After knowing that my company is moving out of the Central Business District (CBD) area, the 1st thing came to my mind; Food.
After spending 8 years working in the CBD , i have grown to love and appreciate the cheap hawker food that accompanied me through many many lunch breaks.
Since we are moving out, let me share with you 10 food stalls that I will dearly miss, yes I am sure you will miss (if your company is shifting out too).
1) Piao Ji Fish Porridge (标记鱼粥) - Amoy food center #02-100/103
Opening Hrs 1030am-4pm, off on Thursday
This stall ranks number 1 in my list as they serve the freshest, tastiest fish and prawn around in Singapore. Fish soup we have had a lot, nothing beats this stall. From the fish, the prawn, the soup, the vegetable to the chilli sauce, everything is tip top excellent.
1 thing I would not miss is the stall assistant (who sometimes cooks too). There is a saying that goes: "Good food comes with bad service". There was once I overheard a lady asking him if there is any more pomfret available, his reply was epic, "我去滝沟抓给你"(or I will catch it from the drain for you).
Priced at minimum of $10 for the fish and prawn soup, this might seemed expensive for some, considering it's from a hawker stall. To me, it tastes better than the restaurant, hence it's totally worth it. We understand they are open on Saturday (half day) too, hence will be back for it.
2) Han Kee fish soup (汉记鱼汤)- Amoy food center #02-129
Opening hrs: Mon – Sat: 10am – 3pm, closed on Sunday
When you mention fish soup at Amoy, everyone will ask you, Han Kee or Piao Ji? Yes, after introducing Piao Ji, here is Han Kee.
The soup is clear and tasty. The fish is awesomely fresh. No signs of tofu or tomato found, but the cabbage is good enough. Priced at minimum of $5, this is also a must try for everyone. I must say they have the longest queue at Amoy food center but the waiting time is roughly 15-20 minutes only.
Something I would not miss is the attitude of the assistant too. No doubt she has got a great memory and eye for details, but when she got stressed up, her body language and tone changed. I have seen many customers being scolded by her personally. She dislikes people wasting her time and you jolly well say it once, say it clearly, else you face her wrath.
They do open on Saturday (half day) too, so when we have the craving, we can always come back.
3)Kazaan Japanese food - Chinatown Complex Smith Street #02-01
Opening hrs Mon -Fri 1130am-830pm, Sun 1130am-6pm Closed on Saturday
This humble stall used to operate at the Tanjong Pagar market. After the market went through major upgrading works, the stall owner decided to shift to the hawker center at Chinatown.
Located opposite Maxwell market, this hawker center is the biggest around the Tanjong Pagar vicinity.
Every time when i visit this stall, the boss would personally welcome me with a big smile, asking what would i like to have today. I have personally "interviewed" him about how he started his shop and what would be his recommendation for his customers.
Food wise, if you have the thought that hawker Japanese food will never win the restaurants, think again after you tried this. Personally i think the teriyaki salmon and teriyaki chicken cutlet are the best of the best. Let's begin with the cutlet; it is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Every bite is just heavenly. The salmon of the other hand is fresh and i love the crispy salmon skin. The rice and soup is also of quality which we should try. In fact they are so good that I have blogged about them previously! (See http://witcast.blogspot.sg/2013/08/featured-kazan-japanese-cuisine-hawker.html)
So in conclusion, they have broken the myth that good food must have bad service. Thumbs up up and up.
4) Good day 好日 - Amoy food centre #01-25
Opening hrs Mon to Sun: 1030am-7pm
Back to Amoy level 1, this is the best tze-char stall at Tanjong Pagar. I have a colleague who said this "everything that comes out from this stall is good". Indeed, i love their beef fried rice, their beef hor fun with gravy. For some of us who don't take beef, you can also try their fried rice and fish hor fun, equally nice.
At just $4.50, the amount of beef is like mountain, never seen so much in a plate before.
5) Ocean Curry fish head - 181 Telok Ayer Street
Opening hrs Mondays to Fridays from 11am to 8pm, Saturdays from 11am to 2pm,
Closed on Sundays
Just a stone throw away from Amoy food center, this stall who sells curry fish head and mixed rice wins a shot at the top 10. The food choices is a lot, hence they also have the longest queue you can ever find in the Amoy stretch.
Price wise not so friendly for a mixed rice stall, but the taste is really nice.
I would certainly return to eat them when i go on leave.
I understand the above 10 stalls may not be your favorite. I have included many other stalls that were closed to making it to the list.
Amoy-
Zhisheng cooked food ($2.30 - 1 meat 2 vege)
Ah Ter's fishball noodles (handsome man cooking bak chor mee -fav among ladies)
Ah Liang Ipoh Hor Fun (the fried fish dumpling is awesome)
01-59 (taste very home cooked, the fried fish fillet is awesome)
Li Xing Nasi Lemak (always sold out before 1, enough said)
Hong Kong style steamed soup and steamed rice (Soup is awesome)
Authentic Thai (basil chicken rice is nice)
Snow Mountain (freshest fruits and fruit juice)
Halal chicken rice (the chilli!)
Teh Tarik stall at level 1 (very nice teh tarik)
Maxwell - Jin Hua fish soup (Fresh fish)
AXA Tower - Snack of Taiwan 台湾小吃 (nice breakfast, friendly boss)
Chinatown - 3 for $2 (any 3 dishes for $2, including meat)
IP- Taiwan Railway Bento [the 滷肉飯(braised meat) is nice]
Tanjong Pagar Market - Pandan Leaf Nasi Lemak and Xiang Xiang Nasi Lemaek (both stalls serve the best Chicken Wings around)
Shenton House Nasi Padang & Food Stalls (cheap and good!)
Fu Lin Yong Tau Fu (great gravy and uniquely awesome presentation, didn't make the list as they have branch outlets)
Ok that's all for now. We sing Auld Lang Syne to our favorite lunches at Tanjong Pagar.
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After spending 8 years working in the CBD , i have grown to love and appreciate the cheap hawker food that accompanied me through many many lunch breaks.
Since we are moving out, let me share with you 10 food stalls that I will dearly miss, yes I am sure you will miss (if your company is shifting out too).
1) Piao Ji Fish Porridge (标记鱼粥) - Amoy food center #02-100/103
Opening Hrs 1030am-4pm, off on Thursday
This stall ranks number 1 in my list as they serve the freshest, tastiest fish and prawn around in Singapore. Fish soup we have had a lot, nothing beats this stall. From the fish, the prawn, the soup, the vegetable to the chilli sauce, everything is tip top excellent.
1 thing I would not miss is the stall assistant (who sometimes cooks too). There is a saying that goes: "Good food comes with bad service". There was once I overheard a lady asking him if there is any more pomfret available, his reply was epic, "我去滝沟抓给你"(or I will catch it from the drain for you).
Priced at minimum of $10 for the fish and prawn soup, this might seemed expensive for some, considering it's from a hawker stall. To me, it tastes better than the restaurant, hence it's totally worth it. We understand they are open on Saturday (half day) too, hence will be back for it.
2) Han Kee fish soup (汉记鱼汤)- Amoy food center #02-129
Opening hrs: Mon – Sat: 10am – 3pm, closed on Sunday
When you mention fish soup at Amoy, everyone will ask you, Han Kee or Piao Ji? Yes, after introducing Piao Ji, here is Han Kee.
The soup is clear and tasty. The fish is awesomely fresh. No signs of tofu or tomato found, but the cabbage is good enough. Priced at minimum of $5, this is also a must try for everyone. I must say they have the longest queue at Amoy food center but the waiting time is roughly 15-20 minutes only.
Something I would not miss is the attitude of the assistant too. No doubt she has got a great memory and eye for details, but when she got stressed up, her body language and tone changed. I have seen many customers being scolded by her personally. She dislikes people wasting her time and you jolly well say it once, say it clearly, else you face her wrath.
They do open on Saturday (half day) too, so when we have the craving, we can always come back.
3)Kazaan Japanese food - Chinatown Complex Smith Street #02-01
Opening hrs Mon -Fri 1130am-830pm, Sun 1130am-6pm Closed on Saturday
This humble stall used to operate at the Tanjong Pagar market. After the market went through major upgrading works, the stall owner decided to shift to the hawker center at Chinatown.
Located opposite Maxwell market, this hawker center is the biggest around the Tanjong Pagar vicinity.
Every time when i visit this stall, the boss would personally welcome me with a big smile, asking what would i like to have today. I have personally "interviewed" him about how he started his shop and what would be his recommendation for his customers.
Food wise, if you have the thought that hawker Japanese food will never win the restaurants, think again after you tried this. Personally i think the teriyaki salmon and teriyaki chicken cutlet are the best of the best. Let's begin with the cutlet; it is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Every bite is just heavenly. The salmon of the other hand is fresh and i love the crispy salmon skin. The rice and soup is also of quality which we should try. In fact they are so good that I have blogged about them previously! (See http://witcast.blogspot.sg/2013/08/featured-kazan-japanese-cuisine-hawker.html)
So in conclusion, they have broken the myth that good food must have bad service. Thumbs up up and up.
4) Good day 好日 - Amoy food centre #01-25
Opening hrs Mon to Sun: 1030am-7pm
Back to Amoy level 1, this is the best tze-char stall at Tanjong Pagar. I have a colleague who said this "everything that comes out from this stall is good". Indeed, i love their beef fried rice, their beef hor fun with gravy. For some of us who don't take beef, you can also try their fried rice and fish hor fun, equally nice.
At just $4.50, the amount of beef is like mountain, never seen so much in a plate before.
5) Ocean Curry fish head - 181 Telok Ayer Street
Opening hrs Mondays to Fridays from 11am to 8pm, Saturdays from 11am to 2pm,
Closed on Sundays
Just a stone throw away from Amoy food center, this stall who sells curry fish head and mixed rice wins a shot at the top 10. The food choices is a lot, hence they also have the longest queue you can ever find in the Amoy stretch.
Price wise not so friendly for a mixed rice stall, but the taste is really nice.
6) Banana Leaf Nasi Padang - Amoy Street food centre #02-93
Opening hrs Mon-Fri 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
This stall offers the closest variety as the Malay nasi padang.
Operated by a Chinese couple, they have locked many of our lunch dates with them.
No one can resist the crispy chicken cutlet that they offer can we? Personally I also like their asam stingray, totally worth it. Besides the main dishes, their omelette is also very under-rated by many.
Some may argue it is a little too sinful to have it but let's just enjoy!
7) Ming Kee Cooked Food (明記什菜飯) - Tanjong Pagar Plaza #02-24
Opening hrs Mon-Fri 11am - 7pm, Sat 11am-2pm, Closed on Sunday
Another great mixed rice stall located at Tanjong Pagar Market. Their variety of dishes is more or less the same everyday. The must try dishes are probably - chicken cutlet, omelette, broccoli, Yong tau foo.
Oh did i mention their curry is tasty too? I would always request to have the curry poured unto the rice 1st before i order my dishes.
Thumbs up!!
8) China Street Hainanese Curry Rice - Maxwell food centre
Opening hrs Saturday - Thursday: 11.30am - 7.30pm
I once saw the owner on tv, it's about his children who is in a overseas university. I guess it's never easy to send your children overseas for their education but i can see his determination to provide as a father.
Food wise, i love the meatball, cabbage, sunny side up with lots of gravy and curry. The meat is tender, the cabbage is soft, the sunny side up just sums up your meal with a smile.
Definitely something i will miss.
9) Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (天天海南鸡饭) - Maxwell Food Center #01-10/11
Opening hrs 10am – 8pm (Closed on Mondays)
Mind you, they beat Gordon Ramsey in the cook off challenge. Their queue consist of both locals and tourist who yearns for a good meal. Personally i love their drumstick rice with lots of sauce. Tender is an understatement. The rice is so nice that you can eat it on it's own. Personally I think this is the best chicken rice in Singapore.
However, when you ask for more sauce, the auntie assistance would say "咸死你"(something like a curse -_-!!)
10) Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle - Chinatown Complex Food Centre #02-126
Opening hrs 10.30 am to 7 pm (Closed on Wed)
Last but never the least, the oily chicken of Chinatown. For those of us who never liked oily chicken because it's nothing healthy, you may want to think again.
At only $2, you can get a plate of chicken rice! Drumstick lovers look here, their drumstick is just out of this world. Taking them with a plate of noodles will just make you drool for more.
The long wait might be a reason why i seldom patronise them, including time to walk to and fro, i would suggest you bring your own container and dabao the food back to save time.
Opening hrs Mon-Fri 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
This stall offers the closest variety as the Malay nasi padang.
Operated by a Chinese couple, they have locked many of our lunch dates with them.
No one can resist the crispy chicken cutlet that they offer can we? Personally I also like their asam stingray, totally worth it. Besides the main dishes, their omelette is also very under-rated by many.
Some may argue it is a little too sinful to have it but let's just enjoy!
7) Ming Kee Cooked Food (明記什菜飯) - Tanjong Pagar Plaza #02-24
Opening hrs Mon-Fri 11am - 7pm, Sat 11am-2pm, Closed on Sunday
Another great mixed rice stall located at Tanjong Pagar Market. Their variety of dishes is more or less the same everyday. The must try dishes are probably - chicken cutlet, omelette, broccoli, Yong tau foo.
Oh did i mention their curry is tasty too? I would always request to have the curry poured unto the rice 1st before i order my dishes.
Thumbs up!!
8) China Street Hainanese Curry Rice - Maxwell food centre
Opening hrs Saturday - Thursday: 11.30am - 7.30pm
I once saw the owner on tv, it's about his children who is in a overseas university. I guess it's never easy to send your children overseas for their education but i can see his determination to provide as a father.
Food wise, i love the meatball, cabbage, sunny side up with lots of gravy and curry. The meat is tender, the cabbage is soft, the sunny side up just sums up your meal with a smile.
9) Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (天天海南鸡饭) - Maxwell Food Center #01-10/11
Opening hrs 10am – 8pm (Closed on Mondays)
Mind you, they beat Gordon Ramsey in the cook off challenge. Their queue consist of both locals and tourist who yearns for a good meal. Personally i love their drumstick rice with lots of sauce. Tender is an understatement. The rice is so nice that you can eat it on it's own. Personally I think this is the best chicken rice in Singapore.
However, when you ask for more sauce, the auntie assistance would say "咸死你"(something like a curse -_-!!)
10) Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle - Chinatown Complex Food Centre #02-126
Opening hrs 10.30 am to 7 pm (Closed on Wed)
Last but never the least, the oily chicken of Chinatown. For those of us who never liked oily chicken because it's nothing healthy, you may want to think again.
At only $2, you can get a plate of chicken rice! Drumstick lovers look here, their drumstick is just out of this world. Taking them with a plate of noodles will just make you drool for more.
The long wait might be a reason why i seldom patronise them, including time to walk to and fro, i would suggest you bring your own container and dabao the food back to save time.
I would certainly return to eat them when i go on leave.
I understand the above 10 stalls may not be your favorite. I have included many other stalls that were closed to making it to the list.
Amoy-
Zhisheng cooked food ($2.30 - 1 meat 2 vege)
Ah Ter's fishball noodles (handsome man cooking bak chor mee -fav among ladies)
Ah Liang Ipoh Hor Fun (the fried fish dumpling is awesome)
01-59 (taste very home cooked, the fried fish fillet is awesome)
Li Xing Nasi Lemak (always sold out before 1, enough said)
Hong Kong style steamed soup and steamed rice (Soup is awesome)
Authentic Thai (basil chicken rice is nice)
Snow Mountain (freshest fruits and fruit juice)
Halal chicken rice (the chilli!)
Teh Tarik stall at level 1 (very nice teh tarik)
Maxwell - Jin Hua fish soup (Fresh fish)
AXA Tower - Snack of Taiwan 台湾小吃 (nice breakfast, friendly boss)
Chinatown - 3 for $2 (any 3 dishes for $2, including meat)
IP- Taiwan Railway Bento [the 滷肉飯(braised meat) is nice]
Tanjong Pagar Market - Pandan Leaf Nasi Lemak and Xiang Xiang Nasi Lemaek (both stalls serve the best Chicken Wings around)
Shenton House Nasi Padang & Food Stalls (cheap and good!)
Fu Lin Yong Tau Fu (great gravy and uniquely awesome presentation, didn't make the list as they have branch outlets)
Ok that's all for now. We sing Auld Lang Syne to our favorite lunches at Tanjong Pagar.