Mama Thai, 泰国小厨

Thai Style Fried Fish with Thai Sauce ($23)

At Woodlands 888 Plaza, next to the 7-Eleven store, there's a newly opened Thai Kitchen offering economic lunch set (range of fried rice/ noodle set from $4-5) and zhi char. We went for both. But would honestly recommend only their zhi char. The lunch set just contain too little ingredients in them.

The fried fish and Lala shell is the must order. While we really should return to give their Pineapple fried rice ($4) and Phai Thai ($4) a try!

Thai Style LaLa ($8)

Green Curry Chicken (Set with rice/noodle, $5)

Thai Style Sambal Petai ($8)

Tom Yam Soup (Set with rice/noodle $5)

Paradise Dynasty, 乐天皇朝

Spicy Szechuan Crispy Chicken ($14.80++), Pan-fried Shanghai Pork Bun ($4.50++)

La Mian served with Double-boiled Chicken Soup ($11.80++)

After an enjoyable lunch at Paradise Dynasty, we returned to find out more.

Given their 8 flavours Xiao long bao (8 pcs, $14.80++), the group still pretty much preferred the original (6 pcs, $7.80++).

The recommended crispy chicken is something you would wish to pack back for Dad to go with his beer. The double-boiled soup is clear yet so flavoursome, you would want to nourish your hubby with. Their pan-fried pork bun is delightfully devilish. Be coming back.

Steamed Bullfrog with Pickled Chilli ($19.80++), Lettuce Roll with Homemade Sesame Sauce ($8.80++)

西北人家, Xi Bei Ren Jia

Since visiting China, I came to love cold rice noodle. They called 'liang pi', 凉皮 or 'liang fen', 凉粉. This kopitiam stall at 722 Clementi West St 2 probably serves the best in Singapore. An appetizing dish that's tangy, spicy yet refreshing at the same time. I could finish a bowl by myself.

The ramen are the regular fare, and the fried dumpling less desirable. But they serve large egg+chives pancake ($1.50 each) with generous filling. Do remember to get it.

Cold Rice Noodle, 凉皮 ($3.50)

Braised Beef Ramen ($4.50)

Fried Dumpling ($5)

Return to Sushi Tei

Mekajiki ($10.80++), Hamachi ($12.80++)

Wasn't feeling like Japanese food today, because I was craving for something scalding hot. Like a soup. And was pleasantly surprised that Sushi Tei at the Serangoon Gardens actually serves their soup items hot!

Asari clams for my Udon were all plump, tasting overly of sea-freshness. Sushi was deliciously crunchy. The Wagyu beef steak was tender, but could do with a thicker cut.

Today revisit reminds me of our earlier dating days at Sushi Tei, when Ric always ordered their Sashimi salad ($9.90++) for me.

Asari Tamago Toji Udon ($13.50++)

Tochigi Wagyu Beef Steak ($29.80++)

Tingkat PeraMakan

BABI PONTAY Set with Nyonya Tauhu/ Cinchalok Omelette/ Barley/ Sago Gula Melaka ($10+)

IKAN GARAM ASSAM Set with Sayur Masak Lemak/ Nyonya Chap Chye/ Lemongrass/ Sago Gula Melaka ($16+)

This is how 2 set meals looks like at Tingkat Peramakan.

We each choose 1 main from their 10 choices of Peranakan dishes ranging from chicken, pork, fish and seafood. Then we took up all 4 selections of the sides (Each set allows us a choice of 2 sides). Price varies ($10+ to $15+) for each main selection; sides included.

Parking is free at the ARC on the weekends. So when it rains hard this Dec, there's nothing better than a one-stop park/ dine venue. Casual café with no-frills menu - fast serving of warm, spicy food for the rumbling tummy.

Quality ingredient; and earnest food preparation. We are satisfied.

IKAN GARAM ASSAM Set with Sayur Masak Lemak/ Nyonya Chap Chye/ Lemongrass/ Sago Gula Melaka ($16+)

Return to the Ladder Cafe

Pan Fried Dory Fillet ($10.90)

Seek a quiet, relaxing lunch with good coffee. We returned to the Larder Café. 

Repeat for their Sangenton pork culet ($10.90) which was proven to be good on our previous visit. The pan-fried Dory today was surprising; even better.

A big slice of their signature Ondeh Ondeh cake, with bitter aromatic coffee. This is an hour of bliss with Ric.

Ondeh Ondeh Cake ($7)

Day Soup and Coffee set ($4.80/ pax)

Chong Pang Huat Pork Satay

Chicken/ Pork/ Mutton ($0.70 per stick)

Each good satay stall should have their signature. Chong Pang (#01-30) at the Yishun Park Hawker Centre stands out for its thick, aromatic peanut sauce. Suffice to wow us.

The satay stick is meaty, the pork satay done right with 2 fats portion. But given their brisk business, especially during the weekends, the meat ends up burned and slightly drier.

Albeit the small size of their BBQ chicken wings ($1.40), it is really tasty. Try them. 

炎记, Yan Ji Lobster Seafood Soup！

Lobster Seafood Soup ($40)

This is the famous Yan Ji in the Old Woodland Hawker Centre. They have since relocate into the new Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre, and are offering lobsters in their menu!

You can imagine how fresh-tasting this lobster soup. While the lobster meat remains sweet and succulent; same goes for their all-time favourite large prawns. Fish maws, meat balls and tender fish fillets included.

An affordable extravagant. Go pamper yourself.

Braised Pork Trotters ($7)

TOBY'S The Dessert Asylum

Weekday Lunch Menu (Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm)

Our last visit to Toby's was in 2010, at their Parkway Parade main branch. They have since moved to  Tradehub 21 in the west of Singapore. And now offers really affordable set lunches (Oct/Nov Promotion: buy 2 get 1 free); with $1 top ups to include a good coffee/ drinks and day soup.

A cosy restaurant to wind down before getting back to work again.

Grilled Fish Fillet ($9.90++)

with lemon butter sauce + mash potato or rice

Spaghetti Vongole ($9.90++)

fresh clam in white wine

Chef Salad ($9.90++)

mesclun salad topped with pork ham, roasted chicken, boiled egg + cheddar cheese

Wild Mushroom Cheeseburger ($9.90++)

ground beef patty with roasted mushroom, melted cheese + fries

Grilled Dory fillet was boringly healthy. Chef salad, with vinegary dressing does it so much better! Not mentioning their all time favourite cheeseburger.

For starters, everybody prefers the Cajun spiced button mushrooms to the rather tasteless calamari. And being in a dessert asylum, the girl sneak off to order a sweet, chilling mud pie! Lovely with their warm bitter coffee..

The afternoon felt liberated.

Battered Button Mushroom ($6.50++)

Calamari ($9.90++)

T-Rex Mud Pies ($10.90++)

double chocolate ice cream + mocha almond ice cream + cookies

Tengawa Hokkaido "White" Curry

Truffle Chawanmushi, Boiled Squid

Clear Clam Soup, White Curry Seafood Udon

The month of October always deserve something special. And Tengawa White Curry is chosen from Fave for its seemingly affordable/ interesting menu. At $36.50 nett/ or 40% off, it includes:

- Two (2) white curry seafood ramen/ Udon
- Two (2) truffle chawanmushi
- Two (2) clear clam soup
- Two (2) boiled squid
- Two (2) scoop of matcha ice cream
- Two (2) hot or iced tea

The little eatery does not disappoint. It is cosy, and its seafood impressive. In lightly spicy curry broth, we tasted the sea freshness of their plump scallops, clams and roe rich prawns. The taste was intense; I felt I have exhausted my week quota of seafood. This is definitely satisfying.

White Curry Seafood Ramen

华利, Hua Li Fried Carrot Cake, TOP 10!

Fried Carrot Cake, White (M, $4)

I wasn't reading the TOP 10 hawker food list in Singapore. It was a coincide that Hua Li in the Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre is listed. Yes, delivery is skilful; they are indeed, a notch above the rest.

The pan frying item is not overly oily, and the seasoning done just right. It was sinful, but worth the occasional indulgence.

Never mind the signboard featuring on carrot cake; don't miss their fried oysters.

Fried Oyster (M, $6)

Stall #01-24

宝贝, Babe Seafood Barbeque + BBQ Oyster!

BBQ Oysters ($12)

Large oysters are a rare sight in our local food centres. So we couldn't resist them in the Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre. Our cravings are for fresh shucked oysters, but these BBQ ones does appease the urge, for now.

We love the sambal sotong, and the crunchy kang kong vegetables. Pity the stingray is plain tasting by itself; the fillet missing the natural sweetness of a fish. It was regretful.

BBQ Stingray ($10), BBQ Sotong ($8)

Sambal Cuttlefish Kang Kong ($6)

Stall #01-67

Tanglin Halt Original Peanut Pan Cake

Peanut Pan Cake ($0.80)

I thought I had all the best Chinese pancake, until today.

This popular stall in the Tanglin Halt 48A Market opens 0330-1130hrs only (closes on 1, 3, 5). No wonder Ric has not been able to get me any!

If like me, you haven't had any from this stall; don't tell me you love pan cake.

唯一辣沙, Wei Yi Laksa & Prawn Noodle

3. Prawns, Cockles, Fried Bean Curd ($4)

Better late, than never.

This is a bowl of delicious laksa we have been missing. Came twice to the Tanglin Halt 48A Market  for early lunches, but always misses it as the stall closes early; right after selling out for breakfast. How’s laksa for breakfast? Too strong for me. Weird. Never.

Never say, never.

The laksa is great! I’m willing to have it for breakfast. And repeat for a second. All ingredients use is fresh tasting! and the broth of good flavor. I bet you can’t get this elsewhere on this island, seriously.

Their prawn noodle sold out early. We'll try again next time.

2. Chicken, Prawn, Fried Bean Curd ($3)

126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi (搵到食) since 1985

Century Egg & Minced Pork Porridge ($3)

Upon a friend's recommendation, 126 Dim Sum bought us to Geylang. True to his words, the variety of dim sum here is vast with choices aplenty. But we wouldn't vouch for the quality - or finest of ingredients if you are looking for one.

The meal feels like a mess up of the taste buds; with strong seasoning that left us thirsty. There was nothing quite commendable, nor of character. Save for their well pleasing pork porridge; almost ruin by their generous sprinkle of fried garlic.

In short, we didn’t enjoy our meal.

Certainly not a place for purist who seek fine, simple taste in food.

Chicken Feet ($3.80), King Siew Mai ($5)

Shrimp Dumpling ($4)

Steam Yam Cake ($3.50)

BBQ Pork Bun ($3.50)

Lotus Leaf Rice ($4.50)