Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant (琼荣记海鲜) @ Bukit Merah Lane 1

Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant (KEK) has been one of my favourite zi char places to go to whenever I have family gathering or friends visiting from other countries. Started in a humble hawker centre in the 1970s, Keng Eng Kee moved from the demolished Havelock Road hawker centre to its current location at Alexandra Village. It was only a small stall when it moved into Alexandra Village. Down the years, it has expanded the business and took over the whole premises. Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant is a family business whereby the kitchen is now helm by one of the youngest local chef, Wayne Liew while his brother Paul, runs the operations.

Mingzhu Roll 4/5

Mingzhu Roll ($9/$12/$15) is one of KEK's own creation. The golden brown roll is stuffed with salted egg yolk, prawn, ham, mushroom and parsley in a fried tau pok shell. What result is a crispy exterior with many layers of flavours what work harmoniously.

Moonlight Hor Fun 4.2/5

Another signature dish at KEK is the Moonlight Hor Fun ($5/$8/$12/$16) that is wok fried to fragrant in the dark sweet sauce. giving it a smokey aroma or better known as wok hei in our local description. A raw egg is cracked with the egg yolk resembling the moon. Give it a good toss so that the rice noodles are well coated in the egg yolk. I felt it give the noodle a pleasant smoothness in texture while at the same time cut through that rich sweetness from the dark sauce.

Chinese Spinach with Fried Ikan Bilis 4.2/5

For a more balance diet, we order some greens in the Chinese Spinach with Fried Ikan Bilis ($8/$12/$16). The spinach is cooked to a nice crunchy bite with the ikan bilis giving the dish an additional crispy texture.

Prawn Rolls 4.2/5

The huge and plump homemade Prawn Rolls or Hay Chor ($8/$12/$16) is made with a blend of minced pork, carrot, prawn and water chestnut, wrapped in beancurd skin. I like the addition of the water chestnut, giving it a nice crunchy enjoyment.

Coffee Pork Ribs 4.5/5

The aroma of coffee filled the air when the Coffee Pork Ribs ($10/$18/$25) topped with sesame seeds is served to the table. I like the fact that the bones of the pork ribs are removed so it is really easy for consumption. The caramelized sweetness, coffee flavour and aroma made this an excellent dish. This is a must order for me whenever I visit KEK.

Salted Egg Crab 4.5/5

Many foreigners that visit Singapore will always go for the iconic Chilli Crab or Black Pepper Crab. However these are on the spicy side which may not be suitable for the foreign palate. Hence I will usually order the Salted Egg Crab (seasonal price) which is not spicy but instead comes with a sweet buttery and creamy taste that is more suitable for the foreign palate. My foreign friends that have tried it, all have enjoyed it.

Good news to the fans of KEK. KEK has opened a second outlet at 200 Padan Gardens. The menu is slightly different with Chef Wayne's modern take of zi char dishes and a couple of all times favourite from the KEK flagship outlet. Do look out for my post of their second outlet soon.


Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant (琼荣记海鲜)
Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1
Singapore 150124
Tel: +65 62721038
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Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm

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]

Sprigs @ Purvis Street

Sometimes, all it takes is just a sprig of herbs to bring a dish up a notch. That is what Sprigs aspires to - to convey a sense of simplicity which a touch of sophiscation and refinement in the small details. Located at Purvis Street, its design is relatively quiet compared to its neighbours, which I feel makes it a good option for diners who are looking for somewhere more quaint and chill at this area.

Roasted Vel Carpaccio (100g) 2.5/5

Baby Squid 'A la Placha' 3.8/5

Its new menu has assimilated a more adventurous flair to its rustic European demeanour, which is rather evident in both their starters - Roasted Vel Carpaccio ($22) and Baby Squid 'A la Placha' ($22).  Although the roasted veal were thinly sliced, its luscious texture remains, and was further aided by the creamy tuna-favoured tonnato sauce seeping and egg confit atop.  However, I very much prefer the latter. A Spanish dish with baby squid served on Sunny side up, along with toasty crumbs and lomo iberico, not only it is textually more exciting, it also has more layers of flavour. Although it looks kind of bits and pieces, I find every spoonful of it really yummy, especially the crispy squid bits. 

Black Bershire Pork Chop (300g) 4/5

Chilean Seabass 4/5

Moving on to mains, the Chilean Seabass ($40++) is my favourite. The fish was very well done, which was tender with a nicely crisp side. The tangy sauce vierge (a French sauce) goes really well with its buttery texture, and the lomo iberico complements its mild flavour as well. Second to that would be its Black Bershire Pock Chop ($45). I love its juiciness and rich flavour, which was well balanced by the use of butter lime sauce.

New Zealand Rack of Lamb  2/5

As for the New Zealand Rack of Lamb ($38) dish, it is just too heavy for me. I don't think that the spicy Aubergine Cavier and the Au Jus are good accompaniments to the meat at all.

Frozen Mandarin Souffle 3.5/5

I had one of the most delightful savoury desserts of all time! Tete De Moine Cheese ($12), a savoury dessert crafted using a dessert cheese from Switzerland. Shaved into delicate rosette in front of you, they are then being placed onto the toast which is served with quince paste. The dessert cheese is so light that it kind of melted in my mouth along with the buttery toast. The quince paste was so yummy that I thought it was made in house. As for the Frozen Mandarin Souffle ($12), it was tangy and refreshing, but I find it a little too sweet.

Tete De Moine Cheese 4.5/5

To be honest, I find the pricing slightly too steep. That said, from starters to desserts, there is no doubt to Sprigs' standard and quality of its team. However, its identity may need some strengthening so as to stand out from its "much louder" neighbours along Purvis Street.

Written by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


[CLOSED]
Sprigs
12 Purvis Street
Singapore 188591
Tel: +65 63385844
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Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to North Bridge Road. Continue on North Bridge Road towards National Library. At the traffic junction of North Bridge Road and Middle Road, cross the road and continue on North Bridge Road. Turn left onto Purvis Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]