Sawadee Thai Cuisine @ Tan Quee Lan Street (Bugis)

For those that stay in the Northern part of Singapore would be familiar with Sawadee Thai Cuisine which used to be located at Sembawang near the famous Sembawang white beehoon. Sawadee Thai Cuisine has sinced moved from its previous premises to their new home at Bugis along Tan Quee Lan Street in December 2013, just beside the new Bugis downtown line MRT exit.

Betel Leaf Wrap 4/5

Betel Leaf Wrap 4/5

The last time I had the Betel Leaf Wrap ($12/$18) was at the defunct Sweet Salty Spicy. Not many Thai restaurants in Singapore serve this. I am glad that I got to try this street food again at Sawadee Thai Cuisine. To eat just grab a bit of everything with the homemade special sauce and have it like a wrap. You will get a burst of flavours in the mouth as you chew on the betel leaf wrap.

Green Mango Salad 3.5/5

I realized that the Green Mango Salad ($10/$15) served at the Sawadee Thai Cuisine is a bit different to the rest. A check with the kitchen confirmed that they used 2 different types of mangoes for the dish. The ripe one for sweetness and the unripe one for the crunch. While this was good, I like my Thai salad to be rich in the fish sauce and spiciness. The seasoning can be further up a notch.

Thai Rice Crackers Dip 3/5

A delightful starter would be the Thai Rice Crackers Dip ($9/$14) that is served with a rich, savoury creamy chicken dip.

Crab Spring Roll 3.5/5

While the Crab Spring Roll ($10/$15) was very enjoyable with its crispy deep fried exterior, I could not really tasted any crab meat in the filling instead. While it is understandable for cost reason, I still hope the filling mixture would have more crab meat flesh.

Tom Yum Talay 3.8/5

A staple Thai soup dish, the Tom Yum Talay ($10/$15) will whet up your appetite with its spicy and sour characteristic.

Thai Stuffed Chicken Wings 3.5/5

The Thai Stuffed Chicken Wings ($10/$15) was quite flavourful and easy to it as they have been deboned. While it is pretty enjoyable, I still preferred my chicken wings to come with bones.

Thai Style Otah 4.5/5

Served in a traditional clay earthenware, the Thai Style Otah ($15) was one my favourite dishes for the night. The steamed fish paste or mousse has delectable firm and chunky texture that comes with a subtle spiciness.

Olive Rice 4/5

Nowadays I don't go for pineapple rice but olive rice instead whenever I visit a Thai restaurant. I find olive rice is more flavourful than pineapple rice. The Olive Rice ($13/$18) at Sawadee Thai Cuisine is served with chicken and deep fried dried shrimp. The deep fried dried shrimp is quite an interesting combination which goes very well with the olive rice.

Hearty Duck Curry 4.2/5

The red curry of the Hearty Duck Curry ($15/$22) was rich and creamy. It goes very well with a plate of rice. The use of lychee and pineapple gave the dish a fruity sweet balance which worked excellently with the roasted duck.

Spicy Steamed Fish 4.2/5

I have always enjoy having Thai Spicy Steamed Fish ($28). The combination of the sweet, sour and spicy which are the fundamental of Thai cuisine fully accentuated the fresh and moist fish.

Stir Fried Fish Maw with Beansprouts 4.8/5

The simplicity of the dish coupled with an element of surprise in terms of textures and flavours blown everyone on the table away. The Stir Fried Fish Maw with Beansprouts ($12/$18) comes with soft and flavourful fish maw coated beautifully by a layer of eggs, stir fried with beansprouts. It was so good that I kept going back for more. I even exclaimed that this can be a healthy version of orh luak.

Durian with Glutinous Rice 4.5/5

Mango with Glutinous Rice 3.8/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we have the Durian Glutinous Rice ($5) and Mango Glutinous Rice ($6). Being a durian lover, my vote went to durian glutinous rice. The aromatci durian and sticky glutinous rice drizzled with coconut milk worked beautifully on the palate. For the mango glutinous rice, the purple glutinous rice stood out with its sweetness that is so good that I can have it on its own. I only wish there could be more coconut milk.

Moving to the new premises at Bugis, Sawadee Thai Cuisine has also gone upscale with its centralized location. Prices are a bit steeper compare to neighbourhood Thai restaurant. Considering the foreign working crowd in the vicinity and catering more for family dining, the Thai food at Sawadee Thai Cuisine is not as spicy and bold in flavours. Nevertheless, just asked for the kitchen not to hold back in the seasoning if you prefer a more authentic taste of Thailand.


Sawadee Thai Cuisine
9 Tan Quee Lan Street
#01-01
Singapore 188098
Tel: +65 62386833
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SawadeeCuisine
Website: http://www.sawadee-cuisine.com/
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Poh Cheu (宝洲) @ Bukit Merah

Is traditional kueh a part of history in Singapore? Hopefully not but I believe all things need to progress and evolved to keep up with the present. Take for example Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery runs by the 2nd generation is using social media to bring awareness to the new and younger generation about their traditional nonya kueh. It is good to preserve the tradition but the world is changing and one must adjust to fit into the new world, be it in the food or business model. Especially in food, people's palate changes with time and if you don't do something, you will just be a chapter of the history book.

Today I am bring you to Bukit Merah to check out this popular traditional kueh shop with more than 30 years of history. Poh Cheu (宝洲) started selling their homemade kueh as a mobile hawker back in the dates at Boon Lay before moving to Jalan Kayu, Bedok and now at Bukit Merah. Now in its third generation, Poh Cheu still insist in hand making their kuehs instead of machine.

Ang Ku Kueh 4/5

While preserving the tradition of hand making their kueh to ensure of the utmost quality, Poh Cheu has also introduced new flavours for the Ang Ku Kueh ($0.80 each) to satisfy the new generation. Besides the traditional green bean and peanut flavours, there are also salted bean, green tea, mango, red bean, coconut, black sesame, pineapple and yam. The different colour of the traditional ang ku kueh already looked some appetizing. The skin was thin, some what like mochi texture and it was packed full with filling.

Soon Kueh 4.5/5

A delectable snack and my favourite at Poh Cheu is the Soon Kueh ($0.80 each). For a mere eighty cents you get a plump filled soon kueh wrapped under a thin transparent skin. I especially like the crystal like skin that is very palatable but not overshadowing the filling inside, allowing the ingredients inside to be the star. Ku Cai Kueh ($0.80 each) and Bamboo Shoot Kueh ($1) are also available at Poh Cheu.

Rice Cake 4/5

The Rice Cake ($1) is another traditional kueh that is essential in Chinese events especially as a form of offering for prayers and festive occasions. Stuffed with glutinous, mushroom and peanuts, this delightful snack can be eaten steamed or pan fried.

Poh Cheu is extremely busy during the Chinese festive occasions with many people ordering in bulk. It is best to avoid this period if you just want to go there for a morning breakfast or afternoon tea snack. Be warned not to expect the best of customer service as myself was denied having an extra plastic plate so that I can share the kuehs with my friends. The auntie servicing me insist that one plastic plate is for 2 kuehs only. So in the end I have to purchase another piece of kueh to make it even number for the extra plastic plate.


Poh Cheu (宝洲)
Blk 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-230 & #01-222
Singapore 150127
Tel: +65 62762287
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poh-Cheu-Soon-Kueh-and-Ang-Ku-Kueh/138586599577630
Website: http://www.pohcheu.com/
Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am - 6pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10201). Take bus number 33 or 120. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time 10 minutes. [Map]