My grandparents used to stay in the Ghim Moh neighbourhood. This was where all my Saturdays were spent, and where I grew up eating my now-favourite hawker grub. It was our weekend routine which started with my parents buying groceries from the wet market, then dapao-ing breakfast home for everyone. The orders were standard — two packets of char kuay teow for the brother, fishball noodles for the sister, nasi lemak for me, and tons more food to last the rest of the day (soya bean, min jiang kueh). But what I remember most were the unbearably hot days where my dad would just drive us to this food centre for cooling pick-me-ups from Golden Swallow Dessert. His favourite was the ice kachang. Back then, a bowl of soft, fine icy mountain with a generous heap of red beans stashed underneath (my favourite part) was a mere $1. I was always in charge of buying the desserts, and would take everyone’s orders before joining the perpetual queue. I used to give my dad all my atapchi, and still do, actually. I think realizing that it's really my dad and I who have the massive sweet tooth out of the whole family made me love this ice kachang even more. I have also grown to enjoy eating ice kachangs the way he does — with just gula melaka. I study overseas now, and the desserts at Golden Swallow Dessert are a must-have whenever I return home for the holidays. #Hawkerpedia
One of the must-haves in Borough Market - the famous Duck Confit Sandwich from Le Marché du Quartier. At £5, it's one of the cheaper market food options considering the usual price range for savoury market grub is now £6-7. Plus, the sandwich is pretty huge, making it a great value-for-money lunch option. The shop sign is not that obvious, so keep a lookout for colourful tubs of sangria at the store front, or just follow your nose.
The G.M.C (£5) which is named after this market stall Grill My Cheese at Leather Lane Market, is faithful to its name. Their signature cheese blend (2 kinds of cheddar, gruyere and mozzarella) is sandwiched between two slices of organic sourdough bread spread with their own bechamel sauce, before being put on the grill and pressed to perfection. It's thin, but it sure is filling.
I had to break my doughnut hiatus for this. This sea salt caramel and banana doughnut (£3.50) from Crosstown Doughnuts might cost quite a bomb for a small ball of deep fried dough, but it's packed full of flavour with yummy banana cream filling, drizzled with sea salt caramel and sprinkled with chocolate soil topping. Be prepared to get your hands and mouth dirty - that's the only way to enjoy this.
I had to break my doughnut hiatus for this. This sea salt caramel and banana doughnut (£3.50) from Crosstown Doughnuts might cost quite a bomb for a small ball of deep fried dough, but it's packed full of flavour with yummy banana cream filling, drizzled with sea salt caramel and sprinkled with chocolate soil topping. Be prepared to get your hands and mouth dirty - that's the only way to enjoy this.
At £3.50 per decadent doughnut, these sweet treats from Crosstown Doughnuts are meant for once-in-a-while indulgences. Their creme brûlée doughnut is filled with togan vanilla bean custard and is oh-so-satisfying.
At £3.50 per decadent doughnut, these sweet treats from Crosstown Doughnuts are meant for once-in-a-while indulgences. Their creme brûlée doughnut is filled with togan vanilla bean custard and is oh-so-satisfying.
A homely cafe situated along Jalan Besar, offering a range of cakes, tarts, cupcakes, and savoury cafe food. We had the sea salt nutella tart, salted caramel red velvet cake, and cookies & cream milkshake cake. It was pretty quiet on a weekday afternoon, making it a good place to chill.
Amzingg roasted pistachio soft serve in a black charcoal cone, dusted with crushed pistachios and finished with a sweet pastry stick.
A must-go every time I'm in Holland V.
Matcha craving finally satisfied!
It's safe to say this is my ultimate go-to place to satisfy my hawker food cravings.
