Have a break, Have a Fika - A Halal Swedish Restaurant

Fika - "Fika is a social institution in Sweden; it means having a coffee with one's colleagues, friends, date, or family. The word has quite ambiguous connotations and can mean anything from taking a break from work or other activities, to going on a date."

- Fika, restaurant website

No pork.
No lard.
No alcohol.
Halal meat only.

So many restrictions being a Muslim when eating. It gets difficult when you're in a foreign country or when you want to savour foreign food. This is why a HALAL Swedish Restaurant is a definite gem bomb. It's as rare as finding Unicorn meat. Ok, maybe not that rare but it's amazing. I've always wanted  to try the IKEA food. I heard the meatballs were good but without further ado, Fika.

Address:

No. 257 Beach Road / Arab Street, 

Singapore

#01-20 Millenia Walk,
9 Raffles Boulevard

Opening Hours:

Sun-Wed 11am-10pm

Thu-Sat 11am-11pm

Telephone:
Beach Road - +65 6396 9096
Millenia Walk - +65 6336 7234

Pricing: 
3/5
Average food pricing: SGD17
Average drink pricing: SGD7

The boutique restaurant is nestled right at the entrance of Beach Street and Arab Street. I haven't been to the one in Millenia Walk. It stands out amongst the neighbouring shops as it's simply furnished. Unlike the other shops its painted white with white chairs and tables. It gives off a relaxing, polished vibe. The staff was very friendly and upbeat. They all had a smile on their face, which I needed since I haven't had lunch even though it was 6PM and my stomach had a bad case of the grumblies.

Now, let's get to the important bit, FOOD!

Delicious food

The Rose hip Soup (left) was definitely unique. It tasted like the juice of a fruit that's a cross between an orange and apple but warm and thicker. I wasn't expecting that. It was... different. I can't say I loved it but it's so unique I couldn't hate it. But I wouldn't order it again. It tasted better through a straw then a spoon. Yes, I sticked a straw in there. Aside from tasting, I also learnt of a new fruit. The rose hip fruit is the fruit of a rose (duh, no surprise there). Rose hip, sounds so exotic and hip. Not hip in a hippy way but in a more "I found a Unicorn" way. Rare. The Minestrone soup was good and had lots of pow! Also warming in the stomach. 

I'm a beef lover. I love it. So naturally I got the Meatballs. They were so good. They had a crunchy outside and a soft inside that's simply flavoured. The lingonberry jam was delicious, sweet and sour. The portions are large, so it's better to share a meal, even my dad couldn't finish his Paanbiff by himself. 

Desert Counter and a Swedish Chocolate Ball

 Oh! My sweet dessert! They had a variety of cakes and all of them were looking good. I could've eaten any of them but since I'm here for the experience I tried the Swedish Chocolate Ball (bottom, right) instead. If I wasn't so full from all the Meatballs, I would've finished it. One was coated with chocolate sprinkles (shown) and one was coated with coconut (not shown). The one with sprinkles used less dark chocolate and was sweeter. The coconut one was much darker. It's the perfect dessert for dark chocolate lovers.

It's a great restaurant for special family occasions or to grab a bite. So, now go on, try it yourself!

Ni