Sat food hunt 1 - Tampopo Black Pig Ramen at Liang Court

Met up with friend for a lunch chat at Liang Court. We intended to go ramen plus the vietnam coffee. I reached the place early, and Liang Court has changed a lot. But, still, the whole place is Japan themed. As they have a big Japan supermarket at the basement. I walk up and down the whole mall, there are many ramen shop. The second floor ramen shop we already tried at The Central, so we opt for the one at level 1.

The restaurant is called Tampopo. I think this is the only branch and there is a long queue outside. After browsing through the menu, we settled on the top selling ramen which is Black Pig Shabu Ramen.


Black Pig Shabu Ramen

Looking at the soup colour you would think it is spicy, no, it is just alright. The noodle is thin, chewy and unlike other brand's texture. I think it so so only, because it remind me of wanton mee, I thought it taste quite a like. To be fair, it would appear to certain crowd. The soup is good with a mild spicyness and some chewy bamboo shot + vege. The meat is sliced thin and taste alright only. But, they mentioned it takes two days just to prepare the soup.


Slice of meat and noodle in close up

I would think ramen is a very personal thing. Some like it chewy, some like it softer. Some like thick, some like thin. It is a fairly good ramen, but you have to try it out to see whether you really like it. By the way, the egg as side dish surprised me more, as the egg yellow is still liquid. Give it a try.

Central Restaurant at Tampines Mall

The Hong Kong Cha Chang Teng are all around the island nowadays. I tried a few, but not all the quality is satisfactory. It might be the case of difference in expectation, because they use the normal ingredient to prepare the food like luncheon meat. I passed by the Central at Tampines Mall level 4 quite often, but non of the colleague thought of trying it.

Last Friday, we go to the place for second time. The first time, I forgot what I ate already, the quality is quite satisfactory. So, come the second time. This time, I ordered the set - Pork Chop noodle + dessert Yang Zhi Gan Lu (杨枝甘露)


Pork Chop noodle as a set. Pork Chop is fresh from the wok. Hot and crispy.

After a while, my set comes. The pork chop is hot, tender, yet crispy in outside. I thought wow, this is good. The noodle is without the alkaline water smell, quite alright. The dessert although not in picture, maintain certain standard. All in all, quite a good meal.

Our Chicken Rice at Bedok Interchange

It has been a long time since I been to Bedok Interchange. Imagine few years back when I was working at Chai Chee techno park, I was there quite often, and I like many good food in the Bedok Interchange hawker centre. The international roasted duck rice, swee kueh and many more.

I decided to drop by the Bedok Interchange hawker while on my way back to Tampines. After going through all the stalls in the hawker centre, I decided to try this stall - Our chicken rice stall. They are selling the Drunken Chicken Rice at $3.50. On their signboard, it mentioned Wen Hua (文华), I am not sure their relationship with the Mandarin Hotel chicken rice. It is a bit costly to sell the chicken rice at $3.50, but I wanted to find out how drunken chicken is like.

I ordered a plate from the Auntie and it was served quite fast. In the plate, we have rice, chicken, soup and chili.



The rice is fragrant like your usual chicken rice. The chili is good, not too spicy. The soup is cooked with cabbage, not too oily. Initially, I ate the chicken with chili sauce, and I found out there wasn't a great difference. Subsequently, I decided to eat without chili. Ah... finally I understand. It is really drunken chicken. The meat was cooked with rice wine I believe, and it retain the wine fragrance. It is nice, but you shouldn't add too much chili, otherwise it over power the wine. Chicken is firm and tasty. Overall, I think it is worth the money, it tastes good.

Try it out if you go to Bedok Interchange. See whether you would get drunk?

Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits at Singapore Flyer

Once I have been to Changi Terminal 3 and saw this interesting shop called Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits. The shop was full and they were selling fried chicken. I didn't get the chance to try, until I was at Singapore Flyer after the event. The restaurant was not so full, and although sinful, we decided for a try.

While queueing up, I noticed they have limited choice of items. Most people ordered the set which is fried chicken + side dish + biscuit + soft drink. So, I choose the 2pc chicken set with coleslaw.


Popeyes 2pc Chicken set


Fried Chicken in close up

The chicken - Fair enough, pretty good. I guess that explain the crowd. It is crispy and full of flavour. But deep inside the meat, I found it with less spicies.

Coleslaw - Good enough, but there is a strong flavour vege which I could not recognise

Biscuit - This is more like a bread to me, except it is a bit hard. They called it biscuit in America, goes with jam

Drink - Standard coke, nothing to say

The quality is comparable to KFC, although some might argue that this is better. To me, I still like KFC better. Did some research from internet, Popeyes comes from US and compete directly with KFC.

Extended visit to Singapore Flyer after cycle event

Frankly, I never been to Singapore Flyer before, only saw it on TV. Since I already at F1 pit, I paid it a visit after the cycle event completed. The wheel is magnificent, so big, and it is turning slowly.

Walk into the Singapore Flyer compound, there weren't many visitors. Not sure because of the cycle event or recession.


Singapore Flyer capsule. It is quite big.


The base of wheel, they made it green to watch.


Singapore Flyer wheel, really interesting to watch it from close.

Completed 40km of OCBC Cycle Singapore 2009

Sunday was a sunny day, I woke up very early in morning 5am to prepare for the mass cycling event - OCBC Cycle Singapore 2009. Had some simple breakfast which mainly carbo. Then, took the cab to padang, there were many road closure on the day. The cab fare was only 16 dollars, which was cheap and quite surprising to me.

By the time, I met up with other team mate and reach the F1 pit, it was only 6:15am and the sky was still bright. Then, I got the rental bike, tested the brake function and seat ok. The last thing was to prepare for the challenge mentally.

At 7:30am, everybody gathered at starting point, waiting for the flag off. But, there were 2000 plus people, so the participants were set off in batches. When it was my turn, it was already 8am. After set off, I just maintain my normal pace, not to exhaust energy before reaching the end.

I only stopped at the second drink station for some drinks and continue my trip. The race was exciting, everybody just try their best to cycle. Along the road, you get to enjoy the scenery, be it shop houses or park. I decided not to stop at last drink station, as I was not very thirsty. The last 8km, it was all out sprint, as fast as I could. But the rental bike is lousy, you cannot expect too much from it.

Finally, after two hours, I reach the finishing line. It was quite a satisfying experience, having achived something through hardwork. I might join again next year, hehe. Some shots, after I completed my race.


At the back of F1 pit, where everyone finished their Cycle 2009 walk around.


Those really tired, sit down and rest.


From the back of F1 pit, you can see the Singapore Flyer wheel. Without joining the Cycle 2009 event, you won't have chance to enter the F1 pit right?


Shot at the Cycle Singapore 2009 return point. Everybody seems to be kah neng.


Time for some Tiger Balm massage after the intensive cycle.


Ambulance was called into action. It seems like some are injured.


There was a Mighty Saver race for kids noon time.


Door of F1 garage. Seldom got chance to walk into F1 garage right?


Overall Singapore F1 pit garage view

I think this can be consider as one of my achievement for 2009!

Changi Point Boardwalk

Although I have cycled to the Changi Beach via the park connector, I didn't realise that there are more to changi than the ferry terminal. Somebody brought me to this Changi Boardwalk at Changi Point.

It is actually a costal line along the Changi Beach area and the area is linked by the boardwalk. As you walk along the boardwalk, you see different view. There are many government resort, sailing club and recreation facilities. The wind is surprisingly strong which make the walk very pleasant. You also would see people sailing on the sea.


Changi Boardwalk view towards the sea and sailing club. Fantastic.