Spring is almost here

I took these photos from a couple of Sundays ago. It was sunny and the flowers were out. I'm so happy that  I don't need to wear heavy coats anymore.




We went to A Positive View at Somerset House. Shortly after taking this photo, I was politely told that photographs weren't allowed. Oops.




Finishing off the exhibition with lunch at Abeno Too. The okonomiyaki is always tasty, and they have one of the best Japanese dessert menus in town.

Beautiful cherry blossoms

One day, I want to go to Japan and see the cherry blossoms in bloom.








More beautiful photos in the NatGeo gallery.

Memorable meals (part 2)

I had to split this up into two posts because firstly, there are just too many food photos and secondly, there were two places I went to that really stuck in my mind.

Hachi

I'd been introduced to Hachi a few years ago before I moved to London, back when it was just the chef behind his counter in a small space tucked away in Orchard Emerald. The new location, along Mohd Sultan Road is bigger, sleeker and boasts a rather professianal fleet of staff. The food though, I was glad to find out, was just as good as I remembered it. Although it was lunch and I had many meals under the belt with more to come, I had to go for omakase. It was definitely worth it.


Tofu with wasabi and preserved vegetables - it had a taste of century egg. Light and delicious.


Pork belly salad. Perhaps a tad too much cream and while I won't say it was the best pork belly I've had, it was quite succulent.


Otoro, scallop and hamachi(?) sashimi. The scallop was so fresh that it was sweet, and the tuna just melted in the mouth. Heaven.


Wagyu beef. There are moments when food is so good the entire table goes silent. This was one of those dishes. After a few seconds of complete bliss, my friend and I could utter "Oooh ummmm, sooo goood" in manner of Japan Hour.


Beautifully grilled and charcoaly fish cheek - I loved the smoky flavour


Yes, it's udon, but this was udon the way it should be - in a very superior dashi broth, served with some radish and oily fish. The texture of the udon was perfect, with the right amount of bite and chewiness.

After this, we had a rather mundane scoop of green tea ice-cream for dessert, but I was so happy with the food, I didn't mind.

Hachi
6 Mohamed Sultan Road
Tel: 6734 9622

Tian Fu Teahouse

Tian Fu Teahouse, on the 60th floor of UOB Plaza, was a new find, but I was determined to find time to eat there. I went with my parents on Sat afternoon and we opted for the Chinese New Year special. Sadly, my camera ran out of battery, so I don't have many photos of the food.


Fantastic view, and it was a nice sunny and clear afternoon


Starting off with light and delicate bitan piaoxue tea


My favourite dumplings, with steamed seafood and minced meat, mainly because they were so pretty. For the rest of the meal, we were served pu'er tea which I drank copious amounts of.


Deep fried pancake with pork floss. Really crispy


Pork floss inside the pancake

You'd think with a to-die-for view like that, the food would be so-so, but we were pleasantly surprised at the quality and delicacy of the dim sum. I'm so coming back here again next time I'm in Singapore.

Tian Fu Teahouse
80 Raffles Place
60th Floor UOB Plaza
Tel: 6535 6006

Memorable meals (part 1)

Nothing like living abroad to really make you appreciate the amount of good food we have back in Asia. My 3 weeks back home was quite literally an eating holiday. Non-stop lunches and dinners every day; I actually forgot what it was like to be hungry.

While the food was delicious, it was ultimately only the setting in which I got to catch up with all my family and friends. I had a fantastic visit back home - can't wait for the next one!


The first things I ate when I landed in Singapore were 2 kaya buns from Chin Mee Chin. Thick kaya toast and a chinese cupcake from Toast Box also made perfect teatime snacks with my mum.


I didn't spent all my time in Singapore. There was also a quick lunchtime visit to Malacca en route for a few days in KL.


Kampung chicken with chicken rice balls, wanton soup, hot tofu and beansprouts. Almost the perfect lunch.


Hands down the best chendol I've had in years.


A sumptous dinner of sang har ee meen (giant freshwater prawns with crispy noodles), suckling pig and tofu at Restoran Green View in KL.


Despite big dinners, I had to have a taste of my favourite tiramisu cake at Alexis bistro, KL.


Back in Singapore, having beef short rib at Crystal Jade Korean.


Ginseng chicken soup is something I cannot get in London. Oh how I've missed it.


After hearing all about the 45 minute queues to get a bowl of ramen at Ippudo, I finally get to try it. It is delicious.


Dinner at First Thai along Purvis St.


Among other things, we order prawn vermicelli.


My friend introduced me to Mai Thai in Holland Village. I can't wait to go back there to have the boneless stuffed chicken wings and basil tofu.


A craving for peranakan food is satisfied at Peramakan, Keppel Club. We ordered bakwang kepiting, otah, lamb curry, buah keluak, ngoh hiang and chap chye. Heaven.


Yet another craving for teochew porridge is scratched.


I just wish I could accomodate more food in my tummy.

Enter the Tiger

Chinese New Year is all about family, food and gambling. This year, there were festivities galore at family and friends' houses. From fantastic feasts of Perenakan food, popiah parties to all-night blackjack sessions, I had a great time this year. Happy Tiger year everyone!