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

365 Potong Curry Rice

Located opposite Shaw Towers at Balestier inside Kian Lian coffee shop which is famous for its bak kut teh, I was surprised to find 365 Potong Curry Rice which has a wide variety of curry dishes, including my favorite curry mutton.

I ordered a plate of plain rice with curry vegetables, egg omelette and curry mutton which cost $3.50.


Rich with the concentrated fragrance of spices and curry powder, the curry gravy is exceptionally thick and savory, coating the tender and fleshy pieces of mutton. The egg omelette is tasty with a subtle charred aroma and the vegetable curry has a distinct traditional flavour.

If you are a fan of curry mutton, 365 Potong Curry Rice is one of the few stalls in Singapore with delicious curry mutton. Come down to Balestier and try it for yourself.

7/10

365 Potong Curry Rice
Kian Lian Coffee Shop
365 Balestier Road
Singapore 329785

Xin Xiang Gang Claypot Chicken Rice

Definitely not my first time having claypot rice, I never seemed to learn my lesson as I scalded my finger against the scorching surface of the claypot again. This happened when I was feeling very hungry after waiting a long time for Xin Xiang Gang claypot rice. Fortunately it was worth every bit of the wait (and the pain).


A bowl of claypot chicken rice which costs only $3.50 comes with generous servings of chicken and Taiwanese sausage. The remarkable charred fragrance of the claypot rice goes very well with the lingering flavours of salted egg and dark soya sauce.

Besides having special claypot rice eg sea cucumber, seafood, pork rib etc, Xin Xiang Gang at Albert Centre Food Centre in Bugis also has a variety of Hong Kong congee, curry fish head and other cooked dishes that will certainly satisfy your taste buds. Come down and try it for yourself.

7.5/10

Xin Xiang Gang Congee Centre Traditional Claypot Rice
Albert Centre Market & Food Centre
270 Queen Street #01-55
S180270

Beach Road Fried Fish Bee Hoon Soup

I was never a fan of fried fish bee hoon soup until I tried the one from this stall at Whampoa Drive Food Centre yesterday.


Reasonably priced at $3.50, Beach Road fried fish bee hoon soup comes with a very satisfactory portion of bee hoon topped with generous pieces of tasty fried fish. The winning point of this special fried fish bee hoon is the mouthwatering soup which contains the irresistable sweetness of evaporated milk blended so perfectly with the delightful fragrance of fish.

Certainly one of the best fried fish bee hoon I have tasted in Singapore, I will definitely come back for more.

8/10

Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon
Blk 91 Whampoa Drive #01-42
Whampoa Drive Food Centre
S320091

Katong Chicken Curry Puff

One of the more famous curry puffs in Singapore, I was initially doubtful if Katong Chicken Curry Puff really existed. Frequently patronising Marine Parade Food Centre for dinner, I did not recall seeing this stall before. Today when I was there in the afternoon, I finally found it hidden in some inconspicuous corner.


I ordered a chicken curry puff which costs $1. The distinctive aroma of the spices and the robust flavour of the curry powder make this curry puff outstanding. Bite through the soft crust to savour the warm tasty filling made of potato and chicken.

Somehow I just wished that the chicken came in bigger chunks like the ones in Wang Wang Crispy Curry Puff at Old Airport Road Food Centre. Nevertheless I enjoyed the special curry flavour of Katong chicken curry puff which makes it a great snack for breakfast or tea.

7/10

Katong Chicken Curry Puffs
Marine Parade Food Centre
Blk 84 Marine Parade Central
#01-132

Char-Grill Bar Char-Grilled Chicken

Yet another rapidly expanding Western food chain that infiltrates coffee shops in Singapore, Char-Grill Bar certainly gives Astons and Botak Jones a run for their money.

I ordered the recommended char-grilled chicken which costs only $5.90 inclusive of 2 free side dishes. I decided to have California raisin rice and baked potato with my chicken. The service was fast for a weekend lunch and I received my order within 15 minutes.


Topped with a thin layer of savory mushroom sauce, the specialty char-grilled chicken is fleshy and delectable, though the charred aroma could be more distinctive. The California raisin rice is sweet and tasty while the baked potato is fragrant and flavorful.

Besides grilled chicken, Char-Grill Bar also has an impressive variety of Western dishes eg steak, fish, burgers, salads, sausages etc at affordable prices.

7.5/10

Char-Grill Bar
Kim San Leng Coffee Shop
Blk 417 Yishun Ave 11

Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

With quite a number of franchises in Singapore, I used to doubt the standard of Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese boneless chicken rice until I tried it for myself last week. In fact I was at Golden Shoe Food Centre for its nasi lemak but it was closed on a Wednesday evening, so I decided to try this chicken rice instead.


I ordered the $3.50 portion which comes with a plate of steamed white chicken, a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup. I was impressed by the superior quality of the rice, every golden yellow grain is filled with delightful chicken essence with remarkable fragrance. The steamed chicken is fresh and tasty but not exactly boneless as its name suggests. The chicken soup is also outstanding in terms of flavour and aroma.

If you are a fan of chicken rice, Tong Fong Fatt is a must try. It is certainly one of the more delicious chicken rice in Singapore.

7/10

Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Golden Shoe Carpark
50 Market Street
#02-26
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Chef Hainanese Western Food Mixed Grill

My recent fascination with Western food brought me back to Chef Hainanese at the newly renovated Commonwealth Drive Food Centre. Previously tried and blogged about its grilled steak two years ago, I decided to have its mixed grill for dinner today.


Incredibly priced at only $6, this must be the cheapest and most comprehensive mixed grill in Singapore. Believe it or not, the fabulous mixed grill comes with pork chop, chicken chop, fish fillet, fried egg, sausage, French fries, baked potato and salad. I seriously couldn't think of anything else I would like to have in this mixed grill. In spite of its remarkable value for money, the superb quality of the dishes was not at all compromised.

If you are a foodie like me, you must not miss Chef Hainanese's mixed grill which is simply sumptuous and gratifying. Just by looking at the picture, I'm sure you will be craving for it very soon.

8/10

Chef Hainanese Western Food
Commonwealth Drive Food Centre
Blk 3 Commonwealth Drive
#01-04

Rong Hua Teh Cino

Otherwise known as the tea version of cappuccino, teh cino is best described as milk with a layer of tea on top. I decided to try this drink out of curiosity a few months ago and fell in love with it since then.

Having tried the teh cino from several places, my favourite is the one from Rong Hua Hot And Cold Drinks located in the basement of Golden Mile Food Centre.


I usually order the hot teh cino which costs $1.20. What makes this teh cino outstanding is how the thick saccharine milk layer below blends so well with the distinctive fragrant tea layer above, creating a memorable bitter-sweet interface.

So do remember to try this special teh cino from Rong Hua the next time you dine at Golden Mile Food Centre.

7.5/10

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

Western Barbeque Mixed Grill

Having blogged about its chicken chop previously, I decided to try the mixed grill from Western Barbeque at Old Airport Road Food Centre today and it was simply extraordinary.


For only $7.50, the sumptuous mixed grill comes with an enormous piece of chicken chop, a juicy slab of pork chop and a tasty chunk of lamb chop. Enjoy this wholesome combo meal with French fries, a fried egg and a butter bun.

Other than the expensive meaty buffet dinner at Carnivore, I cannot think of any other meal that is as sinful as this mixed grill. If you are a meat lover like me, you must not miss Western Barbeque's mixed grill which will certainly leave you feeling very satisfied and wanting to return for more.

8/10

Western Barbeque
Old Airport Road Food Centre
51 Old Airport Road #01-53

Lai Heng Fried Kway Teow

Surrounded by ERP gantries and expensive parking rates, Lau Pa Sat Festival Market is one of the last places that I would patronise for dinner. Until recently when I went there, did I realise the wonderful variety of foodstuff and their affordable prices, even though it is located in the heart of Shenton Way.


I ordered a plate of Lai Heng fried kway teow which costs only $3 ($2.70 if you pay by the Kopitiam card), cheaper than in most foodcourts. Expertly fried with a distinctive charred aroma, the flavorful kway teow is served in a semi-moist consistency and coated with sweet gravy. Topped with fresh cockles and slices of Taiwan sausage, Lai Heng fried kway teow comes in a reasonable portion that is certainly satisfactory for dinner.

Besides local foodfare, Lau Pa Sat also has a wide range of International cuisine eg Taiwanese, Korean, Italian etc. I would certainly come back here for dinner again soon.

7.5/10

Lai Heng Fried Kway Teow
Lau Pa Sat Festival Market
18 Raffles Quay
Stall 77

Mellben Seafood

So famous that it needs no introduction, Mellben Seafood at Ang Mo Kio is well-known for its outstanding crab dishes. Despite intense competition from Uncle Leong Seafood located just diagonally opposite, Mellben always emerged the winner with its longer queues.

Having dinner with a friend there some Fridays ago, we ordered a chilli crab, a claypot crab beehoon and a plate of fried kang kong with abalone mushroom, which cost close to $100 inclusive of drinks.


Living up to every bit of its reputation, the claypot crab beehoon is undoubtedly one of the best in Singapore. Filled with the concentrated sweetness of crab and the delightful fragrance of milk and spices, the mouthwatering gravy is creamy and flavorful.


The irresistable chilli crab with its luscious spicy gravy, goes very well with the fried man tou (Chinese buns).


Having dined at both Mellben and Uncle Leong on several occasions, I still could not tell the difference between the quality of their crab dishes.


Although more people seem to like Mellben as evident by its longer queues, I prefer Uncle Leong simply because I find that its prices are less expensive and its service faster. Try the two and decide for yourself too.

7.5/10

Mellben Seafood
Blk 232 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3
#01-1222

Bao Ma Economic Rice

Frequently patronising Golden Mile Food Centre for dinner, I wondered how I could have missed this delicious economic rice located on its basement. With a wide variety of dishes including its famous curry fish head, I decided to try its fried brocolli, fried egg omelette and braised chicken after much hesitation.


Priced more reasonably than most economic rice, a plate of plain rice with the 3 dishes above cost only $2.50. Well-marinated with a subtle tinge of ginger spiciness, the braised chicken is remarkably tasty and succulent. The fried brocolli is fresh and crunchy while the egg omelette is fragrant and flavorful.

Having dishes with quality so close to home-cooked standard and yet prices so affordable, Bao Ma certainly has one of the best economic rice in Singapore.

8/10

Bao Ma Curry Fish Head
Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
#B1-01/07
S199583

Hai Tang Lor Mee

I have read about this lor mee since 2 years ago but when I was there last year, Mei Chin Market and Food Centre was closed for renovation. After it had re-opened, I was hesitant to go down as I heard that many of the old stalls were no longer around. Until recently when I stumbled upon a thread on Hardwarezone forums did I remember that I have not tried Hai Tang Lor Mee yet.

When I went there this morning, the queue was relatively short and the service was fast, so I got my lor mee within five minutes. Hai Tang lor mee comes in 3 sizes: $2.20 for small, $2.50 for medium and $3 for large. I ordered the $3 lor mee and it came in such a huge serving with plenty of ingredients that I could hardly finish.


Just right in terms of thickness, the special gravy is delightfully savory and sweet with the subtle fragrance of spices. The outstanding lor mee comes with a generous variety of ingredients ranging from braised meat, fish nuggets, chicken, you tiao, ngor hiang, fish cake and braised egg.

Definitely comparable with famous lor mee like Lorong Ah Soo, Tiong Bahru etc, Hai Tang lor mee is not only delicious but value for money. It is certainly worthwhile making a trip down to Mei Chin Food Centre just to try this lor mee.

7.5/10

Hai Tang Lor Mee
Mei Chin Market and Food Centre
159 Mei Chin Road #02-14
Singapore 140159