Welcome to Da Bao Diaries, a column dedicated to what Time Out Singapore's editors are eating and drinking at home. Da bao is a Singaporean colloquialism derived from Mandarin that refers to having a meal to go instead of dining in at an establishment.
While the dining out ban has finally been lifted, only those that are fully vaccinated can enjoy the perks of eating outside. For those still waiting for the two-week window to kick in, get your cravings sorted with these take-out options, including sticks of yakitori, white beehoon, and dim sum.
Ryu Taro Yakitori and Izakaya Bar
This two-storey dining destination houses two concepts: the first floor comes outfitted with a sleek drinking den. Head up the stairs, and you’ll be greeted by sizzling meats hitting the grill as part of its yakitori offering. Savour piping hot skewers best paired with sips of sake.
Enjoy a hearty grilled feast without smoking up the house. Ryu Taro Yakitori delivers charred skewers, stuffed with meats and vegetables, so you can enjoy a Japanese-themed feast at home. The best part: the restaurant is running a half-price promotion on its signature sticks. Four skewers go for the price of two ($11.50), but the six-skewer options provide the most value at just $17.25). Options include tender chicken thigh, chicken with leek, or chicken liver; and must-gets include the pork slice or beef slice wrapped with enoki mushroom. Don’t forget to throw in an order of its tonkotsu ramen for just $10.
Otherwise, convenient bento sets are also available. The pork set ($13.70) comes with garlic fried rice, three skewers, and healthy sides of edamame and oranges for a complete square meal.
Minimum order $50
Delivery fee $8, free for orders above $100
Order here ryutaroyakitori.oddle.me/en_SG
White Express
Homegrown concept White Restaurant is best known for its rendition of white beehoon – rice vermicelli fried with broth, seafood, egg, vegetable, and plenty of wok hei. While its original zi char-style menu is made for communal dining, the homely restaurant has recently launched a more intimate, fuss-free concept designed for the small-group diners: White Express.
Here, the usual big sharing plates are pared down to feed two hungry mouths, and one-dish options are also readily available for those solo. And prices are set to be affordable, too. From just $9, the signature white bee Hoon comes paired with a drink for a simple meal – but you’ll want to add on some sides for a hearty feast. $14 lets you choose two accompaniments; we love the juicy bites of the meat and seafood rolls, and the homemade soy tofu drizzled with minced meat sauce.
Or switch things up with the tongue-tingling mala white beehoon ($9.15) or outlet-exclusive creations like the silverfish and chicken fried rice ($7.09).
Minimum order $50
Delivery fee $4.90
Order here order.whiteexpress.com.sg/en_SG/
Yan Ting
If you're craving hearty dim sum for lunch, seek comfort in the fact that The St. Regis Singapore's signature Chinese restaurant Yan Ting is offering its delicious Dim Sum Lunch sets for delivery at just $88 for three persons. Each set comes with a selection of five Dim Sum (we tried the steamed scallop and shrimp dumpling, mushroom dumplings with truffle, deep-fried beancurd roulette, meat dumpling in chilli oil, and our favourite, the oven-baked barbecued pork pastry). The dumplings are complemented by the main course of stewed rice vermicelli with dried fish, scallops and egg white.