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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hor Fun is not exactly an iconic Singapore dish, but these tantalizing plates of stir-fried/wok-fried noodles with tender beef slices or seafood sell out like hotcakes across our island. To whip up a good plate of hor fun, one has to control the temperature of the fire, as well as, the cooking time very well. If the meat/seafood is cooked too long, the texture will not be nice; if the sauce isn’t flavourful enough, the entire dish will taste bland … Therefore, cooks have to take many factors into consideration for a plate of charred goodness. Here are 7 of our favourite stalls to have these delightful noodles!

Bee Kia Restaurant

Bee Kia’s Signature Beef Hor Fun ($8) boasts velvety smooth noodles that are cooked to a nicely charred flavour, complemented with succulent slices of beef, and generously drenched in a luscious black bean and chilli gravy. They are not stingy with the beef, and the slices are thick. The distinct wok hei taste of the hor fun, coupled with the robust gravy make each mouthful very satisfying. It’s no wonder we see this dish being served at every table.

Kee Hock

Kee Hock is also famous for their Signature Beef Hor Fun ($4.50), and the kway teow is stir-fried beforehand. The owner will only start cooking the sauce when an order is placed. The gravy for the beef hor fun is very dark, and every piece of kway teow is smeared with the luscious gravy together with a slight charred taste. It’s a tad too savoury for our liking, but the stall has a good bunch of loyal followers. The highlight here is the huge and tender slices of beef.

Nam Seng Noodles

88-year-old Madam Leong Yuet Meng has been whipping up plates of scrumptious Venison Hor Fun ($5) for more than half a century. Honestly speaking, this is one of the best hor fun we’ve tried – velvety smooth and very soft. The venison meat is tender, and has soaked up the thick, savoury gravy really well. It’s almost impossible not to finish slurping down the last mouthful of gravy.

Kok Sen Restaurant

You can spot the Big Prawns Hor Fun ($16 / $32 / $48) on almost every table at Kok Sen. It’s quite unusual to find large prawns in your hor fun, but what we love more is the delectable gravy that is slathered over the slightly charred hor fun. With red chilli added to the shiok brown sauce, it is thickened with raw egg and so good on its own. Each ribbon of hor fun has some smoky flavours of wok hei, and soaks up the gravy well.

Keng Eng Kee Seafood

Moonlight Hor Fun ($5 / $8 / $12 / $16) has been part of KEK’s menu since the 1960’s when they were still at Havelock Road. The star here is the wok hei – so excellent! If you take a peep into the kitchen, you can see the chef tossing the hor fun under big fire until it gets nicely charred. The flat noodles are also stir fried with lard, Chinese sausages, prawns, squids, and dark sauce. Add the egg yolks in the middle, mix it up with the noodles, and you get an amazing plate of smooth, yummy hor fun.

CAI (财) Hor Fun

This stall sells a variety of hor fun, from beef, to fish, and seafood. The beef hor fun ($4) consists of generous portion of beef slices laid atop the soft kway teow strands, and the dish is complete with the rich starchy gravy. The gravy has a hint of sweetness that balanced well with its savouriness, but we preferred it with a stronger wok hei aroma. The beef fares better than the kway teow, as each slice is well seasoned, and nicely absorbed the essence of the gravy. Add some green chilli and white pepper to give the dish a little spice.

Geylang Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow

While some still firmly agree that this stall serves the best beef hor fun in Singapore, others have said that the standard has dropped over the years. Perhaps, the standard here has been inconsistent, as sometimes, the sauce would stay thick throughout, but at other times, it turns diluted after awhile. Furthermore, the hor fun is nicely charred on some days, yet bland at other times. It’s also hard getting a parking lot here, so we don’t visit this stall so frequently anymore.

We were really on cloud nine after savouring so much hor fun! How many good hor fun have you tried in Singapore, and which is your favourite? Do comment and let us know!

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 Delicious, Slurp-Worthy Hor Fun For A Satisfying Meal appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Good loaves of bread are hard to come by – more so if they are all made individually with love and care, without any added preservatives nor artificial ingredients.

The couple, Chalith and Nur, began kneading doughs 3 years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Both had started out as engineers, but found their true love and passion in making bread instead. Till now, they have yet to look back.

Naturally leavened using wild yeast – which requires more patience compared to commercial yeast in its slow development process – The Bakery’s rustic sourdough bread carries a range of sweet, earthy and nutty flavours that beautifully balanced out the subtle sour-ishness of the sourdough bread. Wonderfully moist and chewy, their bakes are probably one of the best artisanal breads I’ve ever come across.

With so many spreads and toppings you can choose to go on top of your sourdough slices, we recommend the Hummus and Za’atar ($4), Sage Cream Cheese and Berry Compote ($4) and the Nut Butter with Honey ($4). No Skippy’s or any other commercially-made toppings are used here, except homemade peanut butter made from real peanuts. What’s great about these homemade goodness is that the flavours are more complexed and nuanced – anyone would be pleased by their nutty fragrance which supersedes those you can easily get off the self.

Our favourite has got to be the Sage Cream Cheese and Berry Compote, which had a nice tang balanced out by the sweetness of the berry compote and the savouriness of the sage.

Indeed, the toppings did help to accentuate the beautifully baked sourdough slices. Although the choice of toppings are nothing crazy, nothing over the top, each are done exceptionally well; it’s just simplicity at its best.

Besides toasts, they also offer sweet desserts (cookies, brownies, teacakes, etc), muesli ($7), granola ($6), pizzas (only on Sundays!) and real awesome coffee sourced from Cata Coffee, a small local roastery. Prices for coffee starts from $3, with the most expensive on the menu priced at $6.

Making a good sourdough bread is a challenge and takes real commitment. Undoubtedly, The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough has topped the bread game in Singapore. With each loaf beautifully handcrafted with love, this is the place you should add to your list for good quality toasts and coffee.

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

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

The post The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough – Artisanal Bakes Handcrafted With Love appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

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

April’s Bakery Singapore

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

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

Ban Mian @ Kapitans by Kopitiam

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

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

Fu Yuan Teochew Bak Chor Mee

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

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

Saffron’s Cafeteria

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

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

Tampines 802 Carrot Cake

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

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

Al-Azhar Eating Restaurant (Tampines)

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

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

Al Mahboob Rojak Restaurant Pte Ltd

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

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

Alt Yard

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

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

Amelia’s

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

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

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

Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut

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

Meet & Melt

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

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

Out of the Cake Box Tampines

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

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

Saap Saap Thai

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wondering which cafe to hop over to this weekend but feeling a little broke? Check out this list of cafes or restaurants which have AWESOME deals for the month of June! Plus, HSBC cardholders now enjoy $10 off their total bill with a minimum spend of $40 when you place your reservations via Chope.

Boufe Boutique Café

Brunch with your family just got a little more affordable at Boufe Boutique Cafe, with the HSBC x Chope offer of the month.

Boufe Boutique Cafe’s Classic Croque Madame ($19) is perfect for a mid-morning meal. A typical French ham and cheese sandwich is covered with mornay sauce and gratin cheese, and it is then topped with a sunny-side up and fresh greens. The thick toast is then blanketed over with cheesy béchamel.

A cafe menu is never complete without a serving of Eggs Benedict ($16). Homemade brioche with honey baked ham, poached eggs, homemade hollandaise sauce and fresh greens arrive on a plate, with the brioche being extra soft and fragrant.

If you’ve ever had problems sawing into your thick croissant, you’d be happy to know that their Smoked Salmon Croissant ($19) comes in bite-sized pieces, making it easier to pair with the scrambled eggs. The bite-sized pieces are flaky, puffy, buttery and light at the same time. It also comes with smoked salmon and capers with fresh greens.

Boufe also has their own pastry production room with a see-through gallery, along with instagram-worthy cakes and tarts – a perfect spot to bring your kids, or for your next post on Instagram! They also serve a good Strawberry Shortcake ($8) and Citron Tart ($5.50).

I am…

Located at the junction of North Bridge Road and Haji Lane, this halal-certified cafe is inspired by the city of Amsterdam. Owned by 3 Muslim friends, all preparation and ingredients are done in accordance to the Islamic way of guidance.

One of the crowd favourites is the Soft-Shell Crab Burger ($16.90). It features crispy soft-shell crab, with pickled beetroot and wasabi mayonnaise.

Their Charcoal-grilled Juicy Beef Burger ($14.90) which comes with charcoal-grilled beef patty topped with pineapple, onions and melted cheese is worth a try as well. The patties are painstakingly grilled over a charcoal-fuelled fire which gives it a subtle charred taste. It was juicy with consistent texture. But the cheese and onion also helps to add dimension to the burger.

I AM cafe is sure to dish up some comfort food that hits the spot. Get $10 off with a minimum of $40 spent when you book through Chope – perfect for an indulgent dinner with your group of friends!

House of Anli

Belgian food has arrived at Tanglin! This restaurant has the prettiest decorations and luxe-looking cutlery. European gourmet mains such as Maria’s Moussaka ($28) is available. It has an interesting combination of eggplant, potato, minced beef and béchamel layered together.

Carbonnades De Chez Nous ($28) which consists of beef cheek chummy, trappiste beer, baby carrots and fondant potatoes is sure to please.

Spoil your girl on date night AND get a good deal at House of Anli. For the month of June, you get $10 off with every $40 spent. With the average price of desserts going for $10, you can get that Apple Tart Cannel ($10) without feeling the pinch!

One Night Only

Buy into the American dream at One Night Only, which features a variety of classic American recipes.
They feature all-day breakfast dishes like the Classic Buttermilk Pancakes ($9) and Maple Bacon Pancakes ($12). If you’d prefer, feel free to build your own breakfast.

Chicken Fried Steak ($21) is something that most of us Singaporeans have never seen or eaten before. A huge, fried steak paired with two sides of your choice (think: southern cornbread, boston baked beans, creamed corn, etc) is served here. Expect American-sized portions!

Consider going for the classic Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($16.50/$19.50) or even the Nashville Hot Chicken ($16.50/$19.50) if you’re looking for something with a kick. Seafood lovers need not feel left out, as One Night Only has Blackened Catfish ($15) and Shrimp Étouffée ($19.50) on their menu as well.

This slice of Americana is complete with brick walls, diner booths, and warm mood lighting. Come here for comfort fried food with the family! With the $10 off the $40 spent when you book through Chope, you get a guaranteed seat AND some amazing savings.

Necessary Provisions

You don’t have to break the bank to go cafe hopping with your pals this weekend. Get $10 off your bill when you spend a minimum of $40, just remember to make a reservation using Chope and pay with your HSBC card.

A cafe-hoppers’ staple, Necessary Provisions serves well-loved mains such as the Basil Pesto Pasta ($17), which comes with fusilli, pulled chicken, pine nuts, and parmigiano.

Burgers for the ravenous Mister are available as well. The Beef Burger ($16), a combination of salsa verde, romaine, and monterey jack is sure to please.

If you can’t get enough of rice, they have an interesting rice bowl, the Pad Krakow Gai/Neau – Thai basil, chilli padi, with chicken/beef ($10).

End your meal with a sweet treat: an Apple Tart Tatin ($10) a day might not keep the doctor away, but is an indulgent sweet treat with granny smith apples, vanilla pods, and cinnamon.

Offers are valid with prior reservations that are booked through Chope with the promo code [first 6 digits of your HSBC Credit Card]HSBCCHOPE (e.g. 123456HSBCCHOPE)

Offers are valid till 31 December 2017, unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions apply. You don’t have to break the bank to dine out. Treat yo’self and your family by surprising them with a satisfying meal this weekend. Check out CHOPE’s website for more $10 off deals. Enjoy more dining deals with your HSBC Credit Card. Visit https://cardpromotions.hsbc.com.sg/dining to find out more!

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

The post 5 Delicious Cafes for all Occasions in June – Enjoy $10 off with HSBC cards! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Sapporo has long been hailed as the birthplace of the famous miso ramen. Helming the kitchen at one-month old Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen is Chef Kanji Fujine who honed his skills at one of Tokyo’s most renowned ramen stores. What makes this ramen stall unique is its focus on Sapporo-style ramen, unlike the usual Kyushu-style ramen you commonly find elsewhere. Furthermore, the chef has ingeniously combined miso with tonkotsu broth and stir-fried it with vegetables in a larded wok to create the distinctive Sapporo style and taste.

Two types of Nishiyama noodles, a signature noodle hand-picked from Hokkaido, are used to bring out the hearty flavour of Men-ichi’s miso broths. You can choose either the thick curly noodle or thin springy noodle. The former brings out the authentic taste of Sapporo ramen while the latter adds another dimension to the Sapporo experience.

Look forward to slurping down the authentic and richly flavoured Sapporo ramen here. We recommend pairing the thick curly noodle with richer broths such as the Sapporo Miso or Miso Tonkotsu. On the other hand, the thin springy noodle is best paired with lighter broths like the Sapporo Shoyu and Sapporo Shio. These noodles are packed in a Japanese cypress wood box – the cypress wood helps retain the moisture of the noodles – before being transported from Japan to Singapore.

Men-ichi’s Signature Tokusen Sapporo Miso Ramen ($19.50) features 2 slices of charsiew, potato wedges, minced meat, onion, egg, bamboo shoots, leek, beansprouts, corn, and seaweed, all soaked in a miso-based pork bone broth. Pork shoulder which is leaner and healthier is used for the char siew here. The char siew is roasted and immersed in sauce, before being cooked sous vide style to produce a sweet porcine taste, while retaining its tenderness. The robust broth is simmered for 12 hours with onions, pork bones, and vegetables.

For those who fancy a fiery kick, go for the Sapporo Spicy Miso Potato Ramen ($17.50 / 1 piece of char siew, $19.50 / 3 pieces of char siew). It’s a spicy version of the previous ramen, made with chef’s special spicy sauce. This is perfect for rainy days.

The broth of the Sapporo Shoyu Ramen ($14.90 / 1 piece of char siew, $16.90 / 3 pieces of char siew) is made by bringing together a carefully selected soy sauce and seafood extracts. Pamper yourself with a perfect union of thin springy noodles and slurp-worthy broth.

The highlight of the Sapporo Shio Ramen ($14.90 / 1 piece of char siew, $16.90 / 3 pieces of char siew) is undoubtedly the salt-based broth which has a thick, sweet and sour taste. The noodles absorb the broth well, and has a wonderful bite. The flavour of the salt-based broth isn’t as strong as the soy sauce-based broth, but it certainly warms the heart and soul.

Besides the Sapporo ramens, which were the star of our meal, we found another hidden gem: the Ebi Miso Tonkotsu Ramen ($16.90 / 2 pieces of char siew, $18.90 / 4 pieces of char siew). The use of fermented soybean paste adds a hint of sweetness and nutty flavour to the slightly creamy broth. This miso-based sweet prawn and pork bone broth is full-bodied, and is best savoured with Men-ichi’s thick noodles.

Diners should most definitely order the Ramen Set, which allows you to choose your desired ramen broth – Sapporo Miso, Sapporo Shoyu, and Sapporo Shio. Pair it with side dishes such as Gyoza ($19.90/set), Tori Karaage ($19.90/set), and Aburi Charsiew ($20.90/set). Each set also comes with a mini corn salad.

If you’re ordering other flavours of ramen, you can also get side dishes like the Hokkaido Crab Cream Croquette ($5.90 for 2 pieces) to go along with your noodles. Boasting a crisp exterior and a creamy interior, we believe this dish will win the hearts of both the young and old.

Men-ichi also serves a range of rice dishes made using the finest crop of Nanatsuboshi rice specially imported from Hokkaido. This rice is resistant to the cold climate, and its premium quality is cultivated through the use of pristine water and fertile soil. Plump and glossy, this Grade A rice is not just an A on its grade card but it will score an A with you too.

With such a good selection of authentic Sapporo ramen at Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Remember to add the special pepper from Japan into your broth! Our favourites are the Ebi Miso Tonkotsu Ramen and Men-ichi’s Signature Tokusen Sapporo Miso Ramen. Give them a try and let us know what you think!

This post was brought to you by Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen.

The post Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen – The Authentic Taste of Sapporo Ramen appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Chomp Chomp Food Centre might be smaller in size as compared to other hawker centers, but the place is packed like sardine almost every evening. I’ve personally spent half a decade of my life dining at Chomp Chomp Food Centre, so going back to this place for a meal evokes a sense of nostalgia in me. The food centre has just reopened after renovation, and it’s the first time we’re back after their revamp for a feast!

Ang Mo Kio 409 Fried Carrot Cake

Though the stall is called “carrot cake”, we noticed many diners ordering their fried oyster omelette (from $5), hence we followed suit. As compared to other stalls elsewhere, the oysters here are more plump and juicy, with a very subtle raw taste. The plate of eggy goodness is well prepared, featuring a gooey texture that’s nicely flavoured. The punchy chilli sauce completes this dish.

Ang Sa Li Satay

10 sticks of chicken satay cost $6 here, and you get chunks of well-marinated lean pork with bits of sinful fats in between. It’s not fantastic but good enough to satisfy our satay fix. The meat is tender, boasting a little smokiness without being too greasy so we ended up happily chomping down stick after stick.

Ah Hock Fried Hokkien Mee

This is the stall to visit for a sinful supper fix. Expect to wait at least 45 minutes before the plate of delicious Hokkien Mee appears in front of your eyes. The broth is simmered with tip-top quality prawns and pork bones for 3 hours hence, bringing out the sweetness of the prawns. The owner fries the noodles till each strand has fully absorbed the broth. We love the aromatic plate of goodness, you should pair it with their secret recipe chilli sauce for the ultimate satisfaction.

Hai Wei Yuan BBQ

There are more than 3 stalls selling BBQ seafood at Chomp Chomp. We’ve tried all and our favourite is the first stall that’s located at the entrance of the food centre. On weekends, you need to wait at least 30 mintues for your order. Sambal Stingray ($12) is served on a piece of banana leaf, and topped with slices of onions to enhance the flavour. The sambal chilli is spicy, and the meat is fresh and tender. This goes well with a bowl of fragrant rice (50 cents).

Chong Pang Chicken Wings

What’s a feast at Chomp Chomp without chicken wings? We love the ones from stall 28. The BBQ chicken wings ($1.40 per piece, minimum order 2 pieces) are marinated with a secret recipe before being grilled. You’ll be enticed by the glistening oil dripping down from the chicken wings when they’re on the grill. Each wing contains juicy and tender meat, with a smoky exterior – so good!

Carrot Cake

There are a few stalls selling carrot cake at Chomp Chomp but the black version ($3) from stall 36 won our tastebuds over. It is sweeter than most we’ve tried, but the sweetness is well balanced out by the salty radish bits. The carrot cake isn’t too greasy, and you get some charred flavours in every mouthful.

Satay Bee Hoon

This is the only stall selling satay bee hoon and Hainanese beef noodles at Chomp Chomp. We heard about how good the satay bee hoon is so we wanted to see how it really fares. Unfortunately, the satay peanut gravy is too blend for our liking. We prefer it to be thicker and richer. That being said, the ingredients are still fresh and well prepared. The cuttlefish and pork give the dish a nice chewy texture.

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 Delicious Food at Chomp Chomp Food Centre That’s Perfect For Supper appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Fishball Story isn’t just another ordinary hawker story. It is about a successful story of young hawkerpreneur Douglas who first ventured out from a small hawker stall to earning Michelin Bib Gourmand award and eventually owning a coffeeshop. After moving out from the cafeteria in National University of Singapore, Fishball Story is now operating (and co-owning) in a new coffeeshop in Geylang called Hungry Bee, together with Char Grill Bar and 818 Seafood.

Sucess doesn’t happen overnight. Using his grandmother’s fishball recipe, this 26-year-old hawker is serious about what he does.Over the years, I have followed Douglas through his journey of how he started from a small stall to growing his brand till where he is today.

His fishball recipe is simple – 100% yellow tail fish meat with no flour added. Douglas now has a central kitchen to make fishballs for the two outlets. He blends fish paste, hand press the fishballs and fishcakes, makes the sambal and lard… so much hard work! But it’s his never-give-up spirit to reach where he is today.

At $6 for a bowl of premium handmade fishball noodle, you get handmade fishballs, fishcakes, fried fish skin, and fried bean curd with fish paste. What you get is real fishballs that are firm, with mee pok cooked till al dente and tossed in sambal chilli and lard. The fishcakes are roughly textured and speckled with chilli and scallions, making them as attractive as well. As compared to the last time I had it, Douglas fishball noodles tastes better now and the chilli packs a punch. If this is too much for you, go for the standard bowl at $4.50.

At the new outlet in Geylang, Douglas will open from 10am to 2am. He has another outlet in Timbre+. Young hawkers like Douglas are what we need to preserve our Hawker culture. His insistence to make his own fishballs by hand shows his dedication and gives light to our vanishing hawker heritage. Thank you and all the best, Douglas!

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 L32 Geylang Handmade Noodles. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Fishball Story Opens in Geylang… Till 2AM! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Having first started from a humble branch in Ang Mo Kio, this relatively new restaurant has earned a reputation for bringing hearty Italian fare at affordable prices to the masses. Situating themselves in the heartlands might make it a bit difficult to get to if you’re not staying in the area, but the cheaper rental lets them keep their prices down. For 2 mains and a dessert, our bill came up to less than $40. What a steal!

Since their Golden Mile Pizzeria specialises in Pizzas, we tried the Proscuito e Rucola ($15), a pizza with parma ham, rocket salad, and mozzerella cheese tomato sauce. The dough used to make the pizza changes every few days. It is homemade and has a few different ‘flavours’, including squid ink (black), saffron (orange), beetroot (red) and seaweed (green).

Our crust was lightly coloured green – we almost didn’t notice it! The 10-inch pizza arrived promptly with a crisp crust and doughy insides. While there is a bit of a seaweed aftertaste, it was overpowered by the toppings, and we hardly noticed it except when it was eaten on its own.

High quality ingredients is used here. The parma ham had no stringy pieces of fat, and was drizzled with a heavy hand of olive oil. The olive oil left the pizza a bit soggy, as the rocket salad was drenched with the oil.

This flavour is a classic, perfect for families and date nights. If you want something more unique, get their Mentaiko Pizza ($13), a combination of Japanese pollock roe and Italian pizza.

Expect a smaller selection of pastas here compared to their branches at Ang Mo Kio and Jurong East, which specialise in pastas. We tried the Granchio ($12), tagliatelle pasta with crabmeat tossed in pink sauce. I spoke with the waitress who told me that they make fresh batches of the tomato sauce from scratch, instead of buying store bought ones.

The pasta was al dente with a nice bite, and the thick nature of the tagliatelle held the creamy sauce well. The sauce was neither too creamy nor too diluted. To combat the potential jelat-ness, little cubed onion pieces were included alongside the silvers of crabmeat. For the price point of $12, a smaller portion of crabmeat is to be expected.

Altogether a satisfying main to order! A usual here recommended the Manzo ($12), pasta with beef in truffle cream sauce. Another one of their signature dishes, it is a more filling alternative to the Granchio for our meat-loving friends.

PocoLoco features a special menu that changes weekly (sometimes shorter/longer, depending on the popularity of the item). Do check with the service staff as it is not printed on their main menu and is easy to miss.

For a sweet end to our meal, we tried a spin on the usual Chocolate Lava Cake ($10), the Matcha Lava served with Vanilla Gelato ($10). Made using white chocolate with matcha powder mixed in, it contains more lava than cake and is EXTREMELY fragile. We waited approximately 30 minutes for our desserts because it kept breaking while being baked!

The melty goodness was worth it, as the green coloured ‘lava’ oozed out immediately after using a spoon poke at it lightly. It wasn’t overpoweringly sweet, but the taste of the matcha did not come through so well.

If you don’t see this on their special menu of the week, the original is highly recommended, alongside their Tiramisu which goes for just $6.

On the whole, PocoLoco is an affordable option for fans of the Italian cuisine. Remember to make a reservation beforehand, as the place only sits around 40 pax. It was full at 6.30pm on the Saturday night we were there. While they accept payment through credit card, the minimum spending is $50.

This is a hidden gem in Golden Mile Tower (note that it is not at Golden Mile Complex) serving great food with excellent service!

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 L32 Geylang Handmade Noodles. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post PocoLoco Pizzeria – Quality Italian Pizzas & Pastas for less than $20 appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Hyde & Co. has recently introduced a new take-out concept called “Take Hyde Out”, featuring fresh and unique offerings packed in quality takeaway boxes giving customers an option for dine in or take out.

Retaining the dual personality concept of Hyde, the menu of this Halal-certified café features a creative selection of pastas and pizzas specially created by Chef Nazlie who is trained in Italian cuisine and comes from a family who runs a Malay food-catering business.

The new menu consists of mod-Sin dishes, among which are a refreshing twists on Singapore’s favourites dishes like the Gnocchi “Mee Rebus”, a first in Singapore, and the The Bomb (Chye Poh Prawn Omelette pizza). Order online at order.hydeandco.com.sg

Hyde’s Signature Chilli Crab Pasta ($22.90) had generous servings of blue swimmer crab tossed in homemade spicy arrabiatta and topped with herbed panko. We enjoyed the slight crustacean sweetness, with a nice bite from the linguine in each mouthful.

Bestseller Firecracker ($22.90) contains spicy laksa cream linguine tossed with toasted hei bi hiam (dried shrimp floss), and served with a succulent honey-glazed tiger prawn. Our palates were teased by the mix of tangy and spicy flavours from the laksa cream.

Our top favourite is Gnocchi “Mee Rebus” ($21.90) served with sambal sotong in homemade mee rebus sauce (traditional Malay fermented bean sauce) and a glorious poached egg. While the gnocchi is soft, the fishcake cubes are bouncy. Give the poached egg a little poke, and toss the flowing goodness with the mee rebus sauce that packed a punch.

Satay Capellini ($19.90) comes with lemongrass satay, tempura morning glory, ngoh hiang and angel hair pasta. The ngoh hiang was a little salty that day but we like the tempura morning glory which gives the dish a good crunch. It would’ve been better if the satay peanut sauce is richer.

As for the pizzas, we had half portion of The Bomb ($13.90 / $22.90), and half portion of Geisha ($14.90 / $27.90). The former includes sambal chinchalok spread, fresh prawns, and omelette with generous servings of chye poh (pickled radish). We did taste the savouriness from the pickled radish, but the tanginess from sambal chinchalok spread was missing. On the other hand, Japanese-Western fusion pizza “Geisha” is tasty with toppings such as Norwegian smoked salmon, burnt broccoli, and mentaiko mayo spread with bonito.

Keeping up with the trend, we ended our meal on a sweet note with Unicorn Dreams ($15.90) and Hyde’s Kaya Toast ($15.90). The drink features paddle pop fondue over buttermilk waffles paired with banana brulee, buttered popcorn, and a scoop of summer berries ice cream. The waffles are not too doughy, and has a buttery fragrance. While my dining partners found the level of sweetness manageable, I personally found it a tad too sweet for my liking.

I preferred Hyde’s Kaya Toast as it reminded me of the old-school coconut bun that I used to have as a kid. This dessert boasts homemade kaya ganache over toast topped with gula Melaka shavings, and coconut & anzac cookie ice cream.

Hyde & Co. also serves their own tea blends, and makes their own cold brew tea. From the Hyde Collection of cold brew tea, we tried Addams Family, Into the Woods, My Fair Lady, and Alice in Wonderland, all priced at $6.50 per cup. Our picks are Addams Family, an iced Turkish apple tea with the tartness of crush apple, that’s light and refreshing, as well as, Alice in Wonderland, an iced rose tea with a veritable garden of rosemary, rose buds, and rose petals, infused with milk. These two cold brew tea blends cleanse our palates after savouring heavy dishes.

With the launch of take-outs at Hyde & Co., and user-friendly online ordering system, you’ll be able to savour delicious pastas and pizzas whenever your craving kicks in. Furthermore, you can avoid long waiting time as compared to other places where orders can only be taken in on the spot. From 29 May 2017 to 23 June 2017, Hyde & Co. has a Ramadan promotion. Order online at order.hydeandco.com.sg before 4pm, and pick up between 4.30pm and 7pm, and enjoy a 10% discount with the promo code, “IFTARHYDEOUT”.

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 Hyde & Co. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Hyde & Co. – Halal Cafe Introduces New Take-Out Concept appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Haakon has been around in Holland Village for awhile now, and they’ve recently added more items onto their main menu at their new outlet in 313@Somerset. Striving to provide customers with Scandinavian tropical flavours, their dishes promote balance, mindfulness and freshness.

Cacao Bliss bowl ($7.90/$12.90) is a blend of raw cacao and organic acai, topped with almond flakes, granola, cacao nibs and seasonal fruits on top. Mix well, because there’s lots of hidden chia seeds at the bottom. Additional toppings like bee pollen, almond butter or even goji berries are available for $1 each. We thought that the fruits looked aesthetically pleasing and picture-ready, but were too difficult to mix in, especially with our small cup (don’t make the same mistake as we did – get the bigger size!). The consistency of our acai left much to be desired, as it was too watery and chunks of ice were not blended properly. I would have preferred it to be creamier.

Salmon Zoodles ($12.90) features pan-fried salmon fillet, fried egg, edamame and zucchini noodles, in miso sauce. The sauce tasted distinctly of roasted sesame, and the ‘zoodles’ were crunchy and refreshing. While it doesn’t taste anything like the real deal, it’ll (hopefully!) trick your brain into thinking you’re having a satisfying carb-filled meal. The fried egg was done sunny-side up style, with a runny centre. I thought that the feta cheese on top of the salmon didn’t do much for the dish. On the whole, it felt like a jazzed up healthy tasting salad bowl.

On the whole, Haakon provides a great alternative spot to chill out with friends in town, since they are conveniently located just outside Somerset MRT. Power plugs are aplenty, and you can even tap on the free WiFi from the mall at 313. While their salad bowls might be overpriced, the novelty of having zoodles (zucchini made into noodles) is definitely there. Come here to try other items that aren’t available at their Holland Village outlet, and for some guilt-free meals.

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 L32 Geylang Handmade Noodles. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Haakon Superfoods and Juice – NEW Menu at 313@Somerset! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Afterwit was inspired by an afterthought of pairing Mexican-influenced fare with an indie café experience. This café is owned by the same guys behind Working Title and The Mad Sailors. The interior is decorated with a vibrant Mexican flair, using bold colours and rustic furnishings.

From quesadillas to tortilla pizzas, tacos, and burritos, this is as close as we could get to experience a Mexican fare. On weekdays, you can look forward to their Locos Lunch that’s available from 12pm to 3pm, excluding public holidays.

Amigo Lunch ($13) allows you to choose any standard taco or burrito originally priced at $16 or $17, and it comes with your choice of canned drink. We went for Lime Butter Crab Tacos. The crispy tacos are prepared with 6 flour tortillas topped with freshly made pico de gallo (Mexican salsa), guacamole, purple cabbage slaw, and sour cream. The mud crab that’s infused with lime butter gives a tangy taste with every bite, with a slightly spicy finish. This refreshing dish makes a great lunch!

Compadre Lunch ($15), on the other hand, allows you to choose any premium taco or burrito originally priced at $18 or $19, and it also comes with your choice of canned drink. Unfortunately, beef biryani burrito and nasi lemak burrito were not available on the day of our visit, so we had their signature Double Chilli Cheeseburger Burrito.

Enveloped within the wrap are beef patties, caramelized onions, and chipotle sauce among guacamole, Mexican-style rice, mozzarella, fresh salsa, and whole black beans. Each mouthful gives a burst of flavours and textures. The fillings are so generous that we felt the burrito is definitely made for hearty diners.

We really enjoyed the tacos, and the relaxing vacation vibe that the café exudes. We are planning a return visit just to try their interesting nasi lemak burrito and beef biryani burrito. It’s a great after-work hangout, especially for those with a penchant for spicy flavours. They also offer punchy mocktails and house-made dessert tacos to end your night on a sweet note. There’s wifi available here too!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid 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 Afterwit. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Afterwit – Halal Indie Café with Delightful Mexican Fare appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

There’s a spread of BBQ dishes found everywhere in our little red dot, but a good sizzling pan of BBQ stingray might just take a few decades to master. Not possible? Mdm Neo has done it. Slogging away what could possibly be a third of her lifetime to deliver remarkable BBQ seafood dishes embodying the Singaporean culture is by no means an easy feat.

At Neo BBQ in Yuhua Village, Mdm Neo gives us a peek to what goes on in her kitchen before the BBQ delicacy gets served on our table. Everyday, she grabs the freshest catch from her usual group of suppliers and brings it back in stall.

The stingray (Small $12, Regular $15, Large $17) is first placed on a grill and covered with a lid to cook long enough for it to retain its moisture. Mdm Neo then moves the stingray to a hotplate placed over a charcoal stove and slabs on their homemade fiery sambal chili over the stingray. The grill sears in the barbeque aroma, right before it’s served to us sizzling hot.

Brace yourself for coughs and watery eyes as the aromatic sambal chili tickles your senses. Mdm Neo contends that their spicy sambal chili is what differentiates their BBQ stingray from other competition, but what goes into the spicy sambal chili remains a secret. I enjoyed peeling off the white chunks of flesh from the stingray, which was succulent and moist.

The BBQ squid (Regular $10, Large $12) is first given a light stir fry, followed by a splash of Mdm Neo’s homemade sauce that consist of basic condiments such as Hua Tiao Jiu and soya sauce. The sotong is then placed on a hotplate, which is again heated over a charcoal stove. Again, Mdm Neo coats the squid with her aromatic sambal chili before being served.

“Grill only for a while, if not the sotong becomes very tough!” Mdm Neo exclaims in Mandarin. Sure enough, she controls the fire well enough to ensure each squid ring is chewy. Unlike the usual sambal squid, we’d notice that Mdm Neo offers a generous portion of the thickly cut squid rings that is worth the price. The stir fried onions gives an added sweetness to the BBQ sotong.

Mdm Neo uses the same spicy sambal sauce to whip up a good plate of stir fried kang kong with garlic (Regular $6, Large $8). Get a whiff of the garlic-sambal aroma before digging into the greens. If you prefer it to be less spicy, just inform Mdm Neo and she’ll adjust the spiciness for you.

The spicy savoury combination is best paired with their homemade cinchalok to give that perfect balance to each dish. Though the shrimp paste has a more watery texture than usual, I assure you of it’s amazing sweet, tangy flavors. Mdm Neo reveals that one of the key ingredients used in her almost perfect cinchalok is freshly squeezed lime juice, which she prepares by hand every morning.

If you’re lucky, you can get a glimpse of a young man helping out Mdm Neo. 25 years old Zijie is the son of Mdm Neo. After quitting his corporate job, he took an interest in the art of BBQ seafood as inspired by his mother. Currently, he is undergoing training by Mdm Neo herself. Once approved by Mdm Neo, Zijie plans to change the name of the store. If you’re looking to find the store “Neo BBQ” as advertised online, chances are you won’t find it because the name isn’t actually officially announced. Look instead for “Hotplate BBQ Fish” under the signboard Hong Chang Cooked Food.

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

The post Hotplate BBQ @ Yuhua – BBQ Seafood That’ll Set Your Buds On Fire appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Nope – Chiak isn’t set up by Miss Tam Chiak, but by Cedele. Primarily a salad and noodle bar, they aim to embrace and elevate tradition, and thus there is a local spin to the dishes offered here. While they carry Asian-inspired salad bowls and grain bowls (suitable for the working crowd around here!), they have pretty interesting All-Day sets as well.

Chiak Toast set ($5.50) comes with a cup of Coffee or Tea. Choices range from Coffee Butter and Vanilla Custard to the traditional Pandan Kaya and Butter. Our toast which consists of two slices of oatbran bread came sliced in half, and was generously buttered with Black Sesame and Custard. The oatbran bread that they use contains more fiber, and helps to add to your daily protein requirements. The bread is more chewy compared to usual white bread, and it was well toasted without having an overly crispy, biscuit texture.

Personally, I’ve never tried Black Sesame paired with Custard before, much less on toast. The combination worked surprisingly well, with the black sesame butter helping to offset the sweetness of the custard. On the whole, it was not too sweet and makes for a satisfying breakfast.

We also tried the Sandwich Set ($7), another item on their All Day Set Menu. Tying in with their aim to connect us with our Asian roots, their sandwich fillings include items like Sesame Pulled Chicken, Belly Pork Char Siew and Teriyaki Chicken. Unlike the archetypal sandwich, the bread they use resembles those in the traditional Chinese ‘Kong Bak Bao’, where the filling is folded in the middle of a single piece of bread.

It was crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Our Prawn Otak Sandwich ($5.80) was very flaky and thicker than the usual kind of otah. Made daily, the patty contains lemongrass to give it extra fragrance. However, it was not overpowering and simply added a light flavour to the otah. I could taste prawn bits, but not chunks of prawn, unlike customary homemade fish otah.

Chiak also offers drinks you’d find in a Kopitiam and not a Cafe, such as Iced Yuan Yang ($2.90). Instead of the Kopitiam style coffee which is roasted with sugar and margarine, pure butter (free from trans fat!) is used here. The result is Yuan Yang that is significantly less sweet compared to the usual kind I would get from the hawker centre.

Located at Mapletree Business City, Chiak may be rather inaccessible for the rest of us who don’t work nearby. But if you happen to be there and wish for some healthy food fix, this is a good option.

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 Coocaça. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Chiak – Interesting Black Sesame Butter and Custard Toast by Cedele! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

There is a certain dread long associated with snakes, especially the bright, poisonous ones. Yet, two young designer cum entrepreneurs, Victor and Dimas, have boldly re-portrayed the image of the feared reptile Black Mamba. BLACK MAMBA slithered into the heartlands of Toa Payoh earlier in January 2017, in an attempt to cater refreshing desserts for all with a sweet tooth. Diners can look forward to frosty black charcoal yogurt and delectable lava cakes. Revel in some old school games that you can find in a corner of BLACK MAMBA, which appear to be remnants of an archetypal millennial’s childhood.

BLACK MAMBA infuses their premium-frozen yogurt with charcoal to aid digestion and detoxification processes. Although the staff recommended the Signature Italian Black Charcoal Yogurt ($6.90) that comes with the highly raved pistachio sauce which is only available as an accompaniment to their signature, I opted otherwise as I wanted to choose my own toppings. After all, where’s the fun in eating yogurt if you can’t pick your favourite toppings, right?

We went for the Black Charcoal Yogurt in popular size ($5.90), which comes with 3 toppings of your choice. So, we added Nata De Coco, dried cranberries and popping mango balls. The charcoal yogurt wasn’t too sweet and had a surprisingly fruity taste given it’s metallic color. The dessert was smooth, with a strong consistent texture that is enhanced by fruity toppings. The mango popping balls had an interesting sensation to it. Sadly, the taste of the mango was overwhelmed by the flavor of the charcoal yogurt.

Like the Black Mamba snake, the elusive Lava cake seems to be always evading the crowd. It’s always out of stock! Lucky us, we managed to snag a set of the Lava Cake set ($7.90). The chocolate lava wasn’t too sweet, and had a velvety texture. The cake is topped with small cubes of watermelon and dragon fruit, and this made me wonder if BLACK MAMBA is going for a jungle-theme with the incorporation of tropical fruits.

BLACK MAMBA currently offers a 20% off your total bill from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

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

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

The post Black Mamba – Charcoal Yogurt that Could Save Your Life appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Opened about a month ago, Gonpachi Ramen at Kovan serves delicious bowls of ramen priced affordably below $8. The flavours are unique, and you will also find a variety of side dishes and rice bowls here. Just place your order at the counter before finding a seat, and the staff will bring your order to the table once it is ready.

The Smoked Duck Chashu Ramen ($7.80 nett) comes with 3 slices of smoked duck, bamboo shoots, and half a seasoned egg. The noodles are cooked just right and the broth is light and tasty. It wasn’t difficult to clear the entire bowl. The tender smoked duck, a twist to what we usually see and get, complements the ramen well.

Want to have the best of everything? Go for the Seven Wonder Ramen ($7.80 nett) which comprises 7 types of toppings – a juicy prawn, half a seasoned egg, bamboo shoots, minced meat, corn, black fungus, and a Thai green chilli seafood sauce. Give the bowl a thorough mix before jumping into it! While the fiery punch from the green chilli is distinct, you will also taste a tinge of sweetness from the presence of corn.

Look forward to sinking your teeth into fatty layers of meat when you order the Miso Kakuni Ramen ($7.80 nett), or go for the healthier Shoyu “Pai Ling” Mushroom Ramen ($7 nett).

For side dishes, we recommend the Green Tea Smoked Duck with Passionfruit Vinaigrette ($4 nett for 5 pieces). Although the meat is a little tough, we like the tangy flavour which really whets our appetite. You might want to consider the Fried Tofu with Togarashi Crumbs ($4 nett) too. The soft and silky tofu is enveloped in a crispy exterior, and each bite-size piece will keep you craving for more.

For the price that we paid, we feel that the standard of food served at Gonpachi Ramen is really quite good. Furthermore, it’s conveniently located within walking distance from Kovan MRT. We will definitely return for their smoked duck chashu ramen!

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 Gonpachi Ramen. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Gonpachi Ramen – Affordable, Heartwarming Ramen below $8 in the Heartland appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Affordable and quality cafe-style food at a food court might seem impossible, but The Pasta Boutique has proved us wrong. The Pasta Boutique is a newly-opened stall at New Century Food House in Bedok North. Don’t be fooled by their name as they serve up more than just homemade pasta.

Homemade pasta is a rare find, especially for small hawker stalls which may not have sufficient manpower and the luxury of time. Therefore, we know right from the start that The Pasta Boutique is a gem. Their handmade prawn ravioli is freshly made in-house by Chef Eddie who used to work at Marriott and Four Seasons.

Along with his ex-colleague, Mark, he set up this small hawker stall to cook what they love to eat for the heartlanders at reasonable prices. Diners can expect Seabass with Spicy Salsa Verde($12.80) and Mediterranean Style Stripling Steak($18.50).

One of the dishes we tried was their highly recommended Salted Egg Prawn Ravioli ($13.80). 4 large pieces of homemade prawn ravioli come coated in salted egg sauce, with sprinkles of chilli padi and curry leaves. The portion of ravioli doesn’t look like much, but it was surprisingly filling because of the thickness of the pasta.

There was a good prawn to pasta ratio, and I enjoyed the prawn paste very much. The salted egg yolk sauce was a tad too grainy but tasty nonetheless. You might get a little sick of the sauce towards the end because of its heaviness so I will recommend that you share this with at least a friend. For the amount of effort and time that went into making this, the price point is really reasonable.

The other main that we tried was the Chilli Crab Pasta ($10.50). It features pasta tossed with crabmeat and chilli crab sauce. You have a choice of spaghetti, linguine or fettuccine.

It is labelled as ‘spicy’, so it might not be suitable for children. However, I think it is quite manageable for most Singaporeans.

The highlight of this bowl was the amount of crab meat nestled between the pasta. Genuine crab meat is APLENTY, and it definitely felt like this dish was value for money. The pasta was too hard for my liking, and could have been cooked for a longer time to get that perfect al dente texture.

I expected the pasta to get dry towards the end, but that did not happen. I would suggest getting linguine instead of fettuccine as the sauce, which is more on the watery side, might pair better with a thinner pasta.

The Pasta Boutique offers a variety of sides too. Their Mashed Potatoes go for just $2! We tried the Sautéed Button Mushrooms ($4) where were fragrant and not too greasy. You can always add them into your pasta for some extra ingredients!

All in all, The Pasta Boutique carries an appealing range of pastas and mains. Longer waiting times are to be expected here as there is only one chef cooking. 

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 Coocaça. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post The Pasta Boutique – Awesome Homemade Chilli Crab Pasta for just $10.50! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

I am sure many of us remembered Royal J for its signature fried porridge. Started from a hawker stall in Macpherson, they have then opened their first zichar stall in Foch Road. Recently, they have opened a new air-conditioned restaurant in Bishan and Chef John have introduced a series of new dishes!

Signature Kampong Chicken ($18 for small) was the highlight of our lunch. Only available during weekends, the poached chicken was soft and tender. The fried garlic sprinkled on top makes a great condiment, I think I am going to make this for my dinner next time.

We wanted to try the Baked Claypot Rice with Unagi but unfortunately, it was not available on that day. So the waitress recommended us to try Special lemon fish with bee hoon ($26). Steamed whole, the kaffir lime and lime juice combination works as an appetizing tangy broth. While I like it that the vermicelli soaks up the flavours from the broth, I felt it was hard to decipher between the noodles and the fish bones.

The Yin and Yang Tofu ($12) was nothing out of ordinary. It comes with steamed egg and a flavourful sauce.

Not forgetting the signature Fried Porridge ($8 small) where the rice was literally “fry” with an abundance of savoury ingredients: yam cubes, pork lard fritters, dried cuttlefish, dried shrimps, chives and shredded crab. Using superior broth, Japanese pearl grains and his homemade brown sauce, this thick porridge is still as good, if not better.

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 Royal J’s Premium Taste. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Royal J’s Premium Taste – New Outlet in Bishan Serves Fried Porridge & Many New Exciting Dishes appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

As a true heartlander within Woodlands, I am often envious of my friends who live within central spaces surrounded by trendy cafes and popular food hangouts. If I asked any of them to come over to Woodlands, they’ll most likely go “Huh, so ulu where got place to eat?” or “let’s go Johor Bahru instead”. Finally, the day has come when there is a café here in the northern part of Singapore that I can be proud of.

Citrus By The Pool is a Halal-certified café restaurant nestled at Woodlands Swimming Complex, which is really just a 10-minute walk or short drive from Woodlands or Marsiling MRT station. We stepped in and was greeted by retro-themed interior with cozy lights hanging from exposed wooden beams. Citrus By The Pool prides itself in its range of affordable food offerings, including Western food, Asian Fusion Cuisine and desserts. As a bonus, the café does not have a service charge built into your bills which provides for an even more pocket friendly dining experience.

Come on and grab a bowl of the Homemade Pumpkin Soup ($5.50) which is best enjoyed especially after a swim at Woodlands Swimming Complex. The soup is blended into a creamy, smooth consistency that is slightly sweet. I’d personally prefer my pumpkin soup to have a bit more spice, but you can easily add a pinch of pepper for a more flavorful experience. The Chilli Chicken Fries ($6.50) comes with crispy fries topped with minced chicken chunks in hot chilli and jalapenos. The tangy and spicy chilli chicken dressing makes it a great starter!

For a hearty quasi-western experience, you can opt for their new Sweet Potato Fries ($7.50) that comes with a choice of 2 homemade dips. Enjoy the tray chock-full of crispy sweet potato fries together with the wasabi and salted egg yolk dips, both of which were my absolute favorites. The wasabi dip was surprisingly sweet yet subtle, which differs from the usual horseradish mixture that stimulates your nasal system with a sudden hotness. The salted egg yolk is equally flavorful yet light on our palettes. If you’re a fan of mayonnaise, do have a go at their curry mayo and spicy mayo dips that are both rich in texture and flavour.

What distinguishes Citrus By The Pool is its offering of Asian fusion delights, such as their new Nyonya Style Fish Rice ($9.90). For less than 10 bucks, you’ll get a plate of steamed rice served with a sunny side up egg, deep fried fish pieces topped with a spicy and sour Nyonya concoction as well as sweet, crunchy vegetables on the side. The homemade Nyonya sauce is lightly spicy and citrusy, which pairs excellently with the crispy chunks of fried fish.

Craving for a sweet and savoury combination? The Fried Chicken and Waffle ($10.90) is definitely your go-to dish. The maple syrup – butter duo enhanced the palatability of the waffles, which were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. For the best of both worlds, drench the maple syrup on the fried chicken which has a lightly crispy exterior yet moist on the inside. We love this the most!

The Seafood Risotto ($16.90) displays an impressive mixture of seafood, such as scallops, squid, mussels and prawns, lying on a bed of white grains. I really enjoyed their personal take on the saffron-based cream which was creamy and piquant. The prawns in particular was succulent yet firm to the bite.

An all-time classic, Citrus By The Pool features their signature Tom Yum Seafood Pasta ($12.90) which is essentially a linguine dish swimming in their Tom Yum broth along with fresh clams, squid and prawn. The broth is characterised by its distinct hot and sour flavours that will be well sought after by fans of the Thai-inspired dish.

When life is uncertain, eat dessert first. Revel in the signature Molten Chocolate Lava Cake ($10.90), which is a chocolate cake topped with icing sugar served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberry. Cut into the lava cake to unveil a thick, runny liquid chocolate center encased with a slightly crumbly cake that screams guilty pleasure. I really loved the warm chocolate lava for its rich texture and subtle sweetness.

For events or celebrations, customers can now book the indoor or alfresco area with a view of the swimming pools. Takeaways, bentos and event catering are available as well. There is another sister joint, Citrus Bistro, which is now operating at Sengkang Sports Centre since December 2016. In addition to selling their signature dishes such as the Tom Yum Seafood Pasta, Citrus Bistro primarily focuses on light bites and comfort food such as Curry Chicken with Rice or Bread. With such value-for-money food treats, I hope you’ll come prepped with your sports gear and empty tummies. Citrus By The Pool gets really busy on weekend nights, so just remember to call and make a reservation for dine-ins!

This post was brought to you by CITRUS BY THE POOL.

The post Citrus By The Pool – Dive into Cafe Delights Hidden In The North appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

I won’t lie, it was pretty tough finding good food within walking distance from Simei MRT(apart from the typical fast food outlets). Even my friends who stay at Simei were sceptical that I could do a write-up on good food in Simei. Let us know if we have missed out on any hidden gems.

J-Story

This casual Korean restaurant with another branch at Capitol Plaza specializes in Porridge. However, they ran out of porridge when we were there on a Sunday night, despite it being only 7.30pm. Undeterred, we tried the Cheese Dak Galbi Hotplate Set ($10.80) which comes with peach tea.

Our sizzling hotplate arrived promptly, with lettuce, slices of chicken, rice cakes and of course, cheese. The cheese was quite evenly spread over the top of the ingredients and was nicely melted (perfect for the #cheesepull shot). The cheese complements the meat instead of overpowering it. Save those rice cakes because there are only 2-3 on one hotplate.

Sakura Halal Thai Chinese Restaurant

This halal-certified Thai restaurant is more like a Muslim-friendly tze char place. It serves up a huge variety of dishes, which ranges from the popular Oyster Omelette ($12/$16/$20) to Chilli Crab (from $29).

We tried the Golden Oats Chicken ($10/$15/$20) which comes with a generous portion of fragrant smelling oats. The chicken comes in popcorn-sized chunks. They look tiny, but they weren’t coated with too much batter nor were they fatty. The curry leaves provide a subtle curry fragrance, but the amount of chilli padi was lacking. Could have been more spicy, in my opinion! 

三宝板面 (San Bao Ban Mian)

This stall in Hola Cafeteria, just beside Simei MRT, is rather popular. We tried their Dry You Mian ($3.80) which comes with a fragrant sauce with fried onions. While the noodles were too starchy and got dry quickly, I thought that the chilli was satisfying enough to make up for it. It would have been better if the egg wasn’t overcooked, to allow the creamy yolk to mix with the noodles. The fried anchovies stayed crispy despite having been tossed around in the noodles, and were extra savoury after soaking up the sauce at the bottom of the bowl. 

Snack Shop Chicken Rice

Come here if you’re on a tight budget, because their chicken rice is so affordable! At just $2.50, you get a decent portion of chicken on top of fragrant, savoury rice. Sure, there isn’t any free-flow cucumbers or achar here, but the yummy rice which can be eaten on its own sure makes up for it. While the ingredients are simple, this makes for a fuss-free meal that can be eaten in less than 15mins. If you’re craving for a more hearty meal to fill your tummy, you can add on extra dishes(they seem to be a cai png store as well). Also, get some of their chilli – its addictive!

Jiaxiang Pancake

This place has one of the most impressive min jiang kueh menus I’ve seen. They have Black Sesame ($1.40) and Corn ($1.10) for those with a sweet tooth and even Cai Po + Egg + Spring Onion + Carrot ($1.80) if you want a heavier snack or a quick meal replacement. We tried the classic Peanut ($1.10) because I wanted a clear taste of the chinese pancake without all the frills! The lady manning the store is extremely generous with the portion of peanuts. Do get a plate because its going to get really messy. I liked that the batter of the pancake was done just right, and it was made to order, making it crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The peanuts weren’t too sweet as well. If you’re eating this on the go, consider getting the Peanut Paste ($1.10) as it is a less messy option.

Cantonese Porridge @ Hola Cafeteria

You might spot a long queue at this store which sells Cantonese-style porridge. We tried the Sliced Fish Porridge ($4) which comes with a whole stick of youtiao (dough fritters)! The fish was well cooked and did not have a fishy smell and went well with the generous ginger slices that came on top of our bowl. The porridge could be smoother and creamier. Although it isn’t of the highest quality, it is still a bowl of comfort food that is almost perfect for a cold day. Add an egg($0.50) for extra happiness!

Metta Cafe

Established in 2014 by Metta Welfare Association, Metta Cafe aims to provide vocational training for students with mild intellectual disabilities and/or autism who have graduated from Metta School. The menu changes every four weeks and they have daily specials. With vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, dietary restrictions are well taken care off here. We tried their best-seller – the Olive Fried Rice ($4). It comes with carrots, peas, corn and mock meat. We thought that it was rather tasty, but lacked wok-hei and was too oily for us. They offer whole cakes and other bakes such as homemade eggless cookies as well! The public may access Metta Cafe via the main gate or the side gate near the bus stop.

The next time I’m around Simei, I’ll be sure to grab a min jiang kueh to munch on from Jiaxiang Pancake. The impressive range of toppings certainly sets them apart from the quintessential pancake store. Other than that, Sakura Halal Thai-Chinese restaurant is a good place to bring your Muslim friends for a hearty meal!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal 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 Great Places to Visit The Next Time You’re at Simei appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.