The ba ku teh θιͺ¨θΆ (pork rib soup) here is of the herbal variant, & is served in a claypot with 2 options for sizes – $6 or $10 (prices are nett). The stall owner recommended the larger one for 2 pax, but I personally felt this wasn’t enough. Then again, I’m a fairly big eater π³
Large Ba Ku Teh with Preserved Vegetables & White Rice
So.. Herbal ba ku teh is my favourite kind, & this soup is definitely at the top of my list. I like how it’s not too soy saucey, & you can taste the herbs in it without them being overpoweringly bitter. A little sad that when I asked uncle for a refill (with compliment in tow), I was only given a scoop of soup without a smile… Oh well.
The meat was fall-off-the-bone, tender & flavourful. It is on the fatty side, but the fatty layers can be easily picked by to you & your l337 chopsticks skills.
I ordered a bowl of preserved vegetables ζ’ θ ($2 nett) to share, & a bowl of white rice ($0.50 nett). They were okay, nothing outstanding nor terrible. The real star, rightfully, is the soup with the pork ribs. I can see why this stall is popular.. Definitely coming back.
Tip: This stall is right next to the famous avocado milkshake stall at the corner of Alexandra Village, which is also a wildly popular stall!
Soupy meals are my comfort food, & I could honestly eat hotpot all day erriday.
Hereβs my latest gem of a find on Burpple Beyond: ζΊη City Hotpot Shabu Shabu at One Raffles Place. I made a reservation on Chope, & swiped the 1-for-1 Wagyu Ribeye Set ($49.99++) deal.
Wagyu Beef Set with Chicken Soup Base
It comes with your choice of soup, staple, & a “VegiCombo” basket of delicious vegetables & soy products. The beef wasnβt too fatty & it was fresh! Also, very importantly, I enjoyed the Chicken soup base (ι¦θιΈ‘ζ±€) that I chose.. Would very happily return here again.
Til 12 Feb 2020, I’m running a contest to give away a free Burpple Beyond Premium (Monthly) plan to 2 lucky winners!
The Hotpot Set for 1 with Handmade Noodles ($12.90 nett) was either a new addition to Greendot‘s menu, or perhaps something that I’ve glossed over/never noticed before. Wanting to try something different, I opted for this as opposed to my usual favourite.
Ordered at the cashier – chose the herbal soup base – & then sat down. Was pretty confused when my meal was served to me & it was a bowl of soup teeming full of ingredients, & another bowl with the handmade noodles inside… Where’s the hotpot?
Greendot’s “Hotpot” Set for 1
I was expecting something at least like the Minipot Noodles (ε°η’ι’) that you get at hawker centres.. With a little candle/fire below the pot. But this wasn’t the case. Were my expectations misplaced or unfounded?
I enjoyed my meal while it lasted, especially with the plethora of ingredients in my soup. My favourites are the shiitake mushrooms, white enoki mushrooms, tau pok, & konnyaku crab ball.
However, my general preference is to eat noodles in soup, as opposed to dry noodles with soup on the side. The noodles were served separately for good reason; they were tossed in a soy sauce (too salty for my liking) so I couldn’t dunk them in my soup for fear of making everything too salty.
With all that said & done, I’ll probably revert to my usual favourite – the Angelica Herbal Noodle with Cordyceps ($7.90 nett). The noodles are served in the soup, & it’s cheaper too.
Not a bad meal, just a confusing one & not to my preferences!
π΅ Cash/NETS only – no credit cards π¬ Air-conditioned seats available β Al fresco seats available πΆ Free WiFi available (Westgate is a Capitaland Mall) ππ»ββ No service charge π« No GST
An impressively extensive menu at Le Coq – from appetizers to yakitori skewers, main courses (1-for-1 with Burpple Beyond) & pastas, & a rockin’ happy hour too. Brace yourself for a lengthy reviewβ¦!
Hard to believe that their Fresh Oysters are only $2.50++ a pop. These New Zealand babies are creamy & decadent. Have them your way – with a squeeze of lemon or a dash of tabasco sauce. Or without anything at all; yes, they are that fresh. & at $16++ for a half dozen, $30++ for a dozen, that’s pretty dang affordable for the good stuff.
Fresh Oysters
Uni on Toast ($15++ for 3) got me all hot & bothered. Firstly, look at the size of that hunky sea urchin. Secondly, that bread is actually a bed I want to sleep on. Pillowy soft, yet slightly crispy on the outside so it doesn’t get soggy. Loved the textures & flavours of this one. I was left dreaming about this for days.
Uni (Sea Urchin) on Toast
Folks who want to take the heat up a notch will enjoy the Mala Chicken ($10++). It isn’t too wild, but it certainly has the numbness & spiciness that one seeks in Mala. I’m not a Mala expert, nor do I eat spicy food regularly. But I found myself picking slices from this silky smooth appetizer to pop into my mouth for that shiok feeling.
Mala Chicken Appetizer
The California Maki Dip with Crisps ($12++) was surprisingly popular; I attribute that to how refreshing & clean it is. It’s essentially a deconstructed California maki roll. Sounds simple, tastes great. The crabmeat used is fresh & flavourful, tossed together with avocado, mayonnaise & crunchy fish roe. IMHO, though, what makes this super addictive is the thin rice paper crisps on the side. Use them to scoop up the dip & comfortably crunch away. That’s pretty dang unique to me.
California Maki Dip with Crisps
Le Coq is a Burpple Beyond partner – so you can get 1-for-1 lunch or dinner mains here. However, they also have a fairly large menu that you can order from. Perfect for the office crowd, their drinks menu includes beer, wine, hard liquor & house cocktails. Swipe to see some of their cocktail concoctions that we sipped on through the night!
Their Happy Hour runs daily from 5 – 9PM, giving you a single glass of Grant’s Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whiskey or Hendrick’s Gin for $X at X PM, where X = 5, 6 or 7. At 8pm, it’s $10 a glass which is still okay, but the earlier the better fo’ sho. Also, Ladies Night is every Wednesday. #justsayin
Hello, G&T
& what better way to pair your evening drink with some skewers to munch on. Good variety of options here, with the Wagyu Beef ($6.80++) is my favourite. Soft & tender, you can taste the natural juices & flavours of the beef. The fattiness absolutely melts in your mouth⦠Very shiok.
Wagyu Beef Skewers
The Cartilage ($2.80++) was interesting – nice & crunchy, a texture that I was intrigued by & appreciated. Something I haven’t had before, actually. But it was unfortunately too heavily salted with the combination & heavy-handedness of both sea salt & togarashi. Gave feedback about this & they took it into account. I would hope they’ve fixed this since then. It’s always nice to speak to chefs/owners/staff that are open to feedback.
Cartilage Skewers
If the price of the Wagyu Beef is too premium for you, consider ordering the Chicken Thigh ($2.80++) or Sweetpork ($2.80++); they too are hella juicy π My preference of the two is the sweetpork as it has a sauce of Thai spices & honey, & is a pleasantly tender sweet one to indulge in.
Chicken Thigh & Sweetpork Skewers
The pastas here look simple, but are good. Both are very different, so take your pick based on your taste/preference/mood.
The Cold Truffle Somen with Hotate & Caviar ($16++) was such a delight to slurp at the end of our mealβ¦ Not just because it’s cold & smooth. The light truffle flavour proved to be sooo refreshing on the palate. Very welcomed after an evening of varied specialty cocktails, taste explosion appetizers & crazy flavourful skewers.
The cold slices of scallop were of a nice thickness to lovingly sandwich between your tongue & the roof of your mouthβ¦ Before comfortably sinking your teeth into them, thereafter letting out a breathy “ahhh.” π
Cold Truffle Somen with Hotate & Caviar
The Mushroom Aglio Olio ($14++), on the other hand, is strikingly different as it is a warm capellini dish. A good vegetarian-friendly option, I wasn’t too bothered that this dish doesn’t have meat or seafood in it.
Most importantly, dang that flavour. It punches you right in the face! Chilli padi BAM. Finely chopped garlic BOOM. Earthy mushrooms YAS.
Mushroom Aglio Olio
Thanks Le Coq for the hospitality & Burpple for the invite! π
π³ Accepts credit cards π¬ Air-conditioned seats available β Al fresco seats available π₯ Accepts reservations on Quandoo π½ Burpple Beyond partner
Trapizza is located right by Siloso Beach in Sentosa. Admittedly quite the journey to get here, I persevered because I can’t say no to a good breakfast & also Italian food. If you love alfresco dining, this is the place for you. If not, there’s still a spot for you here – seek refuge in their air-conditioned indoor dining area!
Al Fresco Dining Area
I reckon it’d be perfect outdoors with the cool temperatures lately (of course, provided it isn’t raining cats & dogs). I arrived a Sweaty Betty though, as this was pre-Singaporean-winter days. Quenched my thirst with a bottle of Organic Sparkling Passionfruit & Orange Juice ($12++). Lightly flavoured & slightly fizzy, this did the job. Don’t be a dumb dumb like me & shake the bottle in a disoriented state, though. It IS, after all… Sparkling π
Organic Sparkling Passionfruit & Orange Juice
[BREAKFAST MENU] We dove right into the breakfast items from Trapizza’s “Hot from the Pan” menu, starting off with the Wagyu Minute Steak & Eggs ($32++). I don’t eat beef for breakfast regularly, so this was new to me.
I certainly enjoyed it, though π Perfectly poached eggs with runny yolks, & tender slides of beef. The hearty ratatouille with lightly toasted bread on the side tied all the flavours together quite well.
Wagyu Minute Steak & Eggs
I can imagine waltzing here from the nearby Rasa Sentosa Hotel to have a relaxing breakfast by Siloso beach. Don’t come here too late, though – breakfast hours are for a short window only, 9-11AM on weekends!
If poached eggs aren’t your thing, try the Italian Sausage Breakfast Platter ($26++). You don’t just get sausage with this, you also get bacon. The scrambled eggs are cooked fluffy & slightly runny.. & I just realized you can’t see them in this photo, lol. But that just shows how much food you’re getting, quite the bang for your buck.
Love carbs? You will enjoy the chunky oven-roasted potatoes with a pleasant bite to them. It’s great how you get a good variety of carbs, meat & vegetables in this one.
Italian Sausage Breakfast Platter
Should you be looking for something lighter on the palate, try the Organic Homemade Mango Granola ($12++) from the Healthy Selection of the menu.
The sweetness of the mangoes contrasted well with the sourness of the yogurt, & the granola added crunch with every bite. I quite liked everything about this.. It was so addictive. Something you can really keep eating & before you know it, you’ve finished the whole thing.
Organic Homemade Mango Granola
[LUNCH MENU] Trapizza’s pizza menu is extensive, which means there’s bound to be something for everyone. Each pizza is handcrafted & wood-fired, & it’s on a thin-crust base that makes it easy to eat. I’m not a fan of crunchy-thin pizza bases; thankfully this was just the right thickness for me (that’s what she said).
Got my hands grubby with the Pizza Siciliana ($28++), which has a sauce that is tomato-based. They have some cream sauce pizza options as well, which I would be keen to try next time.
I surprisingly enjoyed this pizza despite not being big on salami or sausages. We’re talking about chunks of traditional Sicilian pork sausage – which, like the salami, weren’t too salty for my liking. The vegetables added variety in terms of textures & tastes too: Roasted capsicums, onions, baby spinach.. A yummy dish great for sharing.
Pizza Siciliana
The Risotto di Mare ($29++) is a match made in heaven. Each grain of arborio rice was cooked al dente in a rich lobster bisque, & the plethora of seafood is commendable: Mussels, clams, prawns. My favourite was the prawn as it was super juicy, even at the end of my meal when you’d think it’d be cold & hard? Nope. Shiok ’til the end.
This IS a very rich dish that tastes like the ocean (in a good way), so it may not be for everyone. But it’s a clear winner in my books. The awesome juicy AF tomatoes make an appearance here too. Such a perfect dish that I would order again in a heartbeat.
Risotto di Mare
[DESSERTS] There’s always room for dessert, right? Check out their homemade Tiramisu ($12++) with a cute squidgy of espresso. It squirts nicely in the middle & spreads out, so those who love coffee can dig in there, & those who want less of it can tuck in by the side.
This is a perfectly light & fluffy tiramisu, with the taste of coffee & liqueur not overwhelming on the palate. Despite it being light, I can’t imagine finishing this on my own, so I was glad to have friends to share this with. I mean, this IS a pretty sizeable jar… You’re getting real value for money here.
Tiramisu
For those who aren’t about the creamy life, try the Italian Torta Di Limone ($13++), a lemon tart with strawberry ice cream. In theory this sounds like it’d be hella sour – but no! It was actually quite a balanced dessert.
The lemon flavour was slightly tart (as in, sour) indeed, but the slight sweetness of the tart base & strawberry ice cream made it more pleasant. I recommend having a bit of each on your fork/spoon each mouthful.
For those who work in the area, Tsuruhashi Fugetsu’s affordable weekday lunch specials at $16.80++ are worth checking out. From Mon – Fri, 11:30 – 14:30hrs, choose from a different special of the day, all of which are centered around yakisoba (fried egg noodles):
Mon: Spicy Shoyu Yakisoba
Tue: Mentai Mayo Shio Yakisoba (pictured)
Wed: Omelette Yakisoba
Thu: Negi Mayo Shio Yakisoba
Fri: Cheese Yakisoba
Mentai Mayo Shio Yakisoba
All specials come with rice, teriyaki chicken, & miso soup… Dang y’all be so full after that, rollin’ back to work.
Their Modanyaki ($10.80++ onwards) is their take on a modern okonomiyaki – featuring savoury pancakes with a twist. You get the crispness of fresh cabbage, the chewyness of yakisoba, & flavours of various meat/seafood within.
Modanyaki – A Work of Art
This was fried on both sides before my very eyes, timed to perfection as how the Japanese take pride in their craft. A generous amount of cabbage goes into the modanyaki; the fibre helps to make this dish less oily, which I certainly value.
Fresh ingredients for okonomiyakiOkonomiyaki in the making
Want to get your daily dose of veggies in? Try this. π
Udon has grown on me in recent years – especially when I’m craving for something carby. The new menu at Eat At Seven’s Udon Kamon is right up my alley, with hawker-inspired udon dishes.
Local twists on high quality udon
Walking that fine balance with the innovativeness of local cuisine, yet staying true to its Japanese roots, diners have 3 specialty dishes to indulge in:
Dark Sauce Dry Udon
The Dark Sauce Dry Udon ($10.80++) has such a simple name that doesn’t fully capture how delicious it is. This was a hot favourite amongst everyone at the table, quite closely following its inspiration of KL chilli ban mee.
The spicy & sweet dark sauce coats the udon very well. With ingredients like with minced pork, crispy anchovies, vegetables & half an ajitsuke tamago – dare I say this is a pretty dang balanced dish!
Ipoh Style Chicken Udon
The Ipoh Style Chicken Udon ($10.80++) is my personal favourite, subtly reminiscent of Ipoh-style hor fun. Imagine their signature sanuki udon in a delicious soy-based gravy that is light on the palate & fragrant, with plump mushrooms providing that earthy flavour, & juicy texture. The silky smooth sliced chicken thigh is steamed with ginger & Japanese leek, & thereafter drizzled with light soy sauce & black sesame oil.
Are you salivating already? The multi-dimensional layers of flavours are why this was my favourite dish of the night π
Truffle Beef Ying Yang Udon
Last but certainly not least, tantilize your tastebuds & noses with the Truffle Beef Ying Yang Udon ($15.80++). The sauce, made from XO sauce, truffle & bean paste, is umami & thick though not overwhelming. The truffle smell is pretty strong though π
I didn’t expect the interesting double-texture of the udon noodles to work so well. Half of the udon is flattened & fried such that it is slightly crispy, even after soaking in the sauce for a while.
Tucked in a rather inconspicuous corner of Westgate, I discovered Akimitsu while surfing Burpple. Ordered their Signature Tendon ($14.90++); it comes with a side of miso soup, tiny chawanmushi (which they forgot about until I asked them about it) & free flow pickled radish.
My Tendon arrived teeming with tempura on top, which seems to be the norm no matter where I dine. Finished the rice way before the ingredients, so I had to deal with the carb-less oiliness on its own towards the end.
Oiliness notwithstanding, I liked how fresh the ingredients were & how they weren’t overcooked. In particular, the prawn & the white fish – still moist inside, & didn’t taste like the ocean. The squid wasn’t rubbery, either.
The variety of vegetables you get in this is also impressive: Shiitake mushroom, carrot, french bean, young corn, eggplant, nori, pumpkin, … Dang.
I’d intended to have a simple dinner, but it evolved into this. No regrets, though!
π³ Accepts credit cards π¬ Air-conditioned seats only πΆ Free WiFi available (Westgate is a Capitaland mall) π½ Earn rebates with JFH membership π¦ Water is not chargeable
When I was younger, I used to not order salads. Ever. Then I went to America (the state of Virginia, no less) & was horrified by how much everyone ate. & how massive everything was – I mean, cupcakes the size of both of my fists put together!?
That was the first time I ever ordered a salad, out of desperation to cleanse my body. Since then, no turning back. I now eat a lot, drink too much, but I also eat salads from time to time.
My dinner tonight from SaladStop! doesn’t look great, but it satisfied me after a gruelling workout. “Grain Bowls” here are $9.90 nett; they come with a default leafy base of lettuce (anything else e.g. Spinach/Kale costs extra), & your choice of grain – brown rice or quinoa (surprisingly, the latter doesn’t cost extra).
My SaladStop! Grain Bowl
You get 7 toppings; I chose sliced lotus root, broccoli, long beans, chickpeas, pickled cucumber, grated hard boiled egg, edamame. You can add premium toppings for extra, but na bro.
Not gonna lie, I couldn’t eat this without my sauce of choice – Thai Turmeric. I usually eat my salads sauceless, but this was actually really bland π The sourness & spicy kick from the sauce really turned this salad around to be more palatable.
In all, yum yum in my tum tum. & delighted to get 5% cashback here thanks to Shopback GO, too!
π³ Accepts credit cards π¬ Air-conditioned seats only π½ ShopBack GO partner πΆ Free WiFi available (Velocity @ Novena Square mall WiFi) ππ» No service charge π« No GST
Paid with my linked credit card & my cashback was tracked instantaneously:
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t the best bowl of beef noodles ever. The beef slides are fairly thin (though delicious). I think the additional noodles meant that my soup was absorbed by them extra quickly, too. But the noodles are well made, what little I tasted of the soup was refreshing & tasty. & the chilli I added to my bowl was shiok!
Overall, it was a comforting bowl of noodles in this cold weather, & was a very affordable meal for me. & yes, I would dine here again. They have some other options like tomato soup bases & dry mushroom sauce noodles that I’d be keen to try.
You can also watch chef actually pull your noodles!
π³ Accepts credit cards π¬ Air-conditioned seats available β Al fresco seats available π₯ Accepts reservations – I used Eatigo via Shopback π½ Shopback GO partner π± Accepts FavePay (but you won’t get Shopback GO cashback then) πΆ Free WiFi available (Funan is a Capitaland Mall) ππ» Service charge applicable π« No GST
Bui Bui Eats 