Zhup Zhup by One Prawn & Co – The Ultimate Comfort Food [MEDIA INVITE]

One Prawn & Co, known for its Japanese Tonkotsu-style broth prawn noodles and earned a Bib Gourmand spot in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2022 and 2023, is rebranding to Zhup Zhup by One Prawn & Co (“Zhup Zhup”)

Zhup Zhup Store

Their famous Gao-Gao prawn broth has brought enjoyment to many diners and turned them into loyal customers. Executive Chef / Owner Gwyneth Ang and her team have expanded the menu at Zhup Zhup to include the ultimate comfort food.

The Menu

Claypot Lobster Paofan ($58), An entire lobster, prawns, Asari clams and Japanese rice poached in their umami-packed prawn broth. Topped with egg floss and Japanese rice that has been specially dehydrated (not fried) in-house for a lovely textural contrast.

Claypot Lobster Paofan 

The overall dish is so comforting, LD and I cleaned the whole claypot till the last drop.

Claypot Lobster Paofan - Individual Serving 

The Lobster

The Last Drop

The Paofan also come in the seafood version ($16). Poached in Zhup Zhup’s signature prawn broth, loaded with prawns and Asari clams.

Claypot Hokkien Mee ($14). Chef's recommendation, the yummy ingredients include prawns, Asari clams, thick vermicelli, yellow noodle, plus Zhup Zhup umami prawn broth.

Claypot Hokkien Mee 

It is an amazing Hokkien Mee. Pack with flavours and loaded with hips of ingredients. The ingredients are about the same as the cards, I wish they have the option of adding extra noodles.

Claypot Hokkien Mee 

Not forgetting, Singapore’s favourite Zi Char dish, Har Cheong Gai ($9). Crispy externally and the mid-wing fresh is juicy, succulent and bursting with prawn paste marinate. Yummy.

Har Cheong Gai

Overall, Executive Chef / Owner Gwyneth Ang and her team have created a delicious comfort food to add to their menu. Using their Signature prawn broth, the paofan and claypot Hokkien mee are amazing. The same can be said with their Har Cheong Gai. There are more reasons to visit Zhup Zhup as they are now open from 11.00AM to 09.00PM. Cheers!!

A full review of their Tonkotsu Prawn Noodles is available here.

Thank you very much Protegie Consultancy, Chef Gwyneth and Zhup Zhup Team for hosting us.

Food & Drink: 8.5/10

Value: 6.5/10

Service: N/A (Media Invite)

Ambiance: 6.5/10

Budget per Person: $11 – 25; $26 - $50

Zhup Zhup by One Prawn & Co

458 Macpherson Road

Singapore 368176

T: +65 9878 8897

F: https://www.facebook.com/zhupzhupbyoneprawnnco/

IG: @Zhupzhup_by_oneprawnnco

OH: Tue – Sun: 11.00 – 21.00

Closed on Sundays

Boon Kee Kway Teow Noodle – Since 1976

Boon Kee Kway Teow Noodle. Huh? That is my first reaction. I never heard of that name before, although I am a regular patron of the handmade fishball noodle shop at Chia Chee Drive. I spotted a post in one of the Food Group and it proudly posted that Boon Kee Kway Teow Noodle (“Boon Kee”) has been operating since 1976.

Hidden in Jalan Senang, the secluded part of Kembangan, the coffee shop catered mainly for the surrounding residents. It is very easy to spot outsiders like LD and I, when we enter the coffee shop.

When I went to the stall to order, Ah Guan, the first generation is busy changing the water for cooking the noodle. I was served by the son, Ah Poh. I ordered Mee Kia, dry and non-spicy ($4). He then asked me if I wanted ketchup or black sauce. I decided on the black sauce.

Mee Kia, Dry, Black Sauce

For $4, the portion is very generous. The toppings of bak chor (minced pork), sliced fish cakes, fishballs and meatball covered the noodles. The black sauce and pork oil are perfectly tossed to cover the al-dente noodles. Luckily, I did not order the $5 version, if not I will be having a hard time finishing it.

Mee Kia with Dark Sauce (Malaysian Style)

LD ordered the Mee Kia, spicy ($4). Usually, she will ask to add ketchup to the noodles, however, in Boon Kee this is the standard style. They called it the classic. The noodle is al-dente and the portion is generous as well. Although the chilli is good, LD says it is missing a bit of OMPH!!.

Mee Pok, Dry with Chilli (Ketchup + Chilli)

I also ordered Fishball Soup ($4). We got around 12 pcs of fishballs. The fishballs are soft and bouncy, plus you can see some pork lard swimming in the soup. I personally like the meatball better than the fishballs.

Fishball Soup

The drink stalls seem to be run by the same team, as they all wear the red colour Boon Kee Kway Teow Noodle shirt.

Overall, it was a fruitful journey to Jalan Senang. Boon Kee version of fishball noodle is indeed the classic version. We will return to try their Laksa and White fishball noodle (pork lard + light soy sauce version) as well. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 8/10

Value: 9.5/10

Service: N/A (Self Service)

Ambiance: N/A (Coffee Shop)

Budget per Person: $0 – $10

Boon Kee Kway Teow Noodle

(Since 1976)

92 Jalan Senang

Singapore 418464

T: +65 9362 8578

IG: @Boonkeekwayteownoodle

OH:

Mon – Sat: 06.15 – 15.30

Closed on Sundays

Feng Xiang BKT – Klang Style Claypot Bak Kut Teh + Zi Char Delights [MEDIA INVITE]

Feng Xiang is a Klang-style Claypot Bak Kut Teh born during the pandemic 2 years ago. It started when Mr Harvey Ang, the co-founder was yearning for the robust flavour of his hometown Klang’s Bak Kut Teh and he was unable to “balik kampung” (go back home). Created with family heirloom recipes passed down through generations and the skilful use of 16 premium ingredients and herbs, Feng Xiang BKT evokes memories Klang’s signature taste. As Feng Xiang is well received by the customers, they have expanded to nine outlets around Singapore.

Feng Xiang @ Vivo City

We had our tasting at Feng Xiang Food Republic @ Vivocity. It is a restaurant within the Food Republic, with up to 60 seats.

The Menu Board

The Drink Menu

Herbal Bak Kut Teh (Soup) Regular $8.50. Served in a claypot, the ingredients include pork ribs, sliced pork, tau pok, enoki mushroom, shiitake mushroom and topped with fried beancurd skin. The broth is dark, robust and infused with herbs. The short pork ribs are juicy, succulent and infused with the essence of the broth. For a Klang-style BKT, I like the herbs to be very strong, however, the version at Feng Xiang is milder and can be easily acceptable by everyone.

Herbal Bak Kut Teh (Soup) 

Herbal Bak Kut Teh (Soup) - The Ingredients 

The Pork Rib

Bak Kut Teh (Dry) Regular $9.50. It is a sweet and savoury dish, cooked with string-thin cuttlefish strips, dried chilli and covered in the sweet dark sauce. The combination of caramelised sweet dark soy sauce, cuttlefish and dried chilli cooked in high heat, push that delicious and irresistible flavour into the pork ribs. What a “Flavour Bomb” and the best dry bak kut teh in Singapore.

Bak Kut Teh (Dry) 

Feng Xiang Pork Cutlet Fried Porridge $8.50. Signature fried porridge at Feng Xiang. The porridge is infused with shallots and hae bee (dried prawns), cooked at a very high heat. You can see the “fire show” when the chef cooks the fried porridge. The toppings include fried pork cutlet, pork lard, fried shallots and spring onion. The porridge is fragrant, smooth, creamy and not oily. The fried pork cutlet and pork lard provided a contrasting texture to the dish, and the generous portion can easily satisfy 2 persons.

Feng Xiang Pork Cutlet Fried Porridge 

Starting on 1st March 2024, Feng Xiang is introducing Zi Char favourites chosen by the Malaysian-born Chefs.

Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste Chicken Mid Wings), promotional price $4.90*, (original price $7.90) & Har Cheong Crispy Chicken Skin promotional price $2.90*, (original price $4.90). Har Cheong Gai is probably the most ordered dish in Singapore and Malaysia’s Zi Char scene. The version at Feng Xiang is well marinated, packed with umami flavour and crisp externally.

Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste Chicken Mid Wings) 

Since we always like the crispy texture of the Har Cheong Gai, Feng Xiang is offering the Har Cheong Crispy Chicken skin as well. It is super crispy and such umami overload. I like it as a snack, but it is also good to eat with the fried porridge. Yum Yum.

Har Cheong Crispy Chicken Skin 

Salad You Tiao, promotional price $3.90* (original price $5.90). It has a crunchy exterior, followed by bouncy and tasty squid paste. It is served with mayonnaise dip. Being adventurous, I dipped mine with dry BKT gravy and it was just amazing.

Salad You Tiao

Steamed Fresh Baby Squid, promotional price $6.90*, (original price $9.90). Steamed to perfection, the baby squid is fresh, tender and bouncy. The soy sauce, fried garlic and spring onion paired nicely with the squid. A must-order dish here.

Steamed Fresh Baby Squid

Promotion

With the purchase of Bak Kut Teh Soup, Bak Kut Teh Dry, or Fried Porridge, you are entitled to enjoy any of the 4 zi char dishes at the promotional price throughout March and April 2024.

Overall, it was an enjoyable meal at Feng Xiang. The Dry Bak Kut Teh, Har Cheong Gai Crispy Skin and Steamed Fresh Baby Squid are our picks from the delicious food. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 7.5/10

Value: 8/10

Service: N/A (Media Invite)

Ambiance: N/A (Food Court)

Budget per Person: $0 – $10; $11 - $25.

Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh @Vivo City

1 HarbourFront Walk

#03-01 Food Republic @VivoCity

Singapore 098585

W: https://fengxiang.sg/

F: https://www.facebook.com/fengxiangbkt/

IG: @fengxiangbkt

OH: Daily 10.00 – 21.00 Full detail of all Feng Xiang locations are available on their website or click here.

La Savoir – L’Entrecote at La Savoir [MEDIA INVITE]

La Savoir is a luxurious café located in the heart of Orchard Road featuring local-French contemporary delicacies. The lavish ambiance is highlighted by their collection of exquisite wallpapers and modern décor. Each dish is prepared with utmost care and revolves around Hermes tableware.

La Savoir

Part of the Dining Area

La Savoir is proud to unveil L’Entrecote at Saviour. Only available in the evening, this 1 pax set course is priced at SGD 57.90++.

Part of the Dining Area

Foliage De Soleil Room

The set course starts with an appetizer, Mesclun salad tossed in yuzu dressing. The sweet, citrusy and refreshing yuzu dressing covered the bitter characteristic of the mesclun salad nicely.

Mesclun salad tossed in yuzu dressing

The Main Course is Ribeye Steak, Chimichurri, In-House French Sauce with a side of fries. The ribeye is cooked to perfection. It is lean, yet juicy with a nice crisp crust externally. The French fries have a crispy exterior, yet are soft and creamy inside. I prefer the rich and buttery in-house French sauce, compared to the slightly spicy and tangy chimichurri sauce.

Ribeye Steak, Chimichurri,
In-House French Sauce with a side of fries

The L’Entrecote set comes with a free Second Helping. We basically enjoy the delicious steak twice. Yummy!!

Second Helping

Since we had a bit of space after those two servings of L’Entrecote steak, we ordered the cake of the day (for an additional SGD6++). The cake of the day is La Savoir signature Chocolate Cake. The chocolate cake is thick and solid. In between the layers, there is a chocolate balls that add to the crunchiness of the cake. A perfect end to the meal.

La Savoir Signature Chocolate Cake

L’Entrecote steak is also available as a la carte option. A single serving of the steak is priced at SGD39.90++ and will also include French Cafe de Paris sauce, Chimichurri, and a side of salad and fries.

We also ordered Charred Octopus (SGD28++) - Charred Octopus, pimento puree, ice plant, black olive, confit tomato, orange and aged balsamic reduction. The octopus is charred, yet tender. The sauce is sweet, tangy, acidic, yet refreshing at the same time. The plating is very artistic while the flavour is very complex.

Charred Octopus

Overall, dining at La Savoir is like dining in France. The beautiful décor of the restaurant is complemented perfectly with the delicious French culinary excellence. Definitely, a place to visit for your next meal at any time of the day. Of course, don’t forget to try L’Entrecote set course or a la carte. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 8.5/10

Value: 8/10

Service: N/A (Media Invite)

Ambiance: 8.5/10

Budget per Person: $51 – 80

La Savoir

6 Scotts Road

#02-01 Scotts Square.

Singapore 228209

T: +65 9377 7788

F: https://www.facebook.com/lasavoir

IG: @Lasavoir.sg

OH: Mon – Sun, 11.30 – 22.00 (LO 21.00)

Café Mosaic – Truly Singapore Flavours Seafood Buffet [MEDIA INVITE]

Café Mosaic at Carlton Hotel Singapore has refreshed its buffet spread and presents a Truly Singapore Flavours Seafood Buffet. This buffet is available on Dinner from Thursdays to Saturdays and Lunch on Sundays.

Café Mosiac - Part of Dining Area

Highlights of the newly curated spread are:

Oysters. They are big in size, sweet, plump and juicy. On top of the lemon wedges, you can pair the oysters with red vinaigrette or hot sauce.

Oysters

Seafood on Ice – Cold Crab Legs, Scampi, Mussels, Black Mussels, Poached Prawns, Salmon Sashimi & Tako Sashimi. The poached prawns are sweet and crunchy, while the cold crab legs are sweet and refreshing. The same can be said for the scampi, though you need to do some work before getting to that sweet flesh. The salmon sashimi is of a good grade and we sure have plenty of them.

Seafood on Ice - Cold Crab Legs & Scampi

Seafood on Ice - Poached Prawns, Mussels & Black Mussels

Salmon Sashimi & Tako Sashimi

The Carving Table – Slow Roasted Pepper Crusted O.P Beef & Oven Roasted Herbs Leg of Lamb. Roast meat is my weakness when I come for a buffet. The roast beef is cooked to the point of medium rare and the roast lamb is juicy, succulent and full of flavour. I am not a black pepper sauce fan, however, the version here is pretty good, not overloaded with pepper.

Slow Roasted Pepper Crusted O.P Beef

Oven Roasted Herbs Leg of Lamb

Mustard, Black Pepper Sauce, Mint

Singapore Rojak aka The Singapore salad: I like this DIY rojak because I can put as many “you tiao” (fried dough) as I like. The hei ko (prawn paste) is solid, plus the peanut topping is fragrant as well. On a rotational basis, Café Mosaic also serves fruits rojak and gado gado.

Singapore Rojak

Prawn Noodle Soup. The broth is robust and packed with the essence of pork and prawns. The small pork ribs are fork tender while the prawns are fresh and crunchy. Together with the yellow noodles, it is a comforting dish.

Prawn Noodle Soup

Singapore Chilli Crayfish & Thai Moo Ping. The Singapore chilli crayfish is surely packed with punch. It is spicy, smooth, silky, eggy and it just opens up my appetite. The chilli sauce absorbs into the flesh of the crayfish and I enjoyed it with the fried mantou as well. Meanwhile, the Thai Moo Ping is well-marinated and oozing with the pork juice.

Singapore Chilli Crayfish & Fried Mantou 

Moo Ping, Bean Sprout & Scallops

Desserts. The spread includes selections of cakes, local desserts, cut fruits and also ice cream. The Mango Pudding, Mango Mouse Cake and Cheese Cake are my picks.

Desserts Station

The Cakes

Local Dessert - Pulu Hitam

Tea and coffee are provided, including local drinks. Since they serve ice cream, I decided to make an affogato to finish my meal.

Coffee Station

Ice Cream

A notable mention of some dishes that we did not manage to try, but look yummy: Sushi and Barramundi with Black Bean Sauce.

Sushi

Barramundi with Black Bean Sauce

Overall, the Truly Singapore Flavours Seafood Buffet provided a considerable spread of international and local flavours that will please diners. The quality of the food is very good and they are delicious as well. If you are looking for a buffet place, do consider Café Mosaic. Cheers!

Salad Station

Bread and Crackers

Chilli Station

Truly Singapore Flavours Seafood Buffet

When: Dinner Thursdays – Saturdays & Lunch on Sundays

Time: Dinner 18.00 – 21.30; Lunch 12.00 – 14.30

Price: $128 per adult; $38 per child (6 to 12 years of age)

For reservations and enquiries, please call 6311 8195 or email cafe.mosaic@carltonhotel.sg

BANKS PROMOTIONS

20% off mains (excluding set lunch)

1-for-1* for Weekday Lunch Buffet, Weekend Seafood Buffet and Saturday Lunch Buffet

Applicable for DBS/POSB, Citibank, OCBC, Trust Bank and UOB cardmembers (till 31 December 2024).

*1-for-1 promotion is only applicable for adult diners.

Menu 1

Menu 2

Food & Drink: 7.5/10

Value: 7/10

Service: N/A (Media Invite)

Ambiance: 7.25/10

Budget per Person: $51 – 80; $81 and above

Café Mosaic

76 Bras Basah Road

Level 1, Carlton Hotel Singapore

Singapore 189558

T: +65 6311 8195

W: https://www.carltonhotel.sg/dining/cafe-mosaic

F: https://www.facebook.com/CarltonHotelSG

IG: @Carltonhotelsg

OH:

Breakfast: 07.00 – 10.30

Lunch: 12.00 – 14.30

Dinner: 18.00 – 22.00 (L.O. 21.30)