Paradise Inn Braised Hor Fun With Venison In Black Bean Sauce

Reminscent of the famous Geylang Lorong 9 beef hor fun, the braised hor fun with venison in black bean sauce from Paradise Inn Restaurant left me a lasting impression when I had dinner there.


A small plate of braised venison hor fun which costs $12++ comes in a satisfactory portion for 2 persons. Extraordinarily thick and flavorful, the savory black bean sauce gravy complements the well-fried hor fun with an irresistable wok hei fragrance. The marinated venison is extremely tender and tasty.

Beside braised venison hor fun, we also tried the coffee pork ribs and sambal kang kong which were also very impressive. Come down to Paradise Inn Restaurant and try for yourself.

7.5/10

Paradise Inn Restaurant
http://www.paradisegroup.com.sg/inn/index.html

Fei Kee Claypot Chicken Rice

Inside an old coffee shop along Beach Road lies an insconspicuous claypot chicken rice stall whose sign read "waiting time at least 15 minutes". I'm glad that I didn't give it a miss when I walked past because it was indeed worthwhile waiting for.


I ordered a bowl of claypot chicken rice for one which costs only $4. Unlike other traditional claypot rice, Fei Kee claypot rice is topped with generous pieces of fresh and crunchy cabbage which add a delightful sweetness to the distinctive charred flavour of the fragrant rice. If you dislike removing pieces of bones when having claypot rice, you will be happy to know that Fei Kee claypot rice uses boneless grade A chicken thigh meat which is remarkably fleshy and tasty.

With the use of superior quality ingredients eg boneless chicken meat, Fei Kee claypot chicken rice certainly impressed me as one of the best in Singapore. Open until 730pm daily except on Sunday, this will definitely make a satisfactory dinner for you and your family.

7.5/10

Fei Kee Claypot Chicken Rice
Luk Lu Eating House
341 Beach Road
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Todai International Seafood And Sushi Buffet

Newly opened at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, I did not expect Todai Restaurant to be so crowded on a weekday evening when I was there to try its international buffet dinner. Fortunately, the service was remarkably efficient and we were able to start eating without much waiting.


Looking at the generous selection of mouthwatering dishes ranging from seafood on ice, sushi and sashimi to churrasco, pizza and pasta, salads, tempura, cold cuts, Korean snacks, desserts and cakes etc, I had a really hard time deciding what to try first.


A big fan of Brazilian churrasco, I was most impressed with the outstanding grilled steak that is exceptionally flavorful and succulent.


My partner enjoyed the special snow crabs which are sweet and fleshy as well as the fresh oysters which are huge and juicy.


She was also delighted by the assortment of sushi and sashimi available.


The cooked food section, on the other side of the spacious restaurant, greeted us with a wide variety of Chinese and Western cuisine which included dory fish with cream Mornay sauce, roast beef with Jalapeno Demi sauce, mushroom with Demi cheese sauce, clam stew, teriyaki parrot fish and local favorites like fried rice and our signature chilli crab with its irresistable gravy. The tempura prawns are cripsy and tasty.


We completed our sumptuous dinner with delectable cakes, pastries and Korean strawberries from the dessert section.


Although the prices of Todai International Buffet may seem rather exorbitant, the spectacular spread of food, sushi and dessert, as well as the excellent culinary standard, make every single dollar worthwhile. It was a very memorable dining experience and I will definitely return to try the other dishes that I have missed out.

8/10

Todai International Seafood And Sushi Buffet
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue B2-001
Singapore 018972

Lunch: 11.30am to 4.30pm (last order at 4.00pm)
Mondays to Thursdays – S$42++ (adult), S$22++ (child)
Fridays to Sundays, Public Holidays, Eve of Public Holidays – S$58++ (adult), S$26++ (child)

Dinner: 5.30pm to 11.00pm (last order at 10.30pm)
Mondays to Thursdays – S$54++ (adult), S$26++ (child)
Fridays to Sundays, Public Holidays, Eve of Public Holidays – S$58++ (adult), S$26++(child)

Blanco Court Fish Soup

Many foodies in Singapore have been searching for the original Blanco Court fish soup that was previously located at Blanco Court Food Centre but failed. I thought I found the answer when I saw a long queue in front of this stall along Beach Road but I was sadly mistaken.


I ordered a bowl of Blanco Court mixed fish soup and plain rice which cost $5.50 in total. Topped with spinach and fried egg, the tasty soup is served with numerous pieces of battered fried fish and thick slices of fresh fish. I was however disappointed that the flavours of the fish, evaporated milk and spinach somehow fail to blend with one another in the soup. Moreover, I felt that the fried egg could have been fresher and the chilli sauce less mediocre.

Looking at the long queues during lunch time despite its higher prices, I guess many will disagree with me that this Blanco Court fish soup is a far cry from the original. Come down to Beach Road and try it for yourself.

7/10

Blanco Court Sliced Fish Bee Hoon
Luk Lu Eating House
341 Beach Road
Closed on Sundays

Coffee Hut Coffee

Located in Jalan Berseh Food Centre just beside the famous black & white fish soup, Coffee Hut has the reputation of having one of the best coffee in Singapore. Hence I decided to kill two birds with one stone when I was there to have the sumptuous fish soup for lunch last week.


I ordered a cup of coffee which costs $1.10. Rich with the distinctive aroma of coffee beans, the outstanding coffee is delightfully thick and flavorful.

Certainly more impressive than most coffee from franchises and food centres, Coffee Hut's coffee gave me an unexpected caffeine boost, keeping me incredibly awake for the entire afternoon and evening.

7.5/10

Coffee Hut
Jalan Berseh Food Centre
#02-43
166 Jalan Besar
S208877

Rong Hua Milk Corn Shake

Previously blogged about its special teh cino, I decided, for a change, to try the milk corn shake from Rong Hua Hot and Cold Drinks at Golden Mile Food Centre last weekend.

Highly addictive with plenty of saccharine goodness, the milk corn shake, which costs $2.50, comes with smooth blended milk ice topped with fragrant cream and sweet corn.

If you have a sweet tooth, you must try Rong Hua's milk corn shake which will certainly keep you coming back for more.

7.5/10

Rong Hua Hot And Cold Drinks
Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road #B1-08
S199583

Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat

Having tried the various famous fish head steamboats in Singapore, I still like the one from Nan Hwa Chong along North Bridge Road most.


Reasonably priced at only $20, a small pomfret steamboat for two comes with satisfactory portions of fresh and tasty pomfret, vegetables and yam pieces. Filled with the concentrated sweetness of fish and the subtle aroma of herbs and spices, the mouthwatering soup is definitely the distinguishing factor for this fish head steamboat. However, please refrain from asking for a refill of the soup unless necessary as the refill is considerably diluted compared with the original.

Nan Hwa Chong fish head steamboat is certainly one of the best in Singapore. To beat the crowd which can be overwhelming during weekends, do try to reach there before 630pm.

7.5/10

Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner
814 North Bridge Road

Dunman Road Char Siew Wanton Mee

What makes an outstanding wanton mee? I found the answer last weekend when I had Dunman Road Char Siew wanton mee at Dunman Food Centre.


A big plate of wanton mee which costs only $3 comes with a generous portion of handmade noodles topped with char siew (marinated roast pork) and wanton (meat dumplings). Unlike other wanton noodles, the special egg-flavoured noodle is so fragrant and tasty that you can eat it on its own. Not forgetting the extraordinary chilli sauce that is so unbelievably spicy that it actually burns inside the mouth, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste. Fortunately the owner never fails to oblige me whenever I ask for a bigger bowl of the anchovy-flavoured soup.

The interesting story behind Dunman Road Char Siew Wanton Mee is that it was started by a fellow worker of another wanton noodle stall in the same hawker centre. I shall not mention the name as the disciple has clearly surpassed the master, yet remaining humble and providing good service to customers. Come down and try Dunman Road Char Siew Wanton Mee if you haven't. It's definitely one of the best in Singapore.

8/10

Dunman Road Char Siew Wanton Mee
Dunman Food Centre
271 Onan Road
#02-19
S424768
Closed on Thursday

Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup

When I tasted the best fish soup that I ever had in my life, the first thought that came to my mind was to buy it back for my family. Unfortunately the sign in front of the stall read "Dine in only". It didn't take me long to figure out why. With an extraordinary fish soup like this, this stall can certainly afford to set its eccentric rules eg open at 10.12am, $0.30 for extra chilli, only mixed black and white fish soup etc and still keep its customers coming back for more.

Mei Xiang black & white fish soup comes in two sets: $7 for big and $5 for small, inclusive of rice and chilli. In case you wonder why this fish soup is so expensive, let me assure you that the amount of fish you find inside is worth every dollar you spend, if not more.



The fresh slices of "white" fish are remarkably thick and fleshy while the generous chunks of battered "black" fish are delightfully fragrant and flavorful. Filled with the concentrated sweetness of fish and spices, the mouthwatering soup is so irresistable that I could hardly stop drinking after having my first spoonful.

Undoubtedly the best fish soup in Singapore, Mei Xiang certainly lives up to every bit of its reputation. If you are looking for a special fish soup that will blow you off your feet, you must not miss Mei Xiang at Jalan Berseh Food Centre.

8.5/10

Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup
Jalan Berseh Food Centre
#02-44
166 Jalan Besar
S208877
Closed on weekends & public holidays

N&B Soya Bean Milk

Located at Hougang Green Shopping Mall directly opposite Arnolds Fried Chicken, I did not know that N&B Snacks has fantastic soya bean milk until I tried it last week.


Thick and fragrant with the delightful goodness of soya beans, N&B soya bean milk is remarkably creamy and sweet.

Although slightly more expensive than most soya bean milk at $1.30 a cup, N&B soya bean milk is more concentrated and tasty. I certainly wouldn't hesitate paying the slight difference in price to enjoy better quality soya bean milk from N&B Snacks.

7.5/10

N&B Snacks
Hougang Green Shopping Mall
21 Hougang Street 51, #01-01

Sinar Murni Mee Soto

When I was at Changi Jetty for photography last weekend, I was hesitant about what to have for dinner at Changi Village until I saw two customers having mee soto. Tempted by the appearance of the mouthwatering mee soto, I decided to give it a try.


Served in a big bowl topped with piping hot soup, Sinar Murni mee soto, which costs only $2.50, is served with a satisfactory portion of shredded chicken and a begedil (deep fried potato patty). The savory soup is filled with the delightful aroma of spices and the sweet essence of chicken.

Being a fan of mee soto, I really cannot stand those which are served in a small plate filled with miserable amount of lukewarm soup. On the other hand, Sinar Murni mee soto is the exact opposite, generous and impressive. Come down to Changi Village and try it today.

7.5/10

Sinar Murni Muslim Food
Changi Village Market and Food Centre
Blk 3 Changi Village Road #01-39
S500003

Robert Mee Siam

Popular mee siam stalls in Singapore seem to have some things in common. Somehow their mee siam are less costly than others and they only open in the morning. Robert mee siam at Whampoa Market is no exception.


Inexpensively priced at $2 a plate, it is not surprising to see a queue in front of Robert Mee Siam especially on weekends. The queue was even longer previously when they used to sell lontong too but had stopped in recent months.

Spicy and sweet with a sourish tinge of tamarind (assam), the savory gravy complements the fine bee hoon very well. Topped with egg and bean curd, this mee siam is definitely value for money.

7.5/10

Robert Mee Siam
Whampoa Drive Food Centre
Blk 91 Whampoa Drive
#01-43

Chong Pang Nasi Lemak

Hidden in the far corner of a row of shophouses along Sembawang Road, Chong Pang Nasi Lemak is one of the more famous nasi lemak in Singapore.


Yet, in spite of its popularity, the prices of its dishes are very reasonable. A plate of nasi lemak with fried egg, curry vegetables, fried ngor hiang (Hokkien meat roll) and curry potato cost only $3.20. Fragrant with the delightful essence of coconut milk, the flavorful rice goes very well with the spicy-sweet chilli paste. Very worthy of mention is the curry vegetables that is exceptionally savory.

Chong Pang nasi lemak certainly lives up to its reputation as one of Singapore's best. With an impressive array of dishes available for mix and match, this is one nasi lemak that you must not miss.

8/10

Chong Pang Nasi Lemak
447 Sembawang Road
Opening hours: 5pm – 7am

Jaan West Coast Mee Kuah

Even though there are so many Indian Muslim food stalls in Tekka Market, I wondered why I had to wait close to half an hour for my dinner from Jaan West Coast stall. I found the answer when I tasted the delicious mee kuah which costs only S3.


Topped with thick and spicy gravy that is pleasantly savory, the tasty mee kuah comes with egg, mutton, beans and vegetables. What I like about Jaan West Coast mee kuah is the delightful pieces of mutton that makes it "non-vegetarian", unlike some of the less impressive but more expensive mee kuah in Singapore that are devoid of meat.

If you are a fan of mee kuah like me, you must not miss this stall at Tekka Food Centre. Complete your meal with a glass of hot teh cino, which I will introduce someday.

7.5/10

Jaan West Coast
Tekka Food Centre
Blk 665 Buffalo Road
#01-249

Arnold's Fried Chicken

Strongly recommended by some listeners on a popular radio show recently as having the best fried chicken in Singapore, I decided to try Arnold's soon after hearing about it.


Conveniently located at Hougang Green Shopping Mall not too far away from my home, I ordered Arnold's two piece chicken set which costs $6.40. Served with fries and coleslaw, the fried chicken was indeed hot and crispy on the outside while fleshy and tender on the inside. What I found lacking in Arnold's chicken, however, was the "eleven herbs and spices" that make KFC's chicken "finger-licking good".

In terms of freshness and crispiness, Arnold's chicken certainly has the advantage over other fried chicken. But when it comes to flavour and value for money, I still prefer KFC over Arnold's. Come and try for yourself if you haven't.

7/10

Arnold's Fried Chicken
21 Hougang Street 51, #01-49
Hougang Green Shopping Mall
Singapore 538719

Astons Specialties Wagyu Ribeye Steak

Even though I am not a steak connoisseur, I could not resist the temptation of trying the wagyu ribeye steak from Astons Specialties which was offered at a promotional price of $38.90 for 200 grams.


Served with two free side dishes (baked potato and tasty rice), the Grade 5/6 wagyu steak is well-marbled with an exceptionally smooth texture and a remarkably tender consistency. Another differentiating factor of wagyu beef is its delightful succulence with mouthwatering juices exuding with every bite.

Given its expensive price, I certainly had very high expectations of Astons' wagyu ribeye which unfortunately, failed to impress me to return for more. Somehow I still prefer its prime ribeye that is not only more robust and flavorful but costs less than half the price of the wagyu.

7/10

Astons Specialties
Sembawang Shopping Centre
#03-14
604 Sembawang Road

Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice

Not a fan of scissors cut curry rice after trying some not-so-good ones in Singapore, I finally managed to try the original Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice at Jalan Besar today and it indeed lives up to every bit of its reputation.


Delightfully drenched with irresistable curry gravy, a plate of Beach Road curry rice served with curry chicken, fried cabbage and fried egg, costs only $2.60. The distinguishing factor of this curry rice is its special curry gravy which is exceptionally rich and flavorful with just the right sweetness, spiciness, thickness and consistency. Even though the serving was reasonably large, I found myself finishing it mouthful after mouthful and had to resist the temptation of ordering another plate.

Unlike the not-so-good scissors cut curry rice whose gravy were either too sweet or too salty, too thick or too diluted, Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice certainly deserves commendation for its outstanding curry gravy that must be the best in Singapore.

8/10

Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice
229 Jalan Besar
Open daily from 11am to 3.30am

Liang Zhao Ji Duck Rice

Located beside the famous Hoover Rojak in Whampoa Food Centre, Liang Zhao Ji also has its queue of customers waiting to have braised duck rice for lunch.


I ordered a plate of duck rice which costs $3. Expecting the dark-colored rice to be the traditional yam rice served in some braised duck stalls, I was slightly disappointed to find out that it was just white rice thoroughly coated with braised gravy. Nevertheless the rice was soft and savory. I enjoyed the delicious braised duck which was fleshy and tasty. The chilli paste, which was spicy mixed with a sourish tinge, didn't leave much of an impression.

Although nowhere near the best of the braised duck rice that I have tasted, Liang Zhao Ji certainly has its fair share of fans who feel otherwise. Perhaps I should have tried its duck porridge instead.

6.5/10

Liang Zhao Ji Duck Rice
Whampoa Food Centre
Blk 90 Whampoa Drive
#01-07

Joo Chiat Hokkian Prawn Mee

No other food can bring me more reminiscence of my childhood than a bowl of traditional prawn mee soup from Joo Chiat. Back in those days, a small bowl of prawn mee was to be shared between several people eg myself and my cousins, certainly delicious but not at all satisfying. Thus today I can't help but feel very privileged to be living in Singapore, an affluent society and a food paradise.

Recently relocated to a new coffee shop further down the road, Joo Chiat Hokkian Prawn Mee finally has a prominent signboard featuring its name. Previously I have only known it as the prawn mee soup inside the old coffee shop with Fei Fei Wanton Mee.


I ordered a $3 bowl of prawn mee soup which comes with sliced prawns, lean meat and pork rib. What is most outstanding about this prawn mee is its mouthwatering soup which is concentrated with the irresistable essence of prawn and pork rib. The remarkable flavour is accentuated by the fragrance of fried onion shallots, making this prawn mee soup one of the best I have tasted in Singapore.

If you are craving for the old school type of prawn noodle with no fanciful ingredients eg big prawns, Joo Chiat Hokkian prawn mee is just the right one for you.

8/10

Joo Chiat Hokkian Prawn Mee
No 59
Joo Chiat Place

Uncle Sim Curry Chicken Noodle

Previously blogged about his delicious economic rice in Whampoa Food Centre, I was delighted to find out that Uncle Sim has opened a new curry chicken noodle stall there.


Feeling really hungry that evening, I ordered the larger $4 bowl instead of the usual $3. Absolutely value for money, the curry chicken noodle came with a huge chicken drumstick, several pieces of chicken, egg, potato and you tiao (fried Chinese doughstick). The mouthwatering curry gravy is thick and savory with an authentic homemade flavour. The fresh chicken is undoubtedly fleshy and tasty.

One of the more outstanding curry chicken noodle in Singapore, Uncle Sim will certainly give fellow competitors like Hock Hai a run for their money.

7.5/10

Uncle Sim Curry Chicken Noodle
Blk 90 Whampoa Food Centre
#01-76

Yummy Rice Shop Economical Rice

Certainly one of the more popular economical rice stalls in Albert Centre Food Centre, it is not uncommon to see a queue forming in front of Yummy Rice Shop during dinner time.

While it has a variety of appealing rice sets eg Hainanese curry chicken set, Teochew braised pork set, good taste fish etc, I chose to order its ala carte dishes instead. A plate of rice with curry chicken drumstick, fried brocolli with cauliflower and fried omelette cost only $2.90.


I like the curry chicken drumstick that is fleshy and tender and goes very well with the savory curry gravy. Filled with a distinctive home-cooked flavour, the fried brocolli and cauliflower and the egg omelette certainly left a good impression.

If you are in favour of a simple economic rice that is value for money and satisfying for dinner, come down to Bugis and try Yummy Rice Shop economic rice today.

7.5/10

Yummy Rice Shop
Albert Centre Market & Food Centre
270 Queen Street #01-53

Deenas Sarabat Stall Teh Tarik

Frequently patronizing Golden Shoe Food Centre for dinner after a long day at work, nothing warms my heart more than a cup of teh tarik (translated as pulled milk tea in English) from Deenas Sarabat Stall.


What is so special about this teh tarik compared with the countless others in Singapore is the special fragrance of the tea leaves which blends so perfectly with the saccharine sweetness of milk, making it a satisfying thirst quencher after a sumptuous dinner.

So wonderful that I can drink two cups at one go, come down and try the teh tarik from Deenas Sarabat Stall today.

7.5/10

Deenas Sarabat Stall
Golden Shoe Food Centre
50 Market Street #02-05