The Bento People – All Passionate About Quinoa

When you step into The Bento People, it is like receiving insights about healthy eating from the owner of The Bento People, Tat Hon, who is a medical doctor by training.

I brought my younger brother to try the new quinoa dishes as he is a fussy eater and was hoping that Tat Hon can helped me “educate” him.

Tat Hon is all on fire and passionate about quinoa and commented that when he first started the F&B business, it was about educating customers to choose a healthy, balanced meal with more whole grains and vegetables, but now, after more than a year into the business, he has finally chosen his major – Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah” ).

All their cookies were made in-house. The Hae Bee Hiam cookies are one of the most popular flavour here.

Earl Grey Cookies.

Tat Hon told us that 2 women happened to be shopping in Toyogo downstairs one Saturday and decided to pop by The Bento People for lunch and were amazed by how delicious quinoa was and its health benefits that they actually purchased 2 bags of tricolour (black, white & red) quinoa to cook at home.

The Triclour Quinoa.

The White Quinoa.

“It is easier for someone to try quinoa, then asking them to make the huge jump from eating white rice to brown or red rice suddenly,” quipped Tat Hon.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2013 as the “International Year of Quinoa”, in recognition of ancestral practices of the Andean people, who have managed to preserve quinoa as food for both present and future generations.

The Year of Quinoa aimed to raise awareness on the nutritional, economic, environmental and cultural value of quinoa, a seed originally cultivated for food primarily in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

Quinoa not only provides nutrition but can also help eradicate hunger, malnutrition and poverty around the world.

As a good wheat-free alternative to starchy grains, quinoa contains twice the protein content of rice and barley and is a good source of calcium, magnesium and manganese. It also contains good amounts of several B vitamins, vitamin E and dietary fibre.

The new quinoa menu at The Bento People was introduced in early Jan 2016 and the reason for the change in the Saturday lunch menu was to create dishes that people were familiar with but only in the healthier quinoa version, sans any unhealthy ingredients.

Imagine Hainanese Chicken rice, Yang Zhou Fried Rice, Nasi Lemak and Korean Bibimbap in the “quinoa version”.

The Quinoa Lemak Bowl | $15.80 (Launch Promo)

Instead of the usual white rice, chicken wings, peanuts and coconut oil originally found in Nasi Lemak, Tat Hon has improved it to:

White rice → White Quinoa served with Nasi Lemak Chilli
Peanuts → Walnut, Sunflower seeds and Almonds
Coconut oil → Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil
Fried Chicken wing → Cajun Spiced Sous Vide Chicken Breast

The Ultimate Quinoa Bowl (Beef) | $15.80 (Launch Promo)

Instead of the usual fried rice, pork char siew and chinese sausages originally found in Yang Zhou Fried Rice, Tat Hon has improved it to:

Fried rice (white) → Tricolour Quinoa
Vegetables → Ratatouille (French Vegetable Stew) + Japanese Cucumber with Greek Tzatziki yoghurt topping
Pork char siew & chinese sausages → Korean Bulgogi beef

We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 quinoa interpretation of the classic local favourites and found the dishes to be interesting, delicious, fresh and healthy without that greasy feeling in the mouth after eating Nasi lemak and Fried Rice. 🙂

Quinoa has a low glycaemic index, which means it would not lead to a spike in blood glucose levels but instead releases glucose slowly throughout the day to make you feel full and reduce on the need to snack, making quinoa beneficial for people with diabetes or trying to lose weight.

I guess my objective was achieved as my brother left The Bento People getting acquainted with quinoa and actually liking it.

THE BENTO PEOPLE

#02-17, CT Hub, 2 Kallang Avenue, Singapore 339407
Nearest MRT (Lavender Station)
Tel: 64432006 (reservations)
Google Map

Opening Hours
DAYS
Monday – Friday : 9am to 7pm
Lunch 11am – 3pm

NIGHTS
Thursday, Friday & Saturday only : 7pm – 10pm
Only serving ‘Around The World in 9 Small Plates’ Degustation Menu. By Reservation Only.
Closed on Sundays

No monetary compensation was received for this review and all opinions expressed were my own.