Hungry Eat What?
In the modern day family nucleus it gets harder to whip up a storm at the kitchen at home. The smaller family unit and when the children or one or two persons when not joining a meal means it gets even harder to prepare a meal. So when even parents are too busy, it gets even harder for everyone to sit down for a meal together. Yet, this is a very important session for family bonding and communication. So we are left with having to have our meals outside. The question is even in Food Paradise Singapore you do not know what to eat.
I figure one way to beat the blues is to keep things simple. The simple no frills food like fish soup or fish porridge is really just fish in soup with some vegetables and tofu and with rice. It is really easy to eat and is hearty and healthy. The humble Teochew fish soup and porridge is such. While the Cantonese "chok" (congee) is soft and comes with different base like with pork, century egg and others with raw fish. the Teochew style is simply clear soup with fish and condiments and if you want it in porridge style they simply throw your rice into the soup to cook.
Two common fish used are the "san yu" or snake head. Snake heads are thought to have healing properties by the Chinese. They have a nice texture and doesn't have muddy taste but they aren't as sweet. The other which is my favourite is the "Batang" fish or Spanish Mackerel. Batang is a rich source of proteins, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F, G and Omega-3. A good soup stock takes hours of simmering fish bones for a more full bodied flavour.
Here you see this humble stall that serve a delicious Teochew fish soup but do order the "Batang" version. They serve a great sambal fish too if you like.
Fish Soup
Located at Blk 32 Defu Lane 10, they have delicious meat/fish cake if you like to add them.
No other fish has the texture, taste and sweetness of mackerel in a soup. You will devour it.
If you observe there are not many but quite a few from Bukit Timah to Queenstreet that serves this wonder food. This picture below came from the stall at Newton facing the car park. It is really good too.
If you have been to anywhere in Thailand, walked the streets of Surat Thani, Samui or Phuket especially in the old days, their food from tom yum, phat thai. Tom Yum Goong is always good. Thai food excites our tongue as it titillates every part of your tongue. Nowadays, you can find authentic Thai food in local food centres or you can go to Sakura, a Thai tze char restaurant. Bee Hoon (vermicelli) in Tom Yum soup is a good choice.
Sambal Kang Kong is a local favourite. Everyone will like this.
BBQ grilled fish smothered by a potent chili sauce. The choice of a "sole" fish is better than a black promfret as it has more meat.
But please don't ask me why it is called Sakura which is anything but Thai. For night birds, you will be pleased with joints that are opened 24 hours. Here is Night Birds performed by Shakatak, a piece used by Tania when opening their act:
Someone returned from Japan and left this banana cake on my work desk. I was busy and left it there for a couple of days without even noticing it till a colleague asked me if I was afraid it was contaminated by nuclear radiation. I opened it up and gobbled down without thinking. It was delicious.
Hokkaido Gourmet Foods
Shortly, I went back to Hokkaido Gourmet Foods at The Sail @ Marina Bay for a sumptuous meal. I didn't do the same set of salmon or or wagyu beef so I chose the curry pork instead and some salmon and tuna sashimi.
Curry is always nice for me even if they are Japanese. It goes down well with an Asahi.
Here is the mystery guest who was with me with Mr. Yim on the right. I kept the light low so the guest remained a mystery. Sorry Yim, I'll get a better shot next time as you were busy and ran away soon after. When you are there, look for Yim to recommend all the delicious stuffs.
Soup Restaurant
Soup Restaurant is a good, simple and no frills restaurant. Very humble food that is almost like home-cooked. It feels like the foods could heal.
Lotus soup is good for you.
This tender chicken with their specially concocted ginger dip/spread with lettuce is great for your soul.
You can wrap them up if you want.
They have done away with that homemade tofu in clay pot which has tiny chopped bits of sea cucumber on the menu. Well, this one is simple and delicious too.
A surprisingly good and well done steamed pork in light sauce. It seemed well chopped and minced and has a nice texture. You could taste crunchy bits of water chestnut in it.
Fried Rice Paradise
We came across this place and decided to try it. The Thai restaurant next door was having such a long queue. We walked past it and there was no one inside and when we returned later and decided to try it, everyone started coming in. Have you experienced such a situation? It is like you bring a blessing to them.
We tried an interesting mami pork ribs which are in fact pork ribs cooked in marmite. Something different from the coffee ribs. Pretty good.
Nothing is easier to eat then omelette with lots of onions.
Since it is fried rice paradise, we did the ikan bilis fried rice which is more commonly found at the mee goreng and roti prata stalls.
Happy food hunting to all!
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