Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Food for Thought: Jones the Grocer

Jones the Grocer appears at first glance to be the perfect grocery store. Its display reminds me of Dean & DeLucca in New York City with its stylish looking shelving units and well-thought out display of merchandise. Right in the centre of store is an open-concept cafe which whips out simple dishes using, as far as is possible, their own products. At the back, there is a purpose-built temperature-controlled cheese room which promotes Australian specialty cheeses as well as stock artisan cheeses from around the world.

What impressed me most is the high quality of their products, for which I am willing to pay a premium price. I was also thrilled to see that they carried a range of items produced by the monks of New Norcia, Western Australia. The Benedictine Abbey is where my darling wife goes for her retreat and meditation and the monastic town was also one of the places we chose to visit during our honeymoon, so it meant something special to us.

The cafe serves good wholesome meals, that is, if you are into sandwiches and salads. Their coffee is roasted by Di Lorenzo in Sydney. In fact we were quite pleased with the food and had absolutely no complaints as far as food went. And we really liked it that they were so generous with the use of greens in all of the dishes.



The greens in the pumpkin salad were fresh and crisp and the balsamic vinegar used was of high quality. Darling wife's salmon sandwich was also good - both the smoked salmon and bacon were not too salty and the topping of water cress added an interesting flavour to the dish. For one who is not a bread or sandwich person, it was surprising that I thoroughly enjoyed my portobello mushroom sandwich. It was just two slices of bread with mushroom and some fresh greens - such a simple concoction yet it was exceedingly delicious.



Our experience at Jones the Grocer would have been a perfect one had it not been marred by the extremely poor service. To begin with, we were made to wait for a long while even though it was clear that there were available seats. Also, I could not understand why it took the waiting staff such a long time to bring us the menu and to take our orders. But the worst encounter was with the cashier who was downright insolent. Such a pity that our experience had to end on such an unsatisfactory note.

I have shopped at their Woollahra store in Sydney and have found the shopping experience there to be more pleasurable and enjoyable.

Jones the Grocer
Dempsey Hill Block 9 #01-02, Dempsey Road



Ambiance: 6.5/10
Service: 1/10
Food: 6.5/10
Pricing: $$
Recommended dishes: Any of their sandwiches and salads

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Food for Thought: Shi Xiang Satay

Satay is a popular local snack of Malay-Indonesian origin. The very inventive local Chinese have created their own version of pork and chicken satay along with a less spicy peanut sauce dressed with mashed pineapple to give it an added sour and sweet taste.



I come from a family that really enjoys good Malay beef and mutton satay, a staple at every festive celebration hosted by my late father.

However, I do occasionally enjoy Chinese pork satay. To me, the best part of pork satay is the tiny sliver of pork fats which, when properly grilled, is crispy on the outside and soft and oozy on the inside.


Shi Xiang Satay
Stall No. 02-079 Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Smith Street

Ambiance: N/A
Service: 6/10
Food: 7/10

Pricing: $
Recommended Dishes: Pork satay

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Food for Thought: Yuet Loy Cantonese Cze Char Stall

After more than 20 years of eating the same scrumptious dishes created from the wok of the Yuet Loy couple (who apparently hail from Hong Kong), I am still left craving for more. My last visit was last week with my wife, godson and daughter-in-law.

Yuet Loy started their first stall at the now defunct Hill Street Hawker Centre. When that hawker centre made way for demolition, they moved to their present location at the Chinatown Complex Food Centre. The food standard has been consistent over the years and waiting time hasn't been cut. The minimum wait is about 20 minutes on a not so busy night.

My order normally consists of 4 dishes - the kam chin tofu, steamed chicken with salted fish, prawn omelete and beef kailan.

Since my younger days, kam chin tofu has been one of my favourite dishes. The only other eating place I know of that serves authentically prepared kam chin tofu was the old Moi Lum (which incidentally is now on Murray Street with a brand new menu although some of their most popular dishes like their roast chicken and mustard green with crabmeat are still mainstays). Preparing kam chin tofu, I recall, involves a complicated process starting with making the tofu. This requires soaking fresh tofu in cold water first, then in wine before keeping it chilled for several days. After the chilling process, it is deep-fried and left to cool before they are finally ready to be used in the dish that arrives at the dining table. It is one of those traditional Cantonese/Hakka dishes that is venerated for its painstaking preparation and of course its exquisite taste.

Kam chin tofu
Yuet Loy's version is as authentic as it can get although the version I used to relish as a youngster, was garnished with bits of crispy fried salted fish. They have added bean sprout which makes it interesting. My only complaint would be the lack of wine flavouring. Wine is an important element in this dish as it enhances the taste of the tofu.

Steamed chicken with salted fish
Steamed chicken with salted fish is another home-cooked dish popular among the Cantonese and Hakkas. The chicken has first to be marinated in soya sauce, sesame oil and wine before it is steamed with ginger and salted fish. Yuet Loy's version has just about the right balance of the various seasoning.

Beef with kailan
The thing I like most about the stall's beef kailan is the freshness of the beef used. To me, this is crucial because beef that has been frozen for too many days is less tender and tasty when stir fried. The beef is fragrant with a dash of Chinese cooking wine. What my father-in-law does is substitute brandy for the Chinese cooking wine to give it a more robust taste. It is noteworthy that Yuet Loy has tried its best to stick to the original recipe.

Prawn omelete
Lastly, the prawn omelete. A simple dish but it never fails to delight. The texture of the omelete is fluffy as it should be and the prawn is, happily, not overcooked. The dish could be further improved by adding more scallion or spring onion. Also, the chef may consider exercising a little more control over the use of oil in this dish. Otherwise, this is almost a perfect dish.

I have visited this stall many times over in the past 20 years and had never been let down, not even once. What is it that keeps me going back to Yuet Loy? Could it be the way the food is prepared, or the appeal of the menu choice or perhaps because they do not cut back on the ingredients? I leave you with your own verdict.


Yuet Loy
Stall No. 02-151 Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Smith Street


Ambiance: N/A
Service: 5/10
Food: 7/10
Pricing: $-$$
Recommended dishes: Gold coin tofu, beef with kailan, steamed chicken with salted fish, prawn omelete, sliced fish with vegetable of the day

My Favourite Eating Places (Singapore)

  • Asian Dessert - Ah Chew Desserts, 181 Thomson Road, Goldhill Shopping Centre Singapore 307627
  • Asian Dessert - Hong Kong Sheng Kee,23 Serangoon Central, #B1-46 Nex
  • Asian Dessert - Mei Heong Yuen, 65-67 Temple Street, Chinatown
  • Asian Dessert - Ye Lai Xiang Hot & Cold Cheng Tng, Stall 31 Bedok Corner Food Centre
  • Bak Kut Teh - Sin Heng Claypot Bak Kut Teh, 439 Joo Chiat Road (next to Community Club)
  • Biryani - Bismillah Biryani, 50 Dunlop Street, Little India
  • Biryani - Famous Islamic Restaurant, 795 North Bridge Road
  • Biryani - Koothurar Nasi Briyani, 17 Beach Rd, #01-4705, Singapore 190017
  • Biryani - Taj, 214 South Bridge Road
  • Bread - Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, 204 East Coast Road (catty corner to Holy Family Church)
  • Bread - Sen Yen Original Charcoal Toast, 24 Sin Ming Road #01-01 Stall 3
  • Burmese - Inle Myanmar Restaurant, #B1-07A Peninsula Plaza
  • Cakes - Cafe Brunetti, 163 Tanglin Road, #01-35 Tanglin Mall
  • Cakes - The Patissier, 18 Ann Siang Road, #01-01
  • Cantonese - Hai Tien Lo, 37th Floor, Pan Pacific Hotel
  • Cantonese - Hillman Restaurant, 135 Kitchener Road
  • Cantonese - Hua Ting Restaurant, Orchard Hotel, Orchard Road
  • Cantonese - Jade @ The Fullerton, Groundfloor, Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square
  • Cantonese - Lai Wah Restaurant, Blk 44 #01-1436 Bendemeer Road
  • Cantonese - Lei Garden, #01-24 Chijmes, 30 Victoria Street
  • Cantonese - Majestic Restaurant, New Majestic Hotel, 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road
  • Cantonese - Moi Lum Cantonese Restaurant, 4 Murray Street
  • Cantonese - Spring Court, 52-56 Upper Cross Street
  • Cantonese - Teahouse - The Asian Kitchen, #B1-15 Raffles City Shopping Centre
  • Cantonese - Tung Lok Signatures, #02-80 The Central
  • Cantonese - Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant, Carlton Hotel, Bras Basah Road
  • Cantonese - Wing Seong Fatty's Restaurant, #01-31 Burlington Square (facing OG)
  • Char Kway Teow - Apollo Fresh Cockle Fried Kway Teow, #01-174 Marine Parade Food Centre
  • Char Kway Teow - Eng Ji Char Kway Teow, #04-45 Beauty World Plaza Food Centre
  • Char Kway Teow - Hai Kee Teochew Char Kway Teow, 11 Telok Blangah Crescent #01-102
  • Char Kway Teow - Hill Street Fried Kway Teow, Blk 16 Bedok South Road #01-187
  • Char Kway Teow - Meng Kee Char Kway Teow, Blk 22A Havelock Road #01-07
  • Char Kway Teow - No 18 Zion Road Fried Kway Teow, Stall 17 Zion Riverside Food Centre
  • Chocolates - Godiva, 391 Orchard Road Basement 2 Takashimaya Department Store
  • Chocolates - Laurent Bernard @ Laurent's Cafe & Chocolate Bar, 80 Mohammad Sultan Road #01-11, Robertson Quay
  • Chocolates - Teuscher of Switzerland, 13 Stamford Road Capitol Piazza #02-31
  • Claypot Rice - Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice, 335 Smith Street, #02-199 Chinatown Complex
  • Continental - Absinthe Restaurant Francais, 72 Boat Quay
  • Continental - Dolce Vita, Poolside, 5th Floor, Mandarin Oriental Singapore
  • Continental - Iggy's, 581 Orchard Road, Level 3, The Hilton Hotel
  • Continental - Les Amis, 1 Scotts Road, #01-16 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208
  • Continental - Oso Ristorante, 100 Peck Seah Street 27th Floor Oasia Hotel Downtown
  • Continental - Pasta Brava, 11 Craig Road, off Tanjong Pagar Road
  • Continental - PS Cafe, 390 Orchard Road, Level 2, Palais Renaissance
  • Continental - Saint Pierre 1 Fullerton Road, #02-02B One Fullerton
  • Cze Char - Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow, 237 Geylang Road Lorong 9
  • Cze Char - Orchid Live Seafood, 1 Bah Soon Pah Road
  • Cze Char - Sin Huat Seafood Restaurant, 659/661 Geylang Road near Lorong 35
  • Cze Char - Yuet Loy Hong Kong Cooked Food, #02-151 Chinatown Complex
  • Epok Epok - Epok Epok Central, Block 4A Eunos Crescent, #01-09
  • Eurasian - Quentin's the Eurasian Restaurant, 139 Ceylon Road, Groundfloor, Eurasian Community House
  • Fried Carrot Cake - Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake, Blk 115 Bukit Merah View #01-279
  • Fried Carrot Cake - Fu Ming Food Stall, Blk 85 Redhill Lane #01-49 Redhill Food Centre
  • Fried Hokkien Mee - Come Daily Fried Hokkien Mee, #02-27, Blk 127 Toa Payoh Lorong 1
  • Fried Hokkien Mee - Original Serangoon Fried Hokkien Mee, 566 Serangoon Road
  • Fried Hokkien Mee - Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee, #01-32 Whampoa Drive Food Centre, Blk 90 Whampoa Drive
  • Glutinous Rice - Ah Lo Cooked Food, 335 Smith Street, #02-003 Chinatown Complex
  • Hainanese Chicken Rice - Nam Kee Chicken Rice & Restaurant, 201 Upper Thomson Road
  • Hainanese Chicken Rice - Tian Yuan Hainanese Chicken Rice, #02-162 Chinatown Complex (may not be in operations)
  • Hainanese Chicken Rice - Yet Con Hainanese Chicken Rice, 25 Purvis Street
  • Hakka - Moi Kong Hakka Restaurant, 22 Murray Street
  • Herbal Cuisine - Imperial Herbal Restaurant, Four Points by Sheraton, Level 2 382 Havelock Road, Singapore 169629
  • Hokkien - Beng Thin Hoon Kee Restaurant, #05-02 OCBC Centre
  • Ice Cream - Haagen Daz, 21 Lorong Mambong #01-07
  • Ice Cream - The Daily Scoop, #01-04 Clementi Arcade, 41 Sunset Way
  • Ice Cream - Udders Ice Cream, 155 Thomson Road (Goldhill Centre)
  • Indian (North) - Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539
  • Indian (North) - Punjab Grill, 2 Bayfront Avenue, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands B1-01A, Singapore 018972
  • Indian (North) - Rang Mahal, Level 3 Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Boulevard
  • Indian (North) - Shahi Maharani, 252 North Bridge Road, #03-21B Fairmont Singapore
  • Indian (South) - A One Restaurant, 17 Birch Road, Singapore 219886
  • Indian (South) - Shami Banana Leaf Delights Restaurant, 349 Sembawang Road (opposite Khatib Camp)
  • Indian Snacks - Gina's Vadai, 271 Onan Road #01-06 Dunman Food Centre
  • Indonesian - Ayam Penyet President, 304 Orchard Road #03-36/37 Lucky Plaza
  • Indonesian - Che' Rose Nasi Padang, Blk 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 #01-523 Toa Payoh View
  • Indonesian - Kintamani Indonesian Restaurant, 3rd Floor Furama Riverfront Hotel, Havelock Road
  • Indonesian - Rumah Makan Minang, 18 & 18A Kandahar Street, Singapore 198884
  • Indonesian - Sabar Menanti, 48/50 Kandahar Street (Kg Glam)
  • Indonesian - Sinar Pagi, 13 Circular Road or #01-353 Geylang Serai Temporary Market
  • Indonesian - Warong M Nasir, 69 Killiney Road
  • Japanese - Fat Cow, 1 Orchard Boulevard #01-01/02 Camden Medical Centre Singapore 248649
  • Japanese - Hide Yamamoto, L2-05 Casino Level 2, Marina Bay Sands
  • Japanese - Kinki, 70 Collyer Quay #02-02 Customs House, Singapore 049323
  • Japanese - Kuriya Dining, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-28 Great World City
  • Japanese - Mikuni, Level 3 The Fairmont Singapore
  • Japanese - Nanbantei, #05-132 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road
  • Japanese - Shimbashi Soba, #B1-41 The Paragon
  • Japanese - Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant, 22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel
  • Japanese - Tonkichi, #07-06 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road
  • Japanese - Zento Singapore-Contemporary Japanese Cuisine,18B Dempsey Road Singapore 249677
  • Lontong - 29 Delights #01-29 Blk 29 Bendemeer Food Centre
  • Lontong - Asam Tree Cafe, Bakery & Restaurant, Blk 712 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 #01-4056
  • Lontong - Lontong Mee Siam, Block 40A Commonwealth Avenue #01-496
  • Lontong Goreng - Jesswan Kitchen, 665 Buffalo Road #01-252 Tekka Center
  • Lor Mee - Soon Heng Food Delights, #02-20 Tanjong Pagar Market & Food Centre
  • Lor Mee - Tiong Bahru Lor Mee, Blk 155 Bt Batok St 11
  • Lor Mee - Xin Mei Xiang Zheng Zong Lor Mee, 51 Old Airport Road #01-116
  • Mee Rebus - Hajah Hamifah Satay Stall, Blk 58 New Upper Changi Road #01-217
  • Mee Rebus - Rubiah Malay Food, 887 Bukit Timah Road
  • Nasi Melayu - Hjh Maimunah (Kg Glam), 11/15 Jalan Pisang
  • Nepalese - Gorkha Grill, 21 Smith Street
  • Ngoh Hiang Prawn Fritter - Beach Road Prawn Noodle House, 370/372 East Coast Road
  • Ngoh Hiang Prawn Fritter - Lao Zhong Zhong, 29 Tai Thong Crescent (347858)
  • Ngoh Hiang Prawn Fritter - Weng Seng Cooked Food, Block 724 Ang Mo Kio Food Center, #01-20
  • Peranakan - House of Peranakan, 103 Frankel Avenue, Singapore 458225
  • Peranakan - Princess Terrace Cafe, Copthorne King's Hotel, 403 Havelock Road
  • Peranakan - True Blue Cuisine, 47/49 Armenian Street (next to The Substation and Peranakan Museum)
  • Prawn Mee - Beach Road Prawn Noodles (East Coast), 370 East Coast Road
  • Prawn Mee - Blanco Court Prawn Mee, #01-01 243 Beach Road, Singapore 189754
  • Roasted Meat - Dian Xiao Er Herbal Roasted Duck, 1 Harbourfront Walk #02-138/9 VivoCity
  • Roasted Meat - Fu Shi Traditional Roasted-Wanton Mee, 4 Woodlands Street 12, Marsiling Mall
  • Roasted Meat - Kay Lee Roast Meat, 60 Paya Lebar Road, B1-10 Paya Lebar Square
  • Roasted Meat - New Rong Ge Liang Hong Kong Roast, Block 269B Queen Street #01-235
  • Rojak - Balestier Road Hoover Rojak, Whampoa Drive Market & Hawker Centre #01-06 Block 90 Whampoa Drive
  • Rojak - Lau Hong Ser Rojak, #02-14 Dunman Food Centre
  • Satay - Shi Xiang Satay, #02-079 Chinatown Complex
  • Satay - Toa Payoh Satay, Old Airport Road Food Center, #01-78, Blk 51 Old Airport Road
  • Seafood - Crab Party, 100 Yio Chu Kang Road
  • Seafood - Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant, 462 Upper East Coast Road
  • Seafood - No Signboard Restaurant, 414 Geylang Road. Singapore 389392
  • Seafood - Orchid Live Seafood, 1 Bah Soon Pah Road (off Sembawang Road)
  • Singapore Fare - Straits Kitchen, Lobby Level, Grand Hyatt Singapore
  • Steam Boat - Golden Mile Thien Kee Steamboat, Golden Mile Tower #B1-20, 6001 Beach Road
  • Tea Culture - Tea Bone Zen Mind, 98 Emerald Hill Road
  • Teochew - Ban Seng Teochew Seafood Restaurant, 20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-44/45 The Riverwalk
  • Teochew - Hung Kang Teochew Restaurant, 28 North Canal Road, #01-01 Poh Heng Building
  • Teochew - Liang Kee Teochew Restaurant, 737 Havelock Road
  • Teochew - Yuan Xing Chaozhou Restaurant (formerly Guan Hin), #01-01 Blk 34 Whampoa West
  • Teochew Fish Head Steamboat - Tian Wai Tian, 1383 Serangoon Road
  • Teochew Fish Head Steamboat - Xin Heng Feng Guo Tiao Stall, #01-15 Whampoa Drive Market & Food Centre, Block 91 Whampoa Drive
  • Teochew Meatball - Toa Payoh Lorong 5 Minced Meat Noodle, Blk 75 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh, #01-328
  • Teochew Meatball - 麥士威83号 Handmade Sotong & Meatball Soup, #01-119 Telok Blangah Crescent Market & Food Centre, Block 11 Telok Blangah Crescent
  • Teochew Porridge - Beach Road Choon Seng Teochew Porridge, Food Park, #01-09 Blk 43 Cambridge Road
  • Thai - Nakhon Kitchen, Block 212 Hougang Street 21 #01-341
  • Thai - Thai Lily Restaurant, Block 107 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh #01-268
  • Vegetarian - Grand Court Vegetarian, 20 Trengganu Street #03-01
  • Vegetarian - Kwan Im Vegetarian Restaurant, 190 Waterloo Street, South East Asia Hotel
  • Vegetarian - Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant, #02-00 Quality Hotel Marlow, 201 Balestier Road
  • Wonton Mee - Eng's Noodle House, 287 Tanjong Katong Road
  • Wonton Mee - Nam Seng (Old National Library) Noodle House, #01-01 Far East Square, 25 China Street
  • Wonton Mee - Wanton Noodle Shop, Mui Thiang Kee Eating House, Blk 34 Cassia Crescent, Singapore 390034
  • Yong Tau Foo - Hup Chong @ Blk 116 Toa Payoh Lorong 2 (outside Braddell MRT Station)
  • Yong Tau Foo - Lao Huang @ 861 North Bridge Rd #01-108 North Bridge Road Food Center
  • Yong Tau Foo - Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Foo, #02-88 Chinatown Complex

My Favourite Eating Places (Thailand)

  • Chinese (Teochew): Hua Seng Hong Teochew Restaurant, 371-373 Yaowarat Road, Chinatown, Bangkok
  • French: The Boathouse Wine & Grill, Mom Tri's Boathouse Hotel, Kata Beach, Phuket
  • German: Bei Otto, 1 Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok
  • International: The FoodLoft, 7th Floor, Central Chidlom, 1027 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok
  • Japanese: Oishi Grand Buffet, 4th Floor Siam Paragon Shopping Mall
  • Seafood: Kuang Sea Foods, 107/13 Soi Rangnam, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai
  • Seafood: Lek & Rut, Yaowaraj Road corner with Phadung Dao Rd, Chinatown,
  • Seafood: Somboon, 169/7-11 Suriwongse Road (across from Peugeot Building), Bangkok
  • Seafood: T&K Seafood, 49-51 Soi Phadung Dao (Chinatown)
  • Street Food: Beef Noodle - Racha Neua Toon, Sukhumvit 103, Udom Suk Soi 25, Phra Khanong
  • Street Food: Boat Noodle Soup - GwayThiew Boat, Pan Road off Silom Road, Bangkok
  • Street Food: Claypot Crab or Prawn Glass Noodles - Somsak Pu Ob, Thanon Charoen Rat Soi 1, (outside Wattana Leather Centre)
  • Street Food: Cooked Food - Khao Gaeng Rattana, Nang Loeng Market,Nakhorn Sawan Road, Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok
  • Street Food: Cooked Food - Khao Tom 3/1, Yaowarat Road corner of Charoen Krung and Soi Plaeng Nam
  • Street Food: Crab Omelet - Jay Fai, 327 Mahachai Road (ridiculously expensive but worth it)
  • Street Food: Duck Noodle - Sorroongroj Duck Noodle, Nang Loeng Market, Nakhorn Sawan Road, Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok
  • Street Food: Duck Noodle - Thong Lor Pochana, Soi Thong Lor (Sukhumvit 55) opp Thong Lo Police Station
  • Street Food: Fishball Noodle - Guay Thiew Pla, Soi Phraya Singhaseni off Rama IV Road
  • Street Food: Fried Chicken - Soi Polo Fried Chicken, 137/1-2 Soi Polo off Wireless Road, Bangkok
  • Street Food: Mango Sticky Rice - 38 Best Bangkok Mango Sticky Rice, Sukhumvit Soi 38
  • Street Food: Mango Sticky Rice - Kao Neeo Korpanich, 431-433 Tanao Road, Saochingcha
  • Street Food: Meatball Noodle - Tien Song Ped Yang, 188 Dinsor Road (Opp Bangkok City Hall), Saochingcha
  • Street Food: Meatball Noodle Soup - Saew, 1093 Sukhumvit Road (between Soi 55 & 57)
  • Street Food: Noodle - Jeh O Chula, Banthat Thong Road, 113 Charat Muang Road, Pathumwan
  • Street Food: Pad Thai - Pad Thai Fire Look, Sukhumvit Soi 38 (right hand side on entering the soi)
  • Street Food: Pork Noodle Soup with Salted Vegetable - right hand side of Sukhumvit Soi 38
  • Street Food: Salt Grilled Fish - Unnamed roadside stall between Central World Plaza and Platinum Shopping Mall
  • Street Food: Thai Dessert - Nam Kaeng Sai Khun Muk, left hand side of Sukhumvit Soi 38 entering from Sukhumvit Road
  • Street Food: Thai Donut - Pa Tong Ko Sawoy, 540 Tanao Road, opposite Bangkok Bank
  • Street Food: Thai Ice Cream - Nattaporn Ice Cream, 94 Thanon Phraeng Huton, Phranakorn
  • Street Food: Thai-style Noodle - Guaythiew Pik Gai Sai Nampung, 392/20 Sukhumvit Soi 20 (Sainampueng)
  • Street Food: Tom Yam Prawn Noodle - P'Aor Restaurant, 68/51 Soi Petchaburi 5 (in an alley between Soi 5 & 7)
  • Swiss: Chesa Swiss Cuisine, 5 Sukhumvit Soi 20, Bangkok
  • Thai Chinese: Je Ngor, 58 Maha Set Road, Sipraya, Bangrak.
  • Thai Chinese: Pochana Sornthong, 2829-31 Rama 4 Road, Khlong-Toei
  • Thai Chinese: Suda, 6-6/1 Sukhumvit Soi 14 (behind Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit), Bangkok
  • Thai Fusion: Blue Elephant Culinary Institute & Restaurant, 233 South Sathorn Road (opp Surasak Station), Bangkok
  • Thai: Baan Khanitha & Galllery, 69 South Sathorn Rd. Sathorn, Bangkok
  • Thai: Baan Khun Mae, 458/7-8 Siam Square Soi 8, Bangkok
  • Thai: Ban Chiang Restaurant, 14 Soi Sri Vieng, Bangkok
  • Thai: Basil, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Road (Asoke Skytrain Station), Bangkok
  • Thai: Benjarong, Dusit Thani Hotel, 946 Rama IV Road, Bangkok
  • Thai: Bua Restaurant, 1 Soi Convent, Bangkok
  • Thai: Jao Khun Ou (Once Upon A Time), 32 Petchburi Soi 17, Pratunam, Bangkok
  • Thai: Krua Apsorn, 169 Dinso Road, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon
  • Thai: Rim Fang Floating Restaurant, Tha Nam Non 235/2 Mu 4 Pracharat Road, (near Nonthaburi Pier), Nonthaburi
  • Thai: Spice Market, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, 155 Rajdamri Road, Bangkok
  • Thai: Taling Pling, 25 Suphang Alley (off Sukhumvit Road)
  • Thai: Thanying, 10 Pramuan Road (off Silom Road), Bangkok
  • Thai: The Local, 32 32/1 Soi Sukhumvit 23
  • Vietnamese: Le Dalat Indochine, 47/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok
  • Vietnamese: Madam T, 128/46 Soi Sukhumvit 23
  • Vietnamese: Thang Long, 82/5 Soi Lang Suan, Bangkok

My Favourite Eating Places (Outside Singapore & Thailand)

  • Alaska, Skagway: Olivia's Restaurant, 7th & Broadway, 655 Broadway
  • Australia, Adelaide: Central Market, Grote Street, Adelaide
  • Australia, Hobart: Drunken Admiral, 17-19 Old Wharf, Hobart, Tasmania
  • Australia, Hobart: Mozart on Collins, 121 Collins Street, Hobart, Tasmania
  • Australia, Hobart: Zum Cafe, 27 Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tasmania
  • Australia, Melbourne: Dragon Boat Restaurant, 203 Little Bourke St, Chinatown, Melbourne
  • Australia, Melbourne: Flower Drum, 17 Market Lane, Chinatown Melbourne
  • Australia, Melbourne: Grossi Florentino, 80 Bourke Street
  • Australia, Melbourne: Hopetoun Tearooms, 282 Collins Street, Block Arcade
  • Australia, Melbourne: King of Kings, 209 Russell Street
  • Australia, Melbourne: Lazar's Charcoal Grill, 87 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
  • Australia, Melbourne: Mekong, 241 Swanston Street
  • Australia, Perth: David Jones Foodhall, Groundfloor, 622 Hay Street Mall
  • Australia, Perth: Kailis Fish Market Cafe Waterfront, 46 Mews Rd Fremantle
  • Australia, Perth: Kalao World Cuisine, 171 James St Northbridge
  • Australia, Perth: Saigon Cafe, 101 James Street, Northbridge
  • Australia, Perth: Taka Japanese Cuisine, 152 Barrack Street
  • Australia, Sydney: BBQ Kitchen, 308 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW 2067
  • Australia, Sydney: Bills Cafe by Bill Granger, 433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst
  • Australia, Sydney: Chat Thai Thaitown, 20 Campbell Street, Haymarket
  • Australia, Sydney: Ching Yip Coffee Lounge, Level 2 Dixon House, 413-415 Sussex Street
  • Australia, Sydney: Doyle's on the Beach, 11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay, NSW
  • Australia, Sydney: East Ocean Restaurant, 421 Sussex Street, East Ocean Arcade, Haymarket, Sydney, NSW
  • Australia, Sydney: Emperor's Garden Restaurant, 96-100 Hay Street, Haymarket
  • Australia, Sydney: Marigold Restaurant, Levels 4 & 5, 683-689 George Street
  • Australia, Sydney: New Shanghai, Westfield Pitt Street Mall, Shop 1017-1020
  • Australia, Sydney: Normcore Cafe, 209 Castlereagh Street, CBD
  • Australia, Sydney: Pancakes on the Rocks, 4 Hickson Road, The Rocks
  • Australia, Sydney: Pho 54, 2/54 Park Rd, Cabramatta NSW 2166
  • Australia, Sydney: Saigon Queen, 137 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
  • Australia, Sydney: The Wharf Restaurant, End of Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
  • Austria, Innsbruck: China-Restaurant Canton, MariaThereseinstrasse 37, Aldstadt
  • Austria, Korneuberg: Gasthaus Zum alten Zollhaus familie Barenth, 2100 Korneuburg, Bahnhofplatz 2
  • Austria, Mondsee: Konditorei Frauenschuh, Marktplatz 8, Mondsee
  • Austria, Rattenberg: Gasthaus Kanzler Biener Restaurant Cafe Bar, 46 Sudtirolerstrasse, Rattenberg
  • Austria, Salzburg: Cafe Tomaselli, Makartplatz, Old Town
  • Austria, Salzburg: Nagano, Griesgasse 19, Old Town
  • Austria, Salzburg: Restaurant Zum Eulenspiegel, A-5020 Hagenauer Platz 2, Old Town
  • Austria, St Gilgen: Restaurant Gasthof Zur Post, 8 Mozartplatz, St Gilgen
  • Austria, Vienna: Cafe Central, Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien
  • Austria, Vienna: Cafe Hawelka, Dorotheergasse 6, 1010 Wien
  • Austria, Vienna: Cafe Sacher, Hotel Sacher, Philharmonikerstrasse 4, 1010 Wien
  • Austria, Vienna: Ege Iskender Kebab Cafe, Naschmarkt, Wienzeile, Wien
  • Austria, Vienna: K&K Hofzuckerbackerei Demel, Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien
  • Austria, Vienna: Nordsee, Karntnerstrasse 25, 1010 Wien
  • Austria, Vienna: Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant, Getreidemarkt 7, Wien 1060
  • Canada, Banff: Beavertails,120 Banff Avenue
  • Canada, Banff: Sushi Bistro, 208 Caribou St
  • Canada, Lake Louise: Lakeview Lounge, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta
  • Canada, Vancouver: Maxim's Bakery, 257 Keefer St, Chinatown
  • Canada, Vancouver: Old Sphagetti Factory,53 Water Street, Gastown
  • Canada, Victoria: J & J Noodle House,1012 Fort St
  • Canada, Victoria: Pho Boi, 765 Fort St. (btwn Douglas and Blanshard St.),
  • Canada, Victoria: The Dining Room Restaurant, Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC
  • Czech Republic, Prague: Cafe No 1, 28 Rijna 9, Mustek, Praha 2
  • Czech Republic, Prague: Francouzska Restaurant, Municipal House, Republic Square 5, Old Town, Praha 1
  • Czech Republic, Prague: Restaurace Stare Casy, U Machtu, Rytirska 411/4, Praha 1
  • Czech Republic, Prague: The SushiBar, Zborovská 49 Mala Strana, Praha 5
  • Denmark, Copenhagen: Dalle Valle, 1609 Axeltorv 4, 1608 Kobenhavn
  • Denmark, Copenhagen: Tivoli Food Hall, Bernstorffsgade 3, 1577 Kobenhavn
  • Denmark, Roskilde: Café Knarr, Vindeboder 20
  • France, Paris: Le Relais de L'isle, 37 rue Saint Louis en I'Ile
  • France, Paris: Louise Cafe, 8 rue Croix des Petits Champs
  • France, Paris: Taillevent (3 Michelin Stars), 15 rue Lamennais
  • Germany, Berlin: Joe's Restaurant un Wirtshaus, Theodor-Heuss-Platz 10, D-14052 Berlin
  • Germany, Berlin: Restaurant Babami, Zimmerstrasse 23 (near Checkpoint Charlie)
  • Germany, Berlin: Vietnam Restaurant, Georgenstrasse 25 (outside Friedrichstrasse Bahnhof)
  • Germany, Constance: Comturey-Keller, Harbour, Insel Mainau, 78465
  • Germany, Frankfurt: Schwazer Stern, Romerberg 6, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
  • Germany, Gustrow: Restaurant Zur Post, Pferdemarkt 38
  • Germany, Mainz: Backerei Mayer, Gaustrasse 21, 55116 Mainz
  • Germany, Mainz: Heinrichs-Die Wirtschaft, Martinstrasse 10, 55116 Mainz
  • Greece, Athens: Furin Kazan, Apollonos 2, Syntagma
  • Greece, Kalambaka: Restaurant Meteora, Townhall Square, Kalambaka 24320-22316
  • Greece, Santorini: Mama Thira, Clifftop, Firostefani
  • Hungary, Budapest: Cafe Hungaria aka Cafe New York, Groundfloor, Palais New York, Budapest
  • Italy, Assisi: La Lanterna Ristorante Pizzeria, Via S. Rufino, 39, 06081 Assisi
  • Italy, Bolzano: Panifico Franziskaner Backerei, Via Museo 10, Bolzano
  • Italy, Bolzano: Restaurant Magdalenerhof, 48 Via Rencio, Bolzano
  • Italy, Burano: Quarta Generazione Ristorante, Via Galuppi Baldassarre, 359, 30142 Venezia
  • Italy, Florence: Cafe Bellini, Piazza Pitti, 6/a Firenze
  • Italy, Florence: Caffe Mokarico, Via Vacchereccia, 3, 50122 Firenze
  • Italy, Florence: Gucci Caffe, Via Europa, 9, The Mall, 50066 Leccio
  • Italy, Florence: Gusto Leo, Via del Proconsolo, 8/10r, 50122 Firenze
  • Italy, Florence: Trattoria Mario, Via Rosina 2r (enter the tiny alley beside Trattoria Za Za)
  • Italy, Rome: C'era una Volta il Caffè, Via Tiburtina, 234, 00185 Roma
  • Italy, Rome: Hosteria Cannavota, Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 20 (opposite Basilica of St John Lateran)
  • Italy, Rome: Iris Bar, Via Giovanni Battista Morgagni, 30L, 00161 Roma
  • Italy, Verona: Brek, Piazza Bra 20, Verona
  • Japan, Asahikawa, Hokkaido: Sapporo Hanihonke, Aeon Mall Asahikawa Station 4th Floor, 7-2-5 Myashitadori
  • Japan, Furano: Fukuzushi Furano, Asahimachi 1-24, Furano-shi, Hokkaido
  • Japan, Gotenba: Boulanger Bec Fin, Kwashimata 651, Gotenba, Shizuoka Prefecture
  • Japan, Hakone: Dai Masa Restaurant, 63 Hakone, 箱根町 Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken 250-0521
  • Japan, Kawaguchiko: Syokudo and Teishoku Restaurant, 401-0301 Yamanashi-ken, Kawaguchiko
  • Japan, Kiso-machi: Chanotatsunoya, Kiso-chō Nakahata 6026-1, Tel: +81 264-22-3113
  • Japan, Kushiro: Kushiro Washo Market,13-25 Kuroganecho, Kushiro 085-0018, Hokkaido
  • Japan, Takayama: Unatei Restaurant, Gifu Prefecture, Takayama City Okuhida Onsenkyo 723 (Shin Hirayu Onsen)
  • Japan, Tokyo: Dim Joy, Japan, 〒104-8212 Tokyo, Chuo, Ginza, 4 Chome−6−16, 銀座三越11F Located in: Mitsukoshi Ginza store
  • Japan, Tokyo: Sahifa Kebab & Biryani, Roppongi 4-11-8
  • Japan, Tokyo: Sesto Senso Ginza Mitsukoshi, 11th Floor, 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo Prefecture
  • Malaysia, Ipoh: Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant, 51 Jalan Leong Sin Nam
  • Malaysia, Ipoh: Purple Cane Tea Art Centre, Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, Taman Jubilee
  • Malaysia, Ipoh: Pusing Public Seafood Restaurant, Jalan Laxamana, Kampung Jawa
  • Malaysia, Ipoh: Restaurant Lou Wong Tauge Ayam Kuetiau, 49 Jalan Yau Tet Shin
  • Malaysia, Melaka: Kafe Bulldog Flavours of Nyonya Restaurant, 145 Jalan Bendahara (Opp Bayview Hotel)
  • Malaysia, Melaka: Restoran Laksamana Hakka Zhan, 76 Jalan Laksamana 5, Taman Kota Laksamana
  • Malaysia, Melaka: Teo Soon Loong Chan Teochew Restoran, 42-44 Jalan KPKS 1, Kompleks Perniagaan Kota Syahbandar, 75200 Melaka (near New Lagoon Restaurant)
  • Malaysia, Penang: De Tai Tong Restoran, 45 Lebuh Cintra, Chinatown, Georgetown
  • Malaysia, Penang: Restoran Sun Yoon Kee, 35 Lebuh Cintra, Chinatown, Georgetown
  • Malaysia, Penang: Toh Soon Cafe, Lebuh Campbell, Chinatown
  • Nepal, Kathmandu: Vesper Cafe, Pulchowk, Lalitpur
  • Norway, Bergen: Yang Tse Kiang Restaurant, Torgallmenningen 8, Bergen
  • Norway, Geiranger: Brasserie Posten, 6216 Geiranger
  • Norway, Henningsvaer: Fiskekrogen, Dreyersgt 29, Henningsvaer, Foloten Islands
  • Norway, Oslo: SoMot Vietnamese, Helgesens Gate 16, Grünerløkka
  • Norway, Svolvaer: Kringla Bakeri & Konditori,Torget 21 (right off the main square)
  • Poland, Krakow: Chopskie Jadlo, Grodzka 9, 31-000 Krakow
  • Poland, Poznan: Ask Bar, Glogowska 71, 60-101 Poznan
  • Poland, Poznan: Radhe Vega, Glogowska 86, 60-101 Poznan
  • Poland, Poznan: Restauracja Zindo, Kramarska 15, 61-765 Poznan
  • Poland, Warsaw: Bar Kawowy Murzynek, Ul Nowomiejska 1/3, Warsaw 00-271
  • Poland, Warsaw: Manekin, Marszalkowska 140, Warsaw 00-061
  • Poland, Warsaw: Restauracja Zapiecek, Swietojanska 13
  • Poland, Warsaw: Rusalka Milk Bar, Florianska 14, 00-001 Warsaw
  • Poland, Warsaw: Salto, Wilcza 73, 00-001 Warsaw
  • Poland, Warsaw: Shabby Chic Coffee & Wine Bar, Piwna 20/26 Warsaw 00-001
  • Poland, Wroclaw: Bola Dosse, Swidnicka 9, 11-400 Wroclaw
  • Poland, Wroclaw: Michiko Sushi Roll, Odrzanska 1, 11-400 Wroclaw
  • Poland, Zakopane: Czarny Staw, Krupowski 2, 34-500 Zakopane
  • Spain, Barcelona: Cerveceria Catalana, 236 Calle Mallorca, Barcelona, Catalonia
  • Spain, Barcelona: Escriba, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia
  • Spain, Barcelona: Forn del Pi, Ferran 10 Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Catalonia
  • Spain, Barcelona: Gelateria Italiana Giuseppe, Barcelona, Catalonia
  • Spain, Barcelona: La Cuineta Restaurant Especialitats Catalanes, Pietat 12, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Catalonia
  • Spain, Barcelona: Mercat de la Boqueria, La Rambla, Barcelona, Catalonia
  • Spain, Barcelona: Pastisseria La Colmena Bomboneria, Barcelona, Catalonia
  • Spain, Sitges: La Oca, Parellades 41, Sitges, Catalonia
  • Sweden, Stockholm: Restaurang Sallys, Vasterlangatan 52, Gamle Stan
  • Sweden, Stockholm: Shogun, Tyska Brinken 36, Gamle Stan
  • Sweden, Stockholm: Solliden Restaurant, Skansen Open-air Museum, Djurgarden.
  • Turkey, Istanbul: Amedros Cafe & Restaurant,Divanyolu Cad. Hoca Rüstem Sok. No 7, Sultanahmet
  • Turkey, Istanbul: Boukoleon Ayasofya Fish Restaurant, Küçük Ayasofya Mahallesi Mustafa Pasa Sokak No 45/1, Sultanahmet
  • Turkey, Istanbul: Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi Selim Usta, Divan Yolu (ordu) Caddesi 12; near Sultanahmet tram station.
  • USA, Las Vegas: MGM Grand Buffet, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
  • USA, New York City: Big Wong King, 67 Mott Street (between Bayard and Canal), Manhattan
  • USA, New York City: Ciao Bella Italian Ice Cream, Food Concourse, Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan
  • USA, New York City: DB Bistro Moderne, 55 West 44th Street, Manhattan
  • USA, New York City: Europa Cafe, 3 Times Square @ 43rd and 7th Avenue, Manhattan
  • USA, New York City: Europa Cafe, 787 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan
  • USA, New York City: Hoy Wong, 81 Mott Street (between Bayard and Canal Street)
  • USA, New York City: Restaurant Bouley, corner Duane & Hudson, TriBeCa, Manhattan
  • USA, New York City: SBarro, 1606 Broadway, Times Square, Manhattan
  • USA, New York City: Yum Thai Cuisine, 44th Street, Manhattan
  • USA, San Francisco: Alaskan crab, Roadside Stall, Fisherman's Wharf
  • USA, San Francisco: Dojima-Ann, 219 O'Farrell Street, Union Square
  • USA, San Francisco: Swan Oyster Depot, 1517 Polk Street, Nob Hill