Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festival - Mooncakes (月饼) Galore & Other Confectionaries @ Ngee Ann City, Takashimaya Shopping Centre [Orchard Road]

It's once again the festive season for mooncakes although actual preparation would only start officially after the end of the Chinese hungry ghosts' month!

Given that the mid autumn festival is scheduled to be on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, this would give Chinese like myself only fifteen days; a duration that is hardly sufficient for us to truly enjoy the festival.

Likewise for businesses like shopping malls, bakery shops etc, they have been advertising earlier and earlier in recent years in order to take advantage of the celebration.

Anyway, are you curious on what are available at the annual mooncake fair at Takashimaya Shopping Centre? Look no further while i post this lengthy pictorial entry of my visit two days ago. =)

First up was a box of mini snowskin mooncakes (迷你冰皮月饼) that cost S$38.00! These kind of mooncakes are most popular with children due to the brighter, more cheerful outlook.

Japanese-like gift boxes filled with delicious looking confectioneries. Men and ladies striving hard to impress their in-laws (or potential in-laws) should consider getting a box or two!

Think big is better? And the more the merrier? Get this box of mooncakes from The Fullerton Hotel.

Some vendors were demonstrating the making of mooncakes right in the event hall! So in addition of being bombarded with loads of goodies displayed right in front of you, you would also be blessed with the occasional burst of aromatic baking!

Teochew Yam Paste Mooncake - this type of crusty mooncake seems to be all the rage this year! Even my mother was specially looking out for it.

Singaporeans looking for the famous Wing Wah Wife's biscuits would be able to purchase them at a dedicated booth this year! And they came in many different flavours!

Sampling is a must for you to decide which brand to choose from. Always try a round before making your decision.

Most vendors would provide simple, plastic canisters for samples.

Some 'atas' ones will rely on more classic looking containers. For me, i don't really give a damn; i would take purely for the sake of trying! Life has taught me that looks can be deceiving and packaging doesn't really mean much when it comes to food.

However, a nice looking packaging means a lot when you giving away the mooncakes as gifts.

All the while, my parents would use empty mooncake boxes to store small items including threads, needles, batteries etc. Now, we are seeing boxes specially designed to enhance the practicality.

Some can even double up as traditional Oriental jewelry boxes.

Besides mooncakes and other related confectionaries, be prepared to catch sights of Westernized fare like cupcakes and fruit tarts.

I am not sure about you but i thought these should not be sold in such an event. Give the chance and space to other vendors who are indeed selling products related to the Mid-Autumn festival.

No, having chocolates branded as mooncake pralines don't make it any closer as being even (remotely) related to this Chinese festive occasion.

TWG mooncakes?! I know TWG is famous for their tea (known as the best tea company in the world) and i am curious on how their mooncakes look like.

Hm... yucky looking with a funny sheen that didn't really appeal to me (to be honest, i didn't even try it so i might be wrong). In case you are wondering, they do contain TWG signature teas.

Bunny fruit moon - this was the first time i am seeing them and i guess they have fruity flavours (coupled with a cute rabbit shape) to appeal to children.

Angry birds have now invaded the traditional realm of mooncakes! At least to a certain extent as they only come in the 'newer' snowskin version.

Frankly, they (blue-bordered circle) could pass of as soft toys!

These piglets were so darn adorable! I would have loved to bite off their noses, follow by their ears and then slowly tearing their bodies apart! Gosh, i sound so sick!

Another live demonstration!

Durians mooncakes! The promoters were hollering "100% real durians" and the question that registered in my head was instead: "so why don't i just go for real durians at a durian stall in Geylang?". Duhz.

Last year's hot favourite; Home's Favourite (pun not intended) ice cream mooncakes!

Big China (大中国月饼) mooncakes! I have been waiting to try the traditional baked mooncakes from this old school brand for the longest time ever....

Another big-sized mooncake. I should recommend my younger sister to buy this as i presume it would be more economical for her humongous appetite.

Not sure how a Teochew mooncake would look like internally? Check out the cross sectional views!

Mini cheese mooncakes sound really yummy!

Lanterns! That was one thing i really enjoyed in my childhood; holding on to a lantern and playing games with my cousins in my grandparents' old kampong house.

Special promotions for you to get your mooncakes earlier although i am not too sure about this marketing gimmick. Less popular brands would reduce their price at the end in order to clear their stocks but some brands would face a sold-out scenario a few days before the festival.

So, it is really your call! The good thing about getting them earlier is that you don't have to face an enormous crowd nearing the actual date of the festival (which is on 30 September this year).

Such elegant packaging!

Eu Yan Sang, a notable traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) company, was offering mooncakes with stuff like Pu Er Cha, Kumquat etc. Maybe they will introduce specific mooncakes that would help in rectifying some health ailments next year. Who knows right?

A big sign stating that the same egg custard mooncakes were sold out within 24 hours in Hong Kong. I took a sample and pretty much enjoyed the filling that tasted like a hardened lau sha bao!

Jovyn getting bored. I don't blame her as both the grandmother and mother were too busy trying out the samples!!!

Taiwanese pineapple tarts (凤梨酥) that don't come cheap! Be prepared to fork out S$26.75 for one box with only 10 pieces!

Bengawan Solo mooncakes with pricing that was surprisingly not as astronomical as i expected.

The Chinese characters said four yellow which would normally mean four egg yolks. But what are those sperm-like desigh on the mooncakes?!?!?

You would be excused for thinking this pandan flavoured mooncake was spoilt; it did appear to have traces of mould.

With over twenty flavours, you can sample until your stomach is full! Do note that mooncakes are high in calories and sugar. Moderation is the key!

So what are you waiting for? Take a few hours time off on weekdays and immerse yourself in a shopping spree for mooncakes and other confectionaries!

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Location

391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City,

Basement 2, Takashimaya Shopping Centre

Additional Information

The mooncake fair would end on Sunday, 30 September 2012.

For the list of vendors (restaurants, hotels, local and overseas bakeries etc), you may click the blur picture above!

Happy shopping!

Hong Sheng Sliced Fish Soup (鴻升鱼汤) - It Has A Longer Queue! @ Block 448 Clementi Central Hawker Centre (金文泰448巴刹与熟食中心)

I arranged to meet up a friend at Clementi central hawker centre recently and was determined to satisfy my craving for fish soup at my usual stall that has a perpetually long queue.

However, when i saw that there was a new fish soup stall in the same hawker centre with an even longer queue, my determination waned. I finally decided to cast my vote with the new entrant for the following reason: many in the queue were elderly and they would likely be more particular about their food than me.

The lady manning the stall was not too happy to see me taking pictures and it was only after some clarification (i am quite bold nowadays) she told me that increased business translates into more work!

Guess this must be the weird scenario when the owner is not out to make money.

Nevertheless, i did deliberate on whether to post this. I totally respect the owner's decision BUT my review would probably result in lesser business for them; which is considered "good" in a bad sense.

The soup was nothing amazing at first sip and weighed heavily on the scale for being salty and peppery which was kind of surprising since the "healthier food" logo was brightly visible on the signboard.

As far as food is concerned, first impression can only last so long. Drowned within the soup were slices of bitter gourd that helped to negate its savoriness and add a healthier bitterness to the fish broth. 

Honestly, i would choose the other fish soup stall over this one; the sliced fish soup at the other stall provided a more flavorsome taste that was unique yet incredibly palatable! 

p.s. the elderly might have preferred the new stall due to its healthier branding.

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Location

Block 448, Clementi Food Centre,

(金文泰448熟食中心) Clementi Ave 3,

Stall No #01-47

Price

S$3.50 for the sliced fish soup.

S$0.50 for a bowl of rice

Additional Information
For my review on the other fish soup stall within the hawker centre, please click here. 

45-65: Liberation, Unrest... a New Nation @ Singapore National Museum [Stamford Gallery]

In the year 1945, the residents of Singapore, then a war-torn colony of the Great British Empire, were finally liberalised from the control of Japan and this also marked the official end of World War Two in Asia. 

This special exhibition in Singapore National Museum touched on the turbulent period from 1945 to 1965; an era filled with unhappiness and protests that eventually culminated in the independence of the little red dot in Asia.

There were many interesting photos on site with captions and commentaries that succinctly explained the difficulties faced in managing post-war Singapore; bad sanitary conditions, big population, high unemployment etc. 

Note: To really get the picture, you have to stay in there for an extended period of time! 

In summary, the path taken by the last generation in fighting for independence was not easy and we should not take our nationhood lightly. PAP is merely a political party; it's the citizens that make up a country! 

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Location

93 Stamford Road

Nearest MRT Station

Bras Basah [Circle Line]

Website

Visit http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/ for more information like ticketing charges.

Duration of Exhibition

Till 18 November 2012.

Additional Information

Free admission for this exhibition! 

Famous Geylang Braised Duck Rice - Sia Kee or Sean Kee [聲記卤鸭饭] @ Corner of Lorong 35 Geylang & Geylang Road [Sin Huat Eating House]

I am not very adventurous when it comes to food and once i have a favorite stall, you would seldom see me venturing out of my comfort zone by myself. 

The same goes for braised duck rice. I am aware that there is a really famous stall in Geylang that has frequently been featured in newspapers, food shows etc but i am not even motivated to source out its exact location! 

That's how anal i am.

Anyway, i have to thank my brother in law for this; he suggested Sean Kee (on the namecard, this was listed as Sia Kee instead) duck rice when the family was clueless on what to have for lunch!

Ordering was delegated to my sister and her husband since it was the first visit for the rest of us. 

The first thing that arrived was soup! 

Despite its almost transparent clarity, it was packed with a strong herbal taste that was embraced with love by the Teo family except me (i found it to be too salty and preferred Yu Kee's version). Best of all, you can refill it for free! 

Like chicken rice, braised rice (卤饭) is as important to stalls selling braised duck and i have to admit that this is easily one of the best braised rice i ever have; big grains, sticky with an intensively rich braised flavour! 

This was more for people who take innards! For me, i would take both the tofu and braised egg although i personally find it disgusting to mix innards with them! 

Finally; the big plate of braised duck meat that came with generous 'toppings' like braised peanuts, bean sprouts and shallots.

The meat was tender alright but what i really did enjoy was the incredibly light braised sauce. It wasn't as sweet or as salty as i expected yet i could not help but felt that it embodied the full 100% braised-ness! 

A snapshot (approved by the stall owners) of the braised sauce pot! 

Eat them together (meat and rice and sauce plus a slice of cucumber for visual effect) and prepare to be satisfied in an amazing, taste provoking way! 

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On a final note, i was thinking about the braised duck rice from Kent Ridge. 

Their sauce was slightly more unique given the more herbal flavour although their plain rice was simply not even up for comparison against the much much better braised rice at Sia Kee. 

After some time of deep thinking, i guess Sia Kee is still the winner. 

Location

659/661 Geylang Road

[Sin Huat Eating House]

Map

As above [red star]

Opening Hours

11am till 7.30pm [Daily]

Price

S$46 for what we had [7 bowls of rice]

A normal plate would cost S$3.

Getai [歌台] - Live Entertainment for the Hungry Ghosts during the 7th Lunar Month (农历七月)

Getai, which literally means song stage in Mandarin, is a unique cultural evolution limited only to Singapore and Malaysia and its religious purpose is to provide contemporary live entertainment for those hungry ghosts.

My interest in getai (and Hokkien songs) was ignited after i caught the local movie, 881. I have been wanting to blog about this since i got my DSLR but fate always seemed to prevent me from doing so!

Until two days ago that is! This shall be a pictorial post to make it less tortuous for readers who could not stand my bad English or prefer to concentrate solely on photographs!

Location: Northlink building in Sembawang (near to the Sembawang God of Fortune temple). A big temporary tent-age and stage were set up for the one-day event.

Time: Officially, it should be 7.30pm. Unofficially, i reached at 8.30pm and it was impossible to get any seats near the stage! I am sure some people would reach as early as 5.30pm to ensure they get the best seats!

Note: The first row of seats is not where the BEST seats are! Since the show is primarily staged for the hungry ghosts, the first row is especially reserved for "them".

The company that was engaged to stage the show; 丽星娱乐.

Star hosts like Liu Ling Ling (known as Lak Kong Kong, which means 6-0-0 in Hokkien) are under its charge and with 6-0-0 around, you are guaranteed for a night of laughter! 

Provided you can understand the conversation, which is predominantly in Hokkien; my dialect! 

Singing songs are part and parcel of getai and it is quite common to hear Chinese classics like Teresa Teng's songs and popular Hokkien songs although nowadays, it could generally be any song so long the masses can relate to them! 

A live band is a must in getai as they provide quick and spontaneous special sound effects peppering the conversations between the hosts and performers.

Most of us would not mind standing; so long we can get closer to the stage for a better look. 

View of the stage and tent-age. I was late but people continued to stream in!

Random: Offerings for the dead spotted behind the stage. Besides the joss sticks and candles, you would usually find biscuits and packets of tea leaves; hardly palatable fare in my opinion.

The crowd at this side of the stage was massive when you compared to the other side; all because it is where the coffee shop was located (and the ground is also flatter). 

You would likely see numerous hawkers (some illegal) selling stuff like deep fried fish balls, muah chee, artificial bird's nest drink etc. In this case, i guess the close proximity to the coffee shop and that the getai is staged within a commercial property means only ice cream is allowed.  

Some candid shots of 6-0-0 and Wang Lei (another notable host in the industry) bantering with one another. 

They were a hilarious pair and some of their jokes were quite sexual, resulting in chortling laughter from the audience. One segment was on drinking milk and i don't need to elaborate more on which part they were referring to! 

I am bad in estimating the number of people just by looking but i thought the turnout was pretty good for a place in an industrial estate.  

Flashy glimmering outfits, often hovering in the range of gaudiness, are to be expected in getai. However, 6-0-0 took the worst-dressed prize for her attire which was tied with bundles of coloured straws!

A sweet-looking gal was interviewed by Wang Lei before she began singing. She looked so young but has been performing for quite a number of years. 

Given that i have to work the next day, i have to cut short my visit. Nonetheless, i hope to catch the getai the next time it is staged in the cemetery! That location is absolutely appropriate for its targeted audience! 

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For a list of getai schedules, please refer to the Chinese tabloid; Wan Bao (联合晚报).You may also check out the online listing here.