#MAKANBOLEH Epok Epok (Curry Puff) (Seah Im Food Centre)

Sardin Epok Epok $1

One evening late last year, I was scrolling through my instagram feed when I spotted a unique post about epok epok at Seah Im Food Centre that caught my attention. It was a post by Miss Ha. I searched the internet but could not find much information. I knew that I had to give it a try when I had the opportunity to. 

So I made three trips down to the stall called #MAKANBOLEH. On my first visit, I went during lunch time and was told that they only start making and selling the epok epo at 4.30pm. During my second visit, I was told that I had to wait for 1 hour! As I was in a rush, I could not afford to wait. So I made another trip and this time, I was told that the waiting time was 45 minutes. In reality, I waited for an hour.

PS: do you know that curry puff are known as epok epok by our Muslim friends? Although both terms Curry Puff and Epok Epok are used interchangeably in Singapore, their taste tend to differ. For example, curry puff tends to include curry in the fillings whereas the tradtional epok epok uses chilli sauce.

True enough when you visit after 4.30pm, you will be able to witness how the epok epok are made and cooked on the spot. From the pastry to the filling and to the frying of the epok epok. There are two varieties of Epok Epok, the Sardin Epok Epok and Potato Epok Epok. They cost $1 each.

Sardin Epok Epok $1

I have placed a one dollar coin next to the Epok Epok to illustrate the huge size of it. This Epok Epok cost just $1! Moreover, it comes pipping hot, fresh out of the stove of hot oil!

The crust of any epok epok or curry puff is always important as it needs to be thin and yet be able to hold the fillings in well, and is crisp. #MAKANBOLEH's Epok Epok crust hit all the right notes in this aspect. Moreover, it has a butter fragrance which is a plus point.

Sardin Epok Epok $1

This Sardin Epok Epok came with huge chunks of sardine meat and small pieces of onion. On the first bite, the spiciness of the chilli pasteoverwhelmed me, before the sweetness set in. The more I bite into it, the more I love it! Sedap!

Potato Epok Epok $1

The Potato Epok Epok was equally good although it tasted different. Instead of chilli paste, curry paste was used. The curry sauce was not as spicy and was sweeter, coated each chunk of potato. You can literally bite into the potatoes as they were not mashed up. A chunk of hard boiled egg was also added.

Most of the time, I prefer my Epok Epok with potato fillings. But this time, both were really good. If you are a fan of Epok Epok, wait no more! Give this a try!

#MAKANBOLEH Epok Epok (Curry Puff) (Seah Im Food Centre)

#01-36 Seah Im Food Centre 

2 Seah Im Road 

Singapore 099114 

Opening Hours: Daily 6am to 9pm

                           Closed on Mon

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Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff 東陵酥皮咖喱角 (Maxwell Food Centre)

Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff 東陵酥皮咖喱角 is located in Maxwell Food Centre. I still remember then when I was walking around the hawker centre and the owner making the curry puffs on the spot caught my attention. After all, how often do you get freshly made curry puff? Nowadays most curry puffs are made in a central kitchen or factory before being sent to the stores to be fried. 

This stall speciailses in only curry puffs. They sell 3 varieties; Potato Chicken and Egg Curry Puff $1.50, Potato Sardine and Egg Curry Puff $1.50 and Fish Otah Curry Puff $1.60. 

The unique selling points are definitely the fact that the curry puffs are made freshly on the spot and their Fish Otah Curry Puff is not something can that be bought elsewhere. 

Potato Chicken and Egg Curry Puff $1.50

This is the Potato Chicken and Egg Curry Puff $1.50. The price of the curry puff has increased quite a fair bit from $1.20 to $1.50 (2011 - $1.20, 2013 - $1.40, 2015 - $1.50). Fortunately, the size (big and plump) and taste of the curry puff remains the same. 

The thin, crisp and flaky crust had a slight buttery fragrance. The fillings comprised of moist mashed potatoes with chicken bits mixed with a blend of aromatic curry powder. In addition, a small piece of hard boiled egg in the curry puff. Overall, the Chicken Curry Puff was quite decent. I would eat it if i pass by this place.

Fish Otah Curry Puff $1.60

The Fish Otah Curry Puff $1.60 is something that is executed differently that I do not see elsewhere. It was surprisingly good. Instead of moist potatoes or chicken meat, it was filled with generous amount of fresh succulent fish chunks mixed with curry powder. 

If you are at Maxwell Food Centre or at Tanjong Pagar, this is a snack worth trying. Try it immediately upon purchase as curry puffs taste best when they are freshly cooked. They tend to taste different when you reheat them. 

Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff 東陵酥皮咖喱角 (Maxwell Food Centre)

1 Kadayanallur Street 

#01-06 Maxwell Food Centre 

Tel: 9740 8408 

Opening Hours: Daily 7am to 7pm

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"Lost and Found" AMK Curry Puff (Toa Payoh Central)

"Lost and Found"! The original owners of the well-known Tip Top Curry Puff located in Ang Mo Kio sold their business (Tip Top Curry Puff) away two years ago. Guess where are they now?

After selling the business, one of the owner (the minority shareholder) decided to continue to what he does best in and was passionate about, which was to make and sell curry puffs. In addition, being the minority shareholder, he had little influence when the majority shareholder decided to sell off Tip Top Curry Puff. Hence, after the business was sold, he searched for a suitable location and opened a stall called AMK Curry Puff at Toa Payoh Central. This stall located in Super 28 Coffeeshop at Blk 184 is conveniently located at the heart of Toa Payoh, a stone throw away (5-minutes walk) from the MRT station.

This explains why the signboard says 'Original AMK Curry Puff' despite the stall being located in Toa Payoh.

At this stall, you will be able to notice the staff seated down at the side of the stall  making the curry puffs by hand.

Edited to update photo (25 Feb 2015)

The uncle facing the camera in the background is one of the former Tip Top Curry Puff staff, the other being the owner with experience. 

The curry puff fillings which consists of a mixture of chicken potato, chicken, spices and egg. One of the main deciding factor in curry puffs.  

Each curry puff is made from scratch by hand with tender loving care. Everything! Even the pastry (skin) are made from hand using a rolling pin! No machines are used! Part of the battle is won whenever I am assured that the food, in this case the curry puffs are handmade! 

Noticed how each of these curry puffs looks exactly the same? They are of similar size and has a minimum of 18 exquisite folds just like Xiao Long Bao. Not an easy feat considering that these are handmade! 

The curry puffs are then deep fried in batches. This way, any person who orders a curry puff will be able to savour one that is freshly made and freshly cooked.

Curry Puff $1.40

Like how it used to be, they sell their curry puffs in plain white paper bag (whereas now Tip Top uses a white paper bag with its name; 'Tip Top' printed on it).

Curry Puff $1.40

Another look at it. 

Curry Puff $1.40

The Curry Puff was superb! It had a good mix of chicken potato, chicken, spices and egg. I loved the mix as it was moist with lots of ingredients in it and had the right amount of spiciness. In addition, the crust was thin and crispy! It really does tasted very similar to the Tip Top Curry Puff which I purchased when I was in Upper Primary, when it cost only 60 cents! Nostalgic! Such a pleasure to sink my teeth into it. After trying one, I actually went back to the stall (a few hours later) just to purchase some back home!

I like how AMK Curry Puff focused their attention on the essential components; on the core business and product. Focusing on the ingredients, the execution and making sure that the food is delicious, instead of widening the product range, branding and marketing.

No wonder in my last two blog posts on Tip Top Curry Puff (The Puff Factory), I mentioned that the size and standard of the curry puff seems to have dropped. Now, everything makes sense. 

AMK Curry Puff is certainly one of the best curry puffs around. I would rate it as a die die must try! Nevertheless, it is best to try this for yourself. You will never know what you have been missing until you try it!

AMK Curry Puff (Toa Payoh Central)

Blk 184 Toa Payoh Central #01-372

Inside Super 28 Coffeeshop

Singapore 310184

Tel: 9672 6621

Opening Hours: Daily 10am - 9pm (they might be close at 830pm if its sold out)

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Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff (Maxwell Food Centre)

It has been 2 years since I last visited Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff at Maxwell Food Centre. I still remember how this stall caught my attention back then in 2011- the man making curry puff at his stall. The chance to enjoy and support another freshly made curry puff stall instead of factory made was too good an opportunity to forgo. 

Comparing the appearance of the stall over the 2 years, nothing much has changed. The stall appearance is still the same, even the man making the curry puff is wearing the same clothes and he still looks the same! Well, almost everything was the same. The only difference was that there was an increase in price in the curry puffs by 20 cents each. 

The man hard at work preparing the ingredients for the chicken curry puff. 

Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff sells three types of curry puffs; namely, Chicken Curry Puffs, Sardine Curry Puffs and Fish Otah Curry Puffs. The freshly prepared and cooked curry puffs are are still pipping hot are displayed at the stall front. Looks inviting? 

The Chicken Curry Puff and Sardine Curry Puff cost $1.40 each while the Fish Otah Curry Puff cost $1.60 each. Previously, the curry puffs used to cost $1.20 and $1.40 respectively. 

The ingredients mixed together to form the fillings in the curry puff.

In the background, each piece of curry puffs looked so identical as if they were factory made. But in reality, they were hand made - made (shape) to perfection. 

Chicken Curry Puff $1.40 (using old photo from previous post)

Chicken Curry Puff $1.40 (using old photo from previous post)

The Chicken Curry Puff was warm and plump. The crust thin, crisp and flaky had a slight buttery fragrance. The fillings comprised of moist mashed potatoes with chicken bits mixed with a blend of aromatic curry powder.  In addition, a small piece of hard boiled egg in the curry puff. Overall, the Chicken Curry Puff was quite decent.

This time, I also tried the Otah Curry Puff. It was executed differently and was surprisingly good. Instead of moist potatoes, it was filled with generous amount of fresh succulent fish chunks mixed with curry powder. It was a pleasure savouring such a curry puff.

If you are at Maxwell Food Centre or at Tanjong Pagar, this is a snack worth trying. Try it immediately upon purchase as curry puffs taste best when they are freshly cooked.

Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff (Maxwell Food Centre)

1 Kadayanallur Street

#01-06 Maxwell Food Centre

Tel: 9740 8408
Opening Hours: Daily 7am to 7pm

Location

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Tip Top Curry Puff (Ang Mo Kio) Revisit

Another visit to Ang Mo Kio to patronise Tip Top Curry Puff. 

Still not use to their new exterior, prefer the previous which was more down to earth and with a modest feel. Tip Top Curry Puff (The Puff Factory) is halal certified. Hence, Muslim friends will be able to savour this. 

The packaging has also changed. Use to be plain packaging with no design. Now it comes with prints that showcase the name and also the website of Tip Top. Well, this is the norm now, branding plays a big role. I guess part of the price increase (i.e. 20cents) was partly due to the re-branding. 

Curry Puff $1.30

With a price increase, somehow, the size of the curry puff has shrunk slightly. Ironic. 

Curry Puff $1.30

Crisp crust while the inside was full of moist mashed potatoes, chicken chunks, egg with spices. But it was not as fragrant as before. Standard has dropped? Remember, how I mentioned in my previous posts that one could smell the curry puff from afar. You can literally smell your way to the shop if you can't locate it. Now, you would not be able to do that - no more of that wonderfully aroma (smell).

Tip Top Curry Puff (Ang Mo Kio)
Hiap Hua kopitiam(Right behind Jubilee)

Blk 722 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 #01-2843

Opening Hours: Daily 9.30am to 9.30pm
Website

Facebook

Location

Tip Top The Puff Factory (Plaza Singapura) 
68 Orchard Road

#B2-02 Plaza Singapura

Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 10 pm

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Tip Top Curry Puff (2nd post)

My 2nd post! The first post can be found here. Tip top is my favourite curry puff. In fact, I rate it still as the best curry puff in Singapore. Used to eat Old Chang Kee’s curry puffs long ago. But in the past 2 years, Old Chang Kee’s curry puff lost its appeal to me. Seems to taste as though it was factory made, not made individually. Oh yes, did I mention that they were praised by PM Lee before and after that charged for under-declaring profit before. You can read more about this here.

The coffee shop has undergone a renovation. And tiptop has changed its outlook too. The sign board looks weird, maybe because I am too use to the old one. The whole place looks so white and bright. I prefer their old humble outlook.

The price of Tip Top Curry Puff has increased to $1.30 that is the same price as Old Chang Kee’s curry puff. But well, let see if its still as nice.

Tip Top Curry Puff $1.30

It seems that the curry puff has shrink sightly. When cost increase, the size and portion should remain the same and not smaller..  But well, the taste of it is still as delicious. Will not go into the details as I have already wrote about it in my first post. Still as good, still the best curry puff in Singapore. But please, if you increase the price, do not decrease the size.

Tip Top Curry Puff
Hiap Hua kopitiam(Right behind Jubilee)

Blk 722 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 #01-2843

Opening Hours: Daily 9.30am to 9.30pm
Website

Facebook

Tip Top The Puff Factory (Plaza Singapura) 
68 Orchard Road

#B2-02 Plaza Singapura

Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 10 pm

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Warong Nasi Pariaman

Warong Nasi Pariaman is located at the junction of North Bridge Road and Kandahar Street, at a shopouse at 738 North Bridge Road. It is near the Sultan Mosque. It is one of the oldest nasi padang stall in Singapore, starting its busines in 1948! (thats way way older than me).Nasi Padang is similar to what the chinese know as zi char or economic rice. In addition, Nasi Padang food are know for being cooked with lots of spices, lemon grass, coconut, lime and chilli.

Having such a long history, the stall has a huge loyal customer base. Although there was limited sitting capacity, most people also order takeaway. Judge the queue for yourself this is the takeaway queue. The place was packed when we went over during lunch time.

First visit

This was what we ate during our first visit here.

Second visit

Third visit

The food was so delicious that we ate here for the 2nd consecutive working day.

Begedils

Begedil

Begedils is the malay name for potato patties. One begedil  for each of us. Can’t help that I am crazy about potato, the begedil was delicious and spring onion is a must for this. The Little Teochew Blog has a post on how to cook this.

Ayam Bakar

Ayam Bakar is a must eat at this stall. Ayam Bakar consist of grilled chicken served in a mildly spicy thick coconut milk gravy also know as korma gravy. The chicken is first cooked in the gravy. It is then grilled. Just before serving, gravy is poured over the chicken.

The ayam bakar was sedap(delicious in Malay)! The meat was soft and tender despite being grilled. And the grilling gave different textures to the chicken, crispy on the outside and soft inside. The gravy packed a punch of oomph compliment the chicken and even with rice.

Sambal Goreng

Another signature dish of Warong Nasi Pariaman is the Sambal Goreng. Sambal Goreng is a mixture of long bean, tempeh and fried beancurb. Almost every table had this! Very addictive!

Egg Omelette

Egg Omelette was delicious but it was quite oily.

Mutton Redang

Mutton Redang was soft and tender. Although it was not a signature dish, it would still have been a hit at any other shops. The food here is just too good that the limelight has been cannibalised by other dishes.

Curry Gravy

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Teh Tarik

Nothing like a cup of Teh Tarik to end the meal on a good note.

If you are looking for authentic Malay food that packs a punch, Warong Nasi Pariaman is the place to go. Sedap! Their signature dishes are  Ayam Bakar, Sambal Goreng, Ikan Bakar and Beef Redang. Besides being delicious, it is relatively cheap. Cheap and delicious, what more can anyone ask for. Clearly, it is a die die must try place.

Warong Nasi Pariaman 
738 North Bridge Road
Tel: 6292 5958
Opening hours: 7.30am to 3pm; closed on Sundays and PH

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