Hai Nan Xing Zhou Beef Noodles 海南星洲牛肉粉 (Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre)

Beef Noodle (Dry) $5

Hai Nan Xing Zhou Beef Noodles 海南星洲牛肉粉 has been operating for close to 70 years. The stall used to be located at Cuppage Centre before moving to its current location at Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre.

 Tip: Visit during off-peak hour as the queue is known to be slow moving.  

The beef noodle is served in either dry or wet version for $4 or $5.

Beef Noodle (Dry) $5

This bowl of Beef Noodle (Dry) $5 came with generous slices of beef meat.

Beef Noodle (Dry) $5

I felt that the slices of beef were overcooked as they were on the tough end and not as tenderised (or melt in the mouth) as what I hoped for. Thankfully, the dark, rich, gooey sauce made up for it. The sauce was not salty and had hints of beefy flavour. The sauce complemented the beef slices and thick bee hoon well. 

The bowl of accompanying cloudy brown soup was tasty with hints of beefy flavours too. 

Hai Nan Xing Zhou Beef Noodles 海南星洲牛肉粉 (Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre)
22 Lor 7 Toa Payoh
#01-06 Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre
Singapore 310019
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun 8.30am to 3.30pm
                           Closed on Mon

Give it a
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Hansang Korean Family Restaurant (Square 2)

Jajangmyun (Black Bean Noodle)

Hansang Korean Family Restaurant is a restaurant offering authentic Korean Cuisine established by a Korean family in 2007. The Koreran family had moved to Singapore several years ago prior to 2007 and was unable to find authentic korean food in Singapore. Hence, this restaurant was started. The name of the restaurant "Hansang" means “a table full of food all the time” as the aim was to share the diverse cuisine of Korea with everyone.

Hansang Korean Family Restaurant currently has two outlets; at Square 2 and Holland Village. We visited its outlet at Square 2 in Novena. Interestingly, the restaurant also offers catering services!

Lunch Time Promotion Menu

Their lunch time promotion is value for money!

Sagol Hejang Guk (Double Boiled Beef Soup) $15

This is the Sagol Hejang Guk (Double Boiled Beef Soup) $15. This was very well executed. The broth which was spicy, was so tasty and flavourful! Moreover the beef slices were tender and the beansprout provided a crunchy texture. It was so good that we indulged endlessly into it and drank every single bit of the broth. This is a must try! 

A video of the dish and the side dishes.

Jajangmyun (Black Bean Noodle) $11.80

The Jajangmyun (Black Bean Noodle) $11.80, is a dish which most people are familiar with. This is the korean version of Chinese black bean noodle. You can easily get this in any Korean restaurant or food eateries, but it is hard to find one that is good. Hansang's one is damn good! 

When it first arrived, I was quite skeptical as the portion looks small and ordinary. But wow, I was impressed when I tasted it. The black bean sauce which is a make or break factor for this dish was perfect. The sweetness and savouriness were well-balanced. There was no bitterness after taste, which you may encounter at other eateries (the bitterness is from the black bean paste). Moreover, minced meat and caramelised onions were mixed in the sauce. This is another must try!

Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) $17.80

On another occasion, we ordered the Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) $17.80. This is a nourishing soup common eaten in summer in South Korea to the replenish the nutrients lost from sweating.

Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) $17.80

The Samgyetang is my kind of comfort food. The broth was flavourful. Interestingly, inside the chicken, besides a small slice of ginseng, there was also a gingko nut. The chicken meat itself was folk tender. 

Champong (Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup) $11.80

The Champong (Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup) $11.80, is quite an interesting dish. The broth was spicy yet so addictive! Slurping down the noodles with the broth is bounded to ignite your taste buds!

I have been to Hansang Korean Family Restaurant a few times and I must say that their food sure is good! If you are looking for somewhere with delicious Korean food, look no further!

Hansang Korean Family Restaurant (Square 2)
10 Sinaran Drive
#03-33 Square 2
Singapore 307506
Opening Hours: Daily from 11.30am to 10.30pm

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Yong Kang Beef Noodles 永康牛肉麵 (Taiwan, Taipei)

Braised Beef with Noodle in Spicy Broth 红烧牛肉麺

Yong Kang Beef Noodles 永康牛肉麵 opened since 1963 is known to be one of the best beef noodles restaurant in Tapei especially for their Spicy Broth 红烧 variety. Yong Kang Beef Noodles is located at Yong Kang Street 永康牛, a dining destination in Taipei with restaurants, cafes  and carts selling all types of food that cater to all budgets. This is also the place where the original Din Tai Feng restaurant is located at.

We arrived at the restaurant for lunch at around 2 pm as we got lost along the way. Despite the late timing, there was still a queue in front of the stall.

Menu

 This is the menu for tourist with translation of the dishes in different languages.

Wanton with Hot Chilli Sauce 红烧抄手

When we saw that they had the Wanton with Hot Chilli Sauce 红烧抄手, we knew that we just had to order it. As you can see from the photo, the wantons are placed on top of the chilli oil and pepper. It is extremely spicy and addictive! Not for the faint hearted.

Braised Beef with Noodle in Spicy Broth 红烧牛肉麺

This is the signature Braised Beef with Noodle in Spicy Broth 红烧牛肉麺 which is raved to be one of the best. The Australian beef servings are generous and so tender with a melt-in-the-mouth sensation. As for the noodles, they were decent, smooth and chewy. The spicy broth was a winner. It was spicy but so flavourful. No doubt one of the best beef noodles we ate in Taiwan!

Braised Beef with Noodle in Clear Broth 清燉牛肉麺

As for the Braised Beef with Noodle in Clear Broth 清燉牛肉麺, the only difference was that the broth was not spicy. It was still flavourful nevertheless. I prefer the one with spicy broth, this version would be good for those who cannot take spicy food.

This name card shows the location and address of the restaurant. The beef noodles definitely made this trip worthwhile. A must try!

Yong Kang Beef Noodles 永康牛肉麵 (Taiwan, Taipei)

台北市金山南路二段31巷17號 

No. 17, Street 31, Jinshan South Road Section 2, Taipei

Tel: 02 2351 1051 

Opening Hours: Daily: 11am to 9.30 pm
Directions: From Dongmen MRT 東門 (Tamsui-Xinyi Line - Red), Exit 4, walk straight and turn right immediately into the small road. Walk straight till you see Jinhua Primary School. Take a right turn and you will see the restaurant a few units away.  
Website

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Pho Nho (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Phở Áp Chảo (Saute Beef Noodles Soup with Slices of Round Steak) 55,000 VND (S$3.30)

Pho Nho is an eatery my local friend highly recommended for beef noodles. We were told that it was way better than Pho 2000 (1-3 D Phan Chu Trinh) and Pho Hoa (260C Pasteur Street). I can't really compare as I have not tried them before. In addition, Pho Nho served Northern (Hanoi) style pho where as the Pho 2000 and Pho Hoa served Southern style pho. 

Pho Nho is located along Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, near War Remnant Museum and Ngoc Suong Marina (refer to location map) where we had seafood dinner the night before. 

The interior of the Pho Nho was unique and nicely designed. 

The walls were decorated with murals of the Hanoi street. In addition, the traditional street lights and foot paths completed the picture, making us felt as if we were dining along the streets of Hanoi.

The eatery was spacious with lots of seating capacity.

If required, you can request for English menu.

Fresh herb and vegetable

This plate of Fresh herb and vegetable was served as we had ordered Phở. Customers would be able to add the types and quantity of herbs or vegetables according to their own preferences into the bowl of Phở.

Phở Áp Chảo (Saute Beef Noodles Soup with Slices of Round Steak) 55,000 VND (S$3.30)

The Phở Áp Chảo (Saute Beef Noodles Soup with Slices of Round Steak) cost 55,000 VND (S$3.30). At most eateries, the beef served were not fully cooked (still slightly reddish in colour). Customers who preferred to cook their beef a little longer can just stir the beef into the soup and noodles and let the beef cook a little longer in the pipping hot soup.

The rice noodles looked similar to Kway Teow, though it was smoother and thinner. The bowl of pho was very forgiving. The clear, light brown soup broth was tasty and flavourful yet not overwhelming in beef flavour.

Crispy Chinese Roller 30,000 VND per piece (S$1.80)

The best part was dipping the Crispy Chinese Roller (dough fritters) into the pho. It was just dipping dough fritters into a bowl of Bak Kut Teh Soup back home in Singapore. Letting the dough fritters absorb all the essence of the soup!

 Sữa chua nếp cẩm (Yogurt mixed with Coconut Milk and Sweet Sticky Rice) 25,000 VND (S$1.50)

The Sữa chua nếp cẩm (Yogurt mixed with Coconut Milk and Sweet Sticky Rice) 25,000 VND (S$1.50) was listed as a drink in the menu. It was more like a dessert to me. It was served cold with ice cubes.

 Sữa chua nếp cẩm (Yogurt mixed with Coconut Milk and Sweet Sticky Rice) 25,000 VND (S$1.50)

Give it a good mix till its like the above picture and you are ready to enjoy it! Shiok! 

Phố Nhỏ (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

170 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu

Phường 6, Quận 3 

Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 70000

Tel: +84 (08) 3930 5739

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Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Raffles City Shopping Centre)

Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Nam Nam) which specialises in serving Vietnamese cuisine belongs to the Les Amis Group (which includes the likes of Au Jardin, Bistro Du Vin, Canele and other restaurants). But unlike these upscale restaurants, Nam Nam offers more affordable food in a causal bistro setting targeting the mass market.  

Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Raffles City Shopping Centre)

Nam Nam first opened at Raffles City Shopping Centre in late 2012. Within a short time span of less than a year, two other outlets have opened at Wheelock Place and Suntec City.

I have frequently past by its outlet at Raffles City and wanted to try it on several occasions. However, there was always a long perceptual queue! This time, we decided to meet visit the eatery early at 1130am to beat the crowd. 

Banh Min counter

The Banh Min (Vietnamese bread, normally toasted baguettes) counter is located right in front of the eatery. 

Nam Nam's seven commandments - the Namnam-tiquette placed at the front of the eatery. 

On every table, there was a row of bottles of condiments. Personally, we did use any of them as the originally taste of the dishes were sufficient. 

Southern Roll with Sweet Shrimps, Egg, Herbs $4.90

We kick started the meal with the Southern Roll with Sweet Shrimps, Egg, Herbs $4.90 was served with hoisin sauce fried with chicken liver dip. The Southern Roll were bland on its own. You would need to dip it into the sauce provided which was the game changer. The combination of the dip enhanced the flavour and would ignite your taste buds. One 'glitch' was that the rice paper used to wrap the roll was too tough. They really need to improve on this aspect as we had a hard time biting into it.

Pho Beef Steak Slices $8.90

The most famous Vietnamese dish is Pho which is essentially a bowl of rice noodles with herbs, spices and thinly sliced meat (normally beef or chicken) in beef stock. How could we not order Pho in a Vietnamese eatery!

 Pho Beef Steak Slices $8.90

The Pho Beef Steak Slices $8.90 was surprisingly good. The two main factor was the beef slices and the beef stock. The beef slices were thinly sliced, slightly uncooked, and hence were so soft and tender. The beef stock was light, rich, aromatic (due to the herbs) and the flavours were so well balanced. Together with the thin and smooth rice noodles, it was a hearty comforting bowl of Pho! Yummylicious!~ 

Extra Toppings: Wagyu Beef $2.50

Ordered an Extra Topping: Wagyu Beef $2.50. It arrived in a small bowl. The stock was similar just that it was more robust - full beefy essence! The Wagyu Beef was also thinly sliced and was pinkish as it was slightly undercooked. This would be a good choice if you are a beef fanatic. 

 Pho Beef Balls $8.90

The Pho Beef Balls $8.90 was average. Two main reasons. The beef balls were not as shiok as the beef slices in terms of flavour. In addition, the stock was not as beefy compared to the bowl of Pho Beef Steak Slices.

We quite like our dining experience at Nam Nam Noodle Bar and would definitely be back for the Pho Beef Steak Slices! With more outlets, hopefully the queue will not be as long.

Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Raffles City Shopping Centre)
#B1-46/47 Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road
Singapore 179103
Tel: 6336 0500
Opening Hours: 8am to 10pm
Website

Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Wheelock Place)
#B2-02 Wheelock Place
501 Orchard Road  
Singapore 238880
Tel: 6735 1488

Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Suntec City)
#B1-131 Suntec City
Temasek Boulevard
Singapore 038983
Tel: 6884 5677

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Stewed Beef With Noodle Clay Pot at Platinum Fashion Mall Food Centre (Thailand, Bangkok)

The third stall I tried at Platinum Mall Food Centre was stall number P4 - Stewed Beef With Noodle Clay Pot. The stall sells beef soup in clay pot with different parts of the beef such as tendon, intestines, beef and sliced beef.

This stall was practically empty when I visited at 4pm. Not only was there no customers, there was also no staff in the stall to serve customers. I waited more than 10 minutes before the staff came back to the stall to serve customers. While I was waiting, all the other customers who came to this stall went off and ordered from other stalls when they saw that it was empty. 

Menu

The menu. 

Stewed Beef Clay Pot 60 Baht (S$2.50)

I ordered the Stewed Beef Clay Pot. 

Stewed Beef Clay Pot 60 Baht (S$2.50)

The Stewed Beef Clay Pot was disappointing. The soup tasted extremely sweet - artificially sweet as if sugar was added into it to enhance the flavour. It was so sweet that it overwhelmed other flavours, it did not taste like beef soup. Many pieces of beef were given (along with beansprouts), however, they were just average. 

Give this a skip. You would be better off ordering from Stall P11 - Shell To Fry. Do not be mistaken by this series of post and just eat at this food court. There are other eateries worth eating at outside of the mall! Stay tuned. 

Stewed Beef With Noodle Clay Pot at Platinum Fashion Mall Food Centre (Thailand, Bangkok)

Stall P4, Zone 2 Level 6  Platinum Fashion Mall Food Centre

222 (Pratunum) Petchaburi Road

Ratchathevee, Bangkok, Thailand

Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 8pm

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