Char siew rice from Roast Paradise

Portions were kinda small. I'd say it was tasty but not exactly hearty. The rice had a garlic-ky flavour, similar how chicken rice is but I read that lard or pig's oil was used instead of chicken's. Not that I minded it. It seemed more satisfying getting their meats by weight though.

Double up nostalgia

It has been a while since we were last at this Cathay branch of Aston's Specialities. The building which it is located in seemed to have lost many of its tenants. The eatery used to be packed to the brim. It's still packed during peak hours, just not to the brim because that's no longer permitted. Thanks to the virus that brought the world to its knees.

Anyways, the other item beside than their steaks which I've always regarded a decent eat was their chargrilled chicken. Many places call something like that 'chicken chop'. Same difference. I'm usually a lemon lime and black pepper person but I swapped the latter sauce out for the hickory bbq today. Properly done as chicken chops go. Meat was moist and not dry. Sauce or not as you like it.

A disappointing experience with Hougang Jing Jia Mutton Soup

I remember this stall being good in the previous times I've ordered from them. It has been quite a while since the last time. Today's mutton soup was disappointing. We had a bowl with tendon and brains and another bowl with just ribs.

The herbal flavour was stronger than what I remembered. Thumbs down to that because the light and moderated herbal quality was what attracted me to them in the first place as that didn't threaten the flavour of the lamb itself. Soup was bland. Needed salt. There was a layer of oil on the top which I have never noticed before. Something has changed and I didn't think it was for the better.

Project Penyek, ABC Brickworks Food Centre

Came across this stall (#01-25 ABC Brickworks Food Centre, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah) and decided to give them a try. They've an assortment of fried items like chicken, prawns, squid and crab which was served with rice. I was a little wary since everything was all fried so we went for the safe option of ayam penyet.

It turned out not bad. The battered (literally) and fried chicken was refried on order, served crispy. Rice had a light chicken/garlic flavour and was a little dry. The plate was even accompanied with a bowl of real chicken soup which was unexpectedly tasty. Speaking of which, the ginger flavour in the soup reminded me of sweet potato soup for some reasons.

Tiong Bahru Lor Mee, Old Airport Road Food Centre

I mentioned wanting to come by to try Tiong Bahru Lor Mee (#01-124 Old Airport Road Food Centre, 51 Old Airport Road) because I noticed them the last time we were here.

Not a bad bowl. This was the $4 portion. Came with some chunks of fried fish they scissored into the bowl. The aftermath of mixing was heat from the chillis, sour from vinegar and flavour from the garlic. Not bad at all.

This was $8 of fried fish roe. The real reason why I wanted to visit this stall. Because of the fried fish roe, this might just have become my favourite lor mee stall. Need to be here early though since since the roe runs out quickly.

Chinatown Beef King (牛车水牛腩王), ABC Brickworks Food Centre

I was drawn to this stall (#01-115 ABC Brickworks Food Centre, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah) by the simplicity of the setup. Did not noticed them previously and I wasn't sure even if they were doing the commonly seen Hainanese styled beef noodles. Anyways, I went with a bowl of dry kuey teow with tendons. Changed the profile of the gravy I did, with a couple of splashes of vinegar and the pickled vegetables. In a good way that is. Delicious then. With the tender bits of tendon and slurpy kuey teow. Will be back another time.