Tuk Tuk Cha @ Suntec City Mall

Tuk Tuk Cha at Suntec City Mall is opened by the same folk behind Boat Noodle House at Bedok Point Mall. I was drawn to the little kiosk with just around 10 seats because of  AroiMakMak who shared that the shibuya toast here is as good as the ones he has in Bangkok. With that stamp of approval from him, I just have to make my way down to find out for myself.

Thai Milk Tea 4.5/5

I got myself a Thai Milk Tea ($2.80/$3.20) to start with. Most places you can taste that the milk tea lacks the tea fragrant but you don't get it at Tuk Tuk Cha. The thai milk tea here has a rich full body taste to it. One of the better milk tea I have ever drunk.

Aloha Coconut Shibuya Toast 4.2/5

The Aloha Coconut Shibuya Toast ($10,80) is what I have come for. The refreshing coconut ice cream and young coconut flesh are perfect for the Singapore weather. However the highlight has to be the toast itself. The crusty exterior with the fluffy and buttery interior made this sinfully good. I don't eat a lot of carbo but I really could not stop going back for more. Tuk Tuk Cha has really set the bar quite high for their competitors.

I did not visit Tuk Tuk Cha when it first opened because I heard bad reviews about it. I am glad that they have listened to feedback and made adjustment. I even verified with foodies that have gone back to try their food again, especially their toasts. All of them told them that their current receipts are way better when they first started.


Tuk Tuk Cha
Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard #02-605A
Suntec City Tower 3
Singapore 038983
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am - 930pm
Fri: 10am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

By The Fire @ East Coast Road

Alibabar the Hawker Bar at the junction of East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road seems to be a prosperity ground for any hawker start up with the likes of Aston and Saveur, which move on to opening their own restaurants and branches. The latest tenant is By the Fire, opened by Immanuel Tee by started Immanuel French Kitchen at Bukit Merah and his partner Alexander Chong who helmed the kitchen at By The Fire.

Little Squid 4.2/5

The Little Squid ($9.90) comes with Thai sweet dipping sauce, is a good starter to go with a bottle of beer. The lightly battered squid is deep fried to a crisp exterior while the inside is still tender. Very enjoyable and addictive.

Scotch Egg 4.5/5

The Scotch Egg ($6.90) is not a common item on most restaurant menu and I am glad By The Fire decides to serve this. The breaded minced pork with soft boiled egg and purple cabbage coleslaw is not only beautiful on the plate but palate too. I have tried a couple of scotch egg elsewhere but nothing beats this, especially the well marinated minced pork.

Keystone's Seaweed Pasta 3.8/5

A popular dish at By The Fire is the Keystone's Seaweed Pasta ($8.90). Top mark for the concept using angel hair pasta cooked in aglio olio style, shio kombu and sakura ebi. Although the dish came across a bit too salty, I can tell this is a very good dish with the rich and complex flavours that worked harmoniously.

Grilled Pork Cheek 3.5/5

It was a hate and love affair with the Grilled Pork Cheek ($15.90). The grilled pork cheek confit glazed with Japanese curry oil, served with potato and pumpkin salad literally melted in the mouth. However, it came across too oily.

BBQ Pork Ribs 4/5

It felt like I was have a Sunday BBQ with the BBQ Pork Ribs ($14.90) served with macaroni and cheese. The grilled pork ribs glazed with home secret BBQ sauced has a nice smokey flavour on top of the sweet BBQ sauce. Just need to get your hands dirty with the fork tender ribs. It will be finger licking good.

Squid Ink Pasta 4/5

For the price and portion, I think the Squid Ink Pasta ($12.90) is quite value for money. The spaghetti pasta cooked in squid ink cream sauce, served with grilled scallops, spring onions and bonito flakes will be a delightful slurping goodness for the hungry stomach.

Grilled Hangar Steak 4/5

Last but not least the Grilled Hangar Steak ($19) is cooked perfectly to medium rare. The charred onglet steak (200gram) is served with brown sauce, shallot confit and crispy potato. As the hangar steak is quite tough, I would say this is cooked to a nice tender bite.

Overall, By The Fire serves up some delicious and affordable dishes that is comparable to restaurant quality. It is definitely a place I will not mind going back again.


By The Fire
Alibabar the Hawker Bar
125 East Coast Road
Singapore 428810
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sin: 12pm - 4pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 10 or 32. Alight 6 stops later opposite Roxy Square. Walk to the junction of East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes.[Map]