Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant

Level 3, Quality Hotel
201 Balestier Road
Tel: 6254 0090
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 3pm (lunch) & 6pm to 10pm (dinner)
Website: http://www.qualityhotel.com.sg/index.html#top

Indulge in a lavish banquet that features an attractive spread of dishes, mostly handmade, for its buffet lunches and dinners. Savour the flavours of the wide range of Taiwanese vegetarian cuisine, which amazingly, remains creative and unique despite its variety. Make a pit stop at their “Dian Xin” Corner and revel in a sumptuous spread of “Dianxin” in Hong Kong, Taiwanese and Japanese styles. Don’t miss their weekend “eat-all-you-can” buffet lunches and dinners comprising of over 100 delicious varieties of cooked food. For those who prefer the homely aroma of wholesome soups, they would appreciate the painstakingly prepared stewed herbal soups. A bonus is that food is prepared avoiding deep frying methods, perfect for the health-conscious.

There is also an ice-cream station to which you can help yourself to unlimited servings. Free-flow beverages are also self-service. Available are a variety of soda, hot coffee, tea, and Chinese tea.

For a non-vegetarian like me, I truly enjoyed the cuisine that they served here. It's so tasty you wouldn't believe it's vegetarian. Personally, I really love their dianxin. A die-die must try would be their soup in puff pastry. Be fast... once the bowls of soup leave the kitchen, they disappear in a blink of an eye. Oh, you should also try their Japanese handroll. Yummy!

Eng Seng Restaurant

241 Joo Chiat Place
Opening Hours: 5pm to 10pm, closed on Wednesdays

This is THE place to go if you want to eat pepper crabs. But you’ll queue up for more than an hour and some, for a table at this coffeeshop off Joo Chiat Road. Well known with East Coast denizens, Eng Seng attracts even locals from far-flung corners of Singapore with its signature Black Pepper Crabs. Call it crazy, but the 50 crab fiends who queue up to feed here every night can’t be all wrong, can they? Well Eng Seng die-hards swear the wait is well worth it. Bring along a couple of friends to stave off the waiting time, and before long you’ll be tucking into a well-deserved crab dinner.

Jade Room Restaurant - Tropical Peking Style Steamboat Buffet

#02-01 Hotel Royal
36 Newton Road
Tel: 6251 8135, 6254 8587, 6254 8603
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 3pm; 6.30pm to 11pm
Website: http://www.jaderoom.com.sg/profile.htm

Diners can choose from 32 items, including sea cucumber, fresh prawns and peking dumpling, which they then cook steamboat style. The dipping sauce in particular stands out. For those who want more, 10 cooked dishes are also available.

Prices are unbelievably good value for money:-

1. Lunch: $13.80+++(adult) and $9+++(child) (weekdays)
2. Lunch: $16.80+++(adult) and $9+++(child) (weekends, eves and public holidays)
3. Dinner: $18.80+++(adult) and $12+++(child) (weekdays)
4. Dinner: $19.80+++(adult) and $12+++(child) (weekends, eves and public holidays)

• If you pay using UOB Credit Card, you get 10% off a-la-carte menu.

Tiong Shian Porridge

265 New Bridge Road, Ann Kway Building
Tel: 6221 1596 / 6222 3911
Opening Hours: 7am to 2.30am, closed on alternate Mondays
Website: http://www.sbestfood.com/tiongshian.htm

In case you don’t know what is Tiong Shian porridge, I’ll mention that it’s the famous Chinatown porridge at the coffeeshop near the main road, and it’s very near the Chinatown food centre. Now do I hear a “orh, that one har?” Hehehe… oh yes, it’s that one lor. Now you know.

They have all kinds of porridge and since I’m not the kind to take frog porridge, I usually go for century egg (S$3.20 a bowl) or chicken porridge (S$2.70 a bowl). I also like their fried hoon chang (S$5 a plate).

My pet peeve about this place is having to find a seat. People and more people are everywhere and not a seat in sight for me. But since they’re open till very late (or very early in the morning), I guess you can wait and wait until someone finished his/her food and you finally get your seat.

Mellben Seafood

#01-1222 Block 232 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
Tel: 6285 6762

This shop is famous for their crab bee hoon / noodle soup. The dish is very much like fish head bee hoon except that it’s crab they use instead of fish. The crabs will set you back about S$40 per kg.

They have spun off a branch in Ang Mo Kio Block 233 (opposite the current one) called Uncle Leong’s Seafood (apparently opened by a disciple but not as good as this one). Again, don’t be deterred by the long queue.

Note: Thanks to KP for the recommendation!

Mooncakes from Sze Chuan Court

Level 3, Swissotel the Stamford
2 Stamford Road
Tel: 6338 8785
Fax: 6338 8529
Email: rafflestheplaza.mooncakes@raffles.com
Website: https://order.singapore-plaza.raffles.com/orderform_step1.asp

Herald in the much-revered Mid-Autumn Festival with treasure trove of legendary mooncakes from Szechuan Court!

Boasting the finest in taste and quality, we are proud to present a glorious plethora of nine (9) delectable mooncakes, ranging from traditional golden nuggets to silky smooth snow-skin jewels, exquisitely handcrafted to transcendent perfection, and gracefully encased in an elegant chengsam-inspired packaging.

Indulge in our alluring, innovative snow-skin varieties where each culinary gem is a harmonious fusion of luxurious chocolate and velvety white lotus paste, heightened with a modern twist. Sink your teeth into Mini Snow-Skin Lychee, Almond & Dark Chocolate MooncakeNEW! - an extravagant treat of luscious and sweet aroma of lychee, sinfully enrobed in the silky dark chocolate.

Continuing to beguile chocolate lovers are our bestsellers Snow-Skin Rum & Raisin Chocolate Truffle Mooncake, Mini Snow-Skin Baileys Chocolate Mooncake and Mini Snow-Skin Champagne Truffle & Chocolate Ganache Mooncake.

The newest addition to the traditional range are Baked Mooncake with Walnut & Apricot in White Lotus Paste and Baked Mooncake with Lingzhi, Wolfberries & Figs in Red Lotus Paste, which brim with natural flavours and wholesome goodness.

Not to be missed is our charming assembly of baked golden brown classics such as Baked Mooncake with Double Yolk in White Lotus Paste, Baked Peach-shaped Mooncake with Single Yolk & Macadamia Nuts in White Lotus Paste and Mini Baked Mooncake with Yolk in White Lotus Paste.

Prices range from S$40 to S$48 (excluding GST and delivery charges, if applicable). A one-time delivery of S$50 to 1 location is applicable unless you order 50 boxes and above.

• If you pay using American Express credit card, you get 20% savings from now to 31 Aguust 2007 and 15% discount from 1 to 25 September 2007(only available at Sze Chuan Court AND the booth at Level 1, Raffles City Shopping Centre).
• If you pay using DBS Credit card, you get 15% discount for purchases made at Szechuan Court or booth at Level 1 Raffles City Shopping Centre or Junction 8, Level 2 or Caltex House, Level 1 or Raffles Xchange or Tampines Mall Atrium.
• If you pay using HSBC credit card, you get 15% discount from 1 to 25 September 2007; 20% discount if you buy between 17 to 31 August 2007 (offer is not available at Takashimaya booth).
• If you pay using OCBC credit card, you get 20% discount for purchases made between now to 31 August 2007 (valid at Raffles City and Szechuan Court only) and 15% discount off all mooncakes from now to 25 September 2007 (except Takashimaya).
• If you pay using Standard Chartered credit card, you get 20% discount for purchases made from 17 to 31 August 2007 (only available at Sze Chuan Court AND the booth at Level 1, Raffles City Shopping Centre); you get 15% discount for purchases made from 1 to 25 September 2007 (only available at Sze Chuan Court AND the booth at Level 1, Raffles City Shopping Centre); AND 50% discount for the purchase of 3rd and 4th boxes from 1 to 5 September 2007 (limited to the 1st 100 Cardmembers per day. Available only at Level 1, Raffles City Shopping Centre. Each Cardmember can only purchase a maximum of two boxes of mooncakes at 50% off per day.)
• If you pay using UOB credit card, you get 20% discount for purchases made at Szechuan Court or booth at Level 1 Raffles City Shopping Centre or Junction 8, Level 2 or Caltex House, Level 1.

Think Tofu

170 Upper Bukit Timah Road #B2-18
Bukit Timah Shopping Centre
Tel: 6466 2886
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 3pm; 5.30pm to 9.30pm daily
Website: http://www.thinktofu.com/

Tofu is the main ingredient used in this restaurant. Of course there are other dishes like beef steak, pork chop, etc. in case you are not a tofu eater.

This is a unique Chinese restaurant serving many varieties of tofu dishes. If you need tofu for your diet, this is the place to go. They have tofu like you have never seen before. They have the Mai Pian (Tofu with Crispy Cereal) Tofu, tofu with minced beef and other kinds of tofu dishes. Of course they also have other meat and vegetable dishes including desserts. The Thai fried fish fillet is also delicious.

Price is reasonable. About $5.50 per dish. Size is just right for 2-3 persons. Vegetable dishes are just about $3.20.

Place is usually crowded during weekends. So go early to get a good seat.

Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon

Blk 46 Holland Drive #01-359
Tel: 6778 3691
Opening Hours: 12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm to 11pm, daily

The most famous place you can enjoy the liquor laced dish is here although you will likely chance upon similar versions of the dish at restaurants or food stalls across the island.

A hot spot for both lunch and dinner, this Holland Drive coffeeshop is almost always packed. Animated chatter from the diners and the noisy whir of the wall-mounted fans add to the atmosphere, as bowl after bowl of steaming fish head bee hoon is served. You can smell the tantalising scent of cognac in the bowl of delicious X.O. fish head bee hoon even before it reaches your table. The dish, although a little too milky, comes with a generous serving of fresh steamed fish and thick vermicelli. For the price you’re paying, you’re definitely getting a whole lot of fish with almost 15 pieces of fish head! The price ranges from $7 - $25 (up to 5 pax).

Also not to be missed are crowd favourites like har cheong kai (Shrimp Paste Fried Chicken) (S$7 per plate) and Buttered Prawns (S$15 for 5 pcs).

Coca Steamboat

• #04-22 Ngee Ann City, Tel: 6734-7887
• #02-05 International Building, Tel: 6738-2588
• #02-28/30 The Concourse, Tel: 6295-3611

All outlets open between 11am and 11pm daily. Price $16 - $18 per person for buffet lunch; $26 - $30 for buffet dinner, depending on which outlet.

First set up in 1987 in Chinatown, this franchise chain from a Thai restaurant group is most famous for its chilli sauce. It is made from a highly guarded secret recipe from Bangkok, which includes sesame seeds, coriander and a little soya sauce. This chain is also famous for being the first here to introduce “fish glue” – fish paste that turns delightfully chewy when cooked. Its meatballs, made from fish, prawn, beef and chicken, are also hand-made every morning at the outlets to ensure freshness. It offers two types of soup: chicken stock and tom yam.

• If you pay using DBS Amex Card, you get 15% discount on total bill (lunch/dinner). Available only at International Building.

Note: This review was taken from ST Foodies Club.

Tian Wai Tian Fish Steamboat

• 1382/1383 Serangoon Road (off Opal Crescent)
  Opening Hours: 11am to 2pm, 6pm to 11pm, Mon to Fri
  4.30pm to 11pm, Sat & Sun & Public Holidays
• lk 638 Veerasamy Road #01-101
  Yi He Eating House
  Tel : 6392 3233
  Opening Hours: 5pm to 2am

I have personally tried this but I ate at the Serangoon Road outlet which is the de facto outlet.

The die die must try dish here would be their famous fish head steamboat because the soup was a heady concoction of fresh promfret fish slices and chunks, yam, seaweed, lettuce and fried flat fish pieces for that extra oomph, kept piping hot and boiling by the traditional method of burning charcoal, which the Chinese believe gives food a different taste compared to gas stoves. You can even choose the kind of fish you want for your steamboat - whether you prefer the promfret fish or the red garoupa or other varieties depending on availability. You can even ask for additional soup if your soup level runs low.

Another must try dishes would be their fried kang kong with cuttlefish and the fried har choy (deep-fried beancurd skin roll wrapped with shrimp meat filling and eaten with a dab of sweet honey plum sauce).

Oh, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Waiting hour during peak period is more than an hour. Go and order before you get hungry. Else, to beat the crowd, go as soon as this place opens.

No Signboard Seafood

414 Geylang Road (off Lorong 24)
Tel: 6842 3415
Opening Hours: 3pm to 2am daily
Website: http://www.nosignboardseafood.com/

Huge crabs arrive smothered by a volcano of orange-coloured gravy. Served with soft white bread, the gravy is spicy, eggy, garlicky and full of crab flavour. It’s unlikely that a drop of it will be left by the time you’re through. Two other pluses: There is valet parking, and the service is efficient and very friendly.

This family-run business started out as a humble hawker stall in Mattar Road close to 30 years ago. The founding hawker was so poor that he couldn’t afford a signboard, which explains the restaurant’s name.

Check their website for more outlets information.

Lao Zhong Zhong Five Spice Stall

Lao Zhong Zhong Coffeeshop
Tai Thong Crescent (just opposite the Jackson Centre)

In Singapore, ngor-hiang, or ngoh-heong, is commonly used to refer to a type of meat sausage made with a thin translucent beancurd skin somewhat similar to caul fat. Stalls selling this normally have a variety of other fried fritters, prawn fritters, beancurd (tau-kwa) and fish-cakes to go with the cut-up rolls. It is common to eat an ala carte selection with a plate of beehoon (vermicelli) together with sweet dipping and chilli sauces. These stalls are very much the Chinese equivalent of the Indian Rojak stalls.

This is the one and only Lao Zhong Zhong Five Spice Stall. I love to eat the ngor hiang at this stall as they have so many varieties and yet the prices remain very reasonable for good quality food.

Only gripe is that they don’t have bee hoon to go with their wu xiang.

Hoe Nam Prawn Noodles

31 Tai Thong Crescent
(very near to Lao Zhong Zhong Coffeeshop)
Tel: 6281 9293
Opening Hours: 6.15am to 4.45pm, closed on alternate Mondays
Website: http://www.sbestfood.com/hoenam.htm

Look at the list of awards and recommendations that they got from their website.

The two sisters running the stall say they use pork bones and prawn shells, and the tasty soup is a mouth-watering balance of both.

I personally ate there and I had the soupy version not the dry version, so I’m not sure how the dry one tastes like. I love the tasty soup which has a nice prawn taste. Try the handmade fish cake too.

Poh Cheu

Blk 127 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-230 (near to Alexandra Village Food Centre)
Tel: 6276 2287
Opening Hours: 8am to 6pm, off on Sunday & Public Holidays
Website: http://www.sbestfood.com/pohcheu.htm

This stall specializes in a wide range of hand-made ang ku kuehs (prices range from S$0.50 to S$0.80) with different fillings (peanut, green bean, salted bean (tou sha), durian, yam, coconut, red bean, coffee, mango & green tea). Ang ku kueh is a rice flour cake filled with whatever filling you choose from the range.

Stall also has other traditional kuehs and pastries such as soon kueh (steamed Chinese dumpling made of rice flour skin with chopped turnips strips as filling), glutinous rice, etc.

If you spend more than S$50, you get one box of soon kueh free. I’ve never spent more than S$50 here (who’s going to finish all the kuehs if i do?), so I don’t know how many pieces are free.

Thunder Tea Rice

• #01-31 China Square Food Centre
  Opening Hours: 11am to 8pm
• #01-11 Amoy Street Food Centre
  Opening Hours: 11am to 8pm, closed on Sunday
• #03-01 Vivo City Food Republic
  Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm
• Website: http://www.sbestfood.com/thundertearice

What is Thunder Tea Rice, you wonder? It is a is a Hakka dish, which is supposed to be a healthy dish coz it's only vegetables and tea with rice.

The Thunder Tea Rice has the following:-

• Green Tea: Powerful anti-oxidant, helps to lower cholesterol.
• Basil & Mint: Anti-stress, for cooling & calming effect, aids relaxation, relieve colds.
• Fuliksum: Remove body toxins and fluid wastes, strengthen immune system.
• Chinese Parsley & Coriander: Ease digestion & gastric, combat flu & headache.
• Ginger & Ngal: Expel body winds & gas.
• Sesame: Maintain youth & enhance beauty.
• Groundnuts: High in protein, good for stein.

It's all herbs & veg., high in fibre, rich in vitamins & herbs provide medicinal value. Lei Cha has excellent physical & pharmacological value. Frequent consumption of Lei Cha promotes good health. Physical value: Enhance slimming & body detoxification. Pharmacological value: Fatigue prevention, vitality promotion, physical improvement, improves body functions, ease digestion, ease chronic bronchitis, prevent hypertension & hardening of arteries, effective for chronic rheumatic and arthritic, inhibiting cancer cell growth, helps treat diabetes, enhance relaxation & improves good sleep.