Lai Kee Homemade Pau . Dim Sum : Chicken Nest Pau (鸡窝包)

Their Chicken Nest Pau (鸡窝包) is the reason why i took notice of this dim sum stall in a coffee shop nestled in the neighborhood estate of Bukit Batok, within walking distance from Bukit Batok MRT station. The last time when i eaten Chicken Nest Pau was in Johor Bahru and i liked it so much that i even took away a few from there to have it at home. Though this was not my first time eating this unique dim sum dish in Singapore but i have yet to find a good one so far. 

Ah Lai, the owner, he used to be helping his relative in Malaysia before started his own stall in Clementi and eventually expanded to 4 outlets now. He is not making all of these dim sim by himself but hired dim sum chefs to do it in the central kitchen. There is quite an extensive choices for different types of dim sum on their menu but i was there just for their Chicken Nest Pau this time. 

It is quite reasonably priced at $3. If i remember correctly, the size was not as big as the one that i used to eat in Johor Bahru.

The skin though fluffy was a slightly too thick.

When pulled part of the skin slightly, ingredients like slices of canned mushroom with pieces of meat fallen off.

If you look at it carefully, you could see bits of salted egg amongst the other ingredients. 

All these ingredients seated on a lump of glutinous rice. All in all, i enjoyed it but i could not say this is the best that i ever tasted. I felt it would be better if they are not using the canned mushroom as part of the ingredients. It might not be quite economical for them to do so if taken the difference in cost into consideration unless the customers are willing to pay a higher price. 

I am definitely interested to come back for their Kong Bak Pau and Amy Yip Big Pau next time. 

LAI KEE HOMEMADE PAU . DIM SUM

来记自制包點 . 點心

Block 207 Bukit Batok Street 21 #01-118 Food Park Coffee Shop Singapore 650207.

Operating Hours: 6.30 am to 9.30 pm

Hilltop Cze Char : Not as Good as Expected

This Cze Char is located in the housing estate of Bukit Batok, just a stone's throw away from the Bukit Batok MRT station. It is about 5 minutes walk from there. I went specifically for their Kuala Lumper (KL) style black Hokkien Mee as i was told it is a must-try and tasted rather close to the real thing in KL. Apparently it was sold out then as i gotten there slightly after lunch. A friend was telling me, "Having the KL Mee there is more like fishing but there is a way if you know them." I will take this as a challenge and i am going to make sure i will get to taste it soon.

I decided to go for their usual Hokkien Mee at $4. It actually tasted not too bad. A good portion of nicely braised flat yellow noodle served with fresh tasting ingredients like slices of lean meat and fishcake with prawns and greens. A handful of crispy pork lards was added to enhance the flavor. I liked it so much that i would definitely ask for an extra portion of these addictive pork lards to be added if i do visit again. 

Though i did not like the Fish Sauce Bee Hoon at $4 as much but it was not disappointing. The wok taste was a bit too strong and it ended up tasted a bit like the burnt taste at some part though it might not be the case. The ingredients found were rather similar to the Hokkien Mee. There were bits of salted fish and dried shrimps in it to supposedly enhance its flavor.

Overall, the taste was not quite memorable and if it is not because of that particular KL style Hokkien Mee, it might not quite worth making an effort to dine there if you are not staying in the west side of Singapore. 

HILLTOP

Block 207 Bukit Batok Street 21 #01-118 Food Park Coffee Shop Singapore 650207.

Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 11.30 pm