ABC Brickworks | Singapore

Built in 1974 in Bukit Merah, ABC Brickworks is one of the longest running Market & Food Centres. Some say it’s named after Archipelago Brewery Company, the first commercial brewery in Singapore which was located nearby.

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Fatty Cheong #01-120
If you’re after char siew, make a beeline for Fatty Cheong! Chan Tuck Cheong opened his stall in 1992, specialising in roast and barbecue meats - char siew, roast pork belly and roast duck. The char siew is cooked in a charcoal oven and served with a sweet and sticky gravy. Bu jian tian translates to ‘roast pork that doesn’t see the sky’, Fatty Cheong uses this tender under arm cut and its lean meat and fat ratio is what sets his char siew apart. Order with rice or wanton noodles.

Jason Penang Cuisine #01-113
After working as a chef to the British High Commissioner for over a decade, Jason Khaw wanted to go back to his Penang roots. He opened this hawker stall with his wife to showcase traditional dishes of his homeland. The Penang assam laksa is worth lining up for.

Jin Jin Hot / Cold Dessert #01-20 is known for its durian mango ice aka Gangster Ice (it’s trademarked btw) and Power Chendol, an ice chendol topped with a syrupy gula melaka with pandan jelly and beans. The new owners revived this institution and its now one of the most popular ice kacang and cendol spots. Jin Jin was closed so I went to Heng Heng Hot & Cold Dessert #01-146 where the couple have been running this dessert stall for over 30 years. I ordered the Durian Mango Ice 🍧🥭

Wow Wow West #01-133
This ‘Western food done local’ stall had a constant stream of customers lining up for its famous Chicken Chop. It’s slathered in housemade black pepper sauce and served with a selection of sides including coleslaw, fries, baked beans (canned of course) and pork cheese sausages.

Next time I’ll try…
Bao Zai #01-135
Sadly Bao Zai was closed this time (open Fri - Tues 11am - 7pm). Uncle Leong has been hand making bao for over 50 years. You’ve got to try big bao with pork and egg, char siew bao and red bean bao. 
Yuguo Curry Rice: 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-136
Yuan Yuan Claypot Rice #01-38
Ah Er Soup #01-143

🌯🌯 MUCHACHOS | Singapore

Inspired by American-style burrito joints in San Francisco's Mission District, Muchachos slings Mexican eats from noon till midnight. Located on Keong Saik Road where all the cool kids hang... you'll find Burnt Ends by Perth chef David Pynt, the Singapore iteration of Potato Head and Spanish tapas joint Esquina. 

EAT | SINGAPORE CHICKEN RICE (Morley, WA)

noodles, noodles, chicken rice

There was a time when the Galleria in Morley was ma 'hood.   We hung there every Thursday night throwing our pocket money at clothes from Hounddog and Live. I don't head to Morley much these days but every now and then a trip to Coventry Markets calls.  Its great to stock up on sriracha and kim chee at the Asian supermarkets or spices and chillis at The Spice Wagon and end with a trip to Singapore Chicken Rice.

Curry chicken noodle - $10.80

Fried keow tow - $10.80

Singapore chicken rice - $10.80

CHICKEN RICE LAH

Ever since my Tian Tian experience I am always on the hunt for chicken rice.   Tucked away in the Morley Coventry Markets is Singapore Chicken Rice, a busy little place with shiok chilli sauce and welcoming smiles.  The chicken rice was just okay but I do love getting change from $10.

Hawker's Delight

I am always harassing my friend Sanjeev on the best Asian eats.  He is an authority on the subject and is even starting up his own blog.  Hurry up Sanjeev!  
 
I left Hawker's Delight with a catch of Curry Laksa and Char Kuey Teow some of the best I have eaten in Perth, reminding of happy hawkers adventures in Singapore.    

EAT | EMPRESS MALL (Singapore)

We have been coming to the Empress Road hawkers ever since I was little.  My nanna has lived in the same complex between Farrer and Queens Road since my mother was a free spirited 20 year old wanting to travel the world.  It was only fitting that our last hawker meal be here for nostalgia's sake. 

I was saddened to see that so many stalls had closed and that it was not the bustling marketplace from my memories.  Built in the 70s, Empress is not looking as majestic as she used to.  Whilst the surrounds may be a little lacklustre there is nothing gloomy about the people who keep the fires burning, some dishing up local food for over 30 years.   

We bid farewell to Singapore with a healthy serving of rojak, chicken rice, curry puffs, bao, fried rice and greens eaten in the comfort of my Nanna's little corner of the world.

Empress Road Market & Food Centre
Blk 7, Empress Road, Singapore 260007

EAT | WAKU GIN (Singapore)

'Waku Ghin' is derived from two Japanese words  ‘Waku’ meaning to arise (like water pouring forth from a hot spring) and 'Ghin' meaning 'silver'.  This striking metal is Chef Tetsuya Wakuda's favourite colour and it is highlighted throughout his distinguished restaurant at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. 

The main dining room which enjoys the exclusive view of the Singapore skyline holds a mere 25 seats.  The exquisite 10-course degustation menu is considered amongst the best of the world. Tetsuya's famed degustation will set you back around $S936 ($728) for two people with exotic dishes such as sea urchin and abalone.

Our last night in Singapore called for a slightly less indulgent evening so we treated my sister and her boyfriend to pre-dinner oysters and cocktails in The Bar at Waku Ghin. The Bar offers the same impeccable service with an astounding selection of 85 handcrafted cocktails.

The oysters were dressed with a simple mix of rice vinegar, olive oil and ginger and were served on ice.  Their seemingly gigantic size did not compromise the delicate flavour, each bursting with a briny taste of the ocean.  At $S72 per half dozen ...  thank god they were stunning!  

After a weekend of drinking countless bespoke cocktails we each selected a classic. Ryan ordered his signature man-swig Negroni, Kane opted for a Whiskey Old Fashioned, Vanessa went totally left field and ordered bloody mary and I chose a espresso martini just for kicks.  

As for Waku Ghin ... I will see you next time.

EAT | CRYSTAL JADE PALACE (Singapore)

Exquisite Chinese fine dining with reasonably priced dim yum.

Crystal Jade Palace Restaurant
91 Orchard Road #04-19
gee Ann City, Singapore

el: +65 6735 2388

EAT | SUR (Singapore)

Update Nov 2017: this restaurant is now closed

Singapore as been struck down with Latin American fever. Joining the ranks of fellow South American eateries, Lucha Locha and La Barra, Sur swung its doors open in November 2012.  Sur embraces the open kitchen/bar concept making the brightly lit space both warm and inviting.  Shelves line the walls brimming with South American ingredients and the bright mosaic tables welcome you to take a seat.  Peruvian-Venezuelan owner, Alejandro Luna, focuses on Nuevo Latino cuisine, his creations are traditional South American recipes reminiscent of his childhood.     

At Sur you will find fiercely fresh and flavoursome cuisine making it the perfect spot for a light lunch or intimate dinner with friends.

anchito - Fresh Orange, Mint, Ginger Beer
Papelón con Limón - Lime Juice with Raw Cane Sugar Pulp
Arepas - queso, shredded beef stew, pulled pork
eviche de Salmón - Salmon, Orange Leche de Tigra, Poached Taro Root, Red Onions, Jalapeños, Cilantro
lfajores -  oft, delicate traditional cookies

Sur
​13 North Canal Road
​Singapore 
​Tel: 6222 2897

EAT | TIAN TIAN HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE (Singapore)

​Finding the best chicken rice in Singapore was pretty high on the agenda.   Just before I left for Singapore I asked the twitterverse where to eat.  My good friend Abstract Matt just said "Everywhere! and Tian Tian for chicken rice".   To avoid the "whaaaat you didn't go there you idiot" that would have ensued upon my return, it was the first hawker stop on the chicken rice hunt. 
​
We ordered a whole chicken and four serves of soup and rice. The chicken was succulent and white with a deliciously thick layer of gelatinous skin.  Served with tasty rice and an addictive lime chilli sauce.  Hands down best chicken rice ever.  I wish we had eaten here more than once!

Tian Tian Haianese Chicken Rice 
​​Maxwell Road Food Centre
​​1 Kadayanallur St, #01-10 S06918

EAT | FATMAN SATAY (Singapore)

Old Airport Road is home to many hawker stalwarts including atman Satay who has been serving up minced satay since 1948.

Fatman Satay
Old Airport Road Food Centre
1 Old Airport Stall #01-45 S390051

EAT | HWA KEE HOUGANG (Singapore)

Old Airport Road Food Centre kept popping up in “oh you must eat here” conversations.   My trusty hawker guide ieatishootipost led me here for it's famous Wan Ton Mee.

Hwa Kee Hougang Famous Wanton Mee
ld Airport Road Food Centre
1 Old Airport Stall #01-02 S390019

Wanton mee $

EAT | FATTY CHEONG (Singapore)

A line of people waiting patiently is a pretty good indication that there is something worth waiting for.  Fatty Cheong touted as the best char siew in Singapore is one of these places.  After stalking ieatishootipost walking around like a hawker nerd with Dr Leslie Tay's book under my arm, I literally scrambled into line.

​Fatty Cheong has been around for 15 years with all blogs pointing towards it.   The rich marinade of soya sauce, sugar, oyster sauce and salted bean paste lovingly caramelizes the meat.  A charcoal oven lends a smoky flavour with the pork available in either a lean or marbled version.  I don’t know if it was the charred bits of fat that  melted with every bite or the fact that it was only $4.  Either way, I would definitely line up again.

Fatty Cheong
​ABC Brickworks Food Centre
​​​6 Jalan Bukit Merah
​​​#01-120 S150006

EAT | GUANG JI BAO ZAP (Singapore)

You can find bao on every corner in Singapore, in cafes, street stalls, in restaurants and even at the 7/11.  They are so hit and miss so it is refreshing to discover a stallwith homemade boa.  For 70c a pop Uncle serves up a selection of bao including lotus paste and red bean.  We had our hearts on the char siew bao .  The buns were perfectly soft and fluffy, the char siew juicy making it the perfect marriage.  So good we went back for seconds.  The best bit was watching their nimble hands lovingly shape the boa and steaming it fresh.  There is nothing like homemade boa so if you can find a stall making their own … eat there!  

Guang Ji Bao Zai
BC Brickworks Food Centre
Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-135 S150006 

SINGAPORE FAMILY FEAST

A steamboat is the beating heart of many family meals in Singapore.  I love that my mum reverts back to saying lah and speaking malay as soon as we are in Nanna's kitchen.  Christmas time in Singapore ... you can't get much better.  Makan!