Random Bites - Singapore

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BALESTIER HAWKER'S CENTRE -  Singapore

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Just to show you how old I am, I still actually recall when Hawker's markets were just empty parking lots where food vendors congregated at night and sold food to the populace (usually satay). This was my first time at a modern (newly opened) hawker's market in Novena that my friend Suyin and her husband Patrick brought me to (thanks guys!). It's much more organized and sanitary while still retaining that "rustic" ambience.

The best discoveries were Pepper Crab (an alternative to the ever-popular Chili Crab) and Thai Shrimp (for that eat-the-shrimp-whole goodness!). Also had my first Laksa (yum!). Then there was the usual Chicken Rice, satays, soups, oyster omelette and white carrot.

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PEPPER LUNCH - Raffles City, Singapore

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I've wanted to try Chuvaness' Pepper Lunch at Rockwell in Manila but I don't have the patience for long lines. Luckily, I ran across this one at The Food Emporium in Raffles City in Singapore. No lines! I actually went back for seconds! On the left is Chicken Pepper Lunch and on the right is Salmon and Hamburger with Egg Pepper Lunch. Both were delicious! Here's more about Pepper Lunch.

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Black White Carrot - Food Emporium, Singapore

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I'm not quite sure how to explain this dish.

Let's start with a dish called "white carrot". At first I thought this was daikon but it's not. It's more like some sort of root crop based alimentary paste shaped into cubes and usually served up as an omelette of some sort. As far as I can tell, there is no actual carrot content. I'm guessing the white carrot moniker is another Singaporean quirk.

So, now if you take the "white carrot" and sauté it with some black bean sauce, you'll come up with "Black" White Carrot which is absolutely velvety rich in your mouth and you can't have enough of it. Only the spiciness will stop you from sitting there and devouring platesfull till you explode.

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SOUP RESTAURANT - Suntec City, Singapore

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As many of you know, I'm not a big fan of Chicken Rice but I think I discovered the closest thing to it that I like.

My friend, Suyin took me to Soup Restaurant which specializes in double boiled soup. I first had Double Boiled Soup in Lei Garden Restaurant at Chijmes in Singapore and from what I recall, they serve you the broth first then they serve you the rest of the meat and components, in this case, clam and chicken. The closest thing to it in Western cuisine that I can think of is Pot-Au-Feu.

Then, there is the Samsui Ginger Chicken.

Samsui Chicken with Ginger Garlic Sauce - Soup Restaurant, originally uploaded by avlxyz.

The Samsui women of Singapore who originated this dish were very poor and they only served their Ginger Chicken once a year on Chinese New Year. So this was really an extra special treat for them. The chicken is steamed cooked very much like Hainanese Chicken Rice. But, the chicken is not served with rice. It is served with some lettuce leaves that you place some of the chicken on and top with some ginger sauce and that is how the dish is consumed and enjoyed. And I must say - much more refreshing and delicious than chicken rice. Maybe I'll find a satisfying dish of chicken rice someday but I'll take Samsui Ginger Chicken any day!

Other mentionable dishes is the Claypot Tofu.