Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh @ Yuhua Food Centre - You Can Have It Either Steamed or Pan Fried

Recently during my trip to Jurong East, I came across Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh at Yuhua Food Centre which handmade a variety of tradition Teochew kuehs at their humble little stall. For each type of kueh, you can have it either steamed or pan fried.

Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh offers 4 types of tradition kuehs. They are Soon Kueh, Gu Chai Kueh, Cabbage Kueh and Png Kueh.

Steamed Cabbage Kueh 3/5 and Soon Kueh 3.5/5

Steamed Gu Chai Kueh 4/5

From the steamed kuehs, I tried the Steamed Cabbage Kueh ($0.70), Steamed Soon Kueh ($0.70) and Steamed Gu Chai Kueh ($0.70). My favourite among the three is the Gu Chai Kueh or Chive Kueh for its fragrant. I was rather disappointed with the cabbage kueh, the cabbage is bland and not sweet. The soon kueh is passable but nothing to shout for.

Fried Soon Kueh 3.8/5 and Fried Png Kueh 4/5

You have the option to have the kueh pan fried at Lai Heng if you don't like it steamed. I tried the Fried Soon Kueh ($0.80) and Fried Png Kueh ($1). They cost an addition ten cents more compare to the steamed one. The pan frying gives the soon kueh and png kueh an additional exterior crisp which lifted the whole texture. Among all the kuehs I tried, I still prefer the Pnh Kueh for its flavourfull filling, accentuated by the peanuts, dried shrimp and mushroom.

Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh
Yuhua Food Centre
347 Jurong East Avenue 1
#01-218
Singapore 600347
Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 2pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinese Garden MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Boon Lay Way. Turn left and walk to the overhead bridge. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Origin Grill & Bar @ Shangri-La Hotel Singapore - The Place for Shiro Kin Wagyu and Snow-aged A4 Wagyu From Niigate, Japan

A new addition to Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is Origin Grill & Bar, located at the lobby level. Stepping into the new restaurant, one will feel like being teleport into a nostalgia train with a romantic charm.

Chilled Potato with Eggplant Jelly and Caviar 4.2/5

I was given a glimpse of the menu starting with the Chilled Potato with Eggplant Jelly and Caviar. The chilled potato married with the eggplant jelly, felt like cloud on my palate.The mousse-like texture of the chilled potato is perked up by the saltiness of the accompanying caviar.

Grilled Prawns 4.5/5

From the grilled seafood section, I had the Grilled Prawns which has been grilled with orange for a subtle fruity sweetness. It comes with fennel and baby green beans, black olives and carrot hummus. I enjoyed the grilled prawn for its bouncy texture and natural sweetness.

Rangers Valley Black Market Marble Score 5+ Sirloin 4.5/5

While I didn't get to try the Snow-aged Wagyu from Niigata Japan, I am as content with the Rangers Valley Black Market Marble Score 5+ Sirloin which is grilled to perfection, topped with a huge piece of foie gras and dressed in shallot jus. The grain-fed beef with its high score of marbling, is bursting with rich flavour. The buttered spinach at the side is a welcome accompaniment to balance the richness.

Dessert Platter 4.2/5

Cranberry Lemon Tea Cake 4.2/5

Besides the different grill dishes from the land and sea, not to be missed at Origin is their desserts and daily selection of cakes. I would recommend saving some space for dessert to wrap up your dinner experience at Origin Grill on a sweet note.

If you are a beef lover, you will be glad to know that both the Shiro Kin wagyu and the snow-aged full-blood wagyu are exclusively available at Origin Grill. I have heard of dry-aged but snow-aged is something new. It is a natural refrigeration process using snow storage or a yukimuro. This centuries-old aging process maintains a consistent internal temperature between 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, in spite of external weather conditions, in a state called seichi, which causes the meat to keep more than 90 per cent humidity and, thus, achieve better ripening and retention of freshness.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Origin Grill & Bar
Shangri La Singapore Hotel
Lobby Level Tower Wing
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 62134595
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down to the end of Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 23 minutes. [Map]

Mikuni Japanese Restaurant @ Fairmont Singapore – Celebrates Hina Matsuri For A Sixth Year

Back by popular demand and in its sixth anticipated installation, Mikuni once again heralds the arrival of the time-honoured Japanese tradition that takes place during the first light of Spring, Hina matsuri (also known as Doll's Festival or Girl's Day) which marks a day when families wish their daughters success and happiness in life. Helming the Japanese restaurant is Chef Keisuke Uno, who have specially curated a delicately refreshing bento that is themed for the season - an embodiment of refined feminine grace to reflect the coming of age.

From 1 to 10 March, diners get to indulge in a multi-sensory culinary experience with nine elegantly curated dishes aptly adorned with pink and floral garnishes in a dainty wooden lacquered bento box, thoughtfully designed to please and pamper palates.

Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Hokkaido Seafood 4.5/5

The luxurious 9-course bento comes with a rich starter of Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Hokkaido Seafood. It boosts a remarkably silky and delicate texture, while its flavour is given a premium upgrade with a strong hint of foie gras, as well as an addition of fresh uni and salmon roe. These mouth-popping granules contribute bursts of mildly salty notes to complement the sweetness of the seafood and steamed egg custard, making every bite of the chawanmushi rich, full-bodied and thoroughly enjoyable - A perfect appetizer to kick start the 9-course bento.

Miso Marinated Black Cod, Eel Sushi, Japanese Plum Jelly Sasamaki-fu, Braised Octopus 4.2/5

Next on the bento is followed by a marriage of refined flavours including Miso marinated Black Cod, Eel Sushi, Japanese Plum Jelly Sasamaki-fu, and Braised Octopus artfully showcased on a delicate Japanese origami paper. This dish of assorted appetizer delicacies displays a medley of textures of flavours from the tender miso marinated black cod, soft eel on fluffy Japanese rice, juicy brasied octopus and strips of plum jelly with a sweet-sour balance.

Prawn, “Tokushima” Baby Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Shishitou White Fish 4.2/5

The tempura section includes a platter of 4 assorted items - Prawn, “Tokushima” Baby Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Shishitou White Fish, each lightly coated and fried to a golden crisp perfection.

Sea Bream, Ohtoro, Kampachi 4.5/5

We were presented a variety of fresh, delicate sashimi slices - of Sea Bream, Ohtoro and Kampachi, all freshly from Tsujiki Market. Flawlessly executed, the sashimi slices were fresh with a melt-in-the-mouth consistency.

Slow-cooked A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Sirloin, Garlic Sweet Soy 4.5/5

The highlight is the Slow-cooked A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Sirloin which features lightly seared beef served with garlic sweet soy sauce to boost a perfect sweet-savoury balance. Cooked to medium rare, this luxuriously rich and well-marbled beef brings huge satisfaction to every bite with its exquisite quality of the meat - flavourful and tender that literally melts in the mouth.

Authentic Japanese Braised Bamboo Shoots and Shrimp Cake 4/5

Next on the bento is the Authentic Japanese Braised Bamboo Shoots and Shrimp Cake. The shrimp cake is soft and flavourful, while the braised bamboo shoots delivers a soft crunchiness in its texture with a mildly sweet juiciness to complement the shrimp cake.

Crab Chirashi Sushi 4.2/5

The Crab Chirashi Sushi comes in a bowl of perfectly cooked fluffy Japanese rice filled with generous amounts of soft crab meat within and salmon roe to provide a mild sweet-savoury combination to the dish. Essentially, a dish that seems simple but fare well with its excellent execution. To complement these exquisite dishes, a piping bowl of soothing Japanese Miso Soup is served to cleanse the palate well at the end of the meal.

Shizuoka Musk Melon and Mango Sorbet 4.2/5

Round off the meal on a sweet note with the Shizuoka Musk Melon and Mango Sorbet, which constitutes Chef Keisuke’s tropical dessert of mango sorbet seamlessly enhanced with the sweetness of shizuoka musk melon. A delectable dessert for those with an insatiable sweet tooth.

Kindly note that the Hina Matsuri Bento is available from 1 to 10 March only. The Hina Matsuri bento is priced at $120++ per person, available for lunch.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Mikuni Japanese Restaurant
Fairmont Hotel Singapore
80 Bras Basah Road
Level 3
Singapore 189650
Tel: +65 64316156
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

ARTiS @ Sukhumvit Soi 18 [Bangkok] - Nothing Fancy Just A Pure Good Cup Of Coffee

It has been 3 years since I last visited Bangkok and I was really eager to pop by one of their artisanal cafes. While there are so many recommended ones up in magazines and social media, it was really by chance to find ARTiS, especially it looked so unassuming at bustling Sukhumvit. Simply because when I finally saw Roast at The Commons and decided that it will just be another P.S Café experience, and all other cafes at Thong Lo and Ekkamai had shut their doors for the day, I decided to give this cafe a try, after walking past it back and forth several times, for it is just a few minutes walk from my hotel!

Was it the days of yearning for that one cup of good coffee after a week in Thailand, that caused me to feel that I just had the best Piccolo? Ever since my first gibraltar years ago at Toby Estate Singapore, I haven't had such feeling for a very long time. I couldn't stop commenting to my friend about how velvety the foam was and married with the extract so well that the coffee just stayed lusciously round and full bodied throughout, till my last sip.

Not much food accompaniment here, so i ordered a mini carrot cake. I reckon their sandwiches will fare a lot better.

I made a point to come back before departure, which I did on the morning before my flight back. Black coffee is the way to go for any morning hence the Single Origin Ethiopia Guji Uraga. Stated notes are Blood Orange, Peach and Strawberry. Not an expert in drinking drip coffees but it resonates well with me and I could detect that hint of strawberry notes in the coffee.

I read that Artis originates from Berkeley, a Calif.-based brand. So this store is actually a licensing of the brand with a business partner fell in love the Berkeley store after his first visit. The concept store is much bigger with a 'Live Roast Experience' concept, along with a traditional coffee bar and a brewing equipment marketplace.

Weekend mornings would be the best time to go as it gets really packed and busy on weekdays. I had such a pleasure sitting outside with a great cup of coffee, watching the street hawker preparing his fried dough and soya milk fervently.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. 


ARTiS
Sukhumvit Soi 18
Bangkok 10110
Thailand
Facebook
Website
[Map]

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 11pm

Nai Ek Roll Noodles @ Chinatown [Bangkok] - Like Our Local Kway Chap Plus Pig Organ's Soup

My recent visit to Bangkok brought me to this local food eatery in the heart of Bangkok Chinatown, popular for its roll noodles. Nai Ek Roll Noodles started off selling roll noodles from a street cart in the 1960s before opening his own shop in 1989. During my visit for lunch, the place is packed with local and tourists.

Even though the place is very crowded, there is a proper system and things move quite swiftly. All you need to do is queue up and the staff will sit you accordingly when a space becomes available. Menu comes in English and picture, making ordering easy. Once you have decided, just place your order with one of the staffs and food will be served to you.

Roll Noodles Soup 4/5

The signature Roll Noodles Soup ($50/$80/$100 Baht) comes with minced pork, crispy pork, sliced pork, pig stomach, pig liver, pig kidney and pig tongue in a very peppery soup. What stands out for me is the rolled rice noodles. The rolling probably gives it an even more enjoyable textural bite. The offal was probably cleaned and didn't have that gaminess.

Pork Entrail Soup 4/5

The other popular item on the menu is the Pork Entrail Soup ($50/$80/$100 Baht) comes with pig blood jelly, white mugwort and all the ingredients in the roll noodles soup minus the noodles. The soup base tasted less peppery than the roll noodles soup, with a hint of the crispy pork flavour infused into the soup.

Braised Pork Trotter 3.5/5

Boiled Bean Curd 3.5/5

You can also order a couple of dish dishes to go along with the mains. I tried the Braised Pork Trotter ($80/$100/$150 Baht) and Boiled Bean Curd ($50/$80/$100 Baht). They may not be the star dishes but it played a supportive role to make the whole experience complete.

For Singaporean that is planning to check out Nai Ek roll noodles, it is like a combination of our kway chap and pig organ's soup.


Nai Ek Roll Noodles
442 Soi Yaowarat 9
Samphanawong
Krung Thep
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 22264651
[Map]

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 12midnight

Uya 四代目菊川 @ Wheelock Place - Another Unagi Specialty Restaurant In The Heart Of Orchard Road

Uya 四代目菊川 at Wheelock Place may be a newly established unagi cuisine restaurant in Singapore, it comes from a family with a long heritage. Co-founded by Yuhei Kikukawa, the fourth generation family head of Nakasho Shoten Ltd, a wholesaler of unagi for over 90 years, and also the owner of a chain of unagi and other Japanese cuisine restaurants in Nagoya. Scientifically known as Anguilla japonica, only Japanese Eels are used here. I learnt that the quality ones tend to be smaller, and are more highly prized in Japan for their relatively tender and fattier meat (with quality oil, more vitamins and minerals). Hence, you may fine the chosen eels are smaller in size than those commonly found in other restaurants.

These hand-chosen eels are then air-flown in twice a week to the restaurant where they are kept in clean, fresh and optimal conditions in a tabeta, a custom-built facility which continuously circulates clean and temperature-controlled water.

Hitsumabushi 3/5

If it's your first time trying out a unagi cusine, Hitsumabushi ($48 Large) would be the recommended option. Originally a Nagoya meibutsu (local specialty), the unagi will be grilled with their very own special tare made from a 4-generations old recipe and meant to be taken 3 ways. Eat it as it is, add the condiments provided such as wasabi, finely sliced negi (green onions) and shredded nori or make ochazuke with the dash broth provided.

The tare used coats the unagi with just the right amount sweetness and surprisingly, I like the 3rd way of eating, especially with the addition of their Mi Sansho. Ground sansho pepper, a native pepper to Japan with a sharp herbal flavor, brings a ripple of tastes to the ochazuke while it cuts through the fatty flavor of the eel. Perhaps my unagi has been sliced too thinly or the batch of unagi in season belongs to the leaner size, I didn't get that fatty and moist texture that I was looking for.

Grilled Eel with Salt 3.5/5

Grilled Eel with Salt ($33 Medium) allows you to appreciate the eel's natural beauty. I like the light crisp on the surface, while the meat stayed fluffy and moist.

Rare Wagyu Rice Bowl 4/5

The menu also offers other popular Japanese dishes such as Chirashi Don which is not surprising given that the other co-founder is Shin Foods PL, the company behind the highly popular the Koji Sushi Bars. What brought satisfaction to the table that evening was actually this Rare Wagyu Rice Bowl ($27). The luscious unctuous meat, smeared with tare sauce, was rich and full bodied, which make the pearly rice again one of the best creations in the world. The clear soup served along contains yuzu, which cleans the palate well at the end of the meal.

Grilled Eel Liver 3.8/5

I don't really take liver but I actually finished the entire Grilled Eel Liver myelf! The charred exteriors formed a skin around the liver, almost like tiny liver sausages. Coated with tare sauce, the charred smokey sweetness of the exteriors complements the gamey liver which makes it so delicious.

Eel Bones 3.5/5

What brings excitement to the table, other than the eel liver, would be this Eel Bones ($9), also known as Eel Hone Senbei. Hone means bone in Japanese, and Senbei are traditional crackers. The crunchiness that it delivers, is just as much as pork crackling but half the calories!

Compared to my very first unagi cuisine experience, this at Uya pales in comparison. I have not tried enough to compare either, hence it could be simply because the cuisine is too delicate for me to appreciate. That said, the ambience of this intimate space wins, for you get to enjoy your exquisite unagi bowl in a less hurried mood.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Uya 四代目菊川
Wheelock Place
501 Orchard Road
#02-15/16
Singapore 238880
Tel: +65 67321096
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Hans Im Gluck @ Orchard Road - A Fairy Tale-like German Burger Chain Opens In Singapore

Situated in the heart of Orchard Road is Hans Im Gluck, an established German Burger Grill and Bar from Munich which has launched 49 outlets across Europe and hereby marking Singapore as the franchise’s 50th outlet globally. Originating from a wonderful story of Hans Im Gluck which is meant to teach readers the true origin of happiness, diners will be instantly transported to an enchanting dining experience akin to dining in a whimsical fairy tale forest with its carefully curated interiors - the lush greenery and floor to ceiling birch tree trunks sprouting in between tables to create a green haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Burgers are their forte. The casual gourmet burger restaurant specialises in an extensive selection of quality European gastro burgers - with over 30 beef and chicken burgers served alongside salads, as well as vegetarian and vegan burgers to cater to those with dietary restrictions. Also, the restaurant brings in its own range of housemade sauces, as well as multi-grain and sourdough buns, which come frozen from Germany and are made exclusively for the chain, in order to ensure consistency and quality. I liked how all burgers come with an option for customers to choose their choice of bread from Sourdough, Multigrain or go Naked, which basically translates into a bun-less burger, perfect for those on a carb-free diet.

1 PFUND SUSSKARTOFFEL-FRITTEN 4.5/5

The 1 PFUND SUSSKARTOFFEL-FRITTEN ($9) comes in a generously portioned sweet potato fries which boasts a crispy exterior, with a sweet potato fragrance within its soft airy insides. Though good on its own, pair them with the different sauces available and you will finish all one pound of these addictive sweet potato goodness in no time.

HANS IM GLUCK 4.2/5

The HANS IM GLUCK ($17) features a beef burger which comes with parmesan cheese, parma ham, rocket leaves and balsamic glaze. The subtle sweetness from the balsamic glaze complemented the savouriness of the other ingredients quite well, while the beef patty leans towards the tougher side as they only do their beef well-done. Furthermore, the restaurant opts for fresh Australian beef, which averages at 20 per cent fat-to-meat ratio. This explains why the patty lack the juiciness one usually expect for their burgers.

KLASSIK 4/5

Another beef burger from their menu, the KLASSIK ($14) claimed as the 'mother of all burgers', also came with a nicely seasoned beef patty, as well as the standard set of toppings such as fresh lettuce, red onions, sun-ripened tomatoes and their signature HANS IM GLÜCK sauce. Boasting a good balance of flavour and texture, their rendition of European beef burgers are generally less greasy and more healthy than the American-style burgers.

VOGELWILD 3.8/5

The VOGELWILD ($14) features a grilled chicken breast burger with sour cream chive sauce and crispy fried onions. A healthier option as grilled chicken breast is used, the meat was a tad dry on its own. However, the dressings provided a creamy tanginess which lends a refreshing flavour to the burger in between bites.

ABENDROT 4/5

One of the vegetarian burger options from the menu, the ABENDROT ($15) comes with parmesan cheese, grilled vegetable tartare & rocket leaves. Crunchy and flavourful, this meatless option is still satisfying as the rich flavour of the grilled vegetable tartare works wonderfully on the palate.

JUGLANS 4/5

Their Vegan options are no less impressive with the JUGLANS ($15) which comes with cranberries, sprouts and walnuts. The vegan patty has a nice crispness on the exterior while the interior retains a succulent texture. Its accompaniments provide a good balance of flavour to the vegan burger.

HENNE 4/5

The HENNE ($15) is a grilled chicken breast burger which comes with avocado cream, sprouts, orange and mustard sauce. However, with the option to go naked (without burger buns), the dish resembles a salad. It may look like a mess of leafy greens, yet it fares notchers higher than the regular salad bowls with its luscious avocado cream and mustard sauce adding a zesty kick to the entire dish. Fresh and yet retaining a nice crunchy texture, it is no less satisfying than the regular burgers and perfect for those on a carb-free diet.

OMAS GEHEIMNIS 4.5/5

End the meal on a sweet note with their selection of desserts, such as the OMAS GEHEIMNIS ($12) which features warm molten chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream & whipped cream. The soft moist molten cake oozes intensely rich chocolate lava upon breaking it open. The classic combination of the warm chocolate and cold ice cream never goes wrong, and is well executed in this case.

WOHLERGEHEN 4/5

The WOHLERGEHEN ($10) comes in a pile of mini Crepes drizzled with warm chocolate and served with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream. The dish also came with some walnuts to add a crunchy texture to the soft mini crepes and creamy ice cream.

BESTER 4.2/5

The BESTER ($12) features warm glazed apple tart served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. The apple tart leans towards the sour side with a subtle sweetness while the creamy vanilla ice cream on the side provides a good complement to the apple tart, with the addition of whipped cream for a lighter finish.

Hans Im Gluck presents a whole new slew of wholesome burgers which is of both quality and nutritious value, defying the common perception of unhealthy burgers that we get mostly from fast-food restaurants. Owner Mrs Hirschberger says: "European burgers are healthy and nutritious. Our burgers are different from fast food. We want to offer gourmet burgers in a restaurant setting as proper sit-down meals." As a one-stop burger place to cater to different dietary preferences, it elevates its variety of handcrafted burgers into an exciting and healthy meal – with virtually unlimited options and something special for everyone.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Hans Im Glück
362 Orchard Road
Singapore 238887
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 12midnigh
Fri-Sat: 11am - 1am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the underpass too Shaw House. Walk to ground level. Turn right onto Orchard Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]