Delicious Fried Carrot Cake (日夜香菜头粿)

I have been out of the Redhill vicinity since I left my previous job but I'm still quite happy to see this carrot cake stall is still available after a few fail attempts visit over the years. Despite its long queue, I queue and stood there exactly 30 minutes before I have finally got myself a plate of  fried carrot cake. This stall had left me a deep impression as it was my first order for mix white and black fried carrot cake and also my first plate of carrot cake with beansprouts.

Delicious Fried Carrot Cake

The stall is run by a senior couple with frying of food mostly done by the male while his wife will usually take the order, beat the eggs and do preparation for the next orders.

With majority of them in the queue before me ordering the white version, I'm quite tempted to order a plate of it as the food looked crispy done up with lots of egg and attractive colors.

In the end, I still stick to the original plan, ordering the medium mix portion of carrot cake. Served with disposable plates and chopsticks, it's quite fuss free for the stall owners as they do not need to worry about running out of plates.

They promote a healthier version of Fried Carrot Cake not because you can ask them to decrease the amount of oil used but rather, they are using healthier old. The black and the white ones spelled a great difference. Though original pieces of kway were chunky, the white version had these pieces hold together with the eggs, no doubt I prefer black ones, I still find that the amount of eggs used here is generous and the chilli by the side give them a good combination of taste. While the black ones was not too oily and since sweet black sauce was used, you can taste the chunky and soft irregular shapes of Carrot Cake.

Fried Black and White Carrot Cake - $4 (Medium)

Looking at the Black Carrot Cake

If you are not prepared to wait in the queue, you may want to try out a good alternative in the same food Centre, Fu Ming Cooked Food for its fried carrot cake.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Delicious Fried Carrot Cake
Location:  Redhill Food Centre, #01-33, 85 Redhill Lane, 150085

En Sakaba

En Sakaba is a new shop front housed in JEM in recent months when the mall had expended more into their F&B. En Sakaba is located at the 1st floor, taking over MADO Cafe, just right beside Marche.

En Sakaba

Miso soup is never boring if you order Kani (Crab) Miso Shiru. The usual Soy Bean Paste soup is coupled with little tofu cubes and Queen crab, delighting your taste buds.

Kani Miso Shiru - $5

Kani

If you love Japanese rolled omelette, there is no reason why you won't fall for this! These 4 pieces of rolled omelette were prepared well with yellow consistency in colors and if you draw your eyes nearer to the food, you will see the uniform thickness of its layer, making up this yummy food. What's more, feel the cool temperature of these chilled Tamago, they will never go wrong dabbing with the seaweed sauce. Recommended!

Isobe Tamago Yaki - $5 (4 pcs)

Another recommended item on the menu that worth your calories would be these grilled braised black pork cheek on the rice served with Onsen egg. Basically, seasonings in the bowl played a good importance here. Food may not be fanciful as it seems, but the harmony of sweet grilled sauce and tender Kurobuta (Black Pork) was perfect

Kurobuta Niku No Hono Don - $18

Initially, I was quite disappointed as we did not order the recommended side, Beef Truffle Carpaccio, Nonetheless, I did also order a recommended Choice of the Foie Gras & Yakiniku. A strong wave of truffle hit me as the bowl was placed on my table. Just can't describe further how it kind of "lure" me into them but the egg was runny, cooler than other food items in the bowl. The thinly sliced premium beef was served using tataki method, where the meat were seared over hot flame and marinated well in its seasoning like soy sauce. The initial sight of it may be a turn off for someone who only takes medium well done beef like me but its really worth the try!

Foie Gras Yakiniku Onsen Tamago Don - $22

Menu is quite limited for its dishes but if you are there for Sake, their sake menu is considered extensive and this place can be a heaven. Anyway, being bored by those mainstream Japanese food in the malls, it was a good visit to En Sakaba, however as of now, I have not seen any noodle dishes on the menu yet.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

En Sakaba
Location: JEM, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, #01-04, Singapore 608549

Chong Pang Nasi Lemak

When we talk about Nasi Lemak, this legendary Nasi Lemak stall will alway come into our minds. Unlike Malay Nasi Lemak, Chinese Nasi Lemak let you choose the dishes you prefer. Nasi Lemak traditionally is another version of economic rice but having a slight difference in the style of rice served. On top of the fragrant white rice, you will get to smell coconut milk from them.

Though this place needs no introduction among the foodies and those who resides in the north side, Chong Pang Nasi Lemak is housed in a coffeeshop with just only its stall and a drink stall. Sittings are both indoors as well as outdoors.

Nasi Lemak

While one man is preparing the ordering and you can see a few of them still busying replenishing the food in the trays with freshly deep fried chicken wings / drumstick that is still dripping with oil.

Nasi Lemak

The chilli over here is tangy and give us the spicy kick. Chicken wings were marinated and lightly battered. I love the part where the skin is crunchy and even though it was very hot from the stove, we were still very satisfied with the juicy bite.

Having a few branches in parts of Singapore, the one in Sembawang would be their main branch. Thus, if you are in the area, do stop by for such indulgence.


Rating: 3.5 / 5

Chong Pang Nasi Lemak (Main Branch)
Location: 447 Sembawang Road $01-443 Singapore 458404

Tamaya Dining

Headed up to the 2nd level and was quite exited when we was told that it was tatami dining. It has been long since I last experienced Japanese Cuisine in an authentic environment like this with Japanese servers around.

Tamaya

Forget about the bustling orchard because when you come to their 2nd floor, the environment was calm and relaxing. Such peaceful and quiet environment is definitely a plus point to the dining experience.

Tatami Dining

Environment

While waiting for the orders, we were each served with Hijiki Seaweed Salad! I was very please as I enjoyed the sweet combination of the seaweed with soy beans as well as some mock meats.

Appetizers / Otoshi - $3 each

Weekend was relaxing and we decided to ordered a mug of Sapporo Beer and cool ourselves down on a hot day.

Sapporo Draft Beer - $33 / Jug

We had the buck wheat soba to fill some part of the stomach while waiting for the main courses. Soba is cold with scallions and wasabi.

Zaru Soba - $8.50 (Cold)

Besides that, Edame was ordered too. These boiled green soybeans can be served either hot or cold.

Edame - $6.20

It is served with 5 sticks of Kushiyaki, Quail egg, chicken gizzard, chicken skin, chicken soft bone and chicken leg meat. Tare sauce which consist of mirin, sake, soy sauce and sugar is applied to the skewered meat and they are grilled until delicately cooked before serving to us.

Yakitori Moriwase - $13.50

We waited an hour almost for a pot of pork bone soup base with shabu shabu meat. Stack of vegetables with scallions, cabbages, carrots as well as tofu were served.

Vegetables with Tofu

The server helped us to pour the plate of vegetables into the Tonkotsu Broth.

Stock with Vegetables

And here comes the moment where every one of us dipped these thinly sliced meat into the pot and enjoy our dinner.

Shabu Shabu Meat - $40 per pax 

It was an enjoyable session in a relaxing place. The crew explained that there were manpower shortage due to the weekend crowd and apologized for the long wait as we exited the place.

Rating: 3 / 5

Tamaya Dining Bar
Location: Cuppage Terrace, 19 Cuppage Road Singapore 229450

Crown Bakery & Cafe

Our gathering was planned at Evans Lodge but we ended up in Crown Bakery instead due to unforeseen circumstances that the place we initially thought was still operating was no where in our sight. Crown Bakery is located in an old school building, Crown Plaza which is about 8 minutes walk from Botanic Garden. I like the contrast between this modern looking bakery and the rundown building.

Crown Bakery & Cafe

Interior of the bakery looks modern and just by one look at its facade, you can tell that they are selling artisan breads.

Crown Bakery Interior

Coming here for Brunch, Crown recommends the Crown Breakfast. The price might seem abit step for a brunch but portion is good for 2 pax. Look at the centre of the wooden board! The Crown Puff Pastry was the total scene stealer. They recommend to break the edge of the pastry and dip it into the sunny side up's egg yolk!  Served along with the centrepiece crown pastry are,  red wine-braised oxtail, chicken cheese sausage, Canadian back bacon, sauteed mushrooms, baked tomato & mesclun salad as its side.

Crown Breakfast - $29

Since the Crown is for the King, why not try a dish for the queen, the Eggs Benedict. Though the poached egg might be slightly overcooked, I'm still in love with the combination where poached eggs were served with shaved honey baked ham, both sitting on the Crown's fluffy Sourdough English Muffin, coupled with Hollandaise sauce and mesclun Salad as its side. You can choose to have sourdough muffin or multigrain but the former is definitely recommended.

The Queen's Eggs Ben - $15

We had something new from the menu and that would be their Steak Sandwich serving with Mesclun Salad as their side too. Ciabatta was Crown's handcrafted and toasted. What I like best was its mouth watering sirloin steak grilled to medium well perfection, stacked with layers of lettuce, tomatoes and drizzled with onion marmalade and topped with gherkin. Recommended!

Steak Sandwich - $18

What a satisfying branch I had! Having visiting Crown Bakery randomly, its definitely worth going back once more for their branch and sandwiches.

Rating: 4 / 5

Crown Bakery & Cafe
Location: 557 Bukit Timah Road Crown Centre, #01-03 (Near Coronation Plaza) Singapore 269694

Chir Chir

Chir Chir has been the talk of the town among my instagram posts sometimes back with all the delicious looking fried chicken originated from Seoul. Abit of their background: Besides its origin, they are the largest chain of restaurant known for its freshly-cooked Korean chicken dishes.

Chir Chir

Chir Chir Menu

Paper Placemat

Big Plush Toy

A half an hour wait for our dish to be served. Well, since it was our first try at Chir Chir, the first impression of it was not bad. This Crispy boneless fried chicken chunks were tender and crispy, totally a different style from the usual Korean Chicken we had from the other fast food chains. The set is good for 2, coupled with fried potato wedges and rice cakes which were tossed with honey butter sauce and seasoning.

Honey Butter Chicken - $28

Fried items arrived piping hot and surprisingly these fried chicken was still very succulent on the inside despite the dry look on the outside. Once you bite on it, you will feel that the meat was coated with sweet layer of honey but as your teeth sink deeper, you can taste the marinate of the chicken.

Fried Chicken

The combination of dried cranberries with almond flakes never fail to impress me.

Hot Wedges

Giving so many fried chicken outlets in Singapore, I still feel that Chir Chir will be able to stand out among the competition.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Chir Chir
Location: 50 Jurong Gateway Road,  #04-13/14 Singapore 608549

Penang Seafood Restaurant

Did a last minute check with the buddy who stays in the area as our "dictionary" for food is running out of ideas as we were quite limited to the usual Beef Kway Teow and Frog Porridge in Geylang for dinner. She recommended Penang Seafood Restaurant which is just a stone throw away from Ajunied Station.

Penang Seafood Restaurant

The Penang Restaurant which is also serving Cze Char is bustling with people. Not to worry about the seats as the turn over rate there is rather high. Servers are rather polite and quick to attend to our orders.

Menu

The environment gave a feel that we are in Malaysia and even the variety of drinks they served is so closed to what the usual coffeeshops in Malaysia offers, Ice Jelly, Herbal Tea and even Lime juice with sour plum.

Lime Juice - $2 Each

The safest choice to order if you are lost among the dishes in the extensive menu. If you have heard of Penang Cuisine, Assam Laksa is one of their staple dishes. This signature dish of theirs is sour by default with Tamarind (Asam). Look around the tables, I bet you will see majority ordering this. And if you like sour and sweet food, this is a perfect choice as the bowl is filled with ingredients like shredded cucumbers, onions, chillis, pineapple, lettuce and mackerel fish. The level of sourness is very well executed and appetizing. Better than average and its addictive.

Penang Assam Laksa - $4.80 (Small)

Ingredients and Noodles Revealed

Penang style of Char Kway Teow is usually not of my preference as I prefer the Singaporean style that is usually coated with the sweet black sauce. Surprisingly, these plate of flat rice noodles was remarkable with its "Wok Hei" taste coupled with ingredients like bean sprouts, cockles, chinese sausage, prawn, guchai and egg. Its aromatic but just too bad, the man insisted that he prefers our local style.

Penang Char Kway Teow - $5 (Small)

With Salted Egg Yolk trend still in the hype, they have kept their food menu up to date! With this being the chef recommended dish, I had expected more with something outstanding. No doubt the sauce is creamy and yummy, the dish still lacked the fragrant as well as the Wow factor.

Fried Sotong with Salted Egg - $13 (Small)

Beware of the steaming hot plate below the bloated aluminum pack. Loving the way how this dish is prepared in the aluminum pack and slit open in front of us when being served on our table. Herbal taste is evidently packed with an alcohol infused whiff from the Chinese wine. Steamy herbal soup is sweetened with the use of sweet dates and wolf berries. Beside that, ginger strips and mushrooms were also part of their ingredient. All was good except that I'm not too keen with chicken with bones bits in it.

Hot Plate Wine Chicken - $16 (Small)

Penang Seafood Restaurant offers a decent fare of Cze Char dishes and since there are many other signature dishes like LaLa and Hokkien Mee that we have yet to try out. I don't mind coming back again.

Rating: 3 / 5

Penang Seafood Restaurant
Location: 76 Geylang Lorong 25A Singapore 388258