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Saturday, November 23, 2024

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

Friday, November 22, 2024

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

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Campur Boleh Nasi Padang

Campur Boleh, a Muslim-owned stall, opened in October 2024, specializing in nasi padang. They offer five set meals but also allow customers to mix and match their own selections. The stall is currently in the process of obtaining halal certification. 

Campur Boleh is conveniently situated just a short walk from Eunos MRT Station, making it an ideal spot for a quick and satisfying meal.

Campur Boleh

We decided to try their Rendang Mutton, one of the top hits on the menu. Each standard set includes a main dish and two vegetable sides. The generous portion of rice was drenched in curry gravy, enhancing its flavour without adding too much spice.

Rendang Mutton - $7.50

The tender mutton cubes were infused with aromatic spices, effectively masking the natural gamey taste of the meat. The dish was beautifully presented on a banana leaf, adding a touch of authenticity. For the sides, we chose lady fingers and Sayur Lodeh, which complemented the meal perfectly.

Mutton Cubes

Craving squid, we opted for the black squid set, which came with scrambled eggs and a piece of bagedil. The squid was prepared in traditional Muslim style, with the innards left intact.

Sotong Hitam - $7.50

Overall, the dishes were satisfying, and I’m confident that this newly opened stall will thrive in the bustling neighborhood.

Our Orders

Campur Boleh Nasi Padang
Location:
 , Stall 2 Yongli Coffeeshop, 1a Eunos Crescent #01-2461 Singapore 401001
Nearest Station: Eunos (EW7)

Friday, November 15, 2024

Good Combo Hotpot & BBQ Buffet 左煮右烤

Good Combo Hotpot offers an impressive concept, combining a hotpot buffet with a grill menu. I love the fact that you can enjoy the best of both worlds—grilling and hotpot—in one sitting. With over 11 sensational soup bases to choose from and a spread of more than 90 free-flow items, it’s a feast to remember. The selection includes premium cuts of meat and their refreshing new Cold Brew Ice Tea, making the experience even more delightful.

Good Combo Hot Pot Facade

Good Combo Hotpot is conveniently situated right next to Exit A of Chinatown MRT station, making it easily accessible. It’s the perfect spot for hosting gatherings with family and friends, offering a great blend of convenience and a memorable dining experience.

At the Good Combo 

Operating from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily, Good Combo Hotpot is the ideal spot to satisfy those late-night hunger pangs. Whether you're craving a hearty meal or looking for a good supper venue, you’ll know exactly where to head.

Good Combo offers three dining options for patrons: Superb, Signature, and Supreme. Each selection comes with a different dining duration—90 minutes for Superb, 100 minutes for Signature, and 120 minutes for Supreme.

Operating Hours

They provide an option to scan a QR code and join their membership program, offering access to a variety of attractive rewards. Among these perks is the chance to win the latest model of the Apple iPhone with 128GB storage—a tempting incentive for sure!

Sign up for Member & Get Rewarded

If you’re unsure about which seasonings to choose, you can always try these suggested dipping combinations for your hotpot. I found them to be incredibly helpful and tasty!

Sauce Recipe

I had the chance to try their limited-time offering, the Mega Shrimp Broth, which features a generously sized prawn. The broth, used as the base for my hotpot, was incredibly rich and brimming with an intense, heady prawn flavor.

Mega Shrimp Broth - $4.80

With a variety of soup bases available, we opted for the Nourishing Chicken Fish Maw Broth. Its creamy and appetizing appearance made it a perfect match for the hotpot ingredients.

Nourishing Chicken Fishmaw Broth 金汤鱼漂锅 - $4.80

These snacks are undeniably tempting, boasting a crusty exterior cooked to golden-brown perfection.

Taro & Sweet Potato Balls 香芋地瓜丸


Taro & Sweet Potato Balls

Their menu even includes cooked items like Xiao Long Bao. Great news for Xiao Long Bao lovers—you can enjoy them free flow!

Xiao Long Bao

Familiar favourites like Braised Pork Ribs and Mouthwatering Chicken are also available for order, adding more variety to the meal.

Braised Pork Ribs & Mouthwatering Chicken

It was almost the eleventh hour when we decided to order the crab. I initially hesitated, assuming they would serve flower crab, which isn’t my preferred type. However, after checking with the servers about the breed of crab, we decided to give it a try. We paired it with some clams, and it turned out to be a great choice.

Crab & Clam

Overall, I really appreciate the concept of individual hotpot bases, where each person gets to choose their preferred soup and BBQ items. It adds a personalized touch and takes the hotpot experience to another level. Who says hotpot is only for group dining? Now, you can enjoy it solo, exactly the way you like it.

Good Combo Hotpot & BBQ Buffet 左煮右烤
Location: 75 Pagoda St, Singapore 059234 (Beside Chinatown MRT Exit A)
Nearest Station: Chinatown (NE4)

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Jing Jing Hokkien Mee & Oyster Omelette

While the hawker center offered a wide variety of meal choices, I found myself drawn to Jing Jing, a stall that specializes exclusively in Fried Carrot Cake. It’s a rare find where a stall focuses on perfecting just one dish, and in this case, it’s a comforting plate of fried black carrot cake that immediately caught my attention. There’s something about a plate of well-made fried carrot cake that never fails to hit the spot, especially when it satisfies a deep craving for something hearty and flavorful.

Jing Jing Hokkien Mee

The texture of the carrot cake was just right—tender yet firm enough to hold its shape, and wonderfully moist, not at all dry or overly greasy. One of the standout features was the generous amount of Chye Poh (preserved vegetables) mixed throughout, adding a salty, savory depth to each bite. What truly set this fried carrot cake apart, though, was its distinct charred flavor, which gave it a slightly smoky edge that complemented the natural sweetness of the sauce used. The balance of flavors—salty, sweet, and a little bit of that smoky char—came together in a way that was both satisfying and comforting.

I could see why this stall has its loyal following: it’s simple, but expertly executed. If you’re in the area and craving a delicious, no-frills plate of fried black carrot cake, I highly recommend stopping by Jing Jing. It’s the perfect dish to fix any craving for something nostalgic and satisfying.

Black Carrot Cake - $3.50


Rating: 3.25 / 5

Jing Jing Hokkien Mee & Oyster Omelette
Location: 347 Jurong East Ave 1, Singapore 600347

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Geylang 29 Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee

It was my first time trying this stall at East Coast Lagoon Food Village, and I can see why it's a favourite among Hokkien mee lovers. The style of cooking, using charcoal, is a rarity, making it stand out from the more common methods.

Geylang 29 Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee

I ordered the smallest portion to try it, only to realize there were many customers standing quite far from the stall, waiting for their orders. Since they were cooking in batches, my order was ready soon after, along with the earlier batch. I was quite lucky not to have to wait too long.

Hokkien Mee - $7

The noodles looked moist, with a good balance of yellow noodles and bee hoon soaking up the flavorful broth. The egg added a nice sweetness to the dish, complemented by the squid and prawns. The chilli was also well-balanced. Overall, despite the long queue, the dish was decent. However, if you ask whether I'd return for the same order next time, I’d probably skip it and save my calories for something else.

Prawn

Rating: 3 / 5

Geylang 29 Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee
Location: East Coast Lagoon Food Village, 1220 East Coast Park, #01-32, Singapore 468960