Auntie’s Wok and Steam @ Andaz Singapore - Celebrate Asia Street Food By Top Female Chefs

The start of the year 2020 sees female power taking over Auntie’s Wok and Steam at Andaz Singapore. As part of a culinary series that aims to celebrate the unique taste of Asian street food, a scheduled line-up of top female chefs of different Hyatt hotels in Asia will set up a short-term residency at Auntie’s Wok and Steam, and they shall be whipping up their city’s authentic street food tastes and flavours. Kickstarting this culinary series is Chef Tubtim Warapai, who will be presenting to you Thai cuisine from her hometown of North-east Isan with a specially crafted a la carte menu, lunch and dinner sets, which will be available daily from 3 to 14 February 2020.

Prices for the a la carte menu start at $12 per dish and $26 for the lunch tray sets which include an appetizer, main and dessert. Set dinner menu which we had tried is priced at $68, which showcases Chef Tubtim Warapai's home-cooked local specialties such as Chicken Green Curry (Gaeng keaw wan gai) and Crab Fried Rice (Khao pad poo).

Som Tum 3.5/5

You get to choose any 3 dishes from Appetizer. Som Tum is what most of us are familiar with - the spicy, sweet and sour green papaya salad that we love in our summery weather. What I like about this Som Tum is that the fish sauce is not as assertive like some others, and definitely not as fiery as well.

Grilled Pork Neck 4/5

The next two dishes are the must-order - Kor Moo Yang (Grilled pork neck) and Nam tok Thai Beef Salad. Grilled Pork Neck is blessed with the right amount of lean meat and fats and when grilled perfectly, like ours, they get really tender and flavorful. But what really pushes the experience up a notch is the accompanying spicy Isan dipping sauce that counters the fatty pork neck - nam jim jaew chilli sauce. Like most Thai sauces, it is tart, sweet, spicy, and nutty with tamarind, herbs, sugar and ground peanuts, and ours had such a good balance of flavours that I had the remaining for most of the other dishes too.

Thai Beef Salad 3.8/5

The Thai Beef Salad is essentially beef slices mixed with dried chilli, kaffir lime and mint. Similar to the grilled pork neck, the beef slices had a beautiful texture to it. The condiments did not at all overpower the meat but they combined to serve as a refreshing counterpoint to the beef.

Tom Yum Talay 3/5

You get to select 3 Mains as well. Tom Yum Talay, again, a hot and spicy soup that we have grown to love. Although it lacked the usual shiokness from the sour-spicy kick that I was craving for, the fresh and succulent ingredients somewhat make up for it.

Crab Fried Rice 4/5

Khao Pad Poo (Crab fried rice) was yummy with chewy-tender fried rice and I love the chunks of scrambled organic egg that marbled the rice. Topped with chunks of crab meats, tossing them together gives a satisfying textural bite.

Gaeng Phed Goong 4/5

Gaeng Phed Goong serves up tiger prawns in red curry. The curry can certainly be more robust I feel, but it suits diners who can't take much heat.

Mango Stick Rice 3.8/5

For Dessert, on the menu are Mango Sticky Rice and Tub Tim Grob (Red rubies). Don't expect them to be street-food quantity but the sweetness of them will satisfy that post-meal craving for sure.

Red Ruby 3/5

Written 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.


Auntie's Wok & Steam
Andaz Singapore
Level 25
5 Fraser Street
Singapore 189354
Tel: +65 64081255
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm
Weekend & PH Yum Cha Buffet: 12pm - 3pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Chalerm Thai @ Arcade, The Capitol Kempinski - Comfort Flavours, Traditional Recipes

Chalerm Thai is the latest addition to the array of food concepts at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski. Located within Singapore's most iconic cinema, the restaurant is aptly named after the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre in Bangkok, which was built in 1932 to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok. Here at Charlerm Thai, dishes follow traditional recipes, delivering flavours as close as one can find in Thailand.

Grilled Marinated Pork Neck with Spicy Lime Sauce 4/5

As an appetiser, the Kor Moo Yang ($18) will set your mouth watering with its juicy and tender meat grilled to perfection. The sear marks and the slightly burnt fats impart a smoky flavour to the meat, a key to its deliciousness.

Deep-fried Crispy Morning Glory with Chilli Sauce Dip 2.5/5

On the other hand, Yum Pan Boong Krob ($8) was a disappointment. Refinery Cafe has a much better version with a light and fluffy batter that has a slight chewiness to it. The batter here was a tad too salty, and these thin stalks became greasy after a while.

Deep-fried Lemongrass Chicken Wings 4/5

A crowd-pleaser will be Peek Gai Tord Ta Kra. In such an elegant setting, many refrained from eating these with hands. But to savour all the juice and flavours, do tuck in with your fingers!

Thai Seafood Tom Yum Soup 4.2/5

Tom Yum Goong ($15) was my favourite dish of all. Loaded with prawns, fish, clams, mussels and squid, each was fresh and plump, including the mushrooms. Spicy with the right amount of acidity, I will be happy to have one bowl all to myself.

Stir-fried Soft Shell Crab with Yellow Curry 3/5

While I love the meatiness of the soft shell crab in Phu Nim Phad Pong Karee ($20), I feel the saltiness of the batter can be adjusted to allow the flavours of the yellow curry to come through.

Thai Stir-fried Rice Noodles 4/5

Pineapple Fried Rice 2.5/5

For mains, we tried both Phad Thai King ($14) and Khao Phad Sapoarod ($15). For Phad Thai, I like that it wasn't too highly flavoured with sauces and seasonings like some others, and the rice noodles were springy but pliable. As for the fried rice, I prefer the rice to be firmer and drier.

Pumpkin Yam Dumplings in Coconut Milk 4/5

For dessert, this warm and mellow sweet Bua Loy with its cute little chewy dumpling will end every meal in a good note.

Written 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.


Chalerm Thai
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
13 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 67156875
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A or D. Walk to traffic junction North Bridge Road and Stamford Road. Cross the road. Walk down Stamford Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Un Yang Kor Dai @ South Bridge Road - Singapore’s First-ever Community Restaurant

Driven by the mission to give back to the local community, Un Yang Kor Dai was opened so that individuals from all backgrounds could showcase their love for food. To keep the spirit of Un Yang Kor Dai, which means “anything goes”, this Singapore venture at South Bridge Road is made possible by a group of friends who have various expertise and backgrounds. Back in Khao Yai, Thailand, Un Yang Kor Dai is the biggest community restaurant where both the young and old come together to share their culinary passion.

Thai Papaya Salad 3/5

On top of serving Thai cuisine, this 70-seater restaurant also serves Isaan (Northeastern Thai) cuisine which is what makes it unique. First, tuck into the refreshing Thai Papaya Salad, a popular Thai starter and also an appetiser that has it roots in Isaan. Also called Som Tam, expect crunchy leaves, cubed papaya, succulent prawns, and a kick of spice.

Crispy Spicy Minced Pork Sticks 3.5/5

A really interesting dish was the Crispy Spicy Minced Pork Sticks, which reminded me of spring rolls. It was so crisp with every bite. Served with a homemade sweet and sour sauce, this is a delightful snack to share amongst your friends or family.

Tom Yum Fresh Prawns 4/5

You would definitely expect this super popular dish to be served in a Thai restaurant. The Tom Yum Fresh Prawns (with coconut milk) is freshly prepared every day, and was so creamy and spicy. There was so much ingredients in it like fresh prawns, oyster mushrooms, lemongrass, tomatoes, etc. You could tell how much effort went into making this soup in one mouthful.

PenLaos Signature Grilled Chicken 4.5/5

The PenLaos Signature Grilled Chicken is made using a time-honoured recipe from Thailand. The meat of the spring chicken is marinated with a mix of fresh coriander and white peppercorn for 3 days, and served with a homemade spicy sauce. Even though this dish reminded me of our chinese zichar cuisine, it stood out with its flavours.

Grilled Pork Neck 3.5/5

Another dish you would expect from Thai restaurants is the Grilled Pork Neck. Marinated with a homemade marinate, the meat has a good amount of fat on it which made it so tasty. For a better experience, dip it with the Isaan spicy dipping sauce made with tamarind sauce, cilantro and chilli powder.

Deep-fried Whole Sea Bass 3.5/5

I loved how the Deep-fried Whole Sea Bass with Premium Fish Sauce & Mango Salad was filleted and fried, making it easier to eat. I recommend to have the fish with a scoop of mango salad as it was pretty bland on its own, but prepare for a kick of spice from the mango salad.

Stir-Fried Lobster with Salted Egg Sauce 4.5/5

Customising to Singaporeans taste buds, the Stir-Fried Lobster with Salted Egg Sauce used live lobster, making the meat so juicy and fresh. Drenched in a spicy and fragrant salted egg sauce, Singaporeans will love this dish.

Instead of plain white rice, Khao Niew Dum is used to accompany all these dishes. It is a common staple in Isaan culture which is glutinous brown rice, also known as sticky rice, and is served in a katip. Katip is a Thai basket, made with bamboo and palm, that is handcrafted by the children in Thailand and brought over to the outlet here.

Mango Sticky Rice 4.2/5

Of course, end of your meal with the Mango Sticky Rice and Thai Milk Tea Pudding here. I love mango sticky rice and the one served here definitely did not let me down. On the other hand, the pudding was so unique as it really held up to its name with the taste of fragrant thai milk tea in every bite.

Thai Milk Tea Pudding 4/5

Photos and words by Vanessa Chia. A girl who has a passion for taking photos. Determined to always get better at what I am doing. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Un Yang Kor Dai
57 South Bridge Road
#01-02
Singapore 058688
Tel: +65 67878575
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road using the overhead bridge. Turn left and walk down New Bridge Road. Turn left onto Hong Kong Street. Walk to the end of Hong Kong Street towards South Bridge Road. Cross the road at South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]