Restaurant Kin @ Straits Clan - A Selection Of New Singaporean Food Classics, Many Cultures, One Singapore Cuisine

Restaurant Kin at Straits Clan is helmed by Head Chef Damian D'Silva, affectionately known as "The Grandfather of Heritage Cuisine". I am a big fan of his ethnic cuisines cooked with heirloom recipes, using time-honoured methods and authentic local ingredients. Though straits clan is a club, the lobby level where the restaurant is located is accessible to public.

Pop/s Easter Beef Murtabak 4.5/5

For the upcoming Easter celebration, Chef Damian re-created one of his favourite childhood dish he craves every Easter - Pop's Easter Beef Murtabak ($22). The grounded beef cooked with aromatics are wrapped in soft egg crepe, served with house-made chilli sauce and a raita of yogurt, lime juice, tomatoes, onions and green chilli. The dish will only be available for a limited period from 26 March to 4 April 2021.

Cuttlefish Kang Kong 4.2/5

The Cuttlefish Kang Kong ($20) is a vanishing hawker dish which comes with a medley of cuttlefish, kang kong, pineapple, and deep-fried dough fritters tossed in fermented shrimp paste, sugar and calamansi. Chef Damian has added pineapple to it, just like how his granddad liked it.

Namgka Rendang 3.8/5

Do you know unripen jackfruit can be cooked into a dish? The unripen jackfruit is slowed cooked for 7 hours in a rich and fragrant 15-spice masala coconut gravy. Nangka Rendang ($28) is a gluten-free and vegetarian dish. While I enjoyed the dish, I feel that its soft texture may not be well received by everyone. Similar to how some people does not like brinjal.

Ayam Kalasan 4.8/5

One of my favourite dishes is the Ayam Kalasan ($38). The very instant I bite into the tender chicken thigh, my eyes brightened up. It reminds me of my favourite KFC original flavoured chicken. There is some similarity in the spices used. The whole chicken thigh is slow-simmered in coconut water, candlenut, lemongrass, blue ginger, and then deep-fried. No wonder the ayam kalasan is so aromatic.

Daging Sambal Hijau 4.2/5

Another beautiful Malay dish of Indonesian heritage is the Daging Sambal Hijau ($42). The thinly-sliced beef striploin is marinated overnight with cumin, coriander and fennel. It is stir-fried in green chilli sambal before servicing. Worry not, it is not a spicy dish. In fact, the green chilli sambal accentuated the enjoyment of the tender beef slices.

Wok Fried Dragon Tooth Cabbage 4.5/5

Always remember to have your vegetable for a balance diet. The Wok Fried Dragon Tooth Cabbage ($12) wok fried with oil, garlic and artisanal soy sauce. Though simple, it showcases the sweetness of the cabbage while retaining a delectable texture.

King Prawn with Dry Sambal 4.8/5

The King Prawn with Dry Sambal ($48) is plump, huge and crunchy. The fresh prawn is cooked in a rich and piquant sambal made entirely from stone-ground dried chillis finished with assam.

Pork Knuckle Debai 4.5/5

A classic dish on the new menu is the Pork Knuckle Debai ($68). It is a festive dish in Chef Damian household during Christmas. The classic Eurasian dish comprises of roasted pork, smoked pork knuckle and potatoes. The homely and hearty dish is definitely one of the crowd's favourite, it is wiped clean to the last drop.

Assortment of Kueh 4.2/5

Wrapping up the meal, we have the Assortment of Kueh ($25) which may change daily. During our visit we have the Apom Berkuah, Serang Semut and Pulat Tai Tai. The Serang Semut is an unique Malaysia cake made with burnt sugar, condensed milk and flour. For the Pulat Tai Tai, freshly made kaya is spread on top of the glutinous rice cake to be eaten together.

Apom Berkuah is a nonya-style pancake that is served with banana or durian sauce. The soft and fluffy Peranakan kueh is made with rice flour, coconut milk, gula melaka and yeast. 

A must have is Chef Damian's Kueh Kasui. It is the best steamed tapioca kueh with gula melaka I ever eaten. The melt in the mouth mochi texture is coated with grated coconut for a lifted enjoyment.

Besides the new dishes, Kin has also launches new cocktails featuring classic ingredients found in local heritage cuisine, elevated with modern bartending techniques by the Straits Clan beverage team.

Note: This is an invited tastng.


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Restaurant Kin
Straits Clan
31 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089845
Tel: +65 63209180
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (NE Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn left onto Teo Hong Road. At the end of Teo Hong Road turn left and continue on Bukit Pasoh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Makanista @ Tampines Mall - Unique Range Of Local Delights With A Delicious Twist

The people behind Food Junction has opened a new concept called Makanista at Tampines Mall. The convivial dining space is located on the ground floor of Tampines Mall, with a chic cafe interior. Four different stalls - Chicken Rice, Yong Tau Foo, Western, and Prata & Desserts offers diners both classic hawker favourites as well as inventive creations with a little twist. There is no pork, no lard here. It is in the process of applying for their Halal certification to cater to a wider group of diners.

Beef Hamburg & Fries 3.5/5

We started our dinner from the Western station with the Beef Hamburg & Fries ($10.90). On top the mound of fries is a whole beef patty and a sunny side up egg. It is like having a full set meal in a dish less the buns. The fries are dressed in a decadent black pepper and truffle cheese sauce, that goes very well with the crispy fries. For those that don't take beef, there is a chicken hamburg verison at $8.90.

French Chicken Curry Pasta 4/5

Bored of the usual cream and tomato base pasta? How about a little local twist with the French Chicken Curry Pasta ($7.50). The curry sauce is a concoction of curry. chiili powders, turmeric. coconut milk and whipped cream. It is something familiar but unusual in a western pasta dish, which turns out pretty good. It was well received by my other dining friends too.

Spicy Honey Mustard Wings 4/5

You can also find Korean-style fried chicken at the Western station such as the Spicy Honey Mustard Wings ($7.50 for 6pc). The chicken wings are dipped in a batter and deep fried, before being tossed in the different sauces. They are crispy and juicy. Other flavours available include Pesto Cheese and Kicap Manis.

Bakwan Sayor 4/5

A great snack to share with friends and family is the Bakwan Sayor ($2.80) from the Yong Tau Foo station. It is fried vegetable fritter which consists of shredded cabbage, carrots, chilli, beansprouts and spring onions. This is best eaten with the Lingham chilli sauce.

Curry Yong Tau Foo 4/5

Yong Tau Foo is a common dish that we can find in any food centre or foodcourt but have you hear of Soto, Mee Siam, Satay and Curry Yong Tau Foo? Yes, besides the normal Yong Tau Foo whereby diners get to pick 7 items plus a choice of rice or noodles (yellow noodles, bee hoon, hor fun, rice roll, thick bee hoon) for $6.50, for an additional one dollar you can change the soup base. After sampling the 4 different soup flavours, my favourite goes to the Curry Yong Tau Foo while I think the satay will complement the dry version better.

Combo Meal - Duo 3/5

If you order the Combo Meal - Duo ($16.50) from the Chicken Rice station, it will be served on a ceramic rattan ' dulang' or tray. This way of serving is similar to how the traditional Nasi Ambeng is presented. Besides the normal Hainanese and roasted chicken, the stall offers both Thai and Mala style chicken rice too. I would recommend sticking to the traditional. The combo meal also comes with a soft drink, a Japanese inspired house special ramen egg and sides like bean sprouts, fresh vegetables in oyster sauce or tahu goreng.

Mutton Prata Burger 4/5

My favourite station at Makanista is the Prata station for its specialty pratas which are unique and delicious. We start with the Mutton Prata Burger ($8.50) which is their own rendition of Ramly burger in a murtabak. Besides the mutton patty, you can also find sauteed onions and fried egg with mayonnaise and black pepper sauce in it.

Okonomiyaki Prata 4.5/5

A must try is the Okonomiyaki Prata ($7). Inspired by the Japanese dish, the prata is wrapped with shredded carrots, purple and white cabbage, cheese and egg. It is then drizzled with mayonnaise and sweet okonomiyaki sauce, topped with bonito flakes. This is one of its kind prata, with textures and flavours that wins me over. This is like prata gone international. Other savoury prata include Chicken Luncheon & Floss and Special Tandoori Chicken.

Peanut Butter and Jam Prata 4/5

For the sweet take of the prata, there is the Peanut Butter and Jam Prata ($2.80). This is a brilliant combination of nuttiness and sweetness coming together. It brings the appreciation of the tradition prata to another level.

Overall I think the food at Makanista is really unique and interesting. However for some of the items, it still need more adjustment to get it right. For the time being, I would recommend going for the specialty pratas.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


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Makanista
Tampines Mall
4 Tampines Central 5
#01-42/43/44
Singapore 529510
Tel: +65 62606002
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn left and walk to traffic light junction. Cross the right, walk along Tampines Central 5 towards Century Square direction. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Springleaf Prata Place @ Springleaf Garden (Upper Thomson Road)

When I used to work in Sembawang area, I always frequent Springleaf Prata Place for their crispy but yet fluffy in the inside prata. The popular prata place, Springleaf Prata Place has been a great supporter of Ultimate Hawker Fest for the past 2 years. Each year they will come up with a new innovative dish and introduced it in the menu. We are glad to have them back for the third year and this year creation is probably the best of all.

Ultimate Murtabak 4.2/5

For the first year, Springleaf Prata Place created the Ultimate Murtabak which is wrapped with tandoori chicken, portobello mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. This is one of the best murtabak I have ever eaten with the melted cheese just melted my heart with each bite.

MurtaBurger 4/5

The MurtaBurger is created for the second year's Ultimate Hawker Fest. A while lamb patty is cooked with the prata together with cabbage and mayonnaise. Another yummy prata dish that is available on the menu and well received.

Blaster Plaster 4.5/5

If you think Gunalan the owner has run out of idea for his third year participation, you will be blown away by his latest creation, Blaster Plaster Prata which comes with a piece of his signature crispy prata, a slice of turkey ham with thousand island sauce with a poached egg sitting on top dressed with Indian hollandaise sauce. I understand the special hollandaise sauce is made using masala curry.

The Blaster Plaster Prata will make its preview at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 this coming Saturday. This is definitely the one dish I look forward to try at the event.

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Springleaf Prata Place
No. 1 Thong Soon Ave
Singapore 787431
Tel: +65 64595670
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realspringleafprataplace
Website: http://www.theprataplace.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Springleaf (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Springleaf MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]