Ning Cai's Blog, page 4

Level Up Your Uke Game NOW!

I wonder how many of us have learnt a couple of chords on the ukulele, bought a bunch of music books, strummed along to your favourite YouTube channels… but still feel stuck in your practice. If that’s how you feel right now, you’re not alone! A few readers reached out recently, asking pretty much the same thing: What do you do when you’ve reached a certain point and felt stagnant? What’s the next step in the learning process? How do you improve and be a better player? These are very good questions so I decided to dedicate this post to talk about the 3 things you can do in your personal journey to advance your uke skills!

It was two decades ago when I fell in love with the ukulele, and in my experience (probably also yours) it’s by far the most satisfying musical instrument to play. The humble 4 string instrument with Hawaiian roots is not rigid and intimidating like the violin or cello; far sweeter sounding than the erhu (my long-suffering neighbours would attest to that); more portable than the piano or keyboards; fun and casual like the guitar, but so much easier to play. That last point is especially true if you’ve small hands, short fingers, an old wrist injury, or suffer from arthritis. Since the ukulele is relatively easy to pick up, most folks are self taught. But how many of us use other patterns besides the classic island strum (D DU UDU)? Do you know why certain chords go well together? What about different styles of playing? We invest plenty in our beloved instrument (plural for those with UAS), so why not do the same for your personal development?

Yours truly with the Okami brothers from KoAloha Ukulele and uke loving friends

These days, it’s a lot easier with tutorials on YouTube but you’re probably already aware that there are plenty of YouTubers who aren’t experts. All too often, these folks simply want to be YouTube famous or are merely using their channel to seek donations via Patreon. The last thing you want is to pick up wrong techniques and waste precious time and effort. So the first key in unlocking self mastery is finding the right teacher to lead you to the right (structured) path. This seems painfully obvious, but I sure wished I did this from the start. Granted, I can’t transform into a virtuoso like Feng E or Jake Shimabukuro but on hindsight, if I did that the moment I got my first uke, I’d be a more accomplished player today.

So now with the whole world in quarantine because of Covid-19, instead of staying home and complacently strumming along to random stuff on YouTube, here’s some food for thought: the word ‘amateur’ comes from the Latin word ‘amare’, which means to love. To do things for the love of it. So why not reignite your passion if you’ve reached a stalemate?

Currently, I’m really enjoying the course I’m doing at Uke Like the Pros. The online lessons are led by American musician/ singer/ songwriter/ instructor, Terry Carter. Here’s a quick clip of the knowledgable pro, who has the coolest hair and an infectious passion for music, discussing some of the most common mistakes ukulele players make and how we can fix them.

Having just completed the ULTP Music Theory Workshop, I’m happy to report that it was throughly worth the investment! Much was covered, with Terry starting the ball rolling with foundational basics like sight reading, music notation, fret board GPS, etc. before delving into major scale formulas. Terry patiently showed how major scales are used to create melodies, to improvise, to solo over, and it’s one of those things you need to know to be a better uke player because oftentimes we play patterns (e.g. do-re-mi) but we don’t actually know what notes we’re playing.

In the span of two hours, we also covered chord construction (major, minor, augmented, diminished), touched on triads, why major chords sound happy while minor chords are sad and augmented chords sound dreamy and diminished chords mysterious, and how to construct them accordingly. My favourite part was how to transpose music, i.e. playing anything in any key! And once I understood the formula, the fascinating world of music opened up to me. I gained confidence on how to play up and down the ukulele neck, like various ways of playing the C major chord (not just 0003). 

It’s obvious that Terry is a seasoned music instructor with years of teaching experience under his belt. His lessons are packed with information and nicely paced so you don’t get lost. He features diagrams and illustrations for context, and his worksheets make me feel like I’m taking a zoom workshop in a classroom setting. With full control and autonomy to check out the lessons at your own pace and schedule, learning on the ULTP platform is a breeze. The professional teaching interface is clean and sleek looking (use the free App if you prefer learning on your phone), intuitive and easy to use (I like how it automatically marks the chapter as completed once you’re done), and all accompanying files (PDFs, MP4s, etc) are easily accessible for download.

Now if finding the right teacher is the first step, what is the next thing?

Answer: Learn to play the Blues! That’s right… Learning the Blues will make us better musicians, better ukulele players. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you already got this insightful piece of advice from a shrewd music teacher or an enlightened musician friend. A solid foundation and a keen understanding of the Blues (credited as the root source of various genres of modern music like rock and roll, pop, etc) is one of the most important things you can do for your musicianship and playing. You will see and hear markable growth in your playing. It will transform the way you play and understand music.

The ULTP Ukulele Blues Mastery course came out a few weeks ago, and I cannot recommend it enough. Besides the awesome content, a particular highlight I appreciate is the backing tracks provided. They’re so much nicer than a metronome, in helping you keep time and rhythm when playing. It makes practise more enjoyable and fun. I found Terry’s lessons (in addition to the edited videos, he has ‘live’ online Q&As from time to time) to be far more engaging than instructional books I’ve studied on the subject. I’ve collected plenty of reference material over the years (all very highly recommended publications) but I wonder if there are others like me, who get lost somewhere within the pages either because we got bored or confused. Or maybe somewhere in between LOL

So in contrast, Terry’s style of teaching really works for me. It’s evident that much thought and careful consideration went into his planning of the course. Creating a good balance between challenging and fun is really important since most of us (okay, maybe it’s just me) have a rather short attention span these days. Here’s a little teaser of Terry explaining why the Blues is important if you want to step up your game, along with a quick tutorial of a nifty 12 bar Blues rift you can play on your uke.

The learning process is made much easier when you enjoy the experience, and with ULTP, I believe anyone can master the Blues. With due diligence, you’ll be playing an awesome improv solo in no time. What you learn becomes a great compliment to your daily practise, beyond playing music you strum along to on YouTube. So having said that, my final bit of advice on how to level up your uke game is this…

If you can play Jazz, you can play ANYTHING!

It’s true that jazz is a complex art form but once you’ve got it down, the world is your oyster. Christopher Davis-Shannon (quite possibly one of the most famous modern day Jazz ukulele artists) recently teamed up with ULTP to offer a specialised Jazz Swing Mastery ukulele course.

Bringing together influence ranging from Fats Waller to Chet Baker, Christopher Davis-Shannon’s unique brand of music is known to create an atmosphere that transports you back to jazz clubs and speakeasies of the early 20th century. The multi-instrumentalist/ songwriter/ educator is one of the best teachers for this very subject IMHO as you can see from the teaser video with Terry. He’s highly skilled and knowledgeable but despite his impressive track record, comes across as humble and easy-going.

His jazz ukulele course is currently the priciest on ULTP, but it has over 20 lessons and lots of bonuses. And if you don’t wish to purchase it (or the Blues course) individually, a really good idea would be to sign up for the Uke Like The Pros premium membership. You can choose either the monthly or yearly option, and you gain full access to EVERYTHING on the ULTP platform for free. Like the Circle of Fifths workshop, which I highly encourage anyone interested in songwriting and music composing to check out.

ULTP also has complete mastery courses for the baritone uke and guitalele, for those who are more adventurous and plan on venturing beyond. Terry also organises an epic giveaway every month, where members get a chance to win a brand new KoAloha ukulele. Yep. I don’t know how Terry and his team does it… the value is unbelievable. It’s crazy. I can’t recommend this enough.

Anyway, to make it even sweeter, Uke Like The Pros is having a very generous sale right now. Click here to get everything at 20% off. So if you’re thinking of signing up, this is a perfect time to check out their awesome benefits. Feel free to shoot me an email if you’ve got any questions. I’m more than happy to help

Review: The BM Project by Bakore Magic

DESCRIPTION

Imagine you have a meeting with a big shot corporate executive, or a Zoom Performance for a distinct group or any other virtual platform.

You need to grab their attention and do something extraordinary on a live virtual medium!

Visualize this:

A freely chosen name was written on a piece of paper that has been in full view all the time. Bamm!

The cards they name appear to be the only ones left in an empty card case. Bamm!You predicted a number that they chose LIVE in front of everyone. Bamm!

And that is only the beginning.

This is the power of The BM Project (Black Mentalism) by BaKoReMAGIC.

In this video tutorial you will learn how to amaze any audience over Zoom or any other type of virtual show. The routines are powerful and versatile; easily customized to a specific customer.

But most importantly – these effects are 100% made for a Virtual Show. By taking your magic to the next level and leveraging this platform, your effects will make each show you do, sell your next show!

BM project is a collaboration of 3 creative minds bringing you a unique utility concept in mentalism with the focus on virtual show performances, but not only.

From single to multiple predictions, forces, mix and match, mind reading and the list goes on.

Effects included in this video:

BM Confabulation – every detail that the customer imagines is mentioned on a visible note or in a sealed envelope. Do it sitting down, or standing. This is the holy grail of Mentalism and now this MIND BLOWING effect can be yours!
BM ESP matching – put a modern spin on a classic effect with the cleanest and most visual way to match a freely chosen ESP sign, 5 times in a row.
BM Color matching – a comic effect in which the audience is sure that you are finally wrong on every choice you make, only to find out that all the colors they freely chose were written on the other side of a piece of paper.
BM Number prediction – by leveraging some virtual magic principles you can force any number. The volunteer has a completely free choice.
BM invisible deck – you don’t actually need an invisible deck for this one. The volunteer chooses any card they want and it appears to be the ONLY card inside of an envelope or a card box. They CAN actually choose any card they want.
BM Mental Epic – You can reveal three things that the volunteer chose, two of them are impressive but the third one is going to completely baffle even the most skeptic person in your audience.

BM project opens a new world of possibilities that we didn’t have before, providing many effects that can easily be perform via ZOOM or other virtual platforms. They can also be performed in some live shows, if you choose.

No pre-show
No special sleight of hands
No expensive props
No usage of gimmicked technology or software
No magnets
No threads
No batteries
No peaks or misdirection
Short practice time – high impact
Packs flat plays big

On this exclusive video, you will learn:

The concept of BM project.
How to prepare all gimmicks from the ease of your home with detailed instructions and an easy to get material list.
You will get Graphics for the relevant effects and routines.
How to use the correct lighting in video conferencing and shows to best suit the effects.
Performances of 7 different affects you can do immediately.
Theory, practical ideas and comments from our 3 brilliant minds for each effect presented.
An invitation to our SECRET FACEBOOK GROUP where we will post and share new ideas periodically only to those who purchased this video.

Get BM project today, the most underground project for the professional mentalist and magician. Take your virtual shows to the next level!

REVIEW

Of late, I’ve been feeling jaded with magic. Sadly, there’s been lots of crap put out by creators eager to make a quick buck. And then there has been blatant misogyny from unapologetic male chauvinists and their enablers. So since this is a hobby site that I’m passionate about, I decided it was best to take a break until something that really WOWS me came about.

Well, ladies and gentlemen… this is it.

As a mystery arts performer, I’m not shy to admit that there are some mentalists whose works I am a huge fan of. One such individual is Haim Goldenberg. I regard this Canada based professional as a modern master who truly puts out good work consistently. I’ve never once been disappointed by anything Haim has released, and recently he’s teamed up with some friends to create Bakore Magic. The new company has already created much buzz and put out some very clever gems. So today, I’m reviewing one such treasure that is so good, it gives you that torn feeling of loving it so much, you wished no one else knew about it!

20/20 Vision

So I taught a 3 hour long creative writing workshop over Zoom for the Singapore Writers Festival last evening, and it went SUPER DUPER well! We were initially worried at the start of the year that the National Arts Council would have to cancel the event, no thanks to the pandemic. But SWF 2020 went fully digital and I’m really thankful for the team that made it a stellar success. I was also super heartened that several of my workshop attendees had read my books and already knew my work before we started Travel Writing in the Time of Quarantine.

I do miss the human feedback loop but we did our best, and I’m thankful for the wonderful feedback afterwards. Still, I do miss teaching and 2020 has been a tough year with many cancelled projects. However, a few interesting things have come along my way and I’m super excited about it.

Firstly, I’m now writing for the award-winning UKE Magazine. Ukulele fans around the world would know all about this popular quarterly, which is available both online and print. As you can probably guess, I’m super stoked about this because I get to work with awesome people and write about a subject I love! If you’ve got an iPhone or Android or heck, even a computer, you can check it out here

Art & Music: Painting Ukuleles

Mental wellness is important, more so now during these stressful times. Art and music have tremendous therapeutic virtues, and I’ve always advocated tapping into them for a rewarding “pick me up”. You’ll feel so much better after a stressful day… it’s always worked for me

Whip it: Getting into shape with Flow Rope

It’s been 6 months since our little one was born and no thanks to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, I’d never felt comfortable about going to the gym or signing up for classes. So what’s a young mom to do to try whip herself back into shape? Lots. There are plenty of exercises for one to do at home (thanks YouTube!) but aside from the usual fitness routines, I’d like to share with you all about my current favourite form of workout which is so fun and easy to do, it honestly feel more like play

Review: Incarnation 2.0 by Marc Oberon

The spectator imagines throwing any playing card towards the magician whereupon it visually appears!

It’s that direct, there’s no directing your spectator through any procedure to narrow their choice.

No fishing or ambiguous mental gymnastics for your spectator.

Remember this is ANY card named and though it appears almost propless you have no risk of being wrong!

No arts and crafts at all, it’s ready to perform.

Quotes:

“I will definitely be using this for my parlour shows.”

– Nick Einhorn  – MIMC Winner of Penn and Teller Fool Us

“This trick is exceptionally impressive and highly commercial.”

Peter Mehtab – MIMC Magician to the British Royal Family

“This is magic that makes spectators gasp at how visible and impossible it is.”

– Alex Muratev – President Russian Club of Magicians

“Incarnation 2.0 rocks at Close Up, Stage, TV or online.Brilliant combination of visual with the impossible. That’s how magic should look in 2020.”

– Alex Gigauri – CEO Artifex

“If I really could do magic and had to perform a card trick, it would look exactly like this.”

– Sam Alexander

“I didn’t think Incarnation could be beaten but 2.0 everything happens at fingertips, it’s the ultimate card trick.”

– Joel Dickinson

“As a mentalist I adore effects that involve a card being mentally selected. Incarnation 2.0 meets that criteria with the added bonus of a visually stunning reveal. This routine has been pieced together with Marc’s usual attention to detail, where every look and gesture is designed to turn an impressive piece of trickery into a miracle.”

– Adam Hudson

“Visually stunning and beautifully made. A true working miracle.”

– Tom Wright

REVIEW

FISM winner Marc Oberon has released several solid magic and mentalism products over the years (I really like Hat System, which is his version of Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats meets Mind Mapping) and Incarnation 2.0 is the new and improved (and mostly resized) reincarnation… er… version of his earlier bestseller with the same name.

The slick trailer above puts the effect into context: with a regular office clip in hand, you ask someone to name ANY CARD. They do so and when their thought of card is tossed (invisibly) to you, you make said card appear before their very eyes. Once unclipped and unfolded, you verify that it is a perfect match. Extremely visual mind blowing mentalism.

The ad copy claims that it comes ready to go, that there’s no need for any fishing or “ambiguous mental gymnastics for your spectator”… and I’m happy to report that it’s true. There’s no false marketing there, although you’ll definitely need a little practice (nothing difficult at all if you’re already a mentalist). It’s almost propless mentalism with no risk of being wrong as sometimes routines of that particular genre can sometimes be.

It’s not difficult to learn the system, and I see this as a slick routine suitable for close up, parlour, stage… and thanks to the on-going pandemic… magic shows on Zoom. Granted if you’re performing in a close up setting, you’d be mindful of angles (like how you’d present a bill switch for instance) and audience management (so minimal, it’s actually common sense).

I would give this full marks but I’m knocking off a point because of the quality of the “card stock”. Don’t get me wrong… Incarnation 2.0 is still an AWESOME trick which is extremely clever. It’d just be better if the gimmicks was made of longer lasting stuff like Tyvek®. But I suppose if you really need refills, you can always contact the creator to ask about it. But if this is for normal use (i.e. you’re not doing table hopping at a restaurant using this several times a night), it should hold up fine. I really love this.

TLDR; Incarnation 2.0 by Marc Oberon may just be your next big hit. Super solid stuff, highly dependable, not difficult to do… your audience will never forget this mind blowing mental miracle. Not many mentalism routines can boast being visual and entertaining, but this one is certainly both.

Highly recommended!

Magic is our passion but we are not a magic shop [image error] You can purchase this here!

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Review: AnyWeb by Magic Pro Ideas

ANYWEB – FORCE EVERYTHING ON ANY APP OR WEBSITE!

Anyweb is not just a trick, is a powerful tool with which you can force anything with your phone or tablet using any app or website.

Without any techniques, the app does all for you.

Anyweb is a magic browser that allows you, by simple touches on the screen, to do incredible forces on anything! on any website or app, for example Instagram, Amazon, Google, Google maps, Netflix, or any other you want.

Everything is done inside the app Anyweb, the app will imitate the sites or apps that we named above in real time.

You can learn to use it in just minutes, with instructions and step-by-step video demos.

This amazing app is ideal from beginner to professional magicians.

You will also be able to create your own effects, with Anyweb your imagination is the limit!

Anyweb is designed for smartphones and tablets, so you can use it from Close-Up to big stages.

Anyweb is an app created by Magic Pro Ideas, a group of professional magicians from Argentina, Javier Franco, Leandro Bas and the developers team led by Leandro Gon.

With Anyweb you will evolve your magic!

Compatibility:

iOS: Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone and iPad.

Android: Requires Android 5.0 or later. Compatible with Android Phones and Tablets.

(Not Available for Huawei Phones without Playstore from factory).

REVIEW

I’ve been procrastinating about sharing this review, not that AnyWeb by Magic Pro Ideas is bad by any means, but to be completely honest… it’s actually SO FRICKIN GOOD that it’s something I wish to secretly guard to keep for myself LOL There are just some things that are just absolute gems and this is just it.

As you can see from the trailer above, it is a clever forcing app that you can use on any Android or Apple device (sorry Hua Wei folks). Its name AnyWeb is perfectly apt for as you can literally use this on any website. I see this as the modern book test, completely fitting of the 21st century where just about everyone from young and old has a mobile phone in their pocket.

What I love… ABSOLUTELY love… about this well-designed app is that it’s easy to learn (and remember how to use), a breeze to use (nothing fishy), and as legit looking as can be (no fake websites!) so whenever someone asks you to perform something at work or a dinner party or at a social setting (I met my neighbour walking her dog), you can easily do something impressive right away.

And because it is so user friendly (dedicate a good fifteen minutes and you’ll totally nail the interface), you can focus on your presentation and have fun without fear of screwing up somehow. I see AnyWeb as a tool, not a lame “one trick pony” like so many recent magic crap out there; with a little bit of thought, the world is your oyster really. Make use of Netflix and get your audience to think of their favourite actor, or IMDB for their favourite movie, Google Maps for their dream destination… the sky is the limit!

If I sound like I’m raving about this, I am. Well done Magic Pro Ideas. I love how it’s very cleverly priced as well- it’s at the perfect sweet spot. Not too cheap where you’d have annoying hecklers downloading the app and ruining it for the rest of us; not too expensive where you can’t help but feel you’re being fleeced.

TLDR; Full marks all around from price point, features, and ease of use (and learning). Plenty of ideas to get you started too. If I could give this more than the full 10/10 I would in a heartbeat. One tip tho: it’s much cheaper to purchase AnyWeb by Magic Pro Ideas from a good magic store (like my favourite Vanishing Inc where shipping is FREE worldwide) instead of Google Play or the App Store.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Magic is our passion but we are not a magic shop [image error] You can purchase this here!

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2020: The New Normal

Dear You-Out-There-Somewhere-In-The-World

Thank you for reading my blog and following it since I first started it half a decade ago. As we approach the middle of this exceptionally trying year (no thanks to COVID-19), I find myself reflecting on life; the width and depth and breadth of it. While magic reviews have been updated constantly, it’s been quite some time since I last made a blog post. So much have changed. In fact, I don’t even feel like the same person anymore. Evolution is inevitable, I suppose

Have you ever dreamt of flying?

I’m always game to try out anything new so when my friend Pearl told me about Flight School SG, I jumped at the chance of learning a brand new skill and gaining new experiences! I mean, who hasn’t dream of flying right? Together with Wai Chung, who had to shelve dreams of being a pilot because of his bad (pre-Lasik) eyesight, we made our way up to Seletar where the local company is based to check it out.

The first of its kind in Singapore for the general public, they are located at WingsOverAsia (Hanger 66). Walking in after we exchanged our driving licenses for their security passes, the both of us couldn’t help but notice some of these beauties on the same floor of the dedicated flight simulation room. Yes… even though they’re less than a year old, these fellas are super serious about what they do!

We were greeted by our friendly instructor, Captain Vincent Lim, who is a commercial pilot himself. A co-founder of the company, the Singaporean private jet pilot began his career serving the nation as an airforce pilot during his NS days and has been flying since 1986! He currently works for a corporation that deals in medical evacuations, which I think is a very noble job… The man’s practically an angel with wings!

Introducing us to their Red Bird Simulator MCX Cessna 172RK (basically the latest model in the market) which boasts an impressive glass cockpit in the fixed wing motion simulator, Captain Vincent shared that some of their clients consist of commercial airlines and not just flying enthusiasts! Hopping in and buckling up after adjusting your pilot seat and headset, it did feel very real. I was given a briefing about all the bells and whistles by the good captain, who was seated on my right.

Looking at the instruments, the avionics were sophisticated and weather conditions like rain or snow could be set. Speaking to a controller also added a very realistic touch! Just like flying in a real plane, the instructor would also be seated next to you with similar pedals and controls akin to that of a driving instructor in a car. After we set our location (the graphics remind me a little of playing Daytona at the arcade), I spent the next half hour or so learning how to fly!

Wai Chung was a natural and I took a few videos of him piloting the Red Bird Simulator MCX on Instagram. Time literally FLEW. Captain Vincent was clearly experienced and extremely patient and encouraging (a lot more so than my driving instructor!) and after trying this out, I have to agree that it makes a lot of sense. Training on a simulator before an actual plane definitely have its perks; besides not dying (because if you do crash, it’s not an actual “Game Over”), you won’t suffer from landing phobia.

Yes boys and girls. Landing phobia is very real. IRL you’d require 15 minutes to “reset”, i.e. turning the plane around and all, before you can practice landing your plane again. Now with this savvy technology, all your flight instructor needs to do is simply set the program for you to practice landing your plane on the landing strip again! All that just takes a few seconds, making it an efficient use of your time for those serious about getting a Private Pilot License (PPL).

Speaking of which, the traditional way is to spend 6 to 9 months clocking flight time before going for the official FAA test in San Diego. Training the flight simulator way, students only need 2 to 3 months before heading up to the US for 25 days with the actual plane for their certification. This saves you tons of money too! Captain Vincent shared that in general, their students are a lot more prepared and confident with their skills, with a higher passing rate than student pilots who go via the “old school” way. Nice.

Flight School SG currently offers different programmes, even extending their courses to young aspiring aviators! If you’re a discerning parent looking for an extra push for your teenager to apply themselves towards school subjects like science, math, physics, aerodynamics, etc… You now know a brilliant way of dangling that carrot! As long as you’re medially fit, and not colour blind, you can sign up for this. Again, you don’t even need perfect eyesight!

If you’re already a leisure hobby flyer, you may be interested in the club’s private membership which also offers co-share ownership of a plane. Those of you who want to realise your dreams about flying; you now know who to call

Ninja Cut: Providing Singapore scrumptious yet affordable Ninja fare!

Q: What’s the definition of a marriage?

A: Spending an entire lifetime asking your sweetie, “So what do you want to eat?”

Having said that, while there’s plenty of WHAT to discuss, I’d like to share with you about a WHERE… An excellent new hidden find in Singapore that you will love to dine with your other half, or with dear friends who are like family. Introducing… NINJA CUT at Seah Street!

Located just across the iconic Raffles Hotel, Ninja Cut is the latest concept restaurant by former 987FM radio deejay Darren Wee and his team at The Astronaut Group, who also run Ninja Bowl and Chillax Cafe. Walking through its hipster doors, the sleek industrial-chic interior and imported designer wood fixtures definitely gives off a vibe completely apt for the modern day Ninja. Long and narrow like its sister restaurant Ninja Bowl located at Duxton Road, the air-conditioned establishment fits about 60 pax with a nice large table at the end perfect for a party of eight.

My friends and I popped in on Friday night and it was packed… super awesome for a new restaurant which only opened in October; it means they’re doing everything right! Our servers, Lawrence and Cecilia, were friendly and prompt with their service. Nothing beats good, well-informed and polite staff. I’m sure all of us have at some time or other been sadly put off by promising F&B establishments no thanks to their less than acceptable level of service. Thankfully Ninja Cut has lots of pride in that department (even their unisex bathroom is spotless!) and I can imagine them easily packing a nice lunchtime crowd too!

The three of us had a long day and were quite famished, and became even more so after leafing through the Ninja Cut menu which featured a wide variety of all-day brunch nom noms, fresh succulent seafood and yummy cuts of meat that will make meat lovers very happy. I’m not much of a carb girl, so I was doing a happy dance of joy when I noted their sweet selection of proteins like crackling pork belly and roast ribeye. My friends were delighted to find options like cod fillet and whole squid, as well as, base choices like buckwheat soba noodles, quinoa, garden greens and Ninja Cut’s proprietary rice blend (because some people just need their rice)! Ninja Rice is a mix of vinegared Japanese pearl rice, brown rice and seaweed flakes. It took us quite a while to finally decide on our order since everything on the menu looked so good! Decisions, decisions…

It was a rainy day when we visited, so Ade had a hot pomegranate oolong tea which was warm and comforting. Bern had their cold elderflower tea which was refreshing lemonade with the distinctive taste of elderflower. I enjoyed another cold drink, the coconut lemon mint, which came with very generous slices of coconut in the tall glass! We picked a side to share and really, you can’t go wrong with Ninja Cut’s Bacon Asparagus tempura. It was crispy, soft and crunchy in all the right places! Bacon is the obvious hero of the dish and it was a very tasty treat, which comes paired with a nice aioli dip.

Bernard’s #CrispyGoals was the first main to arrive… Crackling pork belly served up with Ninja Rice, his mouthwatering dish arrived with a beautiful onsen egg! He was all praises for it; the skin was crispy and meat tender and moist, he also enjoyed the distinct spices that flavoured the delicious meal. The mushrooms had a nice hit of garlic, the sliced cucumbers were crunchy and the dressing was perfect. If you love beetroot, you’ll be in for a treat! A man who really loves his rice, my dear friend finished every grain and agreed that the additional $2 for the generous, fluffy Ninja Rice was a great deal especially for a restaurant situated in town.

Adeline ordered a dish recommended by our server, and her Ninja’s Steak & Eggs absolutely made us drool the moment we saw it coming towards our table! We were more than happy when she offered to share. She had requested for medium doneness and the steak was cooked just right, and it came generously drizzled in awesome sauce. It was a truly hearty meal, complete with creamy scrambled eggs. Truffle lovers would love this dish; you can taste and smell it but the truffle doesn’t overpower the hero of the dish. Bread comes free with this scrumptious order and if you’re a big eater, this dish is perfect for you.

So what did I pick? I ordered the Cheeky Cheese, a 24-hour braised beef cheek seasoned in red-wine and braised in Japanese curry… creating a wonderful full-bodied flavour that made my happy tastebuds disco dance. Paired with an oozy grilled cheese brioche sandwich perfect for mopping up the delish gravy, you can bet I was one very satisfied diner. Meat lovers will enjoy this awesome all-day brunch option; the tender beef in its awesome sauce, the delightful yuzu drizzled garden greens, and of course the fantastic grilled cheese brioche. It’s a generous dish that I happily give a full 10 points to. My pictures simply doesn’t do it justice!

And since there’s always room for dessert, we shared the Marvellous Matcha, their artisanal matcha ‘hotcake’ filled with green tea fondant, baked at a crisp 200 degrees celcius before being topped with a generous dollop of ricotta cheese and tastefully adorned with edible flowers, speculoos crumble, yuzu peel, chewy dango and yes… the pretty pancake, which is created to order, tastes as good as it looks, making it totally worth the 15 minute wait!

Green tea is the hero of the dish. Yuzu fans who have a sweet tooth will be happy with this Instagram worthy creation. A lot of love obviously went into whipping this up, and all of us loved the nice mix of interesting and unique flavours. We were already feeling very stuffed, but magically managed to finish the sizeable dessert. And just before leaving, we couldn’t help but notice the rest of Ninja Cut’s eye-catching sweeties on display at their counter…

If you’re looking for a place in town that serves up great food in a comfy environment at reasonable prices, Ninja Cuts is definitely worth a check out. I’d say it’s perfect for a night out with friends or even date night. I’ll definitely be back!

Photos by yours truly and Bernard Sim / Magicdow Photography

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Ninja Cut

Tel: 6264 7727

32 Seah Street, Singapore 188388

Opening hours: 9.30am – 9.30pm (weekdays) / 9am – 6pm (weekends)

 

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