Tong Seng Coffeeshop

THE MAKAN PLACE:
Tong Sheng Coffeeshop - Our makan adventures landed in a sub-urban area of Bugis. As the shop name suggest; a coffee shop in this area is weird but the food it serves beats all the other "top class, well established" food courts and shops. They served mainly local Chinese cuisine but all of the food is halal, and the also serve a few dishes of other cuisine. A good stop from your shopping spree to enjoy some delicious and powerful dishes. I bet you won't regret coming to this area. I've been here a few times, and I still keep on coming. Cheers!

HOW TO GET HERE:
Alight at Bugis MRT Station and exit to Bugis Junction. The makan place is directly opposite Bugis Junction main lobby; not the one facing Bugis Street Market but the one nearer to McDonald. From Bugis Junction's Mcdonald, cross the road and you'll notice a medium size coffee shop just around the corner of the "T" junction. You can't miss this place for sure; if you are in the right place. IMPORTANT NOTE: The shop close on every Tuesday/Wednesday, can't really remember.

PLACE REVIEW: (7/10)
Basically it's a coffee shop in the middle of Singapore's youth shopping district. Authentic coffee shop style setting, rather old looking. A shop house that is transformed into a coffee shop. They have place to eat on the first floor which is open air and the second floor is air conditioned. Customer can choose which floor they wish to have their meals. Can be very crowded at certain peak hour time, especially when it's time for dinner.

PRICE REVIEW: (8/10)
I ordered one of their specialty menu which is the minced meat noodle also commonly known in Singapore as Mee "Pork". Don't worry, this version of the mee is totally halal. They substituted their pork meat for beef meat and it only cost $3.30. Infact, most of their dishes cost just $3.30; now that's cheap and worth it. Add-on a drink and still your meal won't exceed $5, unless you have something more extra.

SERVICE REVIEW: (8/10)
They have waiters and waitresses waiting to serve the customer. All you have to do is sit their, order, wait and enjoy the food; simple. Their service is also should i say efficient, very efficient. Of couse you can't match the services of a restaurant but that's some pretty impressive good service for a cheap-cheap price.

FOOD REVIEW: (9/10)
One word to describe the food, sedap!! I bought the Mee "Pork" as mentioned. It contains the mee, meat, fishball soup, mushroom and the chili paste which is mix with the mee. Splendidly awesome Chinese cuisine. Everyone of it's flavour mix really well with each other, as though it have a perfect yin and yang. You will definitely have to try this when you come here, or you'll regret upon not knowing the powerfulness of this Mee "Pork".

A friend of mine ordered their prawn noodle soup. WOW! What gives this dish the kick was in the soup. You can taste the prawn aroma just from sniffing on the soup; and when you sip it, the taste will leave you wanting more. I beg you to come here and try their best dishes; no regrets, I'm sure.

OVERALL: (8/10)

*They should really think about upgrading the shop to serve their customers better. If it weren't for the place review, their overall score could have past nine upon ten. In the end, the food is really what matters, am I right?

*The price is unbelievable. usually in this area; for some decent good food, it will cost well over $6 for a dish but this shops average cost is $4 which makes it even attractive. Compared to other shop that sells its dishes for $8 each, you can get two dishes here for the same price.

*Though the people who are serving us are middle-old age uncles and aunties, but they do not lack the service to get this small corner shop an eight upon ten for it's service. Don't expect a five-star restaurant service; this it the best you can get in most coffee shop in Singapore.

*A few simple sentences to end this food adventure. Try their minced meat noodle and their prawn noodle soup. I do not need to know whether you like it or not but definitely, I'm pretty much sure you will come for the second time. Die-die must try.

SPECIAL EVENT: Singapore Ramadan Bazaar 2008

SPECIAL EVENT:
Singapore Ramadan Bazaar 2008 (Last Day on 27/09/08) - By my definition of special event means, every time I get any information about any food bazaar or festival such as the Singapore Food Festival, I will check them out and then give my review here. It's special because the makan place is only for a limited time only. I know of this place from our makan-kaki, Arip who suggested that we go this place. It was a makan paradise.

This event is to highlight the fasting month of Ramadan in the Muslim calendar. Therefore, most of the food stall are food mainly Malay, Indian, Arab cuisine but there's also some other cuisine that you guys should check out. WARNING: Not all stalls are guaranteed HALAL.

HOW TO GET HERE:
Alight at Woodlands MRT Station. The makan place is right beside Causeway Point Shopping Mall. There's a dozen over food stall set inside a humongous white tent; you can't miss it unless it's all over.

PLACE REVIEW: (5/10)
Typical of any bazaar; it's crowded, hot, stuffy and all the nice smell that will stick to your clothes after you leave the place. Anyways, who cares about the place when you can take-away your meals and eat it in the comfort of your home. Provided it is near the area.

PRICE REVIEW: (9/10)
Neither cheap nor expensive. There's plenty of food stalls all over the place and the price ranges. Some food as cheaply as a few cents and some that can cost up to a few dollars. There's surely something that you can buy to get a quick snack even with just a dollar in hand.

SERVICE REVIEW: (5/10)
For goodness sake, how am I going to review the services of all the food stalls. So I shall put everything in general term. Inconsistent, some shops are good and fast, some are slow and dead.

FOOD REVIEW: (8/10)
I shall mention 2 food stall amongst a dozen food stall found in the bazaar. Not that the other food stalls are not nice, but my stomach only have a limited capacity. Therefore, the best thing is for you guys to try the rest yourself.

Al-Amin Eating Restaurant open a stall in the bazaar which sells Briyani Rice and Bone Soup. Both of which is an Indian cuisine. How to describe the taste is indescribable, you'll have to try it for yourself to know the true greatness of the rice. For $4 you get a mountain plate full of Rice and a meat serving of your choice; chicken or meat. The Briyani Rice is definately and uniquely Indian. Power!!!

Next stall that worth to be mentioned here is Samazama's Kitchen. This stall sells some Japanese finger food, also commonly known as Takoyaki. Their Takoyaki balls; which comes in 4 different toppings of your choosing, and it beats the hell out of Banquet's own Takoyaki balls. Alright, enough of balls. They also have Japanese pizzas, which comes in either crab sticks or salmon. The Takoyaki balls is $2 for 3 slightly bigger than fish ball size and the Japanese pizza is $4. However, the best dish in the shop is definitely their Shark's Fin Soup. Maybe it's not a real shark fin but the taste definitely resembles one and it cost $2 for a small-medium bowl. It's expensive to get the authentic restaurant shark's fin soup but $2 for a shark's fin appetizer is awesome. Die-die must try!!!

OVERALL: (8/10)

*If you're afraid of huge crowded places, I advise you not to go. Maybe just buy your food and get the hell out of there. No tables to eat, therefore I would like to suggest an improvisation. Find a quiet spot and tug into your food; simple.

*Food bazaars like this offers the best price for good quality food for amazingly low price. Everyone have a different definition of cheap and low prices. However, I'm sure there's something for everyone in this place.

*Simple comment for the services. Some stall holders are friendlier than others. What are you expecting? This is a food bazaar!!

*It's like dropping from heaven and go to hell, because it's hot. However this hell sure got some great food. The 2 food stalls i mentioned above is a definite must try. there's plenty of other stalls too and I'm sure the food there is as powerful and best as this one.

EVERTOP Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice

THE MAKAN PLACE:
EVERTOP Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice - I used to live around this area when I was way younger than I am now, 12 years ago to be precised. Actually, I found this shop by luck. A few months back when I was touring my old neighbourhood; just for fun and remembering the good old days, I came upon this chicken rice stall. Tasted it and promise myself I'd be back. Here I am again, for my second visit and this shop nvr fail to impress me the second time.

HOW TO GET HERE:
Ok, it's very highly recommended that you come to this shop in your own vehicle or you might get lost. From Clementi Bus Interchange board the bus service 282 and alight along Clementi Ave 2 right before Esso Petrol Station; roughly 3 bus stops after the interchange. From the bus stop look for Block 354. Its about 100m from the bus stop where you alight. As I mentioned, taking a taxi, car or any personal transport is recommended. IMPORTANT NOTE: The shop close on every Wednesday.

PLACE REVIEW: (6/10)
They uses the coffee shop tables but the setting of the place is like a restaurant. It's a mixture of 2-in-1; rather interesting. Not a very big place to dine in. However, they also have huge mirror on their walls, presumably to make the dining area seem bigger. Now that's what i called interior design. Some shops put up art pieces and such which I don't think people will look at, but a mirror. Even you look at yourself in the mirror. It's pretty pack if you're going there for dinner. Not to forget, they have their MAKANSUTRA certificate hanging on their wall and it claimed the TOP 5 Chicken Rice Stall in Singapore. WOW!

PRICE REVIEW: (8/10)
Ordered a chicken rice set which cost $5 without the drinks. It comes with a plate of rice, one chicken part and a kai lan dish (kai lan also known as Chinese broccoli), not to forget their soup. if you were to ask me, I say it's worth it. Add $2 and you get yourself a Lime Drink, good for quenching thirst. The $7 that you won't regret spending.

SERVICE REVIEW: (8/10)
The service is almost like a 5-star restaurant. The head waitress addresses the customer well, attend and explain every of our needs; very impressive for a "coffee shop". It's a pleasure to be served by her. In addition to that, the other waiter & waitresses seem to be very dedicated in their work. A simple thank you after your meal is what makes the service 2-thumbs up.


FOOD REVIEW: (8/10)
Now for the moment all of you've been waiting. First stop, the chicken rice it self. You can feel the rice and its fragrance when you makan it. Even without the soul or chicken, the rice itself is definitely sedap beb. Rice's not to sticky, just nice the way it was.

Next is the chicken. The mostly served steamed chicken, which for health and fatness reason is good, very good. Tender, chewy; and not to forget, it's boneless!!! Means there's no chicken vein where you will see with chickens that have bones. Bonus to that is, you can take the whole thing and stuff it your mouth with no worries of bone choking. Babies recommended.

The Chinese Broccoli is ok. First they steamed it and put it on a plate then it's covered with their special sauce. I'm not a fan of broccoli so i won't comment much. Overall, the broccoli is average.

What makes every single dish at the shop nice was their sauce. It comes with the broccoli and chicken. The taste was AWESOME!!! Without it the dishes will be like WOW! With it the dishes is like, OMG!!! Enough said, try it yourself.


OVERALL: (8/10)

*It's alright to go for casual/friends/family gathering but definitely not for dating. They could use a couple more decoration or radio to liven the place up.

*For $7 you can get yourself a satisfying meal. Compare this with KFC or banquet chicken rice, it's worth it. The price is just amazing, although a tiny bit overcharged. Case closed.

*I'm sure the people there will make your meal an enjoyable one. Therefore, I would like to summarise it in four simple words, "Best Coffee Shop Service".

*The food is of course the best, especially the sauce. In edition, most of its menu is healthier than other shops. No wonder they got the MAKANSUTRA certificate and I agreed that this place is TOP 5 Chicken Rice in Singapore. A definately must try or you go die.

Popeye's Chicken & Biscuit

THE MAKAN PLACE:
Popeye's Chicken & Biscuit - I've been hearing alot about this particular western fast food restaurant, mostly the good feedback. As like, how it's chicken is superior than KFC's original chicken and have KFC running for its money. So I went there with my makan-kakis to check about this restaurant at the Singapore Flyer.

HOW TO GET HERE:
Alight at City Hall MRT Station and walk via CITYLINK MALL to Esplanade. From there walk along Raffles Avenue until the Singapore Flyer. Located about a hundred meters from Marina Bay Floating Platform.

PLACE REVIEW: (6/10)
Good setting, nicely coloured interior with mixture of red, yellow and orange. A food place to have dinner with friends. They also provide a nice sofa area where you can relax and not to forget the Popeye cartoon that it features in it's TV sets; reminding me of my childhood. However, there seems to be lacked of tables when the crowd comes rushing in. So if you want to go there, make sure its not 6:00pm onwards or you'll have hard time finding a table; even for two.

PRICE REVIEW: (7/10)
Now coming to the best part, the MAKAN. I ordered their combo special which cost a bomb at first; $17.50, but it seems to be worth it. It comes with 4pcs chicken, 2 sides and a fries, 6pcs shrimp, 2 drink and last but not least, the 2 of its unique biscuit. Unfortunately, the famous biscuits everyone is talking about is OUT-OF-STOCK and we have to change it for two more of its sides. The most unique food about that place is sold out. Apparently, it happen quite often from what I heard. Only the lucky ones will get it.

SERVICE REVIEW: (6/10)
The staffs are not friendly, more of like robots. Average ordering and waiting time is like 3-5mins which is rather long compared to other fast food restaurant. The service was rather slow until the front counter queue area was crowded that there's hardly any room to move about. Overall, they can improve on their customer service and the food make up for the average service.


FOOD REVIEW: (7.5/10)
The good dishes at this place is not the chicken, which I think is the same as KFC's but apart from that, everything else is unique to the restaurant. First stop, the mash potato which i think was the best i've had so far. It's made from real potato because you can feel the potato bits as it melts in your mouth. It comes with a not too spicy gravy which is just perfect. A must have for potato fans.

Next is their cajuns fries, something similar like Long John Silver's if not it's nicer. What's unique about this is that the fries comes with the skin which is what potato fries should have.

Follow by their fried shrimp. Which I think is of average taste, nothing really special about it though. Another of my associate bought their cheese cake and brownies under their dessert menu. The cheese in the cake is very thick but somehow it's nice. It comes with a syrup which tasted like the cough medicine literally is the same colour. The brownies was awesome and it comes with a sweet chocolate dip sauce. It's hard and crunchy which make it unique as well.

The must have is definitely the biscuits but unfortunately it's out-of-stock; very disappointed about this. No worries, I will be back and find those cookies next time.


UPDATED (15/09/2008): Alright, I found the biscuit finally. Had to travel all the way to Changi Airport to get them. Actually, the texture and fillings is more of like bread rather than biscuit. The taste was buttery, you definitely have to taste it yourself for its unique taste. (Picture below)

OVERALL: (7/10)

*Can get rather noisy when it gets too crowded as all the folks are coming in for their makan. Pick a good quiet time 3pm-5pm or later at night, if you're planing to have a quiet eat.

*Rather expensive for a fast food restaurant if compared with other restaurant of the same cuisine but it's worth the money.

*The certainly can work to improve their serving speed; especially helpful when the crowds comes. Avoid ordering during congested times.

*Their biscuits is a die-die must try. Followed by their mash potato and cajun fries. Overall, you won't regret spending money and time going to this place especially with some buddies.

Introduction

Here's a little something about me and this blog I created. Okay... Maybe not so much about me but more of the food.

Being a Singaporean myself, I love my food but some food i love more than others. Haha. It's a true known fact that Singaporeans like us like to complain about anything from head to toe, especially food; and we Singaporeans don't like to admit that we like to complain. Weird isn't it, and yet we ourselves complain as much. Okay, so in this blog i will do that but instead of complaining, i will do a "constructive feedback" on our food. Lets put it in a nicer word called review.

Join me in my crusade when I and some Foodies get our mouth in the different style and culture of food in Singapore. The good places to get good food without going broke. Maybe a idea for a romantic date? Haha. Who knows, but one thing is for sure; IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOD...

All you have to do is read, enjoy and try the food. Simple enough to follow? No worries, I will post up my first review this weekend. Stay tune. =D