老黄的店 LaoWang's Steamboat

It’s always a joy when a friend makes an impromptu call and asks you to hop into their car for a day trip to JB. No elaborate planning, just a spontaneous getaway, good company and a new place to explore.

This time, our destination was Laowang’s Steamboat 老黄的店, a new find recommended by my friend for a seafood feast served over the steamer. The concept immediately brought back memories of Captain K Seafood, which went viral some years back.

Located at Mount Austin, the restaurant has a rather distinctive storefront with its large Laowang’s Steamboat sign and traditional Chinese touches. There is also plenty of outdoor seating along the side, making it quite easy to spot when you arrive.

We were here mainly for the seafood steamboat, so we were naturally curious to see what this place had to offer. With a table filled with fresh seafood cooked over the steaming broth, it was definitely a different kind of JB food adventure for us.

Laowang's Steamboat

The interior certainly carries a dramatic old-school charm. The sturdy wooden tables and long benches give the dining space a nostalgic feel, almost like one of those old roadside rest stops we used to see in period dramas.

Faux paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, adding to the vintage atmosphere, while the exposed concrete screed walls and flooring give the space a raw, rustic touch. Paired with the traditional wooden furniture, the whole setting feels like a modern restaurant designed with a throwback to the olden days in mind.

Rustic old-school interior

Before settling in for the steamboat, we took a walk over to their live seafood corner, where we could pick the seafood we wanted to have cooked in our steamboat. With tanks filled with fresh seafood, it was quite fun choosing what would eventually make its way onto our table. And guess what we picked?

Pick Your Own Live Seafood for the Steamboat

Nothing beats freshly steamed prawns! These were incredibly fresh, with that natural sweetness and juicy, firm texture that you get from properly steamed prawns. No need for fancy sauces either, as the freshness really speaks for itself. Simple, fresh and absolutely satisfying!

Freshly steamed prawns served at Laowang’s Steamboat in JB

We had Lala on the steamer too and these were a great addition to the seafood spread. Once steamed, the shells opened up to reveal plump, tender meat with a naturally sweet and briny flavour. Best enjoyed while they were still hot, especially with a little dip on the side.

Steamed Lala

Lastly, we had the crabs, which were steamed right under the glass dome. The portion was just right for us to share, making it a nice addition to the seafood spread without being overly heavy. Steamed simply, the crab had a naturally sweet taste and was best enjoyed while hot.

Fresh crab steaming under a glass dome

Finally, they were cooked and ready to be enjoyed! The crabs came out beautifully orange with the shells still holding onto that tempting aroma from the steamer. Time to get our hands in, crack open those shells and savour the sweet, juicy crab meat. 

Cooked Crabs

Good stuff doesn’t end here yet! Once all the seafood has been steamed, the juices and flavours from the seafood drip down into the pot below, where they are mixed into the porridge.

The result was surprisingly delicious. The porridge had a naturally umami, sweet and savoury flavour, soaking up all those wonderful seafood juices. It was a simple yet satisfying way to end our meal, and definitely a bowl worth saving room for.

Seafood Porridge with Natural Seafood Juices

Besides the good selection of sauces that we could help ourselves to at the side station, we also ordered a drink to pair with our seafood feast. We went for the 枸杞子冰茶, a refreshing goji berry iced tea that was light and cooling. It made a nice accompaniment to the steaming hot seafood, especially between bites.

Goji Berry Iced Tea 枸杞子冰茶 

Besides the good selection of sauces that we could help ourselves to at the side station, we also ordered a drink to pair with our seafood feast. We went for the 枸杞子冰茶, a refreshing goji berry iced tea that was light and cooling. It made a nice accompaniment to the steaming hot seafood, especially between bites.

Menu

Besides the steamboat, there are also plenty of other choices on the menu if you are looking for something different. They have Chinese-style dishes, skewers, snacks and other cooked dishes, so there is something for those who may not be in the mood for steamboat.

The menu also includes a selection of drinks, including Chinese tea, bottled drinks and their house-special drinks. So, even if seafood steamboat isn’t your only plan, there are still quite a few options to explore here.

Menu

A spontaneous JB trip that turned into a satisfying seafood feast! From fresh live seafood to the delicious seafood porridge, Laowang’s Steamboat was a fun find worth exploring with friends.

LaoWang's Steamboat
Location: Austin crest, 72, Jln Jaya Putra 7/8, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

Hai Zhen Fang 海珍坊

There is something special about gathering around a table with good friends and a spread of dishes to share. So, back into the heartlands we went, this time for a seafood feast at Hai Zhen Fang.

Hai Zhen Fang

Before stepping inside, this eye-catching banner at Hai Zhen Fang already gives you a glimpse of what’s on the menu. With tempting seafood dishes featured, you might just want to keep these recommendations in mind when placing your order.

Banner 

Even though the shophouse doesn’t look particularly large from the outside, I was quite impressed by what Hai Zhen Fang had on their menu. For a neighbourhood eatery, the seafood selection looked surprisingly enticing and definitely gave us plenty to consider for our order.

Hai Zhen Fang Menu

It was more than our usual Rojak order, with the crispy baby squid adding an extra level of crunch on top of the generous peanut shavings. The combination of textures made every bite more interesting, while the sweet sauce had a good level of sweetness that complemented the savoury and crunchy toppings without being overly sweet.

Baby Squid Rojak 鲜果苏东仔Rojak

The dark, glossy appearance might not look immediately tempting, but these Iberico Pork Ribs with Homemade Sauce were quite the surprise. The ribs were sweet, tender and coated in a rich, sticky sauce that gave them plenty of flavour. Once you start picking at them, they are hard to resist and definitely one of the dishes I would recommend adding to the table.

Iberico Pork Ribs with Home Made Sauce 京都黑猪排 - $15.90

Bacon Wrapped Sotong Balls definitely caught my attention as hey looked almost like little donuts! The combination of tender sotong wrapped in bacon was surprisingly good, with a nice savoury richness in every bite. A fun and different dish to try if you’re looking beyond the usual seafood choices.

Bacon Wrapped Sotong Ball 鲜烟肉苏东丸 - $10.90

A refreshing pause halfway through the meal! We had the Signature Green Island Slushie to wash down the fried dishes before moving on to the mains. Cool, icy and refreshing, it was a nice little break before the next round of dishes arrived.

Signature Green Island Slushie 招牌绿岛冰沙

A nice alternative to the Signature Green Island Slushie is the Green Lime & Sour Plum Slushie. If you prefer your drinks with a more refreshing sour kick, this one brings that tangy lime and sour plum combination to the table especially welcomed after all those fried dishes.

Green Lime & Sour Plum Slushie 酸甜话梅冰沙 - $4.50

The Signature Seafood Treasure White Bee Hoon was packed with seafood flavours, with the silky bee hoon soaking up that delicious seafood broth. The combination of Lala, crab meat and prawns brought a lovely natural sweetness to the dish, while the crispy fried pork lard added an extra savoury crunch. Definitely one of those comforting dishes that’s best enjoyed while hot!

Signature Seafood Treasure White Bee Hoon 招牌海珍百米粉 - $29.80

The Golden Pumpkin Broth Platter is one to consider if you are dining as a group. You can order the portion according to your number of pax, with a comforting sweet-savoury pumpkin broth filled with goodies like fried fish, abalone and prawns. The seafood adds plenty of flavour to the broth, making this a hearty dish to share around the table.

Golden Pumpkin Broth Platter 金瓜霸鲜海珍汤 - From $29.80 (2-3 pax)

What a generous piece of Braised Shark’s Fin! Served warm in a rich, savoury broth, the sizeable portion made this feel like a rather indulgent dish to have at the table. The shark’s fin was tender and silky, making it a comforting addition to our seafood feast.

Hai Zhen Braised Shark's Fin 红烧鲍翅 - $19.80

Overall, it was a good seafood meal that felt a little different from the more mainstream options you usually find around the neighbourhood. I’m glad we ventured into the heartlands and got to taste what Hai Zhen Fang had to offer. With its interesting selection of seafood dishes and comforting flavours, it was certainly a meal worth gathering around the table for.

Hai Zhen Fang Seafood 海珍坊
Location: 212 Hougang St 21, #01-341, Singapore 530212

New Udon MooKata

Located along the busy stretch of Lavender Street, adjacent to Hamilton Road, New Udon Mookata was my choice for a long-overdue Thai mookata meal. I had been missing a proper Thai mookata experience for quite some time, so when my friend mentioned that New Udon Mookata had been strongly advocated for Thai mookata dining, it felt like the perfect opportunity to give it a try.

New Udon Mookata was previously located at Golden Mile Centre before the building was pulled down and has since found its new home here. With its prominent corner location and spacious open-front dining area, the restaurant carries a casual and lively atmosphere that feels just right for gathering over a hearty mookata feast.

New Udon Mookata at Lavender Street, Singapore

With my cravings for a proper Thai mookata finally calling, it was time to see what New Udon Mookata had to offer!

Unlike many mookata places that offer buffet options, New Udon Mookata keeps things simple with à la carte and set meals. For our visit, we went with the Mookata Set for 2 at $49 nett.

Menu

We had the Cha Yen, also known as Thai Milk Tea, to go along with our meal. There is a larger cup option too for those who simply cannot get enough! I liked that the drink was not overly sweet, allowing the fragrant Thai tea and creamy milk flavours to come through nicely. The mini ice cubes were also aplenty, making it a refreshing drink to enjoy with the food.

Thai Milk Tea

The set came with a generous assortment of ingredients, including pork, pork liver, chicken, prawns, squid, hotdogs, crab meat and fish balls. There were also vegetables such as morning glory, bok choy, Chinese cabbage and Chinese celery, together with enoki mushrooms, glass noodles and two eggs. Definitely a good spread to kickstart our long-awaited Thai mookata feast!

Part of the Set

There were no fancy sauces provided. Instead, they served their own homemade sauce, which my friend had highly praised. Thick and gooey with roasted sesame seeds mixed in, it paired really well with the meat. I have to agree, sometimes, one good sauce is all you need!

Mookata Sauce

We started by placing the pork lard in the centre of the grill to grease the surface and add extra flavour as it melted. Then, it was time to load up the mookata! Some ingredients went straight onto the grill for that lovely char and smoky flavour, while the vegetables, mushrooms and other items were placed around the edge in the soup to slowly boil and soak up all the goodness.

Mookata Meal

The meal was certainly satisfying, but what made the experience even more enjoyable was the lively outdoor dining atmosphere. Now at their new home at 119 Lavender Street, New Udon Mookata continues to serve the same OG flavours that many have loved since their Golden Mile days. As one of Singapore's pioneer Mookata spots, it is all about enjoying an authentic Thai BBQ experience over a sizzling grill and bubbling soup. The Mookata sets also make it a great choice for family meals, catch-ups with friends and group gatherings. With the open-air seating and bustling atmosphere along Lavender Street, it was a hearty and satisfying way to end the meal!

Night Scene of New Udon Mookata

New Udon MooKata
Location: 119 Lavender St., Singapore 338731

MKMK by mykoreanmomskimchi

A quick hop over to Newest Mall brought us to My Korean Mom’s Kimchi for a birthday lunch treat! The cosy shop space may be small, but it is functional and comfortably furnished with limited seating. Its Korean-inspired décor, colourful posters and K-pop vibes added a fun and casual touch to the dining experience.

My Korean Mom’s Kimchi

The interesting wallpaper immediately reminded me of my trip to Korea last year, bringing back fond memories of wandering through the charming streets lined with traditional Korean houses. It certainly added a unique touch to the dining space!

Wall Paper at My Korean Mom's Kimchi

The Soy Garlic Fried Chicken Katsu MEGA Gimbap with Cheese was a hearty addition to our meal. Packed with crispy fried chicken katsu, fresh vegetables and cheese, each slice offered a satisfying mix of textures and flavours. The soy garlic sauce gave it a savoury touch, while the generous portion made it great for sharing.

Soy Garlic Fried Chicken Katsu MEGA Gimbap with Cheese - $12

The ramen with kimchi and beef bulgogi made for a hearty and comforting meal. With a generous portion and plenty of ingredients, it was quite filling for me.

Kimchi Ramyeon add Bulgogi Beef - $14.40

The Rabokki with Melty Cheese was a comforting combination of ramen and chewy tteokbokki in a spicy Korean sauce. Topped with melted cheese, seaweed and sesame seeds, it added a creamy touch to the dish while balancing the spicy flavours. A hearty and satisfying choice, especially for sharing!

Rabokki with Melty Cheese

Overall, our lunch at My Korean Mom’s Kimchi was a satisfying and enjoyable experience. Despite its small and cosy space with limited seating, the restaurant offered a good variety of comforting Korean dishes. From the hearty gimbap and filling ramen to the spicy Rabokki with melty cheese, the food was simple, fuss-free and satisfying. The interesting Korean-inspired interior also added to the dining experience, bringing back fond memories of my trip to Korea last year. A nice spot for a casual Korean meal at Newest Mall.

MKMK by mykoreanmomskimchi

Location: NEWest, 1 W Coast Dr, #01-71, Singapore 128020

Du Du Yue Cai 嘟嘟粤菜

It’s time for a revisit to Dudu Cantonese Cuisine! Since their relocation to Marsiling, they are now somewhat nearer to me, making it a little more convenient for another visit. And of course, another reason for coming back is to check out the additional dishes they have added to their menu. So, let’s see what’s new and whether they are worth trying!

Dudu Cantonese Cuisine

Prices shown are based on members’ pricing.

The Canton Shredded Kampong Chicken was one of the dishes we had. The tender shredded chicken came with a refreshing touch of lime, making it surprisingly addictive and easy to enjoy.

Canton Shredded Kampong Chicken - $13.80

The Golden Nest was a creative take on a Tahu Goreng lookalike, but presented in a completely different style. Beautifully executed, it arrived looking like a big, crispy wrapped-up package, generously soaked in a savoury seasoning sauce and paired with cucumber and cherry tomatoes. The contrast of textures made this an interesting dish to dig into.

Golden Nest - $18.80

The server helped us disintegrate the crispy “package”, revealing what was hidden inside. Once broken apart, the egg yolk burst and oozed out, adding another layer of richness to the dish. It was certainly a creative and fun way to enjoy a fried egg!

Golden Nest with Runny Egg Yolk

The 500°C Dry-Steamed Beef certainly looks like a different style of cooking. The beef was cooked to a uniform dark brown colour and generously drizzled with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, making for quite a striking presentation.

500°C Dry-Steamed Beef 

I am a fan of Pig Trotters Vinegar, especially when the rich, sweet and tangy vinegar sauce goes so well with a comforting bowl of rice. The tender pork trotters soaked up all that flavour, making this a dish I could happily enjoy with plenty of rice!

Pig Trotters Vinegar

The Creamy Salted Egg Corn was one of my favourites from the meal. Served bubbling hot in a claypot, the corn pieces were well coated and soaked up that savoury, creamy salted egg sauce. Simple, comforting and very satisfying!

Creamy Salted Egg Corn - $9.60

The Spicy Braised Chicken Feet was not too bad. The chicken feet were generously soaked in the rich braising sauce, with the larger pieces making for a substantial serving. A comforting dish for those who enjoy braised chicken feet with plenty of sauce.

Spicy Braised Chicken Feet - $13.80

Besides the bowl of white rice for our carbs, we also ordered the Haha Mee out of curiosity. These fine, thin noodles were tossed in their seasoning and came across as rather simple. In fact, they reminded me a little of instant noodles, just without any additional toppings.

Haha Mee - $9.90

And here’s our feast for the night! We had quite a spread of dishes, from the Golden Nest and Creamy Salted Egg Corn to the Spicy Braised Chicken Feet, 500°C Dry-Steamed Beef, Haha Mee and Canton Shredded Kampong Chicken. Definitely a satisfying spread for our revisit to Dudu Cantonese Cuisine.

Our Feast

For a little something to cool things down, there’s self-service at the fridge, where you can help yourself to a chilled glass of green bean soup. A simple and refreshing way to end the meal, especially after all those savoury dishes.

Dessert

Du Du Yue Cai 嘟嘟粤菜
Location: 10 Marsiling Industrial Estate Rd 1, Singapore 739276

Behind Clay

A hidden dining lounge behind a pizza oven? We had to see it for ourselves! Having passed by IL Clay Pizzeria many times, little did we know that tucked behind its familiar wood-fired oven is Behind Clay, an intimate 52-seat dining lounge. Hidden in plain sight, this cosy space offers a different side to the popular pizzeria. Come along as we step inside and discover what lies Behind Clay!

IL Clay Pizzeria

As we swung open the door, we were greeted by a striking oversized mask bathed in dramatic red lighting. The bold and mysterious entrance immediately set the tone for what was to come. It was certainly a unique theme that caught my attention from the moment we stepped inside!

Dramatic Entrance at Behind Clay

With the red lights illuminating the space, the atmosphere took on a whole new level of intensity, creating a mysterious and slightly suspenseful dining experience. We also spotted this striking artwork hanging on the wall, adding another interesting touch to the bold and dramatic interior.

Dramatic Artwork at Behind Clay

The intimate 52-seat dining lounge is designed with comfortable booth seating, creating a cosy yet stylish space for diners. Bathed in its signature red lighting, the setting feels dramatic and unique, offering a dining experience that is quite different from your usual restaurant ambience.

52-Seat Dining Lounge at Behind Clay

Kicking off our meal was the Shrimp Carpaccio, served cold and layered with an interesting combination of flavours. The delicate shrimp was topped with pork lard, sour cream, chilli oil, chives gremolata oil and Assam sauce, bringing together creamy, spicy and tangy notes in every bite.

Shrimp Carpaccio - $28

Another appetiser from the menu was the Chef's Selection of Seasonal Oysters. Served fresh and chilled with a squeeze of lemon, these plump oysters made for a refreshing start to the meal. They also paired wonderfully with Behind Clay's selection of cocktails and mocktails.

Seasonal Oyster

We also had the opportunity to try three of their interesting cocktail creations, each thoughtfully paired with a complementary bite.

Breathless combined gin, mint leaves, citrus and bergamot for a refreshing and aromatic drink. It was paired with a pan-seared sea scallop, served alongside green olive and peperonata purée.

Nebbia featured an interesting blend of matcha, gin, vodka and coconut water. Its accompanying bite was equally unique, a pani-puri shell filled with caramel apple jam and vanilla ice cream, offering a delightful mix of sweet flavours and textures.

Lastly, Perla brought together lychee, osmanthus and gin for a floral and fruity profile. It came paired with a savoury bite featuring mozzarella pearls, cocktail onion, basil leaf and a salami rosette.

Breathless,Nebbia & Perla - $24, $25, $27

Next up was the Foie Gras Pâté Pizza, an interesting combination of sweet and savoury flavours. The pizza came topped with creamy Fior di Latte, rich duck foie gras pâté, tangy tamarind sauce, pineapple purée and a sprinkling of pistachios. The unique mix of ingredients certainly made this pizza stand out!

Foie Gras Pate Pizza - $56

The Whole Quail certainly made an impressive entrance! Served with charred leeks and Sriracha sauce, the dish was elevated with a flambé of Chinese wine poured over it. What caught our attention was the beautiful presentation, served in an egg-shaped vessel resting on a nest, making it look both unique and theatrical.

Fried Quail - $39

The White Pear Corn Kernel was a vegetarian dish that turned out to be surprisingly addictive! Featuring chargrilled and smoked white corn kernels, parmesan, sour cream and peperonata purée, every bite was packed with creamy, smoky and savoury flavours. Honestly, the serving was so good that I wished there was more!

White Pear Corn Kernel - $19

Our Meal

The Spicy Mala Shaker Pork Belly came with a fun little twist! The pork belly was first poured into a paper bag and shaken up, just like how you would shake your favourite fast-food fries. It was served with pickled vegetables, charred leeks, Sichuan pepper and chilli flakes, giving the dish a bold and spicy mala kick. The pork belly itself was tender and savoury, while the seasoning added plenty of heat and fragrance.

Spicy Mala Shaker Pork Belly - $20

Ending on a sweet note was the Burnt Basque Cheesecake, topped with a fire-torched burrata brûlée. The combination of the creamy cheesecake and the lightly caramelised burrata topping made for an interesting and indulgent dessert to round off the meal.

Burrata Burnt Cheesecake - $19

Another dessert to end the meal was the Layered Meringue Ice-Cream Cake, served with flambé rum. The soft layers of meringue and ice cream came together beautifully, while the flambé rum added a warm and aromatic touch to the dessert.

Flambe Bombe Alaska - $26

Behind Clay certainly offers a dining experience that goes beyond just the food. From its bold and mysterious red-lit ambience to the interactive ways the dishes were presented, there was always something happening at the table. I especially enjoyed the theatrical use of fire for the dishes and desserts, as well as the fun Mala Shaker Pork Belly experience. With demonstrations and little surprises throughout the meal, dining here felt engaging and entertaining. If you are looking for somewhere with a unique ambience and an interactive dining experience, Behind Clay is definitely one to check out!

Behind Clay
Location: 3D River Valley Road, 01-04, Clarke Quay, Singapore (Accessed through II Clay)
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