Local Flavours

Steamed rice grains steeped in piping-hot broth made with a medley of seafood, topped with a shower of crispy fried rice puffs. Perfect to stave off my cravings for something warm and soupy with the chilly sweater weather in Singapore these past few weeks.

🗒 Seafood Pao Fan ($6.90)

Crabtivatingly delicious crab bee hoon from @lovechowsg

With only one thing on the menu, this humble stall rakes in long queues every day. Its laksa gravy, cooked the old-school way over charcoal, offers the right balance of spice and coconut milk. It’s served with a generous amount of cockles, making me - a lover of this mollusk - very happy. I polished off a whole bowl in under 5 minutes so I recommend getting two.

🗒 $3

Each mouthful of gently moist bee hoon and noodles is infused with an umami prawn stock. The copious bits of wok hei-kissed fluffy fried egg, sotong and springy prawns add even more oomph to the dish.

It comes in small, medium, and large bowls. Next time I have to remember to get the large size and have them add extra noodles and cockles. Yeah, it is that good!

🗒 Large Bowl ($6)

This afternoon's perk me up - fluffy Gula Melaka Pandan Chiffon and a cup of fragrant tea.

🗒 Tea Break Set ($8.90)

An offshoot of my favourite Outram Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh at Keppel Road, Tuan Yuan Pork Ribs Soup has all the hallmarks of the original. But call me nostalgic or sentimental, the former will always have a special place in my heart (and stomach) for its time-honoured flavours.

🗒 Pork Ribs Soup ($7), Pig Stomach Soup ($7), Tang Oh Soup ($5), Braised Peanuts ($2.50)

The familiar orangey red curry with chicken and potatoes is comfort food to me. It is the kind of food that I grew up eating. I called it the Singapore Chinese Chicken Curry because it is one of the 家常菜 found in many Chinese households here. Because it is a common household dish, I have never really considered eating this outside of home.

But lately I've been craving taste of home cooked food. And this chicken curry here does it for me. Deliciously tender chicken cuts simmered in an aromatic, slightly sweet curry sauce thickened with coconut milk. It is also a version made by my mother and grandmother, that I love the most.

The Chicken Rendang and Coffee Chendol pictured here are good too!

🗒 Chicken Curry with Rice ($8.50), Chicken Rendang with Rice & Coffee Chendol ($10.90)