Ramen Champion. That is the name of the Japanese village-like food court at Iluma shopping centre which boasts six big name Japanese ramen restaurants taking part in a year-long ramen challenge.

A first of its kind in Singapore, the winner of this ramen challenge gets to become Singapore’s Ramen Champion and set up shop in the food court after the contest ends 30 June 2012.

Since the challenge began last July, all six ramen restaurants – Gantetsu, Tetsu, Ikkousha, Bario, Taishoken and Menya Iroha – have been actively trying to engage patrons to tryout their ramen dishes and vote for them.

Six Japanese ramen restaurants in one dining hall: 

At Gantetsu ramen restaurant, patrons get to savour a large bowl of tasty Sapporo miso ramen topped with a generous serving of greens and meats. Emphasis is placed on the natural sweetness of the ingredients used by celebrity chef Masaki. Add a pinch of salt into the broth and stir it with butter to get a good mix of naturally salty and sweet flavours.

In addition to that, the noodle texture is smooth and springy, it’s nice to chew!

Like the Sapporo miso ramen served at Gantetsu ramen restaurant, the Mori soba ramen served at Menya Iroha ramen restaurant is equally tasty. Ravenous patrons are welcome to request for more noodles at an additional charge of SGD $3; however, the restaurant’s regular bowl of noodles is already big on size.

As a rule of thumb, unless you have an appetite of a bear, never ever ask more noodles. It would take a gargantuan man to wolf down an entire bowl of Mori soba ramen.

If you are looking forward to having a sumptuous meal at Ramen Champion, look no further than Bario ramen restaurant; the restaurant serves ramen which is specially catered to the Japanese taste buds.

Also known as the “jumbo” of all six restaurants, Bario ramen restaurant’s signature Bario ramen packs a punch of irresistible flavours. Like Gantetsu ramen restaurant Sapporo miso ramen, the Bario ramen is topped with a generous serving of greens and meats; at first glance, this dish resembles a miniature mountain!

Last but not least, both Ikkousha and Tetsu ramen restaurant hail from Tokyo, the birthplace of the Tsukumen ramen. Two recommended ramen dishes are the Tsukumen ramen (Ikkousha) and Tetsu Paitan Tsukumen (Tetsu); you will regret not trying these two dishes.

Lastly, the beautiful prefecture of Kyushu, too, has its foodie pride. At Ikkousha ramen restaurant, enjoy a blast of fresh flavours from the finest of ingredients in a bowl of Hakata Ajitama ramen. Ingredients are, of course, handpicked to ensure good food quality and taste.

For more information on Ramen Champion, visit www.ramenchampion.com.sg

From the moment you enter Toby’s the Dessert Asylum restaurant, you are effectively seeking asylum, however, in paradise. Located on the second floor of Parkway Parade shopping centre, the newly opened Toby’s the Dessert Asylum restaurant features a variety of creative Western food and drinks served under beach umbrellas. Think having a meal by the beach, that’s the vibe Toby’s the Dessert Asylum restaurant exudes.

And if you are planning a dinner date with your significant other, look no further than Toby’s the Dessert Asylum restaurant. You will not be disappointed by this new kid on the block, especially in the department of gastronomy.

Toby's the Dessert Asylum serves mouth-watering food in Eastern Singapore. Photo Credits: Calvin Timo, http://calvintimo.tumblr.com

Interior and Ambience: Situated at the veranda of Parkway Parade shopping centre, Toby’s the Dessert Asylum restaurant boasts a cosy setting good for chilling out. The restaurant’s dining hall is divided into two sections: front and back. The front is for patrons to hang out over drinks and desserts, the back is designed for those who want to rest and relax. Hints of pink, blue and yellow words scribbled on black walls add a touch of livery to an otherwise casual dining hall.

What’s Good: Chocolate mud pies – check! German cheese and Bratwurst – check! Toby’s deluxe burger – check! Spinach mushroom hotpies – check! These are some of the many irresistible, highly creative delights of Toby’s the Dessert Asylum restaurant, you will regret not trying. Begin with a sinful slice of Spike D chocolate fudge cake; it’s time to leave your woes behind and indulge in a pleasant meal oozing with creativity.

Mmm...believe it or not, the food served at this restaurant comes with creative names and extension handlers! Well, the Spike D fudge cake at Toby's the Dessert Asylum is a best-seller. Photo Credits: Krystynn SG

Don’t forget to place an order for a drink, because no meal is ever complete without refreshment. Toby’s the Asylum restaurant features a bevy of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for you to choose from depending on your personal taste and preferences.

The Damage: Be prepared to be $75 poorer if you want to feast lavishly at Toby’s the Dessert Asylum.

Toby’s the Dessert Asylum

80 Marine Parade Road, Parkway Parade

Tel: 6346 2435

Opens 11 a.m. – 9 p.m, daily 

For more than half a decade, Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant has been actively capturing Singaporean stomachs, offering affordable Japanese food in a mildly cosy environment. The restaurant beckons with over 30 ramen dishes that appeal to the Singaporean taste bud, many of which are heavily localised. From the piping hot Hokkaido ramen to specially prepared Tom Yam ramen, a delightful feast awaits at Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant.

All in all, Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant has 17 branches strategically scattered around Singapore, it is hard to give this restaurant a miss. Especially if you are living in the heartlands, Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant serves as a popular hangout place for families to dine in an environment conducive for bonding.

One of Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant's many branches. Photo Credits: Ken Song of www.lovesingaporefood.blogspot.com

On a Cautionary Note:

However, be forewarned that Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant is the place where carbohydrates live. A bowl of ramen is loaded with white noodles to its brim and the menu is cluttered with pictures of bite-sized pan-fried dishes the colour of gold.

Service-wise, NEWSPRINT feels that Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant could do more to improve on this aspect, particularly on the speed of its delivery. We believe that a hungry man is an angry man and most Singaporeans are short-tempered creatures who are not willing to wait, wait and wait for their meals to arrive.

What’s Good: Ramen, ramen and more ramen, Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant is the best place to fuel your noodle cravings. Here, a bowl of ramen cost $11 and will whet your appetite for more goodies to come! But wait: Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant offers a handful of bite-sized snacks, be prepared to feast lavishly. NEWSPRINT recommends the Crayfish ramen, Ton Toro ramen, Hokkaido Scallop ramen, Tom Yam ramen, Baby octopus, Silver fish and deep-fried tofu; you will regret substituting these dishes for others.

The Damage: Be prepared to be $17.80 poorer if you want to enjoy localised Japanese food at any of Ajisen Ramen Japanese restaurant branches.

Leave the fluff, funk and fun out of your resume.

When it comes to crafting a resume, think like how parents would name a child for success. Your subject header, contents and email address (yes!) are testament to your personality, which determines your chance of either getting called up for an interview, or hired. Treat your resume as a means to an end to gain professional employment. Here are some pointers you, as a jobseeker, should take note of when crafting a professional resume.

Four Pointers Jobseekers Should Take Note Of:

Funk and creativity are passé: Leave the funk and fluff out of your resume; it should be 100 percent professional even if you are an Art graduate looking for employment in the Creative sector. A clean and strict looking resume that is down-to-earth reflects a jobseeker’s seriousness, albeit uninteresting.

It is good to note that hiring managers and Human Resource personnel take their company’s image into consideration; they would not hire a jobseeker with a loud character. It does not pay to stand out of the crowd; be honest.

Hint: do not even think of putting up a glamorous photograph of you on your resume for it creates bias.

Save the hippie email address for your own use: Email addresses with unique names that are viewed as “abnormal” by the corporate sector (ie. gerrgerrlovesjoo@hotmail.com) have no reason to be in a professional resume. Take a more conservative stand towards your job hunt by saving that hippie email address for your personal use. As a jobseeker, you would not want to be caught in an embarrassing situation where a prospective employer was to ask about the name of your email address.

Says Melissa Norman, Managing Director of Kelley Services: “Refrain from sending your job application from an email account that has a fancy name, or creates a negative perception of you.”

Don’t input in your idealistic beliefs: It is cool to be idealistic and live your dreams, however, when it comes to hiring the right fit, prospective employers are concerned about an employee’s personal goals. In fact, an employer scrutinises an employee’s personal goals to see if they are in line with the organisation’s goals.

To find out what an employer wants, take a look at their corporate website. Next, craft your resume to suit their aims, goals and objectives before sending it in. Otherwise you will risk not getting called up for an interview.

Moreover, by visiting the company’s corporate website, you as a jobseeker would know what sort of people the organisation is looking for. This in turn allows you to re-assess whether or not your personal goals suit theirs before submitting your resume to them. Do not waste your time trying to apply for an organisation that does not suit you; indirectly, you are wasting their time.

Keep your resume short and simple: As a rule of thumb, keep your resume short and simple, because hiring managers and Human Resource professionals do not have all the time in this world to read a 4000-word long resume. Go straight to the point to list your past experiences, references and testimonials instead of telling a Grandmother’s tale on what you covered at work and your personal thoughts on each project.

Most men enjoy the company of either a submissive Jane, or The-Girl-Next-Door. But contrary to popular belief, men are besotted with themselves. Their lives revolve around the word “me,” which makes them think they are very, very important people. Especially in the 21^st Century where traditional roles have undergone profound changes as a result of economic development, men are finding it a challenge to understand women and their desires.

So, the question is: what exactly do women want, particularly in the department of love affairs? Sans money and a Bachelor’s Degree, here are 10 things modern women expect from men.

10 Things Modern Women Want from Men:

Be able to stand on his feet: Being independent is different from being defiant; rather, it is an attitude men must possess. Otherwise, you are no different from being a big boy tied to your mother’s apron strings.

Be resistant to all forms of vice: Gambling; excessive drinking; two-timing and having unprotected sex with prostitutes are a turn-off for most women, don’t ask why.

Be well-groomed: Let’s just admit it – most Singapore men are just too lazy to dress up; they resort to going downtown in an oversized tee-shirt paired with a rugged pair of three-quarter pants and crocs slippers. Despite dressing down, they expect their girlfriends to dress to the nines, complete with makeup and stilettos. This brings to point the need for men to dress up to match their partners; dressing up can be a fun activity for couples.

The next topic for discussion is anything but. Unbelievable, a handful of men do not shower daily.

Bad breath and body odour: A man who reeks of fish breath and a body odour so strong like smelly toufu is bound to repel his date.

Health matters: Did you know that men who pay attention to their overall health are most wanted by women? As Singapore’s life expectancy increases, people are expected to live longer and not fall ill; exercising is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Modern women take their partner’s health into consideration when settling down because healthcare is not cheap.

He reaches for her heart through the stomach: A man who cooks is one apt at caring for his children; the ability to feed his fledglings lie in his culinary skills. Especially during economic hardship, setting up a food and beverage stall to hawk your skills is critical to your family’s survival. Your woman will gladly assist you in the department of marketing, public relations and business management to promote your business – for free!

If Martin Yan can cook, so can you. Photo Credits: Martin Yan

Wait: when an apron-clad man begins to whip up tantalising food from the pan; the woman sits in a corner to observe his masculinity.

Be open-minded: Chauvinists, listen up! If you want to get married and started on family planning, a broad mindset is all you need for your partner to say “I Do!”. By being broad-minded, you are giving your partner respect and at the same time, an opportunity to see things in different perspectives. And who knows you might even get promoted at work?

Be able to sit and listen to your partner’s problems and solve them together: Part and parcel of married life is being able to solve problems with your partner. If you can’t, don’t force yourself to get married unless your partner is the type that enjoys breaking codes and constructing algorithms.

Be able to communicate: Did you know that communication is key in a long-lasting relationship? Women adore men who are willing to share with them his weal and woes, because the ability for him to be able to connect with her wields trust in a relationship.

Humour is OK, not puns and cynicism: Women don’t like men who use puns and cynicism to poke fun at them, unless you are a minor. A man who makes use of his intelligence to tell jokes is likeable and personable.

To sum it up, women like men to be strong, independent and self-sufficient – qualities that make them praiseworthy and deserving of  attention.

South Korea. Fashionistas can look forward to visiting Myeong-dong, Seoul’s largest street fashion and shopping district and expect to return home satisfied with bags filled with clothes, accessories, make-up, shoes…whatever you can name. Go fashion forward in Myeong-dong.

Myeong-dong is the place to be seen if you are into street fashion. Photo Credits: Visit Korea - www.visitkorea.or.kr

From dawn to dusk Myeong-dong is bustling with youths hurrying in and out of its street shops and department stores; the place is a hive of activity for the fashion forward shopper. But wait: that’s not all Myeong-dong has to offer. Foodies and caffeine addicts are not left in the lurch – the streets are lined with trendy eateries and cafes that are operated by two people. These eateries and cafes offer patrons an opportunity to dine and relax after hours of non-stop shopping, plus savour some mouth-watering goodies. Here are three places where you can afford to sit, sip and be seen in Myeong-dong.

Three Places to Go in Myeong-dong:

Hollys Coffee: Fans of Korean dramas would be familiar with the appearance of the café, Hollys Coffee, in ‘Mary Stayed out all Night’. Hollys Coffee was featured in a couple of episodes to have garnered publicity and yes, popularity. Cool picks after the drama series was aired on television are the Raspberry Hollycino and Green Tea Hollycino , both of which are to die-for if sweet is your thing.

Hollys Coffee

Food-wise, NEWSPRINT recommends the Croque Monsieur, Sweet Belgian Waffle with whipped cream and Wholemeal Roll with Ham and Cheese. These tasty treats will tease your taste buds for more goodies to come, you are sure to pay Hollys Coffee a second visit. Oh! Don’t forget to try the café’s seasonal favourites because they are equally delicious; you are guaranteed to lick your lips after each bite.

Food is flavoursome at Hollys Coffee!

Hollys Coffee is situated in a diminutive three-storey building located along one of the back alleys in central Myeong-dong. The café is located opposite ZARA and adjacent to Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Damage: SGD 15 for a tall glass of Raspberry Hollycino and Wholemeal Roll with Ham and Cheese.

Abiko Japanese Restaurant: Curry, curry and more curries, Abiko Japanese restaurant is the place to go for a curry-pick-me-up in Myeong-dong. Popular picks are the Katsu Curry Rice and Chicken Katsu Curry Ramen, both of which are mouth-watering Japanese favourites with a tinge of pepper to add flavour to the dish. Abiko Japanese restaurant is a single storey manga themed restaurant featuring the latest comic trends in its cosy dining hall. Hints of white inked with black prints and dark brown furniture are the hallmarks of Abiko Japanese restaurant, which makes it a suitable place for youths to hangout. Especially if you are an otaku, anime fan or cosplayer, Abiko Japanese Restaurant is the place to go.

Abiko Japanese Restaurant in Myeong-dong serves mouth-watering curry dishes.

The Damage: Be prepared to be SGD 20 poorer if you want to dine in comfort at Abiko Japanese restaurant.

O-sulloc Tea House: One of the best places to sit and sip tea in Myeong-dong is O-sulloc Tea House, a clean and chic two-storey boutique tea house which offers a plethora of tea specially cultivated on Jeju Island. The design of O-sulloc Tea House entrance lends its inspiration from the tea fields of Jeju Island and ushers you into a space that is conducive for high tea with close friends. Here, the Green Mint tea is a must-try for patrons in need of rejuvenation; this refreshing glass of herbal green tea is infused with mint to quench your thirst. Don’t forget to try the Green Tea Tiramisu, because high tea is never complete without a dessert.

O-sulloc Tea House is located smacked in the middle of central Myeong-dong, it’s hard to miss!

The Damage: SGD 15

From picture left to right: Shu Kimura and Eric Kayser recieving an outstanding service award from National Critics Choice

Maison Kayser…get used to that name because this Paris boulangerie is set to become a big hit in Singapore. Its Director, Shu Kimura, is convinced Singaporeans love their bread as much as their local dishes; he decided to bring Maison Kayser to Singapore. But not without the help of his business partner, old friend and founder of the Kayser chain of boulangeries in France and Japan, Eric Kayser.

After all, Maison Kayser is known to have the best baguette in Paris and chocolate croissant in Japan. Even if you are not a bread or pastry lover, you could not fail to be enthralled by the golden dough that resembles your dole at Maison Kayser.

Maison Kayser officially opened its doors in Singapore on Monday, 10 December 2011, along with a warm reception at its first outlet in Scotts Square. This global brand started with a simple dream of making delicious bread and pastries for everyone. Tan Wen Hui talks to Eric Kayser and Shu Kimura, the drivers behind this brand.

Six Minutes with Eric Kayser and Shu Kimura:

Q1: You come from a family of Artisan Boulangers. What draws you to baking?  

Eric Kayser: I discovered my passion for baking when I was four years old. Perhaps you could say that it was my family’s background which played a part in cultivating my interest.

Shu Kimura: At first, I wanted to work for my family’s bakery, Kimuraya. But after much consideration, I decided that I need to gain more knowledge and experience in baking, which was why I went over to France to tutor under Eric. That was how I got to know Eric; we became friends and eventually business partners.

Q2: There are so many bakeries in Singapore. How does Maison Kayser stay competitive?

Eric Kayser: The key difference between Maison Kayser and other bakeries lies in the basic meaning of the word ‘bakery’. Maison Kayser is a genuine bakery – we knead and bake breads here in our Scotts Square outlet. We also spend a lot of time teaching staff to better the quality of the breads and pastries we make; and selecting the finest of ingredients that would give our breads and pastries a unique taste.

Shu Kimura: Maison Kayser has its own fermentation process, which is unique to Asia-Pacific. We make use of natural and long-term fermentation to make our breads taste so good.

Q3: What are some of your most interesting touches to your creation?   

Eric Kayser: The baguette – this type of bread is both easy and challenging to produce.

Shu Kimura: That would be the Pain Aux Noix, which I spent a lot of time and effort producing it.

Q4: As an Artisan Boulanger, which aspect of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

Eric Kayser: Teaching. When you teach others, you are effectively sharing with those around you your knowledge.

Shu Kimura: The same as Eric Kayser!

Q5: What are the bestselling ones?

Eric Kayser: I would say that our baguette is a hot seller, especially in France.

Shu Kimura: That would be the chocolate croissant.

Q6: What are your plans for Maison Kayser Singapore?

Eric Kayser: Since Maison Kayser at Scotts Square is our first outlet here in Singapore, we intend to take it slowly from here and look out for opportunities to grow our business.

In the meantime, we will do our best to impart our knowledge to our Singapore staff.

Shu Kimura: We hope that in a few years time Maison Kayser would see its growth around Singapore, regardless of economic conditions, etc.

Going from Tutee and Tutor to Friends:

Eric Kayser and Shu Kimura met each other some 15 years back in Paris only to realise they share many things in common. For instance, Eric and Shu are 4 and 5 generation bakers, respectively. Both men come from families so passionate about baking; they eventually become bakers themselves.

They also share similar perspectives on the subject of baking, as well as how to run a successful boulangerie.

The bakery's opening drew quite a crowd early in the morning

Kayser's very own popular croissant

Medz buffet-style restaurant offers patrons an extensive selection of mouth watering Mediterranean cuisines. Photo Credits: Open Rice

Don’t know where to go for tasty Moroccan, Turkish and Greek delights? Medz, arguably Singapore’s first-ever Mediterranean buffet-style restaurant, offers patrons a chance to indulge in the exquisite flavours of the Mediterranean Sea in a seaside-inspired setting. The restaurant caters to a splash of appetising Mediterranean cuisines in an environment that resembles the forfeited seaport of Peniscola, otherwise known as the “Gibraltar of Valencia.”

What’s more, each store in Medz features cuisines unique to each Mediterranean country’s culture, think rostis, confits, seafood paella, and skewed kebabs! You will regret not giving this buffet-style restaurant a try.

Medz also features a credit payment system that is similar to Marche; each patron is provided with an empty credit card upon entry for payment. Actual payment, either in cash or credit, is made at the exit counter only when the patron is ready to leave the restaurant.

The Vibe: Situated at the lowermost basement of Orchard Central Shopping Centre, Medz is the place to go for a peaceful meal with long time friends to catch up on life. Besides catching up with friends over food and drinks, the environment is also suitable for romancing couples regardless of age to sit, relax and chat. Beige, brown and sapphire blue coloured tiles give the dimly lit restaurant a tinge of livery – as though Medz has a life of its own like the Gibraltar of Valencia…

The Food: Rosti – check! Skewered kebab – check! Beef and Lamb paella – check! Drinks and desserts – check! Medz features an extensive selection of coastal cuisines, along with a spread of delightful desserts and drinks that would whet your appetite for more goodies to come. Brace yourself for a Mediterranean feast at Medz!

Plain Rosti with Sour Cream Sauce: “When in doubt, always go for the safest option.” This popular saying is useful when it comes to choosing food that is delectable and appetising at a newly opened restaurant, or if it’s your first visit. The plain rosti with sour cream sauce is a humble Swiss dish once a poor man’s staple now fit for a king. The plain rosti with sour cream is a safe dish to try; thin slices of grated potatoes are deep-fried together to form a pancake. Served with a generous dash of sour cream sauce, enjoy the roasted flavours of Medz plain rosti with sour cream sauce.

Salmon Rosti: Like the plain rosti with sour cream sauce, the salmon rosti embodies similar flavours. Served with a generous dash of sour cream sauce and smoked salmon, this dish packs a punch of smoked and roasted flavours; once you start your meal you cannot stop your indulge. Granted, this dish opens up your palette; it’s a good way to start your Mediterranean meal at Medz.

Beef Paella: The beef paella is a mouth watering dish served in tagine, a classic Moroccan cooking pot with a tall conical lid. The beef stew is tender, which makes it chewy, and emits a nice smoked Turkish fragrance which can be described as “aromatic” – thanks to the herbs used during cooking. Taste wise is somewhat similar to the classic beef stew with hints of coriander and clover.

Seafood Paella: The seafood paella is a Valencian dish that contains raisins, capsicums, cooked prawns, octopus tentacles, squids and sometimes cooked fish. At Medz, this dish is served on a medium-sized frying pan – a good size for sharing. The bomba rice is sticky and soft, which makes it chewy and carries a unique fragrance that will whet your appetite.

The Damage: Be prepared to be $60 poorer if you want to dine lavishly at Medz.

Ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream, it is hard to get enough of ice cream, especially if you are living in the tropics. Because what better way is there to beat the sweltering heat than to have ice cream! Whether it is served either as a dessert or tea time snack, ice cream takes the heat off you.

And it gets better; you are entitled to choose how you want to enjoy your ice cream – either in a cup, cone or with waffles. Select the latter if you want to enjoy a blast of sinful flavours. An American and Belgian favourite, this is one dessert or snack you should indulge in. Here are three places to go for mouth watering ice cream with waffles; it’s time you get high and sin.

Three Premium Places to Go for Ice Cream with Waffles:

Coffee to Go: Coffee to Go is a mini local restaurant which serves a mix of Asian and Western cuisines. Although the restaurant caters to patrons looking for a quick fix to kick-start their day, it also caters to those who are looking for a comfy place to have desserts after their meal. The chocolate ice cream with waffles is a must-try; a large dollop of chocolate ice cream is served with plain waffles on a plastic plate. Taste wise is, awfully wicked, thanks to the large dollop of chocolate ice cream!

Coffee to Go at Keypoint along Beach Road. Photo Credits: Open Rice.com

Coffee to Go seats some 40 people and boasts a neatly furnished interior with hints of brown and red to help patrons unwind. The restaurant is situated on the first floor of Keypoint along Beach Road.

The Damage: Less than $5.00 for a plate of chocolate ice cream waffle.

Haato: Oh wow! Milk tea ice cream waffles at a Japanese ice cream parlour. Serving more than just fresh Japanese ice cream, Haato Japanese ice cream parlour uses the finest ingredients to whip up a series of sensational creamy, dreamy delights. This ice cream parlour is dedicated to exploring the unusual flavours that will tease your taste buds for more goodies, think animated Honey and Clover ice cream.

Haato Japanese ice cream parlour is located at around town and northern Singapore. For more information on its store locations, opening hours, etc., please visit http://www.haato.com.sg

The Damage: Less than $5.00 for a dollop of choice ice cream.

Andersen’s Ice Cream: Popular amongst the youth crowd in Singapore is Andersen’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Danish creamery which boasts a vast selection of creamy, dreamy delights. No artificial colours and flavours. With many outlets scattered around Singapore, it is easy to spot Andersen’s Ice Cream. Try this established brand’s ice cream with waffles – they are freshly made right before you and served with maple syrup, premium ice cream of your choice and fresh whipped cream and chocolate fudge. A must-have, what’s there to not like about Andersen’s ice cream with waffles?

Hint: Andersen’s ice cream rich and smooth texture is achieved with pure fresh cream. A satisfying and refreshing treat, you will not regret indulging in sin.

The Damage: Less than $15.00 for a plate of ice cream waffles.

* All prices are in Singapore Dollar.

Bands are formed with different aims: some want to perform as professionals; others play for fun. But all of them want to be heard.

As for Japanese Visual-kei bands, they want to be seen and heard, and Secilia Luna is no different – this five piece entrée Visual-kei band wants to spread the message of goodwill around. With their angelic get-up and inspirational repertoire, it is unmistakable that the band is up to good. Besides, Secilia Luna intends to revive the spiritually jaded through their music, regardless who these jaded people are; and where they come from.

Picture Courtesey: Secilia Luna

[Read: She Wants to be Prettier than the Guys by The New Paper]

Currently into their third year playing, Secilia Luna is up for greater challenges; they intend to pursue their ideals by breaking into the Taiwanese market, and serenading the population with their music. The band comprises of vocalist Mirai, guitarists Ageha and Kyoki, bassist Rio and drummer Enju. Both Kyoki and Rio were formerly from indie band Sacrifier before moving on to Mirareta and, subsequently, Secilia Luna.

The band was in town Sunday 27 November 2011 to perform at the Haru Anniversary Party (HAP 2011). Held at the Warehouse at SCAPE, the place where a hive of activity takes place over the weekends thanks to the SCAPE Bazaar flea market, Singapore fans queued for over an hour to catch their live performance.

Q1: How have you guys been and what is Secilia Luna – as a band – up to next?

Secilia Luna: Lately we’ve been very active in Japan’s music and cultural scene.

Activities wise, we’ve just been to Taiwan for a concert. In the near future, of course, we hope to be more active back home in Japan, as well as overseas.

Q2: How did you guys met for the first time, and what made you decide to form this band?

Secilia Luna: We were from different bands and met each other at concerts – that was how we got together and formed Secilia Luna.

Q3: Many entrée bands draw their inspiration from existing bands and musicians. What is/are your musical influences?

Mirai: (On behalf of Secilia Luna) Well, each one of us has got different sources of inspiration.

Like for myself, I used to listen to other Japanese Visual-kei rock bands like X-Japan.

Kyoki: I’ve been listening to many genres of music since young. However, Visual-kei intrigues me in sense that it is not only about the music, but the form – the look and feel of the band. This is what draws me to it.

Rio: When I was much younger I was exposed to a wide genre of music thanks to my family’s influence. It was my sister who introduced me to brass music, which captured my interest, and ever since then, I have adopted the classical-style of playing.

Q4: The band seems to have a strong interest in the study of mankind and understanding their individual characteristics. How did this evolve to become a strong subject of interest for Secilia Luna?

Enju: (On behalf of Secilia Luna) Hmm…music is meant to be for mankind; it has to be written in a way that men understand the meaning behind the music made.

Q5: After the “Haru Annual Party 2011” in Singapore, where and when will your next performance be?

Mirai: (On behalf of  Secilia Luna) After “Haru Annual Party 2011” we will be returning to Japan for another round of performance and after which we will be proceeding down to Tokyo in December for a scheduled concert. And because Kyoki’s birthday falls on 4 December and our scheduled concert in Tokyo is on the 1 December, we will also be having a birthday celebration for him.

Q6: Let’s sidetrack a little. If you had a chance to broadcast a personalised message to your Singapore fans, what will your messaging be?

Secilia Luna: Well, since it’s the band’s first time in Singapore we hope to increase our interaction with Singapore fans. Of course, as a band, we do hope to maintain this form of cultural exchange and interaction between us and our Singapore fans.

Q7: Most of your members’ skin looks great. Can you share with NEWSPRINT your secret to having great skin?

Secilia Luna: Honestly, each of us don’t subscribe to a regular skin care regime. And we don’t just use plain water alone – we pair up with a couple of other skin care products. Having said, we’ll consider subscribing to one in the future.

Q8: NEWSPRINT understands that this is your first time here in Singapore. So, how do you find this Little Red Dot, and what is your first impression of Singapore when you first touchdown?

Secilia Luna: Our first impression (of Singapore) is that the streets are very clean and although it’s a city-state, it’s actually much better compared to Japan’s! We’ve also seen the Christmas illumination along Orchard Road and we’re impressed by it.

Q9: What is so unique about Singapore culture that you find amazing/ amusing?

Secilia Luna: What we find unique to Singapore is its heterogeneous culture.

Q10: Any last words for aspiring rock bands and musicians?

Secilia Luna: Music is supposed to be fun for everyone, let’s all be friends and get together, and play!

[Last Edited on 30 November 2011, 15:16 p.m.]