Chik's Crib: March 2016

30 March 2016

Bornga (The Star Vista)

Star Vista March 30, 2016 0

I'm not sure whether my appetite is much smaller than the average person, because Miss XS and I shared an Executive Set from Bornga ($39.90, available Mon-Fri excl. P.H., 11.30am-3pm) and we couldn't even finish the meal.

One reason was the abundance of side dishes that they served. I never seen a table piled with so much side dishes before, and we only managed to fit in a couple of bites from each side dish. They were missing a sweet potato side dish that I loved, but the individual cold kimchi soup was surprisingly refreshing and pleasant.

We had the Mansinchang SamGyupSal (pork strips), which they cooked for us. It's just as well, for people (like me!) whose impatience outweighs common sense.

The cooked meat is dipped in bean sauce and wrapped in a selection of different vegetables. And there is plenty to choose from, with the tray stretching across the length of the table.

Miss XS opted for the Sundubu jjigae (spicy soft tofu soup). The flavour was a little lacking, with none of the scope of flavours that I was expecting.

The Verdict
With such generous portions, the Executive Set can comfortably feed two people. We like the helpful placemats that teach you how to enjoy BBQ the Korean way.

26 March 2016

Chocolate Prune Cake

Recipe March 26, 2016 0

Picture by R

Wow, this cake is ugly, was my first thought, as I pulled it out of the oven. But one sprinkle of powdered sugar after, and it's transformed. Plus, with the summer sunset filtering through the window, the cake looks almost better in the picture than it does in real life.

This flourless cake is lighter than the other ones that I usually churn out, which is a pleasant surprise. I tend to max out at half a slice of the other richer cakes if there's no sauce to serve alongside, but this cake by its lonesome was Goldilocks: not too rich, not too light.

Adding prunes is an interesting take on the classic flourless chocolate cake, which works well despite my initial misgivings. No one had any problem scoffing down this cake. Everybody grabbed seconds, and among the 6 of us, it disappeared in no time at all.

Platypus (Chinatown)

Western Food March 24, 2016 0

I've heard great things about Platypus's lobster rolls, so I was one happy clam when I spotted Platypus's sign dangling at a storefront in Chinatown. I dragged my sister from work to Platypus for teatime around 4 plus, but they were unfortunately not open for business until 6pm. We soothed our disappointment with some creamy coconut ice cream from Qoolco just down the street. And waited. And waited. We came back to Platypus at 6pm right on the dot. The waitress looked unimpressed.

Qoolco (Chinatown)

Thai food March 20, 2016 0

Qoolco sells Thai coconut ice cream, and I know this one is legitimate when we spotted the ladies from Cha Thai sitting outside on the tables along the pavement happily digging into their coconuts.

Chir Chir (Chinatown)

Singapore March 16, 2016 0

It's now becoming a tradition that whenever I come back to Singapore and meet my friend, the first meal we will have together will be Korean Fried Chicken. At least, it will be, if I have it my way (although she complains I make her dieting impossible). We had Chicken Up the last time around, and this time, we checked out the newly opened Chir Chir here in Chinatown.

I had difficulty finding the restaurant, and walked the mall from B2 to L3 without much success. I finally called my sister for help, and she pointed me towards the direction of Luk Yu, with Chir Chir just hidden in the corner opposite.

Despite my deep-held conviction that we shouldn't order roast chicken at a Korean Fried Chicken store, I relented and ordered the Garlic Roasted Chicken ($32.90). It comes with a salad, a baked potato and a hardboiled egg. I'm not sure if it's one entire chicken, because we seem to be missing a drumstick... Maybe the staff knows we are supposed to be on a diet?

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh 松發肉骨茶 (Chinatown Point)

Singapore March 11, 2016 0

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh is one of the most established Bak Kut Teh (Pork Ribs Broth) stores in Singapore. I used to patronise their store in Clarke Quay, back when I balance their bowls on the rickety tables and drink copious amounts of their steaming spice-laden broth beside the road in the sweltering Singaporean heat. Drinking hot soup like this isn't very pleasant, but it's a small price to pay to sooth my Bak Kut Teh itch. (Refills are free!).

But no one was as glad as I am to see that Song Fa opened a branch in Chinatown Point mall, where I can slurp down all the soup I want in the comfort of air-conditioning.

Ghim Moh Food Centre

Singaporean food March 05, 2016 0

Tong Fong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

A famous store in the area renowned for chicken rice. Not once have I bought anything from this store without having to queue.
I love boneless chicken rice. Scoop rice and chicken with a spoon. Open mouth. Insert spoon. Close mouth. Remove spoon. Om nom nom. Repeat until full. The rice is nothing spectacular, but the chicken is smooth and the sauce is fragrant. Half a chicken and two plates of rice goes for $10, and makes for an enjoyable lunch.

Golden Shoe Complex Market's Hainanese Curry Rice

Singaporean food March 02, 2016 0

Hainanese Curry Rice

My sister makes the long trip to Golden Shoe Complex for one thing and one thing only: their Hainanese Pork Chop Set ($2.50). They open at 11.30, and god forbid you come later than 1145. The queue at this store is mindboggling. We came on the dot at 1130, and we I still had to stand in line for 20 minutes. The line only got longer and longer as lunch hour approaches.

It comes with a huge bowlful of rice, vegetables and a fried egg. Ask for extra curry sauce: it's not spicy, and you'll want more. My sister likes asking for extra potatoes ($0.50), but the big soft chunks of potatoes are a delight. They're generous with extra potatoes, and for the price of $2.50, the quality and quantity is impressive. Highly recommended to go early though. You have been warned.