Tow Kwar Pop (豆乾薄) @ Tiong Bahru Food Centre - A Dish That Is Disappearing From Our Hawker Scene

Located at Tiong Bahru Food Centre is an unassuming stall selling Tow Kwar Pop (Stuffed Tofu Puffs), a dish disappearing from the Singapore hawker scene. The dish name is also the stall name. The stall was started by two brothers in 1965, the same year as Singapore's independence.

Tow Kwar Pop 4.5/5

The plate of Tow Kwar Pop ($4/$5) comes with freshly toasted tofu puffs over charcoal fire stuffed with crunchy vegetables such as cucumber and beansprouts, topped with peanuts. Accompanying the tofu puffs are you tiao, cuttlefish, pineapple, turnip, and green papaya, which is quite similar to a plate of naked rojak. I enjoyed the addition of cut fruits, giving the dish an extra refreshing touch.

It also comes with two accompanying sauces. One is a dark sweet, tangy sauce similar to rojak sauce with fragrant shrimp paste. Those who prefer some kick can dip the tofu puff in the chilli sauce.


Tow Kwar Pop (豆乾薄)
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
30 Seng Poh Road
#02-06
Singapore 168898
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 930am - 3pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down Zion Road to junction of Tiong Bahru Road and Seng Poh Road. Cross the road and walk down Seng Poh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Mr & Mrs Nasi Lemak @ Seng Poh Road (Tiong Bahru) - Re-Located From French Road to Tiong Bahru

Mr & Mrs Nasi Lemak, which used to be at French Road, moved to its new location in Tiong Bahru, Seng Poh Road, earlier this year. It is where Loo's Hainanese Curry Rice used to be, which has now been relocated to the nearby Tiong Bahru Food Centre.

Chicken Wing Set 3/5

I had the Chicken Wing Set ($5), which comes with deep-fried chicken wing, egg, ikan bilis and achar. Diners can choose either spicy or non-spicy ikan bilis. I went for the spicy version, which is exceptionally crispy and packed with the lovely aroma of the sambal.

The sambal was a bit out of place for me. It has a sour taste which I didn't enjoy. The rice grains used are longer, similar to basmati rice which has a nice delectable bite. As for the chicken wing, it was pretty small. Though it was deep-fried to crispy, it lacked the aromatics in the marination.

On top of the different nasi lemak sets, customers can choose to add on from the a la carte items. We decided to add on the Deep-fried Pork Belly for an extra $1.70. It is pretty dry in texture but has delightful crispiness.

Overall I think Mr & Mrs Nasi Lemak serves a decent plate of nasi lemak that will satisfy the hunger. However, it is not something that you will travel for it, as you probably can get one that is as good or even better near your home.


Mr & Mrs Nasi Lemak
Blk 71 Seng Poh Road
#01-49
Singapore 160071
Tel: +65 93835689
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun: 830am - 2pm
(Closed on Thu and alternate Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Tiong Bahru Road towards Kim Pong Road. Turn right onto Kim Pong Road. Turn left onto Lim Liak Street. Walk down Li Liak Street. Turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down to Zion Road to Seng Poh Road. Turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

People Table Tales @ Tiong Bahru - New Private Dining Serving Crocodile Rib Rendang

People Table Tales is a new private dining place that recently opened in the quaint Tiong Bahru neighbourhood. It caught my attention for serving whole-roasted crocodile rib rendang on its menu. The 8-course meal is priced at $198 with alcohol pairing.

Our dinner started with the Mouth Pleasers, a selection of small bites to kickstart the dinner. The Croc Fin Crackling intrigued us, which can be enjoyed with the accompanying Green Sambal and Lacto Pumpkin Sambal.

Other mouth pleasers included Toasted Coconut, Sourdough-so Butter and Toasted Koji.

Natsuki's Dream 4.2/5

Next is Natsuki's Dream, a speciality of vegetables from Natsuki's Garden, a local organic farm. The highlight on the plate is the sweet corn paired with lacto mango.

Mushroom Buddies 4.2/5

The Mushroom Buddies is inspired by Vietnamese pho covered by a sheet of rice paper. It showcased the earthy tone of the mushrooms excellently in a robust broth lifted by kaffir lime. I felt the soaked rice paper somehow substituted the noodle for the pho.

Black 4/5

Looking like a piece of charcoal is Black, chicken pieces in coffee shoyu, blackened garlic and pineapple, resting atop a pulut hitam cracker. The succulent chicken pieces are from a breed known as Silkie Chicken, whereby their bone and skin are black.

Pineapple Gazpacho 3.5/5

The chilled Pineapple Gazpacho is a welcome break from the meal to freshen up the palate for more to come.

Nasi Ulam 4.2/5

Next, we had Nasi Ulam, which is served at the tableside. The service staff will mix all the different ingredients, such as toasted rice, herbs from Corridor Farmers, and lime dressing, in a big bowl. The bowl of rice is packed with beautiful aroma from the herbs, enhanced by a zesty finish from the lime dressing.

Whole-roasted Croc Rib Rendang 4.5/5

The one dish everyone was anticipating throughout the night was the Whole-roasted Croc Rib Rendang. I am not new to eating crocodile meat, but it is my first for the rib and the cooking style. For those that have not eaten crocodile meat, it is clean tasting without any gamey taste, almost like chicken.

The rib meat is very tender and falls off the bone with ease. It is also served with achar, coconut serundeng, roti and smoked coconut rice.

For me, the highlight is the spiced coconut jus. Not only did it complement the croc rib, but it also went so well with the roti and smoked coconut rice.

Moju Granita 4/5

Before moving to the dessert, we had the Moju Granita for palate cleanser that consists of seasonal fruits, candied winter melon and cranberry hibiscus.

Everything Makgeolli 4/5

Wrapping up our dinner is Everything Makegeolli comprising of black rice makgeolli cremeux and tuile paired with white rice makgeolli ice cream.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


People Table Tales
Blk 79 Chay Yan Street
#02-20
Singapore 160079
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line), Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 630pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon-Tue)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station. (Stop ID 10169). Take bus 121. Alight at the next stop. Walk to Yong Siak street. Turn right onto Yong Siak Street and walk to Chay Yan Street. Turn left onto Chay Yan Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk down Zion Road to Seng Poh Road. Turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Walk to end of Seng Poh Road. Turn left onto Guan Chuan Street, and then right onto Chay Yan Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Singapore Lor Mee @ Tiong Bahru Food Centre - A New And Third Lor Mee Stall At The Food Centre

A third and new Lor Mee stall - Singapore Lor Mee has opened at Tiong Bahru Food Centre. Accordingly to my friend, the stall is previously known as Zhen Hao Lor Mee at North Bridge Road. I have not heard of them before. Nevertheless, I could not help my curiosity self to check them out.

There is three items on the menu - Traditional Lor Mee ($4.80), Fried Cod Fish Lor Mee ($5.80) and Jumbo Lor Mee ($8). Unlike other lor mee stalls, it offers unique items such as fried cod fish fillet and tempura prawn for their lor mee.

I decided to go for the Fried Cod Fish Lor Mee. Although the fried cod fish is flaky and moist, the exterior is not as crispy as I would have liked. Probably due to the fact it is not freshly fried.

Compared to the other two popular stalls at the food centre, the broth, better known as the lor for the noodle, lacks robustness. While it is not very gooey, it is light and lacks depth. So maybe I am more inclined to a more heavily flavoured bowl of lor mee.

I had tried the stall when it was previously at North Bridge Road. From the taste, it seems that it is more for the older plate or what we may label it as traditional taste. The younger generation, which prefers strong flavours, may not yet enjoy it.


Singapore Lor Mee
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
30 Seng Poh Road
#02-32
Singapore 168898
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line), Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 8pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Tiong Bahru Road towards Kim Pong Road. Turn right onto Kim Pong Road. Turn left onto Lim Liak Street. Walk down Li Liak Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down Zion Road to Seng Poh Road. Turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Coco Rice @ Tiong Bahru Food Centre - From Selling Nasi Lemak Cake At Home To Opening A Hawker Stall

Aries Chan made a name for herself with her home-based business - Nasi Lemak Indulgence, selling Nasi Lemak Cake. From the comfort of her home, she has opened a hawker stall - The Coco Rice at Tiong Bahru Food centre selling Blue Pea Nasi Lemak Sets.

The hawker stall offers four different sets. The four sets on the menu are Sambal Lady Finger and Fried Tempeh Bean Curd ($6.90), Fried Chicken Whole Leg with Herbs & Spice ($7.90), Fried Fish with Sambal Kicap Chili ($8.90) and Sambal Prawn with Petai ($9.90). On top of that, you also have the option of adding extra ingredients for an additional cost.

Fried Chicken Whole Leg with Herbs & Spice 4.2/5

I decided to go for the Fried Chicken Whole Leg with Herbs & Spice ($7.90), which comprises blue pea nasi lemak rice, homemade sambal, fried anchovies, fried peanuts, sunny side-up, cucumber and whole fried chicken leg with herbs & spice. I even added a homemade pan-grilled otah patty for an extra $2.

Among the various items on the plate, my favourite is the fragrant and fluffy nasi lemak rice complemented by the sweet and spicy sambal on the side. However, the star has to be the whole fried chicken leg. It is deep-fried to a crispy golden brown accentuated by the marination of the herbs and spices, giving it a lovely aroma.


The Coco Rice
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
Blk 30 Seng Poh Road
#02-58
Singapore 168898
Website
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line), Outram (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 930am - 5pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Tiong Bahru Road towards Kim Pong Road. Turn right onto Kim Pong Road. Turn left onto Lim Liak Street. Walk down Li Liak Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station (Stop ID 06011). Take bus no. 33, 63, 75, 121, 122, 851 or 970. Alight 1 stop later at Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Road. Walk to destination about 200 meters away. Journey time 8 minutes.  [Map]

Merci Marcel @ Eng Hoon Street - Hearty And Homemade Cuisines Of Regional French Flavours At Original Tiong Bahru Outlet

Located in the enclave of Tiong Bahru, chic French cafe-restaurant Merci Marcel serves up a variety of French bakes and mains in the daytime menu and a dinner ‘tapas’ menu, created for sharing in a good company come evening. Merci Marcel up the ante with a new dinner menu of Southern French flavours, conceptualised by the Merci Marcel team and Boudrdeax Chef Nicholas Nguyen Van Hai. Dishes recommended were the Southern French-style flaky pizza pissaladiere of Provence, the Alsatian tarte flambee made a la minute, and locally-sourced prawns marinated with French-Spanish influence and garlic, and more!

G'Vin 4/5

We started the evening with some of the drinks recommended by the friendly server. For something on the sweeter side, go for the G'Vin ($18) - a concoction of grapefruit tonic, grapefruit, blueberries and decorated with rose petals, which makes for a light and refreshing drink that would appeal to any gin & tonic lover.

300g Beef Striploin 4.2/5

From the sharing plates, we had the Beef Striploin ($42). The 300g portion size was great for sharing and done medium rare, the meat was grilled to tender perfection. However, the highlight for us was the creamy seasonal mushrooms which were served atop the steak, along with a flavourful beef jus reduction and burnt leek, which just elevated the entire dish.

Truffle Tarte Flambee 4/5

Another excellent dish le Tarte Flambee ($25) which comes with onion, comte, artisanal corsica coppa, and fragrant truffle oil atop a thin, flaky pizza. The salted cured meat added a delightful smoky savouriness to the dish, and the crust got more addictive as we crunched away on it. We only hoped the truffle flavour could be more robust as the aroma was not distinctive enough, masked by the stronger savoury flavours of the dish.

Ravioles de Royans 4.2/5

For something more substantial, opt for the Ravioles de Royans ($18), one of the signature dishes at Merci Marcel. A French speciality of the Dauphine region - the mini French dumpling pasta is filled with creamy Tete de Moine cheese and served in a thick creamy sauce. The dish gets more addictive with each al dente bite and won me over with its cheesy and gooey filling. Surprisingly, the creaminess of the dish was quite light and did not overwhelm us at the end of it all. It is available in either small ($18) or large ($28), but we recommend getting the larger size for sharing to get your fill of this cheesy goodness.

Duck Parmentier Facon Marcel 3.8/5

The Duck Parmentier Facon Marcel ($27) features tender duck confit shreds sitting atop shredded Darphin potatoes, resembling the potato rosti that we are more familiar with. The rosti has just slight crispiness of the outside while retaining a soft mushy centrever, we found the duck confit to be a little too dry for our liking.

Lemon Pie 4/5

We round off our meal with their new desserts - the Lemon Pie ($12) comes in an interesting deconstructed presentation. We loved how the sourness from the lemon curd is balanced off by the sweetness of the soft homemade meringue while sitting atop a pile of buttery crusts which added a nice texture to the creaminess of the other elements.

Chocolate Mousse 3.8/5

Made using coconut oil, the Chocolate Mousse ($11) is a dairy-free dessert and comes in a cup of creamy dark chocolatey mousse sitting atop a crunchy cookie base. While the bittersweet chocolate mousse was enjoyable, it got a little too much halfway through, and we began digging for the crunchy base to pair with the creamy mousse.

Photos and words 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.


Merci Marcel
56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-68
Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 62240113
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am - 1130pm
Sun: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Head east on Tiong Bahru Road towards Jalan Membina. Walk down Tiong Bahru and turn right onto Kim Pong Road. Turn left onto Lim Liak Street. Walk to the of Lim Liak Street and turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station (Stop ID 06011). Take bus no. 33, 63, 75, 851 or 970. Alight 1 stop later at Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Road. Continue on Tiong Bahru Road and turn left onto Seng Poh Road. Continue on Seng Poh Road until destination. Journey time 8 minutes. [Map]

Sushiro @ Tiong Bahru Plaza - Japan's Number 1 Kaiten Sushi Chain Opens First Outlet In Singapore

Japan's largest kaiten sushi chain, Sushiro opens its first outlet in Singapore at Tiong Bahru Plaza. Globally it has over 530 outlets in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Singapore outlet is the first in Southeast Asia, offering over 100 varieties of sushi and side menu selections, with prices starting from $2.20.

Sea Urchin Dry Ramen 3/5

During my visit, Sushiro was offering four new seasonal items for a limited period. They were Sea Urchin Dry Ramen ($8.50), Fresh Shrimp with Madagascar ($3.20), Sea Urchin & Roasted Beef ($3.20) and Scallop Tempura ($3.20).

Fresh Shrimp with Madagascar 3.5/5

While I like the unami creaminess of the Sea Urchin Dry Ramen, the portion is a little small for the price. I was worried the texture of the Fresh Shrimp with Madagascar would turn out slimy, but it was acceptable. In fact, if you can get over the barrier of its rawest, you would appreciate the natural sweetness of the shrimp.

Sea Urchin & Roasted Beef 4/5

Scallop Tempura 2.8/5

A unique pairing is the Sea Urchin & Roasted Beef. I didn't occupy to me that both items can go along. The combination is also rarely seen in local kaiten sushi restaurants. As for the Scallop Tempura, the pairing does not work for me. The idea of tempura on top sushi rice is a bit stretch for me. 

Salmon Roe Sushi 3/5

Tuna Sushi 3.5/5

With over 100 over selections in the offering, it is not possible to try everything. Hence I would recommend the Salmon Roe Sushi ($3.20), Tuna Sushi ($2.20) and Yellowtail Sushi ($3.20). They are Sushiro Japan's top 3 best sellers.

Sea Urchin Sushi 3/5

Besides the sushi, there are also side dishes which you can order from the tablet menu. Not to be used are items should as Shoyu Ramen, Chawanmushi with Scallop and Chicken Karaage. For dessert, they have Hattendo cream bun and pudding. Do save some space for these! They are so good.

While I am overwhelmed by the varieties available on the conveyor belt and menu, I find some of the sushi combinations have gone overboard. Unfortunately, I don't think every single ingredient can be made into sushi. That is why, if you realise I only gone for the more classic sushi items. Quality-wise, I think it still a notch behind some of incumbent kaiten sushi chain in Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sushiro
Tiong Bahru Plaza
302 Tiong Bahru Road
#02-118
Singapore 168732
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT; Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]