Kovan Rojak (高文罗惹) @ Kovan Food Centre - Delicious Plate of Rojak With Unique Add-on Like Abalone And Jellyfish

Kovan Rojak (高文罗惹) at Kovan Food Centre is a gem that delights diners with its delectable plate of rojak. It ranks among the best I have ever had. Rojak, a traditional Asian salad, features a medley of ingredients tossed in shrimp paste. While the components may vary across different stalls, Kovan Rojak offers a delightful combination of cucumber, jicama, pineapple, youtiao, and tau pok.

Rojak 4.2/5

Setting itself apart from other rojak stalls, Kovan Rojak goes the extra mile by providing unique add-on options like abalone and jellyfish. This unexpected twist adds a touch of novelty to the dining experience, making it stand out from the crowd.

The plate of Rojak ($4/$5/$6) encompasses the classic ingredients, including cucumber, jicama, youtiao, tau pok, and beansprouts, all coated in a delightful sweet and savoury prawn sauce, generously sprinkled with peanuts. I opted to include cuttlefish for an additional dollar to enhance my enjoyment. The tanginess of the pineapple and the freshness of the green mango heightened the overall flavour profile. While the youtiao retained its satisfying crispness, I found the tau pok and cuttlefish lacking the desired crunch. It would be fantastic if they could toast them before serving. Nonetheless, the rojak was undeniably delicious, leaving a strong impression that compelled me to return for more.

Kovan Rojak (高文罗惹) is a must-visit destination for rojak enthusiasts seeking an exceptional culinary experience. Prepare your taste buds for a tantalising adventure that will undoubtedly leave you craving another plate of their flavoursome rojak.


Kovan Rojak (高文罗惹)
Kovan Food Centre
Blk 209 Hougang Street 21
#01-39
Singapore 530209
Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 6pm
(Closed on Mon)

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

Davis Prawn Court @ Kovan Food Centre - The Popular Cai Png Uncle Is Back Frying A Delicious Plate Of Hokkien Prawn Noodles

Davis Prawn Court at Kovan 209 Food Centre is a new stall selling Prawn Noodle and Fried Hokkien Mee. Residents in Kovan will be familiar with the man behind the wok. The same uncle used to run the now-defunct popular Cai Png stall - Teow Heng Cooked Food.

Hokkien Prawn Noodles 4.2/5

We had the Hokkien Prawn Noodles ($5/$8). The style is more of the gooey, semi-wet version packed with robust, savoury prawn stock. It reminds me of Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee in Toa Payoh. Quite similar but less west. The plate of slurping goodness came with prawns, pork belly, sotong and pork lard. In addition, the accompanying chilli sauce has that slight tang that complements the noodles. It is indeed a good plate of Hokkien prawn noodles.

Davis Prawn Noodles 4/5

Besides the Hokkien Mee, the stall also offers a variety of prawn noodle options such as Big Prawn Noodle, Abalone Prawn Noodle, Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle, Pig Tails Prawn Noodle and Intestinal Prawn Noodle.

We had the regular Davis Prawn Noodle ($4.80/ $5.80), which comes with half-sliced prawns, pig's skin and lean pork. I opted for a mixture of beehoon and yellow noodles tossed in a fragrant dried chilli sauce that goes well with the noodle. As for the soup, it has a balance of pork and crustacean flavour. It is not the full-blown, rich crustacean flavour type.

Overall I prefer the Hokkien Mee over the Prawn Noodle. Comparing the two, the Hokkien Mee fares better. However, if you have stomach space, you can try both items. By the way, the hokkien mee is only available from 10am onwards.


Davis Prawn Court
Kovan Food Centre
Blk 209 Hougang Street 21
#01-37
Singapore 530209
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Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 7am - 9pm
(Closed on Tue)

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

Alkove Bistro @ Kovan Road - Michelin-starred Chef Serving Up Casual French Fare In The Heartlands

Alkove Bistro is a new venture by Chef Haikal Johari, a French-inspired bistro fare in the heartlands of Kovan. The casual bistro is supported by a team of young talents, offering familiar savoury and sweet French favourites with prime ingredients used throughout the menu.

We started our brunch with a cup of coffee to perk up the day. The coffee menu at Alkove Bistro was created in collaboration with CATA Coffee.

Croque Monsieur 3.8/5

The Croque Monsieur ($17.90), a classic ham and cheese sandwich, comes with two thick, fluffy brioches sandwiched with Bayonne ham and comte. It is a hearty and cheesy toastie that is packed with rich flavours.

Chicken Vin Blanc 4/5

We enjoyed the Chicken Vin Blanc ($27.90). A whole free-range chicken leg and morel mushroom complement the perfectly cooked pasta. The creamy vin blanc sauce lifted the enjoyment, making me return for more. It will be one of the dishes I will order in my return.

Wagyu Onglet Steak Frites 3/5

I did not enjoy the Wagyu Onglet Steak Frites ($29,90). I was not too fond of the cut of the Margaret River Wagyu, which is a bit tough to my liking.

Ocean Trout 4/5

The Ocean Trout ($26.90) fares better than the beef. The ocean trout is cooked to a beautiful moist with crispy skin, paired with olives, anchovies, boiled eggs, potatoes, kenya fine beans, and couscous.

With Chef Haikal Johari's fame behind the causal bistro, I was expecting more from the food menu. However, while the food was decent, it was safe, lacking that wow factor that made it stand out against other bistros.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Alkove Bistro
Simon Plaza
2 Kovan Road
#01-10
Singapore 548008
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Nearest MRT: Kovan MRT station (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Mon: 8am - 6pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Kovan MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight to Simon Road. Turn left onto Simon Road. Walk down Simon Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap @ Upper Serangoon Road - Thai Style Kwap Chap In Singapore

I have been wanting to try Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap along Upper Serangoon Road for the longest time whenever the bus passed by the place with the sight of crowd packing the restaurant. We have been eating the local braised type kway chap since young but Thai style is rather new in Singapore. The first time I tried it was back in Bangkok a couple of years back and I am glad to know that this is available in Singapore now.

Signature Thai Kway Chap 3.8/5

Unlike the dark coloured soup based type in Singapore, the Signature Thai Kway Chap ($5) comes in a white peppery soup base. The kway is also rolled up instead of being flat, which has a more delectable textural bite. In the bowl, one can find ingredients such pig stomach, roasted pork, pork slices and Thai sausage. However I find that it is not as peppery as the one I had in Bangkok.

I have not tried Thai Fish Sausage before but this is quite fragrant and it actually tasted like those Taiwan sausage.

The signature of Thai Kway Chap comes with crispy Roasted Pork, just the way it is done in Bangkok. One may think it is rather random to have them in the kway chap, but I find that it does did its part in providing the extra boost in flavour, just like how we like to add pork lard in our noodle dishes.

Braised Beancurd 3.5/5

The signature kway chap is a bit small in portion and you may need to have another bowl to be full. Otherwise you may want to complete your meal with some dishes to go along with the kwap chap. I tried the Braised Beancurd ($4) and Kailan with Crispy Pork ($8). The kailan is really well executed with the aroma for wok hei, fish sauce, garlic and of course the crispy pork.

Kailan with Crispy Pork 4/5

Other sides available on the menu are Thai Mid Wing, Thai Boiled Pork Belly, Deep Fried Thai Pork Belly, Thai Stir Fried Cabbage with Fish Sauce, Thai Fried Beancurd, Thai Fish Sausage, Braised Tau Pok, Braised Egg


Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap
945 Upper Serangoon Road
Singapore 534711
Tel: +65 88225637
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Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 130am

Direction:
1) Alight at Kovan MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the traffic junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Simon Road. Cross the road. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]