Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Loylum Thai Boat Noodles @ Sam Leong Road (Little India)

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Many Thai Boat Noodles eateries have sprung up across Singapore this year. Loylum Thai Boat Noodles is the latest entry in the local F&B scene located at Sam Leong Road, just a street behind Kitchener Road. In fact Loylum is a brand in Thailand since 1952, with around 20 outlets in Thailand. Loylum has worked with a local partner to bring the authentic taste to Singapore.

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Beef Thai Noodle Soup with Thin Kway Teow 3.8/5

At Loylum, the ordering comes in 3 simple steps. First you select to have Beef, Chicken, Pork or Vegetarian. Second the type of noodles (Mee Hoon, Egg Noodle, Thick Kway Teow, Thin Kway Teow). Lastly the size of the bowl. Either $2 or $5. There are also side dishes whereby diners can add on at an extra cost.

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Pork Thai Noodle with Egg Noodles 4/5

For the bigger bowl, we tried the Beef Thai Noodle Soup with Thin Kway Teow ($5) and Pork Thai Noodle with Egg Noodles ($5). We also added an Thai Egg ($1) to each bowl. Both the soup base were quite rich and robust with hints of herbal taste. I added additional pork lard for a more flavours. Personally I preferred the pork version over the beef, as I did not enjoy the cut of beef being used.

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Chicken Thai Noodle with Egg Noodle 3.5/5

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Mushroom Thai Noodle 3/5

For the Chicken Thai Noodle ($2) and Mushroom Thai Noodle ($2), we ordered the smaller bowl. The soup for these two bowl of noodles were lighter and cleaner in taste.

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Thai Mango Salad 3.5/5

Besides the noodles, we also got ourselves a plate of Thai Mango Salad ($4). I do not like how the mango was shredded, losing the crunchy bites. Nevertheless, the characteristics of the Thai flavours were all present, with the natural sourness of the mango exciting my palates.

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Durian Chendol 4/5

Perfect for the humid weather in Singapore, we rounded off our lunch with the Durian Chendol ($6) and Thai Mango Sago ($4). While I enjoyed the durian chendol, I felt that the puree for the mango sago was rather watered down.

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Thai Mango Sago 3/5

I have not tried enough Thai Boat Noodles to do a comparison but based on my visit, Loylum does provide a comforting and hearty bowl of noodles. Together with the side dishes and desserts, it completes a satisfying meal.


Loylum Thai Boat Noodles
45 Sam Leong Road
Singapore 207935
Tel: +65 62913001
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit I. Cut cross City Square Mall to the exit to Kitchener Road. Cross the traffic junction and continue straight on Verdun Road. Turn left onto Sam Leong Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 7 minutes.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

ChaoZhou Porridge (潮粥) @ River Valley Road

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While Singapore is known as a food haven, it is actually quite hard to find a place for supper after 9pm. ChaoZhou Porridge (潮粥) at River Valley Road will offer a good choice for your next supper, serving nostalgic taste of Teochew porridge and cuisine in a modern setting. The chef at ChaoZhou Porridge, even made the long trip to ChaoShan, China to learn more about Teochew cuisine and even picked up a couple authentic local recipes which is incorporate into the menu.

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Following an authentic Teochew recipe, the ChaoZhou Porridge ($0.70) is served half mountain half sea or in Chinese known as "半山半水". One side of the bowl is more watery while the other side has more of the rice grain.

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Steamed Meat Ball with Porridge Water 4.2/5

The Steamed Meat Ball with Porridge Water ($5.50/pc) is something new for me.This is the first time I have seen such combination. The meatball is made from a medley of different ingredients such as pork and vegetable. The slight salty meatball and the subtle taste of the porridge water made this an enjoyable combination.

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Braised Delight Platter 4.2/5

The Braised Delight Platter ($16.90) comes with duck meat, pork belly, large intestines, egg, beancurd and tau pok. Special mention for the braised duck that uses a recipe afer 30 years of experimentation.

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Big Sotong with Homemade Sauce 4.5/5

A must try at ChaoZhou Porridge is the Big Sotong with Homemade Sauce ($6.90). The sotong is first steamed and then chilled, served as a cold appetiser. The pillowy sotong is best paired with the homemade sauce that comes with a sweet, sour and spicy note.

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Cockles 4.5/5

A very addictive dish on the menu is the Cockles ($6.90). Besides the plump cockles, the dark sauce was the highlight for me. This is probably one of the best version I have eaten.

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Cold Beancurd with Preserved Radish 4/5

For something light, go for the Cold Beancurd with Preserved Radish ($4.80). The preserved radish and the savoury sauce give the beancurd a lift in taste and extra crunch.

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Chaozhou Steamed Mullet 4/5

Teochew loves their steamed fish and hence there is the Chaozhou Steamed Mullet (seasonal price) on the menu. The whole fish is steamed in the pot before removing the gut and served with salted vegetables. The execution allows one to appreciate the meatiness and moist oily flesh.

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Preserved Radish Omelette 4/5

Fried to a beautiful golden colour is the Preserved Radish Omelette ($2.50 Small / $4.50 Large). The fillings of radish gave it an extra crunch with each bite.

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Steamed Minced Meat with Salted Fish 4.5/5

A classic dish to go with the porridge is the Steamed Minced Meat with Salted Fish ($4.50). This is a must order for me whether I have Teochew porridge. The saltiness of the minced meat provides the perfect complement to the porridge.

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Sambal Kang Kong 4/5

After all the seafood and meat, it is good to have some greens. The Sambal Kang Kong cooked to a nice crunchy bite may not be a Teochew dish but definitely a popular local favourite.

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ChaoZhou Fried Kway Teow 4.2/5

Besides the Teochew porridge and its accompanying dishes, the menu at ChaoZhou also offers some cooked dishes on the menu. We had the ChaoZou Fried Kway Teow ($8) which surprisingly was quite good with the wok hei or smokey flavour.

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Crisp-Fried Taro Rolls 4/5

From the limited dessert menu, a worthy order is the Crisp-Fried Taro Rolls ($2.30/pc). A minimum order of 3 pieces is required. Crispy on the outside with the sweetness of the yam inside, this is a delightful hot dessert to end the nught.

With the opening hours from 1030am to 5am next day, ChaoZhou Porridge is like a all day dining venue. Being a Teochew myself, I am glad that I have discovered another great dining venue, especially another supper place. I am sure I will be back again.


ChaoZhou Porridge (潮粥)
221 River Valley Road
Singapore 238279
Tel: +65 62686763
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 5am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]