Ah Poh BBQ Seafood : the better BBQ Stingray

It was rather chaotic when we were there for a late dinner on a Saturday, as most of the tables were taken up at that time and the only empty table was right in front of the satay stall, that very much explained why it was the only table available. 

There are 2 stalls serving BBQ seafood, but we decided to order from Ah Poh BBQ Seafood, the most popular stall amongst them. There was another customer ordering when I was there. I decided to go with BBQ Stingray, Sotong and 2 bowls of rice. I was asking Auntie that took my order, "How long would it be? about 30 minutes?" She replied, "No, not that long, should be shorter." I went back to wait at the table. A friendly Uncle came by with chopsticks, spoons and 2 saucers of dipping sauce. 

The Uncle came over with Sotong and the rice. I was expecting the BBQ Sotong, but it turned out to be the Sambal Sotong, the smallest portion is priced at $12. It was my fault as I did not specify that I want BBQ Sotong when ordering, the Auntie did not ask me as well, so I assumed it. It was stir-fried with shredded onion, green pepper, and some chilli but it did not taste too spicy, the sauce reminded me of those that usually for Chilli Crab which was unexpectedly appetising. 

We had waited for another 5 minutes before the same Auntie came over with the BBQ Stingray. And, I said, "Really less than 30 minutes." Auntie replied, "It is usually quite fast as we "long pang" and cook the orders together."

After our first mouthfuls, my dining companion and I agreed that this has to be one of the better-barbecued Stingray that we have ever eaten, it is much better than the famous BBQ Stingray by Hong Chang Eating House along Braddell Road. The smallest portion is reasonably priced at $12 which consists of 2 slices of nicely barbecued stingray; the medium portion is at $15 and the large one at $18. 

The surface was nicely seared to give a slight crisp but still retained its moisture within then smeared with the chilli to serve. I liked the chilli that has a mild level of spiciness and I wished there were more of it; perhaps I could try to request for more when I visit again.

AH POH BBQ SEAFOOD

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-119/120 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588172

Operating Hours: 5.00 pm to 11.00 pm (Daily)

Fresh Generation : Premium Seafood Soup

Fresh Generation is the newest hawker stall at Bukit Timah Food Centre that has recently opened in March, it is near to Beauty World MRT station. They serve seafood soup in various sizes with different types of seafood including crayfish and lobster at premium prices. It seems this is the current food trend as there are many such stalls mushrooming and they are serving similar items.

And, they are related to Woon Woon Pek Bee Hoon at Changi Village Food Centre, in fact, it is an expansion based on the success of their popular white bee hoon after 8 months. The chef, Ah Soon, 62, is a former restaurant head chef that has decades of culinary experience under his belt. Now, you can expect a certain standard of their seafood soup. He is also the father of Reece Wong, the co-owner of the stalls and Javien, is the other owner. They used to be corporate business partners but sold away their companies then venturing into the food business. 

The menu features the Original Seafood Soup ($6 for 1 pax and $16 for 3 pax), Crayfish Seafood Soup ($10 for 1 pax and $28 for 3 pax), Scallop Seafood Soup ($10 for 1 pax and $28 for 3 pax), Lobster Seafood Soup ($28 for 1 pax and $58 for 3 pax) and their Signature Seafood Platter ($28 for 3 pax). There is the option to go with either rice or noodles for 0.50 cents. It is prepared upon order, the ingredients are wok-fried first before adding in the soup to bring forth the wok fragrance. The soup base comprises of clams and flower crabs simmered for a relatively long period to bring out the flavour, it is used for all the soups.

I decided to go with the Crayfish Seafood Soup and I opted to go with rice. I added 3 pieces of Lobster Balls for $2.00. There are also options to add clams for $2.00, sliced fish for $3.00, scallop for $5.00, crayfish for $5.00 and lobster for $22. The Crayfish Seafood Soup came with fresh tasting prawns, clams, sliced threadfin fish, lobster balls and crayfish. The soup though lightly flavoured but it was full of natural sweetness, this is definitely a healthier choice. 

The lobster balls are forgettable though, it tasted just like those that are readily available in the supermarkets and only order if you want more varieties.

You should try it if you are in the vicinity. 

FRESH GENERATION

51 Bukit Timah Road #02-164 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 9.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

133 Penang Authentic : Prawn Noodle is just so so

It was a Monday and this stall happened to be one of those stalls that were opened. This stall has been in this food centre for a few years, serving Penang Fried Kway Teow and Penang Prawn Noodle, both items are equally popular. There is usually a long queue if you come during lunch on weekends, and the waiting time could be quite a while as most of their customers are here for their Penang Fried Kway Teow as it is done by batches. Some of these customers could not wait and actually gave up queuing and walked away. 

There are 2 different types of Prawn Noodle on their menu, the Penang Prawn Noodle that is served in the soup version and the local style Prawn Noodle that is served in the dry and soup version. I ordered the dry Prawn Noodle with extra chilli which is offered at $3.50 and larger portion at $4.50. I was there just before lunch so no queue at that time.

The portion at $3.50 came with a good portion of yellow noodles along with a few slices of fish cake and lean meat with 2 pieces of prawns and some greens, garnished with a handful of dried shallots and fried pork lards. Though with extra amount of chilli added, it did not taste as spicy as i would like it to be. Its overall taste was just average and not quite memorable. Their Penang Prawn Noodle might actually be a better option since this is what they are supposedly famous for.

I have eaten their Penang Fried Kway Teow before though it is not too bad but i would not bother to queue for it as there is actually a better Penang Fried Kway Teow at Yu Hua Food Centre at Jurong East Avenue 1 by Simei Penang Laksa Specialty which i enjoyed much more.

133 PENANG AUTHENTIC

116 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-193 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588172

Operating Hours: 8.30 am to 3.00 pm / 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm (Daily)

Eats near Beauty World MRT Station

My article on MAKANSUTRA about some of the best eats near the newly opened Beauty World MRT Station.

MI CASA

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-199 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588215

Operating Hours: 11.45 am to 2.00 pm (Wed to Sun) / 5.45 pm to 9.00 pm (Tue to Sun)

* They will be moving to 102 Jalan Jurong Kechil Singapore 598602 near end of April 2016.

PENANG SIGNATURE
51 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-28 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588215.
Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm (Daily)

YONG SENG SATAY
166 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-123 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588172
Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 8.00 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

HAMBAOBAO

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road #04-49 Beauty World Plaza SINGAPORE 588177

Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm (Wed to Sun)

TOP 1 HOME MADE NOODLE

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road #04-44 Beauty World Plaza SINGAPORE 588177

Operating Hours: 9.00 am to 8.30 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)

MAY'S KAFE

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road #B1-K20 Beauty World Plaza SINGAPORE 588177

Operating Hours: 8.00 am to 8.00 pm (Daily)

NONYA DELICATESSEN

1 Jalan Anak Bukit #B1-K69 Bukit Timah Plaza SINGAPORE 588966

Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 4.00 pm (Daily)

RISE & GRIND COFEE CO.

1 Jalan Anak Bukit #L1-CA1 Bukit Timah Plaza SINGAPORE 588996

Operating Hours: 10.00 am to 9.00 pm (Mon to Thu) / 10.00 am to 10.00 pm (Fri) /

                               9.00 am to 10.00 pm (Sat) / 9.00 am to 9.00 pm (Sun)

Mi Casa Singapore

Mi Casa, which means 'My House' in Spanish and is started by Micah Jarrod Lim, the chef and also the owner, he used to work in different hotels before starting this hawker stall. He is running this stall with his dad as his assistant.

I was there slightly after 12 pm on a weekday. Micah spotted me when i stood in front of the stall looking at the menu board. When asked for a recommendation, he suggested that i should try Seafood Paella and for half a portion that is for a single serving costs $8.00. He also recommended Roasted Pork Cheek at $8.30. Single portion of Paella with Garlic Roasted Chicken or Meatballs or just veggies for $5.80 is also available. Another interesting dish worth checking out is Grilled Octopus at $8.80. 

Then, he informed me that he was still in the midst of preparation and he would only be ready in about 15 minutes and i was asked to come back in a bit. I happened to be seated near the stall, he pointed at me while talking to his dad and this prompted me to approach his stall. He said, his dad would serve it to my table later. He added, we provide restaurant standard foods and services too. I took notice of a 'Self-Service' right there. 

The Roasted Pork Cheek came first. It was in a good portion and is served with preserved white radish and garnished with zesty sauce. The perfectly Roasted Pork Cheek has got a good crunch, the skin part was delightfully crispy and still has its tenderness beneath. This is indeed good value, such a dish is definitely costs a lot more if is eaten in a proper restaurant.

The Seafood Paella came much later. It was still quite a massive portion even though it is meant for a single pax. The rice was cooked well to infuse with flavor and to give it a slightly sticky texture and is served with ingredients like prawns, clams, chicken chunks, peas and slices of tomato.

They will be moving to a shop at 102C Jalan Jurong Kechil Singpapore 598602 at the end of April and will be renamed to Mi Casa Kitchen & Bar.

MI CASA

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-199 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588215

Operating Hour: 11.45 am to 2.00 pm (Wed to Sun) / 5.45 pm to 9.00 pm (Tue to Sun)

Yong Seng Satay : Get your Pork Satay here

This stall has been around for about 80 years and they are one of those stalls that are serving Pork Satay which is not quite commonly available these days. They also serve Chicken and Mutton Satay, all are at 0.50 cents a stick. Like most stalls, it is prepared upon order and it took a good 10 minutes when it was served to my table even though i was the only customer at that time. 

You could spot the chunks of fat in between the well-marinated pieces of meat to give it the desired tenderness but the meat was a bit too lean thus a little too chewy. It was served slightly charred for a rather light smoky flavor, it would be nicer if it is more charred for a more intense flavor.

It was served with a chunky peanut sauce, its level of spiciness is somewhat reduced by the sweetness of pineapple puree added, a typical Hainanese way of serving their satay and it is not a common find these days. 

Though these traditional Satay might not be the best that i ever tasted but it is good enough to satisfy a crazy crave.

YONG SENG SATAY

116 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-123 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588172

Operating Hours: 11.30 pm to 8.00 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

Penang Signature : Assam Laksa

This stall is the newest kid on the block amongst the other stalls in this food centre. They have only been around for about 3 weeks and there is only one item on their menu, which is Assam Laksa for $3.50. You could smell the rather distinctive flavor of Assam Laksa from far. The stall is manned by a young chap all by himself. Though he is not too chatty but quite friendly, i was told that he is a local and his wife is from Ipoh, that is why he gotten the recipe of Assam Laksa from. He mentioned that he is using 2 types of fish, he acknowledged that one of them is Sardine but he refused to reveal the other type of fish listed in his recipe which is likely to be Mackerel or Kembung, he said it is their secret. Assam Laksa is also known as Penang Laksa over in Penang.

Their business seemed to be slow even though it was lunch time then with no queue. There was no customer when i went back after eating to talk with the young owner. I guess perhaps not too many locals are able to appreciate the special flavor of Assam Laksa which is distinctly different from the local laksa. It is not as spicy as expected but tangier, it could be quite a refreshing choice if you like it but you might hate if it is not your cup of tea. As compared to the other Assam Laksa i have tasted so far, this one somewhat reminded me of what i had when i was in Penang. This has to be one of the better ones that i have came across in Singapore.

Their choice of noodles is really close to those served in Penang. It looks a bit like thick bee hoon that normally use for our version of Laksa and also for those Fish Head Bee Hoon but the texture is different, it is more chewier and springer. I was told by the owner that they have it specially made to give their Assam Laksa a more authentic feel. The soup has a well-balanced sourish taste, with bits of shredded fish and chunks of pineapple also slices of tamarind, onion and cucumber, it was then topped with a thick sweet prawn paste to serve.

When i told the young owmer that his Assam Laksa is really nice and i could see his face brighten up. I wish him all the best and hopefully his stall is able to survive well and still around when i visit again.

PENANG SIGNATURE

116 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-28 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588172

Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm (Daily)

Peter Pan's Western Food : Big Portion and Good Value

This is one of the popular stalls located at Bukit Timah Food Centre, serving good value serving good value western food, helmed by an elderly couple. Peter has been cooking for about 25 years and he used to work with Jack Place as well as working in some country club as a Head Chef before starting his own stall. Most of the items on their menu are reasonably priced at $5.00. I have only managed to try Grilled Chicken Chop ($4.50) and Chicken Cutlet ($4.50) out of the extensive range of choices on their menu. 

Even though their operating time is from 12.30 pm onward but they might not be ready on time. I was there once at about 12.25 pm and i asked the auntie what time do they open. She replied, '12.30 pm.' So, i stood there and wait. She saw me and she said again, 'We are only ready at 12.30 pm." I said, 'It is already 12.25 pm, so only 5 minutes away.' She was a bit annoyed then and she said, 'Another 15 minutes more.'

Their Grilled Chicken Chop consists of piece of lightly marinated and evenly charred chicken steak serving with a good portion of baked beans, coleslaw and potato wedges. Though the taste of the Chicken Chop might not be amongst the best that i ever tasted but it was actually not bad. 

The breaded Chicken Cutlet was fried well to give a desired crispiness and still have it juiciness retained right within. It was nice but i would have prefer the Chicken Chop a bit more. 

It might not be the best tasting but good value definitely that you do not quite get it often these days. Do give it a try if happen to be in this food centre.

PETER'S PAN WESTERN FOOD

166 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-133 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588172

Operating Hours: 12.30 pm to 10.30 pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)