Get ready to explore the land and high seas – all you need is a fork and knife. Aptly named the Surf & Turf buffet at Pan Pacific Singapore’s Edge restaurant, this specially curated buffet segment features premium cuts of meat and the freshest of seafood. Held every Tuesday night, diners will be treated to some of the best delicacies that the world has to offer – from meat to seafood, and everything else that fall between the food spectrum.

And more than just having a wide range of ingredients that traversed the land and sea, the versatility also come from the spectrum of culinary methods used to prepare these dishes. From quintessentially local flavours that come in the form of Chilli Crabs and Pork Ribs Soup, to exotic Mexican classics like the Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya, the buffet menu is sure to transport you on a literal gastronomical adventure around the world.

Perhaps the Chicken 65 & Squid neatly encapsulated what Surf & Turf at Edge had to offer. The Indian-influenced dish was aromatic and delectably crispy, featuring chicken chunks and baby squid that was deep-fried in a spice batter.

Heming the heart of the buffet line is a live grill station where cuts of beef, lamb, pork, salmon, garlic prawns and chorizo sausages are freshly grilled and served straight to your table. You get the smoky char on all your food, without any of the lingering smell. We’d suggest skipping the pasta station and going straight to the station that serves up Wok-fried Fish Noodles With Roasted Pork And Yellow Chives, which was a dish that reminded us of ee-fu noodles coated with wok hei flavour.

Pearls Of The Sea

There is no better measure of the freshness of the seafood than ones where you have them served on ice (and also raw). Minimally seasoned, the bright orange prawns were fresh and succulent while the Alaskan king crabs were plump and sweet. Other selection include freshly shucked seasonal oysters, queen scallops and poached Bouchot mussels.

Fresh cuts of sashimi are also available upon request. From salmon slices to octopuses and tuna, seafood lovers will be able to savour the flavour of these dishes in their most purest of form – and the freshness speaks for itself.

Gems Of The Land

As extensive as their seafood selection, the sheer amount of meat choices will not disappoint as well. Hoping on the chirashi trend, the Wagyu Beef Chirashi is a brand new creation to the buffet line, where torched wagyu beef cubes, tamagoyaki, asparagus, fish roe and scallions lay atop a bed of fluffy rice. As tempting as it may, resist filling your tummy with seconds to make room the rest of the food.

There are many live stations at the Surf & Turf, one of which serves up freshly sliced char siew and the roasted delights like pork and duck. The roast pork we had was pretty decent, with a crispy crackling and a good meat-to-fat ratio. We also had some laksa, which was nice and rich, and we appreciated the nice gentle heat of the gravy.

You’ll want to dip those meat from the buffet line with some of their Homemade Signature Sambal. These little saucers of condiments might be lying aside quietly, but their fragrance packs a fiery punch. We especially enjoyed the Salted Fish Sambal, where a robust fish fragrance accompanied the chilli blend to create something tasted great even with some plain rice. Beef lovers can enjoy the Slow-roasted Wagyu Rump With Herb Gremolata, but we actually preferred their fully cooked meat creations like the fusion Spicy Bulgogi Beef Pizza With Shrimp that came on a wafer-thin crunchy base.

The Roasted Whole Baby Lamb With Mezza Condiments made us do a double-take when we first spotted it lying on the buffet line. Undeniably a decedent way of serving lamb, the slices were surprisingly moist and gamey taste was well masked.

And Those That Lie Between

Despite not falling within with category of ‘sea’ or ‘land’, no effort has been spared in the luxurious selection of sweet treats. The usual cascading chocolate fountain makes an appearance, and we liked the fruit cocktail as the side that comes with a spiked concoction that made for a naughty spin on the usual fruits.

Their signature Durian Pengat is great for lovers of this notorious fruit, but our favourite was the a la minute Waffles with batches that were made fresh. Top these fluffy quadrants with a scoop of ice cream for a classic sweet treat that’s done just right. Our tip? Munch on some decadent Dark Rum Soft Chocolate that felt like a spiked chocolate gummy, or snack on the selection of nyonya kuehs while waiting for your waffles to be ready.

And in the same indulgent vein as their savoury mains, many of their desserts are just as indulgent as well. Some came with an ostentatious sheen of gold, like this Gluten-free Chocolate Brownie that was practically calling out to us. The bittersweet fudgey chunks was rich and intense and oh-so-worth-the-calories. Well, at least it’s gluten-free so that makes it healthier.

So if you’re in the explorative mood (and appetite), try the new Surf & Turf at the Edge for a meal that transcends land and sea to bring you the best – from the sea and land and everything else in between.

The Surf & Turf buffet at Pan Pacific Singapore runs every Tuesday from 6:30pm – 10:30pm.

Price: S$78 (per adult) and S$39 (per child)

The post Pan Pacific’s Surf & Turf – The Best Of Both Worlds appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

When buying cookware, what are some things you look out for? For me, I always go for non-stick pans that is easy to clean. Imagine having to waste all my energy to scrub and scrub after cooking a meal. A big thank you to the kind folks from Corningware®, I was introduced to the new top-of-the-range metal cookware Corningware® Retroflam.

Made in Korea from quality materials in a five thick layers of coating consisting of cast aluminum, black titanium, and sparkling pearl ceramic coating on the interior and exterior of the cookware. Corningware® Retroflam has specially designed radiating grooves on the base to allow for even distribution of heat, hence food is evenly cooked. Aluminum is great for thermal conductivity, ensuring energy efficiency; while titanium is strong and non-toxic. This is especially good when I am cooking my fish, it won’t get burnt on just one side. There is faster and healthier cooking turnaround time which leads to lowers energy consumption.

The ceramic coating is highly resistant to heat. Healthy cooking even at under 400 deg C heat, it won’t discharge any toxic chemical. With superior non-stick ability it means the pans are also very easy to clean. All you have to do is wipe off any residue with paper towel after cooking before cleaning it. No scrubbing needed, yay!

The Corningware® Retroflam cookware range promises effective, healthy, non-chemical emission, and hassle-free nonstick functionalities during cooking. The range—which includes wok, sauce pan, casserole pot, and fry pan in radiant colours of red ruby and green emerald—is visually appealing and is a must-have tool for modern cooking.

I put the Corningware® Retroflam wok pan to test by cooking two local dishes with it – Char Kway Teow and Claypot Chicken Rice.

RECIPE: FRIED KWAY TEOW

Because of its large surface and non-stick functionality, stir frying my fried kway teow was very easy. Heat was distributed equally so my fried kway teow was evenly cooked with no charred wok base.

Fried Kway Teow

2016-07-29 11:10:19

Serves 4

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Ingredients

1. 2 tbs oil
2. 6 large garlic cloves, minced
3. 2 Chinese sausages, sliced
4. 12 large prawns
5. 1 cups bean sprouts
6. 450g kway teow
7. 100g fish cake, sliced
8. 2 eggs
9. 1 cup Chinese chives, cut into 2″ length
10. Salt, to taste
11. White pepper, to taste

Sauce

1. 2 tbs dark soy sauce
2. 3 tbsp sweet soy sauce
3. 1 tsp fish sauce
4. 1 tbs sambal (optional, for spicy version)

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients for the sauce and mix well.
2. Heat Corningware® Retroflam over medium fire. Add oil and sautéed garlic.
3. When it is turning brown, add fish cakes, sausages and prawns. Stir fry using high heat.
4. Add the bean sprouts, noodles and sauce. Stir fry for a minute.
5. Make a hole in the centre, crack the eggs and fry. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.

Miss Tam Chiak http://www.misstamchiak.com/

RECIPE: CLAYPOT CHICKEN RICE

One pot meals are great especially when I am so overwhelmed with work and wanted a quick but delicious meal. This is my favourite recipe and we have cooked it twice already using Corningware® Retroflam. Plus it is so easy, all I need to do is to marinade the chicken beforehand. Look at how beautiful the chicken thighs turn out when I sear them in the pan. The chicken browned beautifully and amazingly when I removed them from the pan, there was no residue left at the bottom. Washing up is a breeze!

Claypot Chicken Rice

2016-07-29 11:12:36

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Ingredients

1. 4 chicken thighs
2. 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
3. 5-6 slices of ginger
4. 2 tbs oil
5. 2 Chinese sausages, sliced
6. 6 dried shiitake mushroom, soaked in hot water 15 minutes and cut into slices
7. 1½ cups rice
8. 1½ cups chicken stock
9. 1 cup water
10. 3 tbs sauce from marinade
11. spring onions, for garnish
12. red chillies, for garnish

Marinade

1. 2½ tsp sesame oil
2. 2 tbs oyster sauce
3. 2 tbs light soy sauce
4. 1 tsp brown sugar
5. 1½ tbs sweet soy sauce
6. ½ tsp salt
7. ½ tsp white pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients for marinade and marinate chicken thigh overnight.
2. Heat Corningware® Retroflam over medium high heat. Add 1 tsp oil and sear chicken thigh with skin side down for about 1.5 minutes. Flip the chicken and sear for another 1.5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Sauteed garlic and ginger. Add in mushrooms, sausages, rice and marinade. Mix well.
4. Add chicken stock, water and ½ tbs of sweet soy sauce for darker colour. Place chicken thigh on the rice. Cover the pan and using small heat, cook for 20 mins or until the rice is cooked. Garnish and serve immediately.

Miss Tam Chiak http://www.misstamchiak.com/

So, it is important to have your own set of safe and good cookware that you last you for a good period of time. Corningware® Retroflam is a definitely a good set to own, especially if you wish to prepare one pot meals at home.

Prices start from $109 and they are available at the following stores in BHG, Courts, Metro, OG, Robinsons and Tangs.

If you are a big fan of Corningware®, here’s your chance to win other of their quality products. Big thank you to World Kitchen, I am giving away Corelle® Diningware – Frost design each worth S$110 to 2 lucky readers.

All you have to do is:
1. Like World Kitchen Asia Pacific on Facebook
2. Share this post on Facebook.
3. Answer a simple question here: Name one benefit of using the new Corningware® Retroflam Cookware.

Closing date: 15 August 2016. Collection of gifts from World Kitchen (Asia Pacific). Good Luck!

The post Corningware Retroflam – Char Kway Teow & Claypot Rice Recipes (PLUS GIVEAWAY) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Taste of Kingscliff and Tweed Coast ended two weekends ago and I am really lucky to be back, all thanks to the festival director Jayne Henry and Scoot Airlines. The Tweed Coast has got one of the most stunningly beautiful beachside, that’s why I really enjoy my time here for the third time. What’s special about this trip is, my husband Kai went with me and I was really looking forward to show him what Tweed and Kingscliff has to offer. The programme kicked off with Taster@Salt – a two-day festival full of tastings, demonstrations, fabulous food products and live entertainment main stage in beautiful Central Park in the heart of Salt Village in South Kingscliff.

One of stalls in the festival that caught our eyes is this buckwheat crepe from Crêpes Bretonne. I have seen how buckwheat is extensively used in Japanese cuisine but eating this traditional galette made using buckwheat flour – that’s my first time! Crêpes Bretonne owners Sandrine and Damien are the first to bring galettes to the region. Using Damien’s grandmother’s recipe, they started selling at markets before opening their first shop “3 Sea at Tweed Heads”a few years back. They have gained in popularity in this country in large part because they’re a tasty, gluten-free alternative to a traditional crêpe. Originated from Northern France, they are usually served with a filling of your choice placed in the middle of the gallette, which is then folded into an open envelope and cooked in the pan for a few minutes.

Lemonade for you?

These fat smoked sausages are made of pork and veal and pan fried till perfection.

Pretty lady and churros, what’s not to love about TASTE Festival?

One of the reasons why I love Australia so much is because the people are passionate about supporting local producers and Victorians are particularly loyal about home-grown products and local brands. One of the most stunning farm in Gold Coast is Tropical Fruit World. This 5th generation family-owned farm offers a large array of fresh local produce for purchase, as well as a variety of natural products, including soaps and oils. It is now a popular tourist destination.

Look at how pretty these farm fresh strawberries are.

Because I cannot resist dutch pancakes…

An interesting stall in this year’s festival is Ink Gin – an Australian floral infused craft gin by Paul Messenger, who is a mineral geologist-turned home distiller. It is carefully pot distilled in small batches using 14 organic botanicals and naturally infused with butterfly pea petals. Ink Gin has the traditional flavours of juniper berries, with locally grown lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepper berries and fresh organic Valencia oranges. Each botanical is be prepared separately oven dried, grounded or shredded. We had a taste of the Ink & Tonic which changes the colour from deep blue to a beautiful pink when mixed. No preservatives or chemicals are added. Visit http://inkgin.com to find out more

We queued 45 mins for Pit Fire Pigs that serves slow cooked BBQ meat. Tony and his friend stayed marinated and smoke the meat overnight in his smoking pit that is huge enough to cook 2 pigs. The brisket and ribs are so awesome that I kinda miss it now. They BBQ their meats at events and markets. Another food truck that is equally awesome is the thin crust pizzas from Gunter’s Flammkuchen.

Love In Blossom Patisserie is run by Chef Ben Leonardi who left France for Australia in 2012 to raise a family here. We love their vanilla eclair studded with fresh strawbrries, white chocolate and macademia nougatine. They do markets throughout Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Ballina and Byron Bay.

During the festival, local Chef & TAFE instructor Garry Smith taught us how to bone out a chicken and gave some handy BBQ techniques to make our cooking easier.

Our Singapore chef Shen Tan and Hong Kong chef Adrian Lee collaborated and present a masterclass on two crab dishes. Chef Shen prepared our Chilli Crabs while Chef Adrian did Typhoon Crabs.

TASTE of Kingscliff and Tweed Coast is a great way for us to get in touch with the F&B owners as well as to understand the local producers in Gold Coast. Amazing festival and I truly enjoyed myself to the great food, great beer and music. Gold Coast and Tweed are endless playgrounds, with an array of fabulous restaurants and dining delights for everyone.

Scoot flies from Singapore to Gold Coast daily. The flight is 7h 30mins. For more information, visit www.flyscoot.com (Singaporeans, don’t forget to apply for VISA! ).

The post Highlights from TASTE of Kingscliff and Tweed Coast 2016 appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Big thank you to Mr Robert Chua, I had the chance to try Ju Xing Home (聚興家) during my last trip to Hong Kong. This hole-in-the-wall eatery beside Prince Edward Station Exit D is helmed by 38-year-old Chef Wu Jiang Qiao（吳江橋). How special is this?

Apparently, this is the hidden gem / secret supper place of many hotel Chinese chefs after work. So you may be able to spot Michelin three-star Chinese restaurant Lung King Heen’s Executive Chef Chan Yan Tak, two Michelin star Ming Court’s Executive Chef Mango Tsang Chiu Lit, one Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan’s owner/chef Mak Kwai-pui etc. Truly a gathering for many chefs. Even though Chef Wu is considered a junior to many chefs, he is very good with his dishes. That is the reason why many chefs would gather here after work to enjoy classic stir-fry dishes or even share some cooking tips with each other.

During lunch, they mostly serve set lunches for busy crowd nearby. When night falls, they removed the cover in front of their restaurant to display the fish tanks and crabs in the boxes. So you can choose the catch of the day and how you want to cook it. The menu is too vast, but if you study it long enough, you will find dishes that speaks excellence.

One of the secret weapons of Ju Xing Home is this Clam Soup. Using freshwater fish to boil for hours, what you get is an opaque white in colour broth that has clearly extracted the essence from the fish. What makes the soup impressive is the addition of rice into the broth which allows it to reach a creamy consistency as well as added flavour into the broth. Clams were added to enhance the crustacean flavour while towel gourd absorbs the flavours.

When I thought I am having garlic steamed fish, I am absolutely wrong because this steamed soon hock comes with crispy grounded nuts (豆酥蒸筍壳鱼). The familiar preparation is done to the fish — steamed until the flesh seemed to quietly exhale, before adding the stir fried ground nuts. Such is a earthy dish in terms of taste and texture, chef said the grounded nuts has got to stir fry till it is fragrance and thick before topping it to the tender and moist fish.

The restaurant also does a variety of sichuan dishes. Just look at this Poached Chilli Beef (麻辣水煮手切牛肉), there is generous slices of tender beef with a stock that is spiced with fresh red chilli, dried chilli, fermented bean paste and peppercorns. Each slice is really tender! Deep fried with sichuan peppers, slices of garlic, scallion, the chicken chunks marks the right interstices of salty and spicy, without quite mustering a distinct character.

The stir fried sea prawns were so fresh and tasty, together with the stir fried vegetables, it brings a great ending to the meal. Look at those golden roe in the prawns… Robert and Peggy were raving about his sweet and sour pork that I have to try, but unfortunately, it was not available during our day of visit, so looks like I have to be back again. It’s a small cozy eatery so please go early because they are usually packed by 6pm!

The post Ju Xing Home 聚興家 – Hong Kong Chefs’ Hidden Supper Spot appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

August is going to be special when you dine at the Melt Café in Mandarin Oriental Singapore. Here’s why: they are having a promotion of S$88++ FOR 2 PAX with any HSBC card.

Close to Suntec City, the newly refreshed Melt Café will impress both crustacean-lovers and meat-lovers with an extensive variety of premium items. Look forward to the roast and carving corner, as well as live gourmet stations and the attractive pastry theatre you cannot miss! Plus, the Indian spread here is really impressive and there is a tandoori oven in the restaurant to ensure that you get fresh naans to complement the delicious curry!

The dining experience is complemented with a comprehensive variety of the finest crustacean on ice such as crabs, prawns, crayfish, mussels, and oysters. The seafood counter is really attractive, with a range of shellfish and crustaceans stacked neatly.

In this hot weather, it will be a good idea to start off with the delectable cold station, featuring salads, appetisers, sashimi, sushi and charcuterie paired with a selection of homemade breads. They have chicken salad, duck breast salad, potato salad, couscous salad, mushroom salad etc. There is also cold soba on a bed of ice.

The vibrant, intensely colourful world of Indian food has an ever-increasing fan base in Singapore. If you are a fan of Indian cuisine, be prepared for a special treat at Melt Café.

The much-loved Indian cuisine remains a top favourite here as the chefs really bring the true essence of Indian culinary experience in a contemporary style. Sink your teeth into a range of classic dishes like Jeera Rice, Dal Tadka, Palak Paneer, Lal Maas, Butter Chicken, Mixed Vegetable Curry, Baigan Masala and Aloo Chutney Wale.

Palak Paneer is always my favourite. The homemade cottage cheese is cooked in spinach with a smooth and uniform texture. The Butter Chicken delivered a sweet, buttery and fragrant taste of the traditional spices like coriander, cumin, cinnamon and cilantro. A delicacy from Punjab, it goes well with Garlic Naan. Freshly baked naans tasted sooooo good!

Besides Indian cuisine, there are also European and Asian spreads, offering a variety of soups, vegetables, rice and meats. The braised beef stew in the European section is fork tender with rich gravy. You might also like the light saffron seafood stew and lamb shank. For the Asian spread, I was quite happy to see some Thai dishes like tom yum goong and pandan chicken. The wok fried hot bean prawns is specially fresh and crunchy.

At the Roast Section, there are roast beef and roast chicken. Look at that layer of fat on the roast beef. How tempting…

If that is not enough, head to the alfresco area to enjoy a special barbecue showcasing grilled lamb and beef steaks as well as seafood and roasted vegetables during dinner.

A new dish that is added to the buffet line is the drunken prawns. The waiter will pour the rice wine over the fresh prawns and cook them a la minute. It was undeniably delicious.

As we walked into the dessert corner, there was already an aroma lingering in the air. “CREPES,” I exclaimed. I have a weakness for crepes. You can choose to add in fillings like nutella or custard. I like it plain with maple syrup. Life is simple.

Honestly, I was very impressed with the award-winning pastry theatre, where dainty desserts and irresistible cakes were laid out for a visually appealing feast. Everything is made in-house with ingredients from both the East and West. The chocolate fondue with fresh fruits lends a sweet touch, complemented by an enticing selection of cakes and ice cream.

Choose to go with an assorted artisanal cheese platter for the perfect finale, paired with a stellar selection of wine available from the restaurant’s new eclectic wine wall.

We liked everything at this lovely pastry theatre. It should make dessert-lovers very happy. There was also an exquisite patisserie counter with a colourful myriad of tantalising delights available for purchase.

HSBC’s Dine for Two: S$88++ (Sunday to Wednesday) and S$98++ (Thursday to Saturday)

From now till 31 August 2016, enjoy a dinner buffet for 2 at S$88++ (Sunday to Wednesday) and S$98++ (Thursday to Saturday) with any HSBC Credit Card. Please quote “HSBC Dines for 2” when placing your reservation. Reservations are required at least 2 days prior and is subject to availability. This offer is not valid on 8 and 9 August 2016 and is only valid for the first 300 bookings.

What’s more, enjoy over 40 other 1 dines free offers with your HSBC Credit Card. To find out more, click here.

The post Melt Café – International Buffet with One of the Best Indian Spreads appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

From char kway teow to chicken rice to nasi briyani, hawker centres and kopitiams are paradises for food lovers. With the rise of young hawkers, the hawker affair is slowly changing. Restaurants are no longer the only places if you’re craving for German food or British food. Here we have a list of fancy food that you can find in hawkers.

#1 Lad & Dad

Located at Serangoon Garden Market and Hawker Centre, Lad & Dad is a joint effort between a father and son. They brought about British-inspired food with a local touch. The Lad’s Beef Stew ($12) is a set which came with hand-mashed potatoes, seasonal salad and fragrant rice. The stew was robust. Flavored with herbs and loaded with huge chunks of beef, it is the kind of comfort food that brings warmth on a rainy day. The fragrant rice paired well with the stew, but as for the potatoes, they were a tad too raw for my liking.

#2 Garçons

Serving up French and Italian, Garçons is set at an upscale foodcourt, Essen at The Pinnacle. When I first saw the 12-Hour Belly of Pork ($16.90), it looked just like roasted pork belly that one could get from hawker. But taking a bite explains the price tagged. The skin was so crisp that it could be broken into two with a fork, yet the meat was so tender and succulent. You won’t get the sick greasy feeling as there aren’t any fats on the roasted pork. The creamy mashed potato was very smooth and addictive too!

#3 Gangnam Bingsu

With the influx of Korean food in Singapore, it can be seen that there were many bingsu places popping up. But did you know that you can now enjoy bingsu at a foodcourt? Located within the newly renovated Tiong Bahru Plaza, Gangnam Bingsu opens a stall at Kopitiam Foodcourt. The bingsu comes in 2 sizes, small and big. We had the big Strawberry Bingsu ($10.90) which was beautifully drizzled with strawberry sauce and topped with whipped cream. The shaved ice was fluffy and airy, but lacked in milky sweetness. On the other hand, the strawberry sauce did add flavor and sweetness to the ice. The whipped cream didn’t exactly blend well with the bingsu either. Being slightly cheaper than the rest, we can’t expect much from quality.

#4 Green Bites

More and more Singaporeans are getting health conscious. We can see salad bars almost everywhere these days. Nonetheless, it can be quite pricey when buying off such bars. Green Bites provides a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts and dressings, and it is priced as low as $5! There are also premium toppings such as Cajun Chicken and Smoked Duck, with an additional charge of $1 to $1.50. The vegetables were very fresh. I tried the Asian Spicy dressing, and the burning sensation it gives would surely suit those who loves very spicy food!

#5 Cinqo Tapas

FIVE Square is another upscale foodcourt located at Great Eastern Centre. The food stalls varies from Korean to Japanese to salad. Cinqo Tapas is a stall that serves Spanish food. Although unique, the Seafood Paella ($9.50) did not taste as flavorful as I thought. The paella was slightly moist, but the seafood was overcooked. The add-on Pork Knuckle ($5) was also tough and dry.

#6 Fish & Chicks

Set in the heartland of Ang Mo Kio, Fish & Chicks is not your typical western food stall. The name itself depicts that only Fish and Chicken are served. Their signature combo is none other than Chili Crab and Salted Egg Fish & Chips ($12.90). The batter on the fish was crisp and airy, and the fries were well seasoned with Cajun spices and other herbs. The salted egg sauce was creamy and not too overwhelming, while the Chili Crab sauce was sweet with a hint of spiciness. Sadly, the “crab” flavor was lacking in the sauce. Overall, I would prefer to have more sauce and served separately to prevent the fish from being soggy.

#7 Wasai-Ya Japanese Mixed Rice

Japanese Chap Chye Png or Mixed Vegetable Rice is a first-timer for me. What’s more surprising is to find it in Junction 8’s foodcourt! The stall has a variety of dishes such as tonkatsu, gyoza and vegetable tempura. For my lunch ($6.90), I had Salmon Teriyaki, Chawanmushi and Stir-fry Egg Plant and Cucumber. Each set comes with miso soup and rice. The Chawanmushi was silky and flavorful. However, the Salmon Teriyaki was a tad too tough and the vegetables didn’t taste much like Japanese food. The other downside of this stall is that the food weren’t kept warm while it was displayed.

#8 Otto Berlin Haus

German crispy Pork Knuckles in a kopitiam? That’s right! Otto Berlin Haus serves a variety of German cuisines such as Pork Knuckles, Bratwursts, and Rosti. The Half Pork Knuckles ($14) was a generous portion. As much as I enjoyed the crispiness of it, I found the meat slightly dry. Nonetheless, the savory brown sauce that was served together enhances the taste of the pork knuckles. Otto Berlin Haus also added a local touch to this dish by serving it with achar.

#9 Ah Bong’s Italian

Instead of being fancy hawker food, Ah Bong’s Italian is more of hawker food turn fancy. Rather than the common spaghetti Bolognese or carbonara, the menu here is ever-changing. It’s so “hip” that even the pasta is served on old school chicken plate. I ordered the Spicy Prawn Aglio Olio ($14) has linguine tossed with prawn, zucchini and celery. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the chili flakes added a tinge of spiciness to this dish. Nonetheless, it lacked in the garlic flavors.

#10 Two Wings

The Chicken Wings ($8.50/4pcs, $12.50/6pcs, $24/12pcs) are only freshly fried upon order. What arrived on our tables are beautifully fried till golden brown. There is literally no traces of oil on the skin. As I sink my teeth into the meat, I get the immediate crispy crunch from the skin before the tender and moist meat. Something else worth mentioning is the homemade garlic chilli sauce which is similar to the ones we eat for chicken rice. It’s more zesty with strong garlic glavour. Superb pairing with the wings!

#11 HamBaoBao

Owned by a young couple, HamBaoBao is asian interpretation of burgers. The Ayam Buah Keluak Burger ($5) was impressive. The minced chicken patty is infused with the buah keluak. Pairing with homemade chilli paste and chap chye, it all works harmoniously for this delicious and unique burger. The stall currently the stall sells only 5 types of burgers only with adds on such as fries, cheese, bacon and additional patty. Read about our Downtown Line 2 Hawker Guide.

#12 The Pasta Stop

Venturing out from Restaurant Valentino, The Pasta Stop is the hawker version with food sold at a more affordable price. The recipes are similar to the restaurant, and even some handmade ingredients like the pasta was brought over from the restaurant. The Chicken Pasta ($7.50) is a great dish for cheese lovers. The tangy tomato base compliments well with the cheesy pasta, hence you won’t feel too overwhelmed by the cheese. The Grilled Spicy Chicken Chop Combo ($9) comes with Aglio Olio and Chicken Chop. The grilled garlic in the Aglio Olio has a tad sweetness to it, which was very unique. The grilled Chicken Chop was marinated with a tinge of sourness, which gives it a refreshing taste. This dish also has the localized feel to it as the chicken is accompanied by our well-loved chicken rice chilli.

#13 Kitchen @ Work

Who said that you can only find Japanese cuisine in foodcourt and restaurants? Kitchen @ Work, is the hawker version that serves a variety of Japanese food, ranging from Donburi (rice bowl dish), to Fried Udon; all of which are tagged with an affordable price. The Yaki Niku Don ($6) is a rice dish topped with sliced beef, shredded onions and capsicums. It was a rather impressive dish, as the ingredients were slightly torched, giving it a tad burnt taste. Despite being in a hawker, Kitchen @ Work has definitely shown quality in the food that they prepare. Read about some of the must try dishes at Ci Yuan Hawker Centre.

#14 A Noodle Story

A Noodle Story is a contemporary take on traditional wanton noodle as the bowl served here has some influence from Japanese Ramen. Consisting of thin and springy Hong Kong style wanton noodle, Japanese charshu, Japanese-style braised egg and potato-wrapped prawn fritter, the flavours are enhanced by lemongrass scented oil, konbu and dried shrimps.

#15 The Burning Oak

From Bedok Marketplace, The Burning Oak is a Japanese yakitori stall. Unlike the typical food we see in hawker, The Burning Oak offers premium yet affordable donburi such as Wagyu Beef Rump Cap Don ($13) and the succulent Wagyu Rump & Iberico Pork Combo Bento ($15). If you prefer something light, there’s the 72-hour slow-cooked Angus Beef Short Ribs Skewers, priced tagged at $6 per stick.

The post 15 Fancy Hawker Food in Singapore – From German Pork Knuckles to Korean Bingsu appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Advertorial

UE Square Shopping Mall is a destination mall that brings together retail, entertainment and lifestyle elements in an integrated stop for everyone. Do you know, they have a range of upmarket restaurants serving a variety of international cuisine e.g. Shin Minori, Moc Quan, Xin Yue Modern Chinese Restaurant. Here are 3 restaurants which I have tried.

Shin Minori is all about value in Japanese dining. Offering all sorts of cravings from sushi to tempura, this is your one stop shop for Japanese feasting without the splurge. If you wish to get your cravings satisfied, the best way is to go for Japanese ala-carte buffet at Shin Minori!

JAPANESE BUFFET LEH! It is so rare to find good Japanese buffet in Singapore. At affordable prices, Shin Minori sources for the freshest food to recreate the flavors of Japan.

Its a la carte buffet offers tempting slices of sashimi like salmon, tuna, yellow tail, snapper, octopus etc. We went for the Sashimi Moraiwase with a assorted platter of raw seafood. There is a pretty parade of hand rolls, or temaki. The Spider Temaki filled crispy soft shell crab often gets multiple orders.

The maki rolls are a rainbow of creative combinations including the Harvest Maki Roll with tempura shrimp and avocado, almond and coconut flakes, and a sweet and tangy mango eel sauce. If you are a safe eater, share a platter of California Maki featuring crab meat stick, avocado and cucumber.

Supplement your picks with grilled yakimono, airy tempura and more for a complete Japanese smorgasbord that doesn’t break the bank. Lunch buffet is priced at $37.90++ (adult); $27.90++ (child). Dinner buffet is priced at at $39.90++ (adult); $29.90++ (child), except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year Eve, New Year Day, CNY Eve & special occasions.

Shin Minori also offers set lunches for the busy working executives who need to get a quick but good lunch at reasonable pricing. An extensive selection of sake and shochu is one of the highlights of Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant. Sake lover will be pampered by Shin Minori’s wide selection of sake and competetive pricing.

Located along the stretch of Mohammed Sultan Road, Xin Yue woos the discerning gourmands with an elaborate menu of classic and creative interpretation of heritage Cantonese recipes. The menu at Xin Yue offers a line-up of delectable dim sum, sumptuous roasted fares and well-loved celebrated Cantonese dishes.

With the focus on seasonal menu that uses the freshest catch and ingredients, they are currently having Boston Lobster Set Meal at $48.80++ per pax. The meal starts with a thick and rich sea treasure broth. The stock is tasty with generous amount of lobster meat.

Following that, here comes the star – Braised Boston Lobster in Superior Broth. This luxurious dish highlights the seasonal ingredient, Boston Lobster, at its peak where meat is the most tender, sweetest and freshest. Expertly prepared using traditional Cantonese cooking techniques, it is tasty and beautiful.

The set meal also includes pan-fried premium fish fillet in teriyaki sauce, angel hair with truffle oil and chilled aloe vera and lemongrass jelly. It is interesting to slurp angel hair with truffle oil in a Chinese restaurant. But I am happy that the chef has created dishes which is different from the norm and it complemented well with the lobsters.

Dim Sum lunch is always a pleasure at Xin Yue. Delightful and exquisite treats made with the best ingredients. Baked BBQ Honey Pork Pastry is a firm favorite, along with Steamed Radish Cake with XO Sauce and many others. Looks like I must come back to try their dim sum soon. Valet parking available from Xin Yue.

I have grown fond of Vietnamese cuisine — grilled meats, startling herbs, crunchy vegetables — and particularly of pho, the aromatic beef noodle soup that is Vietnam’s national dish. Visiting Moc Quan reminds me of the marvellous times I had in Danang and Hoi An, enjoying Vietnamese food by the streets. For the past few years, the restaurant has been meeting these street chefs and learning from them their secret recipes. All the ingredients are brought over from Vietnam weekly where they fly over personally to hand carry back. This is truly dedication.

I was pleasantly surprised that Moc Quan serves decent Banh Mi Thit ($7.90). What already impresses is, the owners bake their fresh baguette daily using a special oven which the owners brought back from Vietnam. So each piece of baguette is crispy on the outside with a fluffy interior. All the Banh Mi is served with cucumber, parsley, butter, pickled vegetables and Vietnamese chilli. My Banh Mi Thit comes with Vietnamese sausage, ham, homemade pork pate. The only complaint is, not enough sausage and pork pate. I want more!

Sometimes, street food does not need to be elevated to be great. Moc Quan’s Banh Xeo ($11.50), a rice-flour crepe gilded with turmeric, studded with shrimp, mushrooms, sliced pork and mung beans is seared in a wok until it is crispy on the bottom but still airy on top. The addition of mung beans did give it a good crunch.

What is Vietnam without Pho? Moc Quan offers 4 different beef choices ranging from Sliced beef ($11.50), Brisket ($12.50), Beef meat balls ($13.50) and a mixed variant ($14.90). Slurp the fresh vietnamese rice noodles along with some fragrant beef broth, it is super satisfying! We also ordered their Com Tam ($11.90) that is served with BBQ marinated pork chop, steamed egg and homemade fish sauce.

The post UE Square – Upmarket Restaurants With International Cuisines appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

You might know the quiet neighbourhood of Serangoon Gardens for the famous Chomp Chomp Food Center filled giant sugar cane drinks and barbecued food, or the Serangoon Gardens Food Center that is home to many hawker gems. But apart from housing traditional eateries, this place is a hot bed of quaint cafes that are located in rather close proximity to one another. So the next time you’re in the area, pop by some of these cafes for your tea-time caffeine fix or to satisfy that brunch craving.

1. Little Wimbly Lu

Fans of Wimbly Lu can now pop by their sister outlet at Serangoon Gardens, where they serve a lean menu of some of their star desserts and baked goods, including waffles and pancakes paired with a selection of their ice cream. And we might have just found the winning combination for the perfect afternoon tea – Earl Grey Iced Milk Tea ($4) and a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie ($7.50). The bergamot flavours ran strong with every sip of the milk tea, and we loved how it matched the bright and zesty zing of the lemon meringue pie.

2. The Coffee Daily

The Coffee Daily’s unpretentious and minimalist setup might look run of the mill, the menu is anything but. We had the Philly Cheese Roll ($14), which looked like a plain toasted brioche sandwich. But cut into it and you’ll realise it came stuffed with tender slices of oven roasted and caramelised onions enveloped in a blanket of melted provolone and parmigiano-reggiano cheese, making for a hearty appetite filler your stomach will thank you for.

3. Nunsongyee

This little bingsu cafe is tucked away in the outskirts of Serangoon Gardens, and the Black Saemi Bingsu ($18.90) provided a sweet and cool escape from the sweltering heat. Instead of ice cream, this bingsu came with a huge scoop of red bean paste and a generous sprinkle of sliced almonds and black sesame to lend this dessert a nutty aroma in every bite. Mix everything together for an explosion of crunchy, chewy and creamy texture. Some other flavours include the classic Pat Bingsu ($12.90) and fruity Blueberry Bingsu ($15.90).

4. Oblong

You’ll be greeted with the smell of freshly toasted waffles once you step into Oblong, which is incidentally what you should order. We had their Supreme Combo ($12) where we paired our Strawberry Shortcake Waffle with a cup of chamomile tea for a quintessential afternoon tea snack. Crisp waffle squares sandwich a layer of strawberries and cream, and it came topped with a scoop of sea salt caramel with pistachio that was recommended by the staff. We liked how the sea salt helped cut through the sweetness, and the airy waffles made it a light and fluffy dessert great for a post-meal indulgence.

5. One Man Coffee

One Man Coffee is another cafe that decided to set up a sister outlet within Serangoon Gardens. Sharing the space with a pizza bar, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for this cosy little outlet. And more than just a good cup of coffee, we loved how the Gashouse Eggs ($10) was a simple dish that tasted comforting and delicious. Essentially a grilled cheese sammy with a half-cooked egg in the middle, you’ll want to soak up all the runny yolk with the bread quickly and not make the mistake of letting it run off the flat board like us. Each order also comes with a small side of bacon jam, which is sweet, salty and smoky all at once and will leave you craving for more.

6. The Aftertaste Cafe

It’s easy to miss this hole-in-the-wall cafe which serves a small selection of caffeinated drinks, cakes and waffles. But if you do spot it, grab a cuppa and people-watch at their alfresco dining seats, or grab a slice of their baked cakes like what we did. The Lychee Rose ($7) was a pretty shade of pastel pink layered with pale white buttercream. Embedded within are chunks of lychee, with a delicate note of rose ringing through every bite of the light and airy sponge.

7. Sun Ray Cafe

Finally, a cafe where you can dine with your pets. Sun Ray cafe is a pet-friendly dining establishment that’s bustling with hungry diners and pets alike when we visited. We liked how The Brighton ($4.50) was a zesty upgrade from the usual cuppa, with a hint of orange citrus to brighten the robust coffee. The Eggs Benny ($16) that we had came with poached eggs resting on two fluffy Belgian waffles and some grilled bacon – certainly a safe option for brunch. Even your pets get to choose from a menu which include the Happy Paw Bento ($12) filled with rice, scrambled eggs, meat and some greens.

8. Two Tall Trees

With a hearty menu serving some comforting Western grub, Two Tall Trees is great for hosting groups of friends or family. From their extensive offering, we got their Spam Chips ($6) served with a side of zesty lemon aioli dip to help cut through the fried chips. We liked how the chips were cut – thick at some places for a meaty bite while tapering down to be thinner at some edges for a nice crisp texture. We also liked the Maple Glazed Chicken Bites ($6) drizzled with sweet maple sauce and scallions to add a hint of onion.

The post The Guide To Cafe-hopping Around Serangoon Gardens appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Food and beverage groups Fei Siong and Akashi first opened the popular London Fat Duck in Scotts Square last year. The partnership has ended and Fei Siong has now opened its own brand – Royal London Duck –in Mandarin Gallery.

I am going to be honest here. It took me awhile to decide if I want to write about Royal London Duck. Because my first visit there three days after the opening was closed to disastrous. But as with all restaurants, there is definitely teething issues in the begnning. What’s more important is, the chef is willing to accept feedback and make it better. So a few weeks later, I went back again and tried the same dishes. Conclusion? Definitely much better!

Helming the kitchen is Chef Ben Hui, who opened the famous 東寶小館 Tung Po Restaurant in Hong Kong. He ended the partnership and went to London to open Chinese Grand Imperial Restaurant in Guoman Hotel London and they do one of the best Peking Ducks outside of Chinatown. Subsequently, he has been to many great restaurants in Malaysia, Philippines, China and Singapore. His last stint was to open London Fat Duck in Scotts Square.

Expect nothing less than a functional, quick-service meal with roast duck as the main event, along with the usual Cantonese restaurant classics such as a small dim sum selection, char siew, congee and noodles. It’s not a big menu so selection is quick and easy.

The signature is, of course, Royal London Duck ($48 whole, $25 half, $13 quarter). Using about 2.8kg of london duck where the skin and meat is at its most tender stage, Chef Ben marinated the duck with apple for 6 hours before roasting it. Lycheee wood is used to add a smoky and pleasant fruit fragrance to the roast. No crispy skin at all but think aromatic, firm meat with lustrous, glossed-brown skin, and drizzled with fruity sauce that is made from the marinade to cut through the oiliness. If you prefer individual portion, you can also go for Royal London Duck Rice ($8.80).

The Crispy Pork ($15.80) was a little salty and dry on my first visit. But it got better the second time I was there, with crispy skin and juicy layers of meat underneath. The skin is crispy brittle to the point that it is almost breaking. You can hear the crackling sound when you bite into the skin. Special Honey Roasted Pork ($16.80) will make char siew lovers scream for joy as it was nicely charred with caramelised fatty layers.

Like a duck confit in the most crispy form, the Crispy Aromatic Duck ($48 whole, $25 half) is fragrant and the waiter will tear it into shreds before wrapping it together with scallion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce within a pancake. The aroma is there but sadly, it was a little too dry for my liking.

With the duck, then of course the Royal London Duck Black Pepper Sauce Bun ($5.80) must come into picture. The first time, the buns were flat and out of shape, with very little fillings and rather bland duck meat. But during our second visit, it was good. Each bun has good amount of diced duck and the black pepper sauce was more prominent than before. With one bite, you could get the warm crusty layers and a great tasting duck!

Then of course, there are some dim sum items which are quite well executed. The Fried Chicken Dumplings ($4.80) are packed with tender chicken meat that are moist and juicy. And the Charcoal Lava Bun ($5.20)… Oomph… The golden custard lava oozes when peel open. Xiao Long Bao’s ($5.20) skin was a little too thick and not enough soup.

Noodles is not their strength, I must say. We had two plates of noodles – Fresh Prawn Wanton Noodle Dry ($8.80) and Beef Brisket Noodle Dry ($8.80). The first time I tried it, they were lumpy and dry. The second time I tried it, it was better with the addition of more sauce but it wasn’t memorable. If you ask me, I would prefer the beef brisket version which is more wet and tasty, even though the beef can more slightly more tender.

Snow Lady ($4) is still a no for me. By first look, it already loses its appeal. The mochi skin was a little thick with some cream and mango cubes in it. Yes the mango was sweet but the cream was very rough and there are definitely better versions out there. Probably the next time I come, I should try their chilled mango sago cream with pomelo ($5.20) and shunde double-layer milk custard ($4.20) instead.

There are definitely hits and misses at Royal London Duck but no restaurant is perfect to begin with. My second experience was pleasant and I don’t mind coming back for the roast meats and dim sum as they were well executed.

The post Royal London Duck @ Mandarin Gallery appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

The Pokemon Go wave has finally hit the shores yesterday. This free augmented reality mobile game has become a global phenomenon since it was released in the United States. There is no need to travel far in search of Pokestops and gyms because there are probably many familiar signs and landmarks in your neighbourhood. If you are staying in Bedok, we have helped you plan your route to conquer Pokemon Go Gyms while trying some great places to eat.

Pokemon Go Gym 1: Bedok MRT

Alight at Bedok MRT and begin your day by trying to takeover the Gym located right here. Thereafter, head to the busiest hawker centre beside Bedok Interchange to enjoy breakfast.

One of the cheapest chwee kueh, Bedok Shui Guo has got pretty good radish (chye poh) and they are generous with it. It pairs well with the soft rice cakes that are steamed fresh daily. Don’t forget to add some chilli, level up!

Address: Bedok Interchange Food Centre, Blk 207 New Upper Changi Road #01-53, Singapore 460207
Opening Hours: 8am to 10pm daily

If you prefer somewhere air-conditioned, enjoy the soft and piping hot Steamed Custard Bun ($4.90) at Canton Paradise in Bedok Mall where you get that lava custard egg york that’s slightly gooey and creamy. There are other dim sum highlights such as Baked BBQ Honey Pork Bun ($4.50) and Fried Carrot Cake in XO Sauce ($7.80). Read about my bedok mall food options here.

Address: 311 New Upper Changi Rd, Bedok Mall #B2-10 to 11, Singapore 467360
Opening Hours 10:30am to 10pm daily

Pokemon Go Gym 2: Bedok Library

Have a bowl of Sarawak laksa at Red Hornbill for lunch. The owner brings in the laksa spices from his hometown. His version is much lighter and less punchy. For $5, it’s quite huge a portion. A drizzle of lime works wonders in uplifting the flavours of the smoky curry. We also tried their kolo mee which is decent (and overloaded with noodles).

Address: Blk 205 Bedok North Street 1 #01-357, Singapore 460205
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 11am – 2pm; 4pm to 8:30pm. Closed on Mondays

Pokemon Go Gym 3: Bedok Swimming Complex

Walk east to junction of bedok swimming complex to hit the gym, then reward yourself with Nangfa Thai Kitchen which is opened by ex-franchisee of Nakhon Kitchen in Bedok.

Stir-fried minced pork with hot basil leaves ($6) hits the right note of savouriness and spiciness. The minced meat was stir fried with crunchy bean sprouts, onions, red chillies and basil, it’s great with the rice. The Pad Thai ($5) with shrimp, tofu, bean sprouts and onion was also richly rewarding. It has a distinct sweetness and the noodles were as usual, springy to the bite. Click here to read full review.

Address: Blk 136 Bedok North Ave 3 #01-166, Singapore 460136
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 12pm to 3pm; 5.30pm to 10pm

Take a break at Percolate with a cup of green tea latte. Or try their coco latte where the coconut oil is added. They use papa pahelta coffee beans and nylon coffee roasters. It’s well balanced with a hint of nutty flavours, it’s good to spend your Sunday afternoon chilling out here.

Address: Blk 136 Bedok North Ave 3, Singapore 460136
Opening Hours: Mon 10:30 am – 9:30 pm; Wed to Fri 10:30 am – 9:30 pm; Sat & Sun 9:00 am – 9:30 pm

Pokemon Go Gym 4: Blk 140 Bedok North Street 2

You have rested enough, move on to the next stop which is only 5 minutes walk.

Pokemon Go Gym 5: Bedok Blk 111

Good job, head to Bedok 85 now!

Pokemon Go Gym 6: Bedok 85

Bedok 85 is a supper paradise, and one of the must try stall is Seng Hiang Bak Chor Mee. Go early if you don’t have the patience to wait. Their soup is very flavourful, which is comforting especially at the end of the day. Those lard in the soup adds the oomph!

Address: 85 Bedok North Street 4, #01-08 Fengshan Centre, Singapore 460085
Opening Hours: 6pm to 3am

If you are too early, don’t worry! Have some Soon Kuehs and Ku Cai Kuehs from Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery. The ladies make them fresh daily and when steamed, the skin was translucent and thin, packed with big fat fillings with no preservatives. Read the full story here.

Address: Blk 84 Bedok North St 4 #01-21, Singapore 460084
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 4am-6pm; Sun 4am-2pm

P/S Please do not drive or transgress while playing Pokemon Go.

The post 7 Places to Eat While Conquering Pokemon Go Gyms in Bedok appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

As much as we love our Kopi-O and Teh-C, it’s undeniable that Singaporeans love a good cup of Thai milk tea as well. This caramel coloured sweet tea is the beverage of choice when curbing the heat from that bowl of green curry or tom yum, and it has now been the source of inspiration for many desserts in Singapore. From an unlikely Korean-Thai pairing to appropriating it with local flavours, we’ve sussed out eight Thai milk treats that fans of this drink should definitely try.

1. The Benjamins

As if Thai milk teas aren’t sweet enough, The Benjamins have rolled out their Thai Milk Tea Over-the-top Shake ($16) that builds on even more sugar, perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Rimmed with condensed milk, the shakes comes loaded with a pale orange Thai tea infused milkshake, and crowned with sugar biscuits, vanilla ice cream and marshmallows. This is almost like a drinkable dessert, and we definitely suggest you share this decadent treat with a friend or two.

2. Chick & Ken

Helping cool down the Thai tea fever is this Thai Tea And Red Ruby Bingsu ($14.90). Starting with the usual base of Korean shaved milk ice, the Thai tea flavour comes from their homemade Thai tea gelee and Thai tea syrup that comes in medicinal syringes. The rather novel presentation made for a unique dining experience, and we’d suggest letting the ice melt a little to form almost like a Thai tea slush – the flavours become more homogenous and they help soften the honeyed corn flakes.

3. Tuk Tuk Cha

Reimagining the classic kaya and toast combination is the Golden Toast With Thai Tea Kaya ($4.20) where you dunk cubes of warm buttered toast in their special Thai tea kaya dip. The crisp bread was a nice contrast to the cold dip, but we would have liked a more intense Thai tea taste to come through from the kaya.

4. Creme Maison Bakery

Don’t take a gamble and visit the Creme Maison Bakery outlet without preordering. We were lucky enough to get a slice of their Thai Milk Tea Fudge Loaf ($5 per slice, $38 per loaf) which they had leftover from a previous flea. The cake was dense, but we felt that the Thai tea fragrance could be amped up a notch. We really enjoyed the milk crumble topping that lent a milky and crunchy texture to this loaf cake.

5. Soi 55

Sure, a cup of Thai iced tea is a good way to get a sweet caffeine jolt. But having a Rose Milk Tea ($2.50) is our new favourite way of consuming this drink. Like a dirty latte equivalent, we liked how the rose undertones complemented the tea aroma.

6. The Plain Jane

You’ll find nothing plain about The Plain Jane – a quaint neighbourhood cafe that churns out a selection of swiss rolls – expect for their clean and minimalist interior. And don’t belittle their humble menu and offering, like the Thai Milk Tea Swiss Roll ($5.90) that we had. The decision to serve swiss rolls might sound, well, plain. But the combination of a moist sponge cake layer slathered with luscious Thai milk tea infused buttercream made for a creamy dessert that’s anything but ordinary. We can’t wait to drop by and try some of their other flavours which include the unique Meringue Roulade and zesty Yuzu.

7. Som Tam

Creating Thai cuisine with a modern touch is Som Tam, where traditional Thai flavours are being borrowed and made contemporary. This was exemplified in the Thai Tea Molten Lava Cake ($9.80) that was served with our choice of Thai tea gelato. The soft-baked cake might have had an overpowering sweetness that masked the Thai tea taste, but pairing the cake with their Thai tea gelato helped balanced out the sugary dessert and brought in some much needed notes of tea.

8. Kane Mochi

Also drawing on the Thai tea inspiration is Kane Mochi and their line of ice cream encased within a mochi shell. We went for their Thai Iced Tea mochis ($5.90 for three), and found that these frozen treats are certainly not for people with sensitive teeth. You’ll have to bite through a chewy exterior and frozen middle to properly enjoy this dessert, but having to chew through your ice cream is certainly something novel.

The post Milking The Thai Milk Trend – 8 Thai Milk Tea Inspired Treats appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Hainanese Chicken Rice is Singapore’s national dish and can be found island-wide at almost every dining spot, from humble hawker centres to major restaurants and even hotel cafés. The chicken is usually served with fragrant rice and a spicy chilli sauce, with ginger paste. In Singapore, chicken rice recipe can be roasted or braised in soya sauce for a different taste (we still like it poached). For some people, it might be the rice and chilli sauce that makes or breaks the dish. As we celebrate Singapore’s National Day today, we’ve hunted down 17 chicken rice stalls in Singapore that are among local favourites.

1. Ah Boy Chicken Rice

Local celebrity chef, Eric Teo, has raved about Ah Boy Chicken Rice on his Facebook about 3 years ago so we decided to check it out. The roasted chicken has a crispy and thin skin that we enjoyed but a pity, the meat was a little on the dry side. Poached chicken, however, fared much better. It was tender, sweet and cooked till perfection, maintaining a smooth texture. We thought the rice itself is fluffy and loose with a nice aroma and not overly greasy. The tangy chilli dip didn’t make much of an impression as it was a little watery. If you’re in the area and craving for chicken rice, you should drop by.

2. Chen Ji Hainanese Chicken Rice

Chicken here is tender and perfectly complemented by the flavoursome oyster sauce. The chilli is bright and tangy and contains a spicy kick. Sadly, the rice did not fare so well as it was dry and although it has the flavour of the chicken broth, it doesn’t stand out at all. What’s worth mentioning here is their chicken feet soup that’s only available on Mondays and Fridays after 11am. Chicken feet is full of collagen, which is good news for ladies! We loved the crunchiness of these chicken feet and the flavoursome broth made the entire package simply wonderful. So, if you come here for chicken rice, remember to go only when they’re serving chicken feet soup!

3. Chin Chin Eating House

Founded in 1934, this eatery exudes a nostalgic feel and is reasonably clean. Dishes offered here are very Hainanese, including steamed chicken rice with chilli sauce and ginger dip, pork chop, chap chye and more. Today’s focus is on chicken rice so we’ll just skip the rest. Chicken rice at Chin Chin is drizzled with light fragrant soy sauce and sesame oil, enhancing the flavours of the tender and juicy chicken. Cooked just right, the chicken has retained its moisture with every bite. The rice is less oily but still fragrant and tasty with aroma from ginger and garlic. The chilli sauce consists of a little tanginess which made our meal very satisfying.

4. Hua Kee Chicken Rice

This stall is now run by Mr. Lim, a second generation hawker, together with his mother, Mdm. Tan who founded Hua Kee over 30 years ago with her husband. Unlike other stalls, the chicken here is chopped in large chunks with skin and bone still attached to ensure the meat retains its natural juices and flavours. We liked that the chicken was tender, juicy and full of flavours. The aromatic rice was not too oily and fluffy, with grains that separate easily. There’s nothing impressive about their chilli and ginger dips but we’ve got to say that this is the tastiest cucumbers from any chicken rice stall. The savoury and sweet juices from the chicken clung to the sides of these crunchy slices of cucumbers.

5. Kampong Chicken Rice

What makes Kampong chicken different from the usual chicken we get at chicken rice stalls? Well, the yellow skin kampong chickens have more distinctive features such as their skinny legs and leaner bodies. They are allowed to run free and are corn fed, thus containing less fat and are healthier for consumption. The meat here is definitely not as fatty. It is leaner but still, very tender. Ladies will jump for joy and feel guilt-free for indulging in this plate of healthier kampong chicken rice due to it being less fat. Even though the rice is not as fragrant and amazing as compared to others, it complements the chicken well. The highlight was their kicky chilli sauce, which is properly thick and spicy. One word – SHIOK! Read about it here.

6. Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice

Uncle Leong used to be the head chef for “稻香村山芭鸡” shop in Novena Ville, which unfortunately, closed down in 2007 due to the outbreak of bird flu disease. His passion for the kitchen still burns strong hence, he set up his own Leong Hainanese Chicken Rice in Shunfu Market. The meat served here has a textural difference compared to others. The chicken breast is very tender and flavourful. Little soy sauce and sesame oil were drizzled onto the chicken and we could really taste the sweetness of the meat. As for the chicken drumstick, you can see the glistering chicken skin and the meat was very succulent. The rice was infused with ginger and chicken stock and the grains are very fluffy. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal as Uncle Leong’s chicken rice gave a very warm, homely feel to it.

7. Ming Kee Chicken Rice

Ming Kee Chicken Rice is well-known for those staying in Bishan. It’s not surprising to queue for at least an hour just to satisfy your chicken rice cravings over here. Unlike others, this stall has no chicken displayed so if you’re here for the first time, you might get the wrong idea that the stall has already ran out of chicken. In actual fact, once the chicken is cooked, they will dunk it in ice water and it will be left there till it is ready to be chopped.

Shocking the meat in ice water after cooking creates a jelly under the skin. This results in the meat tasting more flavourful and succulent. Surprisingly, it tastes even better when these chilled chicken are eaten with some steaming rice. We enjoyed the skin which glided smoothly into our mouths. Chicken gizzards are also soaked in cold water here to retain the crunch. Their chilli dip, however, was a tad disappointing as it’s too watery for our liking.

8. Nam Kee Chicken Rice

Nam Kee has over 40 years of experience under its belt and is a household name for many families across the island. It serves traditional Hainanese chicken rice with meat ever so tender with the unforgettable chilli sauce – and at affordable prices too! The velvet-smooth skin of the chicken is enticing enough and tucks in just the right amount of fat beneath. The meat is juicy and goes very well with the dipping sauce, which is a combination of chilli sauce, ginger paste and a not-so-salty dark soy sauce that delivers the right punch. The rice served here is aromatic and has a good consistency, complementing the chicken perfectly.

9. Nan Xiang Chicken Rice

Nancy Lim, founder of Nan Xiang Chicken Rice, took charge of her first chicken rice stall at Whampoa food centre in December 1986. Nancy and her husband takes turn to manage the hawker stall. It looks like another unassuming chicken rice stall but when the plate of rice was served, it was so fragrant you can’t resist taking a mouthful even if your camera usually eats first. Chicken rice here is first stir-fried with garlic, ginger, shallots and chicken soup before cooking it in rice cooker. Not a lot of chicken rice stalls do this now because it’s laborious and takes extra time to prepare the rice. Well, all we can say that it’s worthwhile because frying the rice before cooking makes it even more fragrant, which is a plus point when the chicken meat is already succulent and cooked just right, leaving a gelatin layer beneath the skin. The addition of lime juice to the chilli sauce also makes it refreshing and delectable! Read about it here.

10. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

This should be the most well-known stall among both locals and tourists. Growing the business from an unknown stall in Maxwell Market from 1986, Madam Foo and her daughter, Ms. Loi, still preside over the quality of food at all outlets with a watchful and experienced eye. Tian Tian chicken rice is cooked with American Broiler breed of chicken and remember – they defeated Gordon Remsay at the Hawker Heroes Challenge! This already speaks a lot about their food. Their steamed chicken is served slightly chilled which is very refreshing and light on a hot day. The soothing coolness is also a perfect counterpart to the “fierceness” of the chilli. Most importantly, their light, smooth and slightly buttery rice, with just a hint of garlic, sets them apart from the rest. Even celebrity chef and host Anthony Bourdain said that the rice here is so good that you can eat it on its own! There are many outlets and the one we’re featuring is at Joo Chiat and it’s air-conditioned too!

11. Uncle Chicken Rice

Uncle Chicken Rice is very persistent in using good quality ingredients. Their fresh chicken is simply poached, sits in cold water, chopped and served with the flavourful rice. The chicken is cut chunky with an ultra smooth skin and the flesh is tender and sweet. Served with aromatic rice that was not too greasy and loose, it has a subtle garlic flavour. Chicken stock was used to cook the rice hence, you won’t get a soup here to pair with your chicken rice. The chilli has a hint of sweetness which cuts the oiliness of the rice.

12. Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice

Wee Nam Kee started from a humble beginning and now, has a few outlets islandwide. They serve three different types of chicken – namely the poached, soy sauce and fried. We tried the poached chicken and it was executed really well in a flavourful broth. The chicken turned out to be juicy and tender, gently gingery with subtle chicken flavour. The broth is tasty enough to boost your appetite. Each long grain rice is well-oiled, mildly fragrant, yet not too greasy and separates easily into loose grains. Lastly, the chilli is amazing! It contains a well-balanced blend of ginger, vinegar and spice. It was tangy with very little sting.

13. Yeo Keng Nam Chicken Rice

Having grown up eating chicken rice here as it’s just a stone’s throw away from where I stay, the taste is special to me. The chicken is so plump and juicy and it has managed to retain a lot of its natural flavour since the stall owner here makes it a point not to soak the chicken in ice water for too long. I love the roast chicken here as well, due to its super tasty skin that whets my appetite for more. Rice here is whole and coated with a thin layer of oil, making the texture just right. The chilli has a tangy twist to it. Hence, I always enjoy my chicken rice experience dining here.

14. Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice

About a month ago, Benson is back on his feet and re-opened “Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice” at Holland Drive with his young partner. Nothing much changes, Benson still chopes the chicken in huge chunks. His movements are still clean and brisk, each piece of meat is tender and smooth in the mouth. He will leave the leftover bones from the chicken to prepare that soup, which is used to poach chickens and rice. The slightly aromatic rice is well paired with the chilli that is spicy and tangy done right with vinegar and lime, just the way we like it. Read more about it here.

15. Yishun 925 Chicken Rice

It started with just one hawker stall within Yishun but over the years, they have expanded and now, there are a few stalls around Singapore. We’re always happy for these successful hawkers who started out very humbly. Chicken meat here is cooked just right, making it smooth and palatable. We liked that it was served deboned, which makes it more convenient for consumption. The soya sauce which the chicken was drenched in is not overly salty, just perfect! Rice here is very ordinary and not as aromatic as compared to others but you know the saying, “mai hiam buay pai”. Since it’s so affordable, we’ve nothing much to complain about.

16. Yet Con Hainanese Chicken Rice

This is another time-honoured establishment lying along Purvis Street. Yet Con has been serving their style of authentic Hainanese chicken rice here since 1940. Notice that chicken at Yet Con are being laid on trays instead of being hung up – this is to prevent the juices from dripping so that flavours are bette retained. There’s no silky gelatin layer under the chicken skin but we enjoyed the super “chickeny” flavour here. The chicken is lightly salted without any overwhelming drench of soy sauce seasoning, making every bite full of natural “chickeny” taste. The rice is aromatic, with the lovely scent of ginger, shallots and chicken stock. We like that it isn’t overly greasy. The only downside was the chilli and ginger dip that we found too watery for our liking.

17. Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice

It was already 3pm and we were still queuing for Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice. 30 minutes queue just to get my chicken rice fix, but so worth it! We paid $11 for 2 pax meal with soup and achar. The chicken is chopped into big chunky pieces and topped with fried garlic, which is quite unique. Achar brings a refreshing touch and the rice has a pleasant garlic aroma. We are so in love with their (refillable) cabbage soup that is peppery and full of vegetables and meat. The owner is in good mood on our day of visit so he gave me an extra bowl of lotus root pork ribs soup filled with generous amount of lotus roots and peanuts.

There are plenty of other stalls that might be good but not mentioned above. Do comment and share your thoughts with us, let us know which other chicken rice stalls in Singapore are worth our calories! Enjoy your hunt in finding the best chicken rice stall in Singapore, HAPPY NATIONAL DAY!

The post 17 Best Chicken Rice in Singapore (Food Hunt Time!) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

As Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, family, friends and business associates see this as a good time for gatherings and catching up! Every year, we see new flavours with cutting-edge designs yet we never forget the traditional time-honoured baked mooncakes. It’s the time of the year to share your love and show your appreciation with the ultimate list of mooncakes we recommend for Mid-Autumn Festival 2016. (*brands are arranged in alphabetical order*)

Carlton Hotel Singapore

This Mid-Autumn Festival, be enchanted by dainty handcrafted mooncakes from Carlton Hotel Singapore. Crafted conscientiously and freshly made in-house from top range ingredients, be mesmerized by Mini Walnut Moontarts ($62 / box of 8).

This unique and addictive moontart is Carlton Hotel Singapore’s bestseller. Smooth white lotus paste and egg yolk are enveloped in a crisp fragrant crust and walnuts. There is even an alternative low sugar moontart ($60 / box of 8), without egg yolk, for the health-conscious bunch.

Carlton Hotel Singapore also offers consumers the opportunity to indulge in time-honoured baked mooncakes. Baked to a gorgeous golden brown, Red Lotus Paste Mooncake ($68 / box of 4) comes with double egg yolk while the White Lotus Paste Mooncake comes with single or double egg yolk option.

Don’t forget their popular snow skin mooncake selection. Mini Red Velvet Snow Skin Mooncake ($63 / box of 8) has been inspired by Tuxedo’s signature red velvet cake. Filled with rich, velvety cream cheese and crunchy royaltine, consumers get a good textural difference while treating themselves to this after-meal dessert. No preservatives are added.

Citibank, DBS/POSB, OCBC and UOB cardholders will be entitled to 25% off with a minimum purchase of 31 boxes and 20% off 30 boxes and below between 18 August and 31 August and enjoy 15% off all mooncakes between 1 September and 15 September. Local delivery is free for orders comprising 50 boxes and above to one location. A surcharge of $64.20 (with GST) per location applies for orders below 50 boxes. Prices are subject to GST.

Conrad Centennial

Reminisce the good old days with Golden Peony’s Traditional Baked with White Lotus Paste Mooncake ($64 / box of 4) and Traditional Baked with Mixed Nuts Mooncake ($72 / box of 4). The former is a time-honoured favourite while the latter consists of a healthy blend of five different types of nuts and seeds and is best enjoyed with a cup of Chinese tea.

Don’t forget Golden Peony’s signature Sweet Potato Mooncake in Crispy Filo Pastry ($64 / box of 8), lovingly handcrafted by Executive Chinese Chef, Ku Keung, and his team, which boasts of a crispy crust and filled with unsurpassable fillings of light whipped sweet potato.

This year, Golden Peony’s snow skin mooncake assortment sees the introduction of two alcohol-infused mini snow skin mooncakes and two other non-alcoholic flavours. Gorgeously encased inside antique-looking treasure boxes that comes in three colours – velvet red, luxe gold and a limited edition antique gold – this eye-catching gift is set to amaze.

Be enticed by the new Champagne and Strawberry Mini Snow Skin Mooncake ($64 / box of 8) and Rum and Raisin Mini Snow Skin Mooncake ($64 / box of 8). The former is perfect for a ladies only night while the latter is more macho and perfect for the men who want to spend a night on poker. Two new non-alcoholic flavours have been rolled out too – Cranberry Cheese Mini Snow Skin Mooncake ($64 / box of 8) and Green Tea with White Chocolate Mini Snow Skin Mooncake ($64 / box of 8). These sinfully-indulging flavours appeal more to the younger generation.

Citibank, UOB and HSBC card members enjoy an early bird 20% discount from 1 August to 15 August and a 15% discount from 16 August to 15 September on mooncakes purchased at The Terrace, only with minimum 2 boxes purchase. Note that this privilege is not valid at booths at Takashimaya, Vivo City and Nex.

Emicakes

Ignite your senses with Emicakes’ Snow Skin Mao Shan Wang mooncakes ($48 / box of 2 large ; $46 / box of 5 mini) made only from the finest and freshest Mao Shan Wang durian flesh. The strong aroma is complemented by the heady flavour you can only experience from Mao Shan Wang durian – slightly bitter, yet finishes with a sweet and buttery ending.

Relish the sensuous goodness of Snow Skin D24 Durian mooncakes ($38 / box of 2 large ; $36 / box of 5 mini). Generously filled with mouth-watering D24 Durian flesh, the texture and taste makes one feel as though you’re enjoying a real durian fruit instead of a snow skin mooncake. Enveloped in Emicakes’ scrumptious snowskin, this makes a perfect dessert.

Emicakes has also brought traditional taste up a notch by modernizing it. They are offering Snow Skin Authentic Yam mooncakes ($30 / box of 2 large ; $28 / box of 5 mini), featuring a layer of soft snow skin and smooth and rich fresh yam that melts in your mouth. This is a flavour that you cannot turn away from!

Due to popular demand, Emicakes is introducing their new Baked Skin D24 Durian traditional mooncake ($30 / box of 2 large ; $28 / box of 5 mini). Most durian-flavoured mooncakes are snow skin but Emicakes will stand out from the rest by offering this traditional baked variety. Indulge in their D24 Durian filling enveloped in a smooth layer of white lotus paste with melon seeds and a crust baked to golden brown perfection.

Enjoy 35% off when you make an in-store purchase / self collection till 21 August 2016 and 30% off for deliveries. Present Emicakes’ mooncake flyer upon purchase to redeem their special promo – Buy 1 large Mao Shan Wang mooncake for only $18 and get 2 mini Mao Shan Wang mooncakes free. Emicakes is located island-wide in Bedok, Bukit Batok, Causeway Point, Clementi, Compass One, Kovan, Plaza Singapura, Tampines 1 and Toa Payoh.

Goodwood Park Hotel

Look forward to feasting on new alcoholic and chocolate flavours. Dark Chocolate Crunchy Hazelnut Snow Skin Mooncake ($38 / box of 2 and $56 / box of 4) consists of a crunchy hazelnut chocolate centre enveloped by a rich mousse made with two types of dark chocolate. Its snow skin, made with crushed vanilla beans and caramel, makes the entire package irresistible.

Gin Pineapple Snow Skin Mooncake ($38 / box of 2 and $56 / box of 4) is inspired by a tropical cocktail, perfect for celebratory gatherings. Looking for a non-alcoholic fruitier version? Yuzu Lychee Snow Skin Mooncake ($33 / box of 2 and $54 / box of 4) boasts a zesty yuzu fragrance, enhanced with juicy lychee bits. There is even a limited edition, combining the duo of Dark Chocolate Crunchy Hazelnut Snow Skin Mooncake and Gin Pineapple Snow Skin Mooncake available at $38 / box of 2. This is a wonderful after-meal treat for both kids and adults.

Besides newly jazzed up flavours, Goodwood Park Hotel still offers two of their signature snow skin mooncakes – Mango with Pomelo Snow Skin Mooncake ($33 / box of 2 and $54 / box of 4) and Cempedak Snow Skin Mooncake ($38 / box of 2 and $65 / box of 4). Not forgetting the Black Thorn Durian Snow Skin Mooncake ($54 / box of 2 and $88 / box of 4) and Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin Mooncake ($50 / box of 2 and $82 / box of 4).

Grand Hyatt Singapore

Savour tradition with a twist with Grand Hyatt’s Miniature Snow Skin Mooncakes. Be pampered by Black Sesame, Buddha’s Hand Truffle created with black sesame seeds, with a tinge of citrusy taste from the exotic Buddha’s hand fruit.

Specially curated for coffee addicts, Caramel Macchiato Truffle boasts a creamy blend of rich caramel and coffee in a truffle. Need some alcohol for the festive mood? Strawberry, Lime Tequila Truffle is a fun flavour with a refreshing strawberry flavour. We love the Matcha snow skin flavour especially – it is a perfect combination of matcha infused lotus paste mixed with azuki beans, and topped off with a delicate sake truffle. There’s even D24 Durian snow skin mooncake, made from pure silky-smooth D24 durian pulp for the ultimate indulgence.

Baked to a luscious shade of brown, enjoy classic flavours of traditional mooncakes with indulgent double yolk options such as White Lotus Double Yolk with Roasted Melon Seeds, Red Lotus Double Yolk with Roasted Melon Seeds and Sesame Lotus Double Yolk with Bamboo Ash.

For the health-conscious, Grand Hyatt offers a seeds-only traditional mooncake – White Lotus with Roasted Melon Seeds. All mooncakes are handcrafted by the hotel’s pastry artisans.

The price for a box of 4-piece traditional mooncakes or 8-piece snow skin mooncakes in a collector’s box cost $69 nett. Early bird discounts starts on 9 August till 25 August – Enjoy 15% discount when paying with UOB, DBS/POSB and Citibank credit cards.

Holiday Inn® Singapore Atrium

The newest edition to Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant’s selection of baked classics is Assorted Nuts with French Raisins ($62 / box of 4). Made with a modern twist, this baked mooncake gives you a balanced sweetness of wholesome fruits and nuts.

One can never resist Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant’s Signature Mini Egg Custard with Yolk ($58 / box of 6). This gives an ultimate indulgence with its rich, creamy egg custard and flavourful salted egg yolk in every bite. For a nostalgic celebration, savour traditional favourites such as Teochew Yam Paste with Single Yolk ($68 / box of 4) and Low Sugar White Lotus Seed Paste with Four Yolks ($72 / box of 4).

On the list of new flavours for 2016 are two other unique snow skin creations – Black Sesame Lotus Seed Paste with Strawberry Praline Snow Skin Mooncake ($56 / box of 6) and Passion Fruit Paste with Plum Snow Skin Mooncake ($56 / box of 6). The former combines aromatic black sesame with tart sweetness of strawberry and surprises your palate while the latter is refreshing and tangy.

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant has also brought back their bestsellers – Mini Peranakan Durian Snow Skin Mooncake ($56 / box of 6) which has a luxurious durian filling encased in a purplish-blue soft skin naturally coloured using the blue pea flower. Another crowd-pleaser is the Soursop and Chocolate Crunch Snow Skin Mooncake ($56 / box of 6) which showcases a lovely medley of textures combining fresh soursop pulp and crunchy chocolate pearls.

Exclusively at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium and Vivo City, receive a complimentary tin of Dilmah T-series Mini Caddy Sencha Green Extra Special worth $28 with a minimum purchase of two boxes of mooncakes. Orders for Teochew Yam Paste with Single Yolk, Xin’s Signature Mini Egg Custard with Yolk and Peranakan Durian Snow Skin Mooncake (large) have to be placed at least three days in advance. Corporate customization and discounts are available for orders of 50 boxes and above.

Hong Kong Mei-Xin Mooncakes

Mei-Xin Mooncakes has been Hong Kong’s leading brand for the past 18 years. Joining the egg custard mooncake and lava custard mooncake comes the brand new Lava Chocolate Mooncake ($39.75 / box of 4). Mei-Xin worked with the French Cacao Barry to present this decadent mooncake, consisting of a chocolaty rich and runny centre, surrounded by a dark chocolate mooncake crust. For optimal enjoyment, heat the mooncake with a microwave oven for 3-5 seconds.

Mini “Snowy Polar Lights” ($64.70 / box of 16) carries 16 bite-size flavours, giving you a complete satisfaction and fun sharing. The rich flavour mix includes mango, mango crunch, mango with pomelo dessert, mango chestnut, strawberry crunch, blueberry duo, pink guava & apricot, angel chocolate crunch, devil dark chocolate crunch, premium green bean paste, green tea & red bean, chocolate with hazelnut, double chocolate, cookies & cream, sesame with macadamia nuts and peanut butter & sesame flavours.

The newly launched “Mooncake Exclusive Selection” ($103.55 / box of 8) is in a packaging bearing a gold-embossed design with various festive elements of Mid-Autumn Festival such as lotus flowers, rabbits and a full moon. Another creative product, “Assorted Mooncakes – Bright Moon” ($61.20 / box of 6), is a comprehensive selection of mooncakes packed in a colourful tin with fireworks pattern. Furthermore, the sophisticated paper silhouette style with the infusion of familiar festive elements gives the Premium series ($150.60 / box of 8) a fine and delicate look.

Imperial Treasure Restaurant Group

Behold Imperial Treasure’s seasonal traditional mooncake selection, boasting classic pastry handmade with the finest ingredients specially imported from Hong Kong. Consumers have an option between the regular lotus paste or the silky smooth white lotus paste, enrobing decadent egg yolks within. Artisanally handcrafted, these mooncakes are elegantly presented in a gift box and are preservative-free. Prices range from $48 to $68.

Fans of Imperial Treasure can also delight in Mixed Nuts Mooncake ($58 / box of 4), made from a medley of mixed nuts, including apricot kernels, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and lotus seeds. Combined with the aroma of white sesame, natural sweetness of candied winter-melon and sundried persimmon, this nutty mooncake showcases an artfully balanced blend of intriguing textures and deep flavours.

Imperial Treasure also offers Mini Snow Skin Mao Shan Wang Mooncake ($65 / box of 8), encompassing a rich and creamy filling made with 100% Mao Shan Wang durian. This delicate confection is guaranteed to intoxicate with its lingering fragrance. Behold their Teochew Single Yolk Yam Pastry ($52 / box of 4), made with buttery soft lavender-coloured taro puree and a single golden yolk. Cocooned within a feathery puff of airy pleats, this pastry is so light that it’s almost like biting into a heavenly cloud.

Enjoy a discount of 15% from 1 August to 15 September for purchases made on estore.imperialtreasure.com. Citibank and UOB cardholders also enjoy a 15% discount from 1 August to 15 September for on-site purchases.

InterContinental Singapore

Open the windows of the stylishly-designed treasure chest to both traditional and snow skin mooncakes. Traditional mooncakes come in three options – no yolk, single yolk and double yolk. Stay guilt-free with Baked Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Low Sugar White Lotus Paste ($64 / box of 4) and Baked Mooncake with Assorted Nuts ($62 / box of 4). The latter boasts a wholesome blend of almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts and sesame seeds.

Single yolk choices include InterContinental Singapore’s Signature Baked Maple Osmanthus-Glazed Shanghai Mooncake ($64 / box of 4). Savour the buttery, maple-glazed crust, with floral hints of osmanthus, which breaks apart revealing smooth lotus filling and a gorgeous yolk. Other classics include Baked Mooncake with Single Yolk and White Lotus Paste ($64 / box of 4) and Baked Mooncake with Single Yolk and Lotus Paste ($60 / box of 4). If you want an even more savoury flavour, there is the gratifying Baked Mooncake with Double Yolks and White Lotus Paste ($68 / box of 4). Double yolks mooncakes are the ultimate indulgence so forget about dieting during this period of time. The yolks are too enticing.

Riding on the yuzu and avocado trend, InterContinental Singapore is rolling in a new series of snow skin spheres such as Yuzu Citrus with White Chocolate Truffle and White Lotus Paste; and Avocado with Chocolate Pearls and White Lotus Paste. We love the light and refreshing taste of yuzu, which makes a great dessert.

There are other new and exquisite flavours such as Sea Salt Caramel with Chocolate Pearls and Sakura Peach with Pistachio and White Lotus Paste ($66 / box of 4). For those who find durians irresistible, InterContinental Singapore’s Signature Snow Skin Mao Shan Wang Durian Mooncake ($68 / box of 4) is a decadent treat.

With the exception of Snow Skin Mao Shan Wang Durian Mooncake, there is 25% off for purchases made between 1 August and 15 September.

Mandarin Orchard Singapore

Pamper yourselves with Mandarin Orchard Singapore’s Mid-Autumn sweet treats that will tickle your tastebuds. With the popularity of salted egg yolk at an all-time high, the hotel is introducing a new snow skin flavour – Mini Snow Skin Salted Egg Custard with Manuka Honey Corn Mooncake ($65 / box of 8). Encased in fluffy snow skin, the subtle taste of the salted egg custard is cut off by a balanced sweetness from the corn and Manuka honey.

2015’s creation of the Mini Snow Skin Red Wine Cranberry Paste and Yuzu Lemongrass Mooncake ($65 / box of 8) is making a return due to popular demand, together with all-time signature favourite, Mini Snow Skin Lychee Martini and White Chocolate Mooncake ($65 / box of 8). Enjoy the refreshing yuzu lemongrass twist in the former while the latter contains smooth, creamy filling, with a hint of Martini, encased in decadent white chocolate, all enveloped in a fluffy white snow skin.

Mandarin Orchard has maintained their recipe for the ever popular Baked Mooncake with Single/Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste. Healthier versions include a lower sugar variety such as the Baked Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Low Sugar White Lotus Paste ($70 / box of 4). On the other side of the health scale lies the sinful Baked Mooncake with Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico ($75 / box of 4), upping the traditional recipe with premium Spanish ham. Alternatively, the Baked Mooncake with Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts ($70 / box of 4) will satisfy even the fussiest vegetarian.

Mandarin Orchard’s annual treats come in an elegant red custom-designed box of four for baked mooncakes and box of eight for snow skin mooncakes, with baby blue individual boxes encasing each morsels of delight. DBS/POSB cardholders receive 25% discount for early bird purchases between 1 August and 15 August and 20% discount thereafter. All other credit cardholders enjoy 20% and 15% discounts respectively. These discounts are only available at Mandarin Orchard’s Festive Counter.

Neo Garden Catering

Savour Neo Garden Catering’s traditional mooncake flavours, hand-baked to a heavenly golden-brown on the outside, with flavoursome fillings inside. These exquisite mooncakes are nostalgically presented in a unique packaging, likened to the old-school tingkat, exuding a rustic vibe that’s aligned to the festive season.

The classic Assorted Fruits & Nuts Mooncake ($58 / box of 4) contains generous portions of fruits and nuts, making it an all-time bestseller for the health-conscious. Red Bean Mooncake ($55/ box of 4) makes its debut this Mid-Autumn Festival and this is another guilt-free indulgence, packed with wholesome nutritional goodness of vitamin B.

Spoilt for choice and can’t decide which flavour to go for? Well, you can opt for the Neo Four Treasures set ($58 / box of 4) which includes Assorted Fruits & Nuts mooncake, Double Yolk White Lotus Seed mooncake, Fragrant Black Sesame mooncake and Single Yolk Emerald Lotus Seed mooncake. You’ll not only just get to taste one, but four unique flavours!

OCBC cardholders and Neo Celebrates members will enjoy early bird privileges till 28 August 2016. You will be entitled to 25% off for 2 premium boxes of mooncakes purchased, 30% off for 3 or more premium boxes of mooncakes purchased and 10% off for every Signature Gift Set purchased (inclusive of complimentary delivery). Orders of 100 premium boxes of mooncakes for corporate promotion with customized branding are entitled to 30% off total bill and free customized silkscreen printing of logo, while stocks last.

Old Seng Choong

Attention fans of founder and baker extraordinaire, Daniel Tay, as he has just launched Old Seng Choong’s first Mid-Autumn range of mooncakes, with a large ensemble of seven classic baked mooncakes. Red Bean Orange Peel with Yolk Blend & Pine Nuts Mooncake ($58 nett / box of 4) is influenced by Hong Kong’s red bean soup dessert. Indulge in the thick layer of salted egg yolk at the heart of this mooncake, surrounded by rich red bean paste infused with refreshing hints of orange peel.

Custard Egg Yolk Blend Mooncake ($62 nett / box of 4) is luxuriously filled with sweet and smooth egg custard, complemented by a layer of salted egg yolk paste in the centre for a salty-sweet nuance. White Lotus Paste with Four Yolks Mooncake ($68 nett / box of 4) is so gratifying it will make the ultimate impression. White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk & Melon Seeds Mooncake ($62 nett / box of 4) places emphasis on its decadent white lotus paste, accompanied by crunchy melon seeds and two golden salted egg yolks. Its crunchiness complements the creamy texture of the salted egg yolks.

White Lotus Paste with Melon Seeds Mooncake ($52 nett / box of 4) is the humblest of baked mooncakes and a healthier choice without any egg yolks. Each mouth-watering nugget is filled with premium, smooth white lotus paste and melon seeds. Wu Ren Mooncake ($68 nett / box of 4), made with a thick sugar paste dotted by a myriad of nuts such as melon seeds, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds and cashew nuts, is bound to please. A surprising tinge of saltiness comes from slivers of Chinese ham. Finally, White Lotus Paste with Yolk Blend Mooncake ($58 nett / box of 4) features scrumptious lotus paste and a layer of salted egg yolk filling.

The one and only snow skin mooncake comes in the flavour of Mao Shan Wang Durian Snow Skin Mooncake ($88 nett / box of 9). The delicate snow skin is generously filled with Mao Shan Wang durian, famous for its rich and creamy texture with a balanced bitter-sweet nuance.

Old Seng Choong’s mooncakes are beautifully encompassed in boxes with vibrant hues of midnight blue and fuchsia pink. Each elegant box evokes a sense of nostalgia and celebration, making it an ideal gift. A 20% early bird discount for online purchases is given between 13 August and 26 August, 15% between 27 August and 2 September and 10% between 3 September and 9 September. DBS/POSB cardholders enjoy an additional 15% off their purchases on top of the early bird discounts offered.

Pan Pacific Singapore

Feast your eyes on Hai Tien Lo’s Traditional Four Treasures Baked Mooncakes ($72 / box of 4) encased in a stylishly designed, chic-red packaging. Perfect as a gift set, these four treasures are made up of White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk baked mooncake, Black Sesame with Single Yolk baked mooncake, Green Tea Paste with Single Yolk baked mooncake, as well as, Vegetarian Mixed Nuts baked mooncake.

Black Sesame with Single Yolk Baked Mooncake ($66 / box of 4) makes its first appearance this year, featuring a seamless blend of black sesame paste and fine textured salted egg yolk, guaranteed to entice with its rich aroma. Green Tea Paste with Single Yolk Baked Mooncake ($66 / box of 4) is also introduced for the first time this year. Be charmed by the subtle fragrance, consisting of a lush blend of jade-hued green tea paste and salted egg yolk, enveloped within the golden brown pastry.

Vegetarian Mixed Nuts Baked Mooncake ($72 / box of 4) is specially curated as a healthier option. Containing a nutritious medley of mainly walnuts, almond, preserved melon, sesame seeds, melon seeds, olive seeds and macadamia nuts, Hai Tien Lo’s vegetarian mooncake boasts a nutty texture that gives a surprising crunch with each bite. Usual lard used in mixed nuts mooncake is also replaced by vegetable oil.

Satisfy the durian lover in you with Hai Tien Lo’s Signature Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin Mooncake ($76 / box of 4) that is making a comeback this year due to popular demand. Pamper yourselves with generous servings of creamy Mao Shan Wang durian puree, encased in silken snow skin. Each mouthful gives a bitter-sweet finish that’s the ultimate indulgence.

Apart from mooncakes, guests who would like to dine-in at Hai Tien Lo with family and friends to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival may select the opulent Six-Course Mid-Autumn Reunion Set Menu. Guests would be gifted with a complimentary box of Traditional Four Treasures Mooncakes with every order of two set menus. Priced at $128 per person, this set menu is available from 15 August to 15 September 2016 for dine-in at Hai Tien Lo.

Peony Jade

The newly minted 2016 Singapore Bib Gourmand awardee brings you six new mooncake creations this Mid-Autumn Festival. Beginning with the Baked Mooncake in Turmeric Skin with Ginger, Lemon Grass and White Lotus Paste ($66 nett / box of 4), this healthy introduction is zesty and rich in taste and contains high level of manganese, iron, fiber, potassium and Vitamin B6 due to its turmeric-infused skin.

Find comfort in another new savoury-sweet and dainty Baked Mini Mooncake with Molten Matcha and Salted Yolk ($62 nett / box of 8), boasting a well-balanced texture of two well-loved ingredients to create a flowing melt-in-your-mouth creamy egg-nog taste.

New Snow Skin flavours introduced this year are the Mini Snow Skin with Rose Lychee and Raspberry Centre ($62 nett / box of 8) and Mini Snow Skin with Dark Valrhona Chocolate, Sea Salt, Peanut Butter, Banana Bits and Feuilletine ($62 nett / box of 8). The former looks as pretty as it is delicious. The naturally tangy yet sweet flavour bears the reminiscence of the famous taste of our local Bandung (rose syrup milk drink). The latter, on the other hand, is irresistible, with a good crunch and not overly sweet yet salty with a bitter aftertaste.

Aside from Peony Jade’s much-adored Mao Shan Wang Durian, Premium Cempadak and Mango Sago & Pomelo Snow Skin mooncakes, the new addition to the “Peony Jade 4 Heavenly Snowskin Flavours” ($76 nett / box of 4) is Wild Blueberries Yoghurt Snow Skin Mooncake that is refreshingly creamy yet light in texture. Lastly, playing along with the current pop cultural phenomenal, Peony Jade is launching Snow Skin “Stunned-Like-Vegetable” Mooncake ($72 nett / box of 4), filled with luscious salted dark Valrohona chocolate, Feuilletine and milk Rocher, which is cute in form and addictive in taste.

Standard Chartered credit and debit cardholders enjoy 20% off purchases between 1 August and 15 September while Citibank, DBS/POSB, UOB and ANZ credit and debit cardholders enjoy up to 15% off in the same period. Bulk purchases between 50 to 200 boxes get 25% off privilege while bulk purchases over 200 boxes get 30% off privilege for orders made before 6 September.

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

Be awed by Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant’s new, limited-edition Royal Gift Set comprising of White Lotus Seed Paste Baked Mooncakes with Prized Karasumi & Angelica, accompanied with an elegant aged old Pu-er tea set ($188 / box of 4). Besides reaping health benefits, these mooncakes boast three different sensations on your tastebuds – salty, sweet, with a hint of herbal essence. Complemented with aged old Pu-er originating from the Yunnan province in China, the premium mooncakes are encased in a charming red faux crocodile leather two-tier treasure chest hot-stamped with oriental lattice pattern. Personalization of mooncake boxes is also available with a minimum order of 50 boxes of mooncakes.

Back by popular demand is the sleek black and gold White Lotus Seed Paste with Black Truffle, Roasted Chestnut, Waxed Duck & Single Yolk ($80 / box of 4). The shimmering gold-dusted charcoal exterior of this mooncake is bound to impress while its savoury waxed duck bits, complemented with sweet roasted chestnuts leaves a lasting impression. In addition, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is still offering their popular White Lotus Seed Paste with Chicken Bak Kwa & Assorted Nuts ($64 / box of 4) and White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk ($70 / box of 4).

Besides traditional baked mooncakes, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant offers snow skin mooncakes. New flavours include Chocolate Brownie with Cookies & Honeycomb ($61 / box of 8) and Salted Caramel with Peanut Praline ($61 / box of 8). The former will please the hearts of chocolate lovers with a decadent chocolate paste and crunchy cookie bits and an oozing honeycomb centre while the latter is a fusion between Asian traditions and Western flavours offering sweet and salty flavours.

For those who would like a little of everything, The Assorted Snow Skin Mooncakes ($66 / box of 8) contains these two new flavours, along with returning favourites – Sencha Green Tea with Japanese Red Bean and White Lotus Seed Paste with Egg Yolk. Another all-time favourite is the Pure ‘Mao Shan Wang’ Premium Grade Durian Snow Skin Mooncake containing copious amounts of the “Mao Shan Wang” durian.

Available from 11 August to 15 September 2016 at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel’s Forecourt Stall (by the hotel entrance).

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

This Mid-Autumn Festival, embrace artisan snow skin and classic baked mooncakes from Summer Pavillion, the one Michelin starred Chinese restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

Attention custard lava lovers! The new Mini Custard Lava with Vanilla ($72 / box of 8), with its immense salted egg yolk flavour, is bound to tantalize tastebuds. Encompassing the fragrance and palatability of a mooncake made from a combination of salted egg yolk and vanilla, it is best savoured warm to elicit the smooth, flowy texture of the custard filling. Let it flow~ let it flow~

For those who prefer going back to our traditional roots, the Assorted Baked Mooncakes set ($72 / box of 4) comes with three different flavours which include the White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk, White Lotus Seed Paste and White Lotus Seed Paste with Black Sesame.

Brought back by popular demand, their signature Assorted Mini Snow Skin Martini mooncakes ($70 / box of 8) comprise a colourful array of Appletini, Berrytini, Coffeetini and Lycheetini mooncakes. Appletini is created from green apple liqueur while Berrytini is derived from a fruity mix of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries infused with a hint of vodka. Coffeetini contains dark coffee liqueur while Lycheetini is a delightful blend of fruit liquor with real lychee bits.

Making its debut this year is the Mini Snow Skin Mao Shan Wang Durian mooncake ($70 / box of 8). It is best enjoyed chilled, with its creamy texture and bittersweet aftertaste. Other popular flavours such as Mini Snow Skin Green Tea ($66 / box of 8), Mini White Lotus Seed Paste with Black Sesame ($66 / box of 8), White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk ($76 / box of 4) and more are also available.

A 25% early bird privilege is applicable for online purchases before 14 August, while online purchases from 15 August to 12 September enjoy a 15% privilege.

The St. Regis Singapore

Tantalize your palates this Mid-Autumn Festival with Yan Ting’s four new combinations and creative snow skin mooncakes. Unveil the refreshingly citrusy flavour of pomegranate that balances the sweet red bean chendol paste as you sink your teeth into the Pomegranate Truffle with Red Bean Chendol Paste Snow Skin Mooncake ($75 / box of 8). This introduction is a fascinating marriage of an uplifting burst of flavours and a myriad of beautiful contrasting colours.

Also newly launched this year are the Salted Peanut Truffle with Black Sesame Paste Snow Skin Mooncake ($75 / box of 8) and the Purple Sweet Potato with Water Chestnut and Salted Yam Paste Snow Skin Mooncake ($75 / box of 8). The former boasts a savoury-sweet mooncake, infused with black sesame paste that highlights the salted peanut encased within a milk chocolate truffle – a sublime union of flavours. On the other hand, the latter features traditional ingredients of popular Cantonese desserts. Consisting of a lightly sweet combination that is enhanced with water chestnut bits, the familiar Chinese aromas from the first bite whets your appetite for more.

Moreover, for those with a fondness for salted egg yolk flavour, the Portuguese Custard Paste Snow Skin Mooncake ($73 / box of 8) makes its debut this year. Infused within the yellow-hued snow skin is a fragrant and smooth mixture, a hint of sweet and salty, that lingers on the palate. Fans of Mao Shan Wang Durian will be delighted to hear the return of Yan Ting’s Mao Shan Wang Durian Indulgence Snow Skin Mooncake ($118 / box of 8). This features rich luscious chunks of the premium-grade majestic tropical fruit, exuding robust flavours and alluring aromas.

Going back to time-honoured traditional baked mooncakes, Yan Ting’s gold-hued Baked Mooncake with White Lotus Paste and Single ($76 / box of 4) or Double Yolks ($79 / box of 4) continues to grace this Mid-Autumn Festival. Upping the sinfulness of baked mooncakes this year, Yan Ting is introducing the White Lotus Paste with Four Yolks ($108 / box of 4). The highly sought-after White Lotus Paste with Assorted Nuts and Yunnan Ham Baked Mooncake ($79 / box of 4) will delight gourmands who fancy crunchy textures while the Reduced Sugar White Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts Baked Mooncake ($72 / box of 4) is ideal for those seeking healthful indulgences.

Yan Ting’s mooncakes will be available at Yan Ting restaurant (Level 1U) and La Patisserie (Lobby Level), from 30 July to 15 September. Enjoy early bird privileges at a reduction of 5% from now till 1 September. All prices are subjected to 7% GST as all the prices mentioned comes with a ‘+’.

Hope our list is useful in helping you decide on your preferred mooncakes for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival. Remember to make your orders early if you don’t want to miss out on these attractive discounts. May this year’s Mid-Autumn delectable treats bring you to the moon and back!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival,
Maureen / Mu Qin / Cheryl / Angela

The post The Complete Mooncake Guide – 17 Best Mooncakes To Try In 2016 appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

Hidden deep within the first floor of Thomson Plaza, just opposite Koufu foodcourt, lies this premium sushi bar. It’s not even a year old yet but snaking long queues have been sighted during lunch and dinner times. Waiting time can take up to 45 minutes as the space at Sushiro is very limited. However, don’t be deceived by its unpretentious setting as prices for its palatable sashimi and donburi sets are far from being exorbitant.

Thomson Plaza is not an attractive mall and I guess only residents staying in the vicinity know about this place. I used to be from Ai Tong Primary School and used to hang out at this mall quite frequently more than a decade ago, just because it’s only two stops away from my school. Fast forward to now, I never imagined myself returning to Thomson Plaza, if not for this highly raved about wallet-friendly Bara Chirashi Don.

Bara Chirashi Don ($12.90) comes with generous portions of salmon, prawn, tuna, ikura and octopus in a palm-sized sushi rice bowl. These chunks of fresh seafood served atop fragrant Japanese rice marinated with sesame sauce were amazing. There was so much seafood toppings that we couldn’t see the rice underneath. Each mouthful gave a burst of flavours and textural differences, guaranteed to satisfy the sashimi-lover in you. If you’re feeling extremely hungry, go for the Premium Chirashi Don at an additional $10. This premium rice bowl consists of salmon belly, scallops and prawn tako instead.

If you prefer savouring slices of sashimi instead of having them cut into small bite-sized cubes, you should go for Kaisen Don ($14.80). Similarly to Bara Chirashi Don, the rice exudes an aroma from sesame oil and the entire bowl gave a sweet finish and umami-ness. For the price, I don’t feel shortchanged by the serving or the ingredients.

Besides donburis, Sushiro also serves Temaki-Zilla, literally translated to upsized hand-rolls. There are two options for you to choose from – Salmon Explosion Temaki and Bara Chirashi Temaki – each costing $6.80. Believe me, Sushiro isn’t exaggerating when they name it “explosion” and categorized it as “upsized”. Imagine your normal hand-rolls, with plenty of salmon sashimi spilling out. It’s almost impossible to hold this hand-roll in your hand. The surprising twist was that the hand-roll was so overwhelmed with salmon sashimi that you can even find these fresh meats stuffed in-between the aromatic sushi rice wrapped with seaweed.

Remember to ask the servers for “Today’s Special” and look for interesting items that are “off the menu”. As you scan the menu which offers other items such as sushi platters and the usual Japanese food, you’ll start to realize that their rice bowls are the only really affordable items. Overall, dining at Sushiro is a great experience and it’s a place where I’ll specially travel to, even though I might not be in the area.

The post Sushiro @ Thomson Plaza – Cheapest Bara Chirashi Don in Singapore appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

The Weekend Roast at Oxwell & Co is going to change the way you look at your weekend brunches. Rather than the standard affair of having breakfast food for lunch, Oxwell & Co jumps straight into a sinful array of roasted delights, from 12pm to 4pm every weekend, that’s more hearty and filling than anything else. Think Roast Free-Roam Chicken Breast ($36) and Welsh Shoulder Of Lamb ($38) – a meaty selection that’s almost like a candy store for all meat lovers out there.

But if you had to choose just one dish among their juicy roasts, opt for the Grass Fed Prime Rib On The Bone ($16/100g) which was roasted to perfection. Each slab of beef had a nice caramelised brown exterior that envelops a bright pink middle, and the meat was moist and tender. You’ll find none of that sinuous bits that gets stuck in your teeth.

Accompanying all of their mains are a side of Yorkies (essentially Yorkshire pudding made to sound more adorable), roasted potatoes and some gravy. The Yorkies were great on their own, and even better when drizzled with some luscious gravy. It was crisp at the thin edges and fluffy at the parts with more egg custard – certainly a savoury pudding that we wouldn’t mind having.

You might be busy stuffing yourself silly on the meat and pudding, but whatever you do don’t discount the drab looking potatoes as your average joes. Put your no-carbs diet to the side – these humble potatoes come in an exceedingly crispy exterior and pillowy soft insides. Nothing like the dry renditions we typically taste outside – the chef revealed that theirs are made by over-boiling the potatoes first to “burst” the starch. They are then tossed in a pool of decadent duck fat to achieve that exquisite balance of crispy and fluffy.

Even the vegetables here are made with the same sinful touch. The Brussel Sprouts, Maple Butter And Smoked Bacon ($8) came in a glossy sheen thanks to the sweet butter and salted bacon fat. While the strong taste of brussels sprouts was still present, pairing it with their smoky bacon bits helped masked the unpleasant aftertaste. (We certainly saw brussels sprouts in a new light.)

We also really enjoyed The Roasted Sweet Carrots ($8). They were simple and helped cut through the richness of our meat-heavy meal with their natural sweetness.

The post A Hearty Meaty Weekend Lunch Roast At Oxwell & Co appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

The first Old Seng Choong Mid-Autumn range of mooncakes has finally launched! Founder and baker extraordinaire, Daniel Tay, will be presenting a large ensemble of seven classic baked mooncakes, four of which are filled with premium white lotus paste and a variety of nuts and salted egg yolks.

You can also relish the unique Red Bean Orange Peel with Yolk Blend & Pine Nuts Mooncake and Custard Egg Yolk Blend Mooncake.

For the traditionalists, enjoy the perfectly executed Wu Ren Mooncake. If you prefer snowskin, Old Seng Choong also has the Mao Shan Wang Durian version in its line-up.

Beautifully encompassed in boxes with vibrant hues of midnight blue and fuchsia pink, each elegant box evokes a sense of nostalgia and celebration, making it an ideal gift.

Red Bean Orange Peel with Yolk Blend & Pine Nuts Mooncake (松子陈皮红豆沙 $58 nett / box of 4) is influenced by Hong Kong’s red bean soup dessert. Indulge in the thick layer of salted egg yolk at the heart of this mooncake, surrounded by rich red bean paste infused with refreshing hints of orange peel.

Custard mooncake is the new trend. Old Seng Choong’s Custard Egg Yolk Blend Mooncake (金月奶黄馅 $62 nett / box of 4) is luxuriously filled with sweet and smooth egg custard, complemented by a layer of salted egg yolk paste in the centre for a salty-sweet nuance.

Have you ever tried making mooncakes before? The more egg yolks we add to the mooncake, the more treasured it is. White Lotus Paste with Four Yolks Mooncake (四黄白莲蓉 $68 nett / box of 4) is so gratifying it will make the ultimate impression. You didn’t see it wrong, it’s not one, not two but FOUR egg yolks in the smooth lotus paste. Bring it on lah!

If four yolks mooncake is too much for you, not to worry as Old Seng Choong also has White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk & Melon Seeds Mooncake (双黄瓜子白莲蓉 $62 nett / box of 4). The mooncake places emphasis on its decadent white lotus paste, accompanied by crunchy melon seeds and two golden salted egg yolks. Its crunchiness complements the creamy texture of the salted egg yolks.

And for those who prefer simplicity, Old Seng Choong’s White Lotus Paste with Melon Seeds Mooncake (瓜子白莲蓉 $52 nett / box of 4) is the one to savour. Each mouth-watering nugget is filled with premium, smooth white lotus paste and melon seeds.

I thought their Wu Ren Mooncake (五仁金华火腿 $68 nett / box of 4) is one of the most impressive. Made with a thick sugar paste dotted by a myriad of nuts such as melon seeds, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds and cashew nuts, this mooncake is bound to please. A surprising tinge of saltiness comes from slivers of Chinese ham.

Finally, White Lotus Paste with Yolk Blend Mooncake (蛋黄馅白莲蓉 $58 nett / box of 4) features scrumptious lotus paste and a layer of salted egg yolk filling – cleverly spread across the mooncake so you’re bound to taste it in every slice!

Old Seng Choong’s mooncakes are moderately sweet and they are my grandfather’s favourites so far. If you are buying them as a gift, I suggest you to try their Four Heavenly Yolks (四大天黄 $66 nett / box of 4). The superior selection includes Custard Egg Yolk Blend, White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk & Melon Seeds, Red Bean Orange Peel with Yolk Blend and Pine Nuts, and White Lotus Paste with Four Yolks.

The one and only snowskin mooncake in Old Seng Choong’s line-up is the Mao Shan Wang Durian Snow Skin Mooncake (冰皮猫山王 $88 nett / box of 9). THIS IS MY TOP FAVOURITE! The delicate snow skin is generously filled with fresh Mao Shan Wang durian, such that it is rich and creamy with a balanced bittersweet nuance. The skin is so much softer than other snowskin mooncakes and the durian pulp is evident in each mooncake. SO HEAVENLY!

ON-LINE SALES

Old Seng Choong Mooncakes go on sale online: 16 July – 15 September 2016 Online orders are available at www.oldsengchoong.com

First day of collection: 15 August 2016
Last day of collection: 15 September 2016
First day of delivery: 15 August 2016
Last day of delivery: 15 September 2016


Early Bird Discounts with on-line purchases
16 Jul – 12 Aug:
25% off purchase
13Aug – 26Aug:
 20% off purchase
27 Aug – 2 Sept:
 15% off purchase
3 Sep – 9 Sept:
 10% off purchase

DBS/POSB Card Members enjoy an additional 15% off their purchases on top of the early bird discount offered.

BOOTH SALES

Booth sales starts from 13 August – 15 September 2016:

13 Aug – 15 Sept 2016
B2 Takashimaya Square – 391 Orchard Road, S238873

16 Aug – 14 Sept 2016
Vivocity, Level 1 Atrium – 1 Harbourfront Walk, S098585

22 Aug – 9 Sept 2016
Raffles Xchange – Raffles MRT Station

Early Bird Discounts with booth purchases
13 Aug – 26 Aug:
 15% off purchase
27 Aug – 2 Sept:
 10% off purchase
3 Sep – 9 Sept:
 5% off purchase

DBS/POSB Card Members enjoy an additional 15% off their purchases on top of the early bird discount offered.

Big thank you to Old Seng Choong, we are giving away Four Heavenly Yolks Mooncakes ($66/box) to 5 lucky readers of Miss Tam Chiak.

All you have to do is:
Step 1: LIKE “Old Seng Choong” on Facebook
Step 2: Share this post and tag 3 friends on Facebook
Step 3: Answer a simple question in this post: What are the four heavenly yolks in each box?

Closing date: 15 August 2016, 23:59

The post 8 Mooncakes from Old Seng Choong You Should Try (PLUS GIVEAWAY) appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

The dining enclave of Holland Village is known for its numerous food options. But amidst the constant upgrading and construction in the area, some new eateries have taken root in this new place. And with all of them located within walking distance from one another, this the perfect place to hop from cafe to cafe and sample what each place has to offer. With that in mind, here’s our ten favourite cafes in Holland Village that’s certainly worth a visit.

1. Mu Parlour

Hidden in the quiet second floor of a shophouse, Mu Parlour is only accessible through an inconspicuous stairwell. We were rewarded with a nice view of the neighbourhood (tip: pick the window seat for optimal people-watching vantage point), and equally nice was their No.11 Signature Cheese Burger with beef patties, bacon, avocado mash and drizzled with a tangy Mu secret sauce ($15). Sandwiched between a black charcoal bun, the burger was sloppily juicy – not so much a sight to feast on but definitely worth the calories.

2. The Monocle Cafe

There’s no better carefree way to pass the time than to have a good read in one hand, and a good cuppa in the other. Hit up Monocle Cafe, which really felt more like your neighbour’s hipster backyard than a cafe. Selling a lean selection of caffeinated drinks and a curated selection of lifestyle items, opt for their bundle deal which gives you a current Monocle issue with a hot drink for $19.90. Otherwise, grab an Iced Long Black ($5.50) like we did and chill in their quaint garden which is perfect for a quiet afternoon.

3. D’Good Cafe

If you need to know what’s good over at D’Good Cafe, go for their cold brew coffee and Deutsch skillet pancake. We liked the mysterious air that came with the Unknown Cold Brew ($7.50), which was sweet (certainly more sweet than bitter) and milky. The Classic Deutsch Skillet Pancake ($8) might take a 20 minute wait, but hang in there and you’ll be treated to a unique pancake that’s crispy and light and fluffy all at once. And weird as it may, go nuts with the accompanying lemon wedge, maple syrup and cream cheese for a jazzed up pancake that’s certainly for the wait.

4. Project Acai

Let’s face it – there’s hardly anything better than guilt-free desserts. Project Acai is dedicated to serving up healthy treats that’s good for you and and that insatiable sweet tooth. Grab the Original Flower Bowl ($6.80 for a handy size) where their signature acai base is topped with a slew of nutrients-packed food like bee pollen, cacao nibs, chia seeds and goji berries. It’s like digging into a power-packed healthy sundae that doesn’t compromise on taste (and appearance).

5. Baker & Cook

Get ready to be spoilt for choice at Baker & Cook’s extensive selection of freshly baked goods – from artisanal rolls to pastries and cakes. But for a balanced meal, we had their Salmon Quiche ($10.50) which came with a side of salad. The Raw Energy we chose was a mix of shredded beetroot and carrots tossed with maple vinaigrette, and it lent a fresh and crunchy tang that balanced out the buttery richness of the quiche slice.

6. PARK

The largely alfresco dining area of PARK might not be the most attractive of places to dine in considering our blazing heat, but we think their Truffled Mac & Cheese ($13.50) might just change your mind. Heavy with truffle aroma, the bechamel sauce coats the pasta with its cheesy string-y goodness, and we loved how the charred layer at the top creates this new chewy texture.

7. Haakon Superfoods & Juice

When you’re feeling down, I’m sure nothing perks you right up like some sweet and indulgent dessert. But you don’t want to feel guilty after that and feel even worse than before. We think we might have found a solution to this: the vibrant Pink Pitaya & Chia Bowl ($12.90 for large). As part of their superfood bowl menu, their pink pitaya blend is layered with a base of chia parfait and topped with their housemade granola and fruits for a jumble of textures, making it perfect for a guilt free indulgence (almost like a healthy bingsu).

8. Hatched

If you think that eggs are the definition of weekend brunches, then you need to head to a place that is serious about their eggs. And we cannot think of a more appropriate place then Hatched, a cafe dedicated to the art of preparing eggs – from poached to boiled, scrambled to fried. Ditching the usual eggs benedict, we had the F.T.P ($12) from their sweet egg dessert selection. Two thick slices of sweet brioche french toasts were layered with grilled peaches and cheese and topped with walnut bits. The grilled peaches were delightfully warm and sweet, and we liked how it balances out the saltiness from the cheese.

9. Patissez

For those who might not know, Patissez (read about it here) was the brains behind the whole pimped-up milkshake movement, and they have brought their crazy creations to Singapore. But they are more than just their dessert shakes – this cafe with Australian roots serves by some pretty good brunch items as well. We loved the Tropical Hotcakes ($15) with pillowy buttermilk hotcakes, caramelised mangoes and orange segments for that bright and strong summer flavour that hits you like a ray of sun.

10. Sunday Folks

Sunday Folks should come as no stranger to most – with their elegant swirls of soft-serve ice cream perched on their crispy yet fluffy waffle squares. You’ll need to consume this dessert quickly to prevent the soft-serve from melting all away, but this shouldn’t pose as too much a problem considering how the Seasalt Gula Melaka ice cream that we chose was a perfect match to the two waffles squares ($11.80) we had. Read about it here.

The post 10 Outstanding Cafes In Holland Village You MUST Visit! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

There are hundreds of coffeeshops in Singapore so needless to say, there might be thousands of hawkers across our little red dot. Competition is certainly tough and everyone’s fighting for survival so these hawkers have to constantly revamp their menus and come up with creative dishes or give traditional flavours a modern twist. With the recent increase in the number of residents in Seng Kang and Punggol, we thought it’d be a good idea to explore these areas.

Hidden under a block in Seng Kang West Way lies Happy Hawkers Coffeeshop, which “houses” their newest tenant, Legitimeat – a Western food stall. Opened on 18 June this year, co-owner Mr. Julian Peh used to run a hipster Western food stall in a coffeeshop at Bukit Merah that served steak and tacos. However, they had to fold their business in April this year due to the non-ideal location that doesn’t draws any crowd.

Almost every coffeeshop’s Western stall sell common dishes such as chicken chop, bolognese pasta, carbonara pasta and fish and chips but at Legitimeat, some of these Western dishes are fushioned with Thai spices while others are creatively modernized while still catering to our local tastebuds.

Say hello to the ultimate sinful Chicken Mac & Cheese ($5), served piping hot with melted cheese in a claypot. Where can you find such affordably priced Mac & Cheese right? This dish requires a 15 minutes wait as it’s baked individually upon order. We were quite surprised that it was almost filled to the brim because sometimes, hawker portions can be quite pathetic. Cheese lovers would instantly be drawn to the fragrance – imagine macaroni baked in béchamel sauce, nacho cheese sauce made with cheddar and mozzarella. You can forget about dieting! Toss the macaroni, peas and chicken slices together and we promise that one mouthful sends you to foodie heaven.

Pasta flavours offered here are unique as there are Tom Yum Seafood ($6), Thai Basil Seafood ($6.50) and Black Pepper Seafood ($6.50). The only commonly seen flavour is Bacon Alio Olio ($6.50). We tried Tom Yum Seafood pasta and wow! We were really impressed. The sauce has a distinct hot and sour flavour and it goes perfectly well with the spaghetti. Topped with fresh prawns and mussels, this dish is definitely value-for-money!

We also tried their Grilled Pork Chop ($6). Although it’s stated as “grilled”, they actually pan-fry the pork chop to ensure that their marinade, consisting of paprika and chopped herbs, does not turn bitter when over-cooked. The pork chop arrived hot and fragrant but we found it disappointing that the meat was a little too tough. Lastly, we shared Cheese fries ($3) which we found average.

Just a little piece of advice – be there early! We reached the coffeeshop around 7pm and finished our dinner around 7.45pm. When we walked past Legitimeat, most of their dishes are already sold out. You should also sit near the stall as Mr. Peh shouts out the order numbers, which is easy to miss, especially in a noisy coffeeshop.

The post Legitimeat Western Food – Irresistible Claypot Mac & Cheese! appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

[HONG KONG] Shek Tong Tsui is a unique neighbourhood with a mix of old and new. As one of the earliest developed district for Chinese people in Hong Kong, you still get to see a lot of traditional neighbourhood corner shops while new and interesting cafes and restaurants evolved. One of them is COBO HOUSE by 2am:dessertbar, a collaboration with Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Janice Wong.

<

I am sure she is not a stranger to many Singaporeans. Janice founded 2am:dessertbar at Holland Village, Singapore in 2007 and shot to fame in 2013 and 2014, when she was named “Asia’s Best Pastry Chef” by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna for two consecutive years.

I only knew Janice through her outstanding dessert but actually, she is also a seasoned chef in savoury cooking. She has learnt from Grant Achatz’s kitchen at Alinea in Chicago and even cooked dinner for Singapore’s Ambassador to France residency, hosting French residents including Pierre Hermé, Dominique Loiseau and Frédéric Bau.

With a strong knowledge on ingredients and pairings, it seems like a natural progression for her to partake in different culinary concepts. Besides serving a stellar list of desserts, COBO House is the first in the world to serve Janice’s savoury dishes to the public. Housed in a comprehensive set of lunch, dinner and à la carte menu, the dishes always has a balance of flavours and aesthetics.

Big thank you to the invitation from Hong Kong Tourism Board, I was one of the first to enjoy Janice’s dinner menu. Its Mushroom Garden (HK$168) is an earthy representation of everything from beneath the ground, with 99% chocolate shaved on top. Janice has amazingly the nutty flavours of mushroom truffled puree, shimeiji and wood ear mushrooms, roasted parsnip, coffee soil, fried purple and orange sweet potato chips with a hint of bitterness from the chocolate shavings. It is served with an option of Pan fried Foie Gras (additional HK$100).

Korean drama fans can try their Kimchi Fried Chicken (HK$88) with four pieces of deep fried chicken topped with wasabi sauce and kimchi sauce, making for a slightly spicy dish that is perfect to go with cocktails. I like it that the wasabi is not overpowering, so you still get that sweet and spicy kimchi flavours with crispy skin.

Talking about international influence, the delicate Scallop Somen noodles (HK$278) is a Japanese-inspired dish. The Ito no Ibo somen is paired with scallop that’s cured in soy sauce then being dehydrated and lastly, deep fried in lobster oil. As the lightest and most refreshing noodles, it totally absorbs the crustacean flavours and the umami element is further accentuated by the ebi and ikura added on the top. Pair the somen with a glass of Lemelson Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2009.

Mantis Prawn (HKT$288) is a local ingredient that Janice has fond memories of. The mantis prawn is butter poached and paired with parmesan risotto with chorizo. The crustacean is tender, and the dish is umami-packed.

The most memorable dish for me is Earth (HK$448). This Australian wagyu is slow cooked and accompanied by carrots sous vide in beet and miso cured and charred potatoes. Garnished with mushroom paper with Janice’s favorite poem by Henry David Thoreau.

Exclusively for Hong Kong, Gai Daan Zai (HK$118) is a dessert Janice designed exclusively available at COBO HOUSE. Fresh hot egg waffle is enlivened with praline popping candy, and served with salted egg yolk and brown butter ice cream. It is a play on hot and cold, sweet and salty. I appreciate that they make their own egg waffle but sadly, I thought the brown butter stout ice cream came a little too strong that it covered the fragrance of egg waffle.

On the other hand, I love Janice’s Shades of Green (HK$135) which is inspired by our local South East Asia Peranakan breakfast delight of Kaya Toast and Kuih Bangkit. I have tried it before in 2am:dessertbar and it feels good to relish the memories in Hong Kong. With a welcoming shades of green, this dessert features a home-made Kaya flavoured ice-cream with lightly flavoured pistachio sponge and coconut chips which truly brings out the essence of our Peranakan flavours.

A signature of 2am:dessertbar, Chocolate H20 (HK$145) is inspired by the beauty of dead corals at the San Sebastian coast. The dessert features an aerated frozen chocolate with water mousse sprayed in grey to give the look of dead corals. It is sat over a heap of chocolate soil and currently served with Kochi Yuzu Sorbet to give it a light and refreshing balance.

Inspired by the Japanese Cherry Blossom, Cassis Plum (HK$158) had the sphere made by aerated Blackcurrant and white chocolate filled with Elderflower Choya Shiso Foam, and sits on a bed of Choya Shiso Granita with Kochi Yuzu Pearls and Blackcurrant Pastel forming a balance of sourness and sweet finish. It’s quite a good match for cassis and plum.

Janice’s huge and chunky Churros (HK$92/8 pcs) are crispy on the outside but soft in the inside. To elevate the experience, dip the churros into Janice’s signature Hot Chocolate (HK$98) – made with 75% Tanzanie chocolate, it carries a sophisticated floral and cocoa note.

Also new to the house is Janice Wong’s Chocolate Bonbons (Dine In: $20/piece, Gift Box: $118/5 pieces) – all hand painted, artfully made and vividly coloured, her expertise means every piece is a masterclass in indulgence. Eight flavours include Yuzu, Salted Caramel, White Truffle, Whisky Orange, Pistachio Cardamom, Praline Poprocks and Lemon Thyme, with Salted Egg being the Hong Kong special that’s exclusively available at COBO HOUSE.

The 3,000 sq ft restaurant comes with a rooftop herb garden with herbs and greens air-flown from a farm in Okinawa, Japan. The bed of sand is amassed from a pollution-free deep sea in Okinawa, mixed only with natural fertilizers and irrigates solely with chemical-free water. The neighbouring Artisan Room is a hip cafe serving artisan coffee.

How to go? Take to HKU Station and Exit B2.

The post COBO HOUSE Hong Kong – Exciting Savoury Menu by Chef Janice Wong appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.

In view of SG51, let’s take a walk down memory lane with a bowl of Cheng Tng, which literally means clear soup. It is a dessert that is light and refreshing, sold in the olden days to the coolies who worked at the quay. Nonetheless, most stalls that serve Cheng Tng these days cut corners in their ingredients. With that, we came up with a list of 6 places that you could visit to get a good bowl of Cheng Tng.

Four Seasons Ching Teng

Most hawker stalls tend to sell a variety of food to attract customers. Yet, Four Seasons Ching Teng only sells hot or cold Cheng Tng, priced at $2 per bowl. The Cheng Tng has a hint of longan flavor and was not too sweet. There were gingko nuts, white fungus, served along with the other usual ingredients. The candied wintermelon did turn me off as it was too hard.

Xi Le Ting

With a history of 60 over years, Xi Le Ting still sticks with only 4 traditional dessert soup: green bean, red bean, white oats and cheng tng. Light and sweet, the Cheng Tng reminds me of my childhood days where it quenches my thirst during a hot day. Even after many years have passed, I am still pleased that the Cheng Tng remains flavorful with the taste of the dried longans.

Teck Kee Hot & Cold Dessert

Located at Adam Road Food Centre, Teck Kee Hot & Cold Dessert is just a distance away from the famous nasi lemak. The least traditional amongst the rest listed, the cold Cheng Tng ($1.80) is served with shaved ice. Surprisingly, there were not only dried longans, but they’ve also added the canned longans. The light sweetness would be a great choice for people who are worried about desserts being too sweet.

Ye Lai Xiang Hot & Cold Dessert

One of those pioneer Cheng Tng stalls that lasted over the years. Ye Lai Xiang started off with a stall by the seaside. As time passes, it can now be found at Bedok Corner Food Centre. The Cheng Tng ($3) was not as sweet as No Name Cheng Tng. It has sweetness from the dried longans, dried persimmons and candied wintermelon. The sweet potatoes were cut to small cubes and were soft to eat. Personally, it was slightly overpriced for this bowl of dessert and it was also quite inaccessible.

No Name Cheng Tng

We’ve heard of No Signboard Seafood. But what about No Name Cheng Tng? As suspicious as it may sound, the Cheng Tng ($1.60) here really is a thirst-quencher. Just like others, it has the usual ingredient. The only difference is that it was the sweetest amongst the rest listed. The sweetness was just nice for me, as I have always felt that the moment I take a bite of longan or persimmon from other places, the soup just became bland.

88 San Ren Hot & Cold dessert

Brightly lit with colorful LED, 88 San Ren Hot & Cold dessert is located at Newton Food Centre. The Cheng Tng ($2.50) was full of ingredients, and there were even barley! As I have tried most cheng tng cold, I have decided to try the hot one here. Flavored with sweetness from red dates and dried longans, the soup was also well balanced with the other ingredients. You could also try out their other desserts such as Strawberry Snow Ice, Red Ruby and Mango Ice Kachang

The post 6 Places for Awesome Cheng Tng to Beat the Heat in Singapore appeared first on Miss Tam Chiak.