Sizzler~~

Heya dear readers! I'm finally back after 2 weeks or so on my Reservist In Camp Training...

Don't ask me about camp food or even worse, Combat Rations, because.... the latter is just plain inedible. I will also decline to do a feature on it for obvious reasons...

Well, first thing out of camp is to treat myself to some good food, so went to Sizzlers' at Suntec City.

They are currently running a promotion for Free Salad Bar with every order of a main dish. The Salad Bar stocks a whole range of salad items consisting of the fresh veggies, chickpeas, ham, salami, and many others. There is also a wide range (I counted 8 types) of salad dressing - Thousand Island, Vinaigrette and Blue Cheese included. 3 type of soup provided too - Mushroom Soup, Clam Chowder and something else which I can't seem to recall now, but quite sure it is some clear soup.

Feeling a little more health conscious that usual, I passed on the sirloins and tenderloins and opted for the much healthier Dory Fish Fillet. They offer this dish in 2 different styles - Grilled or Batter Fried Tempura Style.

I though the Tempura style sounded quite interesting so I ordered it. It came with chilli and tartar sauce, and sided with spicy fries.

The Dory Fish Fillet didn't disappoint, and tasted very fresh and smooth. The tempura style batter was really done like it would be in Japanese cuisine - light and non-oily.

Overall, I'd give Sizzlers' 2 thumbs up for good and friendly service, good food and a good dining experience.

I spent about $32 per person.

Hong Kong & Macau Fare!

On to the next location of my overseas makan trip, Hong Kong! I have visited HK almost once a year since 2006, and the one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the quality of the wontons in HK.

One of the first stops I made was to the Lantau Island Big Buddha. I had to take the cable car up the hill from the Ngong Ping Cable Car Station. After a 20 minute ride to the top, which was predominantly blanketed by thick fog during that time of the year, I finally reached the little tourist village at the top of the mountain.

The village is surprisingly bustling with activity, and made out to be more of a tourist location of some sorts. There are shops of all kinds found there, ranging from the souvenir shops to our main topic, the food! You can find an interestingly wide range of food there - pizzas, pastas, steaks, and also the standard HK Cha Chan Teng fare.

After a year of depravation from HK's wonderful wontons, I naturally chose the HK style Cha Chan Teng for my choice of lunch.

The soupy wonton noodles set me back about HKD$38 per bowl (about S$9), and there was quite a big range of food found there, and they were priced at aroud HKD$30 - HKD$60. Quite reasonable for a food establishment found at a tourist location.

The thing about wontons in HK, even at this place I found from nowhere, contained no less than THREE prawns. Yes, I jest you not. In the rest of my days in HK (only 3 days) I ate wonton noodles another 2 more times and there were also no less than THREE prawns in each wonton. I always tell my friends, "If u can find ONE prawn in a wonton in Singapore, YOU'RE VERY LUCKY!!"


HK's famous Ice Ying Yong (Tea + Coffee), served in a cute mug! =P


Check out the size and texture of these wontons... Note: 3 PRAWNS!! The noodles tasted nicer than most places in Singapore. MUST TRY!


This is the dry version of the wonton noodles. If you're ordering this, better not forget the chilli oil that goes VERY well with the noodles!


Century Egg & Lean Meat Porridge (皮蛋瘦肉粥）Another delicacy in HK, the texture of the porridge here is almost perfect, and is also another MUST TRY!

Macau

The first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the Macau Ferry Terminal, was that it was MUCH colder than Taiwan & Hong Kong because of the strong winds! Could also partly be the problem that we were right next to the sea.

The ride to the hotel took less than 5 mins, and after checking in and settling my luggage, I went out hunting for Macanese delicacies! Oh, and also for some nice casinos =).


Macau's famous Portugese Egg Tarts! These babies don't cost much, and each one can be finished in one gulp, but the nothing really comes close to the taste of warm, freshly baked egg tarts burstin in your mouth...


A sample of Macanese food in a restaurant... This one's Fried Tomato Rice or something like that. Can't really remember the name, but this dish was quite ok with me, though I don't take tomato-based food very often.


The curry here was okay too, but nothing like the powerful stuff we have back home in Singapore.

Macanese cuisine, although generally attuned to the taste of Hong Kongers because of the abundance of Cha Chan Tengs (茶餐厅s), do have some distinction because they offer some authentic Portugese dishes. Just ask the locals for directions to the restaurants that offer Portugese cuisine, and you'll be directed to these places! (Macau's not very big, so the good ones will usually be full if you don't make reservations beforehand!)

Next destination: Vietnam! (hopefully in June)

Taiwanese Food Fiesta~!

Hi guys, I'm back, and here to introduce to you all the fine tasting cuisine I hunted around for and tasted in beautiful Formosa!

One of the first stops I went to in Taiwan was Tamshui's Lovers' Bridge, where the guide told me, was one of the filming locations for the popular taiwanese serial - Meteor Garden. Being located right next to the Fishermen's Wharf, strong and chilly winds were expected, and my fingers froze up barely 2 mins after I got off the tour bus.

Anyways, after crossing the bridge - on to the food! I found a nice row of shops selling all sorts of food! In that kind of weather, something (or even anything) hot and piping would be really good to warm up the body... I bought myself a giant chicken cutlet (twice the size of those u find in Singapore!!!)


Look at the sheer size of the chicken cutlet!! Topped with generous helpings of salt, pepper and chilli powder =D....


You can never find cutlet done do such perfect standard in Singapore... 外香脆，内松软 - Crispy and flaky on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside! In Taiwan, they say "赞！" MUST TRY


Picture of Tamshui Old Street, where you can find some of Taiwan's famous makanmakan here... Some famous food you can find here are the Iron Eggs, vegetable and prawn crackers and some tofu dish (but I can't remember the name now, will post it once I do).


Some rip-off of Starbucks' logo here... there are at least 3 other companies with similar looking logos in Taiwan...


Shih-Lin Night Market - Home to the orignal Giant Chicken Cutlet and many other delicacies! Look for the longest queue extending out of the market into the open area outside, and you've found the queue for the Giant Chicken Cutlet! =)


There are at least 5-8 stalls in the night market providing this famous dish - Oyster Omelette or Oh Ah Jian 蚵仔煎...


Another one of the famous delicacies here - Seafood Porridge with Abalone slices. Other flavours available too!


Didn't forget to try the Ajisen Ramen while I was in Taiwan... this one's their version of the Volcano Ramen here.


This is what I chose, seems to be their version of Ton Toro Ramen back in SG.

My only regret is not being able to try out the Ah Chung Mee Sua in Ximen Ting because the queue was too long!!! Oh well... next time, perhaps!

Look out for my next post on HK food!

More posts coming soon!

Dear Readers,

Thank you for being so loyal to thehumblegourmet! I've just gotten back from a trip to Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau, and got some great pictures of wonderful food from these places!

Will be updating the site pretty soon, so look out for it!

Bon Appetit,

Jeremy

Chili Padi @ Bugis

This one's located opposite the Pet Shop at the corner of Bugis Junction's air-conditioned street, hidden from view by the bus stop in front of it.

What's not so hidden when you walk to the front of this small restaurant is the buffet spread that is laid out next to the glass window.

Walking into the retaurant will get you greeted immediately by a few smiling ladies dressed in orangey-red batik tops.

My all-time favourite here is the pork belly soup (or affectionately known as 猪肚汤 in cantonese.

Simple buffet style offering a range of peranakan and chinese cuisines. Curry, Pork Belly Soup, kueh kueh topped with coconut shavings and fruit & jelly desserts are always on the menu here.

Highly recommended if you're thinking of paying abit more for a nice meal (but definitely not more than a standard restaurant. Chili Padi's home-cooked style will definitely appeal to people like me who miss home cooked meals.

I spent about $15 per person for dinner.