Old Ponggol Satay @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

My friend recommended this when it was still at ABC Brickworks Market, but we were too late. Its neighbouring stall said they had moved to the newly renovated Alexandra Village Food Centre. Was at AVFC recently, hence decided to give this a try.

stall front

The stall was manned by a young chap and an old uncle. All satays (chicken, pork, mutton) are priced at 50 cents a stick. Ketupat as well. Ordered mutton and pork to try.

mutton + pork + ketupat

The satay size, can't say its big nor is it small. I think they were just about the regular sized. Rather thin, but I've eaten even smaller pieces elsewhere. Their version of satay sauce was not spicy (though it has a layer of chili oil) and has a dollop of pineapple sauce at the top.

satay sauce

ketupat

The ketupat rice was rather soft and compact, but at least it came wrapped in the authentic casing and not those plastic type!

mutton satay

pork satay

The mutton satay has abit of 'lamb'ey smell but not overpowering. The meat was tender and enjoyable to eat. Pork satay has this tiny piece of fat at the center, that gave a good burst of flavour when eaten together with the slightly charred lean meat. Overall, the satay taste at this stall, leaned towards the sweeter side of things.

Overall costs was $5.50 for one pax. Looked harmless but this meal was quite filling. Washed it all down with a glass of cold sugar cane. Nice.

Paradise Inn @ NEX

Located at Level 3 of NEX mall, with nearest MRT being the Serangoon MRT. Took a train from Yew Tee and changed at Bishan. Went to the restaurant before 12pm, and was seated immediately. The place was nicely decorated with soup pots lining up its wall.

interior

typical table setting

Once seated, the service staff brought a plate of peanuts to our table. This is chargeable (same as towel).

peanuts

menu

order chit

For drinks, once can opt for the usual per pot (think it's those usual flavours like jasmine/oolong) refillable permutation where it is calculated per head. Or choose from the herb/fruit infused tea where it is meant for per pax portion (non-refillable).

jasmine, osmanthus tea

lychee mojito tea

My friend had the jasmine, osmanthus, dried longan with chrysanthemum tea. Served in a teapot, with tealight and a quaint small little drinking cup.

cute cup

can you see jasmine, osmanthus, dried longan and chrysanthemum?

The lychee mojito was refreshing and nicely sweetened. Nice drink on a hot day. Not sure why is it called a mojito though but suspect it could be just due to that sprig of mint used as decoration. Hahaa!

lychee yums

We ordered dishes to go with rice.  Steamed minced meat with salted fish, yellow croaker fish, pork ribs, baby kai lan with oyster sauce and prawn paste chicken wings. All small sizes. Actually wanted to try their steamed Song fish head but apparently, it was out of stock. So the service staff suggested yellow croaker instead.

steamed minced meat with salted fish

yellow croaker fish

kai lan with oyster sauce

prawn paste chicken wings

white rice

The rice was soft, so it can be enjoyed by the young and old alike. The kai lan was quite salty (too much oyster sauce) and a little oily. The minced meat was enjoyable as it tasted homecooked. The fish has just a  hint of muddy smell. Otherwise, its meat was soft. But do watch out for the small bones.

closer view of steamed minced meat

a waitstaff commented that she has never eaten yellow croaker before

My favourite was the prawn paste chicken wings. Actually the drumlets tasted nicer than the midwings here! Meaty and juicy, and not too salty. Yums! Service was brisk, and friendly.

The above meal costs about $65 (inclusive of tax, service charge, towel and peanuts) for 3 pax.

Sandaime Bunji @ Millenia Walk

Located at #01-14/15 Millenia Walk, Sandaime Bunji was easily noticeable. It is next to another Japanese restaurant.

Visited on a Sunday evening at about 745pm, and the person in-charge informed us that the restaurant closes at 9pm and last order is at 830pm. Was ok with it, and we were seated promptly. Heard that the restaurant is famed for its gyutan and oden dishes, as well as fish cakes. Ordered a gyutan set (@$29.90), a satsuma age seafood, a small beer and a shochu green tea. Wanted to try their yuzu alcoholic drink but it was not available.

sauces

menu

shochu green tea (unsweetened)

beer

cute embroidery on coaster

satsuma age seafood

 The drinks were the first to arrive, followed by the seafood fish cake. The only Japanese fish cakes that I've ever tasted were the ones sold at Isetan supermarket. The version here tasted much better, especially if eaten with the ginger mash. The ginger mash seemed to be seasoned by salt, and tasted like a dry version that we usually get from chicken rice stalls.

there's tako, and green beans in the fish cake

this small mound of ginger, was able to lift the taste of the fishcakes

Next up, was the gyutan set which comprises of grilled ox tongue, oxtail soup, tororo, rice, salad and tofu.

gyutan set

spicy miso paste, and kimchi to complement the grilled tongue

grilled ox tongue

The ox tongue was rather salty, but it goes well with the rice and the clear ox tail soup. The kimchi and spicy miso increases the enjoyment of eating the grilled tongue as it brings out a new dimension of taste when eaten together. The texture of the tongue was chewy but not tough.

mixed rice with barley

tororo (grated yam)

tororo over rice, yums!

First time having tororo, and it was fun and enjoyable. Slimy but likeable. Smooth tasting and probably pretty filling.

ox tail soup

salad

tofu

The cold tofu has a very clear clean taste as it is served without any sauces. Hmmm.. too plain for me. Preferred to eat it with the spicy miso instead.

restaurant interior, with open kitchen concept

comfy cushion seats on tatami

rows and rows of sake

Ended the night with a complimentary cup of roasted tea.

kocha

Two person shared this meal, and the bill (inclusive of GST and drinks) was about $65 in total.