Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery (Bedok)

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery located in Bedok is a traditional shop selling kuehs. It first started its business in 1967, serving customers through their home kitchen before setting up their own shop (at its current location) in 1987 as business picked up.

Through out the years since their inception, they have survived mainly through customers' word of mouth (WOM), no advertising on their part is required. This is not an easy feat as I notice that their location is not exactly ideal. To get to Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery, one would need to take a bus from Bedok MRT station. It is not located in a crowded area near an attraction or shopping mall. They are located just next to Fengshan Food Centre where many people frequent at night for supper for the famous Minced Pork Noodles and Chicken Wings, but well... they are closed by evening time. Hence, to have operated for so long with just WOM, I am sure they did something, if not a few things right!

So what are Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery's USP (Unique Selling Points) that have allowed them to operate for so long? From my perspective the USPs are:

1) Hand made Kuehs and other products. The Kuehs and fried stuff such as Yam Cake, Curry Puffs, Spring Rolls are all hand made! From pastry to the fillings, they are all hand made from the raw ingredients. Not made from factories! I feel that this is the most important USP. Despite it being a labourious task with such a wide product range, they still take the effort to make everything from scratch. Kudos to them.

2) Freshly made daily. Every thing is freshly made on the spot daily. To do this, they have to start working at 4am in the wee hours of the morning daily!

3) No/Minimum preservatives. If you are a regular customer here, you will know that most of the kuehs  and fried snacks cannot be kept for long. This is because no preservatives are added. It is best to eat it on the spot or within the same day.

4) Vegetarian. Suitable for vegetarian.

5) Halal Certified. Suitable for our Muslim friends (important point..especially in the light of Amy Cheong facebook post).

Part of the product range

Kuehs

Pulut Int and Fried Snacks

6) Wide variety of product range. They sell a comprehensive range of kuehs (from Nonya Kuehs to Ang Koo Kuehs to Soon Kuehs) and fried snacks (from Curry Puffs, Spring Rolls to Fried Yam Cakes) which are all hand made by them.

During this visit, the partner and I had the opportunity to view and learn (hands on experience) how some of the kuehs are made. First up, Ang Ku Kuehs.

Filling for Ang Ku Kuehs (Peanut, Bean, Gula Melaka Coconut)

These are the Peanut, Bean and Gula Mekala Coconut fillings used for the Ang Ku Kuehs 红龟糕 aka   Red Tortoise Cakes. This is a traditional kueh with a tortoise shell shape with a soft sticky glutinous rice flour skin and sweet filings inside. Back then, Chinese believe that eating tortoise will promote longevity, bringing prosperity and good luck to people. Hence, the tortoise shell shape. The Ang Ku Kueh is an auspicious kueh that is often eaten during important Chinese festivals such as Chinese New Year and also during birthday celebrations.

Left to Right: Mould, Ang Ku Kueh - making in process

This is the mould used to make Ang Ku Kuehs.

Ang Ku Kuehs before steaming

It was not an easy making the Ang Ku Kuehs. There are not supposed to be any cracks on the kuehs, but well, this is our first time making it. A hands on session that allows us to appreciate the effort gone into making this. This excludes the effort and man hours required for making the pastry and fillings as these were already prepared for us.

Ang Ku Kuehs

I liked the Ang Ku Kueh ($0.50 each, $2.30 for 5) with peanut fillings in it. Because the peanut fillings were thick, moist and crunchy. Providing a nice contrast to the glutinous rice flour skin which was soft, sticky and chewy. Moreover, I must say that they were generous with the fillings.

Pulut Int

Pulut Int

Also had the opportunity to learn how to wrap the Pulut Int ($0.50). The Malay Auntie was able to wrap it so fast and quickly. It seems easy, but upon attempting it, I realised that it was harder than it seems. Well, I guess I am better at eating. The Pulut Int consisted of sweet blue (clitoria flower) glutinous rice topped with gula melaka coconut toppings and wrapped banana leaf.

Soon Kueh

The red mould as seems above is the mould used to make Soon Kueh ($0.70) and Ku Cai Kueh ($0.70). I believe that this mould can be used to make curry puffs too.

The filling that is used in the Soon Kueh.

Soon Kueh

Each piece of Soon Kuehs are handmade. A labour intensive process and as seen in the above photo, each piece looks exactly the same as if they were made by machines.

Mould

This is the mould used to make Rice Kueh ($0.80).

Kueh Salat

Freshly made Kueh Salat!

Kueh Salat

The Kueh Salat ($1.20 per packet) with the top layer consisting of a pandan crust with sticky glutinous rice at the bottom.

Kueh Lapi

Kueh Lapis

Kueh Lapis 九层糕 ($1.20 per packet) aka 9 layer cake / Jiu Cheng Gao, one of my favourite childhood snack which I peeled off layer by layer.

Yam Cake

Customers can choose between their Fried or non-fried Yam Cakes. I enjoyed both versions and though that this was one of the better yam cakes I have had. Because, their Yam Cakes ($0.80 per piece) were full of yam chunks along with mushrooms and other ingredients. In addition, it was soft and fragrant. Yam lovers will like this.

Tapioca Kuehs; Kotoh Ubi

Keeping the best for the last..

Both kuehs above are Tapioca Kuehs - Kotoh Ubi ($1.20 per packet). The one on the left is mashed tapioca with gula melaka mixed in it. While the one on the right is mashed tapioca topped with gula melaka coconut (This is my favourite among all the kuehs I tried). The tapioca at the bottom was soft and fragrant with generous chunks of tapioca in it. On top, the gula melaka coconut enhanced the flavour making this incredibly delectable.

I can't help but emphasis on the quality and freshness of the kuehs and snacks that Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery sells. In addition, these are hand made with manual labour at such an affordable price. I must say, I really admire the spirit of Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionary, for taking such effort to bring these delish kuehs to consumers in the traditional way (hard way). They could have easily just purchase a few machines to do the work (less staffing issues to handle, higher throughput). With our developing society modernising and as quality of life improves, who knows if kuehs will still continue to play a role in our daily life. From my own personal observation, it seems to be going on a down trend, people we now prefer to eat fanciful buns/bread, cupcakes, pancakes, swiss rolls, bubble tea, beancurd, ice cream, crepe and more. Hopefully, I am wrong. Hence, if you are wondering where to get kuehs, this could be one of your options.

Thanks Gavan for the invite. 

ps: the Spring Rolls are quite good too. Big and full of ingredients such as turnip, carrot, beansprouts. No photo as we well... ate it while on the way home.

Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery (Bedok)
84 Bedok North Street 4
#01-21
Tel: 6449 0815
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 4am - 6pm
                          Sun 4am - 2pm
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Marmalade Pantry at the Stables (Fairways Drive)

The Marmalade Pantry at ION Orchard has always been attracting a large crowd during meal times. With its success, Marmalade Pantry has opened another outlet called Marmalade Pantry at the Stables at Fairways Drive. It is located near Bukit Timah Saddle Club and Riders Cafe. 

Marmalade Pantry at the Stables is located away from the city. I felt as if I was transported back to the past when there was no tall buildings and am at the country side surrounded by greenery. But of course with this, Marmalade Pantry at the Stables is located at a remote location and you would need to either drive or take a cab in. A quiet place for a relaxing evening, perfect for a date.

In the interior with its tall windows, high ceilings and cushion seats, it gives a modern colonial feel. The tables, chairs, utensils and cups were well arranged with precision.

Salad: The Mexican Chicken Salad $22

Salad: The Mexican Chicken Salad $22

The first thought when I saw The Mexican Chicken Salad with Crispy Tortilla, Avocado, Spiced Corn and Salsa was that, for such ingredients, they presented it so well. The different combination of ingredients resulted in contrasting texture(soft, crispy, chewy) with each bite. In addition, each mouthful was packed with different flavours. 

Salad: Pan Seared Haloumi $21

The Pan Seared Haloumi was served with Roma Tomatoes and Watercress Herb Salad. It was well presented. The Haloumi is a semi-hard cheese made from a mixture of goat's, sheep's or/and cow's milk. One of its (Haloumi) unique characteristics is its high melting point. Hence, it is often (suitable) fried or grilled. The Haloumi has a similar appearance to beancurd. In terms of taste, it had a delicate smokey and salty flavour. The saltiness was balanced with the sweetness from the fresh juicy Roma Tomatoes and Watercress.

Meat & Fish: Crispy Pork Belly $32

Meat & Fish: Crispy Pork Belly $32

Crispy Pork Belly with Celeriac and Apple Slaw, French Mustard and Natural Jus. It was well seasoned but lack the crispiness as the layer of skin (fat) was removed. It was also too dry for my liking. This dish reminded me of the Kalua Pork at Charly's T which was executed differently.

Meat & Fish: Braised 120 Days Grain Fed Beef Cheeks $32

Braised 120 Days Grain Fed Beef Cheeks with Horseradish Mash, Field Mushrooms and Pearl Onions was well executed. The Beef Cheeks were braised to perfection and were incredibly tender and flavourful with melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Pasta & Risotto: Spaghetti Cabonara $24

The Spaghetti Carbonara with Poached Egg and Flat Parsley was a cream based pasta topped with shredded crispy bacon bits.

Pudding: Lemon Brulee Tart $14

The Lemon Brulee Tart will be a dish that you either love or hate. Thin crispy golden caramelised crust coated on the top of the moist lemon tart provided a mixture of texture. The mix of sweetness and sourness was just right for me. No wonder there is this saying 'there's always room for dessert'. Despite feeling so full, I could not resist second and third bites.

Cakes & Tarts: Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake $8

The Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake will also be a dish you either love or hate. Initially, my first thought was that this would be too heavy a dessert. Those who know me will know that I am not a fan of cheese cake. Yet this cheesecake was so good. The flavour of cheese was very forgiveable and not did not overwhelm the other flavours. In addition, it was light and dense with walnuts and a crumbly base with a hint of caramel saltiness. One of the best cheesecakes I have eaten!

Cupcakes: Red Velvet Cake $4.50

The Red Velvet Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting was unique as it was topped with grated coconut. Moreover, no red food colouring was added. Instead, the deep red colouring came from beetroot juice. Personally, I prefer a more moist cupcake and the addition of the coconut did not suit my taste preference. 

There was hits and misses. Out of all the dishes, I was most impressed with the Braised 120 Days Grain Fed Beef Cheeks, Lemon Brulee Tart and Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Looks like a great place for a meal away from the fast-paced city life.

Thank you Amanda (FoodNews) for invite and hosting.

Marmalade Pantry at the Stables (Fairways Drive)

55 Fairways Drive

Tel: 6467 7748

Opening Hours: Tue to Fri 3pm - 11pm

                         Sat to Sun 10am - 11pm

                         Closed on Mon

Website

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Location

Charly T's (112 Katong)

Charly T's second outlet is located at 112 Katong. It's first outlet is located at Nomu Building (next to The Cathay). At Charly T's, customer first order at the counter before entering the restaurant to choose their seats. Their orders will be served to them directly when it is ready. 

It has a unique concept as cuisines from different countries are put together and served at this restaurant. Essentially, your food journey can bring you from Europe to America to Asia (without the need to board a plane)!

Part of the wall in Charly T's showcase the drawings done by different children who have been to Charly T's. The restaurant will provide the colouring pencil and paper for children. Talk about family/kids friendly restaurant. This will keep the children busy while parents savour the food (peacefully).

Charly T's also have a Peranakan theme private room for six

Furthermore, there is an al fresco lounge area outside. Perfect for drinking, watching soccer matches and/or enjoying the view.

Charly T's Odysseys - Green Flash $6.50

Kick started the meal with Charly T's Odysseys - Green Flash; mix of green apple, orange and pineapple. Refreshing fruity thirst-quencher.

Rotisserie Chicken Original Recipe ($13 for quarter chicken + 2 additions, $24 for half chicken + 3 additions, $42 for whole chicken + 4 additions)

The signature Rotisserie Chicken (original recipe) was marinated for over 13 hours before being slow-cooked rotisserie-style.  It did not disappoint. Marinated with herbs and spices, the exterior was crisp while the interior was juicy and tender. Yummlicious.

When ordering, you can request for your favourite chicken part.

Rotisserie Chicken Kansas City BBQ ($15 for quarter chicken + 2 additions, $27 for half chicken + 3 additions, $46 for whole chicken + 4 additions

Rotisserie Chicken Black Pepper ($15 for quarter chicken + 2 additions, $27 for half chicken + 3 additions, $46 for whole chicken + 4 additions

The Rotisserie Chicken Kansas City BBQ was my favourite. Executed slightly different from the original recipe and black pepper, it was well marinated. It was more flavourful and tasty. In addition, the thigh meat was so soft, tender and juicy that I had to go for second serving to satisfy my palate.

(Left to right):  Kansas City BBQ  Sauce, Creamy Roasted Sesame Sauce, Chermoula Sauce, Charly T's Original Sauce 

Four different type of sauces to complement the Rotisserie Chicken. (I did not see a need for the sauces, as I like the original flavour (marination) of the chicken)

Clockwise from top left: Macaroni & Cheese, German Potato Salad, Fresh Vegetables, Butter Garlic Rice

Four additions (sides) available when you order the Rotisserie Chicken; namely Macaroni & Cheese, German Potato Salad, Fresh Vegetables and Butter Garlic Rice. 

Macaroni & Cheese

My favourite was the Macaroni & Cheese (it was tough choosing between German Potato Salad and this). You will either hate this or love this. To me, this was superbly executed. This uses a recipe from award-winning Chef Rozanne Gold's 'Eat Fresh Food' cookbook. It contains less cheese and includes fresh cauliflower.

Kalua Pork $16

Kalua Pork $16

A popular Hawaiian (Honolulu) dish, the Kalua Pork was marinated and slow-cooked for 48 hours! The top layer of fats and skin have been removed, leaving just the lean meat behind. It was so soft and tender that the meat could be easily pulled apart. If you prefer a healthier choice compared to Chinese-style pork belly, this is a good alternative as you can indulge guilt-free.

Jumbo Schnitzel Burger $14

An Austrian German dish, the Jumbo Schnitzel Burger consists of  a big piece of deep fried chicken cutlet and slices of bacon sandwiched by 2 buns served with fries. The chicken was coated with bread crumbs and deep fried till golden brown. It was incredibly crispy on the outside yet tender and moist on the inside. The fries deserve a mention too. Lightly salted, the fries were crispy on the outside and soft,fluffy on the inside. Exactly the way I like my fries to be. (I am sure this is a kid's favourite!  fried chicken and fries!)

CT's Beef Burger $10.50

CT's Beef Burger $10.50

CT's Beef Burger served with nachos. The beef patty was thick, meaty and tasty. However, it was on the a tad too chewy and dry.

I was impressed that Charly T's fried the bottom of each of the 2 buns before serving. Despite being full, (the usual practice will be just to skip having the bun) I found myself savouring the buns as on the bottom, it was crisp yet at the top it was soft (the little things that matters).

Kaiserchmarrn $14

Kaiserchmarrn $14 - Pancake

Kaiserchmarrn $14 - Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Talk about ending the meal with a bang. The Austrian German dessert;  Kaiserschmarrn totally blew me off. Shredded warm, fluffy caramelised pancake dusted with powder sugar and raisins complemented perfectly with the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. The hot and cold combination along with the raisin and powder sugar were such a perfect match that I found myself indulging endlessly despite being full. A must order (tip: get the piece with the most powder sugar and pair it with the raisins and ice cream). 

Thank you Janice (FoodNews) for invite and hosting.

Charly T's (112 Katong)
112 East Coast Road
#03-15 112 Katong 
Tel: 6636 4701
Opening Hours: Mon - Thur 11am to 11pm
                         Fri 11am to 1am
                         Sat 9am to 1am
                         Sun 9am to 11pm
Website
Facebook
Location

Charly T's (Nomu Building)
20 Handy Road
Level 1 Nomu Building
Tel: 6336 7789
Opening Hours: Mon - Wed 11am to 11pm
                          Thur - Fri 11am to 1am
                          Sat 9am -to1am
                          Sun 9am to 11pm

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