Sri Bistari Changi Village Famous Ayam Penyet

Formerly located in Changi Village Food Centre prior to its renovation last year, Sri Bistari is well-known for its ayam penyet (smashed fried chicken) which is one of the best locally. However it seemed to have vanished since then and in its place, appeared a number of imitation stalls with similar names. Today when I was walking along Joo Chiat Road, I was surprised to find Sri Bistari again and decided to enter the restaurant to try its ayam penyet.



The ayam penyet set, which comes with a plate of fried chicken, a plate of chicken rice and a bowl of soup, costs $4.90.The chicken rice is remarkably fragrant and goes very well with the special chilli paste. The fried chicken is cripsy, tasty and juicy.

Not a big fan of fried chicken, I felt that the standard of Sri Bistari ayam penyet seemed to have gone down over the years. Nevertheless it is still one of the more delicious in Singapore.

7/10

Sri Bistari Changi Village Famous Ayam Penyet
102 Joo Chiat Road

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

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

International Food Stall Nasi Lemak

Over the years, despite fierce competition from Mizzy's Corner and Sri Sujana, International Food Stall still retains its title of the most famous nasi lemak in Changi Village with the longest queue.


Similarly priced as its competitors, a plate of International nasi lemak which costs $3, comes with ikan bilis, fried egg and fried chicken wing. Sufficiently fragrant with the aroma of coconut milk, the flavorful rice goes very well with the sweet sambal chilli. The highlight of the nasi lemak is the fried chicken wing that is crispy and juicy.

Apart from their names, I honestly can't tell the difference between the three nasi lemak in Changi. Judging by the longer queue, there must be something special about International Food Stall's nasi lemak that distinguishes it from the other two and keeps its fans coming back for more. Perhaps readers who know can share it with me.

7/10

International Food Stall Nasi Lemak
Changi Village Hawker Centre
Blk 2 Changi Village Rd #01-57

Inspirasi Mee Soto

Open only after 11am daily, Inspirasi Stall at Bedok Interchange Food Centre has one of the best mee soto in Singapore. Even before the shutters are drawn, there is already a queue in front of the stall.


I ordered a bowl of mee soto which costs $2.50. The magic of Inspirasi mee soto lies in the special gravy which is irresistably savory and spicy. Some people have commented that the gravy is too sweet for their liking but I feel that, together with the fantastic sambal chilli, the gravy is certainly the best that I have tasted so far.

If you are a fan of mee soto, you must not miss Inspirasi mee soto that is not only outstanding but value for money.

8/10

Inspirasi Stall
Bedok Interchange Food Centre
#01-11

Bras Basah Curry Yong Tau Foo

As a fan of the curry yong tau foo in SGH Kopitiam Food Court, I was disappointed when it was closed for renovation in September last year. Since then, I have been searching but have not found another curry yong tau foo that is as delicious.

Located in Causeway Point Food Court, Bras Basah Yong Tau Foo was recommended by some readers on the Makansutra forum for its impressive curry gravy. It is also Halal-certified, making it more appealing.


Reasonably priced at 50 cents per piece, Bras Basah Yong Tau Foo has a great variety of dishes ranging from sotong ball, fishball, fish cake, beancurd, vegetables to cuttlefish, egg, crab stick, mushroom etc. Concentrated with the sinful thickness of coconut milk, the authentic curry gravy is indeed fragrant and flavorful. The yong tau foo dishes are very fresh and tasty.

Bras Basah Yong Tau Foo is undoubtedly one of the best curry yong tau foo in Singapore. In terms of the superior quality of the dishes and curry gravy, the price is definitely worthwhile.

7.5/10

Bras Basah Curry Yong Tau Foo
Causeway Point Food Court

Thaksin Beef Noodle

With a flamboyant signboard that is so eye-catching, it is extremely difficult to miss Thaksin Beef Noodle at Seah Im Food Centre.

Thaksin Beef Noodle comes in 4 sizes: Standard at $3.50, Value at $4, Supreme at $5 and Super at $6.


Although this is a halal Thai beef noodle, its taste and ingredients are somewhat reminiscent of the Taiwanese la mian. Concentrated with the delightful essence of beef and the distinctive aroma of spices, the flavorful gravy complements the delicious noodles very well. The dried chilli flakes accentuate the authentic taste of the savory gravy, making every mouthful seem irresistable. To the satisfaction of beef lovers, the large chunks of stewed beef are tender and tasty.

Thaksin Beef Noodle is indeed special and outstanding. Do come down to Seah Im Food Centre and try it for yourself.

7.5/10

Thaksin Beef Noodle
Seah Im Food Centre
2 Seah Im Road
#01-44

Hjh Maimunah Nasi Padang

Another famous Nasi Padang restaurant in Singapore, Hjh Maimunah did not leave me a good impression when I went there for dinner last year. During that time I felt that the dishes had too strong a scent of Indian spices which I disliked.


When I went there again for lunch with my colleagues recently, we ordered nasi padang with sambal goreng, sayur lodeh (lontong vegetables), curry chicken and sambal kerang (cockles).


The flavorful sambal goreng is a delightful combination of long beans, fried bean curd and tempeh marvellously fried with savory sambal chilli. The sayur lodeh with its coconut-scented gravy complement the plain rice very well. The curry chicken is extremely tender and tasty.


I loved the sambal kerang most as the cockles were irresistably sweet and juicy.


For an air-conditioned restaurant with a comfortable ambience, I must admit that the dishes are very reasonably priced. We paid around $15 inclusive of drinks. If you are a fan of nasi padang, do come down to Hjh Maimunah and experience it for yourself today.

7.5/10

Hjh Maimunah Nasi Padang
20 Joo Chiat Road
#01-02 S427357
Opening hours: 8am-10pm
Closed on Mondays

Mizzy's Corner Nasi Lemak

Changi Village has the famous International Nasi Lemak that needs no introduction. Today I'm going to blog about another nasi lemak stall opposite International called Mizzy's Corner. Despite fierce competition from International, Mizzy's Corner has its own supporters who feel the nasi lemak at International is overrated and the queue is too long.


A plate of nasi lemak which costs $2.50 comes with ikan bilis, a fried egg and a fried chicken wing. Strongly scented with the irresistable fragrance of coconut milk, every grain of rice is extraordinarily flavorful and combines impressively with the savory sambal tumis chilli paste. The fried chicken is crispy and tasty.

This is indeed one of the best nasi lemak in Singapore. Compared with Selera Rasa which uses the delicate basmati rice, the rice from Mizzy's Corner is more robust and much to my liking. Unlike the majority of the crowd at Changi Village, I was not thrilled by International's nasi lemak. After all if I can get nasi lemak so fantastic from Mizzy's Corner, why do I bother to queue for International's?

8/10

Mizzy's Corner Nasi Lemak
Changi Village Food Centre
Blk 2 Changi Village Road
#01-55
Singapore 500002

River Valley Nasi Padang

When I went to Zion Riverside Food Centre for lunch last week, I happened to walk past this small restaurant packed with customers eating nasi padang. Only after searching on the Internet that I realised it is the famous River Valley Nasi Padang that is supposedly one of the best nasi padang in Singapore.

Nasi padang is an Indonesian dish of steamed rice served with a wide choice of meat and vegetable dishes ranging from fried chicken to curry vegetables.


When I went for lunch today, I was impressed by the great variety of dishes available. After much hesitation, I finally ordered a plate of plain rice with sambal goreng and curry chicken which cost $3.50 in total.

Sambal goreng is a mixed vegetable dish which consists of long beans, bean curd and tempeh fried with sambal chilli.

In my opinion, sambal goreng is the best dish to gauge the culinary standard of nasi padang and in this case, River Valley Nasi Padang passed with flying colours. Well-fried with a delightful kaleidoscope of flavours, the sambal goreng is indeed the best that I have tasted so far. The curry chicken is spicy and delicious with thick savory gravy that complements the plain rice really well.

It was indeed a sumptuous and satisfying lunch experience and I have to admit that River Valley Nasi Padang is the best nasi padang that I have tasted so far.

8/10

River Valley Nasi Padang
54 Zion Road
Opens from 9am to 9pm
Closed on Public Holidays

Haji Kadir Mee Kuah

Located at the ground storey of Golden Mile Food Centre, Haji Kadir is well-known for its soup tulang (mutton bone marrow soup). Never a fan of soup tulang, I decided to try its mee kuah instead. Mee kuah is an Indian noodle dish that is characterised by its red gravy made from chilli paste, tomato puree and food colouring and is served with cabbage, peas, potato and a fried egg.


A bowl of Haji Kadir mee kuah costs $3.50, slightly more expensive than other mee kuah. Bright red in colour, the savory gravy is irresistably sweet and spicy with the concentrated essence of mutton and combined flavours of spices, complementing the delicious noodles. Unlike other mee kuah that come with stingy pieces of mutton, Haji Kadir mee kuah comes with generous servings of mutton that is extremely tasty and satisfactory. My only dissatisfaction is that the gravy is not spicy enough, lacking in the flammable ability to scorch the taste buds.

Nevertheless this is one of the more impressive mee kuah I have tasted in Singapore. Do come down to Golden Mile Food Centre and experience it for yourself today.

7/10

Haji Kadir-M.Baharudeen
Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road #B1-13-15
Singapore 199583
12.30pm to 1.30am
Closed alternate Wednesdays

Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak

This must be one of the best nasi lemak in Singapore. Even when its side dishes eg otak otak (grilled fish paste) and begedil (potato patties) are sold out, the queue is still so long. Even though the nasi lemak is slightly overpriced, its customers are not deterred at all.


A plate of nasi lemak which costs $3, comes with ikan bilis, fried egg and fried chicken wing. What distinguishes Selera Rasa from the other nasi lemak is the use of basmati rice, a superior grade rice which has a significantly finer consistency and whose grains do not stick together. In addition, the special rice has the distinctive fragrance and irresistable flavour of coconut milk and pandan leaves and is well complemented by the savory sambal tumis. The fried chicken wing is tasty and crispy.

This is indeed one impressive nasi lemak that I will not hesitate coming back for more.

8/10

Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak
No 2 Adam Road Food Centre
7am to 10pm

Misa Bedok Corner Chicken Fried Rice

I love chicken fried rice. Not to be mistaken for fried chicken rice which is fried chicken with rice, chicken fried rice is fried rice with chicken.And my favorite chicken fried rice can be found in a stall at Bedok Corner Food Centre called Misa Bedok Corner. I always order the spicy version which means that the rice is fried with chilli.


For only $4, I get a large plate of spicy fried rice, a huge roasted chicken drumstick and a bowl of soup. The rice is so thoroughly fried with chilli, tomato sauce, corn and green peas, every single grain is coated with a golden orange layer of sweetness and spiciness with overwhelming fragrance. The roasted chicken drumstick is extremely tender and juicy and complements the fried rice very well.

Other than fried rice, Misa Bedok Corner also has an impressive variety of Halal local cuisine eg char siew chicken rice, wanton noodles, lor mee, prawn noodles and chicken feet noodles. There is always something different to try.

7.5/10

Misa Bedok Corner
Bedok Corner Food Centre
1 Bedok Road
Stall No 11
Singapore 469572

Downtown East Steamboat

Welcome to Downtown East, a place where people remember for its Wild Wild Wet, Escape Theme Park and Costa Sands resort but few heard of the small Halal steamboat restaurant there. Mention the name Qiu Lian and everyone will think of the famous handmade noodles with delicious broth and special chilli but little is known about the steamboat restaurant set up by the same owner. Put the two together and you get Downtown East Steamboat. For only $16 with no service charge and no GST, you get to enjoy a Halal steamboat buffet in the comfort of an air-conditioned restaurant. Gone are the days of having to perspire profusely while cooking your steamboat or having to keep buying drinks from the drinks stall to quench your thirst, Downtown East Steamboat provides free flow ice water and lemonade.


The steamboat pot comes in two compartments, so you can choose to cook your food in both chicken soup and tom yam soup. Enjoy a wide spread of meat eg chicken, beef and mutton; seafood eg prawns, flower crabs, sliced fish and shellfish; yong tau foo and vegetables. While waiting for the soup to boil, you can help yourself to a variety of cooked food eg fried noodles, fried rice, fried chicken wings, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, tea eggs, mixed soup etc. Dip your food into the special chilli sauce, made from chilli padi, for a savory experience. Complete your wholesome dinner with ice cocktail jelly and four flavors of ice cream for dessert. So what are you waiting for? Bring your friends and family down to Downtown East Steamboat today.

7.5/10

Downtown East Steamboat
1 Pasir Ris Close Downtown East
#01-03A Singapore 519599
Tel 65844807
Closed on Mondays