Rasa Istimewa Waterfront offers an affordable and memorable seaside dining experience. Rarely do we get restaurants that are located this close to the sea. The restaurant is located near a jetty situated along the Straits of Johor. The distance, and travelling time, might deter potential diners from visiting, but I promise that the view is worth travelling for. 

Rasa Istimewa is popular with families and large groups. The spacious restaurant dishes out Halal Chinese cuisine which is obviously very well loved, judging by how packed the restaurant was. While the eatery serves an array of a la carte options, set menus are also available for those who are too dazzled by the abundance of options. We opted for the set menu 2 ($88++), which was sufficient for 4 persons.

Awaken your palate with a serving of Salted Vegetable Seafood & Tofu Soup. The tangy soup will whet your appetite. There’s a good amount of squid, shrimp, mushrooms and carrots amongst other ingredients. The soup is decent, but not stellar.

The Rasa Istimewa Curry Fish Head certainly stole the limelight. The delicate flesh of the snapper head boasted a mild sweetness that we enjoyed. The milky and thick curry carried a fiery kick, but the richness of the santan kept it from being overwhelmingly spicy. A warming trivet keeps the delightful curry warm as you enjoy your meal. The fish head is accompanied by an assortment of vegetables and tau pok.

I always order a hotplate (Seafood with Fried Tofu & Egg) when I visit a tze char place. Since we don’t particularly fancy peas and baby corns, we left most of the greens untouched. The smooth fried tofu was well received though. There were also a few pieces of squid and peeled shrimps included in the mix. Unfortunately, the entire dish was bland and didn’t leave much of an impression. 

Who doesn’t love their seafood topped with crispy cereal? While the fragrant cereal bits were a pleasant addition, the fairly large prawns failed to impress. They weren’t as succulent as I had hoped. Make sure every prawn is coated with a healthy helping of cereal flakes before you bite into it!

If every vegetable dish was as unique as the Dual Flavour Baby Kailan, I might become a vegetarian. The kai lan here is done in two ways — stir-fried kai lan which is armed with a subtle fragrance of garlic lies below delicate and crisp deep-fried kai lan. If this is your first time having deep-fried kai lan, you’ll be amazed at its texture. It could very well be an addictive snack! 

While the food was not outstanding, the view made up for it. I’ll definitely return to give their a la carte menu a try! 

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 Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

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The cooking of claypot rice is a slow process that requires a lot of patience, especially when the rice grains are cooked from scratch. I learnt about Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice (源源砂煲饭) when I was working on the Google Pixel campaign. The waiting time here can stretch up to 30 minutes during peak hours. This place is always packed! 

The first thing that caught my eye was the charcoal stoves. Using old rice grains, each pot of rice is prepared upon order and cooked over a charcoal fire. What you get is a nicely-charred crust at the bottom of the pot, and every rice grain carries a lovely smokiness. Before the grains are fully cooked, a plate of marinated chicken pieces, lup cheong (Chinese sausages) and salted fish are placed on top of the rice.

The moment the lid was removed, a distinct smoky aroma wafted out. The commendable tenderness of the chicken pieces is the result of a 6-hour marination. We could also taste the pleasant notes of hua diao wine. A huge amount of skill and precision is necessary for perfect heat control. Herbal soups are available, as well. 

Uncle Seah is already in his 70s, but he is not retiring yet. It’s great that his son and daughter-in-law help out at the stall at night. While it’s really tiring and tough, I really hope that they don’t give up their craft! The wait for their famous claypot rice was long, but the delicious rice was definitely worth the wait. Such a satisfying dinner, I will be back!

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

The post Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice – Great Claypot Rice Cooked Using Charcoal appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

This unnamed family business has made great strides since its humble beginnings. It started out as a food delivery business, and eventually expanded to a physical stall at 13 Crane Road. Diners can place an order via the usual food delivery services, or directly with the stall. The boss actually delivers island-wide personally. Now, isn’t that laudable? “What’s their signature dish,” you may ask. Well, sources pointed us to one thing — Salted Egg & Buttermilk Chicken Rice. Apparently, this dish is very popular with legions of national servicemen. According to Gary, and his mother, orders from SAF camps and bases make up the bulk of their business.

Since we were the only walk-in customers then, we were served pretty quickly. Online reviews seem to disagree, with many customers expressing their disappointment at their service standards. “We are very new at managing a walk-in business. We handle delivery orders well as we are experienced in that. If there’s an influx of walk-in orders, we will have difficulty,” shared Gary. There is only one item on their menu, and that’s the Salted Egg & Buttermilk Chicken Rice ($8). The boss uses only premium ingredients in his dish. It’s true, we witnessed it. That explains the price tag, which some might find a tad hefty. 

Bite-sized chicken pieces are first fried, before they are coated with a rich and creamy salted egg & buttermilk sauce. “We don’t add water into our sauce. This way, you get to savour the fullness of the cream,” commented the lady boss. The full-bodied sauce is concocted with a dollop of chilli padi to give it a fiery kick. The salted egg yolk sauce here sets the bar really high, and it will serve as my benchmark in the future. I am absolutely in love with the thick and milky consistency of the sauce. Eating the chicken chunks on their own might make you feel that the sauce is too jelak, so don’t forget to pair every spoonful of chicken with some rice to cut through the richness of the sauce. As much as I love the dish, I wished that the chicken pieces were bigger.

Our journey to 13 Crane Road has been rewarding, albeit exhausting. I’ll probably place an order online the next time! If you have a huge order in the middle of the night, the boss may consider delivering it to you. How nice! 

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 Jia Yuen Eating House. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

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A little stall with an interesting name sits in the Hungry Bee Coffeeshop, a collaboration between The Fishball Story and Chargrill Bar. Mimi Chicken, a 2-month-old stall, is run by the amiable Jeffrey. Jeffrey emanated sincerity and friendliness, traits which we continue to observe throughout our entire meal.

Mimi Chicken sells a range of hearty dishes such as Hotpot and Woodear Rice Wine Chicken. Jeffrey first tried hotpot chicken when he was in China. It was a dish that his ex-wife loved. Unfortunately, his ex-wife contracted a terminal illness and eventually passed on. Jeffrey decided to set up Mimi Chicken as a tribute to her, for she loved Chinese cuisine immensely.

Open from 330pm to 2am daily, Mimi Chicken is a perfect late-night supper spot. You might think that the opening hours are odd, but this arrangement allows Jeffrey to work through the night, when he can capture the most crowd. As Jeffrey is currently running a one-man show, he has to maximise his working hours to the best of his ability. 

We tried the Chicken Hot Pot (small/$16.90) with a normal spice level. A myriad of ingredients were present in the pot, and the generous portion ensured that there was more than enough chicken and vegetables to go around. Nonetheless, a pinch more salt and flavour would have made the dish taste even better. Drizzle the gravy over the rice ($1), relax, and enjoy the food! The chicken hotpot is available in 5 sizes — small, medium, large, large plus, and 1 pax portion ($8.90).

Next, we tried the Woodear Rice Wine Chicken (small/$13.90). According to Jeffrey, this is a great dish for people who have just given birth, due to its nourishing and healing properties. There’s no msg and salt added at all. The intense flavour is derived from the addition of spices. Jeffrey quickly shared that men can eat this dish, too! The taste of Chinese wine was evident in this dish, and it left a pleasant and warm sensation that rolled down my throat, and warmed my belly. Considering that Jeffrey had zero experience in the F&B industry, apart from a 3-month food preparation course, he whips up pretty yummy fare. Contrary to my expectations, this dish was not too heavy. I enjoyed the soup very much. The rice wine chicken is available in 3 sizes.

The Paper Wrapped Fish, the star of the show, then arrived at our table. Jeffrey’s version of paper wrapped fish is an interesting reinterpretation of the common paper wrapped chicken. 3 types of fish are available — seabass, grey mullet and red snapper. We got the red snapper, which at $32.90, was the most expensive fish. Different cooking styles, such as Hong Kong style, are available. We opted for the Chengdu-style paper wrapped red snapper. The red snapper is doused in a copious amount of garlic and chilli, so you can expect a really spicy kick (the level of spice can be customised) that is oh-so-shiok! The fish was extremely fresh and tender, with huge chunks of meat sliding away from the bones with just a gentle pinch of the chopsticks. The paper wrapped fish is definitely meant for sharing, and can feed 2-3 pax.

Jeffrey explained he has tweaked most of his dishes to cater to the Singapore palate. Tweaks include the generous use of garlic. Although business at Mimi Chicken isn’t very brisk as they have only been open for 2 months, most of Jeffrey’s customers are repeat customers. Jeffrey spoke of his future aspirations to grow the humble business, and is even planning to introduce a rather interesting dish — Durian Chicken Hotpot. While this sounds rather weird to me, I guess the novelty of the dish might draw the crowd. 

Note: dishes come in small(2-3pax), medium(3-5 pax), large(5-7pax) and extra large(8-9 pax) sizes. 

Mimi Chicken serves delicious food that’s not just comforting, but heartwarming too. Jeffrey is a very earnest and sincere stall owner, and I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that his food will receive the support it deserves.

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Singapore is incredibly fast-paced. However, if there is one part of Singapore that takes things a little more slowly, it is the north side of Singapore. From the relatively slower MRT red line, to the quiet neighbourhoods of Sembawang/Woodlands/Marsiling, things in the North seem to be much quieter and more relaxed.

One fine day, we spotted a humble little cafe with great reviews on its Facebook page. 13 Miles, a quaint little eatery located in Sembawang, had Facebook users giving them an overall rating of 5 stars. As such, I made my way to the tranquil neighbourhood of Sembawang to check this place out…

According to 13 Miles’ owner, they used to have a restaurant at Bottle Tree Park, but eventually decided to shift to Sembawang as rental had gotten a little too high. 13 Miles, which has set up a space offering good food at affordable prices, is currently applying for Halal certification.

Well, they certainly have achieved their goal — the plating here reminded me a little of a fine-dining experience, but the food options are very affordable. Nevertheless, everyone knows that the true test lies in the taste of the food, so I was pretty excited to dig in.

We ordered the Herb Crusted Salmon ($15.90), and were genuinely surprised by the generous portion. The thick slab of salmon was smeared with a herb spread, which tasted predominantly of basil. The veggies on the side were well-seasoned. On top of that, the accompanying mash potato was really smooth too! While the salmon had a good bite and was not tough, I would have loved it more if it was a little softer. However, I was not a fan of the sauce on the side which, in my opinion, tasted like a watered down version of a hollandaise and mayonnaise mix. Nonetheless, the herb-crusted salmon was a pretty stellar effort, and the munificent portion certainly left an impression. 

We also tried the Miso Butter Chicken Roulette ($10.90), and one could say that this is 13 Miles’ very own twist on chicken roulade. The miso butter chicken roulade is essentially a chicken roll stuffed with miso butter and Japanese rice, then roasted. The roasted chicken had a crispy skin, and a sweet and slightly savoury tang. It actually tasted a little like chicken bak kwa (with a completely different texture, of course). The rice within was coated with a creamy sauce and had a consistency similar to that of glutinous rice, which was a little too soggy for my liking. However, this might just be what they were gunning for. I’m not completely sure what the sauce on the side was, but I did not fancy it, and thought that the dish tasted perfectly fine on its own.

I rarely order drinks, but decided to order a Thai Iced Milk Tea ($3) to combat the seriously hot weather that afternoon. I’m glad I did, as the Thai tea tasted really legitimate and was very very good! A refreshing relief for my parched throat, and a must-order if you visit 13 Miles.

In conclusion, I believe 13 Miles is a gem in Sembawang, and they certainly deserve their 5-star rating. I was pleasantly surprised by their ability to execute both the items we ordered so well, especially since they have such an extensive menu. Other interesting items on the menu include the popular Chicken Cordon Bleu ($10.90), and Taiwanese Fried Chicken ($9). If you are in Sembawang, you really should visit 13 Miles which serves yummy food that does not break the bank at all.

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

The post 13 Miles – Delicious, Elevated, Yet Affordable, Western food appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

myVillage sits in the heart of Serangoon Gardens, one of Singapore’s most popular foodie haunts. Being part of this neighbourhood means that it has inherited a good part of that foodie heritage, translating into assurance that that every dining experience at myVillage will be nothing short of satisfying. Expect excellent quality, affordable prices, and unbeatable value. Are you ready to find out more about the F&B establishments here?

Hajime

Hajime is renowned for both their tantalising tonkatsu and ebi fry, which are sure to make your mouths water. We tried Hajime’s Ebi and Pork fillet ($19.50) — the best of both worlds. As quality is key at Hajime, the soup and sauces are made from scratch (with the former being boiled for 13 hours). The pork is imported specially from Kagoshima, and the rice used is sourced from Niigata. Even the panko crumbs are of the best quality, and cost as much on a per kg basis as the pork that they are used on!

Hajime is helmed by Chef Tan-San, who has more than 26 years of experience in making tonkatsu. Did you know that Chef Tan-san was the first ever Singaporean chef sent to Tokyo to learn how to make tonkatsu? After years of working in various kitchens, Chef Tan-san finally realised his dream of opening his very own shop — Hajime.

iSTEAKS Diner

iSTEAKS Diner is known for serving affordable, yet high-quality, cuts of meat, along with equally delicious sides such as mac and cheese and fried onion rings. We tried iSTEAKS’s NZ Grass-Fed Ribeye Steak House Cut (450g), which, at $36, is remarkably reasonable. The massive slab of steak is cooked to medium-rare perfection, and is more than enough for 2 pax. Brimming with flavour and beef juices, this steak house cut is tender and delicious. Other popular options include the Australian 100-day grain-fed beef. It is quite rare to find steak house cuts in eateries other than actual steakhouses, so iSTEAKS is a seriously affordable and convenient option for those looking for great steaks. Note: be here early for dinner, for the queue stretches on and on, and you probably have to queue for a really long time.

SIMPLEBurger

SIMPLEBurger’s Natural beef burger ($11) looks and tastes like a dream. The Natural Burger is so named as it has no seasoning. There’s only pure, natural beefy flavours and goodness. The juicy patty is made from beef(a mix of ribeye, sirloin and wagyu fats) from New Zealand. Options that comprise beef, pork or chicken patties are available too. SIMPLEBurger lets you choose the kind of onion you want on your burger — fried or sauteed. Simply let them know which you prefer! Additional ingredients such as bacon, and egg, can also be added to your burger for just $1. We also tried their Banana Milkshake ($4) which tasted like a smoothie version of banana split… Not too sweet, and so yummy!

Staple Food

25-year-old Yi Ting’s first venture was in selling bicycle parts, but always dreamt of opening a cafe. In a bid to make that dream come true, she finally opened Staple Food 3 months ago. Paying homage to her first entrepreneurial endeavour, Staple Food has a bicycle theme! Staple Food currently has an Asian-fusion menu, and plans to further expand their menu are in the works. We tried the Salted Egg Yolk Soft Shell Crab Pasta ($16), which leaned more towards the savoury side. I especially loved the soft shell crab, which was crispy, tender and meaty. Its was also not oily at all. We also tried their Blissful Berries drink ($6), which left a lovely fruitiness that lingered.

Bottega

Bottega is an Italian restaurant that’s popular with the European crowd. Its delightful array of pizzas, pastas, charcuterie and cheeses have won many hearts. The ingredients used here are imported from Italy, to ensure that the classic Italian taste is captured in Bottega’s dishes. The space is homey and comfortable, and you can choose to dine indoors or al fresco. Open less than half a year ago, Bottega has become the de facto place for people to go when they are seeking a good pizza and a bottle of wine. On top of that, Bottega also carries Italian products that you can bring home.

Maison Kayser

Opened by the highly-revered French baker, Eric Kayser, Maison Kayser rolls out freshly-baked bread daily. The Tartine Avocat ($18), which is made up of fresh avocado slices, 2 poached eggs, chicken, smoked salmon, guacamole spread, and a slice of sourdough bread, is a huge, wholesome and delicious dish. Maison Kayser does The French Apero on the last Friday of every month, from 7pm-10pm. A Set Apero costs $30 nett, and entitles you to a glass of wine, a platter of French cheese and charcuterie, and all-you-can-eat bread. Register early at the counter for an early-bird price ($25 nett).

Little Wimbly Lu

Little Wimbly Lu at myVillage is located in a much more accessible area than the original Wimbly Lu outlet. Having been around for 4 years, they have actually started to branch into cake making, with cake options such as the Blackout cake ($6.80) stealing the limelight. Like its name suggests, the blackout cake is moist, chocolatey and super rich. You probably WILL black out if you polish off the cake on your own, so I recommend that you share this little treat with a friend. We also tried Little Wimbly Lu’s waffle with two scoop of ice cream ($10.50). The soft and fluffy waffles were great, and even better with the lovely pistachio and speculoos ice-cream. This cosy little hideout is definitely a great place to relax, or catch up with a few friends.

Cleanse Bar

For those looking to embark on a juice cleanse, Cleanse Bar is the place to get your juices. Made with wholesome ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, these cold-pressed juices are what you need for a successful detox. Some of the more interesting drinks include Berrychio (strawberry, coconut, psyllium husks, apple, alkaline water), Coco+Cash (activated cashews, alkaline water, coconut, cinnamon, agave, Himalayan pink Salt) and Pepplemint (pineapple, apple, mint). While you can definitely buy a bottle off the shelf, Cleanse Bar is famous for their juice sets. Choose between the Basic Cleanse or Reboot Cleanse for a better, healthier you.

myVillage at Serangoon Gardens is truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by more. Those who know it love it, and those who don’t, will come to love it when they discover the numerous options available here.

This post was brought to you by myVillage at Serangoon Gardens.

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A bowl of instant noodle soup with a poached egg is really satisfying. When I was a kid, instant noodles was a ‘luxury’. My parents never allowed me to have too much of them, because of the amount of msg found in the packet of seasoning. When I did have it, it’s usually as a ‘reward’.

Even today, I still crave for instant noodles occasionally, but I always wished that it was “healthier”. I usually sate my cravings at Hai Xian Zhu Zhou, which has two outlets — one in Bukit Panjang, and the other in Yishun.

One might think that the place sells mainly porridge. They do, but that isn’t what is usually ordered. Instead, many opt for the instant noodles. The stall uses the ‘Koka’ brand instant noodles, hence the name Koka noodles, or ‘ke kou mian’.

The ordering process at Hai Xian Zhu Zhou is simple. Choose your preferred soup broth(seafood, pork, tom yum or spicy) and pick your choice of noodles. If you’re not a big fan of instant noodles, you can also opt for ee mee, sheng mian, bee hoon and even mee sua. You’ll then get a queue number, so wait patiently for your number to be flashed on the screen, before you make your way to the stall to collect your noodles.

We tried the Pork Koka Noodles ($3.50) and Tom Yum Koka Noodles ($3.70). We added an egg($0.50) into each bowl.

The pork broth isn’t as salty as what you’d get from a soup that’s made with the regular seasoning packet that comes in every pack of instant noodles. The soup packs a good amount of flavour and grew on me gradually. A bite of noodles, some minced meat, bits of egg, and a spoonful of broth — doesn’t that just sound so satisfying?

Similar to the pork broth, the tom yum broth isn’t too salty as well. The soup does pack a bit of heat, but isn’t as strong as what you’ll get from authentic tom yum soup. It isn’t as sour either.

Both bowls of noodles came with a generous serving of sliced pork, minced meat, vegetables, as well as pork liver. I thoroughly enjoyed the pork liver, which wasn’t sandy and overcooked, but chewy and tender.

Although cooking instant noodles at home is a cheaper alternative, you wouldn’t be able to get the delicate homecooked broth that you can get here.  

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

The post Hai Xian Zhu Zhou – Simple but Tasty Ke Kou Mian in Yishun! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

We know that the bubble tea craze in Singapore will never really come to an end. What was first assumed as a passing phase, is now a permanent fixture in our food and beverage scene!

If you’re looking for new-fangled flavours as opposed to the usual milk tea, Bunny Tea has it all! The bubble tea store is located at Duo Galleria, and is quite different from other bubble tea stores.

Bunny Tea is an actual store — there are seats available (even though limited), so you can rest, relax and enjoy your bubble tea. Other than bubble tea, the store sells light snacks as well! Apart from sandwiches, muffins and croissants, the store also does their own tortillas wraps that are great for a grab-and-go meal.

If you’re wondering why the shop is named Bunny Tea, there isn’t any reason to it! The owners just thought of a name and decided to stick with Bunny Tea. 

We tried the Chicken Tortilla with Pesto Sauce ($6.50), which we felt was quite a disappointment. There was very little filling inside the flatbread, and everything just didn’t come together harmoniously.

Bunny Tea isn’t missing out on the current craze — cheese tea. Under their Cream Cheese Top Series, patrons can choose from options such as Tea King (medium: $3.80 /large: $4.80), an oolong red tea blend, and Peach! (large: $5.80), a refreshing and fruity peach tea with peach ice blend.

We decided to go for the Rosy Rose (medium: $4.80/ large: $5.80) which is one of the recommended items. This refreshing drink is made from rose oolong tea, with actual rose petals in the drink. Every sip gives off a delicate floral scent. The tea is sharp and fragrant, and what I liked the most about it was that the natural aroma of the tea wasn’t masked by sweetness. Floating on top of this flowery tea is a layer of creamy cheese. I was never a fan of the cheese topped bubble teas, and am still not a fan after trying Bunny Tea’s version. The creaminess of the cheese didn’t go well with the light flavours of the tea, and I prefer my tea as it is.

Another unique tea flavour would be the Nuomi Hong (medium: $2.80 / large: $3.80), which is essentially a sweet glutinous red tea. The tea had a subtle rice fragrance, and the robustness of the red tea shines through. The addition of Strawberry Boba ($0.50) is great. The spheres of strawberry liquid promise a sweet and fruity explosion which blends well with the sweet red tea.

If tea isn’t up your alley, the Avocado Milkshake ($4.80) might appeal to you. The green drink is rich and creamy. I could taste the avocado, and I really liked how the drink was a little “oily”. Although it’s flavoured with gula melaka, the drink wasn’t overly sweet or cloying.

Although the drinks are interesting, I don’t think I would make a special trip here for them. However, if I’m nearby, I might come in for a quick drink to escape the heat.

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

The post Bunny Tea – Thirst-Quenching Tea in Unique Flavours! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Hat Yai, a city in Thailand’s far south, is known for its Buddha statues, markets, parks and observatories. The city is also home to a slew of shopping, entertainment and dining options.

I was planning for a weekend getaway with my friends and we wanted to look for a destination in Thailand that is less crowded than Bangkok, but still has good food to offer. Hat Yai came to our mind immediately. We quickly booked our tickets and jetted away to the border of Thailand!

Travel info

Of course I am not going to tell you to drive 12 hours from Singapore all the way to Hat Yai. Good news, Jetstar flies from Singapore to Hat Yai four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Each flight takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the route will be operated by the 180-seat A320.

潮州正莊鱼鳔汤


After checking into our hotel, we headed straight for supper near Santisuk market. The fish maw soup here is rich and thick, yet not overpowering. Coupled with some bamboo shoots, pig’s blood and quail eggs, this is simply perfect. Add some vinegar for an extra oomph. Each bowl of fish maw soup costs THB 150.

Chokdee Dim Sum

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Chok Dee Dim Sum. Chok Dee is very popular among the tourists. You can often see a long queue, and you need to take a number first before you can get a seat. Once they call out your number, they will give you two slips of paper with your number on them, and point you to your table. When we got there at around 10am, most of the dim sum was already sold out.

The dim sum here is very cheap — each basket starts from THB 20. They will steam the dim sum upon order. In addition, Chokdee also serves pork ribs soup (bak kut teh). Their version is similar to the herbal bak kut teh you can find in Malaysia. Our breakfast cost THB 260 (approx. SGD 11) in total.

Sujinda Seafood (สุจินดา ซีฟู๊ด)

We hired a private car to drive us to Songkhla, which is less than 30 minutes from Hat Yai. At the Laem Samila beach, there is a golden mermaid statue which was created in 1966. It’s a tribute to the epic Phra Aphai Mani, written by royal poet Sunthorn Phu. The poem is about a mermaid combing her hair beneath the starry sky when a passing fisherman scared her away, and she left her comb behind. Struck by her beauty, the fisherman waited for her to return, but she never did.

After taking photos with the mermaid, you can walk to Sujinda Seafood which serves a good variety of seafood. You can pick your own seafood and choose how you want them to be cooked. We really enjoyed our tom yam river prawns, which had distinct hot and sour flavours, and the fresh steamed fish.

Dham-má-daa

We were feeling very tired after a long day. Thankfully, I found this new café, Dham-má-daa, at Songkhla. Owned by a doctor, the café serves very good coffee. Besides the usual latte and cappuccino, they have a Straits 7 (THB 120) which consists of 7 unique components — coffee, condensed milk, brown sugar, warm milk, salt and pepper.

Kan Eng Restaurant (甘英餐室)

Kan Eng Restaurant is really popular, and it’s not hard to see why. The place was packed with both locals and tourists. The service was fast and efficient, but most importantly, the food was delicious and affordable. The deep fried sand fish is one of the signatures of Kan Eng. You need to have the courage to eat the whole fish, if not it will be difficult for you to pick out the tiny bones. The steamed crab cakes are similar to otah. Another must-try here is the braised pork trotters. It’s tender and fatty. Try to be there early to avoid having to queue.

Chen Loong (成龙面条, ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือเฉินหลง)

Chen Loong is another popular breakfast spot. Sorry to disappoint, but it is not an eatery opened by Hong Kong actor, Jackie Chan. Instead, it is owned by Mr Chen Long and his wife. They serve braised beef or pork boat noodle. They have 4 different types of noodles (displayed in a bowl), and 3 different variations — tomyam, soup or dry. The noodles are soaked in a silk rich broth, and served with tender beef slices and vegetables. We couldn’t resist the fried pork skin too! Such goodness for just THB 45 per bowl? I’m sold.

Nai Roo Restaurant

Nai Roo is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Hat Yai and it is also my favourite restaurant here. Located in an alley near Kim Yong Market, this restaurant is off the beaten track. The restaurant serves Thai-Chinese food, which is freshly cooked upon order. I liked the deep-fried pork neck and chilli fish, which were sweet and spicy. The tasty spring rolls are wrapped with either savoury white turnip or sweet yam paste. We arrived before the stall was opened but the friendly owners warmly welcomed us to take a seat while they prepare. Great hospitality!

Betong Chicken (อร่อยที่สุดในโลก)

Being Singaporeans, we were missing our chicken rice and I was so glad to find chicken rice in Hat Yai! Betong chicken is the best chicken for chicken rice here. The owner is really smart to name his shop after the breed of chicken! When you eat chicken rice in Thailand, you need to set your expectations right. The chicken rice is not as flavourful and oily as the ones we have back home. Betong’s rice still has a mild fragrance and the chicken is decent. The boss concocts his own sauce made of fermented bean sauce, green chilli and garlic to go with the chicken rice.

The Containers

The young and pretty cafe owner of The Containers used to study and work in Singapore before returning to Hat Yai two years ago to set up her own cafe. This industrial-chic café is such a great place to chill out at. There are some unique drinks, including the dark chocolate volcano frappe.

Jae Lek (เจ๊เล็ก ร้านอาหารไทย (สาย2)

While most tourists spend a large portion of their time around Central Department Store, Lee Garden Plaza, and Odeon Department Store, we will really suggest that you walk out of the touristy area, to find the hidden gems.

Jae Lek is one of them. Recommended by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Jae Lek is located in a quiet corner of town. The menu is written in Thai and English, so you don’t have to worry about not knowing how to place an order. We had the Hor Mog (stir-fried red curry with seafood served in coconut), stir-fried Chiangmai veg with oyster sauce, green curry with chicken, cha-om omelette, chendol and red ruby. It’s quite a nice place to enjoy a good meal, and relax with great company.

Pa Ae Fresh Milk (ร้านนมสดป้าแอ๊ะ)

What will make you sleep better? Milk! A reader recommended Pa Ae Fresh Milk as a supper spot. This is interesting as I have never visited a milk shop for supper. The menu isn’t extensive — just some drinks and steamed bread with kaya. However, the combination is good because the steamed bread, which comes with rich and creamy kaya, is so soft and pillowy. I paired it with a warm cup of milk, and was all ready for a good night’s sleep!

Thanatsri Hatyai

If you’re looking for the best beef ball noodles soup, you need to visit Thanatsri Hat Yai for breakfast. The eatery’s wall is covered with photographs of celebrities who have visited the restaurant, including the ex-PM of Thailand. To order, just select the noodles and the type of soup and toppings that you want. They also wrap their own popiah (spring roll) which is drizzled with a sweet chilli sauce.

Decha Fried Chicken Restaurant

Located near a canal, this Muslim restaurant has very good food at very reasonable prices. We tried the famous Fried Chicken that is served with sticky rice. When it’s hot, the skin of the chicken, which is fried to golden-brown perfection, is absolutely crispy and additive. Take a bigger bite and you’ll be rewarded with super juicy, and moist meat.

Pranee Thai Cuisine

You don’t have to queue for Michelin-starred crab omelette in Bangkok because you can also enjoy pretty good crab omelette in Hat Yai! Serving Southern Thai dishes in a contemporary setting, Pranee Thai Cuisine is a popular restaurant among locals and tourists. The crab omelette is thick and consists of generous lumps of crab meat. The dry jungle curry with chicken and eggplant is spicy but is amazing with rice!

Burapha Bird’s Nest (บูรพารังนก-หูฉลาม)

We ended our Hat Yai trip on a high note by indulging in bird’s nest from Burapha! Located just across the street from Lee Garden, the bird’s nest here is as cheap as THB 200! We went for the 2nd grade red bird’s nest(THB 500) which have thicker strands. The bird’s nest also boasts a stronger aroma when cooked.

Hat Yai is quite a foodie haven, isn’t it? If you’re thinking of a short escapade, you might want to consider this beautiful town. You can fly to Hat Yai on Jetstar, from just $42!

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Artbox is a space where love for the arts, food and creativity culminates. The vibrant pop-up arts market hails from Thailand, and made its way to Singapore’s shores for the first time in 2017. Understandably, it saw overwhelming success from throngs of Singaporeans during its first run last year (2017), and is now back in 2018 with a new and improved version.

The theme for Artbox Singapore 2018 this year is none other than… Oasis! Artbox 2018 aims to be an oasis for us all – a melting hotpot for the creative community to bond, and for Singaporeans to submerge themselves in a creative environment, where they grow in their knowledge of the arts and culture.

Artbox Singapore 2018 (Oasis) promises to be a fun-filled experience for all, with a plethora of interactive elements and activities, creative art installations, great music, retail stalls and a wide variety of delicious food! Suitable for all ages, you will be glad to know that Oasis 2018 will be happening at the entire Bayfront Event Space at Marina Bay (which is a whopping 140,000 square feet) – This means more space and less jostling with the crowd!

This year, expect a bigger and better Artbox Singapore. 300 vendors and partners last year? This year, there will be a whopping 400 regional and local creative makers and partners from all over Asia, especially from Thailand! As Oasis is anticipating a larger turnout this year as compared to last year, they have catered for more than 20 shipping containers (as compared to around 10 last year), 3 times more space (an increase in space from 50, 000 square feet in 2017 to 140,000 square feet this year), and of course, more booths for us to enjoy!

Get ready to delve into Singapore’s largest creative market this year. Here are 10 things to see and do at Oasis 2018:

1. Eat food from yummy local F&B Brands such as Cereal Citizen, befranksg and The Juicy Way

2. Browse the creations of Thai designers such as Porky Studio, Moonset and Nokkajib

3. Take pictures for the ‘gram at the foam pits (they are decked with pool floats and psychedelic colours!!)
4. Visit the media viewing deck constructed from Artbox’s iconic 20-foot shipping containers

5. Visit the exclusive Artbox Singapore merchandise shop

6. Walk under the 5km-long fairy lights with your loved ones (the official light up will take place on 25 May, 7pm)

7. Lots of photo oportuniies! eg. Take a photo under the massive entrance archway

8. Listen to musicians play their songs

9. Support local clothing brands

10. Relax under the stars with your loved ones

Note: As Artbox Singapore 2018 is situated a short 5-minute walk away from Bayfront MRT, visitors are also encouraged to lighten their environmental footprint and avoid long carpark queues, by utilizing public transport to reach the event space.

Artbox Singapore 2018 is organised by Invade Industry (@invade.co) in conjunction with Artbox Thailand (@artbox_th). Admission to Artbox Singapore is free, and DBS Singapore is proud to be the presenting sponsor for this year’s edition once again. Do remember to hashtag #ArtboxSingapore2018 #ArtboxSG2018 #ArtboxOasis #ArtboxSingapore #ArtboxSG when you capture your beautiful photos!

This post was brought to you by Artbox Singapore 2018.

The post 10 Fun Things to See and Do at the Amazing Artbox Singapore 2018 appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

If you’re reading this, then you’re probably a dog lover or owner. Since dog cafes are becoming more of a common sight these days, it’s starting to get difficult to decide which ones to visit whilst on a holiday in Bangkok. What sets True Love Café apart from the pack is its unique husky crowd. Essentially, True Love Café is, more specifically, a husky café.

Huskies are known for their beautiful fur and wolf-like appearance, making them one of the most handsome breeds of dogs easily. Their deep blue eyes(sometimes brown and blue) and striking facial masks add to their appeal. Despite their seemingly intimidating appearance, these dogs are affable and kid-friendly so feel free to bring your children in.

True Love café sees a snaking queue for their furkids. Note that you have to book your slot in advance. We went at 2pm but was only allowed entry into the café at around 5-ish which explains the less-than-satisfactory photos as the sun was already setting. For big groups or first timers, we strongly suggest that you go really early to book your slot to avoid disappointment. I must, however, admit that limiting the number of people does help to maintain the dog-to-human ratio so there’s always enough dogs to play with.

An hour of play time with the adorable huskies, a drink and a slice of cake cost 300THB (approx SGD$13). We got carried away playing with the dogs without enjoying our food. You might want to head there a little earlier than your assigned time slot so you can have some time for the food and drinks. 

When it was time to head into the open space to play with the huskies, we decidedly left our cakes and drinks behind. We only started eating our icecream cakes after play time was over, so they were barely edible. 

Although it is a given that not everyone will approve of dog cafes where playing and taking pictures with dogs are commercialised, I felt that most of the dogs were still genuinely happy and excited to meet strangers. 

To the far side of the café, there’s a small enclosure with a makeshift “photo booth”. You should be able to notice it when the queue starts to form. The staff will get you seated and a few huskies will happily saunter over and give you warm friendly cuddles while the staff/your friends snap a couple of nice quick pics. Here’s one of us with the huskies in action!

The feeling was really surreal! It was kinda like free hugs everywhere! Getting so much love from these gorgeous creatures was an experience that I’ll never forget.

After wandering around the play area for a bit, you should notice a Shih Tzu amongst the pack of huskies. Also known as the leader of the pack, Momo is often seen wandering around playing with the huskies. In spite of his friendly demeanour, Momo is actually pretty shy so we couldn’t get a nice photo of him.

More pictures!

For those with cameras, be sure to keep your eyes open for a good spot towards the end of the 1-hour playtime. Momo and his lively pack of huskies will be gathered at the far end of the café (near the makeshift photo booth, before they make a majestic dash for their “bedroom”! Everyone was gushing over how adorable Momo was. The ball of fluff was the slowest, even though he tried his very best to keep up with his comrades. Well, physical limitations. Remember to shoot in slow-mo (most phones and cameras are capable)!

At the end of the day, the only regret that we had was not coming earlier. As it was after sunset, the pictures didn’t turn out as nice as we’d hoped. True Love Café left us all with a warm fuzzy feeling. It was wonderful to see that all the dogs were truly people-loving, and it only made us happier to know that they’re happy and treated really well here. 

Indeed, this café is my one true love in Bangkok.

The post True Love Café – Find Your One True Love in BKK (Like We Did) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

I have a penchant for Thai food. Sawadee khrup! So, imagine my joy when I found this humble eatery which offers possibly one of the most authentic Thai dining experiences in Singapore. SAP Thai Food serves them up with a twist. Not only are the usual Thai staples served here, 

A unique must-have from SAP is the Thai Basil Mama Noodles ($5), which is highly raved about. Rarely do we see Thai basil chicken being served with instant noodles. Yes, the noodles used are MAMA noodles from Thailand. While the thought of noodles doused in MSG might put some off, SAP promises that there’s no MSG added. 

SAP Thai food has managed to elevate instant noodles. Despite being coated in a dark sauce,the noodles were not salty at all. In fact, the noodles boasted a mild flavour that complements the Thai basil chicken perfectly. That fire though! The sauce set our mouths and lips on fire but the lingering heat was also strangely addictive. 

I was pleasantly surprised at the execution of the Thai basil chicken. Some versions are either too salty, or too bland. SAP’s version was just right. The perfect amount of Thai aromatics had been used to season the firm minced chicken. As expected, every mouthful of the chicken was mouth-numbingly spicy. Kudos to SAP for whipping up such a tasty dish without the use of MSG.

The Ginger Chicken Tom Yum ($5), which is a quick and easy lunch option, is highly recommended. The broth might look thin and light but it is loaded with flavours. Tom yum lovers will be impressed by the robust and tangy tom yum broth. We were looking forward to see how SAP would incorporate ginger into the tom yum broth. Unfortunately, the taste of ginger was barely discernible. The soup came with a good amount of lean chicken slices and mushrooms.

The queue, especially during lunchtime, might be daunting. However, the food is definitely worth braving the queue for. The flawless Thai food at SAP certainly warrants repeat visits!

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 SAP Thai Food. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post SAP Thai Food – Delicious Thai Basil Chicken Noodles! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

It is summer all year round in Singapore. But if you wake up early, you will realise that mornings tend to be chillier than in the day. The streets are quiet, and a stroll through the uncharacteristically tranquil Chinatown at 7am does wonders for the mind and soul. I tracked down a stall at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, which apparently serves nice warm bowls of noodles for breakfast.

Breakfast at Woo Ji was amazing, but that’s not the best part. What really made my day was paying just $2 for each bowl of piping hot noodles. 

A long queue has formed by the time I reach Woo Ji Cooked Food at 7.50am in the morning. It is incredibly early, but that does not deter people from all walks of life from joining the queue. Woo Ji Cooked Food sells only 3 items — laksa, prawn noodles and fried wontons, all at a remarkable price of just $2! Laksa is available in two sizes($2/$3). Several people in front of me decided to take away their noodles in plastic containers, which cost 30 cents each.

As it was a peaceful morning, before the hustle and bustle set in, I opted to have my noodles at the Food Centre instead of taking it away. Prawn noodles at $2 is a real rarity, especially when prawns aren’t exactly cheap. The noodles are bathed in a delicate and slightly sweet, yet peppery, soup. It wasn’t too rich, making it perfect for breakfast. Along with the noodles came 3 thin slices of prawns, which were surprisingly meaty despite their willowy frames. While the slices of meat were slightly tough, they were thin enough and relatively easy to chew through.

In direct contrast to the mellow, gentle prawn noodles, the laksa ($2) was bold, hearty and fiery. The spiciness of the laksa shook me awake at once. Perhaps it was because I opted for more chilli, when the stall owner had asked. If you do not do well with spicy food, you might want to ask for “just a little bit of chilli”. Nonetheless, I like my laksa spicy and “shiok”, thus I have no complaints. Woo Ji Cooked Food is generous with the ingredients, and my $2 laksa bowl was chock full of taopok (my favourite, because it absorbs the broth like a sponge), fried wonton, green chilli yong tau foo and fried fishball. The fried wonton was flavourful, albeit a tad salty. The taopok, green pepper yong tau foo and fried fishball were all wonderful components of the dish, and the bits of dried shrimp in the gravy added extra flavour to the laksa. I cannot fathom how this delicious bowl costs only $2! I’ll definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to start his or her day with a bang.

Woo Ji Cooked Food at Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre is an absolutely marvellous find, and an extremely affordable one too! If you are in Chinatown when Woo Ji is open, you have to pay a visit. The food is a huge bang for your buck, and you can spend the money you have saved on souvenirs and other desserts along the Chinatown stretch! Having filled my belly with tasty and warm noodles, I was all pumped up and ready for work.

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

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When I think of chee cheong fun, I think of typical white rice rolls being drawn out of commercial metal steamers. Commercially produced or handmade, these slippery Cantonese rice rolls have received the plaudits of both street food eaters and food critics. One of the owners, Stephanie, shared with us the beginnings of the eatery. “My partner and I met a friend from Guangzhou who has been learning to prepare chee cheong fun since the age of three. We are very fond of Cantonese delicacies, and that’s why we brought it back to share with the rest of our fellow Singaporeans,” said the operations director.

Most of the dishes prepared here strictly adhere to the recipes that have been taken directly from the original store back in Guangzhou. The owners have decided to stick to tradition by using the same porcelain ware as the ones used in the original store in Guangzhou. I kid you not. Just Google any pictures of Yin Ji’s original eatery and you’ll see the exact same bowls and plates being used here.

The menu offers multiple varieties of chee cheong fun, congee, and noodles. After we placed our orders, our food arrived shortly.

Instead of being served in a roll, the Fresh Prawn Egg Roll ($7.50) comes in flat layers of broad, angular rice sheets. Eggs and cabbage slices are packed between the sheets. The lovely and silky chee cheong fun will glide down your throat. The soy sauce and sesame oil made the dish very toothsome. It’s a sizeable portion, so share it with a friend especially if you are ordering more than one chee cheong fun. However, we thought that they could have been more heavy-handed when it came to the seasoning for the prawns, and that they could have been slightly more generous with the number of prawns given.

The soft and silky rice sheets in the Tender Beef Roll ($7) did not differ much from the ones in the prawn roll. “The key to making smooth rice sheets lies in the delicate movements of the chef. All our chefs must undergo training in Guangzhou in order to handle the chee cheong fun delicately,” Stephanie revealed. 

We gave the Salted Pepper Chicken Chop Noodles ($6.50) a try too, after some convincing from the cashier. It did not disappoint. The al dente noodles remained springy throughout the meal and its neutral flavour balanced out the sweetness of the sauce excellently. Perched on the noodles are strips of fried chicken chop coated in homemade batter. The chicken was slightly dry. Perhaps it was in the fryer for a tad too long. Thankfully, the crispy meat was seasoned well. You can detect Yin Ji’s attempt to infuse local flavours into their dishes, evidenced by the surprising appearance of sambal chilli. 

Yin Ji has been on a winning streak thus far, but here is where things started going downhill. We were told that some of the congee, including their specialty Boat Congee ($6.50), were cooked for 2 hours. I expected a smooth congee that’s jam-packed with flavours. However, every mouthful was bland and was perfumed by an intense herby flavour. While there was a good variety of ingredients, including char siew, dough fritters, peanut, shrimps, sliced fish, fish maw and vegetables in the congee, the ingredients did not come together well. The congee was pretty watery, unlike the smooth, rich and silky kind I was expecting.

Yin Ji has managed to impressed chee cheong fun fanatics like myself. The chee cheong fun was definitely one of the, if not the best, Cantonese-style chee cheong fun I’ve tasted. 

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 Yin Ji Chang Fen 银记肠粉店. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post Yin Ji – Have We Finally Found The Best Chee Cheong Fun? appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Cuppage Plaza isn’t the trendiest mall along Orchard Road, but it is home to many eateries and drinking establishments.

Located on the first floor of Cuppage Plaza, Orchard Yong Tau Fu is a no-frills yong tau fu stall that gets quite busy during lunch hour. There are very few seats available, so get there early, or take your lunch away. 

The stall has a wide variety of ingredients such as the classic stuffed tofu, ladies’ fingers, bitter gourd slices, and some uncommon items which include stuffed tomatoes, pumpkin and even salted duck eggs and century eggs, up for grabs. Prices start at $4.90 for a bowl of 7 ingredients.

It may be difficult to identify what makes a good yong tau fu, but apart from the variety of ingredients available, the other deciding factor is the broth. The broth at Orchard Yong Tau Fu may look pale and light, but it is actually very rich and flavourful. The savoury and sweet broth is made with a combination of dried anchovies and soy beans.

Diners have the option of adding yellow noodles, bee hoon, kuay teow or a bowl of rice to their dry or soup yong tau fu. I opted for the dry version, and the dish came with a generous serving of chilli sauce, sweet sauce and sesame seeds. After a good toss, the harmonious mixture of chilli and sweet sauce coated every piece of yong tau fu evenly. 

Although Cuppage Plaza might be a bit of a walk from the heart of town, if you have time to spare, and are looking for a tasty and affordable meal, Orchard Yong Tau Fu is a great option. 

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

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Sher Casual Dining & Bar is a family-run restaurant that serves authentic North Indian cuisine. You can find naan, butter chicken and aloo ghobi here.

The owner of the restaurant, Mr Paul Welikande, shared with us how the name Sher came about. “Sher” translates to lion or tiger in Hindi, which is considered the king of the jungle. Hence, “Sher” may also mean king, which is what Mr Welikande envisions his restaurant to be.

A staple for north Indians is naan, an oven baked flat bread. Sher Casual Dining & Bar has a variety of naans, such as Butter Naan($3), Garlic Naan ($3) and Sesame Naan($3). We tried the Butter, and Cheese & Garlic Naan ($4), and we were satisfied with what arrived. The naans had beautiful brown blisters, and were chewy and springy. I felt that the Cheese & Garlic naan was more garlicky than cheesy, but still tasted decent.

The kebabs (large: $12, regular: $6) are made from a mixture of ground mutton, chicken, and spices. The regular portion comes with 4 cylinders of grilled ground meat. The kebabs were meaty, gamey and spicy, and had a strong taste of paprika and capsicum. I’m not the biggest fan of mutton, but the spices helped mask some of that gaminess, and made the grilled meat more palatable.

The star of the meal would have to be the Butter Chicken ($11). Not only was the bright orange butter chicken appealing to the eyes, it tasted exquisite too. The chunks of tender boneless chicken meat were well seasoned, but what made the dish so addictive was the sauce. The rich and velvety sauce was creamy, savoury and sweet, and had a subtle masala spice that wasn’t overpowering. The sauce made a perfect dip for the naans that we ordered.

For drinks, we had the Mango Lassi ($6) and the Masala Chai ($3). The diner does a good lassi which had a fragrant mango aroma that went hand in hand with the yoghurt’s tartness. The chai was very creamy and rich, but wasn’t as spiced as what I’m used.

Besides a range of north Indian dishes, the diner also has tipples on offer. This makes Sher a great space for after work gatherings, or chill-out sessions. You can have some bubbly with tandoori!

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

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Millenia Walk is a food haven. There is no lack of dining options here but there are some eateries that definitely command and deserve more attention than others. There’s a particular eatery at Millenia Walk that offers something that you can’t get at the usual cookie cutter malls – a hearty parade of unpretentious, freshly produced Korean soft tofu stew. Sounds amazing? You can dive into a piping hot tofu stew at SBCD Korean Tofu House, which opened its first restaurant in Tanjong Pagar Centre in January 2017.

Soft tofu stew is a staple comfort food for the Koreans, especially in the 1970’s. The preparation of this Soontofu dish is a rigorous process, which starts with the creation of the tofu. Premium matured white soybeans are first imported from Paju, South Korea, where the freshest produce is housed. The soybeans then undergo boiling, curdling and pressing for 18 whole hours. The final product? Blocks of soft tofu with a silky texture. While the tofu is usually eaten together with their signature Soft Tofu Stew, we were given the opportunity of a lifetime to visit the kitchen and sample the tofu on its own. The tofu has a mild nutty taste.

SBCD has decided to showcase and highlight this wobbly treat in a new menu, “Ciao Soontofu”, which is inspired by popular Italian flavours. Look forward to Korean and Italian fusion dishes which promise to dazzle. Pasta lovers who love Korean flavours will certainly enjoy the new creations.

The memorable Baked Bolognese Soontofu ($18.90++) is a crowd-pleaser. The al dente penne absorbed the robust and tangy flavours present in the beef-based tomato sauce really well. The pasta is covered with a delightful mix of mozzarella and parmesan. Remember to mix the dish well to mash the delicate soontofu.

Are you ready to sink your teeth into an indulgent bowl of Seafood Tomato Soontofu ($19.90++)? The tangy broth carries a nuanced sweetness that is derived from the fresh prawns, mussels and squid. The broth is especially appetite-whetting, and we recommend pairing it with a bowl of rice. The generous portion of seafood makes this bowl of goodness a huge bang for the buck.

The Italian experience would not be complete without a carbonara, so SBCD has whipped up a Carbonara Soontofu ($18.90++). The health-conscious will be instantly attracted to the carbonara base, which is actually made using soybean milk; a low-fat, low cholesterol alternative to the usual cow’s milk. Despite the milk substitute, the sauce remains creamy and luscious. Quality and taste is definitely not compromised. While the bacon and mushrooms lent a savoury edge to the dish, the star of the show was really the linguine. Every strand of linguine was coated with tofu pulp, resulting in a pleasantly grainy texture that we absolutely adored. The carbonara soontofu is indeed a guilt-free treat that can be enjoyed by everyone!

SBCD Korean Tofu House is also expanding its range of Korean dishes as well. One of the new stars is the Jjampong Soontofu ($19.90++), a Korean-Chinese dish that features spicy pork, seafood and a seafood-based broth that’s flavoured with gochugaru (a type of Korean chili powder). The result is a bowl of hot, bubbling tofu stew with rich refined flavours that are accentuated by the spicy notes of the chilli. Giant scoops of custardy and creamy soontofu are added in, which helped to temper the soup’s spiciniess. The flavours are cleverly bound by the savoriness of the tender pork.

The heat goes on with the Cheesy Korean Spicy Spare Ribs ($28.90++), which is served sizzling hot. The spicy and juicy spare ribs which have been marinated in garlic, pepper and gochujang are fork tender. This dish is truly a treat for all your senses, especially when you get to dip and twirl the ribs in scrumptious mozzarella cheese-corn mix. The smokiness of the ribs complement the rich and milky flavours of the cheese. If it gets too spicy for you, take a break from it by diving into the side of deep-fried rice cakes which pairs excellently with the cheese-corn mix.

To commemorate the launch of SBCD’s new offerings, Singtel customers can enjoy a discount of $20 off their total bill when a minimum of $50 is spent in a single reservation, from 12 April. This exclusive offer is available ONLY at the Millenia Walk outlet during weekday lunchtime (Mondays to Fridays, 11.30am to 3pm) and is limited to the first 75 redemptions each day. See you there!

This post was brought to you by SBCD Korean Tofu House.

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 SBCD Korean Tofu House. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!

The post SBCD Korean Tofu House – New Menu With Italian-Inspired Soontofu! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

If you’ve been celebrating and keeping up with Deliveroo’s Festival of Feasts, great news! The party isn’t ending anytime soon.

After weeks of chomping through mouth-watering meats, satisfying carbohydrates and fresh seafood, it’s time for diners to take it slow and munch on some healthy creations before a sweet voyage through Dessert Week.

It’s time to get green and clean with Vegetable Week, which lasts from 9 April to 15 April 2018!

If you’re hearing about Festival of Feasts for the first time,  we have a treat for you. New customers can key in the code “FOFMISSTAMCHIAK18” during checkout to get $4 off their first three orders! Do note that the code must be utilised within 14 days from redemption, and redemption ends on 22 April 2018 (Psst. What are you waiting for! Hurry up and make use of this deal!).

Bella Pizza

If you love Italian food, you’ll definitely have heard of Bella Pizza. The pizzeria has been operating since 2007, and prides itself on offering the most authentic Italian pizzas in Singapore.

Going green this week, Bella Pizza is having a 1-for-1 promotion on their Pizza Ortolana ($21.40), which is a pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella and mixed vegetables. If that’s not to your liking, why not go for the Pizza Margherita Con Bufala ($24.61)? This popular choice features a tomato-based pizza topped with creamy and tasty buffalo mozzarella cheese.

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/clarke-quay/bella-pizza-pte-ltd#

Pimp My Salad

Pimp My Salad has a simple and straight-forward philosophy. “Eat healthy, eat hearty” — just four words, but it is a good motto to live (and eat) by. All the ingredients at Pimp My Salad are prepared fresh daily, so you know you’re getting fresh and nutritious ingredients in your salad.

Lettuce Feast (Let us feast) runs from 9 to 15 April! Pick any 2 salad combos from Pimp My Salad at only $28.90! Salad options include Lamborghini, a chopped salad with Mediterranean beetroot, black bean stew and slow roasted lamb shoulder, as well as the Incredible Bulk, which features Greek feta, shimeji and button mushrooms, smashed sweet potato, roast beef and a bed of greens. Delightful, hearty and healthy!

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/suntec-city/pimp-my-salad

Extra Virgin Pizza

Opened in 2011, Extra Virgin Pizza offers Singaporeans handmade Neapolitan style pizzas. Now, you can enjoy the pizzas in the comfort of your home with Deliveroo!

The pizzeria takes pride in using all-natural ingredients, with no added preservatives or additives. For this week, diners can score a 1-for-1 promo on some of their pizzas.

The Pistachio Pumpkin pizza ($24) sees a medley of baby arugula, pistachio pesto, pumpkins and pecorino cheese sitting atop a flavourful pizza crust, whilst their Mushroom Bianco pizza ($26) showcases roasted mushrooms and onions, fontina and mozzarella cheese in a scrumptious béchamel sauce, with a dash of truffle oil.

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/marina-bay/extra-virgin-pizza

Glasshouse by DHM (Ange Cafe)

If you can’t get enough of your favourite café dishes, why not get a delivery from Ange Café? The café is located in the heart of Orchard Road at Robinsons the Heeren. Why squeeze with the crowd when you can have café food in the comfort of your own home?

Ange Café is having a $18 bundle deal for the following items: Chicken Caesar Salad, Super Food Salad, Salade D’endives Aux Noix Et Bieu (Dressed endive salad with Roquefort cheese and walnuts) or the Ensalada De Queso De Cabra (Salad of baby spinach, fresh goat cheese, red onions, cheerry tomatoes and walnuts). Every purchase of a salad comes with a complimentary lemon tart!

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/orchard/sabio-lentrecote-andmade

Ricciotti Riverwalk

Search no further if you’re looking for authentic and delicious Italian fare. Ricciotti Riverwalk claims to be the best Italian restaurant in Singapore. 

For just $19.26, diners can get the Vegana antipasti, which is essentially a mesclun salad tossed in balsamic dressing, together with the Focaccia al Rosmarino, a hearty rosemary and garlic focaccia loaf, and one soft drink!

Dining with others? No problem. The restaurant also has a 1-for-1 promotion for their Trofie alla Genovese ($23.45), a vegan pasta, as well as the Bruschette Trio ($17.12). Ah, vegan Italian food at its finest!

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/boat-quay/ricciotti-riverwalk

Sabio by the Sea

Sabio by the Sea is renowned for its breath-taking view. The restaurant serves up great food, and is a lovely space for an intimate dinner with loved ones, or a gathering with your best friends. If you love Sabio by the Sea, you’ll be pleased to know that you can now dive into your favourite dishes at home too. 

The restaurant is partaking in Veggie Week, and has a slew of great promotions. Set at a fixed price of $18, every order from the ‘Salads’ section of the menu comes with crunchy fried Spanish Churros worth $12.84! Choose from the Ensalada Vegetariana (vegetarian salad), Chorizo Al Vino Ensalada (Salad of chorizo vino, soft egg and croutons), or the Ensalada de Espinacas (Salad of baby spinach, goat cheese, red onion, cherry tomatoes and walnuts).

Whether you’re looking for something that’s purely vegetarian, or with the addition of cheese or chorizo to spice things up, there’s definitely something for you at Sabio by the Sea.

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/ocean-drive/sabio-by-the-sea

Collin’s Grille

Founded by Chef Collin Ho, the brand Collin’s has been a fixture in Singapore since 2012!  Partnering with Deliveroo, Collin’s is able to reach out to every nook and cranny of Singapore, and diners are able to get great tasting dishes delivered to their doorstep!

Hungry for a tender slab of steak, or some cheesy chicken schnitzel? Yes, Veggie Week is all about putting healthy greens in the spotlight, but a balanced meal is the best meal! 

For Veggie Week, Collin’s Grille is having a 1-for-1 promotion on their Grilled Chicken Caesar ($6)! Now there’s no reason to not get your greens, since it comes with a generous slab of delicious meat!

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/tampines-avenue-9/collins-grille-bento-tampines

Sacha & Sons

Sacha & Sons was founded by a husband and wife team, and specialises in smoked pastrami, corned beef, roast beef and smoked fish. The team comes from New York, and has brought a taste of the big apple to our little red dot. 

Let us feast on Sacha’s Toast this Vegetable Week! Get a 30% discount off the toast which is usually priced at $17.33! The toast ($12) features mouth-watering chicken schmaltz, garden herbs, radish and gribenes, sitting atop a freshly grilled deli rye.

Order Here: https://deliveroo.com.sg/menu/singapore/orchard/sacha-and-sons

With Deliveroo, you’re able to get restaurant quality meals without stepping out of your home! Furthermore, enjoy massive savings and exclusive deals with Deliveroo’s Festival of Feasts! Vegetable Week is definitely a chance for all of us to eat a little cleaner and a little greener. And with Deliveroo, it has never been easier!

Lettuce Feast! And remember to use the code “FOFMISSTAMCHIAK18” during checkout to get $4 off their first three orders! Remember to use the code before 22 April 2018, and utilise it within 14 days from redemption to make the most of it. 

This post was brought to you by Deliveroo.

The post Deliveroo Festival of Feasts – Lettuce Feast (Let Us Feast)! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

When my friends ask me to have dinner with them at Golden Mile Tower, I always assume that we will be having Thai food. That area (Golden Mile Tower and Golden Mile Complex) is dubbed as the ‘Little Thailand of Singapore’, for obvious reasons. It’s filled with Thai eateries, shops, discos and even a Thai supermarket.

Never would I have expected to be dining at a Japanese restaurant.

Nestled within Golden Mile Tower is Mitsuba, a 2-month-old Japanese restaurant. The restaurant is opened by Mr Ivan Ng, who owns a few other businesses in Golden Mile Tower as well. On why he decided to start Mitsuba, he shared that he saw an opportunity here as there were very little Japanese restaurants in the vicinity.

He quipped that the sushi chef at Mitsuba has 30 years of experience in a few restaurants and hotels, before he joined Mitsuba. The restaurant serves typical Japanese fare such as sushi and sashimi, and they also have a 6-course Mitsuba Menu priced at $80.

Apart from that, the restaurant also serves up a variety of rice bowls, such as the Unagi ($12.90) and Buta Shogayaki ($7.80), which are all affordably priced.

We tried their Bara Chirashi Don ($16.90), which features a medley of fresh cubed sashimi on a bed of seasoned sushi rice. The bara chirashi don at Mitsuba constitutes the typical sashimi — salmon, tuna, tako and swordfish. I enjoyed the shredded yellow pickled radish and sakura denbu, which gave interesting colours to the don. The cubes of sashimi were fresh, but we felt that the sushi rice was a bit too sour for our liking.

Besides dons, the restaurant also has set menus, which are all very affordable. The Saba Shioyaki Set ($8.80) comes with rice, sushi and miso soup. The portion of the meaty saba fish was quite generous, but its flesh was a tad too tough.

Nevertheless, the inari sushi and tobiko California rolls were decently done. For $8.80, this set meal was very value for money. 

A great appetiser to share will be the Pitan Tofu ($5.90), which is built with Mitsuba’s homemade century egg sauce. We were greeted by a sharp saltiness when we tried the sauce, before we tasted the creaminess and richness of century egg. There was just enough of the flavourful sauce to coat the tofu, so there was never a bland bite!

The next time you’re near Golden Mile Tower, and craving for affordable Japanese cuisine, you know where to go!

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

The post Mitsuba – New Japanese Restaurant at Golden Mile Tower! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Toa Payoh West Food Centre is one of my favourite hawker centres. In the morning, there is Chey Sua Carrot Cake, Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee and Hong Kong Lung Hwa roast duck. And when night falls, there’s fish soup! We walked around the hawker centre one evening to look for dinner and were surprised to find many fish soup stalls. But the more popular one is definitely Shi Zhen Yu Tang (时珍鱼汤).

A must-try here is the Steamed Grouper Fish in a baking tray. This classic Teochew dish has all the key elements such astomatoes, preserved mustard cabbage and salted plums, added into the soup. Interestingly, the owner also adds fried sole fish and dried scallops as well. The delightfully flavourful soup promises an explosion of savoury, sweet, and tangy flavours. The fish was fresh and firm, but tender at the same time. This tray, which is meant for 2 pax, costs $35, but it can feed 3-4. There’s an option to add bee hoon or rice too.

The owner highly recommended their deep-fried fish roe. Lightly seasoned, the roe was deep-fried in hot oil for a few minutes — just long enough to brown the surface and make it crisp, but keep the inside soft too. The deep-fried fish roe was truly a treat!

The ngoh hiang, unfortunately, was under-seasoned on our day of visit. I liked that the homemade meat roll was fat and full of crunchy chopped water chestnut. It was also crispy, without being too greasy, but it could have been better seasoned. We also ordered the oyster omelette which was moist, and generously studded with plump oysters.

Our dinner was definitely comforting and satisfying. Be prepared to wait for more than 30 minutes during lunch hour. Note that the hawker centre is closed for renovation for 3 months from June 2019 onwards.

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

The post Shi Zhen Yu Tang – Unexpectedly Flavourful Steamed Grouper in a Tray appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.