Breakfast at Ananda Bhavan

Came by for breakfast because we needed to be in the vicinity. Ananda Bhavan has breakfast sets which comprises of a few items that they put together on a platter. Wasn't successful in getting them the last time but we managed to order them today.

The one above is Set 1 ☝🏽. Below is Set 2 👇🏽. The items that were the same are the vadai, idly and the kesari along with the chutneys and sambar. The difference between the sets was that 1 has uppuma while 2 has pongal. The former a savoury semolina porridge/pudding. 

The pongal was a porridge of lentils, rice flavoured with ghee, cumin and peppercorns. At least these were what I could taste. Dangerously addictive if I might say so. Both of these sets were satisfying and filling and possibly not so good for the heart.

Alchemist, International Plaza

Got the white with an extra shot. That makes three espressos. Coffee's a little acidic. While the aroma from the shop (#01-34 International Plaza, 10 Anson Road) was nice, the coffee didn't taste as good or strong as the smell suggested.

Fishball noodles from Malaysia Chiak at Great World

This was from the Xi Dao Fishball Noodle stall at Malaysia Chiak. In retrospect, I was much more satisfied by their bowl than I thought I would be. Decent if not exceptional texture from the mee pok - but what made those noodles shine was their savoury piquant chilli sauce. Haven't had a flavour like that in a while.

As the stall name implies, the fishballs are made with xi dao fish (秋刀魚) - also known as wolf herring. Nice flavour coming from the fish while the texture of the ball was firm without being artificially bouncy. Ditto for the sliced fish cakes.

Added a fried fish cake on the side. These have been fried and left out for a while so they were a little cold. Still tasty though. Sweet even. I'm glad that the skin hadn't hardened or become too chewy. While I rank the fish cake at Khin Kee a little higher, I'd take the noodles here over theirs.  

Super Dario Lasagna, City Square Mall

I've seen this shop (#04-17 City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, tel : +65 9151 2196) around for quite a while, never gotten really interested until I realized that they had a lasagna with Gorgonzola. Like phototaxis a moth to a flame, wings fluttered and we came by.

The Gorgonzola variety used in their lasagna is the younger dolce variety - less sharp and creamier. I could taste some of that but it's not as dominant as the cheese and tomato combination. What the lasagna also needed was more cheese on the top and a longer time in the oven for that nice crusty exterior. 

Bellymen from Brothers Ramen

Wanted to try the tsukemen from Brothers Ramen but it was not available. They mentioned having ingredients for limited bowls per day and it might not be a daily thing. So I ended up with the next item I didn't mind having. Their Bellymen. Nothing very different from their other tori paitan configuration except the focus on their tender shoyu infused pork belly with fat that crumbled in your mouth. It seems that they're also no longer offering their chicken wantons and those have been replaced by menma.

I like the tori paitan. It's good when they bowl is fresh and the broth is piping hot with the chicken flavour and velvety texture. It's also good when I'm halfway through and decided to dump crushed garlic for that little edge to it. Guess an emptied bowl is as good testimony as any to that.

Janggut Laksa, Chinatown Point

We like Janggut Laksa. Have had it a number of times at their stall in Queensway and Food Republic at Wisma. There's a relatively new outpost at Chinatown Point (#B1-49A, 133 New Bridge Road). Pretty pricy for laksa as I've always felt, but they deliver every time we've had them. From the aroma of the hae bi in the gravy when the bowl lands on the table till the last drop of that heart clogging liquid that trickles down your throat.

I'm normally torn between their laksa, chicken cutlet or curry chicken. Obviously, we got the chicken cutlet today. They asked if I wanted curry and I said yes. Didn't realize that the rice that they used was chicken rice rather than plain rice so it was a little greasy there. The chicken cutlets were serviceable. Not fantastic. With the curry on rice, it's a homely kind of tasty. I'm of the opinion that the Queensway shop has a nicer batter for the cutlet than this one. But this one edges over with the chicken rice and achar.