Clementi 308 Fried Chicken & Burger : simple Western fare

This stall used to be at Block 308 Clementi Avenue 4 for many years but they closed down due to the increase in rental. They were quite popular then and was known for their big serving size before moving to this coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio for about 2 years. The menu consists of the usual Western fare including fried chicken and burgers.

We were there on Sunday at 12.40 pm for lunch. The light of their signboard was still off. I went to the stall and asked, "How much longer to wait?" The lady boss answered from the back of the stall, "Another 20 minutes more." I went back at about 1 pm, the light of their signboard was still off. The lady boss recognized me, she said, "What is your order?" and I replied, "Chicken Cutlet ($5.50) and Chicken Chop ($5.50)." I left her with my table number. It was served in 5 minutes by the friendly lady boss, both orders came at the same time. 

The Chicken Cutlet was a massive piece, thinly sliced and perfectly deep-fried to the desired crispiness with no greasiness. It was accompanied with a bun, fries, coleslaw, and baked beans. The coleslaw was amongst the nicest that I have tried, it tasted fresh with a crunchy texture. 

The Chicken Chop also came with a bun, fries, coleslaw, and baked beans. It was nicely charred and served with brown sauce. 

My dining companion said, "This is a much better choice as compared to the other Western food stall in that coffee shop across the road. The portion is bigger and cheaper in price, tastier too."

CLEMENTI 308 FRIED CHICKEN & BURGER

Block 122 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 SINGAPORE 560122

Operating Hours: 12.30 pm to 10.00 pm (Closed on Thursdays)

Master Chicken : not bad but not quite the master yet

I visited for the first time when the stall was still at Old Airport Road Food Centre, it was known as Chuan Yit Lai Hainanese Chicken Rice at that time. It was changed to Master Chicken after moving to Kim Keat Palm Food Centre in April 2015. I visited once at that time and the third time was about a month ago. This stall was recently featured in the newest series of "Buzzing Hawker", under the mentorship of chef Robin Ho, which took place in August 2017. They have started to use the new recipe since then. 

Jason, the owner, was not there when I visited last month. I chatted with the friendly assistant and he confirmed that they have started using the recipe by chef Robin Ho. I ordered a quarter chicken with a plate of rice for $7 if I remember correctly. 

There was actually a queue at their stall when they just moved to this food centre but it somehow die-off. We took notice of the new "Dong Feng Fa Hainanese Chicken Rice" stall just a couple of stalls away and we speculated that is the likely reason. Jason used to be working for them before starting his own stall. I could imagine the similarity in the taste and the latter is a familiar name in Hainanese Chicken Rice and so, Master Chicken is somewhat losing out. 

After watching the episode of Buzzing Hawker that featured the stall, I wonder what is the possibility of them falling back on using the old recipe? That could possibly be the reason why we could not tell apart? I could not quite taste the difference and I would not have suspected it is a new recipe if it is not for their new signboard with the "Buzzing Hawker" on it. 

The ginger paste is supposed to be a new recipe but my dining companion did not actually find it to be impressive. The chicken was moist, tender and smooth. The rice was fragrant, grainy and not too greasy, slightly hard though. The level of spiciness for the chili was quite manageable with a hint of tanginess. Overall, it was not bad actually though not amongst the best yet. 

MASTER CHICKEN

Block 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7 #01-18 Kim Keat Palm Food Centre SINGAPORE 310022

Operating Hours: 10.00 am to 8.00 pm (Mon to Sat) / 9.00 am to 3.00 pm (Sun) (Closed on Mondays)

Ong Yong Lee Seafood : the hidden gem

We stumbled upon this Cze Cha stall when going to the other coffee shop for dinner. Almost all their tables were take up during dinner. This prompted us to return the next day to check it out. We were there slightly after 7 pm and again, most of the tables were occupied and left just a big table. We went to sit at that table but was told to move to a smaller table, right at the corner. The elderly Uncle pointed to that table and said, "I will get you another chair." 

He then attempted to take our orders. I decided to go with their signature Double Treasure Dry Hor Fun, Salted Egg Chicken and Prawn Paste Chicken. Uncle said, "All chicken dishes?" which I replied, "We prefer to eat chicken." Uncle then said, "Then you should try the 麦芽鸡 (Maltose Chicken). I said, "We will try next time." Uncle replied, "We have it just for today and it is not on the menu." He continued to say, "It is a small chicken, just nice for 2 to share."  We decided to go with his recommendation then.

We waited for about 45 minutes before the first dish was served. It was delivered by the same Uncle to our table. Uncle apologetically said, "The waiting time is usually long during weekends. You will have to come early or come late to avoid such waiting time."

The Salted Egg Chicken came first. My dining companion enjoyed it, he said, "This is very nice particularly those pieces of thinly sliced deep-fried taro." Those pieces of fried chicken were evenly coated with salted egg sauce with bits of the salted egg on it. 

Next, it came the 麦芽鸡, the same Uncle delivered it. He said, "This is my recommendation. Have a try to see whether you like it or not". Then, he asked, "Any more dishes?" I said, "We are still waiting for the Double Treasure Dry Hor Fun." 

The 麦芽鸡 is actually tasted like the usual roasted chicken. The skin was paper thin and rather crispy with a slight sweetness derived from the marinade that is using malt sugar as its main ingredient. Though plainish, it was quite tasty and kind of special, we enjoyed it.

Apparently, the Double Treasure Dry Hor Fun did not come. I went to the counter for payment and I said, "The Double Treasure Dry Hor Fun did not serve. Can I have it take away?" The same Uncle overheard it, he asked, "So, you did not get the hor fun? I am so sorry about it." He then asked, "How was the 麦芽鸡?" He said, "You can eat Prawn Paste Chicken anytime but not this."I said, "It was very nice, a bit like the roasted chicken." Uncle said, "It is actually better than the normal roasted chicken", which I agreed. The total bill came to $33, which is much cheaper than we expected. 

All in all, the standard, which is, well, very impressive and I am eager to return for their other dishes. 

ONG YONG LEE SEAFOOD

Block 151 Bishan Street 11 #01-207 Ong Yong Lee Eating House SINGAPORE 570151

Operating Hours: 5.00 pm to 11.00 pm (Daily)