Latest news with #Singapore-style
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Small stall, bold flavours
The humble Lai Jie Noodle House stall is located along Jalan Burung Tiong in Taman Bukit Maluri, KL. TUCKED away in a corner in Taman Bukit Maluri, Kuala Lumpur, the modest stall that is Lai Jie Noodle House is easy to miss unless you know where to look. This humble spot serves up a variety of hearty noodle dishes that capture the essence of Malaysian comfort food. Customers can expect the likes of pan mee, loh mee, pork noodles, wantan noodles and curry noodles alongside a selection of stir-fried options such as Hokkien mee and Singapore-style meehoon. Run by Low Bee Li and her husband since 2004, the stall is named after the 60-year-old founder herself, in the Cantonese pronunciation. Low and her husband Lee Yat Cheong, 66, have been dishing up bowls of noodles for breakfast and early lunch for over two decades. Their stall is especially popular among morning market traders and regulars from a nearby wet market. 'Some of my regulars' favourites are the curry noodles, Hokkien mee, and fried mee xian,' said Low. 'We open as early as 5.30am, and the peak crowd is usually in the morning when people fill up their bellies before heading off to the market or nearby shops.' She keeps busy with taking orders and serving, while Lee mans the wok. Having picked up the trade in his teens, Lee brings decades of experience to each dish. His cooking does not fall short in delivering the most essential element in Chinese-style noodles – wok hei (breath of the wok). I have tried the Hokkien mee, and it is a clear standout. Hokkien mee comes with pork slices, vegetables and lard. Fried in a dark, sticky soy-based sauce, the smoky, umami-laden noodles come with a generous portion of crispy pork lard that adds texture and depth. The richness of the dish is further complemented by tender pork slices and leafy greens, making it a delightful plate through and through. Equally deserving of praise are their wantan noodles. The noodles are springy and firm, tossed in a balanced soy-based sauce and topped with slices of char siew (barbecued pork). The wantan noodles are topped with a serving of 'char siew'. The dish is served with several plump wantan dumplings, offering that comforting accompaniment one expects from a local favourite. The curry noodles are clearly one of their best-sellers, as they were already sold out when I last visited at noon. A return visit is certainly warranted. Hopefully next time, I will be early enough to get my hands on a bowl. Lai Jie Noodle House opens daily from 5.30am to 12.30pm, or until sold out. It is located along the row of stalls in Jalan Burung Tiong, Taman Bukit Maluri. Be warned that looking for a parking spot here can be tricky.
AsiaOne
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
5 types of unusual bak chang to try this Dragon Boat Festival 2025, Lifestyle News
Love bak chang but need something more exciting than pork belly and salted egg yolk? This year's harvest of out-of-the-box rice dumplings sounds particularly palatable, what with green Sichuan peppercorns and fish maw making their appearance. Here are a few worth a try. If you're a mala fan… Get your fix in Wan Hao's Pork Trotter and Peanut with Sichuan Peppercorn Dumpling ($22). The peppercorns' tongue-tingling flavours cut through the richness of the meltingly tender pork trotters while the peanuts balance those flavours with their nutty earthiness. If you haven't had enough of black truffles… You'll love Paradise Group's Black Truffle Honey BBQ Iberico Pork Rice Dumpling ($13.80). The earthy black truffles add a fragrant depth to the honey-laced Iberico char siew. Bougie, but affordable. Jade's Truffle and Trio Mushroom Five Grain Rice Dumpling ($20, shown above) is another option to consider. This vegetarian zhang is filled with king oyster mushrooms, matsutake mushrooms, black mushrooms, truffle paste, chestnuts and plant-based meat. If you're a culinary patriot… You'll be proud of Madame Fan's Singapore-style Chilli Crab Rice Dumplings ($22), with sweet tendrils of mud crabs tinged with a piquant, sweet-spicy chilli crab sauce. The best part? No need to peel the crabs! It also stands to reason that you'd want to try Jade's Chicken Satay Rice Dumpling ($22, shown above), which captures the essence of this landmark dish with a filling of chicken thigh, peanuts, king oyster mushrooms and satay sauce within its glutinous rice package. If you're a seafood lover… Feng Shui Inn's Dumpling Set ($128) includes Dried Seafood Steamed Dumplings and Yunnan Mushroom and Fish Maw Dumplings alongside Trio Sweet Date Dumplings. The dried seafood dumpling has abalone, dried scallops and golden shrimps enriched with salted egg yolk and pork belly, which the fish maw dumpling features more prized seafood delicacies like abalone and scallops. If you always have room for dessert… Shang Palace's Sweetened Purple Rice Dumpling with Homemade Kaya ($16) brings together rustic purple rice and luscious homemade kaya. The vibe is rich and comforting, like pulut hitam and kaya toast in a shiok, sticky dumpling. 藝 Yi by Jereme Leung's Lemongrass Kee Chang ($28 for five) comes with a 200g jar of Raffles Signature Kaya in which you can dip the lemongrass-scented alkaline rice dumplings for a sweet, satisfying treat. [[nid:688704]] This article was first published in
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
15 best gems in Amoy Street Food Centre that will make you go 'A-Moy-God!'
Home to some of the best hawker gems in Singapore, Amoy Street Food Centre truly has it all. Every single hawker staple you can crave for is nestled within this two-storey complex — from local classics to new-gen creations, there's something for everyone here. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular patron working nearby in the CBD, here's a nifty guide of the 15 best gems in Amoy Street Food Centre that will make you go 'A-Moy-God!' Because when you have your finger on the pulse, manoeuvring through the throngs of people during the lunchtime rush should be a breeze. First on the list, and no surprise here: A Noodle Story. With 7 consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards under its belt, this coveted stall commands a queue as soon as it opens shop. Famed for what they call Singapore-style ramen, the hawkers helming the stall utilise modern European kitchen technique to craft each bowl of their signature Japanese fusion noodles, infused with a touch of local flair. You'll find just one thing on the menu: Singapore Style Ramen (S$10.80/S$12.80), a show-stopping dish worth every pretty penny. A cross between ramen and local wanton mee, each bowl features springy noodles topped with HK-style wantons, onsen egg, sous vide cha shu slices, ngoh hiang and crispy potato-wrapped prawns, served with a side of wanton soup. The al dente noodles are packed with umami, complemented by glazed cha shu slices with the perfect meat-to-fat ratio. And who could forget the wantons? Both deep-fried and boiled variations are stellar, stuffed with an ultra savoury filling of pork and fresh, crunchy prawns. Mon to Fri: 10am – 8pm Sat & Sun: 10am – 4pm Facebook | Instagram Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak. A name that'll get a chuckle, but don't play play. This stall shot to popularity within months of its 2022 opening back, owing to its gigantic Malaysian-style ayam goreng berempah that delivers on both flavour and pocket-friendliness. For the record, the name comes from the abundance of spices and herbs used in its signature dish. In particular, the ayam goreng berempah is marinated overnight in a rempah of 8 ingredients, including lemongrass and cumin seeds. Yum. The Aromatic Chicken Set (S$6.50) features a spice-rubbed fried chicken leg that's — we kid you not — probably bigger than your face. It's accompanied by the usual suspects: rice, sunny-side-up egg, ikan bilis, peanuts and a dollop of housemade sambal. If this doesn't scream value-for-money… The ayam goreng berempah sports a crackly, well-spiced skin that gives way to tender, juicy chicken meat perfumed with aromatic spices. Pair that with the pandan– and coconut-laced rice plus fiery sambal and you've got yourself a winning combination. +65 8089 2119 Mon to Fri: 10.45am – 2pm Closed on Sat & Sun Facebook | Instagram CBD folks, we know how much you love your fish soup — and Han Kee should be no stranger to any of you aficionados. Make no mistake, this famed stall has queues that stretch up to an hour long every day. But if you've got time to spare on your lunch break, we say go for it. Pro tip: have your order prepped and ready while you wait, because the auntie makes her way down the line to take orders in advance. Word is, she can memorise up to 30 at a time — no notepad needed. Sheesh. The classic Sliced Fish Soup, Sliced Fish Bee Hoon and Sliced Fish Porridge go for S$6, S$8 and S$10 for Small, Medium and Large portions respectively. And, in every bowl, the fish steals the show. These thick, pearly white batang slices are firm and light on the palate, so fresh you'd think the fishes were caught earlier in the morning. The soup holds its own too, with a subtle umami lifted by pepper, coriander and savoury garlic bits. Clean-tasting and easy down the hatch. Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm Closed on Sat & Sun Instagram Who doesn't love a good hawker bakery? Petite Krumbs is one to add to your roster. This new kid on the block, run by a former pastry chef at Mandarin Orchard, offers a selection of handcrafted bakes priced from just S$2 to S$3.80. Ever since the stall went viral on social media, queues have started forming even before its 8.30am opening. Thanks to high demand, there's now a cap of two pieces per bake, per person. The early bird really does get the worm here. A definite standout in Petite Krumbs's repertoire is the Lemon Mochi Tart (S$2.70), a buttery treat filled with refreshing lemon curd, its crisp shell complemented by a soft, stretchy mochi centre. Its chocolatey cousin, the Valrhona Chocolate Tart (S$3.20) features a rich ganache filling and a crunchy base — a decadent treat worth a try too. Don't miss the Butter Croissant (S$2.70) either, with its fragrant, well-laminated layers — the same ones you'll find in the Valrhona Pain Au Chocolate (S$2.80), which pairs that pastry with a melty chocolate core. Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 2.30pm Closed on Sat & Sun Instagram We're not done with the hawker bakeries just yet! Fellow sweet tooths, Lian Hup Heng is another one to cross off your list. This gem of a stall prides itself on a collection of atas bakes at a fraction of cafe prices — think meticulously crafted tarts, fudgy brownies and fresh viennoiserie, all going for just S$3.80 to S$4 a pop. The tarts are definite must-tries; they could easily rival those from high-end patisseries, if we do say so ourselves. Each morsel features a crunchy tart base with a buttery aroma that complements the respective fillings. Chocoholics, where ya at? The dreamy Sea Salt Caramel au Chocolat Noir Tart (S$4.20) is sure to curb those cravings with its rich, bittersweet dark chocolate core, balanced by sea salt and a swirl of sweet caramel. Matcha lovers, look no further than the Matcha au Chocolat Blanc Tart (S$4.20), so popular it got upgraded from a seasonal item to a daily staple. Prefer something fruitier? Go for the piquant Lemon Meringue Tart (S$3.80) or the juicy Pear Tart (S$3.80). Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 3pm Closed on Sat & Sun Instagram On your coffee break? You'll know where to look. Coffee Break might seem like a run-of-the-mill coffee joint, but they've got a few tricks up their sleeves. Expect modern twists on your kopi, teh and toast. Run by a trio of siblings, this stall is all about keeping Nanyang kopi culture alive and is always levelling up with inventive flavours to take your coffee break up a notch. Beyond the classic Kopi (S$1.60), Teh (S$1.80) and Yuan Yang (S$1.80), you'll find swanky concoctions like Hazelnut Kopi (S$3), Mango Milk Teh (S$3.20) and Cinnamon Kopi (S$3). They also offer Lattes and Mochas (S$4) in flavours like Black Sesame, Macadamia, Sea Salt Caramel, Pumpkin Spice and Pistachio — plus others like Earl Grey Tea Latte (S$4.80) and Lavender Lemonade (S$3.80) for something lighter. Don't leave without some toast — go classic with good ol' Kaya Butter (S$3) or Black Sesame (S$3.50), or try trendier picks like Earl Grey Creme (S$3.50), made with a fragrant floral tea base. Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 2.30pm Closed on Sat & Sun Facebook | Instagram | Website Sometimes, all it takes is a hearty rice bowl to fuel you through the rest of the day. Pepper Bowl delivers just that, with three simple rice or hor fun combinations to choose from. Just pick your protein — beef or pork — and let the food do the rest. Pepper Bowl's offerings include Black Pepper Beef/Pork Rice (S$6.80/S$6.30), Spring Onion Beef/Pork Rice (S$6.80/S$6.30) and Black Pepper Beef/Pork Hor Fun (S$6.80/S$6.30) — each generously topped with your protein of choice, doused in punchy black pepper gravy. Trust us when we say that the hearty servings of meat piled onto steaming white rice or silky hor fun make for a seriously satisfying lunch. Whichever you're having, don't forget to top it off with a luscious Onsen Egg (S$0.80) for that perfect, lip-smacking finish. Mon to Fri: 11am – 2.30pm Closed Sat & Sun Facebook For something a little healthier, Lagoon In A Bowl ensures a satisfying lunch without the dreaded food coma. The menu features 3 protein-rich rice bowls: Mentaiko Salmon Bowl (S$11), Mentaiko Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$12) and Surf & Turf (S$18) — a combination of the two. Each donburi is a kaleidoscope in a bowl: brilliant butterfly pea rice topped with your protein of choice, flame-torched mentaiko, a wobbly onsen egg and a medley of corn, cherry tomatoes and cucumber. Melt-in-your-mouth salmon and tender Wagyu beef embellished with a generous drizzle of smoky mentaiko — what's not to love? It's a feast for the eyes and good for you too, with Omega-3-rich proteins and antioxidant-packed rice to keep you glowing. +65 9119 2619 Mon to Thu: 11am – 3pm & 6pm – 8pm Fri: 11am – 3pm Closed on Sat & Sun Facebook | Instagram 17 affordable Japanese food in Singapore that will make you go Oishii! While Eurasian cuisine isn't the most common in Singapore, Doris's Devilishly Delicious Curry certainly offers a delicious take — perfect for first-timers or whenever those cravings hit. Otherwise known as #tripleDC, this stall might ring a bell for some, having started out as a restaurant at City Gate Mall in 2021. Their devilishly delicious fare found a new home in Amoy Street Food Centre in 2024 — and it's safe to say, they're here to stay. The stall specialises in curry debal — colloquially known as Devil's Curry — made from a treasured family recipe passed down from owner Justin Teh's grandmother, Doris. The Smoked Pork Curry Debal (S$9) is a must-try, featuring tender pork belly simmered in a smoky, moreish curry that's (fret not) not as spicy as it looks. Another solid pick is the Chicken Curry Kapitan (S$7), a comforting dish of tender chicken in a creamy, aromatic curry made with love and meticulously house-made rempah. +65 8879 9137 Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm Closed on Sat & Sun Facebook | Instagram While we're on the topic of rare gems, check out The Little Red Hen for some nasi ulam. For the uninitiated, nasi ulam is a traditional Indonesian and Malaysian dish made with cold boiled rice tossed in a fragrant mix of finely chopped herbs such as torch ginger flower, kaffir lime leaf, turmeric leaf and Vietnamese mint leaf. I've tried the dish myself, and let me just say — it's one you won't forget. The Nasi Ulam with Ayam Percik (S$8.50) is the one to (b)eat. Meticulously prepared with 15 fresh herbs and ingredients, The Little Red Hen's nasi ulam is ultra-fragrant and will have you floored at first bite. It's paired with a smoky slab of chicken, drenched in a rich, aromatic gravy perfumed with laksa leaf, turmeric and coconut milk. Other offerings include the Beef Rendang (S$8.50) and Ikan Pepes (S$10) — the latter featuring a tender hunk of steamed mackerel slathered in sambal. +65 9187 9410 Mon to Fri: 11am – 2pm Closed on Sat & Sun Facebook | Instagram Who loves fried chicken? Everyone, I suppose — so if you're craving a fix, check out Simply This new-ish stall keeps things straightforward: fried chicken cutlets with seasoned rice, plus your choice of potato salad or vegetable salad on the side. You also get to pick from 3 sauces: Original, Coriander and Spicy Tsunami. The Set Meal at Simply goes for S$5.50 and S$6.50 for the Small (Half) and Large (Whole) portions respectively. And trust us — you won't know the true meaning of 'bang for your buck' until you've had the latter. For just a dollar more, you get double the fried chicken — perfect for huge appetites. Perfectly crispy and immaculately seasoned, the golden-brown fried chicken earns a solid gold star from us. With a flavour profile reminiscent of ayam goreng berempah, the juicy cutlet goes surprisingly well with the creamy, ranch-based Original Sauce. +65 8350 7856 Mon to Sat: 10am – 2.30pm Closed on Sun Instagram Teo Heng Teochew Porridge may not have a dazzling social media presence, but it's a true force to be reckoned with. This heritage stall has been doling out comforting Teochew porridge for the better of 7 decades, with a solid line-up of dishes and even a second outlet at Hong Lim Food Centre to its name. Among their generous repertoire, don't miss the supple Steamed Fish Cake (S$1 each), which pairs impeccably with the tangy, garlicky house-made chilli. The Egg (S$1 each) is another winner. It's your average braised egg, but a ramen-style one with a gooey yolk that adds a luscious pop to the silky plain porridge. But if we had to pick just one dish to recommend, it'd be the Tau Gua Bao (S$1.50 each). Despite its name, Teo Heng's version of the classic dish uses tau pok instead of tau kwa — each delicate beancurd pocket stuffed with bits of braised pork, fishcake and Japanese cucumber. A flavour bomb, if you will. Mon to Fri: 7am – 2pm Closed on Sat & Sun Mexican cuisine isn't usually known for being the most affordable around, but James' Quesadilla & Brunch surely begs to differ. This highly-raved stall boasts a sprawling menu featuring all the works: burritos, quesadillas and Mexican-inspired salad/rice bowls. They also run a breakfast menu from 7.30am to 10.30am, with options like breakfast burritos, grilled sandwiches and English muffins, in combos such as Bacon & Cheese (from S$5), Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Egg (from S$5) and Pulled Pork & Cheese (S$4.50). Their lunch menu features the likes of Pulled Pork Burrito (S$6.50), Sous Vide Chicken Breast Quesadillas (S$7) and Smoked Salmon Rice/Salad Bowl (S$8.50). For a heartier meal, opt for an upgrade to a set with Chips & Salsa (S$2), Garden Salad (S$2) or even Chips & Guacamole (S$4). The Pulled Pork Burrito is a treat to behold, generously packed with flavourful pulled pork, refreshing lettuce, crisp purple cabbage and piquant house-made salsa. +65 9169 9932 Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 2.30pm Closed on Sat & Sun Facebook | Instagram The adorably named Gan Lao Zai (干捞仔, or 'dry-tossed boy' in Chinese) is sure to please any noodle lover. The menu revolves around dry noodles tossed in a variety of sauces. The best part? Every order comes with a free upsize. Fun fact: the stall previously offered a rather eyebrow-raising mashed potato noodle, but it was discontinued due to low demand and tedious prep. That said, the owner has plans to introduce more inventive menu options in the near future! Gan Lao Zai offers 6 types of dry-tossed noodles, with the most popular being the Honey Glazed Pork Belly Noodle (S$6.50). It comes with braised mushrooms, chye sim and tender pork belly that's braised overnight to perfection. Did the Chili Crab Noodle (S$8) catch your eye? We love it too. The chewy la mian noodles are coated in a sweet-savoury sauce that tastes just like that tomatoey chilli crab gravy we all love to mop up with some pillowy mantou. Fittingly, the noodles are topped with crunchy mantou croutons, fresh crab meat and a generous sprinkle of briny tobiko. Mon to Fri: 10am – 2.30pm Sat & Sun: 11am – 2.30pm Facebook | Instagram Time for some Michelin-approved curry puffs! J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff is the perfect pit stop for a snack break, where you can snag yourself some golden, flaky pastries with a coveted Bib Gourmand to their name. The stall offers 4 flavours: Crispy Curry Chicken Puff (S$2), Crispy Sardine Puff (S$2), Crispy Black Pepper Chicken Puff (S$2.20) and Crispy Yam Paste Puff (S$2). With impressive layering and crackly edges, these puffs come with a surefire guarantee: you won't be stopping at just one. You can never go wrong with the classic Crispy Curry Chicken Puff. True to its name, this puff is crisp and stuffed to the brim with spicy, rich chicken curry. They don't skimp on the potato and chicken filling either; every bite delivers a satisfying ratio of both that'll keep you going back for more. +65 9475 8425 Mon to Fri: 8am – 3pm Closed on Sat & Sun 14 stalls at Maxwell Food Centre in Singapore to eat at that won't max out your wallet The post 15 best gems in Amoy Street Food Centre that will make you go 'A-Moy-God!' appeared first on
AsiaOne
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Local brands like Ann Chin Popiah and Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice to open at 5-star hotel in Macau, Lifestyle News
Something Singaporeans take immense pride in is our diverse food scene, with the topic leading to numerous passionate debates. And now, we have one more thing to feel chuffed about — several popular local F&B brands will be going international and opening at Wynn Palace in Cotai, Macau. These will be located in the five-star hotel's new food court Gourmet Pavilion, which opens on April 29, according to the hotel's website. When it comes to Singapore food, chicken rice is often the first dish to come to mind. Representing it in the new food court is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, a brand that has been around since 1986. They're known for their silky poached chicken and are also Singapore's first Michelin-recommended chicken rice. Another popular local dish that both locals and tourists adore is laksa, and 328 Katong Laksa will be selling just that at Gourmet Pavilion. The Michelin-recommended establishment is loved for its signature secret soup base, which is creamy, rich and spicy all at once. While there are many types of bak kut teh, the Singapore rendition features a peppery soup crafted from a simple blend of garlic, pork bones and pepper. Bringing that to Macau is Tuan Yuan Pork Ribs Soup, which has been around for more than 30 years. For street food, diners can check out Ann Chin Popiah, which has more than six decades of rich history. The brand, which specialises in popiah (a Singapore-style spring roll), has been recognised with both a Michelin Plate and Michelin Recommendation. Apart from the Singapore brands we are familiar with, there will also be other international brands opening at the Gourmet Pavilion. One is Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa from Nagoya, Japan, which is popular for its grilled eel rice and has also earned a coveted spot on Japan's Michelin Plate list. There's also Wumamii Beef Noodles, which hails from Taiwan and is popular for its tomato-braised broth. For homely bowls of porridge, diners can check out Yong Zuo Fish Congee, a Michelin-recommended eatery from Chaoshan, China. [[nid:676950]] melissateo@
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Sungei Road Laksa ($4) vs Peppermint ($38): Coffee shop stall or hotel does it better?
Finally! In our cheap vs expensive showdown series, I've reached laksa — one of my all-time favourite dishes that I… ahem… seldom eat because I'm getting older and more health-conscious these days. I grew up with a Peranakan grandmother who would occasionally prepare this rich, luxurious treat for our family. Who can resist the harmony of Asian spices, tamarind, coconut milk, and dried shrimp, all perfectly paired with the aromatic notes of laksa leaves? I know I can't! Be it Penang assam laksa, laksa Johor, or the usual Singapore-style laksa — I love them all! The first is Sungei Road Laksa, one of the more widely-advertised food spots among foreign tourists on YouTube. I've visited or strolled past the kopitiam at 27 Jalan Berseh at least 5 times, and trust me, there's a constant queue formed up in front of the stall Have I tried their laksa before? No. I've heard so many good things about it from friends and online netizens, yet I've never had the patience to queue for it. While waiting in line, I also learnt that they cook the laksa with charcoal — though I'm not sure if that makes a difference. Unlike BBQ food, laksa isn't grilled over charcoal directly — tsk tsk. The atas contender is Peppermint at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay. Believe me, I've always come here for their buffet, but it never occurred to me to try the à la carte menu. The restaurant features an Urban Farm, where chefs harvest ingredients like laksa leaves, lemongrass, and chilli padi to use in their dishes. Sungei Road Laksa has just a singular S$4 option, with extra add-ons like Cockles (+S$1), Bean Sprouts (+$0.50), and Fishcake (+S$1). My colleague, Dean and I agreed that the bowl reminded us of those typically used for desserts such as chendol — a little underwhelming in terms of portion size. But hey! At that price point, I shouldn't complain? My S$4 bowl had thick bee hoon with fishcake slices, 5 cockles, tau geh, a dollop of sambal, and slivers of daun kesum. Even after polishing off every single morsel and drop, I wasn't full (and excuse me — I'm not a big eater). For a substantial meal, one would need to order 2 bowls to feel satisfied. Peppermint's Singapore Lobster (S$38++) may seem pricy to some, but as an ex-hotelier myself, it's actually good value for money. 4 Seasons Hotel, for example, charges S$34 for their laksa which contains quail eggs, cockles, scallops and prawns. We tried Singapore's best-rated laksa Over here, you'll just need to top up an additional S$4++ to get half a lobster together with an entire claw, and not forgetting the 2 plump scallops, prawns, fishcake, bean sprouts, and tau pok. Both establishments use the run-of-the-mill thick rice noodles (chor bee hoon) for their laksa. I would say that both sides cooked them perfectly and didn't leave me with a lacklustre, soggy noodle situation. That being said, I felt that Peppermint's noodles (top right in photo) were of better quality, with a slight chewiness in every bite. Though the sambal at Sungei Road Laksa wasn't as generously portioned as the one served at Peppermint, it made up for it with its robust flavour. Just imagine 1kg of dried shrimp crammed into that small lump. That's exactly how it tasted — full of umami, shrimpy goodness! On the other hand, Peppermint's sambal was mildly sweet, similar to those used in nasi lemak. It wasn't bad, but Sungei Road Laksa left a stronger impression. Instinctively, I dived straight for the cockles at Sungei Road Laksa first. They were plump and tasted fresh, with no off-putting fishy notes. For Peppermint's Singapore Lobster Laksa, the scallop and prawns were cooked flawlessly — fresh, firm, and boasting a pearl-like colour. Even the lobster was naturally sweet and delicious. Score! The tau pok was an excellent vessel for the laksa broth, squeezing out the liquid in every direction as I bit into it. Determining which establishment's gravy was better was probably the most difficult part. Sungei Road Laksa's broth might have looked a little on the watery side, but after taking a sip, I was blown away. It was actually well-balanced, flavourful but not overly rich. I could even finish drinking the broth. On the other side of the spectrum, Peppermint's gravy was viscous, possessed a rich depth of flavour, and was soooooo lemak! Even the bits of laksa leaves that hitched a ride on my spoon added to the experience. The only issue was that it could get a little too jelak halfway through. I'll be real with you. This was probably the toughest showdown I've ever done, as both Sungei Road Laksa and Peppermint delivered excellent takes on the dish. Both had their hits and misses, with each rendition showcasing its own distinct style. Ultimately, the winner for me is Sungei Road Laksa, based solely on how often I'd go back for it without feeling too overwhelmed. I loved how well-balanced it was— neither too rich nor too underwhelming. I didn't even miss the prawns! Xiao Di Fried Prawn Noodle ($6) vs Reverie ($32): Kopitiam stall or restaurant does it better? The post Sungei Road Laksa ($4) vs Peppermint ($38): Coffee shop stall or hotel does it better? appeared first on
