Another new steam pot restaurant in Singapore! Located at Dorsett Residences, Sea Tripod Seafood Paradise imports the freshest seafood it can find and steams it right at your table using state-of-the-art steaming equipment.

This steam pot concept is not new in Singapore. We already have Steam Box in Serangoon Gardens and Rong Fu Ji Seafood Steam Pot at The Grandstand. But what’s so special about this? FRESH SEAFOOD. How fresh can it get? Well… the lobsters and abalone are still moving when they get to your table.

We had Seafood Set B ($158 for 2 pax, $288 for 4 pax, $398 for 6 pax, $528 for 8 pax) which consists of chicken porridge, local lobster, Australian jade abalone, sea cucumber, conch, oyster, sea bass, roe crabs, scallops, vegetables, mushrooms, chicken thigh slices and Kurobuta pork belly slices. The selection is extensive and all the ingredients are brought to the table raw.

Firstly, the rice grains and chicken porridge were poured into the pot before the lid is placed over it. The waiter will place the ingredients on the lid, before they are covered with a glass cover. Typically, the ingredients are steamed between 2-6 minutes.

As the ingredients are being cooked, the juices from the array of steamed food aren’t wasted. They drip into a pot below where congee has been slowly simmering. The end result is a flavourful congee (provided you still have enough room to finish it).

As the waiter steamed the lobsters, we squealed as the lobsters were still alive and wiggling. I am sorry, lobsters. The prawns are not too bad, they were fresh as well and you can pair them with your own DIY dip.

Kurobuta pork belly slices and chicken thigh were steamed next. The ingredients are steamed without marinade because they are best cooked this way to retain their flavours. Here, the ingredients are cooked dish by dish at the table, so some patience is needed.

After all the seafood, vegetable and meat are being cooked, turn off the heat and lift the lid to unveil a pot of congee. You can add egg or seasonings into the congee. The congee is rich with the flavours of all the cooked ingredients and this is truly, the best part of the meal.

The decor is laid-back and casual, with wooden tables and benches spread through the restaurant, and there are glass tanks that hold live seafood too. During our visit, the restaurant seems short-handed so service is pretty slow. The price may be a little steep but I don’t mind paying for the fresh seafood.

Note: This was an invited tasting.

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 store listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Sea Tripod – Seafood Steam Pot with Live lobster and Abalone! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

We’re pretty sure everyone had an amazing time catching up with friends and family over the Chinese New Year festive season, but gatherings shouldn’t only take place during festive occasions. “Say It With Love” at Gardens by the Bay is inviting everyone to enjoy an evening picnic at The Meadow on 24 and 25 February 2017 with their loved ones. Participate in an assortment of fun-filled activities with your friends and family and experience a delightful picnic set amidst the enchanting gardens. Here are 10 things to look forward to at “Say It With Love”.

#01 – Picnic @ The Meadow

Save the hassle of preparing your own picnic bag by purchasing a unique picnic bag filled with a selection of scrumptious bite. Each picnic bag (worth over $80) consists of a special redemption (choice of wine, finger food platter or sandwich box), exclusive picnic mat, snacks and drinks, and exciting goodies from the sponsors. Simply collect your picnic bags and immerse yourselves in an unforgettable evening under the stars.

“Say It With Love” picnic bags can be purchased at www.chimes.sg/sayitwithlove. Use the promo code “SIWL10” to get your picnic bag at only $50! Limited picnic bags are available so get yours now.

#02 – Oodles of Love Doodles

Work your creativity and have a whale of a time art jamming with artists from the Band of Doodlers. Colour the wall of love and art with vibrant hues, and take a photo with your masterpiece. This moment, captured in frame, will remind you of the fun times at “Say It With Love” when you look back at the photo ten, twenty, or even thirty years later.

#03 – Field of Dreams

Pen your wishes on glow-in-the-dark windmills and plant them on a stretch of green space, and create a luminous field of dreams. We’re pretty sure the illuminated area will look spectacular!

#04 – Gifts with Heart Booths

Purchase unique handcrafted gifts at the “Gifts with Heart” booths run by social enterprises, and do your part for the less fortunate. Don’t just reserve your love for those close to you, feel good spreading your love to the community too!

#05 – Love at First Bite

If you’re still hungry for more, head over to the food truck and food stalls run by social enterprises to get some tasty nosh. Proceeds will contribute to empowering the less fortunate as well. By joining the “Say It With Love” event, you’ll be killing two birds with one stone – bringing happiness to your loved ones, as well as, the less fortunate.

#06 – Love Beats

Dance to the catchy rhythm of cajon players, who will drum their percussions in sync with DJ Natalie Pixiedub. Armed with musical knowledge well beyond her years, Natalie never fails to impress fans at every gig with her trademark blend of happy and eclectic sets that span across genres and decades.

#07 – Made with Love Workshops

Gather your loved ones and get hands-on by spending quality time together learning how to make a gift for someone special. This interactive activity is bound to stir up everyone’s inner artsy-fartsy side.

#08 – LED Stilt-walkers

Look out for amazing stilt-walkers who shine and glow-in-the-dark. Be sure to pose for pictures with them too!

#09 – LED Violin Performance

Enjoy sweet melodies at this performance while savouring delicious picnic grub!

#10 – Movie Screening

Conclude your evening of good food and fun times by chilling out to a movie under the stars.

“Say it with Love” at Gardens by the Bay is held on 24 and 25 February 2017 at The Meadow from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. For more information, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/sayitwithlove.

Want to win a free “Say It With Love” picnic bag to indulge in with your family and friends? Simply tag who you will like to bring to the picnic and express your heartfelt thoughts to them on Miss Tam Chiak’s Instagram photo and stand a chance to be one of 2 lucky winners.

Closing date: 12 February 2017, Sunday. Good luck!

This post is brought to you in conjunction with SFBA.

The post 10 Things To Look Forward To At “Say It With Love” (Plus GIVEAWAY) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Every year, restaurants will be scurrying to catch the Valentine’s Day wave. There isn’t and will never be a lack of places where you can sweep your date off her/his feet on 14th February, but exactly which restaurant do you choose?! Some of us might have been too busy the last few days to even have the luxury to eat, much less scroll through endless lists in search of the most suitable restaurant.

Especially with D-Day (oops I meant V-Day) approaching in just 5 DAYS, you simply don’t have time to sift through every possible option. Ditch those long grandmother stories, we bring you 5 special and beautiful restaurants to save you a truckload of time.

VLV Singapore

Who says Chinese cuisine can’t be “romantic”? With a stunning view of the Singapore riverfront, prepare to be hit by a wave of nostalgia as you dine in VLV, housed in a heritage building. When we have restaurants like VLV Singapore, we can be princes and princesses belonging to our very own dynasty.

Relatively new to the scene, this could be a fresh place to spice up your usual dining routine. A medley of dainty dim sum items, available only during lunch, is the perfect way to kick off your lovey-dovey date. You will surely be spoilt for choice with their abundant offerings all mastered to perfection. Our favourites include the decadent Canadian Lobster Wanton ($16) and the classic VLV Peking Duck (half for $55, whole for $110). The latter consists of an adventurous Truffle Foie Gras sauce that complements the duck in an unexpected way.

Furthermore, experience the VLV Club Lounge and Courtyard to make your date even more unforgettable. Despite the absence of a Valentine’s Day menu, VLV will still be celebrating the occasion by sending a complimentary dessert your way.

Corner House

Nature is the perfect setting for any and every occasion. It is Mother Earth’s best gift after all, so why not take pleasure in the simplest yet most beautiful form of backdrop? (With air conditioners, of course)

My heart flutters at the sight of the luxurious two-storey bungalow situated within the lush flora and fauna of Botanics Garden. Being awarded 1 star in the Singapore Michelin Guide 2016, Corner House is sure to send you home extremely satisfied. Chef Jason Tan has meticulously put together a 4 course ($128++) and 7 course ($288++) Valentine’s Menu, which includes flawless creations like Japanese Toro Belly, Mozambique Langoustine and Australian Wagyu Beef Cheek. The pricey menu is not for everyone, but the outstanding food will make the splurge worthwhile.

Artemis Grill

If nature is not your calling, how about a chic rooftop restaurant that will take you so high up in the skies emotionally and physically? An unparalleled Sky Forest dining experience perched upon the 40th storey of CapitaGreen awaits you.

Artemis casts a new light on Mediterranean produce, allowing diners to fully appreciate the wonders of coastal Spain, Southern France, Italy and Greece. Chef Fernando Arevalo prides himself on incorporating quality and sustainability into his food, which is always a huge plus point. A 4 course ($148++) meal has been set up to prep you for a memorable night ahead. Surprise yourself and your date with specialties that are not commonly seen – Venison Loin, Welsh Lamp Rump and more. There are mouth-watering vegetarian and gluten-free dishes as well.

The Lighthouse

The most popular choice of cuisine for Valentine’s Day has got to be Italian food. Occupying a prominent spot in the fabulous Fullerton Hotel, Lighthouse will wow you with rustic but sophisticated Italian dishes.

A 5-course Michelin Dinner ($158++ per person, inclusive of a stalk of rose per couple; $600 per couple, inclusive of a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Rose and exclusive dining on the rooftop) is meticulously prepared by Guest Chef Andrea Ribaldone to make this 14th February the best one yet. The Lighthouse also boasts a rooftop bar that offers some of the most jaw-dropping panoramic views in this city. By the end of the night, your stomach will definitely be as full as your heart.

FOO’D by Davide Oldani

Dining with the arts can be a sensuous and intellectual activity that you may not have experienced before. Italian Chef Davide Oldani, owner of a one Michelin-starred restaurant in Cornaredo, is constantly pushing boundaries with modern Italian dishes. With lavish decorations dotted around the dreamy restaurant, this gem at Victoria Concert Hall is born to impress.

An 8-course dinner lineup ($188++) has been hand-picked to make your night shine brighter than a diamond. From primi (pasta) to seafood to meat, all your Italian food cravings will be satisfied at one go. There is only one option for each course, but fret not, I promise that you won’t be disappointed. Every course is bound to dazzle, especially when you have access to premium ingredients like foie gras, Boston lobsters and wagyu chuck eye. Round off your meal on a high with the accompanying cocktail. Their Valentine’s Menu runs from 10th to 14th February, with the exception of 12th February.

So, have you any ideas in mind for your perfect V-day yet? It’s not too late to start devising a plan now, and we hope that our recommendations will come in handy. You’re welcome!

Life is too short to hold back, so go forth and shower your special someone with the affection they deserve. Have a happy Valentine’s Day!

The post Romantic Restaurant Dates That Will Make Your Girlfriend Love You More appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

It’s 4 days to Valentine’s! Have you made any plans to celebrate this season of love with your precious family and friends? This week, we have included some sweethearts to make you and our tummies extra happy. Even if Valentine’s Day is not your thing, these delights will still make your weekend bloom like flowers.

WTF Coffee House & Bar

For those in search of another star in the galaxy of Dhoby Ghaut

The force awakens at Innotel Hotel with the new addition of WTF Coffee House & Bar. “WTF?” I know what you’re thinking, but WTF actually stands for “We Talk Food”. Shall we talk Gyu Don ($13.90) then? Grilled beef slices (medium or well done) and an onsen tamago sit atop fluffy Japanese rice. Well, you know the drill, stir everything in and look forward to an explosion of familiar flavours that make you go OOOHH AHHHHH. Turn to the dark side with their extraordinary Squid Ink Mee Tai Mak. It sells out pretty fast, so head there early to avoid disappointment.

RouteSixtySix

For fluffy waffles and soothing coffees that make our hearts go be-dok be-dok

Yes, you’re right! Time for more cafe-hopping in the East! Add this new cafe, RouteSixtySix to your list. Brewed using the 22 Martin blend from Common Man Coffee Roasters, the coffee will earn your votes on the first sip. If you’re up for something sweet, give their Charcoal Waffle ($6.90) and Red Velvet Waffle ($6.90) a go! Top your waffle with any of their 16 premium ice cream flavours ($3), such as Thai Green Tea Ice Cream, which will make you cooler than ever.

Starbucks Singapore

For fashionistas who wanna look extra cool in their OOTD shots

Back by popular demand, Starbucks Singapore is collaborating with top fashion brand, alice + olivia, once again, to roll out a collection of gorgeous merchandise. Look how cute the alice + olivia + Starbucks® Tumbler (16 oz) is! It’s even wearing a skirt! Imagine posing on the streets of Orchard Road with one in your hand, you’ll be a Tumblr girl immediately. The alice + olivia + Starbucks collection is in stores from 8th February at all Starbucks® stores, while the alice + olivia + Starbucks® Swarovski Mug is only available at selected stores (Airport Transit Terminal 1, ION Orchard, Liat Towers, Marina Bay Sands, Wisma Atria, Paragon, Plaza Singapura, Raffles City, The Metropolis and Westgate)

BAKE CHEESE TART

For those who will die for cheese (as cheesy as it sounds)

Trying to get into Cupid’s good books, BAKE CHEESE TART has come up with Chocolate Cheese Tarts – a first in Singapore! The chocolate cheese tart is only available from 8 February – 14 February! I reckon that queues might start forming very soon (or has it already started)… well, yeah what’s new? You won’t regret laying your hands on one of these oozy tart babies. A box of 6 retails at $21, and you can get them at both the ION Orchard outlet and Westgate outlet. However, do note that each customer is only entitled to a maximum of 6 pieces!

KOOKS Creamery

For the “I SCREAM ICE CREAM” sugar rush

Ooooohhhh, love seems to be in the air and there is nothing better than taking advantage of all the limited edition goodies this week. For sugar addicts, doesn’t Strawberry Lava Cookie, Chocolate Champagne Ice Cream and Red Velvet ice Cream sound tempting? Hear the wows go as you gently cut the baby pink cookie open. Not to mention, they are very instagram-worthy. I can’t wait to grab a Lava cookie all for myself.

The post Weekend Bites #5 – Love, Sweets & Everything Nice appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Monday?! Seriously?! We’re not sure why this night market opens only on Monday, but if you’re ever on leave on a Monday and visiting Johor Bahru, you might want to check this place out. Pasar Malam in JB is priced so affordably for us, due to the exchange rate. Stretching from KSL Shopping Centre to the Grand Paragon Hotel, you’ll find stalls selling a variety of fresh produce, as well as, cooked food. Not sure where to begin? Here’s a list of foods you might want to try here.

Old School Mee Chiam Kueh

Known as Apam Balik in JB, this snack is traditionally filled with crushed peanuts and sugar. However, with the influx of Japanese pancakes (Dorayaki) with fillings such as red beans, cream cheese, chocolate etc., the traditional mee chiam kueh is fast disappearing. We’re elated to find this stall still sticking to traditional fillings so we had ours with peanut and corn. The peanuts gave the soft kueh a nice nutty fragrance, and a good crunch while the corn gave this snack a sweet finish. Don’t forget to pair it with fresh soy milk – a match made in heaven!

Chwee Kueh & Chee Cheong Fan

The stall sells both chwee kueh and chee cheong fan. However, the taste and texture weren’t to our liking. The chwee kueh is more dense as compared to those we have in Singapore. The generous amount of chai po is not salty enough. This dish would’ve been better if it’s more savoury. On the other hand, this chee cheong fun outshone every dish we tried that particular Monday evening. It boasts a silky smooth texture, with a good balance of sweet and savoury flavours. It’s best to devour it while it’s hot.

White Carrot Cake

The white carrot cake here is a tad more mushy and not as flavoursome as we expected. It was a little bland, but we could taste the chai po and yam.

Black Carrot Cake

The constant clanking sound of those spatulas and aroma of this black carrot cake were what drew our attention to this stall. This black version fared better than the white one we tried just minutes earlier. We were observing the hawker while queuing for a packet and “WOW!” – the amount of eggs added in is ridiculous, in a good way. Although we simply love this eggy goodness, you might find yourselves eating more eggs than rice cake, which is supposed to be the key ingredient. The sweetness is just right though! Shiok!

Nasi Lemak

While the rice fell short on the coconut fragrance, the crispy and well-marinated chicken made up for it. We were warned that they serve killer chilli but it wasn’t THAT spicy. Oh man, we’re beginning to salivate just reminiscing the taste of the chicken. Next time, we would probably just feast on a huge drumstick!

Penang Assam Laksa & Chendol

Sad to say, this is one of the foods that we’ll rank last at this night market. The Assam Laksa is very diluted and bland. Where’s the sourish taste? The spice has zero kick. What a boring bowl! Moreover, the chendol has a strange taste. We suspect that artificial Gula Melaka has been used.

Besides the food that we have mentioned, Teochew kueh, Nonya kueh, fruits, roast meat, grilled meat, humongous buns and desserts are available as well. Our visit to KSL Monday Night Market marks a great end to our day trip to Johor Bahru.

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

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Did you have the chance to try Mukshidonna Tteokbokki Restaurant when you were in Seoul? If you did, or even if you didn’t, then you would be elated to know that they’ve finally heard our cries. YES, they are currently housed in E! Avenue at Downtown East (not E! Hub). Lucky for you, Easties!

Interestingly, Mukshidonna means Eat (Muk), Rest (Shi), Pay (Don), Leave (Na). So, what’s the hype? A bubbling sweet and spicy stew that will make your eyes sparkle. Rice cakes and fish cakes will be included for sure, but choose from a variety of soup bases which includes beef and mussels ($13.90 per person). You may also add on ramyun noodles ($3) and savoury toppings ($3) to make your pot look as appetising as possible. May the best-looking stew win.

I see that you can’t sit still and wait anymore. Go on, start off by digging into the fresh mussels. I have received tough rice cakes before, and I’m so glad that the ones from this eatery ain’t anything like those.

I can’t emphasise this enough but you MUST MUST have cheese ($3) atop. Cheese and Korean food go hand in hand and nothing shall separate them. Watch as the cheese slowly melts and engulfs the noodle strands. If you have space in your stomach for more, order a serving of fried rice ($5) to soak up all the leftover juices – it’s the best part.

Close your eyes and I promise that you will feel like you have been transported to Korea again. As we went on a rainy day, you can imagine how the hot broth comforted us like a mother’s hug. Oh, do remember to bring someone along as you need a minimum of 2 to dine.

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 eatery listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Mukshidonna – Journey to the East for Glorious Korean Rice Cakes appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Mondays have always been the most dreaded day of the week and what’s worse is that many of our favourite eateries are closed on this day too. However, did you know that there are actually quite a number of cafes open on Mondays? It’s time to kickstart the week with coffee, and spice up your Mondays with decent food. We have sussed out 37 cafes that are open on Mondays, so you will have a new place to explore each week. 

Baker & Cook

Be spoilt for choice by Baker & Cook’s extensive selection of freshly baked goods – from artisanal rolls to cakes. For a balanced meal, opt for their Salmon Quiche ($10.50) which comes with a side of salad. The Raw Energy salad was a mix of shredded beetroot and carrots tossed with maple vinaigrette.

Brothers in Fine Food

A venture by the people behind Penny University, the Jaffa Orange Mocha ($6) and Red Velvet Hot Chocolate ($5.50) will knock your socks off. We had the Beef Steak ($15), which arrived medium rare, as requested. It is first marinated in salt and pepper, to allow the natural flavours to emerge, before being vacuum-packed and cooked in a monitored water bath for 1.5 hours at 56 degrees.

Brother Bird

This artisanal ice cream parlour serves up a lean menu featuring their signature soft serve and mochi donut pairings. Their Matcha Burst ($15) comes with a swirl of cookie butter soft serve and three matcha mochi balls that are loaded with an oozing reservoir of matcha sauce. 

Chapter 55

Chapter 55 is a spacious café, with an extensive menu, in Tiong Bahru. They have an ongoing 1-for-1 lunch promotion that is available on weekdays from 11.30am to 3pm. We paid just $23++ for buffalo wings and a Bonito Thin Crust Pizza (Usual Price $23)!

Common Man Coffee Roasters

Using beans from Australian specialist roaster, Five Senses Coffee, Common Man serves up pretty great coffee. The menu boasts scrumptious bistro-quality nosh, but the food here is pricier than your usual cafes. The Organic Eggs Benedict ($24) features two poached eggs on top of tender braised ox cheeks and lightly toasted artisanal sourdough.

Curious Palette

The offerings include buttermilk waffles with gula melaka and coconut cream ($14.50), and buttermilk waffles with wine-poached pear and walnut crumble ($15.50). The popular picture-perfect Berry Ricotta Hotcake ($18.90) with fresh berries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and vanilla bean ice cream is a must-try. 

Dal.komm Coffee

If you’re an avid fan of Korean variety shows and dramas, you’d be familiar with Dal.komm Coffee. This cafe first made its appearance in episode 249 on Running Man before appearing a couple of times in the hit drama – Descendants of the Sun. Go for the Sweet Potato Mixtur ($8) which is a concoction of milk, sweet potato and ice, tailored to suit the health-conscious.

Dapper Coffee

Hidden within a shophouse along Amoy Street, Dapper Coffee serves unique “Unicorn Tears” and “Gold Brew”. These drinks sparkle when you give the bottles a little shake. Pair your drinks with unique cakes like Gula-Melaka Walnut Oat Cake, Salted Egg Black Sesame Cake and more.

Dessert Project

Dessert Project serves unique flavours of thick toast. The Gula Melaka Coconut thick toast ($14.90) comes with a buttered base, coconut ice cream, desiccated coconut and a drizzle of gula melaka syrup for good measure. This is a dish meant for sharing. We liked how the salted butter served as a nice contrast to the otherwise sweet dessert.

D’good Cafe

If you need to know what’s good over at D’Good Cafe, go for their cold brew coffee and Deutsch skillet pancake. We liked the air of mystery that accompanied the Unknown Cold Brew ($7.50), which was sweet and milky. The Classic Deutsch Skillet Pancake ($8) might take 20 minutes to arrive, but hang in there and you’ll be treated to a unique pancake that’s crispy, light and fluffy all at once.

Epiphyte Cafe

Entering this café is like stepping into a magical garden as the interior is filled with plants and terrariums. The Pink Risotto ($22) will please your palate. The chef mixes roasted beetroot with the risotto to produce a natural pink hue. End your meal with eye-catching desserts such as the Terrarium ($15) and Twilight ($12).

Forty Hands

The café is packed on weekends with people seeking a good brunch. Some of their desserts, like the Bacon Cheesecake ($8), are very unique. Purple sweet potato is incorporated into the cheesecake, and the mix is topped with roasted walnuts and caramelized bacon. 

Gudetama Cafe

Have an egg-joyable egg-perience lazing with an adorable egg at this cafe. “I’m Cold” Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict ($26.90) tucks Gudetama cozily into ‘smoked salmon blankets’. The blankets rest on a bed of mashed avocado and brioche toast, and are served with ebiko, yuzu hollandaise sauce, seasonal greens and tater-tots. 

Hyde & Co.

Hyde & Co.’s attempt at modernising ondeh-ondeh through their Ondeh Ondeh French Toast ($12) was certainly a successful one. The thick slices of brioche french toast was the perfect canvas for the grated pandan coconut and scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, but the glue that tied the whole dish together was the gula melaka drizzle that elevated the dish to another level.

Japan Rail Cafe

Japan Rail Café is a one-stop shop for food as well as products imported from Japan. Plus, you can even buy your rail passes here! Our favourite is the Watashino Curry Rice ($18). The curry is made from a black pepper base, a blend of various spices, vegetables and fruits. The Beauty Salad ($15) contains many anti-aging ingredients, and is great for both ladies and men.

Kombi Rocks

Kombi Rocks took over an old school kopitiam-style restaurant called Koon Kee which started in 1971. The furniture and posters perpetuate the vintage feel – retro coffee tables, barber chairs, old clocks etc. Go for the Kombi Nation Platter ($30/4pax, $50/8pax) which comes with handmade Thai fishcake, handmade prawn roll, pork ribs with lychee, Thai style vermicelli salad and crabmeat omelette.

Little Wimbly Lu

Fans of Wimbly Lu can now pop by their sister outlet at Serangoon Gardens, where they serve some of their star desserts and baked goods, including waffles and pancakes paired with a selection of their ice cream. Have a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie ($7.50) if you’re craving for something tart and zesty.

Montana Singapore

Step aside freakshakes, freak cakes have arrived in town. These cakes are called freak cakes for a reason, but in a good way of course. Montana Singapore has launched this new series in September, which drew everyone’s attention to their gorgeous looking cakes that includes the Matcha Black Sesame Freak Cake ($14.80).

Oblong

You’ll be greeted with the smell of freshly-baked waffles the moment you step into Oblong. We paired our Strawberry Shortcake Waffle with a cup of chamomile tea. A layer of strawberries and cream are sandwiched between crisp waffle squares, and the little tower is topped with a scoop of sea salt caramel with pistachio icecream.

One Man Coffee

We love the rustic wooden interior and we can really just sit here, read a book and let time pass us by. One Man Coffee sources its beans from Melbourne-based Axil Coffee Roasters.

Paddy Hills

Labelled as the hippest cafe in the West side of Singapore, Paddy Hills teases our tastebuds with out-of-the-world creations. Quench your thirst with photogenic drinks such as “Taste Like Purple” ($8) and Beer Slushie ($12). They have also introduced a Ramen Risotto ($25), which consists of Kurobuta Cha Shu, Tonkotsu snow-pickled saimeiji and raw quail’s egg yolk.

Patissez

For the uninitiated, Patissez is the brand (and brain) behind the original Freakshakes that sent the culinary world into a sugar frenzy with their ostentatious dessert creations. The famous Freakshake ($16 each) entourage has four members – the Muddy Pat, Pretzella, Mint Condition and Sneaky Freak. Our favourite is the Pretzella that came lined with crunchy salted pretzels.

Plain Vanilla Bakery

The cupcakes are baked fresh daily using top quality ingredients. Think French butter, pure Madagascan Bourbon vanilla, bittersweet Belgian chocolates and perfectly ripe bananas, just to name a few. The cupcakes are really popular and we can understand why. Their tarts and other pastries are worth a try too.

Populus

Populus is a gastro-cafe serving up contemporary progressive café nosh and specialty coffee. Their Lemon & White Chocolate Sundae ($14) is refreshing while the Dark Chocolate Sundae ($14) is the ultimate sinful indulgence. You can top up $5 for buttermilk waffles to go along with your sundae. 

Revolution Coffee

You’ll find Celebrity Mod Sin Chef Shen Tan’s famous Nasi Lemak here. The rice is steamed with fresh coconut every day, instead of being thrown into a rice cooker with coconut milk. Only the best Fragrant Jasmine rice is used and each grain of rice is distinct and fluffy. The rice is so well- flavoured that you will want to eat it on its own!

Shop Wonderland

Previously located along the quaint street of Haji Lane, this space which houses a cafe and florist have made Telok Ayer their new home. Escape the hustle and bustle of the CBD, have a coffee and treat yourself to cakes here.

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is famous for their waffles as they use a yeast-raised batter. Upon fermentation, the yeast releases carbon dioxide gas which fluffs up the batter to make it light yet crispy. Their Signature Nonya Chendol Waffle ($12.90) is a dessert that we can have any time, any day!

Sunday Market

Located at the corner of Lim Tua Tow road, Sunday Market is an industrial-themed cafe with quirky furniture. The cafe offers a more Asian approach to the regular brunch items. The dishes are adventurous and the ambience is great.

The Aftertaste Cafe

It’s easy to miss this hole-in-the-wall cafe which serves a small selection of caffeinated drinks, cakes and waffles. But if you do spot it, grab a cuppa and people-watch at their alfresco dining area, or grab a slice of their cakes like we did. 

The Bakery Chef

Tucked under a HDB block in Bukit Merah, this small cozy cafe sells a variety of pastries and cakes. We picked the Dessert Platter ($22.90) which offers us a choice of any three cakes, one cupcake, two macarons and a cup dessert of the day. This is one bakery that we will revisit. 

The Benjamins

As if Thai milk teas aren’t sweet enough, The Benjamins have rolled out their Thai Milk Tea Over-the-top Shake ($16) that builds on even more sugar. Rimmed with condensed milk, the shake comes loaded with a pale orange Thai tea infused milkshake, and is crowned with sugar biscuits, vanilla ice cream and marshmallows.

The Coffee Academics

The Coffee Academics has been labelled as one of the best cafes in Southeast Asia. The Mess ($20) is a dish exclusive to TCA at Raffles City. A 63-degree egg is buried in a mini well formed by crispy potatoes and sautéed spicy chicken sausages. 

The Monocle Cafe

There’s no better way to pass your time than to have a good read in one hand, and a good cuppa in the other. Hit up Monocle Cafe, which really feels more like your neighbour’s hipster backyard than a cafe. Grab an Iced Long Black ($5.50) like we did, and chill in their quaint garden.

The Plain Jane

You’ll find nothing plain about The Plain Jane – a quaint neighbourhood cafe that churns out a selection of swiss rolls. Don’t belittle their humble menu and offerings. The Thai Milk Tea Swiss Roll ($5.90) saw moist sponge cake slathered with luscious Thai milk tea-infused buttercream. This creamy dessert is anything but ordinary.

Tiong Bahru Bakery

Founded by master baker Gontran Cherrier and operating under the Spa Esprit Group, Tiong Bahru Bakery is an artisan bakery that serves coffee and a wide variety of freshly-baked premium quality breads and pastries. Their croissant, which is buttery and light, crisp and flaky, is definitely one of the best on our little red dot. 

Twenty Grammes

Located near Haji Lane, Twenty Grammes is a quiet and simple-looking café. The Yuan Yang Waffle ($15) is a combination of charcoal and original waffle. Drizzle some chocolate sauce over your waffle and vanilla soft serve and you’re in for a treat.

Working Title

If you’re a fan of Ribena, drop by Working Title cafe for their Ribena Wings ($12 for 8 pieces). The spiced and battered chicken drumlets are drizzled with a Ribena sauce, which is bound to please those with a sweet tooth. This dish should be named Ribena Drumlets instead of wings as we didn’t get any wings.

There you have it, the ultimate list of cafes open on Mondays! Life is already tough on its own, so why not take it easy and treat yourself to a cup of aromatic coffee or delicious pastries on the toughest day of the week? Enjoy!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the cafes 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 The Ultimate List of 37 Cafes to Chase Those Monday Blues Away appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Greyhound Cafe is one of Miss Tam Chiak’s favourite hang-outs in Bangkok, so we were pretty excited to check out the franchised outlet in Singapore. Located on the first floor of Paragon, the two-month old cafe marries Thai culture with art, in a space that reminds us of a “glasshouse”. You can enjoy both traditional and contemporary Thai delicacies while lazing the day away.

Adventurous palates can begin with the Poison Tea ($8). Instead of “killing” you, it brings you back to life with anti-stress and antioxidant powers. No artificial colouring has been used. The blue tint comes from butterfly pea. This Stevia tea is served with honey upon your request. Those who have a sweet tooth can stick to the Thai Tea. We recommend the Granita version ($9.50) which is sweeter and packs more flavours.

Greyhound Famous Fried Chicken Wings ($14) is one of the cafe’s best-sellers. Legend has it that someone dropped an entire batch on the beach but decided to brush the sand off and continue nibbling. Are these wings really THAT good? We think not. Although the mini wings are marinated very well in fish sauce, it is a little over-fried. It could have been more tender.

Complicated Noodles ($16) fares better. You get fresh lettuce leaves, noodle sheets with a texture that is somewhat similar to “chee cheong fan” and “kway chap”, minced pork sauce and chilli sauce. Lay a noodle sheet on top of a piece of lettuce before topping it off with the minced pork sauce and chilli sauce. Wrap it up and pop it into your mouth. You’ll experience an explosion of textures and flavours, but the chilli sauce could have been more tangy.

Phad Thai with Prawns ($18) consists of fried Thai rice noodles, tamarind sauce, prawns, crushed peanut and chilli powder. Possessing the right level of greasiness and flavours, this noodle dish comes quite close to the authentic version.

Greyhound Cafe Singapore also offers a variety of vegetarian options and Thai-fusion foods. The enticing menu will have you wanting to try everything, so head down with a bigger group!

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 Greyhound Cafe Singapore. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Greyhound Cafe Singapore – Bangkok’s Popular Cafe Comes to Singapore appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Find Korea’s best Korean street food here – even egg bread! We probably did something amazing in our previous lives to deserve this. Baro Baro is conveniently located at Tanjong Pagar Xchange, joining the stretch of eateries feeding hundreds of hungry souls during lunch hour.

I’m sure fans of the egg bread snack are curious about the taste. “How do theirs compare to the ones in Korea?” There are 4 flavours ($3 each) available – Original, Corn Mayo, Bacon Cheese and Chicken BBQ. I would say, just get the Original – classics will remain classics. The bread isn’t a regular fluffy bread. It has a dense cake-like texture and is slightly sweet. When combined with the savoury whole egg, it makes for one of the best snacks in Korea. However, with much difficulty, I have to break it to you that you will still need to fly to Korea for the real deal.

Kimbab ($6) is another street food that you cannot afford to miss out on. It’s fuss-free, healthy and absolutely delicious – what’s not to love? Baro Baro’s rendition of a Tuna Kimbab won’t blow your mind to the ends of the globe, but good enough to keep your Korean food cravings on hold. After all, it’s really hard to get kimbab to taste bad.

I know it sounds like a stupid idea to pay $7 for a bowl of Ramyun. But we just can’t help it sometimes okay… The Spicy Noodle Soup ($7) kept calling out to us that day (conveniently shifting the blame…) so of course, we just had to go with it. However, this was a tad disappointing. If I’m paying $7 for a bowl for a bowl of instant noodles, I would expect at least some accompanying dishes, not just an egg and some mushrooms… For the noodles and soup, I’m sure that we all know how it tastes like.

We requested for Noodle Toppoki ($6) without noodles since we already ordered Ramyun. Hmmm, as usual, it’s really average. After gobbling down like ten chewy rice cakes, it might be a tad spicy for some. And that’s when their light bulb coolers come in handy to put out the fire.

The Blue Lemon Soda ($5) was just too fizzy. The novelty is present, but I will not order that beverage again. The only plus point is that you can bring the light bulb home afterwards!

There is nothing amazing about this Korean eatery, but I wouldn’t mind popping by to enjoy some Kimbab. Baro Baro is having a promotion now – order any set meal and you’ll receive a light bulb cooler on the house.

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 eatery listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Baro Baro – Popular Korean Street Food Under One Roof appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Laksa is one of our national dishes and you can find it easily everywhere. The Original Katong Laksa was started by Mr Ng Juat Swee, who was better known as Encik Jaggut. Jangguat means beard in Malay because he had hair growing out of the mole below his chin. He was a Chinese immigrant from Fujian province and came to Singapore during his teenage years, in search of a better life. Like many of his predecessors, he married a Peranakan lady and was the first to set up a laksa stall.

In the 1940s, Mr Ng was always seen with a pole over his shoulders carrying metal baskets full of laksa around the Marine Parade beach area. His laksa noodles were cut short and could be eaten with a spoon. This eventually became a trademark for Katong laksa.

In the 1950s, he sold laksa on a tricycle with his younger brother in front of the bungalows along Marine Parade beach. The first physical stall was set up at 49 East Coast Road. Named Marine Parade Laksa, it was very popular and, till the early 1990s, was the only one selling the noodles in the area. Due to a huge increase in rent, they relocated and settled in Roxy Square in 2000 and opened another branch in Queensway Shopping Centre in 2005. A few months ago, they opened a new outlet in Upper Paya Lebar Road and this outlet is run by May Tong, the daughter of Mdm Tan.

This new laksa eatery has air-conditioning, so you can enjoy the laksa comfortably. And the special dish that is only available here? CRAYFISH LAKSA! That’s right, you can’t get this at the other two outlets.

The essence of a good bowl of laksa is the rempah that makes the broth. The spicy coconut milk soup base here is creamier with bits of dried shrimp that packs a lot of flavour.

Short strands of thick bee hoon and beansprouts are blanched with the laksa broth for a few times before they are topped with prawns, fishcakes, prawns, cockles, and laksa leaves. It’s extremely delicious and pleasantly aromatic. A regular bowl of laksa starts from $5 while the crayfish laksa is selling at $9.50 a bowl.

If you don’t wish to have laksa on that day, it’s not an issue as they also serve other mains such as curry chicken and fried chicken. The curry chicken looks ordinary but the flavours brought back some childhood memories of a neighbourhood cafe that I used to visit after school. The gravy is thick and rich, and moderately spicy.

The fried chicken turns out to be da bomb as each slice of meat is so crispy and juicy. We were already full but we just couldn’t resist popping the chicken slices into our mouths. If only they had a tangy chilli sauce, that would be perfect.

The post The Original Katong Laksa – New Outlet in Paya Lebar Sells Crayfish Laksa appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Gyudon is basically a beef bowl, consisting of thinly sliced beef, cooked in a slightly sweet mixture of mirin and soy sauce, and served over rice. Sometimes, sake is also added for extra flavour. Nowadays, there are different variations of Gyudon – while some places serve it piping hot with an egg yolk on top, others replace thinly sliced beef with wagyu steaks. Can’t decide which version you like best? Here are 15 places to satisfy your cravings.

1. Stray by Fatcat

With just 3 mains on the menu, the Black Pepper Wagyu Bowl ($22, $20 for lunch special) moooo-ed out to us. Cooked to a commendable tenderness, the beef was juicy and flavourful. We certainly looked forward to our favourite activity, which is bursting that sunshine of a yolk onto the fluffy rice ooooohhhh. The harmony of all the flavours, topped with gentle touches of Gari (ginger) espuma, shaped the dish into our favourite of the afternoon.

2. Ho-Jiak

Ho-Jiak, which means delicious in Hokkien, is a hipster cafe serving Japanese rice bowls. The menu is super simple – pick your proteins and you’re done! Beef Shabu ($10.90) consists of very lean meat, yet it is still satisfactorily tender. However, they are lacking in some seasoning, in our opinion. We could stir the curry in, but it isn’t sufficient to fully coat the rice. 

3. Tanuki Raw

Tanuki Raw is a great spot for gatherings with friends after work. You can choose to sit indoors or enjoy the night breeze in the alfresco area. You can even sit at the bar and observe the skillful bartenders create interesting cocktails while devouring the Foie Gras Truffle Yakiniku Donburi ($23) which hits all the right spots! It’s kind of impossible to stop at one bowl.

4. The Burning Oak

The Burning Oak is a Japanese yakitori stall at Bedok Marketplace. Unlike the typical food we see at hawker centres, The Burning Oak offers premium yet affordable donburi(s) such as Wagyu Beef Rump Cap Don ($13) and the succulent Wagyu Rump & Iberico Pork Combo Bento ($15). The well-marinated beef is sous vide for 72 hours, resulting in its tenderness.

5. Sandaime Bunji

Stepping into Sandaime Bunji makes you feel as though you’ve been transported to an authentic eatery in Japan. Whatt brought us here was their Wagyu Round Roast Beef Set ($19.90), a towering bowl with 250grams of beef slices stacked on top of rice. The beef is executed to perfection, but it might be too raw for some though. The set comes with salad, tofu and Ox Tail soup.

6. Platypus Kitchen

This casual restaurant serves up contemporary cuisine in a fun, lively and convivial environment. The Ribeye & Truffle Gourmet Rice Bowl ($26.90) is a great option not to be missed. The char-grilled marbled ribeye with shaved truffles is delicious. It is served with a perfect onsen egg on a bed of Japonica rice, and drizzled with honey truffle soy sauce. 

7. GastroSmiths

The Hokubee Ribeye Don ($28.50) features Japanese rice seasoned with doses of furikake and sweet vinegar, topped with grilled Hokubee beef. The Hokubee beef is being injected with soluble oil to yield a more desired marbling and is often refered as “poor man’s Wagyu”. It is beefy enough, but it is the tenderness of the beef that is really enjoyable. It’s great if you wish to have an affordable plate of beef bowl without burning a hole in your pocket. For an additional $2, you get a runny 63 degrees celcius egg.

9. Kushiya Japanese Grilled House

Upon placing your order, the meat is grilled on the spot behind the counter. We had the Premium Steak Don ($10.80) and Kimchi Sliced Beef Don ($6.80). Both dishes come with a drink and miso soup. The former consists of half an egg, kimichi and beef steak. While the beef steak is a bit tough and may not be of the best quality, it is well marinated and flavourful. The latter, on the other hand, uses thinly sliced beef, which turns out to be more tender and enjoyable.

9. Kinsa Sushi

Kinsa Sushi moved from Ang Mo Kio to HillV2, bringing more excitement to those staying in the West. The price is reasonable for the quality of food. The highlight has to be the A4 Kagoshima Wagyu Don ($24.80) which comes with an onsen egg. The wagyu beef with its beautiful marbling, will melt in your mouth. 

10. IZY Dining and Bar

IZY is helmed by Chef Kazumasa Yazawa, who had stints in the kitchens of Waku Ghin and Tetsuya. The Wagyu Bowl ($38) features a generous amount of truffle shavings heaped atop succulent slices of wagyu beef. The wagyu beef is cooked using a Josper grill. Don’t forget to burst the onsen egg nestled within the warm rice!

11. Black Cow

Black Cow uses the freshest produce, straight from Japan’s finest farms. Nothing less than A3 marbled beef stars in their dishes, and their passionate team of chefs meticulously prepares every dish from scratch in their kitchen daily. The Signature Truffle Wagyu Don ($45) comes with fragrant slices of truffle and a runny egg. Just split the egg open and give the dish a good mix. We promise that every mouthful will be filled with a burst of savoury flavours!

12. Tamashii Robataya

The Saga Beef Donburi (lunch set – $48++, top up $20++ for shaved truffles; ala carte dinner – $65++ with shaved truffles) is fantastic. Pink and tender Saga A4 beef striploin sits on a bed of marinated short-grain rice, and is topped with a runny onsen egg and drizzled with truffle oil. Break the yolk and mix it into the rice. It’s a pricey bowl but definitely worth the splurge.

13. Fat Cow

Fat Cow takes a contemporary approach to the Japanese “Wabi-Sabi” design concept, which is the art of finding beauty in things modest, simple and humble. Just like its interior, the beef adopts a basic and minimalistic Japanese cooking technique that brings out the best of the meat’s natural flavours. Only available during lunch, the Fat Foa-gura Don ($43) contains juicy medium rare wagyu beef and fatty foie gras. We love the flowy onsen egg as well!

14. WTF Coffee House & Bar

WTF stands for “We Talk Food” so let’s talk Gyu Don ($13.90). Grilled beef (medium or well done) and onsen tamago sit atop Japanese rice. The beef is grilled well, such that it still retains its juiciness and tenderness. The marinade for the beef is also palatable. Our favourite part is the runny egg that oozes out so seductively, shiok! However, even after a good toss, the rice was still bland and too mushy, and we had to request for some sauce in order to make the dish more flavoursome.

15. The Refinery

Gyuniku Donburi ($14) features tare marinated skirt steak with truffle hon shimeiji mushrooms and a lovely onsen egg over rice. This is perhaps one of the cheapest gyudon you can find in Singapore, but the price doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality is compromised. Though the truffle flavour is subtle, the tare marinated skirt steak made up for the savouriness of the dish. Moreover, the glorious runny egg gave this dish an “oomph” factor!

MOOOOOOO! Hope you’ll find this Gyudon guide useful the next time you’re craving some Japanese rice bowls.

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 stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 15 Places for Gyudon in Singapore (and that glorious runny egg!) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Hands up if you’ve heard drinks stall vendors shouting out, “ji puay tak giu peng” at coffeshops. It simply means, “a cup of iced Milo”. The nickname, “tak giu” (“kick ball” in Hokkien) arose due to the football player image on the Milo can. This beverage is a local favourite, as many of us grew up drinking Milo. Therefore, we have hunted down 7 Milo desserts to show our love for this beverage that has been there for us through rain or shine. 

Milo Dinosaur Cheesecake

Milo Dinosaur is a drink unique to Singapore, even though it is simply our regular iced Milo with lots of milo powder on top. Because this iconic drink brings back so much memories, Chef Daniel Tay, founder of Cat & the Fiddle, has created a Milo Dinosaur ($32.90/kg, approx 7 inches in diameter) Cheesecake which is a huge hit among Singaporeans. The best part is, every time you order a Milo Dinosaur Cheesecake, you get a packet of milo powder to sprinkle on top of the cake! Shiok right!

Milo Bingsu

This is the cafe to go to if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Located at HillV2, Nunuiwangja serves a variety of Bingsu. The soft shaved ice has a good consistency. Its sweetness is accentuated by the use of milk and honey. The Milo Bingsu ($12.90) is topped with vanilla ice cream and sprinkled excessively with milo powder. As compared to other bingsu(s) we have tried elsewhere, this ranks as one of our top 5!

Milo Dinosaur Waffle

Shrove Tuesday is famous for their waffles as they use a yeast-raised batter. Upon fermentation, the yeast releases carbon dioxide gas which fluffs up the batter to make it light, yet crispy. The Milo Dinosaur waffle ($12.90) consists of 2 scoops of Chocolate gelato and vanilla soft serve topped with milo powder, sweetened milk, marshmallows and chocolate sauce. It sounds very rich, but its sweetness is actually manageable. However, we recommend sharing the calories with friends.

Milo Cheese Prata

This dessert prata features two contrasting flavours – sweet and savoury. Their usual plain prata is crispy, but the Milo Cheese Prata ($4) is a tad soggy and too soft. We will stick to the savoury items next time round. 

Milo Toast

Instead of your usual kaya or peanut butter toast in the mornings, wake up to Tuk Tuk Cha’s Milo Toast ($4.20). Their freshly prepared golden toast is overflowing with condensed milk and milo powder – definitely made for those with a sweet tooth. The toast slathered with condensed milk was alright, but the milo powder made it a tad too dry for our liking.

Milo Tiramisu

Tiramisu Hero’s mascot, Sir Antonio, is popular among café-goers and instagrammers. With a lovely and brightly-lit interior, Tiramisu Hero makes you want to spend your entire afternoon here. The Milo Tiramisu ($7.50 for MommaHero size) got us excited but the disappointment came when we couldn’t taste any milo flavours at all. However, the taste of coffee was strong. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the Tiramisu was enjoyable as well.

Milo Brownie

Warning! Brownies from P.Osh are extremely sweet and rich – definitely not for the health-conscious. Om Nom Nom Brownie ($3.70) contains oreo, milo and nutella, with an oreo cookie presented on top of the brownie. It’s too much for us. The texture of the brownie is a little firm and dense, giving it a nice bite. It would’ve been better if it’s not so sweet and rich.

As good as some of the Milo desserts are, we still prefer the traditional Milo drink. However, they do make for a good indulgence every now and then. 

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 stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 7 Milo Desserts in Singapore – Time to Bring Back the Milo Trend appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Do you know, Toa Payoh is the first town designed and developed by the Housing & Development Board? As one of the oldest estates, Toa Payoh not only has a long history, but many good food too.

A few months ago, we organized an exciting food tour with Panasonic Singapore to savour some of the best dishes Toa Payoh has to offer. Each participant had the chance to use the new Panasonic cameras and upload photographs to their social media platforms using the hashtag #MTCpanasonic throughout the tour. These are the places that we visited.

1. Hougang Muah Chee

Following his father’s footsteps, Mr. Teo started making muah chee at a tender age of 14 and took over his father as a second-generation hawker. Mr. Teo has been in the business for about 60 years and in the past, he prepares all the raw ingredients by hand, from milling rice to flour, to roasting and grinding peanuts for the muah chee coating.

It’s interesting to see how everything is still made by hand. Mr. Teo strongly insists on manually proportioning each ball of muah chee, meticulously pinching each small globule and dabbing a dollop of shallot oil on them before tossing them in either grounded peanuts or black sesame. The peanut coating here is fragrant and gives a good crunch! It’s so addictive we couldn’t help popping one after another into our mouths.

Read about it here: https://www.misstamchiak.com/hougang-muah-chee/

2. AMK Curry Puff

Visiting Tip Top Curry Puff is one of my favourite childhood memories. They have entered a joint-venture with a big company and has been renamed Tip Top The Puff Factory. One of the minority shareholders started AMK Curry Puff in 2013 at Toa Payoh Central.

Everything here is prepared by hand. They still use a rolling pin to roll the buttery skin before cutting it into a round shape. Then, the skin is stacked into piles and placed on the table with pots of diced curry potato, hardboiled eggs and diced chicken, all waiting to be wrapped by hand just like how they were in the good old days.

The curry filling has a good mix of chicken, potato, spices and egg. They taste just like how I remembered them to be; like the original Tip Top curry puff. The puffs are fried in batches to ensure freshness. Read about it: https://www.misstamchiak.com/amk-curry-puff/

3. White Restaurant

The Original Sembawang White Bee Hoon is considered as one of our uniquely Singaporean dishes, much like Hainanese Chicken Rice and Chilli Crab. Originally prepared as a homely dish by Mr Tay, the dish today has developed into a well-loved dish by all, and they have opened a few outlets beside the main one in Sembawang.

The white bee hoon may look very plain, but trust me, the noodles are full of flavour! Squeeze some lime onto it, mix well, and enjoy! The rich and thick broth leaves you craving for more. They are generous with their ingredients as well. We have prawns, squid, eggs, and vegetables, which all soaked up the stock nicely.

The meat and seafood rolls are juicy and crunchy. I also like their sambal sweet potato leaves because the sambal is super shiok! 

4. Rahmath Cheese Prata

Rahmath Cheese Prata is a hidden gem! They have received Makansutra’s five-chopsticks ‘Divine’ award and is a hot favourite amongst Toa Payoh residents. From the signboard, we know that cheese prata is their signature item but we prefer their plain and egg prata.

The owner learnt the art of prata-making from a friend many years back and opened his first shop in Ang Mo Kio, before moving here. Rahmath is the name of his grandfather. They make the prata fresh so you will always get it nice and hot. The kosong prata here is light, fluffy, and crispy. I was really impressed. The egg prata is another popular item here as well. It has got a fragrant buttery aroma and is eggy enough. Don’t forget to dip it in the curry.

5. Little Prince Cafe

We ended the food tour with a blast at Little Prince Cafe. Paying tribute to the classic Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this cafe is filled with hand-painted drawings. There were more than 10 icecream flavours to choose from and we were spoilt for choice. We like the waffles which are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.

The earl grey latte has a pleasant floral note. Other flavours include Noir (dark chocolate), rum and raisins, pistachio, hazelnut, mango kiss etc.

The participants had a great time and I enjoyed myself very much as well. Not only did we get to try many dishes in Toa Payoh, we also had a chance to play with different Panasonic cameras. Thank you Panasonic Singapore for the opportunity. Till next time!

Photos taken with Panasonic GH4

The post Toa Payoh Food Tour with Panasonic Singapore appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Capital, Zouk Singapore

For the epitome of first-class “Live Young, Die Fast” experience in town

The long-holding name, Zouk Singapore, will definitely ring a bell in everyone’s head. Tomorrow, it will be unveiling its fourth concept ,Capital, tuned to offer a finer experience for working professionals and guests. Housed on the second floor of its new home at Clarke Quay, live the high life with the unimaginably luxurious climate. With an enormous capacity of up to 540 guests, Capital comprises of an island bar, whisky bar, cigar room, and a plush seating area. In addition, the room boasts its own DJ console flanked by VIP seating and a dance floor. On top of that, Capital features an extensive list of whiskys across a wide flavour profile spectrum, with 48 types sold by the glass starting from $16. What are you waiting for? Dress to impress and party away!

PORTA Fine Food & Import Company

For a sublime dining episode with modern European dishes

Open the doorway to an eclectic haven of seasonal flavours and premium ingredients at PORTA Fine Food & Import Company. Turn back time with the sophisticated colonial theme which proves that simplicity is beauty. PORTA’s signature dishes include the Spanish Octopus ($18), Foie Gras ($24), Ravioles de Royans ($22) and Iberian Pork Secreto ($26). Additionally, if you would like a touch of sweetness, indulge in Chef Michael’s array of magnificent desserts such as the Coconut Blancmange and Frozen Soufflé. The latter is in fact a special twist on a classic soufflé that deserves all of our thumbs-ups. We have so many restaurants islandwide, but PORTA definitely remains on the top of our must-try list.

Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill

For a spectacular feast focused on food closest to your heart

We can’t deny that Violet Oon’s passion for Nyonya cuisine and local dishes is unparalleled. We have National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore, Violet Oon Singapore and now, presenting to you… Violet Oon Satay Bar & Grill! There are a few tweaks here and there in the menu, but nevertheless, every mouthful remains familiar. Various grilled proteins such as chicken, pork, beef, prawns and tripe are available under the Satay Menu, ranging from $15 to $20. Besides giving your tastebuds a treat, the view of the satay itself is already a feast for the eyes. Moreover, I believe that you won’t be able to resist getting their Ngoh Hiang ($15), Buah Keluak Ayam ($23) and Hae Bee Hiam Sea Bass with Cinchalok Relish ($42).

Half Pound Burger Bar & Grill

For a gratifying pig-out session

Half Pound Burger Bar & Grill has made its debut on Purvis Street. Living the Singaporean dream, Mr Yong Tet Sin, 55, sells American craft burgers and dishes such as fish and chips and pastas. Pile on the pounds with their imported Australian beef patties and a pint of beer. On top of the relaxed atmosphere, we were intrigued by the adorable graffiti and wooden wine crates nailed onto the walls. The Half Pound Burger ($18) features a 220g Angus beef, candied bacon, truffled Gouda, Monterey Jack and pickled daikon. Oh, and perhaps you should warm up your jaws before wolfing down them burgers.

Takumi by Sushiro

For the Dawn of a New Donburi Age

Opening its doors to the public this week, Takumi by Sushiro is occupying the previous space that Sushiro occupied. With only 7 items such as the Tokyo Gyuniku Don, Mount Gyuniku Don and Chicken Katsu Curry Udon on their menu, Takumi is designed to be a pop-up store to showcase the repertoire of Sushiro’s potential. Their rendition of yakiniku don draws inspiration from Tokyo, and it is no wonder that their Tokyo Gyuniku Don has emerged a best seller. Moreover, the thin beef slices and onions soaked in a savoury broth will have you jio-ing your friends for a second Takumi date!

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 places listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Weekend Bites #6 – Live Your Weekend like a Boss appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Mr Yap Eng Lam, also known affectionately as Ah Lam, began honing his craft as an apprentice at his uncle’s minced meat noodles stall. In 1975, he opened his first stall in a coffee shop in Race Course. Over the years, Ah Lam maintained the quality of his food, while innovating new flavours to suit tastebuds which have changed with time. He is the first person to introduce abalone dishes into coffee shops, and the abalone noodles is now the best-selling dish. The other crowd-pleaser is Ah Lam’s signature salt-baked chicken. So, here’s our verdict.

Ah Lam’s Signature Abalone Noodles ($7) isn’t your typical bowl of bak chor mee. There is no liver slices in it and no vinegar is added. Instead, you get noodles topped generously with two bite-sized abalones, a scallop, a fried fishball, minced meat, bits of pork lard and the best of all – half of a Ajitsuke Tamago (Japanese flavoured egg). The noodles are QQ and cooked just right. Each mouthful whets our appetite for more.

The other enticing dish is the Salt-baked Chicken Thigh ($5.80). The moist chicken thigh is freshly marinated with Australian coarse sea salt and herbs. It’s marinated overnight so that the flavours will be locked in. It is then baked till a beautiful golden brown. What you get is fork-tender meat that’s very palatable. Moreover, the Thai-style chilli brought the dish to another level. It’s made with coriander, fish sauce, sugar, chilli padi and other secret ingredients. This alone deserves another visit!

Although their abalone noodles might not win the hearts of bak chor mee purists, it has tickled our tastebuds. Perhaps, there are others who share the same preference as us. We were also very tempted to take away one whole salt-baked chicken to indulge in. The pricing at Lam’s Kitchen might be higher, as compared to your usual coffee shop pricing, but the quality well justifies it. SHIOK!

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 Lam’s Kitchen. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Lam’s Kitchen – Amazing Abalone Noodles at a Coffee Shop appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Serangoon Garden is well-known for being a foodie’s heaven. There’s a wide array of food choices in myVillage mall, hawker centres, of which Chomp Chomp outshines everything else, and along the rustic-looking two-storey shophouses. However, if you’re an early-riser, you should definitely check out Serangoon Garden Market. Besides sinking your teeth into delectable, traditional hawker fare, some modernised stalls have made the market their second “home”. We bring you 10 delicious hawker stalls that are worth making the trip to Serangoon Garden.

Seng Kee Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle
Unit: #01-36
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 7.30am to 1.30pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Nothing is more welcoming that a rich bowl of fishmaw soup filled with generous servings of minced pork, pork liver, quality fish maw, and braised mushroom slices. Seng Kee has been in business for 36 years. Owner Mr Lee started out in Eunos before settling here in Serangoon Gardens a few years ago. 

We guarantee that you will have no regrets if you go for the $10 bowl. Each bowl of cloudy soup is very tasty and full of flavour. The soup is boiled with pork bones for hours and dried sole fish (ti poh) is added for extra depth and umami. The noodles are cooked till al dente and tossed with chilli and thick mushroom sauce. 

Lad & Dad
Unit: #01-32
Opening Hours: Wed-Sun 12pm to 8pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladanddadsg/

Lad & Dad is a joint effort between a father and son. Diners can expect British-inspired food with a local touch. The Lad’s Beef Stew ($12) comes with hand-mashed potatoes, seasonal salad and fragrant rice. Flavored with herbs and loaded with huge chunks of beef, the robust stew is the kind of comfort food that brings warmth on a rainy day.

Pancake King
Unit: #01-25
Opening Hours: 7am to 9.30pm daily.
Website: http://pancakeking.com/

Pancake King only uses fresh and natural ingredients. There’s no MSG, artificial flavouring, or preservatives added. They have this policy that if, for any reason, a customer dislikes their products, they will issue a full refund. They serve four flavours of pancakes (mee chiam kueh) – coconut, red bean paste, cheese and peanuts.

Their pancakes are crispy on the outside, yet soft and spongy on the inside. These pancakes are made fresh daily, without any oil used during the cooking process. Their pancake dough doesn’t contain eggs too. They also serve local delights such as curry puffs, carrot kueh, hum ji beng, prawn/peanut/ikan bilis fritters and more. Gorgeous cakes made from top quality butter from New Zealand and Australia can be found here too.

Garden Street Kway Chap
Unit: #01-21
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 3pm. Closed on Mondays.

This is quite a gem in Serangoon Garden Market. The kway is soft and delicate, the braising sauce fairly good, the innards not too chewy and the tau pok not too dry. What really caught our attention though, was the meat, as it was not the usual fatty meat. Although the lean meat looked a little dry, it was very tender and well-braised.

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery
Unit: #01-45/46
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 6.30am to 3pm. Closed on Mondays.

Serangoon Garden Bakery & Confectionery has been around in Serangoon Garden for at least 30 years. They serve old-school buns like the classic luncheon meat buns, tuna buns, ikan bilis buns, otah buns, and many others. You can also find butter cake, banana cake and walnut cake. We noticed many people taking away their signature marble cake. All these are freshly baked in-house so pair them with a strong cuppa kopi to kickstart your day! We had the tuna bun ($1), which was still slightly warm, as well as, a slice of the banana cake ($0.80).

Aliff Nasi Lemak
Unit: #01-27
Opening Hours: 7.30am to 2pm, or till sold out. Closed on Mondays and Fridays.

There are very few nasi lemak stalls in Singapore that use basmati rice, probably because it costs more. However, we love it! Basmati rice is light and boasts a fluffy texture. At Aliff Nasi Lemak, rice is cooked with only freshly-squeezed coconut milk and pandan leaves. High grade ikan bilis are also used. The wings are marinated with freshly ground spices – each bite had a mix of crisp skin and tender meat. So satisfying! Last but not least, the sambal will definitely knock your socks off!

Serangoon Garden Carrot Cake & Wanton Noodle
Unit: #01-13
Opening Hours: 7am to 4pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

There are a few stalls in Serangoon Garden Market selling fried carrot cake, but this stall is still our favourite. The standard of their fried carrot cake has been consistent throughout the years, and the portion is always very generous. Most importantly, they fry the carrot cake with huge amounts of sweet sauce. If you have a sweet tooth, this plate of greasy goodness will certainly lift your spirits.

Ah Seng Braised Duck Rice
Unit: #01-44
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 9pm, closed on Sundays.

This is one of the stalls in the market which always has a super long queue. Ah Seng serves authentic Teochew-style braised duck. Its braising liquid is light but surprisingly tasty. Each slice of duck meat has a good bite and pairs up brilliantly with the side of white rice that has been drizzled with gravy.

Soon Huat Pig’s Organ Soup
Unit: #01-42
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 9.30am to 4pm, closed on Mondays

Soon Huat is another stall that is used to long queues. The pig’s organ soup comes with the typical ingredients like liver, intestines, pork slices and preserved vegetables. The broth is armed with a balance of saltiness and sweetness, and a slight tanginess from the preserved vegetables. Tip: you can refill the soup for free.

Dip the well-cleaned innards into the chilli sauce and pair it with rice. Don’t forget to order their pork knuckle too. 

Rolina Singapore Traditional Hainanese Curry Puff
Unit: #01-33
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 7am to 4pm, closed on Mondays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/RolinaSingaporeTraditionalHainaneseCurryPuffs/

Rolina has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a roadside stall outside Novena Church more than 50 years ago. Founder, Mr Tham, learnt how to make curry puffs from a sailor when he was just 19. Rolina’s name came from a twist to the word “Novena”. It’s an eye-opener watching the staff wrap curry puffs in the stall. All the spices and ingredients are still prepared by hand and the puffs are made fresh everyday. Deep fried till perfection, the filling is spicy but very addictive. I thought a mouthful is good enough but I finished the whole puff instead. 

There’s an abundance of local fare to treat yourselves to at Serangoon Garden Market, so it’s best to go with a big group so you get to try a little of everything.

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 stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post 10 Delicious Hawker Stalls to Check Out at Serangoon Garden Market appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

[JOHOR BAHRU] How many of us have been left disappointed by the food put out by some of the prettiest cafes in JB? We totally get you. However, this cafe actually took us by surprise. Somehow, all the cafes with the name “Atlas” seem to be ticking all the right boxes, yeah? Time to name my future cafe Atlas.

Don’t be fooled by the blinds; push open the door and step into a whole new world of Japanese-Scandinavian feels. The cosy interior cuddles you with its fluffy white concept specially designed by a designer based in Japan. White brick walls, lovely wooden tables and bright smiles – this cafe was off to an excellent start.

What could be better than a The Big Breakfast to tempt you out of bed in the morning? You may even build your Big Breakfast from scratch to your liking, gulp. We took turns choosing our favourites, and ended up with scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, potato salad, pork sausage, grilled tomatoes, hash brown and bacon.

Don’t expect some Gordon Ramsay eggs, but the fluffy, buttery and perfectly-seasoned scrambled eggs are surely enough to melt your hearts. This is truly a hearty plate to combat your morning blues, but we personally prefer our hash browns crispy.

For something sweet, the Atlas French Toast (RM 21.90) could be just what you’re looking for. You will be presented with 3 slices of brioche buns, topped off with homemade caramelised bananas and fresh fruits. The bananas were caramelised decently, although we were a little puzzled about the banana skin being left on.

Mount Austin has no lack of cafes, and you might not be fully convinced why Atlas is the place for you yet. Well, how about this? Atlas Coffee Embassy actually brews coffee using beans from Common Man Coffee Roasters, so rest assured that you will be getting cups of quality here. Put yourself in the good hands of Head Barista JH Yee, the Champion of the Malaysia Barista competition in 2012. Smooth and rich with a nutty aftertaste, the White (Hot) has a reasonable price tag of RM 12.90.

Embark on a happy trip to Taman Mount Austin and you won’t regret making a stopover here! Plus, parking is made convenient with the carpark situated right at the doorstep of Atlas Coffee Embassy. At last, nothing can pull us away from Atlas anymore.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid for its own meal at the cafe 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 Atlas Coffee Embassy. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Atlas Coffee Embassy – Good Looks & Even Greater Food appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

How many of us are still climbing our way to the top of the success ladder? Some of us are barely staying afloat and it doesn’t help that a meal in CBD often demands at least $5. As such, we often end up with a meagre amount to bring home every month.

But don’t surrender to the unnecessary “exorbitant” lifestyle. If there’s a will, there’s a way. And this is the way that we have specially paved for you to consider – a comprehensive food diary comprising of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the CBD for a typical 5-day work week. ALL UNDER $50!! Yes, it’s humanely possible.

Let’s speedboat towards the 6 DIGIT bank account balance together. Read on to find out how.

Sian-Day Monday – $9.80

Breakfast: Chwee Kueh ($1.80)

Situated towards the back of Clifford Centre, a nameless eatery offering local delights awaits. We were shocked that they genuinely do not have a shop name, but #01-K3 is the clue! Receive 5 plump chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes) topped with ample preserved turnips for just $1.80 – what a steal! The chwee kueh are a little denser than what we would have liked, but the greasy and fragrant turnips seemed to be screaming 加油 (add oil) for my dreadful Monday. Thank you, I really needed that encouragement.

Lunch: Nasi Padang ($3)

Despite the huge number of office workers invading the area during lunch hour, the delicious food at Shenton House lacks an online presence for some reason. Or maybe, they want to keep it a secret. Tucked away at the last eatery, this Nasi Padang has won countless hearts over the years. For just $3, you can order 1 meat + 2 vegetables/egg on top of the amazing portion of rice drenched in curry. Doesn’t the chicken drumstick look so appetizing? My eyes were glued to it the moment I stepped into the eatery. The meat ended up tasting slightly dry, but the crispy skin made up for it.

Dinner: Pad Thai ($5)

My nose picked up the lovely aroma of stir-fried noodles as I was on my search for dinner at Amoy Street Food Centre. I went for the classic Pad Thai ($5) that was indeed satisfying and good value for money. SAP Thai Food is a relatively recent addition and has a pretty extensive menu representative of Little Thailand. I was too excited to tuck into the piping hot noodles, that I even found squeezing the lime a chore. The umami flavours radiated throughout the dish, ending my Monday on a pleasant note.

Fry-My-Brain Tuesday – $9.00

Breakfast: Fried Bee Hoon ($1.50)

I don’t only get Monday Blues, I get Tuesday Blues too. So, I need to recharge for Day 2 with energy boosters like Fried Bee Hoon. This takeaway box will surprise you with just how much noodles are packed inside. The Bee Hoon is a tad plain, and could do with less oil. However, you will really appreciate this dish if you’re up for a super busy day ahead.

Lunch: Chicken Leg Angel Hair Pasta ($5)

Shall I invite you into the house of Italian food? Taste Affair is one of Amoy’s newest guests, injecting fresh vibes into the old building. For $5, you may twirl away with a good serving of Chicken Leg Angel Hair Pasta coated with a chili oil-based sauce. Looking beyond the pasta, the tender chicken actually emerged as the angel of the meal. Also, a golden poached egg is never a bad idea.

Dinner: Nasi Lemak ($2.50)

While you may pick your own dishes, we went with Set C ($2.50). This Nasi Lemak (which means ‘fatty rice’) comes with a huge scoop of green long-grain rice, filled with subtle coconut notes. Spice your carbs up with an ikan kuning, otah, ikan bilis, a sunny side up and a spoonful of sambal chili which will curb your nasi lemak cravings temporarily. For me, the sambal chili plays an important role in bringing the whole dish together, but unfortunately, it was more sweet than spicy. Nevertheless, within the CBD, this plate suffices.

I-Am-Dead Wednesday -$8.60

Breakfast: Curry Puff ($0.60)

Sometimes, I wake up craving some Indian spices to heat me up for the day. Do you? Especially when I am in a rush, a curry puff is my go-to breakfast. The Real One Teh Tarik & Indian Food prepares a whole range of cheap eats that includes 60-cents curry puffs. Despite the puff skin being slightly thick, the flavourful filling was a joy to savour. Although they are small, I’m cool knowing that I will be having a heavy lunch later.

Lunch: Fried Kway Teow Mee ($3)

Told you that it would be heavy, but I forgot to mention that it’s tasty and smoky as well. Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee – this name shouldn’t be foreign to the CBD crowd. The first outlet is kickstarted by Mr Ng’s father at Metropole Cinema in the 50s, and Mr Ng is now in charge of the second outlet in Outram Park. The noodles are smooth, thoroughly coated with a special black sauce and awesomely packed with a wallop of wok hei. And, we couldn’t possibly do without the cockles, beansprouts, fried pork lard and egg, right?

Dinner: Hand Crafted Salad ($5)

To combat the greasy lunch I had earlier, I wanted something light and guilt-free. Off I skipped towards Tanjong Pagar MRT to grab my precious box of greens. Your eyes will sparkle at the plethora of brightly-coloured toppings and dressings; don’t hesitate to ask the staff for recommendations! 1 premium (protein) + 3 toppings, and a box of 5 toppings are both sold at $5. In the end, I decided to go for smoked duck, corn, purple cabbage, carrots and Japanese sesame dressing that evening. Not to forget, the cosy ambience and friendly staff played a part in putting a smile on my face.

Press-On-A-Little-More Thursday – $8.10

Breakfast: Peanut Pancake ($0.90)

I never want to live a week in CBD without Frankie’s Peanut Pancake. Located at the coffee shop at the junction of Boon Tat Street and Telok Ayer Street, the stall has a range of fluffy yet chewy ban chiang kueh which sells like hot pancakes. Get the combo version which is a mix of both red bean and peanut for just 90 cents. This spongy pancake is a reminiscence of my childhood and I absolutely love it.

Lunch: Mee Rebus ($2)

$2 noodles?! Yes, you saw that right. Uncle Ah Cai has kept his prices constant since 22 years ago; this uncle is a true friend. He wakes up at 3am daily and heads to the coffeeshop to prepare the noodles. You will be spoilt for choice as there are 8 different types of noodles – mee siam, prawn noodles, laksa, wanton noddles, fishball noodles, bak chor mee, mee rebus, lor mee. If you’re seriously troubled over what to eat, I will suggest the hearty mee rebus – yellow noodles swimming in a thick potato-based gravy.

Dinner: Aussie Rolls ($5.20 for 3 rolls)

Wrap your day up with some charming rolls from the basement of Chevron House. The rolls are usually priced at $2.60 onwards for one. However, get a bang for your buck from 6pm onwards. You can purchase 3 rolls for the price of 2! Mhmmmmm, all 31 of them looked delightful but the indecisive me finally settled on Tuna, Korean Bulgogi and Sweet & Spicy Calamari. The Calamari Roll stood out the most as a result of the interesting combination of textures and flavours.

Drink-Drank-Drunk Friday – $13.90

Breakfast: Popiah ($1.40)

Start your day on a roll, with this traditional Fujian snack. Similar to how a burrito is made, stir-fried turnips, beansprouts, lettuce, mashed hard boiled eggs and peanuts are wrapped in a thin crepe-like skin. It isn’t too heavy, so you can pop this Singaporean-favourite into your mouth easily. I particularly enjoyed the delicate popiah skin, even though I feel that the uncle could have been more generous with the sauce.

Lunch: Hainanese Curry Rice ($2.50)

Hainanese Curry Rice Sets start from only $2.50 here, and this Pork Chop Rice Set costs exactly $2.50. It is almost unbelievable that such a generous amount of comfort food comes at such an affordable price. The pork chop is served crispy and tender, despite coming with a limited amount of fat. Watch as the auntie pours the fragrant curry over the rice; it didn’t turn out spicy at all. This was easily one of the tastiest hawker meals, but prepare your battle gear for the insane queue that stretches to no end during lunch hour.

Dinner: Ninja Burger

TGIF!!! What does that mean? Suit up, it’s time to reward yourself with a treat to end the stressful week. Does a burger sound good to you? Well, it surely did sound like heaven to me. In the heart of bustling Raffles Place lies a silent Dojo, which is home to affordable burgers. In fact, they specialise in pork burgers which isn’t the most common in Singapore. Bite into a juicy pork patty dressed with a special oriental sauce, sandwiched between freshly toasted buns. You would wanna pair the porky goodness with some addictive fries that are worth all the calories. All at just $10 nett (Pss no GST and service charge)! It doesn’t deserve a “OMG THIS IS SO GOOD, LET ME CRY IN HAPPINESS”, but experience the unparalleled feeling of satisfaction after a week of scrimping.

Total: $49.40!!!!!!

YES, WE DID IT, WE DID IT!

Give me a Hi-5! $50 under a week in CBD, who says we can’t achieve that? I had a very fulfilling week putting myself to the challenge, and I genuinely hope that this will come in handy for anyone and everyone.

If you are up for this challenge, do tell us how it went and if you managed to complete it! Also, if you have other ideas for affordable meals in the CBD, please share with us!

The post Budget Tam Chiak – 15 Meals for Less Than $50 in 5 Days (CBD Edition) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Whenever I bring tourists on a food tour, one of the stalls I would visit is Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake. This traditional Fuzhou snack is closed to extinction already (the other stall that still does it is Fu Zhou Poh Hwa in Jalan Besar).

Mdm Hoon’s mother came to Singapore with her husband and she been selling these traditional Fuzhou snacks in front of her house to help with the family expenses. In the past, she used mussels as the main ingredient for her Fuzhou cake. Over the years, she has changed to oysters and added fresh prawns and minced meat.

After moving to Maxwell Food Centre, Mdm Hoon took over the business from her mother. Even though the oyster cake looks simple, it takes a lot of work. Mdm Hoon wakes up at 4am every morning to prepare the ingredients so that she can start selling them at 9am.

The essence of this dish lies in the batter. Using rice as the main ingredient, Mdm Hoon soaks the rice grains overnight before grinding them with flour to form a thick and gooey batter. When asked how long the rice grains have to be soaked, she said to me, “It depends on the weather, the soaking time is different everyday.” Surely, it takes a lot of experience to get it right.

So almost everyday, Mdm Hoon will sit in front of the deep fryer to make the oyster cake. She first adds a spoonful of batter before putting cilantro, minced meat, fresh prawns and oysters. Covering the ingredients with another spoonful of batter, Mdm Hoon sprinkles some peanuts on top and send them for a deep-frying session in hot oil. Her husband has been helping out at the stall recently as he helps to explain this old school snack to tourists.

Biting into these oyster cakes sure brings back some childhood memories. Each oyster cake is chock-full of ingredients and I like that it is crispy on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Don’t forget to add some chilli sauce to make it better!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid for its own meal at the cafe 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 Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake – Keeping the Tradition Alive appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Opened by two partners in October 2015, Padi Emas Coffeeshop has been pleasing the tastebuds of their customers, especially when it comes to their seafood items. We spoke to one of the partners, Yusof Erksan, who used to be a Real Estate Agent before joining the F&B industry. He manages 7 stalls within this coffeeshop, and we were drawn to one of his latest creations – Beef/Lamb Kut Teh. Yusof hopes to whet appetites by offering this Halal version of locals’ favourite “Bak Kut Teh” dish.

Strictly following the instructions and methods given by a Malaysian chef, the folks at Padi Emas use 14 types of herbs for the broth. There are common herbs such as danggui, cinnamon, star anise, wolf berries, and a couple of secret ingredients. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of mutton, but Padi Emas’ Lamb Kut Teh has no gamey taste. Each spoonful of broth is flavourful with deep herbal flavours. The lamb ribs are tender, with a good mixture of lean meat and fatty layers. Remember to dip the ribs into their super shiok sambal balachan, which is tangy and fiery at the same time. Each portion of Lamb Kut Teh costs $7, and is best savoured on a cool rainy day. There is also Beef Kut Teh ($6) available here.

You can also treat yourself to a hearty Claypot Rice or Noodles here. It was a pity that the claypot noodles were already sold out, but the Beef Claypot Rice ($5.50) was also appetising. Each slice of beef is well done, but still tender. We love the runny egg which oozes out gloriously out to coat the rice. For us, the best part of claypot rice is always the crispy and smokey grains stuck at the bottom of the claypot. Don’t worry, it’s alright to indulge once in a blue moon!

Looking for midday light bites? The Tahu Goreng ($4) and Goreng Pisang ($2 for 4 pieces) are great choices. Soft and silky tofu is drenched in generous amounts of thick sweet sauce with peanut, and topped with shredded cucumber and bean sprouts. Each bite features a nice crunch, with a nutty finish. The Goreng Pisang, on the other hand, is slightly sweet and crispy. It’s enjoyable and we definitely don’t mind tabao-ing some back as snacks!

Padi Emas Coffeeshop also serves sambal stingray and other seafood choices. We are planning to return for them. For those staying in the West, here’s another coffeeshop for you to explore!

Note: This is an invited tasting.

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 Padi Emas Coffeeshop. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Padi Emas Coffeeshop – Heavenly Halal Lamb Kut Teh in the West appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.