Lau Phua Chay Roasted Delicacies @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

Shocking would be an understatement to describe my first impression of Lau Phua Chay Roasted Delicacies at Alexandra Village Food Centre.

I was actually queuing for the avocado juice next door during my previous visit to the food centre when I saw the darkest char siew I had ever seen hanging behind the glass window.

That certainly got my attention and I made a mental note to try this out during my next visit here.

Hor Fun Premium - Beef Hor Fun @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

Hor Fun Premium is another one of the more popular stalls along the same row as Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa at Alexandra Village Food Centre. I was there on a Sunday morning and had their beef hor fun for breakfast.

Hor fun sounds a tad too heavy to have at 10-ish in the morning if you ask me but the charred kway teow (flat rice noodle) drenched in the alluring eggy gravy is tough to say no to.

Apart from beef, you also have the option of sliced fish or seafood. Or, if you prefer, you can have those options with mui fan too if it rocks your boat. They serve pork ribs rice, ginger & spring onion sliced fish rice and ginger & spring onion beef rice as well.

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.

"Witness To War: Remembering 1942" Exhibition At The National Museum Of Singapore

This year marks the 75th year since the fall of Singapore in 1942 and the National Museum of Singapore has launched its latest exhibition, Witness to War: Remembering 1942 to commemorate it.

The exhibition touches on the Asia Pacific war when Japan attacked the United States military and naval bases in Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam and the Philippines as well as the British possessions of Malaya, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The attack on Singapore was part of a wider campaign waged by the Japanese Empire across the Pacific. It presents the complexities of the events that led to the outbreak of the war in Singapore in 1942. 

Jollibee - Unjolly Chickenjoy @ Square 2

Jollibee is a popular fast food giant from the Philippines which set foot on our shores three years ago.

From their very first outlet at level 6 of Lucky Plaza, Jollibee has since expanded to another four outlets here at Square 2, Changi City Point, Paya Lebar Square and one more at the basement of Lucky Plaza.

When news of them opening an outlet in Singapore first broke, the most ecstatic would be the Pinoy community here who understandably, made up the bulk of the queue.

On its opening day and the subsequent weeks that followed, the turnout was so huge that they had to use the neighboring vacant unit to accommodate the snaking queue.

I thought I will wait for the craze to die down before I visit but weeks soon turned into months. As non of the outlets are near me and I hardly see any advertisements from Jollibee, I had clean forgotten about it - for three whole years - till recently!

Anime X Stamps @ Singapore Philatelic Museum

Celebrating 100 years of anime, an anime-themed exhibition is happening now at the Singapore Philatelic Museum.

Featuring an impressive collection of more than 700 stamps from 80 titles, spot your favorite anime characters such as Astro Boy, Doraemon and Naruto!

Also on display are rare artwork from Naruto and limited edition figurines from ONE PIECE, Dragon Ball and Mazinger Z.

Some of the earlier anime like Astro Boy, Doraemon, Heidi, Girl Of The Alps, RANMA 1/2 and Rantarou evoked some nostalgia sentiments as I grew up with these during my childhood.

If you are a fan of anime, this is an exhibition not to be missed. There is no excuse not to visit if you are a Singaporean as there is free entry.

Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

I cannot decide which is more off-putting - the never ending queue for the yong tau foo or the fact that the stall is located right next to the toilet?

For years, I have walked past the stall countless of times but not once did I throw it an extra glance due to the reason above.

It wasn't until recently that I finally relented.

I figured that they must be doing something right since they are able to command a perpetual queue everyday despite its less than ideal location.

On the day of my visit, I was elated to see less than ten customers in front of me however, the queue was very slow moving.

Nadim's Delights Burger Banjir @ Blk 508 Jurong West St 52

Update: Nadim's Delights has permanently closed.

Nadim's Delights is a western food stall located inside a coffeeshop at Blk 508 Jurong West Street 52, not far from Blk 505 Market & Food Centre.

Apart from the usual black pepper steak, fish & chips, chicken chop, chicken cutlet and spring chicken, the stall is getting popular for their burger banjir which is going viral on social media lately.

So what exactly is a burger banjir?

Banjir actually means "flood" therefore, burger banjir means "flooded burger". 

Flooded by what? If you cannot tell from the photo above, it's cheese of course!

Fei Fei Roasted Noodle @ Yuhua Village Market & Food Centre

I have been to Yuhua Village Market & Food Centre a number of times to do marketing with my Mum and we would usually settle our breakfast at the food centre itself. 

One particular roast stall here is famous for their char siew and there is always a perpetual queue for it.

The stall in question is called Fei Fei Roasted Noodle. Being a regular at the food centre here, I have eaten at Fei Fei a couple of times but I wonder why it took me so long to write about them? 

The stall is opened at around 9am and during my latest visit, I was there just at that precise moment when they switched on the lights inside the stall indicating that they are opened for business.

I was taken aback when a horde of people around me started swarming towards the front of the stall, all trying to place their orders. I joined the queue as well and I stood in line for about twenty minutes before it reached my turn to order a plate of wanton noodle.

Old Chang Kee Chicken Kopi'O

Old Chang Kee - a household name known for its delectable puffs - is no stranger to Singaporeans. Mention curry puff and this company's name would most likely come to mind.

Operating out of a small stall in a coffee shop near the then REX Cinema in 1956, it now has a chain of almost 80 kiosks all over the country and that is not even including the outlets overseas.

Old Chang Kee has certainly come a long way; it was recently inducted into the Influential Brands' Hall of Fame for winning the Influential Brands Award for five consecutive years.

Amongst the reasons contributing to their success, the company have actively been coming up with new flavors to attract customers. Past flavors included the likes of Chicken Satay'O, Cheesy Curry Chicken'O and the Rendang Chicken'O just to name a few.

Now, they have a new flavor under their wing - the new Chicken Kopi'O!

Cantonese Delights - Curry Fried Chicken Cutlet Noodle @ Hong Lim Market & Food Centre

What has laksa yong tau foo and even curry noodles got to do with the Cantonese? When I first heard about this stall at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre called Cantonese Delights offering these dishes, I was perplexed. 

Nevertheless, I decided to give their curry fried chicken cutlet noodle a try because it looked so darn good.

I reached the stall at about 9am on a Sunday morning and there were about ten customers scattered around in front of the stall, waiting for them to open. When I returned five minutes later, these customers had already formed a line. I promptly joined the queue and it did not take long to reach my turn.

I ordered the small portion of curry fried chicken cutlet noodle for $4.

Bai Nian Niang Dou Fu @ People's Park Food Centre

Over here at Bai Nian Yong Tau Foo, the only way you can have your yong tau foo is with bee hoon (rice vermicelli) soup. They do not serve it dry or have other kinds of noodle options like kway teow (flat rice noodle) or yellow noodles.

You have no choice over the ingredients as well as the ingredients are fixed. The only decision you can make is whether to have more bee hoon (at no extra cost) and whether you want the small ($4.50) or big bowl ($5.50).

Prince Coffee House - Beef Hor Fun @ 249 Beach Road

A week after my Hainanese pork chop at Prince Coffee House, I actually make a second trip back to try their beef hor fun.

Previously, while doing my research about the pork chop, I came across photos of their beef hor fun which looks amazing to me! At the same time, I found out that the beef hor fun, together with the Hainanese pork chop and stewed ox tail are their signature dishes thus, the decision to give it a try.

I will let you in on a secret.

I have never eaten beef hor fun before.

No kidding.

Due to certain reasons, my family do not take beef at all. I only tao jiak beef occasionally when I am out by myself and it is nothing more than a beef burger from a fast food chain.

Prince Coffee House - Hainanese Pork Chop @ 249 Beach Road

Prince Coffee House got its namesake from the now-defunct Prince Cinema at Shaw Towers where both were located some thirty years ago.

As with most Hainanese-run coffee houses, this coffee house serves both Western and Chinese fare.

This has to do with the majority of Hainanese being employed as chefs by the British during the colonial days. After the British troops withdrew from Singapore, these Hainanese set up their own coffee houses with the east-meets-west culinary skills that they have acquired.

When the original owner wanted to retire and fold up the business, four of his staff decided to take over and they had kept the coffee house running till this day.