Bugis Junction Food Trail 2013: Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant （南翔饅頭店）

Located at Level 2 Bugis Junction, right infront of the escalator. Maiden visit! Not sure why, but when I think of Nanxiang, the brain will conjure up a picture of a humongous xiaolong bun, complete with straw to sip up the soup...

Actually, Nanxiang is a town near Shanghai, and is considered the birthplace of xiaolong bao.

restaurant's logo (like a thumbs up~)

table setting

Without further ado, pictures of appetisers:

Nanxiang Drunken Chicken (@$8.50++)

Shanghai Spicy and Sour Soup (@$8.50++)

The drunken chicken was tender and tasted yummy. Not much of wine taste though.

First impression of spicy and sour soup? It was sharply sour! Was informed that the version served here has been tweaked to suit local tastebuds. Meaning that it's less spicy and less oily. Added some black vinegar (available on each table), and the soup's taste became much more agreeable~

Next, was xiaolong mantous or xiao long bao (小笼包).

hot hot hot! Nanxiang Signature Steamed Bun

eat it with vinegar and ginger shreds

Served piping hot, so do eat it with care.

The Nanxiang brand xiao long bao has been around for more than a 100 years, and we're tasting the latest version, so to speak.

鲜肉小笼 (fresh pork dumpling) @$8.80++ for 6 pieces

Dainty little pockets of pork and soup. The soup tasted light with pork meat flavour. The dumpling skin was rather chewy.

Next, was the supersized (comparitively lah..) King Sized Nanxiang Crab Roe Steamed Soup Bun.

King Sized Nanxiang Crab Roe Steamed Soup Bun (蟹黄汤包) @$7.80++

Braving tongue scalding temperatures, we sipped the soup using the straw. Verdict? "鲜"! Which means fresh. Not just any fresh, but sea-fresh. Makes sense? Not the usual strong umami taste of seafood but a lighter sweet kind. Liked this very much!

simply good soup

Next, we sampled the braised lion head (狮子头). Actually thought "狮子头" as a mushroom dish but turned out to be a pork meatballs dish.

braised lion's head

cut section reveals soft, tender meat

Enjoyed the lion's head meatballs, immensely. Tender, bouncy and tasted chestnut bits as well. Sweet,  fresh, and lightly flavoured.

If you need carbs, why not try the "粉皮" (fen pi) dish. It is kway-teow like, but a little firmer and more translucent. Probably tasteless on its own, these starch sheets allowed the crab roe broth to shine through. Eat it with black vinegar for extra oomph. There's a mee sua (rice vermicelli) version of this as well.

fen pi in crab roe broth

almost translucent starch sheets

Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant （南翔饅頭店）

Location: #02-53, Bugis Junction
Website: http://www.nanxiang.com.sg/

Bugis Junction Food Trail 2013: Platypus Kitchen

The good people behind Platypus Kitchen believes that gourmet food should be affordable. Think fresh handmade pasta, quality ingredients, beautifully plated and value-for-money, with all dishes priced below $20. It's also stated in their menu that the food contains no added preservatives, no MSG and made from scratch. Inexpensive, good food made with heart. How's that for your next meal?

One might then wonder if the ambiance is sacrificed? Non. The restaurant is spacious and comfortable with padded seats, and nicely decorated too.

interior

Sampled some dishes from the current Autumn/Winter menu. Plenty of choices for pasta and risotto.

menu

Here are the starters:

Crab Cake and Truffle Fries

Truffle Fries, with generous amount of shaved truffles ($6.90++)

Risotto Balls (@$8.90++)

The Risotto Balls were not much of a looker, but it has quite a nice flavour. Slather on a good amount of pumpkin puree, and you'll get sweet, crunchy, chewy cheesy all in one bite.

mozarella stuffed balls of risotto, breaded in panko and deep fried, with pumpkin puree

Thirsty? Because regular beer is said to be kind of boring, so they've got alcoholic creations such as Momo-Lychee Ale (peach and lychee flavoured) and Smith's Ale (apple and lemon infused). Current beer used is a Mexican beer, Sol.

Momo-Lychee Ale (@$9.90++ ala-carte / $6.90++ as part of a set) 2.9% ABV

Enjoyed the ale. Refreshing on a hot day. Yums. Though pretty low on alcoholic content, do still drink responsibly!

Now, let's take a look at the mains:

Carbonara (egg taglietelle with double smoked bacon in egg-yolk cream sauce @$14.50++)

Squid-ink Scallops Ragout (squid ink taglioni served with seared bay scallops in light garlic-dashi sauce @$16.50++)

Saffron & Caviar Risotto (saffron infused risotto with char-grilled prawns and scallops @$19.90++)

Spicy 'Diablo' Crab & Prawn (egg taglioni with prawns and crab claws tossed in spicy egg sauce @$18.50++)

All the pasta dishes and risotto looked so pretty. The taglietelle was done al-dente and perfect for those who likes chewy, thicker noodles. The carbonara didn't have an overly heavy taste despite the egg-yolk sauce. No worries about teeth stains when having the squid-ink ragout, as the ink has already been incorporated into the dough. In fact, this was a rather light tasting dish. I think I had the risotto a tad too late, as it had turned cold. Sorry chef, next time should eat as soon as it's brought to the table!

Personally, I'd prefer the Spicy 'Diablo' for its less chewy, stronger and more intense flavour (spicy!) and loads of ingredients like that pile of crab claw meat! Lip-smacking good.

For non-pasta main dish, we sampled the Pressed Pork Belly. Tender piece of meat. Belly good! It has a sweet well-rounded flavour from the glaze. Tasty.

Pressed Pork Belly (served with braised apples, carrots, tomatoes in honey & clove apple glaze @19.90++)

Had dessert, the Iced Sea Salt Caramel to round up the meal. Sweet, and crunchy.

Iced Sea Salt Caramel (@$8.90++)

popping candy ontop, and bottom chocolate peanut butter brittle

Platypus Kitchen offers monthly set promotions for both lunch (from $10.90++) and dinner (from $16.90++). Ontop of that, you may want to check-out their facebook page for other claimable offers.

And, continuing the spread of good news...how would you like to get your hands on "Bachelor's Banquet", a cookbook by Nicholas Lin (chef and owner of Platypus restaurants) and Adhika Maxi. Containing 80 elegant recipes and some tips, perfect to recreate an intimate dinner for two.

Just drop me an email to purplerain@gmail.com stating some basic information about yourself (at least tell me your name) and why this cookbook should belong to you. Or, leave your comments here, also can.

Be quick, as there is only one copy to giveaway! (This giveaway is only for people who are residing in Singapore.)

The giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation!

Bachelor's Banquet Cookbook

Platypus Kitchen

Location: #03-29, Bugis Junction
Tel: +65 6333 4434
Website: http://www.platypuskitchen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlatypusKitchen
Twitter: @platypuskitchen

Bugis Junction Food Trail 2013: Everything with Fries

Located at Level 4 of Bugis Junction. If it wasn't for this event, then I wouldn't have known that there is this outlet, near the cinema.

entrance

Recommended drinks are the milkshakes (nutella, butterscotch), home brewed lemonade and iced-lemon tea.  Got myself a fizzy orange instead. (yeah, imma rebel in this way) Just remember to stir before drinking.

Fizzy Orange (soda water and orange juice)

someone else's strawberry milkshake

For starters, we got to try the One Egg Soup and Skinny Wings.

The One Egg Soup

Skinny Wings

The One Egg Soup was rather mild and creamy with a hint of sweetness. The deep fried egg soaks up the soup and gave a good mouthfeel when eaten. Liked the well marinated Skinny Wings, where its insides were still moist.

It was hard to photograph the mains, because each and every one of it looked so good that one can't resist the temptation to start eating.

Grilled Char Siew, served with garlic and chives fries

well-cooked char siew

The grilled char siew has a good ratio of lean and fats. Meaty to the bite and not too salty. Goes well with the garlic sauce.

Wild NZ King Salmon

look at the pink flesh, as tender as it looks!

Am always apprehensive about having cooked salmon. Liked 'em best when it is raw, in sashimi form. However, the Wild NZ King Salmon dish here managed to sway the opinion. Flavourful crispy crust coated the tender and almost melt-in-your-mouth soft flesh. Good.

Char-grilled Beef Karubi

boneless, fork tender meat

The boneless beef shortrib was nicely tender, adequately seasoned but wished its flavours could be stronger. Perhaps, had taken a tad too long to photograph and did not get to enjoy the dish when it was still warm.

Chicken Sandwich

Grilled Pork Chop, served with shoe-string curry fries

Liked the Pork Chop, especially nearing the bones where it's more fatty. Strong flavours, oily to chew but that's what made it so good. Yums.

The dish that made the most visual impact (imho), was the Steak with Tulang (bone marrow), a seasonal dish. It is a plate of char-grilled ribeye steak (a whopping 280gms!), two small halves of grilled bone marrow and served with sauteed mushrooms, and thick cut fries with truffle oil.

Steak with Tulang (@$25.90++)

Was grinning wide, as I was cutting the steak. From the meat's resistance to the knife, one can roughly guess whether the meat would be tender or tough to chew. Liked the ribeye, tender with some bite and juicy. Nice. This is something that I would love to order again when the craving for a ribeye comes-a-calling!

Everything with Fries

Location: #04-05, Bugis Junction
Website: http://www.everythingwithfries.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewf.fanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvrythingwFries

Bugis Junction Food Trail 2013

Bugis Junction. Located at 200 Victoria Street, and above the Bugis MRT. Easily accessible, just that I haven't been visiting often since I no longer work around that area any more. Old office used to be at North Bridge Road. Nowadays, I think of it more as a mall for youngsters? Keke.

Opportunity to get re-acquainted, presented itself in the form of Bugis Junction Food Trail, organized by omy.sg and Bugis Junction. wOOohOOo!

Ten places of non-stop eating and feasting. Satiated. *pats tummy*

Bugis Junction Food Trail 2013

This event was held on 13 April 2013, and we chomped off starting from Everything With Fries, Platypus Kitchen, Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, Siam Kitchen, Kazokutei, nydc, Fish & Co., Honguo, Yummy Bites and Maggie Moo's. We lasted six hours and slightly more.

Trail stop #1: Everything With Fries, located at Level 4, right next to the cinema!

All main courses here are served with fries, hence the name. Not just regular fries, but one may get flavoured fries like truffle-oil, garlic, or curry paired with the mains.

Steak with Tulang (Seasonal Menu)

Trail stop #2: Platypus Kitchen, located at Level 3.

Always wanted to experience gourmet-style dining, but not quite willing to bust a big hole in the wallet? Well, look no further as Platypus Kitchen aims to bring 'Affordable Gourmet' closer to us, the masses.

Spicy 'Diablo' Crab & Prawn (handmade egg tagliolini)

Trail stop #3: Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant （南翔饅頭店）, located at Level 2.

Fancy savouring some xiaolong mantou (or xiao long bao), from a brand that was established more than a hundred years ago? Of course, we'd love to!

hot, steaming xiao long baos (小笼包)

Trail stop #4: Siam Kitchen, located at Level 2.

Hankering for some halal Thai food? Siam Kitchen has it! Their version of tom yum talay, was really appetizing with its balanced sourish and spicy taste. Slurps.

Siam Siam Grill Combo Platter (from top, clockwise: squid, prawns, chicken and beef)

Trail stop #5: Kazokutei, at Level 2.

Hailing from Osaka, this place specializes in handmade udon. Liked the springiness and bounciness of the quality noodles. Simplest form of enjoyment.　ごちそうさまでした！

handmade udon

Trail stop #6: nydc (New York Dessert Cafe), located at Level 2.

Think nydc, think mudpies! And now, one could get a 3-some there...(eh eh, don't think astray! Naughty you) It's cold, it's sweeeeet~ and so satisfying. Licks lip.

3-some (strawberry mudpie)

Trail stop #7: Fish & Co., located at Level 1.

Has been quite awhile since I last visited Fish & Co. and am happy to see so many new items available in their glossy-magazine-like new menu! Impressed.

Seafood Galore (king prawns, butter curry clams, grilled white fish and chips)

Trail stop #8: Honguo, located at Basement 1.

Have you tried their speciality noodles, the 'Cross Bridge Vermicelli' (过桥米线)? Interesting dining concept with an equally interesting story behind. But if noodles is not your thing then probably seafood fried rice may tickle your tastebud.

Scholar Cross Bridge Vermicelli - 15 items
(状元过桥米线 - 15样)

Trail stop #9: Yummy Bites, located at Basement 1.

All things fried. Usually, I'd get fried bananas but nowadays, fried nian gao (年糕) sounds fine too. No, not that korean rice cake but the chinese type where its brown, sticky and sweet. For 'Snowball' or fried ice-cream, be prepared to wait as they'll only prepare it upon ordering.

Yummy Bites kiosk of deep fried goodies

Trail stop #10: MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Treatery at Level 1, outer-side of the mall where the old box-office was.

Ice-creams, dizzying array of flavours, milkshakes and their promo of new flavours and sweet offers each month.

sweet treat

To know more about the individual restaurants and the food that we ate during this trail, do click on the hyperlink of each restaurant!

As usual, special thanks to the organisers and our various hosts for this Bugis Junction Food Trail. Thank you for the food, your time and the useful information! To fellow bloggers, pleased to meet you and till next time, take care!

Bugis Junction

Location: 200 Victoria Street, Singapore 188021
Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Website: http://www.bugisjunction-mall.com.sg

Ice-Cold Beer @ No. 9 Emerald Hill

Finally visited this place one fine evening. It rained and hence, the outdoor tables were scarce. Risked waiting for about 15 minutes, just to see if the sky clears and the staff would open up the outdoor area.

entrance

Last order for Happy Hour was 845pm. Got ourselves draft beer (half pint) for $6++ each.

bold Stella and shy Hoegaarden

Of course, the must-order of chicken wings. Had the half portion.

deep fried prawn paste chicken wings

closer view

The prawn paste wings tasted milder than I'd thought. Only a hint of prawn paste. Glad that the drumlets weren't anorexic though. Succulent but also just barely cooked. Had potato wedges as well. Regular ones served with mayo. Good portion for sharing. Thought the potatoes could do with another minute in the fryer as some pieces weren't that cooked.

Spent $35 for the above. The style here is pay as soon as the food/drinks arrives. Note that the outdoor area closes pretty early at 11pm.