IAAI Malay Food @ Havelock Road Food Centre - Mee Rebus At Only $2

On my trail to find cheap food in Singapore, it lead to IAAI Malay Food stall at Havelock Road Food Centre. This humble and little known stall sells a variety of items on the menu at at two dollars. A price you hardly can find in Singapore nowadays.

Mee Rebus 

For the price tag, the bowl of Mee Rebus ($2) is very substantial. The stall owner is not stingy with the ingredients or portion at all. It comes with yellow noodles, green chillis, spring onions, Chinese celery, fried firm tofu, fried shallots, bean sprouts and a whole hard boiled egg. The gooey gravy with mild spiciness may not be the best I have eaten but it is acceptable if you one that is not too picky. I am not complaining as its only two dollars for the portion.

Mee Siam 2.5/5

Besides the Mee Rebus, I also tried the Mee Siam ($2). Again the portion is huge and it comes with a whole hard boiled egg. Unfortunately the gravy lacked depth and it tasted watered down.

During our visit in the late morning, their Epok-Epok Kak Andon (1 for $0.70 and 3 for $2) was already sold out. The stall auntie told us that its very popular and usually its the first item to be gone. Guess I need to be very early in my next visit to try the Epok-Epok. The stall also sells Mee Soto ($2), Nasi Lemak ($2), Nasi Sambal Goreng and Nasi Campur.


IAAI Malay Food
Havelock Road Food Centre
Blk 22A/B Havelock Road
#01-30
Singapore 162022
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 1pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Bukit Ho Swee Link. At Bukut Ho Swee Link, turn left and walk to Jalan Bukit Ho Swee. At Jalan Bukit Ho Swee turn right and walk to Jalan Klink. Walk down Jalan Klink and look out for a staircase that goes down the slope. Take the staircase to the bottom. Turn right and follow the covered walkway to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro @ OneKM Mall

If you spot a Swede having his afternoon tea, he is doing what they called Fika. A cup of coffee, together with some pastries or sandwiches, it is an activity that Swedes, and many of us, resonates with. I chanced upon the concept of fika when researching for my Scandinavian trip last year, and coming to Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro at OneKM Mall gave me the chance to try food that I have missed out during my short vacation in Sweden.

A flagstone footpath led us into the porch of Fika. Behind the white painted walls I could see the hosts busy preparing food for their guests. What's eye-catching is the Falu red wall, a colour unique to Sweden. This is the centralised work station that churns out all the cakes and pastries that you will taste in all of Fika's outlets. This is a traditional Swedish setting, where guests are host at the porch. There are two other Fika outlets in Singapore with their respective theme - at Arab Street, you will find yourself dining inside their Swedish house, while at Millenia Walk, contemporary is the mood.

Rosehip Soup - (Nyponsoppa) 3.5/5

It was a really hot day, hence I opted for a cold Rosehip Soup - (Nyponsoppa) for a refreshing start. It is sweet with a hint of sourness, almost like a hawthorn drink, but with a viscosity.

Red Beet Salad 2.5/5

I had 2 salads - Red Beet Salad - Rödbetssallad ($7.90) and Långedrag ($18.90). Red beet is more like a side dish, similar to a coleslaw but made with pickled beets and apple. The beets are pickled, which makes it really appetising, and despite its strong flavour, it blends really well with the sweetness of the apple. I could have wiped the bowl clean, really, should it have not been drown by the mayonnaise.

Långedrag 3.5/5

Långedrag is your typical salad, but topped with Swedish fresh-water shrimps. Despite their miniscule physic, each of them may surprise you with its concentrated sweet, savoury taste. Hence, just a handful of it is enough to dress the entire plate of greens.

Toast Skagen 3.8/5

Swedish fresh-water shrimps goes well not just with salads, but great on toasts too. When mixed with mayonnaise and dills, it forms a creamy, savoury topping with a crunch. A dash of lemon will balance the taste with tang and acidity. The first time I had this was at Smor at One Raffles Place, which made me go searching for it all the time during my trip in Scandinavia. It is not typically offered elsewhere in other places, perhaps due to the high cost of the imported ingredients. Although I find the price rather steep for sandwiches, but go for Toast Skagen ($21.90) if you want to enjoy the beauty of these tiny shrimps.

Swedish Meatballs 4.2/5

For mains, I'm sure you are quite familiar with Swedish Meatballs - Köttbullar med persiljepotatis och lingonsylt ($19.90), a dish imprinted in many of our mind to be primarily what Swedish cuisine is about, after Ikea at Queensway first introduced it to us. However, nothing can compared to freshly made meatballs, especially when they are fat and juicy, well peppered, spiced and salted. A traditional brown sauce for meatballs consists beef broth and sour cream, hence you get that beefiness spiked with a bit of tang. Piquant, but not too creamy nor heavy, which complements the flavour of the meatballs well. Accessorised with the tart Swedish's staple lingonberry jam, every bite of the meatball is packed with an array of flavours, and most importantly, without the gaminess.

Herb-crusted Salmon 3.5/5

Salmon, apart from herring, is common in Nordic cuisine, smoked salmon especially. Over here at Fika, they have a Swedish inspired Herb-crusted Salmon - Kryddbakad lax med glaserade rödbetor och citronsmörsås ($26.50). Like the meatballs, the salmon was gracefully plated atop potato mash, with a layer of beautiful herb crust. The salmon was tender and flaky, however, the much anticipated herb crust falls flat with its flavorless profile. A very wholesome and nutritious dish nonetheless, given its portion and the choice of side dishes.

Creamy Pasta 3/5

More conventional options are available, such as pasta. We tried their recommended Creamy Pasta - Krämig pasta ($21.90). Apart from turkey ham, there are leek and mushrooms, hence I considered it as a healthier option of Carbonara. I would appreciate if there is more doses of leek as the pasta seems to be overwhelmed with ham.

Semla 2.5/5

With everything baked in house, we couldn't leave without trying the dessert, could we? Although we were really filled. We were in time for their once-a-year dessert - Semla ($4.90). After trying, indeed, it is as described - doughy buns of sin. Each Semla is a cocoon of a thick and oozy almond paste, that comforts the souls of many Swedes residing in Singapore. I can imagine having it in front of a fireplace, where I'm warmly hugged by a comforter. However, over here, I just couldn't agree with its level of sweetness.

Swedish Pancakes 3/5

We also had their Swedish Pancakes - Pannkakor med bär, chokladsås och vispad grädde  ($12.90 Ice-cream top-up: Vanilla $1.50). I learnt that Swedish Pancakes are thicker and eggier than French Crepes, rather than airy and fluffy. Given such a texture, I believe their savoury crepes will be better choice. We saw that the very traditional Princess Cake is on the menu too, but it wasn't ready for us that day. Next time perhaps.

Lingonberry Milkshake 3.5/5

If you just want to enjoy the ambience, do drop by for their unique selection of drinks. Cold, rich and creamy, their Lingonberry Milkshake will be worth your calories.

Dining here at Fika has been a very enjoyable experience. Despite it being inside a mall, I felt like I have been sheltered away from the hustle and bustle of the weekend crowd. If you are curious about Swedish cuisine, this is perhaps the most accessible place that you can get.

Photograph and 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.


Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro
OneKM Mall
11 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 436950
Tel: +65 67022456
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

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

Direction: 
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to Singapore Post Centre. At the Singapore Post Centre, turn right again and continue straight down the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Pu3 Restaurant @ Bencoolen Street

I am glad to know a group of friends who is always out on the street seeking for good food to recommend to fellow foodie-like friends. Thanks to a tip off from FINS of a good Nasi Ambeng place in Bencoolen street, both Maureen and I made our way down on one Saturday afternoon to check out Pu3 Restaurant.

This is my first time having Nasi Ambeng and I was quite excited on the huge servicing. Nasi Ambeng is a Javanese cuisine usually served during festivities and served in a tray with around 8 dishes and enjoyed together, like communal eating.

At Pu3 Restaurant, a typical Nasi Ambeng ($7.50 for 1pax/ $29.90 for 2 pax/ $50.80 for 4pax) comes with a total of 13 different items. On the big plate, there are Nasi, Ayam, Daging, Sambal Goreng, Terung, Paru, Bagerdil, Sambal Kacang Ikan Bilis, Serunding, Udang, Urap, Sambal Belacan and Ikan Kering.

The Nasi Ambeng is a feast itself on a plate features the different cooking techniques and spices of Javanese cuisine. A couple of items stood out for me such as the Beef Rendang. The soft and tender meat with the complex but yet aromatic spices.

The other components on the plate that I enjoyed a lot is the Serunding, sauteed grated coconut. It seems to go well with anything on the plate. I could not help going back for more, eating it with other ingredients on the plate.

I have not tried other Nasi Ambeng before but judging from the crowd, this is really a popular place to go to for Nasi Ambeng. Putting my own taste buds on the line, I would say this is a place I would go back again for the delicious food.


Pu3 Restaurant
51  Bencoolen Street
#01-06
Singapore 189630
Tel: +65 63384419
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), Dhoby Ghaut (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am - 9pm
Sat & PH: 11am - 4pm, 530pm - 9pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk to traffic light junction of Bencoolen Street and Bras Basah Road. Cross the traffic light and turn right onto Bencoolen Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic light junction of Handy Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road and turn right onto Bras Basah Road. Continue on Bras Basah Road. Turn left onto Bencoolen Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Hee Kee Desserts @ Jurong Point

Hee Kee Desserts at Jurong Point which means treasuring happiness is the newest Hong Kong desserts place in town. Not known by many, the principle franchiser behind Share Tea Singapore is the creator behind it. Offering traditional Hong Kong style desserts, their menu include the locals' all time favorites such as durian and  mango as well as the classics such as steamed milk/egg, glutinous rice balls etc. For this tasting, we had 6 best selling desserts in one go. That really tested my level of sugar threshold.

D24 Durian Sauce with Sago 3/5

We started with the D24 Durian Sauce with Sago ($5.80). I felt that the durian mousse was slightly too blend, lacking the oomph and aroma. However I like the dollop of durian puree on top which was bitter sweet.

Mango with Pomelo and Sago 3.8/5

Next I tried the Mango with Pomelo and Sago ($4.50). Having tried this in my previous visit, it got the tick from me for its consistency. However with so many similar dish in the market, I guess it takes it takes a little more to be really outstanding. More mango chunks would have enlivened the taste though.

Traditional Steamed Milk Pudding 4/5

Moving on to something warm and comforting, we tried the Traditional Steamed Milk Pudding ($3.50) with the right viscosity. It wasn't too rich or cloying, just the way I like.

Liusha Tangyuans in Osmanthus Soup 3/5

The Liusha Tangyuans in Osmanthus Soup, 流沙汤圆 caught my attention on the menu. I believe whoever loves 流沙包 will have high expectations on this item. To be fair, this does make a good bowl of tangyuans or deliver the kind of sensation that 流沙包 gives to its fans. It still has much to work on. On the other hand, I like how the light osmanthus soup elevated the overall taste with its calming fragrant. Perhaps, the skin of the glutinous rice balls wasn't thin enough to produce that 'burst' of golden milky lava which we anticipate as our custard buns peeled open. The soupy nature might have watered down the taste of the custard. My gut feeling tells me that this dish might be a lot more satiable if it's served dry, like mochi. What do you think?

Durian Pancake 4/5

A popular item on the menu is the Durian Pancake ($3.30/pc or $6/2pc). Wow...the skin was thin, soft and chewy. As I sliced it opened, the durian puree oozed out, beckoning to me. Together with the fresh cream in between, the combination was sinfully satisfying.

Mango Cheong Fun 4.2/5

A must try at Hee Kee Desserts is the Mango Cheong Fun ($3.30/pc or $6/2pc). I was amazed by how soft the coconut infused wrap was. The huge chunk of mango was also juicy and sweet which simply melted in the mouth.

Bird's Nest in Coconut Milk 3.5/5

The Bird's Nest in Coconut Milk ($9.80 onwards) is served in actual account. I was quite disappointed by it. Basically, it was just coconut water with a few strands of birdnest and the coconut shreads were tough. Personally I felt that adding white fungus would have made it more fulfilling as dessert.

I was told that its chefs went to Hong Kong specially to learn the authentic recipes and I can see that their training are put into good use. Good effort and creativity shown. Since it's not available anywhere else, do give it a try if you have come all the way to the extreme west of Singapore! Furthermore this is probably the very first HALAL Hong Kong dessert place in Singapore.

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.


Hee Kee Desserts
Jurong Point
1 Jurong West Central 2
#03-54/55
Singapore 648886
Tel: +65 67438480
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heekeedesserts
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Rumah Sayang @ JEM

When I was told that there is a popular Peranakan cafe at the basement of JEM, I was a bit puzzled because I didn't release I have seen one during my previous visits. Fortunately a food trail lead me to Rumah Sayang, a Peranakan theme cafe solving the mystery. No wonder I have missed it because the name of the Halal restaurant did not suggest that it is a Peranakan cafe. Moreover the cafe sells a mixed of Nasi Padang, local cooked dishes, local snacks and kuehs on top of some signature Nyonya dishes. Nevertheless, the cafe is extremely popular with the shoppers. It is one of the busiest eatery at the shopping mall constantly streaming in with diners.

Tahu Goreng 4/5

Upon being seated, we started with a plate of Tahu Goreng ($3.50). Crispy on the outside and smooth inside, the texture enjoyed to the fullest with the delectable sweet and spicy nutty sauce.

Curry Fish Head 4.5/5

A must order at Rumah Sayang is their Curry Fish Head ($18.90). The fresh fish head is accompanied with a delicious curry gravy that is rich and creamy while the spice level could be accepted by majority. I like that it is also served with a lot of vegetables so my meal would not be very boring with just one choice. The only disappointment is that the claypot comes with only half a fish head instead of whole.

Salted Egg Yolk Chicken 4.2/5

To have a more complete meal, you may want to throw in another local favourite Salted Egg Yolk Chicken. I am a big fan of salted egg yolk so this is a winner for me. The chicken was tender and juicy complemented  by the salted egg yolk sauce. The flavour of salted egg yolk sauce was enhanced further with the curry leaves aroma and a hint spiciness.

Prawn Fritter 4.5/5

You can also dropped by Rumah Sayang to have either your breakfast and tea if you are not looking for a full meal. They also have local delights like mee siam, mee rebus, mee soto, lakaa, prata, lotong and nyonya kuehs on their menu. Among them my favourite is the Prawn Fritter ($1.60 for 2pc). Hardly get to find this delicious prawny snack elsewhere. Deep fried to golden brown, crispy and not too oily. This is must eaten with the homemade chilli dip.


Rumah Sayang
JEM
50 Jurong Gateway Road
#B1-41
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 63390938
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes [Map]

Pondok Jawa Timur @ Wilkie Edge (Selegie)

Driven by the passion to offer authentic Javanese cuisine to Singapore, Mdm Indah opened her first eatery house at Indonesia Embassay in 2007 before moving to Atrium Orchard 3 years later. The popular Indonesian Javanese restaurant, Pondok Jawa Timur at Dhoby Ghaut area has since relocated to Wilkie Edge at Selegie area. Fans of their Indonesian Javanese food will be glad to know the platoon of Indonesian chefs in the kitchen has remained the same all these years. Meaning you can expect the same quality and standard at Pondok Jawa Timur in their current premise.

Ayam Penyet 4.5/5

Upon sighting the smashed fried chicken that looked as if it has just been run over by a car, I knew I am into something good. Deep fried to a crispy exterior, the chicken was tender and moist. This is definitely one of the best Ayam Penyet ($7.90) I had for a long time.

Tahu Telor 4/5

I have mixed feeling towards the Tahu Telor ($9.90). I prefer my tahu telor to be the tower form so that every bite has a good mix of the beancurd and fried egg. Saying that I like the robustness of the prawn paste that complemented the fried tofu in egg.

Rendang Jawa Timur 3.8/5

The Rendang Jawa Timur ($8.90) was pretty flavourful and fragrant with all the spices. It felt that the beef redang needed a couple more hours to be more tender.

Gado Gado 3/5

After ordering all the food, we realised we did not have a vegetable dish. Hence the owner recommended us to try the Gado Gado ($8.90), mixed vegetable in peanut sauce. Some may think it is weird to have your vegetables with peanut sauce but in fact it is quite a staple dish in Indonesia. The nutty sauce actually goes very well with the natural sweetness of the mixed vegetables. Quite similar how goma sauce is used in Japanese cuisine.

Sop Buntut 3/5

My first introduction to Indonesian cuisine is Sop Buntut in Jakarta. Since then I have quite an high expectation of the oxtail soup. The Sop Buntun ($11.90) at Pondok Jawa Timur was hearty and comforting but fell short in the robustness to satisfy my expectation.

Gulai Kepala Ikan 3.5/5

One of the popular dishes here is te Gulai Kepala Ikan ($28.90). Served in a claypot, the fish head was fresh and succulent. While I can taste the aroma of the spices in the gulai sauce, the spicy scale is too mild for my palate and I prefer something more lemak. However, my dining partners did not agreed with me and they actually enjoyed the fish head curry. Hence it is down to one's preference.

Mie Goreng Jawa 4.5/5

We were already quite full from all the yummy dishes but since the owner has been raving about their popular Mie Goreng Jawa ($7.90), the curiosity in us just could not let this be missed without trying. The Javanese fried noodles was unlike the Malay style which is reddish in colour. The mie goreng jawa here is more inclined to the Chinese style, wetter with the noodles infused with the wok hei flavour.

Sate Ayam 5/5

The one dish that blown me away at Pondok Jawa Timur it the Sate Ayam ($9.90). Charcoal grilled to a nice smoky flavour, the tender chicken thigh meat satay was drenched in a very delish sauce that accentuated the whole flavour. For a more spicy kick, have a dip of the chilli sauce to further enjoy the chicken satay to the fullest.

I am glad that my food journey has brought me to Pondok Jawa Timur. The halal restaurant uses only fresh ingredients with their Indonesian chefs cooking up tasty and authentic Javanese cuisine since 2007 following closely at heart Mdm Indah's recipes. The wallet friendly restaurant with delicious Indonesian food offers an extensive menu that caters for both individual and families.


[CLOSED]
Pondok Jawa Timur Indonesia Javanese Restaurant
Wilkie Edge
8 Wilkie Road
#01-21
Singapore 228095
Tel: +65 68845853
Website: http://www.pondokjawatimur.com
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), Dhoby Ghuat (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk down Bras Basah Road to the junction of Bras Basah Road and Prinsep Steet. Cross the road and turn right onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Dhoby Ghuat MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Orchard Road to the junction of Orchard Road and Prinsep Street. Turn left onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]