Food Hunt At Singapore Theme Parks: River Wonders

You know what to expect at our local theme parks, but what about the food there? 

Our team of taste explorers take you on a wild ride through Singapore’s awesome theme parks and their culinary offerings. We're on a mission to uncover the unique flavours that make each theme park a gastronomic adventure too.

Today, we head to River Wonders!

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

Asia's first and only river-themed wildlife park celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It is home to one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater vertebrates (animals with a backbone and skeleton).

Tickets:

• $43 for adults
• $31 for kids (aged 3-12)
• $10 for 2nd admission adult / child with every full paying adult. Exclusive to WildPass Holders from 28 Feb to 14 Apr 2024. 
• $20 for seniors who are Singapore residents aged 60 and above
• You can also visit all 4 Mandai Wildlife Reserve parks for a discounted $110 for adults and $80 for kids

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

LUNCH

We kicked off our day by hanging out with the chill manatees, soaking in their vibe as they cruised around the giant aquarium. Then, it was time to jump on the Amazon River Quest boat ride, which was way more exciting than we expected it to be. We spotted a sleek jaguar, some tapirs doing their thing, and even caught a glimpse of adorable capybaras.

We couldn’t resist snapping pics of the park’s red panda – it was super adorable as it walked on the tree branches above us. Of course, we had to swing by to say "what's up" to the giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the OG power couple of the River Wonders. They were snoozing, probably dreaming of bamboo or something.

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

After a fun-filled day, we hit up Mama Panda Kitchen, the only spot for makan at River Wonders.

Total cost: $49.10

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

Panda Chicken Cutlet Gua Bao: $14.90

Verdict: Mama Panda's menu was bursting with panda-themed delights, and this one immediately caught our attention. The chicken cutlet was served in a steaming hot panda-shaped bao. The soft, pillowy buns provided a delightful contrast to the juicy chicken cutlet. Accompanying this mouth-watering creation was a side of crinkle-cut fries that were perfectly golden and oh-so-addictive.

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

Spicy Chicken Wok Rice: $13.90

Verdict: Craving some heat, we promptly ordered this dish with high hopes. We could smell the aroma of spices as we brought the plate to our table. But while the chicken was succulent and veggies crisp, we felt the meal lacked the fiery punch we were craving, and needed more flavour. We made a mental note that next time we were there, we would opt for the noodles – which more than a few other diners had ordered.

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

Giant Panda Cappuccino: $6.90

Verdict: It was hard to resist the allure of a cute chocolate panda stencilled atop the velvety foam of a rich cappuccino. Thankfully, our gamble paid off – this big cup of coffee was spot-on, delivering a robust espresso kick with creamy steamed milk. A good pick-me-up if you need your caffeine fix while exploring River Wonders.

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

Panda Red Bean Pau: $3.50

Verdict: A playful take on a classic treat. Inside the fluffy pau lies a generous serving of smooth red bean paste, its subtle sweetness perfectly complementing the dough. With every bite, we felt like we were transported back to our childhood. And hey, Mama Panda Kitchen also offered a chocolate version of this pau – exactly like the one we enjoyed at Singapore Zoo.

IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG

Panda Cookies: $9.90

Verdict: These Panda Cookies were too adorable to pass up as a souvenir of our adventure. Popping open the box revealed six pieces, each shaped like a mini panda. While they looked crunchy, we were surprised to find out that they were actually soft and chewy. Not gonna lie, they were too soft for our liking. But it’ll surely make a cute gift, especially for little ones.

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