Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen - Serving Cantonese Delights @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

Update: Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen is permanently closed.

Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre specializes in Cantonese-style tze char. The modest menu included their signature claypot pig's liver, har cheong gai, sweet & sour pork, salted fish minced chicken tofu pot, tofu & roasted meat among others.

In the days following up to my visit, I was actually quite looking forward to have their har cheong gai (prawn paste chicken) because honestly, is there anyone who does not like fried chicken?

When the day eventually arrived, I visited the stall with much anticipation but I was taken aback when the lady told me in her heavily Cantonese-accented Mandarin that the har cheong gai is a sauce-less dish which would be too dry to have with rice and refused to process my order.

To be fair, she did not say it outright but I got the signals from her body language. I was waiting for her to give me suggestions on what other dishes to try, however, she turned her back on me, not willing to carry the conversation further.

For a moment, I stood there dumbstruck, trying to comprehend what has just happened. Have I just been told that I am unable to have har cheong gai with rice because it is too dry?

"Huh... then... how?" I asked, totally puzzled by the logic.

"Choose something else" she replied curtly.

I looked up at the signboard and had a quick browse at the menu before I decide to add on a vegetable dish to my fried chicken.

"One kai lan with oyster sauce and one har cheong kai. With rice."

It was only then she picked up the pen and wrote down my order on a piece of paper.

I do not understand what is the issue here with having fried chicken with rice? Is it because I am ordering only one dish therefore she is not too keen in my patronage? I hope that is not her bid to make me spend more because I came alone so how much food can I actually eat?

Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre needs no further introduction but, unless you have eaten it before, you would never have guessed that what I had here is a plate of chicken rice because frankly, it does not even remotely resemble one.

It is not my first time having their chicken rice but it is my first time having it there hence I was rather taken aback by the presentation. In the past, my family always chose to pack a bird home for dinner.

Despite having patronized them for years, I did not realize that they actually sell two kinds of chickens with different pricing. There is the Hong Kong-styled soya sauce chicken (half $7/whole $14) and signature soya sauce chicken (half $10/whole $20).

Well, I guess I would not have taken such a close look at their signboard if not for doing this review. In fact, I wonder why it took me so long to write about them?

Chef Sham H.K. Vinegar Trotters @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

I have wanted to try the pig's trotters from Chef Sham H.K. Vinegar Trotters for the longest time, but somehow, I would always ended up having something else while at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre.

On this visit, I made up my mind and marched my way to the stall to order myself a bowl of black vinegar pig's trotters and a bowl of rice.

It was a younger Chinese man who took my order but it was Chef Sham himself who served me. The stall made enough pig's trotters to fill a large vat which could last them probably several days. When an order is received, the trotters would be fished from the vat and transferred to be reheated over a stove in a claypot. 

Ah Hua Assam - Signature Assam Chicken Set @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

Update: Ah Hua Assam has permanently closed.

Ah Hua Assam is a relatively new entrant at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre having set up stall only in August this year. Their main focus are dishes made with their home made assam (tamarind) sauce.

In fact, they were marketing their home made assam sauce in glass bottles online before setting up stall here.

When photos of their enticing dishes served on enamel plates began making their rounds on Instagram, it caught my attention. Wow, that screams nothing but old school therefore, I decided to go check them out at the food centre.

On the menu are their signature assam chicken set, braised chicken set and assam batang fish set. The sets are served with rice, omelette, and your choice of curry vegetable or chap chye.

They also have whole assam fish heads and other add-ons, like home made ngor hiang, assam bee hoon, babi pongteh and otak.

Ah Hor Teochew Kway Teow Mee @ 165 Kitchener Road

Just across the road from City Square Mall is a coffee shop housing a very popular Teochew noodle stall. 

I have kiv-ed this stall at the same time as the braised duck rice stall because they are categorized under the same area. This noodle stall called Ah Hor Teochew Kway Teow Mee has since moved from the address (12 Verdun Road) recorded in my list.

According to Dr Leslie Tay, the old stall used to be under an elderly man in his 70s who had a penchant for long sleeved shirts with flowery prints.

However, when I was at their new location, the havoc uncle is no where to be seen. Instead, the cooking was done by a middle aged lady with a young man taking orders.

South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice - Closing At The End Of November! @ 16 Sam Leong Road

Update: South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice has relocated. The new address has been updated at the bottom of this post.

There is a braised duck rice stall with a rather lengthy name located near Mustafa Centre.

Its owner, Mr Ang Chiap Teck - brother-in-law to the founder of the famous Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice at Buona Vista - set up the business here at Verdun Road in 2013 after Lim Seng Lee closed down during that same year.

As a mark of respect to his brother-in-law who had given him his blessings to revive the 45 years old business, Mr Ang did not continue with the Lim Seng Lee brand. Instead, he named his business South Buona Vista Road Famous Teochew Boneless Duck Rice.

I have kiv-ed this stall for quite a few years now but have never gotten round to paying them a visit.

While getting out of bed one Saturday morning, I suddenly made up my mind not to put it off any longer and took the train to Farrer Park MRT station. Cutting through City Square Mall, I exited the mall and crossed the road to the opposite side where the stall is located inside a coffee shop named Kim San Leng.

There were no customers that Saturday morning so I was able to order a plate of braised duck rice for $4 immediately.

Sky Terrace @ Kampung Admiralty

In my previous post, I shared about Kampung Admiralty, which is Singapore's very first retirement village. I also roughly talked about the amenities available in this development. In this post, I will share about the Sky Terrace from the eighth to eleventh floor.

The eighth floor is the highest level that the lift will stop at so you have to walk the remaining three floors up. Now, there is really no need to rush back into the lift after learning that you have to walk. Remember this place is built for the elderly in mind?

The only way up is via a gentle slope that is easy on the knees. The slope is also wheelchair friendly so you will find it literally a walk in the park.

You will realize the tranquility at the Sky Terrace is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle on the lower levels.

The studio apartments where the elderly resides in, overlooks the Sky Terrace.

Singapore's Very First Vertical Kampung @ Kampung Admiralty

source

Friends of mine would probably know that I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli's animated feature film Laputa: Castle In The Sky which tells the story of an ancient civilization on a mysterious island that floats in the sky.

We all know that is not quite possible in reality, however, what if I were to tell you that we do have our very own version of Laputa right here in Singapore?

Well, sort of and it is located at Admiralty, to be precise.

Kampung Admiralty is Singapore's very first vertical kampung, a retirement village for the elderly built with every amenity and service they needed all under one roof.

The basement is where the car park, supermarket and a bank are located while retail outlets and a community plaza are on the first floor. A hawker centre occupies the second floor followed by a medical centre on the third and fourth. The sixth and seventh floor comprises of a eldercare centre, a childcare centre, a function hall and a roof garden while the eighth to eleventh floor is the sky terrace.

*There is no mention of the fifth floor and the lift bypasses this level.

Siamkia Thai Cuisine - $2.80 Minced Pork Omelette With Rice @ Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre

While checking out Kampung Admiralty Food Centre, I chanced upon this Thai food stall called Siamkia Thai Cuisine.

What I like about them is their economical pricing. Their tom yum goong - the priciest item on their menu - is selling for only $6.

However, I decided to have their minced pork omelette (kai jeow moo sab) with rice instead, which happens to be their cheapest dish at only $2.80.

There is nothing more simple and comforting than having an omelette with rice. And not just any omelette mind you, but a Thai one.

San Yi Xuan - Mixed Mushrooms Chicken Rice Served In Bamboo Tube @ Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre

San Yi Xuan at Kampung Admiralty Food Centre is run by two Chinese nationals offering specialties from Jiangxi, China which is one of the partner's hometown.

Their menu included several rice-based dishes served in bamboo tubes, Chinese soups and grilled fish served with either mala or preserved vegetables.

After a quick browse on the menu, the mixed mushrooms chicken rice served in bamboo tube ($3.50) caught my eyes.

It did not take long for my order to be ready. I was surprised to see a side dish and a bowl of soup all inclusive in the price.

Nasi Ayam Panggang @ Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre

The Malay and Indian stalls are all located in the same cluster at one side of Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre. 

This very next stall that I wanted to try, called Uncle Penyet, is located right in this section.

As you can probably guess, the stall sells ayam penyet set ($5.50) but it is not the fried smashed chicken that I am here for because I am more interested in the ayam panggang set (grilled chicken).

When I saw the photos of their ayam panggang set ($5.50), I am sold. Everything about the dish, from the colors to the plating just seems so perfect together.

Chye Lye Ah Ma Mee Sua @ Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre

Located right next to the lor mee stall at Kampung Admiralty Food Centre is Chye Lye Ah Ma Mee Sua and I am there to try something called the tau chiam ($4.50), a kind of noodle made with soy bean and wheat.

Since I am early, a queue has not formed yet but that does not mean I do not have to wait as the three staff inside were each busy with their own chores. 

The one taking my order is cutting chili while the one at the back is pounding minced pork. As for the one cooking my order, I cannot see what she is doing since she is hidden behind the glass panel all plastered with photographs taken with ministers and famous personalities.

It took about five minutes for my bowl of noodle to be ready.

Ah Choon Traditional Lor Mee @ Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre

I have finally paid my first visit to Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre, a social enterprise food centre run by NTUC Foodfare. Simply turn right after exiting the fare gate at Admiralty MRT station and you will see it on your left. It is located on the second level which is accessible by the escalator or lift.

While checking out the stalls, I spotted one serving lor mee, prawn noodle and laksa. My heart is bent on having the lor mee since it is a perennial favorite of mine. Studying the menu, they have fish lor mee ($3.50), chicken cutlet lor mee ($3.50) as well as signature lor mee ($4) but it is the $2.80 traditional lor mee that caught my attention.

I will not delve into the details of what a social enterprise hawker centre is all about but under contract, every stall is required to offer at least one food item at $2.80 to ensure that food is made affordable for everyone.

I decided to have the $4 signature lor mee instead because I knew that the $2.80 version will probably not satisfy me. 

Yong Heng Fried Baby Squid Prawn Mee @ Blk 155 Bukit Batok Street 11

Just a few stalls down from Tiong Bahru Lor Mee, located within the same coffee shop is Yong Heng Fried Baby Squid Prawn Mee.

I was actually looking for the lor mee stall when I chanced upon this stall selling Hokkien mee. The sight of the three whole squids atop the plate of fried Hokkien mee on the signboard (refer to the last photo below) prompted me to order a medium ($4/$6/$8) plate to try.

When my order was ready, I took a look at my plate longingly but the three squids were no where to be seen. There are only squid rings and if you piece them all together, does not even form the half of one squid, not to mention three.

Oh no.

Have I been taken for a ride? Is this yet another case of "photos are for illustration only"?

When will I stop being gullible?

Tiong Bahru Lor Mee @ Blk 155 Bukit Batok Street 11

Ever since Uncle Teo's Bukit Purmei Lor Mee closed down three years ago, I have been unable to find another bowl of lor mee that comes anywhere close to his standard.

I might be biased but that is because I have eaten his family's lor mee since his mother's time at the former Seng Poh Road Market.

When I gotten news that his sister is running a lor mee stall at Bukit Batok, I knew I had to go give it a try.

It is self service here so you order, pay and wait to collect your order. I ordered a $4 bowl and opted for bee hoon. Once my order is ready, I helped myself to the black vinegar, chili paste and cut chili padi placed outside the stall.

New Market Teochew Braised Duck Rice @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

Located along the same row as Xiang Jiang Soya Sauce Chicken at Alexandra Village Food Centre is another famous stall called New Market Teochew Braised Duck Rice.

Run by a husband and wife team, this stall specializes in Teochew braised ducks but they also sell a plethora of other items like braised pork, braised pig's intestines, braised tau kwa, braised hard boiled egg, etc.

As with all popular stalls, a queue is to be expected. The chef seems unperturbed by the long queue as he goes about chopping ingredients at his own pace. I waited in line impatiently for about thirty minutes before it finally reached my turn to order.

I had wanted to order a plate of braised duck rice and add on pig's skin with the lady taking orders but was told that they do not have it and recommended the skin from the pig's head instead.

Even though I eat pig's skin, pig's trotters, pork belly, the liver and even intestines, there are still areas that I do not dare to eat like the ears, nose, tail, heart and in this case, the head.

I declined politely and left the queue with only a plate of braised duck rice ($4) in my hands.

Xiang Jiang Soya Sauce Chicken @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

As its name implies, Xiang Jiang Soya Sauce Chicken at Alexandra Village Food Centre specializes in soya sauce chicken which you can have with either rice or noodle. For the latter, you have the option of mee kia, mee pok or hor fun.

I went to join in the queue but realized the service is rather slow as there is only one staff inside the stall chopping chicken and preparing the noodles. A lady outside the stall is taking orders and relaying instructions to the man inside.

Even though the queue is not long, it took about 15 minutes for me to reach the lady. I ordered a plate of soya sauce chicken noodle ($4) and added two pieces of sui kow (80¢ each) ala carte.

Love Confectionary @ Blk 122 Bukit Merah Lane 1

Located right underneath a HDB block at Bukit Merah facing Alexandra Village Food Centre is a traditional bakery with a lovely name called Love Confectionery.

It is so old school you will not find the trendiest of cakes here except some very nostalgic butter cream cakes coated with rainbow sprinklers, chocolate rice, peanut powder and almond flakes.

The bakery opens at 12 noon but on the day of my visit, I was an hour early. With a cup of avocado juice in hand, I waited an hour for them to pull up their shutters.

This bakery bakes some of the freshest butter cream cakes there is. The moment the shop opens, customers began streaming in, grabbing whatever they can lay their hands on. There is simply no opportunity for me to snap any photos of the cakes in the glass cabinet.

With only two trays of every item available, the cakes and pastries here are almost like limited edition. I am not sure if they have more at the back of the shop but from what I found out, they are usually sold out by 2pm.

Poh Cheu - Assorted Flavors Ang Ku Kueh @ Blk 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1

Poh Cheu is renowned for their ang ku kueh which come in twelve different flavors: black sesame, coffee, coconut, durian, green bean, green tea, mango, peanut, pineapple, red bean, salted bean and yam.

I am honestly quite intrigued by the bold flavors they have come up with for this traditional pastry. What's admirable is that everything from the filling to the skin, is entirely handmade. They have a group of ladies working in the kitchen, kneading and rolling out these babies for us.

I have long heard about Poh Cheu's ang ku kueh and I am glad I finally had the chance to give them a try.

No Name Fish Soup @ Blk 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1

This KPT Coffee Shop at blk 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1 is truly amazing. With only three food stalls and one drinks stall, it managed to keep afloat despite competition from the nearby Kek Eng Kee and Alexandra Village Food Centre.

From Yang Zhou Fried Hokkien Mee in the previous post, the no name fish soup in this post and the ang ku kueh from Poh Cheu in the upcoming post, all three are popular in their own rights with each drawing a constant queue during their operating hours.

The queue at this fish soup stall, in particular, can stretch all the way out of the coffee shop during lunch hour. One reason for the queue built-up is because every bowl is cooked individually, with only one uncle helming the stove. However, you can see him cooking furiously away non-stop over a roaring fire whose flames envelops the tiny pot bubbling away.