Food Again, What Else?

We always come back to food for it is one of life's common denominator - regardless of race, language or religion. Taj's is the place that served one of the best Fish Bryani in town but the fish bryani is only available on Friday.

Go early or be disappointed. If not then ask for chicken or mutton if you like.

This is one of the rare bryani that is not oily. Add some chicken for more delight.

I have been eating here for ages, now someone has given them a recognition.

I used to have the laksa, the Sungei Road Laksa like twice a month at Kelantan Lane. Having stop for awhile, I had to go back. On a Saturday late morning, a long queue was forming but the service was quick.

The owner whom I have seen when since I was a young child pushing his cart at Sungei Road is still at it. Where to find hawker using charcoal stove to cook? It makes the laksa piping hot from the start to your last spoonful when you slurp it up!

The cockles are very fresh! Die, die must try! I know Katong laksa, give me this any time! Laksa that is too rich (lemak) and oily can be less enjoyable.

Long gone were the days where the tze char stall's cook can whip up any dish with superior "wok hei" which in Cantonese is the breath of the wok. I stumbled upon one at a small coffee shop next to a condo Heritage View in Dover. The bee hoon (vermicelli) may look white but you can taste the fire.

So too the seafood fried kway teow.

Some friends were also talking about fried Hokkien Mee. Some may like Kim's version or Nam Sing at Old Kallang Airport but I do like the ones at Changi Village (now under renovation) and this one at Toa Payoh Blk 127 - with an easy to remember name - Come Daily!

The guy frying it looks like a doctor, a surgeon even. Tasty and easy to eat. Perhaps you may come daily. Call them in advance if you like so you don't have to wait all day.

Snuggled to the left form Come Daily at a corner is probably one of the best carrot cakes around. Chey Sua Carrot Cake has white carrot cakes that are fried to a golden brown with power packed chilli spread over the crispy golden brown like butter. But Yoda will tell you: "Wait, you must!"

Casual eaters or drinkers will love this. Duck rice or just duck meat. Not the Cantonese roasted version or the sticky gravy type but good old Teochew style not Gangnam. Those who are good with ducks will know the goodness of duck wings too. They make you fly.

One day, I came across this duck rice stall at Blk 201, Serangoon Central and ordered some not knowing that there were lots of people waiting and nearly died from hunger.

Then our conversation switched to nasi lemak. I told them not to go searching or queueing for whatever famous stalls. Just come over to Tanjong Pagar for early lunch or better still breakfast. Those friends who has tried can vouch for it. It used to be only $2 but now just $2.50 and you get great and friendly service from the husband and wife team.

People will buy 5 or 10 packets and you can get a fish, an egg, a luncheon meat or fish cake and a big drumstick for $2.50!

What I can tell you is that you can never find chicken drumsticks this good anywhere! One bite and you will be back for more.

If you happen to live near any coffee shop, it will become  your convenience store or venue of last resort. I happen to have overheard some people talking about how the old man is pretty good with his char kway teow at a nearby coffee shop. So one late weekend afternoon, I decided to give it a shot. No regrets, it is good. Of course the one formerly from Outram now at Fook Hai and the one formerly from  Capitol (Hill Street) now at Bedok are among the best.

Finally, together with a few friends, we had a few drinks and something to munch one evening at the New Harbour Cafe. They serve excellent food. Staring with the beef cubes.

The squids were lovely too.

But I reserve the best for last. The roast pork is rather special. Thinly sliced, crispy skin, juicy meat with a very good sauce.

I hope that I have helped in whipping up your appetite. Come eat with me. Bon Appetit!