Tim Ho Wan (添好運) @ Westgate

What a stellar year for Chef Mak and Tim Ho Wan. Tim Ho Wan Hong Kong has retained its Michelin Star for the fourth year running. In Singapore, after opening the first oversea outlet outside Hong Kong in April 2013 at Plaza Singapura, within the span of just 9 months, Tim Ho Wan has opened 4 outlets in Singapore. The latest 2 outlets are in Bedok Mall and Westgate opened on 28 December 2013.

Starting from January 2014, different monthly specials will be available at the different outlets in a rotating basis. I find this a bit confusing cause patrons needs to know which special item is available at which outlet and this further gets rotates different months.

Dace Fish Paste Soup with Lettuce 2.8/5

Anyway, in conjunction with the opening I was able to try out all the 6 new dim sum dishes. One of the 6 new introduction is the Dace Fish Paste Soup with Lettuce ($6). The fish paste was pretty delectable with a good bite to it. However I wonder who will order this for dim sum? Definitely not me.

Steamed Chicken with Fish Maw 4/5

The other new item is the Steamed Chicken with Fish Maw ($5.50). It may look kind of boring but it was quite flavourful. The tender and moist chicken was excellently paired with the melted in the mouth fish maw that has a hint of ginger finishing.

Crispy Salad Fish Rolls 2.8/5

I still remembered when Tim Ho Wan first opened in Singapore, there was not many fried items in the menu. It is welcoming for Tim Ho Wan to introduce another fried item in the Crispy Salad Fish Rolls ($4.20). Sinking into the lightly battered and crispy exterior, a burst of the salad sauce hit the palate but at the same time the fish flavour was being masked by it.

Yam Dumpling with Chilli Crab Meat 3.8/5

The other new item is the Yam Dumpling with Chilli Crab Meat ($5). This is quite an interesting creation infusing two popular ingredients of the local palate into one. I really think this will be well received by the locals but it needed some more fine tuning to make the chilli crab meat filling more distinct.

Phoenix City Quail Eggs 3.5/5

The next item of the monthly special I tried is the Phoenix City Quail Eggs ($5). The plump filling held together in shape by the thin translucent skin was nothing special except siew mai topped with quail egg.

Jade Wanton in Laksa Soup 3.5/5

Last of the 6 new items we tried is another local inspired dim sum, Jade Wanton in Laksa Soup ($5). I was quite surprised that the laksa broth was pretty well executed. Individually the wanton and laksa soup was good on its own. However they just do not match up as a dish. Just like my friend put it, she craved for some thick beehoon to go with the laksa soup.

Steamed Chicken Feet with Abalone Sauce 4.2/5

Besides the 6 newly introduced dim sum, I got to try the Steamed Chicken Feet with Abalone Sauce ($5) which used to be their monthly special when they opened Toa Payoh branch. It seems like Tim Ho Wan has included it as a permanent item in the menu. Glad that they have done so and I am sure to order this in my next visit.

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork 4.5/5

Of course we can't leave Tim Ho Wan without having the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork ($4.50). I have the privilege to try it when it first opened at Plaza Singapura and followed by Toa Payoh. I felt that Tim Ho Wan has some how perfect the recipe for the baked bun. Now the exterior has a nice custard crust while the middle of the bun is soft and fluffy with sweet delish char siew fillings.

I can't help thinking there was only 1 outlet in Hong Kong until recent years. We are so lucky compared to Hong Kong to have Tim Ho Wan opening 4 outlets in a short period of 9 months located strategically in the different regions in Singapore bringing the tasty and high quality dim sum to the neighbourhood.


Tim Ho Wan (添好運)
Westgate
3 Gateway Drive
#01-13/14
Singapore 608532
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timhowan
Website: http://www.timhowan.com/
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk to Westgate Mall. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Coq & Balls @ Kim Tian Road (Tiong Bahru)

It was a Thursday afternoon, met up with Charleen to check out Coq & Balls which is located within walking distance from Tiong Bahru MRT station. Having heard good words about this place, we were looking forward to check out the place. Arriving at 4pm which the bar just opened, we noticed there were a couple of customers enjoying a lazy afternoon beer while the staffs were still trying to put a few last touches to the opening.

I remembered the Entertainer App has 1 for 1 main course promotion at Coq & Balls. Just to make sure that the offer is still valid, I double checked the Entertainer App again while waiting for Charleen before proceeding to the Coq & Balls. The 1 for 1 promotion is valid until end of the year.

Mixed Mushroom Stir Fried in Butter 2/5

Since it is a bar, Coq & Balls does not really have a extensive food menu. There are only 5 selections of mains and 2 desserts on the menu while the rest are tapas which logically is understandable. We started with some tapas and ad the Mixed Mushroom Stir Fried in Butter ($9). We each took a bite of it and left the rest untouched as it was way too salty for consumption.

Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Yakitori 3 sticks 2/5

The other tapas item we tried was the Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Yakitori (3 sticks for $8). It was too bland in my opinion and we found some pieces of the chicken not cooked thoroughly. Once again we did not finish the tapas and left 2 sticks untouched.

Brazen Beef Steak 2.5/5

Since I have not had my lunch, I decided to get the Brazen Beef Steak ($24) which is served with fries and salad. The steak is served in slices which is done to the doneness I have requested. However the steak itself had too much tendon which was hard to bite and I did not enjoy it. It definitely felt that I was served a lousy cut of meat for the amount I have paid.

Tempura Fish and Chips 4/5

Finally the redemption came from the Tempura Fish and Chips ($15). The lightly battered tempura locking up the moist fish inside was definitely one of the best I have tried so far.

As usual for the payment, I just entered my 4 digits password to redeem the 1 for 1 main course, pass it to the staff to enter their 4 digits password and as easy as ABC, I got one of my main course free.


Coq & Balls
Kai Fook Mansion
6 Kim Tian Road
Singapore 169246
Tel: +65 62766609
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coqnballs
Website: http://coqnballs.com/
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 4pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 10am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Head east on Tiong Bahru Road towards Jalan Membina. Walk down Tiong Bahru and turn right onto Kim Tian Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]