Old School Chee Cheong Fun @ Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre [Singapore] #tiongbahruhawkercentre

Just the other day, I was in the vicinity of Tiong Bahru to check out a famous Hainanese curry rice and since I rarely go to that area; I couldn't resist visiting the nearby Tiong Bahru hawker centre too! 

As my main meal was already a done deal, we decided to have something light instead. And chee cheong fun sounds good, especially when it comes from a stall that has operated since the 1960s.

I was just given this pack when I responded to the question of "eat here or tabao" with "eat here". Oh well, at least it's more eco-friendly than a Styrofoam plate. 

The goodness of traditional, local chee cheong fun and I am glad to see there were sufficient sauce on this one! There are in fact a few variances of chee cheong fun like Malaysia style, Cantonese style, Shanghainese style but the one I personally enjoy is our local chee cheong fun.

This one from Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre isn't the best; however, the steamed rice rolls had that marvellous smooth, silky texture paired perfectly with the savoury sauce that screamed of old school flavour, and topped generously with aromatic sesame seeds. 

I did notice that the rolls had a different shape; like flatter with more layers! Not that it made a big distinction to the taste though. Anyway, this serving of chee cheong fun from Tiong Bahru hawker centre would be the kind I would introduce to any new visitors to Singapore or something to have as an after-meal filler. 

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Address

30 Seng Poh Rd, 

Tiong Bahru Food Centre,

#02-61, Singapore 168898

Map

As above. 

Pricing

Chee Cheong Fun - S$2 for 2 rolls

Boon Lay Traditional Hakka Lui Cha (河婆客家擂茶) @ 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre [Singapore]

I had a clear purpose that day; pray for a shorter queue, endure the wait and make sure I would get three boxes of baby muffins from Uggli Muffins! The purchase went well and the next important step was "what should I have for lunch".

Actually, I already had an answer; while in the queue for Uggli Muffins, the Traditional Hakka Lui Cha stall had already caught my attention and it's worth noting that while the queue was just a few persons' long; it continuously had customers! 

While I am not big on vegetables and healthy looking food, this iconic hakka dish with its overall green hue appealed to me; so much so that I do occasionally get a craving. At times, the need to get a taste of the thunder tea rice would kick in immediately when I was just merely walking past. 

All these for just S$3.50 which I thought was a steal as the ones I usually had cost at least S$5.00! For example, the Hakka Thunder Tea Rice (客家擂茶) in Toa Payoh HDB Hub's Gourmet Paradise Food Court, the one at Tea Square (茶茶坊) in Bugis or the fusion Hakka Thunder Tea Tofu Bowl from Ah Lock Tofu @ Yishun Park Hawker Centre.

A smattering of ingredients (cabbage, chai po, tofu cubes, green beans etc) topped with crunchy peanuts, that totally covered the white rice underneath. What would be the best way to eat this thunder tea rice? Should we eat it as its display; by ingredients? 

And should we should take a sip of the greenish soup before taking a bite of the ingredients? These were actually the numerous questions in my brain when I attempted the dish for the very first time a few years ago! Observation helped although eventually, you would develop your own preference.

For me, I would mix up the ingredients with the rice and put a few spoons of the light broth. To me, it's essential to mix everything as the broth would taste relatively bland on its own, with a repulsive touch of bitterness towards the end. 

Don't be too quick to judge! 

The 'magic' would activate only when they are all mixed up! 

If my mom ever try to make Hakka thunder tea rice, I would presume it would taste exactly like this one from  Boon Lay Traditional Hakka Lui Cha; home-cooked comfort food that's healthy and made with tons of love! It's not the most delicious although it would be good enough when the craving strikes.

p.s. despite the apparently green 'tag', this isn't vegetarian as I bit into quite a few dried shrimps. Nevertheless, it was a hearty breakfast that didn't break a bank and something I would look forward to having when I revisit the hawker centre for Uggli Muffins! 

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Address

Block 127, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, 

Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, 

#02-39, Singapore 310127

Map

As above.

Operating Hours

7.00 am to 2.00 pm

(Closed on Mondays)

Pricing

Thunder Tea (White Rice) - S$3.50

Beef Signature Katok from MKuking @ Woodlands (Wave9 Food Court) [Singapore] #MKuking

While queuing for the long awaited teochew meat puffs, my eyes continued to explore the rest of the food stalls at Wave9 Food Court as I was in need of a proper lunch given that I had skipped my breakfast.

MKuking caught my attention as I had never heard of the the name of their signature dish; katok. I was wondering if katok refers to scissors as the pronunciation is similar but it appeared to be a muslim noodle dish. 

I got an order of their Beef Signature Katok; now, yellow noodle is the least favourite amongst all noodles for me although I was more than willing to give it a try just for the sake of trying. And the first thought that came to me when I collected my katok; it's like mee rebus with a different type of gravy.

The spiciness hit me as soon as I took my first bite and it's best to describe this as a cross between mee goreng and mee rebus. Deal breaker was the sauce which was hot and loaded with flavours that proved to be both spicy yet shiok and irresistible; resulted of which were the beads of sweat rolling down my cheeks! 

Personally, I feel that the sauce is a lot more versatile and could be used in combination with other flavours.  Maybe it can be used for the preparation of chilli crabs since the chilli crabs I had the past few times were quite disappointing. 

Leaving the best for the last; the many slices of beef soaked in the delectable sauce. Aside from the generosity (although the pricing of S$7.00 is on the high side for a noodle dish), I was also as pleased with the soft, tenderness of the meat! 

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Address

60 Woodlands Industrial Park E4, 

Wave9 Food Court, Singapore 757705

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Beef Signature Katok  - S$7.00

Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle @ 724 AMK Central Food Centre [Singapore] #amkcenrtalhawkercentre

To be honest, I am usually in a dilemma whenever I visit a hawker centre; there are just too many choices and it's hard to make a decision; it could be stalls with a queue, those with displays of mouthwatering items like beautifully charred char siew, or even those that just sell food from my list of personal favourites (e.g. cheng tng).

This no-brand hokkien mee stall (which also offered carrot cake and fried oyster) was different; I was drawn to the aroma of just fried hokkien mee and decided there and then that I must have a plate! Hawker food might be affordable but it's easy to over-indulge! 

I took the above picture for the operating hours but the notice next to it caught my attention. It's a Belanja Eat initiative which any customer can pay forward a meal for the benefit of a stranger who is in need of a meal. I should pay more attention to such notices in the future as I feel we should always lend a hand to aid the underprivileged.

Here's my plate of hokkien mee; one look and I knew this would meet the expectations of my mom. Like her, I dislike having too much yellow noodles in my hokkien mee and loved the fact that this plate had significantly more thick bee hoon than yellow noodles! 

Semi wet, I absolutely enjoyed the hearty and flavourful broth that made the noodles so delicious! Aside from the three prawns, there were also bits of pork belly and squid; the latter two ingredients would have made a friend of mine very happy as he felt it's necessary to include both in to level up the taste. 

Even Alex said it's good but he resisted telling others this time as the last time he did for the hokkien mee from Yishun Park hawker centre; the quality wasn't consistent and my family was actually rather disappointed. 

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Address

Block 724, Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, 

724 AMK Food Centre,#01-41, 

Singapore 560724

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Hokkien Mee  - S$4.00

Mid Autumn Festival 2020 - Hanging Out with Lanterns and Family! #midautumnfestival #mooncakefestival #lanternfestival

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 

In Singapore, there are a few things iconic to the festival that takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month; one is of course the mooncakes which originated from the Tang dynasty (read here). Another one would be the lanterns. 

As I was working from home, I decided to join my family for a gathering at my parents' place. Getting together as a family for mid-autumn festival is supposed to be meaningful and while I am not that big on tradition; the fact that my parents are getting older, whiter and more frail compels me to want to spend more time with them. 

I was hoping to get the sunset but missed it! It was raining quite heavily earlier and just like the sunset at Krabi, I guess the setting sun would make a spectacular exit. 

Managed to catch a glimpse of the moon though. 

After dinner (including a slice of the mooncake that I baked), it was time to take out the paper lanterns, light them out and have a walk to the nearby park! To be honest, the family seldom does this as we prefer to laze around at home and chit chat. 

But given that the kids would be older soon, such activity would likely reduce. Anyway, the regulations on safe distancing said no more than 5 in a group; hence, I was keeping a safe distance of about 2 meters and taking advantage of my zoom-in lens to take pictures for memory sake! 

Elder sister with dad; she is an early bird and has been accompanying my dad every Sunday for walks and expeditions! Pity the son me loves to laze around on bed, especially on weekends.

From young, I had an unexplained love for fire and mid-autumn festival was always an happy occasion for me as I got to play with fire, without the adults scolding me. Quite amazing that I turned out pretty okay; at least I am no arsonist and hate to see people get hurt. p.s. I don't condone putting the candles on the floor unless you are ready to remove the leftover wax later. 

More photographs! 

Do you know we had yet to catch sight of the full moon and here it was! Frankly, I have always felt that the moon a day later, on the 16th day, is bigger and rounder. Hopefully, we would have good weather tomorrow night to confirm. 

Photographs with the moon! 

Since we can't play firecrackers and fireworks in Singapore, the most we can do to eke out some celebratory atmosphere would be sparklers! Pity Jovyn is a scaredy cat and I remember how both kids ran away, in fear, a few years ago when I specially bought sparklers for them.

Both of them again! Indisputably, Jerald is already taller than me but in terms of waistline, I think I lost to both of them! Shall confirm the next time when the kids drop by my house! 

End of the lantern-walk; blowing out the candle like it was on a birthday cake.