Missing Bangkok? Head To Soi 19 To Get Your Thai Wanton Mee Fix For Just $4 A Bowl

Soi19 Thai Wanton Mee

When it comes to Thai food, I order the same three things every time — green curry, basil chicken and an omelette.

Any self-respecting chef serving Thai grub will have no problem cooking these classic dishes, and they’re so tasty and reliable that i’ve never really seen the need to try anything else.

In a way, this “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset has stunted my knowledge of Thai cuisine, so when I was told that I’d be eating Thai Wanton Mee I honestly thought that it was some kind of Southeast Asian fusion dish.

[caption id="attachment_37098" align="aligncenter" width="4032"]Soi19 Thai Wanton Mee (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]

Turns out Thai wanton mee is actually pretty similar to Singapore’s, but prepared in a different style. Same same but different, basically.

For the uninitiated (I can’t be the only one…right?), the main difference between “regular” wanton mee and the Thai version is the absence of any sauce, resulting in a drier dish that places a heavier reliance on the noodles for flavour. The ingredients remain mostly the same though, with the inclusion of char siew, vegetables, and of course, wantons.

Bang(kok) For Your Buck

When it comes to eating Thai wanton mee in Singapore, there’s only one name that you need to know: Soi 19.

[caption id="attachment_37096" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]Soi19 Thai Wanton Mee (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]

Named after the street that houses the famous SabX2 Wanton Mee in Bangkok, founder Ng Sing Chow set up his first outlet in Ang Mo Kio back in 2012, and has since opened two more outlets in Jurong and Kovan that see long queues every day.

This isn’t a case of culinary appropriation either. Ng — who previously worked in the clothing industry and had zero f&b experience — actually learned his recipe from his god brother in Thailand, and painstakingly tried 20 noodle varieties before finding one with the right texture.

His efforts have certainly paid off, because the noodles are without a doubt the star of the show here. Despite having no sauce, they’re infused with a rich, eggy flavour, and have a bouncy, al dente texture that makes it effortless to chew on. I seriously think I could’ve eaten a bowl of them without the ingredients.

[caption id="attachment_37097" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]Soi19 Thai Wanton Mee (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]

That’s not to say that the ingredients aren’t good, though. The char siew used here is less sweet than what you’d usually expect — a deliberate choice, according to Ng’s daughter Claire — and it balances out the noodles’ strong taste. The larger bowls also include a few slices of fish sausage, which strangely enough taste like bak kwa (I’m still trying to figure that one out myself).

And then there’s the crispy pork lard, which is made in-house on a daily basis. The Ang Mo Kio outlet is famous for offering a free flow of these crispy bites, but this unfortunately isn’t available at the other two stores in the interest of cost. It’s a shame, considering that a small amount already adds yet another dimension of savoury goodness to an already-varied taste.

[caption id="attachment_37099" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]Soi19 Thai Wanton Mee (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]

And what would a wanton mee be without…well, good wantons? The dish includes both the crispy and soft variety, and they’re quite literally bursting with flavour thanks to a generous amount of minced meat within each of them. Throw in some juicy greens for good measure, and you have an extremely hearty and satisfying meal for as low as $4.

You’d think that a wanton mee with no sauce would be less flavourful than its gravy-laden counterpart, but Soi 19 has converted my wanton allegiance to team Thai.

Earlier in our interview, Claire tells me that the goal was not to produce an exact replica of Thai wanton mee, but instead use it as an inspiration to create a version that appealed to the local palate (“60% Thai, 40% Singaporean”, she says).

Having tried a bowl for myself, I can safely say that they’ve succeeded.

Soi 19 Kovan
Address: 9 Yio Chu Kang Road, #01-56, Singapore 545523
Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10pm

Soi 19 Ang Mo Kio
Address: 151 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, Singapore 560151
Opening Days: Wednesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 7am – 3:30pm

Soi 19 Jurong
Address: 130 Jurong Gateway Road, #01-211, Singapore 600130
Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Opening Hours: 7am – 4pm (7pm on Fridays)

Also Read 6 Dishes Crazy Rich Asians Should Have Tried At Newton Food Centre Instead Of Satay

(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

This New Tom Yum Ramen Brings Together The Best Of Both Thai And Japanese Cuisine

What do you get when you combine Thai and Japanese cuisine together?

This masterpiece.

[caption id="attachment_33495" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] Image Credit: Ramen Tenji[/caption]

Kop Khun Konnichiwa

Together with sister brand Soi Thai Soi Nice, Ramen Tenji has launched the Tom Yum Ramen ($17.90) which will be available for a limited time only.

You can expect your favourite springy ramen noodles bathed in an aromatic Tom Yum broth that is prepared from scratch daily by Soi Thai Soi Nice’s Head Chef Worawang Phairit.

[caption id="attachment_33496" align="aligncenter" width="1061"] Image Credit: Ramen Tenji Facebook[/caption]

This Tom Yum Ramen is packed with big succulent prawns, tender Charsiew meat, a side of black fungus and not forgetting the ingredient that every ramen must have – the Ajitama egg perched on top of a mound of noodles.

The best part? This Tom Yum Ramen is available for both dine-in and takeaways at Ramen Tenji and Soi Thai Soi Nice at The Seletar Mall.

Looking for a change from your usual Japanese Ramen? This cross-cultural mash up is right up the alley.

Ramen Tenji
Address: 
33 Seng Kang West Avenue, The Seletar Mall, #01-28, Singapore 797653
Opening Hours: 
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 9.30pm, Sat: 11:30am – 10pm
Contact No.: 
6581 2189
Website

Soi Thai Soi Nice
Address: 
33 Seng Kang West Ave, The Seletar Mall #01-29/30, Singapore 797653
Opening Hours: 
Mon – Fri: 11:30am – 10pm, Sat – Sun: 11am – 10pm
Contact No.: 
6581 2190
Website

Also Read Get Some Pho-King Good Noodles At These 8 Vietnamese Restaurants

(Header Image Source: Ramen Tenji)

These Pretty Pink Drinks Are Bangkok’s Latest Tea Trend, Because Thai Milk Tea Is So 2015

Thai-everything has been a huge hit among Singaporeans in the past couple of years.

With the incredible turnout at Artbox Singapore in March, and with the hype constantly brewing around food and drink trends coming out of the country, Singaporeans’ love for all things Thai is plain to see.

[caption id="attachment_29086" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Image Credit: ST-SM[/caption]

If you’re a fan of Thai milk tea, Cha Tra Mue is a brand you’ll recognise. You’ve probably seen its logo on tea tins and bags either stowed away on a high shelf, or found sitting out in the open whenever you order some of the delicious orange coloured tea.

A New Tea Trend In Thailand

Cha Tra Mue, which literally translates into ‘Number One Tea’, recently kicked off a brand new tea trend in Thailand – a rose tea drink, which is tea brewed from rose petals.

The tea brand has released 3 spins on the fragrant floral tea.

These teas come in pretty hues of pink and are served in plastic cups with a romantic floral design that perfectly complements the drink. Super Insta-worthy, you’ll want to get plenty of fun shots of your drink before you start downing these.

[caption id="attachment_29083" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Image Credit: @kitch.neo[/caption]

The Rose Milk Tea is the only milk tea of the lot, with a milky pink appearance and the light aroma of rose.

[caption id="attachment_29081" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Rose Milk Tea (Image Credit: Burpple User Zhihui Lim)[/caption]

If refreshing is what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in the Lychee Rose Tea, which combines the fragrance of rose with the light sweetness of lychee.

[caption id="attachment_29084" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Lychee Rose Tea (Image Credit: Burpple User Doreen Tan)[/caption]

Finally, there is the Honey Rose Tea, which is sweeter than the other two. As with the other drinks, the rose fragrance comes through strongly, making this the perfect cooling drink on a warm day in Singapore’s heat!

Not just a pretty drink, the rose in the tea comes packed with benefits according to Cha Tra Mue. Apparently, some of the benefits of rose include detoxification, laxative effects for those with constipation and weight loss.

Just Our Cup Of Tea

Cha Tra Mue currently has 4 outlets in Singapore: Far East Square, Tanjong Pagar XChange, Clifford Center, and Savourworld.

Conveniently located so you can order a cup and take it with on the go, break away from your usual bubble tea order and opt for this pretty pink drink instead!

Cha Tra Mue
Address: Far East Square, 137 Amoy Street #01-05
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm; Closed on PH
Contact no.: 9429 3886

Address: 120 Maxwell Road, Tanjong Pagar Xchange, #B1-35
Opening Hours: Mon: 8.30am – 6.30pm; Tue – Fri: 8.15am – 6.30pm; Sat: 11am – 4pm; Closed on PH
Contact no.: 8350 4138

Address: Clifford Centre FoodFare, B1-K3, Raffles Place
Opening Hour: Mon – Fri: 9am – 6.30pm; Sat: 10am – 2.30pm; Closed on PH

Address: Savourworld, 2 Science Park Drive
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 5.30pm; Closed on PH

Also read Best Thai Eateries In Singapore So You Don’t Have To Queue For 10,000 Years At Nakhon

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Doreen Tan@kitch.neo)

This Tom Yam Hot Pot Lets You Dine Like Royalty With Its Premium Seafood

Love the rich, unique flavours of Thai cuisine? Considering how much Singaporeans love their Thai food, there aren’t many places you can go for some good, authentic Thai fare.

So, imagine our excitement when we found out about Soi Thai Soi Nice! After hearing about their Tom Yam hot pot, we knew we had to have a taste.

[caption id="attachment_25178" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Entrance of Soi Thai Soi Nice[/caption]

As its name suggests, Soi Thai Soi Nice is a restaurant serving Thai food.

Located at Alexandra Central Mall, the inside of the restaurant is a sight to behold with plush, red velvet dining chairs, gorgeous artwork on the walls, and a huge chandelier in the middle of the room!

With soft Thai pop music playing in the background, it’s not hard to imagine that you’re actually in Bangkok!

[caption id="attachment_25179" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The team having a grand time chatting up a storm while waiting for the food to arrive.[/caption]

It was even harder to believe we were still in Singapore when the food started arriving at our tables!

First up was the Royal Thai Hot Pot ($68.80, for up to 4 pax), the signature dish at this restaurant, and boy did it make us feel like royalty.

[caption id="attachment_25184" align="alignnone" width="1024"] You can’t resist a smile, looking at the Royal Thai Hot Pot.[/caption]

This hot pot was an entire culinary experience in and of itself.

Filled to the brim with premium ingredients like crayfish, prawns, mussels, pork belly, enoki mushrooms, sausages, and hard boiled eggs, it came atop a bed of springy noodles, and in a home-made Tom Yam Soup base.

[caption id="attachment_25186" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Royal Thai Hot Pot ($68.80, for up to 4 pax)[/caption]

A fun fact we found out was that all the spices and ingredients used at this restaurant are directly imported from Bangkok to ensure authenticity. Also, we heard that their Head Chef, Worawong Phairat (Olay), also waited to have his personal kitchen utensils, woks and knives imported from Bangkok. Talk about attention to detail!

Next up was the Yum Khai Dao (Fried Egg Salad) ($6.80), the Kai Jiao Cha Om (Fried Omelette with Thai herb Cha Om) ($7.80) and the Kho Moo Yang (Grilled Pork Neck) ($9.80) that all came at once – not that we’re complaining.

[caption id="attachment_25187" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Yum Khai Dao (Fried Egg Salad) ($6.80)[/caption]

Apparently, Cha Om is a very common Thai herb that can be found pretty much anywhere in Thailand. Our first bite left us speechless. No really, the flavours of the Kai Jiao Cha Om were hard to describe. All we could do was nod enthusiastically when asked if we enjoyed it, and hold ourselves back from licking the plate clean.

[caption id="attachment_25194" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kai Jiao Cha Om (Fried Omelette with Thai herb Cha Om) ($7.80)[/caption]

Next, we tried the Moo Sam Chan Tord (Deep Fried Pork Belly) ($9.80)…

[caption id="attachment_25198" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Moo Sam Chan Tord (Deep Fried Pork Belly) ($9.80)[/caption]

…as well as the Chuchee Pla Kra Pong (Curry Seabass Fillet) ($13.80) and the Kung Chuchee (Curry Prawns) ($15.80).

To be honest, by this time, we were so overwhelmed by how delicious everything was, we forgot to take proper pictures of each dish.

Both the Curry Seabass Fillet and the Curry Prawns were super creamy, and were only mildly spicy.

Soi Thai Soi Nice provides dipping sauces with 4 different levels of spiciness: Mild, Spicy, Very Spicy and Extra Spicy. Considering how spicy Thai food can get, we love the fact that you can tailor the spiciness to your own tolerance levels!

The final dish was their Hor Mok Ma Praw Talay (Coconut Seafood Otah) ($12.80).

[caption id="attachment_25202" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Hor Mok Ma Praw Talay (Coconut Seafood Otah) ($12.80)[/caption]

For this dish, prawns, squid and otah came served in a coconut husk, alongside bits of soft, sweet coconut flesh. The gentle crunch of the coconut served as a pleasant surprise, in contrast to the other more tender components of the dish. Overall, this dish is definitely one for the coconut lovers.

[caption id="attachment_25205" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Stuffed.[/caption]

And finally, dessert! By this time, we were all stuffed, but our second stomachs (yes, we have a second stomach for dessert) were ready the moment dessert arrived.

No Thai meal is complete without Kao Niao Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice) ($5.80), but we were certainly surprised to see the ever famous Coconut Ice Cream presented in the same manner in the Kao Niao I-Team (Sticky Rice with Coconut Ice Cream) ($5.80).

[caption id="attachment_25203" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kao Niao Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice) ($5.80)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25204" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kao Niao I-Team (Sticky Rice with Coconut Ice Cream) ($5.80)[/caption]


With dessert comes heavy hearts–for it means dinner is coming to an end.

In all, the food here not only looked great but tasted fantastic as well. Coming in perfect sharing portions and boasting a huge array of Thai flavours, it’s definitely a great place to take your friends or the whole family!

Soi Thai Soi Nice
Address: 321 Alexandra Rd, #02-01 Alexandra Central Mall, S159971
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri: 11.30am-3.30pm and 6pm- 10pm; Sat-Sun, PH: 11.30am to 10pm
Contact no.: 6250 4863

Also read Goodbye Artbox, Hello Thai Festival – Authentic Thai Eats Without The Heat Or The Crowd

Verdict Is Out! Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore For Best Food Under $45

Where to get the best Curry Laksa? Which hawker stall has the best Hainanese Chicken Rice? Don’t know where to bring your tourist friends for the best Chai Tow Kway?

Worry no more because some of Singapore’s best eateries have been awarded a”Bib Gourmand” (high-quality menu at reasonable prices) by the very first edition of the Singapore Michelin Guide! So who made the cut? Here are the 34 hawker stalls, restaurants and food establishment that made the list.

What is Bib Gourmand?

“Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand…is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognises friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices. ” In Singapore – the meal must be under SGD$45 to qualify.

[caption id="attachment_11205" align="aligncenter" width="750"]Credit: Michelin Guide Credit: Michelin Guide[/caption]

Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore – Hawker Stalls

Without further ado, here’s the full list!

1. Claypot Laksa – Alexandra Village Food Centre

[caption id="attachment_11187" align="alignnone" width="650"]Image source: Daniel Food Diaries Image source: Credit: Image source: Burple Image source: Image source: SG Food on Foot Image source: Chey Sua

(Image credit: Image source: Burple Image source: Credit: Image source: Spring Tomorrow Image source:Image source: Burple Image source: Image source: kate2.0[/caption]

23. New Ubin Seafood – Sin Ming Road

24. Peony Jade at Keppel Club (Cantonese) – Bukit Chermin Rd

25. Shish Mahal (Indian) – Albert Street

26. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh – New Bridge Rd

[caption id="attachment_11194" align="alignnone" width="601"]Image source: Yayforfries Image source: Yayforfries[/caption]

27. 328 Katong Laksa – East Coast Road

28. True Blue Cuisine (Peranakan) – Armenien Street

TrueBlue
(image credit: Image source: Yhingthai Palace Image source: Image source: Bismillah Biryani Image source: Bismillah Biryani[/caption]

33. JB Ah Meng Kitchen (Cantonese) – Geylang Road

34. Sin Huat Eating House (crab rice noodle) – Geylang Road

[caption id="attachment_11210" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Credit: chickenscrawlings.com Credit:

With so many yummy approved food to choose from, we reckon you bookmark this page (and share with your friends) for future reference. You’ll always know “what to eat” and “where to eat” from now. No more arguments about who has to decide meal plans!

Header image source: Clearing All Your Doubts – How Exactly Does The Michelin Guide Work?

A Party In Our Mouths – Watermelon Fried Rice Is Just Amazeballs!

Nestled among an array of other gastronomic selections and retail shops in Sentosa, Gin Khao Bistro stands out with its red in black facade, catching many a passers-by’s eyes. It was quiet as we were early for dinner, allowing us a moment to enjoy the evening breeze and yacht marina view.

DSC_0275DSC_0280DSC_0276

Thai Iced Rose Milk Tea

We start off the meal with a classic Thai Iced Milk Tea, a staple drink to have at every Thai eatery. Gin Khao Bistro ups its Thai Iced Milk Tea game by adding a special ingredient to it.

Their version is a Thai Iced Rose Milk Tea ($5.80), a shot of rose syrup is added to the iced tea. Rose syrup can be a tad sweet and cloying, but what is special about this blend is that the rose adds a layer of flavour to the milk tea, giving it an overall pleasant yet refreshing aftertaste.

DSC_0303

Som Tam

Our next dish was a perfect contrast to the sweet Thai Iced Milk Tea. Som Tam ($8.80), also known as Papaya salad, is possibly an all-time favourite appetiser for Thais. The first few bites can be slightly acidic, but is expected. The papaya they use here is fresh and crunchy. Gin Khao’s Som Tam is indeed tantalising, a great choice to whet the appetite of diners early on in the meal.

DSC_0289

 Tom Yam Tulay

Our next dish was the Tom Yam Tulay ($13.80), a soup base accompanied by a generous amount of seafood such as mussels, squid, and shrimp. The seafood contributed a rich flavour in the broth, but its addictive nature is in the aftertaste.

DSC_0296

 Phat Neua

After the appetiser and the soup, we were ready for more. The next dish that came piping hot was Phat Neua ($14.80). This generous serving of stir fried spicy beef got our appetites raring to go. We sank our teeth into the tender well-seasoned beef and were hooked after the first bite. It is best enjoyed with steamed rice.

DSC_0310

Watermelon Fried Rice

As always, we save the best for last. Recommended by the restaurant manager, Kevin, we tried the Watermelon Fried Rice ($25.80). The dish is a new creation by Gin Khao, an unexpected twist to the traditional pineapple fried rice. The Instagram-worthy dish is a sculpted watermelon bowl containing fried rice, mussels, sliced squids, shrimps, beancurd skin, cashew nuts, chicken floss, and of course, watermelon balls.

We were rather sceptical of how this would taste. It sounded a little absurd to eat watermelon balls with rice but if we could eat pineapple and mango with rice, why not watermelon!

DSC_0327

We were right to trust Gin Khao’s creation. It felt like a party in my mouth with the sweetness of the watermelon contrasting the saltiness of the fried rice. The ingredients were seasoned and cooked to perfection. The fluffiness and chewiness of the fried rice complemented the juiciness of the watermelon balls, and it had us drooling for more. We relished the entire dish to the very last mouthful.

DSC_0328

I must say, we had a scrumptious Thai dining experience with Gin Khao Bistro and would come back anytime. Visit Gin Khao Bistro for delectable Thai food with a special twist!

Gin Khao Bistro @ Sentosa Cove
Address: 31 Ocean Way #01-12 Quayside Isle
Opening hours: Mon to Thurs: 12pm to 3pm, 530pm to 10pm
Fri: 12pm to 12am
Sat/Eve: 11am to 12am
Sun/PH: 11am to 10pm

Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World

This was an invited food tasting session.

Also, read A Teppanyaki Dinner That Hits All The Right Spots – Teppan Bar Q