread of both local and international flavours — from Ayam Masak Merah and Sambal Prawn with Petai to fresh oysters, Japanese sashimi, and laksa. Credit card promotions for up to 15% off at Oscar's: DBS credit cards: 15 per cent off Weekday and Weekend Buffet Lunch & Dinner. Valid from now till Aug 31, 2025. Oscar's Phone: +65 6432 7481 Email: Address: 2 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038982 9. Rise buffet at Marina Bay Sands ($72++ to $122++) Rise's international buffet aims to give you "the world at your table" — their words, not ours. The classy restaurant located at the Marina Bay Sands Tower 1 lobby is the Winner for Best Buffet, RAS Epicurean Star Award 2023, was listed in the 2024 Tatler Dining Guide, and is also a people's favourite as the winner of Travellers' Choice 2024 on Tripadvisor. It offers a selection of food from Thai and Vietnamese cuisines, local Singapore delights, and the usual buffet fare of seafood on ice, sashimi, sushi, carved meats, and a spread of Asian and Western desserts. Their weekday lunch buffet stands out for being one of the most affordable ones on this list, starting from $72++. Who knew, right? And at Marina Bay Sands too! Plus, if you're a Sands Lifestyle member, you can earn up to 20per cent instant Resort Dollars on your spending. Rise's buffet prices Adults Children (6 – 12 years old) Weekday lunch (Mon – Fri) $72++ $36++ Weekend lunch (Sat) $92++ $46++ Weekend lunch (Sun) $102++ $51++ Weekday dinner (Sun – Thu) $98++ $49++ Weekend dinner (Fri – Sat) $112++ $56++ Lunch buffet Mon – Fri: 12pm – 2.45pm (last seating) Sat – Sun: 12pm – 3.30pm (last seating) Dinner buffet Sun – Thu: 5pm – 9.45pm (last seating) Fri – Sat: 5pm – 10.15pm (last seating) Rise Phone: +65 6688 5525 Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Lobby Hotel Tower 1, Singapore 018972 10. 21 on Rajah at Aloft Singapore Novena ($56++ to $78++) [embed] Located in Aloft Singapore Novena, 21 on Rajah is a Halal-certified restaurant that serves up the best of East and West. They specialise in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, with Mediterranean classics like hummus and lavosh featured alongside a variety of Asian staples like sushi and beef rendang. Round off your meal with a spread of desserts, a selection of ice creams, and a chocolate fondue the kids (and even most adults!) will love. One of the more affordable buffets out there, 21 on Rajah's buffets usually start from $56++ for weekday lunch and go up to $78++ for weekend dinner. From now till July 5, 2025, they will be having a Taste of Thailand special, replacing their normal menu. Buffet Type Days & Time Price per adult Price per child (6-12 years old) Weekday Lunch Mon to Fri, 12 – 2.30 pm $56++ $28++ Weekend Brunch Sat and Sun, 12 – 3 pm $68++ $34++ Weekday Dinner Sun to Thu, 6 – 10 pm $68++ $34++ Weekend Dinner Fri and Sat, 6 – 10 pm $78++ $39++ Promotions for up to 15% off at 21 on Rajah: 30 per cent off (April 1 – Nov 30, 2025) adult buffets for Safra members and servicemen. Flash your Safra card/e-card or pay with NS LifeSG credits. Up to 50 per cent off for PAssion members: 15 per cent off adult buffet (promo code: PASSION15) / 50 per cent off buffet for seniors (promo code: PASSION50) 21 on Rajah Phone: +65 6808 6847 Email: 21onrajah@ Address: Aloft Singapore Novena, East Wing, 1 Jalan Rajah, Singapore 329133 11. Best Halal buffets in Singapore (2025) Out of the nine most popular buffets in Singapore listed above, four of them are halal-certified: Carousel buffet (Royal Plaza on Scotts) Peppermint buffet (ParkRoyal Marina Bay) Landmark buffet (Village Hotel Bugis) 21 on Rajah (Aloft Singapore Novena) Always check the terms and conditions for credit card buffet promotions first. Typically you have to call to reserve, quote your bank name to secure the discount, and pay using that card. Usually both credit or debit cards are accepted as long as it's from the partner bank. Sign up for your preferred credit card from DBS/POSB, Citibank, UOB, OCBC, HSBC, and Maybank now to enjoy the buffet discounts below. 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Carlton Hotel Singapore 1-for-1 Weekday (Mon to Fri) Lunch Buffet for Adult Diners 31 Dec 2025 CLOVE, Swissotel The Stamford 20 per cent off food bill 30 Dec 2025 StraitsKitchen, Grand Hyatt Singapore 15 per cent off total food bill 30 Sep 2025 Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Singapore 1-for-1 Dinner Buffet and Second Diner 50 per cent off Lunch Buffet 30 Dec 2025 UOB credit card buffet promotions 2025 Restaurant Promotion Valid till Town Restaurant, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore For UOB Reserve, Visa Infinite, Lady's Solitaire, Privilege Banking, Regal and Empire Business Cardmembers only: – 20 per cent off a la carte food menu – 20 per cent off lunch & dinner buffet All other UOB Cards: – 15 per cent off lunch & dinner buffet 30 Dec 2025 HSBC credit card buffet promotions 2025 Restaurant Promotion Valid till Asian Market Café, Fairmont Singapore 20 per cent off food bill Unspecified Café 2000, M Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total bill 31 Dec 2025 CLOVE, Fairmont Singapore 20 per cent off food bill Unspecified Colony, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore 10 per cent off / 15 per cent off (for Premier Mastercard and Visa Infinite cardmembers) food bill or Afternoon Tea 7 Nov 2025 Food Capital, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off food bill 31 Dec 2025 LUCE, InterContinental Singapore 15 per cent off total bill for buffet 30 Dec 2025 Princess Terrace, Copthorne King's Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off food bill 31 Dec 2025 The Buffet Restaurant, M Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total food bill 31 Dec 2025 The Dining Room, Sheraton Towers Singapore 15 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 The Lobby Lounge, InterContinental Singapore 15 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 The Orchard Café, Orchard Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off food bill 31 Dec 2025 Town Restaurant, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off (HSBC Premier MasterCard/ Visa Infinite Credit Card members) / 15per cent off à la carte food bill and lunch & dinner buffet 30 Dec 2025 OCBC credit card buffet promotions 2025 Restaurant Promotion Expiry Asian Market Café, Fairmont Singapore 30 per cent off total bill 31 Aug 2025 Café Mosaic, Carlton Hotel Singapore – 1-for-1 Weekday Lunch Buffet (Mon-Fri)– 1-for-1 Seafood Dinner Buffet (Thu-Sat) & Seafood Lunch Buffet (Sun)– 20 per cent off Mains (excluding lunch sets) 30 Dec 2025 Café 2000, M Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 CLOVE, Swissôtel The Stamford 30 per cent off total bill 31 Aug 2025 Colony, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore OCBC VOYAGE Card, OCBC Premier VOYAGE Card, OCBC Premier Private Client VOYAGE Card, OCBC Premier VISA Infinite Credit Card, and Bank of Singapore VOYAGE Card:– 15 per cent off Lunch Buffet (Mon-Fri) and Dinner Buffet (Mon-Thu)– 15 per cent off Afternoon Tea (Mon-Fri) 30 Dec 2025 All OCBC Cards:– 10 per cent off Lunch Buffet (Mon-Fri) and– 10 per cent off Dinner Buffet (Mon-Thu)– 10per cent off Afternoon Tea (Mon-Fri) Crossroads Buffet, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 Food Capital Restaurant, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 LUCE, InterContinental Singapore 15 per cent off daily buffets 30 Dec 2025 Makan@Jen, JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La – 1-for-1 dinner buffet (Mon-Wed)– 25 per cent off total bill for lunch buffet (Sat-Sun)– 25 per cent off total bill for dinner buffet (Fri-Sat)– 15 per cent off for ala carte menu items (Alcohol, non-alcohol and food) 30 Dec 2025 Plate, Carlton City Hotel Singapore 1-for-1 Sea and Grill Buffet Dinner every Friday and Saturday 27 Dec 2025 Princess Terrace Authentic Penang Cuisine, Copthorne King's Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 Racines, Sofitel Singapore City Centre – 1-for-1 Ultimate Buffet Brunch every Saturday (1230 – 3 pm)– 20 per cent off a la carte food 30 Dec 2025 Riverside Terrace, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 Sky22, Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 StraitsKitchen, Grand Hyatt Singapore 15 per cent off Lunch and Dinner Buffets 30 Dec 2025 Sun's Cafe, Hotel Grand Pacific Singapore 1-for-1 Peranakan Buffet 30 Dec 2025 The Buffet Restaurant, M Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 The Dining Room, Sheraton Towers Singapore 15 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 The Lobby Lounge, InterContinental Singapore 15 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 The Orchard Cafe, Orchard Hotel Singapore 20 per cent off total bill 30 Dec 2025 Town Restaurant, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore OCBC VOYAGE Card, OCBC Premier VOYAGE Card, OCBC Premier Private Client VOYAGE Card, OCBC Premier VISA Infinite Credit Card, and Bank of Singapore VOYAGE Card:– 15 per cent off Lunch and Dinner Buffet– 15 per cent off Ala-Carte menu 30 Dec 2025 All OCBC Cards:– 15 per cent off Lunch and Dinner Buffet– 15 per cent off Ala-Carte menu Maybank credit card buffet promotions 2025 Restaurant Promotion Expiry Asian Market Cafe, Fairmont Singapore 20per cent off food bill 30 Dec 2025 CLOVE, Swissôtel The Stamford 20per cent off food bill 30 Dec 2025 Crossroads Buffet, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel 20per cent off food bill 31 Dec 2025 Edge, Pan Pacific Singapore 15per cent off food bill 31 Dec 2025 Ginger, ParkRoyal on Beach Road 15per cent off total bill 31 Dec 2025 Lime Restaurant and Bar, ParkRoyal Collection Pickering, Singapore 15per cent off total bill 31 Dec 2025 Peppermint, ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore 15per cent off total bill 31 Dec 2025 13. American Express - Love Dining programme's buffet dining promotions 2025 Unlike its competitors, American Express doesn't offer 1-for-1 buffets to anyone with a credit card. Instead, you need to sign up for the Amex Platinum Card in order to get decent buffet discounts. The Platinum card lets you take part in Amex's dining programme, Love Dining, which gives you up to 50 per cent off at atas restaurants and hotel buffets in Singapore. To get the maximum 50 per cent discount, you need to dine with one friend/date. Otherwise, your discount ranges from only 15 per cent to 35 per cent. Participating dining establishments for hotel buffets include: Asian Market Cafe (Fairmont Singapore) Crossroads Buffet (Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel) Ellenborough Market Café (Paradox Singapore – Merchant Court at Clarke Quay) CLOVE (Swissôtel The Stamford) Town Restaurant (Fullerton Hotel) the kitchen table (W Singapore – Sentosa Cove) Didn't see any credit card dining promotions that suit you? Here are some best credit cards for dining so you can at least maximise your cashback and other savings. Get 8per cent cashback on dining with the HSBC Live+ Card. Plus, you'll get complimentary access to 1-for-1 dining deals via the ENTERTAINER with HSBC app. Use the Citi Cash Back Card for six per cent cashback on dining, including caterers, eating places, restaurants, and fast food restaurants worldwide. Earn 5 per cent cashback on everyday dining with the OCBC 365 Credit Card. 15. Best dining deals that are alternatives to buffets Aside from the promotional validity dates, many of these promotions are limited to a certain number of diners per day or promotional period. If for whatever reason you're not able to get a seat, don't despair — there are other food reward and dining apps to help you save on that buffet feast, including Chope, The Entertainer, Burpple Beyond, and Fave. [[nid:719778]] This article was first published in MoneySmart .
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Want a good meal? Head to factoryland
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Convenience is king, but intrepid Singaporean diners have been known to travel far and wide for good food. Even if it means eating in an area filled with factories and workshops. That is how they found Seafood Paradise, which began in 2002 in a canteen in Defu Lane, an industrial area. Today, the Paradise Group has 155 restaurants in 12 cities and has spawned 12 brands. These include Taste Paradise at Ion Orchard; Paradise Teochew at Scotts Square; and hotpot chain Beauty In The Pot, with four outlets here, including at Centrepoint. New Ubin Seafood, now at Chijmes, was located for some years in Sin Ming Industrial Estate, amid car workshops. More recently, diners have flocked to Na Oh , the one-year-old Korean restaurant in Jurong West, housed in car manufacturer Hyundai's factory and innovation centre. Two new restaurants might find the success these brands have had in industrial locations. Revolution, which opens on July 18, is next to Danish furniture brand Fritz Hansen's showroom in Henderson Road. And Richman Dim Sum in Ubi Crescent has been packed since opening two months ago. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Life SG60 F&B icons: 20 dishes and drinks which have shaped Singaporeans' taste buds Life At 79, she can do 100 pull-ups: Why more seniors are hitting the gym Life The rise of Tupai King, the rage of weather: How durian season is changing Life Hear Me Out: What I wish my parents knew before I was diagnosed with ADHD Designer furniture for dining space Revolution (opens July 18) Where: 01-05, 211 Henderson Road Open: 11am to 3pm (lunch), 3 to 5pm (tea time) (Mondays to Saturdays), closed Sundays Info: @r_evolution.sg (Instagram) There are perks to dining at Revolution, opening on July 18 at 211 Henderson Road, an industrial building housing logistics, automotive, catering and other companies. Danish furniture design company Fritz Hansen is moving its showroom there from Tan Boon Liat Building, and has carved out space for the 40-seat bistro. Those seats are the 153-year-old brand's Grand Prix chairs, designed in 1957 by Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen. Diners eat off the brand's Superellipse and Supercircular tables by Danish mathematician, designer and inventor Piet Hein; Swedish designer and architect Bruno Mathsson; and Jacobsen. The space is lit by Kaiser Idell pendant and wall lamps by German designer Christian Dell. But Mr Dario Reicherl, Fritz Hansen's chief executive for Asia, says the whole enterprise is not about selling more furniture. 'When you go to a furniture store to buy a chair or lights, I find that a boring experience. We want to do here something that goes against the Singapore experience. Create good memories and fun. Create something that doesn't exist here,' he says. The 50-year-old, who has lived in Singapore for about 20 years, has done the same in South Korea, partnering wine bar Big Lights to open a natural wine bistro above the Fritz Hansen showroom in Seoul. Fritz Hansen Asia chief executive Dario Reicherl at the Danish furniture brand's Henderson Road showroom, where space has been carved out for Revolution bistro. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI In 2023, it was Tokyo's turn. The brand outfitted Le Ginglet in Iidabashi, known for serving natural wine and housemade charcuterie. In Singapore, he roped in Mr Alvin Gho, 44, and Mr Ian Lim, 41, who used to run Wine RVLT, a natural wine bar in Carpenter Street that closes on July 12. Mr Reicherl had been a customer there for about five years. Mr Gho and Mr Lim had been looking for their next project after eight years of running RVLT. The rent at Henderson is about a third of what they used to pay in Carpenter Street, and Revolution will be a different concept altogether. For one thing, it will be more food-focused. RVLT chef Sunny Leong, 35, has worked at fine-dining restaurants such as Corner House and Sky On 57, and will be leading the new kitchen. The wine list will be more diverse, with natural and organic wines, and wines from Burgundy, France. Prices will range from $80 to $600 a bottle. (From left) Revolution co-founders Ian Lim and Alvin Gho used to run Wine RVLT, a natural wine bar in Carpenter Street. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Mr Gho says: 'People want to go out and spend money, but they are drinking a lot less. Our regulars are now in their 40s, with one or two kids. They don't want to get smashed on a night out, but they are still happy to go out for dinner.' The restaurant will open only for lunch initially. Set lunches are priced at $28.80 and will include salad, a choice of pasta and a drink. Pasta selections include Hua Diao White Clams Linguine, Mala-pesto Trofie and Salted Egg Carbonara Spaghetti. After 3pm, diners can order Salted Cod Portuguese Egg Tart ($12) and Pork Sausage Roll ($8) to go with wine. Dinner service will open to the public in September or October, with five-course tasting menus priced at $98 a person, and a menu of sharing dishes for large groups of diners. The offerings have not been finalised, but the tasting menu may include Chicken Skin Foie Gras Stroopwafel, Blue Mussel Cheong Fun and herbal roasted duck. Sharing main dishes include Grilled Sole Fish with Ginger Flower Sauce Vierge and Charcoal Grilled Wagyu Tomahawk with mashed potato. Mr Lim says: 'We've been proud of the food Sunny has put out at RVLT. But the setting was a wine bar. We promised to give him a proper kitchen, and a chance to showcase what he can do.' Mr Reicherl says of the partnership with the Revolution team: 'This place doesn't want to be another furniture-brand cafe. Fritz Hansen is a design brand that is more than 150 years old, we don't follow trends. We have a lot in common. What they are doing is different from others.' Richman dimsum, average-Joe prices Richman Dim Sum Where: 01-05 Excalibur Centre, 71 Ubi Crescent Open: 7.30am to 4pm daily Info: @richmandimsum (Instagram) Taro puffs shaped like swans, mushroom buns shaped like snails, har kow with fuchsia skin coloured with beetroot – the dimsum at Richman, a two-month-old restaurant, looks like it comes from an upscale restaurant in a hotel. But the prices show that you need not be a rich man to dine at Richman. The Crispy Taro Swans are priced at $6.80 for three, the Crispy Mushroom Snails are $5.80 for three and Beetroot Shrimp Dumplings are $5.80 for three. Most of the other dimsum – including Hand-Chopped Siew Mai, Homemade Carrot Cake, Hand Pulled Char Siew Rice Rolls – are priced at $4.80 a serving. Prices start at $2.90 for Fresh Shrimp Yong Tau Foo. Richman Dim Sum's food includes (from left) Crispy Taro Swans, Har Cheong Squid, Muah Otah Siew Mai, Cantonese Dried Vegetable & Salted Pork Porridge, Beetroot & Rice Crisps Rice Rolls and Crispy Popiah Rice Rolls. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI The restaurant is the latest venture for restaurateur Keith Kang, 42, who also has Yang Ming Seafood in Bishan, Ubi Crescent and VivoCity; and Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe in Craig Road and Somerset. In fact, he had bought the coffee-shop space in Ubi Crescent to open the second Yang Ming outlet, and was renting out the other stalls. He tells The Straits Times: 'When Yang Ming in Bishan got too busy, I started looking around for another space. I drove by this place and although it looked old, I saw there was potential. The outdoor area has a kampung atmosphere, and a breeze.' So, he opened Yang Ming there in 2021, and it did well. The tenants, however, had manpower issues, and some owed rent. Mr Kang adds that he had always wanted to open a dimsum restaurant, but that the chef he wanted to work with was unavailable at first. Finally, that chef, 47-year-old Foo Wah Keng, was – and Richman opened on May 5. Mr Kang says: 'When I go out for dimsum, hotels are good but the prices are high. Finding hawker stalls selling good-quality dimsum is hard.' Between Yang Ming and Richman, Mr Kang has no problem putting bums in the many seats. Indoors, the place seats 226, with 70 seats in the main dining area, a 120-seat air-conditioned dining room and a 36-seat private room. There are 150 seats outdoors. On weekends, he says, the place is packed. Chef Foo, who had worked at Crystal Jade and Mouth Restaurant, among other places, offers dimsum that diners might be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. There is steamed Coconut & Salted Egg Layer Cake ($5.80); Crispy Popiah Rice Rolls ($6.80), which are cheung fun stuffed with popiah filling and crispy wafers; and Har Cheong Squid ($5.80), squid steamed with fermented prawn paste. Richman Dim Sum's Har Cheong Squid is unlikely to be found elsewhere. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Mr Kang says: 'Of all the food businesses I have, dimsum is the most labour-intensive. It's hard to find people with the skills to make dimsum and who want to work in a hot kitchen.' He has air blowers in the kitchen for the nine staff, and the restaurant hires additional people on weekends to cope with the crowds. Aside from about 40 varieties of dimsum, Richman also offers roast meats, which can be had on their own or with noodles. Prices start at $4.50 for Wanton Char Siew Noodle. With people flocking to Richman, the natural progression would be to expand. But Mr Kang wants to run the business for a year before deciding. 'Customers have complained about the long wait for tables and food,' he says. 'And we sometimes run out of certain items. Everything is handmade. I can expand only if I can hire more workers.'
