Showing posts with label Sambal Fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sambal Fish. Show all posts

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Jiak Kim House @ Jiak Kim Street (Kim Seng Road) - Former Zouk Transformed into a Beautiful Modern Asian Restaurant by The Brewerkz Group

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Stepping into the former Zouk, one encounters the metamorphosis into Jiak Kim House, an enchanting dining venture brought to life by The Brewerkz Group. Chef-Partner Seow Tzi Qin takes the reins, introducing an inventive menu that weaves modern Asian cuisine with Southeast Asian flavours, all within a contemporary framework. This establishment is more than a restaurant; it celebrates evolution against the backdrop of Zouk's storied past.

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The dinner commences with complimentary rotating bread, with the noteworthy Bolo Bun stealing the spotlight with its century egg and salted egg filling. This treat could easily grace the shelves of a bakery. Following this, an Amuse Bouche takes the stage, presenting a delightful ensemble of crunchy jellyfish paired with a palate-refreshing sorbet, setting the tone for the dining experience.

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Chilli Crab Pie Tee 4/5

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7-Herbed Crab Cake, Assam Mayo 4.8/5

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Spanish Mackerel Otak Otak, Green Curry 3.8/5

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Lamb Golash Croquette, Mint Coriander Coulis 4.5/5

For those venturing into Jiak Kim House for the first time, I strongly recommend having the Tingkat of Memories ($36). This ensemble features four distinct items: the 7-Herb Crab Cake with Assam Mayo, Lamb Goulash Croquette with Mint Coriander Coulis, Chilli Crab Pie Tee, and Tri-Colour Otak Otak. These items aptly exemplify Chef TQ's culinary vision and the establishment's unique gastronomic style. Moreover, they offer a vibrant introduction to the rich and diverse flavours of Southeast Asian cuisine.

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Mushroom Herbal Tea 'Macchiato' 5/5

The Mushroom Herbal Tea 'Macchiato' ($22) is the chef's creative take on the beloved local Bak Kut Teh. The concoction comprises peppery mushroom consommé infused with a fragrant herb and spice blend. Topped with a frothy green peppercorn foam, the dish is served with a delightful side of playful mini dough fritters. I found joy in dipping the dough fritters into the comforting and flavoursome soup, a reminiscent act of savouring local Bak Kut Teh delightfully.

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Hay-Smoked Wagyu Hamburg 4/5

The Hay-Smoked Wagyu Hamburg ($28) draws inspiration from the Vietnamese Bo La Lot. This delectable dish features juicy chargrilled patties made from a succulent blend of chuck, short rib, and pork belly, expertly wrapped in fragrant shiso leaves. Accompanied by a tantalising green pepper sauce, the dish is complemented by fresh kimchi pickles at the side, adding a delightful touch that helps balance the richness of the flavours.

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Herbal Scallops 'Pao Fan' 4/5

The Herbal Scallops 'Pao Fan' ($42) received mixed reviews from some dining companions who felt it fell short of the traditional Chinese Pao Fan dish's expectations. Despite presenting components like puffed rice, the dish deviated from the anticipated experience. Rather than a faithful representation of Pao Fan, it resembled more of a scallop dish paired with earthy cordyceps and briny ikura in dashi buerre blanc. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable as a scallop dish on its own.

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Garum Quail Panggang 4.5/5

The Garum Quail Panggang ($46) left me in awe of Chef TQ's cooking. It stands as the most delightful way I've experienced quail thus far. The quail, expertly butterflied and beautifully chargrilled, is served alongside creamy celeriac mash, truffle sauce, crispy lotus root chips, and deep-fried cauliflower bhaji. The combination of flavours and textures in this dish is truly magical.

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Kam Heong Sambal Grouper 4.2/5

The Kam Heong Sambal Grouper ($40) showcases a boldly flavoured Tiger Grouper fillet marinated overnight in black peppercorns and homemade sambal. Paired with lively mangosteen salsa and served alongside cilantro rice, the dish presents a delightful fusion of robust flavours and diverse textures, creating a unique and memorable dish.

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Beef Tongue-To-Tail 4/5

The Beef Tongue to Tail ($42) presents fork-tender spice-infused rendang short ribs, torched ox tongue, and braised oxtail. Accompanied by domino potatoes adorned with grated coconut, smoky grilled shishito peppers, and a refreshing rojak salad, the dish artfully showcases the diverse and delectable facets of the cow.

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Challans Duck Two Ways 4/5

The Challans Duck Two Ways ($48) is meticulously roasted to a beautiful pink, accompanied by a tangy sour plum sauce and served alongside a salted vegetable risotto. Despite the tender and flavourful duck meat, some diners felt it lacked the pronounced Southeast Asian flavours evident in the other dishes.

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Snow Peak 4/5

The ethereal Snow Peak ($22) unveils a Moutai and pineapple-infused sorbet nestled on a bed of diced scoby, draped in a delicate coconut jelly, and adorned with guava, strawberries, and playful lime meringue shards. This dessert is a delightful and refreshing conclusion to the meal.

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Jiak Kim 4.5/5

Jiak Kim ($22), literally translating to 'eat gold,' is an exquisite flower-shaped dessert adorned with gold foil. This dessert combines layers of roselle hawthorn jelly, earl grey mousse, Berriolette compote, and namelaka chocolate cream, delivering a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jiak Kim House
5 Jiak Kim Street
#01-16/17
Singapore 169426
Tel: +65 98315430
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock Road MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to traffic junction Kim Seng Road and Havelock Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Kim Seng Road towards Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Turn right onto Jiak Kim Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Friday, July 2, 2021

Coexist Coffee Co @ Hillview Terrace - New Hidden Cafe In The West On The Rooftop Of An Industrial Building

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Who would ever guess someone will open a cafe located on the rooftop of an industrial building in the West of Singapore? Coexist Coffee Co is located at Hillview Terrace. Take the lift to the seventh floor and take the staircase to the eighth floor to reach the cafe.

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DDeck in white and red tiles, the interior is quite bare and straightforward, giving the cafe a spacious feel. The eye-catching piece of furniture would be the suspending stone table extending out from the counter.

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White with Oat Milk

At a glance at the cups for our White With Oat Milk ($6), you may think the cafe uses plastic cups for the coffee. I don't blame you; that was my initial impression until I lift the cup to sip my coffee. Oh, it is heavy. It is not plastic but porcelain.

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Steak & Eggs 3/5

The menu at Coexist Coffee Co is quite extensive. We tried both the Steak & Eggs ($26) and Sambal Fish and Chips ($20) from the menu. Both dishes were served about half an hour apart, with many tables checking on their orders and staff going around apologising for the wait. The kitchen is slow in dishing out the food. Hopefully, they can sort out the operation as the delay is ready too long.

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Back to the food, the Steak & Eggs is quite average. While it is cooked to the correct doneness, the meat is rather tough in texture. There are no sauces, lightly seasoned to enjoy the beef's natural flavour. While we manage to finish the steak, we didn't touch the salad because the dressing is too sour and acidic.

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Sambal Fish and Chips 3.8/5

The same very sour and acidic dressing is used in the salad for the Sambal Fish and Chips ($20). The fish tasted much better than the steak. The batter is light and crispy. The fish itself is fresh, not those frozen types, complemented by the sambal, which is not spicy.

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As the cafe is only on its second day during my visit, we have to excuse the operation. I think the concept has potential, but they need time to fine-tune and smooth out their operations.


Coexist Coffee Co
Hillview Building
48 Hillview Terrace
#08-00
Singapore 669269
Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line), Hillview (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 7pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the traffic junction of Hillview Road and Upper Bukit Timah Road. Cross the road. Walk to bus stop opposite Glendale Park Condominium (Stop ID 43279).Take bus number 176, 177, 653 or 963. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road to Hillview Terrace. Walk down Hillview Terrace. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus number 177. Alight 3 stops later. Walk down Hillview Ave to Hillview Terrace. Turn right onto Hillview Terrace. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

White Rose Cafe @ York Hotel - Flavours of Asian Rice Bowls

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For a limited period from 1 June to 31 July 2018, White Rose Cafe at York Hotel will be rolling out six hearty Asian Rice Bowls. These bowls are inspired by popular gourmet in our neighbouring Asia countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and more.

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Beef Donburi with Wafu Sauce 4/5

The Beef Donburi with Wafu Sauce ($16) comes with a tender and moist patty grilled and drizzled with flavourful wafu sauce. It comes with black and white sesame rice topped with onsen egg, shreded white cabbage, corn and Japanese pickles.

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Minced Pork with Thai Basil 3.5/5

A classic Thai dish is the Minced Pork with Thai Basil. The steamed rice is topped with stir fried ground pork and basil leaves, sunny-side up egg and long beans. I thought the stir-fried pork needs a bit more intensity in the sauce and spiciness, to bring out the authentic characteristic of the dish.

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Lemongrass Grilled Chicken 3.5/5

The chicken is marinated with lemongrass, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and fish sauce. It is then grilled to a nice tender texture, infusing with the aroma of lemongrass and smokiness. The rice bowl comes with sunny-side up egg and pickled vegetables over steamed fragrant rice.

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Sambal Ikan 4/5

Suitable for the local palate is the Sambal Ikan. The rice bowl comes with a crispy deep fried red snapper fillet, spicy bean curd with tempeh, onion omelette and steamed fragrant rice. The highlight of the rice bowl has to be the crunchy achar and sambal chilli.

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Braised Pork Rice 4.2/5

One of my favourite bowls is the Braised Pork Rice. The pork belly chopped into chunky pieces is well braised to tender, absorbing the flavoursome sweet and savoury sauce. Not forgetting the piquant chilli sauce that goes so well with the braised items for that extra punch.

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Healthy 'Vegan-licious' Rice Bowl 4.2/5

For the healthy conscious folks, there is the Healthy 'Vegan-licious' Rice Bowl which comes with deep-fried bean curd, sauteed mushrooms and a beautiful assortment of kimchi, black fungus, corns and cucumbers. Similar to the Korean bibimbap but this is vegan. Instead of steamed rice, it is substituted with delicious olive fried rice. Last but not least, a homemade oriental sesame is drizzled over the rice for a aromatic lift.

The Flavours of Asian Rice Bowls promotion is available from 1 June to 31 July 2018. UOB credit and debit cardholders enjoy 10% off total bill off the rice bowls with a minimum spending of $50 in a single receipt.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


White Rose Cafe
York Hotel
21 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 68301156
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

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

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Charlie's Peranakan Food @ Golden Mile Food Centre - It Deserves A Michelin Star

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After seeing several postings from foodie gurus in the Singapore scene on Charlie's Peranakan Food at Golden Mile Food Centre, I can sense an excitement in the return of Charlie, a Baba Chef who has retired about 8 years ago. I have never tried his food but the raving reviews from these gurus, I know I need to taste his cooking before he decided to call it a day again.

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Sambal Fish 4.8/5

I could not resist ordering the Sambal Fish ($20) which looks so good in the news article that has been pasted at the stall. I didn't regret doing so. Charlie definitely has got the cooking timing spot on, the fish meat was really moist. It is like cutting into a good steak at a steakhouse. The other highlight is the sambal gravy. It is the assam type which whets up the appetite with its sourness. It even comes with lady fingers and brinjal. Ginger flower is sprinkled on top of the steamed fish for that extra kick before serve.

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Chap Chye 4.5/5

The Chap Chye ($2/$3) is as impressive too. Soft, crunch, flavourful. This met all my expectation of a good chye chap. This is probably one of the best stewed mixed vegetable dish I have eaten for a while.

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Beef Rendang 4.8/5

The other item on the menu that wows me is their Beef Rendang ($10). Using the shin cut, it has the right ratio of collagen to lean that makes it so fork tender. Not forgetting the aromatic rempah that has "spices up" the whole dimension of the dish. This is a must order.

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It is quite amazing to know the amount of dishes that is prepared in the small humble stall at the basement of Golden Mile Food Centre. The stall may looks unassuming but you can guarantee quality and reasonable priced Peranakan food here.


Charlie's Peranakan Food
Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
#B1-30
Singapore 199583
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 730pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge and cross over to Beach Road. Walk down Beach Road along the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Friday, February 24, 2017

Lai Huat Signatures @ China Street (Telok Ayer) - All You Can Eat At $29.90

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Lai Huat Signatures known for their sambal promfret has opened a new outlet at Telok Ayer area offering a wide range of Chinese food adopted from their Geylang outlet. Recently the outlet has launch an all you can eat a la carte buffet with around 20 delectable dishes, at $29.90 per pax.

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Fish Maw Soup 2.8/5

Although it is an unlimited a la carte buffet, each table is given only one servicing of the following 5 items. 1) Signature Samba Fish, 2) Fishmaw Soup with Crabmeat, 3) Choice of either poached live prawns/cereal/salted egg prawns, 4) Choice of either chilli or black pepper crayfish and 5) Hokkien style Kong Bak Pau.

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Salted Egg Prawns 3/5

We started with the Fish Maw Soup with Crabmeat which I thought was way too starchy. I also could not traced any crabmeat in it. For the prawn dish, we opted for the salted egg prawns. The flavours were there but the texture was kind of mushy. Definitely not the best I have eaten.

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Hokkien Style Kong Bak Pau 3/5

For the Hokkien Style Kong Bak Pau, my dining partner felt that there was a slight sour taste in the pork belly while I thought it lacked the robustness of a good braising sauce.

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Black Pepper Crayfish 3/5

For the choice of Chilli or Black Pepper Crayfish, we decided to try the black pepper version which has a fiery kick to the crustacean. Once again it's not the best quality but for the price I am not complaining much.

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Sambal Promfret 4/5

The highlight goes to the Sambal Promfret that is topped with a geneeous servicing of aromatic sambal. The combination of the spiciness and crispiness was rather shiok. However some may find the fish meat on the dry side.

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Prawn Paste Chicken 3.5/5

After trying the five standard items that will be served only once, we proceeded to order from the rest of the unlimited items. The Prawn Paste Chicken was juicy and had a nice exterior crispiness. If the prawn paste flavour could be stronger, it would be better.

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Onion Omelette 3/5

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Naibai Vegetable 3/5

The Onion Omelette and Naibai Vegetable were a comforting addition to the spread. They were decent but nothing much to shout about.

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Hainanese Pork Ribs 2.8/5

I remembered reading from the menu the dish is called Hainanese Pork Ribs but it turned out to be pork chop instead. The pork chop was too lean and dry for my liking. Even the bread crumb was lacklustre.

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Ginger Spring Onion Sliced Fish 3.5/5

One of the better dishes among the spread is the Ginger Spring Onion Sliced Fish. I enjoyed the lovely flavours of the spring onion and ginger coming together with the moist sliced fish for a delectable finish.

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Singapore Beehoon 4/5

Wrapping up our meal at Lai Huat Signatures, we had the Singapore BeeHoon. Putting the controversy name aside, it actually quite flavour. It is like upgraded version of your morning breakfast with seafood.

I can't say the a la carte buffet is the best but for $29,90 per pax I think it is quite reasonable priced. Moreover if you are a bigger eater, you can eat to your content.


Lai Huat Signatures
23 China Street
Singapore 049565
Tel: +65 66363828
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction: 
Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Cross Street towards Far East Square. Turn right onto China Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]