Zhen Wang Family Restaurant - Nameless Braised Duck Rice @ Bukit Timah Plaza

Update: Zhen Wang Family Restaurant has permanently closed.

I cannot believe what a dork I have been, letting such a gem of a braised duck rice slipping by under my nose all these years! 

Bukit Timah Plaza has been my childhood playground since the Yaohan era but I have never noticed this Zhen Wang Family Restaurant before. 

It was not until recently that I learned of this nameless duck rice stall located inside the eatery on a social media post. I was scratching my head over the existence of this place wondering why I have never seen it before despite claims that it has been there for over twenty years?

I went down to take a look and I found out why.

I have always entered the building through the entrance under Anak Bukit Flyover and would head straight for the escalator to go down to B2 where Yaohan, Wishbone and Waffle Town are. 

The eatery is located at the far end near the escalator side on B1 where I admittedly have never ever turned to look in that direction before. 

My habit upon reaching Bukit Timah Plaza is to head to B2 because that is where all my favorite shops are.

Come to think of it, I hardly go to the other floors where the maid agencies, tuition centre, music school and other specialty shops are. 

This explains why I have not seen or even heard of Zhen Wang Family Restaurant.

Waffletown USA - Bowing Out After 20 Years @ Balmoral Plaza

Update: Waffletown USA has relocated. The new address has been updated at the bottom of this post.

The problem with people is that we tend to take things for granted. We started feeling sorry for ourselves when we realized we are going to lose something dear to our hearts.

When news broke earlier this week that Waffletown USA is going to shutter their doors for good sometime this month (18th May), a piece of me died inside.

I kind of agree with this line that I read somewhere: "We whine about a favorite place closing. When it is finally closed, we clamor to have it back but the moment it does, we visit only once and never return again". 

I am quite guilty of this myself. My last visit to Waffletown USA was in fact five years back and I have not done so since then.

However, to prove that I am still a die-hard fan, I decided to have one last meal here for memory's sake.

I thought I was being smart by coming early to beat the queue but what I did not expect was that opening hour has been delayed by sixty minutes later than usual. By then, more people have arrived and I had to stand in line for almost an hour before it reached my turn to order.

I ordered three items: two piece chicken meal ($8.30), waffle ala-mode with blueberries and rum & raisin ice cream ($6.50) and fish burger ($3.50).

There is table service here so take a seat after placing your order and someone will send the order to your table.

The Japanese Occupation: Fall Of Singapore

Civilian War Memorial [via]

On February 15, 1942, the British surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Army due to the shortage of food and ammunition.

Thus began the horrifying Japanese Occupation which lasted three years and eight months.

In February 1962 - twenty years after the war has ended, remains belonging to civilian victims of the Japanese occupation were unearthed. The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce& Industry undertook the responsibility of gathering the remains and creating a memorial.

In February 15, 1967, the Civilian War Memorial was built and the remains were buried under it.

This monument is composed of four similar pillars, symbolizing Singapore's four major races.

On this day every year (also known as "Total Defence Day"), the Government would hold a memorial service to remember the thousands of people killed during the occupation.

Chicken Basil From Tasty Thai Hut @ Bukit Timah Market Food Centre

I was running an errand in the vicinity of Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre sometime last week so I decided to drop by Tasty Thai Hut for lunch.

Although Tasty Thai Hut do not have a wide array of dishes, the lady manning the stall made up for the lack of it with her authentic Thai recipes.

Everything here is priced at a affordable $4 and for that price, I have nothing to complain about.

You might have figured out by now that Tasty Thai Hut is my favorite heartland Thai food stall due to it's authenticity and affordability!

I was actually craving for Chicken Basil that day so it was what I ordered.