Chef Kang Noodle House @ Jackson Square (Toa Payoh) - Michelin Bib Gourmand Wanton Mee

I had heard of the snaking queue with waiting time up to 2 hours at Chef Kang Noodle House when it first opened in December 2018 at Jackson Square. You can't blame the popularity of the hawker stall when it is opened by one Michelin starred Chef Ang Song Kang of Chef Kang's Kitchen. The fairy tale continues with the recent release of Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019. Chef Kang Noodle House is one of the 58 awardees of Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019. What an achievement of the wanton mee stall, winning such a prestige award in less than a year of their opening.

There are only 3 items on the menu. Noodle with Char Siew and Wanton ($5), Noodle with Shredded Abalone, Char Siew and Wanton ($10), Char Siew ($10). I ordered both the noodle dishes to try.

Noodle with Char Siew and Wanton 4.5/5

For five dollars, you get a plate of noodle with fatty char siew, pork lard, greens and wantons. What impresses me at Chef Kang Noodle House is down to each component on the plate of wanton mee. The char siew is fatty with a nice char on the exterior. Just look at the layer of fats and lean meat. The noodle is springy with a delightful bite, complemented by the delicious dark sauce. The wanton was plump and generous filling such as prawn, minced pork, black fungus and water chestnut. In fact, I find it more towards a dumpling than a wanton.

Shredded Abalone, Char Siew and Wanton 4.8/5

For another extra five dollars, you get shredded abalone with the char siew wanton mee. Initially, I thought the shredded abalone is chicken. It does look like it isn't it? The chicken itself can be quite dry to go with the noodle; hence, the soft and bouncy texture of the abalone is a good replacement enhancing the full enjoyment and balance of the dish.

Do note that Chef Kang Noodle House is located inside Jack Square, surrounded by building blocks. Hence it can't be sighted from the main road. One needs to make its way into the industrial cluster, and it is located in the canteen around in between block A and B.


Chef Kang Noodle House
Jackson Square
Block A
11 Toa Payoh Lorong 3
Singapore 319579
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line),

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 8am - 4pm
Sat-Sun: 8am - 2pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Block 111 (Stop ID 52161). Take bus number 235. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 28, 73, 88, 155, 157, 159, 163. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Viio Gastropub @ Balestier Road - For Affordable Weekday Lunch Set and Craft Beer On Tap

Situated in the heart of Balestier, just next to Zhongshan Mall is Viio Gastropub – the latest upscale casual dining restaurant in the Balestier neigbourhood, helmed by Chef Ronald Li who has an impressive history of culinary experiences at high end restaurants and hotels over the years. Featuring a menu of specially curated pasta and donburi, they have an affordable weekday lunch set option from 11.30am to 2.30pm as well. Each main comes with house greens and soup of the day, starting from $9.90++ onwards. They also sport a lineup of fresh craft beer on tap to cater to the casual happy hour gatherings as well.

Spaghetti Aglio Alio with Prawns 3.8/5

We had the Spaghetti Aglio Alio with Prawns ($9.90) which features al dente pasta tossed in a homemade prawn and olive oil mixture, giving the dish a fragrant aroma and a subtle hint of spice. Paired with plenty of small shrimps atop which has a crunchy sweet texture. Although I wished plump juicy prawns were used instead but for the pricing, it is rather value for money.

Rigatoni Bolognese with Onsen Egg 4/5

The al dente chewy texture of the pasta for the Rigatoni Bolognese with Onsen Egg ($12.90) was pure enjoyment on its own. The dish is cooked in a flavourful bolognese sauce to elevate its flavours. Not forgetting a flowy onsen egg to gel everything together as well.

BBQ Pork Ribs Donburi 4.2/5

A personal favourite is the BBQ Pork Ribs Donburi ($14.90) which features flavourful slabs of pork cooked till tender, and seasoned with a marinate to give it a tinge of sweetness. Also comes with complements of seasonal vegetable and pickle to add another flavour and texture dimension to the dish, as well as to cut through the richness of the BBQ pork ribs. Break into the oozy onsen egg to meld all the elements in the bowl together.

Duo Wagyu Beef Slider and Chips 4.2/5

The Duo Wagyu Beef Slider and Chips ($16.90) is served with a side of fries. Although mini in size, the beef patty sandwiched in between the buttery toasted buns was thick and succulent. Each slider also comes with tomato, melted cheese, oyster mushroom and pickle, which adds some sweetness and crunch to the sliders.

D.Chocolate Fondant 3.8/5

End the meal on a sweet note with their D.Chocolate Fondant ($14). Featuring a beautifully plated desserts of two mini chocolate lava cakes with assorted berries and mango sorbet, which adds a sour flavour to complement the richness of the chocolate. My only gripe is that the chocolate cakes did not flow, and would be better if there is more chocolatey goodness in it.

Overall, we were impressed with flavour-focused menu at Viio Gastropub, with the lunch set deals being an extremely worthy deal especially for people working around the area on the weekdays.

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.


Viio Gastropub
520 Balestier Road
#01-01
Singapore 329853
Tel: +65 62535752
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line), Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am – 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Irrawaddy Road. Walk towards Ren Ci Community Hospital direction along Irrawaddy Road. Turn onto Shan Road and walk to the end. At the end of the Shan Road, cross Balestier Road 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 3 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. Cut through the cluster of HDB flats and carpark towards block 103 onto Ah Hood Road. Continue on Ah Hood Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

New Ubin Zhongshan Park @ Ramanda By Wyndham Singapore - Truly Singaporean Tze-Char In A Hotel Restaurant

New Ubin has opened its third outlet at Ramanda by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park. It is their first restaurant in a hotel and an interesting collaboration to bring a truly Singaporean Tze-Char experience into a hotel restaurant.

Foie Gras Egg Special 4/5

A decadent spin to our traditional Singaporean soft-boiled eggs breakfast is the Foie Gras Egg Special ($10.50). The soft-boiled eggs come with pan-seared foie gras with a sprinkle of truffle salt. It is a hearty and comforting atas breakfast to start the day.

Double-Fried Eggplant 4.5/5

The Double-Fried Eggplant will be enjoyed by both young and old. They are thinly sliced and double fried to a delightful crisp coated in a savoury sweet sauce. Its really addictive and you probably won't know that you are eating eggplant.

Pork Jowl 4/5

While I enjoyed the tender Crispy Pork Jowl ($14 for 125g), I thought it lacked the char and crispiness to make it tastier. Applaud to the special concocted sauce consists of miso and gula melaka, that matched the pork excellently. This dish is only at Chijmes and Zhongshan Park outlet.

Prawn Paste Chicken 3.5/5

The Prawn Paste Chicken ($18 for 6pc) is deep fried to a delightful crispy exterior. However it lacked the distinct prawn paste flavour which is slightly disappointing.

Chicken and Pork Satay 4.2/5

Chicken and Pork Satay ($6 for 5 sticks) is not your typical tze-char dish but it gives diner a taste of the local street food. From the uneven char on the surface of the grilled meat, it suggested that they are charcoal grilled with a hint of smokiness. Having it together with the accompanying peanut sauce for a full enjoyment. If pineapple is added to the peanut sauce, that will be even better.

Fish Roe with Petai & ambal Chinchalok 4.8/5 

I am glad that New Ubin offers the Fish Roe with Petal & Sambal Chinchalok on their menu. I have not seen it being served in other restaurants before. I simply adore the grainy deep fried fish roes with petai cooked in sambal and chinalok. It just blown me away how delicious it is. I am definitely ordering this when I return.

Hong Kong Kai Lan 2 Ways 3.5/5

Not really a new dish but he Hong Kong Kai Lan 2 ways ($15/$20/$25) provided the need greens for a balance diet.

Boss Bee Hoon 4.2/5

The Boss Bee Hoon ($12) may look unassuming but it is packed with robust flavours on top of that smokey wok-hei, demonstrating the chef's wok skill while not burning the beehoon.

Hokkien Mee 4.5/5

I was rather surprised New Ubin serves an awesome plate of Hokkien Mee ($15/$30). Their version is the wet type. The noodles are cooked until it absorbed the robust broth. Most important, it even comes with pork lard! That itself is a winner.

New Ubin is probably the very first Tze-char restaurant to bring the concept of premium beef to the table. It was a hit and it soon became their signature. We tried both the USDA Black Angus Rib-Eye ($16 per 100g) and "Zabuton" Cut Mishima Reserve "Ultra" US Full Blood Wagyu ($66 for 300g). It is served together with caramelised onions, potato wedges, house-smoked sea salt flakes and heart attack fried rice. The beef itself is already beautiful on its own, hence it didn't need any sauce for me. I prefer to have it in its nature flavour.

Double Heart AttacK Fried Rice 4.2/5

Not to forget the Heart Attack Fried Rice that comes with the USDA Black Angus Rib-Eye. Unfortunately you can't order the heart attack fried rice on the ala carte menu, it only comes with the beef. This is because the fried rice if fried using the beef's fats. It is also served with a sunny-side up egg. The regulars will know of the off menu Double Heart Attack Fried Rice which comes with 2 sunny-side up eggs instead.

Classic Chilli Crab 4.2/5

Singaporean loves their crabs, especially the Classic Chilli Crab ($48/500g, $68/800g, $98/1kg). Remember to order some Deep Fried Mantou ($4 for 3pc) to wipe up the chilli crab sauce. I like the fact that the sauce is not too sweet and it still has that fiery spicy kick.

Garlic Baked Crab 4.2/5

Besides the classic chilli crab, the crab is available in black pepper, white pepper, salted egg and garlic baked. All the different cooking method are commonly available in Singapore but the Garlic Baked Crab is something new to me. Unlike the rest which are saucy, this is like a dry version for the diners that like the aroma of garlic.

Banana Gula Melaka 4/5

Dessert wise, we tried the Banana Gula Melaka ($10). The banana slices caramelised in gula melaka and served with house-made coconut ice cream. Simple it may be but it is an enjoyable dessert to end the dinner on a sweet note.

Kaya on Toast Baguette 4.5/5

I was a bit sceptical to know that the Kaya on Toast Baguette ($8 for 5pc) is on the dessert menu. Isn't kaya and toast a local favourite breakfast but why is it on the dessert menu? Putting that aside, I strongly recommend you to order this even when you are already full. Do save some space for the fragrant homemade kaya and French butter. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


New Ubin Zhongshan Park
Ramanda By Wyndham Singapore
16 Ah Hood Road
Singapore 329982
Tel: +65 97406870
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line),Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Irrawaddy Road. Walk towards Ren Ci Community Hospital direction along Irrawaddy Road. Turn onto Shan Road and walk to the end. At the end of the Shan Road, cross Balestier Road 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 3 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. Cut through the cluster of HDB flats and carpark towards block 103 onto Ah Hood Road. Continue on Ah Hood Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

China Whampoa Home Made Noodle @ Whampoa Makan Place - Popular Ban Mian Stall That Needs To Queue More Than Half An Hour

After trying a couple of popular ban mian stalls such like Poon Nah City Handmade Noodle and
L32 Geylang Handmade Noodles, my next ban mian hunt brought me to China Whampoa Home Made Noodle at Whampoa Makan Place & Market. Apparently this is very popular and you may end up queuing more than half an hour to try the noodle dishes.

Homemade Yu Mee with Prawn Soup 4/5

For the soup version, we ordered the Homemade Yu Mee with Prawn Soup ($4/$5) and Homemade Mee Hoon Kueh with Prawn Soup ($4/$5). The texture of the homemade noodles is cooked to an enjoyable texture that still retains a bite to it. For the soup, it is the clear type with a very sweet note. It is understand that their soup is made from ikan bilis and soya beans only, without pork bones.

Homemade Mee Hoon Kueh with Prawn Soup 4/5

Unique here is the used of mani cai or sweet leaf, giving the soup the additional boost in sweetness. You can also find marinated minced pork balls, that is tender and flavourful. Unlike some ban mian stalls, the bowl of noodle does not come with egg.

Homemade Ban Mian Dry 4.2/5

The Dry Ban Mian ($4/$5) stood out more than the soup version for me. Give the handmade noodle a good toss in the dark soy sauce and chilli sauce, coating each strand of the noodle. While the soup version is more about the character of the soup, the dry version with its delectable sauces, showcases the texture of the noodle more.

Overall China WHampoa Home Made Noodle dishes out a good bowl of ban mian but it is not my favourite. I prefer those soup based that is richer and more robust with the strong ikan bilis flavour in it and I want my egg.


China Whampoa Home Made Noodle
Whampoa Makan Place
Blk 91 Whampoa Drive
#01-24
Singapore 320091
Tel: +65 96256692
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line), Novena (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 7am - 2pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to bus stop at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Stop ID 07211). Take bus 130. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk down Balestier road towards Whampoa Drive. Turn left onto Whampoa Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Novena Church (Stop ID 50031). Take bus 21 or 131. Alight 6 stops later. Walk down Balestier road towards Whampoa Drive. Turn left onto Whampoa Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus 145. Alight 6 stops later. alk down Balestier road towards Whampoa Drive. Turn left onto Whampoa Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Rahmath Cheese Prata @ Toa Payoh Lorong 4 - A Yummy Find In Toa Payoh

Joining a Toa Payoh makan food trail earlier this year conducted by Misstamchiak, brought to my discovery of another good prata stall - Rahmath Cheese Prata. The stall is run by Mr Ali, who used to operate in Ang Mo Kio before relocating to the current place at Toa Payoh Lorong 4. He sells a total of 13 different types of prata, from savoury to sweet.

We ordered both the Plain and Egg Prata which is freshly cooked upon. I disliked having prata that has already been pre-cooked which is cold and stale.

Plain Prata 4.5/5

A minimum order of 2 is required for the Plain Prata ($1.80 for 2pc). The prata had a nice buttery aroma which is fluffy, doughy and slight crispiness on the exterior. It is the type of prata texture that I enjoy, not those that is overly crispy.

Egg Prata 4.5/5

The Egg Prata ($1.50) is as good too. The egg gave the prata an additional layer of texture and bite. Not forgetting the curry, dip into it for a complete enjoyment of these fried flatbread.

Even though the stall is opened until 4pm, it is available up to 130pm. After that the stall sells mee goreng. So if you want to try their prata, be early.


Rahmath Cheese Prata
Block 74 Market & Food Centre
Blk 74 Toa Payoh Lorong 4
#01-08
Singapore 310074
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6am - 4pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk towards Toa Payoh Library. Continue onwards to the main road (Toa Payoh Lorong 4). Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time 8 minutes. [Map]

Seletar Sheng Mian & Mee Hoon Kway @ Toa Payoh Lorong 8 - Snaking Queue For Their Noodles

I was running errands in the area and decided to walk over to Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Food Centre to find breakfast. A snaking queue at Seletar Sheng Mian. Mee Hoon Kway caught my attention and I decided to join the queue to check out for myself what the fuss is about. I follow MissTamChiak blog so I know this is one of her favourite stalls which she eats with her grandpa almost every week. However, I did not know that they actually have another stall beside the one at Kebun Baru Food Centre.

I did some research online and released that Seletar Sheng Mian & Mee Hoon Kway started at Seletar Food Centre. When the food centre was demolished, the elder brother moved to Toa Payoh Lorong 8 while the other brother settled down at Kebun Baru Food Centre.

Sheng Mian Soup 4.2/5

A bowl of noodle at the stall starts from $3. I had the Sheng Mian Soup ($4) which comes with egg, ikan bilis, fried shallots, vegetables, 2 prawns, minced pork and lean pork. The portion is quite generous with the variety of ingredients. The noodle looks a bit like our maggie mee but its less crispy and much softer. While the noodle is enjoyable and comes with a nice bite, the star is the soup made using pork bones and ikan bilis. It is the sweet soup that carries and hold the whole dish together.

Mee Hoon Kway Soup 4.2/5

My wife ordered the Mee Hoon Kway Soup ($4) which uses the same soup base and comes with the same variety of ingredients. The mee hoon kway is more doughy and chewy. In short, its up to individual which type of noodles you prefer to go with that excellent bowl of soup.

The stall also offers the dry version for both the sheng mian and mee hoon kway. I did not try during my visit but I noticed some of the customers having it and the chilli does look quite shiok. I look forward in coming back to try the dry version next time.

Seletar Sheng Mian & Mee Hoon Kway
Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Food Centre
Blk 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8
#01-05
Singapore 310210
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Fri-Tue: 630am - 2pm
(Closed on Wed & Thu)

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]

Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup @ Toa Payoh Lorong 5 - Bouncy Fishball & Delicious Fish Dumpling

For some mysterious reason, it took me until now to visit Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup at block 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5. The stall is known for its fishball and fish dumpling. It is known to be related to the popular Song Kee in Serangoon Road before it pulled down its shutter and reopens in Tembeling Road.

Kway Teow Noodle Soup 3.8/5

The Kway Teow Noodle Soup comes with 5 fish balls made from yellow tail fish. The fresh fishball has a subtle fish flavour with a delectable springy texture. The bowl of noodle is further perfumed by the aromatic pork lard. Unfortunately the rice noodle's texture was on the thick side.

Mee Pok Dry 4/5

Not to be missed is the Mee Pok Dry tossed in a mix of chilli and tomato sauce. The noodle was cooked to a nice bite complemented by the sauce and topped with fried shallots and spring onions. It also comes with 6 delectable fish balls. I thought the chilli can be more spicy. Guess I have to ask the stall to add extra chilli sauce in my next visit.

Unfortunately during my visit, I was not able to savour their signature fish dumpling. If I am not wrong, they only served it in the evening due to a lack of manpower in making them.




Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup
Blk 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5
#01-20
Singapore 310075
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 12midnight
(Closed on Alt Wed)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 111 (Stop ID 52161), Take bus number 235. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 111 (Stop ID 52161), Take bus number 231. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 235. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]