Thai Style Curry Bee Hoon · Khanom Jeen Saphan Hin in Phuket

Our Thai host brought us to Khanom Jeen Saphan Hin in Phuket for lunch. Before this, I had no idea at all what is khanom jeen. Turned out that I fell totally in love with this traditional Thai dish and now look out for it whenever I have Thai food. Khanom jeen reminds me of the Tamil putu mayam but eaten with many different types of Thai style curries. When you are in Phuket, you may want to check out Khanom Jeen Saphan Hin.

Restaurant name: Khanom Jeen Saphan Hin ขนมจีนสะพานหิน

Address: 66/2 Phuket Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Tel: +66 83 175 5571

Hours: 8:30am - 7:00pm

Tasty Thai Hainanese Chicken Rice @ Old Phuket Town · Ding Li Ji Fan 丁立鸡饭 ติงลี่ข้าวมันไก่

During my Thailand trip, one of the things I was looking out for was Thai style Hainanese chicken rice (known as khao man gai in Thai). While doing the obligatory Old Phuket Town walk, we stumbled upon Ding Li Ji Fan 丁立鸡饭 ติงลี่ข้าวมันไก่ chicken rice shop. 

Ding Li Ji Fan is one of the prettiest chicken rice shops that I have ever come across and where I became a Thai chicken rice convert - of all places, in a tourist hotspot 🤭

Restaurant name: Ding Li Ji Fan 丁立鸡饭 ติงลี่ข้าวมันไก่

Address: 51 Thalang Road, Tambon Talat Yai, เมือง Phuket 83000, Thailand

Tel: +66 83 915 6516  +66 63 662-8291

Hours: 7:00am - 3:00pm (Mon off)

Best Moments in Phuket, Khao Lak, Bangkok · Day by Day Itinerary

I am in Phuket, Khao Lak, and Bangkok for a week. This is my first trip by air out of Singapore since the borders reopened (post-Covid). In this post, I will share as much detail as possible on my personal experiences and observations about procedures, peoples, places, and the food I encounter during the trip.

Canadian Ginseng Bak Kut Teh Recipe 加拿大西洋参肉骨茶

I eat a simple ginseng bak kut teh at least once a month for the health benefits of ginseng. My favourite cut of pork rib is known in Singapore as 龍骨 or "dragon bone". I like to cook it with fresh Canadian ginseng for its mellow sweet and unique ginseng taste.

Chef Charlie's Special Oxtail Stew @ Weng Kiang Kee Porridge in Chinatown Complex

Chef Charlie of Weng Kiang Kee Porridge jio-ed (invited) me for oxtail stew and beer. I was a little tired having just returned from a road trip to Kuala Lumpur but always enjoyed chef Charlie's food and company of our makan kakis (buddies).

Stall name: Weng Kiang Kee Porridge

Address: 335 Smith Street, stall #02-082, Singapore 050335 (Chinatown Complex Food Centre level 2)

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Chinatown station

Tel: 9850 3529

Hours: 7:30am - 1:00pm (Mon & Tues off)

Best Coffee in Singapore Chinatown Complex · Tai Hwa Coffee Stall #02-152 Red Zone 大華茶室

This kopi C kosong has a smooth, round body and robust coffee flavour balanced with evaporated milk sweetness. Feels, tastes and smells like those local (Nanyang) coffee made with espresso machines but is actually made the traditional way with a kopi sock. At $1.20 a cup, it is a bargain at today's prices (Apr 2022).

Stall name: Tai Hwa Coffee Stall 大華茶室

Address: 335 Smith Street, stall #02-152, Singapore 050335 (Chinatown Complex Food Centre)

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Chinatown station

Hours: 8:30am - 8:00pm (close at 3pm on Tues, 6pm on Weds | Thurs off)

Good Breakfast in Seremban @ Coffee Tiam Foo's Cooking • Special Yong Tau Foo 傅帮煮

For my drive back to JB / Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, I usually set off early to avoid the traffic build up in KL. Actually, I won't even have breakfast in KL but stopover in Seremban instead. During my last trip, we stumbled upon a nice breakfast place known as Coffee Tiam Foo's Cooking 傅帮煮 at 389A, Jalan Temiang.

Restaurant name: Coffee Tiam Foo's Cooking 傅帮煮

Address: 389A, Jalan Temiang, 70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Tel: +6010 761 9366

Hours: 7:00am - 3:00pm

Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam · Retro Hip in KL Chinatown 何九海南茶店

This was my first time back in KL, one of my favourite foodie cities, after more than 3 years(?) as the borders were closed for over 2 years due to Covid-19. I am looking for new places to eat as well as revisit my old favourites. When we asked locals where can we find a good Hainanese coffee, we were pointed to Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam 何九海南茶店. We like this place and think that if you are visiting KL, Ho Kow is one place you are need to check in at.

Restaurant name: Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam 何九海南茶店

Address: 1, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Pasar Seni station

Tel: 03 2856 8287

Hours: 7:30am - 3:00pm (Mon off)

Singapore Hawker Culture · Singapore as Asia's Kitchen

I am standing here at the spot at Singapore River where Sir Stamford Raffles landed in 1819. This spot was a village with the Temenggong's house just steps away. Across the river was a swamp with a small fish market. The first market in modern Singapore history.

55 Chai Chee Shen Ji Teochew Kway Teow Fishball Noodle For Supper in the East · Menu & Review

I was chatting with chef Eric Chua about what makes a good bowl of "dry" noodles and we decided on a spur of the moment to go to Shen Ji at block 55, Chai Chee Drive - one of chef's favourite noodle places. His enthusiasm and description of the old school "tah mee" noodles were enough to make me lau nua drool.

Stall name: Shen Ji Teochew Kway Teow Fishball Noodle Soup

Address: Block 55, Chai Chee Drive, #01-190, Singapore 460055

Nearest MRT: Take bus 26, 222, 222A from Bedok station

Tel: 6406 3539

Hours: 7:00am - 2:00am

JB Travel Tips from First Post-Covid Trip by Johor Kaki on 7 Apr 2022

I did a day trip to Johor Bahru yesterday, my first since returning from JB in Mar 2020. It was a sort of dry run before my longer trips soon. Sharing my experience here for your reference.

Fatt Soon Kueh · Handmade Traditional Teochew Steamed Snacks 发笋粿

Every time I am at 209 Kovan hawker centre, there is a queue at Fatt Soon Kueh. Why do so many people want to eat Fatt soon kueh?

Stall name: Fatt Soon Kueh (Kovan outlet)

Address: 209 Hougang Street 21, stall #01-17, Singapore 530209 (209 Kovan Market & Food Centre)

Nearest MRT: Kovan station

Hours: 7:00am - 6:00pm (Mon off)

51 Kovan Ming Fa Wanton Mee · Fulfilling A Promise 明發雲吞面

There are 3 or 4 wanton mee stalls at 209 Kovan hawker centre - the top two popular stalls are 51 Ming Fa WTM and Yi Shi Jia WTM. Maybe it was my luck - when I am in Kovan, 51 Ming Fa was always closed. So, I only blogged about Yi Shi Jia last year.

Ben How commented on Facebook that I must have taken money 💰 to blog about Yi Shi Jia WTM but not Ming Fa 🤦 哎哟,冤枉啊大人 😔  Aiyoh, I am innocent 😓 I promised Ben How that I will visit Ming Fa and post my review.

51 Ming Fa wanton mee continued to be elusive until I finally caught them opened this morning (nearly one year later).

Stall name: 51 Kovan Market Ming Fa Wanton Egg Noodle 明發雲吞面

Address: 209 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530209 (stall #01-64 inside 209 Kovan Market & Food Centre)

Nearest MRT: Kovan station

Hours: 7:00am - 1:00pm (Mon & Tues) hours may change

Huat Huat 80 小厨 Zhi Char · Menu & Review · Chinatown Green Zone #02-80

Continuing our exploration of zhi char stalls in Chinatown Complex, today we ate at Huat Huat 80 小厨 and were pleased with our delicious, affordable lunch 👍

Stall name: Huat Huat 80 小厨

Address: 335 Smith Street, stall #02-080 (Green Zone), Singapore 050335 (inside Chinatown Complex)

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Chinatown station

Tel: 9873 7995

Hours: 10:30am - 2:30pm | 4:30pm - 8:00pm (Weds off)

Less Known 58 Minced Meat Noodle @ Taman Jurong Shopping Centre · Top 10 in my Singapore Bak Chor Mee List

A long time ago, 2016 to be exact, I posted about 58 Minced Meat Noodle in Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre. Buddy Niven commented then that I should also try the boss' sister's stall across the road at Taman Jurong Shopping Centre. I finally did this morning, over half a decade later 😆, and man it was good. One of my top ten favourite bak chor mee in Singapore, in fact. Thank you Niven 🙏

Stall name: 58 Minced Meat Noodle 五十八肉脞面

Address: 399 Yung Sheng Road, Taman Jurong Shopping Centre, Singapore 610399 (stall inside 399 Food Court)

Nearest MRT: 15 minutes walk from Lakeside station

Hours: 9:00am - 2:00pm

Cheng Heng Kway Chap & Braised Duck Rice @ Holland Drive Food Centre 進興粿汁鹵鴨飯

Cheng Heng Kway Chap & Braised Duck is an institution here at Holland Drive Food Centre. Stalking the popular hawker centre for breakfast, the tables around Cheng Heng were occupied by their uncle-auntie type fans. I just got pulled in unconsciously, like old birds of a feather.... 😅

Stall name: Cheng Heng Kway Chap & Braised Duck Rice

Address: 44 Holland Drive, stall #02-05, Singapore 270044 (Holland Drive Food Drive)

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Buona Vista station

Hours: 7:30am - 2:30pm (Thurs off)

Ah Heng Duck Rice @ Hong Lim · Thong Chai Heritage Braised Duck Trilogy 同濟前阿興鴨飯

This is part three of a Singapore lor ark trilogy, successors of the legendary braised duck stall at the Old Thong Chai Medical Institute. Ah Heng Duck Rice has three successor stalls - a disciple at Heng Gi in Tekka Market, brother-in-law at Hup Seng in Sin Ming Estate, and this stall Ah Heng in Hong Lim Market.

Stall name: Ah Heng Duck Rice 同濟前阿興鴨飯

Address: 531A Upper Cross St, stall #02-64, Singapore 050538 (inside Hong Lim Market & Food Centre)

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Hours: 6:30am - 4:00pm (Mon off)

Chezcake Bistro · Joo Chiat's Well Kept Secret · Singapore Cheesecake Wonderland

After our lunch today in Joo Chiat, we adjourned for our usual coffee and cakes. Walking down Joo Chiat road, we stumbled upon Chezcake Bistro and quickly stepped inside to escape the stifling humidity and heat outside.

Humble Chezcake Bistro is right next door to trendy Common Man Coffee Roasters. But, it turned out that low profile Chezcake Bistro is a "hidden" cheesecake paradise for cheesecake lovers (me included).

Restaurant name: Chezcake Bistro

Address: 189 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427460

Tel: 6346 6466 ☎ 9755 6697

Hours: 12:00 noon - 10:00pm (Mon off)

Tekka Braised Duck · Heng Gi Goose & Duck Rice 兴记鸡鸭饭

Every time I post something about lor ark or braised duck, there's a good chance that a fan or two of Heng Gi will reach out to me and ask if I have tried their favourite duck rice stall. I finally did recently. I like it because it's an old school lor ark reminiscent of 1960s Singapore.

Stall name: Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice

Address: 665 Buffalo Road, stall #01–335, Tekka Centre, Singapore 210665

Nearest MRT: Little India station

Tel: 6396 0969

Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm (Sun off)

Goro Japanese Cuisine in a HDB Block @ 43 Holland Drive near Buona Vista MRT

We met up at Goro Japanese restaurant located in block 43, Holland Drive which is just beside Holland Drive Hawker Centre. Overall, we had a good time and I would go back, especially for their unagi and maki. Next time, I would also like to try their other dishes, including omakase.

Stall name: Goro Japanese Cuisine

Address: 43 Holland Drive, #01-49, Singapore 270043

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Buona Vista station

Tel: 6358 3959

Hours: 11:00am - 2:30pm | 5:30pm - 10:00pm

MUM's Recipe Ngoh Hiang · Homemade Hokkien Pork & Prawn Roll in Singapore

My friend Janet and mum recently launched their home based Hokkien style ngoh hiang. I dropped by at their home in Ang Mo Kio to see how the ngoh hiang (pork and prawn rolls) are made and to taste some 😄

Immigrant Roots of Singapore Hawker Culture · Thai, Indonesian & Chinese Chicken Rice

Lau Pa Sat, Singapore's first market is a thriving food court today

Singapore hawker culture is a delicious blend of all the food cultures of people who come to live and work in the Singapore melting pot since 1819. There's cuisine from the ancient civilisations of India and China, and neighbouring countries Malaysia and Indonesia. Slightly further afield, we have dishes from Indochina, and beyond, from Europe.

Curry Puff at Heap Seng Leong Coffee Shop

You know, when I happen to be in the North Bridge Road / Golden Mile area and have time on my hands, I enjoy chilling out at Heap Seng Leong coffeeshop with their bulletproof coffee and a curry puff. There's something about the charm of gritty Hainanese or Foochow coffeeshops whether in Singapore, Malaysia or the Riaus of Indonesia. (Heap Seng Leong coffee shop was founded by Hainanese and current owners are Foochow.)

Stall name: No name curry puff stall in Heap Seng Leong coffee shop

Address: 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109, Singapore 190010

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Lavender station

Hours: 6:00am - 3:00pm

Beach Road Chuan Kee Duck Rice & Roasted @ Luk Lu Eating House 全記鸭饭烧腊

Walking along Beach Road on my way to Golden Mile Food Centre today, I stumbled upon Chuan Kee Duck Rice & Roasted 全記鸭饭烧腊. I must have past this way hundreds of times but today I noticed that a few tables at the coffee shop had plates of braised duck and pork. Curious, I went inside to check.

Stall name: Chuan Kee Duck Rice & Roasted 全記鸭饭烧腊

Address: 341 Beach Road, Singapore 199567 (stall inside Luk Lu Eating House)

Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Bugis station

Hours: 7:00am - 2:00pm (Sun off)

Seah Street, Purvis Street & Middle Road · History of Little Hainan · Birthplace of Singapore Chicken Rice

Three streets, Seah Street, Purvis Street and Middle Road once formed the historic Hainanese enclave of Singapore. This is the birthplace of Singapore chicken rice and other Hainanese hawker or coffeeshop staples which are now deeply engrained in Singapore hawker culture. Indirectly, the glamorous Singapore Sling was also conceived in these gritty streets.

History of Lau Pa Sat · Telok Ayer Market · Singapore's First Market 老巴刹的历史

Singapore's first market, known today as Lau Pa Sat 老巴刹 has its roots in the riverside fishermen's market when Raffles landed at Singapore River in 1819. A lot has changed in the last 200 years.

Its entire surroundings is transformed beyond recognition imagination - Lau Pa Sat is today, nestled in the shadow of gleaming, looming glass towers that sprouted up all around it. The old market has undergone great physical changes and its character has also morphed from a fish market to a festival market to today's buzzing hawker food centre.

Lau Pa Sat 老巴刹

Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Raffles station exit F (Market street)

Tel: 6220 2138

Hours: 24/7

Hidden Thai Chicken Rice in Golden Mile Complex by Ah Liang from Hat Yai

There may be something to this thing call "Law of Attraction". I mean, I was researching the different types of chicken rice dishes in Singapore, and buddy Wilbur of AroiMakMak's post on a low profile chicken rice shop in Golden Mile Complex caught my attention. 

Stall name: No name Thai food shop

Address: Beach Road, Golden Mile Complex, unit #01-15B, Singapore 199588

Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Lavender station

Hours: 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Surprising History of Nasi Ayam Penyet · Iconic Chicken & Rice from Indonesia

The Indonesian dish, nasi ayam penyet is found throughout the vast Indonesian archipelago, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, in what is known as Nusantara (an old Javanese term referring to the realm of the Majapahit empire). One might have thought that the ubiquitous dish that conquered Nusantara should be as old as the Majapahit empire (1293 - 1527). Actually, it was created recently, in the 1990s 🤔 

Kiam Chye Ark Salted Vegetable Duck Soup @ Blk 22 Bgain Eating House Sin Ming Road

One of my favourite old working lunch haunts from years ago was the couple of coffee shops at Blk 22 Sin Ming Road. There were many interesting food stalls here, so there's something for everyone. In particular, there were three soup stalls - a bak kut teh stall, a braised duck stall with duck soup, and a "earth jar" soup stall. I've had them all, many times. Of the three, till today I still have a craving for the humble, comforting duck soup or kiam chay ark 咸菜鸭 from Hup Seng Duck Rice stall.

Stall name: Hup Seng Duck Rice

Address: 22 Sin Ming Road, Singapore 570022 (stall inside 22 Bgain Eating House coffee shop)

Nearest MRT: 15 minutes walk from Upper Thomson station

Tel: 6454 3810

Hours: 9:00am - 1:00pm (Thurs off)

Don Don Prawn Mee @ Circuit Road Food Centre 咚咚虾面

Johor Kaki reader Leonard recommended me to visit Don Don Prawn Mee at Circuit Road Food Centre. It is his favourite prawn noodle stall.

Stall name: Don Don Prawn Mee 咚咚虾面

Address: 79 Circuit Road, stall #01-42, Singapore 370079 (Circuit Road Food Centre)

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Mattar station

Tel: 8642 8641

Hours: 11:00am - 10:00pm (Weds off)

Lai Heng · Shunfu Fried Kway Teow with Otah · Ex Lakeview Shopping Centre 来兴炒粿条

Lai Heng Fried Kuay Teow stall is one of the favourites of regulars at Shunfu Market & Food Centre. It has a loyal following from its Lakeview food centre days since the 1970s.

Stall name: Lai Heng Fried Kuay Teow & Cooked Food 来兴炒粿条

Address: 320 Shunfu Rd, stall #02-20, Singapore 570320 (Shunfu Market & Food Centre)

Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Upper Thomson station or Marymount station

Tel: 91831684

Hours: 9:30am - 7:30am (Mon off)