The search for Singapore's best hawkers in 2014 was over and 6 new Hawker Masters has been announced. The annual hunt is in its fifth year
More than 600 nominations for the 6 categories were received from the public. The finalists for each categories were voted by more than 2,000 readers. A panel of eight judges then made their rounds of the finalists in each category to decide on the winners.
Lor Mee
Name: Yuan Chun Famous Lor Mee
Location: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, 02-80.
Opening hours: 7.30am to 2.30pm (Wednesdays to Sundays), closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Beef Noodles
Name: Zheng Yi Hainanese Beef Noodle
Location: Kin Seng Coffeeshop, 47 Tai Thong Crescent.
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm (weekdays), 10am to 6pm (Saturdays), closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Mee Goreng
Name: Hass Bawa Mee Stall
Location: Block 84, Marine Parade Central, Market and Food Centre, 01-150.
Opening hours: Noon to 9.30pm, closed Wednesdays.
Popiah
Name: My Cosy Corner
Location: Coronation Shopping Plaza, 587 Bukit Timah Road, 02-02.
Opening hours: 10am to 7.30pm daily. Popiah not available on Sundays.
Fish Soup
Name: Piao Ji Fish Porridge
Location: Amoy Street Food Centre, 02-100.
Opening hours: 10.45am to 3.45pm, closed Thursdays.
Mee Soto
Name: Riyan Hidayat Satay Solo, No. 31
Location: Serangoon Garden Market and Food Centre, 01-31.
Opening hours: 11am to 9pm, closed Mondays.
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Monday, 29 December 2014
Top Street Food to try in Penang
Penang is widely considered a food capital and has been named the number 1 food destination in 2014 by Lonely Planet. From Char Kway Teow to Hokkien Mee to Asam Laksa, Penang food has a strong presence of local Malay, Chinese, Peranakan and Indian influences. You can locate most of the good finds in the State Capital, Georgetown, which together with Malacca, is one of the World Heritage sites.
In my recent trip to Penang, I have researched 50+ food choices, received 10+ recommendations from friends and relatives and added another 10+ more along the way. Out of these, I have managed to try from about 40 stalls and eateries over the 3.5 days. I have wanted to taste more, but there were some that were difficult to find, resulting loss of time. There were others that were not opened, despite me checking the opening hours from various websites. And of course, it was just the limit of my stomach capacity that restricts me from gobbling down some more food.
Nevertheless, I would say I have experienced a wide variety of food that are good representation o f Penang food. I may not have all the "best" ones, but the ones list below (in order of alphabetical order) are definitely worth a try.
Apom
Location: Jalan Burma, outside Kedai Kopi New Cathay
GPS Coordinates: 5.432245, 100.310164
Location: Lebuh Keng Kwee
GPS Coordinates: 5.417001, 100.330862
GPS Coordinates: 5.417169, 100.330666
GPS Coordinates: 5.4163525,100.3327265
GPS Coordinates: 5.419222, 100.317976
GPS Coordinates: 5.432245, 100.310164
Location: Jalan Burmah, at Kedai Kopi Swee Kong
GPS Coordinates: 5.430486, 100.312699
Location: Lehub Kimberly, outside Restoran Kimberly
GPS Coordinates: 5.416325, 100.332718
Mang Chang Kuih
GPS Coordinates: 5.398379, 100.314783
Location: 56, Jalan Transfer
GPS Coordinates: 5.420828, 100.330670
Location: Lehub Kimberly, outside Sin Guat Keong
GPS Coordinates: 5.416398, 100.332730
In my recent trip to Penang, I have researched 50+ food choices, received 10+ recommendations from friends and relatives and added another 10+ more along the way. Out of these, I have managed to try from about 40 stalls and eateries over the 3.5 days. I have wanted to taste more, but there were some that were difficult to find, resulting loss of time. There were others that were not opened, despite me checking the opening hours from various websites. And of course, it was just the limit of my stomach capacity that restricts me from gobbling down some more food.
Nevertheless, I would say I have experienced a wide variety of food that are good representation o f Penang food. I may not have all the "best" ones, but the ones list below (in order of alphabetical order) are definitely worth a try.
Apom
Location: Jalan Burma, outside Kedai Kopi New Cathay
GPS Coordinates: 5.432245, 100.310164
Asam Laksa
Name: Famous Pinang Rd Famous LaksaLocation: Lebuh Keng Kwee
GPS Coordinates: 5.417001, 100.330862
Cendol
Name: Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol
Location: Lebuh Keng Kwee, off Penang Road, outside Joo Hooi CafeGPS Coordinates: 5.417169, 100.330666
Char Kway Teow
Location: Lebuh Kimberly, at Sin Guat KeongGPS Coordinates: 5.4163525,100.3327265
Char Siew
Name: Sin Nam Huat
Location: Jalan MacalisterGPS Coordinates: 5.419222, 100.317976
Curry Mee
Name: Keong Curry Mee
Location: Jalan Burma, at Kedai Kopi New CathayGPS Coordinates: 5.432245, 100.310164
Hokkien Mee
Name: Lean Huat Hockkean MeeLocation: Jalan Burmah, at Kedai Kopi Swee Kong
GPS Coordinates: 5.430486, 100.312699
Kway Chap
Name: Kimberly Street Duck Porridge Kway ChapLocation: Lehub Kimberly, outside Restoran Kimberly
GPS Coordinates: 5.416325, 100.332718
Mang Chang Kuih
Name: Pancake Corner
Location: 336-G1 Lintang Slim, off Jalan Perak, outside Restoran Joo HuatGPS Coordinates: 5.398379, 100.314783
Roti Canai
Name: Special Famous Roti CanaiLocation: 56, Jalan Transfer
GPS Coordinates: 5.420828, 100.330670
Yong Tau Foo
Name: Kimberley Road Yong Tau FooLocation: Lehub Kimberly, outside Sin Guat Keong
GPS Coordinates: 5.416398, 100.332730
There are many more that I want to try, such as Tua Pui Curry Mee, Seafood Popiah at Padang Brown, Ah Leng Char Kway Teow, dessert at Tradtional Home of Dessert. I will definitely make a return trip at some point in time.
Tell me what are your favourite ones!
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Ming Chung Restaurant (民众菜馆)
Whenever people talk about Heng Hua cuisine, one will associate that with Pu Tien. At Ming Chung, you will find the food served here no less tasty, and more importantly come with a homely feel that is missing at the ever-increasing Pu Tien branches.
WHAT TO ORDER:
The menu is not long - good eateries do not need long menu. The nice signature dishes are clearly marked and I agree with most. My top votes go to Lor Mee and Stir Fry Clam (La La).
WHAT SO GOOD:
The Lor Mee is done in the traditional Henghua way, with white noodles and fresh ingredients like clams, prawn, yam, pork belly, beancurd and vegetables cooked in flavourful broth. Each ingredient is nothing unique by its own, but their combination somehow makes this dish special. I cannot find a table without ordering this. The best part of the Stir Fry Clams has to be its savoury gravy, which harnesses the freshness and sweetness of the clams and nicely embeds the spicy taste.
NOT SO GOOD:
I am a little disappointed with the Fried Bee Hoon that night. It was rather plain and sorely lacked of the wok hei flavour. I added some Stir Fry Clam gravy and this certainly gave the dish some boost, but feel that the dish should stand by itself.
MY RATING:
8.5 / 10
WHAT TO ORDER:
The menu is not long - good eateries do not need long menu. The nice signature dishes are clearly marked and I agree with most. My top votes go to Lor Mee and Stir Fry Clam (La La).
WHAT SO GOOD:
The Lor Mee is done in the traditional Henghua way, with white noodles and fresh ingredients like clams, prawn, yam, pork belly, beancurd and vegetables cooked in flavourful broth. Each ingredient is nothing unique by its own, but their combination somehow makes this dish special. I cannot find a table without ordering this. The best part of the Stir Fry Clams has to be its savoury gravy, which harnesses the freshness and sweetness of the clams and nicely embeds the spicy taste.
NOT SO GOOD:
I am a little disappointed with the Fried Bee Hoon that night. It was rather plain and sorely lacked of the wok hei flavour. I added some Stir Fry Clam gravy and this certainly gave the dish some boost, but feel that the dish should stand by itself.
MY RATING:
8.5 / 10
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Restoran Ah Meng (阿明家乡小炒)
Many may have heard of San Lou Bee Hoon (三楼炒米粉), one of the popular Cze Char dishes in Johor Bahru. How many of you know that this is not from San Lou Restaurant? Better still, where can you find San Lou Bee Hoon that is better than the version at Restoran Ah Kaw, the originator of San Lou Bee Hoon?
WHAT TO ORDER:
What else other than San Lou Bee Hoon, a dish ordered at every table? Also like the fresh Chye Poh Steamed Fish, which is less commonly found in Singapore nowadays. Don't forget to try the traditional Teochew desset Or Nee. The pictures of the shop's 20 recommended dishes are displayed on the wall.
WHAT SO GOOD:
Interestingly, the San Lou Bee Hoon is served in a flattened shape. This is the outcome of the outer layer of the already fried bee hoon given another searing to create fragrant charred taste. Eat with the accompanying strong sambal chilli, you will find the taste of the bee hoon further lifted by another few levels.
NOT SO GOOD:
I find most of the other dishes pretty normal by my standard. The Curry Pork Ribs which has received rave review on the Internet, is not cooked in the curry style I prefer.
MY RATING:
8.25 / 10 (San Lou Bee Hoon)
7.25 / 10 (overall)
WHAT TO ORDER:
What else other than San Lou Bee Hoon, a dish ordered at every table? Also like the fresh Chye Poh Steamed Fish, which is less commonly found in Singapore nowadays. Don't forget to try the traditional Teochew desset Or Nee. The pictures of the shop's 20 recommended dishes are displayed on the wall.
WHAT SO GOOD:
Interestingly, the San Lou Bee Hoon is served in a flattened shape. This is the outcome of the outer layer of the already fried bee hoon given another searing to create fragrant charred taste. Eat with the accompanying strong sambal chilli, you will find the taste of the bee hoon further lifted by another few levels.
NOT SO GOOD:
I find most of the other dishes pretty normal by my standard. The Curry Pork Ribs which has received rave review on the Internet, is not cooked in the curry style I prefer.
MY RATING:
8.25 / 10 (San Lou Bee Hoon)
7.25 / 10 (overall)
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Xin Yun Kway Chap
Widely popular and always in the running to be among the top Kway Chap stalls in Singapore, Xin Yun Kway Chap amazingly opens only three days in a week.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Just tell the stall owner the number of people (servings) and the number of kway. Like other Kway Chap stalls, you can ask more of this or less of that.
WHAT SO GOOD:
I like the broth, nice herbal taste and without getting too salty. The kway is soft and smooth, but yet firm enough such that it does not break easily. Good mixture of ingredients (braised meat, big intestines, skin, tau pok, tau kwa, tau kee, egg), all well stewed with flavour nicely permeated. Only noticeable ingredient missing is the small intestines.
NOT SO GOOD:
Remember it is only Fri, Sat and Sun that the stall opens, or else you will be disappointed if you go on the wrong days. Of course, when the stall is opened, be prepared to queue.
MY RATING:
8.25 / 10
WHAT TO ORDER:
Just tell the stall owner the number of people (servings) and the number of kway. Like other Kway Chap stalls, you can ask more of this or less of that.
WHAT SO GOOD:
I like the broth, nice herbal taste and without getting too salty. The kway is soft and smooth, but yet firm enough such that it does not break easily. Good mixture of ingredients (braised meat, big intestines, skin, tau pok, tau kwa, tau kee, egg), all well stewed with flavour nicely permeated. Only noticeable ingredient missing is the small intestines.
NOT SO GOOD:
Remember it is only Fri, Sat and Sun that the stall opens, or else you will be disappointed if you go on the wrong days. Of course, when the stall is opened, be prepared to queue.
MY RATING:
8.25 / 10
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Wan He Lou
Nestled within the striking shophouses of Jalan Besar neighbourhood, Wan He Lou serves affordable dishes of Chinese cuisine. Helming the restaurant is Chef Dee, who had won numerous awards, including the top prize at a culinary event which was part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
WHAT TO ORDER:
The Must-order is the award-winning Lobster Porridge. The Crispy Lotus with Salted Egg serves as a good starter. Consider ordering the Pan Fried Kurobuta Pork, Signature Chicken and Yellow Gravy Crab Meat Tofu and Green Dragon Vegetables with Dried Shrimps
WHAT SO GOOD:
The porridge is cooked in Teochew style with the loose rice grains swimming in the broth. The fresh lobsters are sliced into halves and added during the cooking process to produce the fresh, sea flavoured broth. The firm lobster meat, the well flavoured porridge and the tasty accompanying dishes make this a nice, complete meal!
NOT SO GOOD:
Stir Fried Vermicelli, though a signature dish, was nothing to shout about. The Black Glutinous Rice topped with Yam Ice-cream (Dessert of the day) was not impressive either
MY RATING:
7.75 / 10
WHAT TO ORDER:
The Must-order is the award-winning Lobster Porridge. The Crispy Lotus with Salted Egg serves as a good starter. Consider ordering the Pan Fried Kurobuta Pork, Signature Chicken and Yellow Gravy Crab Meat Tofu and Green Dragon Vegetables with Dried Shrimps
WHAT SO GOOD:
The porridge is cooked in Teochew style with the loose rice grains swimming in the broth. The fresh lobsters are sliced into halves and added during the cooking process to produce the fresh, sea flavoured broth. The firm lobster meat, the well flavoured porridge and the tasty accompanying dishes make this a nice, complete meal!
NOT SO GOOD:
Stir Fried Vermicelli, though a signature dish, was nothing to shout about. The Black Glutinous Rice topped with Yam Ice-cream (Dessert of the day) was not impressive either
MY RATING:
7.75 / 10
Shanghai Renjia
Tucked in an inconspicuous corner of Ang Mo Kio, Shanghai Renjia does not place much focus on the interior design. Instead it aims to serve customers with well executed Shanghainese dishes.
WHAT TO ORDER:
The selection on the menu is not huge (which is what I like). I like most of 9 dishes that I ordered. If I were to pick the best ones, Pan Fried Shanghai Bao, Xiao Long Bao, Stir-fried Pea Sprout and Pumkin (as spelt in the menu) Pancake will be my top choices.
WHAT SO GOOD:
The bottom half of the Pan Fried Shanghai Bao is nicely fried to crisp, and the top half is fluffily steamed at the same time. Hard to find such Sheng Jian Bao so well made. The Xiao Long Bao is so delicious that they are served without no vinegar and ginger. I love the natural sweetness of the Pea Sprout. End off the dinner with Pumkin Pancake - crispy fried skin wrapping the nice pumpkin purée mashed with read bean inside
NOT SO GOOD:
Small place with limited seats. Making reservation does not guarantee that you do not need to queue. Advise you book and come at 6pm. Also I find Handmade Noodle with Pork Chop and Diced Chicken a bit too plain. If you order the Mei Cai Pork Belly Bun, add the gravy to the handmade noodles and you find the taste greatly enhanced.
MY RATING:
8.75 / 10
WHAT TO ORDER:
The selection on the menu is not huge (which is what I like). I like most of 9 dishes that I ordered. If I were to pick the best ones, Pan Fried Shanghai Bao, Xiao Long Bao, Stir-fried Pea Sprout and Pumkin (as spelt in the menu) Pancake will be my top choices.
WHAT SO GOOD:
The bottom half of the Pan Fried Shanghai Bao is nicely fried to crisp, and the top half is fluffily steamed at the same time. Hard to find such Sheng Jian Bao so well made. The Xiao Long Bao is so delicious that they are served without no vinegar and ginger. I love the natural sweetness of the Pea Sprout. End off the dinner with Pumkin Pancake - crispy fried skin wrapping the nice pumpkin purée mashed with read bean inside
NOT SO GOOD:
Small place with limited seats. Making reservation does not guarantee that you do not need to queue. Advise you book and come at 6pm. Also I find Handmade Noodle with Pork Chop and Diced Chicken a bit too plain. If you order the Mei Cai Pork Belly Bun, add the gravy to the handmade noodles and you find the taste greatly enhanced.
MY RATING:
8.75 / 10
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