Every now and then, I will think of the various restaurant-style dishes that I have enjoyed in classic Cantonese and Teochew restaurants, like sang mein (noodles) and orh nee (yam paste), and reminiscence the simple feel-good factor that came along with them. Chinese restaurant meals don’t happen often – usually during celebrations or weddings.

Opened in October last year at Kallang Leisure Park, Joyden Treasures is the third eatery of Joyden Concepts, which also operates Joyden Seafood and Joyden Canton Kitchen, and is their largest outlet to date. The unusual Chinese character in its name, 匊 jū, means “carrying in both hands”, and I think it appropriately embodies the restaurant’s hope in serving time-honoured dishes and a selection of the owner’s family recipes wholeheartedly to its customers.

The owners have put their heart and soul into researching past culinary delicacies and cooking methods to bring together a comprehensive selection of seafood and meat dishes that might have been forgotten or were too complex to replicate.

We began with the Joyden Phoenix Beancurd Skin Prawn Roll ($16/$22/$30). A blend of chopped fresh red prawns, salted eggs, century eggs and cilantro is stuffed in between the delicate beancurd skin, and then deep-fried to a light and crispy texture on the exterior. Biting into the roll did remind me a little of hae chor, that usually comes as part of a starter platter with spring rolls, mayonnaise prawns and other items.

The half-Teochew in me considers steamed fish as one of the barometers of whether a restaurant is up to standard, and Joyden Treasures’ Steamed Original Steamed Red Grouper in Homemade Soy Bean Broth (market price) did not disappoint. An entire red grouper is steamed in a made-from-scratch soy bean milk broth with fresh ginger, chives, straw mushrooms and black fungus, and golden fried enoki mushrooms are sprinkled on top before the fish is served. I enjoyed the mildly sweet and savoury broth, and the light whiff of soy fragrances as I bit into the red grouper.

The way of eating the Crispy Fragrant Duck with Petite Lotus Buns ($58) felt oddly familiar (hello Peking duck?). An entire duck is first marinated and simmered in herbs and spices, and then quickly deep-fried before it is served. Just shred the meat and stuff into the homemade steamed lotus-shaped buns with pickled carrot and cucumber slices, drizzle with sour plum sauce and they are good to eat! The duck is fragrant when eaten on its own and its crispy skin left me wanting for more. But to me, the meat borders just so slightly on the dry side, and this tests the chef’s ability to control the heat in the final frying stage.

The Jumbo Prawns in Traditional Dark Sauce ($26/$36/$52) is a labour of love right out of the owner’s kitchen and family members had personally taste-tested this dish multiple times. The jumbo prawns were deep-fried and then infused in a fragrant sesame oil-based dark soy sauce, and I loved the sauce a lot – now pass me the bowl of steamed rice to go with it already!

The Traditional Salt Baked Crab (market price) is another labour-intensive dish. A mixture of different salts, each with its unique taste profile, are blended together, while a myriad of spices are wok-fried together before they are used to cover a whole Sri Lankan crab. The crab is then baked for about half an hour at a low temperature before it is chopped and served. This enhances the sweetness of the plump crab flesh, and I relished the very mild smokiness and saltiness that came along with it.

Ee-fu noodles is a must-have at key celebrations and weddings, and are usually served as the last second course of the meal. Joyden Treasures’ Lobster Noodles with Ginger and Spring Onion (market price) makes a perfect roundup to the main course and is Maureen’s favourite. The noodles are tossed in a flavourful made-from-scratch seafood broth with ginger and spring onion, and then topped with chunks of fresh lobster.

We wrapped up the meal with desserts and if you are a Teochew or a Cantonese, you will leave the restaurant feeling happy. Joyden Treasures’ dessert selections include the light and fluffy Brown Sugar Ma La Gao ($4.20), Crushed Peanut Ang Gu Kueh ($4.20) and Traditional Yam Puree with Pumpkin and Gingko ($16/$26/$36 or $6/bowl).

Often, I have been baffled by Teochew restaurants that serve their orh nee with coconut milk lathered on top, but thankfully Joyden Treasures did not commit this mistake and they followed the original style as closely as possible. The light homemade yam puree has a thick texture and is topped with chopped water chestnuts, steamed pumpkin slices and gingko nuts, and lightly drizzled with spring onion, lard oil and sugary syrup.

The post Joyden Treasures – A Taste of Nostalgia at Leisure Park Kallang appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Gogi Gui is a broad term which means roasted meats, or barbecue, in Korean. The Korean method of roasting beef, pork, chicken, or other types of meat is far different from the usual “BBQ” parties you organize in your backyard. The star of the show is the meat – different types, cuts, marinated, non-marinated etc – that is grilled at the diner’s table on gas or charcoal grills. This experience allows diners to talk, cook and enjoy their food at the same time.

Who can resist the multiple sensory pleasures of Korean BBQ – the spicy, salty flavours and the combination of textures and temperatures, not to mention the hands-on fun of going through a pile of lettuce leaves, wrapping your own individual “lettuce wrap” and popping them into your mouth? If you have yet to try, it’s time to call up some friends and get ready to be in for a culinary treat. Please wear clothes that you don’t mind reeking of smoke afterwards. We’ve come up with a list of 19 Korean BBQ in Singapore for you to pick from!

Seorae Singapore is the only Korean BBQ in Singapore serving their signature Korean Galmaegisal, which is also known as pork skirt meat. Galmaegisal is found between the ribs and the belly of the pig and is a unique cut that forms only 250 grams of every full grown pig. Using Seorae’s special “circle grilling” technique, the Galmaegisal, marinated in a delicious blend of Korean spices for two days, with at least an half hour’s massage, is grilled to perfection, full of rich flavours, tender and juicy. We tried the original Galmaegisal ($21.90 for regular and $29.90 for king) and the garlic soy sauce Galmaegisal ($22.90 for regular and $31.90 for king). The former is the closest you get to savouring authentic Korean flavours while the latter contains a generous garlic seasoning and soy sauce – imagine chunks of juicy meat with an extra kick.

Amp up the flavour of the Galmaegisal using the well-known Korean dipping style into onion and spicy sauces, accompanied with silky folds of egg and fragrant garlic. To bring diners on an even more exciting culinary adventure, Seorae Singapore offers melted cheese on the grill as well, combining mouthwatering textures and creamy cheese into a burst of flavour on the tastebuds. Cheese costs $2 per portion and is non-refillable.

Don’t forget to end your meals with Seorae’s Patbingsoo. The different flavours of Patbingsoo at Seorae are named after places in Seoul, with the signature being Apgujeong Bingsoo ($14.90), designed perfectly for cheese fanatics. Apgujeong Bingsoo consists of cheese, cheese sauce, cheese cake, cheese wafer and vanilla ice cream. Located so conveniently at Plaza Singapura, boosting a comfortable and lively interior, Seorae Singapore is perfect for gatherings and for unwinding after a hard day at work.

Being one of the few Korean BBQ in Singapore that only uses charcoal and no gas, we liked the original and authentic charred flavour of our meat. We also had fun due to their self-service BBQ style and enjoyed BBQ-ing our food to the level of charred-ness we prefer. Wang Dae Bak is extremely packed even on a Monday evening. This would be a place we’ll pick for gatherings with friends as the environment is very lively and relaxed. The entire restaurant is brightly lit and has orangey walls so it’s relatively hard to miss this if you’re walking down Amoy Street. We were first served their appetizers and we really liked the spicy tofu, kimchi, the sweetness that came from their potato, as well as, their beansprouts which has a spicy-sourish taste, very appetizing indeed.

Next, the egg mixture was poured onto our BBQ plate. We honestly feel that this must be the best dish that’s created on Earth! There is no buffet available but they offer BBQ sets. We tried BBQ Set B ($48) which consisted of marinated prime ribs, pork belly, spicy chicken and marinated shoulder. Their beef is tender and marinated to perfection. We wished we could have ordered more! Overall, we understand why people are always swarming this restaurant, especially during dinnertime as their pricing is quite reasonable for the portion of BBQ meats they offer. Plus, we get the kick out of BBQ-ing our own food! Simply splendid!

This is one of the bigger Korean BBQ restaurants we’ve patronized and there are two types of sitting. The first one is the very traditional styled floor seats, similar to those you watch on Korean television programmes while the other kind of sitting is the usual table style. There’s even a play room with slides, sort of like a mini indoor playground for kids so parents can enjoy their BBQ meats while their kids entertain themselves. We really like that this restaurant is very kid friendly. However, there’s one downside as this restaurant has no suction at each table to suck up the greasy and smokey BBQ air. Hence, you might feel a little suffocated by the smokey air when the restaurant gets crowded. You might also feel hot as there is minimal ventilation within the restaurant.

The friendly and helpful staffs will patiently BBQ the meat for us. There were quite a number of appetizers and their spicy cuttlefish is among the list of our favourites. Two salads with different dressings, as well as, a special pumpkin soup with red bean were served. We really enjoyed the latter as it has a very uniquely sweetness to the soup. For the price that we’re paying for the unlimited BBQ buffet per person, we feel that the quality and quantity given has exceeded our expectations. Each BBQ buffet comes with a main dish per person, of which, you can choose between fried saba fish, clear beef rib soup, spicy soft tofu soup, hot stone bowl rice, soya bean paste soup and cold noodle. We found their hot stone bowl rice a little on the blend side but if their special spicy sauce is added into it, it tastes incredible. We really love their cold noodle, which has generous slices of Korean pear in it and these pear slices were extremely sweet. We find the quality of meat and freshness of their prawns excellent. Overall, this is somewhere that will appeal to families, especially those with kids.

Unlimited BBQ is priced at $29++ (adult) and $16++ (child) for lunch every day, $35++ (adult) and $19++ (child) for dinner from Monday to Thursday and $38++ (adult) and $19++ (child) for dinner on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and Eves of Public Holidays.

This is a Korean BBQ restaurant that many have heard of and flock to. Although we arrived around 9pm on a Wednesday (weekday) evening, there were still some people queuing for the BBQ buffet. There are two levels to this restaurant – the first level serves ala-carte styled dishes while the second level is mainly used for customers who opt to have their BBQ buffet. As compared to their sister company, Ssikkek, we feel that 2D1N has done a much better job when it comes to the quality of their meat. Both uses almost the same marinating sauces and same parts of meat from beef, chicken and pork. We feel that the meat offered at 2D1N is tenderer and more succulent and gives out a stronger flavour after marinating. Do not expect much from the ambience as it’s usually packed with large groups of friends or families so it can get quite noisy and rowdy, especially when there are students around.

Since it is a buffet style ($22++ per adult), you get to have unlimited servings of side dishes, meat and even their complimentary ice cream. They offer four different flavours such as yam, chocolate, vanilla and Sorrero (the green one we use to eat as a kid). We really like the yam flavoured ice cream. We feel that it is a great way to end our Korean BBQ.

This restaurant is brightly lit and has a very welcoming feel. We like that their interior is spacious as they offer the buffet style of Korean BBQ. There is sufficient room for you to move around and take your desired choice of appetizers, cooked food and meat to BBQ. We really liked their seaweed appetizer, which has a good balance between sweet and savoury taste. There are two soups available, namely the vegetable soup and kimchi soup. We find the former too blend but we really liked the latter, not too spicy but just gives the right kick! With the exception of Japchae, the rest of their dishes are flavourful and satisfying. The cooked foods offered are fried rice, chicken nuggets and fries etc. We realized their fried rice is a hot-seller and runs out very quickly.

As for the range of meat offered, there is chicken galbi, pork belly, pork collar, pork galbi, beef bulgogi, fish, chicken franks, chicken cheese cocktail, pork bacon, beef shortribs and beef shotplate. We find the fish fresh, tender and very well marinated. This is what made them stand out from the other restaurants that don’t offer fish meat for BBQ. Their chicken galbi and pork galbi were very succulent and gives a burst of flavours. Moreover, we would like to commend the service of their staffs. We find it very good as they are all alert and will take note when your BBQ plate turns black. This is when they immediately approach your table and automatically change to a new BBQ plate without you having to ask.

Their pricing ($28 for 2 pax on a weekday lunch) is super reasonable for the quality and quantity of food offered. You can end your meal with unlimited fresh fruits such as watermelon and orange. There is even a complimentary Korean brand of melon ice cream which we’ve never seen before yet, it’s so good we feel that it’s the best melon ice cream we’ve ever tried.

Being located within the lively Clarke Quay, it’s no wonder that this restaurant’s interior moves towards the current industrialist chic design trend. Bricky walls and black interior attracts the younger crowd, especially those who are looking for a place to fill their stomachs before a long night of drinking and clubbing. The restaurant is quite dark, yet exudes a relaxing, laid back kind of vibe. This is perhaps, the only one restaurant that serves kimchi and spicy beansprouts on their BBQ plate, to ensure that these two dishes are constantly warm. There are two kind of dipping sauces offered here for the BBQ meat. The common one is soybean paste but we’re very amazed with their chilli paste, which tasted a little similar to our chicken rice chilli.

We had their signature “8 colours set” ($98) which consisted of 8 different flavoured pork belly. Every order of their “8 colours set” comes with your choice of a stew. There are four normal stews available, which are beef kimchi stew, pork belly kimchi stew, sardine kimchi stew and seafood bean paste stew. The beef kimchi stew we had was too sourish, we couldn’t taste the spice at all. Besides, it was a little too blend for our liking. If customers are more interested in their seafood soft tofu stew and army stew, you have to top up $6 more. We feel it’s not worth topping up more money for stew as the main focus should be placed on their signature meats. The 8 flavoured meat are namely wine, original, garlic, smoked, herb, curry, miso and red pepper paste. We find their herb too blend as the flavour did not come out too strongly. However, we really enjoyed savouring their red pepper paste, wine and curry flavour. We found these flavours unique, yet very well done. After BBQ-ing one round of meat for us, the staffs used a chunk of white radish to suck away the oil before BBQ-ing the next round. This ensures that the meats we get are not too oily, so we really found this BBQ experience very satisfying.

The interior is very simple and spacious. There are both indoor and outdoor sittings. The indoor sitting has suctions which is better as you’ll walk away free from the BBQ smell as compared to their outdoor sitting, which is hot and without any suctions so be prepared to go home with a greasy smell. Although their menu is very limited, we like that all the meat they serve are of top quality. They even offer prawns ($22 add-on). Though normal and not as huge as tiger prawns, they were well marinated and BBQ to perfection.

Upon settling down, a huge tray of assorted vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, green chilli and carrot etc is brought to our table. This is followed by four appetizers namely, watery kimchi, salad, radish kimchi and thinly sliced green onions. We especially like their watery kimchi, which was very appetizing and a great starter. There are two dipping sauces; soybean paste and their signature Woo Samgyup sauce. There is no buffet available here and all BBQ items are ala carte. We had their signature Woo Samgyup beef ($28) and their Haemul Ssamjang ($9) seafood paste with a variety of seafood, which is one of the better dipping sauce for grilled meat. This dipping sauce reminds us of a saltier version of “dou jiang” that Chinese use for their “zhang jiang mian”. If it didn’t taste a tad too salty, it would have been a perfect dip. As compared to the other Korean BBQ restaurants, we find this dipping sauce very special. No doubt that this restaurant is a little pricier than the rest but it’s worth returning to for their quality BBQ meat.

We did not expect many diners on a weekday night but we were quite shocked to find out that we were Ohneul Hanjeom Korean BBQ Restaurant’s first diners on a Tuesday night. The restaurant is located in a quiet area and perhaps, they are busier during lunch hours. The interior was dimly lit and unlike other Korean restaurants, there were no big-screen televisions playing music videos. The entire feel of this restaurant gives people a very comfortable and homely feel. We like that we feel a little cozy dining here.

The two servers whom we believe to be mother and daughter are very polite and are quick to react whenever we require their services. We really liked their Y. Moksal, marinated pork collar neck with soy sauce ($20). We feel that this pork meat was very well marinated with the right amount of soy sauce such that it doesn’t taste too salty. It was also BBQ to perfection by the servers who took turns BBQ-ing different meats for us. We also like their Woosamgyeop, thin sliced beef short plate with soy sauce ($28). They BBQ it just right, not overcooked hence, the meat was tender and juicy. However, we did not enjoy their chicken bulgogi, spicy chicken ($20) as we feel that the taste doesn’t appeal to our palates. It was not spicy enough as well.

A place where the local Koreans flock to, no doubt that their food is authentic and traditional. Upon entering this restaurant, we realized that their customers are mostly middle-aged Koreans. Throughout our meal, we noticed more Koreans came by to patronize the restaurant. They were all speaking very loudly in Korean so if you’re looking for an ideal place for business meetings, this definitely would not make it. However, due to its very dim lighting, it does create quite a romantic atmosphere for couples, provided the Koreans are not talking at the top of their voices. The walls are black, with two big screens showing Kpop music videos. Orders are made using Ipad. This is so convenient and saves the servers some time from going table to table and taking down orders manually.

Appetizers are served first, together with their signature steamed egg. We really liked the egg as it was melt-in-your-mouth tender and very fluffy. When the meat is served, the servers will constantly BBQ for us. Although this takes the fun out of BBQ-ing hands on, we like that it’s hassle-free so we could just sit back and enjoy our meal over conversations with our family and friends. Their suction system works very well as we were able to leave the restaurant, free of smelling greasy. Their chicken and pork were marinated very well and simply taste delicious. They BBQ the meat expertly such that we don’t get over or under cooked meat. This would be a place to dine in if you’re looking for authentic food in a Korean setting.

As this Korean BBQ restaurant is located at a newer mall, its interior looks newly furbished and relatively clean and tidy. Its bold and brightly coloured theme with upbeat Korean songs and music videos playing in the background and on their television screens seems to draw the younger crowd here. The size and space of this restaurant is not very big yet, cozy enough for groups of friends and families to enjoy and catch up. As the shopping mall itself does not have a lot of human traffic, this restaurant is quite quiet too. Good place to chill and take your time to savour their BBQ meat. However, do take note that it gets really noisy around 3pm as the students studying in nearby school will flock here due to the restaurant’s reasonably priced BBQ sets.

The pricing for group BBQ set lunches are very affordable at $12.80++ per pax. They also offer all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet at a relatively low price too. If you have ordered their sets, you can add on other meats or seafood at an even lower price as compared to when you just order these meats or seafood off from their ala carte menu. We like the Dakdari (boneless chicken leg) which was very well marinated, tender and tasty. The chicken skin was silky smooth, with the right amount of fats and chewy texture. We also like their Seau (prawns) which were fresh. However, we find their beef and pork on the average side. They have a side dish “bar” whereby you get to refill your desired side dishes as many times as it pleases you. The staffs are very helpful and are quick in serving up your orders and tending to your needs and requests.

It’s an ideal location if you’re looking for a place where you can share food and hold conversations with friends and family. After a filling meal of Korean BBQ, you can even stroll over to the Holland Village pubs to chill. There are indoor seatings on Level 1 and 2 and outdoor seatings only on Level 1. According to the staffs, Level 2 was opened to all guests in the past but they have converted it only for VIP dining now. Service was very slow and the staffs don’t seem to be paying attention to your needs. They took their own sweet time to prepare the BBQ and the meat we ordered. We overheard the table behind us complaining about them being too slow and inefficient. The staffs’ attitude was average.

As for the food, you can choose between ala carte BBQ and BBQ sets. At certain timings, they offer all-you-can-eat BBQ buffets too. We went for the buffet ($36.80+/pax) which consists of unlimited Dak Dari (marinated chicken meat), unlimited Samgyubsal (layered pork belly), unlimited Daeji Garbi (marinated pork rib and collar meat) and only one portion of Dungsim (marinated US prime choice ribeye). We feel that their beef was disappointing as the marination was too bland and not flavoursome enough. However, their pork rib, pork collar meat and pork belly are well marinated and delicious. Their marinated chicken meat also appealed to our tastebuds.

There are too many Korean BBQ located along Tanjong Pagar and sad to say, we realize that Super Star K does not have many customers patronizing and their restaurant is relatively quiet. The interior looks very simple and alike to most Korean restaurants, with the round silver-ish tables and suctions above each table. The walls are all black, like most Korean restaurants. Although their customer traffic is not as high as compared to some other Korean BBQ restaurants, the employees were still approachable and helpful. They are still doing their job efficiently, with polite smiles plastered on their faces.

The food menu has more flavours of marination such as black pepper, seasoned, salty etc. They offer more marinating sauces for their meat as compared to other Korean BBQ restaurants whereby the usual marination are just spicy or non-spicy. The beef meat here is very well done, huge and juicy. This is very generous of the restaurant, which caused us to enjoy savouring their BBQ meat even more. Their menu is also more extensive as compared to other Korean BBQ restaurants. It is reasonably priced as well, and their meat costs relatively lower as compared to other Korean BBQ restaurants that serve BBQ meat ala carte style.

Located in a corner along Tanjong Pagar Road, Guiga seems to have more customer traffic even though they are not as established as 2D1N and some other Korean BBQ along this stretch of road. This might be due to their huge signboard which is coloured in bright orange that draws people’s attention. Their interior is also brightly lit and the environment is quite clean and peaceful. There are suctions at all the tables and these suctions work very well. They only offer ala carte style of BBQ meat, no buffet but they do have BBQ sets.

We had their BBQ Set C ($69), consisting of prime beef ribs, marinated prime beef short ribs, 5mm sliced pork belly and marinated pork ribs. The serving was quite generous but the downside was that we found the quality and marination of average standard. For the price that we are paying for the sets, we would rather walk further down to have BBQ buffet at 2D1N. We felt that the appetizers here tasted better than their BBQ meat, which was a very sad thing. There was an egg roll appetizer that left us with a deep impression as it tasted wonderful but was sold out very quickly. We managed to ask for refill for a couple of times and after that, they informed us that they have run out of these very delicious egg rolls.

The interior of this restaurant is similar to that of most Korean restaurants, very simple looking with black walls and minimal decorations all around and big televisions playing Korean music and music videos. We expected this restaurant to be crazily packed on a Saturday night but to our surprise, it was quite empty when we stepped foot into it around 8pm. One glance told us that this place was for small groups of 3-4pax. Perhaps, the maximum number of people per group is 5 or else you might have to split table and be seated separately.

No buffet is offered here, all dishes and BBQ meats are ala carte style. They do offer five different BBQ sets. We had Set C ($68). Their seasoned beef ribs, pork belly, marinated pork ribs and soy sauce chicken set is just sufficient to feed 2-3 pax. We found the meat average but we really enjoyed the steamed egg served. Service was a little slow here and there weren’t many employees around. The employees will BBQ the meat for you but they can never get the beef BBQ to our liking. It’s always too cooked and too tough. We prefer it to be more on the medium-rare side. We feel that beef shouldn’t be BBQ for such a long time such that it doesn’t taste tender and juicy anymore.

Supulae has a very good location and is almost always crowded. The ambience is quite relaxed, with simple interior which gives people a homely feel, but the tables and chairs are placed very closely together, such that some people might find it uncomfortable to chat to their friends or families about certain personal topics as they are afraid that others might be able to eavesdrop. The noise level at Supulae is very loud but this is what makes the restaurant lively. There are suctions at each table which work really well so you will not leave the restaurant smelling greasy.

The employees are all very friendly and helpful and will automatically change the BBQ plates when they turn black as well as, take initiative in topping up your side dishes. Supulae has efficient service level and their employees know the product (BBQ meat) very well as they are able to explain and point out which meat was marinated with which sauces.

The meat here is well marinated and the beef is especially juicy. They are the only ones that offer unlimited BBQ Korean rice cakes. Their Korean BBQ buffet is affordably priced, with approximately ten varieties of different meat with different marination. The Kimchi soup and steamed egg were very appetizing and tasty.

Miss Korea has a dimly-lit interior with simple black walls. Its vibrancy is brought out by the graffiti on the walls, with pictures of Korean food and places of interest in Korea. These pictures allow guests to get a glimpse of how Korea is like, as a tourist destination. The space was not very big but it was quite packed on a weekday afternoon, perhaps due to the office lunch crowd. There was only one staff on duty, probably shorthanded, so you need to be patient while waiting for your orders to be served up. There is suction at each table, which works really well so use it if you do not want to step out of the restaurant smelling greasy.

BBQ buffet is affordably priced at $19.50++ (adults/lunch), $22.90++ (adults/Sun-Thu dinner) and $24.90++ (adults/Fri, Sat & PH). This is a good place for gatherings as it’s not too expensive yet the buffet offers approximately ten unlimited BBQ items to choose from. Beef Bulgogi, Supulae Marinated Pork Steak with Soju and Salt and Chicken Bulgogi with Spicy Sauce are the highlights for the Korean BBQ buffet. The meat used is fresh and came in the right proportion and thinness/thickness. They smell heavenly when grilled and tasted succulent and full of flavours. Korean steamed egg, Kimchi soup and Bean Paste soup are also included in the BBQ buffet. The steamed egg is very fluffy and light, a little saltish but still, tasty. If you are a big eater, do note that rice is free flow here too! End off your meal with a Korean melon ice cream.

BBQ World’s interior is again, similar to that of the usual Korean BBQ restaurants. However, as it is buffet style BBQ, there is a corner where all the side dishes, meat, cooked dishes and soups are placed at for customers to take whatever they desire. All the way from drinks to food to the BBQ-ing part, customers will have to do all hands-on. The staffs will only approach you when you call for them, such as when you request them to change your BBQ plates as it has turned too black. Their service standard is very average and they are not alert. Most of the staffs kept going back to their kitchen and seldom appear so we had to wait for awhile or even walk to the kitchen to inform them of our requests.

Beginning from their appetizers/side dishes, we felt that their Kimchi soup was very bland. The only saviour for the soup was its tofu which was silky soft and had a really nice texture. Their Korean rice cake was not to our liking as it tastes too flour-ish. None of the appetizers stood out for us. We liked their cherry tomatoes as it was really sweet and juicy. If you feel too sinful indulging in too much BBQ meat, you can munch on these cherry tomatoes. The cooked food was average. Though the variety of meat and marinating sauces were vast, we felt that none is worth mentioning or recommending as their quality wise and taste wise was very average. This place might be value-for-money but we did not enjoy the food.

The interior of this place feels very cozy and provides an environment that is comfortable for families. There is one VIP room so small corporate meetings can be held over a Korean meal inside. Although they are known for their BBQ meats, they only offer three different types of beef and pork. There are Samgyeopsal – grilled pork belly ($19), Galbitsal (beef rib meat) and Jumulleok – grilled beef with soy sauce ($32) of which, the first and third are very popular dishes at Jang Won. We found the pork belly slightly over-grilled and a little too tough. On the other hand, the beef was tender and tasty. The variety of choices is very limited.

There is no BBQ plates nor charcoal stove fixed on the tables. Their chefs will BBQ the meat you ordered in their kitchen before serving you on normal plates. The advantage about not having to BBQ hands-on and not having the greasy smoke in the air is that you’ll walk out of this restaurant smelling as good as when you first stepped foot inside. There are other dishes available and mostly are stir-fried hotplate and stew dishes. The highlight of our meal was their Godeungeo gui – grilled mackerel ($14). This fish was very fresh, with meat so tender. We like that the exterior skin was very crispy, with the right amount of flavour while the interior was soft and savoury.

Out of the Korean BBQs that we have gone to in Singapore, we noticed that other than Ju Shin Jung, Chang is another restaurant that offers the traditional floor and mat/cushion seating area. It was extremely crowded on a Friday night so reservations are recommended. They do welcome walk-in guests but the wait is quite long, perhaps 20-30 minutes so you have to be patient. There are both indoor and outdoor dining areas. The ambience is quiet outdoors so it is perfect for couples to date whereas indoors can be relatively noisy and over-crowded due to the number of guests. The employees are efficient and will refill your side dishes generously.

The meat was fresh but not well cut nor well marinated. The serving portion for 2-3 pax was very small and insufficient yet, we had to pay such a high price for the meat. We feel that the quantity is not worth the price. The employees here will offer to BBQ the meat for you but you have the choice to BBQ the meat yourself as well, just let the employees know. There is no suction system available indoors so you would leave with the greasy smell in your hair and on your clothes.

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Having tried quite a number of Korean BBQ in Singapore, my personal favourites are Seorae and Wang Dae Bak. Don’t the pictures look enticing enough? Time to grab some friends and family and head down to any of the listed Korean BBQs near your place to enjoy a carnivorous feast!

The post 19 Places to Eat Korean BBQ in Singapore appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

With the closure of Golden Mile Thien Kee Steamboat and quality at Yet Con getting worse, there seem to be getting more difficult to have a good Hainanese meal.

When my friends from Hong Kong are here for a visit, they wanted to satisfy their craving for chicken rice so I brought them to Chin Chin Eating House at Purvis Street. Established since 1934, dishes offered here are very hainanese, including steamed chicken rice with chilli sauce and ginger dip, pork chop, chap chye, mutton soup and more.

The chicken rice at Chin Chin is drizzled with light fragrant soy sauce and sesame oil, enhancing the flavours of the tender and juicy chicken. Cooked just right, it has retained the moisture every bite. The rice looked less oily but still fragrant and tasty with aroma from the ginger and garlic. While there is nothing much to shout about for the ginger dip, the cilli sauce does have a little tanginess which I love.

I like to pair my chicken rice with Hainanese Pork Chop ($6). But I thought the lean pork cutlet that I had that day was a little on the dry side and the tomato sauce here doesn’t work for me. If my memory doesn’t fail me, Yet Con has better Hainanese Pork Chops. Nevertheless, it does bring some nostalgia while having it.

We also ordered Hainanese Mix Vegetable ($9) or chap chye, with well-stewed cabbage, black fungus and vermicelli in savoury bean sauce. Only available on weekends, the mutton soup has got herbal and meatier flavours. The aromatic soup has got mutton, dried dates and some wolfberries. Recommended if you are okay with mutton soup! There are also other favourites such as cereal prawns, sambal kangkong, prawn paste chicken etc.

The post Chin Chin Eating House – Decent Hainanese Fare in Purvis Street appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Gone are the craze for salted egg croissants and Hokkaido cheese tarts, let’s welcome the matcha desserts into the scene! We have recently hopped across the causeway for some matcha desserts treats. For matchaholic out there, matcha desserts are literally your all-time favourite. Here are 15 places to try matcha-infused desserts for your next visit to JB.

1. Uji Matcha Cheese Tart by The Sugar Pantry

Singapore has Antoinette cheese tart series and in Johor Bahru, the trend has also start at The Sugar Pantry. They have just launched 4 types of Hokkaido Cheese Tarts and one of them is Uji Matcha. The cheese tart are made of 3 different types of cheeses and the green tea is imported from Japan. Launched just 3 days ago, the cheese tarts are selling like hotcakes. The uji matcha tart was rather thick and creamy for me. Its cheese taste was overwhelming that I can’t taste the matcha though. The other 3 flavours include Cheese Tart, Salted Egg Cheese Tart and Caramel Tart. I would recommend to purchase 4 types at one time at RM24.00 instead of purchase one at RM7.50 per piece. The tarts are freshly baked and available from 12pm onwards.

The Sugar Pantry
Address: 47 Jalan Molek 1/9, Taman Molek, Johor Bahru

2. Matcha Yuzu Tart by Bonbon Bakery Cafe

Bonbon Bakery Cafe is the latest cafe addition in Taman Molek. The cafe started 3 weeks ago specializing in cakes and crepes. Their matcha yuzu tart caught my attention so I decided to give it a try. The almond tart base was crispy and the combination of matcha and yuzu works well. Although the matcha has a rich flavour by its own, the yuzu taste was able to give it a refreshing aftertaste. Prepare your camera for the flowy matcha ganache.

BonBon Bakery Cafe
Address: 11 Jalan Molek 1/5c. Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

3. Hokkaido Matcha Hotcakes By Sugar Top

I attempted twice to the café to try this dessert and finally got the chance on the third time. My advice is to visit around 4plus to avoid disappointment. The Hokkaido Matcha Hotcakes with a scope of ice-cream costs RM16.90 and RM13.90 without ice cream. As we cut through the hotcake, the oozing matcha flavour just flow out immediately. There is a slight bitter taste from the surface of the green tea powder but the overall matcha taste was not strong. The sweetness taste was overwhelming and it is best to have it together with the berries and ice-cream. Made in-house with limited servings per day.

Sugar Top
Address: No. 1 Jalan Kuning 1, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru

4. Green Tea Parfrait By Union Fashion Bar

Union Fashion Bar has recently launched their Green Tea Parfrait early this month. The dessert has the combination of frozen cheesecake, matcha ice-cream, red beans, panna cotta and matcha Kit Kat as the topping. With RM16.90 (~approx S$5.80), you get to enjoy this instagram-worthy desserts with so many layering of ingredients.

Union Fashion Bar
Address: 24 Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4 Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru

A video posted by Maureen Ow (@misstamchiak) on Mar 25, 2016 at 4:02am PDT

5. Matcha LAVA Cookies by Creamery Boutique Ice-Cream JB

Creamery Boutique is one of the cafés not to miss as they serve oozing lava cookies from Thailand. There are three flavours of lava cookies available at the café now and one of them is the matcha lava cookie. We ordered the matcha lava cookie with a choice of one scoop ice-cream. The moment the scoop of ice cream falls on top of the soft cookie, the lava ooze out beautifully. That’s when everyone went ‘WOW’. The rich matcha lava is mildly bitter, which I thought didn’t go too well with the sinfully good Thai milk tea. But both are good on its own, we probably should have pick a milder ice cream flavour.

Creamery Boutique Ice Cream Johor Bahru
Address: No. 33 Jalan Austin Height 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru

6. Ujikintoki (Uji Matcha) by Miyakori Cafe

If Japanese water mochi is not enough to satisfy your matcha craving, you can go one floor down to visit Miyakori. The café was opened December last year offering coffee, cakes and desserts. One of their signature desserts is Ujikintoki (Uji Matcha) served in cup. The cup was filled with shaved coarse ice and the ice sizes were irregular. The matcha ice-cream was too milky for my liking and surprisingly the shiratama and red beans in it were quite decent. The best part is that the café has WIFI access for you to chill in air-conditioned place.

Miyakori Café
Address: Lot J5-10 Level 5 106-108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru

7. Green Tea Parfrait By My LIBERICA

My Liberica is a local homegrown café that sets up their first branch in Taman Molek few years back. They specialized in brewing coffee and has a cultivated coffee farm of it’s own in Kulai. The cafe does not only sell coffee and cakes, they also extended their menu to offer desserts. We were at their branch located at Taman Sutera and decided to give a try on their Green Tea Parfait RM15.90 (~approx S$5.30). Their matcha ice-cream is actually haagen dazs ice-cream with green tea pudding and cornflakes. The ice-cream has slightly creamery taste and mild matcha flavour taste but the combination works well with the crunchy cornflakes and pudding as toppings. The dessert is available at their other My Liberica outlets in Johor Bahru.

My Liberica
Address: No.129 Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru

8. Japanese Matcha Sundae by The Sugar Pantry

The Sugar Pantry cafe located at Taman Molek has a double storey space that offers Japanese and French inspired bakeries and pastries. Their first successful café was located at Permas Jaya. The first floor of the café has the display pastries and bakeries for customers to pick and go whereas the second floor is mainly for dine-in customers. We tried their Japanese Matcha Sundae RM16.00 (~approx S$5.50) which comes with matcha ice-cream, red beans and oats. The matcha ice-cream flavour was strong in flavour and it goes perfectly with the red beans. With the inspired oriental teahouse setup, it is best to chill at the café with the sweet treats and FREE Wifi.

The Sugar Pantry
Address: 47 Taman Molek 1/9, Taman Molek, Johor Bahru

9. Matcha Softserve By KOONE

Located within a few doorsteps away from The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen, KOONE is known with it’s pink exterior. Their specialty? Soft serves with liquid nitrogen that can last for approximately 30 seconds in pink pastel cups. And their matcha softserve is available in two types of servings. One is just the matcha soft serve with dry ice which is quite instagram-worthy and the other one is with other toppings. We ordered the Matcha softserve with Japanese dango, azuki beans, green tea soils, drizzled with wild honey and topped with red velvet donuts. The matcha flavour tasted a little artificial for our liking. I still prefer the ones I had at Via Tokyo, Hong Kong which was thick and strong matcha flavour in it.

KOONE
Address: 30, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru

10. Matcha Ice-cream by Sangkaya

Although Sangkaya is known with its coconut ice-cream, they also offers other ice-cream flavours. One of them is the matcha ice-cream. The combination of matcha and coconut ice-cream do work pretty well too at least for me. Their matcha ice-cream here tasted mild flavour but it was good enough to pair with the coconut ice-cream and chai yen ice-cream. With choice of toppings to choose from, this makes the desserts appealing and photogenic too.

Sangkaya
Address: 14 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, Johor Bahru

11. Green Tea Pound Cake By Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters

Just 5-10 minutes walk away from Pelangi Plaza mall, you will come to this small yet comfy café that serves coffee and cakes. The cakes served here are mostly in-house made and maybe one or two items are outsourcing from third party. Their speciality is the 3D art for hot chocolate by the talented barista. We were there for the coffee session and their green tea pound cake. It was recommended by my friend’s friend complimenting the taste of it. The beautifully earthy green tea colour cake was served tasted less sweet. There is a slight bitter green tea taste in it. It would be best if they can drizzle syrup on the cake to enhance the taste of it. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it with my choice of cuppa.

Sweet Blossom Coffee Roasters
Address: 28 Jalan Maju, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru

12. Matcha Latte Mille Crepe By Humble Beginnings

This triggers my interest to explore the taste. Started from an online bakery to now a shopfront, Humble Beginnings is well-known for their mille crepe which is served with creative flavours. Located at JB City Square, Humble Beginnings serves matcha latte mille crepe. The flavour is only available on weekend, so take note!

Humble Beginnings
Address: Lot J6-05 Level 6, City Square Zone B, Johor Bahru

13. Matcha Tea Shingen Pie by Yokosuka Curry House

Mizu Shingen Mochi aka Japanese water mochi is available first in Johor Bahru at Yokosuka Curry House. They served two different flavours and one of them is the matcha flavour raindrop cake with matcha sauce and soybean powder. As jiggling as it can be, this jelly like texture dessert will dissolve within 30 minutes. Thus, get a quick shot and enjoy it. It has refreshing take but lacks that matcha taste. But with RM5.90 (~approx S$2.00), it is a pretty good deal though. Try it and tell us what you think!

Yokosuka Curry House
Address: Inner City Level 3, City Square, Johor Bahru.

14. Matcha Tiramisu By Lemon Tree

Approximately 7 minutes drive away from KSL mall, Lemon Tree Restaurant located at Taman Melodies is a casual dining place where family dinners and group gathering will patron for celebration. Their desserts are by Sweet Moment Cake & Dessert which the owner collaborate with Lemon Tree to supply desserts in Lemon Tree. The matcha tiramisu top layer was covered with matcha powder and the sponge cake within the layers was moist and tender. With RM13.90 (~approx S$4.80/slice), have this for dessert to mark a sweet ending to your meal.

Lemon Tree Restaurant
Address: 18 Jalan Bedara, Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru

15. Nestle Kit Kat Green Tea Ice-cream

Lastly, have you tried Nestle Kit Kat Green Tea Ice-cream? It was launched September last year in Malaysia (Disclaimer: this is NOT an advertorial). The green tea ice-cream comes with a full-sized Kit Kat Chocolate wafer bar embedded in the centre. With only RM3.20 ~ (approx S$1.10), you can get it from all mini-markets, provision shops, convenience stores and petrol stations, supermarkets and hypermarkets in Malaysia. This flavour is 100% halal too! Have a Japanese-style Break, Have a Kit Kat Green Tea!

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Text & Photos by Hazel. Born in Malaysia, Hazel loves to travel and soaked herself with enrich cultures and food. Follow her food adventures on her blog.

The post 15 Irresistible Matcha Desserts To Try in Johor Bahru appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

I am late in discovering Mariners’ Corner Restaurant. Having been around since 1984, nothing much seems to have change. The checkered tablecloth to the wooden furnishing, it feels like I am having dinner at another Shashlik.

Hainanese western eateries are getting lesser. Besides Shashlik, Prince Café and Mariner’s Corner, I can’t think of anyone else. It’s always interesting to eat in these western eateries. My forefathers who had served the British colony have learnt the western style cooking and came up with their own interpretaton.

Third generation owner Jeremy took over his father’s business and the recipes are all from his grandfather’s. We started our dinner with the salad bar. The variety is not that great but good enough as an appetizer. The beef salad is great, or you can have the greens with garlic vinaigrette.

Escargots Gastronome  ($10.50/half dozen) had snails cooked under salamander with garlic butter and served sizzling in shells. It was a little too buttery for my liking.

But the mains were wonderful. A must try is the Hainanese Braised Oxtail Stew ($18) which was a recipe passed down from the owner’s father who was a colonial cook. The the flavour of the meat is retained within the sauce, so deliciously rich.

The Ribeye Steak ($23) was excellent. The buttery flavour of well-marbled beef does not disappoint, giving a juicy steak and beefy flavour. Other options include the N.Z Sirloin Steak ($21), N.Z Venison ($21), N.Z T-Bone Steak ($24.50).

If you want to have seafood and can’t decide, go for the Seafood Platter ($19.80) which in an assortment of fresh fish, prawns, calamari and onion rings. The fish and chips still stay nice and moist.

A nice hideout for a quiet dinner with friends. Plates were cleared pretty quick and the restaurant staff here are friendly and attentive.. Moreover it is a cozy and warm place with faux pas stained glass windows looking out to Cantonment Road with the Pinnacle housing estate looming over jus

The post Mariners’ Corner Restaurant – Hainanese Western Fare in Cantonment appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

I am always fascinated by the picturesque view of luxurious yachts berthing at the ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove every time I attend events held here – with the well-maintained leisure ships against the bright skies and seawater, who wouldn’t imagine living the life one day? Now, the yacht club is taking the experience further with a new restaurant in its clubhouse premises, aptly named WOK°15 Kitchen.

Opened in early April this year, WOK°15 Kitchen has a casual, family-friendly setting that is great for gatherings. It offers a wide range of exquisite Cantonese style dishes, such as appetisers, soups, seafood, barbecue dishes and dim sum, prepared by a team of experienced chefs led by Executive Chef Chum Kar Ho.

The restaurant is one of the three places in the ONE°15 Marina clubhouse that are open to the public, the others being the HELIOS93 lobby lounge and the Latitude Bistro (open on Mondays to Thursdays to non-members on a trial basis).

It is connected to a spacious foyer, offering a panoramic view of the marina, and has four private dining rooms that can accommodate up to 10 persons each. WOK°15 Kitchen also thoughtfully chose instrumental versions of Chinese oldies as ambient music – plus points to the dining experience!

I was invited to sample their dishes a while back and we all enjoyed the Chilli Crab, a signature item on WOK°15 Kitchen’s menu. Sri Lankan crabs in rich chilli crab sauce were served in a black wok and kept warm with a tealight candle below. The crab meat was fresh and had a firm texture, and it went well with the gravy. Despite having more chilli and spices added, the gravy was a little on the sweet side.

We also had Braised Fish Maw and Bamboo Pith in Golden Pumpkin Soup. The soup had a rich texture and was mildly sweet and salty, which should go well with the majority of palates. Meanwhile, the chewy fish maw and bamboo pith gave this item another dimension.

The Baked King Prawn with Pumpkin Sauce was very addictive, and how I wished there were more prawns! Besides pumpkin, Chef revealed that fresh milk, butter, stock and salted egg were also combined to form the gravy. The “basket” to hold the prawns was made with vermicelli sheets that were cut, fried and then baked to crisp.

Another remarkable dish was the Baked Sea Perch with Preserved Vegetables, Snow Fungus and Minced Meat. The snow fungus was first stir-fried to bring out its fragrance, and then combined with minced meat, preserved vegetables and a caramelised sauce before it was poured over the baked sea perch. The richness is counterbalanced by the bed of blanced kangkong below.

Meanwhile, the “Tai O” Braised Crispy Vermicelli is a comforting dish with salted fish, shrimp paste (har cheong) and seafood cubes added – no matter how full you are, don’t miss out on a bowl of this! It had good wok hei and a mild fragrance of har cheong and salted egg. Chef mentioned that these two items were slowly stir-fried together, while the beehoon had been fried beforehand before they were combined and simmered to goodness.

While Sentosa Cove may be slightly out of the way, I do think making the journey to WOK°15 Kitchen will be worth it, whether to impress business associates, to have dinner gatherings or even organise wedding solemnisations and wedding lunches/dinners. And with Father’s Day coming soon (they have a separate Father’s Day menu), do consider!

The post WOK°15 Kitchen – Cantonese Dining with a Yatch View appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Wanton mee needs no introduction. When it comes to a great wanton mee, it’s hard to find one which gets all elements perfect – from the noodle texture to the wanton toppings. Located in a quaint coffee shop at Seletar Hills, I was recommended to try 36 M.S Homemade Yun Tun Noodle.

Their superb homemade egg noodles take centrestage, which is different from the usual mee-kia. The uncle will first blanch the noodles in boiling water, before ladling out for a cold water bath to give them a springy texture. They are then dipped into hot water again and quickly tossed in the sauce to give them a silky texture.

The next star is the huge and juicy dumplings (水饺) filled with pork mince wrapped in the stall. I recommend you to order dumplings noodles without chilli. Because the noodles are tossed in savory black sauce that gives it the glistening look.

Wanton mee with chilli sauce was decent. The red char siew was ordinary, but it doesn’t have a hard texture like some other stalls. The only disappointment is small wantons. Oh ya, the portions are little small as well. So for guys, you probably got to upsize it!

The post 36 M.S Homemade Yun Tun Noodle in Seletar Corner appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Clarke Quay is well known for after-work drinks, dinner and partying the night away. But during the day, it is also a great place to chill out with a river view, fun activities, good food and yes, that’s including brunch. We round up 8 best restaurants to have #SundayFunBrunch. Whether it’s steamy bowls of pho, flaming steaks or juicy burgers, take your tastebuds on an adventure as you explore new dining spots or revisit your favourite haunts.

Don’t forget to bring your whole family along. From now till 31 July 2016, kid dines free with every 2 paying adults. This is going to be an awesome June school holidays for everyone!

Fremantle Seafood Market (Blk E , #01-05/06 )
01 June to 31 July 2016 (Available Daily)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults.

No visit to Australia is complete without an early morning trip to the famous seafood markets located by the jetty at Fremantle harbour, Perth. Recreating this exciting seafood dining experience, Fremantle Seafood Market in Clarke Quay serves a varied and unique seafood dishes, all flown into Singapore for freshest.

Savour the Hot Seafood Platter ($64) with steamed butter prawns, grilled oyster with mornay and kilpatrick, mussels & clams sautéed in garlic white wine sauce, grilled tarragon octopus, soft-shell crab with chilli crab sauce & fried man tou. The chilli crab sauce is thick, sweet, tangy and savory that will electrify your palate. Mop it clean with man tou as the sauce is finger-licking good!

With live lobsters cooked right out of their live seafood gallery, enjoy Whole Lobster Thermidor ($72) baked with mushroom cream, hollandaise & white wine sauce. This luxurious seafood dish is so creamy, rich and flavorful. It reminded me for my meal in Fremantle, Perth.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Valid for children aged 7 and under.
Minimum order of one main course per adult.
Free kid’s meal valid on kid’s menu only.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.

Little Saigon (Blk E, #01-02)
01 June to 31 July 2016 (Sundays only)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults.

Serving classy interpretations of Saigonese cuisine, Little Saigon‘s menu is refreshingly unique, combining the authentic taste of Vietnamese favourites with both new and traditional party fare. For the entrée, there is Fresh Spring Roll ($10) where prawns, pork belly, pickled carrots, fresh greens and herbs are wrapped in rice paper. You could dip it in shrimp sauce to enhance the taste.

The Beef Noodle Soup ($16) features slow cooked beef broth with beef collar beef brisket and beef meat balls. The rice noodles are smooth and easy to slurp it down. While parents are having huge bowls of Vietnamese Beef Pho, the kid can enjoy Sauteed Vegetables Omelette with Vietnamese Style Fried Rice ($16). A perfectly folded soft omelette makes an excellent kids meal. Alternatively, kids can also have Mini Chicken Noodle Soup with tender grilled chicken in aromatic broth.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Valid with a minimum spending of $60 for 2 adults in a single receipt. Only 1 child per 2 adults. Promotion is valid on Sundays only.
Valid for children aged 7 and under.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.

Maziga Café (Blk C , #01-10 )
01 June to 31 July 2016 (Available daily)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults.

Helmed by the team behind the famed Punjab Grill, Indian fusion eatery Maziga Indian Grill takes everything that is hearty and comforting about traditional Indian cuisine and ignites it with a spark of modern culinary wizardry.

When we think of street foods in India, we only get the image of huge golgappas dipped in tamarind water. Here, the round and crispy Old Delhi Golgappa Chat ($12.90) comes with refreshing tubes of chilled jaljeera oxide (powdered herbs that have been given a Heston-esque treatment of liquid nitrogen) bursting with great flavours. This sweet, tangy and spicy evening snack is loved by everyone.

Traverse the sights, sounds and flavours of India by tickling your taste buds with bite size tapas such as Tandoori Garma Garam Prawns ($23.90) and Chilli Crab Akuri ($17.90). Packing a punch in both flavour and style, the tender Lamb Gelouti Kebab ($12.50) is served in maska Pav. The humble kebab is also given new life in the form of burger buns, served in Insta-worthy travel trunks.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Valid for children aged 7 and under.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.
Please call 6253 7307 for reservations.

McGettigan’s (Blk A , #01-01C )
01 June to 31 July 2016 (Sundays only)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults

#SundayFunBrunch becomes a little different when dining out at McGettigan’s because this Irish pub serves home-cooked comfort Irish fare, perfectly poured drinks and the world’s top sporting events televised live on numerous HD screens.

There is a saying that goes “Eat breakfast like a King” meaning it is wise to start the day with a large cooked breakfast. This can be applied to the McGettigan’s Full Irish Breakfast ($25) which is a hearty platter consisting of pork sausages, pork rashers, fried eggs, black pudding, white pudding, baked beans, hash browns, mushrooms, grilled tomato & toast served with tea/coffee. It’s my first time eating black and white pudding. The former is a type of blood sausage while the latter contains only pork meat and fat.

If you are having dinner with your family, the McGettigan’s Signature Wings ($18) is definitely a hot favourite for young and old. The wings were doused in spicy sauce reminiscent of buffalo wings and served with Cashel Blue dressing & crudités. The coating of sauce is done expertly. The wings retained a crispy exterior with a tangy sauce that doesn’t burn your lips.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Valid for children aged 7 and under. Promotion is valid on Sundays only.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.

The Butchers Club Burger (Blk A, #01-01B)
01June to 31 July 2016 (Sundays only)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults.

The Butchers Club Burger is one of the best burger joint in Hong Kong. The concept of the burger joint came about through The Butchers Club’s belief to practise nose-to-tail butchery. After the primary cuts of beef have been used to create its signature steaks for guests at the private dinners, the remaining yet gorgeous secondary cuts of rump, chuck, and brisket are first dry-aged, then ground in the restaurant and sprinkled with our secret seasoning blend and grilled.
Try the new Slider Platter ($20+) which includes 3 sliders (The Burger, Wu Tang Style and Captain Ahab) with duck fat fries and choice of soft drink. We love the signature The Burger made up of a juicy dry-aged Black Angus grain-fed beef patty, sandwiched between Canadian strip bacon glazed, caramelised onion sauce, English white cheddar, pickle and tomato. Accompany your sliders with the house’s Duck Fat Fries, fried thrice in duck fat to a crispy finish.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Promotion is valid on Sundays only.
Valid for children aged 7 and under. One Child gets ONE free slider set (1x slider, fries, soft drink) with every 2 burger purchases.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.

Faigo Hotpot小辉哥火锅 (Blk B, #01-06/07)
01 June to 31 July 2016 (Sundays only)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults

China’s famous Faigo Hotpot arrives in Singapore with its first outlet at Clarke Quay. This premium hotpot concept uses high quality ingredients and a wide variety of soup bases. The hot pots are served individually instead of sharing so that you can control your own temperature.

I tried more than 5 soup bases which includes – signature clear Teochew, Bitter Gourd Pork Rib, Potato Curry, Tomato Oxtail Soup and Sichuan. The clear Teowchew soup is moderately tantalizing and light, you can taste the natural juices of the meat. I prefer the Tomato Oxtail Soup which is a tomato-based broth that brings a little sweetness to your meal.

This classical Cantonese-style hot pot provides abundant fresh options of soups, different cuts of meat, beef and seafood from $19 onwards. It has specially made assorted beef dishes consisting of ox-tongues, superfine snowflake beef, honey-stewed spiced beef, etc. The paper-thin quality beef is lean and tender, which bring a pleasant hint of sweetness.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Valid with purchase of 2 set menus ($19++, $29++ or $39++) . Promotion is valid on Sundays from 1pm to 6pm only.
Valid for children aged 7 and under. Free set menu for child will be that of lower priced set menu.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.

Catch Beer & Batter (Blk A, #01-01)
01 June to 31 July 2016 (Sundays only)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults.

Seafood and beer are best friends. If you love both, you will like Catch Beer & Batter specializing in craft beers and crispy seafood. They have more than 10 different types of Belgium, Dutch and English craft beers, among which is U.K’s multi-award winning Timothy Taylor & Co Boltmaker.

It doesn’t take much to appreciate the deliciousness of a good plate of Halibut and Chips ($24.50) served with cajun fries, garden greens and homemade tartare sauce. The batter fries up rich enough to satisfy your craving without being greasy yet retaining the moisture in the halibut. If you can’t decide what to eat, Cajun Grill Seafood Platters will work for you with scallops, salmon and prawns.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Valid with a minimum spending of $35 in a single receipt. Promotion is valid on Sundays only.
Valid for children aged 7 and under.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.

Privé Clarke Quay (Blk C , #01-09A )
01 June to 31 July 2016 (Sundays only)
One child dines for free with every two paying adults.

Privé Clarke Quay is an exciting new one-stop food and entertainment venue. On weekends, it is an ideal venue for grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a satisfying meal during the day; while at night, it seamlessly transforms into a vibrant venue for specially crafted drink presentations, interactive events, live music, and a late night DJ driven party.

From all-day breakfast classics to hearty mains and decadent desserts, Privé Clarke Quay satisfies at any time of the day or night. Instead of the usual burgers and sandwiches, we tried an Asian-influenced Curry Chicken Pizza ($18) with a thin, crackery crust — the type that lends an auditory pleasure. The fillings are a refreshing departure from the norm, this include coriander, baby spinach, sliced red onions, green chilli and mint yoghurt. A proper steak frites is a true treat. 200g of grass-fed Australian ribeye with great marbling is cooked just right and served with fries and mesclun.

Privé Clarke Quay takes its beverage program seriously. Here you’ll find a curated and extensive vodka list from all over the world, specialty crafted cocktails and an extensive frozen drink menu. Guests will have an opportunity to be their own bartender and order individual personal beer kegs that will be placed at their table in 1.8L (starting at $60) or 4L (starting at $128) for sharing among friends.

* Terms & conditions apply.
Promotion is valid on Saturdays and Sundays only.
Valid for children aged 7 and under.
Minimum order of one main course per adult.
Free kid’s meal valid on kid’s menu only.
Not valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges.

Stand to win dining vouchers and STAR$® when you dine in Clarke Quay!

Gourmet’s/Glutton’s Redemption (01 June – 31 July 2016):
Spend $120* at any F&B outlet in Clarke Quay and redeem a $10 Dining Voucher. While stock last.

Free Fun @ #SUNDAYFUNBRUNCH (05 , 12, 19 & 26 June):
Experience family fun! Come down every Sunday from 1pm to 6pm to test your skills at free sports carnival, and enjoy FREE dining* for children while you’re at it.

Filled With Joy(01 June – 31 July 2016):
Watch out for our balloon sculptors on Friday nights (8 – 10 pm) as they entertain you with their inflated sense of fun!

CAPITASTAR Double Rewards (01 June – 31 July 2016):
Dine at Block A & C and earn 2X STAR$®! Simply scan your receipt and be rewarded.

CAPITASTAR New Sign Up (01 June – 31 July 2016):
New to the CAPITASTAR rewards programme? Earn 10,000 STAR$® ($10 CapitaVoucher) when you sign up to be a CAPITASTAR member at Clarke Quay. Redemption is only valid for new CAPITASTAR sign ups via sgregister.capitastar.com/CQNS0616, redemption booth (Fountain Square) or CAPITASTAR kiosks (Peddlers Walk). Exclusive to first 1,000 new sign ups.

For more information, please click here. *Terms & Conditions apply.

The post 8 Brunch Places to Eat in Clarke Quay – Kid dines free with every 2 paying adults appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Ready for some sunshine and sand in Koh Samui? When I want a break from writing, I escape to the beach. It’s always nice to start my day enjoying the ocean and eat delicious food.

Located on the north-east coast of Koh Samui in Bophut, Kanda Residences is a block from the ocean and just minutes from Cheongmon’s family friendly beaches and the action and nightlife of Chaweng. When the folks from Kanda Residences invited us over for a weekend, it’s hard to reject.

LOCATION

For those arriving from the Koh Samui Airport, there’s no need to endure a lengthy transfer as Kanda Residences is just a ten-minute drive away. The villa is both close to the action and removed enough to give us breathing room. Such perfect location to provide seclusion and privacy while allowing easy access to all Samui has to offer.

Of course, for those looking for a lively evening out or an excursion to one of the island’s many attractions, Kanda Residences isn’t too far from the action. Only minutes from the hustle-and-bustle of Chaweng, Kanda Residences’ location allows guests to enjoy various facets of Koh Samui life in equal measure.

VILLA

Style, elegance, comfort and privacy are just a few of the great features of the villas at Kanda Residences. The villas are available with 1, 2, 3 or 4-bedrooms, giving us ample space to enjoy a range of optional personalized services including in-villa cooking class or barbeque, babysitter services, kid’s activities and private party arrangements.

OUR ROOM

We checked in to pool villa which offers an ocean view from the 2nd floor master bedroom. On the lower level, there is a spacious living room with dining and in-villa kitchen facilities. Outside, a large private pool furnished with sun loungers as well as a gazebo gave us the chance to relax in comfort while enjoying the tropical beauty of Koh Samui and the sea beyond. Air conditioned en suite bathrooms are complete with double vanity, rain showers, large bathtubs and full amenities. A standout feature in the bed which made for a night of blissful sleep.

BREAKFAST AT ROCKPOOL

Kanda Residences only had one restaurant – Rockpool. Perfectly situated just a few feet from the sea, the restaurant’s perfect setting is great for a romantic dinner, afternoon cocktails or simply a tea or coffee break. The open plan of the decked terrace offers an unparalleled view and proximity to the ocean and coastline to make the overall experience of a visit to Rockpool truly unforgettable.

Combining the best of east and west in a setting that is nothing short of breathtaking, you can start your breakfast at the restaurant if the weather is not too hot. They serve a small menu of egg benedict to Thai food. Because of its magical location, I think Kanda is also a great location for picture perfect beach-side weddings.

IN-ROOM DINING

If you prefer to enjoy your breakfast in the comfort of your villa, go ahead to give them a call and tell them what you would like to eat. They have a mix of western and Thai dishes for you to choose from. Since we had western breakfast at Rockpool already, we decided to go for Thai menu. It was a good choice. The tangy, crunchy, slightly sweet Pad Thai (THB270) are irresistible.

COOKING CLASS

There are loads of indoor and outdoor activites to do in the villa. Besides the activities planned for children, Kanda also offer executive personal trainer services for adults. We of course, opted for cooking class (THB2000, minimum 2 people)! These fun, hands-on cooking classes are taught by chefs from Rockpool who introduce us to Thai culture and traditions through food.

Choose from different menus and let the Chef guide you through the recipes. We get to learn the dishes we want to learn from four different categories – Salad, Soup, Stir-Fried and Curry. The chefs will prepare the ingredients with us and at the end of it, we will be eating our homecooked food for lunch! All these happened in our villa’s kitchen. So convenient, I don’t even have to step out. So here’s sharing 2 recipes I learnt from the session.

Yam Neau Yang

2016-06-11 00:46:30

One of the more popular appetizers in Thailand, beef salad had a perfect balance of sweet, sour, savoury and spicy flavours in this dish.

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Ingredients

1. 200g beef tenderloin
2. 50g tomato
3. 30g cucumber
4. 20g Thai celery
5. 20g white onion
6. 20g spring onion
7. 2g mint leaves
8. 10g peanuts
9. 2 dried chilli
10. 5ml fish sauce
11. 5g palm sugar
12. 2g red chillies, chopped
13. 2g garlic, chopped

Instructions

1. Grill the beef to your desired temperature and set aside to cool.
2. Place all vegetables and herbs in a bowl and add the fish sauce, lime juice and palm sugar to taste.
3. Slice the beef and add to the salad. Finish with peanuts and garnish with dried chillies.

Miss Tam Chiak http://www.misstamchiak.com/

Tom Yam Goong

2016-06-11 00:48:29

In Thailand, tom yam is usually made with prawns, chicken, fish or mushrooms. The soup is characterised by its distinct hot and soup flavours, with fragrant herbs generously used. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as lemon grass, kaffire lime leaves, galangal, lim juice, fish sauce, crushed chilli peppers and more. The soup is often topped with coriander leaves.

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Ingredients

1. 1 river prawns
2. 2 tsp chilli paste
3. 5g galangal
4. 5g lemongrass
5. 2 pcs kaffire lime leaf
6. 40g shallots
7. 3 pcs red thai chilli
8. 50g straw mushrooms
9. 50g cherry tomato
10. 270ml vegetable stock
11. 2 tbsp fish sauce
12. 2 tbsp lime juice
13. 2 tbsp evaporated milk
14. coriander to garnish

Instructions

1. Pour all spices and vegetable stock in a pot and bring to simmer for about 3 minutes to release all the flavours.
2. Add straw mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and prawns. Simmer for another 2 minutes or until the prawn is fully cooked.
3. Lastly, add evaporated milk and then the fish sauce and lime juice to your preferred taste. Top with coriander and serve.

Miss Tam Chiak http://www.misstamchiak.com/

Chef uses a very simple Thai recipes, and it doesn’t take very long to prepare. All you have to do is to gather the ingredients and spices needed and it’s half the battle won. We got our scrumptious lunch all prepared in less than 2 hours (with photography).

All cooking lessons can be personalized on request, and they can cater for specific needs – be it dietary restrictions or preferences, requests for lessons appropriate for children, or closed groups and different levels of expertise.

MASSAGE

The best treat when you are on a getaway is … MASSAGE! Located within the villa, Kanda Residences Asian Wellness Centre focuses on Thai Wellness treatments using the methodology taught at the world famous Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok – that is to apply pressure along the muscular and nervous system.

There’s nothing better than slipping on a warm, fluffy robe right before a massage or scrub. Go for the Kanda Asian Wellness Signature Massage which is a unique massage combining traditional Thai techniques with an Aromatherapy relaxation method. The therapists are professional and have good skills, which helps to relieve my shoulder aches and induces a deep state of deep relaxation.

PRIVATE DINING BY THE BEACH

There are people who plan their vacations around restaurants, I am definitely one of them. Kanda’s private beach is a beautiful stretch of soft sand – perfect for strolling hand in hand or having a romantic beach dinner! Executive Chef Lucas Leonardi Varin brings his Michelin star training to the forefront with an interchanging special menu highlighting the freshest ingredients with an international array of flavors and fine dining technique.

Creating a well balanced menu which reflects the relaxed resort atmosphere with a casual all day dining menu, we were served a variety of Tapas platter including Rice Paper Rolls (THB 270) with sesame and yuzu sauce, crispy Fried Prawn Cake (THB290), Tuna Miang Kam with betal leaf (THB320) and Scallops in the shell with Thai seafood sauce (THB340). Combining east and west, Black Angus and Tiger Prawn Salad (THB440) features smoky and tender grilled Australian black angus beef with mixed leaves, spices and herbs.

For a heartier selection the grill kitchen flames local seafood and imported meats. Served in medium rare, Australian Beef Ribeye (THB850) is lightly rubbed with salt and pepper before grilling at controlled temperature. When sliced, it reveals a rosy pink shade and is served with chimichurri sauce made from a blend of parsley, mint & cilantro. I like the rich and robust flavour from the sauce which pairs beautifully with the marbled meat. For a lighter main, Whole Sea Bass (THB620) is a great option too.

This is incredibly romantic. Rockpool’s beautiful setting is as enchanting as the restaurant’s startlingly creative food by Executive Chef Lucas. The kitchens also regularly creates new featured dishes to provide guests with an ever-evolving selection of flavor combinations so you can look forward to something new each time you dine there. The villa also does private BBQ session (THB1,990/pax, minimum 2 persons) at your villa between 12pm to 10pm, make your reservations early.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Reserve your stay on full prepayment, non refundable terms and receive a 20% discount. Booking period: now till 31 October 2016. Valid until 22 December 2016.

Rate inclusive of breakfast, airport transfers, a bottle of sparkling wine, Wi-Fi access, daily shuttle service to Chaweng tourist area, non-motorized water sport and 10% discount in the restaurant and spa. Visit http://kandaresidences.com/special-offers for more great deals.

BOOK DIRECT TO RECEIVE…

For those looking for peace, tranquility and privacy – you’ll definitely find all of this in abundance at Kanda Residences. The resort is situated on a gently-sloping hillside in Bophut which tapers off to a secluded beachfront. This is what you will get when you book directly from them:

– Best Rate Guarantee – 15% discount on any lower rate under the same terms
– Complimentary return airport transfers
– Bedroom Oceanfront Pool Villa – instant confirmation.
– 10% Discount on Food and Beverage and Spa
– Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine on arrival

The post 36 Hours in Kanda Residences – Beautiful Beach Resort in Koh Samui appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

It was my hatch day two weeks ago and I wanted to go on a heritage celebration, makaning with my loved ones at all the good ol’ heritage places in Singapore. One of the places I visited was Mooi Chin Place Village Hotel Bugis. I got to know about Mit from my Hong Kong friends who stayed at the hotel and tried the food.

Opened in 1935, this restaurant started as a restaurant & bar serving only western fare and alcoholic drinks. Back then, they were located at the corner of North Bridge Road and Purvis Street and were one of the few restaurants that has alcoholic license. After World War 2, they started selling oriental cuisine.

This oldest Hainanese restaurant is famed for their homely signature dishes including Hainanese pork chop, chicken rice, mutton soup etc. They briefly to Ang Mo Kio and Funan Centre before settling down at Landmark Village Hotel in 2001. (That’s beside the point… but how many times must the hotel change name? From Golden Landmark Hotel to Landmark Village Hotel to Village Hotel Bugis… oh my goodness).

The Hainanese Style Poached Chicken (half $20) is very smooth and tender, goes well with the rice that’s subtle and not too oily. The rice has a mild chicken flavour with pronounced ginger fragrance. They also have offer the Hainanese Chicken Rice Set for $16. Nothing to shout about for the Fried Chop Suay ($14), I wish it was less savoury.

The Hainanese Mutton Soup ($16) is another signature dish but unfortunately, my friends are not big on mutton so we skipped it. Instead, we went for Fish Maw with mixed meat and seafood soup ($24) which is very homely and comes with cabbage, abalone slices, prawns and squid. Alternatively, order the Fried Fish Maw with Seafood ($16) to go with a bowl of steaming hot white rice.

Because the owner used to hire cooks who had worked in Peranakan families, hence they dish out great tasting sambals and curries. Fried Prawns with Sambal and Onion ($18) looks like an unassuming dish but it has got excellent sambal flavours – spicy and aromatic!

Hainanese Pork Chop ($14) does not come the familiar tomato-based sauce but a French style brown gravy made from a recipe passed down by the owner. This dish was said to be a favourite among many British patrons during the restaurant’s younger days. The breadcrumbs kept the meat moist and crispy throughout the dinner.

Other Hainanese favourites include Deep Fried Pomfret Coated with Sambal ($38), Hainanese Style Ox Tongue Stew ($18), Hainanese Curry Chicken ($18). You can also go for their list of Western offerings. Service and decor have got nothing to shout about and the price was a little on the steep side. Sadly, there were only 2-3 tables on a weekend evening even though they do offer a homely taste with nostalgia.

The post Mooi Chin Place – Hainanese Signatures in Village Hotel Bugis appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Street food is a quintessential part of the Thailand experience. Wherever you go in the city, there are always plenty of street food serving convenient, delicious and cheap meals. Keeping the mood truly local, the new Talad Thai in Bedok Mall has all the ambience of a Thai street stall – metal tables, old school gates, push carts… A new sister brand under Simple Eats | The Thai Noodle Bar in Changi Airport, Talad Thai prides itself on serving a list of favourite Thai street food.

That stack of Spicy Pork Salad ($6.80) tossed in a tangy dressing was pretty much authoritative. The sliced pork, fish sauce, chilli, lime juice, sugar, topped with slivers of mint, coriander, chilli and onion combined to knock out all the flavours of the Thai holy foursome: spicy, sour, salty, sweet. After having this, the Spicy Egg Salad ($5.80) becomes too mild for my liking. So is the Thai Style Prawn & Pork Shiu Mai ($5.80). It was a little dry, but the fried garlic and soy dipping made up for it.

Pork Slice with Spicy Lime Sauce ($7.80), on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise for me. When you dip the sliced pork and garlic into a green chilli sauce, you get such a burst of flavours instantly. Like a bolognese, Northern Tomato Pork Chilli Dip ($7.80) has so much mellow taste. With sweet, sour and salty that can go perfectly well with minced pork and tomato. You can eat with fresh vegetables. I thought rice crackers work better.

To be honest, I love boat noodles but I find it gimmicky to eat in small bowls. So when Talad Thai serves a full portion of their Spicy & Sour Mixed Noodles ($8.90), I applauded and slurped it all. It’s a bowl of wildly potent broth which was insanely spicy, intensely rich with onsen egg. If I may, this is probably a better version of bak chor mee.

Another dish that wow-ed me is the Fish Maw Soup ($7.80). The soup is rich and tasty, yet not overpowering. Couple with bamboo shoots, mushrooms and shredded chicken, you can choose to have it soup or with bee hoon. Don’t forget to add some quality vinegar to enhance the flavours.

One of the most famous and sought after Thai dishes is Thai green curry. Green curry paste, coconut milk and Thai herbs make this curry an unforgettable blend of delights. The beef brisket was a little too tough, probably because it was cut into too huge pieces. But other than that, the sauce is good with a plate of rice which is necessary to sop up every intricate drop.

The chicken rice of Thailand may not be as famous as Singapore’s, but it is still a popular comfort food. Using their own recipe, Grilled Chicken with Hainan Rice ($8.90) is well-marinated to give a tender and tasty meat. The rice made from chicken stock is milder as compared to our local version. Their homemade chilli sauce is incredible. The sweet-spicy sauce which will have you gobbling your dish down. I thought it is a great accompaniment for other Thai dishes.

End the meal with some decent Thai dessert such as Bread & Coconut Ice Cream ($3.80), Toast with Pandan Sang Kaya Dip ($3.80), Thai Pancake ($2.80), Mango Sticky Rice ($6.80), Sticky Rice with Assorted Toppings ($5.80). For genuine quality of local food, I think Talad Thai is a rising star.

The post Talad Thai – Authentic Thai Street Food in Bedok Mall appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Many people take on different perspectives when it comes to Chinese restaurants but whichever restaurant you patronize, the menu is repetitive and overtime, it gets boring so restaurants have to revamp their menu occasionally to uphold their competitive advantage. Besides being located centrally and being easily accessible, we’re pretty sure many of you will be making reservations at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel after knowing how their new items fare.

Beginning with Dim Sum, we had Steamed Crystal Skin Vegetarian Dumpling ($4 for 2 pieces), Deep-fried Prawn Mango Roll ($5 for 2 pieces) and Baked Crispy Honey-glazed Pork Puff with Black Pepper Sauce ($5 for 2 pieces). Amongst the three, the Baked Honey-glazed Pork Puff with Black Pepper Sauce stood out! The pastry puff was crispy on the outside yet fluffy and soft on the inside.

The highlight was the honey-glazed pork that’s stuffed inside. It’s so flavourful, with a tinge of caramelized sweetness, that one serving simply wasn’t enough! Moreover, the black pepper sauce gave it a little kick. This dim sum is perfectly concocted by the chef, Brian Wong! As for the steamed crystal skin vegetarian dumpling, it is handmade to the right thickness and generously filled. It might be a little too bland if you prefer strong flavours. The deep-fried prawn mango roll was well-prepared. We love the well-balanced sweetness from the mango and saltiness from the prawn.

We had the Bird’s Nest Dumpling in Superior Sauce Soup ($28 per portion) after a round of delectable dim sum. Bird Nest is definitely nourishing but dumpling?! This has got to be the first time a chef has creatively combined quality ingredients such as scallop, prawn and conpoy in order to create such a soup dish! We love how smooth the soup is and admire the way this creative chef chooses particular ingredients to perfect not just the taste, but the texture of the soup as well.

Main courses such as Deep-fried Prawns with Pumpkin Butter Sauce ($35 per portion) and Wok-fried Beef Fillet with Angelica and Chinese Yam ($32 per portion) were served after the soup. We heard feedbacks from customers that their deep-fried prawns with pumpkin butter sauce tasted like salted egg yolk sauce but we hold a differing view. We enjoyed the tinge of a secret spice that the chef has added into the sauce. It tasted a little like curry leaves and gave the prawns a unique finish! The Wok-fried Beef Fillet with Angelica and Chinese Yam was another winner! The beef was cooked to perfection and tender.

Moving on to the noodle dish that we savoured – Wok-fried Wanton Noodles with Lobster in Superior Stock ($38 per portion). Well well, the word, “lobster”, must have captured everyone’s attention but to our disappointment, we felt that the taste of the wanton noodles and vegetables overpowered the lobster. Shouldn’t the lobster be the highlight of this dish? Honestly, it’s decent but we felt the lobster could be better.

Last but not least, one can never resist the temptation of desserts! Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant has done a splendid job in offering this unique Chilled Double-boiled Peach Resin with Red Dates ($16 per portion). Notice the jelly-like yellowish and transparent ingredient? This is peach resin, which is commonly used in Chinese medicine. It relieves stress and has an anti-wrinkle skin effect. Peach resin is rich in collagen. It gives the dessert a natural sweetness. Together with other ingredients, this dessert certainly ends your meal on a healthy note. You don’t have to feel sinful for indulging!

Are you drooling yet? We love dining in a clean and elegant environment where we can hold conversations without being disrupted by rowdiness. Coupled with new food items that have managed to impress us, don’t be surprised to see us visiting Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant again.

The post Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant – New Items Tantalizing Tastebuds appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

I am a huge fan of fish soup. There was once a foodie I knew online introduced me to a famous fish soup stall in Chinatown Smith Street food centre and said it was the best fish soup she has ever eaten, with no milk. The gullible me believed and went to try it only to find myself very disappointed and not to trust her anymore. Where got no milk? The amount of milk and sesame oil added into the soup was so overwhelming that I cannot… Moral of the story: some reviews really cannot be trusted. So I told my friend Melvin about my disappointment and he said, “Let me introduce you to a super good fish soup stall that everyone gave thumbs up!”. I was still skeptical and asked, “Sure or not?”. This time, I am really impressed.

Owner of Mr Fish, Mr Lee, only started selling fish soup in Chinatown about 2 years ago. As a family business, his son, Alan, who works as a It specialist at night helps in the stall almost every day and is now doing most of the cooking. Considering there are so many fish soup stalls in Chinatown, it is really brave for Mr Fish to come in. But they came in strong and are not newcomers in the F&B industry. They used to run a zi char in stall in the west Henderson Road. When they found got a stall in Chinatown, they decided to just focus on doing Cantonese style fish dishes well, i.e. Fish Soup, Black Bean Sliced Fish Hor Fun, Braised Bittergourd and Sliced Fish etc.

We waited half an hour on a late Saturday afternoon for our dishes. When the Fish Head Bee Hoon ($5) finally arrived at my table, I got that whiff of aroma from the piping hot fish stock. They first fried the fish bones and then boil it for hours to get that creaminess and silky texture. This is time consuming but they have insist that no short cut is done – meaning no milk is added. This one really got no milk lah, I am very sure because I am very “sensitive” to lactose products. One sip of the soup, you know it’s worth the wait. They are very generous with huge chunks of fried fish and some cabbage to give a refreshing taste.

Besides the fish head bee hoon, the other best seller is Braised Bitter Gourd and Sliced Fish ($8). Cooked in a black bean sauce, the taste of wok hei is obvious. When bite onto the bitter gourd, you get their crunchy and smoky aroma, with fresh fish slices. It’s so comforting and best goes with rice. I can’t wait to try their Black Bean Sliced Fish Hor Fun which is freshly fried upon order, hence the waiting times increase. But, quality food is worth the wait right?

The post Mr Fish @ Chinatown – One Sip and You Know It’s Worth It! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

One of the stalwarts in the hotel buffet scene in Singapore, Oscar’s at Conrad Centennial Singapore has long been known for the quality of their food. Serving both international and local cuisine in a cheery, casual dining room, you will be spoilt for choice amidst the variety of gastronomic delights on offer.

GOOD NEWS! From now till 30 July 2016, you can enjoy the 1-for-1 dinner promotion at Oscar’s from Sundays to Fridays with any HSBC credit card. Buffet theme for first half of July will be an International spread followed by the launch of a local-theme buffet from 11 July 2016 where a selection of local delights with Peranakan highlights will be added.

1. They shuck the oysters in front of you!

These huge Oysters were definitely the stars at Oscar’s seafood section that attracted seafood lovers for their freshness and sweet taste. Two types of oysters were available for our dinner that night. The French oysters came from the bay of Mont Saint Michel with outstanding flesh; while the live pacific oysters from New Zealand were firm in texture, and brimming with natural juices. What’s more, they are freshly shucked in front of you! Crabs, prawns, scallops and lobsters were also presented on the ice bed, which added more excitement to the seafood counter.

2. Fresh Sashimi… it’s hard to say no

I don’t usually take sashimi during buffets but who can resist such beautifully plated fresh sashimi?

3. DIY Caesar Salad

Besides having the cold cuts and salad bar, you can make your own Caesar salad! You know it’s serious stuff when the Caesar salad is tossed in a huge block of parmesan, ensuring that you get fresh chunks of nutty goodness. A handful of fresh greens adds a fresh, bright flavor, and toasted mini-croutons contribute a bit of crunch and richness together with the cheese.

And if that’s not enough, there’s also a staggering selection of ingredients you can add to your salad, along with an assortment of seafood, soup and other cold starters.

4. I totally want that piece of roast meat!

If you enjoy roasts, visit the carving station and have a chat with the chefs while they slice a piece of Roast Lamb for you.

Or, get a dish of fresh mussels marinière cooked in buttery wine sauce. The items are on rotational basis, so you may get other premium dishes like pan-fried foie gras with orange blossom honey or escargot with confit lemon

5. Extensive Chinese Food in Cassolettes

The main courses are prepared fresh in small quantities each time to ensure quality. With an extensive spread of Chinese dishes in the cassolettes, it truly felt like I was back home for dinner. While scooping some vegetable fried rice unto my plate, I went for crispy tofu with spicy sauce and petai bean, wok fried beef with long beans, celery, leek, dried chilli and oyster sauce, ngoh hiong, lady finger with minced chicken and oyster sauce, and sweet and sour pork. The menu changes daily, so patrons will always be kept on their toes.

6. Excellent Indian & Western Dishes

While I am not as familiar with Indian cuisine, the buffet line gave me a good introduction. There was cauliflower gratin, roti prata, lamb rogan josh, dhal, prawn chettinad and briyani rice. Prawn chettinad was my favourite, best relished with some rice. Lamb Rogan Josh is a Kashmiri delicacy that is robust with flavors of varied spices and lamb, came out perfectly tender.

There are also some western hot dishes such as fricassee of chicken, mixed seafood with spicy tomato basil, salmon with yellow tomato coulis and pasta with mushroom cream sauce.

7. Noodles cooked a la minute … So comforting!

In fact, don’t miss the noodle station that’s located on the terrace. With a menu of local noodle dishes such as laksa, crayfish and pork ribs noodle soup, wanton and char siew noodles that are cooked a la minute upon order, what’s there not to love?

8. Because we all have another stomach for dessert

There are other dessert items too for the sweet tooth, such as flambéed crepes suzette, homemade blueberry and maqui powder pancakes, waffles, blackforest cake, tofu and green tea panna cotta. Keeping up with the trend, Oscar’s also serve matcha fondue. The waffles station at the other corner which does excellent waffles – crispy and fluffy – goes well with maple syrup and ice cream.

9. FROM 11 JULY 2016, IT’S LOCAL DELIGHTS!

From 11 July onwards, a selection of buffet spread will feature local delights with Peranakan highlights.

Good Peranakan cuisine boils down to the skillful use of spices and exotic ingredients. Here, each dish is prepared by Chef Alex Siah with his very own recipes that were passed down from generation to generation.

Reflecting our mixed culture heritage, Ayam Buah Keluak combines tender chicken chunks with keluak that is braised with a heady mix of Nyonya spices, resulting in a fragrant gravy that bursts with flavours. Babi Pongteh may seem unassuming with subtle flavours, but the pork belly melted in my mouth. Dip a slice into their homemade belachan, and you will want to eat more!

In addition to the Peranakan food offerings, sample a taste of nostalgia with local delights such as satay, char kway teow, sweet & sour pork, carrot cake, oyster omelette etc.

What’s so special about the local food promotion? Well, I am also going to play a part! I am working with Chef Alex to come up with a unique laksa recipe that you will only get to try during this promotion. SO HURRY, BOOK NOW!

Value for money with HSBC credit cards

From now till 30 July 2016, enjoy 1-for-1 dinner buffet from Sundays to Fridays with any HSBC Credit Card. At least 2 days advance reservations are required. Offer is valid to the first 200 bookings.

Price: S$72++ (per adult) from Sundays to Thursdays, $83++ for Friday

Apart from the buffet at Oscar’s, you can also indulge in a specially curated set menu at Golden Peony. 1 dines free with every 2 adult diners, set menu is available from now until 31 August 2016.

Enjoy over 40 other 1 dines free offers with your HSBC Credit Card. To find out more, click here.

The post 9 Delicious Stations at Oscar’s 1-for-1 Dinner Buffet appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

There’s no denying the time-tested combination of ice cream and fluffy waffles. The warm and spongy base serves as the perfect versatile canvas to complement the wide range of ice cream flavours. We’ve certainly seen it served as a dessert staple in restaurants and cafes. But in a bid to ice out the competition and attract the crowds, many have started putting their own spin on this age-old classic. From encasing the ice cream in a blanket of meringue to topping it on a french almond tart, here’s a list of some unconventional ice cream dessert pairings that’ll make you rethink the way you consume ice cream.

1. Sprout Salad Bar

Popping by a salad bar might be the last place you would expect to satisfy your sweet tooth, but their Acai Banana Egglet Waffle ($12.90) is a (slightly) healthier dessert option for those who are watching their calories. The egglet waffle was the perfect combination fluffy batter and crisp edges, and came with scoops of acai sorbet and banana slices. We particularly liked how Sprout’s dedication to serving honest and healthy food extends to even their desserts – the dish was light with just a hint of sweet.

2. Churn Creamery

As delectable and adorable as they sound, the Puffones ($1.50) over at Churn Creamery is an amalgamation of flaky puff pastry and a wafer cone. The result is a charmingly crunchy sweet cone that’s lined with a generous coating of dark chocolate from their running chocolate tap. Reminiscent of a pain au chocolat, we paired their Puffone with a scoop of PB&J ice cream ($4.80 per scoop) for a frozen pastry delight. But don’t be fooled by the portability of this Puffone – the flaky layers and molten chocolate coating could make for a potential, albeit delicious, mess. We learnt it the hard way.

3. Scoop Therapy

Created by the brains behind the wildly popular cronuts, frozen s’mores have found its way onto our shores and into Scoop Therapy’s kitchen. The S’mores ($6.50) is our local rendition of Dominique Ansel creation, which is a dark chocolate ice cream and cracker crumb core encased within a torched marshmallow exterior. The marshfellow is torched upon order, creating an almost bitter smoky charred fragrance that juxtapose the sweet interior nicely. This petite dessert could be gobbled up in four bites, and certainly seemed a little too overpriced.

4. KOOKS Creamery

Ice cream cookie sandwiches get a complete revamp with KOOKS Creamery and their molten cookies, which comes fragilely loaded with gooey lava goodness. We had their KOOKS Signature Lava Set ($8.50) which came with a chocolate molten cookie that burst to reveal its chocolatey contents as soon as it was topped with a scoop of milk cereal ice cream. It could take a while for the dessert to be prepared and served, but just mere minutes before you wipe off the contents from the pan. But was it worth the wait? Definitely.

5. Geometry

Perhaps the greatest thing about this heartland gelato parlour is in its uncanny pairings. From unique flavour profiles (think tropical Watermelon Lychee sorbet and paddlepop-esque Bing Bong) to their novel signature gelato-tart dessert combination, Geometry’s a true hidden gem nestled under a HDB block. We had their Handcrafted Tart with a single scoop of Earl Grey Tie Guan Ying ($10.60), which was a harmonious blend of east and west flavours. The french almond tart base was the perfect base for the tea-perfumed gelato that came packed with floral notes and a hint of bergamot.

6. Brother Bird

Sharing the same location as Stateland Cafe, this artisanal ice cream parlour serves up a lean menu featuring their signature soft serve and mochi donut pairings. Their Matcha Burst ($15) comes with a swirl of cookie butter soft serve and three matcha mochi balls that comes loaded with an oozing reservoir of molten matcha sauce. You’ll want to pop these chewy glutinous balls straight into your mouth – cutting into them makes for a foodporn worthy shot, but you lose all the molten goodness as a result. While the individual components tasted good on its own, the flavours ultimately failed to come together and we found ourselves eating the various parts of the dish in silo.

7. Sinseh: The Grocer

Ice cream sandwiches might be run of the mill, but ice cream bagel sandwiches deserves our undivided attention. And swapping out plain boring bread slices for doughy and substantial bagel makes sense when you think about it – they hold up better and don’t get soggy quite as easily. The White Princess ($10) was a sweet and royal affair of blueberry bagels sandwiched between a scoop of bandung flavoured ice cream and sprinkled with mini marshmallows and strawberry pocky bits. Our only gripe was with the misleading char-marks on the bagel – we were expecting it to be warm and freshly toasted, but it felt like it was left out in the cold for a while.

8. Milk & Honey Gelato

Not to be mistaken with the frozen yogurt chain Milk & Honey, Milk & Honey Gelato is tucked away in Bukit Batok HomeTeamNS and serves up plated desserts alongside their gelato offerings. We had their Mud Ball Pie ($5.90), which was an adorable donut waffle that came with a scoop of oreo-crusted gelato and hot fudge sauce on the side. The donut waffle was denser the usual waffle, and the crushed cookie bits made for a medley of textures when eaten with the donut waffle and gelato.

The post 8 Unique Ice Cream Desserts – Dawn Of A New Ice Age appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

As the steak specialist in Clarke Quay, The Steakhouse serves prime cuts of Australian Angus beef almost exclusively. Owned and managed by the well-established Singapore-based Esmirada Group of Restaurants, The Steakhouse offers guest a fulfilling meal of only the best meats that are skillfully prepared to bring out its intrinsic flavours and goodness. Take your pick on different cuts – filet mignon, cote de boeuf, ribeye, chateaubriand, tenderloin, sirloin, and porterhouse – and let the steak masters cook it to your liking on the charcoal grill.

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Featuring a dark and contemporary interior, the décor at the restaurant exudes sophistication and is great for a romantic night. The menu is straightforward, with sections on starters, steaks and desserts taking up most of it. Try the better-than-classic Caesar Salad ($16), which comprises grilled romaine hearts instead of the usual outer leaves, which does make it better. The leaves are covered with parmesan, bacon bits, croutons and anchovies. But best of all is the 62 degree egg which goes really well with the salad. Deep-fried Crab Croquette ($18) features thick crabmeat filling wrapped in light, super-crisp crust. The creamy avocado and remoulade nail this for us.

Tuck your napkin beneath your chin, have a steak knife clutched in your fist and get ready to conquer the juicy slab of beef on your plate. Specialising in prime cuts of Australian Angus Beef, each piece of steak is char grilled to perfection!

The Australian Black Angus Filet Mignon ($49 for 8 oz, $66 for 11 oz) is extremely tender with an almost buttery texture. Grain fed for 180 days, this is a low-fat cut but very tender pieces. 

If you are looking for something with more marbling, head for the US Prime Cut Ribeye Brant ($56 for 8 oz, $75 for 11 oz) that is corn fed for 365 days. The slab of beef is rich and so full of beefy flavours, you hardly need any sort of sauce!

If beef is not your thing, they also have other options like Roasted Kampong Chicken ($33), Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb ($46), Grilled Spanish Pork Collar ($34) or even the Catch of the Day (seasonal price) featuring whole roasted fish with Gremolata Butter.

Don’t forget to end your meal with their signature desserts – warm Valrhona Dark Chocolate Cake ($12) and Pistachio Tart ($12). The chocolate cake has got nothing much to rave about but the pistachio cake is soft and fluffy. Settle your steak next to a fine wine, long drink or cocktail, perfect for a great night out!

50% CASH BACK VOUCHERS AT THE STEAKHOUSE, CLARKE QUAY!

The Steakhouse cash back Monday are fabulously fufilling! From now till 31 July 2016, simply dine at Steakhouse on a Monday, spend at least $200 and The Steakhouse will give you half of your bill’s value in return vouchers. Utilise your vouchers on any day (*within voucher validity) at The Steakhouse for your return meal with NO MINIMUM SPEND required.

The post The Steakhouse – The Steak Specialist in Clarke Quay appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

A tasty mix of local and international players, Clarke Quay is one of the most happening dining hotspots in Singapore. With addition of at least 10 new and unqiue restaurants and concepts, you can expect a glorious display of cuisines served hot and fresh, direct from the stoves of their expert chefs. Get your friends or colleagues to unwind over a couple of chilled beers and delicious bites, it is the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

READ: Kid dines free with every 2 paying adults.

Hooters Singapore
Unit: Blk D #01-03
Tel: +65 6332 1090
Website: http://www.hooters.com.sg

Hooters Singapore is the 1st International Hooters outlet & the 1st Hooters in Asia, since 12 December 1996. Recently, they have underwent a major overhaul with new furniture and decorations. The restaurant offers more than 50 food items ranging from seafood, sandwiches, main course, snacks to salad and much more. Great for parties, tuck into Sampler Platter ($45.90) with steamed shrimps, boiled crab legs, buffalo shrimps, famous wings. A bit of everything, so order one.

The one dish that you die die must try is their buffalo wings. Hooters Singapore is synonymous with Buffalo wing lover’s haven. Have your wings naked or breaded and tossed in sauce selection of Samurai, Medium, Hot, 3-Mile Island and 911, each of which is unique in their own taste.

Hooters Singapore also offers affordable set lunch at $10++ daily from 11am to 3pm. You can choose from 10 main courses like NZ Sirloin Steak, Chicken Caesar Salad, Chicken Wrap, Hooters Burgers, Hooters Wings with Fries, Fish & Chips, Honey Mustard Chicken and more. We like the juicy NZ Sirloin Steak that is grilled to our liking (medium rare) and glazed with black pepper sauce. Their bar serves a wide selection of beers, spirits, wines and cocktails.

Only available on Saturdays & Sundays from now till 31 July 2016, kids dine for FREE at Hooters Singapore with spending of every $60+. The lucky child will get to choose Fish & Chips/ Tomato Spaghetti/ Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

Señor Taco
Unit: Blk A #01-07
Website: http://www.senortaco.sg/main

Señor Taco is the first Taqueria to open in Singapore at Clarke Quay in 2009, serving tasty Mexican-style street food. Choose from tacos, quesadillas and botana – all freshly made and served with salsas and sauces that include imported Mexican ingredients for added flavor and zest. A must-try here is the signature Al Pastor ($7) tucked with fresh pork marinated in a special recipe of herbs, and spices. The Fish Baja-Style ($8) is equally tasty with beer-battered fish paired against red and white cabbage slaw, chipotle-mayo sauce and pickled red onion on corn tortilla.

We can’t stop raving about its Prawn Ceviche ($22). Bringing a medley of flavours together, the crunchiness of the fresh prawns is accentuated by the tangy flavours from tomatoes and smoothness of avocado. And if this is not enough, the heaty Torta Steak Sandwich ($23) will leave you satisfied. Breaded steak cheese, avocado and tomatoes are sandwiched between the crusty buns. They are more than the average kind of sandwich.

While enjoy all the above, don’t forget to order a glass of Margarita ($16) or Mezcal ST ($16). The restaurant is running a Happy Hour promotion from 5.30pm to 7.30pm where you pay just $9.90 for all bottled beers, mojito, margarita, shangria and house red & white wine.

RENNthai
Unit: Blk D #01-05
Tel: +65 6338 7200
Website: http://www.rennthai.com.sg

Known as ”Traditional Thai House”, RENNthai offers a warm and comfortable service traditionally associated with a Thai home. With both indoor and outdoor seating, you can enjoy two different experiences. Its warm interior is furnished with exotic Thai embellishments, while the alfresco area offers a stunning view of the waterfront.

Serving up traditional Thai favourites, we had the Phad Thai ($18) with springy noodles and served with chicken and king prawns. Tom Yum Goong ($24 for 2-3pax) had tantalizing undercurrent of lemongrass and chillies with fresh seafood. Every bite packs a good punch of spiciness!

Muchos
Unit: Blk D #01-04
Tel: +65 6338 4748
Website: https://www.facebook.com/MuchosMexican

Hankering for scrumptious authentic Mexican cuisine and delicious Margaritas to go with it? Muchos carries the theme of Modern Mexico throughout the entire space with its vibrant coloured walls and fun Mexican ornaments.

If you are a little thirsty, have a glass of Frosty Margarita ($15.90/glass). Call it ice blended if you prefer. The refreshing margarita has 100% Sauza Hornitos Agave Tequila with your choice of lime, mango, strawberry or lychee flavours.

While enjoying the breeze in the evening, share a plate Muchos’ signature nachos with your friends. The crispy corn tortilla chips are freshly fried everyday and topped with melted cheese, jalapenos, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and a choice of minced beef ($19.90), minced chicken ($18.90) or grilled vegetables ($17.90).

Paulaner Clarke Quay
Unit: Blk B 01-12
Tel: +65 6338 0480
Website: http://www.paulaner-clarkequay.com

Fans of beer rejoice! Not only you can enjoy a wide range of international cuisine in Clarke Quay, you can also drink to your hearts’ content at internationally renowned brewery, Paulaner Clarke Quay. This German restaurant offers a broad range of beers that pairs well with the food offerings.

The pick of the beers are of course the ones on tap which are flown in directly from the main brewery in Munich on a regular basis. Constant fixtures include the famous, award-winning original Munich lager, the rich original Munich Dunkel, the fruity Hefe-Weissbier (wheat beer), and our personal favourite, the Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel (or dark wheat beer). Can’t decide? Then go for Paulaner Beer Flight ($20 for 5 glasses) and you will get all of the above and a glass of Paulaner Seasonal Beer. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, then we’d recommend trying the Paulaner Beer Cocktails! The Diesel Mileage ($20) is a lip-smacking combination of original Munich lager, blackcurrant and sprite, and just one of the many delicious drinks on offer.

All that alcohol is sure to work up an appetite, and Paulaner Singapore Clarke Quay has plenty to offer in terms of food. We were amused by the 60cm Curry Sausage with French Fries ($24). Not only were we exclaiming its length, we also enjoyed the well spiced flavour and texture of the sausage. Crispy Pork Knuckle ($23 for half portion, $35 for full portion) is also another specialty in Germany – crunchy on the outside yet juicy from within. Another appetizing but unassuming dish is the Homemade Spinach Spaetzle ($16) with blue cheese, roasted pine nuts and onions. Not as cheesy as I expected but this side dish comes with spectacular flavours.

Ramen Keisuke Lobster King
Unit: Blk C #01-07
Tel: +65 6255 2828
Website: http://www.keisuke.sg/lobster-king-clarke-quay

Ramen Keisuke Lobster King has finally arrived at Clarke Quay! Helmed by the famous Mr Keisuke Takeda, title winner of Ramen Champion at Toyko Ramen Championship 2011, you can now get your hands on a flavourful bowl of Lobster Stock Ramen in 4 different styles – Lobster Broth Ramen with Clear Soup ($13.90), Lobster Broth Ramen with Rich Creamy Soup ($14.90), Miso Lobster Broth Ramen ($14.90) and Spicy Miso Lobster Broth Ramen ($15.90).

Taking inspiration from French lobster bisque, Mr Keisuke Takeda uses French rock lobsters specially imported from France. The shells of rock lobster are first pan-fried, crushed into fine bits and subsequently simmered for 6 hours with a special blend of herbs and vegetables to create the Lobster Broth Ramen (Clear Soup). To create the creamy texture and unique depth in flavour in another creation – the Lobster Broth Ramen (Rich Creamy Soup), the stock brewing takes an additional 4-6 hours. We really enjoyed the richness and creamy texture of the broth from the latter.

Besides the four Lobster Stock Ramen, Ramen Keisuke Lobster King also offers side dishes such as Chicken Nanban with homemade tartar sauce ($9.80), Pork Gyoza (5 pieces for $8.80) and Prawn Gyoza (3 pieces for $8.80). The Prawn Gyozas were fried to perfection, leaving it crispy on the outside yet soft and chewy on the inside. Open daily from 6pm to 5am, Ramen Keisuke Lobster King offers party-goers and supper lovers a long-awaited late night dining option.

RAS The Essence of India
Unit: Blk D #01-05
Tel: +65 6837 2800
Website: http://www.ras.com.sg

Indian food is more than just having daal or naan. The cuisine of this beautiful nation includes much more vibrant and palate-soothing delicacies that make one want to relish more. True to its name, RAS brings the true essence of Indian culinary experience in a contemporary style, by bringing you specialty dishes from various states of the sub-continent.

We tried some unique offerings such as Kesar Paneer Tikka ($20), Tandoori Prawn ($28), Tomato Shorba ($9), Dal Tadka $18, Rasmalai ($10), Saffron Jeera Pulao ($12) and Butter Chicken ($26). Marinated with yoghurt & fresh cream along with vegetables, Kesar Paneer Tikka is homemade cottage cheese infused with saffron. The Butter Chicken delivered a sweet, buttery and fragrant taste with the traditional spices of coriander, cumin, cinnamon and cilantro. A delicacy from Punjab, it goes well with Garlic Naan ($8).

Quality Indian food is just a fraction of the total offering. An extensive list of fine wines from across the world, internationally acclaimed beers & cocktails and the unsurpassed service will make your dining experience a memorable one.

The Steakhouse
Unit:Blk B #01-14
Tel: +65 6332 1010
Website: http://www.thesteakhouse.com.sg

Offering one the best steak in Singapore, The Steakhouse has earned an unrivalled reputation for fine cuts, service and elegance. Featuring a dark and contemporary interior, the décor at the restaurant exudes sophistication and is great for a romantic night.

The menu is straightforward, with sections on starters, steaks and desserts taking up most of it. Try the better- than-classic Caesar Salad ($16), which comprises grilled romaine hearts instead of the usual outer leaves, which does make it better. And the leaves are covered with parmesan, bacon bits, croutons, anchovies and 62 degree egg which goes really well with the salad. Deep-fried Crab Croquette ($18) – crabmeat filling wrapped in light, super-crisp crust is served with creamy avocado and remoulade, which nail this for us.

Specialising in prime cuts of Australian Angus Beef, each piece of steak is char grilled to perfection. The Australian Black Angus Filet Mignon ($49 for 8 oz, $66 for 11 oz) is extremely tender with an almost buttery texture. Grain fed for 180 days, this is a low-fat cut but very tender pieces. If you are looking for something with more marbling, head for the US Prime Cut Ribeye Brant ($56 for 8 oz, $75 for 11 oz) that is corn fed for 365 days – rich and beefy!

The Steakhouse cash back Monday are fabulously fufilling! From now till 31 July 2016, simply dine at Steakhouse on a Monday, spend at least $200 and The Steakhouse will give you half of your bill’s value in return vouchers. Utilise your vouchers on any day (*within voucher validity) at The Steakhouse for your return meal with NO MINIMUM SPEND required.

Cuba Libre Café & Bar
Unit:Blk B 01-13
Tel: +65 6338 8982
Website: http://cubalibre.com.sg

You may not want to travel to Cuba, but you can certainly get some Latino flavours in Clarke Quay. The finger food bite-sized tapas can fill you up. Sink your teeth into Pollo Poutine ($18), topped with truffle fries, cajun diced chicken, sauteed mushroom, blue cheese and mozzarella. Ajo Gambas ($18) features crunchy prawns served sizzling in olive oil with lots of diced garlic and red chillies. It’s hard to resist even though I was full from the whole day of eating already.

Baby Back Ribs ($20 for half rack, $30 for full) are tasty with a not-too-sweet homemade barbecue sauce. I am glad they are not too tender because it is good to have some bite in the pork. A little more char would be great. The tasty Poached Seabass ($30) is another great option. A crustacean combination, enjoy oven baked seabass with mussels, sauteed mushrooms, spicy tomato sauce and asparagus.

HARRY’S
Unit: Blk D #01-01
Tel: 6338 7331
Website: http://harrys.com.sg/find-us/clarke-quay

Harry’s at Clarke Quay is an inviting space accented with memorabilia gathered from Harry’s extensive travels. Walk into the stylish urban living room where you’ll be whisked away for a flavourful Harry’s adventure with their favourite gourmet treats and tipples.

Cold Soba Summer Salad ($16.90) is a go-to treat when the sun is hot. This dish is full of contrasts: hearty, earthy buckwheat soba meet crispy breaded mushrooms and light vegetables such as radish, carrot and corn. A dash of truffle oil makes it even more satisfying. Harry’s Signature Wings ($13 for 6 pcs or $19 for 10 pcs) is a must-have. The crispy wings are tossed in their secret house blend of spices, and is one of the better wings in town.

Beef lovers will enjoy Soy-Glazed Beef Cubes ($18.90) – a flavourful plate of crispy beef in one hand (and a fruit red wine in another) makes a happy man indeed. My first taste of the Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks ($26.90) caught me by surprise. Slow-cooked for many hours, the tender and soft beef cheeks is served on a bed of creamy mash. It is hard to find fault with this dish. Complete your Harry’s adventure with their cocktails like the Harry’s 1992 ($16) – a bright vodka-based concoction with notes of blue caraao, lychee liqueur, grapefruit juice, lime juice and a splash of grenadine syrup.

Stand to win dining vouchers and STAR$® when you dine in Clarke Quay!

Glutton’s Redemption (Now till 31 July 2016):
Spend $120* at any F&B outlet in Clarke Quay and redeem a $10 Dining Voucher. While stock last.

Filled With Joy(Now till 31 July 2016):
Watch out for our balloon sculptors on Friday nights (8 – 10 pm) as they entertain you with their inflated sense of fun!

CAPITASTAR Double Rewards (Now till 31 July 2016):
Dine at Block A & C outlets and earn 2X STAR$®! Simply scan your receipt and be rewarded.

CAPITASTAR New Sign Up (Now till 31 July 2016):
New to the CAPITASTAR rewards programme? Earn 10,000 STAR$® ($10 CapitaVoucher) when you sign up to be a CAPITASTAR member at Clarke Quay. Redemption is only valid for new CAPITASTAR sign ups via this sign up link, redemption booth (Fountain Square) or CAPITASTAR kiosks (Peddlers Walk). Exclusive to first 1,000 new sign ups.

*Terms & Conditions apply.

If you would like to try any of the above restaurants, here’s your chance! I am giving away $50 Clarke Quay dining vouchers to 3 lucky winners.

How to win?
1. Like Miss Tam Chiak’s Facebook Page & Clarke Quay Facebook Page
2. Share this article.
3. Comment below: Name any 3 restaurants that has KIDS DINE FREE PROMOTION. (Hint: http://www.misstamchiak.com/brunch-at-clarke-quay)

Closing date: 15 July 2016, Friday. Good Luck!

The post 10 New & Unique Culinary Hotspots in Clarke Quay (PLUS GIVEAWAY) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Marina Square is a Japanese food heaven with the opening of Emporium Shokuhin – Singapore’s first integrated Japanese Emporium. Featuring a live seafood market, a beef dry-aging facility, a Japanese Gourmet Grocer and 8 unique dining concepts, discover the largest Japanese food retail and dining experience all in one location at the mall’s new wing. Here are 11 reasons why should visit.

1. Grill the most premium A5 Japanese Miyazaki Beef

If you wish to savour top quality grilled meat at attractive prices, head to Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill. Given Emporium Shokuhin’s superior direct sourcing capabilities, it means the prices are lower as compared restaurants elsewhere. Here you can get an extensive array of premium beef, including dry-aged beef from its on site aged beef facility. The dry-aging process takes place in a special temperature and humidity-controlled glass room, enabling the flavour and texture for raw meat to be improved.

What is a must try here? Of course it’s the prized A5 Japanese Miyazaki beef! One bite and you can experience the taste and flavor that spread out in the mouth. That smooth and buttery texture… oomph! Gyuu+ has specially imported customised ‘smokeless’ grill tables from Japan. Yay, no smell and smoke from the cooking process!

Although excellent eaten on its own to taste its true flavours after grilling, the meats can also be eaten with sea salt and two homemade signature sauces for dipping; umami-laden miso marinade or a sweet and smoky yakiniku sauce

*GOOD LOBANG!* Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill is currently having A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Buffet till 31 Aug 2016. Indulge in unlimited A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, grass-fed beef steak, USDA Prime Karubi, Scallops, Salmon, dessert and more.

Mon – Thu: $88++ (Adult) / $48++ (Child)
Fri – Sun, eve & day of PH: $98++ (Adult) / $58++ (Child)

Limited period: 28% discount
Mon – Thu: [after discount] $63.30++ (Adult) / $34.50++ (Child)
Fri – Sun, eve & day of PH: [after discount] $70.50++ (Adult) / $41.70++ (Child)

90mins dine in. Child price applies to children 0.9m – 1.4m height.

2. Freshest Chirashi Don

Come to Emporium Shokuhin, of course must go for their sashimi at Senmi Sushi Bar because it’s sooo fresh! Their seafood is sourced directly from Japan’s wholesale seafood markets at competitive prices.

Start with Bluefin Tuna, Uni & Tobiko Bomb ($22++) that is perfect for sharing among a small group. The taste profile is simple and clean, augmented with well-cooked Hokkaido rice. To enhance the umami quality of the pristine ocean gems, the chefs have concocted a bonito-infused soy sauce to complement sushi. The bonito has been stepped in premium shoyu for 14 days. EFFORT.

Adding a little fun to your meal, you can create your own Chirashi, starting from $15++. The Chirashi Don is breathtakingly beautiful with a base of salmon, tamago and cucumber. So many colours, so many textures, so much fish! Psst… don’t say I never share… Mondays and Fridays are when their shipment of 50kg Bluefin Nagasaki Tuna arrives! Means it is the best time to have your sashimi then!

The atmosphere is casual and you can choose to sit at the sushi counter or booth seats. Orders can be placed directly on the iPad menus provided at each table.

3. Slurp the Special Ultimate Blend Ramen

My favourite restaurant in Emporuim Shokuhin is Burosu Honten Gyoza & Ramen. Translating to “broth shop”, you can customise your ramen by choosing the doneness of the ramen noodles, spiciness level and strength of broth. They have individual booths where the waitress will serve through a screen from the kitchen. How fun, you won’t know when will they appear! Haha!

We went for the Special Ultimate Blend Ramen ($18.80) using a solid soup base rendered by simmering shrimp, lobster and crab shells for at least 11 hours.

Die die must try is the homemade Seafood Gyoza ($7.80) made with delectable seafood fillings in soft gyoza wrap. Each dumpling is so moist and succulent. Dip it with Japanese la yu (chilli oil) and vinegar to complement your meal.

4. Go on a romantic Japanese dining date

Takujo Japanese Dining is a modern Japanese restaurant where you can indulge in omakase-style multi-course meals, or partake in expertly-executed seafood and meat specialties in an intimate setting. The all-encompassing menu spans appetizers, soups and sashimi to nimono (braised dishes) and yakimono (grilled dishes) among others.

We went for the Hon Maguro Kama Shioyaki ($68 – $88++). Imported from Uwajima, the huge Bluefin tuna cheek is grilled and served with ponzu sauce. It is luxuriously soft and flavourful. Don’t forget to add a dash of lemon for a refreshing taste.

Here, you can also see the live seafood trolley brimming with the recommended catch of the day. Simply select the seafood and opt for one of many preparation methods including sashimi, steamed, grilled and even fried.

5. Swish your favourite meat in a bubbling broth

Shabu-shabu is still one of the most appealing Japanese culinary traditions as evident from the crowd in Tsukeru Shabu-Shabu. You have your own individual gleaming cooking pot and you can swish your favourite meat in the bubbling broth like a chef! The broths are carefully developed to achieve fullsome yet balanced flavour; and dipping sauces calibrated to subtly enhance the meats and vegetables. Choose from a range of Japanese and Asian broths, including tonkotsu miso soup, tan tan sesame broth, tsukeru konbu seaweed broth, tom yam broth, ginseng chicken soup and savoury tomato broth.

We picked the light konbu seaweed broth which helps to draw out and enhance the flavour of the pork and seafood. To kill two birds with one stone, the Meat & Seafood Platter for 2 ($68++) works wonders. Each tender slice is infused with mild konbu sweetness and tastes so good that I can’t stop eating. Pair your Shabu-Shabu with their specially concocted sauces for that extra oomph.

* ANOTHER GOOD LOBANG! * Tsukeru Shabu-Shabu has upgraded their Shabu-Shabu Buffet with a free flow dessert counter, and is also having a 19% discount till 31 Aug 2016. Enjoy free flow Australia Wagyu Beef, Kurobuta Pork Belly, desserts and more.

New Buffet Menu
Mon – Thu:
$48++ (Adult) / $28++ (Child)

Fri – Sun, eve & day of PH:
$58++ (Adult) / $38++ (Child)

Enjoy 19% discount till 31 Aug 2016!
Mon – Thu: [after discount]
$38.90++ (Adult) / $22.90++ (Child)

Fri – Sun, eve & day of PH: [after discount]
$48.90++ (Adult) / $28.90++ (Child)

90mins dine in. Child price applies to children 0.9m – 1.4m height.

6. After work indulgence with oysters and wine

Life becomes better instantly with oysters and wine. Indulge in the perfect combination of sparkling wines and seafood at Umi+Vino Seafood Wine Bar – the contemporary European-Japanese Seafood Wine Bar. Relish freshly shucked oysters, signature chilled seafood platters or savour the preserved natural flavours of fresh seafood done A La Plancha style on a hot grill.

We were slurping half a dozen of freshly shucked Live French Oysters ($6 – $8++ each) that is flown in twice a week. They are firm and deliciously creamy. They also offer 3 course set lunch from 11.30am to 3.30pm. Consisting of Soup, Main and Dessert, we tried one of the main course – Hokkaido Scallop + Konbu Pasta tossed well to perfection.

If you wish to have a casual break from all the shopping, get your girlfriends to join you for High Tea Set ($22++). Available from 2.30pm – 6pm daily, each set comes with 1 pot of tea or a cup of Long Black or 1 glass of draft beer.

7. Soft and fluffy Hokkaido Milk Roll

It is so true when they say woman always have a second stomach for dessert. Even though we were full to the brim from so much food, I can’t resist desserts, let alone Hokkaido Milk Roll ($4.80 per slice). Newly launched a month ago, the pillowy soft sponge cake is filled with generous amount of cream made using Hokkaido milk. It has a delicate sweetness which pairs well with a cup of handcrafted coffee for a lazy afternoon. They have a huge range of freshly baked Japanese-style pastries at the bakery as well.

8. Takeaway bentos on your busy days

Rushing for time? No problem, go straight to the quick-service takeaway concept Ready-To-Eat section. Select your meal from tantalising selection of prepared on-the-premises salads, sashimi and sushi boxes, bento sets and tasty onigiri (Japanese rice balls). Their bento is served warm instead of the usual cold sets.

Air flown twice a week, order the Hokkaido scallops, Chutoro or Salmon fillet blocks and get the staff to slice it on the spot for takeaway. There are also high tables within the area where diners can enjoy their quick meals after making payment for their food.

9. Shop for the freshest live seafood

Step into the first live and chilled seafood market right here in downtown Singapore for the freshest catch imported from Japan, U.S.A., Australia and Europe. You can choose from the wide variety of live crustaceans, fishes and shellfish like Alaskan King Crabs, Boston Lobsters, Dungeness Crabs, Abalones, Flounders and much more from 22 specially constructed sea-water tanks.

10. Japanese Gourmet Grocer

Be transported to Japan when you stroll along the aisles of the Japanese Gourmet Grocer and explore the bountiful Japan-imported products such as premium seafood, dry-aged beef, seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables, sauces, condiments and much more.

You can also bring home superbly tender dry-aged prime beef, directly imported from Japan and U.S.A., and aged by their beef specialists within their customized facility. A5 Miyazaki Beef is the most premium beef brought in by Emporium Shokuhin.

11. Ehime Specialties Corner

Be sure to stop by the first Ehime Specialties Corner in all of Asia, right within the Grocer. All Ehime products are new to Singapore and specially air-flown from the prefecture.

DINING TREATS (7 – 31 JULY 2016)

From Monday to Thursdays, spend $30* at any F&B/Food outlet to redeem a $10 dining voucher. On weekends (Friday to Sunday), spend $60* at any F&B/Food outlet to redeem a $10 Marina Square

*Limited to first 3,000 diners, while stocks last. T&Cs apply. For more information, visit: http://www.marinasquare.com.sg/previews/happenings/promotions/

JOIN ME FOR MARINA SQUARE FOOD TOUR!

Indeed, Marina Square has got so many restaurants for you to choose from. From Japanese to western and even local cuisine, you are definitely spoilt for choices. If you love to eat and take photos, join me on a food tour as we savour some of the best dishes the mall has to offer. 15 readers will be selected. During the session, participants are encourage to take many delicious photos as one lucky winner will walk away with attractive dining vouchers. Restaurants we will be visiting include The East Bureau, Bangkok Jam and Emporium Shokuhin. IT’S FREE!

Date: 17 July 2016 (Sunday)
Time: 2 to 5pm
How to register? Please email to wilfred.allais@nomnom-media.com the following details:
1. Your name
2. mobile number
3. Instagram / Facebook account
4. if you will be bringing a plus one to the food tasting

Selected winners will be informed via email by 14 July 2016.

The post 11 Reasons Why You Should Dine At Emporium Shokuhin appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

The French might be known for their baguettes; the Americans for their donuts and bagels. And for us Asians, we have our mantous and baos. Increasingly, these baos have been taking center stage, usurping the usual bread and buns to inject some oriental influence. The result is a bunch of unique fusion dishes that elevates the usual standard fare to another level. From bao burgers to mantou sliders, we’ve rounded a list of bao dishes to kick start your gastronomical adventure.

Full Of Luck Club

Your favourite Asian cuisine gets a modern makeover with their line of ‘chinese hamburgers’ made from their very own Bao Bar. We had their Kung Pao Fried Chicken and Panko-crusted Portobello Baos ($9.80 for two), which came sandwiched between some freshly steamed baos. The kung pao burger was strangely reminiscent of chicken in rojak sauce, but the crispy fried chicken and crunchy peanuts contrasted well with the soft and moist buns. The vegetarian portobello burger was the underdog for us, with the tropical sweetness from the grilled pineapples and meaty portobello coming together to form a veggie burger unlike any we’ve tasted before.

Wanna Cuppa

What does the art deco movement and eastern mantous have in common? This seemingly impossible and quirky pairing is made possible at Wanna Cuppa, a cafe inspired by the 1920s Gatsby glamour and their Golden Mantou Sliders ($17.90). But apart from the quintessential components of a good slider – caramelised onions atop a wagyu beef patty that’s still pink in the middle – the swapping of regular burger buns for deep fried mantous make for a sweet and sinful base that holds up the weight of the burger better.

Lepark

Known for their fusion tapas and laid back vibe, the flavour combination of the Salted Egg Yolk (SEY) Cheese Soft Shell Crab Slider ($14) is as surprising as the location of Lepark. Situated on the top of a multi-storey car park, the unexpected mix of cheese and salted egg yolk came together to form an addictive sauce that we couldn’t get enough of. It was used to drench the chunks of soft shell crab fritters and steamed buns, and we liked how they each came crowned with a crab meatball.

Dojo

Let’s get right down to it – the Komba Bao ($6) served at Dojo packs a punch. Their crispy mantou buns come stuffed with a generous helping of braised pork belly, which made for a sinful update on this traditional dish. There’s no better way to get into this than getting your fingers dirty and dive straight in. The sturdy and crispy buns made for a nice juxtaposition against the tender chunks of braised meat.

Bao Makers

It seems like Bao Makers have found the right formula when it comes to updating classic Asian flavours for the modern palate. Expect a wide selection of their Asian bao creations served in a minimalistic interior. The Bulgogi Bao ($5.30) was served with slices of pork marinated in spicy sauce and topped with spring onions. But the clear winner was the Chilli Crab Bao ($5.80), which is exactly how we would want a chilli crab burger to taste like – packed with juicy crabmeat chunks in a spicy chilli sauce with coriander and fried onions. And extending the same bao obsession to their dessert is the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Bao ($5) which came with a freshly fried sweet bun and a scoop of ice cream. As confusing as the dish might be – warm, cold, crispy and creamy at the same time – we found ourselves polishing off the dish in mere minutes.

The Tuckshop

The Pulled Char Siew Sliders ($15) from The Tuckshop was undoubtedly a good combination of homemade buttery brioche buns and savoury char siew flavoured pulled pork, but each of these sliders that works out to be more than $5 a pop makes it hard to enjoy the dish fully. We’ll gladly have the standard char siew pau instead.

Drury Lane

The usual open faced sandwich gets an eastern overhaul in the form of Creamy Salted Egg Yolk Eggs Benedict With Grilled Prawns ($17) from Drury Lane. Resting atop their steamed white buns are two poached eggs and grilled prawns, and drizzled generously with their creamy salted egg yolk sauce. The runny yolk and salted egg sauce was soaked up and paired nicely with the plain steamed buns, but we would have preferred a stronger salted egg yolk taste to come through from the sauce.

The post The Man(tou) Hunt – 7 Asian Bao Dishes You Need To Try appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Yesterday, Michelin Guide Singapore has released their Bib Gourmand selection. 17 hawkers made it to the list. While we haven’t tried them all, some of my makan kakis are already questioning about the selection process and quality of some of the hawker stalls. For the team of MissTamChiak.com, it’s more baffling why are some of the good hawker dishes not included in the list. After all, our hawker culture is what makes Singapore stand out from the rest of the world and we think the list on Bib Gourmand is not enough to represent the vibrant hawker scene we have in Singapore. 

Nevertheless, we present you with the list of 17 hawker stalls from Bib Gourmand before sharing our thoughts on which other hawker stalls should be included in the list. 

Bib Gourmand Hawkers

1. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
Address: Blk 119, Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-75, Alexandra Village, Singapore 150119

This hawker originated from Depot Road’s Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa. The present owners did a little tweaking to the recipe from the original owners but loyal customers would still continue supporting. The gravy is spicy, lemak and very tasty. It’s hard to resist not slurping till the last drop.

2. A Noodle Story
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, #01-397, 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111

A Noodle Story is a contemporary take on traditional wanton noodle as the bowl served here has some influence from Japanese Ramen. Consisting of thin and springy Hong Kong style wanton noodle, Japanese charshu, Japanese-style braised egg and potato-wrapped prawn fritter, the flavours are enhanced by lemongrass scented oil, konbu and dried shrimps.

3. Famous Crispy Curry Puff
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, #01-21, 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111

Curry puffs here are handmade and always served hot. There are only two options available – sardine and the usual potato filling. The unique crust has many layers in a circular pattern and comes generously filled. This is the perfect tea-break snack so do go before 3pm or you’ll run the risk of leaving empty-handed.

4. Hong Kee Beef Noodle
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, #01-42, 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111

This hawker has been selling beef noodles for almost sixty years, since his father’s time. There are soupy and dry versions but many prefer the latter for its flavoursome gravy. Beef served here is succulent so look forward to a satisfying bowl of dry Beef Kway Teow when your craving kicks in.

5. Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, #01-18, 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111″ phone=”6221 1155

Bak Chang can be overly-oily and taste “gelat” at times but Hoo Kee’s bak chang is well-prepared and doesn’t contain fatty meat. Chunks of lean meat are used, complemented by chestnuts and mushrooms that are of good quality. The pork is tender and savoury while the chestnut gives the overall taste a tinge of sweetness and crumbly texture.

6. The Fishball Story

Using only pure yellow tail fish with no flour, the result is a firm texture with a natural sweetness of the fish. Coupled with sambal, shallots and pork lard, this bowl of fishball noddle is so delicious. Hawker for the first time, we’re glad that up till this day, Douglas still has the right formula towards making a simple dish extraordinarily yummy. Read more about it here.

7. Wedang
Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, #B1-28, Singapore 199583

Serving Indonesian food and satay that tantalize your tastebuds is what this hawker does best. It’s hard to find tasty and authentic Indonesian food in Singapore so we’re lucky to have this hawker whipping up good and simple Indonesian fare to satisfy our cravings.

8. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw
Address: Blk 531A Upper Cross Street, Hong Lim Market, #02-67, Singapore 051531

This slurp-worthy bowl of Fruit Juice Crayfish Mee Siam comes with a very light gravy and we simply love indulging in a light, spicy, sweet and sour gravy. One mouthful is so full of flavour that it gets addictive and you probably can’t resist another bowl. We haven’t got the chance to try it, perhaps we have to do it now before the queue starts forming!

9. Na Na Curry
Address: 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre, #01-48, Singapore 151115

As its name suggests, this hawker is famous for their fish head curry and pork rib curry. The gravy is done till the right consistency. It is spicy but not tongue numbingly so. Made with fresh spices and fresh coconut milk, no wonder its strong fragrance lingers in the air. The chilli which packs a good punch too.

10. Chey Sua Carrot Cake
Address: #02-30, Toa Payoh West Market and Food Court, 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310127

Using the traditional cooking method passed down from the previous generation, Chey Sua only does white carrot cake. They will pan fry one side till crispy while leaving the other side lightly fried. Chilli sauce is pan-fried together with the crispy surface, which makes your dining experience so much more enjoyable. Read more about it here.

11. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Address: Stall No. 10&11, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184

With smooth and tender chicken cuts and warm, fluffy, fragrant rice that is good enough to just eat with the chilli sauce, this hawker is prolly one of the most prominent chicken rice stall in Singapore. Tourists all over the world flock to Maxwell Food Centre just have a plate of this goodness.

12. Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun
Address: Mei Ling Food Centre, Blk 159, Mei Chin Road, #02-33, Singapore 140159

At the mention of Hor Fun, this hawker will always pop to mind! The Hor Fun was excellent and you should go for the pork ribs, mushroom and chicken feet hor fun.

13. Alliance Seafood
Address: #01-27, Newton Circus Food Centre, 500 Clemenceau Avenue North, Singapore 229495

Newton Circus, in recent years, has been blacklisted for being a food centre that touts tourists. Well, there are still hawkers like Alliance Seafood that maintains the quality of their food for customer’s gratification. It’s a good stall to patronize for dinner with a big group of friends and family due to their wide array of food items offered.

14. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Address: Tiong Bahru Market, #02-82, 83 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898

Usually, boneless chicken flesh is flattened with a cleaver after deboning the chicken so it’s hard to expect sinking your teeth into a juicy chunk of meat. That aside, many were impressed by both white and roasted chicken as they were prepared so well, with tender and tasty flesh. The sauce was savoury, with a hint of sweetness and the chilli gives a really good kick.

15. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee
Address: Tiong Bahru Market, #02-01, 83 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898

Hardcore fans of fried noodles will enjoy this dish but others might find it a tad too dry and lacking in flavour. The sotong was chewy and fresh though. This hawker has done a great job in removing the pungent seafood smell from their sotong and prawns. 

16. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak
Address: Blk 90, Whampoa Drive, Whampoa Food Centre, #01-06, Singapore 320090

Fear Factor aside, we’re pretty sure only locals can appreciate what goes into this dish. We can’t imagine tourists taking a bite of century egg without wincing or squirming in their seats. Hoover Rojak is fantastic as they still add jellyfish in the mix and use Torch Ginger Flower to give it the typical rojak fragrance. Yummy!

17. Liang Zhao Ji
Address: Blk 90, Whampoa Drive, Whampoa Food Centre, #01-07, Singapore 320090

This hawker selling braised duck always has a snaking queue, whether on weekdays or weekends. Braised duck is quintessentially a Teochew dish and the “lor” here is thick enough, with a balance between sweet and savoury flavours. The subtlety of 5-spice aromatics managed to permeate through the rice and gave the overall dish a thumbs up!

Which Hawkers have Bib Gourmand missed out on?

Besides the list of hawkers in Bib Gourmand list, we feel that there are some other excellent hawkers whom we thought should be in the list but didn’t make it. How can our char kway teow, roti prata and bak chor mee not appear in the list? That’s our unique dishes too! Perhaps, it is time for the Michelin inspectors to explore our country a little more. Here’s some of our favourite hawkers which we felt should be included.

Sungei Road Laksa
Address: Blk 27, Jalan Berseh, #01-100, Jin Shui Kopitiam, Singapore 200027

This is one of the last few existing hawker which still uses a charcoal burner to prepare their super delicious broth. You can smell the spices in the gravy – sweet yet mild spicy and infused with coconut flavours and hae-bi in it! The crunchy bean sprouts added texture to this already perfect bowl of Laksa. Read more about it here.

Hong Chang Eating House
Address: 2 Braddell Road, Singapore 359895

This is a hidden gem that is a MUST TRY! Their sambal stingray is BBQ-ed till crisp on the outside, yet retaining a moist flesh within. The sambal is the killer but it’s so shiok! The porridge with kong pao frog leg was impressive as well. The umami dark sauce has a nice smokiness and you get the ultimate enjoyment with piping hot porridge. Read more about it here.

Tai Hwa Bak Chor Mee
Address: Blk 466 Crawford Lane, #01-12, Singapore 190466

Behold the ultimate bak chor mee – mee kia done al dante, springy and don’t have the alkaline taste which is present in many noodles. The sauce, packed with chilli and vinegar, is a robust mix of savoury, spicy and sour. Lastly, the fresh ingredients used were well-marinated and cooked to perfection. There is also fried ti poh which is very rare nowadays! Simply irresistible! Seriously, how can this not appear in the list? Read more about it here.

Sixth Avenue Nasi Briyani Specialist
Address: 12 Sixth Avenue, Singapore 276475

Famous for their Mutton Briyani and Chicken Briyani, this hawker is very crowded during lunch time so go earlier as their mutton, especially, is usually sold out after lunch. Both meats are flavourful and tender. We liked that the spices used for the rice were evenly distributed and almost each grain was close to uniform in colour. They serve different flavours of prata too! Read more about it here.

Haig Road Putu Piring
Address: Blk 14, Haig Road Hawker Centre, #01-08, Singapore 430014

Putu Piring is the Malay version of our Kueh Tutu. The hawker uses gula Melaka for the filling and serves with grated coconut. Having taken your first bite, you’ll notice gula Melaka oozing out of the kueh, especially when it is piping hot. We always devour it on the spot after purchasing cause we just can’t wait till we get home before tucking in.

Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow
Address: 51 Old Airport Road #01-138 Old Airport Road Food Centre Singapore 390051

The queue here is always horrendous! Be patient as the hawker cooks every plate individually, to ensure that it’s served up fresh and warm. A plate of char kway teow consists of cockles, bean sprouts and fried pork lard to complement the tasty egg. You can detect the distinct wok hei and this hawker is definitely worth the wait. Read about it here.

Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Address: Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-136, Singapore 150124

One of our best zichar in Singapore, THIS SHOULD BE IN THE LIST. The wok hei in their Moonlight Hor Fun is excellent. You get a smoky flavour from the flat noodles that was stir fried with lard, chinese sausages, prawns, squid and dark sauce. Add the egg yolks in the middle, mix it up with the noodles and you get an excellent plate smooth and delicious hor fun. Read more about it here.

Mr and Mrs Morghan Prata
Address: 7 Crane Road, Poh Ho Eatery, Singapore 429356

It’s hard to find artisanal prata nowadays but this hawker is admirable! He makes his own dough, cooks the curry and flips the prata all by himself. So much work with just a pair of hands! They have 3 types of curry – mutton, fish and dhal so let them know in advance upon your order. Read about it here.

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Singapore has an abundance of hawker food and our list is non-exhaustive. We might be small in land size but there are many parts of Singapore we have yet to discover. Through food, we experience and learn things about another culture so let’s take this opportunity to embrace the Michelin Singapore Guide and celebrate our hawker culture!

The post Michelin Guide Singapore – Which Hawkers have Bib Gourmand missed out on? appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.