Penang Culture

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My darling wife had gone to this makan place with her friends during the recent Ramadhan. I hadn't heard much about Penang Culture before that. Many months later, we finally got the chance to visit and tuck in to some Penang-style cuisine.

The first thing that surprised us after browsing through the menu was that they offered not only Penang favourites but even some other dishes that you might enjoy as well.

Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodles ($7.65)

First thing on our list was the Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodles.
We did some research on foods that everyone should try in Penang and this was definitely on those lists!

When someone says Hokkien Mee in Singapore, the first thing that comes to mind is the Fried Hokkien Mee aka Rochor Mee which is the half-beehoon-half-yellow noodles dish with loads of prawns fried up in prawn stock. But when someone mentions Penang Hokkien Mee, we are talking a nice big bowl of soupy goodness.

The first thing we tried was the stock which was full of flavour!
We were told that the stock was made with prawns and chicken which is what gives it such a rich and flavourful oomph and I could not help but keep gulping it down.

You will also get bee hoon and yellow noodles  so you can decide which you prefer.
But it's topped off with fish cake, chicken, boiled egg and 2 big prawns for you to enjoy!

Here's a tip - mix in the spoonful of chilli sambal to give your dish an even more spicy kick!

Penang Assam Laksa ($6.95)

Here's another Penang must-try!

We've had Assam Laksa before but this was a whole different story.
The spicy-sour fish broth was really the bomb. I thought I had found treasure with the Hokkien Prawn Noodles broth but for those of you going for a more tangy flavour - this is for you!

And the best thing is that it was not overly sour that you get tired of the taste after a few spoonfuls.
This was a very flavourful broth and boy was I hooked!

And here's a special touch that I never expected.
You see that spoon with the black liquid? It's Petis Udang (Fermented Prawn Paste)!!
Totally unexpected and added such a big difference to the dish!

If the broth was not enough to convince you that this was authentic Penang fare, check out the noodles.
These are not the regular thin Laksa noodles you'd normally get. These are thicker (very similar to Laksa Cap) and give you a great bite.

Pile on some noodles, sardines and yummy broth and take a big delicious SLURP!!

Penang Fried Koay Teow ($7.95)

Here's the dish that so many people were telling us to try should we visit Penang Culture.
One of the dishes that comes to mind when someone says Penang is undoubtedly Penang Char Koay Teow.

Don't be confused with the Singapore version which has loads of sweet sauce in it.
None of that here but definitely lots of chilli! Don't worry it's not going to burn your mouth off but if you're the type that likes your kway teow to have the full flavour of noodles and spiciness of chilli, this is for you!

Finish it off with some greens, beansprouts, eggs and of course - cockles!
A Penang hawker favourite available right here!

BBQ Seafood Platter for 2 ($17.95)

If you're looking for something to share, consider this a good choice of BBQ goodies so you can sample a number of things at once. It's also good for you to whet your appetite while waiting for your main course!

You get a nice mix of BBQ prawns, Satay and BBQ squid.
In fact, it's even enough to share between 3-4 people!

The prawns were great and I love it when they make it easy to eat. No messy peeling!
And the sambal was good too! Similar to the BBQ seafood type of sambal you get and this one was a little sweet but definitely spicy!

And I didn't get a chance to snap a picture of the squid but it was tender and not at all rubbery!

For all you Satay lovers, you'll probably enjoy the Satay here. The meat was tender and the satay sauce was good. Plenty of cucumber and onions for you to chomp down on but you might wanna ask for more sauce.
And I know you'll probably say that if wanna east Satay then might as well go somewhere that specializes in Satay but if you're at Penang Culture, the Satay is still something you might want to try if you're there.

Pink Guava Juice & Ampla Juice ($4.55 each)

They've actually got quite a selection of drinks at Penang Culture for to wash down all the yummy makan.

One of the more unique ones (and one I've never tried before today) was the Ampla Juice.
The Ampla fruit is also known by another name, Buah Long-Long, and is apparently a very healthy choice.
It has a distinct veggie taste but also have a very nice tang to it. Definitely gets the appetite going and is refreshing enough to cool your mouth down with all the spicy food.

They also have Pink Guava, Rambutan Juice and even Nutmeg Juice!!

King Of Cendol ($6.95)

JENG JENG JENG!!!

The King Of Cendol is the perfect dessert for you Durian Lovers.
Cendol, sweet red beans and coconut milk topped off with shaved iced, gula melaka and fresh durian!!

The cendol was soft and the red beans were nice and sweet. And the fresh durian was definitely the highlight!
Definitely a nice and sweet end to a very very satisfying Penang-style meal!

They also have other sweet treats for you including Ice Kachang and Bubor Hitam!
And for those of you who do not fancy durian, don't worry! All the desserts have a version which does not have durian so you have a choice too!!

What we had tonight was just the tip of the iceberg apparently.
So many more dishes to try including Penang Belacan Fried Rice, Penang Hokkien Crab Noodles and even Assam Curry Fish Head!!

This is a great place for a quiet meal for 2 or even for a family feast.
They even have special Kids' Meals!

And in case I haven't mentioned, the head chef in-charge of all the dishes used to be a hawker/chef from Gurney Drive in Penang so he must definitely know what he's doing right! I've never been to Penang but I think I've got a great idea on how delicious the food is!

Penang Culture

Changi Airport Terminal 2 Departure
Viewing Mall Level 3
#036-087-01

Tel: 6546 7793
www.penangculture.com.sg

Operating Hours: 10.30am til 10.00pm Daily
Last order at 9.30pm

Afghanistan - Nasi Sambal Goreng

We are back at one of the 'big names' in Tampines when it comes to makan and this time we're trying the 'big name' dish which is one of the most popular especially with the weekend breakfast crowds.

We normally buy it bungkus but this was going to be the first time we were having it there.
Fresh!

Nasi Sambal Goreng ($5.00)

Here's a dish that so many people love. It seems simple enough but yet it's quite hard to find a Nasi Sambal Goreng (NSG) that is consistently satisfying. I'm glad to report that over the years, the NSG at Afghanistan has earned a reputation of being consistent and delicious and worth queuing up for on the weekends.

The Sambal Goreng is not as oily as some other places you might have tried before and the Sambal Goreng is actually pretty tasty. One thing I was quite disappointed with though was the lack of veggies. No doubt on being tasty but it's almost all tauhu and tempeh and very very little long beans. I prefer a bit of green in my Sambal Goreng you know what I mean?

The chicken wing was deep fried and delicious. A nice crispy coat on the outside!
And the bagedil is a must whenever we have NSG I'm sure you will agree with me.

But for me, the best thing about the NSG from Afghanistan is the Sambal Sotong.
Even if I were to buy the Nasi Lemak from this same stall, I will add a serving of the Sambal Sotong.
Why do I enjoy it so much?

They do not use the giant sotong but rather the much smaller variety.
I would not have thought it but it apparently makes a big (pardon the pun) difference in my books.

The sambal is just the right amount of spicy and the tiny sotong is very strong on the taste and smell but I guess it's something I enjoy. I'm not sure if everyone will agree with me but I am quite fussy when it comes to my sambal sotong and I very much prefer this to those super soft jelly-like sotong.

Adam's Verdict:
Nasi Sambal Goreng 3.5/5

I must mention that my dish and price includes and extra serving of Sambal Sotong which means it's cheaper if you just order NSG as it is. And I'm not sure why but I think that Nasi Sambal Goreng seems to be more enjoyable if it's packed. Maybe it's something about everything being packed together and having time to mix up together. Hmmmm...

Looks like it's gonna be bungkus next time!

Afghanistan Family Restaurant

201E Tampines Street 23
Mamak Stall

Tel: 6783 7746

Operating Hours:
7.30am til 11.30pm Daily
(Opens at 3.00pm on Friday afternoons)

IndoChili Part III

I'm guessing most of you might know by now how much we simply adore IndoChili.
This is our 3rd visit and probably not our last. And everytime we visit, we order some favourites and try some new stuff too!!

This time we visited to celebrate a birthday with the whole family of about 12 people!
IndoChili is definitely suitable for a quite dinner for 2 or even a celebration with a big group.

Sate Ayam Madura ($7.80)

As always, one of our favourites and a must-have whenever we visit is the Sate Ayam Madura.
Tender chicken bathing in peanut gravy is a sure win. Never ever fails to satisfy and most times we even end up ordering a 2nd serving.

We did try something a little differently this time though.
Since we were dining with a pretty large group, we didn't order individual dishes like we normally would.
Instead, we took the opportunity to try something on a slightly larger scale.

Combo Bakaran ($42.80)

If you've got a large group and looking to try a few different things, then this is definitely something you should consider trying.

It's basically a platter of grilled goodies including fish, squid, prawns, sate and some chicken.

And of course, we are going to run it down for you :)

This is a Black Pomfret grilled in the style of the 'masak kecap'.
And unfortunately this was the only disappointing thing in the whole Combo Bakaran platter.

Maybe it was our bad luck but the fish wasn't as fresh as you'd expect.
I visited with a whole bunch of 'professional fish eaters' and I definitely trust their taste when it comes to the consumption of fish and other assorted seafood.

Seasoning was nice but just unlucky with the quality of fish this time around.

Next up was the Cumi Jimbaran or grilled squid.
This was definitely better and was just as good as the first time we tried it.

We had the Belado the first time around and for the grilled version this time, it's got a very nice and sweet glaze to go along with the tender squid.

For me, this was the real star of the platter - the Udang Bakar Jimbaran.

Jimabarn in Bali is famous for its delicious seafood and IndoChili has taken a page out of that book and definitely put it to good use with the squid and prawns here. A nice sweet glaze coats the prawn and enhances the already sweet flavour of the prawn. And as you can see, it's a bloody giant prawn!!

I'm not really big prawn fan to be honest but even I enjoyed this which really says a lot.
But there are only 2 prawns in this platter so you have to either be nice and share or be quick and stingy!!

For the chicken component, they have 2 servings for you.
2 skewers of some Sate Ayam Madura (which is already a win) and Ayam Panggang Padang.

If you remember, we tried the Ayam Panggang Padang the last time we visited.
And it was one of the biggest surprises! (Pleasant one of course)

It looks like a really simple dish but sometimes simplicity is best I reckon and it's proven here.
The chicken is tender and grilled to perfection and the spice gravy coating is simple delicious.
The chicken is marinated well because you can taste the flavour when you take a nice big bite.

So overall, the Combo Bakaran is worth it if you have people to share it with so everyone can have a bit of something that they like. But if you like something specific, then perhaps it might be best to order just that dish for yourself and be satisfied.

Nasi Kuning ($2.00 per serving)

Oh and by the way, I decided to try the Nasi Kuning this time instead of the usual white rice.
Thought it'd be nice to have something new with all the dishes we ordered.

This is definitely more tasty than the normal white rice.
But I must give you fair warning - the rice is cooked to a soft and still slightly mushy texture. So if you're like me and have a preference for a drier texture, you have been informed!!

Rendang Sapi ($9.80)

This is a dish that I tried during the last visit but didn't get a chance to review.
The reason being - it was snapped up so fast that I didn't get a chance to photograph it!
But alas! I have succeeded this time!

The menu says that they the meat is "slow-cooked for at least 4 hours". And they weren't kidding.
The beef is super tender and succulent. I just just through it with a fork!
And the spicy gravy is a delight and bursting with flavour.

Tempe Pete ($8.80)

And last but not least for the feast is something that some people may fancy and some people may not.

Some people call it Stink Beans. It's scientific name is Parkia Speciosa.
One thing for sure - Petai is definitely an acquired taste.

I only started eating (and enjoying) petai in recent years. Most people are put off by its strong taste and pungent after-smell. Well it may be quite a mouthful but for those who enjoy it, it's simply a delight when enjoyed with some accompanying sambal.

The IndoChili version is paired with some tempeh which is fine. The dish itself is quite tasty and definitely on the spicy side. But I do find the price a little on the high side though (it's more expensive than the Sate!!)

Adam's Verdict:
Sate Ayam Madura 4/5 -- Combo Bakaran 3/5 -- Rendang Sapi 4/5 -- Tempe Pete 3/5

Maryah's Verdict:
Sate Ayam Madura 4/5 -- Combo Bakaran 2.5/5 -- Tempe Pete 2.5/5

Simply put - enjoyed the dinner at IndoChili and can't wait to visit again.
Still so many things we want to try on the menu! Mark my words... next time - Tumping!!!

 IndoChili

54 Zion Road

www.indochili.com
www.facebook.com/IndoChili
Tel: 6445 1766 / 8168 4958

Operating Hours: 
11.30am til 10.30pm Daily

Yip's by Andik Nurdiany - Festive Cookies

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Hey guys you remember our first post on Yip's by Andik Nurdiany and some of the pastry goodies we tried right? Well, not only do they have more pastries for us to try (soon), they also have a wide range of Festive Cookies for us to enjoy!!

Well, they've actually got a lot more variety than that but we're gonna go through just some with you now including a very very unique and special one! I think we'll save that one for last! (kasi suspense sikit)

Okay let's start from the top.

Pineapple Tarts ($16.00 per bottle)

It doesn't matter what festive season it might be.
Chinese New Year? Hari Raya? Deepavali? Christmas? You're almost definitely going to see some Pineapple Tarts somewhere or rather. I think there's just something about Pineapple Tarts that connect us all. They come in all funny shapes and sizes and version nowadays but in the end, it's a Pineapple Tart.

Yip's Pineapple Tarts are definitely very generous with the pineapple filling as you can see.
The ratio of pineapple to pastry is pretty much even from what we gather and no complaints from us!
The pineapple filling itself is not too sweet and the pastry is buttery but does not overwhelm you.
Just the right balance for those who prefer a lighter snack!

We normally have a hard time finding a decent traditional Pineapple Tart nowadays and often buy a different version (as you may have read from our previous posts) but at least now we know where we can get some steady Pineapple Tarts!

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cheddar Cheese Biscuits ($18.00 per bottle)

I love cheese. And I love cheesy pastries and cookies.
I've had some pretty decent cheese cookies in the past but this was definitely something different.

Yip's version is kinda like a flower biscuit shape opposed to the type I normally have which is in stick version. But the good news is - it's still cheesy! It's not the strong salty type of cheese taste which is going to make you 'muak' so fast. This one is kind of salty-sweet and buttery and the cranberry piece on top gives you a nice sweet hint at the end.

I kept popping this one by one by one. Simply could not stop!!

Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chip Cookies ($16.00 per bottle)

This was my darling wife's favourite and I can see why!

Delicious chocolate taste when you chomp down on the cookies. The cookie dough is chocolate and you'll also get the chocolate chips embedded within! And if that's no enough, macadamia nut halves! And as you can see, they're not stingy with the macadamia nuts okay! If you don't see one on the surface, it's probably hiding from you within the cookie!!

Macadamia Nut Butter Cookies ($17.00 per bottle)

If you're not such a big chocolate fan (sure or not???), do not fret!

Yip's also has a butter version for those that still want to enjoy macadamia nut cookies without the chocolate element. Pure butter enjoyment waiting for you here! AND LOOK AT THOSE NUTS!!

And here's a fact for you - Yip's uses ONLY BUTTER in all their cookies, puffs and pastries! No margarine allowed!!

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Almond Cookies ($18.00 per bottle)

This was the bomb. And the bombs went in my mouth!

I've always been a fan of crumbly almond cookies and I can safely say we've come across one of the best here. Nice little bite-sized pieces of almond and butter goodness that you're probably not going to be able to stop from eating if you're a big fan of almond cookies.

That's a view of the inside of the cookie. I took half a bite and took a closer look inside.
If you look closely, you can see the layers of almond nut flakes that are packed into that little cookie.
No wonder it's so nutty and buttery!

And I'm not kidding you - I'm literally eating these cookies as I type this review out!

Anyways now we've come to the special cookies that we mentioned at the beginning of our post.
Are you ready? ***JENG JENG JENG***

Cereal Prawn Cookies ($18.00 per bottle)

When I first saw this posted on their Instagram, the first thought that came to my mind was "Wow. That's very errrrr... interesting!" because I've never come across a Cereal Prawn Cookie before!

And let me tell you, these unique little cookies are really something else! It's not just hype and gimmick here because these cookies really pack a punch! Nestum, Japanese dried prawns, curry leaves and CHILLI PADI make up this cookie. No wonder it's so full of flavour and is actually quite spicy!

Take a big whiff and you're gonna get a strong smell of chilli and dried prawns that's gonna get your taste buds activated. These little cookies actually remind me of those little mini Prawn Popiahs we have.
My Mum absolutely loved these cookies and the spicy factor they bring. A nice savoury taste and then chilli kicks in. I believe you chilli lovers out there will like this too!

Yip's by Andik Nurdiany is really taking things by storm here. We've tried some of the pastries and it was the bomb and now their cookies are the bomb too!

And the best thing is they have so many more things that we haven't had the chance to include in this review!
Love Letters, Cornflake and Raisin cookies, Sugi, Honeycomb and even Almond Bienetta to name a few. And they even have cookies that are 100% Vegetarian-friendly!
Looks like we have a lot more to try at Yips!

So whether it's for the festive season, looking for a gift for someone or even just buying some snacks for yourself and the family, you should definitely check out Yips! You can check out their FB page, Instagram or their website. Look for the Yip's logo on the right hand sidebar of our blog. Click on it and immediately be transported to their site where you can find a full list of their goodies and mouth-watering pics too!

Yip's by Andik Nurdiany

10 Sinaran Drive
Novena Square 2 #B117-119

Tel: 6440 7887 / 8233 0073
www.yips.sg

Operating Hours:
7.00am til 9.00pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
8.00am til 9.00pm (Sundays and Public Holidays)

The Quest For Briyani Part 6: Saffrons Cafeteria

Here we at at stop number 6 in our Quest for Briyani series and this time we are visiting a place that we normally visit for something else (not the Briyani) but quite a few readers have been egging us to try the Briyani here. WE HEARD YOU!!! :)

Mutton Briyani Dum ($6.00)

When someone says Saffrons to me, the first things that comes to my mind are Mee Goreng and Prata because that's basically what I almost always have when I go there. I've always seen lots of people ordering the Briyani there but never really thought much about it. Well it seems that a lot of people knew something I dind't and I'm here to find out what it is.

The first thing that hit us as soon as they brought the Briyani to the table was the aroma. Now here was a plate of Briyani which had the strong aroma you'd expect from a power serving of Briyani! We've had Briyani where there was surprisingly no smell at all but this was definitely something else!

Maybe it had something to do with the banana leaf? Well I'm not sure about if it made a difference but it definitely made a good impression.

At first I thought the rice looked kinda dry but boy was I wrong.
The rice was nice and fluffy and full of flavour. The rice was so tasty that I could have gone on eating it without any meat or anything else.

But thankfully, I remembered the meat!

The mutton was absolutely the bomb! The masala gives you a nice strong kick but it doesn't overwhelm you so when you have it with the rice, you can still taste the rice and the masala compliments it. The mutton was tender and easily torn apart with just my fork. Add all that into one satisfying mouthful.

I'm quite confident in saying that this is one place that calls it 'Briyani Dum' and really means it!

The acar and the dalcha only add to a dish that is already delicious on its own.

The acar has a nice tang and spice to it. Don't be afraid of those chillies you see, it's not that spicy.
And the dalcha was simply sublime. I guess one of the reasons it was so good was that they add in some of the lamb fat (tetelan) when they cook it (similar to some of the other places we reviewed) and it seems to make a world of difference. You don't have to eat the fats though! It's already done its job :)

As you can see, I really enjoyed my meal!!!

And of course, finish off with a nice cup of Teh Tarik!

Adam's Verdict:
Mutton Briyani Dum 4.5/5

I know I still have hundreds more places to have Briyani. Half of which have been recommended by you - our beloved readers. Don't worry, I'll try my best to cover as many as I can. But for now, Saffron's is one of the best Briyani's I've had so far.

Just an extra note, we normally eat at the Tampines Saffrons because it's so close but they also have a new outlet at Swan Lake in Opera Estate. And so far, the high standards are upheld at both venues!

Saffrons Cafeteria

23 Swan Lake Avenue

Tel: 9185 0954
www.facebook.com/SaffronsCafeteria

Operating Hours:
8.00am til 10.00pm Daily

Adam's Corner Seafood Restaurant - Bubur Taiwan

Bubur Taiwan ($5.50)

I used to pass by Adam's Corner in my younger days when it was still situated along Serangoon Road closer to St Georges Road. I'd never really stopped because I guess I didn't really see what was so special about it.
I thought that it was pretty much your run-of-the-mill makan place with the usual y'know?

Well, one day my then-girlfriend who is now my darling wife brought me to Adam's Corner.
She was feeling a little under the weather and wanted to have some porridge. "PORRIDGE? THERE?" was the thought that crossed my mind. So I figured it was Bubur Ayam or something.

To my surprise, it was actually Bubur Taiwan!
I normally only eat this at home when it's prepared from scratch including all the condiments and side dishes and it's more Chinese Porridge than Taiwanese Porridge at my house. I always thought you couldn't find this kind of dish in a Halal setting so I was very very pleasantly surprised.

Anyways, Adam's Corner has moved from its original location but it's still nearby.
It's moved a little closed to Serangoon Road itself and is situated directly across the street from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.

So this is Bubur Taiwan.

You'll get a nice big bowl of porridge. And when I say big, I mean BIG.
It's really a very generous serving of steaming hot porridge so you're sure to get your fill.

Along with the porridge, you'll get a nice serving of accompaniments to go along.

Ikan Bilis and peanuts, Kang Kong, Pickled Radish, Salted Fish, Salted Egg, Century Egg and some sambal kicap. Seems like a pretty standard platter for porridge if I do say so myself.

The Kang Kong is cooked very simply with some chillies, garlic and onions so it goes really well with the porridge. I think the ikan bilis and peanuts had a bit too much of a spicy thing going on in my personal opinion. Would have liked it better if it was just plain crispy ikan bilis and peanuts I reckon...
The pickled radish is the type you get out of a jar from the supermarket. Nothing special but still a staple when it comes to porridge.

The salted fish is always welcome in my books as is the salted egg which I'm sure is also a favourite of many.
One of the unique inclusions would be the Century Egg. I have to say that more and more youngsters seem to be warming up to the acquired taste of Century Egg in recent times. But having said that, the Century Eggs nowadays don't seem to have the same 'kick' as before. They're pretty mild and almost tasteless nowadays and you don't even need to eat it with pickled young ginger anymore and it's still palate-able.

And I know some of you (like my dear Mum) might be very particular about the consistency of your porridge so I included a close-up pic so you can see for yourselves.
Some like it thick. Some like watery. Some like hot. Some like it cold. Some like it in the pot 9 days old.

I would say this was still quite watery. The rice hasn't fully 100% broken down so you can still see some of the grains there. It's not too thick and just nice to enjoy with all the goodies we get with the set.

Oh, and by the way, the sambal kicap is really quite spicy.
Might wanna give it a miss if you're having this porridge literally because you're not feeling well.

Adam's Verdict:
Bubur Taiwan 3.5/5

Adam's Corner also offers other types of porridge including Bubur Ayam, Bubur Ikan and Bubur Daging.
Not too sure what you get though but at least this place is good enough to give you some variety.
Plus, the name of the place is also very very nice. :P

Adam's Corner Seafood Restaturant

452 Serangoon Road

Tel: 6294 1821

Operating Hours:
24 Hours Daily

McDonald's - Sunrise Rolls

From the first time I saw the promo video play on FB, I knew I wanted to have it.
The way the egg looked nice and wet and runny with the cheese. And the thick slices of chicken ham and all their salty goodness. What a delicious sight!

And even thought in my heart that it would not look like the picture, I simply had to try it ASAP.
So I woke up a little bit earlier one morning and headed down to McDonalds.

Sunrise Roll Chicken Ham ($2.95 ala carte)

Compare that with the pictures and the video?
Hmmm... close enough!

The scrambled eggs are the type you'd get when you order your Big Breakfast and it's laid out on a nice slice of cheese which has pretty much melted into gooey goodness for your dining pleasure. On top of that, you have two half-slices of chicken ham. Sounds like quite a treat if you ask me!

The eggs were pretty much the standard you'd get at Macs and the cheese seems to have done us all a favour by melting like that. The chicken ham was really delicious because you get that slightly salty kick when you bite down.

I'd like to say I wanna complain about how thin the chicken ham slices were compared to the video but I won't because they're actually thicker than I expected them to be in real life.

Hmmm... let's see. How can put this into context for you. Okay I've got it.
You know the Turkey Ham slices you get at Burger King right? Well this is thick like 3 slices of that.
Get the picture?

Sunrise Roll Sausage ($3.45 ala carte)

That's the sausage version. The cheese looks a lot less melted so I guess it seems that it depends on your luck on whether you cheese melts.

The chicken sausage is the same one you'll get from your Sausage McMuffin so I wasn't really too crazy about it. I guess i'm kinda bored from having it so many times in pretty much most of their breakfast items.

I have to say that these Sunrise Rolls (especially the chicken ham one) are really quite tasty. It's a nice hearty bite in the morning which I'm pretty sure most people won't have a problem with.
But here comes the biggest (SHOCKER) debating point.

Galaxy Note 2 vs Sunshine Rolls

Some of our readers commented on our FB post and said that the rolls were really small.
And I thought to myself... "Can't be that bad lah".

Well as you can see, the rolls are bloody small lah!
That's my Samsung Galaxy Note II flanked by Sunshine Roll Sausage and Sunshine Roll Chicken Ham.
That's right! The Sunshine Roll Chicken Ham is just about half the size of my Note 2!

As delicious as the roll was, the questions now lie before us.
1. Is it worth the price for something so small?
2. Even if you're willing to pay the price, how many do you need to be satisfied?

I had the Chicken Ham one plus a Hashbrown and and Iced Milo and was still hungry. I finished off the Sausage one before I could say I was pretty full up. But that's just me! Reader @FirhasBizar says he "needs 4 or 5 of those baru cukup!".

You can buy the meal at $4.00 for the Chicken Ham or $4.50 for the Sausage and it comes with a Hashbrown and a drink. Or if you're really hungry or buying for the kids maybe then you have the choice of getting the Sunrise Roll Breakfast Bundle which comes with one of each Sunrise Roll plus a Hashbrown and a drink for $7.45.

So what do you think? Worth the price?

Adam's Verdict:
Sunshine Roll Chicken Ham 3.5/5 -- Sunshine Roll Sausage 2/5

Well I guess some will like it and some will not and some will wait for someone to buy it for them.
Whatever the case, take my advice - eat them while they're hot because not so nice when they're cold!

 McDonald's

120 outlets islandwide
www.mcdonalds.com.sg
Delivery Hotline - 6777 3777

Operating Hours: Varies depending on outlet

Swensen's - Sides Part I

Swensen's is a pretty popular brand in Singapore and quite a favourite choice sometimes.
And I know most of us go like "Oh I prefer somewhere more unique" or "Swensen's? No better place meh?" but the truth is - Swensen's is actually not that bad to be honest.

We've already covered a few of their breakfast dishes and also the soups and salads.
Luckily for us, they also have an extensive Sides menu. So extensive that we need to split it up!!
Anyways, if you're gonna eat there, maybe this might help you choose on some side dishes to go along with your main course!

Meatballs in Pepper Sauce ($9.40)

In what was probably the biggest surprise food-wise in quite awhile, these are actually the bomb!
I really was expecting just another generic dish and it was probably not going to be anything special but oh boy was I completely wrong on this one!

The mashed potatoes were an absolute dream.
I can't be sure if they're instant or if they're made scratch from actual potatoes but whatever the case, they were definitely put through the ricer again which results in an absolutely creamy texture and enriched with a nice hearty buttery taste.

The meatballs themselves were absolutely divine.
A combination of chicken and beef, these were cooked to perfection and were not overdone at all. The meat remained juicy and soft and the pepper sauce went together perfectly.

I know you think I'm probably exaggerating but I seriously enjoyed every last bite of this dish.

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks ($8.40)

Something pretty basic like this can still be easy to mess up.
(Trust me I've had some bad fried cheese sticks in the past. That's right I'm looking at YOU Pastamania!)
But at Swensen's, they pleasantly surprise.

One of the main plus points - it's not oily despite being deep fried.
I literally ate these with my fingers and had little or no oil residue on my fingers at all. And I know it was fried because I got the oil when I bit into the cheese.

The outer-coating remained crispy and managed to maintain its integrity by not falling apart or going soggy. The cheese melted a little bit but you still get a bit of the chewy texture you'd expect from some mozza. And the salty flavour of the cheese is definitely evident here. Minimal seasoning lets you enjoy the cheese!

I'm certain that all you cheese lovers out there will enjoy this!
But cheese is always heavy on the palate so maybe this one might be best to share.

Adam's Verdict:
Meatballs in Pepper Sauce 5/5 -- Mozzarella Cheese Sticks 4/5

If the sides are this good, then I might just have these without ordering any mains!
Let's see what else they have on the Sides menu... Will report back soon!

Swensen's (Bedok Mall)

Bedok Mall
311 New Upper Changi Road
#1-77

Operating Hours:
10.30am til 10.30pm Weekdays
8.00am til 10.30pm Weekends
(Last Order at 10.15pm)