Chicken rice is one food that you can't miss while in Singapore. This food is fulfilling, cheap, and can be found everywhere. Been to Singapore many times, chicken rice never failed me. I ate at many places and it's always good. Now I had one question in mind ... Where's the best Chicken Rice in Singapore?? When 'good' is not enough, I'm so ready for the GREAT one! When I research for the best chicken rice in Singapore, all the pages result come down to Tian Tian Chicken Rice. I guess what makes it famous is because Anthony Bourdain been eating this chicken rice and approved it ? Haha... I don't know. But yes .... I have to admit the reason why I wanna try this place is because Bourdain said so :p
Located at the bustling area of Chinatown, luckily I came before lunch time so there's no queue. I hate queue-ing, especially for food. Sorry, but I can't stand to wait in hunger. Lols. Not like usual hawker stall, Tian Tian Chicken Rice had a system for ordering. First you order and pay, next, you go to their next stall to pick your food.
Me and my friends haven't had breakfast that time, so we opted Big portion of Chicken Rice - SGD 3.50. We also order Half Chicken - SGD 12. And yes, Bourdain was right. The chicken.... oh my.... was so tender and juicy. The fat beneath the chicken skin formed into gelatine-like textures and gives the extra flavor to the meat. They also poured some light brown sauce on top of the chicken, not sure what is that, but I definitely can taste the sesame oil in it. And yes, they served the chicken, slightly chilled! This is intentional. That's just how they serve it.
The rice, was also nice. Very fragrant and flavorful. Had it with their chili sauce or black soy sauce, Heaven ! I'm very satisfied with their chicken rice, and I'm definitely back again !
Maxwell Food Centre Stall 10 & 11 Singapore Tue to Sun ( 10am to 8pm ) Phone : 9691 4852
443 Joo Chiat Road Singapore Tue to Sun (10am to 10pm ) Phone : 6345 9443 12 Jalan Pari Burong (Simpang Bedok) Singapore Tue to Sun ( 10am to 9pm ) Phone : 6448 0120 3 Shenton Way #02-11 Shenton House Singapore Mon to Fri (closed on Public Holiday) Phone : 6225 6671 Breakfast (8am to 10am) Lunch (10am to 4pm)
Coffee, which a part of my daily life, already become one of my passion lately. Still a newbie, but just like my dad, we're a big fan of strong and full-bodied coffee. So from my last week trip to Singapore, coffee-hoping is already on my agenda. Recommend by my coffee-connoisseur friend, @kulikopi, this coffee shop in quiet Everton area, definitely worth a try ! ( read : for those who passionate about coffee only ).
Relying on google maps, I took a walk from Opp New Bridge Road bus station to the Everton Park area. After asking the second person that I met that day, I just know I came on the wrong day. They're CLOSED every Tuesday for roasting day!! Oh well.... my fault, I know I should pay attention more to their business hours. But yes it didn't stop me, Nylon Coffee Roasters was on the top of my list so I'm coming back the next day ! :D Looking at their mustache logo, Nylon who stands for New York and London, bringing a new vibe of indie-hipster coffee shop in Singapore. Looking on how they do their coffees and their space concept, you'll know they are serious! Don't expect a big spacious quiet sitting area with high-speed internet service ( like those in Jakarta ). When I come there it's packed with people who only wants one thing, good cup of coffee. So many regulars that seems the owner, Dennis and Jia Min, knows them well.
The vintage GS2!
For a first-timer like me, Jia Min recommend their Seasonal Espresso Blend, Four Chairs. A mixed of single origin coffee from Nicaragua and El Salvador. I opted for 3oz ( SGD 3.80 ) cup, because I'm going to another coffee shop after :p And yes, they're also Roasters, so they blend and roast the coffee by themselves. My cup of Four Chairs turns pretty awesome. The acidity was suite me well, and I always love coffee with nutty hazelnut notes.
I also bought some of their single origin coffee beans that perfect for pour-over, El Suspiro ( SGD 17.50 - 250gr ). Produced by Mierisch Family in Matagalpa, Nicaragua this one is a perfect coffee for you who like fruity taste. I definitely can taste the citrus-flavor at the first sip, and chocolatey finish at the back. However, the body was too light for my liking. If you like the light fruity coffee, go for this one!
Seems not only Jakarta which affected by the Ramen fever. People are looking and looking for more killer pork-bone soup, juiciest chasiu, and the one who claiming 'the most authentic'. When I go to for a short- holiday to Singapore this week, it seems this 'neighbor-country' also having the same 'fever' like ours. Many new ramen places just open in Singapore, some behind the famous big brand, some are not. I'm looking for some best one to try, but the one that we're not having here in Jakarta. So yes, this latest branch of them on Bugis was one of my choice. Opening from about 6 months ago, Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Four Seasons bringing different flavor from their previous 3 branches. It is said the pork bone soup was cooked for 11 hours, well... it's not that surprising since there is a ramen shop here in Jakarta that make the broth from 2 days before. lols. Located just near the Bugis KFC, would be easy to find this place. Luckily I'm going on weekdays and a bit late from dinner time, so there's no queue.
Just like it's name, they serve ramen named just like the Four Seasons. Spring with Basil and Cheese ( ow yeah ), Summer with three difference types of chilli, Japanese Shichimi, Cayenne Pepper and Szechuan Pepper. Autumn with 3 different types of mushroom and bonito. Winter one just like the usual signature Keisuke Ramen.
Since I'm a big fan of mushroom and bonito, Autumn ( SGD 12.90 ) was my choice obviously. When you order you can also opted for the thick or thin broth, hard of soft noodle, and less or more oil. Mine was normal one. At the first sip, you definitely can taste the strong bonito flavor. It's good, but somehow it's slightly had some aftertaste that stays in your mouth. For me, I think the bonito flavor was overpowering the mushroom though. The chasiu was succulent enough, and the noodle, I'm so sorry but not big fan of it. Not smooth and tasted a bit too doughy for me.
A friend of mine order Summer ( SGD 13.90 ). I didn't try it, but he said that it's really spicy. haha.
Free hard boiled egg and marinated beansprouts also served on every table, and they also serve a bowl of sesame that we had to grind by ourselves, just like in authentic katsu restaurant.
And one thing that makes me want to go to here too is...... Green Tea Cola !!! ( SGD 3.00 ) I know righttttt! I drink it with such a big expectation, and it let me down. The green tea flavor wasn't there, so it's just tasted like regular cola. But yeah.... it's worth a try if you haven't try. But for me, once is enough ;)
