Zoy's Top 5: Singapore Food
Because of the quarantine season, I couldn’t travel or do some foodventures. Thankfully, I still have a few more article ideas to last me for the entire month. Starting today until the end of the month, I will do throwback articles on Singapore. Since I haven’t listed down my 5 favorite dishes (so far!) from the Lion City, I will give them to you now. Starting with the Top 5:
5. Claypot Rice at Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice
You know that a food spot is really good if there’s a long queue, has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition…and Mark Wiens loved it! Such is Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice. Just be willing to wait; it can take an hour and a half!
The rice has a nice burnt flavor and crunch. The chicken is tender and the sausage is nicely sweet. The vegetables give a nice crunch and the coriander on the side adds a refreshing taste. There’s also a nice saltiness to the dish, similar to a salted fish. Needless to say: This claypot rice is a world of flavors and textures!
Mixed Rice (SGD8)
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice is located at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, the country’s biggest hawker center. Check out my article here.
Address: Stalls 02-198 & 199 Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 335 Smith St. | Operating Hours: Friday-Wednesday, 4:30-PM-11PM
4. Soya Sauce Chicken and Cantonese Meats at Hawker Chan
No visit to Chinatown Complex would be complete without trying Hawker Chan! The first hawker to have ever receive a Michelin Star, this stall serves amazing Cantonese roast meats. Even with such a recognition, it has kept its prices low so patrons can eat a Michelin-starred meal without breaking the bank. Sure, it’s already in the Philippines. But the portions and experience is still different in its original location.
This is the cheapest Micheline-starred feast!
So far, I have tried their Char Siew Rice (SGD2.50), Pork Rib Rice (SGD3), and Soya Sauce Chicken (Half: SGD7). They’re all amazing…and cheap! My entire meal only costs SGD12.50. Now, I can say that I splurged at a Michelin-starred spot! LOL.
Link on my article about Michelin-starrred hawkers coming soon!
Address: Stall 02-126 Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 335 Smith St., Outram, Singapore | Operating Hours: Thursday-Sunday & Public Holiday, 10:30AM-3:30PM
3. Nasi Biryani at Allaudin’s Briyani
Biryani (also spelled briyani) is a dish made of fragrant rice and usually served with a protein, typically chicken and mutton. It originated from the Indian subcontinent and is a common dish among Muslim Indians. It made it’s way to the Malay Peninsula, where it is locally called Nasi Biryani. As you would expect of any Indian food, it’s flavored with many spices, making it one of my favorite Indian dishes!
My favorite version of nasi biryani is at Allaudin’s Briyani, which was awarded a Michelin Plate status and recommended by Mark Wiens. I got their mutton biryani because they’re known to make good ones. Its rice is fluffy and flavorful, with an added crunch from cashews. It comes with a generous serving of mutton, which is slide-off-the-bone tender. It’s also accompanied with papadums (a crispy cracker) and zucchini which add a nice crunch to the dish, and a boiled egg which add creaminess.
Mutton Biryani at Allaudin’s Briyani (SGD6)
A bowl of curry is served on the side, which I don’t know what it’s for. The dish is already flavorful; I guess it’s to add another layer of flavor. There’s also a kick of spice coming somewhere. Overall, Allaudin’s biryani is also a world of flavors and textures!
Allaudin’s Biryani is located at Tekka Centre, a hawker center in Little India. For other Tekka Centre hawkers, check out my article here.
Address: Stall 01-229, Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Rd., Rochor, Singapore | Operating Hours: Daily, 9AM-8PM
2. Bak Kuh Teh at Song Fa Bak Kuh Teh
I haven’t featured this dish yet so this is the perfect opportunity to do so!
Literally “meat bone tea'“, Bak Kuh Teh (BKT) is a Chinese pork ribs soup that’s popular in Singapore. It has two common varieties: Hokkien—which has soy-based, herbal broth—and Teochew—which has a clear, garlicky, and peppery broth (Hokkien and Teochew are Chinese ethno-linguistic groups). This dish is best paired with rice, youtiao (deep fried dough fritters), and beancurd skin.
My favorite BKT version so far is from Song Fa Bak Kuh Teh, a food chain that specializes in Teochew-style of BKT. The broth is nicely garlicky and peppery, while the meat is tender. Couple it with rice, dip the meat in chili and Hoisin sauce, slurp the flavorful broth, and it’s the perfect comfort meal!
Song Fa Bak Kuh Teh
I’ve tried other BKT places, both serving Hokkien and Teochew styles of the dish. But I have to try some more so I can come up with a good article about it. So watch out for it in the future!
Song Fa Bak Kuh Teh has several branches across the island. Check out their Facebook Page and website.
Note: BKT used to be my favorite Singaporean dish. Until I tried…
1. Fish Head Curry at The Banana Leaf Apolo
Fish Head Curry is technically a Singaporean dish, a result of combining Chinese (fish head) and Indian (curry) influences. It was invented by an Indian immigrant who wanted to please his Chinese customers. What was once just a product of entrepreneurial spirit became a staple in Singaporean cuisine!
There are two restaurants along Race Course Road that are famous for their fish head curry: Banana Leaf Apolo and Muthu’s Curry. I went to the former because Mark Wiens recommended it. (Next time, I will visit Muthu’s Curry since it was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand status in 2018. In fact, I’m thinking of comparing between the two fish head curries.)
Let’s cut the suspense. I got the medium fish head curry, which is good for 2-3 people. I started with the broth, which is a good mix of curry and tomato flavors. It’s slightly sweet, slightly sour, and stay-in-the-mouth spicy. The fish head has generous, tender meat (and the cheek is awesome!). The okra and pineapple give a nice crunch, with the latter providing fruitiness. The coriander provides a refreshing taste. Needless to say, Banana Leaf Apolo’s fish head curry is another world of flavors and textures!
Fish Head Curry (Medium: SGD28). I should’ve removed the coriander so you’ll see the eye. LOL.
Check out my article on fish head curry and other food from Little India here.
The Banana Leaf Apolo has 3 branches. Check out their Facebook Page and website.
Which of the dishes or meals above have you tried or would like to try? What’s your Top 5 food in Singapore? Comment them below?