By Jamaluddin B Johan • Urbanwire
email reporter • email story • printer friendly

When you think about fast food, especially after watching Super Size Me the first thing that comes to mind is probably processed, unhealthy food that’s out to ruin your diet.
With health conscious readers in mind, UrbanWire went to sneak a peek at WrappaMania, a fast-food outlet with a difference at Plaza Singapura that opened in April.

WrappaMania

The reason why the name sounds so familiar is probably because the founders of WrappaMania are the same people responsible for the Italian restaurant, PastaMania.

WrappaMania aims to be the healthier alternative to fast food, by offering a relatively new of cuisine to the market - wrapps. A ‘wrapp’, or what most of us know as wrap, is a meal by itself, made with tortilla skin and stuffed with a choice of fillings.

The selection of 18 ‘cold’ and ‘warm’ wrapps at WrappaMania is made with a fusion of Asian, Mexican and Western tastes. Despite its name, the wrapps are neither cold nor piping hot. ‘Warm’ wrapps are ones that contain corn rice while ‘cold’ ones are served without.

Healthy Eating

The wrapps are made without any processed items or even monosodium glutamate (MSG). Best of all, for serious dieters, the nutritional values of everything on the menu is published on a handy pamphlet over at the counter, so you can see what really goes into the food that you are eating. The figures apparently came from a study conducted by the Dietetics Department of the National University Hospital.

They even go so far as to list the calories of your entire WrappaMania order, to help you keep tabs on the amount of how many you’d be downing. Whip out that pen and start adding up the figures for some help to keep you on track with your diet.

Bite me! Smooch Me! Slurp Me!

Reaching out to young working adults and students, the place takes a bold step in using bright colours to reflect a fun, healthy and vibrant image. The curved chairs are comfortable to sit on and make for a rather pleasing eating experience. It’s a step away from the stiflingly rigid seating in restaurants, yet classy enough to separate itself from the usual fast food restaurant.

The same vibrant image is reflected on the menu that carry phrases like “Bite me!” for the food, “Smooch Me!” for the smoothies and Slurp Me! for the yummy slurpees. With Names like Kung-Fu Tofu ($3.95), Hot Shot Spicy Wings ($2.95 for 4, $5.50 for 8) and even Terrific Teri Tori ($4.50), it’s hard not to have a little fun with your meal.

Don’t miss the popular Scandalous Scampi ($4.95); breaded prawns, fresh iceberg lettuce, black olives, tomatoes, Thousand Island salad dressing and corn rice – all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. Do remember to stop and come up for air, as finishing it could take a while. When that colossal task is over, wash it all down with a few gulps of your Banana Mango Smooch ($4.50). The Smoothies/Slurpees are made with a blend of mango/peach nectar, fresh fruit slices and ice-cream (smoothies) or fresh fruit juice (slurpee).

If you’re thinking of having a light meal, consider the Tortilla Corn Chips ($1.95). For something more substantial there’s the BBQ Chicken Tortilla Corn Chips ($2.95), which are topped with BBQ Chicken pieces and melted cheddar cheese. Remember to grab some dips from the Salsa Bar, including either the mango salsa and the pineapple salsa for that unique zing to your meal.

The Verdict

If you’re sick of the usual burgers and fries fare, give WrappaMania a try and taste a healthier version of fast food for yourself. One wrapp is enough to last you the whole day. However, do be careful to check the menu for the “chilli” icon as some of the wraps can be rather spicy.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Place
68 Orchard Road
#B2-08A Plaza Singapura

Getting There
Nearest MRT is Dhoby Ghaut
SBS 7, 14, 16, 36,77, 124, 162, 174, 518
TIBS 77, 167, 171, 190, 700, 700A

Pictures courtesy of WrappaMania.