Monday, February 29, 2016

Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup :fried fish & fresh sliced fish in a bowl

This is another stall that have been in my to-try list for a while. Though there was a short queue when i was there during lunch but it moved pretty quickly. You do not have much choices but to choose between a large portion at $7.50 or a small portion at $5.50 of a mixture of fried fish and fresh sliced fish in soup that are served along with rice. 

The 'white' sliced fish tasted remarkably fresh and the chunky pieces of 'black' fried fish was battered then deep-fried, quite tasty though. The soup was slightly cloudy with a slight hint of sweetness, it tasted a bit oily and it was served with a generous portion of vegetables to make it a healthier choice.

It is definitely different from most of the fish soups that are available out there and this is the likely reason to keep their customers coming back.






MEI XIANG BLACK & WHITE FISH SOUP
166 Jalan Besar Berseh Food Centre #02-44 SINGAPORE 208877
Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 3.00 pm (Monday to Friday)

Friday, February 26, 2016

[Hong Kong] Circus Burger

Circus Burger is a burger joint at Hollywood Road in Central, serving American style burgers and side from a late 19th century train carriage room. They are not just famous for their burgers but also for their selection of milkshakes. They uniquely serving their burgers in small paper box to make eating it a little easier and probably less messy. 

I tried their signature Circus Burger with an order of Buffalo Wings and Strawberry milkshake. The Circus Burger consists of nicely grilled beef patty with their special sauce and a piece of melted Monetary Jack cheese together with bacon on toasted buns. It was serving along with thick-cut fries in paper cup as part of the combo set. The Buffalo Wings were just average as the sauce was not too distinctive and rather mild in its level of spiciness. 

The Strawberry milkshake was pretty good though, it was quite thick and creamy with a well-balanced sweetness. 

Though it might not be the best tasting but it was alright for a quick lunch.






BURGER CIRCUS
22 Hollywood Road, Central, HONG KONG
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 11.00 pm (Sun to Wed) / 11.00 am to 3.00 am (Thur to Sat)

Sunday, February 21, 2016

What is the integrity of sethlui.com?

One of the articles by sethlui.com did not seek my permission to use my picture for Tien Lai Rice Stall in it, the article went on Yahoo Singapore. This is definitely not acceptable. I have requested them to remove it. They should not use my picture without my permission, it is not ok even if they credit the source. Let's just hope they have the integrity of doing the right thing to make it right. I have even clearly stated that "All the pictures here are copyrighted, none is allowed to reproduce, to copy or to use it without my permission" under 'About Me' on my blog.

I could not help but wonder how did the writer of that article managed to come out with a list of top 14 char siew stalls in Singapore by using pictures obtained from other food blogs/sites? He/she probably did not even make an effort to taste those foods to conclude the listing.



UPDATE: They responded and they removed the picture from their article.


A comment that is likely left by the supporter of sethlui.com


Friday, February 19, 2016

De Burg : It's getting better

This burger joint first started in a coffee shop at Ghim Moh before moved to another coffee shop at Jalan Bukit Merah then moving to the current location in early 2015. I tried it once when they were still at Bukit Merah, it did not impress me as much. My first impression then was of its rather steep prices in a coffee shop environment and for a rather mediocre taste too, their service was not particularly attentive. 

I decided to give it another try after acquired some vouchers online for a basic Cheeseburger with fries and a canned drink. I went on the New Year day and it was not too crowded. I was expected to order at the counter as i have to redeem the burger set using the mobile application. 


It was then served to the table in about 15 minutes. The Chesseburger consists of beef patty that is perfectly grilled but is slightly pinkish within that has a desirable tenderness. It tasted much better than i expected and i was pleasantly surprised. Those thick-cut fries were lightly salted and quite enjoyable, it did not turn soggy even after left it for a while. If you still have space in your stomach after done with your burger, you could order extra portion of those fries as it is free-flow.





DE BURG
2 Kallang Avenue #02-15 CT Hub SINGAPORE 339407
Operating Hours: 11.45 am to 2.45 pm / 5.45 pm to 9.15 pm (Monday to Friday)
12.00 pm to 9.15 pm (Saturday & Sunday)

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The Hawker's Journey - From Humble to Beyond

My article on MAKANSUTRA. As it stated in the article, "Being a hawker is like undertaking the journey of the road less travelled. Some might not even make it to the end of that road, but for those with conviction and perseverance, the reward is at the end - be it a new restaurant or care of plain contention, it makes the journey worthwhile. Why some hawkers are able to grown their business successfully and what are the secrets of their success? It might be a strong passion in cooking; an extreme interest in wanting to serve comfort food at affordable prices, just to see happy faces, or it might just an absolutely outstanding service that leaves an impression. As a matter of fact, when venturing into a hawker business, it is not just a decision but it has to be done with determination and a certain mindset to keep it surviving."

These are the some that have actually made it and have been doing well.

THE RUSTIC BISTRO
21 China Street Far East Square SINGAPORE 049563
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 11.00 pm



DAISY'S DREAM KITCHEN
Block 517 West Coast Road #01-571 SINGAPORE 120517
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 3.00 pm / 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)


OLD BIBIK'S PERANAKAN KITCHEN
190 Changi Road #01-01 MIDS Building SINGAPORE 419974
Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm


MINISTRY OF RIBS
. Block 416 Pandan Garden #01-125 SINGAPORE 600416
. Block 727 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 #01-4236 SINGAPORE 560727
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 10.00 pm


BROTHERS RAMEN
10 Anson Road #01-20 International Plaza SINGAPORE 079903
Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 2.30 pm (Monday to Saturday) /
                             6.30 pm to 8.30 pm (Monday to Friday) (Closed on Sundays)

Monday, February 15, 2016

Waan Waan Authentic Thai Coconut Ice Cream in Hawker Centre

This is another stall serving Thai coconut ice cream in a hawker centre and they have been there for about 6 months. The other stall is in Amoy Street Food Centre by 3 passionate young men. 

Right at this stall, you could choose between the Jumbo size ($5.50) which consists of 3 scoops of ice cream and the Classic size ($4.90) consists of just 2 scoops of ice cream. Both sizes come with 5 toppings which include red ruby, sweet corn, chendol, atap seeds and grounded peanuts. There are only 2 ice cream flavors for selection, there are the coconut and mango. I opted for coconut for both scoops, the taste was quite creamy, smooth and not too sweet with a rather slight coconut flavor. It actually tasted not bad but it would be nicer if the coconut taste is slightly more intense. 

Their other popular item is Mango Sticky Rice which consists of a single scoop of ice-cream with sticky rice and fresh mango cubes.



It is quite a refreshing find amongst the usual hawker fare but their prices are slightly steep and they may not have enough younger customers to sustain their business as the older customers might find it to be too pricey.


WAAN WAAN AUTHENTIC THAI COCONUT ICE CREAM
Block 51 Old Airport Road #01-51 Old Airport Road Food Centre SINGAPORE 390051
Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 9.30 pm

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap: Duck Kway Chap Bento, creativity or gimmicky?

This stall has been around since 1980 for more than 30 years serving Teochew style braised duck and kway chap, it is now managed by the 2nd generation. This 2nd generation owner launched this Duck Kway Chap Bento last year and for $8, it comes with 3 pieces of riceballs that made of yam rice with bits of dried shrimps in it together with braised pig's skin, small intestine, braised meat, tau kwa and also braised duck with an onsen egg.

If you order separately, their braised duck rice is at $4.00 and their dry kway chap set with an onsen egg is at $4.00. You have exactly what are served in the bento with an extra bowl of dry kway chap and probably with a bit more of those ingredients. In another word, it is more value for money to order a plate of braised duck rice with their dry kway chap set for the same amount of money which also made their duck bento seems rather gimmicky rather than out of creativity.

I also could not help but wonder why were there so many articles by local media and bloggers that raved about their braised duck and kway chap which tasted quite average? Well, taste is subjective and i have definitely tasted much better braised duck and kway chap than that.




JIN JI TEOCHEW BRAISED DUCK & KWAY CHAP
335 Smith Street #02-156 Chinatown Complex Food Centre SINGAPORE 050335
Operating Hours: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm (Closed on Fridays)

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

5 Star Corner Western Food : big portion and cheap western food

This is a popular western food stall in a coffee shop that is just a stone's throw away from the bus interchange. Some of their signature items are Chicken Cutlet, Chicken Chop, Pork Cutlet, Pork Chop and Lamb Chop. You are expected to order then pay at the counter, it will then be served to the table. I decided to go with their Chicken Cutlet as this seemed to be one of their most popular items.


It was served in about 10 minutes. I was amazed by how big portion it is. You do not get to find such a big portion of fried chicken cutlet at $5.50 these days that is served with generous amount of baked beans, coleslaw and a big piece of garlic bread. The fried chicken cutlet is a massive piece of meat, nicely marinated and perfectly deep-fried to give it the desired crispiness. I was told that the guy that started this western food stall used to be from Jack's Place and that somehow explained its certain similarities. 


It might not be the tastier but it is definitely value for money. You should try if you happen to be there and looking for something tasty and good value.




5 STAR CORNER WESTERN FOOD
Block 805 Hougang Central SINGAPORE 530805

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Song Kee Fishball Noodle: their handmade fish dumplings are so good

This is the famous supper spot along Upper Serangoon Road and it operates from 7.00 pm to around midnight or till sold out.

I was there on the eve of Christmas slightly 8 pm and it was not as crowded as expected as i was told the waiting time would be just 30 minutes, it is known for its long waiting time and it is usually at least 45 minutes or it could be even longer than that. You are advised to order first, take a number tag then wait for a table. Even if you come early, you are expected to wait as well as there is usually a queue waiting for them to start at around 7.00 pm. I picked up the number tag and found a table rather quickly right after. You are also expected to help yourself with those drinks in the fridge and it will be charged together when they delivered the noodles. 



The noodles came slightly after 30 minutes and is served by a friendly Auntie. There are 2 sizes, the small and the larger portion with different types of noodles of your choice. When ordering a bigger portion, you will get to choose whether you want it with extra ingredients or extra noodles. 


I do like to have an extra amount of chilli added but it will usually accumulated a pool of oil at the base. The spiciness of the chilli is not distinctive but it added layer to the flavor. 


The larger portion of noodles came with 2 different types of fish balls and their signature handmade fish dumplings that are not commonly available these days, in fact, they are one of the 2 that are still doing it. The skin of these fish dumplings are handmade using the fresh of the fish and it is nicely made to give it just the right thickness for a elasticity that provides an enjoyable chewiness when you bite on it. Their fish dumplings are one of the reasons that gotten their customers to keep coming back and patiently waiting to be served.


Their noodles were cooked just right to give it the delightful texture and a desired softness. Though simple but it was highly satisfying.





I felt it is not just the food but also the attentive and accommodating service that keep their customers to keep coming and patiently waiting to be served each time.


SONG KEE FISH BALL NOODLE
532 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534547
Operating Hours: 7.00 pm to 12.00 am (Closed on Wednesdays)