Old Hup Kee 老合记 (Yew Tee Square) Hokkien Mee 福建面

A visit to the food court brought us to Old Hup Kee, where they satisfy the Singaporean appetite with familiar favourites like Char Kway Teow, Fried Carrot Cake, Hokkien Mee, Fried Oysters and more. We checked out their Yew Tee outlet, though they also have branches in Marine Parade and Punggol.

Old Hup Kee in Yew Tee Square

Here's what we had ordered. A nice variety of Singapore hawker staples on the table, each with its own unique flavor profile.

Our Orders

We ordered the Yuan Yang Carrot Cake to enjoy the best of both worlds. It came beautifully presented,  the white version cooked in its classic “island” form, while the black version was served in evenly cut bite-sized pieces. The black carrot cake was garlicky with a nice coating of sweet sauce, while the white portion was fragrant and eggy, with a generous amount of eggs enhancing its flavor.

Carrot Cake (Yuan Yang) - $7

The Char Kway Teow was rich and dark, carrying that signature smoky wok hei. It was well-balanced with the usual essentials, Chinese sausage, egg, and crunchy beansprouts, all in just the right portions. The sweet sauce tied everything together nicely without being overwhelming.

Fried Kway Teow - $6.50

The Hokkien Mee came looking appetizing with its thickened gravy, and the noodles had clearly absorbed much of its essence. However, the flavors leaned on the moderate side. While still savoury, it lacked the deep umami punch and the distinct prawn-head richness that’s often associated with traditional Hokkien Mee.

Hokkien Mee - $7.50

Between fried oyster and oyster omelette, my preference leans toward the latter for its generous use of eggs. This version was neatly presented in a rectangular shape and topped with fresh coriander leaves. While I wasn’t expecting too much, it turned out to be a satisfying fix for oyster omelette cravings.

Oyster Omelette - $10

Overall, Old Hup Kee serves up a comforting variety of hawker staples. Each dish carries its own charm, making it a reliable spot when you’re craving familiar flavors and hearty, stomach-warming food.

Old Hup Kee 老合记 (Yew Tee Square) Hokkien Mee 福建面
Location: 624 Choa Chu Kang Street 62, Singapore 680624

Swatow City

Visiting Swatow again, but this time with a twist for which every Wednesday night, Swatow City @ Bukit Batok HomeTeamNS hosts open mic sessions from 6.30–9.30pm. 🎤

HomeTeamNS

Swatow City is located on the 2nd level of the club, welcoming guests with a glamorous entrance framed by warm lighting and an inviting archway. 

Entrance

We settled ourselves down and were served with the nicely packed chrysanthemum drinks packed by the restaurant in a nice bottle.

Chrysanthemum Drinks

We began with the Teochew Specialities Trio Combination Platter, a must-try at any Teochew restaurant. It featured Chilled Jellied Pork Knuckles, Crispy-Fried Handmade Prawn Roll, and the unique Crispy-Fried Pork Liver Roll, each showcasing the essence of traditional Teochew flavors. The platter was accompanied by sweet sauce and chilli sauce on the side, perfect for enhancing the flavors of each bite.

Teochew Specialities Trio Combination Platter 潮州三彩拼盘 - $32

Skipping the rice for carbs, we opted for Ee Fu Noodles instead. Despite its simplicity with mushrooms, beansprouts, and chives, the noodles were undeniably delicious, carrying that comforting wok-kissed flavor in every bite.

Ee Fu Noodle with Mushroom

Here comes a series of chef’s specials. The Braised Pork Ribs with Bitter Gourd in Preserved Black Bean Sauce brought a familiar comfort, reminiscent of classic Cze Char dishes found in the heartlands. The flavors were well-balanced, not overly salty, making it enjoyable even on its own without white rice.

Braised Pork Ribs with Bitter Gourd in Preserved Black Bean Sauce 鼓汁凉瓜排骨 - $23

Besides the array of tantalising dishes, the highlight is also the Open Mic Session every Wednesday, where diners can dedicate songs and sing over the microphone, adding a lively and engaging touch to the dining experience.

Open Mic Session Every Wednesday

Sichuan Chicken with Dry Red Chilli came with crunchy cashew nuts and carried a savoury kick. It wasn’t overly spicy, though the flavours could have been more deeply infused into the meat.

Sichuan Chicken with Dry Red Chilli 官保鸡球 - $23

Next up, the Prawns with Creamy Lime Sauce, juicy battered prawns, deep-fried to golden crisp, then coated in a rich, tangy lime sauce and finished with a sprinkle of roasted sesame for extra fragrance.

Prawns with Creamy Lime Sauce 西柠奶油下 - $24

Crispy Fish Coated with Sweet Golden Syrup, this dish instantly reminded me of a Chinese New Year snack. If I wasn’t told it was fish, I could have mistaken it for the familiar syrup-coated treat, with its addictive crunch and caramelised sweetness.

Crispy Fish Coated with Sweet Golden Syrup 酥烤鱼柳（四川） - $20

Stewed Eggplant with Sambal Chilli, a comforting dish that evoked a nostalgic taste of home-cooked food, with tender eggplant soaking up the spicy, savoury sambal.

Stewed Eggplant with Sambal Chilli 辣味茄子 - $18

Stewed French Beans with Minced Meat (Sichuan Style) – a delightful dish with a sweet and tangy balance, appetising with every bite.

Stewed French Beans with Minced Meat (Sichuan Style) 干扁四季豆 （四川）- $18

Overall, these were the dishes we ordered, a delightful spread with a good balance of noodles, vegetables, seafood, and meat dishes.

Dishes Order

No meal feels complete without desserts. We ended with the Teochew staple, Orh Nee with pumpkin and ginkgo nuts not too sweet, just to our liking

Teochew Orh Nee with Pumpkin & Gingko Nuts 潮州金瓜白果芋泥

We also shared the Fresh Mango & Pomelo Sago, a refreshing and satisfying way to complete the meal.

Fresh Mango & Pomelo Sago 金枝玉露

With Chef Specials featuring both Teochew and Sichuan dishes, plus an open mic on Wednesdays, it’s no wonder the place draws a crowd.

Swatow City 
Location: Bukit Batok HomeTeamNS, 2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7, #02-05 , Singapore 659003

Penang Savour

Craving for Penang Food? Let's visit Penang Savour which serves a good spread of yummy Penang Dishes.

Penang Savour

This Penang prawn noodle looks rich and hearty, the broth carrying a deep orange hue, promising that signature umami sweetness from prawn shells. Generous toppings of fresh prawns, pork slices, crunchy beansprouts, and greens make it hearty, while the spoonful of sambal on the side adds that fiery kick to lift the flavors even further. A soul-warming bowl that balances savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes. 

Penang Prawn Noodle - $5.90

Penang Laksa is truly in a league of its own compared to our local version. Tangy with pineapple, refreshing with mint leaves, and made even heartier with fresh mackerel fish, every spoonful is appetising and full of culture.

Penang Laksa 槟城叻沙 - $7.30

I still prefer Penang’s Char Kway Teow for the indulgent duck egg, but this plate came okay too, executed well with bold, smoky flavors that hit the spot.

Penang Char Kway Teow

Crispy deep-fried pork coated in rich fermented beancurd sauce. Its savoury, fragrant, and addictively good.

Deep Fried Pork with Fermented Beancurd Sauce 乳炸肉 - $14.40

The Crispy Hor Fun in Egg Gravy is a comforting dish where deep-fried noodles meet silky egg gravy. Part of the hor fun stays crunchy while the rest softens, soaking up the savory sauce. Paired with fresh prawns, tender pork, and crisp greens, every bite offers a satisfying mix of textures and flavors.

Crispy Hor Fun in Egg Gravy - $6.40

The drinks menu was just as refreshing, offering unique tropical blends. The Buah Long Long & Soursop Juice stood out with its tangy-sweet balance, instantly cooling and revitalizing. The Honey Kumquat Juice delivered a sweet yet zesty punch, both refreshing and smooth. For something more textured, the Chia Seed Lychee Rose combined floral notes with juicy lychee and the crunch of chia seeds, making it both delightful and nourishing.

Penang Homemade Soursop & Buah Long Long 沙梨红毛榴莲,  Chia Seeds Lychee Rose 荔枝奇亚籽, Honey Kumquat Juice 金桔蜜 - $6.50, $6, $4.20

The Hong Kong Choy Sam with Abalone Slices was a comforting dish that felt like home-cooked goodness. Lightly stir-fried with hints of garlic, it brought out the natural sweetness of the abalone slices, while the addition of goji berries added a subtle touch of sweetness and nourishment.

Hong Kong Choy Sam Abalone Slices - $11.80

Penang Savour brings together the essence of Penang cuisine, featuring bold flavors, tangy laksa, smoky char kway teow, hearty prawn noodles, and comforting sides.

Our Meal

Penang Savour
Location: Ang Mo Kio Town Centre, 709 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, #01-2587, Singapore 560709

BB.Q Chicken Myeongdong Star

Meeting friends who are also in Myeongdong during the same period as me for a BBQ chicken and beer dinner.

BBQ Chicken Myeongdong Star

The interior was kept simple, with an industrial vibe featuring cement floors and walls.

Interior

The cheese balls were a little on the dry side, which made them less enjoyable for me.

Cheese Balls

We went for the two-flavoured plate, featuring Soy Garlic and BBQ Seasoned chicken. Personally, I leaned towards the Soy Garlic, as its savoury profile suited me better.

Fried Chicken

Overall, the place was pretty noisy since it’s in Myeongdong, but I was glad the restaurant had an English ordering system, which made things quick and easy.

BB.Q Chicken Myeongdong Star
Loacation: 2 Myeongdong 4-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Legend Wonton Mee (Bukit Batok)

I was thrilled to see Legend Wanton Mee open in Bukit Batok. I arrived at 7 AM and waited 20 minutes for the stall to open and start taking orders.

Legend Wanton Mee

The menu is fairly straightforward, featuring their signature wanton mee in both dry and soup versions. For dumpling lovers, the noodles are also available dry or in soup. You’ll also find classic sides like vegetables, wanton soup, dumpling soup, and crispy fried wantons.

Menu

The Signature Dry Wanton Mee was a delight, served with three plump wantons, slices of lean char siew, and blanched greens. Presented in an old-school metal plate alongside a comforting bowl of soup, it carried a touch of nostalgia.

Signature Dry Wanton Mee - $5.50

The noodles were springy with a pleasant chew, well-coated in a flavorful mix of sauce and seasonings that made them delicious on their own. The Hong Kong–style blanched greens, briefly soaked in seasoning before being placed on the plate, added a simple yet savory touch.

Close up

The char siew boasted a beautifully caramelised outer layer that gave a gentle sweetness with every bite, while its lean cut offered a clean, meaty chew that paired perfectly with the noodles.

Char Siew

Overall, it was a simple yet satisfying bowl of wanton mee, with each element, from the springy noodles to the lean char siew and seasoned greens, coming together in comforting harmony.

Legend Wonton Mee (Bukit Batok)
Location: Blk 177 Bukit Batok West Ave. 8, Singapore 650177

Yenmat Seoul Bulgogi

We returned to Myeongdong and, after checking in, began searching for a meal. To our surprise, we realised we hadn’t tried Korean Bulgogi yet. Spotting a nearby eatery, we decided it was the perfect time to give it a go.

Yenmat Seoul Bulgogi

Since it was past peak hours, the place was empty except for us. It was spacious, with each table equipped with its own built-in stove.

Environment

I loved how the eatery surprised us with its vibrant banchan spread, tangy kimchi, crisp fresh vegetables, refreshing salad, and earthy wood ear mushrooms, each adding a delightful burst of flavor to the meal.

Banchan

It was my first time enjoying bulgogi cooked from raw on a sizzling hot stove. The marinated meat was placed in the center, surrounded by enoki mushrooms, onions, and springy vermicelli along the pot’s edge. As the beef cooked, its sweet, savory juices flowed into the sides, infusing the accompaniments with rich flavor, every bite was irresistibly delicious.

Bulgogi

The tender meat curled up alongside the sweet, softened onions and fragrant scallions, each mouthful brimming with flavour, a truly satisfying meal.

It's so yummy

Yenmat Seoul Bulgogi
Location: 24-28 Myeong-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Dongbaek Restaurant 동백식당

On our last day in Busan, during a morning walk around our accommodation, we spotted Dongbaek Restaurant and decided to give it a try.

Dongbaek Restaurant 동백식당

With an open-concept kitchen, it was fascinating to watch the Azumma skillfully prepare trays of dumplings ready to be steamed.

Open Kitchen Concept

We ordered the mixed dumplings, five original and five kimchi-flavored—and found them quite delicious.

Dumplings - ₩ 6,000

A simple Korean egg rice that somehow makes everything taste better. After so many days in Korea, seeing a sunny-side-up egg brightened my morning. The comforting rice won me over and I’m usually not a fan of rice for breakfast, but this was different.

Gyeran Bap - ₩ 7,000

Dongbaek Restaurant 동백식당
Location: 1205-1 Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea