[CLOSED] Mr Lorbak at Hougang

William Liou, 31, the owner, first started it in a coffee shop in early 2017 at Bedok North before moving to Ubi Avenue 1. He subsequently started another stall at Hougang Street 21. He has also recently started House of Happiness, a stall in a coffee shop along Bedok Road serving claypot rice. Willaim used to be a Group General Manager of a restaurant and he has a diploma from SHATEC. He was inspired by his mother as she used to run a rojak stall in Tampines. He is using a recipe from his mother. 

We went to the stall at Hougang for dinner. This stall is not just selling Lor Bak Rice ($4.50), also known as Braised Soya Sauce Pork Rice but also Braised Pig's Trotter ($7.00), Braised Chicken Wing Rice ($4.50), Minced Pork Porridge ($3.50), Minced Pork Pau ($2.50), Oyster Vegetable ($1.50) and Side Dish Combo ($2.00) consisting braised mushroom, tau pok, braised peanuts and preserved vegetable. We decided to go with Braised Chicken Wings Rice and Braised Soya Sauce Pork Rice together with a Side Dish Combo. The friendly auntie that took my order, asked, "Do you want Oyster Vegetable? the vegetable is very nice today." And, She said, "I do not have enough black fungus so I will be giving you more pieces of braised mushroom."

The Braised Chicken Wing Rice consists of 2 pieces of chicken wings, braised mushroom, braised egg, and black fungus placed on a pile of white rice drizzled with braising sauce. My dining companion, said, "It is not as flavorful as its look."

The Braised Pork Rice consists of a piece of braised meat that was cut in a few piece, a hard-boiled egg, braised mushroom, and black fungus. My dining companion said, "This is better than the braised chicken wings." I have tried when the stall was manned by William at Ubi Avenue. Somehow, it was much better than. 

The only item that I liked of the Side Dish Combo was the braised mushroom, the rest tasted just mediocre. 

Though not the best, this simple taste is homely and comforting.

MR LORBAK

Block 212 Hougang Street 21 #01-349 SINGAPORE 530212

Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm

Fa Ji Dessert : traditional desserts

This is a popular dessert in Kovan Food Centre, though no queue but there is a constant flow of customers. There is a notice, saying, "Dear customers, please tell us if it is not nice to eat and please tell your friends if it is good. Making a complaint, call 97559813".

There was an elderly Uncle in front of me, the stall lady recognized him and asked, "Tau Suan?" I decided to have Red Bean with Corn ($2.30) and my dining companion went with Soursop Jelly ($2.30).

Red Bean with Corn ($2.30) is made up of a pile of shaved ice topped with sweet corn and red bean with condensed milk. It is such a simple pleasure. 

Soursop Jelly ($2.30) consists of shaved ice, ice jelly, tadpole jell,  and soursop. This is a refreshing choice for thirst quencher on a hot day.

FA JI DESSERT

209 Hougang Street 21 #01-47 Kovan Food Centre SINGAPORE 530209

Operating Hours: 7.00 am to 9.45 pm (Daily)

茂盛潮洲糜 . 饭 : cheap and good

It was rather quiet during dinner in this food centre and almost 80% of the stalls were already closed for the day. This stall was amongst those that were opened, it is located right at the corner of the first row and there were other customers waiting to order. As it was an early dinner, some of their dishes were not ready yet. 

I decided to go with steamed fishcake, sliced meat with ginger, braised brinjal, and Stingray with salted vegetable together with 2 bowls of porridge and a bowl of rice for only $10.50. This is definitely cheap. It is self-service, the Uncle arranged everything neatly on a big tray for me.

Our favorite dish has to be the sliced meat with ginger. My dining companion said, "It has an old-school taste".

The steamed fishcake was another comforting choice, it tasted good when eaten with the fermented bean sauce and chilli that served along. 

The stingray with salted vegetable has got a rather strong fermented bean taste which my dining companion did not like. I enjoyed it though, it tasted like a similar dish that my dearest Grandpa used to cook for me. The braised brinjal is another homely dish that my Grandpa used to cook. 

There was a queue forming when we were about to leave. I applaud their efforts in keeping the prices affordable, this stall is worth supporting. 

茂盛潮洲糜 . 饭

Block 105 Hougang Avenue 1 #02-02 Hainanese VillageFood Centre SINGAPORE 530105

Bee Kee Wanton Noodles : traditional flavor is still the best

This stall is in the coffee shop at Lorong Lew Lian, off Upper Serangoon Road and they started in March 2014. Their menu includes Original Wanton Noodle, Braised Pork Soft Bone Noodle (dry / soup), Braised Pork Soft Bone Rice and also side dishes like Fried Wantons, Wantons in Chilli Vinegar Sauce and Wanton Soup. There is a signage indicating "Truffle Wanton Noodle", which is their specialty at $6 per plate. There are 2 other stalls at Amoy Street Food Centre and Market Street Interim Food Centre. 

The stall was manned by an auntie with a younger man that does the cooking when I was there. I decided to go with their Original Wanton Noodle and added a portion of the braised pork soft bone for $5.00. When it was ready, I asked, "This one is without truffle oil, right?" The auntie replied, "No. We would not put it in if there is no request." I am never a fan of those truffle fries, the truffle oil actually reminded me of those engine oil which I did not like. I did not dare to go with the truffle oil version as I am afraid I might just leave it unfinished and walk away. And, it seems by adding truffle oil to just anything is a good reason to justify a higher price.

The noodles are different, it is slightly thinner than the usual mee kia with a springier texture and is without that alkaline flavor. It did not clump together even after leaving it for a while. The char siew is made using leaner meat so it is slightly drier. The braised pork soft bone was nicely done to the desired texture though not as flavorful as expected to be.

I have always thought the traditional flavor is still the best and that is the reason I do not usually go for the fusion dishes. I am an old soul and those are just not for me.

BEE KEE WANTON NOODLE

Block 2 Lorong Lew Lian Food Park SINGAPORE 048940

Operating Hours: 7.00 am to 2.00 pm (Monday) / 7.00 am to 8.00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

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

Sin Chie Toke Huan : Comforting Hainanese Curry Rice

There was already a long queue right outside the closed shutter, patiently waiting for the shop to be opened at 6.00 pm. I know there is a famous Hainanese Curry Rice stall in this coffee shop but i have never get to try it. I decided to join in the queue as i was told to come back later by that curly hair Auntie selling satay at the corner coffee shop. She could not quite cope with the massive amount of orders at that time when i wanted to order earlier. When the roller shutter raised, the assistants started to arrange tables and chairs along the pathway. Some of those in the queue moved away leaving their friend or family member to be in the queue to do the ordering later and they went to sit at one of those tables. 

As this was my first visit, i decided to order some of those dishes more commonly selected by their regular customers. After ordering, i was expected to pay then they handed over the 2 plates of rice to me to carry it together with an assistant that got the rest of the dishes on a tray and followed me to my table. 

First dish was sliced pork cooked in soya sauce and sesame oil with bits of shredded ginger, a homely dish that done well. It was nicely flavored and went rather well with the plain rice. I could finish my plate of rice just with this particular dish.

Braised cabbage has always been my favourite and my usual order whenever having Hainanese Curry Rice. It might not looked too appetising given its color but the texture was of the desired softness and it actually tasted alright with a hint of natural sweetness detected.

The steamed meatballs did not taste too memorable though, it was just pleasant tasting.

My favourite dish has to be these squids cooked in curry sauce. This dish reminded me of a similar dish that my dearest Grandpa used to cook. The texture of these squids was of the desired softness with a slight chewiness. It was tasty when had it with the curry sauce together with rice. I would likely to order this again.

All the dishes went rather well with the rice. This was a simple yet homely dinner that i really enjoyed. I could not quite remember the exact price that i paid but if i remember correctly, it should be less than $12 for all. 

There was still a long queue when i left. I was told that the pork porridge stall in this coffee shop is pretty good as well. Maybe i should just order a bowl of pork porridge to go with some of those dishes when i am there again.

SIN CHIE TOKE HUAN

1018 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534756

Operating Hours: 6.00 pm to 5.00 am

New Hawker Centre at Ci Yuan Community Centre

Have you been to the new hawker centre at Ci Yuan Community Centre? Check out my article on MAKANSUTRA for some recommendations.

PASTA STOP (#01-27)

KITCHEN @ WORK (#01-35)

LEO SATAY (#01-31)

DAO XIANG FOOD (#01-22)

FATTY FRIED HOKKIEN PRAWN NOODLE / CARROT CAKE (#01-16)

CI YUAN COMMUNITY CENTRE

51 Hougang Avenue 9 SINGAPORE 538776

Penang Kitchen at Kovan Food Centre

It was during dinner time when i was there, the 3 stalls serving Bak Chor Mee have got quite a queue particularly the 2 stalls that are next to each other right in the front row. After some thoughts, i decided to try the new stall that took over the Yong Tau Foo stall. This stall is serving Penang style Lor Mee and Prawn Mee. I joined in the queue and waited for just a short while to order.

While in the queue, i took out my camera to take a picture of the stall and it was spotted by the person-in-charge. He smiled when he asked for my order then he asked, 'You're taking pictures ah?' I nodded.

The standrad Lor Mee is $3.30 and $4.30 if added with fried fish nuggets, the prawn mee is $3.30.

While waiting for my Lor Mee, i overheard that gentleman telling the other lady in charge of cooking to be mindful when presenting my bowl of Lor Mee as i wanting to take pictures of it. I appreciate such a thought.

Though it did not woo-ed me when i took the first mouthful but it was a decent bowl of Lor Mee that i would likely to eat it again if i happen to be in this food centre again. It was a right decision that i did not add the chilli into the Lor Mee but separated it in a saucer. The level of spiciness is quite intense and added flavor to the Lor Mee. The noodle was cooked just right to serve with ingredients like braised meat, ngor hiang, fishcake, fried cracker and fried fish nuggets. The braised sauce was not as not as thick and sticky as expected but rather flavorful. 

This was a decent bowl of Lor Mee nonetheless and definitely worth a try if you are here and did not want to queue for one of those stalls for Bak Chor Mee. 

I am hoping this new stall could sustain its business and be around for a while as i will like to try their Prawn Mee when i visit again.

PENANG KITCHEN

205 Hougang Street 21 #01-03 Kovan Food Centre SINGAPORE 530205

Pork Bun at Seng Huat Coffee House (Hougang Central)

It was not a particular pleasant lunch right there though it has started good initially. I was told by a PRC sounding lady rather rudely that no photography is allowed though there is no signage to indicate so. She even attempted to follow me around to make sure i do not do it. She kept insisting that i would have to ask the permission in order to take pictures there. And, i asked whether taking pictures is allowed in this instance. She refused to reply me but instead she asked me where am i from and what do i want. When i told her that i keep a blog and the pictures are to be posted there. She replied with a rather cynical smile that photography is not allowed for that purpose. 

I still went ahead to place my order despite the unhappy encounter. I went to the drink counter and ordered a cup of coffee, a Pork Bun ($3.50) as well as the Hong Kong Fried Noodle ($3.50) for a total of $8.10. I was given a pager and asked to come back to collect the foods when it buzzed. 

I waited for about 10 minutes before it buzzed. The presentation of the Hong Kong Fried Noodle was not as appealing as it shown on the poster. The maggie noodle was simply fried with bits of ham and egg. The texture of the chicken chop was a tad dry with no distinctive taste. It was served with cheese sauce, chilli sauce and mayonnaise by the side.

The Pork Bun was an interesting find. Pieces of black pepper tasting pork chops were sandwiched in between the pig-head shaped buns with a piece of cheese and mayonnaise. I requested to leave out the chilli sauce.

Pieces of odd shaped pork chops were unevenly seasoned with black pepper and grilled it. The texture was a rather too thin tad a little dry.

The overall taste was acceptable though but i am not quite likely to travel all the way there just to eat it again. That behavior of that particular lady contributed largely to such decision.

SENG HUAT COFFEE HOUSE

Block 811 Hougang Central #01-206 SINGAPORE 530811.