5 dishes inspired by wildlife diets at Mandai’s new curated food trail

A food trail to raise awareness on the important roles each species plays in maintaining balance in the ecosystem has been curated by the Mandai Wildlife Group. 

Called the Choose Good Food Trail, it also aims to encourage people to make good choices when it comes to food. 

Available from Oct 21 to Nov 25, it is the first part of the Choose Good with Mandai Campaign. The second part is a game challenge, which runs from Nov 18 to Dec 16.  

The food trail is a collaboration with 20 F&B brands to create new dishes inspired by the diets of 14 wildlife animal species, including the Celebes Crested Macaque, Malayan Sun Bear and Asian Small-Clawed Otter. 

Consisting of offerings both in establishments across Singapore and online, foodies can participate in the food trail at their own pace. 

As part of the campaign, Mandai is giving away prizes up to $5,600. To participate, share a post on Instagram with visuals of at least five dishes from the Choose Good Food Trail, and add the hashtag #choosegoodwithMandai. 

Here are five treats inspired by various wildlife animal diets for available on the food trail: 

Tired of your usual fast food joints and looking for healthier alternatives? Plant-based chicken burger The Woodman will be available at Three Buns, a burger and cocktail bar.

This burger is inspired by the diet of the Sumatran Orangutan, and stands out from the usual fare as it incorporates satay flavours.

Besides The Woodman, Three Buns also offers another plant-based chicken burger. Called the  Bear Necessities, it is inspired by the Asiatic Black Bear and stars fresh, tangy local flavours.

Three Buns Quayside can be found at 60 Robertson Quay. It opens 5pm to 10.30pm on weekdays and 10am to 10.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

The Woodman burger will also be offered at local bar and grill Potato Head, located at 36 Keong Saik Rd. Potato Head opens from 12pm to 12am daily.

For those who have a sweet tooth, Tall Order brings out the best of the Rothschild Giraffe’s diet. 

A sticky date and sweet potato pudding, Tall Order also introduces different textures and flavours by incorporating sourdough ice cream and a spiced orange glaze.

This dessert is created by Open Farm Community, an urban farm and restaurant that offers gluten-free and vegan options. 

It is located at 130E Minden Rd, and opens from 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm on weekdays and 11am to 4pm, 6pm to 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

As part of their collaboration to promote sustainable living choices with Mandai Wildlife Group, Huggs Coffee will add the Pesto Chicken Wrap, Honey Lemon and Banana Walnut Muffin to their menu.

The food items are inspired by the diet of the Malayan Sun Bear. Huggs Coffee is also selling plushies of the Sun Bear.

Ingredients used to create the set include chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, bananas, walnuts and speculoos, a type of biscuit. 

The wrap, drink and muffin will be available at all Huggs Coffee outlets except for Huggs Epigram, Huggs @GIC and Visioncrest Commercial.

Sticking to their traditional roots, The Coconut Club will add their own twist to Sayur Lodeh, an Indonesian vegetable stew making use of several varieties of vegetables, coconut milk and spices.

As there are no fixed vegetables used in usual Sayur Lodeh recipes, The Coconut Club’s Sayur Lodeh Rebung stars bamboo shoots, a staple in the Giant Panda’s diet.

To support sustainability causes, the Sayur Lodeh Rebung does not use any meat. 

The Coconut Club is a restaurant that prides itself on coconut milk recipes, using it as a main ingredient for their dishes. It is located at 269 Beach Rd, with opening hours from 11am to 10.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 10.30pm on weekends.

Health enthusiasts will have access to yet another smoothie flavour, this time created by The Social Space, a multi-concept store featuring a tea bar, café, fair trade retail area and nail salon.

Known as Monkey Business, the smoothie bowl is inspired by the Celebes Crested Macaques’ diet, featuring banana, dragon fruit and papaya as its ingredients.

The Social Space sourced these ingredients from wet markets, choosing to use the “ugly” fruits to lower their water and carbon footprint.

It has two outlets, with opening hours from 9am to 5pm daily. 

The outlet at 333 Kreta Ayer Rd #01-14 is closed on Tuesdays, while the outlet at 5 Straits View, #01-03 Marina One Residences, Garden Tower is closed on Mondays.