Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe @ JEM, Jurong East Singapore

This place serves a wonderful array of different cuisines, ranging from Hong Kong to Western, to Baked Portugese rice, Chinese and the list goes on. Be it porridge, noodles, rice, bread, steak, fries, Bee Hoon, you name it, it's there on the menu.

My friends and I decided YOLO s0 we had desserts as appetizers. =) Presenting, the mighty tall Ying Yong Snow Ice.

Ying Yong Snow Ice (SGD 6.50)

It was so tall that we didn't know how to dig in! Do we start from the bottom where all the sweetness and goodness is and destroy the foundation of this mighty tower?? Or do we start from the top where it was nothing but ice and a bit of corn and risk toppling the whole structure over? Some BIG decisions to make over dinner. First world problems =p.

Anyway, we decided there is no right way to eat it, but to just EAT IT. It had coffee flavour, cin cau/grass jelly, sweet corn, red bean, and other sweet goodies. It was my kind of dessert. Definitely a dessert to share, unless you want a brain freeze!

We had Mango Pomelo to share as well. Everything was pretty fresh, creamy and sweet. Nothing to fault here.

Mango Pomelo (SGD 6.50)

For main meals, we had Papaya soup with Chicken chop (SGD 10.90).

Chicken  chop with Papaya Soup (SGD 10.90)

Yes yes, I know it doesn't look like much, but I quite like it! The soup is not the least bit oily, the chicken chop was tender and of decent size. The corn was however, a tad dry and tasteless. Overall, a pleasant dish. My only remark I have is that they should have served the chicken chop on the side, so it retains its crispyness!

Next up, Black Pepper Chicken Chop with Fries. This just seemed sad. The fries didn't have a single bit of life to it! If only it were those chunky ones, served piping hot! MMM.... the chicken chop was good though, great flavour!

Black Pepper Chicken Chop with Fries (SGD 10.90)

Rib Eye Steak with Fries (SGD 10.90).. Overall, a great piece of meat for the price.

Ribeye Steak with Fries (SGD 10.90)

XW Signature Fried noodles (SGD 10.90).. Loved those small little anchovies as toppings, giving this noodle dish an extra umph (for all you non - Malaysians/Singaporeans, that's colloquial talk for an extra kick!) Well seasoned, tasty, not too oily on the palette. A great dish.

XW Signature Fried Noodles (SGD 10.90)

Ratings: 

Ambience: 7/10

Service: 7/10

Food: 7.5/10

Overall ratings: 7.5/10

Verdict: Overall, food was palatable. Only slight comment -  they could seriously  improve the overall appearance of the main dishes! Sometimes, we just can't help but eat with the eyes too! Nice cosy restaurant. Would definitely head back!

Address: 50 Jurong Gateway Road, #04-25 Singapore 608549. Located in JEM shopping complex.

Contact Number: 6684 0613

Tiong Bahru Bakery by Gontran Cherrier @ Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore

I absolutely love sinking my teeth into golden, buttery, crisp brown pastries and to indulge in beautifully hand crafted cakes. All of this accompanied with a caffeine/sugar fix. Life certainly doesn't get any better than this.

Now, you ask, where can I get some bliss? Well, none other than at the famous Tiong Bahru Bakery!

Check out their wonderful array of pastries available. I mean, REALLY take a moment and stare at those buttery, well defined layers of goodness and imagine those sugary pieces of goodies straight out of heaven and into your mouth and stomach. I'm absolutely in love. Seriously, can't help but DROOL!

Fret not, for all you health freaks (or more politically correctly, health enthusiasts HAHA) Tiong Bahru Bakery does have healthier choices available as well..

Now, look at my loot for the day. Made me feel like Richie Rich, with all those valuables with me.

First up, Chocolate Almond Croissant (SGD 4.00) .. I loved this. I mean, anything with chocolate works right?

Chocolate Almond Croissant (SGD 4.00)

Something simpler. Less sweet but equally as buttery and fulfilling.

Almond Croissant (SGD 3.80)

Kouign Aman (SGD 4.00). This was a pleasant surprise. It looked simple, but the flavours were just impeccable. The thousand layers of the pastry complimented with a fine dose of sweetness just kept me going for more and more.

Kouign Aman (SGD 4.00)

Broiche Apple (SGD 4.20). I didn't fancy this at all. Compared to the rest, this was just like bread with apple and custard. Nothing extraordinary.

Broiche Apple (SGD 4.20)

Finished with a glass of Ice mocha. A cool drink to end a high calorific meal.

Ice Mocha (SGD 8.00)

Despite a slight guilty pang after the high fat consumption, I thought to myself, "Sometimes, it's just better to enjoy the wonderful delicacies available, and work hard after". We only get to live once right? So cherish every second of it and EAT UP!

Verdict: This isn't a restaurant, so you don't get a waiter serving you etc. So, don't just sit around and wait, go get your own cutleries. Overall, it was a fine lunch/tea break of whatever you feel like calling it. Not much of an ambiance though since it's located in the food court area. Perfect for a short break after a busy day out shopping at Raffles City!

Address: 252 North Bridge Road #B1-11/12 Singapore 179103

Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House @ Singapore

My father's friend has been going on and on about how popular this Bak Kut Teh place was. So, here we are for a taste!

First impressions - WOW, this isn't like a normal KOPITIAM in Kuala Lumpur or Kuching.

It's clean and well tiled.

Look at the tables and chairs outside (right next to a construction site to be exact)!! Still, there are people sitting outside enjoying this delicacy.

The interior was cosy and organised. Check out their pots.

And be sure to glance over the pictures, definitely their hall of fame. Then, you can say I have ate at the same place as '...' and be famous.

I like how we have to make/pour our own tea. Refill your water by the walls. But be careful! It is HOT!

Now, onto the menu. They really have all different parts of pork here, ranging from pork ears, pork skin to whatever inards you want and a selection of vegetables.

Here comes the glorious pork spare ribs! Not too fatty and ever so tender. It just melts in your mouth. Do not try to be a lady and just use your two fingers, pick this up and eat it! The broth was peppery, not quite the usual bak kut teh one usually have in Malaysia. But according to Singaporeans, this is the real deal! In my opinion, I still prefer the herbal kind. Having said that, the broth was well seasoned to taste and not too oily which was definitely a plus point to me =).

And one can never ever forget the yau char kuih.. the perfect accompaniment to this dish. Its like the perfect absorber to soak up all the glorious broth. Just wished it was serve hot, rather than cold.

And of course, sweet black sauce. My favourite.. Please dip the meat in this. It goes perfectly well with it (in my opinion).

As mentioned before, the porky galore. Pork skin. HMM, only one word can describe this.. FATS.

Next.... No comments. I didn't even dare try this. My dad loved it though! haha.

And a plate of nuts. Absolutely loved how the nuts were prepared. Soft and tasty.

I didn't take a close up shot of the vegetables. But, order them VEGES! It's good.

Ratings: 

Ambiance: 8/10 for a coffee shop standard
Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10

Overall: 7.5/10

Verdict: Nice cosy place to enjoy some porky goodness. It was my first time trying out Singapore style Bak Kut Teh, so my judgement may not be the best! Guess I am still loyal to my roots, Herbal Bak Kut Teh wins! However, one thing I must say, the ribs were good! Can't comment much on the broth though! Wait till next time, as I explore more Bak Kut Teh places here in the MerLion city.

Address: 208 Rangoon Rd, Singapore 218453

Contact No: +65 6291 4537

Opening Hours:

Sun: 11 am - 11 pm
Tues - Sat: 1o am - 1o pm
Closed on Mondays