Hand in Hand Beijing Restaurant 手拉手京华小官 @ 141-143 Jalan Besar

First experience was at the newer Boat Quay outlet and we decided to check out its original outlet located at Jalan Besar, which is the usual one that our lovely couple goes to.

As with any Chinese restaurant, there's cover charge in the form of peanuts and wet tissue. 

peanuts (unsalted) @$1++

We ordered similar things as per the Boat Quay outlet, except we didn't order Peking duck here. To start, we have the Shredded Chinese Cabbage with Jelly fish. Pricing wise, the Jalan Besar outlet may have dishes at a better rate, but by large, mostly similarly priced.

Shredded Chinese Cabbage with Jelly fish 白菜丝半海蜇 @$12.80++ (M)

I liked the cabbage salad. Doused generously with vinegar, it's an enjoyable cold dish with crunchy soft jelly fish texture.

Scallion Oil Chicken 葱油鸡 @$8.80++

Tried a new dish; Scallion Oil Chicken which was decent, but probably not as famous as its cousin the 口水鸡 (Steamed Chicken in Spicy Sauce).

Braised Chicken Feet @$3.80++

The chicken feet were 'fall off the bones' kind of tender. Tasty and easy to eat.

Chive eggs pancake 韭菜鸡蛋饼 @$8++ (2 pieces)

Fresh Cuttlefish dumplings and Dumplings with Chinese Cabbage @$9.80++, @$6.80++ respectively

Fish Meat Dumplings @$9.80++

Dumplings with Chinese Cabbage @$6.80++ (original serving size - 8 pieces)

From all the dumplings that I had tried here, the fish and cuttlefish dumplings were more for the novelty of it and at times, it may be a tad fishy for some. To be safe, I'd go for the dumplings with Chinese cabbage.

The must order, is the Steamed Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao, or any xiao long baos for that matter. This recommendation is consistent for both outlets.

Xiao Long Bao/Steamed Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao @$8.80++ / $13.80++ respectively

juicy

After this meal, we were in dumplings coma for the rest of the day. Hence, words from the wise... order enough xiao long bao so that one gets to try the original first, and followed by the crab roe version. Recommend minimally 2 pieces of each to satisfy. Otherwise, not quite complete.

Expect to spend between $25 to $32 per pax for a meal.

Lunch with fellow foodies; Hence, Tracy, Ivan and Kris. 

Hand in Hand Beijing Restaurant 手拉手京华小官

Address: 143 Jln Besar, Singapore 208859

Website: https://handinhandfood.com/

Contact: 6297 1398

Business Hours:

Daily: 10am–3pm, 4:30–10pm

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

For fans of Hitachino Nest and Brewdog, hop on down to George Town Tze Char for their latest promo for these. Cold beer and hot tze char food, can't say no to these!

bottled craft beer options

Guess what I drank. 

Hitachino Nest Craft Beer bucket of 4

Had tried the red rice ale before, so this time round, opted for Dai Dai IPA for its fruity flavours.

Dai Dai Ale @6.2% ABV

mikan taste was subtle, hoppy with a bitter aftertaste

side by side

Now, I was thirsty. so the beer was handy as a thirst quencher. If you're not that hungry yet, let's try some munchies, so that our stomach have enough space for the main course later on.

Salted Pepper Eggplant @$10++

The egg plant was well-fried, not spicy and tasty when eaten hot. Enjoyable. 

However, my favourite appetiser vote went to the Crispy Chestnut Beancurd. Golden brown, bite-sized flavour bomb. Loved the sweet crunchy texture of the chestnut!

Crispy Chestnut Beancurd @$12++

There's just something about beer and deep fried food. It can't go wrong! The Thai style soft-shell crab was a tasty snack to have with the IPA. Between soft shell crab and squid, my heart (and tummy) still wants the Thai Style Sotong.

If you prefer prawns instead, I'd say go for the Crispy Butter Prawns. Don't forget to enjoy the 'bak chor' (a nickname that Nikolai gave to the brown rounded crisps that looked like minced meat), which essentially, is the fried butter bits.

Thai Style Soft Shell Crab @$18++

Crispy Butter Prawns @$20++

There's also Salted Pepper Pork Ribs for something simpler and meaty.

Salted Pepper Pork Ribs @$18++

Another new dish that I'd come back for, is the Live Oyster Crispy Omelette. Some may prefer it to be more crispy, but I was happy with the fluffy omelette. Yums!

Live Oyster Crispy Omelette @$15++

If you're feeling the summer heat, you might want to order the colourful Paradise cocktail to cool down. A sweet concoction that's pleasing to the eyes. As you might have guessed it, there's Blue Curacao, orange pulp and syrup.

The crab promotion is still on-going and guests could choose amongst these sauces; Rendang, Black Pepper, Chili and Salted Egg Yolk. I've tried three flavours and lucky me, this time round, we had the Salted Egg Yolk. The sauce is smoother here as there's steaming process involved and expect intense flavours.

Salted Egg Yolk Crab @$15++ (promo price)

Black Pepper Angus Beef @$28++

If you love your black pepper and beef, there's Black Pepper Angus Beef to satisfy the cravings.

On my first visit here, I've enjoyed the Thai Curry Fish Head quite a bit. This time round, we tried the Penang Laksa Steamed Fish Head.

Penang Laksa Steamed Fish Head @$28++

ready to dig in

By looking at the toppings on the fish, I reckoned that this was supposed to be somewhat similar to Penang Assam Laksa kind of flavours. Somehow, it didn't taste like that but it was nice to eat the condiments like sliced raw onions, cucumber and pineapple strips. Kinda refreshing and it'd be complete if there's mint leaves to complete the flavours. The sauce was rather spicy that night and we were informed that this was possibly due to the rather generous amount of bird eye chili used.

In general, the food was likeable and of stronger flavours. Reservation is recommended.

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

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

An Evening at Multi-Concept Restaurant SOCIEATY by Les Amis Group @ One Farrer Hotel

This is a one-stop dining space where guests could order from a collection of brand names like Mui Kee Congee, Peperoni Pizzeria, Nam Nam, Tenjin, Sushi Jin, Tarte by Cheryl Koh, Lemak Boys amongst others.

Conveniently located at One Farrer Hotel lobby level, it is within walking distance from Farrer Park MRT. For us, we saw that the restaurant was perpetually busy during dinner time and reservation is encouraged during our 3 days 2 nights at the hotel. 

The staff there are really friendly, and thus, we decided to give it a try. Remember to sign-up and use their webapp for new user's 15% discount.

sign-up and order via the SOCIEATY webapp

We ordered congee from Mui Kee, beef donburi from Sushi Jin and a dessert from Tarte by Cheryl Koh.

First time trying Mui Kee, and its congee is typical of the smooth Hong-Kong style that cannot see the rice type. Added side dishes of century egg and sliced amberjack.

Mui Kee Dace Fishball Congee @$10.80++

close-up

Soft-centered century egg with pickled ginger 糖心皮蛋 @$2.80++

Sliced Raw Amberjack @$12.80++

Wanted to see if the century egg has similar molten center as the one I had in Yung Kee 鏞記(Wellington Street HK) many years ago, but it was not. The taste and texture of the century egg in Yung Kee is still etched in memory.

2017 Pasqua Chianti @$13++

I did enjoy the red wine at SOCIEATY, as it was smooth and pleasant. Wine and porridge？ That works too!

The Steak Don from Sushi Jin uses Australian Angus beef, served with a healthy dose of truffle oil, and topped with onsen egg and pickled radish. All served in a pretty lacquer box with a side of miso soup.

Sushi Jin Steak Don @$29.80++

closer look

I was surprised that we could still eat rice at 830pm after the last meal intake at about 430pm where we indulged in Nasi Kandar and Tandoori dishes. But then, we were legendary once... so shouldn't be surprised actually. Hahhaa!

For finale, we tried the blackforest that's made of lovely dark chocolate, morello cherries and decorated with a single snowflake. I didn't have any expectation for the tart as am not a fan of cherry. But wow, I loved it. It looked gorgeous too.

Blackforest Tarte by Cheryl Koh

inner piece

We enjoyed dining at SOCIEATY as service was good, and staff was friendly and efficient. Just be sure to make your reservations.

Staycation eats with Ivan, Hence and Tracy.

SOCIEATY by Les Amis Group

Address: 1 Farrer Park Station Rd, #01-01A One Farrer Hotel & Spa, Singapore 217562

Website: https://www.socieaty.net/menu

Contact: 9662 8697

Business Hours:

Daily 11:30am–3pm, 5:30–10pm

Makan Time @ Xin Tekka Food Hall

So we just had breakfast nearby, but that didn't deter us from continuing our food hunt. We walked around the area for a bit to burn off some of the earlier calories before heading towards Xin Tekka. If you are not aware of the location of Xin Tekka, just head towards the Tekka Place building that's easily seen from afar.

Tekka Place

And soon enough, we found the Xin Tekka Food Hall. On weekdays, the place was rather quiet but on the weekend of our visit, the place was somewhat busy.

entrance to Xin Tekka Food Hall

Pang's Hakka Noodles 小彭客家面

Monday to Thursday: 10.30am – 2.30pm

Friday and Saturday: 10.30am to 7.30pm

Close on Sunday

Pang's Hakka Noodles

This stall serves Hakka delicacies curated by Chef Pang Kok Keong. We tried the Signature Hakka Noodles set with the chicken wings. On our first visit, the food took 20-25 minutes to be prepared.

Signature Hakka Noodles Set @$9.50

The noodles were flavourful as it was tossed in fragrant oil and minced pork. Pretty yums! The chicken wings were good too. During our first visit, the items were served in take-away style while on second visit, it was served in proper plates and bowls.

yummy noodles

Hakka Yong Tau Foo

chicken wings

Liang Ji 梁记

Daily: 10.00am to 8.00pm

Liang Ji stall front

I wasn't feeling adventurous that day, hence chose the normal char kway teow instead of their creative versions. The char kway teow was pretty generic with the sweetened soy sauce and has cockles, lap cheong, fish cake and bean sprouts.

char kway teow @$5.80

Casa Bom Vento Express

Daily: 11.30am to 7.00pm

Casa Bom Vento Express shopfront

Decided to get the Dry Mee Siam simply because it was a "Today's Special" that appears once a week and, the lady at the stall said, only a few portions left. Tell me something like that, and I'm easily convinced to try. Hahaa!

 

Dry Mee Siam @$7.50

The mee siam was actually very good. I liked it quite a bit. The flavours of the noodles was on point with balanced sharp tangy, sweet and spicy. That big prawn was aesthetically pleasing as well.

Ayam Buah Keluak with Blue Pea Rice @$8.50

The presentation for the buah keluak with blue pea rice was rather pretty. The kacang botol ulam and the pineapples cubes were good too. However, I still prefer the mee siam.

The kopi from the drinks stall was decent.

kopi

Thank you makan buddies; Shermaine, Tracy, Hence and Ivan for sharing the calories.

Xin Tekka 新德卡 Food Hall

Address: 2 Serangoon Road, Tekka Place Annex Building, # 01–55/56/57/58/59, Singapore 218227

Website: https://xintekka.sg/

Business Hours:

Mon-Fri: 8.00am–10.00pm

Sat-Sun: 9.00am–10.00pm