Hokkien Mee 福建炒蝦麵 is admittedly one of my favourite local hawker dishes, and I know of people who enjoy ta-paoing (takeaway) this dish.

This is so that the noodles can absorb all the ‘chup’ (sauce), and the key moment is when you open the packet and the pork lard aroma would fill up the house.

The dish typically consist of yellow noodles and rice vermicelli stir-fried with slices of prawn, squid, pork belly, egg and pork lard. It is often served with sambal sauce and lime for that added citrusy flavour.

Some of the key components at ‘judging’ a dish of Hokkien Mee include the wok-hei, consistency (too wet or dry), and flavours of the stock.

After trying more than 20 stalls in Singapore within a month (after doing a poll on IG), these are the 12 Must-Try Hokkien Mee in Singapore.

(Whenever I do such a listicle, I often get ‘scolded’ due to not including certain stalls. Perhaps they are just closed, standard unfortunately not quite there when I visited, or it is out-of-the-radar. This post will continue to be updated.)

Swee Guan Hokkien Mee
5 Lor 29 Geylang, Singapore 388060
Phone: +65 98175652
Opening Hours: 5pm – 10pm (Thurs – Tues), Closed Wed

It is not that easy to find Hokkien Mee fried on charcoal fire anymore.

Located at an inconspicuous coffeeshop at Geylang Lor 29, there is always a moderately long queue here, with fans waiting patiently in the heat for a plate of delicious Hokking Mee.

Note: The owner’s brother also has a stall called Geylang Lor 29, but this is located at East Coast. To prevent confusion, this stall’s name is changed.

Most people go for the $5 option, with a plate with that edgy, smoky taste due to the use of the charcoal. I would say it terms of wok-hei, portion, flavours, texture, this is quite balanced overall – difficult to fault.

Certainly one of the best versions you can get in Singapore.

One thing to note: There is no rice vermicelli used, just the semi-thick yellow noodles which gives it a slight sticky, sweet texture. Some people may feel that there is a stronger alkaline taste therefore.

Geylang Lor 29 Hokkien Mee
396 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428994
Tel: +65 97331388
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 9pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

I ate more than 20 plates for this listicle, but this was the one plate that made me stood up, stop, and go ”wow”. Because it had a rather surprising taste.

Operated by the brother (see above), this Hokkien Mee is still being prepared in the traditional charcoal fire. Therefore, be prepared to wait, say up to 20 to 30 minutes as uncle takes his time to cook up a storm.

The regular serving size of Hokkien Mee costs $6 and can even be sufficient enough for two people. If not, you can order than $10, $15 and $20 versions to get your fill.

What I loved the most about their dish was the distinct, classic flavour that can only come through the charcoal fire preparation of this famous dish.

The smokiness is its unique factor, and a class of its own and very ‘sexy’. You can even find those black bits throughout.

The noodles were perfectly wet, laden with robust flavours and complimented with ample amount of prawns and squid.

Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Mee
ABC Brickworks Food Centre Unit #01-13, Blk 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006
Tel: +65 9862 9296
Opening Hours: 3pm – 10:45pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun) Closed Wed

The queue waiting for a plate of wok-fried prawn noodles ($4, $5, $6) is very long, easily close to an hour during peak hours. I usually head over during late hours, so the wait is still manageable.

After it was listed in the Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand , the line has gotten much longer.

The stall is run by the second generation hawker Mr Toh Seng Wang, nearing 70, often wearing goggles cooking up a storm behind his large wok.

The plate of noodles comes with a sizeable amount of toppings including prawns and pieces of pork belly.

The noodles cooked in prawn stock is considered moist, though I won’t say it is wet, brimming with umami flavours, with good wok-hei.

As I eaten here quite a number of times, sometimes the base stock lacked of the strong seafood flavours, while there were times it was just spot-on. Manage your expectations a little, especially if you need to queue quite a while.

Havelock Rd Blk50 Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
ABC Brickworks Food Centre Unit #01-100, Blk 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues

Located also at ABC Brickworks Food Centre, I usually order from this stall because the queue is shorter, has more zhup (sauce), and I liked it with fresh cut chillis.

The stall sells Hokkien Mee in 3 sizes ($3, $4, $5), with each batch cooked fresh to order. The wok-hei may not be as strong, but flavours are there. Quite under-rated, really.

The stall started out close to 50 years ago at Havelock Road Blk 50 as has been run by the same couple.

However, as uncle and auntie are growing old, I noticed that they do not open the stall as often as before, and is often closed.

Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 天天来炒福建虾面
Blk 127, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh #02-27, Singapore 310127
Tel: +65 9671 7071
Opening Hours: 8am – 2:30pm (Tue – Sun), Closed Mon

Operating since 1968, Come Daily 天天来炒福建虾面 is one of the popular stalls at Toa Payoh Lor 1 that serve up Fried Hokkien Mee.

If you come during peak-hour weekends, the waiting time can be from 45 minutes to an hour. However, you will be given a buzzer so you can spend the time eating at other stalls. (Tip: You can also make a call +65 9671 7071 to pre-order.)

Their Hokkien Prawn Mee is fried with a combination of rice noodles and egg noodles with prawns as the main ingredient, topped with bits of pork crackling.

It is worth nothing the fresh pork lard is cooked every day, as some people really go after this.

I remember that in the past, the texture was a lot ‘creamier’ and stickier, while the current plate seems to be soupier / wetter, and could do with slightly more wok-hei

At least the noodles itself is infused with the prawn and pork broth, imparting a rich and mildly-sweet flavour.

Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Mee 亚福炒福建虾面
20 Kensington Park Road, #01-27 Chomp Chomp Food Centre, Singapore 557269
Opening Hours: 5:30pm – 12am (Mon, Wed – Sun); Closed Tues

There is always a long queue here, so be prepared for the long wait of at least 30 – 45 minutes while uncle whips up your order.

Their Fried Hokkien Mee ($3, $4, $5) is a mixture of thick yellow noodles and thin bee hoon noodles combined with prawns and squid and simmered in a rich prawn-flavoured broth.

Served with sambal chili (very delicious) and calamansi.

What I liked about the plate: The base was rich; the prawns fresh and you could still taste its natural sweetness.

If you love lard, you will be in for a shock since there are none of those crispy bits added.

Surprisingly (fans don’t come and scold me ah), I thought there could have been more wok-hei and so it lacked of that “wow” factor”. Perhaps it has to be with the hour I went – gone down quite late to avoid a long queue. (Note: Chia Keng is the other famous Hokkien Mee here, but close unexpectedly when I visited. Next time!)

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee
51 Old Airport Rd, #01-32, Singapore 390051
Phone: +65 64405340
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Of all the Hokkien Mee in Singapore, Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee probably has the most mixed reviews. Some enjoy its nostalgic taste; while others thought it used to be better (and service can be improved).

I actually didn’t get any bad service during my order. In fact, they even deliver the plate to your table. (Self service for tables 175 onwards).

At $5 or $8 a plate, their Hokkien Mee is moist (almost quite wet) with strong seafood flavours coming from the prawn and ikan billis stock. Of all the stock base, this came across as one of the sweetest and ‘soupiest’.

Another thing to note is that eggs are fried till fluffy with separate pieces, rather than ‘clinging’ on to the noodles.

Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
505 Beach Rd, #B1-34 Golden Mile Food Centre, Singapore 199583
Tel: +65 62946798
Opening Hours: 10am – 3pm (Mon), 10am – 5pm (Tues, Thurs – Sun), Closed Wed

Hokkien Mee can divide fans – there are supporters of the wet and saucy; while others enjoy the dry and flavourful.

This is the DRY version.

The Hokkien Mee at this stall stands out for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is cooked fresh on order. Secondly, the method of preparation is different, as the noodles are fried along with the stock until they completely absorbs the whole flavor.

This gives you a rich taste in every mouthful.

The Fried Hokkien Mee ($4) though disappointedly had a small serving size, came with delicious chilli for a tasteful kick to the noodles.

Xie Kee Hokkien Mee
51 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #02-174, Singapore 588215
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

I suspect this used to taste much better in the past, but at $3 per plate with all those ingredients, effort in frying and wok-hei, we shouldn’t complain much.

The queue can sometimes be painfully long, so I would suggest going slightly before peak lunch and dinner hours.

The noodles were of a flat variety which is a bit different than most Hokkien Mee. In terms of wetness and flavours, this is considered in-between.

While the soup stock and wok-hei could be a tad stronger, the chilli helps to enhance the overall flavours.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodle
153 Serangoon North Ave 1, #01-512, Singapore 550153
Tel: +65 90621201
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm (Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun), Closed Mon, Wed, Fri

Okay, this stall is not the easiest to get to (at least for me who stays far away haha) and it is located at an ulu coffeeshop – which was grey and slightly hard to find.

Also, the short operating hours and days (closed on Mon, Wed, Fri) made it inconvenient for me to find time to travel here. (Also check their Facebook in case they close unexpectedly.)

But many people told me I HAD TO TRY this Hokkien Mee, so I came with slightly higher than high expectations.

The Hokkien Mee ($4, $5) is cooked by a relatively young hawker, and the good thing is you would be given a buzzer so you do not have to stand in line.

While the portion was not fantastic, there were ingredients of fresh prawns, cuttlefish slices, and interestingly slices of pork belly and crispy pork lard.

The prawn noodles were gooey and wet, with delicious and rich stock. However, I thought that the wok-hei could have been stronger.

Sheng Seng Fried Prawn Noodles 生成炒虾麵
41A Cambridge Road, #01-40 Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, Singapore 211041
Tel: +65 6299 3981
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 5pm (Tue – Sun), Closed Mon

I would reckon that Sheng Seng Fried Prawn Noodles 生成炒虾麵 has a certain nostalgic taste that its regulars like.

Popular for its value-for-money Hokkien mee, Sheng Seng Fried Prawn Noodles offers its specialty starting at $3.00. Also available at $4, $5, $6.

For the price, you get a decent heap of noodles with prawns and squid with an old-school flair.

This wetter than usual version consists a good portion of a mix of thick and thin bee hoon and yellow noodles, served with thin slices of sotong, halved prawns, pieces of fishcake, egg, home-made sambal chili and some lime on the side.

In terms of flavours, I thought it lacked that strong ‘seafoody’ and prawn stock base, that customers with 重口味 (who generally prefer something more flavourful) may not fancy. The sweet chilli sauce was delicious though.

Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee
30 Seng Poh Road, Tiong Bahru Market Singapore 168898, #02-01 (10 minute walk from Tiong Bahru MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 4:30pm – 7:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

What is so special about Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee is that it has been featured in the Michelin Guide, receiving the Michelin Bib Gourmand yearly.

YET, not many people have heard of this stall.

The Hokkien Mee is cooked to order in small batches (rather than some stalls which already pre-cooked halfway) and makes use of flavourful stock and fresh ingredients.

3rd generation owner Manfred Lim will still take time to cook it quite traditionally in a wok, serve plate-by-plate, giving the noodles a slight charred flavour.

However, those who are looking for Hokkien Mee full of wok hei may leave slightly disappointed. I would use “moderate” to describe the heat, wetness and flavours.

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[Closing] JPOT at Tampines 1 mall has announced is impending closure, its last day of operations to be on the 16th of June (Sun).

Previously, JPOT has other branches at VivoCity and Parkway Parade, but they have both closed in the last 2 years.

As a farewell special, the JPOT team has launched a new Mala Soup base, to be paired with a Vegetable and Mushroom Platter at $8.80++ for an individual hotpot serving.

JPOT is one of the multi-brands under Singapore-based Jumbo Group.

As a form of gratitude to supporters, JUMBO Rewards members with a dining group of four or more persons at JPOT will also receive a complimentary hand-made Jumbo Pork Ball to relish with their hotpot.

JPOT offers its own unique version of the hotpot tradition with individual hotpots, but somehow the restaurant has not really crossed my radar in the recent few years.

This is perhaps due to aggressive competition and competition from other hotpot chain restaurants such as Hai Di Lao 海底捞 and Beauty In The Pot.

One word to describe JPot’s selling point is “personalization”, offer diners Singapore-style soup bases in their own individual hotpots.

Soup bases include Chilli Crab, JPOT Superior Broth, Herbal Soup, Bak Kut The, Fish Head Soup, Fish Head Soup with Brandy, Laksa, Tom Yum, and Vegetarian Soup.

For the soup base, what was recommended was the signature JPOT Superior Broth Soup ($6.80 solo/$14.80 large).

However, during my recent visit, my dining partner thought that flavours could be been richer.

The best bet could be the Laksa broth, which was like the gravy of our popular local dish, without that much oiliness and ‘coconuty’-richness.

If you order ala carte, the choices include Local Lobster ($12.80/100g), Boston lobster ($10.80/100g), Crab ($21.80/300g), Geoduck Clam ($15.80/100g or $48.00/plate), Star Garoupa ($8.80/100g), Garoupa ($42.80), Prawns ($11.80). But if you can’t choose, go for the Seafood Platter ($58.80).

Recommended meats are Sliced Wagyu Ribeye ($24.80), Sliced Premium Beef Short Rib ($14.80), Hand-made Chicken Balls ($5.80), Sliced Kurobota Pork ($11.80), Hand-made Jumbo Pork Ball ($5.80), Hand-made Cheese Pork Balls ($5.80), and Marinated Pork ($4.80).

Some slices of meats come with a raw quail egg. Break and add it to the meat to make it smoother when you cook them.

For some local delights, order the Sotong You Tiao, Fried Bean Curd Skin ($6.80) and Fried Fish Skin ($6.80).

JPOT Tampines 1
10 Tampines Central 1 #03-16 Tampines 1 Singapore 529536
Tel: +65 6532 3536
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 11:00pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

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COCA Restaurant (Suntec City)
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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.

Talk about popular fried hawker dishes in Singapore, and Char Kway Teow, Hokkien Mee, Fried Carrot and Oyster will come to mind.

Oyster Omelette 蠔煎, commonly called ”Orh Luak” consist of starch (typically potato starch), egg batter and small oysters fried today, usually enhanced with a spicy chilli sauce with lime.

The Singapore style is quite different from say the Taiwanese version – which is starchier and has a sweet-sauce poured over.

However, this is not a hawker dish that everyone loves, as it can be heavy and greasy.

Some of the notable stalls to get it from include Ang Sa Lee (Chomp Chomp Food Centre), 85 Bedok North Fried Oyster (Fengshan Food Centre), Heng 興 (Newton Food Centre), and Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette (Toa Payoh Lor 7), and Huat Heng Fried Oyster (Whampoa Drive Food Centre).

Huat Heng Fried Oyster is also listed in the Singapore Michelin Guide with a “Michelin Plate”.

Note that Whampoa Drive Food Centre has two blocks. Stalls in Block 91 mostly offer breakfast food and many close after lunch; stalls in Block 90 are usually open for lunch and dinner or even until midnight. Huat Heng is at Block 90.

It offers the popular Fried Oyster ($5, $8, $10), usually eaten as an accompaniment to your main meal, and a dish for sharing. The stall is not that crowded (ie you don’t normally see a long line.)

The way the baby oysters are fried with the eggs is different from other stalls, as you don’t get clumpy, large pieces of fried batter. The batter is cut up with a spatula during frying so you get a more even presentation.

A notable difference is that while portion seems smaller, the outer eggy layer is more crisp and not so starchy.

The fresh oysters remain succulent and juicy, and don’t dry out like shrivelled raisins. The $5.00 portion gives you about 5 pieces of oysters.

Another highlight is the accompanying chilli sauce. Their chili sauce is worth mentioning for its inherent sourness, with a subtle taste of lime. One of the better tasting chili sauce you can find here.

Compared to other hawker dishes, Fried Oysters are slightly more expensive. But if you factor in the freshness and taste of the oysters you are getting here, then it is well worth your money.

Huat Heng Fried Oyster
90 Whampoa Drive, #01-26 Whampoa Drive Hawker Centre, Singapore 320090
Opening Hours: 1pm – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

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Not too long ago, there would be a long-long queue for Baked Japanese Sweet potatoes outside Don Don Donki, in which customers would wait by the hour to get their hands on one or two of them.

Now, not so long or no queue.

Part of the reason is that there are many more Don Don Donki branches around, and price increased from the initial $2 to the current $2.80. Also, not so “trending” anymore.

If sweet potatoes are still your thing, you can go for these organic and healthy Korean Sweet Potatoes with a honey sweet taste.

Guma Guma is located at the basement 2 of Vivocity, a little kiosk owned by a Korean couple serving just Baked Sweet Potatoes and Sweet Potato Latte.

They seem rather friendly (and loving) and would gladly answer your questions.

The kiosk is so named, as ”goguma” means “sweet potatoes” in Korean.

The tubers are sold for $2.90 for one, $14.50 for five, $29.00 for ten. Unfortunately, there are no further discounts the more you get.

A combination with a Latte is priced at $7.20.

Compared to the other brand, this seems to be a fatter, softer, steaming hot version, with beautiful-purple skin and fleshy yellow inside.

However, it may lack of the ‘caramelisation’ and thus that added smoky-sweetness which would be a draw.

Of the two I bought, one was really delicious – full, nutrient packed and the perfect amount of sweetness; while the other was too fibrous.

So I guess it depends on your luck?

As for the Latte, an entire sweet potato is blended with full-cream milk, added with ice and cinnamon powder.

This feels so much more ‘real’ compared to many other similar drinks in the market, though drinking an entire cup yourself could mean no-more-stomach-space for dinner.

Guma Guma
#B2-K12 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Kway Chap is not the kind of local hawker food that diners would say is “instagrammable”, and one of my friends said, ”It does take a certain age to appreciate intestines.”

Agree?

The Teochew dish consists of two parts – the selection of ingredients generally made up of duck meat, pork belly, pig innards, intestines and others (such as tau pok and fish cake); and a bowl of broad, smooth rice sheets in a soy sauce broth.

Cheng Heng Kway Chap and Braised Duck Rice (#02-05) is one of the 40 food stalls at the 660-seater Holland Drive Food Centre (built in 1979 and renovated in 2013).

Located near another kway chap stall, Blanco Court Kueh Chap (at #02-02) Cheng Heng is up for some friendly competition especially that it earned a Michelin Plate from the Michelin Guide Singapore.

Expect to wait for about 15 minutes when in queue.

The two aunties behind the stall was very friendly and all smiles, and it was a pleasure to see them at work – one chopping up the ingredients, the other cooking the rice sheets and assembling.

Serving its own version of Kway Chap ($3.50 for individual set), Cheng Heng is one of stalls you can line up for when you crave for those soft and smooth rice noodles and, at the same time, Braised Duck Rice.

Of the two components, I enjoy the ”kway” part better – which were really smooth and would just slide down as you take you bite. Also the sheets do not clump together, which is also a testament to their ‘skills’.

The thin kway is soaked in a sour-ish, not-overly-salty soya stock with a hint of herbal after-taste.

You can also customise your meal with your choice of side ingredients like tender braised duck, pork belly (with a good fat-to-meat ratio), painstakingly-cleaned pork intestines, preserved vegetables, and braised egg comes for just a few dollars more.

While the intestines could be slightly softer and the base sauce was slightly on the saltier side, there was no strong gamey taste and portion was good.

The pig’s skin – even though I don’t normally order it, is not to be missed.

Their braised duck is tender and richly-flavoured. If you come towards the latter part of the day, it is possible for the duck to run out.

Do note the rice here is just normal rice, and not yam rice. For more flavour, just ask for lots of sauce from the two cute aunties that run the stall.

Cheng Heng Kway Chap and Braised Duck Rice 進興粿汁.鹵鴨飯
44 Holland Drive, #02-05 Holland Drive Food Centre, Singapore 270044
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 2:30pm (Mon – Sun)

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

In our modern Singapore society where everything is about being fast, fast, fast, having a meal of Claypot Rice can certainly test the patience of many.

I am talking about the good-old Claypot Rice cooked over charcoal from scratch, which is fast disappearing. At the popular stalls, be prepared to wait anything from 45 minutes to more than an hour.

The good thing is, many stalls allow you to make phone calls to reserve, so that the waiting time is not so excruciating.

So what is it about Claypot Rice, since most of the ingredients such as chicken, lup cheong, salted fish and sometimes Chinese mushrooms are about the same.

It is the skill in cooking and managing the fire, and of course the type of dark soya sauce, oil and chilli given to enhance the flavours.

Not forgetting about the ”guo ba”, when the charcoal cooking leaves a nice charred layer of rice sticking to the bowl waiting to be scraped off once the bulk of the rice is gone. Yums.

I haven’t got enough time to go around Singapore to try all the worthy Claypot Rice yet, but here are some of the famous ones. (Again, don’t ‘scold’ me for not including certain stalls.)

New Lucky Claypot Rice
Holland Drive Market and Food Centre, 44 Holland Drive, Singapore 270044 (10 min walk from Buona Vista MRT)
Tel: +65 6778 7808
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:00am – 1:00pm, Dinner 5:00pm to 8:00pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun) Closed on Wed

Opened since 1979, the stall used to be located in Bukit Merah and Clementi, but has since moved to its current location in Holland Drive.

The waiting time is estimated to be between 20 to 30 minutes for off-peak periods, and 45 to 90 minutes for peak period.

You can call to reserve (+6567787808) to minimise the wait, but be ready with your orders, and remember the queue number they gave you. For dinner service, call at 4:00pm onwards. Nothing earlier.

The signatures at New Lucky Claypot Rice include the Claypot “Wu Wei” Rice for two pax ($10/$15), 3 pax ($15/$20), 4 pax at ($20/$25). The “Wu Wei” rice includes a mix of both chicken and Chinese sausages.

I found the lup cheong particularly tasty without being tough or dry, specially supplied by a shop in Chinatown.

The chicken pieces were also well marinated, had a smoky flavour, without being too bony.

Additional tip: The chilli sauce bowl is kept at the side of the stall. Do go get some. New Lucky Claypot Rice (Holland Drive)

Lian He Ben Ji Claypot
Blue Zone Block 335 #02-198/199 Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
Tel: +65 6227 2470
Opening Hours: 4:30pm – 11:00pm (Fri – Wed), Closed Thurs (Note: Chinatown Complex Food Centre is currently undergoing renovations till end June 2019)

Mdm Lim runs Lian He Bin Ji with her sisters (and also a cousin), hence it earned the moniker “Sisters Claypot” or “Three Sisters’ Claypot Rice”.

The average waiting time can be anything from 30 minutes to more than an hour, as they have no shortage of customers. When they tell you it is 1 hours 15 minutes, it is really about there.

Why is Lian He Bin Ji’s claypot rice so good and worth the painstaking wait?

It starts with good quality long grain rice that is cooked to order and never pre-cooked. The minimum waiting time is 25 minutes. That is the time it takes to cook the rice grains and for the flavours to meld together.

Each claypot of rice is steamed to a boil over a gas stove for 5 minutes. Once boiling, ingredients are added so all the flavours could seep into the rice. Then, the claypot is transferred to one of the charcoal stoves.

There it sits and simmers over the blazing charcoal flames for the next 20 minutes. That will give the rice a wonderful, smoky flavour.

They do not scrimp on ingredients and use good chunks of chicken in bone, duck liver sausages, pork belly, and slivers of salted fish, wax meat, and lup cheong (Chinese sausage). Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice (Chinatown)

Geylang Claypot Rice 芽笼瓦煲饭
361, 363, 365 Beach Road Singapore 199576
Tel: +65 6744 4574
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Do not be confused, Geylang Claypot Rice is located at 361 Beach Road (opposite The Concourse) and not Geylang Lor 33 anymore.

After a wait of several months, the popular Geylang Claypot Rice has moved from a humble coffeeshop, and reopened to a modern swanky shop with 3 shop spaces.

The high point is the house specialty Claypot Rice ($15 for 2 pax, $26 for 4 pax, $36 for 6 pax), cooked in a claypot over charcoals.

Each pot is served with toppings of pork belly, bits of salted mackerel fish, well-marinated chicken, two types of lup cheong (Chinese sausages), and fresh vegetables.

I must say that the portion and ingredients were generous, and it is not difficult to find many pieces of tender chicken within – I almost didn’t get any dry pieces. Be careful though, as some chicken chunks come with small pieces of bones.

The rice was fragrant and moderately soft, without that greasy feeling.

One of the highlights is always the guo-ba – those ‘burnt’ rice-parts that sticks to the side of the pot that needs to be scraped out. They were nicely-crispy, yet not charred and black. Geylang Claypot Rice (Beach Road)

Yew Chuan Claypot Rice
#01-73 Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road Singapore 199583
Tel: +65 9137 5661
Opening Hours: 12pm – 8:30pm (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri), 4pm – 8:30pm (Sat, Sun), Closed Thurs

Close to 40 years in the claypot rice business, this couple team is still going strong at its original stall at Golden Mile.

The main dish – Claypot Chicken Rice, is the star of this food stall. It comes in varied portion sizes. You can get it for $12, $18, $24, $30,

However, warning warning, you have to wait a good half an hour as the stall is often crowded as your food is prepared fresh on order. But it is well worth the wait.

Yew Chuan’s Claypot Rice is a classic – fragrant rice which was topped with tender marinated chicken pieces, tasty Chinese sausages, fresh green vegetables and light traces of salted fish.

The winner was the soya sauce, thick and dark, yet not overly salty which would usually make one thirst.

Added with a formulated sweet chilli sauce, the combination was aromatic and addictive. Cooked over charcoal, the moist rice was soft and fluffy on the bite.

It complimented well with the slightly salty meat and sausage slices. One wished for some mushroom pieces for an added texture though.

Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice
ABC Brickworks Food Centre Unit #01-38, 6 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-38, Singapore 150006
Opening Hours: 4pm – 11pm (Mon – Tues, Sat – Sun), Closed Wed, Thurs, Fri

Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice sells authentic claypot rice at $10 for a 2 person portion.

The rice comes with tender meat (depending on which one you order) that is marinated in a special spice mix over 5 hours, and other generous amount of toppings including Chinese sausages and salted fish.

Each claypot is cooked to order over a traditional charcoal stove which may explain why there is a long wait at all times at the stall.

Additional note: It seems like the quality of the Claypot Rice would depend on who’s cooking it, according to online reviews. Generally, the elderly uncle and auntie seem to be the ones people go for.

Tai Liok Claypot Chicken Rice
Alexandra Village Food Centre Unit #01-66 120A Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 151120
Opening Hours: 5pm – 10pm (Wed– Sun), Closed Mon, Tues

The stall used to be located at Level 2 of Margaret Drive Food Centre, and has moved to Alexandra Village Food Centre. A lot of regulars have continued supporting this stall.

It sells the fragrant dish of Claypot Chicken Rice (price depends on portion size) that comes with a generous portion of lup cheong and boneless chicken meat.

The price is at $12 for 2 pax, $18 for 3, $23 for 4, and $28 for 5.

The rice is fragrant and considered to wetter than the typical which is on the drier side; topped with generous portions of chunky yet soft chicken meat.

You can also add on side dishes including Oyster Sauce Vegetables ($5 – $6), Pig Stomach with Pork Rib Soup ($4), Water Cress with Pork Rib Soup ($4) and Herbal Black Chicken Soup ($3).

Tip: You can call in advance (say 30 minutes to an hours) to place an order as it will take some time to cook the rice.

Other Related Entries
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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

You either go big or go small. Such is the case of some of our famous pau stalls in Singapore.

Teochew Handmade Pau 朝洲自制包点有限公司 at Toa Payoh Lor 1 Food Centre serves up small-sized dim sum items, and is relatively popular with residents around the area.

Located near the Braddell MRT Station, this small hawker centre consists of only 40 stalls yet the food offerings are varied and interesting – which includes Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, Chey Sua Carrot Cake, Lao Shen Ji Si Mian, Congee 88, and Deanna’s Kitchen serving Prawn Noodles.

The Teochew Handmade Pau stall is also listed under the “Michelin Plate” in the Singapore Michelin Guide.

After the sudden closure of Tanglin Teck Kee Pau, we may start to treasure all our favourite pau shops a little better, including Tanjong Rhu Pau, Ho Kee Pau, Tiong Bahru Pau, Lai Kee Pau, and Nam Kee Pau.

This stall popular for breakfast has been selling since 1993, and one of the few stalls in Singapore that still sells pau made by hand.

2nd generation hawker, Richard, has adapted his father’s Teochew-style pau recipe with leaner pork to cater to younger, health-conscious diners.

Their traditional paus are bite-sized and comes in delicious fillings, such as pork, lotus seed paste a.k.a. Longevity Pau, red bean paste, and home-made char siew.

Offerings include Char Siew Bao ($0.80), Small Pork Bao ($0.80), Red Bean Bao ($0.80), Lotus Paste Bao ($0.80), Lian Rong Shou Tao ($0.80), Glutinous Rice ($1.60), and Char Siew Rice ($1.60).

There are bigger versions of the Pork, Chicken and Shou Tao, sold at $1.60.

Their Shou Tao are extremely popular with families intending to celebrate a birthday, especially with the elderly.

For the Char Siew Bao ($0.80), they grill their own char siew in the central kitchen before mincing to fully absorb the sauce.

With a 50:50 dough-to-filling ratio, the pau skin is delicate and puffs to a nice, smooth finish. Caster sugar is used to prevent it from being dimpled, while lard oil is added to the dough for added flavour.

Some people may feel that it is too small and not substantial enough, especially when they expect meatier fillings. You can literally pop one into your mouth like a snack.

Another one of their specialties include Kong Ba Bao ($0.80), filled with kong ba pork braised in dark soy sauce ‘til tender. Harder to find in Singapore now.

Special mention to their Siew Mai ($0.80), made using fish paste instead of the usual pork and prawns. May not be everybody’s cup of tea though, especially if you come expecting something slightly fatty and succulent.

The tip is come in a group, and order a bit of everything – you may like some a lot more than the others. One thing for sure, such traditional hand-made goodies should be treasured.

Teochew Handmade Pau 朝洲自制包点有限公司
127 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #02-02 Tao Payoh West Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310127
Tel: +65 6254 2053
Opening Hours: 6am – 2pm (Tue – Sat), 6am – 12pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee (Toa Payoh)
Chey Sua Carrot Cake (Toa Payoh Lor 1)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Has it been a year already?

The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar will be back next week, slated to be held from 3rd May (Fri) to 5th June (Wed) 2019.

Last year, food items such as Satay Meatball buckets, Ondeh Ondeh Pancakes, “Crispy Rendang” (remember the MasterChef incident?), Durian Churros, Raclette Cheese and Grilled Beef Cubes were some of most popular, with customers queuing at these stalls for up to an hour.

Based on feedback from the previous years – that food is too “hipster” and rental is high, there will be some changes that will be implemented.

There will be about 60% of the food stalls offering “traditional Malay food”, while the other 40% can sell “contemporary” or “hipster” options.

Also, these stalls are required to be certified Halal by MUIS, fulfill a set of Halal criteria, or need to be Muslim owned. Vendors need to be responsible for ensuring that food products are Halal.

Organised by cultural heritage hub Wisma Geylang Serai, a cap has been put on rental costs at $14.000.

This is in contrast with vendors who paid up to $15,000 in 2017, and $20,000 in 2018.

There will also be less stalls this year, at 500 compared to 800 in 2018.

With these measures in place, hopefully price of food items will be more affordable, there will be more space for visitors to walk around, and the feeling of nostalgia will return to the bazaar.

In terms of the food, it is interesting to note (at least for me) that many vendors remain tight-lipped about what they are going to sell until the time ‘is right’, partly for fear that there will be copy-cat versions.

However, the Catch 22 situation is that stalls which start marketing their food earlier generally gain more media attention, and thus publicity and long lines.

(I know I will be expecting loads of emails next week onwards with regards to tastings, but I say on the onset that I queue and pay for my own food.)

It will be interesting to see how stalls get creative enough to incorporate traditional aspects into food that can appeal to younger customer base. I thought last year’s Satay Meatballs and Ondeh Ondeh Pancakes were great examples.

The one stall we can look forward to is BURP Live Station Catering which will be offering Lobster Rolls ($19) using Maine lobsters. (Okay, so this is part of the 40% hipster food.)

The Lobster Rolls come in 2 different flavours – London Lobster Roll with coating of melted lemon butter, and Laksa Lobster Roll with a local Singapore twist.

The rolls are served with a side of Cassava Chips.

Also available is White Rabbit bucket drink that could bring back childhood and old school memories, and provide a refreshing respite from a hot weather.

For first timer visitors, remember to wear casual clothes, hydrate yourselves, bring enough wet tissue, cash and coins, and just immerse in the celebrations. Have fun!

How to get to Geylang Serai Market
MRT: Paya Lebar Station
Bus: 2, 7, 13, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, 51, 67, 76, 154 and 155

(Click PLAY for highlights of Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2018.)

It is about time. The most famous fluffy pancakes from Osaka Japan – Gram Café & Pancakes will be COMING TO SINGAPORE. (Also read: 12 Delicious Pancake Places In Singapore)

The confirmed location will be at Level 2 of VivoCity, and the pancake café is set to open in June.

(Click PLAY for video highlights of Gram Café & Pancakes in Bangkok.)

This is indeed the year of many high profile openings in Singapore, including Shake Shack, Burger and Lobster and The Alley at Jewel Changi Airport.

As for Gram, THIS is the OG of Japanese instagrammable wobbly pancakes.

You may have seen videos of Gram’s Pancakes which made their way around social media, of stacks of 3 pancakes being ‘shaken’ on plates.

Gram is famous for its 3-stacked “Premium Pancakes”, each 4 cm thick, served with syrup, butter and whipped cream.

It is all about the texture – ultra-fluffy, soufflé-like, and melt-in-your-mouth.

You can possibly look out for offerings such as Classic Pancakes, Tiramisu Pancakes, Caramelised Banana Pancakes, Mixed Fruits & Chocolate Pancakes, and French Toast.

I once had the Tiramisu Pancakes, which had a more typical pancake texture, though the cocoa powder and light delicious cream made it a lot more appealing and enjoyable.

Expect long queues and loads of “pancake selfies” and boomerang videos when it opens. Stay tuned here for updates.

Gram Café & Pancakes Singapore
VivoCity #02-110/111, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585

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

King Albert Park (KAP) still remains rather ‘quiet’ for café-hoppers, but there are always food places to be found there such as EagleWings Loft, Kindred Folk, and Camaca.

Then, I spotted The M Plot, which on first glance may not give you an indication what they are actually selling.

They actually serve up Macarons, and offer many types with creative flavours.

The unique flavour selection is inspired by Asian food cultures, and you can find anything from Salted Egg Yolk x Curry, Thai Tea, Purple Yam, to Lychee x White Chocolate.

By adding say a hint of curry leaf into the classic sweet dessert, they hope that customers can have a surprising outcome. As though there is some roller coaster in your mouth.

Also available are cakes such as Chocolate Mango Mousse Cake ($8), and Grapefruit x Cheese Tart ($8).

I was curious about their “Big Macaron” ($8.50), which comes in flavours of Raspberry Rose Lychee
Rose, Chocolate Hazelnut Praline, and Black Forest.

The Black Forest turned out to be quite delightful, of 60% dark chocolate based, with a layer of premium Madagascar vanilla beans ganache, topped up with sour cherries and finished with classic chocolate flakes.

There were components of both desserts in one. You get the crispiness on the outside like a macaron, and chocolate-cherry touch of the black forest.

The ordering area is downstairs, while dining area is upstairs. While the space may seem small, it is cozy enough with pop culture artworks around to add some character.

The M Plot
No. 9 King Albert Park, KAP #01-05, Singapore 598332 (King Albert Park Downtown Line)
Tel: +65 6223 1986
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Tue – Sun), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
EagleWings Loft (King Albert Park)
Kindred Folk (King Albert Park)
Camaca (King Albert Park)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

There are a number of new dining options at KēSa House along Keong Saik Road, from Olivia Restaurant & Lounge (Barcelonan food), MAG’s (Modern French cuisine), Pasta Bar, The Old Man (cocktails), The Guild, and The Affogato Lounge.

Some restaurants have more visibility than others, with a couple going quite under-the-radar.

The Affogato Lounge is a spin-off from The Affogato Bar at Cluny Court Bukit Timah Road, specialising in alcoholic infused affogatos, micro-batch ice cream, and Italian bites such as Paninis, Bowls and Baked Quiches (available from 8am to 5pm).

Their Panini include varieties such as Duck Croque Monsieur, Black Forest Ham & Cheese, Spicy Italian, Truffle & Cheese, and Mediterranean, priced from $12 to $16.

Beyond the attractive turquoise coloured façade, the interior certainly looked artfully-designed, with geometric wooden panelling, mood lighting, and contemporary vibes.

Guests walk in and out of the Lobby Lounge, and certainly brings out the mood of the space.

The Affogatos are certainly the highlight of the menu, but so is the pricing – from $14 to $20. The highlight being the alcoholic Tiramisu ($20) served with a double shot of Paramount and house blend liquor.

If you have yet had an Affogato before, it is an Italian coffee-based dessert, which typically has a scoop of gelato “drowned” with a shot of espresso.

I had a Trilogy ($16), with 70% dark chocolate sorbet with caramel blanc and dark cacao, served with a double shot of Fitzroy.

The intensity of both the sorbet and coffee shot made it a moment to remember, when the bitter and sweetness, hot and cold ‘collides’ together in one spoonful.

That happiness is short-lived though, as the dessert was small and quick to finish.

Specialty coffee is also served, with beans sourced from Ozone Coffee Roasters New Zealand.

Get the Bittersweet Symphony ($6 for hot, $7 for iced). With its addition of dark cocoa and vanilla chai, it made me wonder if this would be the love-child of a marriage between mocha and chai latte.

With its pricing, The Affogato Lounge may not be an everyday kind of café, but when you want to indulge in a once-in-a-while affogato treat.

The Affogato Lounge
55 Keong Saik Road, #01-02, Singapore 089158
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

The Affogato Bar
501 Bukit Timah Road #01-04B Cluny Court Singapore 259760
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm

Other Related Entries
The Affogato Bar (Bukit Timah Road)
Baristart Coffee (Tras Street)
Cafe Leitz Singapore (Raffles Hotel)
Alchemist (MacTaggart Road)
The Matcha Project (Marina Boulevard)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Usher in the merry month of May with a preview of the best Mother’s Day dining promos out there.

There are 5 Restaurants to Treat Your Mothers during the month of May, which includes dining deals such as 50% OFF your buffet meal, “Mum-Dines-Free” with every 2 paying adults, and 1-for-1 Weekend High Tea Buffet.

There are other 5 Restaurants to Treat your Mothers on Mother’s Day (12th of May), in which you can enjoy special promotions with up to 30% OFF dining bill on Mother’s Day.

Whether your mom prefers to celebrate over Sunday buffet lunch, dim sum meal, or a laid-back afternoon tea, your choices are varied and could be difficult to narrow down to just one.

So go ahead, read, and choose which one is best suited to her liking. Make her feel special and loved with a carefully chosen venue and menu that speaks to her heart – and tummy!

5 Restaurants to Treat Your Mothers in the month of May:

Marriott Cafe, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Rd, Level One, Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Opening Hours: Breakfast 6.00am – 11.00am (Mon – Sun)
Lunch 12.00pm – 2.30pm (Mon – Sun)
High Tea 3.00pm – 5:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Dinner 6.30pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

Marriot Cafe offers one of the best and freshest international buffets in town, located in the heart of Orchard Road. The dishes here are freshly-made, prepared-a-la-minute by the team of chefs that run the restaurant.

Start off your meal at the impressive salad bar, where they offer more than 15 varieties of salad leaves presented market style. Create your own salad combination by mix-matching the 20 accompanying condiments available.

Once ready for the main courses, head off to the Gourmet Roast Section where you and your family can indulge in their succulent roasts like the Australian Roast Beef Sirloin, Australian Roast Prime Ribs (only available Sunday lunch), and the signature Roast Pork Saddle with Prunes & Pancetta Stuffing.

Mom loves seafood? Let her pick her fave from the Seafood on Ice station. There are Boston Lobsters and Snow Crab Legs (only available on Sundays), as well as freshly shucked oysters, poached prawns and crayfish.

Of if she prefers the comfort of local dishes, the traditional Singapore Chili Crab, Laksa and Chicken Rice are available as well as vegetarian delicacies.

Finally, pamper mom with something as sweet as her. The decadent Sticky Date Pudding is a beautifully handcrafted dessert that will put a smile on her face after a satisfying meal.

Price of Buffet, Lunch Buffet Monday to Saturday: (Price before discount)
Adult $59++
Child $35++ (Age: 5 to 12 years old)

Sunday Lunch Buffet:
Adult $78++*/$98++**
Child $38++ (Age: 5 to 12 years old)
*Inclusive of free flow of soft drinks & juices
**Inclusive of free flow of sparkling wine, beer & juices

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
50% OFF Daily Lunch Buffet

T&C:
– Reservations to be made at least 3 days in advance via 68314605.
– Not valid with other promotions, discounts or privileges.
– Applicable from Monday to Sunday. Not valid on the eve of and on Public Holidays and any other special occasions as defined by the Hotel, such as on Mothers’ Day and Father’s Day.
– A max of 6 pax per reservation, limited to 50 seats per day
– Discount is applicable only on the food bill and not applicable on
service charge.
– For reservations, please visit singaporemarriott.com/dining or call 6831 4605.
– Prices are subject to 10% service charge and 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST).

The English House
28 Mohamed Sultan Road Singapore 238972
Tel: +65 6545 4055
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm (Mon – Fri) and 11.30am – 3pm (Sat),
Dinner 5pm – 12am (Mon – Sat), Sunday Roast 12pm – 8pm (Sun)
Last Order 10:15pm (Mon – Sat)
Sunday Roast 11:30am – 8:00pm. Last Order 7pm (Sun)
(The restaurant does not serve à la carte dishes on Sunday)

Inspired by colonial Singaporean heritage, The English House is an elegant house and restaurant with private dining rooms helmed by renowned Celebrity Chef, Marco Pierre White.

Step back into time this Mother’s Day, and treat mom to a graceful dining ambiance filled with classic relics of the glorious past.

The place is dramatic, accentuated with glimmering candles and black and white photographs by Terry O’Neill, a British photographer renowned for documenting the style and fashion of the 1960s.

Go for the 4-Course Menu, which includes canapés, starter, choice of roast or main course, and dessert at $75.

To start off, you’ll get 2 types of canapés and 1 starter from the Starter Selection. Choose either a Roast item – pick from either the Roast Chicken Properly Garnished, Roast Rib of Black Angus Molly Parkin or Honey Roast Pork Belly with Apple Sauce (served with sage and onion stuffing and honey roasting juices) or any of the main courses from the Mainboards.

The Wheeler’s Fried Cod (served with beef fat chips, gros sel, sauce tartare, and marrow fat peas) and Mr. Lamb’s Shepherd’s Pie (made with jus a la fleur de thym and buttered garden peas) are recommended mains.

For dessert, pick one from the 6 items in the Puddings & Cheese section, including a Vintage Stilton (served with a sherry-soaked fruit cake), Bread & Butter Pudding with Fresh Cream, and The Box Tree Eton Mess.

Good news! Every mother who dines at The English House will receive a Chef-curated dessert for free. If you’re lucky, she may share with you the Macaron, Orange Madeleine and Chocolate Tart included in the complimentary platter.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
– 25% off à la carte on selected items for lunch and dinner (Mondays to Fridays only)
– 25% off à la carte on selected items for lunch (Saturdays only)
– 15% off Mother’s Day Sunday Roast Menu (12 May 2019)
– Marco’s Set Lunch at $45 (U.P. $65)

T&C:
– The Offers are applicable for food only, not applicable to all beverages.
– The Offers are not valid on eve of Public Holidays, Public Holidays, blackout dates and special occasions determined by the Merchant.
– The Offers are not valid in conjunction with other discounts, offers, promotions, privileges and vouchers.
– To enjoy the Offers, payment must be made with a HSBC credit card.
– Reservations must be made in advance. Cardholders must quote “HSBC” when making reservations.
– To enjoy the Offers, cardholders must quote “HSBC dining privileges” prior to ordering.
– This Promotion is valid from 1 May 2019 to 31 October 2019, except for the Mother’s Day Promotion which is only available on 12 May 2019.
– HSBC is not the supplier of and accepts no liability for the goods and services provided by the Merchant involved in this Promotion.
– The Merchant and HSBC reserve the right to vary any of these terms and conditions, or to withdraw this Promotion, at any time in their discretion without prior notice.
– Merchant’s terms and conditions apply. Please contact the Merchant directly for full details
– The Merchant and HSBC’s decision on all matters relating to privileges, terms and conditions in this promotion will be final and binding on all participants
– All information is accurate as at time of publishing or posting online.

Azur, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
75 Airport Boulevard (Level 2) Singapore 819664
Tel: +65 6823 5354
Opening Hours: Breakfast 6am – 10:30am, Weekday Lunch 12pm – 3pm, Weekend Brunch 12pm – 3:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm

Another dining option you should seriously consider for Mother’s Day is Azur at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, a buffet and a la carte restaurant listed on Singapore Tatler in its Best Restaurants Guide for 2018/2019.

Reserve your tables early and get the best seats in the house as you dine with a view of their “cooking theatre”.

Azur features an open-kitchen where chefs serve an extensive buffet spread combining Asian delicacies and Western favourites.

Signature items include a selection of seafood specials like Chilli Crab, Seafood Paella, and the family-friendly Whole Salmon in Rock Salt. If no meal for you is complete without meat, you can try their signature Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib served with their House-made BBQ Sauce.

You shouldn’t miss the Prawns in Herbal Soup, a nourishing bowl of goodness combining the naturally sweet prawns and the aromatic mix of herbs and a special soup base.

For dessert, cleanse your palate with a Double Boiled Pear with White Fungus or enjoy the flavours of a Mini Cuppa Durian Mousse.

As a special treat to all mothers who dine at Azur for the Mother’s Day Brunch, they get a relaxing and complimentary 20-minute back and shoulder massage, courtesy of Essence Vale Spa at Level of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. Don’t forget to claim the massage vouchers.

Finally, all diners who troop to Azur for the Mother’s Day Brunch get a free serving of Braised Abalone and Sea Cucumber in Superior Sauce.

Price of Buffet:
Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet (11 & 12 May 2019)
$88++ per adult | $44++ per child (6 – 12 years)
*Children below 6 years old dine free.

Usual lunch and dinner buffet prices in May are:
(Mondays – Saturday) Lunch – $58++ per adult | $29++ per child
(Sunday) Brunch – $88++ per adult | $44++ per child
(Monday – Thursday) Dinner – $68++ per adult | $34++ per child
(Friday – Sunday) Dinner – $78++ per adult | 39++ per child
*Children below 6 years dine free

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
Mom dines free with every 2 paying adults
*Offer is applicable for Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet on 11 & 12 May 2019, and lunch and dinner buffet at Azur in May

T&C:
– Reservation is required.
– Payment must be made with a HSBC credit card.

Escape Restaurant & Lounge, One Farrer Hotel
1 Farrer Park Station Road Singapore 217562
Tel: +65 6705 7828
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Make this Mothers’ Day that day to escape the daily humdrum and explore the tastes of the world by visiting Escape Restaurant & Lounge at One Farrer Hotel.

With their nine interactive stations, it will be hard to choose where to start.

They offer Chinese, North Indian, Japanese, Western, local cuisine and more. Spoil mom with choices of cold cuts, salads, hot-off-the-grill mains, and even a selection of Tandoori items made fresh upon request in their custom-made Tandoori oven.

Feast over their signature items, including a freshly tossed Classic Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice, and a Crispy Lobster Noodle.

Don’t miss the crowd favourite Durian Pengat, a rich and creamy dessert that’s rightfully the star item in the buffet spread. People simply love how luscious this Asian creation is, and for durian lovers, this is the perfect ending to a great meal.

Otherwise, there’s an array of other standard sweet stuff like tarts, cakes, and petit fours. If you have kids in the family, the chocolate fountain will keep them entertained for a few minutes.

If you’re still undecided where to go, consider this. Gather up the 4 of you (include mom, of course!) and go for their lunch buffet spread and you’ll get complimentary Mother’s Day Cake (500g).

Price of Buffet:
Lunch – $50++ (Everyday)
Dinner – $65++ (Sun-Thurs)
Dinner – $68++ (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH and PH)
Local Hi Tea: $38++ (Sat, Sun and PH only)
Teochew porridge: $16++ (Fri, Sat and Eve of PH only)

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion 1:
Lunch Buffet Food Spread at $200++ for 4 persons with complimentary Mother’s Day Cake (500g).

T&C:
– Valid from 1 May to 31 May 2019
– Valid on eve of PH and PH.
– Reservations required 2 days in advance.

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion 2:
1-for-1 Weekend High Tea Buffet

T&Cs:
– Maximum 8 persons per table per bill.
– Valid on PH
– Valid from 1 May to 31 July 2019.

Man Fu Yuan, InterContinental Singapore
80 Middle Rd, Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6825 1008
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm (Mon- Sat), 11:30am – 3pm (Sun & PH)
Dinner: 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Make it a fancy date with mom at Man Fu Yuan, a trusted name in the Singapore fine dining scene located at InterContinental Singapore.

Lauded by Singapore Tatler as of Singapore’s best Chinese restaurants and recipient of the Michelin Plate, Man Fu Yuan is the place to make her feel special. Delight her with traditional Cantonese dishes artfully presented in a modern way, and allow her to bask in a refined ambience complete with premium tea pairings.

Go for the Dim Sum Brunch Buffet on Mother’s Day and enjoy an unlimited selection of delicately handcrafted dim sum delicacies at a special discounted price. Plus, you get Man Fu Yuan’s signature dishes, such as Steamed Abalone with Yunnan Black Garlic and the comforting Steamed Prawns in Herbal Broth.

There’s also a specially prepared Peking Duck carving station to celebrate the occasion.

In between appetisers and desserts, try any of their well-loved classics such as Lotus Leaf Glutinous Rice with Chicken and Mushrooms, Black Bean Spare Ribs, and Bean Curd with Century Egg and Chicken Floss.

If you’re still hooked on the salted egg taste, they have Salted Egg Custard Buns to calm those cravings.

Dim Sum Brunch Buffet Price:
$78++ per adult

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
15% OFF Weekend Dim Sum including Mother’s Day on 12th May at Man Fu Yuan. Minimum two to dine.

T&C:
– Offer is valid till 31 July 2019.
– Reservation is required.
– Payment must be made with a HSBC credit card.

5 Restaurants to Treat your Mothers on Mother’s Day:

Element, Amara Singapore
Amara Singapore, Level 1, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539
Tel: +65 6879 2607
Opening Hours: 6.30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

If you’re looking for a place to celebrate Mother’s Day in Tanjong Pagar area, try Element at Amara Singapore, a unique restaurant-bar that fuses food, drink, and lifestyle all in one.

Make it an extra special meal with Element’s version of the popular delicacy Drunken Prawns, a Chinese/Singaporean dish prepared with fresh, live prawns made drunk and cooked with Chinese wine.

Complement mom’s beauty regimen with the health-boosting dish Braised Oxtail Broth, known for its luxuriously collagen-packed soup. Excellent for the skin, the oxtail broth is braised for 48 hours and enhanced with fresh thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and paprika to create a deep, herbal flavour. She’ll not only enjoy the soup but also the tender, slow-cooked oxtail and hearty vegetables.

If she prefers white meat, go for the Chicken Ginseng Soup, which is also highly esteemed for its amazing health benefits.

Other collagen-rich non-soup options include the Pork Rind Jelly and Black Vinegar Trotters with Boiled Quail Eggs.

Price of Buffet for Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch:
$68++ per adult
$34++ per child (6 to 12 years old)

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
Enjoy 30% off dining bill on Mother’s Day (12 May 2019) Buffet High Tea / Dinner
(To enjoy the offer, bookings must be made by 4 May 2019.)

T&C:
– Valid on 12th May 2019.
– Bookings must be made by 4 May 2019.
– Not valid with other promotions, privileges, discount cards and promotional vouchers, whichever is applicable.
– All prices quoted are in Singapore dollars and subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes.
– Amara Singapore reserves the right to change the Terms and Conditions without prior notice.

White Rose Café, York Hotel Singapore
York Hotel Singapore, 21 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 6737 0511
Opening Hours: 6am -11pm

This cosy 110-seater café located in the lobby of York Hotel Singapore offers gourmet specialties with distinct local and authentic Asian flavours. White Rose Café is also known for its popular thrice-yearly Penang Hawkers’ Fare featuring perennial Penang street food classics every March, September and December.

Create new buffet memories with mom through the café’s signature “Treasured Flavours of Singapore”, a daily a la carte lunch buffet featuring the house special Fish Head Curry and a long list of 25 creative dishes.

Be an early bird and partake of the Early Mother’s Day Appreciation Lunch on 11 May, serving the Treasured Flavours of Singapore Daily a la carte buffet lunch. Highlights of the special menu include seafood dishes like Black Ink Sotong and Fish Head Curry, Chicken Masala (an Indian-inspired dish in a spiced curry sauce) , and a veggie dish featuring Stir-fried Long Beans with Dried Shrimp.

If you decide to celebrate with the rest of the world on May 12, the Mother’s Day International Buffet Lunch will give you the likes of Grilled Salmon, Beef Sirloin or Chicken, and Chilli Crab, Stir-fried Honey Pork Ribs, Chicken Yakitori, Sayur Lodeh served with Rice Cake, Mee Siam, Hot Pulut Hitam, and Assortment of Tang Yuan in Ginger Soup.

For tea aficionado moms, the Mother’s Day High Tea Buffet on 12 May is worth getting. Pair your freshly brewed tea with a selection of sweet and savoury bites, including Chwee Kueh with Chye Poh, Oyster Omelette, Putu Mayam, Hot Tau Suan, and Assorted Nonya Kuehs.

Price of Buffets:
Early Mother’s Day Appreciation Lunch* on 11 May
12pm to 230pm
$36++ per adult, $18++ per child (5 to 11 years old)

Mother’s Day International Buffet Lunch on 12 May
12pm to 230pm
$42++ per adult, $21++ per child (5 to 11 years old)

Mother’s Day High Tea Buffet on 12 May
3pm to 5pm
$32++ per adult, $16++ per child (5 to 11 years old)

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
Enjoy 10% off total bill for Mother’s Day promotions with full payment received before May 5, 2019.

T&C:
– Full payment must be made before May 5, 2019
– *Minimum 2 pax to dine for Mother’s Day Early Appreciation Lunch

Spice Brasserie, PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3160
Opening Hours: Breakfast 6:00am – 10:30am
Lunch 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Dinner 6:00pm – 10:00pm

As the name implies, the Spice Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road is where you can find dishes that are rich in flavour from a medley of spices and seasonings. And like the French concept of brasserie, the ambiance in this 300-seater all-day dining restaurant is relaxingly casual.

The all-day dining Spice Brasserie offers you and your mom an extensive buffet of local and Asian fare this Mother’s Day. There are live stations to prepare your dishes upon request, an exciting Japanese sushi bar, and a variety of appetisers and desserts.

Key highlights from the spread items include local delights such as Double Boiled Chicken Soup with White Fungus, Thai Style Crab Tang Hoon, Oyster Mee Sua with Big Intestine, and Baked Half Shell Scallop with Salted Egg.

For diehard fans of durian, their rendition of Durian Pengat with Sticky Rice is worth tasting. It’s sweet the way it should be, this dessert is velvety smooth and has a buttery flavour. While the aroma of the fruit may be strong, the flavour is actually mild and not overwhelming.

To welcome and celebrate with all the mothers who come to Spice Brasserie, each one gets an exclusive Osmanthus Raindrop Jelly. What makes this freebie special is how it is individually plated for every mom. Admire how this transparent dessert is shaped like a beautiful water droplet.

Mother’s Day Buffet Lunch on 12 May 2019 (Sunday)
Price: $58++ per adult, $29++ per child

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
Mom dines free with three full paying adults

T&C:
– All prices quoted are subject to GST and service charge.
– Advance reservations are required.
– Offer is not valid in conjunction with other existing discounts and promotions.
– Child prices are only applicable for children below 12 years old.
– Offer and event is valid on 12 May 2019, from 12:00pm to 2:30pm only.

The Salon, Hotel Fort Canning
11 Canning Walk Singapore 178881
Tel: +65 6799 8809
Opening Hours: 7am – 11pm Last order 10.30pm (Mon – Sun)

Pay tribute to the beloved matriarch in your family with an unforgettable Mother’s Day meal at The Salon in Hotel Fort Canning.

Leading the culinary team is Chef Jeffrey Tan, who’s ever so passionate about Peranakan cuisine and upgraded lunch buffet with over 10 Nyonya creations.

What’s special about these Nyonya dishes is that they’re off-menu, i.e. they’re typically offered upon special requests for the hotel’s events and functions.

Spice up your palates with these signature dishes, curated from the chef’s treasured recipes. Try his version of Nyonya Laksa, Ayam Buah Keluak, Sambal Kimchang Udang and Handmade Otak-Otak.

There’s even a dedicated kids’ buffet so you don’t have to worry about what to feed your picky little ones. For the globetrotter in the family, he or she can choose from an array of western delights like Roasted Buttermilk Herb-crusted Leg of Lamb and Crispy Whole Duck Confit, available to complement the Peranakan specials.

Now here’s a bonus. Dine at The Salon on Mother’s Day and your mom earns a chance to win a 60-minute Organic Aromatherapy Facial from the Chinois Spa. Time to pamper the most special woman in your life.

Price of Mother’s Day Buffet:
Adult $75++, Child $38++ (4 – 12 years old)

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
20% savings on Mother’s Day Lunch Buffet (price above before discounts)

T&C:
– Offer is applicable to adult and child lunch buffet prices on Mother’s Day, 12 May 2019.
– Child under 4 years old dines for free when accompanied by a paying adult (limited to 2 children per adult).
– Reservation is required and subject to availability.
– To enjoy the Offer, full payment is required with HSBC credit card upon confirmation of reservation; payment made is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
– For reservations and enquiries, please call +65 6799 8809 or email thesalon@hfcsingapore.com
– Offer cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, discounts, vouchers, and privileges, unless otherwise stated.
– Buffet items may be served on a rotational basis.
– Hotel Fort Canning reserves the right to amend or terminate the offer without prior notice.

The Square Restaurant, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay
177A River Valley Road, Singapore 179031
Tel: +65 6433 8790
Opening Hours: 6am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

On the 7th floor of Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay is The Square Restaurant, a modern hip venue known for its international themed buffets.

Strike up an interesting conversation with the chefs at the different stations. Designed with an open kitchen, The Square allows you to interact directly with the people actually cooking your food. Watch how they transform the ingredients into a dish just for you.

Go local with their Signature Laksa, prepared a la minute at the live station, mixing rice noodles with bean sprouts, prawns, eggs, and bean curd in a spicy shrimp coconut broth.

Also prepared live is The Square’s selection of pasta, where you can choose from penne, fettuccine, spaghetti and fusilli. Pair that with your choice of sauce, from carbonara to aglio olio, arrabiata, pesto or tomato.

Other stations to explore include appetisers and a Healthy Salad Counter, a cheese & dried fruits for those who love to nibble, and a Hot Station where you’ll find the signature Chili Crab.

Go surf and turf by combing the freshest catch from Seafood on Ice (the oysters are a must-try) and the various roasted meats at the Carving Station.

Exclusively available on Sunday/Mother’s Brunch is the Thunder Tea Rice, a traditional Chinese-style tea-based soup served with white rice, fried peanuts and a medley of vegetables. Looking for something with salted egg? Look for their Wok Fried Salted Egg “Cray Fish”.

If mom’s got a sweet tooth, get her the signature dessert Durian Pengat or the Chocolate Fondue complete with assorted sauces and toppings.

Wait, there’s more! End your celebration big-time with a Giant Cake that weights an incredible 3 kg! This heavyweight cake is specially made for Mother’s Day and will be cut and shared among diners on May 12 for both brunch and dinner. Don’t miss it!

Price of Buffet:
11 May Mother’s Day Brunch $68++
11 May Seafood Dinner $78++
12 May Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner $68++

HSBC Credit Cards Promotion:
30% for Mother’s Day – 11 May (Lunch Only) & 12 May (Brunch and Dinner)
20% off total F&B bill with 3 or less diners valid from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019
25% off total F&B bill with 4 or more diners valid from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2019

T&C:
– Offer is not valid on eve of public holidays, public holidays, blackout dates and special occasions determined by Merchant.
– Not valid with other discounts, privileges, set menus, special menus, vouchers, membership privileges, VIP cards.
– Discount is not valid on service charge and taxes.

For more details on the latest #HSBCDining promotions, hop on over to www.hsbc.com.sg/dining. Terms and conditions apply for all promotions herein.

*This post was brought to you in partnership with HSBC Credit Cards.

Planning a meal after viewing the Rain Vortex? Renowned Chinese restaurant brand PUTIEN has opened a NEW outlet at Jewel Changi Airport.

This is its 13th outlet in Singapore, and 62th in the chain of restaurants across Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan and Beijing.

You may not know that PUTIEN actually began in 2000 as a no-frills coffee shop-style eatery at Kitchener Road, specialising in Heng Hwa cuisines. I have been dining there since then (in fact it was one of my first few reviews), and seen how it has expanded yet still serve those familiar, comforting food.

The Michelin Guide noticed it in 2016, recognising its Hong Kong Causeway Bay outlet as a Bib Gourmand Restaurant, and awarding one Michelin Star to its Kitchener Road outlet consecutively every year.

Rooted to its namesake city of Putian (a Fujian coastal suburb), PUTIEN’s menu reflects the city’s heritage – fresh, light, and invigorating.

PUTIEN DUOTOU Clam Specials
If you dine at PUTIEN Restaurants from now till 31st August 2019, look out for the clam festival featuring DUOTOU Clams, a treasured delicacy, aka the “King of Clams”.

These popular clams have reached celebrity status, with over 80 tons of DUOTOU Clams sold worldwide last year.
DOUTOU Clams are named after Dou Tou village in the coastal city of Putian, where they have been bred for more than 600 years.

They are prized for being plump and meaty (they’re not called King of Clams for nothing) and for their unique, succulent taste.

These distinctly large clams can grow up to 6 cm in length, thanks to the abundant minerals, organic matter and brine algae from the fertile, sand-less, black mud in Dou Tou.

Compared to other areas, Dou Tou villages have a higher salinity level. This makes the clams especially fresh and sweet.

Enjoy these beautiful golden-shelled molluscs at PUTIEN, freshly flown in from Putian, and creatively prepared in eight different ways.

Also don’t miss out the new promo – order 2 DUOTOU Clam dishes for a special price of $39.80++. Consider trying the two new spicy flavours of Stir-fried Sambal Chives with DOUTOU Clam and Thai-flavoured DOUTOU Clam.

Stir-fried Sambal Chives with DUOTOU Clam ($22.80)
Welcome this new spicy taste in your plate of DUOTOU Clams, drawing heat from the distinctively South-East Asian condiment sambal.

Made from a mixture of chili peppers, shrimp paste, garlic and other seasoning, the spicy sambal paste is stir-fried along with the luscious clams to yield a savoury-spicy combo.

This dish is big on harmony as it displays a good balance of flavours, including a light onion taste from the heap of crunchy chives added to it. Fried over high heat, you would also love its wok-hei.

Thai-Flavoured DUOTOU Clam ($21.80)
The second new spicy flavour is inspired by the cuisine of Thailand, where fresh, succulent DUOTOU Clams are tossed in a special home-made Thai sauce.

This sauce is a refreshing mix of six different types of fruits and vegetables combining to create a unique flavour, which may just remind you of the Thai Papaya Salad dish.

Taste how the clams acquire a whole new taste with this slight spicy-sweet sauce.

Baked DUOTOU Clam on Hot Plate ($21.80)
Order this dish and find out why it has been Putien’s bestselling dish for three consecutive years.

These DUOTOU Clams are baked, then served steaming hot on a bed of sea salt. What you do it get a piece of the fresh clam and gently dip into the salt.

If you want to taste the original freshness of the clam sans any additional sauces, this would allow you to savour its succulence and natural flavours.

Steamed DUOTOU Clam with Minced Garlic ($19.80)
Another cooking method that brings out the best in clams is steaming.

The Steamed DUOTOU Clam with Minced Garlic allows you to experience this through a beautifully arranged spread of lightly steamed clams served in half-shells. This reminded me of the comforting dish of Steamed Bamboo (Razor) Clams.

As simple as it may sound, steaming preserves the flavours of clam better.

Each plump and juicy clam-on-a-shell is topped with a dollop of and sprinkled with spring onions, enhanced further with a splash of soy sauce.

My personal favourite DUOTOU dish – it would be hard to stop at just eating one piece.

Stir-fried DUOTOU Clam with Ginger & Spring Onion ($21.80)
One of the most loved traditional cooking methods among Fujian locals is stir frying. This home-style stir-fried dish is something you can actually find in most homes in Duo Tou village.

Fresh DUOTOU Clams are stir-fried over high heat and served with chopped scallions (spring onions) and ginger.

Enjoy this dish like a Fujian local by pairing it with Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon or PUTIEN Cabbage Rice.

Steamed DUOTOU Clam in Fermented Wine ($22.80)
Huadiao, a traditional Chinese wine, is central to this dish.

The fresh DUOTOU Clams are steamed in this fermented wine until the natural sweetness of the clams are infused into the alcoholic broth.

Order this and you will be served a bowl filled to the brim with steamed DUOTOU Clams, and some nourishing broth with a heady aroma.

DUOTOU Clam Omelette ($22.80)
This dish is specially created by the chefs of PUTIEN as a symbolic appreciation for the clam farmers of Duo Tou Village (Do you know that most of the head chefs of PUTIEN are from Putian itself?)

Combining clams with eggs is traditional way of eating among the residents of Putian.

The succulent clams add a meaty texture to the egg, creating an omelette that’s a bit crunchy and chewy at the same time.

Similar to the local delicacy of Oyster Omelette, this should be a favourite of family and children.

Salted Spicy DUOTOU Clam ($22.80)
Prepared simply by coating the DUOTOU Clams in a light batter seasoned with salt and pepper and chopped chillies, the clams are then deep-fried to a crisp.

Despite the seemingly basic ingredients used, this dish is potentially addictive to munch on.

The salty spicy taste makes this a good starter, but excellent as a food pairing with your favourite drinks.

PUTIEN at Jewel Changi Airport – 3 Signature “Classic Treasures of Fujian”
The new PUTIEN outlet at Jewel Changi Airport features an open kitchen to showcase how they uniquely prepare their signature dishes.

These dishes are the “Classic Treasures of Fujian”, namely the PUTIEN Bian Rou Soup, ‘100-Second’ Stewed Yellow Croaker, and the famous PUTIEN Lor Mee.

PUTIEN Bian Rou Soup – pork meat wrappers in traditional soup ($4.90 per pax)
This signature Fujian specialty soup made with bian rou (similar to wonton dumplings) is backed with more than 500 years of history.

The delicate paper-thin wonton wrapper is actually made of pork meat, is handcrafted using a technique originating from the Chinese Imperial dynasty of Qin.

The pork meat is kneaded and rolled with wooden sticks, a method exclusively practiced in Fujian.

Imagine 3 hours of continuous pounding and rolling on the meat paste, tenderising it for more than 10,000 times to achieve a 0.3cm thickness. It is this degree of thinness that gives the pork meat wrappers a good bite and springiness.

The bian rou are presented in a light, tasty broth with specially-made vinegar and seaweed, which would have a comforting, warming effect on the belly.

‘100-Second’ Stewed Yellow Croaker ($14.90)
Commonly found in Taiwan Strait, the Yellow Croaker is best known for its tender and boneless texture.

What makes this dish special is how PUTIEN sources the fish from its original habitat. The fishes are flown in from Ningde, a seaside city in the province of Fujian.

It is so fresh the fish is delivered to the restaurant within 24 hours from harvest from the breeding grounds of Xiapu.

Named as such because it was cooked precisely for 100 seconds, the fresh Yellow Croaker is stewed with ginger and spring onions to create a light yet appetizing dish.

You can savour the tender flesh and natural sweetness of the fish, sliced to separate the flesh apart and yet keeping the shape of the fish intact. If you are looking for a healthy dish, this is a top choice.

PUTIEN Lor Mee ($10.90, $21.80, $32.70)
A crowd-favourite, this unique version of lor mee is a PUTIEN specialty, made with silky Putian noodles mingling with chunks of pork belly, fresh prawns and clams.

The ingredients are altogether braised in the signature PUTIEN Lor Mee broth, a lusciously thick pork-based stock.

Unlike most lor mee broth which is dark-coloured, PUTIEN has set itself apart by creating a mellow-tasting light-coloured broth.
Tip: Add a dap of vinegar, or PUTIEN’s original Spice Mum Chilli Sauce.

PUTIEN – Jewel Changi Airport
#02-249 Jewel Changi Airport, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)

Other PUTIEN Outlets
Kitchener Road – 127 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208514
VivoCity – 1 HarbourFront Walk, #02-131/132, Singapore 098585
Marina Square – 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-205, Singapore 039594
Tampines Mall – 4 Tampines Central 5, #B1-01/27, Singapore 529510
Jurong Point – 1 Jurong West Central 2, #02-34 JP1, Singapore 648886
Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road, #02-13/13A, Singapore 449269 (closed till 4 May for minor upgrade)
nex – 23 Serangoon Central, #02-18/19, Singapore 556083
Resorts World Sentosa – 26, Sentosa Gateway, #01-203/204, The Forum Singapore 098138
Raffles City – 252 North Bridge Road, #02-18, Singapore 179103
ION Orchard – 2 Orchard Turn, #04-12, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Northpoint – 930 Yishun Ave 2, Northpoint Shopping Centre, #02-42/43/44, Singapore 769098
SingPost Centre – 10 Eunos Road 8, #03-106 Singapore Post Centre, Singapore 408600

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with PUTIEN.

Lao Shen Ji Si Mian老沈鸡丝面 is one of the 4 Michelin recommended hawker stalls at Toa Payoh Lor 1 Food Centre.

Located in between Toa Payoh and Braddell MRT stations, this small hawker centre consists of only about 40 stalls, offers a good selection of local food and specialties such as the Teochew Handmade Pau (bite-sized and full of delicious fillings), Chey Sua Carrot Cake with crispy Chye Tow Kway, Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, and Lao Shen Ji Si Mian’s dry-tossed shredded chicken noodles.

Lao Shen Ji Si Mian has been around for more than 30 years, and originated from Hougang. There is no English menu per se, so be clear about what you are ordering.

The 3 options are Shredded Chicken with Fishball Noodles ($3), Shredded Chicken with Dish Dumpling Noodles ($4), and Fishball with Fish Dumpling Noodles ($5). Additional noodles cost 50 cents more.

A standard order of the Chicken Dried Noodles comes with a bowl of dry pale yellow hand-made noodles, springy in texture and very QQ.

This is topped with finely shredded chicken that was soft and not overcooked – though slightly to the dry side, some small pieces of braised mushrooms, pork lard, and chopped spring onions.

The overall flavour is best complemented with a drizzle of their chili vinegar.

If you are thinking “Bak Chor Mee”, you may be slightly disappointed as this doesn’t come with heavy vinegary or savoury sauce.

In fact, everything comes quite light together, with the main focus being the handmade Fish Dumplings with delectable skin.

Accompanying your dry noodles is light bodied soup comes with 2 pieces of fish dumplings, and also sprinkled with some chopped spring onions.

I noted a couple of aunties ordering the soup version and went for it the next round.

The chicken-flavoured soup was mildly sweet in taste, and went well with the mushrooms and dumplings.

However, this time round the noodles seemed slightly soggy and I would have preferred a springier version with more bite.

The blander-tasting broth is possibly to cater to the elderly customer base.

Lao Shen Ji Si Mian has a rather nostalgic taste that you probably cannot find in many places in Singapore.

In fact, I do not know of any other places serving both shredded chicken and handmade fish dumplings together in the same bowl.

Lao Shen Ji Si Mian 老沈鸡丝面
127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #02-01 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310127
Opening Hours: 7am – 1:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
Teochew Handmade Pau (Toa Payoh Lor 1)
Chey Sua Carrot Cake (Toa Payoh Lor 1)
Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee (Toa Payoh Lor 1)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Talk about the most famous Chwee Kueh in Singapore, and it would be a toss-up between Tiong Bahru’s Tiong Bahru Jian Bo Shui Kueh and Bedok Chwee Kueh. (There are other note-worthy stalls such as Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh and Sembawang Hills Shui Kueh.)

Bedok Chwee Kueh is a popular stall with branches island-wide (Clementi 448, Chong Boon Food Centre, Chong Pang Food Centre, Lorong Ah Soo, Chinatown Food Centre, Ang Mo Kio Ave 4), in Singapore, famed for its soft, light and supple chwee kuehs.

If you want to taste their specialty where it originated, go to its stall in Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, located just steps from Bedok Mall and Bedok MRT station (East West Line).

(While you are there, other stalls to look out for include Hock Hai Curry Chicken Noodle, Pin Xiang Chicken Rice, Mei Xiang Lor Mee, Teo’s Noodle, Song Zhou Fried Carrot Cake, Lee Kee Goreng Pisang, Inspirasi, and Jefri The Original Botak Chicken Rice.)

Expect nothing else on the menu but their famous Teochew-style steamed cakes served with chai-poh (preserved radish).

Often eaten as breakfast fare, the Chwee Kueh ($0.50 per piece, buy in 2, 3, or 4 pieces) is mainly rice flour and water.

You’ll get your chwee kueh in a paper wrap with a plastic fork.

If you want to buy chwee kueh with the chai-poh separate, a minimum of 4 pieces is required. For takeaway, add $0.30.

Once steamed, it forms a silky-smooth appearance, firm jelly-like texture, and a subtle sweet taste. For first timers, imagine an egg custard – a Chwee Kueh is a tad firmer.

Okay, since I had Jian Bo since growing-up days, I would say Bedok’s has a softer, more wobbly, almost melt-in-mouth texture. (But Jian Bo has more fragrant chai-poh and tasty chilli).

The aromatic and nicely browned chai-poh topping plays an equally important part in the dish.

Chopped to bits, the pickled radish is slow stewed in vegetable oil, minced garlic, shallots, dried shrimps, soy sauce, sugar, seasonings, and sesame seeds.

It is not mushy but has a light crunch, and the toasted sesame seeds add a nice aroma and flavour. Add a bit of the sambal chili with a pronounced dried shrimp taste for some gentle heat.

You would notice a mini-’pool’ of oil at the bottom, but well, it is an important component that makes humble dish more flavourful.

Enjoy the legendary soft and supple chwee kueh where it all began.

Bedok Chwee Kueh 勿洛水粿
208 New Upper Changi Road, #01-19 Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Singapore 460207
Opening Hours: 6:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh (Ghim Moh)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Hock Seng Choon Fish Ball Kway Teow Mee has been around for over 20 years and still a popular choice at Bedok South Food Centre.

The food centre (also popular for Hill Street Fried Kway Teow) is located just opposite Temasek Junior College.

The stall’s specialty is the signature handmade fish balls.

Expect irregularly-shaped and not perfectly round ones with a texture that is tender yet firm, bouncy (not rubbery) with a good bite.

Handmade fishballs are harder to find nowadays, as shops choose machine-made ones for convenience and consistency (and perhaps lower costing).

Talking about Fishball Noodles, some of the famous places in Singapore to have them include Song Kee at Tembeling Road, Fishball Story, Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodles at Amoy Street Food Centre, Hock Lee Fishball Noodles at Albert Hawker Centre, Ru Ji Kitchen at Holland Drive and Thye Hong Handmade Fishball Noodle at Ghim Moh Food Centre.

Its Dry Fish Ball Mee ($3, $4, $5) comes in mee pok and mee kia versions. Though I am usually a mee kia person, I somehow find mee pok pairing better with fish balls.

The seasoning sauce included some sweet tomato ketchup which makes it a little ketchup-sweet, and not everyone would like that.

The chili sauce was very spicy and packed a punch.

However, I found the chilli slightly overpowering overall, and base could be saucier as the noodles got dry fast. Read some reviews online, and it seems like they used to be much better in the past.

For $3, you get five plump fish balls.

Unlike other hawker stalls which add too much flour to extend the fish paste, Hong Seng Choon is generous with the fish paste made from scratch so you can taste the subtle sweetness of the ikan parang fish.

Others find them a little saltier than most fishballs, but generally are praised for being one of the best fishballs in the Bedok area.

You can buy raw fish balls for take-away and cook at home for your steamboat party.

I personally thought that the handmade fishballs were bouncy and tasty, though the noodle component in terms of the mix of sauces was probably the weaker link.

Hock Seng Choon Fish Ball Kway Teow Mee
16 Bedok South Road, #01-50 Bedok South Food Centre, Singapore 460016
Tel: +65 9789 6160
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Thurs – Tues), Closed Wed

Other Related Entries
Song Kee (Tembeling Road)
Song Kee Fishball Noodles (Upper Thomson)
Fishball Story (Geylang)
Ah Ter Teochew Fishball Noodle Bar (Lor Telok)
Ru Ji Kitchen (Holland Drive)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

[Bangkok] Brown Sugar Milk Tea here, there, everywhere and the trend doesn’t seem to end.

While the global market trend for brown sugar beverage is currently led by various Taiwanese bubble tea chains such as The Alley, Jenjudan珍煮丹 and Tiger Sugar, the creative Thais have managed to come up with their own version of brown sugar milk tea variant.

If the branding of Taiwanese bubble tea chain belongs to the subtle hipster style, Fire Tiger by Seoulcial Club would be the direct opposite – loud, showy and flamboyant.

The takeaway kiosk itself strikingly mimics a cage filled with roaming (fake) tigers.

To collect your order, you will have to then literally “送羊入虎口” (feed the lamb to the tiger) which creates an interesting photo opportunity experience.

There are only 5 beverages on their menu.
– The Crown Milk Tea, 160 THB (SGD 6.82)
– Fire Tiger Milk Tea, 150 THB (SGD 6.40)
– Fire Tiger Milk, 150 THB (SGD 6.40)
– Black Sugar Tiger Milk Tea, 140 THB (SGD $6)
– Black Sugar Tiger Milk, 130 THB (SGD5.60)

Their “highly recommended” Fire Tiger Milk Tea tasted just like any other brown sugar milk tea that I have ever came across – coated with loads of brown sugar syrup, plump brown sugar boba pearls and fragrant milk tea.

The key-selling point, is the additional layer of flame torched crème brûlée.

I actually preferred the The Crown Milk Tea, which has caramel jelly mixed together with pearls and topped with crunchy chocolate bits for an additional bite texture.

The milk tea options are also more flavourful with distinctive tea aroma compared to boba milk options.

They currently have 5 stores and all are located at Siam area:
– 3 takeaway kiosk located at Siam Square Soi 7, Centralworld Level 7 and Siam Centre Level M
– 2 sit down café located at Siam Square Soi 3 and Icon Siam Level 4.

Given the beverage price point and store locations in prime town area, their target market seems to be on foreigners.

Tourist trap or not, for you to decide.

Fire Tiger by Seoulcial Club
Siam Square Soi 7, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand (BTS Siam)
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/firetigerbyseoulcialclub
Google Maps – Fire Tiger by Seoulcial Club

Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

New café openings continue to be focused around Jewel Changi Airport.

If you are looking for coffee and dessert places at Jewel, some of the names to look out for include JW360°,
Birds Of Paradise, Café Amazon, Café Morozoff, Café&Meal MUJI, Cedele Bakery Kitchen, Coffee@Works, Emack & Bolio’s, Lady M, Pazzion Café, Mao Shan Wang, O’Coffee Club Roastery, and Maison de PB (by Paris Baguette).

There is also a 1st Precious Moments + Care Bears pop up Cafe – for fans of both.

Not forgetting there are other under-the-radar gems to discover at other parts of Singapore. ENJOY this month’s guide!

JW360° (Japan Way Three Sixty)
78 Airport Boulevard, #01-223/224/225, Jewel Changi Airport (Nearest Terminal T1)
Tel: (Retail) +65 6242 8377 I (Restaurant) +65 6243 2466
Opening Hours: 9am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

Legit Matcha Desserts At Jewel Changi Airport
If you are a sweet tooth or just needing a tea break while walking around Jewel Changi Airport, the JW360° café corner is for you.

They have a range of cakes and gelato using Japanese ingredients like matcha, adzuki bean, and wasanbon, an expensive fine-grained Japanese sugar made from Shikoku sugarcane.

The must-get is the Japanese Gelato ($7.50) with 2 flavours topped with sweet potato. Flavours include Japanese Whiskey, Caramel Walnut, Soba-Cha (interesting), Matcha Milk, Sweet Potato, Hoji-cha and Black Sesame.

The Goma I dare say with its rich and intense flavour, is possibly THE BEST black sesame gelato I had in Singapore.

The picturesque Matcha Mont Blanc ($9.00) with Japanese chestnut paste is my personal favourite; while Matcha Mille Feuille ($9.00) with matcha butter, custard and sweet chestnut are both art-on-a-plate. JW360° (Jewel Changi Airport)

% Arabica Singapore
56 Arab Street Singapore 199753
(Opening May 2019)

One Of Kyoto’s Best Coffee Shops Opening At Arab Street
% Arabica originally from Hong Kong technically (then Kyoto Japan), is known to be one of the best coffee shops around.

There are 16 stores located in Japan, Hong Kong, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Philippines and China, and is finally setting foot in Singapore.

The location is revealed to be at 56 Arab Street, and the anticipated opening month is in May 2019.

% Arabica is known as a great place for excellent coffee, somewhere even coffee snobs would be go to.

It takes pride in using beans from its own coffee farm in Hawaii, and from around the world.

Hvala Onze
Onze #01-05, 11 Kee Seng Street, Singapore 089218
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Japanese Cafe With Matcha And Sweet Potato Cakes
This is Hvala’s 3rd local outlet, after a takeaway kiosk at 313@somerset and teahouse at CHIJMES.

If you are a first timer here, the typical recommended items at Matcha Latte, and Matcha Hojicha Latte, priced at $5.80.

The signature drink consists of earthy and nutty houjicha at the bottom, with smooth and slight-bitter matcha latte at the top.

A selection of cakes such as Goma (Sesame), Chocolate Truffle, Honey Earl Grey Hazelnut, Matcha Azuki ($7.80 per slice) are available. Hvala @ Onze (Tanjong Pagar)

The Affogato Lounge
55 Keong Saik Road, #01-02, Singapore 089158
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Affogato Specialty Cafe With Well-Designed Interior
The Affogato Lounge is a spin-off from The Affogato Bar at Cluny Court Bukit Timah Road, specialising in alcoholic infused affogatos, micro-batch ice cream, and Italian bites such as Paninis, Bowls and Baked Quiches (available from 8am to 5pm).

Beyond the attractive turquoise coloured façade, the interior certainly looked artfully-designed, with geometric wooden panelling, mood lighting, and contemporary vibes.

The Affogatos are certainly the highlight of the menu, but so is the pricing – from $14 to $20. The highlight being the alcoholic Tiramisu ($20) served with a double shot of Paramount and house blend liquor. The Affogato Lounge (Keong Saik)

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06, Singapore 238164
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 8:30pm (Sat – Sun)

Minimalist White Café Found At Somerset
Glyph Supply Co. has been attracting quite a fair bit of customers, because it is an artisanal café with quite an “instagrammable” interior.

Coffee is priced at $4.50 for the black, $5.50 for the white, Coldbrew at $6.00, while iced versions cost $1 extra. For non-coffee drinkers, there is also offering of Matcha ($6.00) and Chocolate ($6.00).

This is slightly pricier than what you find in other hipster cafes in the neighbourhoods, but I suppose they have high rentals to pay.

Bakes are from Carpenter & Cook, and you get a rotational selection from Lemon Tart, Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Tart, Passionfruit Meringue Tart, Almond Croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, to savoury bites of Mushroom Quiche, and Ham and Cheese Croissant. Glyph Supply Co. (TripleOne Somerset)

Cafe De Nicole’s Flower
224 Telok Kurau Rd, #01-01, Singapore 423836
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 8.30pm (Tue – Sun), Closed Mon

Floral-Themed Café With Soufflé Pancakes
While many new cafes in Singapore has gone for a minimalist or industrial concept, Cafe De Nicole’s Flower focuses on a garden theme.

And this is not just about the aesthetical aspect but also through its presentation and scent.

Something that caught my attention is the addition of flowers, be it dried or fresh flowers, in all the desserts and drinks that I ordered.

Even though the souffle pancakes may not seem as tall, wobbly or bouncy (worthy for a Boomerang shot), this plate of soufflé pancakes is a piece of art on its own, with sauces, fruits and flowers used for plating. Cafe De Nicole’s Flower (Telok Kurau Road)

Ms Durian
51 Upper Serangoon Rd #01-70 The Poiz Centre, Singapore 347697
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

Durian Desserts Cafe With Durian Choux Pastry And MSW Cake
Ms Durian, a new durian-specialty cafe specialising in durian desserts has opened at Potong Pasir, similar to Double Durian at Jalan Besar and Mao Shan Wang Café at Temple Street.

It offers a small and refined selection of 6 items on their menu, focusing on durian desserts.

Some of the lighter options include Durian Coconut Milk Pudding ($6), Durian Mousse Cake (Slice $8.50, Whole $65) and Durian Craquelin ($2).

On the other hand, the heavier options are made using MSW – Mao Shan Wang (King of durians) include MSW Ice Cream Puff ($3), MSW Durian Cake (Slice $12, Whole $90) and MSW Ice Cream ($9). Ms Durian (Potong Pasir)

Wishes Cafe
Block 36 Circuit Road, #01-414, Singapore 370036
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Tue – Fri), 11am – 11pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon

Undiscovered Ice Cream Parlour With Sakura Tree And Mala Wings
Wishes Cafe is another ice cream parlour that has joined the recent trend of opening within HDB residential estates, such as Denzy at Bishan, OCD Café at Ang Mo Kio, and Pobo Gelato at West Coast.

A single scoop of ice cream will cost $3.50, and double scoops is priced at $6. With a total of 12 flavours available at any one time, all ice cream are freshly churned in-house.

Classic flavours include Vanilla, Sesame, Rum & Raisin, Pistachio and Cookies & Cream whereas interesting ones are Japanese Sweet Potato and Kum Quat sorbet (a citrus fruit).

There is an eye-catching component in its interior – a tall pink sakura tree which spans across the entire ceiling that creates a homely ambience.

Not real but from Taobao of course, but it makes some photographic moments.

With a total of 12 flavours available at any one time, all ice cream are freshly churned in-house. Wishes Café (Macpherson)

The M Plot
No. 9 King Albert Park, KAP #01-05, Singapore 598332 (King Albert Park Downtown Line)
Tel: +65 6223 1986
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Tue – Sun), Closed Mon

Macaron Focused Café with Big Macaron Cake
The M Plot at KAP serves up Macarons, and offer many types with creative flavours.

The unique flavour selection is inspired by Asian food cultures, and you can find anything from Salted Egg Yolk x Curry, Thai Tea, Purple Yam, to Lychee x White Chocolate.

By adding say a hint of curry leaf into the classic sweet dessert, they hope that customers can have a surprising outcome. As though there is some roller coaster in your mouth.

Also available are “Big Macaron” ($8.50), which come in flavours of Raspberry Rose Lychee
Rose, Chocolate Hazelnut Praline, and Black Forest. The M Plot (King Albert Park)

Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop
The URA Centre, 45 Maxwell Road, #01-01, Singapore 069118
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 2pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Hidden Coffee Place Within A Bookstore
Singapore’s largest independent publisher, Epigram Books has opened a 980 square feet brick-and-mortar bookstore right at URA Centre, with 90% of the books on display written by Singaporean authors, published locally or all about Singapore.

In collaboration with Huggs Coffee to provide a space for quick bite and drinks while books browsing, there are interesting local items on the menu.

This includes beverages of Tumeric Latte ($5), Latte Gula ($5), Sumatra Kopi/ Kopi Si/ Kopi O ($1.80/ $2/ $1.60), Milk Teh Si ($2) and Masala Tea ($2.20).

As I sit down and enjoy my cup of caffeine from Huggs Coffee in the 40-seaters space, the most eye-catching and alluring part of this place is the 11-metres long bookshelf.

Other Related Entries
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore March 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore February 2019
10 NEW Cafes In Singapore January 2019
10 NEW Restaurants Singapore January 2019

Compiled by * Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape.

Though Maxwell Food Centre and Tiong Bahru Food Centre are the hawker centres in Singapore that are more well-known, Old Airport Road Food Centre is commonly known to be one of the best for its variety and quality of stalls.

In fact, it was voted the champion after radion station 96.3 HAO FM started a search for Singapore’s Best Hawker Centre, with it getting twice as many votes as its nearest competitor.

The food centre located near Dakota MRT Station with over 40 years of history was built in 1972, then to settle street hawkers around Kallang Estate area.

With 168 food stalls, it is considered one of Singapore’s largest, and also houses many famous stalls. There is also a second storey which has 136 retail shops.

These are just 10 of the must-try stalls, while there are many others from Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow, 132 Claypot Rice, Chuan Kee Satay, Toa Payoh Rojak, Blanco Court Kway Chap, to Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun.

There are also many “doubles” and “triples” to be found here. For example, two famous Wanton Noodles, two popular Prawn Noodles, three delicious Lor Mee stalls, and three well-known Char Kway Teow stalls.

Xin Mei Xiang Zheng Zong Lor Mee 新美香卤面
51 Old Airport Road, #01-116 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 6am – 2pm (Fri – Wed), Closed Thurs

Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee attracts queues of diners eager to taste and re-taste their famed Lor Mee.

Aside from the recognition it received from the Michelin Guide (it has a Michelin Plate), another feather in its cap is the Ctrip Gourmet List award. It was also awarded as People’s Choice for Local Food during the City Hawker Food Hunt in 2018.

The sauce, a key element in a good Lor Mee, was quite unlike any others I had before – thick and flavourful as it was prepared with five-spice and other seasonings.

The balance of being vinegary and spicy was done just right.

If you like the pan-fried fish (red snapper) in your Lor Mee, go for the bigger bowls.

Ah yes, there is another similar-sounding Xiang Ji Lor Mee (#01-81) in the same food centre, if you happen to crave and Xin Mei Xiang is closed. Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee 華記后港祖傳馳名雲吞麵
51 Old Airport Road, #01-02 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Tel: +65 9620 1543
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues

The Hawker Centre is known for two competing Wanton Mee, both facing the road side.

Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee 华记后港祖传驰名云吞面 is the one without the electronic queue display; while Cho Kee Noodle is located two stalls on its right.

Hua Kee serves up a variety of noodles, from Wanton Noodles, Dumpling Noodles, Fried Wanton Noodles, Chicken Feet Noodles, and Shredded Chicken Noodles with Mushrooms.

The signature Wanton Mee ($4.00, $5.00), has eggy noodles that are chewy yet smooth in texture.

These noodles come with an interesting gravy sauce, which leans more on the sweet side and goes well with the spicy-smoky chili sambal to balance off the sweetness.

What really gave it its edge and extra bite was its fried shallot, chilli sauce filled with seeds and oily crunchy pork lard. (Note: Customers have complained about “arrogant service” here, just so you know.) Hua Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

Whitley Road Big Prawn Noodles 威利大蝦麵
Blk 51 Old Airport Road, #01-98 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 9am – 8pm (Tue – Fri), 9am – 9pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon

Through the years, Whitley Road Prawn Noodles has been known to be one of the best prawn noodles stalls in Singapore.

It offers Hae Mee in both the dry and soup versions, with options which also comes with pork ribs and pork liver.

Most people seem to go for the Big Prawn Pork Rib Noodles ($5.50, $8, $10, $12) or the Three In One ($8, $10, $15) with pork ribs, liver and tail.

The prawns were chunky and tasted fresh – could be sweeter though; while the pork ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender.

Interestingly, I preferred the dry version. The noodles were coated in a spicy-savoury and home-made chili paste with some zing. Whitley Road Prawn Noodles (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

The other famous Prawn Noodles stall at the same food centre is Albert Street Prawn Noodles, along the same row.

Ru Ji Kitchen
51 Old Airport Road, #01-37 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 2pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Ru Ji’s Fishball Noodle ($3.00, $4.00, $5.00) features these popular hand-made fishballs and fishcake in a light, clear broth, with dry mee pok or mee kia served separately with sambal chili, crisp pork lard, sprinkled with chopped spring onions.

Given the choice, I say go for the mee pok which was cooked just right with a delicious you can say al-dente bite.

Springy, and neither too dry nor too soft.

If you are not up to too much spice, order ”少辣” (Shao La, less chilli) so that the spicy, savoury sauce at the bottom of the noodles are just enough to coat the noodles once mixed. Ru Ji Kitchen (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

Roast Paradise 烧味天堂
51 Old Airport Road, #01-121 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:30pm (Mon), 11:30am – 6pm (Tues – Sat), 11:30am – 5:30pm (Sun)

Thick, fatty, charred, KL style Char Siew with a tinge of sweet-stickiness on the outside. This is what Roast Paradise is known for, attract long lines every day. (They are also co-owners of the popular Fook Kin 福劲 at Killiney Road.)

The stall serves up Roast Pork and Char Siew Rice and Noodles ($4 – $5.50).

The Hakka Noodles ($4.00) which is not commonly found, is worth a try. Served with minced pork and sprinkling of lard and sesame oil, this was a cross between Bak Chor Mee and Mee Pork (and to me, Gao Ji Yong Tau Foo), except that this has lighter seasoning.

Qiu Rong Ban Mian
51 Old Airport Road, #01-30 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Tel: +65 9739 8618
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Surprisingly, their soup base turned out to be one of my favourites – quite under-rated I thought.

Qiu Rong Ban Mian has changed locations over the years (previously from Roxy Square), but the stall still has the same friendly couple serving their piping hot bowls.

Uncle and auntie have been successfully running the stall for over 20 years now.

However, a first-time customer may just miss out on their Ban Mian offerings, as the signage is more prominently featuring their Pork Ribs Soup and Chicken Mee Suah in Red Wine ($4.00).

Offerings include Sliced Fish Ban Mian ($4.50), Tom Yam Seafood Noodles ($5.00), Mee Hoon Kway + Prawn ($3, $5) or You Mian ($3.00).

While I thought that their Mee Hoon Kway’s texture was pretty ‘standard’ and decent, it was their rich, flavourful soup with fried ikan bilis that gave a salty kick and crunch that made a difference.

Comforting homemade noodles to warm you up and satiate your cravings.

Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow 老夫子炒粿条
51 Old Airport Road, #01-12 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Tel: +65 83333 4828
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 10pm (Mon – Sun

I have tried Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow 老夫子炒粿条 at Old Airport Road quite a number of times in the past. But it was never a stall I would purposely go, it was more like a ‘by-the-way’ “Let’s try CKT” kind of experience. Many customers come here during of its inclusion in the Michelin Guide with a “Bib Gourmand”.

There is also Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow (#01-138) in the same food centre that some of my friends preferred.

Offering both the black or white versions, Lau Fu Zi’s Fried Kway Teow ($5.00, $8.00, $10.00), are all cooked-to-order, each plate fried individually.

The dish carried a well-balanced flavour, and surprisingly not very oily.

Its consistency was more on the dry side, which some diners may like or don’t like, depending on one’s preference.

Also, it lacked of the strong wok-hei (there was still some). Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee
51 Old Airport Road, #01-32 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Tel: +65 64405340
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Of all the Hokkien Mee in Singapore, Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee probably has the most mixed reviews. Some enjoy its nostalgic taste; while others thought it used to be better (and service can be improved).

I actually didn’t get any bad service during my order. In fact, they even deliver the plate to your table. (Self service for tables 175 onwards).

At $5 or $8 a plate, their Hokkien Mee is moist (almost quite wet) with strong seafood flavours coming from the prawn and ikan billis stock. Of all the stock base, this came across as one of the sweetest and ‘soupiest’.

Another thing to note is that eggs are fried till fluffy with separate pieces, rather than ‘clinging’ on to the noodles.

Hin Fried Hor Fun
51 Old Airport Road, #01-163 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Tel: +65 9190 1044
Opening Hours: 10am – 3pm, 5pm – 8:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

When Beef Hor Fun is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the strong wok hei aroma and taste.

At Hin Fried Hor Fun, you get the silky smooth pieces of hor fun filled with delicious and mouth-watering mildly-charred taste.

The stall serves up various combinations of Hor Fun or Mui Fan with beef, prawns, fish, and its permutations (eg beef with fish, beef with prawns). Priced at $5 or $6.

The hor fun when served, looked rather pale, but do not let that deceive you. It was actually quite tasty with slight smokiness.

The beef slices were also tender, though the gravy was slightly on the saltier side.

Note: Stall may close before stated hours.

Wang Wang Crispy Curry Puff
51 Old Airport Road, #01-126 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 11pm or sold out (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

The bite-sized Curry Puffs sold here may remind you of those offered by A1, with its flaky skin.

The under-stated Curry Puff stall serves up Crispy Curry Puff ($1.40), Crispy Sardine Puff ($1.40), Crispy Black Pepper Puff ($1.60), and Crispy Yam Paste ($1.40).

Puffs are hand-made and deep-fried on site in small batches. So if certain fillings get sold out, you got to wait for them.

What was very appealing were its crispy and buttery skin with that alluring aroma. Interestingly, while the outer layer was dry, the inside remained rather moist, even to the point of saucy.

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* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

From the same group that created premium Korean bakery brand Paris Baguette comes a new concept, Maison de PB at Jewel Changi Airport.

This “House of PB” is an enhanced and more upscale version of the Paris Baguette people know and love.

The Seoul-based SPC Group designs it as a jewelled version of Paris Baguette, something more unique and far less of them.

Launched in 1988, Paris Baguette had dominated the industry within a decade as the No. 1 bakery brand in Korea. It is ubiquitous in Korea, as Starbucks and McDonald’s are in every corner in the U.S.

Today, SPC Group runs more than 400 Paris Baguette stores in 5 countries ― France, the U.S., China, Singapore and Vietnam, and plans to build 1 to 2 Maison de PB stores in all of the major global cities they have business with.

At Jewel Changi Airport, the company for the first time opened multiple stores. It has opened four brand stores ― Paris Baguette, Maison de PB, Coffee@Works and Shake Shack Singapore, which are all flagships in the Southeast Asian market.

This is a double-storey space at Jewel Changi Airport.

On the lower level is a more casual bakery-café concept, where you can get your selection of salads, soups, savoury, and mains, pasta, and European-style breads and pastries.

There is also a live grill station for orders of steak.

The upper level is done up contemporary restaurant-style, where you can order mains of Oven-Baked Chicken, Roasted Black Cod, Grilled Lamb Racks, and pastas such as Signature Seafood Pastaa and Royal Carbonara. Dishes change seasonally.

Check out some of the highlights of Maison de PB:

Beef on the Stone ($35 for Striploin, $38 for Tenderloin)
This house special features a premium Australian beef, available as a striploin or a tenderloin cut.

A serving for the Beef on the Stone Striploin is 200g of sirloin, while you get a little less (180g) if you’re getting the Beef on the Stone Tenderloin.

Both of these prime meats are certified 100 days grain fed for that coveted fat marbling compared to grass fed beef.

How the beef is served is also quite dramatic, on your table flamed right in front of you (so get your cameras ready). So you get your appetite enticed with the aroma and sizzling sounds.

To better manage the doneness of the beef, I would recommend having it soon after it is flamed for a juicier cut. If not, you can further cook the beef on the hot-stone.

Good news! As an opening special, you get a complimentary glass of wine for every order of Beef on the Stone.

Traditional Croque Madame ($19.00)
If you are stopping by for a quick bite, the Traditional Croque Madame is recommended. This classic savoury sandwich is a French original, the ultimate ham and cheese sandwich.

The in-house baked bread is laden with grated cheese and ham.

Two types of cheeses are used to create that lovely melted texture when placed until a broiler, with mozzarella providing the stringy cheesy pull while gruyere adds a nice sharp taste to the blend.

Of course, it’s not Croque Madame without the sunny side up egg over the sandwich. Enjoy this a snack or a light lunch.

Mushroom Tartine ($20.00)
Another recommended item to try is Mushroom Tartine, essentially a savoury tart made with grilled mushrooms.

As each type of mushroom is unique in taste, using different kinds of mushroom altogether creates a distinctive blend of flavour accentuated by the grilling method.

What makes this extra special is the foie gras spread, adding a luxurious layer of goose liver – a delicacy the French takes very seriously.

Shrimp in Yellow Curry ($18.00)
This savoury dish, somewhere between a soup and a main, features the good ole shrimp and adds an Asian touch.

The rich and creamy bisque is likewise shrimp-based, and enhanced with the flavour and spice of yellow curry.

Served with tomato and sliced bread on the side to soak up the curry to the last dribble.

Maison de Steak, available at 1F Grill Bar (Starts from $15.00)
If you’re more of a steak buff, make sure you try out their Maison de Steak at The Grill Bar.

Starting at $15.00, The Grill Bar serves you a choice of steak, perfectly grilled, then served with salad and toasted European bread.

Choose from US Ribeye, US Striploin, Australian Ribeye, Australian Striploin, and Australian Wagyu. You do pay a little extra $5.00 if you go for the Wagyu.

Next, choose you preferred doneness, i.e. medium rare, medium, medium well, and well done.

You also get to select the sauce to pair with your steak. Would it be Jalapeno Soy Sauce, Red Wine Sauce, or Whole-grain Mustard Sauce? Or just skip the sauce if you like.

Lastly, you can opt to upgrade your salad to something more premium, such as Apple, Avocado and Kale; Beet, Carrot and Orange; or Romaine Caesar Salad. An upgrade to any of these salads is $3.00.

European-Inspired Artisan Bread
Known for their European-inspire artisan breads, Maison de PB tempts you with some of the best French breads and pastries.

To ensure a standardised product, fresh dough is made in South Korea and dispatched frozen around the globe to be baked fresh daily at each location.

The fresh bakes are displayed at the counter, and you may just want to get one of each.

For my personal recommendations, get the Pain Coeur ($5.50). It is a heart-shaped bread added ingredients like lemon peel, white chocolate chips and diced strawberry to add nuances in flavours.

Or you can try the Les Cinq Diamants literally, “the five diamonds” ($4.50 for half, $9.00 for full), a crusty type of bread baked with bits of orange peel, figs, raisin, currant and walnut.

Another iconic French pastry is the Kouign Amann ($4.50), which originated from the Brittany region of France. It is a laminated type pastry, similar to what’s used in croissants and other viennoiseries.

Made with layers of butter & sugar in between dough, it puffs up ‘til flaky when baked and creates caramelised crust.

An ideal breakfast pastry or afternoon snack best paired with your favourite coffee or matcha latte.

Cakes and Desserts
Maison de PB cakes and tarts are a visual stunner and promises a sweet dose of happiness to anyone who adores French patisserie.

Start with The Fruitful Tart ($12), filled with a cream cheese flavoured mousse and bountifully topped with a myriad of daintily arranged fresh fruits.

It’s a celebration of different flavours, textures, and shape, and you’ll enjoy popping eating piece into your mouth, including fresh strawberry halves, mango chunks, blueberries, and blackberries.

If you have a liking for that unique melon taste, try the Melon Mountain Tart ($12) which uses the muskmelon variety. The mound of monochromatic chunks are mixed with fresh cream and a refreshing lime-flavoured jelly.

Not only are you getting an invigorating dessert but also a high dose of Vitamin A muskmelons are known to have.

For a tropical feel, go for the Mdm Mango Tart ($11.50) . The bright yellow palette itself is enough to light up your plate with joy.

Like the Melon Mountain Tart, it also comes with fresh cream, but for the jelly it goes unified in theme and uses a sweet mango jelly.

Sweet mangoes are cut into bite-size pieces and generously heaped on top of the tart. A good summer dessert!

MAISON de PB by Paris Baguette
#02-200 Jewel Changi Airport, 80 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819642
Tel: +65 6743 7900
Opening Hours: 9

am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Paris Baguette.