[Tasting] Bonding Kitchen Singapore @ Orchard Gateway - Unique Modern Peranakan Experience

Located at Level 2 of Orchard Gateway, Bonding Kitchen is a new place for us to indulge in Peranakan food. With his unique brand of modern Peranakan cuisine, founder Chef Danny Chew has curated daily Set Lunches that is inclusive of some of the signature dishes, which I liked, as the concept allows the diner to sample favourites like Ayam Buah Keluak, Hokkien Lor Ark before bringing over loved ones to try the mains later on. And believe me, I have tried and will want to bring my family and friends to try more (maybe all!) of Chef Danny's dishes. For this initial experience, special thanks to Kris (@msginginly) for the invite and Chef Danny and team for hosting the dinner.

Bonding Kitchen @ Level 2 Orchard Gateway

entrance

menu

interior

The restaurant has a modern vibe to it and comfortably spaced. Loved the blue on the seats. Was ushered into the inner section where the one could enjoy the wonderful private dining experience with Chef Danny.

Bunga Telang Lemongrass Pandan (Blue Pea Flower Lemongrass drink) @$6.50++

While waiting, we started with light snacks of keropok served with piquant and zesty sambal belachan. 

Fish & Belinjau Keropok with Sambal Belacan @$4++

more please

Next up, was Ngoh Hiang appetiser. We watched Chef Danny as he proceeded to plate the Ngoh Hiang.

Ngoh Hiang @$14++

deep fried beancurd skin roll of handchopped pork, shrimps, mushrooms, water chestnut

The Ngoh Hiang, a quintessential deep fried beancurd skin roll that brought a smile to our faces. Loved the generous fillings, bits of juicy mushroom and the likeable overall flavour of this classic dish. Seasoned just right with five spice, slight bouncy texture and crisp exterior. Sauce was minimal.

Next up, we were served with a gorgeous plate of impressive looking prawns. Marinated prawns with delightfully tangy tamarind juices, and pan seared to perfection. Flavour was on-point and I was practically licking off the sauces from its shell. Zesty and savoury combo that rejuvenates the tastebuds.

Assam Ko Prawns @ $28++ to $36++

With the private dining experience, guests could interact with Chef Danny and it was really interesting to hear nuggets of information pertaining to recipe of the food that we were about to enjoy. 

Babi Pongteh in the making

And, it is heartening to see the care and effort being placed onto our meal.

Babi Pongteh @$22++

One of the classic dishes of Peranakan cuisine, besides Ayam Buah Keluak would be stalwarts like Babi Pongteh. Comparatively to the other dishes that we were having that night, this dish was more genteel in flavours when compared to the rest of the mains. Hence, recommend to try this dish first before starting the rest.

Hei Bi Hiam Shimeji Mushrooms @$12++

When I first saw the plate of Hae Bi Hiam mushrooms, I thought of how comforting this dish would be with a bowl of porridge. Tasty, and easy to eat with a touch of heat. Alas, there is no option for porridge at the moment, but do get a bowl of that wonderful looking blue pea steamed fluffy rice.

steamed fragrant rice @$1.50++

eat the way you want it

We enjoyed the pace of the food, which allowed us to fully savour one or two dishes at any point in time. Next up, was the Wagyu Beef Rendang. 

Chef Danny presents the Wagyu Beef Rendang

Wagyu Beef Buah Rendang @$32++

Australian Westholme Wagyu beef ribs, stewed with coconut milk and various herbs and spices which resulted in flavourful meat that was nicely tender while maintaining its form. The dish reminds me of serunding (beef floss) actually but dig underneath to reveal chunky pieces that goes well with rice. Or, savour it with wine. I spied the wine prices here and they are really reasonable. I'll do just that next time, and keep you guys updated. Or, you are welcome to share your experience too!

Nasi Goreng Buah Keluak @$15++

Friend tried the Buah Keluak Fried Rice and enjoyed its nutty eggy flavours. Looks kinda cool, those black grains.

My personal favourite dish of that night, was the Hokkien Lor Ark. I don't think it was due to any bias because am a Hokkien myself, but more because this dish represented itself well enough. Strong flavours, consistently tender texture, meaty plus comforting homely feels. Chef Danny revealed that this was from a family recipe and further refined. The dish uses duck leg that had undergone 1 day of marination. End result was a bowl of yumminess.

Hokkien Lor Ark @$22++

Lastly, we tried the Sotong Masak Hitam. If you think you know Sotong Masak Hitam, try this version at Bonding Kitchen. I can only say, that was one intense flavour! I believe a glass of wine would complement this well.

Sotong Masak Hitam @$20++

And, we ended the meal with icy treat chendol. Lovely fragrance from the gula melaka, and glad that it was not too sweet. Liked the softer red beans too!

Chendol @$7++

A lovely meal with lovely friends. Thank you Kris for the invite, and special thanks to Chef Danny and team Bonding Kitchen for the delicious meal.

Here is a shout-out for the Daily Set Lunch, which I think is a steal for that price. Am eyeing that buah keluak and wagyu beef rendang meal...with a glass of red. See you at Bonding Kitchen!

image credit: Bonding Kitchen

Bonding Kitchen Singapore

Address: 277 Orchard Rd, #02-18, Singapore 238858

Website: https://bondingkitchen.weebly.com/

Contact: 8860 9087

Business Hours:

Sat - Thurs:  11:30am–3pm, 5:30–10:30pm

Fri : 11:30am–3pm, 5–10:30pm

[Tasting] The Sampan @ 63 Boat Quay

It's been over a year, hence a good opportunity to revisit and to check out the new menu. Here is the link previous visit. Thank you Kris (@msginginly) for the invite, and The Sampan team for taking care of us that night.

shopfront

featured menu board

On previous visit, our group was seated right in the center of the restaurant and this time round, we were at the alfresco area with beautiful view by the riverside.

evening view

Happy Hour is still 8pm, but there's also a whole day special where Stella was going for just $9.90+ for  pint. WOoo! But I was intrigued by a 'Liang Teh' under the alcoholic beverage section. "What's this Liang Teh" I asked. Turns out this is a locally brewed beer by The 1925 Brewing Co. Cool! A chrysanthemum lager, it says. Must try, right? Hahahaa!

Liang Teh (The 1925 Brewing Co. Joo Chiat) @$10+

The lager was light, and only a hint of the chrysanthemum with a touch of sweetness. Perfect for our hot humid weather.

behind story

Complimentary cold/warm water is available and if you opted for cold, a jug would be left at the table. Service staff size was lean on weekdays, but they will attend promptly with a gentle wave.

Mocktail @$10+

Let's get started on the food, shall we?

small plates to share

By this time, it was nightfall. Good view, good food, good company!

Glazed Soy Sesame Chicken Salad @$12+

whets the appetite

The glazed soy chicken salad was interesting as there's some fish muruku snack thrown in as toppings. That familiar taste sent us in a loop. Hahaa!

If you prefer something spicier, go for the Singapore Rojak Bandung Salad.

Singapore Rojak Bandung Salad @$13+

This salad has cuttlefish in small bits, kangkong (eh, then this was derived from cuttlefish kangkong dish?), quail eggs (hard boiled), taukwa cubes, crushed peanuts, honey pineapples and sweet red sauce (mee bandung sauce, I think). Overall, this salad was of stronger flavours and just so satisfying. Yummy!

Or, if you prefer meatless appetiser, try the Szechuan Style Tofu & Shitake Mushroom. There's wok fried mushrooms and bell peppers underneath the tofu. Visually, the tofu looked 'rugged' and that's a good thing. Milder flavours for this dish in comparison with the salads.

Szechuan style Tofu & Shitake Mushroom @$8+

Let's move on to the mains. If you prefer seafood, try the Javanese Styled Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaf. For small eaters, no worries as the portion was just right. The grilled seabass was snug in the banana leaf. Fish was firm and the yellow rice could hold its own.

Javanese Styled Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaf @$19.50+

If you prefer duck, then perhaps the Five Spiced Szechuan Duck Breast served with Pimentos Pomme Puree may be more of your thing? The dish was visually appealing, and deep fried kale, what's not to like? The interesting part was the puree. So so creamy! For me, I'd like to combine the airy-slight bitter of the kale with the sweetness of the pomegranate and topped with the rich creaminess from the puree. Slather all those on top of the duck and enjoy! Oooh, not forgetting that tiny tiny burst of peppercorn numbing flavour if you happen to bite into one of those.

Five Spiced Szechuan Duck Breast @$19.50+

The Chicken Roulade served with Red Sauce and Asian Achar was good too, though it was a tad lacking in its visual appeal.

Chicken Roulade served with Red Sauce and Asian Achar @$19+

I'd reckon that the chicken roulade dish as a lighter tasting one. It's flavours were mild and the red sauce was of the masak merah variant but since there's only a spoonful of it on the meat, the taste was subtle. Felt somewhat festive when having the roulade, as it has stuffings in it. Don't forget the achar. Loved those pickles!

Sliced Beef Mee Goreng @$14+

For finale, we had the Sliced Beef Mee Goreng. Not the typical noodles as this looked more like mee pok/pad thai variant. Beef rump was used and it was a tad tough. The noodles were springy and enjoyable although leaning slightly towards the sweeter side. But no worries, just bite onto one of those chili padi to balance it out. Yums!

Overall, The Sampan serves up good quality Asian food, and with adequate selection of drinks for Happy Hour. A tipple with good food, sounds about right. Enjoy!

Thank you Kris, Herman and The Sampan for the invite. Thank you Chef Ahmad and team, for the delightful tasty food!

The Sampan

Address: 63 Boat Quay, Singapore 049851

Website: https://www.thesampan.sg/

Contact: 6732 1698

Business Hours: 

Mon to Fri: 11.30am to 12am

Sat: 5pm to 12am

Closed on Sun

[Shopping] SAKANA - Purveyor of Fine Seafood with Delivery to Your Doorstep

Established since 1971, SAKANA has acquired the knowledge and experience with the ability to discern quality seafood. Known for their top-quality salmon and salmon roe in Japan, SAKANA have since expanded into sourcing scallop, mackerel, shrimp and other premium seafood, right to our doorstep with the best price.

To shop: https://sakana-ots-sg.myshopify.com/

Recommendation

AOMORI SCALLOP (JAPAN) (500G/PKT)

青森県産 ホタテ

AOMORI SCALLOP (JAPAN) (500G/PKT) @$33.20

How about getting some sashimi grade scallops to satisfy sweet cravings for this mollusk? Loved the size of the scallops and tried it pan-fried as well as sashimi style. Just need to thaw it before cooking. Lovely sweetness from the scallops, and so satisfying when it's meaty.

good sized

miso butter pan-fried scallops

Shop SAKANA scallops: https://bit.ly/323gnCV

KABAYAKI UNAGI FILLET (JAPANESE STYLE) (250G/1PC/PKT)

うなぎかば焼き

KABAYAKI UNAGI FILLET (JAPANESE STYLE) (250G/1PC/PKT) @$15

I love unagi, but the size of the unagi commonly sold in the supermarket would normally be around 120G, hence not so shiok. With 250G, the portion was adequate to indulge and yet have enough to share with my sibling. Keke.

Not sure why, but unagi usually thaws faster than other types of frozen meat. Usually, I'd have it with noodles/sandwich style but this time round, made it as luxed-up toppings for the simple egg and vege porridge. There were some small bones in the fish, so just need to be aware. Otherwise, the fish was firm, with sweetness of the glaze intact. Flavourful, and instant elevation to any dish!

Unagi Porridge うなぎのお粥 

Shop SAKANA unagi: https://bit.ly/3kYoqYQ

CRAB CREAM CROQUETTE (20PC/PKT)

カニクリームコロッケ

CRAB CREAM CROQUETTE (20PC/PKT) @$15.10

The price works out for under a dollar each for a croquette! Imagine crispy outer with the panko and all, and delicious creamy molten insides. Let the photo speaks for itself.

CRAB CREAM CROQUETTE

Tasty and convenient.

Thank you Jennifer for the introduction and SAKANA for the delivery.

At the moment, SAKANA offers free island wide delivery for every $80 and above purchase. Happy Shopping!

To shop: https://sakana-ots-sg.myshopify.com/

delivery pack

[Tasting] George Town Tze Char & Craft Beer 乔治 海鲜 @ 81 Boat Quay

George Town Tze Char at 81 Boat Quay is a brand new alfresco dining destination that offers comfortable outdoor dining with a scenic view of the Singapore river. The restaurant specialises in traditional Penang favourites and delectable seafood. If you are headed there, it is very near to Elgin Bridge and within 10 minutes walking distance from City Hall MRT. 

(left) George Town Tze Char alfresco dining area

restaurant signboard

current promo

lovely view

Let me recall when was the last time I visited Penang...wow, 2014. That was such a long time ago! Never mind that, as we enjoyed all the dishes sampled here at George Town Tze Char by award winning Executive Chef George Tan, from Ayer Itam, Penang. Expect carefully selected fresh ingredients and well balanced flavours that's superbly executed.

dinner

Complimentary iced/warm water are offered to diners. While waiting for friends, how about starting with a tasting flight from Singapore's Leading Craft Beer; Brewlander Brewery. For $18, you'll get 4 x 150ml of each Brewlander; Love, Respect, Hope and Peace.

Tasting Flight of Love, Respect, Hope and Peace

Started with the lowest ABV of 4.5% that's HOPE, a Summer Ale that tasted hoppy. Heed my advise and do not to wait out too long before enjoying this light fruity beer. You're welcome.

Brewlander HOPE (150ml)

Brewlander RESPECT (150ml)

The one that stood out from this flight was RESPECT, a dark ale with ABV 5.8%. Tasted of strong coffee, malty and interestingly, somewhat reminiscent of the caramel flavour in those bottled chicken essence. Smooth and velvety with bittersweet aftertaste.

The favourite with the ladies, was unsurprisingly, LOVE. Aromas of all our favourite fruits of mango, pineapple and passionfruit, with a hoppy bitter aftertaste.

Brewlander LOVE (150ml)

complimentary nuts with every purchase of liquor

Okay, by now am hungry. Let's start dinner proper while we sip somemore, yes? 

XO Signature Hor Fun (XO三捞河粉) @$12

The hor fun was well cooked but not the 'saucy' type. The flat noodles were all buried underneath. Mix  them well and dig in! Loved those fried stuffs on top. Think there's dried shrimps, dried scallops amongst the mixture. Comfort food. My friends said it was spicy, but no lei.

jiak~

The portion of the noodles was good for one pax as main or, comfortably shared amongst 3 pax as a side. 

Next up, Pumpkin Prawns. Loved the sauce on the plump, crunchy prawns. Sweet, savoury yums. Wanted to eat more but limited to two pieces per pax. Hehe.

Pumpkin Prawns (金瓜虾球) @$20

enjoy!

Whoa, I was impressed upon first bite of the Rendang Beef Cubes. It was so good! The right texture that's of a good enjoyable chew and with robust flavours that's balanced yet strong enough to make an impression. Wow, this quickly became our favourite dish.

Rendang Beef Cubes (仁当牛丁) @$18

Delicious food calls for more wine, and one could try the white from Argentina of the Torrontes variant that pairs well with tze char or spicy dishes. The wine has a smooth mouthfeel, sweet aromas yet with an unexpected twist to the taste. Something different.

Crios Torrontes 2019 (Mendoza, Argentina) @$12 per glass

If you're a squid lover, go for the Thai Style Squid. Lovely good sized squid, battered and deep fried to perfection. Golden in colour, crunchy on its outside and tender and flavourful on its inside. The minimal drizzle of sauce was adequate. Goes well with ice cold beer!

Penang Thai Style Squid @$15

A dish that's good when dining out with family, would be the crowd favourite Thai Curry Fish Head. Good to share amongst 4 pax, and of course, you'll need rice with this. Yes, may even crave for rice. The sauce was that good! Typical fish used would be the  红哥里 or red snapper head.

Thai Curry Fish Head @$28

The fish quality was good, and its meat firm with natural sweetness. The sauce hits you straight up with its tangy-ness first, before the aromatics of the curry, lemongrass and tamarind were released. This was the reason why I kept reaching out for more sauce on my rice. So yummy.

more rice, more sauce

With so much to eat, let's continue on our vino journey. Are you a fan of New Zealand wine? How about a bottle of vibrant white from Matahiwi Estate for just $68? It has been garnering awards since 2016 and has a Vivino rating of 4.0. Here is a link to Vivino ratings.

Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2019 @$68 per bottle

Tasted fresh and zesty, with fruity acidity akin to lime with a subtle hint of light sweetness. To pair with seafood. Cheers!

If you need more finger food, there's the finger-licking Kungfu Pork Ribs. Baby back ribs glazed with a strong sweet, savoury glaze. For more heat, eat it with the pickled onion. Watch out for those tiny chili padi!

Kungfu Pork Ribs 功夫一支骨@$18

And for night cap, ended with Rojak GIN. Yes, you heard it right. George Town x Compendium is happening right now! Take your pick of Rojak GIN or Chendol GIN, or both *wink*

Rojak GIN @$12 per glass

Rojak GIN is distilled from fermented artisanal Thai honey, then re-distilled with juniper berries, lemon peel and torch ginger. Refreshing with lime, with semi-strong aroma of rojak. Easy to drink.

Overall, one gets quality, delicious and reasonably priced tze char at George Town Tze Char & Craft Beer, as well as a good selection of beer, wine and gin. The perfect place to chill and unwind.

And, do note that they are having a promotion of $1 oysters and $15 crab (terms & conditions applies) right now, so more dishes to enjoy!

Thank you Jennifer for the invite, Charles for your warm hospitality and George Town Tze Char for hosting the dinner.

Delicious meal shared with Kris, Hence and Tracy.

George Town Tze Char & Craft Beer 乔治 海鲜

Address: 81 Boat Quay, Singapore 049869

Website: https://george-town-tze-char-and-craft-beer-boat-quay.business.site

Contact: 6535 6277 

For bookings: Whatsapp 96823826

Business Hours:

Daily 12pm to 11pm