Huat Kee Kway Chap 發記馃汁 (Yishun)

Huat Kee Kway Chap 發記馃汁 is located in a coffeeshop at a quiet neighbourhood in Yishun. Although it is not located near the MRT station, this Kway Chap stall is relatively popular. 

This stall is so popular that they nearly alway sell out their food way before closing time. When I visited on a weekday, they started closing the stall at 11.10 am! Yes, that is how popular they are. 

Although we visited at 10.30am, which is no considered a peak period, we had to wait more than 30 minutes for our food. I cannot imagine the waiting time on weekends.

The broth of the  kway teow, which was light brown, had a tasty and savoury taste. Also, there was a distinct herbal flavour.

We ordered quite a few items to accompany the kway chap. The items were accompanied by a rich and savoury flavoured gravy. Also, the pork belly were tender and soft. I enjoyed dipping them into the homemade chilli which added a refreshing tangy twist to the items.

If you intend to try this, do remember to come early!

Huat Kee Kway Chap 發記馃汁 (Yishun)
Blk 171 Yishun Ave 7

Singapore 760171
Opening Hours: Thu to Tue 6.30am - 1.30pm (they sell out way earlier)
                          Closed on Wed

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Cheng Heng Kway Chap and Braised Duck Rice 進興粿汁.鹵鴨飯 (Holland Drive Market & Food Centre)

Cheng Heng Kway Chap and Braised Duck Rice 進興粿汁.鹵鴨飯 is a kway chap stall located in Holland Drive Market & Food Centre. Although this food centre (hawker centre) is relatively big, ironically this stall is located right next to another kway chap stall; Blanco Court Kueh Chap.

To be frank, I was not sure which stall was better. Like a typical Singaporean, I went for the one with a longer queue! 

The stall was manned by two ladies. Since I already ate fishball noodles 15 minutes earlier, I decided to just order the Kway Chap set which cost $3.50 without adding other ingredients.

The bowl of kway (flat and broad rice sheet) was soft and smooth. What caught my attend was the broth in which the kway was soaked in. The broth was tasty with a hint of herbal after-taste. Moreover, it was not overly salty.

As for the plate of mixed intestines, the pork belly, intestines and salted vegetables were above average. Particularly, the pork belly had a good ratio of fat to lean meat with a melt in the mouth sensation.

Overall, the kway chap at this stall is one of the better ones around. While it may not be the very best, it hit the right notes for several of their ingredients/items.

Cheng Heng Kway Chap and Braised Duck Rice 進興粿汁.鹵鴨飯 (Holland Drive Market & Food Centre)

Holland Drive Food Centre 

Blk 44 Holland Drive #02-05 

Singapore 270044

Opening Hours: Daily 7.30am to 2.30pm

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K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet 고뷔페 (Orchard Central)

K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet 고기 뷔페 is a Korean BBQ buffet restaurant in Orchard Central (Somerset MRT station) which started operation in August 2014.

I visited on a weekday for lunch. Being Kiasu (as usual), I made called the restaurant beforehand and was told that they no longer accept reservations. Hence, we went 10 minutes early, at 11.20 am before the restaurant opened. Everyone seemed to have thought like-wise. There was a queue of more than 10 persons when we arrived.

When the restaurant opened, the queue stretched to more than 20 persons long. I was wondering how come everyone was not working and if they were like me (who applied for leave). 

K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet offers both air conditioned and alfresco (outdoor) areas. The seating capacity at the air condition area was way smaller compared to the alfresco area. We chose to sit outdoors as there was a Big Ass Fan (High volume slow speed fan) which made the area so well ventilated. Even though it was noon, it did not felt hot. In addition, you get a clear view of the city.

Prices

The prices for the buffet are show above. The price for weekday (Mon to Fri) lunch at $14.90++ was so value for money!

Corn

Korean rice cake with fish cake

The buffet consist of a wide variety of cooked and raw food. In the cooked food section, there was Corn, Korean rice cake with fish cake, japchae (glass noodles), Korean pancake, fried chicken wings and spicy tofu stew.

We went for more than 1 servings of Korean rice cake with fish cake and japchae (glass noodles) as these were delicious. We did not manage to try the fried chicken wings, as these were taken as soon as they were replenished.

At the raw food section there were Marinated Beef Short Rib, Beef Bulgogi, Pork Belly, Pork Collar, Marinated Pork Collar, Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Chicken Sausages, squids and prawns.

As with all korean buffet, there was a section with vegetables (lettuce), mushrooms, onions, radish and kimchi.

Besides these, there was also fruits and salad section and a counter for drinks.

Chicken, Pork Collar, Prawns, Squids

Look at how thickly sliced the Pork Collars are. This is by far the thickest sliced Pork Collar I had for a buffet. Most other buffets would slice their meat thinly.

Beef  Bulgogi and Pork Belly

The Pork Belly was also of decent thickness which the Beef Bulgogi was well marianted.

With the large pan, it was easy cooking the food. We started off with the Pork Belly so that fats would grease the pan.

Food wise, it was impressive. The Pork Collar and Pork Belly of good thickness allowed the juices and flavours to be retained in the meat. Basically for the raw food, we spammed the Pork Belly, Pork Collar, Beef Bulgogi and mushrooms.

For a Korean buffet, the cooked food and the raw food were quite good. One of the better Korean buffet I have tried. Worth going back for more considering the price and quality. 

K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet 고기 뷔페 (Orchard Central)

 #07-01 Orchard Central

181 Orchard Central Road 

Singapore 238896 

Tel: 6884 7282

Opening Hours: Daily 1130am to 10pm

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Koh Grill & Sushi Bar (Wisma Atria)

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar located at level 4 of Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, next to Food Republic Food Court probably needs no introduction. It's Shiok!!! Maki has been highly raved about on the social media. This sushi bar can get very crowded during peak periods and it is advisable to make reservations during these periods. 

I have heard so much about Koh Grill & Sushi Bar for quite a few years but had not have the chance to visit although it is centrally located; near ION Orchard. After much procrastination, we made reservations and proceed to visit during lunch on a weekday. I was surprised that there was no queue. 

Pitan Tofu $4

The Pitan (Century Egg) Tofu $4; chilled tofu served with homemade paste was unique. 

Pitan Tofu $4

The paste had a very strong unique century egg flavour. It provided a strong taste to the bland tofu. In addition, the tobiko (roe) provided a distinct crunchy texture of the soft tofu. I quite like the taste of this dish. Do note if you are not a fan of century egg, you are likely to dislike this dish as the flavour of the century egg is overwhelming. 

Aspara Buta Maki $3

The Aspara Buta Maki $3 was essentially charcoal grilled Asparagus Pork Belly Roll.

Aspara Buta Maki $3

Although it was slightly charrred on the other side, I liked the fact that the asparagus retained its crunchiness providing a different texture. In addition, it had a smoky flavour. 

Shiok!!! Maki $16.80

We ordered the highly raved about signature Shiok!!! Maki $16.80 sushi. Its photo appears in nearly 80% of all photos in Instagram and Facebook tagged with the name of this restaurant. Priced at $16.80, the Shiok!!! Maki was not cheap. It comprised of a combination of charcoal grilled eel, avocado, sushi rice wrapped with lightly roasted salmon and topped with cheesy mayonnaise and generous serving of tobiko (roe). 

Shiok!!! Maki $16.80

After trying a piece of Shiok!!! Maki, I was won over. The combination of taste and texture was heavenly. It was hard to stop at one. Now I know why this had been widely raved about. Its never too late! 

Sukiyaki Beef with Ramen $16

The Sukiyaki Beef with Ramen $16 consisted of a mixture of assorted vegetables, tofu, beef and ramen in broth. 

Sukiyaki Beef with Ramen $16

This was easily the worst dish. Nothing fantastic and it did not appeal to us. The other 3 dishes were just too outstanding. It did not help that the homemade broth was on the salty end. 

Overall, the food was decent. I liked three out of the four dishes ordered. Mainly, because we did our research before coming (it was not hard, there are so many reviews on this place). We will be back for more! 

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar (Wisma Atria) 

435 Orchard Rd 

#04-23 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre 

Singapore 238877 

Tel: 9180 3805

Opening Hours: Daily 1130am to 1030pm

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Bornga Korean BBQ Restaurant 본가 (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

Bornga is a leading Korean Barbecue (BBQ) restaurant chain with outlets in Korea, USA, Malaysia and Singapore. The restaurant chain is started by Korean Celebrity Chef Jong Won Paik.

We visited this restaurant on a weekday. I have not tried Bornga in Singapore. But since we were in City Square (Johor Bahru), we decided to give this a try!

The interior of the restaurant. Above each table, there was an extendable exhaust pipe mounted on the ceiling that could be pulled down to the table if BBQ meat was ordered. 

The dining table, before it was cluttered with a whole lot of Ban Chan .

A few minutes after ordering, one of the staff placed hot charcoal into the BBQ stove and pulled the exhaust pipe down. As as you may have guessed, we ordered BBQ meat! We could feel the intense heat from the hot charcoal. 

Ban Chan / Side Dish (반찬)

A selection of the Ban Chan / Side Dish (반찬). More were added subsequently! And they were refillable too! There was also a tray full of fresh and crunchy assorted raw vegetables which will be used for wrapping the BBQ meat.

Woo Samgyup RM38

The first dish was Bornga's signature Woo Samgyup RM38 which consisted of beautifully marbled thinly sliced beef brisket in Bornga's special sauce and golden pumpkin.

Woo Samgyup RM38

At Bornga, you do not need to do the cooking. The staff would do all the cooking for you. All you have to do is to eat! The staff first pulled the exhaust pipe down and cook the meat in front of us. He first spread the Woo Samgyup on the stove and let it cook. As it was thinly sliced, the meat was cooked very quickly. We were glad that the staff cooked the meat for us as we did not want to overcook the meat.

Woo Samgyup RM38

Once the Woo Samgyup are cooked. You can dip the beef into the special house sauce provided and roll up the meat with rice and various vegetables. The Woo Samgyup was delicious. The essence, flavour and juice of the meat was still retained, making it a rewarding gourmet experience whether you had it alone or wrapped in vegetables.

Mansinchang Samgyupsal RM28

The second dish was the Mansinchang Samgyupsal RM28; tenderised pork belly seasoned with parsley flakes, salt and pepper.

Mansinchang Samgyupsal RM28

Mansinchang Samgyupsal RM28

Again, the staff cooked the meat for us over the charcoal stove. All we had to do was to watch! =)

Mansinchang Samgyupsal RM28

Once the Mansinchang Samgyupsal was cooked, the staff would put them into a plate for us. The procedure is the same again. You can either eat the meat on its own or dip it in sauce and wrap it with vegetables. Personally, I thought that this was just an average dish.

Chadol Duenjang Jjigae RM24

We also ordered a Chadol Duenjang Jjigae RM24, a traditional Korean soybean paste stew with beef and vegetable. Personally, the picture of this on the menu did not entice me. But as the partner was quite keen to have this, we ordered it.

The soybean paste stew was cooked in front of us at our table and boiled till the it was reduced.

Chadol Duenjang Jjigae RM24 - vegetable bowl

One the meat was cooked, the Duenjang Jjigae was mixed into a vegetable bowl, and mixed with rice and vegetable (like how you would do it with bibimbap).

Chadol Duenjang Jjigae RM24

The end result! Tada! The Chadol Duenjang Jjigae was superb! Each grain of rice was well coated with the intense fragrant and flavour from the stewed soybean paste. Each mouthful was just so incredibly flavorful and brilliantly in terms of texture (soft or crunchy depending on what you ate). Fantastic! The more you dig into this bowl of rice, the more you will love it. This was our favourite dish in this meal! A Must Try!

Do note, there’s a minimum order of two meats for BBQ.

It was certainly a good decision to visit Bornga at City Square! The food and the service was good. And for such a price, it was certainly value for money! 

Bornga Korean BBQ Restaurant 본가 (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

Unit MF-23, Level 3, Johor Bahru City Square Shopping Mall

106-108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru

Tel: 07 207 2334
Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm

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Liang Court Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails: Marutama Ramen and Saizeriya

Liang Court is currently having an event called Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails which will be held till 7 August 2013. Diners can purchase the Food Trail Coupon for $30 at the Customer Service Counter and get to enjoy 3 different set meals from 3 different restaurants in Liang Court and also a free beer. 

Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails Coupon & Food Trail Guide

The first restaurant  has been pre-selected, diners can choose their second and third stops from  any of the remaining 11 participating F&B shops. I received a copy of the Food Trail Guide and two complimentary Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails Coupons. As shown above, the coupon shows that my first restaurant (pre-selected) is Tamoya. 

Marutama Ramen

Looking through all the set meals in the Guide, I decide to try Marutama Ramen first (there is no need to utilise the coupon in sequence). 

Marutama Ramen

The Liang Court's Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon allowed me to try the Zenbu-nose (U.P. $18). It was essentially the signature Marutama Ramen with all toppings! The toppings are the Kakuni (Stewed Pork Belly), Sliced Roasted Pork, Aosa (Seaweed), Negi (Spring Onions) and Half-Boiled Seasoned Egg. 

Those who frequent Marutama Ramen would know that the signature Marutama Ramen (without toppings) would have cost $12 and an addition $6 is required if all toppings were added. 

Zenbu-nose

 The Zenbu-nose; with all toppings added!

Roasted Pork (Char Siew)

Three big pieces of Sliced Roasted Pork (Char Siew) were given. The roasted pork had quite a good balance of lean meat and fat ratio. So much so that it was tender.

Kakuni (Stewed Pork Belly)

The Kakuni (Stewed Pork Belly) as it should be had a higher proportion of fats to lean meat compared to the Char Siew.

Half-boiled Seasoned Egg

The Half-boiled Seasoned Egg would have been perfect if its yolk was runny as they had got the marination right. It was a pity that it was slightly overcooked and the yolk was not runny.

Zenbu-nose

This bowl of Zenbu-nose ramen came with lots of ingredients like how it should be. If you were to take the cost of the Food Trail Coupon (i.e. $30) and divide by 3 restaurants, it means that essentially, you are paying for $10 per restaurant (do not forget, there's a free beer too).

Chew on this: Having this bowl of Zenbu-nose ramen would have covered more than 50% of your purchase of the coupon. 

The Italian Restaurant Saizeriya is one of the 12 participating restaurants.

Diners with Liang Court's Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon can get to try the US Sirlion Steak (U.P. $11.90) with Salad and Free-flow Drink Bar (U.P. $3.90).

US Sirloin Steak

The amount of food served with this coupon was astonishing. So generous! There was even a plate of rice!

Salad

 The salad which was served almost immediately after I had ordered the food.

US Sirloin Steak

The US Sirloin Steak was average. It was the most expensive on Saizeriya's menu. I felt that the steak was a tad too dry and hard. The portion of the serving was big considering the price.

So far I have tried the set meals at two participating outlets. I am impressed by the portions. I would have expected that the servings would likely be 'downsized'. But well, I was wrong. I am glad that the serving was the same as what a normal customer (without coupon) would have been served. Kudos to Liang Court and participating restaurants! The little things that matters.

I must say, this Wednesdays' Food Trail Coupon is value for money. If you had not bought it and are interested in buying this coupon, its not too late. You can still utilise the vouchers on 31st July and 7 August 2013! I am definitely going back to try the other restaurants on 7 Aug!

Thank you Kase  from AsiaMalls Management for the two coupons. 

Liang Court Wednesdays' Food Tasting Trails: Marutama Ramen and Saizeriya
Liang Court, 177 River Valley Road
Singapore 179030
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