Usually, the first post of the year (or maybe the last one) is dedicated to recaps. A tribute to the milestones that marked the passing year. Unfortunately, thanks to my super large backlog, I think the wiser recourse is for me to try and tame it. So, join me as I go back and revisit 2009’s Singapore vacations.
October 2009 found me walking along the streets of Tiong Bahru. Quaint and a bit quiet, it didn’t have the frenetic pace I associate with Singapore. I felt a little lost—where was the MRT station?—but along with Jane, Kate, Jonel and Jen, I set off on foot, hoping to stumble upon the local Hawker Center. As we hit the Tiong Bahru Hawker Center, I zeroed in on a Roast Duck stall, following my favorite rule for dining in unfamiliar places, “Buy food where the locals queue.”
Sure enough, I was rewarded with a plate of flavorful Duck Rice. The meat was tender and the sauce, while heavy, worked well together. Heaped on a generous mound of steamed rice and washed down with a can of Seasons Iced Tea, I was happily munching away. Definitely a delicious start to a yummy vacation.
The next day, we were off bright and early, touring the city and enjoying all sorts of touristy things. It was only understandable that we were famished come lunch time. We stopped to grab a bite at the Maxwell Center Food Court in Chinatown. Can you imagine how excited I was? Reunited with Tian-tian’s Hainanese Chicken, I was in heaven. It was every bit as good as I remembered. Grabbing a mug of Lychee Juice, I was truly, absolutely happy.
Food Tripping at Makansutra
The evening of day 2, we wandered off to Makansutra along Marina Bay to go on a food trip that can satisfy our various cravings. This time around, I tried the Char Kway Teow there. Smokey and spicy, it was good, although I prefer the one I tried at Hokkien Me, which was chockful of cockles.
I also grabbed a plate of Huat-huat’s Barbecue Chicken Wings. It was a pleasant memory, once again from last year. Thankfully, memory served me right as it was tasty with a zing, thanks to the citrusy-spicy dipping sauce it was served with.
Jen, who had been craving for Chili Crabs since Day 1 finally got her wish. I had a small taste when she offered. It was quite different from the Chili Crab I tried the year before from No Signboard. While No Signboard’s Chili Crab sauce was thick and mouthwateringly gravy-like, the one from Glutton Bay was sticky-sweet and spicy. My personal preference is still No Signboard’s.
Our table was laden with food that evening. Truth be told, the dishes pwned us, as we left some food uneaten. Unfortunate, yes. But stuffed and happy as we were, it was definitely a successful evening.
More on Page 2: Turning Japanese at Ion
katsu curry! I miss you so.
Make some!
I always wonder how they could make tonkatsu so crispy and crubly, my tonkatsu usually ends up like something that has a smooth bread shell. Do I need to cover the whole pork with the egg mixture or just dab it? I always end up with a soggy coating of panko before I fry the pork.
Do you flour the pork first?
yep I cover it with flour first, then soak it into the egg mixture…then bread crumbs
It’s nice hearing your views on your favorite foods in Singapore are. I am currently based here and have my own favorites but this post might just tempt me to get out and visit one of those places you mentioned… and I just might grab a bottle of the chestnut juice when I get home later.
So envious of you right now. I just went through some pics and I’ve craving so much for the food you have there. *NOM!*
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Tiong Bahru and Maxwell are my favourite Hawker Centers as well. Great stuff! I will try the stalls you mention in my next trips!
I’m glad you approve! What do you like eating there?