Shenxi Soup (沈希老火汤) @ Gourmet Paradise Food Court Toa Payoh HDB Hub

Shenxi Soup is well known in Singapore especially the main stall at Chinatown Complex level 2. Shenxi Soup is also featured in many media articles and recently is the proud recipient of the Singapore Brand Award 2011. Master chef Shen Xi is known as "Soup King" that brings the nutritious soup making culture back from the sixties.

If you have been eating at food court, you will notice Shenxi Soup stalls have opened at major food courts bringing the nutritious soup to the heartland. I have seen Shenxi Soup stall at Bugis Junction, Great World City, Clementi Mall, Nex and Toa Payoh HDB hub.

I had the Lotus Root Pork Rib Soup. One sip and I knew it is the real deal. The soup was very tasty, packed with flavours from the ingredients under long hours of boiling.

Lotus Root Pork Rib Soup 4.5/5

Shenxi Soup (沈希老火汤)
Gourmet Paradise Food Court
Toa Payoh HDB Hub
Nearest: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Ocean Curry Fish Head @ Toa Payoh Lorong 4

If you are craving for Curry Fish Head, you can check out Ocean Curry Fish Head at the Toa Payoh Lorong 4. It also has other branches at Telok Ayer Street, Bedok North St 2, Toa Payoh Lorong 8 and Joo Chiat Road.

Ocean Curry Fish Head is actually a Mixed Rice (Za Cai Fan) stall selling their signature Claypot Curry Fish Head. A lot of patrons also ordered other food from the Mixed Rice dishes spread.

I enjoyed the Curry Fish Head, it was pretty good. The curry was spicy, creamy and yummy. The Red Snapper Fish Head was also meaty. The claypot also packed with ingredients like lady fingers and eggplant.

Curry Fish Head 4.2/5

Da Bai Cai 3.5/5

To get here, you can either alight at Toa Payoh or Braddell MRT Station.

From Toa Payoh MRT station,
a) Go to bus stop opposite the station and take bus 153, 56 or 105 and alight 2 stops later, about 8 to minutes or
b) Walk about 15 minutes to Ocean Curry Fish Head.

From Braddell MRT station,
a) Go to bus stop at Blk 111, take bus 231 and alight 3 stops later, about 8 minutes or
b) Walk about 10 minutes to Ocean Curry Fish Head


Ocean Curry Fish Head
Blk 92 Toa Payoh Lorong 4
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh, Braddell (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Alt Mon)

The Ultimate Crab & Durian Buffet @ Sentosa Boardwalk

I have been looking forward to this month foodies gathering because we are going to Sentosa Broadwalk for the Ultimate Crab and Durian Buffet! Crab and Durian, two popular local food coming together is like marriage made in heaven. Don't believe me? The buffet which started from 6 June 2011 to 26 June 2011 is FULLY BOOKED till the last day of the event. It is a very successful event and hopefully Sentosa will bring it back again next year.

The buffet line has quite a few selection of crab dishes prepared in different ways. There were Black Pepper Sri Lankan Crabs, Wok-Fried Chili Sri Lankan Crab, Salted Egg Yoke Crab, Ginger Scallion Flower Crab, Masala Mud Crab and more... My favourite was the Black Pepper Sri Lankan Crabs which was well infused with the fiery spiciness and aroma of the Black Pepper.

Black Pepper Sri Lankan Crabs

Salted Egg Yoke Crab

Ginger Scallion Flower Crab

Wok-Fried Chili Sri Lankan Crab

Masala Mud Crab

By this time, my hands were already dirty from all the crab eating. I have to admit I was busy eating and didn't manage to take a lot of photos. The buffet has more than 40 items and below were just some of the food I ate.

Fresh Oyster

Stir-Fried Slipper Lobster

Desserts

The other highlight of the buffet was the Durian. I pitied the 2 uncles standing whole night opening basket after basket of Durians serving to the endless line of people. They didn't even have a chance to take a breather. The Durians quality was so so only. The dark yellow Durian meat was creamier and sweeter compare to the paler one.

Durians

Beside the delicious food and beautiful scene of the Sentosa Boardwalk, there was another surprise for dinner. When the clock struck 9 at night. the sky was painted with fireworks from Universal Studio Sentosa (USS). The two metal cranes from Resort World Sentosa (RWS) also started to dance along with the beautiful lightings.

Lastly a big thanks to Ellena, Maureen and Jiayi for organising the gathering. It was also nice to meet new friends Sherie (aka maameemoomoo), Celes (aka CelestialDelish) and hubby.

To read more of our gathering, you can visit the following blogs:

1. Maureen: http://www.misstamchiak.com/

2. Shi Ting: http://lobsterpaints.blogspot.com/

3. Celes: http://celestialdelish.blogspot.com/

4. Ellena: http://cuisineparadise-eatout.blogspot.com/

5. Meng Ching: http://jessiefoodtrip.blogspot.com/

6. Sherie: http://www.maameemoomoo.com/blog

7. Priscilla: http://www.iluvmyscooter.com/



The Ultimate Crab and Durian Buffet
The Promontory, Sentosa Boardwalk
Nearest MRT: Harbour Front (NE Line and CC Line)

Sangokai Japanese Restaurant @ Upper Thomson Road

The Japanese Restaurant is located at the row of shop houses along Upper Thomson Road. I was surprised the restaurant served us an appetizer after taking our order. I thought it was complimentary until I saw the charges in the bill.

Anyway, the appetizer was a cold dish of Octopus, Radish, Carrot and Cucumber infused in a citrus sauce. The taste was subjective to individual palate.

Octopus Appetizer 3.5/5

The Shake Mentai Yaki Set has BBQ Salmon with Cod Roe Sauce, Salad, Miso Soup, Rice and Fruit. The Salmon had a very nice melting texture with a lay of Cod Roe coated on the surface of the Salmon.

Shake Mentai Yaki Set 4/5

The Yakitori & Kinoko Nitsuke Set has BBQ Chicken Skewer, Braised Mixed Mushroom and Vegetable, Salad and Rice. The BBQ Chicken Skewer had a nice sweet grilled fragrant from the Teriyaki Sauce. The Mushroom and Vegetable was well simmered in the soya sauce base broth, soft and tasty that goes very well with the rice.

Yakitori & Kinoko Nitsuke Set 4/5

To get here, take MRT to Marymount station and go to exit A. From exit A, walk about 100 metres to Upper Thomson Road. You will see a SPC petrol kiosk. Cross the road and take bus number 52, 132, 162, 163, 165, 166, 167, 855 or 980 from the bus stop. Alight one stop later and walk about 260 meter to Sangokai.



Sangokai Japanese Restaurant
203 Upper Thomson Road
Nearest MRT: Marymount (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Wed)

View Larger Map

N & B Snacks @ Potong Pasir

After my dinner at Hong Kong Street Chun Tat Kee, I still have some space for dessert so I went to check out N & B Snacks at the HDB block across the carpark. N & B Snacks made fresh Soya Bean Milk and Beancurd themselves everyday. The eatery has a simple interior design and a couple of fridge to store the Soya Bean Milk and Beancurd.

I had the Soya Bean Milk with Peanut Dumplings. It is a dessert that I can enjoy all three of my likings, Soya Bean Milk, Beancurd and Peanut Dumplings. Both the Soya Bean Milk and Beancurd were fresh and smooth. The disappointment was the Peanut Dumplings were from those instant packet and not made by them but it tasted okay with a lot of peanut fillings.

Soya Bean Milk with Peanut Dumplings 4/5

Soya Milk with Peanut Dumplings 4/5

N & B Snacks
Blk 148 Potong Pasir Ave 1
#01-33
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 1130pm

Hong Kong Street Chun Tat Kee @ Potong Pasir

Potong Pasir is conveniently located along the North East MRT line from where I stay but I have never eaten there. Hence I took the train and went down to explore the place. I chanced upon this eating house opposite the Indian temple which was packed with diners. Most of the diners were having Zi Char from Hong Kong Street Chun Tat Kee. I have heard of Hong Kong Street Chun Tat Kee at Balestier but I didn't know there is one at Potong Pasir too. The crowd couldn't be wrong so I settled for dinner at the eating house.

The Braised Fish Head cooked with Bittergourd and black sauce was good and tasty. The braised fish head was chopped into small pieces and absorbed the sweetness of the black sauce. The sauce also helped to cover off the bitterness of the bittergound. Kids eating this dish have to be careful because it has a lot of bones and sometimes the fish head was not cleaned properly.

Braised Fish Head with Bittergourd 4/5

The Sambal Potato Leaves tasted very home cooked here with the fragrant of the Sambal paste immersed in the potato leaves.

Sambal Potato Leaves 4.2/5

The Prawn Paste Chicken here was lighter in colour which was crispy and not oily. It also did not have a bitter taste lingering on your palate which I usually got from those darker version.

Prawn Paste Chicken 4.2/5

Hong Kong Street Chun Tat Kee
PP881 Eating House
Blk 146 Potong Pasir Ave 2
Singapore 358361
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Cheng Kee Beef Kway Teow @ Kovan

The coffeeshop spotted a new look and it also seemed that it had changed owner and underwent a renovation. The great news is Cheng Kee Beef Kway Teow stall is still there. It was almost a year since I last patronized the stall and the standard is still there.

I am a big fan for innards and I always order the mix beef kway teow soup so I can get a bit of everything. The innards were well cleaned, soft and tender with no odour. I also like the rich and brothy soup as well as the smooth thin kway teow used by the stall.

Beef Kway Teow 4.2/5

Cheng Kee Beef Kway Teow
Blk 203 Hougang Street 21
Singapore 530203
Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 930am - 5pm
(Closed on Fri)

Canopy Garden Dining & Bar @ Bishan Park

I love the ambient at Canopy Garden Dining & Bar. It offers a unique dining experience in a peaceful garden setting providing the perfect getaway from the urbanized Singapore.

The Caesar Salad had romaine lettuce tossed with anchovy dressing topped with crispy bacon, poached egg, parmesan and crisp garlic toast. It was light, fresh and refreshing.

Caesar Salad 4.2/5

The Green Curry Pasta with Pepper Chicken came with linguine tossed with spicy homemade green curry sauce topped with peppered chicken, cherry tomato and fresh rocket. The fusion between Thai and Italian was interesting and nice. The pasta was very tasty with the green curry flavour.

Green Curry Pasta with Pepper Chicken 4.2/5

The Lobster Pomodoro was spaghetti tossed with lobster meat and rich vine tomato sauce. Lovely tomato sauce and nicely cooked pasta.

Lobster Pomodoro 4.2/5

To get here, alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT station and walk to Ang Mo Kio bus interchange.
a) Take bus 133 or 136 and alight 4 stops later about 15 minutes, or
b) Take bus 262 and alight 5 stops later about 17 minutes which need not cross the road.


Canopy Garden Dining & Bar
Bishan Park 2
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Weekdays: 9am - 11pm
Weekends: 8am - 11pm

E-Sarn Thai Cuisine @ Pasir Panjang

I travelled past the restaurant several times and always noticed a crowd at the restaurant. The humble restauarnt painted in exterior green located along Pasir Panjang Road started off as a hawker stall named "Neng's Kitchen" in Farrer Road Market. Now they have 4 restaurants acrossed Singapore.

Check out the humble story of E-Sarn Thai Cuisine by clicking on the link.

I blamed myself for not doing more research before visiting the restaurant. I read so many good reviews about this place but never took note of the dishes to order. I ended up ordering the following dishes.

The Thai Vegetable Omelette with Spicy Thai Blachan was something unique and interesting which I have not tried before. The omelette unfortunately was too dried to my liking. The spicy blachan definitely gave a kick to the palate. My only ??? was Thai cuisine and blachan, how were they associated?

Thai Vegetable Omelettee w Spicy Thai Blachan 3.8/5

The Green Chicken Curry was slightly diluted to me. I would have preferred for the curry to be thicker. The chicken meat was also a bit tough although it came in a decent cut.

Green Curry Chicken 3.5/5

The Three Flavor Tilapia was huge and full of meat. The chef even debone the meat from the fish bone and cut them into large cube shape. It was easy to eat dipping into the sauce. My confusion was where were the three flavor?

Three Flavor Tilapia 4/5

Sauce for Three Flavor Tilapia

E-Sarn Thai Cuisine
130 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118548
Nearest MRT: Pasir Panjang (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 2pm, 530pm - 930pm
(Closed on Tue)

Phuket Trip Part 3

I have visit Thailand several times but never eaten at MK Restaurant. There is MK Restaurant located at Junceylon Shopping Mall at Patong, Phuket and I decided to check it out for dinner.

To cool ourselves from the hot weather, we have Thai Ice Tea and Pineapple Juice which were very refreshing.

Thai Ice Tea & Pineapple Juice

We settled for the MK Steamboat. I ordered the vegetable platter, meat platter and beef. The platters had a good variety of ingredients and the beef was beautiful. Unfortunately there was no flavour for the broth. It was plain boiling water. I even noticed the tourist couple beside my table pouring soy sauce and chilli into the broth.

Vegetable Platter

Meat Platter

Beef

MK Steamboat

The steam rice came in a little pyramid shape with brown rice and barley on top of it. It gave the rice an additional texture which was nice.

Steam Rice

Olive Vine @ Marina Square

If you are on a tight budget and looking for a meal below $10, you may want to check out Olive Vine. Their mains are under $10 and there are no GST, service charge and MSG in their food. For an additional $4, you can upgrade to a Deluxe Set Meal which comes with a soup, drink and dessert.

The soup of the day was creamy and of decent portion.

Soup of the day 4/5

The drinks were unfortunately very sweet.

Fruit Punch & Ice Lemon Tea 3/5

The mains at below $10 each were definitely value for money with the huge serving.

Crispy Chicken Arrabiata 3.8/5

Pork Steak Agli Olio 3.8/5

For dessert my favourite was the Tapioca cake. It had a nice balance of sweetness and I enjoyed biting into the grated tapioca texture with each bite of the cake.

Tapioca Cake Dessert 4/5

The pastry of the Coconut Pie was nicely cooked and crispy but lacked of coconut flavour.

Coconut Pie 3/5

Overall Olive Vine served value for money food. Food wise I think there are still rooms for improvement.


Olive Vine
Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
#B1-17
Singapore 039594
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 11pm