FOOD REVIEW: STUFF’D

Since I’m based in Singapore for a few years after living abroad for 9 years, I will review food I’ve tried in cafes, restaurants, food courts, hawker centers and food kiosks here in Singapore.

If you are after protein rich food that doesn’t load up on unhealthy carbs, I would recommend trying a burrito, quesadilla, tacos or a daily bowl from Stuff’d which is a food kiosk found in most malls or housing estates here.

I’ve tried the daily bowl today and I must say I find it satisfying. Costing S$7.80, you can choose one main ingredient which comprises beef, chicken, smoked salmon, impossible which is plant-based meat, hummus or quacamole. My choice was salmon without much thought.

You then choose any 5 of the following bases: cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cucumber. I chose all five. Why not?

Next, you can choose any 5 of the following toppings: red quinoa, sauteed carrot, baba ganoush, braised Daikon soup, tofu soyrizo, seaweed wakame salad, broccoli, soba noodles, edamame, buttered corn, mash potato, cilantro rice, cous cous and black beans. I personally chose baba ganoush, broccoli, edamame, black beans and red quinoa. The red quinoa is surprisingly delicious, recommended by the stall assistant when prompted.

Finally out of the following sauces, I got to choose 2: Habanero, Mayo cucumber, BBQ, mayo, sweet Thai chili, honey mustard, toasted sesame. My choices were toasted sesame (highly recommended) and habanero. Go for the habanero only if you can take the heat. I do love it actually. The two sauces work well together.

Verdict

The daily bowl is just another version of the Japanese poke bowl. The portion is huge for me and the salad was filling. I didn’t need dinner after that. The combination was tasty and best of all, nutritious, packed with protein, vitamins and good carbs. Highly recommended if you are after a protein packed meal. I would also recommend the burrito with black bean and cous cous filling. It’s very filling and satisfying. Costwise, it is affordable as it amounted to less than S$10. I am happy to come back to this kiosk again. My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars for selection, taste, portion and cost.

Final thoughts

I’m in the midst of reading The Blue Zones Solution: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner. In this book, Buettner shares with his readers specific kinds of food centenarians in the Blue Zones –
Sardinia, Okinawa, Loma Linda (California),
Icaria (Greece) and Costa Rica – consume. Buettner cites that centenarians in these healthy zones collectively eat mostly beans, vegetables, sweet potatoes (Okinawans), soy (Okinawans), goat’s milk and feta (Icarians), traditionally prepared corn tortilla (Costa Ricans). Interestingly, sour dough should be the go-to bread and meat should be consumed occasionally.

Buettner interestingly points out that people who adopt the pescatarian diet live the longest.

Since I’m a health fanatic, I’d have no hesitations about getting the daily bowl from Stuff’d when I feel the need for a protein packed meal. After all, it serves a few Superfoods in the form of quinoa, black beans, edamame, seaweed salad and lots of vegetables.