[Ipoh, Malaysia] Perhaps Singaporeans are more familiar with Hong Kong-style Chee Cheong Fun which means “pig intestine noodles”, a rice noodle sheet made from rice-flour batter.

Unlike the ones commonly seen in Singapore or in Hong Kong, the Chee Cheong Fun in Ipoh are thinly sliced into ribbon-like shapes before adding different sauces and condiments over it.

The Beancurd, Hor Fun, Chee Cheong Fun and even beansprouts which are fat and crunchy in Ipoh taste different from the ones we have elsewhere.

This is due to the geographical location with multiple limestone hills and hot springs with an abundance of mineral-rich “hard water” used in food manufacturing.

Canning Garden is a popular breakfast spot for locals, known for their Chee Cheong Fun and “Brigitte Lin” (Lin Qing Xia) Fried Chicken from a mixed-rice stall that is highly recommended by Hong Kong director and actor Chapman To.

Currently managed by the second generation, the Chee Cheong Fun is served on their iconic metal plates unlike other places.

Order might be a little confusing as the compound is shared by 2 stalls, namely the Chee Cheong Fun and Mixed rice stall.

Firstly, look for a table anywhere in the coffeeshop before ordering as you will require your table number (take reference from the banner at the counter) to order.

Secondly, decide between the 2 sizes of Chee Cheong Fun.

Prices start at RM 3.80 (SGD1.30) for a Regular serving and RM 4.60 (SGD1.55) for a Large serving.

Extra sauces will be charged at an additional RM 0.50 (SGD0.20).

Thirdly, indicate which one of the 3 sauces do you prefer: Mushroom Gravy, Chili Sauce and Sweet Sauce, or a combination of two or all three sauces.

Lastly, decide which of the 5 condiments to add onto your plate: fried shallots, soy sauce, sesame seeds, sesame oil and green chili.

My favourite was the Mushroom Gravy with minced pork in it which is fragrant due to the fried shallots and sesame oil.

Unlike the Chee Cheong Fun that we are used to, the size is slightly thicker with more textures in it, but it’s still light and silky smooth.

The focus still lies in the unique texture of the Chee Cheong Fun whereas the sauces and condiments play the supporting role to elevate the taste of the dish.

For those who cannot decide on the sauce to add-on, the mixture of sweet and chili sauce might be a little too overwhelming with too many components in one dish.

The Chee Cheong Fun at Canning Garden might be a simple dish, but it can be simple and flavourful.

Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun 怡保桂和园猪肠粉
No 27 Lorong Cecil Rae, Canning Garden, Ipoh, Malaysi
Opening Hours: 7am – 11am (Mon – Sun), or until sold out (Closed Tues, Wed every alternate week)
Google Maps – Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Depart from the usual hotspot joints and go for the interestingly unique variety of soup bases at Tong Xin Ru Yi Traditional Hotpot 同心如意传统铜火锅.

What’s the difference between this and other hotpots?

I am talking about Golden Chicken Soup, Golden Frog Soup (!), Stewed Marinated Beef with Spicy Soup, Tomato with Oxtail Soup, Pickled Chinese Cabbage with Pork Rib Soup, and Catfish with Spicy Soup.

(Also look out for 1-FOR-1 MEATS* and 1-FOR-1 SOUP BASES Happy Hour promotions after 8pm daily.)

Interesting, yah? Serving signature soups brimming with premium ingredients upon order, this steamboat restaurant moved from its location in Boat Quay to Lorong Telok recently.

Every soup base is a product of creative intent, developed after months of tweaking and adjusting until masterfully executed. Soups can also be further customised with any of their three levels of spicy-and-sour.

Here you will find a wide range of different beef cuts from around the world, from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and USA. There are also unique and specially-sourced vegetables like the Gracilaria (龙须菜) and Pea Sprouts (豌豆尖) to be discovered.

Golden Chicken Soup / Golden Frog Soup ($68)
Two new soup bases are introduced in Tong Xin Ru Yu’s menu – a complex yet mildly flavoured Golden Soup available in Chicken and Frog variants.

Like a well-orchestrated symphony, the Golden Soup is composed of different ingredients added in at the right moment – a medley of black fungus, yam, konjac, pineapple chunks, sliced cucumber, brown shimeji mushrooms, fresh parsley, and sweet golden pumpkin swimming in a pool of liquid gold.

Hours of slow cooking produced a robust flavoured soup that harmoniously blends with fresh hotpot ingredients – your choice of succulent chunks of chicken and a nourishing chicken broth or some plump frogs.

First things first, so you would discover loads of ingredients already within your hotpot broth, so you may just want to savour the soup on its own and tender chicken pieces (they were really soft) before adding more ingredients.

As for the taste, it was something I never quite had before, but it would be a cross between chicken and pumpkin soup? Nourishing tasting, and doesn’t leave you thirsty after seconds and thirds.

Stewed Marinated Beef with Spicy Soup ($48)
This top-seller signature soup features a savoury trilogy of fork-tender chunks of braised beef, soft beef tendons and chewy beef backstraps.

In contrast to the mild Golden Soup, this one is intensely packed with spicy notes from the mix of Sichuan peppercorns and chilli slices.

A hearty soup made even heartier with the addition of house-made deep-fried golden tofu cubes and chunks of radish.

You will taste in each spoonful an intensely piquant soup further enriched with traditional herbs and spices.
Other signature soups include Pickled Chinese Cabbage with Pork Rib Soup ($28), Tomato with Oxtail Soup ($48), Catfish with Spicy Soup ($48), and Fish with Pickled Cabbage Soup – with your choice of Dory Fish ($38) or Catfish ($48).

Vegetarians will have their own share of equally satisfying hotpot soup bases such as the Vegetarian Spicy Soup ($16) and Corn with Tomato Soup ($16).

Premium Eight Second Beef ($24 per portion)
Aside from the usual meats, seafood, mushroom, leafy greens and noodles, Tong Xin Ru Yi offers top-rate ingredients like the Premium Eight Second Beef.

The best way to savour this well-marbled meat, as its name suggests, is to dip it into the hotpot for exactly 8 seconds.

Sourced from New Zealand, this high-quality beef is delivered weekly and comes in limited quantities.

Make sure to add this to your hotpot ingredients to experience its melt-in-the-mouth tenderness.

Beef Tongue ($22 per portion)
Another premium cut for your steamboat is the Beef Tongue, presented in a non-so-common fashion.

You wouldn’t expect this chewy meat stylishly served as thin slices, then rolled intricately to resemble a pinkishly red rose. But it is.

Appreciate it before you plop those slices into the piping hot soup. This has a lean and chewy texture – some love it; some may not as much.

Premium Chef-Sliced Beef Shin ($28 per portion)
From the land of Australia comes this satisfying marbled beef cut, chef-sliced with precision for utmost thinness.

According to the waitress, the meat comes from a small portion of the cow’s steer (cut of beef taken from the lower leg) so it is more precious and available only in small quantities (pre-ordering would avoid disappointments).

The Beef Shin is usually seen as a tougher cut but since it is sliced so thin and blessed with marbling, it turned out to be tender and flavourful.

Spicy Beef Cube ($16 per portion)
Switch up the heat some more when you add these spicy beef cubes into your spicy soup, a popular dish from Sichuan.

Sourced from the USA, these bite-sized beef cubes are marinated in a Picante sauce and lavishly crusted with red chilli flakes.

These turned out to be one of my new-found favourites due to the tenderness of the cubes.

As a tip: these would be better for the spicy broth to further accentuate the flavours.

Shake-shake Crispy Pork ($10 per portion)
Served in a shaker tub, these addictive pork pieces are fried to a crisp and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper.

Munch them on their own as a snack or appetiser, pair with some ice-cold beer as bar chow, or just dip them in your preferred broth for seconds.

However you want it, make sure to shake shake it to spread out the seasonings.

Fish Tofu ($14 per portion)
Add variety by throwing in some fish tofu into your hotpot. These firm yet chewy pieces are made with minced Dory fish meat and moulded by hand into cubes.

They are steamed and then lightly fried to a nice shade of golden brown.

Vince Tofu ($8 per portion)
Under the soy bean products you’ll find the Vince Tofu, a display of the chefs’ impeccable kitchen skills.

This eye-catching tofu is delicately sliced into thin strands to replicate a white Chrysanthemum in bloom inside a bowl. Both visually stimulating and a textural addition to your soup.

Gracilaria ($6 per portion)
The Gracilaria or 龙须菜 is a specially sourced imported vegetable with a seaweed-like texture.

Its crunchy texture and distinctive taste could appeal to diners with an acquired taste, or to those who are ready to try anything at least once.

Do not leave this in the broth too long as it loses it crunchiness and becomes mushy.

BBQ Garlic Oysters ($32 for 6pcs)
One of the special recommendations, these BBQ Garlic Oysters are prepared by roasting oysters in shells over live charcoals.

Slurp all 6 pieces of Canadian oysters generously drizzled with the chef’s special house-made sauce, blended with minced garlic, chilli, and chopped spring onions.

Or opt to enjoy the oysters fresh so you can taste the pure essence of the sea. This dish requires pre-order in advance.

Sichuan Traditional Ice Jelly ($3 per portion)
Conclude your meal with this summer dessert bowl, a refreshing combination of ice jelly, black sugar syrup, crushed peanuts, raisins and hawthorn.

With just the right amount of sweetness, this Sichuan specialty is the perfect antidote to the numbingly delicious spicy soup you just had.

This 150-seater, ornamented with traditional Chinese porcelain, calligraphy and basketry, almost feels like an art gallery (and can be considered as ‘instagrammable’).

Its dining space is accentuated with a Manchuria window-inspired decor, furnished with earth-toned tables and chairs, and sectioned off intricate hand-woven bamboo dividers.

You can even book your event in one of their well-partitioned rooms and enjoy private dining with family and friends.

Feel its refined and relaxing atmosphere – and there is a lot of space, a far cry from the busy streets of Singapore. Feel ‘zen’ while having hotpot, why not?

Tong Xin Ru Yi Traditional Hotpot Promotions
Attractive Stackable Promotions until 14 Sep only
Simply share photographs of your meal on Facebook and Instagram, tag @tongxinruyi. and hashtag #tongxinruyi #tongxinruyisg to enjoy 12% OFF all hotpot ingredients immediately upon payment.

Every day after 8pm daily, Tong Xin Hot Pot is offering Happy Hour Promotions:
– Enjoy 1-FOR-1 MEATS*: Choose from US Premium Beef (U.P $20) and Japanese Black Pork (U.P $16) (*Limited to one order of US Premium Beef and one order of Japanese Black Pork per bill per table)
– Enjoy 1-FOR-1 SOUP BASES: Get 2nd soup free with any order of Herb Chicken Soup. You can choose from these hearty and nourish broths boiled over hours: Pork, Mutton, or Tomato Soup.
– Enjoy BUY 3 GET 1 FREE on Snow Beer (U.P $9)

Tong Xin Ru Yi Traditional Hotpot
6 Lorong Telok, Singapore 049019
Tel: +65 6536 8058
Opening Hours: 11am – 10.30pm (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 10.30pm (Sat, Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/hotpotruyi

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Tong Xin Ru Yi Traditional Hotpot.

[Bangkok] Old-style café On Lok Yun (ออน ล๊อก หยุ่น) has become a popular breakfast spot with tourists (especially Singaporeans), and it is not difficult to understand why.

With faded photos on grey walls, old-school Milo tins in pale green wooden cabinets, classic coffee-shop furniture and bread fragrance lingering in the air, the coffee shop looks caught in time.

It feels like you have taken a nostalgia route back to the 1980s. (There is a part of it that reminded me of Chin Mee Chin at Katong – which has unfortunately closed).

On Lok Yun is located at 72 Near Chalermkrung Theater in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok. Not the most convenient to get to, but you can plan a ‘short’ walk to Yaorawat Chinatown after this.

It opens from early 5:30am morning till about 2:30pm (on menu states 4pm – you can try your luck), in which a good mix of Thai locals and even more tourists armed with cameras (some backpackers) come here to start off their day.

With a history of more than 80 years, people visit for their Thai-style American breakfast with items of Bread with Butter and Sugar (23 baht), French Toast (35 baht) and Egg Custard Bread with Kaya (28 baht).

This makes affordable breakfast, as 23 baht is about SGD1 or USD0.75.

The signature is 2 eggs with Bacon, Ham, Sausage and Chinese Sausage. Have your eggs done scrambled or overeasy.

While the plate was typical stuff and not life-changing in any way, it was decent – eggs rather tasty and fluffy, and it was the lup cheong (Chinese sausage) in the mix that made all that difference.

The Egg Custard Bread with Kaya (28 baht) is what I would return for again, as the nicely-grilled toasts were soft and light.

The fragrance kaya (like a coconut jam) with a touch of evaporated milk was smoothly-creamy and not overly sweet.

Simple items done just right, especially the Bread with butter and sugar (23 baht) which had a beautiful brown crisp on the outer layer.

The French Toast (35 baht) was slightly on the oily side for me, and may just choose to skip it the next time.

When the world is just about being modern and commercialised, I can imagine why people come to a no-frills coffee shop to get some old school vibes.

It is all about the feel-good factor, and reminiscing about places like this that are getting more uncommon by the day.

On Lok Yun ออน ล๊อก หยุ่น
72 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Wang Burapha Phirom, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 223 9621
Opening Hours: 5:30am – 2:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – On Lok Yun

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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.

[Ipoh, Malaysia] When I first wrote about Woong Kee Traditional Bean Curd which serves Blue Tau Fu Fa, enthusiastic readers mentioned that the original owners had already sold off their business.

It seems like they have subsequently opened Big Mom Beancurd just 100 metres away from their original store.

My immediate reaction is to check out Big Mom Beancurd too (since it’s supposed to be the OG) even though I was already pretty satisfied with the ones I had at Woong Kee Traditional Bean Curd.

Unlike Woong Kee which has a ‘cosy’ space of only 12 stools, Big Mom Beancurd has a (much) bigger set-up with more than 60 seats indoors.

Their signature Hot Beancurd comes in 3 different flavours: Ginger (RM1.40, SGD0.50), Brown Sugar (RM1.40, SGD0.50) and weekends-exclusive Chrysanthemum (RM1.90, SGD0.65).

Toppings are available for add-on to the beancurd and they are priced at RM0.70 (SGD0.25) each with options such as Peanuts with Sesame, Red bean, Grass jelly and Pumpkin rice balls.

For a more substantial portion, the SuperStar (RM3.50, SGD1.20) comes with 3 toppings – Peanuts with Sesame, Red bean, Grass jelly that can satisfy those who would like to try all the flavours in a bowl.

The service is prompt and staffs are all very polite and enthusiastic when it comes to giving recommendations.

My favourite was the SuperStar (RM3.50, SGD1.20) with ginger syrup that comes in bowl brimming with ingredients.

The beancurd is slightly smoother and richer in soybean taste compared to the ones I had at Woong Kee.

The texture is more bouncy and wobbly, which literally glides down my throat in seconds, all thanks to the limestone hills that are known for their mineral-rich spring water used to create their beancurd.

All the 3 toppings complimented well with one another, especially the peanuts with sesame added more aroma and fragrance to the bowl of dessert.

Since it is the weekend, I decided to try out their exclusive Chrysanthemum beancurd with Pumpkin rice balls.

Coincidentally, the Pumpkin Rice balls are available in limited quantity during my visit, and I told that these are only on the last 2 weekends each month.

I enjoyed the beancurd with the right amount of sweetness that did not overpower the taste of the beancurd.

This bowl of beancurd comes with different levels of texture in it, from the smooth silky beancurd to the chewy mochi-like pumpkin rice balls made from glutinous rice that goes well with the light and floral chrysanthemum syrup.

Drinks such as Soy Milk (Cup RM1.80/ SGD0.60, Bottle RM2.20/ SGD0.75) and Black Bean Soy Milk (Cup RM2/ SGD0.70, Bottle RM2.60/ SGD0.90).

Grass Jelly is available as an add on by topping up RM0.20, SGD0.10.

The Purple Sweet Potato Soy Milk caught my attention with its bright purple hue. known for being high in fibre, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties.

Slightly thicker in texture compared to normal soy milk, the Purple Sweet Potato Soy Milk is a delightful treat in their hot climate.

Out of the many Tau Fu Fa I tried during my visit to Ipoh, Big Mom Beancurd is still my favourite with a more refined and balanced taste even though beancurd is such as a simple dish on its own.

Thanks (Big) Mom for such a delightful and memorable bowl of dessert.

Big Mom Beancurd 靓妈豆花店
22-24, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, Ipoh, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 12pm – 5pm (Fri – Wed), Closed Thurs
Google Maps – Big Mom Beancurd

Other Related Entries
Woong Kee Traditional Bean Curd (Ipoh)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

”Eh, no queue?” No doubt it was a weekday afternoon, but being typical Singaporeans, we quickly wanted to try what is “IN” for now.

Popular Korean Fried Chicken brand Mom’s Touch Chicken and Burger has opened at Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ), to a relatively long queue during the opening weekend.

Established since 2004 with over 1,187 outlets in South Korea, the chain is brought over to Singapore by No Signboards Holdings which owns the master franchise.

The store is located at the outer arena of PLQ with limited seating area inside. So you got to count your luck to find a table and seats outside (students are quick and have already marked their territory around here), bear the heat on occasional hot afternoons.

The brand is called “Mom’s Touch” because it is supposed to represent the way a mother prepares for a meal for her family.

The chicken is hand-battered, hand-breaded, and marinated with Mom’s Touch special blend of seasoning for a fuller, tender and juicier taste. No ajummas spotted at the Singapore store though.

The menu is divided into chicken and burgers, with fried chicken items including Mom’s Fried Chicken in Original or Spicy ($8.70 for 2 piece set, $11.70 for 3), Mom’s Spicy Sauce Chicken ($8.90 for 2 piece set, $12 for 3), Chicken Tenderloin ($7 for 3 piece set).

A bundle of 9 pieces is priced at $27, and 12 pieces for $35.80 for the Mom’s Fried Chicken.

As for the burgers, you can look out for the Mom’s Thigh Burger ($8.70 for set), Incredible Burger ($9.80 for set), Bulgalbi Chicken Burger ($8.20 for set), and Deep Cheese Burger ($8.80 for set).

The Original Mom’s Fried Chicken reminded me of some of the other familiar brands, except that this was much cruncher and crispy. Not greasy to the touch too.

However, the meat unfortunately was on the dry side, lacking the tenderness and juiciness one would expect.

My friend mentioned between crispy + dry OR oily + moist, then he would rather have the former.

Competition, competition. I did think that Paya Lebar has a number of fried chicken shops, such as Arnold’s Fried Chicken and Jollibee which both have their loyal fans.

The weirdly-named Mom’s Thigh Burger ($8.70 for set, $5.70 for ala carte) came with freshly cut lettuce, onions, pickles and burger sauce stacked in between two oven-baked sesame buns.

Slightly on the pricier side, this reminded us of the capitol “Z” burger, but at least the thigh was of a good portion and juicy.

On a branding note, the Cajun fries and drinks came in generic packaging which made it harder to differentiate this with other fast-food joints, especially if people don’t know if this is a famous chain from Korea.

Mom’s Touch
10 Paya Lebar Quarter #01-37 Singapore 409057
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.

[Ipoh, Malaysia] Ipoh is well known for its local food such as Chee Cheong Fun to Tau Fu Fa, Hor Fun and big, crunchy beansprouts.

But there isn’t much information on their cafe scene, which is more popular and common in bigger cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang instead.

Even though Ipoh Old Town still retains the facade of colonial-style heritage shophouses and wall mural arts, it has now become a popular food destination such as Woong Kee Traditional Bean Curd, Restoran Tuck Kee 怡保德记, Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun, Big Mom Beancurd 靓妈豆花店 all within walking distance.

Jln Theatre Coffee, as its name implies, is located along Jalan Theatre along the stretch of shophouses within Ipoh Old Town.

Stepping inside, I was immediately transported into another world of artisanal coffee, refined pastries and an Instagrammable space.

There is a stark contrast between Jln Theatre Coffee and Old Ipoh Town and the latter offers traditional local delights and White Coffee that Ipoh is famous for.

There is a certain Kinfolk-like charm to this space, mainly white in colour with wooden and marble elements, known as clean and minimalist in today’s term.

The entire space is bright lit with natural sunlight pouring through the central glass ceiling, and strangely it also reminded me of Arabica % in the aesthetic sense.

Their menu focuses more on drinks and pastries such as Coffee (RM9-15, SGD3-5), Matcha (RM12-13, SGD4-4.30), Valrhona Chocolate (RM15, SGD5) and an assortment of bakes such as Tarts (RM5, SGD5) and Cakes (RM18-20, SGD 6-7).

Espresso-based drinks such as Black (RM9, SGD3) and White (RM11, SGD3.70) are available with options such as Iced (+RM1, SGD 0.30) and Oat milk (+RM2, SGD0.70).

Being a micro-roastery, Jln Theatre Coffee roast their own coffee beans and my cup of Flat White was smooth, medium bodied with a balanced and non overly-acidic taste.

I enjoyed both the Niko Neko Matcha Tart (RM15, SGD5) and the Tarte Au Citron (RM15, SGD5) from their display.

The Niko Neko Matcha Tart (RM15, SGD5) consisted of both matcha and peanut butter layers within a tart shell, generously sprinkled with Yuri Matcha powder from Niko Neko, a matcha powder supplier in Malaysia.

The matcha was distinctive and non-overpowering, yet it leaves a slight lingering bitterness that is balanced by the earthly and nutty taste from the peanut butter.

The tart shell was unfortunately a little hard and dry even though it was buttery and fragrant.

For a more refreshing option, the Tarte Au Citron (RM15, SGD5), was filled with citrusy lemon curd and a layer meringue.

It seems like the Burnt Cheesecake (RM20, SGD6.70) is a popular item even though it is not stated on the menu or on the display shelf.

Served chilled with a dollop of whipping cream, the Burnt Cheesecake is a typical New York-style Cheesecake with a dense and creamy texture.

Personally, I will prefer the Japanese-style cheesecake with a soft and fluffy texture instead of the denser version.

Even though the cafe scene might not be as developed in Ipoh, the coffee and desserts at Jln Theatre Coffee did not disappoint and is worth a visit.

Jln Theatre Coffee
76, Jalan Theatre, Ipoh, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Jln Theatre Coffee

Other Related Entries
Woong Kee Traditional Bean Curd (Ipoh)
Restoran Tuck Kee 怡保德记 (Ipoh)
Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun (Ipoh)
Big Mom Beancurd 靓妈豆花店 (Ipoh)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Unagi ウナギ which is freshwater eel used to be a minor part of an extensive menu in many Japanese restaurants in Singapore. That was because Man Man came along.

The Unagi is typically served as part of unadon – a donburi dish with sliced eel served on a bed of rice.

Prized for its quality and sweet taste, the eel however, is facing shortage due to decreasing supply and increasing international demand.

It is not difficult to find unagi taking a bigger role in Japanese menus here, and more unagi specialty restaurants such as Unagiya Ichinoji, Unaemon, and Una Una being set up.

Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant – Keong Saik
1 Keong Saik Road #01-01 Singapore 089109
Tel: +65 6222 0678
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3:00pm Last order 2:30pm,
Dinner 6:00pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat, PH), Closed Sun

Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant at Keong Saik Road has been attracting long lines, especially after the Michelin Bib Gourmand win.

The queue is said to be anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and the safest bet would be to go early evening, or late lunch (before last orders though).

The Unagi supply comes solely from the Mikawa Isshiki region, famous for supplying high quality freshwater eel.

Chef Nakagawa, who had been working in a Mikawa Unagi shop for more than 20 years, (or his team members) will cut the unagi live in front of diners. That’s part of the thrill, I guess.

There are three recommended steps to enjoy the don. First, you can enjoy Unagi itself with rice. Secondly, include the spices. Lastly, pour the dashi stock over the bowl.

To me, it is “Very oishii!” Beautifully char-grilled unagi with the light crisp, matched with top-grade rice, and tantalising sauces. No fishy taste too.

Man Man has 3 other branches, at Duo Gallery, within Yamato Izakaya, and the other a collaboration with Tendon Kohaku at Clarke Quay Central. Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant (Keong Saik Road)

Uya 四代目菊川
501 Orchard Road, #02-15/16 Wheelock Place, Singapore 238880 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6732 1096
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm Last Order 2:30pm;
Dinner 6pm – 9:30pm Last Order 9pm (Sun – Thurs), 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)

Uya 四代目菊川 located at level 2 of Wheelock Place, aims to offer affordable and authentic Japanese traditional unagi cuisine to the masses in Singapore.

The eels at Uya are said to be selected to ensure the ideal quality in colour, plumbness and tenderness.

The tare used is made using a sauce base that has been a family secret for over 4 generations and was specially brought over from Japan to Singapore.

The price of the Hitsumabushi Set is at $35++ for the medium, and $48++ for large.

So while the unagi was of reasonably good quality, it lacked that slight char and smokiness one would come expecting (perhaps it was an ‘off’ day when I visited.)

The good thing is, those who find Man Man’s version too sweet, could prefer this as you can savour more of the natural flavours of the eel. Uya (Wheelock Place)

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

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

Miyagawa Honten is one of Tokyo’s famous unagi restaurants, with a history that spans 125 years, now operating 20 outlets in Japan alone.

Its outlet in Meguro-ku, Tokyo has been awarded Bib Gourmand in Michelin Guide Tokyo. However, it is called “Unagiya Ichinoji” in Singapore instead of its parent-name.

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

The 34-seater restaurant serves up unagi in three different styles: Hitsumabushi ($19.80), Seiro Mushi ($19.80) and Mamushi Donburi ($18.80).

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

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

Una Una
201 Victoria St, #04-10, Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 6238 1011
Opening hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 10pm (Sat, Sun)

Una Una allows you to enjoy this regional specialty for only $9.80++. For such a luxe dish, this is a steal. If you are a real unagi fan, you know how expensive it can be.

Over at Una Una, you will be blissfully surrounded with unagi in different forms, from Hitsumabushi to Unaju (unagi bento box), Gozen (set meals), unagi sushi rolls, and unagi kabayaki (grilled) sets.

The signature Unagi Hitsumabushi ($9.80 for small, $14.80 for regular, $19.80 for double) starts with fresh unagi slathered with a special in-house sweet and savoury basting tare made of shoyu, mirin, and sugar.

Flown in from Japan, this unagi sauce is as authentic as it can be.

The fish is then grilled over temperature-controlled charcoals, twice. This double-dipping technique for about 10 minutes creates a winning texture – glisteningly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside.

An order of Hitsumabushi comes with soup, dashi, pickles, and condiments like nori, wasabi, and spring onions. Una Una (Bugis+)

Kogane Yama – Bugis Junction
Bugis Junction #02-50, 200 Victoria Street, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs),
11am – 11pm Last Order 10:30pm (Fri – Sat)

Kogane Yama, which name means “golden mountain” in Japanese, initially starting serving tempura piled up like a mini-mountain on rice bowls. It has expanded its menu to cater to customers who would enjoy a greater variety and more options, especially for regulars.

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

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

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

MAI by Dashi Master Marusaya
46 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089858
Tel: +65 6327 8414
Opening hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

A must-try main at MAI is the Unagi River Eel Donabe ($38++), an aromatic claypot rice cooked with dashi, soy sauce, Japanese sake, and well-simmered with the flavours of fresh seafood.

If dining with a group, each order is good for sharing among 4 persons. Find it under the a la carte section of the menu.

It takes about 45 minutes for each Donabe to be prepared from scratch, so it is best to pre-order before you come.

Even if you are familiar with the local claypot rice, this Japanese Donabe version comes across with less salty with more of that deep-lingering taste of dashi.

As for the rice, the famous Hokkaido Yumepirika rice is used, known for its soft fluffy taste, and glossy appearance. Another winning element is the layer of crisp rice found at the bottom of the pot (which we Singaporeans will call guo ba).

Enjoy the freshwater eel’s smoky grilled taste in the tender, delicate flesh that is so fatty good. MAI by Dashi Master Marusaya

Unaemon @ GOCHI
Capital Square, 23 Church Street, #01-02/08, Singapore 049481
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

Established in Japan in 1950, Unaemon was co-founded in Japan by the owner of Taga, a 147-year old Unagi specialty restaurant, and the third owner of Kiyoizumi, a historical Unagi restaurant in Hinode-cho, Yokohama.

Unaemon serves up Unaju ($32, $36), Hitsumabushi ($28.50, $33, $46), Unagi Bento ($19.50) and other ala carte dishes such as Grilled Egg with Sauce ($29.50), Smoked Eel ($15), Fried Eel ($18), and Eel Egg Roll.

Some of the special features include the rice which is sourced from the famous Nanatsuboshi brand in Hokkaido, and sweet barbecue sauce which has been continuously replenished since the restaurant was founded close to 150 years ago.

Comparatively, the pieces were not as crisp, and what I didn’t fancy as much was that there were several small bones (too many) within which affected the overall eating experience. Unaemon (Capital Square)

Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant
Orchard Central #12-02
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm, Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant gathers 6 unique brands in one location giving you a wide selection of popular Japanese fare.

It has just launched an “Unasho” concept, offering Hitsumabushi of barbecued grilled egg fillet with thick and savoury sauce over right.

They also offer a Healthy Unagi Don ($23.80) with grilled unagi with seafood and vegetables over rice, and Unagi Shirayaki ($31.80) of grilled unagi with sea salt.

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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.

[Taipei] All Day Roasting Company is established in 2014, the year when most cafes in Songshan District has sprung up to liven up Taipei’s coffee scene.

While it has always been on my to-go list, I have only managed to head over All Day Roasting Café recently due to its slightly-off location.

Located in Songshan District, this spacious naturally-lighted coffee bar is a juxtaposition of cement, wood, steel, and glass.

Depending on your need to socialise, feel free to pick your spot among the different sections. Sit in front of the baristas, share a table with friends, or face a wall.

Savour every drip of their coffees, all roasted in-house.

Say hello to the available single origin bean selection, whiff their aroma, before you select your daily pour-over coffee.

Soy and almond milk are available for those who have a special preference for the milk in their coffee.

Other than the usual choices such as Latte (NT$160, NT$170 for iced) and Cappuccino (NT$150), there is a special “coffee with natural flavours” section offered Plant Based Latte (NT$180), Hazelnut, Roasted Almond, Parsley & Nuts and Brown Sugar Latte (NT$180).

Among the espresso drinks, try their Peanut Butter Latte (NT$180) for its novelty. Imagine a rich, smooth, sweet dollop of peanut butter blended into that strong espresso taste. Unusual, but worth trying.

Or try their well-frothed Gibraltar (NT$150) with a 1:3 espresso to milk ratio. Their espresso blend has subtle acidity and chocolate notes.

For food, they have the usual pastries and light lunch options like sandwiches and salads.

Their specialty includes Baguette Sandwiches (NT$280) with salami, smoked salmon, pastrami, French ham fillings; or Signature Hot Dog Trio (NT$180), Croissant with Pastrami (NT$180) and Shakshuka (NT$280).

Perfect place to have a good cup of cuppa, read a book, or just immerse in its rather photogenic space.

All Day Roasting Company
No. 329, Yanshou Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
台北市松山區延壽街329號
Tel: +886 2 8787 4468
Opening Hours: 10am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – All Day Roasting Café

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Tamed Fox (Ren’ai Road, Taipei)

Click HERE for other TAIPEI Food Entries

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

58 eateries from Singapore have made it to the Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2019, an increase of 8 from 50 the previous year.

Here are the 12 NEW Bib Gourmands entrees, 8 of which are hawker stalls:
– Anglo Indian (Shenton Way)
– Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon (Whampoa Makan Place)
– Bedok Chwee Kueh (Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre)
– Chef Kang’s Noodle House (Toa Payoh)
– Chen’s Mapo Tofu (Downtown Gallery)
– Fu Ming Cooked Food (Redhill Food Centre)
– Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow (Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre)
– Hjh Maimunah Restaurant (Jalan Pisang)
– Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle (Bedok Interchange Food Centre)
– Indocafe – The White House
– Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup (Tiong Bahru Food Centre) and
– To-Ricos Guo Shi (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

Not to be confused with the actual Michelin Guide which awards “stars”, the Bib Gourmand guide highlights restaurants offering “exceptional good food at moderate prices”, and about half in that list in Singapore are hawker stalls.

They must offer menu items priced below a maximum determined by local economic standards. In Singapore’s guide, the price is set at $45.

Some of the highlights:
– Hjh Maimunah from Jalan Pisang makes a re-entry to the list. It was listed in the “Bib Gourmand” for the inaugural year, dropped, and makes a return this year.
– Chef Kang’s Noodle House at Toa Payoh which is conceptualised by 1-Michelin star Chef Ang Song Kang makes it to the list for the first time.
– Not Tiong Bahru or Ghim Moh, but Bedok Chwee Kueh at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre is the first Chwee Kueh stall to be awarded a Bib Gourmand.

Notable exclusions:
– New Ubin Seafood, Rolina Curry Puffs, The Coconut Club and Shi Wei Da (Satay Bee Hoon) are not to be found in this year’s Bib Gourmand. There could be a few possibilities: the shop/stall may be awarded a star next week instead; or not graded due to moves (New Ubin Seafood and The Coconut Club have both moved to other locations).

1. A Noodle Story 超好面 – Amoy Street Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Singapore-style ramen
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-39 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit G)
Opening Hours: 11:15am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 7:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 1:30pm (Sat) , Closed Sun, PH

2. Alliance Seafood 联合海鲜烧烤 – Newton Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Crabs and Seafood dishes
Newton Circus Food Centre #01-27, 500 Clemenceau Avenue North Singapore 229495 (Newton MRT)
Opening Hours: 1pm – 2am (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sat), 1pm – 12am (Sun), Closed Wed

3. Anglo Indian – Shenton Way
Cafe & Bar: Anglo-Indian Dishes
1 Shenton Way #01-08, Singapore 068803
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 9pm (Sat), Closed Sun

4. Ah Er Soup 阿2老火汤 – ABC Brickworks Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Chinese Herbal Soups
ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre #01-143, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006
Opening Hours: 11am – 2pm, 5pm to 8pm (Mon – Fri, Sun). Closed on Sat

5. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak 豪华罗杂 – 90 Whampoa Dr, Whampoa Makan Place
Hawker Stall: Rojak (a type of local fruit and vegetable ‘salad’)
Whampoa Drive Makan Place #01-06, Block 90 Whampoa Drive Singapore 320090
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 4pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon – Tues

6. Bar-Roque Grill – 165 Tanjong Pagar Road
Restaurant: French-influenced modern rotisserie
165 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-00, Singapore 088539
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm (Mon – Fri), 6pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Reservation Online – Bar-Roque Grill

7. Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon 美芝路鱼头米粉 – Whampoa Food Centre
91 Whampoa Drive, #01-46 Whampoa Makan Place, Singapore 320090
Opening Hours: 9am – 2pm (Sun – Tues, Thurs – Fri), Closed Wed, Sat

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

9. Bismillah Biryani – 50 Dunlop Street
Restaurant: Biryani and Kebabs
50A Dunlop Street Singapore 209379
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues

10. Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang – Bukit Merah View Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Mutton Soup
Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre #01-51, 115 Bukit Merah View, Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 2:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

11. Chef Kang’s Noodle House – Toa Payoh
Coffee Shop Stall: Wanton Nooodles
Block A, Jackson Square, 11 Toa Payoh Lorong 3 Singapore 319579
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm (Tues – Fri), 8am – 2pm, Closed Mon

12. Chen’s Mapo Tofu – Shenton Way
Restaurant: Mapo Tofu and other Chinese dishes
6A Shenton Way #02-29, Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068809
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

13. Chey Sua Carrot Cake 青山菜头粿 – 127 Lor 1 Toa Payoh
Hawker Stall: Fried Carrot Cake
Blk 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre Lor 1 #02-30 Singapore 310127
Opening Hours: 6am – 1pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

14. Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck – Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Braised Duck Rice
20 Ghim Moh Road #01-04, Singapore 270020
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs

15. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa 德普路真善美驰名砂煲叻沙 – Alexandra Village
Hawker Stall: Claypot Laksa
Blk 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-75, Alexandra Village, Singapore 150120
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 3:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

16. Eminent Frog Porridge and Seafood – Geylang Road Lor 19
Coffee Shop Stall: Frog Porridge
323 Geylang Road (Lor 19), Singapore 389359
Opening Hours: 4pm – 4am Daily

17. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa 驰名结霜桥三轮车叻沙 – Hong Lim Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Laksa and Mee Siam
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, #02-66 Blk 513A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 5.30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

18. Fresh Taste Big Prawn Noodle – Zion Riverside Food Centre (NEW)
Hawker Stall: Prawn Noodles
56 Zion Rd, Singapore 247781
Opening Hours: 6pm – 11:30pm (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 1am (Sat – Sun)

19. Fu Ming Cooked Food – Redhill Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Fried Carrot Cake
#01-49 Redhill Food Centre, Blk 85 Redhill Lane, Singapore 150085
Opening Hours: 3pm – 1am (Mon – Sat), 6pm – 1am (Sun)

20. Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow – Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Char Kway Teow
20, 01-19 Ghim Moh Rd, Singapore 270020
Opening Hours: 7am – 2pm (Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat), Closed Mon, Thurs, Sun

21. Hawker Chan Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle (78 Smith Street) 了凡香港油鸡饭.面
Eatery: Hong Kong style Soy Chicken Rice and Noodles
78 Smith Street Singapore 059872
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 8:00pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun), Closed Wed

22. Heng 興 – Newton Food Centre (NEW)
Hawker Stall: Fried Carrot Cake
500 Clemenceau Avenue North, #01-28 Singapore 229495
Opening Hours: 5pm – 1am (Mon – Sun)

23. Hjh Maimunah – Jalan Pisang
Restaurant: Malay Food, Nasi Padang
11 Jln Pisang, Singapore 199078
Opening Hours: 7am – 8pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

24. Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle – Bedok Interchange Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Curry Chicken Noodles
208 New Upper Changi Road, #01-58 Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Singapore 462208
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

25. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee 鸿兴炒苏东虾麵 – Tiong Bahru Food
Hawker Stall: Fried Hokkien Noodles
Tiong Bahru Market #02-82 30 Seng Poh Road Singapore 168898
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

26. Hong Kee Beef Noodle 桐记牛肉粿条 – Amoy Street Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Hainanese Beef Noodles
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-42, 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit G)
Opening Hours: 11am – 7:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 2:30pm (Sat – Sun), Closed PH

27. Hong Kong Yummy Soup – Alexandra Village Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Double Boiled Soups
120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150120
Opening Hours: 12pm – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

28. Hoo Kee Bak Chang 和记肉粽 – Amoy Street Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Rice Dumplings
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-18, 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

29. Indocafe – The White House
Restaurant: Peranakan Food
35 Scotts Road, Singapore 228227
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

30. J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff 驰名香脆咖喱卜 – Amoy Street Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Curry and Sardine Puffs
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-21, 7 Maxwell Road Singapore 069111 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit G)
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH

31. Ka-Soh Restaurant 家嫂 – 2 College Road
Restaurant: Fish Soup Noodles and other Chinese dishes
Alumni Medical Centre 2 College Road, Singapore 169850
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

32. Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup – Tiong Bahru Market
Hawker: Pig’s Organ Soup
30 Seng Poh Road #02-29 Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre, Singapore 168898
Opening Hours: 8:30am-3:30pm (Tue – Sun), 6pm – 8:30pm (Tue – Sat), Closed Mon

33. Kok Sen Restaurant 国成球记餐室 – 30 Keong Saik Road
Restaurant (non-aircon): Zhi Char or wok-fried dishes
Opening Hours: 12.00am – 2.00pm, 5.00pm – 11.00pm (Mon – Sun)
Note: Closed on alternate Mondays

34. Lagnaa – 6 Upper Dickson Road
Restaurant: South and North Indian cuisines
6 Upper Dickson Road, Singapore 207466
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 11:30pm (Mon – Fri)

35. Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow – Old Airport Road Food Centre (NEW)
Hawker Stall: Char Kway Teow
51 Old Airport Road #01-12, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

36. Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice – Chinatown Complex
Hawker Stall: Claypot Rice
335 Smith Street, 02-197/198/199 Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: 4:30pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs

37. Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant 鳗満 – 1 Keong Saik Road
Restaurant: Unagi specialty dishes
1 Keong Saik Road #01-01 Singapore 089109
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3:00pm Last order 2:30pm,
Dinner 6:00pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat, PH), Closed Sun

38. Muthu’s Curry – Little India
Restaurant: Indian Cuisine
138 Race Course Road, #01-01, Singapore 218591
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

39. Na Na Homemade Curry (Bukit Merah) 南南家咖哩 – 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Fish Head Curry, Pork Rib Curry and Mutton Curry
Blk 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre, Bt Merah View Singapore 151115
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

40. New Lucky Claypot Rice 新鸿运瓦煲饭 – 44 Holland Drive
Hawker stall: Claypot Rice
Holland Drive Market and Food Centre, 44 Holland Drive, Singapore 270044 (10 min walk from Buona Vista MRT)
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:00am – 1:00pm, Dinner 5:00pm to 8:00pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun) Closed on Wed

41. Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee – Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Char Kway Teow
Hong Lim Food Centre #02-17, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
Opening Hours: 6pm – 3:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH

42. Shi Hui Yuan 实惠园 – 159 Mei Chin Road
Hawker Stall: Ipoh style Hor Fun
Mei Ling Market & Food Centre #02-33, 159 Mei Chin Road, Singapore 140159
Opening Hours: 8am – 2pm (Thurs – Sun), Closed Mon – Wed

43. Sik Bao Sin (Desmond’s Creation)
Restaurant: Cantonese Dishes
592 Geylang Road, Singapore 389531
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 2:30pm, 5:45pm – 9:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

44. Sin Huat Eating House 新发餐厅 – 659 Lorong 35 Geylang
Eatery: Crabs and seafood dishes
659/661 Lorong 35 Geylang Singapore 389589
Opening Hours: 6:30pm – 1:00am (Mon – Sun)

45. Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice – Holland Drive
Hawker Stall: Hainanese Chicken Rice
40 Holland Drive, Block 40, Singapore 270040
Opening Hours: 11am – 4pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

46. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road) 松发肉骨茶(新桥路) – 11 New Bridge Road
Eatery: Pork-Rib Soup
11 New Bridge Road, #01-01 Singapore 059383 (Upper Circular Road)
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 9:15pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

47. Tai Wah Pork Noodle – Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Minced Pork Noodles (Bak Chor Mee)
Hong Lim Food Centre #02-16, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 7:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

48. The Blue Ginger – 97 Tanjong Pagar Road
Restaurant: Peranakan Food
97 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088518
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

49. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice 天天海南鸡饭 – Maxwell Food Center
Hawker Stall: Hainanese Chicken Rice
Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street #01-10/11, Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

50. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice 中峇鲁海南起骨鸡饭 – Tiong Bahru Food Centre
Hawker Stall: Hainanese Chicken Rice
Tiong Bahru Market #02-82, 30 Seng Poh Road Singapore 168898
Opening Hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)

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

52. Shirokane Tori-Tama 酉玉白金 – 11 Unity Street
Restaurant: Japanese Yakitori (skewers)
11 Unity Street, Singapore 237995
Opening Hours: 6pm – 11pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

53. To-Ricos Guo Shi – Old Airport Road Food Centre
Hawker: Kway Chap (pig innards)
51 Old Airport Road, #01-135 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm (Wed – Fri, Sun), 10:30am – 3pm (Sat), Closed Mon, Tues

54. True Blue Cuisine – 47/49 Armenian Street
Restaurant: Peranakan food
47/49 Armenian Street, Singapore 179937
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)

55. Whole Earth 环界 – 76 Peck Seah Street
Restaurant: Vegetarian cuisine
76 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079331
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

56. Yhingthai Palace 银泰 – 36 Purvis Street
Restaurant: Thai cuisine
36 Purvis Street, #01-04, Singapore 188613
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)

57. Zaffron Kitchen (East Coast) – 137 East Coast Road
Restaurant: Modern Indian cuisine
135/137 East Coast Road, Singapore 341137
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9:30m (Mon – Fri), 11.30am – 10.00pm (Sat – Sun)
Reserve Online Now – Zaffron Kitchen

58. Zai Shun Curry Fish Head 载顺咖喱鱼头 – 253 Jurong East Street 24 #01-205
Coffee Shop Stall: Teochew Porridge, Curry Fish Head and Steamed Fish
253 Jurong East Street 24 #01-205, Singapore 600253
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 3:00pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Sun), Closed Wed

Read: DFD Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand Reviews

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10 “Michelin Plate” Hawker Stalls In Singapore
10 Best Hawker Centres In Singapore, And Their Popular Recommended Food Stalls
10 Must-Try Char Kway Teow Singapore
12 Must-Try Hokkien Mee In Singapore

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

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow sometimes known as “Ghim Moh Char Kway Teow” has just been listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2019, joining Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee at Hong Lim Food Centre and Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow at Old Airport Road Food Centre in the ranks.

That also means that some other well-known CKT stalls such as Hill Street Fried Kway Teow at Bedok South Food Centre and No. 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow at Zion Road Food Centre are left out. Well, well.

This stall was once awarded in the Channel U television programme, which propelled its fame further.

It has the longest queue and it is surely one of the gems of Ghim Moh.

The wait can be a bit long and tedious as uncle prepares the dishes at his own pace, but their Fried Kway Teow ($3/ $4/ $5) is worth the wait for its fans.

A few things to note: The stall is only opened 4 days a week (Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat) for short window period of 7am to 2pm.

Even if you see say about just 6 to 8 customers in the queue, it may take anything from 20 minutes to more than half an hour because uncle fries plate by plate, and some customers may be buying packets for the village.

Also, no advance ordering allowed.

Uncle is a class-act to watch. While most hawkers are hidden in the background or you can throw a peek at how they cook up a fare, you would notice a window where you can watch uncle fry up plate-by-plate.

Like a ‘live’ kitchen concept.

There are all the basis ingredients of eggs, cockles, kway teow, fried pork lard and lap cheong, along with reasonably good wok-hei.

Quite balanced flavours as well, even though you do not really taste that sweet-sauce.

However, I suspect that some customers would prefer a version in which the dark sauce is more pronounced.

Some customers said that the best flavours are experienced upon ta-baoing home in which the heat gets ‘trapped’ within the packet.

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow
20, 01-19 Ghim Moh Rd, Singapore 270020
Opening Hours: 7am – 2pm (Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat), Closed Mon, Thurs, Sun

Other Related Entries
10 Must-Try Char Kway Teow Singapore
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee (Hong Lim Food Centre)
Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
Hill Street Fried Kway Teow (Bedok South Food Centre)
No. 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow (Zion Road Food Centre)

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

Paradise Dynasty’s signature Xiao Long Bao has made it a household name, especially its 8-coloured Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao which was launched with various exciting flavours never-seen-before then.

The newly opened Paradise Dynasty at the Paya Lebar Quarter or PLQ Mall continues to be up to something special.

On September 14, a mystery Xiao Long Bao flavour will be unveiled to the public.

Paradise Dynasty Mystery Flavour Xiao Long Bao at $1*
Be one of the first to find out this mystery flavour, available only for a limited period.

In conjunction with the opening of Paradise Dynasty Paya Lebar Quarter, this limited-edition Xiao Long Bao will be exclusively available at this PLQ outlet for a month from 14th September.

This mystery-flavoured Xiao Long Bao is pleated using the brand’s golden formula of 18 exquisite folds.

Its delicate skin, masterfully folded, encases delectable fillings which will promise an explosion of flavours.

I am not supposed to say anything yet, but here’s some clues what it may contain:
– As iconic as 101
– Savoury and slightly sweet
– Taste of nostalgia

Diners can try the mystery-flavoured Xiao Long Bao at Paradise Dynasty @ PLQ from 14 September (Sat) to 13 October 2019 (Sun).

Simply share a photo of this XLB on Facebook or Instagram (set to public) to enjoy a basket of 5 pieces of Xiao Long Bao at $1 (U.P: $7.80). Include the hashtags #paradisegrpsg, #paradisedynasty and #plqmysteryxlb.

T&C:
– Valid from 14 Sep till 13 Oct 2019, while stocks last
– One redemption per table per bill

If it’s been a while since you visited Paradise Dynasty, now is a good time. Taste their signature XLBs, La Mian, as well as eight cuisines of China all under one roof: Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan and Zhejiang.

Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao 特色皇朝小笼包(八色) ($15.80 for 8 pieces)
These multi-flavoured pork-filled dumplings need little-introduction. As Paradise Dynasty’s most iconic dish, they are coloured using natural ingredients.

Each 25g xiao long bao is a hallmark of precision, pleated with exactly 18 folds.

You will taste 8 flavours in one basket, the signature original, ginseng, foie gras, black truffle, cheese, crab roe, garlic and Szechuan.

To appreciate each flavour, slurp your way from the delicate original up to the bold Szechuan, in that sequence.

Drunken Chicken 李白醉鸡 ($9.80)
This traditional appetiser favourite is made from deboned chicken steamed with scallions, ginger and salt.

What makes the chicken “drunk” is the marinade made from a blend of yellow wine and soy sauce, flavoured with ginger, pepper, and spring oil.

That aromatic liquid seeps into the meat, making its texture moist and gelatinous, and its taste clean and refreshing.

Spinach and Vermicelli tossed with Vinaigrette 春雨拌绿蔬 ($5.00)
Another must-try appetiser, this dish combines chilled baby spinach with Chinese rice noodles, thin strips of carrots and onion.

The tart dressing is a vinaigrette-style blend of light soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, and salt.

Double-Boiled Chicken Soup 清炖甘榜鸡汤 ($11.50)
A classic soup that’s light and clean-tasting, it has that subtle sweet savoury herbal flavour.

Nourishing mix of traditional Chinese herbs create that broth profile, boiling bone-in chickens for hours.

Another comforting soup to choose would be the Double-boiled Pork Rib with Cabbage Soup.

Crispy Pork Chop 香酥猪扒 ($9.80)
A hit amongst kids and adults alike, this well-loved pork dish is marinated in a flavourful mix of soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, five spice powder, scallion, ginger and garlic.

The infused meat is then battered and fried ‘til the edges are crispy while inside the meat stays moist. Served sliced for your convenience.

Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork 菠萝咕噜肉 ($13.50)
Next up in the hot dish section are deep-fried pork pieces, stir-fried with chunks of red and green bell peppers, carrots, onions, and sliced pineapples.

Together they are slathered in sweet and sour, well-balanced mix of sugar and rice vinegar.

La Mian in Hot and Sour Soup 酸辣海鲜汤拉面 ($9.50)
La Mian or hand-pulled noodles are a comforting staple in this restaurant. They are expertly prepared, shaped into fine and silky threads, and served with a classic soup base or dry.

Some of the popular choices here include La Mian with Sliced Kurobuta Pork in Signature Pork Bone Soup, La Mian with Double-boiled Chicken Soup, and La Mian with Pork Dumpling in Hot Chilli Vinaigrette.

If you love that bit of spiciness and tanginess, with substantial portion, then go for the La Mian in Hot and Sour Soup.

Chockful of ingredients, this thick soup features Chinese mushrooms, thinly sliced soft bean curd, shredded bamboo shoots, ginger, garlic, beaten egg, light soya sauce and sesame oil. A splash of black vinegar is added for that sour element.

Stir-fried Noodle with Shredded Pork 木樨肉炒拉面 ($12.30)
Another la mian dish at Paradise Dynasty is their stir-fried version mixed with shredded pork. Rich in umami for its soya-flavoured sauce, this noodle dish also contains finely shredded black wood ear fungus.

Fried Rice in Shanghai Style 上海炒饭 ($12.80)
One of Paradise Dynasty’s all-time best-selling dish, this Shanghai-style dish features a medley of shrimp, minced pork and chopped kai lan, all tossed and wok-fried with fluffy grains of rice.

A simple yet aromatic dish that will delight your senses, and pair well with almost any dish.

Fragrant Layered Cake Chinese Style 千层油糕 ($4.80 for 3 pieces)
A famous snack during the Qing Dynasty, these Chinese-style layered cakes are prepared steamed. You get 3 pieces of these diamond-shaped warm, soft and fluffy 千层油糕, which literally means “thousands of oil cakes”. Actually, there are 64 layers if you dare to count.

Paradise Dynasty – Paya Lebar Quarter
10 Paya Lebar, Paya Lebar Quarter Mall #03-08, Singapore 409057
Tel: +65 6971 6575
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 10:00pm Last Order 9:30pm (Sat, Sun & PH)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Paradise Group.

Good news for our Muslim friends. Japanese casual dining concept located in the heart of town, Sora Boru has recently been Halal-certified.

Playfully named after how Japanese pronounce ”bowls”, Sora Boru found at the basement of 313@somerset serves up variety of affordable one-bowl meals in the form of DonBoru (rice bowls), CurryBoru (curry rice bowls), ChirashiBoru (sashimi bowls) and Noodles.

NEW on the menu are five different types of Sushi Keiki aka ‘cakes’, which will be officially launched on 12th of September.

Here are some of the other interesting features of Sora Boru: Diners can also design their own Chirashi bowl through a six-step customisation process to choose their preferred size (mini starting from $9.50), base (sushi rice or greens), raw fish, add-ons, sauce and garnishes.

Add just $3.90 to make up a set with chawanmushi, miso soup and 12 oz regular drink. Plus, all prices stated are inclusive of GST with no additional service charge.

Here are some of Sora Boru’s food highlights:

Sushi Keiki ($8.90)
Now you can have your sushi and cake at the same time. And you do not have to wait for a birthday celebration to have it.

These Sushi Keiki comes with a base of sushi rice and seaweed, topped with your choice of raw fish, add-ons, sauce and garnishes, then moulded like a mini-cake.

Choose between Chirashi, Salmon Avocado, Tuna Avocado, Tuna Mango or Crabmeat Tamago.

The Chirashi Sushi Keiki is similar to what you get in a Bara Chirashi bowl, but moulded into a cake shape. Get the Avocado Keiki if you enjoy mashed avocado which would add a creamy texture and rich flavour.

Feel free to explore your creativity on how you want to have them.

You can slice them by piece like a cake; mix the ingredients all up; wrap the ingredients in the seaweed like a sushi roll.

My recommendation? Split a cake into three, and experience a combination of all of the above.

Snow Beef Don ($7.50 for mini, $11.90 for regular)
This has been one of the best-sellers of Sora Boru since its opening, and it is not difficult to understand why.

The inclusion of grated parmesan and a special sweet-savoury sauce made from whipping cream may remind diners of a Korean-meets-Japanese meal; and I don’t think this style is served anywhere else in Singapore.

The donburi (rice bowls) is constructed with a base of steamed rice, a choice of either stewed cabbage or seasoned beansprouts, then piled with succulent flame-grilled beef slices.

While you would expect donburis to be savoury, this is sweet, creamy and cheesy, and would appeal to those who are more adventurous to try something new and interesting.

Volcano Beef Don ($7.50 for mini, $11.90 for regular)
This is personally my favourite bowl. The name “volcano” comes from the spicy ‘lava’ that runs down the side.

That sauce is created with a spicy, earthy flavour that is like a cross between the Korean gochujang sauce and local sambal chilli (the aftertaste).

Paired with stewed cabbage – I feel it goes better (or seasoned bean sprouts) and slices of beef that are first marinated in a special blend of shoyu sauces, stir-fried for wok-heat, then torched for added smokiness.

The Snow Beef Don, Volcano Bee Don and ChirashiBoru are available in two sizes – Mini and Regular. The kids-sized Mini bowls are for those who really want something light, or would like to try a few different dishes in one seating.

Garlic Fried Rice ($10.50 for chicken, $12.50 for salmon, $13.50 for unagi)
Also known as ”Chahan” or ”Yakimeshi”, the fragrant Garlic Fried Rice is cooked using Japanese rice and house garlic shoyu sauce, with choices of chicken, salmon or unagi (Japanese eel).

As this is cooked using premium Koshihikari short-grain rice, this is a little starchier and plumper that the usual zi-char fried rice you have outside.

The crispy fried garlic chips also add a wonderful garlicky flavour.

Unagi Tamago Don ($19.50)
A bowl of grilled eel glazed with a sweetened and caramelised soy-based tare, over Japanese steamed rice accompanied with strips of egg that add a pop of colour.

The eel was surprisingly soft and fleshy, moderately fat with rich taste.

Breaded Ebi with Shabu Beef ($14.50)
Other than donburi, you can also expect Curry dons such as Chicken Katsu ($12.50), Chicken Karaage ($12.50), Shabu Beef ($12.50), Breaded Salmon ($12.50) and Bread Ebi ($12.50)

The “CurryBoru” showcases mildly spicy gravy Japanese curry cooked with a secret recipe, with options of three varying levels of spiciness.

Have the best of both worlds with a two-protein-combos of bread tempura prawn with shabu beef, a surf n’ turf style curry rice.

So you get a bit of crispiness from the tempura prawns, and juiciness from the thinly sliced meat that is not commonly found in Singapore.

I just noticed that Sora Boru has introduced new BROWN SUGAR Iced Milk Tea ($3.50) – no bubbles though. For something refreshing, thirst-quenching and possibly good for the guts, get your hands on the crowd-favourite Apple Yogurt Soda or Orange Yogurt Soda.

Sora Boru
313@somerset #B3-19/20, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/SoraBoruSingapore/

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Sora Boru.

Of all the new entrants of the Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore Guide 2019, perhaps the most surprise entry would be Fu Ming Cooked Food 福明熟食.

Located at a quiet corner of Redhill Food Centre, it is not one of those ‘famous’ Chai Tow Kway stalls in the likes of Chey Sua at Toa Payoh, Heng 興 at Newton Food Centre, Song Zhou Luo Bo Gao at Bedok Interchange, or He Zhong Carrot Cake at Bukit Timah Food Centre.

Plus, it is only opened from 5pm onwards till around midnight, catering only to the dinner and supper crowd.

When I went to congratulate the stall owners, auntie smiled sheepishly and remarked, ”The hawker centre still very quiet at night… you look around.”

I usually head over here for supper, and when not worried about counting calories. To look out for the stall, find the “Mickey Mouse” on their signboard.

Fu Ming Cooked Food is quite popular as a supper treat for its Fried Carrot Cakes ($3, $4, $5), available in both white or black versions. The stall also sells Bak Zhang on the side for $1.40 each.

Good to know that this stall still steams their own carrot cake, and thus you would find it softer and more watery, compared to many others who simply get their supply from factories.

The question: black or white?

Usually I would go for the white versions in most stall, but somehow I prefer the black here.

There is this soft texture and flavour along with hint of radishes, some pieces of eggs, dribbled with sweet black sauce which was added twice for extra sweetness.

Compared to the average carrot cake which can be starchy with a lot of flour (especially the factory made ones), you can still taste traces of radish here, and the cubes almost melt in your mouth.

You may find it slightly salty and greasy though. Portions are also slightly smaller.

The White Carrot Cake is less eggy and not as crisp as those elsewhere. Strangely devoid of spring onions.

Then again, this is their style and would get some getting used to. If you like your Carrot Cake soft and wobbly, then this is for you.

Fu Ming Carrot Cake
#01-49 Redhill Food Centre, Blk 85 Redhill Lane, Singapore 150085
Tel: +65 9641 0565
Opening Hours: 5pm – 1am (Mon – Sat), 6am – 1am (Sun)

Other Related Entries
Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2019
10 Must-Try Stalls At Redhill Food Centre
Chey Sua Carrot Cake (Toa Payoh Lor 1)
Heng 興 (Newton Food Centre)

* 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] Talk about Kway Chap in Bangkok, and “Guay Jub Ouan Pochana” or “Kway Chap Auon Pochana” which was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand is one of the most well-known names.

For Singaporeans, this name may sound so familiar. Guay Jub Ouan Pochana is located at Bangkok Chinatown’s most famous road, Yaowarat.

And there is also a “Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap” in Singapore at 945 Upper Serangoon Road and Holland Village, though I do not think the shops are related to the Bangkok outlet.

If you are lost, you can find the cart right in front of China Town Rama Cinema, teeming with a happy, bustling vibe. It is about a 10 minutes’ walk from MRT Hua Lamphong station.

This stall has been dishing up aromatic pork belly soup with traditional rolled noodles for more than 50 years.

For only 50 or 100 baht for a medium and large bowl respectively (SGD2.25, 5.50), you can enjoy a serving of these chewy yet tender noodles in a fragrant, hot and peppery broth.

Add an egg for 10 baht.

Over in Singapore, the Kway Chap we are familiar with consist of pig innards in a braised saucing, with flat and thin rice noodles on the side.

This version with peppery soup is closer to our Bak Kut Teh, and carbs coming in the form of short rice rolls.

I can imagine why people would enjoy this, the soup is simply bursting with peppery flavours.

If you never had peppery soup before, this would probably be level 8 out of 10 on a scale, so much so that I think it can probably cure a blocked nose.

On the other, I felt that the overwhelmingness of it distracts the natural sweet flavours of the pork and innards. A pity because the pork belly pieces were really quite juicy and crispy.

I would recommended adding a packet of you tiao (10 baht) which are short, crispy doughsticks – best eaten when they absorb some of that soup.

All kinds of people are here, from locals on a date and Chinese families having a meal to Western tourists exploring Thai street food.

Given the number of people visiting this place, the staff have mastered efficiently pouring soup into bowls, or hurriedly seating you in the limited seats.

If you cannot sleep at night, Yaowarat Road is always somewhere you can explore.

Guay Jub Ouan Pochana
408 Yaowarat Road, Khwaeng Chakkrawat, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 86 508 9979
Opening Hours: 6pm – 3am (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Guay Jub Ouan Pochana

Other Related Entries
On Lok Yun (Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok)
Lhong Tou Café (Yaowarat, Bangkok)
Sanyod (Bangrak, Bangkok)
Yentafo Convent (Sala Daeng, Bangkok)
Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai (Luang Road, Bangkok)

Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

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

We are seeing more new cafes choosing to open at more ‘hidden’ places this year, possibly due to the lower rental and thus operating costs.

From Lee’s Confectionery at Jurong East One Stone Three Birds at Clementi, there are quite a number of new cafes situated in the heartlands.

So perhaps even residents of Ang Mo Kio may not know there is an Acoustic Café at Avenue 10. The name would suggest a café that is passionate about music as much as coffee.

At first glance, you might think the panelling on the wall in this 10-seater cozy café is merely part of the decoration.

However, they are actually acoustic panels, manufactured from high density glass wool and coated with a special coating on the surface to absorb unnecessary noise and echoes.

This explains why the sound quality from the music seems better here, as the HiFi system is said to be “carefully tuned”, with an “almost echo-less environment”.

According to the café staff, there is no need for you to raise your voice even if the café is packed to the brim. (We have yet to put it to the test, and personally feel that customers in cafes shouldn’t talk too loud anyway.)

The menu here at Acoustic Café is relatively simple, drinks you would find at typical cafes and some simple cakes.

The bakes are made in-house, you can even pre-order a batch of brownies or cookies if you like.

Their recommended food and drinks include Brownie ($3.50), Brookie ($4.00, $1 more for Vanilla Ice Cream), Mocha ($4.70), Lavender Tea Latte ($4.50), and Acoustic Milk Latte ($3.00).

The one item that caught my eye though was the Brookie.

Currently in its soft launch phase, the Brookie ($4) is a 2-in-1 combination of a classic Brownie and Cookie.

I was expecting the cookie to be crispy and hard, but it wasn’t. Slightly chewy in texture, this reminded me of the Subway cookies.

The brownie part was chocolatey and crispy on the outside, while soft on the inside. This could do with an ice-cream pairing for that extra oomph.

The Mushroom and Cheese Toast ($4) feels like something I used to eat when I was young, somewhat like those homemade pizza.

Wouldn’t say it’s wow, but at least this is comfort food with generous amount of mushroom and cheese, a possible grab-and-go option.

As for the coffee, the Flat White ($4.20) which wasn’t too acidic complemented well with the Brookie.

Plus point, It was also served with one of their home baked cookies.

With so many neighbourhood cafes popping up, it may be difficult to stand out in this saturated industry.

At least it is one of the more affordable cafes in Singapore. Prices are on the lower side, on top of that, students also enjoy a 10% discount upon showing your student pass.

The owners commented, ”Since the space belongs to us, why not work around our cost and charge at a more affordable price?” Wow.

If you are looking for a place to chill in Ang Mo Kio, Acoustic Café promises good music, ambience and affordable coffee.

Acoustic Cafe
421 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 #01-1159 Singapore 560421
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/acousticcafeamk/

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* Written by DFD’s Café Correspondent @__sy_g. Songyu is a food and travel blogger whose hobby is uncovering hidden hipster cafes. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

[Bangkok] A trip to Bangkok is not complete without having Mango Sticky Rice, also known as khao niao ma muang.

Rice has special importance to Thai families, and usually appears on the table at almost every meal, even in desserts.

This iconic Thai dessert is made with glutinous rice, fresh mango and coconut milk, and eaten with a spoon or sometimes the hands.

When in Bangkok, the traditional Thai dessert mango sticky rice is everywhere, sold by street vendors to high end restaurants, in fanciful cafes presenting it in instagrammable fashion.

But some places simply stand out. One such place is Kor Panich, located near the Grand Palace and open since 1932.

With its simple storefront and only two tables for sitting, you wouldn’t imagine it has achieved a legendary status for its mango sticky rice.

Made from a family recipe passed down for generations for over 8 decades, it is the only Mango Sticky Rice shop listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand Bangkok.

They say this recipe even came from the royal kitchen, where the owner’s mother-in-law used to work.

A portion of Mango Sticky Rice is 100 baht though (SGD4.50, USD3.30), considering that you can find some elsewhere at half this price.

However, take a bite and you would know why. The mangoes were SO SWEET.

Each element was well-executed, from the Chiang Mai-imported rice steamed to the right texture to the perfectly ripe Nam Dok Mai mangoes.

This variety is renowned for its exceptionally juicy, sweet taste.

As for the rice, it was cooked perfectly – soft with right amount of stickiness, imported from Chiang Rai, an area known for producing some of the best quality sticky rice.

Pour some of the coconut milk over, and the combination would almost melt in your mouth.

The crispy yellow mung beans are sprinkled on the very top were also delicious.

For a more exotic taste, try the one with durian. Or try their other sweets like candies and their sticky rice with Thai custard (50 baht).

While most people would think that durians are smelly and have a certain bitter aftertaste, the version that Kor Panich was soft with delicate sweetness, and only faint ‘aroma’.

Quite a pleasant treat, considering I am not so much a durian person.

Kor Panich may be slightly out of the way, and I do agree that there are other Mango Sticky Rice which are quite good too.

You can plan a trip here if you have intention to head to Saranrom Palace, Wat Pho or Raan Jay Fai / Thip Samai Pad Thai. It is a 15 to 20 minutes’ walk either way.

Kor Panich Mango Sticky Rice
431 433 Thanon Tanao, San Chao Pho Sua, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 221 3554
Opening Hours: 7am – 6:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Google Maps – Kor Panich

Click HERE for other BANGKOK Food Entries

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

[Ipoh, Malaysia] Not referring to Michelin-starred Ming Court in Hong Kong, Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum (yes, it’s spelt this way) is one of the popular breakfast spots in Ipoh.

The popular breakfast spot is located along Jalan Leong Sin Nam.

This area is also known as Ipoh’s popular Dim Sum Street, with multiple options such as the famous Restoran Foh San Dim Sum 富山茶樓 established in 1971 (located in a huge mansion-like building) just opposite the humble-looking Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum.

Taking the advice from my Ipoh friends who commented that Foh San is catered to the tourists whereas more locals will frequent Ming Court, I decided to visit the latter for a more local experience.

Stepping into Ming Court is like a scene from a Hong Kong drama coming to life: the early morning hustle, old-school tables, chairs and mosaic floor tiles, table-sharing with strangers and service crew weaving through the crowd with trays of dim sums in a cha chaan teng.

This is the situation on a weekday morning at 7am and I heard that it is usually more crowded during the weekends.

Keep a lookout for empty tables (or chairs) and the attentive staff in red uniform with red cap will attend to you once you are seated.

Each group will be given utensils and an order chit with pricing indicated starting from RM2.40 (SGD0.80) to RM5.80 (SGD1.95).

The service staff are very responsive and will come to you promptly with trays of dim sum, which can be a little overwhelming for first-timers, but they are definitely enthusiastic and polite.

Choose whichever you want from the tray and the staff will indicate the quantity on the order chit for payment at the cashier before leaving.

With their prompt service and more than 50 different dim sums to choose from, I guessed over-ordering is inevitable, especially when the dim sums look more appetising when you can choose on the spot.

I regretted a little when I finally sat down to dig in, and hope to share some food (and calories) with the other group sharing the same table but they seem like they are starting a Mukbang (binge-eating) show too.

Instead of using the usual dim sum bamboo steamers (“zheng long”), the steamed dim sum are place within metal steamers.

Even though the size of the dim sums are smaller than the ones we usually see, I actually appreciate that I can try out more options given these smaller portions.

Prices start from RM2.40, SGD0.80 for 3 buns: White Lotus, Custard and Chicken, whereas the popular signature dim sums include Har Gow – Shrimp Dumpling (3pcs for RM4.30, SGD1.45), Siew Mai (4pcs for RM4.10, SGD1.40), Chee Cheong Fun (for RM4, SGD1.35) and Chicken Glutinous Rice (RM4.60, SGD1.55).

There is a certain old-school, traditional taste to it, homely and comforting but nothing out of the ordinary.

Do not expect fine-dining refined dim sum but it is still well-balanced, flavourful, soft in texture and not too starchy and well-worth the price tag.

The Carrot Cake (2pcs for RM3.80, SGD1.30) is worth a mention which is smooth and moist in texture, with a distinctive carrot taste and crispy golden-brown edges.

Hidden within the fluffy carrot cake are bits of Lup Cheong (Chinese sausage) which adds a chewy texture and fragrance to it.

My favourite dish is the Muah Chee (RM4, SGD1.35) which is glutinous rice sprinkled with crushed peanuts and peanut paste in it like Tangyuan.

The Muah Chee is extremely soft and delicate with a Mochi-like texture, giving it a contrast to the bits of crushed peanuts.

Judging from the crowd on a weekday morning and the selection of dim sum, Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum is worth waking up early as there are limited quantity for each dim sum.

It was a pleasant experience to dine there with a fuss-free ordering system, staffs are very attentive, fast turn-over rate and spacious with two dining halls.

Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum 明阁香港点心
50, Jalan Mustapa Al-bakri, Taman Jubilee, Ipoh, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10.30am until sold out (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum

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* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

There are 12 NEW entries in this year’s Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore listing.

Few surprises, or should I say jaw-dropping names. So the results are seen as slightly boring this time.

When I visited the newly-awarded stalls, some had a slightly longer queue but business seem to go on as usual.

In terms of the 12, there are a number of ‘already-famous’ stalls such as Bedok Chwee Kueh at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon at Whampoa Makan Place, and Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup at Tiong Bahru Food Centre.

Not everyone may agree with Chen’s Mapo Tofu and Chef Kang’s Noodle House inclusions, but their ‘Michelin-star links’ could have helped them gain some attention from the inspectors.

The main underdog I thought, was Fu Ming Cooked Food at Redhill Food Centre that serves up Fried Carrot Cake. It is not the most well-known Chye Tow Kway stall, but some credit has to be given to them for preparing their own steamed radish cakes.

Anglo Indian (Shenton Way)
1 Shenton Way, #01-08, Singapore 068803
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 9pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Anglo Indian is known for dishes such as Chicken Tikka Wrap, Ceasar Salad with Chicken Tikka, Chicken Tikka Sandwich and Makhni Pasta with Chicken Tikka.

Their signature dish is the Mutton Dum Biryan, and the method of cooking makes the dish more flavourful due to the sealing.

Enjoy the aroma of Indian basmati rice mixed with the herbs and spices and chunks of boneless lamb cooked in slow fire.

Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon 美芝路鱼头米粉
91 Whampoa Drive, #01-46 Whampoa Makan Place, Singapore 320090
Opening Hours: 9am – 2pm (Sun – Tues, Thurs – Fri), Closed Wed, Sat

Though this famous stall is named “Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon”, it is actually located at the morning market of Whampoa Food Centre (Whampoa Makan Place).

There are choices of Sliced Fish Bee Hoon, Sliced Fish Soup, Fish Porridge, Seafood Soup and Special Tom Yum Soup, all priced inexpensively at $4.50 per bowl.

The Clear Fish Soup ($4.50) comes with a generous slices of fresh fish (5-6 thick slices) in a beautifully clear broth that is mildly sweet and salty at the same time.

Can be considered ”qing” (light) and not overly rich.

The subtle saltiness comes from the added fried flat fish/snakehead fish. The meat from the fish’s head is cooked well, firm enough to pick up with chopsticks but not rubbery. Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon (Whampoa Makan Place)

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

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.

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. I would say Bedok’s has a soft, wobbly, almost melt-in-mouth texture.

The pickled radish 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. Bedok Chwee Kueh (Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre)

Chef Kang’s Noodle House
Block A, Jackson Square, 11 Toa Payoh Lorong 3 Singapore 319579
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm (Tues – Fri), 8am – 2pm, Closed Mon

Chef Kang’s Noodle House is conceptualised by Michelin-starred Chef Ang Song Kang, and the stall is managed by his apprentices.

Jackson Square is not the most convenient place to find food. It comprises of light industrial complexes, with a canteen at Block A where Chef Kang’s Noodle House is located.

Chef Kang’s Noodle House serves up 3 items – Noodle with Char Siew and Wanton ($5), Noodle with Shredded Abalone, Char Siew, and Wanton ($10), and Pork Belly Char Siew ($10).

I personally found many components working well together – the thin, springy noodles coated in a flavourful, rich sauce accompanies with pieces of crispy lard (yums); the wantons even had shrimps in them; and the cloudy soup was not the “MSG-flavoured” type and tasty. Chef Kang’s Noodle House (Toa Payoh)

Chen’s Mapo Tofu
6A Shenton Way #02-29, Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068809
Tel: +65 6221 3206
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Conceptualised by Chef Chen Kentaro behind 2-Michelin starred Shisen Hanten , Chen’s Mapo Tofu at Downtown Gallery Shenton Way offers a range of Szechuan classics, such as the signature Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐), Dong Po Rou (东坡肉) and Dan Dan Mien (担担面) in a fuss-free environment, at casual-dining prices.

The star dish of the place definitely goes to Mapo Don ($10.50). While Szechuan classics usually come smack at your face with bold and strong flavors, Chen’s Mapo Tofu was somewhat mellower and subdued, perhaps to cater to the local CBD crowd.

Still, each mouthful came with silky tofu and minced meat simmered in fermented bean paste fragrance, plus an occasional sting of numbness from the peppercorn.

This is best eaten together with their Japanese short grain rice, for an additional sticky and chewy bite texture. Chen’s Mapo Tofu (Shenton Way)

Fu Ming Carrot Cake
#01-49 Redhill Food Centre, Blk 85 Redhill Lane, Singapore 150085
Tel: +65 9641 0565
Opening Hours: 5pm – 1am (Mon – Sat), 6am – 1am (Sun)

Fu Ming Cooked Food is quite popular as a supper treat for its Fried Carrot Cakes ($3, $4, $5), available in both white or black versions. The stall also sells Bak Zhang on the side for $1.40 each.

To look out for the stall, find the “Mickey Mouse” on their signboard.

Good to know that this stall still steams their own carrot cake, and thus you would find it softer and more watery, compared to many others who simply get their supply from factories.

Get the black version. There is this soft texture and flavour along with hint of radishes, some pieces of eggs, dribbled with sweet black sauce which was added twice for extra sweetness. Fu Ming Cooked Food (Redhill Food Centre)

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow
20, 01-19 Ghim Moh Rd, Singapore 270020
Opening Hours: 7am – 2pm (Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat), Closed Mon, Thurs, Sun

This stall was once awarded in the Channel U television programme, which propelled its fame further.

It has the longest queue and it is surely one of the gems of Ghim Moh.

The wait can be a bit long and tedious as uncle prepares the dishes at his own pace, but their Fried Kway Teow ($3/ $4/ $5) is worth the wait for its fans.

While most hawkers are hidden in the background or you can throw a peek at how they cook up a fare, you would notice a window where you can watch uncle fry up plate-by-plate.

There are all the basis ingredients of eggs, cockles, kway teow, fried pork lard and lap cheong, along with reasonably good wok-hei.

Quite balanced flavours as well, even though you do not really taste that sweet-sauce. Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow (Ghim Moh Market and Food Centre)

Hjh Maimunah Restaurant @ Jalan Pisang
11 & 15 Jalan Pisang Singapore 199078
Tel : +65 6297 4294
Opening Hours: 7am – 8pm (Mon – Sat) Closed Sun

Hjh Maimunah should be a familiar name to the Muslim community in Singapore, as the restaurant was established since the early 1990s.

Its beginning was as a provider of Middle Eastern-based catering service for Hajj travellers who would come visiting once a year.

They serve up the ‘pesan’ style of Nasi Padang in which diners choose the food they want from the window display, which will then be shifted to an individual plate of rice, or served in small dishes which is better for sharing.

The signature dishes here include the Juicy Sundanese Grilled Chicken, Lemak Siput (a type of shellfish called needle snails cooked in spicy coconut gravy), Beef Rendang (braised beef cooked in coconut milk and spices) and variety of Barbecued Fish.

You can also order ala-carte dishes such as Sambal Goreng (stir fry with vegetables), Tahu Telur (bean curd omelette with spicy sauce), Sotong Hitam (squid cooked in squid ink) and Sup Buntut (oxtail soup). Hjh Maimunah Restaurant (Jalan Pisang)

Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle 福海(芳林)咖喱鸡米粉面
208 New Upper Changi Road, #01-58 Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Singapore 462208
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Known for its noodle bowls that brim with ingredients, it offers Curry Chicken Noodles at generous portions. (Wait, surprise, surprise. NOT Ah Heng or Heng Kee?)

The Curry Chicken Noodle was served in piping hot curry soup that was fragrant, medium-bodied and mildly spicy.

Prepared home-style ala grandma’s way of cooking, the soup tasted mildly sweet, savoury and spicy from the blend of different spices and coconut milk.

This came across as milder and not that overpowering. I can imagine some people would prefer curries that are more flavourful and aromatic. Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken Noodle (Bedok Interchange Food Centre)

Indocafe – The White House
35 Scotts Road, Singapore 228227
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Indocafe may be slightly off-the-radar, but it does serve up delicious Peranakan food in a black-and-white building with historical significance.

Recommended offerings include the Kueh Pie Tee of crisp pastry cups filled with shredded turnip, served with prawns, crabmeat, and homemade chili dip; Ngoh Hiang; and Organic Ayam Buah Keluak of braised organic chicken with black nut and exotic spices.

You can also go for the Wagyu Beef Rendang, Babi Pongteh, and Udang Assam Pedas – stewed tiger prawns sautéed in spicy pineapple gravy and served with tomatoes and ladyfingers.

Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup 许兄弟猪什汤
30 Seng Poh Road #02-29 Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre, Singapore 168898
Tel: +65 8113 7218
Opening Hours: 8:30am-3:30pm (Tue – Sun), 6pm – 8:30pm (Tue – Sat), Closed Mon

Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup stall began in 1955 by a pioneer hawker named Koh Kee with a secret recipe and a push cart.

Now, his son and grandson run the business.

The Pig’s Organ Soup ($4.00, $5.00) comes with that special soup along with cut pieces of pig organs, such as pig liver, tripe, intestines, as well as pork belly and pork balls, lean meat.

The special element about this stall is their soup is a natural sweetness from the pig bones imparted to the stock, accentuated with slight saltiness from the vegetables.

Aside from the signature Pig’s Organ Soup, the stall serves Glutinous Rice with Stuffed Chestnuts Wrapped in Pig Intestine, another specialty. Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup (Tiong Bahru Food Centre)

To-Ricos Guo Shi, Blanco Court Food Centre Kwap Chap (3rd Storey) 多丽哥粿汁
51 Old Airport Road, #01-135 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm (Wed – Fri, Sun), 10:30am – 3pm (Sat), Closed Mon, Tues

This stall has several names, from “Blanco Court Food Centre (3rd Storey)”, “Blanco Court Kway Chap” (unofficial name) to “To-Ricos Guo Shi”, so it may get a bit confusing for newbies or tourists.

They have sets for or 1 or 2 persons, and you can order an add-on if you like additional ingredients or innards.

The favourite part in the entire plate was the intestines, cut in large bite-size pieces, are spongy tender yet not springy. Interesting to note that the stall does not offer small intestines.

The other highlight was the kway itself, broad yet thin and slippery smooth.

The fragrant soy sauce broth was mildly sweet and herbal, complemented by the aroma of fried shallots. To-Ricos Guo Shi (Old Airport Road Food Centre)

Other Related Entries
Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2019
54 Must-Eat Famous Singapore Food, And Where To Find Them
10 Best Hawker Centres In Singapore, And Their Popular Recommended Food Stalls
10 “Michelin Plate” Hawker Stalls In Singapore
10 Must-Have Curry Puffs In Singapore

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

Cafes in Singapore are opening up in the most unexpected of places, and this latest coffee place is found along River Valley at Loft@Nathan (diagonally opposite Valley Point).

The name and logos of “Grace Espresso” may draw some topic for discussion with its biblical connotations.

Its logo is depicted by a picture of Jesus Christ standing on earth underneath a crown (with thorns drawn within), surrounded by four trees.

Shall leave it to you to do your interpretations.

The interior is done up simply with medium-blue walls, with most of the customers seated outside on the wooden bench.

The tables are ‘tree logs’ and I enjoyed its easy-going vibes.

While there is no air-con, I still think it is a rather comfortable space to watch the world go by.

The menu is quite rather lean for now, with items of Garlic Butter Baguette ($6), Avo Sourdough Melt ($12), Grapefruit Breakfast Bowl ($13), Queen’s Toast with Strawberries ($11), and Home-made Hokkaido Milk Tea ($7).

I did think it was a slight waste-of-opportunity to not extend its theme to its food, naming and even latte art as well, for the café to have a more distinct character.

Perhaps due to opening jitters, my order of food took a long 35 minutes or so to arrive, and I joked that ”we all need a lot of grace” in this situation. (Joke was lost by the way.)

The Avo Sourdough Melt ($12) may not be like the typical avocado toast, a much cheesier take with its liberal use of gouda cheese.

So if you are expecting mash avocadoes and stuff, this is not it.

The toast was a not-bad rendition, but I felt it needed a drizzle of fruity sour of sorts to differentiate this from something you could create at home.

The mini Croissants which I had in another occasion, were crisp and fluffy. They probably have a good supplier for its breads, and could further use it to their strengths.

For drinks, they offer up the usual Flat White, Latte, Cappucino ($5.50 each), Mocha ($6), Matcha Latte ($6) and option of Ceremonial Grade Matcha Latte ($7.50).

I enjoyed the coffee which was balanced and slightly rich due to the usage of Hokkaido milk.

As a form of service recovery, they made me a cup with I would assume Pikachu latte art. The barista was earnest and very willing to share (nope, I don’t think he knows who I am as I visited anonymously).

Grace Espresso does serve up decent coffee and is a friendly neighbourhood coffee place. I wished that the menu is more “bold and courageous”.

Grace Espresso
428 River Valley Road #01-14 Loft@Nathan Singapore 248327
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5pm (Mon – Wed, Fri, Sun), 7:30pm – 6:30pm (Sat), Closed Thurs

Other Related Entries
Little Farms Café (River Valley)
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee (VivoCity)
Starter Lab (Havelock Road)
Quarter Life Coffee (Prinsep Street)
Mavrx Coffee Bar (Great World City)

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

Ramen lovers, hold your breaths. Ichiran Ramen 一蘭 is coming to Singapore.

Though not as a permanent store, but as a pop-up concept at “Japan Food Matsuri” event at Takashimaya Square in October.

The pop-up will take place from Oct 3 (Thurs) to Oct 20 (Sun), as part of the third edition of the annual ramen festival Ramen Revolution.

The ramen priced at $12 per bowl, will be limited to 700 servings a day.

Ask Singaporeans which is their favourite ramen from Japan, and the answer is likely to be Ichiran. Though the Japanese themselves would have extremely varied replies.

Ichiran Ramen was founded in Hakata Fukuoka way back in the 1960s.

Its winning formula can be attributed to thin, long, firm Hakata-style noodles; creamy smooth classic pork-based tonkotsu soup, topped with Ichiran’s original red pepper sauced mixed with 3 types of spices.

The ordering experience is also one of a kind: You buy a meal ticket via the vending machine, customise your ramen find a vacant seat, and sit in individual booths where you would be attended by a staff.

The concept of eating alone is so that you concentrate on nothing but your ramen. It will be difficult for Singaporeans to not take a photo or two or three or four.

So this pop-up will not allow people who have yet to try Ichiran to have the ‘full experience’, as part of its iconic elements include the individual booths, music and systematic way of queuing.

Also instant noodles rather than fresh noodles will be used, and no cha siu or egg will be added. (Okay, then what’s the point – you may wonder.)

Many believe that ‘pop-ups’ are sometimes used to ‘test water’ in a market. Well, who knows if the permanent store will come soon? We shall see.

Other Related Entries
Kanshoku Ramen Bar (Northpoint City)
Konjiki Hototogisu Singapore (CHIJMES)
Ichikokudo Hokkaido Ramen (Suntec City)
Ramen Champion (Changi Airport T3)
Afuri Ramen (Funan Centre)