Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee (Toa Payoh Lorong 1)

Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee (Toa Payoh Lorong 1) is a cafe hidden in a corner of one of the oldest HDB estate in Singapore (i.e. Toa Payoh HDB estate)! Homemade (handcrafted) ice cream, coffee and waffles are sold in this cafe. This cafe is located in between Braddell, Toa Payoh and Caldecott MRT stations. The nearest MRT station is Braddell and it is around a 10 minutes walk away from the station.

We (a group of three) visited Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee on a weekday (Friday) at around 215pm. Although I was aware that this cafe was popular and that it was small, I did not expect it to be full house even on a weekday! 

Interesting lights

We tried waiting for a table, but after 15 minutes of wait, we only managed to get a counter table. Well, what to do.... I can't imagine what the crowd would be like on a weekend. 

After securing our seats, we proceeded and place our order. 

After making payment, we were given this paper cup with the number "09" on it. Any guess what it is?

The answer was hidden in the cup. It was the key to our orders. A waiting number!

Belgian waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80

After around 10 minutes, we received our food! Needless to say we ordered their signature Belgian waffle with ice cream! From observation, this was the most popular order, every table had at least one of this! 

Belgian waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80

We ordered our Belgian Waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80. They had a wide variety of ice cream such Sea Salt Gula Melaka, Roasted Pistachio, Banana Chocolate Chip Crumbles and Banana Roasted Pecan. We sampled several of them before settling for the two ice creams.  

The Earl Grey Lavendar ice cream which had a unique lavendar after taste, was fragrant and creamy. The Orange Cranberry Vodka ice cream was a premium ice cream. The combination of orange and cranberry was a perfect match as both flavours complemented each other well and did not overwhelm each other.

For information on the cost/prices: A waffle with ice cream cost $8.50. Extra scoop of ice cream cost $2.50 each. As the Orange Cranberry Vodka was a premium ice cream, there was an extra cost of $0.80 per scoop. 

Belgian waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80

The freshly made Belgian Waffles were well executed! They were incredibly crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. The slightly hard (outside), soft (inside) texture, warmth of the waffle couple with the cold ice cream were such a perfect combination.  The addition of the maple syrup and chocolate sauce went very well with this too! 

After trying this, I understand the raves about the dessert served here. The Belgian Waffles with Ice Cream is a must try! But I will not advise coming on a weekend unless you are prepared to wait and squeeze with the crowd. 

Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee (Toa Payoh Lorong 1)

Blk 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 

#01-835

Singapore 310128

Tel: 6250 1476

Opening Hours: Fri to Sat 12pm - 11pm

                          Sun to Thur 12pm - 10pm

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(CLOSED) Qiu Lian Ban Mee 秋莲板面 (Toa Payoh Central)

*CLOSED*

Handmade Noodles has always been my comfort food since my secondary school days when I had to have my lunch outside whenever there was extra lessons (remedial) or ECAs (now called CCAs). I was first introduced to this hot, soupy bowl of noodles aka handmade noodles by Qiu Lian Ban Mee 秋莲板面 which was then a popular stall chain with long queues. I wonder how many experience first started with Qiu Lian Ban Mee too? Kee Chiu (raise your hands)? 

Fast forward to today, Qiu Lian Ban Mee 秋莲板面 does not seems to be as popular and there are similar many competitors. If you have noticed, in most hawker centres, major coffeeshop and food court, there would definitely be at least one handmade noodles stall which speaks a lot about the demand. Of course, part of it is attributed to the fact that the owner of the coffeeshop and food court might have specifically stated that they are looking for a handmade noodle operator as they would want a variety of food to be sold. 

As the Qiu Lian Ban Mee stall at Bishan Blk 504 S11 coffeeshop had closed, I had to get my craving satisfied elsewhere. Hence, I visited the Qiu Lian Ban Mee's 秋莲板面 stall located in Super 28 Coffeeshop at Blk 184 Toa Payoh Central. As it was a weekday lunch, the coffeeshop was filled to the brim. There was a queue of about 7 persons long at Qiu Lian Ban Mee. Normally, the queue at handmade noodles stall gets clear quite fast. However, in this case, I had to wait for slightly over 30 minutes before I could land my hands on my bowl of noodles. 

The main reason was because there was only 1 person operating this stall. She was took the orders, prepare the ingredients, cook and collect the cash from customers. 

The Qiu Lian Ban Mee's menu which is the nearly the same at all other coffeeshops.

You Mian $3.50

As per SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), I ordered a bowl of Yu (You) Mian $3.50. 

You Mian $3.50

It was quite a decent bowl of handmade noodles. The broth was tasty and flavourful. Another positive aspect was that it was not salty. The you mian were well cooked, soft and fragrant. The other ingredients (egg, vegetable, pork) in it were pretty standard for a bowl of handmade noodles. 

Handmade noodles is my type of comfort food. I can eat it everyday and this is normally the food I would go for when I am at a new coffeeshop or food court. Somehow, it seems to be a safe choice for me. Nevertheless, I have encountered my fair share of stalls which sells horrible handmade noodles. 

ps: AMK Curry Puff is located just next to this Qiu Lian Ban Mee stall! In case, you have not heard of this yet, AMK Curry Puff is operated by the ex-owner of Tip Top Curry Puff (Ang Mo Kio). The owners of Tip Top Curry Puff sold off their business 2 years back. The minority shareholder owner started AMK Curry Puff as being the minority shareholder, they had little influence in the sales of Tip Top Curry Puff. Hence, after Tip Top Curry Puff was sold off, they started AMK Curry Puff and continued in what they were passionate about - selling and making delicious curry puffs! 

Qiu Lian Ban Mee 秋莲板面 (Toa Payoh Central)

Blk 184 Toa Payoh Central

Inside Super 28 Coffeeshop 

Singapore 310184

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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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Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles (Toa Payoh HDB Hub)

*Edited May 2013: All outlets has closed*

Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles specialises in serving Prawn Noodle, Pork Ribs Noodle and Prawn & Pork Rib Noodle. Today, Zhen Zi Prawn Noodle has 3 branches; at Toa Payoh HDB Hub, Clementi Mall and Tampines Mall. All 3 branches are located at the respective food courts.

Menu

Current Promotion

Zhen Zi Prawn Noodle is currently having a promotion - $1 off when customers order the Prawn & Pork Ribs Noodle (usual price $5.50).

In addition, they are so confident of their Prawn Broth that they have a Soup Challenge. Customers will be given a FULL refund if they are not satisfied with the soup! Taste is very subjective, I am sure every now and then they are bound to meet unreasonable customers demanding a refund. Kudos to them for being so confident about their Prawn Broth.

(Dun play play), the Prawn Broth has been boiled for over 20 hours to extract the essence of the prawns and thicken the broth. Can you imagine how expensive the gas bills will be!

Prawn Noodle Soup $4.50

Notice the chilli powder at the right? You can add them if you prefer for your Prawn Noodle to be more spicy. The chilli powder has been blended in their factory.

Prawn Noodle Soup $4.50

The most important ingredients in a Prawn Noodle are the broth (soup) and the prawn. I was impressed by the prawn broth. It was robust with intense umami prawn flavour. Moreover, the prawns (three) given were big, fresh and firm. The head and tail (shell) were intact while the shells in the middle were peeled off. Prawns were not overcooked. Pork lard was added to enhanced the flavour of the soup.

The yellow noodles and bee hoon complemented each other as the latter (bee hoon) was of similar size. The Bee Hoon was a little thicker than Thin Bee Hoon (幼米粉) and a little thinner than Thick Bee Hoon (粗米粉). This lead to consistency in texture, size and therefore taste. The little things that add up to the overall foodie experience. Like! The beansprouts added gave a crunchy texture to the overall dish.

Prawn and Pork Ribs Noodle (dry) $5.50

Prawn and Pork Ribs Noodle (dry) $5.50

The Prawn and Pork Ribs Noodle was topped with fried shallots and pork lard. The prawns and prawn broth were similar to what I have wrote above. In this picture (above), you have a clearer view of the yellow noodle and bee hoon. Similar in size (diameter). The pork ribs were tender but tasted bland. Was glad that they used the part with soft bones. Which is one of my favourite part.

Overall, Zhen Zi Prawn Noodle is one of the better prawn noodle stall around. If I am around the area, I will certainly pop by for its Prawn Noodle Soup. Why? Well, the prawns used were fresh and the prawn broth packed such a oomph of umami prawn flavour that I am sure prawn soup lovers will love it!

Thank you Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles for invite.

Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles (Toa Payoh HDB Hub)
Stall No. 8, Gourmet Paradise Food Court
B1 Toa Payoh HDB Hub 
Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6853 9555