Sing Hi Fry (辛海五炒) @ Hougang Ave 5 - Comforting Stir-Fried Classics Without Breaking the Bank

I made my way back to my childhood neighbourhood along Hougang Avenue 5 to revisit familiar surroundings and check out a wallet-friendly hawker stall, Sing Hi Fry (辛海五炒). Located inside Yen Fei Lai Eating House at Block 322, the stall serves up a range of stir-fried noodles and fried rice dishes, with prices starting from just $4. It’s a no-frills setup, but one that clearly resonates with residents in the area.

Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle 4/5

I started with the Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle ($5). The noodles were generously coated in a rich, prawn-based broth that carried a deep, natural sweetness, making each bite thoroughly satisfying. The balance of flavours was on point, with the stock soaking into the noodles for that signature comforting slurp. The homemade sambal deserves a special mention; it is spicy with a slight tang, cutting through the richness and lifting the entire dish.

Ipoh Fried Kway Teow 4/5

Next was the Ipoh Fried Kway Teow ($5). This rendition leans towards the savoury side, delivering a good hit of wok hei that adds a smoky depth to the dish. The kway teow was evenly fried, not overly oily, and had a well-rounded seasoning that kept you going from bite to bite. It may not be flashy, but it delivers exactly what you expect from a dependable plate of fried kway teow.

Oyster Omelette 3.8/5

The Oyster Omelette ($5) features crisp edges surrounding a soft, fluffy egg base. The oysters were plump and juicy, adding bursts of briny flavour throughout. This version skips the gooey, starchy texture that some may prefer, focusing instead on a crispier finish. While it’s not my personal preference, those who enjoy a firmer, more textured orh luak will appreciate this style.

XO Sauce Fried Rice with Fried Seabass 4/5

To complete the meal, I had the XO Sauce Fried Rice with Fried Seabass ($9). The fried rice was fragrant and well-executed, with distinct, fluffy grains of Japanese rice that provided a pleasant bite. The XO sauce added a subtle sweetness with a gentle spicy note, enhancing the overall flavour without being overwhelming. The crispy battered seabass on top remained moist inside, offering a nice contrast in texture. It’s a satisfying one-dish option that rounds off the meal nicely.

For a neighbourhood hawker stall, Sing Hi Fry delivers consistent and flavourful dishes at very reasonable prices. It’s straightforward cooking done right, proving that comforting local fare doesn’t need to come at a high cost.


Sing Hi Fry (辛海五炒)
Yen Fei Lai Eating House
Blk 322 Hougang Ave 5
Singapore 530322
Tel: +65 9373 7378
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Nearest MRT: Hougang (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 8pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hougang MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Hougang Central Road. Turn left and walk down Hougang Central. Walk to the traffic junction between Hougang Central and Hougang Ave 5. Cross the road and walk down Hougang Ave 5. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Edge @ Pan Pacific Singapore - Celebrates The Festive Season with Well-Loved Local and International Spread Alongside Festive Seasonal Creations

Celebrate the festive season at Edge at Pan Pacific Singapore with one of its most abundant spreads of the year. The line-up features festive seasonal creations alongside the restaurant's well-loved local and international offerings.

Traditional Roasted Whole Turkey, Maple-glazed Gammon Ham

At the Festive Carving Station, highlights include the Traditional Roasted Whole Turkey, classically paired with cranberry sauce, and a succulent, sweet-savoury Maple-glazed Gammon Ham served with zesty spiced pineapple marmalade.

Charcoal-grilled Grass-fed Lamb Leg

The Charcoal-grilled Grass-fed Lamb Leg rubbed with Ras El Hanout spice stood out for its heady, aromatic flavours. Alongside it was a Slow-roasted Tomahawk, finished with a final torching of the exterior to add an extra layer of char and smokiness.

We also tried an interesting take on Duck Confit, served with Savoy cabbage, that offered a comforting, well-balanced combination.

Roasted Duck, Maltose Honey-glazed Char Siew

For Asian roasts, both the Roasted Duck and Maltose Honey-glazed Char Siew impressed with their succulency and depth of flavour.

"Jiang Zheng" Red Snapper

"Bi Feng Tang" Roasted Chicken

Under Asian Delights, the "Jiang Zheng" Red Snapper was moist and tender, robustly flavoured with fermented bean paste chilli and crispy pork lard. A clear crowd-pleaser was the "Bi Feng Tang" Roasted Chicken, made moreish with crispy garlic and dried chilli.

Wok-fried Singapore Hokkien Noodles

My personal favourite was the Wok-fried Singapore Hokkien Noodles wrapped in Opah Leaf, fragrant and satisfying.

Sambal Berlado Turkey

The Taste of Malaysia section included a festive twist with Sambal Berlado Turkey, alongside comforting staples such as satays.

Lamb Biryani

Over at the Indian Cuisine station, popular dishes like Butter Chicken and Lamb Biryani were well represented.

Cheese and Charcuterie Station

The Cheese and Charcuterie Station offered a wholesome assortment of cheeses, condiments, and handcrafted cold cuts, including Pan Pacific home-cured beef salami, Virginia ham, pastrami, mortadella, paprika lyoner, and Black Forest ham.

Chocolate Fountain

The highlight of the festive spread was undoubtedly the Dessert Stations, featuring a chocolate fountain, ice cream, and log cakes.

Homemade Stollen

Upside-Down Pineapple Cake

The festive sweet creations were impressive, with standouts including Homemade Stollen, Minced Fruit Pies, and Raspberry Choux Puffs. The buttery Upside-Down Pineapple Cake was particularly memorable and a fitting end to the meal.

For reservations, please call +65 6826 8240 or email dining.ppsin@panpacific.com.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Edge
Pan Pacific Singapore
Level 3
7 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 6826 8240
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (DT, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Surrey Hills Grocer @ Vivocity - Largest Surrey Hills Outlet, Bringing Diners the Aussie Rainforest Experience

Surrey Hills Grocer has unveiled its largest branch on VivoCity's rooftop, offering diners an Aussie rainforest-themed experience. The cosy space is adorned with lush greenery and playful animal decor like kangaroos, koalas, and giraffes.

Like its other branches, this new outlet introduces outlet-exclusive dishes and their first ever full kids menu.

Pet owners will also be happy to know that the outlet is pet-friendly and offers an all-new pet-friendly menu. Their freshly made treats are all crafted with quality, human-grade ingredients.

Diners can find a great variety of produce and food items to be purchased. The retail space is in a dedicated store segment near the entrance.

Surrey’s Homemade Iced Lemon Tea

Surrey has an extensive beverage list, which includes alcohols, fresh juices, wines, smoothies, teas and homemade options, such as the mildly sweet Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea ($8). It is made in-house using cold-brewed premium black tea dust and fresh lemons.

Corn & Crab Chowder 4/5

For a comforting start, we opted for the Corn & Crab Chowder ($14), a mildly creamy soup peppered with sweet crab meat bits and served with a side of focaccia.

Pumpkin Soup 4/5

Equally satisfying was the Pumpkin Soup ($12), which featured warm flavours of burnt orange and dukkah, balanced by a refreshing touch of mint, accompanied by focaccia.

Tender Seared Turkey 4.8/5

To add to the festive cheer, Surrey Hills Grocer has rolled out a seasonal Christmas menu available till the end of December. I was especially excited to try their Tender Seared Turkey ($32), which was strongly recommended by the staff. It was stellar and indeed one of the most tender renditions I've had of the meat. The turkey breast is drizzled with fragrant truffle butter and served with a bed of creamy truffled pomme puree, sherry caramel, miso glaze butternut squash and mushroom gravy.

Christmas Porchetta 4.5/5

Another festive highlight was the Christmas Porchetta ($28), which features tender Spanish chestnut pork belly with perfectly crisped skin stuffed with aromatics and sweet yet tangy apple cider glaze and cranberry apple compote.

Octopus Salad 3.8/5

Unfortunately, the Octopus Salad ($28) was less memorable, primarily due to its texture, which was a little too chewy. The sides of edamame, grape salsa and whipped cod roe went well together.

Flat Bread Hammy Benny 4/5

From the standard menu, we had the Flat Bread Hammy Benny ($26), featuring smoked Kurobuta ham, eggs of your choice, wilted spinach, truffle mushroom ragout, and foam-textured hollandaise on warmed flatbread. While enjoyable, my companions found it slightly overpriced for its simplicity.

Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza 4.2/5

A standout speciality exclusive to this outlet is its Sicilian-style pizzas and pasta. The Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza ($12) was a crowd-pleaser, featuring creamy ricotta, spicy pepperoni, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet-spicy kick.

“Hokkien Mee” 4.8/5

Among the pasta options, the "Hokkien Mee" ($26) impressed us with its creative local twist. Al dente malfadine pasta was bathed in a rich prawn bisque with lard and topped with ikura, grilled prawns, and spicy shrimp sambal. It was a bold, crustacean-infused dish.

Roasted Garlic Miso Butter Pasta 4/5

By contrast, the Roasted Garlic Miso Butter Pasta ($22) felt slightly underwhelming. The casarecce pasta, paired with pork sausage, asparagus, and fresh herbs, was well-cooked but lacked the robust flavours of the other dishes.

Strawberries Donut with Vanilla Custard, Vanilla Glazed Donut 3/5

We sampled two donuts for dessert: the Strawberries Donut with Vanilla Custard ($6.50) and the Vanilla Glazed Donut ($5). Both were dense and much sweeter than expected. We favoured the latter for its delicate sugar coating.

Sticky Date Pudding 4.5/5

Finally, the Sticky Date Pudding ($16) stole the show. This moist sponge cake was paired with sea salt butterscotch, almond crumble, and vanilla ice cream. The sweetness was balanced with a contrasting touch of saltiness.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Surrey Hills Grocer
VivoCity
#03-02
1 HarbourFront Walk
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 8189 6392
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront MRT (NE, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C & E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Fatt Choy Eating House (發財餐馆) @ Haji Lane - Enjoy Modern Singaporean Fare With Craft Beers and Sake

Fatt Choy Eating House at Haji Lane prides itself on its modern Singaporean fare, complemented by house-brewed beers and locally brewed sakes. Situated opposite its sister brand, Good Luck Beerhouse, Fatt Choy offers a well-curated menu that features small plates and bites that pair perfectly with drinks and classic local delicacies served in much heartier portions.

Pitan with Ice Lettuce 4.2/5

The vegetable dishes are meant to be as indulgent. We started with a refreshing Pitan with Ice Lettuce, which combined ultra-creamy Taiwanese Century Egg with a Pickled Ginger Dressing, providing a great contrast with the crunch of the Ice Lettuce. This dish hit all the right notes with its balance of creaminess and texture.

Wawa Cabbage with Fried Dace 4.5/5

The umami-packed Wawa Cabbage with Fried Dace ($12) brought a nostalgic flavour, with the fried dace sauce recalling the familiar taste of fermented black beans, albeit in a healthier version.

Masala Brussels Sprout 3/5

The Masala Brussels Sprout ($15) delighted with its chunky fried sprouts, but the masala sauce lacked depth and could have benefited from more tang and robustness.

Iberico Satay 3.8/5

The Iberico Satay ($15) featured grilled Secreto Iberico Pork skewers paired with Javanese Peanut Sauce and Pineapple Salsa. One of the tastiest skewers I had with all the sauce and zingy salsa, but a bit more grilling to render the fat and add a more robust char on the meat would have elevated the dish.

Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee 4.2/5

The signature dishes included Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee ($18) and XO Carrot Cake ($15). Although the wok hei was missing from the Hokkien Mee, it was still rich in flavour, loaded with various cuts of pork, squid, and a handful of crispy pork lard. The accompanying sambal was spot-on.

XO Carrot Cake 3.8/5

The XO Carrot Cake stood out for being generously coated with XO sauce, delivering a surprisingly well-rounded flavour with fried egg, beansprouts, and chives. However, the radish cake lacked caramelisation, likely due to being prepared with just a quick toss in the sauce.

KL Dai Lok Mee 4.2/5

KL Dai Lok Mee is a more elevated version of KL style Hokkien Mee, served in a claypot and adorned with mini abalones, offering a much celebratory vibe. There were also tender pork tendons in it, flavoursome with the sauce and adding even more textural bite to the noodles. Serving it in a claypot allowed the sauce to thicken and caramelise over time, enhancing the overall dish.

Kaya Ice Cream with House-made Churro 4.8/5

For dessert, Fatt Choy keeps it simple with one option and a delicious one: Kaya Ice Cream with House-made Churro ($12). This coconut cream-based kaya ice cream, housemade with fresh pandan, struck the right balance of sweetness and aroma and paired perfectly with the churro, which had a golden crust and a light, airy bite.

The restaurant also collaborates with a local sake brewery to offer a unique sake menu. We tried Utama The 2nd (Fresh on Tap) ($25) and the creamy, unfiltered Cempedak Cream Sake ($15), both of which complemented the food well.

Words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Fatt Choy Eating House
10 Haji Lane
Singapore 189203
Tel: +65 8128 0660
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B or E. Walk to North Bridge Road. Walk down North Bridge Road to junction of North Bridge Road and Ophir Road. Cross the road and walk to Haji Lane. Turn right onto Haji Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]