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Zaru Soba - Shokudo
Pit stop at Shokudo - Raffles Shopping Centre. I had the Zaru Soba for a snack. Ok while this may not seem like a snack to you, it was still a snack. I particularly love to eat cold Japanese noodles. They seem so soft and glittery and with the light sauce dip just complementing the refreshing bite. Burp Burp Burp, but for $6.50, I reckoned they could have given slightly more noodles though I must agree that that serving of wasabi at the side add a fiery fire to my tastebuds.
Price : $6.50
Rating for Zaru Soba at Shokudo : 4/5
What a beautiful skyline...as we waited and waited for the bus to arrive.
Well for dinner, we got lost. Trust me, when I say we got lost, we got lost. My mum, grandaunt, aunt, cousin, uncle and I wanted to head to Whampoa to check out my Uncle's (another uncle) new home. We took Bus Service 124 but ended up going to Orchard. (It was the other way...just imagine that) And I am not saying that the bus service was especially efficient. We had to wait approximately 45 minutes in total for the buses and went traversing all about Singapore. Talk about Singapore being a small country and getting lost, just imagine this was some gigantic island...
Well the journey to Whampoa was not a disappointment as there herein lies the famed Whampoa Food Centre. There have been so much buzz about this place that I really had to go there and check the food out (Even though it was more of a "coincidence" setting really)
Somehow the Hokkien Mee (specifically Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee) attracted a very long queue. And I must agree while I was queuing up for Ruby's Popiah (see below), a man walked past me with a plate of that particular hokkien mee and my head turned to follow the waft of fragrance.
The Hokkien Mee was heavily charred to a perfect mix (often with the "clack clack" sound of the ladle hitting the wok, much like a true master) and the toppings of prawns, squid and egg wasn't too skimpy. Perhaps the one true outstanding taste of this dish is really the fried chilli. It really added that extra zing to each morsel. Still I reckoned it would be better with a scatter of Fried Pork Fat...please ??
Price : $3
Rating for Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee : 4/5
I mentioned earlier about queuing at Ruby's Popiah and honestly the only thing that attracted me to this dimly lit stall was really the queue that snaked from it. Come on, who in the world would queue for Popiah unless it was really good. I had to bet my tastebuds on it and for $1.20 per piece, well it was worth the wait.
Apparently the sole factor which really stood out for Ruby's Popiah is the ingredients which was wrapped in it. There was a good mix of the standard ingredients (turnip, sprouts, chinese lettuce, chopped omellete) plus Lap Chiong (chinese sausages), hard boiled egg and Pork Fat (I presume its pork fat because that was what it looked like. Wrap all these up in the Popiah skin and with a smattering of black sauce and chilli, it was ready to go.
I really enjoyed each bite. It was a good blend of flavours and with neither ingredient being too strong. The best part came when the crunch of the Pork Fat erupted in my mouth and I had to go "ooooh" Excellent Excellent.
Price : $1.20
Rating for Ruby's Popiah : 4.5/5
My cousin Jeremy, and I had chicken wings and Chinese rojak for dessert. Though the real highlight here is the Chicken Wings which were oh so tenderly barbecued. I cannot say much about chicken wings except that these are crispy on the outside, with all the chicken fat smothered about, with the meat succulent and tender on the inside. The drizzle of lime juice and the dip of spicy chilli with the chicken simply tickled my tastebuds even more.
I have nothing to say, except that these are really good. If you are ever going to Whampoa, you should honestly try these BBQed Chicken Wings. O LALA =)
Price : $1.10 per Wing
Rating for BBQ Chicken Wings : 4.5/5
| | Note : I can't really tell you the stall name as I am not especially good in traditional chinese characters, but you can see how the stall looks like from below. |
Overall Comments
I entered Whampoa lost and in despair because of the wrong bus ride but left the food centre stuffed to the max. The 3 stalls above are really must tries if you ever go to the Whampoa food centre (though the Zaru Soba is just as good=). Simple yet delicious ( deliciously priced ) dishes, that is sure to satisfy that stomach growl of yours.
Now who knew I would have a cube of amethyst lying around the house. This purple passion is truly a work of art from Nature and through the dextrous craftsmanship of a skilled messier, a beautiful cuboid is hewed right off the rock.
Its very unique how this striking piece of amethyst is able to give off a glow when seen in the sunlight (look above) - As though within the gemstone itself there was a light bulb shining its way out. Such a wonder.
Historically believed by the Ancient Greeks and Romans as a jewel that prevents harm and intoxication, it was much sought after by the nobles. Furthermore, the stone itself represents understanding, knowledge, and philosophy.
However, this purple beauty is found in various hues as well. There are amethyst in brown, yellow, red and even pink. Just imagine a string of amethyst in different colours but all cut similarly. It would be almost like a glittering rainbow of mystical wonder.
For all you February babies out there, this is the gemstone that represents your month. A jewel with its extravagance in violet.
An exquisite collection from my mum's humble treasure cove.
Fried Hokkien Mee with topping of luscious Pork Fat
Down the road from Block 921 at Yishun Bus Interchange, I found another coffeeshop which had more hustle and bustle than even a school canteen at lunch time. It was a quaint little shoppe located around the bend and a particular sign board caught my eye.
One of the stall's signboard (though it might not have been very obvious) said 921 Yishun Fried Hokkien Mee. See the link? Two 921 Hokkien Mee stalls at two different coffeeshops. Well which is better?
This serving of Hokkien Mee was quite generous in noodle portion and each spoonfull (or chopstick full) carried an air of a heavy seafood stock. Still, I think that for the price of $4.00 they should have given a little more toppings and ingredients, like the sliced pork belly which was all but there.
The chilli though red hot in colour, proved to be inadequate with the quality of the dish. It was somewhat too strong in its prawn paste smell and tasted a little like chilli from the bottle.
Therefore in comparison with this version of Fried Hokkien Mee and the one located at Block 921, it seems that the latter wins this dish hands down. Though it would not hurt to try out different styles of cooking.
Price : $3.50/$4.00
Rating for Fried Hokkien Mee : 3.5/5
Hainanese (Debone) Chicken Rice
The coffeeshop's serving of one of Singapore's most Singaporean Dishes - Hainanese Chicken Rice attracted a queue. In Singaporean terms, anything with a queue must be good.
I ordered the $3.50 serving of the Boneless Chicken Rice to find out what was so good about this stall's speciality. The chicken was served mostly without its skin (excellent for you health junkies) though the ladle of light sauce and sesame oil was a little too heavy for my liking. The meat was soft and a little juicy and pair this with the serving of warm chicken rice, it was good!
I particularly enjoyed their rice. It was grainy but not too hard with each grain being a little oily from the chicken fat. Also it was not overpoweringly fragrant and provided a delicate complement to the meat.
The chilli sauce provided is something I really enjoyed. I presume it was blended from Chilli Padi so even a little dip of it on the meat made the bite fiery hot. For all you spice haters, beware!
Arguably this is one of the better Hainanese Chicken Rice I have eaten though it would be better if they were to go a little easy on the light sauce. It is not the best so far where in the lights of Yet Con along Purvis Street but for a neighbourhood whipping up of the dish and with it boneless, it is deal definitely value for money.
Now I know why there was a queue.
Price : $2.50/3.50
Rating for Hainanese Chicken Rice : 4/5
Dim Sum in a Coffeeshop? Who could have guessed!
Singapore Favourite Foods - Chinese Rojak
Almost every other coffeeshop has a stall selling Chinese Rojak with its crispy You Tiao, tau pok, turnip, cucumber, dried squid all mixed in a big bowl of prawn paste with chopped nuts.
Today's Chinese Rojak called for the addition of Century Eggs - Duck eggs covered in mud and buried underground for 100 days till its ferments. Yummy! The acquired taste of the century eggs is definitely a strong ally with the sweet taste of the prawn paste and couple that with a slice or two of the crispy you tiao, oh my gosh, you are in heaven!
While the prawn paste that coats this Rojak isn't too strong, the chef was a little heavy handed with his use of sugar, so I didn't really enjoy the sweeter version of this popular Singaporean Dish. Now if they threw in a tau pok or two, this would really make a dish value for your money.
Price : $3.00 + $1.20 (century egg)
Rating for Chinese Rojak : 3.5/5
Comments
If you really are craving for an above average value for money deal at a coffeeshop at the Yishun vicinity, you might just want to pop by at this neighbourhood coffeeshop. While it does not serve the food like those in restaurants and posh cafes, it still bodes strongly of the local flavour and you might just be surprised at what dish you could really enjoy!
Location : Yishun 81 Food Court. Near Yishun Bus Interchange.
A La Carte Side Dish - Fried Cuttlefish
Ajisen Ramen opened a new outlet at Causeway Point and I must say that it certainly is very popular with the crowd. Perhaps its just the yellowish, perfectly rounded strands of noodles that attract or maybe its just the trend to eat there. Experience at the new store was not entirely comfortable, with a slightly lower then expected service from the crew. There was hardly a person at the entrance to guide us to our seats and when there was finally one, it was more of a "here's your seat" and immediately thereafter left.
Now this is good! Crispy yet easy to savour. The fried cuttlefish meat was not too tough like all the other deep fried cuttlefish you might have encountered. And while this would have been better with a sprinkle of salt, it is good enough to complement the ramen.
Rating for Fried Cuttlefish : 4/5
Spicy Cuttlefish Ramen (Dry) - Chef's Recommendation and Mine too!
Still while service may not be up to expectations, the food is arguably good though I have to admit it is a little too pricey for a bowl of noodles with toppings that could have been a little more generous with.
Nonetheless, I particularly enjoyed the Spicy Cuttlefish Ramen (Dry) which tasted almost similar to a bowl of noodles with chilli paste. The slices of pork topping was tender and with fat that was almost the standard of 'melt in your mouth' but the cuttlefish is perhaps a little too small to even notice it being there once you mix everything up. The noodles were good with a fine texture that was not too chewy or too easily broken. This is one dish I recommend! However do ask for more chilli if you want that extra spice.
Set meal price : $14.80
Rating for Spicy Cuttlefish Ramen (Dry) : 4/5
Seafood Ramen
The Seafood Ramen is not a dish that deserves alot to be shout about. It was average in taste and quality with the stock hinting a tad of MSG (I'm not sure, but thats what I felt how it tasted). An OK dish but I have no idea how it is one of the most popular dishes available.
Set meal price : $13.80
Rating for Seafood Ramen : 2.5/5
Pumpkin Croquette
A savoury and tasty dish with a generous mashed pumpkin filling that has been deep fried to a crispy golden brown. Slightly sweet though it could be improved by draining the excess oil on the surface of the croquette. It literally glitters in the light.
Rating for Pumpkin Croquette : 3/5
Overall Conclusion and Feel
Ajisen Ramen certainly lives up to its standards of serving some of the better ramens around. There is a wide selection and variety though I have to admit it is a little over the top in its price for a simple meal of noodles. There are commendable dishes like the spicy cuttlefish ramen which is definitely a must try if you visit the outlet but it will definitely be a more memorable visit with better service standards from the crew.
