Kent Thong Turtle Soup (金堂山瑞) @ Smith Street Food Centre (Chinatown Complex) - A Heritage Cuisine

Located at Smith Street Food Centre is a humble little stall managed by an old couple who takes turns to mend the stall. The old couple sells the exotic turtle soup, cooked a la minute upon order. Kent Thong Turtle Soup started in Keong Saik street before moving to its current location around 10 years ago.

Claypot Turtle Soup 

Cooked in a concoction of Chinese herbs. the Turtle Soup ($12) is known for its high nutritional value which has health benefits for the kidney and blood circulation. I have tried turtle soup before and I find the version at Kent Tong lighter in both appearance and taste. Understand from their owner their version is Cantonese style. The priced item for every bowl of turtle soup is the rear soft shell of the carapace which is rich with collagen.

Turtle Egg

I have been wanting to try Turtle Egg for the longest time. An owner ever told me that it is very hard to get them. I was rather lucky to finally tried it at Kent Thong. You just need to add $1 for a turtle egg. Crack it into the soup to get a fuller and richer flavour.

Mutton Soup

Besides the turtle soup, Kent Thong also sells Mutton Soup ($6) and Black Chicken Soup ($5). The comforting Mutton Soup has a subtle sweetness. The mutton is also cooked to a soft texture that literally falls off the bone. Many people do no like mutton because of its gaminess but I could not detect any trace of it here.

Black Chicken Soup 4.2/5

The Black Chicken Soup ($5) is the star for me at Kent Tong. The used of rice wine and XO perfumed the bowl of comforting soup as well as elevating the whole enjoyment of the herbal soup.

There are not many stalls left in Singapore that sells turtle soup anymore. Many of us may find the delicacy too exotic. First of all, these are all farmed turtle. If you are afraid of eating the meat, then just drink the soup as they have health benefits for the body.


Kent Thong Turtle Soup
Chinatown Complex
Smith Street Food Centre
Blk 335 Smith Street
#02-188
Singapore 050335
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 7pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street. Turn right onto Trengganu Street and walk to the end of the street. Cross Smith Street and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tamashii Robataya @ North Canal Road - Sake Shabu Shabu

I have tried many types of hotpot but Sake Shabu Shabu is a new to me. Looking for a change and uniqueness, you can hit down to Tamashii Robataya who has recently introduced the Sake Shabu Shabu on their dinner menu. The shabu shabu set comes with an appetizer and dessert of the day, minimum 2 pax to order.

Fresh Oyster 4.2/5

For the appetizer of the day, we have the Fresh Oyster to kick start the meal while waiting for the Sake hotpot to boil.

A whole bottle of Sake is used for the hotpot. Some clams are added into the sake broth to sweeten it. The Sake Shabu Shabu ($208/$358 for 2/4pax) comes with assorted vegetables, Japanese Black Pork Belly/ Loin and choice of Japanese Thin Udon or Rice.

Assorted Vegetables 4.2/5

Japanese Black Pork Belly/ Loin 4.5/5

If this is your first time having Sake Shabu Shabu, you may need a while to get used to the bitter aftertaste from the sake if you do not drink alcohol. The longer the hotpot boils, the alcohol from the sake evaporated and the sweeter it becomes.

If the alcoholic Sake Shabu Shabu is not your thing, there are also the Kurobuta Shabu Shabu ($58/pax), A3 Joshu Gyu Shabu Shabu ($78/pax), A5 Saga Gyu Shabu Shabu ($108/pax) and Kani Shabu Shabu ($118/pax) that uses dashi broth. All these set come with an appetizer, dessert, assorted vegetables, meat and choice of rice or thin udon. If you are want something special, you can try the Soy Bean Shabu Shabu ($108/$188 for 2/4pax).

A5 Grade Saga Beef 4.5/5

The A5 Grade Saga Beef with its beautiful marbling is perfect for the shabu shabu. The saga beef is full flavoured, tender and literally melted in the mouth.

Porridge 4/5

The finale of the hotpot is to pour the rice into the broth that has been infused with the essence of the cooked ingredients. An egg is added to thicken the porridge and lift the taste. I was taken aback that the porridge actually tasted sweet instead of the bitter aftertaste I got from cooking the vegetables and pork.

Wrapping up the meal is the dessert of the day. I have the Sea Salt Ice Cream while my dinner companion has the Mochi. A perfect ending to a sumptuous meal.


Tamashii Robataya
12 North Canal Road
#02-01
Singapore 048825
Tel: +65 62220316
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards the junction of North Canal Road and South Bridge Road. Cross the junction and continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Look out for an alley and turn left into it. Look for the entrance to the building and take lift to level 2. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards North Canal Road. Continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Look out for an alley and turn right into it. Look for the entrance to the building and take lift to level 2. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]