Patbingsoo Korean Dining House @ Plaza Singapura - More Than Just Bingsoo

Patbingsoo Korean Dining House at basement two of Plaza Singapura is brought to you by the same folk behind the popular Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant. Don't be mistaken by the name of the restaurant. Besides the diverse variety of bingsoo, Patbingsoo Korean Dining House brings the latest street food trends of South Korea to Singapore.

Fried Samgyeopsal 3.5/5

An addictive snack is the Fried Samgyeopsal ($6.90). Have you guess what is it? It is actually deep fried pork belly paired with honey mustard sauce. It was like having bacon.

House Special Ramyeon 4/5

A favoruite among the crowd at Patbingsoo Korean Dining House is the House Special Ramyeon ($11.90). The warm and hearty pot comes with noodles, spam, kimchi, and nori in special spicy soup. I felt that the soup can be spicier or maybe an option to select the different spicy levels. For an additional cost, diner has the option to add extra topping of kimchi french fries, french fries, cheese, ramyeon and steamed rice.

Cheese Kimchi Fried Rice 3.5/5

The Cheese Kimchi Fried Rice ($9.90) is infused with kimchi and top with lots of mozzarella. It even comes with a fried egg and nori. While the rice was delectable and fragrant, I felt it lacked the robustness of the kimchi flavour. Even the cheese was hardly traceable.

Tteok Carbonara 3/5

How about going Italian with the Tteok Carbonara ($12.90). The sauteed tteok together with bacon and corn kernel is buried in a thick creamy cheese sauce. Unfortunately the sauce was a bit on the salty side and the tteok did not really go well with the creamy sauce.

Dynamite Spam 4.2/5

A very unpleasant looking dish is the Dynamite Spam ($11.90) which surprisingly tasted really good. The server will torch on the special dynamite sauce made up of gochujang and mayonnaise sauce at table side, and then sliced into pieces to pair with the nori riceballs.

Rolling Cheese Pork Ribs 4.2/5

The highlight at Patbingsoo Korean Dining House is the Rolling Cheese Pork Ribs ($38.90) which comes with 4 huge tender pork ribs, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, fries, chips, corn, pineapple and mayo sauce. The server will melt the cheese at table side and then rolled it around the pork ribs for a lifted enjoyment. The rest of the cheese is then tossed with the french fries for a cheesy finish.

Gimpo Bingsoo 3/5

After all the savoury stuff, do save some space for dessert, especially their different bingsoo. The Gimpo Bingsoo ($11.90) is a tiramisu inspired bingsoo infused with green tea. It comes with rum and green tea ice cream. I did not quite enjoy it, the combination and balance was a bit weird.

Sinsa Patbingsoo 4/5

The Sinsa Patbingsoo ($14.90) comes with a whole rock melon that is cut out with a special equipment to maintain the dome shape of the entire fruit. Inside the dome, it comes vanilla ice cream topped with red bean, nata de coco and cornflakes for the extra crunch.

Apgujeong Bingsoo 4.2/5

Among the three bingsoo desserts, the Apgujeong Bingsoo ($13.90) is my favourite. The vanilla ice cream is excellently complemented by the cheese, cheese sauce, cheese cake and cheese wafer. To sweetened the whole experience, drizzled the condensed milk over the bingsoo.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Patbingsoo Korean Dining House
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#B2-47
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 91813038
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Website
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 1130am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Famous JB101 Firewokz @ WCEGA TOWER - Decent Zhi Char Stall At Bukit Batok Crescent

Famous JB101 Firewokz is a zhi char stall that is located at Bukit Batok Crescent, an industrial area in the West. I visited the place quite a few months back. I understand the place has undergone a renovation and just recently reopened in end March 2017.

White Bee Hoon 3/5

During my visit, the place was actually quite dead, serving only a few workers in the area. We have the White Bee Hoon ($7 medium) which was rather plain looking but it was quite flavourful. The bee hoon was not overcooked and comes with a nice bite. It also came with pawns, squid, greens and egg.

Salted Egg Spare Ribs 4/5

The other dish we ordered is the Salted Egg Spare Ribs ($12 small). The deep fried pork was rather tender and what elevated it was the coat of salted egg sauce that has a nice hint of spiciness.

French Beans 4/5

Completing our dinner, we had the French Beans ($8 small) whih we enjoyed very much. The french beans was crunchy and the generous topping of the dried shrimps gave the green a lifted enjoyment.

Overall, the food at Famous JB101 Firewokz is reasonable good. The pricing is also quite reasonable. Furthermore there is no GST.


Famous JB101 Firewokz
WCEGA TOWER
21 Bukit Batok Crescent
#02-01 (Open air food court)
Singapore 658065
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Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line), Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 12midnight
Sun: 5pm - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17171). Take bus number 106. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus 77, 106 and 189. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes.[Map]

Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice @ Tekka Food Centre - Long Queue For Their Teochew Braised Duck Rice

A visit to Tekka Food Centre you will probably spot the long queue at Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice. From what I gathered from my friend, the stall is currently run by the disciple of the original stall owner who has over 60 years of braising duck. The disciple has mastered the braising skill from his master. It can be seen from the long queue at the stall. By the way, the stall does not sell goose anymore.

Duck Rice 4.2/5

I had the Duck Rice for one person and it costs $3.50. It comes with a bowl of white rice drizzled with the braising sauce, a plate of duck meat and a bowl of soup.

I think what stood out about the duck rice here is the braising sauce. It is not overly salty but instead has a rustic characteristic that is well balanced and flavourful. It is best appreciated with a bowl of white rice. In fact, I think I can finish a bowl of rice with just the sauce.

The duck meat itself is also well braised, light but yet flavourful. More important the meat was not too fat and yet tender.

Although the stall official closing time is 230pm, most of the time they are sold out before that. To avoid disappointment, do go early if you want to eat their duck rice.


Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice
Tekka Food Centre
665 Buffalo Road
#01-335
Singapore 210665
Nearest MRT: Little India (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 630am - 230pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Little India MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Restaurant HOME & Bar (家) @ Cosford Road (Changi) - A New Home With Kampong Vibe

Restaurant HOME (家) owned by Chef Tan Yong Kang, also know as the first Singaporean chef to beat the Iron Chef Thailand. has moved from the rail mall to its current location at Cosford Road in Changi. For those familiar with the East, this is where Catch Restaurant used to be located. Compared to the previous premise at rail mall, the new location is bigger and it has a kampong vibe to it. Besides the indoor dining area, the restaurant also has an alfresco bar area with a bar.

A separate menu is specially curated to cater for the bar area focusing on barbecued items. We tried some of the barbecue item such as the Barbecued White Snapper Fish with Salt ($7/100gram), Barbecued Prawn ($16/order), Barbecued Sliced Beef ($16/order), Barbecued Sliced Pork Belly ($16/order) and Poached La La ($18/order). The group seemed to enjoy the barbecued sliced beef for its tenderness while I preferred the barbecued sliced pork belly for its marination and rich flavour.

Baked Golden Snapper Fish with Sea Salt 4.2/5

While Chef Tan has retained most of his signature items of the menu, he has also incorporated new items inspired by the kampong surrounding, bring cooking to its basic and showcasing the natural flavours of the ingredients. One of such dishes is the Baked Golden Snapper Fish with Sea Salt ($7/100gram). The whole golden snapper is covered with sea salt and baked to a nice moist texture which comes with slight hint of saltiness that enhanced the sweetness of the meat.

Baked Chicken with Herbal Sea Salt 4.2/5

The other dish that is worth trying is the Baked Chicken with Herbal Sea Salt ($24). The chicken is marinated overnight for the flavours to be absorbed into the tender chicken meat. It is baked for another 1.5 hours wrapped in lotus leaf and cooked with herbal sea salt before serving.

Hot-Stone Sauteed Pig Liver with Ginger and Onion 4.5/5

Not many people will appreciate the pig liver and it is even harder to cook it perfectly. Besides KEK seafood, Restaurant Home is the second place which executed the dish perfectly. The Hot-Stone Sauteed Pig Liver with Ginger and Onion ($14 small) was soft and tender which is complemented beautifully by the savory brown sauce.

La La Crispy Rice 4.5/5

A hearty and comforting dish on the menu is the La La Crispy Rice ($10/pax). Fragrant crispy fried rice is poured into the sweet clam broth. It's like having a delicious bowl of porridge in superior stock with the addition of extra crispiness from the crispy rice.

Black Pepper Crab 4/5

Singapore loves their crab and it is inevitable that the menu showcases the crustacean. We had the Black Pepper Crab ($58/kg) which is tossed in a fiery and piquant black pepper sauce. It goes well with the sweetness of the crab meat.

Chilled Rosella Flower Jelly with Diced Mango 4/5

For dessert we had the farm to table Chilled Rosella Flower Jelly with Diced Mango. Chef Tan grows the rosella flower himself at his garden. The dessert has a sourish sweetness that is very refreshing.

Besides the food at Restaurant Home, there new location offers a mini attraction for family and kids. It is actually located at the old Johore Battery where a huge firing barrel is still there. On top of that, Chef Tan is using the plot of land to do some farming, growing some of the ingredients that are used in the kitchen. Definitely a good education for the kids to roam and learn more about nature

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Restaurant HOME & Bar (家)
27 Cosford Road
Singapore 499549
Tel: +65 64651698
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line), Tanah Merah (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sin: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tamplines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 29. Alight 13 stops later. Cross the road to Cosford Road. Walk down Cosford Road to destination. Journey time about 50 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanah Merah MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tanah Merah MRT station (Stop ID 85091). Take bus number 2. Alight 16 stops later. Cross the road to Cosford Road. Walk down Cosford Road to destination. Journey time about 55 minutes [Map]

Lime @ PARKROYAL on Pickering - Afternoon Tea With Local Flavours

For those that enjoys a good afternoon catching with friends, you will be delight to know tht Lime at PARKROYAL on Pickering has refreshed their Afternoon Tea menu with three tiers of joy that features local inspired savoury items as well as sweet delights.

The afternoon tea is available from 3pm to 6pm daily. For $42, you get a high tea set and a single servicing of specialty coffee and TWG Tea. For an additional top up of $6 at $48, you get a high tea set and unlimited servicing of specialty coffee and TWG Tea. Each high tea set is good for 2 person.

The local flavours item on the high tea menu includes item such Nasi Lemak, Peking Duck Duxelles encased in Profiterole and Ayam Percik Shepherd's Pie. The nasi lemak is shaped in a ball and deep fried, so what like a risotto ball, served with potent sambal chilli. Our favoruite among the savory items goes to the flavourful Peking Duck Duxelles paired excellently with the soft and fluffy profiterole.

I personally prefer the sweet over the savoury. The refreshed menu features rich and luscious cholocate treats such as the Chocolate Pudding with Guanaja Chantilly and Peanut Butter Chocolate Cup with Guanaja Chantilly. New sweett creations includes Passionfruit Meringue Tart, Forest Berries Basket, and Coconut Pandan Mousse.

My group felt a bit short that the new afternoon tea menu does not come with scones. I am not a big scone fan so it does not really matter to me, However after they raved about how good it was, it made me wanna try it too. Hopefully the restaurant will do a minor tweak and bring back the scones for the high tea menu.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Lime
PARKROYAL on Pickering
3 Upper Pickering Street
Singapore 058289
Tel: +65 68098899
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 630am - 12midnight
Fri-Sat, Eve of PH: 630am - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to the junction of Upper Pickering Street and New Bridge Road. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to the junction of Upper Pickering Street and New Bridge Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Beach Road Kitchen @ JW Marriott Singapore South Beach - An Epicurean All Day Dining Restaurant

The new JW Marriott Singapore South Beach along Beach Road is one of the newest hotel in Singapore. It boasts a total of nine dining concepts at the property. I dropped by its all-day dining restaurant - Beach Road Kitchen to check out its scrumptious buffet spread.

Seafood 3.5/5

The first station I checked out its their Seafood Room. They are many seafood on ice such as prawn, crab, mantis shrimp, clam, mussel, oyster and even razor clam, an item I seldom see on buffet line. A highlight in the seafood room is an array of smoked fish. There were green tea salmon, spiced salmon, gravlax salmon, smoked mackerel and smoked martin

Rib Eye 4.2/5

Not to be missed is their Charcoal Grill station that features handsome cuts of meat such as Rib Eye. The beautiful roast is best to paired with some grilled asparagus, broccoli and mushrooms. I also tried the Korean BBQ which is well seasoned and marinated, delivering a smoky sweetness to the tender meat.

Indian Food 4/5

International fare sch as Western and Indian cuisine are also available among the spread. I could not resist trying some of the Indian dishes such as the biryani, curry fish, lamb and curry vegetables. The aroma of the spices will spiced up your diner experience.

For those that want to have a taste of the local food, you can head to the Local Favourites section. You can find many Local Favourites such as the Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, nasi goreng kampong and angus hor fun.

Laksa 4/5

Head to the Noodle Bar for a bowl of comforting Laksa cooked a la minute by the staff at the live station.

Soft Serve Ice Cream 4.5/5

Do remember to leave some space for the Dessert station. It features an delightful spread of homemade desserts and pastries., fresh waffles and crepes with compotes and sauces. There are also fruits and nonya kuehs among the sweet selections. You can also have some fun making your own soft serve ice-cream cone.

Cakes & Pastries 4.2/5

Price of Buffet
Breakfast Buffet - $42
Lunch Buffet - $58
Dinner Buffet  - $78
Sunday Brunch Buffet - $108

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Beach Road Kitchen
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
30 South Beach Road
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 68181913
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

First Street Teochew Fish Soup (第一街潮州鱼汤) @ Upper Serangoon Road - One Of The Best Fish Soups, Be Prepared To Queue Up To 45 Minutes

I have grown up in Hougang but I did not know about this awesome fish soup stall near my home. It is only after I moved to the West then I know about its existence. I have to travel all the way back to the East to visit First Street Teochew Fish Soup (第一街潮州鱼汤) to find out for myself why the stall has a constant long queue of customer willing to wait up to 30-45 minutes, just to have their fish soup.

Batang Sliced Fish Soup 4/5

The stall offers a variety of fishes for the fish soups such as batang (mackerel), promfret and red garoupa. Customers also have a choice to add rice, porridge or mee sua to go along with their fish soup. We started with the Batang Sliced Fish Soup ($5.50/$7.50/$9.50) which comes with fresh slices of mackerel, tang oh vegetable and slices of ginger to remove any fishy taste.. The soup was light and sweet. We added mee sua at an additional cost of $0.50 to go with the bowl of comforting fish soup.

Red Garoupa 4.2/5

A popular and limited quality at the stall is the Red Garoupa ($8/$10). During my first visit, it was sold out and I was second time lucky. I also noted the pricing varies depend on market price. It was priced at $9/$11 during my first visit. I preferred the red garoupa over the batang fish primarily because of the firmer and bouncier texture of the fish meat.

Mixed Soup 4.5/5

My favourite among the dishes I tried is the Mixed Soup ($5/$7$10) which comes with batang fish, greens, squid, fish maw, fish cake, prawn, salted vegetables, ginger, fried shallots and minced pork. The highlight is the minced pork with is mixed with tee poh (dried sole fish). The stock of the fish soup is all the same but the additional of the minced pork with tee poh gives the soup an extra punch, elevating the flavour to a new level.

While queuing for my order, I noted that the stall is quite flexible with the order. I noticed a lot of customers requested to add minced pork in the batang fish soup. After tasting the mixed seafood, I released the minced pork which comes with tee poh, giving the soup the unami finish.

First Street Teochew Fish Soup at Serangoon North Ave 4 was started in 1989 by Mr William Lim. The father runs the stall with his two sons, Desmond and Aaron. Previously they have a few spin off branches including one nearby at First Centre at Serangoon Avenue 4  but all closed now.


First Street Teochew Fish Soup
1014 Upper Serangoon Road
(Jalan Rengkam)
Singapore 534752
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Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 8am - 3pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Kovan MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn right onto Upper Serangoon Road. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Kovan MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Kovan MRT station (Stop ID 63031). Take bus number 80, 81, 82, 101, 107, 112, 113, 136 or 153. Alight one stop later. Walk to traffic light and cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]