The Canopy Cafe @ Marina Bay Golf Course - Chao Ta Bee Hoon, Hokkien Mee, Penang Fried Kway Teow At A Golf Course?

I would never think I would discover The Canopy Cafe at Marina Bay Gold Course as I don't play golf; hence it is not a place I would ever visit. If not for my friends The Ranting Panda, I would not have known of the hidden gem that offers a delicious selection of local zichar dishes.

The Canopy Cafe located on the second floor is an alfresco cafe with the dining area having a stunning view of the CBD landscape and the golf course.

Johore Fried Bee Hoon 3.8/5

The Canopy has an eclectic menu ranging from Western, Japanese, Snacks and Local dishes. The highlight is their local dishes. Who on earth would imagine you can get a plate of Johore Fried Bee Hoon ($9) or better known to many as "Chao Ta Bee Hoon" in a cafe at Marina Bay Golf Course. Though you could not get that crisp compare to JB Ah Beng, the flavours and smokiness are there.

Penang Fried Kway Teow 4/5

The Penang Fried Kway Teow ($9) fares much better than the Johore Fried Bee Hoon with its wok hei aroma. You can also find prawns, fish cake, egg and beansprouts in the plate of rice noodles. I felt that the generous egg serving further enhanced the flavour.

Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 4/5

My favourite is the Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee ($9). It serves the wet version with the noodles soaking up the robust prawny stock. My only slight disappointment is the accompanying chilli sauce. I find that it does not go well with the noodle.

Tahu Goreng with Special Sauce 4.2/5

A surprise for me is their Tahu Goreng with Special Sauce ($8.90). Unlike the usual sweet sauce with a lot of peanuts, the deep-fried tofu comes in a pool of red chilli, beansprouts and cucumber. Don't be scare by the sea of red; it is not very spicy. It is kind of sweet, a bit like Thai chilli sauce but it still has the sambal fragrant.

Prawn Paste Fried Chicken Wings 3.5/5

While the Prawn Paste Fried Chicken Wings ($9.90) comes in a crispy batter coat, it lacked the prawn paste flavour. Putting that aside, it is an enjoyment deep-fried chicken wing, crisp and juicy.

In my wildest imagination, I would never expect a cafe at a golf course can dish out such delicious local dishes. It is not easily accessible by public transport but for those that drives, you may like to visit the place as it has a lot of parking with a beautiful dining view. By the way, do not mistake Canopy Cafe with the ones at Bishan Park and Hort Park.


The Canopy Cafe
Marina Bay Golf Course
80 Rhu Cross
#02-01
Singapore 437437
Te;: +65 63425742
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Stadium (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 730am - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Stadium MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Singapore Indoor Stadium (Stop ID 80199). Alight 4 stops later. Walk down Rhu Cross Road until the Vistor Centre. Walk further down and turn left again onto Rhu Cross Road into Marina Bay Golf Course. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine @ Amoy Street - Launches 5-Course Signature Set Menu At $50++ Per Pax

For a limited period from 1 December 2020 to 17 January 2021, Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine at Amoy Street has launched an exclusive 5-Course Signature Set Menu showcasing classic Chinese comfort foods for only $50++ per pax (minimum two pax, available for dinner only). Diners have the option of picking dishes from the different categories (appetiser, meat, seafood, vegetable and rice/noodle). However, diners at the same table have to select the same dishes except for the seafood course.

Deep-Fried Homemade Puning Beancurd, Pig Trotter Terrine, Deep Fried Ngoh Hiang 4/5

For the 5-Course Signature Set Menu, we started with a trio of appetisers. From left to right, we have Deep Fried Homemade Puning Beancurd, Pig Trotter Terrine and Deep Fried Ngoh Hiang. All the items are available on their a la carte menu, and the platter allows customers to have a glimpse of the dishes.

Pan Fried Kurobuta Pork Cutlet 4.2/5

Worthy of your calories is the Pan Fried Kurobuta Pork Cutlet accompanied by achar on the side. I am not sure what the sauce is, but more importantly, it is not overly sweet, complementing the tender and juicy pork cutlet. The other meat selections on the menu are Braised Duck with Beancurd and Crispy Pork Rib Marinated with Plum Sauce.

Live Boston Lobster Wok Baked with Fermented Bean and Garlic 3.8/5

Teochew Steamed Threadfin Tail 4/5

For the seafood selection, diners can choose between the Live Boston Lobster Wok Baked with Fermented Bean and Garlic and Teochew Steamed Threadfin Tail. If you prefer the more robust flavour, opt for the lobster with a rich fermented bean flavour, accentuated by the garlic aroma. Personally being a Teochew, I like my steamed fish. Hence, I would go for the light, and refreshing Teochew steamed threadfin tail.

Homemade Vegetable Skin Beancurd Braised with Crab Meat 4.2/5

For the vegetable dish, diners can choose from the Kai Lan Stir-Fried with Dried Sole Fish, Wok-Fried Asparagus and Homemade Vegetable Skin Beancurd Braised with Crab Meat. I had the silky tofu paired with sweet crab meat, simple but yet deliciously good.

Wok Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish

Wrapped up the 5-Course set meal with either the Wok-Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish or Fried Rice with Diced Chicken and Preserved Olive Leaves. I had the wok-fried kway teow infused with smoky wok hei with delightful crunchiness from the diced kai lan.

Double Boiled Pork Broth in Golden Pumpkin Bowl 4.5/5

The Jumbo Group of Restaurants has also collaborates with renowned Taiwanese Chef Huang Ching Biao, where he will pass on his treasure trove of recipes and experiences to Jumbo's suite of talented chefs. Kickstarting the collaboration is several new dishes at Zui Teochew Cuisine restaurants, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine and Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine. One of the new dishes is the Double Boiled Pork Broth in Golden Pumpkin Bowl ($12.80 per person). Inside the pumpkin bowl is generous servings of minced pork, water chestnut, and dried conpoy in fragrant pork broth, complemented by the pumpkin's subtle sweetness.

Beef Short Ribs with Asparagus in Red Wine Sauce 4.5/5

Beef lovers will enjoy the robust and decadent Beef Short Ribs with Asparagus in Red Wine Sauce ($18 per person). The succulent beef short ribs are first deep-fried, and then slow braised in red wine, red yeast rice, garlic and onions till tender.

Pan Fried Shrimp Paste and Pomfret Dumpling

Chef Huang will introduce more dishes in the first quarter of 2021. I was lucky to taste the Pan Fried Shimp Paste and Pomfret Dumpling before it is introduced. Thinly sliced pork lard is wrapped in fresh shrimp paste and topped with fresh whole pomfret and pan-fried. The highlight is the addition of pork lard that intensifies the flavours of the shrimp and pomfret. It is definitely a new dish that deserved to be introduced in 2021.

As a former chef in the Taiwanese presidential kitchen, the acclaimed Chef Huang Ching Biao definitely is an exciting introduction to the talented team in Jumbo. Having a glimpse of some of the new dishes, it really makes me look forward to the new creations in 2021.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine
130/131 Amoy Street
Singapore 049959
Tel: +65 67883637
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the street. Walk to Amoy Hotel. It is located opposite Amoy Hotel. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee @ Hong Lim Food Centre - A Messy Plate Of Goodness That Is Worth The Long Queue

What is your favourite local street food? Mine is Char Kway Teow among the many. Where is the best in Singapore then? I feel that everyone has their own best since local street food is something that one grown up with. However, there are also those popular ones that have gotten the recognition from fellow Singaporean. This can be seen from the daily long queue at the stalls. One such stall is Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee at Hong Lim Food Centre which is also recognised in Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore 2018 and 2019 edition.

Char Kway Teow 4.8/5

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, people are going out less, and hence I took the opportunity to check out Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee since the queue is not as long as usual. By the way, I was really looking forward to the plate of hot piping fried rice noodles, as this is my first time trying it. Yes, I have been put off by the long queues all these years, and this is my first time having it.

I was blown away when I took the first mouthful. First, you get the wok hei smokiness, follow by the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. What I like most is the coat of beaten egg that is still a bit runny, and the noodle is cooked to a delicious semi-wet texture. For $5, this portion is quite generous too. It comes with bean sprouts, fish cakes and cockles. You can also add extra cockles for additional $2. If I am to be particular, I feel that the addition of Chinese sausage will further elevate the delicious plate of rice noodle. Nevertheless, this is still my top 3 char kway teow in Singapore.

Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee
Hong Lim Food Centre
Blk 531A Cross Street
#02-17
Singapore 051531
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 6am - 330pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit E. Cut cross Chinatown Point. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Journey time about 5 minutes. Cut across Hong Lim Complex. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Lai Heng Fried Kuay Teow & Cooked Food @ Shunfu Mart Food Centre - For $3 This Is A Gorgeous Plate Of Goodness

I have not eaten a plate of Fried Kway Teow for a long time. Partly it is hard to find a good one nowadays and of course for health reason I do not want to waste my calories for a lousy plate of fried kway teow. I broke my fast for char kway teow when I dropped by Lai Heng Fried Kuay Teow & Cooked Food at Shunfu Mart Food Centre. I could not help queuing and getting a plate of fried kway teow.

Besides selling Char Kway Teow, the stall also sells Otah. It is an interesting pairing and probably the only stall in Singapore doing so. I observed many customers bought the otah to go along with the char kway teow. As for me, I decided to give it a miss as I wanted to try other stuff in the food centre.

Char Kway Teow 4.2/5

The Char Kway Teow ($3) is the wet and slippery type. For the pricing, the portion is quite generous. Though it was lacking the wok-hei fragrant, I like that it is not too sweet and well balanced. In the delicious plate of char kway teow, one can find lup cheong, egg, bean sprout, cockles and fish cake.

Besides the sweet sauce, what I think that makes the plate of noodle tasted even more delicious is the lup cheong, cockles and egg. The ingredients seem to perk up the whole flavour profile, making the moist noodles even more slurping good. One word, shiok!

It seems like there is another Lai Heng stall at Sembawang Hill Food Centre. I am not sure whether they are related but I suspect they do as it is offering the same pairing of char kway teow and otah like the stall at Shunfu Mart Food Centre.


Lai Heng Fried Kuay Teow & Cooked Food
Shunfu Mart Food Centre
Blk 320 Shunfu Road
#02-20
Singapore 570320
Nearest MRT: Marymount (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 8pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Marymount MRT station. Take exit A. Cut across Shunfu HDB estate. Journey time about 5 mins. [Map]

Blue Jasmine @ Park Hotel Farrer Park - Halal Thai Restaurant With A New Refreshed Menu

Blue Jasmine is a 100-seater halal Thai Restaurant on the 5th floor of Park Hotel Farrer Park. Open for slightly more than a year, the restaurant has refreshed its menu. Besides the traditional dishes that define Thai cuisine, in the refreshed menu, it also offers regional specialities that is lesser known in Thai cuisine.

Tom Yum Sea Bass 'Poh Tek' 3.8/5

We probably have been used to tom yum soup but a lesser known similarity is the Tom Yum Sea Bass 'Poh Tek' ($20). Poh Tek is a type of tom yum that is made with different proportion of spices and ingredients. It supposes to be very spicy which needs to include deep fried chilli and basil. Deep fried sea bass is also added for a totally different experience to the classic tom yum soup. I personally find that it can be spicier.

Cha-Om Fried Egg 4.5/5

The Cha-Om Fried Egg ($12) is my favourite item among the new dishes I tried. An egg mixture of sliced acacia leaves, fish sauce, pepper powder are whisked together and fried and rolled into shape. The fragrant fried egg roll is best eaten with the shrimp paste sauce that tasted like our local chinchalok. The sauce is really spicy but damn shiok, elevating the whole enjoyment.

Yellow River Prawn Curry 3.5/5

Not all curry is spicy. Take for example the Yellow River Prawn Curry ($26) topped with betel leaves and microgreens. In fact it is sweet not spicy. The curry is creamy and coconuty. It is best to go with a plate of steamed rice. The prawn is also fresh and crunchy.

Holy Basil Krapao (Squid) 4/5

I thought Thai only use Thai basil for the basil minced pork or chicken dish, I am definitely enlightened by the dish, Holy Basil Krapao ($24). I enjoyed the layer of aroma from the basil on top of the spiciness from the sambal. Note worth is well cooked long beans that has a nice crunch but not on the raw side.

Roast Chicken Esarn Style 4.2/5

The marination of the Roast Chicken Esarn Style ($16) is so flavourful that I can have it on its own. The accompanying dipping sauce is the fish sauce type. I thought the shrimp paste sauce from the Cha-Om Fried Egg goes better with the roast chicken. 

Thai Fried Kueh Teow (Seafood) 3.8/5

Don't be mistaken, this is not Pad Thai but Thai Fried Kueh Teow with Seafood ($18). It is indeed quite similar to our local char kway teow with a hint of wok hei aroma. The taste is more savoury and less sweet compared to our local version, probably to the use of fish sauce in the frying.

Thai Chendol 4/5

Last but not least, we end on dinner on a sweet note with the Thai Chendol ($12). The chendol has more ingredients than our local version, such as the addition of red and blue rubies, young coconut and jackfruit.

Note: This is an invited tasting. 


Blue Jasmine
Park Hotel Farrer Park
10 Farrer Park Station Road
Level 5
Singapore 217564
Tel: +65 68248851
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 630pm - 10pm (buffet dinner)

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Penang Authentic Delicacies @ Golden Mile Food Centre - Cone Tower Penang Fried Kway Teow Wrapped In Banana Leaf

We did not plan to check out Penang Authentic Delicacies at Golden Mile Food Centre initially. It was after a disappointing lunch, we decided to find something else to eat that we chance upon this stall at the food centre.

Ah Gong Penang Fried Kway Teow 3.8/5

Our attention is quickly drawn to the Ah Gong Penang Fried Kway Teow ($3/$5) which is wrapped in banana leaf and served as a cone tower. Apparently this is how their Ah Gong used to serve it, concealing the aroma. I am not sure how truth is this as I have never seen it in Singapore and even Penang. Anyway, let see how the food taste.

The plate of Penang Fried Kway Teow comes with prawns, clams, pork lard, fish cake, Chinese sausage, beansprout and egg. Unlike our local char kway teow which is sweet, this is packed with savouriness with a slight hint of smokiness. The version is slightly drier but not oily.

Penang Ah Gong Mee Sua Pork Soup 3.8/5

Besides the Penang fried kway teow, we also tried the Penang Ah Gong Mee Sua Pork Soup ($4). The smooth and silky mee sua comes in a light but sweet broth, accompanied by ingredients such as minced pork patty, pork balls, sliced pork and pig's tongue. I am rather delighted with the generous serving but I find the thinly sliced pig's tongue lacked texture.

Besides the Fried Kway Teow and Mee Sua Pork Soup, the stall also offers other items on the menu such as Duck Meat Kway Teow Soup, Penang White Curry, Fried Mee Tai Mak and Fried Mee Sua.


Penang Authentic Delicacies
Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
#01-11
Singapore 199583
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 8pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge and cross over to Beach Road. Walk down Beach Road along the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant @ Chui Huay Lim Club - Celebrates 7th Anniversary with Seven Exclusive Chef Recommendations

If not for the recent visit to Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant, I do not even know the existence of the historical 170-year-old Chui Huay Lim Club at Keng Lee Road. If the club or road name sound foreign to you, they are to be too. I have to google map the location and realised it is near Newton Circle.

Before starting our dinner, we have a little introduction to the art of drinking tea. We started with washing the tea leaves and utensils, pouring the tea, holding the tea cup and appreciating the tea.

Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine Classic Platter 4/5

Our dinner started with the Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine Classic Platter ($58 for 6 pax / $98 for 10pax). The platter consists of Teochew Braised Duck, Deep Fried Ngoh Hiang, Deep Fried Traditional Liver Rolls and Teochew Pig Trotter Terrine.

Two items on the platter stood out for me. The deep fried liver rolls which is made with minced pig and chicken liver, yam and water chestnut wrapped in beancurd skin. It is crispy on the outside and substantial inside. Best to have together with the sweet sauce. The other is the pig trotter terrine which is hardly served on the dining table nowadays due to the meticulous preparation extracting the gelatin from the pig skin and freezing it.

Wok Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish 4/5

A dish that is packed with wok hei is the Wok Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish ($18/$27/$36). The addition of the diced kai lan and preserved radish provided the extra crunch to the finishing.

Suckling Pig 4.2/5

We are kind of surprise when the whole Suckling Pig weighting around 3.5kg to 4kg was brought into our dining room as it was originally not on our menu. The specific weight of the piglet was chosen for its thinner skin, to get that desired crispiness. No short cut is taken here, like pre-bathing the piglet to speedup the cooking. The whole piglet is roasted from raw.

Teochew Oyster Omelette Gooey Style 4.5/5

A specialty at Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant has to be their Teochew Oyster Omelette Gooey Style ($22). The restaurant even has a delegated chef to just cook the dish. It will be freshly cook upon order which takes about 20 minutes of waiting time. What so good about the orh luak here is the consistency, where each mouthful gets you the gooey and crispy texture. This is best paired with the slightly sourish chilli sauce.

In celebration of its 7th anniversary. the restaurant has created a limited edition menu that features 7 a la carte dishes between 3 September to 30 November 2018. These delicacies include time-honoured dishes as well as unique takes on popular favourites. Among the 7 dishes specially created for the 7th anniversary, we tried the Homemade Fish Balls and Fish Cake Braised with Tianjin Cabbage in Superior Broth ($22/$33/$44) and Crispy Fried Pork Belly and Water Chestnut Rolls Tossed in Sweet & Sour Sauce ($18/$27/$36).

Homemade Fish Balls and Fish Cake Braised with Tianjin Cabbage in Superior Broth 4.2/5

Simmer for hours in chicken and pork bones is the Homemade Fish Balls and Fish Cake Braised with Tianjin Cabbage in Superior Broth. The bouncy fish balls and fish cake are made from yellow eel, which is prized for their sweet flesh. The tianjin cabbage was also cooked to a delectable softness that emits a comforting sweetness to the superior broth. What lights up my taste buds is actually the hint of sourness amidst the sweetness from the salted vegetable.

Crispy Fried Pork Belly and Water Chestnut Rolls Tossed in Sweet & Sour Sauce 4/5

The Crispy Fried Pork Belly and Water Chestnut Rolls Tossed in Sweet & Sour Sauce is a heritage dish that has marinated pork belly and crunchy water chestnut wrapped with pig's caul fat. A traditional way of preparing it. It is steamed, deep fried and then glazed in a sweet and sour sauce. It is similar to sweet and sour pork but the roll itself is more meaty, almost like a ngoh hiang. You tiao is also added for that extra layer of texture.

Teochew Tau Suan 4.5/5, Yam Paste with Pumpkin 4.5/5

I would definitely recommend you to save some space for dessert. The Teochew Tau Suan with Gingko Nuts ($5.20) here are really special. The restaurant added orange peel in the dessert, which elevates the traditional dessert for a unique enjoyment. As for the Yam Paste with Pumpkin and Gingko Nuts ($5.20) the distinct fragrant from the pork lard brought a smile to my face. I have eaten too many yam pastes that do not use pork lard anymore which I thought it lacked that final punch to win my palate over.


Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant
Chui Huay Lim Club
190 Keng Lee Road
#01-02
Singapore 308409
Tel: +65 67323637
Website
Nearest MRT: Newton (DT Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Fri-Sun, PH: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Newton MRT station (Stop ID 40181). Take bus number 5, 54, 143, 162 or 167. Alight at next stop. Cross the road. Take the path between Newton 18 and Newton Life Church to Keng Lee Road. Turn left on Keng Lee Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Newton Circle and make your way to Keng Lee Road. Walk to destination. Journey time around 15 minutes. [Map]