Fragrant Garden (馨香园) @ Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre - A Hidden Gem In A Deserted Shopping Mall

Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre used to be my hangout during my primary and secondary school days. This is where I got my computer games in floppy disc and computer repaired. Back then, it was the only shopping mall in the Hougang and Serangoon areas. There were no Nex, Kovan Heartland Mall, Hougang Mall and City Square Mall. The mall remains stuck in time, in its early 80s, rundown and deserted, except for Fragrant Garden (馨香园) on level one that still attracts a regular crowd for its Teochew dishes.

Combo Roll 4/5

Together with a few foodie friends, we dropped by Fragrant Garden on a weekday evening to have dinner. The whole place still looks the same during my secondary school's day. The entire mall is deserted except for the dinner crowd at Fragrant Garden. We started with the Combo Roll ($12/$20) which consists of prawn roll and liver roll. My attention is drawn to the liver roll, which is hardly available in the restaurants' menu nowadays. The offal gives it a creamy interior encased in a crispy exterior wrapped with beancurd skin.

Oyster Omelette Teochew Style 4.2/5

I have tried the oyster omelette from Chui Huay Lim Teochew Restaurant and its the gooey version. Over at Fragrant Garden, the Oyster Omelette Teochew Style ($14/$20) is very close to our local hawker version. It is fried to crispy on the exterior, retaining a slight gooeyness inside with plump and juicy oysters.

Steamed Pomfret in Teochew Style 4.5/5

Steamed Pomfret in Teochew Style (Seasonal Price) is a staple Teochew dish which does not come cheap. A size like this would probably cost around $95. You would perhaps like to confirm the price right at the beginning just to avoid any unhappiness during payment. Steamed to perfection, the pomfret was moist and complemented by the sourish gravy.

Braised Duck in Teochew Style 4.2/5

Another dish I enjoyed a lot in the Braised Duck in Teochew Style ($15/$20). I like the layer of fat under the skin, giving it a delightful ratio to the tender meat. Hidden underneath the pile of sliced braised duck, is a bed of silky Pu Ning Tofu.

Fragrant's Stuffed Sea Cucumber 4/5

If you are a fan of sea cucumber, you will appreciate the Fragrant's Stuffed Sea Cucumber ($60 onwards). The sea cucumber is well braised to a soft and bouncy texture. The stuffed meat mixture elevates the main ingredient, giving it a multi-textural enjoyment. Pre-order is required for this dish.

Braised Vegetable with Scallop in Teochew Style 4.5/5

For the vegetable dish, we went for the Braised Vegetable with Scallop in Teochew Style ($12). I am a sucker for cabbage, especially when it is braised under "nua nua" (very soft), absorbing the flavoursome broth.

Fried Kway Tiao with Chai Poh 4/5

Another staple Teochew dish is the Fried Kway Tiao with Chai Poh ($5/$8/$12). Another well-executed dish packed with smokiness. I only wish there are more dice vegetables for that crunchy bite in each mouthful of the fragrant noodle.

Yam Paste 4/5

Of course, how can we not end our dinner with the traditional Yam Paste ($4/$20/$30)? The version at Fragrant Garden comes with gingko nuts, pumpkin and shallot. Decently good but not the best I have tried.

Fragrant Garden prides itself for offering authentic and cheap Teochew cuisine. It is true to a certain extent as most of the dishes are reasonably priced. However, they are also expensive items such as the sea cucumber, steamed pomfret, cold crab etc. Hence you need to know what to order and not influenced by the pushy service staffs that will try to recommend you the expensive dishes. I have come across reviews about their lousy service but putting that aside, the food here is delicious.


Fragrant Garden (馨香园)
Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre
756 Upper Serangoon Road
#01-15/16
Singapore 534626
Tel: +65 62897301
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Website
Nearest MRT: Serangoon (CC Line, NE Line), Kovan (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk to bus stop at Serangoon Bus Interchange (Stop ID 66009). Take bus number 101, 107, 136 or 153. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to bus stop at Serangoon MRT station (Stop ID 66351). Take bus number 81 or 82. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Kovan MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Kovan MRT station (Stop ID 63039). Take bus number 80, 81, 82, 101, 107, 136 or 153. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Fook Kin (福劲) @ Killiney Road - Heavenly Char Siew Brought To You By Roast Paradise

Nestled along the shophouses at Killiney Road, Fook Kin is all about damn good Char Siew. With its brightly lit with neon lights and retro-Chinese furnishings juxtaposed with edgy graffiti murals, it is not difficult to spot. Conceptualised by The Muttons DJs, this restaurant serves up dishes centred around Cantonese-style roasts in a modern setting, and partnering with the famed Roast Paradise hawker stall means Fook Kin is not just about the ambience, it is about the food too.

While most of such modern concepts and even Chinese restaurants have switched to using automated equipment for their roasts, the team here still uses the labour-intensive traditional Apollo Drum roast oven. What resulted is a plate of their signature Caramelised Char Siew ($6.80), that I find unbeatable. It had a sweet, smokey charred exterior that behaved almost like the caramelised sugar crust of a creme brulee. A very subtle crack as I took a bite and the meat encased within was delicious with its fats nicely broken down. Its texture was impressive, like a perfectly seared Waygu beef steak. Even when picking up the thicker cuts, they were just as good.

As for the Golden Crackling Siew Yoke ($6.50), the cracking was excellent, and the meat was tender, but a fattier cut would have made it even more satisfying.

Side dishes are available for sharing as well. One of the popular appetisers here is the Triple Happiness Tofu ($9.80), featuring cold tofu topped with floss, roe and century egg. The amount of century egg was disappointing, and its much-anticipated flavours didn't come through as well.

Two Way Kai Lan ($9.80) is delightful with a portion of fried finely chopped Kai Lan. It tasted a lot like kale, and I find it really moreish with the floss topping.

With its roasts and this bowl of Golden Lotus Roots Crisps ($7.80), Fook Kin has a great potential of being a themed bar. After all, they do have a private dining room behind, like where a speakeasy bar will be situated. Tossed with salted egg yolk, these thick cuts of lotus roots chips are finger-licking tasty bar bites to have along with your beers. The beer selection is limited but good enough for an affording drinking session with yourself or your buddies.

Fook Kin offers hearty rice and noodle dishes too.  A light version of Maggie Choo in Bangkok, I would say.

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


Fook Kin 福劲
111 Killiney Road
Singapore 239550
Tel: +65 67373488
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Cut through Comcentre to Killiney Road. Turn right onto Killiney Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]