Dingtele - Shanghainese Delights

Happened to be in Kovan and noticed a humble little shop selling Sheng Jian Bao, direct translated is "Raw Pan-fried Bun". Okay, I admit that I had heard of this bun and was curious about it but never tried it before. So between Lola's (which I had patronised before and liked the food there) and this place, I decide to prioritise my want to try new food. In addition, I do like Shanghainese food, so why not giving this place a try?

The place has that small family-run Chinese restaurant vibe: hot piping food, fast service, brutal efficiency, basic and practical, slightly dim lights with neon signs and maximisation of use of space. There is a certain strange charm. The service here is pretty good. Despite being very busy, they still manage to be friendly. Their real strength lies in the fact that they are very fast and efficient.

The menu features typical Shanghainese fare with flour as essential ingredient in most of the food items. It does feel satisfying to tuck into these yummy comfort food.

Sheng Jian Bao is actually Xiao Long Bao being flipped over and pan-fried. So what I get is smooth thin dough skin with a lovely crispy pan-fried bottom that holds moist minced pork and flavourful broth. Goes so well with the thinly sliced ginger strands soaked in vinegar. I love the contrast in texture between the meat, broth, soft part of the dough and the pan-fried part.

There are two types of Sheng Jian Baos: the original and the prawn variety. The ones with prawns have better texture due to the springy, crunchy flesh of the whole prawns. But the original ones have more focused taste since they have more well-seasoned meat packed within.

Xiao Long Bao with Crab Roe is a novelty where there is an additional taste of umami within. This taste of umami is more pronounced when the bun is hot, so savour them while they are hot.

Wontan in Chilli Oil and Vinegar is very generous in portion. There are at least of them in each serving. And each wanton is stuffed with huge amount of meat. Definitely value for money. Taste wise, it is pretty good. There is more chilli oil than vinegar in the mix, thus the thick chilli oil can stick to the surface of the dumpling skin, amping up the spiciness. As I like dimension in taste, I add more vinegar from the free-flow pot to the dumplings.

Thoughts: Worth a try if in the vicinity or curious about Sheng Jian Bao

949 Upper Serangoon Road

Nearest MRT: Kovan

Luke's Lobster - Luxurious Fast Food

Despite always reminding myself to avoid lobster since lobster is very hard to be prepared well, The word "Lobster" in Luke's Lobster's signboard simply catches my attention. I'm hesitant to try it because I'm not sure if a fast food restaurant can prepare this hard-to-prepare seafood well. But as someone who wants to try new but safe experiences in the world of food, plus the fact that this restaurant uses sustainable seafood (I'm all for green practices), I decide to take the plunge.

And Luke's Lobster surprises me, in a good way.

The Wasabi Mayo Lobster Bun features toasted, super fluffy bun stuffed with lots and lots of real tender, yummy lobster meat. There are even the highly coveted lobster's claw meat in there! And they are very generous with the amount of wasabi added for that shiok feeling. Yes, this is real good.

If one can't take the simulating flavour of wasabi, go for the normal Lobster bun instead.

For add-on of $16, I get soup of the day and a drink of my choice. The soup is chock full of ingredients, which is good. But the ala-carte soup costs around $10? I didn't remember the actual price. While the drinks costs about $8 each. So I feel the add-on is not really worth it in price if you are not looking to get drink and soup in the first place.

Update: This is like the only fast food restaurant that I keep going back to, and yes, I try other items on the menu.

Truffle Butter Lobster Roll has more nuanced flavour profile and the truffle paste slathered on top of the buttered toasty bun adds an exotic earthy aroma. I love this too.

Despite my meh experience with the top-up of drink and clam chowder, I opt to try it again with my options as Homemade Lemonade and Lobster Bisque. And these are good! Lobster bisque has bites of lobster meat hidden within, and it is so full of light buttery umami of lobster. The zesty lemonade is a nice contrast to the richness of the lobster roll and lobster bisque.

The Crab Roll is stuffed full of silky, moist shredded crab meat that features the nuanced flavour of the sea. It tastes especially good with the sweet, light mayo slathered on the interior of the soft fluffy bun. I like this too! For easier bite, crab is the choice.

Though higher in price as compared to other fast food restaurant, I feel the Lobster Bun here is very value-for-money due to the sheer amount of delicious lobster meat packed into the bun. Definitely worth a try.

Thoughts: Fast Food Restaurant can serve quality food too.

350 Orchard Road Shaw House #01-K4

Nearest MRT: Orchard

Leckerbaer - Lovely Tarts and Puffs

Frankly speaking, Leackbaer's display counter looks very attractive and will make many stop in their tracks to take a second look for the dainty, colourful tarts. Even the cream puffs also look so good.

So since I'm just hanging around Isetan Shaw House, I take the opportunity grab a lovely-looking puff here and then find a nice seat to rest, relax and watch people passing by.

Raspberry Skåkager is of nice tangy sweetness. The tart base is pretty hard to break with utensils, but it is surprisingly crumbly when biting on it.

Passion and Verbena Tart is very refreshing in taste, being full of zest due to the passionfruit jam at the bottom. The cream added on top cut down the tangy taste nicely for a more well-rounded taste.

Spicy Mango puff is interesting. There is a hint of spice in the taste. It's an acquired taste, I feel.

Strawberry and Cream Puff has a nice, slightly crispy, biscuit-like crust over the top of the puff pastry. And within the pastry is creamy goodness packed with tangy real flavour of strawberries. This is my favourite puff of the two.

The assortment of tarts and cakes makes for very pretty and impressive gift to loved ones. Crowd favourite is Matcha and those with cake base. Yes, I love the ones with cake base! They are delicious.

Thoughts: Cool and pretty place to chill

350 Orchard Road Shaw House #01-K2/K3

Nearest MRT: Orchard

Or 

14 Keong Saik Road

Nearest MRT: Outram

Akanoya Robatayaki - Sumptuous, Fun Feast

Japanese Robatayaki cuisine has a certain charm to it. Part if it is from the display of fresh seasonal ingredients at the counter where one can just choose any from the selection to be grilled and then served on a fisherman's paddle to the patron. As someone who appreciates quality groceries, it does feel gratifying to have all these quality produces decked out in front of me, in the comforts of a restaurant. In addition, well-grilled food tastes so good due to the extra sweetness and the aroma of char. And Robatayaki, at its core, requires to have huge variety in its food offerings, so patrons are really spoilt for choices. I know I am.

But there is not a lot of Robatayaki restaurants in Singapore, and Akanoya is one of the few. Actually, this restaurant has always been on my radar since years ago, but I never got around to come here due to personal reasons. Well, personal matters brought me to Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, and passing by the impressive entrance of Akanoya reminded me that this is one of the restaurants I wanted to patronise last time. So here I am in the restaurant, all ready to have a sumptuous feast.

Made with fresh ingredients, the food here definitely meets my expectations, having the great texture and simulating taste. I really enjoy savouring the food here.

The ingredients display counter is the main star here, with the red wooden table counter, oak wooden walls, paper lamps, Japanese calligraphy wooden tags to accentuate the traditional Japanese vibe. It does have that upmarket Izakaya feel, with a touch of posh.

Service staffs are friendly and knowledgeable, giving some really good recommendations on food and sake.

Crab Croquette looks so pretty and its taste matches the look. A coat of crispy breadcrumbs wrapped around a umami laden, creamy filling, topped with the oceanic sweetness of caviar and the zest of the dollop of specialty sauce, this appetiser is a luxurious treat.

Brussel Spouts, which is what I picked from the awesome array of seasonal Japanese vegetables, is so delicious! It is so crunchy, and each leave is flavourful, being packed with the essence of the sauce and the crispy freshness taste of veggies. Good eaten on its own, or dip in one of the trio of sauces served.

Kurobuta Butabara is interestingly served on the fisherman paddle. The meat is tender, flavourful and goes very well with the accompanying sauce.

In the background is the trio of sauces: tangy ponzu for seafood, teriyaki for meat and goma for vegetables. I like all three.

Hotate Kara is another one of my favourites. The scallops are so fresh and juicy. Its briny sweetness highlighted by the slight of char on the surface and the tanginess of the sauce they are soaked. An awesome treat.

Kara Hokkigai, which is surf clam, features taste that is similar to abalone: nuanced taste of the ocean and buttery. This clam is more tender and smoother in terms of texture. And the accompanying creamy sauce makes it even better.

Feeling that I still have capacity to savour more food plus a dessert, I add on the Kuruma Ebi since it looks so big and fleshy on the display right in front of me, I can't resist ordering it. Going light on sauces, the grilled prawn meat is fresh, sweet, firm yet tender. I dip some pieces in the trio of sauces for the variety in flavours. Also taste great eaten this way. The glutinous rice stuffed into the prawn's head is a nice addition to fulfil my craving for carbs. Love this dish very much too.

Warabi Mochi seals the sweet deal. The black sesame ice-cream is rich, creamy and full of earthy flavours of black sesame. The star is the warabi mochi. Soaked with the caramel goodness of Japanese black sugar, these soft pillowy jelly cubes are intense yet also refreshing in taste

Clear, sweet sake that goes very well with my choices of seafood, plus a pork dish and some vegetables.

Dining here is quite an unique experience where I have the fun of choosing the food I want from the spread in front of me. I also love the variety here. Though I must say that one needs to come here all ready spend some good money to enjoy the feel of choosing whatever you want. I come here with that mindset, thus totally enjoying myself.

Though I do wish the timing for seating can be more flexible since 5:30pm is too early for lots of people (this is very fine with me though) and 8:00pm is a bit too late (though perfect for night owls).

All in all, coming here really brings back the good memories of enjoying Robatayaki, and I look forward to coming here again.

Thoughts: I love Robatayaki!

1 Tanglin Road, Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, #01-01

Nearest MRT: Orchard Boulevard, Orchard

Sogurt

Full of Probiotics and zest of yoghurt, light like sorbet, plus a touch of creaminess reminiscent of ice-cream, a pretty good combination to yield a nice healthy dessert that is just right in sweetness.

Country of Origin: Singapore!

Where to get this: NTUC Hypermarket

Dumpling Festival

Homemade dumplings are absolutely the best! Because they are made with lots of love. While they are so delicious that we can finish them in minutes, making them takes planning and days of preparation.

It starts with getting ready all the ingredients: bamboo leaves (or banana leaves for some), strings, glutinous rice, meat, mushrooms, chestnuts, five-spice powder, condiments, garlic and other additional ingredients.

The meat and mushrooms need to be marinaded in soy sauce while rice must be soaked in water before being drenched in five-spice powder and soy sauce. Toss in some chopped garlic to additional oomph.

Even the bamboo leaves and dried plant stems to be used as strings are required to be washed, boiled and soaked in water overnight.

Then comes the day of wrapping!

It takes almost the whole day to wrap the dumplings. And so do the cooking of dumplings. Each batch needs minimum 3 hours to be cooked to sticky goodness. So first batch goes into the pot at 9am, and the last batch comes out of the pot at 11pm.

The tremendous amount of effort needed to make these dumplings is a show of love. Love you, mum! Your dumplings are the best!

Xiao Ya Tou - Wonderful Mix of retro Nostalgia and Modern Twist

Retro gadgets and radios, old Hong Kong movie posters, old school Chinese ornaments, kerosene lamps, bead string blinds, garish bright colours, Chinese cutlery with florid designs, striking Chinese lanterns and Lion Dance mascots, I feel like I’m in the retro watering hole of nostalgia at Xiao Ya Tou. And add 80s English music to the mix. The atmosphere here is like no others. Every corner here is instagram worthy to capture that old school vibe of Singapore.

I love the food here for the wicked mix of the familiarity of Singapore taste and the modern spin on it. There is good juxtapose of textures in the dishes. The flavours are bold, unique and most important of all, good.

Service here is very good and sincere. One of the staff even take note of my solo dining limitations and suggest to me to order few dishes first and I can add on other stuff if I want and my tummy can hold more food. That is really thoughtful.

All in all, I totally enjoy dining here.

Lobster Kueh Pie Tee is the best ... and most luxurious Kueh Pie Tee I ever have. The pastry shell, uniquely made from deep-fried wanton skin, is incredibly crispy, which juxtaposes perfectly with the creamy goodness of the filling. This simple pastry shell elevates this dish of humble origins to a epicurean delight.

The mild briny sweetness of lobster, plus bits of concentrated essence of the sea from the diced prawns, topped with umami rich tobiko and ikura, tastes so good, complemented perfectly by the hearty flavour of the pastry shell. And this is an extra magic hidden at the bottom of the shells, which is the refreshing sweetness of the seasonal fruits, making the overall taste amazing. A must-try for foodies.

Crispy Otak Roll is such a delightful treat. The popian skin is super crispy and its texture goes so well with the savoury, spicy goodness of otak fish paste. Eating this makes me go, "Pairing popian skin with otak is splendid idea!" And I like that there are two ways to enjoy this: one is to eat it as it is to appreciate the marriage of popian skin and otak, another is to dip it in Tamarind Peanut Sauce for extra kick.

Cucumber and Scallop Yakult Crudo is a very refreshing dish, filled with light hint of umami of the fresh raw scallop, complemented by the crunchiness of the tasty sea grapes. The cucumber is best enjoyed by scooping up cubes of it along with the zesty green apple yakult peppered with mint citrus and oil lime.

Kueh Salat Ice-Cream is pure goodness. Coconut dessert is always my love, but this dessert takes things up a notch to make it even better. The Kueh Salat Ice-Cream features layers of flavours within it, just like the slightly savoury glutinous rice paired with the sweet nutty coconut. Blue pea tapioca pearls and Chinese beehive cookie introduce extra texture and nice subtle twist in the taste. Kaya, which is coconut jam, completes the taste.

I always like Blood Orange in my alcoholic drink, so Unrequited Love is my choice from the quirky book of drinks with cute drawings. Be sure to flip through it, just for the fun. My drink is zesty and refreshing. The manjong stirrer is an interesting addition to the cocktail.

Old school sweets for sweet ending.

It is quite an experience to dine due to the different and distinctive atmosphere and the unique take on Singaporean cuisine. This is definitely great for gatherings and family since the food will appeal to most local palates and pleasantly surprises foreign ones. Having dates is an option here too since it is sweet for lovebirds to experience something different together here.

Thoughts: Local Cuisine, with lots of Twists, is awesome!

6 Duxton Hill #01-01

Nearest MRT: Maxwell, Outram Park, Tanjong Pagar