New Hong Kong Street Chun Kee Restaurant

With so many Hong Kong Street Tze Char Restaurant around, it almost had me confused and I realized that each of them operates differently, at least for the dishes that it specialized in. While I was walking down the eateries along Bukit Timah, I notice a few changes in the shop and New Hong Kong Street Chun Kee Restaurant looks something new to me. We took a look at the menu and was told their White Bee Hoon is similar the popular one from White Restaurant in Sembawang.

Buah Kedondong - $3.50

There are mini sides that you can order. The selection is good as it is ideal for little bites as well as people like me who are dining as a pair and cannot finish even the smallest available plate of side. Prawn Rolls were relatively average in taste, deep fried to golden brown and you will be given the sweet sauce for it.

Prawn Roll - $5

Quite an disappointment for their salted egg yolk sotong as it was a total lacklustre. Salted egg taste was not very prominent and quite bland. Luckily we order the small bites and portion was still fine with us.

Salted Egg Sotong - $6

If you are comparing this plate of white bee hoon to the popular one in Sembawang, its a far cry. We topped up the plate with seafood like Cray Fish and Lala at additional cost. To think that they told me this is their signature dish, I'm kind of disappointed. The Bee Hoon and its gravy totally lack the potent seafood taste.

White Bee Hoon (Medium) - $10

Freshness of the Crayfish was not as expected. As an overall, the dining experience was below my expectation and it will be kind of the first and last time to be there.

Slipper Lobster - $4 , Lala - $2

Rating: 2.5 / 5

New Hong Kong Street Chun Kee Restaurant
Location: 20 Cheong Chin Nam Road Singapore 599744

D'SHANGHAI [Closed]

Thinking about the number of Dim Sum Places we had went in Johor Bahru and we decided to "refresh" our to go list with somewhere we have not been before. No doubt that D'Shanghai is also available in KSL City and Permas Jaya, we went to the one at Sutera Mall. Taking advantage of the attractive currency exchange rate, we planned to have some food in Johor while spending our time on a public holiday there no doubt there is additional charges required over the Customs now.

D'Shanghai

While walking to Sutera Mall, I bet that we won't miss out this oriental looking entrance painted in bright red. It looks grand and that's D'Shanghai. The place was quite crowded however, there were enough seats line up at the waiting area.

Menu

"Not Bad Eat" (Translated from Hokkien: Buay Pai Jiak) ! Sweet with marinates accentuating deep enough. I would say this was a perfect choice as I have been longing for "Paper Chicken" like this for some time.

Deep-Fired Chicken in Tin Foil 梧洲纸包鸡- RM 10.50

Meat

Porridge was smooth and awesome. Even though there was not too much of lean meat in in, the texture of the porridge standing alone is good. Pairing along with the bits of Century Eggs, shredded gingers had been placed in the porridge too,

Century Egg with Pork Porridge 皮蛋瘦肉粥 - RM 4.80

Generously soaked in the sauce and I'm simply addicted to the smooth rice rolls encasing the lean pieces of Char Siew. Fragrant and tasty, if I did not order this, I would have miss something good.

Steamed Char Siew Riced Rolls 广州叉烧肠粉- RM 6.50

Initially, I had given this dish alot of hope while browsing through the menu but in reality it was such a disappointment. The combination of meat floss, century eggs together with the sauce tasted not quite pleasant for me. The texture of the Tofu was not as smooth as what I would have expected.

Cold Tofu with Century Egg 皮蛋冰豆腐 - RM 7.80

There are 2 versions of Liu Sha Bao, the fried or the steamed version. It was not too fascinating as these buns seem to be run of the mill. More like those pre-packet item that you can easily get from the super market shelves.

Steamed Liu Sha Bao 皇朝流沙包 - RM 6.50

Simple with fish roes and not too oily.

"Siew Mai" Pork Dumpling 鱼子干蒸烧卖皇 - RM 5.20

Pretty ordinary for me. To eat or to skip, I will leave the decision to you.

D'Shanghai Prawn Dumpling 大上海虾饺皇 - RM 5.80

One of the recommended items by the Chef, Xiao Long Bao is good with tasty soup and as usual the fragile thin later of skin that needs us to be additional careful when picking them up from the tray. Taste wise, its of average and of course nothing comparable to Din Tai Fung's.

Signature Xiao Long Bao 灌汤小笼包- RM 5.20

It was supposed to come last when we have finished our meal. However, I guess our request was not taken into thus the mistake made. Nevertheless, the bowl of Hashima Dessert is tasty in its sweet red dates longans taste and in its chilled condition.

Hashima Red Lotus Soup 红莲雪蛤- RM 10.00

Overall, environment was good, spacious and cosy with friendly services. In fact, I felt quite comfortable as their ambience was good and embraced by elegant furnishings and with glass panels along the restaurant, the natural light coming into the restaurant makes me feel good. If you want to dine in air-conditioned place and in big groups, D'Shanghai will be for your consideration.

D'Shanghai
Location: Lot L1-501, Sutera Mall, No. 1 , Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor Bahru.

Meta

I was introduced to Meta when we were there on a special occasion. Located in the colonial style shop house along Keong Saik Road where you will find bustling with people in the night, Meta is a chic restaurant that offers contemporary Asian Cuisine in a Seasonal yet inventive way.

Meta

Ambiance in Meta is relatively good, no doubt that the restaurant is long and narrow, taking about 30 seats only, either at the bar counter with high stools or the usual tables. Colors used in the restaurant were simple yet soothing under the spotlights, allowing a classy feeling while dining. We had chosen over the bar counters over the seats at the side so that we can enjoy watching the chef preparing the food and enjoying our food served at the dark granite bar counter.

Over at the counter 

Before the Crowd

With such a relaxing environment, it will be a waste without a sweet class of imported Raspberry beer like this.

Rasberry Beer - $12

Before we even start our 5 course meal, we were given snack like this, elegantly served on a black tile.  Small Octopus (Tako) Cubes  was cradled by the crisply and bubbly squid ink cracker with a dab of cream cheese and few reddish orange caviar. Presentation was exquisite and this snack did really paint a good start for the upcoming dishes with its different kind of texture, crispy, soft and rubbery.

Snacks for 2

Out of the ordinary

Another surprise to me is this, the bite size Kaya toast with truffle butter topped with Parmesan cheese. The toast was such crispy that I had mistaken it for Macarons. Pairing it along with Beef tatare and raddish. Awesome!

Special Snack

Fall Menu

5 Course Menu ($98) 

Nothing was more happier to have tasted those soft and thin slices of Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi. They were placed on pickled green apple and mix with yuzu vinegar and basil oil, topping up with Tosaka Nori.

Sashimi of Hokkaido Scallop

The driven Chef Sun Kim had turn the sticks of Capellini into its Al Dente Texture in no time. Sitting over the counter was real interesting as I manage to see him using the bigger pasta fork, coiling the pasta up in a tower form. Spanner Crab, as well as some korean seaweed had topped the pasta. Overall, this dish was flavourable in its tasty stock!

Guksu

For the additional, Since Chef Sun Kim was from Korea, we thought of ordering his national dish and had a try out. Pancake was tasty and not a bit being starchy. It was filled with calms. Pickled raddish was also provided. It is best recommended to enjoy the Korea Delicacy by dipping onto the special sauce or pouring it over.

Seafood Korean Pancake - $25

While most of us will expect the pancake to be oily, the Chef had actually taken additional steps reduce the greasiness.

Nicely Cut

Dipping Sauce

Well flavoured and lightly sweetened in its sauce, the Smoked Quail was served in its tenderness. I wasn't expecting that it was such an easy bite on a Quail than on a chicken. Together with the big piece of Portobello Mushroom, leek and raddish, it made a perfect combination.

Jasmine Smoked Quail 

The slow cooked beef cheeks was served with potato gratin.  The sauce and ingredients used did marry well. Beef Cheek was topped with egg plant, celeriac and watercress.

Slow Cooked Beef Cheek

Beef Cheeks

Given the choice between Beef Cheeks or the Lamb, I would prefer the latter. It complemented with the Doenjang (Bean Paste), Carrot and Parsnio.

Rack of Lamb

Another View for Rack of Lamb

The last item on the menu and its really hard to bid farewell here. Pear was coated in silver with White Chocolate ice cream as pairing. What is unusual here is that you are able to taste some peppery taste in from the ice cream.

Dessert - Silver Pearl

White Chocolate Ice Cream with Pepper

We called for the bill after the last dish on the menu and was told that was not the end yet. What could it be we thought. It was a nitrogen surprised that came serving in a jar with pebbles. We were told to place the leaf side of the Rock on our tongue to get the full experience. The nitrogen steams then comes up of our mouth while we chew and talked. Wow!

The Rock

I simply love the way how service were rendered throughout my dining even at the counter bar. Emptied plates were consistently cleared with friendly services even from the chef. I recommend this place for those who want to experience a different dining or on a special date. Since its menu is seasonal and definitely I will be very interested to check out its next menu and surprises.

Rating: 4.25 / 5

Meta
Location: 9 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089117

Liao Fan Hawker Chan

If you have been to Chinatown Food Complex and joined the queue, you will definitely know of Hawker Chan. His stall was featured on television programs on local air channel 8 and there is always a long queue even before receiving the Michelin one star award in July 2016.

In October 2016, he entered into a partnership with Hersing Culinary to start this joint venture. Having said that, the latter owns the franchising rights to Hong Kong's Michelin-Starred dim sum chain Tim Ho Wan in the Asia Pacific region.

Liao Fan Hawker Chan 

The 2000 sqft, air-conditioned restaurant can seat 80 diners. This flagship restaurant is located at 78 Smith Street in Chinatown and had been officially launched recently.

Queue in the Restaurant

 We had queue for about an hour before reaching its ordering counter.

Queues to the counter

Hanging Soy Chicken and Roasted Meat in the kitchen

Queues were long and it makes sense grabbing a seat only after ordering. However, please ensure that you have think through and make your order as they do not allow additional order after your transaction was made.

Interior

As you will be given a buzzer and wait to be called. Including the queue and waiting to be served it took me about 1 hour and the half before I got my food. We were quite disappointed as food items like Char Siew were already out of stock.

Buzzer

Upon ordering at the counter, your drinks will be served while the rest of the food item will be ready once the buzzer sounds.

Rosella Tea - $1.50

We have all seen Mr Chan on TV and right now if you are lucky you will see him in the kitchen preparing the food. Since Liao Fan Hawker Chan's opening, he will be busy running to his hawker stall to and fo which is just minutes apart.

We all seen him on TV

Therefore enjoy food from this Michelin Star Food Stall prepared by Chef Chan Hon Meng.

Man at Work

Skipping the usual human interaction ordering system which we all have been doing for a long time, you can try out this computerized ordering system by touching on the electronic menu and paying off at the same station.

Ordering Machine

We had ordered plain noodles to pair with our half plate of soy chicken.

Plain Noodles - $1.50

True enough, this is totally worth the hype. This is the best Soya Sauce Chicken that I ever had.
The thin glistering layer of skin was well favoured. Meat was smooth, succulent and tender, best of all the sauce that comes together tasted with hints of herbs.

Half Chicken - $12

The juiciness and its consistent taste for their Soy Chicken is incredible! Something to die for here!

Juici-licious!

Too bad we didn't get the chance to order the double meat (Char Siew & Roast Pork) rice as it was sold out. Nevertheless, we ordered a plate of roasted pork rice. The rice was drenched with a scoop of black sauce which taste was indeed very different from the usual ones.

Roasted Pork Rice - $4

Roasted Pork was crispy but still lack the oomph and the craving for it. It was nothing more than ordinary in fact.

Roasted Pork

If you asked if its worth the 1 hour plus of queue, I bet many will say its well worth it. It would not be a surprise to me that I can't agree more to it. Being the cheapest Michelin Food, you have no reason to skip it since the quality of its Soy Sauce Chicken is really good. Anyway, I will be back for its Char Siew!

Rating: 4 / 5

Liao Fan Hawker Chan 
Location: 78 Smith Street Singapore 058972