Hawker Walks is a new series of unofficial tours that I’m launching for Charlinary. In the first of this series, I brought a group of readers and friends on a tour of 3 hawker centres in the central parts of Singapore. While I provided them with an itinerary (pictured below) which included information about the hawker stalls we were visiting, I got the group to guess where we were headed at each stop. Here’s a pictorial update of our tour (sans food for now) & some of the stalls we visited:
The much-lauded Sha Tin Kitchen is helmed by Hong Kong chef, Tonny Chan, who impresses with his signature Cantonese dishes (Sha Tin has since changed chefs as of July ‘09). Don’t let this air-conditioned restaurant’s nondescript appearance fool you, for what it lacks of in ambience, it more than makes up for with deliciously authentic Cantonese fare.
Prior to our visit with the family, Mum and I prowled their website for signature dishes, and our lunch menu was decided even before we set foot in Sha Tin. We decided to try their famous 臥虎藏龙(Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), otherwise known as lobster & egg white mousse with scallop, Braised Abalone, Braised Crab with Ramen, and Double-boiled Shark Cartilage with Fish Maw Soup.
The Double-boiled Shark Cartilage with Fish Maw Soup ($38) [***.] was the first to arrive, and my hands shook a little as I eyed the shark cartilage suspiciously. One must understand that when it comes to sharks, I’ve not ventured beyond sharks’ fin. The clear broth was rather plain to me, but perhaps this unique soup is an acquired taste. Slightly crunchy and roughly-textured, the shark cartilage took a bit of chewing.
Next on the list is the much-anticipated 臥虎藏龙 (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) ($6/serving) [****.], pictured here in a crisp golden basket teeming with lobster meat and egg white mousse, and garnished with dried scallop and curry leaf. This is something you’ve absolutely got to try.
For abalone-lovers out there, Sha Tin serves 2 types of braised abalone – two-headed/six-headed. We ordered 2 portions of their Two-headed Braised Abalone [****], each costs $48. Their attentive staff promptly cut each portion into quarters for everyone to share. Each morsel of braised abalone was very delish and slid down the throat with ease.
Next up is the Braised Mixed Seafood Claypot ($18) [**.] which surprisingly failed to impress. Though chockful of ingredients, it lacked sapidity and even seemed slightly over-braised for ingredients like the sea cucumber and mushrooms. I’d suggest you skip this dish and make room for other recommendations on their menu.
Thankfully, Sha Tin’s signature Braised Crab with Ramen ($60 | serves 6) [****] fared much better, with ramen in a gravy steeped with the briny flavour of crab roe. The ramen is pictured here in its individual serving, but prior to this the dish is served in a pot with big red crab shells and pincers adorning a pile of ramen. I really liked the taste of braised crab (a Cantonese favourite it seems) which was also a staple for the now-defunct Canton Wok over at Joo Chiat. Chef Kang of Canton Wok used to serve his signature crab dish steamed with glutinous rice. However, his competitor Chef Tonny Chan’s version is typically Cantonese with lots of gravy which really is an egg-based soup all on its own.
Last but certainly not least, is Sha Tin’s Hashima with Red Dice ($6) [*****] which I dare say is the best hashima (a luxurious traditional Chinese dessert made with snow fungus & rock sugar amongst others) I’ve ever had. Their version is made with sweet red dice, rock sugar, snow fungus, and dates…and every mouthful practically melts in your mouth. More importantly, it wasn’t saccharine sweet so one can tell that sugar syrup and artificial flavourings weren’t used. All in all, it was a refreshing end to a scrumptious Cantonese meal.
/ prices stated are subject to 10% svc charge. No GST
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 8.5/10
Price – $$-$$$$
Service – 8/10
Ambience – 7/10
Accessibility – 6/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Address:
8/10 Lorong 3 Geylang
Singapore 388861
Tel: +65 6747 2483 / 6744 7087
Website: http://www.sbestfood.com/shatinkitchen.htm
Opening hours:
Open daily from | 11.30am – 2.30pm & 6pm – 11pm
Dress code: Casual
Nearest MRT: Kallang
Buses: 26, 31, 13…
Merry Christmas everyone! After all the merry-making of the holiday season, I’ve finally found the time to update you on the festive feasting. I’ve had an abundance of lamb, turkey, canapes and such at various abodes…but today’s entry will be about a simple Christmas dinner I cooked for my close friends. Now let me tell you the story behind my dinner…this year, I thought of giving my friends something different from the usual presents and such, so I devised a question to ask them on the pretext of it being for Charlinary.com:
“What is the 1 thing you could eat every day for the rest of your life?”
These were their answers:
I actually had a fifth guest, but asking her the same question out of the blue would’ve roused suspicion, so I decided on prawns for her. Chicken rice and vegetarian bee hoon were excluded from the menu and replaced by Cajun Fish and Bangers & Mash respectively in order to suit the festive menu. Here’s my menu for the night:
Appetizer
Gambas a la Plancha
Baby Spinach Salad with Cherry Tomatoes & Bacon Bits
Soup
Apple Pork Ribs Soup with Sliced Pear
Entrées
Masala Chicken & Papadum from Samy’s Curry
Bangers & Mash
Cajun Fish Fillet
Dessert
Gingerbread Boy & Girl from Chocz (image taken from Chocz)
It has always been my wish to have a nice quiet dinner with my friends, and I’m glad we managed to have one this Christmas. Thank you all for being present and I hope dinner was to your liking. Rest assured that there’ll be more dinners to come…to my other friends out there, you’ll certainly get a taste of my cooking (once I’ve improved). You can expect recipes from me this 2009 so happy reading! May you all have a awesome year ahead!
/ the images above were taken by KIS & KY.
The family was in the mood for some bak kut teh one afternoon, so we trooped over to Lao Ah Di. Personally, I don’t like my bak kut teh to be too peppery. If the soup is herbal or has a strong tea taste, I’m fine with it as long as it doesn’t taste medicinal (the way Traditional Chinese Medicine can taste).
For bak kut teh, I’d usually head down to Founder Bak Kut Teh opposite Shaw Plaza along Balestier Road. Yes, they are pricey compared to the rest along Balestier, but they are good. Another bak kut teh place I patronise (seldom now because it’s a tad inconvenient) is Outram Park Ya Hua Rou Gu Cha (No. 7 Keppel Rd #01-05/07, PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex, Tel: 6222 9610, Open: 7am-3pm, Closed Mon)
Back to Lao Ah Di – a meal of bak kut teh, you char kueh (fried dough fritters), preserved salted vegetables (a staple in any bak kut teh meal), pig intestines, and rice will set you back $5-$6 if you dine in a group of 6. One thing I didn’t like was their very puny portions of rice. Trust me, you’ll need at least 2 bowls of rice unless you’re on a diet.
The bak kut teh was a bit of a letdown. The meat was tasteless and the soup was on the mildly peppery side. Everything had a rather watered-down taste to it (I don’t take my food with a lot salt either) with the exception of the salted vegetables and pig’s intestines. But according to my mum, their bak kut teh isn’t always like this. Therefore, I’ll give them a second chance though my first visit was a disappointment.
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 6/10
Price – $
Service – 4/10
Ambience – 7/10
Accessibility – 7/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Address:
#01-67 Block 34 Whampoa West, Singapore 330034
Opening hours:
7am – 3pm daily (Closed Monday)
Dress code: Casual
Nearest MRT: Boon Keng (NEL)
Buses: 31, 133, 147, 985, 66, 23, 65, 64, 13, 857…
Prior to my recent visit for my mum’s birthday, I last visited Ban Heng in my childhood when my grandpa was still around. It has changed a lot since then, with the renovations and powerful Carrier (“The Carrier Man Can”) airconditioning. Most of Ban Heng’s menu consists of sets with a la carte dishes, but it’s comparatively cheaper to order the set menu. Ban Heng’s specialty is their Teochew Cold Crab (priced per gram), and we called to enquire if pre-ordering was necessary.
This is the point where I account our unpleasant experience with one of their waiters. We were informed that pre-ordering wasn’t necessary because their cold crab was available throughout dinner (we were there on a Thursday night at 7 pm). Upon arrival, their waiter mildly rebuked us for not pre-ordering, citing reasons like the dish’s preparation time (2 hours). Logically speaking, a restaurant’s specialty should be available at all times unless otherwise (explicitly) specified. The irony was that this very waiter who rebuked us, was the one who took our reservation – yet he was insistent that he advised us contrary to our phone conversation. In any case, we shelved the matter after the manager tried to smooth things over (my mum was very disappointed to say the least) and settled for some of their set menus.
With prices ranging from $19.80-$39.80 per person for 7 courses, it was very affordable. We picked 2 variations: the Superior Shark’s Fin Set Menu ($33.80/person, min. 2 persons) and the Mini Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Set Menu ($39.80/person, min. 2 persons).
The Superior Shark’s Fin Set Menu had the following: Prawn Salad with Mango, Braised Superior Shark’s Fin, Smoked Sliced Goose Meat, Steamed Cod Fish with Minced Garlic & Black Bean, Fried Vegetables with Garlic, Fried Noodles and Dessert.
The Mini Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Set Menu had the following: Prawn Salad with Mango, Mini Buddha Jump Over the Wall, Steamed Cod Fish with Diced ‘Chye Poh’ (dried preserved radish) & Garlic, Smoked Sliced Goose Meat, Fried Vegetables with Garlic, Fried Noodles and Dessert.
2 dishes differentiate the 2 sets (those in italics) and the 2 cod fish dishes are pictured here. I preferred the Steamed Cod Fish with Diced ‘Chye Poh’ (dried preserved radish) & Garlic [****] which had a spicy tinge to because of the chillis and peppers. It wasn’t too oily too, because the cod itself is steamed beforehand. The Superior Shark’s Fin [***] and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall [***.] are both delicacies in their own right, especially with expensive ingredients like sea cucumber, shark’s fin, abalone, and fish maw among others. The former was done Teochew-style, with vegetables, while the latter had a broth infused with herbs.
On the left, we’ve got the Smoked Sliced Goose Meat [****] wrapped in a thin, delicate flour skin with cucumber and plum sauce. Very much like the Peking Duck in terms of taste (with the exception of leek and smoked meat instead of roasted meat).
Other than the abovementioned dishes, the Prawn Salad with Mango, Fried Noodles, and Fried Vegetables with Garlic were commonplace – albeit with too much mayonnaise for the salad.
Dessert was a little more fascinating thankfully, for we ordered their Deep Fried Ice-Cream [****]. I loved the crisp combination of hot dough fritter and cold vanilla ice-cream. It was either this, or Yam Paste for dessert.
Our dinner was fairly good on the whole, but I expect a lot more in terms of service. Hopefully, my next attempt to try their signature Teochew Cold Crab will not be another disappointment.
/ no service charge, prices stated above are subject to GST
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 6.5/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 4/10
Ambience – 7/10
Accessibility – 7/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Tel: +65 6291 0407
Address:
Blk 22 Boon Keng Road, #01-21
Singapore 330022
Opening hours:
11.30am to 3.00pm & 6.00pm to 10.00pm Daily
Website: http://banhengrestaurant.com
Dress code: Casual
Nearest MRT: Boon Keng (NEL)
Buses: 31, 133, 147, 985, 66, 23, 65, 64, 13…
With the big R looming ahead, there’s been a reasonable amount of belt tightening and clinging on to wallets. Many still crave good food despite dismal prospects, and here I am providing some solace in the form of buffets. If you can’t splurge, the next best thing would be to stretch your dollar right? The following is a compilation of some places I’ve been to, as well as some places that are highly recommended by relatives and friends. Mouseover and click on the names to access each restaurant’s website. Happy feasting!
Situated at Carlton Hotel along Bras Basah Road, Cafe Vic is a familiar buffet spot for many a Singaporean. They are open 24-hours, dishing out international and asian cuisines to whet your appetite. |$$-$$$| 76 Bras Basah Rd, Tel: 6311 8195
For those residing in Tiong Bahru or the west, Rajah Inn is an affordable fix for a simple dinner with the family. |$$| 302 Tiong Bahru Road #02-13/14/15, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Tel: 6835 0080
Known for their Peking Duck, Jade Room is little known as a buffet place I’d think. Great for a leisurely lunch with the colleagues or friends. Weekday lunch: $14.80++/Weekend lunch: $17.80++ |$$| 36 Newton Road, #02-01, Hotel Royal, Tel: 6251 8135
For as long as I can remember, Kublai Khan has been at Park Mall. Mongolian food is perfect for meatlovers because meat’s pretty much a staple in their cuisine. Start piling those plates already… |$$-$$$| 9 Penang Road, #04-01, Park Mall, Tel: 6334 4888
Another great place for mongolian cuisine! Owned by the people behind Ras Essence of India, the Tent is conveniently located next to Marrakesh in Clarke Quay. Love their unique sauce counter with instructions for mixing & matching with meats and veggies. |$$-$$$| #01-02, Blk 3D Clarke Quay, Tel: 6339 0200
One of the few places that offer an Italian buffet, Pete’s Place offers buffet lunches Mon-Sat at $26++|$$$| 10 Scotts Road, Hyatt Hotel, Tel: 6732 1234
Popular with families and teens, this Japanese buffet under the Suki Group of Restaurants at Marina Square offers the usual Japanese fare at great prices (better than Sakura too according to some) |$$| 6 Raffles Boulevard #03-210 Marina Square, Tel: 6338 9680
For the uninitiated (fret not), Kuishinbo serves value-for-money Japanese food with periodic bell-ringing during your meal. Ladies rejoice for it’s ladies night every wed! Check out their website for more promotions… |$$-$$$| Suntec City, Jurong Point, Great World City
Swissotel Merchant Court is a popular buffet place because of their yummy Peranakan spread and famous durian pengat (pudding)…love their nonya food! |$$$| 20 Merchant Road, Swissotel Merchant Court, Tel: 6239 1848
Bombay Cafe’s vegetarian cuisine is something I’ve wanted to try for the longest time…it’ll be 1 of my attempts to embrace the hidden vegan in me. You should too especially with a tempting $10 Lunch Xpress promotion over at their Suntec outlet |$-$$| #B1-020 Suntec City Mall, Tel: 6345 0070
Craving a simple meal of traditional porridge? Spice Brasserie has an ongoing promotion for their teochew porridge buffet! A more affordable alternative would be Oasis Taiwan Porridge (formerly from Stadium Walk) over at Toa Payoh Park. |$$$| Parkroyal on Kitchener Road, 181 Kitchener Road, Tel: 6428 3160
This is 1 place where you might have to call for a reservation. Known for their laksa and other asian fare, Quality Cafe is another hit with Singaporeans. |$$| 201 Balestier Road, Quality Hotel, Tel: 6359 6856
Paulaner has a great executive lunch special with freshly brewed beer for those who work in the vicinity…for $19.90++ you can get an appetizer, entrée and drink. Mmm…german food.. |$$-$$$| 9 Raffles Boulevard, Time² at Millenia Walk, Tel: 6883 2572
Not forgetting my muslim readers, Carousel over at Royal Plaza on Scotts and Hyatt’s Straits Kitchen across the road are 2 great places for lunch/dinner. Expect a wide variety of fresh seafood, desserts, local and international cuisine to whet your appetite. |$$$| Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Road, Lobby level, Tel: 6589 7799
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
/the images above were taken from goodfood-goodmood, quality hotel & the tent’s websites.
Boasting a variety of 13 types of ramen on their menu, this stall should have something to suit your liking. Don’t expect Japanese ramen though, their speciality is collagen ramen (not egg-based ramen) in different soup bases, with different toppings. Collagen has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as anti-ageing and weight loss benefits (or so I’ve heard).
This stall’s ramen is more chinese than anything else if you ask me. Although I’ve had my share of bad experiences with food court ramen…this one’s different. Each strand of noodle is silky smooth, and the soup’s really tasty. Previously featured by the Straits Times, this stall makes it a point to have promotional prices for different items on the menu. Today, their Roast Pork & Corn Ramen (usual: $5, promo: $4.50) was one of a few.
The Roast Pork & Corn Ramen [***.] had generous portions of corn, roasted pork cubes, seaweed, carrots, and surprisingly…stewed egg. Well not the yummy Japanese sort from Ken Ramen House, but fairly decent nonetheless. A big bowl worth ordering. Prior to this I’ve also tried their Seafood Ramen ($5.50) [***], but I still prefer their Roast Pork & Corn. Other ramen favourites on the menu include the Char Siew Ramen ($5.50).
My mum ordered her usual Fried Fish Ramen ($4.80) [***] which had the same soup base as mine. The fish wasn’t oily so the overall combination was quite satisfying.
I’d definitely drop by this place again to try their spicy ramens. Looks like there’s hope for food court stalls just yet.
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 7/10
Price – $
Service – 7/10
Ambience – 5/10
Accessibility – 8/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Website: http://www.koufu.com.sg
Address:
500 Toa Payoh Lorong 6
#02-30 HDB Centre
Singapore 310500
Opening hours:
Open daily | 9am-9pm
Dress code: Casual
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh
Rumours about Ah Chuan’s retirement have been circulating around my old neighbourhood, so I decided to make a trip down to affirm it. My fears were unfounded when I spotted the familiar sight of a long queue from a distance…at least they’re still around for now (I’ll make it a point to ask them about the rumours the next time I’m there).
Over the years, Ah Chuan’s fried oyster omelette has garnered mixed reviews from local foodies – “Too oily, too much starch, not crispy, too little oyster, great starchiness, crispy, generous portions of oysters”…etc. To each its own, these comments were all valid at some point of this stall’s existence.
However, (taking 11 years of patronage into consideration) I must say that in this year alone, they’ve been consistently good. I used to dislike oysters growing up (it’s sacrilege, I know), but this stall changed my taste buds. I used to dislike the gooey-ness and faint semi-rawness of oysters, but Ah Chuan’s oysters are sufficiently cooked…and rid of that queer taste. The chinese parsley it’s topped with balances the overall taste of the dish as well.
One thing I really…..love about their omelette is how crisp it is. Sure, their standards may have faltered in the past…but now, it’s great. Really. He doesn’t add to much starch either. If you’re feeling guilty about indulging in oil-laden food, feel free to ask for less oil. It’s always good to keep track of cholesterol and such. Ah Chuan sells both Prawn & Oyster omelette ($3, $4, $5, $8) – between the 2 the prawn omelette is less oily. Give both a shot while you’re there. Refrain from da-baoing (getting a takeaway) because you run the risk of the omelette losing its crispness.
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 9/10
Price – $
Service – 7/10
Ambience – 5/10
Accessibility – 7/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Address:
Block 22 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh
#01-25
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Dress code: Casual
Nearest MRT:Toa Payoh
Buses: 232, 238, 57
Tucked away in the heart of Sunshine Plaza on Bencoolen Street, Victor’s Kitchen has garnered a loyal following over the years. That makes it almost seem like a crime on my part for not featuring them earlier….especially since I’ve been a loyal customer myself. Fans and fans-to-be of Victor’s Kitchen can rejoice, for their dim sum is tasting better each day. During my first few visits, I mentally noted that their har gao (prawn dumpling) filling was succulent and fresh, but the skin was just average taste-wise. However, I revisited them with A today for a farewell lunch of sorts and we ordered their King Prawn Har Gao ($3.50) [***.], Prawn Chee Cheong Fun ($3.80) [****], Fried Spring Rolls ($2) [**.], Chicken Rice ($3) [***], and Steamed Radish Cake ($3) [****.]. The wait was surprisingly short despite it being lunch hour (we were there around 1.15pm). We also discovered that they acquired another unit aside from their 2 adjoining ones (due to their expanding business no doubt), located somewhere to the left of their original unit pictured above.
The prawn chee cheong fun was the first to arrive, and after recently having some from my ultimate favourite Old Airport Road Food Centre stall, my tastebuds detected an improvement in Victor’s Kitchen’s chee cheong fun. Comparatively speaking, the one from Old Airport Road was superior in taste because of its silky smooth skin that is consistently steamed to perfection. That being said, Victor’s chee cheong fun is a close second in my book because of their sizeable and tasty prawn filling.
The har gao was next with more succulent prawns and even better skin. If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a stickler for quality skin in all my dim sum. And Victor’s aces this portion for their har gao. Another one of my favourites is their steamed radish (carrot) cake pictured below. Soft, melt-in-the-mouth with dried shrimp, lup cheong (dried chinese sausage) and topped with spring onion, this dish tastes even better when paired with their fried chilli-garlic sauce-dip. Make sure you ask for this dip!
The fried spring rolls were simple, nothing spectacular…while the Chicken Rice could’ve been better I felt. It was a pity that they ran out of steamed pork ribs too. Although the majority of Victor’s dim sum is mouthwatering and value-for-money, I would suggest sticking to familiar favourites and leaving room for popular items like the Custard Egg Pau for dessert. With all the good dim sum that’s on the menu, I always run out of space before I get to dessert. Won’t happen again for sure. I’ve got my mind set on trying that custard egg pau I’ve heard rave reviews about.
/ No GST and Service Charge.
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 8/10
Price – $ to $$
Service – 7/10
Ambience – 6/10
Accessibility – 7/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Tel: +65 9838 2851
Address:
91 Bencoolen St, Sunshine Plaza, #01-21. (next to Prinsep Street)
Opening hours:
10am – 8pm daily
/ Closed Mondays
Dress code: Casual
Buses: 65, 857, 131, 147…
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut
/ image of victor’s kitchen taken from the hungry cow
I’d like to applaud my mum’s valiant first attempt at making her very own dim sum. Armed with a newly-purchased book of dim sum recipes and 2 bamboo steamers, my mum battled the steam and splattering oil to come up with some yummy family favourites to pair with a pot of warm minced pork congee…
Panfried Beancurd Skin Roll with Mayonnaise: 1 of my favourites…thanks mum. Tasted suspiciously like her nghor hiam (nonya beancurd skin meat roll) because of her addition of water chestnuts. Crispy skin and great filling nonetheless.
Steamed Prawn Chee Cheong Fun: When this first popped out of the steamer, the skin was thin and translucent, and her generous prawn fillings were in plain view. Great effort mum. I’m certain your subsequent tries will succeed, and I’ll always be a willing ‘guinea pig’.
Steamed Har Gao (Prawn Dumpling): Aha, 1 of the 2 bamboo steamers makes its virgin appearance. The skins were a little thick on this dish, but the prawn fillings were yum. If you can’t already tell by now, prawns are practically a family staple.
Steamed Seaweed Pork Rolls: The second bamboo steamer was a pleasant surprise, and my favourite of the lot. Kudos to you mum for trying something different. The pork rolls retained a light juicyness from the steamed meat, and the combination of parsley, carrots and others made this dish a mouthwatering one.
Can’t wait for more dim sum! Who knows, I might try my hand at making some the next time my mum steps into the kitchen with her bamboo steamers…
The way to your dad’s heart is through his tummy. Or so they say with most men…While some of us may be feeling experimental enough to whip up something in the kitchen, why not bring daddy dearest out for some of his hawker favourites from the good ol’ days? I’d venture to say that most dads have fond memories of lard-laden unhealthy food but won’t admit it for fear of being chided by mum or you. So do make the first move to let him know you’d like to indulge his food cravings. It could be a simple bowl of mee pok from the stall he grew up with, or sinful char kway teow piled high with batu ham (cockles). Here are some of my recommendations to jog your dad’s trip down memory lane…or perhaps introduce newer guilty pleasures for his diet:
/image taken from 88DB Service Portal
/ image taken from the travelling hungryboy
/ image taken from dancing blue seal
Remember, these are just some ideas from my own forages in various hawker centres. If your dad’s tummy or memory serves otherwise, do indulge this once and have fun along the way. Charlinary.com wishes all dads out there a HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY!
The Book Cafe is my choice for a lazy breakfast or a nice cuppa on a rainy day. You can curl up with a good book on comfy sofas, check your emails on your laptop, grab some food & drinks…and have a bite. I’ve got friends who have fallen head over heels with the place after I brought them there. This cozy hideout is at the edge of Robertson Quay, away from the maddening crowd. Regulars over here include residents from the area and other fans from around. I must say that they’ve got a rather impressive selection of magazines. They also sell ice-cream from The Daily Scoop at Sunset Way in Clementi! Fabulous stuff.
[above] from left to right: Their Sourdough bread [***.] was a crisply-toasted slice, topped with fluffy egg white (low-cholestoral!), seasonal mushrooms and salad on the side. The sourdough was a tad too dry for my liking, but the mushrooms had a robust flavour that complemented the scrumptious egg white. Next up, a mouthwatering bowl of Salmon Noodle Soup [****], perfect for keeping warm on rainy days. Pieces of fried salmon are hidden in a bowl of flavorsome broth, enriched with a tinge of cooking wine. This is one of my favourites, and I never fail to polish off every last drop of soup. Another favourite of mine is the Chicken Aglio Olio [****] with colourful bell peppers, lime, and other spices. It had just the right amount of extra virgin olive oil, a zesty burst of lime that balanced off the spiciness of the peppers. Yummylicious! Last but not least, we’ve got a hearty steak served with 2 sunny-side ups, fries, and a juioy grilled tomato.
To top it off, their drinks are a must-try too! The strawberry lemonade is an awesome combination of carbonated lemonade and fresh strawberry bits, and their quirky lychee drink makes a refreshing thirst-quencher.
Do drop by this lil cafe while you can, cos great places like this don’t remain hush-hush for long in our sunny lil isle as…
/prices stated not incl. GST (7%) & CESS (1%). No Svc Charge.
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 9/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 8/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 7/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Tel: 6887 5430
Address:
20 Martin Road
Seng Kee Building, #01-02
Singapore 239070
(near Butter Factory at Robertson Quay)
Opening hours:
Sun-Thu: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Fri-Sat: 8.30am – 12am
Dress code: casual
Buses: 123, 143, 64..
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay Stn (NEL)
Hua Yi Kitchen at International Building is tucked away in a little corner on the 2nd floor next to Rice Table & opposite Coca Steamboat. For those in search of affordable Shanghainese cuisine, this would fit the bill. This place sells delicious hand-made noodles such as zha jiang mian, jiao zi, guo tie & many others. A colleague of mine was the one who discovered this little gem and introduced it to me.
I recommend their Beef brisket noodles ($4.50) [***.] available in soup/dry. The soup version has a clear beef broth with tender slices of beef brisket. Each slice was juicy and had little fats attached to it. Once you start on the soup, you will find that it grows on your tastebuds. The noodles are thick and non-chewy, but lack a smooth texture. Some would say that this is typical of hand-made noodles, so it could be just my opinion. Generous amounts of leafy greens can be found in this bowl, so rest assured that you will receive your daily serving.
While your at it, do order their Guo Tie – 8pcs ($5.80) [***] It is cooked the typical Shanghainese way where each piece is steamed & fried slightly on 1 side till it becomes a rich golden brown. Dip these in vinegar & plonk it in your mouth together with ginger slices…yums. Rest assured that Hua Yi Kitchen provides abundant amounts of both to complement your appetizer.
I haven’t had the chance to try anything else from this place yet, but I will definitely re-visit it. It’s a nice quiet spot away from the maddening crowd. Although the place is small, the food is decent & the lunch crowd tends to fluctuate rather unpredictably. So you might want to call them beforehand, or just drop by to try your luck.
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 7/10
Price – $ to $$
Service – 6/10
Ambience – 6/10
Accessibility – 8/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Tel: 6235 3156
Address:
360 Orchard Road
International Building (next to Shaw Centre aka Lido)
#02-11/12
Opening hours: 11.30am-3pm / 5.30pm-9.30pm daily
Dress code: casual
Buses: 174, 123, 7, 105, 36, 132, 77…
Honestly, my first impression of this place was simply put – a jaw-dropping one. I did not take too well to their more-than-cheery decor, and by this I’m referring to highlighter-coloured walls, tables & chairs. However I’ve learnt never to judge at first sight…so I was won over by their delectable menu and in my opinion, very cheap prices. As Miss Clarity says, it is the place “where happy people meet” – hence the colour scheme of the place…trust me it’s quite difficult to feel sad where there’s an added bonus of free wireless broadband. I must thank my best friend B for introducing Miss Clarity Café to me.
Are you a fan of Western food? If you are, this is the place where you can find it CHEAP. Over here you can have a Steam-Baked Sea Bass fillet with smoked bacon sauce [***] for $9 nett. Something like this would cost at least $14 elsewhere. Add a soup/salad+drink+dessert to each main course for only $3! or select from a variety of Set Lunches at $8. Bite into their Chicken Ballotine ($8) [****] and taste the crisp oven-baked chicken thigh, breaded & stuffed with shitake mushroom…feel the delicious mushroom sauce oozing with each bite.
For those who have a ferocious appetite that’s not easily satisfied with 1 main course AND still have room for dessert, Old MacDonald Had A Farm ($15) [****] is your answer! Picture this: a platter of steak, lamb chop, crispy breaded chicken, chipolata sausage, bacon, ham, potato wedges & egg. Chipolata sausages are tiny coarse-textured pork sausages are highly spiced with thyme, chives, coriander, cloves and sometimes hot red-pepper flakes.
After this, proceed to order their Chef’s Recommendation Mud Ooze ($4.50) [***.]- soft chocolate cake brimming with chocolate lava, topped with vanilla ice-cream. This seemingly innocent cup of cake is a yummy dessert not to be missed!
++All definitions were taken from http://www.epicurious.com
© Copyright Barron’s Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE FOOD LOVER’S COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.
//photo credits to dee & location map taken fr. Miss Clarity Café
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 8/10
Price – $ to $$
Service – 7/10
Ambience – 7/10
Accessibility – 7/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Tel: +65 6339 4803
Address:
5 Purvis Street, #01-04
Singapore 188584
Website: http://www.missclaritycafe.com
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat / 11am – 11pm
Closed on Sun
P.H. days / 5pm – 11pm
Dress code: casual
Nearest MRT: Bugis MRT & City Hall MRT
You must be wondering where/what this place is huh? Well it’s my favourite claypot beef rice stall! Besides beef rice, they serve up pretty good zhi char too. The place is run by a Cantonese chef & mostly Cantonese crew too as far as I can tell. How do I know this you may ask? He speaks fluent Cantonese with that familiar Hong Kong twang, and his beef rice is drowned in egg gravy – a tell-tale cooking trait of a Cantonese chef because they love soupy-gravy stuff. Yums.
For the longest time – 4 yrs to be precise, I’ve been a blur sotong of a customer who ate at his stall with blind loyalty without knowing its name. I discovered their name only after they wisely invented a laminated ‘quick menu’ that was conveniently placed on my table. For what it’s worth, I must say I’ve brought him many customers along the way who inevitably fell in love with his gravy-licious dishes & SUPERB clear soups. Go ahead & sample everything on the menu! Soups are priced at $1/bowl.
Claypot Beef Rice ($4) [****.]
I dare say I can count AT LEAST 5 friends of mine who are fans of the stall’s cantonese fare. Although the place is rather small, there’s always a long queue of people at lunchtime waiting to da-bao his caifan. He only starts cooking zhi char from approx. 1.30pm, after the lunch frenzy dies down. They close early at about 7pm thereabouts.
The I-wanna-know[s]:
Taste – 8.5/10
Price – $
Service – 7/10
Ambience – 7/10 (it’s a coffeeshop stall or sorts, dont have high hopes)
Accessibility – 8/10
Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes
Tel: (65) 6732 4892
Address:
Far East Plaza, #05-99
Opening hours: 11am-7pm on most days
Dress code: casual
Buses: 143, 124, 167, 54, 190, 132, 171, 162..
Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT station
|
