Kine, ABC Brickworks Food Centre

Story of Kine (#01-113 ABC Brickworks Food Centre, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah) was that the proprietor apparently made substantial returns off Tesla shares and ended up using AI to design the stall and cutleries inspired by the Cybertruck. Their presence must be a tribute to Tesla on at a least a couple of levels 

We came to try their double American smash burger. From what's been shared, it's lactose free so there's no cheese in it. What it has is "vegan “mozzarella” cheese" (whatever that might be 🤔), raw onions and a tangy chipotle gochujang.

Not bad tasting. Meat's dry-ish and crusty because they're smashed patties. I'd go without that chipotle gochujang the next time because that's kinda taking centrestage a little too much. Shoestring fries tasted similar McD's except that these were nicely fried with a firm crisp exterior. No soggy sticks here. Buns definitely held up.

Recently at 无名海南鸡饭 (Wu Ming Hainanese Chicken Rice)

We were back at Wu Ming Hainanese Chicken Rice recently. A few things definitely have changed. For a start, the chap who previously peppered his sentences with '他妈的' did not today. 😂 Or rather, he didn't utter a single word the whole time we were there. Rice no longer has the pandan flavour I remembered from the last time and appears to be a little dryer. The chilli that I remembered being at an off balance sweetness was garlicky this time round. The latter two ended up being a fortuitous pairing on hindsight. Today's soup was a pretty good chicken and corn soup. Good because I finished it and I usually aren't into soup with corn.

Somerset Delicacies, Maxwell Food Centre

Somerset Delicacies (#01-60 Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street) has been around for as long as I can remember. Never tried anything from them until today's yang zhou fried rice (扬州炒饭). I've a few thoughts. It's a decent rendition but not great by any stretch. To be fair, it's only $5 so that stretches only so far in these parts. They do use real char siew but those were finely minced and hence felt sparse. Some of the rice was visibly scorched and there was definitely smokiness. Am quite impressed that it didn't have excessive oil. Would be great if they could just add a bit more salt. Or fish sauce.

I'd put this in the category where I wouldn't mind eating it again but I don't think I'll have a hankering for it.  

Maggi goreng ayam from the food court at Oxley Bizhub

Maggi goreng's putih by default. This ayam version came with chopped up fried chicken which was stir fried with the noodles. Standard instant noodle flavouring with bits of veggie. Not bad tasting as maggi gorengs went but it's a wee bit too greasy for my liking. Check out all the glisten.

Zhang Ji Shanghai La Mian Xiao Long Bao (张記上海拉面小笼包), ARC

Zhang Ji Shanghai La Mian Xiao Long Bao has a stall at Alexandra Food Village which has been in business for more than a decade. Never eaten there. Tried the food at their branch (#02-23 ARC, 460 Alexandra Road) which opened up last year.  

They have a pretty decent dan dan mian (担担面). Loads of creamy nuttiness with a bit of heat. The basic bowl seems to have been loaded with quite a bit of vinegar.

Their Szechuan spicy wanton which is a rendition of 红油抄手 was kinda disappointing. Too much skin on them and nothing particularly memorable about the meat stuffings. Was also hoping that they'd pack more heat.

Taste Fusion Hainanese Chicken Chop, Maxwell Food Centre

Never noticed this stall (#01-24 Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street) before so I'm guessing they're relatively new.

I was mostly intrigued by their "frizzy" looking fried meats so I ordered a savoury chicken chop rice. Upon closer inspection, I think the meat was egg washed before meeting its destiny in the fryer. Tasted much like how it looked. Meat's a little thin. That savoury sauce tasted like light soya sauce with some oil which I couldn't identify.

This was little like any Hainanese chicken chop I've ever had.

Rice came with coleslaw. That hot dog was an add on.