Review: Medan Town

 Bihun bebek

Chicken Curry

Es Campur

I dined at Medan Town (Along Tanjong Katong Road) months ago. This is the first Medanese restaurant in Singapore so far. Opened by husband and wife, both from Medan, Indonesia.

Medan food, is a mix of Malay and Chinese cuisine, maybe is the Indonesian version of Peranakan food?

When you first step in, you must order a chilled glass of Kietna ($2.20), it is their version of kamguat and lime drink. Heard that this drink need to prepare few days in advance, no wonder it is oh so nice and refreshing! I had 2 glasses in a row.

The first dish that I had was Duck Noodles($5.80, dry or soup)(first picture) . I had it dry, it tasted abit bland, so better eat with their chilli sauce, or have it with soup. The herbal soup take five to six hours to slow cooked.

I like the curry chicken or Chicken Kari Bihun ($5.50)(second picture), it reminded me of my mom's chicken curry, so lamak and so home cooked.

Before you leave, don't forget to order their dessert, especially Es Campur Medan ($3.50)(third picture). It is their version of Chendol, a shaved ice dessert with coconut milk, palm sugar red bean, grass jelly, atap seeds and fermented tapioca, (tapioca soaked in alcohol)handmade by Madam Choo.

I will definitely go back for more.

Medan Town
Address: 253 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437041
Tel: 6348 9227
Cash only. No service charge and No GST
Close on Monday.

P.S.: This is my last post of 2012. Will definitely post more in 2013.
Happy New 2013 everyone!!

Review: Nam Nam Noodle Bar

If you passed by Raffles City or Wheelock Place basement, you will notice this new Vietnamese noodle bar outlet.

I am a big fan of Vietnamese food and I like Annam. And Nam Nam noodle bar is a casual noodle place under Annam, a fine dining restaurant.

So with much expectation, I arrived at Nam Nam during a weekday lunch time. It was packed with people. The tables and chairs are very closed to each other, and with the amount of customers, you can imagine how noisy and packed was the restaurant.

I must say the food here is very affordable(no wonder it was so crowded). I ordered the value lunch set: Pho Beef Steak Slice ($9.90), comprised of Rice Paper Roll with shrimp, pho beef steak slice and iced vietnamese coffee with condensed Milk or iced lotus tea. (Available only on weekdays 10am-3pm)

Individually, the Roll costed $4.90, Pho Beef Steak Slice costed $8.90 and iced coffee with condensed Milk costed $2.50. So this lunch set is really value for money.

Everything is light and no MSG, especially the rice paper roll and the Pho Beef soup ... so I don't feel very bloated after the meal.

For the sauce, I suggest you mix the sauce this way: Hoi sin sauce + fish sauce + viet chilli sauce. It compliment the roll and the beef well.

If you want something special, you can order the Asian version Subway - Banh Mi, Toasted baguettes stuffed with savoury meats enhanced with mayo, hot chilli peppers, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber and fresh cilantro. Price at $5.90.

Nam Nam Noodle Bar
Address: #B1-46 Raffles City Shopping Centre/ #B2-02 Wheelock Place
Tel: 63360500
Website: namnamnoodlebar.com.sg

Cocktails with VSOP

Last month, I attended Remy Martin Cocktail Master Class with Cellar Master Pierrette Trichet and Mixologist Anthony Zhong of Jigger & Pony.

Jigger and Pony is along Amoy Street. What makes this bar special? They have a wide range of cocktails to choose from.

I have learnt how to mix 3 cocktails using VSOP and other liquor, Want to know the recipes? here you go:

- (Top Left) Sidecar: Mix VSOP + Cointreau + lemon juice. As for the portion, depends on how strong you want your liquor to be. It is a classic cocktail, originally from UK. Very refreshing, suitable for ladies.

- (Bottom Left) Kingship: Mix VSOP + Cointreau + Vermouth , on a card top with cinnamon powder and torch it- helps to bring out the aroma, and drop the cinnamon powder into the liquor. It gives out a strong aroma and full body. Men will like it.

- (Right) Forgot the name of the this cocktail.. Cube sugar(Pre-soak in Maharaja) + VSOP + Piper Heidsieck Champagne.
It was served in champagne glass. It reminds people of celebration because of the champagne!

During this festive season, maybe you can use this recipe as reference and make your own cocktail for your guests. Cheers!