Galanggal - Hidden Floral Themed Cafe in Singapore beside Bishan Swimming Complex

If you are looking for a place to go for your next date, mark down this Instagrammable cafe hidden beside Bishan Swimming Complex, called Galangal (it stands for Thai Ginger!). Other than being a fantastic location for photography for content creators, this place is perfect for gathering with your girlfriends or when you are trying to impress your date. The warm lights create a romantic atmosphere, and I won't be surprised if there might be romantic proposals happening at this location soon!

If you are not sure what to order, here are some of our recommended dishes: Start off the meal with Green Mango Salad $6.90 and their appetizing Thai Prawn Cakes (3pcs) $7.50. The salad is so refreshing & tangy, we found ourselves taking scoop after scoop of finely sliced, crunchy mango slices. If you are a spicy lover, opt for their Thai Fish Cakes (3pcs) $7.50 because it packs a fiery punch. For those who are unable to take spicy food, not to worry, as there are a lot of non-spicy items as well, such as the Honey Garlic Fried Chicken $16.90.

What I personally enjoyed most was the Red Tom Yum Soup (Large) that comes in Chicken or Seafood option. By ordering the large size, we are able to enjoy hot soup as it comes in a steamboat styled hot pot. 

Behold, the highlight & star of the meal is the Crispy Fish with Sweet & Sour Sauce $32.90. My partner loves this dish a lot, and trust me when I say it's not easy to find it available in Singapore - especially when it's a whole seabass! (Most places in Singapore sell sweet and sour fish FILLETS which you can't get the crispy skin from; not shiok!) With crispy skin, tender flesh, and a tangy sauce, I'm glad I'm able to enjoy this dish now that I know where to get it!

The dish that held all the flavors together was the Pineapple Fried Rice $15.90. The pineapple taste isn't overpowering and compliments every dish, so it's definitely a must-order item!

The Classic / Green Thai Milk Tea $6.50 is a tad too sweet for our taste, so if you like something less sweet, you can opt for their Lemongrass Ginger drink. However, if you like something sweet, they sell super adorable little milkshakes that taste as yummy as they look!

Last but not least, end the meal with their Mango Sticky Rice $6.90 served on cute pastel-colored plates! It's neither too sweet nor too filling, the portion sizes and sweetness are well balanced between the mango, rice, and coconut milk. One portion is definitely enough for two people, and this dessert was definitely one of the highlights of the meal.

I like that you can order via QR code here - with technology, it makes ordering easier. I also like that it's a short walk away from the bustling Junction 8 mall; hence, there's not much crowd, making it an enjoyable meal and the perfect place to catch up with my friends.

Extremely important tip: Galanggal has a sister outlet located EXTREMELY nearby (just 3 minutes walk away) beside the entrance of Bishan Sports Hall at Level 2. Known as Good Bites, it offers a western-style menu. Maximize your time here by having your appetizers and main course at 1 location, and head over to Galanggal/Good Bites for your desserts. This way, you get to enjoy two different experiences! Also, if either one of the restaurants is full, just head over to the sister outlet!

Tip for content creators: If you are here for photos, do consider bringing a ring light along, as the lighting might not be enough for photos. When editing your photos, you might want to consider desaturating them, as there are quite a number of yellow lights here for the romantic atmosphere. Also, wear pastel-colored clothes to blend into the aesthetic!