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

Children Little Museum

All seen on the 1st floor

You always need to start somewhere to explore the world. The thing I dread is that I rarely explore my own home. My dad usually says, "You can do that later. You live here after all." I can prove that wrong so easily. I live here. Life is not a holiday. I don't (usually) have time to do touristy things and when I do I, unfortunately, prefer the comfort of my bed. I could blame the Universe for making my bed so comfortable but ultimately it's because I'm lazy. Lazy to get up and look around Singapore. So when I finally get around to planning a mini staycation weekend for my dad, sis and me, I couldn't believe the amount of things I've been missing out on.

The first of them is the Children Little Museum. Not it's not a grammatical typo. It really is a little museum. It's located just in front of Sultan Mosque in Bussorah Street. You might miss it, first mistaking it for another little antique toy shop. The tiny museum is upstairs and inside you'll find toys, amongst other things, of the olden days. Or as I like to call it my Dad's Era. The Era where you've no Internet and you go outside when the weather's nice... This was a real memorable trip because it's one of the few times I hear my dad talk about his Era. Sure, I had to hear my dad say "When I was you age..." repeatedly but it's worth it to see my dad get excited like a little kid by everything he saw. I could see him fill up with the warmth of Nostalgia. The shop and museum owner was very friendly and held an impressive collection.

Address: 42 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199460
Admission: $2
Opening Hours: 10AM-10PM

Shop Entrance

Shop Entrance

 You can recognise the shop by it's iconic Entrance, guarded by this futuristic robot. Despite being made of metal, all I wanted to do hug it. Hug in the sheer cuteness and nostalgia, which I couldn't feel. By this time dad was just eager to get into the shop. Nostalgia Syndrome I bet. You can buy souvenirs on the 1st floor (top right hand corner picture).

Second Floor Museum

You go upstairs and see the salon and the barber shop. Dad said women use to gossip in the salon (like they don't nowadays...), somethings don't change. The belt in the barber shop, to the right of the mirror, was used to sharpen the blades of the knifes used to murder and slice people's throats  sorry for my active imagination shave and cut hair. 

School

It's time for school! If there was a bell we could ring at school now, I would ring it until my arms ache for lunch. If I get too sleepy, I would put my ears next to it then ring it until I'm wide awake. I should put up a notice for my school to issue a bell, it doesn't sound like a bad idea. In the top right corner are some old kampong games: parachute, darts, gasing (spinning tops), skipping rope and chapteh. Chapteh is a game where you try to keep a weighted shuttlecock in the air using anything except your hands.

Shops

Right outside the school is what my dad claims as an exact replica of his stationery shop outside school. He pointed at everything in the display cased that he had, like those shoes and those board erasers. He was hyperactive, jaw dropping in awe. I don't get to see that often.

Toys...

And more toys

I loved everything in there except for one thing. Those creepy, baby dolls with them blinking eyes and sweet, twisted voices shouting "Mama!". If I was your mama, dolly, I won't be coming for you. I'm convinced they're evil and possessed. In a few words, Chucky's girlfriend. I will not enlighten you on Chucky.

On the top right hand corner (what is it with me and pictures put there...?) is a movie area. I've always wanted to see an outdoor movie with my family and friends. To watch under the stars, covered with blankets, surrounded with food. In Singapore they've one outdoor movie event hosted fortnightly by MovieMob. I haven't gone to one yet since I've just learnt about them, but I can't wait for their next event. You only know the location, date and time of the movie a few days before the show, so it's better to sign up for a newsletter. 

And that's a wrap, It took us only 20 minutes to soak in The Era. So stop by when you've the chance, whether a tourist or resident, this is a good stop. 

Ni