Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle @ West Coast Plaza - A New Wanton Mee Stall At West Coast Plaza

Level 2 of West Coast Plaza has undergone some renovation. Gone is Country Manna and replacing it is Food Scholar Food Court with a number of new stalls. One of them is Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle. Even though new, it already attracts a long queue for its wanton noodle.

Wanton Mee 3.8/5

I am not sure but I suspect this is a franchise stall as I have seen a number of Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle around the island, in fact there is already another one just across the road of West Coast Plaza, located inside the coffeeshop at block 722 Clementi West Street 2.

The highlight for the bowl of Wanton Noodle ($4.50) is actually the thin and springy noodles. It has a slight, almost untraceable alkaline taste, masked by the garlicky chilli. The chilli needs more character to complement the springy noodle. The char siew is decent but not great. I also feel that they are a bit too stingy with the char siew. Last the wanton itself. It is meaty and wrapped in a thin translucent sheet, however the stuffing is under seasoned.

Dumpling Soup 4/5

To go along with the Wanton Noodle, I also ordered a bowl of Dumpling Soup ($5). Compared to the wanton, the dumpling really stands out more. The well seasoning of minced pork, shrimp and black fungus is packed with flavours and textures.

If I am not wrong, the original stall should be in Jalan Batu. I have not tried it so I can't compare the different. Based on my visit, I find the noodle has a good texture to it. I prefer the dumpling more than the wanton, so I probably order the dumpling noodle instead of the wanton noodle in my next visit.


Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle
West Coast Plaza
Food Scholar Food Court
Level 2
154 West Coast Road
Singapore 127371
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: TBC

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station. (Stop ID 17179). Take bus number 201. Alight 2 stops later. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Joo Seng Teochew Porridge @ Upper Bukit Timah - Popular Teochew Porridge At Upper Bukit Timah

If I am looking for comfort food or supper near my home, Joo Seng Teochew Porridge at Bukit Timah will always come to my mind. I actually have not been back there for a while due to the construction of the Downtown line. With the completion of the Downtown line, traffic flow are smoother now and it is also easily accessible by the MRT.

Braised Duck 4/5

Braised Pork Belly 4/5

It was an impromptu meet up with my friends for dinner since they were near my neighbourhood. We ordered quite a number of dishes to go with our porridge. We could not resist ordering their braised items such as the Braised Duck, Pork Belly, Tau Pok and Pig Intestines. I always find that the rich flavour of the braised ingredients go well with the comforting bowl of plain porridge.

I enjoy Teochew porridge for the fact that I can still bite into the rice grains. Most Toechew porridge places also allow you to have it with more or less rice water, up to individual's preference.

Steamed Sotong

The Steamed Sotong was fresh and not overcooked (chewy). It has an enjoyable firm but yet bouncy texture.

Chap Chye 3/5

The Chap Chye may not be the best but it has been cooked to a nice soft texture. It also comes with crunchy black fungus.

Chye Poh Egg

Salty on its own but the Chy Poh Egg goes very well with the porridge. Somewhat crunchy from the preserved turnips, held together by the fluffy egg omelette.

After so many years, Joo Seng Teochew Porridge is still standing tall. The restaurant is always packed with customers whenever I visit the place in the evening. This is the go to place for Teochew porridge for many people staying in the West, even for night owls as the restaurant is opened until 4 in the morning.


Joo Seng Teochew Porridge
14 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Singapore 599738
Tel: +65 64630768
Nearest MRT: Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 930am - 4am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight to Cheong Chin Nam Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Simei Penang Laksa Speciality @ Yuhua Food Centre - Healthy Penang Laksa and Penang Fried Kway Teow Using Whole Grain Noodle

My attention was drawn to the Simei Penang Laksa Speciality when I was at Yuhua Food Centre the other day. The word Simei stood out for me. It is a neighbourhood in the East. Why did it move all the way from the East to the West? The other thing that caught my eyes is the calories information for their dishs. 290 Kcal for the Penang Laksa and 500 Kcal for the Penang Char Kway Teow.

Penang Fried Kway Teow 3/5

For a healthier option, the stall uses whole grain noodle for their noodle dishes. It is great to see even with the higher cost in using whole grain noodle, the pricing has been reasonable. I can't say that the Penang Fried Kway Teow ($3.50) is the best I have eaten but credit to the well executed frying, infused with wok hei. Digging in the plate of kway teow, I can find pork lard, prawn, cockles, bean sprout and egg. It is a bit spicy too.

Penang Laksa 2/5

The Penang Laksa ($3) brimming with the various ingredients, looked promising when I received it from the stall owner. Unfortunately the broth lacked depth and robustness for a good bowl of Penang laksa. I was disappointed and I didn't finish it.  In addition, while the thick rice noodle has a good firm texture, I was not the authentic noodle used for Penang laksa.

The healthier version of Penang Laksa and Fried Kway Teow is not for me. However for those that prefer to eat healthy, I am sure you will find these a delicious option.


Simei Penang Laksa Speciality
Yuhua Food Centre
Blk 347 Jurong East Avenue 1
#01-199
Singapore 600347
Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 8am - 230pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinese Garden MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Boon Lay Way. Turn left and walk to the overhead bridge. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ho Seng Kee Wanton Mee @ CIty Square Shopping Mall [Johor Bahru, Malaysia] - Duck Egg Wanton Mee

From a push cart stall in the early 1940s to now a full fledge restaurant at one of the most highly patronised mall in Johor Bahru, City Square, Ho Seng Kee Wanton Mee (何成記云吞面世家) has indeed come a long way. Freshly made daily, the noodles are 100% egg based (Duck eggs and Chicken Eggs) and made from high Canadian quality Hard Spring wheat. Sounds like homemade tagliatelle to me!

Black sauce + Chilli sauce 4/5

The signature here is none other than the original Wanton Mee (RM$8.90), in which you get to choose the way you want it to be done - Plain Sauce (original), Home-made Chili Sauce (Spice), Black Sauce or Mixed (black & chili sauce). We ordered one of each. The one that delivers the most flavour is definitely the black sauce + chilli sauce. Malaysian black sauce is known for its sweet-savoury depth, which adds dimension to the overall taste of the noodles. I like the plain version just as much, like how I would appreciate a plate of good Alio Olio. The accompanying soup is sweet, unlike those that are heavy with hei bi.

Original Dry 3.5/5

The texture of the noodles is something to be savoured upon. It is unbelievably springy. We raved about it as we eat, we continued to rave about it as we made our way out. However, our sentiments towards the wantons are the opposite.

The wanton is simply a ball of meat, pepper and salt. I was expecting a pouch of sweet, juicy pork with some diced chestnut for flavour and texture but none of my imagination got translated into our wantons.

Shrimp Wanton Set 2.5/5

We also ordered the Prawn Dumpling Set to try. The prawn dumpling is no better than the wanton, other than sticking a prawn with the 'meatball' together to form the end product. The otah and fried wanton are nothing memorable.

Chicken Roll 3.8/5

The Chicken Roll (RM$8) which is our ngoh hiang, fares so much better with its crispy exterior and balanced ratio of meat and diced water chestnuts.

The noodle is definitely something to come back for, as I don't know where else you can get such good local noodle. On my next visit, perhaps just the plain noodle and a side dish will be good enough.

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.


Ho Seng Kee Wanton Mee
CIty Square Shopping Mall
108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook
Level 6
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
[Map]

Opening hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice (天天香砂煲饭) @ Aljunied Ave 2 - The Claypot Rice Comes With Salted Egg Yolk

Recently I came across Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice (天天香砂煲饭), located inside a coffeeshop at Aljunied Ave 2. I was there during dinner time and basically every table at the coffeeshop is having the claypot rice. It aroused my interests when I see so many people ordering the same thing. The next moment I am at the table waiting for my claypot rice to be served.

Claypot Rice 4/5

The Claypot Rice comes in 4 pricing - $6 (1 pax), $12 (2 pax), $16 (3 pax) and $22 (4 pax or more). The different pricing caters for different dining group. Besides the tender chicken pieces, slices of Chinese sausages and crunchy vegetables, I was surprised to find salted egg yolk among the fluffy rice. I have never seen it elsewhere. Do note, there is no salted egg yolk for individual portion.

Usually when I have claypot rice, I would like to separate the chicken pieces before pouring the dark sauce into the rice and mixed everything up, so that each grain is coated with the dark sauce. During the mixing process, I also like to scrape the base of the claypot to mix the charred rice with the fluffy rice. This ensures each mouthful comes with the charred crispiness.

Another star at Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice is their Sambal Chilli. The sambal chilli is really spicy and will send you breathing fire. It really has that fiery kick but its damn shiok.

Chicken Feet and Peanut Soup 4/5

Besides the claypot rice, you can also order a bowl of soup to go with the rice. I had the Chicken Feet and Peanut Soup. A sip of the soup and  you can taste that it has been boiled of hours, extracting the goodness of the ingredients, flavouring the delicious soup.

Tian Tian Xiang Claypot Rice (天天香砂煲饭)
Blk 119 Aljunied Ave 2
#01-54
Singapore 380119
Tel: +65 67440158
Facebook
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun: 10am - 10pm
(Closed on Fri)

Direction:
1) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk towards Aljunied Road. Take the overhead bridge. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Aljunied MRT station (Stop ID 81081). Take bus number 80. Alight 2 stops later. Cut through the housing estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

 2) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to Geylang East Ave 1. On Geylang East Ave 1, turn left and continue to the end of the road. Cross the road and continue on Aljunied Crescent. Walk down Aljunied Crescent and turn right onto Aljunied Ave 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Paya Lebar MRT station (Stop ID 81119). Take bus number 134 or 155. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Cut through the housing estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh @ Yuhua Food Centre - You Can Have It Either Steamed or Pan Fried

Recently during my trip to Jurong East, I came across Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh at Yuhua Food Centre which handmade a variety of tradition Teochew kuehs at their humble little stall. For each type of kueh, you can have it either steamed or pan fried.

Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh offers 4 types of tradition kuehs. They are Soon Kueh, Gu Chai Kueh, Cabbage Kueh and Png Kueh.

Steamed Cabbage Kueh 3/5 and Soon Kueh 3.5/5

Steamed Gu Chai Kueh 4/5

From the steamed kuehs, I tried the Steamed Cabbage Kueh ($0.70), Steamed Soon Kueh ($0.70) and Steamed Gu Chai Kueh ($0.70). My favourite among the three is the Gu Chai Kueh or Chive Kueh for its fragrant. I was rather disappointed with the cabbage kueh, the cabbage is bland and not sweet. The soon kueh is passable but nothing to shout for.

Fried Soon Kueh 3.8/5 and Fried Png Kueh 4/5

You have the option to have the kueh pan fried at Lai Heng if you don't like it steamed. I tried the Fried Soon Kueh ($0.80) and Fried Png Kueh ($1). They cost an addition ten cents more compare to the steamed one. The pan frying gives the soon kueh and png kueh an additional exterior crisp which lifted the whole texture. Among all the kuehs I tried, I still prefer the Pnh Kueh for its flavourfull filling, accentuated by the peanuts, dried shrimp and mushroom.

Lai Heng Handmade Teochew Kueh
Yuhua Food Centre
347 Jurong East Avenue 1
#01-218
Singapore 600347
Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 2pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinese Garden MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Boon Lay Way. Turn left and walk to the overhead bridge. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Nai Ek Roll Noodles @ Chinatown [Bangkok] - Like Our Local Kway Chap Plus Pig Organ's Soup

My recent visit to Bangkok brought me to this local food eatery in the heart of Bangkok Chinatown, popular for its roll noodles. Nai Ek Roll Noodles started off selling roll noodles from a street cart in the 1960s before opening his own shop in 1989. During my visit for lunch, the place is packed with local and tourists.

Even though the place is very crowded, there is a proper system and things move quite swiftly. All you need to do is queue up and the staff will sit you accordingly when a space becomes available. Menu comes in English and picture, making ordering easy. Once you have decided, just place your order with one of the staffs and food will be served to you.

Roll Noodles Soup 4/5

The signature Roll Noodles Soup ($50/$80/$100 Baht) comes with minced pork, crispy pork, sliced pork, pig stomach, pig liver, pig kidney and pig tongue in a very peppery soup. What stands out for me is the rolled rice noodles. The rolling probably gives it an even more enjoyable textural bite. The offal was probably cleaned and didn't have that gaminess.

Pork Entrail Soup 4/5

The other popular item on the menu is the Pork Entrail Soup ($50/$80/$100 Baht) comes with pig blood jelly, white mugwort and all the ingredients in the roll noodles soup minus the noodles. The soup base tasted less peppery than the roll noodles soup, with a hint of the crispy pork flavour infused into the soup.

Braised Pork Trotter 3.5/5

Boiled Bean Curd 3.5/5

You can also order a couple of dish dishes to go along with the mains. I tried the Braised Pork Trotter ($80/$100/$150 Baht) and Boiled Bean Curd ($50/$80/$100 Baht). They may not be the star dishes but it played a supportive role to make the whole experience complete.

For Singaporean that is planning to check out Nai Ek roll noodles, it is like a combination of our kway chap and pig organ's soup.


Nai Ek Roll Noodles
442 Soi Yaowarat 9
Samphanawong
Krung Thep
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 22264651
[Map]

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 12midnight

Guangdong Dun Tang Zheng Yu (廣東炖汤.蒸鱼) @ Geylang Bahru Food Centre - Steamed Dish Specialist In Hawker Centre

A stall that caught my eyes at the newly re-opened Geylang Bahru Food Centre is Guangdong Dun Tang Zheng Yu (廣東炖汤.蒸鱼) which sells a variety of soup and steamed dishes. Its really quite amazing that they can offer up to 29 different dishes at their small little kitchen.

Watercress Pork Rib Soup 4.2/5

Among the 17 different type of soups that they offered on the menu, I decided to go for the Watercress Pork Rib Soup ($3.50). Both the watercress and pork ribs have been cooked until soft, indicating that it has been boiled for hours. The soup was sweet and packed with flavours.

Gu Fa Steamed Sliced Fish 4/5

I am not sure what type of fish is used for the Gu Fa Steamed Sliced Fish ($6), but the sliced fish has a firm texture. The serving is considered quite a big portion for the price paid. It even comes with black fungus dressed in a savoury sweet sauce.

Salted Fish Steamed Minced Meat 3/5

Completing our meal, I ordered the Salted Fish Steamed Minced Meat ($6). Besides the salted fish, there are also white fungus in the minced meat. The steamed minced meat some how didn't taste satisfying due to the lack of texture (minced meat), it seems there was some cost cutting in the cooking. It would be acceptable if the accompanying sauce is not that sweet too.

Besides the dishes I tried, there are Steamed Egg, Chinese Sausage Steamed Chicken, Prawn Paste Steamed Pork, Kai Lan, Hong Kong Style Steamed Whole Fish, Blackbean Sauce Steamed Song Fish Head and more. What I like about Guangdong Dun Tang Zheng Yu is that you can get homely cooked food at the stall which you can order from their eclectic menu, making it a complete meal with 2/3 cooked dishes and a soup. 

Guangdong Dun Tang Zheng Yu (廣東炖汤.蒸鱼)
Geylang Bahru Food Centre
Blk 69 Geylang Bahru
#01-27
Singapore 330069
Tel: +65 62948065
Nearest MRT: Geylang Bahru (DT Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Geylang Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Kueh Garden (福粿园) @ Jurong East - The Ang Ku Kueh Is As Good As Ji Xiang Confectionery At Everton Park

The traditional Ang Ku Kueh or loosely translated as red tortoise cake is an oval shape Chinese pastry made of red soft sticky glutinous rice flour skin wrapped around peanut or green bean filling in the centre. Nowadays the traditional Ang Ku Kueh does not only come in red color but a variety of fillings too. One of such confectionery that has kept up with time with their colourful Ang Ku Kueh is Kueh Garden (福粿园) at Jurong East.

Besides the original Ang Ku Kueh filled with peanut and green bean, Kueh Garden offers a colourful variety such as Red Bean, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Coconut, Coffee, Green Tea, Yam, Durian, Salted Bean and Milo. They range between 90 cents to a dollar each piece.

Besides the vibrant colours of the Ang Ku Kueh and its interesting filling especially durian and milo, catering to the modern tastebuds and younger generation. The highlight of the Ang Ku Kueh is their mochi-like texture. It is so soft and chewy. The texture is comparable to the renowned Ji Xiang Confectionery's Ang Ku Kueh at Everton Park.

Besides the different Ang Ku Kueh, Kueh Garden sells a variety of traditional kueh such as Soon Kueh, Ku Cai Kueh, Png Kueh, Ondeh Ondeh, 9-Layer Kueh and more. More interesting is the Kueh Platter that is suitable for gathering and celebration. You can even order them online.

Kueh Garden
Blk 348 Jurong East Ave 1
#01-1245
Singapore 600348
Tel: +65 62649182
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 730am - 3pm
Tue-Sat: 730am - 7pm
Sun: 730am - 5pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinese Garden MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk towards the overhead bridge. Cross the road to the other side of the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]