Kyungcheondae Pension Town 경천대펜션회타운

 A helpful Korean came over and tried to understand us, kindly explaining that locals don’t usually refer to eateries as “restaurants”  instead, they call them “sigdang,” which interestingly sounds quite close to the Mandarin term “食堂.” Moments like these made the cultural exchange feel warm and genuine.

While the eateries we originally planned to visit were all closed, we ended up here thanks to the Korean’s recommendation and the inviting restaurant signage along the road.

Kyungcheondae Pension Town

We had to remove our shoes before entering the place, and as we stepped inside, everyone looked at us like we were aliens. As usual, it took us some time to understand the menu. During peak hours, we had to wait a while before the staff approached us. Watching other tables enjoy grilled fish, I used my translation app to ask about ordering fish, only to find out that if we ordered two meals, a grilled fish would come free. The 2 meals must be of the same.

Interior

Their banchan wasn’t the usual spread we were used to, it included marinated raw crab and even a Western-style salad, alongside the typical pickled vegetables. And of course, I finally got to enjoy my grilled mackerel.

Banchan

Then came the fish roe rice in a sizzling stone pot. The vibrant mix of colours, from seaweed and greens to pickles and glistening fish roe, was instantly appetising. We gave everything a good stir to mix the flavours evenly before digging into the warm, hearty rice.

Fish Roe Stone Pot Rice

We noticed a distinct difference in Korean dining culture,l ocals tend to finish their meals quickly and leave soon after, allowing for a high turnover in the restaurant. By the time we finished our meal, the place had mostly emptied out.

Kyungcheondae Pension Town 경천대펜션회타운
Location: Chungbuk Chungju-si Geumga-myeon Yeonhapgangbyeon-gil 8Chungbuk Chungju-si Geumga-myeon Wonpo-ri 523, 27445

Tee Top @ Keppel Club

 Tee Top is a restaurant located within one of Singapore’s prestigious country clubs, Keppel Club. It serves a delightful mix of local, Korean, and Western cuisines. The best part? It’s open to the public; you don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy the delicious spread.

Tee Top Restuant

Tee Top Restaurant is a family-friendly spot tucked away in the scenic grounds of Keppel Club. Surrounded by lots of greenery, it has both alfresco seating and a comfy air-conditioned area, so you can pick your vibe. The outdoor terrace looks out over the driving range and putting greens, with a peek at the golf course, perfect for a chilled meal in a peaceful, colonial-inspired setting.

Interior

If you prefer to dine indoors, the air-conditioned Berlayer Room is warm and welcoming. It’s a favourite for family gatherings and small corporate events, with pretty botanical and bird-themed decor that makes the space feel extra cosy and special.

Pretty

Here’s what we had for dinner, a hearty spread of local, Korean, and Western dishes, plus 4 towers of drinks, including our local favourite, sugarcane juice!

Our Orders

Local

Can’t miss out on the local classic,  marinated meat skewers! These come served with mini rice cakes, cucumber, and shredded onion, all paired with a thick, rich peanut sauce.

Jumbo satay (Pork)

The jumbo size will definitely fix anyone’s craving for this local delight, the meat was nicely glazed and every bite was so satisfying!

Jumbo satay (Chicken)

Tantalising the taste buds with the savoury Asian flavours of Assam curry loaded with red snapper head, cabbage, eggplant, okra, tomato, and beancurd skin. So good when paired with bowls of white rice!

Assam curry fish head (Red snapper Head)

Not many places serve stir-fried laksa, but they do! Their signature stir-fried seafood laksa comes loaded with prawns, squid, fish cake, and Tau Pok, so shiok!

Signature Fried Seafood Laksa

Besides laksa, don’t miss their signature Hokkien Mee, a well-prepared dish bursting with wok hei. The rich, gooey gravy perfectly coats a balanced mix of yellow noodles and white bee hoon, tantalising the taste buds. Topped generously with large, succulent prawns and crispy pork lard, it’s a truly satisfying plate.

Signature Hokkien mee

Western & Fusion

They have a gas pizza oven dedicated just for pizzas. I’m a fan of their Classic Hawaiian, topped with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, chicken ham, pineapple, assorted olives, and fresh basil.

Hawaiian Pizza

The club sandwich was nicely prepared, with vibrant, eye-catching layers that made the presentation especially appealing.

Club Sandwich

The beer-battered seabass and steak-cut fries came with tartar sauce and a mesclun salad. The crispy batter was to die for, and the choice of seabass made it an excellent selection.

Fish & Chips

The chicken quesadilla features well-smoked chicken, green and red capsicum, red Bombay onion, and sour cream, served with a mesclun salad and salsa verde sauce.

Chicken Quesadilla

Their signature Capellini, infused with fragrant prawn oil and 56-day konbu, is simply irresistible!

Signature Prawn Capellini

Korean

Their Stir-fry Vermicelli (Pork), also known as japchae in Korea, is perfectly cooked with Korean glass noodles tossed with onion, spring onion, carrots, and tender sliced pork.

Stir-fry Vermicelli (Pork)

Better known as samgyetang in Korea, they use free-range chicken simmered in a ginseng consommé. I couldn’t resist going back for more of that comforting soup!

Ginseng chicken (Whole)

Yangnyum Fried Chicken Wings, crispy, tangy wings coated in Yangnyum paste and sesame seeds. Just a bit spicy, but so good!

Fried chicken wings Yangnyum

Original Fried Chicken Wings, well-marinated, with a crispy golden crust and tender, juicy meat inside. So satisfying!

Fried Chicken Wings Original

Signature Seafood Pancake, crispy on the edges, soft inside, and filled with a tasty mix of fresh seafood. A must-try!

Signature seafood pancake

Desserts

Waffle Ice-Cream , warm, buttery waffles with a crisp edge and fluffy inside, served with a sweet-tangy berries compote and a drizzle of rich chocolate sauce. Topped with creamy vanilla and chocolate ice-cream, fresh mixed berries, and a hint of mint for a refreshing finish, every bite is a delicious mix of warm and cold, sweet and fruity!

Waffle ice-cream

Even though we were stuffed, I have to admit, their tiramisu was simply irresistible! Infused with Kahlua liqueur and made with a pâte à bombe base, I couldn’t stop going back for another spoonful.

Tiramisu

In conclusion, whenever I’m craving a quiet place to unwind and enjoy great food, Tee Top always draws me back. The calm, cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect retreat from the busy world, and the warm hospitality makes every visit feel like a comforting escape. It’s more than just a meal, it’s a peaceful experience that keeps me coming back.

Tee Top
Location: 239 Sime Rd, Singapore 289685
Website

When it snows on Cherry Blossoms 벚꽃에눈이내리면

A tyre puncture on one of our bikes unexpectedly led us here, while one of us got the bike fixed, I ended up benefiting from the detour with a long-awaited Korean Bingsu treat. A sweet little silver lining to our ride!

Beating the heat, I ordered an Ice Americano as well as Mango Bingsu.

Mango Bingsu & Americano

It was a luxury to enjoy a bowl of mango ice with frozen mango tucked alongside, some crunchy granola, and a generous drizzle of mango syrup on top.

It was a luxury to enjoy a bowl of mango ice with frozen mango tucked by the side, some crunchy granola, and a generous drizzle of mango syrup on top.

Mango Bingsu

In the end, everything seemed to fall nicely into place. The bike got fixed, plans resumed, and I got to enjoy a cool bowl of ice just when I needed it most.

When it snows on Cherry Blossoms 벚꽃에눈이내리면
Location: South Korea, 수안보면 온천리 254-1번지 1층 충주시 충청북도 KR

Toto Fish 多多魚

A glance at the coffeeshop from the roadside before we arrived completely took us by surprise, there was a snaky queue winding its way out. I wondered to myself, ‘Could it be Toto Fish that we will be having tonight?’”

Lo and behold, it really was Toto Fish that had drawn such a huge crowd.

Queuing for Toto Fish

We wasted no time and joined the queue, we didn’t want to miss out again. Just a day before, they had sold out by the afternoon, so we couldn’t have it for dinner.

Stall of Toto Fish ~ Chef Wai's Fish Bar

The menu featured set meals that came with steamed egg and rice, along with your choice of fish. Basically, there were two types of fish to choose from, Steamed Seafood Fish or Steamed Mangrove Jack, Fish Head or Tail and you could have them prepared in three styles: Cantonese Style, Soy Bean Sauce, or Chopped Chili.

Menu

Look! Here’s what we ordered. It made for a pretty complete meal with egg, fish, and rice.

Our Orders

The Steamed Mangrove Jack with Soy Bean Sauce was my favourite of the three options. I think not many places serve this style, and I found the taste really addictive. If you’re wondering whether it’s salty, it wasn’t, at least not for me. As for the fish itself, it was succulent with a satisfying bite.

Steamed Mangrove Jack with Soy Bean Sauce Set Meal 豆酱赤枣鱼套餐 - $9.80

We also had the Steamed Seabass in Cantonese Style. The sauce was cooked on the spot and poured over the freshly steamed fish right in front of my eyes. 

Steamed Seabass with Cantonese Style Set Meal 港蒸金目鲈套餐 - $6.50

The aroma of fried garlic and soy sauce was irresistible. The sauce paired perfectly with our bowls of white rice, and the Steamed Seabass was definitely satisfying.

Steamed Seabass Tail

Even though I’m not usually a fan of chili, the gravy was so inviting and paired beautifully with our white rice. We scraped off the chili bits, and it turned out not to be spicy at all.

Steam Seabass with Chopped Chili Set Meal 剁椒金目鲈套餐 - $7.50

All in all, I can see why Toto Fish is so popular. It’s a great option for a healthy meal at a pocket-friendly price under $10 for a fish set is quite a deal. They do offer sides like lala and prawns too, but those were sold out during our visit. So, do go early to avoid disappointment!

Toto Fish 多多魚
Location: 491 Jurong West Ave 1, #01-173, Singapore 640491

Palbong bean field 팔봉콩밭

We stumbled upon a rustic wooden hut eatery just across the road from a campsite and decided to stop for lunch. The spacious setup had a laid-back charm, seemingly popular with campers and nearby workers looking for a hearty midday meal.

Palbong Bean Field

Given the sunny weather, we opted for the air-conditioned seating, though there were also non-air-conditioned areas available for those who preferred an open-air setting.

Non-Airconditioned Seatings

Their banchan was a warm welcome, we were served six different kinds. Ordering took a bit of back-and-forth due to the language barrier, but with the help of our mobile translator, we managed. Eventually, they asked if we were okay with fermented soybean soup, which helped steer the way.”

Banchan

The Soybean Paste Stew, also known as Cheonggukjang, arrived bubbling hot in a stone pot. The rich, fermented bean soup paired perfectly with a bowl of white rice.

Cheonggukjang 청국장

I heard they even grind their own soybeans, which they farm themselves, adding a fresh, authentic touch to the dish.

Fermented Soybeans

In fact, it was the Tteokgalbi short rib patties that caught my eye the moment I stepped into the restaurant. A photo of the dish was prominently displayed, and I knew instantly, I had to have it.

Kong Tteokgalbi 콩떡갈비

Dipping the patties into the BBQ sauce elevated the flavors even more. The patties were fragrant, tender, and utterly addictive, we found ourselves finishing the entire portion quickly.

Yummy In Sauce

Enjoying a comforting bowl of hot soup and delicious patties in a quiet rural spot like this felt like a real blessing, a simple meal made memorable.

Palbong bean field 팔봉콩밭
Location: 8 Palbongan-gil, Daesowon-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea

Ming Li's Seafood

Visited Ming Li’s Seafood at Sims Ave for some comforting Cze Char dishes. It was nice to learn that the entire coffeeshop is run by the boss himself, from the Seafood Stall to the Roasted Meat and Handmade Noodle stalls. No sublets, just one owner keeping it all in the family.

Ming Li

The fried prawn roll was yummy and perfectly fried to a golden brown. It came served with fresh tomato, vegetables, and cucumber on the side. Just dip the prawn roll into the sauce and enjoy, simple and satisfying!

Fried Prawn Roll 虾枣 - $13 / 20 / 25

For those who enjoy “xi hum” (clams), you might want to try their fragrant fried clams too, it’s a pleasant surprise since not many Cze Char places include this on the menu. The dish was aromatic and well-executed, with just the right kick of flavour without being too spicy.

Fragrant Fried Clams 甘香炒西蛤 - $15 / $30

We also tried their Fishball with Sliced Meat Ban Mian. The highlight? The fishballs are all handmade from scratch, just like their fresh Ban Mian noodles. It was simply delicious, comforting, bouncy fishballs and hearty noodles that really hit the spot.

Fishball & Sliced Meat Ban Mian 鱼圆肉片板面

We really enjoyed the Ban Mian with Fishball Soup and sliced meat, each piece of noodle was satisfying, and the warm, flavourful broth made it such a comforting dish. Perfect for a hearty, fuss-free meal.

Ban Mian

We also had the Di Huang Miao with Dried Shrimp,  a simple stir-fry that packed a nice savoury punch from the dried shrimp. Fresh, crunchy greens with that bit of umami always make a good side to balance out the meal.

Di Huang Miao With Dried Shrimp 虾米帝王苗 - $10 / 12 /15

That’s one of those dishes people say, if you like it, you’ll love it. And yes, it definitely hit the spot! I really enjoyed the Petai with prawns and onions, super addictive, with that bold, unique flavour that kept me picking at the beans non-stop.

Sambal Chilli Beans 三峇臭豆 - $13 / 18 /25

The Curry Fish Head is here! The curry is made from scratch, not your usual off-the-shelf paste — and you can really taste the difference. We loved the distinctive flavours of the rich, thick gravy, which was robust but not gelat at all. It came loaded with ingredients like brinjal, tau pok, lady’s fingers, and beancurd skin, all bubbling away in an earthy claypot. A real treat for curry lover.

Curry Fish Head 咖喱鱼头 - $30

We also got a chance to try their century egg porridge, simple, warm, and so comforting. A classic bowl that really hits the spot, especially if you’re craving something light yet satisfying.

Century Egg Porridge皮蛋粥 - $5 

The porridge was hearty and filled with generous ingredients — tender meat and chunks of century egg in every scoop. It was the kind of comforting bowl that warms you up and leaves you feeling satisfied.

Centry Egg & Ingredients

Many swear by their Fragrant Sesame Oil Chicken and it didn’t disappoint. The alluring aroma from the fried ginger shreds and rich sesame oil was da bomb. Each piece of chicken was well-coated in the savoury sauce, making every bite extra flavourful and satisfying.

Fragrant Sesame Oil Chicken 麻油鸡 - $25 /45

The Assam Steamed Fish Head was equally inviting. Compared to the Curry Fish Head, I found myself more drawn to its tangy and spicy sauce, refreshing and appetising. It’s said that the sauce is made from scratch too, which really shows in the vibrant, well-balanced flavours.

Assam Steamed Fish Head 亚参蒸鱼头 - $30

By the time the Braised Pork Knuckle arrived, our stomachs were already filled with so much delicious food but we couldn’t resist. Even though we were full, we still managed to polish the plate clean. The texture was perfect: the meat fell apart with the slightest pressure and practically melted in the mouth. The braising was spot on, rich and flavourful, making this dish a satisfying finale to our feast.

Braised Pork Knuckle 卤猪手 - $30 

From comforting bowls of porridge to fragrant clams, hearty curry, and melt-in-your-mouth pork knuckle, every dish made our meal memorable. Good food, generous portions, and honest flavours, we left happy and will gladly be back for more.

Ming Li's Seafood
Location: 114 Sims Ave, Singapore 387438