To talk about Rumah Makan Minang, we have to start Sabar Menanti, a well-loved Malay restaurant established in the 1940s serving authentic Nasi Padang dishes from the Sumatran Minangkabau people. The owner Haji Marlian came from Sumatra and set up a small food stall. The business grew to become a modest restaurant that was very popular.

After the owner passed away, the running of the restaurant has passed on from the original owner from Sumatra, Haji Marlian, to his children and they eventually set up their own brands. So there is Sabar Menanti Restaurant, Sabar Menanti II, and Rumah Makan Minang.

Located at the corner of Kandahar Street and Muscat Street. Rumah Makan Minang is started by Haji Marlian’s youngest child, Zubaidah in 1954. Now, Aunty Zubaidah’s family runs the restaurant and they are now also doing catering. I have been here quite a few times and it’s one of my favourite spots when I bring tourists on a Chiak Local food tour.

One of my favourite dishes here is Ayam Belado Hijau ($3.50), featuring tender chicken in signature green chilli marinate. The marinate doesn’t overpower and I like how it helps to bring more umami depth to the meat. And there is Indonesian Tahu Telur ($6) made from large fried tofu mixed with eggs and dorned with bean sprouts, grated peanuts and dark watered sweet soy.

Generally speaking, beef is too tough to eat without braising. Beef Rendang ($3.50) seems to be a highlight here with the beef made intensely aromatic by coconut milk and spices cooked over a slow charcoal fire. It wasn’t as tender as I hope it would be but the flavours are definitely there. Some vegetables to go along our meal include Sayur Lodeh ($3) – mixed vegetables boiled soft, spiced and flavored; and Terung Belado ($3) – eggplant fried with signature red chilli marinate. I love everything spice, so to add to my already spicy meal, I always add on Sambal Belado Merah ($1) – a Minangkabau style sambal that is sexily red and very spicy.

Order your food from the counter and the staff will deliver it to your table. I like how the strong and balanced flavours here and the chilli are not too spicy, so we can easily finish a meal. I got a chance to meet Aunty Zubaidah in real person as I was embarking on DBS SME99 project. Watch the video to hear her story!

The post Rumah Makan Minang – Halal Indonesian Restaurant Serving Great Nasi Padang appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Situated right beside the famous Wah Kee Prawn Noodles, a Muslim-owned eatery has made its way into Singapore’s very own Durian hut – Esplanade. Noosh Halal Noodle Bar and Grill is not your typical Halal place which serves up only Nasi Goreng, Nasi Briyani and Mee Goreng. Instead, they noosh out incredible fusion food that will change what you think Halal Food encompasses.

How could we ever go wrong with Curly Fries with Bacon and Cheese ($12.90)? It tastes exactly like how you would expect it to – rich and flavourful. This dish is definitely perfect for sharing, as you might get a little sick of the flavours after a few mouthfuls.

Doesn’t a good plate of traditional Nasi Goreng make you so happy? Well, it sure makes my day. The Noosh Fried Rice ($12.90) is made complete with Chicken Floss, Sambal Belachan, Prawn Crackers and a sunny-side up. It certainly wasn’t the best of the lot, but still a commendable effort regardless.

Here comes a twist on the conventional Malay lemak chili padi (coconut-based gravy) – Smoked Duck Lemak Chili Padi Pasta ($16.90)! Warning: this is SUPER spicy, although you may request for a “less-spicy” or “non-spicy” version as well. Nevertheless, the flavours were intense, with a pronounced presence of coconut. Although the duck was a little difficult to tear apart, the meat itself was actually quite tasty and tender.

Green with envy yet? The In-House Specialty Cake changes frequently, and it turned out to be the Ondeh-Ondeh Cake ($10.90) on the night of our visit. Oh boy, we were so glad to have had a slice of this delightful cake. The fluffy, fragrant and moist sponge cake were layered with crunchy bits of gula melaka. A HUGE scoop of vanilla ice cream was served on the side as well. We couldn’t help but agree unanimously that this dessert was hands down, the winner of our meal.

We’re glad that Noosh took us by surprise with their relatively affordable yet tasty dishes in this prime area. In addition, the friendly staff and homely atmospshere made the experience all the more pleasant. We’re looking forward to our next visit already, perhaps to try out their other In-House Specialty Cakes such as the Pengat Durian Cake.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the eatery featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Noosh Halal Noodle Bar & Grill – Awesome Fusion Dishes appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Singaporeans whine about the scorching hot weather almost every day. And one great way to beat the heat is to have a cooling dessert. Chendol is the perfect solution! Makan Melaka’s chendol will satisfy all cravings for shaved ice with sugar syrup. You can get a bowl of icy goodness for less than $3!

Makan Melaka has a relatively new outlet in Jurong West since late last year, and the stall has seen many chendol lovers popping by to seek refuge from the sweltering afternoon. The hawker’s day begins as early as 5am. The Chendol here is made from scratch daily, and soaked in water throughout the day to maintain its freshness. It’s no surprise that the chendol here boasts a nice texture – each strand is tender, with a subtle pandan flavour.

The hawker is very generous with the Gula Melaka and coconut milk here. He makes a trip up to Malacca every fortnight just to purchase his supply of Gula Melaka, ensuring that the quality meets his expectations. Furthermore, the coconut milk is sourced from suppliers who squeeze it fresh daily. If you’re not a fan of desserts that are too sweet or too rich, you can request for the hawker to adjust accordingly.

Besides the traditional Chendol Melaka ($1.50), you can also get red bean, corn, glutinous rice, and durian, or a mixture of the ingredients. Chendol Melaka with Red Bean & Corn ($2.10) contains sweet mung beans that are plump, yet soft. It’s good enough without the corn, so next time we’ll just stick to chendol melaka with red bean. The taste of the chendol is not too sweet, and we like the contrasting texture of the mushy mung beans and slimy chendol strips. Chendol Melaka with Glutinous Rice ($1.80) has well-balanced ingredients and a refreshing aftertaste. It’s quite light and thirst-quenching.

So, if you’re living in the West and complaining that there’s nothing good in your area, think again! On days when the heat becomes unbearable, you can check out Makan Melaka.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to Makan Melaka. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Makan Melaka – Freshly Made Chendol to Beat the Heat appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Hawker centres these days are teeming with third generation hawker-preneurs who innovate dishes with a grandiose façade that might sometimes be off-putting. Keeping it real is Burgs, the pioneering outlet by Project Warung which is helmed by three budding chefs Ridz, Syafiq and Shah. I was lucky enough to have stumbled upon the newly opened Halal eatery within Golden Mile Food Centre. To accommodate the growing needs of Halal burgers in Singapore, Burgs serves up quality gourmet burgers at extremely affordable prices.

First seared with Burgs’ logo, the buns were so satisfyingly warm and soft when eaten immediately. Each burger set comes with thick cut fries that, to my delight, can be swop to onion rings for a mere buck!

Delicious burger sets for less than $10? You better believe it. For less than 6 bucks, the Mushroom Burger ($5.50) comes with a beef patty, caramelized onions, american cheese, crispy oyster mushroom, tomato sauce and nacho cheese sauce. I thought the patty was slightly overdone on that day, but it was still palatable when enjoyed with the combination of savoury cheese, tangy ketchup and sweet caramelized onions.

Like it’s name suggests, Burgs deliver a literal rendition of sandwiching a perfectly fried portion of fish and chips between their soft buns. The Fish & Chips Burger ($4.50) has a pollack fillet fried in their homemade batter, which was tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. What stood out was Burgs’s ingenious use of nacho cheese and their homemade tartar sauce which enhanced the taste of the fish. Their homemade coleslaw sure added a crunchy texture to the burger too.

My personal favourite was the Terriyaki Chicken Burger ($5.50), which came with a char grilled marinated chicken thigh, sesame coleslaw and sunny side up egg with bonito flakes. The lingering barbeque aroma had me digging into the best-seller without hesitation. The grill on the chicken was almost perfect, with the skin slightly charred and the meat inside still juicy. The terriyaki sauce was lightly sweetened to compliment the charred aroma of both the bun and patty. Quickly break the still-runny yolk of the egg over the chicken thigh for an egg-cellent time!

Having the burgers alone just wouldn’t be enough for your family and friends. Burgs also offers various sides, such as the Honey Soy Chicken Wings ($4.90 for standard, $9.90 for large). The honey soy adds a touch of sweetness to their moist chicken wings to guarantee a mouthwatering experience.

Big eaters like me can also choose to upgrade their burgers with Burg’s add ons, such as the American Cheese ($0.50), Scrambled Eggs ($1.00) and Beef Bacon ($1.00).

Burgs’s take on their comfort western style food is indeed unassuming, what with their affordable prices and range of burger options. If you’re visiting them during the month of Ramadan, do take note of their change in operating hours in the evening which starts from 5pm to 9.30pm.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to XXX. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Burgs – Grilling Quality Halal Burgers in a Hawker Centre appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Tampines is known for its plethora of food choices, but it is still a world of its own for Singaporeans who are foreign to the East side. Having been in this side of Singapore for both work and leisure, it can sometimes be vexing for the unfamiliar to navigate around Tampines especially if you are looking for a fuss free lunch, dinner or even a quick bite. My knowledge of eateries around Tampines are at best humble, so do bear with me as I go through a list of eateries located near Tampines MRT that are unique to the heartlanders of Tampines.

April’s Bakery Singapore

The opening of April’s Bakery might be kept hushed, but words of its tasty soft pies from Thailand spread like wildfire. The pies are made in their central kitchen back in Thailand before being shipped over to Singapore and reheated for our pleasure.

Each pie features an amazingly buttery crust that melts in your mouth. I would recommend the Thai Milk Tea Pie ($2.00), which delivers a filling that has a smooth custard-like texture. The flavour and the sweetness of the milk tea essence is also nicely captured. On the other hand, the filling of the Custard Pie ($2.00) has a more milky and eggy taste that is just right. It sounds as though the pies would be awfully sweet, but you would be surprise how most of the pies aren’t that sweet.

Ban Mian @ Kapitans by Kopitiam

With its humble beginnings at Geylang selling Ban Mian as the famous L32 Handmade Noodles, the store has since opened a second outlet in Tampines One that greatly appeals to many East-siders. This stall embraces an open kitchen concept, so you can watch how the Chinese chef gingerly pulls each portion of noodles by hand. You’ll get a choice to choose from a variety of homemade noodle type, such as U-Mian, Mee Hoon Kway or Mee Sua.

I got the Sliced Fish Noodle Soup ($6.50), which consists of U-Mian steeped in a broth that is topped with pieces of sliced fish, minced meat, anchovies, a soft boiled egg as well as some leafy greens. While the taste of the broth didn’t impress, I really enjoyed the texture of the noodles, which is super springy with a delightful, toothsome bite to it.

Fu Yuan Teochew Bak Chor Mee

Did you know that the owner of this unassuming establishment was formerly working as an assistant with Hill Street Tai Hwa’s Bak Chor Mee? I’m glad he did. With more than 30 years of experience, the owner of Fu Yuan has finally created his own take on the traditional Bak Chor Mee that East-siders can call their own.

For a very affordable price, you can enjoy a satisfying bowl of Bak Chor Mee ($3.00) that will make that imminent food coma worth it. You might first noticed that the portion of Bak Chor Mee here is bigger, which makes it really value for money. Go on and slurp on that springy noodles that is topped with an array of classic bak chor mee ingredients, such as minced pork, liver, pork balls and fried sole fish. Finally, take pleasure in mixing the noodles in their vinegar-based sauce, which is a seriously addictive mix of sweet and tangy flavours. Their dumpling soup ($4.00) is worth a try too!

Saffron’s Cafeteria

Spicy food lovers will rejoice at this 24 hours Halal eatery, which whips up one mean, spicy plate of Mee Goreng ($4.50). The stir-fried noodles had a good spicy kick to it, but I was not fond of the mushy texture of the noodles, which was slightly overcooked. Fortunately, little bits of eggs, tomato and potato were added to the noodles to enhance its palatability.

Diners should order a portion of their famed briyani served on a huge banana leaf. Do take note that their briyani is only available after 11am, which explains why I was not able to get it as I arrived too early. If you’re lucky (or if you do commit to memory), you could try to order the Bee Hoon Briyani which is specially available on Fridays after 2pm. Saffron’s Cafeteria has another outlet near the Siglap area too.

Tampines 802 Carrot Cake

Hidden in an unassuming coffee shop is the Tampines 802 Carrot Cake shop, which has been operating for over 20 years. Stories about their divine carrot cake and hokkien mee have travelled far and wide, but I couldn’t prove it until recently. Yes, this shop does one of the best white carrot cake in my opinion.

The carrot cake is served with bite sized portions of radish cake that is nicely moist. It embodies a certain natural sweetness, which is enhanced by the small bits of carrots added to the radish cake. The fire on the stir fry is also well controlled, which really sears in that wok hei charred taste into the Chai Tao Kway. The chilli was alright, but it did its part to enhance the wok hei of the carrot cake. Remember to order a plate of their Hokkien Mee which is also well received by diners!

Al-Azhar Eating Restaurant (Tampines)

Having visited both Al-Azhar restaurants at Cheong Chin Nam road and Tampines, I would have to say Al-Azhar Tampines serves up one of the best tasting naans in Singapore. Made exclusively in-house, their rendition of the South Asian flatbread has a texture that is soft and moist. The garlic Naan ($2.80) had a subtle garlic aftertaste which was just right.

Behind every successful naan is a delicious bowl of curry gravy. Al-Azhar’s murgh makhani, or commonly known as butter chicken curry ($7.50) had me drooling with their rich concoction of yoghurt, cream and spices. Swimming in the smooth curry were huge chunks of chicken, which were well marinated with their in-house spices to deliver a slight spicy kick. Perhaps, it could have been nicer if the texture of the chicken is more consistent.

Al Mahboob Rojak Restaurant Pte Ltd

If you are a fan of Indian Rojak, get ready to be blown away by one of the best Indian Rojaks in Singapore! Al Mahboob delivers a concoction of irresistable peanut sauce that is to die for. Made from over 10 ingredients and spices such as root vegetables, the peanut sauce had a smooth texture that erupted into a tangy-savoury mix of flavours. What’s more, the peanut sauce is refillable.

Pick from an assortment of ingredients to add to your Indian rojak, especially the Big Prawns ($2.10/pc) and Flour with Potato ($1.10/pc) which the chefs will fry to a golden crisp. Indulge in classic ingredients such as the hotdog ($0.90/pc) and the fish fillet ($1.60/pc) for a good time! You should order a plate of Mee Goreng ($5.00) to start, as the wait for Indian Rojak can be quite long. This stir-fried noodles might be mediocre, but the spicy seasoning on it left me feeling shiok!

Alt Yard

Who doesn’t enjoy a good bowl of churros from time to time? Sweet tooths like me might rush to queue for these fried dough pastries at crowded pasar malams or night markets, but queue no more! Alt-Yard is a desserts and specialty coffee bar co-founded by the people behind Penny University and Fluff Bakery. Made only upon order, Alt-Yard creates medium sized churros sticks ($3.80) that are coated lightly in fragrant cinnamon sugar. It is crunchy on the outside, and moist and airy on the inside. Choose from a selection of three house-made dips (addition $1 – $1.50), including chocolate ganache, liquid cheesecake or salted caramel.

Alt-Yard also puts a spin on traditional flavours with their ondeh ondeh flavoured churros ($3.80 for 7pc) covered in shredded coconut, which also comes with a gula melaka dip. Caffeine lovers can grab a cup of Joe to go along with these toothsome pastries.

Amelia’s

Health advocate Amelia’s is a small pastry shop offering diabetic friendly pastries that are personally designed by Amelia herself, whose father’s diabetic condition inspired her muse. As a budding patissier, Amelia was galvanised into baking healthier pastry treats using key ingredients that are low in glycemic index, such as wholemeal flour, coconut sugar and Gala Apples which helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

Do look out for their signature Apple custard pie ($2.80) and Nacho Cheese Pie ($3.80), which promise a guilt free treat for diabetics and everyone alike. Amelia’s also offers non-diabetic products, including their adorable cat donuts ($3.80) which are popular amongst kids and cat lovers.

In lieu of the month of Ramadan, Amelia’s is also offering Hari Raya goodies that are low in GI as well. Yes, Amelia’s is currently awaiting their Halal certification which will be administered end May or early June. If you’re a student or a pioneer, enjoy 10% off your total bill. For a limited period only, Amelia’s is offering a deal of $10 with any 4 selected pastry pies.

Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut

Opened since October 2016, the second outlet of the Halal-certified Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut has waddled its way into Tampines after the rising success of their main branch in Lucky Plaza. The signature Original Crispy Fried Duck & Rice ($9.90) is a plate of traditionally deep fried crispy duck marinated in a blend of spices, served along with tofu, tempeh, Kang kong side salad and chilli padi. However, the meat on the fried duck was slightly tough, and the skin was not nearly as crispy as I thought it would be.

Meet & Melt

Tucked away in a small corner is Meet & Melt, a dessert cafe offering their famous Lava Toast that comes in a myriad of flavours. The cafe only offers outdoor sitting but the shop owners were really considerate in having fans placed near our tables to cool us off.

We had to get the classic Lava Original Toast ($14.90), which is a sweet toasted bread encasing a flavoured lava flow of your choice, such as Thai Milk Tea or Green Milk Tea. The taste of the lava flow was actually not as sweet as I expected it to be. The Lava Original Toast also comes with a scoop of ice cream, so we had the Valrhona Dark Chocolate that has a strong cocoa taste. It is comforting to learn how their products are all actually homemade with less cream and sugar, which makes it a healthier alternative.

Out of the Cake Box Tampines

Out of the Cake Box offers a specially curated cake selection that is really, well, out of the box. Inspired heavily by their childhood sweets, kueh and desserts, the owners-cum-good friends duo Dana and Yu Zhong puts a new spin on delectable cakes that personifies traditional Singaporean desserts such as Chendol or Burbur Cha Cha.

Residents and visitors of the east side can now enjoy these delightful treats at Tampines Hub. The Burbur Cha Cha ($5.50) is made up of purple sweet potato mousse deliciously smacked between two crunch ice cream wafers. Layered within the mousse is a chewy tapioca jelly that complements the smooth, light mousse really well. Diners can also enjoy the classic Chendol Fudge ($5.50), which is a gula melaka sponge cake layered alternately with coconut-gula melaka fudge topped with chendol fillings such as red bean and green rice flour jelly strips. We were amazed by the creamy and fluffy texture of Chendol Fudge cake that has a natural sweetness to it.

Saap Saap Thai

It is tempting to book a plane ticket to the land of smiles for some good Thai food, seeing we are so near Changi Airport. Why not settle for a quasi-Thai experience at Saap Saap Thai, a halal-certified Thai eatery serving affordable Halal Thai food.

Start off with a cup of their Original Thai Iced Tea ($3.00), which is thick and rich without being overwhelmingly sweet. I do recommend their signature Australian Beef Boat Noodles ($7.90), which has Thai glass noodles in a sweet beef broth topped with tender beef slices that is slurp-worthy. In a group of 3 or more? Get their Succulent Wings and Drumettes ($6.90) that is coated with their tangy-savoury saap saap sauce. Finish off with a plate of signature Mango Tango ($5.50), which serves half a slice of mango together with sweet sticky rice and coconut milk. Add a splash of coconut milk to the sticky rice and mango slice for that Aroy mak mak goodness!

Tampines is known to be a paradise for foodies, and we’re pretty sure there are many other delicious eats around the area. However, for your convenience, we have sourced out the ones that are near the MRT station. Hope you’ll enjoy as much as we did.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes/stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 14 Eateries That’ll Have You Eating Like a Basic Tampines Heartlander appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

For as long as I can remember, Simpang Bedok has been a food haven for supper-goers staying in the east. I grew up in the east so Simpang Bedok is not unfamiliar territory but instead something close to my heart. Besides the abundance of mouth-watering food, Simpang bedok also offers Karaoke, a small shopping mall (East village) and numerous cafes for you to kickback and chill after work. Included in the list are some of my personal favorites that I usually hit up when I want to unwind or to just hang out with friends.

Sarah’s the pancake cafe

Nestled in East Village, Sarah’s The Pancake Café offers affordable and interesting pancake creations. For something savory, try their Wild Mushrooms ($12) that comes with wild mushroom ragout and veggies on pancakes or the Benedict ($15) that features smoked salmon slices, poached eggs and pancakes all covered in homemade hollandaise sauce. If you’re looking for something to sweeten your day, the Ala Dol ($12) will definitely make your day! It consists of red bean paste-filled crepes dressed with pandan chendol, corn, attap seeds and gula Melaka sauce!

Ambeng Cafe

Just in the vicinity of Sarah’s is Ambeng Café. As the name suggests, they specialize in Nasi Ambeng. We were especially impressed with their rendang and the sambal chilli. We tried the Classic Trio Set D ($48) which is good for 3 or 4 people. It comes with 10 side dishes – ayam kalio, beef rendang, sambal sotong, ikan sambal bali, urap kencur, terung garem asam, sambal goreng, sambal kachang ikan bilis, begedel, telur belado, paru, ikan kering, serunding and sambal belachan. If you’re planning to dine in, remember to make reservations before heading down to avoid disappointment.

Spize

Many supper-goers would be familiar with Spize which is well known for their extensive menu of Asian and Mediterranean delights. They are open all the way till 4am to ensure that you’ll have a warm satisfied tummy before you go to bed. Unlike any of the other places featured in this list, Spize offers a delivery service ($5-$16) depending on distance so you can enjoy your supper in your bed. We tried their Chicken Pesto Linguine ($14.50) and was a tad disappointed. The pasta was well cooked and the servings generous but we felt that the dish lacked the aroma and flavor you’d expect from the pesto sauce. Overall, the dish was a little bland and we would have preferred it to be slightly less oily. However, we’ll definitely go back to try the more popular choices which include their Penang Char Kway Teow($6.90) and Sriracha and Honey glazed chicken wings ($9.50)!

Fish Tales

Tucked behind the bus stop opposite the Simpang post office is a cozy restaurant that serves up some affordable C-food(comfort food) in a comfortable air-conditioned setting. Fish Tales is famous for their Beaurre Au Citron Fish and chips($9.90) and the Cheesy Affair fish and chips($10.90) amongst many other interesting items on their menu. We ordered their Tom Yum Seafood ($12.90) and polished the plate clean! It comes with 2 medium-sized mussels, sotong, prawns and small bits of fish drenched in a rich creamy seafood tom yum sauce. Unlike traditional tom yum soups where the sourness is prevalent, their tom yum sauce leaves only a mild sour aftertaste. The sauce complements the fresh assortment of seafood with a fiery punch. The spice takes a bit of time to set in but when it does, its pretty legit. Fret not, because they offer free flow water to extinguish the flames. Phew! Even though they don’t open for supper, we’ll definitely be back for dinner in the future.

Mahmoodiya restaurant

Perpetually crowded through the night, Mahmoodiya restaurant is a popular hangout place for many. They serve hearty Indian dishes like butter chicken, tandoori chicken, biryani and, of course, prata. I’m a regular patron of this restaurant. I go there for my prata fix every week. For just a buck, you get a thick piece of plain prata with 2 different curries. What I like is the crispy crust and the buttery soft center. If you observe carefully, you’ll also realize that the prata is devoid of any burnt parts! Since they’re open 24 hours, you have the luxury to get your prata fix at any time of any day.

The Burning Oak

If you’re in the mood for Japanese, The Burning Oak is the way to go. They have excellent value-for-money choices like the Waygu Beef Rump Cap Don ($13) which is sure to satisfy your tummy without breaking the bank. We also liked the Wagyu Rump & Iberico Pork Combo Bento ($15) which features tender and juicy slices of meat that really hit the spot. If you’re just looking for a snack to round up your scrumptious dinner, get the Angus Beef Short Ribs Skewers for only $6 per stick.

Tang Tea House Hong Kong Café

It is now common for restaurants to open past midnight due to the budding supper scene here in Singapore. Tang Tea House Hong Kong Café is a Halal-certified restaurant that opens till 2am. They offer more than 200 different items on their menu. Crowd favourites include local delights such as Assam Curry fish head and Char Kway teow. We ordered their signature pan fried crispy bee hoon ($11) and were not disappointed. Fresh lime and chili were served on the side of a satisfyingly rounded omelette filled with sotong, prawns, fish cakes and bee hoon. The crust was light, yet crispy, and it complemented the soft moist bee hoon. Remember to add in the lime and chili for that extra oomph. This is a must try!

Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh

Manned and run by a team of ex-convicts, Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh offers an amazing rendition of the popular Bak kut teh dish. The dry and soup versions are both top-notch in their respective fields. We liked the dry bak kut teh ($6.90) because of the dried cuttlefish which lent a nice crunch and rich flavour. If you’re less adventurous and prefer the soup version ($5.90 for 1 pax, $11.90 for 2-3 pax, $22.90 for 4-5 pax), you won’t be disappointed too. Albeit comparatively milder, the broth offers a rich full-bodied flavor with a hint of sweetness. We liked that the pork was tender and firm. We all need second chances in life, but this bak kut teh won’t need one. 

Badoque Café

Featuring an international menu consisting of Asian, fusion, Mediterranean and even middle eastern cuisines, Badoque is bound to excite your taste buds. Amusingly, Badoque which sounds like Bedok, is in fact a Malay slang for eat. Generous with their portion, this café is well known amongst the Malay community because of the quaint ambience and tasty food. The Badoque ribs ($36), which is their bestseller, comes with a succulent rib lavishly drizzled with a savory brown sauce. We also recommend the Greek salad, seafood pasta, lamb shanks and especially the potato wrapped prawns.

D’zerts Café

Although it’s not in the immediate vicinity of Simpang Bedok, D’zerts café is just about a 5-minute walk away. Opened in 2013 by an ex-navy chef, Lemuel runs this quaint and secluded café that specializes in handmade desserts. They do serve other mains like pasta, juices and coffee too. Their desserts cater to different palates, not just the sweet-toothed café-goers. I was informed that they change up their dessert selection every couple of months to keep things fresh. We decided to get their lemon tart which is an outfit of lemon mousse, lemon curd, almond cream and a roasted marshmallow! As the name suggests, it was really sour. The lemon curd was mildly sweet but was easily overpowered by the tangy bright yellow sprinkle on it. The light lemon curd complemented the crumbly tart really well and helped to balance out the sourness. Overall, I loved the refreshing dessert and I strongly recommend that you visit them for a sweet or sour fix.

For east-siders like myself, Simpang Bedok is irrefutably the quintessential supper place to satisfy your wee-hour cravings. I hope that this food guide will come in handy if you’re new to Simpang.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes/stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Excite your tastebuds with these 10 hangout spots in Simpang Bedok appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

According to various sources, Eunos used to be a Malay settlement named Kampong Melayu. Kampong Melayu was built by nationalist and “father” of modern Malay journalism, Mohamed Eunos Bin Abdullah. Kampong Melayu was later renamed Kampong Eunos to pay tribute to the legacy of the late Mr Eunos. After my brief history lesson, I’m ready to introduce you to 11 eateries near Eunos MRT that you absolutely can’t miss. 

Hoon Hong Fried Kway Teow

This char kway teow stall hidden in a corner of Eunos Crescent market has a long history of more than 30 years. The owner dutifully whips up each plate of char kway teow ($3) with cockles, sausages, vegetables and eggs over a well-controlled fire. The dish is fairly decent, with every bite carrying a subtle sweetness and sufficient wok hei.

Hock Choon Laksa & Lor Mee

The quality of the noodles used in lor mee is very important. This is what makes Hock Choon Laksa & Lor Mee stand out! The hawker delivers bowls of Lor Mee ($3) with a generous amount of ingredients, such as braised pork, braised egg, and fried fish. The thick rice vermicelli is cooked al dente. Every strand of noodle is springy and tasty. The excellent combination of garlic, vinegar and chilli really enhances the flavours of this bowl of goodness.

Hai Xian Zhi Jia 海鲜之家

One of the best things that you can have on a rainy day is a good bowl of fish soup. As I was queuing, I overheard customers and staff from Hai Xian Zhi Jia raving about the Sliced Fish Soup ($3.50).Upon having my first spoonful of fish soup, I dare say this is one of the better sliced fish soup out there. Each bowl of clear soup is swimming with fish slices, tofu, cabbage, and bitter gourd slices. The soup is seasoned well, with a discernible aftertaste of pepper and garlic. The fish slices are really fresh and soft, albeit scant, but hey it’s still a decent dish for it’s price point.

Mami Midah Briyani

Granted, this is not one of the best tasting biryani dish for me, but it is indeed one of the healthier biryani options by far. Helmed by Mr Mohammad Nazir Kassim and his mother, Mami Midah has been featured on countless social media platforms for their ingenious substitution of products that are high in saturated fats and sodium with healthier ingredients. The only two dishes they sell are the Chicken Briyani ($5.50) and Mutton Briyani ($5.50). Both plates of briyani have the same amount of basmati rice, achar, as well as dalcha. The rice was rather flavourful, and the chicken was well marinated. However, I found the chicken a tad dry. If you’re looking for a plate of biryani that is light and less oily, Mami Midah Briyani is the place for you. 

Seng Kee Roasted Meat Duck Rice

Seng Kee Roasted Meat Duck Rice is an unassuming hawker stall that has previously been nominated as one of the top 5 braised duck in Anchor Beer’s contest in Wanbao newspaper. The Braised Duck ($10) is simple and light, yet tasty without being overwhelmingly intense in flavours. You’ll find a thin layer of fat underneath the skin as well. A plate of braised duck rice costs $3 while the boneless duck rice goes for $3.50. If you prefer roast duck, you must definitely try Seng Kee’s Roast Duck ($10). The tender duck was not too fatty, and it had a thin crisp skin.

Eunos Minced Meat Noodles

Looking to satisfy your daily dose of Bak Chor Mee? There is a stall that does a mean bowl of minced meat noodles near Eunos MRT. The downside is that you got to get up really early for it because the stall only opens from 6am to 1.40pm. Many have recommended the soup version, but I ordered the Minced Meat Noodle Dry ($3 for regular, $3.50 for large). Each portion comes with a bowl of dry noodles topped with a small amount of pork lard, and a bowl of soup with 4 huge dumplings and a generous amount of minced meat. The noodles are pleasantly springy and stringy, with no alkaline aftertaste. What really stood out, for me, were the dumplings. Oh that flavourful filling, and soft wanton skin..

La Chasseur

La Chasseur’s claypot rice ($12.50) is a must try. Located in an industrial area, La Chasseur simmers their claypot rice for a good 17 minutes over a charcoal fire. The rice is first cooked for 7 minutes before the other ingredients are added in. When the claypot rice arrives at your table, you can request for the server to mix the black sauce in for you. You’ll notice that basmati rice is used here(unique to La Chasseur). We love the smoky flavour and charred bits!

APSN Mystical Café

APSN Mystical Café is the first social enterprise launched by the Association for Persons with Special Needs. The café is established to provide trainees with special needs an outlet to gain vocational skills and exposure in the F&B industry. We had the Grains of Singapura ($5) which is a Nasi Lemak dish made up of rice with a sunny side up egg, ikan billis, peanuts and chicken drumlets. Don’t forget to pair the chilli with every spoonful of Nasi Lemak. You can also try the Spaghetti Ala Melayu ($4), which is a innovative mee rebus-inspired pasta dish. The sauce is mildly spicy, and not too thick, unlike the usual Mee rebus. Complete your meal with a slice of refreshing and zesty Lemon Meringue ($5). It is an ideal afternoon perk-me-up if you’re feeling sleepy.

Veganburg

Veganburg is the first vegan fast food restaurant in Singapore. It is set up by Alex and Tracy, who have been vegetarians for more than a decade. This casual burger joint is established to cater to the vegan community and to inspire others to incorporate a plant-based or meat-free meal in their diet at least once a week. For a start, you can try the Smoky BBQ Burger Set ($7.90 ala carte/ $11.80 for set). The soft and fluffy bun is made using organic wholemeal grains, raw sugar, natural sea salt and distilled water. Omega and zinc are infused into the burger buns for a well-balanced meal. The oven-baked patty is made from minced mushrooms. Rest assured that Veganburg’s patties are all made from 100% vegetable ingredients and contain no gluten, dairy, eggs, genetically modified organisms (GMO), preservatives and trans fat. 

Leng Leng Ice Cream

Opened in the first quarter of 2017, Leng Leng Ice Cream is a dessert spot founded by three female entrepreneurs. Once you step into the shop, you’ll quickly become acquainted with bold printed Singaporean phrases, and red & white decorations inspired by the Singapore flag. The desserts are inspired by local flavours. You can look forward to pandan waffles as well as bubur hitam milkshake. If you’re visiting for the first time, you must go for the combination of Gula Melaka Ice Cream ($3.20 for regular flavour, $3.90 for premium flavour) and the pandan waffles ($1.50). Sourced from a local ice cream supplier, the ice cream has a caramelized sweetness which pairs nicely with the crispy and light waffles. Leng Leng also offers fluffy and warm sugee waffles ($3.50).

Nuevo Cafe

Nuevo Café is a cozy space that’s great for your next chill out sesh. Within its premises, you’ll find sturdy wooden tables, old school bulbs, and walls dressed in monochromatic colors. The chic interior will have you forget that the café is actually nestled within an industrial building! If the café ambience isn’t enough to entice you, the prices of the dishes will. The Mentaiko with Bacon Linguine ($8.50) is topped with salted fish roe, bacon, and white cream sauce. If you have a sweet tooth, then the Burnt Honey Grilled Chicken ($8.50) should be ideal for you. Coated with burnt honey, the juicy grilled chicken has a pleasantly charred exterior. The only downside is that the portion is pretty small.

Though not widely known for its food offerings, Eunos still boasts a number of quality dishes. I’ll definitely return for the sliced fish soup, which is located just beside the MRT. We hope that you will find our guide useful and will discover even more good food in the area!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes/stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 11 Eateries That Will Make You Want to Head to Eunos Now appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

A friend of mine recently chanced upon The Malayan Council and raved about their Ondeh Ondeh cakes, as well as their fusion gourmet food. I am a sucker for cakes that pay tribute to local flavours, so TMC definitely tops my list of places to visit.

Founded in August 2015, The Malayan Council fuses traditional Malay food with modern gourmet food to reach out to both the old and the young. The dual-storey eatery has both an indoor, and alfresco seating area. The first floor conveys a slightly moody atmosphere, while the second floor is quite brightly lit. My first impression of the restaurant was highly positive. We were attended to by very hospitable staff.

Before we tucked into the highly anticipated desserts, we dived into a couple of main courses first. The King Prawn Aglio Oglio ($25) came with a portion of linguine, mussels, and fried king prawns. Apart from the strong presence of garlic in the noodles, there was a slight heat which I found pleasant. However, the noodles could have been been more al dente. I also thought the mussels were slightly overdone. The stars of the dish, the king prawns, were coated in a mild tasting batter which I thought could have been made more savoury with added spice.

The Angus Ribeye Masak Merah ($37) is TMC’s take on the traditional masak merah dish. It is an assembly of steak, mixed salad and truffle fries. The beef is slathered with this exceptional masak merah sauce which is sure to excite your tastebuds with its tangy and sweet notes. You know it’s good when you start dipping everything you are eating into it.

It’s time for cakes! All of TMC’s cakes are made in-house by their pastry chef. We ordered the Classic Ondeh Ondeh Cake ($8.50) which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can look forward to an excellent medley of light coconut chantilly cream, moist and soft pandan sponge cake, gula melaka bits and coconut drizzle. This cake is really delicious!

Apart from local flavours, cakes inspired by flavours from our childhood are available as well. The Ovomaltine ($9.50) sees a chocolate sponge cake filled with chocolate ganache, spread with crunchy ovomaltine, and covered with more chocolate ganache and Milo sprinkles. It’s difficult not to fall in love with the crunchy and creamy layers. 

TMC has really created a reason for us to return. Though I found the mains slightly underwhelming, their decadent cakes deserve a special mention. I did find the prices a bit exorbitant, but a percentage of their sales goes to Muhammadiyah Home Welfare.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to The Malayan Council. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post The Malayan Council – Curated Homemade Cakes That Will Win Your Love appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

It is a challenge to find halal Char Kway Teow. Following a recommendation from a dear old friend, I headed down to Bukit Merah View to check out a hawker who has been selling halal char kway teow for close to 6 years. When we arrived, the security shutter of the shopfront was pulled down and so I thought it was closed. A while later, the shutters went up and unveiled a Chinese man. Turns out, the Chinese man was performing his daily muslim prayers. Anis, the owner, revealed that he is actually a Muslim convert. Prior to his marriage to his Malay-Muslim wife, Anis has always been interested in Islamic beliefs. “Even before my marriage, I was already a Muslim convert,” said Anis.

The stall sells only Char Kway Teow (regular – $3, big – $5). “Considering our present economy, you don’t need anything too complicated. It is better to keep it simple,” Anis explains his rationale behind the sale of only char kway teow. Similar to the traditional version, Anis’s stir fried kway teow consist of kway teow and yellow wheat noodles stir fried in sweet black sauce, and garlic. A good amount of egg, chye sim vegetables and cockles were thrown in as well. For $3, the portion is sufficient to fill our bellies without being too “jelak” for us.

The noodles are fairly moist and oily, and each strand of noodles separated nicely. I do feel that the lack of pork lard (because it is halal) robbed the noodles of its potentially rich flavour, but the sweet and savoury notes underlying each bite is still satisfactory. What we liked most was their homemade chilli, which left an enduring heat on our tongues. Very shiok! Do ask for no chilli if you are unable to take the heat, though. 

The beansprouts were still crunchy after being left out for a long time. Perhaps, the highlight was the use of fresh cockles, which added a slight sweetness to the dish. Each cockle is fat and chewy! If you like, you can have additional cockles for only $1!

With a solid background in cooking, Anis serves up plates of char kway teow that everyone should try. We weren’t too impressed on our first bite, but the char kway teow became more addictive with every subsequent bite. 

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to 786 Char Kway Teow. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 786 Char Kway Teow – A Hidden Halal Char Kway Teow in Bukit Merah! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Halal Lobster Nasi Lemak??? Say what?

Lawa Bintang, which has an outlet in Tai Seng and Kaki Bukit respectively, has invaded Tampines too. Sare, known affectionately as Kak (Malay word for sister) Sare, now mans the third stall which started operations in February 2017.

“We focus on bringing fusion food to the table. We use a variety of herbs and spices to create our food – including the fried chicken and lobster,” said the ex-property agent. Indeed, there is an unusual spread of Nasi Lemak ingredients, including the famous sotong grill, salmon, and even crayfish.

The Lobster Nasi Lemak ($22) was pleasing to the eyes. It features a whole lobster coated with grounded herbs and cheese, a bed of basmati grains, a fried egg, sambal peanuts and anchovies, and a generous dollop of sambal chili. “We use basmati rice because it is more presentable. It is also a healthier option since it does not absorb the coconut milk as well as normal rice do,” said Kak Sare.

Coating the lobster flesh is a ground blend of herbs that incorporates rosemary, parsley and other secret ingredients. The cheese, which is made from three types of cheese, is cooked separately before it goes onto the lobster. The lobster meat is sweet and succulent, and the herb blend lends a herbaceous dimension to the flesh. The cheese is sufficiently rich and fragrant, without overpowering the deeply-flavoured lobster. I love the elements present in this fusion dish but the combination may be slightly ambitious for those with a penchant for tradition.

The Nasi Lemak Sotong Goreng ($7.50) comprises a whole squid coated in fried batter, as well as the nasi lemak essentials. Though intended for one, the huge squid is definitely sufficient for two. The batter is flavourful, and is covered in a thin coat of herbal seasoning and chilli powder. Take a huge bite to reveal a fresh squid which is chewy and savoury.

Kak Sare reveals that her fragrant sambal chilli tunis is cooked for about 5 hours before being served. The fire in it was excellent; the enduring heat was pleasant. I usually skip the anchovies and peanuts, but the sambal that they were dressed in was too addictive! I was surprised that I actually finished them all. 

The menu of the family-run business boasts a number of grilled dishes, and other favourites such as fried sotong. Kak Sare recommends the grilled sotong, which I’m sure would impress just like the rest of the dishes did. Nasi Ambeng is also available for pre-order, so do drop them a message on Facebook if you want to lay your hands on it. The location of this outlet is, unfortunately, quite ulu, so get ready to walk quite a distance before you can spot this hidden gem.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to Lawa Bintang. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Lawa Bintang – A Delicious Encounter With Halal Lobster Nasi Lemak! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

This is it. The article that best summarises my journey in the National University of Singapore. Before, during and after classes, I’d dashed straight for the canteens no matter where I was. School food played a grand part in my academic journey, for sure. I wasn’t the best performing student, but I hope I did my best in bringing you some of the best food places that might become your new favourites. 

Tai Feng Wei

For the later half in NUS, I moved into Prince George Park Residence (which is opposite King Edward VII Hall). Prior to living here, my impression of the food choices here wasn’t positive. Turns out, it really isn’t so bad. For one, the Taiwan Popcorn Chicken Rice Box ($4.50) at Tai Feng Wei (Taiwanese) is pretty decent. Each of the components is decent, and the chicken is nicely seasoned. If you’re famished, the portion here is guaranteed to fill your tummy.

Fiesta Restaurant

Fiesta opened about 4 months ago, just before the start of the 2017 summer holidays. Fiesta is essentially a Chinese restaurant serving tze char dishes, and express lunch sets that are wallet friendly. I went for the Black Pepper Beef Fried Rice ($6.90) which sees beef slices coated in a black pepper sauce that is cooked with tomatoes, green peppers and onions. I loved the sweet and savoury notes!

Chinese Noodles @ Frontier, Faculty of Science

I remember taking Darwin & Evolution, and Global Health –  both were mentally draining. Thankfully, I was able to restore my energy with a comforting plate of Chinese noodles from the Science Canteen, the Frontier. There appears to be a never ending queue at the stall, but you won’t have to queue for more than 20 minutes. You can look forward to dumpling noodles, chicken noodles, and wanton noodles. Pro tip : Ask for Chan Chan (mix) and you’ll be given a plate of noodles with all the ingredients – dumpling, fried wanton, fishball, mushrooms, sliced chicken, minced meat, as well as a slice of ngoh hiang. Best part? This ultimate plate of noodles costs only $2.30! 

Yong Tau Foo & Laksa

The Yong Tau Foo at FASS is crazy popular. Be prepared to queue for at least 10-15 minutes before you can pick your ingredients, and another 15-20 minutes before you receive your food. Regardless, it’s worth it because you’re really getting your money’s worth. For just $3.50, you get 9 pieces of ingredients, and bee hoon, noodles or laksa soup! My go-to ingredients would have to be the seaweed chicken and crabstick! I liked that the laksa soup has a good balance of coconut milk and spices. During exam periods, I usually switch to clear soup and opt for more greens, for a lighter meal. 

Liang Ban Kung Fu @ The Deck, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

For just $7, we scored a serving of broccoli, raw chicken slices, pork balls, tau kwah, and enoki mushrooms. If this is your first time trying the ma la xiang guo, ask for mild spice (小 辣). If you need a loud awakening, go for medium（中辣）or hot spice（大辣). I find the 小 or 中 辣 still manageable especially if you can take the heat. This ma la xiang guo is fragrant, and very much comparable to those found in restaurants. Super value for money, isn’t it?

Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice @ The Deck, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

The chicken rice ($2.80) from The Deck, is undoubtedly, one of my favourite dishes. The rice pairs extremely well with the flavourful chilli sauce. I would always order the chicken thigh as it is more tender. Soaked in soy sauce, the flavourful chicken can be eaten on its own. 

Kaneda Japanese Cuisine @ Technoedge, Faculty of Engineering

One of the must haves in Technoedge is the Fried Chicken Tama ($4)! You’ll be served a hotplate filled with chicken chunks swimming in a savoury egg and sweet gravy mix. They also serve wakame, which I love!

Hougang Fishball Minced Meat Noodles @ Technoedge, Faculty of Engineering

Sometimes, my friends and I get caught up in study sessions that endure till night falls. Fortunately, Hougang Fishball Minced Meat Noodles opens till 8pm. I was introduced to the Fried Minced Meat Ball Noodles ($2.80) in year 2, and I’ve loved it ever since. The handmade meatball is oil, but succulent. Though I find the noodles just alright, the soft pieces of pork lard elevate the taste of the noodles. If you like, you can even get the meatballs without the noodles, as a snack. The cook puts chilli into your noodles by default, so remember to alert him should you prefer otherwise. 

Western Food @ Technoedge, Faculty of Engineering

A couple of my peers in the engineering faculty recommended this stall so I had a go at the Black Pepper Grilled Chicken Chop ($3.20), which comes with a set of side dishes. I opted for coleslaw, sausage, and thick cut fries to pair with the grilled chicken which was pretty well executed. This is a good beginner set if you’re craving for some western food. 

Indonesian Panggang @ Technoedge, Faculty of Engineering

A fan of ayam panggang? You will be pleased to know that you don’t have to venture out of school to get it then! The ayam panggang is priced very reasonably, and features tender chicken flavoured with kecap manis (sweet sauce). The chicken skin sports a nice char and smokiness. You can opt to have your rice drenched in a rich curry gravy.. For only $3.50, you’re really getting your money’s worth.

The Spread @ NUS Business School

Nestled in a corner of the Mochtar Riady building is this pretty cafe selling Asian cuisine. The Spread is perfect for lunch if you ever need to escape the heat. The Japanese Beef Bowl / Gyudon with Sunny Side Up ($8.80) is made up of rice, a sunny side up egg, sliced beef and onion. I love the sweet and savoury marinate on the beef, but I did find the beef a tad dry. The cafe also offers do-it-yourself salad bowls, desserts, and beverages. 

Dickson’s North Indian Halal Food

The Terrace canteen, in the School of Computing, is a place I hardly visit. However, it is home to a number of international cuisine – Western, Indian and Vietnamese. If you’re heading to Dickson’s, you have to get the Steamed Briyani Rice, Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, and Cauliflower ($6). I couldn’t stop slurping up the curry of the butter chicken, which was robust and highly addictive. The chicken itself is well marinated, though slightly fibrous. Equally flavourful is the tandoori chicken, which has a strong charred taste.  

Café on the Ridge @ NUSS The Graduate Club

Previously accessible to students, this eatery now allows only members of the NUSS graduate club. Pro tip : register for the NUSS graduate club 90-days trial membership to gain access to the graduate club’s swimming pool and gym. After a workout session, you can drop by Café on the Ridge for a good lunch. Just remember to wear covered shoes and long pants. A highly recommended dish is the Nasi Goreng ($9.90), which consists of sambal prawns, chilli chicken, mutton rendang, as well as keropok, achar, fried anchovies, and rice. The sambal prawns are delish! I also enjoyed the chilli chicken and mutton rendang which were both very savoury. However, the meats were a little too tough. 

Indian Food @ Food Clique, University Town

This stall is super popular. The queue is unbelievable, especially during lunch hour. Reviews from my lecturers and peers about this place have been largely positive. For $3.30, I got a Mushroom Prata and Plaster Prata. The plaster prata was a tad disappointing, because the yolk of the egg was cooked through instead of being runny. The mushroom prata, on the other hand, was decent and comes with a generous amount of cut mushroom. The prata was not as crispy as I would have like, but I thought the curry was decently thick and well spiced.

Ban Mian / Fish Soup @ Food Clique, University Town

Week 13 is the most stressful week, and also the most exhausting time of my academic life. If I get too sleepy or restless while studying in UTown, I’ll go for a bowl of Tom Yum Fish Soup Noodles ($3.20) and request for a spicier version to wake myself up. The thick-cut and chewy noodles are topped with minced meat, crab sticks, egg, vegetables, anchovies, and sliced fish. It might be too spicy for some, but it’s excellent comfort food for me. 

Astons Express @ Food Clique, University Town

When I was still a freshman living in UTown, one of the first things I ate was Aston’s. Quality wise, the dishes are adequate, but what really makes it stand out is the affordable pricing. For $6.90, I get to savour the Chargrill Chicken which comes with 2 complimentary sides of your choice. I opted for the garden veggie and pasta salad, both of which were yummy. Be prepared to wait up to an hour during peak hours.

Hwang’s Korean Restaurant @ University Town

For a fuss-free Korean food fix, try the Doeji Bulgogi ($5.50) –  a basic assembly of spicy marinated pork, rice, and side dishes, on a hotplate. You can always add an egg for just 50 cents! The pork is nicely marinated, and carries a slight fire. While the pork isn’t too oily, it can be slightly dry. The onions add a sweet crunch to the dish. Scoop a mouthful and eat it while it’s hot!

There is something for every student in almost every part of NUS. Apart from the wide variety of food choices, there are also beverages that you must try – soya milk from Technoedge, and fruit juices from the Deck. There is also McDonald’s near the School of Engineering. I hope you discover more delicious food in your 3 or 4 years here!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes/stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post An NUS Freshman’s Guide : 17 Memorable Food Stores in NUS appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

The idea of lobster being a luxurious and extravagant delicacy is a thing of the past. The sweet and briny lobster meat that everyone loves is now readily available in the heartlands too. Here are 7 lobster dishes that you must try. Don’t say we bojio, because we’re going to reveal some hidden lobster lobangs!

Tom Yum Lobster Noodle Combo @ Abb Zabb

We begin with Abb Zabb’s signature Tom Yum Lobster Noodle Combo ($38), which consists of one whole Boston lobster, tiger prawns, scallops, mussels and an entire squid generously stuffed with flavourful minced pork. You can choose between the traditional Thai glass noodles or instant noodles to pair with your combo. The fresh seafood packed a good amount of heat after soaking up the tom yum goodness that is the soup. Overall, the sweet and spicy flavours of the lobster noodle combo balance out nicely. For it’s price, it is a luxurious seafood spread that is definitely value-for-money as it feeds two sufficiently.

Seafood Platter @ Deanna’s Kitchen

Opened by a couple, Deanna’s Kitchen is actually named after Deanna (Formerly known as Denise), a Chinese-Muslim convert who is married to a Malay Muslim. Deanna’s struggle to find Halal Prawn Mee formed the bedrock for the hawker concept, which eventually materialized on 9 June 2017. Asri recommended their off-the menu item – a Seafood Platter ($38.50) that is suitable for 3 to 4 people. Don’t be fooled by the picture, for this huge bowl of seafood goodness is fit for kings. The platter consists of one whole lobster, your choice of one crayfish or big prawns, peeled prawns, and clams amongst others. The broth was mildly flavourful, and the sweetness from the crustaceans was quite distinct. Although the lobsters were fresh and contained plenty of roe, they were a tad tough.

Whole Lobster @ Fish & Chicks

Fish & Chicks recently launched their Whole Lobster ($26.90) which features two Boston lobsters with two sauces. There are three sauces to choose from – chilli crab sauce, mentaiko, or cheese. We opted for chilli crab sauce and mentaiko. The former is more tangy than spicy, while the latter is a tad too salty for our liking. During our visit, we found the lobster flesh lacking in consistency but there are many others who raved about it. 

Lobster Nasi Lemak @ Lawa Bintang

Lawa Bintang combines traditional nasi lemak with a whole crayfish lobster ($22) instead of the usual chicken wing. The succulent flesh of the lobster is well coated with their homemade herb blend and cheese combination. Besides the delicious lobster, I also enjoyed all the other components of the nasi lemak.

Lobster Noodles With Clam @ Lobster Time

As we were about to tuck into our bowl of Lobster Noodles with Clams ($26.50), co-owner Jun Jie shared with us that they select lobsters from Malaysian suppliers as they ensure a steady import of lobsters. We liked how the firm and fresh lobster flesh can easily be removed from its shell. Don’t forget to dip it in their homemade chilli! 

Lobster Mee @ Da Bao Lorong 15

We opted for the Lobster Noodle ($29.90) which comes with a prawn-infused broth. Diners can also choose the dry version. The broth contains clams, de-shelled prawns, one whole lobster, thin pork belly slices, pork lard, chye sim and yellow noodles. The lobster flesh is fresh, but it was slightly overcooked. I felt that the dish was slightly overpriced for its quality, but you could also opt for a range of cheaper alternatives, such as the prawn noodles and fish soup.

Lobster & Big Prawn Soup @ Sumo Big Prawn

Sumo Big Prawn is, no doubt, one of the better known hawker stalls selling lobster dishes at super affordable prices. Like many others, we had a go at the Lobster and Big Prawn Soup with Yellow Noodles ($24.90). Apparently, this is the price you’ll pay when they use Columbia lobsters as a substitute after their Asian lobsters ($18.90) are sold out. Although $24.90 is a tad steep, you are paying for a lobster of premium quality. Our bowl of Lobster and Big Prawn soup arrived piping hot, with a subtle aroma of Chinese wine and a captivating buttery fragrance. It consists of a whole lobster, two big prawns and plump, juicy clams. The lobster and prawns we had that day were cooked just right, soaking up the richness of the broth without losing its natural sweetness.

2017 has seen an increase in the number of hawkers delivering an impressive repertoire of lobster dishes at affordable prices. The trend will definitely continue, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Boston lobster sandwiches being served in the hawker centres one day.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes/stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 7 Famous & Hidden Lobster Lobangs in Hawker Settings! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

The family-run business Nasi Padang Indonesia Bandung has been operating for 4 years. We spoke to Chef Cicih, an Indonesian Muslim lady who wakes up as early as five in the morning to prepare the ingredients. All the Indonesian dishes you see here are cooked based on recipes from the 59-year-old cook.

The stall boasts an impressive repertoire of dishes, but one of the more unique dishes is the Nasi Rawon. Originated from Surabaya, Indonesia, the Nasi Rawon is essentially rice served with Indonesian beef black soup. Chef Cicih’s rendition of Nasi Rawon ($5.50) is similar, but with discernible traces of beef trimmings. There is also Beef Lungs, Begedil, Tempeh, Sotong Sambal, Coconut Shavings as well as Sambal Chilli. Beyond its seemingly tough leather exterior, the lungs are actually quite easy to chew through! Note that Nasi Rawon is available only on weekends and public holidays!

I found the Mee Siam ($3) packed with flavor. Perhaps one of my favourite, each mouthful of rice vermicelli carries sweet and tangy undertones. 

There are other dishes worth trying too. The Mee Rebus ($3) is a simple assembly of egg noodles drenched in a viscous gravy that is slightly sweeter than that of other bowls of mee rebus I’ve tried. The Lontong ($3) isn’t the best, with a mild tasting curry that contains ketupat (compressed rice cakes). Pair the sweet sambal with the lontong to spice things up!

You can also grab a bowl of Mee Soto ($3) for a satisfying breakfast.

To determine whether a plate of nasi lemak is good, we scrutinise the rice. Here, the rice in their Nasi Lemak ($3.50) exudes a subtle coconut aroma. I would prefer the rice to be more lemak, though. Accompanying the rice is a portion of crispy fried chicken ($1.50/pc), ikan kuning, egg, as well as sambal chilli. The crispy fried chicken stands out, with a crispy, albeit slightly oily, batter.

Here are a couple of nasi padang dishes to try when you visit. The Beef Rendang ($3) may lack consistency, with contrasting tough and soft textures, but you might enjoy the spice and herbal flavours that slowly develop as you chew on the beef. The Ayam Merah ($3 – $3.50) which sees tender chicken meat coated with a sweet and tangy sauce, is a must-try too. 

Found in a coffee shop within Sengkang, Nasi Padang Indonesia Bandung serves authentic Indonesian cuisine that is definitely value for money. I’ll be back for the mee siam, and the variety of mouth-watering nasi padang dishes!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

The post Nasi Padang Indonesia Bandung – Indonesian Cuisine Cooked With Love appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Dubbed the “Yishtana”, we thought that Yishun couldn’t get better. But it did. Establishing a landmark in northern Singapore is the newest Yishun Park Hawker Centre, which officially opened on 20 September 2017.

The management behind the new hawker centre, Timbre + Hawkers by Timbre Group has created a spin on the concept of traditional hawker centre to incorporate innovation and modernization into hawker fare. Timbre Group aims to increase the appeal of the hawker trade to attract the younger generation. An example would be the use of automatic tray returning stations. When you order food and use the tray, the hawker charges you an extra dollar. If you return the tray to the automatic stations, you’ll get your dollar back through a coin dispenser. Now that’s a pretty interesting way to cultivate our habit of returning trays! There are a total of 43 stalls here in Yishun Park Hawker Centre. Here are 7 stalls that you should visit!

#01-42 Ajisai Japanese Ramen

Ramen priced as low as $3.50? Now that’s unbelievable! Debuting in the heart of Yishun Park Hawker Centre is Ajisai, which is helmed by Japanese Chef Hiroki Saito. The signature dish is the Pork Chashu Ramen ($3.50) – a ramen steeped in an appetising shoyu-based broth. Laying on the noodles are thin slices of pork char siew with alternating layers of fat and meat. The char siew is slightly on the drier side, though. There are also a couple of side dishes that you can snag for as low as a buck! We recommend the potato salad! For the quality and taste, this is really a meal that’s value for money! Come try, come try!

#01-27 Fishball Story Fishball Noodles

Using his grandmother’s fishball recipe, 26-year-old hawker cum owner Douglas is dominating the hawker scene. Another Fishball Story franchise has landed. Look forward to freshly made fishballs using 100% yellow tail fish meat – no flour added! For $3.50 a bowl, you get a few fishballs, a few slices of fishcakes and good amount of mee pok tossed with sambal chilli and lard. The fishballs are firm and the noodle are pretty al dente with a QQ texture. 

#01-37 Smokin’ Joe Western BBQ

Owner Joseph wishes to bring fine dining into the heartlands of Singapore. Dishes are mainly prepared using a charcoal grilled oven that is similar to the one Chef Gordon Ramsey utilises in his kitchen. For starters, we ordered the Honey Sriracha Citrus Norwegian Salmon ($14) – a 150g Norwegian salmon served with mashed potato, broccoli and crispy fish skin. We couldn’t bear to dig in, seeing how chef Joseph took great effort in plating the dish. The first bite was mind-blowing. The salmon skin was crispy, and the flesh succulent. Pieces of fried salmon skin add a delicious crunch. You’ll get broccoli and mashed potato as well. The price is a bit on the higher side, though, so if you’re looking for cheaper alternatives, dishes such as the BBQ Boneless Chicken Leg ($7) are equally delicious too! 

#01-33 Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang

I was pretty psyched about Nasi Taliwang, which is actually rice served with Indonesian-style grilled chicken. However, it wasn’t available during the opening of the hawker centre. Replacing the Nasi Taliwang is the Nasi Lemak Set ($3), which is an assembly of rice, fried chicken, egg, tempeh, peanuts and ikan bilis. Although the components are pretty standard, I particularly enjoyed the subtle coconut fragrance that the rice carries. You also get a choice of either sweet chilli or spicy chilli, but we tam chiak so of course we had both! The sweet chilli was well-balanced, but what stood out was the spicy chilli which was very aromatic!

#01-39 Jiaocai Hotplate Seafood BBQ

Remember Zijie from Jiaocai Hotplate BBQ in Yuhua Village Market? His mother, Mdm Neo, has trained him well enough to manage his own stall here! Imagine peeling layers of succulent and moist flesh off their stingray ($12 small / $15 regular / $17 large). Zijie first places the stingray on a grill and cover it with a lid to retain its moisture before transferring the stingray to a hotplate placed over a charcoal stove. Dollops of fiery sambal chili is then slathered on the stingray before it’s served. Other dishes such as BBQ squid, prawns, and vegetables are available as well.

#01-31 MIDAS Curry, Baked Roti Prata & Puff

The famed MIDAS Every Touch is Gold is now officially opened right here in Yishun Park Hawker Centre! The owner, Mr Sax Choa specialises in the creation of baked roti prata. The baked prata resembles a puff pastry, being extremely crisp with thin layers that did not feel greasy or oily at all! As it wasn’t available on the first day of operations, we ordered the Baked Croissant Murtabak Puff instead. The croissant is actually made using roti prata, and is generously filled with either sardine($3) or corn beef($4).

#01-24 618 砂锅小厨 Claypot Cuisine

As we strolled along the hawker centre, there were a handful of diners munching on steamed Mui Choy with Pork Belly. This Hakka delight might not appeal to the young, but its taste will not disappoint. For $5, you get a claypot filled with preserved vegetables and stewed pork belly. The preserved vegetables aren’t as salty as the ones you get elsewhere, but I do like this version better. This shop is apparently famous for their Bak Ku Teh as well.

Did you know that all hawkers in Yishun Park Hawker Centre offer one basic meal option at $3? That’s really affordable! However, it’s not all just food here. Patronize Tuck Shop – the hawker centre’s retail drink space if you fancy a place to socialize or hang with your friends. It is designed to be part self-service retail store, and part gastro bar! Aside from the quintessential must-haves in hawker centres, such as local coffees and toasts, Tuck shop also offers beverages such as cappuccinos and lattes.

On weekends, Yishun Park Hawker Centre also offers family-friendly programmes such as Park & Play. Watch young children engage in activities such as face painting, bubble and water play, art & craft or even sensory play. Park & Play will also offer different themed activities every month. See you there!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the cafes/stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 7 Hawker Treasures in the All New Yishun Park Hawker Centre! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

“A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take”. Looking for a special way to give your mum the treat she deserves this Mother’s Day? Well, look no further! With an HSBC Credit Card, you have access to tons of amazing deals your mum is guaranteed to love. We have rounded up a list of hotels that will be serving an amazing spread this entire month of May in celebration of Mother’s Day — all you have to do is use your HSBC card for these fantastic deals!

Offers available on Mother’s Day:

York Hotel – White Rose Café

Whether Mum fancies well-crafted classic Chinese cuisine, a hearty buffet lunch spread featuring International and Asian favourites or a tasty local high tea, White Rose Café has the perfect menu for her.

For mums who prefer traditional Chinese favourites, the 7-Course Appreciation Set Dinner (set menus for 6 and 10 persons respectively) offer an array of traditional specialties such as Wok-fried Spicy Coconut and Cereal Prawns, Steamed Grouper or Red Snapper in Cantonese Style, and Longevity Noodles with Sliced Smoked Duck and Mushrooms. Round off the meal with a light and refreshing Double-boiled Snow Pear with Ginkgo, Red Dates and Snow Fungus.

You may also indulge in an International Buffet Lunch that features 30 delightful offerings. The Grilled Salmon, Sirloin of Beef, Chicken and Chilli Crayfish are prepared à la minute in the Show Kitchen. Diners can also expect Deep-fried Pork Ribs in Red Fermented Bean Curd, Teriyaki Chicken, Braised Duck in Teochew Style, Stir-fried Salted Egg Yolk Prawns, and well-loved local desserts such as Hot Pulut Hitam, Chilled Almond Jelly with Longans, and local pancakes with a choice of Durian, Sweet Corn or Peanut topping.

If mum prefers a high tea experience, opt for the High Tea Buffet that showcases tasty treats such as Kong Bak Pau, Oyster Omelette, Prawn Mee and Hainanese Chicken Rice. Complete the meal with an assortment of sweet treats like Hot Tau Suan (Split Mung Bean Soup), Hot Cheng Tng, and Nonya Kuehs.

All HSBC credit and debit cardholders can enjoy a 10% discount off their total bill for the Mother’s Day Appreciation Dinner (May 12, 2018), Mother’s Day International Buffet Lunch and Mother’s Day High Tea Buffet (May 13, 2018) with full payment made before 6 May 2018.

For more information, please visit http://www.yorkhotel.com.sg/dining-promotion.html

Hotel Fort Canning – The Salon

The Salon at Hotel Fort Canning is where mums will be pampered with a feast like no other! Prepared by Executive Chef Tan, menu highlights include Fusion Peking Duck Shredder with Onion, Celery and Fuji Apple, Handmade Sushi and Maki Rolls, Johor Bahru Claypot Bak Kut Teh, Thai Red Curry Prawns with Eggplant, and Braised Lamb with Chinese Root Vegetables. Vegetarian options such as German Potato Salad with Walnut, Raisin and Pommery Mustard, Singapore Fruits Rojak, and Wok-fried Egg Noodles with Superior Soya Sauce will also be available.

To round off your dining experience on a sweet note, choose from a selection of hot and cold treats at the dessert station, from New York Cheesecake to the Rustic Apple Pie to the Peranakan Bobo Cha Cha. The Mother’s Day Feast is available on 13 May 2018, from 12pm to 3pm. Mothers get to dine free with every 3 paying adults for this special Mother’s Day in the Park lunch buffet, while children under the age of 4 dine free! Call 6799 8809 or email fnb@hfcsingapore.com to make your reservation!

Novotel Clarke Quay – The Square

Pamper your mum this Mother’s day at The Square Restaurant, and indulge in a specially curated international buffet specially designed to please her palate. Located on level 7 of Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay, The Square Restaurant is a perfect place for gatherings, and celebration.

On 13 May 2018, feast on The Square’s Signature chilli crab and the all-time favourite laksa, go crazy on the delicious seafood on ice, homemade dim sum, succulent roasted meats and delectable carving dishes! End your day on a sweet note with the luscious chocolate fondue, The Square’s special durian pengat, and a 3kg mother’s day cake. Valid on 13 May 2018, mothers dine free with 3 paying adults for lunch or dinner.

In addition, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay will be presenting a bouquet of flowers to all mothers this Mother’s Day. Terms and Conditions apply. For more information and reservations, please contact 6433 8790 or email H5993-FB8@accor.com

Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa – Latest Recipe

Latest Recipe at Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa, will be serving a hearty Mother’s Day buffet brunch this year. Feast on delights such as Grilled Duck Breast, Australian D Rump Wagyu Beef, Crayfish and Leg of Lamb. On top of that, flavoursome Asian and local delights like the spicy Chilli Crab with Deep-fried Mantou Buns, Salted Egg Prawns and Masala Chicken will be available too!

What’s more, mums will be treated to a well-deserved nourishing serving of the Premium Cordyceps Flower Chicken Soup with Mushrooms, lovingly made by Executive Chef Jackson Goh. This soup contains wholesome ingredients such as kampong chicken, seawhelk, mushrooms and wolfberries. Lastly, special items such as the Braised Sea Cucumber with Flower Mushroom and Wok-fried Chicken with Honey Rock Sugar also await.

Note that the Mothers’ Day Buffet Brunch runs only on 13 May 2018. 1 diner dines free with every 3 paying diners, and you may indulge in free flow sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks at an additional S$30 per pax.

Offers available in May:

Novotel Singapore on Stevens – Food Exchange

At Food Exchange, dine in a stylish contemporary space with a lush leafy backdrop, or al fresco by the infinity pool. Indulge in a palatable spread of authentic local favourites at the lunch buffet, which will feature mouth-watering dishes such as XO Carrot Cake, Traditional Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chicken Briyani, Chicken Curry, Cold and Hot Cheng Tng, Ice Kachang and more.

At night, the evening buffet offers tempting Asian, European and Indian options. Watch the skilful chefs whip up delicious dishes at the open kitchen stations with the freshest regional ingredients. Valid from 1 May 2018 to 31 May 2018, 1 diner dines free with every 2 paying adults for Food Exchange’s daily lunch and dinner buffet.

One Farrer Hotel & Spa – Escape Restaurant & Lounge

If your mum is a seafood lover, this is definitely the place to take her. This Mother’s Day, Escape Restaurant & Lounge will be having their She11 We Seafood Spread buffet, a tantalising seafood-themed buffet filled with myriad of seafood. It will showcase a seafood-on-ice station, which consists 11 varieties of fresh seafood such as Fresh Seasonal New Zealand & Canada Oysters, Chilled Lobsters, Snow Crabs, Australian Yabbies, Half Shell Sea Scallops, Sweet Sea Prawns.

Furthermore, steamed lobsters will be served (one serving per table). Look forward to baked oysters with cheese at the Action Station, and fresh live prawns from the tank at the Live Station. Apart from seafood, the usual Western, Chinese and Indian dishes will also be served. Finally, round off your meal with cute seafood-themed desserts such as starfish glazed cream puffs. From 4 May to 3 June 2018 only, 1 diner gets to dine free with every 3 paying adults at the She11 We Seafood Spread buffet.

Copthorne King’s Hotel – Princess Terrace Café

Renowned for serving Singapore’s best-loved Penang buffet since the early 1970s, Princess Terrace serves a truly mouth-watering spread. Featuring authentic Penang delicacies prepared using fine ingredients and traditional cooking methods, the restaurant’s cosy and nostalgic ambience will transport you from the hustle and bustle of the city to a cultural food haven. From 1 May 2018 to 30 June 2018 (except on 13 May 2018 and 17 June 2018), 1 diner dines free with every 2 paying adults.

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel – Food Capital

Bring your taste buds for a trip around the globe at one of the most extensive seafood buffets in Singapore. Food Capital offers diners international cuisines and a live theatre kitchen. Start at their cold seafood bar, which includes shucked oysters, freshly sliced sashimi and sushi, and move on to the impressive rotisserie section. This section dazzles with a hulking beef stripling, and gourmet slow-cooked veal shank that comes with a truffled potato mousseline. The local selections are especially good. A beautiful tureen of chilli crab, the famous Grand Copthorne Laksa, and a variety of local kueh await. From 1 May 2018 to 30 June 2018 (except on 13 May 2018 and 17 June 2018), 1 diner dines free with every 2 paying adults!

Orchard Hotel Singapore – Orchard Café

A fusion of Western and local flavours, the buffet at Orchard Café Singapore features made-to-order dishes at live stations, and sumptuous mainstays such as fresh seafood on ice, sushi, sashimi as well as Chef’s modern spins on classic flavours. The tantalising collection of dishes at Orchard Cafe caters to every palate! Look forward to their delicious spread, and end your meal with the plethora of sweet treats which includes an assortment of cakes, kuehs, ice-cream and creamy durian penget. From 1 May 2018 to 30 June 2018 (except on 13 May 2018 and 17 June 2018), 1 diner gets to dine free with every 2 paying adults.

M Hotel Singapore – Café 2000

Get set for a gastronomical ride at Café 2000 @ M Hotel. Situated on the hotel’s lobby level, the contemporary restaurant promises a memorable seafood buffet (available on weekend afternoons) and a ‘Seafood Extravaganza Dinner Buffet’ (available daily). On Friday and Saturday evenings, there will also be a live BBQ station, with offerings such as Black Angus beef, scallops and Italian pork sausage. From 1 May 2018 to 30 June 2018 (except on 13 May 2018 and 17 June 2018), 1 diner gets to dine free with every 2 paying adults for the Weekend Buffet Lunch, Seafood Buffet Dinner (Sundays – Thursdays) and Seafood Buffet Dinner with Live BBQ (Fridays – Saturdays).

M Hotel Singapore – The Buffet

Located on the second level of M Hotel, The Buffet is a spacious dine-in restaurant housing two separate buffet concepts under one roof. Lunchtime spreads feature international and local flavours with monthly exclusive specials on offer. There is a live carving station, crustacean bar, and a dessert bar for the perfect sweet ending. For dinner, the fresh seafood steamboat buffet dinner boasts several specialty soup bases, such as superior chicken, Thai tom yum, laksa and Korean kimchi. From 1 May 2018 to 30 June 2018 (except on 13 May 2018 and 17 June 2018), 1 diner dines free with every 2 paying adults for both the daily Steamboat Buffet Dinner and the International Buffet Lunch (Mondays – Fridays).

What are you waiting for? Make your reservations soon, and you can be sure that your mom will be wowed at any of the buffet places listed. Remember to use your HSBC credit card for greater deals this Mother’s Day!

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

This post was brought to you by HSBC.

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Everyone loves a good martabak manis. Pan–fried to a thick pillowy texture before being stuffed with different kinds of fillings, this pancake is well-loved all around the world. The classic Indonesian delicacy is almost impossible to miss when one is travelling along the streets of Indonesia. Back in Singapore however, while martabak manis may not the most popular street food, there are still a few stalls selling this delightful snack, and one of them is Terang Bulan.

Terang Bulan is a quaint little store selling martabak manis with unique stuffings in East Village Mall. Chocolate, banana and cheese are some of the common stuffings found in the Indonesian pancake. But Nutella spread? Kitkat stuffing? That’s pretty unique! Dita, the owner of Terang Bulan, is the proud creator of these special martabak flavours. Before embarking on the F&B path, the Surabaya–born was formerly working as a marketing executive in a humanitarian organization. “My husband and I love martabak manis, and I decided to learn how to make the delicacy from a school, which teaches the recipe for martabak manis,” shared Dita. “We have also reduced the sweetness and thickness of the martabak manis to suit the taste of Singaporeans,”she added. 

Dita churns out a fresh batch of batter on a daily basis, so patrons can look forward to freshly–made martabaks for each order. There are five types of martabak to choose from, including the standard flavour, premium flavour, red velvet edition, pizza terbul as well as mini terbul. Team Tam Chiak decided to order the Terbul Chonana ($7) from the standard section, and the Terbul Kitkat ($8) from the premium section.

Our all–time favourite, Terbul Chonana, featured a huge fluffy pancake stuffed with classic chocolate sprinkles and sliced banana, and finished with a generous drizzle of condensed milk. Some of the martabaks I’ve had in the past came either slightly burnt or undercooked, but the one here at Terang Bulan was executed just right. While the exterior was nicely browned and crispy at the edges, the insides remained consistently fluffy and chewy. “We made our pancakes more fluffy using our secret recipe,” Dita explained enthusiastically.

Prior to serving, each whole martabak – which can feed up to 4 to 5 persons –  is cut into bite-sized pieces. Having it served this way definitely offers much more convenience for patrons! We highly recommend the Terbul Chonana to all martabak lovers. 

Aside from classic flavours, Terang Bulan also offers variants of the Indonesia treat which sees their delicious pancakes stuffed with more unconventional flavours. The Terbul Kitkat had a generous spread of nutella and kitkat crumbs, a sinful combination that will surely give you a sugar rush! This is only for those with an especially sweet tooth. 

While Terang Bulan offers really good martabak manis, it’s not really accessible (unless you’re staying near East Village). Lucky for us, Terang Bulan offers island-wide delivery with just only an additional $10 surcharge (from Tuesdays to Sundays). Dita can get really busy with the orders at peak hours, so remember to call to order in advance. If you’re in the vicinity, why not drop by to have some freshly made martabak? Terang Bulan also co-shares the space with fried banana fritters specialist Pisang Keju. If martabak isn’t enough, you can always order some fried banana fritters! We promise you’ll leave the place contented and satisfied.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to Terang Bulan. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Terang Bulan – Uniquely Flavoured Martabak From Indonesia! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

In light of the Masterchef UK crispy chicken rendang saga, we have written and compiled a list of 9 eateries to get your fix of the delicious, savoury dish. However, we took a special interest in the crispy chicken rendang, which was, after all, the point of the whole issue. While many were sceptical of the divisive crispy chicken rendang, CreatureS jumped straight into the controversy and came up with their very own CreatureS crispy chicken rendang, which we gamely dropped by for a taste.

Located at Desker Road, a culturally-rich area dotted with charming boutique hotels, CreatureS serves Mod-Sin cuisine featuring east-meets-west fusion dishes (with no MSG) in a cosy and comfortable environment. Service is amazing, natural light streams in from the glass windows, music wafts from the speakers and the cutlery is impeccably laid out on a CreatureS paper placemat. The atmosphere is inviting, and even the water arrives in a pretty glass adorned with a lemongrass stalk and a lime wedge.

While there is a plethora of interesting dishes on CreatureS’ menu, we arrived with the sole intention of trying only one thing on their menu…the Crispy Chicken Rendang ($23)! 

Having eaten at 5 other rendang stops without air-conditioning that day, we were glad to finally rest our legs and bask in the cool air offered at CreatureS. Before we knew it, the prized CreatureS crispy chicken rendang finally arrived at our table.

The CreatureS crispy chicken rendang ($23 before GST) features a fried chicken thigh coated with crispy batter, then dressed in a slow-cooked heirloom home-made rendang recipe. Served on the side are butterfly blue pea coconut fragrant rice, nonya chap chye and an egg omelette slice. The crispy chicken rendang dish was a stunning sight with its vibrant colours and contrasting textures, and we absolutely could not wait to dig in.

The star of the show was without a doubt the crispy chicken. The plump and juicy chicken thigh was fork-tender and had a shatteringly-crisp skin. As we broke into the crispy crackling, the chicken glistened in full glory. The chicken thigh was moreish and was satisfyingly chunky and meaty.

The rendang sauce slathered over the fried chicken thigh had slightly sour undertones and was not too spicy at all. Neither was it too rich or “jelak”, and we had a field day scooping up the rendang sauce with the chicken, then pairing both together with the slightly sticky blue pea rice. The blue pea rice tasted rather ordinary, though it definitely added some colour to the plate. The curious triangular fried piece studded atop the mountain of blue rice turned out to be a piece of fried chicken fat. How sinful!

The nonya chup chye on the side was a beautiful accompaniment to the dish, with its natural sweetness from the red dates making it an absolute delight to eat. The slice of egg omelette was mildly spicy, and reminded me a little of fuyong egg, with onion slices embedded in the egg slice.

I must say, the CreatureS team is rather ingenious for capitalising on this crispy chicken rendang saga, and coming up with their very own crispy chicken rendang. While their rendition was slightly more expensive than the other rendang dishes we tried and featured in our rendang listing, the great ambience at CreatureS more than made up for it.

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

For more food videos, check out our official YouTube channel!

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Scores of taxi drivers have praised Raimah Eating House as a food galore. Their western food, in particular, will always be raved about whenever I am in a Taxi (or Grab) asking for food recommendations. “You must try the steak, it’s power la” or “the nasi goreng is shiok” are common sentiments associated with this place. Getting to Raimah Eating House is a breeze, especially since it is just located behind Kembangan MRT. First timers will be met with a row of shops, but Seafood Western is the particular store you should be gunning for. Like its name suggests, the stall commands an impressive menu of western cuisine options that are certified halal.

Amongst the dishes, the Nasi Goreng Butter Chicken ($7) has been consistently hailed as a must–try! Unfortunately, as delicious as its name was, its execution was lacklustre. When the words “butter chicken” came to mind, I half expected the chicken to be covered in a rich and flavourful sauce, but what came instead was few pieces of dry meat that was mediocre. Flavour–wise, I could discern a faint curry–like aroma, probably from the curry leaves, as well as a bit of spice from the chilli padi. Other than that, there wasn’t much depth to the chicken. Accompanying the chicken was a generous portion of homemade fried rice, which was pretty tasty. The grains were fried nicely, achieving a mouthfeel that was neither too oily nor dry. A touch of wok hei would have created wonders for the dish.

The Bullet Pepper Steak ($13) was a stellar recommendation. For that price, you get a whole steak covered in a brown and peppery sauce. You’ll find broccoli, mash potato, corn bits and carrot slices on the side as well. Though the beef was done well, the bite on it was pleasantly chewy yet tender. Count on the sauce to deliver an enjoyable dose of sweet and peppery flavours to the steak. The lovely mashed potatoes came slightly chilled with underlying herbaceous flavours that were toothsome. This definitely made for the perfect side dish.

Come to Raimah Eating House if you desire a taste of halal western delights that will please the palate. There are a couple of hits and misses but I would definitely come back to savour the rest of the menu. Drop by in the afternoon for lunch if you can – it offers diners a peace of mind with the non–peak crowd as well.

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

You may be interested in Sizzling K’pot, a 100% muslim-owned claypot eatery or try out Belinda’s Pancake if you are looking for a good pancake in Ang Mo Kio!

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to Raimah Eating House. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Raimah Eating House – Great Hideout for Halal Western Food! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Tong Bee Kopitiam may be well known for being home to the famous Boon Kee Fishball Mee, but there’s a new tenant in the house called Sizzling K’pot, and they are selling aromatic claypot dishes!

Sizzling K’pot is a 100% Muslim owned hawker that specialises in claypot dishes. The stall is run by Anuar, who left his full time job to pursue his passion for cooking. He shared that Sizzling K’pot is his first venture into the food and beverage industry following his previous job in a design firm.

The stall has two menus- breakfast and lunch. Breakfast items include homemade lontong ($3.50) and mee soto ($3.50). It is only during lunch time that they start firing up the gas burners, and preparing the various claypot dishes to feed the hungry lunch time crowd.

Anuar shared that their signature dish would be their Claypot Asam Pedas with red snapper ($5.50). Like their claypot curry, each order is served with a side of white rice and papadum, making it a complete meal.

The Assam pedas may appear extremely spicy with its deep red colour, but it really is not. Instead, the distinct tartness of the Assam shines through and pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the fish.

The Claypot Curry ($5/$5.50) served at Sizzling K’pot is rather different. The gravy is thinner in consistency than the usual creamy variations but not to fret as the flavour is still robust and piquant. 

The curry sauce tasted similar to their Assasm pedas sauce and personally we felt that the “lemak” taste was lacking in the former. Maybe more coconut milk would have done the trick!

For the Assam pedas and curry sauce, Anuar shared that they are his family recipes, which makes the dishes here so unique. He quipped: “The sauces are well liked by my family, and so I wanted to share this with others too.”

If you are not a fan of spicy food, the hawker stall also offers Claypot Chicken Rice ($4). Although the well-seasoned rice was flavourful and coated evenly with black sauce, we felt that it was a little too watery and it didn’t have the crispy charred base that was characteristic of claypot rice. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the well marinated and juicy chicken meat.

Although Tong Bee Kopitiam may not be the most accessible (it’s a 10 minute walk from the main road), it is still worth a visit for some affordable and halal claypot dishes!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

The post Sizzling K’pot – A 100% Muslim Owned Claypot Hawker! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Since joining Miss Tam Chiak as a food writer in January, the exposure to a myriad of food options encouraged me to start a compilation of halal foods and cafes I thought my Muslim friends would enjoy #perksofbeingafoodwriter. Now that my internship is nearing its end, I am glad to add one final halal cafe to the list: Kaw Kaw SG. Kaw Kaw SG is a cosy cafe tucked within Aliwal Street in Bugis, packed with comfortable cushion seats that are perfect for lounging with friends. The rustic brick walls here are adorned with shelves of paintings and knick-knacks, and the space is so huge that there is enough room for a small stage! Apparently, a live band performs on the stage every once in awhile.

We started by ordering one of Kaw Kaw’s more interesting sides, the Black Wings ($12.50). The ”black wings” are essentially crispy deep-fried chicken wings doused in a spicy seaweed sauce. I thought these “black wings” were satisfying, hearty and flavoursome, albeit a tad salty. Nonetheless, these black wings were certainly quite unique.

As Kaw Kaw Sg is famous for their range of thick burgers, we decided to get the Smokey Beef Bacon Burger ($16.90), a recommendation from one of the waitstaff. The juicy and tender flame-grilled beef patty was stacked with beef bacon, a slice of cheddar cheese and a “smokey sauce”, which added saltiness and smokiness that perfectly complemented the beef patty. I especially loved the addition of jalapenos, which provided a tangy spiciness that brought the entire dish together. The lettuce and onions were crisp and fresh too. What was surprising was that instead of fries, the burger was accompanied with nachos. These were definitely a refreshing change from the conventional fries.

We also tried the Mac & Cheese ($9), which I felt was a tad overpriced for its portion. The flavours in this bowl of mac & cheese were nice and loaded with bacon and cheese sauce. The macaroni pasta was chewy, ever so slightly gelatinous, and had a nice bite, though I think it may have been a little undercooked. It is hard to tell the blend of cheese they used, but I can say the cheese layer on top was crackly, while the pasta below was moist and creamy.

Kaw Kaw Sg has a delightful and cosy ambience that makes it a great place to hang out with friends. If you have any Muslim friends, why not introduce them to this space? This halal café is sure to be a great place for interesting conversations accompanied with hearty food.

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

For more food videos, check out our official YouTube channel! You may also want to check out our article on Meet 4 Meat, a stall that sells gourmet beef wellington at affordable price, or HJ Waliti HJ Mazuki for some heartwarming food at Haig Road.

The post Kaw Kaw SG – Halal Cafe with Relaxed Ambience and Hearty Food appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.