Showing posts with label soup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soup. Show all posts
Hokkaido Izakaya @ Japan Food Town: Worth queuing in line for
Hokkaido Izakaya in Japan Food Town is an extension of its exuberant culture displayed on Tanjong Pagar road. Yet, even with it branching out into a less exciting venue (in a mall), the restaurant always sees the backing of long lines. If that doesn't say something about the quality of food here, I really don't know what else justifies as valid proof.
Relying on Hokkaido's produce as vision, the establishment dishes out the best of ingredients from towns such as Yakumo, Akkeshi, Furano and Kamishihoro - albeit not in your usual omakase fou-fou but in a more approachable manner with wallet friendly prices to boot. Hence the long lines that you'll have to endure. But let's get this straight, if you're looking to kick off an illustrious night with friends, then a meal at Hokkaido Izakaya would be 'it'. Bearing in mind that they do carry a rather pervasive list of sake and shoju to fuel any conversation.
Souper Tang: Nourishing Chinese Nosh
Labels:
centrepoint,
chinese food,
healthy eating,
orchard,
soup,
will return
·
With over 18 outlets spread out across Malaysia, I was surprised to not have heard of Souper Tang 汤师父 before. Why, of course! My usual aversion for Chinese soups explaining my lack of knowledge of the brand. Still, I went in with an open mind, my body yearning for the comfort and nourishment the cuisine promises.
Torimaru @ Ramen Champion: the Next Better Player?
Labels:
bugis,
comfortfoods,
large groups,
ramen,
soup
·
Torimaru is the newest contender at Ramen Champion, and if the ramen I tasted yesterday is anything to go by, the reigning six brands ought to be worried indeed!
Torimaru is bringing a rather unique take on ramen, unlike what we're used to having here in Singapore. Instead of the traditional Tonkotsu soup made from pork bones. Head Chef Takano Koji is introducing Tori Paitan, a broth made from five different parts of chicken and five different kinds of vegetables.
When asked about the inspiration behind his dishes, Chef Koji explains that Tori Paitan is all the rage in Japan now, and he simply adapted it by creating his own original noodles to batch match the broth. His demeanour betrayed nothing but humility despite the fact that he experimented with over 10kinds of noodles and personally consulted suppliers before finally producing this splendid rendition that (I find) he has every right to be proud of.
Li Bai Cantonese Restarant: Splendours of Spring CNY'15
Labels:
chinese,
chinese food,
family friendly,
newton,
orchard,
soup,
special occasion,
will return
·
All it took was a little dish of dim sum samples to remind me of good times spent in Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant on my previous visit. The opulent entrance might be intimidating to some, but to others it exudes abundance and lavishness, states that we normally associate with Chinese New Year.
This year, Li Bai rolls out the big guns for CNY; Executive Chef Chung and culinary team presents a range of goodies from Yu Sheng takeaway platters to exquisite dine in menus to fit every occasion. If you're looking to bring the family out to soak in the festive mood, Li Bai has 5 different set menus designed for 8 to 10 pax with prices ranging from $868 to $3998 and another 4 set menus catered to smaller groups priced at $138 to $588. Note that these menus will be available from 2nd Feb to 4th March, so do make your reservations accordingly!
Spruce: lights will guide you home
Labels:
affordable,
american,
beer,
brunch,
burgers,
christmas,
dinner,
drinks,
hidden finds,
may return,
pasta,
pie,
roast,
salads,
soup,
upperbukittimah
·
Spruce has a special place in my heart despite the fact that I've never paid the outlet a visit before. The proximity to my previous home and my love for burgers (Spruce has reportedly one of the best burgers in Singapore) creating a mockery of this circumstance. With a change of fortune, I was lucky enough to land an opportunity to dine at Spruce, just in time for the launch of their Christmas specials. Needless to say, I allowed the neon lights to lead me home.
Shabu Shabu Ramen by Ramen Champion: Swish Swish
Labels:
beer,
dinner,
family friendly,
great world city,
healthy eating,
hotpot,
japanese,
lunch,
shabu shabu,
soup,
steamboat,
tiong bahru
·
Under the same roof of Ramen Champion Dining comes Shabu Shabu Ramen, targeted at ramen lovers whose cravings can't be satisfied with just one bowl of ramen. Think about it, what's better than indulging in an ambrosial spread of shabu shabu ingredients with bowlfuls of aromatic flavoursome soup on a rainy day (which happen more often than I like it in December)? To top off the experience, a tray of tantalising home-made ramen noodles accompanies the feast instead of the conventional white rice.
Foodology Fresh: That's why eating greens are so hard
Labels:
croissant,
healthy eating,
lunch,
raffles place,
salads,
sandwich,
soup,
tanjong pagar,
will not return
·
I've always had a penchant for vegetables, noming my way through my plate of greens like a meek cow during meal times. No signs of rebellion whatsoever. I would often stare with awkward befuddlement whenever another kid would shove away his vegetables, nudging it to the side of the plate and then subsequently throwing a fit when circumstances gets to forceful. 'Why?' Don't they see its' allure?
Growing up, and gaining access to the covers of the vegetable dictionary; I embraced my edible greens with a tighter affection. My stint in Australia reinforcing our relationship with love gifts in the forms of ruby red beetroot, bitter endives and hybrid broccoli. It is a libation that brings back many happy memories - a time where getting your hands on a superb salad at any deli or even making your own at a fraction of the cost was as easy as pie. The salad maker driven by a purpose to to do as little as possible to highlight the vitality of the greens. I've since then feasted on countless salads, ranging from those of more innovative nature, incorporating deep fried quinoa; to the classics like caesar salads with a glorious homemade anchovy dressing that throws it into a class of its own.
Hakata Ikkousha Ramen: where the broth and boiled eggs runs freely
Hakata Ikkousha basically takes the heritage of Tonkotsu Ramen and combines it with the happiness that its' ramen is to bestow onto people. Chef Kousuke, after holding the reigns for Singapore's Ultimate Ramen Champion for two years has gone on to open his second Singapore-based restaurant in CHIJMES.
It's menu is easy to comprehend with range of variations that allows for a bit of personal flair. Feeling a bit flat-lined from work, I opted for the straightforward Ajitama Tonkotsu ($14) which is composed of ramen steeped in boiling water and served in a collagen rich pork bone broth and then some razzle dazzle injected in with the lava-centered Ajitama (seasoned egg). It was an undeniably intense dish, that showed the energy and skillfulness of the chef with a great respect of tradition along the lines of Japanese cuisine. The spoonfuls of creamy soup catapulted themselves into my mouth at the slightest encouragement and I appreciated the Chef's easier touch on salt as compared to many other local versions. I did not fancy the noodles however , finding that it's anorexic proportioning did not work well with the full-bodied flavors of the broth.
As much as I fancy the soup, the noodles for me was the weakest player in the team that would probably hinder me from a return visit. That's just me, I'll let you be the judge.
Hakata Ikkousha @ CHIJMES
30 Victoria Street
#01-07 CHIJMES
Operating Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11 30am - 10pm
Sunday: 11 30am - 9pm
SPR.MKRT: Supermarket sans the vowels
Labels:
Bread and Butter Pudding,
cafe,
chiffoncake,
desserts,
hidden finds,
pumpkin,
soup,
tanjong pagar
·
This cafe-cum-retail space boasts an atmosphere of conviviality, and I was hoping that its food doesn't fall short behind this spirit. Named SPR.MKRT, I was first befuddled by it until I realised it was nothing more than the word "supermarket" with the vowels extracted out; undeniably, it is a rather cool monogram for an up-and-coming establishment in this well-trodden zone.
After reading numerous reviews, I was expecting a crowd no less on a Wednesday night, strangely, what I encountered was only a thin whisper of guests that passed through the kitchens that night, most of them settling in the calm private interiors of the cafe with work in tow and a cup of joe. Perhaps the cafe sees the most traffic come lunch time and during it's more popular weekend brunch periods... , I took this opportunity to go trigger crazy.
Visiting the cafe with Li Tian of Dairy and Cream (whom I got to know from a recent Food Panda media invite session over at Chili's), we seamlessly devised a plan to attack the desserts for dinner. Pity there were only two to choose from that night, hence our choice to do both complete with a soup to share.
The Azuki Vanilla Chiffon was a bit of a let down, at first, when we were presented with a dried piece of cake that we suspected was portioned out much earlier in the day and left to sit out on a plate prior to being served to us. After a subtle prompting, we were then offered another fresh piece, sliced and portioned from the centre of the chiffon cake. This in all honesty, fared a little better, it's large aerated pores holding in a little more moisture than the former. Taste wise, we enjoyed the thin wall of azuki cream enveloping the sponge and yearned for a higher ratio of cream:sponge; that aside, the dessert was rather forgettable.
Available that night was the Curried Pumpkin Soup ($9); the result of this combination leading to a confusing blend of flavors on the palate. Mostly, our sense were assaulted by the strong powers of the pepper added, and strangely, not the curry. The sweetness of the pumpkin that my taste buds strained to attain a familiar grip on was washed out completely by the overwhelming use of vegetable stock and the jarring layer of oil floating on the top. It was a frustrating attempt at making a pumpkin soup that failed to deliver in terms of texture and flavor.
Saving grace of the meal had to be the Bread and Butter Pudding ($6.00) which came with a minuscule pitcher full of damm good vanilla sauce on the side. The pudding, a blend of varying textures throughout, crisp, nicely browned edges near the top and a moist, chocolate chip studded centre. Comfort food at it's best.
That being said, I probably wouldn't be planning a revisit very soon. My advice to the rest of you who are, check out their website for daily specials should you want to check out a specific menu item.
2 Mccallum Street
Singapore 069043
Hours: 8am-9pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-4pm (Sat)
Tel: 6221 2105
Website:http://www.sprmrkt.com.sg/
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