ICG Chicken & Burger @ Balestier Food Centre - Korean Fried Chicken In Hawker Centre

Newly opened at Balestier Food Centre is ICG Chicken & Burger selling Korean fried chicken. It is quite interesting to note the new trend of international cuisine moving into our hawker scene. The stall sells a variety of fried chicken in different sauces as well as chicken burgers. Its all about chicken here.

Creamy Yangpa Onion Chicken 3.8/5

Marinated for 12 hours and deep fried to crispy, the Creamy Yangpa Onion Chicken ($10/$16) is further topped with fresh onions and a sweet creamy onion sauce. The creamy sauce complements the succulent chicken excellent. This is indeed quite delectable.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken 3/5

The other Korean fried chicken we tried is the Sweet and Spicy Chicken ($8.90/$14). The sauce is on the sweet side instead. I could not really taste the spiciness. Unlike the creamy yangpa onion chicken, the sauce did not go as well with the fried chicken.

Super Tongsal Chicken Burger 3.5/5

Besides the boneless fried chicken, we also tried its Super Tongsal Chicken Burger ($5.50). We all agreed that it tasted quite like MacDonald's chicken burger. It even look similar isn't it? The chicken patty is actually quite good, crispy and juicy.

ICG Chicken & Burger
Balestier Food Centre
Stall 16
411 Balestier Road
Singapore 329930
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 11am - 930pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 145. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes [Map]

Master Chicken @ Kim Keat Palm Food Centre - Taste of the Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

Master Chicken at Kim Keat Palm Food Centre is opened by Jason who used to work at Dong Feng Fa Hainanese Chicken Rice. When he first opened in Toa Payoh more than a year back, there was some attention in the social media space. It took me more than a year to finally make a trip down to check out the stall selling Hainanese boneless chicken rice

The stall sells both the poached chicken and roasted chicken. The first thing that I noticed was the size of the chicken. It was not chopped to the chunky portion as per the picture at the stall. Furthermore, I was disappointed that the skin was missing from most of my chicken pieces.

Chicken Rice 3.5/5

I had the set which is $3.50 and it supposed to come with more chicken meat. I would assume it will be half the portion if I get the standard portion. The chicken was quite tender and decent but it is not among the best I have eaten. I also added some chicken innards for an additional 50 cents.

The rice was pretty fragrant, fluffy and grainy. I also like the fact that it is not very oily. For the chilli and garlic, I found it too watery for my liking.

Over all I find Master Chicken's chicken rice quite ordinary. For my lunch experience, sorry to say it but I did not discover anything that make the chicken rice memorable or stand out for me.


Master Chicken
Kim Keat Palm Food Centre
Blk 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7
#01-18
Singapore 310022
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 10am - 8pm
Sun: 9am - 3pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Braddell MRT station (Stop ID 52171). Take bus number 232. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 238. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle @ Kim Keat Palm Food Centre - Old School Fishball Noodle

I used to go Kim Keat Palm Food Centre for my mutton soup fix until Ivy's Hainanese Herbal Mutton Soup pull down its shutter. Recently I went back to the food centre again and decided to give Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle a try since its one of the few stalls at the food centre that always have a long queue. Moreover, it opens only 4 times a week.

Fishball Noodle 

I ordered the Fishball Noodle Dry ($3) which comes with 5 huge golf size fishball. The bowl of mee pok noodle is also drenched in a mixture of ketchup and chilli sauce.

The noodle is cooked to a nice al dente bite. It shows the skill of the hawker behind the noodle ladle. The ketchup sauce gave the bowl of noodle a nostalgic flavour but I thought there was too much of it, throwing the balance off. The bowl of noodle was too sweet for me.

The highlight actually is not the noodle but the fishball. For a mere three dollars, customers get to enjoy these huge and bouncy, handmade fishballs. It is definitely value for money.

It was understand that the stall used to be run by an old couple but when I was there, a young man is helping out in the stall, cooking the noodle while the old uncle is in charge of the fishballs. Looks like the old couple has found someone that is willing to learn the trade and continue the legacy since 1968.


Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle
Kim Keat Palm Food Centre
Blk 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7
#01-20
Singapore 310022
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun: 8am - 1pm
(Closed on Mon, Tue and Fri)

Direction:
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Braddell MRT station (Stop ID 52171). Take bus number 232. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 238. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Momiji Shabu Shabu @ Shaw Plaza (Balestier Road)

For hotpot lover, you will be delighted to know that Momiji Shabu Shabu at Shaw Plaza, Balestier Road has introduced a brand new a la carte menu on top of its hotpot buffet.

At the same time, it also launch 4 new soup bases. They are Healthy Veggie Soup ($12.80), Low Calorie Pork Soup ($15.80), Premium Beef Soup ($18.80) and Lamb Stew Soup ($18,80).

The Japanese themed restaurant offers a wide range of ingredients from seasonal vegetables, meats, seafood and specialty items. I noticed the Argentine Red Prawns was huge. Definitely will delight the seafood lovers. One of my favourite on the buffet line is the various Bamboo Pastes. You don't usually get this in hotpot buffet.

Momiji Shabu Shabu has also fine tuned some of its processe. At the meat section, now the pork and beef are only sliced upon order. This ensures its freshness.

Sushi 4/5

Many times, we do not have the patient to wait for the soup to boil and cooked the ingredients. Hence, why not help yourself to some sushi while waiting.

Waffle and Ice Cream 3/5

I was already too full to try the selection of dessert and cakes. However if you still have some space, you can have some food fun in making your own Waffle and paired it with some ice cream.

Fried Pork Ribs 2/5

The revamped menu also include some new side dishes such as the Fried Pork Ribs ($6), Minced Pork Rice ($3.50) and Coconut Chicken Soup ($9.90). Did not quite enjoy the fried pork ribs as they did not have a lot of meat and quite tough.

Minced Pork Rice 3/5

The minced pork rice is a comforting addition to the menu. The braised minced pork goes very well with the fluffy rice. My ony disappointment is that it was not served warm.

Coconut Chicken Soup 3/5

I was rather surprise that the Coconut Chicken Soup ($9,90) was brimming with ingredients. There are clams, chicken and some Chinese herbs in the coconut husk. The sweetness of coconut can be tasted in the hearty soup, light and clean in taste.

As I aged, buffet is not a thing for me anymore. I can't eat as much as I used to do. Hence it is great to know that Momiji has a Steamboat Set for 2 Pax at $28.50. That is $14.25 for each person.

The beauty of the Steamboat Set is that one can add on from the a la carte menu and order only what you want to eat. Not only cutting down on food wastage and also paying for what you eat.

The Steamboat Set for 2 Pax ($28.50) comes with a choice of soup base out of the six, a staple, a meat and drink. One can top up $3 for free flow hot or cold drinks. This is a reasonable value set for 2 person.

Pricing
Lunch
Mon-Fri: $20.80 Adult, $18.80 Senior Citizen, $13.80 Kid
Brunch
Sat-Sun PH Eve & PH: $25.80 Adult, $23.80 Senior Citizen, $15.80 Kid
Dinner
Mon-Thu: $25.80 Adult, $23.80 Senior Citizen, $15.80 Kid
Fri-Sun, PH Eve & PH: $29.80 Adult, $27.80 Senior Citizen, $15.80 Kid

(Senior Citizen 60 years old and above, Kid below 12 years old and 1.4m)

Momiji Shabu Shabu
Shaw Plaza
360 Balestier Road
#04-01
Singapore 329783
Tel: +65 62583398
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line), Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm
Brunch
Sat-Sun PH Eve & PH: 1130am - 4pm
Dinner
Mon-Thu: 5pm - 930pm
Fri-Sun, PH Eve & PH: 5pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 145. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Lavender MRT station. (Stop ID 01311). Take bus number 145. Alight 9 stops later. Cross the street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

Kim Keat Hokkien Mee (金吉炒福建面 ) @ Toa Payoh Lorong 4

Kim Keat Hokkien Mee (金吉炒福建面 ) at Toa Payoh Lorong 4 has received some hype in social media recently for its sio bak fried hokkien mee served in a claypot. I have tried their hokkien mee before and I enjoyed it but that is almost a year ago. However, I don't remember them servicing it claypot back then. I had mine served in opah leaf.

Claypot Hokkien Mee 3/5

The Claypot Hokkien Mee ($10/$15/$20/$25/$30) comes in 5 pricing. The cheapest at $10 is able to serve 2-3 pax. It comes with a few pieces of sio bak, prawns and squid.

Claypot Hokkien Mee 3/5

So what is the verdict? I don't like it at all. I was able to catch a glimpse of how it is prepared. The noodles were given a quick stir fried in the wok probably to heat it up and then transferred to the claypot which is being cooked again over fire before being served. The broth of the hokkien mee is actually quite good with the noodles absorbing it. Maybe due to the cooking methods and being served in a claypot, while the heat continues to cook the noodles, the result is a dry and gooey pot of hokkien mee which I did not enjoy at all.

Personally I am quite disappointed in the drop in standard. It also makes me wonder if the claypot is just a gimmick to charge at a higher price. If I am to go back again, I would just order the normal or opah leaf hokkien mee. I think the claypot is a bad idea.


Kim Keat Hokkien Mee (金吉炒福建面 )
Blk 92 Toa Payoh Lorong 4
#01-264
Singapore 310092
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 1130am - 930pm
Wed-Sun: 1130am - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 111 (Stop ID 52161). Take bus 231 and alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit C. Cut through diagonally across the the housing estate. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to bus stop opposite MRT station (Stop ID 52181). Take bus number 56, 105, 153. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Hougang Meng Kee Wanton Noodle @ Toa Payoh Lorong 8

Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Food Centre at block 210 is a local food haven with many choices and sometime it can be a dilemma what to eat. Besides Lai Fa Carrot Cake which I tried in my previous visit, another worthy stall to check out is Hougang Meng Kee Wanton Noodle.

Wanton Mee 3.5/5

The local version of Wanton Mee ($2.50) is different from the Hong Kong style. The local version is usually tossed in a sweet sauce, served with slices of char siew, a few wantons and some greens. Some stalls may add fried wanton for a more generous offering.

Wanton Mee 3.5/5

4 factors determine whether a plate of wanton mee is good or not for me. First is the noodles. It must be springy with a bite. Second the sauce must be able to complement the noodles. Third the char siew has to be good and lastly the wanton stuffing needs to be flavourful and has a silky smooth skin.

Hougang Meng Kee Wanton Noodle scores well for most of the criteria. The noodles were springy and it goes well with the sauce. The char siew has a bit on the dry side but still a decent portion was served. The wanton stuffing was passable but not to shout for with a nice silky smooth skin.

Hougang Meng Kee Wanton Mee may not be the best of what I have eaten. It is definitely above average and managed to satisfy my craving during my visit.


Hougang Meng Kee Wanton Noodle
Blk 210 Market and Food Centre
Blk 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8
#01-49
Singapore 310210
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
TBA

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Braddell MRT station (Stop ID 52171). Take bus no. 59. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge. Walk towards block 210. Journey time about 9 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Braddell MRT station (Stop ID 52171). Take bus no. 232. Alight 2 stops later. Cut across Toa Payoh Lorong 7 Park. Walk towards block 210. Journey time about 10 mins. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station Take Exit D. Walk to bus stop opposite Toa Payoh station (Stop ID 52181). Take bus no. 153 or 105. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge. Walk towards block 210. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

Ah Hui Big Prawn Noodle @ Balestier Food Centre

When Long House Food Centre along Upper Thomson Road was demolished in 2014, some of the stalls moved into Balestier Food Centre. One such stall is Ah Hui Big Prawn Noodle runs by the couple James and his wife Mary Quek.

Prawn Noodle 4.2/5

At Hui Big Prawn Noodle, the stall uses only the big prawn common known as AngKa Prawns. Pricing starts from $4 to $6. The stalls offers a choice of dry and soup version as well as combination of pork ribs or pig tails to your preference.

If you are those that prefer your prawn noodle soup to have that rich prawny flavour from cooking prawn head shells for long hours, then you may not like this. The soup here is lighter in taste with the flavour of the herby pork ribs being more distinct. The prawny flavour comes from cooking the AngKa prawns only when it is being served.

I personally would recommend going for the Dry Prawn Noodle. Whiy so because of the hae bee hiam sauce that is added to the noodle. Instead of the usual chilli sauce or oil, the hae bee hiam further accentuated the whole enjoyment of the noodles with its savoury and spicy kick.

Not forgetting to add lots of pork lard to further perfume the noodles. The crispy and crackling pork lard not only give it a nice aroma but also another layer of textural enjoyment.

I used to like sucking the essence of the prawn's head but after being advise from many F&B owners about the breeding method nowadays, I don't do that anymore. Hence at Ah Hui Big Prawn Noodle their version is healthier by not using the prawn head shells. The soup is simmered around the clock with pork bones, herbs and some seasoning to achieve the flavourful and healthy bowl of soup.


Ah Hui Big Prawn Noodle
411 Balestier Road
Singapore 329930
Tel: +65 81988585
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ah-Hui-Big-Prawn-Noodle-Longhouse/204350449581587
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 1030pm
(Closed on alternate Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 145. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes [Map]

Lee Ta Fried Carrot Cake @ Toa Payoh Lorong 8

Time flies and it has been almost four and a half years since I last visited Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Food Centre. I could not believe it takes me so long to re-visit this hawker food haven. The last time I was here, it was in the evening and I managed to check out Hock Kee Lorong 8 Bak Kut Teh and B for Beancurd. As my visit this time is in the morning, I decided to try Lee Ta Fried Carrot Cake.

Carrot Cake 4/5

There are quite a few carrot cake stalls in the food centre. It seems this is the more popular one among the patrons so I joined in the queue. The stall sells both the white and black version of the fried carrot cake at $2, $2.50 and $3. I decided to go for the black carrot cake as this is my preferred version nowadays.

Carrot Cake 4/5

The radish cake is diced into small cubes and well coated with the dark sweet sauce with a generous topping of eggs. The fragrant fried carrot cake comes with bites of aromatic charred on the radish cake giving it a nice sweet bitterness. I also like the fact that there is still a bit wetness in the egg instead of overly dry.

Carrot Cake 4/5

Overall, I have enjoyed the plate of fried carrot cake by Lee Ta. The sweetness of the dark sauce and the charred edges complemented the radish cake. The texture was not mushy and still comes with a bite delectably served with a generous topping of egg.


Lee Ta Fried Carrot Cake
Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Market and Food Centre
Blk 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8
#01-67
Singapore 310210
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
TBA

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Braddell MRT station (Stop ID 52171). Take bus no. 59. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge. Walk towards block 210. Journey time about 9 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Braddell MRT station (Stop ID 52171). Take bus no. 232. Alight 2 stops later. Cut across Toa Payoh Lorong 7 Park. Walk towards block 210. Journey time about 10 mins. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station Take Exit D. Walk to bus stop opposite Toa Payoh station (Stop ID 52181). Take bus no. 153 or 105. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge. Walk towards block 210. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

Kim Bak Chor Mee (金肉脞面) @ Balestier Road

After Tony aka JohorKaki blog about Kim Bak Chor Mee, I made my way down to Kim Bak Chor Mee at Balestier Road to check out the stall that serves one of Singapore's favourite food. Accordingly to Tony's blog, the stall uncle (Mr Ng) eats his own noodles everyday, that is what he learnt from his master. This is to ensure he likes his own food before servicing it to others. Unfortunately I did not get to sight the uncle doing so but I do get to have a brief chat with him. He recited the same teaching from his master.

Bak Chor Mee 4/5

Unlike most stalls, the Bak Chor Mee here is served as such that the ingredients are separated from the noodles with the minced pork, lean pork, pork balls and pork liver in the soup bowl. As to ensure that the ingredients are not overcooked in the bowl of delectable soup, I was advised to quickly transfer the ingredients over to the bowl of noodles.

Bak Chor Mee 4/5

As you can see from the bowl of noodles filled is filled to the brim with ingredients. A worthy note is the mushroom. The mushroom is thickly sliced, well braised and has a nice bouncy texture. This bowl of slurping goodness uses little vinegar unlike the popular Tai Hwa allowing one to appreciate the aroma from the pork lard more.

Bak Chor Mee 4/5

The bowl of noodles may not wow in you an instant, you need to toss the noodle together with the specially made chilli sauce to slowly appreciate how the different components come together making it a good bowl of bak chor mee. I would say it has a more rustic taste compare to many other places where the flavours are more robust.

Mr Ng aka Mr Bak Kut has been in the trade since the age of 11, he is now in his 60s. He is better known as the founder of the popular Sing Hing Seafood Bak Kut Teh stall from the demolished Lakeview Food Centre near MacRitchie reservoir. That is also how he got his nickname Mr Bak Kut.


Kim Bak Chor Mee (金肉脞面)
558 Balestier Road (Junction of Ah Hood Road)
#01-400
Singapore 329874
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sat-Thu: 730am - 3pm
(Closed on Fri)

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Irrawaddy Road. Walk towards Ren Ci Community Hospital direction along Irrawaddy Road. Walk to the end of Irrawaddy Road to Balestier Road. Turn left at Balestier Road. Walk to traffic light. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Toa Payoh bus interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 139 and 145. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Toa Payoh MRT station along Toa Payoh Lorong 2 (Stop ID 52189). Take bus 56, 105 or 153. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the canal. Walk down Jalan Dusun. Turn left onto Balestier Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]