Numb Restaurant 川麻记 @ Marina One

When my friend gathered us again for dinner and mentioned the place, I was a little hesitant. Chuan Cai (Sichuan cuisine) has never been my go-to. It often leaves me with a burning sensation both in the mouth and the stomach. But the spontaneous side of me won, and I decided to go along for the ride. Sometimes, good meals come from unexpected turns.

numb

The business name itself was pretty creative, spelt as "numb", but with the letter “m” cleverly replaced by the Chinese character “川”, which directly points to the Sichuan (Chuan) roots of the cuisine. A smart play on words that hints at both the cuisine’s origin and its signature numbing spice. 

Even the menu had a touch of humour, with the line: “不是被辣到了，只是被麻到了”.

Literally translated, it means: “If it’s not the spiciness that gets to you, then it must be the numbing.”

A playful and clever way to sum up the bold experience of Chuan Cai, where spice and numbness go hand in hand.

Food Menu

These Australian Scallops with Celery were beautifully sliced to just the right thickness. I loved the succulent texture paired with the zesty, savoury sauce, complemented by crunchy celery and the tangy burst of cherry tomatoes. Light, refreshing, and satisfying.

Australian Scallops with Celery 凉拌澳洲带子 - $24.80

I couldn’t stop myself from picking at the crisp celery hidden at the bottom of the plate, they soaked up all the flavour and added a satisfying crunch to every bite.

Here's the Yummy Scallops

The moment I saw Prawn with Luffa in Golden Broth, I knew I was sold! This comforting bowl brought together a beautiful medley of garlic, ginger, luffa, tomato, and prawns, all soaking up the rich, golden broth. 

Prawn with Luffa in Golden Broth 金汤鲜虾丝瓜煲 - $35.80

The flavours were wholesome, the warmth deeply satisfying, a truly soul-hugging dish that felt right at home on the table.

I like it!

This U.S. Beef in Golden Broth with Sichuan Peppercorn was a visual and sensory stunner. Tender slices of well-marbled beef soaked in a rich, golden broth that was aromatic, spicy, and tingling with the numbing kick of fresh green Sichuan peppercorns. The heat from red and green chillies gave the dish extra depth, making every spoonful bold, fiery, and addictive. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but oh-so-satisfying for spice lovers.

U.S Beef in Golden Broth with Sichuan Peppercorn 金汤椒麻肥牛 - $37.80

This Stir-Fried Beef with Fresh Chilli and Ginger packed a fiery punch with every bite. The beef was tender and juicy, stir-fried to perfection with a bold medley of red and green chillies, aromatic ginger strips, and whole garlic cloves. The heat from the chillies was upfront but beautifully balanced by the savory sauce and zingy ginger, making this dish irresistibly fragrant, spicy, and satisfying. A dish that ignites your taste buds from the first mouthful!

Stir-Fried Beef with Fresh Chilli and Ginger 鲜椒仔姜牛肉 - $34.80

Midway through a spicy and numbing meal, a refreshing drink can make all the difference. The Blooming Roselle Soda was the perfect choice, offering a delightful blend of Chinese roselle flavor in a fizzy soda. It provided a refreshing balance to the heat, making for an ideal pairing.

Blooming Roselle Soda 洛神花气泡水 - $6.80

We also tried the Breezing Blackcurrant Oolong Tea, which was an unexpected delight. The combination of the 'Ribena' flavour with the smoothness of Chinese oolong tea took me by surprise in the best way.

Breezing Blackcurrant Oolong Tea 冰摇黑加仑乌龙茶 - $6.80

Next, we had a familiar dish, Stir-fried Jack Beans with Red Chillis and Sichuan Pickles, also known as French beans. It made for a perfect pairing with our bowl of rice, adding a nice kick to the meal.

Stir-fried Jack Beans with Red Chillis and Sichuan Pickles 干煸四季豆 - $19.80

The Typhoon Shelter Fried Fish was a standout, perfectly battered and coated in light, crispy crumbs. 

Typhoon Shelter Fried Fish 避风塘香脆鱼 - $36.80

The golden dory fish was ultra-crunchy on the outside, yet tender and flaky on the inside, a truly satisfying combination.

My Golden "Nugget"

Overall, the meal went wonderfully, and I'm happy I made the right decision. Imagine if I had turned down my friend’s invitation for dinner, I would have missed out on discovering such a great food place. I was pleased to find that not all the dishes were spicy or numbing. In fact, there was a perfect balance between spicy and milder options. Honestly, the food here felt really comforting

Our Dishes in a Glance

Numb Restaurant 川麻记 @ Marina One
Location: 5 Straits View, West Tower, #01-12 Marina One, 018935
Nearest Station: Downtown (DT17), Marina Bay (CE2, NS27, TE20)

Mr Grumpy Nasi Ayam

Visiting the #1 Nasi Ayam Goreng spot in town at Holland came with its own little adventure. After battling the lunch crowd just for a parking lot, I was greeted by a longer queue at Mr Grumpy Nasi Ayam. Honestly, I felt like I was living up to the name, grumpy before I even got to try the food!

Mr Grumpy

With the ticking clock of my lunch break, my heartbeat quickened with every passing minute in line. After a half-hour wait, I finally got my hands on the much-anticipated plate from Mr Grumpy Nasi Ayam.

I went all in, with crispy ayam goreng, bagedil, hotdogs, and quail eggs, all served with a comforting bowl of chicken soup that instantly reminded me of Mee Soto.

Nasi Ayam Goreng

The fried chicken was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and truly impressive. The rice was fluffy and aromatic, pairing perfectly with the juicy chicken. As for the chilli, it leaned towards the sweeter side, just the way I like it, flavourful without overpowering the dish.

The delicious Ayam Goreng

Was it worth the thrill? If you ask me, I’d nod without hesitation. I wouldn’t mind queuing up all over again.

Mr Grumpy Nasi Ayam
Location: 43 Holland Dr, #01-75, Singapore 270043

Hae! Claypot @ Eunos (Prawn & LALA)

It was my first time at Hae! Claypot, and I found the name quite endearing. “Hae” is the Hokkien word for prawn, and it’s a fitting tribute to one of their star ingredients. A playful, local touch that sets the tone for the hearty, comforting meal that follows.

Hae! Claypot

They are currently promoting their Lala (Clams) Steamboat at just $12.80 nett, an incredibly wallet-friendly deal for such freshness and flavour.

Lala (Clams) Steamboat at only $12.80 Nett

Housed within an industrial canteen, Enjoy Hae! occupies a relatively spacious unit, you definitely won’t miss it. Their striking orange signboard stands out boldly, catching the eye even from afar.

Stall of Hae! Prawn Claypot

Lala lovers, this one's for you! Enjoy Hae!’s Lala (Clams) Steamboat is an absolute steal at just $12.80 nett. The clams are incredibly fresh, you can even see them live at the front of the stall. For a price like that, the portion is surprisingly generous, making it a great value treat for seafood fans!

Lala Hotpot

Having visited quite a number of lala hotpot spots, I’ve never come across a stall that offers Superior Golden Fungus and that’s exactly what caught our eye. It’s not something you would typically expect in a humble lala steamboat setup, and it definitely added a unique touch to the experience.

Superior Golden Fungus

While at Enjoy Hae!, skipping their fresh tiger prawns was simply not an option. By default, they’re part of the experience, big, plump, and naturally sweet; they were a perfect addition to our bubbling hotpot.

Fresh Tiger Prawn

The lala was generously portioned, glistening beautifully under the gentle glow of the charcoal fire. With the simple yet effective pairing of ginger and fresh clams, the broth turned out clean, vibrant, and naturally delicious, letting the ingredients speak for themselves.

Lala

One of the things we appreciated about Enjoy Hae!’s claypot experience is the thoughtful touch of having a glass bottle of Hua Diao wine at every table by default. You are free to add it to your broth according to your own preference, which really elevates the flavour.

Beyond the fresh tiger prawns and the rare find of Superior Golden Fungus, we were pleasantly surprised to see luffa, a refreshing and tender addition that you don’t often come across at typical hotpot places.

Hae!

We were so glad that the lala were clean and delicious, with no trace of sand or grit in the shells a common concern that was completely absent here. The broth was naturally flavourful, soaking up the sweetness of the clams beautifully and making every sip a comforting delight.

Lala

Aside from their signature lala broth, Enjoy Hae! also offers the option to top up with collagen broth or prawn broth, giving you the flexibility to customise the base to your liking. Whether you’re in the mood for something richer or more nourishing, there's something for every palate.

With Broth

Upon opening the S’mores Kit, we were greeted by a delightful cart from HAE!, about the size of a postcard, complete with step-by-step instructions on how to build our s’mores.

Card from Smore's Kit

Instructions

The box contains a few Dairy Milk chocolates, butter crackers, and a packet of marshmallows—everything we needed to have some post-meal fun.

In the Smores Kit

We thought it was a clever touch, making use of the lingering charcoal heat after the meal by skewering soft marshmallows onto satay sticks. The gentle warmth from the charcoal gave the marshmallows a perfectly toasted finish, adding a fun and unexpectedly delightful end to our dining experience.

BBQ-ing the Marshmallow

To top it all off, we sandwiched the warm, melty marshmallows between butter crackers and a square of chocolate, creating a simple yet indulgent treat. The contrast of textures and flavors was spot on, making for such a fun and satisfying end to the experience.

Our "Product" from the Marshmallow 

Hae! Claypot @ Eunos (Prawn & LALA)
Location: 29 Eunos Ave 6, Singapore 409619

Feng Wei Ngoh Hiang

While crowds swarmed the newly opened hawker centre, I found myself joining the hype. I made my way to a Ngoh Hiang stall tucked in the far end corner, drawn in by the display of traditional Chinese prawn crackers and satay. Something about its old-school vibe and simple setup felt promising enough to give it a go.

Stall of Feng Wei Ngoh Hiang 

The items weren’t exactly cheap, totaling nearly $20 for sharing. To make matters worse, the taste and quality fell short of expectations. We enjoyed a delightful selection of dishes, including Century Egg, Otah Fish Cake, Spring Rolls, Prawn Crackers, Fritters, and Octopus. Each dish brought its own unique flavors to the table, making for a memorable meal.

Our Selection

Pairing our chosen dishes with two plates of fried bee hoon turned out to be the worst decision. The texture and taste of the bee hoon were all off, it was incredibly bland and lacked any flavor. In hindsight, I couldn't help but think that I should have opted for the bee hoon from the Bee Hoon Stall just a few shops down instead.

With Bee Hoon

Unfortunately, this stall is getting my ultimatum. It will be my first and last time patronizing it.

Rating: 2.5 / 5

Feng Wei Ngoh Hiang
Location: Bukit Batok West Hawker Centre, 469 Bukit Batok West Ave 9, #01-11, Singapore 650469

Hock Lian Huat Prawn Cracker & Ngoh Hiang

I spotted Hock Lian Huat Prawn Cracker & Ngoh Hiang while having dinner at the coffeeshop, so I made a return trip just to try their prawn cracker and ngoh hiang.

Stall of Hock Lian Huat Prawn Cracker & Ngoh Hiang

The customer flow at the stall was non-stop, and with a friend’s recommendation backing it up, I knew I had to give it a try.

Our Orders

As usual, we went for the staple picks, prawn crackers, octopus, Chinese sausage, century egg, and more, paired with two portions of fried bee hoon. The selections were well-cooked, deep-fried to a crisp, and served piping hot, just the way they should be.

Staple Picks

I simply loved the flavors, it truly brought back the nostalgic taste of traditional food. The bee hoon was especially appetizing, with its tasty, springy texture.

Fried Bee Hoon

If I ever have cravings for prawn crackers and ngoh hiang, this will definitely be the place I keep in mind.

Rating: 4 / 5

Hock Lian Huat Prawn Cracker & Ngoh Hiang
Location: CCK 302 FoodHouse, 302 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4, #01-719, Singapore 680302

Heng Huat Fried Kway Tiao

Fried Kway Tiao? Here’s something you don’t see every day, a plate of fried kway teow completely covered with a generous handful of blanched greens. 

Stall of Heng Huat Fried Kway Tiao

At first glance, it almost looks like a veggie dish, but hidden beneath that vibrant green layer is a hearty portion of smoky, wok-fried noodles laced with bean sprouts, egg, and the usual suspects. The greens added an unexpected contrast, light, clean, and crunchy—cutting through the rich, savoury flavours of the noodles. Whether it was an attempt at a healthier twist or just a stall’s unique take, it certainly made the dish feel less greasy and a little more balanced.

Fried Kway Tiao - $4 / 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 / 15

I went for the $6 portion while my friend opted for the $4 one, fully expecting mine to come with a noticeably larger heap of noodles. To my surprise, it felt like the portions were reversed, what I got instead was an extra load of blanched greens sitting on top. While the presentation might give off a “healthier” vibe with that generous topping of greens, it ended up throwing the balance off. 

Cockles

The clean crunch of the vegetables was refreshing at first, but they quickly overpowered the dish, masking the signature smoky, savoury notes that you'd typically expect from a good plate of fried kway teow. Instead of digging into a flavourful, indulgent plate, we found ourselves mostly tasting greens and not in the best way.

Rating: 3 / 5

Heng Huat Fried Kway Tiao
Location: Pasir Panjang Food Centre, 121 Pasir Panjang Rd, #01-36, Singapore 118543

Golden Moments Flagship Store

My durian cravings have finally been satisfied with a visit to the Golden Moments Flagship Store. It's been about a year since my last trip, so I was really excited to see the refreshed food menu.

Durians on Display

We kicked off the meal with a bowl of Golden Crab Noodles , a rich, comforting dish that was slow-cooked for 3 hours. It featured handmade crab balls, prawns, and a perfectly cooked onsen egg. The broth was incredibly addictive, warming the stomach with every spoonful, while the smooth, silky noodles slid down effortlessly.

【Best Seller】Golden 3 Hours Crab Noodle 黄金三小时蟹粉 - $16.80

They served a generous portion of crab meat in a separate crab-shaped bowl to pair with the noodles. It felt like such a treat to be pampered this way, no need to pick through shells, just pure, succulent crab meat ready to enjoy!

No Need to Pick Through Shells!

The fries were stylishly presented on a serving board, generously topped with bonito flakes that added an irresistible umami punch. We loved pairing each crispy bite with the creamy mentaiko sauce on the side, a truly satisfying combo!

【Best Seller】Mentaiko Bonito Fries 明太子鲣鱼薯条- $10

The grilled chicken yakitori was plump, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Coated in a sweet sauce and finished with a drizzle of mayonnaise, each bite was a delightful balance of savory and creamy.

Grilled Chicken Yakitori 自制酱汁烤鸡肉串 - $10 

The croissant with pistachio nuts was simply delightful. Its flaky, buttery layers were topped with a generous crunch of pistachios, making it absolutely irresistible. If you’re a fan of both pastries and pistachios, this one’s a definite must-try!

Croissiant with Pistachio Nuts

The star of my meal was none other than the Golden Durian Swirl, also their bestselling showstopper. This indulgent dessert featured swirls stacked with two pieces each of Black Thorn and D197 Musang King Durian, a true durian lover’s dream. At the base, it came with a Golden Mao Shan Wang Strudel, two pieces of their Signature Golden MSW QQ Balls, and a duo of refreshing beverages to complete the set. An absolutely luxurious and satisfying durian experience!

【Best Seller】The Golden Durian Swirl 黄金榴莲漩涡 - Market Pricing

The Handmade Lemon Tea was refreshingly good, light, zesty, and not overly sweet, with a few slices of lemon adding a bright citrusy kick.

Homemade Lemon Tea 手打柠檬茶 - $6.80

The Sour Plum Smoothie was another refreshing treat , icy, tangy, and perfect for beating the heat. It struck a nice balance between sweet and sour, making it a great palate cleanser too.

Sour Plum Smoothie 酸梅冰沙 - $6.80

The Black Thorn durian offers a truly unique experience, with its powdery texture that’s both creamy and complex. It strikes a perfect balance between dense and soft, creating a rich, indulgent mouthfeel. What truly sets it apart is its bittersweet flavor, complemented by a subtle, almost intoxicating alcoholic undertone that makes each bite memorable. This exceptional durian is a must-try for anyone seeking a refined and layered taste profile.

Black Thorn 黑刺

Mao Shan Wang, more commonly known as Musang King, is highly prized for its rich, custard-like texture and its perfectly balanced bittersweet flavor. The durian’s distinct taste is both powerful and persistent, lingering long after each bite and leaving a lasting impression.

Black Gold Mao Shan Wang 

We concluded our Golden Moments experience on a cooling and refreshing note with their royal pistachio gelato. This velvety treat was perfectly complemented by crunchy biscotti crumbles, making each bite a delightful mix of smooth and satisfying textures.

Royal Pistachio Gelato 皇家开心果冰淇淋 - $7.80

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