If you’re headed down for i Light Marina Bay 2017, don’t miss out on popping by GastroBeats. The festival hub is focused around food and music, with over 30 food vendors serving food items like skewers, poke bowls and other carnival snacks.
Open from 3 – 26 March 2017, we’ve headed down to collate a list of eight vendors that you’ll have to try when you visit.
1. The Skewer Bar
Having recently celebrated their one year anniversary, this stall specializes in grilled skewers and more. We decided to try out the Oyster Set ($12 for 3 pieces) since that would be the ultimate test, and they did not disappoint.
The oysters were creamy and fresh, with the briny taste of the sea. The scallions on top added a nice bit of crunch and freshness to the oysters as well.
2. The Bao Makers
We have heard plenty of good things about The Bao Makers, so when we saw the Lobster Roll ($22) we had to try it. The chilled lobster meat was cooked nicely and the bun was soft and fluffy. The wedges on the side were decent, and were perfect finger food as we walked around the stalls. However, it wasn’t the best lobster roll we’ve tried.
3. Street Food Circus
Don’t forget to drop by Street Food Circus, and go for its Butterscotch Beer Fish & Chips ($10). The batter was light and crispy with truffle fries served on the side that had a good hit of aroma.
The butterscotch beer sauce that came with it was delightful, light and sweet with a slight taste of salted egg yolk. Dip the fish into the sauce and enjoy!
4. Seafood and Moo
Head over to Seafood and Moo for some delicious beef cubes. The Wagyu Steak Cubes ($9 for 50g) came with mashed potatoes and a small side of salad. The meat wasn’t as melt-in-the-mouth as I would have liked it to be, but it was adequately seasoned, and the mash was on the grainy side but still tasted great.
One point to note is that there is a minimum of 100g per order, you can mix and match the meats though, so get 50g of the Wagyu Steak Cubes and 50g of the other meat that Seafood and Moo are offering.
5. Starker
Of course, what’s a festival without beer? Starker has a booth hidden at the back row of Gastrobeats and we stumbled upon some interesting finds. First off, get three cups of beer ($7 per cup) and Starker will give you the fourth for free. This means you get each cup of beer at only $5.25!
We loved the Lychee Beer, which is specially brewed with Belgian lychees that impart a delicate fragrance and taste to the beer. However, if you’re not a fan of light beers, go for the Charcoal Beer. The full-bodied dark beer has a strong and robust flavour, ending off with notes of coffee-like taste.
6. A Poke Theory/Alter Ego
Poke bowl fans will have heard of A Poke Theory and their customisable poke bowls, so if you’re in the mood for some customisable healthy food at Gastrobeats, you’re in luck.
Our Poke Popper ($9) came with a generous serving of lettuce atop a bed of sushi rice, and some nicely marinated salmon chunks with creamy avocado that brings everything together. I particularly enjoyed the addition of the Chuka Wakame, or seasoned seaweed, as it added a nice crunch to the dish.
7. Shiok Pasta
In the mood for some pasta? Check out Shiok Pasta and their unique pastas, including my favourite, the Curry Leaf Pesto ($9). The penne pasta was cooked al dente, and coated in a delicious pesto sauce that had a strong taste of curry leaf. The chunks of chicken on top were also tender and flavoured with the same pesto.
8. Coocaça
Of course, every good meal deserves a good dessert to end it off; even better when it’s healthy and delicious.
Grab an acai bowl from Coocaça, and don’t forget to try the Sao Paolo ($12.90). Made with acai, banana slices, almond butter, cacao powder and soy milk, this is one decadent acai bowl.
I was pleased with the addition of cacao powder, and it didn’t disappoint in the slightest. Chocolatey and smooth thanks to the soy milk, this was a great ending to the night.
While you’re trying out the tantalizing foods at Gastrobeats, don’t forget to take pictures with the beautiful light structures around at the Marina Bay Waterfront. Utilising environmentally friendly materials as well as energy saving lighting, it’s the perfect spot for your Instagram selfies.
If you enjoy listening to good music while savouring your food, don’t miss out on the live bands that will take the stage every Friday to Sunday, 7.30pm-10.15pm. With musicians such as Scarlet Avenue, THELIONCITYBOY, and more, there won’t be a shortage of tunes for you to jam to.
There are also activities for you to occupy yourself with while waiting for the sun to set for that perfect shot of the lights. Check out carnival games and rides from Uncle Ringo, or let your hair down and rave quietly at Silent Disco Asia!
Check out the full list of vendors and musician lineup for week two and week three of the festival.
*This post was brought to you in partnership with GastroBeats @ i Light Marina Bay
