Woorinara Korean Restaurant @ Lorong Kilat / Upper Bukit Timah

Last week, we were at home, deciding what to have for dinner. The ladies at home were left to decide. There were so many choices and the ladies finally decided on Korean and then narrow it down to Korean Fried Chicken.

We did not want to travel too far because we were already quite hungry! So off we went to Woorinara because we like the crispy fried chicken here. That place is also usually not very busy.



They don't have the best selection and varieties in the banchans. It's still decent and edible.
Simple stuff. We ate it all up anyway. Kimchi's nice though.




The Fried Chicken! Crispy and crunchy skin fried chicken always delight us!
It was good that the pieces we ate were also moist. 

We had Honey Soy this time. The sauce is kinda addictive! Sweetish and saltish thick sauce that was dribbled over the chicken.

We controlled ourselves by not ordering the whole chicken. Half a fried chicken for 3 persons already have enough calories! Not having too much also prevents us from getting sick of it. :-)





We wanted to have something else as well, so we had the hot plate spicy pork.

Yes, it's very oily but because of the oil, the meat was sizzlingly delicious! The ladies were comparing it to another Korean place that uses very little oil and use water to cook them. This is more fragrant but oily!

We also ordered a beef bibimbap (photo was too blur) and ate it with the pork.
It was a satisfying, oily and calorie ladden dinner!


Usually this place is not busy, but because of the group by coupon offer this place is having, we realised this place is suddenly so busy! So we had to wait longer than usual for our food.

Woori-Nara Korean Restaurant
19 Lorong Kilat
#01-02
Singapore 598120

Tel: 6464 9282

Ga-Hock Seafood @ Upper Bukit Timah Road

This is one of the many places our family will go for dinner on weekends.
It happens to be the first the 'new wife' would be eating here with us after we got married.

It's just the usual weekend zhi-char food outdoors sitting under a tent that's below a big huge tree! Super kampung!

As usual, the food here is nice, cheap but totally un-presentable! This place is about cheap good food and not presentation. :-)



The veggie dish. It's a little oily, but taste wise it's good.
Slight crunch to the veg, but ugly looking dish!




Their tofu dish was nice. Try the tofu if you are here. They deep fried the tofu which has a nice charred smell and taste, but the inside of the tofu was still very soft.

The sauce looks clear, but it's very flavourful. Great with the plain rice.




This is the fried egg with little oysters dish. Partially covered with sweetish chilli sauce that's very addictive!

If you like your fried eggs and you like sauce, this is for you.
If you are on a diet, flee! It's sinful!




The herbal chicken that's only available on weekends and only a few are prepared.
We managed to get it because we were there early.

Their herbal chicken was yummy. The viscosity of the soup is about right. Not too light or thick.
Lots of the herbs that gives it a messy look below, but the taste was good!

Side note:
I used to like to order herbal chicken in many places, but whenever I think of plastic at high temperature and I give it a second thought and don't order it. Since I have not had it for a long time, it is someone else who ordered it, and I missed it, just makan lah!




This crab dish was the highlight of the night! We all think it's super nice! It's their Salt Baked Crabs!
If you are getting tired of black pepper or chilli crabs, try their salt baked crabs!

The shell is salty (but of course!), but the flesh of the crabs are not that salty. It had the baked fragrance to it. You  know the smell of the crab shell that has been heated at high temperature. It smells quite good!

Who can resist fresh crabs?



For lovers of crab roe, (ie the wife and the many ladies at home), it's heaven!
See the bright orange colour of the roe!



The shell is what the wife goes for usually! This one made her smile with the roe there.
Good thing I am not one who likes it a lot! There's no fighting for crab roe!

The crabs are about $100 for two of it. (sold by weight and market prices)
They are quite huge and we were really satisfied!


Ga-Hock Seafood
794 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 678133

Tel: 6314 5725

Island Cremery @ King Albert Park

This post is for my cousin! She turned 15 today and here's a little cake I bought for her.


I was cracking my head what to buy for her. It's a last minute thingy, it was only at mid-day that I remembered it's her birthday. I texted her what she want for her present, and she said anything. Since I can't think of what to buy, I thought I will get her a cake first then think of a present later.

Where can I get a decent cake? It's like a challenge trying to get cakes, there are so many birthdays and we always want something different. If you want something really special, you got to pre-order it a few days in advance.



On the way back, I thought I would try out Island Creamery at King Albert Park. I remember that place sells cake.


I thought of a detour to Holland Village on the way back to visit Swensen's, but the detour will take a long time. Traffic conditions in that area is usually quite bad.



I am glad I went to Island Cremery. Look at the cake!
It's so pretty, just nice for a 15 year old girl. I am so glad she liked it.

When I got to her house, she had friend's over. Her mum asked if she wanted to cut the cake with her friends. She said let's wait for daddy to be back then cut the cake.  She's such a daddy's girl.



Our wish for her is to grow up a sensible and responsible girl.




If you are wondering what's the name of the cake and what's the price, it's called ReversO and it's $28.
It taste rather good too. There's a layer of chocolate below, then it's chocolate ice cream with oreos. It's topped with cream and lady fingers all around it.

Who can resist this ice cream cake?

Note: Unlike the usual ice cream cake we get from Swensen's which provides dry ice, they don't here. So grab the cake and rush home! We were told it will last 45 mins. Well, I got home in 15 mins and it was still frozen ;-)

Island Cremery
1 King Albert Park
Singapore 598292

Tel: 6467 1571

Kim's Family Food Restaurant @ Lorong Kilat

It has been some time since we went to Kim's Family. We have been wanting to go since we knew they had expanded. Sis and I decided to pay them a visit about a week ago.

Nude Kimbap

When we got there, we saw on the board outside, a Today's Special advert. That night's special was called Nude Kimbap ($15) and there were only 15 sets available. Out of curiosity, we ordered it. (Ya, we thought it's a bit expensive)

Kim (dried seaweed) bap (rice) when they have a nude word in front of it means it's inside out. You can see from the photo that it's quite messy but somehow, it tasted rather good. It was warm to start with, and with lots of mayo on it, it was moist and tasty. Inside it were hidden crunchy bits of dried seafood. It was rather unusual, but those bits that sis and crispy fried shrimps tasted rather nice.

If you are bored sitting in front of the PC/Mac now, you can view this you-tube of how these 2 Korean girls made kimbap. Although it's in Korean and I don't understand that language, I think it's hilarious! The link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UckzXKVxqTk

The Banchan

The 'secret' reason why sis and I visited this place. The huge variety of banchan that they serve!
We got served 13 this time. Oh these mini bowls of joy!

Some are nice, some requires you to have acquired taste, but we did not waste any but finished them all! (or rather, I finished the ones that sis did not want)

Samgyetang

I love Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup, so I ordered this to share. I have always enjoyed their soup here. You will find that it taste bland. The salt has been left out in the cooking process. The salt's served on the side.

I had a Korean reader emailed me once and told me that the salt's not suppose to be added into the soup. That's how her family have it since she was growing up. The salt on the side is for dipping the chicken meat when you eat it.

So out of curiosity, I have been having Korean chicken soup in many places since I got that email some weeks ago. I will always pretend I don't know anything and ask how should I eat it.

The answer I got, if you like the soup salty, just add the salt into the soup! If not, then drink it without salt. The chicken is bland, so when you eat it and prefer more tasty meat, you can dip it to the little saucer of salt. So I concluded that it all depends on how a particular Korean family eats it at home. ;-) Have it your way!

I had the soup without salt, but dipped the chicken with a tiny bit of salt while eating as suggested by the reader. It does taste different.

Ddukppoki

My sis has always loved Korean rice cakes. It has become a 'must order' when I dine with her at Korean restaurants.

I always find their version having more other ingredients than rice cakes. For rice cakes lovers, you might only find a few pieces of rice cakes, they have lots of flat fish cakes inside.

It worked because I like the fish cakes more than rice cakes, and sis like rice cakes instead of the fish cakes.

Persimmon tea

Cold cinnamon tea at the end of the meal to give you a 'jolt'. I am not a fan of this tea, because when I drink it, it literally gives me a jolt. It's cold and the taste of persimmon and my glossopharyngeal nerves aren't the best of friends. It nerves tells my brain something and I will get this chilling 'urrgh' sensation. It is not really my cup of tea. LOL

I know there are many of you who loves it. I think Dad would like it, he loves persimmons.

Oranges

Some ascorbic acid to end the meal. It was quite sweet and we literally ended the meal with a sweet note.


Kim's Family Food
17 Lorong Kilat
#01-06
Kilat Court,
Singapore 598139

Tel: 6465 0535

ToTT Bistro @ ToTT Store

My sis and I went to ToTT (one of the newest kitchen hardware store in town) to spend 'a few more dollars' so that we qualify for the member's card. Sigh. Consumers like us are always so gullible right?

Halfway though, we felt a little hungry and thought we will try out the food at the Bistro.
We thought that it looked a bit Ikea-ish!

* French Onion Soup *

We had the soup of the day which was the French Onion soup. $2.50
It comes with a slice of toast which was coated with cheese. The soup's clear.



Not the nicest French Onion soup, but we did finish every ring of onion and every drop of soup.
I love onions A LOT, so this might be a bit bias. ;-)

* Oven baked Lemongrass Chicken Leg *

The lemongrass chicken leg ($7.90) was quite tasty. The coleslaw was not light and crunchy.
But the mash could do with more milk or butter.

* Fish and Chips *

The fish and chips was a small portion. ($4.90) We found consistency in this dish.

When sis took a bite of it, she did not like it. The piece she took had very hard batter. It tasted like it has been refried or reheated. I used my knife to cut the other piece and found it really crispy and light. One piece was really nice, and the other piece CMI.

The chips was also inconsistent. The more dark ones were nice, but around half of it needed a few more minutes of frying. It was a bit raw. We guess it's probably a one off slip. They are after all teaching people how to cook next door!


ToTT Bistro
896 Dunearn Road
01-01A
Singapore 589472

Bistro Hours: 10 AM - 9 PM daily.

Jew Kit Chicken Rice @ Bukit Timah Shopping Centre

We noticed this new sign board has been up for sometime at the Bukit Timah Shopping Centre. You know something? The sign board is placed right opposite the 5 Star Chicken Rice and Boon Tong Kee across the road (Cheong Chin Nam Road). Chicken rice war? Another chicken rice place? Do we really love our chicken rice so much that there's always room for more of it?

Doing some online search, I realise that this stall seems to be popular with Bukit Batok folks. It's fairly decent and their pricing is also attractive. Looks like they are expanding. From Bukit Batok to Bukit Timah. Maybe soon to Bukit Panjang, Bukit Ho Swee and all the way to Kaki Bukit. :-)

***

We were a bit late (around 8pm plus) for dinner so there was not much chicken left "hanging" at the counter. They said we could have a 'mix'. So we had half a chicken with a mix of Steamed and Roasted Chicken.

The Roasted Chicken is fairly decent. The colour of the skin looks good and the taste is not bad too. The meat was firm and overall quite pleasing when you eat it. It comes with "Kiam Chai" (Salted vegetables) at the side.

***

Turning to the other side of the plate, we had the Steamed Chicken.
For me personally, I prefer the Roasted side, because I will eat roasted skin, but the steamed skin is a bit too soft to eat. (I know steamed chicken fans will disagree with me!)

(Their pricing for half a chicken is $12 and whole chicken $23, what I saw on the menu)

***

They also had zhi char (stir fry) dishes. We ordered the French beans. Lots of garlic and also some pounded fried shrimps, it was really fragrant. Err.. they are also heavy handed with the oil too.

***

We also had "Paul the Sambal Sotong". The sambal was quite good. Mr Paul was stir fried not too long so it was not chewy at all.

***

Their rice is fairly decent too, and not very oily.

***

We did noticed they were a little forgetful. (Old lady taking our orders had a tiring day maybe? Forgivable lah)

We ordered the stewed bean curd and eggs and they forgot to serve it. It was only when we asked them then they 'went to check'. It was cold, so half of us on the table was not happy. But the other half who likes to eat tofu cold said it was good. For me, the beancurd and egg were not memorable. :-p

***

I guess some competition along this area is good. The two chicken rice shops opposite the road is getting really expensive! The pricing here was good. It was around $30 for the above and 5 plates of rice, soup plus drinks. There was a decent crowd too.


Jew Kit Chicken Rice
Bukit Timah Shopping Centre
170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd
#B1-17
Singapore 588179

Quick Breakfast @ Bukit Timah Food Centre

After church service, sis and I were really really hungry, so we went to have breakfast at the food market next to our church.

We were going to have lunch soon, but we have not had breakfast, so we ordered some light food lah. But... this was only part of the food, we ordered many other things. haha...


Chwee Kuey. and oh..... how I love chai por.



We saw someone ordering so many of this Paper Wrap Chicken at the next table, so we thought we would try it too.



So so lah, the chicken sticks too much to the paper.

Asam Fish, Ngor Hiang @ Bukit Timah Food Centre

Sis and I we went to Bukit Timah Food Centre to have lunch few days ago, and it shows we have very different liking for food.

She likes to order Ngor Hiang when she comes here.



For me, I almost always order this, if we are not sharing food. I like Assam Fish. This fish reminds me of childhood food too. Sis wont touch this at all! haha..



I almost always certain order bitter gourd to go along too! I remember a friend who says, you are eating the same thing again!



Your siblings like the same food? I know my other siblings like different food. Do you know what your siblings like or hate?

Five Star Chicken Rice @ Upper Bukit Timah (Part 2)

The rest of the food has arrived.

Other than chicken that you saw in yesterday's post, there was also....

Fan Su Ye - Sweet Potato Shoots.
I think our family like this very much, dunno why leh...



Then there was also Hay Zho - Prawn Rolls Bites.



Then there's also Kang Kong - Morning Glory...
With yummy sambal too!



And You Cha Kuey / You Tiao - Fried Dough Fritters with fish paste.



Of the 4 above, any favorites anyone?

Five Star Chicken Rice @ Upper Bukit Timah

I think I have not posted pictures of this stall yet, though I have eaten there so many times.
I think the chicken here is less fatty as it uses Kampung Chicken. Not the kampung kampung chicken, but the purposely rared kampung chicken. (haha.. if you understand what I am trying to say)

Remember that going there long ago, it used to be only chicken rice, but when bird flu struck some time ago, other things came out as well.

Will show you the chicken dishes today, the rest tomorrow lah...

It's called Five Star. Situated at Cheong Chin Nam Road



The 'white chicken'. Plus the spare parts at the side...



Then we also had the 'roast chicken'.



The Chicken Rice.



If you want to go, here's the addresses and tel no.



Other dishes that we ordered, coming tomorrow, I think the kitchen it busy. haha...

Dulukala - Peranakan Food @ Beauty World Centre

Yes, Veron's correct. It's Peranakan Food.
Dulukala is on the top floor of Beauty World Centre, and we occasionally go there.

Many people do not like Ladies Fingers (or known in some places as Okra) because it is slimy slimy. Well, if you eat this here, it is dry and not at all slimy.



This is Chincalok Egg. Not everyone's cup of tea, but for those who likes Chincalok, this is yummy!



This is how it looks inside, after putting a piece of it on my plate of white rice.



This is Beef Rendang. It's good. Just nice and tender, and I love it!



So busy eating the above, and forgot to take the soup! My bowl of soup had only the meatball left. So I took two pictures, you use your imagination to combine them up! haha..



Hmmm this soup, it reminds me of instant noodles chicken flavour soup though. hahaha... Koka brand ones!



Bon Appetit!