Just Do-It-Yourself — More DIY eateries

By Bernice Koh and Nicole Jeanne Tan, Lifestyle Editors

The Do-It-Yourself concept is catching on in local restaurants — here are more eateries that hopped on the DIY bandwagon before Slappy Cakes and DIO Burger did.

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Photo courtesy of Nook.

Nook

21 Lorong Kilat, #01-03, S598123

Tel: 6466 1811

Mon-Fri: 12nn-10pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-10pm

Nook was the first do-it-yourself pancake house in Singapore, offering flavours such as pandan and red velvet. Its pancake batter also comes in bright colours of green, yellow and red.

Its prices are slightly steeper than Slappy Cakes’ — two Flavoured Pancakes (with choice of three toppings) are priced at $28.

Besides allowing customers to select the batter and toppings, Nook also provides dipping sauces to drench their pancakes in, such as the savoury Country Gravy Sauce and rich Garlic Aioli.

Nook currently offers a Pancake Happy Meal ($6) consisting of three assorted pancake flavours, one side and a fruit punch. This brunch promotion is available from Tuesdays to Fridays, 12-2pm.

Photo courtesy of Fatboy’s The Burger Bar.

The Burger Bar

Far East Plaza

14 Scotts Road, #01-16A/B, S228213

Tel: 6737 3315

Mon-Sun: 11.30am-10pm

The Burger Bar might be co-owned by radio personalities The Muttons from 987FM, but mutton is definitely not among the patty options offered at the concept restaurant.

Nonetheless, customers can build their burgers from other meat options such as beef, pork and chicken through the restaurant’s iPad ordering system — and they can customise anything from the bun right down to the sauce.

Prices are reasonable, with hamburgers starting at $6.50, and add-ons and sides not costing more than $6.

Portions are hearty, but if customers still have space for dessert, tiramisu in a jar ($7.50) from local online bakery The Tiramisu Hero is also offered here.

Photo courtesy of Maki San.

Maki-San

The Cathay

2 Handy Road, #B1-17/18, S229233

Tel: 6737 8772

Mon-Sun: 11.30am-9.30pm

Pancakes and burgers aside, there’s also DIY sushi — from Maki-San, the first of its kind here in Singapore.

Maki-San’s shopfront is small but colourful, and labelled illustrations of its signature sushi creations line the walls.

The concept is simple and straightforward: Customers choose between two options for portion sizes, Little San ($6.90) and Mega San ($9.90). They then select from more than 80 traditional Japanese and Western ingredients for the wrap, rice, stuffing, sprinkles, and sauce.

After submitting the order form, customers can watch the chef put together their customised sushi, which is later served in a brightly-coloured box adorned with adorable, hand-painted patterns of sushi.

For those who prefer a healthier option, Maki-San also offers DIY salads. They can be customised the same way as its sushi, and come in three portion sizes: Little San ($7.90), Big San ($9.90), and Mega San ($11.90).