Penang Hawkers' Fare @ York Hotel - Brings Back The Best Of Penang Street Food

York Hotel's Penang Hawkers' Fare, the long-standing promotion at White Rose Cafe, returns from 2 September to 18 September 2022. The hawkers from Penang make a return to delight diners with their speciality. During the promotion, patrons can watch the hawkers in action and feast on Penang hawker food to their hearts' content.

Penang Char Kway Teow 4.2/5

One of the most popular stalls for the past editions is the Penang Char Kway Teow, which always spots a long queue. The fragrant plate of wok-fried rice noodles is packed with wok-hei. Besides the delicious plate of noodles, be entertained by the eye-catching lady hawker's move when she swings into dancing twist frying the char kway teow.

Oyster Omelette 4/5

Crispy on the outside and gooey inside is the Oyster Omelette, best enjoyed with the tangy, spicy chilli sauce.

Lor Bak 3.8/5

Great for sharing are the Lor Bak, Cuttlefish Kang Kong and Rojak. On the Lor Bak platter, you will get five-spice meat rolls, prawn fritters, and deep-fried bean curd served with homemade chilli sauce and a thick soy-based sauce.

Cuttlefish Kang Kong 4.2/5

Not many places offer the Cuttlefish Kang Kong anymore. It is probably a dish that is foreign to the new generation too. The crunchy cuttlefish and water convolvulus are matched with a sweet and slightly spicy sauce and quality prawn paste and peanuts.

Penang Rojak 4.2/5

Tossed in a savoury, sweet and fragrant prawn paste is the Penang Rojak, topped with peanuts. Unlike the local rojak, the Penang version is more fruity and refreshing with ingredients such as cucumber, jambu, guava, jicama and pineapple.

Penang Laksa 4.8/5

There are Penang Laksa, Prawn Mee and Kway Teow Soup for the noodle dishes. All these three noodle dishes are a must-try. The Penang Laksa's tangy tamarind fish-based broth is packed with depth and robust flavours. Add some prawn paste to the laksa to elevate the whole taste profile to a new height. I have not eaten such a delicious bowl of noodles for a long while.

Prawn Mee 4.5/5

The Prawn Mee is another excellent choice too. The bowl of noodles is packed with a comforting and robust stock that has been laboriously boiled for hours, comprising prawn heads, shells and pork ribs.

Kway Teow Soup 4.5/5

For something lighter, go for the Kway Teow Soup. The smooth flat rice noodle comes in a light yet refreshing soup with fish balls, fish cake and shredded chicken. A dry version is also available.

Roti Canai 4.8/5

Another favourite item is the Roti Canai. The prata is crispy on the exterior and fluffy inside. It comes with a choice of either dhal curry or chicken curry. What is even more unique is the pairing of sambal chilli, which is not commonly appreciated this way in Singapore.

Ice Ball Kacang 3.5/5

Bringing back the childhood is the Ice Ball Kacang to wrap up the dinner on a sweet note.

Ban Chang Kueh 4.5/5

The Ban Chang Kueh is not to be missed too. The crispy pancake shell is folded into half with a spoonful of margarine, ground peanuts and sugar. Crispy on the edges while chewy inside.

Penang Hawkers’ Fare Lucky Draw
By dining at the Penang Hawkers’ Fare, diners stand to win attractive prizes from York Hotel Singapore:

First prize: A two-night weekend stay in a Premier Room inclusive of buffet breakfast and a S$100 dining voucher
Second prize: A one-night weekend stay in a Deluxe Room inclusive of a S$50 dining voucher
Third prize: ‘Treasured Flavours of Singapore’ à la carte Buffet Lunch at White Rose Café for five persons

The Penang Hawkers' Fare is available for lunch and dinner from 2 September to 18 September 2022. The menu includes an unlimited flow of coffee, tea, Calamansi drink, and Bandung.

Time:
- 12 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. (Lunch)
- 6.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. (Dinner)

Price:
- S$38* per adult, S$23* per child below 12 years of age, Mondays to Thursdays
- S$42* per adult, S$27* per child below 12 years of age, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
*Prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Note: This is an invited tasting.


White Rose Cafe
York Hotel
21 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 67370511
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am to 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. 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]

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]

Tien Court Restaurant @ Copthorne King's Hotel - New Chef New Menu With Weekly Dish Promotion Up To 50% Off

Probably not known to many, Tien Court Restaurant is located within Copthorne King's Hotel on Havelock Road. Recently, Master Chef Lui Wing Keung joined the restaurant and embraced a grand menu revamp. On top of that, the restaurant is championing sustainability to repurpose imperfect foods that would otherwise be discarded.

Deep Fried Glutinous Rice with Minced Chicken 4.2/5

The Deep Fried Glutinous Rice with Minced Chicken is delicately crafted in the shape of an adorable chick, playfully nestled in a bed of hay and crackered eggshells. It is too cute to be eaten. The first bite is crispy, followed by the chewy texture and the mouth-watering filling of savoury minced chicken.

Teochew Steamed Crystal Dumpling 4/5

Tien Court Restaurant has a delectable spread of dim sum items on the menu. A crowd favourite is the Teochew Steamed Crystal Dumpling with Dried Shrimp, Preserved Radish and Jicama. While I enjoyed the thin and translucent dumpling skin's chewy texture, the stuffing was too coarsely cut to complement it.

Frozen Marinated Cherry Tomato with Plum & Homemade Beancurd Roll 4.2/5

The Homemade Beancurd Roll is an off-menu special. Besides the soft interior, it has savouriness and crunchiness due to the mixture of tofu, prawn paste, carrot and water chestnuts. On the side is Frozen Marinated Cherry tomato with Plum, giving it a refreshing touch. Noteworthy is the used of ugly vegetable that is deemed unfit for supermarket punnet.

Double-boiled Fish Maw Nourishing Soup 3.8/5

The Double-boiled Fish Maw Soup is both nourishing and comforting. Diners can find soft tendon, fish maw and dried scallops in the rich and creamy and milky broth. As it uses chicken collagen, the flavour is not as intense as pork collagen. Diners can also add a dash of black vinegar to balance the richness.

Teochew-Style Oyster Omelette 3.5/5, Deep-Fried Oyster Fritter with Garlic and Chilli Powder 3.8/5

The Teochew-Style Oyster Omelette is topped with Deep-Fried Oyster Fritter with Garlic and Chilli Powder. It is a two in one dish. First is the plump and juicy oyster fritters on top, with a crispy and fluffy omelette on the bottom. It is best enjoyed with the piquant homemade chilli sauce.

Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber 4/5

The Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber is soft and bouncy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The complementing moreish abalone sauce raises the taste profile, which deep-frying provides extra textural enjoyment.

Stir-Fried Pork Shoulder with Chef's Special Sauce 4.2/5

The Stir-Fried Pork Shoulder with Chef's Special Sauce has a delightful bite for its leaner cut. Marinated in honey and black vinegar, it gives the pork a lovely sweet-sour profile. Frankly, I didn't have the addition of Japanese matcha powder served any possible. 

Signature Teochew Wok-Fried Hor Fun with Diced Kailan and Preserved Radish 3.8/5

The staple Teochew dish, the Signature Teochew Wok-Fried Hor Fun with Diced Kailan and Preserved Radish, is given an elevated touch with the addition of crispy Sakura prawns for added pops of umami.

Homemade Tau Suan 4.2/5, Signature Teochew Crispy Noodle 4/5

Wrapping up our dinner at Tien Court, we had the Signature Teochew Crispy Noodle paired with a refreshing strawberry vinegar sauce that sits light on the palate. However, my favourite is the Homemade Tau Suan with freshly grated orange peel, gingko and fried dough fritter with a sweet, citrusy fragrance.

Do look out for Tien Court's weekly promotion. Guests can enjoy Chef Lui's new creations at a special price (up to 50% off) every week from 30 August until 3 October 2021. Terms and conditions apply.

30/08 – 05/09: Deep-fried Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Minced Chicken $4++ (U.P.$7++)
06/09 – 12/09: Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber in Oyster Sauce $18++ (U.P.$28++)
13/09 – 19/09: Homemade Beancurd Roll with Frozen Marinated Cherry Tomato with Plum $16++ (U.P.$24++)
20/09 – 26/09: Signature Teochew Wok-fried Hor Fun with Diced Kailan and Preserved Radish $10++ (U.P.$16++)
27/09 – 03/10: Stir-fried Pork Shoulder with Chef's Special Sauce and Matcha $12++ (U.P.$24++)

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tien Court Restaurant
Copthorne King's Hotel
403 Havelock Road
Level 2
Singapore 169631
Tel: +65 63183193/ 63183198
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Subordinate Court (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 or 186. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Shell House (Stop ID 04329). Take bus number 64 or 123. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 123. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Ah Sin Family Eating House @ Sin Ming Road - Unpretentious Zichar Place With Homecooked Dishes

Together with my foodie friends, we visited this unpretentious Zichar place at Sin Ming Road for lunch on a weekday. Ah Sin Family Eating House looks like an eatery set back in the 1980s with a few tables and plastic chairs scattered around. During our visit, the place is crowded and popular with office workers in the area.

Pig Trotter Kai Lan 3.8/5

I have eaten stir-fried kai lan with garlic or even dry sole fish, but Pig Trotter Kai Lan is something new for me. Thought the stall uses canned pig trotter that we usually used to cook pig's trotter bee hoon, it does give the simple vegetable dish a new way of appreciating the greens. It would be better if the pig's trotter flavour can come across stronger.

Tofu with Prawn 4/5

Tofu with Prawn is quite a common dish served in most Zichar stalls. What binds the two ingredients together is the delicious eggy sauce. It is somewhat like those hor fun sauce.

Oyster Omelette 4.2/5

Our favourite is the Oyster Omelette fried to fragrant, and not oily. Check out the huge and plump oysters atop the fluffy egg too. 

Steam Fish Head 4.2/5

Last but not least, we have the Steamed Fish Head cooked Teochew style. The sourness from the sour plum enhanced the sweetness of the moist fish flesh. You can also find tofu and mushroom in the dish.

Though Ah Sin Family Eating House is not any fancy restaurant, their dishes are your comforting homecooked dishes that will warm your heart.


Ah Sin Family Eating House
Blk 22 Sin Ming Road
#01-256
Singapore 570022
Tel: +65 91506980
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 9am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange (Stop ID 54009). Take bus number 130. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 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


[CLOSED]
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]

Dine At Home During Circuit Breaker - Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant

Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant at Jalan Bukit Merah has been one of my favourite Teochew restaurants to go to whenever I am craving for some delicious Teochew cuisine. The family restaurant has been around for more than 60 years with the third generations helping out in the restaurant. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a challenging time for a lot of F&B. Especially for a traditional restaurant like Ah Orh Seafood, they have to adapt, moving to takeaway and delivery, allowing diners to dine at home during the circuit breaker measure period.

Braised Duck, Pork Belly and Tofu

Having visited the restaurants on many occasions, there are some signature dishes that I will always order. One of them is their Braised Duck, Pork Belly and Tofu platter. This is best enjoyed together with the chilli and white vinegar dipping sauce.

Fish Maw Soup

Unlike other fish maw soup which is either clear or starchy form, the Fish Maw Soup at Ah Orh Seafood has a grainy texture with chunky pieces of fish maw. Until today I am not sure what is added to get the grainy texture, but I suspect it is sesame.

Oyster Sauce Vegetable

The Oyster Sauce Vegetable may not be the prettiest dish, but what makes it a lovely dish is the addition of fried sole fish that elevated the whole enjoyment.

Oyster Omelette

Lastly is the fluffy Oyster Omelette with plump fresh oyster. I like how the restaurant packet the oyster separately from the egg omelette so that the sauce doesn't make the omelette soggy during delivery.

While I can't dine at Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant during the circuit breaker period, I am glad that I can still satisfy my craving for delicious Teochew food with its takeaway and delivery services. Besides the a la carte menu, the restaurant has also rolled out 3 dishes set menu at $45 and 4 dishes set menu at $55. Customers even get a 15% discount if they pick up the order themselves. It also offers island-wide delivery services at $10 delivery fee, free delivery for order above $80 or location within 3km of the restaurant.


Arh Orh Seafood Restaurant (亚乌海鲜楼)
Blk 115 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-1627
Singapore 160115
Tel: +65 62757575
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2pm, 530pm - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Jalan Membina to the end of the road. Turn left at Jalan Bukit Merah. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]