Soup Spoon - Singapore

I love the Soup Spoon and make it a point to swing by whenever i can. A native Singapore brand, they have grown over the years and with good reason. Started by college mates it only makes sense they things at a fairly reasonable price. Their 12.50 lunch special is a steal (soup+ sandwich+drink)

The hearty minestrone is meatless and freaking delicious. Rather than go bland or stay on the neutral/bland side, their version is a little stronger to taste and the added kidney beans really make this rock. Much love for this bowl. One day i am going to try their large bowl.. 

their half sandwich is served with a rather boring salad but the sandwich itself is perfect. the wet lettuce is a distinctly Asian touch but it works nonetheless. 

the ice tea is less sugar and more tea.

Overall, they are a good comfy place to have a healthy lunch which is value for money. service is almost immediate and you can be in and out in 20 mins. 

Din Tai Fung - Singapore

I love Din Tai Fung, its no surprise that their their Hong Kong outlets have earned Michelin Stars because they are a first rate Dim Sum House. Originally from Taiwan and now in several countries, I first discovered them with my friend Sam, who took me to their outlet at Wisma on Orchard. I have been back a few times since but this time i visited the outlet at the Paragon.  

at 12.30 there was already a wait and it took us about 20 mins to get a table. 

they started us off with some tea and some pickled ginger, the ginger really hurt my teeth. 

this is one of the secrets to having a kickass experience at DTF. The vinegar, leave the soya sauce alone and just go for the vinegar. you will thank me later. 

the dumplings were amazing, minced veggies, not so melt in your mouth but still fairly delicate. the vinegar just took this places you would want to go. 

Stir fried Kailan, a little bland but again, a worthy respite between courses. enjoyable long as you get at it while its piping hot. 

The noodle with spicy sauce was pretty good and they weren't kidding when they said spicy, though it hits you much later. The impossibly thin noodles with the hint of heat were almost Aglio Olio esque except for the distinctly oriental after taste. Don't forget to mix it up thoroughly before diving in. 

Overall Din Tai Fung continues to be excellent and going there now is a little tradition. Like most busy Asian restaurants food shows up as and when its ready so don't expect to go by courses. The trick i learned is that all Dim Sum is made to order and there is little prep other than the fillings etc. No frozen stuff here. 

Although this branch of the DTF is not starred, the DNA is clear and freshness is part of the plan.Their kitchen is as busy as the restaurant with nearly 20 odd people on different stations.

A meal for four without booze was about SG$80. By comparison a three course  lunch meal at the Michelin starred Iggy's is $85 +. Money ain't got nothing to do with good food.

Tim Ho Wan - Hong Kong

My first attempt at snagging a table at THW a few years ago was quite a disaster. The worlds cheapest Michelin star restaurant in a nondescript store in Mong Kok  was near impossible to find and when i got there, it was 2.30 pm and the queue was 90 mins. Since I had a flight at 7 I grudgingly retreated promising like MacArthur that I shall return.

CUT TO last week.

After my misadventure in Mong Kok I was determined to get to THW and i found a way to hack the queue. I found out that there is a new and much more modern outlet of Tim Ho Wan in the IFC section of the HongKong station.It just so happened that the station was on my way back from a meeting to the hotel and I was looking for a late lunch in any case.

The floor has about eight restaurants and at 3.30 the post lunch rush had gone quiet except at our fine establishment however.  The place was full and about 8 people were waiting and the queue only got longer.

Got my ticket and quickly filled it up, gleefully waiting for my turn. 

this is pretty much all you need to make a go. the glass is filled up with hot water and like my Chinese brethren i too cleaned the utensils while waiting for the food to come. 

The Glutinous Rice Dumpling (26$) is quite a popular dish and comes steaming hot, unwrap and dig in quick with generous doses of soya and chilli sauce. Its quite a largish portion for a single diner.

The poached seasonal vegetables (20$)were a good way to cleanse the palate and wait for the next dish, not much here, could have gone for the rice or turnip cakes. 

i wish they had some good solid malt vinegar or something, that can really do unbelievable things for Dim Sum. 

The piece de resistance, the steamed dumplings (24$) were just awesome. piping hot, meant to be devoured immediately, so delicate that any wavering would have them fall apart. into the little bowl, pour the soya and go for it. Excellent stuff. 

The food is good but the dumplings are sublime, Dim Sum is a dark art and THW are the masters. They have a bunch of things for vegetarians too, so its certainly worth a go. The IFC centre is super accessible, comfortable and if you get their post lunch and before dinner the wait is 15-20 mins at most.

A sub HK$100 Michelin star meal is hard to find, so get your while you can. There is also an outlet in Singapore somewhere on Orchard and it too is highly rated.


Edit : the  Mong Kok outlet has closed due to high rents ive been told. they have another one at Sham Sui Po