REAL FOOD: Only real food makes you feel this good.
Recently, I went to Real Food Killiney for the first time. It used to be one of my favourite go-to restaurants whenever I was in the mood for something healthy but soon new restaurants began popping up and which made me forget about it. However, after seeing one of my Instagram friends post about her visit to Real Food, it reminded me about how much I missed their hearty healthy dishes, which compelled me to drop by for lunch the next day.
It wasn't my first time at Real Food (have been to the Clark Quay outlet once and the Novena Outlet thrice), but this outlet really impressed me in terms of its spaciousness and large variety of healthy snacks. Since I have not done a review on the other outlets before, I shall do one on my recent visit to the Killiney outlet!
"We are independent from health and food asso- ciations, institutes or ministries and we are not influenced by religion or politics. Instead, we spend our time being informed about where and how our food is produced while actively supporting local producers, therefore becoming part of the integral production process. Our café is also free from processed ingredients (food grade or otherwise), artificial preservatives and Trans-fat. Last but not least, we are meat free!" (Taken from http://www.realfoodgrocer.com/)
The last line is the most important, I feel! I do feel strongly about the topic of eating meat and I'm really glad that Real Food feels the same way too. However, since they still serve up dishes containing eggs and dairy products, please do note that they are a vegetarian cafe, not a vegan one. However, they do indicate which of their dishes contain garlic/onion, which dishes are wheat/gluten-free and which dishes are suitable for vegans, so not to worry for those with specific dietary requirements!
THE PLACE
It wasn't my first time at Real Food (have been to the Clark Quay outlet once and the Novena Outlet thrice), but this outlet really impressed me in terms of its spaciousness and large variety of healthy snacks. Since I have not done a review on the other outlets before, I shall do one on my recent visit to the Killiney outlet!
"We are independent from health and food asso- ciations, institutes or ministries and we are not influenced by religion or politics. Instead, we spend our time being informed about where and how our food is produced while actively supporting local producers, therefore becoming part of the integral production process. Our café is also free from processed ingredients (food grade or otherwise), artificial preservatives and Trans-fat. Last but not least, we are meat free!" (Taken from http://www.realfoodgrocer.com/)
The last line is the most important, I feel! I do feel strongly about the topic of eating meat and I'm really glad that Real Food feels the same way too. However, since they still serve up dishes containing eggs and dairy products, please do note that they are a vegetarian cafe, not a vegan one. However, they do indicate which of their dishes contain garlic/onion, which dishes are wheat/gluten-free and which dishes are suitable for vegans, so not to worry for those with specific dietary requirements!
THE PLACE
Shot from entrance view of the kitchen.
To its right, shelves after shelves of all-natural, unprocessed, organic goodies and the cashier.
Interior is cozy and casual, perfect for customers who want to sit down to have a drink and chat all day.
Plenty of table space, in preparation for large lunch crowds.
Spacious and neat.
High chairs and tables for work and business matters.
Seldom feature toilets in my posts, but this one is worth a mention, I feel. Pretty chic toilet with even a sofa-looking stool (don't know for what purpose) at the corner, beside the toilet bowl.
THE MENU
The menu varies slightly for every Real Food outlet, even though most of the dishes they serve are the same. The menu of the outlet I went to at Killiney is attached below.
THE MENU
The menu varies slightly for every Real Food outlet, even though most of the dishes they serve are the same. The menu of the outlet I went to at Killiney is attached below.
THE FOOD
One thing I noticed about Real Food is that their food takes pretty long to come. After ordering, the food usually takes about 15-20 minutes before being served, even when there are very few customers. This is probably because they prepare your food fresh on the spot for you and have very few people running the shop. So do note that if you're in a rush, don't expect to be able to have a quick lunch here!
In my past visits, I have tried their best (millet) burger, grilled veg tomato pasta, organic fried rice, organic fried noodles, fried vermicelli, mushroom noodles dry, dumpling noodles dry and their organic potato wedges! I have tried A LOT of things - as you can tell.
My favourite thus far has been the organic fried rice, organic fried noodles and dumpling noodles dry! Let me tell you - you've GOT TO try the dumplings from this place! Really, really amazing signature dumplings stuffed with veggies. Many of the people I know also like the beef (millet) burger as well, but I personally find the patty pretty tasteless and mushy. Even though I like sweet potatoes (A LOT), but the sweet potato wedges here are really dry and not done very tastily, in my opinion.
One thing I noticed about Real Food is that their food takes pretty long to come. After ordering, the food usually takes about 15-20 minutes before being served, even when there are very few customers. This is probably because they prepare your food fresh on the spot for you and have very few people running the shop. So do note that if you're in a rush, don't expect to be able to have a quick lunch here!
In my past visits, I have tried their best (millet) burger, grilled veg tomato pasta, organic fried rice, organic fried noodles, fried vermicelli, mushroom noodles dry, dumpling noodles dry and their organic potato wedges! I have tried A LOT of things - as you can tell.
My favourite thus far has been the organic fried rice, organic fried noodles and dumpling noodles dry! Let me tell you - you've GOT TO try the dumplings from this place! Really, really amazing signature dumplings stuffed with veggies. Many of the people I know also like the beef (millet) burger as well, but I personally find the patty pretty tasteless and mushy. Even though I like sweet potatoes (A LOT), but the sweet potato wedges here are really dry and not done very tastily, in my opinion.
Today, I came here with my mom and younger brother to celebrate the end of an important paper! Only two of the dishes had arrived so I took a photo of them first so that we could start eating first. I would like to express how pleased I am with the fact that ALL three of the dishes we ordered were served to us hot - as in, STEAMING hot. Many restaurants are often so caught up with serving up their dishes that they forget about the importance of the temperature of food. I think this is why even though Real Food takes relatively long to serve us our food, we are still willing to come back again and again for their high quality, real food.
Assorted Vegetable Balls Pasta ($13.80): 9/10
Assorted Vegetable Balls Pasta ($13.80): 9/10
This was my order - something that I have been wanting to try for ages! And I sure am glad I did.
The pasta was nice and springy - perfectly cooked. The thickness of the pasta was just right to allow it to be coated in the wonderfully tangy, slightly spicy, tomato sauce, which was a party in the mouth. I loved the slightly pungent punch of the garlic.
The beetroot balls were amazingly soft (texture not that similar to a meatball but it's fine for me) but not mushy (unlike the beetroot patty in the burger). I am not much of a beetroot person, but these balls suited my tastebuds nicely. I wish they were seasoned a little bit better, though.
The lentil and chickpea balls, however, were a letdown for me. They were dry, crumbly and too doughy for me. Even copious amounts of the chilli could not save them.
Overall, I think that $13.80 is a pretty reasonable price for the portion size given as it was just right for me. However, it may he a bit hefty for those with small appetites out there.
Organic Fried Rice ($7.80): 10/10
Organic Fried Rice ($7.80): 10/10
Mom ordered her staple order of organic fried rice as she's a person who always sticks to the same item once she finds something she likes.
As usual, the organic fried rice was not too greasy, really tasty with a slight sweetness from whatever they had fried the rice with. If there wasn't so much food to try at Real Food, I might order this on every visit!
Organic Fried Noodles ($7.80): 9/10
Organic Fried Noodles ($7.80): 9/10
My brother ordered the organic fried noodles. I was actually pretty surprised that he was willing to follow us here since he is a huge meat-eater like other boys his age.
His noodles were really tasty as well, fried with generous amounts of vegetables. I love the fragrance of sesame oil that hit my nose once this dish was placed on the table. I feel that the noodles, however, were slightly overdone such that it became a little too soft and starchy.
LAST WORDS
Overall, I had a really pleasant experience at Real Food Killiney just like usual at the other outlets! Personally, this is my favourite outlet thus far due to the wide variety of healthy snacks available and the good ambience of the cafe. If you come visit, I would recommend the organic fried noodles, organic fried rice and the assorted vegetable balls pasta! Don't forget to order a side of their signature dumplings and try their dairy-free ice cream (from Brownice) for dessert. As usual, I'll definitely be back for more real food in the near future! :)
RATINGS
Location: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Speed: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Overall: 8.5/10 (Highly Recommended)
REAL FOOD @ KILLINEY
Address: 110 Killiney Road Tai Wah Building Singapore 239549
Contact: 67379516
LAST WORDS
Overall, I had a really pleasant experience at Real Food Killiney just like usual at the other outlets! Personally, this is my favourite outlet thus far due to the wide variety of healthy snacks available and the good ambience of the cafe. If you come visit, I would recommend the organic fried noodles, organic fried rice and the assorted vegetable balls pasta! Don't forget to order a side of their signature dumplings and try their dairy-free ice cream (from Brownice) for dessert. As usual, I'll definitely be back for more real food in the near future! :)
RATINGS
Location: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Speed: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Overall: 8.5/10 (Highly Recommended)
REAL FOOD @ KILLINEY
Address: 110 Killiney Road Tai Wah Building Singapore 239549
Contact: 67379516