The Manhattan Fish Market @ Northpoint, Yishun, Singapore

My last visit to Manhattan Fish Market (MFM) was at least four years ago and i cannot even recall whether it was in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore!

MFM similarity to Fish and Co has always been the contentious topic for comparison and having been to Fish and Company so many times, i believe i can give a fairly objective yet simplistic contrast between the both of them.

Cream of Mushroom

Bad start; i have never ordered the soup before in Fish N Co although my countless sampling of mushroom soups in public and at home should render me eligible to review this.

Stirring the soup initially gave me the impression this bowl of soup was too watered down (which usually guarantees a tasteless broth) but a spoonful soon after dispelled that fear of drinking something that comes straight out from a can of Campbell that cost less than half the price!

Granted it could do better by having the soup served piping hot and by having more fungi, i was nonetheless enjoying the spicy taste of chopped up onions contained within the pretty flavourful soup.

Quad Delights

Totally not keen on having one main dish for each of us, Mom and i decided on this starter that sounded too delightful to reject!

Loving everything on this dish; the coleslaw (with raisins) brought back nostalgic memories of mugging in KFC during examination periods, the deep fried calamari were as tasty as those from Joan Bowen Cafe and Cavin always adore mushrooms in his diet, especially mini portabellos!

I took back the word "everything" from the previous paragraph - the crunchy prawns were pretty forgettable (note: they tasted okay; just not outstanding).

Manhattan Flaming Platter (for one)

The platter for two will make a better comparison but having a heavy dinner is confirmed to worsen the overweight condition for me!!!

Coming back, Manhattan won the first round due to the impressive arrival of this dish! When the people in MFM decided to have the word "flaming" in the menu for this item, humour was definitely not on their mind.

For the second round on aroma, Fish N Co gained the upper hand. The problem with using a handheld burner is that the smell of gas can get quite strong and it usually lingers around the area for a while.

I am afraid i have to cast my final vote to Fish N Co again for the most important criterion; taste! For one, the melty mayo thingy on the prawns was way too sweet, the rich buttery rice from Fish N Co was more delicious and grilled fish was well, forgettable.

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With a branch conveniently located in Northpoint, i would likely have the Quad Delights in MFM again and follow by the Nutella Milk Shake from Breeks a floor above!

Location

Yishun Avenue 2, North Point,

#02-06/07 Singapore 769098

Price

Cream of Mushroom - S$3.90

Quad Delights - S$11.90

Manhattan Flaming Platter (for one) - S$18.90

Subject to GST and Service Charge. Plain water available upon request with no additional charge and a complimentary mentos for each patron after payment (just like Fish N Co).

Additional Information

Halal Certified!

After close to two hours in drafting this entry, i realised with horror that i had indeed posted a review for MFM five and a half years ago!! Damn!! Never mind lah, just treat this as an updated review!

A lot of things can change in five years; i wasn't as heavy then (just to quote an example)!

Fresh Sunflower (向日葵) Seeds

The enjoyment of having sunflower seeds with salad is forever etched on my memory as one of the rare times i relish fresh greenies! Like many urbanites, i have no idea how exactly they are processed and what they actually look like in their original forms.

For one, most of us know sunflower seeds come from the cheerful, sunny looking sunflower plant (向日葵). The above sunflower is still a juvenile and is too shy to show its full glory.  

This one had grown up but it's not the ripe time to reap the seeds yet! This vibrant flower was at its peak in life and required the sun for further tanning.

Once the petals start to drop and the leaves start to dry, most people will not give this dying flora a second look. At least i didn't in my visit to the Rose Centre two years back!

However, for my recent visit, the knowledgeable mommy pointed at the almost dead sunflower head, asked me to look closer and let her know what those dried up bumps are!

Truthfully, i had no idea what they were; dead flies or bees? It's only upon touching the bumps and scrapping one out that i realised with shock that they are sunflower seeds!!! Kaoz... 30 years of life and i am still learning new things from my mom!

The plucked seed has no physical difference to the general supermarket sunflower seeds we know. And though i was apprehensive of the insecticide content, i was assured by the worker in Rose Centre that the seeds are safe for human consumption.

I am glad i took the challenge!

The insides were moist and even though it was not as crunchy, the raw juice of the sunflower seed made it very appetising.

If not for mom's objection, i would have happily taken the sunflower head back to the hotel and slowly savour the fresh sunflower seeds with lettuce from the farms in Cameron Highlands.

Philippine Food @ Harbourfront Centre

Philippine Food

@ Harbourfront Centre

This is going to be a short post because i just got home after a temple ceremony at the God of Fortune elaborate, decorative abode. No thanks to my mom who cheated me by implying that it will be her normal praying session.

Anyway, it is my first time having Philippine cuisine and though i have seen it around in Singapore for years, i had never taken the step forward to try.

But i finally did last Saturday when my brother in law decided to try something new and ordered grilled chicken from the Philippine cuisine stall in Food Junction at Harbourfront Centre.

The immediate recognition when i set my eyes on the grilled chicken - wasn't that the panggang chicken from Indonesian stalls in Plaza Singapura or NUS canteens?!

No, they look similar but the deciding factor is on the taste. Never in my life had i have such delicious chicken meat! The glutton ghost in me almost could not control ordering another one to satisfy that insatiable craving!

Pale pinkish meat that was tenderly soft and a layer of slightly charred skin filled with the sweet goodness of perfect smoked-grilled technique coupled with the savoury sauce!

Definitely my "type" of food!

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To be eaten with plain rice as the sweetness might be a bit overbearing for some.

Location

Located within Food Junction,

Level 3 of HarbourFront Centre

Price

S$5.80 per plate. The main reason why i stopped myself from ordering more than one plate. Frankly, it's too pricey for such a misery portion.

A Drive Up Mount Brinchang @ Cameron Highlands

(Part 1 of Nature Discovery Tour)

A 'three days, two nights' stay in Cameron Highlands means that i have no choice but to sign up for another tour through Titiwangsa! This time, the Nature Discovery Tour shall bring us to Mount Brinchang and the Mossy Forest.

The direct road access to the top of Mount Brinchang is so much more convenient as it will be physically draining for my parents (and me) to climb up the 6,666 feet high mountain!

Disappointment greeted me when all i can see upon the summit was a communication station and tall greenery blocking whatever nice scenery it might offer.

Nothing's lost yet with this old and rusty observation tower! Safety was my topmost concern and it was especially disturbing when you see van-loads of tourists trying their best to clamber up to the top level and as a result, dangerously raising the centre of gravity!

With such steep metal stairs, my parents were surprisingly game enough to bear the risk and check out whatever the highest level can offer. Seriously, anything is better than staying put at the bottom of the tower and doing nothing.

Typical of Cavin, let's have a panoramic picture first. The view was beautiful but definitely not breathtaking with its various shades of green.

Having been exposed to unique terrains in China (like Zhangjiajie or Tianmenshan), the rainforest view is getting to feel a lot more at home.

The many communication towers stationed on top of the mountain are actually visible from our hotel in Brinchang town, which isn't very far away in terms of distance.

Heck, you can even see Equatorial Hotel in this zoomed up picture!

Without any doubt, Daddy Teo adored the view! I guess i inherit his taste for scenery although i was never a scenic lover in my younger days!

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A jungle track is available if you love the nature and are keen to spend more time in Cameron Highlands.

Many Singaporeans love to drive up to Cameron Highlands but do take note that although Gunung Batu Brinchang has a road up to the summit, it is narrow and very challenging for urban drivers.

For the sake of your loved ones, join a tour lah!

Char Siew (叉烧) @ Kay Lee Roast Meat Joint

Char Siew (叉烧)

@ Kay Lee Roast Meat Joint

Firstly, a BIG thanks to Mr Kon (and Ms Tan) for bringing me to this roast meat shop along Upper Paya Lebar road! There's no way i can find this place without getting all flustered and impatient!

Mr Kon, a foodie who frequently dispenses superb recommendations, gave super high marks for the Char Siew in Kay Lee!

Having been exposed to one of the best Char Siew in Malaysia (note: Restoran Overseas), i wasn't too keen to try Kay Lee (blame the lazy bug) until today.

The shop wasn't too crowded - attributed to an off peak timing at 4pm when we reached and today being Saturday. The newspaper articles and accolades pasted were reassuring though.

Roast Duck Rice

Meaty with nicely glazed skin that wasn't too fatty, i found this to be too salty without a fragrant marination that roast duck must have! The sauce over the rice tasted too generic and could do with a bit more herbs (think Dian Xiao Er Roast Duck).

Roast Pork Rice

Generous serving of roast pork satisfies many people. However, for a person who doesn't really know how to appreciate it except for the golden brown cap, i can only say it was still a tad too salty for me.

Not sure if it's a result of the medication i am taking for my sore throat!

Char Siew Rice

This has to be the best i ever have!

A puddle of blackness and fattiness that daddy teo will frown upon; this was sinful to the max and not helpful at all for my over-the-norm cholesterol!!

Surprisingly, the burnt caramelised exterior encompassed only a thin layer and though crunchy, was not rock hard and chewy like many others! The white, fatty portion was of course, the most desirable!

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Location

125 Upper Paya Lebar Road

(Turn in from Little Road)

Opening Hours

10.30am to 7.30pm

(Close on Tuesday)

Price

S$5 a plate! For such coffeeshop environment, it is daylight robbery when other places are selling the same type of food for not more than S$4! Sad to say, I would not mind to be robbed just to have a bite of the char siew!

Additional Information

Kon loves the chilli here! It had a sour aftertaste that was quite addictive but given a choice, i will still prefer the sweet sauce on my rice!

Yuan Yang Steamboat @ Restoran OK Tuck (Malaysia)

Since i was in Cameron Highlands for 2 nights in January, i had to make full use of the cooler temperature by having steamboat dinner for the two consecutive days!

Purely for information, Restoran OK 德 (Tuck 火锅饭店) is one of the most recommended steamboat restaurants in Cameron Highlands!

Though i would have loved to try them first, its shutters were tightly closed in the first evening i was there and Restoran Kwan Kee was chosen instead as an alternative to satisfy my craving!

Unlike Kwan Kee, OK Tuck serves only electrical steamboat but provides Yuan Yang (two soups in one pot) for extra variety.

We opted for the RM35 set (sufficient for two persons) after Daddy Teo insisted he had eaten too much! C'mon, it's only some western food 3 hours ago! Anyway, if there are three or more of you, each pax will be charged RM15.

A closer look at the ingredients for steamboat! I could not help but agree that Kwan Kee's selection seemed to have more ingredients - for one, they have ee-mian, which tastes so delicious in soup!

Let's now run through the soups; mom selected tom yum soup simply because she loves spicy stuff (even if the men in my family don't take too kindly to chilli) while herbal soup was chosen so that we can make a fair comparison to Kwan Kee's version

Conclusion?

Tom Yum was way too spicy while the herbal soup was a bit too mild for our liking: without the Chinese gooseberries, it loses quite an amount of preferable sweetness.

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It's not difficult to guess which steamboat restaurants i prefer in Cameron Highlands when you have read my original post on Kwan Kee!

Location

Taking KFC as a landmark (in Brinchang town), OK Tuck is directly opposite; near to the area where passengers alight from coaches originating from Singapore.

With such huge signboard and catchy name, it's really difficult to miss OK Tuck.

Additional Information

Don't go too early! Try after 6pm!

An outdoor area is available for diners who love the intimate contact with the great outdoors where cars pump out their carbon monoxide. It's a bloody busy street!