Restaurant Bahnhof Röstizza and Kleine Scheidegg (Switzerland, Kleine Scheidegg)

Originally, we had wanted to visit Mount Titlis. However, as there was an avalanche due to heavy snowfall the night before, we had to decide on an alternative. In the end, we decided to visit Kleine Scheidegg which is located 2061 metres above sea level at the base of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. During winter, the Kleine Scheidegg is a famous ski resort area surrounded by the beautiful view of the Swiss Alps. As such, we headed towards Lauterbrunnen to take the rail train to Kleine Scheidegg. 

Along the way to Lauterbrunnen, our bus was stopped at a checkpoint just before approaching the winding mountainous road. In fact, all vehicles were stopped. The checkpoint was established to inform and ensure that all vehicles attached snow chains on their tires as it was snowing heavily and the road was icy. Even with the snow chains on, our bus had to travel at snail pace. For the first time in this trip, everyone (including myself) on board the bus fasten their seat belts. Safety first! It was an hair raising experience when the bus began going up the mountain which was a narrow single lane. There were some instances when I really thought the bus looked like it was going to drop down into the cliff or there might be an avalanche. In fact, we did witness a small avalanche right in front of us and our Italian driver with over 20 years of experience went 'dangerous, so dangerous'. I am so glad we are back alive! The group of us being Singaporeans were all hoping to see lots of snow before we left Changi Airport. Well, we got our wish (in fact it was a case of too much snow). 

A photo taken on board the bus. Look at the amount of snow on top the roof of the house and the car. It was an eye opener watching the various types of vehicles remove snow and ice from the roads.

Left to right: Lauterbrunnen station, Map of Streckennetz de Jungfraubahnen 

The map of the Jungfrau Railways Network (Streckennetz de Jungfraubahnen) is shown on the top right of the photo above. Lauterbrunnen station where we took the rail train is on the left of the photo. 

The scenery that unfold as we took the rack rail was stunning. What a beauty right? Our rail train had a snowplow attached at its front to clear the snow from the rail track. We past by Wengen which is just below Kleine Scheidegg.

At Kleine Scheidegg, it was snowing heavily and the temperature was negative 15 to 20 degree celsius! This was the coldest we got to experience during the entire trip. Luckily we brought our heat packs. We did not stinge on it as we used up several of the toe, hand and body warmers. 

We headed over to Restaurant Bahnhof Röstizza which is located 5 minutes away from the rail station for lunch. The restaurant was packed with people, mostly young kids and teenagers who were from the ski schools. Despite the crowd, the service was efficient. We were served our food within a short time. 

Bread

The bread which is accompanied with a bowl of soup. You can request for more bread if required.

Minestrone Soup with Fresh Vegetables

Minestrone Soup with Fresh Vegetables

The soup that was served was the Minestrone Soup with Fresh Vegetables. A robust and absolutely tasty bowl of soup. 

Bratwurst with Rosti

Bratwurst with Rosti

For the main course, we had the Bratwurst (sausage) with Rosti. The Rosti is a common dish in Switzerland and in fact many Swiss people consider this a national dish.  Look at the amount of Rosti given. Even though I am someone who loves potato, I could not finish the Rosti. This was also partly because it was a tad too salty. The sausage was also on the salty end. 

Pudding

For desserts, we had pudding. The pudding was similar to beancurd, wobbly, silky soft. Accompanied with a fragrant sweet tasting caramel sauce, it was a hit among us. 

After our food, we went ventured out into the snow. It snowed so heavily that we were advised not to bother to rent snow equipment as the snow was too deep in most areas. Nevertheless, the group of us had a great amount of fun as we went out and played with the snow (including snow fight and burying each other in the snow)! The snow was so light and fluffy that we could not make a snowman. The depth of the snow was so thick that some of us sunk into the snow at certain areas. Some parts were knee deep while the some were up to our waist! What a memorable experience. We lasted close to half an hour outside. Quite an achievement considering that it was so cold; -15°C to -20°C. 

This was the scenery on the way down. Beautiful right? The road on the bottom right looks icy. 

Restaurant Bahnhof Röstizza (Switzerland, Kleine Scheidegg)
Kleine Scheidegg 
Röstizzeria GmbH 
3801 Kleine Scheidegg
Tel: +41 (0) 33 828 7828 
Opening Hours: Open 365 days a year from 8am to 930pm
Website
Location

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#CookForFamily Initiative: Ajitsuke Tamago and Chilled Beancurd

#CookForFamily Initiative is initiated by Daniel Ang from Daniel's Food Diary. The objective is simple and meaningful; to get 100 bloggers (hopefully their fans and followers) to start cooking and bonding with their families. To date, he has garnered 109 bloggers to join in this initiative.

I will not call mine a meal. It is more of a side dish and dessert. Well, as the title states, I made Ajitsuke Tamago and Chilled Beancurd. 

Ajitsuke Tamago is actually marinated soft boiled egg. It is the egg which is frequently served with Japanese Ramen, sometimes for an extra $2. The characteristic of the Ajitsuke Tamago is that the egg whites are hard boiled (solid but soft and delicate) while the egg yolk are runny/molten. 

Marinated  Ajitsuke Tamago

Ajitsuke Tamago (when sliced into half)

This is an item which is hard to gauge the response from my parents as they do eat Ajitsuke Tamago outside. But after so many attempts they are still eating it. While my sister comment is that I have improved after the past few attempts (especially the first). But can be better. How did I made it? Click here. 

The dessert which I made was the Chilled Beancurd (or lao ban beancurd, not exactly similar in taste). The recipe can be found here. This is quite an easy item to make as it requires just half an hour or even less to make it. Followed by another 3 hours to chill it before it is ready to be consumed. 

Chilled Beancurd

I have been making the Chilled Beancurd frequently for consumption within the family or for friends. This is a good item to counter the heat from our scorching weather. And this is something which the family enjoys. 

I certainly enjoying making both the Ajitsuke Tamago and Chilled Beancurd. I am likely to continue making them. In fact, have been making the Chilled Beancurd biweekly. The two recipes are posted online. You can take a look at them and try making them yourselves too. Moreover, both the Ajitsuke Tamago and Chilled Beancurd will not require long hours in making it or oily utensils or risk your kitchen becoming smokey/oily. Give it a try and do give me comments on improvements if any. Have fun making it!

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花 (Maxwell Food Centre)

Visited Lao Ban Soya Beancurd at Maxwell. As usual, there was a queue at the stall.

Menu with Price

Menu showing what is available and the price.

Now, they display the number the beancurds left in the fridge so that customers do not queue and get disappointed when stocks run out. In the above photo, it shows that there are just 50 Almond Beancurd left. Good initiative! 

Original Beancurd $1.50

A thin film like layer on the top. Anyone knows what causes this?

Well, I have tried many other similar kinds of beancurds, Lao Ban's version is still the best so far. In terms of taste and melt in the mouth sensation, theirs is unbeatable. 

I have tried to made this several times, but I must admit I am nowhere near to Lao Ban's version. Mine is closer to 51 Soya Bean in terms of taste. Click here for the chilled beancurd recipe. 

If anyone has any idea or knows the recipe for Lao Ban's version please let me know! Thanks!

Lastly, they have opened a new outlet at One Raffles Place!

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花 (Maxwell Food Centre)
Maxwell Road
#01-91 Maxwell Food Centre
Tel: 8299 8211 (For SMS orders)
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 1130 - 4pm (1 batch)
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Location

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花 (Main Branch - Old Aiport Road)

51 Old Airport Road

#01-127, #01-107 Old Airport Road Food Centre

Tel: 8181 2201  (For SMS orders)
Opening Hours: 
#01-107 Mon to Sun (daily) 1130 & 1730 (2 batches)
#01-127: Tue - Sun 1130 & 1830 (2 batches)

Location

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花  (One Raffles Place)
#B1-01C One Raffles Place 
OUB Centre
Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs 8am - 4pm (2 batches)
                          Fri 8am (1 batch)
                          Closed on Sat and Sun

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Chilled Beancurd Recipe

Last year (2011), Lao Ban Beancurd has lead the craze on Chilled Beancurd. Today, there are several similar stalls such as 51 Soya Bean, QQ Soya Bean Curd and many more popping up. All selling the same type of chilled beancurd!

Many people online have frequently been searching for the 'Lao Ban Beancurd recipe'. Just last month, the recipe was shared on edmw. With that, I went about trying to make it too. 

Phoon Huat's 'Jelly Man Instant Jelly Powder (200g) $4.90

The trick in making the chilled beancurd is the Phoon Huat's 'Red Man Instant Jelly Powder'. I bought the small bottle, 200g at $4.90.

Ingredients Required

Other than the fact that the Instant Jelly Powder can be bought from Phoon Huat, the rest of the ingredients can be bought from NTUC. (Not all outlets in NTUC has Polleney Soya Bean Milk Powder)

Items required: 
1) Pot
2) Whisk
3) Sieve
4) Measuring Cup
5) Measuring Teaspoon (tsp) and Tablespoon (tbsp) or Measuring Scale
6) Bowls or Plastic Containers
*as I do not have measuring scale I will estimate the number of tsp or tbsp required.

To make Soya Milk (3 bowls):
60g of Polleney Soya Bean Milk Powder (2 tbsp + 1 tsp)
30g of Unisoy Soya Bean Milk Powder
700ml of Water
Stir to ensure that all the powder are dissolved. Ensure that there are no lumps.

To make Chilled Beancurd:
700ml of Soya Milk (or Drinho/Vitasoy/Yeo's/Seasons Soya Milk)
30g of Nestle Coffeemate Coffee Creamer (6 packets)
30g of Sugar to taste (not required if using carton-ed Soya Bean Milk) (2 tbsp)
14g of Phoon Huat's Instant Jelly Powder (2.5 tsp)

Steps:
1) Heat the Soya Milk in low heat till it is hot (Do not boil)
2) Add in coffee creamer and stir till it is fully dissolved
3) Add in Sugar and stir till it is fully dissolved
4) Do a taste check for sweetness level
5) Add in Instant Jelly Powder and stir till it is fully dissolved
6) Sieve out the bubbles
7) Pour into 3 bowls and leave to cool
8) Put in fridge for at least 3 hours and after that it is ready. Enjoy the Beancurd

Tips:

1) Keep stiring to ensure that the ingredients are fully dissolved. Using a whisk is better compared to a spoon/fork/chopsticks. This is to ensure that the Beancurd will not have 2 layers. (which was what happen to my first attempt)

2) Too much Instant Jelly Powder will result in the Beancurd being too hard (which was what happen to my first attempt)

3) Ensure you do a taste test before adding in Instant Jelly Powder. Add more sugar if required.

4) Pure Soya Bean Extract from Vitasoy did not really work as the taste was not right

My own chilled beancurd using the above recipe. Smooth, jelly-like and silky. Very similar to 51 Soya Bean taste. But not Lao Ban standard.

There that's it. This is the Chilled Beancurd Recipe. Have fun making it.

Happy 2012 and Best Wishes!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and Best Wishes for the year ahead.

How did you start off 2012 with?

For me I started 2012 by having steamboat and also experimented making a chilled beancurd (recall Lao Ban Beancurd / 51 Soya Bean)

Steamboat

Homemade Chilled Beancurd

Good Luck to everyone for 2012! Huat Ah!

Cheers,

FoodieFC

51 Soya Bean (Golden Mile Food Centre) (2nd post)

*Edited on 16th Jan 2012: Chilled Beancurd Recipe*

The beancurd craze has spread out of Old Airport Road Food Centre. Recently, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd has opened a branch at Maxwell Food Centre. While 51 Soya Bean has also opened a branch, at Golden Mile Food Centre or Beach Road Army Market.

I was at Golden Mile Food Centre eating recently when I chanced upon 51 Soya Bean. I am guessing that the stall was recently opened as there was no crowd. Was there at 1215pm on a weekday. I sat near the stall while waiting for my chicken rice.

51 Soya Bean's Price

Cold Soya Bean Drink $1.00

Since there was no queue, we ordered the Cold Soya Bean Drink. It is quite small, not enough to quench my thirst. But it was certainty very refreshing!

After finishing my meal, there was a short queue at the stall which was cleared within minutes.

Original Cold Beancurd $1.50

The Cold Beancurd is soft, silky, smooth with jelly-like appearance. Somehow, in terms of taste it was not even on par with its (51 Soya Bean) main branch. Certainty no melt in your mouth sensation. I guess my expectation was too high. An average beancurd, do try it if you have never try such a new kind of beancurd before.

51 Soya Bean – Main Branch51 Old Airport Road
#01-72 Old Airport Road Food Centre
Tel: 90907009
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 10pm


51 Soya Bean (Golden Mile Food Centre)
505 Beach Road
#B1-04 Golden Mile Food Centre 
Tel: 9388 1098 
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 8.30pm

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51 Soya Bean

*Edited on 16th Jan 2012: Chilled Beancurd Recipe*

51 Soya Bean is located at  Old Airport Road Food Centre. I went to try this as the Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花 was sold out. There was no queue at this stall.

51 Soya Bean sells Original Cold Beancurd, Cold Almond Beancurd, Cold (Soya) Bean Drink and even Durian Beancurd!

Original Cold Beancurd $1.50

Looks so plain and boring. Well appearances can be deceiving. Let me compare 51 Soya Bean with Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花.

- Price: Both $1.50 (Same)

- Appearance/texture: Both are soft, smooth, silky and looks like a jelly pudding (Same)

- Taste: Both are so soft and smooth that it slides down your throat. Lao Ban Soya Beancurd also provided melts in the mouth sensation and liquid seems to burst out in your mouth (Lao Ban  Soya Beancurd)

Conclusion: Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花 ‘s beancurd is the clear winner when compared to 51 Soya Bean. Overall, I would still recommend 51 Soya Bean. For me I would go there if Lao Ban Soya Beancurd gets sold out or has a long queue. It really depends on individual preference.

51 Soya Bean (Main Branch)51 Old Airport Road

#01-72 Old Airport Road Food Centre

Tel: 90907009

Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 10pm

51 Soya Bean (Golden Mile Food Centre)
505 Beach Road
#B1-04 Golden Mile Food Centre

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Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花

*Edited on 12 March 2012 for branches at Old Airport Road:

#01-107: Mon to Sun (daily) 1130 & 1730 (2 batches)

#01-127: Tue - Sun 1130 & 1830 (2 batches)*

*Edited on 16 Jan 2012: Chilled Beancurd Recipe*

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花 is a must try if you ever step into Old Airport Road Hawker Centre.

This was taken when I was there the first time during lunch time on a weekday. It was sold out, there was only almond favour left. (not a fan of almond) Instead, we went to try its competitor ‘51 Soya Bean‘. Will do a separate review at a much later time. The comparison is that Lao Ban Soya Beancurd is so much better/nicer.

On the 2nd visit, also during a weekday lunch time. My colleague went to queue for it. At least 15-20 minutes wait. I was told by my friend who went over during weekend that he queued 40minutes for this! If you notice carefully as you queue or eat in the hawker centre, some customers can buy 20 packets of this!

Their soya beancurd comes in original or almond flavour. The more popular favour is original which gets sold out first.

Beancurd (Original) $1.50

The beancurd looks so ordinary, plain. But well, looks can be deceiving! This beancurd is so soft, smooth, silky and looks like a jelly pudding. And unlike the normal beancurd (Tau Huay) that most Singaporeans are familiar with, this does not comes with sweet syrup. This beancurd practically melts in your mouth and liquid seems to burst out in your mouth. Moreover, it is just slide down your throat. At $1.50, this is a relatively cheap dessert!

Trust me, give this a try and you will not regret it.If it is sold out in the afternoon, there will be another batch out in the evening.

Warning: once you eat this, it will never be the same eating other type of beancurds. 

*Edited 12 March 2012*

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd 老伴豆花 (Main Branch)

51 Old Airport Road

#01-127, #01-107 Old Airport Road Food Centre

Tel: 81812201 
Opening Hours: 
#01-107 Mon to Sun (daily) 1130 & 1730 (2 batches)
#01-127: Tue - Sun 1130 & 1830 (2 batches)

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Lao Ban Soya Beancurd (Maxwell Food Centre)Maxwell Road 
#01-91 Maxwell Food Centre
Tel: 8299 8211 (For SMS orders)
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 1130am-4pm (1 batch)
(Closed on Sun) 

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