Tenderbest @ Ayer Rajah Community Club - Crispy Half Chicken At $7.90

With the re-opening of Ayer Rajah Community Centre, we also see a few food establishments moving into the venue. One such tenant is Tenderbest. Unlike their parent group Tenderfresh or better known to many as 可爱鸡, Tenderbest offers a variety of western fare and beverages on top of the sign fried and bbq chicken.

Bandung with Grass Jelly 4/5

I ordered the Bandung with Grass Jelly ($4.50) which I thought is rather interesting. This is a like a fusion of our Malay and Chinese culture, adding grass jelly into the bandung drink. A sweet and refreshing drink to kick start the lunch.

Laksa Prawn Spaghetti 3.5/5

Besides their fried chicken and bbq chicken, Tenderbest offers a variety of western fare such as pasta and steak. After browsing through the extensive menu, I decided to give the local flavour inspired Laksa Prawn Spaghetti ($8.50) a try. It turned out pretty decent with its modernized interpretation and we still can taste elements of the laksa flavour. I like the fact that it is very saucy. It felt like we are having a bowl of laksa, slurping the pasta that is well coated with the sauce.

Crispy Fried Half Spring Chicken 4/5

I could not visit Tenderbest without trying their chicken. I decided to go for the Crispy Fried Half Spring Chicken Rice. The huge portion is really value for money and it is only $7.90. It even comes with buttered rice and coleslaw. The restaurant never fails me with is well marinated and flavoured crispy skin while the interior is still tender and juicy.

Tenderfresh is like my childhood and it is glad to see the home grown brand expanding its business in recent years with up to 9 different brands under the group now. They have continued to provide consistency and quality food, spreading their brands to every corner of the island. With Tenderbest they have gone a bit up market providing a more comfortable and cozy bistro like environment for diners which is also more family friendly. In addition, they have kept the price quite affordable and it is halal.


Tenderbest
Ayer Rajah Community Centre
150 Pandan Gardens
#01-02
Singapore 609335
Tel: +65 90565366
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Jurong East Bus Interchange (Stop ID 28009). Take bus number 51. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

NOW Noodles + @ Square 2 - The Only Place To Have Mee Tai Mak With Century Egg

A new noodle restaurant has opened at Square 2 in Novena offering some unique noodle dishes that has not been seen elsewhere in Singapore yet. Currently NOW Noodles + offers only 5 noodle dishes on the menu but they are already have plans to introduce more noodle dishes on top of their amazing five.

Mee Tai Mak with Century Egg 4.5/5

For me the Mee Tai Mak with Century Egg ($9.80) is the best try dish at NOW Noodles +. This is a dish that you probably can't find it elsewhere in Singapore, at least for now. The mee tai wok is stir fried with century egg, fried egg and homemade belacan for a plate of aromatic goodness infused with wok hei. It felt as if  am digging into a hot plate of fried kway teow or fried carrot cake.

Heng Hwa Noodle Soup 4.5/5

The other unique dish on the menu is the Heng Hwa Noodle Soup ($9.80) that comes with a huge piece of chicken and black fungus. The texture of the noodle has more bite compare to those Heng Hwa Lor Mee commonly found in Singapore. The highlight is the ginger based broth that complement the noodle excellently and it is not too overpowering.

Dry Mee Siam 4.2/5

Dry Laksa 4/5

Now Noodles + makes their own rempah and this is used to stir fried their Dry Mee Siam ($9.80) and Dry Laksa ($9.80). I enjoyed both interpretation of the local flavours which come with huge, fresh crunchy prawns. The homemade rempah definitely is the key, allowing the noodles to shine in the execution.

Mee Goreng 3.5/5

There is even a vegetarian option in the Mee Goreng ($9.80), stir fried with vegetables, potatoes and mushroom. A rather simple dish without complex flavours but just allowing the ingredients and wok hei to do the talking.

Malasada 3/5

For some sweet treats, there are the  Malasada ($3.80/2pc) and Spanish Churros ($3.80 with a choice of 1 dip). The soft and pillowy malasada comes with three different filling - kaya curd, milk tea cream and orange marmalade. My personal favourite is the kaya as the flavour is sweeter to go with dense donut like treat.

Spanish Churros 3.5/5

I prefer the Spanish Churros more than the malasada. The mini churro was rather fun to eat, with its crispy exterior but yet soft interior. Guests have a choice of choosing a dip which is the same as the masalada filling, kaya curd, milk tea cream or orange marmalade.

I would highly recommend the Mee Tai Mak with Century Egg, Heng Hwa Noodle Soup and Dry Mee Siam if you plan to check out the restaurant. It is definitely worth the visit for the unique noodle dishes. On a side note, I think the sweet treats are a bit off from their local and Asian concept. I would prefer to have a bowl of red bean or green bean soup, which I think would be more align to the whole local and Asian noodles menu.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


NOW Noodles +
Square 2
10 Sinaran Drive
#02-65
Singapore
Tel: +65 62510177
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time 3 minutes. [Map]