The Lavender/Jalan Bersah area used to be known for its nightclubs and shop houses selling random goods such as lights, and of course, where Singaporeans go for all citizenship and passport matters. It was not as hip as its next-door-neighbor, Bugis.

This has changed rapidly however in recent years. Quaint little cafes have started springing up in place of shop houses. One of these is Bao Makers. You can walk over from Lavendar mrt station, but the hot sun may leave you whining as you walk.

Nonetheless, Bao Makers is a café worth the trip.

Food: 3.5/5

Price: $/$$$

Service: 3/5

Ambiance: 3.5/5

Tip: Order the Buta Yaki Don and Banana Walnut Sundae

  

Buta Yaki Don- $12



Let us start off with what I felt was the star of the whole meal. This value for money Japanese rice bowl was made up of sticky and fluffy rice, topped with juicy stir fried pork slices, sweet soft sautéed onions and runny onsen egg. The savoury sticky brown sauce was reminiscent of teriyaki but less sweet. It was one hell of a flavor explosion in a bowl.



Baos

Top: Chilli Crab (background); Salted Egg Shrimp (foreground)

Bottom: (background); Classic (foreground) 

$4.80 - $5.30 each

On to the "baos" (buns), which are essentially modernized "kung ba baos", they come with interesting flavours which appeal to the younger crowd. The buns were moist and soft and bursting with flavours (and fillings, as you can tell from the pictures). If you are an oldie and prefer the traditional kung ba bao, order the classic and you'll be delighted to know it comes with a thick fat juicy slice of pork belly, with sauce to die for.

Overall, the baos were delicious and interesting. I find them a little pricey but I guess you'll have to pay for novelty.

Seafood Carbonara Linguine- $16.90

This was decent bowl of pasta but nothing impressionable.

Yep, that's it really. Oh, and it comes with big juicy prawns.

 

Banana Walnut Sundae - $7

I'm not one to usually order desserts unless the place is known for it. My friends ordered this and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious this was! The banana walnut cake was moist and smelt so, so good (extremely banana-ish)! Heavy with the taste of bananas, the cake was enriched with butterscotch sauce which added a buttery and sweet touch. Best dessert at a café everrrrr (I've been feasting since 2010, by the way). And decently priced too!