Gim Tim Restaurant

Gim Tim Restaurant is a long-standing establishment, well-known among the older generation for its Hokkien and Cantonese cuisine, tucked within the HDB heartlands of Ang Mo Kio. 

Gim Tim Restaurant at Ang Mo Kio

This time, I returned to try their individual 5-course set menu, priced at $58++ per pax (U.P. $70++), with a minimum of two diners required.

Within the HDB Heartlands

Moving into the present, the article displayed outside the restaurant offers a glimpse into its rich heritage, tracing back to its humble beginnings since 1975. It reflects the journey of how the establishment has grown over the years while staying rooted in its traditional Hokkien and Cantonese culinary roots.

Gim Tim's Humble Beginning

Talking about the interior, despite being a heritage brand, the restaurant has kept up well with modern times. The space is thoughtfully furnished with clean lines, warm lighting, and a contemporary touch that feels both comfortable and inviting.

Interior

It strikes a nice balance between tradition and modernity, maintaining its classic charm while offering a refreshed and well-kept dining environment suitable for gatherings and celebrations.

Interior

Appetizer

The meal began with the Trio Combination Platter, beautifully presented with Golden De-Shelled Prawn, Abalone in Thai style, and Scallop with egg white and black truffle. It was visually appealing and thoughtfully curated, giving a great first impression that each element was carefully crafted in both presentation and flavour.

Trio Combination Platter (金典三美拼)

Special

The Braised Superior Shark’s Fin and Fish Lip in Stone Pot was truly a standout. Served bubbling hot, the stone pot helped retain the soup’s warmth, allowing us to fully enjoy the nourishing, thick chicken broth packed with generous strands of shark’s fin and crunchy bean sprouts for added texture.

Braised Superior Shark's Fin and Fish's Lip in Stone Pot 石锅鱼唇浓鸡汤翅

The fish lips, however, stole the spotlight. Thick and gelatinous, they offered a unique, slightly bouncy chew that almost melts against the palate, creating an intimate and distinctive mouthfeel unlike any other.

Fish's Lip

Main (Choose 1)

For the main course, diners can choose between the Pork Chop with Chef’s Sauce or the Crispy Grouper Fillet with Passion Fruit Sauce, offering a nice balance between a hearty, savoury option and a lighter, tangy alternative.

The main course was simply executed yet satisfying, featuring a pork chop served alongside a fresh salad. The sauce leaned towards a sweet and tangy Thai-style chilli profile with hints of garlic, adding a savoury and appetising touch to the dish.

Pork Chop with Chef‘s Sauce 密汁烤黑猪排

I particularly enjoyed the pork chop, which was well-prepared and tender, offering a pleasant texture that was not overly tough and easy to enjoy with every bite.

The Black Pork 

Similarly, the Grouper Fillet was served alongside a fresh salad. The crispy battered grouper was fried to a beautiful golden perfection and complemented by a sweet and tangy passion fruit sauce that added a refreshing contrast.

Crispy Grouper Fillet with Passion Fruit Sauce 橘子皮百香果酱伴炸斑件

The fish itself was wonderfully tender and flaky, delivering a satisfying texture that made this dish especially enjoyable.

A portion of the Crispy Grouper Fillet

From an oriental dining perspective, no traditional Chinese meal feels complete without rice. Here, the Fried Rice with Scallop and Sakura Shrimp makes a delightful appearance. The combination is interesting, with a generous topping of fragrant sakura shrimp that adds both texture and umami.

While the portion leans towards a smaller serving rather than a full bowl, it complements the overall course well without feeling too heavy.

Fried Rice with Scallop and Sakura Shrimp 樱花虾带子炒饭

Dessert

Ending the meal on a sweet note was the Chilled Osmanthus Jelly with Aloe Vera. Light and refreshing, the dessert carried a delicate floral fragrance from the osmanthus that was both soothing and satisfying.

The wobbly jelly, presented in a charming star shape, added a playful touch, bringing the entire dining experience to a pleasant and memorable close.

Chilled Osmanthus Jelly with Aloe Vera 芦荟桂花冻

At $58++ per pax, the individual set offers great value for the quality and variety of dishes served. It’s a satisfying spread that makes for a worthwhile dining experience, definitely a spot to visit when you are craving a good meal.

Gim Tim Restaurant

Location: Blk 157 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, #01-546, Singapore 560157

Nearest Station: Mayflower (TE6)

Website

S.Park Grill & Pasta

I was genuinely surprised when I stumbled upon S.Park Kitchen at a quiet corner of an Ang Mo Kio coffeeshop. At first glance, the stall looks like a typical Western food spot with its menu of chicken chops, pasta and fried sides. But right in the middle of all that, you’ll spot a sign for Fried Hokkien Mee , a hawker favourite you wouldn’t normally expect from a Western kitchen. This unexpected mix immediately piqued my curiosity.

Stall of S.Park Kitchen

At first glance, the plate of Hokkien Mee looked indulgent, a generous pour of gravy coating the noodles and a heavy scatter of golden pork lard cubes on top. Yet, despite its inviting appearance, the flavours turned out milder than expected, with the gravy and toppings coming across more subtle than they looked.

Fried Hokkien Mee 炒福建面 - $6 / 8 / 10

Nevertheless, the Hokkien Mee still offered a comforting bite. The noodles were well-soaked in the gravy and carried a gentle savouriness, while the crisp pork lard added occasional crunch. It wasn’t an intense burst of flavour, but rather a mild, easy-going rendition of the classic dish. Do note that extra chilli or additional pork lard comes at a small top-up of $0.50.

Hokkien Mee

We also tried the pork ribs featured prominently at the top of the stall’s signboard. Served with a side of fries and greens, the ribs arrived nicely caramelised on the outside, giving them an appetising sheen. 

BBQ Pork Ribs 烤排骨 - $14 

The meat itself was tender and came off the bone easily, while the flavour inside was on the lighter side, making for an easy-going meal that paired well with the accompanying sides.

Tender

Another dish we had was the braised lamb shank, served with creamy mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. The meat was tender and slipped off the bone with ease, and there wasn’t much of a gamey note, making it approachable even for those who usually avoid stronger flavours.

Braised Lamb Shank 卤羊小腿配送土豆泥 - $25

Hearty chunks of tender beef stew, perfectly paired with creamy mashed potatoes, this dish is the kind of comfort food and guaranteed to fill you up!

Beef Stew - $9.80

Their fried chicken wings are golden-brown and irresistibly juicy when served hot, definitely tempting to dig into! Just a little on the saltier side, but still tasty.

Fried Chicken & Wings - $1.80 Each

Overall, the meal was decent and satisfying, though nothing particularly stood out. The dishes were enjoyable enough, making for a straightforward, comforting meal.

S.Park Grill & Pasta
Location: First Coffeeshop, 107 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4, #01-138, Singapore 560107

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

Ah Gu Kaka Wa

 Ah Gu Kaka Wa is tucked away in a corner of Djitsun Mall in Ang Mo Kio Central serving simple and tasty Sichuan dishes. It seems to be that their popular dishes is Bullfrog.

Ah Gu Kaka Wa

The menu looks quite oriental and I'm quite impressed by the amount of dishes they offered.

Menu

Simply love this nourishing and flavourful soup made up of seaweed & eggs. Its light and versatile dish that can be paired with a comforting main course or acts as a soothing remedy when under the weather.

Seaweed Egg Soup 紫菜蛋花汤 - $6.80

Its warmth broth with the savoury flavours was satisfying. The soup is packed of nutrients from the seaweed and egg.

A spoonful of seaweed soup

Its never a complete meal for me to leave the Chinese Restaurant without having their skewers. 

To order skewers, there is a minimum order of 5 sticks. We had their BBQ Chicken, Beef and Mutton which is at $1.50 per stick We had hot dogs, french bean and Chinese sausage too. 

Skewers

A common dish in Chinese cuisine with Tofu placed on a hot plate, sizzling. These tofu were stirred fried till golden and mixed with onions, meat and sauces. The use of a hotplate keep the dish warm throughout the meal. A little amount of chilli was added for a spicy kick. Overall, its a savoury and comforting dish enjoyed.

Hot Plate Beancurd 铁板豆腐 - $12..80

Sliced Beef in Hot Chilli Oil 水煮牛肉

A comforting dish that is of no spiciness and we can simply enjoy the basics of tomato and egg with our bowls of white rice.

Fried Egg with Tomato - $8.80

With mandarin pop song playing in the restaurant background, it makes it so enjoyable. Comparing the prices, the portion is considerably big and I do not mind getting my friends back here for Chinese food.

Rating: 3 / 5

Ah Gu Kaka Wa
Location: 5 Ang Mo Kio Central 2, #01-01 Djitsun Mall, Singapore 569663

Pok Pok Thai Kitchen

 It is rare for me to be in Ang Mo Kio at this time for Thai Food. Pok Pok Thai is our final decision to dine in after an impromptu meet-up since we were talking about some Thai Food.

Pok Pok Thai Kitchen Authentic Thai Cuisine

We had the Calamansi and lemongrass Tea cold beverages while waiting for our food to be served. The sweetness level was moderate and acceptable to us.

Calamansi 酸柑汁 & Lemongrass Tea 香茅水 - $3 Each

Chilli sauce can be self help from their serving counter. We ordered these 3 pieces of Pandan Leaves Chicken and they were wrapped with the fragrant Pandan Leaves and deep fried together with the well marinated chicken. The taste was awesome, not to mentioned dipping them into the sweet & sour Thai Style chilli sauce.

Pandan Leaves Chicken 班兰叶包鸡 - $6.90 (3 Pcs)

The Thai Lemon Fish was the starring dish for the meal. The fish was tender and partially immersed in the addictive sweet-sour soup that made the dish so appetising. It has hints of spiciness but the spicy level was minimal. We enjoyed every bite of its flesh. 

Thai Lemon Fish 泰式柠檬蒸鱼 - $29.90

For the carbs, we had a plate of fragrant pineapple fried rice for sharing. The turmeric rice flavours topped with meat floss together with pineapple chunks, raisins and crunchy cashew nuts was a perfect combination that I love to have from the Pineapple Fried Rice.

Pineapple Fried Rice 泰式黄梨炒饭 - $6.90

What a good recommendation from the friend to have our Thai Food cravings fixed. Considering the price paid and the quality standard, I will not mind returning for other dishes too. Furthermore, there are no Service Charge & GST too.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Pok Pok Thai Kitchen
Location: Teck Ghee Square, 407 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #01-759, Singapore 560407

The Blacky Seafood [Closed]

Sometimes back, it was quite viral online in social media about Indian selling Cze Char, not only that he is able to speak Mandarin and Cantonese fluently. He is the owner of the Cze Char Stall and came from Ipoh. He has been in the industry for about 27-28 years.

Stall of The Blacky Seafood

Our meal began with a plate of Stir-Fried Kale with Garlic. It was simple and a good start to our meal.

Stir-Fried Kale with Garlic 清炒芥兰 - $8

Nothing spectacular about the dish but this was my first try having pork with Cereal. The pork was tender and lightly coated with a layer of batter and fried. 

Cereal Pork 麦片猪肉 - $13

The taste was not quite special to us, perhaps the combination of Cereal with prawns is still a better pairing than pork in general.

Cereal Pork

The block of Tofu was served in some gravy and topped with broccoli and fried vegetables.

Signature Beancurd 肉松翡翠豆腐 - $13 

We took the promotion of 2 crabs at $50 with a single flavour. However, if you are looking for additional flavour, it is doable at an additional $10. We were told to choose between the black pepper or the chilli flavour and we opted for the latter. The overall taste and freshness were decent, however, if you are looking for something savoury, this might not fit the bill.

2 Crabs - $50

With the promotion going on, we were given a free 12 Man Tou. This is best for dipping into the crab sauce.

Man Tou

Here's the complimentary soup from the Kitchen's Head Chef, a combination of a sour taste and a subtle sweetness from the chicken. Overall, it's quite appetising but the taste is on the bland side.

Complimentary Soup

Since there is another Blacky Seafood in Cambridge Road, I will very much like to try the dishes there too.

Rating: 3 / 5

The Blacky Seafood
Location: Blk 603 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 Singapore 560603