Sansevieria trifasciata Golden Hahnii

Sansevieria trifasciata Golden Hahnii

A dwarf cultivar of the familiar houseplant Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother-in-laws tongue), the 'Golden Hahnii' is much mini sized and has thicker leaves. When well fertilized, its thick luscious leaves are glossy and beautiful.

Preferably with full sun, the plant does tolerate low light conditions. Requires little water, and is very drought tolerant. I did cause some leaves rot when I kept it moist all time.

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Today's the end of yet another year. Amid all the running about; the distractions and exhaustion, gardening always bring me back to the fundamental truth. And peace.

Kim Keat Claypot Hokkien Mee

Claypot Hokkien Mee ($10)

Fried Hokkien noodle is the family favorite. So we couldn't wait to try the one at Kim Keat when we read they serve them in claypots. How different can it be from the wok fried?

Lunch at 92 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, in the same kopitiam as the popular Ocean Curry Fish Head, there was only a short wait for the noodle. When served, we found the noodle gravy to be really flavorsome. Taken with their specially concocted chili sambal, it was very enjoyable. The seafood was fresh and serving was considered generous. The roast pork savory and crunchy. Alas, wok hei from wok frying was missed.

Still, the stall is worth a return trip. Note, they rest on Tues.

Monster Curry

Chicken Katsu Curry ($13++), Matcha Latte ($3.50++)

Monster Curry isn't as monstrous as it sounded if you chose right - 1 chili heart on your curry marked the normal spicy (level 1), 2 hearts for extra spicy (level 2) and so on. We like to taste things at its original state, and so do not go beyond level 2.

That being said, the hot chili sauce - a concoction of chili padi, ginger and celery add interest to the deeply flavorsome Japanese brown curry. It was a hearty meal with thick slabs of juicy chicken Katsu, and a lunch promotion that includes decent cheese cake. Itadakimasu.

Complimentary Cheese Cake

釗记, Zhao Ji Clay Pot Rice

Claypot Rice ($12 for 2 pax, added $3 for extra ingredients)

While in search for the famous Lian He Ben Ji at the Chinatown Market and Food Centre, we chanced upon this claypot rice stall. Their nice charcoal burning aroma was coming on so strongly, we made a mental note to return.

It was certainly a good alternative if you do not like to wait for your dinner at Lian He Ben Ji. The chicken at Zhao Ji was all tender, waxed pork belly, salted fish and all the essentials. It was just a niche short of the Lian He Ben Ji's experience.

With their old and cracked claypots, we imagine we were dining into the 70s. Nice.

Stall #02-053

白, Sembawang White Bee Hoon

The Original White Bee Hoon (L, $15++)

You have to agree, that not having the original white bee hoon - from the kitchen that makes this dish famous - meant you have yet the real thing. The little cze char kitchen has grown itself to be the White Restaurant.

Eggy, milky and syrupy. I never expect the taste of it to be this direct, yet flavorsome. Many emulators of the 'white bee hoon' bombarded their recipe with much seafresh-ness to give you the oomphs; forgetting that homely taste if well managed, can be all the more impressive. This original 'white bee hoon' retains its unique character, and refuses to be a seafood soup bee hoon.

No 'wok hei' to the vermicelli which was simply simmered in the tasty broth. Yet, the dish scores high on our chart. Add that squeeze of lime and sambal chili for more surprises. We like this white bee hoon.

Handmade Teochew Kuey, 手工潮州粿

Revisiting the stall. Was delighted to see a lighted up signboard.

We were told there is a wait of 20 mins for the steaming. So we guarded the stall jealously, knowing the limited quantity of each tray. We needed more to pack home. Many customers dropped in. But there were no reservations; money was refused too. As that would be too much to handle for the old hawker.

Camping right in front of the stall, we were rewarded with all the available selections. While the others hurriedly, scrambled in. Everyone, die-hard for old-school flavors.

Glutinous Rice Kueh, Yam Kueh, Soon Kueh (anti-clockwise, $1.20 each)

Curry Fish Head @ Sri Veera's

Curry Fish Head

Couldn't resist a 5 course curry fish head set for 2 pax, at $15 only. Badly wanted to see the genuineness of the offer, because they say - good things don't come cheap.

Most importantly, the fish head is fresh and meaty! We were served a full Grouper fish head, in piping hot Indian curry. Side vegetables of the day, with our choice of Masala chicken and sweet fried fishes (we didn't choose the mutton) on banana leaves. What's not mentioned on the deal was their offering of fresh, crisp papadum crackers for us too! It was enjoyable.

You might be pleased, that the little eatery is pleasantly air-conditioned.

Cucumber in Yoghurt, Brinjal, Gourd (Day Vegetables),

Masala Chicken and Fried Fishes.

The Physics of Love

An object needn't be large
to have great mass.

That girl, as tiny as a violet
That girl, drifting in the sky like petals of a flower
draws me to her with a force greater
than the one exerted by the earth.

In a single moment
I fell and rolled toward her without rhyme or reason
just as Newton's apple did.

With a thump.
With a thump-thump.
My heart bounced from the heavens to the earth in a dizzying pendular motion.

Such was the moment
I first fell in love.


- Kim In-yook
GOBLIN (episode 5)