San Shu Gong Private Dining (三叔公私房菜) @ Geylang Road - Teochew Cuisine By Former Chui Huay Lim Chef

Together with my foodie friends, we made a reservation at San Shu Gong Private Dining (三叔公私房菜) for a Sunday lunch. From what I understand, the restaurant specialises in Teochew cuisine, and their chef was formerly from Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine in Singapore. It happened to be one of my favourite Chinese restaurants in Singapore.

Braised Goose, Teochew Style 4/5

We started with the Braised Goose, Teochew Style ($26 | $70 | $136). The sliced goose meat is laid on top of a bed of braised tofu in a light yet flavoursome braising sauce. To fully appreciate it, I would highly recommend having the tender goose meat with tangy chilli dipping sauce.

Pig's Liver with Crispy Youtiao and Spring Onion 4.5/5

A special item for the day was the Pig's Liver. The pig's liver was well executed, having a delightful crunchy texture. What surprises us is the addition of crispy youtiao, soaking up the delicious sauce. The pairing is something new for me. I have not seem this pairing in other restaurants.

Steamed Fish with Aged Radish and Minced Meat 4/5

Being a Teochew, I love my steamed fish. Hence it is inevitable that I have to order the dish. They have a few options for cooking the fish, and we decided to try the Steamed Fish with Aged Radish and Minced Meat.

Pan-fried Oyster Omelette 4.2/5

I got excited when I saw the Pan-fried Oyster Omelette ($15). It is my favourite dish at Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine. I am glad that I can have this unique style of an oyster omelette here. Crispy on the outside and gooey inside, this is probably the best version of the oyster omelette I have eaten.

Braised Salted Pork Ribs with Mustard Green 4/5

Not many people like mustard green, but being a Teochew, I have grown up eating it, and it has become a taste of childhood for me. Whenever possible, I will order it if my dining companions don't mind, as mustard green has a bitter-earthy taste. We had the Braised Salted Pork Ribs with Mustard Green ($28 | $42). The pork ribs were incredibly tender and cooked in a delicious superior broth. The mustard green was also soft and tender.

Wok-fried Kailan with Dried Sole 3.5/5

We also have the Wok-Fried Kailan with Dried Sole ($18 | $24 | $36). While the Kai Lan was cooked to a delectable crunch, it lacked the aroma from the dried sole.

Wok-fried "Cai Pu" Kway Teow with Homemade XO Sauce 3/5

While the Wok-fried "Cai Pu" Kway Teow with Homemade XO Sauce ($12 | $18 | $24) was packed with wok hei with crunchy diced kai lan, the rice noodle was a bit heavy-handed on the salty side.

Deep-fried Yam Stick Encrusted with Fine Sugar 3/5

For dessert, we tried the Deep-fried Yam Stick Encrusted with Fine Sugar ($18). I didn't quite enjoy it as it was on the dry side. I have tried the same dish elsewhere, which has a softer interior.

Fried Water Chestnut

We also had the deep-fried Fried Water Chestnut. It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.


San Shu Gong Private Dining (三叔公私房菜)
135 Geylang Road
#01-01
Singapore 389226
Tel: +65 67410344
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Kallang (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Kallang MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to traffic junction Geylang Lorong 1 and Kallang Road. Cross the road and walk down Geylang Lorong 1 towards Geylang Road. Turn left onto Geylang Road. Walk to destination. [Map]

Maddie's Kitchen @ Far East Plaza - Wallet Friendly Zi Char Dishes At Orchard Road

If you think that having a meal at Orchard Road will be very expensive, you are wrong. They are food outlets that sell affordable priced food in that area too. Maddie's Kitchen is probably known to many locals, hidden and located in the far corner on level two of Far East Plaza.

Pork Chop Set 3.8/5

I tried the Pork Chop Set Curry Rice ($6.80). For the price, it is value for money. The messy plate of rice comes with deep-fried pork chop, stewed cabbage and a fried egg, drenched in a pool of curry sauce. Though the curry sauce is not spicy, it is packed with aroma. It is the soul that holds everything together. As for the other ingredients on the plate, the pork chop was a bit hard but generous in serving, while the cabbage was sweet and soft. 

Beef Tenderloin Hor Fun 4.2/5

The highlight for me is the Beef Tenderloin Hor Fun ($13.80). First to hit me is the breadth of the wok, piled with a generous serving of bittergourd, black beans and tender beef slices. The noodle dish is common in many zichar places but what makes it different here is the quality of beef used. Slightly seared, thickly cut and tender.

Overall, Maddie's Kitchen offers delicious yet wallet-friendly zichar dishes at Orchard Road. Though I only tried two dishes out of the eclectic menu, it already won me over with its delicious food. I will definitely drop by again for my meal if I am at Orchard Road.


Maddie's Kitchen
Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
#02-10/11/12/13
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 63650501
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction:

1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Turn right and walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

The Dragon Chamber @ Circular Road (Boat Quay) - Reopens With An Updated Menu And An Extended Service Area

The Dragon Chamber, the hidden restaurant inside a kopitiam, has reopened with an updated menu. In addition, the front of the restaurant, originally designed to look like a nondescript kopitiam to conceal the dining area, has been refurbished into a functional open-air casual bar known as Dragon Chamber Kopitiam, offering bar snacks and cocktails.

Firecracker Chicken and Maple Fritters 4.5/5

The signature Firecracker Chicken and Maple Fritters ($16/$30) gets to stay on the new menu. The crispy deep-fried diced chicken paired with chopped dried chillies, cashews, chives and Szechuan peppercorn is very addictive. It is served with crunchy "youtiao" fritters baked in maple syrup which I felt is a welcome addition to cut the spiciness.

Double Boiled Almond Mushroom, Sea Whelk & Conpoy Soup 4.5/5

The Double Boiled Almond Mushroom, Sea Whelk & Conpoy Soup ($16) is new. The flavoursome soup is extracted from boiling chicken and pork for four hours before double-boiling for another two hours with ingredients such as mushrooms and conpoy.

Tofu Duo in Pumpkin Gravy 4/5

Another new item on the menu is the Tofu Duo in Pumpkin Gravy ($24). Sitting in the pool of pumpkin gravy is a duo of egg spinach tofu and charcoal-infused tofu served with roasted pumpkins. I enjoyed the smooth and silky tofu, but the roasted pumpkin is on the tough side for my likings. 

Assorted Beef Claypot 4.8/5

My favourite dish among the new items is the Assorted Beef Claypot ($40). It comprises beef tendon, oxtail, tongue and cheek, cooked in a house with special fermented beancurd and oyster sauce. It is so comforting and hearty that I can have it with at least two bowls of rice.

Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun 4.2/5

A must-have at The Dragon Chamber is the Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun ($32/$58). I realized the restaurant had changed the A4 Kagoshima wagyu with US wagyu short rib. No wonder the price has dropped. The rest of the components making up the dish remains the same. The guests still get the crispy deep-fried hor fun strips, poached egg and wok-fried flat noodles finished with truffle gravy.

Kinmedai Fish with Crispy Scales 4.5/5

From the sea, we have the wild-caught Kinmedai Fish with Crispy Scales ($88). The fish stood out for its huge, big eyes. It is steamed and flash-fried for a crispy scale texture served in a special in-house Hong Kong-style sauce.

Golden Cloud Dragon Mountain 4/5

Making a theatrical entry in smoke from the dry ice is the Golden Cloud Dragon Mountain ($88/$138). The whole lobster is chopped into chunky pieces, deep-fried and tossed in a sweet and savoury golden egg floss.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream and Fries 3.5/5

Wrapping up our dinner, we have the Salted Caramel Ice Cream and Fries ($12) smothered in a house special Szechuan sauce. The combination is unique, and it's my first time having ice cream with fries. It is quite a unique experience.

I have enjoyed the Assorted Beef Claypot and Kinmedai Fish with Crispy Scales from the newly updated menu. In addition, it is great to see that the signature Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun and Firecracker Chicken and Maple Fritters are still on the menu.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Dragon Chamber
2 Circular Road
Singapore 049358
Tel: +65 68058181
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road. Walk to Upper Circular Road. Walk down the road to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to Circular Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Golden Charcoal @ Bedok North Street 1 - Zichar By An Indian Head Chef Fluent In Mandarin

Golden Charcoal, located at Bedok North Street 1 is a new Zichar stall by two young partners. Justin, the owner, used to work in the finance industry while his head chef, David (小黑), worked for a zichar stall in the Thomson area. Currently, they are having promotions offering two crabs for $60.

Mala Chicken 3/5

My friend who has dined here a few times is in charge of ordering some of her favourite dishes. We started with Mala Chicken, whereby the tender chicken is tossed in fragrant mala sauce. While the mala is pungent, I thought it was a bit heavy with the sodium chloride.

Prawn Paste Chicken 3.8/5

I think children will love the Prawn Paste Chicken here. Not only is it juicy, but it is also incredibly crispy. However, I prefer the prawn paste flavour to be more distinct.

Sambal Kang Kong 4/5

Sometimes, the most simple dish is the best way to show the chef's culinary skill behind the wok. The Sambal Kang Kong is one of the best I tried. The sambal is fragrant and with the greens still having a nice crunch.

Assam Fish Head 4/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the Assam Fish Head. The fresh fish head is complemented by the pungent assam, which is incredibly delicious. I could not help drenching my plate of rice with the flavoursome sauce.

Cereal Fried Rice

For some carbo intakes, diners can go for the Cereal Fried Rice or Moonlight Hor Fun. Children will enjoy the Cereal Fried Rice. The topping of the sweet and crispy cereal brightens up the fluffy fried rice. 

Moonlight Hor Fun 3.8/5

For the Moonlight Hor Fun, I can't help comparing it to my favourite at KEK Seafood. The style here is the savoury type packed with wok hei. Give the egg a good toss to give the noodles an enjoyment coat of creaminess. 

Chilli Crab 4.2/5

Diners should not miss the current two crabs for $60 promotion. We have it cooked with chilli crab sauce. The sauce is legit, and it is one of the best I have eaten. Best is to order some mantou to wipe up the yummy chilli crab sauce. I heard their mala crab and black pepper crab are as good too.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Golden Charcoal Seafood
Blk 204 Bedok North Street 1
#01-435
Singapore 460204
Tel: +65 97304808
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bedok (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bedok MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left to the pathway between Bedok Mall and Bedok Interchange hawker centre. Walk to the end. Walk to block 204. Walk to the coffeeshop facing the park. Journey time about 4 minutes. [Map]

Golden Cafe @ Craig Road (Tanjong Pagar) - Affordable Zichar DIshes In The CBD

Golden Cafe unknown to many is a homegrown zichar brand established in 1988. It started in Boat Quay before relocating to its current home at Craig Road in Tanjong Pagar. Together with a few foodie friends, we had lunch at the Golden Cafe.

Crab with Thick Bee Hoon Soup 3.8/5

Golden Cafe offers several cooking methods for their crabs, and we decided to go for the Crab with Thick Bee Hoon Soup (Seasonal Price). The crab is fresh and sweet, cooked together with the thick bee hoon in a flavoursome and milky broth. Personally, I think they should change the thick bee hoon to a firmer type. The one it is using now is too soft to my liking.

Yue Guang Fried Hor Fun 3/5

Another noodle dish on the menu that we tried is the Yue Guang Fried Hor Fun ($6.30). It reminds me of the Moonlight Hor Fun from Keng Eng Kee Seafood. Hence my benchmark has been raised significantly. In comparison, the version at Golden Cafe is lighter in flavour. While I can taste the wok hei smokiness, I felt the dark sauce lacked the sweetness and aroma to make my taste buds break into a dance under the moonlight.

Special Made Beancurd 4/5

Besides the two noodle dishes we had, we also tried a couple of cooked zichar dishes from the menu too. First up is the Special Made Beancurd ($10/$14). I think this is a bonus dish. Not only do you get to enjoy the silky smooth beancurd, but it also comes with vegetables and mushrooms.

Oyster Omelette 4/5

I also enjoyed the Oyster Omelette ($10/$14). It is beautifully executed, not oily and yet fluffy. It even comes with plump and juicy oysters. I am not sure what is the sauce that is drizzled over the oysters, but it further elevated the whole taste profile.

Sweet & Sour Pork 4/5

Next dish we tried is the Sweet & Sour Pork ($10/$14). This is one of my favourite zichar dishes to order, but not many places do it well. Golden Cafe gets my thumbs up. The meat and flour ratio, as well as the sweetness, are all well balanced while still retaining a nice tender texture within unlike many places that sting on the meat, coating it with a lot of flour.

Nonya Grouper 3.8/5

Last but not least, we have the Nonya Grouper (Seasonal Price). Too often we will either order curry or assam fish; hence I thought it will be a good change. The grouper was steamed to perfection. The nonya sauce was nice, but it seems that it lacks something to brighten it up.

Overall, the Golden Cafe serves pretty decent zichar dishes at affordable prices in the central business district area. For office workers in the area, you can also grab a quick lunch with the affordable rice and noodle dishes starting from as low as $5.80.

Note: This is an invited tasting


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Golden Cafe
5 Craig Road
Singapore 089665
Tel: +65 63233773
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 1130pm
Sat-Sun: 3pm - 1130pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Continue on Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Yit Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle @ Telok Blangah Crescent Food Centre - Tender & Well Flavoured Soy Sauce Chicken

Recently I went down to Telok Blangah Crescent Food Centre, wanting to check out Jiak Song Mee Hoon Kway but it was already sold out by 12pm. Not to make it a wasted trip, I decided to grab lunch from Yit Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle.

I ordered both the Soy Sauce Chicken Noodle and Hor Fun. If you don't feel like having noodles, you can order the soy sauce chicken to go with rice too.

First, let us try the Soy Sauce Chicken Noodle. The chicken is really tender with the soy sauce marination coming through. As for the noodle, it has a delightful bouncy bite though I did not quite like the slight alkaline aftertaste of the noodle.

As for the hor fun, I felt that it is quite average. The rice noodle's texture is also quite thick. I would prefer something thinner and smoother. Besides that, the sauces really complement both the noodle and hor fun. 

Overall it is a good plate of soy sauce chicken noodle. I would prefer the noodle over the hor fun. The chicken is also cooked to tender, and you can taste the fragrant soy sauce.


Yit Lim Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken
Telok Blangah Crescent Market and Food Centre
Blk 11 Telok Blangah Crescent
#01-132
Singapore 090011
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 630am - 130pm
Sat-Sun: 7am - 3pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Harbour Front MRT station (Stop ID 14141). Take bus number 131. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10161). Take bus number 195. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Dining At Home During Circuit Breaker - Keng Eng Kee (KEK) Seafood

Keng Eng Kee Seafood at Alexandra has always been one of my go to places for zichar dishes with my family, friends and even overseas friends visiting Singapore. While I can't dine-in at the restaurant during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period, I am glad that it now offers island-wide delivery, bringing its delicious food to every corner of Singapore.

Moonlight Horfun

If you have been to KEK Seafood, you will probably notice a popular dish on every diner's table. It is none other than their Moonlight Horfun. The dish got its name from the runny egg yolk that shines brightly on top of wok-fried rice noodles that is packed with intense flavours. You need not worry as the dish travel well with distance during delivery.

Salted Egg Prawn

We had the Couple Set Menu B, which consists of the Moonlight Horfun, Salted Egg Prawn, Spinach with Ikan Bilis and Coffee Pork Ribs. The salted egg prawn has huge and crunchy, coated in finger-licking good salted egg sauce. What I like about the sauce, is they use real salted egg yolk to make it instead of powder.

Spinach with Ikan Bilis

I didn't bring justice to the Spinach with Ikan Bilis. The ikan bilis is packed separately, and I forgot to garnish it to the dish when I took the photo. It is very thoughtful of the restaurant, so that the ikan bilis remains crispy, providing the contrasting texture for the vegetable.

Coffee Pork Ribs

Another popular dish at KEK Seafood is their Coffee Pork Ribs. If you have dined at the restaurant before, you will smell the coffee aroma from a distance. Besides the aroma, the pork ribs are tender and juicy too.

Takeaway and island-wide delivery are available at https://kengengkee.oddle.me/en_SG. Besides a la carte menu, it even have couple and family set menus for easy order. You can also order their sister brand burgers from Wok-In Burger on the same site.


Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant (琼荣记海鲜)
Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1
Singapore 150124
Tel: +65 62721038
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10201). Take bus number 33 or 120. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time 10 minutes. [Map]