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While I was at Food Republic (Vivocity Shopping Mall level 3) for lunch, I came across a stall selling thunder tea rice (lei cha 擂茶). I have heard about this Hakka cuisine for years but did not get to try it. I thought I should try it this time. The dish included ingredients like tofu, pickled radishes, friend ikan billis, roasted groundnuts and assorted chopped vegetables. There was also a bowl of soup, made from the mixture of hot water, tea leaves, grounded roasted peanuts, basil and mint. The dish reminded me of the Korean bibimbap and Japanese ochazuki.
I was told by the stall holder to pour any amount of soup into the bowl of assorted ingredients and mix well. I told myself, "what the heck, just pour all in". I stirred well and the dish became a messy mixture. When I first ate it, I was not used to the strange taste of mint and tea. It was not bitter and blend. After a few mouthful, I gradually got to like the taste.
I will eat it again for sure. Certainly a healthy dish.
• Food & Beverage 7/10 • Ambience - • Service 6/10
Two of my friends had strong cravings for big crabs and we headed down to Melben Seafood in Ang Mo Kio (Blk 232 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 #01-1222). We ordered a claypot of crab bee hoon and a plate of creamy butter crab, with fried "man tou" (chinese buns). All big crabs from Sri Lanka. Very delicious! Both dishes are highly recommended.
• Food & Beverage 7.5/10 • Ambience - • Service 6/10
One of my favourite cuisines is Peranakan food. I grew up eating delicious traditional Nonya dishes cooked by my late paternal grandmother. She was such a great cook. I previously bought Kim Choo's (www.kimchoo.com) popular Nonya dumplings a couple of times and I wanted to try their Peranakan dishes this time.
I ordered plain rice with (pic below, from left to right) fried egg omelette, ayam buah kerluak, achah and samba belachan. The omelette with shredded cabbage was tasty but too salty for my liking. The ayam buah kerluak was disappointing - gravy was too sweet, buah kerluak nuts' content too little and not so aromatic, chicken was not tender. The achah was delicious - crunchy with the right sweetness and spiciness. Not to mention the generous serving of spicy sambal belachan.
• Food & Beverage 6.5/10 • Ambience 6/10 • Service 6.5/10
