Paofan Paradise

A little bit of history, Tong Kian Coffeeshop (TK) has been in the business since 1993. However, due to manpower and staff issues, the whole Coffeeshop was rented to another operator, with them taking back only the seafood stall. Paofan Paradise has been around since 2016 and they had been doing Lala hotpot since 2022.

Stall of Paofan Paradise

Hotpot meal has been in the trend lately with charcoal operated. However, if you are still missing the conventional method where we gather around over the portable gas stove for hotpot, come here. We had 2 kinds of hotpot base with chosen ingredients picked up by ourselves in the refrigerator.

Hotpot

White Pepper Pig Stomach Chicken Hotpot Paofan is a comforting and hearty dish that combines the warmth of hotpot with the satisfying elements of paofan. It combines the bold flavours of white pepper with the comforting aspects of chicken soup and rice. It's perfect for a cool day or when you need something warming and nourishing. 

White Pepper Pig Stomach Chicken Hotpot Paofan 猪肚鸡汤泡饭火锅 - $38

The interplay of textures—from the tender chicken to the chewy pig stomach and the soft rice—makes each bite interesting and satisfying. 

Tender Chicken

The combination of lala clams with ginger, cooking wine, chilli, and garlic created a strong aromatic base, especially with the addition of cooking wine causing flames, enhancing the flavours.

Lala

First, they stir-fried these ingredients in the claypot with cooking wine, causing a brief flare-up when the cooking wine was added due to the alcohol content. This not only adds depth to the flavour but also creates a dramatic effect before adding the broth to simmer the ingredients and fully infuse the flavours into the hotpot.

Ingredients for Stir-Frying Lala

After the broth was added, we started putting in ingredients like tofu and vegetables, as well as those ingredients that we had selected from their fridge. 

Vegetables and Tofu

The broth's sweetness was later on enhanced by the fresh prawns and gradually the base became flavourful.

Lala Hotpot  Paofan 啦啦泡饭火锅 - $28

We like our prawns to be cooked to the correct texture, therefore we took them out of the pot once we felt that they had been already cooked.

Prawns

We were served with the rice grains in the metal container. It will keep the grains warm and maintain their texture. It also adds to the overall presentation, giving a more authentic and rustic feel to the dining experience.

Rice in Metal Container

We poured the broth into these containers and let it immerse for a while before consuming it. 

We dipped the hotpot ingredients into their sambal chilli and its fiery kick had added a bold, spicy flavor that perfectly complements the savoury broth and fresh ingredients of the hotpot.

Fish dipping in Sambal Sauce

Besides Paofan and claypot dishes, they are also selling the usual Cze Char Dishes that may be worth some notice whether if you are dining in or taking away.

Paofan Paradise 泡饭天-T.K Kitchen
Location: 37 Teban Gardens Rd, Singapore 600037

Famous Palace @ Seletar Country Club

Famous Palace in Seletar Country Club is now offering an Ala Carte Lunch Buffet with More than 30 Dishes to choose from! 

Seletar Country Club

Affordably priced at only $38.80++ per adult and $19.80++ per child below 12 years old. Do note that a Minimum of 2 pax dining is required. Terms & Conditions Apply too. The Ala Carte Buffet is available at the following restaurants, on Monday to Sunday, between 11.30am to 3.00pm.

• Famous Palace
  Seletar Country Club, Level 2, 101 Seletar Club Rd, Singapore 798273
  
  
• Famous Kitchen 
  Hong Heng Mansions, 54 Sembawang Road,  #01-01 Singapore 779085 
  Website

• Famous Treasure
  Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Rd, #02-28, Singapore 178905
  Website
  

Famous Palace

What a nice landscape looking out of the glass panels of the restaurant. Just right in time, we were there at the blue hours overlooking the golf course.

Blue Hour View 

Kicking off our dining experience with Sichuan Hot & Sour Crab Meat Soup sets a bold and exciting tone for the meal. As the first dish arrives at the table, the aromatic steam rising from the bowl instantly captures our senses, hinting at the complex layers of flavour that await.

The soup's rich, amber broth shimmers with a slightly thickened consistency and the first spoonful offers an immediate burst of flavours— the tangy vinegar and the numbing spice of Sichuan peppercorns dance on your palate, awakening your taste buds with a thrilling mix of heat and sourness.

Sichuan Hot & Sour Crab Meat Soup 蟹肉四川酸辣汤

A simple yet elegant dish that highlights the natural sweetness and delicate flavour of fresh prawns. These prawns were served whole, with the shells on, to retain moisture and flavour. We appreciated the dish for its freshness and simplicity with presentation straightforward, allowing their natural beauty to shine like this.

Poached Live Prawn 白灼活虾

As the Curry Fish Head in Claypot landed on the table, it immediately became the centerpiece of the meal with portable a gas stove giving it heat, with the dish bubbling, exuding a rich and aromatic scent that fills the air with tantalizing spices.

Curry Fish Head in Claypot 咖喱鱼头

As we sink the ladle and scoop lifted the fish, the sight of the fish head gave us a tender and perfectly cooked presentation. It was surrounded by a medley of vibrant vegetables like okra, & eggplant, all soaking in the thick, fragrant curry. The presentation is rustic yet inviting, with the claypot adding a homely, comforting feel to the experience.

Fish in the Claypot

The sea bass, perfectly steamed, lies atop a bed of preserved vegetables that have been meticulously prepared to balance their intense, slightly tangy flavour with the mild, delicate taste of the fish. The fish's flesh is tender and moist, practically falling apart with the touch of your chopsticks. 

Steamed Sea Bass with Preserved Vegetables on Hotplate 酸菜蒸金目鲈

The Wasabi De-Shell Prawn is a visually striking and flavorful dish that combines the natural sweetness of prawns with the bold, spicy kick of wasabi. The prawns are skillfully de-shelled and shaped into bite-sized, round prawn balls, offering a refined and elegant presentation. Each prawn ball is generously coated with a vibrant, bright green wasabi sauce, which immediately catches the eye with its bold colour. The sauce is creamy and piquant, delivering a sharp heat that quickly subsides, leaving a pleasant tingling sensation on the palate. The wasabi's intensity is balanced by a hint of sweetness and creaminess in the sauce, which complements the delicate, tender texture of the prawns.

Wasabi De-Shell Prawn 芥末虾球

Teochew Soya Sauce Brined Duck is a classic dish from the Teochew culinary tradition, celebrated for its rich, savoury flavours and meticulous preparation.  takes on a beautiful, deep brown colour, with the soy sauce infusing the skin and meat with a glossy sheen. This dish embodies the essence of Teochew cuisine. The dish was comforting and homey, lending both tradition and the deep satisfying flavours of Teochew Cooking.

Teochew Soya Sauce Brined Duck 潮州卤鸭

Bold flavoured and textured, with the deep, fermented notes of the sauce complementing the indulgence of the crispy pork belly.  It offered a satisfying crunch, a burst of umami, and a lingering, savoury richness that kept me coming back for more.

Deep Fried Pork Belly with Fermented Sauce 爆蒜南乳炸肉

The Traditional Stewed Pork Belly is a comforting and flavorful dish, enhanced by the addition of colourful capsicums. These pork bellies were slowly braised until tender in a rich & savoury sauce. This makes it a hearty and comforting dish.

Traditional Stewed Pork Belly 古早味焖五花肉

Yang Chow Fried Rice is known for its vibrant flavors and satisfying texture. We enjoyed the well-balanced taste, combining sweet, savoury, and umami elements, with each bite offering a satisfying mix of textures and flavours.

Yang Chow Fried Rice 杨州炒饭

Despite the simplicity of Braised E-Fu Noodle, we enjoyed its deep, savoury flavours and satisfying texture. 

Braised E-Fu Noodle 干烧伊面

With the combination of Salted EggYolk and Italian sauce, it creates an intriguing fusion of flavours that combines the umami and richness of salted egg yolks with the tangy, herbaceous notes of Italian cuisine. What a delightful fusion on the slab of crispy Chicken Chop 

Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Chop coated with Italian Sauce 香草酱鸡扒

A delightful dish that combines the satisfying crunch of fried prawns with the distinctive flavour of seaweed. The crispy exterior and the unique seaweed flavor create a delicious and satisfying eating experience to the springy prawns.

Cripsy De-shelled Prawn with Seaweed 紫菜

The Crispy Roasted Chicken is a classic dish on the Chinese restaurant table, known for its golden, crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. The preparation focuses on achieving a perfectly crisp exterior while keeping the chicken tender and moist inside. It was served with some crackers.

Crispy Roasted Chicken 脆皮烧鸡

The Chilled Empress Cocktail Jelly offers a delightful end to the meal with its light, refreshing qualities. The combination of its delicate flavour, smooth texture, and elegant presentation makes it a memorable and satisfying dessert. It provides a perfect balance to a rich meal, leaving guests with a sense of lightness and a touch of luxury.

Chilled Empress Cocktail Jelly 香妃果冻

The Double-boiled Peach Essence with White Fungus and Osmanthus offers a light, refreshing finish to a meal. It is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a nourishing option that leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It’s a perfect way to conclude a meal, offering a balance of sweetness and subtlety that enhances the overall dining experience.

Double-boiled Peach Essence with White Fungus and Osmanthus 桂花桃胶炖雪耳

Famous Palace @ Seletar Country Club
Location: Seletar Country Club, Level 2, 101 Seletar Club Rd, Singapore 798273
Website

Golden Moments Flagship Store

A visit to Golden Moments Flagship Store had struck off the conventional idea of enjoying durian outdoors, especially under the sweltering heat of Singapore's Weather. Located in Hotel Clover 796 of North Bridge Road, I would say the place is pretty accessible and walkable from Bugis MRT Station.

Golden Moments

The short little alley just right at the entrance of Golden Moments was as busy as the dining area. People were doing live streams, staff handling the durian orders from both online and in-store. 

Entrance 

Preparation

We were impressed by how the place was designed. Besides the air-conditioned area and comfortable cushioned seats, the design & structure of the entire store was well-planned. They pride themselves on Durians served fresh from farm to table, ensuring quality and great taste.

Fresh From Farm to Table

While the Mid-Autumn Festival is nearing, they are offering a 1 For 1 for their Premium Durian Omakase Snowskin Mooncake.

Premium Durian Omakase Snowskin Mooncake

If you love durians and would like to bring them home to share with your love ones, they have vacuum-sealed service on the spot too and we do not need to worry about its strong smell, especially on the public transport. 

Mooncakes Corner

Vacuum Sealed Box

Grab this if you are looking for Durian Pastry, try this flaky and crispy light puff pastry that is filled with rich and creamy filling.

The BEST D24 Durian Studdel You Ever Had (Mini) - $4

3 distinctive layers of cake with the top layer covered with tart berries followed by berry mousse and the last layer with a rich and moist dark chocolate cake.

Raspberry & Dark Chocolate - $7.80

As we had ordered the durians, the professionally dressed staff will push their trolley into the Store and patrons get a live demonstration of the staff in front of their eyes for durian opening.

Durian Opening

Since we were having the Durian Platter, upon retrieving the Durians' Flesh from the Husk, they will be placed on every step of the platter.

Demonstration

We ordered the Platter with Mao Shan Wang & Black Thorns. Are you able to distinguished them?

Durian Platter (Mao Shan Wang & Black Thorn) 榴莲拼盘  - $52

Mao Shan Wang durian is celebrated for its rich, complex flavour profile, creamy texture, and vibrant yellow flesh. It's considered one of the finest durian varieties, offering a luxurious and indulgent eating experience.

Mao Shan Wang

The Black Thorn Durian is a highly sought-after variety prized for its rich, creamy texture and complex flavor profile. The flesh is exceptionally creamy, smooth, and buttery, almost like custard. It has a slightly sticky consistency, which adds to its indulgent quality. The seeds are usually small, which means you get more flesh per fruit. This is another reason why it's favoured by durian enthusiasts.

Black Thorn

Are you able to distinguish which seed belongs to which type of durian?

Let's Compare the Seeds

For those who prefer to keep their fingers clean after the durian feasts, Golden Moments has gotten you covered with these small packets of gloves on the table.

Disposable Gloves

Overall, I pretty enjoy such concept of enjoying durian in a comfortable and cooling environment.

Golden Moments Flagship Store
Location: 779 North Bridge Rd, #01-01, Singapore 198747
Website

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

While we had visited similar stalls in Johor Bahru and Singapore, I’m glad we finally came to the original place in Penang! 

With its humble setting and reputation, the place will be full of people. However as we were nearing the place, we were relieved that there was no queue, however, the seats and tables were almost fully occupied. 

Tourist Must Visit

While the Penang Char Koay Teow is known for its light brown colour and its rich & Smokey flavours unlike those we had in Singapore. Besides the usual ingredients like prawns, beansprouts, what makes this special is that we had this with duck egg instead of the usual chicken egg. It has a distinctive flavour and we were both very satisfied with this.

Char Koay Teow with Duck Egg - RM 8.40

No trip to Penang will be completed without a bowl of their Famous Teochew Chendul like this! Usual ingredients like green rice flour jelly, red beans, Gula Melaka and coconut milk was present and served over the shaved ice.

Chendul - RM 4.50

It was well executed with the coconut milk complementing the sweetness of Gula Melaka, giving it a well-balanced flavour with the jelly adding on a satisfying texture.

Chendul

It was a perfect resting point with the bowls of Chendul as our coolers during the hot day in Penang.

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Location: 27-29, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulu Pinang, Malaysia

Ye Lai Xiang Cheng Tng

Visiting Bedok Food Center with an aim in mind and that’s the ever popular Ye Lai Xiang Cheng Tng which offers one of the better bowls of Ice Chilled and Refreshing Cheng Tng.

Ye Lai Xiang Cheng Tung

A good bowl of Cheng Tng that demands a price of $3 (Cold or Hot). Ingredients were aplenty. While this dessert features the natural sweetness of sweet potato with subtle crunchiness from the winter melon strips as well as the chewy richness of the dried persimmon. Other ingredients include, barley, sago, dried longan, ginkgo nuts etc. The harmony of ingredients gave the desserts a good balance flavours and texture and is definitely perfect for all occasion. The sweetness level was perfect as the ice cubes melted.

Our orders are fast and if you are doing a take away there is no additional charges for the containers too.

Cheng Tung - $3 Per Bowl

Considering the amount of ingredients and the portion on the bowl, I find that $3 is pretty reasonable. It’s good to be back here once in a while for some comforting dessert like this.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Ye Lai Xiang

Location: 1 Bedok Road, Singapore 469572