Baba Melaka @ Jurong East - Famous Malacca Delights

Located in the same coffeeship as Soi 19 Wanton Mee is another stall that is worth checking out. The colourful Perankan themed stall front is quite eye catching, definitely different from your usual stall front. Even though I just had the Thai wanton noodle, I could not resist finding out what Baba Melaka has to offer. Baba Melaka may not be the best but the wallet friendly pricing does makes up for it.

Ma Cik Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang 4/5

Peranakan food is usually quite expensive so I was quite happy to know that nothing is more than $7 on the menu. Take for example the Ma Cik Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang is only $5.90 which comes with beef rendang, achar, ikan bilis, egg and nasi lemak rice.

Ma Cik Nasi Lemak Beef Rendang 4/5

What stood out on the plate is the cooked to tender beef rendang, crunchy achar, fragrant nasi lemak and the spicy chilli sauce. Unfortunately the ikan bilis was not crispy enough or it would be perfect.

Ayam Buah Keluak with Steamed Rice 3.8/5

I also tried the Ayam Buah Keluak with Steamed Rice ($5.50). The chicken is nicely cooked to tender with a beautiful nutty flavour from the buah keluak. It also comes with achar and ikan bilis.

Bubur Cha Cha 2/5

To round off the lunch, I had the BuBur Cha Cha ($1.80). Unfortunately the dessert was a letdown after the satisfying lunch. The dessert tasted diluted, lacking the fragrant coconut milk.

Baba Melaka sells many other stuff such as Ikan Assam Pedas, Nyonya Assam Laksa, Nyonya Mee Siam, Satay and Nyonya Kueh on their menu. I wish I could try more during my visit but I will save my stomach space for my next trip. I plan to come back for their laksa and mee siam which looks quite delicious, from the customers having it at the next table.


Baba Melaka
BGAIN 130 Eating House
Blk 130 Jurong Gateway Road
#01-211
Singapore 600130
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 730am - 430pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Jurong East Bus Interchange. Walk to Jurong Gateway Road. Cross the road at the traffic light junction. Turn right onto Jurong Gateway Road. Walk down Jurong Gateway Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

INDOCAFE - The White House @ Scotts Road

After trying out IndoCafe's Chinese New Year menu, I was impressed with the straits cuisine served at the restaurant. Hence I was back to the black and white colonial bungalow along Scotts Road to try more items on the menu.

Kueh Pie Tee 4/5

We started with some appertisers. First we have the Kueh Pie Tee ($10) which is served with an element of fun. Diners get to fill up the crispy pastry cup from the bowl of shredded sweet turnip and crabmeat which is accompanied with homemade chilli dip. A popualr and delectable snack to kick start the dining experience.

Classic Penang Otah 4.2/5

You are into something different with the Classic Penang Otah ($10). Unlike the usual fish paste otah, the version here is somewhat deconstructed with a whole piece of fish fillet resting inside a bowl of steamed egg seasoned with freshly squeezed coconut milk and special blend of herbs and spices. I would prefer it to be a bit more spicy but then it is my own preference.

Ngoh Hiang 4.2/5

This is probably one of the best Ngoh Hiang ($14) I have ever eaten. Stuffed to the brim with the delectable five spiced meat and wrapped in a crispy soy beancurd skin, these plump Ngoh Hiang was popping delight that I could not help going back for more.

Ikan Masak Merah 4.2/5

The Ikan Masak Merah ($32) at IndoCafe is given a modern interpretation with the used of pan roasted cod fillet in red chilli sauce. It is a good change from the usual mackerel. The pan roasting gave the fillet a nice crispy exterior texture while the inside was still moist. Even though red chili sauce is used, it is not spicy at all. It will be enjoyed by both adult and children.

Babi Pong Teh 4.5/5

I still remember my first taste of Babi Pong Teh was cooked by Serene in at Knorr Blogger Cookout event and I felt in love with the dish. If you love pork belly, then you must try the Babi Pong Teh ($22) at IndoCafe. The pork belly is braised in fragrant soya bean paste and aromatic spices which literally melted in the mouth.

Kari Kapitan 4.2/5

I always have a soft spot for Nyonya curry with the use of lemongrass, tumeric and candle nut that has a creamy and nutty flavour. Using kampong chicken and braised in an authentic Penang Nyonya Curry sauce, the Kari Kapitan ($22) was tender and beautifully coated with the lovely nyonya curry sauce.

Ayam Buah Keluak 4/5

While some may find buah keluak an acquire taste, this is black gold to me. The Ayam Buah Kelauk ($24) is well braised with the black nut and exotic spices. The chef also took the effort to stuff the nut with a mixture of shredded chicken and black nut flesh. This painstaking prepared dish is a must try if you love the nyonya caviar,.

Buah Keluak Fried Rice 4/5

Can't get more of buah keluak? The fragrant Buah Keluak Rice ($16) is well infused with the nutty flavour, bursting with lovely flavours with each mouthful.

Rendang Sapi 4.8/5

Using a special blend of spices and premium wagyu beef cheek, the Rendang Sapi ($32) is slow cooked to fork tender. This is extremely addictive and goes very well with a plate of rice. Another signature and must try dish.

Do save some space for dessert at IndoCafe. Besides servicing amazing cooked food, the desserts here are as good too. A modern take of the Chendol dessert is the Chendol Panna Cotta ($12). Served in a jar with coconut pudding, atap chee, chendol and red bean with gula melaka on the side, the deconstructed dessert is a delectable change from the tradition. Not to be missed is also the Pulut Hitam ($8) and Home Recipe Bubur Cha Cha ($8). My readers will know that I love pulut hitam and this is probably one of the best. The Bubur Cha Cha besides the mixture of rich coconut milk and palm sugar, banana is added to give it an interesting lift in flavour and surprisingly complemented the whole enjoyment of the traditional nyonya dessert to a new level.

There is still charm in IndoCafe with its colonial bungalow and private setting, together with its delicious food that makes me want to return to dine at the restaurant. Indeed I did and I made a reservation for 9 people to have my gathering at the restaurant the following week. All my friends love the food and my recommendation. I thank IndoCafe who being consistently good in all my 3 visits servicing delish peranakan food.


INDOCAFE
The white house
35/35A Scotts Road
Singapore 228227
Tel: +65 67332656
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitehouse.indocafe
Website: http://www.thehouseofindocafe.com/
Nearest MRT: Newton (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. On Scotts Road, turn right and walk down Scotts Road towards Orchard Road direction. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Best of Ghim Moh Food Centre Makan Gathering

In conjuction with the opening of the rest of the MRT stations along Circle Line, the monthly makan gathering brought us to Ghim Moh Food Centre to explore the best food along the new section of the circle line.

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow is probably one of the most popular stalls at Ghim Moh Food Centre. The stall also has the title King of Fried Kway Teow from a TV show many years back. The fried kway teow was neither too dry or wet with a nice consistency that came with juicy cockles and lots of pork lard!.

Fried Kway Teow 4/5

Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow, Stall #01-12

Opening Hours: 930am-230pm (Closed on Mon and Fri)

Teck Hin Fried Hor Fun stall sells only Hor Fun. The current stall is run by 2 middle aged men. Besides the Beef Hor Fun which we ordered, the stall also offers Seafood Hor Fun, Sliced Fish Hor Fun and etc. I like the thick gravy that is drenched over the Hor Fun and the tender beef slices.

Beef Hor Fun 4/5

Teck Hin Fried Hor Fun, Stall #01-44

Opening Hours: 10am-3pm, 5pm-830pm (Closed on Mon)

If you are a fan for Indian's food, you have to drop by Ghim Moh Food Centre and try Heaven's Indian Curry's Putu Mayam, Appom and Thosai. Putu Mayam brought back a lot of childhood memories. It was one of my favourite Sunday breakfast tearing into the vermicelli-like rice flour noodles and dipping them into the desiccated coconut and orange sugar.

Putu Mayam 4/5

This is my first time having Appom and I love it! The experience was like eating both crispy and fluffy Roti Prata in one. The Appom was fluffy in the middle with crispy edges. Like Roti Prata, there are plain and egg Appoms too. Heaven Indian's Curry is probably one of the only few stalls in Singapore that makes Appom.

Appom 4.2/5

Many people have raved about the Thosai here too. You just need to taste it yourself to understand why. It had a nice thickness giving it a crispy outer layer while the inside was moist and fluffy. It had a good balance in both taste and texture.

Thosai 4/5

Heaven's Indian Curry, Stall #01-15

Opening Hours: 6am-2pm, daily

I find that the steamed Taro Cake was a bit disappointing as I prefer those that have chunks of yam. I could not really taste the yam flavour or find the contrast in texture I was looking for. Nevertheless, Rong Yuan's Taro Cake was moist and nice. Oh! and it came with peanuts.

Taro Cakes 3.8/5

Rong Yuan Cooked Food Stall, Stall #01-19

Chwee Kueh is a common Singapore breakfast. It is basically steam rice flour topped with preserved radish (Chye Poh). Usually the preserved radish (Chye Poh) topping is sweet but Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh's version is different. This is the first time I have the salty version. According to what I googled on the web, this supposed to be the traditional receipt.

Chwee Kueh 3/5

Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh, Stall #01-31

Opening Hours: 615am-7pm, daily

Just beside the Chwee Kueh stall is this inconspicuous Fried Carrot Cake stall that uses vegetable oil. The stall sells both white and black carrot cake. We had the Black Carrot Cake. The steamed radish cake fried with black sweet sauce was soft and tasty with a generous coat of eggs.

Black Carrot Cake 3.8/5

Lian He Carrot Cake, Stall #01-30

Many people have recommended this roast meat stall at Ghim Moh Food Centre. With such high popularity we definitely have to join the queue to try out their roast meat. We bought the Roast Duck, Roast Pork and Char Siew. The Char Siew was average but both the Roast Duck and Roast Pork were very good.

Roast Duck, Roast Pork and Char Siew 4/5

Jiu Jiang Shao La, Stall #01-45

Opening Hours: 11am-730pm (Closed on Wed)

The Hakka Yong Tau Foo has both dry and soup version. We decided to order the dry version because we felt that the picture will turn out better. The Stuffed Tau Pok (Stuffed Fried Tofu) was really crunchy and flavourful but the minced meat filling was a bit salty . My friend shared with me that people usually ordered the soup version. Maybe the soup version helps to balance the saltiness and make it a more balanced dish.

Yong Tau Foo (dry version)

Hakka Yong Tau Foo, Stall #01-14

Opening Hours: 730am-3pm (Closed on Mon)

The wonderful hawker food feast ended with dessert from Golden Swallow Dessert. I like the dessert here because of the fresh coconut milk. Bo Bo Cha Cha is the most appropriate dessert to highlight this. The hot Bo Bo Cha Cha was a bit too sweet but the cold one was really good. Topped with the colourful "tadpoles" like jellies, every spoonful was a sweet bursting surprise.

Tadpole Bo Bo Cha Cha (cold)

Bo Bo Cha Cha (hot)

Golden Swallow Dessert, Stall #01-53

Ghim Moh Food Centre

Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road

Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (EW Line, CC Line)

Direction:

1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Walk to bus stop along Buona Vista Road (Stop ID 11361). Take bus no. 92. Alight 1 stops later. Journey time about 3 mins.

2) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Cross the underpass towards Ghim Moh Estate Blk 12A. Cut across the open air carpark towards Ghim Moh Road. Cross the road and walk towards Blk 20. Journey time about 8 mins.

Golden Swallow Dessert @ Ghim Moh Food Centre

There was a long queue at this dessert stall so I decided to join the queue to check it out. What a discovery! Where can you find dessert at $1.50 and coconut milk freshly made at the stall itself? The dessert was very good especially the bo bo cha cha. The freshness of coconut simply wows me away.

Bo Bo Cha Cha Cold 4.8/5

Chendol 4.2/5

Golden Swallow Dessert
Ghim Moh Food Centre
Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
#01-53
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (EW Line, CC Line)