- Nicholas Yong
YOLO, Icon Village 2
YOLO has been around for quite some time (we even paid them a visit back in December 2017) but we found out they have a lot of new stuff brewing in their kitchen, so we were eager to pay them another visit.
Why YOLO? Founder Alexis Bauduin says it’s because “you only live once”, so you should be eating tasty food. But because “you only live once”, you should be watching your health as well. That’s how, “cool”, healthy food was born — your favourite meals given a healthier twist. They even have an an in-house nutritionist working onboard to make sure everything that comes out of the kitchen is deliciously healthy.
We tried the YOLO Signatures on offer, but you do have the choice to build your own main meal. For starters, we opted for the Cauliflower “Fried Rice” with Chicken and Veggies ($7.90), a great mix of everything. As the name implies, the “fried rice” is really made from cauliflower, low in carbs and high in fibre - perfect for weight watchers. And it kinda tastes like fried rice too.
Or if you’re on a strict keto diet, you can have the guys at YOLO switch up the meal with their delicious salmon instead. The salmon here is cooked sous-vide, then oven baked for flaky, tasty goodness.
There’s no need to feel guilty having the Laksa with Wholeweat Glass Noodles and Barramundi ($14.50). While admittedly the soup base has a lighter flavour than your typical Laksa, it’s because the Laksa paste is made in-house, with low fat coconut milk and almond milk. The barramundi is sweet and buttery, and the glass noodles are low glycaemic index (GI). Low GI foods prolong digestion and help you feel full longer.
The Coconut Chicken with Brown Rice and Veggies ($7.90) has a little surprise at the bottom of the bowl - Thai coconut curry, but a healthier version also made in-house like the laksa. The veggie mix of cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and pistachios not only add colour to the dish, but they really go well with the rest of the meal.
The number one favourite on the menu (and my personal preference as well) is the Basil Minced Chicken with Brown Rice and Egg ($7.90). Unlike your typical basil chicken, YOLO’s healthier take its not oily and forgoes the chicken fats, but it kind of tastes like your regular food centre Basil Chicken.
Wrap up your meal with a healthy Açai Bowl dessert ($7.50). We had an original Açai Sorbet, but you can also choose the Peanut Butter Açai for the base, and add fruits and toppings like granolas, almonds or dried fruits. The Açai is sweetened with agave for a sweeter taste with lesser calories.
Speaking of agave, try the Gusto Organic drinks. Like YOLO’s selection of meals, these are your favourite drinks made healthier using Agave as a sweetener. There’s the Cherry Cola ($5.90), Cola ($5.90), Ginger Chipotle ($6.00) and Blood Orange ($6.00), the last of which tastes just like Orangina.
Coffee lovers can try the local Bootstrap Cold Brew coffees. There’s the Cold Brew Black ($6.00), Cold Brew Strong ($6.90), Cold Brew Coconut ($6.90) with coconut milk and coconut nectar, and Cold Brew Manuka (7.50) with New Zealand Manuka Honey and 100% Fresh Milk mixed in.
Before we left, we also got to try their Yobites, the Cranberry Coconut ($5.50), Apple Muesli Balls ($5.50) that taste like healthy breakfast bars, and Hazelnut balls ($5.50) that funnily enough, tastes like Ferrero Rocher.
For busy working folk, YOLO also offers a meal plan depending on whether you’re looking to slim down, bulk up or eat healthier. Check this link for more info.
YOLO
Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street
Singapore 079717
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM