Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar @ The Grandstand (Turf City) - Modern NoodleSmall Plates Bar with 18 Asian and Western Noodle Dishes

Another new restaurant and concept has recently opened at The Grandstand which is just diagonally opposite Omakase Burger. Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar is a modern noodle small plates bar that offers over 18 Asian and Western inspired noodle small plates, moreish snacks and all day happy hour. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of noodles on the menu, it is like a mini Noodle Olympic where noodle dishes inspired from various countries and cuisines are gathered together.

Fish Roe Fishball 3/5

We started our dinner at Chow Fun with some snacks. The Fish Roe Fishball ($6.90) comes with a fish roes and mayo stuffing in it. Do be careful while having it as the mixture may oozed out. I won't really call it a fishball as the flour ratio is way more than the fish meat. Nevertheless, many will enjoy the popping surprises of the fish roes in it.

Mom's White Radish Cake 3/5

The Mom's White Radish Cake ($5.90) did not taste as good as it looks. The pan fried radish cake was rather light on the palate. It lacked the depth and fragrant from the Chinese sausages, dried shrimp and shallots. Even the dried shrimp sambal was rather mild, lacking the knockout punch.

Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Skin 3.5/5

It was rather interesting to find the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Skin on the menu. Love the salted egg yolk sauce. If the chicken skin could be crispier than that will be perfect.

Potato, Bonito and Cheese Pancake 4/5

The Potato, Bonito and Cheese Pancake ($5.90) is a rather interesting dish which resembles a cross between a Swiss rosti and Japanese Okonomiyaki. A layer of thinly sliced potato rest beneath the pile of melted cheeses (Mozzarela, mature Cheddar and Granna Padano), topped with bonito flakes and spring onions. This is addictive combination that will be enjoyed by both young and old.

Ginger and Scallion Noodle 3.8/5

The noodle small plates concept is sort of like Thai boat noodles but at Chow Fun you get to have a choice between hot and chilled noodles dishes with a gamut of different types of noodles and cooking styles. We started with the Ginger and Scallion Noodle ($2.90) which is served chilled. The cold noodles are tossed in a mixture of spring onions, ginger, vinegar, sesame oil and mirin. A very refreshing and healthy dish.

Kung Fu Dashi Broth Noodle 4.2/5 and Tom Yum Cream Noodle 3/5

One of my favourite noodle dishes is the Kung Fu Dashi Broth Noodle ($2.90) which reminds me of a tasty bowl of home cooked fried vermicelli. It may looked simple but the fried vermicelli cloaked in a savoury dashi broth is packed full of flavours.

The Tom Yum Cream Udon ($2.90) is cooked in a spicy tom yum paste with sauteed mushrooms, tart cherry tomatoes, prawns and topped with crispy chicken skin. A modern fusion of Thai flavour and Japanese noodle. The spicy and sour combination on top of the chewy bite of the udon would be well received if not for the fact that the kitchen is a bit heavy on the salt.

Wagyu Bolognese Pasta 3.5/5 and Pork Belly Bibim Guksu 4.5/5

Another homely and comforting noodle dish on the menu is the Wagyu Bolognese Pasta ($2.90). The ground wagyu beef is slowed cooked for 12 hours together in a hearty tomato sauce that complement the perfectly cooked spaghetti.

The traditional Korean bibim guksu is a cold noodle dish but Chow Fun's piquant rendition of Pork Belly Bibum Guksu ($2.90) is served warm with gochujang stirred into the rice noodles with house made pickled radish with coriander seeds, and crowned with unctuous silvers of sateed soy ginger glazed pork belly. This is the other favourite of mine.

Pineapple Fried Noodle 2.8/5

Bak Kut Teh Noodle 3/5

The Pineapple Noodle ($2.90) is akin to the Malaysian Hokkien Mee. While the dark sweet sauce and mirin is quite delectable, the texture of the noodle was kind of rubbery which I did not enjoy.

The only soup dish we tried is the Bak Kut Teh Noodle ($2.90). Flavourful broth but once again on the salty side.

Pink Shrimp Pasta 4.5/5 and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pasta 4.2/5

If you have limited stomach space to try all the 18 Asian and Western inspired noodle dishes, then I would recommend spending your dollar on the Pink Shrimp Pasta ($2.90) and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pasta ($2.90). The sauce of the pink shrimp pasta stood out for me. It is prepared by cooking shrimp in white wine and tomato and then blended with cream, resulting in a robust and briny seafood flavour that goes very well with the penne pasta.

Lychee Granita and Crystal Jelly 3/5

Besides the snacks and noodles, Chow Fun also offers a decent mix of Asian and Western desserts on the menu. The Lychee Granita And Crystal Jelly ($4.90) is a light and refreshing dessert to wrap up the meal. I thought the granita was a rather bland, it needed a bit more zest to it.

Deep Fried Caramelized Banana Fritter 4/5

I am surprised to find Goreng Pisang at Chow Fun. Oh! I meant Deep Fried Caramelized Banana Fritter ($6.90). Crispy batter coupled with the sweet banana, this is just too addictive to stop at one.

Red Bean, Peanut and Sesame Homemade Tang Yuan 4.2/5

Homemade Tang Yuan ($6.90) in ginger soup is another tradition dessert in the menu. It comes with a trio of Tang Yuan with red bean, peanut and sesame filling. I was actually taken aback that the sesame tang yuan is actually salted. It did bring a little different twist and surprise to the table.

Salted Egg and Chocolate Lava Cake 4/5

How to resist the lava flowing Salted Egg and Chocolate Lava Cake ($8.90). It is a combination that satisfied by internal craving. The cake was rich and moist. Unfortunately I could not really taste the salted egg. This is my second time to come across this combination and in both occasions the chocolate is too overpowering for the presence of the salted egg.

While the concept is try the different Asian and Western noodle dishes, for those that prefer to have a bigger bowl, they are also available in upsized portions from $15.90. However I would encourage you to be adventurous and order a few noodle dishes to try. I would recommend having the Ginger and Scallion Noodle, Kung Fu Dashi Broth Noodle, Pork Belly Bibum Guksu,  Pink Shrimp Pasta and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pasta


Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar
The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road
#01-08
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 64646900
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours
Daily: 11am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk to Turf Club Road. Continue on Turf Club Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk down Dunearn Road towards Turf Club Road, to bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42019). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT  station. Take Exit A. Walk down Bukit Timah Road. Walk to bus stop at Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42011). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Uma Uma Izakaya Restaurant & Bar @ Millenia Walk

It has been a while since I last visited Millenia Walk and I was surprised that the building management managed to create a Japanese Food Street from the defunct Koufu foodcourt on level two. The whole place has been knocked down, opened up, created into a Japanese food street housing a few new Japanese F&B establishments. Uma Uma Izakaya Restaurant & Bar is one of these Japanese restaurants nestled in the new wing, featuring Bincho-grilled Yakitori and Kushikatsu, with cocktails and drinks by Horse's Mouth and Hakata-styled ramen from Uma Uma Ramen.

Eihire 4/5

We started with Eihire ($8) which is actually Stingray Fins. The texture is some what like bak kwa with a nice hint of sweetness. This light bite is perfect to go with a glass of beer.

Mecabbage (Brussels Sprouts) 4.5/5

Another bar bites on the menu that I enjoyed a lot is the Mecabbage or Brussels Sprouts ($10). It was lightly fried to a thin crisp while still retaining its crunchiness. Dressed in a savoury soy based sauce, I could not stop myself from going back for more of it. Unknowingly, I finished the whole plate all by myself.

Chicken Skin 3.5/5 and Chicken Thigh 4/5

From the Yakitori menu, we ordered a few skewers such as the Chicken Thigh ($2), Chicken Skin ($2), Pork Belly ($2), Chicken Softbone ($2) and Shitake Mushroom ($3) to try. Except for the chicken skin, I realized that the rest of the ingredients are lightly seasoned without marination to allow the appreciation of the natural flavour and smokiness. On the other hand, the crispiness of the chicken skin with its sweet sauce can be quite addictive.

Butabara (Pork Belly) 3.5/5 and Nankotsu (Chicken Softbone) 3/5

Shitake Mushroom 4/5

Popular with the Japanese, the chicken softbone is something new to the local. It is actually quite plain in taste. It is more of the enjoyment of biting into the crunchy soft bone. To my surprise, my favourite of all is the shitake mushroom. Maybe that is why t is a dollar more than the rest of the skewers.

Pork Loin 4/5, Prawn 3.5/5 and Scallops 3/5

From the Kushikatsu menu, we tried the breaded and fried Pork Loin ($4), Prawn ($2) and Scallops ($5). Besides the light batter, the tartar sauce is the other reason for the delectable skewers.

Gyoza 4/5

From the sides menu, the Gyoza ($8) which may look sort of mini but the ratio of the dumpling skin to filling is just right, allowing the appreciation of the juiciness to the fullest.

Uma Uma Ramen 4.2/5

I am not a big ramen fan but I also have eaten a fair share of ramen around the island. However, when I tried Uma Uma Ramen ($14), I realized my taste buds and brains needed some time to register the new taste. It is different from the rest of the ramen I have eaten. While the pork ribs broth formed the base, it seems that the focus is on the soy sauce that give it the unique flavour which is not overly salty, rich and oily. Accompanied with chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, spicy miso and egg, this is a delicious bowl of light ramen which I enjoyed.

Mazesoba 3.5/5

Another unique creation at Uma Uma is the Mazesoba ($14) which comes with spring onions, bamboo shoots, leeks, chilli oil and onsen egg. This is a dry style ramen which I doubt I have not seen it being served elsewhere. It is quite a good creation but felt some what short, missing some meaty textures to lift the overall enjoyment.

Bushi Tonkotsu Ramen 4.2/5

For a rich and robust bowl of ramen, the Bushi Tonkotsu Ramen ($16) will be a good choice. The bowl of slurping goodness comes with chasiu, bonito flakes, diced onions, red ginger, lime and egg. If you are a fan of okaka, you will enjoy the aroma that filled the whole bowl of delicious broth.

Besides the delicious ramen,  Bincho-grilled yakitori and kushikatsu, Uma Uma Izakaya Restaurant & Bar also has an extension drink list featuring Sakes chosen from small and private breweries in Japan, classic cocktails, premium Whiskeys and beers. In short, the new Uma Uma outlet at Millenia Walk is a three in one concept under one roof by the Iki Concepts group.


Uma Uma Restaurant & Bar
Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
#02-06
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 68370827
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 12midnight
Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to level two of Millenia Walk. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]