Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

Singapore and its nearby region seems to have been hit by an unusually cold weather spell since the beginning of the new year. At a time like this, having a hot, steaming pot of claypot laksa doesn't sound like a bad idea.

I have always wanted to try Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa not because of its Bib Gourmand status but I am a sucker for claypot-anything. Food seem particularly tasty when served in claypots, don't you think?

The stall at Alexandra Village Food Centre is located along the row just opposite to Tai Chong Kok Confectionery at Blk 122 so it is really easy to find.

Hai Tang Lor Mee @ Mei Ling Market & Food Centre

Update: Hai Tang Lor Mee has permanently closed.

About six months ago, I was checking out Mei Ling Market & Food Centre for good eats. I tried the recommended Xin Lu Teochew Fishball Kway Teow Mee and Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty which I had already blogged about then. At that time, I also had the lor mee from Hai Tang Lor Mee.

Sadly, the photos for the lor mee did not turn out satisfactory so I had to make a return visit to take the photos again. However, on the day of my visit, the stall was closed and there is a notice on the shutters informing customers that they would be taking a two months break.

This post eventually got pushed down and lay forgotten in the drafts section.

Ah Ma Lor Mee @ Blk 328 Clementi Ave 2

The row of aquarium shops at Blk 328 Clementi Avenue 2 is my to-go-to place for my aquarium supplies.

At the end of the row is a coffeeshop which I have always walked by but never patronize. Who would when the coffeeshop always seemed so quiet and not all the stalls are in operation? 

Furthermore, the popular 448 Clementi Market & Food Centre is just a five to ten minutes walk away.

But, little do I know that hidden in the coffeeshop is a lor mee stall called Ah Ma Lor Mee which happens to be run by the third generation of the popular Feng Zhen Lor Mee (凤珍卤面).

I would not have known about them if not for the fact that Ah Ma Lor Mee was among the Top 10 most-voted-for stalls of the Singapore Food Master 2017 competition and it emerges as one of the top 3 in the west zone category.

Eng Kee - Fried Bee Hoon And Fried Chicken Wing @ Redhill Market & Food Centre

I have long heard about Eng Kee and their famous fried chicken wings but have not gotten round to visiting them as I still have not figured out how to get to their location at Commonwealth.

As fate would have it, they opened a branch at Redhill Market & Food Centre which is easier for me as I already know how to get there. But of all places to set up shop, they opened their branch at the previous stall of YAN (焱), who is also famous for their fried chicken wings.

Since I have just visited YAN (now renamed YON YAN) at their new location at West Coast Market, I thought I might as well visit Eng Kee to see the difference between the two? This is something that I have wanted to do but procrastinated till now.

Yon Yan - Fried Bee Hoon And Fried Chicken Wing @ West Coast Market Square

About six months ago, Eng Kee posted a photo of YAN's stallfront on their Facebook. I was puzzled why did Eng Kee open their new branch at YAN's location? 

For the uninitiated, Mr Hu, the owner of YAN, is the original owner of Eng Kee at Commonwealth. Mr Hu's Chinese name is 胡火荣 while Eng Kee's Chinese name is 荣记 so can you see the link between them? He sold off the brand and recipe then set up YAN at Redhill. Both stalls offer similar food items i.e economical fried bee hoon and fried chicken wings which both are popular in their own rights.

What's confusing me is, since Eng Kee is opening their branch at YAN's location, why didn't they change the signboard to their own before putting up the photo on their Facebook?

It wasn't until last December when the Chinese tabloids reported that Mr Hu has ended the business at Redhill Food Centre six months ago due to a work injury but has now reopened for business again at a new location with a new name and they finally have their own Facebook page!

The Mystery Of The Curry Murder Case @ Orchard Road Presbyterian Church

I passed by the Orchard Road Presbyterian Church while on my way to the National Museum of Singapore.

This church is no stranger to anyone who frequents Orchard Road. Located at the Bras Basah end of Orchard Road right next to the YMCA, the Orchard Road Presbyterian Church has been around since our colonial days.

However, do you know it has a very sombre past?

The church is the crime scene of a possible murder case dubbed as "The Curry Murder" which shook the nation in 1984.

"Glass Rotunda: Story Of The Forest" Digital Installation At The National Museum Of Singapore

After finishing the temporary exhibition Witness To War: Remembering 1942, I proceeded to Level 2 of the Museum, where the Glass Rotunda is.

It is home to a new permanent work, Story Of The Forest by renowned Japanese digital art collective teamLab.

I entered the rotunda, not knowing what to expect and I was blown away.