10 at Claymore @ Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel - Pearl of Orient Penang Fiesta

For the month of April and May 2016, 10 at Claymore, Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel will be bringing to you the Pearl of Orient Penang Fiesta. Executive Chef Andy Oh, a Penang boy himself will be serving an ensemble of dishes which the Malaysian town is famous for.

Besides the Penang feast, the restaurant has also put together some timeless favourite beverages such as the Milo XL, Bandung and Calamansi Juice at $6 nett each.

XO Popiah 3/5

The spread at the buffet line is quite extensive. I started with some light bite in the XO Popiah. An interesting twist to the normal roll but I thought the XO sauce was a bit heavy throwing the balance off.

Penang Rojak 4/5

The light and refreshing Penang Rojak tossed in a savoury prawn paste is a delightful starter to whet up the appetite.

Penang Prawn Noodle 4/5

Moving on to the noodle section, I tried the Penang Prawn Noodle. The broth is robust and packed with flavour. It also comes with an hint of spiciness.

Assam Laksa 4.5/5

One of the real deal at the Penang Fiesta is the Assam Laksa. All the components of a good bowl of assam laksa can be found in it. Definitely one of the best I have eaten for a long while. This is as close as we can get for the authentic flavour of Chef's hometown.

Bak Kut Teh 3/5

For those that like Malaysian style Bak Kut Teh, you can savour it at the Penang Fiesta too. The claypot comes with pork belly ribs, pork intestine, pig stomach, meatball, bean curd stick, dough fritter in a rich and intense flavoured broth. However it seems the kitchen was a bit heavy on the sodium chloride.

Cuttlefish Kangkong 3/5

Another dish that can be better is the Cuttlefish Kangkong. The most important component of the dish, the sauce was too sweet and lacked the prawny pungent taste. Sorry to say that but I thought it tasted more like the yong tau foo sweet sauce.

Chicken Lor Bak with Century Egg 2.8/5

Lor Bak is another staple of Penang cuisine. The version at the buffet is made using chicken instead of pork. If not for the saltiness, this would be a very enjoyable bite.

Penang Char Kway Teow 4.5/5

An all time favourite is the Penang Char Kway Teow. The smokey wok hei is an excellent showcase of the chef's control of the fire and wok. This is a dish not to be missed if you have the chance to dine at Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel.

Besides the spread of Penang fare, the buffet line also has many delectable cooked food that will satisfy your tummy as well as your wallet. The extensive choices make every dollar worthwhile. Among the spread, the other dishes I tried are Nonya Kerabu Fried Rice, Braised Pork Trotter with Black Rice Vinegar, Chicken Kapitan Perankan Style, Braised Duck with Preserved Salted Vegetables, Inchi Kabin Fried Chicken, Braised Lamb Shank, Slow Braised Beef Cheek, Baked Norweigian Salmon,

Banana Fritter and Gula Melaka Ice Cream 4/5

By the time for dessert, I was already too stuffed. Hence I just try only a few items from the dessert section. The Banana Fritter with its crispy exterior is worth trying. Furthermore, the sweet snack is seldom served in hotel buffet. To elevate the presentation and enjoyment, I told a scoop of the Gula Melaka Ice Cream and added some condiments.

Great to have my favourite shaved ice Chendol in the dessert section too. The sweetness of the dessert, coupled with the fragrant coconut milk and gula melaka, is the perfect ending to a delicious night of Penang fare.

Chendol 4.2/5

The Pearl of Orient Penang Fiesta will be available from April to May 2016. During the same period, the lobby lounge will be offering a three-course menu featuring chicken lor bak as appetiser, a choice of assam laksa with barramundi fillet, live king prawn noodle broth or Penang char kway teow for main course, ending with the chendol for dessert.

Lobby Lounge - Penang Set Lunch
Mon-Fri
Time: 12pm - 3pm
Price: $16 nett, $19 nett (with a choice of Milo XL, Bandung and Calamansi)

Buffet Price Details
Mon-Fri Lunch: $42
Sat-Sun Lunch: $48
Mon-Sun Dinner: $68


10 at Claymore
Pan Pacific Orchard
10 Claymore Road
Singapore 229540
Tel: +65 67370811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanPacificOrchard
Website: http://www.panpacific.com/en/Orchard/Overview.html
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 1030am (breakfast), 12pm - 230pm (lunch), 6pm -1030pm (dinner)
Sunday: 12pm - 3pm (brunch)

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk to Palais Renaissance which is right after Royal Thai Embassy. Cut through Palais Renaissance to the other side of the building. Pan Pacific Orchard is opposite the building. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Shaw House via underpass. At the road level, walk along Orchard Road towards Royal Thai Embassy direction. Walk to Palais Renaissance which is right after Royal Thai Embassy. Cut through Palais Renaissance to the other side of the building. Pan Pacific Orchard is right opposite the building. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

White Rose Cafe @ York Hotel

If you can run the same Penang Hawkers' Fare buffet for the past 30 years, that means something isn't it? Yes the ever popular Penang Hawkers' Fare buffet at York Hotel's White Rose Cafe is back again from 04 September to 20 September 2015. 11 chefs from Penang has came all the way from Penang bring you the best of Penang's authentic street food.

During my visit, white rose cafe was fully booked with walk in customers forming a queue at the entrance. The different live stations around the restaurant has diners eagerly waiting for their food while chefs and cooks tirelessly prepared bowl after bowl, plate after plate of Penang's street food. Let me give you a quick tour of the different dishes presented by the 11 stations at the Penang Hawkers' Fare.

Penang Rojak 4/5

A combination of refreshing ingredients tossed in a robust prawn paste sauce and topped with nutty peanuts, the Penang Rojak is so addictive with a party of flavours, whetting up the appetite.

Oyster Omelette 4.2/5

The dishes were served in small portion which I do not mind because it allows me to pace myself and try all the different offerings. Starting with the Oyster Omelette that is fried to an exterior crisp with fluffy innard, this is one of my favourite dishes for the night which I gone back for a few more servicing.

Penang Char Kway Teow 4.2/5

One of the longest queue among the different stations is the Penang Char Kway Teow. A nice balance of wok hei and savoury with lots of prawns and cockles completes the indulgence.

Kway Teow Soup 4.5/5

A must try is the Kway Teow Soup that comes with silky smooth kway teow, delectable fish cake and bouncy fish balls. Besides the soup version, dry version is also available.

Cuttlefish Kang Kong 4/5

The Cuttlefish Kang Kong topped with peanuts and prawn paste allows the enjoyment of the crunchy kang kong and cuttlefish to the fullest.

Nonya Chicken Kapitan 4/5

For a substantial plate, the Nonya Chicken Kapitan will be a good choice with the nonya dry version curry filled with aromatic herbs and spices.

Penang Laksa 4.2/5

The slurping good Penang Laksa with its complex sourish and spicy broth with pieces of fish meat is just too good to stop with one bowl.

Penang Prawn Mee 3.5/5

The Penang Prawn Mee on the other hand felt a bit short of my expectation. I though the broth is not robust enough. Nevertheless it is still a good bowl to add on to the spread of indulgence.

Lor Bak 3/5

I actually welcome the break from all the carbohydrates with a plate of Lor Bak with a platter of other deep fried ingredients such as tofu, yam prawn.

Ban Chang Kueh 4.5/5

A must try at the buffet spread is the Ban Chang Kueh that is made freshly on the spot. The paper thin crepe, pancake or shell is filled with fragrant, nutty peanuts. This is definitely one of the best I have eaten.

Chendol 4/5

How can we not have the staple Penang Chendol with such a feast? This is the perfect dessert to end the night. The dessert station also offers Ice Kachang and Ice Ball.

The Penang Hawkers' Fare is definitely worth the money with the delicious spread of Penang street food. It is also reasonable priced at $25.80++ per adult on weekdays and $28.80 ++ per adult on weekends. Children below 12 years old is priced at $18.80++ on weekdays and $20.80++ on weekends.


White Rose Cafe
York Hotel
21 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 68301156
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
All day dining: 6am - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road towards Goodwood Park Hotel. At Goodwood Park, turn right and walk to the end of the carpark. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Malaysia Boleh @ Jurong Point

I was actually quite surprise that not many people is aware of Malaysia Boleh at Jurong Point. This place has been opened for nearly one and half years but it seems that it has been under the radar. Maybe it is due to the location far west at Boon Lay. When people say that there is no good food in the West, now I have to disagree. They have a gem in Malaysia Boleh a food court like setup that housed our favourite Malaysia street food under one roof. Not known to many, the 2 partners actually went down to the stalls in Malaysia and sent months learning the recipes. Recipes are closely kept as a promised to these original stall holders with periodical audit from them flying all the way down from Malaysia. As far as possible, the owner will also import the same ingredients and sauces used exactly at the stall itself in Malaysia.

Penang Char Kway Teow 4/5

The Penang Char Kway Teow from 勇记槟城炒粿条 is the most popular stall at Malaysia Boleh judging from the super long queues in both my visit. I was told that due to the long queue then have to fry 3 plates in one batch instead of individually hence some form of standard has to be comprised. Nevertheless, the Penang Char Kway Teow was still up to the mark with each mouthful filled with the wok hei aroma.

KL Wanton Mee 4.2/5

The plate of KL Wanton Mee from KL Wanton Mee 吉隆坡鼎記云吞面 with springy noodle and flavourful roasted char siew was perfectly married with the delectable dark sauce that is the same as the one used in the KL stall. One of my favourite that I would go back for.

Pork Noodle 4.2/5

The Pork Noodle from Hong Kee Pork Noodles 雄记猪肉粉面 remembered me of the Tua Thow Kway Teow Soup which I had during one of my Johor Bahru Food Trail last year. The comforting bowl of pork noodle comes with lean meat, pig liver, minced pork, meatball and smooth rice noodle in a delectable light but flavourful broth.

Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle 4.8/5

Simmered for long hours using prawn heads, pork bones and spices, the full bodied broth is packed with robust flavour. This bowl of Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle from Penang Hokkein Prawn Noodles 檳城福建蝦面 is probably the best I have ever had outside Penang. The owners went to Penang to learn the recipe and techniques from the masters making the broth from 2am and helping out at the stall for a week.

Lor Bak 4/5

Made with five spice powder imported from Penang, the Lor Bak from Kedai Kopi Seng Thor Lebih Carnavon Loh Bak 檳城油頭街卤肉 at Malaysia Boleh is pretty good. The well marinated stuffing was wrapped in a thin beancurd skin and deep fried to a nice exterior crispiness. Accompanied with other delights like century eggs, beancurd, fishcake and deep fried shrimp crackers, this delightful plate of delights is good for sharing.

Curry Chicken Mee 3.5/5

The bowl of Curry Chicken Mee from Sister Curry Chicken Mee 姐妹咖哩雞面 comes with tender poached chicken and tau pok. The curry broth is not as lemak as those in Singapore with the yellow noodle soaking up the delectable goodness.

Bak Kut Teh 3/5

Not a big fan of the herbal type Klang Bak Kut Teh 巴生肉骨茶 but I am sure there are people who is different from me. The piping hot claypot bak kut teh goes well with a bowl of fragrant rice.

KL Hokkien Mee 3.5/5

There was hit and miss for the KL Hokkien Mee from 苏丹街丙哥福建面. The flavour was spot on with the used of the same black sauce as the stall in Kuala Lumpur and perfumed by pork lard. The lack down was the udon like texture that was too tough.

Claypot Chicken Rice 4.5/5

If you need your rice instead of noodles, I would recommend trying the Claypot Chicken Rice from Petaling Street Famous Claypot Chicken Rice 茨廠街驰名瓦煲雞飯. I took a mouthful and I was taken aback by the burst of aroma. The fragrant pot of rice also comes with well marinated succulent chicken.

Fried Oyster Omelette 4.8/5

One of my favourite local street food is Fried Oyster Omelette or Orh Luak. The local version is more burnt and crispy. The version at Malaysia Boleh from Penang Lorong Selamat Fried Oyster Omelette 槟城著名嘉嘉蚝煎 is the opposite, wet and runny. I thought I would not like it but it turned out that it is now my favourite fried oyster omelette in Singapore. The ratio of runny egg is more than that of starch. It also has a special sauce that accentuated the flavour which the owner did not want to disclose. The chilli dipping sauce is also an excellent complement to the orh luak.

Chendol 4.8/5

For those that has been to Penang will know that there are two famous Chendol stalls along Penang Road. Patrons that like their chendol need not fly all the way to have the dessert anymore. Right at Malaysia Boleh, one can indulge in this bowl of sweet delight from Penang Road Famous Chendol.

Apom Manis 3.5/5

Ban Chang Kuih 4/5

For some delectable snack one can try the Apom Manis or Ban Chang Kuih from Penang Gurney Drive 98 Apom. The Apom Manis comes in a choice of banana, kaya, corn and peanut wrapped in a soft and fluffy pancake. For the Ban Chang Kuih, it was my first time having the paper thin crepe like apom balik that is crispy and filled with grounded roasted peanut.

Lor Mai Gai 4.5/5

Big Bao 4/5

Good for tea break is the Lor Mai Gai and Big Bao. The lor mai gai is one of the best I have eaten. The sticky glutinous rice comes with generous slices of flavourful tender chicken. The Big Bao which is as big as my palm is soft and fluffy and has generous ingredients in it.

Malaysia Boleh has total 17 stalls in total and these are only some of the items I tried. To ensure the authenticity of the Malaysian street food, most of the sauces and ingredients are imported from Malaysia. Periodic audit is also contacted by the original Malaysia stall owners. Malaysia Boleh is definitely a gem and food heaven with all the street food under one roof.


Malaysia Boleh
Jurong Point
63 Jurong West Central 3
#03-28
Singapore 648331
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalaysiaBoleh.JurongPoint
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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

Truly Curry Rice (真咖喱饭) @ Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre

It is heartening to see another 2 Young Hawker who is willing to sacrifice their day job as traders in the bank to labour in a confined hawker stall at Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre. Deniece's dad owned the stall but was looking for someone to takeover. Deniece and his business partner Joel decided to jump on the opportunity, quitted their comfortable job and started their next career path as hawker. After taking over the curry rice stall, Truly Curry Rice (真咖喱饭), the pair spent months fine tuning the dishes and introducing new items to win over the heart and stomach of their customers.

Pork Chop 3.5/5

The Pork Chop was pretty decent with its crumbly exterior and was succulent inside. If I am to pick bones from an egg, I felt that the seasoning can be a bit heavier or maybe offer a tomato based Hainanese pork chop.

Chap Chye 4.5/5

The Chap Chye was really well executed bringing out the natural sweetness of the cabbage with its delightful texture.

Meatball 4/5

The Meatball here was really huge and well seasoned. If there is some savoury like salted egg to give it some contrasting flavour that will be perfect.

Curry Rice 4.2/5

The basic necessity of a good plate of curry rice is the Curry. Both Joel and Deniece have taken the original recipe and did some refinement. The end product is a fragrant and flavourful curry that has a lingering spiciness on the palate. It got the approval from all of us and I will be happy to drench the whole plate of rice with it.

Deep Fried Prawn 3.5/5

Personally I think it is not necessary to use the five spice powder for the Deep Fried Prawn as it makes the prawns darker in colour which I thought was not too presentable. Nevertheless, the prawn was deep fried to a nice crispy bite, the batter was not too thick and it was well seasoned.

Eggplant 4.5/5

I took a bite of the Eggplant and turned to my friends. My immediate reaction was, "hey guys you got to try this, the hae bee hiam is very good". The fragrant hae bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp) complemented the sweetness of the eggplant beautifully. The eggplant was also not overcooked retaining a bit of the crunchiness. What heartened me is to know the hae bee hiam was cooked from scratch at the stall by the 2 young hawker. If one day they decided to sell the hae bee hiam in bottle, I would gladly buy from them.

 

Long Beans 4.5/5

I know not many people enjoy eating eggplant. If you are one of them, you can try the Long Beans instead. It is stir fried using the same hae bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp).

Assam Calamari 3.5/5

The delectable Assam Calamari felt a bit out of place with its lemongrass flavour which is usually found in Thai cuisine. Saying that it was still a well balanced and executed dish. The calamari was also fresh and crunchy. It is one of those dish that you either love it or hate it in my opinion.

Bitter Gourd Omelette 4/5

The Bitter Gourd Omelette was fried to a nice brown crisp with the well seasoned omelette complementing the bitterness of the bitter gourd.

Braised Pork Belly 3/5

One look at the Braised Pork Belly and I could tell it needed more time to fully absorb the flavour. The braised pork belly did not have that melted in the mouth texture and the flavour was not robust enough.

Lor Bak 4.5/5

Both Joel and Deniece are not Hainanese and Truly Curry Rice is not an authentic Hainanese curry rice stall. They strive to serve their customers with good food and food that they themselves love to eat. Hence it is not surprise to see Joel took his mum's Lor Bak recipe and introduced the item at the stall. The chilli dip that goes along with the lor bak is also freshly prepared at the stall.

There has been a lot of media coverage about preserving our Hawker Heritage and efforts to encourage Young Hawkers to take up the trade. It seems like it is a dying trade where the replacement rate is out paced by the older generation of hawkers getting too old to handle the workload or passing on. Coupled by long work hours, working environment and non recognition, there is a lack of the younger generation willing to be a hawker. It is really heartening to see Joel and Deniece sacrificing probably their social life and high paid salary job waking up as early as 4am and sweating out in a hot and stuffy hawker stall prepping and cooking for the day.


[MOVED]
Truly Curry Rice
Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre
79 Telok Blangah Drive
#01-29
Singapore 100079
Nearest MRT: Telok Blangah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 3pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Blangah MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to the other side of the road. Cut across block 45 to Telok Blangah Drive. At Telok Blangah Drive, turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]