Shiok Pot @ Bukit Timah Interim Food Centre - A Mother’s Bold Career Switch from MNC to Hawker

Tucked away at the unassuming end of Bukit Timah Interim Food Centre is a newly opened hawker stall that comes with a story worth knowing. Meet Shiok Pot, started by 40-year-old Pei Jin, or PJ, who made a bold career switch from working in a corporate MNC to becoming a hawker after losing her job.

For someone who had a stable corporate career, starting from zero in the hawker trade was certainly not the obvious next step. PJ has no culinary training and no family background in the hawker business. What she does have is a love for cooking — and plenty of encouragement from her family, especially her daughter. Her daughter loved her cooking so much that she encouraged her mum to become a hawker and share her food with more people. That simple encouragement eventually pushed PJ to take the plunge.

At Shiok Pot, PJ serves hearty one-pot meals where diners can customise their meal by choosing their soup base, meats, and staple. Everything is cooked together with vegetables and tofu, making it a fuss-free, comforting one-pot meal.

Diners can choose from four soup bases: Original, Tomato, Sauerkraut, and Mala. For proteins, diners can choose two meats from Beef, Pork, or Chicken, then select one staple from Instant Noodle, Yi Mien, Thick Beehoon, Yellow Noodle, or Rice. It is essentially a build-your-own hotpot, but served as an individual portion, convenient for those who want a warm, filling meal without the commitment of a traditional hotpot.

Original Pork Bone Soup 4/5

For my first pot, I went with the Original Pork Bone Soup ($8.90) with beef and thick beehoon. The broth has a pleasant pork-bone depth and a savoury profile, balanced by the natural sweetness of the cabbage and corn. The soup also has a slight milky creaminess, giving it a comforting quality without making it overly rich. The beef was a substantial addition to the bowl, while the thick beehoon soaked up the broth well. With the vegetables and tofu thrown into the pot as well, there is quite a lot going on in a single serving. What stood out to me was the portion size. At $8.90, the bowl is fairly generous and makes for a hearty meal, especially for those looking for something warm and filling.

Sauerkraut Soup 3.5/5

For the second pot, we tried the Sauerkraut Soup ($8.90) with pork, chicken and Yi Mien. Again, the portion was generous, with a good mix of meat, noodles, vegetables, and tofu, making it another substantial one-pot meal. The sauerkraut broth has a light sourness that gives the soup a different character from the more comforting pork bone version. Personally, I felt the sauerkraut tang could be more pronounced. A little more acidity and perhaps some spiciness would also give the broth an extra kick and make it more distinctive.

That said, PJ shared that this is one of the soup bases she is still tweaking based on customer feedback. It is understandable for a newly opened stall to continue refining its recipes, and it will be interesting to see how the Sauerkraut Soup develops over time.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try the Tomato Soup, mainly because the portions were more generous than expected and we were already quite full after the two pots. From what I understand, the Tomato Soup is also one of the more popular choices among customers, alongside the Original Pork Bone Soup. That gives me a reason to return and try it on another visit.

I wouldn’t say Shiok Pot is currently one of those hawker stalls that I would travel across Singapore specifically for. However, for residents living around Bukit Timah and those working in the area, Shiok Pot offers something quite appealing. This hearty, customisable one-pot meal is generous and reasonably priced at $8.90. More importantly, the story behind the stall is rather heartwarming.

What started with cooking for the love of her daughter has now become an opportunity for PJ to share her food with a wider group of diners. It is a bold move for a 40-year-old mother to make such a drastic career change, especially without culinary training or hawker experience. The food may still be evolving as PJ gathers feedback and fine-tunes her recipes, but the passion behind Shiok Pot is clear. Sometimes, a new chapter begins not because you planned for it, but because life gives you no choice but to start again.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shiok Pot
Bukit Timah Intermin Food Centre
2A Jln Seh Chuan
#01-075
Singapore 599213
Nearest MRT: Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 8pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

Myung Ga (명가) II Korean BBQ @ Bukit Timah Plaza - A Go-To Spot for Korean Comfort Food

Myung Ga (명가) II at Bukit Timah Plaza is a beloved Korean eatery known for its generous portions, comforting home-style dishes, and authentic flavours that bring a taste of Korea closer to home. While the restaurant's name includes "Korean BBQ," many regulars return for its extensive range of traditional Korean dishes — from hearty stews and noodles to well-executed grilled items and classic comfort food.

Banchan 4/5

Before our mains arrived, we were served a selection of complimentary banchan, which is refillable. These side dishes help set the tone for the meal and complement the mains' bold flavours nicely.

Jaeyuk Dupbap - Spicy Stir-Fried Pork Belly 4.5/5

The Jaeyuk Dupbap ($20) features tender pork belly slices stir-fried in a robust gochujang-based sauce. The flavours are well-balanced — sweet, spicy, and deeply savoury without being overly cloying. Portions are generous, and the dish is served with a bowl of rice, making it perfect for pairing with the intensely flavoured pork belly.

Haemul Sundubu - Seafood Soft Tofu Stew 4.5/5

Served piping hot, the Haemul Sundubu ($18) is comforting and hearty. The soft tofu is incredibly silky, almost melting in the mouth, while the stew is packed with rich seafood flavours that enhance the spicy base broth. A satisfying choice, especially for those who enjoy bold and warming Korean stews.

Altang - Spicy Fish Roe Stew 4.2/5

For the more adventurous diner, the Altang ($25) is a standout. This spicy fish roe stew is loaded with fish roe and milt, ingredients not commonly found on menus in Singapore. As a fan of fish roe and milt, this was a pleasant surprise and a dish that showcases the restaurant's commitment to authentic Korean flavours.

Haemul Buchu Jeon - Seafood Pancake 4/5

Another delightful dish is the Haemul Buchu Jeon ($22). The seafood pancake is crispy on the outside while remaining fluffy on the inside. Each bite is savoury and satisfying, especially when dipped into the accompanying sauce, which beautifully brings the flavours together.

Overall, Myung Ga (명가) II delivers comforting Korean fare with generous portions and authentic flavours, making it a reliable spot for both casual meals and hearty Korean cravings.


Myung Ga (명가) II Korean BBQ
Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit
#B1-55
Singapore 588996
Tel: +65 6469 5123
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Instagram
Nearest MRT: King Albert Park (DT Line), Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 330pm, 530pm - 830pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at King Albert Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Bukit Timah Road. Cross the road at the traffic junction of Bukit Timah Road and Clementi Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the traffic junction of Upper Bukit Timah Road and Jalan Jurong Kechil. Cross the road at the traffic junction. Turn right onto Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

[CLOSED] Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅) @ Bukit Batok - Tuck into Comforting & Unique Charcoal Hot Pot Bases Such As Wintermelon Seafood and Congee

Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅) is a fresh addition to the hot pot scene, nestled within a coffeeshop at IBIZ Centre, located between Bukit Batok and Jurong East. Its unique broth bases set Da Pang apart from other hot pot spots.

In addition to their signature hot pot offerings, they also serve Fried Hokkien Sotong Prawn Mee ($6/$8/$12), prepared in a slightly wetter style.

When you visit Da Pang, the ingredients for the hot pot are neatly packed and available for self-service from display refrigerators.

With a basket in hand, diners can enjoy a 'shopping trip' experience, selecting their preferred ingredients and bringing them back to the table. Each item is cling-wrapped and organised by categories such as vegetables, seafood, and meats, making it easy to choose.

The ingredients are priced according to the colour of the plates: White ($1) for mostly vegetables, Green and Yellow ($3), Orange ($5) for a selection of house-marinated meats, and Red ($8) for premium items.

Right in front of the stall, you'll find a variety of condiments, along with free-flow cabbage and xiao bai cai in these vintage baskets. Live crabs are also available at $10 each, which will be prepared by the staff upon order.

We were pleasantly surprised by the range of fresh ingredients, which came in more substantial portions than we've experienced in other similar hot pot eateries.

Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot 4.2/5

We opted for the Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot ($32) as our base for our meal. We sipped the broth before adding any ingredients and enjoyed how flavourful it was. This base features a carved winter melon centrepiece, filled with prawns and la la clams, surrounded by watermelon cubes. The broth itself had a comforting, well-balanced herbal sweetness married with seafood flavours. I particularly liked how it was not overly salty.

Da Pang offers a variety of other broth bases, including Lala Hotpot ($18/$28), Prawn Hotpot ($18/$28), and Lala & Prawn Hotpot ($22/$32). These bases can be paired with different soups such as Clear Soup, Tomato Soup, Herbal Soup, or their Specialty Congee base. If you're interested in trying the Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot, it's best to call ahead and reserve it at least a day in advance.

Some of our favourite ingredient picks included marinated pork paste, prawn paste, marinated chicken, dumplings, and green bamboo shoots. The clams, prawns, and winter melon that came with our soup base were satisfying, too.

Broth refills are complimentary, and the attentive staff were quick to assist with this. We also learned that instead of breaking down the winter melon, you can leave it boiling whole and dip your ingredients into it. The winter melon is cleverly carved with a tunnel inside, allowing the ingredients to cook thoroughly.

We concluded our meal with a piece of fried egg floss that soaked up the soup!

Although Da Pang is not located in the most accessible location, we had an enjoyable meal and look forward to returning.

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.


[CLOSED]
Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅)
IBIZ Centre
32 Old Toh Tuck Road
#01-17
Singapore 597658
Tel: +65 8788 5812
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Clement (EW Line), Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2pm, 4pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17171). Take bus number 106. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Clementi Bus Interchange (Stop ID 17009). Take bus number 173. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 16 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Beauty World MRT station (Stop ID 42151). Take bus 41. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

4) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Beauty World MRT station (Stop ID 42151). Take bus 173. Alight 7 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 16 minutes. [Map]

OMMA Korean Charcoal BBQ @ Cheong Chin Nam Road (Bukit Timah) - Singapore's First Wood-Fire Korean Charcoal BBQ's 2nd Outlet

OMMA Korean Charcoal BBQ has recently opened its second outlet at Bukit Timah. Pride itself on being Singapore’s first wood-fire Korean Charcoal BBQ. Selecting natural wood charcoal that burns smokelessly, diners get to choose from five types of carefully selected wood to enhance the flavours of the ingredients.

You have 5 options of wood to choose from: Applewood, Cherry, Pecan, Hickory and Jarrah. Opt for any to cook your meal for only $3 per 30g. We started with Hickory Firewood ($3/30g), specially selected to go with the Japan A4 Grade Beef Ribeye ($81/180g). Hickory is meant to cut through the fattiness of meats to cook with punchy smokiness thoroughly. With such a high-quality piece of meat, it was such an experience to be able to barbecue it using real firewood.

For variety, a recommended item will be the Special Beef and Pork Set ($105). The set includes Iberico Pork Collar, Pork Belly, Beef Ribs, Beef Striploin, Steam Egg, Kimchi Soup and Side Dishes.

We continued with the beef before switching the Hickory Firewood to Apple Firewood as we moved on to the pork. The smell of the burning Apple firewood was extremely alluring, adding a wonderful aroma to the meats.

The accompanying piquant kimchi soup, steamed egg, and side dishes are ideal fillers in between bites to complement the meats or while waiting for them to be done.

With over 60 ala carte options starting from $8.80 and set menus from $49, there is also fresh seafood such as prawns, mussels and even oysters.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


OMMA Korean Charcoal BBQ
20 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Singapore 599744
Tel: +65 65139553
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am to 1130pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight to Cheong Chin Nam Road. Walk down Cheong Chin Nam Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Koon Signatures @ Bukit Timah - More Than Just Traditional Bak Kut Teh

Koon Bak Kut Teh at Bukit Timah opened its door in 2012, serving traditional Bak Kut Teh and other home-cooked dishes. As competition within the industry gets tougher, its founder Moses, decided to revamp the outlet by improving its interior and ambience, and most importantly, incorporating dishes that deviates from his usual classics. With the transformation, it has also renamed the restaurant as Koon Signatures.

Mushroom Buns 3/5

I thought these Handmade Mushrooms Buns gels pretty well with Bak Kut Teh concept. I was half expecting it to taste like our typical Chinese mushroom bun with custard filling but it turned out to be minced mushrooms filling which lean towards the flavour of a western mushroom soup. I like the filling but the texture of the bun was a little too soft.

Classic Bak Kut Teh 3/5, Braised Phoenix Claws 3.5/5

The Classic Bak Kut Teh ($6.50) was decent though it is supposed to be its core dish. The soup was peppery but slightly watered down. I like the Braised Phoenix Claws much more. They were fatty and not too highly flavoured with the braising sauce. The fried you tiao seemed to have an additional layer of crispiness to it, definitely one of the better ones I ever had.

Modern Braised Meat Rice 4/5

I would say its Modern Braised Meat Rice ($8.90) outshines its classic. Wholesome with sauteed cherry tomatoes and mushrooms, the melt-in-your-mouth braised pork didn't seem to leave any trace of fats in my mouth, and no lingering porky flavour. The crunchy pickled cucumber slices added to the pleasure. In CBD area, this would have been a hit.

Char Siew Chicken 3/5 and Deep Fried Pork Belly 3.5/5

Koon's signatures include Char Siew Chicken ($8.90) and Deep Fried Pork Belly ($8.90). Ordering the Signature Platter ($16.90) will get you both. The Char Siew Chicken was quite successful in getting the char siew flavours right, especially those desirable burnt ends. But I find the glaze too much on the meat which made it a little too sweet. The pork belly was like KFC's original chicken, which has a thin layer of crisp crust that stays even after a while.

Superior Chicken Stew 3/5

The Superior Chicken Stew ($8.90) with fish maw serves as a very comforting meal for one. It looked promising but the soup didn't taste as rich as expected, nor it has the consistency of a nourishing fish maw soup.

Kale 4/5

I love its Braised Kale with Superior Stock ($11.90)! So much that I could finish the entire plate. The kale was pretty much being left alone, only lightly flavoured with garlic and pork belly to mellow out its rawness.

Black Sesame Lava Cake 3/5

One of its latest creations is this Black Sesame Lava Cake with Glutinous Rice & Gelato ($11.90), which has a slight Japanese feel to it. The black sesame was rich but the sweetness level was way over the limits, especially after a meaty meal. I love the unsweetened glutinous rice which combines well with the gelato. Still, with such comprehensive spread that caters to different crowd, Koon Signatures is a great option for a casual family gathering.

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.


Koon Signatures
10 Cheong Chin Nam Rd
Singapore 599735
Tel: +65 64630111
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Beauty World (DT Line)bak

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Joo Seng Teochew Porridge @ Upper Bukit Timah - Popular Teochew Porridge At Upper Bukit Timah

If I am looking for comfort food or supper near my home, Joo Seng Teochew Porridge at Bukit Timah will always come to my mind. I actually have not been back there for a while due to the construction of the Downtown line. With the completion of the Downtown line, traffic flow are smoother now and it is also easily accessible by the MRT.

Braised Duck 4/5

Braised Pork Belly 4/5

It was an impromptu meet up with my friends for dinner since they were near my neighbourhood. We ordered quite a number of dishes to go with our porridge. We could not resist ordering their braised items such as the Braised Duck, Pork Belly, Tau Pok and Pig Intestines. I always find that the rich flavour of the braised ingredients go well with the comforting bowl of plain porridge.

I enjoy Teochew porridge for the fact that I can still bite into the rice grains. Most Toechew porridge places also allow you to have it with more or less rice water, up to individual's preference.

Steamed Sotong

The Steamed Sotong was fresh and not overcooked (chewy). It has an enjoyable firm but yet bouncy texture.

Chap Chye 3/5

The Chap Chye may not be the best but it has been cooked to a nice soft texture. It also comes with crunchy black fungus.

Chye Poh Egg

Salty on its own but the Chy Poh Egg goes very well with the porridge. Somewhat crunchy from the preserved turnips, held together by the fluffy egg omelette.

After so many years, Joo Seng Teochew Porridge is still standing tall. The restaurant is always packed with customers whenever I visit the place in the evening. This is the go to place for Teochew porridge for many people staying in the West, even for night owls as the restaurant is opened until 4 in the morning.


Joo Seng Teochew Porridge
14 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Singapore 599738
Tel: +65 64630768
Nearest MRT: Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 930am - 4am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight to Cheong Chin Nam Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]