Best Kolo Mee In Town (So Said The Kuching Girl) **Stall is now closed unfortunately - Updated Aug 2018**

Every now and then, I crave for a good bowl of authentic Kolo Mee. What is Kolo Mee? Well, it's similar to Wanton Mee, has almost the same "liao" / ingredients, but the taste? It's something so special, you can't quite replicate it out of Kuching (a small town in Sarawak, where the dish originates from). Well, I believe that I have found THE best Kolo Mee stall in our Little Red Dot. So good that it's worth an amazing race of a bus ride from CBD during a very short lunch hour. To sum it all up - it was well worth it.

Nothing too extravagant, just simple plain unadulterated good bowl of noodle.

"Less is more" they say :)

On The Prowl For Street Food @ Alor Setar

The mere mention of Malaysian street food puts me in a culinary sensory overdrive. There's just something different about how they make it, perhaps it's the air there, or the water they use, perhaps the chickens are happier there, the cows too. I don't know. Whatever it is, Malaysian street food will always be the go-to for comfort food whenever I pay a visit across the border. Like street food the world over, hygiene standards can be questionable (most times), think cooking right next to a gutter or smoggy road side, or having ingredients exposed wide open to the stirrings of dust, flies, bugs. Well, ya, you get the picture. If you can look past the often questionable standard of hygiene, the food is, in all it's glory, glorious. Go with an open mind, and you may just find yourself pleasantly pleased. Our adventure in the Land Of The Rice Fields continues...

RaRa and Reddy Goes To Pasar Malam, Malaysian Style

We were fortunate enough to be able to visit a Ramadan (makan) bazaar during the fasting month earlier this year in June. Nothing beats a visit to a local market, especially if it's a food market! The sights, and sounds, and smells.. teased the tastebuds with every step we took. A typical Ramadan bazaar comes alive about a few hours before break fast time. Everything happens at a frenzied pace, everything must go, no leftovers. Well it's food, so you kinda get the idea. So here you go folks, this was what we experienced..
Promise not to drool :)

 

Chicken Soup For The Soul (Well kinda..) - 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup

It's November, and it's cold and wet, almost every other day. What better way to warm up our tummies and spirits than with a delicious, heartwarming, comforting bowl of piping hot Ah Balling. What is Ah Balling? Ah Balling is what Singaporeans call stuffed tang yuan. Tang yuan is essentially a Chinese dessert, made of glutinous rice flour and water, shaped into balls (can come in various sizes, colors), and is served in a sweet broth (can be ginger flavored, longan, peanut, soya milk). Tang yuan is usually eaten during the Lantern Festival, Winter Solstice Festival, wedding day, or special occasions like family reunions. Tang yuan comes in non-stuffed and stuffed version. Fillings can range from the traditional black sesame, peanut, red bean, yam, to (more recent modern ones) matcha, durian.  Nowadays, Ah Balling can be found all year round, and is sold at hawker centers, food courts, and even at the frozen section of supermarkets! Here's one I know is a perennial amongst us locals, 75 Ah Balling Peanut Soup.

Char Kway Teow For The Health Conscious Folks

I remember this Char Kway Teow from more than 10 years ago when I first had it. That was the first and only time I've had it until I came across the stall again. What stood out for me then was the baby Ikan Bilis (Silver Fish) and the bed of beautiful Chye Sim (green leafy vegetable that belongs to the mustard family). Fast forward more than a decade later, this dish hasn't changed a bit. It is still as delicious as it was then, and in a way, a "healthier" version of the traditional Char Kway Teow that uses lard and Chinese Sausages. Oh, a point to note (for the health conscious ones), this CKT does not contain pork nor lard. 

I ordered the $4 portion. Should have gone for the $5. Go big or go home right? Haha.

There's Always Room For Kueh - Xing Xing Ondeh Onder & Tapioca Cake

I am finicky when it comes to cakes, pastries, cookies. The sweet stuff. But. I am EXTRA finicky when it comes to kueh. Yes. Peranakan kuehs. I guess growing up in a Peranakan household (where every household's mom/grandma makes the best version of so and so) made me very critical of kuehs in particular. So I would say that I have quite high an expectation when it comes to kuehs. Which brings me to this little hawker stall in Maxwell that I have to rave about - Xing Xing Ondeh Ondeh & Tapioca Cake.


Freshly made these were, they were still warm when I picked them up from the stall.
Tapioca Kueh and Kueh Kosui @ $5.10 a pack

Sticky Gooey Yummylicious Lor Mee @ Famous Amoy Street Lu Mian

Well, finally there's another lor mee stall which I can actually make it in time for lunch in Amoy. The one at 2nd floor (Yuan Chun) is always sold out by the time I get to them after 12.00pm. Famous Amoy Street Lu Mian they're called, recently opened, probably around April or May this year. Here they serve only 2 versions - regular ($3.00) and "extra fish" ($4.00). I opted for the $4.00 version and boy, I was way pleased I did!

Chunks of fried fish. OMG so, so, darn good :)

Reddy Goes A-Wandering - Eng Kee Famous Roasted Duck

A good 80% of places I've written about here, were accidental finds. Wandering feet during lunch hour can often lead me to pretty good joints. Just like this place in some random coffeeshop in a small slip road next to the busier Anson Road. I've often come across a snaking queue right in front of the coffeeshop (whilst on my way to another favourite Indian makan joint, which I will talk about some time soon) and wondered what could be tantalising enough to warrant such a queue! Yes, like any true blue Singaporean, who adores food, I found myself drawn towards the enigmatic draw of the line-up. Haha. So here you go, Eng kee Famous Roasted Duck, for your reading pleasure. Promise not to drool too much ok? 

Aiyo... just look at the crackling............

Old School Fave - Ali Nachia Briyani Dam

Briyani, as defined by Wikipedia, is a Southeast Asian rice dish, originating from the Muslim and Indian subcontinent community. It is essentially made of meat (can be chicken, mutton, beef, and the not very common fish), spices and long grained Basmati rice. There are many variations of briyani, in India itself, almost every region has it's own special version of this hearty meal. In our Little Red Dot, we are more accustomed to 3 versions (me thinks) - Dum Briyani, Tandoori Briyani and Curry Briyani. My personal favorite would have to be the Dum Briyani, which brings us to the old school favorite - Ali Nachia Briyani Dam (more famously known as the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station briyani joint).

Chicken Dam Briyani @ $7.00

Red Hot Chilli Ban Mee @ Amoy

I have a new addiction - and it comes in a form of noodles. Yes, 'em humble noodles. Something so simple can come in so many variations, and they can be so darn delicious at that. Was recently introduced to this mouth-watering bowl of chilli goodness, churned out by Grandma Ban Mee in Amoy Food Centre (apparently they been in operation since Dec 2015 and I've only been flagged of their existence like a week ago. Tsk tsk tsk, must keep eyes open wide enough), and I've been hooked ever since.

Like OMG really.............. Take my money already, please.

The Low Down on Good Eats - Amoy Food Center Series

Can't quite find any write-ups about this hawker center. But from the facade of the building, it looks to be have been built around the 80s? Nonetheless, for those working around the CBD (Shenton Way, Tanjong Pagar area) you would have been pretty much acquainted with grabbing a hurried lunch here, jostling with the office crowd and choping seats with tissue packets, namecards, EZ Link cards, etc...... Ahh, the joys of dining in the Central Business District. Despite all the shortcomings this place has, it still proves to be a popular dining choice, food is good and decently priced. Here I have listed down some personal faves which I hope you may enjoy as much I do!

Rafee's Corner #01-76

They make one of THE Best Teh Halia ever. Key point to note is, when asked for "kurang manis" or "less sweet", the tea comes with just a hint of sweetness that does not overpower the heady scent of ginger and freshly brewed tea. Although they generally have some kuehs for sale throughout the day, the best variety is found in the mornings. Come early in to find familiar favourites like Kueh Lopis, Kueh Kosui and Pulut Panggang.

Reddy's Lunchtime Adventures - Piao Ji Fish Porridge @ Amoy

There is perpetually a QUEUE here EVERYDAY. Like, we're talking 20-ish people minimum, and waiting time can range anything from 30 minutes (you're super lucky) to 50 minutes (that's the longest I have ever waited). Ask any fans of the healthy fish soup dish, Piao Ji Fish Porridge will be mentioned more often than not. What is the fuss about, one will ask. Well, once you have tasted the sweet tasty broth and taken bites of their succulent slices of very fresh fish, you too, will be hooked, and will join in the rest of the legions of fans who diligently await their turn in line to feed the need for more. So dramatic. Yes, very.

Fish and Prawn Soup. Damage? $10.00 for the smallest portion.

Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee

Reddy loves a good traditional breakfast. Especially those runny soft boiled eggs with drizzles of thick dark soya sauce and a dash of pepper... droooolz. And French Toast! Reddy seems to have it anywhere that serves it. Having read about Ah Seng Hai Nam Coffee in numerous online reviews, I paid them a visit on one hot and humid typical Singaporean morning, just before heading up to Where-I-Earn-A-Living.

What a typical local breakfast would look like - 2 soft boiled eggs with soya sauce and pepper, French Toast with Kaya and a piping hot cup of Ginger Tea with Milk (without the frothy "tarik" of a usual Teh Halia).

Carrying On The Legacy - Coffee Break @ Amoy Food Center **Updated 24/8/2015**

We are living in the time and age where traditional ways are slowly disappearing in the wake of modernity and rapid development. The same can be said about traditional food, and of late, about hawkers plying their trade with old school traditional cuisine. Being a hawker is an arduous job, you wake before the sun rises for prep work and you work non-stop tirelessly churning out your goods (in machine perfect timing). The pay off is not in the midst of gargantuan corporate profit margins, this is a job that requires passion to continue, loads of passion. That is exactly what the 2 youngsters have, Passion. Passion to continue the legacy of providing comfort food to the people. That, folks, to me is what we need to preserve a dying culture.

*Updated 24th August 2015*

Yes, I did it. Braved adding on another inch to a growing waistline. Finally got hold of this gorgeous baby, and yes, it was worth every bit of calorie. The taro paste is thick and creamy, and most importantly, not TOO SWEET! Coupled together with cold cuts of butter? Yummeh!

Treat Time! - Koko Ice Cream @ Amoy Food Center **Closed at Amoy. Now shifted to The Star Vista, #B1-37D**

The famed coconut ice cream that travellers to Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok swoon about can now be found on our shores. Served typically in a coconut husk with toppings such as Red Ruby, Palm Seeds, Corn, Sweet Sticky Rice, Roasted Peanuts and Chendol-like "green noodles", just to name a few. Koko Ice Cream has the honour to be among the few here that offers this simple but delicious tropical heat buster. They do not offer the traditional toppings, but they have Roasted Peanuts, Sweet Corn, Rainbow Sprinkles and Chocolate Balls. There is even a choice of sauces, ranging from honey to Hershey's chocolate sauce. Pricing seems inclined on the steep side though, a single scoop at $3.00 and double at $4.00, but hey, think of all the hardwork that goes into each scoop you take! Each portion comes with a refreshing drink of chilled fresh coconut juice, a welcome treat to complement the already tasty treat.

Going basic - Honey drizzles and Roasted Coconut toppings. Oh, there is young coconut flesh nicely scrapped up for easy picking as well! This is a single scoop portion @ $3.00.

Treats - Going Local @ Rolina, Tanjong Pagar Food Center

The Uncle works calmly in his little workspace, almost oblivious to the humdrum of the endless swarm of the lunch crowd. His aged hands show years of invaluable experience, his nimble fingers gracefully fold the pleats to enclose the curried chicken and potato goodness in each piece of dough. I call out "Uncle", and give him a smile. He smiles back and pleasantly smile and nod while I place my order. He thanks me in well spoken English and I make my way. This is not my first visit. It's been several times, and yes, Rolina's delicious curried morsels are good enough to warrant return visits.

Going at $1.40 per piece, Rolina's curry puffs are smaller than the usual fare from Old Chang Kee and the likes. The crust is thinner as well, but the filling! Oh, the filling is chock full to the brim!