Sembawang Hot Spring

Singapore - I decided to drive with my 2 sons to Sembawang hot spring - famous for being the only hot spring on mainland Singapore.  

We parked at Blk 114 and was a short walk to the hot spring.

Entering the Hot spring park you can smell the strong sulphur lingering in the air.  A 200-metre long walkway named Floral walk was also constructed from the entrance of the park to the hot spring. Along the Floral Walk, one can find a variety of fruit trees and edible plants commonly found in kampungs. 

The hot spring temperature reaches 70c

There were many station but the area for soaking feet was closed today for maintenance.   We just boiled the eggs to eat - 

Eggs in hot spring water

me and my sons

Once upon a Full moon concert by TENG ensemble

 Singapore - I went with my son, Trevor to attend a TENG ensemble - he got 2 free tickets - so why not? This outdoor ensemble of Chinese musical instruments was located inside an outdoor tent of VIVO City mall.   

TENG is a leading non-profit Singaporean arts company that comprises of a collection of music educators, scholars and award winning instrumentalists.   TENG ensemble is a critically acclaimed Singaporean Chinese fusion music group that bridges between cultures East and West, boasting musical influences from both the traditional  and the comtemporary.

Beer Basket @Kovan

 SINGAPORE - Just a short walk from Yaowarat is a beer garden called Beer Basket that serves unique beers.

Clifford, Willy and myself

Our unique beers

The left beer is Tai Wai brand 'Rose and Zhongshan Puer' beer - The dark lager is inventively brewed with Rose & Zhengshan Pu'er with light bodied yet malty flavour. Characterised with long-lasting tea bitterness after taste, it is such a fine craft work that perfectly combines the unique flavour of tea and beer.   

The center beer is Gwei Lo 'Hazy Ipa' beer.  Gweilo Hazy IPA has a wheat forward base with the use of NEIPA yeast to give this beer a juicy mouthfeel.

The right beer is Tai Wai brand 'Amber Ale Earl Grey beer.  This beer has the English ale with flavorful roasted malts and aromatic hops. Well-balanced of bergamot and malt flavors with a delicate bitterness from our selected earl grey loose tea.

Truffle French fries

Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap

 SINGAPORE - Prior to New Year eve, I met up with Clifford and Willy for dinner at Yaowarat Thai Kway Chai along Upper Serangoon Road at Kovan estate.   Yaowarat is a town in Bangkok city famous as Bangkok Chinatown.   This restaurant has 4 branches in Singapore and is a famous Thai Teochew restaurant here.

Thai Kway Chap

The Thai kway chap is very different from Singapore style kway chap and it is composed of curled up rolls of kway with braised meats and veggies, kway chap is typically served clear pepper based soup.

Deep fried Pork belly and braised Tau Pok

The deep fried pork belly is thinly cut and cruchy and it is served with a dark sweet sauce with garlic and a bit spicy.   Just perfect for my taste buds. 

Braised cabbage

Fried Large intestines

It was so delicious and it was from the pig’s large intestines with the crispy outer layer and inner soft texture that is so savoury.

 

Thai iced tea and iced lemon grass drink

I enjoyed the food very much and it was not crowded today.  

My first time to Haidilao hotpot

SINGAPORE - I went on this day with a group of ex-colleagues to Haidilao at Bugis+ for a Haidilao hotpot.   I heard so much about this restaurant and what's so great with this hotpot restaurant.   The hotpot culture has been in Singapore for decades; and what's striking is the Haidilao service culture that stood out and it can be a bit overwhelming as the waiter is always hawking over you - refilling your drink, cleaning  your plates.  

Zhang Yong founded Haidilao, in March 1994 because he wanted to serve his guests excellent service which was lacking in China.   Haidilao is not based on the flavor and excellence of the food, but rather, the competitive advantage that the chain holds is based on their customer service

Clifford, Anthony, Lydia and myself

I think we ordered quite a lot for our dinner and it was a very satisfying meal.   It was really good to catch up on the good old days and hear interesting stories.   

The hot pot soup is divided into 2 and we chose one side to be spicy and the other without hot spices and started placing the meat and vegetables to get them cooked.

Thank you for the company and the meal - great fun and great time.

Long Phung - Vietnamese restaurant @ 159 Joo Chiat Road

 SINGAPORE - Joo Chiat has many Vietnamese restaurant and there is restaurant stands out as one of the best along this road.   It was so popular that queue starting to form during our meals - they don't take reservation so we had to come early to chope.   

Each one of us will choose a cuisine or restaurant the next time we met and this time was mine, as I had a strong hankering for Vietnamese food.

Anthony, Glen, Clifford, Willy and myself

Singapore government regulations stipulate only 5 per table due to Covid restrictions of social distancing.   In spite of the restrictions, we did enjoy ourselves and the food was delicious and authentic.    

Muthu Curry @ race coast road

 SINGAPORE -  It has been a very long time since I have eaten at an Indian restaurant in Singapore. This Muthu's curry restaurant was located at race coast road, Little India and was a quiet day when we dined that day.   Maybe due to the fact that Covid restriction just relaxed.

The five of us just had to get out and meet.

 

It was a good time and best dish was the mutton curry on nann.