Eng's Char Siew Wanton Mee @ East Village - The Claypot Rice Is More Popular Than The Wanton Mee

This may sounds a bit weird but I am at Eng's Char Siew Wanton Mee for claypot rice and not wanton mee. Yes, the East Village outlet sells claypot rice and some zichar dishes on top of their signature wanton mee with hot fiery chilli sauce. The outlet at East Village is franchised by Ah Ching the ex-chef of Geylang Claypot Rice. Hence the used of the name Eng's Char Siew Wanton Mee, selling wanton mee alongside his claypot rice. This is the only place where you can get both wanton mee and claypot rice.

Charcoal Cooked Claypot Rice 4/5

The Charcoal Cooked Claypot Rice ($7/$13/$23) uses old grains here. It is cooked from scratch, first over the gas stove for the rice grains to dry up and then transfer over to the charcoal stove, cooking for another 25 minutes together with the ingredients and sauce. The whole cooking process takes about 45 minutes. Hence be prepared to wait if you did not pre-order before turning up at the outlet.

During my visit, almost every table was having the claypot rice. Two things stood out for me in the claypot rice. First the chicken is very tender and the portion is quite substantial. Most of the time when I visit other claypot rice stalls, I have to request to any more chicken but I do not need to do so here. Second is the crispy brown rice grains at the bottom of the claypot. Ah Ching has developed a technique that allows him to get that crispy consistency at the bottom. While I enjoyed the claypot rice, I felt it somewhat lacked the robust flavours compared to other well known claypot places. Maybe the savoury dark sauce is not fragrant enough or it needs a further boast in flavours such as addition of salted fish or more flavourful Chinese sausages.

French Beans 4/5

As there is basically no vegetable in the claypot rice, we decided to order a plate of French Beans ($7/$9) to go along with the rice. It is simple but well executed with a delightful crunch.

Claypot Pork Knuckles 4/5

Besides the claypot rice, we also had the Claypot Pork Knuckles which was the special of the day. The pork knuckles which has absorbed the essence of the braising sauce, was fatty and juicy. Perfect to go along with my claypot rice.

If you are planning to try the claypot rice here, I would recommend calling the outlet to pre-order the clayot rice first. If not, you must be prepared to wait for around 45 minutes as the claypot rice needs to be cooked from scratch. While waiting you may want to have a plate of wanton mee then.


Eng's Char Siew Wanton Mee
East Village
430 Upper Changi Road
#01-09
Singapore 487048
Tel: +65 98680934
Nearest MRT: Tanah Merah (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanah Merah MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tanah Merah MRT station (Stop ID). Take bus number 2, 9 or 48. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

PARKROYAL On Beach Road - Celebrate Christmas With An Indulgent Feast At Ginger And Si Chuan Dou Restaurant Along With Gourmet Festive Takeaways

With Christmas just around the corner, gear up for the most wonderful time of the year with an oodles of festive favourites at PARKROYAL on Beach Road where their all-day dining restaurant, Ginger have introduced a special Christmas buffet to showcase a sumptuous spread of festive delicacies and classical favourites such as the Singapore Chilli Crab, Asian inspired Gula Melaka Log Cake with Coconut Flakes, as well as an assortment of Mini Christmas cakes and cookies.

Ring in the festivities this Yuletide season with signature highlights such as the Traditional Roasted Turkey drizzled with Giblet Sauces and Cranberry Jus, Honey-glazed Ham accompanied by Oriental Salsa, and other international and local favourites such as Rock Lobsters Bouillabaisse, Singapore Laksa, Singapore Chilli Crab, Assorted Satays and Grilled Scallop with Yuzu and Shoyu.

What is Christmas without the quintessential turkey dish? Tuck into Ginger's Traditional Whole Roasted Turkey ($128). The flavours are enhanced by the savoury giblet gravy and a dash of cranberry jus to add a subtle sweetness to the succulent meat.

Another festive highlight is the Roasted Honey Glazed Gammon Ham ($68). Accompanied by oriental salsa, the dish has the right amount of seasoning and sweetness to bring out its flavour.

Not to be missed at the carving station is the Herbs Crusted Roasted Beef. The meat is coated with bread crumbs to give a nice crisp texture to the exterior of this classic festive roast, which boasts a tender flavourful bite.

An absolute favourite is the plump Grilled Scallop served with Yuzu and Shoyu to bring out the seafood freshness and enhance its flavours.

Spice up your Christmas at Si Chuan Dou Hua with a showcase of 100 dishes featuring 25 different flavour profiles. Uncover the various aspects of Sichun cuisine and go beyond the widely-known 'mala dishes'. One of the signatures include the Festive Pork Knuckle with Dried Chillies and Peppercorns ($58). Covered in an abundance of spice, biting into the crispy tender meat produces an even more pronounced aroma with a sharp kick of heat.

Round up the Christmas feast with a dazzling array of sweet creations - among which is the Gula Melaka Log Cake with Coconut Flakes ($48). What I enjoyed most is the firm yet moist texture of the cake and cream, which gives off a sweet gula melaka fragrance when bitten into. Dusted in coconut flake to further enhance the flavours, there is also a surprise attap-chee within.

To end the indulgent feast on a sweet note, have some of the Ginger Cookies ($8) or the assorted Christmas cookies ($8) as well. Takeaway orders can be made at dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com, or please speak with us at +65 6505 5710. Advance orders of three working days are required for festive takeaway items.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 6505 5710
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Tamarind Hill @ Labrador Park - Celebrate Lunar New Year In Thai Style

From making your way up along Labrador Villa Road where lush greeneries path your way, to stepping into Tamarind Hill where the aroma of sandalwood settles you, step away from the hustle and immerse yourself in a totally different ambience in this Lunar New Year. This year, be led by Executive Chef Wanthana Nikonsaen who's going to present eight interpretations of classic Chinese dishes in a limited Lunar New Year menu.

Yu Sheng 3/5

Thai style salad takes on a new identity in this Thai-inspired Yu Sheng, in which the crowd pleasing shredded mango brightens up the dish, and the sweet-sour profile is further lifted by a sour plum & tamarind sauce.

Appetisers 3.5/5

Starting off with 2 appetisers - Steamed Sago Pork Dumplings and Fish Roe Marinated in Red Curry wrapped and grilled in a banana leaf. A trip to Phuket recently gotten me acquainted with Thai Pork Dumplings, and my first impression was that it is similar to our crystal dumpling. The skin was dense and chewy which I really like, and the sweet-savoury pork filling goes well with the skin too. The Fish Roe, as expected, is like our Otah. I'm just glad that it has more roe than paste.

Barramundi and Ginger Soup 3.8/5

The set menu comes with a soup - Barramundi and Ginger Soup. Almost like Tom Yum Goong but half the fieriness.

Five-spice Braised Pork Knuckle 4/5

The mains answer my cravings towards braised pork knuckle (khao kha moo) which I had in Bangkok. The Five-spice Braised Pork Knuckle is served with shiitake mushrooms, kalian & seaweed. The meat wasn't exactly fork-tender yet but the skin was to my satisfaction.

Tiger Prawns 2.5/5 and Egg Noodles 3.8/5

The Tiger Prawns with Salted Egg Yolk Sauce was quite disappointing. I was imaging huge prawns (with head intact) dressed in robust salted egg yolk sauce but it is lacklustre. Perhaps, this salted egg culture is really not embedded in the Thais' palate yet.  The Stir-fry Thai-style Egg Noodles with assorted vegetables is quite well done, which tasted as cosy as a plate of homecooked mee sua.

Desserts 3/5

Rounding off your evening is the Glutinous Rice Balls stuffed with sesame and honeydew sago with vanilla ice cream. Never mind the tough rice balls, for its superb counterpart makes up for it. The sago jelly was firm and stretchy, and the simple dressing over of the ever senses-appeasing coconut cream made this bowl a taste of bliss.

This Lunar New Year Menu will be available from 15 January to 2 March 2018 at $88++ per pax.

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.


Tamarind Hill
30 Labrador Villa Road
Singapore 119189
Tel: +65 62786364
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Labrador Park (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sun: 730am - 11am, 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Labrador Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Labrador Villa Road. Turn left onto Labrador Villa Road. Walk down Labrador Villa Road. At the junction of Port Road and Labrador Villa Road, turn right and continue onto Labrador Villa Road. Walk to end of the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Starker Signature @ Holland Village – For Authentic German-style Fresh Brews And Delicious Bar Grubs

Nestled within the heart of Holland Village is Starker Signature, a casual bar serving authentic German brew, and probably one of the best authentic hotspot known for their top notch friendly staff and laid-back vibes among the multiple Starker Group outlets across the island. Here, it offers a variety of incredible Starker Fresh Brews with a 7 days shelf policy, and an even wider selection of food items such as their signature roasts, mains and bar grubs to complement the ice-cold beer and further accentuate the fresh brew drinking experience for their diners.

The main highlight at Starker is undeniably their fresh beer - Adopting the traditional German-brewing techniques using the finest European ingredients from milling to fermentation, Starker aims to deliver unfiltered and unpasteurized quality German-style craft beer served icy cold straight from the barrel, and with a strict 7-days shelf life to guarantee absolute freshness. Starring their 5 unique brews: Lager, Dunkel, Charcoal, Aromatic and Lychee. All these award-winning beers, from the sweet Lychee to the smokier Charcoal, are freshly brewed in-house and served the traditional way for beer connoisseurs.

Starker Ale 4.2/5

Starker has recently launched a new beer - Ale. Brewed from specially selected caramelised malts using top fermentation, the Ale is lusciously vibrant-coloured and boasts a mild fruity aftertaste, constituting a refreshing beer with a nice crisp finish that will leave you wanting for more.

Great news! If you're looking to chill out with your loved ones this Friday, look no further as you can now settle your TGIF plans with Stärker - Starker will be giving away 600 half-pints of Ale every Friday from 6pm onwards at different Stärker outlets till 2 Feb 2018. Do note that each customer is limited to only one half-pint beer per day.

5 Jan 2018: Stärker Signature Holland Village
12 Jan 2018: Stärker Bistro Katong Square
19 Jan 2018: Stärker Music Zhongshan Park
26 Jan 2018: Stärker Bistro HillV2
2 Feb 2018: Stärker Signature Tanjong Pagar Centre

If you’re looking for some unique brews, Starker serves a pretty fancy range of fresh brew catering to the preferences of different customers.

Starker Lychee 4.2/5 and Starker Charcoal 4.2/5

What is a trip to Starker without having a round of their renowned beer? For something lighter, go for their Starker Lychee (half-pint $8.90/one-pint $16.90/2L barrel $63.90/5L barrel $148), a medium bodied beer with a distinctive Belgium lychee fragrance. Brewed with a unique mix of wheat malts and 100% lychee extract, it is refreshingly light with a subtle fruity aftertaste and a hint of tartness. Best paired with fresh succulent seafood, salad or pasta.

The Starker Charcoal (half-pint $8.90/one-pint $16.90/2L barrel $63.90/5L barrel $148) is a fuller bodied dark beer with a more intense and robust body. Brewed from crystal and dark roasted malt, it boasts an edging bitterness and leaves a distinctive aftertaste with a hint of coffee. Best paired with Starker's signature roasts or burger.

Even the best beers don't sit so well on empty stomachs, so be prepared to indulge in their extensive selection of unpretentious grubs with a beer or two in hand.

Traditional Pork Knuckle 4.5/5

The Traditional Pork Knuckle ($38.80) features a huge portion of pork knuckles (serve 3-4 pax) marinated with Starker secret spice recipe and roasted to a perfectly crisp exterior, with tender juicy meat within that boasts a decent firmness in each bite. Served with a side of creamy mash, Starker beer sauce and house salad, as well as crispy freshly cut onion strips, battered and golden-fried, each of these complements contribute to the flavour and textural interplay of the dish, yet not overshadowing the perfectly executed pork knuckles.

Roasted Pork Belly 4.5/5

The Roasted Pork Belly ($14.80) comes in a plate of generously portioned sliced pork belly, with a half-half ratio of tender meats and fats that boasts a melt-in-the-mouth consistency, and roasted to a perfect crackling texture for its thin golden crisp outer skin layer. Served with vinegary French mustard and sourish sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) for a more flavorous addition, though the pork belly has already shone on its own.

Muchos Nachos 4/5

One of their upcoming new items on the menu, the Muchos Nachos comes loaded with generous servings of home-made ground beef and cheese sauce to have your crunchy Nacho Chips with. The best kind of savoury pairing for your Nachos, and the perfect finger food to go with your Starker fresh beers.

Gamabas Spanish Style 4.2/5

The Gamabas Spanish Style is another upcoming new item on the menu. This classic Spanish tapas dish features succulent shrimps in a spicy garlicky sauce, served with toasts on the side. The shrimps, which boast a bouncy texture power packed with a great deal of juiciness in each piece stole the show. The mild spicy garlicky sauce is not too overwhelming, and provides just the right amount of flavour to the shrimps so as to not overshadow its freshness.

King Prawn Pasta 4/5

The King Prawn Pasta ($19.80) comes with a single large grilled king prawn on a bed of spaghetti. The king prawn meat is tender and succulent down to the last bite, while the spaghetti is executed excellently as well, cooked al dente and tossed in tomato sauce with a hint of crustacean sweetness due to the prawn stock used.

Seafood Pizza 4.2/5

The Seafood Pizza ($10.80) features a home-made crispy thin crust pizza topped with copious amounts of prawns, squids and crab meats marinated with garlic and herbs. The assortment of seafood toppings are juicy and fresh with a subtle herb aroma, while the blanket of generous mozzarella cheese on top balances the tangy tomato base.

Reviving the old world style of beer drinking with their authentic German-style fresh brews, and bringing to the table such quality food pegged at affordable prices, Stärker is fast becoming the hip joint to be in the neighbourhood. So before the place gets even buzzier, make your way down soon for a relaxing night over some beer and food with your loved ones. Make sure to enjoy their half-pint giveaways which will be happening every Fridays at stipulated outlets till 2 Feb 2018 too!

This post is brought to you by Starker Group


Starker Signature
25 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277684
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Fri: 3pm - 1am
Sat, Eve of PH & PH: 3pm - 2am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Mambong. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Wee's Family Seafood @ Bukit Merah Central - A New Zi Char Place In Bukit Merah Central

It is great to know that my friend Milton from Wee's Family Coffee Shop has opened a 2nd branch nearer to my place at Bukit Merah Central named Wee's Family Seafood. The new branch is actually located behind an industrial building, hidden from the main road. It took up a stall inside the industrial canteen which is quite spacious and airy.

Prawn Paste Chicken Wings 3.8/5

We started with the Prawn Paste Chicken Wings ($8/$12/$16) which are coated in a light crispy batter. The chicken wings were also moist and juicy inside with a hint of prawn paste. I personally prefer the prawn paste flavour to be stronger.

Handmade Prawn Roll 4.5/5

One of our favourite items is the Handmade Prawn Roll ($10/$15/$20). The prawn roll is generously stuffed with many delectable ingredients such as minced pork, mushroom and crunchy chestnut. Marinated in five spice powder and encased in a thin crispy beancurd skin, this is best eaten together with the accompanying sweet sauce.

Green Dragon Chives 4/5

A common greens on the menu is the Green Dragon Chives ($10/$15/$20). Simply stir fried, I like the used of bean sprouts together with the green dragon chives for the extra crunch and bite.

Lamb 3/5

The Lamb ($25) probably is a rather rare dish to find in a zichar menu. I actually quite enjoy the red meat but my dining company is not a fan of the gaminess.

Crispy Pig Knuckle 2.8/5

A dish that required improvement is the Crispy Pig Knuckle ($30). While we enjoyed the crispy skin but we felt the whole execution was rather bland. It felt like the kitchen has forgotten to season it.

Assam Red Snapper Fish Head 3.8/5

For the price, I thought the Assam Red Snapper Fish Head ($24) is rather worth it  Not only was the fish head fresh, it was huge and meaty. Being an assam fish head lover, I think the dish is not sour and spicy enough. The flavours can be intensified further.

Salted Egg Crayfish 4.2/5

Wrapped in a thin batter and coated with salted egg sauce is the Salted Egg Crayfish ($20). What I applauded is the effort to de-shell the crayfish. Its like removing the barrier for the sauce to marry with the succulent crayfish. The batter which replaced the shell, provided the extra layer of texture to the dish.

Three Egg Fu Zhou Mee Sua 3/5

Last but at least we had the Three Egg Fu Zhou Mee Sua ($10/$15/$20). Once again this is a dish I do not usually see in zichar menu. The texture of the noodle is quite similar to those Ban Mian stall's you mian. I thought the dish has great potential but again it was under seasoned. I ended up mixing the mee sua with the sambal chilli to elevate the flavour.

Overall I felt the new branch still fell short in standard compare to the main outlet in Bedok Reservoir Road. Most of the dishes also felt a bit light handed. I thought they can be a little more bold in their seasoning.


Wee's Family Seafood
Blk 1003 Bukit Merah Central
#01-3752
Singapore 159836
Tel: +65 62755711/98798868
Facebook
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at opposite Tiong Bahru Plaza (Stop ID 10161). Take bus number 5. Alight 3 stops later at Bukit Merah Central Bus Interchange. Walk to Bukit Merah Central road. Turn left and walk down the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at opposite Tiong Bahru Plaza (Stop ID 10161). Take bus number 16 and 851. Alight 4 stops later at Bukit Merah Central Bus Interchange. Walk to Bukit Merah Central road. Turn left and walk down the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Brez'n @ Valley Point - Bavarian Experience In A Neighbourhood Celebrates 1st Anniversary With 1,000 Sure-Win Dining Prizes

When we talk about crispy pork knuckle, sausages, German beers, there are only that many that we could think of. However, residents of River Valley just have another option since a year ago - Brez'n. located at Valley Point. Brez'n offers you Bavarian cuisine alongside with beers imported directly from the leading Bavarian breweries, such as Paulaner.

A closer look at Brez’n, the name itself is actually Bavarian name for pretzels, which explains the iconic pretzel logo. The best part is, you get to savour that too! Done with a distinct Brez’n twist, Brez’n Sandwiches are a first for Singapore.

Brez’n Sandwich Mit Gegrilltem Käse ind Schinken 3.5/5

We picked a simple classic Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich ($16). Oven–baked Brez’n pretzel with grilled Camembert and Emmental cheese, with honey glazed leg ham and pickled gherkins, the gooey thick cheese supports the chewy and dense pretzel nicely. What brings all these ingredients together is surprisingly the honey mustard spread discreetly on the bread. It greets my tastebuds with a tang and sweetness, giving the savoury sandwich a pleasant balance.

Gulasschsuppe 4/5

The satisfying bowl of Goulash Soup ($12) is something that I could come back anytime for it. I took on a liking for Goulash soup during my trip in Hungary and this definitely satisfies my craving. Loaded with potatoes and bell peppers, it is a little spicy and tangy, and it's thickness makes it just right for the two Brez’n buns served at the side.

Weiner Schnitzel 4.2/5

Adding on to the feast is Pan-fried Veal Escalope ($32). Though it appears pretty flat to me, the meat turns out to be a lot of more tender and juicer than I thought it would be, with a thin crisp crust. The tart cranberries compote makes it even more enjoyable. The potato salad at the side is fluffy and tangy, making it a rather balanced meal.

Spinatknödel 4/5

An unassuming dish worth mentioning is the Spinach and Bread Dumplings ($22) on braised red cabbage with butter roasted almond and cheese shavings. It's like having a Spinach Lasagne, being shaped and compacted into a ball.

Schweinshax’n 4.5/5

Not to be missed is of course it's signature Crispy Pork Knuckle ($29.50). I love how Brez'n does its pork knuckle. A homemade sauce has been injected into the meat before roasting to keep it supple when roasting, which explains the light pinkness in the meat. The crunch and flavour that the crispy skin delivers will just make you reach out for more and perhaps more beer too. The meat itself was quite tender with dark lager beer sauce to boost its flavour. The homemade sauerkraut has a pleasant acidity that cuts the richness of the meat and is far better than any that I have tried.

Brez'n will be celebrating its first year anniversary soon! To mark the milestone and to give back to you diners, the Brez’n team has announced a total of 1,000 sure-win dining prizes up for grab when you dine at the restaurant between 1st and 10th September. Prizes range from an entirely free meal to cold pints of Paulaner and many more!

DISCOUNT FOR READERS

You can also enjoy a 10% off total bill by simply mentioning SG Food on Foot from 1 – 10 September 2017 to enjoy the discount.

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.


[CLOSED]
Brez'n 
Valley Point
491 River Valley Road
#01-21/22/23
Singapore 248371
Tel: +65 62351613
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 11pm
Fri: 1130am - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 10am - 11pm
PH Eve: 1130am - 12midnight
PH: 1130am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT Station. Take Exit B. Cross the road and walk to bus stop along Orchard Boulevard (Stop ID 09022). Take bus 14, 65. Alight 4 stops later. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10209). Take bus number 32. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]