Wonderfull Nasi Lemak : it is a goodbye

It was announced on their Facebook page that they are closing down for good and their last day will be on 26 February 2018. It mentioned that they will be taking an indefinite hiatus from making wonderful nasi lemak. It must be a difficult decision to end such a journey, from the burnt rice to undercooked chicken and to massive 200 pax orders as well as appearing on TV and various publications.

The stall is manned by Lois Er, 26 and Eunice, her younger sister with a recipe from their dad. I decided to visit them for the first and also the last time before they are gone. I said, "I heard that you are closing down for good?" then I continued to say, "Life of hawker must be pretty hard." Lois nodded her head and smiled. She said, "You saw our post on the Facebook?" I nodded. 

She asked, "You actually come all the way here?" I answered, "I wanted to try but did not get to do so. I did not expect the stall at Yishun Park Hawker Centre to be closed down so soon, that place is much nearer to where I stay." And, I continued, "I wanted to know how wonderful is your Nasi Lemak." Then, I asked, "Is it true that you actually burnt the rice and undercooked the chicken as you stated on your Facebook post?" Lois chuckled then replied, "It actually happened." And, she did not share the reason for closing down. 

I ordered the Set D, which consists of a chicken drumstick with an egg, ikan belis and peanuts for $4.20. Eunice asked, "Do you want it with the sunny-side-up egg or the omelette? which I answered, "Omelette please." The chilli and coconut infused rice are the most important components of a good Nasi Lemak and both were actually good. The chilli has a good balance of sweetness and spiciness. The rice is cooked to the right texture with a tint of coconut flavor. The chicken drumstick though not freshly fried but it was still slightly crispy and tender within, quite tasty as well.

Eunice handed me my plate of nasi lemak and I said, "All the best." I was the only customer at that time and there were another to get a piece of otah when I was about to walk off. I do hope that this is not the end of their journey of a hawker. If you happen to be at the food centre for lunch on 26 February, go order this wonderful Nasi Lemak for the last time and bid goodbye to them. 

WONDERFULL NASI LEMAK

51 Old Airport Road #01-96 Old Airport Road Food Centre SINGAPORE 390051

Operating Hours: 8.30 am to 8.30 pm (Closed on Fridays)

Fish & Chicks : Fish & Chips with salted egg sauce & chilli crab sauce

This unassuming western food stall is helmed by Justin Lim, 26 and Albert Tan, 29 at the corner of a coffee shop, a stone's throw away from Ang Mo Kio MRT. Justin has no prior F & B experience unlike his partner, Albert who used to be working as an Assistant Chef at Pasta Mania as well as Outback Steakhouse. 

You could choose to order Salted Egg Fish & Chips at $9.90 or the Chilli Crab Fish & Chips at $9.90 or to have the Best of Both World at $12.90 which consists of 2 pieces of Fish & Chips that came with salted egg sauce and other piece with chilli crab sauce. You could also have their Fish & Chips without their special sauce at $6.90 or a Fish Burger at $6.90. 

I ordered the Best of Both World at the counter, paid up and was given a buzzer. I was also asked to choice another side in addition to the fries, i opted for coleslaw amongst their other choices like potato salad, cheese pasta and tom yam fried rice.

I waited for about 15 minutes before it buzzed, i walked toward the 'Collect Here' counter, my order was already waiting there. I was expected to collect the culinary and also to dispense chilli sauce from the dispenser into the saucer.

They handmade their salted egg sauce and chilli crab sauce daily. Thus, i am convinced that both of them are indeed passionate in what they are doing as i could taste the amount of effort that they put in making the both sauces which made their Fish & Chips to be special. 

I could still taste the crispiness of the fried fish fillet even after i was done taking pictures though it was a bit too soft within but still tasted good.

I started with the piece that doused with chilli crab sauce first. The sauce has a tinge of sweetness with a rather slight spiciness but it is so mild that could even be overlooked. 

The other piece that is served with the salted egg sauce was quite a surprise as well. The sauce was quite thick and creamy, i could even taste bits of salted egg yolk in it. And, it actually went well with the fried fish fillet.

The cajun flavored fries were pretty good, it was still have its crispiness even after left it for a while. 

I would likely to be back real soon to try their chicken dishes only if there is no queue and waiting time is short.

FISH & CHICKS

Block 531 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 Happy Hawkers SINGAPORE 560531

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 2.00 pm / 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm (Daily)