Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Suzuki Cafe and Roastery @ Chin Bee Ave (Boon Lay) - A Hidden Japanese-Style Wooden Teahouse Cafe In The West

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Having stayed in the West for more than five years, I didn't even know the existence of Suzuki Cafe and Roastery at Chin Been Ave. The cafe is hidden in an industrial area at Boon Lay. It probably caught the attention of social media when it revamped the place, spotting a Japanese wooden teahouse interior. It seems to work, attracting and creating more awareness for the cafe. In fact, Suzuki Gourment Coffee has been around since 1979, and it is one of Singapore's oldest coffee roastery.

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Unlike other cafes, Suzuki Cafe does not serve food. It only offers a variety of coffee, matcha latte and hojicha latte. It also uses Hokkaido milk for a creamier and more full-body finish. The coffee is rather pricey here, costing double what you get in other cafes, around $7-$8.

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The drinks come in a wooden tray with a piece of Lotus Biscuit. Though I enjoyed my Flat White with Hokkaido Milk ($8), I was disappointed that the coffee comes in a plastic takeaway cup for the price I paid. 

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While Suzuki Cafe is not easily accessible by public transport, I like the chill and relax vibe. It felt like being transported to a cafe in a small town in Japan. Time seems to pass slowly as I enjoy my cup of coffee in a cafe filled with the coffee's aroma.


Suzuki Cafe and Roastery
8 Chin Bee Ave
Singapore 619932
Tel: +65 62663933
Website
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 10am - 5pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 4pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D or E. Walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus number 79. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination, Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Qi Xiang Hot Pot @ The Chevrons - Popular Chicken Pot In Kovan, Opens New Hotpot Restaurant In The West

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Qi Xiang Hot Pot at The Chevrons is proudly brought to you by the team behind Qi Xiang Chicken Pot. Known for its unique beer-infused chicken pots, the restaurant also uses traditional claypots, and what you get is one of Singapore's first-ever yuan yang claypot options. What's more, it opens till 3am daily!

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The restaurant will also be offering free-flow drinks, fruits and condiments for $5 per pax. Among the various condiments, be sure to get its in-house special chilli sauce, which is full of zing and adds a fiery kick to every bite.

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Pumpkin Soup 4.8/5

Soup bases options include its Signature Broth ($29.90 for full or half pot) which has brought them to fame, but I chose other two which complement each other - a soul comforting and nourishing Pumpkin Soup ($29.90 for full or half pot), juxtaposing a piquant and zingy Green Pepper Sauerkraut Dory Fish Pot ($37.90 for full pot, $20.80 for half pot). The Pumpkin Soup takes more than 5 hours to be ready, and supposedly rich in chicken and pork collagen. That was quite evident in the deep chicken flavour underneath the sweet pumpkin note. You can even amp up the chicken broth by pairing it with Qi Xiang Hotpot’s Famed Boiled Chicken ($9.90 for half chicken or quarter thigh meat options, $15.90 for whole chicken).

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Green Pepper Sauerkraut Dory Fish Pot 4.8/5

On the other hand, the latter was highly stimulating with a broth cooked with herbaceous peppercorns, ginger, sour mustard leaves, and laced with chilli oil. I like this version versus a full-blown mala soup. It gives that pleasant peppercorn aroma and a fiery kick without the greasiness. What's interesting is the addition of dory fish to emulate the concept of sliced fish bee hoon.

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Japanese Wagyu Beef

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Iberico pork

The menu features over 80 delectable options, including premium shabu shabu meat featuring Australian Wagyu Beef ($49.90 for full portion, $24.90 for half portion) and Japanese Wagyu Beef ($135.90 for 300g, $67.90 for 150g). Of course, there is seafood as well, such as prawns and Tioman fish slices.

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Smoke Infused Duck Breast Braised in Szechuan Sauce 4.5/5

But what jazz up this hotpot menu is its range of sides. For instance, this Smoke Infused Duck Breast Braised in Szechuan Sauce ($18.90) is a rather well-considered dish prepared through the precise cooking methods of being braised, sous-vide, then tea smoked with umami-packed house-made Szechuan sauce. I love the fats that lace around the meat, which made each slice tender and succulent.

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XO Homemade Carrot Cake 3.8/5

If you like deep-fried carrot cake, you may find this XO Homemade Carrot Cake ($10.90) sinfully good. Each chunk of carrot cake is turned into a crispy morsel tossed with crispy egg bits, beansprouts and spring onions, dressed in dollops of XO sauce.

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Prawn Pizza 4/5

Another delectable bite is this crowd-pleasing Prawn Pizza ($9.90). The filling in between the thin crisp was pretty well done, with bits of prawns to provide that bit of a bite.

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To celebrate the new opening, you can enjoy the following promotions:
- No service charge (June 2021 to August 2021)
- Free Mee Sua Dish for birthday diners

Photos and words 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Qi Xiang Hot Pot
The Chevrons
48 Boon Lay Way
#03-06
Singapore 609961
Tel: +65 88086730
Facebook
Website: Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am – 3am

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to junction of Jurong Gateway Road and Boon Lay Way. At the junction. turn right and walk down Boon Lay Way. At the junction of Jurong East Street 11 and Boon Lay Way, cross the road and continue down Boon Lay Way. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Jurong East Bus Interchange (Stop ID 28009). Take bus number 52 or 105. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]