Siang Siang Chwee Kueh : not Singapore's Best

When we walked past this past, my dining companion said, "See! There is a queue." It is indicated on their signboard that they are Singapore's Best. I joined the queue and ordered 4 pieces of chwee kueh for $1.60. I did not ask for chilli. And, the middle-aged man that was manning the stall asked, "You do not want chilli, right?" I thought the usual question should be, "Do you want chilli or not?" I replied, "No chilli." I wanted to share with my dining companion and he does not take chilli. 

He took a bite and said, "The chwee kueh is soft and tasted not bad. I do not like the chye poh though." I did not like it as well. Unlike some of the other, the coarsely chopped chye poh was not soaked in oil thus not greasy but it has the unappealing raw chye poh taste though. It tasted light and not particularly salty but lacking in fragrance. It might taste better if chilli is added. 

There was also a slight confusion. I remember clearly that I handed over a $10 note but I was only given $0.40 as change. When asked, he insisted that he did not receive the $10. I decided to leave it as it is. 

SIANG SIANG CHWEE KUEH

Block 85 Bedok North Street 4 #01-31 Feng Shan Food Centre SINGAPORE 460085

Operating Hours: 7.00 am to 9.00 pm

Kim's Kueh : traditional Teochew Kueh

This stall is started by Kim, a generation X hawker and there used to be another stall serving traditional Teochew kueh at Jalan Berseh Food Centre by another generation X hawker but it has already closed down. Both stalls cited the same reason for wanting to preserve the recipes handed down by their mother and grandmother for that traditional handmade kueh. Many of such stalls that started by the earlier generation have not been surviving mainly due to there is no one to take over. I usually come here for the traditional Png Kueh ($1.20) and Soon Kueh ($1.20). There are also Gu Chai Kueh ($1.20), Mixed Kueh ($1.20), Cabbage Kueh ($1.20) and Glutinous Rice ($1.50), the pan-fried ones are $0.10 extra per piece. 

While waiting for the order of Fried Hokkien Mee, I ordered one of each to share with my dining companion and bought another 4 more Png Kueh to pan-fry at home. The lady was kind enough to separate the dark sauce and chilli in a saucer when I told her that my dining companion prefers to have it plain. He tried the Png Kueh and said, "The glutinous rice is not as fragrance as I liked it. There is no taste of dried shrimp." I guess the main reason for omitting the dried shrimp is the cost. The price has to be kept affordable to survive in an aging residential estate. 

KIM'S KUEH

Block 18 Toa Payoh Lorong 7 #01-232 SINGAPORE 310018

Operating Hours: 7.30 am to 4.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

多记 驰名猪肠粉 芋头糕 : the popular breakfast choice

It was sold out when I was there for the first time, the last customer bought the last portion right before me at 10.30 am. It was also sold out when I was there for the second time at 10.05 am, the light of the signboard was already off. The third time, I managed to reach there at 9.30 am. I saw from afar that the light of signboard was on. I got excited as that was a good sign. I walked a little faster and there was just another customer in front. The third time is the charm and it is really third time lucky. This stall has been around since the 1970s. 

I joined in and queue, waited patiently. When it was my turn to order, I said, "$2 Chee Cheong Fun and $2 Yam Cake." The lady replied, "The Yam Cake has finished." And, I said, "$3 Chee Cheong Fun then. Eating here." She asked, "With everything?" I smiled and nodded. She handed me the disposable plate with my Chee Cheong Fun and a pair of disposable chopsticks. 

I could not wait and took a picture of the Chee Cheong Fun then sent it to my dining companion on Line. He replied, "Finally get to eat. Nice or not?" I replied, "Nice!" The rice flour rolls were cut into pieces using a scissor in a fast motion then served in a pool of sweet sauce then drizzled with chilli sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. They do not make those Chee Cheong Fun but got them from a supplier. Though factory-made, it was soft and did not taste like it. Such an old school taste is just so delightful and it left me feeling happy.

多记 驰名猪肠粉 芋头糕 

335 Smith Street #02-216 Chinatown Complex Food Centre SINGAPORE 050335

Operating Hours: 7.00 am till sold out (Closed on Mondays & Wednesdays)

Sweet Heart Dessert : Sardine Puff and Potato Puff, must-try

A friend recommended the Sardine Puff and Curry Puff from a dessert stall at Toa Payoh Lorong 5 Food Centre. He did not recommend any of those desserts on the menu but just the puffs. I was there at about 1 pm on a Friday but the Sardine Puff have already sold out, left with the Potato Puff and Fried Popiah. The homemade Curry Puff and Sardine Puff are 3 pieces for $2, the homemade Popiah is $1 each. I was asked to self-service when the lady noticed me. I took 3 Potato Puffs and 1 Popiah for $3.00. The same friend mentioned that Sardine Puff is actually much better. 

My dining companion took a bite of the Potato Puff and he nodded his head, said, "This is simple and nice. It tasted warm and the crust was crispy."  He actually prefers this to those by Epok Epok Central at Eunos Crescent Food Centre. 

This is easily one of the better Potato Puff that I have eaten. It does not need to have egg or some fanciful fillings, this is good enough for me.

I went back for the Sardine Puff today. There were some left at 1.30 pm and also some Potato Puffs but no more popiah. I decided to go with 3 Sardine Puffs and 3 Potato Puffs. There were some customers ordering their hot desserts at that time.

My dining companion took a bite of the Sardine Puff and said, "I still prefer the Potato Puff a bit more. The puff is value for money though, it is packed with sardine filling. I do not think you can get another at this price elsewhere." I actually liked the Sardine Puff though, the filling was generous with a very mild spiciness, which is nice.

SWEET HEART DESSERT

Block 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5 #01-06 Toa Payoh Lorong 5 Food Centre SINGAPORE 310075

Tiong Bahru Lien Fa Shui Jing Pau : the decades-old traditional snack

This is one of the stalls that originated from the Seng Poh Road Market that was opened in January 1951 before its demolition in 2004 and it is later renamed to Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre. They are famous for their steamed crystal dumplings that are not commonly found these days. There are only 3 types of fillings available, namely yam paste, sweet bean, and turnip. They are made in batches but always sold out pretty quickly, the next batch will have to wait up to an hour or so. It is priced at $0.60 for each dumpling during my last visit.

The skin of these bite-sized dumplings is slightly chewy and is translucent, it is very thin that you could actually see the filling through it and even so, it does not break easily. My favorite has to be the turnip dumplings as it goes really well with the accompanied chilli. The other 2 fillings are the sweet ones.

They are likely to be the only stall that is still handmade these traditional snacks in Singapore.

TIONG BAHRU LIEN FA SHUI JING PAU

120 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-10 Alexandra Village Food Centre SINGAPORE 150120

Operating Hours: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm

Muffles - Sweet Treats & Bakes

Met up with May Chow to collect the kee chang with red bean paste that I ordered. She used to run a hawker stall at Jalan Berseh Food Centre but gave it up recently after 2 years. Prior to that, she used to work as a pastry chef with Mandarin Orchard and Resorts World Sentosa before starting the hawker stall. 

I asked here, "Why did you give up your stall?" She said, "I had to pay $600 every month for cleaning fee when I did not even use plates for those pastries that I served." She continued to say, "And, I realized that I spent about $14,000 during the past 2 years for nothing. She said, "It is just not worth it."

Local Delights : my favorite Fried Prawn Fritter

I have been patronising this stall quite regularly ever since there is a new bus service to travel from Ang Mo Kio to Yishun. I am such a regular until a particular auntie is able to recognize me and often, she will freshly made those prawn fritters for me, the only item that I have been ordering. Each prawn fritter is reasonably priced at 0.90 cents. There are other snacks like the fried yam cake, glutinous rice cake, dumpling, chee cheong fun and even chwee kway available, too. If you are there for prawn fritter, please go before 3 pm as it will usually be sold out by then or earlier.

This stall has been in this coffee shop for the longest time. My first visit was about 5 years ago and they happened to open a stall in Ang Mo Kio shortly after that but it was only there for about a year or so. I happened to meet the lady boss once and we talked about it. She said the reason for closing down was the unreasonably raise in the rental.

Prawn fritter is not as commonly available as before though you could still find them at those stalls serving traditional snacks or at the Ngor Hiang Guan Qiang stalls, but most of these are pre-made. This one is better, it is made in batches to ensure its crispiness, it has also added bean sprouts for a softer texture and not as thick. When you ordered to have it there, the auntie will cut it into smaller pieces and served it on the plate with the chili by the side.

I was told there is another outlet in another part of Yishun, somewhere in Khatib and not too far from the MRT station.

LOCAL DELIGHTS

414 Yishun Ring Road Broadway Coffeeshop SINGAPORE 760414

Operating Hours: 7.00 am to 5.00 pm (Daily)

Yoon's Traditional Teochew Kueh : deliciously handmade with love

I could not quite remember how did I come across their Facebook page and how did I end up liking their page. I was tempted by their delicious looking handmade kuehs for a while and have been wanting to order it. It is a home-based business founded on 12 November 2016. 

I managed to send a message across on their Facebook page stating my orders, which consists of a box of 10 normal-sized Png Kueh ($18) and a box of Pumpkin Kueh ($12). There are also Gu Cai Kueh, Cikak Kueh, Muah Chee and  Nian Gao available for ordering, they are available in different sizes. I received a reply from Qara soon after. I was informed that their delivery is only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for the order that is $30 and above. Self-collection is also available at Eunos area after 2 pm on those days. These kuehs are freshly made in the morning. 

I was asked whether I would be interested to try Gu Cai Kueh or Cikak Kueh since it is going to be delivered right to my door-steps. I decided to go with a box of 10 pieces of Cikak Kueh for $15.00, adding on to the earlier orders for a total of $45. I was asked to choose the flavor and I could not decide between the peanut and green beans filling. I asked whether I could have both flavors but was told only a single flavor is allowed. Qara was kind enough to make an exception by accommodating my request as She wanted me to try both flavors. 

I have to settle the payment first before she could confirm my orders. I made a transfer using an ATM and I took a picture of the transaction slip and sent it to Qara. She got back pretty fast, acknowledging receipt of the payment and confirmed the orders. I received a private message on the delivery day when she was on her way to my house. I was still out at that time and I asked her to just left it outside my house. She sent me a picture after doing so. 

I could not wait to try all of them when I collected where it was left and brought it inside the house. I tried the traditionally handmade Png Kueh first, the skin was delicately thin and soft and its filling consists of glutinous rice with peanuts and bits of dried shrimps in it. I pan-fried it later and it tasted just as good, it was still good when I left it in the fridge and had it the next day. Those were amongst the nicest Png Kuehs that I have ever eaten.

Cikak Kueh is a very traditional Teochew kueh that are not commonly found in Singapore, it is quite similar to Ang Ku Kueh but different. The skin is made of Cikak that give it its name as well as the distinctive flavor, a little difficult to describe it. The green beans paste was not too sweet. It reminded me of something that I had eaten in Taiwan, this was my first time eating it in Singapore though.

I sent a feedback to Qara to tell her that I enjoyed all the kuehs. She replied, "Thanks for the support once again, Cecilia! And, so glad to know that you enjoyed our kuehs. Chef Mum got put love into each one of them." I can actually taste that little bit of love in it. To order, go to their Facebook and send them a message. 

YOON'S TRADITIONAL TEOCHEW KUEH

www.facebook.com/YoonsTraditionalTeochewKueh

Heavenly Snacks : their Muah Chee is so addictive!

There is a muah chee stall amongst the others in Circuit Road Food Centre and it is manned by Mr Andy Tan, 52,  it has been around for a year or so. Muah Chee is a traditional snack that is made with glutinous rice flour and it is not as commonly found as it used to be, there is Hougang 6 Miles Famous Muah Chee at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh and also can be found at some Pasar Malam. His version is not quite like those available at Pasar Malam but a better quality one which it is even better than Hougang 6 Miles Famous Muah Chee that has been around for a while. He experimented with different recipes before deciding on the method of using a blender to mix the dough. He also divided the dough into individual trays before steaming it. This is to ensure that the portion is of equal size. 

There are only 3 items on their menu, the "Yuan Yang" Muah Chee ($3.00), Black Muah Chee ($2.80) and White Muah Chee ($2.50). I wanted to order their "Yuan Yang" Muah Chee but I was told it has already sold out, only the white muah chee and the black muah chee are available . I ordered one of each. 

Mr Tan took out a tin from the oven, tip it slightly to slip the muah chee into the wooden tray that is filled with ground, roasted black sesame seeds. He then cut the muah chee into the equal size by hand and tosses them into it. The reason for cutting it so small is to ensure every piece is coated evenly for more bite and flavour. The same process was repeated for the white muah chee with the peanut coating and both are packed into a red paper box with decorative toothpicks. A relatively long waiting time is expected as every order takes about 5 minutes to prepare.

The sesame coating has a nice fragrance and a well-balanced sweetness with a light crunch. The peanut coating is not as fragrant as compared to the black sesame one. The glutinous rice dough is not as greasy and sticky, it is rather soft with a nice chewiness. It also does not get stuck in between the teeth. It is a perfect snack to go in between meals and definitely, a healthier choice too. 

From the preparation to the packaging, many thoughts have been put into it as Alan is hoping that it would appeal to the new generation. 

HEAVENLY SNACKS

Block 79A Circuit Road #01-106 Circuit Road Food Centre SINGAPORE 371079

Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 3.00 pm / 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery : Old-school Buns and Cakes

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery has been around in Serangoon Garden for at least 30 years. I was told by a long time resident that they used to own a shop but closed down before moving to the current location. They serve those traditional and unpretentious buns like the classic luncheon meat buns, curry buns, ham & cheese buns, ikan belis buns, otah buns and many others. You could also find butter cake, banana cake and walnut cake right here. All of those are freshly baked at the spot and there used to be an interesting Uncle and he always said, '再来!' (which literally means come again or simply repeat) when taking the orders. This is a favourite breakfast spot where you could get some of those old school buns to have it with a cup of coffee. 

Their prices have been increasing, i remember it used to be as cheap as 0.60 cents for a piece but it is at $1.00 per piece now. Though it is still cheaper if compared to BreadTalk or other atas bakeries out there but if compared to Baker Talent where most of their buns are below $1.00, it is slightly steep. Perhaps that somewhat explained why the queue is so much shorter these days and there is even no queue at times. 

My favourite has always been the curry bun, ham & cheese bun and luncheon bun. The bread has a slightly sweet taste and rather airy, it still tasted good even it is kept for later or to have it for breakfast the next day.

SERANGOON GARDEN BAKERY & CONFECTIONERY

49A Serangoon Garden Way #01-45/46 Serangoon Garden Food Centre SINGAPORE

Operating Hours: 7.30 am till 5 pm or earlier if sold out (Closed on Mondays)

Red Bean Salted Bun & Butterfly Bun

This is another new stall in this food centre. I was greeted with a warm smile by the friendly Auntie of this stall. We chatted for a bit.

She told me proudly that her stall is the only stall in this food centre that still insisting to handmade every piece of the traditional snacks to give the best possible taste to her customers. She pointed to the dough set on the table. Then she pointed at a mixer next to it, said, 'You need this machine to do it.' She then told me that she has got a regular customer that come by nearly every morning to buy her snacks. I could tell that she is passionate in what she is doing.

I wanted a piece of red bean salted bun and a piece of butterfly bun to go. Both are for 0.70 cents each. If you wanted more then 3 pieces are for only $2.00.

I started with the red bean salted bun first. I actually enjoyed the taste of it. The skin layer was quite thin but it has been fried well without getting overly greasy. The generous bit of sesame seeds enhanced its taste quite a bit.

The good amount of red bean paste was of the right level of sweetness and complemented it well.

The butterfly bun did not fare as well though. It might have been left for a bit too long as it tasted slightly harder but it did not compromise its taste though.

It is still enjoyable if go with a cup of good coffee for breakfast or just for snack. I am interested to try their You Tiao if i come by this food centre again. I guess it must be good since their signboard emphasized on it.

LIANG LIANG YOU TIAO

Block 29 Bendemeer Road #01-28 Bendemeer Food Centre SINGAPORE 330029.

West Lake

 

 

What are the greatest pleasures in your life? It can be a piece of delicious Kong Bak Pau for me. An enjoyment can be so simple. 

I have gotten a voucher for 10 pieces of these famous Kong Bak Pau. It stated in the voucher to call at least 2 days in advance for redemption. I decided to try my luck to call in the afternoon and exploring the possibilities of collecting it on that evening. My request was granted. That is a sign of good service. 

The restaurant was located amidst the shop houses. Everything is seemingly unchanged. The place looks it has stood still in time. The ambience, the decoration, the furniture and even the people working there reminded me those of the yesteryear. I really love the nostalgic feel.

Most of the waiters and waitresses are elderly Aunties and Uncles. I presented my voucher for their signature Kong Bak Bao and asked to wait for a bit while they packed it. It was served to me by a friendly Auntie. They packed the steamed buns and braised meat separately.

The well-braised meat has got a good balance of fat and lean meat to give it the sinful yet extremely delicious taste. Every piece of them was about the same thickness and size to be inserted in between the steamed buns and to be eaten together. Life is too short to worry about the calories of those fatty braised meat so i ended up had 4 pieces of the Long Bak Pau for dinner on that day. 

They have a few take-away outlets in some major shopping centres for Kong Bak Pau and other snacks.

This would be the place to be when i have a crazing for Kong Bak Pau next time. And, i will definitely be back for some of their highly recommended signature dishes too.

WEST LAKE

Block 4 Queen's Road #02-139 SINGAPORE 260004.