The Line @ Shangri-La Singapore - Collaborates With Second Generation Hawkers From Renowned Local Stalls For The Month Of August

This August, The Line at Shangri-La Singapore partakes in Singapore's 57th birthday celebration by spotlighting must-try dishes from renowned local stalls. Second generation hawkers will be making their appearance by serving local dishes, including Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah, Habib's Rojak, Tiong Bahru Tau Suan and Geylang Lor 29 Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee, available on selected days during dinner.

Geylang Lor 29 Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee

Not often will you get to try Fried Hokkien Mee in a buffet offering that is done using charcoal. However, to present the authentic taste of Geylang Lor 29 Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee, you will catch the 2nd generation owner live in action, dishing out charcoal-fried hokkien mee.

Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah

Being a Westie, it was such a joy to be able to try Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah. Stretchy popiah skins, well-stewed turnips that are just lightly seasoned, and soft and fluffy eggs are definitely one of the best popiahs I ever had in a buffet.

Habib's Rojak

Habib's Rojak has been around for more than 30 years. It is known for its zesty and fragrant chilli gravy. The buffet offers a few popular items that best bring out the flavours of Habib's Rojak - Crispy Prawn Fritter, Coconut Fritters, Potato Dough and Egg Dough. It's a station not to be missed, especially if you are not a westerner.

Chilli Crab with Fried Mantou

Beef Noodles

The buffet also offers other well-loved local dishes, such as Chilli Crab and Beef Noodles, alongside other 16 live theatre kitchens featuring Seafood, Sashimi, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Asian, Noodles, Roasts, Dessert stations and more.

Tiong Bahru Tau Suan

End your feast with a bowl or two of Tiong Bahru Tau Suan. I like that it wasn't cloyingly sweet. What is equally good or even better is its Pulut Hitam, loaded with chewy black glutinous rice. The good quality coconut milk served on the side complements both desserts well.

This celebratory buffet menu will be available between 2 to 21 August2022. Prices start from SGD 68++ per person for lunch and SGD88++ per person for dinner.

Photos and 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.


The Line
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Lobby Level
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 62134398
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down to the end of Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 23 minutes.[Map]

Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine @ Amoy Street - A New Teochew Restaurant By Jumbo Group

The popular Chui Huay Lin Teochew Cuisine by Jumbo Group has a new sister outlet within the historic Far East Square precinct. The new outlet - Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine is nestled in a two-storey heritage building. Greeting guests at Zui Yu Xuan is a traditional Chinese entranceway adorned with intricate wood carvings and a sweeping tiled roof, before stepping into the historic courtyard that was once part of Chui Eng Free School founded in 1854.

Cold Crab 4/5

 A delicacy in any Teochew restaurants is the Cold Crab ($12/100g). At times you even have to pre-order them. The flesh are sweet with unami creamy crab roes. Best eaten with a vinegar dip. However I find the size here a bit small.

Braised Duck with Beancurd 4/5

Not to be missed in any Teochew restaurants is their braised duck. In fact, it is a must order whenever I visit them. The Braised Duck with Beancurd ($18/portion, $32 Half, $60 Whole), well infused with the braised sauce is tender and flavourful. What I love most is the tangy chilli sauce, that always seem to bring out the taste of the braised duck further.

Deep Fried Ngoh Hiang 4/5

Deep Fried Prawn Balls 4/5

For the deep fried items, there are the Deep Fried Ngoh Hiang ($13/portion) and Deep Fried Prawn Balls ($22/portion). These are delightful appetisers to kick start the dinner.

Deep Fried Homemade Puning Beancurd 3/5

Lightly crisp on the exterior with a soft interior is the Deep Fried Homemade Puning Beancurd ($12/portion). It comes with a chive vinegar dip. The whole taste profile is quite light, which I didn't quite know how to appreciate it.

Geoduck Clam Blanched with Superior Broth 4.5/5

Not commonly seen in Teochew restaurant is the Geoduck Clam Blanched with Superior Broth ($16.80/100g). The thinly sliced geoduck clam blanced in superior broth, has an enjoyable crunchy texture on top of its natural sweetness. This is round off by the comforting and flavoursome soup.

Crispy Fried Sea Cucumber and Shiitake Mushroom with Abalone Sauce 4.2/5

Its rather interesting to come across another fried sea cucumber dish on the menu. This is probably the third time I have it within a couple of months. It seems like Chinese restaurants are trying to change the customers perspective of the slimy ingredient with more texture. I really applaud the effort and the Crispy Fried Sea Cucumber and Shiitake Mushroom with Abalone Sauce ($24/portion) here is probably one of the best I have eaten so far. It still retained the bouncy texture of the sea cucumber while giving it a nice thin crust.

Australian Lobster Wok Baked with Fermented Bean and Garlic Teochew Style 3.5/5

I have tried lobster cooked in many styles but the Australian Lobster Wok Baked with Fermented Bean and Garlic Teochew Style ($23.80/100g) is a first. However, I didn't quite taste the flavour of the fermented bean coming through in the execution.

Teochew Puning Fermented Bean Chicken 4.5/5

Another dish that uses the fermented bean is the Teochew Puning Fermented Bean Chicken ($22 Half/ $40 Whole). The fermented bean's flavour was more distinct in the dish, which complemented the tender chicken excellently. I love the dish so much that I kept going back for more.

Teochew Oyster Omelette Gooey Style 4.5/5

No to be missed at Zui Yu Xuan is their Teochew Oyster Omelette Gooey Style ($13/portion). This is probably the best oyster omelette (Orh Luak) I have eaten. I was told that they even have a delegated chef just to cook this. Crispy on the outside and gooey inside, this is only cooked upon order and takes about 20 minutes. Best paired with the slightly sourish chilli sauce to get the burst in flavours.

Wok Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish 4/5

The Wok Fried Kway Teow with Dice Kai Lan and Preserved Radish ($18/$27/$36) is packed with wok hei and the addition of the diced Kai Lan and preserved radish provides the extra crunch to the rice noodle.

Promfret and Rice Boiled Teochew Style with Dried Shrimp and Crispy Rice 4.5/5

Teochew loves their steamed fish and muay, so the Promfret and Rice Boiled Teochew Style with Dried Shrimp and Crispy Rice ($108/portion) kills two birds with one stone. You get a pot of hot piping Teochew porridge with slices of promfret. Dried shrimp and crispy rice are added for the extra lift in flavours as well as texture.

Yam Paste with Pumpkin and Gingko Nuts 4.2/5

Not to be missed at Zui Yu Xuan is the desserts too. All time favourites are their Yam Paste with Pumpkin and Gingko Nuts ($5.20/each) and Teochew Tau Suan with Gingko Nuts ($5.20/each). Even though the pork lard has been replaced with shallot oil for the yam paste, it still taste as good with the smooth consistency and distinct fragrant from the yam.

Teochew Tau Suan with Gingko Nuts 4.5/5

Personally I like the Teochew Tau Suan with Gingko Nuts ($5.20/each). Unlike other places, orange peel is added, elevating the traditional dessert for an unique enjoyment.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine
130/131 Amoy Street
Singapore 049959
Tel: +65 67883637
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the street. Walk to Amoy Hotel. It is located opposite Amoy Hotel. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant @ Chui Huay Lim Club - Celebrates 7th Anniversary with Seven Exclusive Chef Recommendations

If not for the recent visit to Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant, I do not even know the existence of the historical 170-year-old Chui Huay Lim Club at Keng Lee Road. If the club or road name sound foreign to you, they are to be too. I have to google map the location and realised it is near Newton Circle.

Before starting our dinner, we have a little introduction to the art of drinking tea. We started with washing the tea leaves and utensils, pouring the tea, holding the tea cup and appreciating the tea.

Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine Classic Platter 4/5

Our dinner started with the Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine Classic Platter ($58 for 6 pax / $98 for 10pax). The platter consists of Teochew Braised Duck, Deep Fried Ngoh Hiang, Deep Fried Traditional Liver Rolls and Teochew Pig Trotter Terrine.

Two items on the platter stood out for me. The deep fried liver rolls which is made with minced pig and chicken liver, yam and water chestnut wrapped in beancurd skin. It is crispy on the outside and substantial inside. Best to have together with the sweet sauce. The other is the pig trotter terrine which is hardly served on the dining table nowadays due to the meticulous preparation extracting the gelatin from the pig skin and freezing it.

Wok Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish 4/5

A dish that is packed with wok hei is the Wok Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish ($18/$27/$36). The addition of the diced kai lan and preserved radish provided the extra crunch to the finishing.

Suckling Pig 4.2/5

We are kind of surprise when the whole Suckling Pig weighting around 3.5kg to 4kg was brought into our dining room as it was originally not on our menu. The specific weight of the piglet was chosen for its thinner skin, to get that desired crispiness. No short cut is taken here, like pre-bathing the piglet to speedup the cooking. The whole piglet is roasted from raw.

Teochew Oyster Omelette Gooey Style 4.5/5

A specialty at Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant has to be their Teochew Oyster Omelette Gooey Style ($22). The restaurant even has a delegated chef to just cook the dish. It will be freshly cook upon order which takes about 20 minutes of waiting time. What so good about the orh luak here is the consistency, where each mouthful gets you the gooey and crispy texture. This is best paired with the slightly sourish chilli sauce.

In celebration of its 7th anniversary. the restaurant has created a limited edition menu that features 7 a la carte dishes between 3 September to 30 November 2018. These delicacies include time-honoured dishes as well as unique takes on popular favourites. Among the 7 dishes specially created for the 7th anniversary, we tried the Homemade Fish Balls and Fish Cake Braised with Tianjin Cabbage in Superior Broth ($22/$33/$44) and Crispy Fried Pork Belly and Water Chestnut Rolls Tossed in Sweet & Sour Sauce ($18/$27/$36).

Homemade Fish Balls and Fish Cake Braised with Tianjin Cabbage in Superior Broth 4.2/5

Simmer for hours in chicken and pork bones is the Homemade Fish Balls and Fish Cake Braised with Tianjin Cabbage in Superior Broth. The bouncy fish balls and fish cake are made from yellow eel, which is prized for their sweet flesh. The tianjin cabbage was also cooked to a delectable softness that emits a comforting sweetness to the superior broth. What lights up my taste buds is actually the hint of sourness amidst the sweetness from the salted vegetable.

Crispy Fried Pork Belly and Water Chestnut Rolls Tossed in Sweet & Sour Sauce 4/5

The Crispy Fried Pork Belly and Water Chestnut Rolls Tossed in Sweet & Sour Sauce is a heritage dish that has marinated pork belly and crunchy water chestnut wrapped with pig's caul fat. A traditional way of preparing it. It is steamed, deep fried and then glazed in a sweet and sour sauce. It is similar to sweet and sour pork but the roll itself is more meaty, almost like a ngoh hiang. You tiao is also added for that extra layer of texture.

Teochew Tau Suan 4.5/5, Yam Paste with Pumpkin 4.5/5

I would definitely recommend you to save some space for dessert. The Teochew Tau Suan with Gingko Nuts ($5.20) here are really special. The restaurant added orange peel in the dessert, which elevates the traditional dessert for a unique enjoyment. As for the Yam Paste with Pumpkin and Gingko Nuts ($5.20) the distinct fragrant from the pork lard brought a smile to my face. I have eaten too many yam pastes that do not use pork lard anymore which I thought it lacked that final punch to win my palate over.


Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant
Chui Huay Lim Club
190 Keng Lee Road
#01-02
Singapore 308409
Tel: +65 67323637
Website
Nearest MRT: Newton (DT Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Fri-Sun, PH: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Newton MRT station (Stop ID 40181). Take bus number 5, 54, 143, 162 or 167. Alight at next stop. Cross the road. Take the path between Newton 18 and Newton Life Church to Keng Lee Road. Turn left on Keng Lee Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Newton Circle and make your way to Keng Lee Road. Walk to destination. Journey time around 15 minutes. [Map]

128 Dessert Stall @ Telok Blangah Crescent Food Centre - Affordable Dessert Starting From A Dollar

During my recent visit to ABC Hawker Ah Hua Fish Ball Noodle at Telok Blangah Crescent Food Centre, I also took the opportunity to check out 128 Dessert Stall which is just a few stalls away. The stall interests me because it sells a variety of desserts starting from a dollar which is almost impossible to find nowadays.

Tau Suan 4.2/5

We had the Tau Suan ($1) which comes with you tiao. For the price point, the stall did not stingy with the portion. The mung beans dessert was neither too sweet nor gooey. It was cooked to an enjoyable bite complemented by the crispy you tiao.

Bubur Terigu 4.2/5

The other dessert we tried is the Bubur Terigu ($1). This is also know as the white wheat dessert. Using white wheat and cooked with gula melaka. Coconut milk is drizzled over the dessert before serving. Another delightful dessert which was well balanced. Once again not overly sweet or gooey. I like the addition of coconut milk, providing an addition lift in flavour.

Besides the affordable pricing of a dollar for desserts here, the portion was generous and most important it tasted good! No wonder there was a constant queue at the stall.


128 Dessert Stall
Telok Blangah Crescent Market and Food Centre
Blk 11 Telok Blangah Crescent
#01-128
Singapore 090011
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
TBA

Direction: 
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Harbour Front MRT station (Stop ID 14141). Take bus number 131. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10161). Take bus number 195. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Sinpopo Brand (新泡泡甜品小吃) @ Joo Chiat Road

It is quite hard not to notice the nostaglic decoration of Sinpopo Brand (新泡泡甜品小吃) along Joo Chiat Road with its huge big and red signature and red metal gates. Stepping through the gate, it felt like being transformed to a eatery in the 1960s-1970s with classic Chinese oldies playing in the background.

Sny Muay Pop 4/5 Teh Peng 2/5

 

As our visit is after dinner, we only ordered desserts to try. The drinks at Sinpopo Brand is served in tin metal mug. The Sng Muay Pop ($3.90) is a combination of sour plum, lime and 7-Up. A very refreshing drink. The Teh Peng ($2) was very diluted.

Ais Bor 3/5

The Ais Bor ($3.90) is a classic street dessert in which the ice is shaped into a ball with different coloured syrup. Nowadays, hardly any stalls served this anymore. A dessert that brings back a lot of childhood memories.

Chendol 1/5

After a couple of decent desserts, things started to go down hill with the Chendol ($3.90). It was really bad, it tasted nothing near to the Chendol dessert. I suspected they used syrup gula melaka and the whole execution missed the mark by miles.

Tau Suan 1/5

One look at the pale looking bowl of Tau Suan ($3.90) and we knew it is going to be another disappoinment. Indeed the tau suan was so lackluster that left me doubting the sincerely of the shop with their dessert. How can they serve this sort of standard where I can get better and cheaper bowl of tau suan from any hawker stall.

Pulut Hitam 2/5

Pulut Hitam ($3.90) has always been one of my favourite desserts but I was left feeling unsatisfied. The pulut hitam was not creamy or gooey enough and was lacking some form of sweetness and fragrant.

Durian Pengat 2.8/5

The Durian Pengat ($6.90) itself was decent but I did not like the coconut milk that basically drenched the bowl of delicacy.

The concept of Sinpopo Brand is good but much more efforts is needed to raise the standard of the desserts. I definitely will not fork out that small of money for such lackluster desserts where I can have better and cheaper one at hawker centres.


Sinpopo Brand (新泡泡甜品小吃)
458 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore
Tel: +65 63455034
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sinpopo#!/sinpoposg
Website: http://www.sinpopobrand.com/
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 12pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12pm - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 10 or 32. Alight 6 stops later opposite Roxy Square. Walk to the junction of East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road. Turn left onto Joo Chiat Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]