Local bites: The quest to be a real Singaporean foodie (Pt. 2)

HD, and I went to Tekka Food Centre just now. We felt like having some Indian food. I was hoping that my favourite Briyani stall - Yakader, was opened but by the time we got there, which was around 8pm, of course, the shutters were down. I so badly wanted HD to be a 'Yakader convert' like me but too bad..

However, there was this particular stall which caught HD's eyes. He claimed that since there was a picture of the owner of the stall and our President taken together, it definitely says a lot about the stall! Well, I find it hard to digest his logic but I went ahead and agreed with him anyway. Oh marvelous Yakader, why, why, why are you closed so early? I almost find it hard to hold back my tears but HEY! When they sent HD's Briyani, it didn't look too bad at all!

Dum Briyani (mutton) - $4.00

The portion they served was very generous. Infact, I was quite surprised that they served it on a tray instead of a plate and it only costs $4.00! The Briyani comes with a side of curry gravy in a small bowl and cucumber achar (pickled cucumber). Tastewise - Rice is fluffy, the mutton is tender and the spiciness was just right. I really DO NOT WANT to betray Yakader but I have to admit IT IS ACTUALLY GOOD!

Mee Kuah - $4.00

This was my spur of the moment order. I really had no idea what to have (definitely not Briyani or else I'll have to bear with the guilt trip) so at last I decided to settle for their Mee Kuah. To me, the perfect Mee Kuah should be accompanied with a sunny side up with a runny yolk once you poke through with a fork. This Mee Kuah however, is missing the yolk! Only the egg white was found and that left me disappointed though I must say the gravy was quite satisfyingly tasty...

Hanifa's Briyani Specialist

Tekka Market and Food Centre

665 Buffalo Road

#01-256

Singapore 210665

Local bites: The quest to be a real Singaporean foodie (Pt.1)

Being Singaporeans, we all have the advantage of living together within different ethnic groups. Of course that leads to co-existing with different cultures, religions and best of all, FOOD! Hmm, that kind of struck me...since my blog is mostly about food and being the Singaporean that I am, I SHOULD touch more on local stuff, right?  Besides that, our local eats are just as good as any Western, French, Japanese, etc, cuisine so they ought to get the recognition that they deserve. In fact, just to redeem myself, I'll run out and grab that plate of Fried Char Kway Teow ASAP! Nahhh, kidding. I'll just skip the thought and redeem myself by posting something that's more related to the local palate. Enjoy!

Cheng Tng - $2.00

All thanks to the hot weather and a couple of colleagues who wanted to cool down (and share bits of juicy gossip!) on that 'freakycrazyhumid' Sunday, I finally got to sample probably the best Cheng Tng in Singapore (their words not mine). Anyway, all things cold are nice on a hot day. Even if it's just plain iced water.

Ok, back to the Cheng Tng. Most of the time, when I order cold  Cheng Tng, crushed ice will be used but at this particular stall, they used real ice cubes!  Well, the one I ordered here is the "limited version" kind. For the "full version", you need to add a dollar more and you'll be treated to one of a kind Cheng Tng experience (their words not mine!). Anyway, I'm quite satisfied with what I had on that day. I especially liked the dried persimmon they added into their Cheng Tng (yup, the one I painstakingly scooped with a spoon in one hand while the other hand was holding my mobile phone to snap the picture). Also, I'm in love with the vintage bowls that they use to serve their Cheng Tng. They sure reminded me of my good old childhood days when my Grandma used to serve Quaker Oats in those kind of bowls for my breakfast!

Ye Lai Xiang Hot & Cold  Cheng Tng

Stall no.31
Bedok Corner Food Ctr

1 Bedok Road
Singapore 469572