Taipei is, without a doubt, a bustling, metropolitan city with much to offer, but once you’ve had your fill of night market cuisine, gone up and down Taipei 101 and partied yourself out, it might be time to head south. Extend your Formosan adventure to the cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan and discover their many treasures. Rich history, gourmet delights and distinct regional culture await.

Kaohsiung

There are no longer any direct flights between Singapore and Kaohsiung (for the moment at least), but it can be reached easily by high-speed rail from Taipei. Once you’ve arrived, you need only jump on the recently completed metro system (also called the MRT) to speed over to any of Kaohsiung’s major tourist locations. Development in this harbor town is keeping brisk pace with that of its northern counterpart, Taipei, but unlike the capital, Kaohsiung is a planned municipality, which means wider streets and lighter traffic. Visitors will find Taiwan’s second-largest city well into its evolution from an industrial hub to a modern metropolis.

Shopping Heaven
Tourists looking for a unique shopping experience can visit Dream Mall (789 Zhonghua 5th Rd., Qianzhen District, +886 (7) 973-3888, www.dream-mall.com.tw, MRT Kaisyuan Station), the largest shopping mall in Taiwan and secondlargest in Asia. If touring an endless row of upscale boutiques isn’t enough for you, this titanic shopping complex is worth visiting for the spectacle of its rooftop Hello Kitty Ferris Wheel alone.

Seafood Island
Just down the block from Dream Mall is old Kaohsiung’s Cijin District (it’s a quick $0.65 ferry ride from the MRT Kaisyuan Station). The area is nestled on a slim island just off the city’s western coast and is famous for its wide array of freshly caught seafood.

Midnight Madness
Foodies should flock to the Liuhe Night Market (Liuhe 2nd Rd., Xinxing District, MRT Formosa Boulevard). This sprawling snack emporium has been rebuilt by the government for maximum tourist-friendliness. Try the crab legs fried in basil and pepper before cooling down with Zheng Lao Pai’s signature papaya milk. The market’s 138 stalls also include games and shopping.

Romantic Riverside Views
Make your way over the Love River (MRT City Council Station, just one stop from Liuhe Night Market) before the stars come out. The aptly-named canal will surely stir romantic feelings in anyone who experiences its soothing ambiance, riverside cafés and live music beneath the streetlamps. Treat your loved one to a boat ride down the waterway and enjoy the lights of the city reflected on its shimmering surface.

Where to Stay
Kaohsiung 202 (202 Gwangfu 3rd St., Kaohsiung, +886 938-020- 304, www.kaohsiung-taiwan.com/202) is the spot for budget travelers looking for high-quality, low cost accommodation. The hostel is located right in the middle of the tourist area next to the Love River. Rates start at $12 per night.

For something a little more luxurious, stay at The Splendor Kaohsiung (1 Tzu-Chiang 3rd Rd., +886 (7) 566-8000, www. thesplendor.com). The tallest high-rise in Taiwan at the time of its construction, this glittering tower forms an essential piece of Kaohsiung’s cityscape. The 74th floor deck offers one of the best views in the entire city. Rooms start at around $290 per night.

Tainan

A short train ride from Kaohsiung, Tainan is Taiwan’s oldest city and its former capital. Originally established as a Dutch trading base, Tainan is home to some of the island’s most fascinating architectural sights. The city is also known as Taiwan’s snack paradise.

Relics of Old Taiwan
Various periods of colonial rule have left Tainan with a collection of stunning relics. Anping Fort (82 Guosheng Rd., Anping District), originally called Fort Zeelandia, was built in 1620 by the Dutch. Its commanding views of the ocean make it a popular spot to watch the sunset. From Tainan Railway Station, take Tainan City Bus No. 2 and get off at the Anping Fort stop to get there.

Not far from the fort are the Chikan Towers (Section 2, 212 Minzu Rd., West Central District, 886 (6) 220-5647), formerly called Fort Provintia. The landmark, one of Taiwan’s top tourist attractions, was later called “Tower of the Red-Haired Barbarians” by the Han Chinese. Like Anping Fort, the site is popular for its exquisite night scenery. To reach the Towers, take City Bus No. 5 from the Tainan Railway Station and get off at the Chikan Towers train station.

Snack City
Seasoned tourists know that Taiwan is a regional gastro hub and nowhere is that more true than in Tainan. Sample some “coffin toast,” a fried bread box with any number of savory fillings such as prawns, crab, chicken and vegetables. Other signature foods include spicy duck’s blood and candied guava. All can be found at one of the two dozen night markets throughout Tainan.

Salt Mountain
No trip to Tainan is complete without a hike up the Cigu Salt Mountain (66 Yancheng Village, Cigu). Originally the spot where the Taiwan Salt Corporation mined its product, the site looks like a snow-covered mountain from a distance. This man-made wonder is now open to tourists. To get there from Tainan Railway Station, take the Xingnan bus to the Jiali stop, from where you take another Xingnan bus (towards Qingkunshen) to Cigu.

Where to Stay
Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel (89 West Section, University Rd., Dong District. +886 (6) 702-8888) is Tainan’s finest luxury hotel and it’s located right in the heart of the city. Rates start at $150 per night. Tayih Landis Tainan Hotel (660 Section 1, Shimen Rd., +886- 6 213-5555, tainan.landishotelsresorts.com) is conveniently located near landmarks such as the Confucius Temple and Chikan Towers. Rates range from about $160 to $340.

Essentials:

Getting There
• Singapore Airlines flies three times daily to Taipei from about $1,180 (including tax)
• EVA Air flies daily to Taipei from about $800 (including tax)
• Tiger Airways and JetStar fly daily to Taipei from about $350 (including tax)
• High Speed Rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung (Zuoying Station) costs about $60 and takes around two hours

Whether you’ve an important deal to seal or just fancy a change from your usual grab-and-go lunch spot, the set menus at many fine dining establishments around town offer superb value for money. Here we pick some of our favorites across a range of price bands, with tips on what to expect and how much time to set aside. Your lunch hour will never be the same again.

Select on the price bands below for recommended restaurants.

• Under $50
• $50-80
• Above $80

Food For Thought
Sure, the cost of ingredients varies from dish to dish, but we can’t help wonder if all of the extra charges on some of these set menus are really justified. For example, at FiftyThree we topped up just $10 for our main of Wagyu beef (very reasonable in our opinion) but had to shell out an additional $40 for our Wagyu main at Iggy’s. Paying an extra 50 percent of the price of your set lunch seems frankly ridiculous.

How To: Work after a boozy lunch
So you’re out to lunch, and it all gets a little Mad Men. Two hours later and you’re practically on the floor. But what to do if you’ve got a presentation to make upon your return to the office?

1. Dunk your head in the toilet bowl. It won’t sober you up, but it will clear the meeting room pretty quick when you walk in.

2. Spike the attendees’ glasses with vodka before the meeting starts. Ensure it works by raising a toast after your first slide.

3. Tell the room that your presentation is inspired by Inception, and will be taking place in your dreams.

4. Put on a TED talk instead. It’s better than anything you’ll ever present anyway.

Lunches under $50

OTTO RISTORANTE

The menu: Rotating weekly, with delicately prepared reworkings of homestyle Italian classics, many from the north (their chef’s from Treviso). You get a choice from three appetizers, three mains and two desserts. On our visit, there was soup, salad or beef carpaccio, as well as spaghetti with Parma ham and butter sauce, baby snapper fillet with soft polenta or pan-roasted chicken breast with fontina cheese.
The damage: $38 for three courses, including coffee or tea.
The verdict: Boy, does this place get busy. That’s worth bearing in mind if you’re in a rush, when food can take a while; it’s quieter around noon, though. If you’re looking to impress, the combination of innovative dishes and enthusiastic service makes it a real winner. And you’ve got to love the building it’s in.
#01-02 Red Dot Traffic Building, 28 Maxwell Rd., 6227-6819. Mon-Fri noon-3:30pm.

PAMPLEMOUSSE BISTRO + BAR 

The menu: Chef Adrian Ling presents a selection of modern European dishes and has the others beat in terms of sheer variety. We were able to pick from six different starters, eight mains and three desserts (that’s a whopping 17 dishes in total). For appetizers, we went with citrus-marinated salmon and miso aioli, as well as foie gras terrine sachertorte with roselle espuma and apricot jam ($10 supplement), both of which were lovely. Settling on our mains proved to be a tricky business, but we finally decided on the signature uni tagliolini with a rich crustacean cream sauce and pork gratons and onglet steak with caramelized onions, pomme puree and truffle-infused Madeira sauce ($5 supplement). For a delightful finale, osmanthus-scented crème brûlée with lychee sorbet and baked black rice pudding with H jicha ice cream made us happy campers.
The damage: A mere $32 for three courses—talk about a steal.
The verdict: This is an ideal spot for lunch, whether you’re dining with business associates or catching up with friends (although we noticed more than a few tai tais in attendance). We’re big fans of the discreet, decidedly un-snooty service and real value-for-money sets. Dempsey’s not convenient for everyone, though.
#01-04, 7 Dempsey Rd., 6475-0080. Tue-Fri noon-3pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm.

RESTAURANT EMBER

The menu: A range of 11 appetizers (three of which are foie gras, $6 supplement), seven mains and 10 delectable desserts. We can’t help but be impressed that their dessert selection is almost as varied as that of their starters. Don’t miss chef Sebastian Ng’s droolworthy homemade crispy tofu with foie gras-mirin sauce and pan-seared Chilean seabass with smoked bacon ragout and truffle yuzu butter. We also adore 12-hour-cooked pork belly with savoy cabbage, apple puree and spiced Calvados sauce. End on a sweet note with the caramelized pear tart and baileys ice cream or coconut panna cotta with gula melaka and water chestnuts.
The damage: $39.50 for three courses, including coffee or tea.
The verdict: It gets really busy here during lunchtime, with an endless parade of OLs and execs who work in the area. So if you’re after a quiet meal, this isn’t the place for you. But if you care more about good quality fare, are a dessert fiend and don’t mind the bustling surrounds, we can’t think of a better spot.
G/F Hotel 1929, 50 Keong Saik Rd., 6347-1928. Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm.

SALT GRILL

The menu: Conceptualized by Australian chef-restaurateur Luke Mangan, some of his signatures make an appearance as entrées including “glass” Sydney crab omelet in a mild white miso-mustard broth with enoki mushrooms, basil, chili and sesame seeds. There are also vegetarian options for each course such as “Salt” salad (seasonal baby vegetables, slow-poached hen’s egg, buffalo mozzarella and candied walnuts) and an incredibly light pan-fried potato gnocchi with sweet corn, lemon thyme and truffled verjuice. Carnivores will appreciate the pork scotch—Australian berkshire kurobuta, café de Paris and green beans with confit eschallot.
The damage: $40 for two courses—an entrée and a main. Not too painful at all, but not as good a deal as some of the other establishments about town.
The verdict: While the food is undoubtedly tasty and the view arresting, we would have preferred the option of a three course set lunch. That said, there’s nothing stopping you from ordering up your dessert of choice off the à la carte menu.
5/F ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6592-5118. Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm.

SENSO RISTORANTE & BAR

The menu: A three-course Italian set lunch, with four starters, three mains and two desserts to choose from, that changes every week according to what’s available. On our visit, starters were a fresh cucumber salad, a superbly delicate raw king fish tambale, homemade foie gras pate with mango chutney, so popular it’s always on the menu ($8 supplement), or a silky cream of cauliflower soup. Oven-roasted spare ribs were the stand-out main, though the homemade linguine and grilled tuna fillet ran them close. Then a mixed fruit cocktail and lemon sorbet, or raisin parfait with crushed nuts to finish (for the time being, at least).
The damage: $36, includes coffee or tea.
The verdict: Hard to fault, especially at this price and in such a charming space (they occupy five adjacent shophouses, you know). The only problem is that with a menu rotating so fast, the dish you love one week could be gone the next. Some of the portions could perhaps be bigger, but this is lunch after all: We’re just greedy when it comes to food this good.
21 Club St., 6224-3534. Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm.

$50-80

FIFTYTHREE
The menu: Thanks to chef and owner Michael Han, the dishes on offer are well-executed and beautifully presented, with three options for each course. Our entrée of sashimi-style scallops with Earl Grey and lavender granita, balls of compressed watermelon, crisp chicken feet and passion fruit coulis was simply stunning, as were the mains of crisp pork belly with red cabbage puree and braised Wagyu cheek with asian pear ($10 supplement). Desserts don’t disappoint either. Give the five-spiced fried pineapple with brie ice cream a go ($5 supplement) or the Amedei Chuao chocolate ice cream with cassis leather and fresh berries ($10 supplement).
The damage: $53 for three divine courses.
The verdict: We’d gladly lunch here everyday, if we could. The space is understated and elegant (which makes it ideal for a business lunch or an intimate meal with a special someone), the service is exemplary, but above all, the carefully-prepared posh nosh is stellar. As a real bonus, the portions here are generous. We suggest setting aside at least a good hour and a half to get the most out of this experience.
53 Armenian St., 6334-5535. Mon-Fri noon-2pm.

LES AMIS
The menu: With eight starters, five mains and six desserts to choose from, they’ve certainly got their bases covered. We highly recommend chef Armin Leitgeb’s signature lightly-smoked eel “tiède,” with crispy pork croûton, shaved horseradish and Dijon mustard emulsion and homemade ramp leaf pasta with poached Maine lobster and chanterelles ($12 supplement). Other winning items include Hungarian goose foie gras ”parfait” with Gewürztraminer jelly and black Périgord truffles ($20 supplement) and charcoal-grilled Wagyu ribeye with Périgourdine sauce ($25 supplement). End your meal with rhubarb textures and tarragon-scented ice cream or be adventurous and try the pickled Hawaiian papaya, with frozen curry, ginger and lime.
The damage: It’s $70 for three and $88 for four (two appetizers, a main and one dessert) courses. Both sets include coffee or tea.
The verdict: We grant that lunch here doesn’t come cheap, but then again, you’re getting more than just fabulous food. The setting is exquisite.
#02-16 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Rd., 6733-2225. Mon-Sat noon-3pm.

MAJESTIC RESTAURANT
The menu: Expect chef-owner Yong Bing Ngen’s signature style of modern Chinese fare with a twist, exemplified in dishes such as a combination platter of Peking duck skin, pan-seared foie gras and crispy soft shell crab with mangoes. Other dishes include double-boiled shark’s fin soup with black truffle, honey-glazed rack of lamb with XO carrot cake and stewed noodles with shredded abalone, mushrooms and truffle oil.
The damage: $40/60 per person for the five-course premium and deluxe set lunch respectively (for a minimum of two people).
The verdict: There’s just something about Chinese food that makes it bettersuited for bigger groups (we think four is the ideal number). While the food is good and service commendable, larger portions wouldn’t hurt.
G/F New Majestic Hotel, 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Rd., 6511-4718. Daily 11:45am-3pm.

SAINT PIERRE
The menu: The daily set lunch changes weekly, while the executive set lunch enjoys a daily update. We sampled the three-course daily lunch (with four different options for each course), as well as the executive set lunch (no choices, so it’s perfect if you’re indecisive). On our visit, starters such as roasted king prawn with lemon jelly or their classic pan-fried foie gras with port sauce ($8 supplement) were offered, while mains included white miso-crusted black cod with squid ink emulsion and low temperature-braised pork jowl with wasabi-pea velouté. For dessert, we had the choice of chestnut ice cream with white chocolate ganache or an assorted cheese platter ($8 supplement).
The damage: The daily set lunch costs $52 for three courses, while the executive set lunch ($75) has four courses (both come with coffee or tea). If you‘re just looking for a quickie, there’s the option of a main and dessert ($32) or a starter and main, with coffee or tea for $42 (but as far as we’re concerned, what’s the point in that?).
The verdict: The daily set lunch here has options aplenty, twelve in just three courses—you’ve got to love that. It’s also an understated, quiet space ideal for an intimate meal, although we’d only recommend it if you’ve got time to spare (our meal lasted about two hours). Truth be told, it’d be a crime to rush through a meal like this.
#01-01 Central Mall, 3 Magazine Rd., 6438-0887. Mon-Fri noon-2pm.

TIPPLING CLUB
The menu: Treat yourself to chef Ryan Clift’s scrumptious molecular gastronomy fare, without hurting your pocket. It’s a three-course lunch deal, with four different options for each course. We kicked things off with pan-seared Hokkaido scallops, cauliflower brûlée and sakura ebi; for mains, a hearty garden pea risotto with crisp bacon chips or pan-fried kingfish on a bed of beetroot-kuzu noodles. As a delightful finale, a snowball of white chocolate and coconut mousse with yuzu curd proved hard to resist.
The damage: Three courses will set you back $55, but trust us when we say, it’s entirely worth it.
The verdict: Lunches here aren’t quite as full-on as their five- or 10-course dinners, but on a Saturday afternoon, we reckon that’s a good thing. Plus, that just means we have a little more space in our bellies for their tasty cocktails.
8D Dempsey Rd., 6475-2217. Sat noon-2:30pm.

Over $80

ANDRE
The menu: In keeping with the philosophy of a degustation menu, their lunch is prixe fixe, with three appetizers, one main course and a dessert. There are no choices whatsoever, so come with an open mind and be prepared for whatever chef André decides to craft. On our visit, we indulged in creations such as smoked salmon served with white peach and tomato salad, Hijeki seaweed and basil flower sorbet, bruleed foie gras jello, périgord black truffle coulis with chives and slow-roasted Japanese Omi short rib beef with celery root puree and mushroom polenta Bianca.
The damage: It’s one of the steepest lunches, at $125 for five scrumptious courses.
The verdict: For a five-course meal, it’s surprisingly quick (we were in and out in just an hour and 15 minutes). The service was beyond reproach, the clientele is well-coiffed and the food superb. Our only gripe is that it’s on the pricy side of things. Then again, if you’re coming here, that shouldn’t be an issue.
41 Bukit Pasoh Rd., 6534-8880. Mon-Fri noon-4pm.

IGGY'S
The menu: It’s a standard four-course deal here, as standard as it gets at Iggy’s anyway. They switch things up every one or two months, depending on what’s in season. We were offered a hot and cold entrée to pick from (naturally we ordered both), pea flan with mint and parmesan or a divine oyster with shiso leaf, encased in sea essence jelly, with mascarpone and pickled discs of cucumber. That was followed by a pasta course of squid ink tonnarelli with fried calamari and tomatoes or vegetarian lasagna. For mains, three offerings: Spring vegetables (for herbivores), quail with black beans and white asparagus, or charcoal-grilled Wagyu with tapenade, okra and yukon gold potato ($40 supplement). For the sweet-toothed, three different options such as yogurt panna cotta with raspberries.
The damage: $85 for four courses (one starter, a pasta dish and a main, followed by dessert). Not the most expensive, but certainly not cheap either.
The verdict: The crowd’s a little older here (mid-40s, plus or minus 10 years) and it’s a pleasant experience overall, with mostly competent wait staff (although they neglected to ask us how we’d like our beef done: For the record, medium-rare please) and good quality fare. The entire affair lasted a pleasurable 90 minutes.
3/F Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Rd., 6732-2234. Daily noon-3:30pm.

KUNIO TOKUOKA 
The menu: Michelin-starred chef Kunio Tokuoka prizes freshness and simplicity above all else; you could say his philosophy is: Balance, balance and balance. Both lunch sets, the five-course and kaiseki, don’t really give you options, although the former allows you to pick from assorted sushi, seafood shirashi donburi or tempura udon for mains. The latter is undoubtedly more filling, but at $450 a pop, you’d certainly hope so. Seasonal offerings include fresh scallops and ikura with homemade chirizu sauce, a tantalizing spread of the freshest sashimi and charcoal-grilled Wagyu with shaved foie pate.
The damage: $120 for the five-course set lunch or $450 for the seven-course kaiseki menu.
The verdict: Is it absolutely delicious? Without a doubt. But unless you’re Miss/ Mr Moneybags, we’re not entirely convinced the jump from $120 to $450 is worth it. Ideally, you’d charge it to your company or have your sugar momma take you.
#02-139 Crockfords Tower Lobby Level, 26 Sentosa Gateway, 6686-3633. Daily noon-3pm.

KURIYA PENTHOUSE
The menu: Centered around what’s fresh at the fish markets and seasonal products from Japan, you’re entirely at the mercy of head chef Yoshihiko Koezuka. Fortunately, you’re in good hands. We were lucky enough to sample some homemade white miso mousse with ikura, raw nore sore (baby eels) and hotaru ika (firefly squid) tempura. The procession of courses continued with Shikoku sugar tomatoes and tomato sorbet, toro (tuna belly), uni (sea urchin) and tai (sea bream) sushi and finally, luscious strawberries and a wedge of insanely sweet and intoxicating musk melon.
The damage: The seven-course lunch goes for $120 and comes with a welcome drink, as well as tea or coffee. There’s also an eight-course chef omakase set for $150.
The verdict: We took about two hours to get through our seven courses, so forget about it unless your boss is out of town or you’re armed with an arsenal of excuses for why you’re only back in the office when everyone else is getting ready to leave.
#12-02 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6509-4222. Daily noon-3pm

1.Liese Bubble Hair Color

The shades: 12; pink, cassis, apricot, mocha orange, milk tea, marshmallow brown, glossy brown, chestnut, ashbrown, dark chocolate, chiffon and platinum beige.
In the box: Latex gloves, color mixture, foam and foam diffuser, leave-on lotion, free cape if purchased from Watsons, manual in Thai and English.
The time: 100 minutes. (Incl. 20 minutes to prep the kit and smear the foam all over the hair.)
The process: The chemical kick will sting your eyes and nose a little bit. The foam sticks to the hair well so you can actually move around during the lengthy dying time.
The result: Hair feels incredibly smooth after rinsing out. The after-color lotion provided in the box also helps smooth the hair even further, but the reaction only lasts until the next hair wash, at which point dehydration starts to set in. The color we tried (cassis berry) didn’t really match what’s on the box: it was much less red. But the color was pretty even.
Cost: B350

2. Schwarzkopf Freshlight Foam

The shades: 6; melty cherry, vanilla beige, lemon blond, berry ash, caramel brown, and juicy apricot
In the box: Latex gloves, color mixture, foam and foam diffuser, after-shampoo treatment, manual in Thai and English.
The time: 120 minutes. (Incl. 30 minutes to prep the kit and apply the foam.)
The process: The foam is very fluffy, making it easy to apply evenly but the fumes are really toxic on the eyes and nose: our guinea pig had to hold her breath at some points. No dripping, though.
The result: After an hour, you can already see the color even before rinsing. The shampoo and after-shampoo treatment really soothe the hair but a lot of hair fell out nonetheless. The color was not very even but got better after a few days.
Cost: B329

3. Etude Bubble Hair Coloring

The shades: 4; deep black, dark brown, natural brown, wine red
In the box: Latex gloves, color mixture, foam and foam diffuser, plastic cape, manual in Korean, after-shampoo treatment.
The time: 95 minutes. (Incl. 15 minutes to prep and apply the foam.)
The process: The smell is not so irritating, but our guinea pig found the foam a bit sticky.
The result: There’s a minor stinging sensation when washing it off, though the after-shampoo treatment really helps soften the irritation. The colors do not really show though, and were only visible at the tips of the hair. In spite of the chemical scent, the hair smelled great after washing.
Cost: B250

What the pro says

1.Toulouse

B420/kg from Gargantua
This French sausage has a few variations, but most often contains various cuts of pork, garlic, goose fat, dry white wine and a touch of spice like black pepper, mace or nutmeg. The preferred way of cooking it is to fry or braise it, as in a cassoulet, a French stew involving loads of duck fat and white beans.

2. Bratwurst

B87/2 pieces from Bei Otto
This German sausage has up to forty varieties, depending on the region, but all are made from either pork or veal. The most well-known variety comes from Nuremberg, where the recipe involves pork and fresh marjoram. While not as big as some of the other varieties of bratwurst, a couple of these can be a meal in their own right, especially when served with a nice, starchy potato salad. Other sharp-flavored condiments like spicy mustard and sauerkraut are also wonderful complements to it’s meaty aromas.
• Next to the Bei Otto deli is also their restaurant (see Essentials), where you can have them cook you up a bratwurst, or several other German sausages.

3. Chorizo

B320/kg from Villa Supermarket
While the European versions of chorizo are dried and cured (making them ideal cold cuts), the Mexican counterpart, originally developed to counter the high cost of importing chorizo from the Old World, is a fresh sausage made with minced pork, fat, white wine, vinegar and paprika (often smoked). You can grill it whole, or cut open the casing and sear the minced meat to add to a sauce or use it in a burrito.
• Good Mexican chorizo can be found at La Monita Taqueria (Mahatun Plaza, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-9581), as a filling in their tacos, burritos and in their choriqueso (B290).

4. Italian sausage

B320/kg from Villa Supermarket
This is really an American, of course, as the adjective “Italian” wouldn’t clarify much among the myriad options of cured and fresh sausages available in Italy. An Italian sausage, then, refers to a fresh pork sausage with no more than 35% fat whose dominant flavor comes from the addition of anise or fennel seeds, giving it a sweet, fragrant quality. There’s also a spicy version, with little or no sugar and lots more red pepper. These go great in pasta sauces and as pizza toppings.
• The Horse Says Moo (Sukhumvit Soi 33, 02-662-0402) does a nice tagliatelle with Italian sausage (B340).

5. American breakfast sausage

B265/pack of Johnsonville from Villa Supermarket
Not to be confused with the greasy, off-pink hotdogs you get at cheap hotel breakfasts, a real American breakfast sausage is a poor man’s delicacy, chock full of pork fat (some say at least 1/3 of the sausage should be fat), coarsely ground pork, red pepper (often cayenne), dried herbs (especially sage, but sometimes dried marjoram and thyme as well) and some sort of sweetness (such as a bit of brown sugar). You can also have these as flat patties rather than links, and, like a true American, try pouring maple syrup on them.

6. Cumberland

B420/kg from Gargantua
Recently awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status by the European Union, the Cumberland sausage is a classic banger from northeastern England, involving several cuts of pork, fat, bread crumbs and sweeter spices like mace and nutmeg. Though traditionally made as one very long, coiling sausage, you’re more likely to find it in Bangkok as the more manageable chain. (And with the PGI now it effect, those not made in the county of Cumbria will no longer be able to put the word Cumberland on the packaging. Good thing you now know the ingredients.)
•Gastro 1/6 (RMA Institute, Soi Sai Namthip 2, Sukhumvit Soi 22, 089-985-3655) uses locally-made Cumberland sausages in many of their breakfast dishes.

7. Merguez

B590/kg from Gargantua
The merguez is a North African sausage and as such is made with lamb. They are quite red in color, due to the paprika in their ingredients. Some versions also have sumac, a spice native to the Mediterranean region that lends color and lemon-like notes, while Eastern spices and herbs, like cumin, coriander and fennel are also often included. It’s often served with a tajine or other couscous dishes, but in Europe, it’s eaten in a baguette or breadroll with mustard, like a hotdog.
•Check out the couscous beldi (B540), a kind of tajine-like stew, at Crepes and Co. (18/1 Sukhumvit Soi 12, 02-653-3990) for a taste of merguez in action.

Essentials

Bei Otto 1 Sukhumvit Soi 20, 02-260-0869. Open daily 8am-midnight
Villa Supermarket Sukhumvit Soi 33, 02-662-1000. Open 24 hours.
Gargantua 10/2 Convent Soi 6, Silom Rd., 02-630-4577

The buzz: Contemporary home furniture and accessories imported from Japan, England and Germany that have become quite a hit with yuppies.

The vibe: The showroom occupies a shophouse refurbished to whitewashed spotlessness, with a deliberate clutter of designer knick-knacks. It’s spacious, quiet and airy, with soft old-school music emanating from the speakers. The cracked floor, an accidental gift from the contractors next door, lends charm to this otherwise prudish space.

The goods: Classic finds from Italy’s bathroom whizz Boffi and Germany’s E15 (their bestselling, solid wood dining table goes for a whopping $13,900) and consignment pieces from local artist Patrick Chia. Apart from a selection of rugs, couches, lamps and mirrors, exclusive bell jars ($1,400-$1,800) are also on offer. Being the only dealer of the classic French furniture brand Tolix adds points to the store’s furnishing cred.

Why you’ll be back: Their goods are updated frequently and so is the showroom, so you’ll want to check back every now and then for pleasant surprises.

#01-02, 5 Purvis St., 6337-0050. Open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-5pm.

Go on a nature stroll conducted by Singapore's Nature Society, taste organic Swiss beers and enjoy performances by Bani Haykal and Inch Chua as part of The Pigeonhole's fundraising event on Mar 26. Proceeds will go to various charities, including the SPCA.

Attend Group X classes for donations of $10, $20 or $50 per session. Classes range from ABT and Zumba to BodyPump and BodyCombat, and will be held at all the California Fitness outlets on Mar 26-27. Email [email protected] to book a place if you're not already a member. Proceeds will go to the Red Cross Society to aid in disaster relief in Japan.

Lauded salon Komachi the Hair Cult will be holding a charity drive for about a week from Mar 22. 100% of the proceeds earned in the week will be donated to the Red Cross Society to help victims of the tsunami. What better time to get your hair done? 

Pure Fitness and Pure Yoga will be running extra Polar Cycle Extreme, Latino Jam Fiesta and yoga classes not just for members but also for the public from Mar 26-27. In exchange, all you need to do is donate a minimum of $20 (ideally) for each class, which will go to the Red Cross Society. Register at any of the Pure outlets. 

Be a part of Singapore Designers Give Back, a fundraising event for Japan brought together by local fashionistas. Participants like 77th Street, Hide & Seek, Tilly, Depression and Eclecticism will put their past collections on sale from Mar 25-27 at Parco Next Next, while the new batch of Parco Next Next designers will be selling their limited edition Hope t-shirt at $25 each. 100% of proceeds, as well as clothes left over from the sale, will be donated to the Red Cross Society. 

Hard Rock Cafe Singapore presents Heart Rock (Mar 27, 6pm), a spontaneous live show put together by local acts like Monochrome, Jack and Rai, Caracal and Amterrible. Join in an auction of Hamilton and Swatch watches, or ditch your diet and buy into their Ben & Jerry's ice-cream sale. All donations go to Mercy Relief to aid Japan. More information www.facebook.com/heartrocksingapore!