Original (正宗) @ Geylang East Centre Food Centre - Old School Claypot Delights

My recent visit to Geylang East Centre Food Centre introduces me to Original (正宗) which sells claypot delights such as Laksa, Pork Ribs Noodle Soup, Pig Tail Prawn Noodle, Prawn Noodle and Curry Chicken, all serve in claypot.

Claypot Prawn Noodle 2.8/5

The Claypot Prawn Noodle ($3) comes with fresh peeled prawns, bean sprouts and pork slices. For the price, the portion is quite reasonable, served piping hot in a claypot. The old school style prawn noodle lacked the rich crustacean flavour in the soup. Hence it did not quite manage to win over my palate. It was decent but not wow.

Claypot Laksa 3/5

Like the prawn noodle, the Claypot Laksa ($3) is served piping hot in a claypot. The laksa comes with cockles, fishcake and prawn. The laksa broth has a light creamy consistency. However I felt it lacked the depth of a good laksa broth to complement the rice noodle. It is missing the richness of the coconut milk as well as the aroma of the dried shrimps.

Although I felt the food is rather average here, I did observe that the stall had a constant stream of customers during my visit. I will assume either the customers are attracted by the reasonable pricing or the old school taste of their claypot dishes.


Original (正宗)
Geylang East Centre Food Centre
Blk 117 Aljunied Ave 2
#01-02
Singapore 380117
Nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW Line), Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
TBA

Direction:
1) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk towards Aljunied Road. Take the overhead bridge. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Aljunied MRT station (Stop ID 81081). Take bus number 80. Alight 2 stops later. Cut through the housing estate. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

 2) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to Geylang East Ave 1. On Geylang East Ave 1, turn left and continue to the end of the road. Cross the road and continue on Aljunied Crescent. Walk down Aljunied Crescent and turn right onto Aljunied Ave 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Paya Lebar MRT station (Stop ID 81119). Take bus number 134 or 155. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Cut through the housing estate and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Candlenut @ COMO Dempsey - World First Michelin Starred Peranakan Restaurant

I finally visited Candlenut at its new home at COMO Dempsey recently to tick off another Michelin starred restaurants in Singapore. Candlenut helmed by Chef Malcolm Lee is the world first Peranakan restaurant to be awarded 1 Michelin Star in 2016 and 2017 in Singapore Michelin Guide.

After placing our orders, we are served some complimentary Fish Crackers. By the way, if you notice the Sambal Belachan in the background, I have to pay $2 for it. It is not complimentary at Candlenut. I didn't know besides water, now restaurant also starts charging for chilli.

Crisy Beancurd Skin Ngoh Hiang 4.5/5

We started with the Crispy Beancurd Skin Ngoh Hiang ($16). The ngoh hiang is stuffed with minced pork, prawns and water chestnut. It is then wrapped in a thin layer of beancurd skin and fried to crisp. The version here is slightly different from the traditional, with more chunky textures at play which I enjoyed.

Kuhlbarra Ocean Barramundi Assam Pedas 4.5/5

The Kuhlbarra Ocean Barramundi Assam Pedas ($26) comes with baby lady's finger, eggplant and pineapple. Despite its fiery appearance, the dish is not as spiciness as it looks. The gravy was robust, having a good balance of sour and spicy. This complemented the piece of moist fish fillet excellently.

Chap Chye 4.8/5

A dish that I will always order whenever I visit a Peranakan restaurant is the chap chye. The Chap Chye ($18) comes with braised cabbage, black mushroom, lily buds, black fungus and vermicelli. The braised cabbage still retained a good crunch to it. The used of dried shrimp and fermented bean paste accentuated the dish, but not overpowering it. This is probably one of the best version I have eaten.

Braised Iberian Pork Carrillera Pongteh 5/5

The Braised Iberian Pork Carrillera Pongteh ($24) was so tender that we doubt we were having pork In fact, we actually check with the staff whether it was beef or pork. The fork tender, melted in the mouth texture really got us confused. This is cooked in a preserved soy bean gravy that is packed with flavours, together with shitake mushroom and crushed chilli.

Mai Shan Wang Ice Cream, Durian Puree, Kueh Rose 4.2/5

For dessert, we tried the Mai Shan Wang Ice Cream, Durian Puree, Kueh Rose ($15). The durian puree is quite sweet. So in order not to have a sugar rush, it is recommend to have a bit of everything today. This is a dessert made for durian lover.

Buah Keluak Ice Cream, Valrhona Chocolate, Chilli, Warm Chocolate Espuma 4.2/5

For the adventurous, you should try the Buah Keluak Ice Cream, Valrhona Chocolate, Chilli, Warm Chocolate Espuma ($15). I have not known that buah keluak can be made into ice cream. Not to mention the heavenly combination with valrhona chocolate. The buah keluak tasted like dark chocolate in the dessert.

Overall I am really impress with the Chef Malcolm's interpretation of Peranakan cuisine. He has definitely elevated traditional Peranakan food to a new level that is acceptable to the international palate while not losing the its heritage roots.


Candlenut
COMO Dempsey
Blk 17A Dempsey Road
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 3042288
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Farrer Road (CC Line), Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch
Daily: 12pm - 3pm
Dinner
Sun-Thu: 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat, Eve PH & PH: 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Orchard Boulevard (Stop ID 09022). Take bus number 7, 77, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the round about near block 17 and 18. Walk to destination. Journey time 30 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Block 12 (Stop ID 11401). Take bus 106. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the round about near block 17 and 18. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Farrer Road MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Farrer Road MRT station (Stop ID 11119). Take bus number 174 or 564. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the round about near block 17 and 18. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]