Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen @ Chinatown Complex Food Centre - Cantonese Fare that Opens Only for 3 Hours

Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen is a humble hawker stall nestled in a corner of Chinatown Complex Food Centre, helmed by Uncle Hong, who brings forth traditional Cantonese delicacies honed through years of experience at renowned Chinese restaurants, including the iconic Lai Wah Restaurant, established in 1963 by the legendary "Four Heavenly Kings of Singapore Cantonese Cuisine".

Braised Fish Head 4.2/5

Getting a taste of the stall's offerings requires some strategic planning due to its limited operating hours. To secure a meal, one must arrive well before lunchtime. We arrived at 9:30 am to place our order, and by 11 am, our dishes were served. Unfortunately, those who came later, around 11 am, were all turned away.

Taking the spotlight first is the Braised Fish Head ($25), an impressive dish both in portion size and flavour. The fried fish head is generously bathed in a light yet flavourful gravy, accompanied by vegetables, tofu, and taro.

Sweet and Sour Pork 4/5

Among the array of claypot delights, the signature Sweet and Sour Pork ($7) stands out. Crispy pork, cloaked in a delicate batter, is enrobed in a sweet and tangy sauce, possibly tinged with hawthorn for a unique zesty twist.

Claypot Pork Liver 4.2/5

The Claypot Pork Liver is a true gem. It boasts thick slices of pork liver cooked to perfection in a savoury brown sauce infused with the aromatic essence of ginger and scallions, sizzling in the claypot.

Sea Cucumber Stew 4/5

The Sea Cucumber Stew presents bouncy sea cucumber alongside succulent roasted pork, mushrooms, and cabbage, all bathed in a rich and flavourful sauce.

Sambal Kang Kong 4/5

For those craving a kick of heat, the Sambal Kang Kong delivers, offering crunchy kang kong stir-fried to perfection in a spicy and aromatic sambal sauce, providing a burst of flavour in every bite.

Prawn Paste Chicken 3.8/5

While the Prawn Paste Chicken doesn't quite steal the show like its counterparts, it still holds its own with its mild yet satisfying prawn paste flavour.

Salted Fish Char Siew Shrimp Fried Rice 4/5

Finally, the Salted Fish Char Siew Shrimp Fried Rice wraps up the meal with its fragrant aroma and comforting wok hei, offering a simple yet satisfying conclusion to a wonderful meal.


Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen
Chinatown Complex Food Centre
335 Smith Street
#02-83
Singapore 050335
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10:30am - 12:30pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street. Turn right onto Trengganu Street and walk to the end of the street. Cross Smith Street and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to Sago Lane. Turn left and walk down Sago Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Yue (乐) @ Aloft Novena Singapore - A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Nestled within the world's largest Aloft Hotel, Yue (乐) Restaurant takes centre stage, boasting traditional Chinese cuisine with a contemporary twist, all under the expert guidance of Executive Sous Chef Awyeong Kin. It offers a delightful array of dishes that harmoniously blend flavours and textures.

Deep Fried Eggplant 4/5

Initiating our dining experience, the Deep Fried Eggplant ($12) captured our taste buds with its perfectly crisp exterior and a delicate coat of batter. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper, it reached new heights with the addition of chicken floss, offering an elevated dimension of enjoyment.

Crispy Baby Squid 4/5

The Crispy Baby Squid ($15) emerged as a modern rendition of local rojak, featuring deep-fried baby squid tossed in a sweet shrimp sauce and garnished with ground peanuts — a delightful twist on a familiar flavour, marrying crispiness and savoury sweetness.

Braised Fish Maw Soup 4/5

For a comforting start, the Braised Fish Maw Soup ($12 per serving) presented a wholesome alternative to traditional shark fin soup. Laden with fish maw, crab meat, and conpoy, this hearty soup invited personalisation with a dash of vinegar and pepper. Current promotion: Receive a complimentary 45ml drizzle of Martell Cordon Bleu when a diner orders a small portion.

Steamed Cod Fish 4/5

The Steamed Cod Fish ($23) showcased a fatty fish delightfully paired with a homemade spicy garlic peppercorn sauce. The sauce garnered unanimous approval, prompting suggestions to bottle and sell this delectable accompaniment.

Charcoal Grilled Beef Ribeye 4/5

A reminiscence of New Ubin Seafood, the Charcoal Grilled Beef Ribeye ($95 for 500g) exhibited a perfect blend of tenderness and juiciness, complemented by a tantalising charred aroma. Served with Himalayan salt or mustard, it was a carnivorous delight.

Chilli Tiger Prawn 4/5

Opting for a deviation from the usual Chilli Crab, we indulged in the Chilli Tiger Prawn ($9/100g). With a minimum order of 500g, the option to have them with deep-fried or steamed mantou added to the allure provides an ideal vessel to savour the rich chilli crab sauce.

Sweet and Sour Pork 4/5

Yue's Sweet and Sour Pork rendition added a playful twist with popping candies. Not overly sweet, and with a generous serving of pork, each bite delivered a delightful crunch.

Stewed Seafood Bee Hoon 4.2/5

The Stewed Seafood Bee Hoon ($26/$52) stood out with its silky bee hoon absorbing the delectable broth. Enhanced by the sweetness of prawns and clams, a side of sambal elevated the dish, adding another layer of enjoyment.

Chilled Mango Sago, Lime Sorbet 4/5

Concluding our culinary journey was the Chilled Mango Sago ($8 per serving) with a refreshing scoop of Lime Sorbet. This sweet and sour combination provided the perfect ending, leaving our palates invigorated.

Yue (乐) Restaurant at Aloft Novena Singapore artfully combines tradition and innovation, creating a dining experience that marries the richness of classic Chinese flavours with contemporary twists. It is a Chinese restaurant worth discovering in the heart of the city.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yue (乐)
Aloft Novena Singapore

Lobby Level
16 Ah Hood Road
Singapore 329982
Tel: +65 68086846
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Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 139 or 145. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Sum's Kitchen & Hong Kong Roasted Meat (香港深記飯店) @ Sembawang Road - A Well Kept Food Haven in the North

Venturing into the northern part of Singapore is a rare occurrence for me, typically reserved for exceptional food finds. This time, accompanied by my fellow food enthusiasts, we made our way to Sembawang to explore the wonders of Cantonese cuisine - Sum's Kitchen & Hong Kong Roasted Meat (香港深記飯店). A gem hidden from the limelight, my friend, a regular patron, half-jokingly urged us to keep this place a secret to preserve its charm.

Soup of the Day

Commencing our meal with the Soup of the Day ($8/$12/$16), a robust concoction featuring duck, lotus root, corn, and carrots. Its warmth and heartiness set a comforting tone for lunch.

Roasted Duck $54 Whole Duck

The pièce de résistance, Sum's Kitchen's Hong Kong Style Roasted Duck ($54 Whole Duck), demands a pre-order at least a day in advance, a testament to its popularity. The duck, masterfully roasted, boasted a delightful crispness on the skin, revealing succulent meat within.

Sweet and Sour Pork 

The Sweet and Sour Pork ($12/$18/$24) showcased a harmonious balance of sweetness, the meat skillfully coated in a light, flavourful batter. The dish refrained from an excess of flour, ensuring each bite was a perfect blend of textures.

Deep Fried Squid with Salt & Pepper $14/$21/$28

Next up, the Deep Fried Squid with Salt & Pepper ($14/$21/$28). Expertly cooked to a satisfying bounce, the plump squid was encased in a thin, crispy batter. The sprinkling of salt and pepper added an addictive quality to this dish.

Fried Kailan with Mei Cai $10/$15/$20

An intriguing surprise was the Fried Kailan with Mei Cai ($10/$15/$20), a unique combination that elevated the crunchy greens, introducing an extra layer of texture and flavour to the dish.

Black Bean Paste with Bittergourd

Another revelation was the Black Bean Paste with Bittergourd ($10/$15/$20). This unexpected pairing worked wonders, infusing the dish with an additional depth of flavour.

Steamed Minced Meat with Salted Fish 3.8/5

Concluding our feast was the Steamed Minced Meat with Salted Fish ($12/$18/$24), a savory dish paired well with a bowl of rice. While the meat was moist, I found it slightly fatty for my taste, desiring a meatier texture.

Sum's Kitchen proved to be a haven of Cantonese delights, with each dish showcasing the chef's expertise and penchant for inventive combinations. No wonder the locals wish to keep this food haven under wraps.


Sum's Kitchen & Hong Kong Roasted Meat
(香港深記飯店)
3 Jalan Legundi
Singapore 759266
Tel: +65 6757 2118
Nearest MRT: Sembawang (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 930pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction:
1) Alight at Sembawang MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Sembawang MRT station (Stop ID 58009). Take bus 167. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Sembawang MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Sembawang MRT station (Stop ID58211). Take bus number 859. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]