Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle Rice @ Beauty World Food Centre

Update: Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle Rice has shifted two units down along the same row with a new signboard. New stall photo and unit number has been updated at the bottom of this post.

Just a few doors away from Hambaobao is this stall called Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle Rice (what a mouthful!) selling what else, but soya sauce chicken with either noodles, rice or hor fun. Do not confuse this with (*takes a deep breathe*) Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, the Michelin-starred stall at 335 Smith Street which has since been rebranded as "Liao Fan".

The latter is my favorite but have become quite impossible to eat with the insane queue ever since it received the award. I had to turn to other alternatives like Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken and Fatty Ox in order to have my soya sauce chicken cravings fixed.

This stall at Beauty World Food Centre is my latest find, and the nearest to me without having to go all the way to Chinatown where all my alternatives are located at. Other than soya sauce chicken noodle, they also sell the usual wanton noodle, dumpling noodle and beef brisket noodle.

Strangely, glutinous rice, chee cheong fun and yam cake are also available here.

Hambaobao Is Back @ Beauty World Food Centre - Till Next Year!

Update: Hambaoba has relocated. The new address has been updated at the bottom of this post.

Hambaobao (a direct translation of ham burger in Chinese) is the "new kid on the block", having set up stall at the Beauty World Food Centre about two years ago.

When I first got to know about this burger joint serving some Asian-inspired burgers like ayam buah keluak (sandwiched between two buns with chap chye, no less!) and crispy pork belly (aka sio bak burger), I told myself that I have to come try it one of these days.

However, the "one of these days" never did materialize as procrastination got the better of me.

Earlier this year, news about a mystery buyer buying over the food centre with intentions to redevelop it into an air-conditioned food court were rife. Before I knew it, the food centre ceased operations.

Original Jalan Tua Kong 132 Mee Pok @ 24 Sixth Avenue

Located in the same coffeeshop as 6th Avenue Wanton Noodle is this noodle stall called Original Jalan Tua Kong 132 managed by two guys.

The name of the stall baffles me as it is a combination of two very famous Teochew mee pok stalls like 132 Mee Pok from Marine Terrace and Jalan Tua Kong Lau Lim Mee Pok from Simpang Bedok. 

I know of the story between 132 and Lau Lim but what about this stall which claims to be the original? Is this stall hitching a ride on their names or simply a disgruntled sibling/relative/ex-worker striking out on his own?

In all honesty, I have not eaten both 132 or Lau Lim before hence, I cannot compare who does it better. However, this stall's mee pok is the best that I have tasted ever thus far.

6th Avenue Wanton Noodle @ 24 Sixth Avenue

If you have read this, you would have known that I went to Sixth Avenue for breakfast before going to the Learning Forest at the Botanic Gardens. After leaving Botanic Gardens, I decided to head back to Sixth Avenue for lunch.

Remember about the coffeeshop I mentioned that is bustling with customers? I decided to pop over for a look to find out for myself what is so "happening" over there.

Along the way, I took the time in the bus to google about the coffeeshop which I found out is called Good Good Eating House of which the wanton noodle and Teochew mee pok are highly raved. 

I could not decide which to try since they both looked so good in the pictures. In the end, I decided to be bias and ordered wanton noodle.

Swan Lake @ Singapore Botanic Gardens

In my previous post, I visited the newly opened Learning Forest at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. I took a bus from the bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue MRT station which brought me straight to Tanglin gate in front of the Garden.

As the Learning Forest is just a little further down past Swan Lake, it is therefore nearer to go by this way instead of coming from the Bukit Timah gate.

This photos in this post are taken around Swan Lake before I reached the Learning Forest.

The Learning Forest @ Singapore Botanic Gardens

After my breakfast at Master Tang's, I make my way back to Sixth Avenue MRT station. The Botanic Gardens is another two train stations away but I crossed over to the bus stop opposite and took a bus instead.

The MRT will bring you to the Bukit Timah gate at Botanic Gardens MRT station but the Learning Forest is nearer to Tanglin gate at Orchard Road side.

If you go by the Bukit Timah gate, you have to walk at least 2 - 3 kilometers to reach the Learning Forest. Taking the bus, however, brings you right to the front of Tanglin Gate.

From there, it is only a short distance from Swan Lake to reach the Learning Forest.

Master Tang Wanton Noodle @ 10E Sixth Avenue

Update: Master Tang Wanton Noodle has permanently closed.

During the Good Friday holiday, I decided to visit the newly opened Learning Forest at the Botanic Gardens. I took the downtown line and head towards Botanic Gardens station.

Along the way, I got off at Sixth Avenue station for breakfast at Bukit Timah Road. I am there looking for a certain Master Tang who used to be the head chef of Crystal Jade and is now running his own business at said location selling wanton noodle.

With this level of fame, I was expecting a huge turnout at his stall but unexpectedly, there is not a single soul at the coffee shop. On my way in, I saw the other coffee shop brimming with customers and long queues everywhere.

This coffee shop is the exact opposite of that coffee shop. I thought perhaps I was too early or maybe the stall is still not ready for business yet.

I approached the stall cautiously and I saw an elderly man wrapping wantons silently by the side while a lady was busy checking on the many simmering pots they had which were all screaming for attention at the same time.

That should be Master Tang with his Malaysian wife.

Feng Zhen Lor Mee @ Blk 787B Choa Chu Kang Drive

I have heard so much about the famous Feng Zhen Lor Mee at Taman Jurong but I have never gotten round to having a bowl of it as the location is rather out of the way.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that they have a second branch at Yew Tee which is so much nearer and convenient to me. Apparently from what I heard, the stall at Taman Jurong is run by the mother while the one at Yew Tee is run by the daughter.

My favorite lor mee is from Bukit Purmei Lor Mee at West Coast Drive but unfortunately, the stall has ceased operations due to the owner's declining health. Since then, I have been unable to find any lor mee that is worthy of its calories.

Pang Sua Pond @ Bukit Panjang

As we all know, water is a precious resource. Other than importing water from our neighbor, we depend on reclaimed water (NEWater), desalinated water, and water from our reservoirs to meet our daily needs.

Under PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme, Pang Sua Pond at Bukit Panjang is the latest addition to its network of stormwater collection ponds. 

Launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 25 March 2017, the new pond features an 80m-long elevated boardwalk which is suspended at a height of 7m above the waters.

Residents living nearby can jog or take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk, while taking in the scenic views.

Thian Hock Keng Temple @ Telok Ayer Street

During the previous Car Free Sunday, I made a return trip to Telok Ayer Street to take photos of Thian Hock Keng Temple as well as the mural on the rear wall behind it by mural artist Yip Yew Chong.

Did you know that Thian Hock Keng Temple is Singapore's oldest Hokkien temple? Built between 1839 - 1842, many had contributed towards the building fund of the temple but the biggest donor is Philanthropist Tan Tock Seng.

The temple was designed and built according to Chinese temple architectural traditions by skilled craftsmen from China but what's amazing is that not a single nail was used in the construction. It has even received a plaque from Emperor Guang Xu (光緒帝) of the Qing Dynasty!

Imagine that! The great Qing Emperor knew of the existence of our tiny temple far away in South East Asia!

The temple was gazetted as a national monument on 28 June 1973 and among the many awards it has won throughout the years, it's latest win was an honorable mention in the 2001 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.

Wall Mural By Mural Artist Yip Yew Chong @ Thian Hock Keng Temple

After my visit to the Fuk Tak Chi Temple, I proceeded to Thian Hock Keng Temple which is situated along the same street. 

I was not too happy with my shots at the 178 years old temple that day as my new lenses were not suited for wide angle shots. As I figured what to do, I took a walk around the perimeter of the temple when I realized that mural artiste Yip Yew Chong has been commissioned by the Hokkien Huay Kuan to draw a 40m mural at the rear wall behind the temple. 

For the uninitiated, Thian Hock Keng Temple is managed by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan (Huay Kuan = Clan Association).

I thought I could take photos of the mural instead since my shots of the temple were not satisfactory. However, my view of the murals were obstructed by the vehicles parked alongside the wall.

Fuk Tak Chi Temple @ Telok Ayer Street

During my search for Nam Seng Wanton Mee, I accidentally stumbled upon this Fuk Tak Chi Temple (福德祠) along Telok Ayer Street. If you exit Telok Ayer MRT Station via Exit B, this temple is just right across the road on your left.

According to the plaque at the entrance, this temple is one of the oldest around since the 1820s. The temple, founded by the Hakka and Cantonese immigrants, served as a place of worship and a social meeting place for the two communities. The temple was closed in 1994 and has since been converted into a museum.

Inside, you can find a diorama depicting a street scene outside the temple with the early immigrants going about their daily lives. If you are wondering why there is a pier with bum boats docking along it, that is because this place used to be a coastal area. Much of Telok Ayer is built on reclaimed land.

In fact, the name Telok Ayer actually means "Water Bay".

Nam Seng - Old National Library Wanton Mee @ 25 China Street

Update: Nam Seng is permanently closed.

Recently, misstamchiak posted on her instagram about this Nam Seng Wanton Mee which used to be from the hut under the big tree beside the old National Library at Stamford Road.

Well, the old National Library is no stranger to all Singaporeans since it was, if I am not mistaken, our very first public library that has been around since the 1960s. I have a direct bus from my place to Orchard Road which passes by Stamford Road so I have passed by the library with its iconic red bricks countless of times.

However, watching the library and the hut pass me by from inside the bus is all there is of the memories I have had of them. I have not stepped into the library or eaten at the hut before and I will never have the chance to since both have already been torn down for redevelopment in 2004.

As I am a ardent fan of old school wanton mee, I thought why not pay a visit to the stall at its current location at 25 China Street? 

You know, for nostalgia's sake?

Tai Cheong Bakery @ 31 Lorong Liput

Following the success of two pop-up stores and a takeaway kiosk at Takashimaya, Tai Cheong Bakery has finally opened a 60-seat eatery that consisted of both indoor and outdoor seats.

My visit to the bakery was an impromptu one; I was lying in bed one day when my brother called to meet up for lunch. With the Mum in tow, we met up and took the circle line to Holland Village MRT Station.

There was no one in the queue when we reached but we waited about ten minutes for a indoor seat. If you do not mind sitting outside, you might be able to get a table faster. 

We can literally feel the heatwave while queuing by the roadside so a outdoor seat is a no-no for us. The thoughtful Tai Cheong Bakery has provided a chilled water dispenser along the queue which we can help ourselves to if we wanted.

As we were shown to our seats, the air-con that hits our face brought some much needed relief from the scorching heat outside.

Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee @ Hong Lim Food Centre

Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee is one of the two better-known stalls for selling the same dish at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre.

While Ah Heng is located on the second level, the other competing stall - Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee - is located directly downstairs on the first level.

What both stalls are selling here is not curry chicken with mee but Hainanese-styled poached chicken with curry mee. (Hope I am not confusing anyone here)

Having eaten at Ah Heng a number of times, I always tell myself that I will try the other stall the next time I come here however, when that time arrive, I will instinctively go up to the second level, bypassing the first level. Again.

And the cycle repeats itself.

Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee @ Blk 130 Jurong Gateway Road

Update: Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee has relocated. It's new address has been updated at the bottom of this post.

Two years ago, I learned of a certain Thai-styled wanton mee setting up shop at the Ang Mo Kio area and being the avid wanton mee lover that I am, how could I not give it a try?

However, the mere thought of getting there just for a bowl of noodles convinced me otherwise and I ended up procrastinating for the longest time.

When I found out that they have a new outlet at Jurong East, it got me excited since the location is very much closer to me now.

Unfortunately, I have been to the coffeeshop no lesser than five times but each time I have to turn back in disappointment as they are always closed when I got there.

Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant @ Alexandra Village

Keng Eng Kee started out selling Hainanese Chicken Rice in a small coffeeshop at Havelock Road in the 1950s. During the 70s, they expanded their operations to the tze char business and moved to the current location after the closure of the former Havelock Road Hawker Centre.

Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant (or KEK for short) operates out of an entire coffeeshop with the outside seating arrangement spilling over to the next block where a small air-conditioned room is available upon booking.

We were there around 6pm on a Saturday and the place is jam-packed with customers. I noticed that a short queue of walk-in customers waiting for a table is already forming by the side.

Business is brisk and it is hard to get a table for a large group without reservations. Thankfully, my brother has already called them the day before to reserve a table for five as well as a crab.

Syonan Gallery: War And Its Legacies

After a year-long revamp, the former Ford Motor Factory along Upper Bukit Timah Road has finally reopened its doors to a closed-door opening ceremony for invited guests on 15 February 2017.

Renamed Syonan Gallery, its opening was aptly timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore.

A highlight of the private event was a weapon presentation ceremony, where recruits from the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR) received their Singapore Assault Rifle (SAR) 21.

I think there is a significant meaning for our own army to take up arms at the very site where the British put down theirs. It is a dark chapter, but one that we must always remember; we can rely on no one except ourselves to defend our land.

We have come a long way and while we treasure the peace we have now, let us not forget the atrocities of the war that our ancestors had to go through.

With a heavy heart, I visited the museum on the next day when it is opened to the public.

Hill Street Fried Kway Teow @ Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre

I have long heard of Hill Street Fried Kway Teow but what I did not know is it's location. After some digging online, I found out that there are apparently two fried kway teow stalls which originated from the now-demolished Hill Street Food Centre.

One has moved to Bedok while the other one is at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre. Although sporting similar name on their signboards, both stalls are unrelated and each have their own supporters.

I decided to try the one at Chinatown since Bedok is far too inconvenient for me. Unfortunately, the stall was closed the first two times of my visit. It was only during my third visit did I managed to catch them opened for business.

「大白鯊」鲁芬今晨肺部衰竭离世！

今早醒来在床上滑手机时竟传来噩耗！

专演恶人及丑角的香港女演员鲁芬因皮肌炎导致肺部衰竭离世，终年63岁。

鲁芬是我还蛮喜欢的演员之一。尤其是她所主演的一些滑稽，搞笑的角色如《九品芝麻官》里的烈火奶奶和《整蛊专家》的大白鲨等等。

但最深入铭心的莫过于《女子监狱》里的山东婆。

也就是这个角色让我认识了鲁芬这个人。

River Hong Bao 2017 春到河畔 2017

CHOY SUN DOU!

It is the Lunar New Year and do you know what that means?

River Hongbao - the annual event which everyone has been looking forward to - is back for it's 31st year! Just like the previous years, it is once again being held at the Floating Platform at Marina Bay.

As the folks are hosting guests at home in the afternoon, I would not want to be caught dead in the "line of fire" (interrogation), therefore, I made an excuse to slip out of the house to visit River Hongbao before the 姨妈姑姐s (blood-related or otherwise) arrive.

One Day Trip To Muar, Johor, Malaysia

It was a chilly Sunday morning. 

While most people are still warmly curled-up in their beds at 5.45am, a small congregation had already gathered at a dark, secluded corner of the neighborhood. 

My Aunt's department had organized a one day trip to Muar, Johor, Malaysia and she has asked my parents and I along. It was considered a 'blind' trip for me because I do not know the itinerary nor know where we will be going to. 

We set off on board a luxurious coach heading for Tuas checkpoint and were met with by our Malaysian tour guide after clearing the Malaysian side of the customs. 

Animal Corner At Farmart Centre

Farmart Centre is a farmers' market of sorts where one can buy fresh produces such as eggs, live seafood and vegetables. During my schooling days, I go there quite often and I even brought my classmates there a couple of times during the school holidays.

Although the farm is near to where I stay, its location at Sungei Tengah is rather inaccessible if you do not drive.

Thankfully, Farmart Centre provides daily shuttle bus service and I remember the fare used to cost 50 cents. When we alight from the shuttle bus, the driver would hand everyone some discount coupons which we could utilize at the shops.

Those were the days and in the twinkling of an eye, 19 years has passed since my last visit. As the second day of 2017 is a public holiday, I decided to make a trip there for old times sake.

From their Facebook page, I learned that from 2017 onward, the shuttle bus service will only be available during the weekends but the ride will be complimentary.

Waffletown USA @ Balmoral Plaza

Update: Waffletown USA has permanently closed.

Waffletown USA is a family-owned business that had been serving American food such as burgers, fried chicken and Belgian waffles for the last thirty odd years in Singapore.

During the 1980s, it was situated at the basement of Bukit Timah Plaza before moving to its current location at Balmoral Plaza along Bukit Timah Road. It has been years since I last visited them and as I walked through its door today, a wave of nostalgia hits me in the face. 

Everything from the furnishings to the deco remained exactly how I remembered it to be when they were still at their previous address.

Nine Fresh Desserts Taiwan 九鲜 九份甜品 @ Jurong Point

I have never been to Taiwan before but thanks to the kind folks who brought in the Taiwan desserts chain stores to our shores, I am able to have my first taste of taro balls with beancurd/grass jelly about a year ago. 

As much as I like the dessert I had then, I was hesitant to go back again as the price is almost equivalent to a meal at the food court. 

However, I am happy to have found another brand of Taiwan dessert stall offering a similar concept but with a more wallet-friendly pricing.

Introducing, NINE FRESH DESSERTS TAIWAN! They offer a few combo of desserts featuring Taiwan-specified ingredients like taro balls and pearls. Or, if you prefer, you could also create your own by selecting one of the base (beancurd, grass jelly, ai-yu jelly) and choosing your favorite toppings.

Xin Long Fish Soup @ Kopitiam, Jurong Point

Update: Xin Long Fish Soup has permanently closed.

After my dental appointment today, I chanced upon this Xin Long Fish Soup stall located inside the Kopitiam Foodcourt on the third floor of Jurong Point Shopping Centre.

Fish soup is one of my favorite comfort food so I decided to order a bowl for lunch. (yes, I ate twenty minutes after my tooth extraction!)

When it comes to fish soup, I prefer to have it with fried fish and thick bee hoon (rice vermicelli) rather than with sliced fish and rice. I can have a hearty bowl of fish soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner consecutively without getting sick of it.

National Orchid Garden *Free Admission!*

I have always thought that the National Orchid Garden is simply a small scale garden showcasing its collection of Orchids and probably not worth the price of a ticket to go in.

When I learned that Singaporeans enjoy free entry from November 2016 till January 2017, I decided to take the opportunity to check it out if it is really the "go one round and we're out" kind of small like what I had thought.

By the end of my visit, however, I realized that the National Orchid Garden is anything but small. With over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, the Garden is the largest display of Orchids in the world!

Delicious Fried Carrot Cake 日夜香菜头粿 @ Redhill Market & Food Centre

There are two rival fried carrot cake stalls at Redhill Food Centre but I decided to patronize the one called Delicious Fried Carrot Cake (日夜香菜头粿 #01-33) instead of Fu Ming Cooked Food (福明熟食 #01-49).

The reason why I picked one over the other is because I heard that they add taugeh (beansprouts) to their fried carrot cake. I have eaten fried carrot cake with beansprouts at Thailand before but it is still the first time I have heard of this combination in Singapore. I must admit, it did arouse my interest to give them a try.

Manned by an elderly couple, the uncle does all the frying while the auntie helps to take order, beat the eggs and receive payment.

Both the white and black versions of fried carrot cake are available here and you can opt for or without beansprouts.

Yan 焱 Fried Beehoon And Fried Chicken Wings @ Redhill Market & Food Centre

I have finally gotten the chance to try the fried bee hoon and fried chicken wings that Mr Lee Hsien Loong had personally stood 30 minutes in line for.

It caused quite a stir back then when photographs of the Prime Minister queuing went viral across all social networks.

That was two years ago.

Black Muah Chee @ Toa Payoh HDB Hub

I am quite surprised to know that there is a black version of muah chee! 

This stall called "Hougang Six Miles Famous Muah Chee" located inside Gourmet Paradise Food Court at Toa Payoh HDB Hub sells exactly that. The black element is actually due to the crushed black sesame seeds coating its exterior.

Of course, they do sell the usual crushed peanut version as well.

Here, the muah chee are individually hand pulled from a larger dough then dipped in shallot oil before being tossed into a bed of crushed peanuts or black sesame.

Compared to other vendors who simply place a blob of the dough into the tray of crushed peanuts and then snipping them into smaller pieces with scissors, Hougang Six Miles Famous Muah Chee's muah chee is way more chewy due to the extra stretching.

Dover Road Kai Kee Wanton Noodle 杜佛路佳記雲吞麵 @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

About a year ago, Dad returned home with two packets of Wanton Noodles for Mum and me. While transferring the noodles onto a plate, I was surprised not just by the big mound of noodles, but also the number of wantons that slipped out from the plastic bag!

As I send a mouthful of noodles into my mouth, my eyes sparkled. Never mind the lean char siew and limpy wantons, the sauce is the kind I liked. So comforting, so old school but so difficult to find!

I queried with Dad where he bought the noodles from but I could not get a definite answer as he just randomly picked a stall to tapau the food from. All I knew was that it is somewhere in Bukit Merah.

Collecting Magic: From Stamps To Wands - A Harry Potter Exhibition At The Singapore Philatelic Museum

Pottermania has made a comeback this year, with the release of the latest book, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, and this exhibition - Collecting Magic: From Stamps To Wands at the Singapore Philatelic Museum!

Your favorite child wizards Harry, Ron and Hermione have arrived at the Museum, in the form of stamps as well as movie memorabilia and collectibles from private collectors.

On display are items such as the first licensed Harry Potter stamps, First Day Covers, postcards, stamps, limited edition books and DVDs, prop replicas, movie posters, toys and more.

Supreme Pork Chop Rice 一品排骨饭 @ 67 Beach Road

I was on an errand for Dad, to send his phone in for servicing but as the service centre was not open until 11am, I decided to drop by 67 Beach Road opposite Shaw Tower to have this Supreme Pork Chop Rice that I saw on Instagram.

I wonder why I have not heard of this place before when I worked at Bugis a few years ago. (I was a faithful regular at Tong Seng Coffeeshop at Liang Seah Street. Love their Laksa and Spring Rolls!)

Standing before the gigantic red signboard with its supersized font, one had to walk down a flight of stairs to reach the stall. Due to its location at the basement, the air could get a little stuffy inside even though the fans are oscillating.

Pink Rose Tutu Kueh @ ION Orchard Food Opera

Tutu Kueh is a small steamed cake made of roasted rice flour and filled with either grated coconut or crushed peanuts. Claiming to be its creators, Queensway Lau Tan Tutu Kueh has been selling this old school snack at Queensway Shopping Centre for as long as I could remember.

However, this post is not about their main outlet at Queensway but their latest stall inside Food Opera, level B4 at ION Orchard.

Having shifted over from its previous location at Shaw House, this is the only outlet that offers their signature Pink Rose Tutu Kueh.

Heng Huat Boon Lay Boneless Duck Noodles 興發文礼起骨鸭面 @ Boon Lay Place Food Village

The duck noodles from Heng Huat Boon Lay Boneless Duck Noodles (興發文礼起骨鸭面) is Dad's absolute favorite. He will have this and nothing else whenever we came to Boon Lay Place Food Village.

At $3.50, the duck noodles here is quite value for money. Not only is there a generous mound of noodles below, the top is almost covered by the taugeh (beansprouts) which is equally plentiful. Sweeping the taugeh aside will reveal the boneless duck meat hidden below.

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak @ Boon Lay Place Food Village

Even though I visit Boon Lay Place Food Village quite frequently, I have never tried this Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak before as I thought that they only cater to the dinner crowd.

A week ago, I was there to do some marketing with my folks when I happened to see the stall open. I did not know that they open in the mornings. Did they change operating hours or have I thought wrongly all these years?

Whatever it is, I knew then that I had to give it a try to know how "power" their Nasi Lemak really is. 

There is a customer in front of me so while waiting for him to be served, I glanced around the stall and noticed that they also sell an assortment of ala carte ingredients which you can choose for your coconut rice.

Chung Cheng Chilli Mee 崇正辣椒面 @ Golden Mile Food Centre

Have you ever heard of "Chili Mee" (辣椒面) before?

This stall located on the second storey of Golden Mile Food Centre sells exactly that, together with Prawn Mee (肉骨虾面) and Laksa (叻沙).

This is the first time I have heard of "Chili Mee" and I do not have the slightest clue what it really is. Consisting of ingredients borrowed from the Prawn Mee and Laksa, the impression this bowl of Chili Mee give me is chapalang because it is "a mix of everything".

I suppose it got its name due to the noodles being slathered with a generous portion of the savory chili sauce.

Mushroom Bak Chor Chai Tow Kway 香菇肉脞菜头粿 @ North Bridge Road Market

Ke Shuang Xing Fried Carrot Cake (柯双兴菜头粿) has been dishing out fried carrot cake (Chai Tow Kway) for five decades but just this month, they have roll out a new offering which is a marriage between Chai Tow Kway and Wah Kueh.

Wah Kueh (碗糕), as its name implies, is a bowl-sized rice pudding (imagine a giant Chwee Kueh) with toppings and sauce drizzled over it.

Unfortunately, this is a fast disappearing dish in Singapore. I myself have eaten it only once at Bukit Merah Food Centre while on my way to CMPB from Redhill more than 10 years ago. I have even forgotten how it taste like now.

Ivan, the owner of Ke Shuang Xing Fried Carrot Cake decided to bring this old favorite back and merge it with their Chai Tow Kway.

Qianhu Fish Farm: 9th Fish-Hub Competition 2016 - Flowerhorn Unity

I found out from Qianhu's Facebook about this 9th Fish-Hub Competition 2016 Flowerhorn Unity event so I made my way to the fish farm since I also need to get some supplies.

The event is held right in front of the shuttle bus drop-off point. There are a total of four classes and each class had fifteen entries totaling 60 tanks of flowerhorns.

I only took photos of the Class 1 Category A winners. I did not stay for the prize-giving.

Hua Kee Chicken Rice 华记鸡饭 @ Redhill Market & Food Centre

My last visit to Redhill Food Centre was more than 10 years ago when I walk pass it from Redhill MRT Station while on my way to have my pre-NS checkup at CMPB.

At that time, I knew nothing about the many good food to be found in this old, humble estate. For my return after more than a decade, I did some research online and compiled a list of the must-eats here at the food centre.

Among the popular stalls that made it to my list is 焱 (#01-09), whose fried chicken wings is supposedly so good that our Prime Minister Lee was spotted in the queue. Then, there is also Seng Heng Duck Mee (#01-28), Bak Kee Satay Bee Hoon (#01-42) and Hua Kee Chicken Rice (#01-72).

Harmony In Diversity Gallery

Do you know how many different faiths are being practiced here in Singapore? Well, apart from the usual Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism, that is.

Like the majority of you, I was clueless about it too but after visiting the Harmony In Diversity Gallery, I learned that there is also the Bahá'í Faith, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism and Jainism.

To be honest, I have not even heard about some of them before but these ten faiths made up the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) in Singapore which was founded way back in 1949 to promote peace and religious harmony. I am surprised such an organization exists and that it even have a history of 67 years!

The IRO regularly conducts inter-faith prayers and blessings at launching ceremonies of public and private institutions such as the Downtown Line 2 and F1 tracks among others.

Video: The Walking Dead + Dumb Ways to Die Parody = The Walking Dumb

Dumb Ways To Die - The Walking Dead style.

Ru Yi Vegetarian Food 如意香素食 @ Tiong Bahru Market

Vegetarian Bee Hoon (齋米粉) is something that I eat for breakfast on a regular basis.

I particularly favored white bee hoon drizzled with 'lor' (gravy) but this combination is not available in my neighborhood. As a result, I always have to travel elsewhere just to have my craving fixed.

Ru Yi Vegetarian Food at Tiong Bahru Market sell exactly what I like. My order comes with the usual mock char siew (素叉烧), mock goose (齋鹅), mock intestine (素肠), fried french beans (四季豆) and pickled green chili.

Singapore Botanic Gardens - UNESCO World Heritage Site!

By now, it is no longer news that the Singapore Botanic Gardens was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. It is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO's World Heritage List and also the first in Asia and the third botanic gardens inscribed in the world.

I had wanted to visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens when it was first inscribed a year ago but the usual let-the-crowd-die-down-first procrastination got the better of me.

Since the folks were out of town and I did not have anything to do at home, I decided to just grab my camera and head for the Gardens.

You can take either the new downtown line or circle line to Botanic Gardens Station (DT9/CC19).

Visiting is now made even more convenient with the train station's exit right at the Gardens' doorstep.

Since I arrived by the Bukit Timah Gate, the plan was to cover as much ground as possible while heading towards Tanglin Gate.

Min Nan Pork Ribs Prawn Noodles 閩南排骨虾面 @ Tiong Bahru Market

I am at a lost as to which name to call this stall selling pork ribs prawn noodles at Tiong Bahru Market. 

The word 閩南 (Min Nan) is splashed across the signboard quite prominently yet beside it are the words 抢摊排骨虾面. So, should I call them 閩南排骨虾面 or 抢摊排骨虾面?

The latter is due to their participation on the channel 8 reality show "Buzzing Cashier" (抢摊大行动) years ago when the program engaged a chef to teach the stall owner how to cook prawn noodles the right way to save his ailing business. 

The business was eventually revived when they received a high score of 30/30.

Post National Day Farm Outing With The Health Minister

The weekend after our nation's 51st birthday, the folks and I went on a half-day farm tour organized by the community club. We gathered at the pickup point where two chartered buses were already waiting to pick us up. 

It wasn't until that morning itself that we realize our MP, Health Minister Gan would also be joining us on this half-day tour. However, I did not see him until very much later when we are back at the community club after the tour (I will come to that at the end of this post). 

After doing a head count, we finally set off for the farms.

Hui Ji Fishball Noodles & Yong Tau Fu 輝記魚圓面﹒釀豆腐 @ Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre

I got to know about Hui Ji Fishball Noodles & Yong Tau Fu while researching the must-eats at Tiong Bahru. Apart from the Shui Kueh and Lor Mee, this is yet another recommended stall that turned up in the search results.

I have not heard of this stall before but I decided to give it a try nonetheless. I was there during the late morning and expecting a long queue as mentioned by the many reviews online however, it must be my lucky day for there were only three customers in front of me.

The one before me ordered two bowls but had so many special requests that he confused the auntie and had to repeat his order several times.

When it was my turn, I ordered a $3 bowl of Fishball Mee Pok with extra chili.

Jian Bo Shui Kueh 楗柏水粿 @ Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre

Jian Bo Shui Kueh 5 pieces for $2

Mention Tiong Bahru and Jian Bo Shui Kueh surely come to mind. I remember I began eating Jian Bo Shui Kueh when it was still at the old market before the big renovation.

Shui Kueh (or Chwee Kueh) is simply steamed rice cake and topped with preserved radish (chye poh). It is a humble dish usually eaten as breakfast. Up till this day, I still think Jian Bo Shui Kueh makes the best shui kueh around although they used to be better.

Sing Singapore: 那些年，我们唱的歌!

Still remember Sing Singapore?

I unearthed from the storeroom this Sing Singapore songbook which I received from my primary school about 28 years ago. It comprises of patriotic songs which we sing during national day and school events. I still remember singing these songs in the school hall with my classmates!

We do still hear some of these songs being sung during national day but there are others which we have not heard in ages! Since NDP2016 and SG51 is round the corner, let us reminisce the songs that we sang those years ago!

At The Singapore River Safari With GoPro Hero 4 Silver

The Singapore River Safari has been opened for quite some time now but my folks have yet to visit so I took the opportunity to bring them there when the park have a promotion for seniors above 60 years young. The tickets were only $8 (usual $14) per senior for the month of July.

Unfortunately, I only got to know about this during the last week of July. Otherwise, I would have brought them to a different park (Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park) each weekend.

I, on the other hand, got 30% off due to being a SAF personnel.

This trip could not have come at a more appropriate time for me to test out my new GoPro Hero 4 Silver which I have bought just a day before this trip.

Yip Yew Chong's Mural Hunting At Tiong Bahru

After visiting the goats at Tiong Bahru Market, I went in search of some other wall murals around the vicinity by another talented artist Yip Yew Chong.

The murals done by him were scenes from the old Tiong Bahru which really brings back fond memories for me as my grandparents used to stay at the already demolished Blk 30 Jalan Membina - the biggest HDB in Singapore at that time (the current site of that four storeys building opposite Tiong Bahru Plaza now).

As a small boy, the old Tiong Bahru Market and the bird singing corner were places where I frequent when we visit my grandparents every weekend.