White Rose Cafe @ York Hotel

If you can run the same Penang Hawkers' Fare buffet for the past 30 years, that means something isn't it? Yes the ever popular Penang Hawkers' Fare buffet at York Hotel's White Rose Cafe is back again from 04 September to 20 September 2015. 11 chefs from Penang has came all the way from Penang bring you the best of Penang's authentic street food.

During my visit, white rose cafe was fully booked with walk in customers forming a queue at the entrance. The different live stations around the restaurant has diners eagerly waiting for their food while chefs and cooks tirelessly prepared bowl after bowl, plate after plate of Penang's street food. Let me give you a quick tour of the different dishes presented by the 11 stations at the Penang Hawkers' Fare.

Penang Rojak 4/5

A combination of refreshing ingredients tossed in a robust prawn paste sauce and topped with nutty peanuts, the Penang Rojak is so addictive with a party of flavours, whetting up the appetite.

Oyster Omelette 4.2/5

The dishes were served in small portion which I do not mind because it allows me to pace myself and try all the different offerings. Starting with the Oyster Omelette that is fried to an exterior crisp with fluffy innard, this is one of my favourite dishes for the night which I gone back for a few more servicing.

Penang Char Kway Teow 4.2/5

One of the longest queue among the different stations is the Penang Char Kway Teow. A nice balance of wok hei and savoury with lots of prawns and cockles completes the indulgence.

Kway Teow Soup 4.5/5

A must try is the Kway Teow Soup that comes with silky smooth kway teow, delectable fish cake and bouncy fish balls. Besides the soup version, dry version is also available.

Cuttlefish Kang Kong 4/5

The Cuttlefish Kang Kong topped with peanuts and prawn paste allows the enjoyment of the crunchy kang kong and cuttlefish to the fullest.

Nonya Chicken Kapitan 4/5

For a substantial plate, the Nonya Chicken Kapitan will be a good choice with the nonya dry version curry filled with aromatic herbs and spices.

Penang Laksa 4.2/5

The slurping good Penang Laksa with its complex sourish and spicy broth with pieces of fish meat is just too good to stop with one bowl.

Penang Prawn Mee 3.5/5

The Penang Prawn Mee on the other hand felt a bit short of my expectation. I though the broth is not robust enough. Nevertheless it is still a good bowl to add on to the spread of indulgence.

Lor Bak 3/5

I actually welcome the break from all the carbohydrates with a plate of Lor Bak with a platter of other deep fried ingredients such as tofu, yam prawn.

Ban Chang Kueh 4.5/5

A must try at the buffet spread is the Ban Chang Kueh that is made freshly on the spot. The paper thin crepe, pancake or shell is filled with fragrant, nutty peanuts. This is definitely one of the best I have eaten.

Chendol 4/5

How can we not have the staple Penang Chendol with such a feast? This is the perfect dessert to end the night. The dessert station also offers Ice Kachang and Ice Ball.

The Penang Hawkers' Fare is definitely worth the money with the delicious spread of Penang street food. It is also reasonable priced at $25.80++ per adult on weekdays and $28.80 ++ per adult on weekends. Children below 12 years old is priced at $18.80++ on weekdays and $20.80++ on weekends.


White Rose Cafe
York Hotel
21 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 68301156
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
All day dining: 6am - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road towards Goodwood Park Hotel. At Goodwood Park, turn right and walk to the end of the carpark. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Kanshoku Ramen @ The Metropolis

Going by the name of Kanshoku Ramen, located at The Metropolis, this new ramen place strives to make you "finish eating every last bit of your food". When most ramen concepts try to look and "sounds" authentic, Kanshoku Ramen, on the other hand, sets out to define their own identity. Not to say that their Hakata ramen deviates from the original but they would like others to know them as simply a place that serve good ramen. A ramen that they can call their own and not inherited down from some pseudo Japanese brand. Hence, you see no sign of Ramen chefs wearing bandanas, hear no sound of the usualいらっしゃる. Even their setting barely carries a trace of Japanese influence.

Black Truffle Edamame 4.5/5

Their Black Truffle Edamame ($4.90) exemplifies my point. Served cold, drizzled with truffle oil, sesame seeds and dried kongbu, I polished each pod clean. It's as moreish as any fries, chips... Simply addictive.

Original Kanshoku Ramen 3.8/5

Black Garlic Ramen 3.8/5

What followed were what most come here for - their ramen. We had the original Kanshoku Ramen ($13.90++), and the Black Garlic Ramen ($14.90++). We could hardly wait to have our first drink of the highly acclaimed broth. Its reputation does not come from its richness but it's lightness, and that lightness is a result of several rounds of trials to make sure that there is a balance of flavour and density. Although I feel it lacks a kind of robustness, I attribute that to the absence of miso, which is my usual order. Anyway, I did finish till the last drop! The braised charshu contains just the right amount of fats, making it so amazingly soft and tender.

Charshu Donburi 4.2/5

What came next sort of steal the show, somehow – Charshu Donburi ($13.90++). My eyes lit up as the flamed grilled pork fats melts and glazes my mouth within seconds. Accompanied with minced mushrooms, scallions and a tiny dollop of mayonnaise, this bowl of rice should be sharing the throne with the ramen. Although the texture of the rice can be fluffier, I feel it has surpassed any of the donburi I have had so far. Before we even commented about it, the owner readily admitted that they are still trying to master the trick of cooking a good bowl of pearly Japanese rice. Well, I'm sure looking forward to my next bowl of Charshun Donburi in my next visit!

Gyoza 3/5

The Gyoza, Prawn or Chicken ($5.90++) were decent. I prefer the chicken gyoza much more as it is sweeter and juicer. It would have been even better if the pocket is fuller.

Tokyo Banana Chocolate Cake 3/5  and Yuzu Lemon Tart 3/5

A range of patisseries is available for desserts, as the owner is thoughtful enough to include for his guests to have a complete meal. The highly recommended are the Yuzu Lemon Tart ($6.20++) and Tokyo Banana Chocolate Cake ($7.90++).

Although Kanshoku Ramen didn't manage to bump my favourite ramen place off the top of my list, it is definitely worth my bucks. I particularly like the overall bistro ambience, which is relatively more spacious and comfortable compared to other ramen places. With a bit of fine tuning to their menu, I'm sure their second outlet at Somerset 313 will be a success. It will be launched in November, so do keep a look out for it!

Photography and Written 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.


Kanshoku Ramen
The Metropolis
9 North Buona Vista Drive
#01-18
Singapore 138588
Tel: +65 66844033
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Weekends and PH)

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