Weekend brunching is a big deal in this city of workaholics, as it’s one of the few times you actually can get a group together for a meal. If you are craving for authentic handmade dim sum, TungLok Teahouse is the place to go.

Basically, you browse the menu on the iPad, tap on the item you wish to have and confirm your order. The food will arrive via the ‘train’. Pick it up and press the button to send the empty train back to the kitchen.

TungLok Teahouse is the first Chinese Restaurant in Singapore to launch the automated tray delivery system. This is truly a dim sum place for fashionistas. Oh wait, they don’t only serve dim sum, they also offer a great selection of dishes that’s curated by a team of superb chefs. Let’s take a look at some of the dishes we highly recommend. Read on because the range is thrilling.

1. Soya Sauce Chicken

The Soya Sauce Chicken ($16++ for half chicken) was the star of our meal. The chicken with a smooth brown skin, was incredibly tender. Drizzled with their house-made soy sauce, the chicken looked deceptively simple, but was a smashing hit with everyone. You just need a bowl of rice, and you’re set.

2. Garlic Pork Spare Ribs

The Garlic Pork Spare Ribs ($18++) made a grand entrance as they “zoomed” to our dining table. Blitzed with fried garlic, I picked up the ribs immediately with my fingers and started gnawing at the tasty meat which came off the bone easily. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.

3. Crisp-fried Prawn with ‘Chilli-Crab’ Sauce served with Rice Cracker

Just as stunning were the Crisp-fried Prawns ($19.80++). Here, the prawns are served in a huge puddle of ‘chilli-crab’ sauce that’s sweet, spicy, tangy, and thickened with egg. I am glad that they’ve included rice cracker for me to wipe the sauce clean. It’s so addictive!

4. Sautéed Fresh Fish Maw with Black Pepper

The Sautéed Fresh Fish Maw with Black Pepper ($38++) is quite a wonderful change from the usual fish maw soup. It is delicious, nourishing and hearty.

5. Braised Marble Goby With Bamboo Shoot, Mushroom and Garlic

The Braised Marble Goby With Bamboo Shoot, Mushroom and Garlic ($26++) is a treat for the olfactory senses. Expect aromas of Chinese wine, ginger and oyster sauce. You’ll love the light and crispy skin of the fish, which will melt in your mouth.

6. Rice with Beef and Egg Yolk served in Stone Pot

For something more substantial, go for the Rice with Beef and Egg Yolk served in Stone Pot ($20++) which brims with brilliant flavours. The thin beef slices are drenched in a brown sauce and has a lovely barbecue flavour.

7. Teochew Sliced Pomfret Porridge

I really love the Teochew Sliced Pomfret Porridge ($9.80++) for its clean flavours. The porridge was very light on the palate, and the fresh and sweet pomfret was delicate, yet firm at the same time.

8. Teahouse Signature Rice Roll ‘Cheong Fun’

Moving on to dim sum, I got a chance to visit the kitchen and saw that their dim sum is made on the spot and steamed upon order. The Teahouse Signature Rice Roll ‘Cheong Fun’ ($8.50++) is the pride of TungLok Teahouse. The chef pours the batter into a tray with wet cotton steaming cloth, and is very careful about the timing to make sure that the cheong fun is not overcooked. The translucent rice roll is rolled around crispy dough fritters that encase prawns and scallions. Delish!

9. Baked BBQ Pork Bun

The rich and buttery Baked BBQ Pork Bun ($6.30++) is baked with a layer of puff pastry on top and stuffed with barbecue pork. The skin is crisp, and breaks easily with just a gentle bite. The fragrant bun goes hand in hand with the smokiness of the pork, and every bite is just so gratifying.

10. Steamed Shrimp and Lily Bulb Dumpling

The Steamed Shrimp and Lily Bulb Dumpling ($5.80++) is another signature dish at TungLok Teahouse. Sure, the har gow consists of shrimps, like all other har gows, but TungLok uses fresh shrimps! Steamed to perfection, the shrimp dumpling had a very springy skin which I really enjoyed.

11. Mini Piglet BBQ Buns

Everyone wants the little piggies that are actually plump white buns with black sesame-seed eyes, pink snouts, and adorable ears. TungLok Teahouse sends you three cute piggies in a steamer, and each piggy holds moist and tender char siew.

Don’t you agree that TungLok Teahouse makes a fantastic brunch spot? Everyone had their favourites. I am definitely coming back for the soya sauce chicken and cheong fun!

This post is brought to you by TungLok Teahouse.

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As a child, my mother would always bring me to A&W in Ang Mo Kio during weekends. Sharing a plate of waffle with root beer is part of my favourite childhood memories.

Following its overwhelming success at Jewel Changi Airport, A&W Restaurants will open its next outlet in Singapore at AMK Hub in July this year. YAY!

The restaurant, which has close to 140 seats, will serve heartlanders a taste of nostalgia from 10am to 10pm every day.

A&W Restaurants at AMK Hub will serve all-time American Favourites such as the A&W Chicken Coney Dog, available with Beef Sauce and Chicken Sauce, Waffle Ice Cream and A&W Root Beer Float, made fresh in stores every day. Best-sellers from the region will also be available at AMK Hub, including fan-favourite A&W Cream Cheese Chicken Burger inspired from A&W Okinawa and A&W Golden Aroma Chicken from A&W Indonesia.

Fans can expect a dedicated waffle island which will showcase the bestselling A&W Waffles and a selfie corner for ‘Instagram-worthy’ moments. In the pipeline are student promotions and a merchandise corner, where fans will have the chance to bring home A&W Rooty – The Great Root Bear, whether in the form of plushies, apparels, etc.

A&W Restaurants at AMK Hub will also potentially roll-out menus for breakfast and late-night supper later in the year.

We are excited!

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I used to be an early bird but because I have been working late almost everyday,  so breakfast isn’t really my thing anymore. But if I do wake up early enough, I make sure I have a good breakfast.

It’s a shame that I didn’t have the time to explore Queenstown more. Most of the flats are already half a century old, and the atmosphere can only be best described as being filled with the original kampong spirit. Following the recommendation of Chef Shen Tan, I popped by Maria’s Corner Nasi Lemak, and the stall is now my go-to breakfast spot if I am around Tanglin Halt.

Located in a quiet and retro coffeeshop, Maria’s Corner is a quaint little stall run by a cute Makcik. So, expect rustic, good, home-style cooking. You can order a mountain of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk, and pile it with toppings such as beef rendang, seronding, sambal goreng, beef lungs, fried tempeh, fried fish, egg and more. The rice is not too heavily scented so it doesn’t overpower the delicious dishes.

The sambal goreng didn’t leave an impression, but the flavours were robust and intense. The chicken wings are fried in small batches so to ensure that that they remain crisp. Don’t forget to add a spoonful of serunding to your rice.

The other crucial component of nasi lemak is the sambal. Maria’s version is especially memorable, as it was sufficiently spicy with the right balance of sweet and tangy notes. If you want to eat the Nasi Lemak here, you should come before 10am so that there is still a wide range of choices. They also serve longtong, mee siam and mee rebus for breakfast.

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Regular patrons of the now defunct Queenstown Magaret Drive Food Centre will be glad to know that Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum still lives on in Maxwell Food Centre!

Run by fourth-generation hawker Sebastian Hu, Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum serves a limited mix of Shanghai-style dishes. What makes this stall so interesting is that it prides itself on making its own dumplings fresh daily!

Sink your teeth into the Guo Tie, or Fried Dumplings ($4 for 8pcs) and see what I mean for yourself! The dumplings are fried on order, so ready yourselves for a crispy parcel of juicy well-marinated minced meat and chopped chives. Pair the guo tie with the homemade vinegar and you have a match made in heaven!

If you’re feeling a little healthy, you should go for the Steamed Dumplings ($4 for 8pcs). It’s essentially the same as the fried dumplings, just steamed.

If you want authentic Chinese soup, then you need to try the Hot and Sour Soup ($3/4/5). Viscous and loaded with slivers of sliced pork and fish cake, the soup has a consistency that is reminiscent of an egg drop soup. While I found the Hot and Sour Soup palatable and appreciated its especially sour taste, it might be a hit or miss for you, due to its particularly strong sourness.

Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum also serves Shanghai Rice Cakes ($3/4/5) which I thought was a nice surprise! It’s rare to have rice cakes in a hawker setting. However, that surprise is shortlived when I realised that it was bland.

There must be a reason why regulars still frequent the stall even after its relocation to Maxwell Food Centre. I applaud their strict adherence to making limited batches of fresh dumplings daily. If you are at Maxwell Food Centre, do give Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum a try.

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

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Asam Pedas Claypot Super is only 5 months old. The owners, Shukri and Harlina, partnered up to create a relatively unique menu. There are ala carte options for lone diners, and set meals for bigger groups. Don’t say I didn’t warn you — it is really PEDAS (spicy)!

Instead of transferring cooked Asam Pedas into a claypot, the dish is cooked in the same claypot throughout! I love how the staff patiently stirred the content consistently. The fish was well-cooked, and even after a while, the dish was still piping hot because the claypot maintained the temperature and kept the dish hot throughout our meal.

We chose angoli fish for our fish head and it was really fresh and firm! The amount of flesh on the fish head was more than enough for 3 persons! The dish would be even better if they had simmered the lady’s fingers longer to soften it further. We would have loved for a bigger variety of vegetables to accompany the asam. The Asam Pedas Claypot ($18) was tantalisingly sour, and way spicier than I expected. Drenching the asam on white rice helped to mellow out the spiciness, so be sure to do that if you can’t handle too much spice!

Another star is the Fried Chicken ($10)! Both my friend and I couldn’t stop reaching for the fried chicken as it was extraordinarily addictive! It’s a pity that the size of the chicken was rather small, if not it would have been more shiok!

All of the options available are loaded with spices and chilli. You know this stall is serious about its “pedas-ness”! The soft eggplant ($6) was not too potent, and it was very sweet surprisingly!

This is very unlike the typical Chinese curry or asam fish head I’ve had before. The dish was sour and spicy, and helped me to appreciate Malay cuisine even more. The sourness and spiciness worked hand and hand and was extremely gratifying! Remember to give them a call to order your Asam Pedas Claypot (only available after 11am) in advance to avoid disappointment!

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 Asam Pedas Claypot Super. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Asam Pedas Claypot Super – Super Pedas Claypot Asam Fish Head! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Peach Garden at OCBC Centre had undergone a substantial make-over while keeping its fundamental layout. The culinary standard here has always been consistently good. Only the best quality and freshest ingredients are used by the team of skillful and innovative chefs. The menus have constantly been reinvented, and the chefs inject their creativity into the dishes all the time.

Peach Garden’s new Weekend Yum Cha ($48++ per adult, $32++ per child) is not to be missed. And the Weekday and Weekend Dinner ($58++ per adult, $42++ per child) are exceptionally enticing. If this already sounds awesome to you, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s more in store for you! Bring your pals along as one diner dines free with every 3 paying adults!

FREE FLOW Peking Duck

Good news! There is a free flow of Roasted Peking Duck for both lunch and dinner daily!

Prepared on the spot at the live station, the peking duck wraps are filled with crispy duck skin and leek. You get to enjoy steaming hot wraps which have been steamed in huge bamboo baskets.

Just look that the glistening skin, and succulent meat!

DIM SUM (Only Weekend Lunch)

Only for weekend lunch, you have the option of either dim sum or appetizers. As for weekday lunch, only appetizers are available.

Even its dim sums (select 8 items per table) are unique. Look forward to creations such as Steamed “Bak Kut Teh” Xiao Long Bao and Deep-fried Bean Skin Roll with Seaweed! The Steamed “Bak Kut Teh” Xiao Long Bao packs a pork bone broth and is incredibly delicious, and the Deep-fried Bean Skin Roll with Seaweed which is crisp and savory, is very addictive.

The Steamed Prawn Dumpling with Squid Ink Dumpling’s skin, which is infused with squid ink, holds a plump prawn within. The Baked “Char Siew” with Pineapple Bun was my favourite because it was extremely crusty and fragrant. Biting into the buttery crust revealed sweet char siew, and the entire ensemble hits all the right spot!

The bite-sized Baked Mini Egg Tart will have you reaching for more! The eggy custard and fragrant tart crust is a match made in heaven. The fluffy Steamed BBQ Pork Bun is served piping hot, so be careful not to burn your tongue when you dive right into it. This old school char siew bun scored full marks with me!

APPETIZERS

Each table can select 5 appetizers. The most intriguing appetizer, for me, is the Chilled Crystalline Ice Lettuce with Sesame and Truffle Sauce, which comes all the way from France. Looking like an icy plant from another planet, the ice lettuce was extremely juicy and refreshing. The truffle and sesame sauce did not overpower the natural taste of the icy lettuce but added a beautiful aroma! It was such a treat to my senses.

Don’t be surprised, but the Roasted London Duck Salad and Roasted Pork Cube appears in the appetizers section! The Roasted London Duck Salad was, of course, very palatable. The tantalising Roasted Pork Cube will certainly tickle your fancy. We were obsessed with the pork cubes and everyone was fighting for the last cube since the crackling skin was so gratifying!

SOUP

For soup (select 1 item per person), the Double-boiled Mini Buddha Jump Over the Wall “Taiwan” Style was loaded with the sweetness of dried scallops. The essence of the soup was well-absorbed by the soft sea cucumber. I loved the Double-boiled Assorted Seafood with Pork Bone Soup in Whole Tomato as well. The nutritious and hearty soup, together with the fresh scallops and prawns, was a flavour bomb!

MAIN COURSE

For main course (select 2 items per table), I will recommend the Pan-fried Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper Sauce as it was beautifully done. We finished the tender meat within a few minutes.

Another sought-after main course is Prawn in Two Styles: (Salted Egg Yolk and Wasabi Salad Cream). Wasabi will never be my first few choices, but I decided to give this a try! Boy, I had no regrets! The wasabi flavour was actually lovely, and not overpowering at all. The sweetness of the honey dew “tart” complemented the prawns flawlessly. The fried prawns in salted egg sauce was rich, and absolutely pleased my palate!

Most of the main courses are fish dishes. We first tried the Steamed Fillet of Dragon Grouper with Fresh Chili and Winter Melon. The winter melon was a refreshing touch, and we enjoyed the firm yet moist dragon grouper. The Sweet and Sour Sliced Fish with Lychee made it to my “favourite” list too! It was adequately crisp despite being stir-fried with the excellent sweet and sour sauce. I was hooked after the very first piece!

VEGETABLES

For vegetables (select 2 items per table), the most interesting dish is Poached Fresh Bean Stick with Seasonal Vegetables in Organic Rice Milk! The organic rice milk is a nourishing and healthy element. As the relatively soft bean stick had already absorbed the organic rice milk, sinking my teeth into it sent a splash crashing into the walls of my mouth. I’m pretty sure that the older folks will enjoy this healthy dish!

RICE & NOODLES

Under the category of Rice and Noodle (select 2 items per table), the Fried Healthy Grain with Preserved Olive Leaf is another dish that will impress the older folks in your family. A pinch of savouriness from the preserved olive leaf coated each grain of rice. It was not oily, and was quite scrumptious.

The Braised Vermicelli with Sliced Fish and Bitter Gourd in Black Bean Sauce was sufficiently moist and soaked up the flavour of the black bean sauce really well! The bitter gourd added a pleasant bitterness, which complemented the entire dish.

DESSERTS

Last but not least, desserts (select 1 item per person). The Chilled Osmanthus Jelly was made to perfect. It had just the right texture. I also like that it was not too sweet and was the perfect light finish to the feast. Some other lovely desserts include Chilled Fresh Mango Pudding and Warm Almond Cream with Glutinous Rice Ball. Since 1 person is entitled to only 1 dessert, do pick a variety so that your group can have a taste of everything.

One of the greatest motivations for me to dine at Peach Garden’s OCBC Centre outlet is unquestionably the gorgeous view. After a long day of work, enjoy a great dinner with your colleagues here, or gather your family and friends for a satisfying feast. The unlimited crepes of Roasted Peking duck and vast options across different categories make this dining experience a true bang for the buck.

PRICING:
Weekend Yum Cha: $48++ per adult, $32++ per child
Weekday & Weekend Dinner: $58++ per adult, $42++ per child

SPECIAL PROMOTION: One dines free with every 3 paying adults!

Prices are subject to 10% service charge and pertaining government tax. Offers are not available on the eve of and on Father’s Day. Other terms and conditions apply as well.

This post was brought to you by Peach Garden @ OCBC Centre.

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When the owner-cum-chef of a dim sum establishment is from Hong Kong, you know that the dim sum is the real deal. Ho Yun (Hong Kong) Tim Sum’s friendly owner has been a PR in Singapore for more than 20 years. His humble dim sum truly did not disappoint.

I had multiple food hunts lined up after this so I told myself to just get a sufficient taste of everything. However, I wasn’t able to heed my own advice. From the very first dish, I couldn’t help but finish everything! Ho Yun’s flavoursome Century Egg with Lean Pork Porridge ($2.70) was thick, and had the right gooeyness. The crispy crackers made the whole dish even more irresistible! Indeed, an unassuming bowl of goodness!

This Cantonese version of Siew Mai ($2.70) has no shrimps within but it was still delicious. Don’t forget to pair the plump siew mai with the sweet chilli sauce!

The Pork Spare Ribs in black bean sauce was above average too! The meat absorbed the fermented black soybeans thoroughly so it was packed with umami. The meat wasn’t the most tender but I polished the entire dish off in minutes.

While the chicken feet was not the best in taste, the skin was adequately soft and  fell off the bone easily. The exterior of the fried shrimp dumpling was relatively crispy and savoury, while the content was sweet and chewy. I hoped that the mayonnaise accompanying the dumplings was less watery though.

Something unique about Ho Yun is that it offers dim sum rice bowls ($3.20 each), such as pork spare ribs with rice, in Hong Kong style metal bowls. Fried dim sum cost $0.90 each, and 4 pieces go for $3.50. All in all, the prices are extremely affordable. And you know for sure that you’ll be getting great dim sum here. I will be back for more!

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 Ho Yun (Hong Kong) Tim Sum. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

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For those who frequent Geylang for supper, you’ve probably heard of 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi, and Yong He Eating House. Similar to 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi, Mongkok Dim Sum has several unique and delicious fried dim sum!

The Steamed Rice Rolls with Shrimp ($4.20) sitting in a pool of flavoursome soya sauce were so irresistible! The folds of the rice rolls were slightly thicker than expected, but it didn’t really bother us. The rice rolls were coated thoroughly in the soya sauce, making every bite really tasty.

I noticed that Mongkok places fried items on oil-absorbing paper to soak up any excess oil lingering on them. I’m definitely thankful for this simple gesture.

Look forward to sinful fare such as Beancurd Roll with Shrimp & Pork ($4.20) and Butter Calamari ($4.20)! An entire sotong ring in a crisp batter dipped in mayonnaise? What a heavenly match! Do consume it once it’s served so that the batter is still hot and crisp.

Can I just say this is the best discovery at Mongkok thus far? If there’s only 1 thing you can try from Mongkok, it has got to be the Pan-fried Carrot Cake ($4.20)! The fragrant carrot cake was charred on the outside, and held a slight crisp on the edges. The white radish within was adequately soft!

The idea of croutons encasing prawns and fish paste was a splendid one! Effortlessly crunchy, this addictive Breaded Fish Cake ($4.20) paired with thick mayonnaise was the best combo! I can still remember clearly the entire experience, especially biting into the sweet prawns in the fish paste. I’m sure that both young and old will enjoy this!

Mongkok Dim Sum operates 24/7. Although the selection of steamed and fried dim sum is not as extensive as Wen Dao Shi’s, Mongkok offers plenty of appetisers including Cucumber Salad with Century Egg ($7.50) and tze char dishes such as Yangzhou Fried Rice ($5.50), Sambal Kangkong ($8/ $12), Hotplate Tofu ($12) and even Kong Pao Frogs ($22)! With such a vast variety of food suitable for any meal of the day, it’s no wonder Mongkok Dim Sum is always packed!

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 Mongkok Dim Sum. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Mongkok Dim Sum – Offering Unique Fried Dim Sums 24/7 appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Annyeonghaseyo! K-fever never ends, and Korean cuisine has never been hotter. Singaporeans’ love for awesome Korean food just never dies. Extremely popular in South Korea, Masizzim is a huge casual restaurant chain that constantly sends out delectable dishes that are perfect for sharing.

Masizzim’s menu centers itself on mouthwatering stews, DIY riceballs and lip-smackingly tasty sides. This June, Masizzim is offering the Daebak Set meal, which includes a scrumptious stew, a riceball, and a side at just $50++! With a choice of 3 stews, 4 riceballs, 2 types of sides (Pancake/Egg Roll) to choose from, you can build the ultimate set meal, by you, for you! If you aren’t sure what to order, then have a look at our recommendations!

Oh my, where do I start? Masizzim’s delicious fare has seriously got us in a pickle. It’s tough picking a favourite but let’s begin with Masizzim’s piping hot stews! Masizzim’s stews come with Spicy Chicken, Pork Ribs, or Beef Ribs. The meats are first marinated overnight, then carefully slow-cooked for 6 hours until tender. Yum.

Here at Masizzim, you are in control of what you eat! Diners can have a spicy or non-spicy stew, as well as decide between Korean Udon or Glass Noodles to add to their stew. For our first set, we went with the Spicy Pork Rib Stew, Tuna Riceball and a Crab Meat Egg Roll! The Spicy Pork Rib Stew boasts a spicy, full-bodied, soy-based broth which was rich and seriously addictive. Each spoonful just whetted my appetite and made me want to reach for more. The stew contains a good mix of fall-off-the-bone tender meat, tteokbokki, onions, sliced king oyster mushrooms, and slippery glass noodles, and a generous sprinkling of freshly cut leeks.

Every dish in the Daebak Set is pretty generous in portion! For instance, the Tuna Riceball is rather filling. We had fun rolling the rice mix into balls, and boy were the spheres tasty! The combination of multigrain rice, tuna and kimchi really had me hooked. What a flavour bomb! The gooey Honey Mustard Cheese Egg Roll is not to be missed either. Cheese lovers will swoon over this one, just check out the cheese pull! Egg and cheese just can’t go wrong, and Masizzim has certainly nailed this creation.

For our second set, we opted for the Spicy Beef Rib Stew, Anchovy Riceball and Squid & Leek Pancake. Like the Spicy Pork Rib Stew, the cauldron of Spicy Beef Rib Stew houses meaty beef ribs that are incredibly tender. But what I loved the most was slurping the slippery glass noodles which had soaked up the intense beefy broth. It was so yummy! The hearty stews here really packed very strong flavours, and I am sure that you won’t be able to get enough of the brilliant broths.

I am not a frequent eater of Korean food but when I do, I always ask myself why don’t I have it more. Imagine my excitement when I dug into the Squid & Leek Pancake! Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, the pancake is loaded with slivers of fresh squid and leek. Now, this is what I call a great side dish — one that opens up your appetite and make you all ready for the main courses to come. The Anchovy Riceball promised little bursts of flavour and occasional crunches, and was a huge hit with me. I still prefer the Tuna Riceballs but this was really good too!

There are also equally amazing sides such as the Crab Meat Egg Roll which is filled with juicy chunks of crab meat and nori, and the Bulgogi Pork Rice Ball which is chock-full of kimchi. I promise that both of these sides will leave you begging for more! If that’s not up your alley, chomp on the thick and savoury Tomato Cheese Kimchi Pancake!

I know, I know. There are just too many hearty and comforting options. It’s almost impossible to come up with the best combination, but we hope that our recommendations have aided in your decision making. Try the Daebak Set at Masizzim today and decide for yourself which is the best combo!

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Makko Teck Neo’s location is interesting — it is tucked in a void deck in a quiet neighbourhood. Makko means ‘aunt’ in Peranakan culture while Teck Neo is the name of the lady boss. Makko Teck Neo sells their signature pineapple tarts every Chinese New Year. Following the success of the tarts, the team decided to open a restaurant serving Peranakan food in Telok Blangah Rise. They have also opened a take-away kiosk in Tang Plaza last year.

These bite-sized Ngoh Hiang ($11.90) were so addictive. They are filled with minced pork, prawns, chestnut and chives, and deep-fried till lightly crunchy. The chestnut gives it a nice crunch and the chilli sauce balances out the saltiness of the ngoh hiang. Nyonya Kueh Pie Tee ($9.90) is a classic dish where a thin slice of prawn is topped with soft turnip stew. Add some chilli sauce and you have yourself a nice little treat.

Dry Mee Siam ($5.80) is Makko Teck Neo’s signature. This dish is full of flavour – you can taste lemongrass, sambal, Kaffir lime and many other spices in each mouthful. With a squeeze of fresh lime, the dish is even tastier. Even though it was dry mee siam, the vermicelli remained moist and the tau pok still had some gravy when I bit into it. This is the house special and it’s usually sold out early.

Best paired with the mee siam, the Chap Chye ($14.90) was sweet and soft. Makko Teck Neo’s Tauhu Goreng ($6.80) sees deep-fried tofu piled with shredded cucumber, bean sprouts and a mountainous helping of nutty peanut sauce. We didn’t go for the Ayam Buah Keluak ($16.90). Instead, we ordered the Rempah Ayam Goreng ($11.90). The fried chicken is marinated with tamarind and served with their special sambal sauce.

They have different daily specials too. On the Sunday that we were there, the specials were Beef Rendang ($14.90) and Pork Rib Pongteh ($12.90). The most memorable dish on that day was beef rendang. It was on the spicy side and definitely packed a punch. The sauce was so fragrant and rich, and went very well with the plain basmati rice. Stewed in fermented soy bean, the pork rib pongteh was not too bad too as the meat was wonderfully tender.

Makko Teck Neo’s Peranakan food is not bad. We all know that Peranakan food requires tedious cooking processes and prices tend to be steeper. However, the food here is really value for money. The little eatery is located in Telok Blangah Rise, and public parking is relatively easy to find. They also sell different types of nyonya kueh such as kueh dadar, ondeh ondeh, kueh salat, kueh talam, kueh lapis and blue pea dumplings!

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Yishun Park Hawker Centre’s highly anticipated $1 carnival is back! Same as last year, there are 26 stalls participating in the carnival this year. Make sure you’re free on 29th June, from 11am to 5pm. Gather your friends and family to try the offerings from all 26 stalls. Pace yourself and go through as many $1 dishes as you can! Each customer can purchase up to 2 portions from the participating stall each time you join the queue.

Here are some of the new highlights and Team Tam Chiak’s top picks.

NEW DISHES THIS YEAR

Kalsom Kuih Muih (#01-01) – Potato Epok Epok
The Potato Epok Epok here is as authentic as it gets! I’m sure you wouldn’t stop at one but remember there are 25 other dishes to try!

Kintaro (#01-05) – Assorted Mochi
A traditional food for Japanese New Year, the assorted mochi is soft and chewy, and incredibly addictive!

Mo Mo Shi Guang (#01-09) – Sugar Cane
An underrated stall nestled in Yishun Park Hawker Centre, Mo Mo Shi Guang offers refreshing sugar cane juice that will definitely quench your thirst.

Ah Lock Tofu (#01-08) – Meatballs with Rice
Lock Teng took a break from his undergraduate studies to attend to his stall. The stall is known for its fried Hakka tofu and Hakka thunder tea rice, but be sure to try the meatballs with rice!

Yi Kou Mian (#01-12) – Fried Wanton
Handmade fried wantons are the perfect snack for both the young and old!

Chit Chaat Chai (#01-13) – Vadai
Infusing North Indian flavours into a Western snack-bar experience, Chit Chaat Chai recreates Indian street food. Don’t miss the vadai!

Da San Yuan (#01-15) – Fishball Soup
Have a simple bowl of fishball soup and let your hair down at the carnival.

Haji Osman and Jasmah Nasi Ayam (#01-19) – Thai Chilli Chicken Cutlet Rice
Look forward to Haji Osman and Jasmah Nasi Ayam’s Thai Chilli Chicken Cutlet Rice as it will satisfy all of your fried chicken cravings!

Xin Fa Ji (#01-23) – Fried Hokkien Mee
Relatively drier than others, the noodles absorbed all the essence of the stock really well. Mix the chilli in thoroughly and it becomes yummier!

Li Fang Congee (#01-25) – Pork Congee
The classic pork congee is simple, but satisfying!

Nanyang Curry (#01-26) – Chicken Curry
Now, $1 chicken curry? You absolutely can’t miss it!

51 Noodle House (#01-27) – Dry Mee Pok with Braised Pork
This rendition of bak chor mee with tender braised pork and dark sauce left quite an impression, and you should definitely try it.

The Outslider (#01-31)- Chocolate Youtiao
Crispy youtiao with chocolate sauce just can’t go wrong. Round off your feast here with this sweet treat!

Wee Kim Hainanese Chicken Rice (#01-32) – Chicken Rice (Roasted or Steamed)
If you’ve always wanted to try the chicken rice, but haven’t done so. This is the perfect opportunity.

Seafood Pirates (#01-35) – Mentaiko Omelette Rice
Seafood Pirates has upped its game by offering Mentaiko Omelette Rice this year! We loved the smokiness and umami in the torched mentaiko.

Jiao Cai Hotplate BBQ (#01-39) – Sambal Lala
Jiao Cai Hotplate BBQ only uses fresh seafood, so you can expect the sambal lala to be juicy and sweet. Don’t forget to dip the lala into the house-made sambal chilli and chinchalok. Shiok!

Tuck Shop (#01-44) – Iced Chocolate
Tuck Shop’s Iced Chocolate will be a huge hit with everyone. It’s not too sweet, and I believe that it’s a beverage that all will enjoy.

MISS TAM CHIAK’S TOP PICKS

XLX Modern Tze Char (#01-28) – La La White Bee Hoon *Miss Tam Chiak’s Pick*
Xin Long Xin’s white beehoon is immersed in a flavoursome broth that’s made with pork bones and chicken stock. The broth is simmered for 10 hours, so you can expect it to be really rich and robust.

Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang (#01-33) – Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang *Miss Tam Chiak’s Pick*
We were addicted to the ayam taliwang which Puti and Noorman marinate by hand. The chicken, which is loaded with their special marinade, is grilled to perfection.

Yap’s Noodle (#01-36) – Curry Chee Cheong Fun *Miss Tam Chiak’s Pick*
Yap’s Noodle’s curry chee cheong fun is a testimony to the existence of authentic Malaysian cuisine in Singapore. We enjoyed every bit of it!

Smokin’ Joe (#01-37) – 1/4 Wagyu Beef Burger *Miss Tam Chiak’s Pick*
Grab a quarter of Smokin’ Joe’s Wagyu Beef Burger for just $1! The juicy wagyu patty offers just a glimpse of Joseph’s affordable restaurant-standard fare.

Ah Tan Wings (#01-40) – Har Cheong Gai *Miss Tam Chiak’s Pick*
By now, most of you would have heard of Ah Tan Wings. Their irresistible har cheong gai (prawn paste chicken wing) is going for just $1! You may be tempted to have 10 but keep in mind that there’s plenty of food to try!

If you’re craving for prata, go to SJ Sickaner Ammal (#01-10) for some crispy yet fluffy Plain Prata with fish or mutton curry! JJ Prawn Noodle (#01-21)’s signature prawn noodles makes a return again this year. So if you’ve always been a fan, or have missed it very much, now’s the time to get a taste of it again.

$1 DURIAN

Yishun Park Hawker Centre is also offering different types (Mao Shan Wang, D13, D24 and Red Prawn) of durian at just $1! If this is not a deal to you, I don’t know what is!

So for durian-lovers out there, remember to collect your receipt from the hawkers when you purchase the $1 tasting portions. The number of durians you may redeem is based on the number of $1 food/drink item on the receipt from the participating hawker stalls. You can simply present the receipt(s) at the 3 designated durian stalls to purchase durians at just $1 each.

$1 WEEKEND PASAR EDITION

Look out for at least 4 stalls selling clothes, homeware, soft toys and many more. Prices start from $1!

PARK & PLAY $1 EDITION

Park & Play’s craft, face painting and highlight activities will run from 1pm to 5pm (complimentary). In addition, a BOUNCY CASTLE is making an appearance. And the entrance fee is just $1 for every 30 minutes. Aren’t kids now just so blessed?!

DRESS-LIKE-A-HAWKER PHOTOBOOTH

On 29th June, an actual hawker stall will be turned into a photobooth here! For those who have always dreamt about becoming a hawker since they were young (I’m low-key one of them), now’s the opportune time to dress like one. I’m very excited about this year’s photobooth because I’ll get to look like a hawker hero with props such as aprons and woks!

WIN TRAY-RETURN LUCKY DRAW

Ever since Yishun Park Hawker Centre started, it has been a self-tray returning food centre. On 29th June, stand a chance to win $1000 worth of dining credits ($2, $5, $20 or $100) through a lucky draw at tray-return stations. Beyond the dining credits, let us all also cultivate a habit of returning our trays whenever possible!

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE

Complimentary to-and-fro shuttle bus services will be provided from 10.45am to 5:15pm at Sembawang, Yishun, Khatib MRT stations’ drop-off points, and Yishun Park Hawker Centre. Take note that durians are strictly not allowed onboard.

All $1 dishes and $1 durians (1000kg only) are limited in quantity, so head over early to avoid disappointment. Admission is free so bring your friends and families! Remember to come with an empty stomach because there’re so much to eat!

This post was brought to you by YISHUN PARK HAWKER CENTRE.

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In the old heartland estate of Jalan Besar, there sits a quaint cluster of hawker shophouses. The latest addition? The legendary Kok Kee Wanton Mee!

Being here on the afternoon of their grand opening, I was awe-struck by the stall which was exuding a commanding and strong aura that was fuelled by the clanging cymbals and banging drums of a lion dance troupe. The stall also had the support of friends, family, and loyal customers. Needless to say, it attracted the attention of the regular lunch crowd and curious passersby.

Fans will surely remember the nightly long queues for this famous wanton mee back at Lavender Food Square.

Everything on the menu is $5 now (a slight $0.50 mark up from before). To our pleasant surprise, every mouthful of Kok Kee’s soft and springy noodles  with their special homemade sauce still tasted splendid. And the noodles still sent us on a quick trip to food heaven… Yes, they may have been out of business for 2 years, but some things never change!

Apart from their noodles, Kok Kee Wanton Mee is renowned for their shui jiaos, and crispy wontons that explode like stardust. Needless to say, they were scrumptious! I was taken back to my childhood days — munching on bite-sized dumplings while my feet dangled above the ground from one of those red plastic kopitiam chairs.

The barbecued pork was tender and juicy, albeit lacking a deep reddish-brown hue and charred edges. The fresh leafy vegetables and mildly fragrant broth were comforting and soothed my soul. It is true, there is just something so special about the noodles here that makes it one of Singapore’s most beloved hawker dishes.

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My husband is becoming a food expert in Johor Bahru because he goes across the causeway at least once a month to eat with his friends. When we finally arranged for a food trip last month, he excitedly brought us to this hidden gem in Stulang Darat. “I want to bring you to check out this cafe,” he said. Of course, I look at him in disbelief, because he is not a cafe person to begin with!

True enough, we ended up at a carpark situated in the midst of 3-storey flats. I thought we had lost our way. I saw an old school playground and a temple in the neighbourhood. But as we walked towards the end of Block B, I saw San Lou Cafe (三楼咖啡屋). Not the kind of cafe I had imagined, but a rather laid back eatery that serves really delicious zi-char dishes that are very affordable.

It’s a family-style restaurant and everyone here is very friendly. Before finding a table, we went into the kitchen to pick a fresh fish and decide on the cooking style.

I may not be accurate with the names of the fish, but the cook recommended threadfin and croaker, cooked in two different ways — steamed with preserved radish, and with assam. The steamed fish was covered with spring onions and preserved radish, which elevated the umami of the whole dish. You can taste the delicate sweetness of the fresh fish. The steaming Asam fish curry was my favourite. The whole table was slurping up the sweet, sour and spicy gravy.

The stir-fried clams here were probably the best I have tasted. They were slightly briny but very juicy and fresh. After eating the clams here, I don’t think I would order it anywhere else. We also had omelette with fresh krill (small shrimps) and Sayur Manis. It’s my first time eating mani cai with eggs; I usually have them in my bowl of mee hoon kueh.

This is an excellent eatery where you can truly experience JB food. Our meal only cost RM 98! What a steal!

The post San Lou Cafe – Hidden Gem in JB Serving Cheap & Delicious Zi Char appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Everyday, without fail, Jie Bakery in Tai Seng rolls out batches of freshly baked bread.

I kid you not when I say that the bread-making process was therapeutic to witness. I was mesmerised by the machines kneading and dividing the rolls swiftly and efficiently.

After being kneaded by machines, the dough is shaped by hand.

A worker labels each batch of bread with different colours or patterns, according to its filling, before another worker places them, tray after tray, into the humongous oven.

Jimmy Ma, the owner of Jie Bakery, comes daily to monitor the operations. He helps out if there is a shortage of manpower, and does deliveries to various locations. Jimmy started with no experience in this industry, but has been managing the business for 30 years now.

Jimmy started out as an employee. He worked for 4 to 5 years and went through every role — baker, cashier, manager, and even deliveryman. He decided to take over the bakery when the owner wanted to shut it.

He shared with us that 2 years ago, there was actually a fire which broke out due to the worn-out oven exploding. Fortunately, no one was hurt. It was heart-wrenching for Jimmy to see his beloved bakery ruined.

Since then, he makes sure that the new oven is serviced every now and then. He has also learnt how to fix minor faults in the machines so that operations will not be affected. Sometimes, he learns just from watching the professional technicians repair the machines. 

Watching the workers spread the egg wash onto the sausage buns, and seeing the rolls emerge from the oven were exceptionally pleasing.

Another hot-seller is the white loaf. The charred exterior is removed and the loaves are placed onto shelves.

Another worker will then cut the loaves, with a machine. The slices of bread are now ready to be spread with kaya, butter, or peanut butter.

Yes, Jie Bakery prepares the entire loaf for you. Save the hassle of putting on the spread yourself.

We always order the fluffy loaves and sausage buns! Sometimes, we buy the plain loaves and toast them in our office for breakfast. The difference between the bread from Jie Bakery and the typical mass-produced bakeries is very obvious. You got to get your hands on the bread to fully understand what I mean.

Having fresh bakes at the start of the day brings us so much joy. We absolutely love the simple traditional bread that Jie Bakery offers!

Jimmy deserves a medal for his effort and hard-work! There is no shortcut to making such marvellous traditional old school bread (at least 800 to 1000 loaves of white bread a day).

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

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Toa Payoh has its fair share of delicious eats and we’ve found another spot to add to the list. Heading over at 9:30am on a Tuesday morning, I was expecting the coffee shop to be relatively quiet but boy, was I wrong. Every single table, but one, was occupied by aunties and uncles tucking into the very bowl of deliciousness that brought me all the way here.

While it didn’t have a snaking long queue, there was a constant and steady stream of people waiting to get their hands on this glorious bowl. Evidently, this stall was very popular with the local residents, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on my own. Unlike most fishball noodle places that offer more variety, their menu only has two things — Fishball Noodles(Dry or Soup). You can order the standard bowl which costs $4, or choose to get a smaller or larger portion for $3 and $5 respectively. Despite the slim menu, the stall has been operating since 1967 so they must be doing something right!

There’s only one person manning the entire stall and I was amazed at how he managed to churn out bowl after bowl without stopping. After about a 15-minute wait, we finally received our food. We went with both the soup and dry options, but opted for different noodles in each. For the dry version, we ordered the standard mee pok (flat yellow noodles), and for the soup version, we got a combination of kway teow (flat rice noodles) and yellow noodles.

I was expecting a bowl with the standard fishballs and fishcake, and maybe some minced pork on top, but I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of ingredients. While it definitely had all the standard accompaniments, there was also a meatball, deep-fried wanton, and even braised mushrooms! I love both fishball noodles and bak chor mee, but my gripe with the former was always the lack of mushrooms that bak chor mee has, so imagine my happiness when this bowl came with it!

I prefer dry noodles to soup noodles so, naturally, I was more inclined towards the dry noodles here. However, the soup was honestly pretty tasty as well. The surprise star of the show, though, was the meatball which looked unassuming but turned out to be really good! It even had bits of water chestnut which gave it a better texture.

While I would have preferred the noodles to be a tad spicier and more vinegar-y, this is definitely worth trying if you’re in the Toa Payoh area.

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

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The wait is over everyone, Gram’s famous souffle pancakes have finally landed on our shores. Officially making its grand entrance at 1pm today, we already anticipate a long line of excited diners out the door. Gram Cafe & Pancakes hails from Osaka, Japan, and one could even call it the Godfather of all Instagram souffle pancakes.

Whipped full of air, and slow-cooked on a low heat, this gives us the iconic, and instagram-worthy jigglyness. Gram uses premium ingredients for its pancakes, with most of them being imported all the way from Japan.

These beautiful Premium Pancakes ($17.90) are made to order, so do expect to wait a little while. Unfortunately for us, it’s also only limited to 30 servings a day at 11am, 3pm and 6pm. This is due to the amount of time and effort required to produce each batch.

While we all hope we could eat it all day every day, don’t despair too much as they do offer other things as well! For our sweet tooths, you can opt for the classic pancakes they have, such as the Rich Tiramisu Pancakes ($15.90) Mixed Fruits and Chocolate Pancakes ($15.90). They’re created with the same recipe as Gram Japan, and is inspired by the traditional Japanese dorayaki pancakes.

And for those who’d like something more savoury, they also serve up the Turkey Bacon and Scrambled Egg Pancakes ($18.90), as well as Chili Beans Pancakes ($18.90) and a Salmon and Avocado Pancakes ($19.90). Other non pancake offerings include a BLT sandwich, french toasts, and even an exclusive Japanese Curry pancake set to come out later.

Although we’d only managed to get a taste of their Premium Pancakes on our visit, they were definitely up to standard. Biting into it felt like biting into a delicious cloud. Paired with the maple syrup and housemade whipped cream, it was a match made in heaven! The maple syrup was of a thicker viscosity which I prefer, and paired well with the cream, which was light and milky. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best souffle pancakes I’ve had in Singapore, and definitely worth a try.

Note: This is an invited tasting.

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Do you love Din Tai Fung’s pork chop fried rice? Well have I got a place for you. Quietly located in the basement of Golden Mile Tower, King of Fried Rice serves up these delicious plates at a steal. Like their name suggests, they only sell fried rice, which comes in four different flavours ($5++) — original egg, XO, tom yum, and mala. If you’re feeling a little fancy, you can also add on extra ingredients such as tobiko, shimeji or a sunny side up for $1 per item. Unfortunately, they were already sold out of the tom yum and mala when we’d arrived. And this was just an hour after their opening!

Despite limited online reviews, there was a huge number of customers hoping to get their hands on this plate of eggy goodness. Although there were only less than five people ahead of us in the queue, we waited for a total of thirty minutes because there were plenty of orders. My mouth kept watering as I watched others tuck into their fried rice. The chef only fries a maximum of two plates at a time to maintain the quality. Despite being a two man show, the chef, and his wife, delivered each and every plate superbly.

Deliciously savoury with bits of egg in every bite, the rice was absolutely worth the wait. Each grain of rice was almost buttery. I also loved the amount of wok hei present in the dish, proving that they are indeed the king of fried rice.

While the fried rice was amazing, what really stole the show was the pork chop. It was perfectly marinated and tender. Some pork chops tend to be dry and hard, but this was definitely not the case here! In fact, I can honestly say that this is the best fried rice I’ve tasted.

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

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What do you usually order when you have zi char? Salted egg pork ribs is one of the standard dishes I always order. However, I remember the countless times I was met with disappointment when I bit into dry and hard chunks of meat with barely enough sauce to go around. Well, I’m happy to report that I only have good things to say after dining at Yong Kwang Yummy Seafood that’s helmed by 24-year-old Chris Eng.

Chris’ passion for cooking started when he was just 10 years old. He was juggling his studies and helping out at his family’s stall, when he decided to leave school and take the path less travelled — he pursued a career in the hawker industry.

Together with his wife, Chris has been running his own hawker stall for 4 months now. Yong Kwang Yummy Seafood is a personal venture that he started after a 14-year long apprenticeship under his father at Star Yong Kwang BBQ Seafood, Alexandra.

 Chris recommended his signature dish — salted egg pork ribs! I kept my expectations low. However, the very first mouthful of the ribs were so good that I made a pact with myself to never settle for less again!

The skin was great, and the meat was tender, but the sauce…was a show stopper. The sauce spilt over every piece of meat in lavish abundance, coating each morsel lavishly. The thick and robust sauce was extremely flavourful, but not too creamy. Overall, both the sauce and meat complemented one another to the T. It may get quite jelak though, so it’s best to be eaten with rice!

On a side note, maybe it’s just me, but I especially appreciated the effort Chris put into the presentation of the dish. I mean, how many hawker stalls put flowers in their dishes?!

Next, we dived into the san lou hor fun and baby kai lan! Being 90% carnivorous, I sometimes find it hard to eat vegetables on its own, but the baby kai lan was bright and fresh! It wasn’t till halfway through the meal that I realized I was munching on those little babies on their own.

There is nothing more comforting than the hot and silky gravy that accompanies hor fun! Although I would have preferred the kway teow noodles to be slightly thinner, the luscious gravy and large slices of fish saved the day!

If you happen to be looking for a place to dine at in Golden Mile Food Centre, do check out Yong Kwang Yummy Seafood at B1-55!

The post Yong Kwang Yummy Seafood – More Than Just Seafood appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Team Tam Chiak decided to find out who has the best pie in Singapore so we conducted a blind taste test! Our opinions and scores for each pie were recorded. We graded the pies based on appearance, taste, and texture of the crust. Read on to find out where to get the best pie in Singapore!

KEMONO CHICKEN

Known for its healthy and delectable Japanese roasted chicken (and iconic rubber chicken), Kemono also offers Japanese bento sets, healthy salads and unique pies! One thing that I’ve always loved about Kemono is that it offers islandwide delivery till 12 midnight daily. So whenever I crave good quality savoury meals for supper, I go to Kemono! Every order is freshly prepared and delivered as soon as possible.

This blind taste test gave me the opportunity to try Kemono’s pies. Each pie was filled generously with ingredients, and we were seriously surprised by how much ingredients were packed into the pies.

The Baked Chicken Mushroom Pie ($8.90) had an even ratio of chicken chunks and mushrooms. Each bite promises a good mixture of both ingredients! The creamy sauce took this pie up a notch. The creaminess complemented the natural sweetness of the chicken chunks, and earthiness of the mushrooms.

My favourite of ALL the pies we’ve tasted is the Hokkaido Truffle Prawn and Scallop Pie ($10.90). As a seafood-lover, I was impressed by the sizeable wholesome scallop and there were at least 3 firm prawns buried within the pie. Last but not least, the truffle aroma lingered after each bite and accentuated the natural flavours of the seafood. And if you do not yet know, the combination of truffle oil and seafood is a match made in heaven!

On the very first bite, someone from Team Tam Chiak exclaimed: “WAH, this is good eh.” The Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu Pie ($9.90) was sweet, rich, savory and just oh so good!

GROUP THERAPY DUXTON

Group Therapy has been around for years, and they serve a mean pie. Their Black Truffle Chicken Pie ($18) caused an uproar in the office! (Note that Black Truffle Chicken Pie is only available at the Duxton outlet.) Initially, we were impressed by its appearance since it came with crinkle-cut chips and salad. Now, that’s a complete meal. Some of us thought that both the buttery crust and smoked chicken were a tad tough. But some fell in love with the pie because of the addictive and aromatic truffle cream. However, after knowing that it costs $18, we weren’t so sure if we were in love anymore.

OVEN MARVEL

Previously known as Delicious Muffins, Oven Marvel was rebranded to be more focused on chicken pies and curry puffs. Oven Marvel’s Chicken Pie ($4) looked flat and the paper bag that it was sitting in was drenched in oil. That’s not a good look for sure. However, the taste of the pie swept us off our feet! The crust was buttery and fragrant while the inner layers have sufficiently soaked up the peppery gravy. Sweet peas, tender chicken thighs and a peppery homemade béchamel sauce rest in the pie. We know that if we had it the very second it came out of the oven, we would fall head over heels in love with it.

Don Pie

Don Pie has come a long way. A bank officer took a loan to kick-start his first bakery in 2000 and Donpie Club was born. Don Pie’s pies are baked fresh daily and its Signature Chicken Pie ($7.50) is filled with juicy chicken and potato cubes. Slicing into the pie reveals a hard-boiled egg right in the centre. We would have enjoyed the pie more if there were more flaky layers. They were certainly generous with the filling!

POLAR PUFFS & CAKES

Polar Puffs & Cakes’ classic Chicken Pie ($2.40) can be expected to be decent at the very least. Indeed, the crust was flaky and its taste was familiar and comforting. It’s not a pie that’s going to blow your mind, but it’s good enough for a mid day snack of breakfast for sure.

COTTAGE PIES CAFE

In 1996, Dennis ceased his electronic business to go to New Zealand to become a professional baker of country-style pies. His business partner, Kenneth, manages the daily operations of Cottage Pies Café. Onion-lovers will fancy the Black Pepper Steak Pie ($5.50) since the sweetness of onions was very pronounced. The Chicken Ham & Egg Pie ($5.10) did not garner any praise or complaints., I have to give Cottage Pies Café credit for the crispy and addictive pie crust. It reminded me of those long oval sugary Japanese biscuits sold in neighbourhood bakeries.

BALMORAL BAKERY

Located in Sunset Way, Balmoral Bakery is one of the few traditional bakeries left in Singapore. Team Tam Chiak felt that both the filling of the Beef Pie ($2.80) and Chicken Pie ($1.60) were slightly on the dry side. The pies tasted more like buns actually. The crust was really fragrant though.

Team Tam Chiak’s Top Pick: Kemono
The majority of us voted Kemono’s pies to be the best. I can totally understand why. The pies are creative, value-for-money, and scrumptious. All of the pies were so substantial that each pie was more like a dish on its own, than a snack. ‘真材实料’ will be a good summary of Kemono’s pies. You can be assured that no msg was added to any of their pies. They even have a Gluten Free Veggie Pie! Do try their other pies such as Okinawa Stewed Duck Pie, Baked Beef & Cheese Pie and Baked Chicken Curry Pie as well!

Of course, taste is very subjective. Let us know what you think of the pies listed above, and also share with us your favourite pies!

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Dear Diary,

Yesterday was a day to remember. Not just because it was my birthday, but because I came to the office only to be surprised by my boss and colleagues with one of the best buffet spread in Singapore. The buffet line-up from Peach Garden Catering was impressive! The most heartwarming part was that my close friends and family were all here to celebrate my special day.

Knowing that I love Asian cuisine, my boss requested for a customized catering menu from Peach Garden Catering. I never knew that Peach Garden Catering offers customization until yesterday, which is an awesome service because way too many catering companies are offering set menus that are fixed.

With a “Garden” theme in mind, Peach Garden Catering effortlessly turned the office’s balcony into a lively and beautiful space!

APPETIZERS

Peach Garden Catering offers innovative dishes such as Avocado Salad in Kueh Pie Tee Cup and Chilled Petite Abalone with Shredded Fresh Mango in Plum Sauce. Oh boy, the avocado salad was creamy and went well with the crunchy Kueh Pie Tee. All of my guests were impressed that abalone was served. Who would have thought that abalone with fresh mango and plum sauce would be such a great combination?

I’m a fan of sushi so my boss also opted for a sushi bar. The sushi bar comprised Sake Sushi, Tomago Sushi, Maguro Sushi, Ebi with Wasabi Mayo, Ebikko Gunkan and Unagi Maki with Aonri. Plated beautifully, the sushi looked exceptionally appetizing. Can I also mention that Peach Garden Catering was very thoughtful to provide saucers for the soya sauce?

MAINS

Moving on to the mains, I was excited as I know that Peach Garden Catering offers its award-winning dishes as part of the menu too! Being a regular patron of its restaurants, my boss knows just the best dishes to pick.

True enough, the Deep-fried Sliced Fish with Sweet and Sour Sauce and Peach Garden Signature Fried Prawn with Wasabi Salad Cream did not disappoint. Fresh sliced fish is first deep-fried, before it is stir-fried with sweet and sour sauce. The relatively huge and firm prawns were coated in a lovely wasabi salad cream that we all enjoyed very much. My guests and I were talking about how good each dish was, and the best part was that we were enjoying everything in the comfort of our own office.

The Pan-fried Kurobuta Pork Cube with Fresh Mushroom, Capsicum and Seasonal Vegetable was packed with a wide variety of ingredients. Although simple ingredients were used, Peach Garden did a wonderful job in making sure that the natural flavour of the pork cubes were accentuated. The Stir-fried Spaghetti with Seafood, Cheese and Golden Garlic was very unique. Chinese cooking style with classic Italian spaghetti ingredients? Wow! The sweetness of the seafood was complemented perfectly by the savouriness of the cheese!

ACTION STATIONS – ROASTED PEKING DUCK

Everyone was so intrigued by the action stations because having your food prepared right before your eyes is always such a treat! While lining up for our turn, we were just mesmerized by the chef’s work.

One of the 3 action stations serves Roasted Sliced London Duck in “Bei Jing” Style. I was thrilled when I saw it because I know Peach Garden’s roasted peking duck has always been highly raved about!

Peach Garden’s staff cut and stored the roasted peking duck in a huge steamer basket. Eating this on my birthday just made me the happiest person!

We also had Pan-fried Pork Chop with Cognac in Apple Sauce. This was tantalising at every level. Cognac in apple sauce is quite rarely served in catering buffets, so this was definitely the icing on the cake!

The last action station promised Fresh Fruit Rojak. All the condiments and ingredients were set up neatly. We made our own rojak and we all had fun building our favourite ensembles. The rojak sauce was not too sweet and was bound all the ingredients together beautifully.

DESSERTS – CHOCOLATE FONDUE!

WHUTTTT?! A chocolate fondue?? This is a dream come true for me! My eyes sparkled when I saw the glorious smooth chocolate flowing down. Of course I returned multiple times with fresh fruits. There were even ice cream waffle-cones and marshmallows. Can you even imagine how happy I was?

Look forward to a great array of desserts which include Chilled Avocado, Chilled Osmanthus Jelly with Coconut Milk, Chilled Mango with Sago and Pomelo, Black Glutinous Rice with Coconut Milk and Steamed Layered Cake. The layout was so elegant and each dessert was outstanding. My favourite has got to be the Black Glutinous Rice with Coconut Milk as its flavours evoke nostalgia!

All in all, I am very pleased with Peach Garden Catering’s service, food quality and presentation. Seeing my guests enjoy themselves also assured me that Peach Garden Catering can be trusted! I am so thankful that my boss and colleagues for planning this surprise. Top-notch food with even greater company — what more can I ask for? What an unforgettable birthday!

Peach Garden exceeded my expectations once again. I love that I can opt for either a package or design my own menu. Peach Garden Catering has truly won me over! I can say with great confidence that Peach Garden Catering is bound to impress in birthday celebrations, weddings, baby showers or corporate events. They will delight even the fussiest connoisseurs. Can I celebrate my birthday again??

With Love,
A Blessed Girl thanks to Peach Garden Catering <3

This post was brought to you by PEACH GARDEN CATERING.

The post Peach Garden Catering – A Secret Journal Entry about My Birthday! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.