Fried Carrot Cake

Finally back for Fried Carrot Cake after months of craving! Hit the queue as early as 7am on a weekend, but this time, a petite lady was single-handedly manning both woks, no familiar faces, yet the same delicious anticipation.

Fried Carrot Cake

Old habits never die. I went straight for the small Black Fried Carrot Cake. Aweeeesome! The sweet preserved veggies, egg, and black sauce, all kissed with wok hei, truly hit the spot and crushed my long-time craving.

Fried Carrot Cake (Black) - $4

If you are a fan of the classic white-style Fried Carrot Cake, skip the black sauce and go for this eggy, and full of wok hei goodness!

Fried Carrot Cake (White) - $5

Whether you like it black or white, fried carrot cake remains a timeless local favourite, comforting, flavourful, and always worth the queue.

Fried Carrot Cake
Location: Blk 448 Clementi Ave 3, #01-45, Singapore 120448

Botanict

It's been a while since I had a vegetarian meal, but at my vegetarian friend's request, we visited Botanict, which offers an interesting array of vegetarian Nyonya dishes.

Botanict

The spicy Otah's presentation was impressive. As a non-vegetarian, I found the taste and texture surprisingly close to the usual version. Made with tau gua, it was a well-executed reinvention.

Spicy Otah - $13.30

As a petai lover, I immediately went for the Sambal Vegetable & Petai dish. It wasn’t overly spicy and had a mix of tempeh, French beans, tomatoes, and more.

Sambal Vegetable & Petai - $12

The Truffle Oyster Omelette was intriguing. Instead of oysters, they used mushrooms, and the portion was generous. The truffle aroma lingered as it was served. 

Truffle Oyster Omelette - $14.30

With egg included, I’m still amazed at how soy can work wonders in vegetarian dishes.

Mocked Oyster

The menu was quite extensive, but we only managed three dishes this time. I wouldn’t mind returning for more. The owner also mentioned they offer BBQ Chuang Chuang in the evenings!

Botanict
Location:  Blk 352 Clementi Ave 2, #01-123, Singapore 120352
Website

Kinobe by Hive Brothers & Co

Each time I pass by the same coffeeshop, I remind myself to make it a point to try Kinobe. Their menu is simply too enticing to resist. With options like beef, wagyu beef, chicken, duck, pork, and salmon, diners are truly spoilt for choice. To top it off, each protein comes in three different variations, making it even harder to decide!

Stall Front of Kinobe

I finally decided on the Yakiniku Don. It came with fragrant white rice topped with a generous handful of thinly sliced beef, a perfectly runny onsen egg, and buttery, pan-fried mushrooms. A light sprinkle of chili powder added a pop of color and an extra layer of vibrancy to the bowl, making it as visually appealing as it was delicious.

Yakiniku Don - $8

Overall, their set was both tempting and delicious. I’m already looking forward to a return visit to try another item from their enticing menu.

Kinobe 

Location: 727 Clementi West Street 2, #01-294, Singapore 120727

Hometaste Sarawak Kolomee 砂捞越哥罗面

The lunch mates gathered at a newly renovated coffeeshop and recommended the Sarawak Kolo Mee stall. Since this delicacy is not commonly found in our usual spots, I decided to give it a try.

Stall of Home Taste Sarawak Kolo Mee

Just moments after I joined the queue, more people lined up, and the queue quickly grew longer. It seems the stall has quite a reputation, drawing in curious and hungry diners. Good thing I got there early enough to avoid an even longer wait!

Menu

Staying true to the traditional rendition of Sarawak Kolo Mee, they offer this iconic dish in three variations: white, red, and black sauce. I opted for the red sauce, which looked just as authentic as versions served at other stalls. The dish featured springy kolo noodles topped with minced pork, char siew, and vegetables, all finished with a sprinkle of chopped spring onions for that classic touch.

Kilo Mee - $5.50 (Red)

Not to mention, it also came with a crispy piece of fried wonton skin on the side. Overall, the noodles were expertly tossed in a fragrant blend of condiments, including scallion oil, enhancing the dish's flavor and aroma.

Delicious Looking

Hometaste Sarawak Kolomee 砂捞越哥罗面

Location: 710 Clementi West Street 2, #01-269, Singapore 120710

Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee

There was a time when we would make the journey all the way to Old Airport Road, braving the famously long queues, just for a bowl of Xin Mei Xiang’s comforting traditional Lor Mee. With their recent expansions, I’m thrilled to see this nostalgic taste becoming more accessible. Just last weekend, I had the chance to visit their Clementi branch. Today, they have grown to six outlets, located in Balestier, Clementi West, Holland Drive, Bishan, Tampines, and, of course, their iconic stall at Old Airport Road.

Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee’s Clementi Outlet

In addition to the classic Lor Mee we know and love, Xin Mei Xiang has introduced a range of creative variations. These braised noodles are now paired with an array of toppings such as chicken cutlet, fish flakes, pork belly, and even scallops. Beyond their popularity with locals, they’ve gained significant recognition, having been featured in the Michelin Guide and highlighted by various media outlets like Makansutra, Shin Min Daily News, CTrip, and Gourmet List.

Menu

A quick glance at the menu was all it took to spot our favorites, and we made our decision swiftly as the queue was growing. Here's what we ordered: four different variations of Lor Mee.

My Orders

I’m quite accustomed to their signature bowl of traditional Lor Mee, which comes loaded with shredded fish, tender braised pork belly, crunchy bean sprouts, and a flavorful braised egg. All of this goodness is served over yellow noodles, perfectly soaking up the rich, gooey braised gravy.

Signature Lor Mee 招牌卤面 - $6 

Savor the best of both worlds with a combination of fried and shredded fish paired with braised noodles. This is a great option for those who prefer a fishy twist to the traditional bowl of Lor Mee.

Double Fish Lor Mee 双鱼卤面 - $6

The  Lor Mee dish beautifully showcases two distinct types of fish: crispy fried and tender shredded fish, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavours. The rich, savoury braised gravy ties everything together, making it a satisfying meal for fish lovers.

Double Fish 

If you’re craving something fried, go for the Chicken Cutlet Lor Mee. The cutlet is deep-fried to golden perfection, making it a delicious complement to the bowl of savoury noodles.

Chicken Cutlet Lor Mee 炸鸡扒卤面 - $5 

The Chicken Cutlet Lor Mee offers a satisfying crunch with its perfectly golden, crispy cutlet. Drizzled with savoury gravy, it's an indulgent pairing that elevates the traditional Lor Mee experience.

Chicken Cutlet

Xin Mei Xiang Scallop Lor Mee 新美香扇贝卤面 - $8.50

The Scallop Lor Mee is a premium addition to the menu, standing out as the priciest option. It's a delightful twist on the traditional Lor Mee, featuring succulent scallops that elevate the dish to a more indulgent experience.

Scallop

Eager to sample a bit of everything, we added extras like Ngoh Hiong, chicken cutlet, and shredded fish to enhance each of our individual servings.

Toppings

Overall, the taste was quite satisfying, bringing back nostalgic memories of our breakfast trips to Old Airport Road Food Centre.

Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee

Location: 727 Clementi West St 2, #01-232, Singapore 120727

Yosakoi Japanese Food Alley

I noticed a familiar name "Japanese Food Alley" as I walked pass the shophouses in Clementi Avenue 2. Out of curiosity and wanting a Japanese Meal to fix my cravings, we settled down for a meal here. Environment was good because it was not too crowded and we had to "snatch" seats during the rush hours.

Japanese Food Alley

Upon exchanging some words with the boss of the shop, it was confirmed that I had actually patronized them during the time when they were in Holland area. 

Japanese Food Alley

They are keeping their authentic Japanese meal and price the same as the place they relocated from. 

Menu

While waiting for our mains, we had these local canned drinks sipping down our throat.

Canned Drink - $2.20 Each

The Pork Fillet Katsu was good for sharing. A delightful contrast between the crispy breaded outer layer and the juicy, tender pork inside. The combination of the rich meat, tangy sauce, and fresh cabbage creates a harmonious flavour profile. Each bite is a mix of textures and tastes, from the crunch of the panko to the softness of the pork and the sauce's tanginess.

Tonkatsu On Hotplate - $10.90

Simply love the variety of fresh diced raw fish and other ingredients like egg, mushrooms, fish roes and cucumber with ginger served over the bed of sushi rice. Combining fresh fish, seasoned rice, and colourful toppings creates a harmonious and satisfying meal. 

Bara Charashi Don - $17.50

They pride themselves for their food has no MSG included. The salted Egg Yolk Tonkotsu Ramen is kind of fusion and was pretty well executed without overpowering taste. It has added some creaminess on top of the broth. Simply combine the best of both worlds: the comforting, umami-packed tonkatsu broth and the luxurious, creamy salted egg yolk. 

Salted Egg Yolk Tonkotsu Ramen - $11.50

The harmony of textures and the depth of flavours make it a memorable and satisfying dining experience.

Sliced Chashu

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Yosakoi Japanese Food Alley
Location: Blk 352 Clementi Ave 2, #01-129 Singapore 120352
Website

Soon Lee Fishball Noodle

The competition remains tough with numerous Fishball Noodle Stalls in West Coast Market Square. Well, I will say each stall has their own supporters and fans. By the glance of the long snakey queue in front of Soon Lee Fishball Noodles, it's quite obvious why this stall has been there for decades.

Stall of Soon Lee Fishball Noodle

Here comes the bowl of nostalgic taste of Minced Meat Fishball Noodles. The Soup tasted good with 2 meatballs, 3 fishballs with vegetables, and "dong cai". Mee Pok on the other hand was well tossed in the sauces topped with minced meat and slices of fish cakes.

Mee Pok Dry - $4

Perhaps this is the longest time ever I had queued for Soon Lee Fishball Noodle, demanding a 30 minutes wait in queue on a weekend. No doubt it was simply executed, it still bring a good childhood taste that I believe the repeating patrons are going for.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Soon Lee Fishball
Location: West Coast Market Square, 726 Clementi West Street 2, #01-184 Singapore 120726

Fu Qiang Pig Organ Soup 富强猪杂汤

We visited Fu Qiang Pig's Organ Soup Stall for a good spread of Kway Chap, Pig Ogran Soup as well as Braised Pig Trotter.

Fu Qiang Pig Organ Soup

The Braised Pig Trotter was well braised until meat easily fell off the bone. The Portion given was not very fatty and the braised sauce was delicious to pair with a plain bowl of rice. The skin was chewy with a layer of fat melting in the mouth.

Braised Pig Trotter 卤猪脚 - $6

The bowl of Pig's Organ Soup definitely fits the bill for it was flavourful and rich, filled with generous ingredients like meatballs, tofu, lean meat, intestine, stomach, pork belly etc. It was really appetizing with the preserved vegetables in the salty soury taste that made me not stop at just a few spoonfuls.

Pig's Organ Soup 猪杂汤 - $5

The standard of Kway Chap was there. Each and every item was cooked till softened with a decent braised taste. Ingredients were pretty standard with pork belly, intestines, tau pok, braised egg etc. Kway on the other hand was smooth, soaking up the broth.

Kway Chap 粿汁 - $5.50

The staff was friendly and attentive. Besides all these we had ordered, some patrons ordered their Bak Kut Teh too. The selection of dishes was wide from Fu Qiang Pig Organ Soup.

Our Meal 

Thank you Fu Qiang Pig's Organ Soup and Misssueann for extending the invitation.

Fu Qiang Pig's Organ Soup
Location: 420A Clementi Ave 1 #01-07 Singapore 121420

Mei Shi Cheng Congee 食城粥品

Mei Shi Cheng Congee is my other choice of place for Congee in Clementi besides those stalls in 448 Clementi Hawker Center. They offer a variety of congee and also Yee Mee. 

Mei Shi Cheng Congee

Every bowl of Congee Ordered comes with cut portions of fried fritters topping up the congee with fried anchovies and spring onions.

Congee

A delightful combination of Meat Ball & Century Egg. Meat Balls were well seasoned and added depth to the overall congee together with the century egg.

The congee on the other hand had a smooth and creamy texture with rice grains fully cooked and softened. This combination is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines familiar flavours with unique ingredients. 

Meat Ball & Century Egg Congee - $4

Another comforting congee selection will be pork congee. Rich and comforting with pork imparting a savoury depth to the dish. Porridge like wise has a thick and creamy consistency. Pork us tender and juicy adding a meaty contrast to the softness of the congee. The toppings like fried anchovies and spring onions had provided a crunchy texture element as well as balancing out the dish.

Pork Congee

Congee is a delicious and classic comfort food that offers a satisfying and nourishing eating experience. Its always warm both body and soul with each spoonful.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Mei Shi Cheng Congee 食城粥品
Location: Blk 328 Clementi Avenue 2, Singapore 120328

Soon Jing Roasted Meats

While we tried a couple of stalls in Food Park, Soon Jing Roasted Meats is one of the last stalls we have tried. It drew our attention because a lunch crowd lined up in front of the stall. 

Soon Jing Roasted Meats

We ordered the trio platter with Char Siew, Poached Chicken and Roast Duck with braised egg. The Char Siew was well barbecued and packed with smokiness while the poached chicken was smooth and tender. The roast duck was decent without a gamey taste.

Trio Meat

Overall the meal was decent and the soup provided was tasty to my liking. Overall, the portion was alright to us with a reasonable price and standard.

Our Meal

Rating: 3 / 5

Soon Jing Roasted Meats 
Location: 107 Clementi Street 12, Singapore 120107

Oh Ho! Thai BBQ

Savour the rich and aromatic delights of Oh Ho! Thai BBQ Halal Mookata is prepared with its finest ingredients. Whether you are a Thai enthusiast or a Halal Diner, they promise a gastronomic adventure.

We had the Mookata Set at $36 for 2-3 and topping up another $2 for Tom Yum Broth. The set comprises of 

• Egg
• Egg Tofu
• Mama Tom Yum Noodles
• Glass Noodles
• Enoki Mushrooms
• Chinese Cabbage
• Kang Kong

Set Platter

The meat platter was served on a traditional metal plate with

• Marinated Chicken Leg
• Black Pepper Chicken Leg
• 3mm Sliced Beef Round
• Smoked Duck Breast
• Big Prawns 
• Squid
• Salmon Fillet
• Fish Balls
• Crab Sticks
• Beef Balls
• Chicken Franks

Meat Platter

We started with butter grilling the meat and placing the other items into the Tom Yum Soup base with Mama Tom Yum Noodles.

Starting Mookata 

Mookata

The Deep Fried Sea Bass was well fried and served with mango salad. It was garnish with additional cilantro and the salad had made the dish appetising. 

Deep Fried Sea Bass with Mango Salad - $26 

Here's the popular Thai Staple, Pad Thai Prawns. It was sweet and served with succulent prawns. 

Pad Thai Prawns - $7 

Delicious and flavourful. This is a good appetizer from the Thai cuisine. Pair it with the sweet and sour thai chilli to enjoy it.

Thai Fish Cake (4 pcs) - $5

Oh Ho! Thai BBQ
Location: 380 Clementi Ave 5, Kedai Kopi, Singapore 120380