Shao (烧) Modern Teochew Dining @ Rangoon Road - The Group's Third Outlet In The Quiet Corner of Little India

SHAO (烧), with its flagship restaurant at Frankel, has recently opened a third outlet at Rangoon Road, named SHAO Modern Teochew Dining. This new venue offers a contemporary take on Teochew cuisine. The interior presents a captivating blend of modern and traditional aesthetics, with part of the dining hall resembling a Chinese opera stage, adding to the unique dining experience.

Teochew Cold Roe Crab 4.2/5

As a Teochew, I couldn't resist trying the Teochew Cold Roe Crab ($78 for 400-500g). The meat was sweet and packed with umami roe, capturing the essence of crustacean flavours. They also offer an elevated BBQ Roe Crab version, which I'm eager to try next time.

Stewed Iberico Pork with Soy Bean Paste 4.5/5

This was my first encounter with the Stewed Iberico Pork with Soy Bean Paste ($38/$58). Served in a piping hot claypot, the tender Iberico pork is simmered in a sweet, tangy broth reminiscent of the Salted Vegetable Duck Soup. This dish stood out for its rich flavours and comforting taste.

Braised Combination Platter 3/5

Braised items are a staple in Teochew cuisine, so I had to order the Braised Combination Platter ($28/$38), which includes braised duck, pig trotter, and tau kwa. Among the three, the pig trotter was the most enjoyable for its tenderness. However, the duck meat was a bit dry, and the braising sauce needed to have the fragrant depth I was hoping for, failing to infuse the ingredients adequately.

Stir-fried Fish Noodle with Seafood 4/5

For our carbo dish, we chose the Stir-fried Fish Noodle with Seafood ($18). The noodle texture was unique, being bouncier than the regular noodles. Adding truffle and stir-frying lent an earthy note and smokiness, while the roes provided a savoury uplift, making it a delightful dish.

Mix Fruit Pai in Teochew Style 3/5

We wrapped up our dinner with the simple Mix Fruit Pai in Teochew Style ($10). This dish features cut fruits in a sour plum and liquorice root sauce, offering a refreshing end to the meal. Their Orh Nee is also highly recommended for those seeking something more traditional.

SHAO Modern Teochew Restaurant at Rangoon Road successfully blends contemporary and traditional elements, both in its ambience and its culinary offerings. While some dishes stood out more than others, the overall dining experience was enjoyable, making it a worthy addition to the Teochew dining scene in Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shao (烧) Modern Teochew
223 Rangoon Road 
#01-01/02
Singapore 218460
Tel: +65 69932223
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the traffic junction of Tessensohn Road and Rangoon Road. Cross the road and walk to Rangoon Road. Walk to the end of Rangoon Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Sumbao Seafood Restaurant @ Race Course Road - Unique Charcoal Claypot Fish Soup Hotpot

Newly opened along Race Course Road is Sumbao Seafood Restaurant serving Ipoh Malaysian-style Zi Char dishes. Unique at Sumbao is its Charcoal Claypot Fish Soup Hotpot that comes in a charcoal stove, unlike the usual fish head steamboat.

Sumbao Signature Claypot Fish Soup Hotpot 4/5

The Sumbao Signature Claypot Fish Soup Hotpot is served in a claypot over a charcoal stove. Customers get to choose the type of fish to go with their claypot fish soup hotpot. There are four choices - Grouper ($48/$65), Red Grouper ($68/$98), Pomfret (Seasonal), and Giant Grouper (Seasonal). The fresh fish is cut into slices and served on the side for customers to cook individually, like having shabu shabu. There are also other ingredients in the claypot, such as fish head, yam, seaweed, tofu, tomato, Chinese cabbage, and celery. The sweet and savoury fish soup is addictive, with a hint of smokiness probably from the charcoal fire and claypot heat.

Hokkien Style Pig's Trotter 4.2/5

A highlight at Sumbao is the Hokkien Style Pig's Trotter. I was surprised at how soft and tender the pig's trotter was, falling apart easily. The pig's trotter was flavourful and well-flavoured from the delicious braising sauce, which goes well with a bowl of steaming rice.

Golden Sand Cereal Chicken, Small $18 | Large 4.2/5

Usually, I have cereal prawn, but Golden Sand Cereal Chicken (Small $18 | Large $28) is first for me. The tender chicken pieces coated in sweet and crispy cereal, plus the aroma from the curry leaves, is a deliciously executed dish that will be enjoyed by both young and old.

Deep Fried Prawns with Special Soy Sauce 4.2/5

I am not sure precisely what the sauce's concoction is, but the succulent Deep Fried Prawns with Special Soy Sauce (Small $19 | Large $33) is very addictive. The sauce's sweetness complemented the fresh prawns, which is very appetising.

Stir Fried Chinese Fungus with Mixed Veg 4/5

Lastly, we had the Stir Fried Chinese Fungus with Mixed Veg (Small $12 | Large $20). I love the use of the different fungus and vegetables, which have a delightful crunch.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sumbao Seafood
378 Race Course Road
Singapore 218646
Tel: +65 91328083
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 11am - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to Race Course Road. Turn left onto Race Course Road. Walk down Race Course Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Spice Brasserie @ Parkroyal on Kitchener Road - Lunch 茶 Buffet

Spice Brasserie at Parkroyal on Kitchener Road has recently launched Lunch 茶. In just one seating of four hours long and at one price, you get to indulge in a lunch buffet, followed by an afternoon tea set. The buffet offers a line up of Malaysia and Singapore inspired dishes that warm you up with familiar tastes and flavours.

Braised Black Vinegar Trotter 4/5

I was surprised to find a very homely dish - Braised Black Vinegar Trotter. Bringing flavours from his hometown, Penang, Executive Sous Chef Patrick Ooi uses Gula melaka in his recipe to develop his version of this family classic. The perfectly braised egg is a star of its own too.

Penang Fried Kway Tiao & Carrot Cake 4/5

Other notable dishes from his hometown include Penang Fried Kway Tiao and Carrot Cake, and if you drop by for the weekday lunch buffet, there will be Penang Assam Laksa as well.

DIY Popiah station

One of the highlights of this buffet is the DIY Popiah station - The turnips was very well stewed with dried shrimps and mushrooms, alongside fluffy shredded eggs and crunchy beansprouts.

DIY Rojak

I had a lot of fun at the DIY Rojak station too, that is filled with chopped juicy pineapples, cucumbers, green mangos, turnips, crunchy youtiaos and beancurd skin.

The buffet line also comes with a live Pratas and Naans station, serving robust fish curry and rich butter chicken. Right beside it is the station where you can order a handpulled Teh Tarik to complement your warm and fluffy pratas and naans.

Chee Cheong Fun

Lo Mai Kai

Other delights include local style dim sum such as Chee Cheong Fun, which is one of our favourites among the dishes, as well as Lo Mai Kai.

DIY Muah Chee

There's even a Muah Chee station too, in which you can simply load your plate with heaps of the well roasted crushed peanuts!

This new Lunch 茶 (pronounced as Lunch-‘cha’) buffet serves you an Afternoon 茶 Set after the lunch buffet ends at 230pm, which allows you to continue to chill with your loved ones till 4pm. Each set comes with free flow of tea and coffee. Featuring Asian sweets such as Nonya Kuehs, you will also get interesting creations such as Portuguese Durian Egg Tarts.

The Saturdays and Sundays Lunch 茶 Buffet is priced at $45 nett per person.

Photos and words 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.


Spice Brasserie
Parkroyal on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road
Singapore 208533
Tel:+65 31382518
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 12pm - 4pm, 6pm - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Kitchener Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tasty Thai @ Bukit Batok Street 11 - Phuket-style Thai Kway Chap

Thai-style kway chap is not common in Singapore, not to mention Phuket-style Thai Kway Chap. However, there is a stall, Tasty Thai, at Bukit Batok Street 11 that offers such a style of kway chap. I understand that the stall is opened by an ex-restaurant manager and his two partners.

Thai-style Kway Chap 4/5

Unlike the Bangko-style kway chap, which comes in a clear peppery soup and crispy roasted pork, the Phuket-style Kway Chap ($4.90) comes in a dark herbal soup. Prowling through the bowl of kway chap, I can find Thai sausage, meatball, pig's skin, pork belly, egg and rolled up rice sheet.

I also noticed that the rolled rice sheet used by Tasty Thai is much thicker than the type used in our local kway chap and Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap, which I didn't enjoy. However, I like the herb-based soup compared to the peppery type. To heat up the taste profile, I would recommend adding some Thai chilli flakes to the soup.

Thai Pork Trotter Rice 3/5

Besides the Thai-style kway chap, the stall also offers Thai Pork Trotter Rice ($4.90) on the menu. I was excited to see the item on the menu, but it fell short of my expectation. The meat was on the tough side, and the rice was a bit hard for me. Even the chilli sauce lacked the tanginess to whet up the enjoyment. In conclusion, it didn't manage to reignite my fond memories for one of my favourite Thai street food.

Tasty Thai
Blk 150 Bukit Batok Street 11
#01-246
Singapore 650150
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Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 8pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus number 991. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 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
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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] 

Wen Xin Fish Soup. Lu Wei @ Bukit Merah View Food Centre - A Simple And Yet Satisfying Bowl Of Fish Soup

During my recent trip to Bukit Merah View Food Centre, I got to try Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake at the food centre. Since I have made a rare trip down to this food centre, might as well try something else. Hence we settled for Wen Xin Fish Soup since there was a queue, which usually is an indication that the stall is quite popular.

Batang Fish Soup 3.8/5

We ordered two bowls of Fish Soup. One with Batang Fish and the other with Red Grouper. Each bowl of clear soup comes with the fish slices,, lettuce and tofu. While the soup may be light and clear, it imparts a refreshing sweetness, allowing the natural flavours and freshness of the fish slices to come through. Starting from $3 a bowl, this is very reasonably priced.

Red Grouper Fish Soup 3.8/5

Besides their fish soup, you can also order Pig Trotter and Mei Cai to go along with your meal. I will usually order the Pig Trotter if the stall sells it, as I enjoyed drenching the braising gravy into my bowl of rice. The braising gravy is light, slightly sweet and comes with a tad of herbal aroma. The braised meat thought a bit on the tough side, I could not resist sinking my teeth into the fatty, wobbly skin.

Pig Trotter 3.5/5

Overall I enjoyed the fish soup, which is simple and light. Perfect for those days that you want something comforting. As for the pig trotter, I think it can be better if the braised meat is more tender. I won't complain much because for the price I am paying, I can get a satisfying meal that does not hurt my pocket.


Wen Xin Fish Soup. Lu Wei
Bukit Merah View Food Centre
Blk 115 Bukit Merah Central
#01-42
Singapore 150163
Nearest MRT: Redhill (EW Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 2pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Red Hill MRT station (Stop ID 10209). Take bus number 132 or 145. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10161). Take bus number 16 or 851. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Legendary Bak Kut Teh (發传人肉骨茶) @ Rangoon Road - The Real Deal Of A Good Bak Kut Teh

There are two Legendary Bak Kut Teh outlets in Singapore. One is at Rangoon Road while the newest outlet is located at South Bridge Road. The restaurant is originally known as Founder Bak Kut Teh run by the daughter of Founder Bak Kut Teh in Balestier. The restaurant in Balestier is run by her dad and brother. Due to a change in business strategy to expand the Founder's brand, the daughter renamed her restaurant to Legendary Bak Kut Teh. Like every F&B business, business is affected by the pandemic. It has to adapt and also jump onto the food delivery bandwagon.

Bak Kut Teh 

Not to be missed is their Bak Kut Teh (發传人肉骨茶) which uses the same original family recipe. Customers can also choose the type of pork ribs for their Bak Kut Teh, using fresh Indonesian pork and Sarawak peppercorn. To be frank, I have just recently eaten at Founder Bak Kut Teh and I personally prefer the version at Legendary which is more robust and peppery. 

Salted Vegetables

Peanut

Tau Kee

Dang Ou Soup

Having the Bak Kut Teh alone can be quite boring. I usually like to order a couple of side dishes to complement the meal. I had the Salted Vegetables, Braised Peanuts, Tau Kee and Dang Ou Soup which are really yummy to go long with the pork rib soup.

Mixed Pig Organ Soup

Mee Sua

Besides their Bak Kut Teh, I also enjoyed their Mixed Pig Organ Soup. I even order a bowl of Mee Sua to go along with it. This is my ideal combination. 

Sesame Oil Chicken

Although Legendary is known for their Bak Kut Teh, the menu is quite extensive with many delectable cooked dishes and steamed fish. One of them is the Sesame Oil Chicken which is cooked to tender and blanketed in a layer of aroma from the fragrant sesame oil. 

Braised Pig Trotter

If you are not afraid of the fats under the Braised Pig Trotter's gelatine skin, you will enjoyed the well braised flavour of the succulent meat. This goes very well with a bowl of steamed rice.

Royal Chives

For a balance diet, the crunchy Royal Chives cooked with bean sprouts will be a delectable textural enjoyment.

Ngoh Hiang

Last but at least, crispy on the exterior and meaty inside is the Ngoh Hiang. You can also get crunchy bits of water chestnut in it too. 

Although we are in Phrase 2 of the circuit breaker and restaurants are allowed to accept dine-in customer, Legendary Bak Kut Teh has kept its island-wide delviery service for the time being. For enquiries and order, you can WhatsApp them at 96450125.

Legendary Bak Kut Teh (發传人肉骨茶)

154 Rangoon Road

Singapore 218431

Tel: +65 62920938

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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:

Daily: 9am - 11pm

Direction: 

1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT Station. Take Exit B. Walk to traffic junction. Cross the road and walk down Rangoon Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]