Old World Charm

Being abroad for a span of 6-9months at each stretch, I am constantly amazed by the rapid changes in the city landscape. Yet, if you've read earlier posts, you'll know my fascination with everything old Singapore. Those old world peranakan shophouses that house everything from funky new retail shops/bistros/boutique cake shop along Ann Siang street, to art galleries and media/PR companies along the Amoy Street stretch are but one facet of the intrigue. What truly excites me is when I see a shophouse that has kept its original facade - grills, signboard and all.

Where people see backward, ugly, rusty or just plain ol' old, I see tradition, heritage and volumes of history. I see old world charm. S and I decided that we had to do the Chinatown - Kampong Glam heritage tour again, just because it felt right. Chinatown has become commercialised, but tell me which tourist destination hasn't? It is when you take the routes untaken and walk down new alleyways that you'll stumble upon something new. Wandering into mosques, walking past Chinese Medical Shops which could have definitely passed off as the Witches go-to supermarket (what with all the lizards, strange insectile thingies (?!) and all those nasties you put in boiling cauldrons) combines for the truly special Chinatown experience.

We chanced upon 大同饼家 or Tai Thong Cake Shop this time round. Having been around for half a century (now that's what I call real street cred), it is relatively impossible to not have heard of it or eaten their cakes. I have heard of their very famous Chinese New Year and Wedding pastries, but had no idea where their shop was located.

Call me ignorant if you must, but the stars must have decreed that I would have to find the place on my own, sans googlemap. And find it we did.

Tai Thong Cake Shop
#35, Mosque Street, Singapore

Mr Supermarché

Everything about supermarkets make me happy. From looking at the fully-stocked, neatly arranged shelves, to the huge stock variety in their open freezers just makes me happy. Wandering around a very strange and unfamiliar London 3 years earlier made me scared/frantic/overwhelmed.

And then I met Waitrose.

Waitrose in the UK is kinda like the equivalent of the Cold Storage supermarkets we have here in Singapore. The variety of mushrooms, meat, fish, and more importantly cereals and yoghurt they stocked were mindboggling fantastic. At the very second I stepped in, all (and I truly mean all) my anxiety melted away. And throughout the three years there, no amount of stress could fight against my new Hero.

Hanging out with friends that feel the same way about Mr Supermarche inevitably entails that no matter what we plan our day to look like, we'd just end up wandering into supermarkets. S and I got reaquainted to Sara Lee Pound Cakes yesterday, when our healthy hiking plans got derailed by the tempermental weather. Imagine my delight when I saw those delicious frozen pound cakes that I renamed 'ice cream cake' (before the wave of real ice cream cakes infiltrated the market) as a little kid :):)

Yes, I know I'm sad.

The Place

I found my favourite coffee-place today. And I wonder what took me so long. ♥

Hello Routine!

The one thing I missed most about Singapore when I was abroad was the weekly prata breakfast we had at the coffeeshop near our place. My mom swears by the tea, without which she says she cannot function. My dad just likes the prata, which, unlike most places, is freshly pulled, slapped on the metal worktop and fried (with a whole load of unhealthy-thou-shalt-pretend-does-not-exist-substances) on your order.

The closest substitutes we had back in London were frozen pratas from Chinatown and A1/Jap curry packs that the boys bought in abundance. And after countless of suppers with the flatmates and ingenious methods, the four of us have unanimously declared that the combination of grilled frozen pratas with A1 curry triumphs everything else. Yes, we grill our pratas and they turn out wonderfully crispy/fluffy/everything you want your prata to be.

So, whether I clubbed till 3am or stayed home the night before, my parents would always make sure that we were there at half 7 for our weekly prata breakfast. And although it's not so much 'Hello Routine' when the former happens (more like a 'Go Away Now, Routine') the year without the real deal has left me pining for my long-lost friend.

It is possibly the only place you'll find me at my worst- read: hair flyaways, half-opened eyes and in my fbts (running shorts, for the uninitiated). But it is also the place that I feel the most comfortable in. Almost like breakfast at home, if you like.

Oh, on a side note, I have been banned from my beloved kitchen by my sister (which explains my lack of experiments). She has officially issued the decree that till the Big Exams are over, I am not allowed to do any noisy whisking, mixing or baking. No, she does not study in my kitchen (As J wondered in amazement). It is just that she has taken over the entire dining room, situated conveniently right next to the kitchen.

But of course, the withdrawal symptoms are too much to take and I have been not-so-secretly studying her schedule so I can fully utilise the pockets of time when she's in school to bake.

하나,둘,셋!

we hate peas-carrots-corn club/baking powder pore cleansing foam (?!)/really good shaved ice at fareast//Yummeh Ginseng Chicken Soup at Crystal Jade

Fickle

One of the things I missed most about home was the little Hongkong dessert shops offering their wide varieties of tongshui (the next best thing to eating tongshui in Hongkong, of course). The atmosphere in the shops are fantastic- no matter what time of the day you decide that its time for a sweet fix.These places are frequented by people from all age brackets, making me wonder just how much tongshui can Singaporeans really eat in a lifetime!

What I know for sure is that less than 24hours after my very comfortable 13hour journey back home ended, I found myself in one of the abovementioned shops. Now, we all know that we have to make many decisions in life. And being in one of these shops after a very long time left me in dilemma after dilemma. Hot tongshui, or Cold? Which choice should I pick (out of the never ending selection) if I should pick either?

Lucky for me, the dear friend I was with put an end to my deliberation and ordered both the Mango-Pomelo-Sago Ice Bowl and a bowl of Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls in Ginger Soup). Even though the older folks would have frown upon this decision to eat both the hot (the Tangyuan) and the cold (Ice Bowl) in the same sitting, that was really the least of my preoccupations then and there.

Yumm.

O, and did I mention that I kept staring at the bowl of Mango Shaved Ice sitting on the table next to us? If only calories were never an issue ):

History: Upgraded

Yuebing jie (Mooncake festival), as I lovingly call it as opposed to the accurate Zhongqiu Jie (Mid-Autumn Festival), brings back the fondest memories for me. From gathering at my gran’s place and lighting up the garden with pretty paper lanterns, to the walk my cousins and I would make around the neighbourhood with our lanterns. The classic moment had to be when my sis- who was more concerned in keeping the flame in the lantern alive then watching where she was walking , walked straight into a tree. Though it happened a good decade ago, none of us refuse to forget that moment (much to her chagrin of course).

What I guess is intriguing about Yuebing jie, is that we are celebrating the success of a revolution, a rebellion. We are in an age where rebellion is almost deemed as taboo, so having a festival that commemorates it seems like a nouveau concept.

But of course, it is designed to make us think that the rebellion was for the greater good and since victors (the rebels) write history, it really is anyone’s say. So, according to the stuff we learnt in Chinese textbooks, secret messages were actually baked within the skin of the mooncakes and passed around to avoid arousing suspicion from authorities. Completely ingenious really, and thank god there was no such thing as modern day custom officials (between the provincial cities) or specially trained dogs to sniff out pseudo mooncakes from the real deal.

I’ve always been a fan of the traditionally baked brown-skinned goodness (singleyolkonlyplease), and I always found the more modern versions of the snow-skinned ones too much of a OD of artificial flavours and colours. With everybody wanting a piece of the (yuebing) pie, everyone was suddenly inventing new flavours like champagne something or truffle something. True, they were pretty and exquisite- but taste-wise, something always seemed to be a little off. And just when I was about to give up on the chase for a good snow-skinned yum, I tried the Mandarin Oriental selection. No, they did not pay me to say this, but for the first time, I actually really really felt that maybe it was time to embrace the ‘other’ mooncake. The Black Gold Premium Chocolate was perfection really; and the Ginseng, Premium Bird’s Nest and Omega Egg White Custard (despite the complexity of flavour and its really long name) actually WORKED.

Brown- skinned goodness: 0
Snow Skinned New found love: 1

I cannot help but emphasize that I am not a fan of anything that sounds overly modern or extravagant, especially when we are celebrating something as serious as a rebellion, but this combination really worked out. And, we are celebrating a success (of sorts), aren't we?

Long overdue heritage tours: Amazing Race Part 2

The BFF and I were torn between calling our random walks across singapore 'heritage tours' or 'the (slow) Amazing Race'. But yes, it was a mix of both really. We started from Chinatown, walking through the crazy crowds, exploring the markets, and the millions of textile shops above the main square. With it being the 2 week run-up to the Chinese New Year, all things red were flashing proudly, accompanied by terrible, yet familiar CNY songs. Yes, i find them terrible, so sue me. That said, CNY wouldn't be CNY without them. SO. contradiction contradiction.

Chinatown got too crowded after a while, so in our pursuit of somewhere less maddening we tried to find our way to Ann Siang Hill. As mentioned in an earlier post, I have a crazy thing for shophouses. And Ann Siang Hill is the land of shophouses. What I find most intriguing is the fact that the facades are kept, but the insides are completely modern- with shops selling streetwear, to cakes, to high street brands. The unraveling of the old school mosaic exteriors to modern and functional interiors makes me feel like i've stepped into a completely different world. Okay, I do think it could be the air conditioning which makes the 'stepping in' process a whole lot cooler, literally. I don't know if I'm making sense here, but i don't know if I want too. Ann Siang is just a place for you to come see and fall in love with, and it'll never be for the same reasons, I guess.






































I'm slightly ashamed to say that we had to rely on a pocket map that the BFF's mom got to help us navigate. We got a little lost somewhere along the way, but thank god the BFF can read maps (having a map, and knowing how to read it are completely different matters). And so, from Ann Siang, we headed off down Club Street and then on to Amoy Street Hawker Center. Having worked in the area, I've heard a million and one rave reviews about the food at Amoy. However, that million and one rave reviews= crazy long queues= not a good idea for lunch. But, it was a Saturday, and Saturday meant no people in suits fighting for a table, or standing in the long lines. Butbut, Saturday also meant that a lot of stalls weren't opened :( nonetheless, we managed to find a Malay Stall with the most amazing briyani ever. and i'm pretty sure it wasn't because we were hungry.

Along our tan-inducing walk, we chanced upon a very old school coffee bean shop. We have the amazing Monmouth in London, but I do think the old school coffee bean shops in Singapore are comparable. The aroma of the freshly ground coffee beans really takes the cake. Yes, i don't think the beans come from all over the world, but I love the old-fashioned, and these are the best.

I can't remember where we took the MRT from, but we ended up at Rochor for my last fix of Soya Bean Milk :) I only drink it from one place and one place only! I introduced it to the BFF during our secondary school days- and I'd drag her (we walked, mind you) all the way there just so we could have the iced-cold drink. yuum.

It's tradition, I say.

The things in life that just can't be left out.

Studying overseas has made me appreciate the sheer diversity of the variety of food that we have at home.Whether it is meepok or satay or stingray, you name it and you'll get it. You just can't get the same stuff anywhere else, Chinatown or not.

Adam Road Hawker Center is one of the haunts i frequent back home in sg. It is impossible to go wrong here- judging from the snaking queues of the Nasi Lemak stalls to the equally long queues at the Prawn Mee stall. The Prawn Mee at Adam Road is the BEST prawn mee I've tasted in my entire life. Yes. I can't not eat before I leave because I'll keep thinking about it. It is that good! Being back for only a month this winter break meant that I just had to make a trip down.

So, we made a trip down during his lunch break to wolf down the whole of Adam Road! I had my prawn mee, and he had nasi lemak (without the chicken, because he was afraid I couldn't finish the rest of the food), and we had Oyster Omelette and a Roti John to share. O the goodness of it all! And although mayonnaise on top of the Roti John would have made it taste so much better, we stuffed our faces till we couldn't eat anymore. Lol.

I miss the food already, and I just had it. argh.

A little bit of old, and a little bit of new

Being back for a month now, I decided that I wanted my last week to be somewhat more fulfilling, something different. And with the Best Friend taking leave (thank youu!) today, we thought it would be a fantastic idea to spend the day exploring Little India and Haji Lane.

Since Rochor was our designated starting point for our very slow version of the 'Amazing Race', we couldn't possibly start it without drinking soya bean milk. Unfortch, the shop that I like wasn't opened when we got there, so we sat by the road eating the supernaturally delicious kueh lapis that the Best Friend's mom ordered for me. When the shop finally did open, we grabbed our drinks and pressed forth.

But that didn't really last long- we got distracted by the architectually impressive-ly structured NAFA, and sat on the fake grass to finish up our drinks, we still managed to continue our long hike (yea, right) towards Samy's Curry Restaurant at the Civil Service Club.

I decided on Little India because a friend of mine recently held her bday party there. And I got lost trying to navigate. It took a very patient JP on the phone, half an hour in the wrong direction and aching legs before I actually got there. So yes, I decided that I should put on the explorer cap to actually take in the sights proper, instead of the dizzying experience (not the good way) I had that night. And because JP told me that Samy's Curry was probably our best bet for lunch, that was our designated break.

To say that we were happy to see the sign would be the understatement of the new year. Haha.

Part 2 of our 'Amazing Race' and a very belated heritage tour saw us combing the Bugis Area and in specifics- Haji Lane. The mishmash of vintage apparel stores as well as lazy shisha cafes definitely tops the list for a laid back afternoon. With a new list of must-buys, and another date with the Best Friend to return on Thurs, I really can't wait. And although my legs feel like they don't really belong to me, there's going to be so much more to look forward too this week. School can wait.

old school fun

Yes, the NYE was a terrible affair - from counting down with the parents at the swissotel (that's the good part) to clubbing with my childhood friend and the usual gang (the better part) to realising that there was not one single cab available on the roads (this is where it starts). Seriously, no cab at all, and i walked down the entire stretch. i gave up, and sat by the curbside alone in the wee hours of the new year, wishing for some form of transportation to magically appear beside me. and then a rickshaw pulls up. well, in Cinderella fashion really, although without the prince, or the glass slipper, and besides it was waay past midnight. Plus, Cinderella's carriage was a pumpkin - kinda free of charge, unlike mine. But hell, anything in order to escape the crowd and go somewhere with CABs.

But for all that jazz, what with reaching home at 5, there was something good to look forward to in the morning. Breakfast was spent with jean at rocher, eating tauhui 2 stores away from the one i usually patronise. He actually called before he picked me up just to check if I was awake. Hey, I believe I'm one of the few who can sleep at 5 and wake up at 9 for breakfast.

So we had tauhui and Jean just went 'of course we must have that (the dough fritter)'. and so we did. Breakfast dragged into a lunch, and even the aunty at the shop knew what a Heineken Man he was. Hah.

Love the mix of old and new in Singapore, and this was in front of where Jean parked. I <3 shophouses.

Last night was clubbing night. I have been drinking quite a fair bit this holiday back home in sg, but it's all in good fun, and I haven't gotten thaat drunk. I think. Yea, but yesterday was reuniion - with jo back from HK and Jean joining us, it was funfunfun. but as usual, the gang was late, and because he picked me up from my get together with my jc friends, we went for drinks at cafe iguana first. always good to start the alcohol first (woot!). I keep forgetting how great Iguna can be - the whole laid back feel, high ceilings, and very good house beer. Yes, I did not have an allergic reaction, so cheers! So 3 pints and a margarita amongst the 2 of us, and we joined the rest for a crazy night.

I'm going to miss singapore. For reasons and more.

Cake Week :)

So after the crazy last two days in London spent with friends, it was time to celebrate the big 2-1 with the family. Maybe it was cause I was so excited about spending the first birthday in 2 years with the family, and maybe it was cause I was still in disbelief about getting Mr Ken. Ok, I think both. I just hope people on the plane didn't think I was some loony. Smiling to oneself is not really a reason for them to suspect otherwise.

The actual birthday itself was spent with the parents and mei. Mummy and Daddy took us to Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts for the buffet lunch. I actually told mummy before that I had a new fixation with oysters, so imagine my disappointment when I didn't see any oysters at the line (they only had it for dinner). BUTBUT! because of some crazy special arrangements, a plate of 12 oysters sat in front of me after I got back from getting my sushi. holy moly. imagine my sheer shock! that made everything 10x better i swear.

Best part was, when I thought daddy was getting the bill, the Carousel people came out in a cake singing 'Happy Birthday' to the tune of 'Too good to be True' (I'm pretty sure that's not the name of the song, but you get it). My jaw dropped. seriously, I was literally shocked to tears, much to the amusement of EVERYONE staring. very very embarrassing, but I was really touched. So that's the apricot cake above, that I received from the restaurant. :)

Mei and I celebrated our birthdays together on the 6th- the day I flew back, and her actual birthday. I think the cake was really the highlight of the night! Mummy ordered the cakes from Sheraton- where I did a stint of temp work in the pastry department, so I got to meet Chef Wong when we went to collect the cake. Mei got her favourite Opera, while I got a custom made cake. I'm bragging here really, but just to clear things up, it really isn't intentional. Really.

When I worked at Sheraton, I fell in love with this palm size chocolate dome. It was only available twice a week, and only in one size. But after making it once (its a tedious process), and having a taste of it, I was smitten. Yes, it does that to you. The chocolate mousse, with the orange creme brulee inside was the best thing I have ever ever tasted. So obviously, I really wanted that for the big one. :D So yup, the square cake is mei's opera, and the bottom two are front view and back view of the cake-of-the-year. yumyumyum.

So yes, that's the end of one week of birthday celebration, with the next spent in Korea, and the week after holding a birthday bash somewhere. Sonya would be so proud of me :)

Missus Wood

Bigbigbig thanks to the lover and all my friends for getting the Kenwood MX271 Patissier Mixer 4lt 400W for my birthday. I'm still trying to take in the events of the day- from getting massively drunk Day 1, to waking up sick, to going for spa treatment with the lover and to dinner at our Korean joint. Everything seemed perfect but guess what? They came over and surprised me with Mr Ken.

Yes, I've always wanted a kitchenaid, but that's way too overpriced, and the Kenwood Mixer looks equally gorgeous. Plus, its the mixer that I'm always drawn too whenever I head down to Best Denki (back home in sg). OMG. i swear my heart rate has never reached such high levels, not even when I run at gym when I saw the big box. and though there's the logistics problem of taking back home when we graduate, for now, its bake first- think later. WHOO HOO.

so, say hello to my new lover- Mr Ken. And Day 2 of the Big 2-1 ends, with me and my stand mixer.

I can't stop smiling.