Kuey chap from AMK 232

I was brought here (coffeeshop at Blk 232, Ang Mo Ko Ave. 3) the first time for kuey chap (rice noodles with braised pig parts and innards if you don't know) about a year or so ago by a friend who lives nearby. This was actually my second visit, recalling the fried garlic bits that the stall puts into the bowls of kuey that lent their depth of fragrance to the soup. Not to mention that the mildly herbalish soup in the first place was already better tasting than many other stalls that can only manage a diluted and less flavourful broth.


What I liked about the offal offerings from this particular stall are their stewed pig stomach. Not often encountered in other kuey chap stalls. Their strips of pork belly was unfortunately not as tender as I had hoped for. 

If you're thinking of giving this a go, it's located at the same block as the Mellben Seafood place where everyone goes for the crab bee hoon. It's in the coffeeshop at the other end of the block.

What is this called?

Can anyone tell me what's the name of this paste? It was one of those things that came with the south Indian rice meals from Komala Vilas. Pretty sure they're not the only people making it. What I could describe of it was that it was moderately spicy and very nutty tasting. Very good with rice. I had asked the server and he mumbled something that sounded to me like 'doe-way'. Any clues anyone?

Mini beefburgers from ICB

These mini burgers from Ice Cold Beer (9 Emerald Hill Road, tel : 6735 9929) were honestly larger than what I thought they might have been in size and to that, it was a pleasant surprise. As you can see from the photos, each of them toasted sesame buns is loaded with a juicy (well, that can't be seen), thick and almost ball like beef patty, a slice of tomato, onions and lettuce. Those patties don't really have much fillers there, so you're getting your dollar's worth of meatiness if that's what you're looking for. I wouldn't say that it's the best for that, but it was really not bad.The only thing that could have made it better was probably some nice salty cheddar over the top of the meat. Excellent with a pint or three of some like refreshing Hoegaarden. For $18, I really have no complains with food like this coming from a pub. Don't forget to try their prawn paste chicken wings as well.

I'll have to rank this close to the sliders down at Barracks for mini burgers to go for when I get the craving.

Hooked, Upper Thomson Road

Here's a shark vindaloo from Hooked, a seafood/fish based restaurant that's been operating for some time now at Upper Thomson (203 Upper Thomson Road). Not majorly excited since most of the dishes are fish based with the other seafood on the back burner in the department of variety. But I wouldn't write them off despite their overly pricey crayfish which was $12.50 a pop for a very regular looking single crayfish. I had honestly expected one more at least and what's with the bland black pepper butter? Not recommended at all.

Back to the main dish, I did find the shark vindaloo rather decent and mostly because of the tangy spicy vindaloo gravy that was appetizing. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough of that gravy to match that mound of rice that came with it. The tender shark meat tasted very much like another fish to me so, yeah, it was okay. It sure looked like there was more shark meat on the picture in menu though. I'm not too sure about what to feel about the place. That being said, I wouldn't mind giving the place another try another time.

Sapporo Ramen Miharu, Gallery Hotel

I've been wanting to try the ramen from Sapporo Ramen Miharu (1 Nanson Road, GF The Gallery Hotel) for the longest time after being recommended. Despite the fact that I am within its vicinity fairly often, it hasn't happened until recently. I wonder why. I've had nothing but curiosity for this place. While I'm not one of the biggest of ramen fan, I enjoy them and especially like the cold variety that suits the weather here mostly. What's with all the Chinese/Cantonese speaking from the people working there?


You might have guessed that I picked their cold noodles. This koumi tsukemen was done nicely from the texture of their chilled springy noodles (great stuff) to the bodied flavour of the shoyu dip that accompanied it. I'll be tempted to order this again if I come back. What didn't turn out like I imagined was the hot broth; the ramen lost the chill after dipping them in. Not saying that this was a bad thing but it wasn't what I was expecting when I felt like having cold noodles.


There was a side of steamed gyozas which decidedly looked and tasted to me like Chinese dumplings minus the exceedingly thick skin. I found these to be more enjoyable than the fried variety and these have shrimps in them. There's chilli oil condiments on the table so don't forget to drizzle them on for extra oomph.