Sakura International Buffet @ Clementi Woods

Sakura International Buffet at Clementi Woods has undergone an interior revamp exuding a chic and modern city vibe. Located at the hill top of the Clementi Woods Park, Sakura has also introduced its latest offering, Seafood in a Bucket.

Sashimi and Cold Seafood 4/5

Sushi 3/5

The name of the restaurant already suggests that customers will get to enjoy a feast of Japanese food. Indeed on the buffet spread, customer has a wide variety of sushi, sashimi and even cold seafood to choose from.

Seafood In a Bucket 4/5

Seafood In a Bucket 4/5

In recent years, Louisiana style seafood restaurants have been opening one after another in Singapore. To be frank it is not cheap to dine at these restaurants. If you enjoy seafood, then not to be missed is Sakura's Seafood in a Bucket, with Boston Lobster cooked a la minute and it is unlimited servicing! It comes in two dipping sauce, Spicy Saucy and Class Garlic Herb Butter.

Grilled Prawn 2.5/5

Grilled Beef Steak 2.5/5

The grilled section at Sakura probably is the weakest link of all. I tried both the Grilled Prawn and Grilled Beef Steak. The grilled prawn was mushy although the flavour was there. The grilled beef steak was rather dry and tasteless.

Oyster Omelette 4/5

Laksa 4.2/5

Hainanese Chicken Rice 4/5

Catering for the local palate, Sakaura has a local section among the buffet spread. Not surprise, this is my favourite session. I tried the Oyster Omelette, Laksa and Hainanese Chicken Rice. All of them turned out pretty good. For those that missed our local hawker fare. you can find a decent offering at Sakura.

Dim Sum 3/5

For Dim Sum lovers, there is also a small selection of delectable bites to satisfy the diners too.

Bird Nest Egg Tarts 4.2/5

A must try is the Bird Nest Egg Tarts. Understandable you can't find a lot of bird nest in the egg tart, but the flaky and eggy tart is so good that you simply can't stop at one.

Molten Lava Cake with Haagen Dazs Belgain Chocolate 3.5/5

For those that has a sweet tooth, the dessert corner as a humble selection to wrap up the buffet feast on a sweet note. The Molten Lava Cake with Haagen Dazs Belgain Chocolate, a classic combination that will delight all.

Price
Mon-Fri
Lunch: Adult $25.80, Kid $16.80

Mon-Thu
Dinner: Adult $39.80, Kid $18.80

Fri-Sun, Eve of PH and PH
Brunch: Adult $39.80, Kid 18.80
Dinner: Adult $42.80, Kid $19.80


Sakura International Buffet
93A Clementi Road
Singapore 129781
Tel: +65 64748197
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17179). Take bus number 201. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to the park. Take the stairs in the park to the top of the hill. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

The Singapore Tea Party by Sensodyne

The Singapore Tea Party by Sensodyne took place at The Duxton Hotel on 20 Jun 2015 attended by 20 selected guests and their friends, who have voted at http://www.facebook.com/SensodyneSG where both Maureen (aka MissTamChiak) and me has nominated our favourite dessert places. The exciting afternoon gathered seven dessert vendors under one roof allowing us to mingle, indulge and share our great little moments together with the guests.

We are very thankful to the various dessert vendors taking their time off to spend the afternoon servicing us with the beautiful hot and cold desserts. We have the following nominated dessert vendors at the Singapore Tea Party with their yummylicious offerings,

1) Alfero Gelato
2) Lady M
3) Jin Jin Mango Ice Kachang
4) No Name Cheng Tng
5) Pacamara
6) Tong Heng
7) Udders

The beautiful emcee officially opened the Singapore Tea Party with a brief introduction of the various dessert vendors. After that, the guests are invited to “dig in” to the spread of desserts.  Quoting  from Maureen. “Don’t think about slimming down, just enjoy to your heart filled”

It was a dessert heaven at the Singapore Tea Party. I was actually feeling kind of overwhelmed with the buffet of desserts, not knowing where to start with. From gelato, cake , coffee, traditional egg tart, traditional hot and cold desserts, we are spoilt of choices.

As a token to all the participating dessert vendors, both Maureen (MissTamChiak,.com) and me signed a certificate of appreciation and presented it to the participating dessert vendors. Once again this party will not be possible without their support.

There was also an instagram contest where 2 winners picked by Maureen and me, get to walk away with $100 worth of GSK products. A surprised People’s Choice award was also presented to Udders which has gotten the highest number of votes among the 12 nominated dessert vendors.

The Singapore Tea Party is just only a small part from us to share our great little moments with our fans and readers. If you have your own Great Little Moments, why not share it on http://www.sensodyne.com.sg/great-little-moments.aspx and stands a chance to win a staycation at Resorts World Sentosa’s Ocean Suites.

*This post is brought to you by Sensodyne

Legendary Hong Kong @ Jurong Point 2 Shopping Centre

Many who has been to Hong Kong will know that it is a food paradise. From dim sum, wanton mee to roasted meat these are the delicacies that we must try whenever we visit Hong Kong. With the opening of Legendary Hong Kong at Jurong Point 2 Shopping Centre in July 2014, the restaurant actually brings to you all the Hong Kong delicacies into one place. Legendary Hong Kong comes in four sections offering roasted meats, noodles and congee, dim sum and bakery.

Sauteed Turnip Cake with XO Sauce 4.2/5

From the dim sum section, we tried the Sauteed Turnip Cake with XO Sauce ($5.50), Steamed Shrimp Dumpling ($5.50), Chicken Claws in Black Bean Sauce ($4) and Rice Flour Roll with Deep Fried Shrimp Spring Rolls ($5.50).

The Sauteed Turnip Cake ($5.50) was pan fried to a nice exterior crisp while retaining the internal moist with bites of the shredded turnip. The XO sauce further enhanced the whole flavours giving it a hint of spicy kick.

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling 4.2/5

The Steamed Shrimp Dumpling ($5.50) comes with fresh, sweet and crunchy shrimp wrapped in a thin translucent dumpling skin. This is really good and you probably would not stop at just one basket.

Chicken Claws in Black Bean Sauce 4/5

I am big fan for Chicken Claws in Black Bean Sauce ($4). This is well cooked until soft, infused with the flavourful black bean sauce.

Rice Flour Roll with Deep Fried Shrimp Spring Rolls 4.2/5

Zha Liang is a popular dish in Hong Kong wrapping rice flour roll around youtiao. It has been given a little tweak,  substituting the youtiao with deep fried shrimp spring rolls. I feel the version of Rice Flour Roll with Deep Fried Shrimp Spring Rolls ($5.50) is actually quite clever, giving it a more crunchy and crispy internal.

Crispy Egg Tart 4.2/5

From the bakery section, we tried both the Crispy Egg Tart ($1.80/pc) and Custard Crush Buns with Salted Egg Yolk ($5 for 3pc). Having been recently to Hong Kong and tried the Honolulu Cafe's egg tart, my standard has been raised. While I have a high benchmark, the flaky egg tart is not far off. It definitely one of the better ones I have eaten and I like it.

Mini Custard Crust Buns with Salted Egg Yolk 3.8/5

Mini Custard Crust Buns with Salted Egg Yolk ($5 for 3pc) is another interesting creation at Legendary Hong Kong. This is a 2 in 1 bun with the combination of Bo Lo Bao and Liu Sha Bao. Inside the bun is molten salted egg yolk filling but unfortunately it did not flow.

Congee with Century Egg & Pork 4/5

Moving on to the Noodles and Congee section, we tried the Congee with Century Egg & Pork ($6.80), Tossed Shrimp Dumpling Noodle ($7.80) and Wanton Noodle Soup ($6.80).

I was expecting the Congee with Century Egg & Pork ($6.80) to be plain but the comforting bowl of congee was actually well seasoned and flavourful with a smooth texture.

Tossed Shrimp Dumpling Noodle 3.5/5

Wanton Noodle Soup 4.5/5

My recently trip to Hong Kong also brought me to Mak's Noodles in Hong Kong. I am really excited that chef making the wanton noodles at Legendary Hong Kong is from Mak's Noodles. I tried both the Tossed Shrimp Dumpling Noodle ($7.80) and Wanton Noodle Soup ($6.80) and I preferred the later more. However I did notice some slight difference in the bowl of noodle. The texture of noodles I had in Hong Kong seems even finer and also hair-like thin, here is a bit thicker. The wanton is wrapped into a ball shape, here has a loose end probably means less shrimp is used. Saying that the noodles itself is still thin and springy, very similar to what I had in Hong Kong. The chef also insisted of using shrimp for its wanton instead of pork which is more common in Singapore.

Barbecued Pork 3/5

Last but at least the Roasted Meat section. The Barbecued Pork ($10.80) was rather pedestrian. I felt that the barbecued pork lacked the smoky charred aroma or it will be excellent.

Roasted London Duck 4.8/5

Not to be missed at Legendary Hong Kong has to be the Roasted London Duck ($14.80 per portion). The duck is specially imported from Ireland Silver Hill Farm. The first thing I noticed is a lay of fat between the skin and meat. It is like a layer of jelly which we get from Hainanese Chicken, oily but not greasy. The meat itself is also more succulent. If I can draw a comparison, it is like having pork from a suckling pig. This is definitely a must try.

If you are craving for Hong Kong cuisine, Legendary Hong Kong is definitely a good choice to satisfy your craving. The all in one concept means that they are over 300 over dishes in the menu ranging from Hong Kong cafe, dim sum, congee and noodles, bakery and roasted meat. Without flying to Hong Kong, the delicious food is served to your table.


Legendary Hong Kong
Jurong Point 2 Shopping Centre
63 Jurong West Central 3
#03-80
Singapore 648331
Tel: +65 67941335
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LegendaryHK
Website: http://lhk.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D, E. Walk to the new wing of the shopping centre. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

BOCA @ Bukit Pasoh Road

Occupying the space of defunct Oca Grassa, is a new Portuguese Restaurant BOCA set up by a group of Portuguese friends working and living in Singapore. Opened its door in January 2015, the restaurant aims to bring the genuine taste of home to the table which took them a good 2 year to conceptualized.

Starting the dinner is a basket of warm house made bread served with olives and extra virgin olive oil imported from Portugal.

Flamed Chorizo 3/5

A feast to the eyes is the Flamed Chorizo ($36) which is flambeed tableside. The plump sausage made with pork, wine, garlic, salt and paprika is imported all the way from Portugal. I find the chorizo a bit on the tough side.

Cod Fritters 4/5

A staple in Portugal is the bacalhau  (dried and salted cod). The ingredient is dated back to the 15th century in which Portuguese fishermen would sail north to fish for cod. They would butterfly, dry and salt the cod to preserve the meat on the long journey back. The Cod Fritters ($15) which I had is made of this treasured ingredient together with potatoes and parsley served with a piquant pickled mayonnaise on the side. This is a delightful starter with its crispy exterior and flavourful innard.

Octopus Salad 4/5

Octopus if not cooked probably would turned out rubbery. Lucky this is not the case at BOCA with the Octopus Salad ($24). The octopus is blanched quickly several times to achieve the tender texture. It is then thinly sliced and dressed with crunchy capsicums, crispy garlic, red onions, cilantro, vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and smoky paprika to complete the orchestra of flavours singing in one tune.

Braz Codfish 4.5/5

The Braz Codfish ($28) is another dish on the menu that features the bacalhau. The cod is mixed with crispy deep fried shredded potatoes, caramelised onions and a beaten egg. Each spoonful bite of the mixture is layers of flavours and textures. A total new and enjoyable experience of authentic Portuguese cuisine.

Coffee Steak 4.2/5

The scent of coffee aroma filled the room when the Coffee Steak ($48) is served. This is one steak that you can really taste the sweet bitterness of the coffee. The 220g Australian tenderloin is dressed in a espresso mustard sauce, cream and a dash of cognac. The steak is generously paired with a delicious rice that has been cooked with almonds, garlic, onions, herbs and butter.

Shrimp Porridge 4.8/5

The real deal at BOCA has to be the Shrimp Porridge ($28) that is mind blowing. The so called porridge has no rice at all. It is actually made using aged homemade bread, immersing it in bacahau or shrimp stock to obtain the rich intense flavour. After that, it is simmered and stirred over a low flame until the bread turned into a porridge consistency. An egg yolk is added to give the dish a velvety finishing.

Cognac Chocolate Mousse 3/5 and Floating Island 4/5

Ending the delightful meal is the Cognac Chocolate Mousse ($13) and Floating Island ($15) for dessert. The Cognac Chocolate Mousse is made of valrhona chocolate mousse topped with tangy cognac macerated red berries, lemon cream and crunchy hazelnut praline. The Floating Island which I preferred among the two, is a slightly sweetened vanilla custard dusted with cinnamon, layered with passion fruit coulis, fragrant shredded basil, egg white quenelle and crowned with a sugar nest.

Authentic Portuguese Egg Tarts 4.5/5

Only twenty pieces is made each day is the Authentic Portuguese Egg Tarts ($4.50/pc). The creamy caramel egg custard together with the flaky puff pastry, dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar is the surprise highlight of the night. This is one of the best egg tarts I have eaten so far. I only wish they can make more and I can takeaway these beautiful delights to share with my friends.

Overall I have enjoyed my first experience of authentic Portuguese food. Some of the items really surprised me with the used ingredients and how they are put together. In a way, I have never tried anything similar until now. I strongly recommend trying the shrimp porridge, egg tart, braz codfish and coffee steak.


BOCA
6 Bukit Basoh Road
Singapore 089820
Tel: +65 62210132
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boca-Singapore/424998484314105
Website: http://boca-restaurant.sg/
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 6pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Turn left onto Teo Hong Road. At the end of Teo Hong Road turn left and continue on Bukit Pasoh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5. [Map]

Joyden Seafood Restaurant (欣艺海鲜) @ West Coast Recreation Centre

Formerly known as West Coast Seafood, the restaurant is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a new name, interior facelift and comprehensive revamped menu. The family run restaurant is now named as Joyden Seafood Restaurant (欣艺海鲜). The newly refurbishment and name change aims to attract more corporate clients and younger, well travelled customers on top of their regulars and loyal customers.

Signature Crispy Cereal Prawns 4.2/5

If you a fan of cereal prawns, then you need to try Joyden's version of the Signature Crispy Cereal Prawns ($22/$24/$46). Fried until crunchy on the shells while retaining the moist flesh, this can be eaten as a whole. The highlight is the cereal which has imbued with shards of kaffir leaves, chilli padi and a smattering of curry powder. This slight deviation has brought this classic dish to a new level.

Steamed Lobster with Glutinous Treasure Rice 4.5/5

Impress your diners with the Steamed Lobster with Glutinous Treasure Rice (market price). The rice is first quick fried with dried shrimps, shallots, Chinese sausage and scallions before the glutinous rice is being steamed with the lobster in a bamboo basket. By doing so, the juices of the crustacean is allowed to flow down further infusing the glutinous rice with a richer flavour.

Signature Imperial Oyster Sauce Chicken 4.5/5

While majority of the menu at Joyden is seafood, there is also meat and poultry section. The Signature Imperial Oyster Sauce Chicken ($28) was very memorable for me. The whole chicken was first roasted with stuffed chives and garlic gloves infusing the flavours and giving the bird a crisp skin. It is then braised in superior oyster sauce for a good 3 hours to further embraced with the beautiful flavours giving the chicken a very tender meat that fell of the bone with ease.

Lemongrass Pork Ribs in Crispy Yam Ring 4/5

The original version of the yam basket was a vegetarian dish but as time gone by, it has evolved into a non vegetarian dish. The norm nowadays comes with a yam ring filled with seafood and vegetable in it. Joyden's version comes with a crispy yam ring crowned with pieces of pork ribs that has been sauteed with fragrant lemongrass, ginger flower, chilli, Chinese wine and molasses. The Lemongrass Pork Ribs in Crispy Yam Ring ($25/$38) is a delight to have with the pillowy yam and succulent pork ribs.

Soon Hock Fish in Superior Soy Sauce with Scallions 4/5

One of Joyden's popular dishes is the Soon Hock Fish in Superior Soy Sauce with Scallions (market price). The superior soy sauce is lightly coated over the crispy fish giving it a nice subtle sweetness complementing the clean flavours of the fish while retaining that exterior crispiness.

Joyden's Signature Creamy Crab 4.5/5

Singaporean loves eating crab and one of the must try at Joyden is their Signature Creamy Crab (market price). The fresh crab is cooked in a creamy pumpkin curry sauce that was so good that we have diners in the group wiping it clean with the remaining fried buns.

Crab and Vermicelli Braised with Ginger and Spring Onion 3.8/5

Another crab dish available in the menu is the Crab and Vermicelli braised with Ginger and Spring Onion (market price). While the crab is fresh and sweet, I felt that the vermicelli is a tad on the dry side.

Egg Tart 4.5/5

Although Joyden is mainly known as a seafood restaurant, it also serves dim sum on the menu daily during lunch hour. The dim sum chef is from Guangzhou and the dim sum spread is prepared from scratch daily. We did not have dim sum for dinner but we manage to get a glimpse of the spread in the Egg Tart that the chef came back to specially prepared for us. I must say this is one of the best egg tart I have eaten for a long time. The flaky skin was outstanding, crisp but not too thick with a nice proportion to the custard.

Sago and Pomelo in Mango Puree 3.5/5

Wrapping up the sumptuous dinner is the Sago and Pomelo in Mango Puree ($5). While the mango puree was a sweet finishing to the wonderful dinner, I thought the bowl of puree was missing the sago, pomelo and pieces of mango chucks. It could be due to the portion that was served thought, with the other ingredients being lost or drowned by the mango puree.

Having stayed in the East all these years, I knew little about the good food in the West. I have to say Joyden is definitely a well kept secret of the West. I am glad that I had the opportunity to try the food and add to my list of Chinese restaurants that I will go back. In fact, I am already planning to go back to try out their dim sum soon.


Joyden Seafood Restaurant (欣艺海鲜)
West Coast Recreation Centre
12 West Coast Walk
#01-11
Singapore 127157
Tel: +65 67795355
Website: http://www.joydenseafood.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line), Kent Ridge (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across the cluster of HDB flats and walk towards Clementi Sports Hall. From Clementi Sports Hall, take the overhead bridge across the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Kent Ridge MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Buona Vista Flyover (Stop ID 18101). Take bus number 97, 197 or 963. Alight 5 stops later. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]