Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon @ Dover Crescent - My Go To Place To Drink XO

If you are to ask around where to find the best XO Fish Head Bee Hoon, probably most of them will recommend you Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon at Dover Crescent. As the name suggested, it was originally at Holland Village before relocated to its current location.

From what I read, the story of how the XO Fish Head Bee Hoon comes about because a former XO salesman who enjoyed his brandy some much that he added a few dash into the creamy fish soup, accentuating the flavour. This is eventually adopted by the stall and become a popular dish with many others copying soon.

XO Fried Fish Meat Bee Hoon 4.2/5

The stall sells both the Fried Fish Meat Bee Hoon and Fried Fish Head Bee Hoon at $6 / $10 / $15 / $20 / $20-$25. For those prefer to have the XO added to the soup, it costs slightly more at $7 / $12 / $15 / $20 / $20-$25. While gourmand may prefer the fish head bee hoon, I actually prefer the fish meat for its meaty texture and ease of consumption. The highlight needless to say is the robust soup which was accentuated by adding brandy during the boiling stage to fragrant the flavour of the soup. With the addition of ginger that removes any fishy taste.

Frankly many people have said that the standard has dropped over the years. Even so, I think it is still a decent bowl of fish bee hoon soup. It is still my to go place if I am craving for a bowl of the warm and comforting fish soup.


Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon
Blk 19A Dover Crescent
#01-05
Singapore 131019
Tel: +65 67783691
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line), Dover (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Commonwealth Avenue West (Stop ID 11191). Take bus number 105, 106, 147 or 185. Alight 1 stop later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Dover MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Dover MRT staion (Stop ID 19039). Take bus 105, 106, 147 or 185. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Min Jiang @ One North - The Magic Of Black Garlic

Known for its unique flavour and health benefit, the black garlic took the stage from 15 March to 14 April 2017 at Min Jiang, One-North. For a limited period, Master Chef Goh Chee Kong has created six dishes highlighting the special ingredient - Japanese Black Garlic. Unlike the normal garlic, black garlic is actually sweet due to the ageing process.

Black Garlic Duo Platter 3.5/5

We started with the Black Garlic Duo Platter ($12/pax) which comprises of Pan Fried Scallop with Black Garlic and Sliced Pork with Shredded Pickled Papaya and Black Garlic. The scallop is stuffed with a minced prawn-black garlic-water chestnut paste and lightly seared. While the scallop is plump and flavourful, the sweetness of the black garlic was hardly noticeable. I preferred the sliced pork which I actually could taste the subtle sweetness of the black garlic

Double Boiled Black Chicken Soup with Black Garlic 4.5/5

One of my favourite dishes on the menu is the Double Boiled Black Chicken Soup with Black Garlic, Dried Scallops and Top Shell ($22/pax). The flavourful and nourishing soup is brewed for a good 4 hours, extracting the essences of the black chicken and seafood. A glove of black garlic is added at the end and steamed for another 20 minutes, giving the soup an extra sweet note from the black garlic.

Steamed Lobster with Winter Melon and Black Garlic 4/5

The Steamed Lobster with Winter Melon and Black Garlic ($30/order) is topped with a mixture of minced black and white garlic which complemented the bouncy and juicy lobster meat. The use of winter melon gives the dish a refreshing touch.

Stewed Organic Green Tea Noodles with Black Garlic and Minced Pork 4.2/5

Not to be missed is the Stewed Organic Green Tea Noodles with Black Garlic and Minced Pork ($10/pax). The dish has the elements of Zha Jiang Mian and the restaurant's popular braised mee pok dish. It is tossed in dried shrimp chilli pasta and jazzed up with black garlic.

Pandan Jelly with Lime Sorbet 4/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we had the Pandan Jelly with Lime Sorbet ($10/pax). A refreshing and sweet finish to round off the dinner.

The Black Garlic promotion is available only for a limited period from 15 March to 14 April 2017. Besides the dishes I tried, there are other creation from Chef Goh such as the Sauteed Beef Cubes with Two Kinds of Garlic and Pan Fried Sea Perch with Black Garlic and Seasonal Vegetables.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Jiang at One North
No. 5 Rochester Park
Singapore 139216
Tel: +65 67740122
Website
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to Star Vista. At Rochester Drive turn left. Continue on Rochester Drive to the end of the road. Cross the road and continue on Rochester Park. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Hai Nan Hometown Curry @ Ghim Moh Food Centre - Old School Curry With A Queue

After the re-opening of Ghim Moh Food Centre in March 2016, a couple of new stalls sprang up at the newly renovated food centre. One fo these stalls is Hai Nan Hometown Curry. The stall is run by husband and wife team who has been selling curry for the past 30 years, moving from Woodland to Jurong West before settling at their new place.

Assam Curry Stingray 4/5

The stall is like a curry speciality stall selling a variety of curry dishes. What caught my attention is the Assam Curry Stingray ($6/$8/$10). A dish that is not commonly served in hawker centre. The assam curry has a subtle balanced of spiceiness and sourish, making it very appetising. It also comes with brinjal and ladyfinger.

Curry Chicken 3.5/5

A favourite among the crowd is the Curry Chicken ($4.50/$6.50). I like the fact that the chicken is served in huge chunky pieces. The curry is not overly spicy, actually quite mild. If you like those curry that will make you perspire then this is not for you.  In fact, it tasted very homely, reminding me of my grandma's cooking. Bluntly put it, it tasted old school.

The stall also offers a choice of Bread ($1) or Rice ($0.50/$0.80) to go with the variety of curry dishes. I would recommend having the bread with to soak up the thick and gloopy curry.

For a compelet meal, you may add a dollar for a small bowl of Curry Vegetable when you order one of the 6 main curry dishes. The vegetable is cooked to a delectable soft texture and you still can taste the sweetness of the vegetables.

Besides the Curry Chicken and Assam Curry Stingray, the other dishes on the menu are Curry Mutton, Curry Pork Ribs, Curry Pork Chop and Curry Chicken Chop Rice.


Hai Nan Hometown Curry
Ghim Moh Food Centre
Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
#01-49
Singapore 270020
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Walk to bus stop along Buona Vista Road (Stop ID 11361). Take bus no. 92. Alight 1 stops later. Journey time about 3 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Cross the underpass towards Ghim Moh Estate Blk 12A. Cut across the open air carpark towards Ghim Moh Road. Cross the road and walk towards Blk 20. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]

Heavens @ Ghim Moh Food Centre - Artisan Appam At $2

One of my favourite hawker stalls at Ghim Moh Food Centre is Heavens or more commonly known as Heaven’s Indian Curry started by Madam Letcimi more than a decade ago. It is popular for its nostalgic and freshly made Appam, Putu Mayam and Thosai.

Appam 4.5/5

Heavens may be well known for its Putu Mayam and Thosai but what brought me back every time to the stall is their freshly made Appam ($2). Appam is a pancake like dish made from the batter of fermented rice flour and fresh milk.

At Heavens, the batter is cooked in rustic cast iron miniwoks that is specially bought from India. The result is a light, tangy pancake with paper thin crispy edges and a fluffy centre. It is best eaten with the orange sugar and coconut.

Two pieces of these artisan plain appam is only $2. This is really cheap and value for money. The stall also offers egg, cheese and butter flavoured appam, and the price remains the same at $2 for 2 pieces. Even the putu ayam is only selling at $2 if you are space for more of the nostalgic Indian dishes.


Heavens
Ghim Moh Food Centre
Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
#01-26
Singapore 270020
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6am - 130pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Walk to bus stop along Buona Vista Road (Stop ID 11361). Take bus no. 92. Alight 1 stops later. Journey time about 3 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Cross the underpass towards Ghim Moh Estate Blk 12A. Cut across the open air carpark towards Ghim Moh Road. Cross the road and walk towards Blk 20. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]

Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice @ Holland Drive - The Famous Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice Is Back

Remember the famous Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice at Margaret Drive Food Centre and Mei Ling Food Centre? After Benson shut down his Mei Ling's stall last year, he went to help out at his brother, Niven's stall - Uncle Chicken Rice at The Bedok Marketplace for a while. Now, Benson is back on his feet, together with his young partner, they re-opened Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice at block 40 Holland Drive.

Quarter Chicken 4.2/5

We made a trip down to Holland Drive one afternoon to visit Benson and try his chicken rice. We ordered Quarter Chicken ($8), which is chopped to chunky pieces. This brought a smile to my face immediately, he has kept to the tradition of his father serving the chicken in chunky pieces. Unlikely many other chicken rice stalls that short changed their customers.

Quarter Chicken 4.2/5

The chicken is poached to an enjoyable moist and tender texture with a drizzle of his own soy sauce concoction over it to enhance the flavour of the meat. A noticeable difference is the dipping sauces. Benson's ginger sauce is on the watery side while the chilli sauce lacks that slight tangy zest.

Be it Benson's Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice or Niven's Uncle Chicken,  I am glad that the two brothers have continued their father's tradition serving one of the best chicken rice in town since 1971. So if you miss the former Margaret Drive's chicken rice, you can go to either holland drive or simpang bedok to satisfy your craving.


Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice
Chang Chen Mee Wah Coffeeshop
Blk 40 Holland Drive
Singapore 270040
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

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

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the underpass to the other side of the MRT station. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time is about 12 minutes. [Map]

New Lucky Claypot Rice @ Holland Drive Food Centre - Charocal Cooked Claypot Rice, Up To An Hour Wait

Fans of claypot rice will know of New Lucky Claypot Rice at Holland Drive Food Centre. It used to be located at Clementi before moving to its present location. The claypot rice here is still cooked the traditional way from the raw rice grains over charcoal fire. Hence the wait can be as long as an hour or more if you did not make prior reservation. Scroll down to the end of the article to know how to beat the queue, if you do not want to wait an hour for your food.

Claypot Rice 4.2/5

The Claypot Rice ($10) comes with very little chicken meat, so we usually ask to add more chicken meat at an extra cost of $5. The claypot rice is served bland with a bottle of oil and dark sweet sauce. Customers can add the amount of oil and dark sweet sauce to their own preference.

Claypot Rice 4.2/5

So why to people come afar to savour their claypot rice? First of all, the outer layer of the claypot rice is cooked to a aromatic charred crispy crust while the rest are fluffy and moist. The sausages and salted fish further enhanced the flavur of the fragrant rice. Most importantly, the chicken cooked under the high intense charcoal heat is still juicy and tender.

Vegetable 3/5

Watercress Soup 3.5/5

Having the claypot rice only can be quite boring. Knowing that Singaporean likes variety, the stall also sells Vegetables and Soup. They are not the best but I am content for the variety and it only costs me an additional $8 for both the vegetable and soup.

As promise, here is the tip to eat at New Lucky Claypot Rice. Never walk in or be prepared to wait for at least an hour. The best thing is to call and place your order before turning up. The stall will give you a queue number over the phone and a rough estimated time when the food will be ready. Make you way down at the appointed time and you will find your claypot rice will be served to you in minutes. Just walk up to the staff and tell them your queue number. Oh remember to tell the person over the phone that you want to add chicken meat.


New Lucky Claypot Rice
Blk 44 Holland Drive
#02-19
Singapore 270044
Tel: +65 67787808
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun: 1100am - 145pm, 5pm - 830pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to traffic light junction. Cross the road and turn left towards the housing estate. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Rojak Line @ Holland Drive Food Centre - Vegetarian Shrimp Paste Rojak & Toasted You Tiao Popiah

There is hope in our hawker scene when another young hawker ditched her office job and started a hawker stall at Holland Drive Food Centre selling Rojak. The month old Rojak Line is started by 31 years old Debbie, who likes rojak but cannot stands the taste of the shrimp paste. Hence she created her own vegetarian shrimp taste.

Rojak 4/5

The plate of Rojak ($4/$5/$6) comes with fruits, cucumber, toasted you tiao (dough fritter), tau pok and topped with peanuts. We like the sweet and tangy shrimp paste sauce that is used to hold the variety of ingredients together. It was only later when we chatted with the owner that we realized she is using her own special vegetarian shrimp paste sauce. We could not tell the different at all. It is really good.

The weak link for the plate of rojak is the doughy you tiao. For it to be crispier, it needs to be toasted a bit longer or at least cut into smaller size.The pineapple was not ripe enough so it was a bit hard to bite. If it is riper, the sweetness will it a nice balance to the whole execution.

Toasted You Tiao Popiah 4/5

A interested dish on the menu is the Toasted You Tiao Popiah ($2). The toasted you tiao with the special vegetarian shrimp paste sauce and peanut is wrapped with popiah skin. I thought this is an interesting way of bringing two traditional dishes together for a new eat. While my friend do not like the doughy you tiao, I thought otherwise. I find that the doughy texture suit the whole concept, as if I am chewing a churro.

Another popular item at the stall which we did not get to try as it was sold out is the Vegetarian Popiah ($1.80) that comes with turnip, carrot, salad, shitake, sweet sauce, crispy bits, peanut, chilli and garlic. Vegan may request not to have garlic.

Overall, I am impressed with the vegetarian shrimp paste sauce. This is my first time having it and I have to admit I will not be able to tell the different if the owner has not revealed to us. It is only a month into business, so I am sure there will be some fine tuning and improvement along the way. I really look forward to Rojak Line scaling new heights in the new future. All the best.


Rojak Line
Holland Drive Food Centre
Blk 44 Holland Drive
#02-13
Singapore 27044
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (EW Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 8pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the underpass to the other side of the MRT station. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time is about 12 minutes. [Map]

Chai Chee Teochew Bak Chor Mee @ 7 Starts Coffeeshop (Dover Crescent)

During my visit to Grill Werkz at Dover Crescent, I noticed Chai Chee Teochew Bak Chor Mee has also opened in the same coffeeshop. I was told that at its peak, there were around 20 stalls around Singapore. After disappearing from the scene for a while, it seems like it is making another come back with a few stalls already springing out at various part of Singapore.

Bak Chor Mee 3/5

I was lucky to spot the owner at the new stall at dover crescent, hence we requested him to cook our bowl of noodle because we heard about the inconsistency if it is cooked by his staff. The noodles indeed was nicely cooked to an al dente texture, with an enjoyable bite to it.

While the noodles are perfectly executed and also comes with generous toppings such as fishball, fish dumpling, fish cake, mushroom and minced meat, the bowl of noodles lacked depth and missing the vinegar punch I like for my bak chor mee.

Chai Chee Teochew Bak Chor Mee
7 Stars Coffeeshop
Blk 28 Dover Crescent
Singapore 130028
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line), Dover (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to bus stop opposite Buona Vista MRT station (Stop ID 11369). Take bus number 74 or 196. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Dover MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Dover MRT station (Stop ID 19039). Take bus number 14, 74 and 166. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Grill Werkz @ 7 Stars Coffeeshop (Dover Crescent) - Value for Money Western Cuisine

Recently I discovered a value for money Western food stall near my place at Dover Crescent. Grill Werkz is a western food stall located inside the 7 Stars Coffeeshop. The colour theme of the stall front some what reminds me of Astons Specialities, which also started as a humble stall in a coffeeshop before expanding its business to 24 outlets across the island.

Cream of Mushroom 3/5

We started off dinner with the Cream of Mushroom ($3.50).  It is a decent and comforting bowl of mushroom soup. However I find that it is on the starchy side instead of creamy. The flavour is there and if they can work on the weak link, then it will be perfect.

Norway Grill Salmon 3.5/5

The Norway Grill Salmon ($12.80) comes in a very different cut. Instead of the usual fillet, it comes in a slab. I am not sure whether it is a good thing or not. This is because the fillet gives you a consistent texture while the slab is like eating a fish from head to tail, each section has a different textural experience.

Combo Mixed Grill 3.5/5

The Combo Mixed Grill ($15.80) is good for sharing. The huge platter comes with a variety of ingredients such as pork chop, steak, sausages, ham, egg and potatoes wedges. Definitely value for money with the huge serving portion.

Seafood Spaghetti with Arrabbiata Sauce 3/5

For the pricing, the Seafood Spaghetti with Arrabbiata Sauce ($6.90) definitely is wallet friendly. The spaghetti tossed in a spicy arrabbiata sauce is a bit over cooked for me but the generous amount of seafood in the pan, more than make up for it.

Air Flown New Zealand Ribeye Steak 10z 4.5/5

I think 7 Stars Coffeeshop just found its eighth star in the Air Flown New Zealand Ribeye Steak, 10z ($19.80). Perfectly cooked to medium rare, the ribeye was flavoruful, tender and juicy. For the cost and quality, I am surprised to be able to have such good steak at a coffeeship. Definitely much more worthy then going to some restaurants charging similar or higher price.

I am glad that Grill Werkz has opened a stall near my place offering value for money Western cuisine. While there are rooms for improvement for some of the dishes, I am sure I will be back for more of their beautiful ribeye steak.


Grill Werkz
7 Stars Coffeeshop
Blk 28 Dover Crescent
Singapore 130028
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line), Dover (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to bus stop opposite Buona Vista MRT station (Stop ID 11369). Take bus number 74 or 196. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Dover MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Dover MRT station (Stop ID 19039). Take bus number 14, 74 and 166. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Blanco Court Kueh Chap @ Holland Drive Food Centre - A Generous and Comforting Plate of Kway Chap

During my visit to Cheng Heng Kway Chap And Braised Duck Rice at Holland Drive Food Centre, I noticed another kway chap stall, Blanco Court Kueh Chap located just 2 stalls away which is run by an old couple. My curiosity brings me back to the food centre the following week to find out which is better.

Kway 3.5/5

First we tried the Kway. Compared to their neighbour, the kway is more silky and thinner in texture. Unfortunately I preferred the thicker rice sheet from Cheng Heng which comes with a bite and is able to soak up the gravy more.

Kway Chap 3.5/5

The pale colour is already a tell tale sign that the braising sauce is lighter in taste. True enough the braised ingredients are not as tasty as Cheng Heng, lacking the rich flavour of the braising sauce.

Kway Chap 3.5/5

While the braising sauce may be lighter, I did not taste any gaminess in the innards. The serving for 2 pax is $10. The portion is also more generous and I like how the stall auntie chopped them up into big chunky piece. This is the two noticeable advantage of Blanco Court Kueh Chap over Cheng Heng.

I am not sure whether the stall is related to the popular Blanco Court Kway Chap stall at Old Airport Road. My suspicious is there are not. The stall probably used to operate from the defunct Blanco Court food centre and borrow the name when it moved to its current location. If you have any information about the stall, do feel free to let me know.


Blanco Court Kueh Chap
Holland Drive Food Centre
Blk 44 Holland Drive
#02-02
Singapore 27044
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (EW Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
TBA

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the underpass to the other side of the MRT station. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time is about 12 minutes. [Map]