Western Food (NUS Business Canteen, The Terrace)

This Western Food stall located at NUS Business Canteen aka The Terrance is considered the best western food in the campus. In short, it is cheap and good. You can hardly find western food at this price else where.

When I was studying in NUS Business School, I frequently this stall almost daily as there was nothing else that I fancy at the Business School Canteen. The other stall that was good was the Malay Stall located at the corner.

It has been three and a half years since I graduated. As I happened to be in NUS, I decided to come back to NUS Business Canteen and eat the Western Food again! Noticed that several stalls have changed hands. Glad to known that the western stall is still run by the same uncle. I was pleasantly surprised that he still remembers me!

 As usual, this is the stall with the longest queue.

Menu

My advise is for you to decide what you want to order before joining the queue. Reason? Well.. the man behind this stall takes orders all the way to the end of the queue at times. His memory is real good! I still remember how on several occasion, he would frown when someone hesitates or is undecided on what to order. Customers who patron this stall will surely remember his 'Next Pls, Next Pls, Next Pls.'

Grilled Chicken Chop with Pasta, added Potato Wedges $4.00

I ordered the Grilled Chicken Chop with Pasta and added Potato Wedges. Regulars would notice that I switched the pasta to Fusili Pasta. The Fusili Pasta comes with tomato sauce. I like the brown gravy that is on top of the chicken chop. It taste very similar to the gravy that is used in KFC's whipped potato. The chicken chop and potato wedges are simple yet it taste great. 

This stall is run by just 2 person. The man and a woman (I am not sure if that is his wife). The woman just does the cooking while the man takes the order and collect the orders. When you look at the way they run the operation, you will be amazed how they clear the queue so fast. It is just like Just-In-Time, if you know supply chain you will know what I mean. I wish I have many more chance to come back here! When I was still studying here, I also frequently order the Cheezy Egg Sandwich $1.90, Cheezy Farmer's Omelette $2.00, Deep Fried Chicken Cutlet & Pasta $3.00, Herbs & Honey Roasted Chicken Leg with Pasta $3.40 and Fish and Chips $2.60.

I still remember that I was told that the man behind this stall was actually a lawyer. He stopped his practise in law and started this western stall as he had a passion for cooking. If this is true, this will explain his good command of English, wittiness, memory and pride. 

Western Food (NUS Business Canteen, The Terrace)
National University of Singapore
Stall 5, School of Business Canteen (The Terrace) 
Location

Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood 万隆华和海鲜菜馆 (Casuarina Road)

We (a group of six) wanted to visit Melben Seafood at Ang Mo Kio for dinner on a Saturday. Knowing that Uncle Leong Seafood has moved out and anticipating a long queue, we decided to set off early. We reached Melben at 545pm, yet there was a long queue and it will be at least a 2 hour wait! We decided to try go else where to satisfy our craving for crabs as we did not want to wait for 2 hours.

We decided to visit Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood a Zi Char restaurant located at Casuarina Road along Upper Thomson Road. Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood has been around for close to two decades, specialises in serving local cuisine. As it was our first visit, we had no idea on what to order. Well, the best way is to walk around look at the dishes on the surround tables and also asking the staff for recommendation.

Look at how big the crabs are! 

Menu (a)

Menu (b)

Snap shot of part of the menu which includes Chef Recommendations, Crabs, Hot Plates, Claypot, Chicken and Vegetables.

Towel

Appetiser and chilli 

The chilli at the right has the right amount of spiciness. Although I like the chilli, I seldom dip my food into it as I prefer to savour the food in its original taste.

Now for the food! Presented in the same order it was served!

Prawn Paste Chicken Wings $12

 Twelve pieces of Prawn Paste Chicken Wings also known as Har Cheong Gai. Two for each of us. This was the first dish that arrived and it arrived pipping hot! Seasoned and coated with prawn paste, the chicken wings deep fried. The batter outside was crispy and inside, the meat was tender and moist!

Hot Plate Beancurd $10

The Hot Plate Beancurd totally different from the others I have tried before, was highly delectable. It came with prawns, beancurd and egg, topped with a slightly spicy sauce.

Stirred Fried Spinach $10

We ordered the Stirred Fried Spinach. The leaves and stems were well cooked. Leaves were not too soft and stems were not too hard. In addition, in terms of taste, it was not over salty. Taste just like a home-cook dish.

Birthday Noodles (Mee Sua ) $12

Birthday Noodles (Mee Sua), was a plate of Mee Sua fried with prawns, squids, eggs, bean sprouts, fish slices and quail eggs (interesting). Another unique dish that reminds me of Sembawang White Bee Hoon.

Man Tou / Buns $3.60

The fried Man Tou / Buns are big! Bigger than elsewhere. In fact, I felt that they were too big. Despite the size, it was good! Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Moreover, it was not oily. Sadly, the Chilli Crab gravy was not up to par (more on the gravy in the text below).

Chilli Crab 

The Chilli Crab is something that Singaporeans are familiar with. The chilli crab gravy was way below par. It was too sweet, too starchy and not spicy. Too much Ketchup was added and the egg used was too little. Luckily, the crab was huge, fresh and succulent! It was an easy task pulling out the chunks of crab meat from the shells! This is a big plus.

Black Pepper Crab

The Black Pepper Crab was huge too. Crab wise, it was similar as above! Black pepper sauce wise, it fared much better. Peppery and not overly salty, it was finger linking good! Had a delectable time savouring the black pepper sauce on the shells. 

The Chilli Crab and Black Pepper Crab cost $85.50

We ordered the La La Clams. However, the staff missed out that order. The staff was quite nice, apologising and telling us they will cooked it for us immediately. As we were already full, we decided to cancel the order.

I have seen many reviews stating the bad service this place has. Well, I beg to differ. The service here was good. The only glitch was that one of our order was missed out, they apologised and offer to cook it immediately. Understandable as the place was packed! Moreover, the food was good and it was certainly value for money. The total bill amount to $148.41 inclusive of the rice, drinks and towels. For 6 person...this is cheap! I am certain that I will come back here again. This time I will want to try the Butter Crab and also La La Clams !

Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood 万隆华和海鲜菜馆 (Casuarina Road)
122 Casuarina Road
Tel: 6452 2824
Opening Hours: Daily 5pm to 130am
Location

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The Cartel Bistro: Weekday 1 For 1 Promotion (till 31 July 2012)

Source: The Cartel Bistro

The Cartel Bistro: Weekday 1 For 1 Promotion (till 31 July 2012)

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- Location: 112 Katong #02-07
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