Saturday, April 17, 2021

Old Airport Road Zheng Zong Lor Mee @ Tampines Street 43 - Sisters Of Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee Open Own Stall

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Have you tried the famous Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee at Old Airport Road hawker centre? Recently the sisters of Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee has opened their own stall at Tampines Street 43. The stall name is Old Airport Road Zheng Zong Lor Mee, located at the coffeeshop beside the market. As words get around of their opening after seven months, there is a constant snaking queue for their lor mee now.

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Lor Mee 4.5/5

I heard that the sisters start the day as early as 130am to start preparing the gravy and ingredients in order to open the stall by 6am. That is a lot of hard work behind a comforting bowl of noodle in a thick and viscous gravy.

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The Lor Mee ($4/ $5/ $6) comes in three sizes. We have the largest portion loaded with shredded batang fish, braised pork, braised egg, beansprouts and parsley. The serving is very generous. Not forgetting the garlic and vinegar, which is the soul of a good bowl of lor mee. You can also add a dollop of chilli sauce and some chopped chilli to spice up the enjoyment.

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I have not tried Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee, but accordingly, to my friends, the gravy is lighter in flavour in comparison. For a first-timer like me, I find it acceptable and well balanced. It definitely makes the spot as one of the top lor mee stalls in Singapore.

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Apparently, the stall also sells prawn noodle. I didn't try it, but if you do, do let me know whether it is good? 


Old Airport Road Zheng Zong Lor Mee
Blk 477 Tampines Street 43
#01-192
Singapore 520477
Tel: +65 97126849
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tampines East (DT Line), Tampines (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu-Tue: 6am - 1pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A or D. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 28, 29, 293 or 553. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines East MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across the housing estate. Walk to Tampines Street 42. Cross the street and continue to Tampines Street 43. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Friday, April 16, 2021

Kinki Restaurant + Bar @ Customs House - A Bigger, Bolder, Badder Revamp

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Time flies, and  Kinki Restaurant + Bar at Customs House has been around for more than 10 years since May 2010. On the cusp of a new decade, Kinki starts a new chapter with an audacious revamp. Gone is the sumo, passing his legacy to the Geisha for her epitome of Japanese femininity and hospitality.

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Cassava Nachos 4.2/5

We started our dinner with some light bites. First up is the Cassava Nachos ($18) topped with tomato miso beef, guacamole, creme fraiche, Japanese cucumber and cherry tomatoes. Kinki substituted the usual tortilla chips with tapioca chips for a more delightful textural bite. At the same time, the Japanese cucumber gives it a refreshing finish.

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Corn Duo 4.8/5

Next is the Corn Duo ($16), which comprises baby corn and corn puree. The addition of furikake elevated the enjoyment of the corn's sweetness.

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AC/DC Dynamite 4.5/5

I would highly recommend the AC/DC Dynamite ($22) for an explosion of flavours. The tempura-fried mixed seafood roll is capped by a slice of Japanese cucumber with fresh raw seafood and avocado. The homemade Sriracha sweet soy provides the ignition to the explosion.

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Cowabunga 4.2/5

Beef lover will enjoy the Cowabunga ($36) compromising Japanese rice rolled with cream cheese, cucumber, homemade spicy mayo, and melt-in-the-mouth seared A4 Wagyu beef slices. The parcel is topped with tobiko, potato floss and soy reduction for the different textural contrast.

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Unagi Claypot 4.5/5

The off the menu Unagi Claypot ($35), which only served during special occasions, has now made it permanently to the menu. Besides the huge piece of unagi on top of the charred fried rice, chopped unagi is also tossed in it, doused in a homemade unagi sauce. Each mouthful is full of addictive charred flavour for a comforting enjoyment.

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Kickass Chirashi Don 4.5/5

Being a Japanese restaurant, it can't do without fresh seafood. The Kickass Chirashi Don ($78) comes with the Chef's selection of premium seafood on sushi rice. During my visit, there is otoro, kinmedai, hirame, salmon, shima aji, hotate, botan ebi, tamago, ikura and Polanco Oscietra caviar.

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Karaage Chicken Bao 4.2/5

A delightful Japanese-Chinese fusion is the Karaage Chicken Bao ($20) with juicy, deep-fried chicken thigh, momotaro tomato and pickled cucumber sandwiched in a soft, fluffy steamed bun. It is dressed in a sweet soy sauce for a multi flavour and textural finish.

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Spicy Buffalo Katsu 3/5

The Spicy Buffalo Katsu ($30) was slightly disappointing for me compare to the rest. The breaded pork loin cutlet tossed in homemade Japanese buffalo sauce is slightly on the dry side for me. Furthermore, it is not spicy at all.

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Grilled Squid Chimichurri 4.5/5

New on the menu is the Grilled Squid Chimichurri ($32). It is smokey and tender paired excellently with the sweet and sour sauce. Perfect to have this with a couple of drinks.

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Ice Cream 3/5

We have Ice Cream ($8/ $12) to wrap up the dinner. There are flavours such as yuzu, momo, black sesame and more.

Diners can look forward to The Bottomless Brunch ($68) on Saturday, for unlimited a la carte servings of sushi, sashimi, maki, hot and cold Japanese favourites, and desserts. You can also top it up with free-flow beer, sake, prosecco or shochu for $35.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kinki Restaurant + Bar
Customs House
70 Collyer Quay
#02-02
Singapore 049323
Tel: +65 83636697
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Restaurant
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 215pm, 6pm - 1015pm
Sat & PH: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1015pm

Bar
Mon-Sat: 5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Clifford Centre. Cut across the building. Go to 2nd floor, take the overhead bridge link across the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]