[Seoul] Coffee by a barista champion, freshly-baked pastries, a café inside a converted mansion with a courtyard garden.

Fritz Coffee Company should probably be in your “to visit cafes” in Seoul list.

Finding Fritz Coffee Company may be slightly tricky, but once you get through the wooden doors into the tile-roofed house, you would feel like you are transported to olden-days of Korea.

Except that there are hipsters walking around, with many taking selfies.

There are two stories to the cafe.

On level one you would find a bakery and the coffee counter – bustling with energy; on the second floor there would be a living room and outdoor seating area in which the seats are converted from classroom chairs.

There are quirky decor and merchandise found in various corners, so take your time to have a good look.

The additional balcony can seat about 15 people. Eclectic vintage furniture is used, with a double-side bar which allows their employees to work efficiently.

The design of the café is unique, and you would find the retro-looking logo with a cute seal printed on various posters and cold brew bottles.

What I like about this coffee place is that it looks more like a themed restaurant than your average coffee shop.

As for the atmosphere, expect to see a lot of people socializing during their lunch breaks and a number of students preparing for exams.

In terms of coffee, the beans are sourced directly from growers around the world, and roasted in-house on-site.

They have an extensive selection of single-origin pour-overs to choose from (5000 Won, 7000 Won), as well as Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Vanilla Latte and Caffe Mocha (4200 Won – 5000 Won).

Bread is another key feature of the café, baked in-house daily, filling the space with buttery fragrance.

Varieties include Walnut Cranberry Country Bread, Fig Country Bread, Yellow Peach Brew, Peanut Bun, Croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, and Cream Cru (3,000 Won – 5,000 Won).

I had the Ham & Cheese Croissant (4,300 Won), baked till golden with airy puff pastry. The inside was creamy, with the gruyere cheese providing that earthy, ‘matured’ taste.

While coffee and food are slightly on the expensive side, the vibes and quality of coffee make it highly popular, and the cafe is always packed during the weekends.

Fritz Coffee Company 프릳츠커피컴퍼니
68 Mapo-daero, Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-3275-2047
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 11pm (Sat – Sun)
http://fritz.co.kr
Google Maps – Fritz coffee company

프릳츠 원서점
83 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
서울시 종로구 율곡로 83
Tel: 02-747-8101
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm

프릳츠 양재점
24-11 Gangnam-daero, 37gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea
서울시 서초구 강남대로37길 24-11
Tel: 02-521-4148
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

프릳츠 온라인 배송문의
Tel. 02-3275-2047
Open hour. 10am – 7pm (Mon – Fri)

프릳츠 로스팅 공장
30-8, Wondang-daero 480beon-gil, Seo-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea
인천광역시 서구 원당대로480번길 30-8

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Rangoon Road used to be a lot more ‘happening’ in terms of café-hopping, though there are still the regular staples such as Non Entrée Desserts, Brunches Café, Old Hen Coffee, and Jewel Café along the stretch.

A recent opening pipped my interest enough to want to make another visit over.
C+ Café, which stands for Community Plus, has opened diagonally opposite Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh, the same row as Mr Pho House.

The unique thing about them is they work closely with local craft makers and home bakers to provide a different experience to customers.

In terms of cakes, they work with a community of home bakers who bake in their premises, and then provide their best-selling items for sale. So, you get a variety of bakes, and possibly the best of the best.

Some of the recommended cakes you can expect include the Ondeh Ondeh Cake by @beelibakes ($7.50 per slice), Earl Grey Cheesecake by @101weis2bake ($7.50 per slice), Matcha Latte Pie by @elijahpies ($7 per slice) and Lychee Rose by @petitejoybakes ($7.5 per slice).

I am really watching my calorie and sugar count now, and so made a few trips back to try the various offerings.

My favourite so far was the Ondeh Ondeh Cake, and the home baker used to be part of the team behind Selfish Gene Cafe.

There are many similar versions around, but this slice I had somehow got the right balance of fluffiness and moisture, with the distinct caramelised sweetness from the Gula Melaka that wasn’t too over.

Get it before it is sold out.

The other slice that left an impression was the Wild Berry Lavender Pie from @elijahpies, and would possibly rank high on the “instagrammable” factor due to the purplish-marbled appearance.

There was a tangy, fruity take with the fillings, contained with real berries, and the custard was smooth and light enough. The only thing I wished for was for the tart base to be more buttery and easy-to-cut-through.

Perhaps it was something to do with the storage or that I didn’t order the cake fresh-fresh, I wished the Lychee Rose cake could have been moister, though the fragrance was appealing.

To get more customers in, I do think that C+ possibly have to explore looking at expanding a savouries menu, so that it will be a “one-stop” place to get everything under one roof.

There are several other aspects that make it promising, such as a local florist Ina.Shea who has its pop-up store within the cafe and does occasional workshops.

In fact, the space is big enough, feels like a home, and can possibly hold small workshops and corporate events. If not, you can just find a quiet spot, get a cake, and day-dream there.

C Plus (C+)
217 Rangoon Road Singapore 218457 (Farrer Park MRT Station – 10min walk away)
Tel: +65 8733 2177
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon, Tues

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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[Hong Kong] Who would have thought that a simple drink called the “Brown Sugar Milk Tea” has taken Hong Kong by storm. (Also read: 12 Brown Sugar Milk Tea In Singapore)

The trend has caused such a fever that has people queuing for hours under the summer heat and humidity.

From a quiet walking lane in Causeway Bay, the recent entrance of a few very popular Taiwanese bubble-tea brands has crowded that street beyond walking space.

Garnering a cult-like following, young Hong Kongers have popularised these drinks through their social media feeds and hash tags.

According to locals “It seems that if you didn’t have to stand in line for this long, you wouldn’t appreciate how good this tastes.”

Is it just marketing gimmicks, chic packing or supreme taste?

Currently there are already the usual players like Sharetea, Gongcha, Tea Ren in the market but the new players are capitalizing not just on the usual bubble teas, but on their premium Brown Sugar Boba Milk.

These have boba pearls cooked on low heat in brown sugar so the bubble could absorb the flavour from the brown sugar, and then topped off with fresh milk.

As simple a concoction as it may sound, the top brands (all hailing from Taiwan) have differing tastes and their own fan bases.

The Alley 鹿角巷
1) Shop F, Alpha House, Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
2) Shop No.3, Sun Kong House, Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok

The first of the 4 to enter the Hong Kong market, The Alley’s first store opened in Tsim Sha Tsui more than a year ago and the queue hasn’t stopped since then.

During peak hours, you are expected to queue for an hour or so. Subsequently, another outlet has opened up in Mongkok and even then, a queue was already forming before they are opened.

The Alley’s concept is more modern and trendy, with other very photo-worthy ombre drinks on the menu like matcha latte, all served in their unique rounded base cups.

Their Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk (HKD28, SGD4.90) is smooth and their deerioca (boba) pearls are of a very nice texture with a delectable brown sugar taste in every mouthful.

I didn’t queue more than 10 minutes before getting my hands on the drink (tip: go to the newer outlet at Mongkok and at the earlier opening hours before most people get out shopping).

The Alley allows sugar level adjustments for their drinks.

And in case you plan to take a photo of this drink, be forewarned that their brown sugar stains dissolve rather quickly so remember to act fast.

JenJudan 珍煮丹
15 Lee Garden Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Another super popular one when they first opened, JenJuDan literally stole the show from Milksha, located next door.

Started as a humble shop in Taiwan’s Shilin Night Market, JenJuDan is popular for their Brown Sugar Boba Milk, Thai Milk Tea with boba pearls as well as their Matcha Milk drinks.

Fever for this brand has died down quite a fair bit since the opening of the others and judging from the speed they serve their drinks (5 minutes to prepare each order, with the cashier being the only one really busy), maybe this is the reason why the queue is so “long”.

Taste-wise, their Brown Sugar Boba Milk (HKD30, SGD5.30) didn’t wow me, compared to the others, especially if it involves queuing 20 minutes.

The brown sugar taste and milk wasn’t as distinct as the others, not sure if it’s because I ordered “half sugar”.

Tiger Sugar 老虎堂
36 Jardine’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay Hong Kong
¬¬(Mongkok outlet, opening soon)

Supposedly the pioneer for creating the “striped effect” on the cups of boba milk, Tiger Sugar opened here a few months ago to much fanfare.

Currently still the one with the longest queue and the strongest fan base; be prepared to queue at least an hour during peak hours.

It makes you wonder how good can it be to deserve such a long wait.

I was there on a weekday afternoon and with the maniac level of queuing at this shop, I almost thought I was going to be there all afternoon.

Good thing the staffs move the orders quickly and I managed to get my drink under 30 minutes wait time even with over 20 orders ahead of mine.

I ordered their recommended Brown Sugar Boba Milk with Cream Mousse (HKD30, SGD5.30) at full sweetness since sugar levels cannot be adjusted. A small dollop of cream mousse is topped on the drink before being sealed.

This was the strongest contender and I see now why Tiger Sugar is the crowd puller.

The milk they used is smooth and creamy; the brown sugar taste was really strong and went very well with the milk. Pearls are on the slightly softer side but still chewy and really good.

Their first Hong Kong shop is located side-by-side to XingFuTang.

Xing Fu Tang 幸福堂
Located right beside Tiger Sugar, it is not hard to make comparison between the two. Distinctively, Tiger has a longer queue but Xing Fu Tang has a bigger and more eye-catching shop front.

Xing Fu Tang’s Brown Sugar Boba Milk (HKD30, SGD5.30) was the most photo-worthy among the lot because of the strong brown sugar stained cup and the torched cream on the top of the drink.

Other very IG-worthy drinks on their menu include their Strawberry Boba Milk and Matcha Boba Milk – both for ombre drink lovers.

They pride themselves on their traditional cooking method of preparing the pearls and at their shopfront, you will be able to see their staffs stirring the ultra thick brown sugar boba and topping them into every cup. It all looks very promising.

After all that gimmick and look appeal, this was a quite a let down and we had some trouble finishing it. The milk wasn’t as smooth and the pearls were salty with a grainy texture. Not my personal favourite.

Milksha 迷客夏
G/F, 17 Lee Garden Road, Causeway Bay

Milksha which is located right next to Jenjudan, specialises in using fresh milk from its own pastures in Taiwan.

While it is also relatively popular, the line is much shorter than the rest, possibly because it has been around for a while and specialises in other drinks such as Cheese Milk Tea, Fresh Milk Tea and Tea.

They do also offer a Bubble Brown Sugar Fresh Milk (HK26, SGD4.56), which has delicate, smooth milk texture though the brown sugar is not as pronounced and sweet as the rest. Perhaps it is also because all the drinks are ‘covered’ with its opaque cup, and thus loses some of that ‘instagrammable’

I had different taste buds do a sip-test and all agreed that Tiger Sugar is our favourite, followed by a tie between The Alley and JenJuDan.

Our least favourite was Xing Fu Tang, despite it being the most instagrammable.

This Brown Sugar Milk Boba fever has gone on for a few months by now and it looks like there are still no signs of slowing down.

The mad queue felt like a crowd cheering different soccer teams – each one has their favourite brands. And at fever pitch, even I got a little too engrossed in it that I queued off the walking path and got rescued from a moving vehicle coming in from the side of the lane.

That is how fanatic things can get.

Many here are looking forward to the opening of HeyTea, which originated from Mainland China and has a strong following of Hong Kongers heading across the border to queue for their cheese-topped tea every weekend. It has an even more crazed following, with a recording breaking queue that lasted 5 hours.

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* Written by DFD’s Hong Kong Correspondent @kara_the_explorer, who is the Singaporean “tai tai” living the foodie dream in Hong Kong. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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It was a case of déjà vu when I walked through Orchard Central Level 3, when a year back, there was a lifestyle café concept filled with arts and greenery called “Steamroom with The Pillar and Stones”.

Really, how many of you remember that place?

It unfortunately, lasted a month or two shorter than we predicted (So sorry to the Steamroom team).

I recall my friend commenting that if the café was at the side with the natural daylight, switching side with the retail and arts area, it would have been much better experience for both.

Of course we have no know-how in building management, a wishful thinking to have the brunch and coffee with sunrays lingering in.

Unfortunately, for this new café, the dining area still landed up in the ‘dark’ side’; while on the brighter area comprises of a hair salon and barber.

Walking On Sunshine is a Korean beauty and café concept. (M1 should just come and advertise here, come give some FREE wifi.)

There are Korean hair stylists who would give you a “Korean hair” make-over, along with photo studio for you to take photos in hanboks.

They must be doing something very right, because within a month of opening, they have received 217 5-star Google reviews (many of which are the 1 review type).

I liked that there was a lot of greenery and dried flowers, to let you have that sense of peace in the middle of town.

Food wise, the brunch-cafe presents a limited menu with offerings such as Souffle Pancake ($23), Eggs Benedict ($18.50), American Breakfast ($19.50), Honey Butter Toast ($11.50), Seoul Beef Bulgogi Pizza ($21.50), and Double Beef Budger ($18.50).

There are many Korean cafes that open in Singapore, but I would say only about half meet with relative success.
Part of which could be a cultural-thing, the lack of understanding on how to reach the local market more effectively.

I had a Spicy Pork Panini ($17.50). To be honest, I seldom order Panini in Singapore because I did not find many good ones… they were just like cold sandwiches.

The ones I had here were nicely grilled to a golden crisp, packed with ingredients which were moist, and the spiciness gave it a Korean twist.

Like that good ones I would find in Seoul. (Okay, except that I find it slightly pricey to order on a regular basis.)

The Bulgogi and Mixed Bean Salad ($19.50) was a substantial portion, great for those looking for greens at this part of Orchard (funny how FEW salad shops there are at this stretch of Orchard Road.)

I only wished that the beef slices were less tough.

One of their specialty drinks was an Iced Lime Coffee ($7.00) which somehow didn’t work for this as the drink “attacked” the senses with two different types of acidity.

Perhaps it was also because I had it sans sugar, the coffee just tasted overpowering.

While there was a colourful display of cakes and cupcakes, I wasn’t inclined to order them as they looked dry under that storage.

There are some elements that I like about this place, the greens, the Korean-ness and that service is generally friendly.

Perhaps it is lacking in that liveliness and wider spread of appealing food to make you feel you are indeed, walking on sunshine.

Walking On Sunshine
Orchard Central l 181 Orchard Rd, #03-07, Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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[Taipei] Since Brown Sugar Milk with Boba Pearls is all in a rage now in several cities in Asia, it is not possible to leave Jenjudan 珍煮丹 out of the picture. (Also read: 10 Must-Try Bubble Teas In Taipei )

The brand started out at the Shinlin Night Market way back in 2010, specialising in Brown Sugar Pearl Milk drinks.

It has evolved to be quite a popular chain well-known for this particular style drink.

Therefore, Brown Sugar beverages take up half of the menu, from the basic Brown Sugar Jelly (TWD35), Brown Sugar Green Bean (TWD35), Brown Sugar Lemon (TWD40), to Brown Sugar Pudding Milk (TWD45) and Brown Sugar Glass Jelly Milk (TWD45).

The idea of boba pearls and pudding and all that sugar, is just like having a full meal.

Anyway, a cup is about SGD1.56 (USD1.13) to SGD2 (USD1.46). Gosh, I have yet to have any Brown Sugar Milk drinks in Singapore for less than 2 bucks.

There are also other non-Brown Sugar drinks, just in case you are wondering, such as Lemon Red Tea (TWD45), Passion Fruit Green Tea (TWD40), and Lychee Green Tea (TWD40).

However, these belong to the minority, and they are therefore quite consistent with their branding.

There are several outlets around Taipei such as in Shilin, Da-an, Fu-xing, Zhong Shan and Xinyi.

For the Hong Kong people, there is also an outlet at Causeway Bay (soon at Shenzhen and Macau). The queue can be from half an hour to an hour during peak period. The sacrifices that people make for a cup of bubble milk.

Interestingly, the first time I ordered in Taipei, the queue was quite minimal – there were just two xiao mei mei in front of me; though at a Xinyi branch I needed to wait for about 20 minutes with a long line of youths braving the cold and rain.

After having a cup, I realised what the fuss was about.

Soaked in brown sugar, the boba pearls were chewy and soft, a stress-reliver to chew on, with that lingering caramelised sweetness.

With that said, if you cannot handle too much sweetness, then this may not be the cup for you.

As for the milk, it was creamy and smooth, yet not overly heavy so you won’t feel that bloated after finishing a cup.

Compared to the other branches, the “brown-sugarness” was considered more mellow, not as strong and full-flavoured. For those who are looking at that full-on kick, might leave disappointed.

Unfortunately, the Jenjudan stores do not seem to have an English menu or website, and may pose some difficulty to tourists.

Still a soul-refreshing, fulfilling goodness in a cup.

Jenjudan 珍煮丹
No. 215, Section 1, Beixin Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 231
Tel: +886 2 2918 0338
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Jenjudan 珍煮丹 – One Of The Most Popular Brown Sugar Milk Pearl Shops From Taipei, For Soul-Refreshing Sweetness appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Hong Kong] It seems that every month, a new hipster coffee joint pops up in Hong Kong.

However, most of the cafes are opening on the Hong Kong Island side since the coffee-drinking working class is concentrated there.

Over at Kowloon, it would be much trickier to find a quality cup of latte especially in Mongkok, which is a very local area with more cha chan teng style cafes than Western-style ones.

The few more popular ones are Knockbox Coffee Company and Full Cup Café.

Pause It is a newly opened café in the Mongkok area at 84 Shantung Street, along a quieter lane not far from the main touristy streets.

Sit by the full-length window seats with a cup of coffee amidst a minimalist, bright and inviting interior.

Except for the loud Cantonese music playing in the background, the café is otherwise pretty chill and is a nice contrast from busy Hong Kong streets for you to literally “pause it”.

The thing that Hong Kongers need to do more often.

They offer the usual standard stuff but also some interesting items like Charcoal Latte and alcoholic coffee like Espresso Martini.

If coffee is not your poison, there are other tea and soda drinks on the menu like Tropical Oolong Coldbrew, and Peachy Camomile.

An all-day dining menu is also available, with pretty standard fare like Avocado Toast, Spaghetti Aglio Olio and Quinoa Salad. However, note that the kitchen starts serving food only from 11.30am.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon (HKD78, SGD14) and the Purple Potato Latte (HKD40, SGD7).

The homemade hollandaise sauce on the poached eggs were slightly torched to give it a more pleasing look, and tasted just creamy enough without being too lemony.

The egg yolks had a very orangey tint, which I suspect could be because they are Japanese eggs, which usually have a richer yolk colour.

The Purple Potato Latte was quite pleasant, slightly sweet and would not leave you feeling sickly.

A balanced flavour of milk and purple potato came through, without the grainy taste that I was half-expecting.

My dining partner had the Avocado Toast with Poached Egg (HKD72, SGD13), and she was pleasantly surprised that there was smashed avocado spread and then topped with sliced avocado on the sourdough toast,

Definitely for the avocado fans.

The Charcoal Latte (HKD38, SGD6.70) was a good-looker for photos, but the bitter-notes didn’t work out well.

As for the intriguing-sounding Blue-Orange Latte (HKD40, SGD7), it tasted quite interesting, creamy, not too sweet and with a light tint of citrus in that cup. (Tried asking why the coffee is called “blue orange” but the server cannot seem to explain why.)

By noon, the café was packed (mind you this was a weekday afternoon) with some hip looking people.

It felt like I stumble upon a cool spot where all the cool people hung out.

Is Pause It setting precedence for more cafes opening on the Kowloon side? If so, we can certainly welcome it, especially for those times when you are looking for a place to pause and take a break from the hustle bustle.

Pause It Cafe
84 Shantung Street, Mongkok, Hong Kong (Mongkok Station, Exit E2)
旺角山東街84號地下
Tel: +852 2348 2138
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/pause.it.hk
Google Maps – Pause It Cafe

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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I was shopping at Suntec City when I noticed the poster of “TP-Tea” announcing they are the “1st Halal-certified Taiwanese bubble tea in Singapore”. (By the way, Hollin Singapore also just opened at Suntec City.)

There were a lot of questions going through my mind, one of which includes ”So what happens to the non-Halal ones?”

TP-Tea 茶湯會 is under Chun Shui Tang 春水堂 – known to be the shop which started Taiwanese bubble tea; and currently has over 300 outlets across the world.

Its first outlet is located at Changi Airport Terminal 2 Departure Hall , right next to Krispy Kreme and Llao Llao, and is considered Singapore’s FIRST 24 hours Taiwanese Bubble Tea Shop.

Having the Halal-certification makes sure that the all ingredients are from Halal sources, from the tea, matcha, pearls to jellies; and that also includes the entire process of managing ingredients.

When I checked with staff from the store, it was mentioned that even though Bubble Tea is considered “low risk” even if not certified, it provides a peace-of-mind to Muslim customers.

The best-sellers in the store include the Tie Guan Yin Tea Latte ($4.60), Pearl Black Tea Latte with Red Bean ($5.30), Lemon Premium Green Tea ($3.60), and Pearl Milk Tea ($3.90).

Its Pearl Milk Tea Soft-serve Ice Cream ($3.60) is also very popular.

However, as this is a tea-focused shop, they did not include the more trendy drinks of late such as Fruit Tea and Brown Sugar Milk.

The Tie Guan Yin Tea Latte ($4.60), uses a premium grade of Oolong Tea, and has probably one of the strongest tea aroma of all the bubble tea drinks in Singapore.

Some people may find this strange, and the slight bitterness may not appeal. I would describe the sensation as mixing good Chinese tea (you would have at some hotel banquets) with milk.

I think the drink takes time to grow on you.

TP-Tea – Suntec City
Suntec City #01-312, 3 Temasek Boulevard Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

TP-Tea 茶湯會 Singapore – Changi Airport
Changi Airport, Terminal 2, Departure Hall #026-015-01, Singapore 819643
Opening Hours: 24 hours Daily

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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The grilled unagi trend in Singapore is still going strong.

Popular unagi specialty restaurant Unagiya Ichinoji with its first outlet at Robertson Quay, has opened its newest branch in Singapore at Eat At Seven Suntec City.

(Click PLAY for video highlights of Unagiya Ichinoji.)

A highlight in the first-ever, and possibly the LARGEST Unagi Bara Chirashi available in Singapore to satisfy ANY Ungai + Chirashi cravings you have. (More on that later.)

Called “Unagiya Ichinoji Dining” for this Singapore outpost, this is a concept by Miyagawa Honten – one of Tokyo’s most well-known unagi restaurants awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, with more than 125 years of history.

It’s ‘formula’ is said to be attributed to the chefs’ grilling techniques, temperature control of the charcoal grill and special inhouse tare (sweet basting sauce) whose recipe has been passed down for four generations.

An interesting difference is that the eels are first steamed, then grilled so that it would be more melt-in-the-mouth.

For those of you who dined here during its earlier opening days, the restaurant has also changed the supply of the eels to those with softer meat, to better cater to the local taste buds.

Both branches have slightly varied offerings in the menu. The outlet in Suntec City is a “dining concept” with bigger space, larger seating capacity. (There are two main ways to get there: Via Eat At Seven’s main entrance through Menya Kokoro; or from the escalator up across the Fountain of Wealth.)

The menu is now beyond just unagi, and offers sashimi (salmon, tuna, yellow tail), salads, sashimi donburi (such as Kaisen Bara Chirashi Don, Salmon & Ikura Don), sushi, hot plate food (Grilled Wagyu Beef, Grilled Salmon Teriyaki, Teppan Fried Noodles), sautéed dishes (Sautéed Squid with Ink Sauce, Sautéed Clams with Butter Sauce), deep fried items (Crab Creamy Croquette, Fried Chicken, Fried Gyoza), to desserts.

The two items exclusive to Unagiya Ichinoji Dining are the XL Unagi Bara Chirashi, and Unagi Gozen, so look out for them.

XL Unagi Bara Chirashi ($62.80)
The is possibly the largest Unagi Bara Chirashi don in Singapore, good for sharing between 3 to 4 diners (or one very, very hungry person).

First of its kind in Singapore, the XL Unagi Bara Chirashi is included with tuna, salmon, yellow tail, scallops, takuan (radish), cucumbers, eggs, and seaweed.

It is then topped with the signature grilled eel, therefore colourful and bursting with flavours.

The cubed sashimi pieces are possibly only moderately marinated with soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, so that the flavours of the sauces do not overwhelm the natural-fresh tastiness of the fish.

Premium grade of Hokkaido Yumepirika rice is used, which has a natural gloss when steamed, fluffy with rich flavour profile.

I seldom eat Unagi Chirashi, but having both in the same bowls allows you to appreciate the rich-sweetish-savouriness of the eel, then contrasted with the refreshing sashimi.

For so much seafood in a single bowl, the dish was surprisingly didn’t taste fishy.

Certainly value for its money.

Unagi Bara Chirashi ($22.80)
If you cannot find a group to share the above, also available is the individual portioned Unagi Bara Chirashi.

This also comes with chawanmushi, miso soup, pickles and tofu to make it a satisfying, filling meal.

Hitsumabushi ($32.80)
This is the signature dish from Miyagawa Honten. There is also an XL version, suitable for 3 diners, priced at $84.80.

There are three ways of having this: the first is to eat the eel and rice on its own to appreciate the depth of flavours.

After the change in supply, I did realise that the eel used now is both meatier and softer. (Those of you looking out for that crisp outer layer might not get it).

For the second way and portion, you can add nori (seaweed), wasabi, green onion and mix.

The third which is my favourite, is to add clear dashi – ochazuke style, because it is warm and comforting.

Instead of just one, there are now two special homemade unagi sauces. The Japanese unagi sauce is made with a higher shoyu content, and hence has a saltier and more robust note. There is another ungai sauce which is specially tailored for locals, and has a sweeter note.

For the opening promotion at Unagiya Ichinoji Suntec, diners get 50% OFF every second order of Hitsumabushi. The promotion is valid until end of November 2018.

Una-Tama Don Set ($14.80)
A bowl of grilled unagi, eggs and onions simmered in flavourful stock, on a bed of premium Hokkaido rice.

Similar to Oyakodon, this is soul-satisfying comfort food.

The Una-Tama Don set is available for a limited period, during weekday lunch till end of November 2018.

Unagi Gozen Luxury Bento Box ($46.80)
Unagi Gozen which showcases unagi, A1-grade Hokkaido wagyu beef, braised Ibérico pork belly, tempura prawn, tempura pumpkin, sashimi tuna, yellow tail and ikura, soup and dessert of warabi mochi.

You can also choose between plain rice, or 16 multi-grain rice with grains handpicked from different parts of grains that brims with nutrients.

Unagiya Ichinoji – Eat At Seven Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard #03-307, Sky Garden Suntec City, Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6268 8043
Operating Hours 11:30am – 3pm Last Order 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:00pm Last Order 9:30pm

Unagiya Ichinoji – Riverside Village Residences
Riverside Village Residences 01-05, 30 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238251
Tel: +65 6732 1970
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Unagiya Ichinoji.

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[Seoul] If you are looking for Army Stew aka Budae Jjigae in South Korea, especially during the colder winter months, Shimsontang 심슨탕 (or Simpson Tang) comes recommended by a couple of friends.

Part of the reason is that it is co-owned by Korean singer Hwangbo, so there is that Korean celebrity effect.

The main outlet is at Hongdae (walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9), but I went to the branch at Myeongdong (look out for Bee Cheng Hiang) only because it is more convenient. (Over at Hongdae’s outlet, there is also the option of adding a mozzarella cheese ring and croquette.)

Shimsontang’s has a slightly different style of Budae Jjigae, made with a 12 hour-brewed broth cooked from beef leg bone and brisket.

Therefore, you would find the base richer, and less sweet (because many other shops add canned tomato beans).

Other ingredients include cheese, ham, sausages, and various vegetables like potatoes and cabbages.

There are 5 styles served – Original Shimson Stew, Curry, Kimchi, Soft Tofu and Beef Tripe. All are priced at 8000 Won to 9000 Won per person (SGD9.70, SGD10.90), considered quite reasonable as its customer base is generally youth and students.

You can add on extra ramen noodles, ham, sliced noodles (they called it “chopped noodles”) or rice from 1000 to 5000 Won.

If you feel like you need more food, other mains to order include Shimson Barbecue Pork (18000 Won), Shimson Assorted Grilled Sausage (18,000 Won), and Pan-fried Pork, Ham, Sausage and Vegetables (8000 Won).

Here’s the thing: Not everyone likes Budae Jjigae, especially when there is a perception that it is made out of ‘cheap’ ingredients and processed food.

Well, true in a sense.

You may find Shimson Tang’s version somewhat lacking of ingredients. I tried digging in to find some beef brisket and sausages and couldn’t find any pieces.

But whatever that was there, seemed better than the average brand.

The instant noodles provided, cooked under a slice of cheese, didn’t taste overly starchy and was springy al dente, even when it was cooked for a while.

The ham was my favourite, cut to large cubes with a substantial bite. Potatoes were soft, but didn’t really disintegrate right into the broth.

Compared to other bases which would be thicker and somewhat sweeter and spicier, this was more savoury and flavourful, texture almost like beef borsch soup.

I had quite a number of Budae Jjigae over the last few trips, all of varying degree of “tasty”. I won’t say that Shimsontang was exceptionally impressive, but would be something I won’t mind having again.

Shimsontang 심슨탕 – Hongdae
16 Hongik-ro 5an-gil, Seogyo-dong 355-21, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울시 마포구 서교동 355-21번지 1층
+82 2-323-8310
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm

Shimsontang 심슨탕 – Myeongdong
2-3 Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울시 중구 명동2가 2-3
Tel: +82 2-776-0440
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm

Other Related Entries
Myeongdong Sundubu (Myeongdong, Seoul)
Sinseon Seolleongtang 神仙雪濃湯 (Myeongdong, Seoul)

Click HERE for other SEOUL Food Entries

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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While the inaugural MasterChef Singapore has ended, it is not without its fair share of controversies.

Though it was IT manager Zander Ng who won, the general online consensus seemed to be sided towards the 20-year old culinary student Genevieve Lee, better known as “Gen”.

I was personally quite surprised especially because the judges gave largely positive comments towards Gen’s dishes, the overall winner turned out to be otherwise. Perhaps it was truly a case of rushed editing.

Let us trust that the judges have made the right call, and give our support to both finalists – not easy to cook up 5 dishes in 2 and a half hours, especially when they are not professionals. Well done Zander and Gen!

Wait, what does this got to do with Lee Fun Nam Kee again? Wait….

Some questioned the choice of dishes cooked, especially when the theme was “Asian feast”. Dr Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost fame wondered if Gen could have done a braised duck, instead of a duck confit.

Well, Gen’s family actually sells Soya Sauce Chicken, a relatively famous shop in fact. She had been helping out at the shop since young, so making a braised poultry dish would have been right up her alley.

However, I suspect that there is a part of her who wants to break out of that comfort zone.

While the MasterChef Singapore programme has never disclosed where Gen’s parents sold their chicken rice… here`s the reveal.

I did think that Gen looked kind of familiar.

When she spoke, I immediately knew it was Lee Fun Nam Kee.

Lee Fun Nam Kee started off as a hawker stall, and has expanded to be an eatery located at Toa Payoh Lorong 4. It is not THAT easy to find, a short 8 to 10 minutes’ walk from Braddell MRT station.

The star of the shop is the Singapore Soya Sauce Chicken Rice ($6, $9, $12, $16, $18, $30).

The soya sauce used is said to be heartier and thicker, matched with succulent and tender chicken. Compared to some other shops in which the ‘lor’ (sauce) could be quite salty, I liked that this actually tasted more balanced and ‘healthier’.

I suspect some would prefer this to the “Michelin-starred chicken”.

While I personally wished for the rice to be more fragrant and warm, I thoroughly enjoyed the springiness of the noodles.

Some diners might think this is too al dente and even ‘hard’, but I liked it this way, especially when coated with the dark sauce, added with a dash of chilli.

I hardly order Chinese Sausage (except maybe in Hong Kong’s restaurant) – it is just not my kind of thing.

Auntie there said ”You must try” which I didn’t regret at all. (So, thank you Auntie!) There was just this very-nice crisp on the outer layer, along with tender quite-juicy fillings.

This Lup-Cheong is legit.

Lee Fun Nam Kee is now in the good hands (and hearts) of the 2nd generation. David Lee, who is Gen’s father, can be seen in the kitchen chopping up plates of tender soya sauce chicken.

There is always a part of me that worries when I let the cat out of the bag, so please don’t go over to stalk Gen – they still have a business to run. But I am sure their family won`t mind that added support from fans.

Lee Fun Nam Kee Chicken Rice & Restaurant
94 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-04, Singapore 310094 (Braddell MRT)
Tel: +65 6255 0891
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Hai Kee Brothers (Chinatown Point)
Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (Chinatown Food Complex)
Hawker Chan Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (Smith Street)
88 Hong Kong Roast (Tyrwhitt Road)
Express by Chatterbox (Downtown Gallery)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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[Seoul] Instagram is one of the ‘tools’ I use when planning for a trip. The other thing is, how do you narrow down from all the bookmarked choices?

There are too many gorgeous cafes in Seoul itself, so selecting those few places is a combination of how good the food and place look, reviews, and the uniqueness of its offerings. (I try not to ‘café-hop’ too much in Seoul, but instead choose to ‘park’ myself at a place to get a better feel of the vibes.)

When I saw the Avocado Cake at UNAS 우나스, I was sold.

With a concept of “Creative Dessert Box”, this is a dessert café and baking studio co-owned by Patissier Eun Ah Lee, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu London and previously worked at Hyatt Regency and Maman Gateaux.

Scrolling through the Instagram gallery, you would realise that the feed was not only about the typical pretty cakes of multiple-colours or cuteness, but desserts with elegance and attention to details.

There is a certain beauty in that calmness as well.

Finding the location could be tricky, as Google Maps do not necessary work well in South Korea (So try Naver Maps instead.)

The café is located on the 2nd storey of SB Tower, and there are a couple of restaurants downstairs which may interest you.

Upon reaching, I quickly wrote my name on the reservation sheet as there was already a line of customers waiting.

Most were Korean females out for a leisure time in groups of 3 and 4s and coordinated attire – they take turns taking photos for one another in various stylistic combinations (the most common being the gaze far away shot); and you also see the occasional couple with an excited girlfriend taking loads of selfies and the bored-looking boyfriend.

Cakes are freshly baked and prepared, and available in limited quantities. Therefore, the popular ones run out fast, and you might want to arrive earlier in the day.

Some of the signatures are the Unas Tiramisu (8,500 Won, SGD10.30) of a trio of cubes included with espresso gel, mascarpone cheese mousse and feuilletage (puff pastry); Mille-Feuille Harmony (9,000 Won, SGD10.90) of strawberries, strawberry custard, tahity vanilla cream, raspberry crisp and feuilletage.

I was really there for the UNAS Avocado (9,000 Won), and did not take long to zoom in straight.

The dessert arrived simply, looking just like an avocado on a while plate.
Ah, the shells are made of real avocados. But it is what goes on inside that got me curious.

As I dug in with the spoon, you would feel the smoothness of the avocado mousse; beneath it was lemon baked cheesecake, and mango & yuzu jelly.

It was a brilliant dessert. It captured that rich, buttery, creamy flavour of avocado with some hints of sweetness, and the other components adding that light zest.

I also had the Yuzu Forest (8,000 Won), while not as memorable as the former, was still a delicately-tasty cake with various intricate components such as almond cake, yuzu mousse and yuzu jelly.

It will be a waste to call UNAS 우나스 an “instagrammable” place because there is so much more than that. The desserts and cakes, are on another level.

UNAS 우나스
2F, C, Annex, SB Tower, 318, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
92 번지 SB 타워 별관 C-2 층 우나스
Tel: +82 2-3445-0387
Opening Hours: 12pm – 8:30pm (Tues – Fri), 12pm – 9:30pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon

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The Skyfarm (Yeoeuido-dong, Seoul)
Cacao Green (Myeongdong, Seoul)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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[Hong Kong] Who would have thought that bubble tea will make a resurgence, leading to a Brown Sugar Bubble Milk ‘war’ in Hong Kong?

While there are many famous brands such as JenJudan 珍煮丹 and Tiger Sugar which has entered the Hong Kong market, it was probably The Alley 鹿角巷 which started this trend.

The Alley which started from Taichung, Taiwan, opened its first Hong Kong store in Tsim Sha Tsui more than a year ago, and the queue hasn’t stopped since then.

Subsequently, another outlet has opened up in Mongkok and even then, a queue was already forming before they are opened.

During peak hours, you are expected to queue for an hour or so.

The Alley’s concept is more modern and trendy, with other very photo-worthy ombre drinks on the menu like matcha latte, all served in their unique rounded base cups.

Their menu is divided into “series”, from Milk Tea, Tea Latte, Original Brewed Tea, Brown Sugar Deerioca, Blended to the photogenic Aurora Series – appropriately named Morning Dawn and Northern Lights.

There are some unique features about The Alley.

They make their own sugar cane syrup, and boil sugar canes in-house to create sweetness that won’t be overpowering.

Also they make their “Deerioca” (tapioca pearls named after their iconic deers) from scratch, from making the dough, kneading and rolling into small balls.

The process is said to create better texture and aroma for the tapioca pearls.

Their Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk (HKD28, SGD4.90) is smooth and their deerioca (boba) pearls are of a chewy QQ texture, with delectable brown sugar taste in every mouthful.

I didn’t queue more than 10 minutes before getting my hands on the drink (Tip: go to the newer outlet at Mongkok and at the earlier opening hours before most people get out shopping).

The Alley allows sugar level adjustments for their drinks.

And in case you plan to take a photo of this drink, be forewarned that their brown sugar stains dissolve rather quickly, so remember to act fast.

The Alley 鹿角巷
Shop F, G/F, Alpha House, No. 27-33, Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – The Alley Tsim Sha Tsui

Shop No.3, G/F, Sun Kong House, 2J-2Q Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 12:00pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – The Alley Mong Kok

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Best Brown Sugar Bubble Milk In Hong Kong

Click HERE for other HONG KONG Food Entries

* Written by DFD’s Hong Kong Correspondent @kara_the_explorer, who is the Singaporean “tai tai” living the foodie dream in Hong Kong. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Do you know that Thomson Road is also known as ”Chia Chui Kang” meaning “fresh water stream”

Other than the ‘iconic’ Thomson Plaza where parents sent their children to tuition and music classes, the Upper Thomson Road stretch is peppered with eateries from The Roti Prata House, Nam Kee Chicken Rice, Meng’s Kitchen, and Thai Hao Chi Mookata.

Not forgetting that Sin Ming’s popular kopitiams are just a short walk away.

The only thing is, a lot of rich families around, don’t know where to park!

There are also many brunch and coffee places where hipsters can literally café-hop an entire afternoon away. Or parents can choose want to have desserts, while waiting for your children to finish those never-ending enrichment classes.

Here are 10 cafes to visit at Upper Thomson Singapore:

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters Singapore
185 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574333
Phone: +65 6397 5564
Opening Hours: 9am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

Talk about Upper Thomson’s cafes, and Pacamara may just be that most famous name that people talk about.

Part of it is due to its vibes, primary white interior (especially with natural daylight), the barista bar, relatively good coffee, and cool little people. Okay, except that it can get rather noisy and echo-y.

Pacamara Coffee was first established in Changmai, finding more fame after opening its boutique café at Bangkok. As for its name, “Pacamara” came from El Salvadorean Pacamara Arabica coffee bean.

You will find this casual café at a few minutes’ walk from the Marymount MRT station. It has a minimalist set up, with hearty servings of Western fusion cuisine. They serve a full day breakfast and coffee menu, along with lunch and dinner special entrées.

For the Brunch which lasts till 5pm, go for the Breakfast Platter ($23), Avocado & Eggs ($16.50), and Mushroom & Cheese Omelette ($17.50).

Do leave some space for the Salted Caramel Banana French Toast ($18.50), or the Blueberry Pancake ($17.50) served with fresh berries, vanilla sauce and berry compete – a dessert that satiates the sweet tooth. Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters (Upper Thomson)

Thus Coffee
4 Jalan Kuras Singapore 577723
Tel: +65 8411 7565
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

Its location is not the most accessible, at 4 Jalan Kuras at Upper Thomson, of walking distance from Sembawang Hills Food Centre.

There are a few elements that would draw people to this humble establishment.

They micro-roast their own coffee, and the owners and staff sound very sincere and down-to-earth (hope they can remain that way!) I cannot vouch for its entire menu as it changes regularly, but online feedback has been positive.

Its main offerings include Hearty Chicken Stew ($16), Baked Eggs & Toast ($14), THUS Breakfast ($19), Salmon & Kale Toast ($17), Salmon Grain Bowl ($18), and Wagyu Beef Grain Bowl ($20).

The Creamy Chicken Leg Stew with herbed potatoes, carrots and zesty lime, served with toasted multigrain bread has been a crowd favourite.

This is not your everyday instagram-favourites, but should appeal to a certain generation who would like your soft potatoes and carrots with fall-off-the-bone drumstick. Thus Coffee (Jalan Kuras)

Columbus Coffee Co.
220 Upper Thomson Rd Thomson Garden Estate, Singapore 574352
Phone: +65 6253 6024
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tues – Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Mon

By the team behind Atlas Coffeehouse at Bukit Timah and Lunar Coffee Brewers at Downtown Gallery, Columbus Coffee Co is relatively new but very well received.

It is a bold step to open a new café in an area already swarming with a dozen others, but it definitely stands out. You should find yourself liking the general vibe as soon as you step in. It has a spacious seating area, looking chic and neat.

There are no so-called recommended items, but some dishes that appealed included Mushrooms on Sourdough ($14), Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($14.50), Mussels with Coconut Lemongrass & Ale ($17), Heart Meatballs On Toast ($18), Brown Butter Sardine Crumb Pasta ($18), to sweets of Butterscotch Banana Pancake ($18.50), Peanut Butter & Berries ($14) and Earl Grey Caramel Waffle ($12.50).

The Summer Chicken Stew ($18) seemed like an obvious choice.

This dish had a slight Asian-take as it reminded me of a home-cooked meal with roasted potatoes and carrots, except that the gravy was not as creamy as I imagined. Columbus Coffee Co. (Upper Thomson)

Habitat Coffee
223 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574355
Phone: +65 6456 2567
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Habitat Coffee is one of the main-stayers along Upper Thomson Road.

If you are looking for hearty food servings with fresh roasted coffee, artisanal cakes and desserts, this should be for you.

It is a quaint little place just right for warm brunches and regular caffeine fixes. You will find a variety of Asian cuisines from Japanese fusion rice bowls to the Asian infused desserts and pastas.

For brunch, go for the Pulled Pork Benedict ($16) with 8 hours slow cooked pork shoulder and homemade citrus hollandaise sauce, Scrambled Chilli Eggs, Cajun Prawn Melted Toasties or Truffle Salmon Scrambled Eggs.

Apart from this, they have authentic Arabica coffee beans roasted locally and freshly grinded on demand, best paired with their home baked Matcha Molten green tea lava cake with green tea gelato.

Birdy’s
215F Upper Thomson Road Singapore 574349
Opening Hours: 10am – 11pm (Mon, Wed, Thurs), 10am – 12am (Fri), 8am – 12am (Sat), 8am – 4pm (Sun)

Birdy’s is a newly-opened neighbourhood kitchen and bar at 215F Upper Thomson, which serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, wines, craft beers and everything in between.

The strange name of “Birdy’s” comes from a fictional character who is peckish is all day, and the shop’s objective is to provide quality without the frills.

Its menu is divided into Day and Night, with the evening menu comprising of recommended dishes such as Charred Cauliflower “Steak” ($15) with semidried tomatoes, chives and hazelnut beurre noisette; Slow Cooked Pork ($25) of 12 hours braised pork belly in kecap manis, served with duck fat potatoes.

I would recommend the Eggs On Toast ($9). Not many cafes (even restaurants) in Singapore do the ‘simple’ Scrambled Eggs well, but Birdy’s got it just right in terms of the consistency, creaminess and fluffiness.

One Man Coffee
215R Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574349
Phone: +65 9658 1685
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (Mon – Sun)

Simple and classy, One Man Coffee specializes in artisanal coffee.

One Man Coffee shares the same space with Garçons, operating in the prime working hours and bringing wholesome food items.

The café is simple with minimalistic, with classy furnishing and antique display cabinet with a variety of cakes and pastries.

They serve their specialty coffee with Nylon Coffee Roasters and their chocolate beverages are made with rich premium African Cocoa from Grounded Pleasures from Australia.

For their All-Day Brunch, go for the Croissant with Scrambled Eggs with Mixed Greens or Sweet Potato Fries ($10), Baked Eggs Cocotte ($12), Ham & Truffle Cream Cheese Coirssant ($10), or Furikake Mushroom Pasta topped with Onsen Egg ($12).

Les Patisseries
222 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574354
Phone: +65 9744 0504
Opening Hours: 11am – 11:30pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 1:30am (Fri), 9am – 1:30am (Sat), 9am – 11:30pm (Sun)

Les Patisseries which started its operations at Toa Payoh, moved to Upper Thomson a couple of years ago.

There is a 60-seater area which is great for individual hang outs as well as gatherings and events.

While it is known for its pastries, tarts, cakes and waffles, there is actually quite an extensive all-day savoury menu which serves up Chicken Parmigiana ($16), The Ultimate Chicken Burger ($17), Signature Pork Burger ($19), Truffle Baked Mushroom ($14), and Carbonara ($14).

For those craving for risotto, there are offerings for it during dinner time such as Saltbush Lamb Shank ($24), Wild Catch Salmon ($20), Garlic Prawn ($17), and Wild Mushroom Risotto ($14).

Its two best-selling Waffles include the Houjicha Molten Pancake ($17) and Chai Tea Waffles with Double Scoop Speculoos Ice Cream ($17.90).

Their Waffle Ispahan ($15.90) is also like a work of art, essentially rose waffle topped with double scoops of rose and lychee sorbet, fresh and pureed lychees, and raspberries along with edible rose petals and macarons.

Nook & Cranny Café
9 Sin Ming Road #01-03, Thomson V One, Singapore 575630
Phone: +65 6452 7449
Opening Hours: 4pm – 10pm (Wed – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

Nook & Cranny Café is hidden along the Thomson V One, and if you do not look closely you may completely miss it out.

Filled with natural daylight and wafting with the aroma of freshly prepared food, it is small but considered cosy.

Its menu though small, still includes no-nonsense classic comfort food from Truffled Mac & Cheese ($14.50), Truffle Fries ($8.50), Chicken Bleu served with Orzo Rice Pasta, and Portobello Beef Burger served with chips and salad.

Thrive
215B Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574349
Phone: +65 9688 9211
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 11pm (Fri), 12am – 11pm (Sat)

Thrive is a concept by Boxgreen and An Acai Affair, and serves up signature acai bowls, smoothies, and toasts.

It is a slightly quiet place, and students seem to love to ‘park’ here to do their revisions.

Three types of toasts are available – Berry Crunchy ($5.90), You Butter Believe ($5.90), and Bravocado ($6.90) served on toasted sourdough bread.

The Triple A Acai ($5.90, $8.90, $13.90) come served with fresh fruits, granola, chia seeds, cacao nibs, coconut shavings, pumpkin seeds, almond flakes and goji berries.

All bowls come with a drizzle of honey, cookie butter, peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter.

Its acai bowls is said to be undiluted with liquids such as apple juice or coconut water, and therefore contains a higher concentration of acai pulp.

Windowsill Pies
95 Soo Chow Walk, Singapore 575382
Phone: +65 9004 7827
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Tues – Thurs), 12pm – 11pm (Fri), 10am – 11pm (Sat), 10am – 10pm (Sun), Closed Mon

There are many decent cake and bread shops in Singapore, but I dare say few bake a decent pie. Especially one that is not too crumbly, stays firm without being hard, fruity yet not artificial tasting.

In which every taste is a surprise. Windowsill Pies got all the right ticks.

However, somehow people still think they are at Jalan Besar, or are gone, but they have actually moved to Soo Chow Walk (There is another outlet at 17 Haji Lane.)

They have a variety of more than 10 pies, from Grasshopper (dark chocolate ganache with fresh mint cream), Morello Cherry, Pecan & Pumpkin, Strawberry Lemon, Rum & Apple, Honey Macadeamia, to Sparkling Yuzu.

Each slice cost about $7 to $8.

The S’mores pie ($8.00 per slice, $68 for whole), filled with gooey milk chocolate pudding and sticky dark chocolate fudge, is one of my favourites for being smoothly-chocolaty yet not being overpowering rich.

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.

The post 10 Upper Thomson Cafes To Visit – From Pacamara, Columbus Coffee Co, Les Patisseries To Habitat Coffee appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

This is for the Donburi-lovers.

Not just one or two, Kogane Yama known for its Tempura Donburi aka Tendon, has introduced 9 NEW Japanese rice bowls at both its Bugis Junction (#02-50) and Jem (#01-15) outlets.

(Click PLAY for highlights of Kogane Yama)

Kogane Yama, which name means “golden mountain” in Japanese, initially starting serving tempura piled up like a mini-mountain on rice bowls.

It has expanded its menu to cater to customers who would enjoy a greater variety and more options, especially for regulars.

I love that there are a couple of salad choices now, such as the Salmon Avo Kani Salad ($11.90) with crisp mixed greens, salmon sashimi, crabstick, avocado, cherry tomatoes and ponzu dressing.

Another reason is that they have a new Japanese Head Chef who has designed part of the menu (also look out for a new exciting Japanese restaurant in the works).

The other good news is, the group has brought down the pricing, so nothing is above $15 now.

For example, the Tendon Vegetable Bowl now costs $9.80, and the Tendon Mixed Bowl is brought down to $13.80 (from the previous $15.80). You may wonder if anything is changed, but rest assured that the ingredients and portion remain the same.

Here are the 9 NEW Donburi from Kogane Yama:

1. Bara Chirashi Don – Assorted ($14.90), Salmon only
The classic Bara Chirashi don with diced raw salmon, tuna, swordfish, surf clam, steamed prawn, ikura (salmon roe), tobiko (flying fish roe), cucumber and tamago (Japanese omelette) on a bed of sushi rice.

The base used is of premium Koshihikari short-grain rice, fluffy and has a natural sweet taste.

Compared to some of the other brands which are more heavily seasoned, Kogane Yama’s version allows the natural-taste of the sashimi and other ingredients to come through. Depends on what you prefer.

If you like all things truffle, choose to add on truffle oil (+$1) for that added aroma as you mix the cubed fish throughout.

There is also a Salmon-only version with cucumber and tamago,

2. Aburi Salmon Mentai Don ($11.90)
Compared to the Bara Chirashi, this will appeal to those who love more flavours such as the spiciness of cod roe, along with that creamy mouth-feel.

What you get include cubed salmon pieces which would be ‘aburi-ed’ (flame seared), added with torched mentaiko-mayonnaise sauce, added with tobiko, cucumber and tamago.

The part I enjoyed was also those crispy bits of tempura crumbs added, which made a good-contrast with the velvetiness of the other toppings.

3. Salmon Ikura Don ($13.90)
This comes with a bowl of sushi rice in the middle, draped with slices of fresh salmon sashimi, then topped with brilliant orange balls of ikura.

For the salmon purists.

4. Salmon Teriyaki Don ($11.90)
For the protein lovers, this is a bowl of hearty grilled salmon fillet cooked with robust teriyaki sauce, accompanied with greens of broccoli. I did wish there was more sauce going on.

Another highlight is the flavoured, soft-centred Hanjuku egg.

5. Unagi Avocado Don ($14.90)
Japanese Eel has become the trendy food of late, leading to this bowl of grilled unagi in sweet-savoury sauce, with slices of buttery avocado on sushi rice.

Mix in the onsen-tamago which will create this silky consistency in the rice.

6. Unagi Tugi Don ($13.90)
Between the two NEW Unagi rice bowls, I preferred this due to the addition of tamago toji in which the eel is cooked with soft-scrambled eggs and onion, which creates this warm, fuzzy feeling.

Especially when you have this during one of the colder days.

7. Katsu Don Chicken ($9.90), Pork ($10.90)
Choose between deep-fried crispy chicken or pork fillet for this well-loved classic of Katsu Don.

8. Pork Belly Shogayaki Don ($10.90)
“Shoga” means ginger, while yaki refers to grilling or frying. Do you know that “shogayaki” is the second most popular pork dish in Japan after Tonkatsu?

This consists of thin slices of pork belly browned in the pan, then stir-fried with enoki mushrooms and ginger sauce.

Served simply with rice and onsen egg, this makes a flavourful, comforting dish that may just remind you of (a Japanese) mum’s cooking.

9. Tori Karaage Don ($9.90)
I suspect that this will be the bowl most popular with youths and children. The karaage chicken chunks are rather large and succulent, tastier when it has absorbed some of the sauce.

Tendon (New pricing: Mixed Bowl ($13.80), Chicken Bowl ($11.80), Prawn Bowl ($11.80), Vegetable Bowl ($9.80)
Kogane Yama’s signature bowl of Tendon offers options of Mixed, Chicken, Prawn and Vegetable.

All options include an identical assortment of vegetable tempura; lotus root, long beans, carrot, shiitake and enoki mushrooms, sweet potato and seaweed – deep fried in an aromatic mix of deep-soybean and sesame oil.

I would say just go for the Mixed Bowl, which includes chicken, prawn, along with the vegetables.

Customise the bowl with a choice of house-made blend, available in non-spicy and spicy levels 1, 2 and 3.

All tendon and donburi can be made into a set by topping up just $2.50 for homemade Chawanmushi ($2) and a bowl of Miso Soup ($1.50).

Kogane Yama Promo
Get 50% OFF every second Tendon or Donburi till 28 Oct 2018.

Terms & Conditions
• Valid for dine-in all-day till 28 October 2018 at Kogane Yama Bugis Junction and Jem.
• Discount will apply to the lower-priced item(s) ordered.
• Tendon must be ordered with rice as a base to qualify for this promotion.
• Flash this post on Kogane Yama’s Facebook to redeem.
• This offer cannot be stacked in conjunction with any other discount or promotion.

Also quote “DFD Donburi” to enjoy a FREE Chawanmushi and Miso Soup with every order of a Tendon or Donburi. Valid from 29 Oct (Mon) to 11 Nov (Sun), for dine-in customers only.

Kogane Yama – Jem
Jem #01-15, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549
Opening Hours: 11am-10pm Last order at 9.30pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 11pm Last Order 10.30pm (Sat – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/koganeyamasingapore

Kogane Yama – Bugis Junction
Bugis Junction #02-50, 200 Victoria Street, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last order 9.30pm (Mon – Fri), 11am-11pm Last Order 10.30pm (Sat – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Kogane Yama.

The post Kogane Yama – 9 NEW Donburi With Nothing Above $15. Plus 50% OFF Every 2nd Donburi appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

This will be a pretty short one, as the café is currently still in the soft launch phase, and has yet to launch its food options.

Brawn & Brains has launched an outlet on 218 East Coast Road, a few shops away from another strong ‘competitor’ Forty Hands. (I was hungry and also got a curry puff from next door’s Soon Soon Huat.)

While the coffee place is seldom in-your-face and not often in the radar, it has gathered quite a loyal fan-base over the years who vouch for their quality of coffee.

The Easties should like this space, it has natural light, minimalist decor and this easy-going calm vibes.

The outlet doesn’t have a big menu yet, primarily serves up coffee along with a small selection of pastries.

Other than croissants, try the Korvapuusti Pulla if it is available, a homemade Finnish style cinnamon roll like a sweet bread.

As for coffee, a house blend of “Pen & Pencil” is used, with beans from Brazil, Columbia, Ethopia, offering black, white, mocha, and iced versions.

I thought that the coffee was adequately smooth, and the nutty-ness rather obvious.

Compared to some other lattes in Singapore which tend to be on the acidic side, I found my cup pleasurable.

I can imagine why people would like Brawn & Brains, it is a small place with heart, cosy, not pretentious and coffee-focused.

Good that it has a bigger space than its previous outlet for small group gatherings and conversations.

Brawn & Brains Coffee
218 East Coast Road Singapore 428916
(Soft Launch)

Other Branch:
100 Guillemard Road, #01-02 Singapore 399718
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 6pm (Tues – Sat), 9:30am – 6pm (Sun), Closed Mon

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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[Taipei] Friends often ask me for café spots in Taipei, and this has always been my *secret* recommendation.

Actually, this place is not considered unheard of the Taiwanese and even tourists, as many of them head over during the weekends, but somehow it is seldom talked about among Singaporeans.

So here’s introducing Huashan 1914 Creative Park 華山1914文化創意產業園區, a hosting ground for Taiwan’s most significant cultural activities.

With a sprawling 19,800 square meter floor area in Zhongzheng District of Taipei, it is Taiwan’s primary creative arts center. You can spend a couple of hours here, especially if you are into artsy stuff.

Its story reveals its role as a bridge to a unique architectural past.

Huashan originated from an abandoned sake and ginseng factory of Taihoku Winery built in 1914. Some young thespians of Golden Bough Theatre discovered it in 1997. The group fixed up a section, and staged plays in that unique and unconventional venue.

The word spread and eventually, local artists and art/literary giants began using the space as venue for their creative works.

To get there, ride the MRT Blue Line (Bannan Line) going to Zhong Xiao Xing Sheng Station (忠孝新生). Exit at Exit 1, then walk straight. After 1 block, you should see an underpass and a giant red diamond. Just cross the street and you will arrive at Huashan 1914 Creative Park.

Known as Taiwan’s creative pulse, Huashan 1914 is now home to many designers and artists. Probably considered any young hipster’s dream.

This art and culture hub has facilities for meetings, exhibits and performances, usually from remodelled brick warehouses.

You will see quirky shops of indie brands, stationery and bookshops, digital and interactive museums, a theatre, and even a concert venue. Music lovers will love the mini outdoor concerts featuring Taipei’s most promising young musicians.

Schedule your visit depending on your preference and desired experience. During weekdays, the park isn’t as full as during weekends. Actually, can be somehow empty.

If you just want to escape and read a good book while sitting in a café, go on a weekday. If you want to catch some events like exhibits or concerts, they will be more likely scheduled on weekends.

I know you are concerned about the food. Aside from the few eateries, third wave coffee shops are available, serving cold pressed coffee and pastries.

Some of the food places there include Alleycat’s Pizza, Al Cicchetto Huashan Restaurant, Trio Cafe, Piccola Botega, Deja Vu, Casa Della Pasta, VVG Thinking 好樣思維, 一碗來 and Fab Café.

Ah, and StarBucks.

The café that is most prominent there is Fujin Tree Landmark Cafe Huashan Store. Other than the fact that many instagrammers come over for a token #OOTD shot in front of the iconic wall, it is known for coffee and selection of cakes.

One of the partners is Berg Wu, who was honoured in the World Barista Championship in 2016.

Popular dessert choices would be the Castella Cake provided by Simple Kaffa (TWD180, SGD8.00), Tieguanyin Tiramisu (TWD220, SGD9.80), Ruby Black Tea Roll Cake (TWD180, SGD8.00), and Matcha Green Tea Roll Cake (TWD190, SGD8.45).

Available in limited quantities, the Castella Cake baked Hanjuku style (half-baked) is a must-order, where you can that incredibly soft and even slightly gooey texture. It also has that honey-sweetness which made it ultra-delightful.

The Matcha Roll Cake is made using Morihan Kyoto Uji Matcha powder known for its premium grade quality, it was both moist and airy. Loved that soft cream in the middle.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park has a young, cool vibe despite it being an old structure underneath.

The old, worn out pillars, walls, and other remnants of the old factory are but silent witnesses to the passage of time.

Perfectly encapsulates the motto, “Old is the New Young”.

Children will enjoy playing in the open-space patch of green, while adults can wander around and breathe in the various scents of creativity.

Or simply give in and indulge in people watching. You may even spot young couples doing lovey-dovey couple photo shoots. Ahh, the joys of young love.

When shopping for merchandise made by local designers, expect to shell out a considerable amount.

Creativity isn’t exactly cheap. It is your own little way of supporting local talent.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park 華山1914文化創意產業園區
No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100 (Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station)
Tel: +886 2 2358 1914
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 9:00pm (Sun – Thurs); 9:30am – 10:00pm (Fri – Sat)
Google Maps – Huashan 1914 Creative Park

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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[Hong Kong] After multiple stops on my Hong Kong food trip, the guide asked if I had any more “last wishes”. Trust me, we tried A LOT of food, but without much hesitation, I went ”that Tomato Noodle Soup at Central”.

(Click PLAY for food highlights of Sing Heung Yuen勝香園.)

Somehow, I just didn’t get to try it despite multiple trips. The queue was too long, the weather not ‘right’, or friends were just distracted by Kau Kee 九記牛腩 opposite.

It turned out that the guide knows Irene, the current owner of Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園, and we both of had the same thought.

Here’s what so special about Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園: It is a “Dai pai dong”, an open-air venue stall which dates back to 1957, specialising in (Nissin) instant noodles in tomato broth.

”Dai pai dong” are iconic features of Hong Kong, though they are fast disappearing. It literally means “restaurant with a big license plate”, referring to the large size of the licenses that were issued in the past.

If you are a tourist, eating at a very local ”Dai Pai Dong” can be stressful, especially when it comes to ordering, sharing tables with strangers, and braving the heat during hot summer times.

Some of the most popular ones are found near Central’s Mid Levels, of which Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園 is a front-runner during the various media exposure it has been getting.

Irene Li Oi-lin, who is the second-generation owner of this place, has started working here when she was just 15 years old.

(All right, she did look kind of fierce initially but if you talked to her politely, she is actually quite a jovial and frank person. She shared that she did get irritated when bloggers and instagrammers would shoot her cooking without asking for permission. Oh no. But get into her good books, and you will show you all her steps and strike up a conversation.)

Irene shared that the family used to serve only classic cha chaan teng foods, but their Tomato Macaroni Soup got so frequently requested through word of mouth, that it became the signature dish.

Sing Heung Yuen’s signature tomato noodle soup is a simple dish, basically a mixture of instant noodles, canned tomatoes, freshly cooked tomatoes, topped with various ingredients.

The noodles are cooked in broths with different flavours, and tomato puree and soup is added in the end.

You can choose the type of noodles such as instant noodles, rice noodles or macaroni, added with sides of ham, luncheon meat, sausage, bacon, eggs, pork chop, chicken wings or sliced beef.

Each bowl ranges from HKD27 (SGD4.75, USD3.45) to HKD36 (SGD6.30, USD4.60), making it an inexpensive meal in the heart of the city.

To be really honest, I would say this was a fairly simple bowl of noodles.

But there were some things that would appeal to you, the broth was rich and thick with that tangy-sweetness that would whet your appetite.

It would also depend on the ingredients you get, and I found the sliced beef helped to make the bowl more substantial and flavourful, and runny egg added that touch of thickness.

Between the noodles and macaroni, I preferred the former due to its QQ-springy texture. But I would imagine some people finding this ordinary and well, over-rated.

The easiest way to reach Sing Heung Yuen is by taking the A2 exit from MTR Sheung Wan. Continue waking to Gough Street and in 6 minutes you will reach your destination.

Keep in mind that there is usually a long line in front during lunch hours.

Expect to find a classic ”dai pai dong” setting, basically a hawker stall which is shaded by canopies and has wooden tables and chairs where hungry patrons come to dine al-fresco style. The aunties serving may talk loudly and appear hurried.

Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園
2 Mee Lun Street, Central, Hong Kong (Sheung Wan MTR)
Tel: +852 2544 8368
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Google Maps – Sing Heung Yuen

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園 – Famous Tomato Noodle Soup From One Of Hong Kong’s Most Iconic “Dai Pai Dong” appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Hong Kong] The funny thing is, I only got to really like congee only during the recent years. Is it an age thing?

These silky-smooth congee are bowls of comfort that is warming to the belly, and I made it a point have at least two to three bowls every trip.

Somehow, Hong Kong’s congee is just on a different level all together.

The Hong Kong style is typically on the thicker side, cooked until the rice is almost disintegrated, added with fresh ingredients of fish, beef or pork slices, full of umami goodness. Many with flavours coming from slowly-cooked broth rather than just MSG.

Here are some of the Best Congee available in Hong Kong: (I know there are some more which has to be included in this list, to be added after my next trip. Haha.)

Trusty Congee King 靠得住
7 Heard St, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Wan Chai MTR Station Exit A5)
灣仔克街7號地下
Tel: +852 2882 3268
Opening Hours: 11am – 10:45pm (Mon – Sat), 11am – 9:45pm (Sun)
Google Maps – Trusty Congee King

Trusty Congee King 靠得住 is the first congee restaurant ever to be included in the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand listing.

While it was recommended in the guide from 2011 to 2016, it finally earned the recognition of offering “exceptionally good food at moderate prices” status by the Michelin Guide in 2018.

What makes Trusty Congee King different than other congee joints in the city is the fact they specialise in fish broth, and their dishes come with intense umami-laden flavours.

The owner thought that his own fish congee recipe was very delicious and “could be trusted upon”, thus the name.

The main focus here is congee cooked from fish broth made from 6 different types of dace fish, stewed for over 4 hours.

They do not use MSG in their cooking and therefore there is no need for any additional toppings.

The texture was more watery than what I was familiar with, but there was still that pleasurable smoothness and thickness in terms of consistency.

There was that natural seafood-y sweetness, and yet it didn’t have that fishy smell or taste typically associated with fish porridge. Trusty Congee King 靠得住 (Wan Chai, Hong Kong)

(Click PLAY for food highlights of Mui Kee.)

Mui Kee Congee Hong Kong 妹記生滾粥品
Fa Yuen Street Municipal Services Building, 123A Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 7am – 3pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues
Google Maps – Mui Kee Congee Hong Kong

While the Mui Kee at Singapore’s Shaw Centre comes with a 50-seater restaurant, the Hong Kong Mui Kee is located at the 3rd floor of a less-than-glamorous under-maintained food centre.

The congee is perfected over three generations, since the founder Mak Mai started the first stall in 1979.

To master the heirloom recipes and heritage cooking techniques, third generation owner Choi Kok Tung (also called “Ah Tung”), started training under his late grandmother since he was 22 years of age.

Mui Kee serves up a menu of mainly congee, with the signatures being Congee with Sliced Beef (HKD34, SGD5.70), Congee with Pork Meatballs (HKD34), Congee with Shredded Salted Pork and Preserved Egg (HKD34), and Congee with Fish Belly (HKD39, SGD6.50).

Each order of congee is prepared a la minute in a handmade copper pot, with the base delicately prepared with a selection of raw ingredients.

The congee is said to be prepared from scratch, following a five-hour-long process. The raw rice grains are first mixed with mashed century eggs, which help to break down the grains.

Every spoonful was flavourful, but not overly salty. Good enough to eat without having to add additional soy sauce. I particularly enjoyed the fish belly for its smokiness and freshness, all with power wok-hei. Mui Kee Congee 妹記生滾粥品 (Mongkok, Hong Kong)

Sang Kee Congee Shop 生記粥品專家 Branch 1: Original branch
7-9 Burd Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong (Sheung Wan MTR Station Exit A2)
上環上環畢街7-9號地下
Tel: +852 2541 1099
Opening Hours: 6.30am – 9:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Google Maps – Sang Kee Congee Shop Sheung Wan

Sang Kee Congee 生記粥品專家 is one of the favourite eats found in the Sheung Wan neighbourhood.

The quaint eatery has been around for more than 40 years, famed for its fish belly congee, so much so that CNN has included the place in its top 40 Hongkong dishes they cannot live without.

The original Sheung Wan shop offers just congee, while the other serves brisket beef noodles as well. (There are two other branches at Yau Ma Tei and Quarry Bay.)

Prices range from HKD32 (SGD5.54) to HKD62 (SGD10.74) – which would be the Congee with fresh fillet, sliced beef & chicken congee.

For certain choices such as Meat Ball Congee or Preserved Egg Meat Congee, you have an option between a small bowl (HKD32, SGD5.54) and a large bowl (HKD41, SGD7.10).

The Congee was silky smooth, almost grain-less. The taste of the Congee itself was slightly bland, supposedly so that diners can adjust it to their taste.

Fish fillets were sweet, fresh and tender, while the meat balls had great chewy texture. However, they were not as well seasoned as I would have liked.

Ho Hung Kee Congee and Noodle Shop 何洪记 – Causeway Bay
1204-1205 Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay (Causeway Bay MTR, near Times Square, take elevator or lift up to Level 12)
Tel: +852 2577 6060
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 11pm

Ho Hung Kee Congee and Noodle Shop is awarded a Michelin star, the first wonton noodle and congee shop to be given the accolades.

Other than Hysan Place, Ho Hung Kee has also opened a branch at Hong Kong International Airport Arrival Hall (non-restricted area), and Shanghai’s 789 Nanjing Xi Lu.

Their prized smooth congee cost HKD64 to 88 (SGD10.70 – 14.80) for a bowl with varied ingredients of sliced fish, sliced beef, meatballs, pork liver, salted lean pork, pork intestines, egg and preserved egg).

The congee was cooked for many hours, with a smooth creamy consistency. I think one of the best I had in Hong Kong (though not the most memorable).

Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop 正斗粥麵專家
Central Shop 3016-3018 (Podium Level 3), International Finance Centre (IFC), 1 Harbour View Street, Hong Kong
香港中環港景街1號國際金融中心商場3/F.,3016-3018號舖
Tel: +852 2295 0505
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 11:00pm Daily

Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop is established by the son of “Ho Hung Kee”, who made the brand more commercial and accessible, and is now a chain of restaurants with outlets in China and Malaysia (Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang).

The Hong Kong flagship is located at Happy Valley, and other branches can be found at Elements (Kowloon), Shatin, and Central IFC. (I recently realised they closed the branch at Hong Kong International Airport Departures East Hall, unfortunately.)

They are also higher priced in a higher end setting, and thus giving the impression that it may not be as delicious as those in the smaller shops.

One of the signatures is the Minced Fish Balls Congee, of thick creamy style that is quite flavourful, though I personally find Ho Hung Kee’s more memorable. Tip: You can actually ask for “MSG-free” congee base IF THEY HAVE as it comes in limited quantities. Tasty Congee & Noodle 正斗粥麵專家 (Central, HK)

Good Hope Noodle 好旺角粥麵專家
123 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2393 9036
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 12:00am Daily
Google Maps – Good Hope Noodle

Good Hope is one of the long-established players in the local wanton noodle scene amongst other well-known names like Mak’s Noodles,, Tsim Chai Kee and Ho Hung Kee.

In fact they have moved and expanded to 2 outlets in Mongkok now – one in Fa Yuen Street and the other along Sai Yee Street.

I really enjoyed their silky, smooth Congee with Meatballs (HKD37, SGD6.50) and the consistency was just nice – not too watery or thick. While it might have looked plain, every mouthful packed a punch of the taste of the broth the congee was cooked in.

Comforting for a tummy that needs some ‘light’ food. It would be very hard to decide between the wanton noodles or the congee if I had the appetite for only one dish. Good Hope Noodle 好旺角麵家 (Mongkok, Hong Kong)

Law Fu Kee Congee and Noodle Specialist 羅富記粥麵專家
G/F, 142 Queen’s Road, Central (Sheung Wan MTR Exit 1)
中環皇后大道中144號金利商業大廈地下
Opening Hours: 7am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

While Law Fu Kee is not as well-known to tourists compared to the other noodle shops in Central, it is well visited by locals and has a history of over 50 years. Finding the eatery is not that difficult, located near
Tai Cheong Bakery 泰昌餅家.

Indeed, the interior looked like it was caught in time.

It serves up a variety of congee (which they also call “rice soup”) with fish slices, meat balls, beef slices, pork slices, lean meat with century egg, and fish ball. Each bowl is priced from HKD34 to HKD44 (SGD5.98 to SGD7.74).

Cooked with old Thai long-grained Jasmine rice, the congee had quite a watery texture and lightly creamy. One of the recommended was the Pig Kidney’s and Liver – cooked tender without that strong smell.

Other than you tiao, another accompaniment you can get is the Deep Fried Fish Ball with clam sauce, said to be unique to this shop.

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* Compiled by @DanielFoodDiary and @kara_the_explorer. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Jalan Besar was once a upon a time quite in the radar of café hoppers, though that has quietened down this year.

With that said, there are still new café openings such as Apartment Coffee, Liberty Coffee Bar (Jalan Besar) and Black Fairy Coffee could result in some renewed interest.

(Photo credit: Nicholas Tan @stormscape)

With a name like “Black Fairy Coffee”, one would expect more whimsical or fantasy elements in terms of menu design or décor. I seriously thought it was an opportunity well missed.

The café did look promising, but I just wondered about the thought process that went behind its menu, which suggested a lack of cohesiveness.

The offerings included Poke Bowl, Croissant, Sandwiches, Toast, Salads, a Burger, an all-day breakfast item called Morning Feast, and a couple of desserts such as Parfait, French Toast and Ice Cream Waffles.

Sort of everything under the sky, yet limited.

The most thematic item on its menu board was The Goblin Burger ($20), of pulled pork and yogurt coleslaw and smoked barbecue sauce in a brioche burger bun. Gong Yoo himself may wonder what’s so “goblin” about this burger other than the name.

My question is: Why just ONE type of burgers, not a chicken, fish or beef burger as well?

In the mood for more ‘brunch-type’ food, I had the Morning Feast ($18) of scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, Italian sausage, baked beans and garden salad.

Similar to the above, this is the only egg-type-brunch dish on its menu, without the other usual suspects of Eggs Ben.

It was a decent plate, of creamier-than-average (perhaps too milky) scrambled eggs with fat, juicy sausage. Good stuff, but lacked of the distinctive factor.

During another visit, I had the Signature Pork Salad ($9.90), reasonably priced, good portion, with fresh tasting sashimi.

In fact, I had this twice and found it tastier the second time round in terms of its seasoning.

There were some cakes displayed, some sourced from supplier, some baked in-house.

The Indo Caramel Cake ($6.90) was the most intriguing, known to many as “Kue Sarang Semut”.

It had that sweet, caramel flavour, though texture could have been on the dry side, perhaps it had something to do with the refrigeration. I would suggest serving this with a sauce or ice cream so that there would be some moisture.

There were some promising aspects of Black Fairy Coffee – the ambience cosy with attentive staff. Perhaps they need some time before deciding what to focus in terms of the food aspect.

Black Fairy Coffee
131 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207553
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), 8:30am – 6pm (Sun)

Other Related Entries
Apartment Coffee (Lavender Street)
Liberty Coffee Bar (Jalan Besar)
Seven & Ate (Horne Road)
Antoinette (Penhas Road)
Chin Sin Huan 振新园 (Jalan Besar)

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The post Black Fairy Coffee – NEW Cafe At Jalan Besar, With Goblin Burger, Poke Bowls And Enchanted Matcha Parfait appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Of all the different styles of eggs, I like scrambled eggs undeniably the best (even though I feature quite a bit of poached eggs on Instagram.)

When I came across a new scrambled eggs centric café at Icon Village, I was quite enticed to try it, and may just visit the place even more frequently in future.

Scrambled is founded by four friends – two Daniels, Hayden and Charles.

Between Hayden and Ju Lih, they have worked in Michelin-starred kitchens like Gold in Hong Kong, Bacchanalia in Singapore, Jean Georges in New York and Odette in Singapore.

The main item here are the scrambled egg burgers, made using brioche buns ordered from the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends, toasted upon order. (Just so you know, the recently opened Birdy’s also uses the same buns.)

Each burger mixes both Western and Asian flavours together, with sauces used made in house.

Choices include the Signature Egg ($7.90) included with cheese, hashbrown, onion jam and chipotle aioli; Spam & Cheese ($8.90); Smoked Salmon ($10.90); Smoked Duck ($10.90); Bacon & Cheese ($8.90); Avocado & Tomato ($8.90); and Scrambled ($13.90) comprising of almost all the fillings available.

Okay, I must admit I had a quite a hard time picking the burger I wanted, because I wanted meat, meat, meat. Couldn’t find a beef patty, chicken, or fish around.

Hashroom? Spam? Bacon? How? I just finished a gym session.

Ended up with Spam & Cheese ($8.90) even though I am TRYING to avoid processed food nowadays.

The brioche bun did have a nicely toasted, chewy texture with black sesame adding some fragrance.

As for the star – the scrambled eggs, it did not disappoint as it was evenly seasoned and satisfactorily creamy.

But I would imagine if the eggs were warmer or even steaming hot, say Hong Kong cha-chaan teng style, it would been almost perfect.

Other than burgers, Scrambled also offers Scrambled Box Set ($5.90) which can be topped up with a side such as Smoked Salmon, Smoked Duck or even Truffle Oil.

Again, I thought it would have been more appealing to the office crowd if there were other choices of proteins such as grilled salmon or something, or ‘brunchy’ ingredients of sautéed mushrooms, sausage and salad.

The possibilities of scrambled eggs are endless, and Scrambled does have a unique yet well-liked offering. I think the boys from the shop just need to find that sweet spot that would better appeal to its target customers to keep them coming back.

Scrambled
12 Gopeng Street, 01-33/34 Icon Village, Singapore 078877 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6221 0289
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

Other Related Entries
25 Degrees Burger (Middle Road)
Omakase Burger (Wisma Atria)
Burger Joint Singapore (Amoy Street)
Oporto (Holland Village)
Burp Kitchen & Bar (Tanjong Katong)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

The post Scrambled – Scrambled Eggs Focused Café Offers Brioche Burgers And Egg Boxes, At Tanjong Pagar appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.