Pho (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Hubby found this restaurant. It served the best Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) that I have ever eaten in Ho Chi Minh City. The soup base was simply delicious with tender beef slices. An abundance of Vietnamese basil was provided. The coffee shop was clean too. So for those who do not mind eating at roadside coffee shop, you might want to give it a try should you visit the city.

Pho Thanh Canh
55 Nguyen Cu Trinh - Q.1.

Tofu Mania

This restaurant serves both BBQ and ala-carte menu like Bibimbab and pancakes. My hubby and I ordered the BBQ buffet. I liked their cold dishes such as glass noodles, rice cake cooked in sweetened chilli sauce and ox's belly while my hubby preferred their BBQ stuff such as beef slices, beef ribs and pork belly. They are all well-marinated and tender and so they tasted good. The prawns and fish were fresh too. The BBQ buffet also came with Kimchi soup, free flow of ice water, fruit (water melon on the day of our visit) and salad. It was not smoky at all, so one could just enjoy a sumptuous BBQ meal in the comfort of an air-conditioned environment. The dinner only costed $48.40 for two persons. So you might want to try this restaurant if you want to have some authentic yet affordable Korean meal. The only negative point about this restaurant is that it is a little cramp, so I think it is more ideal for gathering among few friends and not so much for big families.


Tofu Mania
6 Raffles Boulevard #04-102
Marina Square, Singapore

Mixed Mushroom Soup

Ingredients:
Golden needle mushrooms
Black mushrooms (sliced)
1-2 eggs (according to preference)
Carrot (sliced)
2 cups of water
Salt (a little just for taste)
Light soy sauce (a little just for taste)

Instructions:
(1) Wash the mushrooms
(2) Cut black mushrooms into small slices
(3) Pour water into pot. Add in mushrooms. Ensure mushrooms are thoroughly cooked until soft.
(4) Break egg, stir egg in bowl until liquid and pour into pot
(5) Cook for another 5 minutes or so.
(6) Add salt and light soy sauce for taste. Cook for another 1 minute.
(7) Serve hot

Sweet Potato Patties

Ingredients:
Few sweet potatoes (depends on how many people you are serving)
Flour
Sugar (optional - add according to preference for sweeter taste)

Instructions:
(1) Peel skins of sweet potatoes
(2) Slice sweet potatoes and steam until soft
(3) Mash the cooked sweet potatoes. Add some sugar if necessary. Make into patties and brush surface with some flour
(4) Fry until golden brown

Note: This is a delicious finger food that most todders will like

Pig Trotters In Vinegar

Ingredients:
1.5 pig trotters
Black vinegar (1/2 bottle)
Brown sugar (according to preference)
Ginger (to be sliced)

Instructions:
(1) Wash/clean pig trotters
(2) Cut ginger into slices and fry until golden brown
(3) Roast pig trotters in oven until skin is crispy (about 45 mins). Check frequently for quality
(4) Transfer roasted pig trotters to pot and add fried ginger slices, brown sugar and black vingar
(5) Cook for approximately another 45 mins. Check frequently for quality
(6) Dish up and serve

Note: The brown sugar is to give the dish a 'neutralised' effect to prevent the trotter sauce from being too sour.

Bak Kut Teh (Pork Rib Soup)

After a movie at Shaw cinema, hubby and me decided to eat Bak Kut Teh along Balestier
Road. We chose 2 shops: Founder and Kai Juan for comparison.
Kai Jun:
(1) Smaller, less meaty ribs that cost $5.50 per bowl
(2) Tasty, peppery and hot soup that we like
(3) Open coffee shop environment
(4) Quicker service
(5) Will not return to the shop again as shop replenished my hubby's bowl with diluted soup when he asked for more of the soup

Founder:
(1) Big, meaty ribs for $6 a bowl (more value for money)
(2) Less tasty soup (quite salty and less peppery)
(3) Slower speed of service due to many customers
(4) Be prepared to queue during peak time (e.g. evening)
(5) Air-conditioned environment
(6) Friendly service



Founder Rou Gu Cha Restaurant
347 Balestier Road, New Orchid Hotel, Singapore

Kai Juan Bak Kut Teh
395 Balestier Road (next to Boon Tong Kee)

Saizeriya

This Japanese restaurant serves Italian cuisine. I have been to its City Square and Liang Court outlets several times. Some of the recommended dishes (clockwise from top left): Chicken Bolognese Doria, Mushroom and Bacon Risotto, baked Escargot, Chicken Stew, Clam Chowder and Pineapple and Bacon Pizza. The overall standard of food and service is good. My only complaint is that soup items came warm and not piping hot which I would have loved. Free-flow drinks are also available at only $1.50. These 6 dishes only costed me $29.70. So if you want to have some decent Italian food at affordable prices with your family or friends, you may like to consider this restaurant.

















Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe
180 Kitchener Road, #B2-55/56 City Square Mall
Tel: +65 6834 4878
177 River Valley Road, #02-22 Liang Court Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6337 9001