坤记, Koon Kee Seafood

Squids, Prawns, White Clams and Chinese Mussels (displayed at stall counter)

Don't we all love Veterans? Veteran cook, veteran artist, veteran seamstress; the only good thing about aging is the wealth of experience and skills that come along with it.

We know of this old uncle at 79, Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre, #01-22 who despite his advance in age, insist on operating his little seafood cook stall with fresh ingredients bought from the market every morning!

What's on menu for the day depends on the type of seafood he succeed in obtaining that morning; but one thing's for sure - the Seafood Hokkien Mee.

Hokkien Seafood Noodle ($4, less seafood option for $3 available)

As i took picture of his seafood, the uncle said shyly, "Today's prawns a little small sized." But i didn't mind, for that's a lot of seafood for the modest price. You wouldn't too, especially after tasting the freshness of his sea products.

They were so... good! So fresh! And sweet! Oh!

And i was definitely surprised that Ric, who has rather weak stomach, took in the shellfish greedily. While the seafood came fresh, it took meticulous effort to ensure they were properly clean for consumption. And the old hawker manages to maintain a good level of hygiene all by himself, at the stall.

We are proud to recommend this food joint.

Old Beijing Zhajiang Mian

老北京炸酱面, Old Beijing Shredded Pork Noodles ($3.50)

Nursing a regret when i left Beijing without having their classic Beijing Zhajiang Mian, i jumped at the opportunity when i chanced upon this new China lamian stall at NTU, canteen 2.

Manned by 2 stoutly China men, i perceive my hand pulled noodles to be well made. And was pleasantly delighted with their meticulously handmade dumplings also; clean and sleek food presentation with rather fresh tasting ingredients - just 2 men in the kitchen.

云吞拉面汤, Shrimp Wanton Noodle Soup ($3.50)

The strong gravy of the Beijing Zha Jiang noodles packs a punch and is a must try for aficionado like myself. For the lighter taste buds, the noodle soup was preferred. Recommendation for the adventurous would be their long list of outlandish styled La Mian - be the brave one to try and report back?

Servings are big. And guaranteed to satisfy your scout for something different, yet acceptable.

成发, Seng Huat Hokkien Bee Hoon

Much has been written about the Seng Huat noodle stall on the internet; so we had to come see for ourselves at the Pasir Panjang Food Centre. Earlier, Ric had their fried noodles and rated it mediocre, tonight he led me to their crown jewel - the Hokkien fried vermicelli.

After an ordeal of pushy attitude from the hawker auntie for our miser order of just 1 plate from them, our order arrived without accident. Thankfully.

Hokkien Bee Hoon ($4)

Having a craving for something wet and savory like our usual serving of Hokkien Mee, this plate of Hokkien Bee Hoon has much disparity that led to some disappointment, initially.

As we proceed, i learnt to appreciate the art of simplicity behind - though lightly flavored, it eludes distinct fragrance of well sauteed rice vermicelli in a dry, less oily finish. A level of expertise that is rare among the average hawkers.

Given the hawker's snobbishness; i hate to admit the job well done.

Views from ION Sky

South-west of Singapore; glittering lights from our offshore plants

Singapore is a relatively quiet city, even along its busiest shopping belt - the Orchard Road. Looking down from the 56th level of ION Orchard, we see that this business district is also a lower-density residential area with just few clusters of high rise condominium.

Views from ION Sky are beautiful but not as breathtaking as those from MBS Sky Park. The place is good for its air-conditioned and spacious balcony; quiet and exclusive for its lesser publicity. The indoor viewing is especially helpful for the fear of heights and inclement weather.

Of course, try to board the place earlier to catch it in daylights; we were late and just manage the night lights up. Still, it was exciting to usher in the weekends with these.

Lighted tower of Wheelock Place

The Four Seasons and residences along Orchard Boulevard

Condominium district along Angullia Park

Scotts Rd, with swimming pool of Grand Hyatt Hotel

Kaneda Japanese, from NTU to NUS

Chicken Katsu Set ($3.50)

We were wondering, where has the good old Japanese stall from NTU-Canteen 1 moved to. Then suddenly, we found them in NUS Techno Edge canteen, at the faculty of Engineering this evening!

Serving presentation is now a little different; with our favorite Teriyaki Pork off the menu. But the cook is the same uncle and food still comes in hefty delicious portion. Good feed.

Sunnyhills Pineapple Cakes

凤梨酥, Pineapple Cakes (Box of 10, NT$ 350 = S$14.46)

Singapore listing, S$25 for box of 10

Received a souvenir from Taiwan, of Mung Bean cake (with red bean) from Vigor and Pineapple cakes from Sunnyhills. Decided to blog about the latter cos that's the one that made me want a third; 2 is not yet enough.

We love the packaging of Sunny in steady cardboard, paper wraps and canvas tote bags for carrier - modern and eco-friendly.

I like Vigor's Pineapples cakes previously, now the ones from Sunny overtook them. These from Sunny tasted sweeter than Vigor's, but it isn't cloying. And i could actually extract a full piece of toasted pineapple fiber easily from the beefy 50g piece.

Fresh from Taiwan, the baked pastry has an amazing toasty finish that was missing from those at the Singapore retail in Raffles Hotel.