A couple of weeks ago, I received an email invite to review Munch Saladsmith and as with all the invites I receive, I always check out the place's website first to see if it's worth talking about. I've received loads of invites to review but i'm really picky because I'm inherently suspicious of outside food HAHA. Also, I really hate it when people try to push their slimming products or slimming centres or slimming machines or the mentality that health can be found in a box or a 3 day fast on me. (Ugh, angst ;) ) But anyway! I was really intrigued with Munch so I said okay, let's give it a try! :)
I really love it that all these salad places are popping up and trying to offer Singaporeans healthier alternatives but my REAL dream is to see healthier offerings in Singapore's hawker centres and fast food restaurants. ( Have i ever told anyone that my dream job is to be a caifan store owner selling brown rice and less salt, less oil food? Haha) These are the big players, the big boys, the ones with the money and the clout to be able to move things. If they just used their ability to offer healthier alternatives, coupled with educating every citizen how to cook, we could be looking at a very healthy nation!
But till then, I'm very grateful for businesses like Munch that offer such a wide variety of nutrition when I'm out (and too lazy to cook)!
Munch has over SIXTY types of salads and they offer 30 of them each day on a rotational basis.
When you walk in you are greeted by these cute murals and it's just such a nice bright breezy environment!
The salad bar! All these busy bees working away to serve me delicious salads!
Choices! Choices galore!
Cous cous! And a whole fruit salad! ( I don't like raw tomatoes haha)
What I really love is that you get a selection of deli meats as well! I always find a veggie salad alone so sad and not filling! I love pairing it with at least fruit or eggs or meat!
Ordering is really easy also and the staff are all so friendly so don't feel shy asking if you don't know! I remember when subway first opened, my mom was quite reluctant to eat there coz she felt ordering was quite confusing and challenging! (Not that I recommend eating at subway :/)
At Munch, you can choose 2, 3, or 4 different types of salads depending on your appetite that day then top it off with protein if you want and if you are still hungry, round it up with soup and dessert!
There were so many choices on offer that day that I didn't know what to choose at all! In the end, Marissa, my host kindly got a few for me. When I saw the offering I totally regretted having a heavy breakfast before going. (I'm the kind of girl that cannot leave the house without a heavy breakfast! Nothing functions till I get some food in my tummeh! haha
I got to try the mushroom, thai inspired salad, soba noodles, chicken-walnut grape and pumpkin! All washed down with a cup of freshly made watermelon juice!
Hahah! At first when I saw their slogan was eat no evil, I thought it was a vegan place! Then I realised it meant no evil chemicals and whatnot but just fresh produce and heart fare! YAY! My kind of place! :)
MY VERDICT?
The soba noodles and chicken walnut salad were just amazing! Sorry Munch, but I felt that the mushrooms were a little slimy but I really appreciated that the salads were not overly seasoned. The clear winners were definitely the soba noodles and chicken walnut salad though! I especially LOVE the chicken walnut.
This was just yum. Pity about it just being a standalone salad though. It would have been amazing on a piece of freshly toasted panini bread. MHMM! YUM! *plots to try it out at home :/ haha
Although I didn't request for it, I was also generously offered the rosti with sausage to try and sadly, sausages are really not my thing and I felt that the rosti was overly salted. Sorry, perhaps it's just my tastebuds. I did send a picture of this to my boyfriend though and he got so excited. haha.
If you aren't in the mood for salads, Munch also offers quick sandwiches, fruit and drinks on the go!
I couldn't finish my meal so Marissa graciously packed everything up for me! CAN I PLEASE JUST SAY I LOVE THE BOX. haha. TOO GORGEOUS. I love the little compartments!
Anyway, I went home that day very full and happy. It had been a great day exploring a part of Singapore I don't normally go to (more on that next time) and discovering new places in Singapore. I absolutely loved the chicken salad and will be going back for more!
/Edit while this post was being drafted, the boyfriend and I actually visited the new Munch Saladsmith Outlet at Jurong Westgate. We arrived there at 8+ and to our horror- EVERYTHING was sold out save for a few paltry leaves, some grilled eggplant, some egg mayo and TWO sausages. I could have cried. :( MUNCH, WHY ARE YOU SO POPULAR?! Singaporeans! I thought you hated salads?! I wanted to go to another place but d couldn't resist the DREGS so he ordered it all up! Pre-dinner turned out to be Munch's leftovers and surprisingly they were still delish! I love the egg mayo salad and the grilled veggies (eggplants are my favourite!) + broccoli!
I noticed they also had a really good deal going on for lunch hour which made me a little sad I didn't work nearer to Westgate. Hehheh.
Anyway! I'm really glad such places are springing up in Singapore! It's nice to know that more people and buying into the idea that health doesn't have to be bland and boring :)
Here are all of Munch's outlets for you to check out!
You can also check out their facebook page here! Like it for more updates! And before I end.. another picture of my favorite chicken salad combo to date:
Thank you Munch Saladsmith for the lovely invite! :)
