Fat Monkeys : deep-fried Burger, worth a try

This Western food stall that started in November 2017 is located in the same coffee shop with the famous Punggol Nasi Lemak along Upper Serangoon Road. The stall was closed when I reached at 5 pm though it is stated on their Facebook page that they start at that time. Then, I checked with the Uncle at the drink stall and I asked, "Do you know whether that Western food stall is opening today?" Uncle replied, "Fat Monkeys ah? they usually start at 5.30 pm." If it is so then why they did not update it on their Facebook?

I came back at 5.30 pm and they were still not ready. I asked, "Are you opening anytime soon?". The tall chap nodded. I stood in front of the stall and waited for another 5 minutes or so and they were still not ready. I waited for another couple of minutes before the same chap asked me, "What would be your order?" which I replied, "The Da Bomb and Fried Mac & Cheese." He asked, "For the Da Bomb, chicken or beef?" I decided to go with the beef. He said, "You need to wait for at least 20 minutes." I was given a buzzer after paying up and it buzzed in about 15 minutes. The Da Bomb was ready first and I waited for another 5 minutes or so for the Fried Mac & Cheese. 

The Da Bomb ($13.90) is a deep-fried burger served with shoe-string fries and salad. When I read about this deep-fried burger, I was expecting a typical burger, battered then deep-fried but it is not so. In fact, it is more like a pastry that consists of a thick patty with bacon strips and cheddar cheese with BBQ sauce. Though gimmicky, it was nicer than expected. 

The Fried Mac & Cheese ($4.00) came in 2 pieces, nicely breaded then deep-fried in the shape of a ball that closely resembled the usual fried mashed potato ball. When collected and walked past the drink stall, the friendly uncle asked, "How much is it?" I said, "$4.00 for 2" and he replied, "That's quite cheap as they are quite big." My dining companion commented that it was a bit too saltish and it did not have much cheese flavor though it seemed there was quite a generous bit of cheese in it. 

While eating, my dining companion asked, "It stated on their signboard that the stall is established by two pui puis (fat people) but the 2 guys at the stall are not fat enough to be called pui pui." And, I could not help but laugh out loud. 

Overall, the food was not too bad but the service could be friendlier though.

FAT MONKEYS

965 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534721

Operating Hours: 5.00 pm to 12.00 am (Sun, Tue to Thu) / 5.00 pm to 2.00 am (Fri & Sat) 

(Closed on Mondays)

Simon Road Fried Oyster : Lost & Found

This stall has been around for more than 30 years, they started in this coffee shop at the corner of Simon Road before moving to the coffee shop next to it when this coffee shop was undergoing renovation. Mr Lim Seng Hong that started this famous hawker stall has passed away during the Chinese New Year in 2017. Mr Lim Poh Pin, 46, his son, has taken over the stall and he restarted it at the same coffee shop where they first started. He did not get to cook much when his father was still around though he has been helping out since he was 18 years old. His father insisted on doing the cooking himself and leaving him to serve the customers.

Mr Lim looked up while cooking when I was there to order. He said, "Order here and paid first, it will be served to your table." I decided to go with the $8 portion, there are also the $6 and $10 available. He has also included Fried Kway Teow for $4 and $5 as well as Fried Carrot Cake for $3, $4 and $5 on the menu.

It tasted quite familiar, the eggs and starch were evenly crisp and the oysters were quite fresh but missing the smoky flavor. It was not bad, though not quite on par with the standard of his father yet, it is definitely getting there. Nonetheless, it is still amongst one of the better ones around. 

When walking past him when leaving the coffee shop, I said, "好吃 ." He smiled.

SIMON ROAD FRIED OYSTER

941 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534709
Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 9.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Fragrant Garden : is there a drop in the standard?

Fragrant Garden has a long history. They began in Geylang Serai Village in the 1950s when Mr Koh Ah Liang, the boss, was a teenager in his secondary school days. Madam Yeo, his mother, a native from Shantou in China, decided to earn an extra income by making authentic Teochew rice cakes and kueh tiao to sell and Mr Koh would help to deliver it on a bicycle to their customers in the neighbourhood. Mr Koh mastered the art of making these Teochew food items from his mother and he founded the Sing Siang Yuan Catering Services in 1988, a humble Zhi Char stall located in Tai Seng Avenue industrial park for about 25 years. They also operated a kitchen in Defu Lane for food catering from 2001 to 2006. In 2006, Mr Koh took over a shop space in Teck Chye Terrace and converted it into a Teochew restaurant serving Teochew delicacies and local delights. It was renamed as Fragrant Garden at that time. In May 2012, they relocated to Serangoon Shopping Centre. 

I was at Serangoon Shopping Centre to visit the newest outlet of Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee and decided to have dinner at Fragrant Garden thereafter. The tables were quickly filling up when nearer to dinner time and I was even asked whether I have made a reservation. We were ushered to a table for 4 right at the corner, just outside of their kitchen. The service was attentive, the menu was presented together with a plate of prawn crackers and a plate of azchar with Belachan Chilli. 

This was our first visit so we went for their signature dishes like Fried Kuay Tiao with Chai Por ($5), Oyster Omelette ($14), Liver Roll & Prawn Roll ($12) and Braised Pork with Steamed Bun ($12). All of the items came too quickly at almost the same time and that left us with not enough time to finish the prawn crackers and azchar. We enjoyed the prawn crackers and we even think that was the best dish of the night, even better than those signature dishes that we ordered. 

The Braised Pork with Steamed Bun came with 6 pieces of braised pork and 6 steamed buns. We did not like it as much as we felt the 5-spice flavour was a little overwhelming but even so, the meat was cooked well to achieve the right tenderness. 

Their Oyster Omelette was not bad if it is eaten with the chilli but was slightly plain if eaten on its own. It is quite similar to what we usually get at the food centre. It was not too starchy and is served with generous amount of eggs together with a handful of rather plump and fresh tasting oysters. We were told that chilli is added but we can choose to go without it, we went ahead with it nonetheless. It turned out the level of spiciness was rather manageable though and even my dining companion that does not eat chill has no issue eating it. 

We also ordered the combo of their ngor hiang and liver roll. We did not like either of it as the flavor for both rolls were dominated by the extreme saltiness. 

The most disappointed have to be their Fried Kuay Tiao with Chai Por. It was quite dry and the chai por was lacking in flavour and what we could taste was just the saltiness. 

Since this was my first visit, I would not be able to tell is this their usual standard or is there a drop in the standard? Overall, it is quite disappointing.

FRAGRANT GARDEN

756 Upper Serangoon Road #01-15/16 Serangoon Shopping Centre SINGAPORE 534626

Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 2.30 pm / 5.30 pm to 10.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

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)

Iskina Cebu at Kovan

This is the other branch of the supposedly famous Philippine stall from a coffee shop in Geylang East, near Paya Lebar MRT. This particular outlet is located along Upper Serangoon Road together with the famous Fried Oyster and Punggol Nasi Lemak. 

There are 4 set meals for selection: Lechon Le Cebu (Roasted Pig) at $10, Liempo de Balamban (Roasted Pork Belly) at $6, Manok de Balamban (Roasted Chicken) at $6 and Liempo - Manok de Balamban Combo (Roasted Pork Belly & Roasted Chicken) at $11. You could also choose to order al-la-carte: 1 kg of Lechon Le Cubu (Roasted Pig) for $40, 1/2 kg of Liempo de Balamban (Roasted Pork Belly) at $12 and a whole Manok de Balamban (Roasted Chicken) at $19. If you compare those prices against a usual Roasted Meat stall, it is not too cheaper though not much higher. 

I decided to go with Lechon Le Cebu (Roasted Pig) set meal that consists a portion of rice at $10. An average portion of roasted pig consists of a few pieces of roasted skin was served with rice. There are 2 types of sauces available at the side table next to the stall for self-service, both are vinegar based if i am not wrong, the taste of both is rather close and not particularly distinctive. I felt it did not actually enhance the flavor so with or without it, did not make a difference. 

The texture of roasted pig was delightfully tender and nicely seasoned with a slight saltishness but those pieces of skin were not crispy but soggy and a little too chewy. The rice tasted a bit too hard and rather dry too. The portion was a bit little for $10 thus not quite worth the value. It still left me feeling hungry after done eating. 

A short queue started to form during the dinner time. Overall, it was alright but i did not like it enough to eat it again soon. I would rather go for my Sio Bak rice at a cheaper price. 

ISKINA CEBU

973 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534725.
Operating Hours: 12 pm to 8.30 pm (Closed on Monday)

Song Kee Fishball Noodle

I have heard of this particular fishball noodle and have been wanting to try it for a while. Their operating hours make it to be quite a challenge though as they operate from 6.30 pm to 3.00 am or sold out. Their off-day is on every Wednesday. They are located along Upper Serangoon Road and within the walking distance from the Serangoon MRT station, not too far from NEX. 

I was just happened to be at NEX to catch a movie and decided to walk about 5 minutes to here for supper after the movie. It was about 9.30 pm then, though no queue but almost 80% of their tables were occupied. 

I went to the counter right in front and ordered from a friendly Auntie. Their system is to order first and pay upon served. A number tag was given to be placed on the table. The waiting time was longer than expected. We waited for slightly longer than 15 minutes before gotten our bowls of noodle. 

The portion of noodle was just right served along with 3 pieces of fishball, a piece of tau pok together with a fish dumpling. 

The noodle was cooked well to give it the desired springiness and softness.

When tossed it, a bowl of tasty noodle awaits. Though i have requested for an extra amount of chilli to be added but the level of spiciness was just right though it was a little oily at the base. 

This is definitely a good choice for supper but too bad, i do not stay in the vicinity.

SONG KEE FISHBALL NOODLE

532 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534547.

Probably the best Fried Oyster in Singapore.

This is still the best fried oyster that i ever tasted in Singapore. It is definitely worth the effort to travel all the way to Upper Serangoon just to eat it. There are the selection of $5, $8 and $10. I usually go for the $5 option though not particularly big portion but the few massive oysters in it definitely worth the value. 

SIMON ROAD FRIED OYSTER

965 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534721.

Ponggol Nasi Lemak - is it worth it or not?

The queue was already crazily long when i gotten there slightly after 6 pm. I decided to join in nonetheless and waited for about 15 minutes to order.

I decided to go with a piece of Chicken Drumstick, a fried egg and a portion of stir-fried Brinja for $5.20. I would think it is definitely over priced. 

The rice tasted amazingly good with a strong infused taste of coconut and pandan at just the right texture. That piece of chicken drumstick was perfectly deep fried to give it a delightful crispiness and it still tasted tender within. It tasted decent though not particularly outstanding. The fried egg and brinja were just decent.

I would expect the sambal chilli to be better but its level of spiciness was mild with a slight sweetness. 

Do i think it is worth the long queue? I do not think so. 

PONGGOL NASI LEMAL CENTRE

965 Upper Serangoon Road SINGAPORE 534721.

Best Fried Oyster

FRIED OYSTER

965 Serangoon Road

SINGAPORE 534721.