8 Degrees 8度空間

The search for Taiwanese food in Singapore can never end since we are not able to travel overseas. Trying out several Taiwanese Food from places, hoping that they can curb the cravings of Taiwanese food for the moment.

8 Degrees 8度空間

8 Degrees is located in Serangoon area, along the shophouses just beside Ah Lam's.

Along the Shop House

Interior of 8 Degrees is nothing fanciful but simple and straight forward, line up with wooden tables and chairs.

In 8 Degrees Dining Area

For any trip to the Taiwan night market, we can never miss out on ordering Milk Tea and there is no exception here. We ordered the house 8 Degree Bubble Milk Tea with Pearl and Milk Tea with Coffee Crystal. The Milk Tea was not too sweet and refreshing especially in hot weather.

8 Degrees Bubble Milk Tea with Pearl 八度珍珠奶茶 &
Milk Tea with Coffee Crystal 黑砖奶茶- $5.80 each

At one look, one can easily be told the type of cuisine. With Mee Sua and Braised Pork Belly Rice, these had already given 

The Order

The Mee Sua standard was not too bad coupled with a few plump pieces of oysters as well as Chitterlings.

Oyster & Chitterling Mee Sua 综合面线 - $6.80

It's not the salted crispy chicken that we longed for. We were expecting more of some popcorn chicken with salt and pepper flavours but this is out of our expectations. The taste is more like a normal chicken cutlet cut into smaller pieces.

Salted Crispy Chicken 盐酥鸡 - $6.80

A mixture of lean and fatty meat topped the rice accompanied by braised egg and pickles. As much as I love Stewed Pork Belly Rice, the braised taste was on a bland side.

Stewed Pork Belly Rice 八度卤肉饭 - $5.80 (Big)

The egg roll is simple with soft and sweet crepe, complementing the pork floss. Overall it's tasty however the crepe thickness is not of my liking.

Eggroll with Pork Floss 肉松蛋饼 - $6.80

You can have it served hot or cold. The Yam Ball Grass Jelly is refreshing, however not cold enough as a whole.

Yamball Grass Jelly 仙草芋圆 - $5.80

Overall, I find that the Taiwanese food served here is more of a lighter taste but for my liking, I will prefer Taiwanese food to be heavier in the taste.

Rating: 3 / 5

8 Degrees
Location: 37 Teck Chye Terrace Singapore 545734

Soon Kee Wanton Mee

Soon Kee Wanton Mee Stall is also one of the popular stalls in Pek Kio Market & Food Center where one notices the queue line up in front of the stall. So what's the fuss? Let's take a look at it.

Stall with Queue

Though the bigger portion was just a $0.50 difference, I find that the portion was rather generous not only for the noodles but also the slices of char siew. The noodles were slightly thicker than the usual Mee Kia I had and was springy. The sauce they use was slightly different from the usual ones we have and indeed, it has a familiar old school taste. Besides that, the Char Siew was home made too.

Wanton Mee - $4

While the Wanton comes in 3 in the soup bowl.

Wanton

The other item on their menu will be their shrimp dumpling noodle instead.

Shrimp Dumplings Noodle - $4

Shrimp Dumplings are plump and juicy for instance, however nothing extraordinary about the fillings and taste.

Shrimp Dumplings

Have no idea what to eat in Pek Kio Market & Food Center? Perhaps following the length of the queue from the stall may be a good guide to make a choice of your meal.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Soon Kee Wanton Mee
Location: Pek Kio Market & Food Centre, 41A Cambridge Rd, Singapore 211041

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodle 小弟炒虾面

So much of positive reviews on the internet about Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodle that claims this is one of the Best Fried Hokkien Mee in Singapore motivates me to try this. Since we will be nearby Serangoon area, we went ahead to try out this dish cooked by the 2nd Generation Hawker.

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodle

To my surprise, Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodle is located at a secluded or what we usually called it "ulu" coffeeshop that is not near any MRT and on top of that, parking is a total challenge on a weekend against their limited operating hours as most of the lots are for season parking. It will be better to keep a lookout on their Facebook page before heading down to avoid disappointment in case they are sold out for the day.

Buzzer for your order

I had the bigger portion at $5 and it was indeed that the portion was not that fantastic as compared to others. 

Fried Prawn Noodle - $5 (Big)

I will prefer the wet version of Fried Prawn Noodle and Xiao Di's has this criteria fixed. The wait for us was about 30 minutes for our 01 plate of order. The fried prawn noodle is garlicky and fried in rich stock gravy. Ingredients comprise of fresh prawns, slices of squid, slices of pork belly, egg and crispy pork lard. The flavours are thick and robust, with a tad of "wok-hei" taste but for those patrons who are more incline to a more intensive flavour of Fried Prawn Noodle, you may leave this place disappointed. 

Some of the Ingredients

So what's the verdict? I would say the taste is decent for a plate of Fried Prawn Noodle but if I were to compare to the ones I had on the West side of Singapore, this is of no competition. However on a side note, many commented that the chilli was special. I can't agree more as it has a mixture of spicy flavours with hints of Cincalok. I love that chilli taste but as a whole, we still find that the main subject and focus of the dish should be on the noodles not on chilli.

Chilli

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodle 小弟炒虾面 
Location: 153 Serangoon North Ave 1 #01-512, Singapore 550153
Operating Hours: 11am to 3pm (Closed on Mondays)

Pow Sing Kitchen 报喜

Its been a long time since I last visited Pow Sing for its popular chicken rice and till today, though there are not many outlets as compared to their competitors, I'm glad that I'm still able to go back to the exact same spot and enjoy a simple plate of Hainanese delicacy. 

Pow Sing

Time has changed and the menu consists of an extensive selection of dishes and not just only chicken and rice. In fact, the selection of dishes is rather impressive and not just catering to those who just only want to have chicken rice for meals only.

Menu

Pairing the meals with Barley drinks. We had ordered one cup of Homemade barley as well as Barley with Lime juice.

Barley with Lime 薏米加酸柑水 & Homemade Barley 自制薏米水

The plate of rice is packed with fragrance and every grain is non-greasy. I like the consistency and its fluffy texture.

Chicken Rice with Sauces

The chickens used were organically farmed and fed with lactobacillus and free of antibiotics. The poached chicken was deliciously prepared drenched with yummy soy sauce, decked up with the pieces of cut cucumbers.

Signature Hainanese Chicken 招牌海南鸡 - $19

Besides having just Hainanese Chicken Rice, Pow Sing Kitchen does have a couple of Peranakan food dishes for us to order. We order side dishes like the Nonya Chap Chye in Claypot and shared among ourselves. Chap Chye has the traditional Nonya taste and vegetables were well braised with hints of fermented tofu taste. 

Nonya Chap Chye in Claypot 娘惹什菜煲 - $10

Signature Nonya Cabbage Roll was something new to me. It comprises of generous chunks of Otah Meat wrapped within the cabbage and drenched with some light flavours of curry sauce. The combination of crunchy texture from the cabbage and springy Otah meat was great but wasn't mind-blowing kind. 

Signature Nonya Cabbage Roll 娘惹风情 - $14 / 22

With the stiff competitions among the Chicken Rice chain restaurants in Singapore, I would say that there are plenty of outstanding ones in terms of the taste for chicken rice. However, each Chicken Rice Chain has its own style of preparation and they are unique in its own. For Pow Sing, besides having a long history since 1983 and being committed to sharing the taste of Hainanese Chicken Rice to fellow Singaporeans, the new experiences in their menu are worth trying too.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Pow Sing Kitchen  报喜
Location: 59 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555961
Website

Bee Kee Wanton Noodle

Chancing by this so called popular stall in the vinicity that people are talking abotut for its Truffle Wanton Noodle while we were there waiting for our pals for lunch.

Bee Kee Wanton Noodle

Accompanying our lunch with Wantons in Vinegar and Chilli as our sides, I'm pretty new to this dish although my friends mentioned that similar dishes are available in the chain chinese restaurants. Basically, it is just another version of Xiao Long Bao to me soaked with vinegar, chilli and sprinkled with spring onions and beansprouts. I find the combination of vinegar and chilli quite potent and to my liking but on the other hand, it was also quite oily.

Wantons in Vinegar and Chilli  - $6

Here comes the main purpose of visiting the stall! For a $6 Truffle Oil version of Wanton Mee loaded with both fried and boiled wantons coupled with handful pieces of Wanton slices. Sides of the plate looked oily because they had sprayed the truffle oil over the noodles allowing them not to clump together. The noodles were special to me as they were similar to those "Mee Kia" I had in Hong Kong and were springy.

Truffle Oil Wanton Mee - $6

While these Char Siew was not your usual bright red color slices of meat that attract your attention. Instead, they were more towards dull in color, brown and have a good balance of fats as well as meat.

Char Siew Slices

While my friends ordered the Original Wanton Noodles in Soup version. Ingredients were pretty standard with vegetables, char siew, wantons and noodles. Perhaps the presentation here can be off-putting with the layer of oil on top of the soup.

Original Wanton Mee $3/4 (Dry/Soup)

In summary, the wanton noodle are quite usual just that the Truffle dish is something out of the usual ones we had, leaving an impression.

Rating: 3 / 5

Bee Kee Wanton Noodle
Location: 2 Lorong Lew Lian Chuen Kee Restaurant Singapore 531002

Cocotte

Cocotte is a communal restaurant and bar that serves delicious, genuine country cuisine in a hip environment. They are located in Singapore's Little India just inside Wanderlust hotel.

Cocotte

Environment was indeed different and unique on its on with industrial like bar counter and some old school items around.

Interior

Old School Barber Chair

As appetizers, 2 types of olives was given, in dark brown and olives color. Taste were not too greasy and was not too bitter either.

Olives

Basket of bread was warm and the butter spread given to us was remarkably delicious. Butter was flavourful and was made in France, pairing along well with the warm bread.

Bread

A special style of serving braised pork trotters in wraps with hazelnuts, thyme, brown butter, capers and sauteed kale. Braised Pork Trotters were deboned and served in shredded form like pull pork and mustard was given to pair along with the dish. Though the dish may be special with nuts and vegetables, i still prefer a stronger taste from braised pork and juicier touch.

Pork Trotters Parcel - $18

Pork Trotters Parcel with Mustard 

The whole grilled seabass was something not within my expectation as it was bigger than what I had thought. Meat was fresh and tender, served with vierge and salad of crispy quinoa that literally overwhelmed the entire perimeter of the fish. Capers, mint, radish, shallots, lemon and parsley was part of the mix too.

Whole Grilled Seabass - $48

They use grass fed beef which is antibiotic and hormones free from Cape Grim, Australia served with green pepper corns sauce, duck fat fries and salad. Ordering Medium Done-ness from the beef, I find that the beef was actually well cook to our request and I would give a thumb up to this dish. Simply love the pairing of tender beef and sauce even though I'm not much fan of medium done-ness. Fries on the other side maybe on a soft but have unique taste.

Steak Frites 200G Chargrilled Onglet Steak - $36

Apart from the proteins and carbohydate we had from the main dish, here comes the fibre that save us from the "heavy" meal. Interestingly mixed with different types of vegetables with a touch of vinaigrette, ah, its really something wonderful to have for the meal.

Greens

Dinner was pleasant with a comfortable ambiance. The environment is both suitable for gathering or even couple dating. Recommended.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Cocotte
Location: 2 Dickson Road Singapore 209494
Website

Dessert Bowl 一碗甜品

We chanced upon dessert bowl at a inconspicuous location along Serangoon Garden Way when we drove pass the row of shop houses. The name "Dessert Bowl" kind of ring the bell and we took the opportunity and headed for the 2nd Floor.

Dessert Bowl 一碗甜品

Dessert Items and photos were pasted along the stairways up to Dessert Bowl and you can sense the intermittent strong durian and mango fragrance once you swing open the glass doors.

Photos 

 As soon as you reached the 2nd level, you will be greeted by the sunflowers and the sudden splash of greyish black environment.

Dessert Bowl

Seating places were spacious with 4 sofa seating by the side by side to the glass windows looking out to the roads. Furnishings were simple with movable tables and stools on the cement screed flooring.

Dining Environment

Noted as their topped recommendation will be Durian Mousse. I must admit I'm not really a die hard fan of durian but the amount of flesh given in the middle was great. Mousse tasted good and even having the whole bowl of it, you just would not feel cloying.

Durian Mousse 榴莲慕丝 - $5

Colors of Aiyu Mango comes in 2, Orange and white. Aiyu was wobby with mango cubes. Coconut milk is added into the dessert bowl. On this hot weather, the bowl of chilled desserts really help us to battle with the heat. On a side note, this dish is classified as their 2nd popular dishes after Durian Mousse.

Aiyu Mango 爱玉芒果 - $4.20

 The miniatures display of typical Hong Kong Stalls had captured my attention.

Miniature

 Display from Bakery to Roasted Meat and Cha Chan Ting were a good introduction to what you can see in Hong Kong.

Miniatures of Roasted Stall 

 Since I had visited Hong Kong 2 months back, these miniature stuffs were a reminiscent of my trip.

Miniatures of Cha Chan Ting

With limited stomach space, we didnt get a chance to try their Mango Pomelo which is the 3rd recommended and popular dessert. When will I be back again?

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Dessert Bowl
Location: 80A Serangoon Garden Way Singapore 555976