Dazzling Cafe Sky 蜜糖土司專賣店 (Taiwan, Taichung)

Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70) 

Dazzling Cafe is a popular cafe chain in Taiwan known for their Shibuya Honey Toast. Did you know the Dazzling Group first started out as a clothing and jewelry boutique called Dazzling Fashion before embarking on the Food and Beverage journey.

We went to Dazzling Cafe Sky in Taichung which is located in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store.

We visited on a weekday afternoon at around 2.30pm. We were surprised to learn that the cafe was fully booked (all the air conditioned seats). Yes, at 2.30pm! Ridiculous right? It is a weekday, don't people need to work!

This whole area (indoor) was booked. Even the empty tables..as they were reserved by customers for the sitting at 3pm. We understand that those dining indoors had a 90-minute time limit., even then it was still fully booked. That is how popular Dazzling Cafe is!

The only place left is alfresco dining outside. But that means dining under the sun. These groups of customers were like us, they did not make any reservations.

After weighing our options, we decided to dine under the sun as this cafe was so popular and back then there was no plans to open the cafe in Singapore. It was quite warm but we still went for it =D

This is the menu.

Part of the drinks menu.

Soup, salad and appetizer menu.

The honey toast and waffle menu.

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) (cold) 160 TWD (S$7)

Each person was required to order a drink regardless of how much food is ordered. We ordered the Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) (cold) TWD (S$7).

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) 160 TWD (S$7)

Each individual cup was filled with sliced fruits (apple, orange, grape and strawberry) and ice.

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) 160 TWD (S$7)

We all loved the Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea. It was light and refreshing. It kept us cooled and sane despite having to sit under the sun.

Dazzling Cocoa (35% Cocoa) 140 TWD (S$6.10)

This is the Dazzling Cocoa (35% Cocoa) 140 TWD (S$6.10). I had expected it to be better, but it was just too thin for my liking.

Truffle French Fries 210 TWD (S$9.10)

The Truffle French Fries 210 TWD (S$9.10) was delicious. The fries were straight cut (thick fries). They were hot, crisp and  full of truffle aroma. We all loved this dish and polished it off quickly.

Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70) 

Although we were here mainly for the dessert; Shibuya Honey Toast, we decided to also try their Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70). The ice cream was served at the side. The shape of the waffle was unique and it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60)

Now this is the what we really came for, all the way from Singapore! Tada~ Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60). The two pictures did this no justice. It taste way better than it looks. We were very weary that the ice cream was melting very quickly in the heat hence the hastily taken photos.

Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60)

The Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast consisted of thick honey toast, vanilla ice cream and hazelnut sauce. The bread was perfectly flavored and toast. If you thought that the exterior was delicious, wait till you get to the interior. The toast cubes in the interior had hazelnut bits in them. And when you pop one into your mouth, the hazelnut flavour just seems to explodes out. The taste is totally out of the world. It made the trip worth it especially sunning ourselves outside and sweating for a good one hour for this. This is a must try! 

You have got to visit Dazzling Cafe in Taiwan! One of our member in this group has tried the outlet in Singapore and was disappointed. It was different from what she had in Taiwan. 

Dazzling Cafe Sky 蜜糖土司專賣店 (Taiwan, Taichung)
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi 台中新光三越  
Tai Zhong Gang Rd. Sec.2, No.111 3F 台中港路二段111號3樓 
Tel: 04 2251 8036
Opening Hours: Sun to Thur 11am - 930pm
                           Fri & Sat 11am - 10pm
Website

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Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle 吊桥头大华猪肉粿条面 (Lavendar)

Bak Chor Mee $8

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle has been in operation for over 75 years. This stall is extremely famous for its Pork Noodle also know as Bak Chor Mee (BCM) / Minced Pork Noodle. The owner of this stall, Mr Tang Chay Seng, first selling minced meat noodles 1936 at Hill Street before shifting to Marina Square in 1986, its present location is now at Crawford Lane. Located 5 minutes away from Lavendar MRT station, Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle can be found in a coffee shop (the coffee shop is called Tai Hwa Eating House) at the back of Immigration & Checkpoint Authority of Singapore (ICA).

I first got to know of this Bak Chor Mee stall in 2006. Since then, this has always been my favourite Bak Chor Mee. Long queues were a norm during lunch and dinner period with queues stretching out of the coffee shop (which means 45 minutes to 1 hour wait)! In the recent years, queues are frequent even during non-peak hours (e.g. 11am, 5pm). 

The prices of the food have increased significantly. From $3 in 2006 to  $4,$5,$6 in 2011 to $5,$6,$8,$10 in 2015 The owner is smart, as many customers including myself goes for the $8/$10 version after queuing for such a long duration, we just want to make our wait worthwhile (may as well right)? In addition, this is the kiasu Singaporean mentality. 

Bak Chor Mee $8

This is the $8 Bak Chor Mee.

Bak Chor Mee $8

Look at the amount of ingredients given. This Teochew style Bak Chor Mee was perfect. The ingredients were so fresh and cooked to perfection. The Pork Liver which was cooked just right deserved a mention; soft and tender with no unpleasant taste or smell. Can't find any fault with their meatballs, minced meat, dumplings, fried crispy fish and pork lard. They were all so good. Toss everything up with the mixture of chilli and vinegar sauce. The vinegar they used intensified the oomph factor of this dish. Irresistible!

Dumplings and Meatballs Soup $6

We also ordered a bowl of Dumplings and Meatballs Soup $6 for sharing.

Dumplings and Meatballs Soup $6

It consisted of pork slices, minced meat, liver, meatballs, dumplings and seaweed! So tasty! The soup is full of essence of pork flavour that can only be achieve through hours of boiling pork meat and bones. I drank every single drop. 

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle's Bak Chor Mee is still (and will be) my favourite Bak Chor Mee after all these years. In fact, its the best (die die must try!) Bak Chor Mee in Singapore. Fresh quality food that is well worth the money spent and time queuing. This is one food worth the wait and money! Can't wait to have more of this! This is the one and only Hill Street Tai Hwa! There are no other outlets!

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (Lavendar)
Block 466 Crawford Lane
#01-12 Tai Hwa Eating House
Tel 6292-7477
Open from 9.30am to 9pm; closed on the first and third Monday of each month
Website

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Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 海南福建炒虾面 (Golden Mile Food Centre)

Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles $3

Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 海南福建炒虾面  is another popular stall at the hawker centre. It is located next to the famous chicken rice stall; Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice 海南起骨鸡饭.

As its name suggest, Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 海南福建炒虾面  sells Hokkien Prawn Noodles.

The version here is different from elsewhere, it is dry (very dry). The owner would allow the stock to simmer till it has evaporated and the flavours are adsorbed in the yellow noodles and beehoon. He would not be able to fry too many plates at any one time as he would need to keep stirring the noodles under intense heat to prevent them from being burnt and also seal the flavours and wok hei in.

During peak period, the waiting time maybe as long as half an hour as frying the Hokkien Prawn Noodles take time.

Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles $3

This plate of Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles $3 was delicious! It well executed and fried. I have never tried such a dry verison before. It was so dry that I am sure it would have been charred if he still left them in the work. The yellow noodles and beehoon were well coated with immense flavours and smokey fragrance. It was served with slices of pork belly, squid, small prawns, sambal chilli, cut chilli and lime. A must try! 

Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 海南福建炒虾面 (Golden Mile Food Centre)

#B 1-34 Golden Mile Food Centre

505 Beach Road

Singapore 199583

Opening Hours: Tue to Sun 8am - 230pm
                           Closed on Mon

Tel: +65 6294 6798

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Eng Kee Fried Chicken Wings 榮記炸鷄翅膀 (Commonwealth)

Eng Kee Fried Chicken Wings 榮記炸鷄翅膀 is a well known stall located at a old coffee shop in Commonwealth Drive HDB estate. 

Eng Kee Fried Chicken Wings is essentially an economic noodle stall offering bee hoon, noodles, sausages, eggs, fishcakes, otah, luncheon meat, vegetables, etc.

This stall is well known for their fried chicken wings. There is a perceptual queue at this stall even during non-peak hours. It has been said that the original owner sold the stall off and has opened a new one at Red Hill Food Centre. 

I have heard so much about this stall and has been wanting to try this for ages. Since I was in the area, I decided to try this for myself. I ordered the noodles, bee hoon and two pieces of fried chicken wings. 

The noodles were average, a waste of calories. As for the chicken wings, they were the bomb! The chicken wings were big, meaty, tender and succulent! Very well executed frying technique as they were not greasy at all. The wings were just so juicy. At $1.20, this is just so value for money. The chicken wings at Eng Kee Fried Chicken Wings 榮記炸鷄翅膀  is a must try! 

$1.20 each

It was so good that I queue up again and packed  8 pieces of chicken wings back home. I envy those who live at the HDB flats nearby. I would practically be buying this every week if I am staying there.

Eng Kee Fried Chicken Wings 榮記炸鷄翅膀 (Commonwealth)

117 Commonwealth Drive

#01-711

Singapore 140117

Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 12pm - 10pm

                         Closed on Sun

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Fishball Story 鱼缘 (Golden Mile Food Centre)

Fishball Noodles (Mee Pok) $3.50

Fishball Story 鱼缘 is a hawker stall manned by a young hawker, Douglas Ng, 24, specialising in serving fishball noodles. The stall is located at level one of Golden Mile Hawker Centre at Lavendar. 

So what is so unique about Fishball Story other than the fact that it is manned by a 'young hawker'? Or in marketing terms, its called USP (Unique Selling Point). Well, unlike other (most) fishball stalls, the fishballs and chilli-scallion fishcakes are all handmade! He would arrive as early as 4am to blend the fish paste. The fishballs are made entirely from yellow tail fish with no flour.

 In case you are wondering, the queue here is short. The most number of people i have seen queuing here is around 5. Sometimes, there is no queue.

Fishball Noodles (Mee Pok) $3.50

I ordered Mee Pok Fishball Noodles (dry) $3.50.

Fishball Noodles (Mee Pok) $3.50

It comes fishballs, chilli-scallion fishcakes, fish dumpling (herh qiao), mee pok, pork lard, shallots, lettuce and sambal chilli sauce!

Fishball Noodles (Mee Pok) $3.50

What was fantastic to me was the mee pok and the sambal chilli sauce. The mee pok was cooked perfectly; just nice! As for the sambal chilli sauce which was cooked with hae bi (dried shrimps), it was so fragrant and addictive; outstanding! When mixed with the noodles, it complemented the noodles perfectly; lip smacking! Just the noodles and the sambal chilli sauce itself would suffice for me!

Frankly speaking, when I first tried the handmade fishballs, I was surprised. I did not like the initial taste. The exterior of the fishball was firm, but the interior was tough, not bouncy and not spongy. I am probably too used to factory made fishballs and was not used to this version of handmade fishballs with no flour.

I went back again two weeks later as I really missed the noodles and sambal chilli noodles (no joke!). It was still as good. This time I got used to the fishballs and enjoyed them more. This is a case of the more you have it the more you will love it.

I can forsee myself coming back for more fishball noodles (especially the sambal chilli)! Going to rate this as a die die must try!

Fishball Story 鱼缘 (Golden Mile Food Centre)
#01-85 Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
Singapore 199583
Opening Hours: Daily 1030am to 5pm
Tel: +65 9800 5036
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Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar)

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10, Kaya Toast $1.20 and Soft Boiled Eggs $1

Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar) is located at Lavendar at the back of ICA behind Lavendar MRT station. It is 5 minutes walk away from the famous Tai Wah Minced Pork Noodles (Bak Chor Mee).

When I first stepped into the coffeeshop, it felt as though I had stepped into a time machine and travelled back to the past! 

It is as if time has stood still in this coffeeshop while everything else outside becomes modernise. The white tiles are brown, ceiling fans, no false ceiling, orange coin operated payphone and even abacus! 

This is the 78 year old owner. He is wearing a singlet and old style pyjamas pants which seems out of place in today's context. But this was the way people wore in the past. Most of the customers in the coffeeshop were elderly folks who are reading Chinese newspapers while sipping their coffee. Only the owner's son and I were using smartphones!

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10 and Kaya Toast $1.20

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10 

I have never tried Kopi Gu You (Coffee with Butter) before. Yes, if you are wondering, it is literally coffee with a thin piece of butter floating on top! The butter would then melt and form a layer of grease on top. Give it a good stir before drinking it. 

Surprisingly, I did not hate this! I was initially worry that it would be greasy/oily. It was not! Taste wise it was rich and complex with a salty caramel taste. Moreover at $1.10, this is so affordable. 

 Kaya Toast $1.20

The Kaya Toast $1.20 was quite well executed too!

 Kaya Toast $1.20

 Interestingly, the owner would use the top of a milk can to scrap off the charred parts of the toast. 

Soft Boiled Eggs $1

I was initially worried the Soft Boiled Eggs would be under or overcooked. Hence, when the Soft Boiled Eggs $1 arrived, I was thrilled that it was cooked perfectly! Do note, the eggs are cooked only upon order. Hence, there is a need to wait around 6 to 8 minutes for this.

At the counter, there are many plastic containers filled with local confectionery (snacks). There was also a orange coin operated payphone which was a common sight in the past! Now, with the high mobilephone penetration rate in Singapore, I cannot even find such phones anymore. Do you spot another item from the past?

Abacus

Yes, its the abacus!

I can forsee more trips back to this coffeeshop. My breakfast consisting of Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You, Kaya Toast and Soft Boiled Eggs cost just $3.30! This is so affordable. Furthermore, it was delicious, what a bonus!

Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar) 

Blk 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109

Opening Hours: Daily 4 am to 8 pm

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