The Lobby Lounge @ Intercontinental Hotel Singapore - Classic Afternoon Tea Showcasing Straits Heritage

Our National Day may have passed but over at The Lobby Lounge at Intercontinental Hotel Singapore celebration continues with its Classic Afternoon Tea: Straits Heritage. Commemorating Singapore's 52 years of Independence, Pastry Chef Ben Goh crafted a three-tiered showcase of iconic Afternoon Tea delights inspired by Straits-Chinese cuisine.

Alongside with the Peranakan inspired tea delights, there is a fine selection of teas and coffee. I opted for Pu-erh Tea, together with a Blue Ginger cocktail which is exclusive to this occasion only. Concocted with galangal, gula melaka and kaffir lime, I find it really refreshing. While waiting for our three-tired set, we were first served with warm scones, a choice of Lemon and Milo, along with gula melaka jam, clotted cream and strawberry jam. The scones were really yummy with the homemade jams. The 'kaya' may be a little too sweet for me but the strawberry jam has captured the sweet and tart of the fruit in a good balance.

Our three-tiered set came with tantalising savouries at the base and pretty desserts embellishing the top. Take a closer look and you will notice that the colours of the Peranakan porcelains and ceramics that adorns the Lobby Lounge for the time being are translated to the tea delights as well! For savouries we have modern renditions of Peranakan dishes including popular ones such as Ayam Buak Keluak Crostini, Kurobuta Pork Ngo Hiang, Satay Lilit and Otak Quiche. My favourite is the otak quiche for its execution and taste.

For finger sandwich, we have here a Chilli Crab version that is equally finger licking good. The Kurobuta Pork Ngo Hiang was a little letdown as I thought the fineness of the meat is lost.

The desserts are the highlight. What captivated me first was the mini Ang Ku Kueh. It is so cute, almost resembling a miniature. Ondeh Ondeh Cake comes with a soft, bouncy texture with a much anticipated molten core. The Banana Genoa Tart surprised me with its caramelised banana filling which is slightly sticky. It has a sweet burnt taste that harmonised with the coconut cream atop. The Chendol Agar Jelly is like a compressed solidified form of chendol with red beans sitting at the bottom to complete the experience.

While most Afternoon Tea sets tend to be more towards the sweeter side, this Classic Afternoon Tea: Straits Heritage has quite a good balance of sweet and savoury. It will be available at The Lobby Lounge from 7 August to 19 November 2017,  2pm to 5pm daily. The three-tiered set is priced at $78 for two persons, inclusive of a fine selection of loose-leaf teas and coffee; and at S$108 for two persons, inclusive of two flutes of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne or Blue Ginger cocktail.

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.


The Lobby Lounge
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 2pm - 5pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

O'nya Sayang @ Paya Lebar Square

If not for opening of the new Paya Lebar Square, I would not have known about O'nya Sayang, a peranakan restaurant that started its flagship store back in 2011 at Tampines Mall by founder and chef Zan Ho. Coming from a Peranakan family, the young entrepreneur traces its roots back to the 90s when Mdm Khoo Pong Tee started her first Peranakan specific restaurant Dulukala.

Ayam Keluak Fried Rice 3/5

One thing I noticed at the Paya Lebar Square outlet is the offering of set meal. I think it is a smart move considering the office crowd around the vicinity. Take for example the Ayam Keluak Fried Rice Set ($14.90) is quite a valuable for money set with keluak fried rice, a bowl of chicken keluak and achar. The chicken keluak was pretty good with the chicken infused with he acquire and nutty flavour of keluak. The achar was pretty good too. Unfortunately the fried rice was lacking the unique fragrant flavour of the keluak. I have had better one elsewhere.

Lor Bak Noodles 4/5

Another of the many sets available at O'nya Sayang is the Lor Bak Noodles Set ($12.90) that comes with a plate of noodle, achar, lor bak and otah. I find this extremely value for money. The lor bak was braised and cooked to a nice tender. It was a delight biting into the otah that comes with chunky fish meat.

Bakwan Kepeting 3/5

Next is the Bakwan Kepeting ($12.90) or Homemade Crab and Pork Meatball Soup. The meatball was really good, firm but yet moist. However I thought the soup was lacking the natural sweetness of the cabbage. I tasted a lot of seasoning instead.

Chap Chye 4.5/5

The highlight among the dishes I tried has to be the Chap Chye ($10.90). Cooked using fermented bean paste imported from Malacca, the vegetable has an acquire sweetness that I really enjoyed. The vegetables were also cooked to a delectable softness but yet still retained a crunch.

Babi Pongteh 4/5

Babi Pongteh ($13.90) is another dish that I will usually order whether I visit any peranakan restaurant. The lighter in colour appearance suggested that the version here is lighter in flavour compare to some I have tried. This brings me to wonder what is authentic? As it seems every household has their own version. Back to the food itself, putting aside the lighter taste, the pork belly literally melted in the mouth.

Beef Rendang Bread Bowl 3/5

I personally do not like the concept of the Beef Rendang Bread Bowl ($12.90). I find it too troublesome. The beef rendang is stuffed inside the bread bowl and baked. Hence the rendang has became dry inside the bread. That is probably why a bowl of gravy is served on the side. I rather keeping it simple with the rendang in a bowl as the bread as a side for those who wants to dunk it to soak up the delicious gravy.

Sambal Seafood 3.5/5

Moving on to something more spicy is the Sambal Seafood ($17.90). While it may look greasy, it did come with a nice spicy kick, bringing out the fragrance of the spices. However the seafood was not of the best quality but this is understandable to keep the pricing affordable and reasonable.

Assam Fish 3.5/5

The other spicy dish on the menu is the Assam Fish ($16.90). As I can take spicy, I did find the gravy too sweet. It was lacking that punch that will make one breaks into a sweat. Nevertheless, the fish was moist and goes well with the assam.

Chendol 3/5, Sago Gula Melaka Ice Cream 4.5/5, Chendol Ice Cream 4.5/5, Oneh Oneh 2/5

How can we not try the desserts before leaving the restaurant. We tried a couple of desserts on the menu such as the Oneh Oneh, Chendol ($4.90), Sago Gula Melaka Ice Cream ($5.90) and Chendol Ice Cream ($5.90). Most memorable for me is the Sago Gula Melaka Ice Cream and Chendol Ice Cream. Using premium coconut ice cream from Thailand,  these are the two desserts I would highly recommend.

I couldn't say O'nya Sayang serves the best authentic Peranakan food but it definitely serves some affordable and reasonable priced set meal. I think it is s a smart strategy by the restaurant. I would recommend having the lor bak noodles set, chap chye, babi pongteh, finishing the meal with the sago gula melaka ice cream and chendol ice cream.


O'nya Sayang
Paya Lebar Square
60 Paya Lebar Road
#B1-30/31
Singapore 409051
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onyasayang
Website: http://www.onyasayang.com/
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Medan Town @ Tanjong Katong

Named after the fourth largest city in Indonesia, Medan Town is located at the growing dining enclave of Tanjong Katong.  The casual dining restaurant offers home style Medanese food which reflects the diverse cooking styles of the different races living in Medan.

Bihun Bebek Dry  4/5

The marquee dish at Medan Town is the Bihun Bebek Dry/Soup ($5.80). I tried the beehoon dry served with duck herbal soup on the side. The bowl of beehoon was topped with generous amount of shredded duck, fried garlic, spring onion and bean sprouts. I understand the rice noodle is made in Medan. It comes with a unique springy texture that is different from others.

Nasi Redang Sapi 4.2/5

The other dish at Medan Town that caught my attention is the Nasi Redang Sapi ($6.50). The redang was extremely tender but it was the flavour that woke my palate. At that instant, memories of Indonesia trips flashed across my mind, an authentic taste that has long been forgotten.

Klepon 3/5

The Klepon ($2.50 for 5pc) is boiled rice cake stuffed with palm sugar and rolled in grated coconut. Singaporean will probably known it better as oneh oneh. The rice cake has a nice chewy texture but I am a bit disappointed with the fillings. I prefer the palm sugar filling to be of flowing fluid form.

Es Campur Medan 3/5 and Es Chendol Medan 3/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we ordered the Campur Medan ($3) and Chendol Medan ($3). Both are shaved ice dessert with coconut milk and palm sugar. The different is the ingredients used. I preferred the Campur Medan over the Chendol Medan. Although the chendol was homemade, the colour was unappetising and lacking in texture.

I previously visited a Medanese cuisine restaurant and was not impressed with the food. Medan Town has changed my opinion with Medanese cuisine and I am glad to discover the casual dining restaurant. Now I am another restaurant to go to when I am crave for Indonesian food.


Medan Town
253 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437041
Tel: +65 63489227
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line), Paya Lebar (EW Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take bus no. 10, 31 and 32. Alight 2 stops later. Journey time about 6 minutes.

2) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Walk to bus stop along Paya Lebar Road (Stop ID 81111). Take bus no. 43, 76 and 135. Alight 4 stops later. Journey time about 6 minutes.

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery @ Bedok North Street 4

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery is a traditional shop located at block 84 Bedok North facing the public carpark just behind the famous block 85 Bak Chor Mee at FengShan food centre. From its home based business in 1968 it has moved to its current location in 1987 when the business picked up. It is heartened to still see traditional shop like this painstakingly doing hand made delectable traditional kuehs. Besides selling their kuehs to the general public, Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery also supplies them to hotels and catering companies.

The owner Gavan is very kind to allow us into the kitchen to have some hands on sessions making our own Ang Ku Kueh ($0.50/pc). It is also known as red tortoise cake because it looks like a tortoise shell while red is auspicious for Chinese and tortoise represents longevity. This is usually eaten during religious offering or our baby's one month birthday celebration.

Pulut Inti

Pulut Inti 4/5

Nowadays Pulut Inti ($0.50/pc) commonly comes in plastic wrap but Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery persists to upkeep the tradition and wrapped them in banana leave. I also got to try wrapping them and it was not as easy as it seen. A very delectable snack with caramelised grated coconut sitting on top of the blueish glutinous rice. The blue colouring of the glutinous rice is made from the clitoria flower.

Ku Cai Kueh 4.2/5

While I was there, I noticed 2 workers tirelessly making kuehs throughout my visit. They were making Ku Cai Kueh ($0.70/pc), Soon Kueh ($0.70/pc)and Peng Kueh ($0.80/pc) fresh on the spot. I simply adored the smooth crystal clear skin of the Ku Cai Kueh and Soon Kueh. They were one of the best I have tried.

Steamed Yam Cake 4/5 

Fried Yam Cake 4.2/5

Yam Cake is another favourite of mine that I will order whenever I have dim sum. At Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery, both the Steamed Yam Cake ($0.80/pc)and Fried Yam Cake ($0.80/pc) comes with delectable chunky yam bites, fragrant mushrooms and dried shrimps.

Mini Huat Kueh 3.8/5

These traditional colourful mini Huat Kueh will be attractive to children instead of those tradition bigger one that is usually used for religious offering.

Kotoh Ubi 4/5

Besides the traditional Chinese kuehs and cakes, Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery also makes their own Nonya Kueh. This is my first time to come across the uncommon Kotob Ubi ($1.20/pkt). Made of mashed tapioca and caramelised grated coconut, the gula melaka is the star as the tapioca and grated coconut was quite bland in nature.

Kueh Kao Swee 3.8/5

Kueh Kao Swee ($1.20/pkt) is steamed rice pudding rolled in grated coconut. It is a bit boring to be eating it alone without any sauce. I usually have them with gula melaka.

Oneh Oneh 3.8/5

The Oneh Oneh ($1.20/pkt) although was huge the proportion of skin and filling was quite balanced. The disappointment was the lacking of the squirting surprise of gula melaka when biting into it.

Bengka Ubi 4/5

Another version of the mashed tapioca, Bengka Ubi ($1.20/pkt) is baked rather than steamed. The springy and chewy texture was very enjoyable.

Kueh Lapi 3.8/5

This rainbow colour Kueh Lapi ($1.20/pkt) brings back a lot of childhood memories. I usually had it for breakfast and like to dissect it layer by layer.

Kueh Salat 4/5

I guess this is probably one of the more popular Nonya kuehs that everyone is familiar with as it is often available on most buffet spreads. Kueh Salat ($1.20/pkt) is made up of a layer of glutinous rice and kaya custard with a hint of pandan leaves fragrant.

Ubi Kayu 4/5

Another version of the tapioca kueh rolled in grated coconut, Ubi Kayu ($1.20/pkt) was a delish snack that you can't help going back for more.

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery has been working behind the scene supplying hotels and catering companies with their high quality handmade kuehs. Knowing who is the supplier, I would probably go to them directly in my next purchase. I was checking out their facebook page the other day and I realized they also sells kueh party sets similar to Sakae Sushi type. How cool is it? I probably would get one for my next gathering.


Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery
Blk 84 Bedok North Street 4
#01-21
Singapore 460084
Tel: +65 64490815
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LekLimNonyaCake
Website: http://www.kuehkueh.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Bedok (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 4am - 6pm
Sun: 4am - 2pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bedok MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Bedok bus interchange. Take bus number 14 or 222 and alight 4 stops later. Journey time about 15 minutes.