Asian Favs

OL best friend brought me here. Was pleasantly surprised at the huge lunch crowd because I’ve walked past many times but never really took note of this place. Wide variety of YTF items and what stood out was the interesting chye poh claypot flavour that was offered. I expected it to be salty but it really wasn’t, flavorful but not overwhelming. Came with a huge bowl of yam rice as well. Another good find in Bugis, also halal certified so can come with your Muslim friends.

Not the melt in your mouth kind of char siew but definitely still flavorful and each piece is rather thick. While the environment is nothing to shout about, felt like they focus more on getting the quality and quantity right for the price one is paying. I enjoyed the fried rice with scallops and egg white that I ordered as well, not too oily and not lacking in ingredients

This truffle dish describes my experience at Xin Cuisine. Many of the items tasted good, but the restaurant should work on the presentation of the items for the price it is charging. More memorable items for me taste wise were the Cordyceps Flower in fish bone broth, pork in BBQ (this took 30 mins for one portion, the staff told me I have to wait 45 mins at first) and claypot tofu with sea cucumber. All other items are above average but like I mentioned, for the price point and the ingredients used, they should put in more thought into the presentation. Seems like one can use Chope vouchers also but apparently it doesn’t apply for dim sum items.

Truffle taste was distinct in the soup of the XLB. The skin was thin yet firm enough to hold the filling and soup. Enjoyed this dish and I would order this again. I’ve been to this CJ branch a few times and I do enjoy the different options which have more subtle flavours.

The lu rou fan was a good portion. The minced pork was tasty without being too salty or feeling oily. Hubby liked his mee sua too and mentioned that the chilli really packs a punch. Glad we chanced upon this casual eatery!

I think I found my new fav breakfast place in the area! May’s Kafe serves quite a large variety of breakfast items including toasts and local delights. I tried the dry mee siam which was just the right amount of sweet and spicy! Also had the warm homemade barley which was nicely brewed and with the barley bits at the bottom of the cup. Will return to try other items on the menu.

Wanted to have some fish and found this restaurant which specializes in fish. We ordered the fish with the pickled mustard fish pot and added enoki. Also asked for it to be the non spicy version. While the fish pot does not skimp on the ingredients (packed with fish, salted veggie, fish cake even) we found it very oily, but no doubt it was fragrant.

I think I may give this place another chance because prices are rather reasonable but they definitely need to refine their dishes a little to suit the local palette.

Ah Hua Kelong at Riang seems to have a different menu from the one at Haji Lane. We had the wings, salmon with nonya spices and salted egg calamari rice bowl for lunch. There was nothing to shout about for the food - nonya spices (spices taste not super obvious) and salted egg calamari felt that the dough was a little too much. An okay rice bowl but I liked that they used the thin asparagus which added nice texture.

However, service could really be more attentive. Asked for sharing plates, asked for water and the waiter could conveniently forget right after we asked about it (there was only one other customer in the restaurant) and we had to ask again. When we wanted to redeem the Burpple beyond deal, waiter seemed very uncertain and sulky about it as well. I will come go to the Haji Lane branch which seems much more promising with a more interesting menu.

Rich soup but I would prefer more grouper rather than the specialty meatball. The meatball was too big and had a too ‘porky’ taste for my liking. The soup (supposedly with chicken and scallop stock) was nice but erm might possibly have msg, did feel a little thirsty after the meal. But overall I guess, it’s nice to find another place for a soupy light Asian dinner in town.

This glutinous chicken is one of the recommended items at 2.50. Very palatable and look at the large mushroom and chunks of meat given. I enjoyed this much more than my mee sua kueh which came really fast but I think it was just taken off the takeaway counter. Having said that, it’s been ages since I’ve been to swee choon and I must say business is BOOMING. I came at 5.50pm (opened at 6pm) and there was a snaking long queue of both locals and tourists. Dim sum is generally served fast and I guess the affordable meals and large variety of HK and Shanghai Dim Sum keep people going back!

Wanted a quick bite here at the EXPO but sadly not much options. Ordered this Kaya French Toast and the steamed one. The French toast was better but I really did not like the texture of the toast used here. Albeit being better, the French Toast felt really oily. More quick bite options pls EXPO!

Seriously didn’t wanna squeeze with the crowd at the local Shilin pop up so we decided to come here for a Taiwanese meal. Will be back for the 卤肉饭 which is fragrant but not too oily. I ordered the set which came with the cabbage which was a good complement for the 卤肉. Very cute deco around the shop as well, will be back to try the chicken rice.