Aik Kee Haslet Soup @ Geylang East Centre Food Centre - One Of My Go To Places For Pig's Organ Soup

I am not sure about you, but I am a big fan of pig's organ soup. Besides the tangy, peppery soup, it comes with a variety of ingredients. One of my favourites pig's organ soup stall is Aik Kee Haslet Soup at Geylang East Centre Food Centre.

Pig's Organ Soup 4.2/5

The Pig's Organ Soup here ranges from $4.50 to $7. I have the $5.50 portion which comes with thick slices of pork belly, pig's stomach, pig's intestine, pig's liver, pork balls and salted vegetables. I have come across many stalls that are quite stingy in the portion but not at Aik Kee. You can tell from the picture itself. All this will go to waste, if not for the tangy and peppery soup that is robust and packed with depth.

Ngor Hiang 3.5/5

Besides the pig's organ soup, one can order the Ngor Hiang ($1.50 each) to complete the meal. The beancurd skin is deep fried to golden brown with enjoyable crispiness on the exterior. Unfortunately, I find it slightly on the salty side.

Aik Kee Haslet Soup may not be as well known compared to the other more popular stalls, but in my opinion, it is on par or as good. It has been one of my go-to stalls whenever I have a craving for pig's organ soup.


Aik Kee Haslet Soup
Blk 117 Aljunied Ave 2
#01-56
Singapore 380117
Nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW Line), Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 930am - 830pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk towards Aljunied Road. Take the overhead bridge. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Aljunied MRT station (Stop ID 81081). Take bus number 80. Alight 2 stops later. Cut through the housing estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

 2) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to Geylang East Ave 1. On Geylang East Ave 1, turn left and continue to the end of the road. Cross the road and continue on Aljunied Crescent. Walk down Aljunied Crescent and turn right onto Aljunied Ave 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Paya Lebar MRT station (Stop ID 81119). Take bus number 134 or 155. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Cut through the housing estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

No Milk Bistro @ Pahang Street - Fish Soup Boutique With A Hip Asian Vibe

Opened by three very gutsy local chaps, No Milk Bistro offers a combination of good-old dishes and new-found flavours within its 2-storey unit at Padang Street. The Fish Soup Boutique at Level 1 is where a clear fish soup continues its 27 years worth of Teochew-style heritage, and The Rooftop Bistro at Level 2 is where a line up of tongue-tinging dishes awaits you.

Mixed Fish Soup 3.8/5

Upholding the traditional recipe of the Teochew-style fish soup is Chef Hoe Gern who believes that his full-bodied fish broth needs no milk to dress it up, and will have you coming back for it after you have had your third bowl. Mixed Fish Soup ($7) offers both sliced fish (mackerel) and fried fish (seabass), distinctive with a piece of Japanese Nori in place of seaweed. Compared to many highly acclaimed Teochew fish soups which I often find slightly too saltish, No Milk's take on the soup is much well balanced - you could easily finish it till the last drop and not needing a glass of water after that. The homemade sambal is the star too. Served only 2 days after making to allow its flavours to fully develop, it adds characters to a day-to-day dish. Some of the fried fish slices were drier but overall, it is a fish soup to be remembered when you think "what's for lunch?".

Char Siew 3.8/5, Ngor Hiang 3/5

Perhaps it is not just the fish soup alone that will have you consider coming back again. The array of side dishes with homemade sauces to complement your fish soup are great for sharing among friends and colleagues. The most intriguing dish would be the Char Siew ($6.9). Not your usual sweet-glazed loin meat but a very tender slab of pork belly being caramelised to charcoal black, attaining hint of smokey sweetness. The homemade Ngor Hiang ($2) was not too tightly packed with meat but moist and juicy with vegetables bits.

Grilled Pork Belly 3/5

We liked the Grilled Pork Belly ($6.90) too, which was rustic with simple seasoning but could have been better if the salt level could be reduced by half.

Spicy Fragrant Egg Noodles 4/5

Among all the dishes we tried, including those served on Level 2, this Spicy Fragrant Egg Noodles (little spicy) stands out the most with its originality. The freshly handmade egg noodles was relatively lighter than regular noodles and was prefect with the rich homemade mala chilli sauce. I'm definitely not a mala person but that mala chilli sauce won me over with its pleasant sweet undertone, and the smell of the aromatic black vinegar effusing from the sauce got me hooked. Chunky with mushrooms bits, the noodles itself was moreish on its own. Served with fried fish belly (you can opt for pork belly), an effort from the chef of wasting no good ingredients, I would have appreciated the idea more should they taste less of a salt bomb.

Beef Rendang Tagliatelle (tasting portion) 4/5

The Rooftop Bistro at Level 2 operates from 530pm to 12 midnight with fusion cuisines and drinks. Although No Milk does not brand itself as a pasta place, the handmade pastas here are definitely better than some of those who do. The Beef Rendang Tagliatelle ($16.80) features a tender beef stewed for 12 hours. The rendang was robust with its own juices and fats, and so easy on the palate. The tagliatelle was thicker than usual but exceptionally springy, and supported the beef rendang well.

The Thai Red Curry with Tiger Prawns ($18.80) was piquant with a spicy kick.

Tequila-marinated Angus Beef (tasting portion) 3.5/5

Forget about the regular quesadillas when you have this Tequila-marinated Angus Beef ($24). The D.I.Y part was fun, where filling up the tortilla with slabs of the beef, salsa and topping it up with a spoonful of the velvety mashed potatoes built up the anticipation. The buttery and creamy mashed potato is a star in its own right, available at $6 as a side as well.

Every night is Ladies’ Night at No Milk, with discounts ranging from 1 for 1 liquor by the glass to 15% off bottles to Korean soju deals (3 bottles for only $42 with a free yakult mixer).

I like how this concept of 鱼汤 is being executed and I find this Chinese moniker speaks much more than No Milk and has a potential to go even further. Somehow it reminds me of Lucy Liu in Melbourne. Perhaps, No Milk would find itself right at home as an underground bistro.

Words and photos 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.


No Milk Bistro
18 Pahang Street
Singapore 198615
Tel: +65 62915854
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Fish Soup Boutique
Mon-Sat: 11am - 10pm
Rooftop Bistro
Mon-Sat: 530pm to 12 midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead walkway to Beach Road. Turn left and walk down Beach Road. Turn right onto Aliwal Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Jiak (家) @ Joo Chiat Place - Grandma's Recipe Private Dining With Whiskey Pairing

One of the newest kid in the private dining scene is Jiak at Joo Chiat Place. The 3 month's old private dining place is helmed by Chef Anon Foo. Unlike most of the private dinings I have attended which the chefs have a colourful resumes of working in top restaurants, Anon followed and learned from his grandmother at her hawker stall since young. Hence at Jiak, one can look forward to home cooked dishes largely inspired by Anon's grandmother.

Achar 4/5

Before starting our dinner, each of us are given a small serving of homemade Achar.

Signature Foie Gras Ngor Hiang 3/5

Our meal started with the Signature Foie Gras Ngor Hiang. It is an interesting take of the traditional ngor hiang and it taste pretty good. However the foie gras did not stand out in the execution which is a slight disappointment. Some of us also find that it is on the salty side.

Prime Rib Lotus Root Soup 4.2/5

Doubled boiled over charcoal is the Prime Rib Lotus Root Soup. The slow cooked over charcoal has drawn out the essences and sweetness of the ingredients without the used of salt. All of us had another helping as this is really good.

Kong Bak Pau 4/5

The surprise special of the day is the Kong Bak Pau. Sandwiched in between the soft and fluffy bun is the pork belly that has been well infused with the braising sauce.

Herbal Emperor Chicken 3.5/5

Didn't look too photogenic is the Herbal Emperor Chicken as I did not get a shoot before it was dissected at the back of the kitchen before serving. I appreciate the fact that the tender chicken didn't come across too strong in the herbal taste which was pleasing to the palate.

Steamed Cod Fish in Chicken Broth 3,8/5

Next up we are served a whole fillet of Steamed Cod Fish in Chicken Broth. Nothing complicate just allowing the soy sauce to bring out the buttery flavour of the cod fish.

Dry Laksa 4.2/5

For the mains, diner will have a choice of Dry Laksa or Homemade Fish Otah Nasi Lemak. The Dry Laksa comes with 2 huge prawns in a very coconuty sauce. Add a dollop of chilli to spice up the flavour. I only wish that I can get the usual bean sprouts, fish cakes, tao pok and even cockles in my laksa though.

Homemade Fish Otah Nasi Lemak 4.2/5

Personally I prefer the Homemade Fish Otah Nasi Lemak for the fact that it is more substantial. The otah is really good, so good that I have to reconfirm whether it is really homemade as it tastes very similar to a particular brand I like. The plate of fragrant rice even comes with ikan bilis, japanese-style lava egg and sambal chilli.

Green Bean Soup with Coconut 4.5/5

The Green Bean Soup with Coconut wrapped up our meal. Diner has a choice of either hot or cold. I would recommend going for the hot one to appreciate the full flavour as the ice tends to duplicate the richness.

Dining at Jiak is set at $70 nett per pax for 6 dishes plus a special of the day. Whisky pairing is available at $12 to $15 per dram to complement the meal, which has been put together by their in-house whisky connoisseur. If you plan to bring your own wine or whisky, corkage fee applies at $25 and $50 respectively.

Note: This is an invited tasting


Jiak (家)
184B Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427896
Tel: +65 82842758
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Eunos (EW Line), Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
630pm till late

Direction:
1) Alight at Eunos MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Eunos Bus Interchange (Stop ID 82009). Take Bus 150. Alight 2 stops later. Walk down Still Road. At the junction of Still Road and Joo Chiat Place, cross the junction. Turn right onto Joo Chiat Place. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mins [Map]

2) Alight at Eunos MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Bus Stop at Sims Ave (Stop ID 82061). Take Bus 13 or 155. Alight 1 stops later. Walk down Still Road. At the junction of Still Road and Joo Chiat Place, cross the junction. Turn right onto Joo Chiat Place. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mins [Map]

3) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take bus 33. Alight 7 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 mins. [Map]