Xin Peng La Mian. Xiao Long Bao (鑫鹏拉面小笼包) - Not The Best But A Good Steal At $4 For 6 Pieces Of Xiao Long Bao

Blk 442 Bagin Eating House is located directly opposite Blk 448 Clementi Ave 3 Food Centre. The coffeeshop houses a number of food stalls. I have been monitoring the coffeeshop and it seems that Xin Peng La Mian and Xiao Long Bao is quite popular with the neighbourhood.

Fried BEan Sauce La Mian 3/5

To satisfy my curiosity, a ordered a couple of items from the stall to try. First is the Fried Bean Sauce La Mian ($4). I find the sauce a bit on the watery side and there wasn't a lot of minced meat. Being a carnivorous, I did not feel quite satisfy. However I like the the shredded cucumbers which gives a refreshing touch to the dish. The other worthy note is the well cooked noodle that is firm and has a good bite to it.

Xiao Long Bao 3/5

I also ordered the Shanghai Xiao Long Bao ($4 for 6pc). For the filling is generous, the portion is not balanced. When I lifted the Xiao Long Bao, it falls apart. The dough was also quite thick which did not have a pleasant bite.

Besides the two dishes I ordered. The stall also offers a variety of la mian and dumplings. While it has its own fan base, I feel it just average though I have to admit the pricing is very reasonable.


Xin Peng La Mian. Xiao Long Bao (鑫鹏拉面小笼包)
Bagin 442 Eating House
Blk 442 Clementi Ave 3
#01-122
Singapore 120442
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

SZ Kitchen @ Cafe (小珍私房菜) @ Gek Poh Shopping Centre - A Rare Find For Giant Grouper Fish Soup

There are many fish soup stalls in Singapore but hardly do you find one that sell Giant Grouper Fish Soup. The fish can grow up to as big as 500kg but I think those commonly make it to the dining table is around 100-200kg. The best part is that almost every part of the giant grouper can be eaten, provided you know how to appreciate it. If you adventurous to try it, then you should check out SZ Kitchen @ Cafe (小珍私房菜) at Gek Poh Shopping Centre.

The pricing of the Giant Grouper Fish Soup varies, depending on which parts of the giant grouper you want to try. I try the Giant Grouper Fish Soup ($18) that comes with the slices of the fish meat, fish stomach and fish liver.

Giant Grouper Fsh Soup 4/5

The Giant Grouper Fish Soup is not the clear soup base type. It has a creamy consistency with a slight herbal taste that is lifted with the addition of Chinese wine. Hence this may not be suitable for children to eat. Besides that, it also comes with fried egg and a piece of minced meat. The fish meat itself is firm with a slight bouncy texture. You can also find the fish skin in the soup which is packed with collagen.

Giant Grouper Stomach

The more exotic stuff in the fish soup is the Giant Grouper Stomach and Liver. I would say that the fish stomach is so what similar to those pig intestine but thicker, with a firmer and more crunchy texture. As for the fish liver, its really like the pig liver.

Giant Grouper Liver

If you find that the Giant Grouper Fish Soup is not for you, the stall also offers the usual Batang Fish Slice Soup. On top of that, it also sells a variety of dishes ranging from rice to noodles that is reasonable priced.

Zha Jiang Rice 3.5/5

The Zha Jiang Rice ($4.50) comes with braised pork, a fried egg and shredded cucumber. Not fancy just a hearty and comforting bowl of rice that will satisfy one's hunger. For the price, this is really wallet friendly to settle one's meal.

Gek Poh Shopping Centre
762 Jurong West Street 75
Singapore 640762
Tel: +65 81234671
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line), Pioneer (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D or E. Walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus 181. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Pioneer MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at block 649A (Stop ID 22529). Take bus number 258. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Quan Lai Kway Chap @ Macpherson Road - Kway With Thick & Gooey Broth

Many foodies should be familiar with Quan Lai Kway Chap at Macpherson Road. When I was staying in Hougang, it is one of the supper places I would visit. After moving to the West, I have not eaten there for a long time. Since I was in the area on a Saturday, I decided to drop by for lunch.

Kway Chap 4.5/5

I ordered a braised platter for 2 pax, a bowl of yam rice, a bowl of kway and a plate of fried large intestines. The whole meal comes to $25.80. Do you think it is expensive? I asked the question because Quan Lai is also known to many as one of the most expensive place to have kway chap.

My braised platter for 2 pax consists of Braised Duck Meat, Tau Pok, Fish Cake, Intestine, Tofu, Braised Pork Belly and Braised Egg. The duck meat is a bit dry but what I like is the richness of the braised sauce whereby I can taste the different herbals and spices used. In addition, the braised ingredients have also been cooked until they have absorbed the delectable flavours.

Kway 4.5/5

Most places just cooked the rice sheet separately and add the broth onto it, hence the rice sheet tasted rather bland without absorbing the flavoursome broth. At Quan Lai, I suspect the kway has been cooked together with the thick and gooey broth, allowing the thick rice sheet to absorb the flavour. I am glad that the kway doesn't taste bland, instead soaking up the delicious broth for an enjoyable bite.

Fried Large Intestine 4.2/5

Another item I enjoyed is the Fried Large Intestine. It is fried to a nice crispy exterior while the interior is still a bit chewy. It also does not have the gamey taste. I actually find it very addictive.

I have read reviews that the standard of the kway chap has dropped over the years, especially after the son took over. I have not eaten at Quan Lai for a long while and I have a short memory to compare what it used to me. What I know is that I have a satisfied experience and I have enjoyed my lunch here.


Quan Lai Kway Chap
560 Macpherson Road
Sin Fong Restaurant
Singapore 368233
Tel: +65 67441252
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 1230am

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Macpherson Road. Turn right at Macpherson road. Walk down Macpherson Road to the stretch of shop houses. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Roastmania @ Aljunied Ave 2 - The Roasted Chicken's Skin Is Crispy

I have been to Aljunied almost every weekends and sometime I will settle lunch at the nearby Geylang East Centre Food Centre. One of the stalls I tried is Roastmania Authentic Traditional Roast Delights & Chicken Rice. I understand it has recently moved and re-located down the road. It is now at Shiyun Food Junction, opposite McDonald's.

Roasted Chicken 4.2/5

I ordered both the Roasted Chicken and Sio Bak to try. The platter even comes with some sliced cucumber and salted vegetables. The special thing I like about the roasted chicken is the crispy skin. You can see from the picture, a layer of crispiness sits on top of the tender chicken.

Sio Bak 3.5/5

The Sio Bak has a delightful biscuit-like skin with juicy and fatty meat. While the skin is crispy, I thought the meat is not roasted enough and it is a bit too fat.

Overall the stall sells pretty good roasted meat, this probably can be justified by the constant long queues at the stall. My review only based on the roasted chicken and sio bak which I tried. I probably need another re-visit to check out the other roasted items on the menu.


Roastmania
Blk 119 Aljunied Ave 2
#01-06
Singapore 380119
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Nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW Line), Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 6pm

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. 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. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Ding Xiang Mei Shi (鼎香美食) @ Geylang Bahru Food Centre - Handmade Xiao Long Bao And Dumplings

I was back at Geylang Bahru Food Centre and decided to try a new stall located in the middle section of the food centre. Ding Xiang Mei Shi (鼎香美食) caught my attention because I notice the staff kneading the dough. Most customers order the Xiao Long Bao which is quite reasonable priced at $4 for 6 pieces.

Besides the Xiao Long Bao, the stall also offers Dumplings, Hong You Chao Shou, Hot & Spicy Noodles and Zha Jiang Mian. I decided to try the Hong You Chao Shou ($4/$6) and Zha Jiang Mian ($4).

Hong You Chao Shou 3.5/5

The Hong You Chao Shou ($4/$6) is big and plump, stuffed with juicy marinated minced pork. The let down for me is the chilli oil, it is not very fragrant and not spicy enough. If some further adjustment can be made to the chilli oil, this is be an excellent dish.

Zha Jiang Mian 3/5

The handmade noodle was firm and comes with a good bite. While I appreciate the generous topping of minced pork for the Zha Jiang Mian, the sauce was too starchy and it lacked depth and robustness. I also wish that there are more of the cucumber to give it a more refreshing finishing.

I have to applaud the effort of the stall for making their own dough for the dumpling, xiao long bao, hong you chao shou and noodles. It is a pity that effort is lacked down by the execution. I really hope some refinements can be made to give justify to the effort.


Ding Xiang Mei Shi (鼎香美食) 
Geylang Bahru Food Centre
Blk 69 Geylang Bahru
#01-32
Singapore 330069
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]

The Beef Station @ The Venue Shoppes - New Beef Noodle Place In Potong Pasir

For some reason, the Original Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles which opened at The Venue Shoppes has changed its name to The Beef Station. It left me a bit confused but one thing for sure, they are not associated with each other. I have verified my suspicious with the franchisor but we will leave thing as it is for now.

Mix Beef Noodle Soup 3.8/5

During my visit in the late afternoon on a weekend, the place is crowded. Ordering here is the fast food style. You place your order with the cashier and made payment. The cashier will give you a buzzer, and when food is ready, you collect your order from the collection point.

I tried the Mix Beef Noodles Soup ($9) which comes with slice beef, tendon, tripe and beef balls. The portion is quite generous as you can see from the photo. Customers can also choice from the 4 different type of noodles - Thick Beehoon, Yellow Noodle, Thin Egg Noodle or Kway Tiao. While the soup was sweet, I felt that it lacked depth in it. The chilli sauce on the hand it pretty good, it has that spiciness and tang which go well with ingredients.

Hainanese Beef Noodle 3.8/5

The Hainanese Beef Noodle ($7) is pretty decent too. Drenched in a dark and gooey gravy, it once again comes with generous slices of beef. For me the dry version fares better than the soup version. However I think it can be better. I have tried other places whereby salted vegetable and peanuts are added, which I thought helps to elevate the whole appreciate of the bowl of noodles.

Besides the traditional beef noodle dishes, the restaurant also offers other noodle dishes such as beef brisket hor fun, spicy mala beef noodle, fish beehoon soup, curry mix beef noodle and nyonya laksa. On weekend there are even special such as the crayfish laksa and oxtail stew with rice.


The Beef Station
The Venue, Shoppes
2 Tai Thong Crescent
#01-05
Singapore 347836
Tel: +65 63849149
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road towards Tai Thong Crescent. Walk to The Venue. Walk to the other end of the building facing Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Guan Hin Homemade Carrot Cake @ Geylang Bahru Food Centre - Homemade Carrot Cake By An Old Hawker Master

I am glad that I have finally tried Guan Hin Homemade Carrot Cake at Geylang Bahru Food Centre. I was so worried that the old uncle would retire before I can try his carrot cake. During the renovation of Geylang Bahru Food Centre, he moved to Chinatown Complex temporary for a year. Now he is back at Geylang Bahru Food Centre again, after the renovation has been completed.

Why I have been wanting to try Guan Hin Homemade Carrot Cake is because they are probably one of the very few stalls around that still make their own carrot cake.

Black Carrot Cake 4.5/5

The stall offers both the white and black version of carrot cake. I decided to go for the Black Carrot Cake. The homemade carrot cake are cut into small pieces and then fried with cai poh and egg. I like the fact the texture although soft has a slight firmness in it. The crunchy cai poh provides the added texture and flavour to the local delight. What holds everything together is the fragrant, sweet and savoury dark sauce.

Guan Hin Homemade Carrot Cake
Geylang Bahru Food Centre
Blk 69 Geylang Bahru
#01-45
Singapore 330069
Nearest MRT: Geylang Bahru (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu-Sun: 10am - 7pm
(Closed on Mon-Wed)

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

Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食) @ Geylang Bahru Food Centre - A Hearty Bowl Of Congee With Crispy You Tiao

At times we just want something light and comforting such as a hearty bowl of congee. When I was at Geylang Bahru Food Centre the other day, I decided to try Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食) as my appetite has not been great lately.

The humble stall, has an extensive menu selling a total of 19 different items. Besides premium congee such as prawn, la la and seafood, it also offers frog congee on the menu. There are also sides such as claypot pig liver and beancurd.

Century Egg & Lean Meat Congee 4.2/5

I tried both the Century Egg & Lean Meat Congee ($3.30) and Meat Ball Congee ($3.30). For the pricing, the portion is consider huge and value for money. The congee is smooth and silky. The congee is already flavourful, so there is no need for additional seasoning. On top of that, it comes with crispy you tiao that is cut for easily consumption.

Meat Ball Congee 4/5

Compared to the meat ball congee, I preferred the century egg & lean meat more. I felt that the century egg gives the congee an extra dimension in flavour to the congee. While the meat ball was tender and juicy, it didn't quite shine through in seasoning to complement the congee.

Overall, I would recommend Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食) at Geylang Bahru Food Centre if you are looking for a good bowl of congee. I am actually looking forward to try their claypot pig liver in my next visit. I hope it is as good as their congee.


Xiang Rui Mei Shi (祥瑞美食)
Geylang Bahru Food Centre
Blk 69 Geylang Bahru
#01-12
Singapore 330069
Nearest MRT: Geylang Bahru (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: TBC

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

Koung's Wan Tan Mee @ Geylang Lorong 21A - Popular Wanton Mee But Failed To Make Into My Favourite List

I have been seeing quite a number of online coverage about Koung's Wanton Mee at Geylang. Since I was around the area on a Saturday afternoon, I decided to make a slight detour to check out the place. Located in a coffeeshop at the corner of Sims Avenue and Geylang Lorong 13, the coffeeshop is crowded with customers for their wanton mee during my visit.

Wanton Mee 3.5/5

A plate of Wanton Mee starts from $4 here. You can choose to add more noodles and/or ingredients for extra cost. I decided to go for both, costing me $7 per plate. It comes with a few strands of vegetables, slices of char siew and egg noodles tossed in a homemade chilli sauce.

Personally I do not like the noodles here. It is the thicker and firmer type. I prefer the thin and springy type like those Hong Kong wanton mee. Putting that aside the other components like the char siew, chilli sauce and wanton actually make this a delectable plate of noodle, no wonder it has a great fan base all these years.

While I didn't like the noodle, I have to applaud the fact that the stall makes their own char siew at the stall, wrapped their own wanton and dumpling, as well as frying their own chilli sauce.

Koung's Wanton Mee
205 Sims Avenue
(Geylang Lorong 21A)
Singapore 387596
Tel: +65 67480305
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 8am - 8pm
Mon: 9am - 8pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to the overhead bridge at Aljunied Road. Cross the road. Walk along the MRT track towards Sims Place. Turn right onto Lorong 21A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Hong Sheng Fish Soup (鴻升魚湯) @ Ghim Moh Food Centre - Just Go For The Sliced Fish Soup

Hong Sheng Fish Soup (鴻升魚湯) is a common brand that can be spotted in a number of hawker centres around the island. Even so, I have not tried it until my recent visit to Ghim Moh Food Centre. The stall sells about 10 different dishes on the menu and I ordered a couple to try.

Sliced Fish Soup 4/5

I have the Sliced Fish Soup with Rice ($4.50). You can also choose to have it with bee hoon or porridge too. The clear soup itself is sweet and it comes with fresh, thick batang fish slices. I also like the fact that it comes with bitter gourd.

Fried Fish 2.8/5

I decided to order some extra Fried Fish slices to go with the rice. Unfortunately they are pre-fried, cold and not crispy.

Pork Trotters in Black Vinegar 3/5

It was a pity that the Pork Trotters in Black Vinegar ($8) is not as tender as I would have expected. Although the sweet tangy black vinegar was gorgeous, it was let down by the dry and tough meat.

I can't say this is the best fish soup but it is decent enough to satisfy one's hunger. I would go for the slice fish soup and skip the rest.


Hong Sheng Fish Soup (鴻升魚湯)
Ghim Moh Food Centre
Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
#01-08
Singapore 270020
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 8pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Walk to bus stop along Buona Vista Road (Stop ID 11361). Take bus no. 92. Alight 1 stops later. Journey time about 3 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Cross the underpass towards Ghim Moh Estate Blk 12A. Cut across the open air carpark towards Ghim Moh Road. Cross the road and walk towards Blk 20. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]