THE SON OF FOOD

FAT BIRD
1 Leang Seah Street, #01-15/16, Singapore
+65 6337 0612

Living in Singapore you get exposed to a lot of foods that we from the west would consider… irregular. Things like Turtle Soup, Chicken Feet, Eel Skin Crisps, Pig Organ Soup, the list goes on and on but sometimes you find a dish that might sound familiar yet different and tastes amazing. We walked by a lively little restaurant called FAT BIRD and were intrigued, the slogan is “Chong Qing Chicken Hot Pot” and each table has a camping stove on it with a Claypot filled to the brim with meats, veggies and goodness. We decided to give it a shot and I’m glad we did, the hot pot was amazing.

There are two styles available: regular and spicy fragrant and you can choose your level of spiciness: mild, medium or extreme. Next you choose the size: small or large, the meat: Chicken, Pork or Fish and then you choose all the veggies, noodles and/or rice. A few minutes later a big claypot comes out filled with everything that your ordered and you happily eat away as it bubbles on your camping stove. The kicker here is the broth, rich, spicy and complex. I could go back just for the amazing broth alone but mixed with the chicken and veggies - it was outstanding. Price wise it’s a winner as well, we had the large Chicken soup for three, lots of veggies, rice & noodles as well as three lime juices and including tax and tip, the bill was $60. For the record, we couldn’t finish the pot of soup.

If you feel like a casual and interactive dinner out with friends and want something reasonably priced as well, then I highly recommend FAT BIRD. It’s a tasty night out that is sure to leave your stomach satisfied.

SONGFA BAK KUT TEH

11 New Bridge Road, #01-01, Singapore 059383

Tel: +65 6533 6128

Throughout my years of living in the Lion City of Singapore, there are a few foods that seem to make virtually every “Top 10 Foods of Singapore” List. I have tried most of them, some of them I’ve even written about here but there are a couple that I will eat over and over again. One of those dishes is “Bak Kut Teh” or “Pork Rib Soup” and our favorite place to eat this delectable goodness is SONGFA BAK KUT TEH.

According to the SONGFA website: Bak Kut Teh is a Chinese soup popularly served in Singapore. The name literally translates as “meat bone tea”, and, at its simplest, consists of meaty pork ribs in a complex broth of herbs and spices boiled together with pork bones for hours. Bak kut teh was introduced to Malaya in the 19th century by Chinese workers from Canton, Chaoshan and Fujian. So what does this mean to the average joe like you or I? Not too much, other than to know that this is a historically simple and good dish that has been served on this side of the planet for eons and it’s damn good.

SONGFA is always crowded and they move people through quickly, think of it as local fast food. The menu is filled with a lot of local delicacies that may be a bit tough for an untested Western palette (like Pig Organ Soup or braised Chicken Feet) but if I may be so bold order this: Pork Ribs Soup, Dough Fritters & Kai Lan, you won’t be disappointed. And the best part? The broth is bottomless, so the goodness will keep on going.

I know it might seem odd to get excited about soup in the warm & muggy climate of Singapore but the flavors make up for it, this is home cooking at its local fast food finest. So if you are near the Quays and looking for something quick, cheap and filling, I heartily recommend SONGFA BAK KUT TEH, the goodness will not disappoint!

firenspice:

Study Snack ~ Avocado Halves with Berbere & Pink Himalayan Crystal Salt

YOU KNOW I LOVE AVOCADO!!!

Now this, this is an epic “so-good-yet-so-bad-for-you” meal!!!

(Source: Flickr / 42krewephotography)

EPIC DESSERT

DA PAOLO PIZZA BAR

44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-46, Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore

Tel: +65 6479 6059

As I have stated before, it’s hard to find good pizza and sometimes a great one is just staring you smack in the face and you don’t see it (or in this case, taste it) until someone forces you to try it. Ever since I’ve been in Singapore, I’ve known about DA PAOLO PIZZA BAR in Chip Bee (opened in 2004) and I’ve walked by it numerous times but I’ve never eaten there. Maybe it’s because it’s constantly swarming with kids and always busy or maybe because it has a pretentious sounding name like “Pizza Bar”, but to be honest, despite a craving for pizza, I’ve never taken it seriously, until now.

Last week, I went there for the first time, it was still filled with kids and called a “Pizza Bar” but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The kitchen is viewable through a large window in the back, one wall is covered in an impressive selection of wine and the staff seemed friendly enough (even if they were being overrun by younglings)! But this is about the food and let me tell you, after a few bites, I was pleased.

They serve some appies and salads but forget those, let’s stick to the big show, the pizzas. They have a lot of options like the traditional red sauce pizzas like Diavola (tomato, salami, fresh chili) and Napoletana (Tomato, mozzarella, capers, anchovies, oregano) to the unique white pizzas like The Pear, Rocket & Marscapone Pizza or the Black Truffle Pizza.

Pure decadence. The crust is thin and crispy, the ingredients fresh and the tastes are all satisfaction.

While I will never be sold on the hectic ambiance of the place or the name (I know it shouldn’t bother me but it does), DA PAOLO PIZZA BAR is a great place to stop and have a slice. Enjoy!