Showing posts with label UHF2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UHF2014. Show all posts

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Fishball Story @ Golden Mile Food Centre

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I got to know Douglas, the young hawker that runs Fishball Story when he agreed to take part in the Ulitmate Hawker Fest 2014 curated by Maureen, Ian and me. Douglas who will be turning 24 years old this year, handmade the fishballs and fishcakes freshly at his stall starting as early as 4am. He even prepared the sambal chilli and pork lard at the stall all by himself. This is not an easy task. Who at his age will want to do it. Most of us will prefer to be in the comfort of an air conditioned office.

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Fishball Noodle Dry 4.5/5

Douglas learnt the fishball recipe from his grandma using only pure yellow tail fish with no flour. The result is a firm texture with the natural sweetness of the fish. It may not be as bouncy compared to many other places but you are getting the real deal here.

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Fishball Noodle Dry 4.5/5

What makes this bowl of Fishball Noodle ($3.50) so delicious is not just all about the fishball. The sambal, shallots and pork lard all plays a part in making in it. Douglas has stroke the right formula allowing all the ingredients to come together in harmony, making a simple dish extraordinary yummy.

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Overall I have to admire Douglas hard work and dedication to provide the best quality in the fishball. It is hard to find or even name such stalls nowadays with factory made fishball readily availability and even at a lower cost. The fishball noodle at Fishball Story is definitely worthy for a visit and we have to give these young hawkers the due encouragement or we will slowly lose the hawker heritage in Singapore.


[MOVED]
Fishball Story
Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
#01-85
Singapore 199583
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishballstory
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 7pm
Sun: 9am - 3pm

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]

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014

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My partner in crime Maureen aka MissTamChiak approached me to help her out in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 with less than three months to put everything together. I have organised Hawker Food Trails with her, a dinner makan session for 60 people but nothing at this big scale. It was a tall task and time was not in favour to us. We also rooted in Ian aka TheSilverChef who willingly sacrificed his time to assist us and more importantly for the needy and disadvantaged under the care of Touch Community Services. As time was against us, many times the three of us have to take leaves and burnt our weekends to ensure everything is ready by the big day on 22 November 2014. I remembered Maureen telling me this, "I see you more than my fiance".

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It was a challenge and journey that I do not regretted. I have learnt a lot from this hawkers and I am glad I am given the opportunity to do so. I sincerely like to thank each and every hawkers and chefs who sacrifice their time and some even a day's earning to raise fund for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. You are all my heroes.

Lionel from Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh and Pek Sin Choon
Kenry from Pek Sin Choon
Grace & Shirley from Chey Sua
Kelvin, SK and team from Tenderfresh
Ah Boon from Good Chance Popiah
Tony Tee and the ultimate croc team from Crocodile King
Douglas from Fishball Story
Jemmy & Jimmyfrom Food Glossary
Adrian & Wee from Old Bibik
Gerald & Julyn from Penang Kia
Shen Tan & Hiok Kitchen from Madam Tan Nasi Lemak
Guna from Springleaf Prata Place
Mdm Foo & Ms Loi from Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Chef Eric Neo from InterContinental
Chef Tan Yong Hua from Restaurant HOME
Chef Melvin & Rae from Ramada and Days Inn
Jome from City Satay Bee Hoon
Uncle Kun from Genshu
Kingsley from King's Roast
Jason and Benson from Onaka
Ewan from Jin Jin Dessert
Boon Leng fro Hock Kee Bird's Nest
The team from Mr Bean
Gavan from Lek Lim Cake Confectionery
Richard from Teochew Handmade Pau

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You may laugh at us if I told you that both Maureen and me have nightmares leading up to the actual day. We dreamt that no one turns up for the event. It was only on 22 November 2014 when the door of the Suntec Exhibition & Convention Hall 401-402 opened and we saw the crowd streaming in that the three of us felt relief. This could not have been possible with all the help from the media and blogger friends. Thank you so much for the publicity and shout out on the main stream media and various social platforms.

Special thanks to KF Seetoh for writing an article and spreading the words. Thank you Tony and SiHan for all the blog posts. Thank you Leslie for sharing the event on your facebook. Last but not least, all the wonderful friends that came down to support the hawkers.

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I also like to extend our sincere thanks to GoGoVan for the transportation, TMC Academy & ITE for the volunteers, volunteers from Touch Community Services, Stewards Solution for the equipment and Sitong for the beautiful songs to entertain the crowd. The whole event will not be possible with each and everyone of you playing a part in it. THANK YOU ALL.

*All photo credit: misstamchiak.com

Friday, November 21, 2014

Springleaf Prata Place @ Springleaf Garden (Upper Thomson Road)

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When I used to work in Sembawang area, I always frequent Springleaf Prata Place for their crispy but yet fluffy in the inside prata. The popular prata place, Springleaf Prata Place has been a great supporter of Ultimate Hawker Fest for the past 2 years. Each year they will come up with a new innovative dish and introduced it in the menu. We are glad to have them back for the third year and this year creation is probably the best of all.

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Ultimate Murtabak 4.2/5

For the first year, Springleaf Prata Place created the Ultimate Murtabak which is wrapped with tandoori chicken, portobello mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. This is one of the best murtabak I have ever eaten with the melted cheese just melted my heart with each bite.

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MurtaBurger 4/5

The MurtaBurger is created for the second year's Ultimate Hawker Fest. A while lamb patty is cooked with the prata together with cabbage and mayonnaise. Another yummy prata dish that is available on the menu and well received.

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Blaster Plaster 4.5/5

If you think Gunalan the owner has run out of idea for his third year participation, you will be blown away by his latest creation, Blaster Plaster Prata which comes with a piece of his signature crispy prata, a slice of turkey ham with thousand island sauce with a poached egg sitting on top dressed with Indian hollandaise sauce. I understand the special hollandaise sauce is made using masala curry.

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The Blaster Plaster Prata will make its preview at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 this coming Saturday. This is definitely the one dish I look forward to try at the event.

bannerhome

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Springleaf Prata Place
No. 1 Thong Soon Ave
Singapore 787431
Tel: +65 64595670
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realspringleafprataplace
Website: http://www.theprataplace.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Springleaf (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Springleaf MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen @ MDIS Building (Changi Road)

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With the closing of Lavender Food Square, Old Bibik has to look for a new location to continue selling their popular nasi padang. The two young gentlemen Adrian and Ah Wee who has quitted their corporate jobs inherited Adrian's grandma's rendang recipe and live a bigger dream moving from a small hawker stall to a full fledged eatery with the recently opening of Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen at MDIS Building along Changi Road. With the new location, they have expanded their menu and also employed a peranakan chef to introduce my delicious and authentic nonya dishes to the table.

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Beef Rendang Set 4/5

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Chicken Rendang Set 4.2/5

After months of Lavender Food Square closure, I finally get to try Old Bibik's signature rendang again. The Beef Rendang Set ($8.90) and Chicken Rendang Set ($7.90) comes with achar, vegetable and an egg omelette at the side. Infused with the rich flavour of the spices, the beef and chicken rendang were cooked to fork tender. Paired it with the belachan for a good spicy kick that will blown you off with its spiciness.

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Assam Prawn 4.2/5 and Nonya Chap Chye 3.5/5

The extended menu also offers other dishes such as the Assam Prawns ($12), Nonya Chap ($5) and Assam Egg ($3). The fresh and crunchy prawn cooked in assam was a good addition to the menu. The Nonya Chap on the other hand was cooked to a nice crunchy bite but I do not like the sourness version served here. I preferred the sweeter type where the vegetables are stewed to a soft melting texture.

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Assam Egg 3/5

The owners shared with us that surprisingly this is the most popular item on the menu. I understand the painstaking effort to make the assam for the egg but I just could not figure out how this could be such a hit. Probably you need to try it yourself to know why.

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Kunyit Fried Chicken 4.5/5

For me the new dish to watch out at Old Bibik is the Kunyit Fried Chicken ($4). Beautifully marinated, the frying further lifted the aroma of the turmeric exciting all the taste buds with the delicious succulent chicken.

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Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen will be taking part in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 sacrificing their time and doing a small part in the fund raising event to help the needy and disadvantaged under the care of Touch Community Services. Old Bibik will be selling their signature Beef and Chicken Rendang at the event for delight your palate while you do a part of the charity.

bannerhome

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen
MDIS Building
190 Changi Road
#01-01
Singapore 419974
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oldbibik
Nearest MRT: Eunos (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Eunos MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic light and across the road. Turn right and go around the estate to Changi Road. Cross Changi Road, turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Asam Tree Cafe, Bakery and Restaurant @ Ang Mo Kio Ave 6

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I have to credit Maureen by introducing to Asam Tree Cafe, Bakery and Restaurant at Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. The Halal certified eatery is just located beside the NTUC Fairprice. I was actually quite amazed by the number of dishes the humble eatery can offer in their little space. Seating area are quite limited and close to one another. It can be a bit uncomfortable but it did not deter people away with a constant stream of crowd around the clock.

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Longtong 4/5

Noticing their popularity, we approached the eatery to take part in this year's Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014. We were very glad that the owner agreed to participate in this year's fund raising event. Asam Tree Cafe Bakery and Restaurant will be cooking one of their popular item, Longtong ($3.50) at the ulitmate hawker fest. The value for money bowl of Longtong comes with steamed rice cake that has a hint of pandan fragrant and moist, a piece of huge fried tofu, cabbage and a whole egg. The curry gravy was quite rich but not too lemak. I was so good that I was actually drinking it like a soup dish.

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Mee Soto 4.2/5

The owner shared with us that the Mee Soto ($3.50) is their top seller. The sweet chicken broth goes well with the yellow noodle. However I suspect why this is the top seller has to be the chilli. Stirred and mixed it well with the chicken broth and the whole dimension of the noodle dish is brought to a new level of enjoyment.

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Mee Siam 4/5

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Mee Rebus 4/5

Asam Tree Cafe, Bakery and Restaurant also offers two other noodle dishes on the menu, Mee Siam ($3.50) and Mee Rebus ($3.50). These are really value for money with their huge servicing accompanied by the rich and delicious gravy.

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Goreng Pisang 3/5

If you not into something that is too filling and just a bite, the Goreng Pisang could be a choice for you. I like the light batter crispy coated around the fried banana fritter but I do not like the type of banana used. I prefer those that is sweeter.

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Rojak 4.5/5

The Rojak is a must try here in my opinion. The crispy youtiao was tossed in a homemade belachan and topped with peanuts. The thick gooey prawn paste which came with a spicy kick was really addictive.

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We are glad to have Asam Tree Cafe, Bakery and Restaurant taking part in this year's Ultimate Hawker Fest selling their Longtong at the fund raising event. Asam Tree Cafe, Bakery and Restaurant is just one of the Halal certified stalls taking part in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest. Other Halal certified stalls are Prata Place, TenderFresh. Food Glossary and Old Bibik is awaiting for the Halal certificates.

bannerhome

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Asam Tree Cafe, Bakery and Restaurant
Blk 712 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6
Singapore 560721
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asamtreecafe
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 830am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Cut across the estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

King's Roasts @ Balestier Food Centre

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Using modern technique to roast his pork belly or also known to my local as sio bak. Chef Kingsley Tan uses the combi oven which is commonly used in hotels but not in hawker. He started King's Roast selling is combi oven roasted meat at newton circle food centre before relocating to his current premises at Balestier Food Centre.

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Sio Bak 4/5

After moving to Balestier Food Centre, he changed his menu to offer more western cuisines but the roasted Sio Bak is one pride that he kept it on the menu. Using combi oven to roast his pork belly, he ensures the consistency in every roast as the temperature, timing etc can be pre-programmed. The crispy and crackling skin, the moist and juicy meat all is roasted to his preference.

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Char Grilled Chicken Chop 3.5/5

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Fish and Chips 3/5

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Char Grilled Pork Chop 4.2/5

During my visit, I also managed to try the Char Grilled Chicken Chop ($6.50), Char Grilled Pork Chop ($6.50) and Fish & Chips. Among the three I tried, my favourite was the Char Grilled Pork Chop. The pork chop was beautiful marinated and tender. However the star has to be the sauce that complemented the pork chop. Each set also comes with a coleslaw and a choice of fries or garlic butter rice.

King Roast
photo credit: misstamchiak.com

King's Roasts will be taking parting in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 doing their signature Roasted Pork Belly. However for the fund raising event, the will be using the premium Kurobuta Pork for their sio bak. The sound of it already makes my saliva drips. So drop by King's Roasts stall at the event to bite into the crackling Kurobuta Sio Bak.

bannerhome

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


[CLOSED]
King's Roasts
Balestier Food Centre
Stall 8
411 Balestier Road
Singaopore 329930
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kingsroasts
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus number 145. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Monday, November 17, 2014

Restaurant HOME (家) @ The Rail Mall

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Celebrity Chef Tan Yong Hua is no stranger to the culinary scene having appeared in many TV programmes. He is also known to be the first Singaporean to trump the Iron Chef Thailand. Having helmed the kitchen at Peach Blossom, Sze Chuan Court, Pearl River Palace and Lingzhi Vegetarian Restaurant, Chef Tan has decided to venture on his own and opened Restaurant HOME (家) at the rail mall.

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Barbecued Peking Duck Skin 4/5

Restaurant HOME (家) is popular for its Barbecued Peking Duck Roasted with Lychee Wood ($68 whole duck). There is three ways to enjoy this delicacy. We started with the roasted skin that is extremely crisp with a slight hint of the lychee wood aroma. Dip it into the specially prepared sugar dip for a different but much welcome appreciated of the delightful crispiness.

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Barbecued Peking Duck Roasted with Lychee Wood in Wrap 4.2/5

The second way to enjoy the Barbecued Peking Duck Roasted with Lychee Wood is in a wrap. The sliced duck meat still with the thin layer of skin intact wrapped together with cucumber, spring onion and a sweet plum/hoison sauce in a thin crepe. This is probably my favourite way of appreciating the beautiful poultry with the succulent meat and the different layer of textures.

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Deep Fried Peking Duck 3.5/5

Lastly the remaining of the Barbecued Peking Duck Roasted with Lychee Wood is chopped up and deep fried with dried chilli, roasted minced garlic and capsicum pepper fine salt. An extra $10 for this servicing. Due to the deep frying, the meat was dryer and tougher but the aroma of the dried chilli, roasted minced garlic and capsicm pepper fine salt made it very tasty. A perfect dish to go with a bottle of beer.

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Baked Marble Goby in Claypot 4.2/5

Besides the signature Barbecued Peking Duck Roasted with Lychee Wood, Restaurant HOME (家) offers a good selection of cooked food on the menu too. A worthy dish to try is the Baked Marble Goby in Claypot ($9/100gram) with Chef Tan's in house recipe. The fish was cooked to perfection with lemon grass, galangal, spring onions and Chinese shaoxin wine. The flavours did not overpowered the taste but instead complemented the natural sweetness of the tender and moist fish.

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Homemade Egg Beancurd in Pi Pa Style 4/5

The Homemade Egg Beancurd in Pi Pa Style ($36) is another delectable offering on the menu. The homemade egg beancurd with shrimp paste, crab meat and roe is a bit grainy but I actually enjoyed the roughness in texture. I am not complaining as it is not common to get freshly made beancurd from scratch nowadays with many restaurants resorting to getting it from factory made ones.

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Another dish on the menu that caught my attention is the Stewed Golden Noodles with Lobster and Spring Onions wrapped in O Ba Leave ($12.50/100gram). The noodles and the lobster are served separately. The egg noodle is specially made to Chef's specifications which has a nice springy texture sort of like those you get from wanton mee stall.

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Old Cucumber Soup 4.5/5

Restaurant HOME (家) is currently having a lunch promotion with a 3 course meal ranging from $20 to $26 per person). It comes with a Soup of the Day, a Noodle Dish and a Dessert. For our soup of the day, we tried the Old Cucumber Soup which was comforting and nutritious.

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Homemade Ramen with 8 Head Quality Amidori Abalone 4.2/5

For the noodle main of the 3 course set meal, there is a variety of selections. We tried the Homemade Ramen with 8 Head Quality Amidori Abalone ($26), Crispy Roast Pork with Homemade Yellow Noodle ($24) and Barbecued Duck with Lychee Wood served with Homemade Yellow Noodle ($24).

The ramen noodle for the Homemade Ramen with 8 Head Quality Amidori Abalone has a softer texture compared to the yellow noodle but the sauce made the whole dish slurping good.

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Crispy Roast Pork with Homemade Yellow Noodle 4/5

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Barbecued Duck with Lychee Wood served with Homemade Yellow Noodle 4.2/5

Both the Crispy Roast Pork and Barbecued Duck with Lychee Wood used the same noodle served for the Lobster Noodle dish. The roasted pork belly may look kind of pale in colour but we were quite surprised by the crispy skin. It may not have that charred and smokiness but overall still a decent main.

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Chilled Rosella Flower Jelly with Diced Mango 4/5

Finished the 3 course lunch set with the Chilled Rosella Flower Jelly with Diced Mango. The dessert comes with a bit of sourish sweetness which is really refreshing.

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Chilled Japanese Pumpkin Puree with Black Glutinous Rice

Chef Tan also treated us to an addition dessert in the Chilled Japanese Pumpkin Puree with Black Glutinous Rice. The subtle sweetness of the pumpkin puree and the black glutinous rice worked for me. I will gladly order this dessert in my next visit.


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Chef Tan Yong Hua will be taking part in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014. He will be preparing the Barbecued Peking Duck Rice with Lychee Wood to delight your palate. Do drop by his stallto try the delicious barbecued peking duck.

bannerhome

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Restaurant HOME (家)
The Rail Mall
392 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 678046
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restauranthomeatrailmall
Website: http://www.restauranthome.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Hillview (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left onto Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.[Map]