Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食) @ Geylang Bahru Food Centre - A Hearty Bowl Of Congee With Crispy You Tiao

At times we just want something light and comforting such as a hearty bowl of congee. When I was at Geylang Bahru Food Centre the other day, I decided to try Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食) as my appetite has not been great lately.

The humble stall, has an extensive menu selling a total of 19 different items. Besides premium congee such as prawn, la la and seafood, it also offers frog congee on the menu. There are also sides such as claypot pig liver and beancurd.

Century Egg & Lean Meat Congee 4.2/5

I tried both the Century Egg & Lean Meat Congee ($3.30) and Meat Ball Congee ($3.30). For the pricing, the portion is consider huge and value for money. The congee is smooth and silky. The congee is already flavourful, so there is no need for additional seasoning. On top of that, it comes with crispy you tiao that is cut for easily consumption.

Meat Ball Congee 4/5

Compared to the meat ball congee, I preferred the century egg & lean meat more. I felt that the century egg gives the congee an extra dimension in flavour to the congee. While the meat ball was tender and juicy, it didn't quite shine through in seasoning to complement the congee.

Overall, I would recommend Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食) at Geylang Bahru Food Centre if you are looking for a good bowl of congee. I am actually looking forward to try their claypot pig liver in my next visit. I hope it is as good as their congee.


Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食)
Geylang Bahru Food Centre
Blk 69 Geylang Bahru
#01-12
Singapore 330069
Nearest MRT: Geylang Bahru (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: TBC

Direction:
1) Alight at Geylang Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Claypot Delights (砂煲小吃) @ Kallang Basin Industrial Estate - Hidden Gem That Sells Claypot Dishes at Only $4

Located inside Kallang Basin Industrial Estate is Yew Yi Hup Kee Eating House which housed a number of food stalls providing cheap and comfort food for the workers in the area. With the opening of the downtown line 3, I made my way down to Claypot Delights (砂煲小吃), a hidden gem in the industrial estate offering a variety of claypot dishes for only $4. A bowl of rice comes at additional cost of $0.50.

Claypot Herbal Chicken Drumstick 4.2/5

First we tried the Claypot Herbal Chicken Drumstick. For $4, we get a whole drumstick. That is very generous. The broth was light with a subtle herbal taste, not overpowering the balance of the dish. The chicken drumstick remains tender and moist.

Assam Curry Chicken 3.8/5

The Claypot Assam Curry Chicken ($4) is not the usual lemak type. It comes with a sourish and tangy body. For a mere $4, it comes with two huge pieces of tender chicken. Once again for the price paid, this is a satisfying and substantial meal.

Claypot Assam Fish 4.2/5

My favourite goes to the Claypot Assam Fish ($4). Compared to the assam chicken, the fish goes better with the assam broth. I really enjoyed the sourish of the assam that I drowned my rice with it. I suspect the fish used is the frozen type but for the price, I am not complaining.

Besides the 3 claypot dishes I tried, the stall also sells Vinegar Pig's Trotter, Salted Egg Pork Belly, Bittergourd Pork Ribs and Sesame Oil Chicken all at only $4.


Claypot Delight (砂煲小吃)
Yew Yi Hup Kee Eating House
Kallang Basin Industrial Estate
23 Kallang Avenue
Singapore 399414
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am to 5pm
(Closed on Sat and Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit. Walk to Kallang Ave. Walk to Kallang Basin Industrial Estate. Cut through the carpark and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak @ CT Hub 2 - Nasi Lemak With Blue Coloured Rice

Have you heard of blue nasi lemak? To be exact, the blue colouring is from the butterfly pea flower. Two brothers, Kenneth and Shawn has inherited the recipe from their grandmother from Kedah, Malaysia and opened Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak. The stall was first opened at an industrial area in Tampines before re-locating to its current location at CT Hub 2.

Butterfly Pea Teh C with Gula Melaka 3/5

At Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak, not only the rice comes in blue colour but the drinks too. On the menu, it offers a variety of hot and cold beverages using the butterfly pea flower. One of these beverages, which is a new creation is the Butterfly Pea Teh C with Gula Melaka. It is quite an interesting drink using the natural sweetness of the gula melaka.

Blue Rice Rendang Chicken Set

It was a Saturday when I visited Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak and I decided to have their Blue Rice Rendang Chicken Set ($5). I understand that the rendang chicken is only available on every Tuesdays and Saturdays only. Unfortunately I visited the place after lunch hour and they have run out of sunny side up egg. Instead they replaced it with bitter gourd fried egg for me.

Unlike the usual nasi lemak rice, the butterfly pea flower rice is cooked using a concoction of natural pandan juice and coconut milk. The rice set comes with other items such as ikan bilis, eanuts, achar and of course the rendang chicken. Every components on the plate were well executed, playing their own roles for the set. Even the sweet and spicy chilli was so good too. It went very well with the rice. I can taste the effort by  he team, in ensuring every single items on the plate is well executed.

Worth mentioning is their weekly special Rendang Chicken. The tender chicken pieces are cooked in a rich and robust paste filled with aroma of spices and lemongrass.

Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak may not be any posh restaurant but the little eatery located in the aisle of CT Hub 2, hidden from the main road, serves some delicious nasi lemak that is good from the heart. You can taste the sincerity in their food.


[CLOSED]
Jia Xiang Nasi Lemak
CT Hub 2
114 Lavender Street
#01-08/09
Singapore 338729
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am - 3pm
Sat: 11am - 4pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Joyden Treasures @ Leisure Park Kallang - Celebrates 2nd Anniversary With New Menu Line-Up

Time flies and Joyden Treasures has opened at Leisure Park Kallang for 2 years. In celebration of its 2nd anniversary, Joyden Treasures introduces over 20 new dishes to its already extensive menu. I have been back to Joyden Treasures a couple of times and even introduced my friends to the restaurant. We have enjoyed the food at Joyden Treasures and it is great to know that they have created new dishes, providing more reasons for me to revisit the restaurant.

Chilled Yellow Roe Crab 4.2/5

Being a Teochew, I love having chilled crab. I always feel that this is the best way to appreciate the natural sweetness of the crab. I was glad to see the Chilled Yellow Roe Crab (market price) on the new menu. The yellow roe crab is poached in a broth redolent of ginger and spring onions. It is then cooled to room temperature and chilled in fridge. The creamy, golden roe is a delicacy on its own, bursting with unami. Guests can also choice to enjoy the succulent crab flesh together with the sweet plum sauce or homemade ginger and vinegar mix.

Poached Flower Clams with Mustard Greens in Superior Broth 4.2/5

The weather was rather cold during my visit and the Poached Flower Clams with Mustard Greens in Superior Broth ($20) was perfect to warm up the body. I was told that the mustard greens have health benefit such as cooling and cleansing the body. It is a painstakingly process to cook them. It needed to be soaked, brushed and washed repeatedly in cool water to lighten the bitterness. The milky white broth is sweetened by cooking the flower clams in the seafood broth. Chinese rice wine and crumbed sole fish are added to accentuate the flavour.

Steamed Minced Pork with "Mei Cai" 4/5

A homely dish on the menu is the Steamed Minced Pork with "Mei Cai" ($18). The patty used a combination of hand-chopped pork loin and shoulder. Preserved vegetables are also added into the patty for a sweet finishing. The diced water chestnuts provided the additional crunch.

Steamed Young Threadfin with Chinese Pickled "Olives" 4.2/5

For a change, we had the Steamed Young Threadfin with Chinese Pickled "Olives" (market price). Instead of the usual soy sauce or minced ginger style, the delicate and tender flesh of the young threadfin is steamed with tofu, slivers of shitake mushroom, mustard greens, tomatoes, ginger and slices of pork belly fat. There is a special ingredient in the dish, pickled Chinese "olives" which is known for its health and nutritional properties. I rarely see it used in Chinese restaurant. The first time I came across it was at Chef Kang's Kitchen. It has a olive-like flavour which lifted the deliciousness of the dish.

Crispy Homemade Yam Ring with Vegetables and Pork 4/5

Good for around 4 pax is the Crispy Homemade Yam Ring with Vegetables and Pork ($20). A crispy exterior encased the soft, soft and fluffy yam paste within. This is paired with slivers of julienned baby corn, turnip, red and yellow peppers, celery, carrots, shittake and shimeiji mushrooms and pork. Diners can also request for a vegetarian version.

Crispy Chicken Skin Stuffed with Seafood $24

A dish that requires skill and lots of effort is the Crispy Chicken Skin Stuffed with Seafood ($24). The chef skillfully removed the skin of a whole chicken, ensuring it remains intact as a whole piece. Next the chef has to remove the fats underneath the skin and air-dry it to to further remove any excess moisture. A seafood paste is spread across the underside of the skin and flash fried. The addition of almond provided the extra crunch and nutty aroma.

Lobster Claypot Porridge with Crispy Rice Puffs 4.2/5

Something luxurious and comforting on the menu is the Lobster Claypot Porridge with Crispy Rice Puffs (market pricing). A whole huge pipping hot claypot of porridge is rolled out on a trolley tableside. The pot of porridge uses a variety of rice grains to achieve the perfect texture the chef wants. This is cooked in a heady seafood and lobster shell broth. The lobster porridge also comes with condiments such as deep fried rice puffs, shallots, fried garlic and cilantro.

Overall I have enjoyed the new menu at Joyden Treasure. The refreshed menu has definitely given their customers and me more reasons to visit again. In fact, I am already planning to celebrate my parents' birthday at Joyden Treasure, as well as trying the rest of the new creations.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Joyden Treasures
Leisure Park Kallang
5 Stadium Walk
#02-42
Singapore 397693
Tel: +65 64468488
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Stadium (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun and PH: 1030am - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Stadium MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]