[Media Invitation] ChaoZhou Porridge: Bringing back the age-old Teochew flavours‏

Was invited to a media tasting: ChaoZhou Porridge: Bringing back the age-old Teochew flavours! 

ChaoZhou Porridge is where epicureans can step back in time and relish the erstwhile Teochew dishes. The head chef has over 10 years of experience and is learned in the way of Teochew cooking. At the restaurant, guests can discover seven types of dishes: Cold; Steam; Braised; Deep-fried; Boiled Vegetables as well as Chaozhou signature and Chaozhou porridge.

ChaoZhou Porridge 

【上膳若粥】

This porridge is prepared by immersing rice into boiling water, and then cooked under high heat. Such a process splits and separates the rice grains. Each rice grain then becomes softened. It follows an authentic Teochew recipe. 

Big Sotong with Homemade Sauce【大苏东+潮粥将】

I adore this dish pretty much! It is a good appetiser to begin with. The pillowy texture squids are first are first steamed and then chilled, making this a cold appetiser. This dish was served along with a sweet-sour sauce that complement with with the sotong. 

 Cold Bean Curd with Preserved Radish

【菜脯拌豆腐】

I like the soft tender texture of this particular dish. A great combination with the preserved radish, spring onions and sauce which make this dish a rather flavourful one.

Braised Delight Platter 

(Duck, Pork Belly, Large Intestines, Egg, Bean Curd & Tau Pok)

Particularly, I enjoyed the large intestines that tasted pretty good on its own! 

Fried Omelette with Radish

【菜脯煎蛋】

This dish was nicely prepared with good texture! Crispy yet fluffy!

Braised Duck with Ginger

【子姜焖鸭】

I enjoyed this dish pretty much. The gravy tasted pretty good as it was not too flavourful. It was stewed with various spices and ginger which complement well with this dish. 

Crisp-fried Taro Rolls

【香芋煎卷】

Crispy on the outside with thick and rich taro within! It tasted pretty good yet not too sweet for my taste bud. If you prefer rich and starchy taro, you will love it!

ChaoZhou Porridge 

221 River Valley Road

Singapore 238279

Inside out Movie Review

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Watched Inside out with Joe at Suntec City Golden Village!

Personally, I felt that the story was refreshing and classic on its own. The story flow quite well though its plot could have been fine-tuned. I thought that it focus relatively more on the different emotions which somewhat neglected the story-line.

Nevertheless, it educated viewers on the different emotions, whether being positive or negative, each has a critical role to play in shaping who we are. We certainly have a choice to decide how to act upon it and react as it comes along.

There was a slight twist towards the finale that was least expected. I thought the only emotion - Joy will be the one who salvage the happiness of Riley, but I was wrong. It was a mixture of both emotion - sadness and joy. It make me realised that without sadness in life, there will never be the sense of joy when things get better.

Ratings: 3/5

[Invitation] Chicken Legend Blogger Food Tasting‏

Was invited to a food tasting session at Chicken Legend on Wednesday evening!

Coconut Steamboat is a new concept of healthy eating originated from Shenzhen City and is the first Coconut Steamboat in Singapore. Steamboat set is served with pure coconut water straight out of the coconut itself, unlike traditional steamboat there is no artificial sweeteners added into the soup at all. 

As you can see, there are 4 different set for consumers to select from! The small, regular, seafood and meat set! If you are dining there with a friend, you can opt for the small set! 

Need for more food to satisfy your tummy? No worries! Consumers can add meat or seafood combo at their choice! They can also order any add-ons from the list such as salmon, pork belly, mushroom ball and half chicken!

Catch this video as the host share their views on the coconut steamboat. It also shows you the correct way to prepare your coconut steamboat to get the best out of it!

The soy sauce fuses more than ten different herbs. It was served with generous servings of garlic, lime and chilli. With that, consumers can add according to their own preferences. 

This is my first try for coconut steamboat. I thought that the concept was unique and classic on its own. The broth tasted refreshing and light with the natural sweetness of corn. Particularly, I enjoyed eating the chicken cubes when dipped in to the home-brewed premium sauce as it complement well as a whole! Not to forget, the sweetness of the prawns that tasted so good on its own. The salmon and korean pork belly tasted yummy too. 

Chicken Legend

15 Upper East Coast Road

Singapore 455207

[Invitation] Teppei Syokudo Food Tasting

Was invited to a food tasting: Teppei Syokudo Invitation‏‏! A cosy place to dine in with your family and friends.

Teppei Syokudo is the expansion of Teppei (https://www.facebook.com/teppeirestaurant) in a quick dine-in and take-away concept. It offers the same authentic Japanese food in a more casual takeaway setting, focusing on fresh and high quality ingredients. There are currently 4 outlets (Takashimaya, Millenia Walk, Five @ Great Eastern, Republic Plaza), with 1 more coming in ION in December, and more in the pipeline for next year.

Kaisendon 

"Barachirashi"

I adore this dish pretty much! I like the texture of the chunky marinated raw fish. It was fresh and certainly complement well with the rice and special sauce! I have to say that the serving was pretty generous as well! 

Pork Katsu Curry

The battered pork was thick, juicy and tender! It was nicely prepared to ensure the tenderness of its meat. You can opt to dip it with the sweet spicy curry or eat it on its own. 

 Hamburg Bento

The well-marinated beef patty tasted tender and juicy though it was slightly burnt on the outside. The pasta was tasty though its texture could have been better. 

Shrimp Katsu & Kani Cream Croquette

Both tasted pretty good on its own! In comparison, I prefer the kani cream croquette! The creamy and tasty crab fillings tasted good and not too flavourful! A good side dish to order when you visit this eatery! 

Teppei Syokudo

9 Raffles Place

#01-14 Republic Plaza

Singapore 048619

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Movie Review

In this next chapter of the epic "Maze Runner" saga, Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD's vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all.

Watched Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials yesterday afternoon with poly pals! I have been looking forward to this show after The Maze Runner! In comparison, I prefer the previous installment for its compact story as a whole.

Personally, I felt that the sequel was good though it could have been fine-tuned. With a good introductory, I anticipated a more convincing story-line. However, the plot appear rather weak without depth. 

If you are expecting something similar to previous installment, the current one will most likely disappoint you. Instead of the usual maze run previously, the entire focus is about the Gladers running from one place to another away from the zombies and WCKD. Nevertheless, the good intense moments kept me on the edge of my seat.

Ratings: 3/5

No Escape Movie Review

An intense international thriller, NO ESCAPE centers on an American businessman (Wilson) as he and his family settle into their new home in Southeast Asia. Suddenly finding themselves in the middle of a violent political uprising, they must frantically look for a safe escape as rebels mercilessly attack the city. Directed by John Erick Dowdle and written together with his brother Drew, NO ESCAPE stars Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan and Lake Bell.

Watched No Escape with Gary at Downtown East Cathay Cineplex earlier in the afternoon!

This film was fast-pace and compact though its plot could have been fine-tuned. The story flow was decent but its introductory appear rather brief without much depth. Not only that, certain occurrence appear not only coincidence but predictable as well.

Nevertheless, the intense scenes depicted kept me on the edge of my seat. It also educated me the importance of kinship, team spirit and inspire one to posses that positive attitude in such situation. 

Ratings: 3.2/5

Pork katsu curry rice @ Dolce Tokyo

This pork katsu curry rice tasted good with its flaky texture and tender meat! The curry gravy complements well with the omu egg and meat. Decent portion though it can be quite pricey for some. Nevertheless, one of the better pork katsu!

Dolce Tokyo

Bugis Junction

#03-10H