Folklore @ Destination Singapore Beach Road - Celebrates Lunar New Year With Tok Panjang

For a different kind of Lunar New Year celebration, Folklore at Destination Singapore is offering Tok Panjang to celebrate the beginning of Spring. The lavish spread of of heritage Perankan feast will be available from 15 February to 2 March 2018, specially put curated by Chef Damian D'Silva. The festive spread will have up to 15 different heritage dishes, a repertoire of Chef's grandmother's recipes.

Peranakan Prawn Salad 4.2/5

Be warn! The Peranakan Prawn Salad which features poached prawns on a bed of fresh Chinese lettuce leaves is super fiery! The chilli plum sauce is not for the faint hearted.

Kueh Pie Tee 4/5

Kueh Pie Tee is not really uncommon but what makes it different here is that it comes with bamboo shoot and pork slices which has been cooked in a prawn and pork stock, on top of the hand-shredded turnip.

Bakwan Kepiting Sup 4.5/5

The Bakwan Kepiting Sup or Crab Meatball Soup comes with succulent meatballs that is made from a mix of minced pork, crab meat, chopped prawns and bamboo shoots. The comforting bowl of soup comes with a hint of garlic which has been sauteed till fragrant before pork and prawn stock is added.

Fish Maw Soup 4.2/5

The Fish Maw Soup is lighter in taste compared to the crab meatball soup. However it is brimming with many ingredients such as pig stomach, pig intestines, fish maw stuffed with minced meat, sea cucumber, fish and prawn balls.

Itek Teem 4/5

The Itek Teem or Salted Vegetable Duck Soup has a bit of heat on top of its slightly sourish flavour. To make the soup, duck pieces are added to a pot of water together with sour plum, ginger, salted vegetables, garlic and tomato.

Otah 4.2/5

Mackerel is used to make the Otah, together with in a spice mix and coconut milk. It is then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. Love the chunky bites of fish meat on top of the aromatic spices.

Babi Pongteh 4.8/5

One of my favourite Peranakan dishes is the Babi Pongteh. Chef Damian has set the bar even higher now with his version of braised pork with fermented bean paste, slow cooked with bamboo shoot. dried mushrooms and dark sugarcane. The babi pongteh I had usually is on the sweet side but the version here has a sourish finishing to it which is very appetising.

Sambal Belimbing 4.5/5

This is probably the first time I come across the used of belimbing in cooking, a type of miniature starfruit. Cooked together with the sauteed sambal and coconut milk, the Sambal Belimbing gives the prawn dish a sharp tanginess that will whet up the appetite.

Ayam Buah Keluak 3.8/5

A dish that requires a lot of effort to prepare is the Ayam Buah Keluak. The buah keluak fruit itself its actually poisonous and it required proper fermentation to be edible. It is also known as the Asian truffle to some. The taste can be acquire to some though. For me I like the nutty flavour of the buah keluak and how it gives a distinct character to the ingredient, in this case the chicken. While the flavour is spot on, I felt the chicken was a bit on the dry side.

Grandma's Chicken Curry 4.2/5

This is one of Chef's Damian's favourite dishes from his grandma's recipe. The Grandma's Chicken Curry is made from a spice mix of shallots, dried chillies, ginger, and homemade curry powder. It did not look as fiery as it seen. The spicy level is quite mild and balance. A homely and comforting dish that calls for an extra bowl of rice.

Kueh Bengkah with Ice Cream 4.2/5

Not to be missed at Folklore is their traditional Peranakan kueh. Chef Damian is not only good with savoury dishes, his desserts are awesome too. The signature Kueh Bengkah and Kueh Kosui will be also available among the Tok Panjang festive spread.

Kueh Kosui 4.5/5

Folklore Chinese New Year Tok Panjang is available for dinner from 15 February to 2 March 2018 from 6pm to 930pm daily, at $68++ per adult and $28++ per child (12 years old and below). Chinese New Year set lunches are served at $18.80++ per person. A la carte menu will not be available during this promotional period.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Folklore
Destination Singapore Beach Road
(Beside Golden Mile Complex)
700 Beach Road
Level 2
Singapore 199598
Tel: +65 66792900
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Turn right onto Beach Road.Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Toa Payoh 93 Soon Kueh @ Geylang Bahru Food Centre - Freshly Handmade Traditional Kueh

After more than a year of renovation, it is great that Geylang Bahru Food Centre is finally opened for business again. A year ago, it is rather hard to get to the food centre but now the new Geylang Bahru Downtown line station is just 3 minutes walk away. It is now so convenient to get to the food centre.

A stall that caught my eyes is Toa Payoh 93 Soon Kueh with their handmade traditional kueh. The sight of the stall owners and staff kneading and rolling the dough, making the various kueh and steaming the freshly handmade kueh, just drew me to the stall.

Soon Kueh 4.2/5 and Png Kueh 4/5

I have the Soon Kueh ($1 each) and Png Kueh ($0.90 each). The Soon Kueh has an enjoyable chewy texture stuffed with shredded turnip, further flavoured by mushrooms and dried shrimps. My only complain is that the shredded turnip is a bit coarse. For the Png Kueh, it is stuffed with fragrant glutinous rice, peanuts and mushrooms. A balanced proportion of filling to rice flour skin ratio. The size is a bit small compare to elsewhere but for 90 cents, I am not complaining.

Abacus Seed 3/5

I also tried the Abacus Seed ($3) which is a traditional Hakka dish made with yam. Unfortunately the consistency is not there, some of the abacus seed tasted rather bland while some I can taste the yam taste. Besides that, the whole execution of the dish was not fragrant enough.

Toa Payoh 93 Soon Kueh 
Geylang Bahru Food Centre
Blk 69 Geylang Bahru
#01-12
Singapore 330069
Tel: +65 62948065
Nearest MRT: Geylang Bahru (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Geylang Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh @ Jalan Kukoh Food Centre - A Hidden Gem Selling Handmade Teochew Kuehs

Sometimes the road less taken may lead to new discovery. Just like my recent visit to to Jalan Kukoh Food Centre that leads to the discovery of a hidden gem selling traditional Teochew kuehs. To be frank, we don't even know there is a hawker centre in the quiet estate. A long queue was spotted at Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh when I was there which aroused my curiosity to try their Teochew handmande kuehs.

Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh which took up two stall spaces at the food centre, freshly handmade their Teochew kuehs at the stall. It offers five items on the menu such as Ang Tho Kueh, Tow Sar Kueh, Soon Kueh, Koo Chai Kueh and Round Yam Kueh.

The stall is run by Madam Loh and his brother together. Started from their grandmother who sold kueh in a market in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. When the family migrated to Singapore, their mother continued the business selling kueh in a pushcart along Jalan Kukoh. Since young the siblings have been helping out their mother and hence picking up the skills of making these traditional Teochew kuehs.

Besides the Ang Tho Kueh and Tow Sar Kueh which costs $1.10 each, the rest only costs $1. I was quite lucky to be able to get the Soon Kueh, Koo Chai Kueh and Round Yam Kueh. Most of the customers have pre-ordered and are buying in large quantity. If you are walk in customer, you will have to make do with what is available.

It is hard to pick a favourite from what I have ordered. I know some people do not like the taste of chive but I love it. Packed to the brim, each bite into the Koo Chai Kueh comes with that earthy aroma accentuated by the dried shrimps. The Soon Kueh was also plump, juicy and flavourful. Not to be missed is the Round Yam Kueh. This is the first time I had it. The stuffing is quite similar to Ang Tho Kueh or more commonly know as Peng Kueh except that aromatic fried yam is added to elevate the flavour even more.

Jalan Kukoh Teochew Kueh
Jalan Kukoh Food Centre
Blk 1 Jalan Kukoh
#01-19/20
Singapore 161001
Tel: +65 98380235
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue: 3pm - 7pm
Wed-Sat: 7am - 9am, 3pm - 7pm
(Closed on Sun and Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Upper Cross Street (Stop ID 06171), opposite Subordinate Court. Take bus number 51 or 186. Alight 1 stop later. Take the stairs and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Outram Park MRT station (Stop ID 06011). Take bus number 174. Alight 1 stop later. Walk down Chin Swee Road. Turn left onto Jalan Kukoh. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Ellenborough Market Café @ Swissôtel Merchant Court - Return Of The Matriarch

Stepping into the dining halls of Ellenborough Market Café at Swissôtel Merchant Court, and you know you are in for something slightly different - Not the usual warm lights, solid wooden furnishing against generic tiles and neutral walls of a typical international buffet restaurant in a hotel. Instead, pretty turquoise walls made bold with sparkling diamond-cut glass wall features, backs contemporary furnishings that stand elegantly on vintage-style Peranakan floor. What a chemistry between heritage and modernity.

Stir Fried Slipper Lobster in Black Bean Sauce 3/5

In a new look, but old fond flavours stay. Led by Executive Chef Louis Tay, not only the team continues to whip up signature dishes, they now expanded the international hot dish selection.

Roast Beef 3.8/5

Well roasted with a pink core, drizzled with the sauce made with its own juice and fats, my salad could not be more sumptuous than this!

La Mian with Lion Head Meatball 4/5

I don't usually take 狮子头 or Chinese Meatballs as they are always just a compact ball of meat like siew mai but theirs turned out to be exceptionally tasty - juicy, tender and sweet, like a exquisite xiao long bao that falls apart easily in my mouth. The broth was sweet and the La Mian, hand-pulled by their La Mian Master was light and springy.

Kuey Pie Tee 4/5

One key ingredient to a delicious Kuey Pie Tee is of course the little golden shells. Though left out in the open, each thin shell remained airy and crispy. Being my own chef adds to the experience - scooping heaps of tunips and vegetables into the golden shell right up to its brim, topping it with succulent shrimps and mash eggs, dressing it with sweet sauce, and down to the sprinkling of ground peanuts and chopped parsley for the final touch. Not forgetting a dash of chilli!

Salads - Nonya Wing Bean Prawn, Chicken Feet Kerabu, Prawn & Mango Kerabu 3.5/5

At the Peranakan station, one of my favourite items are their peranakan appetisers. Tangy with a hint of spiciness, they did get my appetite going. I love the combination of the different ingredients to create that crunchiness, even the deboned chicken feet got my jaw moving quite abit. My favourite is the Prawn & Mango for that extra fruity sweetness. They go really well with the traditional signatures such as signature Ayam Buah Keluak and Babi Pongteh, which are more robust and heavier in taste.

Chilli Crab with Fied Man Tou

Herbal Pork Loin 4/5

Pretty good line-up at their hot station. Their Chilli Crab even comes with fried man tou. The star for me though, its their Herbal Pork Loin. I love the broth. It was light but extremely flavourful with herbs. The chef certainly didn't scrimp on the ingredients. The pork loin was fork tender. If only, there was some dark soy sauce with chilli padi and a bowl of white rice. It will felt like a comforting, nutritious home cooked meal.

Traditional Muah Chee 3/5

While they have a huge chiller full of dainty western patisseries, the star is really their traditional kueys and hot desserts. They have our childhood favourite - Homemade Muah Chee, which was soft and chewy, and if you ain't fast enough, expect to queue for the hot favourite Nyonya Kueh Dadar, which is made fresh in front of your eyes.

Peanut Paste with Ah Balling 4/5

I didn't expect to see such a wide variety of traditional desserts. Do try their homemade Ah Balling. A gentle bite on the delicate skin and out oozes warm black sesame lava.

Durian Pengat 3.5/5

Enjoy Durian Pengat at its place of 'origin'.

Assorted Kueh

Great selection of food but i wish the selection of their Peranakan dishes could be more. That perhaps allow me more space for their comforting desserts.

Price
Lunch Buffet
Mon-Sun: $52 per adult
Dinner Buffet
Mon-Thu: $62 per adult
Fri-Sun, Eve of PH & PH: $68 per adult
High Tea
Sat-Sun & PH: $42

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.

Ellenborough Market Café
Swissôtel Merchant Court
20 Merchant Court
Singapore 058281
Tel: +65 62391848
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clark Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Buffet Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Buffet Dinner: 630pm - 10pm
Buffet High Tea: 330pm - 530pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clark Quay MRT station: Take Exit E. Walk straight to Tew Chew Street. Cross the road and turn right. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Yong Xiang Carrot Cake @ Bendemeer Food Centre - Have You Tried Fried Png Kueh That Is Served Like Fried Carrot Cake?

It seems like this is one of the best hidden secrets in the hawker scene. It is common to see fried white or black carrot cake but have you heard of Yong Xiang Carrot Cake at Bendemeer Food Centre who does your Teochew Png Kueh, Soon Kueh and Ku Chai Kueh the fried carrot cake style. Unique isn't it?

Fried White Carrot Cake 4/5

Fried White Carrot Cake 4/5

The stall does both the black and white carrot cake. While I was in the queue, I noticed all the patrons in front of me ordered the White Carrot Cake ($3), so I changed my mind and followed the crowd. The stall does quite a good plate of fried carrot cake with a generous amount of egg fried to aromatic crispiness.

Fried Png Kueh and Soon Kueh 4/5

The main reason why I am here is for the Fried Png Kueh. It was only heard said until I see it for myself while in the queue. Not only Png Kueh, the stall also sells Soon Kueh and Ku Chai Kueh. Once you tell the stall uncle what you want, the auntie behind the frying with pan fried the kuehs to an exterior crispiness before adding eggs onto the chopped kuehs. This is my first time having Fried Png Kueh and Soon Kueh ($3.50) in fried carrot cake style and I really like the extra layer of crispiness with a coating of fragrant egg on top of the kueh.

I have opted for my fried png kueh and soon kueh to be without the black sauce. I understand you can also asked for the black sauce, if you like it to sweeter, like you black carrot cake. I am glad my curiosity brought me to Bendemeer Food Centre to unearth this rare find.


Yong Xiang Carrot Cake
Bendemeer Food Centre
29 Bendemeer Road
#01-35
Singapore 330029
Nearest MRT: Boon Keng (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 4pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Boon Keng MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Crab Ah! @ Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa & Spa

Pincers and Pints await you at Crab Ah! I am not referring to the all lobster Pince & Pints at Duxton. Instead I am bringing you to Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa & Spa. The waterfront area of the resort is converted into an al fresco dining facing the South China Sea offering a feast for two which includes succulent Sri Lankan crabs and an array of appetisers, side dishes, desserts and free flowing house wines and beer.

The picturesque views of the sunset on the coast, music from a live band and the surrounding sea breeze present a perfect evening for couples to wrap up a delightful dinner. If you are lucky, you may also spot peacocks running around the waterfront or sleeping up in the trees.

Crab Ah! is available every Friday from 630pm to 9pm at $138++ for two inclusive of free flowing house wines and beer.

Deep Fried White Bait 4/5

The dinner for two started with some delectable Deep Fried White Bait. Well seasoned and crispy, this is a perfect appetiser to go with the free flow wines or beer while waiting for the mains.

Salted Egg Yolk Crab 4.2/5

Chilli Crab 4.5/5

For the set dinner of two, diners get to have a choice of four different sauces. The four sauces available are the signature Chilli sauce, popular Salted Egg sauce, black pepper sauce and superior XO sauce. I got the chance to try two out of the four sauces. Both sauces were as good. The crab was also fresh, sweet and juicy complemented by the delicious sauces. Among the two sauces I tried, I would have to be a bit bias and go for more favourite salted egg.

Deep Fried Mantou Buns 4.2/5

Golden Deep Fried Mantou Buns are also served for diners to dip into the flavourful crab sauces of their choice.

Stir Fried Seasonal Vegetables 4.2/5

Shrimp Fried Rice 4.5/5

After digging into the luscious crustaceans and getting my finger messy, there were more dishes awaiting for us to savour. Both the Stir Fried Seasonal Vegetable and Shrimp Fried Rice looked kind of plain but that's only in appearance. The stir fried vegetable was crunchy and flavourful. Each mouthful of the fragrant shrimp fried rice was filled with wok hei aroma. Thumbs up!

Pandan Ice Cream 3/5 and Teh Tarik Ice Cream 4/5

Dessert is a choice of the Pandan or Teh Tarik Ice cream. I personally prefer the teh tarik ice cream over the pandan ice cream. I find the pandan ice cream tasted more like kaya, a bit too sweet.

Assortment of Kuehs 4/5

Besides ice cream, there are also a selection of different Kuehs for diners to have a taste of the local snacks. There is even a Do-It-Yourself Ice Kachang dessert counter.


Crab Ah!
Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa & Spa
Sentosa
101 Siloso Road
Singapore 098970
Tel: +65 63711020
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/rasasentosaresort/press-room/press-releases/pincers-and-pints-await-at-crabs-ah/
Nearest MRT: Harbour Front (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Fri: 630pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to pick up point at exit of Lobby F in Vivocity (near JPot and Nyonya & Baba Restaurants). Wait for the complimentary shuttle bus service. The shuttle service is available every 20 minutes of the hour. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]