泉馨園（清記）Quan Xin Yuan Seafood Restaurant

My makan kakis suggested for us to dine at this Hokkien restaurant along Jalan Besar and we immediately agreed. I'm a Hokkien and would like to find out more about Hokkien cuisine when opportunity arises. Hehe.

It was drizzling when we set off to Quan Xin Yuan. Armed with umbrellas that we borrowed from Farrer Hotel, we arrived safely at the restaurant after trudging along the pavements and crossing a few streets to get there, while avoiding the small scores of humans along the way.

Quan Xiang Yuan Jalan Besar

 

We made reservations earlier hence, we got ourselves a big table. The restaurant has a relaxed vibe. After checking in, we were led to the next door unit of the restaurant.

spacious table

 

We flipped the menu and discovered that there wasn't any price tag shown, hence there was some anxiety (on my part) on whether we might 'accidentally' bust the budget tonight. Nevertheless, we were on an exploratory mission for Hokkien cuisine, hence let's just order and enjoy the meal!

guess which nut would be left alone....

pu-er

While one is slowly browsing the menu, the tea was served first. Those little cups are served in a tray with hot water to keep warm (or we could also use the water to rinse the chopsticks, small plates etc).

The restaurant is famed for its black sauce Hokkien Mee, so we ordered one. The funny thing about this place is that, there were numerous items on the menu that came either one size or medium sized and above. Like, we were informed that the weekend special menu was roast chicken and one order meant the whole chicken. And, yes... since it is a special item available only on weekends, we ordered that. We are that easily convinced ;P

Roast Chicken

 

pepper salt

Ahhh, the roasted chicken is similar to those served during weddings in my hometown, complete with fish crackers and the pepper salt. Nice with tender meat and thin, crisp skin.

For appetisers, do go for the prawn rolls (hae zhor). I liked this quite a bit because the inside were filled with meat, water chestnut and minced prawns. The pickles were nice too.

虾枣 prawn rolls

crunchy on its outer with meaty inner

I actually wasn't paying attention when Tracy ordered the food. By the time, the soup dish came, it really felt like a wedding dinner. Hehe. Fish maw sea cucumber thick soup to warm the tummies on a rainy day.

Fish Maw Sea Cucumber Stew 魚鰾羹

liberal dose of black vinegar

After the soup, naturally will start to feel full. However, our main dishes have not arrived. The Hokkien noodles and sweet potato rice cake. Two large plates of carbs!

Sweet Potato Rice Cake 福建番薯粉糕

Fried Hokkien Mee 福建炒面

 

There were loads of ingredients in both dishes. But I think it is quite rare to find a plate of stir-fried sweet potato rice cake. Actually, first time eating this! The starch was slippery but luckily still quite firm and not mushy gooey. Tasted of black pepper and loved the seafood and roast pork combo plus the sweet cabbage in this. Yummy. The fried hokkien mee taste is of a nostalgic one hence, if you like stronger tasting, go for the sweet potato rice cake dish.

Stomach were practically bursting after these but there's still one last item. The Kong Bak Bao dish, which is another specialty of the restaurant. The colour is on-point with the right shade of dark. Yes, that's one of my evaluation criteria of Hokkien dish.

Braised Pork with Steamed Buns 扣肉扁包

The food portions at Quan Xin Yuan were good and we spent about $35 per pax for 6 dishes, inclusive of tea and service charge.

Homely vibes and friendly staff.

Thank you Tracy, Hence and Ivan for sharing the food adventures!

 泉馨園（清記）Quan Xin Yuan Seafood Restaurant

Address:  252 Jln Besar, Singapore 208925

Website:  http://www.quanxinyuan.com.sg/

Contact: 6294 6254

Business Hours:

Daily -  11:30am–2:30pm, 5–11pm

[Tasting] Usher in the Year of the Ox at Famous Kitchen 名食小厨 Hong Heng Mansion

Looking for a suitable place for reunion dinner? The team at Famous Kitchen has curated prosperous set and à la carte menus featuring sumptuous Nanyang creations to pamper our palate and to bring in wealth, success, prosperity and happiness to usher in the ausipicious year of the Ox. For that something special, how about a joyful pairing of delicious food  with Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky? Wait no more and make your reservations today!

Prosperous Set Menus (Sapphire, Jade, Crystal and Diamond)  are available from 27 Jan to 26 Feb 2021

11 Feb (除夕) 12:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:30pm 

12 Feb (初一) 13 Feb (初二) 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm.

Sapphire Set A / 4 pax $318++ (Set A1 $426++ with Exclusive Auchentoshan Three Wood 70cl Gift Pack)

Jade Set B / 6 pax $498++ (Set B1 $606++ with Exclusive Auchentoshan Three Wood 70cl Gift Pack)

Crystal Set C / 8 pax $698++ (Set C1 $806++ with Exclusive Auchentoshan Three Wood 70cl Gift Pack)

Diamond Set D / 8 pax $898++ (Set D1 $1006++ with Exclusive Auchentoshan Three Wood 70cl Gift Pack)

Jade Set B / 6 Pax

getting started

signifying abundance

for the auspicious toss

鸿运三文鱼捞生 Prosperity  Salmon' Yu Sheng'

It is a rather quiet affair this year, and hence, we enjoyed the Yu Sheng at a peaceful pace.

generous amount of salmon

Next course, the sharks fins soup.

干贝蟹肉鱼翅羹 Braised Shark’s Fin with Crabmeat & Dried Scallop Soup

Third course, was the super fresh steamed 'live' marble goby. Enjoyed by everyone.

Hong Kong Style Steamed 'Live' Marble Goby with Superior Soya Sauce

香港蒸‘活’笋壳鱼

For Scotch whisky lovers, you will enjoy the oakey tobacco-ey flavours of Auchentoshan Three Woods Malt. Matured in three different cask types; American Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso Sherry and finally Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.

Auchentoshan Three Wood Malt

golden bronze in colour

Am a novice whisky drinker, and it does pair well with Asian food. Spicy and smooth. 

Next, the Braised Sea Cucumber with Fish Maw & Mushroom was served. Chunky, slippery pieces of sea cucumber which I like. Loved the crunchy greens and underneath, there are plenty of fish maw to go around.

红烧花菇海参鱼鳔 Braised Sea Cucumber with Fish Maw & Mushroom

mine

The fifth course, was the Double Boiled Herbs 'Kampung Chicken'. Without looking at the the menu, one could tell that it is Kampung Chicken by the yellowish skin. But, the version here had amazingly tender flesh. Wow!

御膳药材炖甘榜鸡 Double Boiled Herbs 'Kampung Chicken'

The herbal taste was just a hint and I would think that this dish will be a hit amongst the young and old. Next up, a vibrant looking prawn dish. Succulent prawns that tasted sweet and tangy.

茶香焗老虎虾 Wok-Fried Tiger Prawn with Tea Leaf

For carbs, we had the Stir-Fried E-Fu Noodles with Straw Mushroom. Did I tell you that one of my favourite noodles is e-fu noodles? No? Well you know now! Liked the chives in there too.

锅烧草菇伊面 Stir-Fried E-Fu Noodles with Straw Mushroom

Somehow, the noodles leaned slightly towards the sweet side but not to worry, a dab of the powerful spicy sambal belachan would do the trick to balance things up. But be careful as the chili is really powerful!

Last course was dessert, and we enjoyed a warm bowl of Water Chestnut with Snow Fungus & Egg White. The water chestnut was super crunchy and sweet, and snow fungus was soothing overall.

百花雪茸马蹄露 Water Chestnut with Snow Fungus & Egg White

The last dish made us feel warm all over , or it could be the whisky haha! Here's wishing everyone a heartwarming reunion. 

Thank you Jennifer for the invite, Jenny and Jeffrey for your hospitality and Famous Kitchen team for the delicious food. 

For reservations and takeaway, please call 8128 7900 / 6636 8333/ 6257 1843, or email fkreservation@singnet.com.sg

The Famous Kitchen  名食小厨

Address: 54 Sembawang Road Hong Heng Mansions, 779085

Website: https://www.famouskitchen.com.sg/

Contact: 6257 1843

Business Hours:

Daily 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30–10:30pm

Azmi Restaurant (known for their chapati) @ 2 Dalhousie Ln

After having our coffee and brunch at Brunches Cafe, we decided to take a leisurely stroll around the area. Or, perhaps we were scouting for the next makan places. Hahaa! So Ivan is familiar with the place and from his descriptions, he has tried quite a bit of places here. Yeah, now you know who to find if need a little guidance on what to eat around Little India/Farrer Park.

Anyways, after about 10 to 15 minutes of slow walk, we reached a nondescript coffee shop, which seemed to have just two food stalls and a drink stall. 

The place was busy and luckily, there was were two tables unoccupied. The uncles at the coffee shop are friendly and we spied most of the patrons are enjoying their chapatis. So, we knew what we needed to get. Oh, and I noticed that they have apom too. Thus far, I have not came across any shops selling apom in Singapore and knew we had to try this.

chapati

Truth be told. Am not a fan of chapati as it is very much less sinful than its distant cousin, the prata. But my late uncle enjoyed chapati on a daily basis.

For the curry, we got ourselves dhal curry, keema and a special goat bone curry.

Goat Bone Curry (front), dhal curry (back - left) and keema (back - right)

The keema and the goat bone, happy to report there's no funky-ness in them. Both curries were rather mild accompaniment for the chapati. The tulang has some meat and plenty of collageny tendons to enjoy. Quite nice.

no double dip~

My favourite is the apom or also known as fermented rice cake that looks like a sunny side up. Its size is larger than the ones we have back in my hometown and fluffier here. I was surprised when one of the younger uncle at the shop brought out a tray with some small containers. We locked eyes and at that instant, he understood. "Sugar, for the apom." He said with smile. Ohhhh, suaku me. You can have it with the white sugar or with the orange sugar (similar ones used for putu mayam).

apom with sugar sprinklers

The apom itself is already sweet so actually no need but we added some orange sugar for photography purpose. Hahahaa!

nicely fluffy and sweet

Also tried the apom with dhal, keema and the goat curry and it works too. So, just eat anyway you like~

Azmi Restaurant

Address:  2 Dalhousie Ln, Singapore 209671

Website: http://www.azmirestaurant.com/

Business Hours:

Daily - 10am to 10pm

Brunches Cafe @ 96 Rangoon Road

How long has it been since my last visit to a cafe? Far too long, I'd say! Brunches is a quaint cafe and quite the popular one too. We were lucky to be able to snag a table without reservation albeit with the agreement to vacate the table by the next hour. Ok, we could do that.

chalkboard

counter

our seats

Was thinking of having coffee and a bit of everything else that the rest were having.

menu

By a bit, is actually an understatement. Haha! We ended up with two savouries and two sweets! Started off with deep fried mushrooms. Staff asked what sauce we wanted with the mushrooms. That's a good question. I have never thought of which sauce goes well with mushroom....ketchup? Chili or mayo? We had it all. Hahahaa!

mushrooms fritters @$8.90

Butterfly Pea Tea and Cold Brew Tea @$7 and $6.50 respectively

Coffee on the Rock Bailey's flavour @$8.50 

follow the instructions

wait for it

Ivan's drink had a little instruction card, so cute. But it took like forever to melt. I had piccolo.

piccolo @$4.50

Service staff were friendly and the place gave off a homely vibe. Food and drinks were brought out fairly quickly. The mushrooms were pretty good and we enjoyed it.

We had the Big Breakfast to share. Scrambled eggs, sausages, salad, bacon, mushrooms and the works. Can't go wrong with this.

Pimp My Brekkie Big Breakfast @$20.90

For dessert, we had high hopes for Brioche French Toast and while it looked really good, the bread was the weakest link. Not sure why this brioche was so dense and compact. The fruits were nice.

Brioche French Toast @$14.50

Thankfully, we were satisfied with the tiramisu. And, it has those 'soil' that were really popular back then. Hahahaa. I'd recommend the tiramisu. Thumbs up!

tiramisu @$9.50

As it was not time to check-in to the hotel yet, we took a stroll around the area. Look out for the next food hunt around the area in the next post. See you soon!

Brunches Cafe

Address: 96 Rangoon Rd, Singapore 218381

Website: http://brunches.sg/

Contact:  8685 8488

Business Hours: 

Mon - Fri: 11am to 10pm

Sat - Sun: 10am to 10pm

Lunch at Spring Court 詠春园 @ Upper Cross Street

After we had checked-out from Parkroyal Collections Pickering, the gang decided to have lunch nearby. Dim sum was a good idea and thus, we walked to Spring Court.

Spring Court is an establishment that has been around since 1929 but I have never gotten a chance to dine here for all my life in Singapore. Now thanks to Ivan, Tracy and Hence, I have the great opportunity to share a meal together in this restaurant.

interior

Specials and free wifi

dim sum menu

Chef's recommendation

We ordered some dim sum and some mains. While we waited for the food, the pickles at Spring Court was so so good. Could finish one whole plate on my own.

pickles

Ju-pu (chrysanthemum and pu-er)

For starters, we tried the traditional popiah. Oh, this was by far, the largest roll of popiah I have ever been served with. Ivan called it a burrito. Agreed!

Spring Court Traditional Popiah @$8.20

peekaboo

Crab Meat Roll with Chicken Liver and Salted Egg @$13.80

Another appetiser that we had was the crab meat roll with chicken liver and salted egg. Quite rare to see this. But a tad dry.

Stir Fried Carrot Cake with XO Sauce @$5.80

Recommend the stir fried carrot cake with XO sauce. Tasty and loved the chunky cubes.

For dim sum, what are your must-order? For me, it'd be siew mai and chicken feet. And, char siew bao to know if the place is good. The bao must be fluffy and the fillings should be moist, not too fatty and not too sweet.

siew mai @$5.80

har gao @$5.80

phoenix claw with bean sauce @$4.50

char siew bao @$4.50

piping hot~

Oh, and must order the Cheong Fun with the crispy wafer prawns. There's something about the silky smooth sheet of rice flour, drizzled with savoury soy and each bite yielded crunchy bits of well fried fritter batter and juicy sweet prawns.

Cheong Fun with Crispy Wafer Prawns @$6.20

so good

lunch

Tracy ordered something special. Lamb brisket in claypot. I don't think I've ever came across this dish before! The meat was tender and not too gamey. There's a special sauce that goes with this dish but I'd prefer it without.

Lamb Brisket in Claypot @$24

Last dish was the fried mee sua with seafood. Small size is quite a lot. This was pretty good. Though I was full, still polished off one bowl. Yums!

Stir Fried Mee Sua with Seafood @22 (small)

Wow. Didn't realise we had 10 dishes shared amongst us. Keke, fierce!

Sweet Yam Paste with Gingko Nuts (Orh Nee) @$6.30

Spent about $35 per pax for such hearty lunch! Appreciate the time spent and looking forward to more makan sessions. Thank you guys!

Spring Court 詠春园

Address: 52-56 Upper Cross St, Singapore 058348

Website: https://www.springcourt.com.sg/

Contact: 6449 5030

Business Hours:

Mon - Thurs: 11am–2:30pm, 6–10pm

Fri - Sun: 11am–2:30pm, 5:30–10pm