Hai Nan Xing Zhou Beef Noodles, Toa Payoh

This Hainanese beef noodle store (Blk 22 Lor 7 Toa Payoh Lor 7, #01-06) apparently has its share of media accolades displayed on the front. Sadly I found it to be very unremarkable. Presumably, it's suppose to be one of the better beef noodle stalls but I was hard pressed to differentiate it from a generic one from food courts apart from the salted vegetables and their blend of chilli. Right down to that starchy gravy and mass produced beef balls. The tendons were very tender and the accompanying soup was a little sweet, but nothing to go out of my way for. On the bright side, I've discovered that Benny that used to operate out of Maxwell has shifted to the coffeeshop just a block away (Blk 18?) from this hawker centre.

More ramen from Menya Shinchan

This sinjiro ramen from Menya Shinchan wasn't the towering bowl as I recalled from the last visit from a neighbour's seat. But, it was still huge and filling the same. I'm not sure if this is a one off or that perhaps, after numerous feedbacks about the portions, those guys have finally decided to reduce the mountain of boiled cabbages. Speaking of which, I thought those cabbages were enjoyable because they were crunchy, fresh tasting and had that drizzle of shoyu over the top. There was also a large amount of bean sprouts underneath the soup with the noodles. I must admit that the accompanying chopped garlic on the side and the ground pepper did help to keep things going.


The spicy mazesoba was expectedly very similar to the non-spicy version that I had previously. Pretty obvious what the main difference was. The pile up in the bowl looked like it matched the size of the sinjiro so I guess this was a pretty large a portion too. For some reasons in the midst of that spicy nutty gravy, I got reminded of ba chor mee and I guess this could be loosely construed as a Japanese equivalent of that. Using ramen. With a slice of cheese.

Ultimately, I think what drew me to Menya Shinchan was their option of "hard noodles" which gave them a more satisfying bite than the other ramen shop's noodles. That and the larger variety of broth. I forgot to ask for the aji tama today. Grrrr....

Some takeout pizza from Donato

Did an unexpected take out from this unique pizza establishment (Pizza da Donato, 8 Sixth Avenue, tel : 6219 7562) down at the Bukit Timah side of 6th Ave which I had just realised that some one had recommended quite a while ago. There's a bunch of other stuff like lasagna, sausages, calzones and desserts available besides the shiny pizzas that were on display.

Crust on the pizzas of Donato wasn't of the thin variety but it definitely wasn't overwhelming and turned out to be not bad. Special mention goes to that quattro formaggi pizza which was generous with that pungent Gorgonzola and that had probably more than twice the blue cheese in each slice of than the whole of one pizza at Mama Lucia. The Hawaiian did look a little cheap though. There was also some pizza sandwich thing filled half with ham and cheese and the other half with spinach. The spinach stuffing was pretty tasty.

Will definitely consider this place again when I next have a pizza craving.

Jin Xing Hong Kong Roasted Meat

I wished I had discovered this place earlier. This roast meat stall (Jin Xing Hong Kong Cantonese Roasted Meat, Blk 214 Serangoon Ave 4, #01-88) was an excellent find. What I hadn't expected was that this coffee shop was also where the Botak Jones at Serangoon is located and for the first time, the Botaks did not seem to be having the monopoly on the business. Anyway, this was a stall where one could get roasted/barbequed meats, cut in hearty chunks and what I thought to be pretty generous portions. There were those honey glazed roasted ribs as well which was a bonus for me.

The only thing that I thought could have been improved on was the rice which I thought was a little beady & dry. Perhaps the chilli could use a little more heat. Still, I'm willing to overlook those just for their roasts. I'm definitely returning.

Rochor Original Beancurd, Short Street

I've eaten bean curd from this particular shop (2 Short Street) quite a few times and have always thought them to be pretty good. Just without the wow factor that many people seem to be crediting them for. This would be however, the first time that I'm getting the fried dough fritters with them. I've just realized now why they had to have so much of that syrup in the bowls of bean curd. I had always the syrup was excessive because it was too sweet. It was probably intended and great for dipping those fritters. To soak up those greasy strips of fried flour which made them savoury sweet. This made me rethink having bean curd here and I've a feeling that I'll return soon.

Imperial Bak Kut Teh, Circular Road

I thought this bento styled serving from Imperial Bak Kut Teh (90 Circular Road) was quite unique if not gimmicky. On the other hand, the bento boxes did serve to portion the sides that came with their meal sets. These guys apparently used to do delivery of their food and offered discounts for NTU students but it seems that those delivery options are no longer available. The rendition of the soup here had some herbal sweetness and a generous amount of pepper. There wasn't so much of the garlic flavour and in the end, it was just passable for me. The price of these bento were pretty affordable and came with what's in the picture (salted vegetables, tau pok, tau kee and some cut up chewy dough fritters) and a bowl of the pork ribs with soup which was refillable.

The meat on the rib was tender that they slid of the bone quite easily. I would have preferred for them to be bigger. though. The tau kee (dried bean curd sheets) was tasty in that dark sauce.

Sadly they didn't have the large boned prime rib which I like and were also out of those braised intestines.