Quan Lai Kway Chap @ Macpherson Road - Kway With Thick & Gooey Broth

Many foodies should be familiar with Quan Lai Kway Chap at Macpherson Road. When I was staying in Hougang, it is one of the supper places I would visit. After moving to the West, I have not eaten there for a long time. Since I was in the area on a Saturday, I decided to drop by for lunch.

Kway Chap 4.5/5

I ordered a braised platter for 2 pax, a bowl of yam rice, a bowl of kway and a plate of fried large intestines. The whole meal comes to $25.80. Do you think it is expensive? I asked the question because Quan Lai is also known to many as one of the most expensive place to have kway chap.

My braised platter for 2 pax consists of Braised Duck Meat, Tau Pok, Fish Cake, Intestine, Tofu, Braised Pork Belly and Braised Egg. The duck meat is a bit dry but what I like is the richness of the braised sauce whereby I can taste the different herbals and spices used. In addition, the braised ingredients have also been cooked until they have absorbed the delectable flavours.

Kway 4.5/5

Most places just cooked the rice sheet separately and add the broth onto it, hence the rice sheet tasted rather bland without absorbing the flavoursome broth. At Quan Lai, I suspect the kway has been cooked together with the thick and gooey broth, allowing the thick rice sheet to absorb the flavour. I am glad that the kway doesn't taste bland, instead soaking up the delicious broth for an enjoyable bite.

Fried Large Intestine 4.2/5

Another item I enjoyed is the Fried Large Intestine. It is fried to a nice crispy exterior while the interior is still a bit chewy. It also does not have the gamey taste. I actually find it very addictive.

I have read reviews that the standard of the kway chap has dropped over the years, especially after the son took over. I have not eaten at Quan Lai for a long while and I have a short memory to compare what it used to me. What I know is that I have a satisfied experience and I have enjoyed my lunch here.


Quan Lai Kway Chap
560 Macpherson Road
Sin Fong Restaurant
Singapore 368233
Tel: +65 67441252
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 1230am

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Macpherson Road. Turn right at Macpherson road. Walk down Macpherson Road to the stretch of shop houses. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Thonglor Thai Cuisine & Seafood @ West Coast Plaza - Lacklustre Thai Food Which I Would Give A Miss

The restaurants at West Coast Plaza has been changing so often that I kind of lost tracked who was the previous occupant that the current Thonglor Thai Cuisine & Seafood occupies. If I am not wrong, this is their second outlet after the their flagship restaurant at Ang Mo Kio. Since its new in the neighbourhood, I decided to drop by for dinner.

Thai Stir Fried Kang Kong 3.5/5

The Thai Stir Fried Kang Kong ($6.90) was pretty well executed with the right note of spiciness, lifted by the fragrant dried shrimp in the sambal. The greens also retains a delectable crunchy texture.

Tom Yum Seafood Soup 2.8/5

For the price of the Tom Yum Seafood Soup ($8,90). the portion is pretty generous with a variety of seafoods. The size of the prawns are quite big too. Where that is the up side, the soup is lacklustre. It lacked depth and the characteristic flavours of an authentic tom yum soup.

Steamed Seabass with Lemon Sauce 2.8/5

The Steamed Seabass with Lemon Sauce ($19.90) is a favourite dish that I always order when I dine at Thai restaurant. While the seabass was fresh and sweet, I was let down by the lemon sauce. I can only taste the lemon flavour. It is missing the spiciness and sweetness in it that makes me fall in love with this dish.

Sad to say I am not impressed with the food at Thonglor Thai Cuisine. With competition in the vicinity such as Nakhon Kitchen and Na Na Original Thai Food, I would rather give Thonglor a miss. If the jinx at West Coast Plaza continues, I suspect I would see another new tenant soon.


Thonglor Thai Cuisine & Seafood
West Coast Plaza
154 West Coast Road
#02-25
Singapore 127371
Tel: +65 62522552
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clementi MRT (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station. (Stop ID 17179). Take bus number 201. Alight 2 stops later. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]