Donuts and more dough-y delights

Ever wondered how the humble sugar-coated doughnut became the hottest food craze of 2007? All because of product extension, which means variations of the original product. Someone decided that if they created different fascinating flavours of the simple doughnut, it would intrigue people enough to be crazy about them. And that is why we have mouth-watering variations like Double Chocolate, Spicy Cheese, Apple Cinnamon, and perhaps there will soon be local-inspired ones like Durian and Chilli Crab!

Realised that there are many new outlets that have gone the product extension route. First we have Chewy Junior, which looks like a doughnut but is really more similar to a cream puff. I tried it and found it much too chewy for my liking, I was expecting something softer in texture. If you have tried Cheese Mochi Mochi from Four Leaves, Chewy Junior's texture is pretty similar to that. So so only and I wouldn't buy it again.

At Tanjong Pagar Plaza where you can find the 1st outlet of Chewy Junior (they are at Bugis Junction Basement as well), there's a small nondescript stall, Fancy Delight, selling egg tarts. What's different about these egg tarts are they are not short and flat like your typical egg tart but tall and chock-full of the egg custard and other ingredients. They have flavours like melting chocolate, banana, corn, apple cinnamon and even mushroom chicken. Worth to try though I would prefer if the egg custard was more eggy.

And at the newly renovated Bugis Junction Basement, there are a few new food outlets going the Donut Factory route. One dough-y variation is D'ough Culture. They serve you you tiao topped with the usual suspects like chocolate, oreo bits, apple, cream, etc. I haven't tried them myself but I heard they are quite tasty. Apparently, it is the brain child of a traditional dough company wishing to reinvent you tiao for the new generation.

Another stall that is also trying to modernise its fare is Otah Inc. It is set up by a family that have been making otah for three generations. Otah of different flavours, with unique ones like Tom Yam, Laksa and Black Pepper are slathered onto white bread and then toasted.

And finally the most interesting food concept of all - fries with as many as 20 sauces to choose from! Looks yummy! Wonder how the Spicy Chilli Crab sauce tastes like? Will give Yella Fellas a try soon!

I'm sure there are many more interesting food concepts not thought of yet .. wonder what the next food innovation will be?