Min Xiao Min 闽小闽 @ Boat Quay - Homely Minnan Cuisine From China Fujian Province

Min Xiao Min is new to the stretch of shophouses along Boat Quay. It serves homely Minnan cuisine from China's Fujian province. The eatery is small and cosy, managed by a young and friendly owner.

Pork Fusion Fish Ball Pro Max 4/5

I was initially sceptical of the Pork Fusion Fish Ball Pro Max ($6.90) as I'm generally not a fan of the similar Fuzhou fish balls. I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. The tennis-ball-sized fish paste ball had a delightfully chewy texture, with a tender pork ball hidden within. Cutting it open revealed a savoury pork broth that enhanced the flavour of the seaweed soup.

Fried Pork in Spring Roll 3/5

The Fried Pork in Spring Roll ($6.80) resembled ngoh hiang, featuring minced pork encased in tofu skin and fried. However, my dining companion and I found it overly sweet and oily for our taste.

Garlic Stir-fried Chicken 4/5

The Garlic Stir-fried Chicken ($18.80) is ideal for sharing, especially when paired with white rice. Although pretty addictive, its sweet and salty glaze can become a bit heavy.

Shacha Noodle 4/5

I tried Shacha Noodle ($9) for the first time here, and it was reminiscent of prawn noodles initially but with an added nutty flavour from the prawn, pork, and shacha sauce broth. The generous portion included yellow noodles soaking up the broth, accompanied by beansprouts, fresh prawns, and pork slices.

Boiled Fish 4/5

Consider sharing the Boiled Fish ($19.90) if you're dining with a group. While it may appear to look like Sichuan Boiled Fish (水煮鱼), they are pretty different. The gravy boasts a thicker consistency and a more robust garlicky flavour, perfect with white rice. Served with thick fish slices, beansprouts, and cabbage, this dish is also available to order with beef slices.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Xiao Min 闽小闽
47 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058680
Tel: +65 8180 7675
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road. Turn right and walk to Carpenter Street. Turn left onto Carpenter Street. Walk down Carpenter Street to South Bridge Road. Cross the road. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT staton. Take Exit G. Walk stright to North Canal Road. Walk down North Canal Road to South Bridge Road. Turn right onto South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time bout 8 minutes. [Map]

ilmiri @ Circular Road - Bringing Its Signature Jjimdak to Singapore

ilmiri, a renowned F&B brand in Korea, opened its first outlet in Singapore on Circular Road. Established in 2011, ilmiri is known as the leading chicken cuisine brand in Korea, with more than 200 franchise stores in the country.

Cloud Cheese Jjimdak 4.5/5

The dish that Ilmiri is known for is its Jjimdak - a hearty braised chicken dish that is well-loved by many Koreans and seen in many popular K-dramas. They are available in Soy Sauce, Red Chilli, BBQ and Truffle Jjiajang sauce. We tried the best-selling Cloud Cheese Jjimdak ($41.90), available in Soy Sauce or Red Chilli.

This modern rendition comes loaded with braised chicken, accompanied by a medley of rice cakes, potatoes, and glass noodles, along with Korean dumplings, which are hidden like bundles of treasures, all covered with melted Mozzarella cheese. There's a lot to like about this hearty dish, from the tender chicken to the juicy Korean dumplings, chewy rice cakes, and the well-caramelised leeks and onions. The melted cheese added to the fun of having it with friends and family.

Seaweed Sunny Side-up Bibim Rice

It can be a tad saltish to have it on its own. Hence, it is recommended that you pair it with Seaweed Sunny Side-up Bibim Rice.

Tofu Stew 3/5

To complement our Jjimdak, we had a simple Soybean Paste Tofu Stew with beef. While the portion was relatively small, it was generously loaded with onions and zucchini, which added a delightful touch of sweetness to the stew.

Photos and words 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.


ilmiri
25/26 Circular Road
Singapore 049381
Tel: +65 8468 8566
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk straight to Circular Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Town Restaurant @ The Fullerton Hotel Singapore - Straits from the Heart: An Ode to Peranakan Cuisine

In collaboration with Chef Philip Chia, a local culinary master and best-selling cookbook author known for his Peranakan cuisine, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore presents "Straits from the Heart: An Ode to Peranakan Cuisine" at Town Restaurant alongside their signature spread of local and international fare. From 14 August to 14 September 2023, you can taste Chef Philip's prowess as a purveyor of Peranakan cuisine in the dishes created in the lunch and dinner buffet menus from Monday to Saturday.

Egg Prawn Salad with Khong Th’ng

Cucumber Pineapple Prawn Salad

We started with some cold salads that whetted our appetites with zesty and piquant dressings - the Egg Prawn Salad with Khong Th'ng (Peanut Candy) Dressing and the Cucumber Pineapple Prawn Salad. Both salads were ultra-refreshing, featuring crunchy cucumbers, juicy pineapples, and prawns and eggs that added delightful textures. I found them rather addictive - the fiery dressings had a good amount of heat and acidity yet were well balanced by the sweetness of the tomatoes and pineapples.

Otah Otah

Ngoh Hiang

Familiar and well-loved appetisers Ngoh Hiang and Otah Otah are also available.

Kueh Pie Tee

One of the highlights is the DIY Kueh Pie Tee station, complete with crispy, thin tart shells and well-stewed turnips.

Babi Pontay

The Mains were superb. The Babi Pontay (braised pork belly in fermented soybean sauce) was truly memorable, featuring fork-tender and unctuous thick-cut pork belly, along with generous chunks of mushrooms and bamboo shoots that had absorbed the flavoursome sauce, softening and enhancing their taste.

Ayam Buah Keluak

Beef Rendang

Other meat dishes featured include tantalising Ayam Buah Keluak (chicken and black nuts in tamarind gravy) and Beef Rendang (slow-cooked beef curry). Both delivered flavoursome and tender meats, and it was even more satisfying when I had them together with the warm and fragrant Jasmine rice served alongside.

Assam Pedas

Udang Goreng Assam

Seafood dishes provided a delightful addition to the line-up. The Assam Pedas was a highlight for me; the sour and spicy gravy was irresistible, accentuated by substantial chunks of pineapple that had been simmered to release bursts of sweet and tangy juice with every bite. The fish was cooked to perfection, boasting a tender and flaky texture. The Udang Goreng Assam (fried prawns with tamarind) were finger-licking good.

Nyonya Chap Chye

And my favourite, Nyonya Chap Chye, didn't disappoint either! The vegetables had been braised until tender, absorbing the delectable umami broth.

The dessert counter showcases a live station serving Chendol, along with an array of bite-sized kueh such as Kueh Salat, Bengka Ubi, Kueh Kosui, and more. My personal favorite is the Rainbow Lapis, which in my opinion was the best Rainbow Lapis I have had to date. They were so good that you had to be quick, as they were snapped up shortly after being replenished.

Straits from the Heart: An Ode to Peranakan Flavours
- Executive Lunch Buffet Monday to Friday S$48* per adult, S$24* per child
- Seafood Symphony Dinner Buffet Wednesday and Thursday S$128* per adult, S$64* per child
- Dinner Buffet with Barbecued Selection Friday and Saturday S$118* per adult, S$59* per child
- International Lunch Buffet Saturday S$68* per adult, S$34* per child

Photos and words 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.


Town Restaurant
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 68778188
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk towards the river. At the river, turn right again and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

59 Hutong Yakiniku @ Boat Quay - Taipei's Top Yakiniku Chain For Exclusive Cuts Of Meats And Seafood, Together With Friendly Taiwanese Service

Newly opened in Boat Quay is 59 Hutong Yakinku, a new yakiniku restaurant serving premium and exclusive cuts of meats and seafood from Japan, US and Australia, and friendly Taiwanese service. The restaurant is a collaboration between Taipei's top yakiniku chain, Hutong and Singapore's 59 Restaurant Pte Ltd.

AUS Wagyu Thin Cut Tongue

We started with the AUS Wagyu Thin Cut Tongue ($32), which has a delectable crunch after grilling.

There is a good variety of beef cuts, such as the US Prime Boneless Short Rib ($32), AUS Black Cow Chuck Flat ($30), US Prime Dallas Cube ($38) and many more.

Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye Roll.

Of course, the highlight has to be the Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye Roll (215g - 225g) with its beautiful marbling that melted in the mouth. Other A5 wagyu cuts from Japan and AUS are available too.

Spanish Pork Belly

Iberico Pork Shoulder Blade

For the non-beef eaters, you can go for Spanish Pork Belly ($18) or Iberico Pork Shoulder Blade ($26). Alternatively, another option is the tender Boneless Chicken Thigh ($14) paired with garlic butter.

Boneless Chicken Thigh

Raw Crab Roe in Crab Shell

There are also seafood selections such as Neritic Squid ($18), Cuttlefish ($18), Scallops ($10) and many more on the menu. We tried the Raw Crab Roe in Crab Shell ($18), which can take a while to cook. The flavour is a bit too rich and intense for me.

Cuttlefish Sausage

A must-have under the seafood section is the Cuttlefish Sausage ($14). During the grilling, it emits a beautiful aroma that makes you drool while waiting for it to be cooked. In addition, the stuffed cuttlefish gives it a lovely crunchy finish.

Zucchini and King Oyster Mushroom

While the focus is on the meats and seafood, the vegetables are good too. We had the Zucchini ($9) and King Oyster Mushroom ($9), which is an excellent refreshing break.

Wagyu Beef Japanese Rice

A good selection is the Wagyu Beef Japanese Rice ($12) to fill up the stomach. While I enjoyed the soft and fluffy rice, I hoped the wagyu beef could be fatter.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


59 Hutong Yakiniku
35 Boat Quay
Singapore 049824
Tel: +65 62353818
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Nearest: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 330pm, 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards the river. Turn left at the river. Walk along the river. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

La Belle Epoque @ Boat Quay - New European Restaurant Along The Singapore River

La Belle Epoque (which means 'the golden age' in French) is a European restaurant and bar concept that has recently opened its doors at Boat Quay. It offers contemporary European cuisine using fresh ingredients seasoned with natural herbs. Most of the herbs are sourced from Head Chef Firdauz's very own herb garden.

Oyster & Iberico 4/5

Starting off the evening was Oyster & Iberico ($26), an interesting combination of fresh oyster and crispy iberico ham, tomato salsa and Avruga caviar. Other than the delightful crunch lent by the crispy iberico ham, I love how the different elements within the tiny shell played out when I consumed it as a whole. The crispy iberico ham and caviar seasoned the fresh oyster with their savoury notes, while the sweet and acidic tomato salsa balanced the overall flavours.

Hummus Taco 3.5/5

Next, we had Hummus Taco ($10). The hummus is made with smoked chickpea. The elusive smoky accent of the hummus made it even more moreish and delicious. However, it might be better to serve the corn taco shell as a side as it turned soggy after a while.

Cauliflower Steak 2.5/5

The Cauliflower Steak ($12) is a vegetarian-friendly dish featuring a smoked and cured cauliflower with vegetable butter herbs, served with purple sweet potato. Unlike the hummus taco, smoking the ingredients didn't work in the dish. The presence of that smokey flavour was somewhat overwhelming and got unpleasant after a while. The cauliflower was not very well cooked through either.

Smoked Pork Belly 4/5

We had two meat dishes, of which I would highly recommend the Smoked Pork Belly ($16) marinated with spices. It is served with crispy pork crackers, grilled peach salad and pork veloute. The taste of the pork cracker needs to be improved for sure, but otherwise, the pork belly itself was scrumptious. Instead of the usual apple sauce, the chef used the sweetness of grilled peach to complement the meat.

Beef Short Ribs 2.8/5

However, the Beef Short Ribs ($28) was rather disappointing. Marinated with local spices and sous vide for 48 hours, the meat was relatively dry.

Cheese and Cold Cuts Board 2.5/5

We also had a sample of their Cheeses and Cold Cuts Board, but I find it rather lacklustre.

Lemon Tart 3/5

Tiramisu 4/5, Guerre Stellari 4.5/5

The desserts were good. We had Lemon Tart ($10), Tiramisu ($10) and Guerre Stellari ($10). The Guerre Stellari was my favourite. Encased within dark chocolate crust was rum chocolate mousse, and it was a perfect marriage with the tart raspberry sorbet.

Photos and words 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.


La Belle Epoque
63 Boat Quay
Singapore 049851
Tel: +65 67321687
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 3pm - 1130pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road walk to Upper Circular Road. Walk down Upper Circular Road to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to the riverfront. Turn left and walk down Boat Quay. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]